cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recent advances in facial nerve surgery

A review of the recent literature on surgery of the facial nerve is presented. Developments in the treatment of hemifacial spasm, nerve grafting, reanimation surgery, and diagnostic testing are described. Reports of facial paralysis following mandibular fractures are included. The roles of brain stem evoked response (BSER) audiometry, electroneuronography, and CT scanning in the evaluation of facial nerve disorders are noted.
Maximum stress at the angular corners of long strips bonded on one side and shrunk

The value of the maximum stress, and its position, at the corner of long strips bonded on one side and shrunk, has been determined using photoelasticity. The angle of the strip end varies from zero (crack) to 180 deg (no corner). The radius at the corner varies from less than 0.0001 to 0.125 in. The solution obtained is an approximation to a plane-stress solution and will have application in composite-materials problems (coatings, solid-propellant rocket grains, etc.).
Crystal structure of trans -carbonylchlorobis-(tricyclohexylphosphine)iridium(I), trans -Ir(CO)Cl-[P(cyclo-C 6 H 11 ) 3 ] 2 , a disordered species

The title compound crystallizes in the centrosymmetric triclinic space group $$P\bar 1$$ (C 1 l ; No.2) witha=9.9143(10) A,b=10.2616(11) A,c=10.7715(10) A, α=113.887(8)°, β=109.197(8)°, γ=90.699(9)°,V=932.78(17) A3 andZ=1. A total of 4869 data were collected and merged to a set of 2450 independent reflections; the structure was solved and refined toR=1.42% andwR=1.94%. The molecule lies on a site of $$\bar 1$$ symmetry and is disordered, with obvious scrambling of carbonyl and chloride ligands. Resulting bond lengths include Ir−P=2.339(1) A, Ir−Cl=2.398(4) A and Ir−CO=1.808(15) A.
A peek at ice binding by antifreeze proteins

What is the toughest recognition problem in biology? Arguably, it is that faced by antifreeze or thermal hysteresis proteins. These proteins provide a broad range of organisms with protection against freezing damage by depressing, in a noncolligative manner, the freezing point of water. They do this by binding to nascent ice nuclei and inhibiting their growth (1). In other words, antifreeze proteins (AFPs) must distinguish one phase of water, ice, from another phase, liquid. Moreover, the latter is present in great excess at 55 M. There are no chemical differences to key off, just the subtle structural differences, still poorly characterized, that exist between the surface of ice nuclei and liquid water. In addition to the intrinsic interest of the ice recognition problem, AFPs have application to cryopreservation of tissues and organs (2) and to the food industry (3). The work of Davies and colleagues (4) in PNAS represents a significant step forward in understanding the detailed mechanism of AFP action (i.e., a first look, if you will, at an AFP in the act of discriminating between different structural states of water). To put this work into perspective, it is useful to have some background on the study of AFPs, which has a number of paradoxical elements.
Wing kinematics and aerodynamics of a hovering flapping Micro Aerial Vehicle

Biological Inspiration for the design of flapping wing vehicles has been the source of numerous design efforts in the field of Micro Aerial Vehicle (MAV) development. For flapping flight in small birds and insects, high lift generation is typically a result of unsteady fluid flow phenomena. Our previous studies have conceptualized and demonstrated how a dragonfly inspired Quad-Winged Vehicle (QV) can produce higher energy efficiency and increase payload capacity on-board an MAV. The objective of this paper is to further improve on the in-flight aerodynamic efficiency of MAVs and propose improved flapping configuration and kinematics of a light weight wing to enhance lift and aerodynamic efficiency during hovering flight. This paper presents a series of experimental and computational results in the form of performance plots comparing the effects of wing orientation, flapping kinematics: frequency / amplitude and wing feathering, all of which influence the lift and drag generated by the MAV.
A dark-field scanning spectroscopy platform for localized scatter and fluorescence imaging of tissue

Tissue ultra-structure and molecular composition provide native contrast mechanisms for discriminating across pathologically distinct tissue-types. Multi-modality optical probe designs combined with spatially confined sampling techniques have been shown to be sensitive to this type of contrast but their extension to imaging has only been realized recently. A modular scanning spectroscopy platform has been developed to allow imaging localized morphology and molecular contrast measures in breast cancer surgical specimens. A custom designed dark-field telecentric scanning spectroscopy system forms the core of this imaging platform. The system allows imaging localized elastic scatter and fluorescence measures over fields of up to 15 mm x 15 mm at 100 microns resolution in tissue. Results from intralipid and blood phantom measurements demonstrate the ability of the system to quantify localized scatter parameters despite significant changes in local absorption. A co-registered fluorescence spectroscopy mode is also demonstrated in a protophorphyrin-IX phantom.
Happiness as a Belief System: Individual Differences and Priming in Emotion Judgments

Three studies involving 104 undergraduates sought to examine how an individual's level of life satisfaction organizes their knowledge concerning the self's emotions. Participants judged the self's positive and negative emotions within a computerized task. Key results sought to determine whether judging two positive emotions in a consecutive sequence speeds the second judgment--a pattern of priming that would suggest a tighter, more interconnected structure in semantic memory related to one's positive emotions. As expected, individual differences in life satisfaction predicted the magnitude of this priming effect (Studies 1 & 2), which appeared to be unique to judgments of the self's emotions (Study 3). The results indicate that happy, relative to less happy, individuals organize information concerning their positive emotions in a qualitatively different and tighter semantic manner.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis: unusual skeletal manifestations observed in thirty-four cases

Objective. Unusual manifestations are occasionally encountered in Langerhans cell histiocytosis and may be a source of confusion. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of occurrence of the unusual manifestations in our case material. Design and patients. Thirty-four children, average age 4.4 years (range 3 months to 16 years) with 262 skeletal lesions of biopsy-proven Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) were retrospectively reviewed to determine the frequency of occurrence of unusual manifestations defined either as an atypical location of a skeletal lesion or an atypical radiographic appearance of the lesion. Results. Twenty-four unusual lesions were found in this retrospective review. Among these were epiphyseal lesions, transphyseal lesions, extracranial ’button’ sequestra, posterior vertebral arch lesions, dural extension of vertebral lesions, and fluid-fluid levels. The finding of fluid-fluid levels has not previously been described in the radiologic literature. Involvement of unusual sites included clavicles and small bones of the hands and feet. Conclusions. Radiographic, computed tomographic, and magnetic resonance imaging of LCH yield a variety of unusual manifestations. Recognition of these varied appearances of LCH may prevent confusion of such appearances with other pathologic processes. When the unusual manifestation occurs as the initial finding of the disease, LCH should be included in the differential diagnosis.
Ursodeoxycholic Acid Modifies Gut-Derived Endotoxemia in Neonatal Rats

ABSTRACT: We developed a model for the translocation of intraluminal endotoxin in the neonatal animal and used it to examine the capacity of a nonhepatotoxic bile acid, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), to modify endotoxin trans-location and cytokine response. Three-d-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to receive enterally either no drug, lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg/animal), or UDCA (400 μg/animal) alone, or UDCA followed by LPS 1 h later. One h after LPS administration, the rats were killed and plasma endotoxin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were measured. Control animals had low circulating endotoxin (21.2 ± 7.6 endotoxin units) and TNF (0.06 ± 0.02 ng/mL). Enteral administration of LPS 1 h before the rats were killed resulted in significant elevation of endotoxin (249.5 ± 71.3, p = 0.008) and TNF (3.6 ± 1.3, p = 0.019). UDCA alone did not alter endotoxin levels (8.7 ± 2.1). UDCA 1 h before LPS prevented the rise in endotoxin (38.9 ± 11.2 endotoxin units) and TNF (0.2 ± 0.05) significantly. Chenodeoxycholic acid was studied in a similar group of experiments and prevented neither the trans-location of LPS nor the development of increased TNF levels in animals receiving LPS. In conclusion, LPS can cross the intestinal barrier in the normal neonatal rat. UDCA, administered before LPS, can decrease the trans-location of LPS and prevent the cytokine response as measured by TNF levels. We speculate that UDCA, administered prophylactically, might reduce morbidity in clinical conditions leading to gut-derived endotoxemia.
Controlling Job Stress: some tips for urban teachers

(1989). Controlling Job Stress: some tips for urban teachers. School Organisation: Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 315-318.
Selection for Persistence in Endophyte‐Free Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue

'Kentucky 31', released in 1943, remains the most widely used tall fescue cultivar (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). The fungal endophyte, Neotyphodium coenophialum (Morgan-Jones & Gams.) Glenn, Bacon & Hanlin comb, nov., which naturally infects Kentucky 31, enhances survival and competitiveness of the grass. However, cattle grazing forage from endophyte-infected (E+) Kentucky 31 suffer from fescue toxicity because of alkaloids in the forage. A possible strategy to reduce fescue toxicity is cultivar improvement to develop more persistent endophyte-free (E-) cultivars. The objective of our research was to assess the results of selection with different levels of stress (grazing and competition with bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon L.) to increase persistence and competitiveness within E- Kentucky 31. Populations were selected in the following environments: (i) seeded into bermudagrass and grazed with continuously stocked beef cattle, (ii) seeded into bermudagrass and clipped intermittently with a mower, (iii) seeded into tilled soil and grazed with continuously stocked beef cattle, and (iv) seeded into tilled soil and clipped intermittently with a mower. Populations were developed from the best surviving plants in each selection condition and tested for grazing persistence and competitiveness with bermudagrass. Grazing, especially when combined with bermudagrass competition, created the greatest reduction of persistence. No selected population was found to survive better than E- Kentucky 31 even when tested in the same conditions used during its selection. The E+ checks were the most persistent entries in all testing conditions. These experiments indicate that selection within E- Kentucky 31 for improved persistence will be difficult and may need to be explored on other E- tall fescue germplasm sources, but another strategy may be reinfection with non-toxic endophyte strains.
The 2000 U.S. presidential debate versus the 2000 Greek Prime Minister debate: A comparative analysis

The prevalence of televised debates is growing in popularity among democracies. This study examines the similarities and differences in format, style, journalistic involvement, and issues covered in the first presidential debate of the 2000 U.S. election campaign in October in Boston and the Greek Prime Minister debate of March 2000 held in Athens. A major theme is the dynamics of establishing the rules governing the debate in Greece and the role of the Presidential Commission in the United States as a prototype for such structure.
Laser ablation of enamel and composite using 355-nm laser pulses: influence of fluoride and laser treatment on adhesion

Previous studies have demonstrated that Q-switched 355-nm laser pulses can be used to remove composite sealants and restorations from tooth surfaces without significant damage to sound tooth surfaces and have also shown that 355-nm lasers pulses can also be used to selectively etch the interprismatic protein of enamel to increase the effectiveness of topical fluoride for inhibiting decay and increase the bond strength to restorative materials without acid-etching. The first aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that topical fluoride can be applied after laser irradiation before composite resin placement without significantly reducing the bond-strength. The second aim was to test the hypothesis that thermal damage to existing composite due to laser irradiation does not compromise the adhesion of newly applied composite. There was a slight but significant reduction in the magnitude of the shear-bond strength of laser-treated surfaces with and without fluoride application. There was no significant difference in the magnitude of the bond strength between laser irradiated and non-laser irradiated aged composite to newly applied composite. These results suggest that after composite removal with 355-nm laser pulses fluoride can be subsequently applied to inhibit secondary caries before placement of composite restorative materials and that 355-nm laser pulses can be used for the repair of existing restorations.
Integrating simulation with corporate initiatives

Simulation has seen an explosive increase in use within GMI over the past 10 years with increasing financial success. As the demand for simulation grew a decision was made to leverage this tool by significantly expanding the user base. Now, using a highly customized user interface and integrating with central libraries and data bases, simulation has become the focal point for manufacturing and engineering analysis by personnel throughout the organization. Utilizing GMI terminology and metrics, users can easily focus on issues related to company initiatives for conceptual engineering, option engineering, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement. Reduction in training, relearning, and model development time has lead to early acceptance from casual, intermediate, and power users. While being user friendly is an objective, this initiative is definitely NOT "Simulation for Dummies" but instead requires individuals to understand, in more depth, manufacturing and business alternatives.
Primary Users Detect for Multiple-Antenna Cognitive Radio Based on Blind Source Separation

In this paper, we suggest blind source separation (BSS) technology for primary users detect, which is very important in cognitive radio (CR). Multiple-antenna system should be a part of CR. Different antenna receives the same CR signal from different path, if only CR is being working. When primary user starts working, different antenna receives mixed signals of CR and primary user from different path; which can satisfy the BSS situation. CR can separate different signals with little collision. At the next time, CR can jump to next carrywave or modulation type.
A Soldier’s Allusion to Deep Wounding in Riche’s Farewell to Military Profession

In the 1581 collection of romantic narratives, His Farewell to Military Profession, Barnabe Riche writes two dedicatory epistles: the first a brief, perfunctory apology and advertisement addressed ...
Novitates Gabonenses 65. A new rare endemic Amphiblemma (Melastomataceae) from Mve Lakene, Gabon

SUMMARY A new species of Amphiblemma from the Mve Lakene Plateau, Monts de Cristal is described.
Routine prophylactic central neck dissection for low-risk papillary thyroid cancer: A cost-effectiveness analysis

Background Routine prophylactic central neck dissection (pCND) after total thyroidectomy (TTX) for low-risk papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) offers the potential to decrease disease recurrence but may increase operative complications. We hypothesized that routine pCND is not cost-effective in low-risk PTC. Methods A Markov transition-state model was constructed to compare TTX with and without pCND. Outcome probabilities, utilities, and costs were estimated on the basis of literature review. The threshold for cost-effectiveness was $100,000 per quality-adjusted life year. Sensitivity analysis was used to examine model uncertainty. Results pCND cost $10,315 and produced an effectiveness of 23.785 quality-adjusted life years. This strategy was more costly and less effective than TTX without pCND and was therefore dominated. pCND became cost-effective when the probability of recurrence increased from 6% to 10.3%, cost of reoperation for recurrence increased from $8,900 to $26,120, or added probabilities of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and hypoparathyroidism due to pCND were less than 0.20% and 0.18% during 2-way sensitivity analysis. Monte Carlo simulation showed that pCND was not cost-effective in 97.3% of iterations. Conclusion Routine pCND for low-risk PTC is not cost-effective unless the recurrence rate is greater than 10.3%. Application of pCND should be individualized based on risk of recurrence and added complications.
Sleeping Beauty awakened: new odds at the dawn of the new day

Sleeping Beauty is a paradigm of rationality. On Sunday she learns for certain that she is to be the subject of an experiment. The experimenters will wake her up on Monday morning, and tell her some time later that it is Monday. When she goes back to sleep, they will toss a fair coin. If the outcome of the toss is Heads, they will do nothing. If the outcome is Tails, they will administer a drug whose effect is to destroy all memories from the previous day, so that when she wakes up on Tuesday, she will be unable to tell that it is not Monday. (2002: 292)'
Porcine Bioprosthetic Valve Calcification in Bovine Left Ventricle-Aorta Shunts: Studies of the Deposition of Vitamin K-Dependent Proteins

Abstract Calcification of glutaraldehyde-preserved bioprosthetic cardiac valves represents a serious clinical problem. Previous work from this laboratory has established the presence in clinical bioprosthetic valve calcifications of vitamin K-dependent calcium-binding proteins, which contain the calcium-binding amino acid γ-carboxyglutamic acid; no proteins containing γ-carboxyglutamic acid are present in nonmineralized valves. The purpose of the present study was to examine a series of bovine circulatory bioprosthetic valve explants for calcification and proteins containing γ-carboxyglutamic acid. Biochemical analyses of explanted bioprosthetic valves from calves demonstrated proteins with γ-carboxyglutamic acid accumulating in calcified valves during both the onset and progression of valve calcification; calcium levels in the explanted calf bioprostheses were in the same range as those noted in clinical material. Accumulation of calcium and protein with γ-carboxyglutamic acid occurred simultaneously and progressively, beginning 2 months after implantation. Small amounts of osteocalcin, the bone-derived protein containing γ-carboxyglutamic acid, were present in both human and bovine bioprosthetic valve calcifications at comparable levels. No osteocalcin was detectable in non-mineralized valve tissue. Warfarin anticoagulant therapy did not prevent calcification or accumulation of protein with γ-carboxyglutamic acid. It is concluded that proteins containing γ-carboxyglutamic acid are involved in both the onset and progression of bioprosthetic valve calcification, and that conventional means of vitamin K antagonism do not alter this association or the course of bioprosthetic valve mineralization.
Series solutions of annular axisymmetric stagnation flow and heat transfer on moving cylinder

The steady, laminar, incompressible flow and heat transfer of a viscous fluid between two circular cylinders for two different types of thermal boundary conditions are investigated. The governing Navier-Stokes and thermal equations of the flow are reduced to a nonlinear system of ordinary differential equations. The equations are solved analytically using the homotopy analysis method (HAM). Convergence of the HAM solutions is discussed in detail. These solutions are then compared with recently obtained numerical and perturbative solutions. Plots of the velocity and temperature profiles are provided for various values of the relevant parameters.
Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Duration After the Placement of a Drug-Eluting Stent: What Are the Data?

The data supporting the immediate use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) post implantation of drug-eluting stents (DESs) is irrefutable. DAPT in this early period is necessary to prevent stent thrombosis during endothelialization of the stent, a process known to be delayed when DESs are placed. In addition, DAPT helps prevent thrombosis from plaque rupture that occurs outside of the initial stented area and/or at neo-atherosclerotic lesions within a previously coated stent. The ACC/AHA current guidelines (Levine et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 58(24):e44–122, 2011) recommend 12 months of DAPT post DES implantation. As the result of several randomized clinical trials (Task Force on Myocardial Revascularization of the European Society of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) et al. Eur Heart J. 31(20):2501–55, 2010) showing the safety of a shorter duration of DAPT, the European Heart Society altered their recommendations to 6–12 months of DAPT post DES implantation. However, recent data from the DAPT trial (Mauri et al. N Engl J Med. 371(23):2156–66, 2014) clearly demonstrated less ischemic events with 30 months of DAPT. This trial and others have established that an increased DAPT duration increases bleeding risk which, in turn, increases subsequent morbidity and mortality. The current conundrum lies in defining the optimal time of DAPT post DES to adequately reduce ischemic events while minimizing bleeding risks. Future studies are required to better stratify patients into low and high risk for both ischemic and bleeding risks to assess whether shorter or longer courses of DAPT are the most appropriate for any specific patients. Until then, instead of a “one size fits all” approach to patients who receive DESs, the treating physician must consider both procedural and patient factors when deciding the optimal duration of DAPT for each patient.
Multiple metals exposure and neurotoxic risk in bald eagles ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) from two Great Lakes states

In the present study, the authors determined concentrations of several elements (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Mn, Pb, Sb, Zn) in the brains and livers of 46 bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) from two Great Lakes states, Michigan and Minnesota. To explore whether exposures are of neurological concern, the authors assessed their associations with neurochemical receptors (N-methyl-D-aspartate [NMDA] and γ-aminobutyric acid A [GABA(A)]) and enzymes (glutamine synthetase [GS] and glutamic acid decarboxylase [GAD]) that play critical roles in vertebrate neurobehavior and reproduction. For most elements, levels in the livers and brains did not differ between region and gender. Hepatic Pb levels averaged 33.1 ppm (dry wt), 30.4% of all carcasses exceeded proposed avian Pb thresholds (>26.4 ppm), and in 30.8% of the birds examined evidence of Pb pellets or fragments was found. Significant changes in the activities of GS and GAD were related to brain concentrations of several metals (Pb, Cd, Co, Cu, Zn). No relationships were found among any of the nine elements and NMDA or GABA(A) receptor levels. When combined with the authors' previous study on these same eagles that showed Hg-associated alterations in GS, GAD, and NMDA receptor levels, the present research suggests that bald eagles are exposed to various elements, especially Pb and Hg, that are capable of causing changes in GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission. The functional significance of these neurochemical changes warrants attention. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:623–631. © 2011 SETAC
A climate-related oxidizing event in deep-sea sediment from the Bering Sea

Abstract Many cores from the deep basins of the Bering Sea have a thin oxidized zone within otherwise reduced sediment. This oxidized zone began to form about 6000 yr ago and represents an interval of about 3200 yr. Mineralogically, the oxidized and reduced sediments are similar, but chemically they differ. Concentrations of Fe and C are lower, and concentrations of Mn, Ba, Co, Mo, and Ni are higher in the oxidized than in the reduced sediment. Mn is enriched about 10-fold in the oxidized zone relative to its concentration in the reduced sediment, Mo about threefold, and Ba, Co, and Ni about twofold. These data suggest that the oxidized zone developed diagenetically as the result of the balance between the flux of organic matter and the available dissolved oxygen in bottom and interstitial waters. We propose that the Bering Sea was substantially ice covered when global glacial conditions prevailed. during the transition to global interglacial conditions, seasonal meltwater from thawing sea ice formed a lens of fresh water that decreased organic productivity. During the winter seasons, however, sea ice reformed and caused downwelling of dense, oxygen-rich waters to recharge bottom waters. The combination of lower organic productivity and more oxygen-rich bottom water allowed oxidized sediment to accumulate. Once full interglacial conditions were established, the volume of sea ice produced was insufficient to affect either productivity or the supply of dissolved oxygen and so bottom conditions again became reducing. Similar events probably occurred during the onset of global glacial conditions, and similar oxidized layers probably formed at these times. Such oxidized zones are highly unstable, however, in a reducing environment and, once buried beyond the influence of bacterial and infaunal activities, are depleted of their available oxygen and converted to reduced sediment.
Children’s Gender-Typed Activity Choices Across Preschool Social Contexts

Variability in children’s gender-typed activity preferences was examined across several preschool social contexts--solitary play, interactions with female peers, male peers, and both, and interactions with teachers. Participants were preschool children (N = 264; 49 % girls, M age = 52 months, range 37–60) attending Head Start classes in the Southwest United States. Seventy-three percent were Mexican/Mexican-American, and 82 % of families earned less than $30,000 per year. Children’s preferences for gender-typed activities varied as a function of their own gender and the identity of their interactional partners. Girls and boys preferred gender-typed activities (e.g., girls preferred feminine activities) when in solitary play but activity preferences changed across social contexts. Specifically, girls played significantly more with masculine activities when with male peers and boys played significantly more with feminine activities during interactions with teachers. Findings suggest that through social interactions with peers and teachers, children are exposed to a greater range of activities than what they experience when they play by themselves.
A Generalization of Electromagnetic Fluctuation-Induced Casimir Energy

Intermolecular forces responsible for adhesion and cohesion can be classified according to their origins; interactions between charges, ions, random dipole—random dipole (Keesom), random dipole—induced dipole (Debye) are due to electrostatic effects; covalent bonding, London dispersion forces between fluctuating dipoles, and Lewis acid-base interactions are due to quantum mechanical effects; pressure and osmotic forces are of entropic origin. Of all these interactions, the London dispersion interaction is universal and exists between all types of atoms as well as macroscopic objects. The dispersion force between macroscopic objects is called Casimir/van der Waals force. It results from alteration of the quantum and thermal fluctuations of the electrodynamic field due to the presence of interfaces and plays a significant role in the interaction between macroscopic objects at micrometer and nanometer length scales. This paper discusses how fluctuational electrodynamics can be used to determine the Casimir energy/pressure between planar multilayer objects. Though it is confirmation of the famous work of Dzyaloshinskii, Lifshitz, and Pitaevskii (DLP), we have solved the problem without having to use methods from quantum field theory that DLP resorted to. Because of this new approach, we have been able to clarify the contributions of propagating and evanescent waves to Casimir energy/pressure in dissipative media.
Polymerization of organic compounds in an electrodeless glow discharge. V. Amines and nitriles

Polymerizations of amines and nitriles in a glow discharge generated by inductive coupling of 13.5-MHz radio frequency are investigated by employing the measurement of closed-system pressure change. It is found that nitrogen in those compounds are incorporated into polymer in a nearly stoichiometric manner and that the polymerization of those compounds are very much similar to that of hydrocarbons. Hydrogen detachments, opening of double bond and/or cyclic structure, opening of triple bond including CN, and opening of aromatic and heteroaromatic structures contribute to polymerization of amines and nitriles.
Treatment of voiding dysfunction after transobturator tape procedure

Voiding dysfunction after mid-urethral sling procedures is uncommon but not completely avoidable. We report on a method to adjust the transobturator mid-urethral sling under local anesthesia in the early postoperative period for postoperative voiding difficulty. At postoperative day 17 and 18, 2 women, who had undergone the transobturator tape procedure for stress incontinence, underwent successful loosening of the mesh through the previous vaginal incision, without the need to transect or remove the tape. Both patients had immediate resolution of their symptoms while maintaining urinary continence.
Bilateral disk edema with unilateral macular serous fluid secondary to neurocysticercosis.

Purpose The purpose of this article is to document a case of neurocysticercosis that manifested clinically with bilateral disk edema and serous fluid accumulation in the macula of the left eye. We also describe the recovery of visual-field loss (O.D.) and diminution of bilateral disk edema following anti-helminthic treatment. Case Report A 41 -year-old woman reporting headaches came to us with bilateral disk edema and co-existing serous macular fluid in the left eye. Results Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the presence of large multi-septated cysts that exhibited peripheral enhancement, with minimal surrounding edema at the posterior left temporal lobe. Scattered punctate lesions, suggesting areas of calcification, were also observed within both temporal lobes. The optic chiasm appeared compressed. This presentation was considered characteristic of neurocysticercosis and the patient was prescribed a regimen of 200-mg albendazole bid. The patient responded well to the treatment, with progressive resolution of the bilateral disk edema and macular fluid. Conclusion Although rare, cases of cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis may still be encountered in industrialized nations, where the parasite has been almost eradicated. Ocular signs of disk edema and macular serous fluid secondary to neurocysticercosis may correspond to optic nerve, parenchymal, orextraparenchymal disease.
Isolation of the gene encoding yeast DNA polymerase I

Abstract A yeast genomic DNA expression library in λgt11 and antibody prepared against yeast DNA polymerase I were used to isolate the gene encoding DNA polymerase I. The identity of the DNA polymerase I gene was determined by several criteria. First, the clone-encoded protein is immunologically related to DNA polymerase I. Second, cells containing the gene cloned in the high copy number plasmid YEp24 overproduce the polymerase activity 4- to 5-fold as measured in yeast extracts. Finally, insertion of the gene downstream from a bacteriophage T7 promoter allows synthesis of yeast DNA polymerase I in Escherichia coli. Gene disruption and Southern hybridization experiments show that the polymerase is encoded by an essential, single copy gene. Examination of the germinated spores containing the disrupted gene reveals a defect in nuclear division and a terminal phenotype typical of replication mutants.
The innate immune adaptor MyD88 is dispensable for spontaneous autoimmune demyelination in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that is mediated by myelin-reactive T cells resulting in CNS demyelination, however the mechanisms that control their activation are unclear. Mice that are transgenic for a myelin proteolipid protein (PLP)-specific TCR spontaneously develop experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the animal model of MS. They mimic the spontaneous onset of MS and thus offer the unique opportunity to investigate the mechanisms that may contribute to the development of spontaneous CNS autoimmunity. MyD88 is an adaptor protein that mediates signal transduction by TLRs, IL-1R and IL-18R, resulting in the activation of innate immune cells, including DCs. We investigated the requirement of MyD88 in the pathogenesis of spontaneous EAE in PLP TCR transgenic SJL mice. We show that genetic loss of MyD88 does not intrinsically preclude development of spontaneous EAE and autoimmune demyelination in these mice. EAE was associated with functionally mature peripheral DCs that promoted superior PLP-specific Th1 and Th17 responses compared to those from disease-free mice. Together, our data suggest that MyD88-independent innate immune signaling critically contributes to priming of myelin-reactive T cells and development of spontaneous EAE in MyD88-deficient PLP TCR transgenic mice.
Peripheral Nerve Injury

Accurate evaluation of peripheral nerve injury is crucial in planning treatment. Understanding the classification of Sunderland and Seddon helps in predicting prognosis. This chapter discusses the basic reactions to peripheral nerve injury, classification of peripheral nerve injury, and the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative electrodiagnostic evaluation of nerve injury. It also covers the novel methods utilized in the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries with all potential therapeutic interventions.
Energy saving for memory with loop scheduling and prefetching

Many high-performance DSP processors employ multi-module on-chip memory to improve performance and power consumption. This architectural feature supports higher memory bandwidth by allowing multiple data memory accesses to be executed in parallel. However, making effective use of multiple memory modules remains difficult, considering the combined effect of performance and power requirement. This paper studies the scheduling and assignment problem that minimizes the total energy while satisfying erformance for applications with loops. An algorithm, LSAMEM (Loop Scheduling and Assignment to Minimize Energy for Memory), is proposed. The algorithm attempts to maximum energy saving while satisfying timing constraint with guaranteed probability. The experimental results show that the average improvement on energy-saving is significant by using LSAMEM.
Psychosocial aspects of child abuse for primary care pediatricians.

Childhood is an image advertisers use to conjure up feelings of care-free innocence. Society frequently calls for protecting our children and creating strong, healthy families. Yet thousands of children experience violence on a regular basis, and their lives are irretrievably altered. For these children, the sites of violence are not war-torn villages or crime-ridden streets, but their own homes. This article provides primary care physicians with basic information about the psychosocial aspects of recognition and prevention of child abuse.
The ETH (electronically tuned helix) antenna

A new class of electrically small tunable antennas that are highly efficient has been developed. Designs for US Army applications include communications antennas in the HF and VHF bands with frequency tuning ranges in excess of 15:1. Designs operating at moderate power levels (10-40 W) and high power (1 kW) exist or are under development. The antennas are low profile, high Q devices inherently suitable for co-site and airborne applications. They exhibit efficiencies at least 10 dB greater than comparable size antennas. The ETH is an electronically tuned normal mode helix. This electrically short (as small as 0.029/spl lambda/) monopole design is tuned by shorting turns of the helix, making the helix resonant in the 1/4 wavelength mode at the operating frequency. At this frequency the input impedance is nominally 50 Ohms. No base tuner is required. Since the inherent RF losses of the ETH are very low, it is a much more efficient antenna than designs of equal size. Antenna tuning is based on the ability to alter the electrical length of the antenna to achieve antenna resonance and to control the current distribution along the antenna surface. For typical communication applications, omnidirectional azimuthal coverage and a broad elevation beam are desired and are readily generated by the ETH antennas. US Army test results on several ETH designs are presented. A 13" tall blade ETH operating at VHF (30-88 MHz) was tested. Additional test results on a vehicular mounted HF ETH antenna operating as low as 1.5 MHz (16 ft. tall antenna) are presented.
The Transcription Factor Zeb2 Regulates Signaling in Mast Cells

Mast cell activation results in the release of stored and newly synthesized inflammatory mediators. We found that Zeb2 (also named Sip1, Zfhx1b), a zinc finger transcription factor, regulates both early and late mast cell responses. Transfection with small interfering RNA (siRNA) reduced Zeb2 expression and resulted in decreased FceRI-mediated degranulation, with a parallel reduction in receptor-induced activation of NFAT and NF-κB transcription factors, but an enhanced response to the LPS-mediated activation of NF-κB. There was variable and less of a decrease in the Ag-mediated release of the cytokines TNF-α, IL-13, and CCL-4. This suggests that low Zeb2 expression differentially regulates signaling pathways in mast cells. Multiple phosphorylation events were impaired that affected molecules both at early and late events in the signaling pathway. The Zeb2 siRNA-treated mast cells had altered cell cycle progression, as well as decreased expression of several molecules including cell surface FceRI and its β subunit, Gab2, phospholipase-Cγ1, and phospholipase-Cγ2, all of which are required for receptor-induced signal transduction. The results indicate that the transcription factor Zeb2 controls the expression of molecules thereby regulating signaling in mast cells.
REACTION OF WATER WITH CLEAN SURFACES OF MnO(100)

Water adsorption on the MnO(100) single crystal surface was quantitatively monitored using chemical shifts in the O 1s core level spectra. We find that the initial reactions at low water vapor pressures of 10-8–10-4 Torr are limited to a small fraction of a monolayer and involve dissociation of water at or near defect centers resulting in surface hydroxyls. Even at these low pressures, there is an increase in water adsorption with increasing dosing time. Water uptake increases dramatically for vapor pressures between 10-4 and 10-2 Torr and then stabilizes above 10-2 Torr. At this pressure, hydroxyl coverages slightly exceed a monolayer. Hydroxyl species formed on this surface are unstable and can be removed by annealing to 200°C. These data are compared with those from similar studies of the interaction of water vapor with MgO(100) and the surfaces of iron oxides (α-Fe2O3 and Fe3O4), and some quantitative similarities and differences are discussed. In particular, the role of cooperative interactions in the condensed water overlayer in surface hydroxylation is emphasized.
Regulation of Mammalian Epithelial Differentiation and Intestine Development by Class I Histone Deacetylases

The biochemical mechanisms underlying epigenetic control of gene expression are increasingly well known. In contrast, the contributions of individual modifications toward activation of lineage-specific genes during vertebrate development are poorly understood. Class II histone deacetylases (HDACs), which show restricted tissue distribution, regulate muscle-specific gene expression, in part through interactions with myogenic transcription factors. We have combined gene expression profiling with manipulation of fetal mouse intestinal tissue to define roles for other regulatory factors. We found that in the developing mouse intestine class I HDACs are confined to the prospective epithelium and that their levels decline coincidently with activation of differentiation genes, suggesting a functional relationship between these events. Overexpression of wild-type but not of mutant HDACs 1 and 2 in fetal intestine explants reverses expression of certain maturation markers. HDAC inhibitors, including the selective class I antagonist valproic acid, activate the same genes prematurely and accelerate cytodifferentiation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation of freshly isolated organs reveals early HDAC2 occupancy at differentiation gene promoters and corresponding histone hypoacetylation that reverses as HDAC levels fall. Thus, modulation of endogenous class I HDAC levels represents a previously unappreciated mechanism to enable onset of tissue-restricted gene expression in a developing mammalian organ.
Particle Redistribution During Dendritic Solidification of Particle Suspensions

Solidification of the liquid medium in ceramic suspensions containing less than a critical volume fraction powder leads to the formation of particle-free dendrites of the frozen medium. These particle-free dendrites create, after sublimation of the frozen vehicle, large dendrite pores. We define the conditions under which particle-free dendrites form, and relate the size and volume fraction of the dendrites to the volume fraction powder and the solidification rate.
Differentiating Behavioral Ratings of Inattention, Impulsivity, and Hyperactivity in Children: Effects on Reading Achievement

Objective: The purpose of the study is to differentiate between behaviors of ADHD: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity and how each domain contributes to reading achievement in elementary school-aged children. Method: Data from 131 children were collected, which include performance from reading fluency and comprehension measures as well as parent and teacher ratings of ADHD behaviors based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV) criteria. Results: Correlation and regression analyses revealed that inattentive behaviors were strongly linked to reading fluency and comprehension. Hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors did not predict reading achievement. A significant two-way interaction was found only for gender and inattention with reading comprehension as the outcome. Conclusion: Many of the behaviors related to inattention strongly predicted reading fluency, reading comprehension, and overall reading ability. Boys who exhibited inattentive behaviors performed ...
Beyond Storytime: A Sociopsychological Perspective on Young Children's Opportunities for Literacy Development during Story Extension Time:

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate young children's opportunities to socially construct literacy during story extension time. Viewed from a sociopsychological perspective, findings suggest that story extension time afforded the children with occasions to accomplish key purposes of literacy development and construct concepts about literacy. Children took the following identifiable stances toward the tasks: (a) deliberate observers, peer watchers who contributed little to the group discussions but learned about literacy strategies and forms from observing other children in their group; (b) divergent collaborators, who varied their ways of expressing ideas or socially interacting with peers and explored many forms of meaning-making during story extension sessions; and (c) focused collaborators, who consistently used recurrent topics, themes, or strategies or sought out particular individuals. This repetition allowed them time to explore a topic or strategy until they felt they had some ...
Kinetics of NF-κB nucleocytoplasmic transport probed by single-cell screening without imaging

Transport of protein and RNA cargoes between the nucleus and cytoplasm (nucleocytoplasmic transport) is vital for a variety of cellular functions. The studies of kinetics involved in such processes have been hindered by the lack of quantitative tools for measurement of the nuclear and cytosolic fractions of an intracellular protein at the single cell level for a cell population. In this report, we describe using a novel method, microfluidic electroporative flow cytometry, to study kinetics of nucleocytoplasmic transport of an important transcription factor NF-κB. With data collected from single cells, we quantitatively characterize the population-averaged kinetic parameters such as the rate constants and apparent activation barrier for NF-κB transport. Our data demonstrate that NF-κB nucleocytoplasmic transport fits first-order kinetics very well and is a fairly reversible process governed by equilibrium thermodynamics.
Reduced Uteroplacental Perfusion Alters Uterine Arcuate Artery Function in the Pregnant Sprague-Dawley Rat

Evidence continues to implicate reduced placental perfusion as the cause of preeclampsia, initiating a sequence of events leading to altered vascular function and hypertension. The present study was designed to determine the influence of reduced uteroplacental perfusion pressure (RUPP) on the responsiveness of uterine arcuate resistance arteries. A condition of RUPP was surgically induced in pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats on Gestational Day 14. On Gestational Day 20, uterine arcuate arteries were mounted on a small-vessel wire myograph and challenged with incremental concentrations of vasoconstrictors and vasorelaxants for measurement of isometric tension. Compared to the sham-operated controls, uterine arteries from the RUPP group demonstrated an increased maximal tension in response to phenylephrine (P < 0.01); potassium chloride at 30 mM (P < 0.05), 60 mM (P < 0.01), and 120 mM (P < 0.01); and angiotensin II (P < 0.05). In arteries from the RUPP and sham-operated control groups, endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to acetylcholine (P < 0.05) and calcium ionophore (A23187; P < 0.05) was significantly reduced in the RUPP group compared to the sham-operated controls. Fetal growth indices, including litter size, fetal weight, and placental weight, were significantly reduced in the RUPP group compared to sham-operated controls, which is consistent with significant growth restriction. Data suggest that RUPP promotes hyperresponsiveness and impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation in uterine arcuate arteries, leading to intrauterine fetal growth restriction.