cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Honoring Charles Spencer Chaplin (1889–1977): A Centennial Review of Literature

The silhouette of the little fellow with baggy trousers, decrepit oversize shoes, undersize derby, frayed short cutaway, sporting a bamboo cane and jet black mustache is recognized worldwide. Charlie Chaplin's slight 5′ 4″ stature complemented that costume, his symbol for a lifetime. Hunched shoulders, sorrowful face, and frightened air made Charlie look all the more vulnerable. As early as 1916, the reputable English magazine Tatler commented, “The lineaments of Mr. Chaplin are known to the uttermost ends of the earth and his face may be described as one upon which the sun never sets.”
The optical melting point in polymers

Abstract A method is proposed for determining the melting point of a polymer by optical microscopy. The results are shown to be identical with dialometrically obtained melting points, but significantly higher than the “birefringence disappearance” points used previously for the optical determination of melting point.
Brazilian emerging multinationals: A conduit for export of technology

Exports of technology by newly industrializing countries are an important development in the global economy. Foreign direct investment is one dimension of these technological trends. Multinational companies from Brazil, South Korea, India, Mexico, and other countries are currently operating in several markets around the globe. In the case of Brazil, exports of technology constitute an important step toward further diversification of exports and gains in global competitiveness. This article shows that Brazilian multinationals have engaged in the exportation of indigenous technology in areas where the level of sophistication is relatively high, encompassing a number of diverse industries, and showing a tendency to invest beyond its regional boundaries. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Incidence and surgical repair rates of hypospadias in New York state.

Abstract Objectives. To determine the trend of hypospadias incidence in New York State (NYS) by retrospectively evaluating both the incidence and surgical repair rates of hypospadias. Epidemiologic studies in the United States and Europe have suggested an observable trend in the incidence of hypospadias during the past 30 years. A comparison of the results from these studies, however, revealed inconsistent trends. Methods. The incidence and surgical repair rates of hypospadias between 1983 and 1995 were extracted from the Congenital Malformations Registry and State Wide Planning Research Cooperative System of NYS. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to determine the direction and magnitude of change. Results. Neither the incidence nor the repair rates of hypospadias in NYS between 1983 and 1995 changed significantly during the course of these 12 years ( r = −0.225, P = 0.45 and r = −0.010, P = 0.92, respectively). Conclusions. The results demonstrated no statistically observable trend in either the incidence or surgical repair rates of hypospadias in NYS between 1983 and 1995.
Behavioral, molecular and integrative mechanisms of amphibian osmoregulation.

Amphibian water balance has been studied at many levels of biological order. Terrestrial species must react to environmental cues that relate to water availability while some arboreal species have cutaneous skin secretions that can reduce evaporative water loss. The Indian tree frog, Polypedates maculatus, uses cutaneous secretions and wiping behavior to lower evaporation but also relies on moist microclimates to endure prolonged survival away from water. The related species, P. Leucomystax, inhabits wetter forest habitats. Preliminary studies with this species are unable to demonstrate the expression of wiping behavior, indicating that arid habitats may be a powerful selective force for this behavior. Laboratory experiments on rehydrating toads in the genus Bufo indicate that animals are able to detect changes in barometric pressure and humidity that might result in the availability of water under field situations. Experiments with Bufonid species and with spadefoot toads, Scaphiopus couchi, show that the peptide hormone, angiotensin II, stimulates cutaneous drinking in a similar manner seen for oral drinking by other vertebrate classes. Amphibian tissues have long been used as a model for the study of basic physiological principles of epithelial ion and water transport. Recent progress with tissue cultures has provided information on the molecular structure of ion and water channels that can be applied to obtain a better understanding, at the molecular level, of ion and water balance strategies used by the wide variety of amphibian species. Terrestrial amphibians are more tolerant of dehydration than are other vertebrates and are able to store dilute urine in their urinary bladder. Toads appear to be able to detect the presence of water in their bladders in addition to the availability of water in their environment. Dehydrated toads are able to rehydrate very rapidly by the coordination of behavioral and physiological mechanisms to enhance cutaneous water absorption. The integration of behavior with cutaneous water gain, renal handling of ions and water and the role of the lymphatic system in overall water balance involves complex interactions between neural and hormonal factors. Experiments are summarized that describe the contribution of individual factors however much more information is needed before the nature of these interactions are fully understood. J. Exp. Zool. 283:662–674, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cardiac Myosin Is a Substrate for Zipper-interacting Protein Kinase (ZIPK)

Zipper-interacting protein kinase (ZIPK) is a member of the death-associated protein kinase family associated with apoptosis in nonmuscle cells where it phosphorylates myosin regulatory light chain (RLC) to promote membrane blebbing. ZIPK mRNA and protein are abundant in heart tissue and isolated ventricular neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. An unbiased substrate search performed with purified ZIPK on heart homogenates led to the discovery of a prominent 20-kDa protein substrate identified as RLC of ventricular myosin. Biochemical analyses showed ZIPK phosphorylated cardiac RLC at Ser-15 with a Vmax value 2-fold greater than the value for smooth/nonmuscle RLC; cardiac RLC is a favorable biochemical substrate. Knockdown of ZIPK in cardiac myocytes by small interfering RNA significantly decreased the extent of RLC Ser-15 phosphorylation. Thus, ZIPK may act as a cardiac RLC kinase and thereby affect contractility.
Experimental Study of Micro Tools Fabricated by Electrochemical Machining

Accurate and precise micro tools are essential for the micromachining of highly complex features in a wide variety of engineering materials including metals and ceramics. Simple shapes like cylindrical rods with micrometer level dimensions are increasingly being used as micro tools in processes such as micro ultrasonic machining. High aspect ratio tools are necessary to produce deep micro holes and other high aspect ratio structures. Micro tools produced by the well known wire electro-discharge grinding suffer from deformation due to the thermal stresses. Therefore, alternate micro tool manufacturing techniques are being explored actively. In this paper, the manufacturing of micro tools by micro electrochemical machining (ECM) is discussed. The micro tools are made under different experimental conditions using an in-house built micro electrochemical machining system and analyzed for tool tip radii and cone angles. Further, the feasibility of extremely high aspect ratio micro tools is studied. Using micro ECM, micro tools having mean diameters of 10 microns with tips as small as 50 nm and aspect ratios of the order of 300 are achieved.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Johnny won’t read, and Susie won’t either: Reading instruction and student resistance

Why are children off task? What is going on in classrooms where a majority of children are off task? In this study we analyzed primary-grade classroom literacy instruction in which there was considerable off-task behavior. Using Turner and Paris’s frame for understanding student motivation in the classroom, we analyzed 73 activity settings where students were off task at least 25 percent of the time for instructional characteristics positively associated with student motivation: choice, challenge, control, collaboration, constructing meaning, and consequences. Student off-task behavior was prevalent in classrooms where few of these six variables were present and instructional tasks were characterized as ‘closed’, i.e. where the products and processes were predetermined. Where there was indication of a high degree of off-task behavior, a disproportionately high number (23 of the 28 data sets) were from classrooms that used scripted literacy instructional programs. Findings are interpreted using both psycho...
Evolution and Performance of Exchange Rate Regimes

Using recent advances in the classification of exchange rate regimes, this paper finds no support for the popular bipolar view that countries will tend over time to move to the polar extremes of free float or rigid peg. Rather, intermediate regimes have shown remarkable durability. The analysis suggests that as economies mature, the value of exchange rate flexibility rises. For countries at a relatively early stage of financial development and integration, fixed or relatively rigid regimes appear to offer some anti-inflation credibility gain without compromising growth objectives. As countries develop economically and institutionally, there appear to be considerable benefits to more flexible regimes. For developed countries that are not in a currency union, relatively flexible exchange rate regimes appear to offer higher growth without any cost in credibility.
Short-term retention and similarity of word length

The short-term retention of lists containing word quadruples identical in length was measured by the Peterson method. Nine blocks of three lists were presented. The successively presented lists comprising a block contained words identical in length, 3, 6, or 9 letters, while word length varied across blocks. Overall retention declined with increasing word length. Retention also declined with increasing number of successive lists containing words of a common length and increased when immediately preceding lists contained words of different length, indicating that proactive interference varies as a function of the similarity in length of recently stored items
Pulmonary loiasis and HIV coinfection in rural Cameroon.

The author has declared that no competing interests exist. The author received no funding for this work.
Regulation of heme and drug metabolism activities in the brain by manganese

Abstract A novel effect of metal ions in the brain is described. Mn was found to alter heme metabolism and the cytochrome P-450-dependent mixed-function oxidase activities in rat brain. A more than 2-fold increase in benzo(α)pyrene hydroxylase and 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylase activities were observed in the brain of rats treated for 7 days with Mn. The increases were regionally distributed; the highest elevations were observed in the hippocampus, pons and the caudate putamen. Moreover, in rats treated with Mn for 1 or 7 days a marked depression in the activity of the mitochondrial ALA synthetase was observed. The activity of the microsomal heme oxygenase was also inhibited at 7 days, but not 1 day, after Mn treatment. These inhibitions were reflected in an initial decrease, followed by a rebound return to normal, in the concentration of cytochrome P-450 in the brain. Mn was ineffective in vitro in altering heme and drug metabolism activities. It is suggested that Mn-mediated alterations in heme metabolic activities promote changes in the composition of cytochrome P-450 species in the brain microsomal fractions, such that the relative concentrations of the molecular species which catalyse aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity become selectively increased.
Strong decays of light vector mesons

The vector meson strong decays $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\rho}}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi},$ $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\varphi}}KK,$ and ${K}^{\ensuremath{\star}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}K$ are studied within a covariant approach based on the ladder-rainbow truncation of the QCD Dyson-Schwinger equation for the quark propagator and the Bethe-Salpeter equation for the mesons. The model preserves the one-loop behavior of QCD in the ultraviolet regime, has two infrared parameters, and implements quark confinement and dynamical chiral symmetry breaking. The three-point decay amplitudes are described in impulse approximation. The Bethe-Salpeter study motivates a method for estimating the masses of heavier mesons within this model without continuing the propagators into the complex plane. We test the accuracy via the $\ensuremath{\rho},$ $\ensuremath{\varphi},$ and ${K}^{\ensuremath{\star}}$ masses and then produce estimates of the model results for ${m}_{{a}_{1}}$ and ${m}_{{b}_{1}},$ as well as the proposed exotic vector ${\ensuremath{\pi}}_{1}(1400).$
The symmetric maximum entropy distribution

Abstract The symmetric maximum entropy (ME) distribution is introduced based on symmetrized order statistics. Its properties (including higher-order moments) are compared with those of the non-symmetric ME distribution.
Using Student Test Scores to Measure Teacher Performance: Some Problems in the Design and Implementation of Evaluation Systems.

Our aim in this article is to draw attention to some underappreciated problems in the design and implementation of evaluation systems that incorporate value-added measures. We focus on four: (1) taking into account measurement error in teacher assessments, (2) revising teachers’ scores as more information becomes available about their students, and (3) and (4) minimizing opportunistic behavior by teachers during roster verification and the supervision of exams.
[Co(4)O(4)](4+) Cubane Core as a Brønsted Base: Preparation and Properties of [Co(4)O(3)(OH)(O(2)CR)(2)(bpy)(2)](3+) and [Co(4)O(2)(OH)(2)(O(2)CR)(2)(bpy)(2)](4+) Salts.

The preparation and properties are described of complexes resulting from the mono- and diprotonation of the [Co(4)O(4)](4+) unit to give products containing [Co(4)O(3)(OH)](5+) and [Co(4)O(2)(OH)(2)](6+), respectively. Treatment of [Co(4)O(4)(O(2)CC(6)H(4)-p-OMe)(2)(bpy)(4)](2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) in MeCN with 70% perchloric acid leads to isolation of [Co(4)O(2)(OH)(2)(O(2)CC(6)H(4)-p-OMe)(2)(bpy)(4)](ClO(4))(4) (5) in 61% yield. Treatment of [Co(4)O(4)(O(2)CC(6)H(4)-p-Me)(2)(bpy)(4)](2+) in MeCN with an acidic solution of (NH(4))(3)[Ce(NO(3))(6)] leads to isolation of [Co(4)O(3)(OH)(O(2)CC(6)H(4)-p-Me)(2)(bpy)(4)][Ce(NO(3))(6)] (6) in 96% yield. Complex 5.3MeCN.H(2)O crystallizes in monoclinic space group C2/c with (at -155 degrees C) a = 33.838(8) A, b = 13.826(3) A, c = 29.944(7) A, beta = 98.84(1) degrees, and Z = 8. Complex 6.PhCN.H(2)O crystallizes in orthorhombic space group Pbca with (at -154 degrees C) a = 22.603(4) A, b = 34.759(6) A, c = 18.167(3) A, and Z = 8. The complexes contain [Co(4)O(2)(OH)(2)](6+) (5) and [Co(4)O(3)(OH)](5+) (6) distorted-cubane cores, the sites of protonation being apparent by (i) the approach of ClO(4)(-) or [Ce(NO(3))(6)](3)(-) anions to within hydrogen-bonding distances (O.O approximately 2.7 A) and (ii) the longer Co-OH(-) bond lengths compared with Co-O(2)(-) bond lengths. Peripheral ligation is provided by chelating bpy and syn,syn-bridging RCO(2)(-) groups. The Co(III) atoms are six-coordinate and approximately octahedral. Solution studies show that the diprotonated species is a strong diprotic acid analogous to H(2)SO(4); the first deprotonation goes to completion, but the monoprotonated species is a weak acid and is in equilibirium with the nonprotonated species. pH studies in aqueous solution yield a pK(a2) value of 3.15 for the second deprotonation. Electronic and (1)H NMR spectra of the diprotonated complexes in various solvents are consistent with the monoprotonated complex being the major species in solution. The combined results demonstrate that the [Co(4)O(4)](4+) core is capable of acting as a Bronsted base, undergoing either one or two protonation reactions.
Familial resemblance in ventilatory threshold: the HERITAGE Family Study.

GASKILL, S. E., T. RICE, C. BOUCHARD, J. GAGNON, D. C. RAO, J. S. SKINNER, J. H. WILMORE, and A. S. LEON. Familial resemblance in ventilatory threshold: the HERITAGE Family Study. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 33, No. 11, 2001, pp. 1832–1840. Purpose:This study investigates the familial resemblance
Characterization of the folate-binding proteins associated with the plasma membrane of rat liver

Unsaturated folate-binding proteins (i.e., apo forms) have been identified with the plasma membranes of rat liver by the binding of [3H]pteroylglutamic acid. Normal rat liver contains very little of the folate-binding apoproteins, but the folate-binding capacity increases substantially when the rats are made folate-deficient. This increase appears to be due to unsaturation of the folate-binding holoproteins rather than to synthesis of additional protein, because the binding capacity of the plasma membranes from normal rat liver following dissociation of the bound folate is equivalent to the binding capacity of the preparation from folate-deficient liver. Two molecular forms of folate-binding protein were identified by gel filtration of the solubilized plasma membrane fraction, a high-molecular-weight form (Mr less than 100,000), representing 25% of the binding capacity, and a smaller protein (Mr approximately equal to 55,000), representing 75% of the binding capacity. Whereas the larger species can be solubilized only with a detergent, the smaller form appears to be hydrophilic and dissociates spontaneously from the membrane preparation. The binding of [3H]pteroylglutamic acid by the membrane preparation was specific, saturable, and pH- and temperature-dependent. Scatchard analysis of the binding could be fitted to a curvo-linear plot, indicating at least two orders of binding sites which probably correspond to the two molecular forms identified by gel filtration. Competitive inhibition by folate analogues demonstrated that the apoproteins have higher affinity for oxidized folate than for N5-methyltetrahydrofolate and virtually no affinity for N5-formyltetrahydrofolate or methotrexate.
Accurate nonrelativistic expectation values for H+2

Abstract Two separate approaches (a perturbation theory which extends the Born—Oppenheimer approximation of molecular physics and finite element analysis of the three body Coulomb problem) are used to solve the nonrelativistic Schrodinger equation for the hydrogen molecular ion ground state. For both approaches, expectation values are calculated for the bond length, the rotational constant, the permanent quadrupole moment, the Fermi contact parameter, and other operators. These results are compared with “nonadiabatic” variational results, where available.
Walking impairment in patients with multiple sclerosis – a new therapeutic approach and clinical potential of dalfampridine extended release tablets

Walking impairment is a clinical hallmark of multiple sclerosis (MS) that has been under-recognized as a therapeutic target for pharmacologic intervention. The development and approval of dalfampridine extended release tablets (dalfampridine-ER; known as prolonged-, modified, or sustained-release fampridine outside the USA), 10 mg taken twice daily, to improve walking in patients with MS, fills a previously unmet need. In three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, dalfampridine-ER improved walking speed in approximately one-third (37%) of treated patients, and average walking speed on therapy among these responders improved by approximately 25% relative to baseline. Walking-speed improvement among responders was clinically significant, as determined by a statistically significant improvement in the patient-reported 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale. Long-term extension studies indicate that responders were able to maintain benefits, compared with nonresponders over prolonged periods of treatment. Dalfampridine-ER was generally well tolerated. Dizziness, insomnia, balance disorder, headache, nausea, urinary tract infection, and asthenia were the most common adverse events. Although the incidence of seizures appeared to be dose related, among patients treated with dalfampridine-ER in the three trials, the rate of seizures was 0.25%. These efficacy and safety data suggest that dalfampridine-ER can be a useful and clinically relevant addition to the pharmacologic armamentarium for the management of MS symptoms and disabilities. Because of its narrow therapeutic index and potential for seizures, it is especially important in the clinical setting to adhere to the dosing recommended in the approved labels.
Diarrheal disease and DRGs

This article has presented a rational protocol for examining stools for enteric pathogens. When modified according to a laboratory's geographical location and patient population, this approach should allow efficient, comprehensive diagnosis of diarrheal disease. Laboratories should be able to examine stools routinely for Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Y. enterocolitica, intestinal parasites [including Cryptosporidium (14)], rotavirus, and C. difficile toxin. When unusual organisms such as pathogenic E. coli are suspected, or tissue culture facilities for C. difficile toxin assays are unavailable, the use of reference laboratories is strongly encouraged.
Interdisciplinary Research Produces Results in the Understanding of Planetary Dunes: Second International Planetary Dunes Workshop: Planetary Analogs—Integrating Models, Remote Sensing, and Field Data; Alamosa, Colorado, 18–21 May 2010

Dunes and other eolian bed forms are prominent on several planetary bodies in our solar system. Despite 4 decades of study, many questions remain regarding the composition, age, and origins of these features, as well as the climatic conditions under which they formed. Recently acquired data from orbiters and rovers, together with terrestrial analogs and numerical models, are providing new insights into Martian sand dunes, as well as eolian bed forms on other terrestrial planetary bodies (e.g., Titan). As a means of bringing together terrestrial and planetary researchers from diverse backgrounds with the goal of fostering collaborative interdisciplinary research, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Carl Sagan Center for the Study of Life in the Universe, the Desert Research Institute, and the U.S. National Park Service held a workshop in Colorado. The small group setting facilitated intensive discussion of problems and issues associated with eolian processes on Earth, Mars, and Titan.
Eigenvalue convergence in the finite element method

In static force-deflection applications of the finite element method, convergence rates for the p-version, in which the polynomial degree of element interpolation functions is increased while the mesh remains fixed, are superior to those for the h-version, in which the element degree remains fixed while the mesh is refined so that element size approaches zero. In structural dynamics applications, one does not seek to approximate a single solution, as in static applications, but seeks estimates for a number of the lower system eigenvalues. This paper identifies factors responsible for poorer accuracy in higher computed eigenvalues. In addition, it explains why the p-version of the finite element method can be expected to exhibit significantly better eigenvalue convergence than the h-version. Numerical examples demonstrate the superiority of the p-version over the h-version. They also show the effects of various mechanisms limiting eigenvalue convergence.
Depauperate meme pool of vocal signals in an island population of singing honeyeaters

Abstract The songs of singing honeyeater,Meliphaga virescens, populations on an island and the mainland of Western Australia were compared. For the island population as a whole, the pool of syllable types (memes) from which whole songs are constructed was smaller than for the mainland meme pool. The island population also had fewer song types, syllable types per song, total syllables per song and notes per song. The reduction in signal diversity is likely to be caused by a founder effect. A previous report on these same populations showed that island and mainland birds do not respond to each other's songs.
Bulk alginate encapsulation of Hibiscus moscheutos nodal segments

Nodal segments (4 ± 1 mm long) of Hibiscus moscheutos (hardy hibiscus) were excised from in vitro proliferating microshoots and utilized to evaluate initial factors involved in bulk alginate encapsulation. The factors evaluated were; storage vessel type, volume and multiple rinse effects of CaCl2 solutions, and sodium alginate concentrations (2.5, 2.75, 3.0 or 3.25%) for bulk alginate encapsulation. Results indicate that vessels utilized for bulk alginate encapsulation should have a lower base area (L × W) to height ratio to reduce the amount of alginate matrix shrinkage resulting in exposure of nodal segments. Increased volumes and multiple 50 mM CaCl2 solution rinses did not have an effect on alginate solidification. Shoot length, root number, and root length significantly decreased in a linear manner from nodal explants stored for 4 weeks with increasing concentrations of sodium alginate. This research suggests an innovative technique for alginate encapsulation of H. moscheutos utilizing bulk methods as an alternative to single bead alginate encapsulation.
Segmented analysis for reducing data movement

Many scientific applications nowadays generate a few terabytes (TB) of data in a single run and the data sizes are expected to reach petabytes (PB) in the near future. Enabling fast extraction of knowledge through analyzing these large datasets holds the key to faster scientific discoveries. However, reading data from traditional storage subsystem is a slow process as the I/O performance lags far behind computational performance. Reducing data movement from the storage subsystem is widely considered a viable option for improving performance of data analysis. In this paper, we propose Segmented Analysis, a data movement reduction strategy through reusing results, where multiple similar analysis tasks process the same segments of data. The basic idea is to segment the data accessed in an analysis task, to process the data segments with a given analysis task, and to store the results of segments in a cache for future use. In future, when an analysis task needs to perform the same process on the data segments for which the results are available in the cache, the task can avoid moving data and performing computation for the available results. The Segmented Analysis framework contains modules for computation and I/O access overlap detection, in situ segmentation, and segment result caching. We evaluate the Segmented Analysis strategy by varying factors like the overlap rate among analysis tasks, the request size and the granularity of segmentation. We observed 2X to 13X I/O and to 2X to 8X computation speedups when the overlap is above 50%.
Hybrid integrated DWDM silicon photonic transceiver with self-adaptive CMOS circuits

We present a DWDM silicon photonic transceiver with self-adaptive CMOS circuits. The energy efficiency is 808fJ/bit at 5Gbps for a ring-modulator based transmitter and 275fJ/bit at 8Gbps with BER<;10-15 for the receiver.
Measurement errors in the estimation of home value

Abstract Home value plays an important role in a variety of fields of research. In this paper, three commonly used measures of home value are evaluated and compared using a framework developed by Joreskog and Goldberger (1975) for estimation of causal models containing unobserved variables. The paper extends ideas presented by Kain and Quigley (1972) and Kish and Lansing (1954).
Neural dependence and independence of myotube production in chicken hindlimb muscles.

Abstract Chicken embryos were paralyzed by repeated injections of the neuromuscular blocking agent d -tubocurarine, from the fourth day in ovo until sacrificed. This treatment affected the late but not early stages of myogenesis. The production of the initial generation (primary) of myotubes was unaffected whereas, in contrast, the acquisition of subsequent generations (secondary) of myotubes was totally inhibited. The elongation and growth of primary myotubes proceeded normally although their differentiation was retarded. An atrophy of these myotubes was not observed even in Day 17 embryos. It is concluded that the factors regulating myogenesis change as the muscle matures.
Cytomegalovirus vasculitis and mucormycosis coinfection in late-stage HIV/AIDS.

ABSTRACT Case reports have previously been published describing various complications of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and mucormycosis in patients with HIV/AIDS. We describe the first case of CMV vasculitis and mucormycosis coinfection resulting in necrotizing myofascial cellulitis in an extremity in late stage HIV/AIDS. In AIDS patients, CMV reactivates when the CD4 count falls to less than 50 cells/ μ L (normal, 720–1440 cells/ μ L). Transient episodes of neutropenia in patients with HIV/AIDS who have low CD 4 cell counts are a predisposing factor for mucormycosis. These predisposing conditions were both present in our patient. Our case raises the question of CMV vasculitis leading to tissue ischemia as a possible contributing factor to the mucormycosis superinfection.
Fast coupled-cluster singles and doubles for extended systems: Application to the anharmonic vibrational frequencies of polyethylene in the Γ approximation

The mod-$n$ scheme is introduced to the coupled-cluster singles and doubles (CCSD) and third-order M\o{}ller-Plesset perturbation (MP3) methods for extended systems of one-dimensional periodicity. By downsampling uniformly the wave vectors in Brillouin-zone integrations, this scheme accelerates these accurate but expensive correlation-energy calculations by two to three orders of magnitude while incurring negligible errors in their total and relative energies. To maintain this accuracy, the number of the nearest-neighbor unit cells included in the lattice sums must also be reduced by the same downsampling rate $(n)$. The mod-$n$ CCSD and MP3 methods are applied to the potential-energy surface of polyethylene in anharmonic frequency calculations of its infrared- and Raman-active vibrations. The calculated frequencies are found to be within $46\text{ }{\text{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ (CCSD) and $78\text{ }{\text{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ (MP3) of the observed.
Enrichment of apolipoprotein B-48 in the LDL density class following in vivo inhibition of hepatic lipase.

In order to explore the in vivo function of hepatic lipase, rats were injected with goat anti-rat hepatic lipase serum which produced a complete and specific inhibition of heparin-releasable hepatic lipase. In the fasting rats, protein, phospholipid and free cholesterol expressed as either mass or percent weight increased significantly in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein 2 (HDL-2) fractions. These three constituents were not affected in the VLDL and HDL-3 lipoproteins. In the fat-loaded (1 ml corn oil) rat, 6 h post inhibition of hepatic lipase triacylglycerol, phospholipid and free cholesterol concentrations in the d < 1.006 fraction were 2.5-fold higher in the inhibited animals than in the control rats. The composition of the d < 1.006 fraction was also affected. Expressed as percent mass, protein was lower (5.2 ± 1.2 vs. 10.3 ± 1.5, P < 0.001) as was cholesteryl ester (1.7 ± 0.7 vs. 2.6 ± 0.4, P < 0.01); triacylglycerol was elevated (77.2 ± 4.0 vs. 72.6 ± 2.4, P < 0.025), as was free cholesterol (3.0 ± 0.6 vs. 2.4 ± 0.2, P < 0.025). Overall, inhibition lowered the ratio of surface-to-core constituents suggesting a larger mean particle diameter. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed the intermediate- and low-density lipoprotein from treated rats to be significantly enriched in apolipoprotein B-48. In the LDL fraction, apolipoprotein B-48 accounted for 62 ± 14% of the total apolipoprotein B in the inhibited rats, vs. 12 ± 2% in the control rats. The above results support the previously described in vivo function of hepatic lipase as a phospholipase. In addition, the results demonstrate a role of hepatic lipase in the catabolism of chylomicrons. Since removal of apolipoprotein B-48-containing lipoproteins is dependent upon apolipoprotein E, their appearance in the LDL fraction implies a masking of apolipoprotein E-binding determinants.
The crystal structure of cholesteryl octanoate

Abstract Crystals of cholesteryl octanoate (C35H60O2) are monoclinic, space group P21, with a = 12.80(3), b = 9.20(2), c = 14.12(3) A , β = 93.81(3)° and 2 molecules per unit cell. The structure has been determined by Patterson rotation and translation methods from the X-ray intensities (Mo-Kα radiation) of 1320 reflections ( sin θ/λ A −1 ) measured with a diffractometer. Refinement by block diagonal least squares and Fourier methods gave R = 0.096. The molecules are arranged in monolayers with their long axes antiparallel and severely tilted (28°). There is a close packing of cholesteryls within the monolayers, but the octanoate chains which form the layer interface regions are conformationally and thermally disordered. The crystal structure is quite different from that of cholesteryl nonanoate, as expected from the discontinuity in thermodynamic properties and phase behaviour which occurs at this point in the homologous series.
The texas petawatt laser

We report on the 200 J, 150 fs Texas Petawatt Laser. A hybrid amplification with OPCPA in BBO and YCOB crystals and mixed glasses is used for broadband gain. Scalability to Exawatt lasers is discussed.
Operation and composition of the Penn state coal sample bank and data base

Abstract Coal samples and related data are distributed by Penn State to coal researchers worldwide. Over 1400 samples representing all major coal provinces of the U.S.A. have been collected since 1967; over 1100 remain available for distribution. The majority are channel samples collected from active mines to ensure freshness; these may represent all or part of the seam thickness. The samples are crushed and split into smaller quantities representative of the original sample. Storage containers include steel cans for 250–350-g quantities and polyethylene buckets and drums for amounts up to 16 and 120 kg, respectively; foil laminate bags may be used extensively for future samples. Nearly 8000 containers are inventoried by computer so that samples may be easily located. The samples are subjected to a series of analytical procedures aimed at generating the chemical, physical, petrographic, and technological data required by researchers. The resulting data are computerized and may be interactively queried and manipulated. The consistent sampling and analysis methods reduce artificially introduced variability, revealing natural variability between provinces, seams, and locations for study. The scopes of both the Sample Bank and Data Base are summarized to illustrate the range of samples and data available.
On the pointwise jump condition at the free boundary in the 1-phase Stefan problem

In this paper we obtain the jump (or Rankine-Hugoniot) condition at the interphase for solutions in the sense of distributions to the one phase Stefan problem $u_t= \Delta (u-1)_+.$ We do this by approximating the free boundary with level sets, and using methods from the theory of bounded variation functions. We show that the spatial component of the normal derivative of the solution has a trace at the free boundary that is picked up in a natural sense. The jump condition is then obtained from the equality of the $n$-density of two different disintegrations of the free boundary measure. This is done under an additional condition on the $n$-density of this measure. In the last section we show that this condition is optimal, in the sense that its satisfaction depends on the geometry of the initial data.
15N/14N variations in Cretaceous Atlantic sedimentary sequences: implication for past changes in marine nitrogen biogeochemistry

Unusually low delta N-15 found in early to middle Cretaceous beds rich in marine organic matter from two separate eastern Atlantic Ocean basins is reported. These findings constitute unambiguous evidence that the N contained in these strata is the end result of biogeochemical processes that differed substantially from those that operated on the N contained in intervening organic carbon-poor strata and younger marine sediments. The data indicate that the low N-15 relative abundance is the consequence of pelagic rather than postdepositional processes. Reduced ocean circulation, increased denitrification, and hence, reduced euphotic zone nitrate availability may have led to Cretaceous phytoplankton assemblages that were periodically dominated by N2-fixing blue-green algae, a possible source of the sedimentary N-15 depletion.
Unified wet deposition data summaries for North America: Data summary procedures and results for 1980–1986

Abstract This paper presents a framework for data quality assessment of annual and seasonal precipitation chemistry data summaries. Consideration has been to (i) using data from regional or national networks with established quality assurance/quality control programs and well documented network operation protocols, (ii) assessing regional representativeness of each sites, (iii) determining quantitative measures to define data completeness levels, and (iv) documenting the calculation procedures used to compute precipitation-weighted mean concentrations and wet deposition amount. The procedures described here are applied to data collected from 1980 to 1986 by five major acid deposition monitoring networks in North America and examples of annual sulfate deposition summaries are reported. It is recommended that the concepts of site representativeness, data completeness and overall data quality levels be adopted by the user community and routinely be reported along with a data summary. Further work on assesing accuracy and precision to accompany the data quality levels is recommended.
Models for terminal Ni(S-cysteine) modification in [NiFe]hydrogenases by iodoacetamide and iodoacetate

The cis-dithiolate complex [N,N′-bis(2-mercaptoethyl-2-methylpropyl)-1,5-diazacyclooctane]nickel(II) (Ni-1*) reacts with stoichiometric amounts of iodoacetamide to yield S-alkylated, mono- and diacetamide complexes, [(AA)Ni-1*][I] and [(AA)2Ni-1*][I]2. Their molecular structures are established by X-ray crystallography and find the former in pseudo-square planar geometry with no additional coordination of the amide functionality, while the latter is an octahedral N2S2O2NiII complex. The assignment of the axial coordination ligands as amide oxygen atoms is consistent with IR-spectroscopic ν(C=O) results both in the solid and solution states. The complexes are further characterized by UV/Vis spectroscopy, conductance measurements, and electrochemical studies. Comparisons are drawn between the alkylation of these simple dithiolate complexes and the loss of [NiFe]hydrogenase activity upon addition of alkylating agents.
Sources of human schwann cells and the influence of donor age

We evaluated several tissues as possible sources for culturing human Schwann cells. The average cell yield (total cell number/mg of nerve fascicle) obtained from adult autopsy cases and transplant organ donors was similar (2 x 10(4) and 2.9 x 10(4), respectively), but significantly higher yields were obtained from dorsal roots of pediatric patients undergoing selective dorsal rhizotomy (6.1 x 10(4)). Fresh tissue was not essential since cells isolated from 0 to 20 h postmortem were equally viable. However, we found evidence that donor age affects the intrinsic growth rate of Schwann cells and perineurial fibroblasts in culture.
Determination of specimen thickness by continuum integration

Abstract A simple method has been developed which allows an accurate determination of the thickness of any thin specimen microvolume irradiated by an electron beam. The determination of the thickness of such an irradiated region is based upon a single measurement of the generated continuum X-radiation in a standard. When this continuum integral is placed in ratio with the calculated energy loss suffered by the primary electron beam traversing the standard, the ratio may be employed as a correction factor for a given set of electron optical parameters (keV, beam current etc.). A suitable standard for this method is an evaporated metal film. Provided the thickness of the standard employed is known (or can be calculated), the correction can be considered absolute. If the absolute thickness of the standard is not accurately known this method is still applicable, and in this case the thickness calculations can be considered relative, one to another. This technique has been successfully applied in a series of measurements using vacuum deposited metal films at both low and high accelerating voltages (20–100keV) in a variety of electron microscopes equipped with X-ray analytical capabilities.
Comparison of MRI-Based Estimates of Articular Cartilage Contact Area in the Tibiofemoral Joint

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) detrimentally impacts the lives of millions of older Americans through pain and decreased functional ability. Unfortunately, the pathomechanics and associated deviations from joint homeostasis that OA patients experience are not well understood. Alterations in mechanical stress in the knee joint may play an essential role in OA; however, existing literature in this area is limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of an existing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based modeling method to estimate articular cartilage contact area in vivo. Imaging data of both knees were collected on a single subject with no history of knee pathology at three knee flexion angles. Intra-observer reliability and sensitivity studies were also performed to determine the role of operator-influenced elements of the data processing on the results. The method's articular cartilage contact area estimates were compared with existing contact area estimates in the literature. The method demonstrated an intra-observer reliability of 0.95 when assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and was found to be most sensitive to changes in the cartilage tracings on the peripheries of the compartment. The articular cartilage contact area estimates at full extension were similar to those reported in the literature. The relationships between tibiofemoral articular cartilage contact area and knee flexion were also qualitatively and quantitatively similar to those previously reported. The MRI-based knee modeling method was found to have high intra-observer reliability, sensitivity to peripheral articular cartilage tracings, and agreeability with previous investigations when using data from a single healthy adult. Future studies will implement this modeling method to investigate the role that mechanical stress may play in progression of knee OA through estimation of articular cartilage contact area.
Monoclonal Antibodies: Producing Magic Bullets by Somatic Cell Hybridization

“The really profound changes in human life all have their ultimate origin in knowledge pursued for its own sake.” Albert N. Whitehead ([1][1]) We purchase them through catalogs and online suppliers; we mail them in polypropylene tubes; we pass them surreptitiously from hand to pocket at
Conformal ``thin sandwich'' data for the initial-value problem of general relativity

The initial-value problem is posed by giving a conformal three-metric on each of two nearby spacelike hypersurfaces, their proper-time separation up to a multiplier to be determined, and the mean (extrinsic) curvature of one slice. The resulting equations have the {\it same} elliptic form as does the one-hypersurface formulation. The metrical roots of this form are revealed by a conformal ``thin sandwich'' viewpoint coupled with the transformation properties of the lapse function.
Performance of a self-expanding silicone stent in palliation of benign airway conditions

Introduction The Polyflex stent (Boston Scientific; Boston, MA) is a self-expanding, thin-walled, silicone stent. Its use has been described in the management of patients with malignant airway obstruction, yet reports of its use for treatment of benign airway conditions are rare. Study We report a retrospective review of our experience with the Polyflex stent in the management of benign airway conditions. Results A total of 16 stents were deployed in 12 patients. The indications for the stent placement included the following: anastomotic stenosis following lung transplantation (LTR) [four patients]; tracheal stenosis (three patients); tracheobronchomalacia (two patients); tracheobronchopathiaosteochondroplastica (one patient); relapsing polychondritis (one patient); and bronchopleural fistula (one patient). Even though immediate palliation was established in most cases (90%), the incidence of complications was 75%. Stent migration was the most common consequence, with time to the event ranging from Conclusion The use of the Polyflex stent for the treatment of benign airway conditions is associated with a high complication rate. We have abandoned its use under such conditions in our practice.
Nonlinear elasticity imaging

We present the solution of the nonlinear inverse elasticity problem, wherein we image the linear and nonlinear hyperelastic properties of soft tissues in-vivo. For this, we solve a constrained optimization problem iteratively. The discrepancy between measured and predicted displacement fields is minimized in the objective function in the presence of regularization. The predicted displacement fields satisfy the equilibrium equations of elasticity from the current estimate of the elastic properties. The measured displacement fields are determined from a sequence of ultrasound radio frequency data while the tissue is slowly compressed. We model the tissue to have an exponential stress-stretch relation and capture its nonlinear response with a nonlinear parameter at large deformations.