cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
1382 PULMONARY VASCULAR PATHOLOGY IN FATAL NEONATAL MECONIUM ASPIRATION

Although it is suggested that vasoconstriction is responsible for the pulmonary hypertension and persistent fetal circulation (PFC) associated with meconium aspiration(MA), this has not been proven. We therefore studied the pulmonary vascular bed(PVB)of 10 consecutive term newborns(NB)in whom MA was diagnosed in life and confirmed at autopsy. The pulmonary arteries were injected with barium-gelatin before inflation fixation. Morphometric analysis of three structural features of the PVB: 1)Extension of muscle(EM) into small arteries, 2) Percentage medial wall thickness(%WT),and 3) Arterial concentration(AC)was performed. The findings were compared to those of normal fetal and neonatal lungs. The case histories were also reviewed. In 9/10 NB,PFC was evident clinically-in 8/10 right-to-left shunting at atrial level was confirmed by contrast echocardiography and in 7/10 shunting at ductal level was detected by a decrement in PaO2 ≥ 20 torr from right radial artery to descending aorta. All 9 NB with PFC had EM and increased %WT of the intraacinar arteries with severe encroachment upon the arterial lumen. The NB without PFC had normal arteries. AC was normal in all. The high correlation between fatal MA and PFC was unexpected. The structurally abnormal PVB found in all NB with MA and PFC could not have been caused by vasoconstriction alone and was similar to that seen in PFC without MA. This suggests a common cause of in utero maldevelopment of the PVB and perinatal MA.
Reflection from an oriented thin film

Abstract Expressions for the amplitude reflection and transmission coefficients for light incident on a dielectric thin film that is biaxially anisotropic and situated on an isotropic substrate are presented for the special case where one of the principal axes of the film is parallel to the surface of the film and perpendicular to the plane of incidence of the light. This is one of a few special cases for reflection from anisotropic materials that contains no cross-coupling between the p and s polarizations of the light.
Studies of electrical conduction in pyroelectric DTGS: PVDF composites

The AC and DC conductivities of pyroelectric composite, deuterated triglycine sulfate (DTGS): polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) having 15%, 20%, and 40% DTGS content (by weight) have been measured at temperature ranging from room temperature to 55 °C. The ac conductivity of composites at 1 MHz shows very weak temperature dependence. The dc conductivity for 20% and 40% DTGS content (by weight) composites shows activated behavior.
Characterization of the transactivation domain of the equine herpesvirus type 1 immediate-early protein.

Abstract Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) possesses a sole diploid immediate early gene (IE) that encodes a major regulatory protein of 1487 amino acids capable of modulating gene expression from both early and late promoters and also of trans -repressing its own promoter. Using a series of GAL-4-IE fusion constructs, we previously demonstrated that the minimal transactivation domain (TAD) of the IE protein maps within amino acids 3–89. Additional studies revealed that that the carboxyl terminus of the IE protein may be required for full transactivation activity in vitro. Analyses of the minimal TAD revealed the presence of 13 acidic amino acids and six basic residues giving the TAD region a net negative charge of −7. In addition, there are conserved hydrophobic residues (Leu 12 and Phe 15 ) that may be critical for transactivation function. To identify residues essential for IE transactivation and to ascertain if the overall net negative charge of the TAD or the position of specific hydrophobic residues within the IE TAD are critical for the transactivation function, plasmids expressing mutant forms of the TAD were generated using specifically designed mutagenic oligonucleotides and PCR mutagenesis. Mutagenized TADs in which the acidic and hydrophobic amino acid residues were replaced, singly and in combination, with polar, uncharged amino acids were cloned into a GAL-4/CAT reporter expression system and assayed in transient transfection assays. To determine if the carboxyl terminus is necessary for full transactivation activity, a series of constructs that express forms of the IE protein-containing deletions within this region were generated and assayed for transactivation function in transient transfection assays. These assays demonstrated that mutation of any acidic residue, either singly or in combination, or deletion of the carboxyl terminus of the IE protein resulted in a severe impairment of transactivation activity. These results show that both acidic and hydrophobic residues within the IE TAD are critical for transactivation function and that the carboxyl terminus of the IE protein is required for full transactivation activity.
Development and Preliminary Validation of a New Measure to Assess Shame: The Shame Inventory

Research on the emotion of shame has increased significantly in recent years. However, there remains a need for more psychometrically sound measures of shame, including measures of shame in response to specific, idiographic experiences. The Shame Inventory was developed in order to assess both global feelings of shame as well as shame in response to specific life events or personal characteristics. Two studies were conducted to determine the preliminary psychometric properties of the Shame Inventory. Across both studies, results indicate that the inventory has high internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and predictive validity. The Shame Inventory holds promise as a new measure designed to assess both global feelings of shame as well as specific shame-eliciting cues.
Interferometric all-optical switches for ultrafast signal processing

All-optical switches find applications in ultrahigh-speed network–user interfaces and in specialized high-speed processors, such as data regenerators and encryptors and microwave signal generators. We describe a semiconductor optical-amplifier-based single-arm interferometric switch called the ultrafast nonlinear interferometer. We discuss how the gain and the refractive-index nonlinearities in semiconductor optical amplifiers have an impact on the all-optical switch design, and we review experimental results obtained with the ultrafast nonlinear interferometer.
The utility of affinity-tags for detection of a streptococcal protein from a variety of streptococcal species

Abstract There is no systematic examination of affinity tag utility in Gram-positive bacteria, which limits the investigation of protein function in this important group of bacteria as specific antibodies for many of native proteins are generally not available. In this study, we utilized an E. coli-streptococcal shuttle vector pVT1666 and constructed two sets of expression plasmids pVPT-CTag and pVPT-NTag, with each set containing five affinity tags (GST, GFP, HSV, T7 and Nano) that can be fused to either the C- or N-terminus of a target protein. A putative glycosyltransferase (Gtf2) essential for Fap1 glycosylation was used to demonstrate the utility of the cassettes in detection of Gtf2 fusion proteins, and the biological relevance of the proteins in our working strain Streptococcus parasanguinis. GFP and T7 tags were readily expressed in S. parasanguinis as either an N- or C-terminal fusion to Gtf2. Only the C- terminal fusion of GST and HSV were able to be identified in S. parasanguinis. The Nano tag was not detected in either E. coli or S. parasanguinis. Genetic complementation experiments indicated that all the tagged Gtf2 fusion proteins could restore the Gtf2 function in the null mutant except for the Nano-tagged Gtf2 at its N-terminal fusion. Using a T7-tagged Gtf2 fusion construct, we demonstrated that the fusion cassette is also useful in detection of the fusion tag expression in other streptococci including S. mutans, S. pneumoniae and S. sanguinis. Therefore, the expression cassettes we constructed will be a useful tool not only to investigate protein–protein interactions in Fap1 biogenesis in S. parasanguinis, but also to study protein functions in other gram-positive bacteria in which pVT1666 replicates.
Surveying Smokeless Tobacco Use, Oral Lesions and Cessation Among High School Boys

Research suggests that adolescent S T users are open to advice about quitting. We surveyed 821 Iowa teenage boys to establish patterns of smokeless tobacco use, occurrence of oral lesions and the effect of lesions on attitudes about quitting, current use and plans for future use. Results suggest that young ST users who currently have a lesion or have experienced lesions may be particularly receptive to discussion of quitting options and other information about ST health effects. Dentists and other oral health professionals should initiate ST intervention when establishing a lesion history or on discovering a lesion at examination.
Cholesterol transport from liposomal delivery vehicles

Rapid internalization of drugs from delivery vehicles via non-endocytotic pathways is an important goal. The transport of imaging probes attached to cholesterol and introduced via a liposomal formulation is considered here, in order to evaluate the intracellular distribution and kinetics of small molecular cargo that might be attached to cholesterol or phospholipids. The internalization efficiencies of two fluorescent cholesterol analogues, one carrying a fluorophore on the head of the cholesterol molecule 4,4-difluoro-5,7-dimethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene-3-dodecanoate (BODIPY)-cholesteryl ester (CE) (BODIPY-CE) and the other on the tail (25-[N-[(7-nitro-2-1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl)-methyl]amino]-27-norcholesterol (NBD-cholesterol)), were compared with those of other phospholipid molecules (NBD-phosphatidylcholine (PC) and NBD-phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)) using a liposomal formulation (1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC), 85.5 M%; 1,2 distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000] (DSPE-PEG2k), 9.5 M%; fluorescent analogue, 5 M%). The rate and transfer efficiency were NBD-cholesterol>BODIPY-CE>NBD-PC>NBD-PE. NBD-cholesterol, delivered by liposomes with an average diameter of 100 nm, localized in the perinuclear region and lipid storage droplets, with transfer observed in as little as 5 min. NBD-cholesterol transport was approximately constant with time, suggesting a unidirectional mode of entry. In the absence of PEG within the liposome, the transfer rate decreased. Filipin, a caveolae-blocking agent, caused 70% inhibition of cholesterol internalization in treated cells, suggesting that cholesterol internalization follows a caveolae-mediated pathway.
Collision strengths for hyperfine-structure transitions: application to

A relativistic distorted wave method for calculating collision strengths for fine-structure transitions is modified to apply to hyperfine-structure transitions. Application is made to excitation to the upper F = 1 hyperfine-structure component of the ground level of Li-like , which produces the 3.071 mm line of astrophysical interest.
Ten Years of Experience With Isolated Urachal Anomalies in Children

AbstractPurpose: The embryological and anatomical features of urachal anomalies have been well defined. Because of the variable clinical presentation, uniform guidelines for evaluation and treatment are lacking. In an attempt to establish a cost-effective approach leading to a favorable outcome, we reviewed the experience with urachal anomalies at a single institution in a 10-year period.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the medical records and radiological studies of 12 boys and 9 girls newborn to 17 years old at presentation who were treated for a urachal anomaly. Diagnostic evaluation included voiding cystourethrography in 14 cases, ultrasound in 8, sinography in 7 and computerized tomography in 4.Results: The 4 variants of urachal anomalies included a urachal sinus in 9 patients (43%), urachal cyst in 9 (43%), patent urachus in 2 (10%) and urachal diverticulum in 1 (4%). Treatment involved initial excision in 13 cases (61%) and secondary excision in 8 (39%). Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant ...
A “Cours de style” for French Majors

T HE great emphasis in recent years on conversational French has led to valuable improvements in teaching methods, but there still exists a serious deficiency in the training of teachers of French: the lack of a course in French style. A few of the larger institutions offer such a course, but advanced courses in many consist of more conversation or advanced composition. While a more thorough knowledge of grammar and of the use of idioms is no doubt necessary, a training in style which will enable a student to write something better than school-boy French is even more a desideratum. One who writes excellent French will be in a position to speak French with more accuracy and even with distinction. The present writer happened to see a long letter written in French by a high school teacher who had received her training in one of our largest universities. Although the grammar of this letter was impeccable, the style was little short of ridiculous. Errors in diction included anglicisms, words used incorrectly, idioms of every imaginable source, the wrong epithet with certain nouns, archaisms and argot used indiscriminately; this resulted in a strange mixture of styles, from the elevated and academic to the comic and vulgar. A study of phrasing, rhythm and diction, the subtleties of usage and the pitfalls of cognates would enable a student to avoid such blunders. But what is still more important for the teacher, training of this kind would provide linguistic assurance and facility which only long residence in France could equal or surpass. The routine translation of English novels or stories into French would have small place in such a course. Free composition in French would test proficiency and progress. Materials for work of this kind are not lacking although no American textbooks are available. A brief analysis of some of the books on the technique of style might prove helpful. A good book to begin with would be the well known Traite de stylistique franqaise (Klincksieck, 1913) in two volumes by Charles Bally. The exercises in volume two on the proper epithet for each noun, on conventional similes and metaphors, phrasing and levels of vocabulary would be invaluable for beginners. The important development accorded affective language, which is not mentioned in grammars, is one of the original features of this book: "ce sont LA DE CES grosses vdritds qui n'ont pas besoin d'Xtre demontrees" (II, 186). The study of exactness in the use of words could be supplemented by the consultation of Les faux amis by Koessler and Deroquigny (Vuibert, 1928) in
Shallow ground-water quality beneath a major urban center: Denver, Colorado, USA

Abstract A survey of the chemical quality of ground water in the unconsolidated alluvial aquifer beneath a major urban center (Denver, Colorado, USA) was performed in 1993 with the objective of characterizing the quality of shallow ground-water in the urban area and relating water quality to land use. Thirty randomly selected alluvial wells were each sampled once for a broad range of dissolved constituents. The urban land use at each well site was sub-classified into one of three land-use settings: residential, commercial, and industrial. Shallow ground-water quality was highly variable in the urban area and the variability could be related to these land-use setting classifications. Sulfate (SO 4 ) was the predominant anion in most samples from the residential and commercial land-use settings, whereas bicarbonate (HCO 3 ) was the predominant anion in samples from the industrial land-use setting, indicating a possible shift in redox conditions associated with land use. Only three of 30 samples had nitrate concentrations that exceeded the US national drinking-water standard of 10 mg l −1 as nitrogen, indicating that nitrate contamination of shallow ground water may not be a serious problem in this urban area. However, the highest median nitrate concentration (4.2 mg l −1 ) was in samples from the residential setting, where fertilizer application is assumed to be most intense. Twenty-seven of 30 samples had detectable pesticides and nine of 82 analyzed pesticide compounds were detected at low concentrations, indicating that pesticides are widely distributed in shallow ground water in this urban area. Although the highest median total pesticide concentration (0.17 μg l − ) was in the commercial setting, the herbicides prometon and atrazine were found in each land-use setting. Similarly, 25 of 29 samples analyzed had detectable volatile organic compounds (VOCs) indicating these compounds are also widely distributed in this urban area. The total VOC concentrations in sampled wells ranged from nondetectable to 23 442 μg l − . Widespread detections and occasionally high concentrations point to VOCs as the major anthropogenic ground-water impact in this urban environment. Generally, the highest VOC concentrations occurred in samples from the industrial setting. The most frequently detected VOC was the gasoline additive methyl tert -butyl ether (MTBE, in 23 of 29 wells). Results from this study indicate that the quality of shallow ground water in major urban areas can be related to land-use settings. Moreover, some VOCs and pesitides may be widely distributed at low concentrations in shallow ground water throughout major urban areas. As a result, the differentiation between point and non-point sources for these compounds in urban areas may be difficult.
HLA antigens and corticosteroid response

Compared with normal individuals, patients with primary open-angle glaucoma have increased prevalences of HLA-B12 and B7 antigens and are more responsive to glucocorticoids. Lymphocytes from both ocular normotensive and glaucomatous individuals with the HLA-B12 antigen require significantly (P less than .02) lower concentrations of prednisolone to inhibit phytohemagglutinin-induced transformation.
A survey of hand hygiene practices on a residential college campus.

Background Upper respiratory tract infections and gastrointestinal tract infections are the cause of a significant level of illness on college campuses. However, preventative measures such as handwashing and hand sanitation are often not well-supported, understood, or practiced on campus. Methods A confidential, self-administered on-line survey was performed during April–May 2006. Results Nine hundred and ninety-four participants completed the survey. Of these, 49% were undergraduates, 30% were graduates, and 34% lived in residence halls on campus. Conclusions We recommend the importance of creating an awareness of proper hand hygiene practices as they relate to the everyday context of a college campus. In addition, we believe there is a need for hand hygiene education targeted at students. Finally, we strongly recommend that college authorities provide soap and a means of hand drying in all residential bathrooms.
Some further notes on a class of skew distribution functions

This note takes issue with a recent criticism by Dr. B. Mandelbrot of a certain stochastic model to explain word-frequency data. Dr. Mandelbrot's principal empirical and mathematical objections to the model are shown to be unfounded. A central question is whether the basic parameter of the distributions is larger or smaller than unity. The empirical data show it is almost always very close to unity, sometimes slightly larger, sometimes smaller. Simple stochastic models can be constructed for either case, and give a special status, as a limiting case, to instances where the parameter is unity. More generally, the empirical data can be explained by two types of stochastic models as well as by models assuming efficient information coding. The three types of models are briefly characterized and compared.
DEGRADATION KINETICS OF ASCORBIC ACID AT HIGH TEMPERATURE AND WATER ACTIVITY

The kinetics of ascorbic acid degradation were studied in an intermediate moisture model food system as a function of water activity (0.69-0.90) and temperature (61-105°C). The disappearance of ascorbic acid in each case followed a zero order kinetic model. Rates of ascorbic acid degradation ranged from 1.5-10.5 mg/100g solids/min, while the activation energy was in the range of 14—17 Kcal/mole. It is suggested that dissolved oxygen concentration was limiting above 92°C, resulting in a rate decrease between 92 and 105°C. Rates of ascorbic acid degradation were found to increase with increasing aw, except at 105°C, where the opposite was observed. An equation derived from the integrated zero order rate law was used to predict ascorbic acid losses during an unsteady state heating process approximating a linear temperature rise, with good results. The same equation was much less accurate (predictions were 2-4 times larger), when used to predict ascorbic acid losses during extrusion processing, most likely due to the difficulty in obtaining an accurate temperature history of the extruded product.
Cognitive-postremity predictions of learning behavior.

(1960). Cognitive-Postremity Predictions of Learning Behavior. The Journal of General Psychology: Vol. 62, No. 2, pp. 189-197.
Quantitative CT for the evaluation of bone healing.

Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) was used to quantitate the structural strength and local material properties of healing tibial osteotomies in 32 dogs. Dogs were divided into four equal groups, euthanatized at either 2, 4, 8, or 12 weeks and imaged with QCT. Invasive techniques were used to determine (1) the torsional properties of the bone; (2) the local stiffness properties and calcium content within the bone; and (3) histologically determined new bone formation and porosity. QCT was strongly associated with the maximum torque (R2=0.44) and torsional stiffness (R2=0.69) of the healing bone. QCT had strong correlations with the local stiffness (R2=0.64), calcium content (R2=0.61), new bone (R2=0.84), and porosity (R2=0.84) of healing tissues.
Thiol-dependent recovery of catalytic activity from oxidized protein tyrosine phosphatases.

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) play an important role in the regulation of mammalian signal transduction. During some cell signaling processes, the generation of endogenous hydrogen peroxide inactivates selected PTPs via oxidation of the enzyme’s catalytic cysteine thiolate group. Importantly, low-molecular weight and protein thiols in the cell have the potential to regenerate the catalytically active PTPs. Here we examined the recovery of catalytic activity from two oxidatively inactivated PTPs (PTP1B and SHP-2) by various low-molecular weight thiols and the enzyme thioredoxin. All monothiols examined regenerated the catalytic activity of oxidized PTP1B, with apparent rate constants that varied by a factor of approximately 8. In general, molecules bearing low-pKa thiol groups were particularly effective. The biological thiol glutathione repaired oxidized PTP1B with an apparent second-order rate constant of 0.023 ± 0.004 M–1 s–1, while the dithiol dithiothreitol (DTT) displayed an apparent second-or...
Pathologic T2 stage subgroups and recurrence-free survival after radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES To determine whether present subclassifications for pathologic T2 (pT2) prostate cancer are predictive for recurrence-free survival (RFS) after radical prostatectomy. METHODS The study sample included 906 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy between 1990 and 2004 and were subsequently staged as having pT2 disease. The estimated 5- and 10-year RFS for patients with pT2a, pT2b, and pT2c was calculated by using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analysis was performed by using Cox Proportional Hazards models to determine differences in RFS among the 3 groups, and their association with preoperative variables, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and biopsy Gleason score. RESULTS Preoperative PSA and Gleason score were strongly predictive for RFS (P <0.0001). Although patients with pT2a disease had greater RFS at 5 and 10 years when compared with pT2b and pT2c groups, the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.13). The association between pathologic stage and outcome was further weakened on multivariate analysis after incorporating preoperative PSA and biopsy Gleason score. CONCLUSIONS Although multiple studies have shown that present subgroupings for clinical T2 disease have prognostic significance, the same does not appear to apply to pathologic T2 subgroups. These latter groups are not independently associated with disease-free survival, and may therefore have little prognostic significance.
Information Systems as a Reference Discipline for Visual Design

This paper proposes that the Information Systems (IS) discipline can serve as a reference discipline for the Visual Design discipline and vice versa. To this end, this work tries to offer a pluralistic framework of visual design systems (VSD) where the primary focus is on how the Visual Design discipline utilizes the intellectual know-how of IS concerning systems of development. Because visual design is part of the aesthetic paradigm where interpretivism rules and IS is contained in the positivist paradigm, we employ a multi-paradigm approach to bridge these two paradigms and their constituent disciplines. The implications of VSD are discussed in the remainder of this paper.
Lab-on-a-Chip Methods for Point-of-Care Measurements of Salivary Biomarkers of Periodontitis

Salivary secretions contain a variety of molecules that reflect important pathophysiological activities. Quantitative changes of specific salivary biomarkers could have significance in the diagnosis and management of both oral and systemic diseases. Modern point-of-care technologies with enhanced detection capabilities are needed to implement a significant advancement in salivary diagnostics. One such promising technology is the recently described lab-on-a-chip (LOC) assay system, in which assays are performed on chemically sensitized beads populated into etched silicon wafers with embedded fluid handling and optical detection capabilities. Using this LOC system, complex assays can be performed with small sample volumes, short analysis times, and markedly reduced reagent costs. This report describes the use of LOC methodologies to assess the levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), C-reactive protein (CRP), and matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) in whole saliva, and the potential use of these biomarkers for diagnosing and categorizing the severity and extent of periodontitis. This study demonstrates that the results achieved by the LOC approach are in agreement with those acquired with standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), with significant IL-1beta and MMP-8 elevations in whole saliva of periodontitis patients. Furthermore, because of the superior detection capacities associated with the LOC approach, unlike those with ELISA, significant differences in CRP levels between periodontitis patients and normal subjects are observed. Finally, principal component analysis (PCA) is performed to yield an efficient method to discriminate between periodontally healthy and unhealthy patients, thus increasing the diagnostic value of these biomarkers for periodontitis when examined with the integrated LOC sensor system.
Local liquid velocity measurement in trickle bed reactors (TBRs) using the x-ray digital industrial radiography (DIR) technique

This work describes the development of a new technique to measure local liquid velocity (VLL) for multiphase flows in trickle bed reactors (TBRs) (gas–liquid–solid system). In the studied TBR, the liquid phase is represented by water, gas by air and 3 mm expanded polystyrene beads as the solid packing. Three different superficial liquid velocities (VSL) and a constant superficial gas velocity (VSG) were used in the packed bed with an internal diameter of 4.25 cm. While the liquid is moving into the packed bed, tracking particles of 106–125 μm diameter (16.45% difference) are injected. The movement of the tracking particles is monitored and digitally recorded by a complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor detector. In this experiment, x-rays were used as the radiation source. Four replications were made with fresh packing. Comparable observations can be found from other published techniques (i.e. magnetic resonance imaging). Results from this study indicate that, at VSL = 0.13 cm s−1, the measured VLL can reach up to 51 times that of its VSL, while for VSL = 0.27 cm s−1, the measured VLL reached up to 35 times higher than the VSL and for VSL = 0.39 cm s−1, the VLL reached up to 39.8 times higher than its VSL. Through statistical analysis, the implementation of such a method is found to be reproducible throughout the experiments. The mean per cent difference in the measured VLL was 10% and 5% for lower implemented VSL of 0.13 and 0.27 cm s−1, respectively. At higher VSL (0.39 cm s−1), the particle tracer was greatly distributed and carried away by the high liquid flow rate. The variance or the range of the measured VLL does not vary for all replications in every VSL, which confirms the reproducibility of the experimental measurements, regardless of the VSL.
A challenge problem for 2D/3D imaging of targets from a volumetric data set in an urban environment

This paper describes a challenge problem whose scope is the 2D/3D imaging of stationary targets from a volumetric data set of X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data collected in an urban environment. The data for this problem was collected at a scene consisting of numerous civilian vehicles and calibration targets. The radar operated in circular SAR mode and completed 8 circular flight paths around the scene with varying altitudes. Data consists of phase history data, auxiliary data, processing algorithms, processed images, as well as ground truth data. Interest is focused on mitigating the large side lobes in the point spread function. Due to the sparse nature of the elevation aperture, traditional imaging techniques introduce excessive artifacts in the processed images. Further interests include the formation of highresolution 3D SAR images with single pass data and feature extraction for 3D SAR automatic target recognition applications. The purpose of releasing the Gotcha Volumetric SAR Data Set is to provide the community with X-band SAR data that supports the development of new algorithms for high-resolution 2D/3D imaging.
Mohs surgery for head and neck cutaneous malignancies

Pioneered in the 1930s, Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized approach to the resection of cutaneous malignancies. Its two guiding principles are complete margin analysis and maximal tissue conservation. Whereas most skin cancers do not require Mohs, many head and neck cancers are well-suited for this technique. Given the migration toward outpatient and office-based surgery in the current healthcare climate, oncological surgeons should be familiar with Mohs surgery, which offers higher cure rates and greater patient satisfaction than conventional excision and at considerably less cost than facility-based excision with frozen section margin control. This article reviews the Mohs technique; its indications, with emphasis on recent consensus guidelines; and its relative merits compared with other therapeutic options for high-risk skin cancers.
Differential rotation of the magnetic fields of gaseous planets

The differential rotation of the magnetic fields of Jupiter and Saturn, as well as those of Uranus and Neptune if they have internal dynamo-generated magnetic fields, is examined. It is shown that the behavior of the magnetic fields is more analogous to the sun then to the earth. Evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that polar magnetic features on Jupiter and Saturn spin more slowly than the equatorial magnetic field. Consideration is given to Jovian narrow-band kilometric radio emission, to brightness periodicities in the Io torus, and to Saturn cloud motions.
Ion Selectivity Filter Regulates Local Anesthetic Inhibition of G-Protein-Gated Inwardly Rectifying K+ Channels

Abstract The weaver mutation (G156S) in G-protein-gated inwardly rectifying K + (GIRK) channels alters ion selectivity and reveals sensitivity to inhibition by a charged local anesthetic, QX-314, applied extracellularly. In this paper, disrupting the ion selectivity in another GIRK channel, chimera I1G1(M), generates a GIRK channel that is also inhibited by extracellular local anesthetics. I1G1(M) is a chimera of IRK1 (G-protein-insensitive) and GIRK1 and contains the hydrophobic domains (M1–pore-loop–M2) of GIRK1 (G1(M)) with the N- and C-terminal domains of IRK1 (I1). The local anesthetic binding site in I1G1(M) is indistinguishable from that in GIRK2 wv channels. Whereas chimera I1G1(M) loses K + selectivity, although there are no mutations in the pore-loop complex, chimera I1G2(M), which contains the hydrophobic domain from GIRK2, exhibits normal K + selectivity. Mutation of two amino acids that are unique in the pore-loop complex of GIRK1 (F137S and A143T) restores K + selectivity and eliminates the inhibition by extracellular local anesthetics, suggesting that the pore-loop complex prevents QX-314 from reaching the intrapore site. Alanine mutations in the extracellular half of the M2 transmembrane domain alter QX-314 inhibition, indicating the M2 forms part of the intrapore binding site. Finally, the inhibition of G-protein-activated currents by intracellular QX-314 appears to be different from that observed in nonselective GIRK channels. The results suggest that inward rectifiers contain an intrapore-binding site for local anesthetic that is normally inaccessible from extracellular charged local anesthetics.
MICROWAVE COOKING OF RESTRUCTURED PORK ROASTS1

Restructured pork roasts were microwave cooked to an endpoint temperature of 73°C and evaluated for proximate composition, cooking loss and cooking time. Restructuring formulations were: (1) 0.75% salt and 0.2% phosphate (S/P), (2) S/P and 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0% carboxymethyl cellulose, (3) S/P and 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0% algin, and (4) 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% algin with calcium carbonate and lactic acid added at a constant ratio of 6:1:1.5, respectively. The algin/calcium restructuring resulted in faster (P< 0.05) cooking time and less cooking loss. Decreased cooking time was attributable to improved penetration and/or dispersion of microwaves. Algin/calcium restructuring may interest companies utilizing microwave energy to precook meats and to consumers desiring quickly prepared meals. More uniform microwave heating of pork could reduce the concern of ingesting viable trichinae or other pathogens.
Isoflurane indirectly depresses middle latency auditory evoked potentials by action in the spinal cord in the goat.

Purpose The auditory evoked potential (AEP) has been proposed as a method to determine depth of anesthesia, as AEPs are generated in the thalamus and cerebral cortex. Because general anesthesia, in part, relies on anesthetic action in the spinal cord, we hypothesized that isoflurane would have indirect depressant effects on the AEP because of its action in the spinal cord.
Personalized knowledge organization and access for the web

Traditional information storage and retrieval methods used by library professionals over the last century have much to offer in the digital environment, particularly when they are combined with recent technology. A device, called Knowledge Class, was developed as a framework to integrate information organizing methods and advanced Web technology. Knowledge Class facilitates information organization based on hierarchical structures similar to those used in thesauri and classification schemes. Furthermore, it adds values to the list of hierarchical terms through built-in vocabulary controlled and pre-stored search strategies. It is coupled with an interactive graphical interface with both dynamic and static links to search engines and related Web sites. Knowledge Class was designed to be both an information-organizing device and an information access tool. The design process discussed in this article represents a new thinking on how to respond to the challenges of organizing and accessing the wealth of information on the Web.
Minimum failure cost-based energy dissipation system designs for buildings in three seismic regions – Part I: Elements of failure cost analysis

Abstract This and the companion papers are focused on the optimal utilization of viscous dampers for performance improvement of building structures by minimizing the failure/life-cycle costs. The cost minimization is a natural choice as the primary motivation for introducing the multi-objective performance based design concept in the earthquake engineering community was to reduce the observed unacceptable levels of damage costs in buildings for moderate intensity but more frequent earthquakes. This paper describes an approach to calculate the failure and life-cycle costs associated with different levels of damage and their consequences considering the random occurrences of seismic events and uncertainties in the calculated response. The inter-story drift is used as an effective response variable to define fragilities and failure costs, although it is realized that damage of some components may be better expressed in terms of the acceleration response. Since a life-cycle cost-based optimization methodology could be computationally demanding especially for yielding structures, the use a response spectrum method of analysis is considered for the response and failure cost calculations. Comparison of the numerical results, for three example buildings in Los Angeles, Seattle and Boston, obtained by the approximate response spectrum method and accurate time-stepping method utilizing an ensemble of base motions indicates that the response spectrum methods can provide a good estimate of the failure cost for a quick performance-based evaluation of different design alternatives. The companion paper utilizes this failure cost and performance evaluation approach to determine optimal designs of damping systems.
Application of Norton's theorem on queueing networks with finite capacities

A method is developed which allows the application of Norton's theorem on queuing networks with finite capacities. A node is arbitrarily selected and the subnetwork containing all remaining nodes is replaced by a composite node with infinite capacity; thus the entire network is reduced to a two-node network having the node of interest and the composite node. Although blocking causes interdependencies between nodes in the network, the selected node is totally isolated from the rest of the network by constructing phases in the server which reflect the blocking events. An algorithm is given to compute the parameters of the phases. Several examples are discussed to demonstrate the efficiency and generality of the technique. Comparisons with simulation results show that the proposed technique provides accurate results for throughput values. >
Long-Term Adaptive Shifts in Anaerobic Community Structure in Response to a Sustained Cyclic Substrate Perturbation

The response of a glucose-fed anaerobic chemostat community to a long-term (>200 days) periodic substrate perturbation was examined. Identical steady-state communities were established in a ``mother'' and a ``daughter'' reactor at pH 7, 35°C, inlet glucose concentration of 8 g l−1, and dilution rate of 0.1 day−1. After reaching steady state, the daughter reactor was subjected to a periodic organic loading pattern in which the influent glucose concentration was alternately varied from 16 g l−1 to 0 g l−1 (mineral media only) on a 2-day cycle (1 day at 16 g l−1 followed by 1 day without glucose feed). The average organic loading rate for the perturbation cycle was equal to the steady-state glucose loading rate of 0.8 g l−1 day−1. The dilution rate of the daughter reactor was constant at 0.1 day−1 throughout the perturbation period. A rapid accumulation in volatile fatty acids (VFAs) occurred immediately after initiating the perturbation. During the first 45 days, effluent acetate, propionate, and butyrate concentrations increased to ca. 2,500, 800, and 1,200 mg l−1, respectively; effluent chemical oxygen demand (COD) increased from 450 mg l−1 to 5,200 mg l−1. Total gas production decreased from about 600 ml day−1 to an average value of 290 ml day−1; CH4 content of the biogas decreased from 50% to about 30%; and the pH decreased from 7.0 to 6.4. This was followed by a 60-day metastable ``steady'' state during which time the effluent COD and VFA concentrations fluctuated about new median values. A dramatic change in the fermentation products of glucose was observed. At the end of the metastable period, VFA concentrations decreased rapidly. First, a rapid decrease in butyrate concentration occurred. Subsequently, acetate and propionate concentrations decreased to near the original preperturbation steady-state levels. Within ca. 30 days, a new steady state was established. These observations demonstrate that the anaerobic system was able to adapt to the periodic substrate perturbation through a long-term change in community structure. This conclusion was verified by comparison of DNA extracts from the steady-state control ``mother'' reactor with extracts from the perturbed ``daughter'' reactor, changes in substrate degradation rates, and microscopic examination.
Multiple Radio Channel Assignement Utilizing Partially Overlapped Channels

Existing channel assignment algorithms designed for multi-radio multi-channel wireless mesh networks (MRMC-WMN) mainly deal with orthogonal or nonoverlapped channels. But in reality, the limited availability of orthogonal channel is a major issue where the network is very dense in terms of inter-nodal distances. On the other hand, partially overlapped channels (POC) are currently considered as a great potential for increasing the number of simultaneous transmissions and eventually upgrading the network capacity; especially in case of MRMC-WMN. In this paper, we address the limited orthogonal channel problem by exploring the usable POCs. The key technique lies in the fact that the interference between adjacent channels has to be considered intelligently in order to increase the overall capacity. Our contributions include a new interference model I-Matrix that helps selecting channels with less interference and a POC-based channel assignment algorithm. We evaluate the performance of our POC based algorithm in terms of capacity by comparing with the one using only orthogonal channels. Our results show capacity improvement as the increased link assignments at an average of more than 15 percent.
Handover Performance of Priority Schemes in Cellular Networks

In this paper, we study the performance of three handover priority schemes - the pure guard channel method (GCM), GCM with first-in-first-out (GCM-FIFO), and dynamic priority queuing (DPQ) - and, for the first time, compare them for different scenarios and provide guidelines as to which scheme to use under which scenario. In the first scenario, the channel holding time is assumed to follow an exponential distribution. For this scenario, we derive new accurate formulas to evaluate the performance of GCM and GCM-FIFO schemes. Our results show that existing analytical frameworks for GCM and GCM-FIFO overestimate the handover failure probability. Recent field measurements have shown that the best fits to measured data for channel holding time are lognormal and mixed lognormal distributions rather than an exponential distribution. We quantify and compare the handover performance of GCM, GCM-FIFO, and DPQ for ideal (i.e., exponential channel holding time distribution) and for practical (i.e., lognormal and mixed lognormal channel holding time distributions) scenarios. Our results show that, depending on the cell type, the number of channels per cell, and the traffic load, the operator should use either DPQ or GCM. For example, for high handover traffic and high traffic load, the operator should use GCM-FIFO; for light-to-moderate traffic load and a high number of channels per cell (40 or more), DPQ seems to be the best option. To make the handover scheme adaptive, a switching mechanism can be used such that, depending on the time of the day, traffic load, number of channels per cell, and cell type, the handover scheme that provides the best performance is selected. The guidelines provided in our paper are, in most cases, valid for both exponential and pure/mixed lognormal distributions.
Bone morphogenetic protein 2 stimulates endochondral ossification by regulating periosteal cell fate during bone repair

Bone repair depends on the coordinated action of numerous growth factors and cytokines to stimulate new skeletal tissue formation. Among all the growth factors involved in bone repair, Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) are the only molecules now used therapeutically to enhance healing. Although BMPs are known as strong bone inducers, their role in initiating skeletal repair is not entirely elucidated. The aim of this study was to define the role of BMP2 during the early stages of bone regeneration and more specifically in regulating the fate of skeletal progenitors. During healing of non-stabilized fractures via endochondral ossification, exogenous BMP2 increased the deposition and resorption of cartilage and bone, which was correlated with a stimulation of osteoclastogenesis but not angiogenesis in the early phase of repair. During healing of stabilized fractures, which normally occurs via intramembranous ossification, exogenous BMP2 induced cartilage formation suggesting a role in regulating cell fate decisions. Specifically, the periosteum was found to be a target of exogenous BMP2 as shown by activation of the BMP pathway in this tissue. Using cell lineage analyses, we further show that BMP2 can direct cell differentiation towards the chondrogenic lineage within the periosteum but not the endosteum, indicating that skeletal progenitors within periosteum and endosteum respond differently to BMP signals. In conclusion, BMP2 plays an important role in the early stages of repair by recruiting local sources of skeletal progenitors within periosteum and endosteum and by determining their differentiation towards the chondrogenic and osteogenic lineages.
Molecular Surface Abstraction

In this paper we introduce a visualization technique that provides an abstracted view of the shape and spatio-physico-chemical properties of complex molecules. Unlike existing molecular viewing methods, our approach suppresses small details to facilitate rapid comprehension, yet marks the location of significant features so they remain visible. Our approach uses a combination of filters and mesh restructuring to generate a simplified representation that conveys the overall shape and spatio-physico-chemical properties (e.g. electrostatic charge). Surface markings are then used in the place of important removed details, as well as to supply additional information. These simplified representations are amenable to display using stylized rendering algorithms to further enhance comprehension. Our initial experience suggests that our approach is particularly useful in browsing collections of large molecules and in readily making comparisons between them.