cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Path optimization for Space Sweeper with Sling-Sat: A method of active space debris removal

Abstract This paper provides a path optimization strategy for space debris removal, focusing on the proposed Space Sweeper with Sling-Sat (4S) mission. 4S captures and ejects debris plastically, exploiting the impulsive momentum exchanges in place of fuel. Ejected debris are sent to lower perigee orbits, or to re-enter the atmosphere. The optimization method searches for the most efficient sequence of events to remove debris of unknown masses. For a fixed time interval and number of debris interactions n, the optimized solution predicts a set of n thrust impulses, n debris captures, and n debris ejections. Optimization is performed using an evolutionary algorithm that solves the combinatory problem of selecting the debris interaction order, ejection velocities, and sequence timing, while optimizing fuel cost and effectiveness towards debris mitigation. The first debris interaction is then applied to the system, and the process is repeated after interacting with each object. In this way, an in-orbit mission is simulated, and the results support the feasibility of 4S mission.
Higher-dose oxytocin to prevent obstetric hemorrhage at vaginal delivery-does duration of infusion matter?

Objective Postpartum higher-dose oxytocin (80 U) compared with lower dose (10 U) given in 500 mL over 1 hour does not decrease postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) requiring treatment, but reduces the risk of hematocrit decline ≥ 6% among women delivering vaginally. Our objective was to evaluate whether the duration of administration of oxytocin influences outcomes. Study Design We compared a cohort receiving a postpartum oxytocin infusion of 80 U/500 mL over 1 hour to a concurrent cohort of women receiving 80 U/500 mL over 8 hours. The primary outcome was any treatment of PPH (uterotonics, blood transfusion, tamponade, and surgery). Secondary outcomes included pre- to postdelivery median hematocrit change and hematocrit decline ≥ 6%. Results There were 653 and 676 women identified in the 1- and 8-hour cohorts, respectively. There was no difference in PPH requiring any treatment between the 1- and 8-hour cohorts (6 vs. 6%, p = 0.70). There were no differences in individual treatment components including blood transfusion (p = 0.75). Median hematocrit decline (p = 0.02) was lower in the 8-hour cohort, but there was no difference in frequency of hematocrit decline ≥ 6% (p = 0.15). Results were unchanged by multivariable adjustments. Conclusions Postpartum higher-dose oxytocin administered over 1 hour compared with 8 hours was not associated with an increased treatment of PPH or frequency of hematocrit decline ≥ 6%.
Regional differences in spontaneously occurring angiogenesis in the adult rat mesentery.

Abstract Despite intensive study in the area of angiogenesis, relatively little is known about normal angiogenesis in adult animals. Preliminary studies using the Griffonia simplicifolia I (GSI) lectin as a microvascular marker indicated that capillary sprouting occurs in the clear "windows" of normal intact adult rat mesentery. The purpose of this study was to determine whether angiogenesis occurs uniformly within the mesenteric windows and whether maturational age affects the extent of angiogenesis in the absence of any experimental or pathological perturbation. Four groups of female Sprague-Dawley rats were used, "weanling" (4-5 weeks), "juvenile" (6-8 weeks), "young adult" (10-13 weeks), and "adult" (16-20 weeks). Microvessels sprouting into proximal and distal windows were delineated in whole mounts by use of fluorescent derivative of the GSI lectin. Microvascular sprouting, indicating angiogenesis, was found in all age groups, but was most frequent in the windows sampled from the distal region of the small intestine when compared with those from the proximal region. The mean number of microvessels per sample site was significantly higher in the distal windows of adults than in the weanling or juvenile rats. Angiogenesis was found to occur asymmetrically within the individual windows in the two adult groups, with significantly more angiogenesis on the intestinal side compared to that along the portal vessels. We conclude that there is an age-related increase in angiogenesis into the mesenteric windows, and that the intestinal side is more prone to spontaneous angiogenesis than is the portal side. These results have important applications to the use of mesentery as an assay system for intact vessels in adults and to the use of mesentery as an in vivo model system to bridge the gap between our understanding of angiogenesis in vivo and intact vascular systems.
Colony defense and behavioral differentiation in the eusocial shrimp Synalpheus regalis

The sponge-dwelling shrimp Synalpheusregalis and several congeners exhibit monogynous, eusocial colony structures, and field data suggest that these social species may have a competitive advantage in crowded environments. We explored mechanisms of colony defense, a likely contributor to such a social advantage, by measuring responses of resident shrimp to conspecific and heterospecific intruders in experimental nests. To test for behavioral differentiation among classes of individuals, we compared responses of juvenile, large male, and breeding female (queen) S. regalis to each intruder type. Colony residents discriminated nestmates from both foreign conspecific and heterospecific intruders, making more aggressive snaps and fewer contacts with such intruders than with controls from the same colony. S. regalis colonies also exhibited behavioral differentiation among classes of individuals: most snaps against intruders were by large males. Thus, large males defended the colony, allowing juveniles and the queen to feed and grow unmolested. On a per-individual basis, intruders more frequently contacted the queen than either large males or juveniles, possibly indicating that signals from the queen provide information about colony status as they do in many social insects. Sampling of unmanipulated field colonies showed that colony reproductive output increased linearly, by a factor of 177 times, throughout the range in sampled colony sizes (2–356 individuals), whereas average per capita reproductive output decreased by only 61% over the same range. These data suggest that non-breeding colony members may gain inclusive fitness benefits by remaining in and helping defend the natal sponge. Differentiation among individuals in reproductive and defensive behavior may enhance the efficiency and productivity of S. regalis colonies and contribute to their apparent competitive advantage over less social congeners.
The influence of surface roughness and particulate size on the tribological performance of bio-based multi-functional hybrid lubricants

Abstract Bio-based multi-functional hybrid lubricants are gaining attention within the lubrication industry as an alternative to conventional petroleum-based oils. In the present investigation, a pin-on-disk apparatus was used to study the effects of particle size and surface roughness on the tribological performance of bio-based lubricants containing particulate additives. In the experiments, steel and copper pins were respectively slid against copper and aluminum disks of different surface roughnesses in the presence of canola oil containing nanometer-, submicron-, and micron-sized hexagonal boron nitride particulate additives. The results reveal that the tribological performance of bio-based lubricants is influenced by the surface roughness of the counter materials and the particle size. More specifically, for rough surfaces, the tribological performance increases when larger particles are used in the lubricants while for smooth surfaces the tribological performance increases when smaller particles are incorporated. The influence of roughness and particle size on the improved tribological performance is attributed to the load carrying ability of particles, coalescence of particles in the asperity valleys, and thin particulate transfer film that occurs at the interface.
Effects of a novel experience on rat brain chromatin

In this study adult Fischer, inbred rats experienced (1) training to avoid footshock (2) unavoidable footshock or (3) no training or footshock. Each animal was sacrificed at one of several time points (1-60 hours) following experience. Brain chromatin was extracted and used as template for RNA synthesis in vitro. Both groups which received the novel experience demonstrated greater template activity than the unshocked, untrained groups. This effect was brief. The two groups which received the experience did not differ from each other. These results suggest that a brief, novel experience can temporarily alter the transcriptional activity of brain chromatin.
A pressure-shear plate impact experiment for investigating transient friction

A pressure-shear plate impact experiment is introduced to study time-resolved friction at interfaces subjected to high sliding speeds under relatively high normal pressures. The conditions of slip at the interface are varied by changing the surface roughness of the impacting plates and by varying the applied normal to shear stress ratio. The configuration offers the simplicity of allowing the interpretation of the experimental data by using the frame-work of one-dimensional plane wave analysis. The interfacial material pairs investigated in the present study are comprised of a wear-resistant grade of tungsten carbide and either an AISI 4340 steel or a Ti-6AI-4V alloy. The experimental results indicate that the coefficient of friction increases with the increase in surface roughness of the tungsten-carbide plates and with cumulative slip at the interface.
Determination of alkali metals in blood from North Pacific albacore

Abstract 1. 1. Concentrations of alkali metals in blood of the North Pacific albacore were found to be, in μg/kg wet weight, 6.28 ± 1.66 for cesium, 2.65 ± 0.27 for sodium, 2.27 ± 0.28 for potassium, 443.2 ± 68.2 for rubidium, and 21.5 ± 0.7 for lithium. 2. 2. In liver the mean concentration for cesium was 26.75 ± 2.35, for sodium, 1.21 ± 0.10, and for potassium, 3.24 ± 0.42. 3. 3. In muscle the mean concentration for cesium was 37.10 ± 0.72, for sodium, 0.47 ± 0.05, and for potassium, 4.12 ±0.19. 4. 4. Total alkali content was found to be almost constant, while the individual alkali metals are shown to vary with respect to each other and with specimen wet weight.
12/15-Lipoxygenase signaling in the endoplasmic reticulum stress response

Central obesity is associated with chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, β-cell dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The 12/15-lipoxygenase enzyme (12/15-LO) promotes inflammation and insulin resistance in adipose and peripheral tissues. Given that obesity is associated with ER stress and 12/15-LO is expressed in adipose tissue, we determined whether 12/15-LO could mediate ER stress signals. Addition of 12/15-LO lipid products 12(S)-HETE and 12(S)-HPETE to differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes induced expression and activation of ER stress markers, including BiP, XBP-1, p-PERK, and p-IRE1α. The ER stress inducer, tunicamycin, upregulated ER stress markers in adipocytes with concomitant 12/15-LO activation. Addition of a 12/15-LO inhibitor, CDC, to tunicamycin-treated adipocytes attenuated the ER stress response. Furthermore, 12/15-LO-deficient adipocytes exhibited significantly decreased tunicamycin-induced ER stress. 12/15-LO action involves upregulation of interleukin-12 (IL-12) expression. Tunicamycin significantly upregulated IL-12p40 expression in adipocytes, and IL-12 addition increased ER stress gene expression; conversely, LSF, an IL-12 signaling inhibitor, and an IL-12p40-neutralizing antibody attenuated tunicamycin-induced ER stress. Isolated adipocytes and liver from 12/15-LO-deficient mice fed a high-fat diet revealed a decrease in spliced XBP-1 expression compared with wild-type C57BL/6 mice on a high-fat diet. Furthermore, pancreatic islets from 12/15-LO-deficient mice showed reduced high-fat diet-induced ER stress genes compared with wild-type mice. These data suggest that 12/15-LO activity participates in ER stress in adipocytes, pancreatic islets, and liver. Therefore, reduction of 12/15-LO activity or expression could provide a new therapeutic target to reduce ER stress and downstream inflammation linked to obesity.
Occurrence and fate of pharmaceuticals and alkylphenol ethoxylate metabolites in an effluent-dominated river and wetland

The occurrence of pharmaceuticals, nonylphenol ethoxylate metabolites, and other wastewater-derived contaminants in surface waters is a potential environmental concern, especially since the discovery of contaminants with endocrine-disrupting properties. The present study investigated the discharge of emerging contaminants into the Santa Ana River (CA, USA) and their attenuation during river transport and passage through a constructed wetland. Contaminants studied included pharmaceuticals (gemfibrozil, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, and carbamazepine) and their metabolites, hormones, the metabolites of alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEMs), N-butyl benzenesulfonamide (NBBS), and chlorinated tris-propylphosphates (TCPPs). The APEMs included alkylphenols (APs), short-chain AP polyethoxylates (APEOs), AP polyethoxycarboxylates (APECs), and carboxylated APECs (CAPECs). In wastewater treatment plant effluent, APECs and CAPECs represented the dominant APEM fraction (1.8- 18.7 mg/L), whereas APEOs and APs contributed only small amounts to the overall APEM concentrations (0.10-0.92 and #0.1 mg/L, respectively) except where the effluent was infiltrated into soil (5.2 mg/L). In effluents, ibuprofen and its metabolites, TCPPs, and NBBS were detected regularly (,0.5 mg/L), and the other pharmaceuticals were detected occasionally. Transport in the Santa Ana River for 11 km resulted in the significant attenuation of all contaminants, from 67% for gemfibrozil to 100% for others. Wetland treatment (residence time, 2-4 d) resulted in partial removal of ibuprofen, gemfibrozil, and TCPPs and transformed APEOs to APECs.
Comparison of immunoassay and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry methods for measuring 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol in multiple sample media

Two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods were evaluated for the determination of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (3,5,6-TCP) in multiple sample media (dust, soil, food, and urine). The dust and soil samples were analyzed by a commercial RaPID immunoassay testing kit. The food and urine samples were analyzed by a laboratory-based 96-microwell plate immunoassay format. Methanol was used as the extraction solvent for the preparation of the dust and soil samples for analysis by both the ELISA and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) procedures. Chlorobutane was used for extraction of the urine samples for each method. The food samples were extracted with methanol for GC/MS and with acidic methanol for ELISA. The percent difference of the duplicate RaPID assays ranged from 0 to 43.4% for dust and from 0 to 47.9% for soil. The percent relative standard deviation of the 96-microwell plate triplicate assays was 15% or less for food and urine samples. Quantitative recoveries of 3,5,6-TCP were obtained for the spiked dust, soil, food and urine samples by ELISA ranging from 71 to 102%. Quantitative recoveries (>90%) of 3,5,6-TCP were also obtained for these samples by the GC/MS procedure. The overall method precision of these samples was within ±10% using the GC/MS procedure. The immunoassay and GC/MS data were highly correlated, with correlation coefficients of 0.98 for dust, 0.98 for soil, 0.93 for food, and 0.98 for urine. Both ELISA methods can be used as quantitative monitoring tools for 3,5,6-TCP concentrations in dust, soil, food, and urine samples.
A metric space approach to the specification of the heuristic function for the A* algorithm

Given a graph with arcs that have costs, the A* algorithm is designed to find the shortest path from a single node to a set of nodes. While the A* algorithm is well understood, it is somewhat limited in its application due to the fact that it is often difficult to specify the "heuristic function" so that A* exhibits desirable computational properties. In this paper a metric space approach to the specification of the heuristic function is introduced. It is shown how to specify an admissible and monotone heuristic function for a wide class of problem domains. In addition, when the cost structure for the underlying graph is specified via a metric, it is shown that admissible and monotone heuristic functions are easy to specify and further computational advantages can be obtained. Applications to an optimal parts distribution problem in flexible manufacturing systems and artificial intelligence planning problems are provided. >
An efficient method for joint hypocenter determination for large groups of earthquakes

Abstract The number of seismic events that can be located simultaneously by the Joint Hypocenter Determination method is limited generally by the amount of computer time and computer memory available. To find directly the hypocenters of M earthquatkes and the station corrections to N stations requires solving a system of 4M + N equations in 4M + N unknowns. This paper presents a method of solving this system of equations which is considerably more efficient than Guassian elimination.
In situ correction of abbe offset error in the watt balance experiment

The paper describes a technique to simultaneously measure the tilt angles of the induction coil used in the watt balance experiment and correct its position from the Abbe offset error. The same three laser interferometers placed on the induction coil to determine the vertical position are also used for angular measures. An optimization algorithm is tested that allow a better estimation and correction of the Abbe offset error.
Gradient dynamics in population games: Some basic results

Abstract When each player in a population game continuously adjusts her action to move up the payoff gradient, then the state variable (the action distribution) obeys a nonlinear partial differential equation. We find conditions that render gradient adjustment myopically optimal and analyze two broad classes of population games. For one class, we use known results to establish the existence and uniqueness of solutions to the PDE. In some cases, these solutions exhibit shock waves or rarefaction waves. For a second class, we use a local form of Nash equilibrium to characterize the steady state solutions of the PDE and find sufficient conditions for asymptotic convergence.
Block iterative finite element preprocessed scheme for simulation of large non‐linear problems

The ‘Block Iterative Finite Element Preprocessed Scheme’ (BIFEPS) for finite element simulation combines two independent steps. In the ‘finite element preporcessing step’, spatial information about the finite element mesh is analysed and all integrals arising from the application of the Galerkin method are evaluated and stored on a permanent sequential storage unit (such as tape or disk). In the ‘block iterative step’, the preprocessed information is retrieved from permanent storage and the matrix equation is assembled and solved in an efficient manner according to a generalization of the block successive over-relaxation iterative method. Significant advantages over common finite element simulation techniques are achieved in terms of both computer core requirements and execution time. Numerical experiments show that the advantages of BIFEPS are greatest for large, non-linear simulation problems.
SU-E-I-24: Determining the Optimal B-Values to Use in Diffusion Weighted Imaging for Differentiating Benign and Malignant Breast Lesions.

Purpose: To investigate and determine the optimal b‐values for Diffusion Weighted Imaging(DWI) for Apparent Diffusion Coefficient(ADC) maps in differentiating normal, benign and malignant breast tissue.Methods: Twenty‐five patients underwent diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI‐MRI) and conventional breast MRI with suspicious breast fmdings(BIRADS >4). Breast lesions were defined by pathology. The DWI was acquired with different b‐values ranging from 0,500, 600,750 and 1000s/mm2. Apparent Diffusion Coefficient(ADC) maps of breast tissue were constructed using different b‐values, e.g., using either 2 b‐values(0– 1000) or combinations of 3 or more (0,500,1000 or 0,600,750,1000). Quantitative analyses of the ADC maps of glandular, fatty and lesion tissue were obtained. Ratios of lesion to glandular tissue(L/GT) and signal to noise(SNR) were assessed. Paired t‐tests were performed for statistical significance. Results: Eighteen patients had invasive ductal carcinoma and 7 had benign breast lesions. The mean ADC value for malignant lesions using all b values was 1.17±0.16×10‐3mm2/s with a lesion to glandular(L/GT) ratio=0.65. The benign lesions, ADC map value was 1.86±0.03×10‐3mm2/s with L/GT=0.98. There was a significant difference(P<0.05) between benign and malignant lesions ADC map value.The lowest SNR(12±6) was with single b‐values. There was a significant difference(P<0.05) in SNR with multiple b‐values(34±6) compared to single b‐values. The highest SNR was given by using two b values greater than 500. Finally, the background noise for all combinations was surprising stable and ranged between 60±20%. Conclusions: This is the first study to investigate the effect of changing different b values in DWI breast imaging. There were significant differences in the SNR between single and multiple b values. Our data show suggest that the recommended b‐values for DWI in breast are 0, and two that are 500 or greater. Therefore use of at least 3 b‐values in DWI/ADC mapping of breast lesions are needed for better characterization of benign and malignant breast tissue. P50CA88843, Avon Foundation for Women:01‐2008‐012, U01CA070095, andU01CA140204
The Promise of Science-Based Computational Engineering

The field of engineering is poised to enter a new and exciting era. The exponential growth in computing capability from one floating-point operation per second (FLOPS) in 1945 to 1015 in 2008 is helping us replace the standard engineering process of iterated empirical design-build-test cycles with an iterated design-mesh-analyze paradigm based on physics-based computational tools. It helps engineers be more productive and also helps manufacturers reduce time-to-market and design costs, better respond to changing market conditions, and increase their technical workforce and testing facilities' productivity.
Accuracy and performance of graphics processors: A Quantum Monte Carlo application case study

The tradeoffs of accuracy and performance are as yet an unsolved problem when dealing with Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) as a general-purpose computation device. Their high performance and low cost makes them a desirable target for scientific computation, and new language efforts help address the programming challenges of data parallel algorithms and memory management. But the original task of GPUs - real-time rendering - has traditionally kept accuracy as a secondary goal, and sacrifices have sometimes been made as a result. In fact, the widely deployed hardware is generally capable of only single precision arithmetic, and even this accuracy is not necessarily equivalent to that of a commodity CPU. In this paper, we investigate the accuracy and performance characteristics of GPUs, including results from a preproduction double precision-capable GPU. We then accelerate the full Quantum Monte Carlo simulation code DCA++, similarly investigating its tolerance to the precision of arithmetic delivered by GPUs. The results show that while DCA++ has some sensitivity to the arithmetic precision, the single-precision GPU results were comparable to single-precision CPU results. Acceleration of the code on a fully GPU-enabled cluster showed that any remaining inaccuracy in GPU precision was negligible; sufficient accuracy was retained for scientifically meaningful results while still showing significant speedups.
Semiclassical Theory of Magnetic Energy Levels and Magnetic Susceptibility of Bloch Electrons

In this paper the semiclassical condition for the quantization of magnetic energy levels of Bloch electrons is extended to one order higher in the magnetic field. The result enables us to make a calculation of the magnetic susceptibility of Bloch electrons which includes both the de Haas-van Alphen effect and the steady susceptibility. While the basic calculation is made for fairly simple closed orbits, the results have been extended to include spin splitting, self-intersecting orbits, and open orbits, but omitting consideration of banding of magnetic levels and magnetic breakdown. Possible new oscillations due to self-intersecting orbits are discussed.
Exploring factors impacting sharing health-tracking records

Abstract With the introduction of modern health technologies, the phenomenon of patients tracking health records has increased considerably in the recent past. The current study aims to examine the sharing of health-tracking records (HTR) by patients with different categories of acquaintances (spouse/partner, relatives, doctors, other). In this paper, we explore the critical factors that impact sharing of self-tracked information across two levels of sensitivity of HTR. Our study investigates how health motivation (HM), perceived health status (PHS), severity of health, and age influence sharing of self-tracked information. To do so, we adapted and applied the Health Belief Model (HBM) as a theoretical framework. The study employed multinomial logistic regression analysis to investigate the various factors that influence sharing of two types of HTR with different acquaintances. The statistical results were weighted to correct for known demographic discrepancies. Results indicated that HM, severity, and age substantially increase the likelihood of sharing HTR with health or medical professionals in comparison to other categories. In contrast, PHS increases the likelihood of information sharing with “other” acquaintances as opposed to with doctors. These findings are consistent with existing theory on HBM, wherein behavior appears to be predicted on the basis of/by both the individual׳s motivation to achieve an outcome and the expectation that a specific action will result in that outcome.
Comment on “Trace-element crystal chemistry of mantle eclogites” by F.A. Caporuscio and J.R. Smyth

Caporuscio and Smyth have presented crystal chemical study on eleven mantle-derived eclogites from the Bellsbank (8) and Roberts Victor (3) kimberlites, South Africa. They combine these results with experimental partition coefficients and geochemical modelling to argue for a high pressure igneous cumulate origin from a MORB-like melt for these eclogites. In particular, they highlight the kyanite-bearing eclogites (grospydites), especially the presence of a “middle rare-earth-element (MREE) enrichment”, which may also be considered in terms of LREE and HREE depletions. Caporuscio and Smyth, as well as Smyth et al., cite this phenomenon as evidence for an origin by igneous accumulation of hyperaluminous clinopyroxene at high pressure. However, this type of REE pattern has also been interpreted as depicting a positive Eu anomaly inherited from a subducted, plagioclase-rich oceanic crustal protolith (Shervais et al., Taylor and Neal, Neal et al.).
Hydrophobic forces and the length limit of foldable protein domains

To find the native conformation (fold), proteins sample a subspace that is typically hundreds of orders of magnitude smaller than their full conformational space. Whether such fast folding is intrinsic or the result of natural selection, and what is the longest foldable protein, are open questions. Here, we derive the average conformational degeneracy of a lattice polypeptide chain in water and quantitatively show that the constraints associated with hydrophobic forces are themselves sufficient to reduce the effective conformational space to a size compatible with the folding of proteins up to approximately 200 amino acids long within a biologically reasonable amount of time. This size range is in general agreement with the experimental protein domain length distribution obtained from approximately 1,200 proteins. Molecular dynamics simulations of the Trp-cage protein confirm this picture on the free energy landscape. Our analytical and computational results are consistent with a model in which the length and time scales of protein folding, as well as the modular nature of large proteins, are dictated primarily by inherent physical forces, whereas natural selection determines the native state.
BeyondTouch: Extending the Input Language with Built-in Sensors on Commodity Smartphones

While most smartphones today have a rich set of sensors that could be used to infer input (.e.g., accelerometer, gyroscope, microphone), the primary mode of interaction is still limited to the front-facing touchscreen and several physical buttons on the case. To investigate the potential opportunities for interactions supported by built-in sensors, we present the implementation and evaluation of BeyondTouch, a family of interactions to extend and enrich the input experience of a smartphone. Using only existing sensing capabilities on a commodity smartphone, we offer the user a wide variety of additional tapping and sliding inputs on the case of and the surface adjacent to the smartphone. We outline the implementation of these interaction techniques and demonstrate empirical evidence of their effectiveness and usability. We also discuss the practicality of BeyondTouch for a variety of application scenarios.
Materials used in cranioplasty: a history and analysis.

Cranioplasty, one of the oldest surgical procedures used to repair cranial defects, has undergone many revolutions over time to find the ideal material to improve patient prognosis. Cranioplasty offers cosmetic and protective benefits for patients with cranial defects. The first primitive cranioplasty procedures date back to 7000 bc and used metal and gourds to repair cranial defects. Cranioplasty was first documented by Fallopius who described repair using gold plates; the first bone graft was documented by van Meekeren. The first significant improvement for this procedure began with experimentation involving bone grafts in the late 19th century as a more natural approach for repairing cranial defects. The next impetus for advancement came because of wartime injuries incurred during World Wars I and II and involved experimentation with synthetic materials to counter the common complications associated with bone grafts. Methyl methacrylate, hydroxyapatite, ceramics, and polyetheretherketone implants among...
Foraging guilds of North American birds

We propose a foraging guild classification for North American inland, coastal, and pelagic birds. This classification uses a three-part identification for each guild—major food, feeding substrate, and foraging technique—to classify 672 species of birds in both the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. We have attempted to group species that use similar resources in similar ways. Researchers have identified foraging guilds generally by examining species distributions along one or more defined environmental axes. Such studies frequently result in species with several guild designations. While the continuance of these studies is important, to accurately describe species' functional roles, managers need methods to consider many species simultaneously when trying to determine the impacts of habitat alteration. Thus, we present an avian foraging classification as a starting point for further discussion to aid those faced with the task of describing community effects of habitat change.
Topical ketamine inhibits albumin extravasation in chemical peritonitis in rats

Background. As ketamine has local anaesthetic actions and local anaesthetics are known to have anti-inflammatory effects, ketamine could be expected to be an anti-inflammatory agent. Here we sought to determine whether ketamine is indeed anti-inflammatory in chemical peritonitis induced by HC1 in rats. Methods. Peritonitis was elicited by applying 0.02 M HCI on the surface of the cecum or appendix and quantified by measuring the extravasation of intravenously injected Evan's Blue bound to albumin extracted from those tissues. Three experimental sets were performed. In the first set, four groups of 10 rats each received: 1%, 2%, and 4% ketamine and 1% lidocaine. In the same animal, before induction of peritonitis one area was topically pre-treated with 0.9% saline (control site) and another area was topically pre-treated with 1%, 2% or 4% ketamine or 1% lidocaine (experimental site). In the second set, two groups of 10 rats each received: 2% ketamine or 1% lidocaine. Ten min after the induction of peritonitis, the control site was topically treated with 0.9% saline, while the experimental site was treated with 2% ketamine or 1 % lidocaine. In the third set 20 rats, divided into two groups, were pre-treated either with 2% S(+)ketamine or 2% R(-)ketamine before the induction of peritonitis instead of the previously employed racemic version of the drug. Results. Treatment of the cecum or appendix areas with ketamine or lidocaine before the induction of peritonitis decreased the extravasation of Evan's Blue-albumin from 5.7±0.7 μg/100 mg tissue to 4.5±0.8, N.S. with 1% ketamine; from 5.9±0.8 to 4.1 ±0.7, P<0.01 with 2% ketamine; from 4.8±0.7 to 3.5±0.6, P<0.05 with 4% ketamine and from 5.9±0.6 to 3.6±0.8, P<0.01 with 1% lidocaine. Treatment of the areas of peritonitis with 2% ketamine or 1% lidocaine decreased the extravasation of Evan's Blue-albumin from 5.6±0.5 μg/100 mg tissue to 4.4±0.6, P<0.05 and from 6.0±0.8 to 5.0+0.7, P<0.01. Administration of the isomer S(+)ketamine to colonic areas before the induction of peritonitis reduced the extravasation of Evan's Blue-albumin from 6.5±0.7 μg/100 mg tissue to 4.1±0.6, P<0.01; while the isomer R(-)ketamine was inactive. Conclusions. These results indicate that topically applied ketamine inhibited the development of chemical peritonitis. This action of racemic ketamine was due to the isomer S(+)ketamine.
Enhanced Bioactive Myocardial Transforming Growth Factor-β in Advanced Human Heart Failure

BACKGROUND Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β activation is known to play a central role in progressive ventricular remodeling in advanced heart failure in animal models, but there has been no direct evidence of increased TGF-β activity in the myocardium of patients with advanced human heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using a recently developed bioassay that measures TGF-β bioactivity rather than TGF-β abundance, we measured bioactive TGF-β in human myocardium from control non-failing donors (NF), and patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Both free and total soluble TGF-β were significantly increased in ICM and DCM compared with NF. Free TGF-β had an excellent correlation with phosphorylated Smad2 (R(2)=0.55, P<0.0001), a downstream marker of TGF-β signaling. Collagen type I and type III were significantly upregulated in DCM compared with NF, consistent with histological evidence of myocardial fibrosis. Expression of fibulin-2, a positive modulator of TGF-β, was significantly increased in DCM compared with NF, and the free TGF-β level was correlated with fibulin-2 mRNA (R(2)=0.24, P<0.006). CONCLUSIONS Although both free and total soluble TGF-β are significantly increased in ICM and DCM compared with NF, the superior correlation of free TGF-β with downstream signaling suggests that this is the most functionally relevant form. The present findings suggest that sustained TGF-β activation in both ICM and DCM contributes to excess myocardial fibrosis.
The thermal radiation field emitted by anisotropically scattering cloudy planetary atmospheres.

Abstract The Mie theory is used to compute particle albedos ω 0 , phase functions p(cosθ), and extinction cross sections χE for a variety of particle-size distribution functions and complex indexes of refraction n = n ⇔k . It is found that ω 0 and χ E are quite dependent on n , but that the shape of p(cosθ) is not. It is concluded that because of the way in which these parameters enter the equation of radiative transfer, it is impossible to deduce uniquely the complex index of refraction of cloud materials by observing cloudy atmospheres over a single wavelength interval in the thermal infrared. Next, two methods-the method of discrete ordinates and an exact method— are used to investigate the outgoing thermal radiation field at the top of cloudy atmospheres as a function of the scattering and thermal properties of the atmosphere. Both isothermal and uniformly mixed convective atmospheres are considered in some detail. For limb-darkening observations over a single wavelength interval it is concluded that (1) the optical thickness τ1 can be fairly well determined except for the special set of cases {1.5≲τ1⪡∞; ω 0 >0.4} ; (2) the particle albedo ω 0 can be determined only for the cases 1.5≲τ1≲4, and only if ω 0 ≲0.4 ; and (3) no information is available regarding either the particle sizes or the shape of p(cosθ) under any circumstances. On the other hand it is found that the outgoing flux at the top of the atmosphere is sensitive to almost all the relevant single-scattering parameters, implying that observations of the limb function at several independent wavelengths would be extremely useful. In particular it may be possible to obtain some information about the wavelength variation of n , especially if 1.5≲τ1≲4and ω 0 ≲0.4 over most of the spectral range of interest. This is turn would be of extreme importance in connection with the chemical identification of the relevant particulate medium.
Quercetin cumulatively enhances copper induction of metallothionein in intestinal cells

Wilson’s disease, a genetic copper-overload condition, is currently treated with zinc because of the ability of zinc to induce metallothionein. We are interested in nonmetal chemicals that may alter intestinal copper metabolism and thus help to alleviate copper toxicity. Previously, we have shown that quercetin, a dietary flavonoid, can chelate copper. This study further examined the interaction of quercetin and copper in intestinal epithelial cells. We found that quercetin enhanced metallothoinein induction by copper and the effect was dose dependent. Quercetin also exerted a cumulative effect after repeated exposure. Repeated low-dose treatment (3–10 µM) of cells with quercetin can lead to the same effect on metallothoinein as one higher concentration treatment (100 µM). This property of quercetin is distinct from its chemical interaction with copper, but both can contribute to a reduction of copper toxicity. Among other flavonoids tested, two other copper chelators, catechin and rutin, did not increase copper induction of metallothionein, whereas genistein, an isoflavone that does not interact with copper chemically, increased copper induction of metallothionein. The effect of quercetin on copper metabolism is unique. Quercetin decreased zinc-stimulated metallothionein expression and had no effect on the cadmium induction of metallothionein. The clinical application of our observation needs to be explored.
Prevalence of cerebral palsy among ten-year-old children in metropolitan Atlanta, 1985 through 1987

The Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Study was a population-based study (1985 through 1987) to determine the prevalence of five developmental disabilities among 10-year-old children. The disabilities included cerebral palsy, mental retardation, visual impairment, hearing impairment, and epilepsy. The prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) and a description of the children with CP are reported here. Using a record review approach, we identified 204 10-year-old children with CP (resulting in a prevalence of 2.3 per 1000). The rate of CP was significantly higher among boys (prevalence odds ratio = 1.5; 95% confidence interval = 1.1, 2.0), and the rate was also higher among black children than white children (prevalence odds ratio = 1.3; 95% confidence interval = 1.0, 1.7). Thirty-three of the children (16%) acquired CP postnatally; these children were more likely to be black or male. The gender and racial differences found for acquired CP were greater than those for congenital CP. Approximately 75% of the children had one of the other four disabilities studied; 65% of the children were mentally retarded, 46% had epilepsy, and 15% had a sensory impairment. Our multiple-source method of identifying children with CP gave us a population-based sample from which to determine the prevalence of the condition and to study factors that are associated with CP.
Coarsening kinetics and microstructure of Ni3Ga precipitates in aged NiGa alloys

Abstract The decomposition of two supersaturated Ni-Ga alloys containing 18.11 and 18.97 wt.% Ga was investigated at 700 °C. Transmission electron microscopy was used to measure the average particle sizes and particle size distributions, and magnetic analysis was used to measure the reduction of supersaturation with aging time. Coherent precipitates of Ni3Ga with the ordered L12 crystal structure were present from the earliest aging times (10 min) in both alloys. The average particle size increases with aging time, t, as t 1 3 within the limits of experimental error, consistent with growth by diffusion-controlled coarsening. The particle size distributions are slightly broader than the theoretical distribution of the Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner theory, and appear to be independent of aging time and Ga concentration. The kinetics of the depletion of supersaturation with aging time are consistent with the predicted t −1 3 time law, although the scatter in the data was quite large. There appears to be a small effect of volume fraction on the kinetics of particle growth for the two values of fγ′ investigated (0.133 and 0.374), but the effect is absent in the kinetics of solute depletion. The values of the interfacial free energy, σ, and diffusion coefficient of Ga in Ni, D, derived from the data were 15.2±1.6 mJ m−2 and 1.04±0.20×10−13 cm2 s−1, respectively. The equilibrium solubility of Ga in the matrix at 700 °C is 17.58±0.08 wt.% (15.23±0.07 at.%), in excellent agreement with previously reported values. A cuboidal shape for the Ni3Ga precipitates is evident at an average radius of about 5.9 nm, and the spatial correlations leading to alignment along 〈100〉 are quite strong in Ni-Ga alloys as well. These findings are qualitatively consistent with expectation for an alloy for which the estimated room-temperature lattice misfit is 0.0061.
Comparative potency of several progestogenic compounds in a battery of different biological tests.

This report compares the effectiveness of various compounds with progestogenic activity in a series of tests involving the chick the rat the mouse and the rabbit. The inhibition of oviduct growth stimulation of decidual growth and the Clauberg test were used for measurement of activity of 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate 11 dehydroprogesterone 17-alpha-ethyl-19-nortestosterone and 17-alpha-ethinyl-19-nortestosterone. In the chick oviduct test 16-day-old female white Leghorns were treated for 7 days and sacrificed on Day 8. The entire genital tract from the infundibulum to the cloaca was included in the oviduct weight. Injection of stilbestrol alone gave a typical sigmoid dose-response curve with a sharp increase in weight from 13 mg % of body weight at .05 mg daily to 1048 mg percent at 1 mg daily. A standard dose of 1 mg a day of stilbestrol was then selected for further experiments. Progesterone produced a marked inhibition of the stilbestrol-stimulated oviduct in the chick particularly when dissolved in oil; all the compounds tested showed some inhibition ability. Adult female Holtzman rats were castrated treated with 1 mg of estrone for 4 days followed by 9 days of progesterone or one of the test compounds. The uterus was exposed on Day 5 of test-drug treatment and 1 mg of histamine dihydrochloride injected into the left horn. A marked deciduoma was apparent with .5 mg progesterone daily. The degree of deciduomatogenesis was evaluated by comparing the percentage of increase of the histamine-treated horn with the other. At .2-2 mg daily progesterone gave a good dose response curve up to 400% increase when suspended in oil. Suspension of the hormone in saline with "Tween 80" decreased activity by 50%. 11-dehydroprogesterone was twice as effective as progesterone. The other compounds gave little or no response even in large doses. In mice similar tests showed the decidual response in the mouse is a more sensitive index of progestone-like activity than in the rat. No significant activity was observed with any of the test compounds except 17-alpha-ethyl-19-norethisterone. The Clauberg test in rabbits gave similar results to previously reported work. 11-dehydroprogesterone was effective at .15 mg twice the activity of progesterone. It had only a third the activity of progesterone in the Hooker-Forbes test. Both the 17-alpha-ethyl-19-nortestosterone and the 17-alpha-ethinyl-19-nortestosterone appeared to be superior to progesterone in Clauberg and chick-oviduct tests; the ethynyl derivative was superior to the ethyl derviative in the chick test; only 11-dehydroprogesterone mirrored all the activities of progesterone and was consistently superior to the hormone.
Adaptive front-end throttling for superscalar processors

To achieve high performance, conventional superscalar processors maintain maximum front-end instruction delivery bandwidth, which is often suboptimal when program behavior and priority metrics change. This paper proposes an adaptive front-end throttling technique that dynamically adjusts the front-end instruction delivery bandwidth as program behavior changes to optimize a target metric, being performance, energy, or an arbitrary trade-off between them. Circuit-level synthesis (45nm FreePDK) and simulation show that adaptive front-end throttling incurs negligible overhead but achieves average improvements of 7%, 28%, 28%, and 32% for performance, energy, energy-delay product, and energy-delay-squared product, respectively, over all benchmarks on an 8-way superscalar processor.
High resolution measurements of 14N, D quadrupole coupling in CH3CN and CD3CN

A molecular beam maser spectrometer was used to measure hyperfine structure on the J=1→ 0 rotational transitions in CH3CN and CD3CN. Measured nitrogen quadrupole coupling strengths are 1eqaaQ(N)=−4224.4 ± 1.5 kHz for CH3CN and eqaaQ(N)=−4229.3 ± 1.5 kHz for CD3CN. The deuterium quadrupole coupling strength along the C–D bond direction is eqzzQ(D)=167.5 ± 4.0 kHz Nitrogen quadrupole coupling is discussed in relation to the electronic structure. Spin‐rotation interaction strengths are reported. A convenient method for calculating matrix elements for hyperfine interactions in an arbitrary coupling scheme is presented.