cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
BEAM FLATNESS PERTURBATION EFFECTS OF A PERFORATED THERMOPLASTIC IMMOBILIZATION DEVICE ON 6 AND 12 MEV ELECTRON BEAMS

Abstract Purpose : Perforated thermoplastic masks are widely used in radiotherapy of head and neck malignancies. They provide for patient immobilization and increase setup reproducibility. Some oncology treatment centers cut mask portals (windows) for the beam to pass through; for those centers that do not, the mask affects beam fluence. The extent to which beam flatness is altered by such a mask is investigated. Materials and methods : The effect of perforated thermoplastic on 6 MeV and 12 MeV electron beams was described in terms of optical density differences in a comparative film study. Results : Variations of beam flatness were documented of up to 11.8% at 5 mm depth for 6 MeV, and 8.1% for 12 MeV electrons. The depth at which this effect may be considered insignificant (mean optical density differences Conclusions : For clinical situations where the target volume is superficial, some consideration should be given to beam inhomogeneity caused by the mask.
A Magnetron DC Arc Plasma for Aerosol Analysis

A direct-current are device using coaxial electrodes and an external magnetic field is combined with a glass-frit nebulizer for the analysis of metallic elements in aqueous samples. The magnetic field is applied parallel to the electrode axis to produce a magnetron-type rotation of the are current channel. The resulting plasma is diffuse and is more easily penetrated by the aerosol particles. The plasma is viewed normal to its axis at one end of the cylindrical electrode assembly. The intense continuum background from the current channel is masked by withdrawing the center electrode into the outer cylindrical electrode. The effects of electrode configuration and plasma current on analysis line-to-background ratios are described. Preliminary analytical data are presented for Cu, Mn, Mg, and Ca.
Reproducibility of coronary arteriographic reading in the coronary artery surgery study (CASS)

Eight hundred seventy arteriograms from the Coronary Artery Surgery Study (CASS) were independently read by readers at two different clinics to evaluate the reproducibility of the interpretation of coronary arteriograms. Among proximal segments, the interpretation of lesions of the left main coronary artery were the least reproducible, P less than .02. When one angiographer reads a stenosis of 50% or more in the left main coronary artery, it is estimated that a second reader will report no lesion 18.6% of the time. In 94.7% of the films, the number of significantly (greater than or equal to 70% stenosis) diseased vessels was the same for both readers (72.1%) or differed by one vessel (22.6%). The reproducibility of interpretation of films of good or acceptable quality or completeness was better than the reproducibility of readings of arteriograms judged to be of poor quality or incomplete studies. The mean absolute difference between readings of the percent stenosis decreased over the time of the patient enrollment, 1975 to 1978. This may have resulted from major collaborative efforts made during the course of the study to improve the quality of angiography and to standardize the reading of the cine films.
The management of information and impressions: When employees behave opportunistically

Abstract Researchers in the area of organizational politics or impression management have been interested not only in determining the effectiveness of political behaviors, but also in identifying the conditions under which employees will behave opportunistically. In the present study, the effects of two situational characteristics (accountability and ambiguity) and one personal characteristic (self-monitoring) on the management of information and impressions were investigated. Results demonstrated that when accountability was high and ambiguity was low, there was greater use of defensive information and more emphasis on positive aspects of the decision than in any other condition. Also, high self-monitors were more likely to engage in information manipulation, and the effects were more pronounced under conditions of high accountability. Implications of these results for theory, research, and practice are discussed.
Novel preparation of Pd/Vycor composite membranes

Abstract Pd/Vycor® composite membranes were prepared using electroless plating from both typical hydrazine-based and formaldehyde modified baths. The electroless palladium film obtained from the modified bath has a higher luster, smaller grain size, and is denser than the typical bath. Using a new preparation technique which combines electroless plating and osmosis, the microstructure of the palladium film can be manipulated to yield both porous and dense films without altering the chemistry of the plating bath.
Hybrid cellular-MANETs in practice: A microblogging system for smart devices in disaster areas

Our dependence on mobile communications continues to grow; however, wireless devices may encounter inadequate coverage due to a variety of shortage and outage circumstances. In particular, in disaster situations, the access to communications is critical for rescue operations while local wireless infrastructure may have suffered damage. In this paper, we demonstrate the concept of hybrid cellular mobile ad hoc network (hybrid cellularMANET) to extend wireless coverage by showing a fully functioning microblogging system for smartphones and tablets without requiring modifications of the existing wireless infrastructure in an emulated disaster area. Participating devices connect to each other through WiFi radio to form a hybrid cellularMANET, relaying data off the MANET through the nodes that have sufficient cellular forwarding capability. We have proposed a self-organizing, mobility-aware, multi-path routing protocol (HMANET) to control the data forwarding in the hybrid cellularMANET. We compare its performance with the classic Hybrid Wireless Mesh Protocol (HWMP) used in the IEEE 802.11s standard in the built microblogging system. Our experimental results show that the HMANET protocol statistically outperforms the HWMP protocol in terms of adaptiveness to role change and mobility in the hybrid cellular-MANET.
Interaction of nucleic acids. VI. Interaction of purine with nucleic acids.

The interaction of purine with DNA, tRNA, poly A, poly C, and poly A. poly U complex was investigated. In the presence of purine, the nucleic acids in coil form (such as denatured DNA, poly A and poly C in neutral solutions, or tRNA) have lower optical rotations. In addition, hydrodynamic studies indicate that in purine solutions the denatured DNA has a higher viscosity and a decreased sedimentation coefficient. These findings indicate that through interaction with purine, the bases along the poly-nucleotide chain are unstacked and are separated farther from each other, resulting in increased assymmetry (and possibly volume) of the whole polymer. Thus, the de-naturation effect of purine reported previously can be explained by this preferential interaction of purine with the bases of nucleic acids in coil form through a hydrophobic-costacking mechanism. Results from studies on optical rotation and helix-coil transition show that the interaction of purine is greater with poly A than with poly C. The influence of temperature, Mg++ concentration, ionic strength, and purine concentration on the effect of purine on nucleic acid conformation has also been investigated. In all these situations the unraveling of nucleic acid conformation occurs at much lower temperatures (20–40°C lower) in the presence of purine (0.2–0.6M).
Test Beam Performance of Directly Coupled Scintillator Tiles using Hamamatsu MPPCs

Abstract We report on the response to a 120 GeV proton beam of 9 cm 2 area and 5 mm thick scintillator tiles readout with an active area of 1 mm2 Hamamatsu MPPCs in pulse mode. The tile response is measured as a function of position and incident angle of a particle track determined with a silicon pixel detector. It shows that ordinary or flat tiles have peaked response while tiles with the photo detector side dimpled have uniform response. The beam test results are in qualitative agreement with Sr-90 radioactive source observations made with an MPPC in current mode.
A Note on the V-shaped Property in One-Machine Scheduling

This note deals with a one-machine scheduling problem to minimize the sum of the total earliness and total tardiness penalties with respect to a common due date, which is a decision variable. We show that the V-shaped property holds for a general case. This result is also true if the common due date is a prespecified value.
Microbiological contamination : biocide treatment in naval distillate fuel

Abstract The Canadian Navy's most recent experience with microbiological contamination in a fuel system is reported. This case involved fuel contamination which severely damaged several gas turbine engines, necessitating expensive repairs. Laboratory analysis of fuel, taken from the contaminated tanks, confirmed the presence of salt water, suspended particulates and interfacial fungal mats. The predominant organism was Hormoconis resinae (previously Cladosporium resinae). The attempt to disinfect the system by treatment of the fuel with an isothiazolone-based commercial biocide, and the environmental concerns with disposal of the biocide-treated fuel and fuel tank water bottoms are described.
Silica-germania adsorbents. I. The reaction of Ge(OCH3)4 with silica and the nature of the adsorbent produced

Abstract An infrared spectroscopic study of the reaction of Ge(OCH 3 ) 4 with silica and of the reactions of the resulting adsorbent was carried out. Surface hydroxyls were eliminated and a layer of −Ge(OCH 3 ) 3 groups was formed. Destruction of that layer by vacuum pyrolysis resulted in the formation of an active adsorbent which dissociated water to form surface hydroxyls and GeH groups. The surface was not stable and changed its structure and properties. Various reactions and mechanisms are discussed in detail.
Effect of silica and gold nanoparticles on macrophage proliferation, activation markers, cytokine production, and phagocytosis in vitro

The accumulation of durable nanoparticles (NPs) in macrophages following systemic administration is well described. The ultimate biological impact of this accumulation on macrophage function, however, is not fully understood. In this study, nontoxic doses of two durable NPs, SiO2 and Au, at particle sizes of ~10 nm and 300 nm were used to evaluate the effect of bioaccumulation on macrophage function in vitro using RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage-like cells as a model system. Cell proliferation, cell cycle, cytokine production, surface marker activation, and phagocytosis responses were evaluated through a panel of assays using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. The most dramatic change in RAW 264.7 cell function was a reduction in phagocytosis as monitored by the uptake of Escherichia coli. Cells exposed to both 10 nm Au NPs and 10 nm SiO2 NPs showed ~50% decrease in phagocytosis, while the larger NPs caused a less dramatic reduction. In addition to modifying phagocytosis profiles, 10 nm SiO2 NPs caused changes in proliferation, cell cycle, and cell morphology. Au NPs had no effect on cell cycle, cytokine production, or surface markers and caused interference in phagocytosis in the form of quenching when the assay was performed via flow cytometry. Confocal microscopy analysis was used to minimize this interference and demonstrated that both sizes of Au NPs decreased the phagocytosis of E. coli. Overall, our results demonstrate that Au and SiO2 NP uptake by macrophages can influence macrophage phagocytosis in vitro without altering surface markers and cytokine production in vitro. While the biological impact of these findings remains unclear, our results indicate that bioaccumulation of durable NPs within the macrophages may lead to a suppression of bacterial uptake and possibly impair bactericidal activity.
Contributions of unstirred-layer effects to apparent electrokinetic phenomena in the gall-bladder

Passage of electric current across rabbit gall-bladder, which is preferentially permeable to cations, causes water flow towards the negative electrode, as expected for electroosmosis in a cation-selective membrane. Current passage also causes development of a “polarization potential difference”, i.e. a transepithelial potential difference (p.d.) which transiently remains after cessation of current flow and decays back to zero with a half-time of 22 to 90 sec. The polarization p.d. is due to current-induced local changes of salt concentration in unstirred layers, mainly at the serosal face of the epithelium. These changes originate through the so-called transport-number effect. Calculation shows that much of the observed current-induced water flow represents an osmotic flow due to these local concentration changes, rather than representing true electroosmosis. By implication, a large component of streaming potentials in the gall-bladder is a boundary diffusion potential, owing to water flow producing local changes of salt concentration in unstirred layers.
Headache and the frontal sinus.

Frontal headache frequently accompanies obstruction and inflammation of the frontal sinuses, but may also reflect other sources of head pain not related to sinus pathology.
Exploiting a Global Regulator for Small Molecule Discovery in Photorhabdus luminescens

Bacterially produced small molecules demonstrate a remarkable range of structural and functional diversity and include some of our most useful biological probes and therapeutic agents. Annotations of bacterial genomes reveal a large gap between the number of known small molecules and the number of biosynthetic genes/loci that could produce such small molecules, a gap that most likely originates from tight regulatory control by the producing organism. This study coupled a global transcriptional regulator, HexA, to secondary metabolite production in Photorhabdus luminescens, a member of the Gammaproteobacteria that participates in a complex symbiosis with nematode worms and insect larvae. HexA is a LysR-type transcriptional repressor, and knocking it out to create a P. luminescens DeltahexA mutant led to dramatic upregulation of biosynthesized small molecules. Use of this mutant expanded a family of stilbene-derived small molecules, which were known to play important roles in the symbiosis, from three members to at least nine members.
Trapping of peptide-based surrogates in an artificially created channel of cytochrome c peroxidase

As recently described, the deliberate removal of the proposed electron transfer pathway from cytochrome c peroxidase resulted in the formation of an extended ligand-binding channel. The engineered channel formed a template for the removed peptide segment, suggesting that synthetic surrogates might be introduced to replace the native electron transfer pathway. This approach could be united with the recent development of sensitizer-linked substrates to initiate and study electron transfer, allowing access to unresolved issues about redox mechanism of the enzyme. Here, we present the design, synthesis, and screening of a peptide library containing natural and unnatural amino acids to identify the structural determinants for binding this channel mutant. Only one peptide, (benzimidazole-propionic acid)-Gly-Ala-Ala, appeared to interact, and gave evidence for both reversible and kinetically trapped binding, suggesting multiple conformations for the channel protein. Notably, this peptide was the most analogous to the removed electron transfer sequence, supporting the use of a cavity-template strategy for design of specific sensitizer-linked substrates as replacements for the native electron transfer pathway.
On the conundrum of deriving exact solutions from approximate master equations

Abstract We derive the exact time-evolution for a general quantum system under the influence of a bosonic bath that causes pure phase noise and demonstrate that for a Gaussian initial state of the bath, the exact result can be obtained also within a perturbative time-local master equation approach already in second order of the system–bath coupling strength. We reveal that this equivalence holds if the initial state of the bath can be mapped to a Gaussian phase-space distribution function. Moreover, we discuss the relation to the standard Bloch–Redfield approach.
Picosecond photoluminescence from poly(2-methoxy,5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-p-phenylene-vinylene): solutions, gels, films, and blends

We present the results of picosecond time-resolved luminescence studies of poly(2-methoxy,5- (2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-p-phenylene-vinylene),MEH-PPV, in four forms: a pure film, in solution, in an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) gel, and a MEH-PPV/UHMW- PE blend. The luminescence has a characteristic lifetime of 200 - 300 ps at 293 K and 500 - 700 ps at 80 K. The decay times are approximately the same for the four forms of the material we studied. Calculated lifetimes longer than those measured and the observed temperature dependence imply that the luminescence is quenched by non-radiative processes. Fitting and luminescence versus pump intensity are used to determine possible mechanisms.
Effect of ethanol on the formation of calcium phosphates

Abstract In both aqueous and ethanolwater solutions, the first precipitate from a highly supersaturated calcium phosphate solution was amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) at pH 7.4 and higher. The Ca P ratio of ACP increased with the increasing pH from 1.28 at pH 7.4 to 1.50 at pH 10.2. In aqueous solutions, ACP rapidly transformed to poorly crystallized hydroxyapatite (PCHA) at pH 7.4. In the ethanolwater solutions, this transformation was slowed down at pH 7.4, but it was accelerated with the addition of 8.9 ppm fluoride or at lower pH of 7.1. The ethanol favors the formation of ACP by the increase in the degree of supersaturation and precipitation rate, and more rapid drying of the precipitated solids. The fluoride and lower pH promote the formation of apatite by shortening the life-time of the ACP.
Anisotropy in the electrical conductivity of rutile TiO2 in the (110) plane

The bulk electrical conductivity of a TiO(2)(110) single crystal has been measured in all azimuths parallel to the (110) plane using a four-point probe. A distinct anisotropy in the conductivity has been found, with the highest bulk conductivity direction being parallel to the 001 direction.
Plasma matrix metalloproteinase activity during the menstrual cycle of healthy ovulatory patients who underwent tubal ligation

The plasma profiles of active metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 levels during the normal menstrual cycle in ovulating, healthy and tubal ligated patients were studied. The active MMP-1 and MMP-9 plasma levels were found to vary in the menstrual cycle. Active MMP-2 levels, however, are constant during the menstrual cycle.
Stenosis of a Branch of the Pulmonary Artery An Additional Cause of Continuous Murmurs over the Chest

Three patients have been demonstrated by cardiac catheterization to have stenosis of a main branch of the pulmonary artery. Two exhibited continuous ductus-like murmurs at the chest wall over the site of stenosis. Demonstration of a pressure gradient throughout the cardiac cycle at the site of stenosis in these 2 patients and the experimental production in the dog of a continuous murmur at the site of partial constriction of a pulmonary artery prove that the murmur is due to the stenosis. This anomaly should be added to the differential diagnosis of continuous murmurs over the chest.
Learner-centered medical education.

The subordination of teaching to research and patient care overshadows all other obstacles to establishing a student-oriented curriculum. Yet the situation is far from hopeless, explains Dr. Kennet...
Bayesian semiparametric analysis for a single item maintenance optimization

We address the problem of a finite horizon single item maintenance optimization structured as a combination of preventive and corrective maintenance in a nuclear power plant environment. We present Bayesian semiparametric models to estimate the failure time distribution and costs involved. The objective function for the optimization is the expected total cost of maintenance over the pre-defined finite time horizon. Typically, the mathematical modeling of failure times are based on parametric models. These models fail to capture the true underlying relationships in the data; indeed, under a parametric assumption, the hazard rates are treated as unimodal, which, as shown in this paper, is incorrect. Importantly, assuming an increasing failure rate, as is typically done, we show, is way off the mark in the present context. Since hazard and cost estimates feed into the optimization phase, from a risk management perspective, potentially gross errors, resulting from purely parametric models, can be obviated. We show the effectiveness of our approach using real data from the South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Company (STPNOC) located in Bay City, Texas.
A Method for Correlating Bladder Emptying and Total Activity in Rodents

An inexpensive appartus has been designed and used for the simultaneous recording of bladder emptying and total activity displayed by rodents. The animal is housed in a galvanized can which is placed between two pieces of mesh serving as the top and bottom of the cage (Plate I). A graduated tube is attached to the cage allowing for the measurement of water consumption. Food …
Gas-phase acidities and O-H bond dissociation enthalpies of phenol, 3-methylphenol, 2,4,6-trimethylphenol, and ethanoic acid.

Energy-resolved, competitive threshold collision-induced dissociation (TCID) methods are used to measure the gas-phase acidities of phenol, 3-methylphenol, 2,4,6-trimethylphenol, and ethanoic acid relative to hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulfide, and the hydroperoxyl radical using guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometry. The gas-phase acidities of ΔacidH298(C6H5OH) = 1456 ± 4 kJ/mol, ΔacidH298(3-CH3C6H4OH) = 1457 ± 5 kJ/mol, ΔacidH298(2,4,6-(CH3)3C6H2OH) = 1456 ± 4 kJ/mol, and ΔacidH298(CH3COOH) = 1457 ± 6 kJ/mol are determined. The O−H bond dissociation enthalpy of D298(C6H5O−H) = 361 ± 4 kJ/mol is derived using the previously published experimental electron affinity for C6H5O, and thermochemical values for the other species are reported. A comparison of the new TCID values with both experimental and theoretical values from the literature is presented.
Neurological soft signs and minor physical anomalies in patients with schizophrenia and related disorders, their first-degree biological relatives, and non-psychiatric controls.

Abstract Background: Subtle neurological impairments and inconsequential minor anomalies of the face and limbs are manifestations of neurodevelopmental and ontogenic abnormalities that are consistently found at higher rates in individuals with schizophrenia compared to healthy controls. Limited research has been conducted on these traits among biological relatives of patients with schizophrenia. This study hypothesized that the mean NSS score and the mean MPA score would be greater in patients than controls and that first-degree relatives would have intermediate scores. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that NSS scores and MPA scores would not be correlated. This study also explored correlations between patients’ NSS and MPA scores and their relatives’ respective scores and sought to replicate the finding that NSS are associated with negative and disorganized symptoms of schizophrenia, whereas MPAs are not. Methods: Patients with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders ( n = 73), first-degree relatives ( n = 44), and non-psychiatric controls ( n = 54) were assessed. Measures included the Neurological Evaluation Scale, a structured examination for MPAs, and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale in patients. Analyses accounted for clustering within families. Results: Both NSS and MPAs were greater in patients than controls, and first-degree relatives had intermediate scores. Furthermore, NSS and MPA scores were independent in all three groups. Correlations were found between patients’ and their relatives’ scores on one NES subscale (sensory integration) and total MPA score and several MPA regions (eyes, ears, and hands). This study replicated previous findings that in patients with schizophrenia, NSS are associated with negative, disorganized, and other domains of symptoms. Associations between MPAs and symptoms were sparse and inconsistent. Conclusion: These findings suggest that NSS and MPAs represent two quite distinct markers of risk for schizophrenia that may stem from genetic factors, as well as from environmental/developmental influences. Future research on multivariable risk prediction models may benefit from the use of somewhat independent risk markers or endophenotypes.
Arrested shear dispersion and other models of anomalous diffusion

The macroscopic dispersion of tracer in microscopically disordered fluid flow can ultimately, at large times, be described by an advection-diffusion equation. But before this asymptotic regime is reached there is an intermediate regime in which first and second spatial moments of the distribution are proportional to tν. Conventional advection-diffusion (which applies at large times) has ν = 1 but in the intermediate regime ν < 1. This phenomenon is referred to as ‘anomalous diffusion’ and this article discusses the special case ν = ½ in detail. This particular value of ν results from tracer dispersion in a central pipe with many stagnant side branches leading away from it. The tracer is “held up” or ‘arrested’ when it wanders into the side branches and so the dispersion in the central duct is more gradual than in conventional advection-diffusion (i.e. ν = ½ < 1).This particular example serves as an entry point into a more general class of models which describe tracer arrest in closed pockets of recirculation, permeable particles, etc. with an integro-differential equation. In this view tracer is arrested and detained at a particular site for a random period. A quantity of fundamental importance in formulating a continuum model of this interrupted random walk is the distribution of stopping times at a site. Distributions with slowly decaying tails (long sojourns) produce anomalous diffusion while the conventional model results from distributions with short tails.
Stabilization of C2Dx fragments by CO on Ni(100)

Abstract The interactions of CO with C2D4, C2Dx (vinyl D2CCD, acetylinic/vinylidene C2D2, acetylide C2D) and CD fragments were investigated on Ni(100) using temperature programmed desorption (TPD), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), X-ray and UV photoelectron spectroscopies (XPS, UPS) and work function (Δφ) measurements. On clean Ni(100), the C2Dx species decomposed between 190 and 300 K (at low coverage). In the presence of saturation CO, each of these fragments was stable to 375 K ( ∼ 27 kcal mol ) where decomposition produced simultaneous desorption of D2 and CO. About two CO molecules stabilized each C2Dx fragment. No evidence for direct chemical bonding between C2Dx and CO was found. Based on the XPS and TPD data, the stabilization is attributed to (i) blocking of dissociation sites by CO in the immediate neighborhood of the C2Dx fragment and (ii) repulsion between CO and C2Dx which reduced the C2DxNi binding strength. These results are compared with observations during Fisher-Tropsch synthesis on supported metal catalysts.
Innovative biomagnetic imaging sensors for breast cancer: A model-based study

Breast cancer is a serious potential health problem for all women and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. The current screening procedures and imaging techniques, including x-ray mammography, clinical biopsy, ultrasound imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging, provide only 73% accuracy in detecting breast cancer. This gives the impetus to explore alternate techniques for imaging the breast and detecting early stage tumors. Among the complementary methods, the noninvasive biomagnetic breast imaging is attractive and promising, because both ionizing radiation and breast compressions that the prevalent x-ray mammography suffers from are avoided. It furthermore offers very high contrast because of the significant electromagnetic properties’ differences between the cancerous, benign, and normal breast tissues. In this paper, a hybrid and accurate modeling tool for biomagnetic breast imaging is developed, which couples the electromagnetic and ultrasonic energies, and initial validations between the model predication and experimental findings are conducted.
Thermodynamics of impure chains of classical spins with isotropic interactions.

Exact thermodynamic quantities are derived for a chain of classical spins of arbitrary dimension interacting via an arbitrary isotropic nearest-neighbor exchange in both the annealed and quenched limit, and for both bond and site randomness.
Temporal gap detection in tactile channels

The ability of observers to detect temporal gaps in bursts of sinusoids or bursts of band-limited noise was measured to assess the temporal acuity of Pacinian (P) and non-Pacinian (NP) tactile information processing channels. The P channel was isolated by delivering high frequency sinusoids or high frequency noise through a large 1.5-cm2 contactor to the thenar eminence. The NP channels were isolated from the P channel by delivering these stimuli as well as stimuli with lower frequencies through a small 0.01-cm2 contactor to the same site. Gap detection thresholds were higher for gaps in noise than for gaps in sinusoids but did not differ among conditions designed to isolate P and NP channels. The finding that temporal acuity does not differ among channels supports the hypothesis that, after termination of a stimulus, the P and NP channels exhibit the same amount of neural persistence. Also consistent with this hypothesis are the earlier findings that the enhancement of the sensation magnitude of a stimul...
A case of concurrent Lyme meningitis with ehrlichiosis

We report on a case of concurrent Lyme meningitis and ehrlichiosis in a patient with occupational exposure to ticks as a logger. The patient had a febrile Illness with a reticulate erythematous rash on his upper torso, meningoencephalitis, thrombocytopenia, and hepatitis. Acute and convalescent serologies were consistent with a dual infection with Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis. Ixodes scapularis is the tick that is associated with Lyme disease in our area and this tick has also been reported to harbor the species of Ehrlichia that causes human granulocytic ehrlichiosis. Empiric therapy for both Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis should be considered in any patient suspected of having a tick-borne illness and presenting with signs and symptoms compatible with both infections.
Two-liquid phase structure of photoconducting oxide glasses

An electron microscopic study of a series of photoconducting oxide glasses in the systems CdO/B2O3/SiO2, CdO/B2O3/GeO2 and PbO/Al2O3/SiO2, has shown the essential diphasic nature of these materials. The samples were examined by replica techniques, in transmission and by scanning electron microscopy. Two-liquid features have been identified, as has very fine-scale crystallisation, both on the basis of textures of fracture surfaces and of electron diffraction patterns. Physical models proposed to explain the electronic properties of glasses such as these must take account of this obvious two-phase nature of such materials.
A nationwide survey of hepatitis C services provided by drug treatment programs

Drug treatment programs are a site of opportunity for the delivery of primary and secondary hepatitis C (HCV) prevention services to drug users, a population at great risk for contracting and transmitting the virus. Using data collected from a random nationwide sample (N = 439) of drug treatment programs in the United States, this study examines the extent to which various types of HCV services are provided to their patients. Findings indicate that the majority of drug treatment programs educate at least some of their patients about HCV, and provide some type of support for patients who are infected with the virus. Only 29 of the programs in the sample test all of their patients for HCV, however, and 99 programs test none of them. For the most part, residential treatment programs offer more HCV related services than outpatient drug-free programs.
Cysteine Sulfinic Acid Decarboxylase mRNA Abundance Decreases in Rats Fed a High-Protein Diet

The partitioning of cysteine metabolism between sulfate and taurine biosynthetic pathways may be regulated in part by the activity of cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase (CSAD). CSAD activity is repressed by high-protein feeding, and we have previously reported that changes in CSAD activity are correlated with changes in CSAD protein. We conducted experiments to determine the relative expression of CSAD mRNA in rats fed 18 or 60% casein diets. In rats fed a 60% casein diet for 1 wk, hepatic CSAD activity and CSAD protein were 16 and 36%, respectively, of the values measured in rats fed the 18% casein diet. CSAD mRNA abundance in rats fed the 60% casein diet was 14% of the CSAD mRNA abundance in rats fed an 18% casein diet. The time course of the change in CSAD activity and mRNA abundance was examined in rats fed 18 or 60% casein diets for 48 h. Within 6 h of switching rats to a 60% casein diet, CSAD activity was decreased by 20% and after 48 h, activity was decreased 47% compared to activity measured at baseline. CSAD mRNA abundance was decreased 54% within 12 h of feeding rats a high-protein diet and remained depressed at 48 h. In a parallel group of rats fed the 18% casein diet, CSAD activity and CSAD mRNA were not significantly different from baseline values at 48 h. The decreased expression of CSAD mRNA in rats fed a high-protein diet is consistent with decreases in both CSAD enzyme activity and CSAD protein. Our results suggest dietary protein may regulate CSAD at the level of mRNA.
Tuna comparative physiology

Thunniform swimming, the capacity to conserve metabolic heat in red muscle and other body regions (regional endothermy), an elevated metabolic rate and other physiological rate functions, and a frequency-modulated cardiac output distinguish tunas from most other fishes. These specializations support continuous, relatively fast swimming by tunas and minimize thermal barriers to habitat exploitation, permitting niche expansion into high latitudes and to ocean depths heretofore regarded as beyond their range.
Role of low placental share in twin-twin transfusion syndrome complicated by intrauterine growth restriction.

Abstract Objectives Prior studies have demonstrated that donor twin survival following treatment of twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) was highly associated with donor intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Here, we hypothesized that donor IUGR may be attributed in part to low placental share. Study design The study population consisted of all patients who underwent laser treatment for TTTS at a single institution between 2006-2010. Only those pregnancies with dual survival at birth were included so that placental share information could be interpreted. We examined the relationships between Quintero Stage (with separate analysis of Stage III patients with critically abnormal donor Doppler findings) and low placental share (defined as ≤ 30%) with IUGR ( Results Of 210 patients treated, 159 (75.7%) had dual survivors at birth. Of these, placental share was documented in 90 cases (56.6%). Twenty-seven (30.0%) had low placental share, and 37 (41.1%) had IUGR. IUGR was associated with low placental share (63.0% vs. 31.7%, P = 0.0116). IUGR was also associated with Stage III patients (57.4% vs. 23.3%, P = 0.0021), and in particular with Stage III patients with donor involvement (77.8% vs. 25.4%, P P = 0.0206, and OR = 10.1 [3.3–30.6], P Conclusions Donor IUGR in TTTS pregnancies appears to be associated, in part, with low placental share.
Mining library specifications using inductive logic programming

Software libraries organize useful functionalities in order to promote modularity and code reuse. A typical library is used by client programs through an application programming interface (API) that hides its internals from the client. Typically, the rules governing the correct usage of the API are documented informally. In many cases, libraries may have complex API usage rules and unclear documentation. As a result, the behaviour of the library under some corner cases may not be well understood by the programmer. Formal specifications provide a precise understanding of the API behaviour. We propose a methodology for learning interface specifications using Inductive Logic Programming (ILP). Our technique runs several unit tests on the library in order to generate relations describing the operation of the library. The data collected from these tests are used by an inductive learner to obtain rich Datalog/Prolog specifications. Such specifications capture essential properties of interest to the user. They may be used for applications such as reverse engineering the library internals or constructing checks on the application code to enforce proper API usage along with other properties of interest.
Vitamin D Deficiency in Mice Impairs Colonic Antibacterial Activity and Predisposes to Colitis

Vitamin D insufficiency is a global health issue. Although classically associated with rickets, low vitamin D levels have also been linked to aberrant immune function and associated health problems such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To test the hypothesis that impaired vitamin D status predisposes to IBD, 8-wk-old C57BL/6 mice were raised from weaning on vitamin D-deficient or vitamin D-sufficient diets and then treated with dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) to induce colitis. Vitamin D-deficient mice showed decreased serum levels of precursor 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) (2.5 +/- 0.1 vs. 24.4 +/- 1.8 ng/ml) and active 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (28.8 +/- 3.1 vs. 45.6 +/- 4.2 pg/ml), greater DSS-induced weight loss (9 vs. 5%), increased colitis (4.71 +/- 0.85 vs. 1.57 +/- 0.18), and splenomegaly relative to mice on vitamin D-sufficient chow. DNA array analysis of colon tissue (n = 4 mice) identified 27 genes consistently (P < 0.05) up-regulated or down-regulated more than 2-fold in vitamin D-deficient vs. vitamin D-sufficient mice, in the absence of DSS-induced colitis. This included angiogenin-4, an antimicrobial protein involved in host containment of enteric bacteria. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that colonic angiogenin-4 protein was significantly decreased in vitamin D-deficient mice even in the absence of colitis. Moreover, the same animals showed elevated levels (50-fold) of bacteria in colonic tissue. These data show for the first time that simple vitamin D deficiency predisposes mice to colitis via dysregulated colonic antimicrobial activity and impaired homeostasis of enteric bacteria. This may be a pivotal mechanism linking vitamin D status with IBD in humans.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Using Graveyard Data for Generating Design Alternatives

Modeling to Generate Alternatives (MGA) is a technique used to identify variant designs that maximize design space distance from an initial point while satisfying performance loss constraints. Recent work has explored the application of this technique to nonlinear design problems, where the design space was investigated using an exhaustive sampling procedure. While computational cost concerns were noted, the main focus was determining how scaling and distance metric selection influenced alternative discovery. To increase the viability of MGA for engineering design problems, this work looks to reduce the computational overhead needed to identify design alternatives. This paper investigates and quantifies the effectiveness of using previously sampled designs, i.e. a graveyard, from a multiobjective genetic algorithm as a means of reducing computational expense. Computational savings and the expected error are quantified to assess the effectiveness of this approach. These results are compared to other more common “search” techniques; namely Latin hypercube samplings, grid search, and the Nelder-Mead simplex method. The performance of these “search” techniques are subsequently explored in two case study problems - the design of a two bar truss, and an I-beam - to find the most unique alternative design over a range of different thresholds. Results from this work show the graveyard can be used as a way of inexpensively generating alternatives that are close to ideal, especially nearer to the starting design. Additionally, this paper demonstrates that graveyard information can be used to increase the performance of the Nelder-Mead simplex method when searching for alternative designs.
A survey of anesthesiologists' knowledge of American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support Resuscitation Guidelines.

Summary Aim of study Determine anesthesiologists' knowledge of the 2005 American Heart Association (AHA) Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) recommendations. Methods After obtaining institutional review board approval, a survey was sent in February 2007 to members of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia via a web-based survey tool, and re-sent to nonresponders five times over the following 7 months. Results Overall response rate was 51% (389/768 members). Eighty-five percent of respondents had pediatric anesthesia fellowships, 71% provided anesthesia primarily to children, 71% had been in practice >10 years, 29% had PALS or APLS training during the previous year, and 37% had a patient requiring chest compressions in the previous year. Overall, 89% of respondents knew the correct initial dose of epinephrine (adrenaline) for asystole, 44% knew subsequent management for asystole if initial epinephrine dose was ineffective, 49% knew defibrillation sequence to treat pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT), and 73% knew the medication sequence to treat pulseless VT. Only those respondents who reported to be in practice for >10 years scored significantly ( p p =0.001 and p =0.045, respectively), and the medication sequence for pulseless VT ( p =0.0005 and p =0.011, respectively) when compared with those who had no previous training. Conclusion Deficiencies exist in the knowledge of current AHA PALS guidelines among anesthesiologists. Formal resuscitation training programs should be considered in ongoing continuing medical education.
Temporal Profile of Clinical Signs and Histopathologic Changes in an F-344 Rat Model of Kainic Acid–induced Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy:

Since there is limited information in the literature, the purpose of this study was to investigate clinical signs, morphology, and temporal progression of lesions from Days 3 to 168 in a kainic aci...
Effects of salt concentration, pH, and certain ions on the agglutination of human erythrocytes by isohemagglutinins.

The effect of molarity of NaCl, KC1, LiCl, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane acetate, CaCl2, MgCl2, Na2SO4, K2SO4) and MgSO4 solutions on the agglutination of human erythrocytes by isohemagglutinins of the ABO series has been studied, as has that of pH in “tris acetate” buffer. In all cases the maximum agglutination titer occurred at the isotonic or a slightly hypertonic concentration and was generally the same as that determined by diluting the given cells and serum with isotonic saline. Moreover, all salts exerted quantitatively similar effects on agglutination, the titer decreasing regularly as the molarity increased from 0.1544-308 to 1.0. Apparent variations in the effects of different classes of salts were induced by expressing salt concentration as ionic strength or normality rather than molarity. In tris acetate buffers of ionic strengths 0.154 (isotonic) and 0.308, the titer was constant in the pH range 5.5 to 7.5–8.0 and decreased at either extreme.
Fighting costly health care fraud

There is a rising tide of health care fraud in this country. And it is costing all of us upwards of $100 billion each year, adding to already skyrocketing medical costs. Many companies do not have adequate internal controls over their health care system. And even when they do, monitoring or auditing is lax. The authors explore the scope of these problems and offer practical advice on stemming the tide. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Motile nocardoid Actinomycetales.

withnarrow (0.2,um) branching filaments producing wider bacterial cells bybudding, (ii) theMycoplasmatales, withdefective ornocell walls, and(iii) theActinomycetales, whosemurein-containing cells elongate intobranching filaments. Ashasbeenpointed outpreviously (14), one canseparate actinomycetes intosixgroups on thebasis ofthemajor constituents foundintheir cell walls. Onthebasis ofmorphology andchemicalconstitution ofcell wall preparations, onecan recognize 18genera ofaerobic actinomycetes,
Das Konzept der Spannung in der Organischen Chemie

„Die Ringschliesung ist offenbar diejenige Erscheinung, welche am meisten ube dir raumliche Anordnung der Atome Auskunft geben Kann. Wenn eine Kette von 5 und 6 Gliedern sich leicht, eine von weniger oder mehr Gliedern sich schwierig oder auch gar nicht schliesen last, so mussen dafur offenbar raumliche Grunde vorhanden sein. … Die vier Valenzen des Kohlenstoffatoms wirken in den Richtungen, welche den Mittelpunkt der Kugel mit den Tetraederecken verbinden, und welche miteinander einen Winkel von 109°28′ machen. Die Richtung der Anziehung kann eine Ablenkung erfahren, die jedoch eine mit der Grose der Letzteren wachsende Spannung zur Folge hat.” Das ist die Quintessenz der vor einem Jahrhundert von Adolf von Baeyer formulierten „Ringspannungstheorie”. Zwar ist sie heute nur noch eine Facette unter den vielen Aspekten der Spannungstheorie, doch hat sie praparative und theoretisch arbeitende Chemiker immer wieder stimuliert. Zu den spektakularsten neueren Erfolgen der Synthetiker gehoren zweifellos die Darstellung von Tetra-tert-butyl-tetrahedran und [1.1.1]Propellan. Die Grunde fur die grose Stabilitat dieser hochgespannten Verbindungen sind vollig verschieden. Die auf dem Weg dorthin und bei der theoretischen Durchdringung der Probleme mit Molekul-Mechanik- und ab-initio-Rechnungen gewonnenen Erkenntnisse haben entscheidend zu unserem heutigen Verstandnis von Struktur, Energie und Reaktivitat organischer Verbindungen beigetragen.
E‐government: a strategic operations management framework for service delivery

Purpose – This paper aims to present a conceptual framework for selecting and developing e‐government applications as part of an overall coherent strategy of e‐government service delivery (EGSD).Design/methodology/approach – The framework proposed in this paper builds on and expands prior literature in the areas of e‐government and service delivery in organizations. Specifically, the framework extends Heskett's work in service delivery in organizations to the area of e‐government.Findings – The strategic operations management framework for EGSD developed in this paper represents a response to the need for a more strategic point of view on the electronic delivery of government services. The framework consists of seven building‐blocks – four basic elements: market segmentation, service mode development, operations‐strategy redesign, and service delivery, in addition to three integrative elements: differentiation, leverage of value and alignment of strategy and system.Research limitations/implications – The ...
Formation of silicon reentrant cavity heat sinks using anisotropic etching and direct wafer bonding

A novel silicon reentrant cavity heat sink for enhanced liquid cooling of silicon multichip substances has been fabricated using a two-step anisotropic etching process followed by silicon direct wafer bonding. Cavity mouth openings ranging from 8 to 500 mu m have been batch fabricated with the two-step process. The reentrant cavities suppress the temperature overshoot normally associated with the transition between the free convection and nucleate boiling regimes of liquid immersion cooling. Nucleate boiling has been observed to occur at heater fluxes below 2 W/cm/sup 2/ for both increasing and decreasing heat flux conditions. Specific thermal contact resistances (heater fluid) of less than 0.6 K-cm/sup 2//W have been measured in Freon-22, R-113, and FC-72. >