cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Left pulmonary artery sling: Diagnosis and delineation of associated tracheobronchial anomalies with MR

Background. The left pulmonary artery sling anomaly (SLPA) has generated controversy about its diagnosis, imaging and management particularly with regard to associated tracheobronchial anomalies.Objective. To evaluate the role of MR imaging in defining airway and vascular relationships in SLPA.Materials and methods. Retrospective review of the imaging and clinical records of three children with SLPA who underwent MRI including three dimensional image reconstruction. MR was compared and correlated with other imaging methods: plain chest radiographs (3); bronchoscopy (3); barium esophagram (1); echocardiography (2); cineangiography (2).Results. MRI was vastly superior to other methods for clearly depicting airway and vascular anatomy and interrelationships. Good quality imaging and safe sedation was easily achieved in young infants. MR also provided accurate noninvasive evaluation of the reconstructed pulmonary artery and airway postoperatively.Conclusion. MR is capable of differentiating the two subtypes of SLPA. Specific delineation of vascular and airway anatomy and spatial relationships is essential for surgical management: reimplantation of LPA in type I and both LPA reimplantation and airway reconstruction in type II because of associated long segment airway stenosis.
Student-Faculty Collaborations, Undergraduate Research, and Collaboration as an Administrative Model.

Collaborative inquiry-based education (undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity) and collaborative administrative models are this chapter’s topics. Both mentoring undergraduate research projects and collaborative administrative action point to new ways of incorporating research and learning into a single integrated process.
Charge and discharge characteristics of a commercial LiCoO2-based 18650 Li-ion battery

Abstract We studied the charge and discharge characteristics of commercial LiCoO 2 -based 18650 cells by using various electrochemical methods, including discharging at constant power, ac impedance spectroscopy, and dc-voltage pulse. At 20 °C, these cells deliver 8.7–6.8 Wh of energy when discharged at a power range of 1–12 W between 2.5 and 4.2 V. Ragone plots show that the effect of discharge power on the energy is significantly increased with decreasing of the temperature. For example, energy of the cell is entirely lost when the temperature downs to −10 °C and the discharge rate still remains at 10 W. Impedance analyses indicate that the total cell resistance ( R cell ) is mainly contributed by the bulk resistance ( R b , including electric contact resistance and electrolytic ionic conductivity), solid electrolyte interface resistance ( R sei ), and charge-transfer resistance ( R ct ). Individual contribution of these three resistances to the cell resistance is greatly varied with the temperature. Near room temperature, the R b occupies up to half of the cell resistance, which means that the rate performance of the cell could be improved by modifying cell design such as employing electrolyte with higher ionic conductivity and enhancing electric contact of the active material particles. At low temperature, the R ct , which is believed to reflect cell reaction kinetics, dominates the cell resistance. In addition, galvanosatic cycling tests indicate that the charge and discharge processes have nearly same kinetics. The performance discrepancy observed during charging and discharging, especially at low temperatures, can be attributed to these two factors of: (1) substantially higher R ct at the discharged state than at the charged state; (2) asymmetric voltage limits pre-determined for the charge and discharge processes.
Phosphodiesterase-5 and Retargeting of Subcellular cGMP Signaling During Pathological Hypertrophy

Both cAMP and cGMP are critical intracellular second messengers regulating fundamental physiological processes in the myocardium, from acute contraction/relaxation to chronic gene expression, cell growth and apoptosis, and cardiac structural remodeling. cAMP is synthesized by adenylate cyclases on activation of G-protein–coupled receptors. cGMP is generated from the cytosolic purine nucleotide GTP by guanylyl cyclases (GCs) with Mg2+ or Mn2+ as cofactors. Two isoforms of GCs exist in vertebrate cells and tissues: a nitric oxide (NO)–sensitive cytosolic or soluble GC (sGC) and atrial natriuretic peptides (NP)–activated, plasma membrane–bound, particulate GC (pGC).1 Once produced, the effects of cGMP occur through 3 main groups of cellular target molecules: cGMP-dependent protein kinases (PKGs), cGMP-gated cation channels, and phosphodiesterases (PDEs). PDEs are metallohydrolases that catalyze the breakdown of cAMP or cGMP into the inactive 5′-AMP, thus modulating the duration and intensity of their intracellular response. PDEs have 11 families (PDE1–PDE11) that are encoded by 21 different genes. More than 80 enzyme variants are generated from multiple promoters and as a consequence of alternative splicing.2 PDE1 through PDE3, PDE10, and PDE11 are dual-specificity esterases because they hydrolyze both cAMP and cGMP; PDE4, PDE7, and PDE8 specifically degrade cAMP; and PDE5, PDE6, and PDE9 hydrolyze cGMP.2 The NH2-terminal portion of the PDE enzyme may undergo phosphorylation/dephosphorylation events, binding of Ca2+/calmodulin, and allosteric binding of cGMP and can mediate interactions with other proteins. PDE1, PDE3, PDE4, and PDE5 contain phosphorylation sites for various kinases. PDE1 also contains Ca2+-calmodulin binding sites, and stimuli that increase or decrease intracellular Ca2+ hereby profoundly affecting its activity. PDE2, PDE6, and PDE9 contain allosteric binding sites for cGMP called GAF. The binding of cGMP to GAFB in PDE2 activates the enzyme, whereas the binding of cGMP to GAFA in PDE5 favors …
Theory-guided design and synthesis of multichromophore dendrimers: an analysis of the electro-optic effect.

Extensive experimental and theoretical study suggests that interchromophore electrostatic interactions are among the most severe impediments to the induction and stability of large electro-optic coefficients in electric-field-poled organic materials. In this report, multichromophore-containing dendritic materials have been investigated as a means to minimize unwanted attenuation of nonlinear optical (electro-optic) activity at high chromophore loading. The dendritic molecular architectures employed were designed to provide optimized molecular scaffolding for electric-field-induced molecular reorientation. Design parameters were based upon past experimental results in conjunction with statistical and quantum mechanical modeling. The electro-optic behavior of these materials was evaluated through experimental and theoretical analysis. Experimental data collected from the dendrimer structures depict a reasonably linear relationship between chromophore number density (N) and electro-optic activity (r33) demon...
Phakomatous choristoma of the eyelid: a report of a case

Phakomatous choristoma is a rare congenital hamartoma of lens tissue. It presents in newborns or young infants as a subcutaneous mass in the medial lower eyelid. We present a case of phakomatous choristoma recently identified among old consultation files at Children's Hospital in Boston. Our case illustrates unique histological features of this entity which has to be included in differential diagnosis of skin lesions of the inferonasal eyelid.
Predictors of 30-day readmission after outpatient thyroidectomy: an analysis of the 2011 NSQIP data set.

Abstract Purpose With enhancements in patient safety and improvements in anesthesia administration, outpatient thyroidectomy is now frequently undertaken as an outpatient procedure, with several peer-reviewed reports of safe implementation totaling over 4500 procedures since 2006. However, robust statistical analyses of predictors for readmission are lacking. Methods The 2011 NSQIP data set was queried to identify all patients undergoing thyroidectomy on an outpatient basis. Outcomes of interest included surgical and medical complications, reoperation, mortality, and readmission. Univariate and multivariate analyses were utilized to identify the predictors of these events. Results In total 5121 patients were identified to have undergone an outpatient thyroidectomy in 2011. Overall 30-day morbidity was rare with only 47 patients (0.92%) experiencing any perioperative morbidity. One hundred eleven (2.17%) patients were readmitted within 30 days of the operation. A history of COPD was the only preoperative comorbid medical condition that significantly increased a patient's risk for readmission (OR 3.73 95% CI 1.57–8.85, p = 0.003). Patients with a surgical complication were more than 7 times as likely to be readmitted (OR 2.08–25.28, p = 0.002), and those with a medical complication were over 19 times as likely to be readmitted (OR 7.32–50.78, p Conclusions Readmission after outpatient thyroidectomy is infrequent, and compares well with other outpatient procedures. The main identified risks include preoperative COPD and any of the generic postoperative complications tracked in NSQIP. As procedures continue to transition into outpatient settings and financial penalties associated with readmission become a reality, these findings will serve to optimize outpatient surgery utilization.
Measurement and modeling of diffusion kinetics of a lipophilic molecule across rabbit cornea.

Purpose To develop a kinetic model for representing the diffusion and partitioning of Rhodamine B (RhB), a fluorescent lipophilic molecule, across the cornea for gaining insights into pharmacokinetics of topical drugs to the eye.
Conflict management in the modern world-system

What is the relationship between the status of nation-states in the modern world-system and their strategies for conflict management? Using Wallerstein's world-systems theory, Kick's empirical specifications of core, semiperiphery, and periphery, and Black's theory of conflict management, I examine the use of self-help, avoidance, negotiation, and third-party settlement by nation-states. These possible tactics are variously used as forms of social control from below, social control from above, and social control between equals. I argue that the status of nations within the world-system is correlated with the primary mode of conflict management they use at a given time. I speculate that the use of a particular strategy may also subsequently contribute to changes in nations' status.
The advent of widely accessible lung cancer screening using low-dose computed tomography

On 10 November 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a draft statement for public comment in favor of screening for lung cancer using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). In the decision summary, CMS stated that the “evidence is sufficient to add a lung cancer screening counseling and shared decision making visit, and for appropriate beneficiaries, screening for lung cancer with. LDCT, once per year, as an additional preventive service benefit under Medicare” [1]. This benefit is for smokers with at least 30 pack-years, between 55 and 74 years of age, who were asymptomatic and were either still smoking or had quit within less than 15 years. With this decision, the transition from a successful prospective randomized clinical trial to public policy has been advanced. The debates over insurance coverage for LDCT screening over the past 3 years have highlighted the many variables that can influence screening. These include the prevalence of the disease, the public health impact of the disease, the ability to positively intervene in the disease if screened, a safe and accurate technology to screen, the cost of screening and the ability to significantly reduce the disease burden. Furthermore, each of these variables can change. Diseases can become more prevalent, as lung cancer has from the 1980s to the current time. Technology can improve, such as the development of LDCT to detect lung nodules. Technology could advance still further, to the future development of a breath test to screen for lung cancer. This is why it is important to understand the influences of each of these variables in order to properly judge the strengths and potential pitfalls of s creening for lung cancer at this point in history. A quick historical review of how we arrived to the November CMS decision is warranted. Small trials of lung cancer screening with chest x-ray started in the 1950s [2]. Large, prospective, randomized controlled trials comparing chest x-ray and sputum cytology were run in the 1970s and 1980s. The lack of success of these screening methods led many to conclude that lung cancer screening would never be practical, but things changed. The number of newly diagnosed cases of lung cancer doubled to 228,190 from the 1980s to 2013 [1]. Competing causes of lung nodules became less common. The technological
The role of identity-based motivation and solution-focus brief therapy in unifying accounts and financial education in school-related CDA programs

Abstract This article focuses on unifying, seemingly at times, disparate aspects of school-related Child Development Account (CDA) programs in order to maximize their effects. Account ownership and financial education are the two key components of school-related CDA programs. Despite this most of the focus by asset theorists and researchers has been on the account ownership side of CDAs. To unify these two components we use identity-based motivation (IBM) theory. Further, we suggest that early experience with money failures and lack of positive role models results in many lower income and minority children entering CDA programs with low financial efficacy. Because of low financial efficacy, we suggest that in order for financial education programs to be successful among lower income and minority children they need to be designed to address this reality. We posit that a way to address the reality of lower income and minority students is to adopt solution-focus brief therapy (SFBT) techniques. These techniques can be used to teach financial education instructors how to build positive financial efficacy beliefs among lower income and minority children.
EQUILIBRIUM AND STABILITY OF A WHIRLING ROD-MASS SYSTEM

Abstract A two-degree-of-freedom lumped-mass model is used to gain understanding of the equilibrium and stability of a circularly towed cable. Particular cases considered are those of no drag, viscous drag, and viscous drag with a crosswind.
In situ synchrotron X‐ray studies of PbTiO3 thin films

We have used in situ synchrotron x-ray scattering to investigate PbTiO3 films grown epitaxially on SrTiO3 (001) substrates. When the films are cooled below a thickness-dependent Curie temperature, the ferroelectric phase forms as 180° stripe domains with a well-defined period. With further cooling, the period changes fairly abruptly from a lower to a higher value, suggesting a transition between two stripe domain phases. The periods of both stripe phases are observed to depend on the square root of film thickness, in agreement with theory.
The timing of antitrust effects on pricing

This paper extends recent results suggesting a deterrent effect of antitrust cases on price–cost margins of firms involved. In a sample of 288 firms, a negative effect of price-fixing indictments on margins is found, an effect which erodes over time. Some weak support is given for the view that a deterrent effect is reduced if a conviction is not obtained. Finally, an attempt to examine the response of firms to stages of a case suggests that the bulk of the antitrust effect on pricing may occur at the onset of investigation, prior to actual filing of the case.
Seeking tau: A comparison of six methods

Abstract Six methods for measuring the period of circadian rhythms (tau) have been compared using real and artificial data. The modified periodogram technique estimates tau by fitting a data‐specific form estimate to time series data with a period that minimizes the variance of data around the form estimate. The onset periodogram converts raw data to new values that reflect rapid increases of data magnitude, then fits a form estimate to these new values. Iterative cosinor determines the period of the single cosine curve that best describes the data. The iterative harmonic derives a form estimate, consisting of a cosine function plus a series of true harmonics, which most closely describes the data. Other methods measure the slope of the line fitting each day's acrophase (regressive cosinor) or subjectively selected phase markers (eyefitting). Our analyses indicate that the estimated value of tau can vary depending on the method used. Periodogram and iterative harmonic methods provided the most consistentl...
Effect of reduced glomerular filtration rate on the fractional excretion of urea in the dg.

SummaryIn anesthetized dogs the fractional excretion of urea was measured during antrdiuresis and mannitol diuresis when the glomerular nitration rate was either normal or reduced by inflation of a balloon in the aorta above the renal arteries. Reductions in glomerular filtration rate to 70% or less of normal values resulted in a significant reduction in the fractional urea excretion to 50% of normal values during antidiuresis but caused no significant changes during diuresis. Increased passive reabsorption of urea occurring as a result of increased transit time of tubular fluid is the proposed explanation for the changes in fractional urea excretion.
Tray fabrication for unusually large maxillae

Abstract A procedure was presented to modify a polyethylene stock tray to accommodate unusually large maxillary dental arches.
Mean and fluctuating flow measurements in the hypersonic boundary layer over a cooled wall

Measurements of the mean flow, intermittent structure and turbulent fluctuations were made in a cold-wall boundary layer at a stream Mach number of 9·4 and Reynolds number based on momentum thickness of 36 800. For these conditions, the r.m.s. sublayer thickness was 32 times smaller than that of the boundary layer proper, and the interfacial standard deviation of the latter was about three times proportionately smaller than has been found at low speeds. The mean flow data, which extended well into the sublayer, revealed a large increase in static pressure from the layer edge to the wall and a quadratic law relation between the total temperature and velocity. While the transformed velocity profile was in good agreement with the incompressible law of the wake, no indication of a linear variation of velocity in the sublayer was detected.Hot-wire fluctuation data, interpreted with the use of appropriate assumptions concerning the nature of the sound field, indicated that the turbulence is dominated by high-frequency pressure fluctuations whose magnitude at the wall and beyond the layer edge agree with extrapolation of data acquired at supersonic speeds. The static temperature fluctuations agreed with expectations from adiabatic, supersonicdata apparently because they were suppressed by the cooled-wall condition. The fluctuations in the longitudinal velocity component were generally small and differed little from lower Mach number results. The high turbulence Reynolds numbers found generated an inertial-subrange spectral decay, while the longitudinal integral scales were found independent of turbulence mode and about one-fifth the boundary-layer thickness.
Coherent Spatial Structure versus Time Chaos in a Perturbed Sine-Gordon System

A novel interplay of coherent spatial structure and temporal chaos is reported for the ac-driven, damped sine-Gordon system with breather initial conditions and periodic boundary conditions. The competing tendencies of spatial structures to be stable and of single-particle motions to be chaotic can lead to suppression of chaos, spatio-temporal intermittency, and symmetry-breaking tendencies. Dynamic structure factors provide direct evidence for spatial period halving and renormalized-phonon generation in chaotic regimes.
Caribou in the changing North

Abstract In the 1950s, caribou (Rangifer tarandus) populations were drastically declining across northern North America. At that time, wolf (Canis lupus) predation, forest fires on winter ranges, and excessive native harvest were thought to be the primary causes of decline. In the early 1970s widespread oil and gas exploration in the Canadian and Alaskan Arctic and the discovery of a giant oil field at Prudhoe Bay again generated national and international interest in caribou and concern for their future welfare. The 1980s have witnessed expansion of most of the major caribou and wild reindeer herds throughout circumpolar areas, including the Central Arctic Herd near the Prudhoe Bay oil field. Behavioral reactions of caribou to oil development have included discontinued range use; avoidance of pipelines, roads, and other oil field structures by female caribou accompanied by calves; habituation to oil field structures and activities by adult males; delayed movements to and from insect-relief habitats; seasonal fracturing of a herd. Assessing the consequences for caribou of northern development is particularly difficult in contrast to other ungulates. The complexity of caribou ecological relations, involving traditional patterns of migratory movements, result in transitory dependence on several different ecosystems and special physiological and morphological adaptations that enable them to use a unique food resource. In addition, their complex social structure varies seasonally.
Effect of metformin on mouse embryo development.

During controlled clinical trials, plasma metformin levels do not exceed 5 g/mL, even at maximum doses (10). Metformin hydrochloride (N, N-dimethylimidodicarbonimidic diamide hydrochloride; Sigma, St. Louis, MO) was dissolved in human tubal fluid (HTF) media (Irvine Scientific, Santa Ana, CA) to give working concentrations of 5, 25, and 100 g. The culture dishes containing 1 mL of media at each concentration were incubated for overnight equilibration at 37°C and 5% CO2. Thawed two-cell mouse embryos (Embryotech, Wilmington, MA) were pooled and randomly distributed into the culture dishes containing the various concentrations of metformin. The control consisted of HTF media alone (group 1). Groups 2, 3, and 4 were supplemented with metformin (5, 25, and 100g/mL). There were 40 embryos in each group. The embryos were incubated in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 at 37°C for 72 hours. The blastocyst development rate (BDR) was then calculated by dividing the number of embryos reaching the blastocyst stage by the total number of embryos cultured. The relationship between BDR and concentration was assessed with repeated measures logistic regression using generalized estimated equation (GEE) methodology with a compound symmetry correlation structure. The sample size was sufficient to detect whether a specific concentration reduced the odds of development by a factor of 2.5. Statistical significance was assessed using two-tailed P.05. Statistical computations were performed with SAS version 8.1 (SAS Institute Inc, Cary, NC). The BDR for groups 1, 2, and 3 were 94.7%, 92.5%, and 91.8%, respectively. These were not significantly different. However, the BDR of 7.5% for group 4 was significantly lower than the group 1 (control) ( P.004; Fig. 1). The embryos in group 4 were arrested at early stages of development and contained extensive fragmentation. The introduction of metformin has helped avert the need for parenteral gonadotropin superovulation in many CC resistant PCOS patients with hyperinsulinemia. It significantly decreased the waist-to-hip ratio, serum testosterone, fasting free fatty acid and insulin concentrations, and improved oxidative glucose utilization and menstrual cyclicity (1–3). Despite numerous studies dealing with the hormonal, metabolic, morphometric, and clinical effects of metformin therapy in PCOS patients, little is known about possible effects on oocyte quality and early embryogenesis. The reported maximum serum concentration of metformin did not exceed 5g/mL with the maximum oral dose (10). We suspect that the early embryo would not be exposed to higher concentrations than that, though metformin levels in the follicular fluid are unknown. Normal embryonic development occurred at a concentration fivefold higher than the maximum clinical serum level. The toxic effects of metformin on in vitro development of mouse embryos only appeared at a concentration of 100 g/mL, which is never achieved in vivo.
CARTILAGE REPAIR BY OSTEOCHONDRAL GRAFT IN THE KNEES OF PIGS — A HISTOLOGICAL STUDY

Purpose: To investigate the mechanism of free autogenous osteochondral graft in full thickness cartilage defect in the knees of pigs aged three to four months old and weighing 8.5 to 11.5 kg, by histological examination. Methods: Full thickness cartilage defects were created on the medial femoral condyles of both knees. The defects on the right knee served as control study. The defects on the left knee were grafted with free autogenous osteochondral grafts. Biopsies were performed in 4, 8 and 12 weeks and the specimens were examined for predominant tissues, structure characteristics and cell changes as well as the healing of bone and cartilage between the graft and host tissue. Results: The control lesions showed extensive fibrous tissues with increased neovascularization, but no cartilage. With osteochondral grafts, bone remodeling took place in four weeks; and cartilage healing by direct bonding in approximately 12 weeks. There were transient degenerative changes of chondrocyte cellularity and morphology and increased neovascularization in four to eight weeks, which improved by 12 weeks. Conclusions: The mechanism of free autogenous osteochondral grafts started off with bone remodeling in as early as four weeks, which in turn provided better graft stability and promoted neovascularization and nutrition to the cartilage. The healing of hyaline cartilage by direct bonding to the host tissue took place in 12 weeks. There were transient interval changes of chondrocyte cellularity and morphology that warrant postoperative protection of the knees for 8 to 12 weeks.
A Comparison of Landing Site Safety Training Techniques for Loggers

This study combines a systematic instructional design approach and past research findings to examine the appropriate presentation of logging safety information, increase knowledge of logging safety risks on landing sites, identify hazardous situations on a landing site, and identify risk perception of logging hazards. Three experimental groups were those who: 1) received traditional on-the-job training (OJT) from their employer, 2) watched a video tutorial that was developed without systematic instructional design principles, and 3) completed a multimedia training tutorial developed using systematic instructional design principles. Mean test scores were analyzed. For knowledge retention of safety information the multimedia group scored significantly higher than OJT, but not significantly higher than the video group. The video group scored significantly higher than the OJT group. For ability to identify hazards, the multimedia group scored significantly higher than the OJT group, the video group did not sc...
Identification of direct targets and modified bases of RNA cytosine methyltransferases

Covalent links formed between methylation enzymes and a 5-azacytidine base incorporated into cellular RNA allow target enrichment and single base-pair resolution modification mapping.
Martingale Restrictions and the Implied Market Price of Risk

The market price of risk is conceptually one of the most critical artifacts of modern finance, since it provides the linkage between equilibrium and arbitrage models of derivatives pricing. In this paper, the market price of risk is derived for options on live cattle futures contracts. It provides a technique to extract the implied market price of risk (iMPR), which is conceptually similar to that used in extracting implied volatilities. It is shown that the iMPR is not linear across strike prices as theory suggests it should. Le prix de marche du risque est conceptuellement l'un des artefacts les plus importants de la finance moderne puisqu'il etablit le lien entre les modeles d'equilibre et les modeles d'evaluation par arbitrage de l'etablissement des prix des derives. Dans le present article, le prix de marche du risque est derive pour les options sur contrats a terme de bovins vivants. Il offre une technique pour extraire le prix de marche implicite du risque qui est conceptuellement similaire a celle utilisee pour extraire les volatilites implicites. Il est montre que le prix de marche implicite du risque n'est pas lineaire pour tous les prix de levee comme la theorie semble l'indiquer.
The Ototronix MAXUM system: Indications, techniques, and outcomes

For many individuals with hearing impairment, the benefits of hearing aids may be reduced by acoustic feedback, occlusion effect, difficult fitting, and recurrent ear canal irritation. Additionally, many hearing aid candidates refuse use because of concerns over cosmetic appearance and the stigma associated with hearing aid use. Implantable hearing devices were developed to circumvent many of the limitations of conventional air conduction aids. The MAXUM system is a semi-implantable hearing device that amplifies sound via an implanted magnet attached to the ossicular chain, which is coupled to an electromagnetic driver located within the medial ear canal. The MAXUM system is based on the SOUNDTEC Direct System technology that initially received Food and Drug Administration approval in 2001. Outcomes with the SOUNDTEC Direct System have demonstrated enhanced functional gain, as well as reduced feedback and occlusion effect compared with hearing aids. Herein, we review the indications, surgical technique, and outcomes of the MAXUM device.
Differential Game Theory Applied to a Model of the Arms Race

The arms race model of L. F. Richardson is considered within a differential game theoretic context. Five different approaches to the game are considered and the results compared. The particular model considered is a three nation arms race model which becomes a three player differential game. The five approaches to the game are the minimax, Nash, and Pareto approaches as well as two coalition approaches: C.P.O. (Coalitive Pareto Optimality) and N.C.O. (Nash Coalitive Optimality). Some suggestions are made for future research and some possible economic, social, and political implications of this work are considered.
Uptake of Sulfate but Not Phosphate by Mycobacterium tuberculosis Is Slower than That for Mycobacterium smegmatis

Knowledge of the metabolic pathways used by Mycobacterium tuberculosis during infection is important for understanding its nutrient requirements and host adaptation. However, uptake, the first step in the utilization of nutrients, is poorly understood for many essential nutrients, such as inorganic anions. Here, we show that M. tuberculosis utilizes nitrate as the sole nitrogen source, albeit at lower efficiency than asparagine, glutamate, and arginine. The growth of the porin triple mutant M. smegmatis ML16 in media with limiting amounts of nitrate and sulfate as sole nitrogen and sulfur sources, respectively, was delayed compared to that of the wild-type strain. The uptake of sulfate was 40-fold slower than that of the wild-type strain, indicating that the efficient uptake of these anions is dependent on porins. The uptake by M. tuberculosis of sulfate and phosphate was approximately 40- and 10-fold slower than that of M. smegmatis, respectively, which is consistent with the slower growth of M. tuberculosis. However, the uptake of these anions by M. tuberculosis is orders of magnitude faster than diffusion through lipid membranes, indicating that unknown outer membrane proteins are required to facilitate this process.
Two-dimensional impurity profiling with emission computed tomography techniques

A technique for the determination of two-dimensional impurity profiles in silicon using methods for emission computed tomography is presented. Several one-dimensional impurity profiles obtained for different directions through the sample are used to reconstruct the two-dimensional profile. A simulation study of the experiment is described, and effects of various experimental and reconstruction parameters are discussed. Reconstructions of an area of 4 mu m*4 mu m from thirteen one-dimensional measurements, with a resolution of 1000 AA, are numerically possible. >
The Usefulness of the Developmental Profile-II in Developmental Screening

Timely provision of early developmental intervention depends on accurate developmental screening tests. The Developmental Profile-II (DP-II) relies on parent report to assess children from birth to 7 years old. One of its subtests, the Academic scale, is designed for developmental screening. To test its accuracy in detecting children with problems, the scale was administered to parents of 94 children between 6 and 75 months old. Each child was also given a battery of tests, such as the Bayley Scales of Infant Development and the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale. The Academic scale detected only 21% of the 19 children thus determined as having developmental problems, while 85% of the nondiagnosed children received normal or advanced scores on DP-II. Analysis revealed that DP-II scoring criteria are far too lenient and that many items are poorly placed in relation to age expectations. Alternative cutoff scores greatly improved sensitivity. DP-II is a potentially accurate measure that needs updating and restandardizing. Alternative tests include the Minnesota Child Development Inventory and the Battelle Developmental Inventory Screening Test.
A performance comparison of optimum and sub-optimum receiver structures for rate-line detection of digitally modulated carriers

An optimum receiver structure for the detection of the symbol rate of a digitally modulated carrier is investigated for rectangular and Nyquist pulse shapes. The resulting receiver structure forms a maximum-likelihood symbol rate estimator. The performance of this optimum receiver is compared with that of a delay-and-multiply receiver, which is known to be sub-optimum. The signal-to-noise ratio associated with the rate-line spectrum at the receiver output is used as a measure of rate-line detectability. >
Modified Euclidean algorithm for finite field inversions

Based on a reformulated Euclidean algorithm, systolic architectures for computing inverses in finite fields have been designed with small critical path delay, O(m) latency, and O(m/sup 2/) area-time product.
Aluminum buffer rods for ultrasonic monitoring at elevated temperatures

Aluminum (Al) buffer rods, having circular, square, and rectangular cross-section shapes with and without cladding, were experimentally investigated to achieve high performance in ultrasound for industrial process monitoring. Focus was devoted to the signal-to noise ratio (SNR) aspect in pulse-echo mode because high SNR can make many practical ultrasonic monitoring applications feasible. If the size of the rod cross section can be properly selected, spurious echoes induced in the rod having finite dimensions-due to mode conversion, wave reverberation, and diffraction-do not overlap the desired echoes during pulse-echo measurements. Thus, a sufficient SNR may be obtained using nonclad rods for certain applications, which is of low cost. Clad buffer rods, having the above three shapes and consisting of an Al core and a stainless steel cladding, also were manufactured through thermal spray method. These clad Al rods achieved a SNR of more than 40 dB and had better SNR than clad steel rods. It was shown that the rod with a larger cross-section area exhibited a wider ultrasonic beam. The Al rods are handy in real-time, nonintrusive and nondestructive ultrasonic monitoring.
Obsession with the White Page, the Inability to Communicate, and Surface Aesthetics in the Development of Contemporary Maghrebian Fiction: The Mal de la Page Blanche in Khatibi, Farès and Meddeb

Writer's block is not a new concept, but I should like to consider it in a new context: the realm of the young and rapidly developing Francophone literature of the Maghreb. I am suggesting that the writer's malaise before the blank page is a sign of a highly developed authorial relationship with one's language and materials and that the recent increase in the number of (1) testimonials in which Maghrebian writers bear witness to their sense of impotence when facing the purity of the white page and (2) reactions symptomatic of that frustration is evidence of development in the literature in question.
Thyroid hormones and illness.

Objective: To review illness-associated changes in thyroid hormone levels with respect to the alterations in metabolism, regulation, and transport of thyroid hormones present in such a setting. Methods: We summarize normal pituitary-thyroid function and categorize the types of changes that have been noted during illness. In addition, we examine studies that have addressed the metabolic status of patients with low thyroid hormone levels and the potential utility of thyroid hormone treatment in severely ill patients. Results: The finding of altered thyroid hormone levels in hospitalized patients confirms the participation of these factors in the adaptive response to illness. Thyroid hormone alterations that occur during illness can be classified into three categories: (1) decreased production of triiodothyronine, (2) decreased serum binding of thyroid hormones, and (3) decreased secretion of thyrotropin. Study of these hormonal changes has provided insight into normal thyroid hormone regulation and metaboli...
The 2010 slow slip event and secular motion at Kı̄lauea, Hawai‵i, inferred from TerraSAR‐X InSAR data

We present here a small baseline subset (SBAS) algorithm to extract both transient and secular ground deformations on the order of millimeters in the presence of tropospheric noise on the order of centimeters, when the transient is of short duration and known time and the background deformation is smooth in time. We applied this algorithm to study the 2010 slow slip event as well as the secular motion of Kilauea's south flank using 49 TerraSAR-X images. We also estimate the tropospheric delay variation relative to a given reference pixel using an interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) SBAS approach. We compare the InSAR SBAS solution for both ground deformation and tropospheric delays with existing GPS measurements and confirm that the ground deformation signal and tropospheric noise in InSAR data are successfully separated. We observe that the coastal region on the south side of the Hilina Pali moves at a higher background rate than the region north side of the Pali. We also conclude that the 2010 slow slip event (SSE) displacement is mainly horizontal and the maximum magnitude of the 2010 SSE vertical component is less than 5 mm.
Recanalization of obstructed fallopian tube by selective salpingography and transvaginal bougie dilatation: outcome and cost analysis.

Objective To investigate effectiveness and cost of transcervical salpingography and recanalization in the management of infertility caused by tubal occlusion. Design Retrospective analysis of patients investigated with transcervical selective salpingography and, in some instances, treated by transcervical recanalization. Setting Four hundred patients with hysterosalpingography diagnosis of obstructed fallopian tubes (clinical environment) are investigated. A repeat hysterosalpingogram after administration of a prostaglandin antagonist demonstrated patency of the tubes in 82 patients and selective transcervical salpingography demonstrated patency in an additional 131 patients. Intervention Transcervical tubal recanalization. Of the remaining 187 patients, recanalization by transcervical technique was successful in 145 patients. The underlying etiology for tubal obstruction was salpingitis isthmica nodosa in 62, salpingitis and perisalpingitis in 71, endometriosis in 8, failed surgical anastomosis in 43, and undeterminate cause in 3 patients. Pregnancy was attained in 24 patients, there were 10 minor and 1 major complication. Outcome Measure Attained and maintained patency of tubes, pregnancy, attendant complications. Conclusion A pregnancy rate of 12.8% was attained after transcervical recanalization of obstructed tubes. An attendant increased rate of pregnancy in patients proven patent after selective salpingography, valuable detailed information about proximal and distal tubes after recanalization of the obstructed proximal tube segment, the low rate of complications, and low cost are factors recommending the use of this technique. Moreover, tubal surgery or IVF treatment are not influenced adversely by prior transcervical tubal recanalization and remain an option for patients who failed to attain pregnancy.
Modeling Geochemical Self Organization

Rocks of a wide variety of origins can manifest symmetry breaking instabilities and the development of repetitive and other patterns of mineralization. Models are set forth that couple local processes (aqueous reactions, precipitation/dissolution and nucleation of mineral grains) to a variety of transport processes. Linear stability, bifurcation, matched asymptotic and numerical analysis are used.
Efficient position control of DC Servomotor using backpropagation Neural Network

The increasing growth in the use of DC Servomotors for multiple industrial applications in the last few decades have made them one of the most important system's drives. Therefore, developing an intelligent DC Servomotor position control scheme and, in particular, a DC Servomotor Neural Model based on a well-defined mathematical model that can be used for off-line simulation are very important tools for this type of system's drives. Multiple non-linear parameters and dynamic factors, such as Dead Zone, Saturation, Coulomb Friction, Backlash and load changes, are of most concern when controlling servomotors' angular position. Due to these nonlinearities and dynamic factors, conventional control schemes such as PID control may not be the best solution for some applications because they result in low system efficiency. To reduce the effect of these nonlinearities and dynamic factors and to improve the system's efficiency, an intelligent Neural Network (NN) Controller is proposed. In this paper we are reporting the use of a combination of a DC Servomotor Neural Model and a Neural Network controller. The proposed NN combination is able to deal with the non-linear parameters and dynamic factors found in the original system, and is able to improve the overall system efficiency. Off line simulation using MATLAB® SIMULINK was used to show the final results of the controller and to compare them to a conventional PID controller.
Microfabricated Surface-Electrode Ion Trap for Scalable Quantum Information Processing

Individual laser-cooled {sup 24}Mg{sup +} ions are confined in a linear Paul trap with a novel geometry where gold electrodes are located in a single plane and the ions are trapped 40 {mu}m above this plane. The relatively simple trap design and fabrication procedure are important for large-scale quantum information processing (QIP) using ions. Measured ion motional frequencies are compared to simulations. Measurements of ion recooling after cooling is temporarily suspended yield a heating rate of approximately 5 motional quanta per millisecond for a trap frequency of 2.83 MHz, sufficiently low to be useful for QIP.
SURVEY QUESTION ORDER AND THE POLITICAL PARTY PREFERENCES OF COLLEGE STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS

On several surveys college students were asked to report their own political party preference and that of their parents. The order in which these questions were asked tangibly affected students' reports of their own party preference. In addition, their party preferences were found to be rather changeable. These findings call into question methods frequently used to study the transmission of party preference from parents to children as well as some of the conclusions which are based on them.
The Increasing Severity of Circumpacific Natural Disasters

The Ring of Fire guards the margins of the continents and island arcs bordering the Pacific Ocean. Active volcanic belts dominate the terrestrial landscape, and about 100 km offshore, oceanic trenches parallel the volcanoes. This topographically rugged, geologically unstable transition separating subaerial and submerged portions of the solid Earth is a reflection of convergent and transform lithospheric plate boundaries. The plates themselves are carried along by thermally driven mantle convection. Slow but inexorable differential motions along the plate junctions are responsible for the globe's most intense seismic activity as well as deadly eruptions. Tsunamis, avalanches, mudflows, and catastrophic land subsidence are common associates in this dynamic geologic realm. Moreover, the world's greatest ocean—a heat—transfer engine driven convectively by incoming solar radiation—spawns the most powerful tropical storms, producing devastating coastal flooding. Nowhere is the Pacific Rim free of these natural ...
Two new species of Heteromysis ( Olivemysis ) (Mysida, Mysidae, Heteromysinae) from the tropical northwest Atlantic with diagnostics on the subgenus Olivemysis Băcescu, 1968

A survey of mysid crustaceans in near-shore habitats of the Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands, BWI yielded two new species of mysids belonging to the genus Heteromysis S. I. Smith, 1873. H. (Olivemysis) modlini n. sp. occurred on live bottom habitats in shallow waters of Grand Cayman Island, and H. (Olivemysis) mclellandi n. sp. from sponges in depths of 21–27 m on deep fringing reefs off Pine Cay, Turks and Caicos Islands. H. modlini may be distinguished from closely related species in the western Atlantic by the following characters: (1) 6–7 robust flagellated setae on the medial margin of the carpo-propodus of thoracic endopod 3, (2) 3–5 and 4–6 bent, attenuated spines on male pleopods 3 and 4, respectively, (3) 3–4 spiniform setae along the medial margin of the uropodal endopod, and (4) 10–16 spinules along the anterior ¾ of the telsonic cleft, 14–19 spiniform setae completely lining the lateral margins of the telson, and each apical lobe of the telson with a pair of spiniform setae, the outer 1.6–2.0 times longer than the inner. Heteromysis (Olivemysis) mclellandi is unique among known heteromysids in having modified attenuated setae on pleopods 1– 5 of both males and females, and may be distinguished further from its related Caribbean congeners by the following characters: (1) tuberculate flagellated seta on the antennular peduncle, (2) 8–9 flagellated setae on the carpo-propodus of thoracic endopod 3, and (3) telson cleft depth: telson length ratio of about 1/6, and outer: inner length ratio of apical telson setae of 1.2–1.6. Diagnostic tables separating the two new species from related Caribbean congeners are presented. The subgenus Olivemysis Bacescu, 1968 is diagnosed and discussed; based on a critical review of the literature, 10 species, besides H. (Olivemysis) modlini n. sp. and H. (Olivemysis) mclellandi n. sp., are placed in this subgenus, bringing its total species number to 30.