cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kinetics of factor Xa inhibition by recombinant tick anticoagulant peptide: both active site and exosite interactions are required for a slow- and tight-binding inhibition mechanism.

Recombinant tick anticoagulant peptide (rTAP) is a competitive slow- and tight-binding inhibitor of factor Xa (FXa) with a reported equilibrium dissociation constant (KI) of ∼0.2 nM. The inhibitory characteristics and the high selectivity of rTAP for FXa are believed to arise from the ability of the inhibitor to specifically interact with the residues of both the active site as well as those remote from the active site pocket of the protease. To localize the rTAP-interactive sites on FXa, the kinetics of inhibition of wild-type and 18 different mutants of recombinant FXa by the inhibitor were studied by either a discontinuous assay method employing the tight-binding quadratic equation or a continuous assay method employing the slow-binding kinetic approach. It was discovered that KI values for the interaction of rTAP with four FXa mutants (Tyr99 → Thr, Phe174 → Asn, Arg143 → Ala, and a Na+-binding loop mutant in which residues 220−225 of FXa were replaced with the corresponding residues of thrombin) were ...
Functional Polymers by Cationic Techniques

Abstract Extensive studies on the mechanism of carbocationic polymerization initiation and particularly termination yielded information useful for the synthesis of a variety of new mono- and difunctional (telechelic) polymers. Unraveling aspects of initiation has opened new avenues toward the synthesis of novel cationic graft copolymers. Understanding details of termination has led among other products to cyclopentadiene-ended polyisobutylene and cyclopentadienylated rubbers. The latters crosslink by Diels-Alder addition and produce thermally reversible networks. Combination of controlled initiation and termination yielded telechelic products e. g., α, ω-diene-polyisobutylene. The use of Cl2/BCl3 combinations led to the synthesis of α, ω-dichloropolyisobutylenes.
Use of edrophonium (Tensilon) in the evaluation of cardiac arrhythmias

Abstract Edrophonium has been reported to be valuable in the differentiation of supraventricular tachycardia. To evaluate the clinical usefulness of edrophonium, 10 mg. of it was given intravenously to 103 patients with various arrhythmias. The electrocardiogram was then monitored for 30 minutes after administration of the drug. Edrophonium had no effect in 13 patients with atrial tachycardia, 3 developed atrial tachycardia with block, 3 showed a decrease in rate, and 1 developed atrial fibrillation. Twenty-six of the twenty-seven patients with atrial fibrillation showed a decrease in the ventricular response. Eight patients with atrial flutter had no response, 1 showed transient asystole, and 4 increased the block. Of the 21 cases of sinus tachycardia, 18 showed, 2 showed no response, and in 1 the rate increased. The maximum effect was seen within 2 to 3 minutes. By 15 to 20 minutes the baseline electrocardiogram was again observed. Side effects included abdominal discomfort, nausea, blurring of vision, lacrimation, and leg cramps.
The prevalence of interstitial cystitis in gynecologic patients with pelvic pain, as detected by intravesical potassium sensitivity.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of interstitial cystitis in a large number of gynecologic patients with pelvic pain versus control subjects, as indicated by a positive result on a potassium sensitivity test. Study Design: Gynecologists at four US medical centers administered the potassium sensitivity test to consecutive unselected patients with pelvic pain and control subjects. Before testing, each patient with pelvic pain was given an initial clinical diagnosis on the basis of the chief symptomatic complaint(s) and was surveyed for urologic symptoms. Results: Of 244 patients with pelvic pain, 197 patients (81 %) had a positive result from a potassium sensitivity test. Positive potassium sensitivity test rates were comparable across all four sites and all clinical diagnoses that included endometriosis, vulvodynia (vulvar vestibulitis), and pelvic pain. Urologic symptoms were reported by 84% of patients, but only 1.6% of the patients had received an initial diagnosis of interstitial cystitis. None of the 47 control subjects were tested positive with the potassium sensitivity test. Conclusion: Interstitial cystitis may be a common unrecognized cause of pelvic pain in gynecologic patients and deserves greater, if not primary, consideration in the differential diagnosis of pelvic pain. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:1395-400.)
Light field photography, microscopy, and illumination

The light field is a four-dimensional function representing radiance along rays. By inserting a microlens array into the optical train of an ordinary microscope, we can record these light fields. From these we can generate perspective views, refocused images, focal stacks, and volume data. Inserting a similar array into a microscope’s illumination path, we can control the light falling on a specimen in space and angle. This control can be used to simulate exotic microscope illumination modalities, to increase the contrast of ordinary fluorescence microscopy, and to correct digitally for optical aberrations in a microscope imaging system.
The uses of folk linguistics

Folk linguistics seeks to discover non-linguists’beliefs about language in general; the work reported here looks primarily at the employment of such beliefs in ongoing discussions of linguistic topics. Variety imitation tasks and perceptual dialectology studies briefly outlined here only began the task of uncovering what non-specialists know about language but do not reveal how such beliefs are put to use. Content-oriented approaches to conversations which have language as their topic are illustrated here from an interaction in which African-American Vernacular English is the focus. The article illustrates approaches to discoursal meaning based on vantage theory and argument analysis, on topic continuity as revealed in pronominal reference, on footing as revealed in personal pronominal reference, and on the meaning of discourse markers. Such approaches reveal underlying consistency and elaborateness of folk belief rather than disorganization and unconnected and/or simple notions. Differences between folk and scientific theories of language range from the dramatic in some cases to the inconsequential in others. The position of folk linguistics within the general study of language is described and assessed.
Some Life History Traits and Diet Selection in Philomycus carolinianus (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Philomycidae)

Abstract Phylomycus carolinianus (Bosc, 1902), (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Philomycidae) also known as Carolina mantleslug, is a widespread but poorly known terrestrial mollusc. We conducted studies to assess key aspects of its natural history. In the laboratory, its pattern of growth followed a sigmoid curve, but the growth rate was highly variable. Using a hierarchical clustering analysis of time to achieve reproductive maturity, the individual slugs could be separated into 4 discrete developmental groups: fast, intermediate, and slow-growing individuals, and also some that failed to develop completely. The 3 groups of developing slugs achieved reproductive maturity in about 129, 173, and 217 days, respectively. This developmental polymorphism suggests intra-generation risk-spreading. Reared alone or in pairs, slugs produced eggs in about 6 months; eggs numbered about 65 per cluster, though paired slugs produced slightly more eggs per cluster. Thus, these hermaphroditic slugs are capable of self-fertilizatio...
Change Blindness as a Means of Studying Expertise in Physics

Previous studies examining expertise have used a wide range of methods. Beyond characterizing expert and novice behavior in different contexts and circumstances, many studies have examined the processes that comprise the behavior itself and, more recently, processes that comprise training and practice that develop expertise. Other studies, dating back more than 50 years, have used various recall memory tasks to compare experts and novices. In this article, we describe another method for investigating expertise that has its origin in the study of change blindness, a phenomenon within the field of visual cognition. We demonstrate how an incidental change detection paradigm can be used in the context of introductory physics in a way that allows for inferences regarding the formation of mental representations about physical situations. Possible uses in future learning sciences research are discussed.
Effect of rest design on transmission of forces to abutment teeth.

Abstract A laboratory study was undertaken to determine the effects of several types of partial denture rests on abutment tooth movement. It was found that, as related to force transmission to abutment teeth, the depth of rest (in a gingival direction) is a more significant factor than the type of rest .
d -lactic acidosis 23 years after jejuno-ileal bypass

Abstract Accumulation of d -lactate after gastrointestinal surgery, particularly jejuno-ileal bypass, is an uncommon and often misdiagnosed clinical disturbance. The syndrome may be complicated by dizziness, ataxia, confusion, headache, memory loss, and aggressive behavior. Serum chemistries are often deceptive because the anion gap is frequently normal in spite of severe metabolic acidosis. Moreover, the urine anion gap may be positive, incorrectly suggesting a defect in renal net acid excretion. Indeed, the combination of a normal anion gap metabolic acidosis and positive urine anion gap may erroneously suggest a diagnosis of renal tubular acidosis. Importantly, all reported cases of d -lactic acidosis secondary to bypass surgery have been encountered within 5 to 10 years following the surgery. Here we present an unusual case of d -lactic acidosis (complicated by encephalopathy) presenting 23 years after a jejuno-ileal bypass procedure. The patient was initially diagnosed with a drug intoxication secondary to benzodiazepines. Ultimately, the diagnosis of d -lactate encephalopathy was established after challenging the patient with a carbohydrate load. Thus, administration of 40 kcal/kg over 16 hours reproduced the clinical syndrome and was accompanied by a marked increment in serum and urine d -lactate concentration. The patient had sustained resolution of her symptoms after treatment with oral vancomycin.
Landscape genetics and genetic structure of the southern torrent salamander, Rhyacotriton variegatus

Landscape genetic methods can be used to identify the most effective conservation measures to maintain functional connectivity among populations. Analyses of habitat factors that facilitate or restrict gene flow are particularly useful for species with specific habitat requirements and low dispersal rates. Rhyacotriton variegatus is a salamander species with low desiccation tolerance and a restricted geographic range, limited to the Pacific Northwest. Thus, we predicted that genetic distance would be positively correlated with climate and landscape variables that increase risk of desiccation. Two genetic distance measures, pairwise FST and proportion of shared alleles (DPS), suggested that gene flow was low among 19 sampling localities (367 total individuals) and genetic structure was high overall (DPS = 0.636 ± 0.010, FST = 0.330 ± 0.011; mean ± SD). Using both least-cost path and Circuitscape models of landscape resistance, we found that low stream cover, low canopy cover, high heat-load index, and short frost-free period all restricted gene flow among populations. We suggest that the conservation status of this species be revisited given this evidence of high genetic structure within the species, the level of habitat fragmentation in their range, and their reliance on dense canopy cover for dispersal. Maintaining stream corridors with buffers of dense canopy cover may maximize connectivity despite the pressures of timber harvest and urbanization.
Multiprocessor Control of a Telemanipulator with Optical Proximity Sensors

The complexity of robotic systems usually necessitates the use of digital computers in their control. When a sensory- feedback control loop is closed around a robot and its com puter system, the real-time flow of data through the computer strongly influences the fidelity of the resultant motion. The purpose of this paper is to identify characteristics of the com puter controller that have the greatest impact on the perform ance of the system and to show, by means of an example, how the performance may be enhanced through the use of digital control techniques.The Stanford Robotic Aid is a computer-assisted telemanip ulator equipped with optical proximity sensors and a multi processor control system. Digital control techniques are used in the study of its application to a surface-following task. The dynamic behavior of the manipulator and the computer network is modeled by a set of difference equations. Propor tional sensory feedback is analyzed through use of a root- locus method, and a pole-placement meth...
The Open Learning Initiative: Measuring the Effectiveness of the OLI Statistics Course in Accelerating Student Learning.

The Open Learning Initiative (OLI) is an open educational resources project at Carnegie Mellon University that began in 2002 with a grant from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. OLI creates web-based courses that are designed so that students can learn effectively without an instructor. In addition, the courses are often used by instructors to support and complement face-to-face classroom instruction. Our evaluation efforts have investigated OLI coursesâ€™ effectiveness in both of these instructional modes â€“ stand-alone and hybrid. This report documents several learning effectiveness studies that were focused on the OLI-Statistics course and conducted during Fall 2005, Spring 2006, and Spring 2007. During the Fall 2005 and Spring 2006 studies, we collected empirical data about the instructional effectiveness of the OLI-Statistics course in stand-alone mode, as compared to traditional instruction. In both of these studies, in-class exam scores showed no significant difference between students in the stand-alone OLI-Statistics course and students in the traditional instructor-led course. In contrast, during the Spring 2007 study, we explored an accelerated learning hypothesis, namely, that learners using the OLI course in hybrid mode will learn the same amount of material in a significantly shorter period of time with equal learning gains, as compared to students in traditional instruction. In this study, results showed that OLI-Statistics students learned a full semesterâ€™s worth of material in half as much time and performed as well or better than students learning from traditional instruction over a full semester. Editor: Stephen Godwin (Open University, UK). Reviewers: Tim de Jong (Open University, NL), Elia Tomadaki (Open University, UK), and Stephen Godwin (Open University, UK). Interactive elements: A demonstration of the StatTutor statistics tutorial is available for playback from http://jime.open.ac.uk/2008/14/stattutor_tour/ . The demonstration is in Flash format. http://jime.open.ac.uk/2008/14/stattutor_tour/
Resource Curse in Reverse: How Civil Wars Influence Natural Resource Production

Conflict scholars have argued that natural resources, such as oil, diamonds, and gemstones, may increase the chances for civil wars because rebels can sustain their organizations by looting resources and because certain types of resources, such as oil, create weaker state governments that are less capable of putting down insurgencies. Natural resources like oil also raise the value of capturing the state through war. However, empirical studies typically treat natural resources as exogenous variables, failing to consider the possibility that war alters the production levels of various natural resources. This endogenous relationship may help to explain the inconsistent empirical results linking natural resources and civil war onset. This article examines the two-way relationship between natural resources and civil war, focusing on oil, diamonds, and fisheries. The empirical findings suggest that most of the relationships run in the direction from war to resources, with no significant effects of resources on...
Development and Installation of 138 kV Cable for Tests at EEI Waltz Mill Station: Cable 22

This paper covers General Cable Corporation's research, development and qualification testing of a 138 kV cable having extruded cross-linked polyethylene insulation. Also discussed is the manufacture, factory testing and installation of a length of this cable at the Edison Electric Institute test site at Waltz Mill, Pennsylvania. The accelerated life tests being performed at Waltz Mill will serve to evaluate and establish the performance of 138 kV cross-linked polyethylene insulated power cable designed and manufactured in accord with current technology.
Further Dissemination of Medical Education Projects After Presentation at a Pediatric National Meeting (1998–2008)

Background: Further dissemination of medical education work presented at national meetings is limited. Purposes: The purpose of this study was to explore dissemination outcomes of scholarly work in pediatric medical education. Methods: Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics (COMSEP) members who presented at COMSEP national meetings from 1998 to 2008 received a questionnaire about scholarly dissemination outcomes. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis explored variables related to dissemination. Qualitative analysis of free text comments explored barriers to dissemination. Results: Outcomes were determined for 81% of presentations (138/171). The dissemination rate was 67% (92/138 presentations), with 47 publications (34%). Dissemination rates did not vary by presentation type (poster vs. oral) or project type. There was no relationship between presentation type, project type, and dissemination method. Barriers included perceived inadequate time, mentorship, and methodological skills fo...
Implementing EBO/EVA® Analysis in Stock Selection

The author modifies three inputs to the residual income models: the measurement of the book value of assets, the estimation of the discount rate, and the projection of the time period of abnormal earnings. The author calls his model the residual income valuation model (RIVM). One of the inputs to the model is the beginning book value of assets; the author separates the book value into perpetual value assets (e.g., land) and operating capital. Because of the fundamental differences in these assets, the author makes separate adjustments to each category.
The neural correlates of race

Behavioral analyses are a natural choice for understanding the wide-ranging behavioral consequences of racial stereotyping and prejudice. However, studies using neuroimaging and electrophysiological research have recently considered the neural mechanisms that underlie racial categorization and the activation and application of racial stereotypes and prejudice, revealing exciting new insights. Work that we review here points to the importance of neural structures previously associated with face processing, semantic knowledge activation, evaluation and self-regulatory behavioral control, enabling specification of a neural model of race processing. We show how research on the neural correlates of race can serve to link otherwise disparate lines of evidence on the neural underpinnings of a broad array of social-cognitive phenomena; we also consider the implications for effecting change in race relations.
Experiences using reverse engineering techniques to analyse documentation

This paper discusses an approach taken to analyse IBM product documentation using reverse engineering technologies, which are normally applied to the analysis of system source codes. >
Net partitions yield better module partitions

The authors demonstrate that the dual intersection graph of the netlist strongly captures circuit properties relevant to partitioning. The main contribution of the analysis highlights advantages to using the dual representation of the logic design, and confirming that net structure and interrelationships, rather than module adjacencies, should constitute the primary descriptors of a circuit. In particular, the dual intersection graph representation of the netlist hypergraph yields much more natural circuit partitioning formulations, since it inherently emphasizes relationships between signal nets. The intersection graph yields a sparser circuit representation than traditional net models. An efficient algorithm, called IG-Match, is proposed for completing the net partition. The IG-Match method yielded significant performance improvements over previous ratio-cut partitioning methods. >
A contextual analysis of externalizing and mixed syndrome boys: when syndromal similarity obscures functional dissimilarity.

A contextualized approach to psychopathology that focuses on children's responses to events rather than overall behavior output was examined. Teachers rated boys in special education classrooms using a standardized syndromal instrument and one that assessed boys' social environments and their responses to them. Externalizing and mixed (aggressive and withdrawn) syndrome groups showed distinctive response patterns that could not be derived from syndrome scores, with externalizers showing aggression in response to aversive events, and mixed boys showing contextually anomalous responses to positive events. The externalizing and mixed groups each consisted of functionally distinct subgroups that were not detected using syndrome measures. The results clarify how syndromal measures can confuse psychologically distinct children and demonstrate the utility of a teacher-report method that is efficient to administer and sensitive to contextual influences. Over a half century ago, Lewin (1935) suggested that behavior and development should be understood in terms of mutually dependent, dynamic interactions between the person and the environment. Though influential in guiding research on child behavior and group dynamics, Lewin's field theory had less influence on the practice of assessing childhood psychopathology. Instead of describing dynamic person-environment interactions that give rise to behavior, many "syndromal" instruments focus on summarizing individuals' overall behavioral output, operationalized as average ratings over sets of covarying behavior statements (see Barrios, 1988; Block, 1995; Scotti, Morris, McNeil, & Hawkins, 1996). The present research examines the view that what is crucial to understanding childhood psychopathology is not simply children's overall behavior output but the constellations of person and environment variables that yield that output. Rather than removing contextual factors, this approach suggests that children's behavioral output should be interpreted in light of the situations they encounter, how they respond to them, and what the patterning of their responses may reveal about their social competencies, social information processing, and learning histories. Lewin's (1935, 1954) analysis of behavior as a joint function of the person and the environment converges with more contempoWe thank the students, teachers, and school administrators whose cooperation and support made it possible to collect the data reported here. We are especially grateful to Harry Parad, Clinical Director of Wediko Children's Services, Boston, for his continuing support, and to Kristen Lindgren for her assistance with data collection.
Limited survival in dialysis patients undergoing intact abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Objective Elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in suitable candidates is a standard modality. The outcomes of AAA repair in patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis are not well characterized, and there is questionable survival advantage in such patients with limited life expectancy. We sought to describe outcomes after AAA repair in U.S. dialysis patients. Methods The United States Renal Data System was used to collect data on intact asymptomatic AAA repair procedures in dialysis patients in the United States between 2005 and 2008. Endovascular AAA repair (EVAR) and open aortic repair (OAR) were identified by Current Procedural Terminology codes. Primary outcomes were perioperative (30-day) mortality and long-term survival. Predictors of mortality were identified by multivariate regression models. Results A total of 1557 patients were identified who had undergone elective AAA repair: 261 OAR and 1296 EVAR. The 30-day mortality was 11.3% (EVAR, 10.3%; OAR, 16.1%; P = .010), with increased age associated with increased mortality (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.07; P = .001). Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were 66.5% at 1 year (EVAR, 66.2%; OAR, 68%) and 37.4% at 3 years (EVAR, 36.8%; OAR, 40%; P = .33). Median survival was 25.3 months after EVAR and 27.4 months after OAR. Women had a higher mortality rate at 1 year (38.7%) compared with men (32.0%) ( P = .015). There was no significant mortality difference at 1 year in comparing type of procedure in both men (EVAR, 31.6%; OAR, 34%; P = .55) and women (EVAR, 39.3%; OAR, 36%; P = .60). A Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that male gender (hazard ratio [HR], 0.75; 95% CI, 0.62-0.92; P = .005), increased time on dialysis (HR for each year on dialysis, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.75-0.83; P P = .008), and diagnosis of hypertension (HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.48-0.75; P P P = .002) predicted increased mortality. Conclusions AAA patients on dialysis have high perioperative and 1-year mortality rates after EVAR or OAR, particularly diabetics, women, and the elderly. This raises questions about the indications for intact AAA repair in dialysis patients, in whom the size threshold may need to be raised. Dialysis patients may be best served by deferring repair of AAA until AAAs reach large size or become symptomatic, especially if OAR is required, given the higher perioperative mortality compared with EVAR.
Multi-Nanosecond High Power Pulse Generation at 7.8 GHz With a Dielectric-Loaded Power Extractor

Power extraction from charged particle beams is a prospective way to develop future high power radio frequency (RF) sources. We have designed and tested a 7.8 GHz power extractor based on a dielectric-loaded waveguide. Building upon earlier work on single electron bunch tests, 10 ns and 22 ns megawatt-level RF pulses have been generated with trains consisting of 16 electron bunches each, by using a laser splitting-recombination scheme. In addition, 44 MW of peak power has been generated with a train consisting 4 electron bunches. Behaviors of higher-order-modes are also explored.
Grain Size Vertical Progressions as an Exploration Tool: ABSTRACT

Previous studies of grain size as an indicator of sandstone depositional environments have had mixed results; for that reason, the method is seldom End_Page 448------------------------------ if ever used as an exploration tool. The problem with these previous studies is that they concentrate on grain-size parameters for individual samples, and fail to recognize that various depositional environments are characterized by a number of discrete facies, each with its own characteristic sedimentary structures and grain-size populations. For that reason, vertical progressions in grain-size data are far more diagnostic of depositional environment than are scatter diagrams in which one grain-size parameter is plotted against another. Grain-size progressions for ancient sequences of the Upper Cretaceous Point Lookout formation and Eocene Queen City Formation demonstrate the value of the technique. The data show that distinctions can be made between fluvial, estuarine/tidal distributary, flood-tidal delta, foreshore, and shoreface sandstones. More importantly, our method relies on analysis of samples collected at random intervals (generally 2 ft or .6 m), so that it is applicable where sidewall cores are available. Diagenetic complications (other than those resulting from silica cementation) do not appear to threaten the sensitivity of the method. Using automated settling analysis, these data are obtained rapidly and can aid in subsurface correlation as well as determining the depositional environments of sandstones End_of_Article - Last_Page 449------------
Pediatrics in the Marshall Islands

The delivery of health care to children living on isolated island communities presents unique challenges to health professionals. An evolved method of providing longitudinal services to infants and children residing on islands of the Marshall Island chain--a central Pacific portion of the Micronesian archipelago--is presented. The difficulties associated with provision of comprehensive health care in a vast ocean area are discussed.
Improving Ariadne's Bundle by Following Multiple Threads in Abstraction Refinement

The authors propose a scalable abstraction-refinement method for model checking invariant properties on large sequential circuits, which is based on fine-grain abstraction and simultaneous analysis of all abstract counterexamples of the shortest length. Abstraction efficiency is introduced to measure for a given abstraction-refinement algorithm how much of the concrete model is required to make the decision. The fully automatic techniques presented in this paper can efficiently reach or come near to the maximal abstraction efficiency. First, a fine-grain abstraction approach is given to keep the abstraction granularity small by breaking down large combinational logic cones with Boolean network variables (BNVs) and then treating both state variables and BNVs as atoms in abstraction. Second, a refinement algorithm is proposed based on an improved Ariadne's bundle In the legend of Theseus, Ariadne's bundle contained one ball of thread to help Theseus navigate the labyrinth. In this paper, we work with multiple threads-hence, the "improved." of synchronous onion rings on the abstract model, through which the transitions contain all shortest abstract counterexamples. The synchronous onion rings are exploited in two distinct ways to provide global guidance to the abstraction refinement process. The scalability of our algorithm is ensured in the sense that all the analysis and computation required in our refinement algorithm are conducted on the abstract model. Finally, we derive sequential don't cares from the invisible variables and use them to constrain the behavior of the abstract model. We conducted experimental comparisons of our new method with various existing techniques. The results show that our method outperforms other counterexample-guided methods in terms of both run time and abstraction efficiency
A new species of Lophostoma d'Orbigny, 1836 (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) from Panama

We report the discovery of a new species of Lophostoma from Panama, which we name L. kalkoae. This new species resembles L. carrikeri and L. yasuni in possessing a white venter, but is distinguishable from both by external and cranial characteristics. The new species is similar in size to L. carrikeri and L. schulzi. Lophostoma sp. nov. can be most easily recognized by its combination of white venter, postauricular patches connected by a thin line of pale hair to the white fur on the chest, elongated clitoris and swollen labia, less strongly developed lateral projection of mastoid processes, well-marked indentation on the lingual cingulum of the upper canine, well-developed P3, well-developed posterior lingual cusp on the cingulum of P4, and parastyle absent on M1 and M2. We present a dichotomous key for the genus Lophostoma and a map showing all the localities where white-bellied Lophostoma have been recorded.
Dual opposite injection electrokinetic chromatography: nonionic microemulsion pseudostationary phase and novel approach to electrokinetic sampling bias.

Dual opposite injection capillary electrophoresis (DOI-CE) is a family of CE techniques in which the sample is introduced into both ends of the capillary. For the analysis of compounds with widely varying pK a values using a voltage-driven separation scheme, DOI-CE is superior to conventional CE with sample introduction at only one end of the capillary due to DOI-CE's broader elution window. To enhance the DOI-CE separation, a running buffer with a microemulsion system was developed. Since DOI-CE works best under conditions of low electroosmotic flow (EOF), the suppression of EOF via the addition of a multiply charged cation (e.g., Zn 2 + ) to the buffer was investigated, and was found to suppress the EOF effectively at moderate concentrations (2.5-10 mM). Three different dual opposite injection modes were studied: simultaneous electrokinetic injection, sequential electrokinetic injection, and sequential hydrodynamic injection. The injection bias in the first two electrokinetic injection modes was compared with the sequential hydrodynamic injection. Corrections in the bias of the electrokinetic injections were discussed, and an improved approach was suggested. Finally, the effect of the relative concentration of the multiply charged cation in the sample plug and running buffer on the peak shape of co-electroosmotic and counter-electroosmotic ions was examined, and found to be much more influential on the latter.
Some new results on the identification of two-area power system models with SVC control

In this paper we study a measurement-based model identification problem for constructing dynamic equivalent models of two-area radial power systems with intermediate voltage control by Static VAr Compensators (SVC).We consider two types of feedback mechanisms, namely, combined voltage and current feedback from the SVC bus, and supplementary current feedback from the transmission line. Given these system configurations, we first derive expressions for the aggregated equivalent reactance and machine inertias in each area, and then show how these parameters can be computed from the voltage and frequency measurements at three buses in the transfer path including the SVC bus.
Definition and current evaluation of subfertile men

Male infertility affects 10% of reproductive aged couples worldwide and is treatable in many cases. In addition to other well-described etiologies, genetic causes of male infertility are now more commonly diagnosed. Using principles of evidence-based medicine, this review outlines diagnostic and treatments options to inform clinical management. In order of importance, randomized controlled clinical trials, basic scientific studies, meta-analyses, case-controlled cohort studies, best-practice policy recommendations and reviews from peer-reviewed literature were incorporated that provide organized and timely guidelines to the current management of male infertility. The strength of evidence for treatment recommendations is also classified when appropriate.
Effects of growth pause on the structural and optical properties of InGaAsN–InGaAsP quantum well

Optical and structural characterizations were conducted on an InGaAsN quantum well (QW) with large energy bandgap barrier material consisting of InGaAsP (Eg ¼ 1:62 eV) grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. A growth pause annealing technique substantially improves both the structural and the optical quality of the QW. With an optimum growth pause of 14 s, surface roughness reduces by 50% and photoluminescence intensity increases 25 times compared with the sample undergoing a 3-s growth pause. No significant emission wavelength blue shift was observed, indicating this growth pause annealing process involves a mechanism different from that of the conventional post-growth thermal annealing of InGaAsN QW. Preliminary results on InGaAsN-active diode lasers employing InGaAsP barrier material indicate performance is limited by nonradiative recombination. r 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Prevention, management, and documentation of swallowed dental objects.

cate that the effects of drying and the lack of a nutrient source were taking effect. The survival of Strep pyogenes for up to 3 days compared with the greater than 5 days’ survival of Staph aureus was indi­ cative of the fastidiousness and hardiness of each respective organism. Summary This study indicated that when inocu­ lated onto dental charts, both viruses and bacteria were capable of survival allow­ ing the potential for transmission of infec­ tion w ithin the dental office. The con­ scientious dental practitioner can take steps to reduce this possible mode of in­ fection by removing contaminated surgi­ cal gloves or washing hands before han­ dling the chart. An additional method of reducing this potential w ould be to wipe the chart with an antiseptic solution. Al­ though this study has shown that there is a potential for the spread of infection with the organisms tested, the actual extent of dental chart contamination and resultant illnesses contracted are the basis for further study. A dditional studies are needed to follow the pattern of chart dis­ tribution from person to person within the dental office, determine the types and quantities of pathogens present in the mouth that would contaminate the charts, and sample the charts under actual clini­ cal conditions to determine the types and viability of the organisms present.
Short-term prednisone use antagonizes insulin's anabolic effect on muscle protein and glucose metabolism in young healthy people

Glucocorticoids cause muscle atrophy and weakness, but the mechanisms for these effects are unclear. The purpose of this study was to test a hypothesis that prednisone (Pred) counteracts insulin's ...
Emerging concepts in osteoporosis and bone strength

ABSTRACTObjective: Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength and increased fracture risk. The factors that contribute to bone strength include bone mineral density (BMD) and bone quality, which encompasses factors such as bone turnover, microarchitecture, mineralization, and geometry. The objective of this paper was to review the factors that contribute to bone strength and osteoporosis.Research design: A MEDLINE search of English language journals between 1 January 1995 and 1 March 2005 was conducted using the term ‘osteoporosis’ combined with ‘bone strength’ or ‘bone quality’. Reference lists of pivotal studies and reviews were also examined. Studies were otherwise not excluded on the basis of quality or size, the aim being to present an overview of research conducted to date on osteoporosis and bone strength.Results: While there is a relationship between BMD and fracture risk, evidence suggests that BMD measurements reflect only 1 component of bone strength...
Effects of cumulus ensemble and mesoscale stratiform clouds in midlatitude convective systems

Abstract Diagnostic and semiprognostic analyses are performed using OK PRE-STORM (Oklahoma-Kansas Preliminary Regional Experiment for STORM-Central) data to examine the cumulus-environment interaction in midlatitude convective systems. The similarities and differences of the interaction processes between midlatitude and tropical convective systems are also discussed: Analyses of PRE-STORM and GATE (GARP Atlantic Tropical Experiment) data show generally larger vertical wind shear, large-scale forcing, and moist convective instability in midlatitude MCCs (mesoscale convective complexes) and squall lines than in tropical cloud clusters. It is found that the interaction mechanism based on the cumulus-induced subsidence and detrainment is capable of explaining most of the observed heating and drying under widely different environment conditions. Convective- wale downdrafts act to cool and moisten the lower troposphere in the midlatitudes as in the tropics. The quasi- equilibrium assumption between stabilizatio...
A novel virtual reality driving environment for autism intervention

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often have difficulty functioning independently and display impairments related to important tasks related to adaptive independence such as driving. Ability to drive is believed to be an important factor of quality of life for individuals with ASD. The presented work describes a novel driving simulator based on a virtual city environment that will be used in the future to impart driving skills to teenagers with ASD as a part of intervention. A physiological data acquisition system, which was used to acquire and process participant's physiological signals, and an eye tracker, which was utilized to detect eye gaze signals, were each integrated into the driving simulator. These physiological and eye gaze indices were recorded and computed to infer the affective states of the participant in real-time when he/she was driving. Based on the affective states of the participant together with his/her performance, the driving simulator adaptively changes the difficulty level of the task. This VR-based driving simulator will be capable of manipulating the driving task difficulty in response to the physiological and eye gaze indices recorded during the task. The design of this novel driving simulator system and testing data to validate its functionalities are presented in this paper.
Severe Intrahepatic Cholestasis Caused by Amiodarone Toxicity After Withdrawal of the Drug

Abstract Cholestasis has been reported as a rare presentation among patients with severe liver injury secondary to amiodarone hepatic toxicity. We report an unusual case of amiodarone-induced cholestatic hepatotoxicity occurring after amiodarone had been discontinued and the initial abnormal liver function findings had improved. The patient, without jaundice at the initial presentation, developed severe jaundice about 4 months after withdrawal of amiodarone. Light and transmission electron microscopic examination of a specimen secured by computed tomographically guided liver biopsy was consistent with amiodarone hepatic toxicity as the cause of intrahepatic cholestasis. An abdominal ultrasound, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, and dimethyl iminodiacetic acid and computed tomographic scans of the abdomen all failed to demonstrate any other causes for jaundice other than amiodarone toxicity. Thus, amiodarone hepatic toxicity may occur after drug withdrawal even if results of liver function tests impro...
Phylogeny, biogeography, and revision of the subfamily Dallatorrellinae (Hymenoptera, Liopteridae)

A recent cladistic study suggested that the parasitoid wasp subfamily Dallatorrellinae is a monophyletic clade within the cynipoid family Liopteridae. The subfamily currently includes only four known species belonging to two genera, i.e., the monotypic genus Mesocynips Cameron, 1903 and the genus Dallatorrella Kieffer, 1911. The present study presents a revision of the subfamily, including descriptions of five new species in the genus Dallatorrella: D. maculata, D. maxima, D. pulla, D. ronquisti,and D. sinica. A key to the species of the subfamily is provided. Cladistic analysis of the subfamily at species level is undertaken and the biogeographic history of the subfamily Dallatorrellinae is reconstructed with respect to phylogeny. Contrary to an earlier assumption that the Dallatorrellinae originated in the Australian region, the phylogeny indicates that the Dallatorrellinae originated in southeastern Asia and dispersed to Australia at a later date. Consequently, the divergence between the Dallatorrellinae and the stem species of two other liopterid subfamilies, Liopterinae and Oberthuerellinae, corresponds with the separation between Laurasia and Gondwanaland.
Synthesis and X-ray Crystal Structure of the New Palladium(I) Dimer [Pd2(PMe3)6][hfac]2 and Its Conversion to [PdMe(PMe3)3][hfac] via Activation of Phosphorus-Carbon Bonds

Comproportionation of the palladium (O) compound Pd(PMe{sub 3}){sub 4} with the palladium(II) hexafluoroacetylacetonate compound Pd(hfac){sub 2} or [Pd(hfac)(PMe{sub 3}){sub 2}][hfac] gives the novel palladium(I) dimer [Pd{sub 2}(PMe{sub 3})]{sub 6}[hfac]{sub 2} (1). The analogous mixed-metal complex [PdPt(PMe{sub 3}){sub 6}][hfac]{sub 2} (2) can be prepared similarly. The {sup 1}H and {sup 31}PNMR spectra are consistent with structures in which the two metal centers are connected by a metal-metal bond and the six terminal PMe{sub 3} ligands complete two mutually perpendicular square-planar coordination environments; the hfac groups are not attached to the metal centers and instead serve as counterions for the [M{sub 2}(PMe{sub 3}){sub 6}]{sup 2+} cations. This structure has been established by X-ray crytsallography for the dipalladium(I) compound; the cation has 2-fold crystallographic symmetry, and the Pd-Pd distance is 2.598(1) {Angstrom}.
Clinical Ethicists Have an Ethical Obligation to Create Professional Standards and a National Certification Process.

For many years, there has been debate among bioethicists regarding the role of professional standards. Experts have debated whether the field should have a code of ethics, whether we should develop...
Post Mastectomy Pain Syndrome Management

Post mastectomy pain syndrome is a chronic pain condition that occurs after surgical intervention. This problem has long been underrecognized, however it affects a large percentage of women following treatment of breast cancer. We will discuss risk factors, potential methods for prevention, and current treatment options, as well as potential lessons from other surgical disciplines that can inform management. Further research is needed to define better treatment algorithms and additional options from women who suffer from this condition.
Formation and Properties of Chitosan―Cellulose Nanocrystal Polyelectrolyte―Macroion Complexes for Drug Delivery Applications

This study examines a novel polyelectrolyte−macroion complex (PMC) between chitosan, a cationic polysaccharide, and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), anionic, cylindrical nanoparticles, for potential applications in drug delivery. CNCs were prepared by H2SO4 hydrolysis of wood pulp. The formation of PMCs was monitored by turbidimetric titration. In titrations of a chitosan solution with a CNC suspension, the turbidity reached a plateau, but it had a maximum and then decreased when the direction of titration was reversed. PMC particles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and laser Doppler electrophoresis. The particles were composed primarily of CNCs and ranged in size from a few hundred nanometers to several micrometers, depending on the cellulose/chitosan ratio. Particles formed at amino/sulfate group molar ratios >1 were nearly spherical in shape and positively charged, whereas particles formed at ratios <1 had well-defined ...
A Facultative, Imaginal Diapause in the Black Blowfly, Phormia regina

Phormia regina (Meigen) is reported to overwinter in temperate regions in the adult stage (Dondero and Shaw 1971, Roberts 1930, Siverly 1972, Wallis 1962). No attempts, however, were made either to define the exact physiological condition of the flies during overwintering or to determine which environmental factors were necessary for induction of this state.
Writing Sumerian, Creating Texts: Reflections on Text-building Practices in Old Babylonian Schools

Sumerian lexical and literary compositions both emerged from the same social sphere, namely scribal education. The complexities of inter-compositional dependence in these two corpora have not been thoroughly explored, particularly as relevant to questions of text-building during the Old Babylonian period (c. 1800–1600 BCE ). Copying practices evident in lexical texts indicate that students and scholars adopted various methods of replication, including visual copying, copying from memory, and ad hoc innovation. They were not confined to reproducing a received text. Such practices extend to copying literary compositions. A study of compositions from Advanced Lexical Education in comparison with several literary compositions shows a complex inter-dialectic between the corpora, in which lexical compositions demonstrate dependence on literary compositions and vice versa. Thus, Old Babylonian students and scholars could experiment with multiple text-building practices, drawing on their knowledge of the lexical and the literary, regularly creating new versions of familiar compositions.