cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does increased free flap size in the head and neck region impact clinical outcome

Purpose There are few studies analyzing the long-term clinical effects related to increasing the size of head and neck free tissue reconstructions. The purpose of this study was to compare long-term clinical outcomes of patients undergoing very large area (≥200 cm 2 ) and large area (100 to 199 cm 2 ) free tissue reconstructions of head and neck defects. Patients and Methods Institutional review board approval was obtained before conducting this retrospective cohort study at the authors' university-based tertiary care hospitals. The authors analyzed the charts of consecutive patients with free flaps of at least 100 cm 2 treated from July 2000 to December 2011. Very large area flaps were arbitrarily defined as larger than 200 cm 2 . Intraoperative variables, flap success rates, overall survival, and total hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stays for the 2 groups were analyzed. Fisher exact tests or χ 2 tests were used for categorical variables and Student t tests were used for continuous variables. Log-rank tests were conducted to investigate whether overall survival was significantly different between the 2 groups. Statistical significance was defined as a P value less than .05. Results The charts of 121 consecutive patients were analyzed. Thirty-eight patients (31%) had very large area flaps (277.1 ± 79.4 cm 2 ; range, 200 to 576 cm 2 ) and 83 patients (69%) had large area flaps (140.1 ± 25.5 cm 2 ). There was no difference between flap groups in presenting T4 stage disease ( P = .448). Ninety-eight percent of the very large area flaps and 93% of the large area flaps survived. Total hospital stays for the very large area and large area flap groups were 12.8 ± 8.2 and 12.3 ± 8.3 days, respectively ( P = not significant). In contrast, ICU stays were increased for the very large area flap group at 7.1 ± 7.5 versus 4.0 ± 4.0 days for the large area flap group ( P = .022). The overall median patient survival for the very large area flap group was 7.6 months (95% confidence interval, 5.7-10.0) and that for the large area flap group was 8.4 months (95% confidence interval, 5.4-12.9; P = .376). Conclusion Performing very large area flaps for head and neck reconstruction did not negatively affect clinical outcome. Comparable success rates, total hospital stays, and overall survival can be safely achieved in this difficult patient population. More studies need to be conducted on resource usage.
The Polarization of General X-Radiation from Thick Targets

The method applied in this experiment is that of 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} scattering combined with the balanced filter method. Bands of the x-ray spectrum between the $K$-absorption limits of molybdenum and columbium, of palladium and rhodium and of tungsten and tantalum, from targets of tungsten, copper and aluminum have been tested for polarization, using potentials from about 20 kilovolts to 100 kilovolts. Besides the confirmation of the previous experimental ${\mathrm{results}}^{1}$ about the relation between polarization and voltage and the relation between polarization and wave-length, two other points have been demonstrated more quantitatively. First, while the maximum experimental value of polarization was not over 60 percent, the polarization at the quantum voltage of the band by extrapolation is nearly complete for all targets and all wave-length bands. Second, the polarization of x-rays of a given wave-length from targets of lower atomic number is higher than that from targets of higher atomic number, except near the quantum voltage where they approach 100 percent.
Simulation of Separated Flow inside A Low-Pressure Turbine Cascade

The present study investigates the three-dimensional flow separation that occurs inside an LPT (Low-Pressure Turbine) cascade at low Reynolds numbers. A multi-block, periodic, structured grid generated by the grid generation software, GRIDPRO, is used to represent the flow domain. A MPI-based higher-order accurate, parallel, chimera version of the FDL3DI flow solver, developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, is used to analyze the flow through a linear turbine cascade. A sixth-order accurate compact-difference scheme is employed for the spatial discretization, and up to tenth-order filtering has been applied to minimize the numerical oscillations and maintain numerical stability. Simulations have been performed for Reynolds numbers (based on inlet velocity and axial chord) 10,000 and 25,000. The effect of these low Reynolds numbers on the flow physics for a LPT cascade has been studied in detail. A recirculation zone was observed to extend till the trailing edge, with the separation bubble decreasing in size with increasing Reynolds number. In addition, a study was also carried out to understand the effect of two different sets of inflow/outflow boundary conditions on the flow solution.
Incremental Load in a Data Warehousing Environment

Incremental load is an important factor for successful data warehousing. Lack of standardized incremental refresh methodologies can lead to poor analytical results, which can be unacceptable to an organization's analytical community. Successful data warehouse implementation depends on consistent metadata as well as incremental data load techniques. If consistent load timestamps are maintained and efficient transformation algorithms are used, it is possible to refresh databases with complete accuracy and with little or no manual checking. This paper proposes an Extract-Transform-Load ETL metadata model that archives load observation timestamps and other useful load parameters. The author also recommends algorithms and techniques for incremental refreshes that enable table loading while ensuring data consistency, integrity, and improving load performance. In addition to significantly improving quality in incremental load techniques, these methods will save a substantial amount of data warehouse systems resources.
Hydrocarbon Rulers in UDP-N-acetylglucosamine Acyltransferases

UDP-GlcNAc acyltransferase (LpxA), the first enzyme of lipid A biosynthesis, catalyzes the transfer of an acyl chain activated on acyl carrier protein (ACP) to UDP-GlcNAc. LpxAs are very selective for the lengths of their acyl donor substrates. Escherichia coli LpxA prefers R-3-hydroxymyristoyl-ACP to R-3-hydroxydecanoyl-ACP by a factor of approximately 1000, whereas Pseudomonas aeruginosa LpxA prefers the opposite. E. coli G173M LpxA and the reciprocal P. aeruginosa M169G LpxA show reversed substrate selectivity in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating the existence of precise hydrocarbon rulers in LpxAs.
Excess volumes for tetrachloromethane + N,N-dimethylformamide, + N,N-dimethylacetamide, + p-dioxane, and + dimethylsulfoxide

Abstract Excess volumes have been determined over the entire composition range for tetrachloromethane + N,N-dimethylformamide and + N,N-dimethylacetamide at 283.15, 298.15, and 313.15 K; + p -dioxane at 288.15, 298.15, and 308.15 K; and + dimethylsulfoxide at 298.15 and 313.15 K. The negative excess volumes are correlated with the tendency to form charge-transfer complexes.
The effect of methyl phenidate on the sleep cycle in man.

The EEGs and electrooculograms of 6 Ss were recorded for six hours on four nights in the laboratory. On two nights the Ss received methyl phenidate at a 5-mg dose level, and on two other nights they received a placebo. The drug significantly delayed the onset of the first REM period. It also significantly reduced the amount of REM sleep and increased the time spent in stage-2 sleep during the six-hour period of observation. It exerted these effects without significantly affecting any of the other parameters of the sleep cycle that were studied.
Transport, Thermal, and Magnetic Properties of the Narrow-Gap Semiconductor CrSb2

Resistivity, the Hall effect, the Seebeck coefficient, thermal conductivity, heat capacity, and magnetic susceptibility data are reported for CrSb${}_{2}$ single crystals. In spite of some unusual features in electrical transport and Hall measurements below 100 K, only one phase transition is found in the temperature range from 2 to 750 K corresponding to long-range antiferromagnetic order below ${T}_{\mathrm{N}}$ $\ensuremath{\approx}$ 273 K. Many of the low-temperature properties can be explained by the thermal depopulation of carriers from the conduction band into a low-mobility band located approximately 16 meV below the conduction-band edge, as deduced from the Hall effect data. In analogy with what occurs in Ge, the low-mobility band is likely an impurity band. The Seebeck coefficient, $S$, is large and negative for temperatures from 2 to 300 K ranging from $\ensuremath{\approx}\ensuremath{-}70\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}$V/K at 300 K to $\ensuremath{-}4500\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}$V/K at 18 K. A large maximum in $|S|$ at 18 K is likely due to phonon drag, with the abrupt drop in $|S|$ below 18 K due to the thermal depopulation of the high-mobility conduction band. The large thermal conductivity between 10 and 20 K ($\ensuremath{\approx}$350 W/m K) is consistent with this interpretation, as are detailed calculations of the Seebeck coefficient made using the complete calculated electronic structure. These data are compared to data reported for FeSb${}_{2}$, which crystallizes in the same marcasite structure, and FeSi, another unusual narrow-gap semiconductor.
Green payments and the US Farm Bill: information and policy challenges

Abstract Agriculture in the United States is heavily influenced by the Farm Bill and has considerable negative impacts on ecosystem functioning. Could the Farm Bill be redesigned to fund “green” payments that would encourage producers to provide beneficial ecological services? Such a change would be a complex undertaking, involving missing or uncertain information, heterogeneous systems, and challenging political and budgetary realities. Much of the information necessary for Farm Bill redesign is available, but is not being used; however, there remain critical gaps in our understanding of how to structure science-based, producer-relevant policy. One way to fill these information gaps is to fund cooperative pilot projects, based on environmental units of interest, such as watersheds. Nevertheless, political and budgetary constraints may mean that such information is more likely to inform policy and activities outside of the Farm Bill.
An analysis of production cost inefficiency

This research empirically investigates the presence of production cost inefficiencies associated with non-optimal operating conditions. A model is developed which allows for the possibility that firms might be temporally constrained in their production decisions due to a quasi-fixed capital stock. The context of the study is the household goods motor carrier industry in the post-deregulatory period. The analysis employs a technique capable of quantifying excess per unit costs and decomposing this magnitude according to its determinants. Specifically, it identifies and measures three types of inefficiency at the firm level: short-run capital inefficiency, capital-induced variable input inefficiency, and X-inefficiency.
Organizational development in the Arab world

The Arab world has been a centre of international attention since the discovery there of oil in the early 1990s. Issues related to Arab management styles, practices and work orientations are neither known nor understood outside the region. Cross cultural negotiations and organization development activities are therefore carried out less effectively than they otherwise could be. Addresses the application of organizational development (OD) in the Arab world, specifies the peculiarity of the change process in the Arab world, and identifies certain societal qualities and their implications for OD practitioners/consultants.
Absorption of near fields generated by a two-dimensional array of dipoles above a hyperbolic metamaterial

We investigate the power emitted by a two-dimensional array of impressed dipoles above a hyperbolic metamaterial (HM). Transmission line formalism of TM/TE spectral plane waves is used to model the scattering from the HM substrate. We show that the HM enhances the amount of emitted power which is mostly absorbed by the HM.
Laterality, Emotionality, and Heartbeat Perception

Recent research on visceral perception has indicated that hemispheric specialization and emotionality may account for individual differences among subjects. The present study was designed to examine the nature of the relationship between hemispheric specialization and emotionality, and the manner in which these variables influence individual differences in visceral perception (i.e., detection of cardiac activity). Male subjects were given 20 questions used to test lateral eye movements. Following the completion of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Form X-1 (State Anxiety), cardiac awareness was assessed using the Whitehead heartbeat discrimination procedure. Subjects then completed the STAI, Form X-2 (Trait Anxiety), and the Eysenck Personality Inventory. Results indicated that good heartbeat perceivers made significantly more left lateral eye movements (i.e., right hemisphere preferent) than poor perceivers on any of the emotional indicators. It was found, however, that subjects with high scores on two of the three emotional indicators made significantly more left lateral eye movements than subjects with low scores. Additional analyses indicate that respiration rate and subject obesity may affect the ability to detect feedback of cardiovascular function.
Quantum ghost imaging experiments at ARL

ABSTRACT The rst ghost image (GI) of an opaque object by Meyers et al. 1,2 demonstrated that GI has practical applicationsand inspired a series of variations used in re ective ghost imaging research. Here we report on some recent GhostImaging experiments using Compressive Imaging (CI) and Compressive Sensing (CS) conducted at the ArmyResearch Laboratory. These experiments covered phenomena such as Compressive Turbulence-Free GhostImaging (CTFGI), and Compressive Ghost-Imaging-Inspired Imaging (CGIII). 1. INTRODUCTION Following on our work in re ection ghost imaging 1,2 we are going to report on a series of experiments performedat ARL on Compressive Turbulence Free Ghost Imaging (CTFGI) and Compressive Ghost-Imaging-Inspired(CGIII) Imaging. These experiments used a recently developed computational framework known as CompressiveSensing (CS) and alternately Compressive Imaging (CI) to produce ghost images from measured or a-priori knownillumination patterns and single pixel bucket measurements acquired from light that re ected and scatters fromthe target object. The illumination types described in the experiments below range from the "natural pseudo-thermal type light
Kinetic Studies on the Effects of Ouabain on Na + Fluxes in Frog Skin

Among 48 pieces of paired frog skins ofRana pipiens in Ringer's solution, 10 pieces showed a strictly monotone decrease in the short circuit current (SCC) following ouabain treatment (10−4 M). In 9 cases a transient attenuation, and in 27 cases a distinct wave in the ebb of the SCC, was seen. In 2 instances, two waves were seen. Associated with the not-monotone events was a transient rise in electrical skin conductance. The reasons for these mixed skin responses are unknown. One possible reason is considered here: Early during the ouabain action, some of the Na+ entering from the mucosal side is trapped in the skin by electroneutral processes, in keeping with the already known fact that ultimately cellular KCl is partly replaced by NaCl. Computer assisted model studies show how monotone, and not-monotone “transepithelial” net Na+ flux curves can be generated. Essential conditions for the generation of notmonotone Na+ flux curves are: 1. Presence of two distinct “cellular”, active Na+ pools in the model. 2. Presence of a loop pathway in which a principal “transepithelial Na+ transport compartment”, and a constitutent “Na+/K+ maintenance compartment”, are connected to each other and to the “extracellular” compartment. The model, then, predicts under which kinetic conditions monotone and not-monotone transepithelial Na+ flux curves will be seen.
⁎3518 USE OF A SHORTER WAVELENGTH AUTOFLUORESCENCE BAND IN BARRETT'S ESOPHAGUS: EFFECT OF DYSPLASIA AND INFLAMMATION.

INTRODUCTION: Most work on autofluorescence spectroscopy has been done at emission wavelengths greater than 450 nm. The use of a shorter wavelength emission band was studied in Barrett’s esophagus to observe the effects of dysplasia and inflammation. METHODS: Endoscopically obtained tissue samples were were snap frozen inliquid Nitrogen and stored at -70 Celcius. Prior to measurements, samples were thawed over ice and moistened over phosphate buffered saline at pH 7.4 (PBS). A spectrometer with a Xenon lamp and excitation and emission spectrometers (Shimatzu RF-5301 PC Columbia,MD) was used, with a specially constructed tissue holder placed in its measuring chamber. Tissue was excited below 350 nm and the maximum intensity of an emission peak below 450 nm was measured. Emission intensity in arbitrary units (y-axis) was plotted against wavelength (x-axis). The intensities of intestinal metaplasia (n= 21 ) low grade dysplasia (n= 12) and esophagitis (n= 10)were expressed as a ratio of the corresponding emission intensity of normal squamous mucosa (n= 43) in each patient. RESULTS:The ratios of mean emission intensity ± SE were: 0.63 ± 0.06 (intestinal metaplasia); 2.07 ± 0.26 (low grade dysplasia); 0.62 ± 0.03 (esophagitis). The differences between groups (by ANOVA) were significant (p ≤ 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the intensity of this emission band can differentiate between low grade dysplasia (increased intensity) and inflammation (decreased intensity) when compared to normal squamous mucosa. This emission band also allows columnar epithelium to be distinguished from squamous epithelium. Further work with a hand held portable fiberoptic spectrometer is planned.
Therapeutic options for the management of early neurotrophic keratopathy: a case report and review.

Abstract Background Neurotrophic keratopathy is caused by the loss of corneal sensation secondary to impaired trigeminal nerve function. Timely and appropriate action is required in the management of this condition to prevent serious complications such as corneal ulceration, perforation, and loss of vision. The role of immunomodulating agents such as cyclosporine as a therapeutic option and a review of several future treatment modalities are discussed. Case report A 46-year-old black woman with a noted history of recurrent herpes simplex virus–1 keratitis and secondary neurotrophic keratopathy in the left eye was examined. She reported that another physician had treated her for this condition over the last 6 months. Her treatment regimen consisted of a bandage contact lens, antibiotic solution, and artificial tears. Best-corrected visual acuities were 20/20 in the right eye and 20/25 in the left eye. Biomicroscopy evaluation found punctate keratitis in both eyes and neurotrophic keratopathy with an area of pinpoint epithelial defect in the left eye. Restasis® (0.05% cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion; Allergan, Irvine, California) bid was added to her medical regimen. Within 4 weeks of starting Restasis® therapy, the epithelial defect had resolved, and she was advised to discontinue both the bandage lens and antibiotic solution. She was ultimately discharged on a continued regimen of Restasis® twice a day and lubricating drops as needed with scheduled follow-up every 3 months. Conclusion Management of neurotrophic keratopathy requires decisive action. Early treatment intervention is important to help avoid severe complications. The use of immunomodulating agents (topical cyclosporine) in the early stage of management should be considered.
Recent Advances in Nano-conductive Adhesives

Nano-conductive adhesives have been attracting more and more interest in microelectronic packaging field due to their unique electrical and mechanical properties compared to conventional conductive adhesives. There has been extensive research on nano-conductive adhesives which contain nano-fillers such as nano-particles, nano-wires or carbon nano-tubes. This paper provides a comprehensive review of most recent advances in nano-conductive adhesives.
Results of an airborne vertical magnetic gradient demonstration, New Mexico

In April 2007, Battelle demonstrated two new airborne vertical magnetic gradiometer systems for unexploded ordnance (UXO) mapping and detection at the Former Kirtland Precision Bombing Range, New Mexico. The primary benefit of vertical gradient is that it reduces helicopter noise, improving signal-to-noise by about a factor of 5 relative to the ORAGS-Arrowhead total field system (Gamey et al., 2004). The two systems are called VG-16 and VG-22. VG-22 was designed for high-resolution detection of small ordnance under good field conditions, while VG-16 was designed with a wider swath for better production rates on wide-area assessment surveys or where conditions require slightly higher altitudes. Performance of the systems was assessed in a 500‐acre test area in which site conditions were well known from previous surveys. This area was deemed relatively quiet magnetically, and was prepared by an unaffiliated contractor which buried 88 small ordnance items at locations that were unknown to Battelle. This “bli...
Time-dependent self-consistent field approximation with explicit two-body correlations

Abstract A new quantum mechanical time propagation method is described, which is best suited for studying the dynamics of a system strongly coupled to a bath. The method makes use of the time-dependent self-consistent field (TDSCF) idea and thus scales linearly with the number of degrees of freedom, but explicitly incorporates in the wave function two-body correlations between strongly coupled modes. Test applications on a three-degree-of-freedom reaction-path-type model show the method to be extremely accurate over a variety of conditions and with very strong coupling, even in cases where the traditional TDSCF approach is completely incapable of describing the dynamics.
Assessing dairy manure pathogen indicator inactivation under anaerobic and aerobic digestions in mesophilic temperature

Fate and transport of pathogens of animal waste from farm land to ambient water is a serious issue. Controlling pathogens in ambient water requires mitigating pathogen transport from crop land, receiving animal waste as fertilizers, to surface and ground water. Treating manure prior to land application utilizing efficient pathogen treatment processes is an option. Here we have assessed the efficacies of animal waste treatment processes (anaerobic and aerobic digestions) on inactivation of dairy waste K coli, a pathogen indicator, level. Anaerobic and aerobic digestions of animal waste were carried out in mesophilic temperature (37° C) under batch mode, and K coli inactivation in digestate was assessed. Results show that about 40 days of incubation was required in anaerobic condition for K coli reduction from seven orders of magnitude to two orders of magnitude, while in aerobic condition, K coli levels were reduced from seven to one order of magnitude in 12 days of incubation. In addition, we have assessed total solid (TS) and volatile solid (VS) reductions in anaerobic and aerobic conditions. In 41 days of incubation, TS in anaerobic condition was reduced to 86% of the initial TS, while in aerobic condition it was reduced to 79% of the initial TS. After 41 days of incubation, the VS in anaerobic and aerobic conditions were 79 and 66% of the initial VS. In aerobic condition, pH was increased by 32% at the end incubation, while in anaerobic condition pH was reduced by 12% We anticipate that the study presented here will be useful while assessing the anaerobic and aerobic reactor efficiencies on the inactivation of pathogen indicators in dairy manure.
Further improvements in CGR formulation and process

In previous papers, we described initial evaluations of CGR 248 negative resist using a variety of exposure tools. During subsequent studies, the emphasis has been placed on optimizing material and process for Micrascan and Micrascan II pilot line and manufacturing operations. The formulation is based on polyhydroxystyrene (PHS), tetramethoxymethyl glycoluril, and a sulfonate ester of an N-hydroxy compound. We will discuss image stability as a function of delay time between post apply bake (PA) and expose and as a function of delay time between expose and the post expose bake (PEB). Further, data will show that immersion or puddle development provides a larger process window than spray development for features in the 0.30 to 0.35 micrometers range. The thermal stability of the imaged resist will be discussed as well as the shelf life which is at least 6 months at 23 degree(s) C. Finally, additional data is available concerning image uniformity and how print bias and etch bias contribute to the overall nested-isolated line offset for positive tone (APEX-M) and negative tone (CGR) resists. Data obtained from Micrascan II exposures with test reticles will demonstrate an acceptable process latitude for 0.30 and 0.35 micrometers features and a wafer to wafer image uniformity similar to that observed for APEX.
Uptake, translocation and metabolism of anthracene in bush bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.)

The roots of bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants growing in nutrient solution were exposed to [side ring-U-14C]anthracene (0.01 mg L−1 solution) during flowering and seed production. At harvest, 60% of the total 14C dose was in the roots, 3% in the stems, 3% in the leaves, 0.1% in the pods, 17% in the nutrient solution and 16% unaccounted for. More than 90% of the anthracene (75 mg/plant) was metabolized over the 30-d exposure period. The results suggest that most of the metabolism occurred in the plant tissues. At harvest, 8.7% of the anthracene dose was found (unmetabolized) in the roots, 1.5% in the nutrient solution, 0.53% in the stems and 0.03% in the leaves. Quantities of the parent compound were too small to detect in the pods and seeds. The remainder of the [14C]anthracene taken up by the plants was metabolized to polar metabolites (29%) and nonpolar metabolites (18%) or structurally incorporated into compounds that were not extracted (44%).
Comparing signal-based and case-based methodologies for CAD assessment in a detection task

We are investigating the potential for differences in study conclusions when assessing the estimated impact of a computer-aided detection (CAD) system on readers' performance using a signal-based performance analysis derived from Free-response Receiver Operating Characteristics (FROC) versus a case-based performance analysis derived from Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis. To consider this question, we utilized reader data from a CAD assessment study based on 100 mammographic background images to which fixed-size and fixed-intensity Gaussian signals were added, generating a low- and high-intensity set. The study thus allowed CAD assessment in two situations: when CAD sensitivity was 1) superior or 2) equivalent or lower than the average reader. Seven readers were asked to review each set using CAD in both second-reader and concurrent modes. Signal-based detection results were analyzed using the area under the FROC curve below 0.5 false positives per image. Case-based decision results were analyzed using the area under the parametric ROC curve. The results were consistent between the signal-based and case-based analyses for the low-intensity set, suggesting that CAD in both reading modes can increase reader signal-based detection and case-based decision accuracies. For the high-intensity set, the signal-based and case-based analysis suggested different conclusions regarding the utility of CAD, although neither analysis resulted in statistical significance.
Fate of fall-applied nitrogen fertilizer for sugarbeet

Abstract Because of cost concerns and more efficacious use of time, labor, and equipment, the majority of N fertilizer for sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) production in the Red River Valley is applied in the fall. Field 15N-balance studies were conducted to determine the fate of fall-applied, 15N-labeled fertilizers in sugarbeet-production systems. In the first experiment, 55% of the urea-N applied at a rate of 84 kg N ha−1 to a Northcote silty clay was in sugarbeet tops and storage roots, 43% remained in the soil to a depth of 180 cm, and only 2% was unaccounted for. In a follow-up experiment, in which appreciable leaching of NO3, Br, and to a lesser extent urea-N occurred in the spring as a result of melting snow and rain, recoveries of urea-N and KNO3-N (applied at a rate of 112 kg N ha−1) to a Glyndon sandy loam were 58 and 67%, respectively, by the deep-rooting sugarbeet plants. Residual fertilizer N remaining in the soil was 37% for urea-N and 31% for KNO3-N. Unaccounted-for-N was only 5% for urea-N an...
Adaptive coordination and alignment of eye and hand.

Abstract Under spatial misalignment of eye and hand induced by laterally displacing prisms (11.4° in the rightward direction), subjects pointed 60 times (once every 3 s) at a visually implicit target (straight ahead of the nose, Experiment 1) or a visually explicit target (an objectively straight-ahead target, Experiment 2). For different groups in each experiment, the hand became visible early in the sagittal pointing movement (early visual feedback) or only the fingertip was visible at the end of the movement (delayed visual feedback). Adaptation to the optical misalignment during exposure (direct effects) was rapid, especially with early feedback; complete compensation for the misalignment was achieved within about 30 trials, and overcompensation occurred in later trials, especially with an explicit target. In contrast, adaptation measured with the misalignment removed and without visual feedback after blocks of 10 pointing trials (aftereffects) was slow to develop, especially with delayed feedback and...
Abnormal zinc metabolism in unilateral maldescended testes of a mutant rat strain

The status of zinc in a mutant rat strain with heritable maldescended testes was examined. In rats with unilateral maldescended testis, the ectopic testis consistently had decreased zinc content (121.0 +/- 23.0 micrograms zinc/g dry wt), while the eutopic testis had zinc content similar to that of normal rats (182.0 +/- 5.0 micrograms zinc/g dry wt). Uptake of zinc by the ectopic testis was comparable to normal. Sephadex gel chromatography showed greatly reduced zinc content of one of the endogenous zinc binding fractions with a mol wt of 30,000 of cytosol of the ectopic testis in spite of a near normal protein content. Incorporation of zinc-65 into this fraction was also shown to be greatly reduced in ectopic testis. Sodium dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated that a protein of 23,000 Da was greatly reduced in quantity. This 23-kDa protein in ectopic testis may play a role in reduced testicular function of the ectopic testis.
On the reduction of elastodynamic crack problems to singular integral equations

Abstract The purpose of the paper is twofold. First, it is shown how problems of scattering of waves by cracks can be reduced to systems of singular integral equations of the Cauchy type by using integral-transform techniques. Second, it is shown that the Green-function method can also yield systems of singular integral equations. The proof requires a careful investigation of the limiting process involved in the boundary conditions.
A Comparison of Standard and User Vocabulary Lists

Appropriate vocabulary selection is a critical aspect of the development of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) approaches. Many sources of vocabulary lists are found in the literature. The general purpose of this investigation is to compare and contrast a number of vocabulary lists in an effort to assess the usefulness of these lists as a source of vocabulary items for adolescent and adult AAC users. Results of a comparison of eleven standard vocabulary lists from various fields of investigation and nine user vocabulary lists from a group of nonspeaking adults indicated that all were small in comparison to the range of possible words and all contained relatively simple words. These vocabulary lists differed from one another in that the majority of words were unique to a single list and that there was not extensive overlap between various pairs of vocabulary lists. When standard vocabulary lists were compared with user lists, results indicated that nearly one-third of the words in user vocabu...
The Secretory Carrier Membrane Protein Family: Structure and Membrane Topology

Secretory carrier membrane proteins (SCAMPs) are integral membrane proteins found in secretory and endocytic carriers implicated to function in membrane trafficking. Using expressed sequence tag database and library screens and DNA sequencing, we have characterized several new SCAMPs spanning the plant and animal kingdoms and have defined a broadly conserved protein family. No obvious fungal homologue has been identified, however. We have found that SCAMPs share several structural motifs. These include NPF repeats, a leucine heptad repeat enriched in charged residues, and a proline-rich SH3-like and/or WW domain‐ binding site in the N-terminal domain, which is followed by a membrane core containing four putative transmembrane spans and three amphiphilic segments that are the most highly conserved structural elements. All SCAMPs are 32‐38 kDa except mammalian SCAMP4, which is ;25 kDa and lacks most of the N-terminal hydrophilic domain of other SCAMPs. SCAMP4 is authentic as determined by Northern and Western blotting, suggesting that this portion of the larger SCAMPs encodes the functional domain. Focusing on SCAMP1, we have characterized its structure further by limited proteolysis and Western blotting with the use of isolated secretory granules as a uniformly oriented source of antigen and by topology mapping through expression of alkaline phosphatase gene fusions in Escherichia coli. Results show that SCAMP1 is degraded sequentially from the N terminus and then the C terminus, yielding an ;20-kDa membrane core that contains four transmembrane spans. Using synthetic peptides corresponding to the three conserved amphiphilic segments of the membrane core, we have demonstrated their binding to phospholipid membranes and shown by circular dichroism spectroscopy that the central amphiphilic segment linking transmembrane spans 2 and 3 is a-helical. In the intact protein, these segments are likely to reside in the cytoplasm-facing membrane interface. The current model of SCAMP1 suggests that the N and C termini form the cytoplasmic surface of the protein overlying a membrane core, which contains a functional domain located at the cytoplasmic interface with little exposure of the protein on the ectodomain.
Molecular mechanisms for hyperinsulinaemia induced by overproduction of selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase-1 in mice.

Aims/hypothesis We previously observed hyperglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia, insulin resistance and obesity in Gpx1-overexpressing mice (OE). Here we determined whether these phenotypes were eliminated by diet restriction, subsequently testing whether hyperinsulinaemia was a primary effect of Gpx1 overexpression and caused by dysregulation of pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1) and uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) in islets.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder, affecting between 4% and 8% of reproductive aged women. This syndrome, a complex disorder with multiple components, including reproductive, metabolic, and cardiovascular manifestations, has long-term health concerns that cross the life span. The diagnostic criteria for PCOS are ovarian dysfunction evidenced by oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea and clinical evidence of androgen excess (e.g., hirsutism and acne) in the absence of other conditions that can cause these same symptoms. This article reviews current knowledge about the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of this disorder.
Parasites of Burbot, Lota lota, from Lake Huron, Michigan, U.S.A., with a Checklist of the North American Parasites of Burbot

Abstract Forty-five adult burbot, Lota lota, collected in July 1998 from Six Fathom Bank (Six Fathom Bank Lake Trout Refuge) and Yankee Reef in Lake Huron, Michigan, U.S.A., were examined for parasites. A total of 10 parasite species infected burbot. Diplostomum sp., Eubothrium rugosum, Haplonema hamulatum, Echinorhynchus salmonis, and Trichodina sp. infected 60% or more of the burbot examined from each location. Diplostomum sp. had the highest mean intensity, and E. salmonis had the highest mean abundance in burbot from Six Fathom Bank. Echinorhynchus salmonis had the highest mean intensity and mean abundance in burbot from Yankee Reef. Diplostomum sp., H. hamulatun, and E. salmonis in burbot from Yankee Reef had significantly higher mean intensities and mean abundances than those in fish from Six Fathom Bank. The lengths and weights of burbot from Yankee Reef were significantly greater than those of fish from Six Fathom Bank. A checklist of parasites of burbot from published records in North America is ...
Detection of coupling elements in CESR

At the Cornell Electron/positron Storage Ring CESR, the measurement of the coupling between the horizontal and vertical beam motions has led to the ability to locate the position of a coupler and to calculate its strength. Once the identity of a coupler is known, steps can be taken to remove it or to nullify its effect. This coupling analysis can also be used to calibrate correction skew quadrupoles.
Between Global and Regional Narratives

The expansion of U.S. power across the Middle East has led to a convergence between what had previously been distinct historical fields. As U.S. foreign relations scholars turn their attention toward the Middle East and as Middle East historians address the implications of American imperialism, both groups have produced new research on the Cold War era. Since 2001, Rashid Khalidi, Juan R. I. Cole, and Ussama Makdisi have reexamined American foreign policy during the Cold War to understand the antecedents of current events. With the evolution of U.S. diplomatic history into a more cosmopolitan international history, its practitioners have consulted sources in regional languages. Recent scholarship has incorporated the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) into global narratives based on the themes of superpower rivalry, decolonization, and the struggle for development. While these global narratives help to counter regional exceptionalism, historians of the Cold War would also do well to read more Middle East historiography. The growing significance of American power for the MENA region calls for greater collaboration between the two fields on common interests that they have developed, at least so far, mostly in isolation.
During negative selection, Nur77 family proteins translocate to mitochondria where they associate with Bcl-2 and expose its proapoptotic BH3 domain

Apoptosis accompanying negative selection is a central but poorly understood event in T cell development. The Nur77 nuclear steroid receptor and Bim, a proapoptotic BH3-only member of the Bcl-2 family, are two molecules implicated in this process. However, how they relate to each other and how Nur77 induces apoptosis remain unclear. In thymocytes, Nur77 has been shown to induce cell death through a transcriptional-dependent pathway, but in cancer cell lines, Nur77 was reported to induce apoptosis through conversion of Bcl-2 into a killer protein at the mitochondria. Whether this Nur77 transcriptional-independent pathway actually occurs in vivo remains controversial. Using an optimized fractionation protocol for thymocytes, here we report that stimulation of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes results in translocation of Nur77 and its family member Nor-1 to the mitochondria, leading to their association with Bcl-2 and exposure of the Bcl-2 proapoptotic BH3 domain. In two T cell receptor transgenic models of negative selection, F5 and HY, a conformational change of the Bcl-2 molecule in the negatively selected T cell population was similarly observed. Thus, the Nur77 family and Bim pathways converge at mitochondria to mediate negative selection.
HOP is a monomer: investigation of the oligomeric state of the co-chaperone HOP.

The co-chaperone Hsp70-Hsp90 organizing protein (HOP) plays a central role in protein folding in vivo, binding to both Hsp70 and Hsp90 and bringing them together in a functional complex. Reports in the literature concerning the oligomeric state of HOP have been inconsistent—is it a monomer, dimer, or higher order oligomer? Knowing the oligomeric state of HOP is important, because it places limits on the number and types of multiprotein complexes that can form during the folding cycle. Thus, the number of feasible models is simplified. Here, we explicitly investigate the oligomeric state of HOP using three complementary methods: gel filtration chromatography, sedimentation equilibrium analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), and an in vivo coexpression assay. We find that HOP does not behave like a monomeric globular protein on gel filtration. Rather its behavior is consistent with it being either an elongated monomer or a dimer. We follow-up on these studies using sedimentation equilibrium AUC, which separates on the basis of molecular weight (MW), independent of shape. Sedimentation equilibrium AUC clearly shows that HOP is a monomer, with no indication of higher MW species. Finally, we use an in vivo coexpression assay that also supports the conclusion that HOP is a monomer.
Feel the information with VisPad: a large area vibrotactile device

A new haptics design for visualizing data is constructed out of commodity massage pads and custom controllers and interfaces to a computer. It is an output device for information that can be transmitted to a user who sits on the pad. Two unique properties of the design are: (a) its large feedback area and (b) its passive nature, where unlike most current haptics devices, the user's hands are free to work on other things. To test how useful such a device is for visualizing data, we added the VisPad interface to our protein structure-alignment program (ProtAlign) and performed usability studies. The studies demonstrated that information could be perceived significantly faster utilizing our multi-modal presentation compared to vision-based graphical visualization alone.
Virtual Reality Simulation: An Innovative Teaching Tool for Dietetics Experiential Education

This paper investigates the role of virtual reality and web technologies in the field of dietetics education. Within this frame, special emphasis is given on the building of web-based virtual learning environments so as to successfully fulfill their educational objectives. In particular, basic pedagogical methods are studied, focusing mainly on the efficient preparation, approach and presentation of learning content, and specific designing rules are presented considering the hypermedia, virtual and educational nature of this kind of applications. The paper also aims to highlight the educational benefits arising from the use of virtual reality technology in dietetics and study the emerging area of web- based dietetic simulations. Virtual reality simulation allows the visualization of data in three dimensions and provides interactive functionalities that reinforce the feeling of immersion into a computer-generated virtual world. Finally, the innovative virtual reality environment for dietetics education pedagogy and development is demonstrated.
Mexican women in California: differentials in maternal morbidity between foreign and US-born populations.

Summary In the US, the majority of deaths and serious complications of pregnancy occur during childbirth and are largely preventable. We conducted a population-based study to assess disparities in maternal health between Mexican-born and Mexican-American women residing in California and to evaluate the extent to which immigrants have better outcomes. Mothers in these two populations deliver 40% of infants in the state. We compared maternal mortality ratios and maternal morbidities during labour and delivery in the two populations using linked 1996–98 hospital discharge and birth certificate data files. For maternal morbidities, we calculated frequencies and observed and adjusted odds (OR) ratios using pre-existing maternal health, sociodemographic characteristics and quality of health care as covariates. Approximately 19% of Mexican-born women suffered a maternal disorder compared with 21% of Mexican-American women (Observed OR = 0.89, [95% CI 0.88, 0.90]). Despite their lower education and relative poverty, Mexican-born women still experienced a lower odds of any maternal morbidity than Mexican-American women, after adjusting for covariates (OR = 0.92, [95% CI 0.90, 0.93]). These findings suggest a paradox of more favourable outcomes among Mexican immigrants similar to that found with birth outcomes. Nevertheless, the positive aggregate outcome of Mexican-born women did not extend to maternal mortality, nor to certain conditions associated with suboptimal intrapartum obstetric care.
Regulation of membrane trafficking by signalling on endosomal and lysosomal membranes

Endosomal and lysosomal membrane trafficking requires the coordination of multiple signalling events to control cargo sorting and processing, and endosome maturation. The initiation and termination of signalling events in endosomes and lysosomes is not well understood, but several key regulators have been identified, which include small GTPases, phosphoinositides, and Ca2+. Small GTPases act as master regulators and molecular switches in a GTP-dependent manner, initiating signalling cascades to regulate the direction and specificity of endosomal trafficking. Phosphoinositides are membrane-bound lipids that indicate vesicular identities for recruiting specific cytoplasmic proteins to endosomal membranes, thus allowing specificity of membrane fusion, fission, and cargo sorting to occur within and between specific vesicle compartments. In addition, phosphoinositides regulate the function of membrane proteins such as ion channels and transporters in a compartment-specific manner to mediate transport and signalling. Finally, Ca2+, a locally acting second messenger released from intracellular ion channels, may provide precise spatiotemporal regulation of endosomal signalling and trafficking events. Small GTPase signalling can regulate phosphoinositide conversion during endosome maturation, and electrophysiological studies on isolated endosomes have shown that endosomal and lysosomal Ca2+ channels are directly modulated by endosomal lipids. Thus trafficking and maturation of endosomes and lysosomes can be precisely regulated by dynamic changes in GTPases and membrane lipids, as well as Ca2+ signalling. Importantly, impaired phosphoinositide and Ca2+ signalling can cause endosomal and lysosomal trafficking defects at the cellular level, and a spectrum of lysosome storage diseases.
A real-time face tracker

The authors present a real-time face tracker. The system has achieved a rate of 30+ frames/second using an HP-9000 workstation with a frame grabber and a Canon VC-Cl camera. It can track a person's face while the person moves freely (e.g., walks, jumps, sits down and stands up) in a room. Three types of models have been employed in developing the system. First, they present a stochastic model to characterize skin color distributions of human faces. The information provided by the model is sufficient for tracking a human face in various poses and views. This model is adaptable to different people and different lighting conditions in real-time. Second, a motion model is used to estimate image motion and to predict the search window. Third, a camera model is used to predict and compensate for camera motion. The system can be applied to teleconferencing and many HCI applications including lip reading and gaze tracking. The principle in developing this system can be extended to other tracking problems such as tracking the human hand.