cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Equidistance concept and structure-activity relationship of curarizing drugs.

1. In a selection of representatives of the four major types of bisquaternary ammonium compounds selectively interfering with neuromuscular transmission and of some congeners lacking such selectivity, the linear intramolecular distance between the two reactive onium nitrogens was measured in molecular models. 2. The reactive atom distance was found to be variable over a wide range in each individual compound, multiple rotation about atomic bonds along the N-to-N interjacence allowing variation of the spatial arrangement of the molecule. 3. From no aspect, including the assumption that the maximum N-to-N distance is prevalent because of the mutual repulsion of the cationic heads, was it possible to find any correlation between selective activity and the reactive atom distance. 4. These observations and a discussion of other pertinent data were employed to evaluate the hypothesis that the N-to-N interjacence of bis-onium compounds serves as a rigid spacer of the cationic heads and that curarizing activity is explained by the reaction of optimally spaced onium groups of the drug with equidistant co-reactive groups of a biological receptor substance (equidistance hypothesis of curarizing activity). It is concluded that the equidistance hypothesis in its present form cannot be reconciled with the facts known about any of the various types of drug interference with neuromuscular transmission and the prominent representatives of these activities. 5. In order to demonstrate that with no lesser ease diametrically opposite concepts can be formed, in which the emphasis is shifted from the mere spacer role of the interjacence to the details of the spatial arrangement of the interjacence, an example is presented of the application of an “adumbration” hypothesis of curarizing activity to the series of bis-onium polymethylenes; in contrast to the equidistance hypothesis, this hypothesis applies to non-bis-onium compounds as well as to bis-oniums. 6. The adumbration hypothesis, though by no means offered as an explanation of curarizing activity, is found useful to accentuate the necessity of a return to considerations of the totality of tectonic and bonding potentialities whihc determine the spatial and energetic fit between drug and receptor.
Buried target detection in FLIR images using Shearlet features

In this paper we investigate a new approach for representing objects in FLIR images based on shearlets. Similar to wavelets, shearlets represent an affine system for image representation obtained by scaling and translation of a generating function called mother shearlet. Unlike wavelets, the mother shearlet has an extra parameter called shear that allows the shearlet transform to be anisotropic. Anisotropic property of the shearlet transform could allow for a better representation of objects with irregular shape. We test our representation methodology on Froward looking long wave infrared (LWIR) images obtained from an IR camera installed on a moving vehicle. Objects of interest (spots) are detected in each frame using a prescreener presented in our previous work. Each spot is then represented using its shearlet features and assigned a confidence coming from a support vector machine classifier. We compare shearlets to various traditional features such as local binary patterns (LPB) and histogram of gradients (HOG). The comparison is performed on a large dataset that consists of 16 runs at a US Army test site.
Hypervelocity impact of small right circular cylinders

An experimental investigation of the hypervelocity impact of two small right circular cylinders is described, one cylinder being much smaller in diameter than the other. The impact speed is 19,000 fps and the effects of various cylinder sizes and materials are assessed. All tests were conducted with the axes of the two cylinders perpendicular to each other and to the velocity vector. A light gas gun was employed to launch the cylinders. The experimental facility is described along with the development of launching techniques. The data showing the effects of material density are correlated in a form commonly used for hypervelocity data involving spheres impacting semi-infinite targets. In addition, it is shown that the mass per unit length of the minimum diameter smaller cylinder which will cut the larger rod upon impact is independent of the material properties of the smaller cylinder.
Limbal Autograft Transplantation for Ocular Surface Disorders

Limbal autograft transplantation is presented in 26 consecutive cases comprising both acute and chronic chemical injury (20 cases), thermal burns (2 cases), contact lens-induced keratopathy (3 cases), and ocular surface failure after multiple surgical procedures (1 case), with follow-up ranging from 2 to 45 months (mean, 18 months). The operative technique usually involved transfer of two free grafts of limbal tissue from the uninjured or less injured donor eye to the severely injured recipient eye, the latter having been prepared by limited conjunctival research and superficial dissection of fibrovascular pannus without keratectomy. Clinical results in 21 patients with follow-up of 6 months or more have consistently shown improved visual acuity (17 cases), rapid surface healing (19 cases), stable epithelial adhesion without recurrent erosion or persistent epithelial defect (20 cases), arrest or regression of corneal neovascularization (15 cases), and probable increased success for lamellar or penetrating keratoplasty (8 cases). No intraoperative complications were encountered, and no adverse reactions developed in donor eyes. Impression cytology in selected cases showed restoration of the corneal epithelial phenotype and regression of goblet cells from the recipient cornea. Therefore, limbal autograft transplantation is recommended for treatment of widespread ocular surface damage with loss of limbal epithelial stem cells and, specifically, for chemical or thermal burns, contact lens-induced keratopathy, and selected persistent corneal epithelial defects.
Deformable image registration based automatic CT-to-CT contour propagation for head and neck adaptive radiotherapy in the routine clinical setting

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical potential of deformable image registration (DIR)-based automatic propagation of physician-drawn contours from a planning CT to midtreatment CT images for head and neck (H&N) adaptive radiotherapy. Methods: Ten H&N patients, each with a planning CT (CT1) and a subsequent CT (CT2) taken approximately 3–4 week into treatment, were considered retrospectively. Clinically relevant organs and targets were manually delineated by a radiation oncologist on both sets of images. Four commercial DIR algorithms, two B-spline-based and two Demons-based, were used to deform CT1 and the relevant contour sets onto corresponding CT2 images. Agreement of the propagated contours with manually drawn contours on CT2 was visually rated by four radiation oncologists in a scale from 1 to 5, the volume overlap was quantified using Dice coefficients, and a distance analysis was done using center of mass (CoM) displacements and Hausdorff distances (HDs). Performance of these four commercial algorithms was validated using a parameter-optimized Elastix DIR algorithm. Results: All algorithms attained Dice coefficients of >0.85 for organs with clear boundaries and those with volumes >9 cm3. Organs with volumes <3 cm3 and/or those with poorly defined boundaries showed Dice coefficients of ∼0.5–0.6. For the propagation of small organs (<3 cm3), the B-spline-based algorithms showed higher mean Dice values (Dice = 0.60) than the Demons-based algorithms (Dice = 0.54). For the gross and planning target volumes, the respective mean Dice coefficients were 0.8 and 0.9. There was no statistically significant difference in the Dice coefficients, CoM, or HD among investigated DIR algorithms. The mean radiation oncologist visual scores of the four algorithms ranged from 3.2 to 3.8, which indicated that the quality of transferred contours was “clinically acceptable with minor modification or major modification in a small number of contours.” Conclusions: Use of DIR-based contour propagation in the routine clinical setting is expected to increase the efficiency of H&N replanning, reducing the amount of time needed for manual target and organ delineations.
Effect of baseline glomerular filtration rate on survival in patients undergoing partial or radical nephrectomy for renal cortical tumors.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of baseline renal function and comorbidity index on survival in patients with renal tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrieved demographic, clinicopathologic, body mass index (BMI), and comorbidity data (assessed by Charlson-Romano index and hypertension) for 1479 patients who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy between January 4, 1995, and June 9, 2005, for localized renal tumors. We used the abbreviated Modified Diet and Renal Disease equation to estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the last preoperative serum creatinine measurement. Body mass index and eGFR time trends were analyzed with linear regression. The effect of BMI, comorbidity, and baseline eGFR on disease-free and overall survival was studied using Cox regression controlling for pathologic stage, nodal status, and metastasis. RESULTS Over a 10-year interval, median BMI increased from 27 (interquartile range [IQR], 24-31) to 28 (IQR, 25-31; P =.004), and median baseline eGFR decreased from 70 (IQR, 58-80) to 63 mL/min per 1.73 m 2 (IQR, 57-78; P P P 2 ) and severely reduced eGFR ( 2 ) were significantly associated with overall survival (hazard ratio, 1.5; P P CONCLUSION Baseline eGFR has declined over the past decade. Nephron-sparing techniques should be considered for patients with severely diminished baseline eGFR.
A glance at MAC protocols for ultra wideband

Ultra wideband (UWB) technology offers unique advantages for wireless communications: precise location-timing capabilities, imperceptibility, low power, low complexity, and low cost. No existing wireless network successfully takes advantage of the properties of this technology because of the lack of an efficient medium access control (MAC) technology. In this brief, we overview the strengths of UWB and take a glance at research on MAC protocols for UWB. UWB is a promising technology suitable for cross-layer optimizations from physical layer to network layer. Precise location, arrival of angle, and directional antennas may well open the door to an optimal usage of the spectrum and highly energyefficient routing schemes.
Stochastic Horizons for the Aggregate Planning Problem

This paper develops a methodology for showing how forecast horizons for stochastic planning problems relate to the planning procedures and the information system within the organization. To illustrate the approach we have chosen a relatively straightforward production problem where the firm can meet a fluctuating demand pattern through a combination of overtime and inventory-related options. We show that the optimal production plan is monotonically non-decreasing in the demand sequence so that bounds can be placed on the optimal first period production plan for an N-period problem. These bounds together with information and computationally-related costs are used in specifying a methodology for determining forecast horizons. An illustrative example suggests that such horizons are likely to be small in many realistic cases. The concluding section indicates how this methodology can be utilized for specifying stochastic horizons for more general aggregate planning decisions in organizations.
Creep rupture of polymer composites

Abstract A creep-rupture model, based on a creep model which was successfully applied in a previous paper to model and predict the creep of a unidirectional carbon-fiber-reinforced epoxy composite and that of the epoxy matrix, and a critical energy fracture criterion, are presented. The results of the successful application of this model to predict the creep rupture of AS4/3501-6 composite specimens with two fiber orientations, 90 ° and 10 ° to the load axis, in the temperature range 295–433 K, are presented and discussed.
Southern culture and patterns of victim‐offender relationships in homicide: A study of primary and nonprimary homicide in Louisiana

This paper examines the relative influence of Southern culture versus social structural features on primary (dispute motivated) and nonprimary (crime motivated) homicide rates in Louisiana. Multiple regression analysis is used to compare the determinants of homicide in parishes ("counties") with typical Southern cultural heritage with those of parishes with French‐Catholic heritage. It was found that Southern culture exerted a greater positive influence on primary homicide rates than most structural variables, but was negative with respect to nonprimary rates. Implications for clarifying the debate concerning the existence of a Southern subculture of violence are discussed.
Association of the Q576R polymorphism in the interleukin-4 receptor α chain with indolent mastocytosis limited to the skin

Gain-of-function mutations in c-kit, which appear to contribute to mast cell hyperplasia, have been detected in both limited and aggressive forms of mastocytosis, suggesting that other mutations or polymorphisms may contribute to the clinical phenotype. Because addition of interleukin-4 (IL-4) to mast cell cultures is reported to induce apoptosis, the hypothesis was considered that individuals carrying the gain-of-function polymorphism Q576R in the cytoplasmic domain of the alpha-subunit of the IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) might be relatively resistant to the gain-of-function mutation in c-kit. To assess this possibility, 36 patients with either cutaneous or systemic mastocytosis were studied for association with the Q576R polymorphism. The Q576R polymorphism was found more frequently in those with disease limited to skin and who exhibited lower levels of surrogate disease markers. These data suggest that the Q576R IL-4R alpha- chain polymorphism may mitigate disease expression and confer a better prognosis in patients with mastocytosis. (Blood. 2001;98:880-882)
Reproducibility of tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity measurements in children and young adults with sickle cell disease undergoing screening for pulmonary hypertension

The reproducibility of tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (TRJV) measurements by Doppler echocardiography has not been subjected to systematic evaluation among individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) undergoing screening for pulmonary hypertension. We examined sources of disagreement associated with peak TRJV in children and young adults with SCD. Peak TRJV was independently measured and interpreted a week apart by separate sonographers and readers, respectively, in 30 subjects (mean age, 15.8 ± 3.3 years) who provided 120 observations. We assessed intra-/inter-reader, intra-/inter-sonographer, sonographer-reader, and within subject agreement using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Cohen's kappa (κ). Agreement was examined graphically using Bland-Altman plots. Although sonographers could estimate and measure peak TRJV in all subjects, readers designated tricuspid regurgitation nonquantifiable in 10–17% of their final interpretations. Intra-reader agreement was highest (ICC = 0.93 [95% CI 0.86, 0.97], P = 0.0001) and within subject agreement lowest (ICC = 0.36 [95% CI 0.02, 0.64], P = 0.021) for single TRJV measurements. Similarly, intra-reader agreement was highest (κ = 0.74 [95% CI 0.53, 0.95], P = 0.0001) and within subject lowest (κ = 0.14 [95% CI −0.17, 0.46], P = 0.38) when sonographers and readers categorized TRJV measurements. On Bland-Altman plots, absolute differences in observations increased with higher mean TRJV readings for intra-/inter-reader agreement. Peak TRJV measurements in individual children and young adults with SCD are affected by several sources of disagreement, underscoring the need for methodological improvements that ensure reproducibility of this screening modality for making clinical decisions in this population. Am. J. Hematol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The structure of 9,10-Dihydro-9,10-bis(hydroxymethyl)-9, 10-ethanoanthracene-11,12-anhydride

Abstract The title compound, prepared as an intermediate in the sysnthesis of dibenzo[2.2.2.n]paddlanes, exhibits rapid conformational interconversion on the NMR timescale. The X-ray structure is reported and compared to molecular mechanics calculations. The results imply significant steric crowding in the title compound.
Neuroendocrine involvement in aging: Evidence from studies of reproductive aging and caloric restriction

Neuroendocrine changes contribute to female reproductive aging, but changes in other tissues also play a role. In C57BL/6J mice, neuroendocrine changes contribute to estrous cycle lengthening and reduced plasma estradiol levels, but the midlife loss of cyclicity is mainly due to ovarian failure. Hypothalamic estrogen receptor dynamics and estrogenic modulation of gene expression are altered in middle-aged cycling mice. Although insufficient to arrest cyclicity, these neuroendocrine changes may contribute to other reproductive aging phenomena, such as altered gonadotropin secretion and lengthened estrous cycles. In women, the loss of ovarian oocytes, the cause of menopause, accelerates in the decade before menopause. Accelerated oocyte loss may in turn be caused by a selective elevation of plasma follicle stimulating hormone, and neuroendocrine involvement may thus be implicated in menopausal oocyte loss. Chronic calorie restriction retards both neural and ovarian reproductive aging processes, as well as age-related change in many other physiological systems. The diverse effects of food restriction raises the possibility of an underlying coordinated regulatory response of the organism to reduced caloric intake, possibly effected through alterations of neural and/or endocrine signalling. We are therefore attempting to identify neuroendocrine changes that may coordinate the life prolonging response of animals to food restriction. Our initial focus is on the glucocorticoid system. Food restricted rats exhibit daily periods of hyperadrenocorticism, manifest as elevated free corticosterone during the diurnal peak. We hypothesize that this hyperadrenocortical state potentiates cellular and organismic homeostasis throughout life in a manner similar to that achieved during acute stress, thereby retarding aging processes and extending life span.
Development of an All-Atom Force Field for Heterocycles. Properties of Liquid Pyrrole, Furan, Diazoles, and Oxazoles

The approach to the extension of the optimized potentials for liquid simulations all-atom (OPLS-AA) force field, which was tested for pyridine and the diazenes in the first paper of this series, has been extended to pyrrole, pyrazole, imidazole, furan, isoxazole, and oxazole. Standard OPLS Lennard-Jones parameters are used for the nonbonded interactions in conjunction with partial charges obtained from fitting to RHF/6-31G* electrostatic potential surfaces. The harmonic bond stretching and angle bending terms are adopted mostly from the AMBER force field, although the addition of two new atom types was required. The resultant force field was tested by computing the gas-phase structures of the heterocycles, heterocycle−water interaction energies, properties of the pure liquids, and the relative free energies of hydration for pyrrole and imidazole.
Selection and Adaptation of Cells Expressing Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I–specific Receptors of the Natural Killer Complex

In addition to their essential role in presenting pathogen peptides for recognition by the antigen receptor of killer CD8 T cells, MHC class I molecules can be the targets of another fundamentally different mode of recognition, also involved in fighting pathogens. Studies on NK, a component of the
On the non-stoichiometry of the binding of Pt(II) anti-neoplastic agents to inosine 5′-monophosphate

Abstract A non-stoichiometric material [Na 4 (5′-IMP) 2 ·15H 2 O] 0.2 [Na 2 (Pt(5′-IMP) 2 (trimethylenediamine))·13.5H 2 O] 0.8 has been prepared and investigated by single-crystal X-ray methods and 1 H and 13 C nmr spectroscopy. The compound is isomorphous with the monosodium and disodium salts of 5′-IMP and two Pt(II)-5′-IMP compounds previously reported to be non-stoichiometric. However, the structural changes in the packing motif of the 5′-IMP molecules induced on Pt(II) coordination are uniform only if the 5′-IMP complex containing (NH 3 ) 2 Pt(II) is stoichiometric. Preliminary studies on the latter complex, synthesized in our laboratories, demonstrate that the complex is indeed stoichiometric.
Direct analysis of steroid conjugates: the use of secondary ion mass spectrometry.

Abstract Data are presented on the mass spectrometry of intact steroid conjugates. The principal technique used was secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) using a Cs + ion beam for ionization, although comparable data were obtained by fast atom bombardment (FAB) using a Xe o beam. In both techniques the samples were analyzed in a liquid matrix (glycerol). Positive and negative ion spectra have been obtained, the latter being most useful for steroid sulfate and glucuronide analysis. The negative ion spectra are dominated by a pseudomolecular ion at m/z [M-H] − (M of free acid) and the lack of marked fragmentation permits mixtures of steroids to be resolved in a single spectrum, providing they differ in mass. Preliminary data on the separate analysis of individual components from urine and plasma of patients with assorted disorders of steroid synthesis and metabolism are presented. This technique shows great promise for the clinical analysis of steroid conjugates without the need for enzymic hydrolysis or Chromatographic separation of individual steroids.
Degradation of aberrant proteins by larval tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta L. (Sphingidae)

The tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta (Sphingidae) readily incorporates L-canavanine, the L-2-amino-4-(guanidinooxy)butyric acid structural analog of L-arginine, into newly synthesized proteins. As a result, the developing fifth-instar larva produces structurally aberrant canavanyl proteins that can exhibit severely impaired function. This situation is exacerbated by canavanine's ability to stimulate de novo protein synthesis. M. sexta larvae can respond to anomalous protein production by degrading canavanyl proteins nearly five times faster than normal proteins. The proteases of this insect can distinguish between normal and anomalous proteins and thereby avoid destruction of essential macromolecules. Aberrant protein degradative activity is not dependent upon de novo protein synthesis induced by canavanyl proteins. The fat body appears to be the source of proteases that degrade aberrant proteins; degradation is curtailed in the presence of sulfhydryl protease inhibitors as well as inhibitors of trypsin-like activity.
Horizons, constraints, and black hole entropy

Black hole entropy appears to be “universal”—many independent calculations, involving models with very different microscopic degrees of freedom, all yield the same density of states. I discuss the proposal that this universality comes from the behavior of the underlying symmetries of the classical theory. To impose the condition that a black hole be present, we must partially break the classical symmetries of general relativity, and the resulting Goldstone-boson-like degrees of freedom may account for the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy. In particular, I demonstrate that the imposition of a “stretched horizon” constraint modifies the algebra of symmetries at the horizon, allowing the use of standard conformal field theory techniques to determine the asymptotic density of states. The results reproduce the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy without any need for detailed assumptions about the microscopic theory.
Auxin, carbon dioxide and hydrogen ions

HYDROGEN ions can partially mimic the effect of indoleacetic acid (IAA) on plant cell elongation1. This observation has been elaborated in a proposal that the initial action of IAA causes the activation of a proton pump at the cell membrane. The pumping of protons would cause a lowering of the pH at the cell wall, leading to wall loosening2. This proposal has been supported in studies in which the pH of the medium surrounding oat coleoptile3–5 or etiolated pea stem6 sections was observed to drop when auxin was applied. This acidification was most pronounced when tissue sections were used from which the epidermis with the cuticle had been peeled off3, and was presumed to be caused by the proton pump activated by IAA.
Freezing effect on bread appearance evaluated by digital imaging

In marketing channels, bread is sometimes delivered in a frozen sate for distribution. Changes occur in physical dimensions, crumb grain and appearance of slices. Ten loaves, twelve bread slices per loaf were scanned for digital image analysis and then frozen in a commercial refrigerator. The bread slices were stored for four weeks scanned again, permitted to thaw and scanned a third time. Image features were extracted, to determine shape, size and image texture of the slices. Different thresholds of grey levels were set to detect changes that occurred in crumb, images were binarized at these settings. The number of pixels falling into these gray level settings were determined for each slice. Image texture features of subimages of each slice were calculated to quantify slice crumb grain. The image features of the slice size showed shrinking of bread slices, as a results of freezing and storage, although shape of slices did not change markedly. Visible crumb texture changes occurred and these changes were depicted by changes in image texture features. Image texture features showed that slice crumb changed differently at the center of a slice compared to a peripheral area close to the crust. Image texture and slice features were sufficient for discrimination of slices before and after freezing and after thawing.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Multicomponent Analysis of Heme Protein Spectra in Biological Materials

Absorption spectra of heme proteins in a tissue homogenate contain information about the oxidation status of the biological sample. Deconvolution of absorption spectra can be used to quantitate the amount of individual heme proteins present in the mixture. The heme spectral analysis program (HSAP), a computer spreadsheet program, was used to quantitatively calculate values for heme proteins measured spectrally (390 to 450 and 500 to 640 nm) in tissue homogenates undergoing oxidation. The amount of oxidized heme proteins obtained by HSAP can be compared to other measurements of tissue oxidation. Precise quantitation of the amount of heme proteins present in a homogenate sample provided accurate assessment of the oxidized heme proteins calculated by HSAP. This quantitation was achieved through modification of existing pyridine hemochrome methods. Input into HSAP of the total heme protein content via the pyridine hemochrome value generated reproducible values for oxidized heme proteins. The program has broad potential as a multicomponent analysis tool. Modification of HSAP led to the development of a difference spectra analysis program (DSAP) which was used to quantitate the type and amount of heme proteins observed in mitochondrial difference spectra. In the present application, HSAP and DSAP provide methods for interpreting complex spectral information of multicomponent biological samples that undergo oxidation.
Gene duplication and adaptive evolution of digestive proteases in Drosophila arizonae female reproductive tracts.

It frequently has been postulated that intersexual coevolution between the male ejaculate and the female reproductive tract is a driving force in the rapid evolution of reproductive proteins. The dearth of research on female tracts, however, presents a major obstacle to empirical tests of this hypothesis. Here, we employ a comparative EST approach to identify 241 candidate female reproductive proteins in Drosophila arizonae, a repleta group species in which physiological ejaculate–female coevolution has been documented. Thirty-one of these proteins exhibit elevated amino acid substitution rates, making them candidates for molecular coevolution with the male ejaculate. Strikingly, we also discovered 12 unique digestive proteases whose expression is specific to the D. arizonae lower female reproductive tract. These enzymes belong to classes most commonly found in the gastrointestinal tracts of a diverse array of organisms. We show that these proteases are associated with recent, lineage-specific gene duplications in the Drosophila repleta species group, and exhibit strong signatures of positive selection. Observation of adaptive evolution in several female reproductive tract proteins indicates they are active players in the evolution of reproductive tract interactions. Additionally, pervasive gene duplication, adaptive evolution, and rapid acquisition of a novel digestive function by the female reproductive tract points to a novel coevolutionary mechanism of ejaculate–female interaction.
Nanomechanical properties of wing membrane layers in the house cricket (Acheta domesticus Linnaeus)

Many insect wings change shape dynamically during the wingbeat cycle, and these deformations have the potential to confer energetic and aerodynamic benefits during flight. Due to the lack of musculature within the wing itself, the changing form of the wing is determined primarily by its passive response to inertial and aerodynamic forces. This response is in part controlled by the wing’s mechanical properties, which vary across the membrane to produce regions of differing stiffness. Previous studies of wing mechanical properties have largely focused on surface or bulk measurements, but this ignores the layered nature of the wing. In our work, we investigated the mechanical properties of the wings of the house cricket (Acheta domesticus) with the aim of determining differences between layers within the wing. Nanoindentation was performed on both the surface and the interior layers of cross-sectioned samples of the wing to measure the Young’s modulus and hardness of the outer- and innermost layers. The results demonstrate that the interior of the wing is stiffer than the surface, and both properties vary across the wing.
Concomitant temporomandibular joint and orthognathic surgery: a preliminary report.

Purpose: In the present study, we evaluated the outcome of concomitant temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and orthognathic surgery in patients with TMJ articular disc dislocation and coexisting dentofacial deformities. Patients and Methods: The records of 70 patients treated with TMJ articular disc-repositioning surgery and concomitant orthognathic surgery (double jaw or only mandibular surgery) were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into the following 3 groups: group 1 patients had mandibular advancement, group 2 patients had mandibular setback, and group 3 patients had a mandible that remained in the original position. Lateral cephalometric radiographs and lateral cephalometric tomograms were assessed at the following intervals: before surgery (T1), immediately after surgery (T2), 6 to 12 months after surgery (T3), and at the longest follow-up (T4). Lateral cephalometric tracings were superimposed to calculate surgical change (T2 − T1), short-term stability (T3 − T2), and long-term stability (T4 − T3) of the orthognathic surgery procedures. Maximum interincisal opening (MIO) and subjective TMJ pain (visual analog scales) were comparatively evaluated at T1 and T4. Results: Subjective TMJ pain levels and MIO improved in all 3 groups after surgery. Before surgery, 56 of 70 patients (80%) had pain and 14 of 70 patients (20%) had no pain. At the longest follow-up, 42 of 70 patients (60%) reported complete relief of TMJ pain. Only 5 of 70 patients (7%) had severe pain after surgery compared with 37 of 70 patients (53%) before surgery. At the longest follow-up, 6 of 70 patients (9%) showed less than 35 mm MIO, residual severe pain, or both. One patient had significant condylar resorption after surgery. The orthognathic procedures were found to be stable in the long term. Concomitant TMJ and orthognathic surgery had an overall success rate of 91.4% based on a greater than 35 mm MIO and a decrease in pain. Conclusions: When indicated, TMJ and orthognathic surgery can be concomitantly performed with predictable results and a good success rate. Strong consideration should be given to early surgical intervention because the success rate decreases significantly with pre-existing TMJ dysfunction of greater than 48 months' duration. © 2002 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons J Oral Maxillofac Surg 60:356-362, 2002
Giant thymic cyst in left lower hemithorax of a healthy teenaged athlete.

Ahealthy 16-year-old African American girl, who was a competitive track athlete, presented to her primary care clinic with a new, intermittent, sharp, left lateral chest pain with Valsalva maneuvers, aggravated by deep inspiration. There were no associated symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, diaphoresis, or abdominal pain. A chest radiograph was interpreted as showing left pneumothorax, and the patient was sent to the Texas Children’s Hospital Emergency Center for further evaluation and management. A repeat chest radiogram (Figure 1) revealed a large round mass occupying much of the left middle and lower hemithorax, obscuring the left cardiac border. A computed tomographic scan of the chest (Figure 2) revealed an approximately 20-cm multiloculated, cystic mass seated on the left hemidiaphragm, the wall of which appeared to be continuous with the anterior pleura or pericardial sac. The initial serum studies (sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, glucose, and uric acid) were within normal limits and the patient was admitted with a working diagnosis of germ cell tumor versus foregut duplication cyst. After preoperative serum human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were determined to be within normal limits, a video-assisted thoracic surgery procedure was performed. Operative findings were significant for a cystic lesion involving half of the left hemithorax. The cyst was attached only on the medial and superior margins to the left lobe of the thymus, which was excised en bloc with the mass. The left phrenic nerve was wrapped around the mass and was preserved. After controlled intraoperative decompression, thick, brownish fluid was obtained and sent for culture, cytologic examination, AFP, and HCG. Results of all these studies were normal. The mass was then removed and a pleural drain was left in place. The pathologic findings consisted of a partially drained multiloculated cyst measuring 22 11 2.5 cm containing amorphous, acellular, fibrinous debris with the wall thickness ranging from 0.3 to 1 cm. The cyst wall revealed focal calcifications and areas with thymic stroma showing orderly groups of lymphoid cells with scattered Hassall corpuscles, thus confirming the diagnosis of a thymic cyst without evidence of malignancy. The patient’s postoperative course was complicated by a persistent small left pneumothorax that was followed up clinically until resolution. She was discharged in good condition on postoperative day 7.
The Effect of Temperature and Time of Prechill Immersion on Total Moisture Absorption by Fryer Chickens

Abstract INTRODUCTION THE rapid removal of body heat from eviscerated poultry is a necessary but expensive operation. Lowering of the carcass temperature to below 40°F., as is required by federal regulations to adequately protect the product, is commonly accomplished by submerging eviscerated chickens in slush ice. Practically all processors using continuous chillers and some using chill tanks employ tap water to prechill the birds. During this initial stage of chilling, the temperature differential between the carcasses and the tap water is utilized to lower the temperature of the birds, thus conserving ice. When the temperature of the carcasses approaches that of the prechill water, the birds are placed in slush ice for chilling to below 40°F. Bailey et al. (1948) found that water absorption in cut up chicken is increased by lowering the temperature of the chilling bath. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether moisture absorption during the…
Head and neck pain

Summary This paper has discussed the peripheral and central mechanisms of the various neuropathic orofacial pain conditions. To make an accurate diagnosis of head and neck pain and render treatment, all organ systems need to be considered and evaluated. Peripheral and central sensitization have been discussed as they relate to neuropathic pain. It is suggested that treatment of these disorders be problem oriented, addressing both peripheral and central mechanism if present. A discussion was presented of peripheral sensitization with a rationale for peripheral interventions. The CN neuropathies were discussed with differential diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies. Neuropathic pain that does not respond to topical or local agents is more profoundly centralized. These conditions will need to be treated with centrally acting agents. In addition, if there is no response to medications, sympathetic involvement needs to be ruled out with sympathetic ganglion blockade.
POSSIBLE ROLE OF HISTONES IN REGULATION OF NUCLEIC ACID SYNTHESIS.

ALTHOUGH this paper will be concerned principally with our studies on the possible role of histones in regulation of nucleic acid synthesis, it seems pertinent to comment first upon the gel electrophoresis of histones. Butler has stated that the most satisfactory way of characterizing histones is the application of starch gel electrophoresis [S, 10, 111. We have found [ 121 that polyacrylamide gels are superior to starch gels in the separation of histones, and Reisfeld et al. [ 131 have reported success with this gel system in the electrophoresis of other cationic proteins. The gels are formed by mixing buffered tetramethy-ethylenediamine catalyst with 60 per cent acrylamide and 0.4 per cent N,N’-methylenebisacrylamide followed by addition of ammonium persulfate. The gels are formed in glass tubes and have a pH of 3 after polymerization. Samples are applied directly upon the gels in a density-stabilized layer, and electrophoresis is conducted in a glycine buffer at pH 4 for 4.5 hr at 15 ma. per tube. The gels are stained in amido black, and excess stain is removed electrically. Patterns obtained by electrophoresis of calf thymus histones are shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1 in comparison with patterns obtained by electrophoresis in starch gels. The bands shown in Fig. 1 C were found consistently by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels, and the bands are designated by Roman numerals. Bands II and IV, found in all calf thymus histone preparations examined in this laboratory, stained more heavily than the other bands and provided easily recognized and very reproducible reference points. The inclusion of a sample of unfractionated histone in each electrophoretic run of 6 samples facilitated the assignment of band identities in preparations of histone fractions. Band II was arbitrarily assigned a relative mobility (1~‘)
Investigation of the IEEE 802.11 medium access control (MAC) sublayer functions

Analysis of the draft IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN) standard is needed to characterize the expected performance of the standard's ad hoc and infrastructure networks. The performance of the medium access control (MAC) sublayer, which consists of distributed coordination function (DCF) and point coordination function (PCF), is determined by simulating asynchronous data traffic in a 1 Mbps ad hoc network, and asynchronous data and packetized voice traffic in a 1 Mbps infrastructure network. The simulation models incorporate the effect of burst errors, packet size, RTS threshold and fragmentation threshold on network throughput and delay. The results show that the IEEE 802.11 WLAN can achieve a reasonably high efficiency when the medium is almost error-free, but may degrade appreciably under harsh fading. The results also show that time-sensitive traffic such as packet voice can be supported together with other intensive traffic such as packet data. However, an echo canceller is required for packet voice systems.
ENVIRONMENT:: THE HIDDEN MODALITY

Performance is a function of both the person and the envi- ronment. Environmental considerations deserve special attention when attempting to change the behavior of older clients. This article discusses concepts from environmental psychology which have implications for physical and occupational therapists.
Resonant frequencies of an eccentric annular microstrip antenna

The resonant frequencies of an eccentric annular microstrip antenna are computed for different modes using the cavity model. The effect of the eccentricity on the resonant frequencies is investigated. The computed resonant frequencies are verified experimentally. The measured resonant frequencies are considered to be located at the minimum locations of the return loss. The magnetic field distribution is also computed and plotted for some patches. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Particle Swarm Optimization for Solving a Shooting Point

A shooting method is based on the solution of the ordinary differential equation for optimality that is obtained from Pontryagin's Maximum Principle. A shooting point must be approaching the perfect solution in order to assure algorithm's convergence. A particle swarm optimization is used to decide a shooting point by neural network's mapping ordinary differential equation initial states to final states and by defining sufficiency form as final states majorized function. To make up normal algorithm's deficiency secondary search of changing search level is introduced which can largely avoid trapping in local extremum and increase hitting global maximum's rate. The method's validity was proved by an illustration.
Stanton J. Peale: Deciphering the motions of planets and moons.

Planetary science lost one of its most highly respected members with the recent passing of Prof. Stanton (Stan) Peale. At last December’s American Geophysical Union meeting, Stan presented a talk on effects of the ellipsoidal shape of Mercury’s solid inner core on the tilt of the planet’s spin axis, but he was not feeling well. He was later diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia that proved resistant to treatment, followed ultimately by a severe leg breakage because of a fall, which hastened his decline. Supported by his wife of 55 years, Priscilla, his sons, Robert and Douglas, and many other family, friends, and colleagues, Stan died on May 14, 2015 at the age of 78 in Santa Barbara, California. His final scientific paper was submitted just days earlier.
On the robustness of the extreme deviate test for a single multivariate outlier against heavy-tailed distributions

In this paper we assess the sensitivity of the multivariate extreme deviate test for a single multivariate outlier to non-normality in the form of heavy tails. We find that the empirical significance levels can be markedly affected by even modest departures from multivariate normality. The effects are particularly severe when the sample size is large relative to the dimension. Finally, by way of example we demonstrate that certain graphical techniques may prove useful in identifying the source of rejection for the multivariate extreme deviate test.
Selective buddy allocation for scheduling parallel jobs on clusters

In this paper we evaluate the performance implications of using a buddy scheme for contiguous node allocation, in conjunction with a backfilling job scheduler for clusters. When a contiguous node allocation strategy is used, there is a trade-off between improved run-time of jobs (due to reduced link contention and lower communication overhead) and increased wait-time of jobs (due to external fragmentation of the processor system). Using trace-based simulation, a buddy strategy for contiguous node allocation is shown to be unattractive compared to the standard noncontiguous allocation strategy used in all production job schedulers. A simple but effective scheme for selective buddy allocation is then proposed, that is shown to perform better than non-contiguous allocation.
Structure of native and expanded sobemoviruses by electron cryo-microscopy and image reconstruction

Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) and southern bean mosaic virus, cowpea strain (SCPMV) are members of the Sobemovirus genus of RNA-containing viruses. We used electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) and icosahedral image analysis to examine the native structures of these two viruses at 25 A resolution. Both viruses have a single tightly packed capsid layer with 180 subunits assembled on a T=3 icosahedral lattice. Distinctive crown-like pentamers emanate from the 12 5-fold axes of symmetry. The exterior face of SCPMV displays deep valleys along the 2-fold axes and protrusions at the quasi-3-fold axes. While having a similar topography, the surface of RYMV is comparatively smooth. Two concentric shells of density reside beneath the capsid layer of RYMV and SCPMV, which we interpret as ordered regions of genomic RNA. In the presence of divalent cations, SCPMV particles swell and fracture, whereas the expanded form of RYMV is stable. We previously proposed that the cell-to-cell movement of RYMV in xylem involves chelation of Ca(2+) from pit membranes of infected cells, thereby stabilizing the capsid shells and allowing a pathway for spread of RYMV through destabilized membranes. In the context of this model, we propose that the expanded form of RYMV is an intermediate in the in vivo assembly of virions.
Lead Absorption by Children of Battery Workers

To the Editor.— The recent discovery of unexpected increased lead absorption in children of female battery workers strikingly reflects the impact on clinical practice of the increased participation by women in the work force. This experience illustrates other epidemiologic principles that we believe need wider appreciation. We have detailed these points to pediatricians 1 and wish now to reiterate them for a more general medical audience. Report of a Case.— A 24-year-old woman had intermittent headache, dizziness, and amnesia. Results of neurological evaluation were normal, but anemia with basophilic stippling was found. Her work involved burning lead battery terminals, but the importance of this information was not appreciated until her 20-month-old son showed a high blood lead level on routine screening. Subsequently, increased lead absorption was disclosed in the woman, and chelation therapy produced clinical and biochemical improvement. Three of her children, and children in the families of five other
Forecasting ability of theory-constrained two-stage demand systems

Demand models are commonly used to forecast effects of policy changes and two-stage demand systems are frequently used when disaggregated food items are involved. A two-stage system implies interconnections between the stages. These interconnections can be modelled to make unconditional forecasts, or the second stage can be modelled separately to make conditional forecasts. We compare conditional and unconditional elasticity-based and direct statistical forecasts. For our data, conditional forecasts are superior to unconditional forecasts and forecasts derived from elasticities are superior to direct statistical forecasts. Imposition of the homogeneity and symmetry restrictions of consumer theory does not improve the forecasts. Copyright 2003, Oxford University Press.
Critical Art Ensemble: Tactical Media Practitioners

The Critical Acts Ensemble, CAE for short, is a tightly knit group of artists exploring intersection between art, technology, critical theory, and political activism. We have given CAE a big chunk of space to present and explain their work. Added to that is a critical essay by TDR Contributing Editor Rebecca Schneider.