cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A prospective long-term study on the effects of rapid maxillary expansion in the early mixed dentition

Introduction: The aim of this prospective longitudinal clinical study was to evaluate the short-term and long-term changes in dental-arch dimensions in patients treated with the acrylic splint rapid maxillary expander in the early mixed dentition followed by fixed appliances in the permanent dentition. Methods: The dental casts of 51 consecutively treated patients (TG) were compared with those of 26 untreated controls (CG) at 3 different times: pretreatment (T1), after expansion and fixed appliance therapy (T2), and at long-term observation (T3). The mean ages for the TG were 8 years 10 months at T1, 13 years 10 months at T2, and 19 years 9 months at T3. Arch widths, arch depth, arch perimeter, and molar angulation were assessed in all subjects at all observation times. T1-T2, T2-T3, and T1-T3 changes were compared statistically in the TG with respect to the corresponding CG. Results: Treatment with an acrylic splint RME followed by fixed appliances produced significantly favorable short-term and long-term changes in almost all maxillary and mandibular arch measurements. The amount of change in both maxillary and mandibular intermolar and intercanine widths fully corrected the initial discrepancies. Approximately 4 mm of long-term relative increase in maxillary arch perimeter, and 2.5 mm additional maintenance of mandibular arch perimeter were observed in the TG compared with the CG. Conclusions: These results suggest that this protocol is effective and stable for the treatment of constricted maxillary arches, and can relieve modest deficiencies in arch perimeter.
Average Likelihood Method for Classification of CDMA

A New algorithm for classifying Direct Sequence Code Division Multiple Access (DS-CDMA) signals in additive white Gaussian noise (AGWN) is proposed based on the average likelihood (AL) function. The AL is express in terms of the code length and the number of active users. These parameters constitute the hypothesis under test. While the AL function is expressed in an analytical form, the implementation requires knowledge on the spreading codes that acchive a low Total Squared Correlation (TSC) value. This complexity can be simplified by developing a hard decision scheme which only requires knowledge on matrices that achieve the lowest TSC. Our study cases include binary and multiclass classification using full loaded DS-CDMA with knowledge on the chip period. Code lengths of powers of 2 are used as a proof of concept.
Effect of terminal block on the microfluidization induced degradation of a model A-B-A block copolymer

Abstract The effect of high shear and turbulent processing on the mechanical degradation of a model series of A-B-A block copolymers was studied. Pluronic R L64, L63 and L62 were microfluidized (80 lb/inch 2 (psi) inlet air pressure) zero to four volume passes through a Microfluidizer R M110T equipped with a high-pressure pump and thermostatted to 23°C. Viscosity average molecular weight was determined for each copolymer after each cycle using intrinsic viscosity as estimated by capillary viscometry. All three polymers were observed to undergo mechanical degradation. The difference in initial average molecular weight of the A terminal blocks (L64 > L63 > L62) was found to have an effect on overall percent decrease in viscosity average molecular weight. Pluronic R L64 was observed to be the most sensitive (20% decrease) and Pluronic R L62 was found to be the least sensitive (5% decrease) to the high shear and turbulent forces encountered during microfluidization. The apparent first-order mechanical degradation constants for the polymers were calculated from the slopes of plots of reciprocal average molecular weight vs number of cycles. The apparent degradation constants were estimated as 1.48 E -5, 1.15 E -5 and 5.51 E -6 mol g −1 cycle −1 for Pluronic R L64, L63 and L62, respectively. Differences in the mechanical degradation constants may be reflective of differences in the average molecular surface area exposed to shearing stresses and turbulence generated during the microfluidization process.
Magic Bullets from Llamas

Monoclonal antibodies are effective therapies for many disorders, but their nature and use continues to evolve as technologies emerge to improve their drug-like qualities. In this issue of Structure, Schmitz and colleagues report on structural and biophysical characterizations of single-domain "nanobodies" from llamas that target the epidermal growth factor receptor by both old and new mechanisms.
54 Fatal motor vehicle crashes among veterans of the gulf war era

Abstract PURPOSE: Motor vehicle crashes (MVC) are the leading cause of death among military personnel, and deployment has been associated with an increased risk of fatal MVC within military populations. Gulf War (GW) deployment has also been associated with an increased risk of fatal MVC. We evaluated selected variables as predictors of fatal MVC among GW era veterans using existing Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Department of Transportation (DoT) databases. METHODS: This is a nested case-control study of a cohort comprised of 696,516 Gulf War veterans and 746,291 non-deployed veterans. 1,343 cases of fatal MVC occurring between 1991 and 1995 were identified from the cohort by linking to the DoT Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Ten controls were selected per case, matched by gender and year of case ascertainment. We examined data on demographic and military characteristics; hospitalizations and outpatient visits; self-reported behaviors, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors; and possible GW exposures as potential risk factors for fatal MVC. RESULTS: Fatal MVC on US public roads that caused the death of the driver were not randomly distributed across our study population. Fatalities involving female drivers were few (n = 28). Male fatalities were more likely to be younger, less educated, and never married compared to controls. Cases were also more likely to be enlisted, deployed to the GW, have combat occupations, be in the Guard or Reserve, and be other than Air Force. Inpatient and outpatient data and socio-behavioral data, as well as information from FARS will be reported separately. CONCLUSION: Our findings are consistent with previous studies that have reported military deployment as a risk factor for fatal MVC. We also identified several other factors that increase this risk. Additional studies to investigate potential risk factors for all MVC, not just fatalities, are warranted so that appropriate interventions can be designed and evaluated.
Rapid Formation of Acrylated Microstructures by Microwave‐Induced Thermal Crosslinking

We present a rapid and highly efficient method to form microstructure of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based acrylates by microwave-induced thermal crosslinking. PEG-based polymeric microstructures such as polymer microarrays and microwells were fabricated on 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TMSPMA)-coated glass slides that were placed on top of a silicon wafer. In comparison to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation curing, microwave-induced thermal crosslinking could be completed within 10 s, without thermal degradation or oxygen inhibition in the presence of ambient oxygen. Furthermore, the activation of surviving free radical impurities by microwave-induced heating enabled crosslinking even without an exogenous radical initiator (e.g., 2,2'-azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN)). This approach can be beneficial for fabricating various PEG-based microstructures for high-throughput screening assays, cell-based biosensors, and biomedical microdevices.
Performing armchair roundoff analyses of statistical algorithms

Numerical stability is but one of many desirable properties which should be considered when designing statistical software. However, rigorous roundoff analysis is rarely done because it seems not worth the price; the influence of rounding error is usually of secondary importance, and the analysis is thought to be beyond the reach of all but a few specialists. This note discusses the role of roundoff analysis in the design of a statistical program and shows that new techniques sometimes make assessment of the effect of rounding errors no more difficult than the verification of other program properties.
Methanol and water crossover in a passive liquid-feed direct methanol fuel cell

Abstract Methanol crossover, water crossover, and fuel efficiency for a passive liquid-feed direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) were all experimentally determined based on the mass balance of the cell discharged under different current loads. The effects of different operating conditions such as current density and methanol concentration, as well as the addition of a hydrophobic water management layer, on the methanol and water crossover were investigated. Different from the active DMFC, the cell temperature of the passive DMFC increased with the current density, and the changes of methanol and water crossover with current density were inherently coupled with the temperature rise. When feeding with 2–4 M methanol solution, with an increase in current density, both the methanol crossover and the water crossover increased, while the fuel efficiency first increased but then decreased slightly. The results also showed that a reduction of water crossover from the anode to the cathode was always accompanied with a reduction of methanol crossover. Not only did the water management layer result in lower water crossover or achieve neutral or reverse water transport, but it also lowered the methanol crossover and increased the fuel efficiency.
Discrete-Time Control of Linear Time-Periodic Systems

A discrete-time control design approach for periodically time-varying systems is introduced. The method employs a period-to-period (point-mapping) formulation of the system 's dynamics and a parametrization of the control input to obtain an equivalent time-invariant discrete-time representation of the system. The representation is generalized to include sampling within the period and varying sampling rates in different feedback loops. The proposed formulation allows for the design of feedback control laws using established discrete-time control methodologies. In this paper, dead-beat and optimal control laws with state- or output-feedback control are presented. An example of multivariable control design for double inverted pendulum with periodic forcing is used to illustrate the proposed approach.
Loose Talk and the Evolution of Language: Comment on Gatewood's Thesis

I wish to offer comment on John B. Gatewood's research report "Loose Talk: Linguistic Competence and Recognition Ability" (AA 85: 378-397, 1983). I seek to both offer an alternative perspective on the interpretation of the data and provide a complementary extension of the thesis. Gatewood's position is that "loose talk has a social function. If talk is a means of ordering the world in one's thought, then loose talk is a means of organizing social knowledge lying beyond the grasp of an individual" (p. 386). "Loose talk" takes place, presumably, when individuals employ a lexeme without being able to identify (or believe they cannot identify) an appropriate concrete referential example of the lexeme's "meaning." In Gatewood's terms, his paper "considers the significance of the fact that one may know and use a word without being able to recognize its empirical referent" (p. 378). His data indicate that for American college students, in a free recall task, the discrepancy between linguistic competence and recognition ability, with respect to the semantic domain of trees, averaged 50%. (The domain of trees was selected because it exemplified a collection of "concrete nouns," and because good comparative data exist.) That is, the findings show that the average informant can recognize only 50% of the segregates he or she lists. Apparently, at least half of the time, American college students do not know what they are talking about. While this finding is an amusing confirmation of many pedagogical prejudices, a problem arises with respect to the word "recognize." Gatewood seems to assume that because an informant cannot successfully indicate a precise example of a term's "meaning," then the informant is "talking loosely," that is, does not know to what he or she is referring. This fact seems highly unlikely and represents a too narrow specification of what "recognition" entails. Something else seems to be going on, which could be better accounted for by appreciating the hierarchical nature of contrast sets within a taxonomic domain. It is not that informants have no idea what-
Quality of osteoarthritis care for community-dwelling older adults.

Objective To describe the quality of osteoarthritis care provided to community-dwelling elderly patients and to characterize arthritis-related function in these patients. Methods Two medical groups in the western United States participated in a practice-redesign intervention targeted at falls and mobility disorders, incontinence, and cognitive impairment, but not osteoarthritis. From 339 individuals reporting a diagnosis of arthritis, we collected information on demographics, functional status, and quality of care via patient interviews and mailed questionnaires. Eight quality indicators measured osteoarthritis care: 4 indicators measuring the provision of effective osteoarthritis care (osteoarthritis treatment indicators) and 4 measuring the provision of safe osteoarthritis care (medication safety indicators). Results The mean ± SD Short Form 12 physical component summary score was 35 ± 11 points, indicating a physically frail population. The overall indicator pass rate was 57.0% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 53.9–60.2). Pass rates were higher for indicators of osteoarthritis treatment (63.5%, 95% CI 59.8–67.2) than for indicators of medication safety (43.8%, 95% CI 38.2–49.4). Patients with hip or knee pain had mean ± SD Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index pain, stiffness, and function scores of 6.0 ± 4.0, 3.1 ± 1.7, and 25 ± 12 points, respectively. Conclusion Quality of osteoarthritis care for older adults is suboptimal, particularly with regard to medication safety. Given the high prevalence of osteoarthritis in older age groups, the population impact of any improvement in quality would be substantial. Quality improvement efforts for osteoarthritis should target appropriate use of and counseling regarding medications, as well as underuse of efficacious therapy for osteoarthritis.
Deformations of gauge groups. Gravitation

This is a review, and an attempt at completion, of the ’’Gupta program,’’ the ultimate goal of which is either to show that Einstein’s theory of gravitation is the only self‐consistent field theory of interacting, massless, spin‐2 particles in flat space or to discover interesting alternatives. It is useful to notice that the gauge group of general relativity is a deformation (in a mathematically precise sense) of the gauge group associated with the massless, spin‐2 free field. The uniqueness of Einstein’s theory depends on the stability of its gauge group with respect to a class of differentiable deformations. A generalized Gupta program for massless fields of arbitrary spins is proposed.
Backward masking in schizophrenia and mania. II. Specifying the visual channels.

Background: The backward masking procedures that have been used in psychopathology research have confounded two types of masking mechanisms (integration and interruption) and two types of visual channels (transient and sustained). In an earlier study, we attempted to limit the masking mechanism to interruption. The current study limited the role of sustained (parvocellular) visual channels to masking performance. Methods: Masking procedures were altered in the following two ways to reduce reliance on sustained visual channels: (1) the spatial frequency was lowered by blurring the target and (2) a location task was used instead of an identification task. Manic patients were included to examine the specificity of deficits on these tasks to schizophrenia and to test the hypothesis that mania is associated with abnormalities on visuospatial tasks. Results: Schizophrenic patients differed significantly from normal controls on both masking conditions. Manic patients also showed deficits relative to normal controls. Manic patients showed a significantly different masking function from that of schizophrenic patients on the location condition. Conclusions: Schizophrenic deficits within masking paradigms may involve abnormalities in transient, as opposed to sustained, visual channels. Masking performance deficits were also found in manic patients, but the underlying processes are probably different. A reformulation is offered concerning the nature of early visual processing deficits in schizophrenia.
Heart rate variability during sympatho-excitatory challenges: Comparison between spontaneous and metronomic breathing

Respiration influences heart rate variability, leading to the suggestion that respiration should be controlled to assess autonomic function by using heart rate variability. Clearly, control of respiration is advantageous or even essential in several experimental circumstances. However, control of respiration, by itself, produces a small, but significant, increase in mean heart rate and a decrease in respiratory synchronous variation in heart rate. We tested whether, in some experimental situations, it may be possible to arrive at similar interpretation about autonomic function with and without using control of respiratory rate. Heart rate spectral powers from nine subjects were compared between spontaneous and metronomic breathing during two sympatho-excitatory stresses, lower body negative pressure (LBNP) and head up tilt (HUT). The normalized spectral powers in supine and HUT during spontaneous breathing were: 0.43 and 0.75 in very low (VLF) and 0.28 and 0.09 in high frequency (HF) regions. The powers during metronomic breathing were: 0.36 and 0.82 (VLF) and 0.36 and 0.09 (HF). The powers in supine and LBNP during spontaneous breathing were: 0.43 and 0.81 (VLF) and 0.28 and 0.06 (HF). The powers during metronomic breathing were: 0.36 and 0.80 (VLF) and 0.36 and 0.07 (HF). All p values were <0.05. Therefore, changes in heart rate spectral powers during HUT and LBNP were similar during metronomic breathing and spontaneous breathing. These results suggest that in experimental designs such as in our study, using metronomic breathing may not provide any additional insight into autonomic function than that can be obtained during spontaneous breathing.
Application of the wilderness travel simulation model to the Appalachian Trail in Vermont

The wilderness travel simulation model estimates complex recreation use patterns in park and wilderness environments. The model was applied to a section of the Appalachian Trail in Vermont, a linear, long-distance, multiple-access trail system characteristic of the eastern United States. Many portions of the trail, including the study area, are now experiencing high use. The model estimated the average number of trail encounters per party day to be 3.3 and the average number of camp encounters per party night to be 2.3. Other measures of recreation use were also estimated that should prove useful to trail management and administration. Three trail management scenarios were tested, providing several preliminary insights to managers: the desirability of use redistributions as opposed to across-the-board reductions and needed emphasis on spatial use patterns and campsite encounters. Only minor modifications to the program were needed in applying the model to the trail environment and the model functioned accurately according to the validity tests performed.
Noise analysis of an 0.8-V ultra-low power CMOS operational amplifier

Noise due to back-gate forward bias between substrate and source of a MOSFET is analyzed and simulated. Noise level is compared between two CMOS circuits with and without back-gate forward bias. It is found that the output noise introduced by the back-gate forward bias method is only a few nV/square root (Hz), which only slightly increases the device noise. A CMOS op-amp is designed utilizing back-gate forward bias technique utilizing a level shift current mirror for operation at ultra low-power in μW range. The designed amplifier dissipates power of 40 uW and operates at ± 0.4 V to achieve a gain of 77 dB. The noise in ultra low-power op-amp is also investigated. The total output noise density is about 30 μV/square root (Hz) in the ultra-low power op-amp design, which is lower than 65 μV/square root (Hz) of standard op-amp. The signal to noise ratio of the ultra low-power op-amp is 44 dB.
Marketing Performance of U.S. Farmers: A Discussion

Tomek and Peterson, who have spent many years studying agricultural pricing, summarize important findings from the literature as well as simulation work in which they were involved. Like many agricultural economists, Tomek and Peterson are prone to an assertion of market efficiency. Citing from the theoretical and empirical literature they suggest that the following characteristics do not imply market inefficiency: (1) large changes in price, (2) returns to storage that are lower than costs in most locations, (3) the existence of cattle and hog price cycles, and (4) that some traders in some markets earn positive economic profits. Tomek states that "I am predisposed to conclude that the seeming inefficiencies found in empirical analyses are likely the result of idiosyncracies of the sample and model specifications and hence that futures markets in the
A pilot randomized controlled trial of a decision support tool to improve the quality of communication and decision-making in individuals with atrial fibrillation.

Objectives: To design a tool for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) to inform individuals of their individual stroke and bleeding risks, assist in clarifying priorities, and promote communication. Design: Clustered randomized controlled trial. Setting: Primary care clinics. Participants: Individuals with NVAF (N = 135). Intervention: Completion of tool before regularly scheduled visit. Measurements: Primary outcomes included the 100-point informed and values clarity subscales of the decisional conflict scale (lower scores indicate individual is more informed and has greater clarity). Secondary outcomes included knowledge, patient?clinician communication, and change in treatment. Results: Sixty-nine individuals were enrolled in the intervention group and 66 in the control group. After their visit, intervention participants had lower scores on the informed (mean difference = -11.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -21.1 to -2.7) and values clarity subscales (mean difference = -14.6, 95% CI = -22.6 to -6.6). Greater proportions of intervention participants knew medications for reducing stroke risk (61% vs 31%, P < .001) and side effects (49% vs 37%, P = .07). Stroke (71% vs 12%) and bleeding risk (69% vs 20%) were discussed more frequently in the intervention than control group (P < .001). Five intervention participants expressed a preference for medication that was not concordant with their current treatment plan. There was no change in treatment plan in either group. Conclusion: The tool was effective in improving perceived and actual knowledge and values clarity and in increasing physician?patient communication but did not change treatment.
Variational bounds on energy dissipation in incompressible flows. III. Convection

Building on a method of analysis for the Navier-Stokes equations introduced by Hopf [Math. Ann. 117, 764 (1941)], a variational principle for upper bounds on the largest possible time averaged convective heat flux is derived from the Boussinesq equations of motion. When supplied with appropriate test background fields satisfying a spectral constraint, reminiscent of an energy stability condition, the variational formulation produces rigorous upper bounds on the Nusselt number (Nu) as a function of the Rayleigh number (Ra). For the case of vertical heat convection between parallel plates in the absence of sidewalls, a simplified (but rigorous) formulation of the optimization problem yields the large Rayleigh number bound Nu\ensuremath{\le}0.167 ${\mathrm{Ra}}^{1/2}$-1. Nonlinear Euler-Lagrange equations for the optimal background fields are also derived, which allow us to make contact with the upper bound theory of Howard [J. Fluid Mech. 17, 405 (1963)] for statistically stationary flows. The structure of solutions of the Euler-Lagrange equations are elucidated from the geometry of the variational constraints, which sheds light on Busse's [J. Fluid Mech. 37, 457 (1969)] asymptotic analysis of general solutions to Howard's Euler-Lagrange equations. The results of our analysis are discussed in the context of theory, recent experiments, and direct numerical simulations. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
THz Dielectric Properties of High Explosives Calculated by Density Functional Theory for the Design of Detectors

The current need for better detection of explosive devices has imposed a new necessity for determining the dielectric response properties of energetic materials with respect to electromagnetic wave excitation. Among the range of different frequencies for electromagnetic excitation, the THz frequency range is of particular interest because of its nondestructive nature and ability to penetrate materials that are characteristic of clothing. Typically, the dielectric response properties for electromagnetic wave excitation at THz frequencies, as well as at other frequencies, are determined by means of experimental measurements. The present study, however, emphasizes that density functional theory (DFT), and associated software technology, is sufficiently mature for the determination of dielectric response functions, and actually provides complementary information to that obtained from experiment. In particular, these dielectric response functions provide quantitative initial estimates of spectral response features that can be adjusted with respect to additional information such as laboratory measurements and other types of theory-based calculations, as well as providing for the molecular level interpretation of response structure. This point is demonstrated in the present study by calculations of ground-state resonance structure associated with the high explosives RDX, TNT1, and TNT2 using DFT, which is for the construction of parameterized dielectric response functions for excitation by electromagnetic waves at frequencies within the THz range. The DFT software NRLMOL was used for the calculations of ground-state resonance structure presented here.
Exploration Potential of Paleozoic Rocks of Morocco: ABSTRACT

Paleozoic rocks of Morocco have some similarities with the producing Paleozoic sequences in Algeria. In Morocco, there is a basic division between the cratonal sequences of the Tidouf basin and continguous areas and the Paleozoic megabasin to the north and possibly to the west under the present continental shelf areas. The Paleozoic of the northern megabasin has the following positive exploration elements. (1) Both wrench and normal extensional tectonics have produced significant structures that may have been reactivated during 2 later orogenic events. (2) Reservoir quality, although poor in outcrop, can be significantly improved in the subsurface. Wells from the Bojad region of the Tadla basin encountered porosities up to 30% in Devonian clastic sequences. (3) No area ca be condemned on the basis of present published geochemical evidence. Burial depths are sufficient for mature hydrocarbons, and rocks with organic material are present in sediments ranging in age from Cambrian to Carboniferous. Paleozoic oil shows have been encountered and may actually serve as the source of hydrocarbon in the Essouira basin in a downfaulted Triassic red-bed sequence. (4) Quality of seismic data is good, even where Paleozoic rocks are onlapped by Mesozoic and Cenozoic sediments. Drilling for Paleozoic targets has been sparse, hence, few data are available to test both source and reservoir potential. Paleozoic rocks still need to be tested by industry and must be considered a frontier area. End_of_Article - Last_Page 252------------
Turbulence measurements in a resonance tube

Abstract Experimental investigations of acoustically induced turbulence in a resonance tube have been performed. Frequency (f) and sound pressure level (Ip) effects have been studied. Measurements were made at various spatial locations on loops and nodes. Sampled data were processed to estimate the characteristics of turbulence. It is found that the acoustically induced turbulence appears when Ip exceeds 160 dB under the experimental conditions of f = 680–2740 Hz and Ip = 160–166 dB. The turbulent spectrum (F) and the wave number (κ) are found to satisfy a power law F ∝ Ks with s ⋍ −1·6 to − 2·1 . The r.m.s. turbulent velocity ( u ) is experimentally found to have an I p 1 2 dependence, yet is relatively insensitive to the variation of f. Throughout the whole measuring range of f and Ip, the rate of energy dissipation per unit mass (e) is estimated to be in the order of 106–107cm2/s3.
Diffuse and continuous cell proliferation enhances radiation-induced tumorigenesis in hamster lung.

Syrian Golden hamsters received 8 weekly intratracheal instillations of 0.2 μCi of the alpha-emitting isotope Po210 while being exposed to an atmosphere of 65% oxygen in the inspired air. Three months later, 42% of the animals had poorly differentiated lung carcinomas. On the other hand, no lung tumors were found in hamsters that received intratracheal instillations of Po210 and were kept in air. It is concluded that diffuse cell hyperplasia in the lung, caused by an inhalant, may constitute an additional risk factor in the pathogenesis of alpha-radiation induced lung cancer.
Retropalatal Airway Characteristics in Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty Compared With Transpalatal Advancement Pharyngoplasty

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is reported successful in treatment of obstructive sleep apnea for approximately 50% of patients. Several modifications of the procedure have been described, including transpalatal advancement pharyngoplasty, which resects a portion of posterior hard palate and advances the soft palate anteriorly. Comparing effectiveness of different techniques based on sleep and respiratory data is confounded by multiple variables including clinical failure at nonsurgical sites and imprecise patient selection techniques. Since pharyngeal surgical procedures prevent collapse and obstruction by structurally modifying the upper airway, measuring structural changes in size and collapsibility provides a method to compare techniques. To evaluate whether transpalatal advancement pharyngoplasty is more effective in modifying upper airway characteristics than UPPP, upper airway cross-sectional size and collapsibility were measured after UPPP and transpalatal advancement pharyngoplasty. Six patients were evaluated using a quantitative endoscopic technique. After transpalatal advancement pharyngoplasty maximal retropalatal airway size increased 321% from 29.7 +/- 9.9 to 95.3 +/- 16 mm2 (P < 0.01), and retropalatal closing pressure decreased from 4.7 +/- 1.6 to -3.8 +/- 0.7 cm/H2O (P < 0.01) compared with UPPP. Respiratory disturbance index decreased from 74.5 +/- 13.5 to 29.2 +/- 9 events/hour postoperatively (P < 0.05). Results support the conclusion that transpalatal advancement pharyngoplasty increases retropalatal size and decreases retropalatal collapsibility compared with UPPP. Since these characteristics are postulated to contribute to increased stability during sleep, transpalatal advancement pharyngoplasty may potentially improve UPPP outcome in selected patients with small retropalatal airway areas after traditional surgery.
The role of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complexes signaling in the immune responses

The mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) is an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase which is a member of the PI3K related kinase (PIKK) family. mTOR emerged as a central node in cellular metabolism, cell growth, and differentiation, as well as cancer metabolism. mTOR senses the nutrients, energy, insulin, growth factors, and environmental cues and transmits signals to downstream targets to effectuate the cellular and metabolic response. Recently, mTOR was also implicated in the regulation of both the innate and adaptive immune responses. This paper will summarize the current knowledge of mTOR, as related to the immune microenvironment and immune responses.
Fusion reactor with picket-fence walls

It is shown that a fusion reactor with surface magnetic cusp walls may be feasible, based on recent experiments which find cusp leaks of the order of the hybrid gyroradius.
A preliminary estimate of the EUVE cumulative distribution of exposure time on the unit sphere

A preliminary study of an all-sky coverage of the EUVE mission is given. Algorithms are provided to compute the exposure of the celestial sphere under the spinning telescopes, taking into account that during part of the exposure time the telescopes are blocked by the earth. The algorithms are used to give an estimate of exposure time at different ecliptic latitudes as a function of the angle of field of view of the telescope. Sample coverage patterns are also given for a 6-month mission.
Surface-induced rotational isomerism within solid 1,3-diiodopropane thin films

Abstract Two unique solid–solid phase transitions within 1,3-diiodopropane (DIP) frozen thin films grown on a Pt(111) single crystal were observed by infrared and thermal desorption spectroscopies. Three distinct structural phases were indeed identified upon annealing the DIP films from 100 to 215 K, namely, an abrupt conformational isomerization change about 180 K and a separate molecular axis reorientation around 200 K. These DIP crystal structural and orientational changes were found to be driven by a template effect induced by the metal surface.
Galactose oxidation in liver.

Abstract Rats fed a high galactose diet (40%, w w ) for 72 h excreted more than 170 μmol of galactonic acid per day in the urine and accumulated galactonic acid in several tissues, especially liver, intestine, heart, and kidney. Rat liver microsomes incubated in the presence of 30 m m galactose produced galactonic acid. The product of the oxidation of d -galactose was identified as galactonic acid by combined gas-liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry analysis of the trimethylsilyl derivative. Optimal activity was observed at pH 8.0 and was inhibited by heavy metal ions, sulfhydryl reagents, cyanide in the absence of substrate, and various drugs. The apparent Km for galactose was 32.9 m m and V was 160 nmol galactonic acid/4 h/mg microsomal protein. The highest galactose oxidizing specific activity was found in the microsomal fraction; specific activity in the mitochondrial fraction was one half of that in the microsomal fraction, and the soluble fraction had none. The activity was specific for d -galactose, although unidentified oxidation products of d -altrose, d -talose, and 2-deoxy- d -galactose were detected by gas chromatography. Oxidation of galactose did not require oxygen. The addition of NAD+ and NADP+ to the incubation system had little effect on the galactose oxidation; FAD and FMN inhibited the activity. Galactose-dependent formation of hydrogen peroxide was demonstrated during the incubation period. Microsomes from rats and mice contained similar galactose-oxidizing activity whereas those from bovine and chicken liver sources contained 45.3 and 5.4%, respectively. The activity was not detectable in microsomes from guinea pig liver. A liver sample, obtained at autopsy of a galactosemia patient, contained 0.18 μmol of galactonate/g suggesting that an enzyme system similar to that described herein may be responsible for the production of galactonate in human galactosemics.
Free vibration analysis of a twisted beam using the dynamic stiffness method

Abstract An exact dynamics stiffness matrix is developed and subsequently used for free vibration analysis of a twisted beam whose flexural displacements are coupled in two planes. First the governing differential equations of motion of the twisted beam undergoing free natural vibration are derived using Hamilton's principle. Next the general solutions of these equations are obtained when the oscillatory motion of the beam is harmonic. This is followed by application of boundary conditions for displacements and forces, which essentially leads to the formation of the dynamics stiffness matrix of the twisted beam relating harmonically varying forces with harmonically varying displacements at its ends. The resulting dynamic stiffness matrix is used in connection with the Wittrick–Williams algorithm to compute natural frequencies and mode shapes of a twisted beam with cantilever end condition. These are compared with previously published results to confirm the accuracy of the method, and some conclusions are drawn.
Light-induced phenomena in black lipid membranes constituted from photosynthetic pigments.

SEVERAL investigators have shown that black or bilayer lipid membranes (BLM) are the most realistic approach to cell membrane models. A review of the relevant literature has recently been published1. This communication reports some observations with such membranes formed from photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophylls and xanthophylls. The BLM in aqueous solution exhibit two interesting photoelectric phenomena: (a) a photovoltaic effect, and (b) photoconductivity.
Trends in thyroid surgery in Illinois

Background Endocrine surgery is an evolving subspecialty in general surgery. To determine whether this subspecialty is having an effect on practice patterns of thyroid surgery, we reviewed all thyroidectomies performed in Illinois over an 11-year period. Methods The Illinois COMPdata database from the Illinois Hospital Association was used to retrieve all the thyroid operations performed in the state of Illinois from 1999 to 2009. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the effects of surgeon and hospital type on practice patterns of thyroidectomies. Results In the early period (1999–2004), 5,824 operations were identified compared with 8,454 in the late period (2005–2009; P P 5 population, in both early and late periods, respectively. Conclusion In Illinois, the volume of thyroid operations has increased significantly over the past 10 years with a shift toward total thyroidectomy. Although most thyroidectomies are still performed in community hospitals, this percentage has decreased. ES perform a minority of thyroid operations, but they have the greatest volume of thyroidectomies per surgeon. These findings may represent broader trends in thyroid surgery throughout the United States.
The importance of exchange reactions in controlled/living radical polymerization in the presence of alkoxyamines and transition metals

Abstract : The role of exchange reactions in controlled/living radical polymerizations is analyzed. Styrene polymerization in the presence TEMPO and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) catalyzed by transition metals (Cu(II)X2/2Bipy complex) are compared. ATRP proceeds approximately one order of magnitude faster than TEMPO-moderated polymerization due to a higher stationary concentration of radicals and an equilibrium more shifted to the side of radicals. ATRP can provide better defined polymers with polydispersities down to Mw/Mn approx.= l.05. This fact can he ascribed to a faster deactivation process and a smaller contribution of side reactions. The polydispersities in both systems are defined by the relative rates of the deactivation and propagation processes. The rate constant of deactivation of growing polystyryl radicals by TEMPO is in the range of kd=10(exp 8) L/mol/s, which is substantially higher than the previously reported value.
Unsteadiness of pulmonary vascular pressures in rapid acceleration supramaximal exercise

Summary In competitive racing, horses rapidly accelerate to their top speed and probably perform supramaximal work. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to examine changes in pulmonary vascular pressures of Thoroughbreds with rapid acceleration to supramaximal exercise which could not be sustained for more than 90 s. Right atrial and pulmonary vascular pressures were studied at rest and during supramaximal exercise in 10 healthy, sound, exercise trained Thoroughbred horses. Exercise was performed on separate days without (control) and with frusemide administration 250 mg i.v., 4 h before exercise. The protocol consisted of a warm-up at treadmill speeds of 2 to 6 m/s (trot) for 60 s each followed by 8 m/s (canter) for 60 s. Thereafter, the treadmill was raised to 10% uphill incline and speed accelerated from 8 to 15 m/s in 8 s. None of the horses could sustain exercise at 15 m/s + 10% incline for more than 90 s. Mean right atrial, pulmonary arterial, pulmonary artery wedge and pulmonary capillary pressures increased sharply as horses accelerated rapidly attaining their zenith as speed reached 15 m/s. Peak values of various pressures were maintained only for the first 45 s of exercise at 15 m/s +10% uphill incline. Thereafter, a declining trend emerged and all pressures decreased significantly as exercise duration increased. Although frusemide significantly lowered the magnitude of pulmonary vascular pressures both at rest and during exercise, it did not affect the rapid escalation in pulmonary vascular pressures upon rapid acceleration of horses or their unsteadiness in the latter 45 s of supramaximal exercise. It is suggested that rapid rate of rise of pulmonary capillary blood pressure during a sudden burst of supramaximal exercise may be a crucial factor in precipitating stress failure of pulmonary capillaries and onset of exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage.
Suppression of Slow Delayed Rectifier Current by a Truncated Isoform of KvLQT1 Cloned from Normal Human Heart

Abstract It has been suggested that the cardiac slow delayed rectifier channel is formed by the association of two subunits: IsK (also called minK) and KvLQT1. N-terminal splice variants of the human KvLQT1 gene have been identified, but the functional roles of different KvLQT1 isoforms are not clear. Using the nested 5′-rapid amplification of cDNA ends technique, we obtained a truncated isoform of KvLQT1 (termed tKvLQT1) that lacks the N-terminal cytoplasmic domain and the initial one-third of the first transmembrane domain. The function of tKvLQT1 was tested by oocyte expression, alone or together with the full-length KvLQT1 or a human IsK clone (hIsK). tKvLQT1 alone did not generate functional channels. However, it suppressed the KvLQT1 current when coexpressed with the full-length isoform. It also suppressed the slow delayed rectifier current induced by hIsK, probably by competing with the KvLQT1 subunit endogenous toXenopus oocytes in coassembly with the hIsK subunit. On the other hand, tKvLQT1 did not suppress the expression of Kv1.4, Kv4.3, or hERG. Using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technique, we further show that the truncated and full-length isoforms are coexpressed in different regions of human heart. Therefore, tKvLQT1 may modulate the function of IKs in human cardiac myocytes.
Minimization of certain cost functions with error bounds

Abstract Suppose that a cost function can be represented by a generalized polynomial in its design parameters with positive coefficients. The parameters are positive quantities raised to positive or negative powers in the generalized polynomial. We show that a result of Duffin allows error bounds when using Newton's method to find the minimum cost.
Analysis of lipid classes and lipofuscin substances by high performance liquid chromatography

The fractionation and analysis of the lipid classes and fluorescent substances of animal tissues by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a combination of fluorescence and flame ionization detectors is described. The lipid classes and fluorescent substances are extracted from rat kidney and liver tissue by a new method that involves preextraction of nonlipid and aqueous-soluble fluorescent substances with hot dilute (0.05 N) acetic acid. The lipid classes and organic-soluble fluroscent substances are extracted from the residual tissue in three extractions: the first with chloroform/methanol, 1:1, v/v; the second with chloroform/methanol, 1:2, v/v; and the third with methanol. The fractionation of these compounds by HPLC is carried out with a column 0.2×45 cm, packed with a special adsorbent prepared by reacting silicic acid with ammonium hydroxide. The eluent is passed through a fluorescence detector, which provides a profile of the fluorescent compounds, and then to a flame ionization detector for analysis of the lipid classes. The method is demonstrated on rat blood serum, liver and kidney tissue.
Remote determination of small-scale three-dimensional surface properties based on imaging photometry and polarimetry: an introduction

The remote sensing analysis of planetary surfaces is a field in which photopolarimetric techniques allow the estimation of the average small-scale 3D properties of the examined surfaces (i.e. on millimeter or sub-millimeter scales) from large distances. This work provides an overview of image-based photometric and polarimetric methods for the remote determination of small-scale 3D properties of planetary regolith surfaces. Specifically, the surface porosity governs the phase angle dependence of the reflectance function of the surface material for near-zero phase angles, while the reflectance behavior at large phase angles between around 90° and 180° allows to estimate the surface roughness on sub-millimeter and millimeter scales. For the lunar regolith, a calibration of the phase angle dependence of the polarization behavior of the light reflected from the surface based on returned lunar sample material provides a framework to determine the median regolith grain size based on measurements of the polarization degree. In this work, the corresponding methodologies as well as their application to specific planetary bodies are discussed. Where deemed favorable, new photometric and polarimetric measurements of prototypical areas of the lunar surface are provided to exemplify the described approaches in an illustrative manner.
Changes in the secretory activity of the Golgi apparatus during the cell cycle in root tips of maize (Zea Mays L.).

Epidermal cells of maize roots were studied to determine the distribution of Golgi apparatus-derived secretory vesicles in various stages of cell division. The following conclusions were reached: 1) The pattern of Golgi apparatus secretion varies with the cell cycle. 2) Large numbers of secretory vesicles are incorporated into the cell plate. 3) Secretory vesicles from the Golgi apparatus are incorporated primarily in walls undergoing expansion. 4) Secretory vesicles are smaller during mitosis and the first part of cytokinesis than they are during interphase. 5) Secretory vesicles account for at least 12–23% of cell-plate plasma membrane and an estimated 25% of cell-plate volume.
ENHANCED DIELECTRIC RESPONSE AND TEMPERATURE INSENSITIVITY OF COMPOSITIONALLY STRATIFIED BA1 −xSRxTIO3 THIN FILMS

ABSTRACT In this work we have developed and fabricated a compositionally stratified multilayered Ba1 −xSrxTiO3(BST) thin film heterostructure with a systematically varied stiochoimetric composition from Ba0.60Sr0.40TiO3 to Ba0.90Sr0.10TiO3. The optimized material design was characterized for structural, microstructural, dielectric (100 kHz and 0.5–10 GHz), and temperature stability properties. Experimental results demonstrated that the compositionally stratified thin film heterostructure possessed low loss (tan δ = 0.012), and high tunability (65.5% at 444 kV/cm). In addition, the BST heterostructure exhibited minimal dielectric dispersion in the temperature range of 90 to −10°C, showing a 6.4% decrease in permittivity (corresponding to a temperature coefficient of capacitance TCC20−90 = −0.921) as the temperature was elevated from 20 to 90°C and only a 2.1 increase in permittivity (TCC20 − (− 10) = −0.716) as the temperature was lowered from 20 to −10°C. Our results suggest that the compositionally strat...