cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the thermodynamics of LiBr•xH2O (x=0 1/2, 1) and electrical conductivity of LiBr•xH2O (Al2O3 composites

Abstract The thermodynamics of the LiBr·xH2O system have been studied using TGA and DSC. Therefrom evidence for the existence of the hemihydrate phase LiBr· 1 2 H 2 O was obtained. Enthalpies of formation of the hemihydrate and monohydrate have been determined to be about -6213 cal/mol and -11303 cal/mol respectively. The electrical conductivity of anhydrous LiBr-γAl2O3 composites has shown that the presence of γ-Al2O3 particles results in enhanced electrical conduction over the temperature range from 298 to 833 K. Extension of the DSC studies to the LiI-Al2O3 composites containing moisture suggests the presence of the hemihydrate phase also; TGA results are however inconclusive for the LiI hemihydrate. The anomalous conductivity enhancements below 416 K, and the behavior in low moisture ambients are explained in terms of a metastable hemihydrate phase layer, at the LiX-Al2O3 interfaces.
Acrylamide gel analysis of sucrose gradient-derived RNA B fractions transferring delayed sensitivity in vitro

Abstract Sucrose-derived RNA fractions transferring specific delayed sensitivity in vitro were extracted from mono-( p -azobenzenearsonate)- N -chloracetyl- l -tyrosine (ARSNAT)- or keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-sensitized guinea pigs. Fractions having biological activity were assessed by acrylamide gel analysis to enumerate the number of RNA species in active fractions, and to compare and examine the banding patterns of each RNA fraction. Each isolated B fraction of RNA exhibited multiple bands of RNA with molecular weights ranging from 4.0 × 10 5 to 8.5× 10 5 . Depending on the source and antigen sensitivity of the RNA donor, several differences were observed among the analyzed fractions. These were bands of varying intensity, presence of additional RNA bands, absence of bands in certain positions, and RNA bands migrating in different positions on the gels. Acrylamide gel analysis separation, and resolution of B fractions with specific immunobiological activity now offers an approach for further isolation and resolution of the active species.
On the capacity of information networks

We consider information networks in the absence of interference and noise, and present an upper bound on the rate at which information can be transmitted using network coding. Our upper bound is based on combining properties of entropy with a strong information inequality derived from the structure of the network.The undirectedk-pairs conjecture states that the information capacity of an undirected network supporting k point-to-point connections is achievable by multicommodity flows. Our techniques prove the conjecture for a non-trivial class of graphs, and also yield the first known proof of a gap between the sparsity of an undirected graph and its capacity. We believe that these techniques may be instrumental in resolving the conjecture completely. We demonstrate the importance of the undirected k-pairs conjecture by connecting it with a long-standing open question in Input/Output (I/O) complexity. We also show that proving the conjecture would provide the strongest known lower bound for computation in the oblivious cell-probe model and give a non-trivial lower bound for two-tape oblivious Turing machines.Finally, we conclude by considering the capacity of directed information networks. We construct a family of directed graphs whose capacity is much larger than the rate achievable using only multicommodity flows. The gap that we exhibit is linear in the number of vertices, edges, and commodities of the graph, which is asymptotically optimal.
Preferential tissue localization of bovine γδ T cell subsets defined by anti-T cell receptor for antigen antibodies

Abstract Clonal and oligoclonal populations of γδ T cells, with respect to the expression of T cell receptors for antigen (Tcr), have been shown to localize in normal and inflamed tissues. The mechanisms responsible for the tissue-selective accumulation of these subsets are still not known. γδ T cells are the predominant T cell subset in newborn calves, making this animal a useful model to study these cells. However, molecular markers defining tissue-specific bovine γδ T cell subsets are only now being developed. In this report, we describe three new anti-bovine γδ Tcr mAbs: GD3.8, GD197 and GD3.1, which provide useful tools to study these cells. GD3.8 recognized virtually all γδ T cells in the blood; whereas GD3.1 and GD197 recognized mutually exclusive as well as overlapping subsets. Using these three mAbs, four separate subsets of γδ T cells were defined: subset 1 (GD3.8+, GD3.1+, GD197−); subset 2 (GD3.8+, GD3.1−, GD197+); subset 3 (GD3.8+, GD3.1+, GD197+); and subset 4 (GD3.8+, GD3.1−, GD197−). Subset 4 constituted a minor population in the blood; however, it predominated in the spleen and, in some cases, represented a 300% increase over blood levels. The percentage of GD3.1-positive γδ T cells was found to be increased in experimentally inflamed lymph nodes, suggesting that subset 1 cells may be preferentially retained in or recruited to sites of inflammation. Some subset 4 cells also exhibited a decreased ability to respond to PHA. These studies demonstrate that bovine γδ T cell, Tcr-defined subsets, exhibit unique accumulation and activation characteristics that may provide clues to their function and regulation.
Serum creatine kinase isoenzyme MB activity: Evaluation of a kit employing agarose-gel electrophoresis with overlay paper fluorescence scanning

Abstract A commercial kit for determining serum creatine kinase isoenzyme MB activity was evaluated. The kit employed agarose-gel electrophoresis followed by incubation of overlay paper on the agarose and then fluorescence scanning of the paper. Within-day coefficients of variation ranged from 24.9% for a specimen with no elevation of MB activity to 6.6% for a specimen with moderately elevated MB activity. The kit appeared to demonstrate MB in all sera and showed higher than expected values in recovery studies. The kit performed in a relatively linear fashion from 50 to 500 I.U./1 total creatine kinase activity. Hemolysis appeared to lower measured MB. For comparison with another method, specimens were also analyzed by microcolumn chromatography, which was found to incompletely separate isoenzymes. The kit produced lower values than microchromatography for specimens with low MB activities and higher values for specimens with elevated MB activities. Patients without corroborative evidence of myocardial injury showed a somewhat hyperbolic relationship between per cent MB and total creatine kinase activity, but MB activity was generally 4 I.U./1 or less. Although the kit had serious laboratory shortcomings, it may be as clinically useful as other methodologies.
Synthesis of composite foam from thermoplastic microspheres and 3D long fibers

Abstract A method is described for preparing composite foam using expandable PAN-based microspheres reinforced with continuous fibers. Composite foams were produced by mixing expanded and non-expanded microspheres in select proportions, packing the dry microspheres into a fibrous preform in a closed mold, and heating the assembly to expand and weld the microspheres and fibers together. The composite foams exhibited mechanical performance and formability that surpassed the unreinforced foams. The tensile modulus and strength were increased by 750 and 400% respectively, and showed enhanced resistance to crack propagation compared with unreinforced foam samples. The improvement in compression properties was modest by comparison (
Risk variables of insulin resistance syndrome in African-American and Caucasian young adults with microalbuminuria: the Bogalusa heart study

Abstract Microalbuminuria is a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease. Previous studies are inconsistent regarding the relationship between microalbuminuria and insulin resistance syndrome. Therefore, we examined this relationship in 1031 young adults (61% Caucasian, 39% African-American) aged 19 to 32 years. Individuals with either urinary albumin to creatinine ratio at or above the 90th percentile (age, race, and gender specific) or urinary albumin level at or above 30 mg/L were considered as having slightly elevated albumin excretion (microalbuminuria). The multiple risk variables of insulin resistant syndrome measured include body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure (BP), triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, glucose, insulin, insulin resistance index (calculated from a homeostasis model assessment equation), and uric acid. After controlling for age and gender, African-Americans with microalbuminuria by either measure had higher mean systolic ( P .001) and diastolic ( P .05) BP, prevalence of hypertension ( P .05), and, contrary to expectations, HDL cholesterol ( P .05) than those without this condition. On the other hand, Caucasians showed no such associations. In African-Americans, the above differences in BP levels persisted when hypertensive subjects were excluded. None of the other risk variables displayed any relation to microalbuminuria in both races. These results suggest that microalbuminuria is not necessarily an intrinsic component of the insulin resistance syndrome, at least in the young adult age. Furthermore, the observed association between hypertension and microalbuminuria among young African-Americans may reflect early evidence of renal dysfunction due to the burden of elevated BP in this group.
Evaluation of Postoperative Peritoneal Lavage in Standing Horses for Prevention of Experimentally Induced Abdominal Adhesions

Objective—To evaluate the postoperative use of peritoneal lavage for prevention of experimentally induced intraabdominal adhesions in horses. Study Design—Areas of serosal abrasion were created on the jejunum of 12 horses. Postoperatively, six horses had peritoneal lavage, and six horses did not (controls). The number of adhesions was determined at necropsy 2 weeks after surgery. Animals or Sample Population—12 horses. Methods—Five sites of jejunal serosal abrasion were created in each horse. A 32 French thoracic catheter was placed into the right ventral aspect of the abdomen before closure of the abdominal incision. Treated horses had abdominal lavage with 10 L of lactated Ringer's solution on four occasions, then catheters were removed from all horses 34 hours after celiotomy. Horses were necropsied at 2 weeks to quantify the number of intraabdominal adhesions. Results—All control horses and one treated horse developed intraabdominal adhesions. The number of adhesions was significantly less (P <.0293) in treated horses. No adverse inflammatory reactions appeared to be associated with repeated peritoneal lavage using lactated Ringer's solution or use of an abdominal drain. Conclusions—Peritoneal lavage reduced the frequency of intraabdominal adhesions. Clinical Relevance—When postoperative adhesions are likely to develop, postoperative peritoneal lavage may decrease the frequency of adhesion formation.
Energy transfer, trapping, and the interaction potential in hyperthermal Na+ scattering from Cu(001).

In this paper we present measured energy and angular distributions for Na{sup +} scattering from Cu(001) with incident energies ranging from 10 to 100 eV. Excellent agreement with the measured spectra over the full range of incident energies is achieved with simulations using a scattering potential that consists of two parts, both of which we discuss in detail in this paper. The first is a sum of Hartree-Fock (Na-Cu){sup +} pair potentials where the sum runs over the surface atoms nearest the scattering ion. To this we add an attractive potential that approaches the classical image potential far from the surface, but saturates close to the surface. From these spectra we extract detailed information about the scattering dynamics, such as the scattering trajectories, energy transfer to the surface, and particle trapping. For energies below 100 eV we find that the scattering is particularly sensitive to the attractive term in the potential. In particular, as the incident energy is reduced the scattered angular distributions broaden, the fractional energy transfer to the surface increases, and trapping of the ions by the surface is observed. This sensitivity enables us to put bounds on the depth of the attractive well in the potential. Accordingmore » to the simulations there is a minimum in the trapping probability at incident energies between 15 and 30 eV. Furthermore, they indicate that the trajectories that lead to trapping at energies below and above the minimum differ markedly, particularly in the energy transfer in the initial collision with the surface. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}« less
Déjà Vu all over again: Charter reform fails in St. Louis

Editor's note: There is a lively ongoing debate in this country over the forms of organization and the distribution of powers within local government, especially when it comes to the critical question of mayoral leadership. The following essay is an account of a failed attempt to change St. Louis's city charter. Because the National Civic League's Community Services program played a role in facilitating the discussion leading up to the proposal of charter amendments, we would like to emphasize that as with most essays and reports published in this journal, the analysis and conclusions herein represent the perspectives of the authors, or in some cases the participants they interviewed, and not necessarily those of National Civic League staff. We hope this essay will stimulate further discussion and debate on these critical issues of concern.
The impact of measurement error on estimating the demand for diesel fuel by farmers in the United States

Abstract This paper deals with two diagnostics that are useful in evaluating regression results when one of the explanatory variables contains either random or systematic measurement error. The two diagnostics discussed are regression-coefficient bounds and the bias correction factor. The first is useful because such bounds indicate the impact on the estimated regression coefficients not only of the random component in the dependent variable but also of the random component of the explanatory variable (that contains the measurement error). The bias correction factor is useful because, depending on the type of measurement error present, it will indicate the extent of the difference between the true population parameter and the estimated value of the parameter. In an application of the two diagnostics, the demand for diesel fuel by farmers in the United States is explored. Given that the data on the price of diesel fuel contain random measurement error, it is illustrated that the responsiveness of the quantity of diesel fuel demanded by farmers ranges between -1.77 and -0.26% for each 1% change in the price of diesel fuel. In terms of bias arising from measurement error, the responsiveness of the quantity of diesel fuel demanded due to a change in the number of acres planted is under-estimated by 36%. The responsiveness of the quantity demanded due to a change in precipitation is under-estimated by 63%.
Reusable Idioms and Patterns in Graph Transformation Languages

Software engineering tools based on Graph Transformation techniques are becoming available, but their practical applicability is somewhat reduced by the lack of idioms and design patterns. Idioms and design patterns provide prototypical solutions for recurring design problems in software engineering, but their use can be easily extended into software development using graph transformation systems. In this paper we briefly present a simple graph transformation language: GReAT, and show how typical design problems that arise in the context of model transformations can be solved using its constructs. These solutions are similar to software design patterns, and intend to serve as the starting point for a more complete collection.
Physical and occupational therapy considerations in adult patients receiving botulinum toxin injections for spasticity

Physical and occupational therapists play important roles in the evaluation and management of patients receiving botulinum toxin injections for spasticity. Baseline evaluation includes areas beyond the muscles being injected, since local spasticity reduction may lead to more widespread functional changes. Because the evaluation itself influences tone, a consistent order of muscle evaluation is recommended. The range of preinjection assessments includes evaluation of tone, mobility, strength, balance, endurance, assistive devices, and others. After injection, therapeutic interventions have multiple aims, including strengthening and facilitation, increasing range of motion, retraining of ambulation and gait, improving the fit and tolerance of orthoses, and improved functioning in ADLs.
Formation, Stability, and Breakup of Nanojets

Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations reveal the formation of nanojets with velocities up to 400 meters per second, created by pressurized injection of fluid propane through nanoscale convergent gold nozzles with heating or coating of the nozzle exterior surface to prevent formation of thick blocking films. The atomistic description is related to continuum hydrodynamic modeling through the derivation of a stochastic lubrication equation that includes thermally triggered fluctuations whose influence on the dynamical evolution increases as the jet dimensions become smaller. Emergence of double-cone neck shapes is predicted when the jet approaches nanoscale molecular dimensions, deviating from the long-thread universal similarity solution obtained in the absence of such fluctuations.
Determination of Internal Temperatures within Semitransparent Media by Means of Emitted Radiation

A method of determining internal temperatures within a semitransparent nonscattering slab is discussed. The appropriate equations and boundary conditions are reviewed and are valid for both arbitrary angles and the effects of polarization. A numerical procedure for recovering the internal temperature profile from experimentally determined, externally observable intensities is presented and shown to be both accurate and efficient. Two illustrative examples indicate the possible effects of inaccurate intensity data and how the use of polarization and various viewing angles can be useful.
The Dinner-Diner Matching Problem.

At the Spring 2000 meeting of the Ohio section of the MAA in Huntington, West Virginia, there was a banquet for NExT fellows, untenured faculty in the section's faculty development program. Each attendee had selected a dinner from among four entrees. The following orders had been placed by the twenty-two guests: 1 pasta vegetarian, 8 chicken cordon bleu, 6 prime rib, and 7 filet of sole dinners. None of the guests could say with certainty what they had ordered for dinner, leaving the server greatly distressed.
Olfactory bulb development is altered in small-eye (Sey) mice.

Small-eye (Sey) is a spontaneous, semidominant murine mutation that results from a point mutation in the Pax-6 gene. Both the eyesthe olfactory system fail to develop in homozygotesthese animals die neonatally. Heterozygotes (Sey/+) have different degrees of eye abnormalities including decreased lens sizecataracts. In the present study, we examined whether one mutated allele of Pax-6 also affects olfactory system development. By 42 days of age, main olfactory bulb volume was significantly decreased in Sey/+ animals compared with wild-type littermates,this effect was even more dramatic in 70-day-old animals. In contrast, there was no effect on accessory olfactory bulb, olfactory epithelial, or vomeronasal organ development at any age in Sey/+ animals, demonstrating the specificity of the effect. In the main olfactory bulb, the largest differences in laminar volume were found in the glomerulargranule cell layers. These layers contain the olfactory bulb interneurons,a subpopulation of these cells were found to be Pax-6 immunoreactive. Examination of the neurochemical consequences of this mutation showed that the number of both tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-immunoreactive profiles were dramatically decreased in Sey/+ animals as compared with controls. In contrast, neither calretinin nor calbindin immunoreactivity was affected by this mutation. Dual-labeling immunohistochemistry showed that nearly all TH-immunoreactive cellsa subpopulation of GABA-immunoreactive cells coexpressed Pax-6. However, calretinin-calbindin- immunoreactive cells were not Pax-6 immunopositive. These data indicate that two normal alleles of Pax-6 are required for normal olfactory bulb development and, as part of this effect, this gene may be involved in the development of specific neurotransmitter systems. J. Comp. Neurol. 402:402–418, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Self-quenching of the triplet state of a semifluorinated polyimide in solution

Triplet lifetimes of semifluorinated polyimides and related model compounds were determined using laser flash photolysis. It was found that the triplet lifetimes of polyimides in relatively good solvents were about 10 times less than those of N-arylphthalimide models. The significant reduction in the triplet lifetimes of the polymers is attributed to an intrachain self-quenching process of the triplet state via interaction between main chain chromophores. Triplet lifetimes of one of the semifluorinated polyimides polymers in a variety of solvents of varying solvent powers were measured. In relatively poor solvents, more than a 10-fold reduction in the triplet lifetimes was observed compared to the lifetimes in relatively good solvents, suggesting that intrachain self-quenching readily occurs due to enhanced coiling of the polymer in the poor solvents.
The effect of accountable care organizations on oncology practice.

Cancer care accounts for a significant portion of the rise in health care costs, and therefore, as national efforts escalate to control cost, cancer care will be a focus of concern. Cost increases ...
WE‐C‐AUD C‐01: The Extraction of True Profiles for TPS Commissioning and Its Impact On IMRT Patient‐Specific QA

Purpose: to develop methods to extract the true cross‐beam profiles for TPS commissioning and investigate its clinical impact on patient‐specific IMRT QA. Method and Materials: Two photon beam models, BM6 and BM4, were commissioned using photon beam profiles measured with a 6 mm diameter and a 4 mm diameter ion chambers, respectively. A method was developed to extract the “true” cross‐beam profiles, free of volume averaging effect, using analytic fitting/deconvolution. The method was validated using beam profiles measured with a small (0.8 mm) diode detector for small (⩽ 10×10 cm2) field sizes. These profiles were used to commission a third beam model (BM08). Planar dose distributions for 8 IMRT plans (total of 53 fields) were calculated using the three beam models and measured with a 2‐dimensional detector array. Analysis using percent dose difference and distance‐to‐agreement criteria was done to benchmark the performance of each beam model. Results: Excellent agreement between deconvolved profiles and diode measured profiles validated our analytic deconvolution method. The average passing rates between calculation and measurement were 93.8%, 98.9% and 99.4% for BM6, BM4 and BM08, respectively, when 3%/3mm criteria were used. A gradual increase in passing rates was noticed with the decrease in the size of the detectors used to collect commissioning data. When 2%/2mm criteria were used, the average passing rates increased significantly from 81.6% (BM6) to 92.6% (BM4) and 96.8% (BM08). Conclusion: Our study indicates that volume‐averaging effect can significantly affect the accuracy of dose calculation for IMRT plans. By removing the volume‐averaging effect in beam commissioning, excellent passing rates can be achieved with more stringent criteria such as 2%/2mm. The use of more stringent criteria for IMRT patient‐specific QA would likely result in higher chances of detecting any dosimetric errors arising from the treatment planning or delivery system.
Lack of correlation between zinc, copper and C-reactive protein in human serum.

SummaryThe concentrations of total zinc and copper in sera from 100 non-pregnant hospital patients were examined particularly in relation to the CRP reaction. Although the concentration of serum zinc tends to be slightly lower in the presence of CRP, the decrease does not correlate with the intensity of the CRP reaction and/or with the degree of hypercupremia. The data demonstrate that serum zinc and copper concentrations are independent variables.My thanks are due to Mrs. Betty S. Grogan for technical assistance.
Segmented poly(ether urethane) films containing ferrocene units in the hard segments

Segmented poly(ether urethanes) were synthesized from polypropylene glycol (PPG) and 4,4′-methylene-bis(phenyl-isocyanate) (MDI), using 1,1′-bis(β-aminoethyl)ferrocene (BAF) and 1,1′-bis(β-hydroxyethyl)ferrocene (BHF) as chain extenders. These polymers were characterized by infrared and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Mass spectrometry was also utilized to determine the linkage of BAF and BHF in these polymers.
Asymptotics of eigenfrequencies and eigenmodes of non-homogeneous inextensible filament with an end load

We consider a class of non-selfadjoint operators generated by the equation and the boundary conditions, which govern small vibrations of an ideal filament with non-conservative boundary conditions at one end and a heavy load at the other end. The filament has a non-constant density and is subject to a viscous damping with a non-constant damping coefficient. The boundary conditions contain two arbitrary complex parameters. We derive the spectral asymptotics for the aforementioned two-parameter family of non-selfadjoint operators. In the forthcoming papers, based on the asymptotical results of the present paper, we will prove the Riesz basis property of the eigenfunctions. The spectral results obtained in the aforementioned papers will allow us to solve boundary and/or distributed controllability problems for the filament using the spectral decomposition method. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aphasic and parkinsonian signing: differences in phonological disruption.

Abstract Since movements of the articulators in sign, unlike in speech, are directly observable, we can investigate signing not only as linguistic behavior but also as motor behavior and directly contrast linguistic-representational and motor-execution disorders of signing. We compared the temporal sequencing characteristics (duration of segments, pausing, periods of change in handshape posture), intactness of distinctive features, and correct use of prosodic templates in three pairs of signers-two Deaf aphasic signers with posterior damage in the left hemisphere, two signers with Parkinson′s disease, and two gender- and age-matched control signers. With respect to distinctive features, the aphasic signers exhibited selection errors in the American Sign Language (ASL) distinctive features system, while the Parkinsonian signers showed an intact distinctive feature inventory, but with disturbances in executing these features. The Parkinsonian signers, unlike the aphasic and control signers, showed marked disturbances in the temporal organization and coordination of what we argue are the two subsystems of the ASL sign stream-handshape and movement. The findings demonstrate a phonetic deficit in Parkinsonian signers, in contrast with aphasic signers who showed a disruption in the underlying representation and syllabification processes in the language.
Low-temperature electrical and thermal transport properties of pure aluminium

The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity, thermal resistivity, and thermoelectric coefficient G(T) have been measured in high-purity aluminium between 1.5K and 6.5K. A quadratic temperature dependence was observed for these quantities below 4K rather than the cubic dependence usually expected from the breakdown of Matthiessen's rule.
On routing and spectrum allocation in spectrum-sliced optical networks

The orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technology provides an opportunity for efficient resource utilization in optical networks. It allows allocation of multiple sub-carriers to meet traffic demands of varying size. Utilizing OFDM technology, a spectrum efficient and scalable optical transport network called SLICE was proposed recently. The SLICE architecture enables sub-wavelength, super-wavelength resource allocation and multiple rate data traffic that results in efficient use of spectrum. However, the benefit is accompanied by additional complexities in resource allocation. In SLICE architecture, in order to minimize the utilized spectrum, one has to solve the routing and spectrum allocation problem (RSA). In this paper, we focus our attention to RSA and (i) prove that RSA is NP-complete even when the optical network topology is as simple as a chain or a ring, (ii) provide approximation algorithms for RSA when the network topology is a binary tree or a ring, (iii) provide a heuristic for the network with arbitrary topology and measure the effectiveness of the heuristic with extensive simulation. Simulation results demonstrate that our heuristic significantly outperforms several other heuristics proposed recently for RSA.
Nitrogen effects on cantaloupes

Abstract The NO3 levels in cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.) petioles relate closely to N treatment and reflect the N status of the cantaloupe plant. Suggested levels of petiole NO3 in cantaloupes grown in Arizona are presented. Nitrogen treatment had little effect on melon size, earliness, or most storage quality factors that were evaluated except that deficiencies resulted in lower netting, poor general appearance and an increase in cull melons.
Extra-Anatomic Right Ventricle to Pulmonary Artery Conduit: The Apical-Aortic Equivalent for Complex Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Reconstruction

We describe the case of a 22-year-old with tetralogy of Fallot, who underwent complete repair with ventricular septal defect closure and right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit placement. She has undergone numerous subsequent conduit changes, each complicated by early stenosis and failure. Unfortunately, serial conduit changes can become increasingly challenging. While extra-anatomic conduits have been described for complex left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, they have not been described for right-sided obstruction. Herein, we present a patient who underwent successful placement of an extra-anatomic valved right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit in the setting of complex right ventricular outflow tract obstruction.
Intracellular neurophysiological analysis reveals alterations in excitation in striatal neurons in aged rats.

Abstract Intracellular recordings were used to characterize the physiological changes underlying decreases in excitation observed in striatal neurons during the aging process. Rats were divided into 3 age groups: young (3–5 months), middle-aged (10–12 months) and aged (>24 months). All experiments were performed in urethane-anesthetized rats. Recordings were obtained from 33 neurons in young, 17 in middle-aged and 20 in aged rats. When identified by intracellular injections of Lucifer yellow all recorded neurons were medium-sized spiny cells. Resting membrane potentials were at least −40 mV and action potentials greater than 35 mV. Postsynaptic responses were evoked by stimulation of frontal cortex. In all recorded neurons, regardless of age, excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) could be evoked. However, the threshold currents for eliciting both EPSPs and synaptically driven action potentials were significantly higher in neurons obtained from aged rats than those recorded in the other two groups. Other changes in excitation in aged striatal neurons consisted of absence of spontaneously occurring EPSPs, higher current to induce firing by intracellular injections of depolarizing current and an inability of orthodromically induced action potentials to follow paired stimulation pulses to the cortex at short interpulse intervals. These data were interpreted to indicate that a combination of changes in synaptic connectivity and in membrane properties underlie the decreases in excitation. Together with our previous findings obtained from aged cats these results indicate that decreased neuronal excitability is a major effect of aging in the striatum.
Chromosome 12‐linked autosomal dominant scapuloperoneal muscular dystrophy

Scapuloperoneal syndromes are characterized by their distribution of muscle weakness and wasting. The reported pattern of inheritance has been variable. Both neurogenic and myopathic forms of autosomally dominantly inherited scapuloperoneal syndrome have been described. It has been suggested that these are variants of other neuromuscular diseases. We examined 44 members from a family with 14 members affected with a scapuloperoneal syndrome. Physiological and histological analysis implied that this condition is predominantly myopathic. Linkage analysis was done to confirm the genetic etiology of the disease in this family and to evaluate the possibility that it is an allelic variant of other neuromuscular diseases. Genetic analysis demonstrated linkage of the disease to chromosome 12, which makes it genetically distinct from other loci known to cause neuromuscular disease. Muscle fibers with hyaline desmin-containing cytoplasmic inclusions in combination with focal myopathic changes may be a disease-specific morphological marker of the disease.
Pathogenic Bacterial Proteins and their Anti-Inflammatory Effects in the Eukaryotic Host

Bacteria use multiple strategies to bypass the inflammatory responses in order to survive in the host cells. In this review, we discuss the mechanism of the bacerial proteins in inhibiting inflammation. We highlight the anti-inflammatory roles of the type three secretion proteins including Salmonella AvrA, Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Cif, and Yersinia YopJ, Staphylococcus aureus extracellular adherence protein, and Chlamydia proteins. We also discuss the research progress on the structures of these anti-inflammatory bacterial proteins. The current therapeutic methods for diseases, such as inflammatory bowel diseases, sclerosis, lack influence on the course of chronic inflammation and infection. Therefore, based on the molecular mechanism of the anti-inflammatory bacterial proteins and their 3-Dimension structure, we can design new peptides or non-peptidic molecules that serve as anti-inflammatory drugs without the possible side effect of promoting bacterial infection.
Androgen-Induced Vocal Transformation in Adult Female African Clawed Frogs

Sex-specific behaviors of some vertebrates are reversible by androgen administered in adulthood. Such behavioral transformations in adulthood provide opportunities to identify how neural systems re...
Are Intermetallics in Solder Joints Really Brittle

In nearly all soldering processes, it is the intermetallic (IMC) layer that bonds the solder to the base metal. Thus, the IMC layer is necessary for any successful soldering operation used in the electronic industry. That is, a solder joint always has at least one IMC layer. While the IMC layer is needed, it is not static. It grows in subsequent reflows and during aging with time. Its growth without control could have adverse effect on the reliability. This is particularly true for flip-chip solder joints. The IMC, while necessary, seems to have also brought some problems. Thus, many packaging and solder experts believe that "the intermetallics are brittle and they can often embrittle the solder joints". On the other hand, not one really presents quantitative analysis to illustrate that the IMC is indeed brittle. No one really interprets what it means by "brittle." In this paper, we collect and review the physical properties of four commonly seen intermetallics: Cu6Sn5, Cu3Sn, Ni3Sn4, and AuSn4. These properties are compared with that of reference materials Cu and Sn3.5Ag solder. Based on the measured properties available, we analyze and evaluate whether these IMCs are indeed brittle. Based on the fracture of flip chip solder joints reported by others, we assess whether the fracture is caused by the "brittle" nature of the intermetallic as many believe or by something else.
Defining the information technology workforce from the educational perspectives: a pilot study

This paper reports the results of a pilot for a study that will investigate the scope of work practices performed by the information technology workforce (ITWF) and utilize the understanding developed from this investigation to inform the implementation of educational curricula that meet the needs of industry and society in general. To accurately define information technology (IT) and ITWF, it is vital to investigate the meaning of IT for the two major stakeholders: educational or training institutions that educate future IT workers, and organizations that employ the graduates of these programs to accomplish IT-related work. As a part of larger study, this pilot study addresses some of the research questions that are included in the investigation of the meaning of IT from the educational perspective.The pilot study was conducted at Florida State University in late spring 2004. The objectives of this study were to identify the schools and departments that provide programs and degrees that educate the majority of IT workers; identify the technical and non-technical skills taught in these programs; and identify mathematics and science courses required for students enrolled in these programs; and to highlight differences in skills being taught in each of these programs and degrees.The study identified schools and departments that represented the characteristic of IT specific and IT intensive disciplines based on Denning's categorization [6], then analyzed content of syllabi for undergraduate courses offered by the qualifying units. The general direction of the study was supported, although some methodological changes were indicated: (I) develop a less problematic method for identifying schools and departments educating individuals for careers in the IT workforce; (II) conduct interviews with faculty to verify interpretations of the skills being taught; and (III) establish standards for measuring intensity of skill and knowledge requirements.
The influence of an anti-steroidogenic drug (aminoglutethimide phosphate) on pregnancy maintenance.

Aminoglutethimide phosphate (AGP) blocks the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone in steroidogenic tissue. Administration of this drug to pregnant animals should interfere with pregnenolone synthesis in the corpus luteum and reduce plasma progesterone (P) to levels insufficient to permit pregnancy to be established or maintained. A single ip dose of AGP (ISO mg/kg) caused abortion in only 25% of treated animals although plasma P was depressed 80% in 30 min. Recovery was slow but steady; return to normal plasma P values occurred by 48 hr. Lower doses (SO, 100 mg/kg) were ineffective and there were no abnormalities in surviving fetuses. Continued suppression of plasma P was achieved by increasing the dose. AGP, 100 and 150 mg/kg × 3, caused abortion in 100% of treated animals in 72 hr. Concomitant injection of 5 mg P/day to AGP-treated animals (intact or castrate) prevented pregnancy wastage but 5β-dihydro P, LH, HCG, Prolactin and F did not protect against AGP. Thus, AGP administered at proper dose, t...
Refractory high-entropy alloys

Abstract Two refractory high-entropy alloys with near-equiatomic concentrations, W–Nb–Mo–Ta and W–Nb–Mo–Ta–V, were produced by vacuum arc melting. Despite containing many constituents both alloys have a single-phase body-centered cubic (BCC) structure. The lattice parameters a = 3.2134(3) A for the quaternary alloy and a = 3.1832(2) A for the quinternary alloy were determined with high-energy X-ray diffraction using a scattering vector length range from 0.7 to 20 A−1. The alloy density and Vickers microhardness were ρ = 13.75 g/cm3 and Hv = 4455 MPa for the W–Nb–Mo–Ta alloy and ρ = 12.36 g/cm3 and Hv = 5250 MPa for the W–Nb–Mo–Ta–V alloy. The exceptional microhardness in these alloys is greater than any individual constituent, suggesting the operation of a solid-solution-like strengthening mechanism.
Project Complexity Mapping in Five Dimensions for Complex Transportation Projects

AbstractTraditional three-dimensional project management theory is based on optimizing the cost-schedule-technical dimensions. Recent studies in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia have shown that the current project management body of knowledge may not be adequate to address interrelated and dependent variables encountered on complex projects. This paper reports the findings of an international research team’s detailed study of 18 complex projects, which confirms the findings of the previous research and proposes a framework upon which a complex transportation project’s scope of work can be better conceptualized and a methodology to graphically display a project’s complexity in order to better understand and prioritize the available resources. The result is a “complexity footprint” that helps the complex transportation project manager identify the sources of complexity so that appropriate resources can be allocated to address those factors before they create a crisis.
Reproductive biology: Stem cells bear eggs

Researchers have coaxed cultured embryonic stem cells to develop into eggs that then give rise to normal offspring. The discovery should help to decode the molecular basis of gamete formation and might lead to treatments for infertility.
Puberty as a critical risk period for eating disorders: A review of human and animal studies

This article is part of a Special Issue "Puberty and Adolescence". Puberty is one of the most frequently discussed risk periods for the development of eating disorders. Prevailing theories propose environmentally mediated sources of risk arising from the psychosocial effects (e.g., increased body dissatisfaction, decreased self-esteem) of pubertal development in girls. However, recent research highlights the potential role of ovarian hormones in phenotypic and genetic risk for eating disorders during puberty. The goal of this paper is to review data from human and animal studies in support of puberty as a critical risk period for eating disorders and evaluate the evidence for hormonal contributions. Data are consistent in suggesting that both pubertal status and pubertal timing significantly impact risk for most eating disorders in girls, such that advanced pubertal development and early pubertal timing are associated with increased rates of eating disorders and their symptoms in both cross-sectional and longitudinal research. Findings in boys have been much less consistent and suggest a smaller role for puberty in risk for eating disorders in boys. Twin and animal studies indicate that at least part of the female-specific risk is due to genetic factors associated with estrogen activation at puberty. In conclusion, data thus far support a role for puberty in risk for eating disorders and highlight the need for additional human and animal studies of hormonal and genetic risk for eating disorders during puberty.
Genetically programmed-based artificial features extraction applied to fault detection

This paper presents a novel application of genetically programmed artificial features, which are computer crafted, data driven, and possibly without physical interpretation, to the problem of fault detection. Artificial features are extracted from vibration data of an accelerometer sensor to monitor and detect a crack fault or incipient failure seeded in an intermediate gearbox of a helicopter's main transmission. Classification accuracies for the artificial feature constructed from raw data exceeded 99% over training and independent validation sets. As a benchmark, GP-based artificial features constructed from conventional ones underperformed those derived from raw data by over 2% over the training and over 11% over the testing data.
Delayed diagnosis of coin ingestion in children

Diagnosis of coin ingestion with esophageal impaction may be delayed if appropriate history is lacking. This delay may lead to mistreatment and complicate management. A series of illustrative cases are reported and relevant literature is reviewed. Guidelines for radiographic evaluation of potential ingestions are provided.
Initiation of translation in bacteria by a structured eukaryotic IRES RNA

The central dogma of gene expression (DNA to RNA to protein) is universal, but in different domains of life there are fundamental mechanistic differences within this pathway. For example, the canonical molecular signals used to initiate protein synthesis in bacteria and eukaryotes are mutually exclusive. However, the core structures and conformational dynamics of ribosomes that are responsible for the translation steps that take place after initiation are ancient and conserved across the domains of life. We wanted to explore whether an undiscovered RNA-based signal might be able to use these conserved features, bypassing mechanisms specific to each domain of life, and initiate protein synthesis in both bacteria and eukaryotes. Although structured internal ribosome entry site (IRES) RNAs can manipulate ribosomes to initiate translation in eukaryotic cells, an analogous RNA structure-based mechanism has not been observed in bacteria. Here we report our discovery that a eukaryotic viral IRES can initiate translation in live bacteria. We solved the crystal structure of this IRES bound to a bacterial ribosome to 3.8 A resolution, revealing that despite differences between bacterial and eukaryotic ribosomes this IRES binds directly to both and occupies the space normally used by transfer RNAs. Initiation in both bacteria and eukaryotes depends on the structure of the IRES RNA, but in bacteria this RNA uses a different mechanism that includes a form of ribosome repositioning after initial recruitment. This IRES RNA bridges billions of years of evolutionary divergence and provides an example of an RNA structure-based translation initiation signal capable of operating in two domains of life.
Suppression of Stimulated Brillouin Scattering in High Power, Narrow Linewidth Fiber Amplifiers

Stimulated Brillouin scattering in optical fibers is suppressed by spatially separating the optical and acoustic modes. Using this technique, we demonstrate 500 Watts of output power from a single mode, narrow linewidth fiber amplifier.
TSGene: a web resource for tumor suppressor genes

Tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) are guardian genes that play important roles in controlling cell proliferation processes such as cell-cycle checkpoints and inducing apoptosis. Identification of these genes and understanding their functions are critical for further investigation of tumorigenesis. So far, many studies have identified numerous TSGs and illustrated their functions in various types of tumors or normal samples. Furthermore, accumulating evidence has shown that non-coding RNAs can act as TSGs to prevent the tumorigenesis processes. Therefore, there is a growing demand to integrate TSGs with large-scale experimental evidence (e.g. gene expression and epigenetic signatures) to provide a comprehensive resource for further investigation of TSGs and their molecular mechanisms in cancer. To achieve this goal, we first developed a comprehensive literature-based database called TSGene (tumor suppressor gene database), freely available at http://bioinfo.mc.vanderbilt.edu/TSGene/. In the current release, TSGene contains 716 human (637 protein-coding and 79 non-coding genes), 628 mouse and 567 rat TSGs curated from UniProtKB, the Tumor Associated Gene database and 5795 PubMed abstracts. Additionally, the TSGene provides detailed annotations for each TSG, such as cancer mutations, gene expressions, methylation sites, TF regulations and protein-protein interactions.