cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural Disturbances in Chickens Caused by Dietary T-2 Toxin

Graded concentrations of dietary T-2 toxin (0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 mug/g) were fed to groups of 40 chickens. T-2 toxin was found to cause an abnormal positioning of the wings, hysteroid seizures, and impaired righting reflex in young chickens. The abnormal wing positioning occurred spontaneously or as the result of dropping from a height of 1 meter. The seizures could be elicited by rough handling or loud noises. The seizures and the abnormal wing posture would not occur again when the stimulus was repeated unless a rest period of 3 to 6 h was allowed. The loss of righting reflex could be demonstrated at any time. The total incidence of neural symptoms was dependent on the length of exposure to T-2 toxin and to its concentration. Neural toxicity occurred at dosages of 4, 8, and 16 mug per g of diet, which are the same doses that retard growth. This neural toxicity of T-2 toxin in chickens is similar to the neural disturbances associated with alimentary toxic aleukia, a nutritional toxicosis of humans produced by eating moldy grain. T-2 toxin has been implicated also in moldy corn toxicosis which has neural manifestations in horses and swine.
The product of the virB4 gene of Agrobacterium tumefaciens promotes accumulation of VirB3 protein.

Abstract The process of T-DNA transfer from Agrobacterium tumefaciens to plant cells is thought to involve passage of a DNA-protein complex through a specialized structure in the bacterial membrane. The virB operon of A. tumefaciens encodes 11 proteins, of which 9 are known to be located in the membranes and 10 have been shown to be essential for virulence. Sequence comparisons between proteins encoded by the virB operon and those encoded by operons from conjugative plasmids indicated that VirB proteins may form a structure similar to a conjugative pilus. Here, we examine the effects of mutations in virB4 on the accumulation and localization of other VirB proteins. VirB4 shares amino acid sequence similarity with the TraC protein of plasmid F, which is essential for pilus formation in Escherichia coli, and with the PtlC protein of Bordetella pertussis, which is required for toxin secretion. Polar and nonpolar virB4 mutants were examined, and all were shown to be unable to accumulate VirB3 protein to wild-type levels. A low level of VirB3 protein which was present in induced NT1RE cells harboring virB4 nonpolar mutant pBM1130 was found to associate with the inner membrane fraction only, whereas in wild-type cells VirB3 associated with both inner and outer membranes. The results indicate that for VirB3 to accumulate in the outer membrane, VirB4 must also be present, and it is possible that one role of VirB4 is in the correct assembly of a VirB protein membrane structure.
Computerized Education: What is Behind the Attractive Curtain?

This study is aimed to analyze the internal structure and effectiveness of computerized (web-enhanced on-campus and on-line) education that is currently spread worldwide and which appears to be irreversible. Most publications dealing with computerized education are focused on its advantages and only a few of them contain cautious and reasonable skepticism based on the fact that the computerized technology usage (and the Internet as its delivery system) does not guarantee a better educational process. In contrast with a traditional style, which is based on Instructor-Student communication, the computerized approach involves at least one more party, the technical support staff, operating within either Intranet or Internet environment. This component could be involved into the educational process either in succession or in parallel providing opposite outcomes to the educational effectiveness. The formal algorithm describing the computerized educational process is developed on the basis of a combination of the AND and OR logical operators applied to the set of communication topologies. This algorithm allows comparing qualitatively and quantitatively different scenarios of learning as well as estimating the relative contribution of each local component into the entire process.
Synthetic review spamming and defense

Online reviews are widely adopted in many websites such as Amazon, Yelp, and TripAdvisor. Positive reviews can bring significant financial gains, while negative ones often cause sales loss. This fact, unfortunately, results in strong incentives for opinion spam to mislead readers. Instead of hiring humans to write deceptive reviews, in this work, we bring into attention an automated, low-cost process for generating fake reviews, variations of which could be easily employed by evil attackers in reality. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to expose the potential risk of machine-generated deceptive reviews. Our simple review synthesis model uses one truthful review as a template, and replaces its sentences with those from other reviews in a repository. The fake reviews generated by this mechanism are extremely hard to detect: Both the state-of-the-art machine detectors and human readers have an error rate of 35%-48%. A novel defense method that leverages the difference of semantic flows between fake and truthful reviews is developed, reducing the detection error rate to approximately 22%. Nevertheless, it is still a challenging research task to further decrease the error rate.
Optimal Mutation and Crossover Rates for a Genetic Algorithm Operating in a Dynamic Environment

We attempt to find mutation / crossover rate pairs that facilitate the performance of a genetic algorithm (GA) on a simple dynamic fitness function. This research results in two products. The first is a dynamic fitness function that is founded in previous analysis done on both static and dynamic landscapes, and that avoids problematic issues with previously proposed dynamic landscapes for GAs. The second is a general relationship between the crossover and mutation rates that are most useful for a dynamic fitness function with a specific rate of change in Hamming distance, and that could possibly provide insight into the utility of the standard GA approach for the optimization of dynamic landscapes.
Optimal worst-case dynamic average consensus

We formulate a method for designing dynamic average consensus estimators with optimal worst-case asymptotic convergence rate over a large set of undirected graphs. The estimators achieve average consensus for constant inputs and are robust to both initialization errors and changes in network topology. The structure of a general class of polynomial linear protocols is characterized and used to find global optimal parameters using polynomial matrix inequalities (PMIs). For the case of the PI estimator, these conditions are converted into convex linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) and solved efficiently.
Impact of Obesity on the Survival of Patients with Early Stage Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Tongue

BACKGROUND Although obesity increases risk and negatively affects survival for many malignancies, the prognostic implications in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral tongue, a disease often associated with prediagnosis weight loss, are unknown. METHODS Patients with T1-T2 oral tongue SCC underwent curative-intent resection in this single-institution study. All patients underwent nutritional assessment prior to surgery. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from measured height and weight and categorized as obese (≥ 30 kg/m2), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2), or normal (18.5-24.9 kg/m2). Clinical outcomes, including disease-specific survival, recurrence-free survival, and overall survival, were compared by BMI group using Cox regression. RESULTS From 2000 to 2009, 155 patients (90 men, 65 women) of median age 57 years (range, 18-86 years) were included. Baseline characteristics were similar by BMI group. Obesity was significantly associated with adverse disease-specific survival compared with normal weight in univariable (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07-6.59; P = .04) and multivariable analyses (HR = 5.01; 95% CI = 1.69-14.81; P = .004). A consistent association was seen between obesity and worse recurrence-free survival (HR = 1.87; 95% CI = 0.90-3.88) and between obesity and worse overall survival (HR = 2.03; 95% CI = 0.88-4.65) though without reaching statistical significance (P = .09 and P = .10, respectively) in multivariable analyses. CONCLUSIONS In this retrospective study, obesity was an adverse independent prognostic variable. This association may not have been previously appreciated due to confounding by multiple factors including prediagnosis weight loss. Cancer 2014;120:983–991. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Mining experimental data for dynamical invariants - from cognitive robotics to computational biology

For centuries, scientists have attempted to identify and document analytical laws that underlie physical phenomena in nature. Despite the prevalence of computing power, the process of finding natural laws and their corresponding equations has resisted automation. A key challenge to finding analytic relations automatically is defining algorithmically what makes a correlation in observed data important and insightful.
Biosecurity: Food Protection and Defense

This chapter examines the risk of intentional food contamination and provides an overview of current methods for evaluating risk and defining appropriate interventions. The microbial pathogens and toxins of most concern are listed, along with some of the potential chemical agents of concern provided for comparison; several references are available that go into significant detail on the agents of concern and illness progression and food protection more broadly. The chapter focuses specifically on biological contaminants, although a number of chemicals can also be of concern. A composite score is compiled for the food system or for the section of the food system that is under consideration. An overview of technologies currently available for use in analyzing food items for potential contamination can be found in recent articles. The overall food system risk management system that has developed over the last few decades serves as a sound and necessary foundation for approaches that will protect the food system from intentional abuse, but it is not sufficient. While similar to the continual improvement approach dictated by food safety systems to prevent unintentional microbiological contamination of food products, food system biosecurity represents an additional set of challenges. Ensuring that the biosecurity of the food system is not compromised will require that all aspects are addressed, with food microbiology being a necessary, but not the only, element.
1,4-Bis(dinitromethyl)cubane

The title compound, 1,4-bis­(di­nitro­methyl)­penta­cyclo­[4.2.0.02,5.03,8.04,7]­octane, C10H8N4O8, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c. The asymmetric unit consists of two half-mol­ecules located about centers of inversion. There are no significant differences in chemically equivalent bond lengths and angles between the two half-mol­ecules.
Ultrastructural changes during formation and germination of microcysts in Polysphondylium pallidum, a cellular slime mould.

Ultrastructural changes during encystation of Polysphondylium pallidum , a cellular slime mould, include an increase in fibrillar material in the cytoplasmic matrix, the formation of cytoplasmic microprojections at the cell periphery and the occurrence of tiny vesicles and some larger vacuoles near the cell periphery. The cyst wall appears first as a fluffy, loose network of fibrils. In the mature cyst it consists of a dense inner and a somewhat looser outer layer. It contains inclusions of apparently cytoplasmic origin. Electron-dense material lines the cell periphery beneath the plasma membrane. Excystment of the myxamoeba is accompanied by a swelling of aggregated vacuoles and polyvesicular bodies, the disappearance of the peripheral cytoplasmic lining, and a general loosening of the wall texture. For a limited period the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum appear highly dilated. The loosened wall eventually breaks and the myxamoeba emerges by extending pseudopodia through the rupture, leaving the entire cyst wall behind.
Mothers’ work and family roles, gender ideologies, distress, and parenting : consequences for juvenile delinquency

This article develops a theoretical model that links the gendered ideologies and work and family roles of mothers to juvenile delinquency. I test the model using the National Survey of Children and...
5.1: Presentation session: Welcome/administrative comments: “Welcome to BSEC2010: Biomedical research and analysis in Neuroscience (BRAiN)”

The theme of the annual conference of the Biomedical Science and Engineering Center (BSEC) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is Biomedical Research and Analysis in Neuroscience (BRAiN). The welcoming remarks will include an introduction to the topic, and overview of BSEC, and a summary of the program and expectations for the duration of the conference.
Quantitative determination of tyrosinase activity using paper discs and a recording densitometer

A paper-disc technique was used for the quantitative determination of tyrosinase activity. By measuring with a recording densitometer the color which developed 20 min after application of the enzyme in a water-saturated atmosphere in a plastic cylinder tyrosinase activity was determined.
A class of parabolic quasi-variational inequalities, II

Abstract We consider a quasi-variational inequality (q.v.i.) introduced by A. Friedman and D. Kinderlehrer. A q.v.i. of this form gives rise, at least formally, to a Stefan problem of melting of water, where the relation − v x ( x , t ) = − a ( x , t )·( t ) + b ( x , t ) holds on the free boundary x = s ( t ), and a > 0, b ⩾ 0; the water temperature, v ( x , t ), is not necessarily nonnegative. In the standard Stefan problem a ≡ 1, b ≡ 0, and v ⩾ 0. Friedman and Kinderlehrer proved the existence of a solution of the q.v.i. by a fixed point theorem for monotone mappings. Here we prove the existence of a solution by an entirely different method, based on finite difference approximations. The solution is shown to be smoother than that constructed by Friedman and Kinderlehrer.
Africa's Overgrown State Reconsidered: Bureaucracy and Economic Growth

How close is the link between outsized states and economic stagnation in Africa? This article shows that African public bureaucracies are not as large as often portrayed, that they have been getting smaller, and that reducing their size alone has not been a prescription for economic revival. To the contrary, the countries with higher levels of public employment, such as Botswana and Mauritius, are apt to have the better economic records. These findings suggest that a superabundance of public personnel is not in itself?, major impediment to growth in Africa. Too much attention has been paid to quantitative or “first-generation” bureaucratic problems, and too little attention has been given the “second-generation” issues of bureaucratic quality.
Skin cancer prevention coverage in popular US women's health and fitness magazines: an analysis of advertisements and articles.

The desire to be tan is a phenomenon that public health researchers have investigated, as exposure to UV radiation increases the chances of developing skin cancer. Media messages in women’s magazines have been shown to contribute to this problem. Much less is known about the prevalence of skin cancer prevention messages in these magazines. This study's aim was to identify the number and type of articles and advertised products devoted to skin health (sun protection and skin cancer prevention in particular) within five popular U.S. greater than women’s health and fitness magazines. We analyzed articles and advertisements over seven months of issues of the following popular women’s health and fitness magazines: Fitness, Health, Self, Shape, and Women's Health , March 2013 through September 2013. Overall, 31 issues of the five magazines with a total of 780 articles and 1,986 advertisements were analyzed. Of the 780 articles, a mere 2.9% (n=23) were devoted to skin. Of the 258 skin product advertisements, less than 20% of the products contained sun protection factor (SPF). These findings suggest that women’s health and fitness magazines can improve their efforts in informing women of skin cancer risks and preventive measures to minimize these risks. The role of these magazines in building health literacy among their readers is also discussed.
Induced sterility in Aedes (Stegomyia) polynesiensis marks by cross-insemination with Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus Skuse.

Males of Aedes ( S. ) Albopictus Skuse mate readily with females of A. ( S. ) Polynesiensis Marks. They are strong competitors of A. polynesiensis males for these females. When this cross-insemination took place during the first 2 days of the life of the females, exposure during the following 5 days to young, active male A. polynesiensis did not result in the production of viable eggs by these females. A. albopictus sperm were present in the spermathecae, which apparently blocked reinsemination by A. polynesiensis males. The fecundity of cross-inseminated A. polynesiensis females was somewhat reduced, and none of the eggs hatched. No embryonation of these eggs was observed. No insemination of A. albopictus females by A. polynesiensis males occurred. A cage colony of A. polvnesiensis was cradicated by the addition of A. albopictus males, at a ratio of 10 A. albopictus males to 1 A. polynesiensis male. It is suggested that release of male A. albopictus might be a means of controlling A. polynesiensis under certain field conditions.
The zapatista opening: the movement for indigenous autonomy and state discourses on indigenous rights in mexico, 1970 −1996

This article examines indigenous autonomy movements that emerged in the wake of the Zapatista rebellion in Chiapas, Mexico. A historical analysis explores how these movements emerged and have interacted with government attempts to formulate national indigenous policy, counter-agrarian reform policy and to define Mexico as a �multi-cultural� nation. The competing, yet interacting discourses of the government and movements for indigenious autonomy in Chiapas and elsewhere have redefined the meaning of nationalism in Mexico. The process of building an alternative vision of ethnicity and nationalism involves both challenges to and incorporation of historically hegemonic structures and categories
Control of spatial patterning and cell-type proportioning inDictyostelium

The spatial patterning of prestalk and prespore cells in the slug arises from the differential sorting of newly differentiated cell types as the mound forms. This pattern is highly organized along an anterior-posterior axis and is constant irrespective of the size of the organism. Cell-type differentiation is plastic until late in development. A change in the ratio of cell types resulting from removal of part of the slug leads to a rapid restoration of the original ratio of the cell types through a pathway involving dedifferentiation, redifferentiation, and sorting of the existing cells. This review provides insight into various molecules, morphogens, and pathways regulating spatial patterning and cell-type proportioning.
The morphology of Phaeocolax kajimurai (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta), a host specific epiphyte on Lobophora variegata (Phaeophyta)

Phaeocolax kajimurai Hollenberg (Rhodophyta) displays morphologically distinct endophytic and exposed axes. After germination an endophytic prostrate base develops beneath the outer cortical cell l...
The Structure of Translation-Invariant Spaces on Locally Compact Abelian Groups

Let \(\Gamma \) be a closed co-compact subgroup of a second countable locally compact abelian (LCA) group \(G\). In this paper we study translation-invariant (TI) subspaces of \(L^2(G)\) by elements of \(\Gamma \). We characterize such spaces in terms of range functions extending the results from the Euclidean and LCA setting. The main innovation of this paper, which contrasts with earlier works, is that we do not require that \(\Gamma \) be discrete. As a consequence, our characterization of TI-spaces is new even in the classical setting of \(G=\mathbb {R}^n\). We also extend the notion of the spectral function in \(\mathbb {R}^n\) to the LCA setting. It is shown that spectral functions, initially defined in terms of \(\Gamma \), do not depend on \(\Gamma \). Several properties equivalent to the definition of spectral functions are given. In particular, we show that the spectral function scales nicely under the action of epimorphisms of \(G\) with compact kernel. Finally, we show that for a large class of LCA groups, the spectral function is given as a pointwise limit.
Myosin phosphatase target subunit: Many roles in cell function

Phosphorylation of myosin II is important in many aspects of cell function and involves a myosin kinase, e.g. myosin light chain kinase, and a myosin phosphatase (MP). MP is regulated by the myosin phosphatase target subunit (MYPT1). The domain structure, properties, and genetic analyses of MYPT1 and its isoforms are outlined. MYPT1 binds the catalytic subunit of type 1 phosphatase, δ isoform, and also acts as an interactive platform for many other proteins. A key reaction for MP is with phosphorylated myosin II and the first process shown to be regulated by MP was contractile activity of smooth muscle. In cell division and cell migration myosin II phosphorylation also plays a critical role and these are discussed. However, based on the wide range of partners for MYPT1 it is likely that MP is implicated with substrates other than myosin II. Open questions are whether the diverse functions of MP reflect different cellular locations and/or specific roles for the MYPT1 isoforms.
First wall environment in the reference theta-pinch reactor (RTPR)

Abstract A review of the RTPR first-wall environment is given, with emphasis on the physical processes which determine the first wall insult. Recent results of calculations of the transient phenomena which occur when a neutral gas blanket is set up for first wall protection are given. New first-wall designs are described, and their responses to the first wall fluxes are discussed.
Daily caffeine use and the sleep of college students

The relationships between daily caffeine consumption and both habitual sleep duration and sleep satisfaction were assessed using the responses of 170 students. Essentially, our data replicated an earlier study, in that we found an inverse relationship between level of daily consumption of caffeinated drinks and habitual sleep duration and a nonsignificant relationship between caffeine use and sleep satisfaction.
Current clinical protocols for cervical spine clearance in level I trauma centers in the United States

RESULTS: The response rate was 83%. 66% of participants had an official C-spine clearance protocol. American College of Surgeons’ accredited centers had a higher rate of protocols (75%) when compared non-accredited centers (54%). The majority of the centers had 24-hour access to CT (93%) and MRI (87.5%). The majority of the centers (89%) use NEXUS (National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study) criteria with/without painless range of motion to clear asymptomatic patients. A CT scan was the most commonly (52%) utilized first line of imaging. In symptomatic patients with a negative CT scan flexion-extension plain radiographs (51%) and MRI (13%) were the most common next steps of imaging. In obtunded patients, CT scans followed by MRI was the most common method (34%) to clear C-spine, but 6% of the centers were still using dynamic flexion-extension views that are now contraindicated.
Microfluidic systems with on-line UV detection fabricated in photodefinable epoxy

This paper describes a method for fabricating microfluidic devices in a photodefinable epoxy (SU-8). This technique is compatible with, and complementary to, conventional fabrication techniques. It allows microstructures formed in SU-8 to be bonded to produce sealed microfluidic channels. A micromixer fabricated entirely in SU-8, using this technique, for performing liquid-phase reactions is shown to be suitable for visible spectroscopy. This fabrication method also allows the incorporation of materials that are often difficult to integrate. By fabricating hybrid devices that incorporate quartz windows, we demonstrate that these devices are compatible with organic solvents and that in situ ultraviolet detection in a microfluidic system is possible.
An analysis of the surface generation mechanics of the elliptical vibration texturing process

Abstract The elliptical vibration texturing process is a vibration assisted machining method for the fast generation of micro structured surfaces. It adds a higher order motion component to the cutting tool that leads to periodic changes in the cutting depth during the machining process. This results in the creation of micro-dimples on the machined surface, whose shape is a function of the tool geometry and trajectory. This paper studies the surface generation mechanics of the elliptical vibration texturing process through experimentation and modeling. A surface generation algorithm is presented for this newly developed process. The model fully describes the motion and the 3D geometry of the cutting tool including its rake face, flank face, and the cutting edge, since all these tool features influence the topography of the generated surface. Since the process takes place in the micro/meso-scale cutting regime, the model includes the minimum chip thickness and elastic recovery effects. The experimental results are shown to validate the simulation model. The simulation model is used to characterize the influences of the process parameters on the texture patterns. The effects of the tool geometry on the process, including the cutting edge radius, are also analyzed.
Development of research nutrient data bases: An example using foods consumed in rural Kenya

Abstract A nutrient data base was developed for Embu District, Kenya, to be used in a longitudinal study of household and individual food intake. Nutrient values were included for energy, protein, animal protein, fat, carbohydrate, and iron. Data were obtained from the literature supplemented with a few chemical analyses of local foods. When new or published analytic values were unavailable, values were imputed for a food item; there are no missing nutrient values on the final data base. The process of compiling these data for a developing country without an existing national nutrient data base is described. Comparisons of mean calculated nutrient values with analyzed values for 11 mixed dishes showed agreement within 10% for most nutrients. Using ingredient data collected from 247 households over a 2-year period, the variation in the calculated nutrient content of 12 frequently prepared mixed-dish categories was examined. The coefficient of variation for energy content, reflecting different proportions of recipe ingredients, ranged from 31 to 111 % within households, and 7 to 100% between households. Use of standard mixed-dish nutrient values as a substitute for ingredient measurement involves a potentially large error in estimation of energy intake. The Embu nutrient data bases for frequently consumed foods and mixed dishes are included as appendices.
Inhibition of transcription by platinum antitumor compounds

Cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin are three FDA-approved members of the platinum anticancer drug family. These compounds induce apoptosis in tumor cells by binding to nuclear DNA, forming a variety of structural adducts and triggering cellular responses, one of which is the inhibition of transcription. In this report we present (i) a detailed review of the structural investigations of various Pt–DNA adducts and the effects of these lesions on global DNA geometry; (ii) research detailing inhibition of cellular transcription by Pt–DNA adducts; and (iii) a mechanistic analysis of how DNA structural distortions induced by platinum damage may inhibit RNA synthesis in vivo. A thorough understanding of the molecular mechanism of action of platinum antitumor agents will aid in the development of new compounds in the family.
Atopic dermatitis: Current concepts support old therapies and spur new ones

With diligent care, most patients with atopic dermatitis markedly improve within a very short period. Avoidance of exacerbating factors and use of a mild topical corticosteroid preparation generally bring relief in all but the most extreme cases. Most of the newer, more intrusive therapies remain too expensive, too toxic, or too burdensome to warrant general support. Resistant cases often relate more to failure to pay appropriate attention to simple details (eg, avoidance of excessive contact with water and irritants) than to lack of sufficient potency in the medications chosen. Practitioners serve their patients best by taking adequate time to educate them and their families on the fundamental aspects of the disease, the importance of using common sense in caring for themselves and thus avoiding problems, and the need to relinquish the hope for a miracle cure, since none exists.
Boundary conditions for differential approximations

Abstract Low order spherical harmonic (P-N) approximations are applied to a radiative transfer Marshak wave problem. A modified Milne boundary condition is developed for the P-2 approximation, similar to one suggested earlier for the P-1 approximation. Comparison with exact Monte Carlo results suggests that this modified P-2 method may be an accurate and generally applicable differential approximation to the equation of transfer. The Monte Carlo results presented should be useful for testing other approximate formulations of radiative transfer and validating time dependent numerical solution methods for the equation of transfer.
An Experimental Model for Chronic Lymphedema

Although a multitude of operations exist for the treatment of lymphedema, none is highly successful. An experimental model that reliably and easily produces chronic lymphedema in an extremity would be useful to study treatments in a controlled and comparative manner and would enhance our understanding of the physiology and treatment of lymphedema. Many models that simulate clinical lymphedema have been described, but they suffer from cumbersome protocols, high laboratory costs, and an inconsistent yield of permanent lymphedema. We describe an experimental model for chronic lymphedema in the lower extremity of the rat that creates a lymphatic block in the groin induced by radiation treatment and one operation--surgical division of the superficial and deep lymphatics. All animals develop stable chronic lymphedema of the lower extremity within days of operation, with swelling that persists for at least 9 months. A mortality rate of 8 percent was associated with this technique. Methods for quantification of limb swelling are described, as is analysis of the lymphatic block by lymphoscintigraphic imaging of lymph channels and nodes. This model has the advantages of simplicity of technique, cost-effective use of rodent subjects, reproducibility of lymphedema, and quantification of results.
SELECTIVE MODIFICATION OF LARYNGEAL NEUROMUSCULAR FUNCTION

The purpose of this article is to review our current approach to selective modification of laryngeal neuromuscular function. Dissection of the distal branches of the recurrent laryngeal nerve allows for selective modification of laryngeal adductory and abductory function. The surgical techniques for identification of recurrent laryngeal nerve branches to the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle, the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle, and the vocalis muscle are described. Reinnervation is achieved while using motor branches of the ansa hypoglossi nerve or the superior laryngeal nerve. The techniques described are useful for the treatment of spasmodic dysphonia and laryngeal paralysis.
Why Should Educators Blog

Michelle Everson of the University of Minnesota shares the hurdles she finally cleared before becoming a blogger, and why blogging has been an immense help to her own teaching.
OpenMP and MPI application energy measurement variation

Power, energy, and compute time are all important metrics that can act as either objectives or constraints in program or system optimization. Recent microprocessors include sensors (counters) for monitoring these metrics as well as on-chip system controllers that may use this information. Code optimization is relatively straightforward if the measurements are stable and repeatable over time on nominally identical hardware, if there is a lot of variance it becomes very difficult. This paper describes experiments that expose the variability of performance and energy usage on recent Intel processors for some parallel benchmarks using shared memory (OpenMP) and message passing (MPI) programming models. During the start up phase going from a quiescent to a "hot" steady state temperature differences of greater than 26°C were seen resulting in run-to-run energy differences as large as 10%. Even in steady state, run-to-run variability in execution time and energy usage were problematic. The patterns of variability found in execution time and energy consumption pose a challenge to simple strategies for running performance experiments as part of a tuning framework.
Theory of optical edge detection and imaging of thick layers

The optical microscope measurement of small objects, 0.5 to 10 μm in diameter, is complicated by the apparent change in the dimension of the object with a change in the spatial coherence of the illumination. Coherent edge-detection methods have been developed for the measurement of line objects on integrated-circuit photo masks and wafers. A generalization is presented of the coherent threshold equation that permits the extension to any state of partial coherence of the illumination as well as extension to the measurement of nonplanar objects. In the latter case, a waveguide model is developed for imaging of lines patterned in thick layers and is compared with experimental data.
Changes in plasma triglyceride fatty acids during lactation.

Abstract Total blood plasma lipid and plasma triglyceride fatty acids were analyzed at an average of 33, 89, and 139 days of lactation (ranges 20 to 57, 52 to 129, and 122 to 157 days for periods I, II, and III) for 35 Holstein cows in their second or later lactation. Average milk production in the test periods was 35.7, 30.3, and 25.5 kg/day. Lipid analysis was part of a study comparing methionine hydroxy analog or sulfur for lactating cows with effects of treatment and time separated statistically. Cows fed methionine analog had a lower percent palmitate in the triglyceride fatty acid, but there was no other treatment effect. There were significant changes with time in percent total lipid and triglyceride fatty acid. Total lipid averaged 424, 526, and 529 mg/dl. Average percents of measured triglyceride fatty acid and differences with stage of lactation were: myristic, 2.96; palmitic, 27.52, I>II or III; palmitoleic, 2.83, I>II or III; stearic, 38.58, I II or III; and linoleic, 4.59.
Neural processing of vocalizations and artificial stimulin the medial geniculate body of squirrel monkey

The responses of 256 single neurons in the medial geniculate body of awake squirrel monkeys have been examined with a variety of acoustic stimuli. Both traditional artificial sounds and tape-recorded tokens of species-specific vocalizations were employed, and one goal of the study was the comparison along a number of response parameters of these two classes. Unit responses to the first group (clicks, tone bursts and noise bursts) revealed a level of responsivity approaching 100% in the principal nucleus. Responses to tone and noise were sustained in about half the cells, and characteristic frequencies could be identified in 81%. Responses to vocal stimuli were also very prevalent, approaching 100% in this sample. A comparison of absolute thresholds, response vigor, rate-level functions, binaural interactions, and spectral composition of effective stimuli confirmed that MGB cells process vocal stimuli and artificial stimuli in similar ways. Selectivity of MGB cells to vocal stimuli was quite low, suggesting that processing of communication sounds in MGB is relatively simple and preliminary when compared to auditory cortex.
‘Locked-on’ and ‘locked-off’ signal transduction mutations in the periplasmic domain of the Escherichia coli NarQ and NarX sensors affect nitrate- and nitrite-dependent regulation by NarL and NarP

The Escherichia coli NarX, NarQ, NarL and NarP proteins comprise a two-component regulatory system that controls the expression of many anaerobic electron-transport and fermentation-related genes in response to nitrate and nitrite. Either of the two sensor-transmitter proteins, NarX and NarQ, can activate the response-regulator proteins, NarL and NarP, which in turn are able to bind at their respective DNA regulatory sites to modulate gene expression. NarX contains a conserved 17 amino acid sequence, designated the 'P-box' element, that is essential for nitrate sensing. In this study we characterize narQ mutants that also confer altered nitrate control of NarL-dependent nitrate reductase (narGHJI) and fumarate reductase (frdABCD) gene expression. While some narQ mutations cause the constitutive activation or repression of reporter-gene expression even when the cells are grown in the absence of the nitrate signal (i.e. a 'locked-on' phenotype), other mutations abolish nitrate-dependent control (i.e. a 'locked-off' phenotype). Interestingly the narQ (A42-->T) and narQ (R50-->Q) mutations along with the analogous narX18 (A46-->T) and narX902 (R54-->E) mutations also confer a 'locked-on' or a 'locked-off' phenotype in response to nitrite, the second environmental signal detected by NarQ and NarX. Furthermore, these narQ and narX mutations also affect NarP-dependent gene regulation of nitrite reductase (nrfABCDEFG) and aeg-46.5 gene expression in response to nitrite. We therefore propose that the NarQ sensor-transmitter protein also detects nitrate and nitrite in the periplasmic space via its periplasmic domain. A signal transduction model, which we previously proposed for NarX, is now extended to NarQ, in which a nitrate- or nitrite-detection event in the periplasmic region of the cell is followed by a signal transduction event through the inner membrane to the cytoplasmic domain of NarQ and NarX proteins to modulate their protein kinase/phosphatase activities.
The catalytic decomposition of petroleum into natural gas

Abstract Petroleum is believed to be unstable in the earth, decomposing to lighter hydrocarbons at temperatures > 150°C. Oil and gas deposits support this view: gas/oil ratios and methane concentrations tend to increase with depth above 150°C. Although oil cracking is suggested and receives wide support, laboratory pyrolysis does not give products resembling natural gas. Moreover, it is doubtful that the light hydrocarbons in wet gas (C 2 C 4 ) could decompose over geologic time to dry gas (> 95% methane) without catalytic assistance. We now report the catalytic decomposition of crude oil to a gas indistinguishable from natural gas. Like natural gas in deep basins, it becomes progressively enriched in methane: initially 80% (wet gas) to a final composition of 100% methane (dry gas). To our knowledge, the reaction is unprecedented and unexpectedly robust (conversion of oil to gas is 100% in days, 175°C) with significant implications regarding the stability of petroleum in sedimentary basins. The existence or nonexistence of oil in the deep subsurface may not depend on the thermal stability of hydrocarbons as currently thought. The critical factor could be the presence of transition metal catalysts which destabilize hydrocarbons and promote their decomposition to natural gas.
Flexible ureteroscopy in children with von Willebrand disease.

Abstract Background and Purpose: Treatment options for urolithiasis include shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), percutaneous nephrostolithotomy (PCNL), and ureteroscopy. While these treatment options are becoming the standard of care in the pediatric population, children with a bleeding dyscrasia must be approached differently. We report our flexible ureteroscopic experience in children with von Willebrand disease (vWd). Patients and Methods: A review of a prospectively maintained database of stone patients was performed. Children with a bleeding diathesis were identified. Stone burden, operative access, intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, stone-free status, and perioperative medical management were evaluated. Results: During a 7-year period, a total of five children with a bleeding disorder underwent 7 ureteroscopic and 10 cystoscopic procedures for urinary calculi. The mean patient age was 72.4 months (range 49–123 mos) at the time of the procedure. There were three boys and two girls. M...
Analytical equation of state for molecular fluids: Comparison with experimental data.

An analytical equation of state for real molecular fluids is presented, based on an extension of a previously presented perturbation theory for hard convex bodies [Song and Mason, preceding paper, Phys. Rev. A 42, xxxx (1990)]. It is a fifth-order polynomial in the density and seems to be valid over the range from the dilute gas to the metastable liquid, both below and above the critical temperature. The temperature-dependent parameters of the equation can be calculated if the intermolecular pair potential is known. However, knowledge of just the second virial coefficient plus some liquid densities is sufficient to predict reasonably accurate parameters and hence the whole p-v-T surface. Three scaling constants characterize the equation: an interaction energy, an interaction distance, and a dimensionless nonsphericity or inner hard-core parameter. The equation is tested with experimental p-v-T data for eight selected systems: ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$, ${\mathrm{CO}}_{2}$, ${\mathrm{C}}_{2}$${\mathrm{H}}_{6}$, ${\mathrm{C}}_{3}$${\mathrm{H}}_{8}$, ${\mathrm{CF}}_{4}$, ${\mathrm{SF}}_{6}$, ${\mathrm{NH}}_{3}$, and ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O. Agreement is quite remarkable.
Adaptive volume penalization for ocean modeling

The development of various volume penalization techniques for use in modeling topographical features in the ocean is the focus of this paper. Due to the complicated geometry inherent in ocean boundaries, the stair-step representation used in the majority of current global ocean circulation models causes accuracy and numerical stability problems. Brinkman penalization is the basis for the methods developed here and is a numerical technique used to enforce no-slip boundary conditions through the addition of a term to the governing equations. The second aspect to this proposed approach is that all governing equations are solved on a nonuniform, adaptive grid through the use of the adaptive wavelet collocation method. This method solves the governing equations on temporally and spatially varying meshes, which allows higher effective resolution to be obtained with less computational cost. When penalization methods are coupled with the adaptive wavelet collocation method, the flow near the boundary can be well-resolved. It is especially useful for simulations of boundary currents and tsunamis, where flow near the boundary is important. This paper will give a thorough analysis of these methods applied to the shallow water equations, as well as some preliminary work applying these methods to volume penalization for bathymetry representation for use in either the nonhydrostatic or hydrostatic primitive equations.
Land Tenure and the Self-Improvement of Two Latin American Informal Settlements in Puerto Rico and Venezuela

Informal settlements are built by impoverished people on invaded unpermitted land, not only to save on the cost of housing, but also on the initial cost of infrastructure. In most developing countries, the cost of formal housing is high. It is almost impossible for people in a low-income group to own their own dwellings. Informal settlements are the only housing possibility for most of the urban poor. Land tenure has been considered an important, if not necessary, element for the legal installation of services and for the self-improvement of dwellings. When householders possess legal land tenure, they have a strong motivation to improve their dwellings and build structures with more permanent materials. However, even without land tenure, self-improvement still does take place in many settlements. This paper analyses housing self-improvement in two informal settlements: La Dolorita in Caracas, Venezuela, and La Perla in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Most of the people in those settlements do not have legal land tenure. However, even without any formal documentation (such as permits), there is perceived land tenure. This perception fuels a stronger sense of connection to the land than any documentation has the power to create. Surveys have been undertaken and comparisons have been made between the improvement process of dwellings with and without land tenure, which demonstrate that the level of improvement in the dwellings is not necessarily related to the land tenure status.
Quantum kinetic study of the electron-LO-phonon interaction in a semiconductor

We present a full quantum-mechanical study of the early time kinetics of a coupled electron-LO-phonon system in a semiconductor quantum wire. Schroedinger`s equation is directly solved to obtain the many-body wave function for a conduction electron interacting with the complete spectrum of phonon modes. This approach has the advantage of treating the electron and the phonons as well as their correlation on equal footing and as interdependent entities. We show that the electron and phonon observables illustrate the non-Markovian nature of the early time kinetics, namely, a retarded loss of the electron`s momentum and an initial overshoot in its kinetic energy. These effects are shown to stem from the buildup of correlation between the electron and the phonons and are mediated by virtual transitions. It is shown further that the continuous nature of the electron-phonon interaction has important consequences in both the electron`s relaxation and transport behavior, e.g., the suppression of scattering in strong longitudinal electric fields. The quantum kinetic results are compared to those obtained from a traditional semiclassical treatment. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Using solution equilibria to determine average molecular weight of the Suwannee River fulvic acids

Abstract A systematic treatment of chemical equilibria is used to determine the average molecular weight (AMW) of the Suwannee River fulvic acids directly from aqueous solutions. In addition to molecular weight determination, parameters such as equilibrium constant and reaction stoichiometry can be calculated; in this approach, it is not necessary to measure the initial mass of unknown analytes. The key experimental and theoretical considerations for systematic treatment of equilibrium and determination of unknown parameters are addressed. Results from the equilibrium considerations yield an AMW of 551±10 Da for the Suwannee River fulvic acid sample analyzed in this study. In addition to the Suwannee River fulvic acid sample, experimental data for selected monoprotic and polyprotic acids are presented and discussed.
Active interlock for the NSLS-II damping wiggler

Abstract The NSLS-II is a 3rd generation light source with ultra-low beam emittance that is currently under construction at the Brookhaven National Laboratory. Because the power of the synchrotron radiation from the damping wiggler (DW) is about 64 kW, a slight mis-steer can result in severe damage to the vacuum chamber. To avoid such problems, an active interlock system is being considered. The system dumps the beam when it departs from the predefined safe window in the phase space. In this paper, we present simple geometric arguments from which we define the safe window on the basis of betatron amplitudes. This window can be applied to any DW around the ring. For the entrance of the wiggler, we obtained window of Δ x =±8.4 mm, Δ x ′=±429 μrad and Δ y =±2.1 mm, Δ y ′=±449 μrad.