cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parametric sensitivity analysis of a homeomorphic model for saccadic and vergence eye movements.

Abstract A non-linear sixth order homeomorphic model, fitted with parameters based on eye movements and physiological data, was tuned so that it provided good simulations for the shapes of the magnitude, velocity and acceleration trajectories. Excellent quantitative agreement was obtained in terms of the Main Sequence diagrams for human eye movements. Parametric sensitivity analysis was done for a saccade of ten degree amplitude, a physiologically normal magnitude at which experimental data is both abundant and relatively noise free. Among the many useful results of this sensitivity analysis are that pulse width (PW) and pulse height (PH) were confirmed as the two controlling parameters for the human eye movement model. Output behavior was relatively insensitive to variations of the passive elements of the plant. This analysis also pointed out that more physiological data are needed to understand the role of the non-linear force-velocity relationship of the extraocular muscles.
An Open Call to Focus on Russia’s Educated Young Adults

Young adults in Russia have a sophisticated understanding of their country’s history, based on a blend of Western legal norms and family history.
Exercise training in the debilitated aged: Strength and functional outcomes☆☆☆★★★

Abstract Meuleman JR, Brechue WF, Kubilis PS, Lowenthal DT. Exercise training in the debilitated aged: strength and functional outcomes. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2000;81:312-8. Objective: Resistance and endurance training result in gains in fitness in the aged. It is unclear whether the debilitated elderly can perform moderate-intensity training and whether such training results in short-term improvements in strength, endurance, and function in this population. Design: Randomized, controlled trial. Settings and Patients: Subjects were from a Veterans Affairs nursing home and rehabilitation unit and a community nursing home. They were older than 60yrs with impairment in at least one physical activity of daily living. Seventy-eight subjects volunteered and 58 (mean age, 75yrs; 9 women, 49 men) completed the intervention and initial posttest. Only one subject withdrew because of injury or disinterest. Intervention: Thrice-weekly resistance training (using an isokinetic dynamometer) and twice-weekly endurance training for 4 to 8 weeks. Main Outcomes: Isometric strength in dominant arm and leg, heart rate response to timed endurance test, and activities of daily living score. Results: The mean change in isometric strength across the muscle movements tested was 32.8% in the training group and 10.2% in the control group (difference, 22.6%; 95% confidence interval, 6.2% to 39.0%). No change in heart rate during exercise was seen in the training group. Trained subjects tended to have a greater improvement in functional activity than control subjects, which was statistically significant ( p =.04) for those subjects who at enrollment were most dysfunctional (ie, activities of daily living score less than 13 [maximum score 26]). Conclusion: This group of debilitated elderly patients effectively performed resistance training and increased their strength, with the most impaired gaining the most function. Few in the group could effectively perform endurance training. © 2000 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Optimal Design of an Acoustic Enclosure for Minimal Broadband Sound Radiation

Reducing unwanted noise radiating from a vibrating structure continues to be a major challenge in engineering design. In this paper, high impedance structures characterized with uniquely identifiable resonance modes are considered for sound power reduction using an enclosing surface. An optimization strategy for the thin enclosure design is presented. A close-fitting and equipment-mounted enclosure is attached to the vibrating structure with translational springs. To model the coupled system, a new compact and symmetric system matrix analysis using component modal synthesis and fluid displacement potential to deal with the coupled system is developed. This leads to a new application of optimization to the coupled system to reduce the radiated sound power. Numerical optimizations are performed for a plate enclosure. It is shown that large reductions in radiated sound power are possible with optimally positioned and rated attachment springs.© 2005 ASME
Extending the Effects of the Carceral State: Proximal Contact, Political Participation, and Race

Rates of contact with the criminal justice system are geographically and racially sensitive such that some groups of people experience contact at much higher rates than others. The negative effects of personal contact with the criminal justice system are well documented. Less well understood are the effects of the criminal justice system on those who have not had personal contact but who are members of groups where contact is a common occurrence. This research explores the political effects of the carceral state for the second group, and finds that proximal contact mobilizes, an effect that is most pronounced for nonwhites.
An electron microscopical study of a vibration receptor in the spider

Abstract The lyriform organ on the metatarsus of the spider leg is part of a highly sensitive vibration receptor. Externally, the organ consists of a number of parallel slits in the cuticle. Electron micrographic studies show that these slits are enclosed chambers in the cuticle bounded on both sides by cuticular lamellae and on the outer and inner surfaces by thin membranes. An irregularly shaped vessel is attached to the inside of the inner membrane and forms a bulge into the interior of the leg. A dendrite from a bipolar sense cell approaches each slit and terminates as an end bulb a short distance from the bulging vessel. A filament arises within the end bulb and is carried by a tubular extension of the neurilemma into the bulging vessel and through a small opening in the inner membrane to attach to the cuticular wall of the slit. The way in which such a structure can fulfill its function is discussed.
Aqueous interfacial chemistry of kaolinite for the removal of Cu(II) in the presence of birnessite: Kinetic and spectroscopic studies

Abstract In this study, the aqueous interfacial chemistry of kaolinite was investigated during the removal of Cu(II) in birnessite suspensions. Adsorption kinetic experiments and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) were coupled to better understand the complexity of Cu(II) reactivity and uptake mechanisms in the mixed mineral system. Throughout all experiments (ionic strength = 0.01 M NaNO 3 , [Cu] total = 100 μM), the two minerals' surface areas (6 and 8.6 m 2 /500 mL) were maintained by altering the mass ratio of kaolinite (0–0.34 g) and birnessite (0–0.48 g). Copper sorption generally increased with increasing pH from 4 to 6 in all samples. The “birnessite only” system showed the fastest kinetics while the Cu uptake in the “kaolinite only” system was slowest under the respective reaction conditions. The first order kinetic model indicated that the apparent rate constants ( k a′) of kaolinite are 7.92E−6 s − 1 at pH 4 and 6.14E−6 s − 1 at pH 6. However, the addition of birnessite to kaolinite enhanced the Cu uptake when the respective systems (i.e., same surface area) were compared. For both surface areas, k a′ nearly doubled at pH 4 and was seventeen times greater at pH 6. XAS analyses show that the sorption of Jahn–Teller distorted Cu(II) octahedral molecules retain not only on birnessite surface but also on kaolinite surfaces. In the “kaolinite only” system, Cu(II) readily forms outer-sphere Cu dimer surface species (R Cu–Cu : 2.89–2.96 ± 0.02 A, CN Cu–Cu 0.7 ± 0.2) at pH ~ 6 while the “birnessite only” system contains corner-sharing inner-sphere surface species (R Cu–Mn : ~ 3.45 A, CN Cu–Cu 2.9 ± 0.2) in layered MnO 6 structures at pH ~ 4. Interestingly, these two surface species co-existed when the two minerals were mixed. Regardless of changes in total surface area and pH, the fraction of tridentate species in birnessite was always greater than the fraction of dimers in kaolinite. However, the fraction of tridentate corner-sharing surface species decreased with increasing pH from 4 to 6, while the dimers in kaolinite became important surface species at higher pH. The results reported in this study provide new information about the ability of kaolinite to retain metals in a mixed mineral environment. Metal surface speciation on phyllosilicate surfaces in heterogeneous media might be as important as in metal (oxyhydr)oxides in predicting metal transport processes in soils and sediments.
Macromolecular structure modeling from 3D EM using VolRover 2.0.

We review tools for structure identification and model-based refinement from three-dimensional electron microscopy implemented in our in-house software package, VOLROVER 2.0. For viral density maps with icosahedral symmetry, we segment the capsid, polymeric, and monomeric subunits using techniques based on automatic symmetry detection and multidomain fast marching. For large biomolecules without symmetry information, we again use our multidomain fast-marching method with manual or fit-based multiseeding to segment meaningful substructures. In either case, we subject the resulting segmented subunit to secondary structure detection when the EM resolution is sufficiently high, and rigid-body structure fitting when the corresponding X-ray structure is available. Secondary structure elements are identified by three techniques: our earlier volume-based and boundary-based skeletonization methods as well as a new method, currently in development, based on solving the grassfire flow equation. For rigid-body fitting, we adapt our earlier fast Fourier-based correlation scheme F2Dock. Our reported segmentation, secondary structure elements identification, and rigid-body fitting techniques, implemented in VOLROVER 2.0 are applied to the PSB 2011 cryo-EM modeling challenge data, and our results are briefly compared to similar results submitted from other research groups. The comparisons show that our techniques are equally capable of segmenting relatively accurate subunits from a viral or protein assembly, and that high segmentation quality leads in turn to higher-quality results of secondary structure elements identification and correlation-based rigid-body fitting. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 97: 709–731, 2012.
SU‐E‐I‐70: Quantification of Noise Reduction Dependency On Spatial Granularity With Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction

Purpose: Adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) is often used for noise reduction. However, it may not be clear whether the noise reduction is uniform across different spatial scales. As this is important for lesion detection, we attempted to quantify the noise reduction dependency on spatial scales under different ASIR blending fractions. Methods: An abdomen phantom (CIRS TE-07) simulating the medium sized patient was used. The phantom contains a cylindrical void of 4 cm diameter, filled with an insert containing six groups of cylindrical targets (1% and 2% contrast) of 1.2 mm to 7 mm. Helical scans were conducted using a GE 750HD with 120 kVp, 330 mAs and pitch of 1.375 (CTDI_vol = 18 mGy). The images were reconstructed to 5 mm thickness with filtered-back projection (FBP) and with ASIR at blending fractions of 10% to 100%. The uniform sections of the contiguous slices were subtracted and the resulted regions were divided into matrices of cells matching the target size from 1.2 mm–7.0 mm. Standard deviations (sd) from the means of all cells were computed as a measure of noise at the target size. The noise reduction factor (NRF) was defined as the ratio of the sd from ASIR to the sd of FBP. The NRF was fitted to ASIR blending percentages (ASIRP) at different target sizes (d). Results: The NRF versus ASIRP was fitted to a linear relationship with an intercept of approximately 1.0 and a slope dependent on d (R square = 0.99). The slope versus d was fitted to a power relationship with a power index of - 0.80 and a proportion factor of −0.005 (R square = 0.978). Conclusion: The noise reduction with ASIR increases nonlinearly as the spatial scale (or target size) decreases. The result can be of help for ASIR use in target-specific diagnoses.
Comment on the average potential of a Wigner solid

Ihm and Cohen have stated that it is not true that the zero of potential in a Wigner solid is arbitrary. We argue that it is arbitrary by demonstrating that the value obtained depends on how one performs a conditionally convergent Coulomb summation. We also derive the formula for the zero of energy in a semi-infinite crystal where it is a well-defined quantity.
Peripheral T cell Clones from NOD Mice Specific for GAD65 Peptides: Lack of Islet Responsiveness or Diabetogenicity

Abstract The non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse develops diabetes as a result of spontaneous T cell mediated destruction of the insulin-producing beta-cells. Tolerization to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65) has been reported to inhibit spontaneous T cell proliferative responses to GAD65 and GAD65 peptides and prevent insulitis and diabetes in NOD mice. To evaluate the role of T cells responsive to GAD65 in induction of diabetes in NOD mice we generated T cell clones from spleen cells of three prediabetic NOD mice using the reported immunodominant human GAD65 peptides nos. 17, 34 and 35, which are spontaneously recognized by NOD spleen cells. The ten T cell clones established from two female and one male NOD mice recognized either the GAD65 peptide no. 35 which has an identical amino acid sequence in mice and humans or recognized the human GAD65 peptide no. 17 which is different in two amino acids from murine GAD65 peptide no. 17. None of the clones exhibited responses to islet cells, and GAD65 peptide no. 17 responsive clones did not cross react with the murine GAD65 peptide no. 17. All clones were CD4 positive and expressed the α/β T cell receptor, but differed in their Vβ usage. Analysis ofin vitroproduction of IFNγ, IL-2 and IL-4 demonstrated a TH1 and TH0 like functional subset of the individual clones.In vivo, neither the autoreactive T cell clones specific for GAD65 peptide no. 35 nor the xenoreactive clones specific for GAD65 peptide no. 17 were able to accelerate diabetes in young NOD mice or transfer diabetes into NODscidmice.
New correlation effects in the photoionization of atoms and ions

Abstract Recent advances in experimental and computational capabilities have provided the impetus for highly detailed studies of the photoionization process in atoms and ions. As a result, there have been a number of new phenomena uncovered. And these new phenomena are, in a general sense, of correlation among the atomic electrons, i.e., the breakdown of the single-particle approximation. Of particular interest are cases where correlation is not merely a small perturbation on the single-particle model, but where correlation dominates the process. In this paper, a number of illustrative experimental and theoretical examples are presented in which electron–electron correlation is seen to be a primary determinant of the process.
Serologic survey of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) and evidence of exposure to avian encephalomyelitis virus in Georgia and Florida, USA.

Abstract Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are susceptible to many of the same diseases as domestic turkeys. Before 2005, most Wild Turkeys in southern Georgia, US, had little or no exposure to commercial poultry operations. As part of a pathogen survey examining the effects of commercial poultry on Wild Turkeys, samples were collected from Wild Turkeys from March 2005 through May 2008. The turkeys were collected from 13 counties in southern Georgia and Madison County, Florida, and tested for antibodies to various pathogens of poultry. Three (13%) of the turkeys were positive for antibodies to Salmonella. Thirteen turkeys (54%) were positive for Newcastle disease virus antibodies, and 15 turkeys (63%) were positive for antibodies to reticuloendotheliosis virus. One turkey (4%) from Madison County was positive for avian encephalomyelitis virus antibodies.
Neutrino collective excitations in the standard model at high temperature

Neutrino collective excitations are studied in the standard model at high temperatures below the symmetry breaking scale in the regime T>>M{sub W,Z}(T)>>gT. Two parameters determine the properties of the collective excitations: a mass scale m{sub {nu}}=gT/4 which determines the chirally symmetric gaps in the spectrum and {delta}=M{sub W}{sup 2}(T)/2m{sub {nu}}T. The spectrum consists of left-handed negative helicity quasiparticles, left-handed positive helicity quasiholes, and their respective antiparticles. For {delta} {pi}/2 the collective modes are gapless quasiparticles with dispersion relation below the light cone for k >m{sub {nu}} with a rapid crossover between the soft nonperturbative to the hard perturbative regimes for k{approx}m{sub {nu}}. The decay of the vector bosons leads to a width of the collective excitations of order g{sup 2} which is explicitly obtained in the limits k=0 and k>>m{sub {nu}}{delta}. At high temperature this damping rate is shown to be competitive with or larger than the collisional damping rate of order G{sub F}{sup 2} more » for a wide range of neutrino energy. « less
Schro¨der parenthesizations and chordates

Abstract We establish that Schroder trees are a subclass of Schroder parenthesizations by a natural bijection. The Haiman-Schmitt bijection between Schroder parenthesizations, enriched by uniform species and partitions, generalizes to a bijection between Schroder parenthesizations and assemblies. Using these bijections, we prove some tree counting formulas. We also introduce the definitions of trees over a partition and similarly chordates over a partition. These structures give rise to some beautiful enumeration formulas
Fluid-liquid transitions of poly(ethylene-co-octene-1) in supercritical ethylene solutions

Fluid−liquid pressures are measured and correlated with two SAFT equations of state for poly(ethylene-co-octene-1) solutions in supercritical ethylene at temperatures up to 180 °C. These cloud-point pressures are found to depend strongly on the molecular weight of the polymer and the branch density but weakly on the polymer concentration in the range from 0.05 to 0.15 polymer weight fraction. EO solutions in ethylene are found to exhibit U-LCST behavior.
What makes special-education teachers special? Teacher training and achievement of students with disabilities

Abstract Using statewide data from Florida, we analyze the impact of both pre-service and in-service training on the ability of teachers to promote academic achievement among students with disabilities. We find students with disabilities whose teacher is certified in special education have greater achievement in both math and reading than similar students whose teacher is not special-education certified. However, students without disabilities experience slightly lower achievement when taught by a special-education certified teacher. In-service professional development has no effect on the value-added of teachers in special education courses, but non-disabled students whose regular education teachers received special education training exhibit modestly higher achievement. Similarly, the gain in effectiveness associated with teacher experience is greater for teachers of regular education courses than for teachers of special education courses. Teachers with advanced degrees are more effective in boosting the math achievement of students with disabilities than are those with only a baccalaureate degree.
The formation of Pd8Mo in proton-irradiated Pd-Mo solid solutions

The existence of the ordered phase Pd8Mo, of the Pt8Ti prototype, point group 4/m 2/m 2/m. is reported for the first time. It has been observed in alloys containing 10 at% Mo at 350°C and 18% Mo at 450°C on irradiation by 400 keV protons. The microstructural features of the Pd8Mo phase are described and discussed.
The growth of ordered films during the cathodic reduction of a tetraalkylammonium ion

Abstract The reduction of dimethylpyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate in DMF on a mercury cathode was studied and it was shown that a new ordered phase is formed. At times of the order of tens of milliseconds, chronoamperometry gave evidence for a phase transition involving progressive three-dimensional nucleation and hemispherical growth. At longer times the film growth was limited by diffusion in solution. Quantitative oxidative dissolution of the film was possible. The rate of reoxidation was rapid and independent of the thickness of the film, over the range studied ( Q ≤ 8 mC cm −2 ).
Comparison of Patient Attitudes and Provider Perceptions Regarding Medical Student Involvement in Obstetric/Gynecologic Care

Background: Community physicians are becoming increasingly involved in clinical medical education. Some obstetrician/gynecologists have expressed reluctance to participate as clinical preceptors for medical students due to the sensitive nature of many of their patient encounters and concern for diminished patient satisfaction. Purposes: The purpose was to evaluate the willingness of community ob/gyn patients to participate in clinical medical education and to determine the accuracy of provider perceptions regarding this issue. Methods: Surveys were distributed to women seeking ob/gyn care at 4 private practice sites in Tucson, Arizona. The surveys explored patient attitudes toward community physician involvement in clinical medical education as well as factors influencing personal willingness to include students as part of their healthcare team. Similar surveys were administered to the ob/gyn providers in those sites and evaluated their expectations of aggregate patient responses. Results: Of 234 patient ...
TouchViz: (multi)touching multivariate data

In this video we show TouchViz, a software system for visualizing multivariate data that harnesses the physical, embodied nature of tablet computers and physical models such as gravity and force to allow users to explore data along many dimensions at once. Data are represented as actual physical objects that can be manipulated through user touches, tilts, and finger gestures. TouchViz provides an open sandbox for user interaction, supplying an array of force-based tools for structuring and manipulating data made physical. These tools promote curiosity, play, and exploration, leading users to trends and actionable findings encoded in data. By closely mimicking real-world force, gravity, and momentum, TouchViz allows users to explore many dimensions at once through multitouch interactions.
Microbiologic Evaluation of Cutaneous Cellulitis in Adults

Fifty patients with cellulitis were evaluated prospectively using cultures of aspirates from the advancing edge of cellulitis, skin biopsy specimens, and blood. Potential microbial pathogens were isolated in 13 patients. Biopsy specimen cultures were positive in ten patients, while aspirate and blood cultures were positive in five and two, respectively. Aspirate, biopsy, or blood cultures were more often positive in patients with apparent primary lesions than in patients without such lesions. Apparent primary sites of infection were identified and cultured in 24 patients. beta-Hemolytic streptococci were isolated from 17 primary lesions, and coagulase-positive staphylococci were present in 13. Both organisms were isolated from ten primary lesions. Among patients with positive aspirate, biopsy, and/or blood cultures, the same pathogens were also isolated from primary sites in ten of ten patients. Clinical features, including temperature, white blood cell count, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, were not predictive of positive aspirate, biopsy, or blood cultures. These cultures provided no microbiologic information that was not obtainable from culture of primary lesions.
Comparison of Quercetin Pharmacokinetics Following Oral Supplementation in Humans

UNLABELLED The objective of the study was to investigate the absorption of quercetin aglycone in 18 healthy human subjects administered via the following oral carrier systems: suspension of quercetin (quercetin QU995 powder in Tang(®) and spring water), nutritional bars (First Strike™), and chews (RealFX™ Q-Plus™). Subjects were divided into 3 groups of 6 individuals each receiving 500 mg quercetin in one of the aforementioned formulations. Blood levels were monitored immediately pre- and for 32 h postadministration. The concentration of total quercetin in blood samples was determined by solid phase extraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by noncompartmental modeling using Kinetica software. The C(max) of quercetin was highest with RealFX™ Q-Plus™ Chews (1051.9 ± 393.1 μg/L) achieved within 3.3 h as compared to that for First Strike™ Bars (698.1 ± 189.5 μg/L in 2.3 h) and Tang(®) suspension (354.4 ± 87.6 μg/L in 4.7 h). The results showed no statistically significant difference in quercetin absorption among groups due to high variability within groups receiving quercetin from same dosage form. This study represents the first comprehensive evaluation of quercetin absorption from quercetin fortified oral food products at doses commonly used for quercetin supplementation. PRACTICAL APPLICATION The current study describes for the first time, comprehensive evaluation of quercetin PK in humans from quercetin fortified oral food products at doses commonly used for quercetin supplementation. Owing to quercetin's potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, quercetin is widely being used as a nutritional supplement. In order to maximize the bioavailability of quercetin for its use in efficacy studies, it is important to determine its ideal oral carrier system and route for its delivery. The current research unveils vital information about quercetin supplementation to the international community, especially to soldiers, athletes, and the dietary supplement industry.
Use of Monte Carlo simulation for human exposure assessment at a superfund site.

This work presents a comparison of probabilistic and deterministic health risk estimates based on data from an industrial site in the northeastern United States. The risk assessment considered exposures to volatile solvents by drinking water ingestion and showering. Probability densities used as inputs included concentrations, contact rates, and exposure frequencies; dose-response inputs were single values. Deterministic risk estimates were calculated by the {open_quotes}reasonable maximum exposure{close_quotes} (RME) approach recommended by the EPA Superfund program. The RME noncarcinogenic risk fell between the 90th and the 95th percentile of the probability density; the RME cancer risk fell between the 95th percentile and the maximum. These results suggest that in this case (1) EPA`s deterministic RME risk was reasonably protective, (2) results of probabilistic and deterministic calculations were consistent, and (3) commercially available software Monte Carlo software effectively provided multiple risk estimates recommended by recent EPA guidance.
Near-Field Effects On Determination of Propagation Velocities of Body Waves

the SASW method to geotechnical site investigationsThe first case study pertains to liquefaction studies in Southern California. Testing was performed at a site composed of 9 ft of soft silt over 14 fC of loose, saturated. silty sand over silty clay. The initial shear modulus of the loose, silty sand was required in a postearthquake evaluation of the liquefaction susceptibility of the sand (which liquefied in the 1981 Westmorland earthquake). The dispersion curve from the site is shown in Figure 2. Seven receiver spacings ranging from 2 to 64 ft were used. Upon inversion of this data, the shear wave velocity profile shown in Figure 3 was obtained. (Layering used in inversion is shown in Figure 3b.) Also shown in Figure 3 are shear-wave velocities obtained by cross-hole tests as well as material types and layer thicknesses from boreholes and cone penetration tests. Shear-wave velocities from the two seismic methods are in good agreement, and layering from the SASW tests and boreholes also agree quite closely. Finally, the low values of shear-wave velocities in this sand can be used to infer very low densities for the sand. The second case study is a site which was tested before and after soil stabilization. The concern at this site was that only small amounts of stabilizing chemicals might penetrate into the clayey soil, in that only a surface-treatment procedure was used. Shear-wave velocity profiles before and after the stabilization treatment were determined with the SASW method, and the results are shown in Figure 4. As is clearly evident in the profiles, the stabilizing operation only affected about the top 1.5 to 2 ft of soil. At larger depths, the operation was essentially ineffective. The third case study presents the results of SASW tests performed at the location of a proposed earth dam. The foundation materials consist mainly of sands and gravels above and below a lava flow. Borehole installation at this site was quite difficult and time-consuming, and undisturbed sampling of the gravels was not feasible. Use of penetration testing, which is often used in geotechnical engineering, was questionable. However, the SASW method was applied quite readily. The shear wave velocity profile of this site is shown in Figure 5. From this profile, one can infer that the densities of the upper portion of the near-surface sands and gravels are rather loose because of low shear-wave velocities while the gravels below the lava flow are very dense because of high shear-wave velocities.
MR imaging of intralingual ranula in a child

We present a case of a child with an intralingual ranula in whom magnetic resonance clearly defined the extent of the lesion and suggested its cystic nature
Epithelial cell volume modulation and regulation

Epithelial cell volume is a sensitive indicator of the balance between solute entry into the cell and solute exit. Solute accumulation in the cell leads to cell swelling because the water permeability of the cell membranes is high. Similarly, solute depletion leads to cell shrinkage. The rate of volume change under a variety of experimental conditions may be utilized to study the rate and direction of solute transport by an epithelial cell. The pathways of water movement across an epithelium may also be deduced from the changes in cellular volume. A technique for the measurement of the volume of living epithelial cells is described, and a number of experiments are discussed in which cell volume determination provided significant new information about the dynamic behavior of epithelia. The mechanism of volume regulation of epithelial cells exposed to anisotonic bathing solution is discussed and shown to involve the transient stimulation of normally dormant ion exchangers in the cell membrane.
Ultrafast Kerr switching in a silicon waveguide

We experimentally demonstrate a Kerr switch based on nonlinear polarization rotation induced by cross-phase modulation in a silicon strip waveguide. Our numerical simulations agree with the experimental measurements and reveal the potential of sub-picosecond switching.
Sedimentary record of sources and accumulation of organic matter in Pyramid Lake, Nevada, over the past 1,000 years

We have examined the organic matter contents of two 210Pb-dated cores of sediment from Pyramid Lake for consequences of the historic environmental and limnological changes that have occurred since modem settlement of this region began in the 1850s. Agricultural diversion of Truckee River water has diminished the volume of this saline, terminal lake by one-fourth since 1905. Organic C:N ratios, organic d13C values, and terrigenous:aquatic n-alkane ratios indicate that the proportion of land-derived organic matter in sediments has decreased as river flow has decreased. Algal productivity also appears to have decreased since 1930. Some prehistorical variations in the delivery of organic matter are evident in older sediments. Elevations in the proportion of land plant wax and in C:N ratios in sediments deposited A.D. 1200–1400 suggest that contributions of land-derived organic matter were enhanced at this time. Proportions of biomarker n-alkanes indicate that grasses were more important than trees and shrubs as the dominant source of land plant waxes during this period, suggesting an interlude of regionally wetter climate.
Quality Characteristics of Hydrocolloid-added Oven-Roasted Turkey Breasts

Oven-roasted turkey breasts were manufactured with 70% added brine to increase yield. The brine contained salt, phosphate, and various combinations of κ-carrageenan, starch, and nonfat dry milk and was incorporated into the breasts by injecting and vacuum tumbling. After stuffing into casings, the breasts were cooked at 72°C, and then cooled to 4°C. Incorporation of 0.5%κ-carrageenan increased yield, improved visual appearance, sliceability, and rigidity and decreased expressible juice compared with the control product. Addition of 1% starch increased yield, but did not increase rigidity. The brine-added products were rated acceptable by a sensory panel.
Partial characterization of a proacrosin binding protein.

Summary. All of the acid (pH 4.0) extracted proacrosin from porcine epididymal spermatozoa was found to be tightly associated with a specific protein referred to as the binding protein. A combination of gel filterations and gel electrophoresis revealed that the binding protein is composed of a major 28 kd and a minor 29 kd protein. Both of the proteins were shown to be non-proteolytic by gelatin SDS-PAGE analysis and the amino acid composition analysis of the purified 28 kd protein revealed that it is not related to the proteolytic component of the proacrosin-acrosin system.
Adaptations of endophyte-infected cool-season grasses to environmental stresses : Mechanisms of drought and mineral stress tolerance

Cool-season grasses infected with Neotyphodium spp. endophytes have an extraordinary impact on the ecology and economy of pasture and turf. A range of adaptations of endophyte-infected grasses to biotic and abiotic stresses has been identified but mechanisms of these adaptations are not clearly understood. In this review, we present recent research progress on endophyte-related mechanisms affecting abiotic (drought, mineral) and selected aspects of biotic stress tolerance in cool-season grasses. Endophytes induce mechanisms of drought avoidance (morphological adaptations), drought tolerance (physiological and biochemical adaptations), and drought recovery in infected grasses. Mineral nutrition (nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium) affects production of ergot alkaloids, thus understanding mechanisms involved in mineral economy of endophyte-infected grasses will help in developing management practices to reduce forage toxicity to livestock. Previous research resolved the role of endophyte in nitrogen (N) economy of tall fescue. We identified two endophyte-related mechanisms in tall fescue operating in response to phosphorus (P) deficiency. The mechanisms are altered root morphology (reduced root diameters and longer root hairs) and chemical modification of the rhizosphere resulting from exudation of phenolic-like compounds. These mechanisms were shown to benefit endophyte-infected plants grown under P deficiency. We also report a mechanism of aluminum (Al) sequestration on root surfaces in endophyte-infected tall fescue, which appears to be related to exudation of phenolic-like compounds with Al-chelating activity. Understanding mechanisms of abiotic stress tolerance in endophyte-infected grasses is essential for continued improvement and persistence of grasses for a range of applications, e.g., forage for semi-arid areas or cover plants for soil renovation.
Laryngeal involvement in Von Recklinghausen's disease: a case report and review of the literature.

A case of neurofibromatosis involving the larynx is added to the 19 previously reported cases; furthermore, it represents the only reported case of plexiform ganglioneurofibroma of the larynx in Von Recklinghau-sen's disease. The reported cases of neurofibromatosis with laryngeal involvement in the world literature are discussed and summarized. The main clinical symptoms are dyspnea, dysphonia and dysphagia which occasionally require tracheotomy when the condition is recognized. Elective surgical excision is the treatment of choice.
Tachyarrhythmias after pediatric heart transplantation.

Background Tachyarrhythmias in pediatric post–heart transplant patients are not well defined. In this study we sought to further characterize these arrhythmias in terms of presentation, course, and outcome. Methods This investigation was a retrospective review of heart transplant recipients at St. Louis Children's Hospital during the period of 1991 to 2006. Patients were excluded if they were >18 years at transplantation or if follow-up information was unavailable. Patients with tachyarrhythmias beyond the first 2 weeks post-transplant were identified. Results Twenty-eight tachyarrhythmias occurred in 25 of 237 heart transplant recipients. Freedom from arrhythmia was 92% at 1-year post-transplant and 86% at 15 years post-transplant. Intra-atrial reentry tachycardia (12 patients) and ectopic atrial tachycardia (10 patients) were the most common arrhythmias. Rejection was found in 3 (12%) and previously unrecognized coronary disease was found in another 2 (8%) at the time of presentation with arrhythmia. Fifteen of 25 (60%) were asymptomatic at presentation, but 4 of 25 (16%) presented with heart failure, including 3 without evidence of rejection. No risk factors for developing arrhythmia were identified. Twenty-one arrhythmias resolved with brief pharmacologic or no therapy. Only 3 had a recurrence after the initial arrhythmia. Five patients underwent catheter ablation. Conclusions Our experience suggests that the presence of tachyarrhythmias after pediatric heart transplantation is not rare and usually not associated with rejection. Pediatric heart transplant recipients have a higher incidence of ectopic atrial tachycardia (EAT) than their adult counterparts. Most tachyarrhythmias resolve after a relatively brief period of medical treatment and recurrence is uncommon.
Elastomeric behavior of exfoliated graphite, as shown by instrumented indentation testing

Abstract This paper reports for the first time the elastomeric behavior of a non-polymeric material, as observed in exfoliated graphite compacts (⩽12 vol.% solid, preferably 4 vol.% solid) and enabled by the high-amplitude reversible and easy sliding of the graphite layers within the cell wall of exfoliated graphite. The reversibility is probably due to the cellular structure of exfoliated graphite. The elastomeric character is independent of the maximum load and essentially unchanged upon reloading. The total and reversible engineering shear strains of the cell wall (∼60 graphite layers, ∼20 nm thick) are up to 40 and 35 respectively during instrumented indentation (in the compaction direction) without fracture of the layers, compared to corresponding values of 12 and 8 for flexible graphite (38 vol.% solid). The fraction of displacement that is irreversible is as low as 12%, compared to 29% for flexible graphite. The modulus is as low as 83 kPa, compared to 790 kPa for flexible graphite. The greater the degree of compaction, the lower are the shear strain and reversibility, and the higher are the modulus and the displacement load. The ease of interlayer sliding is inadequate in flexible graphite or highly-oriented pyrolytic graphite (prior work) for substantial elastomeric behavior.
Identification of Insulin-Like Growth Factor I in Bovine Seminal Plasma and Its Receptor on Spermatozoa: Influence on Sperm Motility

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) has been identified in human seminal plasma. This study was conducted to determine whether IGF-I is present in bovine seminal plasma, whether sperm cells express the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR), and whether IGF-I affects sperm motility. Semen samples were collected from bulls by electroejaculation and maintained at 378C, and motility of sperm was assessed. After centrifugation to separate sperm cells from seminal plasma, the seminal plasma was submitted to a validated heterologous RIA for IGF-I. Significant concentrations of IGF-I (116.29 6 40.83 ng/ml expressed as mean 6 SD) were measured in bovine seminal plasma. Sperm cells were washed with buffer and subjected to either radioreceptor assay (RRA) or immunocytochemistry (IC). RRA revealed a single high affinity for the IGF-IR with a Kd of 0.83 nM as determined by the computer program LIGAND. IC, using three monoclonal antibodies, localized the IGF-IR to the acrosomal region of the sperm. Computer-assisted sperm-motion analysis was used to determine the effects of IGF-I and IGF-II on bovine sperm motility parameters. Both IGF-I and IGF-II increased sperm motility and straight-line velocity (p , 0.05) relative to the control. The presence of IGF-IR on sperm, the presence of IGF-I in semen, and the ability of IGF-I to stimulate sperm motility provide evidence that the IGF system may be involved in the fertilization process in the bovine species.
Mouse uterine glands during the peri‐implantation period II. Autoradiographic studies

Protein synthesis and secretion in mouse uterine glands during the peri-implantation period were studied, by both light and electron microscopic autoradiography, after the in vivo administration of tritiated leucine (3H-leucine) and proline (3H-proline). Light microscopic autoradiography revealed that the time course of synthesis and secretion of labeled proteins was constant during days four, five, and six of pregnancy. Labeled material could be detected in the glandular lumen by 45 minutes after administration and in higher concentrations by 90 minutes after administration. Analysis of electron microscopic autoradiographs from days five and six of pregnancy showed that high levels of activity were initially present over the rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes and subsequently declined at the longer time intervals (45 and 90 minutes), while activity over the glandular lumen increased with time. The pathway of intracellular transport to the glandular lumen appeared to be via small cytoplasmic vesicles on both days five and six of pregnancy. Additional pathways for transport of the labeled protein to the glandular lumen appeared to be present in the form of the large vesicles on day five and granules on day six of pregnancy. Throughout the peri-implantation period, mouse uterine glands were active secretory structures in which the mode of secretion was similar to other exocrine cells. Thus, the uterine glands of the mouse must be considered a source of uterine fluid proteins at the time of implantation that may contribute to quantitative changes in these proteins.
SEA-LEVEL CONTROL OF ICE SHEET DISINTEGRATION

A simplified model of the Laurentide (North American) Ice Sheet shows that an initial rise in sea level, produced by melting along its landward margin, would trigger an instability and, hence, a major retreat of its sea-level controlled marine margin. Recession of the seaward margin would contribute further to the rise in sea level, leading to retreat rates up to four times faster than on land, which is primarily controlled by ablation.
A protein-farnesyl transferase inhibitor interferes with the serum-induced conversion of Candida albicans from a cellular yeast form to a filamentous form

A commercially available, cell permeable, protein-farnesyl transferase inhibitor interfered with the serum-induced morphological change in Candida albicans from a cellular yeast form to a filamentous form. The inhibitor has a negligible effect on the growth of C. albicans cells in the cellular yeast form, at the levels used to interfere with the morphological change. Conversion of C. albicans from the yeast form to filamentous form is associated with pathogenicity and hence protein-farnesyl transferase inhibitors are potentially of therapeutic value against C. albicans infection.
The kinase mTOR regulates the differentiation of helper T cells through the selective activation of signaling by mTORC1 and mTORC2

The kinase mTOR has emerged as an important regulator of the differentiation of helper T cells. Here we demonstrate that differentiation into the T(H)1 and T(H)17 subsets of helper T cells was selectively regulated by signaling from mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) that was dependent on the small GTPase Rheb. Rheb-deficient T cells failed to generate T(H)1 and T(H)17 responses in vitro and in vivo and did not induce classical experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). However, they retained their ability to become T(H)2 cells. Alternatively, when mTORC2 signaling was deleted from T cells, they failed to generate T(H)2 cells in vitro and in vivo but preserved their ability to become T(H)1 and T(H)17 cells. Our data identify mechanisms by which two distinct signaling pathways downstream of mTOR regulate helper cell fate in different ways. These findings define a previously unknown paradigm that links T cell differentiation with selective metabolic signaling pathways.
Improving Face Recognition by Online Image Alignment

Face recognition accuracy is affected by many factors. This paper studies one of the factors, and provides a reliable image alignment for face recognition. For this purpose, a performance metric is extracted from an analysis of face recognition similarity scores. The metric varies with face alignment, and has a relationship with the actual recognition accuracy. Our method adjusts face alignment online by selecting an alignment candidate corresponding to the largest performance metric. The experimental results show that the presented method can improve the accuracy and robustness of current face recognition systems.
A compartment model of VEGF distribution in blood, healthy and diseased tissues

Angiogenesis is a process by which new capillaries are formed from pre-existing blood vessels in physiological (e.g., exercise, wound healing) or pathological (e.g., ischemic limb as in peripheral arterial disease, cancer) contexts. This neovascular mechanism is mediated by the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family of cytokines. Although VEGF is often targeted in anti-angiogenic therapies, there is little knowledge about how its concentration may vary between tissues and the vascular system. A compartment model is constructed to study the VEGF distribution in the tissue (including matrix-bound, cell surface receptor-bound and free VEGF isoforms) and in the blood. We analyze the sensitivity of this distribution to the secretion rate, clearance rate and vascular permeability of VEGF. We find that, in a physiological context, VEGF concentration varies approximately linearly with the VEGF secretion rate. VEGF concentration in blood but not in tissue is dependent on the vascular permeability of healthy tissue. Model simulations suggest that relative VEGF increases are similar in blood and tissue during exercise and return to baseline within several hours. In a pathological context (tumor), we find that blood VEGF concentration is relatively insensitive to increased vascular permeability in tumors, to the secretion rate of VEGF by tumors and to the clearance. However, it is sensitive to the vascular permeability in the healthy tissue. Finally, the VEGF distribution profile in healthy tissue reveals that about half of the VEGF is complexed with the receptor tyrosine kinase VEGFR2 and the co-receptor Neuropilin-1. In diseased tissues, this binding can be reduced to 15% while VEGF bound to the extracellular matrix and basement membranes increases. The results are of importance for physiological conditions (e.g., exercise) and pathological conditions (e.g., peripheral arterial disease, coronary artery disease, cancer). This mathematical model can serve as a tool for understanding the VEGF distribution in physiological and pathological contexts as well as a foundation to investigate pro- or anti-angiogenic strategies.