cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rhinokinetic snout of thamnophiine snakes.

Radiographic and cinegraphic behavioral data, combined with anatomical evidence, indicate that the snout in Nerodia and Thamnophis consists of four movable elements (1, premaxilla; 2, paired nasals; 3, right septomaxilla and vomer; and 4, left septomaxilla and vomer), a condition we refer to as rhinokinetic. In thamnophiine snakes, movements of the snout bones allow the teeth of the right and left sides to separate further and increase the effective stroke distance of each palatomaxillary cycle during swallowing. Histological and microdissectional analyses suggest that snout movement is keyed to the placement of the cartilaginous nasal septum and associated nasal capsules relative to the surrounding bones. The nasal septum separates the paired septomaxillae and is surrounded by loose connective tissues that extend ventrally between the vomers. The nasal capsules separate the nasal bones from the underlying septomaxillae, and also surround the anterior ends of the septomaxillae, providing a cartilaginous cushion between these bones and the premaxilla. The extraordinary rotations of the snout tip seen during swallowing in thamnophiine snakes are thus due to motion at the prokinetic joint between snout and braincase, and at all rhinokinetic joints connecting the four functional elements of the snout. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
On the Formation of Novel Genes by Duplication in the Caenorhabditis elegans Genome

Gene duplication is thought to play the singular most important role in the formation of novel genes. The canonical model of gene duplication postulates that novel genes arise in a two-step fashion, namely, (1) the complete duplication of a gene followed by (2) the gradual accumulation of mutations in one or both copies leading to an altered function. It was previously demonstrated that more than 50% of newborn duplicates in Caenorhabditis elegans had unique exons in one or both members of a duplicate pair, indicating that many duplicates are not functionally identical to the progenitor copy at birth. Both partial and chimeric gene duplications contribute to the formation of novel genes. For chimeric duplications, the genomic sources of unique exons are diverse, including genic and intergenic regions, as well as repetitive elements. These novel genes derived from partial and chimeric duplications are equally likely to be transcriptionally active as copies derived from complete duplications of the ancestral gene. Duplication breakpoints in the ancestral copies are uniformly distributed in the genome, ruling out the role of any mechanism that restricts them to a particular type of sequence such as introns. Finally, both intron loss and gain contribute to the differential distribution of introns between two copies.
Improving the Health of Minority Communities through Probation-Public Health Collaborations: An Application of the Epidemiological Criminology Framework

This article explores the notion that common dynamic risks may underlie both criminal justice system involvement and poor health outcomes among members of minority groups in the U.S. We introduce the epidemiological criminology framework as a way of conceptualizing, researching, and intervening to reduce both health and criminal behaviors simultaneously among those on community supervision, or probation and parole. We use the lack of attention to community-supervised populations in previous research on sexually transmitted diseases as an illustration of lost opportunities. Suggestions for addressing these and other disease states and criminality simultaneously through the epidemiological criminology framework are provided.
Mixoploidy with a Proteus syndrome phenotype

We report a 22-month-old female patient with diploid-triploid mixoploidy (46,XX/69,XXX) and asymmetric overgrowth of the limbs; the legs being more affected, macrodactyly and a subcutaneous lipoma. The patient, A.J., was the 4th child of a 28-year-old para 3-0-0-3 mother. Family history was unremarkable. Pregnancy was complicated by polyhydramnios in the third trimester and there was small abruptio placentae. Normal spontaneous vertex delivery was at 34 weeks gestation. Apgar scores were 4/8; birth weight was 2280 g (50th percentile), and OFC was 29 cm (15th percentile). The large placenta, weight 1310 g, demonstrated triploidy: 69,XXX. Peripheral lymphocyte culture: 21/22 cells were 46,XX and 1 cell was 69,XXX. A higher percentage of mosaicism was present in skin fibroblast culture: 15/6 (46,XX/69,XXX). Recently a macrodactyl toe was removed and cytogenetic studies indicated 3/17 mosaicism (46,XX/69,XXX). Echocardiogram revealed a moderate-sized PDA which closed with Indocin, a trace of tricuspid regurgitation, and moderate pulmonary hypertension. Renal sonogram was normal. At birth, asymmetric macrodactyly of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th toes and partial 2, 3 toe syndactyly were noted. Palpebral fissures were narrow. At 10.5 months, height was 73.3 cm (60th percentile), weight was 11.12 kg (above 95th percentile) and OFC was 46.5 cm (75th percentile). The lower limbs had grown disproportionately large with increasing asymmetry of all limbs. As a new finding, there was macrodactyly of the 4th left finger. There was left pes cavovarus. A small subcutaneous lipoma-like mass was present in the right axilla. A developmental assessment at 10.5 months indicated slight motor delay. Due to the limb overgrowth, macrodactyly and subcutaneous lipoma, Proteus syndrome was diagnosed. Somatic mosaicisim has been previously reported with this syndrome, but to our knowledge, this is the first case with mixoploidy; the latter is usually associated with developmental delay, asymmetric growth deficiency (Russell-Silver-like phenotype), cutaneous syndactyly, and facial dysmorphy. Since the mixoploidy may be a causative factor, karyotyping appears warranted for patients with Proteus syndrome.
Conformation and dynamics of a self‐avoiding sheet: Bond‐fluctuation computer simulation

The conformation and dynamics of a self-avoiding sheet are analyzed by the bond-fluctuating Monte Carlo method. The mean-square displacement of the center of mass of the sheet and that of its center node (R 2 n ) show asymptotic diffusive behavior. The segmental dynamics in short and long time regimes can be deduced from the motion of the center node described by the power law R 2 n ≃ C 1 t 2μ + C 2 t 2r with μ ≃ 0.13 and ν ≃ 1/2, where C 1 and C 2 are fitting constants and t is the time. The radius of gyration, Rg, scales with the linear size, L s , of the sheet as R g ≃ N γ with γ ≃ 1/2 and N = L 2 s , and this is consistent with the conformational analysis of open tethered membranes with excluded-volume constraints.
Direct resolution of epoxyeicosatrienoic acid enantiomers by chiral-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

A chromatographic method was developed to separate enantiomers of four regioisomeric epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which are cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase products of arachidonic acid. Enantiomers of individual epoxyeicosatrienoic acids were separated by chiral-phase HPLC using Chiralcel OD columns. In contrast to the pre-derivatization of EETs, the method is simple and convenient. It can be readily used in analytical studies and in preparative applications. The method can also be applied to the separation of methyl ester derivatives of epoxyeicosatrienoic acid enantiomers.
Intraoperative haemorrhage associated with the use of extract of Saw Palmetto herb: a case report and review of literature

The significant increase in the use of alternative medicine in general and the herbal and dietary supplement in particular represents a challenge to the health care professionals. Because of their unregulated use, physicians are encountering increasing numbers of toxicities and untoward events. We report a case of severe intraoperative haemorrhage in a patient who was taking the herb Saw Palmetto. His bleeding time which was prolonged, normalized few days after he stopped the herb. This case should increase the awareness of physicians to such possible complications and encourage them to enquire thoroughly about the use of any dietary supplement in all their patients.
Insights into Resistance against Lincosamide Antibiotics

Bacteria utilize multiple strategies to circumvent antibiotics, producing broad specificity exporters or enzymes that catalyze the modification of either antibiotics or their targets. A report in this issue of Structure provides the structural and catalytic mechanisms of LinB, an adenylyltransferase of E. faecium that confers resistance to the lincosamide antibiotic clindamycin.
The effects of six environmental variables on Pasteurella multocida populations in water.

The effects of protein, pH, temperature, sodium chloride (NaCl), clays, sucrose, and their interactions on the survival and growth of Pasteurella multocida were evaluated. Pasteurellae populations declined rapidly in waters maintained at 2 C, compared to 18 C. Increasing water soluble proteins by 175 μg/ml, and NaCl by 0.5%, greatly enhanced survival of P. multocida, whereas variations in pH, clays, and sucrose had relatively minor effects. Pasteurella multocida survived for over 1 yr in some samples of water. This is the longest known survival of these bacteria in water.
Spinal anesthesia versus intravenous sedation for transvaginal oocyte retrieval: Reproductive outcome, side-effects and recovery profiles

Transvaginal ultrasonically guided oocyte retrieval is commonly performed as part of in vitro fertilization efforts. The impact of anesthetic management on patient outcome from this procedure has not been well characterized. At our institution, patients are offered a choice of either heavy intravenous sedation or spinal anesthesia with minimal or no sedatives. In this pilot study, we retrospectively reviewed the anesthetic management, reproductive outcome and recovery room experience for all patients having oocyte retrieval during a 2-year interval (n = 95). Fifty-one oocyte retrievals were performed under spinal anesthesia, while 44 patients received solely intravenous sedatives. Both groups had similar reproductive outcomes. The intravenous sedation group required a significantly longer period until recovery room discharge criteria were met (P = 0.03), and were more likely to have postoperative emetic episodes (46% versus 6% in the spinal anesthesia group: P < 0.01). Two unplanned hospital admissions occurred in the intravenous sedation group: both were related to uncontrolled nausea and vomiting. We conclude that spinal anesthesia may have advantages over intravenous sedation for oocyte retrieval.
Onset of river ice breakup

Predicting whether and where the ice cover of a river is going to break up as a result of increased runoff, is crucial in such concerns as environmental impact assessment of climatic and hydrologic changes, emergency flood warning and mitigation, and winter hydro-power production. The available predictive methods are generally empirical and site-specific. Their utility is limited by the need for local records, and the uncertainty introduced by changes in factors not explicitly accounted for in an empirical correlation. As a first step toward development of more general, transferable, breakup forecasting criteria, five data sets are used to test existing theoretical concepts of how breakup is initiated. One of these concepts results in acceptable consistency among the different sites, and shows promise for further testing. It involves such variables as water surface width, channel curvature, freeze-up stage, and ice competence. In addition to forecasting applications at a particular site, this method has the potential for application over entire reaches to address such problems as where ice jams form, when they release, and the magnitude of the ice clearing discharge.
Infrared Transmission Characterization Of P-Type Gallium Arsenide

The capabilities and limitations of infrared transmission as a characterization tool for p-type gallium-arsenide are being studied. Absorption spectra resulting from impurity ground state to excited state transitions have been analyzed to yield impurity activation energy and absorption cross section. These data allow determination of impurity type and concentration. Sensitivities achieved with copper, manganese, and magnesium are discussed.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The effect of environmental factors on the response of human corneal epithelial cells to nanoscale substrate topography.

We have previously shown that human corneal epithelial cells sense and react to nanoscale substrate topographic stimuli [Teixeira AI, Abrams GA, Bertics PJ, Murphy CJ, Nealey PF. Epithelial contact guidance on well-defined micro- and nanostructured substrates. J Cell Sci 2003;116(10):1881–92; Karuri NW, Liliensiek S, Teixeira AI, Abrams G, Campbell S, Nealey PF, et al. Biological length scale topography enhances cell-substratum adhesion of human corneal epithelial cells. J Cell Sci 2004;117(15):3153–64]. Here we demonstrate that cellular responses to nanoscale substrate topographies are modulated by the context in which these stimuli are presented to cells. In Epilife medium, cells aligned preferentially in the direction perpendicular to nanoscale grooves and ridges. This is in contrast to a previous study where cells cultured in DMEM/F12 medium aligned in the direction parallel to nanoscale topographic features [Teixeira AI, Abrams GA, Bertics PJ, Murphy CJ, Nealey PF. Epithelial contact guidance on well-defined micro- and nanostructured substrates. J Cell Sci 2003;116(10):1881–92]. Additionally, cell alignment in Epilife medium was dependent on pattern pitch. Cells switched from perpendicular to parallel alignment when the pitch was increased from 400 to 4000 nm. There was a transition region (between 800 and 1600 nm pitch) where both parallel and perpendicular alignments were favored compared to all other cellular orientations. Cells formed focal adhesions parallel to the substrate topographies in this transition region. On the nano- and microscale patterns, 400 and 4000 nm pitch, focal adhesions were almost exclusively oriented obliquely to the topographic patterns.
Camera color analysis gamut

Michael Brill has opened a valuable discussion about camera gamuts and Roy Berns has questioned the use of the word “gamut” in that proposal. We would like to stress the importance of associating a gamut with an imaging output device and would thus question the use of the concept proposed for assessing the capabilities of an input device. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 33, 81–82, 2008
The Utopia/Isidis overlap: Possible conduit for mud volcanism on Mars

Abstract The largest areal concentration of pitted cones on Mars is located in the southwest section of Utopia basin. This particular area of pitted cones has been attributed to mud volcanism; several factors may have facilitated extensive mud volcanism at this location. The concentration of pitted cones is located where Utopia basin intersects Isidis basin; both features are multi-ring impact basins. On Earth, seismic investigations have shown that the outer rings of the Chicxulub multi-ring impact basin extend to the Mohorovicic discontinuity (Moho). If this is true on Mars as well, the fractures could act as conduits for water from Utopia Planitia, the site of a large, putative water body. It has been shown that methane can be generated at the mantle on Earth. On Mars this possible source of methane could combine with the infiltrated water to generate clathrates. While methane is not currently being released at the location of the pitted cones it could have been in the past. Three locations of methane release have been observed on Mars, two of which are located on the same outer ring of Isidis basin that intersects the pitted cone population. The area of Utopia basin that contains the large population of pitted cones is adjacent to the highland/lowland boundary where extensive deposition would have occurred. Extensive deposition combined with the potential for methane release may have contributed to the large population of pitted cones in this area of the Utopia basin.
Prosthodontic rehabilitation of a patient with partial anodontia: A clinical report

This clinical report describes the prosthodontic rehabilitation of a 22-year-old female patient diagnosed with partial anodontia. A combined dental therapy approach was used and included endodontic therapy and a post-and-core buildup on the mandibular left canine, fabrication of a mandibular removable denture, and fabrication of maxillary fixed restorations. Canine-protected occlusion was developed in the final restorations to decrease lateral forces on the posterior dentition. Protrusive guidance was evenly distributed across the maxillary and mandibular incisors. Functional and esthetic results were achieved.
Investigation of Magnetic Fields and Forces Arising in Open-Circuit-Type Magnetic Bearings

The concept of magnetic bearings consists of using magnetic forces to maintain controlled separation between bearing surfaces. The closed-circuit-type magnetic bearings have been analyzed and reported in literature. In this paper, the development of a theory together with experimental verification for predicting both normal and transverse forces in open-circuit-type magnetic bearings in a quasi-static environment is described. For purposes of analysis, the magnetic bearing system was mathematically modelled by current densities and forces were calculated by using Ampere's law. Very good agreement between the theory and experimental data was observed. Also, experiments were performed to validate the previously developed theory for closed-circuit-type bearings employing high-permeability materials for the case when permanent magnets were used as a battery to energize the magnetic circuit. Presented at the 41st Annual Meeting in Toronto, Ontario, Canada May 12–15, 1986
When performance doesn't count: A constituency looks at its spokesman

Abstract In contrast to the majority of studies in the areas which have focused on the forces faced by a group spokesman, this paper examines the way the spokesman affects his constituency as he takes part in intergroup conflict reduction activities. In a simulation, the background of the representative (insider or outsider) and his behavior (reflecting early or late concession making) were experimentally manipulated. The outcome of negotiations was controlled to reflect moderately good performance for all spokesmen. As predicted, both variables influenced consistuency reactions. While concession rate influenced satisfaction with the negotiation outcome, background consistently predicted ratification, rehiring, and other evaluative reactions. Despite performance levels comparable to insiders, the behavior of outsiders was censured and their agreements rejected. It appears that in this as in other areas where performance must be evaluated, the context and characteristics of individuals can overpower the results that they produce. The evolving framework of attribution theory is offered as a way of understanding how and why this occurs.
Single molecule modulation spectroscopy of conjugated polymers.

This paper describes a new single molecule spectroscopy approach for the investigation of triplet−triplet and singlet−triplet interactions in conjugated polymers. The technique involves the irradiation of isolated single, mulitchromophoric, conjugated polymer molecules by a repetitive sequence of variable-intensity microsecond time scale excitation pulses. The fluorescence intensity is synchronously time-averaged for thousands of cycles of the pulse sequence to yield a high signal-to-noise fluorescence transient on the microsecond time scale. The transient can be analyzed with kinetic models to obtain quantitative information about the kinetics of triplet−triplet exciton annihilation and the quenching of singlet excitons by triplet excitons in conjugated polymers.
Who Should Make Decisions? A High School Wrestles With Tracking

This case concerns conflict over decision-making in a high school. It highlights major differences of opinion regarding the purposes of schooling and the democratic ideals of education. Vocal parents and some teachers are at odds over course offerings that maintain tracking, assigning students to particular courses of study based on their abilities and career goals. Parents want a separate honors track for their children. Members of the faculty have been influential in moving the school toward greater heterogeneity, and they have set up a process for decision-making regarding change that assures they have a voice in matters of curriculum and instruction. The school's principal is caught in the middle, trying to keep parents happy while honoring the principles of shared leadership with the faculty. This case demonstrates the tension between the needs of individual students or group of students and the aim of the school to best fulfill the learning needs of all students. It focuses on the democratic underpinnings of American education: how do you balance the input of all stakeholders when making decisions about school practice and policy?
You Can't Make Me Do It: State Implementation of Insurance Exchanges under the Affordable Care Act

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 has been one of the most controversial laws in decades. The ACA relies extensively on the cooperation of states for its implementation, offering opportunities for both local adaptation and political roadblocks. Health insurance exchanges are one of the most important components of the ACA for achieving its goal of near-universal coverage. Despite significant financial support from the federal government, many governors and legislatures have taken actions that have blocked or delayed significant progress in developing their exchanges. However, many state commissioners of insurance have played constructive roles in moving states forward in exchange planning through their expertise, leadership, and pragmatism, sometimes in spite of strong political opposition to the ACA from governors and legislatures.
Stress analysis of the compact specimen including the effects of pin loading

An improved method of boundary collocation was applied to the two-dimensional stress analysis of the compact specimen. The effects of the pin-loaded holes on stress-intensity factors and crack-opening displacements were investigated for various crack-length-to-specimen-width ratios, hole locations, and internal loadings. The stress-intensity factors for the 'standard' compact specimen under plane-stress or plane-strain conditions were found to be within 1 percent of the stress-intensity factors reported in the ASTM Test for Plane-Strain Fracture Toughness of Metallic Materials (E 399-72) over a range of crack-length-to-specimen-width ratios of 0.4 to 0.7. However, for crack-length-to-specimen-width ratios less than 0.4, the pin-load holes (which were not previously accounted for) had a significant effect on stress intensity and crack-opening displacements.
Spectral bandwidth in automated leukocyte classification

Investigators have repeatedly pointed out the importance of spectral information in the automated classification of white blood cells. In general, monochromatic images recorded through two or three color filters are used to extract this information. Although it has generally been thought that the use of narrow band filters provides "cleaner" color information than is obtainable through wide band filters, the choice has not been fully investigated and the question is far from being settled. The use of wide band filters has the clear practical advantage of increased light levels at the detector, resulting in higher signal-to-noise ratio with less demand on light source design. In order to investigate this issue, a series of 681 leukocytes of the most frequently occurring types were digitized by the use of both narrow (10 nm) and wide (90 nm) band filters. Parameters were extracted independently from both sets of images. These parameters were then used to develop a classifier for each set of images. The choice of features and classifier results indicate that there are no major performance differences between the two types of filters.
Anatomy and histochemistry of spread‐wing posture in birds. 2. Gliding flight in the California Gull, Larus californicus: A paradox of fast fibers and posture

Gliding flight is a postural activity which requires the wings to be held in a horizontal position to support the weight of the body. Postural behaviors typically utilize isometric contractions in which no change in length takes place. Due to longer actin-myosin interactions, slow contracting muscle fibers represent an economical means for this type of contraction. In specialized soaring birds, such as vultures and pelicans, a deep layer of the pectoralis muscle, composed entirely of slow fibers, is believed to perform this function. Muscles involved in gliding posture were examined in California gulls (Larus californicus) and tested for the presence of slow fibers using myosin ATPase histochemistry and antibodies. Surprisingly small numbers of slow fibers were found in the M. extensor metacarpi radialis, M. coracobrachialis cranialis, and M. coracobrachialis caudalis, which function in wrist extension, wing protraction, and body support, respectively. The low number of slow fibers in these muscles and the absence of slow fibers in muscles associated with wing extension and primary body support suggest that gulls do not require slow fibers for their postural behaviors. Gulls also lack the deep belly to the pectoralis found in other gliding birds. Since bird muscle is highly oxidative, we hypothesize that fast muscle fibers may function to maintain wing position during gliding flight in California gulls.
Habitat Use by Saw‐Whet Owls in the Sierra Nevada

Abstract Northern saw-whet owls (Aegolius acadicus) are secondary cavity-nesters and their dependence on snags has potential repercussions on forest management practices. Descriptive studies exist regarding habitat characteristics around saw-whet nest and roost areas, yet few studies have examined associations within larger areas or relative to snag characteristics (e.g., density). We conducted owl broadcast surveys and snag sampling during the spring and summer of 2006 and 2007 in the Lake Tahoe Basin of the central Sierra Nevada; we measured additional habitat variables from Geographic Information System layers. We modeled detection and occupancy probabilities for saw-whets using sampling and site covariates at survey sites. In addition, we used stepwise logistic regression to compare habitat characteristics at owl use sites and nonuse sites at 2 spatial scales. Detection probability was low in 2006 and decreased throughout the survey period; detection probability was slightly higher in 2007 and unaffec...
Comparison of proteomic profiles of serum, plasma, and modified media supplements used for cell culture and expansion

The culture and expansion of human cells for clinical use requires the presence of human serum or plasma in culture media. Although these supplements have been extensively characterized in their chemical composition, only recently it has been possible to provide by high throughput protein analysis, a comprehensive profile of the soluble factors contributing to cell survival. This study analyzed and compared the presence of 100 proteins including chemokines, cytokines and soluble factors in six different types of media supplements: serum, plasma, recalcified plasma, heat inactivated serum, heat inactivated plasma and heat inactivated recalcified plasma. Serum, plasma, recalcified plasma, and heat inactivated supplements were prepared from ten healthy subjects. The levels of 100 soluble factors were measured in each sample using a multiplexed ELISA assay and compared by Eisen hierarchical clustering analysis. A comparison of serum and plasma levels of soluble factors found that 2 were greater in plasma but 18 factors were greater in serum including 11 chemokines. The levels of only four factors differed between recalcified plasma and plasma. Heat inactivation had the greatest effect on soluble factors. Supervised Eisen hierarchical clustering indicated that the differences between heat inactivated supplements and those that were not were greater than the differences within these two groups. The levels of 36 factors differed between heat inactivated plasma and plasma. Thirty one of these factors had a lower concentration in heat inactivated plasma including 12 chemokines, 4 growth factors, 4 matrix metalloproteases, and 3 adhesion molecules. Heat inactivated decalcified plasma is often used in place of heat inactivated serum and the levels of 19 soluble factors differed between these two supplements. Our report provides a comprehensive protein profile of serum, plasma recalcified plasma, and heat inactivated supplements. This profile represents a qualitative and quantitative database that can aid in the selection of the appropriate blood derived supplement for human cell cultures with special requirements.
RF Energy Transmission for a Low-Power Wireless Impedance Sensor Node

The proper management of energy resources is essential for any wireless sensing system. With applications that span industrial, civil, and aerospace infrastructure, it is necessary for sensors and sensor nodes to be physically robust and power efficient. In many applications, a sensor network must operate in locations that are difficult to access, and often these systems have a desired operational lifespan which exceeds that of conventional battery technologies. In the present study, the use of microwave energy is examined as an alternate method for powering compact, deployable wireless sensor nodes. A prototype microstrip patch antenna has been designed to operate in the 2.4 GHz ISM band and is used to collect directed radio frequency (RF) energy to power a wireless impedance device that provides active sensing capabilities for structural health monitoring applications. The system has been demonstrated in the laboratory, and was deployed in field experiments on the Alamosa Canyon Bridge in New Mexico in August 2007. The transmitted power was limited to 1 W in field tests, and was able to charge the sensor node to 3.6 V in 27 s. This power level was sufficient to measure two piezoelectric sensors and transmit data back to a base station on the bridge.
Stable recursive least squares filtering using an inverse QR decomposition

The performance of recursive-least-squares (RLS) algorithm based on an inverse QR decomposition is reported. Theoretical analysis provides performance measures in a finite precision environment. The performance measure is derived in terms of the biases that are present in steady-state along the diagonal entries of the matrix used in the approach. An analytical expression has been derived for this bias as a function of wordlength, forgetting factor, and signal statistics. This result is further used to show that the diagonal entries will not reduce to zero or become negative, thereby ensuring stability of the algorithm. All analytical results are verified by corresponding simulation results. >
Ectodermal interactions during neurogenesis in the glossiphoniid leech Helobdella triserialis.

Morphogenetic cell interactions during development were studied by combining cell ablation and cell lineage tracing techniques in embryos of the leech Helobdella triserialis. Ablation of an identified ectodermal teloblast, or teloblast precursor blastomere, on one side of an early embryo was often found to result in the later abnormal migration of the progeny cells of the corresponding contralateral, nonablated teloblast to the ablated side of the embryo; such abnormal migration was termed “midline violation.” Two different kinds of midline violation were observed. Crossover: after ablation of an N teloblast individual stem cell progeny of the contralateral N teloblast sometimes cross the ventral midline of the germinal plate of the embryo. Switching: after ablation of an OPQ teloblast precursor bandlets of stem cells produced by the contralateral 0, P, or Q teloblasts sometimes switch to the germinal band of the ablated side at the site of origin of the germinal bands. The occurrence of crossover and switching shows that the eventual site occupied by a progeny cell of a particular teloblast is not automatically determined hy its lineage, but also depends on interactions with other cells. Midline violation in the leech embryo CNS does not constitute true regulation, however, since the restoration of neurons to the ablated side is accompanied by a neuron deficit on the nonablated side. The occurrence of the two distinct kinds of midline violation, crossover and switching, may he explained by the relative position of the stem cell handlets within the germinal bands, and by the geometrical features of the formation of the germinal plate from the germinal bands.
Synaptophysin Regulates the Kinetics of Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis in Central Neurons

Despite being the most abundant synaptic vesicle membrane protein, the function of synaptophysin remains enigmatic. For example, synaptic transmission was reported to be completely normal in synaptophysin knockout mice; however, direct experiments to monitor the synaptic vesicle cycle have not been carried out. Here, using optical imaging and electrophysiological experiments, we demonstrate that synaptophysin is required for kinetically efficient endocytosis of synaptic vesicles in cultured hippocampal neurons. Truncation analysis revealed that distinct structural elements of synaptophysin differentially regulate vesicle retrieval during and after stimulation. Thus, synaptophysin regulates at least two phases of endocytosis to ensure vesicle availability during and after sustained neuronal activity.
Michiyuki: the road to a multimedia, multidisciplinary, multilingual Banraku (Japanese puppet theatre) research site

In Japanese puppet theatre plays, especially those written by the great playwright Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653-1725), the michiyuki served a transformative function. Characters in the plays, especially domestic tragedies culminating in lovers' suicides, frequently weak and flawed characters who were trapped into a position in which death seemed the only way out, were transformed during the michiyuki from their weakness to a kind of transcendent nobility, purified by love and poetry. The project to digitize the Barbara Curtis Adachi Collection of materials on the post-war Japanese puppet theatre will, I hope, serve a similar transformative function, in allowing researchers access to information in ways which transform their thinking, or, in the words of Hsinchun Chen, allow them to "navigate abstract spaces to perform correlations across sources".
Effect of Agglomerate Strength on Sintered Density for Yttria Powders Containing Agglomerates of Monosize Spheres

On a prepare des poudres d'oxyde d'yttrium en agglomerant des spheres monodispersees de precurseur hydroxycarbonate d'yttrium de 0,1 μm et en calcinant des fractions separees du precurseur a differentes temperatures pour faire varier la resistance des liaisons intra-agglomerat. On etudie les effets de la resistance des agglomerats sur la densite a l'etat fritte
DMAP: A Scalable and Efficient Integrated Mobility and Service Management Scheme for Mobile IPv6 Systems

We investigate an integrated mobility and service management scheme based on MIPv6 with the goal to minimize the overall network signaling cost in MIPv6 systems for serving mobility and service management related operations. Our design extends hierarchical mobile IPv6 (HMIPv6) with the notion of dynamic mobility anchor points (DMAPs) for each mobile node (MN) instead of static ones for all MNs. These DMAPs are access routers (ARs) chosen by individual MNs to act as a regional router to reduce the signaling overhead for intra-regional movements. The DMAP domain size, i.e., the number of subnets covered by a DMAP, is based on the MN's mobility and service characteristics. Under our DMAP protocol, a MN optimally determines when and where to launch a DMAP to minimize the network cost in serving the user's mobility and service management operations. We demonstrate that our DMAP protocol for integrated mobility and service management yields significantly improved performance over basic MIPv6 and HMIPv6
Fluent Learning: Elucidating the Structure of Episodes

Fluents are logical descriptions of situations that persist, and composite fluents are statistically significant temporal relationships between fluents. This paper presents an algorithm for learning composite fluents incrementally from categorical time series data. The algorithm is tested with a large dataset of mobile robot episodes. It is given no knowledge of the episodic structure of the dataset (i.e., it learns without supervision) yet it discovers fluents that correspond well with episodes.
A Growing Bezier Curve for Efficient Curve Approximation

A curve approximation technique, based on growing quadratic and cubic Bezier, is presented in this paper. The approximating curve starts growing along the given curve till it reaches to the end. It determines the suitable location of control points in its way. Some important features of proposed algorithm, that distinguish it from previous approaches, may include use of standard Bezier curves, efficient computation of approximating curve by exploiting the properties of Bezier curves, efficient method of calculating the approximation error, and incremental growth of curve. Results of proposed algorithm are compared with different approaches in terms of compression ratio, approximation error, and computation efficiency. Proposed algorithm can lead to various applications in computer aided design, computational geometry, and computer vision.
The UN-Preparedness to Promote Security: The Issue of Small Arms Mapping the Strategy to Control Armed Violence

Since the end of the Cold War, new world tensions emerged as intra-state conflicts became more frequent. The superpowers allowed other countries to acquire their surpluses of small arms, and to transfer them indiscriminately to specific areas of armed conflict. Thus, the uncontrollable proliferation and misuse of these weapons that intensify armed conflicts, and encourage armed criminality, result in thousands of deaths and injuries each year. Small arms have also aggregated impacts that affect the socio-economic development of entire populations. As this situation became chronic, States and civil society – including scholars and non-government organizations – began to formulate the two main questions: is it possible to stop the proliferation and to control the misuse of small arms? Furthermore, they began to study this issue and to create strategies against it.
Judge or Bureaucrat? Examining How Administrative Law Judges Exercise Their Discretion in Public Welfare Bureaucracies

Administrative law judges are neglected but powerful actors in public welfare bureaucracies, presiding over quasi-judicial hearings triggered if participants challenge a bureaucratic decision on public welfare benefits. Drawing on ethnographic observations of fair hearings as well as interviews with administrative law judges and appellants, this study seeks to understand the ways in which these judges exercise discretion and how it affects the adjudication of disputes. Findings suggest that disputes generated by poorly run bureaucracies provide judges with limited opportunity to use professional skills or discretion to scrutinize bureaucratic practices. When opportunities for such judgments did arise, judges took widely divergent paths. Some align themselves with the welfare agency, enforcing bureaucratic practices rather than scrutinizing them. Others emphasize their neutrality and judicial role, scrutinizing and aligning agency practices with the law’s underlying purposes.
The Clinical Management of HCV in the HIV-Infected Patient:

Chronic hepatitis C affects an estimated 170 million persons worldwide and due to shared transmission routes many persons are coinfected with HIV. Since the advent of HAART, HIV patients have longe...
Quantum Dot Dressing Observed via Off-resonant Cavity

Signatures of dressing of a single quantum dot by a strong resonant laser are observed by monitoring the off-resonant cavity emission.
A Survey on HIV Awareness and Characteristics of Sexual Behavior among CSWs in Public Places of entertainments in Wuhu City

Objective To investigate HIV awareness and characteristics of sexual behavior among CSWs in entertainment places in Wuhu and provide information for prevention and control of AIDS. Methods All the entertainment places in the objective area were assessed through stratified sampling. The CSWs in all sampling places were investigated anonymously with questionnaires and detected for HIV antibody and syphilis antibody. Results Non of the CSWs was found to be infected with HIV and there were 2 cases of syphilis, the youngest was 16 years old and 53.5% of them received junior middle school education. The average age of their having first sexual intercourse and starting prostitution was 17.6 and 19.6 years old respectively. Some of them knew something about HIV. However, there was still considerable lack of some knowledge about AIDS. Some of them never use condom. The statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference for HIV awareness, characteristics of sexual behavior and condom use among CSWs in the high-grade and the low-grade entertainment places. Conclusions There were high AIDS related risk behavior among CSWs. Health education and condom use should be strengthened to control HIV transmission through sexual behavior.
The regional cerebral blood flow response to cortical microelectrode insertion is neutrophil dependent.

Tissue blood flow measurements using the H2-clearance technique with implanted polarographic microelectrodes was described by Aukland et al. in 1964 (1). The H2-clearance technique has important advantages over other well-established methods such as radioactively labeled microspheres or 14C-iodoantipyrine quantitative autoradiography. Its primary benefits are the capacity for repeated regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) measurements in the same animal and the avoidance of radioactive tracer material. However, CBF values obtained by the H2-clearance technique frequently differ from those obtained by radioactive tracer methods. Rat CBF values measured by iodoantipyrine (2) were significantly higher than measurements obtained by H2-clearance (3). Chronic implantation of electrodes leads to higher CBF values (4). These concerns were addressed recently by Tomida et al. who reported low rCBF values measured by H2-clearance shortly after electrode insertion in gerbils (5). CBF progressively increased by 24 hours, at which time the H2-clearance and the iodoantipyrine measurements correlated well. “Recovery” of rCBF was attributed to gradual resolution of spreading depression after the local trauma of electrode insertion (5).
MO-FG-207A-02: What Do We Really Know About Cancer Risks at Doses Pertinent to CT Scans

There has been increasing use of CT scans globally. This increased use is not in itself of concern, and largely reflects the remarkable clinical benefits of CT. Inappropriate use of CT is, however, of concern, particularly as the potential for carcinogenic effects is yet to be fully understood. The first major media attention to cancer risk from CT scan arose from a series of papers and an Editorial published in AJR in 2001. This was followed by another series of papers in 2007 and associated media attention to the estimation of the number of cancer deaths that may occur in US as a result of radiation exposure from CT. In recent years there have been a series of papers and position statements suggesting that these predictions need to be worded very carefully. This is because they may lead to sensationalistic articles in the public media that might cause some patients and parents to refuse medical imaging procedures, placing them at substantial risk by not receiving the clinical benefits of the prescribed imaging. There is a considerable body of work within the field of cognitive psychology that indicates that a discussion of risk may lead to bias in how parents would interpret information and potentially refuse indicated examinations. It follows that discussion of any potential risk of imaging should be accompanied by a discussion of the corresponding benefit of imaging or the harm if imaging is not done. Studies reported in the literature both for CT scans and for fluoroscopy suggest that when this is done, patients or parents do not refuse needed imaging. Learning Objectives: 1. To understand the global usage of diagnostic x-rays and CT and issues and approaches for safety 2. To learn about science behind current dose effects relationship and risk estimates at the level of few CT scans and the uncertainties in estimating risks from CT scans 3. To understand how issues of CT scan risks are perceived by patients and physicians and how they can be better presented to them
Extended-release tacrolimus tablets for preventing organ transplant rejection

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Tacrolimus has been used for prophylaxis of organ rejection since 1994, and has become a mainstay of immunosuppressive therapy. Tacrolimus XR tablets were released in the U.S. in 2015 and offer greater bioavailability and less variability in daily exposure as compared to other available tacrolimus formulations. These pharmacokinetic differences may offer transplant recipients several unique advantages, including potential for more predictable immunosuppression.Areas covered: Tacrolimus XR is discussed in the kidney transplant population, as these present the largest population in which it has been studied and demonstrates the key differences compared to other formulations. Several key studies are analyzed to determine key patients that will benefit from these more predictable kinetics. Additionally, tacrolimus XR may offer benefit for patients experiencing neurotoxicity. Here we review the potential mechanisms for this adverse effect, as well as available literature regarding managem...
The Impact of Paralympic School Day on Student Attitudes Toward Inclusion in Physical Education

The purpose of this study was to determine if Paralympic School Day (PSD), a published disability awareness program, would have a positive impact on the attitudes of students without disabilities toward the inclusion of students with disabilities in physical education classes. Participants were 143 sixth-grade students who were divided into 2 groups (experimental n = 71, control n = 72), with the experimental group receiving the PSD treatment. Participants responded 2 times to Siperstein’s Adjective Checklist and Block’s Children’s Attitudes Toward Integrated Physical Education–Revised (CAIPE-R) questionnaire. Four ANCOVA tests were conducted. Results indicated a significant PSD treatment effect across all 4 measures: Adjective Checklist (p = .046, η2 = .03), CAIPE-R (p = .002, η2 = .04), inclusion subscale (p = .001, η2 = .05), and sport-modification subscale (p = .027, η2 = .02).
Vesigenurtacel-L (HS-410) in the management of high-grade nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer

Unlike other malignancies, the death rate of bladder cancer has not declined in several decades, highlighting the need for new treatment options. In the emerging era of immunotherapy, therapeutic cancer vaccines are an attractive option to cure, control and prevent cancer. Despite this, finding a feasible and efficacious vaccine platform has proven elusive across all malignancies. Vesigenurtacel-L is the first whole cell, allogeneic vaccine intended to treat high-grade, nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer. This type of vaccine technology for bladder cancer is novel, and has the potential to be both economically and logistically feasible.