cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation in patients with Marfan syndrome. A report of three cases.

Study design This is a retrospective case series of three patients, ages 9 1/2, 13, and 20 years old, with Marfan syndrome treated for atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation. In the first two cases, acute torticollis was noted postoperatively, following pectus excavatum repair. The diagnosis was made in the third patient after she presented to the emergency room with a week-long history of unresolved neck pain following minor trauma. Objective To report and discuss the courses and clinical sequelae of atlantoaxial subluxation in patients with Marfan syndrome. Summary of background data Radiographic analysis of patients with Marfan syndrome has shown that increased atlantoaxial translation, larger odontoid height, and basilar impression are more prevalent in this population compared to age-matched controls. Despite these findings, there are sparse data on injuries secondary to cervical spine instability or abnormalities in this population. To the authors' best knowledge, no report of atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation in patients with Marfan syndrome exists in the literature. Methods Case records of rotatory instability of the atlanto-axial level were reviewed and are presented in the following report. Results The first two patients described in this report were noted to have "cock robin" posturing of their necks following pectus excavatum repairs. The first patient's subluxation was partially reduced with halo traction, and he subsequently underwent posterior spinal fusion of C1-C2 with internal fixation. The patient was well aligned postoperatively, and had no neurologic deficits. The second patient's subluxation reduced after 20 days of halter and traction; he was immobilized in a collar following discharge and reduction was maintained. The third patient's subluxation failed to reduce with halo traction; further imaging studies revealed odontoid prominence in the foramen magnum. She underwent posterior spinal fusion, occiput to C3, with satisfactory result. Conclusions The cervical bony and ligamentous abnormalities seen in patients with Marfan syndrome may slightly increase their risk for atlantoaxial rotatory instability. Special attention to intubation and positioning, both intraoperatively and postoperatively, may be necessary in patients with Marfan syndrome. Additionally, rotatory subluxation should be included in the differential diagnosis for Marfan patients with neck pain after injury.
A dual multiscaler based on a microcomputer

Abstract A microcomputer containing a 6510 microprocessor and a 6526 complex interface adapter has been used to acquire count-rate information from radiation detectors. TTL pulses from external sources can be counted with recording intervals as short as 15 μs (one source, 8 bits of data) to 51 μs (two sources, 16 bits of data per source). Pulse-pair resolution is about 2 μs.
Supercooling at a Free Salt Water Surface in the Laboratory

Abstract Sodium chloride solutions were cooled from above in the laboratory. Supercooling of the order of 1C was always observed at the surface prior to freezing. The magnitude of the supercooling varied and is inferred to be dependent upon the boundary layer thickness and the availability of freezing nuclei.
BULK SOLUTION OF GINZBURG-LANDAU EQUATIONS FOR TYPE II SUPERCONDUCTORS: UPPER CRITICAL FIELD REGION

A solution is described of the Ginzburg---Landau equations of the Abrikosov type for a homogeneous type II superconductor just below the upper critical field. This solution is characterized by magnetic field maxima corresponding to an equilateral triangular lattice and a value $\ensuremath{\beta}=1.16$ of Abrikosov's parameter. Abrikosov's square-lattice solution with $\ensuremath{\beta}=1.18$ has a higher free energy and is unstable with respect to the triangular lattice solution.
Simulation model of Tribolium confusum and its pathogen, Nosema whitei

We created a detailed simulation model of a Tribolium confusum population under the influence of the disease caused by the microsporidium Nosema whitei. Age structure, spore concentration, and timing of infection were emphasized. Results demonstrated that the disease can suppress the beetle population to densities less than 10% of a population without disease. Validation indicated that the model performed well for the first 30 days of the 60-day simulations, but predicted egg densities were too high after day 40. Because validation experiments were run for 60 days without changing the flour medium, we concluded that conditioning of the medium by older larvae and adults and the resulting changes in beetle behavior caused the differences between predicted and observed densities. The predicted changes in disease prevalence through time were supported by observations by P.L. Watson. All pupae and larvae in the fourth to sixth stages were infected after 60 days.
Field-realigned nematic-liquid-crystal optical waveguides

An external electric field exerts volume torque on the nematic liquid crystal due to the anisotropic molecular polarizability and tends to reorient the molecular axes. Phase-velocity tuning in these materials is thus possible. Eigenmodes of thin-film liquid-crystal waveguides are analyzed by a numerical method. A three-layer model of the waveguides is found to be in good agreement with the measured data, thus providing a simplified model for conceptual thinking as well as for computation.
Amphetamine-induced excitations predominate in single neostriatal neurons showing motor-related activity

Neostriatal single-unit activity was recorded in freely moving rats. A majority (62%) of the 24 recorded neurons were activated during motor behavior such as locomotion (n = 11) or head movements (n = 4). The behavioral response to amphetamine (1.0 mg/kg) was associated with increases (n = 17) or decreases (n = 7) in firing rate. A significantly greater proportion of motor-related neurons were excited by the drug compared to nonmotor-related cells. These results, which confirm the heterogeneity of amphetamine-induced effects in the neostriatum, indicate that the baseline motor-response characteristics of neostriatal neurons may determine their response to amphetamine.
Use of upland forests by birds following spray-irrigation with municipal wastewater

Abstract Bird use of two upland forest sites following spray irrigation of nutrient-rich chlorinated municipal wastewater was studied during two breeding seasons. Compared with two nearby similar but undisturbed forest sites, the number of breeding species increased, bird species diversity tended to be higher, but evenness was consistently lower following irrigation. This decrease in evenness suggests a decline in stability in bird communities in previously irrigated forests. Similarity between bird communities in irrigated and undisturbed forest sites was low. Irrigation caused an increase in herbaceous plant cover, a significant decrease on one forest site in shrub vegetation and had no effect on the forest canopy. We conclude that the after-effects of wastewater irrigation are not, however, significant to bird communities unless large areas are irrigated or rare species inhabit treated forests.
On some parallel algorithms on a ring of processors

Abstract In this paper we describe some linear algebra multiprocessor algorithms which are suitable for a ring of processors. These algorithms are organized in such a way as to be easily modified for general-purpose multiprocessors with shared global memories.
13C, 14N and 2H magnetic relaxation and anisotropic molecular reorientation of nitrobenzene

Abstract Magnetic relaxation rates of 13 C and 14 N have been measured for neat nitrobenzene and several 50% (v/v) solutions thereof. Using known values of the 14 N quandrupole coupling constant and asymmetry parameter and the 13 CH bond distances we have determined the three reorientational correlation times and the orientation of the 14 N quadrupole coupling tensor. The correlation times are compared with those previously obtained for nitrobenzene from a combination of depolarized Rayleigh scattering ad 13 C relaxation data. Knowledge of the principal components of the rotational diffusion tensor permits determination of the quadrupole coupling constant for the ortho deuterons in nitrobenzene- d 5 and the unambiguous assignment to molecular axes of previously determined components of the chemical shift tensor for 15 N in nitrobenzene 15 N. In addition, the implications of our assignment of the 14 N quadrupole coupling tensor components for earlier studies of the alignment of nitrobenzene by electric fields and in a liquid crystal are discussed.
A circuit-design approach for enhancing the yield of complex iterative integrated electronic subsystems

Since the preselection of individual components is impossible in integrated electronics, component parameters are, in general, characterized by nontruncated probability density functions which reflect the accuracy of the manufacturing process. The significant thermal resistance in practical integrated electronic sub-systems causes temperature gradients which further increase the effective standard deviation of component parameter probability density functions. As ever increasing numbers of components are constrained to ever decreasing volume, the temperature gradient can cause profound effects including the seeming paradox of a decrease in subsystem yield with increasing design range in parameter values. This paper proposes a straightforward and flexible approach, primarily applicable to digital circuits, which results in a circuit design which is directly related to the functional performance requirements, the accuracy of the manufacturing process, the thermal characteristics of the packaging scheme, and which results in a subsystem with enhanced probability of functioning correctly when fabricated. The approach can make use of any valid "worst-case" design procedures presently available for given topologies provided that the "worst-case" limits are picked in a specific unusual way which is described.
An approach for building an integrated environment for molecular biology databases

The requirements of a traditional integration of databases include hiding the heterogeneity among its member databases, preserving their autonomy, supporting controlled data sharing, and providing a user-friendly interface, with a performance comparable to that of a homogeneous distributed database system. In this paper, we describe a variation of the loosely coupled federated database approach that satisfies these requirements and is specifically oriented toward the special characteristics and needs of molecular biology databases. The approach differs from the traditional federated database approach in that it also integrates software tools together with the databases. In addition, the system gives the graphical user interface a more central role in the integration. Thus, the system has all the advantages provided by a visual user environment and is thus more user-friendly than traditional linguistic approaches. The paper also includes a description of XBio, a system which constructs such an integration. The design of XBio ensures robustness and can be customized to the needs of different classes of users.
Characterization of Trypsin-Modified Bovine Lens Acylpeptide Hydrolase

Abstract Acylpeptide hydrolase, which removes the N-acetylated amino acids from peptide substrates was purified from bovine lens, truncated in vitro to a 55 kDa enzyme by trypsin digestion and characterized. The activity of the trypsin-modified enzyme was investigated using αA-crystallin and oxidized insulin A chain. The trypsin-modified enzyme was able to unblock αA-crystallin and displayed endoprotease activity unlike the native enzyme. SDS-PAGE analysis and amino acid sequencing of ( 3 H)iPr 2 P -F labeled bovine lens acylpeptide hydrolase showed that the lens has a 55 kDa truncated form of the enzyme. The in vivo truncated form of the enzyme was generated by the cleavage of the Gly203-Asp204 peptide bond in the native enzyme.
New detachable coils for treating cerebral aneurysms.

A new minimally invasive device for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms called the Guglielmi detachable coil (CDC) system is described. A brief history of aneurysm treatment and the advantages of the new system are reported.
Spatial structuring and dispersal in a high density population of the California vole Microtus californicus

Space use patterns of California voles are described from intensive live-trapping data obtained during the late breeding season in a peak density year. Operational sex ratios were strongly female biased. Breeding males had mutually exclusive home ranges that overlapped the home ranges of one to several females. The average male home range was larger than the average female home range and tended to encompass female home ranges in their entirety. Breeding females had home ranges that often overlapped extensively with the home ranges of other breeding females. The degree of overlap, however, tended to be either very high or very low, indicating that groups of females may act territorially among themselves. Family groups that may include members of sequential litters formed at high density. Males on experimental removal grids had larger home ranges than males on the high density grids and some became wanderers while most females had home ranges comparable to those on the high density grids. Dispersers onto low density grids were not a random sample of the high density population; large breeding adults and small juveniles were under-represented. No sex differences in dispersal were noted. Immigration into the high density populations was probably negligible.
Structural organization of the genome of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum: interspersion of repetitive and single-copy DNA sequences.

Abstract The length and interspersion of reiterated and single-copy DNA sequences in Dictyostelium have been examined. The results indicate that approximately 50–60% of the single-copy sequences in DNA fragments 1500 nucleotides long and 75% of the single-copy sequences in fragments 3000 nucleotides long are linked to short interspersed repeat DNA sequences. The average length of these single-copy sequences is 1500 nucleotides. The length of the reiterated DNA has also been analyzed and shows a bimodal distribution. One half is present in sequences greater than 2000 nucleotides long, while the remainder is present as short fragments 250–450 nucleotides long. These shorter fragments are interspersed with the bulk of the single-copy DNA.
NeoCITIES: an experimental test-bed for quantifying the effects of cognitive aids on team performance in C2 situations

In this paper, we describe the design and development of the NeoCITIES Simulation task environment. The enhanced NeoCITIES environment allows repeatable experiments in which artifacts are introduced to improve team performance and measure quantities such as inference accuracy as a function of crisis tempo, data rate, decision complexity and individual factors such as induced stress. NeoCITIES was developed to study the effectiveness of cognitive artifacts within a simulated command and control environment. This paper describes the initial results of a human in the loop experiment to quantify the effects of data overload on human analyst performance. The experiment involves the introduction of cognitive aids to support improved team coordination and understanding of team-member interactions in a simulated extreme events scenario.
Aircraft ride quality controller design using new robust root clustering theory for linear uncertain systems

The aspect of controller design for improving the ride quality of aircraft in terms of damping ratio and natural frequency specifications on the short period dynamics is addressed. The controller is designed to be robust with respect to uncertainties in the real parameters of the control design model such as uncertainties in the dimensional stability derivatives, imperfections in actuator/sensor locations and possibly variations in flight conditions, etc. The design is based on a new robust root clustering theory developed by the author by extending the nominal root clustering theory of Gutman and Jury to perturbed matrices. The proposed methodology allows to get an explicit relationship between the parameters of the root clustering region and the uncertainty radius of the parameter space. The current literature available for robust stability becomes a special case of this unified theory. The bounds derived on the parameter perturbation for robust root clustering are then used in selecting the robust controller.
Effect of a strong magnetic field and high temperature on broken gauge theories

We explore the consequences on spontaneously broken gauge theories of a simultaneous presence of strong magnetic field and high temperature.
The ultraviolet circular dichroism of some natural DNAs and an analysis of the spectra for sequence information

The circular dichroism spectra of many natural DNAs and double-stranded synthetic polynucleotides were obtained. The eight first-neighbor contributions to the CD spectra of a DNA have been extracted from these data. Therefore, the CD spectrum for any DNA with known first-neighbor frequencies may be easily calculated. For a natural DNA the CD spectrum may be approximated by assuming the first-neighbor frequencies have the most probable values consistent with the base composition. Under favorable conditions, the measured CD spectrum can be used to determine thirteen of the sixteen first-neighbor frequencies of a DNA to ± 0.02 mole percent. The TG, CA, and TA first-neighbor cannot be unambiguously resolved by our method. The accuracy of the first-neighbor frequency analysis depends on the number of different first-neighbors present in the DNA and the extent to which they differ from the most probable value. The extinction coefficient at 260 nm and the base composition can also be calculated from the CD spectrum.
Trees and late Palaeozoic CO2 and O2

The rise and evolution of large vascular land plants (mainly trees) during the mid-to-late Palaeozoic resulted in increased consumption of atmospheric CO2 by accelerated silicate rock weathering followed by further consumption due to increased terrestrially-derived organic matter burial in sediments, with the latter accompanied by increased production of O2. Changes in CO2 and O2 have been treated theoretically in terms of carbon- and sulphur-cycle modelling (Berner and Kothavala, 2001; Berner, 2006 a …
Ceramic phase-shifters for electronically steerable antenna systems

There is considerable interest in the development of microwave ceramic phase shifters because of limitations of currently available ferrite and PIN diode phase shifters regarding cost and reliability and complexity. Ceramic phase shifters may provide a cost breakthrough for the phase array antenna designer while maintaining low insertion loss and low drive power and high power handling capacity. This paper describes a ceramic phase shifter which utilizes a ferroelectric material for obtaining phase shifts from changes in dc biasing fields. Also, the dielectric properties were measured as a function of dc biasing fields, frequency, and temperature for a few compositions of barium-strontium titanate material.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Men Who Strike and Men Who Submit: Hegemonic and Marginalized Masculinities in Mixed Martial Arts

While the recent conceptualization of hegemonic masculinity allows for the emergence of multiple masculinities, a significant ambiguity remains in theorizing the relationships between hegemonic and ‘‘alternative’’ forms of masculinity. In the relatively newly institutionalized sport of mixed martial arts (MMA), the relationship between the two polarized, competing technical styles—striking and submission— appears to demonstrate the competition between hegemonic and marginalized masculinities. This article argues that the distinction is predicated on the process of maintaining and negotiating a specific form of hegemonic masculinity that interacts with East Asian masculinities that are often feminized, yet selectively authorized by their white American counterpart. This article provides a theoretical discussion of marginalized masculinities identified in MMA and challenges the perceived characteristics of hegemonic masculinity—particularly its singularity and impenetrability—by suggesting a more relational...
Solving large-scale optimization problems by divide-and-conquer neural networks

The authors present a neural network algorithm that is based on a divide-and-conquer strategy for solving large-scale traveling-salesman problems (TSPs). This ad hoc cut-and-splice algorithm utilizes a two-layer network with a partitioned first layer and a combining second layer. The cities of a large-scale TSP are first divided into clusters or local sets. Each local city set is represented by a neural network in the first layer, which upon convergence yields the local minimum tour. The second layer optimizes the interconnections between the local sets, forming a global final tour. The regional global (or local) minima of each cluster can be combined to form the global minima of the overall energy functions. Results of the cut-and-splice algorithm are compared with those of the single-layer modified Hopefield-Tank neural network algorithm. The invariant property is confirmed in the sense that the sum of the energy fixed points is equal to that of the fixed points of its parts, and the sum is insensitive to the partitioning of the energy landscape. This means that the linear boundary perturbation created by the partitioning is relatively small as the quadratic area of the problem increases. >
Prediction of the Strength of Ceramic Tubular Components: Part II—Experimental Verification

The strength distribution of reaction-bonded silicon carbide tubes that failed by internal pressurization was predicted from strength distributions obtained from simple laboratory test specimens at room temperature. The strength distributions of flexure bars, C-rings tested in tension, C-rings tested in compression, diametrally compressed O-rings, and internally pressurized short tubes were compared with the strength distribution of internally pressurized long tubes. The methodology involved application of Weibull statistics using elasticity theory to define the stress distributions in the simple specimens. The flexural specimens did not yield acceptable results, since they were ground before testing, thereby altering their flaw population in comparison with the processing-induced flaw populations of the tubular specimens. However, the short tube internal pressure test, the C-ring tested in tension, and the diametrally compressed O-ring test configurations yielded accurate strength predictions of full-scale tubular components, since these specimens more accurately represent the strength-limiting flaw population in the long tubes.
Kinetic and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopic Studies of the Thermal Nitridation of Si(100)

The thermal nitridation of Si(100) by NH 3 and N 2 H 4 has been studied by X-ray photoelectron (XPS) and Auger electron (AES) spectroscopies. The pressure dependence of the rates as a function of reaction time has been measured. It has been found that the growth of the first monolayer (ML) of nitride is mediated by a surface reaction step. For subsequent growth, diffusion of one or more of the reacting species becomes an important process in determining the rate of reaction. Such species may be substrate Si diffusing to the vacuum/Si 3 N 4 interface, or possibly network nitrogen diffusing into the Si substrate. The independence of the reaction rate on NH 3 or N 2 H 4 pressure at long reaction times rules out a mechanism involving molecular diffusion of the nitriding gas to the Si 3 N 4 /Si interface in a manner similar to the oxidation of Si by O 2 or H 2 O. Careful analysis of the Si(2p) XPS spectra reveals the presence of a unique Si species with a Si(2p) binding energy intermediate between elemental Si and Si in Si 3 N 4 . Further, the relative intensity of the Si(2p) features due to this species, and the angular dependence of the XPS peaks indicate that they result from a ML of Si at the outermost surface layer, on top of the growing Si 3 N 4 film.
Maternal Enmeshment: The Chosen Child

This contribution will undertake a discussion of emotionally incestuous mother–son relationships. After a brief, but general discussion that defines such concepts as enmeshment, differentiation and individuation, the discussion will focus on how family system breaches adversely affect children’s social and emotional development. Then specific attention will be given to the long-term adverse impacts of unhealthy mother–son relationships.
Evaluation of LV Diastolic Function From Color M-Mode Echocardiography

Objectives This study evaluated early diastolic filling dynamics using a semiautomated objective analysis of filling velocities obtained from color M-mode echocardiography. Background Diastolic function can be evaluated from color M-mode echocardiography by measuring the early diastolic flow propagation velocity (Vp) from the slope of a single linear approximation of an isovelocity contour. However, this method has limitations and may not accurately represent diastolic filling. Methods We used a semiautomated objective analysis of color M-mode echocardiograms from a development cohort of 125 patients with varying diastolic function to quantify left ventricular filling velocities. Early diastolic filling was not accurately described with a single propagation velocity; instead, the rapid initial filling velocity abruptly decelerated to a slower terminal velocity. Then, we evaluated a new measure of diastolic function in a separate group of 160 patients. Results Compared with normal filling, diastolic dysfunction with restricted filling had a lower initial velocity (53 ± 21 cm/s vs. 87 ± 29 cm/s, p Conclusions Early diastolic flow propagation occurs with an initial rapid velocity that abruptly decelerates to a terminal velocity. With diastolic dysfunction, the initial velocity is slower and the deceleration point occurs closer to the mitral annulus than with normal filling. A new parameter that combines these 2 effects (Vs) provides a more accurate assessment of diastolic function than the conventional propagation velocity.
Housing tenure choice

This article revisits the microeconomics of housing tenure choice. It asks, How does a rational consumer make housing tenure decisions? The article builds on earlier papers on the subject in two ways. First, it brings together all relevant components of the portfolio decision in a single and coherent analytical framework. Second, it presents numerical analysis with carefully chosen national data and post-1986 tax reform tax provisions. The conclusion is that occupancy required for ownership to be rational is probably somewhat longer than it was during the 1970s and early 1980s, and is probably longer than many economists suspect. It seems apparent from the numerical analysis that substantial segments of the U.S. population should not be owner-occupiers regardless of anticipated occupancy.
The embryonic origins of avian cephalic and cervical muscles and associated connective tissues

The objective of these experiments was to determine the embryonic origins of craniofacial and cervical voluntary muscles and associated connective tissues in the chick. To accomplish this, suspected primordia, including somitomeres 3-7, somites 1-7, and cephalic neural crest primordia have been transplanted from quail into chick embryos. Quail cells can be detected by the presence of a species-specific nuclear marker. The results are summarized as follows: (table; see text) These results indicate that muscles associated with branchial arch skeletal structures are derived from paraxial mesoderm, as are all other voluntary muscles in the vertebrate embryo. Thus, theories of vertebrate ontogeny and phylogeny based in part on proposed unique features of branchiomeric muscles must be critically reappraised. In addition, many of these cephalic muscles are composites of two separate primordia: the myogenic stem cells of mesodermal origin and the supporting and connective tissues derived from the neural crest or lateral plate mesoderm. Defining these embryonic origins is a necessary prerequisite to understanding how the mesenchymal primordia of cephalic muscles and connective tissues interact to form patterned, species-unique musculoskeletal systems.
Regulation of primordial follicle assembly and development

The assembly of the primordial follicles early in ovarian development and the subsequent development and transition of the primordial follicle to the primary follicle are critical processes in ovarian biology. These processes directly affect the number of oocytes available to a female throughout her reproductive life. Once the pool of primordial follicles is depleted a series of physiological changes known as menopause occur. The inappropriate coordination of these processes contributes to ovarian pathologies such as premature ovarian failure (POF) and infertility. Primordial follicle assembly and development are coordinated by locally produced paracrine and autocrine growth factors. Endocrine factors such as progesterone have also been identified that influence follicular assembly. Locally produced factors that promote the primordial to primary follicle transition include growth factors such as kit ligand (KL), leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), bone morphogenic proteins (BMP's), keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Factors mediating both precursor theca-granulosa cell interactions and granulosa-oocyte interactions have been identified. A factor produced by preantral and antral follicles, Mullerian inhibitory substance, can act to inhibit the primordial to primary follicle transition. Observations suggest that a complex network of cell-cell interactions is required to control the primordial to primary follicle transition. Elucidation of the molecular and cellular control of primordial follicle assembly and the primordial to primary follicle transition provides therapeutic targets to regulate ovarian function and treat ovarian disease.
BAYESNET: Bayesian classification network based on biased random competition using Gaussian kernels

A new neural network architecture referred to as BAYESNET (Bayesian network) is presented. BAYESNET is capable of learning the probability density functions (PDFs) of individual pattern classes from a collection of learning samples, and designed for pattern classification based on the Bayesian decision rule. In BAYESNET, the PDF of a class is represented in terms of the sum of Gaussian subclass PDFs with unknown means, covariances and subclass probabilities that are to be determined through learning. The unique feature of learning the PDF of a class in BAYESNET is the random assignment of a sample of a class to subclasses, i.e., a sample is randomly assigned to a particular subclass for learning according to the probability of the sample to belong to individual subclasses. The property of Gaussian function provides efficient learning of parameters. It is shown that the learned parameters agree with those obtained by the maximum likelihood estimation of the sample set. >
Hemangiomas: An Overview

nderstanding the behavior of hemangiomasand vascular malformations is of paramountimportance to the plastic surgeon. The fre-quency of these lesions would almost dictate that everyplastic surgeon would be involved in the treatmentof a patient with some sort of vascular birthmark. Hemangiomas are vascular lesions that demon-strate a characteristic pattern of rapid postnatalgrowth followed by slow involution. Vascular mal-formations are simply collections of excess vascularchannels that grow proportionately with the child.Because of the predilection of these vascular birth-marks for the head and neck and the variablegrowth of these lesions, which may result in grotesquedeformity, it is extremely important that plasticsurgeons comprehend the biologic behavior ofthese lesions. It is also important to know when tointervene and treat the patients who have vascularbirthmarks.Vascular birthmarks have been described through-out the history of mankind and many famous figuresthrough history have been known to have vascularbirthmarks.
Hormonal Relations of Menopausal Symptoms

THE CLIMACTERIC and the menopause result from a radical change in the endocrine system of the human female; and since all the endocrine glands are intimately linked in their physiologic action it is inevitable that they should be affected in one way or another. The exact mechanism by which this revolution is brought about is not known but studies of the past two decades have shed some light on the function of the anterior hypophysis with its gonadotrophic elements as well as of the ovaries and their estrogenic and progestin factors. This review deals solely with these tangibles, although the adrenals and the thyroid must be kept in mind as organs which also may play important roles or be subject to radical influences not as yet clearly understood. OVARIAN HORMONES During the active reproductive period of a woman's life the ovaries naturally play an important part and in addition to the formation of ova they produce two types of hormones which have specific effects on the uterus and the accessory genital o...
Structural and Kinetic Analysis of Catalysis by a Thiamin Diphosphate-Dependent Enzyme, Benzoylformate Decarboxylase

Benzoylformate decarboxylase is a member of the family of enzymes that are dependent on the cofactor thiamin diphosphate. A structure of this enzyme binding (R)-mandelate, a competitive inhibitor, suggests that at least two hydrogen bonds are formed between the substrate, benzoylformate, and active site side chains. The first is between the carboxylate group of benzoylformate and the hydroxyl group of S26, and the second is between carbonyl group of the substrate and an imidazole nitrogen of H70. Steady-state kinetic studies indicate that the catalytic parameters are strongly affected in three active site mutants, S26A, H70A, and H281A. The Km of S26A was increased most dramatically, 25-fold more than that of the wild-type enzyme, while the Ki of (R)-mandelate was increased 100-fold, suggesting that the serine hydroxyl is important for substrate binding. The kcat of H70A is reduced more than 3 orders of magnitude, strongly implicating this residue in catalysis, and H281 showed significant, but smaller mag...
Measuring the macroeconomic performance of the Taiwanese economy

Abstract In this paper I construct a scalar-valued summary measure of the macroeconomic performance of an economy. The measure combines any number of conventional but noncommensurate performance indicators. The basic idea behind the procedure is to use mathematical programming techniques of efficiency measurement to construct a “best practice” macroeconomic performance frontier, and then to measure performance in terms of an indicator-based efficiency score. The procedure is applied to a set of ten Asian economies over the past two decades, with special attention paid to Taiwan.
EXTRACELLULAR LYSIS OF THE BLUEGREEN ALGA PHORMIDIUM LURIDUM BY BDELLOVIBRIO BACTERIOVORUS1

SUMMARY When either cells of the bacterium, Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus (Stolp & Starr), strain 15143, or a heat-resistant lytic factor derived from these cells is added to viable cultures of Phormidium luridum var. olivacea Boresch all the algal cells underwent gradual lysis. This effect was obtained with a mean initial bdellovibrio:algal cell ratio of 7.5:1. When P. luridum was mixed with the bdellovibrio cultures the algal chlorophyll content showed an 8-fold decrease. Concomitantly, this interspecies interaction caused, a 75% inhibition of algal photosynthesis after-4 h. Heat, treatment of the B. bacteriovorus culture supernatant fluid increased its ability to inhibit photosynthesis approximately 14%. Light, microscopy showed pale granules and intracellular spaces to form in the P. luridum within 16 h after adding the bdellovibrio lytic factor. Subsequent morphological changes included the development of large intracellular spaces, intercellular spaces, spheroplast formation and finally Complete lysis of the algal cells.
The modern assurance computing platform-progress report

The product assurance organization of the AC Rochester Division of General Motors has embarked on a pilot program to develop and evaluate a departmental computing system to support their assurance activities. These activities have been evaluated with regard to the degree that they could make use of computer technology. Exhaustive system requirements were developed in the areas of human engineering, operation, technical, hardware, communication, business, and administrative requirements. Although this pilot program performed very well, shortcomings were identified in five specific areas. The common denominator of these various concerns was found to be the operating systems involved with various application packages, specifically, the Unix and DOS operating systems. A cost-effective approach utilizing a Unix-based workstation in the local area network has been found to be one possible solution to this situation. This pilot program is the continuation of an effort to develop an assurance computing platform. >
A Luce Connection: Senator Keating, William Pawley, and the Cuban Missile Crisis

Documentation from unexpected sources sheds new light on a question that had seemed unresolvable: how Senator Kenneth Keating learned about the emplacement of Soviet missiles in Cuba well before the Kennedy administration did. The new evidence not only reveals the intricacies of this longstanding mystery, but also provides valuable insights about U.S. intelligence operations, the making of U.S. foreign policy, and the rich opportunities for research about the Cold War in the four million pages of documents gathered under the Kennedy Records Collection Act of 1992.
Biomarker/bioindicator response profiles of organisms can help differentiate between sources of anthropogenic stressors in aquatic ecosystems.

Aquatic ecosystems can be chronically stressed by multiple environmental factors which originate from a variety of point and non-point sources. In addition, these stressors may vary both spatially and temporally, and, combined with synergestic and cumulative interactions of these stressors, complicate the interpretation and evaluation of stress responses in organisms. To help identify and differentiate between sources of anthropogenic stressors in aquatic systems, a diagnostic approach based on exposure-response profiles in sentinel organisms was developed from the known effects of various anthropogenic activities on biological systems. To generate these exposure-effects profiles, biomarkers of exposure were plotted against bioindicators of corresponding effects for several major anthropogenic activities including petrochemical, pulp and paper, domestic sewage, mining operations, land-development, and agricultural activities. Biomarkers of exposure to environmental stressors varied widely depending on the...
Does surgery or radiation therapy impact survival for patients with extrapulmonary small cell cancers

Background and Objectives: Extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas (EPSCC) are rare tumors where therapy remains poorly defined. We sought to determine the impact of surgical extirpation and radiation therapy for outcomes of EPSCC. Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was queried for patients with EPSCC which were further categorized by site and evaluated for survival by specific treatment strategy. Results: We identified 94,173 patients with small cell carcinoma of which 88,605 (94.1%) and 5,568 (5.9%) had pulmonary small cell carcinoma and EPSCC, respectively. EPSCC patients were subdivided by site with the following proportions: genitourinary (24.1%), gastrointestinal (22.1%), head and neck (7.1%), breast (4%), and miscellaneous (42.7%). Overall EPSSC and specifically gastrointestinal disease had significantly improved median, 5- and 10-year survival with surgery and/or radiation for all stages and sizes. For all EPSCCs multivariate analysis revealed age (>50), gender (female), stage (regional, distant), radiation, and surgery to be independent predictors of survival. Conclusions: Although outcomes for EPSCC remains poor, both surgery and radiation is shown to significantly improve median, 5- and 10-year survival rates. EPSCC patients who are potential candidates for surgical resection or radiation therapy may benefit from these treatments. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011;104:604–612. 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
“They Think Minority Means Lesser Than”: Black Middle-Class Sons and Fathers Resisting Microaggressions in the School

The current literature on Black middle-class men is sparse, leaving little to be known about the raced, classed, and gendered experiences for many Black middle-class male students and their families. Employing qualitative methodology, this study uses critical race theory (CRT) to examine the educational experiences of Black middle-class high school male students through the counterstories of Black students and their fathers. This study highlights various microaggression events experienced by the male students as well as the forms of cultural wealth drawn upon by the fathers to divert the potential negative outcomes of school racism. Language: en
A simulation study on the stability-oriented routing protocols for mobile ad hoc networks

We present an extensive ns-2 (K. Fall and K. Varadhan) simulation-based performance comparison of three widely known stability-oriented mobile ad hoc network routing protocols: associativity-based routing (ABR) protocol (C-K Toh, 1997), flow-oriented routing protocol (FORP) (W. Su et al., 2001) and route assessment based routing (RABR) protocol (S. Agarwal et al., 2000). The order of the ranking of the protocols in terms of the packet delivery ratio and the number of route transitions is as follows: FORP, RABR, and ABR. The order of ranking in terms of the average hop count per route and end-to-end delay per packet is: ABR, RABR, and FORP. Thus, we see a stability-delay tradeoff within the class of stability-oriented routing protocols.
Female Candidacy and Patterns in Local Campaign News Coverage

We utilize an original on local news coverage statewide electoral contests from three election cycles, and test hypotheses related to news coverage of female political candidates, especially regarding the policy focus of the coverage. We find that the office sought matters for the degree and type of issue coverage women candidates receive. But we also find that the broad category of "women's issues" must be refined in order to capture the full effects of gender on campaign communications and news coverage. While there is much research suggesting that female candidates can benefit by campaigning on policy issues and duties associated with gender stereotypes, particularly when those policy issues are also associated with particular offices, some current research on women in political office suggests "the boundaries of the set of issues that is traditionally defined as women's issues may be changing over time" (Barnello and Bratton 2007, p. 449), especially as the number of women in political office increases. Accordingly, we utilize what is called a Latent Class Analysis (LCA), to identify patterns of campaign news issue coverage and to examine whether and how said patterns are related to female political candidacy. We find that issues in the news cluster in ways consistent with literature on "female issues" and that female candidacy is positively related to the coverage of female issues and negatively related to other groups of issues such as those related to the economy.
Myosin light chain phosphorylation in vertebrate striated muscle: regulation and function

The regulatory light chain of myosin (RLC) is phosphorylated in striated muscles by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent myosin light chain kinase. Unique biochemical and cellular properties of this phosphorylation system in fast-twitch skeletal muscle maintain RLC in the phosphorylated form for a prolonged period after a brief tetanus or during low-frequency repetitive stimulation. This phosphorylation correlates with potentiation of the rate of development and maximal extent of isometric twitch tension. In skinned fibers, RLC phosphorylation increases force production at low levels of Ca2+ activation, via a leftward shift of the force-pCa relationship, and increases the rate of force development over a wide range of activation levels. In heart and slow-twitch skeletal muscle, the functional consequences of RLC phosphorylation are probably similar, and the primary physiological determinants are phosphorylation and dephosphorylation properties unique to each muscle. The mechanism for these physiological responses probably involves movement of the phosphorylated myosin cross bridges away from the thick-filament backbone. The movement of cross bridges may also contribute to the regulation of myosin interactions with actin in vertebrate smooth and invertebrate striated muscles.
State Regulatory Impact on Reactor Decommissioning: Financing Approaches and Their Cost

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is moving toward promulgating comprehensive new regulations governing decommissioning. Increasing numbers of state legislatures and utility commissions are becoming more interested in decommissioning activities. In addition, large gatherings such as this are focusing increased attention on various aspects of decommissioning. Given this atmosphere, perhaps it is appropriate to assess how attitudes and policies toward the financial aspects of decommissioning are changing and evolving and the role of state and federal authorities in this process.
Autonomous control of issue queue utilization for simultaneous multi-threading processors

Simultaneous Multi-Threading (SMT) is a technique that improves overall system performance by allowing concurrent execution of multiple independent threads with sharing of key datapath components and better utilization of the resources. Most of existing resource allocation and distribution techniques adjust the resource allocation in real time based on certain pre-determined allocation parameter settings attempting to lead to better performance. Such an improved performance is contingent on the assumptions that the system environment parameters and workload characteristics remain unchanged. Once either is changed the same settings may no longer lead to the same performance gain. In this paper, we propose an adaptive technique to allow for a complete autonomous adjustment process to control the distribution of a critical shared resource -- Issue Queue (IQ) -- in an SMT system. The proposed process adjusts in real time the resource distribution based on the impact to performance caused by the previous adjustment, with a simple algorithmic guideline in constantly aiming to improve performance from one adjustment to the next. No a priori information in system environment parameters or workload characteristics is needed for this process to acquire beforehand for the autonomous adjustment. Our simulation results show that our proposed technique is able to improve the system's overall IPC by an average of 7.9% for a 4-threaded workload and 12.5% for an 8-threaded workload, as opposed other known adaptive techniques achieving similar performance.
Relation of Study Habits and Attitudes to Academic Performance

Scores on the Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes and demographic data concerning GPA were gathered at a small college for 100 students, 32 male and 68 female, residents and non-residents. The Pea...