cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional Outcomes After Supracricoid Laryngectomy

Objectives Local control and 5-year survival rates are similar for patients undergoing total laryngectomy and supracricoid laryngectomy for the treatment of advanced-stage laryngeal carcinoma. However, comprehensive studies of functional outcomes after supracricoid laryngectomy are lacking. Study Design Cohort study. Methods This investigation provides objective voice laboratory data, skilled listener impressions of voice samples, swallowing evaluations, and patient self-perceptions of speech ability obtained from 10 supracricoid laryngectomees. Results Results demonstrated variable acoustic and speech aerodynamic disturbances, hoarse-breathy vocal quality, and speech dysfluency. Patients' self-perceptions of voice revealed severe dysphonia that induced certain emotional, physical, and functional setbacks. However, blinded judges rated these individuals as possessing intelligible speech and communication skills. All patients demonstrated premature spillage of the bolus and varying degrees of laryngeal penetration, aspiration, and retention during swallowing studies. However, each patient used a compensatory strategy to protect the airway. Voice and swallowing abilities appeared to depend on the mobility of the arytenoid cartilages, base of tongue action, and residual supraglottic tissue for the creation of a competent neoglottal sphincter complex that vibrated during phonation efforts and protected the airway during deglutition. Conclusions Supracricoid laryngectomy avoids the potential complications, limitations, and emotional problems associated with a permanent tracheostoma. All patients demonstrated intelligible voice and effective swallowing function postoperatively, supporting supracricoid laryngectomy as a suitable alternative surgical approach to the total laryngectomy in select patients.
Histologic and physiologic comparisons of the thyroid glands of the wild and domesticated Norway rat.

A comparison of the histological pattern of the thyroid glands of 138 wild and 157 domesticated Norway rats showed that the domesticated rat has smaller epithelial cells, greater uniformity in the size of follicles, larger follicular lamina, and fewer vacuoles in the intrafollicular colloid. These differences are not present at birth but develop gradually with age. Hypophysectomy causes a loss of these differences and results in an identical histologic pattern of atrophy in the two strains of rats. There is greater uniformity of thyroid I131 uptake and labelling of the components of thyroglobulin in the domesticated rat, but the average percent uptake of I131 in the thyroid glands of both strains is the same. These differences may be accountable partly on the basis of different reactions to the environment conditioned by different temperaments in the two strains, by actual differences in the environment, and by genetic differences.
Bragg-angle blazing of diffraction gratings.

The Bragg condition λ = 2d sin θ is presented as a necessary condition for perfect (100%) blazing of infinite, perfectly conducting diffraction gratings that produce only a single diffracted order, n = −1. As an illustration, the rectangular-profile grating is analyzed. Design blaze curves, showing the required depth as a function of angle of incidence, for each polarization, are obtained. Intersections of corresponding blaze curves for the two polarizations yield parameters of gratings perfectly blazed simultaneously in both polarizations. The angle of incidence at which this is achieved depends on the shape of the grating. Gratings so designed have a theoretical 100% efficiency at the design frequency, and above 90% over a bandwidth of more than 10%.
Triggering and hourly variation of onset of arterial thrombosis.

Abstract Information obtained during the past decade suggests that the onset of myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death is frequently triggered by daily activities. The importance of physical or mental stress in triggering coronary thrombosis is supported by findings that (1) the frequencies of the onset of myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, and stroke show marked circadian variations, with similar increases in the period from 6 AM to noon; (2) the frequency of transient myocardial ischemia shows a similar increase in the morning, and episodes are often preceded by mental or physical triggers; (3) a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque, often nonobstructive by itself, lies at the base of most coronary thrombi; (4) a number of physiologic processes that could lead to plaque rupture, a hypercoagulable state, or coronary vasoconstriction, are accentuated in the morning; and (5) aspirin and beta-adrenergic blocking agents that affect certain of these processes have been shown to prevent disease onset. The hypothesis presented is that occlusive coronary thrombosis occurs when (1) an atherosclerotic plaque becomes vulnerable to rupture; (2) mental or physical stress causes the plaque to rupture; and (3) increases in coagulability or vasoconstriction, triggered by daily activities, contribute to complete occlusion of the coronary artery lumen. Recognition of the circadian variation—and the possibility of frequent triggering—of the onset of acute disease suggests the need for pharmacologic protection of patients during the vulnerable periods and provides clues to the mechanism of disease onset, the investigation of which may lead to improved methods of prevention.
Communications for Underwater Robotics Research Platforms

This paper presents a distributed protocol for communication among autonomous underwater vehicles. It is a complementary approach for coordination between the autonomous underwater vehicles. This paper mainly describes different methods for underwater communication. One of the methods is brute force approach in which messages are broadcasted to all the communication nodes, which in turn will broadcast the acknowledgement. Issues relating to this brute force approach are time delay, number of hops, power consumption, message collision and other practical issues. These issues are discussed and solved by proposing a new method to improve efficiency of this proposed approach and its effectiveness in communication among autonomous underwater vehicles.
Velocity map imaging mass spectrometry

Abstract We demonstrate an alternative mass spectrometric technique, Velocity map imaging mass spectrometry, which combines transverse deflection by short, pulsed electric fields with velocity map imaging in a single stage reflectron to achieve spatially resolved mass dispersion. In this simple configuration, ions are clearly separated according to their mass-to-charge ratio through the transverse deflection of the ions perpendicular to the flight direction. In this communication, we demonstrate the technique with the simultaneous detection of Xe isotopes spatially dispersed on a position sensitive detector, showing a mass resolution greater than 600 and dynamic range >10 3 . The approach has potential applications in tandem mass spectrometry and a variety of dynamics studies.
Electron Microscopic Localization of Exogenous Ferritin within Vacuoles of Giardia muris

SYNOPSIS. Trophozoites of Giardia muris parasitic in hamsters were fixed in situ at intervals of 1–3 hr after injection of horse ferritin into the small intestinal lumen. Concentrations of ferritin molecules are localized within vacuoles beneath the plasmalemma along the dorsal and ventral surfaces of Giardia. Limiting membranes of these vacuoles are identical with the plasmalemma. It is suggested that the vacuoles function in sequestration of molecules from the intestinal lumen by invagination of the cell membrane.
Traveling wave convection patterns in an annular cell

Abstract Fast traveling wave convection rolls, localized rolls, non-uniform velocity rolls and slow rolls are four distinct patterns observed during the evolution of convection patterns in an ethanol-water binary mixture. These Rayleigh-Benard experiments were carried out in an annular cell with an aspect ratio of 80:2:1. The mixture has a separation ratio value of ψ ⋍ -0.09. The convection was driven by a constant heat flux less than 5% above the onset heat flux.
A Statistical Approach to Ordering and Usage Policies for a Hospital Blood Bank

An electronic computer (UNIVAC 1105) is used in a simulation study to determine ordering and usage policies for a hospital blood bank. It is assumed that only type specific transfusions are given, and all use of fresh blood obtained for specific cases is excluded. A ratio of 25:4 is taken as the ratio of the cost whenever the bank is “short” of a unit for actual transfusion to the cost of an outdated unit. Optimal inventory levels are determined for a particular bank when the oldest blood is used first and the random volunteer donor input is maintained at current levels, when this input is doubled, and when the entire input is composed of ordered blood having life of 15 days. If the random input is doubled the losses are almost quadrupled. The losses would be least if the input were completely ordered and the life of the ordered blood were not restricted; but when the ordered blood has a life of only 15 days the losses are somewhat higher than when the random input remains unchanged. Consequences of always using the freshest blood first are also examined. This policy does not appear to be feasible unless the bank contains an excessive amount of blood.
A Water-Powered Mechanical Device for Accurately Subsampling Large Numbers of Nektonic Organisms

Abstract A subsampling machine is described which uses a large volume of water to randomly distribute estuarine nektonic collections into 12 equal portions. Samples weighing 4.5 kg to 30.0 kg with fish from 20 to 150 mm standard length can be accurately subsampled in a circular, 76-cm-high, 76-cm-diameter galvanized tub which employs a slightly smaller internal, rotating partitioned basket and nine water jets (six in the bottom and three around the side) for sample mixing and partitioning. Water uplift and manual basket rotation followed by settling result in an accurate random subsample as indicated by chi-square testing.
A Prediction Interval Approach to Obtaining Variables Sampling Plans for Small Lots: Single Sampling from Gaussian Processes

Abstract A prediction-interval approach is used to derive variables sampling plans applicable to finite lots. A normally distributed process is assumed, and lots ranging in size from 5 to 70 are considered. The plans are such that, with high probability, accepted lots will have zero defects (defined in terms of one-sided specification limits). Further, tabulations provide information which is useful for selecting sample size for a specified combination of lot size and acceptable quality level. Substantial savings in sample size can be achieved by using variables plans in place of the comparable hypergeometric sampling plans.
Parallel Tools in HEVC for High-Throughput Processing

HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) is the next-generation video coding standard being jointly develop ed by the ITU-T VCEG and ISO/IEC MPEG JCT-VC team. In addition to the high coding efficiency, which is expected to provide 50% more bit-rate reduction when compared to H.264/AVC, HEVC has built-in parallel processing tools to address bitrate, pixel-rate and motion estimation (ME) through put requirements. This paper describes how CABAC, which is also used in H.264/AVC, has been redesigned for improved throughput, and how parallel merge/skip and tiles, which are new tools introduced for HEVC, enable high-throughput processing. CABAC has data dependencies which make it difficult to parallelize and thus limit its throughput. The p rediction error/residual, represented as quantized transform coefficients, accounts for the majority of the CABAC workload. Various improvements have been made to the context selection and scans in transform coefficient coding that enable C ABAC in HEVC to potentially achieve higher throughput and increased coding gains relative to H.264/AVC. The merge/skip mode is a coding efficiency enhancement t ool in HEVC; the parallel merge/skip breaks dependency between t he regular and merge/skip ME, which provides flexibility for high throughput and high efficiency HEVC encoder designs. For ultra high definition (UHD) video, such as 4k x2k and 8kx4k resolutions, low-latency and real-time processing m ay be beyond the capability of a single core codec. Tiles are an effective tool which enables pixel-rate balancing a mong the cores to achieve parallel processing with a throughput scalable implementation of multi-core UHD video codec. With the evenly divided tiles, a multi-core vid eo codec can be realized by simply replicating single core codec an d adding a tile boundary processing core on top of that. These tools illustrate that accounting for implementation cost when designing video coding algorithms can enable higher processing speed and reduce implementation cost, while still d elivering high coding efficiency in the next genera tion video coding standard.
Hypothesis testing in high-dimensional space with the Sparse Matrix Transform

This paper discusses the use of the Sparse Matrix Transform (SMT) to model the covariance structure of high-dimensional data in the likelihood ratio test used for hypothesis testing. The SMT has been shown to produce more accurate estimates of covariance matrices when the number of training samples n is much less than the number of dimensions p of the data. Several experiments with face recognition and hyperspectral images show that SMT-based hypothesis testing can be superior to other methods in at least two general aspects: First, the SMT-based method is more robust to the size of the training set, remaining accurate even when only a few training samples are available; Second, the total computation required to apply the method is very low, making it attractive for use in low-power devices, or in applications requiring fast computation.
A Simulation for Teaching Skills Relating to Organizational Self‐renewal

Describes a simulation that provides an alternative method for teaching managers about the organizational renewal process and about the skills which are necessary to effect change in organizations. The simulation is based on theories about change, diffusion of innovations, and power and influence. It gives the participants a way of being involved in creating change which offers insights into their own capabilities and understanding of the change process.
Plasmid-encoded hygromycin B resistance: the sequence of hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene and its expression in Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The plasmid-borne gene hph coding for hygromycin B phosphotransferase (HPH) in Escherichia coli has been identified and its nucleotide sequence determined. The hph gene is 1026 nucleotides long, coding for a protein with a predicted Mr of 39 000. The hph gene was placed in a shuttle plasmid vector, downstream from the promoter region of the cyc 1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and an hph construction containing a single AUG in the 5' noncoding region allowed direct selection following transformation in yeast and in E. coli. Thus the hph gene can be used in cloning vectors for both pro- and eukaryotes.
Synchronization of material flow to aid production planning in a job shop

Abstract This paper discusses how synchronizing finish times for correspondingly numbered process operations of mating component parts (batches) can help a job shop take advantage of some aspects of the just-in-time philosophy. This paper proposes that the synchronization of process operations of mating parts (batches) can be an effective production planning tool that may actually decrease total throughput time where manufacturers are attempting to decrease in-process inventory. An example problem is included to demonstrate the situation. A production planner must keep in perspective all production orders when trying to decrease in-process inventory. The throughput times of all orders may be increased, while too much effort is concentrated on reducing in-process inventory costs of individual orders.
Deep Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism in Trauma Patients

Trauma patients are at exceedingly high risk for the development of deep venous thrombosis and pulmo nary embolism. The incidence, pathophysiology, diag nosis, prophylaxis, and therapy of deep venous throm bosis and pulmonary embolism in the trauma patient are reviewed. The type of injury, systemic pertubations, and enforced immobility are important factors in pathogenesis. Patients with lower extremity injuries and spine fractures with paraplegia appear to be at highest risk. Orthopedic devices used to treat these injuries of ten preclude the conventional noninvasive diagnostic modalities. Further, hemorrhagic risk often impacts the judgment regarding the use of prophylactic measures as well as the therapy once deep venous thrombosis is diagnosed. Better data regarding the incidence of ve nous thromboembolism and the applicability of existing diagnostic, prophylactic, and treatment approaches in this population are needed.Accidents are responsible for over 140,000 deaths and approximately 70 million nonf...
Identification of metabolites produced from N -phenylpiperazine by Mycobacterium spp

Mycobacterium sp. 7E1B1W and seven other mycobacterial strains known to degrade hydrocarbons were investigated to determine their ability to metabolize the piperazine ring, a substructure found in many drugs. Cultures were grown at 30°C in tryptic soy broth and dosed with 3.1 mM N-phenylpiperazine hydrochloride; samples were removed at intervals and extracted with ethyl acetate. Two metabolites were purified from each of the extracts by high-performance liquid chromatography; they were identified by mass spectrometry and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as N-(2-anilinoethyl)acetamide and N-acetyl-N′-phenylpiperazine. The results show that mycobacteria have the ability to acetylate piperazine rings and cleave carbon-nitrogen bonds.
What's an Ubik? Science Fiction Reference Sources

Science fiction is that demonic creature lurking in the depths of every human subconscious waiting for the chance to emerge and destroy, with ecstasy, mankind's literary taste. It condemns the reader to an endless array of spaceships, hyperdrive, alternate universes, and alien beings — the really fun things in life. Unfortunately, not all readers or critics hold this view. To many literary critics, science fiction is something to keep in the closet, ignore, and generally not discuss in front of frail women or young children.
Quantum-mechanical calculations for the electric field gradients and other electronic properties of lithium hydride - the use of mixed orbital sets.

Electronic wave functions for diatomic lithium hydride molecules, using quantum mechanical calculations
Second‐Order Elastic‐Plastic Analysis of Multistory Building Frames by Marching Technique

In two previous papers, second-order elastic analysis of multistory building frames by marching technique [1] and elastic-plastic analysis of rectangular frames [2] have been dealt with. The algorithms described in those two papers are now combined into an efficient computer program for conducting the elastic-plastic analysis of multistory building frames by marching technique. With this program, the response of a multistory building frame, subjected to uniform loads on the beams and lateral loads at the floor levels, may be traced from the service load condition to proportionate overloads until collapse through sequence of formation of plastic hinges. Because & am spans are not divided into elements in the analysis, plastic hinges are assumed to remain at the same locations once they are installed on them. Consequently, moments in beams may later exceed slightly the plastic moment capacity. It is believed that the algorithm is useful to form a basis for further investigations, such as considerations for more than the two essential second-order effects, or for effects of semirigid beam-to-column connections and of axial force on the plastic moment capacity.
Epigenetic Silencing of Tumor Suppressor Genes in Pancreatic Cancer

Introduction Without any alteration of DNA sequence, heritable changes in gene expression, caused by epigenetic pathways, are gaining a spotlight in research of diseases, and in particular, cancer. Although the dominant paradigm in cancer research, proposed by Vogelstein, suggested that cancer progression was caused by a sequential accumulation of genetic aberrations, basic science studies in epigenetics have now advanced our knowledge enough to apply its concepts and methodology to the study of cancer. In fact, chromatin dynamics and small RNAs are altered far more prevalently in cancer than genetic alterations and most important, can be reversible, lending themselves as attractive therapeutic targets.
Deflection function for the asymmetrical bending of circular plates.

= outer radius of annular ring = inner radius of annular ring = Et/I2(l -n) = plate rigidity = elastic modulus = nth radial component of displacement function = nth circumferential component of displacement function = arbitrary pressure loading = radial coordinate = plate thickness q(r, 9) r t w(r, 6) = plate deflection at radial coordinate r, circumferential coordinate 6 w1 = translation at nodal circle r = b, 9 = 0; (\vl = £ w l f l) vv2 = rotation at nodal circle r = b, 6 = 0; (w2 = ]T w2n) w3 = translation at nodal circle r = a, 9 = 0; (w3 = £w3n) w4 = rotation at nodal circle r = a, 9 = 0 ; (w4 = £ w4n) w ln = nth translation component at nodal circle r = b, 6 = 0 w2n = nth rotation component at nodal circle r = b, 9 = 0 w3n = nth translation component at nodal circle r = a, 9 = 0 w4n = nth rotation component at nodal circle r = a, 9 = 0 a = a/b ytj = coefficients comprising shape functions A =(a-l)-4a lna; 4a[ln a(al)-(aI)]; 2[aV-a~")-"(a-l)] 6 = circumferential coordinate H = Poisson ratio Pj(r) = jth function of r $in() = * P or interpolation function for harmonic n
Observations on Cabbage Maggot Activity under Field Conditions

Observations on the field activity of Hylemya brassicae (Bouche) were made in relation to their natural location, attraction to baited traps, emergence from soil, and damage to a host crop of various stand densities. Adults were located more abundantly in or near cruciferous plantings than in other types or places of shelter and similarly were attracted more to traps baited with cruciferous plants than to those with onion culls (most onion maggots), meat meal (most seed-corn maggots), or nothing. In the spring, adult cabbage maggot flies emerged in progressively fewer days from undisturbed soil as the levels of the puparia ranged from 12 inches to the surface. Emergence from puparia 4 inches under loose soil was the most rapid of all, probably because of a higher temperature in this less-compacted soil. As the number of turnip roots increased from 5 to 30 per foot, the number of maggot feeding tunnels per foot of row progressively increased from 8 to 12, but tunnels per 10 roots decreased from 16 to 4.
Kim Moody, Workers in a Lean World: Unions in the International Economy. New York: Verso, 1997. viii + 342 pp. $20.00 paper.

This study is the antidote to an overdose of what the author labels “globaloney.” Undoubtedly, the term “globalization” tends to overwhelm more than it explains, and this book is designed as a guide for readers seeking to plant the seeds of a progressive future in the many fractures and weaknesses of the international economy. In place of a monolithic process of globalization, Moody reveals the gradual economic and political construction of the new world order, which contains more opportunity for change than most tend to see. Moody does not depict workers and their unions as stupefied and bewildered victims of the immense scope and pace of international change; instead, we see how recent transformations have pushed many wage earners into active resistance on the local level and how they have even managed to create crucial linkages of solidarity across the economic landscape. Workers in a Lean World frames globalization as an open-ended process, one that the world labor movement can affect profoundly.
Labeling surfaces with radioactive gases.

Abstract A radiochemical technique has been developed by means of which specific elements on a surface can be selectively labeled. The technique involves selective chemical reactions between one element of interest and a radioactive gas to form a radioactive compound. Autoradiography is then used to determine the distribution of the compound on the surface. The technique has been successfully applied to the location of imperfections in coatings by choosing a radioactive gas which reacts with unprotected areas but not with the coating material. Results obtained with two systems, TiO 2 coatings on aluminum and chrome plate on stainless steel, are described. Experimental techniques, sources of error, and advantages and limitations of the method are discussed.
Differential expression and phylogenetic analysis suggest specialization of plastid-localized members of the PHT4 phosphate transporter family for photosynthetic and heterotrophic tissues.

Plastids rely on multiple phosphate (Pi) transport activities to support and control a wide range of metabolic processes, including photosynthesis and carbon partitioning. Five of the six members of the PHT4 family of Pi transporters in Arabidopsis thaliana (PHT4;1-PHT4;5) are confirmed or predicted plastid proteins. As a step towards identifying the roles of individual PHT4 Pi transporters in chloroplast and non-photosynthetic plastid Pi dynamics, we used promoter-reporter gene fusions and quantitative RT-PCR studies, respectively, to determine spatial and diurnal gene expression patterns. PHT4;1 and PHT4;4 were both expressed predominantly in photosynthetic tissues, although expression of PHT4;1 was circadian and PHT4;4 was induced by light. PHT4;3 and PHT4;5 were expressed mainly in leaf phloem. PHT4;2 was expressed throughout the root, and exhibited a diurnal pattern with peak transcript levels in the dark. The remaining member of this gene family, PHT4;6, encodes a Golgi-localized protein and was exp...
The Destinies and Destinations of RNAs

Thanks to Larry Etkin and Howard Lipshitz for organizing a very informative and rewarding meeting. Larry Etkin, Howard Lipshitz, and Rob Singer provided helpful comments on the entire manuscript, and several of the meeting participants provided helpful information for specific sections. Thanks to all of them, to Ava Brent for her help in preparing Figure 1Figure 1, and to the people who contributed images for this figure, including Malgosia Kloc and Larry Etkin, Elizabeth Gavis, Shailesh Shenoy and Rob Singer, Julie Zhu and Edward Kislauskis, Gavin Wilkie and Ilan Davis, and Maritza Martinez and Gary Bassell.
A political candidate's brand image scale: Are political candidates brands?

This study analyses the brand image of presidential candidates for Mexico's 2006 election. Respondents from a nationwide random probabilistic sample of Mexico's voting population were asked to evaluate the personality – brand image – of the three principal political candidates based on 58 selected traits that result from combining Aaker's brand personality and Caprara et al 's candidate personality frameworks. Data were analysed using Principal Component Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling procedures. The resulting brand image framework for Mexico's 2006 presidential candidates was represented by five factors (competence, empathy, openness, agreeableness and handsomeness). As the resulting framework explains which elements of a candidate's brand image are taken into consideration when making an electoral decision, it has a practical application for future political campaigns. It also provides a conceptual platform for viewing political candidates as brands.
Profile of Chief Academic Officers

Chief Academic Officer (CAO) is the most common position title before assuming the presidency of a college or university. Results from a national survey are used to develop a profile of the CAO in each respective Carnegie institutional classification. The typical CAO in four-year institutions is Caucasian, male, 54 years old, and married. He holds a doctoral degree, most likely in humanities or social sciences, and has held the CAO position for 5 or fewer years. Most often, the CAO served as a Dean or Associate Dean in the previous position. All CAOs have classroom experience, but 3% have never taught full-time. With only slight variances among the percentages, these characteristics are similar for each of the respective Carnegie classifications. Comparisons are also made between the characteristics of presidents and CAOs.
Effect of increased atmospheric pressure on radial keratotomy.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the effect of increased atmospheric pressure on visual acuity in patients who have had radial keratotomy (RK). Setting Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Long Beach, California, USA. Methods This controlled clinical study comprised 4 eyes that had RK and 4 control eyes that were age and sex matched. All patients had prehyperbaric chamber examinations consisting of manifest and cycloplegic refractions, intraocular pressure (IOP), keratometry, and corneal pachymetry. They were then placed into the hyperbaric chamber for 1 hour. Immediately after the patients were removed from the chamber, the examinations were performed again. Results No statistically significant changes in visual acuity, refractive error, IOP, keratometry, or pachymetry occurred in the 2 groups. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that, unlike at high altitudes, RK is stable at increased atmospheric pressure. This suggests that RK patients can engage in recreational scuba diving without encountering deleterious visual changes.
Intraocular pressure in anaesthetized dogs given flumazenil with and without prior administration of midazolam.

This study examined the effect of flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist, on aqueous humour pressure in dogs receiving either midazolam or no benzodiazepine. Twenty-four halothane-anaesthetized dogs were assigned to one of four groups. Group I (n = 6) received saline iv at 0, 45 and 90 min. Group 2 (n = 6) received saline at 0 min, flumazenil 0.0025 mg.kg-1 iv at 45 min and flumazenil 0.16 mg.kg-1 at 90 min. Group 3 (n = 6) received midazolam 1.6 mg.kg-1 at 0 min followed by continuous iv infusion (1.25 mg.kg-1.hr-1). Flumazenil was given at 45 and 90 min as in Group 2. In Group 4 (n = 6) aqueous humour pressure was elevated to about 35 mmHg then midazolam and flumazenil were given as in Group 3. Aqueous humour pressure was determined using a 30-gauge needle placed into the anterior chamber. Saline or flumazenil produced no change in aqueous humour pressure in Groups 1 and 2. In Groups 3 and 4, midazolam decreased aqueous humour pressure from 18 +/- 2 mmHg (mean +/- SD) to 14 +/- 3 mmHg (P less than 0.001) and from 34 +/- 5 mmHg to 31 +/- 3 mmHg (P less than 0.01) respectively. Flumazenil given during continuous infusion of midazolam produced increases of aqueous humour pressure of 2 +/- 1 (P less than 0.01) to 5 +/- 2 mmHg (P less than 0.01) that lasted less than or equal to 12 min. It is concluded that at both normal and elevated aqueous humour pressures flumazenil produces statistically significant but clinically unimportant increases of aqueous humour pressure in anaesthetized dogs receiving midazolam, but not in dogs given no benzodiazepine.
Genetic and Functional Analysis of Mitochondrial DNA-Encoded Complex I Genes

Mammalian mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase (complex I) is a multimeric complex consisting of at least 45 subunits, 7 of which are encoded by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The function of these subunits is largely unknown. We have established an efficient method to isolate and characterize cells carrying mutations in various mtDNA-encoded complex I genes. With this method, 15 mouse cell lines with deficiencies in complex I-dependent respiration were obtained, and two near-homoplasmic mutations in mouse ND5 and ND6 genes were isolated. Furthermore, by generating a series of cell lines with the same nuclear background but different content of an mtDNA nonsense mutation, we analyzed the genetic and functional thresholds in mouse mito-chondria. We found that in wild-type cells, about 40% of ND5 mRNA is in excess of that required to support a normal rate of ND5 subunit synthesis. However, there is no indication of compensatory upsurge in either transcrip-tion or translation with the increase in the proportion of mutant ND5 genes. Interestingly, the highest ND5 protein synthesis rate was just sufficient to support the maximum complex I-dependent respiration rate, suggesting a tight regulation at the translational level. In another line of research, we showed that the mitochondrial NADH-quinone oxidoreductase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (NDI1), although consisting of a single subunit, can completely restore respiratory NADH dehydrogenase activity in mutant human cells that lack the essential mtDNA-encoded subunit ND4. In particular, in these transfected cells, the yeast enzyme becomes integrated into the human respiratory chain and folly restores the capacity of the cells to grow in galactose medium.
The influence of prior probabilities on information seeking and decision-making

Abstract Three experiments examined the effect of biased prior probabilities in a deferred decision making task. Priors were manipulated between-subjects in Experiment 1, and had little or no effect. In Experiment 2, all subjects received three different sets of priors; some effect on behavior was observed, subjects taking less information to arrive at the favored decision. In Experiment 3, subjects were not informed of the exact prior probabilities, but were given an extended opportunity to learn them. The predicted change in behavior did occur over blocks of trials, but only under conditions of an extreme bias in prior probabilities.
Improving standards of medical and public health research.

The need for application and dissemination of best practices In his essay, Feinstein reiterates many of the themes he pursued over the past 20 years as he called for greater scientific rigour in the evaluation of clinical medicine. His call for the application of standard clinical epidemiological research rigour to the evolving field of molecular markers in clinical medicine emphasises his prior writing in this area,1 and similar calls to improve standards for evaluation of diagnostic tests research.2 This follows on the tradition of content analysis of published studies to improve the quality of research. Studies that evaluate the methods used in the conduct and reporting of studies have contributed over the years to improved standards for clinical research in surgery and medicine.3,4 For example, DerSimonian et al surveyed all 67 clinical trials published in the New England Journal of Medicine , the Lancet , and the British Medical Journal from July to December 1979 and in the Journal of the American Medical Association from …
Small amplitude limit cycles of symmetric cubic systems

Hilbert's Sixteenth Problem concerns the number and relative position of limit cycles in a planar polynomial system of differential equations. We show, using multiple Hopf bifurcation from multiple fine foci, that limit cycle configurations of types (3, 3, -2, -2) and (2, 2, 1, 1, -1) occur in symmetric cubic systems.
Beyond Assimilation: Contributions of Sociodemographic Factors and Social Supports to Disparities in Depressive Symptoms Between Immigrant and Native Adolescents.

This study investigated the contribution of assimilation, sociodemographic factors, and social supports to depressive symptoms in immigrant adolescents, using Waves I and II of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 4,263). Immigrant adolescents reported more risk factors and higher levels of depressive symptoms than native peers. However, generational status ceased to be a correlate of depressive symptoms when sociodemographic variables were controlled. Findings challenge assimilation theories premised on the assumption that immigrants face unique migration-related challenges. Immigrant adolescents are vulnerable due to greater likelihood of increased age, a racial/ethnic minority status, and lower socioeconomic status. They are also at a comparative disadvantage for social supports. Stress and supports were identified as mediators with unique relationships to sociodemographic factors. Assimilation theory, social network theory, and an ecological perspective informed the study.
Synthesis of nanocrystalline SiC at ambient temperature through high energy reaction milling

Abstract This study investigated the in-situ synthesis of nanosized crystalline SiC powders at room temperature through high energy ball milling of elemental silicon and carbon mixtures. Milling conditions including the mill design, the milling speed, the milling time and the ball-to-powder weight ratio (i.e. the charge ratio) necessary for the in-situ synthesis were studied. It was found that uniform formation of nanosized crystalline SiC powders within the powder charge could be achieved with a correctly designed attritor and the contamination could be minimized with proper selections of milling conditions. The crystalline β-SiC powders synthesized were themselves in nanosize scale, quite different from many previous studies which have shown that it is the internal grain structure of milled powders that is the “nanocrystalline” component of the powders (typically 5–20 nm), while the powders are themselves typically 0.1 μm to > 1 μm in size. Furthermore, it was found that the product structures generated by high energy reaction milling depended strongly on the milling speed, the charge ratio and the milling time.
The effects of adjuvant chemotherapy on growth in children with medulloblastoma.

Background. Current therapy for children with medulloblastoma includes craniospinal radiation therapy (CSRT) with or without adjuvant chemotherapy. The difference in growth of children after the two different therapeutic modalities is unknown. Methods. The growth of 38 prepubertal children who survived medulloblastoma was reviewed retrospectively. Fifteen of these patients received CSRT alone; 23 received chemotherapy in addition to the radiation therapy. Results. The average growth velocity of all patients with medulloblastoma during the 4 years of the study was below the mean for age and sex in all patients except one. Most patients grew at velocities more than two standard deviations below the mean. The overall growth of children who received chemotherapy in conjunction with CSRT was significantly worse than the growth of those who received only CSRT. The children who received chemotherapy showed little or no improvement in growth velocity by year 4; those who did not receive chemotherapy had some improvement. Conclusions. These findings suggest that chemo-therapy potentiates the deleterious effects of radiation on growth. Cancer 1992; 702013-2017.
In-frame multi-exon deletion of SMC1A in a severely affected female with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome†‡

Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by dysmorphic facial features, cleft palate, limb defects, growth retardation, and developmental delay. Approximately 60% of patients with CdLS have an identifiable mutation in the NIPBL gene at 5p13.2. Recently, an X-linked form of CdLS with a generally milder phenotype was attributed to mutation of the structural maintenance of chromosomes 1A gene (SMC1A) at Xp11.22. Relatively few CdLS patients with mutations in SMC1A are known; female carriers have minor facial dysmorphism and cognitive deficiency without major structural abnormalities. To date, all mutations identified in SMC1A are missense or small in-frame deletions that preserve the open reading frame of the gene and likely have a dominant-negative effect. We report on a female with monosomy X mosaicism and a phenotype suggestive of a severe form of CdLS who presented with growth and mental retardation, multiple congenital anomalies, and facial dysmorphism. Array CGH confirmed mosaic monosomy X and identified a novel deletion of SMC1A spanning multiple exons, suggesting a possible loss-of-function effect. Sequencing of both genomic and cDNA demonstrated an 8,152 bp deletion of genomic DNA from exon 13 to intron 16. Although a loss-of-function effect cannot be excluded, the resulting mRNA remains in-frame and is expressed in peripheral blood lymphocytes, suggesting a dominant-negative effect. We hypothesize that the size of this deletion compared to previously reported mutations may account for this patient's severe CdLS phenotype. The presence of mosaic monosomy X may also modify the phenotype.
The Neuropsychology of Repeated 1- and 3-Meter Springboard Diving Among College Athletes

This study examined the neuropsychological effects of repeated springboard diving. It was hypothesized that the impact velocity, which can range from 20 to 30 mph, and accompanying deceleration in the water may lead to concussions and affect the diver's cognitive function. Six varsity National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 springboard divers participated in the study. Each diver performed a total of 50 practice dives from either the 1- or 3-m springboard. After each set of 10 dives, the participants were immediately evaluated at poolside using the Symbol Digit Modalities Test, the Stroop Color Word Test, and the Trail Making Test B. Baseline testing revealed, consistent with their athletic specialty, clear neurocognitive strengths among the divers on tests sensitive to proprioception, motor speed, and visual-spatial organization. Results from the serial assessments indicated no detectable neuropsychological deficits among competitive divers compared to baseline testing. Skilled diving at the collegiate level appears to be a safe sport and water appears to present the perfect medium for gradual deceleration. More studies, however, are warranted for 5-, 7.5-, and 10-m platform diving since the impact velocity of the diver from these heights is higher.
Presence of one essential arginine that specifically binds the 2′-phosphate of NADPH on each of the ketoacyl reductase and enoyl reductase active sites of fatty acid synthetase

Abstract Two arginine modifying reagents, phenylglyoxal and 2,3-butanedione, inactivated fatty acid synthetase from goose uropygial gland. This inactivation could be partially prevented by NADP, 2′-AMP, and 2′,5′-ADP, whereas acetyl-CoA and/or malonyl-CoA provided very little protection. Ketoacyl reductase and enoyl reductase activities of fatty acid synthetase showed similar inactivation by phenylglyoxal and butanedione and protection by only NADP and its 2′-phosphate-containing analogs. Furthermore, 2′-AMP was found to be a competitive inhibitor of overall fatty acid synthetase, ketoacyl reductase, and enoyl reductase with apparent K i values of 1.4, 0.2, and 14 m m , respectively. These results suggest that binding of NADPH to fatty acid synthetase involves specific interaction of the 2′-phosphate with the guanidino group of arginine residues at the active site of the two reductases. Quantitation of the number of arginine residues modified revealed that 4 out of 106 arginine residues per subunit of the synthetase showed high reactivity toward phenylglyoxal. Scatchard analysis showed that two rapidly reacting arginine residues had no effect on the catalytic activity, while modification of two additional arginine residues resulted in complete loss of enzyme activity. Under these conditions, of the seven partial reactions of fatty acid synthetase, only the ketoacyl reductase and enoyl reductase activities were inhibited by phenylglyoxal. The differential reversal of inhibition of the two reductases and the overall activity of fatty acid synthetase, resulting from dialysis of the modified enzyme, suggested that both ketoacyl reductase sites and enoyl reductase sites are required for the full expression of fatty acid synthetase activity. The results of the present chemical modification studies are consistent with the hypothesis that each subunit of fatty acid synthetase contains one ketoacyl reductase and one enoyl reductase and suggest that one essential arginine is present at each of these active sites.
Energy-architectural patterns among the five- to twelve-vertex closo-carboranes

In 1969 the order of stabilities of all possible neutral two-carbon closo-carboranes, i.e. from closo-C2B3H5 to closo-C2B10H12, was forecast. It was wistfully anticipated that all 52 skeletal structures would be based solely upon the most spherical deltahedra (polyhedra consisting exclusively of triangular faces, closo-n〈III〉; n = 5 to 12) and that the order of stabilities would be based upon the presumed preference of the two carbon atoms to occupy (a) low-coordinated and (b) nonadjacent sites. The 52 potential isomers reduce to 42 isomers upon optimization (using the DFT B3LYP/6-311G* level of theory and the Gaussian 94 program), as seven isomers rearrange spontaneously into more stable isomers and three isomers rearrange spontaneously into two structures incorporating four-membered open faces within which are accommodated both carbon atoms, in adjacent 4k-edge sites. The order of stability of the ‘surviving’ 42 closo-carborane configurations comports nicely with the 1969 projections with the exception of three intimately related closo-11 vertex isomers. An explanation for the marginally increased stability of these three intimately related closo-11 vertex isomers is offered. For the remaining 39 isomers, the differences, between the calculated and estimated stability values, seldom exceed 6 kcal mol−1. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Construction of a UMP synthase expression cassette from Dictyostelium discoideum

Abstract We have prepared a DNA cassette containing the UMP synthase (UMPS)-encoding gene (PYR5-6) from Dictyostelium discoideum. This gene contains no introns and can be used for expression of the UMPS protein. Due to the high percentage of AT in the flanking regions, useful restriction sites were absent, therefore the PYR5-6 was subcloned as three separate parts, manipulated, and religated to make a full-length clone. After reconstructing the coding region, we examined its functionality by introducing this gene under the control of the yeast GAL1 promoter into several uracilrequiring mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These studies demonstrated that the reconstructed PYR5-6 gene was functional and could complement independent ura3 and ura5 mutations in yeast.
On the performance of particle swarm optimization for parameterizing kinetic models of cellular networks

Recent advances in high-throughput technologies and an increased knowledge of biochemical systems have enabled the reconstruction of cellular regulatory networks. While these reconstructions often consist of the connectivity patterns among the network's components, an important task in this area is to derive values for the kinetic parameters of the system so that its dynamics can be elucidated and testable hypotheses can be generated. The problem here is to reverse engineer the model (in our case, values of kinetic parameters) given the data that consists of a network connectivity and time-series data. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) has been recently used for this reverse engineering task. In this paper, we introduce three scoring metrics for assessing the optimality of the solution found by PSO. Using biological data sets, we study the performance of the PSO framework under the three scoring metrics. Our results show that PSO achieves very good parameterization of the cellular networks we consider, regardless of the complexity of the dynamics patterns generated by the underlying kinetics. Given the flexibility of the PSO framework, as well as its natural amenability to parallelization and general high-performance implementations and execution, our results indicate PSO may be a good candidate for parameterizing cellular networks.