cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microradiographic and microhardness studies of developing enamel

Abstract This study was undertaken on human and Rhesus monkey enamel using three methods of analysis to gain information concerning the pattern of enamel calcification: (1) microhardness pattern of enamel mineralization; (2) microradiography; and (3) plastic substitution studies. Halves of teeth were selected and tested on a Tukon Microhardness Tester with a Knoop Diamond Indentor. The other half of each tooth was further sectioned. Several sections from each tooth were ground to less than 150 μ in thickness and microradiographs were taken; the remainder were used for the substitution studies. All organic tissue and water were removed from the sections and replaced with plastic. Decalcification of these sections revealed areas of low and high organic and water content. It was found that mineralization of the enamel matrix begins at the dentino-enamel junction and proceeds peripherally, thus following the incremental pattern of formation of the enamel matrix. Final calcification is completed after the matrix is completely deposited and follows this same pattern from the dentino-enamel junction peripherally. The enamel rod matrix becomes calcified before the interrod substance, the latter thus presenting pathways for diffusion of tissue fluid containing calcium and phosphate ions, during the mineralization process. The interrod substance is the first area of enamel to be altered in dental caries. Thus the steps in enamel destruction are in reverse order to those in enamel formation.
Teaching Graduate Students to Write: A seminar for thesis and dissertation writers

Many graduate students face thesis or dissertation writing under-prepared. To help some of them with the task, the author developed a seminar called Social-Science Writing. This article describes that seminar: its organisation, themes, in-class and take-home writing assignments, readings, and student writing workshop. The author also reviews some of the books available to help even novice writers both with their own writing, and to develop the confidence to teach (or request) such a course themselves.
Strengths and limitations of assessing forest density and spatial configuration with aerial LiDAR

Abstract Changes in the structural state of forests of the semi-arid U.S.A., such as an increase in tree density, are widely believed to be leading to an ecological crisis, but accurate methods of quantifying forest density and configuration are lacking at landscape scales. An individual tree canopy (ITC) method based on aerial LiDAR has been developed to assess forest structure by estimating the density and spatial configuration of trees in four different height classes. The method has been tested against field measured forest inventory data from two geographically distinct forests with independent LiDAR acquisitions. The results show two distinct patterns: accurate, unbiased density estimates for trees taller than 20 m, and underestimation of density in trees less than 20 m tall. The underestimation of smaller trees is suggested to be a limitation of LiDAR remote sensing. Ecological applications of the method are demonstrated through landscape metrics analysis of density and configuration rasters.
Evolution of the amyloid fiber over multiple length scales.

The amyloid is a natural self-assembled peptide material comparable in specific stiffness to spider silk and steel. Throughout the literature there are many studies of the nanometer-sized amyloid fibril; however, peptide mixtures are capable of self-assembling beyond the nanometer scale into micrometer-sized fibers. Here, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are used to observe the self-assembly of the peptide mixtures in solution for 20 days and the fibers upon drying. Beyond the nanometer scale, self-assembling fibers differentiate into two morphologies, cylindrical or rectangular cross-section, depending on peptide properties. Microscopic observations delineate a four stage self-assembly mechanism: (1) protofibril (2–4 nm high and 15–30 nm wide) formation; (2) protofibril aggregation into fibrils 6–10 nm high and 60–120 nm wide; (3) fibril aggregation into large fibrils and morphological differentiation where large fibrils begin to resemble the final fiber morphology of ...
Time and space-correlated plasma potential measurements in the near field of a coaxial Hall plasma discharge

Space- and time-correlated measurements of floating and plasma potential are made in the near field, external flow cathode region of a coaxial Hall plasma discharge using an emissive probe synchronized to quasicoherent fluctuations in discharge current. The luminous axial feature frequently observed in the near field of operating plasma accelerators is found to be concomitant with a spike in the plasma potential (and electron temperature). The structure of the plasma potential allows for multiple avenues for back-streaming ions to accelerate toward the discharge front pole and may pull some classes of ions toward the central axis. The fluctuations in plasma properties exhibit a complex structure at frequencies on the order of the so-called “breathing mode” ionization instability often seen in these types of discharges. Most notably, the plasma potential appears to fluctuate in a helical fashion, resembling tilted drift waves rotating about the central axis. A simple analysis of these waves draws attention...
The relationship between fumarole gas composition and eruptive activity at Galeras Volcano, Colombia

Forecasting volcanic eruptions is critical to the mitigation of hazards for the millions of people living dangerously close to active volcanoes. Volcanic gases collected over five years from Galeras Volcano, Colombia, and analyzed for chemical and isotopic composition show the effects of long-term degassing of the magma body and a gradual decline in sulfur content of the gases. In contrast, short-term (weeks), sharp variations are the precursors to explosive eruptions. Selective absorption of magmatic SO{sub 2} and HCl due to interaction with low-temperature geothermal waters allows the gas emissions to become dominated by CO{sub 2}. Absorption appears to precede an eruption because magmatic volatiles are slowed or retained by a sealing carapace, reducing the total flux of volatiles and allowing the hydrothermal volatiles to dominate gas emissions. Temporal changes in gas compositions were correlated with eruptive activity and provide new evidence bearing on the mechanism of this type of `pneumatic` explosive eruptions. 18 refs., 5 figs.
Some properties and applications of singularity functions based on the theory of distributions

Abstract Some properties of singularity functions useful for applications to the mechanics of deformable solids are developed with Schwartz's Theory of Distributions and applied to beam and plate flexure problems. In the development of the mathematics of singularity functions, which are postulated to be the kernels of distributions, it is shown that for these properties no discrepancy occurs when the singularity functions are considered as ordinary point functions.
Cysteine scanning mutagenesis of TM5 reveals conformational changes in OxlT, the oxalate transporter of Oxalobacter formigenes

We constructed a single cysteine panel encompassing TM5 of the oxalate transporter, OxlT. The 25 positions encompassed by TM5 were largely tolerant of mutagenesis, and functional product was recovered for 21 of the derived variants. For these derivatives, thiol-directed MTS-linked agents (MTSEA, MTSCE, and MTSES) were used as probes of transporter function, yielding eleven mutants that responded to probe treatment, as indicated by effects on oxalate transport. Further study identified three biochemical phenotypes among these responders. Group 1 included seven mutants, exemplified by G151C, displaying substrate protection against probe inhibition. Group 2 was comprised of a single mutant, P156C, which had unexpected behavior. In this case, we observed increased activity if weak acid/base or neutral probes were used, while exposure to probes introducing a fixed charge led to decreased function. In both instances, the presence of substrate prevented the observed response. Group 3 contained three mutants (eg, S143C) in which probe sensitivity was increased by the presence of substrate. The finding of substrate-protectable probe modification in Groups 1 and 2 suggests that TM5 lies on the permeation pathway, as do its structural counterparts, TM2, TM8 and TM11. In addition, we speculate that substrate binding facilitates TM5 conformational changes that allow new regions become accessible to MTS-linked probes (Group 3). These biochemical data are consistent with the recently developed OxlT homology model.
PREVALENCE OF ABNORMAL VOIDING PATTERNS IN CHILDREN WITH UTI. 2137

We obtained a detailed history of voiding pattern in 250 children who developed their first UTI between ages 2-10 yrs.; 92% had more than one UTI. Patients (Pts.) with neurogenic voiding dysfunction and urinary tract obstruction were excluded. Table
Three-Dimensional, Real-Time, and High-Accuracy Inline Monitoring System for Roll to Roll Manufacturing

A non-contact, real-time, high-accuracy, low-cost, broad-range, and full-field 3D shape measurement technique is presented. The technique is based on a generalized fringe projection profilometry approach, and it employs random phase shifting, double- frequency projection fringes, ultrafast direct phase unwrapping, and inverse self-calibration schemes to perform 3D shape determinations with enhanced accuracies in a real-time manner. The measurement accuracy can reach 1/10000 of the field of view or higher, and the acquisition speed is capable of achieving 5 to 30 3D views per second. Experiments have been conducted to verify the validity of the proposed technique. Due to its superior capability, the real-time, high-accuracy 3D shape measurement technique is very suitable for inline monitoring the flexible electronics products during roll to roll manufacturing, and it can also serve as an experimental tool to investigate the mechanical/thermal reliability issues involved in flexible electronics design and optimization analysis.
Skeletal biology over the life span: a view from the surfaces.

The biocultural interpretation of skeletal remains is based upon the foundation of skeletal biology. In this review we examine the current state of skeletal biology research outside of the mainstream anthropology literature. The focus is on the structural changes of bone development and growth, and modeling and repair in the four bone surfaces: periosteal, Haversian, endosteal, and trabecular. The pattern of skeletal changes is placed within the framework of the human life span. New perspectives and direction of research on the environmental, biological, and genetic influences on modeling and remodeling processes are discussed chronologically at each bone surface. Implications for biological anthropologists are considered. This approach emphasizes variation in skeletal biology as a dynamic record of development, maturity, and aging. Yrbk Phys Anthropol 54:86–98, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the two-dimensional generic rigidity matroid and its dual

Abstract We give a characterization of the dual of the 2-dimensional generic rigidity matroid R ( G ) of a graph G and derive necessary and sufficient conditions for a connected matroid to be the rigidity matroid of a birigid graph.
An Empirical Analysis of Using Text-to-Speech Software to Revise First-Year College Students’ Essays

Abstract Traditionally, composition experts have suggested reading drafts aloud as a means of revising essays; however, the method of reading drafts aloud is severely limited by a single factor: student writers do not always read what is on the page (Hartwell, 1985). Text-to-speech (TTS) software allows students to have their essays read to them so that the limiting factor of reading their own drafts aloud becomes minimized. TTS programs read what is written on the computer screen, and the result is that the students can “hear” the problems of their essays as opposed to simply “seeing” them. Nevertheless, composition researchers have not conducted any empirical studies to determine whether or not TTS is beneficial for “local” and “global” revision, nor have any studies been conducted to determine if TTS is beneficial for students above the fifth grade. This article documents an experimental study conducted at a southwestern university in the United States with fifty-one students to determine whether or not TTS software is useful in the revision process. The results show that users of TTS were as likely as users in the control group to make proofreading changes but less inclined to make local or global changes in the revision process, indicating that TTS possibly works well for proofreading but not necessarily as well for higher-order revision. Further research is recommended to determine TTS's effectiveness during a longitudinal study as well as for auditory learners and ESL students.
β2-Microglobulin knockout mice treated with anti-asialoGM1 exhibit improved hemodynamics and cardiac contractile function during acute intra-abdominal sepsis

We previously showed that β2-microglobulin knockout mice treated with anti-asialoGM1 (β2M/αAsGM1 mice) exhibit less hypothermia, reduced production of proinflammatory cytokines, less metabolic acid...
An economic analysis of R & D joint ventures

A graphical model of co-operative R & D activity is presented, from which outcomes of R & D joint ventures are posited. The analysis predicts that R & D spending will increase as a result of co-operation and that the increment will tend to be in basic research more than applied or development.
The Relationship between Preservice Early Childhood Teachers' Cultural Values and Their Perceptions of Scientists' Cultural Values.

This paper describes research that compares preservice early childhood teachers’ cultural values and the values they believe are held by scientists. Using the Schwartz Values Inventory (SVI) (Schwartz (1992) Adv Exp Soc Psychol 25:331–351) preservice early childhood teachers cultural values were assessed, followed by an assessment of the values they believed were held by scientists. Schwartz postulated that cultural values could be aggregated into 11 domains (universalism, benevolence, tradition, self-direction, stimulation, hedonism, achievement, power, conformity, spirituality, and security). Paired T-tests indicated significant differences between preservice early childhood teachers’ cultural values from those they believed scientists held on the domains of power, achievement, stimulation, benevolence, conformity, and security. The discussion explores the meaning of these results and provides implications for early childhood science teacher education.
Calcium Exchange and Structural Changes during the Photosynthetic Oxygen Evolving Cycle

PSII catalyzes the oxidation of water and reduction of plastoquinone in oxygenic photosynthesis. PSII contains an oxygen-evolving complex, which is located on the lumenal side of the PSII reaction center and which contains manganese, calcium, and chloride. Four sequential photooxidation reactions are required to generate oxygen. This process produces five Sn-states, where n refers to the number of oxidizing equivalents stored. Calcium is required for oxygen production. Strontium is the only divalent cation that replaces calcium and maintains activity. In our previous FT-IR work, we assessed the effect of strontium substitution on substrate-limited PSII preparations, which were inhibited at the S3 to S0 transition. In this work, we report reaction-induced FT-IR studies of hydrated PSII preparations, which undergo the full S-state cycle. The observed difference FT-IR spectra reflect long-lived photoinduced conformational changes in the oxygen-evolving complex; strontium exchange identifies vibrational bands sensitive to substitutions at the calcium site. During the S1′ to S2′ transition, the data are consistent with an electrostatic or structural perturbation of the calcium site. During the S3′ to S0′ and S0′ to S1′ transitions, the data are consistent with a perturbation of a hydrogen bonding network, which contains calcium, water, and peptide carbonyl groups. To explain our data, persistent shifts in divalent cation coordination must occur when strontium is substituted for calcium. A modified S-state model is proposed to explain these results and results in the literature.
Endosurgery: What Do We Need?

A paradigm shift in therapeutic endoscopy occurred with the advent of mucosectomy for the treatment of mucosal neoplasms and suture plication for gastroesophageal reflux disease. The objectives changed from finding simple, easy, and quick alternatives to surgery to reproducing surgical results. A radical version of flexible endoscopy has emerged to meet new goals of full-thickness resections, creation of anastomoses, and lumen reconfiguration. This will require a new generation of endosurgical tools that cut, stitch, and staple with added dimensions of multiaxis orientation and triangulation.
Decision making strategy for handling biocides. Experience at Yuma Desalting Plant (Yuma AZ, USA)

Abstract A decision making strategy is proposed for handling and disposal of biocides required for protecting RO membranes in storing, shipping and operation. Most of the examples are derived from experience at the Yuma Desalination Plant. Biocide handling and disposal are influenced by many factors, including the environmental impacts (both proximate and “downstream”), regulatory permits, hazardous waste regulations, personnel health and safety, public health and safety, public relations, reverse osmosis (RO) membrane characteristics, manufacturer's warranties, and monitoring /testing requirements. These factors have influences on several aspects of design and operation of RO plants, such as plant control requirements, storage/treatment/disposal facilities for biocides, membrane longevity, safety equipment, etc., which in turn influence some of the initial factors. Successful design and operation of biocide handling and disposal must be attentive to this circle of influences and seek a balance among them while achieving environmental regulatory compliance and responsible environmental impacts.
Adult murine hippocampal neurogenesis is inhibited by sustained IL-1β and not rescued by voluntary running

Abstract Acute neuroinflammation reduces adult hippocampal neurogenesis but the role of chronic neuroinflammation, which may be more representative of ongoing processes in CNS disorders, remains relatively unknown. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that has been shown to acutely impair neurogenesis. To further investigate the relationship between sustained IL-1β expression and adult neurogenesis, a mouse model with an IL-1β excisionally activated transgene, IL-1β XAT , was utilized. Upon exposure to Cre recombinase, IL-1β overexpression in this model results in chronic neuroinflammation, which persists up to 12 months and causes glial activation, cellular recruitment, and deficits in learning and memory. We hypothesized that adult neurogenesis would be reduced by sustained hippocampal IL-1β overexpression and rescued by voluntary running, which has been shown to enhance neurogenesis. Hippocampal inflammation in the IL-1β XAT model severely impaired doublecortin (DCX) positive cells at 1 and 3 months after IL-1β induction. Furthermore, BrdU labeling demonstrated a shift in cell lineage from neuronal to astroglial in the context of sustained hippocampal IL-1β overexpression. Deletion of the IL-1 receptor prevented the decrease in DCX + cells. Voluntary running did not attenuate the effects of IL-1β expression demonstrated by DCX staining. These results suggest that chronic neuroinflammation severely impairs adult hippocampal neurogenesis and voluntary running is not beneficial as a therapy to rescue these effects.
Minimax distance designs in two-level factorial experiments

Abstract A minimax distance criterion was set forth in Johnson et al. (1990) for the purpose of selection among experimental designs. Unlike the usual design criteria such as D-, E- or G-optimality, minimax distance presumes no underlying model and, in turn, is not concerned with the rank of an associated design matrix. In situations where either the model is unknown or it is not possible to run enough experiments to estimate all parameters of an assumed model, this criterion is considered as a viable tool in the task of design selection. This paper deals with the design space associated with n factors, each of which can take two levels. We exhibit minimax distance designs that compare favorably with designs chosen to do well on classical grounds.
Gene duplication and the uniqueness of vertebrate genomes circa 1970–1999

In this article I review research undertaken over the past 30 years into the role that gene duplication played in shaping vertebrate genomes. I discuss early karyotype studies that pointed to a relative stability of mammalian and avian genomes, the discovery and possible evolutionary significance of enormous genomes in urodele amphibians and lungfish, genome compaction in certain specialised bony fish, evidence for two rounds of total genome doubling in early vertebrate evolution and the fate of duplicated genes in polyploid fish.
Adult Age Differences in the Attentional Capacity Demands of Visual Search

Four experiments investigated the ability of young (18 to 27 years) and older (59 to 76 years) adults to perform visual search and tone detection concurrently. In each experiment, the proportional increase in tone reaction time (RT) on the dual-task trials, relative to a tone-only baseline, was greater for older adults than for young adults. In contrast, the changes in tone RT that occurred as a function of the temporal interval between the tone and the visual display were similar for the young and older adults in each experiment. The age differences in tone-detection performance appeared to represent an age-related reduction in a processing resource, such as attentional capacity or effort, that is distinct from processing speed. This age-related reduction in attentional capacity was evident in the encoding and response selection processes required by the visual-search task, and in the use of advance information for improving search performance.
Angiogenesis in implantation

Problem Implantation failure and early pregnancy loss are common following natural conceptions and they are particularly important clinical hurdles to overcome following assisted reproduction attempts. The importance of adequate vascular development and maintenance during implantation has recently become a major focus of investigation.
Multiple activation energies for conversion of He(2 3S) atoms to He2(a 3Σu +) molecules in ternary collisions

Abstract The temperature dependence for conversion of He(2 3 S) metastable atoms to He 2 (a 3 Σ u + ) metastable molecules in the three-body reaction He(2 3 S) + 2He(1 1 S) → He 2 (a 3 Σ u + ) + He(1 1 S) has been investigated over the temperature range 65–700 K. This reaction is thermally activated due to a long range repulsive barrier in the He(2 2 S)-He(1 1 S) interaction potential. Analysis of the data obtained at higher temperatures yields an activation energy E 0 of ≈ 60 meV, comparable to the known He(2 3 S)-He(2 1 S) repulsive barrier height. At lower temperatures, however, the activation energy inferred from the data is much smaller, suggesting that for certain reaction geometries the barrier can be significantly lowered by the presence of the third body.
The maxillary palp of Drosophila : ultrastructure and physiology depends on the lozenge gene

The ultrastructure and physiology of the maxillary palp of Drosophila melanogaster have been studied in wild-type and lozenge mutants. Olfactory physiology in the maxillary palp is shown to depend upon the lozenge(lz) gene. Reduced response amplitudes were recorded for all odorants tested, and the physiological defect was shown to map to the lz locus. The structure of the maxillary palp sensilla is described by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at high magnification, initially in the wild-type. A linear arrangement of pores, connected by furrows, was found in one class of sensilla, the basiconic sensilla. In the lz3 mutant, morphological alterations in the basiconic sensilla and duplications of sensilla are documented by SEM. The correlation of structural abnormalities in the lz sensilla and physiological abnormalities in odorant response are consistent with an olfactory role for the basiconic sensilla of the maxillary palp.
Paddlefish Precipitating‐Antibody Reactions and in Vitro Macrophage Adherence with Larvae of Hysterothylacium dollfusi

Abstract Sera and macrophages of paddlefish Polyodon spathula were used to examine possible interaction between humoral and cellular components of the immune system and encysting larvae of Hysterothylacium dollfusi (Nematoda; Anisakidae). Sera, macrophages, and encysted larvae were obtained from paddlefish taken from the upper Missouri River drainage during spring spawning migrations. Sera from 6.8% of female paddlefish examined (N = 44) in double-immunodiffusion assays contained precipitating antibodies that reacted with homogenate prepared from H. dollfusi larvae. A significantly higher percentage (55.9%) of sera from male paddlefish examined (N = 9) in these assays contained precipitating antibodies. Assays conducted in 1992 and 1993 showed that macrophages from paddlefish adhere to H. dollfusi larvae in vitro and that the time required for paddlefish macrophages to appear on the surface of larvae was significantly less for antibodyopsonized larvae than for nontreated larvae. Observations from 1993 als...
Lossless Compression Of Block Motion Information In Motion Compensated Video Coding

It is well known that the motion compensation is a powerful approach to the video coding. The redundancy within adjacent video frames is exploited by motion compensated interframe prediction. The motion information and the prediction error are transmitted to the receiver to reconstruct the video frames. The motion information must be compressed in a lossless way. Several lossless data compression techniques are tested and compared here for the motion information. It is observed that more than 50% compression of motion data is achieved. This corresponds to approximately 0.05 bits/pel for the motion information in the tested scheme, which is about 10-15% of total bits used in low bit rate video applications.
Phytate Metabolism in Bean Seedlings duringPost-Germinative Growth

Summary The phytate metabolism of snap and pinto beans seedlings was studied during post-germinativegrowth. Rapid phytate degradation in embryonic axis started at the time of root emergence and continued for two days of post-germinative growth. Surprisingly, phytate synthesis was observed in the embryonic axes of both races after 2 – 3 days and the original amount of phytate for the embryonic axis had doubled the amount in the axis of dry seed. The phytate synthesis was inferred because the phytate level in embryonic axis reached a plateau per unit of fresh weight after 3 days of post-germinative growth. Inorganic phosphate (P i ) at the 10 and 20 mM level significantly increased the endogenous P i content in the embryonic axes, but showed no effect on the phytate levels in the embryonic axes or cotyledons. The phytate content of bean embryonic axes underwent a significant increase upon cultivation with extremely high levels of P i (40 mM). A similar effect was observed using lower P i levels (20 mM) if the axes had been excised prior to cultivation. Both treatments resulted in the phytate accumulation, but adverse effects on the growth and development of embryonic axes were associated with both these treatments. We conclude that phytate synthesis in the embryonic axis is a regular event during post-germinative growth of bean seedlings. Furthermore, the phytate degradation in cotyledons reflected the growth rate of the embryonic axis irrespectively of the Pi content in the embryonic axis.
Close encounters: Interracial contact and conflict on Detroit's public transit in World War II

During World War II, most blacks and whites lived and worked in racially segregated spaces in the USA's urban north. Sites of interracial contact between these segregated realms were provided by public transit vehicles. It is shown in the case of Detroit that under crowded wartime conditions existing racial tensions were exacerbated by contact between blacks and whites on public transit. Many white Detroiters acted upon their fears of losing spatial control of public transit vehicles, as black passengers and vehicle operators became a more visible presence during the war. This paper explores white riders' attempts to thwart blacks' claims to equal access on public transportation, using police reports of daily incidents, newspapers, letters and rumours.
LPBT: An energy-aware link quality metric for Wireless Mesh Networks

Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) have generated a lot of enthusiasm over the last decade or so, both in research and implementations. However, they are yet to reach their full potential and deliver on the promise of ubiquitous high-speed Internet access, due to a number of real world limitations. As such, the current research focus is shifting towards understanding the ground realities of building a high-performing WMN and finding solutions to any shortcomings. The success of these attempts has the potential to propel the popularity of WMNs to a whole new level. However, with increasing popularity, energy efficiency also becomes a major consideration for WMN design, not only to facilitate power-constrained usages, but also to be proactive in energy conservation as a whole. The existing research in WMNs considers energy-efficiency as an after-thought at best, especially since existing criteria and metrics are not being designed with energy-efficiency in mind. In this paper, we present a new energy-aware link quality metric that could be used at the initial configuration of a WMN to increase the average throughput, while reducing the power consumption. We validate our design strategy with a detailed measurement study performed on a mesh network testbed. We show that in addition to increasing the throughput and reducing the power consumption, we can increase the connectivity of the network by using this link quality metric.
The Pediatric Surgeon and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): An important partnership for surgeons and children

The American Academy of Pediatrics provided a home for pediatric surgery when organized surgery did not recognize the specialty. They have continued to support surgical specialties in their pursuit of quality in education, training and practice. The AAP has appropriate infrastructure to support advocacy at both the federal and state levels. The fact that it does not have a PAC, and that it always puts the child first, has given it great credibility. Much of the AAP infrastructure is already used by surgeons to advocate for their patients, but still more opportunities for collaboration are available.
Milk-induced analgesia and comforting in 10-day-old rats: opioid mediation.

Abstract The effects of slow intraoral milk infusions on the opioid-mediated behaviors of ultrasonic vocalizations and paw removal from a hot plate (48–49°C) were evaluated in 10-day-old rats. Milk reduced distress vocalization by circa 30% while increasing paw lift latencies by about 60%. Alterations in both behaviors were fully reversed by naltrexone (0.5 mg/kg) pretreatments. These data demonstrate the calming and analgesic effects of milk. Implications for a possible role of opioid peptides in mother-young relationships are discussed.
Electromechanical dysfunction of the left atrium associated with interatrial block.

Objectives Our purpose was to determine the effect of interatrial block (IAB, P-wave duration ≥120 ms) on left atrial (LA) dynamics. IAB is associated with LA enlargement (LAE). LA dysfunction is associated with decreased left ventricular filling, a propensity for LA appendage thrombus formation, and reduced atrial natriuretic peptide levels. We evaluated LA function in patients with and without IAB matched for LA size. Methods Echocardiograms with LA enlargement were analyzed. Twenty-four patients had IAB, and 16 patients without IAB formed the control group. LA volumes, A-wave acceleration times (At), LA stroke volume (LASV), ejection fraction (LAEF), and kinetic energy (LAKE) were calculated. Results The control group and patients with IAB had comparable maximal LA volume and diameter (P >.05). Patients with IAB had significantly longer At (115 ± 39 ms vs 83 ± 24 ms, P <.01) and smaller LASV (7 ± 5 mL vs 17 ± 6 mL, P <.01), LAEF (9% ± 6% vs 25% ± 8%, P <.01), and LAKE (20 ± 14 vs 65 ± 44 Kdyne/cm/s, P <.01). LAKE varied inversely with P-wave duration (r = –0.51, P <.01). P-wave duration and minimal LA volume were independent determinants of LAEF. Conclusions Patients with IAB have a sluggish, poorly contractile LA, and the extent of dysfunction is related to the degree of electrical delay from IAB. IAB should be considered a marker of an electromechanically dysfunctional LA and hence a risk factor for atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. (Am Heart J 2001;142:823-7.)
Aminoguanidine does not inhibit aldose reductase activity in galactose-fed rats☆

Abstract Aminoguanidine, a nucleophilic hydrazine derivative, has been shown to inhibit diamine oxidase, the formation of advanced glycation endproducts, nitric oxide synthase, and catalase. Prompted by the reports that aminoguanidine also inhibits aldose reductase (AR), we have investigated the effect of aminoguanidine, 1,3-diaminoguanidine, and methylguanidine on AR activity in vitro, and in vivo. In vitro, we have measured the inhibition of AR isolated from bovine lenses; in vivo, we have examined the effect on the galactitol levels in the red blood cells, sciatic nerve, retina, and lens of rats administered the test compounds for 11 days in the drinking water and, for the last 4 days, given access to a 20% galactose diet. Two known, structurally distinct AR inhibitors, tolrestat and compound WAY-121,509, were used as reference. In vitro, at concentrations up to 1.0 mmol/L, none of the tested guanidine derivatives had any effect on AR. As a corollary, in vivo, at doses ranging from 201 to 349 mg/kg/day, none of the guanidine derivatives affected tissular galactitol levels. We conclude that, in short-term galactose-fed rats, at the doses tested, aminoguanidine, 1,3-diaminoguanidine, and methylguanidine do not inhibit AR.
Warts and Yorkie Mediate Intestinal Regeneration by Influencing Stem Cell Proliferation

Homeostasis in the Drosophila midgut is maintained by stem cells [1, 2]. The intestinal epithelium contains two types of differentiated cells that are lost and replenished: enteroendocrine (EE) cells and enterocytes (ECs). Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) are the only cells in the adult midgut that proliferate [3, 4], and ISC divisions give rise to an ISC and an enteroblast (EB), which differentiates into an EC or an EE cell [3-5]. If the midgut epithelium is damaged, then ISC proliferation increases [6-12]. Damaged ECs express secreted ligands (Unpaired proteins) that activate Jak-Stat signaling in ISCs and EBs to promote their proliferation and differentiation [7, 9, 13, 14]. We show that the Hippo pathway components Warts and Yorkie mediate a transition from low- to high-level ISC proliferation to facilitate regeneration. The Hippo pathway regulates growth in diverse organisms and has been linked to cancer [15, 16]. Yorkie is activated in ECs in response to tissue damage or activation of the damage-sensing Jnk pathway. Activation of Yorkie promotes expression of unpaired genes and triggers a nonautonomous increase in ISC proliferation. Our observations uncover a role for Hippo pathway components in regulating stem cell proliferation and intestinal regeneration.
Impact responses of multi-body systems with consistent and lumped masses

Abstract A method is presented for the dynamic analysis of inertia-variant constrained mechanical systems of interconnected rigid and flexible components which may be impacting on one another. The flexible bodies are permitted to undergo large angular rotations. Elastic co-ordinaets of flexible components are described by using sets of shape functions or shape vectors, resulting in consistent or lumped mass formulations that account for the non-linear inertia coupling between the reference motion and elastic deformations. The consistent formulation allows the use of the Rayleigh-Ritz method or the finite element method, while the lumped mass formulation allows the direct use of assumed shape vectors or experimentally identified data. The generalized impulse momentum relations for all bodies of the constrained mechanical system are formulated and solved to account for jump discontinuities in system velocities and constraint reaction forces resulting from impact. Numerical examples illustrate the effect of using estimated dynamic characteristics as well as using truncated sets of elastic co-ordinates to represent the elastic motion of flexible bodies on the accuracy of the dynamic model of a multi-body system subjected to shock loading conditions due to the impacts.
Mesoscopic surfactant organization and membrane protein crystallization.

The paucity of detailed X-ray crystallographic struc- tures of integral membrane proteins arises from substantive tech- nical obstacles in the overexpression of multimilligram quantities of protein, and in the crystallization of purified protein-detergent complexes ~PDCs!. With rare exception, crystal contacts within the lattice are mediated by protein-protein interaction, and the detergent surrounding the protein behaves as a disordered solvent. The addition and use of surfactants that display mesoscopic self- assembly behavior in membrane protein crystallization experi- ments presents a novel alternative strategy. Well-ordered crystals of the water channel human aquaporin-1 ~hAQP1! that diffract to 4 A resolution have been obtained with this approach.
How to manage an information state: Jean-Baptiste Colbert’s archives and the education of his son

This article examines the archival methods developed by Colbert to train his son in state administration. Based on Colbert’s correspondence with his son, it reveals the practices Colbert thought necessary to collect and manage information in his state encyclopedic archive during the last half of the 17th century.
A Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Anchor Is Required for Membrane Localization but Dispensable for Cell Wall Association of Chitin Deacetylase 2 in Cryptococcus neoformans

Cell wall proteins (CWPs) mediate important cellular processes in fungi, including adhesion, invasion, biofilm forma- tion, andflocculation. The current model of fungal cell wall organization includes a major class of CWPs covalently bound to -1,6-glucan via a remnant of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. This model was established by studies of ascomyce- tes more than a decade ago, and relatively little work has been done with other fungi, although the presumption has been that proteins identified in the cell wall which contain a predicted GPI anchor are covalently linked to cell wall glucans. The patho- genic basidiomycete Cryptococcus neoformans encodes >50 putatively GPI-anchored proteins, some of which have been identi- fied in the cell wall. One of these proteins is chitin deacetylase 2 (Cda2), an enzyme responsible for converting chitin to chitosan, a cell wall polymer recently established as a virulence factor for C. neoformans infection of mammalian hosts. Using a combina- tion of biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics, we show that Cda2 is GPI anchored to membranes but noncovalently as- sociated with the cell wall by means independent of both its GPI anchor and -1,6-glucan. We also show that Cda2 produces chi- tosan when localized to the plasma membrane, but association with the cell wall is not essential for this process, thereby providing insight into the mechanism of chitosan biosynthesis. These results increase our understanding of the surface of C. neoformans and provide models of cell walls likely applicable to other undercharacterized basidiomycete pathogenic fungi. IMPORTANCE The surface of a pathogenic microbe is a major interface with its host. In fungi, the outer surface consists of a com- plex matrix known as the cell wall, which includes polysaccharides, proteins, and other molecules. The mammalian host recog- nizes many of these surface molecules and mounts appropriate responses to combat the microbial infection. Cryptococcus neo- formansis a serious fungal pathogen that kills over 600,000 people annually. It converts most of its chitin, a cell wall polysaccharide, to chitosan, which is necessary for virulence. Chitin deacetylase enzymes have been identified in the cell wall, and our studies were undertaken to understand how the deacetylase is linked to the wall and where it has activity. Our results have implications for the current model of chitosan biosynthesis and further challenge the paradigm of covalent linkages be- tween cell wall proteins and polysaccharides through a lipid modification of the protein.
Role of craniotomy in the management of pituitary adenomas and sellar/parasellar tumors

The transphenoidal procedure has become the preferred approach in the surgical management of sellar/parasellar tumors. Nevertheless, specific indications remain for the transcranial approach and the objective of this review is to evaluate the available data on outcomes following transcranial or transphenoidal approaches to sellar/parasellar tumors. We assess the indications used for each approach and parameters that favor one over the other. Factors such as tumor size, consistency and configuration are important variables in choosing the transcranial approach. Other important considerations include persistent visual loss after incomplete decompression via the transphenoidal route, ectatic midline carotid arteries, co-existent intracranial aneurysms and sphenoid sinusitis. We review the data on visual and endocrinological outcomes following the transcranial or transphenoidal approach and provide an argument that, while there appears to be a trend towards greater visual improvement after transcranial surgery for large-to-giant pituitary adenomas, this benefit is offset by a greater risk of postoperative pituitary dysfunction. There is no difference in the rate of recurrence between the two procedures in the published literature. Overall, craniotomies will continue to play a role in the management of patients with sellar/parasellar tumors, although patient selection and careful preoperative evaluation are key elements in choosing the most appropriate approach.
First-time parents' postpartum changes in employment, childcare, and housework responsibilities

Abstract Objective. To investigate postpartum changes in first-time parents' work responsibilities, and to identify predictors of parents' satisfaction with housework sharing. Methods. Two hundred and sixty one fathers and mothers (128 couples) expecting their first child completed surveys about their work responsibilities during pregnancy and at 6 months postpartum. Results. Time devoted to work responsibilities increased by 64% for mothers and 37% for fathers after childbirth. Mothers (vs. fathers) reported significantly greater increases in childcare (48.9 vs. 25.7 h/week, p Conclusions. The birth of a first child produced substantial increases in parents' workloads, and mothers assumed the bulk of responsibility for domestic work.
Distance between histograms of angular measurements and its application to handwritten character similarity

The similarity between two histograms has attracted many researchers in various fields. The type of histograms to be matched is often angular such as gradient directions in character images and hue values in color images. The distance between two angular type histograms differs from those of nominal or ordinal type histograms; however, conventional distance measures do not distinguish them. Thus we present a new algorithm to compute the newly proposed distance. We describe how to apply the distance to handwritten character similarity.
Virtual tennis: a hybrid distributed virtual reality environment with fishtank vs. HMD

In this paper, we present our networked virtual tennis game that has been developed as a hybrid framework with head-mounted display and fishtank virtual reality systems. The paper reports the findings of a hybrid collaboration task which compared the two systems based on their egocentric and exocentric features. The focus of the study was on the strengths and weaknesses in each system for the given particular task: How do users perform in each system? And how might each system complement the others for teamwork? We report on localization error and correct hit percentage results that were obtained during trials with the two types of systems. These results suggest that head-mounted displays with egocentric features allow more accurate spatial localization and the fishtank displays with exocentric features provide better cues for time synchronization events.
Colonization of nonmelanocytic cutaneous lesions by dendritic melanocytic cells: a simulant of acral-lentiginous (palmar-plantar-subungual-mucosal) melanoma.

Four cases of colonization of nonmelanocytic lesions by dendritic melanocytic cells are reported, one in a verruca vulgaris of the lip, one in a squamous cell carcinoma in situ of mucous membrane overlying a tonsil, one in a lesion of lichen simplex chronicus with a nevocellular nevus of the external ear, and one in a dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (Bednar tumor). This is an important biological process of melanocytes that must not be confused with the acral-lentiginous (palmar-plantar-subungual-mu-cosal (P-S-M) melanoma. It is probably much more common than the paucity of published reports would indicate.
All in the family: Explaining the persistence of female genital cutting in West Africa

Why does female genital cutting (FGC) persist in certain places while has declined elsewhere? Using survey data from the Gambia, we study an important aspect of the persistence of FGC, namely the relationship between (i) whether a woman has undergone FGC and (ii) her support for the practice. Our data exhibit sufficient intrahousehold variation in both FGC status and in support for the practice to allow controlling for unobserved heterogeneity between households. First, our results suggest that a woman who has undergone FGC 40 percentage points more likely to be in favor of the practice, from a baseline likelihood of 40%. Second, our findings indicate that 85% of the relationship between whether a woman has undergone FGC and her support for the practice can be attributed to individual- or household-level factors, but that only 15% of that relationship can be explained by factors at the village level or beyond. This suggests that village-wide pledges against FGC, though they have worked well in neighboring Senegal, are unlikely to be effective in the Gambia. Rather, policies aimed at eliminating FGC in this context should instead target individuals and households if they are to be effective.
Human Factors Issues in Video Teleconference Meeting Performance: A Case Study

The use of visual telephony is steadily becoming a business necessity. However, human factors issues in video teleconferencing (VTC) work systems can determine whether the benefits of VTC are fully realized. VTC meeting environments are augmented by visual displays, auditory systems, computer hardware and software. This generates complexity of managing these systems during the meeting. Furthermore, when managing these systems, other human factors issues arise such as systematic function allocation and training for the facilitator, technographer, and team members.