cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ulnar Nerve Compression at the Arch of Origin of the Adductor Pollicis Muscle

The motor branch of the ulnar nerve can be compressed by the arch of origin of the adductor pollicis muscle. There can be a well-defined band of tissue either at the point where the nerve crosses the third metacarpal or where it penetrates the adductor muscle. In over half of the cadaver hands studied no arch was demonstrated. Clinically these patients present with obvious atrophy of the first dorsal interosseous and adductor muscle. Usually pain is not a prominent symptom. This type of ulnar nerve compression neuropathy is present in less than 1% of those ulnar neuropathies that occur at the wrist and hand.
Virtual ground fence: A methodology for GHz power filtering on printed circuit boards

Today; with both RF and digital devices using the same voltage source on a PCB, power filtering is needed more than ever to isolate the noise between these two types of devices for proper operation. Especially the power/ground planes in packages or boards can be a major factor for noise coupling. Simultaneously switching drivers cause supply voltage fluctuations which can propagate both horizontally and vertically between the power/ground planes. The sensitive RF/analog signals have to be isolated from this digital switching noise, which gets coupled through the shared power distribution system. Hence, accurate estimation and improvement of the performance of power/ground planes is critical in a mixed-signal system. This paper introduces a new methodology to minimize the transfer impedance of the power distribution system. This will be achieved by a new design methodology, which we will call the virtual ground fence. At its basic level, the virtual ground fence consists of quarter-wave transmission-line stubs that act as short circuits between power and ground planes at their design frequency. An array of such stubs can then be considered as a ground fence. Power filtering is currently achieved mainly by using discrete decoupling capacitors at low frequencies. The virtual ground fence design is the distributed analog of this methodology at GHz frequency regime.
Motion, identity and the bias toward agency

The well-documented human bias toward agency as a cause and therefore an explanation of observed events is typically attributed to evolutionary selection for a “social brain.” Based on a review of developmental and adult behavioral and neurocognitive data, it is argued that the bias toward agency is a result of the default human solution, developed during infancy, to the computational requirements of object re-identification over gaps in observation of more than a few seconds. If this model is correct, overriding the bias toward agency to construct mechanistic explanations of observed events requires structure-mapping inferences, implemented by the pre-motor action planning system, that replace agents with mechanisms as causes of unobserved changes in contextual or featural properties of objects. Experiments that would test this model are discussed.
USE OF TOLTERODINE IN CHILDREN WITH DYSFUNCTIONAL VOIDING: AN INITIAL REPORT

Purpose: Tolterodine was recently approved for the treatment of incontinence and overactive bladder in adults, and has fewer side effects than oxybutynin. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of tolterodine in children with dysfunctional voiding.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our experience with 30 pediatric patients treated with tolterodine for a primary diagnosis of dysfunctional voiding. Patients were treated with adult doses of tolterodine and behavioral modifications. Standard definitions determined by the International Children’s Continence Society were adapted to designate final treatment outcomes on medication as cured—greater than 90% reduction in wetting episodes, improved—greater than 50% reduction or failed—less than 50% reduction.Results: The children were 4 to 17 years old (mean age 8.7) and were treated with tolterodine for an average of 5.2 months. The final dose was 1 mg. twice daily in 1, 2 mg. twice daily in 27 and 4 mg. twice daily in 2 patients. Wetting episodes we...
Evaluation of coronary artery disease in congenital heart disease and pediatrics utilizing adenosine stress perfusion

The diagnosis of CAD utilizing adenosine stress perfusion is well described in adults. CAD in children is rare but can occur in the setting of congenital and acquired heart disease. Adults with CHD, a growing patient population, are at risk for CAD. A review of the medical literature revealed one previous study involving 4 patients in which adenosine stress perfusion was used for evaluating CAD in these populations.
Electrophysiologic Spectrum of Atrioventricular Nodal Behavior in Patients with Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia Undergoing Selective Fast or Slow Pathway Ablation

AV Nodal Behavior After Ablation. Introduction; The objective of this report is to delineate the atrioventricular (AV) nodal electrophysiologic behavior in patients undergoing fast or slow pathway ablation for control of their AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT). Methods and Results: One hundred sixteen consecutive patients with symptomatic AVNRT were included. Twenty-two patients underwent fast pathway ablation with complete abolition of AVNRT in all and development of complete AV block in five patients. Of 17 patients with intact AV conduction postablation, 12 had demonstrated antegrade dual pathway physiology during baseline study, which was maintained in three and lost in nine patients postablation. Two patients with successful fast pathway ablation developed uncommon AVNRT necessitating a slow pathway ablation. Twenty-one patients demonstrated both common and uncommon forms of AV nodal reentry during baseline study. The earliest site of atrial activation was close to the His-bundle recording site (anterior interatrial septum) during common variety and the coronary sinus ostium (posterior interatrial septum) during the uncommon AV nodal reentry in all 21 patients. Ninety-six patients underwent successful slow pathway ablation. Among these, the antegrade dual pathway physiology demonstrable during baseline study (60 patients) was maintained in 25 and lost in 35 patients postablation. Conclusion: These data suggest that: (1) dual pathway physiology may persist after successful ablation, which might be a reflection of multiple reentrant pathways in patients with AVNRT: and (2) the retrograde pathways during common and uncommon AVNRT have anatomically separate atrial breakthroughs. These findings have important electrophysiologic implications regarding the prevailing concept of the AV nodal physiology in patients with AVNRT.
Exhibiting Spectacle and Memory

This article offers a way to do the work of memory work and migration with, so to speak, the clothes in our mothers trunks, in full awareness of the analytical traps of cultural diversity, anthropological spectacle, exhibitory objectification and the circulatory moves of commodified exoticism.
Measuring the complex modulus of polymers by instrumented indentation testing

Instrumented indentation is used to measure the complex modulus of highly plasticized polyvinyl chloride (HP-PVC) and four kinds of polyethylene over the frequency range of 1–50Hz. Over this range, the loss factor for the HP-PVC increases from 0.3 to 1, making this an ideal material for damping out noise and vibration. The storage moduli for the four polyethylene samples are ordered according to density, with the lowest-density material have the lowest storage modulus. Results for both storage modulus and loss factor compare well with published results obtained by dynamic mechanical analysis for nominally similar materials.
Modeling of Multi-layer Nanocrystal Memory

In this paper, we show that the same compact physical model is applicable to the double-layer nanocrystal (DL NC) memory. To further optimize memory performance, design criteria of the size ratio between two layers of NCs and the configuration with multi-layer NCs are explicitly examined.
Urinary excretion of calcium, magnesium, phosphate, citrate, oxalate, and uric acid by healthy schoolchildren using a 12-h collection protocol

Although we do not have reliable data for the true prevalence of urolithiasis during childhood, the number of patients seen in outpatient clinics and admitted for stone-related problems is steadily increasing worldwide. As for most pediatric patients a metabolic disease is the reason for stone development, because a high number of patients have severely recurrent urolithiasis, early and proper diagnostic evaluation is necessary to begin adequate and preventive treatment. However, diagnostic evaluation, especially in infants and younger children, is not always easy, and frequently a diagnosis is made late. Diagnostic evaluation should start with repeated urine analysis; but how and which urine should be collected and analyzed? What is the best and most accurate method for urine collection? In a paper published in a recent issue of Pediatric Nephrology, Torres and colleagues describe a more simplified method of urine collection. They propose analysis of late-afternoon spot-urine samples as well as an overnight collection of urine as the most appropriate to evaluate patient-specific urinary risk factors. Is this truly the case?
Abnormal excitatory neurotransmitter metabolism in schizophrenic brains

Background: Schizophrenia has been hypothesized to be caused by a hypofunction of glutamatergic neurons. Findings of reduced concentrations of glutamate in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with schizophrenia and the ability of glutamate-receptor antagonists to cause psychotic symptoms lend support to this hypothesis. N -acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG), a neuropeptide that is highly concentrated in glutamatergic neurons, antagonizes the effects of glutamate at N -methyl-d-aspartate receptors. Moreover, NAAG is cleaved to glutamate and N -acetylaspartate by a specific peptidase, N -acetyl-α—linked acidic dipeptidase (NAALADase). To test the glutamatergic hypothesis of schizophrenia, we studied the NAAG-related glutamatergic variables in postmortem brains from patients with schizophrenia, neuroleptic-treated controls, and normal individuals, with particular emphasis on the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Method: Different regions of frozen brain tissue from three different groups (patients with schizophrenia, neuroleptictreated controls, and normal controls) were assayed to determine levels of NAAG, N -acetylaspartate, NAALADase, and several amino acids, including aspartate and glutamate. Results: Our study demonstrates alterations in brain levels of aspartate, glutamate, and NAAG and in NAALADase activity. Levels of NAAG were increased and NAALADase activity and glutamate levels were decreased in the schizophrenic brains. Notably, the changes in NAAG level and NAALADase activity in schizophrenic brains were more selective than those for aspartate and glutamate. In neuroleptic-treated control brains, levels of aspartate, glutamate, and glycine were found to be increased. Conclusions: The changes in levels of aspartate, glutamate, NAAG, and NAALADase are prominent in the prefrontal and hippocampal regions, where previous neuropathological studies of schizophrenic brains demonstrate consistent changes. These findings support the hypothesis that schizophrenia results from a hypofunction of certain glutamatergic neuronal systems. They also suggest that the therapeutic efficacy of neuroleptics may be related to increased glutamatergic activity.
Effects of PH, buffers and medium-storage on the growth of Babesia bovis in vitro.

Babesia bovis cultured in bovine erythrocytes multiplied over a relatively wide alkaline range (pH 7.02–7.79) but failed to grow in an acid (pH 6.86) medium. Best growth occurred within the pH range of 7.31–7.39. The zwitterion buffer TAPSO [3-(N-tris-[hydroxymethyl] methylamino)-2 hydroxypropane sulfonic acid] (pKa 7.39) at 10 mM proved to be the best, permitting exponential parasite growth for up to 4 days. TES [N-tris-(hydroxymethyl) methyl-2-aminoethane sulfonic acid] buffer (pKa 7.16), which is commonly used in these cultures, caused degenerative changes in parasites after 3 days. Short-term refrigeration or freezing of medium before use had no significant deleterious effects on growth. Omission of daily medium changes for up to 2 days retarded parasite growth—this effect was reversed when fresh medium was provided.
The OKCR and Pilot Performance During Transitions Between Meteoroglogical Conditions Using HMD Attitude Symbology

Abstract : Research has shown that spatial disorientation often occurs when pilots transition between real-world visual cues and head-down attitude instruments. Recent studies investigating the opto-kinetic cervical reflex (OKCR) indicate that when pilots transition between these two types of visual cues, they are also transitioning between frames of reference. Limited research has been conducted investigating pilots response during transitions between real-world visual cues and helmet-mounted display (HMD) attitude symbology. Eleven pilots performed vertical S maneuvers in and out of clouds to simulate frequent transitions between visual meteorological conditions and instrument meteorological conditions using both primary flight symbology on an HMD and traditional head-down primary flight instruments. Because pilots focused primarily on the symbology during the task, the OKCR was not found. Results also revealed that pilots were better able to maintain commanded vertical velocity when using the HMD compared to the head-down instruments, which is attributed to the head-up location of the symbology. Having the HMD symbology superimposed on the real-world visual scene can provide additional visual cues that pilots can use to perform their task more efficiently.
Working-class women academics: four socio-linguistic journeys

Abstract This study focuses on the linguistic and cultural challenges faced by four female academics from working-class backgrounds as they navigated the marginalized dialects of their working-class communities and the dominant discourse(s) and culture(s) of schools and universities. Through a series of open-ended ethnographic interviews, the authors explored the evolution and insights of each woman, as she considered how her socio-linguistic identities were formed within varied contexts and through multiple relationships. Salient themes derived from discussions and analyses included: (1) the influence female caregivers had on language development; (2) a moment of recognition for each woman that her native language or dialect conflicted with the Standard English used in academic settings; (3) the struggle to deal with aspects of difference including contrasting pragmatic systems; (4) gendered discourses and social norms of behaviour within working-class and academic communities; and (5) a recognition by e...
Temporal distribution of endogenous retinoids in the embryonic mouse mandible

Retinoids play an important part in embryonic pattern formation. They are necessary for normal differentiation of odontogenic tissues and, in excess, disrupt the pattern of tooth formation. Excess retinoids produce supernumerary buds of the dental lamina in the diastema region of the mouse embryonic mandible where teeth do not normally form. This effect is coincident with an increase in epithelial proliferation and an alteration in epidermal growth factor mRNA expression (a gene product necessary for tooth formation). It was found by high-performance liquid chromatography that endogenous retinoids are present in the developing murine mandible and that concentrations of some retinoids reach a peak at the time of the initiation of odontogenesis (dental lamina formation).
Alkali-Fulleride Superconductors: Synthesis, Composition, and Diamagnetic Shielding

The recent report of a superconductivity onset near the critical temperature {Tc} = 18 K in potassium-doped C{sub 60} raises questions concerning the composition and stability of the superconducting phase. The effects of mixing and heat treatment of K{sub chi}C{sub 60} samples prepared over a wide range of initial compositions on the superconducting transition was determined from shielding diamagnetism measurements. A single superconducting phase ({Tc} = 19.3 K) occurs for which the composition is K{sub 3}C{sub 60}. The shielding reaches a maximum of greater than 40% of the perfect diamagnetism, a high value for a powder sample, in samples prepared from 3:1 mixtures. A Rb{sub chi}C{sub 60} sample prepared and analyzed in an analogous way exhibited evidence for superconductivity with {Tc} {equals} 30 K and a diamagnetic shielding of 7% could be obtained.
Pigment of Anthracosis

Black pigment of the human lung, from the time of its earliest observation, was considered to be a collection of coal particles. Pearson in England first applied the term anthracosis in 1813. In Germany, on the contrary, this view was combatted and as late as 1855 Barthelmess discussed the condition as “pulmonary melanosis” and thought it was the result of hemorrhage and inflammation. By 1867 there was general agreement that the pigment was inhaled coal or soot. Klotz1 has reviewed the subject. No modification of that view appeared until 1940. Then Woodruff2 and Moerke3 reverted to the old opinion that the pigment is endogenous. Their pigment was isolated by dissolving the tissue in concentrated hydrochloric acid at room temperature—a procedure known to produce abundant humin in the hydrolysis of protein at the boiling point.In the present experiments, both clean (calf) and anthracotic lungs (human) were examined for pigment by solution of the tissue in the above solvent as well as in alkaline hypochlorit...
C program for automatic contouring of spherical orientation data using a modified Kamb method

Abstract Kamb's method for contouring density diagrams is a simple technique for the preliminary analysis and comparison of orientation data distributions. The method is based on the departure from a uniform distribution, and, unlike the Schmidt method, the dependence of contours on sample size is limited. Several improvements can be made, particularly with regard to the implementation of automatic contouring. To reduce smoothing, the expected count for a random sample drawn from a uniform distribution can be decreased. This gives more localized density estimates that can improve the resolution of features. Density estimates are done directly on the sphere for accuracy. This also permits contouring on stereographic and other nonequal area projections, and accommodates vectorial data. Weighting functions provide better density estimates and increase the smoothness of contour lines. These concepts are implemented in the C program Sphere Contour. Options include selection of data rotation, linear or planar data, equal area or stereographic projection, upper or lower hemisphere, and scatter diagrams. Graphics output is either to the screen (MS-DOS) or to a computer-aided drafting file (AutoCAD DXF). The program is modified easily for other computer systems and graphics devices.
The flagellar apparatus and reservoir/canal cytoskeleton of Cryptoglena pigra (Euglenophyceae)

The flagellar apparatus and reservoir cytoskeleton of Cryptoglena pigra Ehrenberg are described. Three flagellar roots are associated with the two basal bodies. The four-membered dorsal root arises from the dorsal basal body and extends anteriorly following the reservoir membrane. At the base of the reservoir the dorsal root nucleates a large microtubular group termed the dorsal band. The dorsal band continues anteriorlhy between the reservoir and eyespot and is continuous with the microtubules of the canal and ultimately the pellicle. The ventral basal body is associated with two roots. The four-membered intermediate root proceeds anteriorly and extends the length of the reservoir. The seven-to eight-membered ventral root projects anteriorly along the reservoir membrane and bends away from the reservoir. At this point, the microtubules of the ventral root line a cytoplasmic pocket and are termed the MTR (reinforcing microtubules). The canal region is composed of longitudinal microtubules surrounded by two semicircles of microtubles. Ultimately, the fifteen ridges of the canal give rise to the pellicular ridges.
Evidence for Resonance States of Lead Decaying Into Two Exit Channels with Counterbalancing Contributions

The analysis of the electrons emitted in the decay of the 6s/sup 2/6p/sup 2/+h..nu -->..6s6p/sup 2/(/sup 4/P/sub 1/2/)np/sub 3/2/ resonance series of Pb shows that negative contributions occur in the 6p/sup -1/ /sup 2/P/sub 1/2/ channel and positive contributions in the 6p/sup -1/ /sup 2/P/sub 3/2/ channel due to interference with the direct photoionization process. These contributions effectively cancel. Hence the series is difficult to observe in absorption, but can easily be delineated in emission.
Stochastic hybrid system with non-homogeneous jumps

Abstract A study of a class of stochastic hybrid dynamic processes is investigated. The hybrid dynamic process is composed of both continuous and discrete time states. In this work we assume that its continuous time state is driven by the Brownian motion process, while the transitions of its discrete time state are governed by either a non-homogeneous Poisson process or by hitting the boundaries. Under this formulation we develop an infinitesimal generator of the stochastic hybrid dynamic process. Moreover we obtain results concerning the quantitative properties of the solution process. A few illustrative examples are presented.
Dietary Soy Isoflavones Inhibit Estrogen Effects in the Postmenopausal Breast

Soy isoflavones are promising dietary agents for prevention of breast cancer. Isoflavones bind estrogen receptors (ER) and may variably act as either estrogen agonists or antagonists depending on the estrogen environment. In this study, we used a postmenopausal primate model to evaluate interactive effects of dietary soy isoflavones and estrogen on risk markers for breast cancer. The experiment followed a randomized factorial design in which 31 ovariectomized adult female cynomolgus monkeys were divided into social groups of three to four animals each and rotated through eight different diets containing the human equivalent of 0, 60, 120, or 240 mg/d soy isoflavones with a dose of oral micronized 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) corresponding to either a low (0.09 mg/d) or a high (0.5 mg/d) postmenopausal estrogen environment. Treatment periods lasted 4 months with a 1-month washout period between diets. The highest isoflavone dose resulted in significantly lower breast proliferation and uterine size in the high-estrogen environment. These effects were accompanied by divergent changes in breast markers of ER activation in which pS2 expression was significantly lower and progesterone receptor expression was significantly higher following the 240 mg isoflavone dose. All isoflavone doses resulted in lower serum estrone and E(2) concentrations in the high-estrogen environment. In contrast, isoflavone treatment had no significant estrogen agonist effects and minimal antagonistic effects in the lower-estrogen environment. These findings show that in the presence of estrogen higher doses of dietary soy isoflavones may alter ER signaling and induce selective antagonistic effects in the breast.
Survivin in Glioblastomas

Abstract Context.—Survivin is a novel inhibitor of apoptosis that acts via a pathway independent of bcl-2. Little is known about its distribution in brain tumors or how it correlates with other biomarkers of malignancy, such as telomerase, an enzyme that plays a critical role in cellular immortalization and cancer biology. Objectives.—To assess survivin protein expression in gliomas and to compare expression with that of telomerase. Design.—Immunohistochemical staining for survivin protein expression was performed using an antibody developed in our laboratory. Quantitative survivin messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were assessed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. In selected cases, survivin results were compared with quantitative telomerase values analyzed by polymerase chain reaction–based telomerase repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay. Twenty-five tumor tissue samples from 16 cases of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM; including multiple tissue samples in 6 patients), 2 grade II gliomas, 4 ...
Partial purification of a rat liver enzyme that catalyzes the formation of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate.

A 6-phosphofructo 2-kinase (ATP:D-fructose-6-phosphate 2-phosphotransferase) activity was detected in rat liver cytosol. The enzyme was partially purified by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, DEAE-Cellulose chromatography, and gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. This enzyme catalyzed the transfer of phosphate from ATP to the C2 position of fructose 6-phosphate. The apparent Km for fructose 6-phosphate was 0.5 mM while that for ATP was 0.2 mM. It is suggested that fructose 2,6-bisphosphate is synthesized via this unique enzyme reaction.
Activation-induced conformational changes in the I domain region of lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1.

Conformational changes in integrins are important for efficient ligand binding during activation. We proposed that the I domain of the integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) could exist in both open and closed conformations and generated constitutively activated LFA-1 by locking the I domain in the open conformation. Here we provide structural and biochemical evidence to validate conformational change in the I domain of LFA-1 upon activation. Two monoclonal antibodies to αL, HI111 and CBR LFA-1/1, bind wild-type LFA-1 well, but their binding is significantly reduced when LFA-1 is locked in the open conformation. Furthermore, this reduction in monoclonal antibody binding also occurs when LFA-1 is activated by divalent cations. HI111 maps to the top region of the I domain that is close to the putative ligand-binding site surrounding the MIDAS (metal ion-dependent adhesion site). The epitope of CBR LFA-1/1 is at the C-terminal segment of the I domain that links to the β-propeller, and undergoes a large movement between the open and closed conformations. Our data demonstrate that these two regions undergo significant conformational changes during LFA-1 activation and that the I domain of activated LFA-1 adopts a similar tertiary structure as the predicted locked open form.
Changing rainfall inputs in the Volta basin: implications for water sharing in Ghana

We present evidence from the analysis of gridded annual rainfall data that, increased variability and declining rainfall totals are the main cause of declining lake levels in the Volta basin above the Akosombo Dam. West Africa has undergone a period of diminished rainfall, punctuated by a series of severe droughts and marked by a shift in rainfall regime. As a result, lake levels behind the hydro-electric impoundment have fluctuated so widely at times that, power has had to be rationed. The trends in the spatial and temporal variability of annual rainfall in the riparian nations explain the low impoundment levels frequent in recent decades. The drying of Burkina Faso and Mali is particularly marked and synchronous to an apparent shift in the rainfall regime in Ghana towards a longer dry season and vanishing short dry spell, the effects which tend to negate each other. The various regional and temporal associations between El Nino-Southern Oscillation phenomenon (ENSO) are investigated as a possible cause of variation across the basin. The strengths of these associations and low frequency shifts suggest an unfortunate correspondence between national and climatological boundaries which may serve to heighten regional political tensions resulting from ENSO effects. Lack of re-investment in the Akosombo Dam as a result of management policies, political and pre-construction contractual agreements have all conspired in recent decades to make these hydro-climatological changes more devastating.
Flightpath tracking, change detection and visual scanning in an integrated hazard display

Twenty-four certified flight instructors were required to fly a series of curved, step-down approaches while detecting changes to surrounding traffic aircraft and weather cell icons on two integrated hazard display (IHD) formats (2D coplanar and split-screen) under varying workload levels. Generally, it appears that the 2D coplanar IHD was better in supporting flightpath tracking and change detection performance when compared to a split-screen display. Pilots exhibited superior flightpath tracking (in the vertical dimension, and under low workload) when using the 2D coplanar IHD, although this effect was mitigated by increasing workload such that tracking deteriorated faster with the 2D coplanar than the split-screen display. The spawned 3D cost of diminished size with distance from ownship played a role in change detection response time—pilots were slower (particularly in detecting traffic aircraft changes) with the split-screen compared to the 2D coplanar IHD. These effects will be discussed within the context of visual scanning measures.
Incisor microwear of Sumatran anthropoid primates

Several studies have suggested that incisor microwear reflects diet and feeding adaptations of anthropoids. However, such studies have been largely qualitative, and interpretations have relied on anecdotal references to diet and tooth use reported in the socioecology literature. The current study relates incisor microwear in four anthropoid primates to specific ingestive behaviors and food types. Central incisor casts of wild-shot museum specimens of Hylobates lar, Macaca fascicularis, Pongo pygmaeus, and Presbytis thomasi were examined by scanning electron microscopy, and analyzed using a semiautomated image analysis procedure. Microwear patterns were used to generate predictions regarding diet and anterior tooth use. These predictions were evaluated using data collected during a 1 year study of feeding behavior of these same taxa in the wild (Ungar, 1992, 1994a,b). Results suggest that (1) enamel prism relief is associated with the effectiveness of etching reagents in foods, (2) dental calculus buildup results from a lack of incisor use and perhaps the ingestion of sugar-rich foods, (3) striation density varies with degree of anterior tooth use in the ingestion of abrasive food items, (4) striation breadth is proposed to relate to the ratio of exogenous grit to phytoliths consumed; and (5) preferred striation orientation indicates the direction that food items are pulled across the incisors during ingestion. It is concluded that incisor microwear studies can contribute to the understanding of diets and feeding behaviors of extinct primates.
A Class of Nonsymmetric Preconditioners for Saddle Point Problems

For the iterative solution of saddle point problems, a nonsymmetric preconditioner is studied which, with respect to the upper-left block of the system matrix, can be seen as a variant of SSOR. An idealized situation where SSOR is taken with respect to the skew-symmetric part plus the diagonal part of the upper-left block is analyzed in detail. Since action of the preconditioner involves solution of a Schur complement system, an inexact form of the preconditioner can be of interest. This results in an inner-outer iterative process. Numerical experiments with solution of linearized Navier-Stokes equations demonstrate the efficiency of the new preconditioner, especially when the upper-left block is far from symmetric.
Interpersonal contact and the stigma of mental illness: A review of the literature

Title: Interpersonal contact and the stigma of mental illness: A review of the literature Background. Stigmatization of mental illness is widespread in Western societies ( Crisp et al., 2001 ) and other cultures ( Chung et al., 2001 ). Furthermore, researchers have found that stigma is detrimental to the well being of persons with a mental illness ( Wahl, 1999 ), potentially resulting in decreased life satisfaction and discrimination in obtaining housing and employment ( Link & Phelan, 2001 ). It is for these reasons researchers have sought methods for reducing stigma. Aims: One strategy purported to reduce stigma is interpersonal contact with people with a mental illness. This article reviews the literature of contact and stigma reduction and provides considerations and recommendations for future research. Method: A thorough review of article databases...
Finite-difference time-domain method for electromagnetic radiation, interference, and interaction with complex structures

The finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) method is reviewed and then used to model and predict the radiation patterns of a monopole antenna mounted on the bottom of a perfectly conducting helicopter structure. The computed radiation patterns are compared with measurements to demonstrate the accuracy of the FDTD method. To study the effect of antenna interference, a second monopole antenna is mounted on the structure and the patterns are recalculated. The perfectly conducting helicopter model is then replaced by a partially composite/partially conducting material structure and the electromagnetic fields penetrating the structure from an incident plane wave are analyzed. A preprocessing geometry program, GEOM, is used to generate an FDTD geometry model, assuming solid surface helicopter structure. >
Parametric Spectral Estimation: A Fast Rational Model Approach

A novel approach to fast ARMA spectral estimation is proposed. The proposed approach is based on a correlation version of the recently introduced Suboptimum Maximum Likelihood technique, and significantly reduces the computational and memory storage requirements, while maintaining the high estimation accuracy. The consistency of the proposed estimator is established, and a modified version that overcomes the algorithmic instability problem associated with most available techniques, developed. The effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed approach with both long and short data records is finally established through numerical simulations and comparisons with the Blackman-Tukey and the AR spectral analysis methods.
New metrics for environmental economics: Gridded economic data

The last two decades have witnessed a dramatic growth in interest in the interaction between economic activity and geophysical variables. A major hurdle for current research is the complete disjunction of socioeconomic and geophysical data. The present study describes the results of the GEcon project, which has developed a geophysically based data set on economic activity. The G-Econ data presented here estimate gross output at a 1-degree longitude by 1-degree latitude resolution at a global scale for virtually all terrestrial grid cells. We provide applications to the impacts of global warming and to the question of the impact of geography on the economic condition of tropical Africa.
Half-Life Theory of Learning Curves for System Performance Analysis

Learning curves are used extensively in business, science, technology, engineering, and industry to predict system performance over time. Most of the early development and applications have been in the area of production engineering. Over the past several decades, there has been an increasing interest in the behavior of learning curves. This paper introduces the concept of half-life of learning curves as a predictive measure of system performance, which is an intrinsic indicator of the system's resilience. Half-life is the amount of time it takes for a quantity to diminish to half of its original size through natural processes. The common application of half-life is in natural sciences. The longer the half-life of a substance, the more stable it is. Consequently, the more resilient it is. This approach adds another perspective to the large body of literature on learning curves. Derivation of the half-life equations of learning curves can reveal more about the properties of the various curves. This paper presents half-life derivations for some of the classical learning curve models available in the literature.
Fundamental principles of workforce management

This paper was written to fill a void created by the absence of fundamental principles of site construction management. Efficient workforce utilization is essential to managing a productive and cost efficient site. For more than 25 years, the senior author has been observing and writing about inefficient labor productivity practices resulting from poor site management practices. Using deductive reasoning, fundamental principles were developed to avoid poor practices. General and fundamental principles related to performance measures and daily work schedules are cited. Additional principles are cited in the categories of work assignments, crew structure, disruptions, multiskilling, preassemblies and modules, and symbiotic crew relationships. The principles have been intentionally left general so as to apply to a broad range of situations.
A model of the transition state in the alkaline phosphatase reaction.

Abstract A high resolution crystal structure ofEscherichia coli alkaline phosphatase in the presence of vanadate has been refined to 1.9 A resolution. The vanadate ion takes on a trigonal bipyramidal geometry and is covalently bound by the active site serine nucleophile. A coordinated water molecule occupies the axial position opposite the serine nucleophile, whereas the equatorial oxygen atoms of the vanadate ion are stabilized by interactions with both Arg-166 and the zinc metal ions of the active site. This structural complex supports the in-line displacement mechanism of phosphomonoester hydrolysis by alkaline phosphatase and provides a model for the proposed transition state in the enzyme-catalyzed reaction.
Two-dimensional imaging of dense tissue-simulating turbid media by use of sonoluminescence

An optical imaging technique that is believed to be novel was developed for noninvasive cross-sectional imaging of tissuelike turbid media. By use of a sonoluminescence signal generated internally in the media with a 1-MHz continuous-wave ultrasound, two-dimensional images were produced for objects embedded in turbid media by a raster scan of the media. Multiple objects of different shapes were resolved with this imaging technique. The images showed a high contrast and good spatial resolution. The spatial resolution was limited by the focal size of the ultrasonic focus.
Prospective Examination of the Efficacy of 2 Topical Over-the-counter Cosmeceutical Creams for Rapid Treatment of Facial Rhytids

Objective To examine the efficacy of 2 over-the-counter cosmeceutical creams in reducing facial rhytids—Freeze 24/7 Anti-Wrinkle Cream (Freeze 24/7 International LLC, New York, New York) and LiftFusion Micro-Injected M-Tox Transdermal Face Lift (Fusionbeauty, Inc, Boca Raton, Florida)—against placebo (Nutraderm Therapeutic Lotion; Healthpoint, Inc, San Antonio, Texas). Methods A prospective, blinded clinical trial was performed on 42 subjects, comparing 2 cosmeceutical creams that each represent a class of purported rapid rhytid reduction formulas with placebo. Independent analysis by 2 facial plastic surgeons was performed as well as completion of self-assessment questionnaires by the participants. Results No complications occurred. Self-evaluation of cream effectiveness was no different for test creams compared with placebo. Neither cream produced substantial reduction of rhytids when examined critically by 2 independent facial plastic surgeons. Stratification by Glogau (photoaging) class did not reveal increased effectiveness based on rhytid severity. Conclusion Two typical over-the-counter rhytid reduction products are ineffective at substantially reducing facial rhytids.
Solar zenith angles for biological research and an expected catch model for diel vertical migration patterns that affect stock size estimates for longfin inshore squid (Doryteuthis pealeii)

Solar zenith angles are useful in diel studies because they are directly related to potential solar irradiance at the point of sampling and can be calculated from location, date, and time of day. W...
Increased levels of myocardial IκB-α protein promote tolerance to endotoxin

Endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] causes tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-mediated myocardial contractile depression. Tolerance to the cardiac toxicity of LPS can be induced by a prior exposure t...
Does the Angiogram Still Qualify as the Gold Standard for Evaluation of Noninvasive Tests

Diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive testing is usually calibrated against coronary angiographie results. The sensitivity of a noninvasive test is defined as the percent of patients with coronary disease who have an abnormal noninvasive test result. Thus, determination of the percent of patients with or without coronary disease is dependent on the coronary angiogram. In many series, the angiographic cutpoint to determine abnormality ranges from 50–70%. When 50% as opposed to 70% is chosen as the angiographie cutpoint, the sensitivity of noninvasive testing is decreased since more severe degrees of angiographie narrowing are associated with more frequent abnormal noninvasive test results. When 70% is chosen as the angiographie cutpoint, patients with more severe narrowings are considered to have coronary disease, whereas patients with lesser narrowings such as 60% luminal narrowing are considered to have “normal” angiograms. Clearly, 60% luminal narrowings can cause abnormal noninvasive test results, and it would be wrong to call this a false-positive noninvasive test result for coronary disease.
Effect of Cooling Rate on Microstructure and Centerline Segregation of a High-Strength Steel for Shipbuilding

Ultra-fast cooling (UFC) has been increasingly applied in industry, but accompanying with great changes of rolling strategy. It is therefore of importance to evaluate the characteristics of steels produced by UFC as compared to those processed by conventional accelerated cooling (ACQ. The present study examines the microstructure through thickness and centerline segregation of solute elements between UFC and ACC steels, both of which were rolled at a final rolling temperature at around non-recrystallized temperature. UFC steel showed the pronounced microstructural transition from lath-type bainite with Widmanstatten ferrite at subsurface to acicular ferrite in an average size of ~5 µm dispersed with degenerate pearlite in the interior. In contrast, ACC steel had the homogeneous microstructure through the thickness, which was distinguished with coarser polygonal ferrite grains and pearlite nodules. Moreover, the centerline segregation was significantly suppressed by applying UFC at a higher cooling rate of 40 K/s compared to 17K/s for ACC steel. The significant differences in the microstructure and centerline segregation caused by various cooling rate is discussed from the view of γ→α transformation.
Freedom in Research The Situation

To illuminate the idea of freedom in research, the author considers the nature of being a professional, which includes the dimensions as elaborated by Flexner (1915) and Taylor (1968). The dimension of autonomy, one characteristic of being a professional, is explored by utilizing the work of Hall (1968). Then the idea of situated freedom will be presented as a means to explain the professional autonomy of nurse researchers.
Nuclear factor-kappaB activation mediates cellular transformation, proliferation, invasion angiogenesis and metastasis of cancer.

Overall these studies clearly demonstrate that NF-κB plays a critical role in tumorigenesis. Similarity, suppression of NF-κB has the ability to inhibit various steps in the tumorigenic process. Design of inhibitors that are pharmacologically safe will be critical for the treatment of cancer. Because of the multiple agents that activate NF-κB through diverse pathways, it is unlikely that any single inhibitor of NF-κB would be effective against all tumors.
Volume tracking

3D time varying datasets are difficult to visualize and analyze because of the immense amount of data involved. This is especially true when the datasets are turbulent with many evolving amorphous regions, as it is difficult to observe patterns and follow regions of interest. We present our volume based feature tracking algorithm and discuss how it can be used to help visualize and analyze large time varying datasets. We also address efficiency issues in dealing with massive time varying datasets.
Abstract B53: Chromatin remodeling as a new target for cancer chemoprevention

Chromatin remodeling complexes use the energy of ATM hydrolysis to dynamically regulate the structure of chromatin. Growing evidence indicates that these complexes have a widespread role in tumor suppression. However, the mechanisms by which aberrations in these complexes drive tumorigenesis remain largely unknown. In addition to their well-established role in gene transcriptional control, our recent studies provide a novel linkage between chromatin remodeling and homologous recombination (HR)-mediated DNA repair in the maintenance of genomic stability. Our results showed that an evolutionarily conserved chromatin remodeling complex SWI/SNF is targeted to DNA damage lesions via an interaction with BRIT1, an early DNA damage responsive protein. Chromatin remodeling activity is required for relaxing highly condensed chromatin and facilitating the loading of HR repair proteins to conduct efficient HR repair. Furthermore, our unpublished data identified that another remodeling complex CHD4 functions as an upstream regulator of HR repair by recruiting BRIT1 and BRCA1 to DNA lesions. As a functional consequence of impaired HR repair, our data indicated that cells with depletions of chromatin remodeling complexes SWI/SNF and CHD4 show hypersensitivity to a new class of drugs poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors via a synthetic lethal interaction. In conclusion, our studies reveal the interplay between epigenetic regulation and genome maintenance. Chromatin remodeling affects HR repair process, which may lead to the changes in the DNA coding sequencing that are inheritable through cell division. Moreover, Deficient HR repair has been well known to predispose to cancer development, which is highlighted by mutations of HR repair genes BRCA1/BRCA2 in breast and ovarian cancers. Our findings may have important clinical implications in cancer prevention. Chromatin remodeling complexes, such as SWI/SNF and CHD4 might be used as epigenetic markers for prognosis, and prediction in early stage of tumorigenesis, and also for targeted preventive intervention by using PARP inhibitors. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2011;4(10 Suppl):B53.
189 ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC STUDIES OF THE DEVELOPING HUMAN FETUS

In utero M-mode echocardiographic (echo) studies were used to evaluate the cardiac anatomy and function of 30 human fetuses between 25 and 41 weeks gestation. Real-time scanning of the maternal abdomen, performed during routine evaluation of “high-risk” pregnancies, was used to locate the position of the fetal heart. Mitral-aortic and septal-aortic fibrous continuity and the spatial relationships of cardiac valves could be demonstrated in all. Ventricular ejection times could be measured directly from semilunar valve echograms. Left ventricular (LV) ejection times were equal to ejection times in premature infants born at similar gestational ages (208± 30 msec). In 3 fetuses in which LV and right ventricular (RV) ejection times could be measured simultaneously these values were equal.Abnormal mitral valve motion enabled us to diagnose congenital complete heart block in the bradycardic 28 week fetus of a mother suspected of having systemic lupus erythematosis. The ventricular septum and LV posterior wall were visualized in 19 of the 30 fetuses. Septal motion was “normal” in 4 and “paradoxical” in 15 (“type A” in 11; “type B” in 4). The latter finding suggests that human fetal flow patterns are characterized by a “dominant” RV, and is consistent with in utero flow data in fetal lambs showing 2/3 of combined ventricular output to be ejected by the RV. In utero echo studies are feasible and offer a noninvasive method of physiologic and anatomic evaluation of the heart of the human fetus.