cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vocal Fold Paresis: An Evolving Clinical Concept

Neurogenic compromise of vocal fold function exists along a continuum encompassing variable degrees and patterns of partial denervation (paresis). Not abundantly recognized until recently, vocal fold paresis is probably a significant source of vocal disability, especially among cases that have eluded straightforward diagnosis. It presents with symptoms of glottic insufficiency, and probably follows a clinical course analogous to that of paralysis. As a result of preserved gross mobility, paresis can be difficult to diagnose and distinguish from innocent asymmetries of laryngeal motion. Both laryngoscopy/stroboscopy and electromyography are useful in diagnosis despite both of them having important limitations. Because of these, trials of treatment are uniquely useful in vocal fold paresis. Significant disagreement persists regarding incidence, causes, signs, and association with other diseases. Treatment consists of medialization and/or augmentation procedures that do not compromise remaining neural function.
A Trust-Management Toolkit for Smart-Grid Protection Systems

This paper discusses the trust-management toolkit, which is a robust and configurable protection system augmentation, which can successfully function in the presence of an untrusted (malfunctioning) smart grid (i.e., communication-based, protection system nodes). The trust-management toolkit combines reputation-based trust with network-flow algorithms to identify and mitigate faulty smart-grid protection nodes. The toolkit assigns trust values to all protection nodes. Faulty nodes, attributed to component or communication system malfunctions (either intentional or unintentional), are assigned a lower trust value, which indicates a higher risk of failure to mitigate detected faults. The utility of the toolkit is demonstrated through simulations comparing “enhanced” backup and special protection systems to original “unenhanced” systems via an analysis of variance analysis. The results show promise for the toolkit in the smart-grid protection system.
Effects of visual deprivation and strabismus on the response of neurons in the visual cortex of the monkey, including studies on the striate and prestriate cortex in the normal animal

Abstract The response characteristics of neurons in the striate and prestriate cortex of normal macaque monkeys and those that had been raised under conditions of form deprivation or strabismus were studied with naturally presented visual stimuli. Most of these neurons were best activated by stimuli that had elongated borders of light and darkness which were moved through the receptive fields of the cells perpendicular to the long axis of the stimulus. The responses depended on the size, shape and orientation of the stimuli. In the normal animals most of the cells could be driven from either eye, although in the striate cortex 23% of the neurons were monocular, and in prestriate cortex there were 4% monocular cells. In both striate and prestriate cortex a small number of neurons did not respond to visual stimuli and others did not require an oriented-edge stimulus. Binocular stimulation of binocular cells revealed two classes of neurons. In the first class were those cells that gave a binocular response almost equivalent to the monocular response from the dominant eye and for which variation in the relative position (the ocular disparity) of the stimuli on the two retinas produced little change in the response. This type of neuron was seen in both striate and prestriate cortex. In the second class of binocular cell, seen only in prestriate cortex, the number of action potentials evoked by the stimuli depended on ocular disparity, and for a majority of these cells the response was markedly facilitated over a narrow range of disparities. The form deprived and strabismic animals had undergone eye surgery shortly after birth, producing monocular esotropia, exotropia or form deprivation by closure of the lid of one eye. The acuity in both eyes of each animal was tested during adult life. In general, the neurophysiological results demonstrated changes at the single neuron level which paralleled the degree of the behavioral changes: in animals with very poor acuity in the deprived or deviate eye (the form deprived and one esotropic animal), only a small number of neurons were driven from the operated eye; in one esotrope and the exotropic animal, which had good acuity in the operated eye, many neurons received an input from that eye, but only a small number of these were binocular. Finally, histological examination of the lateral geniculate nuclei of the form deprived animals revealed smaller, paler staining cells in those layers connected with the deprived eye.
Multiphase thermomechanics with interfacial structure 1. Heat conduction and the capillary balance law

In [1986g, 1988g] I began the development of a nonequilibrium thermomechanics of two-phase continua, a development based on dynamical statements of the thermomechanical laws in conjunction with GIBBS’S notion of a sharp phase-interface endowed with energy and entropy. I have since come to realize that there is an additional balance law appropriate to the interface. This law, which represents balance of capillary forces, has the form1 $$\int\limits_{{\partial c}} {{\text{C}}\upsilon {\text{ + }}\int\limits_{{\text{c}}} \pi } = 0,$$ (7.1) with an arbitrary subsurface of and ν the outward unit normal to the boundary curve ∂ of. Here C (x,t), the capillary stress, is a linear transformation of tangent vectors into (not necessarily tangent) vectors, while π(x,t), the interaction, is a vector field; C (x,t) represents microforces exerted across ∂c in response to the creation of new surface;π(X,t), characterizes the interaction between the interface and the bulk material. I view (1.1) as a balance law which is supplementary to the usual laws for forces and moments.
MicroRNA Involvement in Brain Tumors: From Bench to Bedside

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a novel class of small non-coding RNAs, are effective post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, exhibiting, when altered in human tumors, both oncogenic and tumor suppressive potential. Recently, miRNA involvement in the pathophysiology of brain cancer has been assessed. Aberrant gene expression is the main mechanism of miRNAs dysfunction in cancer, with abnormal expression levels of mature and/or precursor miRNA expression in tumor samples versus normal. MiRNA germline and somatic mutations or polymorphisms in the protein coding messenger RNA targeted by miRNAs may also occur, contributing to cancer predisposition, initiation and/or progression. If present in somatic cells, miRNA alterations may play a role in tumor initiation, while if present in germ line cells they could constitute a cancer predisposing event. MiRNA expression profiling of human tumors has led to the identification of signatures correlated with the tumor diagnosis, staging, progression, prognosis and response to treatment. MiRNA fingerprinting can therefore be added to the diagnostic and prognostic tools used by medical oncologists. Furthermore, new therapeutic strategies involving miRNA silencing or miRNA mimics could be proposed based on the roles of these small non-coding RNAs as oncogenes and tumor suppressors in brain tumors.
Selecting measures for safety and quality improvement initiatives.

In this department, hot topics in nursing outcomes, research, and evidence-based practice and their practical implications for nursing leaders in diverse healthcare settings are highlighted. Content includes evidence-based projects and decision making, locating measurement tools for quality improvem
Endovascular treatment of the vertebral artery origin in patients with symptoms of vertebrobasilar ischemia

Introduction We report our experience with the endovascular treatment of the vertebral artery origin in patients presenting with symptomatic vertebrobasilar ischemia and compare our results with those reported in the literature.
Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET) Polymerization

The sections in this article are Introduction Catalysts in Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET) Chemistry Classical Catalysts Well-Defined Catalyst Systems The Key to ADMET Polymerization The Step Polymerization Nature of ADMET Chemistry Effects of Lewis Acid Cocatalysts Synthesis of First High Molecular Weight ADMET Polymers The ADMET Polymerization Mechanism Hydrocarbons in ADMET Chemistry Nonconjugated Dienes Conjugated Dienes Functional Groups in ADMET Chemistry The Ether Functional Group Functionality and the Negative Neighboring Group Effect ADMET Depolymerization Conclusions
In vivo effect of ascorbic acid on enhancement of human natural killer cell activity

Abstract The in vivo effect of ascorbic acid on human natural killer (NK) cell activity was determined. Twenty control healthy subjects were given ascorbic acid at a concentration of 60 mg/kg, and blood was drawn at 0,1,2,4,8, 24 and 48 hours after treatment with ascorbic acid. Peripheral Blood Lymphocyte-NK activity was measured by a 4-hr.- 51 Cr-release assay using K562 tumor cells as targets. Treatment with ascorbic acid was shown to have a biphasic effect on NK activity: a transient slight suppression between 1 to 2 hrs. (20% of control) was followed by a significant enhancement (an over-shoot) at 8 hrs. that was further increased at 24 hrs., then the activity returned to the normal level by 48 hrs. Changes in the activity of ascorbate treated NK cells were inversely related to the E:T ratio; namely 231%, 189%, 141% and 127% at 6:1, 12:1, 25:1 and 50:1 E:T ratio respectively. Flow cytometry analysis indicated no quantitative changes in the NK cell sub-populations post treatment with ascorbic acid in the experimental subjects as compared with control untreated subjects. Simultaneous to measurement of NK count and activity, ascorbic acid and its uptake by PBL was measured in the plasma. The uptake of the vitamin was maximized at 2–4 hours and maintained at a high level up to 24 hours. We conclude that ascorbic acid is a potent immunomodulator and its effect in enhancement of NK cytotoxicity may explain one mechanism by which ascorbic acid exerts its probable anti cancer activity.
Analysis and surface energy estimation of various model polymeric surfaces using contact angle hysteresis

Wetting of hydrophobic polymer surfaces commonly employed in electronic coatings and their interaction with surfactant-laden liquids and aqueous polymer solutions are analyzed using a contact angle hysteresis (CAH) approach developed by Chibowski and co-workers. In addition, a number of low surface tension acrylic monomer liquids, as well as common probe liquids are used to estimate solid surface energy of the coatings in order to facilitate a thorough analysis of surfactant effects in adhesion. Extensive literature data on contact angle hysteresis of surfactant-laden liquids on polymeric surfaces are available and are used here to estimate solid surface energy for further understanding and comparisons with the present experimental data. In certain cases, adhesion tension plots are utilized to interpret wetting of surfaces by surfactant and polymer solutions. Wetting of an ultra-hydrophobic surface with surfactant-laden liquids is also analyzed using the contact angle hysteresis method. Finally, a detaile...
Theory of the photic field

Abstract The application of field theory to the calculation of amounts of light has been advocated by a number of investigators. The general feeling, however, seems to be that photic field theory is applicable in so few cases that it is hardly worthy of consideration. A new study of the subject shows that it is of much wider applicability than has been customarily believed. Particularly by the use of the quasipotential, one is able to obtain results very simply that would require troublesome integrations by the classical method. In a few cases, such as the uniform point source, the uniform sphere, and the uniform circular cylinder, the photic field is mathematically identical with the electrostatic field. In these cases, classical potential theory can be applied directly. With most photic fields, however, a scalar potential does not exist and methods must be modified. In all problems having axial symmetry, as well as in other important cases, a quasipotential exists and the procedure is similar to that for a potential field. In still other cases, neither a potential nor a quasipotential exists and one must resort either to a vector potential or to the common photometric methods of calculation. In the foregoing paper, we have attempted to formulate the subject in an exact manner. Theorems have been stated regarding the conditions for the existence of a potential, a quasipotential, and a vector potential in the photic field. Methods of solution are outlined and boundary conditions are formulated. Finally, an example is worked out. Of particular importance are the new Theorems Nos. 7 and 9 on the quasipotential and Nos. 18 and 19 on boundary conditions. Theorem 16 lists the surface sources that produce irrotational fields, while Theorems 21, and 22 indicate general classes of surfaces for which a quasipotential exists. The practical limitation of photic field applications is primarily one of finding a coordinate system. If the luminous surface corresponds to one of the familiar coordinate surfaces (planes, circular cylinders, elliptic cylinders, hyperbolic cylinders, parabolic cylinders, oblate spheroids, paraboloids, etc.), there is ordinarily no difficulty in solving the photic problem with uniform sources. With other problems, difficulty may be encountered, just as in the corresponding electrostatic problem.
Ligand photolysis and recombination of Fe(II)protoporphyrin IX complexes in tetramethylene sulfoxide

Abstract In this report the steady-state optical absorption and ligand rebinding kinetics of Fe(II)protoporphyrin IX (Fe(II)PPIX) and (CO)Fe(II)PPIX in tetramethylene sulfoxide (TMSO) are examined. The equilibrium optical absorption spectrum of Fe(II)PPIX in neat TMSO is characteristic of heme iron that is six-coordinate and low-spin suggesting the formation of a (TMSO) 2 Fe(II)PPIX complex. Absorption maxima are observed at 425 nm (Soret), 557 nm (α-band), and 529 nm (β-band). Addition of CO to a solution of (TMSO) 2 Fe(II)PPIX in neat TMSO results in a complex with absorption maxima at 415 nm (Soret), 566 nm (α-band), and 535 nm (β-band) consistent with the formation of a (CO)(TMSO)Fe(II)PPIX complex. The transient absorption difference spectrum subsequent to photolysis of the (TMSO) 2 Fe(II)PPIX complex displays an absorption maximum at 433 nm and a minimum at 423 nm that decays monophasically with a rate constant of (1.47±0.02)×10 6 s −1 consistent with the formation of a five-coordinate and high-spin transient. The corresponding transient absorption data obtained at 434 nm for the (CO)(TMSO)Fe(II)PPIX complex displays biphasic kinetics with a fast phase rate constant that is identical to the one obtained for photolysis of the (TMSO) 2 Fe(II)PPIX complex and a slower phase with a rate constant of (1.91±0.01)×10 3 s −1 . The data suggest that the decay of this transient species involves rebinding of a TMSO to the heme iron followed by substitution of a bound TMSO with CO. Using these results the equilibrium constant for TMSO binding to the five coordinate (TMSO)Fe(II)PPIX complex is found to be 2.6×10 3 M −1 . This value is roughly a factor of ten smaller than that of the DMSO complex. Molecular modeling studies suggest that geometrical distortions of the TMSO upon binding to the heme are responsible for the lower binding affinity.
Poorer Financial and Health Literacy Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Objective: Literacy is an important determinant of financial and health outcomes in old age, and cognitive decline has been linked with lower literacy. We tested the hypothesis that mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is associated with poorer financial and health literacy. Method: Participants (n = 730) from the Rush Memory and Aging Project were given a clinical evaluation and an assessment of total, financial, and health literacy. Regression was used to examine whether MCI was associated with lower literacy. In secondary analyses, we investigated the association of particular cognitive systems with literacy. Results: MCI was associated with lower total, financial, and health literacy. An interaction was observed such that higher education reduced the effect of MCI on total and financial literacy. Multiple cognitive systems were associated with literacy in participants with MCI, and semantic memory accounted for the most variance. Discussion: Persons with MCI exhibit poorer financial and health literacy, an...
Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis in children

Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT) is a rare but increasingly recognized disease process in children. In the pediatric population, the etiologies of CSVT are multiple and the outcomes are variable. The current therapies for CSVT include anticoagulation, thrombolysis, hydration, surgery, and supportive care. Adult studies, pediatric case studies, and expert opinion form the basis for these treatment strategies. International cooperative efforts are currently being undertaken to collect data on pediatric stroke patients, including CSVT. These multicenter collaborations are needed to increase our understanding of the incidence, risk factors, treatment modalities, and outcomes of CSVT in pediatric populations.
A distinction between bed-load and suspended load in natural streams

Problems pertaining to the transportation of sediment by flowing water have been extensively studied by engineers and scientists during the last few years. Most of the various experiments have been concerned with either bed-load or suspended load, but seldom have they been studied simultaneously. When bed-load and suspended load occur simultaneously in a flume or stream a distinct difference in their mechanical composition is often observed. A curve fitted to the plotted data from a mechanical analysis of the bed-material shows a distinct break. This break occurs most commonly in the data plotted from samples taken in mountain streams where the bed-material is extremely coarse. For instance, in the Rhine River, Switzerland [see 5 of “References” at end of paper] the bed-material ranges in size from pebbles 5 mm in diameter to boulders 100 mm in diameter and greater. Between boulders and in protected pools, however, sand one mm in diameter and finer is found, whereas particles ranging in size from one to five mm are not present. The explanation for this size-distribution has been that the material greater than five mm in diameter moves as bed-load and the material finer than one mm in diameter moves as suspended load. Particles ranging in size from one ram to five mm in diameter occur rarely for certain geologic or hydraulic reasons [3].
Energy-aware computation duplication for improving reliability in embedded chip multiprocessors

Compilers designed for current embedded systems must be capable of addressing multiple constraints such as low power, high performance, small memory footprint and form factor, and high reliability at the same time. In particular, optimizing for one constraint should be performed carefully, considering its impact on other constraints. Recent trends indicate that transient errors are becoming increasingly important in embedded systems. Focusing on an embedded chip multiprocessor and array-intensive applications, this paper demonstrates how reliability against transient errors can be improved without impacting execution time by utilizing idle processors for duplicating some of the computations of the active processors. It also shows how a balance between power savings and reliability improvement can be struck using a metric called the energy-delay-fallibility product. Our experimental results indicate that the "percentage of duplicated computations" is a useful high-level metric for studying the tradeoffs among performance, power, and reliability.
Damage by Neochetina Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Induces Resistance in Eichhornia crassipes (Commelinales: Pontederiaceae)

Induced resistance in invasive plants might influence herbivore performance or preference, and hamper herbivore-based biological control management. Specialist weevils Neochetina eichhorniae Hustache (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and N. bruchi Warner (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) are two herbivores commonly used to control Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (Commelinales: Pontederiaceae), a destructive and widespread invasive plant. However, we do not know whether Neochetina weevils induce resistance in E. crassipes. I report results from excised-leaf bioassay and whole-plant choice experiments testing adult weevil preference and performance in response to previous damage. I found that adult weevil damage induced resistance in E. crassipes, decreasing weevil performance, but simulated damage did not influence weevil performance in a comparable way. Simulated damage did, however, influence weevil preference. This study is the first test for induced resistance to Neochetina weevil herbivory in Eichhornia crassipes. resumen La resistencia inducida en plantas invasoras puede influir en el desempeno de los herbivoros o preferencia el desempeno o la preferencia de los herbivoros y ser un obstaculo para el control biologico basado en los herbivoros . Los gorgojos especializados, Neochetina eichhorniae Hustache (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) y N. bruchi Warner (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), son dos herbivoros comunmente utilizados para controlar la Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (Commelinales: Pontederiaceae), una planta invasora y destructiva de amplia distribucion. Sin embargo, no sabemos si los gorgojos Neochetina inducen resistencia en E. crassipes. Se informan los resultados de un bioensayo de hojas extirpadas y experimentos de opciones con plantas enteras que probaron la preferencia y el desempeno de adultos de gorgojos en respuesta al dano hecho anteriormente. Se encontro que el dano del adulto del gorgojo indujo resistencia en E. crassipes, disminuyendo el desempeno del gorgojo, pero el dano simulado no influyo en el desempeno del gorgojo de una manera comparable. El dano simulado, sin embargo, influyo en la preferencia del gorgojo. Este estudio es la primera prueba de la resistencia inducida por el gorgojo Neochetina en Eichhornia crassipes. Palabras Clave: Neochetina eichhorniae, Neochetina bruchi, el jacinto de agua, herbivoria, biocontrol biologico
Gene expression changes of interconnected spared cortical neurons 7 days after ischemic infarct of the primary motor cortex in the rat

After cortical injury resulting from stroke, some recovery can occur and may involve spared areas of the cerebral cortex reorganizing to assume functions previously controlled by the damaged cortical areas. No studies have specifically assessed gene expression changes in remote neurons with axonal processes that terminate in the infarcted tissue, i.e., the subset of neurons most likely to be involved in regenerative processes. By physiologically identifying the primary motor area controlling forelimb function in adult rats (caudal forelimb area = CFA), and injecting a retrograde tract-tracer, we labeled neurons within the non-primary motor cortex (rostral forelimb area = RFA) that project to CFA. Then, 7 days after a CFA infarct (n = 6), we used laser capture microdissection techniques to harvest labeled neurons in RFA. Healthy, uninjured rats served as controls (n = 6). Biological interactions and functions of gene profiling were investigated by Affymetrix Microarray, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. A total of 143 up- and 128 down-regulated genes showed significant changes (fold change ≥1.3 and p < 0.05). The canonical pathway, "Axonal Guidance Signaling," was overrepresented (p value = 0.002). Significantly overrepresented functions included: branching of neurites, organization of cytoskeleton, dendritic growth and branching, organization of cytoplasm, guidance of neurites, development of cellular protrusions, density of dendritic spines, and shape change (p = 0.000151-0.0487). As previous studies have shown that spared motor areas are important in recovery following injury to the primary motor area, the results suggest that these gene expression changes in remote, interconnected neurons may underlie reorganization and recovery mechanisms.
The meiotic-9 (mei-9) mutants of Drosophila melanogaster are deficient in repair replication of DNA

Repair replication of DNA has been studied in first instar larvae and cultured cells of meiotic-9 (mei-9) mutants in Drosophila melanogaster. Results obtained with both experimental systems show that the mei-9 mutants are defective in this form of repair after UV and X-ray treatment. This defect is correlated with the observation that male larvae carrying alleles of this locus are hypersensitive to killing by UV and X-rays. These findings strengthen the suggestion derived from genetic data that the normal mei-9 + function is involved in the exchange process of meiotic recombination rather than in a precondition to exchange (Carpenter and Sandler, 1974).
Boll Shedding and Boll Load in Nitrogen-Stressed Cotton

(...) This study was designed to test the hypothesis that the ratio of boll load (BOLL) and carrying capacity (CA), defined as the maximum boll load, could be used to index the boll shedding fraction for cotton plants with different crop growth rates. Cotton was grown in a green-house in 1987 and 1988 with 0, 18, 36, 72, and 144 mmol of N applied at 2-wk intervals (...)
Using Agent Based Simulation and Game Theory Analysis to Study Knowledge Flow in Organizations: The KMscape

Knowledge sharing in organizations, especially the impact of sharing freely versus not sharing, was studied using game theoretic analysis and a Netlogo agent-based simulation model. In both analyses, some agents hoarded knowledge while others shared knowledge freely. As expected, sharing was found to greatly increase the overall amount of knowledge within the organization. Unexpectedly, on average, agents who share acquire more knowledge than hoarders. This is in contradiction to the conclusion from the prisonerâ€™s dilemma analysis. This is due to the synergy that develops between groups of agents who are sharing with each other. The density of the agents is important; as the density increases, the probability increases that an agent with a large amount of knowledge to share happens to be organizationally nearby. The implications are that organizations should actively encourage knowledge sharing, and that agent-based simulation is a useful tool for studying this type of organizational phenomena.
Gaseous hydrogen-induced cracking of Ti-5Al-2.5Sn

The kinetics of hydrogen-induced cracking have been studied in the Ti-5Al-2.5Sn titanium alloy having a structure of acicular α platelets in a β matrix. It was observed that the relationship between hydrogen-induced crack growth rate and applied stress intensity can be described by three separable regions of behavior. The crack-growth rate at low stress-intensity levels was found to be exponentially dependent on stress intensity but essentially independent of temperature. The crack-growth rate at intermediate stress-intensity levels was found to be independent of stress intensity but dependent on temperature in such a way that crack-growth rate was controlled by a thermally activated mechanism having an activation energy of 5500 cal per mole and varied as the square root of the hydrogen pressure. The crack-growth rate at stress-intensity levels very near the fracture toughness is presumed to be independent of environment. The results are interpreted to suggest that crack growth at high stress intensities is controlled by normal, bulk failure mechanisms such as void coalescence and the like. At intermediate stress-intensity levels the transport of hydrogen to some interaction site along the α-β boundary is the rate-controlling mechanism. The crack-growth behavior at low stress intensities suggests that the hydrogen interacts at this site to produce a strain-induced hydride which, in turn, induces crack growth by restricting plastic flow at the crack tip.
VOICES: SUSTAINING TRUST: CAN WE REALLY TRUST TODAY'S BUSINESSES?

Ioannis Ioannou argues that a commitment to sustainability must be more than skin deep if it is to engender trust in a corporation.
Victims of Anti-Gay/Lesbian Violence

In total, 294 lesbians and gay men responded to a national survey about their experiences of anti-gay/lesbian violence. Rates for various kinds of assaults and settings in which violence occurs are reported by gender and race of respondents. Rates of reporting to and experiences with the police are discussed and compared with those of victims of criminal violence in general. The impact of surveys on legislators and policymakers is indicated.
Thermomodulated exafs of soft x-ray absorption edges

Abstract Thermotransmission measurements exhibit structure for over 100 eV above the L 2,3 edge in Al and the M 2,3 edge in Ni, structure attributed to the temperature modulation of EXAFS. It appears to arise from both thermal expansion and a Debye-Waller factor.
Cyclic nucleotides, DNA, and steroid levels in ovarian follicles and corpora lutea of the cyclic hamster.

The largest follicles present on each day of the 4-day hamster estrous cycle and the corpora lutea (CL) were isolated and incubated independently for 1 h. The serum and incubation medium were analyzed for steroids; tissue levels of DNA, cyclic nucleotides and steroids were also deter- mined. Day 1 of the cycle corresponded to the day of ovulation and Day 4 to proestrus. Based on a value of 6.4 pg DNA/cell, the CL contained approximately the same theoretical number of cells through the first three days of the cycle: 1.23 X iocells. Cyclic AMP and cGMP in the CL were maximal on Day 3 when luteolysis was advanced as evidenced by nondetectable levels in the serum of progesterone (P) and low levels of P, 17o-OH-progesterone (17-OH-P), 20a-OH-progesterone (20-OH-P) and testosterone (T) in the incubation media. The medium following luteal incubation on Days 14 of the estrous cycle contained increasing amounts of estradiol (E2) but this appears to be of follicular origin. Thus, on Day 3 although it seems that the luteal adenylyl cyclase increased cAMP formation, the link to steroidogenic stimulation was broken. The largest follicles (fol) present on Day 1 (preantral) released low levels of E2 and T (25 and 16 pg/fol) into the incubation medium while values for P, 17-OH-P and 20-OH-P were slightly elevated (0.66, 0.37 and 0.08 ng/fol). Between 0900 h Day 2 and 0900 h Day 4, E2 in serum and medium rose steadily (from 22 to 91 pg/mI, serum; from 51 to 180 pg/fol, medium) while the other steroids remained constant (T) or decreased (P, 17-OH-P and 20-OH-P). Cellular numbers (based on DNA values) rose during this period and reached a maximum in preovulatory follicles on Day 4, 1400 h (5.2 X i0� cells/fol). From Day 1 until 0900 h Day 4, tissue levels of cGMP/fol were higher than cAMP. However, beginning at 1400 h, Day 4 (the onset of the surge in LH) there was an abrupt increase in cAMP and steroids with a concomitant decline in cGMP. The peak level of cAMP at 1700 h was an increase of 14 times above the 0900 h value and was more striking than values reported for the whole ovaries of cyclic or prepubertal rats treated with pregnant mare's serum (PMS). Both in vitro (in follicular incubations) and in vivo (in serum) the surge of E, and T at 1400 h Day 4 was followed by a precipitous decline at 1700 h. In serum and follicles, P, 17-OH-P and 20-OH-P continued to increase through 1700 h. However, levels of 17-OH-P and P in the incubation medium remained consistently higher than 20-OH-P on Day 4 and throughout the cycle. The high levels of 17-OH-P following the LH surge in the hamster differ from the decline observed in the rat. It appears that in the hamster Cl 7-20 lyase is a pivotal enzyme controlled by gonadotropins or steroids and that 17-OH-P may represent a metabolic endpoint similar to 20-OH-P in the rat.
Semiconductor scintillator based on photon recycling

Abstract Direct-bandgap semiconductor with high quantum radiative efficiency can operate as a scintillator despite being “opaque” to its own luminescence. An interband absorption does not finish off the luminescence but merely creates a new minority carrier, which in turn recombines in a predominately radiative fashion. To take full advantage of this “photon recycling” effect, optically-tight integration of photoreceivers on both sides of the semiconductor scintillator wafer is desirable.
Agonist- and antagonist-induced conformational changes of loop F and their contributions to the ρ1 GABA receptor function

Binding of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to its receptor initiates a conformational change to open the channel, but the mechanism of the channel activation is not well understood. To this end, we scanned loop F (K210–F227) in the N-terminal domain of the ρ1 GABA receptor expressed in Xenopus oocytes using a site-specific fluorescence technique. We detected GABA-induced fluorescence changes at six positions (K210, K211, L216, K217, T218 and I222). At these positions the fluorescence changes were dose dependent and highly correlated to the current dose–response, but with lower Hill coefficients. The competitive antagonist 3-aminopropyl(methyl)phosphinic acid (3-APMPA) induced fluorescence changes in the same direction at the four middle or lower positions. The non-competitive antagonist picrotoxin blocked nearly 50% of GABA-induced fluorescence changes at T218 and I222, but only <20% at K210 and K217 and 0% at K211 and L216 positions. Interestingly, the picrotoxin-blocked fraction of the GABA-induced fluorescence changes was highly correlated to the Hill coefficient of the GABA-induced dose-dependent fluorescence change. The PTX-insensitive mutant L216C exhibited the lowest Hill coefficient, similar to that in binding. Thus, the PTX-sensitive fraction reflects the conformational change related to channel gating, whereas the PTX-insensitive fraction represents a binding effect. The binding effect is further supported by the picrotoxin resistance of a competitive antagonist-induced fluorescence change. A cysteine accessibility test further confirmed that L216C and K217C partially line the binding pocket, and I222C became more exposed by GABA. Our results are consistent with a mechanism that an outward movement of the lower part of loop F is coupled to the channel activation.
Myeloperoxidase Deficiency Manifesting as Pustular Candidal Dermatitis

Myeloperoxidase deficiency is the most common neutrophilic lysosomal enzyme deficiency. Case studies indicate that individuals with myeloperoxidase deficiency are not susceptible to serious infection in the absence of coexisting conditions such as diabetes mellitus. We present a case of myeloperoxidase deficiency manifesting as disseminated pustular candidal dermatitis in a non-diabetic male. Ceftriaxone therapy was administered to the patient for 8 days after he received a closed head injury and before the development of fever and pustular dermatitis. Candida albicans was isolated from the skin lesion. His neutrophils demonstrated a qualitative lack of myeloperoxidase. Patients who develop rapidly disseminated fungal dermatitis while they are receiving antimicrobial therapy that is relatively limited in coverage should be evaluated for myeloperoxidase deficiency.
Critical live fuel moisture in chaparral ecosystems: a threshold for fire activity and its relationship to antecedent precipitation

Large wildfires in southern California typically occur during periods of reduced live fuel moisture (LFM) and high winds. Previous work has found evidence that a LFM threshold may determine when large fires can occur. Using a LFM time series and a fire history for Los Angeles County, California, we found strong evidence for a LFM threshold near 79%. Monthly and 3-month total precipitation data were used to show that the timing of this threshold during the fire season is strongly correlated with antecedent rainfall. Spring precipitation, particularly in the month of March, was found to be the primary driver of the timing of LFM decline, although regression tree analysis revealed that high winter precipitation may delay the timing of the threshold in some years. This work further establishes relationships between precipitation and fire potential that may prove important for anticipating shifts in fire regimes under climate-change scenarios.
Flow Aggregation and Light-Tree Establishment in Multicast-Capable Optical Networks

In this paper, we study the problem of multicast flow aggregation combined with light-tree establishment in optical networks. We first give the network model with a tri-partite aggregation graph to describe the problem and show that the problem is NP-complete. We then formulate the problem as an integer linear program (ILP) and give results for small scale problems. A heuristic approach, named fixed tree aggregation (FTA), is presented and results show that FTA achieves good results in both large and small scale problems.
The Printing Anniversary Celebration

The five hundredth anniversary of the invention of printing from movable type, and the four hundredth anniversary of the introduction of printing in America, were celebrated during March and April by the Associated Friends of the Rutgers Library with a series of lectures and exhibits of outstanding interest.
Haptanthus story: Rediscovery of enigmatic flowering plant from Honduras

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Finding a plant or animal that was previously considered extinct is a fortunate (but rare) event in biology. Haptanthus hazlettii was collected from Honduras (Central America) in 1980, but numerous attempts to re-collect it have failed. Reproductive organs of Haptanthus are unique among angiosperms and make the search for phylogenetic relations difficult. Unfortunately, all attempts to extract DNA from the existing sample were unsuccessful. METHODS In 2010, we organized a small expedition to Honduras and were able to re-collect this plant, extract DNA from dried samples, and sequence the barcoding region of rbcL. KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS We obtained phylogenetic trees with reliable support for the placement of Haptanthus as a new member of Buxaceae (boxwood family).
Impact of advanced age on survival in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

Aims Given the selectivity of clinical trial patients and meager representation of elderly in the major implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) randomized trials (,25%), whether such data apply to elderly patients overall is unclear. The purpose of our study is to understand the influence of age on mortality after ICD implantation. Methods and results We performed a retrospective cohort study of 502 consecutive patients receiving ICDs from 1993 to 2003 at a single university hospital. The primary predictor was patient age, categorized as ,65, 65–75, and .75 years at ICD implantation. The primary outcome was time to death. Mean follow-up was 4 years. Median survival after ICD implantation was 5.3 years among subjects .75 years, less than half that of the youngest group. After adjusting for potential confounders, compared with subjects ,65 years of age, patients .75 years [hazard ratio (HR), 4.7; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.8–7.9; P , 0.001] and those 65–75 years (HR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.7–4.8; P , 0.001) were at greater risk of death. Increased age was associated with higher total, cardiac, and non-cardiac mortality (all P � 0.001). Conclusion Age at ICD implantation is strongly and independently associated with mortality. Age should be considered among potential co-morbidities in anticipating survival of the elderly patient prior to ICD implantation.
The relative effects of therapy and periodontal disease on loss of probing attachment after root debridement

This study investigated the immediate effects, and the effects during 12 months, of a single episode of root debridement in 1248 sites in 9 periodontitis patients. Single recordings for probing depths and probing attachment levels were made at baseline, and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. In addition, triplicate recordings of attachment levels were made for all sites by 3 independent examiners immediately prior to debridement, immediately post debridement, and at 3 and 12 months. It was found that a mean loss of probing attachment of 0.5 to 0.6 mm occurred as a result of instrumentation, irrespective of initial probing depth. Individual sites were identified as having lost probing attachment using a site-specific standard deviation for measurement variability and a greater than or equal to 1.0 mm change. 5% of all sites lost probing attachment from pre-instrumentation to 12 months. Approximately half of these had probing attachment loss inflicted during instrumentation. 23 sites (2% of all sites) were identified as having lost probing attachment from the post-instrumentation time point to 12 months. The majority of these sites seemed to undergo this probing attachment loss as a result of a remodelling process during the healing phase. Over the observation period used in this study, the majority of the attachment loss identified seems to be either directly attributable to instrumentation or to a remodelling process as a result of the therapy rather than to progressive periodontitis.
Recent Progress in High-Gain FEL Theory

High-gain free electron lasers (FEL) are being developed as extremely bright x-ray sources of a next-generation radiation facility. In this paper, we review the basic theory and the recent progress in understanding the startup, the exponential growth and the saturation of the high-gain process, emphasizing the self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE). We will also discuss how the FEL performance may be affected by various errors and wakefield effects in the undulator.
Aquitard Distribution in a Northern Reach of the Miami Valley Aquifer, Ohio, USA: Part 1. Three-Dimensional Geostatistical Evaluation of Physical Heterogeneity

In the glacially-filled valleys of the western and central glaciated plains of North America, assemblages of sand-and-gravel outwash form large, productive regional aquifer systems. In these buried-valley aquifers, low-permeability facies, including till or lacustrine clay, are commonly juxtaposed with the permeable outwash. The geometry of the boundary between these facies must be defined in order to address contaminant problems. Although the exact geometry of the boundary between high- and low-permeability facies can only be determined by a prohibitive amount of subsurface information, indicator geostatistics can be used to evaluate the uncertainty at points between actual observations. As an example, the heterogeneity in the Miami Valley aquifer system, which extends 150 km through southwestern Ohio, USA, was examined. In a northern reach, a three-dimensional lithological data base with 30,094 observations was developed by coding all available logs with a binary indicator system, indicating the presence of either high-permeability facies (aquifer) or low-permeability facies (aquitard). This reach of the aquifer system has 36 percent by volume aquitard material, based upon the declustered global mean of the data. The aquitard material is stratified, and the elevation between 204–213 m has the most aquitard material. An interval 6.1 m thick within this zone was studied in more detail to determine the spatial correlation and areal distribution of the aquitard material. Within this interval, the aquitard facies occupies 45 percent of the volume. Based upon variography, the spatial correlation of the facies is greatest in the N50°E direction with a range of about 700 m. The min/max anisotropy ratio is 0.4. The probability of aquitard material existing at any given location was examined with indicator point kriging. Locations in the subsurface having a higher probability for the existence of aquitard material occur more along the valley margins, and locations with a lower probability occur more in the valley interior.
Analysis of drug interactions with very low density lipoprotein by high-performance affinity chromatography

High-performance affinity chromatography (HPAC) was utilized to examine the binding of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) with drugs, using R/S-propranolol as a model. These studies indicated that two mechanisms existed for the binding of R- and S-propranolol with VLDL. The first mechanism involved non-saturable partitioning of these drugs with VLDL, which probably occurred with the lipoprotein’s non-polar core. This partitioning was described by overall affinity constants of 1.2 (±0.3) × 106 M−1 for R-propranolol and 2.4 (±0.6) × 106 M−1 for S-propranolol at pH 7.4 and 37 °C. The second mechanism occurred through saturable binding by these drugs at fixed sites on VLDL, such as represented by apolipoproteins on the surface of the lipoprotein. The association equilibrium constants for this saturable binding at 37 °C were 7.0 (±2.3) × 104 M−1 for R-propranolol and 9.6 (±2.2) × 104 M−1 for S-propranolol. Comparable results were obtained at 20 and 27 °C for the propranolol enantiomers. This work provided fundamental information on the processes involved in the binding of R- and S-propranolol to VLDL, while also illustrating how HPAC can be used to evaluate relatively complex interactions between agents such as VLDL and drugs or other solutes.
Interesting objects are visually salient.

How do we decide which objects in a visual scene are more interesting? While intuition may point toward high-level object recognition and cognitive processes, here we investigate the contributions of a much simpler process, low-level visual saliency. We used the LabelMe database (24,863 photographs with 74,454 manually outlined objects) to evaluate how often interesting objects were among the few most salient locations predicted by a computational model of bottom-up attention. In 43% of all images the model’s predicted most salient location falls within a labeled region (chance 21%). Furthermore, in 76% of the images (chance 43%), one or more of the top three salient locations fell on an outlined object, with performance leveling off after six predicted locations. The bottom-up attention model has neither notion of object nor notion of semantic relevance. Hence, our results indicate that selecting interesting objects in a scene is largely constrained by low-level visual properties rather than solely determined by higher cognitive processes.
The spatial hydraulic jump

(1974). The spatial hydraulic jump. Journal of Hydraulic Research: Vol. 12, No. 3, pp. 389-400.
Pass the Salt Indications for and Implications of Using Hypertonic Saline

Sodium is the most abundant extracellular ion. Historically, therapy with hypertonic saline was widely used for a variety of conditions. Currently, there are 3 primary indications for its use in critical care: hyponatremia, volume resuscitation, and brain injury. SIADH and CSW syndrome may require sodium replacement, but most cases of hyponatremia can be managed without administration of hypertonic saline. Studies of use of hypertonic saline in hypovolemia and brain injury are promising, but additional research is needed to better define optimal dosing regimens and to determine the relative risks associated with hypertonic saline versus conventional treatment for the management of patients with head injuries and for volume resuscitation in shock states.