cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Web 3.0: Chicken Farms on the Semantic Web

The explosive growth of blogs, wikis, social networking sites, and other online communities has transformed the Web in recent years. The mainstream media has taken notice of the so-called Web 2.0 revolution-stories abound about events such as Facebook's huge valuation and trends like the growing Hulu-YouTube rivalry and Flickr's role in the current digital camera sales boom. However, a new set of technologies is emerging in the background, and even the Web 2.0 crowd is starting to take notice.
Anaerobic biodegradation of no. 2 diesel fuel in soil: a soil column study

Soil and sediments are contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons in many parts of the world. Anaerobic degradation of petroleum hydrocarbon is very relevant in removing oil spills in the anaerobic zones of soil and sediments. This research investigates the possibility of degrading no. diesel fuel under anaerobic conditions. Anaerobic packed soil columns were used to simulate and study in situ bioremediation of soil contaminated with diesel fuel. Several anaerobic conditions were evaluated in soil columns, including sulfate reducing, nitrate reducing, methanogenic, and mixed electron acceptor conditions. The objectives were to determine the extent of diesel fuel degradation in soil columns under various anaerobic conditions and identify the best conditions for efficient removal of diesel fuel. Diesel fuels were degraded significantly under all conditions compared to no electron supplemented soil column (natural attenuation). However, the rate of diesel degradation was the highest under mixed electron acceptor conditions followed in order by sulfate reducing, nitrate reducing, and methanogenic conditions. Under mixed electron acceptor condition 81% of diesel fuel was degraded within 310 days. While under sulfate reducing condition 54.5% degradation of diesel fuel was observed for the same period. This study showed evidence for diesel fuel metabolism in a mixed microbial population system similar to any contaminated field sites, where heterogeneous microbial population exists.
C-peptide reduces high-glucose-induced apoptosis of endothelial cells and decreases NAD(P)H-oxidase reactive oxygen species generation in human aortic endothelial cells

Aims/hypothesis Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during hyperglycaemia are implicated in the development of diabetic vascular complications. High glucose increases oxidative stress in endothelial cells and induces apoptosis. A major source of ROS in endothelial cells exposed to glucose is the NAD(P)H oxidase enzyme. Several studies demonstrated that C-peptide, the product of proinsulin cleavage within the pancreatic beta cells, displays anti-inflammatory effects in certain models of vascular dysfunction. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this effect is unclear. We hypothesised that C-peptide reduces glucose-induced ROS generation by decreasing NAD(P)H oxidase activation and prevents apoptosis
Positron annihilation in positronium hydrides

The two-photon annihilation rate for positronium hydride is calculated with the use of extensive Hylleraas-type wave functions in which all six interparticle coordinates are used. The binding energy against dissociation into a positronium atom and a hydrogen atom is improved upon the previous best value by about 3.8%. The two-photon annihilation rate, calculated with a wave function that gives a positron-electron cusp value of -0.492${a}_{0}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ (compared with the exact value of -0.5${a}_{0}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$), is determined as 2.459 ${\mathrm{nsec}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$.
Mode purification in a relativistic magnetron with diffraction output

Summary form only given. Previous MAGIC particle-in-cell simulations performed at the University of New Mexico illustrated a mechanism by which a Gaussian TE11 microwave radiation pattern could be generated by a compact relativistic A6 magnetron with diffraction output (axial extraction) [1]. It employed an upstream strap that locked in the π-mode, something new to relativistic magnetrons [2], and a mode converter affixed to the downstream end of the anode block that acted to disrupt the desired π-mode. During portions of the TE11 RF cycle in which the electric field was low, such as when the polarity reversed, it was found that the polarization underwent rotation. Several changes are introduced in simulations to correct this problem at the expense of power and efficiency. These simulation results will be presented.
Short-term effects of a summer wildfire on a desert grassland arthropod community in New Mexico.

ABSTRACT Surface-active arthropods were sampled after a lightning-caused wildfire in desert grassland habitat on the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro County, NM. Pitfall traps (n = 32 per treatment) were used to evaluate species-specific “activity-density” indices after the June wildfire in both burned and unburned areas. In total, 5,302 individuals were collected from 69 taxa. Herbivore activity-densities generally decreased, whereas predators often increased in the burned area; pitfall trap bias likely contributed to this latter observation. Fire caused the virtual extirpation of scaly crickets (Mogoplistidae), field crickets (Gryllidae), and camel crickets (Raphidophoridae), but recolonization began during the first postfire growing season. Several grasshoppers (Acrididae) also exhibited significant postfire declines [Ageneotettix deorum (Scudder), Eritettix simplex (Scudder), Melanoplus bowditchi Scudder, and Amphitornus coloradus (Thomas)]. Some beetles showed lower activity-density, inclu...
Epidermal growth factor receptor expression correlates with poor survival in patients who have breast carcinoma treated with doxorubicin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy†

BACKGROUND To the authors' knowledge there are few data that correlate the expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with the outcome of patients who have breast carcinoma and are treated with anthracycline chemotherapy. METHODS Pretreatment tumor tissue samples were available from 82 patients who had locally advanced breast carcinoma and were treated on 2 protocols investigating neoadjuvant 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy. Immunohistochemical staining for EGFR (diluted 1:50) was performed, and the staining results were interpreted without knowledge of outcome. RESULTS Fourteen tumors (17%) were EGFR-positive, and 68 tumors (83%) were EGFR-negative. EGFR expression did not correlate with clinical stage (P = 0.361), HER-2/neu overexpression (P = 0.503), estrogen or progesterone receptor status (P = 0.631 and P = 0.838, respectively), nuclear grade (P = 0.448), or proliferative index (P = 0.769). Patients who had EGFR-positive tumors had a worse 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate (46% vs. 76%; P = 0.026) and overall survival (OS) rate (46% vs. 76%; P = 0.037) compared with patients who had EGFR-negative tumors. The pathologic complete response rate did not differ between the 2 groups (P = 0.389), although patients with EGFR-positive disease more commonly had ≥ 4 positive lymph nodes after chemotherapy (64% vs. 29%; P = 0.028). EGFR expression continued to show a significant correlation with poorer DFS and OS in a Cox regression analysis model that included the presence or absence of four or more lymph nodes and EGFR status. CONCLUSIONS EGFR expression may have prognostic significance in patients with locally advanced breast carcinoma who are treated with anthracycline chemotherapy. These data warrant further studies aimed at correlating EGFR expression and outcome in patients who have breast carcinoma treated with doxorubicin-based chemotherapy. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Telling versus Counting? A Media-Archaelogical Point of View

Il existe une tension epistemologique entre raconter et compter, et cette tension pourrait etre percue comme reposant sur des conditions mediatiques. La these que defend cet article est une de-mystification de l’ere digitale, une sorte d’amnesie media-archeologique : le numerique, qui fonde toute les technologies digitales, a toujours ete mis de l’avant comme une pratique culturelle de mediatisation de la realite. Alors que l’acte de conter a ete efficace sur le plan discursif, une autre facon d’aborder et de traiter la realite a toujours deja ete mise en oeuvre avant d’etre techniquement materialisee. Raconter, apres tout, ne veut pas seulement dire « rendre compte oralement ou par ecrit d’une serie d’evenements ou de faits », mais renvoie egalement au fait de « compter ». Plutot que de tenter une trajectoire chronologique lineaire, la relation historique qui lie « raconter » et « compter » pourrait etre decrite a partir de reconfigurations dependant de differents medias.
The portrayal of minorities and women in selected elementary science series

The purpose of this study was to determine the quantitative and qualitative portrayal of females and minorities in the illustrations of seven contemporary elementary science textbook series. An evaluation instrument was devised to determine the current status of the targeted groups. Illustrations were evaluated on the basis of minority/nonminority and male/female repesentation. The activity and assumed role of the individuals were also tabulated. More than 5900 human illustrations were evaluated. The results reveal that female children as a group are represented with greater frequency than are other child groups. Minority children are represented less often than nonminority children and female and minority adults are depicted less often than nonminority male adults. The textbooks evaluated in this study display science positively for most societal groups. However, minorities are underrepresented and illustrated in a limited number of career roles. Implications and suggestions for teachers, supervisors, and teacher educators are provided.
Bridging the regeneration gap: genetic insights from diverse animal models

Significant progress has recently been made in our understanding of animal regenerative biology, spurred on by the use of a wider range of model organisms and an increasing ability to use genetic tools in traditional models of regeneration. This progress has begun to delineate differences and similarities in the regenerative capabilities and mechanisms among diverse animal species, and to address some of the key questions about the molecular and cell biology of regeneration. Our expanding knowledge in these areas not only provides insights into animal biology in general, but also has important implications for regenerative medicine and stem-cell biology.
Protein Evolution in Cell and Tissue Development: Going Beyond Sequence and Transcriptional Analysis

Studies of animal evolution often focus on sequence and transcriptional analysis, based on an assumption that the evolution of development is driven by changes in gene expression. We argue that biochemical and cell biological approaches are also required, because sequence-conserved proteins can have different biochemical, cellular, and developmental properties.
Lymphomas of the breast. A clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of primary and secondary cases

Primary mammary lymphoma is rare, and little is known about the immunophenotype of such cases. The authors studied both primary and secondary breast lymphomas with a broad panel of T- and B-cell markers using paraffin-embedded tissue and the avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method. Cases of primary B-cell lymphoma were further tested to determine light and heavy chain type. Thirty-five cases were analyzed, including 16 primary lymphomas. Diffuse large cell lymphoma was present in ten of 16 primary and 14 of 18 secondary cases. Lymphoepithelial lesions in ducts and lobules and frequent vascular involvement were found in both primary and secondary cases. Immunohistochemistry studies on 13 tumors revealed all of the primary tumors to be B-cell in origin, except for one case of primary T-cell lymphoma; to the authors' knowledge, this represents the first description of this entity. Fifteen of 17 secondary tumors exhibited B-cell markers and one of 17 exhibited T-cell markers; in only one case could lineage not be determined. Among primary B-cell cases, IgM was found to be the most frequent heavy chain type; IgA reactivity was found in only one case. Survival was related to stage and histologic characteristics; patients with Stage II disease and higher grade histologic lesions had a worse prognosis. Half of the patients with primary lymphoma have had recurrent disease. Although local recurrences were observed, the authors also saw a tendency for recurrence in other extranodal sites. The authors conclude that, although primary lymphoma of the breast is compatible with long-term survival, a significant number of patients eventually die of their disease. As with other extranodal lymphomas, survival rate appears most related to stage of disease. Also, the vast majority of primary tumors are B-cell in origin, express IgM heavy chain, and can be considered tumors of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue.
Abstract A18: Time-resolved luminescence detection of spleen tyrosine kinase activity through terbium sensitization

Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) plays an important role in multiple B-cell signaling pathways. Deregulation of Syk activity has been shown to contribute to various malignant B-cell disorders including non-Hodgkin9s lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemia making Syk a potential drug target. However, monitoring the therapeutic response of Syk can be convoluted by the phosphorylation state of Syk or its downstream targets not always correlating with its enzymatic activity. Currently, there are few methods available for monitoring Syk activity directly. Peptide-based approaches allow for direct detection of kinase activity circumventing the need to assess phosphorylation status of the kinase. Peptides have been applied to the detection of Syk activity in the past using fluorescent amino acids, but these approaches have not yet reached an optimized degree of specificity or signal to noise. Chelation with terbium has been used to achieve phosphorylation-dependent luminescence with substrate peptides. Terbium is a hard acid giving it preferred coordination with negatively charged species such as phosphate, carboxylate and carbonyl groups. Terbium as a luminescent probe for detection of phosphorylation offers several advantages over organic fluorophores. Terbium has unique optical properties including large stokes shifts, long luminescent lifetimes, and narrow emission bands. Recently, we have developed a Syk specific artificial substrate peptide (SAStide) consisting of an acidic motif with a central tyrosine capable of detecting intracellular Syk activity. We have characterized SAStide9s ability to chelate terbium and sensitize terbium luminescence in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Here we present the use of time-resolved luminescence through terbium sensitization for detection of Syk activity and inhibition using SAStide in vitro. Citation Format: Andrew M. Lipchik, Laurie L. Parker. Time-resolved luminescence detection of spleen tyrosine kinase activity through terbium sensitization [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Chemical Systems Biology: Assembling and Interrogating Computational Models of the Cancer Cell by Chemical Perturbations; 2012 Jun 27-30; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(13 Suppl):Abstract nr A18.
High resistivity silicon active pixel sensors for recording data from STEM

An X-ray Active Matrix Pixel Sensor (XAMPS) for recording Data from the Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (STEM) was designed, produced and tested. The reason for measuring scattering angle of all STEM electrons is given together with the requirement on the performance of the XAMPS. Principles of the measurement of the number of STEM electrons scattered in a particular direction are summarized. Results of tests performed on a produced detector are described and the problem with the formation of an insulation layer between silicon and aluminum is identified. A change in the design of the pixel is proposed which results in a fully functioning XAMPS even with the insulation layer present.
Convection in a porous medium as a singular perturbation problem

Abstract Some preliminary results, based on the second-order approximations for the problems of natural convection in a porous medium adjacent to a vertical or a horizontal heated surface with power law variations of wall temperature, are reported in this paper. For the special case of an isothermal plate, it is found that the second-order corrections to the surface heat flux vanish identically. Thus, the relationships between the Nusselt number (Nux) and the Rayleigh number (Rax) for the case of an isothermal plate, as obtained from the boundary layer approximations (i.e., the first-order approximations), are actually accurate to 0(ϵx2) where ϵ x = ( Ra x ) − 1 2 for the cases of a vertical plate and ϵ x = ( Ra x ) − 1 3 for the case of a horizontal plate.
Alcohol dehydrogenases of Euglena gracilis, strain Z

Abstract Cell-free extracts from heterotrophically grown Euglena gracilis were assayed for alcohol dehydrogenase activities by the reduction of NAD with various alcohols as substrates. Highest rates were obtained with isopropanol and cinnamyl alcohol. Isopropanol was oxidized at about twice the rate of ethanol. Mercaptoethanol inhibited isopropanol dehydrogenase activity but had no effect on ethanol oxidation.
Ignorance May Be Bliss, But Thought Suppression Promotes Superficial Cognitive Processing

This study examined the impact of thought suppression on the quality of cognitive processing and self-reported mood. While completing a stream-of-consciousness task about two topics sequentially, participants were either instructed to suppress negative thoughts or were given no suppression instructions. Computer-based content analyses indicated that thought suppression led to significantly less causal reasoning and discrepancy seeking. However, the suppression of negative thoughts also resulted in a more positive mood. Results suggest that thought suppression can improve mood but it comes with the cognitive cost of superficial processing.
Thermoluminescence and the shock and reheating history of meteorites: IV. The induced TL properties of type 4–6 ordinary chondrites

The thermoluminescence (TL) properties were measured in 121 equilibrated H and L ordinary chondrites of which 33 H and 32 L were from Antarctica. It was found that the distribution of TL sensitivities for non-Antarctic L chondrites differs from that of non-Antarctic H chondrites, reflecting the well-known differences in shock history between L and H classes, the greater proportion of the former having suffered postmetamorphic shock. The data also show differences in TL sensitivity between Antarctic and non-Antarctic H chondrites, suggesting nontrivial differences in thermal history of these chondrites.
X-ray spectra from neon atoms implanted in solid targets

Neon $K$ x-ray spectra produced in 80-keV neon-neon collisions are compared for gas targets and neon atoms implanted in a solid. The "solid target effects" are found to produce an x-ray spectrum which cannot be characterized by a binomial distribution.
Social engagement and chronic disease risk behaviors: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Objective Although engagement in social networks is important to health, multiple different dimensions exist. This study identifies which dimensions are associated with chronic disease risk behaviors.
Nifedipine Dose-Related Increase in Mortality in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease

Background The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of the dose of nifedipine, a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, on the increased risk of mortality seen in the randomized secondary-prevention trials and to review the mechanisms by which this adverse effect might occur. Methods and Results We restricted the dose-response meta-analysis to the 16 randomized secondary-prevention trials of nifedipine for which mortality data were available. Recent trials of any calcium antagonist and formulation were also reviewed for information about the possible mechanisms of action that might increase mortality. Overall, the use of nifedipine was associated with a significant adverse effect on total mortality (risk ratio, 1.16, with a 95% CI of 1.01 to 1.33). This summary estimate fails to draw attention to an important dose-response relationship. For daily doses of 30 to 50, 60, and 80 mg, the risk ratios for total mortality were 1.06 (95% CI, 0.89 to 1.27), 1.18 (95% CI, 0.93 to 1.50), and 2.83 (95% CI, 1.35 to 5.93), respectively. In a formal test of dose response, the high doses of nifedipine were significantly associated with increased mortality ( P =.01). While the mechanism of this adverse effect is not known, there are several plausible explanations, including the established proischemic effect, negative inotropic effects, marked hypotension, recently reported prohemorrhagic effects attributed to antiplatelet and vasodilatory actions of calcium antagonists, and possibly proarrhythmic effects. Conclusions In patients with coronary disease, the use of short-acting nifedipine in moderate to high doses causes an increase in total mortality. Other calcium antagonists may have similar adverse effects, in particular those of the dihydropyridine type. Long-term safety data are lacking for most calcium antagonists.
An ecological study of the algae of the Saline River, Michigan

1. The algal vegetation of the Saline River, Michigan, U.S.A. was studied throughout a period of eighteen months in 1951–1953, with exact qualitative and quantitative records maintained throughout a fourteen-month period. Determinations were made at regular intervals of a variety of environmental physico-chemical variables which may be supposed to influence algal growth. 2. The upper course of the Saline River is unpolluted and mildly alkaline, has a high bicarbonate content, usually abundant nutrients, and has an algal vegetation which includes Cladophora glomerata in spring, Diatoma vulgare and Gomphonema olivaceum in winter, and a calcified Phormidium-Schizothrix community which is present throughout the year. 3. The lower course of the river was influenced by industrial wastes and sewage entering the river principally at Saline and Milan. Below the industrial outfall at Saline the water contained chromium, and other toxic ions, and the flora of the upper course had disappeared almost entirely, being replaced by a luxuriant flora of Stigeoclonium tenue and other species. Below the domestic outfall at Saline, the summer riffle vegetation was dominated by the bacterium Sphaerotilus and the diatom Nitzschia palea; at other seasons Stigeoclonium tenue, Tetraspora, and Navicula atomus were present on riffles whereas the pools were dominated by Spirogyra spp. 4. No marked change was observed in the flora of the middle course of the stream between Saline Mills and Milan. Below Milan, Cladophora returned to the stream flora within a single riffle. A massive accession of sewage at Milan polluted the stream again at this riffle, and the stream remained polluted for the remainder of its course. 5. The periodicity of the principal algae is described and is summarized in figures 8–13. 6. The following organisms are markedly resistant to the presence of chromium and other polluting ions; possibly also they profit from the presence of one or more of these pollutants: Stigeoclonium tenue, Tetraspora sp., Closterium acerosum, Nitzschia palea, N. linearis, Navicula atomus, Navicula cuspidata, Euglena sociabilis, E. viridis, E. acus, E. oxyuris, E. stellata.
Symmetry breaking in nitrogen-doped amorphous carbon: Infrared observation of the Raman-active G and D bands.

We report the preparation of hard nitrogenated amorphous carbon films doped with as much as 20 at. % nitrogen. The nitrogen groups created by doping do not dramatically affect the film structure, but are found to break symmetry in ${\mathrm{sp}}^{2}$ domains causing the Raman-active G (``graphitic'') and D (``disordered'') bands to become ir active. Elemental analysis of the films together with the infrared spectra shows that about one in six of the carbons are replaced by nitrogen. Also observed in the infrared spectrum are nitrile (and possibly isonitrile) groups which demonstrate for the first time the existence of sp carbon in amorphous carbon films.
Adenomatous Polyp With Intestinal Metaplasia of the Esophagus (Barrett Esophagus) in a Dog

Multiple endoscopic biopsy specimens of esophageal mucosa were received from a 13-year-old castrated male standard Poodle. The dog was presented for painful swallowing. Endoscopically, the distal aspect of the esophagus was inflamed with a polypoid mass that protruded into the esophageal lumen. Histologically, the stratified squamous epithelium overlying the mass and lining the adjacent esophageal mucosa was replaced by papillary projections covered by columnar epithelium with goblet cells supported by a fibrous stroma. This article reports a case of spontaneous esophageal adenomatous polyp with intestinal metaplasia (Barrett esophagus) and reviews the pathogenesis of esophageal metaplasia and adenocarcinoma.
The Two-Level Theory of verb meaning: An approach to integrating the semantics of action with the mirror neuron system

Verbs have two separate levels of meaning. One level reflects the uniqueness of every verb and is called the "root". The other level consists of a more austere representation that is shared by all the verbs in a given class and is called the "event structure template". We explore the following hypotheses about how, with specific reference to the motor features of action verbs, these two distinct levels of semantic representation might correspond to two distinct levels of the mirror neuron system. Hypothesis 1: Root-level motor features of verb meaning are partially subserved by somatotopically mapped mirror neurons in the left primary motor and/or premotor cortices. Hypothesis 2: Template-level motor features of verb meaning are partially subserved by representationally more schematic mirror neurons in Brodmann area 44 of the left inferior frontal gyrus. Evidence has been accumulating in support of the general neuroanatomical claims made by these two hypotheses-namely, that each level of verb meaning is associated with the designated cortical areas. However, as yet no studies have satisfied all the criteria necessary to support the more specific neurobiological claims made by the two hypotheses-namely, that each level of verb meaning is associated with mirror neurons in the pertinent brain regions. This would require demonstrating that within those regions the same neuronal populations are engaged during (a) the linguistic processing of particular motor features of verb meaning, (b) the execution of actions with the corresponding motor features, and (c) the observation of actions with the corresponding motor features.
Design, fabrication and testing of thermal components and their integration into a microfluidic device

We discuss the design, integration and testing of thermal components in a microfluidic device designed for on-chip genetic sample preparation. A typical microdevice must perform several operations to be capable of analyzing a sample of body fluid (blood, urine, saliva), extracting DNA from concentrated cells, hybridization, purifying and amplifying DNA, and finally detecting DNA fragments of interest. Reduction of the sample volume down to a few /spl mu/Ls and improvement of the ramp times between temperature steps makes micro-PCR devices desirable. Thermal components such as heaters and resistive thermal devices (RTDs) are fabricated as an integral part of a complete genetic sample preparation micro-system. The ability to precisely control the temperature is a critical component of most microfluidic devices intended for on-chip genetic sample preparation Devices were fabricated and demonstrated a temperature variation of /spl sim/1/spl deg/C over the entire sample volume. The design of a device, including chamber dimensions, and placement of the heating and cooling elements is presented. The results of temperature cycling experiments are shown. We have measured a heating rate of /spl sim/2.4/spl deg/C/s and a cooling rate of /spl sim/2.0/spl deg/C/s for devices tested under active heating/cooling control. A brief overview of relevant microfabrication methods is also presented.
El Chichon and “mystery cloud” aerosols between 30 and 55 km: Global observations from the SME visible spectrometer

Visible limb radiances measured by the Solar Mesosphere Explorer (SME) are used to obtain volume scattering ratios for aerosol loading in the 30-55 km altitude range of the stratosphere. Global maps of these ratios are presented for the period January 1982 to August 1984. Significant aerosol scattering from the 'mystery cloud' and El Chichon aerosol layers are found above 30 km. A timescale of approximately 2 months between the appearance of the aerosol at 30.5 km and at 37.5 km is consistent with vertical transport of aerosol or vapor by eddy diffusion above 30 km. An anticorrelation exists between aerosol scattering and stratospheric temperatures. Periods of lower stratospheric temperatures may account for the formation of aerosol between 40 and 55 km altitude.
Finding Designs with Genetic Algorithms

In this paper we use simulated evolution to solve three design theoretic problems, direct decomposition of a complete graph into smaller complete graphs, decomposition of a complete graph into smaller complete graphs with difference sets, and the seating of twelve people at three four person tables for multiple nights in an even handed fashion. The paper is intended as a tutorial for someone familiar with design theory but unfamiliar with genetic algorithms.
Nasal reconstruction in surgery of the anterior skull base.

Abstract Objectives We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of a number of surgical maneuvers in nasal reconstruction of a diverse population of patients undergoing skull base surgery. Study design We conducted a retrospective review of a cohort of patients undergoing nasal reconstruction during surgery of the anterior skull base and craniovertebral junction. Methods All patients undergoing skull base surgery and nasal reconstruction by the senior author (Y.D.) with a minimum follow-up of 12 months from 1997 to 2001 were evaluated. Preoperative and postoperative photographs and clinical evaluation were examined in detail with particular attention focused on the nasal complex. Results A total of 47 patients were evaluated for this study, including those who had undergone anterior craniofacial resections (n = 14), Le Fort osteotomies (n = 5), subcranial approaches (n = 10), maxillotomies (n = 8), and midfacial disassemblies (n = 10). Primary calvarial bone graft reconstruction of the anterior craniofacial group was facilitated with the use of positioning plates and resuspension of the upper lateral cartilages when available. In contradistinction to secondary bone grafting, dorsal grafts in this group extended to the native nasal bone length. A small overlay bone graft was thought to be necessary when the nasal root was osteotomized in conjunction with the orbital and/or maxillary segments to maintain dorsal height in the long term. Le Fort osteotomy patients require refixation of the septum to the anterior nasal spine region for stability. Conclusions Use of the techniques outlined in this article appears to be associated with gratifying long-term nasal form in reconstruction of the anterior skull base.
Annotated Checklist of the Freshwater Fishes of Continental and Insular Honduras

The freshwater fishes of Honduras were surveyed for a period of four years (2005–2008). Surveys were supplemented with both literature and museum collection reviews. Our results show that there are at least 172 species of fishes inhabiting Honduran mainland and insular freshwater systems, 166 native and six exotic. Primary freshwater fish diversity was low, with only eigth species (4.8%). The remaining species were either secondary freshwater (47 species, 28.3%) or peripheral (111 species, 66.9%). This checklist includes 36 new records for Honduras, and 12 range expansions. Nine species were found to be endemic; however, just two of them (Amphilophus hogaboomorum and Theraps wesseli) are already described. The depauperate primary freshwater fishes fauna of Honduras (8) is congruent with low primary freshwater fishes diversity found in the region between the Usumacinta River and the Nicaraguan great lakes. Although many previously unsampled regions of Honduras were visited as part of this project, there are a variety of remote areas that remain unstudied. While this paper contributes much to the understanding of the distribution and diversity of Honduran freshwater fishes, it is likely that much diversity there remains undocumented.
Deterrence Stability with Smaller Forces: Prospects and Problems

Many scholars and policy-makers have assumed that reduction of US and Russian strategic nuclear forces to the lowest possible levels, perhaps to zero, is contributory to deterrence and crisis stability. This study tests a variety of reduced US and Russian nuclear forces, including hypothetical forces and START configurations, for their relative force advantage and for their ability to fulfil previously accepted standards of assured retaliation. It turns out that, as forces decrease towards very low levels, the Russian force falls behind the US force in operational flexibility and becomes much more vulnerable to surprise strikes without warning. Both forces maintain the ability to inflict historically unprecedented retaliatory damage even at the 1,000 warhead level, the lowest included here. The good news is that minimum deterrent forces rapidly run out of plausible targets, making them irrelevant for counterforce first strikes or for escalation dominance. The bad news is that minimum forces can become exclusively city attacking forces by default. Former adversaries now turned into potential partners in search of regional and global stability, the USA and Russia must safeguard the transition from a nuclear deterrence regime to a more disarmed world. The reduction of US and Russian arsenals to several hundreds of weapons is contributory to stability on the assumption that the British, French and Chinese nuclear weapons inventories undergo proportionate reductions also. A second assumption built into favorable prognoses for US and Russian reductions well below START levels is that nuclear proliferation can be constrained. Absent constrained proliferation and cooperative European and Asian nuclear powers, US and Russian force reductions below 1,000 warheads are ambiguously stable. Neorealist arguments in favor of well-managed proliferation understate the extent to which Cold War stability was overdetermined. US-Soviet nuclear deterrence rested on a substructure that included bipolarity and learned behavior modification for crisis management.
NUTRITION OF THE EUROPEAN CORN BORER, OSTRINIA NUBILALIS (HÜBN.) V. ASCORBIC ACID AS THE CORN LEAF FACTOR1

The European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubn.), has been reared satisfactorily on a meridic diet containing no crude plant material. Ascorbic acid has been shown to be a necessary component of this diet for normal development of the larvae. Evidence is presented of the identity of the corn leaf factor (CLF), contained in spray-dried alfalfa juice, with ascorbic acid. The larvae grew better on a wheat germ supplemented diet than on the diets in which wheat germ was replaced with powdered cellulose, vitamin-free casein and corn oil or wheat germ oil. These data suggested that another factor, present in wheat germ, was required for optimal larval growth. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG ERNAHRUNG DES MAISZUNSLERS, OSTRINIA NUBILALIS (HUBN.) V. ASCORBINSAURE ALS MAISBLATTFAKTOR Der Maiszunsler, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubn.), wurde zufriedenstellend mit einer meridischen (meridic) Diat aufgezogen, die kein pflanzliches Rohmaterial enthielt. Es zeigte sich, das zur normalen Entwicklung der Raupen zu dieser Diat Ascorbinsaure zugesetzt werden mus. Es wird wahrscheinlich gemacht, das der Mais-Blattfaktor (CLF), der in spruhgetrocknetem Luzernesaft enthalten ist, mit Ascorbinsaure identisch ist. Die Larven wuchsen an der erganzten Weizenkeimlingsdiat besser als an Diaten, bei denen die Weizenkeimlinge durch staubformige Cellulose, vitaminfreies Kasein und Maisol oder Weizenkeimlingsol ersetzt war. Diese Befunde lassen vermuten, das zum optimalen Wachstum ein anderer, in Weizenkeimlingen enthaltener Faktor erforderlich ist. Die Entdeckung der Ascorbinsaure als Mais-Blattfaktor ermoglicht die Entwicklung einer holidischen (holidic) Diat fur dieses Insekt. Solch eine holidische Diat wird jedoch solange unteroptimal sein, bis der Faktor im Weizenkeim bestimmt ist.
Finding metabolic pathways using atom tracking

Motivation: Finding novel or non-standard metabolic pathways, possibly spanning multiple species, has important applications in fields such as metabolic engineering, metabolic network analysis and metabolic network reconstruction. Traditionally, this has been a manual process, but the large volume of metabolic data now available has created a need for computational tools to automatically identify biologically relevant pathways. Results: We present new algorithms for finding metabolic pathways, given a desired start and target compound, that conserve a given number of atoms by tracking the movement of atoms through metabolic networks containing thousands of compounds and reactions. First, we describe an algorithm that identifies linear pathways. We then present a new algorithm for finding branched metabolic pathways. Comparisons to known metabolic pathways demonstrate that atom tracking enables our algorithms to avoid many unrealistic connections, often found in previous approaches, and return biologically meaningful pathways. Our results also demonstrate the potential of the algorithms to find novel or non-standard pathways that may span multiple organisms. Availability: The software is freely available for academic use at: http://www.kavrakilab.org/atommetanet Contact: kavraki@rice.edu Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Identification of organic colorants in fibers, paints, and glazes by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

Organic dyes extracted from plants, insects, and shellfish have been used for millennia in dyeing textiles and manufacturing colorants for painting. The economic push for dyes with high tinting strength, directly related to high extinction coefficients in the visible range, historically led to the selection of substances that could be used at low concentrations. But a desirable property for the colorist is a major problem for the analytical chemist; the identification of dyes in cultural heritage objects is extremely difficult. Techniques routinely used in the identification of inorganic pigments are generally not applicable to dyes: X-ray fluorescence because of the lack of an elemental signature, Raman spectroscopy because of the generally intense luminescence of dyes, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy because of the interference of binders and extenders. Traditionally, the identification of dyes has required relatively large samples (0.5−5 mm in diameter) for analysis by high-performance liqu...
Azerbaijan's resource wealth: political legitimacy and public opinion

After considering how well Azerbaijan's economy follows the trajectory of a ‘resource curse’ state, this paper investigates the political dimensions of the resource curse evident in Azerbaijan. Of particular interest is how Azerbaijan appears to establish external and internal political legitimacy. These dimensions of sovereignty are not necessarily balanced or present in equal measure. The paper assesses the recent transition in leadership in Azerbaijan as well as Azerbaijan's interactions with, and assessment by, the international community. Additionally, national survey data provide insights into public concerns, satisfaction with government policy, and views on democracy and freedom of expression. The paper concludes that at present there appears to be sufficient public expectation for future benefits, combined with institutional stability, to stave off widespread political instability for the time being.
Taxonomic identification of human fat patterns

The utility of taxonomic approaches in identification of fat patterning was evaluated using hierarchical cluster analysis on a sample of 64 female and 31 male subjects from 18 to 29 years of age. Four clusters, each composed of subjects with similar distributions of 17 skinfold thicknesses corrected for sex, size and total body fat, showed mean pattern profiles that variously contrasted fatness of the trunk and extremities. Average anthropometric differences between clusters corroborated differences in pattern profile. For comparison, principal-components analysis was carried out on these same data. The results suggest that a taxonomic approach offers advantages in initial interpretation and in design flexibility.
A new Monte Carlo circuit simulation paradigm with specific results for resistive networks

In this paper, we formulate a new type of Monte Carlo problem for circuits. Specific results are given for the class of resistive networks and open research problems are indicated for more general cases. Given lower and upper bounds on the value of each resistor but no probability distribution, we consider the problem of estimating appropriate probabilistic measures of performance. In view of the fact that no a priori probability distributions for the uncertain resistors are assumed, a certain type "distributional robustness" is sought. To this end, a new paradigm from the robustness literature is particularized to these circuits. Some of the performance bounds obtained via this new approach differ considerably from those which result from a more conventional Monte Carlo simulation
A High-Speed Voltage-Controlled Oscillator for the Fermilab Booster Low-Level RF System

This paper describes the design, development and test results of a high-speed VCO with an output frequency range from 29 MHz to 54 MHz. The use of highspeed and low-noise techniques throughout the unit enable the VCO to slew at greater than 5 MHz/?sec, while maintaining high spectral purity and phase stability. These characteristics allow the Booster phase-lock system to operate at a high gain setting while using a wide loop bandwidth.
Numerical Solution for Supersonic Turbulent Flow over a Compression Ramp

A modified eddy viscosity model is incorporated into the compressible Navier-Stokes equations. The modification attempts to reproduce the response of turbulence to a severe pressure gradient in the flowfield. This relaxation phenomenon is described by an exponential decay of the unperturbed eddy viscosity coefficient downstream of the perturbation in terms of a prescribed length scale. The system of equations is solved by MacCormack's time-splitting explicit numerical scheme for a series of compression corner configurations. Computations are performed for ramp angles varying from 15 to 25° at a Mach number of 2.96 and a Reynolds number of 10 7. Calculations utilizing the modified eddy viscosity for the interacting turbulent flow compare very well with experimental measurements, particularly in the prediction of the upstream pressure propagation and location of the separation and the reattachment points. Good agreement is also attained between the measured and calculated density profiles in the viscous-inviscid interaction region.
Determination of genome size of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by PFGE: analysis of restriction fragments

Genomic DNA size was measured in three strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, ATCC 29260 (exotoxin A), ATCC 33467 (type I smooth) and ATCC 33468 (type 2 mucoid) by transverse alternating field electrophoresis of restriction fragments. Because of the high (67%) G + C content of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, restriction enzymes that recognize sequences with at least 4 AT base pairs were expected to be rare cutters. Eight enzymes produced fragments greater than 200 kb in size: Dral (TTT/AAA), Asnl (ATT/AAT), Hpal (GTT/AAC), AfIII (C/TTAAG), Xbal (T/CTAGA), Spel (A/CTAGT), Sspl (AAT/ATT) and Ndel (CA/TATG). All eight enzymes recognized one of three rare tetranucleotide sequences, TTAA, CTAG or ATAT. Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain 29260 has a genomic DNA size of 5573 kb. Strains 33467 and 33468 have identical restriction patterns and a possible deletion with a genomic size of 5407 kb.
Hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor mediates recovery from chronic stress-induced spatial reference memory deficits

Chronic restraint stress impairs hippocampal-mediated spatial learning and memory, which improves following a post-stress recovery period. Here, we investigated whether brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein important for hippocampal function, would alter the recovery from chronic stress-induced spatial memory deficits. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were infused into the dorsal hippocampal cornu ammonis (CA)3 region with an adeno-associated viral vector containing the sequence for a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) directed against BDNF or a scrambled sequence (Scr). Rats were then chronically restrained (wire mesh, 6 h/day for 21 days) and assessed for spatial learning and memory using a radial arm water maze (RAWM) either immediately after stressor cessation (Str-Imm) or following a 21-day post-stress recovery period (Str-Rec). All groups learned the RAWM task similarly, but differed on the memory retention trials. Rats in the Str-Imm group, regardless of adeno-associated viral contents, committed more errors in the spatial reference memory domain on the single retention trial during day 3 than did the non-stressed controls. Importantly, the typical improvement in spatial memory following the recovery from chronic stress was blocked with the shRNA against BDNF, as Str-Rec-shRNA performed worse on the RAWM compared with the non-stressed controls or Str-Rec-Scr. The stress effects were specific for the reference memory domain, but knockdown of hippocampal BDNF in unstressed controls briefly disrupted spatial working memory as measured by repeated entry errors on day 2 of training. These results demonstrated that hippocampal BDNF was necessary for the recovery from stress-induced hippocampal-dependent spatial memory deficits in the reference memory domain.