cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ocean tides heat Enceladus

[1] With a young, highly reflective surface and vigorous geological activity, Saturn's tiny moon Enceladus has been one of the most mysterious planetary bodies in the solar system. Recent observations from the Cassini spacecraft show vast plumes of vapor erupting from geysers near the south pole, and inferred heat fluxes of about 100 mW/m2 for the same region have helped consolidate the essential enigma of Enceladus: there must be a relatively large and unidentified source of heat in the tiny moon. Here we present a case for heating from dissipation by tidal flow in an ice-covered ocean. We show that if the spin axis of Enceladus is tilted with respect to its orbital plane by at least 0.05 degree then strong tidal flow will be generated with enough dissipative heating to explain the observed heat flux. In an alternative case of a shallow (10 km or less) ocean, comparable flow velocities and heating may be obtained by eccentricity tidal forces.
Inhibitors of Myosin Light Chain Kinase Block Synaptic Vesicle Pool Mobilization during Action Potential Firing

During repetitive action potential firing the maintenance of synaptic transmission relies on a continued supply of synaptic vesicles for fusion with the presynaptic plasma membrane. The mechanism of transport by which vesicles are delivered to the site of fusion from a reserve pool is unknown, as are the biochemical pathways linking intracellular Ca2+ elevation with vesicle mobilization. Here, using the fluorescent tracer FM1-43 in hippocampal synaptic terminals, I show that inhibitors of myosin light chain kinase can block mobilization of the reserve pool and not the immediately releasable pool.
Design of holonomic loops for repeatability in redundant manipulators

Redundant manipulators under pseudoinverse control are nonholonomic systems in general. The nonholonomy manifests itself when closed paths in the workspace of the manipulator fail to produce closed paths in the joint space. Previous research indicates that repeatability may be guaranteed if the initial manipulator configuration lies on a stable surface. In such cases repeatability is achieved due to the integrability of the nonholonomic constraints. Since stable surfaces are rare, we look into the design of holonomic loops that will guarantee repeatability in the absence of integrability. We present a necessary condition for the existence of holonomic loops and we design holonomic loops for redundant manipulators in three dimensions. The extension of our results to higher dimensional systems lies in the scope of our future research.
EEG in prediction of Huntington's chorea. An eighteen year follow-up.

Abstract EEG as used by Patterson et al . (1948) has little value in identifying carriers of the Huntington's chorea trait. Clinical follow-up of predictions for 23 offspring of known choreic patients, 18–20 years later reveals 11 were correct and 12 were incorrect.
Mini-Me: A min-repro system for database software

Testing and debugging database software is often challenging and time consuming. A very arduous task for DB testers is finding a min-repro - the “simplest possible setup” that reproduces the original problem. Currently, a great deal of searching for min-repros is carried out manually using non-database-specific tools, which is both slow and error-prone. We propose to demonstrate a system, called Mini-Me1, designed to ease and speed-up the task of finding min-repros in database-related products. Mini-Me employs several effective tools, including: the novel simplification transformations, the high-level language for creating search scripts and automation, the “record-and-replay” functionality, and the visualization of the search space and results. In addition to the standard application mode, the system can be interacted with in the game mode. The latter can provide an intrinsically motivating environment for developing successful search strategies by DB testers, which can be data-mined and recorded as patterns and used as recommendations for DB testers in the future. Potentially, a system like Mini-Me can save hours of time (for both customers and testers to isolate a problem), which could result in faster fixes and large cost savings to organizations.
Growth and characterization of large crystals of methyltriphenylarsenium tetracyanoquinodimethane [Meø3As(TCNQ)2]

Large single crystals (approximately 2 x 2 x 0.5 cm) of Meo3As(TCNQ)2 were grown from acetonitrile. The degree of perfection in these crystals is assessed through visual observation, optical microscopy and electron and nuclear magnetic resonance.
Hydrology Sessions, 1986 AGU Fall Meeting

The Hydrology Program of the 1986 AGU Fall Meeting held in San Francisco, Calif., in December was truly a success, thanks to the session organizers and participants. There were 28 half-day sessions, two of which were poster sessions. A total of 330 presentations were given, 71 of which were poster presentations. I am particularly pleased with the success that our poster sessions had. The feedback on the posters has been extremely positive, and this is a good indication that posters are by no means “second class.” The Hydrology Section committees are considering the organization of a few of their special theme sessions as half-day poster sessions to be held in a meeting area smaller than Brooks Hall, where poster sessions were held last time. I would appreciate any suggestions that you may have to improve our hydrology meeting program.
Assessment of SSI on the longitudinal seismic response short span bridges

Abstract Current practice usually neglects the effects of soil-structure interaction (SSI) in the seismic analysis and design of bridges. This work attempts to assess the significance of SSI on the seismic response of short span bridges. The focus is placed on pier behaviour, since piers together with the abutments are the most critical elements in securing the integrity of bridge superstructures during earthquakes. The study is based on a simple representation of a soil-bridge pier system, yet one able to capture the effects of the most significant physical parameters. It has been found that SSI greatly affects the dynamic behaviour of bridge piers leading to more flexible systems, increased damping and larger total displacements. Besides a thorough investigation of the relative significance of various physical parameters of the system response, an easy-to-use approach that can be incorporated for a preliminary design of bridges concurrent with the AASHTO specifications is presented. The study concludes that safer and more economical bridge designs can be obtained by properly accounting for SSI.
Developing a model for assessing biomass processing technologies within a local biomass processing depot

One solution to the supply chain challenges of cellulosic biofuels is a network of local biomass processing depots (LBPDs) that can produce stable, dense, intermediate commodities and valuable co-products prior to shipping to a refinery. A techno-economic model of an LBPD facility that could incorporate multiple technologies and products was developed in Microsoft Excel to be used to economically and environmentally evaluate potential LBPD systems. In this study, three technologies (ammonia fiber expansion or AFEX™ pretreatment, fast pyrolysis, and leaf protein processing) were assessed for profitability. Pyrolysis was slightly profitable under the base conditions, leaf protein processing was highly unprofitable, and AFEX was profitable if biomass drying was not required. This model can be adapted to multiple feedstocks and end uses, including both economic and environmental modeling.
Acidic Calponin controls ERK1/2 translocation and l-Caldesmon phosphorylation in fibroblasts

Calponin is an actin binding, troponin-like molecule, first isolated from chicken gizzard smooth muscle cells where it is involved in regulation of contractility. So far there are three known isoforms, basic, acidic and neutral Calponin, each encoded by a separate gene. Expression of the acidic Calponin isoform is, unlike basic Calponin, not restricted to smooth muscle cells but is expressed in a variety of tissues and cell types, especially in the brain. For basic Calponin it is known that the molecule affects smooth muscle cell contractility by regulation of the PKC/ERK signaling pathway. Here we could show that acidic Calponin co-precipitates together with ERK1/2 and PKCalpha in the cultured rat fibroblast cell line REF52.2. Moreover it colocalises with ERK1/2 and PKCalpha in podosome-like structures and at the cell cortex after Phorbol-12,13-Dibutyrate (PDBu) treatment. Knockdown of acidic Calponin expression in these cells results in inhibition of PDBu-mediated ERK1/2 translocation to these structures, whereas PKCalpha targeting is not affected. Both endogenous ERK1/2 activity and phosphorylation of the ERK1/2 substrate l-Caldesmon are blocked by acidic Calponin knockdown, indicating an important role for the acidic Calponin isoform in regulation of ERK1/2 function in REF52.2 cells.Abstract sponsored by John Gergely, Boston Biomedical Research Institute, Watertown 02472, MA, USASupport: NIH grants HL80003, HL86655
A Positive Characteristic Resolution Problem for SL(3, k)☆

Abstract In 1975, 1 resolved an irreducible representation of a complex semisimple Lie algebra by Verma modules indexed by the Weyl group. This resolution is now commonly referred to as the Bernstein–Gel'fand–Gel'fand (or BGG) resolution. One consequence of the BGG resolution is a simple proof of the Weyl character formula. In this paper, we will describe an analogous resolution problem in positive characteristic: Is there a resolution of a highest weight irreducible representation (of a semisimple simply connected algebraic group over an algebraically closed field of positive characteristic) by restricted Verma modules? And if so, is it a generalization of the BGG resolution? This paper provides a complete answer to this problem for SL(3, k ). Consequently, we are able to compute the formal character of the irreducible representation following a procedure similar to the BGG proof of the Weyl character formula.
Abnormal ventilatory responses in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome

Abnormal ventilatory control in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome when awake and sleeping include abnormal responses to hyperoxia, hypoxia and hypercarbia. Lindgren et al., report similar results regarding response to hypoxia; however, they have demonstrated significant minute ventilation and carbon dioxide responses in their patients treated with growth hormone irrespective of body mass index. It is possible that the explanation for the abnormal respiratory control in this syndrome is located in central rather than peripheral structures. The hypothalamus stands out as the possible location that links their abnormal ventilatory control with the other features. Further investigations to correlate this finding are warranted.
A prospective long term assessment of biofeedback therapy in N dyssynergic defecation (DD)

Purpose: Dyssynergic defecation (anismus) accounts for about 50% of patients with chronic constipation. In the short term, biofeedback therapy improves symptoms and anorectal function. But, whether this benefit is sustained is not known.
The influences of pre-incubation storage duration and genotype on the hatchability of Medium White turkey eggs from hens fed a diet containing a yeast culture ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of feeding turkey breeder hens of different genotypes a diet containing 5 g kg−1 yeast culture (YC) and its effect on pre-incubation egg storage duration (Experiment 1, eggs stored 0–7 and 8–14 days; Experiment 2, eggs stored 0–4, 5–9, and 10–14 days), hen reproductive performance, and the hatchability of fertile eggs. Wrolstad Medium White turkey hens, representing three distinct genetic lines, Low (L), High (H), and Cross (C), were fed pelleted 15.4% crude protein (CP) corn/soya breeder diets without or with 5 g kg−1 YC (XP yeast culture®,Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Diamond V. Mills Inc., Cedar Rapids, IA). The results of Experiment 1 indicated that early embryonic mortality (Days 0–10) of eggs stored from Days 0 to 7 was reduced (P The results of Experiment 2 were similar to those in Experiment 1; early embryonic mortality was reduced in eggs stored from Days 5 to 9 in Lines H and C. Significant genotype-dietary YC interactions were noted for egg storage times of Days 5–9 (P
Evidence that the same structural gene encodes testicular and adrenal 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-isomerase

Thermostability of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-isomerase (3βHSD) activity was examined in testes and adrenal glands from several inbred lines and feral mice. A thermolabile varant of 3βHSD was detected in the feral Brno mice. The thermostability (t 1/2) of 3βHSD was approximately 7 min for both testes and adrenal glands from C57BL/6J mice, compared with 4 min for both tissues from Brno mice. Comparison of testicular and adrenal 3βHSD thermostability in six kinds of mice indicated that the t 1/2of 3βHSD was correlated in the two tissues and could be classified into two distinct types, thermolabile and thermostable. In contrast, quantitative variants in 3βHSD activity were not correlated in the two tissues. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that testicular and adrenal 3βHSD is encoded by the same structural gene but that expression of 3βHSD activity is independently controlled in testes and adrenal glands.
Iron status of adolescent female athletes

To determine whether or not adolescent female athletes were more in need of routine dietary iron supplements than their nonathlete peers, the iron status of 32 athletes and 31 nonathletes was assessed. The athletes were track-team members in the middle of their season. Hemoglobin, transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin were evaluated, as well as the amount of dietary iron intake. Athletes had significantly lower serum ferritin levels and transferrin saturation (
The revolution in molecular genetics and its impact on ophthalmology

Rapid advances in molecular technology have led to the identification of many genes responsible for inherited disease in ophthalmology. These discoveries also portend an understanding of the pathogenesis of more common ophthalmic disorders which have a genetic component, such as open-angle glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. This review comprises a summary of these advances in molecular genetics, particularly the contribution of the Human Genome Project; a tabulation of the genes recently proven to be mutated in hereditary ocular conditions; and a discussion of the implications for the practising ophthalmologist.
RNA interference as a new strategy against viral hepatitis.

Abstract Hepatitis viruses are the leading cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Since currently available treatment options against these viruses are limited, there is a need for development of alternative therapies. In this minireview, we concentrate on three hepatitis viruses—hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis delta virus and discuss how RNA interference (RNAi) has been utilized against them. RNAi is a process by which small double-stranded RNA can effectively target a homologous RNA sequence for degradation by cellular ribonucleases. Though RNAi was exploited in the beginning for down-regulating cellular genes, it has recently been demonstrated that this process is equally effective against many types of human and animal viruses including the hepatitis viruses. Both synthetic small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and plasmid-based siRNA expression systems have been useful in suppressing the hepatitis viruses. Though this new approach looks promising, problems of nonspecific effects and delivery may need to be addressed before the full therapeutic potential of RNAi against viral infections in patients is realized.
Women Produce Fewer but Triglyceride-Richer Very Low-Density Lipoproteins than Men

Context: Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) are a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The concentrations of VLDL particles and VLDL-triglyceride (TG) in plasma are lower in women than men, but the mechanisms responsible for these differences are unclear. Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of sex on VLDL-TG and VLDL-apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100) metabolism. Experimental Design and Main Outcome Measures: We measured basal VLDL-TG and VLDL-apoB-100 kinetics by using stable isotope labeled tracers. Setting/Participants: Twenty-six healthy, lean subjects (13 men, aged 29 ± 5 yr; 13 women, aged 28 ± 6 yr) were studied in the General Clinical Research Center at Washington University School of Medicine. Results: VLDL-TG and VLDL-apoB-100 concentrations were less in women than men (P < 0.05). The secretion rate of VLDL-TG was approximately 70% greater (P < 0.05), whereas the secretion rate of VLDL-apoB-100 (i.e. VLDL particles) was approximately 20% less (P < 0.05) i...
Monitoring mid-grass prairie in southwestern South Dakota and northwestern Nebraska, USA

It is expensive and difficult to make precise measurements of standing herbage and to monitor changes in rangeland pastures. This study used a modified Robel pole with 1.27-cm alternating white and gray bands to estimate standing herbage on adjacent Buffalo Gap and Oglala National Grasslands in western South Dakota and northwestern Nebraska. We determined the relationship between visual obstruction readings (Robel pole) with clipped standing herbage and developed resource guidelines for monitoring standing herbage. Clipped standing herbage ranged from 72 to 4953 kg dry matter (DM) ha 1 with a mean of 1784 kg DM ha 1 . Visual obstruction bands (band = 1.27 cm) averaged 6.9 bands and ranged from 0.1 to 22.9. Visual obstruction reliably predicted standing herbage (R 2 = 0.80, P = 0.001, SE = 485 kg DM ha 1 , n = 182 transects). Cluster analyses grouped visual obstruction readings (bands) and standing herbage into three resource categories; short, intermediate and tall. Band 6 corresponds to residual standing herbage of 1626 kg DM ha 1 and is recommended as a monitoring guideline for minimum residual herbage. Monitoring of residual standing herbage is accurate, precise and easy to apply. The monitoring protocol and guidelines developed based on bands and/or standing herbage provide information for managers to determine compliance with desired plans to maintain diversity for plants, wildlife and livestock use that sustain grassland communities.
Abstract LB-162: The onset ofMYCNoverexpression-induced neuroblastoma is accelerated byALKmutation in zebrafish

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in infancy and originates in the peripheral sympathetic nervous system (PSNS). High-risk NB is fatal in the majority of patients, despite intensive myeloablative chemotherapy. The MYCN oncogene is amplified in over 20% of NB, particularly in those with highest risk treatment failure. We have developed a zebrafish NB model by overexpressing human MYCN under the control of the dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (D) promoter specific for noradrenergic cells in the PSNS. Fish from this stable transgenic line developed tumors as early as 4 months of age with approximately 20% penetrance at 8 months of age. The tumors resemble human NB histologically, immunohistochemically, and ultrastructurally. The expression of MYCN suppressed the normal development of PSNS neurons and chromaffin cells in the head kidney during embryogenesis and in young adult fish. In some fish, tumor cells began to repopulate the interrenal gland of the head kidney by 2 months of age. Germline and somatic activating mutations have been identified in the ALK gene, which encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase, in human NB, including those with MYCN amplification. To assess cooperativity between amplified MYCN and mutant ALK genes in transformation, we generated a zebrafish stable transgenic line in which the activated mutant form of ALK (F1 174L) was expressed under the control of the DsH promoter. These transgenic animals did not display an abnormal phenotype nor did they develop tumors during the first 6 months of life. In contrast, mutant ALK expression accelerated the onset of MYCN -induced neuroblastoma when the 2 genes were co-expressed in double transgenic fish, indicating that MYCN over-expression and activating ALK mutations can cooperate in tumorigenesis. Although co-expression of mutant ALK accelerated the onset of tumors, it did not rescue the MYCN -induced suppression of PSNS development, suggesting that an as-yet-unidentified tumor suppressor gene, possibly located on distal 1p in the human genome, may be lost to fulfill this role in NB tumorigenesis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-162.
Excited state processes for aqueous Rh(NH3)5Cl2+ and Rh(NH3)5Br2+

Abstract Emission lifetimes for Rh(NH3)5Cl2+, A, and Rh(NH3)5Br2+, B, are 30.1 ± 0.7 nsec and 24.1 ± 1.2 nsec in aqueous acidified solution at 5 °C, respectively, with corresponding apparent activation energies of 5.1 and 5.4 kcal mol−1, again respectively. In both cases the emission maximum is at about 14 kK. There is excited absorption, which decays with the corresponding emission lifetime, with maxima at 490 nm and 620 nm, for A and B respectively. This second excited state is also photoreactive. The emissions are quenched by hydroxide ion, the bimolecular quenching rate constants being 2.1 × 1010 M−1 sec−1 and 2.7 × 1010 M−1 sec−1 at 5 °C, again respectively. Studies with A showed that the other bases such as carbonate and cyanide ions also quench. A undergoes only chloride photoaquation, which is 87% quenched on quenching emission. B is known to show both bromide and ammonia photoaquation; the latter is fully quenched on quenching emission, while the former reaction mode is unaffected. Possible excited state schemes are discussed, one including a reactive quintet state.
CRF administered to pregnant rats alters offspring behavior and morphology

Abstract Pregnant rats injected with 20 μg of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) from day 14 through 21 gained less weight during gestation than did saline-injected controls. The offspring of CRF-injected females differed from the offspring of control females in several ways: males and females weighed less during the first 2 weeks of life, males had shorter anogenital distances at birth, and males and females emitted more ultrasonic vocalizations during isolation in tests at 6 and 14 days of age. These effects are similar to those that have been observed following exposure of pregnant females to stressors, and provide support for the notion that CRF and/or CRF activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis mediate effects of gestational stress.
Treatment of severe hand impairment following stroke by combining assisted movement, muscle vibration, and biofeedback.

Background and Purpose:Few studies have addressed the rehabilitation of hand function in persons with severe impairment following stroke, and few therapeutic options are available for treatment. We investigated whether an intervention of robot-assisted movement and muscle vibration could reduce impa
Imaging of Shear Wave Propagation in Cornea Using Optical Coherence Elastography

We demonstrate the use of phase-stabilized optical coherence elastography to visualize and quantify low-amplitude elastic wave propagation by scanning of the M-mode OCT synchronized with a low-pressure short-duration air-puff loading.
NTAL/LAB and LAT: a balancing act in mast-cell activation and function.

The absence of the linker for activation of T cells (LAT) causes partial inhibition of mast-cell responses. The LAT homolog, non-T-cell activation linker (NTAL), also termed linker for activation of B cells (LAB), might compensate in the absence of LAT. Recent studies reveal that NTAL/LAB-deficiency causes enhanced LAT function and augments mast-cell responses. However, deletion of both of these lipid raft-associated transmembrane adaptor proteins inhibits mast-cell responsiveness to a greater extent than deletion of LAT alone. The new findings reveal a dual function for NTAL/LAB, which might manifest on mast-cell activation.
Efficient allocation of fire department resources — Part I

The author discusses computer oriented mathematical models for the simultaneous selection of the number and location of fire engines and stations. The discussion also considers multiple engine response and distance and budget constraints as well as operational problems, such as closing or relocating existing stations.
Real-Time PCR Detection and Discrimination of the Southern and Common Corn Rust Pathogens Puccinia polysora and Puccinia sorghi

Over the past several years, southern corn rust (SCR) outbreaks caused by the fungus Puccinia polysora have become increasingly problematic for corn growers in the United States. SCR is currently diagnosed through the visual examination of disease symptoms and pathogen morphology, including pigmentation, size, shape, and location of fruiting structures. However, these characteristics are similar to those produced by the common corn rust fungus P. sorghi, confounding accurate visual diagnosis of SCR. Here we report the development of a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay that discriminates between P. polysora and P. sorghi. Sequences of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer region were determined for P. polysora and P. sorghi. 5-Carboxyfluorescein fluorophore-labeled hydrolysis probes that differed at 14 nucleotide positions between the species were developed from these data and used to screen DNA extracted directly from rust-infected corn leaves. Species-specific, reproducible identifications of the pathogens were made from as little as 50 pg of DNA within 30 min, and were reliably performed from both recent collections and herbarium specimens. This assay will be useful for rapid and accurate diagnosis of SCR, and could serve as a tool to monitor the distribution and incidence of the disease in the United States.
Electromagnetic diffraction by a slot in a ground screen covered by a dielectric slab

An integral equation is formulated for the problem of transverse electric (TE) illumination of an infinite slot in a conducting screen situated between two dielectric slabs having different electromagnetic properties. Numerical results are given for the slot magnetic current for selected cases where a slab exists only on the shadow side of the screen. Far-zone magnetic fields are presented.
The role of zullen in the grammar of modern standard Dutch

Traditional grammars of Modern Standard Dutch teach that zullen is the ‘auxiliary verb of the future tense’. In spite of the dissatisfaction of such linguists as A. W. de Groot and F. G. Droste, the exact meaning of zullen and the precise mechanism by which it can function as a future auxiliary remain to be elucidated. C.I. Ebeling's recent discussion, though containing valuable suggestions, constitutes no final solution. It is proposed here that the use of zullen in Modern Standard Dutch follows from its membership, together with the forms moeten and kunnen, in a system which characterizes occurences as hypothetical rather than real. Because zullen - in contrast to the other elements of the system - does not specify the degree of likelihood of the event in question, it may be interpreted as signaling futurity, inference, command, or the intention of the speaker. The particular messages transmitted with zullen in specific instances are conclusions drawn from the interaction of its own meaning with the particular member of the tense system with it is combined and with observable factors in the extra-linguistic context. Seen in this framework, the textbook functions of zullen, both as a ‘modal auxiliary’ and as a ‘future auxiliary’ illustrate the following principle: the language user will favor that member of a closed system of semantic oppositions whose meaning is least inappropriate to a given message.
Some dynamic computational geometry problems

Abstract We consider some problems in computational geometry when every one of the input points is moving in a prescribed manner.
Determination of Deuterium Oxide in Water by Measurement of Freezing Point

A simple, rapid method is presented for the determination of deuterium oxide in water by measurement of the freezing point. (C.H.)
Variations in osteoblastic activity with age by the osteoid seam index

The need for the replacement of pre-existing osseous tissue due to various physiologic and pathophysiologic demands is fulfilled by the resorption-formation processes of the skeleton. These processes can be broadly categorized into two phases: Internal remodelling or the replacement occurring within the periostealendosteal envelope, and growth remodelling or the remodelling occurring at the periosteal-endosteal surfaces during growth. The authors reason that changes in the numbers of new osteons found in cortex with age would provide insights into the mechanism (s) governing the production of these centers of new bone formation. Undecalcified cross-sections of human rib from 139 relatively normal subjectsranging from one month to 84 years of age were prepared by Frost's method and stained with 1% basic fuchsin. The total number of osteons containing active osteoidseams was determined. The surface area of each cross-section was measured and the data converted to a unit of number of seams/mm2 of cortex. The largestnumber of seams/mm2 occurred in infancy, with a gradual decline until the fourth decade. This was followed by a subsequent rise with a secondary peak in the seventh decade. The differences in means of the fourth and seventh decade were significant at the 1% level. Similar changes were noted in specimens of clavicle in 34 of the study cases. It is felt that the data indicates a net suppressive effect by gonadal hormones on the process of internal remodelling of diaphyseal cortex. Since the numbers of seams present at any given instant are representative of previous events affecting differentiation of the mesenchymal cell, the data indicates that the mechanism(s) controlling this process in the internal remodelling of rib and clavicle cortex may be independent of the mechanism(s) controlling differentiation of mesenchymal cells in growth and maturation of the skeleton.
Musculoskeletal damage: what is the difference in children? Pain in the forearm due to a fall

This 5-year-old male was doing everything that all children do. He was having fun, horsing around, then all of sudden, he fell. After he fell he experienced pain in the left upper extremity. Because of this he was brought to our Emergency Care facility. Upon arrival he was in good health and all of his vital signs were normal. He was in no acute distress but he did seem to hold his left upper extremity in a guarded position. On physical examination no abnormalities were detected except those related to the left upper extremity. On clinical inspection there was mild soft tissue swelling over the forearm and on physical examination there was concomitant tenderness of the left forearm. There was no deformity of the upper extremity and the physical findings did not seem to focus on the elbow or the wrist. No other abnormalities were detected and thus radiographs of the left upper extremity, with comparative views of the right side, were obtained (Fig. 1). What do you think? Is there a fracture present?
Functional heterogeneity of immune complexes in epidermolysis bullosa acquisita

Abstract Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is an inflammatory subepidermal bullous disease characterized by circulating and tissue-bound complement-binding anti-basement membrane zone autoantibodies to type VII procollagen. Lesions are characterized by neutrophil-predominant inflammation in some patients, but not in others. These features suggest complement activation and generation of complement-derived chemotactic factors for leukocytes by basement membrane zone immune complexes may contribute to inflammation, but that complexes may be heterogeneous in the ability to express that function. In this study, we measured the ability of basement membrane zone complexes from patients with (n = 4) and without (n = 6) neutrophil predominant inflammation to activate complement and generate complement-derived chemotactic activity using a complement-dependent neutrophil attachment assay. The results showed considerable heterogeneity in neutrophil attachment among EBA patients and that both the incidence (44 vs 26) and magnitude (81 ± 34 vs 12 ± 10 neutrophils/mm basement membrane zone) of attachment were greater in patients with neutrophil-predominant inflammation. Functional heterogeneity appeared to be due to differences in the amounts of complement-activating complexes formed at the basement membrane zone, which in turn appeared to be due to differences in the availability of circulating complement-binding anti-basement membrane zone antibodies. This was suggested by a positive correlation ( r = 0.72, p
Form-factor of the neutron from deuteron electro-disintegration

An extrapolation method is suggested to determine the magnetic form-factor of the neutron from deuteron electro-disintegration.
Accessibility standards for operating systems

The Accessibility Working Group has been created by the Free Standards Group to develop accessibility standards that will enable universal access to computer systems, applications, and services. The Accessibility Working Group is developing a set of accessibility standards within the Linux Standard Base with the goals of improving overall accessibility of Open Source LSB platforms.
Thromboembolic Complications of Prosthetic Cardiac Valves

Our experience with thromboembolism in 283 patients surviving at least 1 week following insertion of Starr-Edwards valves is reported here. Of these patients, 155 underwent aortic valve replacement, 21 had aortic valve replacement with mitral commissurotomy, 80 had mitral replacement, and 27 had both aortic and mitral valve replacement. Complete follow-up data were obtained on all patients, from 3 to 49 months following surgery (mean, 20 months). Thromboembolic episodes developed in 68 of the 283 patients (24%). Seventeen of these 68 patients died (25%), three had serious neurological residual (4%), but the majority of survivors recovered completely. Use of long-term anticoagulant therapy appeared to reduce incidence of embolic episodes only in patients with aortic valve replacement. Control of anticoagulant therapy (good, fair, or poor) bore no relationship to incidence of embolism within this group. Anticoagulant therapy in untreated patients with emboli reduced the incidence of subsequent thromboembolism. Hemorrhagic complications occurred in 23 patients (8%); one died. Thromboembolism is a serious complication of prosthetic valves. Its incidence in some patients is reduced but not eliminated by anticoagulant therapy.
Phase changes in insulators produced by particle bombardment

Abstract The problem of phase changes in halides, oxides, carbides, and borides as produced by particle bombardment is considered, with the object of reducing the known examples to the minimum number of mechanisms. The phase changes are grouped topologically, the first group consisting of those which are confined to the outer surface. These are most often caused by electronic sputtering, but near-threshold elastic collisions may be important with substances like Ta2O5 where the components have a large mass difference. The second group consists of changes which extend beyond the outer surface. Such changes can be initiated by an outer-layer change, by bombardment-induced redistribution, and, in principle, by Gibbsian segregation. The third group consists of bulk changes brought about with inert beams and includes the more conventional phase changes. Most examples fit rather well into subgroups involving, respectively, dispersed point defects (e.g. randomization of NbO), mobile point defects (e.g. metal colloid formation in a halide), or the cascade itself (e.g. some instances of amorphization). The final group consists of bulk changes brought about with chemically active beams. As with the third category, it is convenient to subdivide according to whether the point defects are dispersed (e.g. H+ implanted in an oxide) or mobile (e.g. metal ions implanted in an oxide at elevated temperatures).
Effect of Copolymer Composition on the Oxygen Transport Properties of Sulfonated Poly(arylene ether sulfone) and Sulfonated Poly(sulfide sulfone) PEMs

Mass transport properties were investigated by means of the chronoamperometry method for a series of sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPES) membranes and sulfonated polysulfide sulfone (SPSS) polymers of various ion exchange capacities (IEC) at a Pt (microelectrode)/proton exchange membrane (PEM) interface. The temperature and pressure dependence of oxygen transport parameters show similar trends for the SPES 30-60 (IEC = 1.2-2.2 meq g - 1 ) and SPSS 20-50 (IEC = 0.7-1.8 meq g - 1 ) membranes. The diffusion coefficient was found to increase with the IEC while solubility decreases. The results are discussed in the context of water/polymer interactions and morphology-facilitated mass transport characteristics.
L'AGNESE VA A MORIRE and Meanings of Compassion in the Female Partisans' Struggle against German Nazis and Italian Fascists:

This article examines Renata Vigano's neorealist work, L'Agnese va a morire through the point of view of theories of emotions. Attempting to overcome the lack of critical consideration to the compl...
Autonomous robot calibration using vision technology

Unlike the traditional robot calibration methods, which need external expensive calibration apparatus and elaborate setups to measure the 3D feature points in the reference frame, a vision-based self-calibration method for a serial robot manipulator, which only requires a ground-truth scale in the reference frame, is proposed in this paper. The proposed algorithm assumes that the camera is rigidly attached to the robot end-effector, which makes it possible to obtain the pose of the manipulator with the pose of the camera. By designing a manipulator movement trajectory, the camera poses can be estimated up to a scale factor at each configuration with the factorization method, where a nonlinear least-square algorithm is applied to improve its robustness. An efficient approach is proposed to estimate this scale factor. The great advantage of this self-calibration method is that only image sequences of a calibration object and a ground-truth length are needed, which makes the robot calibration procedure more autonomous in a dynamic manufacturing environment. Simulations and experimental studies on a PUMA 560 robot reveal the convenience and effectiveness of the proposed robot self-calibration approach.
Ruminal Metabolism and Transport of Tall Fescue Ergot Alkaloids

ABSTRACTCircumstantial evidence suggests ergovaline is the putative toxin causing fescue toxicosis. However, several investigators suggest lyser-gic acid may be involved as well. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to (i) determine the metabolic fate of ergot alkaloids in ruminants, (ii) investigate gastric transport, and (iii) validate these fi ndings in vivo. Ruminal metabolism of the alkaloids was determined by inoculating endo-phyte-infected and endophyte-free tall fescue [ Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] with viable and nonviable ruminal fl uid using in vitro techniques. Total ergot alkaloid concentration increased with time due to microbial metabo-lism. The alkaloids were extracted, and ruminal and omasal transport investigated in vitro. Only lysergic acid crossed gastric barriers. To vali-date the fi ndings, fi stulated steers were allowed to graze endophyte-infected or endophyte-free tall fescue paddocks in a crossover study, and ruminal fl uid and urine were analyzed for ergot alkaloids over time. Ergovaline was not found in ruminal fl uid or urine. Urine was immunopurifi ed from a steer grazing endophyte-infected tall fes-cue and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. A peak with a signal consis-tent with lysergic acid was found. These results imply that lysergic acid may be involved in the fescue toxicosis syndrome.A.W. Ayers and N.S. Hill, Dep. Crop and Soil Sciences, Univ. of Geor-gia, Athens, GA 30602; F.N. Thompson, P.T. Purinton, D.L. Dawe, A.H. Parks, and D. Ensley, College of Veterinary Medicine, Univ. of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602; G.E. Rottinghaus, Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab., Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211; J.A. Stue-demann and D.H. Seman, USDA-ARS J. Phil Campbell Sr. Natural Resource Conservation Center, Watkinsville, GA 30677. This research was funded by the Animal Health and Well Being Program Area of the United States Department of Agriculture Competitive Grants Pro-gram under Agreement No. 2001-35204-09958. All research was con-ducted in accordance with the UGA Animal Care and Use Committee approval no. A2001-10217-0. Received 13 Jan. 2009. *Corresponding author (nhill@uga.edu).
Modern perspectives in the treatment of chronic anal fissures.

INTRODUCTIONAnal fissures are commonly encountered in routine colorectal practice. Developments in the pharmacological understanding of the internal anal sphincter have resulted in more conservative approaches towards treatment. Simple measures are often effective for early fissures. Glyceryl trinitrate is well established as a first-line pharmacological therapy. The roles of diltiazem and botulinum, particularly as rescue therapy, are not well understood. Surgery has a defined role and should not be discounted completely. METHODSData were obtained from Medline publications citing ‘anal fissure’. Manual cross-referencing of salient articles was conducted. We have sought to highlight various controversies in the management of anal fissures. FINDINGSAcute fissures may heal spontaneously, although simple conservative measures are sufficient. Idiopathic chronic anal fissures need careful evaluation to decide what therapy is suitable. Pharmacological agents such as glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), diltiazem and botu...
On-line control of single-wafer plasma etch process

A new on-line control method of within-a-wafer uniformity for single wafer processes is presented. The method aims to reduce the risk of applying on-line control of the uniformity by categorizing the process variabilities into tunable variability and non-tunable variability. The non-tunable variability is optimized off-line and the tunable variability is controlled on-line. According to the effects of process parameters on the process variabilities, the process parameters are grouped as robustness factors, tuning factor, and adjustment factor. The use of properly selected tuning factor and adjustment factor reduces the risk of undesirable effects of on-line control. The method is applied to the oxide etch process using a LAM AutoEtch 590 single wafer plasma etcher. On-line control improved the within-a-wafer uniformity ((sigma) /(mu) ) by a factor of two over the uncontrolled within-a-wafer uniformity.
Application of a discrete polycrystal model to the analysis of cyclic straining in copper

Abstract A discrete polycrystal model, designed to simulate a metal aggregate macro-element, is applied to the study of cyclic straining in copper. The numerical method of solution (an adaptation of the “finite element method”) incorporates a convergent discrete Green's function within the constrained minimum principle which governs the (crystallographic) plastic shear increments at each load step. Isothermal elastic moduli of copper crystals and Taylor's hardening rule with constant hardening modulus are used in the calculations. Numerical results are obtained for macroscopic elastic properties, cyclic stress-strain curves (which indicate the contribution of aggregate heterogeneity to macroscopic hardening), macroscopic plastic work, and residual (latent) strain energy through four loading cycles between fixed macrostrain limits. Other estimates for elastic properties also are included, and all results are compared, both qualitatively and quantitatively, with published experiments. The predictions of the model are in general satisfactory.
The Role of Substance Use in Male-to-Female Physical and Sexual Violence A Brief Review and Recommendations for Future Research

Literature addressing the relationship between substance use and physical and sexual violence against women is reviewed briefly. There is substantial evidence of a relationship between men’s substance use and perpetration of physical violence, some evidence of a relationship between women’s substance use and experiences of sexual aggression, but weak evidence that men’s substance use contributes to sexual aggression or that women’s substance use contributes to their physical victimization. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the relationship between substance use and violence relationship will be facilitated by narrowing the scope of research questions to identify for whom there is a relationship and under what circumstances.
Growth of InAs/InP-based quantum dots for 1.55 μm laser applications

Abstract Photoluminescence and scanning electron microscopy have been used to study the growth of InAs quantum dots with InGaAsP barriers on (0 0 1) InP substrates for 1.55 μm laser applications. The effect of growing quantum dots on a thin GaP layer as well as the use of a two step dot capping procedure was investigated, optimising for dot density, emission energy, and photoluminescence emission full-width half-maximum. It was found that the emission energy of a dot layer could be tuned around the important 1.55 μm wavelength range while maintaining a high dot density and narrow dot size distribution, even when stacking multiple layers. An optimised dot structure was then used as the core of a single lateral mode laser diode demonstrating continuous wave operation at room temperature with a threshold of 25.9 mA and slope efficiency of 0.3 A/W.
A Graph-Search Based Navigation Algorithm for Traversing A Potentially Hazardous Area with Disambiguation

The authors consider the problem of navigating an agent to safely and swiftly traverse a two dimensional terrain populated with possible hazards. Each potential hazard is marked with a probabilistic estimate of whether it is indeed true. In proximity to any of these potential hazards, the agent is able to disambiguate, at a cost, whether it is indeed true or false. The method presented in this paper is to discretize the terrain using a two dimensional grid with 8-adjacency and approximately solve the problem by dynamically searching for shortest paths using the A* algorithm in the positively weighted grid graph with changing weight function.
Interstitial cell tumor Profile of hormone-producing tumor

Interstitial cell tumor of the testis in an adult male can present with feminization and psychologic changes. The feminization and psychologic changes most likely reflect production of estrogen by the interstitial cell tumor. Removal of the tumor causes rapid return of the pituitary-testicular axis to normal, loss of feminization, and development of male psychosocial characteristics.