Increased levels of epidermal growth factor receptor have been reported in a variety of tumors, including pulmonary squamous cell carcinomas in man. The purpose of this study was to determine if increased levels of epidermal growth factor (EGFR) were present in lung tumors from Beagle dogs that had been exposed to "2"3"9PuO_2- Using immunohistochemical techniques, sections from 17 lung tumors were examined for the presence of EGFR. Seven of the tumors were strongly positive for EGFR; the remainder of the tumors and the normal lung sections were negative. The positiveimmunostaining could not be correlated with the histologic phenotype of the tumors. Work is in progress to determine the level of EGFR in preneoplastic, proliferative epithelial foci in the Iung. (author)
A case report of falsely elevated serum hormone values measured by radio-immunoassay (RIA) is described. The radio-immunoassays concerned have a first antibody raised in rabbits and mostly a separation technique based on a second antibody-solid phase system. The presence of heterophyle (anti-rabbit) antibodies in patients' serum is proved.
Abstract In this brief report, we have described the fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of a hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) in a 60-year-old female patient. The patient complained of fever and heaviness of left upper abdomen. Ultrasound-guided FNAC of the spleen showed immature lymphoid cells, and a diagnosis of primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of spleen was offered. Subsequently, the patient underwent splenectomy and wedge biopsy of liver that confirmed the cytological diagnosis. The lymphoma cells were positive for CD3 immunostain. Primary hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma is a rare entity and may often pose diagnostic problems on FNAC. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Genome-wide association studies are designed to discover SNPs that are associated with a complex trait. Employing strict significance thresholds when testing individual SNPs avoids falsepositives at...Full Text Available
The aim of this study was to evaluate the automated urine test strip analyzer Aution Max AX 4280 which uses strips able to measure 12 urinary parameters. For precision study, we considered glucose, protein, blood, leukocytes, nitrite, and pH and the four first were compared with usual methods: chemical measurement or microscopic examination. Reproducibility of the semi quantitative results was determined as the proportion of results falling into the same concentration range. Within-run reproducibility assessed using urine specimens were between 83% and 96%. Between day on quality controlled materials, it was higher (96%), and leukocytes were shared between two classes 250 and 500 cells/microL. For glucose and proteins, linearity was good and comparison with quantitative methods yielded high correlation. The false negative fraction was low and there was no falsepositive results. For blood, fraction of ...
Introduction. This study used Item-Response Theory (IRT) to model the psychometric properties of a false belief picture sequencing task. Consistent with the mental time travel hypothesis of paranoia, we anticipated that performance on this deductive theory of mind (ToM) task would not be associated with the presence of persecutory delusions but would be related to other clinical, cognitive, and demographic factors. Method. A large (N=237) and diverse clinical and nonclinical sample differing in levels of depression and paranoid ideation performed 2 ToM tasks: the false belief sequencing task and a ToM stories task that was used to assess the validity of the false belief sequencing task as a measure of ToM. Results. A unidimensional IRT model was found to fit the data well. Latent ToM ability as measured by the false belief sequencing task was negatively related with age and ...
We describe a large-scale application of methods for finding plagiarism in research document collections. The methods are applied to a collection of 284,834 documents collected by arXiv.org over a 14 year period, covering a few different research disciplines. The methodology efficiently detects a variety of problematic author behaviors, and heuristics are developed to reduce the number of falsepositives. The methods are also efficient enough to implement as a real-time submission screen for a collection many times larger.
To evaluate the reactivity of the recombinant proteins expressed in Escherichia coli strain BL21(DE3), a Western blot assay was performed by using a panel of 78 serum samples obtained,...Full Text Available
Aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography) in the identification of colorectal cancer and to define the limitations and the advantages of this imaging modality, as well as indications to the examination. It was examined prospectively 62 symptomatic patients aged 36 to 82 years (28 women and 34 men). All patients underwent both conventional and virtual colonoscopy on the same day; the conventional examination allowed exploration of the entire colon. Conventional colonoscopy identified 89 lesions 3-50 mm in diameter, namely 84 benign and 5 malignant lesions. No lesions were identified in 12 patients. CT colonography identified 52 of the 89 lesions, with 57.1% diagnostic accuracy. They were 11 falsepositives (82.5% positive predictive value and 52.2% specificity) and 37 false negatives (24.5% negative predictive value and 58.4% sensitivity). Sensitivity was ...
To determine the presence, prevalence, and clinical importance of /sup 99m/Tc pertechnetate uterine uptake, this retrospective analysis of 71 Meckel's scans was undertaken. Specifically, each study was evaluated for the presence of a focal accumulation of radiotracer cephalad to the bladder. Patients received an intravenous dose of 150 microCi/kg of /sup 99m/Tc pertechnetate. Each study consisted of 15 one minute anterior serial gamma camera images, and a 15, 30, and 60 minute anterior, right lateral and posterior scintiscan. Menstrual histories were obtained from all patients except two. No males (33/33), nor premenstrual (13/13), menopausal (4/4) or posthysterectomy (2/2) patients revealed a uterine blush. Eleven of 15 patients (73%) with regular menses demonstrated a uterine blush. They were in the menstrual or secretory phases of their cycle. Four demonstrated no uterine uptake, had regular periods, but were in the proliferative phase of their cycle. Two with irregular ...
Intraspinal synovial cysts were diagnosed in six patients during a 5-year period and retrospectively studied. Plain films of the lumbar spine showed degenerative changes in all patients. Lumbar myelography showed a posterior and lateral defect caused by extradural compression. Using CT without contrast enhancement established the diagnosis in five of the six patients. In four cases MRI was performed, three before and after injection of gadolinium diethyline-triamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA). Including the patient with a false-negative CT, MRI was positive in all patients. (orig.)
We developed prototype chemistry for nucleic acid hybridization on our bead-based diagnostics platform and we established an automatable bead handling protocol capable of 50 part-per-billion (ppb) sensitivity. We are working towards a platform capable of parallel, rapid (10 minute), raw sample testing for orthogonal (in this case nucleic acid and immunoassays) identification of biological (and other) threats in a single sensor microsystem. In this LDRD we developed the nucleic acid chemistry required for nucleic acid hybridization. Our goal is to place a non-cell associated RNA virus (Bovine Viral Diarrhea, BVD) on the beads for raw sample testing. This key pre-requisite to showing orthogonality (nucleic acid measurements can be performed in parallel with immunoassay measurements). Orthogonal detection dramatically reduces falsepositives. We chose BVD because our collaborators (UC-Davis) can supply samples from persistently infected animals; ...
Our purpose was to investigate the usefulness of Lipiodol-CT for detection of residual viable neoplastic tissue in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesions treated by means of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI). An emulsion of 5 to 20 ml iodized oil and 50 to 70 mg doxorubicin hydrochloride was intraarterially injected in 18 patients with 25 HCC lesions treated by means of PEI one to 24 months before. At CT performed 3 to 5 weeks after injection, retention of Lipiodol was observed in 9 of 13 tumors that still contained viable neoplastic tissue and in 2 of 12 tumors proven to have undergone complete necrosis after PEI. The sensitivity and specificity of Lipiodol-CT were 69.2% and 83.3%, respectively. Thus, Lipiodol-CT seems to have limited diagnostic value after PEI, probably as a consequence of the alcohol-induced vascular damage, accounting for both false-negative and false-positive results. (orig.).
Biomonitoring of human populations for exposure to genotoxic/clastogenic agents in the environment or the workplace must depend upon statistical tests for elevations in the frequencies of the biological endpoints being monitored, usually chromosomal aberrations (CA), micronuclei (MN), or sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Statistical tests are based, in turn, upon certain assumptions regarding the distribution of the test statistic. When they are often not recognized as such, tests of significance can be in error, and any conclusion drawn that there is or is not a statistically significant difference between one population sample and another maybe erroneous. In population monitoring this means either false negatives or falsepositives can result and it is hard to know which is worse. Furthermore, even the intelligent design of studies whose object is to test for an elevated level in an exposed ...
Real-time object detection is one of the core problems in computer vision. The cascade boosting framework proposed by Viola and Jones has become the standard for this problem. In this framework, the learning goal for each node is asymmetric, which is required to achieve a high detection rate and a moderate falsepositive rate. We develop new boosting algorithms to address this asymmetric learning problem. We show that our methods explicitly optimize asymmetric loss objectives in a totally corrective fashion. The methods are totally corrective in the sense that the coefficients of all selected weak classifiers are updated at each iteration. In contract, conventional boosting like AdaBoost is stage-wise in that only the current weak classifier's coefficient is updated. At the heart of the totally corrective boosting is the column generation technique. Experiments on face detection show that our methods outperform the state-of-the-art asymmetric ...
In this paper, we propose a method based on the Laplacian in the frequency domain for video text detection. Unlike many other approaches which assume that text is horizontally-oriented, our method is able to handle text of arbitrary orientation. The input image is first filtered with Fourier-Laplacian. K-means clustering is then used to identify candidate text regions based on the maximum difference. The skeleton of each connected component helps to separate the different text strings from each other. Finally, text string straightness and edge density are used for falsepositive elimination. Experimental results show that the proposed method is able to handle graphics text and scene text of both horizontal and nonhorizontal orientation. PMID:20733217
Background The identification of sequences that control transcription in metazoans is a major goal of genome analysis. In a previous study, we demonstrated that searching for clusters of predicted transcription factor binding sites could discover active regulatory sequences, and identified 37 regions of the Drosophila melanogaster genome with high densities of predicted binding sites for five transcription factors involved in anterior-posterior embryonic patterning. Nine of these clusters overlapped known enhancers. Here, we report the results of in vivo functional analysis of 27 remaining clusters. Results We generated transgenic flies carrying each cluster attached to a basal promoter and reporter gene, and assayed embryos for reporter gene expression. Six clusters are enhancers of adjacent genes: giant, fushi tarazu, odd-skipped, nubbin, squeeze and pdm2; three drive expression in patterns unrelated to those of neighboring genes; the remaining 18 do not appear to have enhancer ...
For diagnosis of loosening or infection after implantation of a single-side or double-side total hip endoprosthesis 59 patients being in pain were investigated by a combination of bone scan (Technetium-99m DPD) and leucocyte scan (Indium-111 labelled leucocytes). The correlation between clinical results and scintigraphic findings revealed: bone scintigraphy detects loosening of prostheses with 95% sensitivity (45/47); bone scintigraphy excludes an instable prosthesis with 89% specificity (3/27). 45% of the loosened prostheses revealed an infection (21/47): leucocyte scintigraphy could detect 17 correct positive. Three leucocyte scans of 53 prostheses without clinical signs of infection were falsepositive. Therefore, leucocyte scintigraphy had a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 94% for detecting infection. Bone scintigraphy can detect loosening of prostheses with 93% accuracy, Indium-111 labelled leucocyte ...
Signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) thresholds for microarray data analysis were experimentally determined with an oligonucleotide array that contained perfect match (PM) and mismatch (MM) probes based upon four genes from Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. A new SNR calculation, called signal to both standard deviations ratio (SSDR) was developed, and evaluated along with other two methods, signal to standard deviation ratio (SSR), and signal to background ratio (SBR). At a low stringency, the thresholds of SSR, SBR, and SSDR were 2.5, 1.60 and 0.80 with oligonucleotide and PCR amplicon as target templates, and 2.0, 1.60 and 0.70 with genomic DNA as target templates. Slightly higher thresholds were obtained at the high stringency condition. The thresholds of SSR and SSDR decreased with an increase in the complexity of targets (e.g., target types), and the presence of background DNA, and a decrease in the composition of targets, while SBR remained unchanged under all situations. The lowest percentage ...
Purpose: Hormonal stimulation can induce background enhancement (BE) in MR mammography (MRM). This fact has been assumed to decrease the accuracy of MRM. Consequently, this report investigates: 1. The prevalence of BE in postmenopausal vs. premenopausal women in correlation to hormonal cycle phase (CP). 2. The impact of hormonal status (HS) and BE on diagnostic accuracy. Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients over 22 months with complete HS information (week of CP or postmenopausal) were included in this prospective investigation. Exclusion criteria were any hormonal therapy, hysterectomy as well as cancer proven by biopsy. The standard of reference was histopathology. All MRM scans were acquired using the same protocol (1.5 T, dynamic T 1w GRE after 0.1 mmol/kg bw Gd-DTPA i. v.). Two radiologists rated all examinations in consensus according to BI-RADS. BE was defined as: 0 = missing, 1 = moderate, 2 = distinct. Results: 224 patients (150 postmenopausal, 74 premenopausal, 45 in ...
The primary aim was to evaluate delayed contrast-enhanced MRI in depicting perineural spread of hilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) and consequently to determine the capability of MRI/MRCP for staging CCC. Fifteen patients that underwent MRI/MRCP and surgical treatment were retrospectively included. Two radiologists evaluated MR images to assess delayed periductal enhancement, extent of bile duct stenosis, liver parenchymal and vascular involvement and presence of liver atrophy. An agreement between delayed enhancement of the bile duct walls and perineural neoplastic spread showed a very good correlation factor (0.93). The overall accuracy in detecting biliary neoplastic invasion was higher for delayed T1-weighted images (93.3%) than for the MRCP images (80%), and T1-delayed image increased the MR accuracy in assessing the neoplastic resectability (p < 0.05). MRI correctly predicted vascular involvement in 73% and liver involvement in 80% of the cases. The number of overall correctly ...
To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy, complications, and therapeutic impact of CT-guided percutaneous core biopsies of pulmonary lesions. Material and methods: Seventy-nine patients underwent diagnostic CT-guided percutaneous core biopsies of pulmonary lesions between July 1995 and March 1999. Evaluation included corresponding clinical data, pathologic results, and therapeutic consequences. Results: There were 29 benign and 50 malignant lesions. Percutaneous core biopsy had an overall diagnostic accuracy of 95%. For malignant lesions, core biopsy was positive in 48 patients (sensitivity 96%), and for benign lesions, in 27 (sensitivity 93%). There were no false-positive findings. Pneumothoraces were observed in 19 patients (24%) and 4 of them required a chest drain (5%). There were no hematothoraces or major bleeding complications; however, postinterventional local hemorrhages were observed in 23 patients (29%). No hemoptysis was noted. ...
Surgical resection is the only curative treatment strategy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CC). Therefore, accurate staging is essential for appropriate management of patients with CC. We assessed the usefulness of 2-["1"8F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in the staging of CC. We undertook a retrospective review of FDG PET images in 21 patients (10 female, 11 male; mean age 57 years) diagnosed with CC. Ten patients had hilar CC and 11, peripheral CC. Patients underwent abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (n=20) and computed tomography (CT) (n=12) for the evaluation of primary tumours, and chest radiography and whole-body bone scintigraphy for work-up of distant metastases. For semi-quantitative analysis, the maximum voxel standardised uptake value (SUV_m_a_x) was obtained from the primary tumour. All peripheral CCs showed intensely increased FDG uptake, and some demonstrated ring-shaped uptake corresponding to peripheral rim enhancement on ...
The frequency of peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis in patients after surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) ranges from 20 to 40%. This can be either primary or secondary to the surgical intervention. The influence of resulting lung perfusion alterations on the life quality of patients is difficult to predict. The aim of this study was to compare the utility of the diagnostic procedures in this group of patients, with particular focus on lung perfusion scintigraphy. This study comprised 104 patients who underwent repair of TOF at ages from 5 months to 25 years. The patients have been followed up for from 4.2 to 25 years. On the basis of chest X-ray peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis was suspected in 11 patients, in 12 on the basis of echocardiography examination. Lung perfusion scintigraphy has been performed on 87 patients. The disturbances in lung perfusion (mostly in the left lung) were show by means of lung perfusion scintigraphy in 43 (49%) of patients. In 27 of them ...
A fast and simple flow-through optosensor was designed and characterized for the direct screening of four tetracycline (TCC) antibiotics (tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline and doxycycline) in water and bovine milk samples. The proposed optosensor provides rapid binary yes/no overall responses, being appropriate for the screening of this family of antibiotics above or below a pre-set concentration threshold. The experimental set-up is based on a flow-injection manifold coupled on-line to a phosphorescence detector. Aliquots of the samples are pretreated with Eu(III) to form room temperature phosphorescent metal chelates and injected in the flow manifold. Those chelates are then on-line retained on a conventional flow-cell (packed with polymeric Amberlite XAD-4 particles) which is placed inside the cell holder of the phosphorimeter. After the emission is registered, the antibiotic-metal complexes are eluted from the packed resin with 1 M HCl (for milk samples a second ...
Full text: The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of CT colonography (Virtual colonoscopy; VC) for polyp detection in a community-based screening program of asymptomatic subjects at average-risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Average-risk subjects of two quintiles (50-54 and 65-69 years) were randomly selected from the electoral roll and invited to participate in a VC-based CRC screening program. After bowel preparation, bowel insufflation with CO_2 and intravenous hyoscine butylbromide (unless contra-indicated), supine and prone scans were acquired with a single array GE CTi helical scanner. Scanning parameters were: collimation 3 or 5mm; pitch 1.5:1 or 2.0:1; reconstructions at 1-2mm; 70mAs (5mm collimation) or 120mAs (3mm collimation). Subjects in whom VC demonstrated a polyp were offered colonoscopy (CY) on the same day. Participation rate in the study has been 25%.To date 176 subjects have undergone VC. 41 of 176 (23%) VCs were positive. CY detected ...
The accuracy is investigated of both lymphangiography and CT in detecting lymph nodes metastases in 59 patients evaluated preoperatively and subsequently submitted to surgery with selective/systemic pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy. CT accuracy was also investigated in 46 patients with a clinically suspected relapse of ovarian cancer (verified by means of clinical and/or CT follow-up in 36 patients, by laparotomy in 7, by fine-needle biopsy in 1 and by necroscopy in the last 2). In the first group (previously untreated patients) the overall results in the pelvis were, respectively, for lymphangiography and CT: 94.9% vs 89.8% accuracy, 86.6% vs 60% sensitivity, 97.7% vs 100% specificity, and 92.8% vs 100%, 95.5% vs 88% positive and negative predictive values. In the paraaortic region the results were: 89.1% vs 86.5% accuracy, 73.3% vs 66.6% sensitivity, 100% specificity for both techniques, 100% positive predictive value, and 84.6% vs 81.5% ...
Twenty-two patients, all with surgically proven primary hyperparathyroidism, were studied by TI-201 thallous chloride and Tc-99m pertechnetate subtraction imaging. Fifteen parathyroid adenomata and one hyperplastic gland between 0.33 and 14.8 g were correctly localized in 16 patients. Two adenomata and seven hyperplastic or histologically normal parathyroids between 0.1 g and 1.4 g in seven patients were not localized. One patient had a correctly localized 13.0-g adenoma with a nonlocalized 0.3 g hyperplastic parathyroid gland and there were two falsepositive localizations. Sensitivity was 64% (glands), and 73% (patients). There was only fair correlation with parathormone (PTH) levels, but these were elevated in all but four of the patients with correctly localized parathyroids. The authors conclude that the imaging procedure is useful but its sensitivity is limited by difficulty in localizing correctly small glands, particularly those of less ...
A novel multilevel hierarchical Kohonen Net (K-Map) for an intrusion detection system is presented. Each level of the hierarchical map is modeled as a simple winner-take-all K-Map. One significant advantage of this multilevel hierarchical K-Map is its computational efficiency. Unlike other statistical anomaly detection methods such as nearest neighbor approach, K-means clustering or probabilistic analysis that employ distance computation in the feature space to identify the outliers, our approach does not involve costly point-to-point computation in organizing the data into clusters. Another advantage is the reduced network size. We use the classification capability of the K-Map on selected dimensions of data set in detecting anomalies. Randomly selected subsets that contain both attacks and normal records from the KDD Cup 1999 benchmark data are used to train the hierarchical net. We use a confidence measure to label the clusters. Then we use the test set from the same KDD Cup 1999 ...
Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic performance (colorectal lesions) of computed tomography (CT) colonography in 111 patients, a majority of whom were at high risk for colorectal neoplasia. Material and Methods: After bowel preparation, CT colonography was performed, immediately followed by conventional colonoscopy. The diagnostic performance of CT colonography was analyzed relative to lesion size, histological diagnosis, and diagnostic certainty. Results: The sensitivity of CT colonography increased with lesion size (P<0.001), and was 91% (21/23) for lesions > or = 10 mm. All 10 carcinomas and 86% (19/22) of adenomas > or = 5 mm were detected. Unconfirmed or false-positive CT findings were generally small and/or reported with low diagnostic certainty. The specificity of CT colonography would be 45% (30/66; 95% CI 34% to 57%) if patients with findings of any size and any diagnostic certainty were selected for follow-up, and 92% (85/92; 95% CI ...
The authors investigated the role of Computerized Tomography in guiding fine needle biopsy (FNB) in small (2 2 cm in diameter for CT-guided FNB sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy. Cytologic specimens were positive for malignancy in 40/52 cases (76.9%) and negative in 12 (23.1%). Clinical-surgical follow-up confirmed all the positive cytologic findings (40 cases), while 2 of the extant 12 cases were false negatives (95.20% sensitivity, 100% specificity and 96.15% diagnostic accuracy). 158 of 195 nodules > 2 cm in diameter and with clinical surgical follow-up (81.3%) were positive for malignancy and 34 were negative (17.43%) (98.75% sensitivity, 97.14% specificity and 98.46% diagnostic accuracy). Pneumothorax occurred in 33 patients (16.5%) with nodules > 2 cm in diameter as a complication of biopsy. Hemoptysis occurred in 15 patients (7.5%). In the whole group of lung lesions, the ...
When testing multiple hypothesis in a survey --e.g. many different source locations, template waveforms, and so on-- the final result consists in a set of confidence intervals, each one at a desired confidence level. But the probability that at least one of these intervals does not cover the true value increases with the number of trials. With a sufficiently large array of confidence intervals, one can be sure that at least one is missing the true value. In particular, the probability of false claim of detection becomes not negligible. In order to compensate for this, one should increase the confidence level, at the price of a reduced detection power. False discovery rate control is a relatively new statistical procedure that bounds the number of mistakes made when performing multiple hypothesis tests. We shall review this method, discussing exercise applications to the field of gravitational wave surveys.
Olfactory memory dysfunctions were investigated in the triple-transgenic murine model of Alzheimer's disease (3x Tg-AD). In the social transmission of food preference test, 3x Tg-AD mice presented severe deficits in odor-based memory, without gross changes in general odor-ability. Ab and tau immunoreactivity was not observed in the primary processing regions for odor, the olfactory bulbs (OBs), whereas marked immunostaining was present in the piriform, entorhinal, and orbitofrontal cortex, as well as in the hippocampus. Our results suggest that the impairment in olfactory-based information processing might arise from degenerative mechanisms mostly affecting higher cortical regions and limbic areas, such as the hippocampus.
Aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography) in the identification of colorectal cancer and to define the limitations and the advantages of this imaging modality, as well as indications to the examination. It was examined prospectively 62 symptomatic patients aged 36 to 82 years (28 women and 34 men). All patients underwent both conventional and virtual colonoscopy on the same day; the conventional examination allowed exploration of the entire colon. Conventional colonoscopy identified 89 lesions 3-50 mm in diameter, namely 84 benign and 5 malignant lesions. No lesions were identified in 12 patients. CT colonography identified 52 of the 89 lesions, with 57.1% diagnostic accuracy. They were 11 falsepositives (82.5% positive predictive value and 52.2% specificity) and 37 false negatives (24.5% negative predictive value and 58.4% sensitivity). Sensitivity was ...
As both computer and mobile phone reach nearly ubiquity in the U.S. market, the slow uptake of mobile video, in contrast to the thriving usage of PC-based video, warrants a deeper understanding of user-oriented factors contributing to the two diffusion paths. Unlike the majority of existing diffusion research practices, the dissertation examines the differences between mobile and PC video diffusion patterns through the lenses of user-oriented influences in the user-technology relationship. Built upon the established adoption user group classification, the research is informed by the Uses and Gratification theory, the Social Technical theory, and the Technical Affordance perspective. These synergistic theoretical arguments share the recognition of the role of user in the dynamic, usually socially intertwined user-technology interactions. The key research questions that the dissertation sets out to answer include: Does the importance of quality of viewing experience in adoption ...
Parathyroid imaging based on the principle of differential uptakes of Tc-99m and T1-201 in the anterior neck to localize parathyroid (PT) disease has been reported with widely varying results. To evaluate the usefulness of this method, we have performed PT imaging on 47 patients prior to exploratory surgery for PT disease. Using pinhole collimation and digital acquisition, a 50k count image of the thyroid was obtained 20 minutes after injection of 1mCi99m Tc-pertechnetate. Then a lmCi dose of Tl-201 chloride was injected and a series of images acquired for 30 minutes at 30 sec/image. Raw data was spatially filtered and normalized by summing sufficient T1-201 images to equal the Tc-99m image scale of maximum cts/pixel. Image subtraction (Tl-Tc) gave the final PT image. Of 10 pts who had previous neck exploration, all had PT pathology accurately localized by preoperative scanning (7=single adenoma, 2=single hyperplastic gland, 1=two hyperplastic glands). In two causes distant ectopic ...
The purpose was to evaluate low-dose CT colonography without cathartic cleansing in terms of image quality, polyp visualization and patient acceptance. Sixty-one patients scheduled for colonoscopy started a low-fiber diet, lactulose and amidotrizoic-acid for fecal tagging 2 days prior to the CT scan (standard dose, 5.8-8.2 mSv). The original raw data of 51 patients were modified and reconstructed at simulated 2.3 and 0.7 mSv levels. Two observers evaluated the standard dose scan regarding image quality and polyps. A third evaluated the presence of polyps at all three mSv levels in a blinded prospective way. All observers were blinded to the reference standard: colonoscopy. At three times patients were given questionnaires relating to their experiences and preference. Image quality was sufficient in all patients, but significantly lower in the cecum, sigmoid and rectum. The two observers correctly identified respectively 10/15 (67%) and 9/15 (60%) polyps {>=}10 mm, with 5 and 8 ...
Purpose To investigate the sensitivity and accuracy of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for restaging the mediastinum after induction chemotherapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and Methods One hundred twenty-four consecutive patients with tissue-proven stage IIIA-N2 disease who were treated with induction chemotherapy and who had undergone mediastinal restaging by EBUS-TBNA were reviewed. On the basis of computed tomography, 58 patients were classified as having stable disease and 66 were judged to have had a partial response. All patients subsequently underwent thoracotomy with attempted curative resection and a lymph node dissection regardless of EBUS-TBNA findings. Results Persistent nodal metastases were detected by using EBUS-TBNA in 89 patients (72%). Of the 35 patients in whom no metastases were assessed by EBUS-TBNA, 28 were found to have residual stage IIIA-N2 disease at thoracotomy. The majority (91%) ...
To establish the optimum barium-based reduced-laxative tagging regimen prior to CT colonography (CTC). Ninety-five subjects underwent reduced-laxative (13 g senna/18 g magnesium citrate) CTC prior to same-day colonoscopy and were randomised to one of four tagging regimens using 20 ml 40%w/v barium sulphate: regimen A: four doses, B: three doses, C: three doses plus 220 ml 2.1% barium sulphate, or D: three doses plus 15 ml diatriazoate megluamine. Patient experience was assessed immediately after CTC and 1 week later. Two radiologists graded residual stool (1: none/scattered to 4: >50% circumference) and tagging efficacy for stool (1: untagged to 5: 100% tagged) and fluid (1: untagged, 2: layered, 3: tagged), noting the HU of tagged fluid. Preparation was good (76-94% segments graded 1), although best for regimen D (P = 0.02). Across all regimens, stool tagging quality was high (mean 3.7-4.5) and not significantly different among regimens. The HU of layered tagged fluid was ...
This report is a compilation of the calendar year 2003 groundwater sampling results from the Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Site, Nevada Test Site. Wells Ue5PW-1, Ue5PW-2, and Ue5PW-3 were sampled semi-annually for the required analytes: pH, specific conductance, total organic carbon (TOC), total organic halides (TOX), tritium, and major cations/anions. Results from all samples collected in 2003 were within established criteria. These data indicate that there has been no measurable impact to the uppermost aquifer from the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulated unit within the Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Site and confirm that any previous detections of TOC and TOX were falsepositives. Contamination indicator data are presented in control chart and tabular form with investigation levels indicated. Gross water chemistry data are presented in graphical and tabular form. There were no major changes noted in the ...
Early recognition of recurrence and work-up of clinically indeterminate lesions may be impaired after reconstruction with silicone implants due to superimposition of the implant or to scarring. This study was undertaken to evaluate the use of contrast-enhanced MRI in patients with silicone implant after breast cancer. Contrast-enhanded MRI was offered to 169 patients. Comparative two- to three-view mammography was also performed in 169 patients, as well as comparative sonography in 144 patients. Conventional imaging and clinical examination detected only 8/13 recurrences, whereas 12/13 were detected by MRI. One recurrence had been visible as a strongly enhancing 2-mm dot in a previous examination (2 years before), but was not called. It was therefore counted as false negative. In addition, multicentricity was detected by MRI alone in two of three cases. MRI correctly diagnosed scar tissue in all cases with indeterminate findings. However, due to ...
This paper examines the utility of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) for paternity analysis. While, on the average, 99% of falsely accused males can be excluded with the standard battery...Full Text Available
Ninety-four patients with peripheral arterial injuries were subjected to acute repair, negative exploration, or late repair of the complications of the arterial injury (false aneurysm, A-V fistula,...Full Text Available
... 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Battery installation. 393.30 Section 393.30...Devices, and Electrical Wiring § 393.30 Battery installation. Every storage battery on every vehicle, unless located in...
...2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Battery or power supply with respect to relay...Signal Systems Standards § 236.206 Battery or power supply with respect to relay; location. The battery or power supply for each signal...
... 2010-10-01 false Training specific to locomotive engineers and other operating personnel. 236.1047 ...Control Systems § 236.1047 Training specific to locomotive engineers and other operating personnel. (a)...
...2010-10-01 false Department of Energy Directives. 970.0470 Section...Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AGENCY SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS ...Matters 970.0470 Department of Energy...
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...2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Use of Federal Supply Schedules. 8.404 Section 8.404 Federal...REGULATION ACQUISITION PLANNING REQUIRED SOURCES OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES Federal Supply Schedules 8.404 Use of Federal Supply...
...2010-10-01 false Ordering from Government supply sources. 51.103 Section 51.103...CONTRACTORS Contractor Use of Government Supply Sources 51.103 Ordering from Government supply sources. (a) Contractors placing...
...false Manufacturing and production engineering costs. 31.205-25 Section...205-25 Manufacturing and production engineering costs. (a) The costs of manufacturing and production engineering effort as described in (1)...
... 2010-10-01 false Cost estimating system requirements. 252...Clauses 252.215-7002 Cost estimating system requirements. As...use the following clause: Cost Estimating System Requirements (DEC...
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...2010-10-01 false Information technology security plan and accreditation...Clauses 1252.239-71 Information technology security plan and accreditation...following provision: Information Technology Security Plan and...
...2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Battery categories. 183.352 Section 183...and Distribution Systems § 183.352 Battery categories. This section applies to batteries installed to meet the requirements...
... 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Battery installations. 120.354 Section 120...Sources and Distribution Systems § 120.354 Battery installations. (a) Large batteries. Each large battery installation...
45 Public Welfare 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Appendix A to Part 611 A Appendix A to Part 611 Public Welfare Regulations Relating to Public Welfare (Continued) NATIONAL SCIENCE...
...2010-10-01 false Standards for health information technology to protect electronic health information...DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION...
...false Additional requirements for health plans. 162.925 Section 162.925 Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ADMINISTRATIVE...925 Additional requirements for health plans. (a) General rules....
...2010-10-01 false Special rules relating to group health plans. 146.145 Section 146.145 Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO HEALTH CARE ACCESS REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GROUP HEALTH...
... 2010-10-01 false Child mental health. 1304.24 Section 1304.24 Public...HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THE ADMINISTRATION...AGENCIES Early Childhood Development and Health Services § 1304.24 Child...
...2010-10-01 false Who must post a geothermal bond? 3214.10 Section 3214...MINERALS MANAGEMENT (3000) GEOTHERMAL RESOURCE LEASING Personal and... § 3214.10 Who must post a geothermal bond? (a) The lessee...
...false Payment required for O. and C. timber. 2812.5-1 Section 2812.5-1...5-1 Payment required for O. and C. timber. An applicant will be required...officer of the estimated volume of all timber to be cut, removed, or destroyed,...
42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false 8-Health Professions Pregraduate Scholarship Program for Indians J Subdivision J Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF...
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42 Public Health 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Health benefits plan: Supplemental health services. 417.102 Section 417.102 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF...
...Health 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Creation of records. 401.120 Section 401.120 Public Health...REQUIREMENTS Confidentiality and Disclosure § 401.120 Creation of records. Records will not be created by compiling...
...2010-07-01 false Loading and haulage equipment; inspection and maintenance... § 77.1606 Loading and haulage equipment; inspection and maintenance. (a) Mobile loading and haulage equipment shall be inspected by a...
...false Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research Presidential Documents ...2009 Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research Memorandum for the Heads...scientifically worthy human stem cell research, including human...
Astrocyte dysfunction is implicated in course of various age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Chronic injection of D-galactose can cause a progressive deterioration in learning and memory capacity and serve as an animal model of aging. To investigate the involvement of astrocytes in this model, oxidative stress biomarkers, biochemical and pathological changes of astrocytes were examined in the hippocampus of the rats with six weeks of D-galactose injection. D-galactose-injected rats displayed impaired antioxidant systems, an increase in nitric oxide levels, and a decrease in reduced glutathione levels. Consistently, western blotting and immunostaining of glial fibrillary acidic protein showed extensive activation of astrocytes. Double-immunofluorescent staining further showed activated astrocytes highly expressed inducible nitric oxide synthase. Electron microscopy demonstrated the degeneration of astrocytes, especially in the aggregated area of synapse and ...
The endothelin-B (ETB) receptor is a G-protein-coupled receptor that binds endothelin ligands and is essential for the development of epidermal melanocytes and enteric neurons. Recent reports indicate that ETB is localized to nuclei in cardiac ventricular myocytes, although it has been thought that ETB is localized mainly on the plasma membrane. It remains unknown, however, whether this unique distribution of ETB occurs in other tissues. To elucidate the subcellular distribution of ETB in the intestine, we performed immunofluorescence of ETB in mouse intestine using a specific antibody. ETB-like immunoreactivity was detected in both the mucosal and muscle layers. In the mucosal layer, villous epithelial cells, stromal cells of the lamina propria, and cryptic cells were immunostained. Subcellularly, ETB is localized mainly to the nuclei of villous epithelial cells. In the muscle layer, immunoreactivity of ETB was localized to the myenteric plexus. These findings ...
To assess which specific morphologic features, enhancement patterns, or pharmacokinetic parameters on breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) could predict a false-negative outcome of Proton...Full Text Available
It was shown that the incorporation of "1"4C-linoleic acid in cerebrosides of normal and psoriatic human skin is different. In psoriatic epidermis and corium the turnover of this fatty acid is significantly elevated. It is suggested that in psoriasis the epidermal cell is not able to build up a regular carbohydrate sequences of lipids because the false carbohydrate chain activates the degradation of glycolipids and in compensating for the increased degradation raises the synthesis rate of glycolipids. (orig./MG).
In clinical situations where a diagnostic real-time PCR assay is not sensitive enough, leading to low or falsely negative results, or where detection earlier in a disease progression would benefit the...Full Text Available
...2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Energy Policy Act target group certification...Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CLAUSES AND FORMS SOLICITATION...Provisions and Clauses 952.226-73 Energy Policy Act target group...
...2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Limitation on the creation of new FFRDC's. 35.017-7 Section 35.017-7 ...DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 35.017-7 Limitation on the creation of new FFRDC's. Pursuant to 10 U.S.C....
...2010-10-01 false Reserve power supply. 80.917 Section 80.917 Telecommunication...Passenger Boats § 80.917 Reserve power supply. (a) The requirements of this section...March 1, 1957, must have a reserve power supply located on the same deck as the...
...2010-10-01 false Electric hot water supply boilers. 63.25-3 Section 63.25-3...Boilers § 63.25-3 Electric hot water supply boilers. (a) Electric hot water supply boilers that have a capacity not...
...2010-10-01 false Low-income home energy assistance. 96.48 Section 96...Organizations § 96.48 Low-income home energy assistance. (a) This section applies...Indian tribes under the low-income home energy assistance program. (b) The...
42 Public Health 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Health benefits plan: Basic health services. 417.101 Section 417.101 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND...
The detection and quantification of defined reaction products of chemical mutagens and carcinogens (and of many cancer chemotherapeutic agents) with DNA require highly sensitive analytical techniques. The exceptional capability of immunoglobulins to recognize subtle alterations of molecular structure (especially when monoclonal antibodies are used to maximize specificity), outstanding sensitivity of immunoanalysis by high-affinity antibodies, and the fact that radioactively-labelled agents are not required suggest the utility of a radioimmunoassay to recognize and quantitate alkylated DNA products. We have recently developed a set of high-affinity monoclonal antibodies (secreted by mouse x mouse as well as by rat x rat hybridomas; antibody affinity constants, 10"9 to > 10"1"0 lmol) specifically directed against several DNA alkylation products with possible relevance in relation to both mutagenesis and malignant transformation of mammalian cells. These alkylation products include ...
Acute thoracic aortic injuries account for up to 10-20% of fatalities in high-speed deceleration road accidents and have an estimated immediate fatality rate of 80-90%. Untreated survivors to acute trauma (10-20%) have a dismal prognosis: 30% of them die within 6 hours, 40-50% die within 24 hours, and 90% within 4 months. It was investigated the diagnostic accuracy of Helical Computed Tomography (Helical CT) in acute traumatic injuries of the thoracic aorta, and the role of this technique in the diagnostic management of trauma patients with a strong suspicion of aortic rupture. It was compared retrospectively the chest Helical CT findings of 256 trauma patients examined June 1995 through August 1999. Chest Helical CT examinations were performed according to trauma score, to associated traumatic lesions and to plain chest radiographic findings. All the examinations were performed with no intravenous contrast agent administration and the pitch 2 technique. After a previous baseline ...
Using an interactive theorem prover to reason about programs involves a sequence of interactions where the user challenges the theorem prover with conjectures. Invariably, many of the conjectures posed are in fact false, and users often spend considerable effort examining the theorem prover's output before realizing this. We present a synergistic integration of testing with theorem proving, implemented in the ACL2 Sedan (ACL2s), for automatically generating concrete counterexamples. Our method uses the full power of the theorem prover and associated libraries to simplify conjectures; this simplification can transform conjectures for which finding counterexamples is hard into conjectures where finding counterexamples is trivial. In fact, our approach even leads to better theorem proving, e.g., if testing shows that a generalization step leads to a false conjecture, we force the theorem prover to backtrack, allowing it to pursue more fruitful ...
A method is presented for estimating the background at a given location on a sky map by interpolating the estimated background from a set of concentric annuli which surround this location. If the background is nonuniform but smoothly varying, this method provides a more accurate (though less precise) estimate than can be obtained with a single annulus. Several applications of multi-annulus background estimation are discussed, including direct testing for point sources in the presence of a nonuniform background, the generation of "surrogate maps" for characterizing false alarm rates, and precise testing of the null hypothesis that the background is uniform.
IntroductionApproximately 25–30% of breast cancers are assumed to be HER-2/neu positive. It is well known that HER-2/neu-positive cancers after treatment with trastuzumab...Full Text Available
A total of 150 strains of staphylococci, clinically isolated, were tested for sensitivity to ovotransferrin (conalbumin). Among these, all the 50 coagulase-positive, mannitol-positive, and deoxyribonuclease-positive...Full Text Available
Philosophical semantics requires an ontology that includes negative as well as positive states of affairs as truth-makers and truth-breakers. Theories that try to do without negative states of affairs while interpreting propositional truth as positive correspondence with existent states of affairs are inherently inadequate and incomplete. A semantics and ontology of negative states of affairs can also do justice to positive states of affairs, since the iterated negative state of affairs that a negative state of affairs exists describes a positive state of affairs, but the iterated positive state of affairs that a positive state of affairs exists never describes a negative state of affairs. Negative states of affairs are not only essential to semantics, but to a complete description of the ...
A simple and cheap method is described for the manufacturing of individual positioning aids made of foamed polyurethane. Some examples are given to demonstrate the applicability of these positioning aids for the irradiation of different body regions. The reproducibility of the radiation field in the head and neck area was investigated with and without positioning aid. It was proved that the field is adjusted more exactly when positioning aids are applied. The dosimetric investigations performed showed a negligible influence of foamed polyurethane on the radiation quality. So the positioning aids could be left within the radiation field when drawing the field borders.
In this article, self-organizing-map-based video object segmentation is proposed, assuming that either Y-quantification or HSV-quantification can be systematically selected. Given a video sequence, the value of the probability density function for each component value is calculated according to a kernel estimation at the first frame. Some areas randomly chosen from the background are then examined, using each component value, to judge whether or not they include the target object. The quantification is determined so that the frequency of occurrence of false extractions can be reduced. The data presented to the maps are generated based on the selected quantification. Experimental results show that the proposed method recognizes the target object well.
Viddi, F. A., Hucke-Gaete, R., Torres-Florez, J. P., and Ribeiro, S. 2010. Spatial and seasonal variability in cetacean distribution in the fjords of northern Patagonia, Chile. - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 959-970. Compared with other Chilean coastal areas, little is known about the diversity and distribution of cetaceans in northern Patagonian fjords. Between December 2000 and November 2001, surveys on platforms of opportunity were undertaken in southern Chile to evaluate species richness and the spatial and seasonal distribution of cetaceans. Nine species were recorded, blue, humpback, and minke whales, Peales dolphin, Chilean dolphin, killer whale, false killer whale, bottlenose dolphin, and Cuviers beaked whale. The pattern of cetacean distribution displayed significant season...
In 1977 and 1978, Sandia National Laboratories, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and operated for the US Department of Energy (DOE), filmed a series of crash and fire tests performed on three casks designed to transport irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies. While the tests were performed to assess the applicability of scale and computer modeling techniques to actual accidents, films of them were quickly pressed into service by the DOE and nuclear utilities as ``proof`` to the public of the safety of the casks. In the public debate over the safety of irradiated nuclear fuel transportation, the films have served as the mainstay for the nuclear industry. Although the scripts of all the films were reviewed by USDOE officials before production, they contain numerous misleading concepts and images, and omit significant facts. The shorter versions eliminated qualifying statements contained in the longer version, and created false impressions. This paper discusses factors ...
An ultrasonic signal processing technique is applied to multi-mode arrival time estimation from Lamb waveforms. The basic tool is a simplified time-scale projection called a dynamic wavelet fingerprint (DWFP) which enables direct observation of the variation of features of interest in non-stationary ultrasonic signals. The DWFP technique was used to automatically detect and evaluate each candidate through-transmitted Lamb mode. The area of the dynamic wavelet fingerprint was then used as a feature to distinguish false modes caused by noise and other interference from the true modes of interest. The set of estimated arrival times were then used as inputs for tomographic reconstruction. The Lamb wave tomography images generated with these estimated arrival times were able to indicate different defects in aluminum plates.
In order to analyze changes in human settlement in Xuzhou city during the past 20 years, changes in land cover and vegetation were investigated based on multi-temporal remote sensing Landsat TM images. We developed a hierarchical classifier system that uses different feature inputs for specific classes and conducted a classification post-processing approach to improve its accuracy. From our statistical analysis of changes in urban land cover from 1987 to 2007, we conclude that built-up land areas have obviously increased, while farmland has seen in a continuous loss due to urban growth and human activities. A NDVI difference approach was used to extract information on changes in vegetation. A false change information elimination approach was developed based on prior knowledge and statistic...
17 patients with chronic aortic dissection were examined by MRI. In 12 patients, comparison between gradient echo sequences and SE sequences was possible. Gradient echo sequences, unlike SE sequences, permitted evaluation of flow in the true and false lumen, reliable differentiation between thrombus and flowing blood and clear delination of the intimal flap. An additional comparison between transoesophageal ultrasound and MRT in 15 patients showed significant advantages in favour of MRI. In three patients MRI was able to detect more proximal origins of the dissection. Moreover, MRI allowed evaluation of the major aortic branches and their relation to the dissection; this was not possible with ultrasound. MRI plays an important role in the follow-up of chronic aortic dissections. (orig.).
Abstract Green tea extract showed false-negative results in the determination of glucose via glucose oxidase (GOD) test. This investigation was undertaken to verify and find out the precise mechanism underlying this interference by determining the reaction kinetics of production and reduction of end-point chromophore. The peroxidase step of the GOD test was found to be interfered and phenols of the green tea were the interfering compounds. Green tea interfered and exerted its influence in a dual fashion. A part of the interference was observed as a result of the reduction of the finally formed chromophore, whereas the other form of interference was due to its hydrogen peroxide/free radical-scavenging activity. Reducing potential and the free radical-scavenging activity of the phenols in th...
The flow and heat transfers associated with a plane laminar flow past a forward-facing step were analyzed using a power-law numerical scheme combined with a false vorticity-stream function approach. To improve the traditional wall-vorticity boundary condition, a novel method, based on an accurate description of the nonslip wall condition, was developed and utilized. The convergence for a 56 x 49 grid system was obtained in about 350 iterations. The computed reattachment distances in the upper separated region agree with the available experimental data for a blunt plate. The heat transfer augmentation is significant across the step; however, it is counterbalanced by the deterioration of heat transfer immediately upstream of the step.
When energetic bunches of electrons traverse an undulator field, they can spontaneously emit radiation both coherently and incoherently. Although it has generally been assumed that undulator radiation is incoherent at wavelengths short compared to the longitudinal size of the electron bunch, several recent observations have proved this assumption false. Furthermore, the appearance of coherent radiation is often accompanied by a significant increase in radiated power. Here we report observations of strongly enhanced coherent spontaneous radiation together with direct measurements, using transition radiation techniques, of the electron distributions responsible for the coherent emission. We also report demonstrated enhancements in the predicted spontaneous radiated power by as much as 6x10"4 using electron bunch compression. copyright 1996 American Institute of Physics.
Dynamic CT and MRT were performed in 21 patients who had undergone prosthetic replacement of the aorta because of dissection of the thoracic aorta. There is no difference between MRI and dynamic CT in the demonstration of a persistent intimal flap, the formation of a thrombus and the assessment of the aortic diameter in patients who underwent surgery for thoraco-abdominal aortic dissection. MRI, however, is superior in the identification of the true and false lumen and the demonstration of the distal anastomotic site. The major advantages of MRI are that there is no need for intravenous contrast agents, that it is high sensitive to flow phenomena, and that it can demonstrate the aortic arch and the ascending aorta on sagittal oblique sections. The major disadvantages of MRI are the limited access to the patient during the procedure, and the inability to examine patients fitted with pacemakers or who are on assisted ventilation. Today, MRI is considered the method ...
This paper discusses how specialized techniques for machine condition monitoring can help to eliminate false alarms and undetected faults, leading to a truly cost effective predictive maintenance program. It is vital to base the monitoring system on the parameter which will give the most useful information about potential faults and breakdowns. This parameter is generally agreed to be vibration. While oil debris analysis and variations in temperature, geometry and machine speed can all give advance warning of faults, no other parameter can reveal as wide a range of fault types as vibration. The vibration transducers job is to accurately and faithfully convert the vibration into an electric signal for assessment. If this part of the system is weak, reliability will be badly affected. Data integrity is crucial.
If two loops are isomorphic, then it is shown that their holomorphs are also isomorphic. Conversely, it is shown that if their holomorphs are isomorphic, then the loops are isotopic. It is shown that a loop is a Smarandache loop if and only if its holomorph is a Smarandache loop. This statement is also shown to be true for some weak Smarandache loops(inverse property, weak inverse property) but false for others(conjugacy closed, Bol, central, extra, Burn, A-, homogeneous) except if their holomorphs are nuclear or central. A necessary and sufficient condition for the Nuclear-holomorph of a Smarandache Bol loop to be a Smarandache Bruck loop is shown. Whence, it is found also to be a Smarandache Kikkawa loop if in addition the loop is a Smarandache A-loop with a centrum holomorph. Under this same necessary and sufficient condition, the Central-holomorph of a Smarandache A-loop is shown to be a Smarandache K-loop.
A physical explanation is given for the positive differential voltage-current characteristic seen at low current in weakly ionized, low-pressure positive column discharges in argon/mercury gas mixtures. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Using an expanded nuclear data base, the transmutation of PCA, AMCR33 (a reduced activation austenitic steel), HT-9, Rafer2 (a reduced activation ferritic steel), V-15%Cr-5%Ti alloy, and SiAlON (a ceramic) were calculated for two positions in the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF), three positions in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), and the first wall position of both the STARFIRE and MARS conceptual fusion reactors. The peripheral test (PTP) position, and to a lesser extent the radial beryllium (RB) position, of HFIR show significant transmutations which are often in the opposite direction to the transmutations in the fusion conceptual designs. The positions in FFTF, as well as the hafnium covered location in the HFIR RB position show relative minor transmutations.
Abstract Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) is an immune sensor for gram-positive bacterial cell wall components. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TLR2 gene that impair its function may, therefore, influence the risk and outcomes of gram-positive bacterial infections. In a cohort of 694 liver transplant recipients, we assessed the TLR2 SNP that is translated into an amino acid substitution of arginine for glutamine at position 753 (R753Q), and we found that its presence was associated with the clinical characteristics and outcomes of gram-positive bacterial infections. The proportions of patients with the TLR2 R753Q SNP did not significantly differ between those with gram-positive bacterial infections and those without gram-positive bacterial infections (9.6% versus 9.6%, P = 0.999)....
Purpose: To assess the prognostic value of biologic (p53, Ki-67) and clinical factors in squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx after radical surgery and postoperative radiotherapy (RT). Methods and Materials: Between 1985 and 1995, a total of 102 patients with 104 tumor sites were entered onto the study. Fifty-five primary tumors (53%) involved the tonsils, 26 (25%) the soft palate, and 23 (22%) the base of the tongue. Median age was 53 years (range 36-80 years). The clinical T- and N-categories (UICC 1997) were: T1 (30), T2 (47), T3 (22), T4 (5), N0 (33), N1 (28), N2 (42), and N3 (1). Histologically-clear margins were achieved in all patients by initial surgery. Postoperative RT to the primary and regional lymphatics was given, to a total of 60 Gy in 6 weeks, and single daily fractions of 2 Gy. The expression of the nuclear p53- and Ki-67-labeling index (LI) was investigated by immunostaining using the monoclonal antibodies DO-7 and MIB 1. The nuclear ...
This study examined changes in the degree of positive bias in self-perceptions of previously-diagnosed 8 to 13 year-old children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (n=513)...Full Text Available
Randomized clinical trials are designed with stopping boundaries to guide data monitoring committees with their decision making concerning ongoing trials. In particular, when extremely positive results...Full Text Available
We ran a comparative analysis of all patients for whom a positive culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex was available between April 2004 and October 2005 and whose HIV serology...Full Text Available
The cell wall envelopes of gram-positive bacteria represent a surface organelle that not only functions as a cytoskeletal element but also promotes interactions between bacteria and their environment....Full Text Available
The objective of this study was to determine if inflammatory tolerance and enhancement of innate immune function could be induced by the gram-positive cell wall component peptidoglycan (PGN)....Full Text Available
Beginning in 1990, gram-positive rods resembling Actinomyces pyogenes were found with increasing frequency in mixed cultures from various infectious processes, most of them from patients with otitis,...Full Text Available
With the advent of dense maps of human genetic variation, it is now possible to detect positive natural selection across the human genome. Here we report an analysis of over 3 million polymorphisms...Full Text Available
A 17-year-old H1N1-positive patient was successfully extubated after 25 days of ventilatory support for treatment of viral pneumonia which was complicated by empyema thoracis due to Candida...Full Text Available
Two types of switched electrode electronics beam position monitors are in use at Jefferson Lab. Together they provide accurate beam position to the control system for beam intensities between 50 nA and 2 mA. One version, called the linac style, has a switching frequency of 125 kHz. The other, called the transport type, has a switching frequency of 7 kHz. The basic system provides information to the control system at a 1 Hz update rate. The systems are regularly used to measure the AC component of beam position and energy as well as suppress this motion as part of a fast feedback system. Position data produced by the system are also acquired on an event by event basis as part of the nuclear physics program in two of the experimental halls. This paper will focus on the AC characteristics of the system. These characteristics are affected by analog filter frequencies and a time delay between the measurement ...
Purpose.The hypothesis that drivers with homonymous hemianopia (HH) would take a lane position that increased the safety margin on their blind side was tested with a driving simulator.Methods.Twelve...Full Text Available
It has previously been established that muscles become active in response to deviations from a threshold (referent) position of the body or its segments, and that intentional motor actions result from...Full Text Available
Historically the Los Alamos Spallation Radiation Effects Facility (LASREF) has used manual methods to control the position of the 800 kW, 800 MeV proton beam on targets. New experiments, however, require more stringent position control more frequently than can be done manually for long periods of time. Data from an existing harp is used to automatically adjust steering magnets to maintain beam position to required tolerances.
A detailed analysis of the positive parity levels in odd iridium isotopes is carried out with an extended version of the Hecht and Satchler model. A satisfactory description of "1"8"7"-"1"9"3Ir positive parity states and their electromagnetic properties is obtained by coupling several Nilsson particle configurations to an asymmetric rotor. (orig.).
At DORIS II/HASYLAB a vertical beam position control system is in regular operation. It controls the position and angle of a photon beam simultaneously, and can stabilize beam movements up to frequencies of 0.1 Hz. To suppress beam vibrations up to 50 Hz and above, a prototype beam stabilization system for these frequencies was built and tested successfully. The present beam oscillations at the HASYLAB beamlines are explained, the quality of the beam position control system and the results of the prototype test are presented.
We extend two results on Chow (semi-)stability to positive characteristics. One is on the stability of non-singular projective hypersurfaces of degree greater than 2, and the other is the criterion by Y. Lee in terms of log canonical thresholds. Some properties of log-canonicity in positive characteristics are discussed with a couple of examples, in connection with the proof of the latter one. It is also proven in appendix that the sum of Chow (semi-)stable cycles are again Chow (semi-)stable.
Dimensional metrology and positioning operations are used in many fields of particle accelerator projects. This lecture gives the basic tools to designers in the field of measure by analysing the spatial layout of measurement systems since it is central to dimensional metrology as well as positioning operations. In a second part, a case study dedicated to a synchrotron storage ring is proposed from the detection of the magnetic centre of quadrupoles to the orbit definition of the ring.
Stabilization of the particle beam position with respect to the focusing optics in the third generation synchrotron light sources is crucial to achieving low emittance and high brightness. For this purpose, global and local beam orbit correction feedbacks will be implemented in the APS storage ring. In this article, the authors discuss application of digital signal processing to particle/photon beam position feedback using the PID (proportional, integral, and derivative) control algorithm.
The method of the present invention comprises a step of previously coating a positive type resist on the surface of equipment, a step of solidifying the coated positive type resist and a step of bringing the coated equipment to circumstances for use and cleaning the positive type resist. With such procedures, the amount of radioactive materials deposited on the equipment can be reduced, and redeposition of nuclides on the surface to be cleaned can be prevented. (T.M.)
Antimicrobial susceptibilities of 233 Gram-positive and 180 Gram-negative strains to two novel bis-indoles were evaluated. Both compounds were potent inhibitors of Gram-positive bacteria, with MIC90...Full Text Available
Design of a beam position monitor (BPM) which is sensitive to low velo charged particle beams is considered. Quantitative estimates are made for the corrections to the conventional approximations to solutions of the Laplace Equation in two-dimensions when a BPM is used to measure to position of low velocity (low-[beta]) beams. (AIP)
A new nonlinear S{sub n} transport differencing scheme for slab geometry is presented that is fourth order accurate for small meshes and is strictly positive. The new scheme has been coded into the existing ONELD code and tested. Numerical results to demonstrate the accuracy and positivity of this new scheme are presented.
The role of MRT in the prebiopsy diagnosis of muscular and vascular inflammatory conditions was evaluated prospectively and an optimal method of examination was investigated. 92 patients with a suspected diagnosis of myositis (60 cases) or vasculitis (32 cases) were examined, in each case two extremities were studied using transverse T_1 and T_2 weighted SE sequences and double echo STIR sequences on a 0.5 Tesla (56 patients) or 1.5 Tesla magnet (36 patients; T5/S15 Gyroscan, Philips). The site of the biopsy depended on the MRT findings. In 41 patients the suspected diagnosis was confirmed histologically, in two patients an infective myositis was diagnosed on clinical grounds despite negative histology. MRT demonstrated muscle oedema in 86% of patients. There were negative findings after immuno-suppressive therapy (two patients), in focal myositis (3 out of 4 patients) and in one of 7 patients with untreated vasculitis. Amongst 49 patients in whom the suspected diagnosis could not be ...
PAMELA is a satellite borne experiment designed to study with great accuracy cosmic rays of galactic, solar, and trapped nature in a wide energy range (protons: 80 MeV-700 GeV, electrons 50 MeV-400 GeV). Main objective is the study of the antimatter component: antiprotons (80 MeV-190 GeV), positrons (50 MeV-270 GeV) and search for antimatter with a precision of the order of $10^{-8}$). The experiment, housed on board the Russian Resurs-DK1 satellite, was launched on June, 15 2006 in a $350\\times 600 km$ orbit with an inclination of 70 degrees. The detector is composed of a series of scintillator counters arranged at the extremities of a permanent magnet spectrometer to provide charge, Time-of-Flight and rigidity information. Lepton/hadron identification is performed by a Silicon-Tungsten calorimeter and a Neutron detector placed at the bottom of the device. An Anticounter system is used offline to reject false triggers coming from the satellite. In self-trigger ...
In 1977 and 1978, Sandia National Laboratories, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and operated for the US Department of Energy (DOE), filmed a series of crash and fire tests performed on three casks designed to transport irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies. While the tests were performed to assess the applicability of scale and computer modeling techniques to actual accidents, films of them were quickly pressed into service by the DOE and nuclear utilities as proof'' to the public of the safety of the casks. In the public debate over the safety of irradiated nuclear fuel transportation, the films have served as the mainstay for the nuclear industry. Although the scripts of all the films were reviewed by USDOE officials before production, they contain numerous misleading concepts and images, and omit significant facts. The shorter versions eliminated qualifying statements contained in the longer version, and created false impressions. This paper ...
PAMELA is a satellite borne experiment designed to study with great accuracy cosmic rays of galactic, solar, and trapped nature in a wide energy range protons: 80 MeV-700 GeV, electrons 50 MeV-400 GeV). Main objective is the study of the antimatter component: antiprotons (80 MeV-190 GeV), positrons (50 MeV-270 GeV) and search for antimatter with a precision of the order of 10^-8). The experiment, housed on board the Russian Resurs-DK1 satellite, was launched on June, 15, 2006 in a 350*600 km orbit with an inclination of 70 degrees. The detector is composed of a series of scintillator counters arranged at the extremities of a permanent magnet spectrometer to provide charge, Time-of-Flight and rigidity information. Lepton/hadron identification is performed by a Silicon-Tungsten calorimeter and a Neutron detector placed at the bottom of the device. An Anticounter system is used offline to reject false triggers coming from the satellite. In self-trigger mode the ...
In the case of injuries of the ankle joint, an imaging technique is expected to reveal the state of the bones, ligaments, and articular cartilage. Irrespective of novel imaging techniques, a plain radiography will be made in order to obtain a first picture of the injury. Examples are given, showing that further orientation along the Lauge-Hansen classification scheme of this type of injury helps to completely ascertain the damage to the Articulatio talocruralis. Further examinations applying specific methods such as arthrography will detect possible, isolated syndesmosis ruptures; lesions of the ligaments can also be directly detected by CT or MRT. The articular cartilage and its lesions can be visualized by a combination of CT and arthrography, but are better shown by the completely non-invasive MRT. This latter method also gives insight into pathological processes with the bone. It allows to detect necrotic bone regions and their re-vitalisation in patients with osteochondrosis ...
CT scans were performed on 25 patients suspected of sustaining ranal trauma. The utility of CT in both detecting renal damage and appraising the gravity of injuries was assessed. Nowadays, in fact, nephrectomy or reserved for lesions devastanting the kidney parenchyma or rupturing the renal pedicle; so it is very important to identyfy both the purposes of a better planned therapeutic approach. CT does both, being more accurate than urography in the detection of renal fractures, intra or extraparenchymal hematomas and contrast media extravasation. Urography very often shows aspecific lesion patterns and sometimes it is also falsely negative. In the present series CT was more reliable than angiography itself, particulary in the diagnosis of extra-renal hematic collections, contrast media extravasation and injuries to the other abdominal organs. Although CT may arouse the suspicion of and sometimes correctly diagnose vascular lesions, such as renal infarction, ...
I present here a review of past and present multi-disciplinary research of the Pittsburgh Computational AstroStatistics (PiCA) group. This group is dedicated to developing fast and efficient statistical algorithms for analysing huge astronomical data sources. I begin with a short review of multi-resolutional kd-trees which are the building blocks for many of our algorithms. For example, quick range queries and fast n-point correlation functions. I will present new results from the use of Mixture Models (Connolly et al. 2000) in density estimation of multi-color data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). Specifically, the selection of quasars and the automated identification of X-ray sources. I will also present a brief overview of the False Discovery Rate (FDR) procedure (Miller et al. 2001a) and show how it has been used in the detection of ``Baryon Wiggles'' in the local galaxy power spectrum and source identification in radio data. Finally, I will look ...
Many nondestructive beam position monitors are known. However, these devices can not be used for DC particle beam diagnostics. We investigated a method of beam diagnostics applicable for the operative control of DC high power e-beam inside closed waveguide. A design of the detector for determination of{open_quote} center of mass {close_quote} position of DC particle beam was developed. It was shown that the monitor can be used as a nondestructive method for the beam position control in resonators. Magnetic field of the particle beam outside a resonator is used. The detector consists of the steel yokes and magnetic field sensors. The sensors measure magnetic fluxes in the steel yokes fixed outside the resonator. When the particle beam changes its position, these magnetic fluxes also change. Beam displacement sensitivity of the monitor depends on the steel yoke dimensions. The detector sensitivity is ...
The objective of this project is to investigate the applicability of a combined Global Positioning System and Inertial Measurement Unit (GPS/IMU) for information based displays on earthmoving machines and for automated earthmoving machines in the future. This technology has the potential of allowing an information-based product like Caterpillar's Computer Aided Earthmoving System (CAES) to operate in areas with satellite shading. Satellite shading is an issue in open pit mining because machines are routinely required to operate close to high walls, which reduces significantly the amount of the visible sky to the GPS antenna mounted on the machine. An inertial measurement unit is a product, which provides data for the calculation of position based on sensing accelerations and rotation rates of the machine's rigid body. When this information is coupled with GPS it results in a positioning system that can ...
A high sensitivity (titer 60-150,000) radioimmunoassay for arginine vasopressin (AVP) has been developed using synthetic AVP as antigen and standard. The specificity of the antiserum has been characterized in detail by measuring the relative binding affinities of 29 analogs and fragments of AVP. In general, single amino acid substitution or deletion in the AVP molecule caused a reduction in binding to the antiserum; binding was further impaired for analogs which had multiple substitutions. ''Ring'' and ''tail'' fragments of the neurohypophysial hormones did not bind to the antiserum, and the only analog which the antiserum could not differentiate from AVP was deamino-AVP. More specifically, the antiserum exhibited the following properties: position 1, no requirement for a position charge at "1/_2 Cys; positions 2 and 3, requirements for #pi#-#pi# interacting pair of aromatic side chains and for Tyr at ...
The present investigation represents the initial phase of a comprehensive experimental program designed to study the potential for increasing the heat transfer per unit pressure drop in a ribbed duct by positioning vortex generators at key locations in the flow. In particular, the present investigation consists of a rib positioned at the inlet to a rectangular test section with uniform heating at its bottom wall. Local and average Nusselt number results are obtained for a circular rod positioned either immediately above or just downstream of the rib.
The lateral bearing device is made of 7 lateral supports, each positioned to allow the displacement of the steam generator due to thermal or seismic effects. Each support includes a buffer plate that can be positioned on the steam generator using a position control assembly. This control assembly consists of a screw jack arrangement where the nut is fastened via an energy absorbing layer to a footplate that is fixed to the concrete wall of the steam generator enclosure. 4 figs.
This paper discusses the stationary neutron radiography system (SNRS) with respect to the component positioning systems (CPSs) and the rationale behind their design. As design work is on-going at Science Applications International Corporation, this report gives a current update of progress. The SNRS has four separate radiography bays, Bays 1 through 4. The first three bays have automated positioning systems for real-time and near real-time neutron radiography of aircraft components. Bay 4 has been designed to accommodate components from the solid rocket booster, but will be used first for film radiography of pyrotechnic components.
This paper discusses the stationary neutron radiography system (SNRS) with respect to the component positioning systems (CPSs) and the rationale behind their design. As design work is on-going at science Applications International Corporation, this report gives a current update of progress. The SNRS has four separate radiography bays, Bays 1 through 4. The first three bays have automated positioning systems for real-time and near real-time neutron radiography of aircraft components. Bay 4 has been designed to accommodate components from the solid rocket booster, but will be used first for film radiography of pyrotechnic components.
This article presents a decentralized control scheme for the complex problem of simultaneous position and internal force control in cooperative multiple manipulator systems. The proposed controller is composed of a sliding mode control term and a force robustifying term to simultaneously control the payloads position/orientation as well as the internal forces induced in the system. This is accomplished independently of the manipulators dynamics. Unlike most controllers that do not require prior knowledge of the manipulators dynamics, the suggested controller does not use fuzzy logic inferencing and is computationally inexpensive. Using a Lyapunov stability approach, the controller is proven to be robust in the face of varying systems dynamics. The payloads position/orientation and the inte...
A rechargeable cell is disclosed which is characterized in the following manner. A positive electrode is formed from a manganese oxide electrode material. This manganese oxide electrode material contains a heavy metal selected from the group comprising lead, bismuth, and mixtures of lead and bismuth. The cell also contains a negative electrode of zinc. A separator is provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. An alkaline electrolyte consisting essentially of an alcohol and an alkaline hydroxide is also contained in the rechargeable cell in contact with both the positive electrode and the negative electrode.
Aluminium-lithium extrusions possess high inhomogeneity of properties across the cross section. Mechanical properties such as R{sub p0,2}, R{sub m} and hardness, but also fatigue properties, change their value in dependence with the cross section position where test specimens were taken. Positions, where extreme values of properties are measured, are characteristic for a given extrusion shape. The positions with different properties have different structure and texture. Properties and structure inhomogeneity is affected mainly by extrusion shape and heat treatment parameters. (orig.)
We examine the late-time behavior of initially expanding homogeneous cosmological models satisfying Einstein's equation with a positive cosmological constant ..lambda... It is shown that such models of all Bianchi types except IX exponentially evolve toward the de Sitter solution, with time scale (3/..lambda..)/sup 1/2/. The behavior of Bianchi type-IX universes is similar, provided that ..lambda.. is sufficiently large compared with spatial-curvature terms. Thus, a positive cosmological constant provides an effective means of isotropizing homogeneous universes.
We examine the late-time behavior of initially expanding homogeneous cosmological models satisfying Einstein's equation with a positive cosmological constant #LAMBDA#. It is shown that such models of all Bianchi types except IX exponentially evolve toward the de Sitter solution, with time scale (3/#LAMBDA#)/sup 1/2/. The behavior of Bianchi type-IX universes is similar, provided that #LAMBDA# is sufficiently large compared with spatial-curvature terms. Thus, a positive cosmological constant provides an effective means of isotropizing homogeneous universes.
Objectives Clinical PET/MR requires the use of patient positioning aids to immobilize and support patients for the duration of the combined examination. Ancillary immobilization devices contribute to overall attenuation of the PET signal, but are not detected with conventional MR sequences and, hence, are ignored in standard MR-based attenuation correction (MR-AC). We report on the quantitative effect of not accounting for the attenuation of patient positioning aids in combined PET/MR imaging. Methods We used phantom and patient data acquired with positioning aids on a PET/CT scanner (Biograph 16, HI-REZ) to mimic PET/MR imaging conditions. Reference CT-based attenuation maps were generated from measured (original) CT transmission images (origCT-AC). We also created MR-like attenuation map...
Project methodology, analysis of the occupational and training situation, task analysis process, design process for a systematic training plan specific to the job position are described.
Diverse cell polarity networks require positive feedback for locally amplifying distributions of signalling molecules at the plasma membrane1. Additional...Full Text Available
A simple heuristic calculation is given for the rate of nucleation of black holes at positive temperature. This calculation is based on the classical theory of nucleation and reproduces the result of Gross, Perry, and Yaffe.
new technologies being evaluated by the ADTT. (d) Prepare the ... (g) Have final approval of the individual nominated for the position of Deputy. ADTT. (4) The ...
... The AAT Z mutation involves a single amino acid substitution (glutamine for lysine) at position 342, resulting in abnormal folding and polymerization of the ...
Bags of explosive are loaded rapidly into deep wellbores by suspending a rigid positioning tube partway into the wellbore, and loading the bags into the tube, the bags being prevented from dropping through the open bottom end of the tube by a cord attached to the lowermost bag and secured at the upper end of the tube when the tube-suspending cable is in tension by a cordsecuring/releasing means, E.G., a pivotable bar having a hook on one end. When the bag-laden tube is lowered to the bottom of the wellbore, or to a column of bags previously placed therein, the tension on the cable is relaxed and the cord is released, allowing the positioning tube thereafter to be raised to the surface for re-use, leaving the cord and bags in the wellbore. Freedom of the bag-supporting cord to move with respect to the positioning tube when the latter is raised to the surface is assured by threading the cord through plastic tubing mounted to ...
1. A high degree of homology in the positions of tyrosine residues in glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase from lobster and pig muscle, and from yeast, prompted an examination of the reactivity...Full Text Available
The in vitro activity of teicoplanin, a new antibiotic related to vancomycin, was determined against 456 gram-positive cocci. The activity of teicoplanin in comparison with that of vancomycin was similar...Full Text Available
The fast rotating wire scanners installed in the PS and the PS booster are used for the precise transversal profile measurements in horizontal and vertical planes. The scanners may show large position measurement errors if no special treatment is applied to the acquired data. The aim of the calibration is to obtain a correction algorithm for the systematic position measurement error due to mechanical and electronic offsets. A new calibration system has been developed and introduced at CERN for the scanners implementing position feedback control. The calibration method is based on a substitution of a particle beam by a laser one where the laser beam position is well known. According to the previous experience the following crucial requirements to the system have been taking into consideration: heavy and mechanically stable design of the calibration bench to reduce mechanical oscillations of scanner ...
The management of risks of explosives are described. Administrative and procedural controls are considered. The safety management plan involves hazard identification, risk analysis, assessment and control. The current position of explosives safety is considered. 4 tabs.
on this technology has beenproposedas a payload on SpaceStation Freedom to be launched in the near future [1]. Direct detection 4-ary pulse position modula- ...
Existing oil reservoirs might be more fully exploited if the properties of the flow of oil and water in porous media were better known. In laboratory experiments it is important to collect as much information as possible to make a descriptive model of the system, including position imaging and chemical binding information. This thesis develops nuclear methods for obtaining position image and chemical binding information from flow experiments of porous media. A combined positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomography system to obtain position images, and a time-differential perturbed angular correlation system to obtain chemical binding information, have been built and thoroughly tested. 68 refs., 123 figs., 14 tabs.
This exploratory research paper investigated the coping strategies of families of hospitalized psychiatric patients and identified their positive and negative coping strategies. In this paper, the coping...Full Text Available
Abstract Background: This study involves a multicentre surveillance of tigecycline and tetracycline activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria from primary care centres (PCCs), general hospital wards (GHWs) and intensive care units (ICUs) in Denmark (n == 9), Finland (n == 10), Norway (n == 7) and Sweden (n == 19). Methods: The hospitals were each asked to test 30 consecutive Gram-positive and 30 Gram-negative clinical isolates. Supportive information accompanying each isolate included the study centre, ward level (PCC, GHW, or ICU), patient identification and source of the isolate. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for tetracycline and tigecycline were determined with the Etest. Results: The isolates collected comprised 1610 Gram-negative and 1767 Gram-positive clini...
During instrumentation of the root canal, it is important to develop a continuously tapered form and to maintain the original shape and position of the apical foramen. However, the presence of curvatures...Full Text Available
In the autonomous unmanned helicopter landing problem, the position of the unmanned helicopter relative to the landmark is very important. A camera carried on the unmanned helicopter can capture an image of the landmark. In earlier research, it was reported that the camera position could be estimated by features extracted from the landmark image. However, it is necessary that the landmark image should be complete, or with only slight deficiencies, in order for this estimation process to be possible. In this article, we report on an innovative design for an estimation made from a camera position giving an incomplete single image of the landmark. An adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) is used to construct the mapping relation between the features of complete and incomplete landmark...
Jan 25, 2006 ... Source positions are determined using matched-filter and centroiding .... The upper 1-sigma statistical error in the full-band counts. ...
for cyber issues? Did you decide to establish this position because of the WikiLeaks incident? DR. SLAUGHTER: No. No, that decision was actually taken nearly a year ago,...
... position must not be penalized in their NCO Evaluation Report (NCOER). ... failure to perform MOS-, SQI-, or ASI-related duties after counseling. ...
... of "position error" in the AGARD Multilingual Aeronautical ... when it cones into the aircraft flow field it ... on actual bank angle and separation, may be - ...
The presence of an amino acid other than aspartic acid at position 57 of the HLA-DQ beta chain (non-Asp-57) is highly associated with susceptibility to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), whereas...Full Text Available
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 2/3 (mGluR2/3) agonists were shown previously to nonselectively decrease both cocaine- and food-maintained responding in rats. mGluR2 positive allosteric modulators (PAMs)...Full Text Available
A sensitive radioimmunoassay method for HBeAg and anti-HBe allowed 98.4% of HBsAg positive blood donors to be classified. HBeAg was more prevalent in blood donors under 30 years of age and anti-HBe...Full Text Available
We have measured the oxygen positions in LaNiO{sub 3} films to elucidate the coupling between epitaxial strain and oxygen octahedral rotations. The oxygen positions are determined by comparing the measured and calculated intensities of half-order Bragg peaks, arising from the octahedral rotations. Combining ab initio density-functional calculations with these experimental results, we show how strain systematically modifies both bond angles and lengths in this functional perovskite oxide.
A cathode of improved discharge characteristics for a zinc-air battery is prepared from mixtures containing gamma-MnO/sub 2/ 33-67 wt%, C 12-40 wt% and KOH 20-28 wt%.
The design of beam position monitor (BPM) stripline detectors has been enhanced by using the finite element code ANSYS[sup TM]. Available from Swanson Engineering, ANSYS[sup TM] was developed to solve Poisson's equation in stress and thermal analysis applications. The code is readily adaptable to solving electrostatic problems. The designs of several beam detectors were iterated by calculating electrode capacitances and characteristic impedances to better than 1% accuracy.
This study examined the life histories of a group of emerging scholars in the field of mathematics education who identify themselves as having a particular interest in and concern for issues of equity and diversity. Experiences of being the "other," "bearing witness" to "othering experiences," and "orienting experiences" in relation to issues of equity proved to be prominent themes in participants' life histories. These experiences were then linked to the positionality that these scholars now have in relation to their research in mathematics education.
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive, anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK+ ALCL) is an aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma of T/null immunophenotype that is most prevalent in children and young adults. The...Full Text Available
The sensitivity and specificity of the MGIT TBc identification (TBc ID) test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) detection in positive Bactec MGIT cultures were 95.2% and 99.2%, respectively. When MTC-positive results obtained from two additional molecular methods were included, the sensitivity of the MGIT TBc ID test was 85.4%, while that of culture was 95.7%. PMID:21450949
A simple analytical model of the barrier discharge in a long gap between opposing plane electrodes is developed. It is shown that the plasma density becomes uniform over large part of the gap in the course of the discharge development, so that one can speak of a formation of a dynamic positive column. The column completely controls the dynamics of the barrier discharge and determines such characteristics as the discharge current, discharge duration, light output, etc. Using the proposed model, all discharge parameters can be easily evaluated
The Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) reactor characterization by the Hanford Engineering Development Laboratory (HEDL) includes extensive neutronic measurements during startup and initial operation. To aid in the handling and counting of the thousands of passive dosimeters used as part of this effort, an automated dosimetry specimen handling, positioning, and counting system was designed and developed by Westinghouse Hanford for the Department of Energy.
An imaging detector for {gamma}-rays ({approx equal}1 MeV) based on minicell MWPCs with converters and a position resolution of {Delta}x=0.5 mm has been developed and tested. Very high rate capability (>10{sup 8}/cm{sup 2} s) and a special readout for suppression of scattered radiation are implemented allowing to enhance the measured contrast. The relevant physical processes are discussed and first pictures are presented. (orig.).
We present here the concept of a simple one dimensional photon beam position monitor for use with high power synchrotron radiation beams. It has micron resolution, reasonable linearity in an inexpensive design. Most important, is its insensitivity to diffusely scattered low energy radiation from components upstream of the monitor.
In order to judge the potential fluorescent lamp applications of various low-pressure positive column discharges it is necessary to measure the absolute power emitted in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum. For rare-gas discharges the principle emission occurs in the vacuum ultraviolet so that it is difficult to measure the radiant emittance (power per unit area) of the resonance radiation by standard methods. Two independent techniques are discussed for measuring the radiant emittance of positive column discharges in the vacuum ultraviolet. These techniques are used to study xenon positive column discharges at the resonance wavelength of 147 nm. The first method relies on the measurement of the resonance level density by absorption techniques. The effective decay rate of the resonance level is then determined by the simulation of resonance radiation transport. These two quantities are combined to yield the radiant ...
We explore the relationship between the hard X-ray photon index $\\Gamma$ and the Eddington ratio (\\xi=L_{X}(0.5-25 keV)/L_{Edd}) in six XRBs. We find that different XRBs follow different anti-correlations between $\\Gamma$ and $\\xi$ when $\\xi$ is less than a critical value, while they follow the same positive correlation when $\\xi$ is larger than the critical value. This anti-correlation and positive correlation are also found in LLAGNs and QSOs respectively, and the anti-correlation and positive correlation of different XRBs roughly converge to the same point ($\\log \\xi=-2.1, \\Gamma=1.5$), which may correspond to the accretion mode transition, since that the anti-correlation and positive correlation are consistent with the prediction of ADAFs and standard disk/corona system respectively. The traditional low/hard state are divided into two parts by the cross point $\\log \\xi\\sim-2.1$, i.e., ...
Video images of laser beams imprinted with distinguishable features are used for alignment of 192 laser beams at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Algorithms designed to determine the position of these beams enable the control system to perform the task of alignment. Centroiding is a common approach used for determining the position of beams. However, real world beam images suffer from intensity fluctuation or other distortions which make such an approach susceptible to higher position measurement variability. Matched filtering used for identifying the beam position results in greater stability of position measurement compared to that obtained using the centroiding technique. However, this gain is achieved at the expense of extra processing time required for each beam image. In this work we explore the possibility of using a field programmable logic array (FPGA) to speed up ...
An offshore drilling rig is described for use in drilling into a formation below a body of water comprising a barge hull having a drilling slot extending inwardly from the peripheral boundary of the barge hull, means for supporting the barge hull in a position above the water, a cantilever structure mounted on the barge hull and movable horizontally with respect to such barge hull, the cantilever structure being so located relative to the drilling slot as to be movable horizontally into a position in vertical alignment with the drilling slot, a derrick and drilling machinery mounted to the cantilever structure and movable into a position above the drilling slot whereby well drilling operations may be conducted through the drilling slot, the cantilever structure also being movable horizontally to a position which locates the derrick and the drilling machinery outboard of the peripheral boundary of the ...
PCR detection of genetic material of the parasites present in faeces may be an alternative for microscopic and serological tests routinely used for diagnosing parasitic enteral infections. However, small amount of target DNA combined with low efficiency of total DNA extraction, and presence of PCR inhibitors in the samples to be amplified, may cause false negative detection results. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of DNA isolation procedure used on the amplification of DNA fragments from the genomes of protozoan Cryptosporidium parvum and the nematode Trichinella spiralis. Two methods based on different principles of biological material lysis were evaluated; NucliSENS miniMAG employing simultaneously applied chemical lysis and mechanical disruption or mechanical disruption followed by enzymatic lysis in case of QIAamp DNA Stool Mini Kit. Both of the analyzed systems for nucleic acids purification allowed isolation of DNA from purified ...
Problems and solutions in the diagnosis and operative treatment were clarified by retrospective evaluation of cases of intramedullary tumor in which MRI and surgery had been performed. The subjects were 16 patients (21-75 years old, mean age: 45 years) whose tumor was surgically removed between 1991 and 1998. MRI was performed preoperatively, and T1-weighted images, T2-weighted images, and enhanced images were obtained. Angiography was also performed in some cases. The histological diagnosis based on the MRI findings before surgery were compared with the pathological diagnosis after the operation. In 9/16 cases (56%), the preoperative histological diagnosis based on the MR images was the same as the pathological diagnosis after the operation. In 8 of the 11 cases (73%) whose images showed clear tumor margins and well shaped the tumor, the tumors were completely removed. The concordance rate between the pathological diagnosis during and after the operation was 67%. Spinal cord ...
Analysts working at the International Data Centre in support of treaty monitoring through the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization spend a significant amount of time reviewing hypothesized seismic events produced by an automatic processing system. When reviewing these events to determine their legitimacy, analysts take a variety of approaches that rely heavily on training and past experience. One method used by analysts to gauge the validity of an event involves examining the set of stations involved in the detection of an event. In particular, leveraging past experience, an analyst can say that an event located in a certain part of the world is expected to be detected by Stations A, B, and C. Implicit in this statement is that such an event would usually not be detected by Stations X, Y, or Z. For some well understood parts of the world, the absence of one or more 'expected' stations - or the presence of one or more 'unexpected' ...
Coronary angiography provides anatomical information whereas thellium myocardial scintigraphy measures resistive tissue perfusion. Because of this fundamental difference. The authors question the validity of using coronary angiography as the gold standard to judge thellium myocardial scintigraphy. The authors studied 20 patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary angioplasty who fulfilled the following criteria: (1) history of chest pain; (2) angiographically significant single vessel disease (>50% stenosis); (3) no prior myocardial infarction. All patients underwent maximal exercise thallium single photon emission computed tomography (T1-SPECT). Tl-SPECT was scored visually according to a 0 to 3 scale (0=absent uptake; 1=markedly decreased uptake; 2=minimally decreased uptake; 3=normal uptake). Translesional gradient and percent stenosis were measured before and after angioplasty. The authors found that significant linear relationship exists between percent stenosis and ...
Purpose: To assess long-term outcomes following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of congenital aortic coarctation in adults.Methods: Seventeen patients underwent PTA for symptomatic adult coarctation of the aorta. Sixteen patients, with a mean age of 28 years (range 15-60 years), were reviewed at a mean interval after angioplasty of 7.3 years (range 1.5-11 years). Assessment included magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Doppler echocardiography, and clinical examination. Current clinical measurements were compared with pre- and immediate post-angioplasty measurements.Results: At follow-up 16 patients were alive and well. The patient not included in follow-up had undergone surgical repair and excision of the coarctation segment following PTA. Mean brachial systolic blood pressure for the group decreased from 174 mmHg before angioplasty to 130 mmHg at follow-up (p 0.0001). The mean gradient had fallen significantly from 50.9 to 17.8 at follow-up (p = 0.001). The average number of ...
It has been concluded by geologists that a significant amount of hydrogen is stored as point defects in nominally anhydrous minerals. Determination of the amount of hydrogen bound in these minerals is a step towards determining the total water content of the earth mantle as well as comprehending its internal water cycle. The possibility to measure hydrogen in thin geological samples by elastic p-p scattering has been investigated at the Lund Nuclear Microprobe. In this work the development of the experimental procedure and standardisation of data analysis is described. Special emphasis has been put into doing the data analysis as simple as possible and at the same time applicable to all sorts of thin samples, even those of unknown nature. A special annular surface barrier detector composed of two insulated detector halves, which are read out simultaneously, is used to detect the recoiled proton and the scattered proton in coincidence. Conditions on the difference in time and energy of ...
In 65 adult rabbits of both sexes (2.5 to 6 kg) the following salvaging procedures were performed after simulated trauma: (1) Continuous suture line; (2) closure with fibrin sealant after temporary clamping; (3) hemisplenectomy with omental wrap; (4) suture fixation of fragments and slices of spleen tissue to the peritoneum; (5) suture fixation of spleen fragments to the omentum; (6) extraperitoneal subcutaneous transposition of spleen cubes. In addition, the likelihood of spontaneous splenosis was examined in a preliminary study involving 5 animals by introducing unattached spleen meal and fragments. Scanning was repeated 4 to 12 weeks postoperatively. The functional competence of minor parenchymal islands was also investigated with well counter measurements of organ and muscle tissue homogenates. Spontaneous splenosis after abdominal injuries was not found to be the rule. Salvaging procedures at the natural vascular hilus by sutures, fibrin sealant and hemisplenectomy produced ...
In recent years the 'Nowcasting Wake Vortex Impact Variables' model NOWVIV has been developed at the Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt, DLR, to forecast weather parameters in airport environments. The German Meteorological Service, DWD, employs his COSMO-DE model (COnsortium for Small scale Modelling-DEutschland) for operational forecasts in Germany. A systematic comparison of model output from NOWVIV and a derivate of COSMO-DE, named COSMO-FRA, is presented. Both models are centred at Frankfurt Airport with horizontal resolutions of 2.1 km and 2.8 km, respectively. In the DLR Project Wetter and Fliegen the COSMO-FRA model will replace the NOWVIV model and become a key component in the future rapid update cycle for adverse weather predictions at the airports of Frankfurt and Munich. The forecast vertical profiles of runway crosswind, head/tail wind, temperature, and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) are validated against Wind and Temperature Radar (WTR/RASS) ...
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The lateral bearing device is made of 7 lateral supports, each positioned to allow the displacement of the steam generator due to thermal or seismic effects. Each support includes a buffer plate that can be positioned on the steam generator using a position control assembly. This control assembly consists of a screw jack arrangement where the nut is fastened via an energy absorbing layer to a footplate that is fixed to the concrete wall of the steam generator enclosure. 4 figs.
As the ground state potential curve is strongly related to spectral line shapes, the minumum position of the ground state potential is obtained from the experiemental absorption profile k({delta}{nu}, T) at high density of the radiating atoms. The temperature dependence of the absorption processes of Hg and Cd lines 253.65 and 326.1 nm, respectively perturbed by inert gases (Xe, Kr, Ar and Ne) had been carefully studied over a wide spectral range. Using the point of the maximum temperature dependence {delta}{nu} {sub m} in each case, we are able to calculate the position of the ground state potential R {sub m} using a simple formula.
The properties of individual radioactive particles present in a sample, such as a swipe, are more interesting than bulk properties of the sample. The present work focuses on instrumentation that provides position-sensitive spectral information non-destructively from the sample. The experimental part of the work was realized using a device called PANDA (Particles And Non-Destructive Analysis). The detector setup used in the study contains a broad-energy HPGe gamma-ray detector and a position-sensitive alpha detector. Both detectors are connected to a time-stamping event-mode data acquisition system. The method is shown to locate particles with sub-millimetre accuracy and distinguish the interesting particles from non-interesting ones. (author)
An imaging position sensitive detector for charged particles, neutrons, X-and gamma rays has been developed. The novel feature of this scintillation imaging radiation detector is its ability to detect individual nuclear particle scintillations with a h igh degree of spatial resolution. The key elements of this detector system are a high gain, low noise image intensifier tube, a CCD camera and commercially available image processing hardware and software. This detector system is highly effective for applications such as low fluence and real time neutron radiography, mapping of radioactive contamination in nuclear reactor fuel rods, X-ray diffraction imaging, high speed autoradiography and in general position sensitive detection of nuclear radiation. Results of some of the exploratory experiments carried out using this detector system are presented in this paper. (orig.).
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the most lethal form of diffuse lung fibrosis, killing approximately half of those affected within 2-3 years of diagnosis. Until recently, no therapies had been shown to have an impact on disease progression. The Clinical Studies Assessing Pirfenidone (Esbriet) in IPF: Research of Efficacy and Safety Outcomes (CAPACITY) program comprised two almost identical double-blind placebo-controlled studies assessing the effects of pirfenidone on change in forced vital capacity, the primary end point, over a 72-week period. One of these studies was positive, matching in magnitude the benefit seen in two previous positive Japanese studies. The other study did not meet its primary end point but positive trends were consistent in this and a number of secondary end point...
A time-of-flight (TOF) spectrometer has been constructed at the JAERI 20 MV tandem accelerator facility. A position-sensitive start detector, which consists of a thin carbon foil, microchannel plates and a resistive plate, was developed for the TOF measurements through the spectrometer. The time and position resolutions obtained were 120 ps and 0.3 mm for ..cap alpha.. particles from /sup 241/Am, respectively. A two-dimensional position-sensitive detector was also developed to measure the solid angle of the spectrometer and the maximum solid angle obtained was 9.5 msr. As a particle detector a Bragg curve ionization chamber was developed. From the Bragg curves of heavy ions in the detector, energies, ranges and Bragg curve peaks were measured and used for particle identification. The resolving power Z/..delta..Z of the atomic number was about 50.
The ORR operated at an average power level of 29.7 MW for 85.3% of the time during this period. The reactor was shut down on fifteen occasions, nine of which were unscheduled. Reactor downtime needed for refueling and checks was normal. The reactor remained available for operation 88.3% of the time. Special tests completed during the quarter included: (1) transfer of LEU fuel elements CLE-202 and NLE-201 from core positions B-9 and B-2 to core positions C-5 and C-6 for continued operation; and (2) calculation of maximum heat flux in LEU elements CLE-201 and NLE-202 in core positions A-2 and A-8. In-service inspections included inspections of ORR decay tank, primary heat exchanger No. 4, and the 24-in. strainer.
Negative frequency has a physical meaning, the complete description of a frequency signal is a rotating complex signal, in complete description, positive frequency signal exp(iwt) and negative frequency signal exp(-iwt) is two distinguishable and independent frequency signals. Because the real-carrier modulation and demodulation do not distinguish positive and negative frequency, so half of the spectrum resources and signal energy are wasted. The complex-carrier modulation uses the distinguishable positive frequency signal exp(iwt) and negative frequency signal exp(-iwt) as the carrier signals, they can carry different information, so the spectrum resources is full used, the complex-carrier demodulation does not lose signal energy, so the spectrum efficiency is improved.
A micromachined vertical actuator utilizing a levitational force, such as in electrostatic comb drives, provides vertical actuation that is relatively linear in actuation for control, and can be readily combined with parallel plate capacitive position sensing for position control. The micromachined electrostatic vertical actuator provides accurate movement in the sub-micron to micron ranges which is desirable in the phase modulation instrument, such as optical phase shifting. For example, compact, inexpensive, and position controllable micromirrors utilizing an electrostatic vertical actuator can replace the large, expensive, and difficult-to-maintain piezoelectric actuators. A thirty pound piezoelectric actuator with corner cube reflectors, as utilized in a phase shifting diffraction interferometer can be replaced with a micromirror and a lens. For any very precise and small amplitudes of motion` micromachined ...
We have studied the nature of continuum emitted in the visible spectral range from a noncontracted positive column of discharge in a cesium vapor-xenon mixture at a pressure of 45 Torr and at a degree of ionization below 3 ? 10?6. The main contribution to the continuous emission under such conditions is due to electron-xenon atom bremsstrahlung. The intensity of emission has been experimentally and theoretically studied as a function of the electric field strength and electron density in the positive column. It is established that an increase in the visible emission intensity with the electric field strength is related to an increase in the number of hot electrons in plasma.
This invention pertains to a light weight underground pipe or cable installing device adapted for use in a narrow and deep operating trench. More particularly this underground pipe installing device employs a pair of laterally movable gates positioned adjacent the bottom of the operating trench where the earth is more solid to securely clamp the device in the operating trench to enable it to withstand the forces exerted as the actuating rod is forced through the earth from the so-called operating trench to the target trench. To accommodate the laterally movable gates positioned adjacent the bottom of the narrow pipe installing device, a pair of top operated double-acting rod clamping jaws, operated by a hydraulic cylinder positioned above the actuating rod are employed.
In this letter we discuss the connection between so-called homoclinic chaos and the violation of energy conditions in locally rotationally symmetric Bianchi type IX models, where the matter is assumed to be nontilted dust and a positive cosmological constant. We show that homoclinic chaos in these models is an artifact of unphysical assumptions: it requires that there exist solutions with positive matter energy density #rho#>0 that evolve through the singularity and beyond as solutions with negative matter energy density #rho#<0. Homoclinic chaos is absent when it is assumed that the dust particles always retain their positive mass. In addition, we discuss more general models: for solutions that are not locally rotationally symmetric we demonstrate that the construction of extensions through the singularity, which is required for homoclinic chaos, is not possible in general.
Let X be a group with identity e, let A be an infinite set of generators for X, and let (X,d_A) be the metric space with the word metric d_A induced by A. It is proved that if the diameter of the space is infinite, then for every positive integer h there are infinitely many elements x in X with d_A(e,x)=h. It is proved that if P is a nonempty finite set of prime numbers and A is the set of positive integers whose prime factors all belong to P, then the diameter of the metric space (\\Z,d_A) is infinite. Let \\lambda_A(h) denote the smallest positive integer x with d_A(e,x)=h. It is an open problem to compute \\lambda_A(h) and estimate its growth rate.
Abstract In 46 febrile neutropenic patients who had undergone haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the fluorescence in situ hybridisation using peptide nucleic acid probes (PNA FISH), Gram stain/acridine orange leukocyte cytospin (Gram/AOLC), and differential time to positivity (DTP) methods were performed for detection of catheter related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). As compared with the DTP method (which detected 11 patients with CRBSI), the PNA FISH and the Gram/AOLC methods detected ten of 11 CRBSI patients, resulting in a sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value of 91%, 100%, 97% and 100%, respectively, for the PNA FISH method as well as for the Gram/AOLC method.
A case (female, 39?years of) of thyroid-like nasopharyngeal low-grade papillary adenocarcinoma with a significant spindle cell component is presented. The tumor was located on the posterior nasal septum. The spindle cells displayed nuclear features very much similar to the epithelial component and the two cell types merged imperceptibly. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells (including the spindle cell component) were strongly and diffusely positive for TTF-1, cytokeratins (AE1-3), cytokeratin 19 and vimentin. C-kit immunohistochemistry showed diffuse mild to moderate membranous positivity with focal areas displaying moderate to strong immunoreactivity. EMA was strongly positive in the epithelial component with membranous and cytoplasmic reactivity whereas the spindle cell component ...
We describe a fully automated bead puller system which uses stepping motors to position the bead, and an HP-8510 network analyzer to measure the resulting frequency shifts, both devices being under computer control. Longitudinal motion of the bead is used for measurement of cavity shunt impedance. In addition, azimuthal scans at fixed longitudinal position aid in determining the multipole character of higher-order modes. High sensitivity/accuracy is made possible by measuring phase shifts at the unperturbed resonant frequencies (rather than frequency shifts themselves), thereby permitting averaging factors of > 500 with only modest increases in data acquisition time. Sample measurements will be presented. A comprehensive analysis of the experimental results is presented in an accompanying paper.
A new German-engineered articulated drilling tool that can take the vertical to the horizontal, using about eight metres of curve, was described. The Articulate Downhole Motor has the capability to run radii as long as 57 metres (the usual requirement is 15 metres), under full control. Its ability to rotate and slide while maintaining control is one of the major positives of the technology. The technology also includes a `positive` communication system in its steering tool. The deployment of the positive pulse retrievable measurement-while-drilling (MWD) system brings real-time tool face orientation and hole direction to the surface. In using the tool, formation composition is not an issue; it is designed to withstand any environment.
Individual photophysical parameters of the chromophore of a fluorescent protein mRFP1 and its two mutants (amino-acid substitution at position 66 - mRFP1/ Q66C and mRFP1/Q66S proteins) are determined. For this purpose, apart from conventional methods of fluorimetry and spectrophotometry, nonlinear laser fluorimetry is used. It is shown that the individual extinction coefficients of the chromophore of proteins correlate (correlation coefficient above 0.9) with the volume of the substituted amino-acid residue at position 66 (similar to the positions of the absorption, fluorescence excitation and emission maxima). (laser biology and medicine)
An apparatus capable of producing current or voltage controlled positive and negative ion beams in 1-atm oxidizing and nonoxidizing ambients between 25/sup 0/ and 950 /sup 0/C is presented. The apparatus utilizes a point-to-plane corona discharge in the gas phase. Room-temperature experiments revealed that the small differences in ion beam shape between the two polarities is primarily due to the difference in applied voltage required to produce the same current for the two polarities. Due to increased ion mobility and decreased threshold voltage at higher temperatures, a slight broadening of the ion beam current-density profiles for both positive and negative ions is predicted.
It is shown that the interaction of a class of positive energy tachyons decreases the area of the horizon of the T-S, delta = 3 metric even in the case of a reversible transformation (Msub(ir) = constant). This is a violation of the second law of black hole physics.
It is shown that the interaction of a class of positive energy tachyons decreases the area of the horizon of the T-S, delta = 3 metric even in the case of a reversible transformation (Msub(ir) = constant). This is a violation of the second law of black hole physics. (author).
BackgroundMicroarray studies can supplement QTL studies by suggesting potential candidate genes in the QTL regions, which by themselves are too large to provide a limited selection...Full Text Available
During 1968-77, 572 consecutive children with one or more positive urine cultures who were referred by their family doctors to one paediatric surgical outpatient clinic were investigated and prospectively...Full Text Available
A discussion is given of uranium as an energy source in The Australian economy. Figures and predictions are presented on the world supply-demand position and also figures are given on the added value that can be achieved by the processing of uranium. Conclusions are drawn about Australia's future policy with regard to uranium (R.L.).
Strain F, a recently isolated ruminal bacterium, grew rapidly with glutamate or glutamine as an energy source in the presence but not the absence of Na. Monensin, a Na+/H+ antiporter, completely inhibited...Full Text Available
Sequence-directed variations in the canonical DNA double helix structure that retain Watson-Crick base-pairing play important roles in DNA recognition, topology, and nucleosome positioning....Full Text Available
The GABA-modulating and GABA-mimetic activities of the monoterpenoid thymol were explored on human GABAA and Drosophila melanogaster...Full Text Available
The temperature dependence of the dislocation mobility threshold is investigated on the basis of a dislocation model suggested by Frenkel-Kontorova. The critical value is obtained for the stress/temperature, corresponding to the dislocation depinning from its equilibrium position. The universal behaviour of a barrier height at finite stress and temperature is revealed and investigated.
The decay of "1"0"1Mo to levels in "1"0"1Tc has been studied using the three-parameter (#gamma#-#gamma#-t) coincidence system of HpGe-HpGe detectors. According to the coincidence data, the decay scheme was modified. The positions of 221.80, 318.00, 377.90, 452.50, 515.42, 1011.05 and 1759.72 keV transitions have been arranged again, the transition positions of 104.70, 105.95 and 774.15 keV gamma-rays have been assigned for the first time, the positions of 169.00, 590.91, 980.52 and 1431.68 keV transitions have been reconfirmed, the 1508.01 keV gamma-ray was observed simultaneously for the first time and its transition position has been assigned. The #beta#-intensities and the values of log ft of most levels were calculated. (author)
The gram-positive pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes was recently reported to possess a homologue of the luxS gene that is responsible for the production of autoinducer...Full Text Available
DNA methylation of cytosine residues is a widespread phenomenon and has been implicated in a number of biological processes in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This methylation occurs at the 5-position...Full Text Available
The fading of irradiated and natural blue-colored pearls was investigated in this experiment. Thirty natural blue-colored pearls and sixty irradiated blue-colored pearls were used. Some of them were placed at a light position of RT. Another pearls were placed at a dark position of 50"0C. The irradiated pearls placed at a light position of RT didn't show remarkable fading in their color in 294 days. But the natural blue-colored pearls showed a little recovery from 4% to 8% in reflection factors in 223 days at RT. The irradiated pearls placed at a dark position of 50"0C showed the recovery from 9% to 14% in 264 days independently of irradiation times. The natural blue-colored pearls also showed the bleaching from 5% to 10% in reflection factor in 86 days at 50"0C. Both irradiated and natural blue-colored pearls hardly showed their remarkable changes in their chromaticities independently of temperatures. ...
Many bacteria, both gram positive and gram negative, extrude in an energy-dependent manner the fluorescent pH indicator 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5[and -6]-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) (D. Molenaar,...Full Text Available
In recent years, many researchers have investigated the various factors that can influence body posture: mood states, anxiety, head and neck positions, oral functions (respiration,...Full Text Available
The canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a pivotal role in regulating embryogenesis and tumorigenesis by promoting cell proliferation. BAMBI (BMP and activin membrane-bound inhibitor) has...Full Text Available
The Neutron Radiography Reactor (NRAD) operated by Argonne National Laboratory is described in this paper. NRAD was designed to allow radiography of highly absorbing reactor fuel assemblies in the vertical position on the routine basis. 7 figs.
Allen's Rule documents a century-old biological observation that strong positive correlations exist among latitude, ambient temperature, and limb length in mammals. Although genetic selection for thermoregulatory...Full Text Available
It is shown that the usual proof of the second law of black hole physics breaks down if there are tachyons present in the vicinity of a black hole. Explicit cases are discussed where a tachyon of positive energy falling into the Kerr singularity actually decreases the area of the Kerr black hole. (author).
A facile synthetic protocol for the production of neomycin B derivatives with various modifications at the 5″ position has been developed. Structural activity relationship (SAR) against...Full Text Available
BackgroundSurface electromyography (sEMG) signals have been used in numerous studies for the classification of hand gestures and movements and successfully implemented in the position...Full Text Available
Normal brain development requires a series of highly complex and interrelated steps. This process presents many opportunities for errors to occur, which could result in developmental defects...Full Text Available
During embryonic development, cells are instructed which position to occupy, they interpret these cues as differentiation programmes, and expand these patterns by growth. Sonic hedgehog...Full Text Available
The parameters including knot numbers, knot positions and the weights associated with the systematic errors in the cubic spline curve fitting method were discussed. The conditions of using fitting criterion were given as well.
A positive, genetic selection against the activity of the nitrogen regulatory (NTR) system was used to isolate insertion mutations affecting nitrogen regulation in Klebsiella aerogenes. Two classes...Full Text Available
It is shown analytically and experimentally that thermally stimulated current (TSC) measurements at negative bias incompletely describe oxide-trap charge in SIMOX and bipolar base oxides irradiated at 0 V. Positive-bias TSC is also required.
Percutaneous tracheostomy is a routine procedure in intensive care units. In cases of very low position of the larynx, cervical spine deformation, morbid obesity, or neck tumor, performance of the classic...Full Text Available
A portable barrier strip having retractable tire-puncture spikes for puncturing a vehicle tire. The tire-puncture spikes have an armed position for puncturing a tire and a retracted position for not puncturing a tire. The strip comprises a plurality of barrier blocks having the tire-puncture spikes removably disposed in a shaft that is rotatably disposed in each barrier block. The plurality of barrier blocks hare hingedly interconnected by complementary hinges integrally formed into the side of each barrier block which allow the strip to be rolled for easy storage and retrieval, but which prevent irregular or back bending of the strip. The shafts of adjacent barrier blocks are pivotally interconnected via a double hinged universal joint to accommodate irregularities in a roadway surface and to transmit torsional motion of the shaft from block to block. A single flexshaft cable is connected to the shaft of an end block to allow a user to ...
BackgroundThe Class II DNA transposons are mobile genetic elements that move DNA sequence from one position in the genome to another. We have previously demonstrated that the naturally...Full Text Available
{sup 99m}Tc-N-pyridoxyl-5-methyl-tryptophan (PMT) scintigraphy, which exhibits highly specific for the diagnosis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), was performed for recurrent HCC following non-surgical treatment. Eighty-four patients (total 351 examinations) were selected for the study. The ability of PMT scintigraphy to diagnose recurrent HCC after treatment was compared with that of computed tomography, ultrasonography and angiography. The results showed that sixty-three (75%) of 84 cases demonstrated positive findings during our follow-up period, most of the tumors initially showing positive findings remained PMT positive when they recurred and PMT studies shortly after treatment demonstrated wider tracer uptake rather than the actual tumor area. In conclusion, PMT scintigraphy for patients with HCC after non-surgical treatment exhibited high accuracy in identifying viable HCC only for tumors indicating ...
A structurally conserved element, the trigger loop, has been suggested to play a key role in substrate selection and catalysis of RNA polymerase II (pol II) transcription elongation. Recently resolved...Full Text Available
... POSITION VACANT: Program Manager (Advance Materials and Manufacturing), AD-340-4. Salary ranges from ... POTENTIAL: Program Manager (Advanced Materials and Manufacturing), AD-340-4. LOCATION: Directorate ...
Phosphoramidite reagents can phosphitylate guanine bases at the O6-position during solid phase synthesis and serious chain cleavage occurs if the base phosphitylation is not eliminated before the iodine/water...Full Text Available
Idiopathic frozen shoulder is a common medical diagnosis for patients seeking physical therapy. Radiographic and surgical evidence exists that describes the coracohumeral ligament (CHL) as a major contributor...Full Text Available
ASTROSAT, India's first dedicated astronomy satellite is slated for launch in 2007. The primary science objective of ASTROSAT is to explore the Universe using broad-band instruments covering optical, UV, soft X-ray and hard X-ray studies
Orthologous positions of 55 genes associated with height in four human populations were located on the bovine genome. Single nucleotide polymorphisms close to eight of these genes were significantly...Full Text Available
The installation procedure, the fabrication, fitting up, positioning, adjustment and welding of piping, examinations, hydrostatics testing and insulation of piping for reactor primary circuit piping of Daya Bay Nuclear power Plant are briefly described.
The paper gives a generic idea of the solutions that the neuronal nets contribute to the robotics. The advantages and the inconveniences are exposed that have regarding the conventional techniques. It also describe the more excellent applications as the pursuit of trajectories, the positioning based on images, the force control or of the mobile robots management, among others
A constructive method is proposed to solve a class of massive Feynman integrals within the Negative Dimensional Integration Method. The results are compared with the ones given by known positive D models and expressed in terms of dimensionally and analytically regularized integrals 3 refs.
Nemonoxacin (TG-873870) is a novel nonfluorinated quinolone with broad-spectrum activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic, anaerobic, and atypical pathogens, as well as against methicillin-resistant...Full Text Available
The possibility of using lead or lead-bismuth mixed oxides as positive materials in organic electrolyte lithium cells with a working voltage similar to those of conventional systems (1.5 V) has been considered. Performances and main characteristics of this new class of lithium batteries are described.
Although research demonstrates many negative family outcomes associated with single-parent households, little is known about processes that lead to positive outcomes for these families. Using...Full Text Available
Study objectiveThe study aim was to improve our understanding of the relationships between contextual socioeconomic characteristics and coronary heart disease (CHD)...Full Text Available
The impact of introducing a 3,6,9-trioxadecyloxyl group at various positions of the desazadesferrithiocin (DADFT) aromatic ring on iron clearance and organ distribution is described. Three DADFT...Full Text Available
The purpose of this study was to illuminate the experiences of poor, urban HIV-positive drug users. Sixty participants were asked about HIV risk behaviors, the impact of HIV on their lives,...Full Text Available
BackgroundMastitis in dairy cattle results from infection of mammary tissue by a range of micro-organisms but principally coliform bacteria and Gram positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus...Full Text Available
The full impact of secondary stigma (stigma directed at family) on an HIV-positive individual is unknown. This qualitative research explores perceptions of secondary stigma in the Vietnamese...Full Text Available
... is known as "reproductive cloning." The Link to Stem Cell Research Stem cell research and research cloning are closely linked. Scientists in ... to arrive at a position on cloning and stem cell research. Many nations, including the UK, China, and South ...
Orientation and movement relies on both visual and vestibular information mapped in separate coordinate systems. Here, we examine how coordinate systems interact to guide eye movements of rabbits....Full Text Available
This patent describes a solar heater freeze protection valve apparatus comprising in combination: a valve housing; a remote sensor operatively connected to the valve housing from a remote position, the remote sensor including a bulb containing a liquid adapted to compress and expand with the temperature adjacent the bulb; a piston located in the valve body and slidable responsive to expansion and contraction of the liquid in the remote sensor; a first valve element located in the valve housing and attached to the valve piston for movement; a second valve element located in the valve housing and attached to the housing; a first valve seat in the second valve element forming an opening; a second valve seat positioned in a water passageway to allow the flow of fluid when the second valve element is in an open position and to cut off the flow of fluid when the second valve element is in a closed position. ...
A fireplace door assembly having doors pivotally mounted on a frame to be mounted on the opening of a fireplace. The doors are mounted on hinges that provide adjustment along a vertical axis of rotation and the front of the frame. An adjustable fire resistant gasket is used for an air seal. A gravity operated latch is provided to maintain the door in a closed position.
The fading of irradiated and natural blue-colored pearls was investigated in this experiment. Thirty natural blue-colored pearls and sixty irradiated blue-colored pearls were used. Some of them were placed at a light position of RT. Another pearls were placed at a dark position of 50/sup 0/C. The irradiated pearls placed at a light position of RT didn't show remarkable fading in their color in 294 days. But the natural blue-colored pearls showed a little recovery from 4% to 8% in reflection factors in 223 days at RT. The irradiated pearls placed at a dark position of 50/sup 0/C showed the recovery from 9% to 14% in 264 days independently of irradiation times. The natural blue-colored pearls also showed the bleaching from 5% to 10% in reflection factor in 86 days at 50/sup 0/C. Both irradiated and natural blue-colored pearls hardly showed their remarkable changes in their chromaticities ...
The Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF)is a 400 MW (th) sodium-cooled fast flux test reactor located on the Hanford Site in southeastern Washington State. The FFTF is operated by the Westinghouse Hanford Company for the United States Department of Energy. The FFTF is a three loop plant designed primarily for the purpose of testing full-scale core components in an environment prototypic of future liquid metal reactors. The plant design emphasizes features to enhance this test capability, especially in the area of the core, reactor vessel, and refueling system. Eight special test positions are provided in the vessel head to permit contact instrumented experiments to be installed and irradiated. These test positions effectively divide the core into three sectors. Each sector requires its own In-Vessel Handling Machine (IVHM) to access all the core positions. Since the core and the in-vessel refueling components are submerged under ...
This study explored posttraumatic growth (PTG), positive change resulting from struggling with trauma, among 7- to 10-year-olds impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Analyses focused on child self-system...Full Text Available
To successfully grow, neurons need to overcome the effects of hostile environments, such as the inhibitory action of myelin. We have evaluated the potential of exercise to overcome the intrinsic...Full Text Available
Phonological density refers to the number of words that can be generated by replacing a phoneme in a target word with another phoneme in the same position. Although the precise nature of the...Full Text Available
In Staphylococcus aureus, a pronounced shift in position of the acriflavin resistance locus was observed when gene order was determined by marker frequency analysis of cells of various ages. In young cells (2-hour culture), acriflavin resistance was mappe...
The aim of this study was to evaluate a nitrate reductase assay (NRA) performed on smear-positive sputa for the direct detection of rifampin resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis....Full Text Available
The speed of ethylene-induced leaf abscission in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv LG-102) seedlings is dependent on leaf position (i.e. physiological age). Fumigation...Full Text Available
This paper deals with electron flux densities and electron energy flux densities in positive column discharges. Recent kinetic calculations by Uhrlandt and Winkler have revealed the interesting physical phenomenon of radially inward directed energy flux densities in positive column plasmas. We have used a self-consistent positive column model, based on an accurate and highly detailed Monte Carlo code, to study this effect in more depth. The results of this study show a rather complex physical picture of electron particle and energy flux densities. Electrons with low energies usually exhibit radially outward directed particle and energy flux densities. At energies above the threshold for electronic excitation particle and energy flux densities are usually inward directed. Only close to the wall, at total energies above the wall potential energy, do these flux densities point towards the wall. The thickness of this ...
Bacterial nitric oxide synthases (bNOS) are present in many Gram-positive species and have been demonstrated to synthesize NO from arginine in vitro and in vivo. However, the physiological role...Full Text Available
Prophylactic knee braces are designed to prevent and reduce the severity of ligamentous injuries to the knee. Conflicting evidence is reported concerning their efficacy. The purpose of this study was...Full Text Available
Current methods for drug susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are either costly or slow. As the prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains increases, the need for fast,...Full Text Available
The most important developments in gaseous detectors at LNL are reviewed. Some aspects of timing, pulse height and position resolutions of avalanche counters are reported. The experimental work on heavy-ion identification by Bragg curve spectroscopy is summarized.
The DOE strategy recognizes that public perception of low-level waste management practices is not positive. Actions are included that are aimed at opening the system to the public. A better informed public will be able to better assess the performance of the low-level waste management system.
Parasite transmission generally exhibits some form of positive density dependence. Thus, as population density increases, so too does the per capita risk of becoming infected. Under...Full Text Available
We report on a high resolution, monolithic crystal PET detector design concept that provides depth of interaction (DOI) positioning within the crystal. Our design utilizes a novel sensor on...Full Text Available
BackgroundMeropenem is a carbapenem that has an excellent activity against many gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic, facultative, and anaerobic bacteria. The major objective...Full Text Available
This table contains point-source catalogs for the ~2 Ms exposure of the Chandra Deep ... Source positions are determined using centroid and matched-filter techniques; .... The 1-sigma upper statistical error (Gehrels 1986, ApJ, 303, ...
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified in a number of solid tumors, but not yet in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most frequently occurring soft tissue tumor in childhood. Hence, the aim of this...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to examine the influence of proximal retrograde intramedullary nail position on proximal femoral strain, since stress risers...Full Text Available
An extracellular polysaccharide was purified from culture supernatants of Paenibacillus jamilae CP-7, a gram-positive bacillus that was isolated from compost prepared with olive mill...Full Text Available
The aim of the overview is to give a perspective of global biobank development is given in a view of positioning biobanking as a key resource for healthcare to identify new potential markers that can...Full Text Available
Atg9 is a transmembrane protein essential for autophagy which cycles between the Golgi network, late endosomes and LC3-positive autophagosomes in mammalian cells during starvation through a mechanism...Full Text Available
A four-block collimator installed on a control table for positioning the alignment reference marks. Designed for use with SPS secondary beams, the collimator operates under vacuum conditions. See Annual Report 1976 p. 121 and photo 7701014.
The free radical theory of ageing posits that accrual of oxidative damage underlies the increased cellular, tissue and organ dysfunction and failure associated with advanced age. In support of this...Full Text Available
Polyclonal antibodies were raised in rabbits by immunization with free peptides corresponding to positions 197-222 of the human beta 1-adrenergic receptor (beta 1 peptide) and the corresponding sequence...Full Text Available
BackgroundType A1 Clostridium botulinum strains are a group of Gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobic bacteria that produce a genetically, biochemically, and biophysically...Full Text Available
The current conception of the employment process is that positions become available, are publicized, and are filled by the most qualified job seekers. An alternative conception is proposed that social...Full Text Available
Rhodococcus fascians is a Gram-positive phytopathogen that induces shooty hyperplasia on its hosts through the secretion of cytokinins. Global transcriptomics using microarrays combined...Full Text Available
The in vitro activity of chephaloridine, cephalexin, cefatrizine (BL-S640), and cephapirin (BL-P-1322) was evaluated by the serial dilution method against pathogenic gram-positive and gram-negative...Full Text Available
Using an expanded nuclear data base, the activation of nitrogen, aluminum, iron, nickel, copper, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, and lead were calculated for the first wall positions of the STARFIRE and MARS conceptual fusion reactors.
BackgroundHip surface replacement arthroplasty (SRA) can be an alternative for total hip arthroplasty. The short and long-term outcome of hip surface replacement arthroplasty mainly...Full Text Available
Several nematode species have now attained ‘model organism’ status, yet there remain many niches in basic biological inquiry for which nematodes would be ideal model systems of study....Full Text Available
Pestiviruses are positive-strand RNA viruses closely related to human hepatitis C virus. Gene expression of these viruses occurs via translation of a polyprotein, which is further processed by cellular...Full Text Available
The adsorption interaction of different types of demulsifiers and the oils of Western Siberia is covered. The high adsorption capacity of Separol-5084 and disolvan-4490 reagents is established. The positive role of this phenomen in breaking aqueous oil emulsifiers is theoretically substantiated and experimentally confined.
...position to receive material. (2) Self-loading haulage equipment used as a loading machine. In working places in which self-loading haulage equipment is operated to load material, the areas which...
This invention is concerned with a solar energy system for propelling aircraft. Obtained are forces for aerodynamic lift and impetus. The lifted body had a transparent upper surface for the sun light, but black or reflecting for IR-radiation and high thermal insulation properties. Inside of the lifted body, the air temperature increases and is lifted by convection influence. The air resistance of this body is low in horizontal direction and higher in vertical position. The payload could be shifted, so that the positive or negative angle of the whole body can be selected. By this principal it is possible to transform the static lifting force in a dynamic impetus.
...htmE-Mail: Interests: geodesy; GPS/GNSS technology and applications; navigation; precise positioning algorithms; continuously operating GPS/GNSS reference station infrastructure Published Papers Click here to see a list of 3 papers that have been published in this special issue. Special Issue Information Submission Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. Papers will be published continuously (as soon as ...
The fission fragments from spontaneous fission of 252Cf have been measured with the spectrometric and position-sensitive semiconductor pixel detector Medipix2. Fragments are identified by pattern recognition of clusters generated in the Medipix2 pixel matrix sensor upon heavy particle hit. From analysis of cluster area, the distribution of kinetic energy of fission fragments is obtained. Together with a novel USB readout interface, the Medipix2/USB system operates as active nuclear emulsion in single-quantum and on-line tracking mode.
The polarized triple-axis spectrometer TASP at SINQ has been optimized for measuring magnetic cross sections in condensed matter. The neutrons are polarized or analyzed either by means of benders or Heusler monochromators. The beam divergence, i.e. the intensity, and the spectral range of the neutrons is rather large because of the supermirror coatings of the feeding neutron guide. The intensity can be further increased at the sample position by means of a focussing monochromator and a focussing anti-trumpet. The end position of TASP allows the tailoring of the neutron beam already before the monochromator and to scatter neutrons over very wide ranges of angles. (author) 6 figs., 1 tab., 8 refs.
The isotopic enrichment of copper ions in a positive column Cu-Nu discharge using optogalvanic excitation is analyzed with a rate equation model With excitation at 510.6 nm, the fraction of the ions belonging to the 63-amu isotope of copper is enriched relative to the neutral abundance. Enrichment as large as 10% is calculated when the initial abundance of the neutral isotope is small (< or =0.1) and the discharge current density is large (> or =75 mA/cm/sup 2/). The degree of enrichment is examined as a function of the initial abundance, discharge current, the rate of charge exchange, and the diameter of the discharge tube.
The optical pressure exerted o a thin film, which is locked in the evanescent field formed at the plane interface with a totally-reflected Gaussian beam, is investigated. Some calculations of the pressure on the film caused by the evanescent field are presented in the different conditions of film thickness, film position, incident angle and polarization of a gaussian beam. The results show that the pressure exertion on the thin film can change from pushing to pulling as the parameters are varied. In particular, we find that the direction of optical pressure can act oppositely at the different positions of the film surface in the evanescent field.
Increased use of natural gas has positive effects for the environment and the climate, because it primarily replaces petroleum products. Moreover, the natural gas does not pose a threat to bio fuel in Norway. But introducing CO2 taxes on natural gas will significantly increase the emission of greenhouse gases, concludes a report conducted by Norsk Energi (Norwegian Energy) on behalf of Norsk Naturgassforening (Norwegian Natural Gas Association) and Norsk Gassforum (Norwegian Gasforum). A brief presentation of the main conclusions in the report (ml)
We describe a position-sensitive event-counting microchannel plate detector with a quadrant anode readout system that combines the advantages of several centroid-finding readout techniques. The relative amount of charge collected by each quadrant of the anode mounted behind the output side of the microchannel plate is used to localize each event. The position-sensitive area is about 80% of the active microchannel plate surface. By changing a single voltage a remote-controlled image magnification can be achieved. Due to a correction function that minimizes image distortions the imaging characteristics of this low-cost readout system are similar to those of expensive resistive anodes.
This article examines problems relating to the calculation of the position of regions of limited solubility of components in the liquid state for four-component systems. An approach based on the use of criterion of stability with respect to diffusion for obtaining equations which describe the region of stratification of the liquid phase in a four-component system is used. The authors used a ES-1020 computer to analyze the critical phenomena in Al-In-P-Sb, Al-Ga-In-P, Al-Ga-In-As, and In-Ga-As-P systems. The position of the spinode in the phase diagram of a four-component system is obtained.
A beam position monitoring system has been implemented in the first third of the SLC linac which provides a complete scan of the trajectory on a single beam pulse. The data is collected from the local micro-computers and viewed with an updating display at a console or passed on to application programs. The system must operate with interlaced beams so the scans are also interlaced, providing each user with the ability to select the beam, the update rate, and the attenuation level in the digitizing hardware. In addition each user calibrates the hardware for his beam. A description of the system architecture will be presented. 6 refs., 4 figs.
We describe a position-sensitive event-counting microchannel plate detector with a quadrant anode readout system that combines the advantages of several centroid-finding readout techniques. The relative amount of charge collected by each quadrant of the anode mounted behind the output side of the microchannel plate is used to localize each event. The position-sensitive area is about 80% of the active microchannel plate surface. By changing a single voltage a remote-controlled image magnification can be achieved. Due to a correction function that minimizes image distortions the imaging characteristics of this low-cost readout system are similar to those of expensive resistive anodes. (orig.).
We describe a position-sensitive event-counting microchannel plate detector with a quadrant anode readout system that combines the advantages of several centroid-finding readout techniques. The relative amount of charge collected by each quadrant of the anode mounted behind the output side of the microchannel plate is used to localize each event. The position-sensitive area is about 80% of the active microchannel plate surface. By changing a single voltage a remote-controlled image magnification can be achieved. Due to a correction function that minimizes image distortions the imaging characteristics of this low-cost readout system are similar to those of expensive resistive anodes.
A 3"1/_2-year-old child developed unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis after chest drain insertion. Plain chest X-ray demonstrated paravertebral positioning of the chest-tube tip, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed hematomas in the region of the chest-tube tip and the phrenic nerve fibers. The trauma to the phrenic nerve was apparently secondary to malposition of the chest tube. This is a rare complication and has been reported mainly in neonates. Radiologists should notify the treating physicians that the correct position of a chest drain tip is at least 2 cm distant from the vertebrae. (orig.)
Trastuzumab increases survival amongst women with human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2 receptor positive metastatic breast cancer, but maternal and fetal risks are associated with advanced disease and its treatment in pregnancy. We present a case of a primigravid with HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer who received trastuzumab throughout pregnancy. She presented with cerebral metastases, requiring surgical decompression and resection. Reversible oligohydramnios developed during pregnancy. Fetal safety data on trastuzumab in pregnancy is limited, but case reports suggest a recurring pattern of (mostly reversible) oligohydramnios.
The subject of the 5th challenge proposed by the French Society of Operations Research and Decision Analysis (ROADEF) consists in scheduling technicians and interventions for telecommunications (http://www.g-scop.inpg.fr/ChallengeROADEF2007/ or http://www.roadef.org/). We detail the algorithm we proposed for this challenge which is a Greedy Randomized Adaptative Search Procedure (GRASP). Computational results led us to the 1st position in the Junior category and to the 4th position in All category of the Challenge ROADEF 2007.
Purpose: to compare several morphometric parameters in MRI with the functional status of the articular disc in a large patient group suffering from internal derangement (ID) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Materials and methods: in a retrospective study, 320 analyzable high resolution MRI examinations of the TMJs obtained in a 1.5 T unit were evaluated in 184 patients with clinically suspected ID. The analysis included the anatomical structures and a number of morphometric parameters previously described in the literature. The parameters were compared with the position of the articular disc. Results: the disc position was categorized as ''normal'' (NDP, 21.9%, n = 70), ''anterior displacement with reduction on opening'' (AMR, 51.6%, n = 165) and ''anterior displacement without reduction on opening'' (AOR, 26.6%, n = 85). With ...
The decay of molybdenum-101 has been investigated using the three-parameter (#gamma#-#gamma#-t) coincidence system of HPGe-HPGe detectors. According to the off-line analysis, the decay scheme was modified. The positions of 221.80, 318.00, 377.90; 452.50, 515.42, 1011.05, and 1759.72 keV transitions have been arranged again, the transition positions of 104.70, 105.95, and 774.15 keV gamma rays have been assigned for the first time, the positions of 169.00, 590.91, 980.52, and 1431.68 keV transitions have been reconfirmed, and the 1508.01 keV gamma ray was observed simultaneously for the first time and its transition position has been assigned. The #beta#"- intensities and the values of log ft of most levels were calculated. Combining with the high-spin states observed by the in-beam #gamma#-ray spectroscopy of previous decay works, the structure of the excited ...
The high spatial resolution of state-of-the-art commercial satellite imagery provides a good basis for recognising and monitoring even small-scale structural changes within nuclear facilities and for planning of routine and/or challenge inspections of nuclear sites. Despite the advantages of the improved spatial resolution some problems exist that may make the interpretation of the changes more difficult: Firstly, the results of the change analysis can be very complex and unclear at a glance. Secondly, shadow formation and off-nadir images due to different sensor and solar conditions at the acquisition times can cause false signals or overlap real changes. In view to the fast-growing amount of data from different sensor types there are then some requirements of an effective change detection procedure for safeguards purposes: i. The techniques involved should possess a certain amount of robustness in terms of small misregistration errors, different atmospheric ...
The HT-28 and 29 irradiation capsules are part of a cooperative agreement between GA and ORNL designed to evaluate irradiation performance of unbonded BISO and TRISO coated ThO_2 fertile fuel particles. The capsules will contain a total of 44 different positions uniformly divided between each capsule. The positions in HT-29 are designated for operation at 900"0C over a fast fluence increment between 5.4 to 10.7 x 10"2"1 n/cm"2 (E > 0.18 MeV)/sub HFIR/. Positions in HT-28 are divided into two sections: 11 positions at 1250"0C to receive a fast fluence exposure between 7.8 and 8.6 x 10"2"1 n/cm"2 (E > 0.18 MeV)/sub HFIR/ and 11 positions at 900"0C designed for a 4.3 to 6.9 x 10"2"1 n/cm"2 (E > 0.18 MeV)/sub HFIR/ fast fluence exposure. Both capsuls are to serve as an evaluation test to characterize the performance of BISO OPyC coatings deposited from mixed-gas ...
This report contains information about the effect of frequency on the breakdown voltage of an air gap at standard pressure and temperature, 76 mm Hg and O{degrees}C, respectively. The frequencies of interest are 47 MHz and 60 MHz. Additionally, the breakdown in vacuum is briefly considered. The breakdown mechanism is explained on the basis of collision and ionization. The presence of the positive ions produced by ionization enhances the field in the gap, and thus determines the breakdown. When a low-frequency voltage is applied across the gap, the breakdown mechanism is the same as that caused by the DC or static voltage. However, when the frequency exceeds the first critical value f{sub c}, the positive ions are trapped in the gap, increasing the field considerably. This makes the breakdown occur earlier; in other words, the breakdown voltage is lowered. As the frequency increases two decades or more, the second critical frequency, f{sub ce}, ...
Portal verification images were generated from the photon contamination in electron beams produced by a linear accelerator during treatment of patients receiving high-energy electron radiation therapy (8-14 MeV). An experimental storage phosphor system was used to record the images and display them on laser-printed film. Images were obtained from four or more treatment fractions from 21 cases of head and neck cancer. Precision in field placement was estimated by determining the position of a selected anatomic landmark relative to the center of the field for each series of images. The average standard deviation in the field-position measurements was 3.8 mm. Several procedural problems were also detected and corrected after review of the verification images. The results indicate that the emphasis placed on monitoring and control of field-positioning error in high-energy electron treatments should be similar to the emphasis ...
The pure xenon dc positive column discharge has been characterized for various xenon pressures, currents, and discharge tube radii. The absolute output at the 147 nm resonance transition has been measured using two independent techniques to yield the radiant emittance at 147 nm (power per unit surface area). The efficiency of 147 nm production is obtained by combining the measured radiant emittance with the measured electrical power per unit length deposited in the gas. The radiant emittance and the efficiency are the two principle figures of merit for characterizing the discharge as a source of VUV radiation. It is observed that the trends in efficiency and radiant emittance change substantially when the discharge transitions from two-step electron impact excitation/ionization at higher pressures to single-step electron impact ionization at lower pressures. Modeling of the xenon positive column discharge yields radiant emittance and efficiency ...
LiNiO{sub 2} is one of the most promising material for positive electrodes of lithium-ion batteries. However, its behaviour during cycling and the existence of several phase transitions induced by the lithium ions de-intercalation process has not been explained so far. A transition electron microscopy study of various Li{sub x}NiO{sub 2} (0.25
The objectives of this project are to develop feasible synthetic routes to produce (1) 4(4`-hydroxy-5`,6`,7`,8`-tetrahydro-l`-naphthylmethyl )- 6-methyldibenzothiophene, and (2) a 1-hydroxynaphthalene-benzothiophene polymer. Our experimental work during this quarter concentrated on. As several possible synthetic routes to the target molecule, 4(4`-hydroxy-5`,6`,7`,8`-tetrahydro- l`-naphthylmethyl )-6-methyldibenzothiophene. We tried synthesizing the intermediates for our first method, in which we couple a metalated 4-methyldibenzothiophene with 4-formyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1-naphthol. We found that we could easily metalate dibenzothiophene, and then add a methyl group to the 4-position to give 4-methyldibenzothiophene in greater than 80% yield by using t-butyllithium in tetrahydropyran followed by dimethylsulfate. However, adding the second metal to the desired 4` position using the same method was more difficult, and instead the reaction ...
The results of X-ray and neutron diffraction experiments on molten alkali halides in which some data of our experiments by X-ray diffraction such as those of molten LiCl, NaCl, KCl, LiBr and KBr are included were summarized. The first peak positions in the radial distribution function in molten alkali halides by X-ray or neutron diffraction experiments are always longer than those by computer simulations and the differences of 0.1 -- 0.3 A exceed the experimental error. It seems to be due to the deformation of the electron shell. In the computer simulation, the shell model which has the spherical deformation was expected to have a closer value of the first peak position to the experimental one than the rigid ion model by taking the polarization of ions. However, no change in the first peak position was found. Therefore, the non-spherical deformation of electron shell at the point where ions are in contact with each other ...
The results of X-ray and neutron diffraction experiments on molten alkali halides in which some data of our experiments by X-ray diffraction such as those of molten LiCl, NaCl, KCl, LiBr and KBr are included were summarized. The first peak positions in the radial distribution function in molten alkali halides by X-ray or neutron diffraction experiments are always longer than those by computer simulations and the differences of 0.1 -- 0.3 A exceed the experimental error. It seems to be due to the deformation of the electron shell. In the computer simulation, the shell model which has the spherical deformation was expected to have more closer value of the first peak position to the experimental one than the rigid ion model by taking the polarization of ions. However, no change in the first peak position was found. Therefore, the non-spherical deformation of electron shell at the point where ions are in contact with each other ...
Abstract in english In order to evaluate the presence of specific IgG antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in patients with clinical manifestations associated with Lyme borreliosis in Cali, Colombia, 20 serum samples from patients with dermatologic signs, one cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample from a patient with chronic neurologic and arthritic manifestations, and twelve serum samples from individuals without clinical signs associated with Lyme borreliosis were analyzed by IgG Western blot. The (more) results were interpreted following the recommendations of the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) for IgG Western blots. Four samples fulfilled the CDC criteria: two serum specimens from patients with morphea (localized scleroderma), the CSF from the patient with neurologic and arthritic manifestations, and one of the controls. Interpretation of positive serology for Lyme disease in non-endemic countries must be cautious. However these results suggest that ...
Self-assembled quantum dots (QDs) are envisioned as building blocks for realization of novel nanoelectronic devices, for which the site-selective growth is highly desirable. This thesis presents a successful route toward selective positioning of self-assembled InAs QDs on patterned GaAs surface by combination of in situ focused ion beam (FIB) implantation and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) technology. First, a buffer layer of GaAs was grown by MBE before a square array of holes with a pitch of 1-2 #mu#m was fabricated by FIB implantation of Ga and In, ions respectively. Later, an in-situ annealing step followed by InAs deposition was performed. The InAs QDs were preferentially formed in the holes generated by FIB. The influence of ion dose, annealing parameters and InAs amount was investigated in this work. With optimized parameters, more than 50 % single dot occupancy per hole is achieved. Furthermore, the photoluminescence spectra from ...
A complete heavy ion identification system in heavy ion reaction studies consists, in general, of: 1) a position sensitive avalanche counter, and 2) ionization chamber to obtain total energy as well as a heavy ion identifier signal (such as the E#DELTA#E signal from a E-#DELTA#E type detector or the height of the Bragg peak that scales as Z of the heavy ion in a Bragg curve ionization chamber). In addition, a time-of-flight information may be needed to resolve the masses of the ions. With this motivation in mind, a composite detector system consisting of a Bragg curve spectroscopy ionization chamber (BCS-IC) and a one dimensional position sensitive parallel grid avalanche counter (XPS-PGAC) has been developed and used successfully at the BARC-TIFR pelletron accelerator facility. The design and performance of this gas detector system are reported. (author). 4 refs., 2 figs.
A heavy ion gas detector system consisting of a Bragg-curve spectroscopy ionization chamber for particle identification and a multiwire proportional chamber as position sensitive fast trigger device is described. The Bragg IC has been tested with several beams up to Z=36 to investigate some aspects of the BCS method. Results are reported on energy resolution and linearity, Z resolving power and mass sensitivity. The energy resolution is well below 1%. The Bragg-peak amplitude is fairly independent of the energy in a wide energy range and single elements are identified up to Z=38 with a resolving power Z/..delta..Zproportional50-80. Isotope identification by range measurement is limited by the straggling in the ionization process and the mass resolving power is M/..delta..Mproportional20-26 for S and Si isotopes. The MWPC allows subnanosecond time resolution and position identification along the in-plane coordinate within +-0.5 mm.
A heavy ion gas detector system consisting of a Bragg-curve spectroscopy ionization chamber for particle identification and a multiwire proportional chamber as position sensitive fast trigger device is described. The Bragg IC has been tested with several beams up to Z=36 to investigate some aspects of the BCS method. Results are reported on energy resolution and linearity, Z resolving power and mass sensitivity. The energy resolution is well below 1%. The Bragg-peak amplitude is fairly independent of the energy in a wide energy range and single elements are identified up to Z=38 with a resolving power Z/#DELTA#Zproportional50-80. Isotope identification by range measurement is limited by the straggling in the ionization process and the mass resolving power is M/#DELTA#Mproportional20-26 for S and Si isotopes. The MWPC allows subnanosecond time resolution and position identification along the in-plane coordinate within +-0.5 mm. (orig.).
A versatile, high brightness, volume type, low power RF source, capable of producing positive ion beams with intensities as high as 1 mA from gaseous feed materials and microamperes of negative ion beams has been characterized. The source can also be operated as a plasma sputter negative ion source to generate up to 1 mA of a selected species. The performance of the source in the positive and negative volume modes of operation can be greatly enhanced by addition of a removable, water cooled filament assembly in place of the negative sputter probe. For examine, the material utilization efficiencies of gaseous feed species can be more than doubled, total current intensities increased up to 40%, molecular dissociation fractions increased by 20% and minimum operating pressures reduced by a factor of four when operated in the volume mode. These added electrons also favorably effect, as a consequence of lower pressures, the emittance apparently ...
We investigate the effects of single-particle structure and pairing on the equilibration of positive and negative-parity level densities for the even-even nuclei "5"8","6"2","6"6Fe and "5"8Ni and the odd-A nuclei "5"9Ni and "6"5Fe. Calculations are performed using the shell model Monte Carlo method in the complete fp-gds shell-model space using a pairing+quadrupole type residual interaction. We find for the even-even nuclei that the positive-parity states dominate at low excitation energies due to strong pairing correlations. At excitation energies at which pairs are broken, single-particle structure of these nuclei is seen to play the decisive role for the energy dependence of the ratio of negative-to-positive parity level densities. We also find that equilibration energies are noticeably lower for the odd-A nuclei "5"9Ni and "6"5Fe than for the neighboring even-even nuclei "5"8Ni and "6"6Fe.
In previous molecular phylogenetic analyses of the freshwater mussel family Unionidae (Bivalvia: Unionoida), the Afrotropical genus Coelatura had been recovered in various positions, generally indicating a paraphyletic Unionidae. However that result was typically poorly supported and in conflict with morphology-based analyses. We set out to test the phylogenetic position of Coelatura by sampling tropical lineages omitted from previous studies. Forty-one partial 28S nuclear rDNA and partial COI mtDNA sequences (1130 total aligned nucleotides) were analyzed separately and in combination under both maximum parsimony and likelihood, as well as Bayesian inference. There was significant phylogenetic incongruence between the character sets (partition homogeneity test, p<0.01), but a novel heuristic for comparing bootstrap values among character sets analyzed separately and in combination illustrated that the observed conflict was due to homoplasy ...
The Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility (HRIBF) now under construction at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory will use the 25-MV tandem accelerator for the acceleration of radioactive ion beams to energies appropriate for research in nuclear physics; negative ion beams are, therefore, required for injection into the tandem accelerator. Because charge exchange is an efficient means for converting initially positive ion beams to negative ion beams, both positive and negative ion sources are viable options for use at the facility; the choice of the type of ion source will depend on the overall efficiency for generating the radioactive species of interest. A high-temperature version of the CERN-ISOLDE positive ion source has been selected and a modified version of the source designed and fabricated for initial use at the HRIBF because of its low emittance, relatively high ionization efficiencies and species versatility, and ...
The Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility (HRIBF) now under construction at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory will use the 25-MV tandem accelerator for the acceleration of radioactive ion beams to energies appropriate for research in nuclear physics; negative ion beams are, therefore, required for injection into the tandem accelerator. Because charge exchange is an efficient means for converting initially positive ion beams to negative ion beams, both positive and negative ion sources are viable options for use at the facility; the choice of the type of ion source will depend on the overall efficiency for generating the radioactive species of interest. A high-temperature version of the CERN-ISOLDE positive ion source has been selected and a modified version of the source designed and fabricated for initial use at the HRIBF because of its low emittance, relatively high ionization efficiencies and species versatility, and ...
This study evaluates the correlation between transplanted Asiatic clam and indigenous community responses to acid mine drainage and nutrient loading in first-to-third-order streams, by comparing the toxicological endpoints of clam survival and growth with benthic macro-invertebrate community indices as community responses to both acid mine drainage and nutrient loading. Clam survival was found to be positively correlated with water column pH and negatively correlated with conductivity and metal concentrations. There was also a positive correlation with the relative abundance of the macro-invertebrate Ephemeroptera, the most sensitive taxonomic group, to acid mine drainage in this watershed. No correlation was found between clam growth and acid mine drainage inputs, but there was evidence of positive correlation with nitrate concentrations and the relative abundance of collector-filterer functional feeding groups. These ...
In this article we describe the identification of endophytic bacteria belonging to three groups isolated from shoot tip cultures of banana cv. Grand Naine in a recent study (Thomas et?al. 2008) based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequence homology analysis. The first group included banana stocks that displayed obvious colony growth on MS based tissue culture medium during the first in?vitro passage. The second group constituted stocks that were tissue index-negative for cultivable bacteria initially but turned index-positive after a few to several (4?8) in?vitro passages while the third group formed one sub-stock that turned index-positive after about 18 passages. The organisms belonged to about 20 different genera comprising of ?, ?, ?-proteobacteria, Gram-positive firmicutes and actinobacteri...
Systematic analysis of the energy level schemes, ground state absorption (GSA) and covalency effects for the Ni"2"+ ion in Ca_3Sc_2Ge_3O_1_2 was performed. The recently developed first-principles approach to the analysis of the absorption spectra of impurity ions in crystals based on the discrete variational multi-electron method (DV-ME) [K. Ogasawara et al., Phys. Rev. B 64, 115413 (2001)] was used in the calculations. As a result, complete energy level schemes of Ni"2"+ and its absorption spectra at both possible crystallographic positions (distorted octahedral Sc"3"+ and tetrahedral Ge"4"+ positions) were calculated, assigned and compared with experimental data. Energies of the charge transfer (CT) transitions for both positions are estimated. Numerical contributions of all possible electron configurations into the calculated energy states were determined. By performing analysis of the molecular orbitals (MO) population, ...
A new focal plane detector for an Enge split pole spectrograph has been developed which is able to resolve individual elements and isotopes up to the mass 100 region. It consists of a 60 cm long position sensitive parallel plate avalanche counter backed by a large Bragg curve detector. Compared with other position sensitive focal plane counters the new detector system has a very good time resolution (less than 300 ps) and can be operated at much higher counting rates (up to 25 kHz). The intrinsic resolution of the position detector is less than 1 mm. In addition to the energy and the nuclear charge signal obtained from the Bragg curve detector the angle of incidence into the detector can be measured with an accuracy of better than 1/sup 0/. The detector has already been used in a variety of experiments where good timing, counting rate behavior, and excellent mass resolution over a large energy range were essential.
Using electron spin resonance, lattice position and dynamic properties of Mn2+ ions were studied in 0.5 and 2 % manganese doped SrTiO3 ceramics prepared by conventional mixed oxide method. The measurements showed that Mn2+ ions substitute preferably up to 97 % for Sr if the ceramics is prepared with a deficit of Sr ions. Motional narrowing of the Mn2+ ESR spectrum was observed when temperature increases from 120 K to 240-250 K that was explained as a manifestation of off-center position of this ion at the Sr site. From the analysis of the ESR spectra the activation energy Ea = 86 mV and frequency factor 1/?0 ? (2-10)x10^(-14) 1/s for jumping of the impurity between symmetrical off-center positions were determined. Both values are in agreement with those derived previously from dielectric relaxation. This proves the origin of dielectric anomalies in SrTiO3:Mn as those produced by the reorientation dynamics of Mn2+ dipoles.
In a positive polarity induction adder each of the induction cavities is a cathode, which emits electrons at a unique potential. These broad spectrum electrons strongly affect Magnetically Insulated Transmission Line (MITL) behavior. Electron flow decreases the cavity-to-MITL coupling efficiency, and reduces the power transport efficiency along the system. Also, the operating impedance of the MITL is lowered, reducing the diode impedance required for good coupling and good total system power efficiency. It is therefore imperative to understand the details of MITL electron flow. In previous work, measurement of MITL electron flow for a twenty-stage linear induction adder (Hermes III), operated in positive polarity, was compared with simulations. There was qualitative agreement, but some differences were noted. For example, measured electron flow in the first cavities was greater than in the simulations. The authors have extended the work on this ...
Objective To compare the levels of interleukin (IL)-1?, IL-6, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 in the vaginal secretions of pregnant women with a positive fetal fibronectin (fFN) test result with or without asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis (BV) before and after treatment with oral clindamycin. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted among 43 pregnant women with a positive fFN test result. All patients were treated with clindamycin, and the pre- and post-treatment levels of IL-1?, IL-6, and MMP-8 were compared. Results Before treatment, levels of IL-1? and MMP-8 were significantly higher in women with BV compared with women without BV (P<0.05). Vaginal levels of IL-1? and IL-6, but not MMP-8, decreased after treatment in pregnant women with BV. Conclusions The inability of clin...
This patent describes a system adapted for alternative use as a diverter or a blowout preventer for a bottom supported drilling rig and adapted for positioning beneath a rotary table of the drilling rig, the system comprising: a fluid flow controller having a controller housing with a lower opening and an upper opening and a vertical flow path therebetween and an outlet passage provided in its housing wall, and at least two bases. A method is described for installing a system adapted for alternative connection as a diverter or a blowout preventer for a bottom supported drilling rig positioned beneath a rotary table of the drilling rig after structural casing has been set in a borehole. The method comprises: positioning a first telescoping spool having a lower end and an upper end below the rotary table, the first spool having a first base disposed at its upper end, the first base having a port disposed in its wall; aligning ...
Using a 47 GeV electron beam, the Final Focus Test Beam (FFTB) produces vertical spot sizes around 70 nm. These small beam sizes introduce an excellent opportunity to develop and test high resolution Radio Frequency Beam Position Monitors (RF-BPMs). These BPMs are designed to measure pulse to pulse beam motion (jitter) at a theoretical resolution of approximately 1 nm. The beam induces a TM{sub 110} mode with an amplitude linearly proportional to its charge and displacement from the BPM's (cylindrical cavity) axis. The C-band (5,712 MHz) TM{sub 110} signal is processed and converted into beam position for use by the Stanford Linear Collider (SLC) control system. Presented are the experimental procedures, acquisition, and analysis of data demonstrating resolution of jitter near 25 nm. With the design of future e{sup +}e{sup -} linear colliders requiring spot sizes close to 3 nm, understanding and developing RF-BPMs will be essential in ...
Sub sea pipeline construction at oil and gas fields, with high concentration of on-bottom facilities, becomes more difficult when mooring operations and pipeline approach to a congested platform have to be performed. One method that has often been applied in Brazil is the so-called 'DP (Dynamic Positioning) pull-in', where PETROBRAS owned pipelay Barge, BGL-1, is moored away from the congested area, while a DP anchor handler pulls the rigid pipeline from BGL-1 to a target near the platform. The method was conceived to avoid mooring operations near the congested platforms as well as to minimize risks due to the pipeline initiation process. Inside the congested area the initiation with aid of a 'dead-man' anchor on the sea bottom, which would be a more conventional solution, becomes impossible in most cases. This paper will discuss the engineering work required to perform the 'DP pull-in' as well as show the ...
We have examined the detection by a /sup 125/I-labeled basic protein, cationized cytochrome c, of selected proteoglycans (PGs) and standard preparations of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) immobilized on Nylon 66 and also on positively charged Nylon 66. Immobilization on Nylon 66 appears to allow a relative freedom of interaction between PGs or GAGs and /sup 125/I-cationized cytochrome c, but a more restricted reaction was observed when PGs and GAGs were immobilized to positively charged Nylon 66. On this support PGs with large numbers of GAG side chains reacted well with /sup 125/I-cationized cytochrome c, but GAGs were minimally reactive. By taking advantage of some of the properties of large-pore agarose-acrylamide gels, rapid partial characterization of some PGs can be accomplished in the 10-ng range, and therefore at a sensitivity equal to PGs with internal biosynthetic labels.
The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is required to deliver a high quality electron beam for producing coherent X-rays. As a result, high resolution beam position monitoring is required. The Beam Position Monitor (BPM) digitizer acquires analog signals from the beam line and digitizes them to obtain beam position data. Although Matlab is currently being used to test the BPM digitizer?s functions and capability, the Controls Department at SLAC prefers to use Experimental Physics and Industrial Control Systems (EPICS). This paper discusses the transition of providing similar as well as enhanced functionalities, than those offered by Matlab, to test the digitizer. Altogether, the improved test stand development system can perform mathematical and statistical calculations with the waveform signals acquired from the digitizer and compute the fast Fourier transform (FFT) of the signals. Finally, logging of meaningful data into ...
The present invention concerns a device for peeling off activated concretes in processing for discarding a reactor of a nuclear reactor facility. The device comprises a gyrotron for generation microwaves, an irradiator for irradiating output microwaves, a reflection mirror for reflecting and converging the microwaves and irradiating them to a material to be irradiated and a first rotating means for rotating the irradiator and the reflection mirror in parallel with the axis of the gyrotron while maintaining the positional relation between the irradiator and the reflection mirror. When the position of the microwaves irradiated on concrete walls are moved in a circumferential direction and the central axes of the rotational axis and the material to be irradiated are aligned, then the intensity of the irradiation of the microwaves at each of the irradiation points can be maintained constant without changing the focal distance of the reflected ...
To evaluate the role and the prognostic value of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in scleroderma patients with interstitial lung disease. We reviewed the records of 79 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) who had dyspnea and pulmonary involvement and underwent BAL study. Sixty-two patients were prospectively followed up for 12?36?months and re-evaluated by pulmonary function tests (PFTs). Seventy-nine SSc patients were enrolled (71 F and 8?M), 55 with limited and 24 with a diffuse form; mean age 55???13?years; mean disease duration 55.2???59?months. All patients were ANA positive, of these 30 were anti-topoisomerase-1 positive (anti-Topo1) and 22 were anti-centromere positive (ACA). Thirty-one patients had alveolitis (39.2%) that was neutrophilic in 12 patients, eosinophilic in 3 and mixed (...
Unipolar induction (UI) is a fundamental physical process, which occurs when a conducting body transverses a magnetic field. It has been suggested that UI is operating in RX J0806+15 and RX J1914+24, which are believed to be ultra-compact binaries with orbital periods of 5.4 min and 9.6 min respectively. The UI model predicts that those two sources may be electron cyclotron maser sources at radio wavelengths. Other systems in which UI has been predicted to occur are short period extra-solar terrestrial planets with conducting cores. If UI is present, circularly polarised radio emission is predicted to be emitted. We have searched for this predicted radio emission from short period binaries using the VLA and ATCA. In one epoch we find evidence for a radio source, coincident in position with the optical position of RX J0806+15. Although we cannot completely exclude that this is a chance alignment between the position of RX ...
Reactions on the ionizing radiation of 14 Cladosporium cladosporioides strains were studied. Only 5 of them displayed radiotropizm. The ability of C. cladosporioides strains 4 and 5 with positive radiotropizm and museum C. cladosporioides strain 396 and its alb-mutant SM without positive radiotropizm to destruct radioactive particles of Chernobyl and explosion origin was studied. Two ways of radioactive particles destruction by C. cladosporioides were established, one of them is a direct way by fungal overgrowth of hot particles and the second one an indirect way only by fungal metabolites. Mycelium of the studied C. cladosporioides strains sorbed radionuclides from radioactive particles during cultivation on the liquid and agarized media. No certain inclinations of the individual strains to accumulation of radionuclides 137Cs or 152Eu were ascertained. PMID:12664550
The patient positioning and repositioning control in radiation therapy all along the treatment can be conducted using a variety of X-ray sources and imaging detector devices. The development of image guided radiation therapy techniques leads to more frequent use of this imaging control. In this article we summarize the current methods for measuring the dose delivered by X-ray imaging devices used in radiation therapy, as well as basic proposals to take account of these imaging doses for prescribing, recording and reporting radiation therapy treatment. (authors)
We consider chemical reaction networks taken with mass action kinetics. The steady states of such a system are solutions to a system of polynomial equations. Even for small systems the task of finding the solutions is daunting. We develop an algebraic framework and procedure for linear elimination of variables. The procedure reduces the variables in the system to a set of "core" variables by eliminating variables corresponding to a set of non-interacting species. The steady states are parameterized algebraically by the core variables, and a graphical condition is given for when a steady state with positive core variables necessarily have all variables positive. Further, we characterize graphically the sets of eliminated variables that are constrained by a conservation law and show that this conservation law takes a specific form.
Objective To compare matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 and MMP-9 levels in the vaginal secretions of pregnant women with or without asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis (BV). Methods In this study, vaginal levels and molecular forms of MMP-8 and MMP-9 were studied in 36 pregnant women between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation with asymptomatic BV and 41 pregnant women, matched for gestational age, without BV. Results Vaginal MMP-8 concentrations were significantly higher (P = .023) in BV-positive women. There was no significant difference in MMP-9 levels between healthy pregnant controls and BV-positive pregnant women. The presence of MMP-8 was confirmed by a 38-kd band on Western blots. Conclusions Our findings show that BV is associated with increased levels of MMP-8 in vaginal fluid. Increased pr...
According to the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis, environmental degradation increases in the early stages of growth, but it eventually decreases as income exceeds a threshold level. It is thus often argued that if international trade increases incomes then it can also have a positive impact on environmental quality. So far, these hypotheses have been widely empirically tested for the developed countries. However, it is still uncertain whether positive effects of international trade on growth and on the environment may also hold in developing countries. One of the major difficulties in testing these relations in developing countries is the poor quality of environment related data. In this analysis this problem is reduced by constructing a structural equation model (SEM) with three la...
Molar excess volumes have been determined by means of a vibrating-tube densimeter for binary liquid mixtures of cycloalkanones (cyclopentanone and cyclohexanone) + cyclohexane, + benzene, and + tetrachloromethane. The V/sup E/ data are reported over the complete mole fraction range at 288.15, 298.15, and 308.15{Kappa}. The obtained excess volumes are positive for mixtures of cyclopentanone with cyclohexane and are negative for mixtures of the cycloalkanones with benzene and tetrachloromethane; for the system cyclohexanone-cyclohexane the V/sup E/ values are positive for a wide range of mole fraction, but at very low cyclohexane mole fraction an inversion of the sign of V/sup E/ is observed. The data show that in the considered range of temperature the values of the temperature coefficient ({partial derivative}V/sup E//{partial derivative}T) are negative for mixtures of the cycloalkanones with benzene and are almost zero for mixtures with ...
The Tevatron is a proton anti-proton accelerator collider operating at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. The machine is currently delivering beam for the CDF and D0 experiments, which expect increasing luminosity until the conclusion of Run II, planned for 2009. The Laboratory defined a plan for achieving higher luminosity, and one of the tasks is the upgrade of the accelerator's beam position monitor (BPM). The Tevatron was built during the early eighties and some of its control systems, including the BPMs, are still the original ones. This paper describes the front-end software of the Tevatron BPM upgrade, from the requirements to the implementation, and the underlying hardware setup. The front-end software designed is presented, emphasizing its modularity and reusability, allowing it to be applied to other Fermilab machines.
The introduction of oxygen in the vicinity of a metallic target surface, bombarded with positive argon ions of twenty kiloelectron-volts, increases the number of sputtered atoms in the excited state. This phenomenon of exaltation, very sensitive in the case of nickel and aluminium, is much less marked in the case of molybdenum. Moreover, the emission of excited particles coming from the beam's ions is not modified. A quantum-mechanical model of a kinetic emission process, which permits the interpretation of the clean metallic target's emission phenomena, seems insufficient to explain all of the results obtained in the presence of oxygen. In this last case one can therfore use a thermodynamic model in which excited metallic particles can be formed directly by chemical surface reactions of neutralization or reduction. (orig.).
Ternary diagrams are commonly used to provide a graphic representation of equilibrium fluid phase behavior for systems as diverse as distillation columns and miscible gas floods of oil reservoirs. The phase envelope, and the position of the critical point on it, are important to enhanced oil recovery engineers who are involved with miscible gas flood design. In the past, phase equilibrium data were laboriously plotted on the ternary diagram and special graphic techniques were utilized to locate the critical point on the phase envelope. This work presents a computerized curve fitting method to generate the phase envelope from a given set of phase equilibrium data and then use the tie-line slopes to position the critical point. Experimental data are included and show excellent agreement with this new method.
Ternary diagrams or pseudo ternary diagrams are commonly used to provide a graphical representation of equilibrium fluid phase behavior for systems as diverse as distillation columns and miscible gas floods of oil reservoirs. The phase envelope and the position of the critical point on it are important to enhanced oil recovery engineers who are involved with miscible gas flood design. In the past, phase equilibrium data were laboriously plotted on the pseudo ternary diagram and special graphical techniques were utilized to locate the critical point on the phase envelope. Presented in this article is a computerized curve fitting method to, firstly, generate the phase envelope from a given set of phase equilibrium data and then use the 'tie-line slopes' to position the critical point. Experimental data are included and show excellent agreement with this new method.
This paper describes how confidence intervals can be calculated for radiofrequency emitter position estimates based on time-of-arrival and frequency-of-arrival measurements taken at several satellites. These confidence intervals take the form of 50th and 95th percentile circles and ellipses to convey horizontal error and linear intervals to give vertical error. We consider both cases where an assumed altitude is and is not used. Analysis of velocity errors is also considered. We derive confidence intervals for horizontal velocity magnitude and direction including the case where the emitter velocity is assumed to be purely horizontal, i.e., parallel to the ellipsoid. Additionally, we derive an algorithm that we use to combine multiple position fixes to reduce location error. The algorithm uses all available data, after more than one location estimate for an emitter has been made, in a mathematically optimal way.
Current medical visualization technology intended for positional guidance in surgical applications may only ever have limited utility in the operating room due to the preexisting visual requirements of surgical practice. Additionally, visual systems impose limits as a result of their high latency, poor image resolution, problems with stereopsis and physical strain upon the user. Audio technology is relatively unexamined in the broad range of available methodologies for medical devices. The potential to translate surgical instrument position into audio feedback presents a novel solution to the human factors and engineering problems faced by visual display technology because audio technology employs a rich and as yet unburdened sensory modality. We describe an experimental system we have developed for investigating this new interface design approach using commercially available hardware. PMID:10173065
The new generation of performing rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (``rocking-chair``-type) are penalized by important self-output phenomena linked with the use of highly oxidizing positive electrodes. In order to limit this problem in LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4}/C batteries, two different passivation techniques were used in order to limit the surface contact between the positive electrode and the electrolyte. Thanks to these treatments, a significant reduction of the percentage of irreversible capacity losses is effectively observed. (J.S.) 3 refs.
The feasibility of using of current-biased superconducting strips for radiation detection is investigated. Narrow Ta strips are exposed to 5.5 MeV [alpha]-particle radiation and the rise-time of the induced voltage pulses is measured as function of temperature and bias current. The rise-time of the voltage signal strongly depends on the site on the strip which is hit by the [alpha]-particle. In order to determine the spatial resolution of a superconducting strip detector, position-sensitive measurements were performed. The maximum lateral resolution estimated so far is 25[mu]m in a 7[mu]m wide, 340 nm thick and 0.6 mm long Ta-strip. (orig.)
Consideration is given to the stability of negative ion beams which are neutralized through ionization of a background gas. Two types of instabilities are examined. First, beam-plasma instabilities are analyzed with the dispersion relation showing that they are unimportant if the beam velocity is less than the electron thermal velocity. Second, results of a computer simulation on the flow of a cylindrical beam and the resulting background plasma show that when the background neutral gas density is less than or approximately equal to a critical density as instability occurs. This critical density is the density that would be needed to space-charge neutralize the beam if the positive ions were not retarded by the beam. An approximate dispersion relation indicates that the nature of the instability is a transverse positive-ion acoustic wave which couples to the beam.
The Morris water maze is widely used to evaluate to evaluate the spatial learning ability of rodents under laboratory settings. The present study demonstrates that reproductive male meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, are able to acquire and retain a spatial water maze task using celestial cues. Voles were able to acquire a modified outdoor Morris water maze task over 4 trials per day, whereby they had to learn and remember the location of a submerged hidden platform, using the position of the sun and associated celestial cues. Their proficiency on this task was related to the availability of the celestial cues, with voles displaying significantly poorer spatial navigation on overcast than clear days and when the testing time (and position of the sun and associated celestial cues) was shifted from morning to afternoon. These findings with meadow voles support the ecological relevance of the water maze task. PMID:8031502
Porcine pancreatic lipase immobilized on celite particles has been employed as a catalyst for the esterification of dodecanol and decanoic acid in a predominantly organic system. Solvent influence on the equilibrium position and on the catalyst activity has been studied using 20 solvents, including aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, ethers, ketones, nitro- and halogenated hydrocarbons, and esters. The equilibrium constant for esterification correlates well with the solubility of water in the organic solvent, which in turn shows a good relationship with a function of Guttman's donor number and the electron pair acceptance index number of the solvent. This may be rationalized in terms of the requirements for solvation of water and of the reactants. The catalyst activity, measured as the initial rate of the esterification reaction, is best correlated as a function of both n-octanol-water partition coefficient (log P) and either the electron pair acceptance index or ...
A segmented focal plane detector for an Enge split-pole spectrograph has been developed for the study of breakup reactions at very low relative energies. It consists of a 61 cm long segmented position-sensitive parallel plate avalanche counter backed by a large Bragg curve detector. A segmented plastic scintillator is mounted behind the anode of the Bragg curve detector and is used for particle identification of low-ionizing particles. The dead space between the two sections of the focal plane detector is 2.5 mm. The intrinsic position resolution of the detector is 1 mm. The intrinsic energy resolution depends on the energy of the incident ion and can be as good as 0.55%. The nuclear charge and mass resolutions are 0.3 e and 0.3 u, respectively. (orig.).
It is acknowledged that fluorescence line height (FLH) algorithms are still hampered by the uncertainty of fluorescence peak position. The fluorescence peak moves to longer wavelengths with the increase of chlorophyll a concentration. In this article, the fluorescence enveloped area (FEA), which integrates the fluorescence height and the fluorescence peak position, was used to estimate the chlorophyll a concentration in the coastal waters of the Pearl River Estuary. The FEA algorithm was developed from in situ data of chlorophyll a concentration, total suspended matter (TSM) concentration and above-water remote sensing reflectance, which were collected at 37 sampling stations in the Pearl River Estuary during two cruises. The results showed that the FEA algorithm made a better estimation o...
We describe a position sensitive photon counting microchannel plate based detector with an improved quadrant anode (QA) readout system. The technique relies on a combination of the four planar elements pattern and an additional fifth electrode. The charge cloud induced by single particle detection is split between the electrodes. The measured charge values uniquely define the position of the initial event. QA has been first published in 1976 by Lampton and Malina. This anode configuration was undeservedly forgotten and its potential has been hardly underestimated. The presented approach extends the operating spatial range to the whole sensitive area of the microchannel plate surface and demonstrates good linearity over the field of view. Therefore, the novel image sensor results in spatial resolution better then 50?m and count rates up to one million events per second.
We describe a position sensitive photon counting microchannel plate based detector with an improved quadrant anode (QA) readout system. The technique relies on a combination of the four planar elements pattern and an additional fifth electrode. The charge cloud induced by single particle detection is split between the electrodes. The measured charge values uniquely define the position of the initial event. QA has been first published in 1976 by Lampton and Malina. This anode configuration was undeservedly forgotten and its potential has been hardly underestimated. The presented approach extends the operating spatial range to the whole sensitive area of the microchannel plate surface and demonstrates good linearity over the field of view. Therefore, the novel image sensor results in spatial...
An approximate method of calculating the radius of thawing around an injection well is presented. The method is based on the assumption that for a cylindrical system the position of the phase interface in the Stefan problem can be approximated through two functions: one function determines the position of the melting-temperature isotherm in the problem without phase transitions and the second function does not depend on time. The adjusted heating time concept was used to describe the first function. The second function is a known analytical relationship and is expressed in terms of ice content, thermal properties of thawed/frozen formations, formation temperature and the temperature of the injected fluid. Simple approximate formulae are suggested to estimate the duration of the freezeback period. To verify the proposed formulae, the results of numerical solutions were used. An example which shows that the duration of the 'safety period' (free ...
The two main aspects of the concept proposed by the ICRP in recommendation 26 for the radiation risk, the differentiation of stochastic and non stochastic damages and the qualification of the stochastic risk, are discussed in its consequences for radiation protection in X-ray diagnostics. Quantitative results from the literature serve to demonstrate the risk factors for the various organs and their sum concerning the position of the layer. As special points of somatic risk appeared the mamma and the pelvic region. The particular risk of CT examination is determined by number and position of the layers and the scan parameters of the system. For typical CT examination the resulting risk factors are estimated in comparison with conventional X-ray diagnostics. The somatic risk of CT examination is relatively high and comparable to conventional examination with the highest risk, while the genetic risk - as in conventional diagnostics - depends on ...
The two main aspects of the concept proposed by the ICRP in recommendation 26 for the radiation risk, the differentiation of stochastic and non stochastic damages and the qualification of the stochastic risk, are discussed in its consequences for radiation protection in X-ray diagnostics. Quantitative results from the literature serve to demonstrate the risk factors for the various organs and their sum concerning the position of the layer. As special points of somatic risk appeared the mamma and the pelvic region. The particular risk of CT examination is determined by number and position of the layers and the scan parameters of the system. For typical CT examination the resulting risk factors are estimated in comparison with conventional X-ray diagnostics. The somatic risk of CT examination is relatively high and comparable to conventional examination with the highest risk, while the genetic risk - as in conventional diagnostics - depends on ...
The two main aspects of the concept proposed by the ICRP in recommendation 26 for the radiation risk, the differentiation of stochastic and non stochastic damages and the qualification of the stochastic risk, are discussed in its consequences for radiation protection in X-ray diagnostics. Quantitative results from the literature serve to demonstrate the risk factors for the various organs and their sum concerning the position of the layer. As special points of somatic risk appeared the mamma and the pelvic region. The particular risk of CT examination is determined by number and position of the layers and the scan parameters of the system. For typical CT examination the resulting risk factors are estimated in comparison with conventional X-ray diagnostics. The somatic risk of CT examination is relatively high and comparable to conventional examination with the highest risk, while the genetic risk - as in conventional diagnostics - depends on ...
Ion beams of halogens can be produced either positively or negatively charged, depending on the employed ion source. At CERN-ISOLDE, although positively charged fluorine and astatine can be obtained from a hot plasma ion source, they are often contaminated by isobars and molecular sidebands. This has generated a request from the scientific community for fluorine and astatine negative ion beams free of contaminants. The high selectivity ensured by the surface ionisation process also makes negative beams of chlorine, bromine and iodine highly attractive. However, the efficiency figures for negative surface ionisation of fluorine and astatine were lower than the ones from the hot plasma. Here we report our R and D on new surface ion sources suitable for the production of negative halogen beams.
A position-sensitive event-counting electronic readout system for microchannel plates (MCPs) is described that offers the advantages of high spatial resolution and fast time resolution. The technique relies upon a four-quadrant electron-collecting anode located behind the output face of the microchannel plate, so that the electron cloud from each detected event is partly intercepted by each of the four quadrants. The relative amounts of charge collected by each quadrant depend on event position, permitting each event to be localized with two ratio circuits. A prototype quadrant anode system for ion, electron, and extreme ultraviolet imaging is described. The spatial resolution achieved, approx. =10 ..mu.., allows individual MCP channels to be distinguished. (AIP)
A position-sensitive event-counting electronic readout system for microchannel plates (MCPs) is described that offers the advantages of high spatial resolution and fast time resolution. The technique relies upon a four-quadrant electron-collecting anode located behind the output face of the microchannel plate, so that the electron cloud from each detected event is partly intercepted by each of the four quadrants. The relative amounts of charge collected by each quadrant depend on event position, permitting each event to be localized with two ratio circuits. A prototype quadrant anode system for ion, electron, and extreme ultraviolet imaging is described. The spatial resolution achieved, approx. =10 #mu#, allows individual MCP channels to be distinguished.
This invention is an improved solar energy cavity receiver for exposing materials and components to high temperatures. The receiver includes a housing having an internal reflective surface defining a cavity and having an inlet for admitting solar radiation thereto. A photothermal absorber is positioned in the cavity to receive radiation from the inlet. A reflective baffle is positioned between the absorber and the inlet to severely restrict the re-radiation of energy through the inlet. The front surface of the baffle defines a narrow annulus with the internal reflective surface of the housing. The front surface of the baffle is contoured to reflect incoming radiation onto the internal surface of the housing, from which it is reflected through the annulus and onto the front surface of the absorber. The back surface of the baffle intercepts infrared radiation from the front of the absorber. With this arrangement, a high percentage of the solar ...
This invention is an improved solar energy cavity receiver for exposing materials and components to high temperatures. The receiver includes a housing having an internal reflective surface defining a cavity and having an inlet for admitting solar radiation thereto. A photothermal absorber is positioned in the cavity to receive radiation from the inlet. A reflective baffle is positioned between the absorber and the inlet to severely restrict the re-radiation of energy through the inlet. The front surface of the baffle defines a narrow annulus with the internal reflective surface of the housing. The front surface of the baffle is contoured to reflect incoming radiation onto the internal surface of the housing, from which it is reflected through the annulus and onto the front surface of the absorber. The back surface of the baffle intercepts infrared radiation from the front of the absorber. With this arrangement, a high percentage of the solar ...
The positive-energy unitary irreducible representations of the q-deformed conformal algebra #delta#C_q = U_q(su(2,2)) are obtained by appropriate deformation of the classical ones. When the deformation parameter q is N -th root of unity, all these unitary representations become finite-dimensional. For his case we discuss in some detail the massless representations, which are also irreducible representations of the q-deformed Poincare subalgebra of #delta#C_q. Generically, their dimensions are smaller than the corresponding finite-dimensional non-unitary representation of su(2,2), except when N = 2 modul h + 1, where h is the helicity of the representations. The latter cases include the fundamental representations with h = #+-#1/2. (author). 10 refs.
The ozone production process in a pulsed positive dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is studied by measuring the spatial distribution of ozone density using a two-dimensional laser absorption method. DBD occurs in a 6 mm point-to-plane gap with a 1 mm-thick glass plate placed on the plane electrode. First, the propagation of DBD is observed using a short-gated ICCD camera. It is shown that DBD develops in three phases: primary streamer, secondary streamer and surface discharge phases. Next, the spatial distribution of ozone density is measured. It is shown that ozone is mostly produced in the secondary streamer and surface discharge, while only a small amount of ozone is produced in the primary streamer. The rate coefficient of the ozone production reaction, O + O_2 + M #-># O_3 + M, is estimated to be 2.5 x 10"-"3"4 cm"6 s"-"1.
Background/Purpose: Peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) are commonly used for neonatal vascular access. The aim of this study was to look at PICC line complication rates and possible predictors of PICC infection in a neonatal intensive care unit. Method: This was a prospective study of 226 neonates who had PICCs on our neonatal intensive care unit between January 2006 and June 2009. Complete data was available on 218 neonates who had 294 PICC lines. Criteria for catheter-related sepsis was positive blood cultures (peripheral/central) and/or a positive catheter tip culture after removal in the presence of a clinical suspicion of line sepsis. Results: Of 218 neonates, 132 (169 lines) were medical, and 86 (125 lines) were surgical. Our PICC line infection rate was 17 infect...
In order to improve the working conditions for the operators of drilling rigs, the work area for handling of pipes and tubes is arranged on a main deck convered by a drill deck, which has openings closable by hatch cover panels. The derrick is enclosed in a cover, from which tunnels extend out over the drill deck and comprises lifting means for handling of pipes and tubes between the decks. The tunnels are connected to the cover of the derrick by raised enclosures permitting the swinging of pipes from a horizontal position in the tunnel to a vertical position in the derrick, and vice versa. There is a door, at least at one of the enclosures, permitting handling of especially long objects. Basically, the handling of pipes and tubes can be performed within areas fully protected from the weather.
Each of the three cysteine residues in the Escherichia coli RecA protein was replaced with a number of other amino acids. To do this, each cysteine codon was first converted to a chain-terminating amber codon by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis. These amber mutants were then either assayed for function in different suppressor strains or reverted by a second round of mutagenesis with oligonucleotides that had random sequences at the amber codon. Thirty-three different amino acid substitutions were obtained. Mutants were tested for three functions of RecA: survival following UV irradiation, homologous recombination, and induction of the SOS response. It was found that although none of the cysteines is essential for activity, mutations at each of these positions can affect one or more of the activities of RecA, depending on the particular amino acid substitution. In addition, the cysteine at position 116 appears to be involved in the ...
Recent improvements in cell purification and transplantation techniques have contributed to the identification of cell populations known as tumor-initiating cells (TIC). This discovery has led to the -cancer stem cell hierarchy- concept, which holds that tumors are organized as a hierarchy of malignant tissues sustained by such TIC. However, this concept remains controversial. In this review, we examine recent advances in cancer stem cell research that have been generated from studies of Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome-positive leukemia. The abnormal Ph chromosome, which arises from a translocation creating the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene, is most commonly associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and precursor B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Examination of the pathophysiology ...
The consequences of exit, voice, loyalty, and neglect behavior were examined using retrospective questionnaires (Study 1) and 2 social interaction diary studies (Study 2). Exit and neglect were generally associated with more negative partner responses and reduced feelings of value and closeness, and were reported to be more harmful to the relationship. Voice was associated with more positive partner responses and greater value and intimacy, and was perceived to be most beneficial to the relationship. In contrast, loyalty was perceived to have the same detrimental consequences as destructive behaviors (Study 1) and did not predict more positive outcomes within daily interactions (Study 2). These results indicate that, despite good intentions, loyal intimates are often left feeling ignored a...
Adjustment of the rf phase in a linear accelerator is crucial for maintaining optimal performance. If phasing is incorrect, the beam will in general have an energy error and increased energy spread. While an energy error can be readily detected and corrected using position readings from beam position monitors at dispersion locations, this is not helpful for correcting energy spread in a system with many possible phase errors. Uncorrected energy spread results in poor capture efficiency in downstream accelerators, such as the Advanced Photon Source's (APS's) particle accumulator ring (PAR) or booster synchrotron. To address this issue, APS has implemented beam-to-rf phase detectors in the linac, along with software for automatic correction of phase errors. We discuss the design, implementation, and performance of these detectors and how they improved APS top-up operations.
BACKGROUND: Controversy exists as to whether patients with thick (Breslow depth >4 mm), clinically lymph node-negative melanoma require sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy. The authors examined the impact of SLN biopsy on prognosis and outcome in this patient population. METHODS: A review of the authors institutional review board-approved melanoma database identified 293 patients with T4 melanoma who underwent surgical excision between 1998 and 2007. Patient demographics, histologic features, and outcome were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Of 227 T4 patients who had an SLN biopsy, 107 (47%) were positive. The strongest predictors of a positive SLN included angiolymphatic invasion, satellitosis, or ulceration of the primary tumor. Patients with a T4 melanoma and a negative SLN had a significa...
The potential association between xenotropic murine leukaemia virus-related gammaretrovirus (XMRV) and prostate cancer (PCa) has been documented since 2006. It is important for furthering our understanding of the biological mechanisms of PCa to ascertain whether this association is causal. To summarize the available information on the epidemiological and laboratory findings of the association, we conducted a literature search of the PubMed electronic database (from March 2006 to February 2011) to identify relevant published studies that examined the association between XMRV and PCa. Although several studies showed the positive association between XMRV and PCa, more recent studies did not support this conclusion. The positive findings might be due to contamination of human samples. Further ...
Co-current stratified flow of liquid metal and water was investigated in a horizontal rectangular channel. Position of the interface pressure drop and direct contact heat transfer between these immisci ble liquids were measured in a fully developed flow. A turbulence model was proposed to explain the experimental results considering that the turbulence is damped near the liquid-liquid interface by surface tension. The analytical results showed good agreement with the experimental ones. Main results are that (1) position of the interface mainly depends on the flow rate ratio of both liquids, that (2) the pressure drop is approximately proportional to square of the average velocity of water, and that (3) heat transfer rate at direct contact interface is several times higher than that of co-current flow separated by a thin solid plate. (author).
Introduction: Haploidentical transplantation, with extensive T cell depletion to prevent GvHD, is associated with a high incidence of infection-related deaths. The key challenge is to improve immune recovery with allogeneic donor T cells without triggering GvHD. As T regulatory cells (Tregs) controlled GvHD in pre-clinical studies, the present study evaluated the impact of an infusion of donor CD4/CD25 + Tregs, followed by an inoculum of donor mature T cells (Tcons) and positively immunoselected CD34 + cells in the setting of haploidentical stem cell transplantation. Patients and methods: Twenty-eight patients were enrolled in this study (22 AML; 5 ALL; 1 NHL). All received immunoselected Tregs (CliniMACS, Miltenyi Biotec) followed by positively immunoselected CD34 + cells together with Tc...
Precision agriculture can be cost effective for date palm groves because the tree positions are known and fixed, the groves are mostly structured and many of agricultural operations are applied manually. Therefore, the new technology tools of precision agriculture are not essential. This study was done to improve date palm yield using maps of the variation in tree properties. Data on five Mozafati tree properties, such as sex, age, yield, visual appearance and fruit length were measured and recorded for each tree in five groves near the city of Bam in Iran. Tree positions were defined and the above properties were mapped. It was difficult to judge patterns in the variation because of tree to tree variability. Therefore, the Mamdani fuzzy inference system (MFIS) was used to classify the pro...
Orbit correction is now routinely performed at the few-micron level in the Advanced Photon Source (APS) storage ring. Three diagnostics are presently in use to measure and control both AC and DC orbit motions: broad-band turn-by-turn rf beam position monitors (BPMs), narrow-band switched heterodyne receivers, and photoemission-style x-ray beam position monitors. Each type of diagnostic has its own set of systematic error effects that place limits on the ultimate pointing stability of x-ray beams supplied to users at the APS. Limiting sources of beam motion at present are magnet power supply noise, girder vibration, and thermal timescale vacuum chamber and girder motion. This paper will investigate the present limitations on orbit correction, and will delve into the upgrades necessary to achieve true sub-micron beam stability.
A continuous gas laser may be operated reliably with an increased pressure level and current level without significant cathode sputtering. This increases the service life and the specific power of the laser. The design eliminates the formation of arcs in operational conditions, which also has a positive influence on laser operation. The proposed laser is used successfully in modern interferometry, in geodesy and in materials analysis. The laser design is characterized by the presence of separation rings inside the coaxial cathode. The separation rings are fastened to the anode. The anode is a perforated tube that is connected to two final protective rings. Electrodes from the housing pass through the final rings. In order to increase laser power, two or more lasers of such design are used and are positioned on the same axis in a single housing.
An energy saving self-powered industrial dehumidifier for use in a building having a tap water conduit leading from a source of supply to utilization points is described comprising: a dehumidifying apparatus positioned in a stream of air to be dehumidified in the building. The dehumidifying apparatus comprising conduit means for diverting at least a portion of a relatively continuously moving stream of tap water from the tap water conduit through a heat exchanger positioned in a stream of air and returning the diverted portion to the tap water stream upstream of the utilization points. Water vapor in the stream of air will condense onto the heat exchanger when the tap water has a temperature below a dew point temperature of the air stream, thereby dehumidifying the air stream.
Reduction of the metallic impurity concentration in the TCA plasma has enabled us to correlate the observed heating with the calculated position where the rf energy is deposited. In modelling the measured antenna loading due to the presence of Alfven resonance surfaces, and hence inferring the energy deposition profile, both ion cyclotron effects and the toroidal geometry must be considered. In particular, toroidicity couples energy to resonance surfaces that would not be excited in cylindrical geometry. The increase in electron density during a rf pulse changes the positions of these surfaces so that spectrum-related effects may be observed. The appearance of a new surface at the centre of the plasma is seen as a sharp discontinuity on many of the macroscopic parameters, accompanied by evidence of changes in the current density profile. These results, and the predictions of numerical codes, have imposed new constraints on the optimisation of ...
A detailed study has been performed for estimating the orbital energies, positions and shifts of the Lyman lines of C5+, Al12+ and Ar17+ under strongly coupled plasma with a view to understand such line positions and shifts obtained in laser produced plasma experiments. The effect of strongly coupled plasma has been treated within the Ion Sphere (IS) model. Both non-relativistic and relativistic methods have been used for estimating the spectral properties. Theoretical estimates with IS model of the plasma are in conformity with the results of laser plasma experiments on these highly stripped ions. The experimental data for the systems have also been compared with the theoretical estimates using Debye screening model of the plasma with spatial confinements which gives additional restrictions to the wave functions at finite boundaries.
A 4.1?kbp positive-strand RNA virus known as Diaporthe RNA virus 1 (DRV1) occurs in hypovirulent, non-sporulating isolates of the fungal pathogen Diaporthe perjuncta. A full-length cDNA clone of DRV1 was developed and RNA transcribed from the cDNA clone used to transfect different Diaporthe spp. The transfected species included three D. ambigua isolates and an unidentified Phomopsis asexual state of a Diaporthe sp. Successful transfections were confirmed using RT-PCR. Although the in vitro-transcribed positive sense single-stranded RNA used for transfection included vector sequences at both ends, the genomes of progeny virus from DRV1-transfected isolates were free of the vector sequences. Transfection resulted in morphological changes in these fungal pathogens. However, the presence of DR...
There are no specific diagnostic tests or a gold standard method for measuring disease activity and outcome in spondyloarthropathies (SpA). Many different methods have been developed to assess the signs and symptoms in SpA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of scintigraphy, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Bath Ankilosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) in the evaluation of disease activity in early axial SpA diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Thirty early MRI-positive axial SpA patients (23 males, 7 females) with a median age of 35 (18?55) years and a median duration of inflammatory low back pain of 24 (8?60) months were included in the study. In the patients with sacroiliitis, the sensitivity, specificity, and pos...
A concept of direct energy recovery system applying an alternating or rotating magnetic field is proposed for a negative-ion-based neutral beam injection system (NNB) to heat a plasma and/or drive a plasma current in a fusion reactor. Nearly same amounts of residual positive and negative hydrogen-isotope ion beams with beam energy of {approx}1 MeV are produced in an NNB using a gas neutralizing cell. Consequently, a recovered energy is obtained directly in the form of ac electric power, if these positive- and negative-ion beams are alternated or rotated and introduced to two or more recovery electrodes in turn by an alternating or rotating magnetic field. This concept will greatly reduce a technological difficulty in regeneration of a recovered electric energy with such a very high voltage. (author).
After having discussed the peculiarities of children in X-ray diagnosis the application of the effective as well as the mean equivalent doses as to the determination of the radiation exposure in children is represented. In using computerized tomograms to determine position and extent of an organ the exposure by repeated X-raying was calculated referring to the entrance dose. Entrance dose measurements for all types of X-ray examination in hospitals and ascertainments of the frequency of radiograms in 20 X-ray departments were used to determine per capita and collective doses, resp., in several age groups. Alltogether, the per capita dose of children in the GDR amounts to 30% of that of adults. Conclusions were drawn as to taking measures to further reduction of radiation exposure: (1) Technical measures, such as positioning of patients, shielding of organs, quality assurance; (2) elaboration of regulations concerning the execution of X-raying ...
Among the numerous free-living amoebae (FLA) of soil and water habitats, certain species belonging to two genera Acanthamoeba and Naegleria are facultative parasites of man.They cause disease called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis where history of contact with water was recorded in most of the cases especially with Naegleria species. The present work aimed to search for presence of free-living amoebae in the water and trials for its control by Ultraviolet-radiation (UV-radiation). Samples from different water sources were examined for the presence of free-living amoebae. These samples were cultured on non-nutrient agar streaked with bacteria. Amoebae were detected and identified by means of their morphological characters. Twelve positive cases of one hundred and twenty examined samples could be detected. The positive samples were exposed to different doses of UV-radiation for different times.
Aims A depressed cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) activity is implicated in nitrate tolerance. The present study determines whether the leucine zipper-positive (LZ+) isoform of myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT1), a key target protein for PKG actions, is involved in the development of nitrate tolerance. Methods and results Nitrate tolerance in in vitro preparations was obtained by a 24 h incubation with nitroglycerin (NTG). Nitrate tolerance in in vivo preparations was obtained by subcutaneous injection of mice with NTG, and the aortas were used. Protein levels of total MYPT1, MYPT1 (LZ+), PP1Cd, myosin light chain (MLC), and phosphorylated MLC were determined by Western blot analysis. Isometric vessel tension was determined by an organ chamber technique. Protein levels of MYPT1...
The Formula Not Shown system of Formula Not Shown was first observed in auroral emissions by Meinel in 1950. Although the Formula Not Shown band system has been reinvestigated since this first spectral study, no laboratory spectrum of the (2,1) vibronic band has been obtained. We have recently built a continuous-wave cavity ringdown spectrometer, and as a first test of this spectrometer we observed the (2,1) band of Formula Not Shown in a positive column discharge cell. Many lines of the first positive band system of Formula Not Shown were also identified during the process of assigning this spectrum. The relative intensities of the Formula Not Shown and Formula Not Shown bands were found to change with discharge cell pressure, and so each spectral region was observed at two pressures to a...
In a retrospective study of 21 patients, in whom the acetabular fractures were suspected on initial radiographs, we compared and analysed the computed tomographic findings and plain radiographic findings. The results were as follow: 1. In patients with multiple trauma, no further change in position was required during CT examinations. 2. CT showed intraarticular loose bodies, which were invisible on plain radiographs. 3. CT was useful in detecting the fractures of acetabular rims, medial wall of acetabulum, and femoral head. 4. CT permitted better evaluation of shape, extent, and degree of separation of fracture fragments. 5. CT was helpful in detecting the associated fractures and soft tissue injuries. 6. CT also demonstrated the adequacy of reduction, the position of metallic fixation devices, and the presence or absence of remaining intraarticular osseous fragments after surgery.
Background. Reports of positive patch test and photopatch test reactions to the chemical ultraviolet filter octocrylene have increased during the last decade. Little is known about the reason for octocrylene's allergenic activity. Objectives. To present and discuss the results of patch tests and photopatch tests with octocrylene, and to investigate the possible cause of its allergenic properties. Methods. Results of patch tests and photopatch tests with octocrylene in patients with adverse skin reactions to sunscreen products and/or ketoprofen were collected. The allergenic potency of octocrylene was investigated in the murine local lymph node assay (LLNA). Chemical reactivity assays were used to mimic octocrylene's interaction with biomolecules. Results. We report 23 cases of positive tes...
Despite the current global economic crisis, the Cleantech industry has excellent growth prospects. Especially technologies for water treatment, energy efficiency in buildings and combined heat and power will face high demand and high growth rates in the coming years, just like the suppliers for the wind and solar industry. Today German companies are market leaders in these segments. However, there is a threat that they will lose this competitive position as international competition increases. Besides attractive incentive schemes and regulatory framework, access to venture capital and the fast expansion to international markets is an important factor to secure the leading market position of German Cleantech companies. (orig.)
In organic livestock production systems, farm-management factors are thought to play an important role in the on-farm prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii. Serological results and the results of an HACCP analysis were combined to determine important risk factors for the prevalence of this protozoan parasite. Mathematical analysis demonstrated that feeding goat whey to pigs and the presence of a high number of cats were positively correlated to T. gondii seroprevalence in pigs. Not covering roughage and the farmers' assumption that pigs can come into contact with cat feces also showed a positive relationship. In order to decrease the risk of T. gondii infecting their pigs, farmers should limit the access and number of cats on their farms and refrain from feeding goat whey to their pigs. PMID:16989566
We consider the simplest scenario when black strings (cigars) penetrate the cosmological brane. As a result, the brane has a Swiss-cheese structure, with Schwarzschild black holes immersed in a Friedmann-Lema\\^{\\i}tre-Robertson-Walker brane. There is no dark radiation in the model, the cosmological regions of the brane are characterized by a cosmological constant $\\Lambda$ and flat spatial sections. Regardless of the value of $\\Lambda$, these brane-world universes forever expand and forever decelerate. The totality of source terms in the modified Einstein equation sum up to a dust, establishing a formal equivalence with the general relativistic Einstein-Straus model. However in this brane-world scenario with black strings the evolution of the cosmological fluid strongly depends on $\\Lambda$. For $\\Lambda$ less or equal to zero it has positive energy density $\\rho$ and negative pressure $p$ and at late times it behaves as in the Einstein-Straus model. For ...
Assembly of icosahedral capsids of proper size and symmetry is not understood. Residue F170 in bacteriophage P22 coat protein is critical for conformational switching during assembly. Substitutions at this site cause assembly of tubes of hexamerically arranged coat protein. Intragenic suppressors of the ts phenotype of F170A and F170K coat protein mutants were isolated. Suppressors were repeatedly found in the coat protein telokin-like domain at position 285, which caused coat protein to assemble into petite procapsids and capsids. Petite capsid assembly strongly correlated to the side chain volume of the substituted amino acid. We hypothesize that larger side chains at position 285 torque the telokin-like domain, changing flexibility of the subunit and intercapsomer contacts. Thus, a sing...
This volume is based on the proceedings of the CERN Accelerator School's course on Applied Geodesy for Particle Accelerators held in April 1986. The purpose was to record and disseminate the knowledge gained in recent years on the geodesy of accelerators and other large systems. The latest methods for positioning equipment to sub-millimetric accuracy in deep underground tunnels several tens of kilometers long are described, as well as such sophisticated techniques as the Navstar Global Positioning System and the Terrameter. Automation of better known instruments such as the gyroscope and Distinvar is also treated along with the highly evolved treatment of components in a modern accelerator. Use of the methods described can be of great benefit in many areas of research and industrial geodesy such as surveying, nautical and aeronautical engineering, astronomical radio-interferometry, metrology of large components, deformation studies, ...
A urine leukocyte count of > or = 50/mm3 together with a bacterial count of > or = 10(5) colony-forming units (CFUs) per milliliter was used to define significant infection in 160 children with neurogenic bladder and evaluate the leukocyte and nitrite components of the Chemstrip 9 test. A Chemstrip 9 leukocyte reading of or = 500 leukocytes together with a positive nitrite reaction occurred in 18 children and had a sensitivity of 40% with a 100% positive predictive value for infection. Other combinations of Chemstrip 9 leukocyte and nitrite reactions were unhelpful or of uncertain value. Selection of up to three specimens from each patient increased the number of samples to 360 and provided general confirmation of the above conclusions. Nitrofurantoin may reduce the sensitivity of the nitrite strip reaction. PMID:8359003
We propose a combined experimental (Atomic Force Microscopy) and theoretical study of the structural and dynamical properties of nucleosomes. In contrast to biochemical approaches, this method allows to determine simultaneously the DNA complexed length distribution and nucleosome position in various contexts. First, we show that differences in the nucleo-proteic structure observed between conventional H2A and H2A.Bbd variant nucleosomes induce quantitative changes in the in the length distribution of DNA complexed with histones. Then, the sliding action of remodeling complex SWI/SNF is characterized through the evolution of the nucleosome position and wrapped DNA length mapping. Using a linear energetic model for the distribution of DNA complexed length, we extract the net wrapping energy of DNA onto the histone octamer, and compare it to previous studies.
This is a report of extraction and identification of 1-O-alkyl glycerol present in the dried leaves of Bauhinia scandens. Fifty percent aqueous ethanolic extract of the plant at room temperature was fractionated over petroleum ether and diethyl ether. The diethyl ether soluble fraction showed positive bioactivity in Brine Shrimp bioassay. Isolation and purification of the active principle was subsequently done from diethyl ether fraction. The diethyl ether fraction was separated into acidic and neutral part. The acid free fraction was screened to be positive in Brine Shrimp bioassay. The NMR spectra (in CDCl3) indicated the probability of its lipoidal nature. The total lipid fraction was resolved into neutral, glyco, and phospho-lipids by column chromatography. Only the neutral fraction sh...
A large area Bragg curve spectroscopy (BCS) detector and a position sensitive parallel grid avalanche counter have been developed to study heavy ion reactions, such as inelastic excitations and few nucleon transfer reactions near the Coulomb barrier. Reasonably good resolutions have been achieved for energy, atomic number and angle. A theoretical investigation on the mass dependence of the Bragg peak signal from the BCS detector, shows that there is a negligible mass dependence related to the geometry of the detector. The mass number of the heavy ions which cannot be obtained by the above method, has been identified by detecting the corresponding characteristic gamma rays from the product nuclei with two large solid angle gamma ray detectors. (orig.)
A large area Bragg curve spectroscopy (BCS) detector and a position sensitive parallel grid avalanche counter have been developed to study heavy ion reactions, such as inelastic excitations and few nucleon transfer reactions near the Coulomb barrier. Reasonably good resolutions have been achieved for energy, atomic number and angle. A theoretical investigation on the mass dependence of the Bragg peak signal from the BCS detector, shows that there is a negligible mass dependence related to the geometry of the detector. The mass number of the heavy ions which cannot be obtained by the above method, has been identified by detecting the corresponding characteristic gamma rays from the product nuclei with two large solid angle gamma ray detectors. (orig.).
A large acceptance, high stopping power, Bragg curve spectrometer has been developed for use in coincidence experiments with heavy ions. The electron collection fields are radial and position information is obtained from a resistive anode. The detector is 60 cm deep and operates at pressures of up to 2.5 atm of P-10 gas. It is mated to a scattering chamber which allows it to be moved out of plane during coincidence measurements. The detector design was aided by the results of computer simulations of the electron collection process in the detector, and of the signal processing in the electronics. The signals from the Bragg curve spectrometer are recorded in a waveform digitizer and the Bragg peak height, range, position and pileup rejection information are determined from software analysis of the recorded signals. Factors limiting the performance of the detector are discussed, and results obtained with the detector are presented. (orig.).
A large acceptance, high stopping power, Bragg curve spectrometer has been developed for use in coincidence experiments with heavy ions. The electron collection fields are radial and position information is obtained from a resistive anode. The detector is 60 cm deep and operates at pressures of up to 2.5 atm of P-10 gas. It is mated to a scattering chamber which allows it to be moved out of plane during coincidence measurements. The detector design was aided by the results of computer simulations of the electron collection process in the detector, and of the signal processing in the electronics. The signals from the Bragg curve spectrometer are recorded in a waveform digitizer and the Bragg peak height, range, position and pileup rejection information are determined from software analysis of the recorded signals. Factors limiting the performance of the detector are discussed, and results obtained with the detector are presented. (orig.).
The flexible, insulated, single strand cables are electrically connected with a cylindrical polar tip (PN) by means of cylindrical and conical shafts for the polar tips, which enter the faces of the divided, multiwire strand, clamped by tension half couplings. The flat ends of the polar tips being joined are positioned in two concentric mandrel bushings, an internal fixed one and an external, axially movable bushing (PV). The internal bushing is rigidly attached to the end of the left polar tip and equipped with three or four rounded, radial openings, whose diameter is determined by the external diameter of the locking device hinges (ShF) of the connecting couplings. The right polar tip is equipped with an annular channel of trapezoidal section into which the locking device hinges enter. The external movable bushing on the right side has a conical turning and on the left, a cylindrical into which the cylindrical spring which holds the movable bushing in the extreme ...
Accelerator concepts for heavy-ion fusion require small emittance, high-current beams. Such applications could include funnels in which high-current, like-charged particle beams are interlaced to double beam current while retaining small emittances. The first experimental demonstration confirming the beam dynamics of the funnel principle was recently completed at Los Alamos National Laboratory. A single-leg prototype 5-MeV, H{sup {minus}} funnel was successfully tested. This single-beam demonstration explored physics issues of a two-beam funnel. It contained elements for emittance control, position control, and rf deflection, as well as diagnostics for measurement of beam intensity, position and angle centroids, energy and phase centroids, and transverse and longitudinal phase-space distributions. Results of the experiment will be presented along with comparisons to simulations. 7 refs., 5 figs.
FastSLAM is a framework for simultaneous localization using a Rao-Blackwellized particle filter. In FastSLAM, particle filter is used for the mobile robot pose (position and orientation) estimation, and an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) is used for the feature location's estimation. However, FastSLAM degenerates over time. This degeneracy is due to the fact that a particle set estimating the pose of the robot loses its diversity. One of the main reasons for loosing particle diversity in FastSLAM is sample impoverishment. It occurs when likelihood lies in the tail of the proposal distribution. In this case, most of particle weights are insignificant. Another problem of FastSLAM relates to the design of an extended Kalman filter for landmark position's estimation. The performance of the EKF and the quality of the estimation depends heavily on correct a priori knowledge of the process and measurement noise covariance matrices (Q and R) that are in ...
The main purpose of this work is to evaluate the role of CT in identifying other morphological signs of met static lymph node involvement from non small cell bronchogenic carcinoma. This is done to improve N staging, a critical step in this disease. In fact, since diameter is the only criterion used to distinguish normal form abnormal lymph nodes, mediastinal CT only has 80% diagnostic accuracy. 137 patients with known or suspected lung cancer were examined with Helical CT during early and late arterial phases (2 min. delay, 3 mm thickness, 5 mm inter slice gap) to depict node characteristics. Mediastinal lymph nodes, located according to the American Thoracic Society mapping, were considered normal when they were not visible or, if visible, less than 1 cm in diameter and of homogeneous density; lymph nodes over 1 cm in diameter and homogenous density were considered reactive. A lymph node was considered metastatic when, independent of size, the following signs were found: central hypo ...
The wind unit working wheel has 4 radial rectangular frames arranged in two vertical planes which are perpendicular to each other. In the planes limited by the frames, on loop hinges with limiting supports, there are flat blades. When the working wheel rotates under the influence of wind pressure, the blades automatically occupy a vertical or horizontal (wind vane) position depending on the direction of blade motion and the direction of wind velocity.
The report shows that in Europe mountain regions, coastal zones, wetlands and the Mediterranean region are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Although there could be some positive effects, many impacts are likely to be adverse. Existing adaptive measures are concentrated in flood defence, so there is considerable scope for adaptation planning and implementation in other areas, such as public health, water resources and management of ecosystems. (au)
... matrices were written in the form R(t) = R'(t) Mpp T V(t) = V (t) MppT (C-3) 49 Page 59. ... GW~/EE/64.-9 where ra(!L) rb(L) 0 MPPT= (C-4) [rb(L) ra(L) 0 ...
Programmed cell death (PCD) is triggered when Pto, a Ser-Thr protein kinase, recognizes either the AvrPto or AvrPtoB effector from Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato. This...Full Text Available
We investigate theoretically subwavelength imaging by acoustic metamaterial slabs immersed in the liquid matrix. A near-field subwavelength image formed by evanescent waves is achieved by a designed metamaterial slab with negative mass density and positive modulus. A subwavelength real image is achieved by a designed metamaterial slab with simultaneously negative mass density and modulus. These results are expected to shed some lights on designing novel devices of acoustic metamaterials.
Background: In an effort to standardise radiological practices in the Republic of Ireland, current legislation states that 'written protocols for every type of standard radiological practice shall be established'. In order to fulfil this requirement the Irish Medical Council recommends the protocols issued by the Commission of European Communitees (CEC) for adoption in the country. Whilst this document does provide good guidance with regard to various radiographic factors, patient shielding instructions are notably ambiguous. The aim of this study was to remove some of this ambiguity by defining the optimal method of positioning patient shielding in antero-posterior (AP) and lateral lumbar spine radiographic examinations. These projections were chosen on the basis of their area of coverage being in close to and in some cases including the reproductive organs. They also represent the highest source of collective population dose of any conventional ...
Background: In an effort to standardise radiological practices in the Republic of Ireland, current legislation states that 'written protocols for every type of standard radiological practice shall be established'. In order to fulfil this requirement the Irish Medical Council recommends the protocols issued by the Commission of European Communitees (CEC) for adoption in the country. Whilst this document does provide good guidance with regard to various radiographic factors, patient shielding instructions are notably ambiguous. The aim of this study was to remove some of this ambiguity by defining the optimal method of positioning patient shielding in antero-posterior (AP) and lateral lumbar spine radiographic examinations. These projections were chosen on the basis of their area of coverage being in close to and in some cases including the reproductive organs. They also represent the highest source of collective population dose of any conventional radiographic ...
We apply the potential force estimation method to artificial time series of market price produced by a deterministic dealer model. We find that dealers' feedback of linear prediction of market price based on the latest mean price changes plays the central role in the market's potential force. When markets are dominated by dealers with positive feedback the resulting potential force is repulsive, while the effect of negative feedback enhances the attractive potential force.
Telavancin is a bactericidal lipoglycopeptide with a multifunctional mechanism of action. We conducted a randomized, double blind, active-control phase II trial. Patients ≥18 years of age with...Full Text Available
Powder mold type solid state battery was fabricated, and positive electrode compounding ratio and the battery characteristics were studied. The current density depended greatly on the TiS2 content of positive electrode material, and the current density showed maximum value of 800 {mu}A/cm{sup 2} at a TiS2 content of 40 wt%. This composition is expected to be the best to provide better charge-discharge characteristics. The rate capability of TiS2 is dominated by Li{sup +} ion in positive electrode. Further, the diffusion of lithium ion is greatly dominated by TiS2 in positive electrode, compounding ratio of solid state electrolyte and its particle size. Results of charge-discharge characteristics studied for various charge-discharge current densities revealed that the rate capability of TiS2 was more than 50% for a current density of less than 254 {mu}A/cm{sup 2}, and this battery system proved the ...
In radiation therapy with hadron beams, conformal irradiation to a tumour can be achieved by using the properties of incident ions such as the high dose concentration around the Bragg peak. For the effective utilization of such properties, it is necessary to evaluate the volume irradiated with hadron beams and the deposited dose distribution in a patient's body. Several methods have been proposed for this purpose, one of which uses the positron emitters generated through fragmentation reactions between incident ions and target nuclei. In the previous paper, we showed that the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) method could be applicable to the estimation of beam end-point from the measured positron emitting activity distribution for mono-energetic beam irradiations. In a practical treatment, a spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) beam is used to achieve a uniform biological dose distribution in the whole target volume. Therefore, in the present paper, we proposed to extend the MLE ...
The average angle of repose and the packing density of random planar heaps of hard disks falling ballistically onto a sticky base line, where the first layer of disks is quenched in random positions, are computed for heaps with a small fixed number of gaps in the base layer. The results we find appear to be almost independent of the size of the heap and they agree with those obtained from computer simulations of large systems.
Reports by U.S. workers on geodetic measurements of recent plate motions or crustal deformation published in 1987-1990 are reviewed. The review begins with global plate motions, proceeds through plate boundaries in California, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest, and finishes with volcanic phenomena, monument stability and longevity, and GPS relative position measurements. 184 refs.
This document presents the SSI preliminary views and position concerning the decommissioning of nuclear plants. To prevent the exposure of the decommissioning personnel and the general public to unacceptable levels of radiation and to protect the environment and future generations, it is SSI`s task to formulate and issue the necessary terms and regulations with which the reactor licensees must comply during the decommissioning work. The views and principles presented here are the basis of SSI`s continued work on guidelines and regulations for the decommissioning of nuclear plants.
After a brief survey of the known level measurement methods the particularities of the radiometric measurement of the still utilisable residual volume of a bulk material in a large bin are discussed. At constant angle of repose the measurement in a suitably positioned plane of measurement suffices, at variable angle of repose two planes of measurement are required. The probable working ranges for a 1300-t lime bin are estimated.
The possibilities and problems of PCA in phase separation are shown on Ni, Pd, and Pt silicides. The PCA depth profiles are less influenced by sputter and matrix effects than usual Auger depth profiles. The position of the silicide-Si interface is well defined by the component distribution crossover in PCA profiles. An interface component between Pd and Pt silicides and Si substrate is determined by PCA.
The possibilities and problems of PCA in phase separation are shown on Ni, Pd, and Pt silicides. The PCA depth profiles are less influenced by sputter and matrix effects than usual Auger depth profiles. The position of the silicide-Si interface is well defined by the component distribution crossover in PCA profiles. An interface component between Pd and Pt silicides and Si substrate is determined by PCA. (author).
NMR spectroscopy combined with paramagnetic relaxation agents was used to study the positioning of the 40-residue Alzheimer Amyloid {beta}-peptide A{beta}(1-40) in SDS micelles. 5-Doxyl stearic acid incorporated into the micelle or Mn{sup 2+} ions in the aqueous solvent were used to determine the position of the peptide relative to the micelle geometry. In SDS solvent, the two {alpha}-helices induced in A{beta}(1-40), comprising residues 15-24, and 29-35, respectively, are surrounded by flexible unstructured regions. NMR signals from these unstructured regions are strongly attenuated in the presence of Mn{sup 2+} showing that these regions are positioned mostly outside the micelle. The central helix (residues 15-24) is significantly affected by 5-doxyl stearic acid however somewhat less for residues 16, 20, 22 and 23. This {alpha}-helix therefore resides in the SDS headgroup region with the face with residues 16, 20, 22 and ...
In this study, a novel compliant mechanism, ''partially compliant spatial slider-crank (RSSP)'' is proposed. All possible configurations of compliant RSSP mechanisms are classified and discussed. A method is derived to determine deflection of the multiple-axis flexural hinge for all positions of the crank. A design procedure for partially compliant RSSP mechanisms is introduced. In order to prove the feasibility of the proposed mathematical model, a real model is built and it is shown that results are consistent.
Eastern Oregon cattle distribution was studied with global positioning (GPS) collars for 2 years on the Zumwalt prairie in the spring and fall and Hells Canyon during the winter to determine distribution and habitat selection differences between Spanish bred (Corriente X Longhorn) and English bred c...
Chronic and adult-onset GM2 gangliosidoses are neurological disorders caused by marked deficiency of the A isoenzyme of beta-hexosaminidase; they occur in the Ashkenazi Jewish population, though less...Full Text Available
A pulsed field gradient spin echo sequence has been incorporated in a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging experiment to provide an image contrast dependent on local molecular self-diffusion. The...Full Text Available
The solar array wings were deployed by swinging two half-blanket boxes open from a folded hinge launch position .... pure-water by-product of the shuttle's fuel cell power generators because ..... outgassing limits, flammability limits, ... Foale fills a water microbiology bag for in-flight analysis. ...
In recent years there has been a renewed interest in the treatment of quantum mechanics in terms of joint distribution functions, i.e. functions of momentum and position coordinates p and q. The author considers j.d.f. in the sense of classical probability theory of a stochastic variable. The j.d.f. is then interpreted as the probability that the variables p and q have certain values, the variables being considered as a property possessed by the object system. This formalism is used to provide a unified description of bradyons and tachyons. (Auth.).
Isolated situs inversus of the stomach with otherwise normal position of the thoracic and abdominal viscera is an extremely rare anomaly occurring in two distinct forms. Because of its close relationship to the liver, the right-sided stomach may produce interesting and confusing changes in the liver scan. Two cases illustrate the radiologic features of the two principal types of isolated congenital dextrogastria and the effect of one type on the liver scan.
HIPDM is an "1"2"3I-labeled agent with a distribution in brain reflecting regional perfusion. This compound is neutral and lipid soluble at blood pH and freely crosses the blood-brain barrier. At the lower pH in brain, it picks up a hydrogen ion and becomes positively charged. In this form the molecule is not lipid soluble and it is trapped in brain.
Energy spectra of the Bragg reflection of the Moessbauer ..gamma..-radiation from the /sup 57/Fe/sub 3/BO/sub 6/ weakly ferromagnetic monocrystal are studied. A strong effect of the interference transitions in iron nuclei, being in non-equivalent positions, on the spectra form is revealed. The measurement results are compared with theoretical calculations.
The influence of MeV electrons irradiation on the gate oxide layers of hydrogenated polysilicon thin film transistors (TFTs) was investigated by measuring gate leakage currents and threshold voltages. The experimental data revealed a decrease of oxide trap density and increase of positive oxide charge. Improvement in the interface roughness and in the oxide quality near the bottom interface was observed.
The influence of MeV electrons irradiation on the gate oxide layers of hydrogenated polysilicon thin film transistors (TFTs) was investigated by measuring gate leakage currents and threshold voltages. The experimental data revealed a decrease of oxide trap density and increase of positive oxide charge. Improvement in the interface roughness and in the oxide quality near the bottom interface was observed.
Clear effects of the Act on Power Generation from Renewable Energy Sources (EEWaermeG) on the market cannot be recognized both for the depth geothermal energy and ground source geothermal energy. Due to the concrete design of the law a position that is inferior to others is attained in relation to some other renewable energy sources.
Twenty undergraduate students participated in an elaborative learning test to evaluate the relationship between electrical brain activity and subsequently recalled and not-recalled words. Data collected from the midline (Fz, Cz, Pz) and lateral scalp sites (F3, F4, C3, C4, P3, P4) were analysed. The difference between event-related potentials (ERPs) elicited by subsequently recalled and not-recalled words, the ERP memory effect, was evaluated for each portion (primacy, plateau and recency) of the serial-position curve (SPC). We compared peak amplitudes for the P1, N1, P2, N400, P3 and frontal positive slow wave (FPSW) components. The electrophysiological data support the hypothesis that different mechanisms underlie primacy and recency effects during free recall paradigms. There was no support for the hypothesis that an association arises between memory and the FPSW when subjects utilise elaborative learning strategies. The P2 component ...
In this contribution we compare the electron scattering processes observed in pure O_2 clusters and mixed clusters like O_2/Ne, O_2/Ar and O_2/N_2. The overlap and positions of the potential curves of O_2 states show the different possible electron attachment processes and also explain the formation of O_2 in clusters. (author).
A system is described adapted for alternative use as a diverter or a blowout preventer for a bottom supported drilling rig and adapted for connection to a permanent housing attached to rig structural members beneath a drilling rig rotary table, the permanent housing having an outlet connectable to a rig fluid system flow line. The system consists of: a fluid flow controller having a controller housing with a lower cylindrical opening and an upper cylindrical opening and a vertical path therebetween and a first outlet passage and a second outlet passage provided in its wall, a packing element disposed within the controller housing, and annular piston means adapted for moving from a first position to a second position, whereby in the first position the piston means wall prevents interior fluid from communicating with the outlet passages in the controller housing wall and in the second position the piston ...
We investigated the distribution and expression of mutant mtDNAs carrying the A-to-G mutation at position 8344 in the tRNA(Lys) gene in the skeletal muscle of four patients with myoclonus epilepsy and...Full Text Available
The kinetic parameters, ..cap alpha.. the coupling coefficient and tau-bar the mean neutron transit time have been determined using a reactor oscillator on the coupled-core of the Queen Mary College research reactor. By using correlation techniques it has proved possible to use detectors small enough to be inserted in the fuel tanks. It is shown that the simplified Baldwin model with one-group diffusion theory is inadequate to describe the kinetic behaviour and the experimentally-determined parameters are dependent upon the positioning of the detectors.
The gas composition of recent thermal waters is in perfect conformity with their geologic-tectonic positions. The composition of gas-liquid inclusions in the basic-hyperbasic xenoliths of basaltoid lavas depends on the depth from which xenoliths are supplied. (The depth is determined by using the methods of geological thermobarometers). By comparing available data the conclusion was drawn that the gas compositions of thermal waters reflect the depth of generation of deep fluid which heats them and depends on the penetration depth of the fluid-conducting fissure zones.
All organisms examined to date possess a dUTPase that performs the important function of efficiently hydrolyzing dUTP to dUMP in order to prevent the incorporation of dUTP into DNA. Three putative dUTPases...Full Text Available
Computer tomography used in the diagnosis of tumours is described in the light of particularly great diagnostic difficulties in children. Computer tomography was applied in 12 cases. A high diagnostic value of this method was demonstrated, which makes possible a more accurate diagnosis of the position of the tumour, its size, and expanding tendency. The possibility of estimating healthy tissues and organs, and those with pathological changes on the basis of differences in their density with a detection threshold at 0.5% density difference facilitates not infrequently preoperative diagnosis raising the value of the method.
A method for elucidating complex abnormalities of CSF circulation by using a positive contrast medium (metrizamide) and computer tomography is described. The technique for the method, the results and their clinical significance is demonstrated. The value of this method is compared with traditional ventriculography and with computer tomography without the use of contrast medium. It is shown that the technique represents an important extension of the scope of computer tomography.
Expression of brome mosaic virus (BMV) coat protein and internal genes of many other positive-strand RNA viruses requires initiation of subgenomic mRNA synthesis from specific internal sites on minus-strand...Full Text Available
New studies document a positive impact of IAQ on human productivity and health. A paradigm shift is foreseen with much greater emphasis on excellent indoor environments. The air should be perceived as fresh, pleasant and stimulating. Essential elements in the predicted paradigm shift are suggested and discussed. (orig.)
AQ4N (1,4-bis([2-(dimethylamino-N-oxide)ethyl]amino)5,8-dihydroxy- anthracene-9,10-dione) is a novel alkylaminoanthraquinone N-oxide which, on reduction, forms a stable DNA affinic cytotoxic compound...Full Text Available
We aim to examine the spectrum of bacteria causing corneal infections and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns. This will serve as a guideline for empiric therapy of corneal infections. We conducted the study over a period of 18 months from March 2001 through December 2002 in King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Corneal specimens taken from 200 patients were inoculated directly onto different types of media. The isolates were identified and then tested against the appropriate topical or systemic antibiotics. Sixty-seven (33.5%) of the total specimens were culture positive and 133 (66.5%) were culture negative. Fourteen (7%) of these showed organisms in the Gram stained smears and correlated well with the culture reports. Of the 67 positive cultures, 53 (79.1%) were Gram-positive bacteria mostly coagulase-negative Staphylococci 29 (43.3%) followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. ...
A search for tachyons, or other particles detectable by G-M counter tubes or liquid scintillators, arriving during the approximately 100#mu#s immediately preceding extensive air showers (primary energy approximately 10"1"5 eV) has provided no positive evidence for the existence of such particles. (orig.).
By using linearized conformal transformations in six dimensions, a new unified approach to bradyons (v"2< c"2) and tachyons (v"2>c"2) is suggested, the essential tool being (real and imaginary) dilatations. The usual ''Generalized Lorentz transformations'' are got, In six dimensions the quadrate form is always positive, both for bradyons and for tachyons.
The purpose of the invention is to simplify assembly and to reduce labor intensity. This is achieved by the fact that the assembly shaft is positioned in a hawser, while its wall which is turned towards the body of the installation is combined with the hawser wall, where a U shaped opening is made in the wall of the assembly shaft, along the edges of which there is a hermetically sealing device, while the bottom of the body of the offshore drilling rig is equipped with a rigid insert attached with the capability of adjoining it with the hermetically sealing device.