cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Elasticity of iron at the temperature of the Earth's inner core

Seismological body-wave(1) and free-oscillation(2) studies of the Earth's solid inner core have revealed that compressional waves traverse the inner core faster along near-polar paths than in the equatorial plane. Studies have also documented local deviations from this first-order pattern of anisotropy on length scales ranging from 1 to 1,000 km (refs 3, 4). These observations, together with reports of the differential rotation(5) of the inner core, have generated considerable interest in the physical state and dynamics of the inner core, and in the structure and elasticity of its main constituent, iron, at appropriate conditions of pressure and temperature. Here we report first-principles calculations of the structure and elasticity of dense hexagonal close-packed (h.c.p.) iron at high temperatures. We find that the axial ratio c/a of h.c.p. iron increases substantially with increasing temperature, reaching a value of nearly 1.7 at a temperature of 5,700 K, where aggregate bulk and shear moduli match those of the inner core. As a consequence of the increasing c/a ratio, we have found that the single-crystal longitudinal anisotropy of h.c.p. iron at high temperature has the opposite sense from that at low temperature(6,7). By combining our results with a simple model of polycrystalline texture in the inner core, in which basal planes are partially aligned with the rotation axis, we can account for seismological observations of inner-core anisotropy.
Electron-Cloud Build-up: Summary

I present a summary of topics relevant to the electron-cloud build-up and dissipation that were presented at the International Workshop on Electron-Cloud Effects 'ECLOUD 07' (Daegu, S. Korea, April 9-12, 2007). This summary is not meant to be a comprehensive review of the talks. Rather, I focus on those developments that I found, in my personal opinion, especially interesting. The contributions, all excellent, are posted in http://chep.knu.ac.kr/ecloud07/.
The impact of low signal-to-noise ratio values on the achievability of Cramér-Rao lower bounds with multi-frame blind deconvolution algorithms

Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRB) theory can be used to calculate algorithm-independent lower bounds to the variances of parameter estimates. It is well known that the CRBs are achievable by algorithms only when the parameters can be estimated with sufficiently-high signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). Otherwise, the CRBs are still lower bounds, but there can be a large gap between the CRBs and the variances that can be achieved by algorithms. We present results from our initial investigations into the SNR dependence of the achievability of the CRBs by multi-frame blind deconvolution (MFBD) algorithms for high-resolution imaging in the presence of atmospheric turbulence and sensor noise. With the use of sample statistics, we give examples showing that the minimum SNR value for which the CRBs can be achieved by our MFBD algorithm typically ranges between one and five, depending upon the strength of the prior knowledge used in the algorithm and the SNRs in the measured data.
Cryosurgery planning using bubble packing in 3D.

As part of an ongoing project to develop automated tools for cryosurgery planning, the current study focuses on the development of a 3D bubble packing method. A proof-of-concept for the new method is demonstrated on five prostate models, reconstructed from ultrasound images. The new method is a modification of an established method in 2D. Ellipsoidal bubbles are packed in the volume of the prostate in the current study; such bubbles can be viewed as a first-order approximation of a frozen region around a single cryoprobe. When all cryoprobes are inserted to the same depth, optimum planning was found to occur at about 60% of the length of the prostate (measured from its apex), which leads to cooling of approximately 75% of the prostate volume below a specific temperature threshold of −22°C. Bubble packing has the potential to dramatically reduce the run time for automated planning.
A permeabilized-cell assay for transaminase B activity in Escherichia coli K-12

Abstract The assay for transaminase B (EC 2.6.1.6) activity, developed by D. E. Duggan and J. A. Wechsler (1973, Anal. Biochem. 51 , 67–79) has been modified to allow for the measurement of activity in Escherichia coli cells made permeable by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CETAB). A concentration of 10 mg% CETAB was found to be most effective in treating the cells without having a significant effect on transaminase B activity. Extraction of the dinitrophenylhydrazone of 2-oxoisovalerate by toluene was not affected by the CETAB treatment. We further report that the Na 2 CO 3 extraction step is not required to measure color formed by the dinitrophenylhydrazone of 2-oxoisovalerate. This CETAB-treated cell assay is accurate to study transaminase B activity through most of the logarithmic phase of growth of Escherichia coli .
Life cycles of persistent anomalies. II - The development of persistent negative height anomalies over the North Pacific Ocean

Consideration is given to the potential sources for the development of cases defined by strong and persistent negative height anomalies over the central North Pacific. The analyses of Dole (1986) are extended by providing a more complete synoptic description of the developments and additional diagnostic analysis to identify dynamical mechanisms responsible for the developments. The synoptic characteristics of the developments are reviewed and the barotropic and baroclinic processes of the developments are analyzed. The reproducibility and representativeness of the results are examined. The observed characteristics suggest that the large-scale flow anomalies develop as a result of an instability of three-dimensional wintertime mean flow.
Atopic dermatitis. Perspectives on a manageable disease.

PREVIEWThe incidence of atopic dermatitis has tripled during the past three decades, and the reasons for this upsurge remain a mystery. The similar increase in the incidence of asthma raises interesting questions about possible links. While there is no cure for atopic dermatitis, it usually can be successfully controlled. In this article, Dr Fleischer reviews the aggravating factors, clinical features, and treatment options available for these patients.
Ascomycete fungal communities associated with early decaying leaves of Spartina spp. from central California estuaries.

Ascomycetous fungi play an important role in the early stages of decomposition of Spartina alterniflora, but their role in the decomposition of other Spartina species has not been investigated. Here we use fingerprint (terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism) and phylogenetic analyses of the 18S to 28S internal transcribed spacer region to compare the composition of the ascomycete fungal communities on early decay blades of Spartina species (Spartina alterniflora, Spartina densiflora, Spartina foliosa, and a hybrid (S. alterniflora × S. foliosa)) collected from three salt marshes in San Francisco Bay and one in Tomales Bay, California, USA. Phaeosphaeria spartinicola was found on all samples collected and was often dominant. Two other ascomycetes, Phaeosphaeria halima and Mycosphaerella sp. strain 2, were also common. These three species are the same ascomycetes previously identified as the dominant fungal decomposers on S. alterniflora on the east coast. Ascomycetes appeared to exhibit varying degrees of host specificity, demonstrated by grouping patterns on phylogenetic trees. Neither the exotic S. alterniflora nor the hybrid supported fungal flora different from that of the native S. foliosa. However, S. densiflora had a significantly different fungal community than the other species, and hosted at least two unique ascomycetes. Significant differences in the fungal decomposer communities were also detected within species (two clones of S. foliosa), but these were minor and may be due to morphological differences among the plants.
Data-collection strategies in SKED

One advantage of the use of computers in the behavioral sciences is in the area of data collection. Regardless of the specialty area, the more sophisticated the issue being addressed, typically the greater the need for a more detailed analysis of data. This paper traces data-recording strategies in SKED from the simple counting of events to advanced-time and correlational analyses. Examples of common measures, such as interresponse times, and advanced measures, like sequential dependencies, will be discussed.
The placenta and NEC: Identifying infants at risk for NEC |[dagger]| 944

NEC is the most commonly treated, life-threatening gastrointestinal disease in the newborn intensive care unit, yet its pathogenesis remains unclear. There is no predictive or diagnostic test to determine which babies will develop NEC. Other than prematurity, some babies develop NEC without obvious risk factors whereas other critically ill babies do not. It is difficult to assess fetal oxygen status and fetal well-being. In utero infections, hypoxic-ischemic events, and fetoplacental vascular injury are often subclinical and may not be detectable by current methods of antepartum assessment. Chronic placental changes that are associated with fetal hypoxia, vascular insufficiency, or infection may predispose the neonate to NEC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the placentas of babies with NEC and identify features which might distinguish babies at risk for developing NEC.
A hybrid approach to structure-from-motion (abstract only)

A method is presented for computing structure from the motion of rigid objects which are rotating about a fixed axis. The input consists of two discrete frames containing the positions and instantaneous direction vectors of three points in orthographic projection. Because only the direction of the velocity vectors and not their magnitudes is needed, the method is insensitive to errors in velocity magnitude estimation. This type of computation could be important in recovering the 3-dimensional structure of objects under dynamic viewing conditions because viewer motion about stationary objects will generate fixed axis rotations.
Reproductive biology of bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) along the East Coast of the United States

Abstract The reproductive biology of bluefish ( Pomatomus saltatrix ) along the U.S. East Coast is examined from a collection 1437 females sampled from nearshore to the continental slope and from Florida to New York over a period of 3 years (2001–2003). In most years concurrent sampling along the coast was conducted over spring and summer months to resolve the initiation of spawning. We examined the spawning location, pattern and timing, and calculated the fecundity of fish from 600 to 840 mm in length. Based on macro- and microscopic analysis of female gonads, bluefish are multiple spawners with indeterminate fecundity. The presence of all stages of development in fully mature ovaries further indicates that bluefish have asynchronous oocyte development. Mean age at first maturity for female bluefish was ∼1.90 years and 480 mm total length. Mean batch fecundity was 402,247 eggs and ranged from 114,513 to 920,746 eggs, depending on age and weight. Direct observation of gonads showed imminent spawning in Florida and North Carolina during March to April, and from April to August from Virginia to New York. Given the progression of oocyte development over the range of space and time we sampled, we suggest that bluefish exhibit continuous spawning during their migration from the South Atlantic Bight (SAB) to Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB).
Least Squares Adjustment of Atomic Energy Levels

A practical solution to the least squares adjustment of an atomic energy-level array is described. This solution, in addition to the obvious advantages of satisfying the condition of least squares and providing a measure of the standard error of the computed results, has the added advantage of being a solution readily adapted to computer use. As a computer program, the method uses a minimum of memory space and computer time.
Glycerol hyperhydration in resting horses.

Abstract SUMMARY To determine whether administration of glycerol-containing solutions induces a state of transient hyperhydration in resting euhydrated horses, changes in plasma and urine constituents were measured in four horses for 1 h before and 5 h after nasogastric administration of each of four treatments (Experiment 1). Treatments were applied in a randomized fashion and included: (1) 1.0 g.kg–1glycerol in 8 L of water (G); (2) 8 L of water (W); (3) 8 L of 0.9% NaCl solution (S); and (4) 1.0 g.kg–1glycerol in 8 L of 0.9% NaCl solution (GS). In a subsequent study, voluntary water intake was measured hourly for 5 h after nasogastric administration of each treatment (Experiment 2). All treatments produced mild plasma volume expansion ranging from 3.2 to 5.8% in Experiment 1. Administration of glycerol containing solutions increased serum glycerol concentration ≈ 100-fold and plasma osmolality (Posm) by ≈ 10 mOsm/kg and resulted in a tendency towards increased renal water conservation despite increased osmole excretion. In contrast,W treatment decreased plasma and urine osmolality and was accompanied by increased urine production and decreased renal water conservation. Plasma and urine osmolality, as well as renal osmole and water excretion, were unchanged after S administration. In Experiment 2, horses treated with GS voluntarily drank an additional 5.2 ± 0.9 L of water during the initial hour following nasogastric administration of 8 L of solution. Voluntary water intake with the other treatments was less than 1.0 L for the entire 5 h observation period. Collectively, the results of both experiments suggest that administration of glycerol in saline would produce transient hyperhydration in resting euhydrated horses by enhancing renal water conservation and stimulating voluntary water intake.
Nuclear magnetic resonance structure of the prohead RNA E-loop hairpin.

The Bacillus subtilis phage ϕ29 packaging motor requires prohead RNA for genome encapsidation. The nuclear magnetic resonance structure of the prohead RNA E-loop hairpin, r(5′AUUGAGUU), is presented and compared to predictions from MC-SYM. The prohead RNA E-loop hairpins contain sequences similar to rRNA hairpins. Comparison of predicted and experimentally determined prohead and ribosomal hairpin structures reveals that sequence similarity is a stronger determinant of hairpin structural similarity than grouping similar types of RNA. All the hairpins contain a U-turn motif but differ in the first noncanonical pair and backbone orientation. These structures provide benchmarks for further improvements in RNA structure predictions from sequence.
Mammalian Mst1 and Mst2 kinases play essential roles in organ size control and tumor suppression

Control of organ size by cell proliferation and survival is a fundamental developmental process, and its deregulation leads to cancer. However, the molecular mechanism underlying organ size control remains elusive in vertebrates. In Drosophila, the Hippo (Hpo) signaling pathway controls organ size by both restricting cell growth and proliferation and promoting cell death. Here we investigated whether mammals also require the Hpo pathway to control organ size and adult tissue homeostasis. We found that Mst1 and Mst2, the two mouse homologs of the Drosophila Hpo, control the sizes of some, but not all organs, in mice, and Mst1 and Mst2 act as tumor suppressors by restricting cell proliferation and survival. We show that Mst1 and Mst2 play redundant roles, and removal of both resulted in early lethality in mouse embryos. Importantly, tumors developed in the liver with a substantial increase of the stem/progenitor cells by 6 months after removing Mst1 and Mst2 postnatally. We show that Mst1 and Mst2 were required in vivo to control Yap phosphorylation and activity. Interestingly, apoptosis induced by TNFα was blocked in the Mst1 and Mst2 double-mutant cells both in vivo and in vitro. As TNFα is a pleiotropic inflammatory cytokine affecting most organs by regulating cell proliferation and cell death, resistance to TNFα-induced cell death may also contribute significantly to tumor formation in the absence of Mst1 and Mst2.
Experiments on the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability of an air/SF 6 interface

Results of flow visualization experiments of an impulsively accelerated plane interface between air and SF6 are reported. The shock tube used for the experiments has a larger test section than in previous experiments. The larger extent of uniform test flow relative to nonuniform boundary-layer flow permits unambiguous interpretation of flow-visualization photographs, and the influence of shock-wave/boundary-layer interactions is no longer dominant. The strong wall vortex observed in previous studies is not observed in these experiments. It is found that the thin membrane, which forms the initially plane interface, has a significant influence on the initial growth rate of the interface thickness. However, the measured growth rates after the first reflected shock are independent of membrane configuration and are in good agreement with analytical predictions.
Imatinib mesylate in Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia of childhood.

BACKGROUND Initial treatment for adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph[+]) chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) now includes imatinib mesylate. However, to our knowledge, there are few data regarding imatinib safety, efficacy, and response monitoring in patients age < 18 years. METHODS In the current series, the authors report 5 consecutive patients ages 20 months to 12 years with Ph(+) leukemia who were treated with imatinib and evaluated for a response using cytogenetics, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), and real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on serial bone marrow aspirations. Doses of imatinib were escalated as tolerated from a starting dose of 400 mg/m2 (patients with a body surface area [BSA] 1 m2). RESULTS After the initiation of imatinib therapy, all 4 patients with CML were found to have no detectable Ph chromosome by cytogenetics (median of 198 days of imatinib therapy; range, 138–346 days), FISH (median of 285 days of imatinib therapy; range, 138–366 days), and real-time RT-PCR (median of 287 days of imatinib therapy; range, 224–366 days). One patient with Ph(+) acute mixed lineage leukemia achieved a morphologic disease remission with standard chemotherapy, but within 10 months had increasing Ph positivity in consecutive bone marrow aspirations. Imatinib was added to the intensive leukemia therapy, and within 26 days there were no detectable Ph(+) cells in the bone marrow. Mild thrombocytopenia was noted in two patients and transient mild hepatic toxicity was noted in one patient. CONCLUSIONS Imatinib mesylate was found to be effective in inducing undetectable residual disease in a small cohort of pediatric patients with Ph(+) leukemia. Further studies of the use of imatinib in childhood Ph(+) malignancies are needed. Cancer 2003;98:2643–50. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
Hurricane Mitch and Honduras: An illustration of population vulnerability

In 1998, Hurricane Mitch, the fourth strongest Atlantic Ocean hurricane in recorded history, destroyed much of Honduras. Hardest hit were more vulnerable populations of the rural hillside and the urban shanty towns. In the 20 years prior to Hurricane Mitch, a series of neoliberal policies shifted the tax burden to the poor and focused resources on export crops, forcing subsistence farmers to the less arable hillside and leading to deforestation. These moves left the already marginalized in a precarious position when Hurricane Mitch struck as topsoil was washed away and mudslides destroyed hillside farms. Additionally, gendered patterns of privilege were obvious. Men were encouraged to migrate to work leaving women to restore the farm, care for the children, and tend to the elderly. As disaster management is centered on preparation multiple lessons can be learned. First, in preparation multiway information systems need to include actors from the local level and embrace those marginalized by society. Second, women need to be seen as assets not victims and their well-being need to be taken into consideration outside of the family construct. And third, reconstruction effort need to be about building better not faster.
Monitoring flow in extracranial-intracranial bypass grafts using duplex ultrasonography: a single-center experience in 80 grafts over 8 years.

Background High-flow extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass is performed by using radial artery graphs (RAGs) or saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) for various pathologies such as aneurysms, ischemia, and skull-base tumors. Quantifying the acceptable amount of blood flow to maintain proper cerebral perfusion has not been well established, nor have the variables that influence flow been determined. Objective To identify the normative range of blood flow through extracranial-intracranial RAGs and SVGs as measured by duplex ultrasonography. Multiple variables were evaluated to better understand their influence of graft flow. Methods All EC-IC grafts performed at Harborview Medical Center from 2005 to 2012 were retrospectively reviewed for this cohort study. Daily extracranial graft duplex ultrasonography with flow volumes and transcranial graft Doppler were examined, as were short- and long-term outcomes. Both ischemic and hyperemic events were evaluated in further detail. Results Eighty monitorable high-flow EC-IC bypasses were performed over the 8-year period. Sixty-five bypasses were performed by using RAGs and 15 were performed with SVGs. The average flow was 133 mL/min for RAGs and 160 mL/min for SVGs (P = .25). For both RAG and SVG groups, the donor and recipient vessel selected significantly impacted flow. For the RAG group only, preoperative graft diameter, postoperative hematocrit, and postoperative date significantly influenced flow. A 1-week average of >200 mL/min was 100% sensitive to cerebral hyperemia syndrome. Conclusion This study establishes the normative range of duplex ultrasonographic flow after high-flow EC-IC bypass, as well the usefulness and practicality of such monitoring as a surrogate to flow in the postoperative period.
Hydrogen recycling properties of graphite

Abstract A review is presented on the hydrogen recycle properties of graphite, the leading candidate material for plasma interactive component surfaces. The hydrogen transport database and modelling are summarized, followed by a discussion of its recycling properties in operating devices and its predicted tritium retention behavior in future D-T reactors.
Use of intraoperative mapping to optimize surgical ablation of atrial flutter

The purpose of this study was to develop a surgical treatment for atrial flutter using intraoperative activation sequence mapping to minimize the surgical procedure necessary to ablate the flutter. A canine model (n = 10) of left atrial enlargement was developed by creating a shunt from the left subclavian artery to the left superior pulmonary vein. Sustained atrial flutter was easily induced in this model. The flutter consisted of a single reentrant circuit that rotated around one or two anatomic obstacles linked by a region of functional block. Epicardial templates, consisting of 252 bipolar electrodes, were used to record activation time maps. After localization of the reentrant circuit, surgical incisions were placed to interrupt the pathways. In all 10 animals, flutter could be induced and intraoperative mapping localized the reentrant circuit. Seven circuits were in the right atrium and three were in the left atrium. The operation ablated all of the preoperative circuits. However, in 5 of the animals, flutter originating from a new circuit could be induced. Activation sequence mapping before and after operation demonstrates that there are multiple potential reentrant pathways in this canine model of atrial flutter. Therefore, all potential pathways must be surgically interrupted to prevent inducibility of atrial flutter.
Design and serial construction of digraph braids

Braiding is a traditional art used to enhance both the decorative and structural properties of any sort of stranded material, and braids are designed with attention to aesthetic principles, structural cohesion, and ease of construction. This work will determine, for a family of braids which are determined by directed graph structures, how these desiderata can be associated with a mathematical property of the underlying directed graphs. Of particular interest in this investigation is the notion of serial constructability, in which individual strands are laid down separately, and the closely related property of fault tolerance. In addition, the established property of braid decomposability is explored through the lens of this relationship between braid cohesiveness and digraph properties. These results are demonstrated for braids with a prescribed crossing sequence, and the potential extensions to braids with arbitrary sequences of crossings are explored.Since a braid is described by both the sequence of pe...
Mechanical Properties of Fiberboard Overpack Materials in the 9975 Shipping Package

The 9975 shipping package incorporates a cane fiberboard overpack for thermal insulation and impact resistance. Thermal properties (thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity) have been measured on cane fiberboard and a similar wood fiber-based product at several temperatures representing potential storage conditions. While the two products exhibit similar behavior, the measured specific heat capacity varies significantly from prior data. The current data are being developed as the basis to verify that this material remains acceptable over the extended storage time period.
COMMON WARM DUST TEMPERATURES AROUND MAIN-SEQUENCE STARS

We compare the properties of warm dust emission from a sample of main-sequence A-type stars (B8-A7) to those of dust around solar-type stars (F5-K0) with similar Spitzer Space Telescope Infrared Spectrograph/MIPS data and similar ages. Both samples include stars with sources with infrared spectral energy distributions that show evidence of multiple components. Over the range of stellar types considered, we obtain nearly the same characteristic dust temperatures (~190 K and ~60 K for the inner and outer dust components, respectively)—slightly above the ice evaporation temperature for the inner belts. The warm inner dust temperature is readily explained if populations of small grains are being released by sublimation of ice from icy planetesimals. Evaporation of low-eccentricity icy bodies at ~150 K can deposit particles into an inner/warm belt, where the small grains are heated to T_(dust)~ 190 K. Alternatively, enhanced collisional processing of an asteroid belt-like system of parent planetesimals just interior to the snow line may account for the observed uniformity in dust temperature. The similarity in temperature of the warmer dust across our B8-K0 stellar sample strongly suggests that dust-producing planetesimals are not found at similar radial locations around all stars, but that dust production is favored at a characteristic temperature horizon.
Selection of statistical thresholds in graphical models

Reconstruction of gene regulatory networks based on experimental data usually relies on statistical evidence, necessitating the choice of a statistical threshold which defines a significant biological effect. Approaches to this problem found in the literature range from rigorous multiple testing procedures to ad hoc P-value cut-off points. However, when the data implies graphical structure, it should be possible to exploit this feature in the threshold selection process. In this article we propose a procedure based on this principle. Using coding theory we devise a measure of graphical structure, for example, highly connected nodes or chain structure. The measure for a particular graph can be compared to that of a random graph and structure inferred on that basis. By varying the statistical threshold the maximum deviation from random structure can be estimated, and the threshold is then chosen on that basis. A global test for graph structure follows naturally.
Using texture synthesis for non-photorealistic shading from paint samples

This paper presents several methods for shading meshes from scanned paint samples that represent dark to light transitions. Our techniques emphasize artistic control of brush stroke texture and color. We first demonstrate how the texture of the paint sample can be separated from its color gradient. We demonstrate three methods, two real-time and one off-line, for producing rendered, shaded images from the texture samples. All three techniques use texture synthesis to generate additional paint samples. Finally, we develop metrics for evaluating how well each method achieves our goal in terms of texture similarity, shading correctness and temporal coherence.
Identity, Choices and Crisis: A Study of Muslim Political Leadership in Sri Lanka:

This study attempts to understand the choices made by Muslim political leaders in general, and after independence in particular. Muslim leadership has been broadly classified into two categories ba...
Effect of the Modification of Fat Particle Size by Homogenization on Composition, Proteolysis, Functionality, and Appearance of Reduced Fat Mozzarella Cheese

Abstract The effect of the homogenization of milk (0.8% fat) and cream (20% fat) on cheese-making performance, composition, proteolysis, functionality, and appearance of reduced fat Mozzarella cheese was determined. Three vats (230 kg of milk per vat) of cheese were made in 1 d using unhomogenized milk (control), homogenized milk, and milk standardized with homogenized cream. Cheese manufacture was repeated on 3 different d using a randomized complete block design. The homogenized milk treatment had a large amount of curd shattering during cheese manufacture, but the control and the homogenized cream treatments did not. The chemical composition of all cheeses was similar, although the moisture contents of the cheese made from the homogenized products tended to be higher. Homogenization of the milk or cream did not have a large effect on unmelted textural properties of the cheese at 10°C. All cheeses had limited free oil release and melt and excessive browning during pizza baking. Homogenization of the milk increased the nitrogen that was soluble at pH 4.6 in the cheese but did not make this cheese more meltable. The most significant difference between treatments was the appearance of the unmelted cheese. Hunter L values and visual appearance indicated that the cheeses made from homogenized milk or cream were significantly whiter and more opaque than the control. Homogenization significantly improved the appearance of unmelted reduced fat Mozzarella cheese; however, because of improved cheese-making performance, homogenization is recommended of only the cream portion.
Partial order techniques for vehicle collision avoidance: Application to an autonomous roundabout test-bed

In this paper, we employ partial order techniques to develop linear complexity algorithms for guaranteed collision avoidance between vehicles at highway and roundabout mergings. These techniques can be employed by virtue of the rich structure offered by such traffic systems, which constrain vehicles to advance unidirectionally along a path. The algorithms are safe by construction while maintaining the liveness of the system. The proposed algorithms are on-line implemented in a decentralized fashion on an experimental testbed composed of two in-scale communicating vehicles continuously running on an autonomous roundabout system.
3-D SPECT simulations of a complex 3-D mathematical brain model: effects of 3-D geometric detector response, attenuation, scatter, and statistical noise

The quantitative imaging characteristics of ultrahigh-resolution parallel-hole SPECT, including 3-D geometric detector response, attenuation, scatter, and statistical noise, were investigated by simulations based on a complex digitized 3-D brain model of the gray and white matter distributions. The projection data resulting from a uniform distribution of gray and white matter radioactivity, in a ratio of 5:1, were simulated. The results demonstrate significant qualitative and quantitative artifacts in reconstructed human brain images. In the absence of attenuation, scatter, and noise, artifactual variation caused inaccuracies in regional radioactivity quantification. Inclusion of attenuation scatter, and noise in the simulation caused additional artifacts, and resulted in reconstructed images which qualitatively and quantitatively corresponded very closely to reconstructed images of the actual 3-D brain phantom which was constructed from the same set of data as the mathematical 3-D brain model. It is concluded that the major degrading factor in SPECT neuroimaging is the 3-D geometric detector response function. >
Fabrication of a gated resonant tunneling diode with a laterally adjustable quantum dot cross-section

The authors report a novel technique used to place a rectifying contact at the well region of a unipolar Al/sub 0.3/Ga/sub 0.7/As/GaAs double barrier heterostructure. Application of a potential at this third terminal with respect to a common emitter depleted the vertical cross section, thereby decreasing the electrical size of the RTD (resonant tunneling diode). Transport measurements showed that at gate potentials less than 0.4 V, the gated RTD (GRTD) was effective in modulating current length through the RTD without appreciably affecting the resonant bias. It was shown that the tunneling cross section of the well region of a RTD can be electrically controlled, thereby suggesting the feasibility of in situ transition from a two-dimensional electron gas to a zero-dimensional quantum dot. >
High self-reported rates of neglect and emotional abuse, by persons with binge eating disorder and night eating syndrome

This study compared rates of self-reported childhood maltreatment in three groups diagnosed using semi-structured interviews: binge eating disorder (BED; n = 176), night eating syndrome (NES, n = 57), and overweight/obese comparison (OC, n = 38). We used the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) to assess childhood maltreatment and the Beck Depression Inventory-II to assess depression levels. Reports of maltreatment were common in patients with BED (82%), NES (79%), and OC (71%). The BED group reported significantly more forms of maltreatment above clinical cutpoints (2.4) than the OC (1.4) group but not the NES (1.8) group. The BED and NES groups reported more emotional abuse than the OC group. A higher proportion of the BED group reported emotional neglect and a higher proportion of the NES group reported physical neglect. Depression levels, which were higher in BED and NES than OC, were associated with higher levels of physical and emotional abuse and neglect. In conclusion, reported rates of physical and sexual abuse differed little across groups whereas reports of neglect and emotional abuse were higher in the BED and NES groups than in the OC group and were associated with elevated depression levels.
An analytical model for generalized traffic patterns in finite-buffered multistage interconnection networks

Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) will be the mechanism used in the implementation of B-ISDN because it is able to efficiently deal with multimedia applications via statistical multiplexing of fixed length packets (also known as cells). This paper presents a finite state analytical model for finite buffered multistage interconnection networks (MINs) which have a generalized traffic pattern. This paper gives an iterative refinement model which will provide steady state values for normalized bandwidth and normalized delay. It presents a highly accurate and generally less computationally intensive model than existing models. Further, existing models require one or more of the following: (1) Use of only a single crossbar not a MIN, (2) Crossbars which make up the network are strictly 2/spl times/2, (3) Strictly single buffer queues are employed in the network, (4) Crossbar internal bandwidth is equal to the number of inputs times the connection bandwidth, or (5) No interstage buffering (effectively this is circuit switching). This paper requires none of those simplifications.
Mutations in α-Tubulin Confer Dinitroaniline Resistance at a Cost to Microtubule Function

Protozoan microtubules are sensitive to disruption by dinitroanilines, compounds that kill intracellular Toxoplasma gondii parasites without affecting microtubules in vertebrate host cells. We previously isolated a number of resistant Toxoplasma lines that harbor mutations to the α1-tubulin gene. Some of the mutations are localized in or near the M and N loops, domains that coordinate lateral interactions between protofilaments. Other resistance mutations map to a computationally identified binding site beneath the N loop. Allelic replacement of wild-type α1-tubulin with the individual mutations is sufficient to confer dinitroaniline resistance. Some mutations seem to increase microtubule length, suggesting that they increase subunit affinity. All mutations are associated with replication defects that decrease parasite viability. When parasites bearing the N loop mutation Phe52Tyr are grown without dinitroaniline selection, they spontaneously acquired secondary mutations in the M loop (Ala273Val) or in an α-tubulin–specific insert that stabilizes the M loop (Asp367Val). Parasites with the double mutations have both reduced resistance and diminished incidence of replication defects, suggesting that the secondary mutations decrease protofilament affinity to increase parasite fitness.
Silent period abnormalities in carpal tunnel syndrome

Cutaneous silent period (CSP) was measured on stimulating digits 2 and 5 in 19 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and compared with 20 healthy volunteers. In 2 patients with severe CTS, CSP was absent on digit 2 but present on digit 5. In mild/moderate CTS digit 2 CSP mean duration was 50.9+/-13.9 ms, significantly longer than control subjects (36.9+/-8.7 ms) (P = 0.005). CSP was found to be abnormal in CTS, being absent in severe and prolonged in mild/moderate cases.
Digoxin treatment in heart failure--unveiling risk by cluster analysis of DIG data.

Background Digoxin has been shown to reduce heart failure (HF) hospitalizations with no overall effect on mortality in HF patients. We used cluster analysis to delineate the clinical characteristics of HF patients in whom digoxin therapy was associated with improved or worsened clinical outcomes.
Response of Eretmocerus eremicus to skylight and plant cues in a vertical flight chamber

In the southwestern United States, Eretmocerus eremicus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is a native parasitoid of the Bemisia complex (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). However, little information currently exists on its potential as a biological control agent of whiteflies or on the factors that influence its tendencies to disperse. In this study, we examined the flight behavior of male and female E. eremicus in response to skylight (here simulated by a mercury-vapor lamp) and plant cues (a 550-nm filtered light) in a vertical flight chamber. Approximately 90% of the parasitoids took off in response to the skylight cue. Both sexes were capable of sustained flights in excess of 60 min; however, males had higher rates of climb than females (3.31 ± 0.17 and 2.63 ± 0.19 cm s −1 , respectively). When a plant cue was presented during the parasitoid’s phototactic flight, four relatively distinct responses were observed. Fifty-one percent of the individuals responded to the plant cue throughout their flight by flying toward or by landing on the cue. The majority of these parasitoids were females. Approximately 12% of the wasps exhibited an intermittent, positive response to the plant cue. Twenty percent exhibited a ‘migratory’ response. These parasitoids, which were predominantly males, failed to respond to the plant cue until they had flown for a considerable period. Finally, 17% failed to respond to the target during their flight. Approximately 37% of the individuals that showed a positive response to the plant cue actually landed on it and the majority of these were female. The differential response to the plant cue by male and female parasitoids could be, in part, because females are driven to locate hosts in which to oviposit, and males are driven to find mates.
RETROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF HUMAN ALBUMIN USE IN CRITICALLY ILL DOGS

Hypoalbuminemia and decreased colloid osmotic pressure (COP) are common in critically ill dogs. Hypoalbuminemia has been shown to negatively impact outcome. Treatment strategies to raise COP include the use of both natural and synthetic colloids. To date there is no comprehensive evaluation of human albumin (HA) use in dogs. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the use of 25% HA in critically ill dogs. The medical records of all dogs receiving HA between January 2003 and March 2004 were reviewed using a standardized data sheet for signalment, diagnoses, Survival Prediction Index (SPI), dose of HA administered, amount of crystalloid fluid administered prior to HA administration, length of hospitalization (LOH), complications, and outcome. Additionally pre- and post-HA administration values for serum albumin (SA), blood COP, and total solids (TS) were evaluated. Thirty-seven dogs received HA. Thirty of the 37 dogs (81%) underwent surgery and 13 of 37 (39%) dogs were diagnosed with septic peritonitis. Other diagnoses included trauma, wounds, neoplasia, gastric ulcer, and pancreatitis. The median SPI of all dogs was 0.53 (range 0.06–0.82). Median dose of HA used was 1.5 g/kg (range 0.38–3.64 g/kg). Median dose of crystalloid fluids administered prior to HA administration was 6.23 ml/kg/hr (range 1.2–45.4 ml/kg/hr). Median LOH was 5 days (range 1–16 days). Mild complications were encountered in 9 of 37 (24%) dogs and included prolonged clotting times (n=3), increased breathing effort (n=3), vomiting (n=2), and fever (n=1). Of the 37 dogs in the study, 21 (57%) survived, 10 (27%) died, and 6 (16%) were euthanized. After HA administration, median SA increased from 1.5 g/dl (range 1.0–2.1 g/dl) to 2.8 g/dl (range 1.5–4.4 g/dl) (p<0.001), median COP increased from 11 mmHg (range 6.8–13.8 mmHg) to 14.4 mmHg (range 11–26.9 mmHg) (p<0.001), and median TS increased from 2.9 g/dl (range 0.9–4.6 g/dl) to 4.0 (range 2.8–6.2) (p<0.001). When compared to non-survivors, survivors had higher post-HA administration SA (p=0.008), higher net COP increase (p=0.032), and received higher dosages of HA (p=0.046). Pre-treatment SA, COP, or the development of complications during administration did not impact LOH or outcome. In this retrospective study, HA administration effectively increased SA, TS and COP in critically ill dogs and was associated with relatively few complications. Future studies are warranted to further evaluate the potential benefits of HA administration.
Deterministic chaos and noise in three in vitro hippocampal models of epilepsy.

Recent reports have suggested that chaos control techniques may be useful for electrically manipulating epilep- tiform bursting behavior in neuronal ensembles. Because the dynamics of spontaneous in vitro bursting had not been well determined previously, analysis of this behavior in the rat hip- pocampus was performed. Epileptiform bursting was induced in transverse rat hippocampal slices using three experimental methods. Slices were bathed in artificial cerebrospinal fluid containing: ~1! elevated potassium (@K 1 # o510.5 mM), ~2! zero magnesium, or ~3! the GABAA-receptor antagonists bicuculline ~20 mM! and picrotoxin ~250 mM!. The existence of chaos and determinism was assessed using two different analytical tech- niques: unstable periodic orbit ~UPO! analysis and a new tech- nique for estimating Lyapunov exponents. Significance of these results was assessed by comparing the calculations for each experiment with corresponding randomized surrogate data. UPOs of multiple periods were highly prevalent in experiments from all three epilepsy models: 73% of all experiments con- tained at least one statistically significant period-1 or period-2 orbit. However, the expansion rate analysis did not provide any evidence of determinism in the data. This suggests that the system may be globally stochastic but contains local pockets of determinism. Thus, manipulation of bursting behavior using chaos control algorithms may yet hold promise for reverting or preventing epileptic seizures. © 2001 Biomedical Engineering Society. @DOI: 10.1114/1.1380419#
Evaluation of nutrient status after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy 1, 3, and 5 years after surgery

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy evolved as a primary bariatric procedure with little information on its nutritional effects. Our objective was to assess the longer term micronutrient and vitamin status after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at a university hospital. Methods: Measurements of ferritin, iron, total iron binding capacity, hemoglobin, hematocrit, parathyroid hormone, albumin, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, folate, and vitamins A, B1, B 12, and D were obtained at baseline and 1, 3, and 5 years after surgery. Two-sample t tests with multiple adjusted comparisons and Fisher’s exact test were used to determine deficiency. Results: A total of 82 patients (67% women), with a mean age of 46.4 years and a baseline body mass index 55.7 kg/m 2 were included in the present study (35 at 1, 27 at 3, and 30 at 5 years postoperatively). The percentage of excess body mass index loss was 58.5% at year 1 in 35 patients, 63.1% at year 3 in 27 patients, and 46.1% at year 5 in 30 patients. The parathyroid hormone level decreased from 75.0 to 49.6 ng/mL in year 1 to 40.7 ng/mL in year 3. The year 5 levels increased to 99.6 ng/mL. The mean vitamin D level increased from 23.6 ng/mL to 35.0, 32.1 and 34.8 at years 1, 3, and 5 (P .05 for baseline to year 1). The vitamin D level was less than normal in 42% of the patients at year 5. After normalization from baseline, by year 5, parathyroid hormone had increased in 58.3% of patients. At year 5, vitamin B1 was less than normal in 30.8% of patients, and hemoglobin and hematocrit were less than normal in for 28.6% and 25% of patients, respectively. Finally, 28.9% of patients reported taking supplements in year 1, 42.9% in year 3, and 63.3% in year 5. The other variables were not significantly different. Conclusions: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy resulted in health improvements through year 3. At year 5, the nutrient levels had reverted toward the baseline values. These observations provide focus for necessary clinical monitoring. (Surg Obes Relat Dis 2012;8:542–547.) © 2012 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. All rights reserved.
Principled modeling and automatic classification of functional requirements for improved reusability of the design of knowledge-based systems

One of the major issues in modeling expert systems (ESs) for enhanced reusability is capturing a high-level view of their operations. Principled knowledge representation schemes have been used to model components of complex software systems. However, the potential for applying these principled modeling techniques to explicitly capture the functional requirements of ESs has not been fully explored. This paper investigates issues and provides solutions to the use of an AI knowledge representation scheme for developing an ontology of the software components to facilitate their classification and retrieval. Its benefits are demonstrated using two real world knowledge-based systems. >