cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increased attenuation and reverberation are associated with lower maximum frequencies and narrow bandwidth of bird songs in cities

As urbanization expands globally, the communication systems of an increasing number of species are affected. Because bird song is a long-distance signal used to attract mates and defend territories, the evolution of bird song is often shaped by habitat structure and background noise. These potential drivers of song evolution are more often studied in natural areas than in urbanized areas, leaving open the question of how anthropogenic changes to the landscape are affecting the evolution of bird song. One songbird that persists in both urbanized and rural areas in North America is the White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys). Our previous work demonstrates that increased background noise in cities and in natural habitats affects acoustic adaptation in this species. However, we lack information about how sound transmits in urban and rural habitats. Because cities tend to have different physical properties than rural areas, it is pertinent to understand the influence of urban habitat structure on song evolutionary processes. Here, we test the acoustic adaptation theory and hypothesize that differences in the sound transmission properties of urban and rural habitats affect song divergence between urban and rural populations. We conducted sound transmission trials of tones from 1 to 8 kHz on 59 White-crowned Sparrow territories in three urban and three rural locations around San Francisco and Point Reyes, California, at varying heights and rates of note production. We also recorded and analyzed songs of males from each location to see if differences in signal–noise ratio, attenuation, reverberation, and distortion predicted song divergence. We found that urban locations have higher attenuation and reverberation than rural locations and urban songs tend to have short whistles, faster trills, and narrower bandwidth. These findings partially support acoustic adaptation theory, though faster trills in the city may instead be driven by cultural drift or sexual selection. Overall, our results add to a rapidly growing area of research and allow us to better understand the complexity of influences on song divergence.
Lithium degradation in lithium–sulfur batteries: insights into inventory depletion and interphasial evolution with cycling

The promise of high energy density lithium–sulfur batteries with long cycle life is currently tempered by the rapid degradation of lithium-metal anodes with cycling. An in-depth understanding of the dynamical behavior in liquid electrolytes, including the mechanisms underlying depletion of lithium inventory and evolution of lithium interphases, is crucial to make Li–S batteries a reality. We use here an anode-free full cell configuration, pairing a Li2S cathode with a bare nickel current collector with no lithium metal on it, to quantitatively estimate the lithium inventory loss per cycle. Lithium inventory loss is shown to be the main factor limiting the overall cyclability of Li–S batteries. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry measurements on the deposited lithium reveal the presence of substantial metallic lithium even after most of the active lithium inventory has been depleted. The trapped metallic lithium is rendered electrochemically inactive by the growth of a resistive electrolyte decomposition interphase on the lithium surface. The bulk of the deposited lithium is shown to be composed of various fully reduced interphasial components, including several hydrogen-containing species that show a substantial reduction in intensity with cycling. This indicates considerable gas evolution and is also correlated with the loss of lithium inventory. The use of an anode-free full cell configuration provides a framework for accurate assessment of the dynamics of lithium inventory depletion and characterization of the accompanying interphasial evolution with cycling. The insights gained will prove invaluable to the development of strategies for extending the cycle life of energy-dense Li–S batteries.
Palliative Care Consultation in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19: A Retrospective Study of Characteristics, Outcomes, and Unmet Needs.

Abstract Context Few studies have described the characteristics and palliative care needs in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objectives Describing characteristics, consultation demands, patients’ needs, and outcomes of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 who received a palliative care evaluation. Methods Retrospective chart review of patients (aged 18+ years) with COVID-19 admitted to an academic quaternary center and seen by the geriatrics and palliative medicine team from March 1st to May 11th, 2020. Socio-demographics, operational metrics, severity of illness, goals of care-advanced care planning documentation, and outcomes were analyzed. Results Three hundred seventy-six (17.6%) out of 2138 COVID-19 admissions were seen by the consultation team. Compared with prepandemic situation (September 1st, 2019, to February 29th, 2020), overall new consults (205 vs. 371, P Conclusion During this pandemic, understanding inpatient specialized palliative care needs and the vulnerable populations driving these causes may encourage health-care agencies and local, state, and federal governments to support the dedicated palliative care workforce.
A more equitable corporate purpose

The appropriate focus of corporate purpose has long been debated by scholars, investors, and legal counsel alike, with the majority of these arguments focused on the seeming dichotomy between shareholder wealth maximization and stakeholder capitalism. These modern debates are inextricably tied to theoretical understandings of the firm, first articulated in the 1930s, which focused on the relationship between managers of firms, those firms’ shareholders, and other constituents, or stakeholders, of the firm. And while much is debated regarding the appropriate conception of corporate purpose, the initial understandings of the firm that undergird those arguments is widely accepted. Corporate governance literature has, however, largely failed to consider one important factor that would have influenced the development of theories of the firm in the 1930s—the historical context of exclusion in which those theories arose. This Chapter argues that corporate leaders and scholars engaged in debates about the appropriate role and purpose of the corporation today must also consider how women and people of color fit—or more specifically, failed to fit—into the original understandings of the corporation’s purpose. In response to the #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter movements, corporate leaders and scholars have actively entered into a period of study and contemplation about the ways in which corporations might contribute to the creation of a more equitable and just society. That focus is admirable and necessary. But it is equally important to consider whether and how traditional notions of corporate purpose were influenced by the sexist and racist policies that permeated American society when foundational pieces of corporate scholarship were debated and developed. Once historical realities are considered, “A More Equitable Corporate Purpose” may, perhaps, reveal itself.
Un)supervised Student Practice

Law student practice is a powerful tool that must be wielded judiciously. At its best, student practice coalesces a student’s professional values and prepares that student to become a competent, compassionate, and confident lawyer. However, the current regime of state student practice rules, rooted in the American Bar Association’s (ABA) model rule, undermines the integrity of student practice in several crucial ways. In most states, students are authorized to practice law without meaningful oversight by law schools, and supervisors need not complete any special training. Supervisors are not universally required to accompany students to court, even when students are acting as prosecutors. Some student practice rules still fail to account for the wide range of work that is done by students in many law school clinics, particularly in transactional clinics. Financial incentives skew the focus on student learning in states that allow students to not only represent wealthy individuals but also charge for their services, all outside the oversight of law school programs. This piece examines these problems with existing state student practice rules and proposes rule reform in light of the goals and purpose of student practice.
Hemodynamic Assessment of Structural Heart Disease Using 4D Flow MRI: How We Do It.

Please see the Editorial Comment by Tetsuro Sekine discussing this article. MRI is an essential diagnostic tool in the anatomic and functional evaluation of cardiovascular disease. In many practice...
Islam in Central Asia 30 years after independence: debates, controversies and the critique of a critique

The study of Islam in Central Asia has undergone enormous transformations in the 30 years since the Soviet era came to an end. Over the last three decades, a sizable corpus of literature on Islam i...
Special considerations of interventions: Medical devices

Abstract Explanatory randomized clinical trials of medical devices are not always required for regulatory approval of these products. The regulatory bar is related to effectiveness rather than efficacy. Additionally, data sources such as device registries are embedded within clinical care for some therapeutic areas. Therefore, medical devices are primed for an increase in pragmatic clinical trials (pRCTs). This chapter provides an overview of the PRECIS-2 domains with specific relevance to medical devices. Examples of more and less pragmatic approaches are highlighted throughout.
Self-Masked Aldehyde Inhibitors: A Novel Strategy for Inhibiting Cysteine Proteases.

Cysteine proteases comprise an important class of drug targets, especially for infectious diseases such as Chagas disease (cruzain) and COVID-19 (3CL protease, cathepsin L). Peptide aldehydes have proven to be potent inhibitors for all of these proteases. However, the intrinsic, high electrophilicity of the aldehyde group is associated with safety concerns and metabolic instability, limiting the use of aldehyde inhibitors as drugs. We have developed a novel class of self-masked aldehyde inhibitors (SMAIs) for cruzain, the major cysteine protease of the causative agent of Chagas disease-Trypanosoma cruzi. These SMAIs exerted potent, reversible inhibition of cruzain (Ki* = 18-350 nM) while apparently protecting the free aldehyde in cell-based assays. We synthesized prodrugs of the SMAIs that could potentially improve their pharmacokinetic properties. We also elucidated the kinetic and chemical mechanism of SMAIs and applied this strategy to the design of anti-SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors.
MusicTXT: A Text-based Interface for Music Notation

For most music notation software, due to the complex nature of modern staff notation, extra mouse interactions and manual efforts are highly demanded. According to this observation, we propose MusicTXT, a plain textbased user interface for music notation that is almost mouse interaction-free. Based on our easy-to-learn online user interface, users are able to notate music by typing a paragraph of numbers and alphabets as plain text. We validated the music notation efficiency of our interface by comparing it with another popular online software-NoteFlight. According to statistical analysis, we prove there is a significant improvement in music notation efficiency by using MusicTXT.
Design of a Question and Answer Approach to Crowd Debugging

Software debugging comprises most of the software maintenance time and is notorious for requiring high-level skills and application specific knowledge. Crowdsourcing software debugging could lower those barriers by having each programmer perform small, self-contained and parallelizable tasks, hence accommodating different levels of availability and expertise. Therefore, such new approach might enable society to tackle massive software development efforts, as for instance, setting a task force of hundreds of programmers to debug and adapt the existing software to be used in an emergency response to a natural catastrophe. This type of effort is unimaginable nowadays due to the high latency in mobilizing the right programmers and organizing their work. Crowdsourcing assists in overcoming these challenges due to the availability of a large base of contributors working towards a common goal. Debugging process is not a sequential task and this leads to the primary issue of dividing the debugging task into microtasks and asking the appropriate questions based on the microtasks for analysis of the software by the crowd. Our paper attempts to provide the solution of dividing the main task into several microtasks by leveraging the structure of the task followed by associating template questions with each of the microtasks. This can assist in reducing the overhead of the individual developer during the debugging process and make crowd debugging a reality.
Resistance to insects in glossy genetic lines of cole crops (Brassica oleracea)

The glossy cauliflower PI 234599 has been used for many years in breeding programs as a source of resistance to diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (L.) and other lepidopterous pests. Only recently, however, have other genes for glossiness in cole crops (Brassica oleracea L.) been tested for their effects on insect resistance (Stoner, 1990).
Comparison of Measured Renal Tumor Size Versus R.E.N.A.L. Nephrometry Score in Predicting Patient Outcomes After Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy

Partial nephrectomy (PN) is a technically challenging procedure, making selection of appropriate patients paramount to a successful operation. To identify patients at increased risk of an adverse outcome after PN, there are a number of scoring systems available. The nephrometry score was initially described in a series of laparoscopic and open partial and radical nephrectomies. We compare the association of the nephrometry score with perioperative outcomes in a population of robot-assisted partial nephrectomies. A total of 119 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Correlation and regressional analysis was performed. We identified the separate variables R, E, N, and L to have limited correlation and no predictive value to patient outcomes. Nephrometry score and grade were found to have stronger correlation and predictive value than the individual components of the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score. Size of tumor measured on a continuous scale was found to have the strongest correlation and predictive value to outcomes. Outcomes predicted included operative time, length of stay, warm ischemia time, and entry into the collecting system.
Racing and Pacing to Idle: Theoretical and Empirical Analysis of Energy Optimization Heuristics

The problem of minimizing energy for a performance constraint (e.g., Real-time deadline or quality-of-service requirement) has been widely studied, both in theory and in practice. Theoretical models have indicated large potential energy savings, but practical concerns have made these savings hard to realize. Instead, practitioners often rely on heuristic solutions, which achieve good results in practice but tend to be system-specific in efficacy. An example is the race-to-idle heuristic, which makes all resources available until a task completes and then idles. Theory predicts poor energy savings, but practitioners have reported good empirical results. To help bridge the gap between theory and practice, this paper presents a geometrical framework for analyzing the energy optimality of resource allocation under performance constraints. The geometry of the problem allows us to derive an optimal strategy and three commonly used heuristics: 1) race-to-idle, 2) pace-to-idle a near-optimal idling strategy, and 3) no-idle which never idles. We then implement all strategies and test them empirically for seven benchmarks on four different multicore systems, including both x86 and ARM. We find that race-to-idle is near optimal on older systems, but can consume as much as 3× more energy than the optimal strategy. In contrast, pace-to-idle is never more than 12% worse than optimal.
Rapide: A Language and Toolset for Causal Event Modeling of Distributed System Architectures

This paper describes some of the features of Rapide, a language for modelling architectures of distributed systems. Rapide is an event-based architecture definition language. It has a semantics based on causally related events. Simulations of models in Rapide generate causal event histories which can be checked for correctness using event pattern constraints, or can be viewed and analysed by means of the Rapide toolset.
Black-Footed Ferret Recovery

The black-footed ferret, indigenous to the western United States, was believed to be extinct by the 1970s after a precipitous decline in its main food source, prairie dogs. The accidental discovery of a remnant colony of black-footed ferrets in Wyoming 20 years ago prompted the launch of an ambitious captive breeding program to save this species. As Dobson and Lyles discuss in a Perspective, the combined efforts of veterinarians, zoologists, ecologists and wild-life managers, not to mention 35 private and government agencies, has resulted in a remarkable comeback for this sleek carnivore. Through aggressive captive breeding programs and prerelease behavioral conditioning, the release of captive ferrets to their original habitats in the Rocky Mountains has resulted in the seeding of four wild breeding colonies. But the ultimate success of this ambitious project will depend on sustaining sufficiently large colonies of prairie dogs that constitute the black-footed ferret9s exclusive prey.
The histopathologic diagnoses of the atypical endometrium

Abstract Attention has been called to the variability of the histologic findings in different portions of curettings removed for various clinical conditions, and hence the necessity of utilizing as frequently as possible the procedure of curettage rather than that of biopsy. Because of the present inadequate state of our knowledge and because of our inability to satisfactorily correlate many histopathologic findings with the hormonal status of the patient or with the inherent responsiveness of the endometrium, it is felt inadvisable in many instances to attempt all inclusive specific diagnoses. It is considered more advisable in these cases to restrict one's self to full descriptive reports supplemented by consultation and discussion between clinician and pathologist, in the hope that the future may bring clarification and unity to these objectively recorded findings.
THE ART OF RETRIEVAL: Stoicism?

This essay argues that retrieving insights from the ancient Stoic philosophers for Christian ethics is much more difficult than is often assumed and, further, that the “ethics of retrieval” is itself something worth prolonged reflection. The central problem is that in their ancient sense both Christianity and Stoicism are practically dense patterns of reasoning and mutually incompatible forms of life. Coming to see this clearly requires the realization that the encounter between Stoicism and Christianity is a conflict of lived traditions. Precisely because we cannot simply extract Stoic insights from the lives in which they belong, the task of determining how Stoicism is useful for Christianity is exceptionally challenging. Indeed, doing justice to the Stoics has more to do with facing an alternative to Christianity than it does with appropriating insights for our own use. These points are developed in conversation with Elizabeth Agnew Cochran's recent article on the Stoic influence upon Jonathan Edwards.
Solidification morphology and semisolid deformation in the superalloy Rene 108

A high-temperature nickel-base superalloy (Rene 108) was solidified at various cooling rates. The morphology of the equiaxed microstructure and the mechanism for intrinsic microporosity formation were correlated to the processing parameters. A special Gleeble testing procedure (developed previously — where the samples were quickly raised to a predetermined temperature in the semisolid zone and fractured) was used for the measurement of the fracture data. The upper coherent temperature was noted to be a function of the solidification variables. The amount of strain accommodation and the hot-tearing resistance was found to be influenced by the solidification microstructure. The hot ductility, the semisolid strength, and the corresponding microstructural changes are examined and discussed. Fracture maps which include the temperature, transverse-fracture stress and cooling rate during solidification $$(T - \sigma _T - \dot T)$$ for the equiaxed solidified microstructures are presented. A castability map was created from the fracture data.
Virally Directed Cytosine Deaminase/5-Fluorocytosine Gene Therapy Enhances Radiation Response in Human Cancer Xenografts

Abstract Gene therapy combined with radiation therapy to enhance selectively radiation cytotoxicity in malignant cells represents a new approach for cancer treatment. We investigated the efficacy of adenoviral (Ad5)-directed cytosine deaminase/5-fluorocytosine (CD/5-FC) enzyme/prodrug gene therapy to enhance selectively the tumoricidal action of ionizing radiation in human cancer xenografts derived from a human squamous carcinoma cell line (SQ-20B). Tumor xenografts grown in hindlimbs of nude mice were transfected with an adenoviral vector (Ad.CMV.CD) containing the cytosine deaminase ( CD ) gene under the control of a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. Mice were injected i.p. with 800 mg/kg of 5-FC for 12 days, and tumors were treated with fractionated radiation at a dose of 5 Gy/day to a total dose of 50 Gy. In larger tumors with a mean volume of 1069 mm 3 , marked tumor regression to 11% of the original tumor volume was observed at day 21 ( P = 0.01). The volumetric regression of smaller tumors with a mean volume of 199 mm 3 , which received the same combined treatment protocol, was significant at day 12 ( P = 0.014). However, unlike large tumors, regression of the smaller tumors continued until day 36 ( P = 0.01), with 43% cured at day 26. No cures or significant volumetric reduction in size was observed in tumors treated with radiation alone; Ad.CMV.CD with or without radiation; or with Ad.CMV.CD and 5-FC. These results suggest that the CD/5-FC gene therapy approach is an effective radiosensitizing strategy and may lead to substantial improvement in local tumor control that would translate into improved curve rates and better survival.
Phytoplankton and heterotrophic respiration in the surface layer of the ocean

[1] We suggest a way to estimate phytoplankton respiration separately from heterotrophic respiration. The analysis is based on three findings: (1) that carbon loss in the plankton overnight is mostly phytoplankton respiration; (2) that uptake of 14C estimates net primary production; and (3) that phytoplankton respiration occurs during the day at the same rate as at night. Based on these three findings, we propose that phytoplankton respiration can be estimated as twice the overnight loss of organic carbon. Heterotrophic respiration is then the difference between phytoplankton and total community respiration.
A Case Report of Listeria monocytogenes Abscesses Presenting as Cortically Predominant Ring-Enhancing Lesions.

Introduction:Listeria monocytogenes, a common cause of bacterial meningitis, rarely involves the central nervous system (CNS) in the form of multiple cerebral ring-enhancing lesions. Methods: An 81-year-old woman with rapidly progressive decline in her mental status in the setting of multiple cortically predominant ring-enhancing lesions was transferred to our institution. A mild upper respiratory tract infection and diarrhea symptoms preceded the mental status deterioration. Her past medical history is significant for type 2 diabetes mellitus. In light of the patient's age, the presence of hyponatremia and the history of diabetes mellitus, the empiric antimicrobial treatment was modified to include ampicillin, meropenem, vancomycin, voriconazole and pyrimethamine/sulfadiazine to prevent opportunistic infections. Intravenous dexamethasone was added due to significant perilesional vasogenic edema. Results: The patient presented with stupor, but neither fever nor leukocytosis. CSF results were significant only for a mildly elevated protein level. The report of a repeat brain MRI was as follows: large areas of high FLAIR signals and tubular/lobulated/ring enhacement in bifrontal regions with a smaller focus in the left anterior midbrain, indicating for underlying multicentric glioma or multicentric primary CNS lymphoma. A brain biopsy, however, revealed an early abscess formation caused by a L. monocytogenes infection. Conclusion: A high index of suspicion in patients with risk factors for this infection is key to ensure the timely initiation of appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy in the setting of cerebral ring-enhancing lesions. Intravenous ampicillin is the treatment of choice, but meropenem represents a valid alternative.
LANDSCAPE AND SOCIAL SCALE AT GOODMAN POINT, HOVENWEEP NATIONAL MONUMENT, SOUTHWESTERN COLORADO

A large body of detailed survey data exists for the Goodman Point area of southwestern Colorado, and these data have much to contribute toward understanding the evolution of the cultural landscape representing one of the Mesa Verde region’s most densely settled areas. Implementing a Geographic Information Systems approach, the vast amount of information available can provide important insights into how ancient Pueblo communities may have formed and interacted through time. Existing data allow for the analysis of potential landscape factors that influenced the initiation of communities, sites, and features that may have engendered intercommunity cooperation through time, and spatial evidence of large-scale, socioeconomic relations. This article adopts an inductive landscape approach to examine the evolution of communities near Goodman Point, Colorado by using spatial and temporal data recently developed through the Village Ecodynamics Project.
Lack of specific binding of prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2α, and 6-Keto Prostaglandin F1α to serum in patients with peptic ulcer disease and in healthy subjects

Abstract Rabbits immunized against prostaglandins develop antibodies to prostaglandins and peptic ulcer disease (duodenal and gastric ulcers). We have evaluated the hypothesis that idiopathic gastric or duodenal ulcer disease in humans may be associated with the spontaneous occurrence of serum antibodies directed against endogenous prostaglandins. We found that serum from 45 ulcer patients (34 duodenal, 11 gastric) had a low degree of binding of radiolabeled prostaglandin E 2 , prostaglandin F 2α , or 6-keto prostaglandin F 1α . The extent to which prostaglandins were bound to serum of ulcer patients was not statistically different from prostaglandin binding to serum from 25 normal subjects. Therefore, we conclude that spontaneous occurrence of circulating antibodies against endogenous prostaglandins is an unlikely cause of gastroduodenal ulceration in humans.
Engineering streptokinase for generation of active site-labeled plasminogen analogs

We previously demonstrated that streptokinase (SK) can be used to generate active site-labeled fluorescent analogs of plasminogen (Pg) by virtue of its nonproteolytic activation of the zymogen. The method is versatile and allows stoichiometric and active site-specific incorporation of any one of many molecular probes. The limitation of the labeling approach is that it is both time-consuming and low yield. Here we demonstrate an improved method for the preparation of labeled Pg analogs by the use of an engineered SK mutant fusion protein with both COOH- and NH(2)-terminal His(6) tags. The NH(2)-terminal tag is followed by a tobacco etch virus proteinase cleavage site to ensure that the SK Ile(1) residue, essential for conformational activation of Pg, is preserved. The SK COOH-terminal Lys(414) residue and residues Arg253-Leu260 in the SK β-domain were deleted to prevent cleavage by plasmin (Pm) and to disable Pg substrate binding to the SK·Pg(∗)/Pm catalytic complexes, respectively. Near elimination of Pm generation with the SKΔ(R253-L260)ΔK414-His(6) mutant increased the yield of labeled Pg 2.6-fold and reduced the time required more than 2-fold. The versatility of the labeling method was extended to the application of Pg labeled with a near-infrared probe to quantitate Pg receptors on immune cells by flow cytometry.
FIBER OPTICS FOR PROPULSION CONTROL SYSTEMS

In aircraft systems with digital controls, fiberoptics has advantages over wire systems because of its inherent immunity to electromagnetic noise (EMI) and electromagnetic pulses (EMP). It also offers a weight benefit when metallic conductors are replaced by optical fibers. To take full advantage of the benefits of optical waveguides, passive optical sensors are also being developed to eliminate the need for electrical power to the sensor. Fiberoptics may also be used for controlling actuators on engine and airframe. In this application, the optical fibers, connectors, etc. will be subjected to high temperature and vibrations. This paper discussed the use of fiberoptics in aircraft propulsion systems together with the optical sensors and optically controlled actuators being developed to take full advantage of the benefits which fiberoptics offers. The requirements for sensors and actuators in advanced propulsion systems are identified. The benefits of using fiberoptics in place of conventional wire systems are discussed as well as the environmental conditions under which the optical components must operate.
Lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and activation of medullary neurons by subdiaphragmatic vagal stimulation in the mouse

Abstract Background & Aims: Isolated lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation associated with belching and vomiting and the transient LES relaxation associated with gastroesophageal reflux are gastric afferent-mediated vagovagal reflexes. We aimed to identify the brain stem vagal subnuclei involved in these reflexes. Methods: In anesthetized mice, LES pressures were recorded using a manometric technique and response to electrical stimulation of the ventral trunk of subdiaphragmatic vagus was investigated. Anatomy of the vagal subnuclei was defined, and activated subnuclei with ventral subdiaphragmatic vagus stimulation were detected by c-fos immunohistochemical staining. Results: Ventral subdiaphragmatic vagal stimulation elicited frequency-dependent LES relaxation without evoking esophageal contractions and induced c-fos expression in interneurons in medial, dorsomedial, and commissural subnuclei along with outer shell of area postrema and motoneurons in the caudal dorsal motor nucleus of vagus. Brain stem subnuclei including interstitial, intermediate, and central subnuclei, and nucleus ambiguus, which have been reported to be involved in the response to swallowing, were not activated. Conclusions: Stimulation of the ventral subdiaphragmatic vagus causes isolated LES relaxation and activates neurons in select vagal subnuclei that may represent the brain stem circuit involved in the abdominal vagal-afferent–evoked isolated LES relaxation. These observations suggest that different brain stem circuits are involved in swallow-induced and gastric afferent-mediated isolated LES relaxations. GASTROENTEROLOGY 2000;119:1600-1609
The problem of the persistently purple nail

(1998). The problem of the persistently purple nail. Postgraduate Medicine: Vol. 104, No. 4, pp. 193-194.
Change schools through revolution, not evolution

The school's traditional practices are linked to current failures and to the limited prospects of future success. The major problems with current school practices are: adopting instructional programs that have never been fieldtested and revised on the basis of data; using diagnostic practices that “blame” the child as being the sole cause of poor performance; using testing techniques that do not imply curricular remedies; promoting children beyond their grade-level performance; failing to provide teachers with effective training and monitoring. Recommendations for changing the system to become accountable and databased include: bringing pressure from outside the system; lobbying for alternatives to public schools; promoting intervention by the board; involving parents in union negotiations; establishing committees of expert teachers to review administrative proposals and report to the board. The central feature of the plan is to fire administrators who fail to meet attainable student-achievement goals. This practice would ensure that administrators are reinforced when children succeed, a feature that is not part of current practices.
Steady-state and laser photolysis studies of substituted 2H-azirines. Spectroscopy, absolute rates, and Arrhenius behavior for the reaction of nitrile ylides with electron deficient olefins

Par irradiation UV des azirines substituees a 298 K, decyclisation en nitrile ylures qui peuvent etre captees par l'acrylate de methyle ou le methanol. En absence d'intercepteur, l'ylure donne une electrocyclisation en −1,5 suivie d'un deplacement de H sigmatrope-1,3 conduisant a un derive de l'isoindole. Spectres UV
Test of the polarization-analyzing power equality in two (p,d) reactions and their inverses

Angular distribution of vector analyzing power, A/sub y/, were measured for the /sup 11/B(p,d)/sup 10/B and /sup 13/C(p,d)/sup 12/C reactions. These analyzing powers were measured for each reaction at seven energies, 100 keV apart, which spanned the same excitation-energy range in the compound nuclei, /sup 12/C and /sup 14/N, as existing measurements of the outgoing proton polarization, P/sub y/, in the inverse reactions, /sup 10/B(d,p)/sup 11/B and /sup 12/C(d,p)/sup 13/C. We find general agreement between P/sub y/ and A/sub y/ except in a region where the P/sub y/ measurements are known to be difficult to make. We are not yet convinced that this difference constitutes evidence for a violation of time-reversal invariance.
A genomic perspective on the potential of Actinobacillus succinogenes for industrial succinate production

Succinate is produced petrochemically from maleic anhydride to satisfy a small specialty chemical market. If succinate could be produced fermentatively at a price competitive with that of maleic anhydride, though, it could replace maleic anhydride as the precursor of many bulk chemicals, transforming a multi-billion dollar petrochemical market into one based on renewable resources. Actinobacillus succinogenes naturally converts sugars and CO2 into high concentrations of succinic acid as part of a mixed-acid fermentation. Efforts are ongoing to maximize carbon flux to succinate to achieve an industrial process. Described here is the 2.3 Mb A. succinogenes genome sequence with emphasis on A. succinogenes's potential for genetic engineering, its metabolic attributes and capabilities, and its lack of pathogenicity. The genome sequence contains 1,690 DNA uptake signal sequence repeats and a nearly complete set of natural competence proteins, suggesting that A. succinogenes is capable of natural transformation. A. succinogenes lacks a complete tricarboxylic acid cycle as well as a glyoxylate pathway, and it appears to be able to transport and degrade about twenty different carbohydrates. The genomes of A. succinogenes and its closest known relative, Mannheimia succiniciproducens, were compared for the presence of known Pasteurellaceae virulence factors. Both species appear to lack the virulence traits of toxin production, sialic acid and choline incorporation into lipopolysaccharide, and utilization of hemoglobin and transferrin as iron sources. Perspectives are also given on the conservation of A. succinogenes genomic features in other sequenced Pasteurellaceae. Both A. succinogenes and M. succiniciproducens genome sequences lack many of the virulence genes used by their pathogenic Pasteurellaceae relatives. The lack of pathogenicity of these two succinogens is an exciting prospect, because comparisons with pathogenic Pasteurellaceae could lead to a better understanding of Pasteurellaceae virulence. The fact that the A. succinogenes genome encodes uptake and degradation pathways for a variety of carbohydrates reflects the variety of carbohydrate substrates available in the rumen, A. succinogenes's natural habitat. It also suggests that many different carbon sources can be used as feedstock for succinate production by A. succinogenes.
Demonstration of microtubule independent protein secretion from rat liver.

The induced secretion of rat liver microsomal β-glucuronidase into serum is, unlike other proteins secreted from liver, not dependent upon an intact microtubule apparatus.
New pulmonary infiltrates in a 19 year-old with sickle cell crisis.

Summary Objective: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is the most common inherited blood disorder. Sickle cell crisis is characterized by episodes of pain, chronic hemolytic anemia and severe infections, usually beginning in early childhood. Sickle cell disease primarily affects those of African descent and Hispanics of Caribbean ancestry, but the trait has also been found in those with Middle Eastern, Indian, Latin American, Native American, and Mediterranean heritage. Recent studies indicate that more than 12,500 people in England have sickle cell disorders. The acute chest syndrome is the leading cause of death and the second most common cause of hospitalization among patients with sickle cell disease. The acute chest syndrome (ACS) is characterized by chest pain with dyspnea and recent radiological abnormalities. Since its cause is largely unknown, rapid recognition and early institution of therapy is paramount as with timely and appropriate intervention majority of these patients survive. The treatment of ACS rests on controlled hydration, antibiotic therapy, oxygen therapy, controlled analgesic therapy, blood transfusion and exchange transfusion. A better understanding of the disease and a close collaborative approach between a primary care physician and a specialist may be the key to improve the quality of care rendered. Methods: Research studies, review articles, and published scientific meeting abstracts were reviewed.
Picosecond measurements of exciton trapping in semiconductor clusters

Abstract The formation of deep traps in 30 A CdS semiconductor clusters has been time resolved using picosecond single-photon counting. The trapping rates, measured by the risetime of recombinate or emission, vary inversely with trap depth ranging from ≈ 30 ps above 500 nm to
Survival and Complication Rates of Fixed Partial Dentures Supported by a Combination of Teeth and Implants

Article Title A systematic review of the survival and complication rates of fixed partial dentures (FPDs) after an observation period of at least 5 years. II. Combined tooth-implant-supported FPDs. Lang NP, Pjetursson BE, Tan K, Bragger U, Egger M, Zwahlen M. Clin Oral Implants Res 2004;15:643-53. Reviewers Hans-Peter Weber, DMD, Dr.med.dent, Yvette Zimering, DMD Student Purpose/Question To compare tooth-implant-supported fixed partial dentures with implant-supported FPDs for implant survival, FPD survival, and biological or technical complications. Source of Funding Clinical Research Foundation (CRF) for the Promotion of Oral Health, University of Berne, Switzerland. Type of Study/Design Systematic review with meta-analysis of data. Level of Evidence Level 2: Limited-quality, patient-oriented evidence. Strength of Recommendation Grade B: Inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence.
Effect of 723-1723-1723-1on ethanol withdrawal in mice

Δ9 (10 mg/kg, i.p.) administered to mice immediately after withdrawal from a 3-day exposure to ethanol vapor was found to intensify withdrawal reactions. No effect was seen whenΔ9 was administered chronically during the exposure to ethanol.
Effect of cortisol on medial edge epithelium of organ-cultured single palatal shelves from steroid-susceptible mouse strains.

Abstract Single palatal shelves from fetal mice of steroid-sensitive strains CD-1 and A/J were organ-cultured in control or cortisol-containing media for 12 h to 9 days. The medial-edge epithelial cells (MEE) of the shelves broke down after 24 h in control cultures, but cortisol concentration of 0.1–10μg/ml of medium prevented MEE cell breakdown. Lower concentration (0.0001 μg/ml) did not prevent. Histochemically, hydrolytic enzyme (acid phosphatase and trimetaphosphatase) activity was high in MEE of control shelves 6–12 h before cell breakdown, and low in the MEE of homotypic cortisol-treated shelves. Cortisol-treatment seems therefore to reduce hydrolytic enzyme activity in medial epithelial cells to below the level necessary for cell autolysis.
Water Policy Networks in the United States

Evidence suggests that the US water sector is characterised by multiple arrays but not an overarching sector‐wide arrangement encompassing all the major decision‐making participants. The water policy field is marked by considerable fragmentation in structure, as well as by largely‐uncoordinated policy. Several forces ‐ including ‘metapolicy’ shifts, professionalism and alterations in professional dominance, and the tension between advocates of more integrated water policy‐making (on the one hand) and interests favouring the status quo (on the other) ‐ have influenced the dynamics of network changes over time. Evidence also suggests that the structure of network organisation in the water sector has impacts on policy outputs. The network idea adds to the understanding of policy change in the US case, but there are also reasons to expect network‐based investigations to face limitations in explanatory power in the field of comparative policy.
Computing Interpolating Sequences

Naftalevic’s Theorem states that, given a Blaschke sequence, it is possible to modify the arguments of its terms so as to obtain an interpolating sequence. We prove a computable version of this theorem in that it possible, given a Blaschke sequence, to computably modify the arguments of its terms so as to obtain an interpolating sequence. Using this result, we produce a computable, interpolating Blaschke sequence that does not define a computable Blaschke product. This answers a question posed by Matheson and McNicholl in a recent paper. We use Type-Two Effectivity as our foundation.
Ingestion of potassium chloride and sodium chloride solutions by albino and hooded rats.

The intake of KC1 by albino rats tested with an ascending series of 10 concentrations between 0.1 and 5.0% declined as concentration increased in two-bottle tests, whereas intake of NaC1 increased as concentration increased to 0.88% but declined thereafter. These patterns were basically unchanged when the tests were repeated 15 days later. In single-bottle tests with order of presentation varied, albino and hooded rats were presented water and nine KCI solutions ranging in concentration from 0.08 to 2.62%. No clear intake difference between water and dilute KC1 appeared, but the highest concentration of KC1 did produce a reduced intake. These baseline data show that normal diet-replete rats were indifferent to dilute KC1 solutions in two standard preference testing situations where a preference for dilute NaC1 readily appeared, and that they avoided high concentrations of KC1.
Fractal measures in multiparticle production.

A new set of moments {ital G}{sub {ital q}} of the multiplicity distribution in a narrow rapidity window is suggested for analysis so that the chaotic fluctuations of the rapidity distribution can be described in the formalism of multifractals. Phenomenological evidence is given to show that there is a fractal structure in the data of multiparticle production at high energy. The fractal dimension and its generalizations can be determined to provide a description of the spectrum of scaling indices. The implication on the emergence of a new approach to the study of multiparticle production in the framework of multifractals in the theory of chaos is discussed.
WE-C-AUD-08: Sensitivity Analysis of a Non-Cylindrically Symmetric Monte Carlo Beam Model of a Siemens Primus Accelerator

Purpose: To facilitate the development and commissioning of radiotherapy accelerator beam models by studying the impact of the variation of geometric and electron beam parameters on photondose and fluence output for a Siemens Primus accelerator. In particular, the impact of lateral offsets of linac components and lateral and angular offsets of the electron beam were examined. Method and Materials: We have performed a sensitivity study examining the effect of varying beam and geometric parameters of a Monte Carlo model of a Siemens Primus accelerator. The accelerator and dose output were modeled using BEAMnrc and DOSXYZnrc, respectively. The BEAMnrc package was modified to allow for linear offsets of individual accelerator components, and lateral and angular offsets of the incident electron beam.Dose distributions were studied for 40 × 40 cm2 fields. Flatness, symmetry, OAR, and profile slope were studied. Results: The electron beam parameters having the greatest effect on the resulting dose distributions were found to be electron energy and angle of incidence, as high as 5% for a 0.25° deflection, with lateral offset of the electron beam and spot size having a smaller impact. Variations in target thickness were found to have a lesser effect than found in previous studies for electron beams. Small (∼2 mm) lateral offsets of the flattening filter altered the OAR by 5% for 6 MV and as much as 25% for 18 MV. Conclusion: Using large fields allows treatment head details to be more easily extracted. Lateral and angular offsets of beam and accelerator components have strong effects on dose distributions, and need to be included in any high‐accuracy beam model. Having a table cataloging the impact of model parameters on dose output can greatly facilitate beam model commissioning. Support from NIH R01 CA104777‐01A2.
The Past, Present and Future of Freeform Optics

Freeform optical surfaces are emerging as a path to truly three-dimensional optical designs. In this talk I will provide a short historical context to this emergence and discuss the challenges as well as the rapidly emerging knowledge that spans from the mathematics of freeform surfaces to the implementation of freeform optical systems.
Trade Show Websites: An Examination of Critical Websites' Quality Factors and Content Items

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the quality factors of trade show websites as marketing communication tools. Four factors (system quality, information quality, service quality, and relationship quality) were assessed by measuring their impact on attendees' satisfaction with the trade show website. The relationship between website content items and attendees' satisfaction was also measured. The online survey was distributed to the attendees of the World Tea Expo via email in March 2006, and 369 responses were collected in total. Multiple regression was used to find out the important variables which affect overall satisfaction. The findings supported the evidence that the four factors were related to overall user satisfaction. The data further indicated that only four content items (general information, resource center, exhibitor list, and online registration) were important statistically. In this study, gender difference was also found to affect the satisfaction on website quality factors and content items. ...