cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Median Nerve Injury from Local Steroid Injection in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Local steroid injections for symptomatic relief of carpal tunnel syndrome have become common in the evaluation and treatment of this disorder; yet reports of median nerve injection injury from this practice are rare. We present a case of nerve injury from a steroid injection in a 24-year-old man with carpal tunnel syndrome that was successfully treated by division of the transverse carpal ligament and neurolysis. The histopathological characteristics of the lesion are presented, and the pathogenesis and treatment of this injury are discussed. Means of avoiding this complication include careful attention to anatomic landmarks as well as to the patient's subjective response during injection and avoidance of the use of local anesthetics.
Reachability analysis for a class of Petri nets

In this paper, we study the reachability problem for the class of (strictly) monotone Petri nets that we define based on algebraic conditions. More specifically, given a (strictly) monotone Petri net, an initial marking and a final target marking, we devise an algorithm that verifies if there is a firing sequence that leads the net from the initial marking to the final target marking. The algorithm operates essentially by enumerating markings that are reachable by finite firing sequences of length less than or equal to a bound which we characterize exactly. We also establish that reachability of the final target marking is possible for the initial marking if and only if reachability is possible within this bounded number of transition firings. The algorithm is important and useful for a variety of applications including fault diagnosis and control. As an example, we discuss how the algorithm can be used to determine if certain faulty or undesirable states are possible given a sequence of observations in a labeled Petri net. In addition, the algorithm can be used to verify whether a given model is deadlock-free (deadlock checking is recursively equivalent to the reachability problem) as a deadlock-free system model is a typical assumption in many fault diagnosis methods.
Imaging and Analysis of Single Optically Trapped Gold Nanoparticles Using Spatial Modulation Spectroscopy

The extinction cross sections and spectra of single nanoparticles can be directly measured by moving the particle in and out of a tightly focused laser beam. This technique, known as spatial modulation spectroscopy, yields detailed information about the size, shape, and environment of the particles. These experiments are typically done on particles immobilized on a substrate. Here we demonstrate for the first time the use of spatial modulation spectroscopy to interrogate single, optically trapped nanoparticles in solution. Gold nanoparticles as small as 15 nm were trapped and imaged. The experiments were performed by modulating the position of the probe laser beam while scanning it over the trapped particle with a galvo-scanning mirror system. This technique opens up the possibility of precisely measuring the optical properties of single nanoparticles in liquid environments, free from the influence of a surface.
Sodium nitroprusside-induced, but not desflurane-induced, hypotension decreases myocardial tissue oxygenation in dogs anesthetized with 8% desflurane.

Abstract Objective: To compare sodium nitroprusside (SNP)–induced hypotension with desflurane-induced hypotension for the effects on myocardial blood flow and tissue oxygenation in dogs. Design: Prospective, randomized, crossover, nonblinded. Setting: University teaching hospital. Participants: Male nonpurpose-bred hounds (n = 8). Interventions: Dogs were anesthetized with 8% desflurane. Catheters were inserted into the femoral artery and coronary sinus. A flow probe was placed in the left anterior descending (LAD) branch of the coronary artery. A sensor that measured myocardial oxygen pressure (PmO2) was inserted into the myocardium of the left ventricle. Myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) was calculated as LAD flow × arterial − coronary sinus oxygen content. Measurements and Main Results: Measurements were made at baseline blood pressure levels of 99 mmHg (measure 1), during hypotension to 62 to 66 mmHg using intravenous SNP or 14% desflurane (measure 2), and during SNP or 14% desflurane with blood pressure support using phenylephrine (measure 3). Each dog randomly received both hypotensive treatments, separated by 1 hour. Baseline measures were PmO2 = 46 ± 9 mmHg, LAD flow = 43 ± 11 mL/min, and MVO2 = 2.47 ± 0.73 mL O2/min. During hypotension induced with SNP, PmO2 decreased 30% (p
VINCRISTINE (VCR) THERAPY AND INAPPROPRIATE ANTIDIURETIC HORMONE SECRETION

Isolated examples of inappropriate ADH secretion following VCR therapy have been described. Stimulated by the observation of 3 separate episodes of inappropriate ADH secretion in a patient receiving VCR for acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL), an additional 6 patients with ALL were studied sequentially during initial remission induction. Patients received VCR (2 mg/M2) weekly × 3 doses and prednisone (40 mg/M2) daily for a period of 28 days while daily 24-hour urines were collected for ADH immunoassays. In 6 of 7 patients, significant increases in ADH secretion occurred during therapy. The greatest rise was usually seen in the 7th and 8th days following VCR, averaging 18.1 and 14.6 units/M2/day (normal baseline 3.1/M2/day), although in 3 of the 7 patients some increase in ADH secretion was also noted on day 3 and 4 post-VCR. In the index patient, ADH secretion reached a value of 283 units/M2/day and was associated with profound hyponatremia and seizures. The remainder of the patients remained asymptomatic and isosmotic. Increased ADH secretion appears to be a common occurrence following VCR administration. It should be anticipated in order to avoid complications.
Thromboxane/Prostaglandin Endoperoxide–Induced Hypertrophy of Rat Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Is Signaled by Protein Kinase C–Dependent Increases in Transforming Growth Factor-β

In the present study, we examined the effect of the thromboxane/prostaglandin endoperoxide analogue U46619 on proliferation and hypertrophy in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells and the roles of protein kinase C and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in the mediation of the hypertrophic response to U46619. Since an increase in basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was previously shown to mediate the hypertrophic response to U46619, we also assessed the relationship between bFGF and TGF-β in the expression of U46619 actions. U46619 increased [ 35 S]methionine incorporation into protein and protein content of vascular smooth muscle cells but had no effect on cell number. A role for TGF-β was supported by the following observations: (1) exogenous human TGF-β1 increased protein synthesis; (2) antibody to TGF-β blocked both TGF-β– and U46619-induced increases in protein content; (3) U46619 increased active and total TGF-β bioactivities; and (4) the actions of U46619 on protein content and TGF-β bioactivity were blocked by the thromboxane/prostaglandin endoperoxide receptor antagonist SQ 29,548. Previous observations had demonstrated a role for bFGF in the expression of U46619 actions on protein synthesis. Results of the present study suggest that TGF-β and bFGF interact in mediating the protein synthetic response to U46619. First, the concentration of exogenous TGF-β (10 pmol/L) alone required to produce a protein synthetic response equivalent to that induced by U46619 was much higher than the concentration of endogenous active TGF-β that accumulated in the media in response to U46619 (0.7 pmol/L). Second, bFGF (20 ng/mL) increased total TGF-β bioactivity and stimulated protein synthesis. The hypertrophic response to bFGF was blocked by anti–TGF-β. The ability of U46619 and bFGF to increase protein synthesis and protein content in vascular smooth muscle cells was associated with TGF-β–induced suppression of proliferation, as evidenced by the ability of antibody to TGF-β to enhance U46619- and bFGF-induced increases in [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. Results of the present study also supported a role for protein kinase C in the expression of U46619 and bFGF actions. U46619 increased protein kinase C activity in the particulate fraction of vascular smooth muscle cells. Moreover, the protein kinase C inhibitors GF109203X and staurosporine blocked U46619- and bFGF-induced increases in protein synthesis as well as active and total TGF-β bioactivities. By contrast, the protein kinase C inhibitors did not prevent the increases in protein synthesis induced by exogenous TGF-β. The results demonstrate that thromboxane/prostaglandin endoperoxide signals increased TGF-β bioactivity via protein kinase C. Increases in both bFGF and TGF-β are required for an optimal hypertrophic response to U46619. The hypertrophic response to TGF-β occurs through a protein kinase C–independent pathway.
Relativistic quantum transport coefficients

Abstract Transport coefficients for single-component Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein gases are calculated using the relativistic relaxation-time model developed in the previous paper.
Analysis of FT-IR spectroscopic data: The Voigt profile

Abstract A novel spectral analysis technique is presented for the determination of peak areas from spectra in which there are multiple overlapping peaks. The technique involves a combination of Fourier spectral analysis and profile modeling. Although the technique presented could be applied to many different types of problems (analysis of UV spectra or chromatographic results) it is applied here to the problem of determining, from Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, the peak areas which correspond to monomeric and hydrogen-bonded species. For FT-IR spectra it is found that the Voigt profile is better than either the Lorentzian or Gaussian profiles. Use of the Voigt profile leads to more accurate and descriptive spectral peak parameters and, in turn, to more accurate determinations of concentrations of monomeric and hydrogen-bonded species. The technique is demonstrated using the carbonyl peaks (monomeric and hydrogen-bonded) in the acetone/methanol/carbon tetrachloride system.
Enhancement of exploratory behavior by strychnine sulfate.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of strychnine sulfate on the exploratory behavior of male, Wistar rats in an open field. The number of times S reared in a stimulus square and the number of stimuli to which a S reared were recorded for both experimental and control Ss. Analyses of covariance performed on both measures of exploratory behavior showed that exploratory behavior was significantly increased by strychnine sulfate.
On meta-preferences and incomplete preference maps

The paper suggests that a consumer's specific preferences for goods are derived from underlying meta-preferences. In this context, the paper demonstrates that preferences for goods must always be incomplete. Hence, the problem of mapping out preferences should be considered an integral part of the consumer's basic optimization problem. In turn, this means that learning and innovation must play a role in the consumption process and that observed choices do not always reveal a consumer's underlying preferences. Some choices are made simply to try out new things and, whenever the consumer does not like the results, a choice will not be repeated. Accordingly, one cannot always rely on revealed preferences to predict future behavior.
Impact of Psychological Distress on Prostate Cancer Screening in U.S. Military Veterans.

The benefit of routine prostate cancer screening is currently under debate; however, many experts recommend that men with elevated risk for the disease discuss the potential risks and benefits of s...
The masking-level difference in low-noise noise

The masking‐level difference for a 500‐Hz pure tone signal was examined for an interaurally in‐phase noise having different degrees of power fluctuations. MLDs were reliably smaller in noise having relatively low power fluctuations. This effect was due to the following trends in the threshold data. (1) For all subjects, the So threshold improved as the degree of noise fluctuation decreased. (2) For some subjects, the Sπ threshold worsened as the degree of noise fluctuation decreased. (3) For some subjects, the Sπ threshold stayed constant as the degree of noise fluctuation decreased. These results are discussed in terms of comodulation masking release and the relevance of envelope cues for the MLD. [Work supported by AFOSR.]
A new approach to synthesis of periodic mesoporous organosilicas: taking advantage of self-assembly and reactivity of organic precursors

A new approach to the synthesis of multifunctional organosilicas that combines the self-assembly formation of an ordered mesostructure with chemical reactions for the creation of new organic groups is proposed. This strategy was employed to prepare ordered ethane–silica mesostructures with N-hydroxyurea and N,N′-ureidopropyl-(phenylboronic acid) groups formed because of using two reactive precursors in addition to a primary organosilane, bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane, the major component of the framework.
Contingencies governing the production of fricatives, affricates, and liquids in babbling

Studies of early-developing consonants (stops, nasals, and glides) in babbling have shown that most of the variance in consonants and their associated vowels, both within and between syllables, is due to a “frame” produced by mandibular oscillation, with very little active contribution from intrasyllabic or intersyllabic tongue movements. In a study of four babbling infants, the prediction that this apparently basic “frame dominance” would also apply to late-developing consonants (fricatives, affricates, and liquids) was tested. With minor exceptions, confirming evidence for both the predicted intrasyllabic and intersyllabic patterns was obtained. Results provide further evidence for the frame dominance conception, but suggest that the early rarity of late-developing consonants may be primarily a result of intrasegmental production difficulty. Fricatives, affricates, and liquids are relatively rare in babbling and early speech and have been subject to little systematic study. A complete characterization of babbling requires more attention to these sounds. Moreover, as a number of the sounds in these categories are subject to pronunciation difficulties in developing children, it seems desirable, from a clinical standpoint, to understand more fully the circumstances governing their production. This article presents intensive case studies of the production of these late-developing consonants (LDCs) in the babbling of four infants in an English-speaking environment. These consonants are compared with early-developing consonants (EDCs), which are stops, nasals, and glides. The low frequency of occurrence of LDCs in babbling The relative rarity of fricatives, affricates, and liquids in babbling of infants in English-speaking environments is well documented. The most comprehensive source of information available is Locke’s (1983) summary of three studies involving a total of 131 American infants. No instance of any of these sound
A comparison of the mutagenicity and macromolecular binding of the carcinogens Michler's ketone and reduced Michler's ketone

The mutagenicity of 4,4'-bis(dimethylamino)benzophenone (Michler's ketone, MK, CAS No. 90-94-8) and 4,4'-methylenebis(N,N-dimethyl)benzamine (reduced Michler's ketone, RMK, CAS No. 101-61-1) for Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100 was compared using activated 9000 X g (S9) liver supernatants from 2 animal species. RMK, but not MK, was mutagenic when incubated with phenobarbital-induced B6D2F1 mouse or Osborne-Mendel rat-liver S9. The mutagenic response for RMK was linear at doses from 1 to 33 micrograms/plate. A higher percentage of RMK and MK became irreversibly bound to mouse-liver macromolecules than to rat-liver macromolecules when incubated at 37 degrees C in the presence of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate.
Mechanical wounding and abscission in citrus

Fruit detachment force (FDF), ethylene evolution, fruit and leaf drop were determined in Citrus sinensis for periods up to 96 h after mechanical wounding. Injury by removing a thin section of mature fruit flavedo reduced FDF, increased ethylene evolution and promoted abscission. Injuring flavedo 1 cm below the calyx was more effective at reducing FDF than injuring flavedo at the equator or the blossom-end of mature fruit. Injuring the calyx or peduncle of mature fruit, or injuring three leaves closest to the mature fruit did not reduce FDF. Immature fruitlets either did not abscise or underwent low rates of abscission in response to mechanical wounding, depending on age. Inhibiting ethylene binding in wounded mature fruit with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) increased ethylene evolution compared with wounded fruit alone, but the reduction in FDF was similar. When an ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor (aminoethoxyvinylglycine, AVG) was used, reduction in FDF of wounded mature fruit exposed to AVG was similar to that of wounded fruit alone but ethylene production was markedly reduced. Wounding mature leaf blades in the presence or absence of 1-MCP resulted in elevated but equal ethylene evolution up to 48 h after wounding, however, no leaf drop occurred. Thereafter, ethylene evolution was higher in 1-MCP-treated wounded leaves. Removing up to 77% of the total mature leaf area did not cause leaf drop, nor did wounding tissue across the laminar or petiolar abscission zones. Leaflets of 5 mm length reached nearly 100% abscission after mechanical wounding, whereas wounding leaves 20 mm length resulted in 15% abscission. The data suggest that mechanical wounding of flavedo results in mature fruit abscission, and ethylene binding may not be mandatory to initiate abscission in citrus fruit. The differential response of fruit and leaves at different ages to wounding may be related to potential contribution to carbohydrate accumulation, and production and sensitivity of tissues to an abscission signal(s).
Peer clustering: a hybrid approach to distributed virtual environments

This paper proposes a hybrid architecture for distributed virtual environments, utilizing servers alongside peer-to-peer components. Current research into peer-based systems seeks to alleviate resource constraints, but it largely ignores a number of difficult problems, from bootstrapping and persistence to user authentication and system security (i.e., cheat resistance). This work proposes a hybrid architecture that turns the massive scale of the system from a problem into an asset, while still providing the features essential to a distributed virtual environment. Peers work together to distribute the workload, allowing redundant peer clusters to overcome failures and detect unacceptable behavior. The goal is to reduce cost and significantly increase the size of the concurrent user base while providing equivalent levels of robustness, persistence, and security. Simulations show that the hybrid architecture can handle massive populations.
Editorial: Sustainable Supply Chains

This editorial serves as an introduction to this book—it provides a brief overview of sustainability and traces the evolution of sustainability and sustainable supply chains over the last fifty years.
Comparative experiments with a Florida strain of Litomosoides carinii in Eastern and Texas cotton rats.

Abstract Eastern cotton rats, Sigmodon hispidus hispidus, and Texas cotton rats, Sigmodon hispidus texianus, were infected with a strain of filarial worms, Litomosoides carinii, derived from eastern cotton rats. During the first 23 days worms of a primary infection developed equally well in either strain of rats. Worms of superimposed infections were retarded in growth and development to a statistically significant degree in either strain of cotton rats harboring worms from a single previous infection.
The Expanding Cosmos of Nuclear Receptor Coactivators

About 200 coactivators play a central role in promoting gene expression mediated by nuclear receptors. This diverse group of proteins are key integrators of signals from steroid hormones and have been implicated in cancer and other diseases.
Tipover is NP-complete

TipOver began life as an online puzzle created by James Stephens, called the “The Kung Fu Packing Crate Maze” [7]. Now it also exists in physical form, produced by ThinkFun, the makers of Rush Hour and other multilevel challenge puzzles. Like Rush Hour, TipOver comes with a board and a set of pieces, and 40 challenge cards, each with a different puzzle layout. TipOver was Games Magazine’s puzzle of the year for 2005, and after playing it, it is easy to appreciate its simplicity, ingenuity, and challenge. Just how hard a puzzle is TipOver? Is there, perhaps, a clever algorithm for coming up with a solution to a given puzzle instance? Probably not. It turns out that TipOver, like Minesweeper [5] and some other puzzles, is NP-complete. Nobody knows how to solve NP-complete problems efficiently; this is the most famous unsolved problem of computer science. If we are given a TipOver puzzle on an n×n grid, we don’t know how to do better than a brute-force search of all the possible move sequences in order to solve the puzzle, and that takes time exponential in n.
Writing instruction for adolescents with learning disabilities: Programs of intervention research

Writing performance for a large number of adolescents, with and without learning disabilities (LD), in the United States is below the level required for success in college and in the world of work. Despite the importance of writing and students' with LD documented difficulties in this academic domain, writing intervention research for adolescents with LD is not as well established as research in other domains, such as reading. Programs of research in writing interventions for adolescents with LD, nevertheless, have provided frameworks for effective instruction for these students. Adapting criteria from Graham and Perin's (2007c)Writing Next report, 40 studies across six programs of research were located for our literature review in writing instruction for adolescents with LD. Based on the findings of these studies, instruction within two levels of support for adolescents with LD are recommended.
A Genomic Response to the Yeast Transcription Factor GAL4 in Drosophila

The yeast transcription factor GAL4 is widely used in Drosophila genetics to misexpress genes that are under control of the yeast upstream activator sequence (UAS). Here we show that high levels of GAL4 change the expression of many Drosophila genes in a UAS-independent manner, including genes that encode components of important signaling pathways. We find that at least part of the genomic response to GAL4 appears to be caused by effects of GAL4 on stress and immune response pathways. Finally, using the transcription factor Senseless as an example, we demonstrate how an interaction between GAL4 and a GAL4-driven protein can impede the use of the GAL4/UAS system in experiments aimed at determining the transcriptional response to a misexpressed gene.
Internal and External Logistics Information Technology Integration

While it is widely believed that information technology is a major differentiator of logistics performance, there has been limited research that empirically tests or characterizes this relationship. The current research investigates the relationship between logistics information technology (LIT) and logistics service performance. The objective of this research is to develop a framework for managers to understand logistics information technology applications and to justify LIT expenditures. The results offer direction for characterizing logistics information technology. The research describes how internal logistics information integration and customer integration can influence customer service performance. These results begin to dimensionalize logistics information technology and the impact it has on strategy and performance.
A job shop paradigm for software development and maintenance

Presents a job-shop approach for the stochastic processes of software development and maintenance. The author introduces a flexible job-shop process model using a modified waterfall and a stochastic network cost model. The advantages of such an approach are discussed, and the current research direction is described. >
Elevated blood pressure in urban emergency department patients.

Objectives: There has been little systematic study of emergency department (ED) patients with elevated blood pressure (BP) values. The authors sought to characterize ED patients with elevated BP values, assess presenting symptoms, and determine the prevalence of elevated BP after discharge. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study performed in four academic EDs. Adults presenting with systolic BP $140 mm Hg or diastolic BP $90 mm Hg were enrolled over a one-week equivalent period. Demographics, medical history, and symptoms were obtained by chart abstraction and structured interview. A random patient subset underwent a three-week follow-up interview. BP measurements were staged, using Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC-VI) criteria, according to the greatest value noted in the ED. Results: A total of 1,396 patients were enrolled. Stage 1 BP values were noted in 44.3%, stage 2 in 25.3%, and stage 3 in 30.3%. African American patients more frequently had stage 2 and 3 BP values than other ethnic groups. BP measurements were repeated in 61.1% of patients and were the same or greater in 51.3% of patients. Dyspnea was associated with greater BP values. Among the 63.9% of patients who were inter- viewed, 52.7% were not being treated for hypertension, and 42.1% of those with hypertension had recently missed a medication dose. Follow-up was obtained in 74.7% of those targeted. A visit to a medical practitioner since discharge was reported by 63.2%; of these, 26.1% reported that their BP remained elevated. Conclusions: Elevated BP is common among ED patients. African American patients are more likely than those of other ethnic groups to have greater BP values. The ED visit may be a good opportunity to identify patients with unrecognized or poorly controlled hyperten-
Control of Promatrilysin (MMP7) Activation and Substrate-specific Activity by Sulfated Glycosaminoglycans

Matrix metalloproteinases are maintained in an inactive state by a bond between the thiol of a conserved cysteine in the prodomain and a zinc atom in the catalytic domain. Once this bond is disrupted, MMPs become active proteinases and can act on a variety of extracellular protein substrates. In vivo, matrilysin (MMP7) activates pro-α-defensins (procryptdins), but in vitro, processing of these peptides is slow, with about 50% conversion in 8–12 h. Similarly, autolytic activation of promatrilysin in vitro can take up to 12–24 h for 50% conversion. These inefficient reactions suggest that natural cofactors enhance the activation and activity of matrilysin. We determined that highly sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAG), such as heparin, chondroitin-4,6-sulfate (CS-E), and dermatan sulfate, markedly enhanced (>50-fold) the intermolecular autolytic activation of promatrilysin and the activity of fully active matrilysin to cleave specific physiologic substrates. In contrast, heparan sulfate and less sulfated forms of chondroitin sulfate did not augment matrilysin activation or activity. Chondroitin-2,6-sulfate (CS-D) also did not enhance matrilysin activity, suggesting that the presentation of sulfates is more important than the overall degree of sulfation. Surface plasmon resonance demonstrated that promatrilysin bound heparin (KD, 400 nm) and CS-E (KD, 630 nm). Active matrilysin bound heparin (KD, 150 nm) but less so to CS-E (KD, 60 μm). Neither form bound heparan sulfate. These observations demonstrate that sulfated GAGs regulate matrilysin activation and its activity against specific substrates.
Abdominal Obesity and Dyslipidemia in the Metabolic Syndrome: Importance of Type 2 Diabetes and Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia in Coronary Artery Disease Risk

Regional body fat distribution has an important influence on metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors. Increased abdominal (visceral) fat accumulation is a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), dyslipidemia, hypertension, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. The recent emphasis on treatment of the dyslipidemia of the metabolic syndrome (hypertriglyceridemia, reduced high-density lipoprotein, and increased small, dense low-density lipoprotein particle number) has compelled practitioners to consider lipid-lowering therapy in a greater number of their patients, as one in two individuals over age 50 has the metabolic syndrome. Individuals with the metabolic syndrome typically have normal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and current lipid-lowering guidelines may underestimate their cardiovascular risk. Two subgroups of patients with the metabolic syndrome are at particularly high risk for premature CAD. One, individuals with type 2 diabetes, accounts for 20-30% of early cardiovascular disease. The second, familial combined hyperlipidemia, accounts for an additional 10-20% of premature CAD. Familial combined hyperlipidemia is characterized by the metabolic syndrome in addition to a disproportionate elevation of apolipoprotein B levels. The measurement of fasting glucose and apolipoprotein B, in addition to the fasting lipid profile, can help to estimate CAD risk in patients with the metabolic syndrome.
Defects, Energies, Hydrogen, and Structural Properties of Molecular-Dynamics Modeled a-Si:H

We use ab initio pseudopotential local-density-approximation methods to create and study related supercells containing 62 Si atoms and from 5 to 7 H atoms. In particular, we obtain energies and structural properties of H in different charge states that are passivating dangling bonds, in bond centered positions, and in other interstitial sites. The most striking result found is the rather large (of order 1 eV) spread of energies for a given type of defect, depending on its surroundings. We also find that changes in single particle energies or energy eigenvalues from defect to defect are not particular close to changes in the total energy and that the distinction, between bond centered H and a dangling bond plus an Si-H bond, is not as clear cut as one might think. The calculations also provide insights into possible migration mechanisms and energies for H movement.
Virtual Environments and the Enhancement of Spatial Behavior: Towards a Comprehensive Research Agenda

There is currently much research activity involving virtual environments (VEs) and spatial behavior (spatial perception, cognition, and performance). After some initial remarks describing and categorizing the different types of research being conducted on VEs and spatial behavior, discussion in this Forum paper focuses on one specific type, namely, research concerned with the use of VE technology for training spatial behavior in the real world. We initially present an overview of issues and problems relevant to conducting research in this area, and then, in the latter portion of the paper, present an overview of the research that we believe needs to be done in this area. We have written this paper for the forum section of Presence because, despite its length, it is essentially an opinion piece. Our aim here is not to report the results of research in our own laboratory nor to review the literature, as other available papers already serve these goals. Rather, the primary purpose of this paper is to stimulate open discussion about needed future research. In general, we believe that such a discussion can serve the research establishment as much as reports of completed work.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL TEXTURING USING LATTICES

The thesis investigates a way to perform realistic three-dimensional texturing of ray-traced objects that is especially useful for objects with irregular surfaces. Two similar existing methods are texture mapping and particle systems. The thesis describes these methods and points out their strengths and weaknesses. It then proposes an alternative to these methods that uses a construct called a lattice. Lattices make as fast ray tracers, but they are inexact. As long as lattices are used for small objects, though, their inexactness doesn't show on the scale of the display, and the result is acceptable. The thesis also shows how lattices fit with the more traditional largescale ray tracer, combining lattices with a Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) object model to pr?duce several examples. . Time and memory space considerations are major constraints on lattices. The thesis discusses these limitations and how they can be reduced.
Some physical-chemical properties of reduced-alkylated and sulphitolysed human serum transferrins and hen's-egg conalbumin.

1. Apparently all disulphide bridges of transferrin and conalbumin were broken by reduction–alkylation, whereas sulphitolysis resulted in incomplete cleavage of disulphide bonds. 2. The molecular weights of reduced–alkylated and sulphitolysed transferrin and reduced–alkylated conalbumin were identical with those of native proteins in a number of solvents, indicating that these proteins exist as single polypeptide chains. 3. Viscosity studies indicated that reduced–alkylated transferrin possesses a partially ordered structure in 0–4m-urea, assumes a random-coil configuration in 6m-urea with a molecular weight of 84000 and is partially aggregated in 8m-urea.
Healthy Aging: Nutrition Concepts for Older Adults

A lifestyle based on a healthy diet and regular physical activity delays the appearance of age-related changes and slows the development of chronic disease, morbidity, and disability. Age-related changes in nutrient requirements follow no general pattern but increase, decrease, or remain unchanged depending on the nutrient; at the same time energy needs continue to decline underscoring the importance of foods high in nutrient density. Both inappropriate weight gain and debilitating weight loss increase the risk of chronic disease and disability; loss of muscle leading to frailty and dependence can be prevented or reversed with strength training. Nutrient supplements may be needed as energy intake declines but recommendations should take into consideration individual needs, current medications, and food intake to prevent toxicity or dangerous interactions. Community nutrition programs providing congregate or home-delivered meals can help older individuals maintain appropriate intakes of important nutrients when loneliness, anorexia, limited resources, or disability make it difficult to obtain or prepare adequate and appropriate food.
Movement Primitives in the Frog Spinal Cord

We present evidence for the generation of stable convergent force field patterns and muscle synergies in the spinal cord of the frog. These synergies may form the bases of postural and trajectory adjustments. We present recent analyses which show that (1) similarly structured force fields underlie natural behaviors (2) the active fields underlying both microstimulation and natural behavioral force fields are structurally invariant but may be modulated in overall force amplitude and stiffness (3) these fields are drawn from a limited set of such fields (4) these invariant fields can be used to predict the termination position of limb endpoint trajectories in the unrestrained limb (5) in those instances tested multiple stimulations resulted in fields proportional to the vectorial summation of the fields resulting from single stimulations. This recent body of work suggests that we may view the spinal cord as possessing a small number of movement primitives: circuits that may specify invariant force fields which may be combined in a more or less flexible manner to produce adjustable behaviors.
Suggestibility and performance in eyelid conditioning

Performance in eyelid conditioning was found to be related to performance on one test of suggestibility (shock illusion) but not to another (body sway). In addition, inhibition of the UCR was found to be related to a failure to respond to the shock illusion. Less conclusive evidence indicated that voluntary responding maybe related to performance on the body-sway test.
Note on Multimodal Curves

In biological work one often comes up with data which are less homogeneous than one had hoped—in particular, with arrays that plot as multimodal curves. The ordinary text books of statistics used by biologists say nothing about such cases, and it seems that even a crude method of analysing them will be of use.
Simulator Sickness, Workload and Performance as a Function of Visual Delay in a Simulator

*† The main elements in this project were to observe the change in operator workload and performance with the increase of transport delay in the visual system, the level of simulator sickness and attempt to determine if one can use performance and workload measurements to evaluate the level of sickness in this particular simulator. Experiments were conducted at the Man-Machine Systems Laboratory at the SUNY at Binghamton. The simulator facility utilized during the experiments was the Advanced Mobile Operation Simulator (AMOS II), manufactured by the DORON Precision Corp. Four different added visual transport delay conditions were subject to investigation: 0 ms, 33 ms, 99 ms, 165 ms. Various performance parameters, such as steering wheel deflection, accelerator and break pedal usage, vehicle state, etc., were measured during each experimental run. However, for this particular study the performance analysis was concentrated on the steering activity data. The Power Spectrum Density of the steering control input was evaluated and statistically analyzed. The thrust of the paper is the comparison between the expected results (changes in workload level, performance changes and simulator sickness level due to visual delay in the system) and the collected data. Results are presented and conclusions are drawn.
The pale blue slide: avoiding myx-ups and mishaps in cutaneous myxoid tumors

Abstract Myxoid or mucinous background change is a common finding in a wide variety of cutaneous tumors and other diseases. Myxoid tumors often have overlapping features and may show significant heterogeneity from area to area within a given specimen and from individual case to case. As prognosis and treatment vary considerably between many of these entities, accurate diagnosis is essential. This article will discuss some of the more pertinent cutaneous myxoid mesenchymal tumors with a focus on key diagnostic features. Entities discussed include superficial angiomyxoma (cutaneous myxoma), superficial acral (digital) fibromyxoma, dermal nerve sheath myxoma (conventional neurothekeoma), myxoid dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, giant cell fibroblastoma, low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma, myxofibrosarcoma, and myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma.
Analysis of S 2 -Valued Maps and Faddeev’s Model

In this paper we consider a generalization of the Faddeev model for the maps from a closed three-manifold into the two-sphere. We give a novel representation of smooth S2-valued maps based on flat connections. This representation allows us to obtain an analytic description of the homotopy classes of S2-valued maps that generalizes to Sobolev maps. It also leads to a new proof of an old theorem of Pontrjagin. For the generalized Faddeev model, we prove the existence of minimizers in every homotopy class.
THE MANY WAVELENGTHS OF LIGHT

How do you measure the wavelength of an electromagnetic wave? The standard technique is to split the beam into two partial waves, allow these waves to travel independently for a time, and then measure their interference as a function of the phase difference between the two paths. This technique uniquely determines the wavelength of an electromagnetic wave, and the result is independent of the quantum state of the wave. However, this seemingly obvious result is not so obvious if we look at the definition of wavelength from a quantum-mechanical point of view.
Separations by Continuous Annular Chromatography

We review the application of continuous annular chromatography to the separation of biological materials. The process allows truly continuous chromatographic separations of multicomponent mixtures using a rotating annular bed of sorbent. The theory of operation of the device and specific applications for the separation of sugars, amino acids and proteins are discussed.
Chapter 4 – RET Signaling in Ureteric Bud Formation and Branching

The ureteric bud (UB) is an epithelial tube that arises from the nephric duct and branches repetitively to give rise to the renal collecting duct system while also generating inductive signals that promote nephrogenesis by surrounding metanephric mesenchyme (MM) cells. Defects in UB growth and branching can lead to renal agenesis, hypodysplasia, and other congenital abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract. A key signal that promotes UB morphogenesis is glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a protein secreted by MM cells that signals to UB cells via the rearranged in transformation (RET) receptor tyrosine kinase and the coreceptor GDNF family receptor α1. This chapter presents a short introduction to the process of UB growth and branching and then focuses on the effects of RET pathway mutations on kidney development in mice and humans, the regulation of Gdnf and Ret expression, the signaling pathways and genes that act downstream of RET, cooperation between GDNF and fibroblast growth factor signaling, the role of RET in patterning the UB, and the cellular behaviors by which RET may influence UB formation and branching morphogenesis.
Comparison of S 1 with Open-Pollination Progenies in Selection for Yield in Crested Wheatgrass

Genetic gain from selection for high dry matter yield in most cross-pollinated forage grasses has been an elusive goal, in spite of sustained breeding efforts. This study was conducted to determine the value of one generation of self-pollinating (S 1 ) before selection for yield in crested wheatgrass (Agropyron spp.). Dry matter yields were compared at two locations near Mandan, ND, for synthetic populations derived from selection among and within S 1 or among and within open-pollination (OP) progenies from three source populations. Within each source population, the 20 parents used to produce S 1 progenies were in common with the 20 maternal parents of the OP progenies. Soil was a Parshall fine sandy loam (coarse-loamy, mixed, superactive, frigid Pachic Haplustolls) at Location 1 and a Wilton silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, superactive, frigid Pachic Haplustolls) at Location 2. In space-plant tests, S 1 family means for dry matter yield averaged 52% of OP family means, indicating high levels of inbreeding depression. In solid-seeded tests, yield differences between S 1 - and OP-derived synthetic populations were significant (P ≤ 0.05) for only one comparison. On the basis of three distinct source populations, we found that S 1 and OP families were both effective when used as the selection unit to choose high yielding parents for synthetic populations. Additional resources required to produce and evaluate S 1 families over OP families could not be justified in the crested wheatgrass source populations evaluated in this study.
miRNA in Macrophage Development and Function

Abstract Significance: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) control cellular gene expression via primarily binding to 3′ or 5′ untranslated region of the target transcript leading to translational repression or mRNA degradation. In most cases, miRNAs have been observed to fine-tune the cellular responses and, therefore, act as a rheostat rather than an on/off switch. Transcription factor PU.1 is a master switch that controls monocyte/macrophage development from hematopoietic stem cells. Recent Advances: PU.1 induces a specific set of miRNAs while suppressing the miR17-92 cluster to regulate monocyte/macrophage development. In addition to development, miRNAs tightly control the macrophage polarization continuum from proinflammatory M1 or proreparative M2 by regulating expression of key transcription factors involved in the process of polarization. Critical Issues: miRNAs are intricately involved with fine-tuning fundamental macrophage functions such as phagocytosis, efferocytosis, inflammation, tissue repair, and tumor prom...
Stereoselective Synthesis of Cyclic Guanidines by Directed Diamination of Unactivated Alkenes

A method for a directed stereoselective guanidinylation of alkenes is described. The guanidine unit can be delivered as an intact fragment by a hydroxy or carboxy group, usually with a high level of stereocontrol. After the guanidine delivery, the directing group can be cleaved under exceptionally mild conditions, typically by alcoholysis in the presence of acetic acid. Broad functional group tolerance and mild reaction conditions for the cycloguanidilation suggest applications in medicinal chemistry and natural products synthesis.
Meteorología mesoescalar en Marte

The revitalizing of Mars exploration in the early 1990s combined with the maturation of terrestrial mesoscale modeling codes provided fertile ground for the application of suitably modified models to the atmosphere of Mars. The use of mesoscale models, particular for Mars, has become an integral part of interpreting the data returned from missions and providing constraints and bounds on environmental conditions in support of mission planning and operations. Mesoscale models are ideal tools for greatly minimize risk during entry, descent, and landing phases. Slope winds, dust injection processes and atmospheric volatiles transport are the main Mars mesoscale circulations that affect the atmospheric structure and dynamics. In this article is also included as an example the meteorological simulation of Gale Crater environment, in which the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Rover Curiosity landed in August 2012, with the spanish weather station Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS) aboard. The observational data record provides sufficient means against which to evaluate mesoscale model. Meteorological interpretations show a dynamically complex environment. Local, regional and synoptic scales all interact in nonlinear ways to produce the observed weather. Two different atmospheric periods could be distinguished inside the crater: semi-isolated period during most of the martian year (Ls 0, 90 and 180) and mixing period during the summer (Ls 270). During the semi-isolated period, warm air from south overrides the crater creating a very stable boundary layer. Crater air mass is generally much colder than outside the crater forcing downslope flows, thermodynamically driven, to not scour crater and hence decreasing mixing level in this period. Ls 270 was shown to be an anomalous season when air within and outside the crater was well mixed by strong, flushing, northerly flow and large amplitude breaking mountain waves. At other seasons, the air in the crater was more isolated form the surrounding environment.
Similar to the category, but not the exemplars: A study of generalization

Reference point approaches have dominated the study of categorization for decades by explaining classification learning in terms of similarity to stored exemplars or averages of exemplars. The most successful reference point models are firmly grounded in the associative learning tradition—treating categorization as a stimulus generalization process based on inverse exponential distance in psychological space augmented by a dimensional selective attention mechanism. We present experiments that pose a significant challenge to popular reference point accounts which explain categorization in terms of stimulus generalization from exemplars, prototypes, or adaptive clusters. DIVA, a similarity-based alternative to the reference point framework, provides a successful account of the human data. These findings suggest that a successful psychology of categorization may need to look beyond stimulus generalization and toward a view of category learning as the induction of a richer model of the data.