cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temperature-dependent susceptibility in ALON

Abstract Herein, we propose a stochastic model of the complex susceptibility in aluminum nitride (ALON), a polycrystalline transparent ceramic. The proposed model yields an inverse power-law dependence of the dielectric loss tangent on frequency, in remarkably close agreement with data. In addition, the phenomenological parameters are found to be strongly temperature-dependent. This temperature dependence is determined, in the theoretical model, to be a consequence of the thermodynamic properties of the molecular dipoles in the material.
PFC Emission Control Options for Plasma Processing Tools: A Current Assessment

Perfluorocompounds (PFCs) are critical processing gases for a number of plasma-based IC processing steps, especially dry etching and in situ CVD chamber cleaning. The long atmospheric lifetimes and large infrared absorption cross sections for such gases (which include CF4, C2F6, C3F8, NF3, SF6, and CHF3) have raised concerns about the contributions of PFC emissions to possible global warming. Global regulatory policies on greenhouse gases are expected to include the PFCs, and the specific attention given to these gases in negotiations between the U.S. government and the semiconductor industry may expand internationally as well. Several options exist for PFC emission control, including process optimization, chemical substitution, capture/recovery/recycle, and destructive abatement (including combustion, reactive adsorption, and plasma decomposition). An assessment of each option will be made in terms of both technical effectiveness (i.e., PFC reduction achievable) as well as implementation issues (e.g., commercialization timing, cost of ownership). PFC users can expect to have several commercial options to choose from to meet future PFC emission control requirements.
Temperature dependence of hyperfine magnetic fields in Fe-Ni

The 57Fe hyperfine magnetic field (HMF) distribution in bcc Fe-Ni alloys was calculated with a model of linear response of the 57Fe HMF to magnetic moments in the alloy. With the use of empirical parameters, the model largely accounts for the 57Fe HMF distribution at low temperatures. As shown by experiments with Si solutes in Fe-Ni, the anomalously strong temperature dependence of the 57Fe HMF in Fe-Ni is not due to the temperature dependence of the HMF response parameters. By analyzing the shape of the 57Fe HMF distribution, we find that this anomalous temperature dependence results from a large thermal sensitivity of the magnetic moments at those Fe atoms with more Ni atoms as nearest neighbors. This correlated with a strong temperature dependence of the recoil-free fraction and the second-order Doppler shift in Fe-Ni. We suggest that the large mean-square thermal displacement of Fe atoms in Fe-Ni is the cause of the anomalously strong temperature dependence, and we offer two explanations for this effect. Additionally, we have found evidence for a pseudodipolar interaction in Fe-Ni, and we also discuss the problems of parametrizing the 57Fe HMF solely in terms of the number of nearest neighbors of the 57Fe atom.
Real time character scaling and rotation

This paper describes a real time signal processing subsystem used to perform character scaling and rotation. First, the algorithms used in the subsystem are described. The algorithms were developed for performing sorting decisions on mail for the USPS. The computational complexity of the algorithms implemented in the subsystem is then reviewed, and finally the implementation of the algorithms in discrete logic, DSP's, and FPGA's is discussed.
Contrast of the Gender-Identity Scale with Bem's Sex-Role Measures and the MF Scale of the MMPI

A comparison was made of a recently developed instrument, the Masculine Gender-identity scale of Blanchard and Freund with other measures of sex-role, namely, the mf scale of the MMPI and Bern's (1974) sex-role inventory. Scores for 296 women and 200 men from introductory courses in psychology were minimally correlated. The analysis indicated that the masculine identity scale is an independent measure which has utility contingent upon questions asked about gender-related phenomena.
Colonic epithelial functional phenotype varies with type and phase of experimental colitis.

Abstract Background & Aims : Colonic crypt elongation occurs during both chronic colitis and in the recovery phase of acute colitis. The impact of these alterations on epithelial cell functions is not fully defined. Methods: DNA microarray analysis of freshly isolated colonic epithelial cells (CECs) from acute and chronic colitis was performed, and the results were confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Localization of the selected molecules was examined by immunohistochemistry using newly generated antibodies. The function of selected molecules detected in this study was examined by administering the specific inhibitors in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) colitis. Results: Several detoxification-associated molecules, which contribute to prevent inflammation by regulating physiological balance under normal conditions, were markedly down-regulated, and anti-inflammatory molecules, which are not normally expressed, were up-regulated in the CEC under the chronic colitis. Among the detoxification-associated molecules, carbonic anhydrase IV was specifically down-regulated in CEC of Th2- but not Th1-mediated colitis. Functionally, inhibition of carbonic anhydrase activity led to the enhancement of recovery from DSS-induced acute colitis by directly stimulating CEC proliferation. Increased expression of regeneration-associated molecules such as regenerating gene-IIIγ was detectable in the CEC of acute and chronic colitis but not in the recovery phase of colitis. The expression of this molecule was restricted in surface epithelium and upper crypts but not lower crypts. Conclusions: These studies suggest that functional alterations, which result in either the exacerbation or the suppression of colitis, coexist in the CEC during chronic colitis. CEC functions are likely to be differentially regulated in the context of the stage and mechanism of colitis.
Towards production FPGA-accelerated molecular dynamics: Progress and challenges

Recent work in the FPGA acceleration of molecular dynamics simulation has shown that including on-the-fly neighbor list calculation (particle filtering) in the device has the potential for an 80× per core speed-up over the CPU-based reference code and so to make the approach competitive with other computing technologies. In this paper we report on progress and challenges in advancing this work towards the creation of a production system, especially one capable of running on a large-scale system such as the Novo-G. The current version consists of an FPGA-accelerated NAMD-lite running on a PC with a Gidel PROCStar III. The most important implementation issues include software integration, handling exclusion, and modifying the force pipeline. In the last of these we have added support for Particle-Mesh-Ewald and augmented the Lennard-Jones calculation with a switching function. In experiments, we find that energy stability so far appears to be acceptable, but that longer simulations are needed. Due primarily to the added complexity of the force pipelines, performance is somewhat diminished from the previous study; we find, however, that porting to a newer (existing) device will more than compensate for this loss.
Democratisation, External Exposure and State Food Distribution in The Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with a ‘failed’ state, requires regular financial assistance from international funds and remains exposed to external economic pressures. State food distribution in the country, however, adheres to traditional statist policies and institutions that disappeared elsewhere in Latin America and the Caribbean during the 1980s and 1990s. Relevant literature arguably does not anticipate this outcome. This article proposes that political institutions associated with Dominican democratisation since the late 1970s, particularly strong presidentialism, a stable, non-ideological party system and high voter turnout at elections, provide incentives for a status quo, clientelistic policy in this strategic area of social policy.
A community-based test of a linguistic hypothesis

The Functional Compensation Hypothesis (Hochberg 1986a, b) interprets frequent expression of pronominal subjects as compensation for frequent deletion of agreement marking on finite verbs in Puerto Rican Spanish (PRS). Specifically, this applies to 2sg. tu where variably deleted word-final -s marks agreement. If the hypothesis is correct, finite verbs with agreement deleted in speech should co-occur more frequently with pronominal subjects than finite verbs with agreement intact. Likewise, social dialects which frequently delete agreement should show higher rates of pronominal expression than social dialects which less frequently delete agreement. These auxiliary hypotheses are tested across a socially stratified sample of 62 speakers from San Juan. Functional compensation does show stylistic and social patterning in the category of Specific tu, not in that of Non-specific tu. However, Non-specific tu is the key to frequency differences between -s-deleting PRS and -s-conserving Madrid; hence the Functional Compensation Hypothesis should be discarded. (Functionalism, compensation, null subject, analogy, Spanish, Puerto Rico)
Photochemistry of substituted cycloheptatrienes XIII: The dependence of quantum yields for sigmatropic hydrogen shifts on the excitation energy

Abstract The partial quantum yields in a substituted cycloheptatriene reversible system were measured to determine the dependence on the excitation energy. The quantum yields decrease significantly with increasing excitation wavelength. This is in accordance with the prediction from orbital symmetry considerations for a sigmatropic hydrogen shift. The chemical deactivation from higher excited states is able to compete with internal conversion processes. Furthermore the wavelength dependence of the partial quantum yields is interpreted with two different pericyclic minima in the excited state. The participation of conformers as a possible origin for the wavelength dependence of quantum yields is excluded.
Stress and hippocampal plasticity: implications for the pathophysiology of affective disorders.

The hippocampal formation, a structure involved in declarative, spatial and contextual memory, is a particularly sensitive and vulnerable brain region to stress and stress hormones. The hippocampus shows a considerable degree of structural plasticity in the adult brain. Stress suppresses neurogenesis of dentate gyrus granule neurons, and repeated stress causes atrophy of dendrites in the CA3 region. In addition, ovarian steroids regulate synapse formation during the estrous cycle of female rats. All three forms of structural remodeling of the hippocampus are mediated by hormones working in concert with excitatory amino acids (EAA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. EAA and NMDA receptors are also involved in neuronal death that is caused in pyramidal neurons by seizures and by ischemia and prolonged psychosocial stress. In the human hippocampus, magnetic resonance imaging studies have shown that there is a selective atrophy in recurrent depressive illness, accompanied by deficits in memory performance. Hippocampal atrophy may be a feature of affective disorders that is not treated by all medications. From a therapeutic standpoint, it is essential to distinguish between permanent damage and reversible atrophy in order to develop treatment strategies to either prevent or reverse deficits. In addition, remodeling of brain cells may occur in other brain regions. Possible treatments are discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cosmological limits on massive LSP ' $s$

Abstract The minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM) predicts the existence of a massive stable particle (the lightest supersymmetric particle, or LSP) which could make up the dark matter in the universe. The LSP is commonly considered to be either a photino or a certain linear combination of higgsinos. However, when the supersymmetry-breaking gaugino and higgsino masses are taken to be large (but ≲ 10 TeV), the LSP is typically either a bino (superpartner of the hypercharge gauge boson) or a different linear combination of higgsinos. We calculate in detail the annihilation cross section for these massive ( m ≳ 20 GeV)LSP's, and use the results to determine their relic abundance. We show that if the LSP is a bino, both it and at least one squark or slepton must have mass less than ∼ 350 GeV in order to avoid overclosing the universe. If the LSP is a higgsino, its mass must be less than ∼ 1 TeV in order to avoid overclosing the universe. We also study in detail the prospect that the dark matter is composed of one of these particles.
X-ray induced life-shortening mutations in Habrobracon: a genetic approach to senescence and duration of life.

Abstract Habrobracon males were exposed to X-radiation. Two mutations hich decreased the adult life span of mutant wasps isolated after screening the first-generation daughters of the irradiated mates. Both lethals produced a substantial decrease in longevity of mutant males. However, the mutations differed from each other as regards the time of onset of mortality, the range in days over which death occurred, and the appearance, or gross pathology, of the dead wasps. The existence of adult lethal mutations is interpreted to offer support for a developmental model for the control of duration of life. Termination of adult life as a consequence of a single gene mutation appears to mimic termination of preadult development through an analogous process. It is concluded that introduction of a genetic variable in the form of life-shortening mutations would prove useful in elucidating the role of genes in the control of adult life span.
A Preventable Outbreak of Tuberculosis Investigated through an Intricate Social Network

In 1998, a city in Indiana reported 4-fold increase in the number of cases of tuberculosis (TB). An investigation to assess the increase in cases and to identify possible epidemiologic links among persons with TB identified 41 cases of active TB. Epidemiologic links and/or matching DNA fingerprints were identified for 31 patients (76%). The majority of these patients were members of a single social network within the community. Links for most of these patients were identified after multiple interviews with patients and their contacts. TB control activities in the county were limited prior to the identification of the outbreak. At least 24 cases may have been preventable. This outbreak may have been prevented with prompt case identification and effective contact tracing and screening during the years before the outbreak. The use of social networks should be considered in the investigation of outbreaks that involve difficult-to-reach populations. TB control measures should be maintained in areas with historically low TB incidence.
The atmospheric model in the region 90 to 2000 km

A comprehensive revision of the MSIS-83 earth atmosphere model was undertaken to extend predictions to the mesopause, on the basis of temperature, density, and composition data obtained by sounding rockets, satellites, and incoherent scatter radars. Attention is presently given to a semiempirical model similar to MSIS-83, which incorporates additional terms in order to represent seasonal differences in the morphology of composition variations under both quiet and disturbed polar region conditions. The data base is expanded to include both composition and temperature data from the Dynamics Explorer-2 satellite.
Defining a mesenchymal progenitor niche at single-cell resolution

Most vertebrate organs are composed of epithelium surrounded by support and stromal tissues formed from mesenchyme cells, which are not generally thought to form organized progenitor pools. Here, we use clonal cell labeling with multicolor reporters to characterize individual mesenchymal progenitors in the developing mouse lung. We observe a diversity of mesenchymal progenitor populations with different locations, movements, and lineage boundaries. Airway smooth muscle (ASM) progenitors map exclusively to mesenchyme ahead of budding airways. Progenitors recruited from these tip pools differentiate into ASM around airway stalks; flanking stalk mesenchyme can be induced to form an ASM niche by a lateral bud or by an airway tip plus focal Wnt signal. Thus, mesenchymal progenitors can be organized into localized and carefully controlled domains that rival epithelial progenitor niches in regulatory sophistication.
Ordering Kinetics and Diffusion in Some L12 Alloys

A comparison is made of, ordering kinetics for Cu 3 Au, (T c = 388 ° C), Ni 3 Mn (T c = 500° C) Ni 3 Fe (T c = 517°C) and Ni 3 Al (T c = 1450 ° C), which all form the L1 2 superlattice, and these kinetics are correlated with diffusion data for the same alloys. Comparing different alloys, it is shown that for a fixed relaxation time for the establishment of order, the lower is the self-diffusivity, D s , of the slowest-diffusing species, the higher the critical temperature, T c , for the first appearance of order. Ni 3 A1, in particular, has an estimated D s of about 5 orders of magnitude lower, on average, than the three other alloys. The implications of this inverse relation between T c and D s are discussed in relation to published models for diffusion in ordered alloys and ordering kinetics.
A TOW-SAMPLE MULTIPLE DECISION PROCEDURE FOR RANKING MEANS OF NORMAL POPULATIONS WITH A COMMON UNKNOWN VARIANCE

A multiple decision approach to the problem of ranking populations according to their population means has been formulated by Bechhofer (1954). A single-sample solution to this problem was presented by him for the case of normal populations with known variances. In the present paper the case of normal populations with unknown equal variances is considered. A two-sample procedure is proposed as a solution to the latter problem; this procedure is of the type used by Stein (1945) for obtaining a test of Student's hypothesis with power independent of the variance. Tables are available which enable the experimenter to apply this procedure with little computational effort to the ranking of two or three populations with unknown but equal variances. The same tables can be used when the variance ratios are arbitrary and known. Graphic comparisons of the expected sample size are made for the single-sample and two-sample procedures.
Antibacterial Properties of Tannic Acid and Related Compounds against the Fish Pathogen Cytophaga columnaris

Abstract Tannic acid, gallic acid, and propyl gallate exhibited inhibitory activity as demonstrated by the agar dilution assay against Cytophaga columnaris (=Bacillus columnaris, Chondrococcus columnaris, Flexibacter columnaris, or Flavobacterium columnare), a ubiquitous gliding fish pathogen, at 150, 275, and 300 μg/mL, respectively, in modified Shieh medium, at a low-bacterial-inoclum density of 103–4 colony-forming units/mL. Methyl gallate was not effective at the highest concentration tested (500 μg/mL). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of gallic acid, methyl gallate, and propyl gallate were lower in natural pond water than in modified Shieh medium, whereas the MIC of tannic acid was the same in both. Tannic acid, a polymeric compound with multiple hydroxyl groups, had a greater capacity for binding protein and glycogen by at least nine times that of the other test compounds. The results suggest that the hydroxyl group availability of tannins is essential for antibacterial activity.
Probing copper ligands in denatured Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin: unfolding His117Gly and His46Gly mutants.

Azurin is a single-domain β-barrel protein with a redox-active copper cofactor. Upon Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin unfolding, the cofactor remains bound to the polypeptide, coordinating three ligands: cysteine-112, one histidine imidazole, and a third, unknown ligand. In order to identify which histidine (histidine-117 and histidine-46 both coordinate copper in native azurin) is involved in copper coordination in denatured azurin, two single-site (histidine to glycine) mutants, His117Gly and His46Gly azurin, are investigated here. Equilibrium denaturation experiments of His46Gly azurin loaded with copper demonstrate that copper remains bound to this mutant in high urea concentrations where the protein's secondary structure is lost. In contrast, for copper-loaded His117Gly azurin, copper does not stay coordinated upon polypeptide unfolding. The copper absorption at 370 nm in denatured His46Gly azurin agrees with that for copper in complex with a peptide corresponding to residues 111–123 in azurin, suggesting similar metal coordination. We conclude that histidine-117 (and not histidine-46) is the histidine copper ligand in denatured azurin. This is also in accord with the proximity of histidine-117 to cysteine-112 in the primary sequence.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus cDNA Metabolism: Notable Stability of Two-Long Terminal Repeat Circles

Early steps of retroviral replication involve reverse transcription of the viral RNA to yield a linear double-stranded cDNA copy and then integration of the viral cDNA into a chromosome of the host cell. A portion of the viral cDNA can also follow nonproductive pathways in which it becomes circularized. In one pathway, the ends of the linear cDNA become joined together by the cellular nonhomologous DNA end-joining system to form two-long terminal repeat (2-LTR) circles. It has been argued that 2-LTR circles are quickly degraded in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected cells, allowing the presence of 2-LTR circles to be used as a marker for ongoing de novo infection in patients. Following this idea, detection of 2-LTR circles in patients undergoing successful highly active antiretroviral therapy has led to the proposal that viral replication persists despite treatment. We have used fluorescence-monitored PCR (Taqman) to quantitate the metabolism of HIV cDNA early after infection. Contrary to previous work, we find that 2-LTR circles are actually quite stable in experiments where confounding variables are controlled. Thus, studies relying on the lability of 2-LTR circles are open to reinterpretation. We also used the quantitative PCR methods to analyze the effects of MG132, a proteasome inhibitor, which revealed that viral complexes containing mostly completed cDNAs are the primary substrates for proteasome-mediated degradation.
Differential infant and child mortality in Costa Rica: 1968–1973

Abstract In this paper the authors attempt to analyse the correlates of differences in infant and child mortality in Costa Rica for the period 1968–73. One approach uses small geographical units (cantons) as the unit for multivariate analysis, employing both single and simultaneous equation models. A second multivariate approach uses individual level statistics along with a specially constructed dependent variable. Costa Rica is studied because of an interest in differential child mortality during rapid fertility decline. The period is related to the use of the Census of 1973 as a primary source of data. Among the major findings are a strong favourable effect of provision of medical services on child mortality for small geographical areas and a strong effect of ambient infant mortality (influenced by medical and public health factors) on childhood mortality in the micro-analysis. Education of women remains important at both levels of analysis. Sanitation and level of socio-economic well-being have a weake...
Impact of short-term storage on frequency response under increasing wind penetration

Abstract In this paper, the effort is to study the impact of short-term storage technology in stabilizing the frequency response under increasing wind penetration. The frequency response is studied using Automatic Generation Control (AGC) module, and is quantified in terms of Control Performance Standards (CPS). The single area IEEE Reliability Test System (RTS) was chosen, and battery storage was integrated within the AGC. The battery proved to reduce the frequency deviations and provide good CPS scores with higher penetrations of wind. The results also discuss the ability of the short term storage to benefit the system by reducing the hourly regulation deployment and the cycling undergone by conventional units, by dint of their fast response; and sheds light on the economic implications of their benefits.
Biosynthesis of the IFN-γ binding protein of ectromelia virus, the causative agent of mousepox

Abstract Ectromelia virus (ECTV), the causative agent of mousepox, expresses an extracellular interferon-γ binding protein (IFN-γBP) with homology to the ligand binding domains of the IFN-γ high affinity receptor (IFN-γR1). Unlike the cellular receptor, the IFN-γBP binds IFN-γ from several species. The IFN-γBP is synthesized early after infection, accumulating in the extracellular milieu as dimers composed of two protein species with M r of 34.6 or 33.0 kDa. Homodimers are covalently linked by an interchain disulphide bond at position 216. The IFN-γBP has complex N-linked oligosaccharides at positions 41 and 149 as determined by site-directed mutagenesis and glycosidase treatment. Glycosylation at position 41 is required for secretion from mammalian cells and may play a role in the activity of the IFN-γBP. Glycosylation at position 149 is not required for secretion, and the lack of glycosylation at this site does not diminish ligand binding as measured by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and ELISA.
‘Don’t even trip, u did your part’: analysing community in online student talk

This paper analyses the online talk of students working in groups collaboratively in a hybrid university course. In particular, this study investigates how students situate themselves relationally through their use of language and how particular moments of talk contribute to the construction of community in an online classroom environment. The data suggest a strong sense of community across groups of learners, with student–student encouragement and peer acceptance emerging as the most salient themes. These findings are considered theoretically in relation to contemporary literature on accounts, facework, politeness and apologies. Practical issues and research avenues tied to classroom format and computer-mediated student culture are also discussed.
Time-resolved parametric studies of laser ablation using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Abstract The quantity of ablated mass and its composition strongly depend on the number of laser pulses and laser fluence at the sample target surface. For chemical analysis, thin-film deposition, cutting, and other laser-ablation applications, the quantity of mass removed vs. number of laser pulses is important. In addition, the composition of the vapor can be critical, for example, in providing accurate chemical analysis or well-defined thin film structures. In this work, mass ablation rate and ablated mass composition were studied by monitoring the time dependence of emission intensity using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP) during repetitive laser ablation at a single location on the sample target. Spectral emission intensity in the ICP is directly related to the quantity of mass ablated by the laser. The ratio of spectral emission lines in the ICP gives an indication of the relative composition of ablated constituents. In this work, a brass sample was ablated using several lasers with various properties. Emission intensities of Cu and Zn ionic lines, after the occurrence of an initial signal spike, increase with increasing number of laser pulses at high fluence, whereas at low fluence no significant changes were observed in the mass ablation rate. The zinc-to-copper ratio was used to monitor fractionation processes during repetitive laser ablation. The ratio increased with increasing ablation time at low fluence. In contrast, the ratio was almost constant, and close to the accurate level at high laser fluences. The effect of various laser parameters on the mass ablation rate and mass composition are discussed in this paper.
Workpiece temperature rise during the cutting of AISI 4340 steel

Abstract Temperature rises in workpieces were measured during the cutting of various hardnesses of steel by a ceramic tool. Thermocouples were embedded in a specially designed workpiece for the temperature measurement. This workpiece provided practical and accurate positioning of the thermocouples and it allowed the acquisition of reliable data from the cutting experiments. The effects of the workpiece hardness and cutting speed were examined and analyzed. The relationships between the workpiece temperature rise and residual stresses or structural change in a machined surface layer were discussed. It is concluded that the temperature rise in a steel workpiece during cutting by a ceramic tool is so low that it is less likely to cause any surface damage under normal conditions.
Interstitial irradiation as a salvage technique.

Forty patients with recurrent pelvic malignancies were irradiated using temporary /sup 192/Ir and/or permanent /sup 125/I implants. All patients had a previous course of pelvic irradiation to doses of 5,000 to 6,000 rad over five to eight weeks; patients with cervical and vaginal carcinomas had intracavitary irradiation as well (3,000 to 5,000 mg-hrs). Overall local control was achieved in 27 of 40 patients (67.5%); 13 of these patients remain alive to a minimum follow-up period of 2 years. Eighty percent of the patients experienced good paliation of pain, bleeding, lymphadema of legs, etc. Overall complicatin rate has been 20%, with three patients having developed enterovaginal and vesicovaginal fistulae. (JMT)
Immediate fat grafting in primary cleft lip repair.

Summary Background Successful cleft lip repair creates symmetric nasolabial morphology with minimal scar. Fat grafting is used in cosmetic and reconstructive settings to provide contour, condition tissue and aid healing. This study employs immediate fat grafting concurrent with primary cleft nasolabial repair. We hypothesize that simultaneous fat transfer is safe and may optimize the result. Methods This retrospective analysis included a series of consecutive infants who underwent primary cleft lip repair with immediate fat grafting. Demographic and peri-operative details were recorded. Post-operative photographs were analyzed by three blinded reviewers (Al-Omari et al. and Asher-McDade et al.). Kappa statistics were employed to assess inter-rater reliability (Randolph and Watkins MW). Results 30 children, 37 sides (13 left, 10 right, 7 bilateral; 62% complete, 38% incomplete) who underwent cleft lip repair at Yale were included. 20 underwent nasolabial repair with simultaneous fat grafting. Mean age of repair was 3.5 mo (range 1.5–6.4). Fat was hand suctioned from the thighs (15 left; 2 right; 3 both) with mean yield of 2.1 cc (range 1–5 cc). An average of 1.4 cc (range 0.5–2.5 cc) was injected to the philtrum, vermillion, piriform and ala. No complications were experienced with lip repair, fat harvest or graft injection. Mean follow-up was 24.7 months (range 12.4–60.2 months). Postoperative photographic assessment revealed minimal residual cleft stigmata with inter-rater reliability. Each ordinal score was statistically significant compared fat grafted repairs to those without fat grafting ( p Conclusions Simultaneous fat grafting and cleft lip repair can be performed safely. The augmentation and modulation of scar formation may optimize results. Prospective comparison is necessary to further corroborate our findings. Level of evidence Therapeutic (Level IV).
Modeling the pathways of energy balance using the N1E-115 murine neuroblastoma cell line.

A good in vitro model within which to investigate molecular interactions between feeding relevant neuropeptide systems has been lacking. Consequently, we began using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to screen various neuronal cell lines for the presence of feeding relevant neuropeptides and receptors. N1E-115 murine neuroblastoma cells have emerged as an attractive candidate for further analysis because they contain mRNA for a variety of key systems implicated in the regulation of energy homeostasis.
Self-directed treatment for premature ejaculation: Preliminary case reports

Abstract Two case reports provide preliminary evidence that couples can successfully treat premature ejaculation using instructional materials in conjunction with minimal therapist contact. Following written treatment instructions and with less than one hour of phone contact with a therapist, each couple was able substantially to increase intercourse duration. Pre-, post-, and eight month follow-up information was collected and a method for obtaining objective data on ejaculation latency is described.
Somatostatin coordinately regulates glucagon gene expression and exocytosis in HIT-T15 cells.

Somatostatin (SRIF) regulates secretion from several endocrine cell types. SRIF inhibits both insulin and glucagon secretion and reduces insulin gene expression. However, whether SRIF inhibition of glucagon secretion from the pancreatic alpha cell is mediated via pertussis toxin-sensitive G-proteins is not presently known, nor has it been determined whether SRIF can regulate glucagon gene expression. Consequently, we performed studies in the transformed islet cell line HIT-T15 to determine whether the inhibitory effect of SRIF on glucagon exocytosis is preserved in this cell line, whether this effect is mediated through a pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism, and whether SRIF has an inhibitory effect on glucagon gene expression. Confocal microscopy with immunostaining revealed that 15-25% of HIT-T15 cells contained glucagon. In static incubations forskolin (FSK, 1 microM) increased glucagon secretion 3.6 +/- 0.9-fold (P or = 10(-8) M and these inhibitory effects were completely prevented by pertussis toxin pretreatment. In addition to inhibiting glucagon secretion, SRIF significantly reduced both basal and FSK-stimulated glucagon mRNA levels and this reduction in glucagon mRNA was completely prevented by the addition of cyclic AMP analogue. Glucagon gene promoter activity, as assessed by transient transfection experiments, was stimulated 2.1 +/- 0.25-fold by forskolin (P < 0.01). This effect was significantly inhibited by SRIF (71 +/- 4% reduction from FSK alone, P < 0.04) suggesting that SRIF inhibition of the glucagon promoter may, at least in part, account for the observed decrease in glucagon mRNA levels. These studies uniquely demonstrate that glucagon secretion from the HIT-T15 cell line is inhibited by SRIF through a pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism and that SRIF also inhibits glucagon gene expression in part by reducing glucagon promoter activity. These findings indicate that SRIF can coordinately regulate glucagon delivery by the alpha cell both at the level of gene expression and hormone exocytosis.
The metabolism of glyceryl [35S]sulfoquinovoside by the coral tree, Erythrina crista-galli, and alfalfa, Medicago sativa

Abstract Glyceryl sulfoquinovoside, the deacylation product of the plant sulfolipid, occurs in important but variable concentrations in green plants. Metabolism of glyceryl sulfoquinovoside by leaves of alfalfa and other plants resulted in sulfolactate accumulation while leaves of the coral tree produced sulfoacetate. Identification of sulfolactaldehyde adds support for the operation of a sulfoglycolytic pathway for degradation of glyceryl sulfoquinovoside.
The Sodium Pump Modulates the Influence of INa on [Ca2+]i Transients in Mouse Ventricular Myocytes

To investigate whether activity of the sarcolemmal Na pump modulates the influence of sodium current on excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling, we measured [Ca(2+)](i) transients (fluo-3) in single voltage-clamped mouse ventricular myocytes ([Na+](pip) = 15 or 0 mM) when the Na pump was activated (4.4 mM K(+)(o)) and during abrupt inhibition of the pump by exposure to 0 K with a rapid solution-switcher device. After induction of steady state [Ca2+](i) transients by conditioning voltage pulses (0.25 Hz), inhibition of the Na pump for 1.5 s immediately before and continuing during a voltage pulse (200 ms, -80 to 0 mV) caused a significant increase (15 +/- 2%; n = 16; p < 0.01) in peak systolic [Ca2+](i) when [Na+](pip) was 15 mM. In the absence of sodium current (I(Na), which was blocked by 60 microM tetrodotoxin (TTX)), inhibition of the Na pump immediately before and during a voltage pulse did not result in an increase in peak systolic [Ca2+](i). Abrupt blockade of I(Na) during a single test pulse with TTX caused a slight decrease in peak [Ca2+](i), whether the pump was active (9%) or inhibited (10%). With the reverse-mode Na/Ca exchange inhibited by KB-R 7943, inhibition of the Na pump failed to increase the magnitude of the peak systolic [Ca2+](i) (4 +/- 1%; p = NS) when [Na+](pip) was 15 mM. When [Na+](pip) was 0 mM, the amplitude of the peak systolic [Ca2+](i) was not altered by abrupt inhibition of the Na pump immediately before and during a voltage pulse. These findings in adult mouse ventricular myocytes indicate the Na pump can modulate the influence of I(Na) on E-C coupling in a single beat and provide additional evidence for the existence of Na fuzzy space, where [Na+] can significantly modulate Ca2+ influx via reverse Na/Ca exchange.
Trimethoprim–Sulfamethoxazole Compared with Ciprofloxacin for Treatment and Prophylaxis of Isospora belli and Cyclospora cayetanensis Infection in HIV-Infected Patients: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

A 1-week course of trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole was effective in HIV-infected patients with cyclosporiasis or isosporiasis. Although ciprofloxacin was not as effective, it is acceptable for patien...
Using clustering information for sensor network localization

Sensor network localization continues to be an important research challenge. The goal of localization is to assign geographic coordinates to each node in the sensor network. Localization schemes for sensor network systems should work with inexpensive off-the-shelf hardware, scale to large networks, and also achieve good accuracy in the presence of irregularities and obstacles in the deployment area. We present a novel approach for localization that can satisfy all of these desired properties. Recent developments in sensor network clustering algorithms have resulted in distributed algorithms that produce highly regular clusters. We propose to make use of this regularity to inform our localization algorithm. The main advantages of our approach are that our protocol requires only three randomly-placed nodes that know their geographic coordinates, and does not require any ranging or positioning equipment (i.e., no signal strength measurement, ultrasound ranging, or directional antennas are needed). So far, only the DV-Hop localization mechanism worked with the same assumptions [1]. We show that our proposed approach may outperform DV-Hop in certain scenarios, in particular when there exist large obstacles in the deployment field, or when the deployment area is free of obstacles but the number of anchors is limited.
Social Activism and Disability Rates in American Indian Tribes

This study tests the hypothesis that the social activism that some American Indian tribes engaged in during the 1960s to 1990s improved their average health, as measured by 1990 rates of mobility and work disability. The hypothesis is tested on a subuniverse of 59 reservation units using conventional regression techniques, including a factor analysis that generated three factors: Socioeconomic status (SES), Claims Against the Government, and Cultural Renewal. SES predicted lower rates of both types of disability across the sample. The activism predictions were supported mainly in the Southwest region where Claims and Renewal predicted lower levels of physical limitations. In the non-Southwest tribes, only Claims predicted (weakly) fewer claims for work disability. Alternative hypotheses are discussed.
Shortest paths on polyhedral surfaces

An algorithm is presented that finds the shortest path between two points on a polyhedral surface in O(n5) time, where n is the number of vertices on the surface, thereby establishing that the problem can be solved in polynomial time. The path is confined to the surface, and shortest is defined in terms of Euclidean distance. The algorithm is an extension of methods developed by Sharir and Schorr for finding the shortest path on a convex polyhedron. We relax the convexity assumption, only requiring that the surface be orientable.
NF-κB inhibition markedly enhances sensitivity of resistant breast cancer tumor cells to tamoxifen

Studies show that high Akt activity in breast carcinoma is associated with endocrine therapy resistance. Breast cancer cell lines expressing a constitutively active Akt are able to proliferate under reduced estrogen conditions, and are resistant to the growth inhibitory effects of tamoxifen. Understanding the targets of Akt signaling mediating tamoxifen resistance is of clinical significance. One possible target is nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B), a transcription factor that plays a critical role in resistance to apoptosis and the induction of angiogenesis and invasion. In the present study, we found that Akt activity correlated with phosphorylation of I kappa B (the negative regulator of NF-kappa B), NF-kappa B DNA binding and tamoxifen resistance in vivo. Importantly, we found that co-treatment with the NF-kappa B inhibitor, parthenolide, or overexpression of I kappa B superrepressor restored tamoxifen sensitivity to our refractory Akt MCF-7 cells. These data suggest that activation of NF-kappa B via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway may be a significant mechanism for development of endocrine therapy resistance in breast cancer, and that inhibition of NF-kappa B may be an effective treatment strategy to limit the progression of this disease.
Anesthesia and the Control of Ventilation

The sections in this article are: 1 Assessment of Drug Effects on Breathing 1.1 CO2 Response 1.2 Hypoxic Response 2 Ventilatory Response to CO2 2.1 Inhalation Agents 2.2 Narcotics 2.3 Sedatives 2.4 Ventilatory Stimulants 2.5 Muscle Relaxants 3 Ventilatory Response to Hypoxia 4 Ventilatory Response to Loading 5 Ventilatory Drive and Timing 6 Conclusion
Homologous sequences in steroidogenic enzymes, steroid receptors and a steroid binding protein suggest a consensus steroid-binding sequence.

The amino acid sequences of two steroidogenic enzymes, P450c17 (steroid 17α-hydroxylase/17,20 lyse) and P450c21 (steroid 21-hydroxylase), are only 28.9% identical. However, these proteins share a region of 21 amino acids bearing 17 identical residues, which we previously suggested may represent the steroid binding site. We assembled a sequence database of known steroid-binding proteins and searched this with the sequence of this 21 amino acid region. The steroidogenic enzymes, P450c17, P450c21, P450scc (the cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme), and P450c11 (steroid 11β18-hydroxylase) share a subregion of 17 amino acids having at least 15 identical residues. Related sequences were identified in a computerized search of the available sequences of steroid hormone receptors and binding proteins. These sequences were invariably found within larger domains previously associated with steroid binding. From these we propose a more general consensus sequence of , where ± refers to any charged amino acid, and 0 r...
Benjamin Franklin and Science, Continuing Opportunities for Study

The books about Benjamin Franklin keep piling up, each fat tome ample evidence that the famous early American continues to fascinate people. Do we now know everything about the man? Probably not, and deanitely not when it comes to his work in science, which remains the elephant in the room. Science was the most important part of Franklin’s life, but, quite oddly, it is the least thoroughly and systematically examined part of that sprawling and eventful life. Franklin is the biographer’s delight and despair, not least because of his range of accomplishments—he seemed to do, see, or at least comment on everything. Several new catalogue-of-a-life biographies copiously document Franklin’s impact and accomplishments; other studies focus on his speciac contributions to many—almost too many—events and activities in the eighteenth century. Franklin wrote and published on nearly every topic imaginable. He took an active political role from the 1740s until his death in 1790; he was warrior, diplomat, peacemaker. He had strong yet, in the end, reverent opinions on religion. He was client of several men, then himself patron to many men and women. He was devoted to some members of his family but neglected others; he had many friends, but also enemies. He did brilliant experimental work on electricity, then left experimentation to others. He is ubiquitous and changingly meaningful, our eighteenth-century Zelig. Yet it is all old news. The benchmark comprehensive biography of Franklin appeared in 1938, with Carl Van Doren’s Benjamin Franklin. And comparably deanitive work on Franklin’s electrical experiments appeared with 1941 in I. Bernard Cohen’s scholarly introduction to Benjamin Franklin’s Experiments: A New Edition of Franklin’s Experiments and Observations on Electricity, followed by Cohen’s massively learned Franklin and Newton: An
Belief beyond the evidence: using the proposed effect of breakfast on obesity to show 2 practices that distort scientific evidence

Background: Various intentional and unintentional factors influence beliefs beyond what scientific evidence justifies. Two such factors are research lacking probative value (RLPV) and biased research reporting (BRR). Objective: We investigated the prevalence of RLPV and BRR in research about the proposition that skipping breakfast causes weight gain, which is called the proposed effect of breakfast on obesity (PEBO) in this article. Design: Studies related to the PEBO were synthesized by using a cumulative meta-analysis. Abstracts from these studies were also rated for the improper use of causal language and biased interpretations. In separate analyses, articles that cited an observational study about the PEBO were rated for the inappropriate use of causal language, and articles that cited a randomized controlled trial (RCT) about the PEBO were rated for misleadingly citing the RCT. Results: The current body of scientific knowledge indicates that the PEBO is only presumed true. The observational literature on the PEBO has gratuitously established the association, but not the causal relation, between skipping breakfast and obesity (final cumulative meta-analysis P value <10−42), which is evidence of RLPV. Four examples of BRR are evident in the PEBO literature as follows: 1) biased interpretation of one's own results, 2) improper use of causal language in describing one's own results, 3) misleadingly citing others’ results, and 4) improper use of causal language in citing others’ work. Conclusions: The belief in the PEBO exceeds the strength of scientific evidence. The scientific record is distorted by RLPV and BRR. RLPV is a suboptimal use of collective scientific resources.