An artificial intelligent diagnostic system on differential recognition of hematopoietic cells from microscopic images

The endothelium participates actively in homeostatic mechanisms such as the regulation of vascular tone and maintenance of a nonthrombotic environment, as well as directing biological responses such as leukocyte trafficking to inflammatory sites. Disruption of these processes leads to disease. In the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome autoantibodies provoke the endothelium to develop a prothrombotic surface. In systemic vasculitides associated with presence of antineutrophil cytoplasm antibodies, it is likely that the autoantibodies incite premature neutrophil activation, disrupted neutrophil-endothelium interactions and endothelial damage. This review considers how normal endothelial functions may be subverted in disease and how active endothelial responses may contribute to disease.     

Physiologic correlates to running performance in pre-pubertal distance runners

In adults, four major variables have been shown to be associated with success in distance running performance: submaximal oxygen consumption (running economy), peak oxygen consumption (Peak VO2), ventilatory threshold (VT) and fractional utilisation (FU). The primary aim of this study was to describe the relationship between the 3000 m race times of run-trained prepubertal boys to these four variables. Thirteen male run-trained pre-pubertal boys (age 11.7 +/- 1.1 yrs, mean +/- SD), volunteered to take part in a 3000 m time trial and laboratory assessment, consisting of treadmill running at four submaximal speeds (8, 9.6, 11.2 and 12.8 km.h-1) as well as a peak VO2 test. The group demonstrated a heterogeneous array of peak VO2 data. A high level of association (p < 0.05) was found between mass-relative peak VO2 and 3000 m time trial results (r = -0.83). In addition ventilatory threshold expressed as %peak VO2, VO2 at VT and estimated velocity at VT was also highly related to 3000 m time trial (r = -0.78, -0.77 and -0.77) respectively. Fractional utilisation (%peak VO2) was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with race time at the final two submaximal running speeds only (11.2 and 12.8 km.h-1) (r = 0.61 and 0.67, respectively). Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER) was also found to be significantly (p < 0.05) associated with 3000 m race time at 11.2 and 12.8 km.h-1. Overall peak VO2 appeared to be the single most important factor associated with success at 3000 m.     

Correlates of alcohol use and misuse in fourth-grade children: psychosocial, peer, parental, and family factors

To determine level of alcohol use/misuse and to examine correlates of these behaviors, 1,314 fourth-grade students were surveyed. The questionnaire included 55 items concerning tolerance of deviance, deviant self-image, self-efficacy, susceptibility to peer pressure, personal and peer approval of alcohol use, peer adjustment, parent nurturance and monitoring, family adjustment, parental permissiveness, peer use of alcohol, and exposure to alcohol. The items were factor analyzed and indices constructed. The indices generally had acceptable alpha coefficients (alpha = .61-.91); two exceptions were peer adjustment (alpha = .51) and parental permissiveness (alpha = .42). Tolerance of deviance, deviant self-image, susceptibility to peer pressure, personal and peer approval, peer use and exposure by peers, and parental permissiveness were positively correlated with alcohol use/misuse. Self-efficacy, child-parent interactions, family adjustment, and peer adjustment were negatively correlated with alcohol use/misuse. Implications for the design of family-based alcohol use/misuse prevention programs are discussed.     

Electron-beam controlled switching using quartz and polycrystallineZnS

Results of electron-beam controlled switching experiments with switch samples of quartz crystal and polycrystalline zinc selenide (ZnSe) are presented. For switch samples of both materials, drastic reductions of the switch resistance were induced by the electron beam. The quartz sample showed very fast temporal response (less than 1 ns) with potential applicability for current control. The ZnSe samples, on the other hand, showed longer current transients (on the order of 10 ns) with exponential development of the switch resistance after the electron beam pulse     

Recent advances in high-power ignitron development

The authors describe the advances made in high-power ignitron switching capabilities in a comparison study between conventional size D and size E tubes, demountable experimental tubes, and the new NL-9000 (Richardson Electronics). The authors discuss the differences in tube design and the associated peak current and charge transfer capabilities and lifetime expectancies. The critical design criteria are the anode shape and placement in order to control the plasma and prevent prefires. Tube failure modes and recent studies on alternate ignitor schemes are presented. In addition, results of plasma diagnostics performed on a demountable ignitron with optical access to the discharge plasma are shown. Time-resolved images of the interference patterns from an optical Mach-Zehnder interferometer were recorded with a mechanical high-speed camera and evaluated with the help of image processing     

An improved PCR-based method for site directed mutagenesis using megaprimers

The antimicrobial activity of a combination of lactic acid and whey permeate fermented by a nisin-producing Lactococcus lactis strain was tested by the agar diffusion method using bacteria isolated from fish as test organisms. Lactic acid inhibited all bacterial strains studied, but nisin whey permeate inhibited Gram-positive bacteria only. The combination was more effective than lactic acid alone against Pseudomonas fluorescens and Staphylococcus hominis isolated from fish, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC9721 and Micrococcus luteus ATCC9341.     

Cognitive distortions and adolescent affective disorder. Validity of the CNCEQ in an inpatient sample. Children's Negative Cognitive Error Questionnaire

Despite a proliferation of recent research examining childhood and adolescent depression, the area still lags behind the adult depression field, particularly in the investigation of cognitive correlates of affective psychopathology. To advance cognitive research with youth, the Children's Negative Cognitive Error Questionnaire (CNCEQ) was developed to provide a measure of cognitive distortions or errors in children and adolescents. Yet, few studies have employed the CNCEQ and no evidence exists supporting the validity of its four component cognitive error scales. The purpose of the present study was to examine the construct validity of the CNCEQ and its constituent scales through the use of factor analysis and criterion-group comparisons. Groups of adolescent psychiatric inpatients, diagnosed as affective or disruptive disordered, completed the CNCEQ following admission. Results failed to support the implicit four-factor structure of the CNCEQ, instead suggesting the appropriateness of a single-factor solution labeled "negative thinking." Despite no diagnostic group differences on the CNCEQ total or other scale scores, affective disordered patients evinced more cognitive errors on the Overgeneralizing scale. Findings suggest that the CNCEQ in its current stage of development holds promise, yet requires refinement to produce a valid measure of cognitive functioning in youth.     

Deformation and Fracture of Micron‐Sized Metal‐Coated Polymer Spheres: An In Situ Study

In situ imaging and analysis of the mechanical behavior of micron‐sized metal‐coated polymer particles under compression is reported. A nanoindentation set‐up mounted in a scanning electron microscope is used to observe the deformation and fracture of 10 μm polymer spheres with Ni, Ni/Au, Au, and Ag coatings. The spheres fracture in one of two metallization‐dependent modes, brittle, and ductile, depending only on the presence of a nickel layer. The metal coating always fractures parallel to the direction of compression. The mechanical properties up to the point of coating fracture are rate‐dependent due to the viscoelastic polymer core. Metal‐coated polymer spheres are an important composite material in electronics packaging, and this study demonstrates a novel method of evaluating the mechanical properties of particles to tailor them for electronic materials.