cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calcium-Oxalate-Crystal-Induced Bone Disease

A 13-yr-old boy with primary hyperoxaluria and a successful renal allograft developed symptomatic bone disease, hypercalcemia, and hypercalciuria. Transiliac bone biopsy revealed calcium oxalate crystals in the marrow within mononuclear phagocytes and multinucleated giant cells. Deep resorption bays were seen adjacent to these crystal-cell aggregates. Serum 1,25-(OH) 2 -vitamin D (calcitriol) and iPTH concentrations were low or normal. We suggest that hypercalcemia results from macrophage-mediated bone resorption initiated by Ca oxalate crystal deposition.
A Simplified Empirical Line Method of Radiometric Calibration for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems-Based Remote Sensing

The use of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) to acquire very high-resolution multispectral imagery has attracted growing attention recently; however, no systematic, feasible, and convenient radiometric calibration method has been specifically developed for sUAS remote sensing. In this research, we used a modified color infrared (CIR) digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera as the sensor and the DJI S800 hexacopter sUAS as the platform to collect imagery. Results show that the relationship between the natural logarithm of measured surface reflectance and image raw, unprocessed digital numbers (DNs) is linear and the ${\bm{y}}$ -intercept of the linear equation can be theoretically interpreted as the minimal possible surface reflectance that can be detected by each sensor waveband. The empirical line calibration equation for every single band image can be built using the ${\bm{y}}$ -intercept as one data point, and the natural log-transformed measured reflectance and image DNs of a gray calibration target as another point in the coordinate system. Image raw DNs are therefore converted to reflectance using the calibration equation. The Mann–Whitney ${\bm{U}}$ test results suggest that the difference between the measured and the predicted reflectance values of 13 tallgrass sampling quadrats is not statistically significant. The method theory developed in this study can be employed for other sUAS-based remote sensing applications.
Survival of Extraocular Muscle in Long-Term Organotypic Culture: Differential Influence of Appropriate and Inappropriate Motoneurons

Abstract The myotrophic effects of a precise matching of motoneuron to target muscle may be particularly apparent during the development of some unique skeletal muscle types, such as the extraocular muscles. To understand how motoneuron-specific factors modulate muscle ontogeny, neonatal extraocular muscle explants were cocultured with either the appropriate midbrain motoneurons or the inappropriate spinal cord motoneurons. Thigh muscle cocultured with spinal motoneurons, which differentiates and survives for several months, served as a control. In short-term cultures (during the first 3 weeks in vitro), neonatal extraocular muscle explants developed myotubes that were immunoreactive for myosin, became innervated, and matured in parallel with hindlimb muscle explants. The origin of the motoneurons (midbrain or spinal cord) did not affect extraocular muscle development during the first 3 weeks in vitro. However, in long-term cultures (after the third week in vitro ), extraocular muscle that was innervated by the inappropriate spinal motoneurons failed to survive and degenerated. The failure of extraocular muscle to survive when cocultured with the inappropriate motoneurons did not result from an artifact of in vitro conditions. When extraocular muscle primordia were innervated by midbrain explants, many of which contain oculomotor motoneurons, the cultures thrived for >60 days. We conclude that the trophic requirements of extraocular muscle in organotypic culture are different from those of skeletal muscle isolated from the hindlimb. The novel oculomotor motoneuron-specific interactions that are essential for the survival of extraocular muscle primordia in vitro may prove to be important for the determination of the unusual properties of extraocular muscle in vivo.
Nonlinear compressional waves in a two-dimensional Yukawa lattice.

A modified Korteweg--de Vries (KdV) equation is obtained for studying the propagation of nonlinear compressional waves and pulses in a chain of particles including the effect of damping. Suitably altering the linear phase velocity makes this equation useful also for the problem of phonon propagation in a two-dimensional (2D) lattice. Assuming a Yukawa potential, we use this method to model compressional wave propagation in a 2D plasma crystal, as in a recent experiment. By integrating the modified KdV equation the pulse is allowed to evolve, and good agreement with the experiment is found. It is shown that the speed of a compressional pulse increases with its amplitude, while the speed of a rarefactive pulse decreases. It is further discussed how the drag due to the background gas has a crucial role in weakening nonlinear effects and preventing the emergence of a soliton.
Charging rate optimization for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in smart grid

This paper defines an optimization problem which intends to find a time-variant optimal charging rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The main objective is to maximize the energy delivered to the PHEV fleet while considering the power grid and drivers' constraints. The decision variable is the charging rate at each 30 minutes while the constraints are the maximum generation capacity of the power grid, the maximum delay tolerance of the customers, and the charging rate boundaries. In order to solve the optimization problem, a simulation framework modeling the interactions between the power grid and drivers is designed. Finally, the optimization problem is applied to a region of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the results are discussed.
The thermophysical properties of binary mixtures of molten alkali fluoride salts. Part II: Correlations for the transport properties in reduced form

Abstract Correlations for predicting the transport properties of molten salts and their binary mixtures are presented as functions of temperature. The molten salt mixtures considered contained lithium fluoride (LiF), sodium fluoride (NaF), and potassium fluoride (KF). The properties and temperature were reduced using potential parameters. Mixing rules were used to determine these parameters for the mixtures. Certain parameters for the correlations were determined for each property by non-linear regression between experimental data and values calculated from the correlations. The correlations are valid in the liquid phase for temperatures ranging from 765 K to about 1280 K, depending on the salt. Comparison of the experimental data to values calculated from the correlations indicates that viscosities can be calculated to within ±3%, surface tensions within ±2%, and thermal conductivities within ±3%.
The effect of dissolved molecular oxygen on the fluorescence of 9,10-dimethylanthracene and 9,10-diphenylanthracene

Abstract The fluorescence yields of 9,10-dimethylanthracene (DMA) and 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA) were measured in degassed cyclohexane and found to be unity. The effect of dissolved oxygen was investigated and the quenching constants were calculated to be 2.3 × 10 10 l mol −1 s −1 . Particular attention was given to experimental details such as dissolution equilibrium, absorbed light, self-absorption and emission anisotropy.
Studies on Myxosoma cartilaginis n. sp. (Protozoa: Myxosporidea) of Centrarchid Fish and a Synopsis of the Myxosoma of North American Freshwater Fishes

SYNOPSIS. Myxosoma cartilaginis n. sp. is described from the cartilage of Lepomis macrochirus (bluegill), L. cyanellus (green sunfish) and Micropterus salmoides (largemouth black bass). The development of the parasite is described from naturally infected fish which were held in spore-free water after infection. The sporoplasm invades cartilage, and becomes a multi-nucleate trophozoite which forms pansporoblasts, each of which produces 2 to 4 spores. The first spores appear in 7 weeks. The histopathology in the above fish consists at first of little cellular reaction, but after 4 to 5 months epithelioid granulomas appear around some of the spore masses. Cartilage liquefaction is present around the parasites for at least 5 weeks. Eosinophilic globules are present in cartilage cells adjacent to the lesions. Diffuse infiltration of the spores from the lesions is described. Of 24 chemicals tested for polar filament extrusion, potassium hydroxide gave the best results. An illustrated synopsis of the Myxosoma of North American fishes is given. Included is some additional information and illustrations of M. hoffmani Meglitsch, 1963. Also included is a table showing the hosts, site of infection, geographic location, spore and polar capsule sizes.
Biochemical Bases for the Loss of Basipetal IAA Transport with Advancing Physiological Age in Etiolated Helianthus Hypocotyls Changes in IAA Movement, Net IAA Uptake, and Phytotropin Binding

Basipetal transport of [(14)C]IAA in hypocotyl segments isolated from various regions of etiolated Helianthus annuus L. cv NK 265 seedlings declines with increasing physiological age. This decline was the result of a reduction in both transport capacity and apparent velocity. Net IAA uptake was greater and the abilities of auxin transport inhibitors to stimulate net IAA uptake were reduced in older tissues. Net IAA accumulation by microsomal vesicles exhibited a similar behavior with respect to age. Specific binding of [(3)H]N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) to microsomes prepared from young and older hypocotyl regions was saturable and consistent with a single class of binding sites. The apparent affinity constants for NPA binding in microsomes prepared from young versus older tissues were 6.4 and 10.8 nanomolar, respectively, and the binding site densities for young versus old tissues were 7.44 and 3.29 picomoles/milligram protein, respectively. Specific binding of [(3)H]NPA in microsomes prepared from both tissues displayed similar sensitivities toward unlabeled flurenol and exhibited only slight differences in sensitivity toward 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid. These results demonstrate that the progressive loss of basipetal IAA transport capacity in etiolated Helianthus hypocotyls with advancing age is associated with substantial alterations in the phytotropin-sensitive, IAA efflux system and they suggest that these changes are, at least partially, responsible for the observed reduction of polar IAA transport with advancing tissue age.
Umbrellas and Octopuses

The base rate fallacy is a fundamental problem that every security researcher and practitioner should be familiar with, and one that is becoming increasingly relevant.
Temporal Changes of Parameters in Phase Change Memory

We have presented the data showing the drift of PCM parameters over a broad range of times. We have proposed a simple analytical model to explain our observations through inherent structural relaxations in a glass and described by the double well potential concept that predicts the temporal and saturation dependencies of drift phenomena. Our model correctly describes the observed drift including the numerical values of parameters.
Energy budget of an omnivorous rocky shore amphipod, Calliopius laeviusculus (Krøyer)☆

Abstract An energy budget was constructed for Calliopius laeviusculus (Kroyer), an opportunistic omnivore. Diets of ephemeral algae and harpacticoids provide the greatest amount of energy, whereas perennial algae, the most abundant food items in the field, are relatively low in energy content and are thus relatively poor diets. In laboratory experiments C. laeviusculus assimilated ≈64% of ingested algae or harpacticoids. After feeding, mean respiration rates increased from 0.325 to 0.450 μg-at. O 2 ·h −1 ·mg dry wt −1 ; and ammonia excretion rates from 0.017 to 0.024 μg-at. NH 4 -N·h −1 ·mg dry wt −1 . Mean O:N ratios were ≈25 for both fed and starved amphipods suggesting catabolism of mixed substrates for energy utilization.
Finding Narrow Passages with Probabilistic Roadmaps: The Small-Step Retraction Method

Probabilistic Roadmaps (PRM) have been successfully used to plan complex robot motions in configuration spaces of small and large dimensionalities. However, their efficiency decreases dramatically in spaces with narrow passages. This paper presents a new method--small-step retraction--that helps PRM planners find paths through such passages. This method consists of slightly "fattening" robot's free space, constructing a roadmap in fattened free space, and finally repairing portions of this roadmap by retracting them out of collision into actual free space. Fattened free space is not explicitly computed. Instead, the geometric models of workspace objects (robot links and/or obstacles) are "thinned" around their medial axis. A robot configuration lies in fattened free space if the thinned objects do not collide at this configuration. Two repair strategies are proposed. The "optimist" strategy waits until a complete path has been found in fattened free space before repairing it. Instead, the "pessimist" strategy repairs the roadmap as it is being built. The former is usually very fast, but may fail in some pathological cases. The latter is more reliable, but not as fast. A simple combination of the two strategies yields an integrated planner that is both fast and reliable. This planner was implemented as an extension of a pre-existing single-query PRM planner. Comparative tests show that it is significantly faster (sometimes by several orders of magnitude) than the pre-existing planner.
What Advertisers Need to Know About Promotion in the Arab World: Technology and Media Perspectives

There is little doubt that globalization has and continues to have a significant impact on business activities worldwide. The impact of globalization was made possible mainly by advances in technological innovation including the area of global communication. Among the many regions that have been significantly impacted by globalization is the Arab world. The purpose of this paper is to provide answers to the following questions: (a) What technological innovations related to advertising and promotion are dominating the Arab world?; (b) What is the media landscape as it relates to advertising and promotion in the Arab world?; (c) What media outlets are being consumed by Arab consumers?; and (d) What are the most effective media outlets in reaching the Arab consumer? Arguments have been made that the growth of mobile phones, Internet technology, and multimedia devices such as iPods and PlayStation Portables has contributed to the trend of youth moving away from traditional media platforms such as television. ...
Precise bounds for the Petersen time-varying real parameter uncertainty system stabilized via linear static controllers

Using a class of linear static controllers, we stabilize the Petersen open-loop two-dimensional linear system (Ref. 1), which consists of one time-varying uncertainty in the state matrixA and one timevarying uncertainty in the input matrixB. We show that the worst-case uncertainty strategy for the closed-loop system is a piecewise constant strategy of the angular state θ with three switches on the half-turn, −π/2≤θ≤π/2; it is unique with respect to a set of measure zero. Formulas are derived for the worst-case half-turn radius gainr HT as a function of the parameters of the class of stabilizing linear static controllers. Using the class of scalar-quadratic Lyapunov functions, we show that a necessary and sufficient condition for the closed-loop system to be robustly stable against all time-varying admissible uncertainties is thatr HT be less than unity. The bound on the time-varying real parameter uncertainties for the closed-loop system to be robustly stable is derived for the class of linear static feedback controllers. We obtain stabilizing linear static controllers such that the bound is as close to infinity as desired. The derived results are compared with numerical results obtained using commerical robust-control software.
Theoretical simulation of beam-foil decay curves for resonance transitions of heavy ions

A systematic study of the influence of cascades on heavy-ion beam-foil decay curves has been made. Using theoretical data for the lifetimes and initial populations of excited states, decay curves simulating beam-foil excitation conditions have been constructed for the resonance transition of three ions in the copper isoelectronic sequence. Various models for the initial population distribution were tested by comparison with a detailed beam-foil decay curve available for Krviii. We found that customary exponential-fitting methods were not able to extract the primary lifetimes from the simulated curves used in constructing them, although the replenishment ratios were close to zero. General implications of this subtle masking of the primary lifetime by numerous cascades for the accuracy of experimental beam-foil data are discussed, especially for $\ensuremath{\Delta}n=0$ transitions in heavy ions.
Correlated processes in negative ions

The goal of negative ion physics is to gain a better understanding of the role played by electron correlation in the structure and dynamics of many-electron systems. The talk will describe the use of accelerator-based methods to investigate the interaction between negative ions and electrons, with a focus on threshold behavior and di-anionic resonances.
Impact of a natural enemy overwintering refuge and its interaction with the surrounding landscape

1. Egg parasitoids in the genus Anagrus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) are important mortality factors for grape leafhoppers (Erythroneura elegantula; Homoptera: Cicadellidae) in California vineyards, yet must overwinter in habitats external to these vineyards. Existing evidence suggests that French prune trees, which harbour the overwintering host Edwardsiana prunicola, planted adjacent to vineyards may enhance early-season abundance of Anagrus. 2. Anagrus overwintering in French prune tree refuges were labelled with the trace element rubidium in four separate experiments. Rubidium-labelled Anagrus were captured in adjacent vineyards in two of the experiments, confirming that French prune trees contribute to early-season Anagrus populations. Anagrus from refuges were captured at the most distant sampling positions, 100 m from refuges. 3. Use of rare element labelling has, for the first time, enabled the relative contribution of different sources to early-season colonization by this parasitoid to be quantified. Refuges contributed 1% and 34% of Anagrus colonizing two of the experimental vineyards, respectively. The remainder originated from overwintering habitats external to the French prune/vineyard system. 4. The spatial patterns of Anagrus originating from external overwintering habitats suggest that the French prune trees are generating a ‘windbreak effect’. Anagrus dispersing within the windstream colonized vineyards at a higher-than-average rate immediately downwind of refuges. 5. The amount of colonization by Anagrus from external overwintering habitats was apparently related to the distance to presumed overwintering habitats. These findings demonstrate that both the number of natural enemies emerging from a refuge and the composition of the surrounding landscape are important in determining the impact of local, small-scale habitat manipulations.
Synthesis and characterization of two novel cobalt (II) phosphine complexes: crystal structures of [CoCl3(Cy2PCH2PCy2H)] and [Co(NO3)2(Cy2PCH2PCy2O)]. Cy = cyclohexyl, C6H11

Abstract The complexes [(Cy2PCH2PCy2H)CoCl3] (1) and [(Cy2PCH2PCy2O)Co(NO3)2] (2), Cy = cyclohexyl (C6H11), have been prepared and characterized by EPR, UV–Vis, microanalysis and X-ray crystallography. The reaction CoCl2 · 6H2O and dcpm, dcpm = bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)methane, was found to form the monomeric, four coordinate, thermochromic and paramagnetic complex [(Cy2PCH2PCy2H)CoCl3] (1). Of particular interest is the formation of a zwitterion, or inner salt, in which the dangling phosphine adds a hydrogen atom, giving the phosphorus a +1 formal charge. The molecule adopts a pseudo-tetrahedral geometry around the central cobalt atom to which the cyclohexyl groups bind in an equatorial fashion to the phosphine. The reaction of Co(NO3)2 · 6H2O and dcpm in a toluene/methanol/methylene chloride mixture yields the pseudo-octahedral complex [(Cy2PCH2PCy2O)Co(NO3)2] (2). The cobalt is in the +2 oxidation state with one of the phosphorus atoms again having a +1 formal charge. The complex adopts a pseudo-octahedral geometry around the central cobalt atom with the cyclohexyl groups binding in an equatorial fashion to the phosphine similar to [(Cy2PCH2PCy2H)CoCl3].
Complexity for survival of livings

Abstract A connection between survivability of livings and complexity of their behavior is established. New physical paradigms—exchange of information via reflections, and chain of abstractions—explaining and describing progressive evolution of complexity in living (active) systems are introduced. A biological origin of these paradigms is associated with a recently discovered mirror neuron that is able to learn by imitation. As a result, an active element possesses the self–nonself images and interacts with them creating the world of mental dynamics. Three fundamental types of complexity of mental dynamics that contribute to survivability are identified. Mathematical model of the corresponding active systems is described by coupled motor-mental dynamics represented by Langevin and Fokker–Planck equations, respectively, while the progressive evolution of complexity is provided by nonlinear evolution of probability density. Application of the proposed formalism to modeling common-sense-based decision-making process is discussed.
Level 1457 last

Civilization has been relegated to living underground. While attempting to fix the solar cylinders, a maintenance worker discovers there may be a hole leading to the frozen surface!
THE RELATIONSHIP OF DIETARY CALCIUM TO OSTEOPOROSIS.

Abstract Long-term calcium deficient diets produced osteoporosis in rats characterized by chemical, roentgenographic and microradiographic studies. A normally mineralized skeleton could be restored by feeding a dietary supplement of calcium phosphate. These observations suggest that osteoporosis in human subjects may result from prolonged minimal negative calcium balance and that calcium supplements in the diet may be used to arrest and to improve the condition if the calcium-rich diet is maintained long enough.
Classification of the neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses: expansion of the atypical forms

The neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses (NCL) are a group of different genetic diseases. The major types of NCL are expressed by six forms which represent different clinicopathologic and genetic forms. These are CLN-1, Infantile; CLN-2, Late Infantile; CLN-3, Juvenile; CLN-4, Adult-Recessive; CLN-5, Adult-Dominant; and CLN-6, Early Juvenile. The distinction between CLN-4 and CLN-5 is still disputatious. CLN-6 has been called CLN-5. A seventh classification of NCL represents from 12 to 20% of those afflicted. This group consists of an extensive array of atypical types of ceroid-lipofuscin accumulation in the secondary lysosomes of neurons and cells of other tissues (e.g., skin, conjunctiva, and lymphocytes) or by presumed clinical and genetic relationships. The authors have identified 15 atypical subtypes of NCL. These as a group are here described as a seventh form. Further biochemical, molecular, and genetic studies will identify more precisely the phenotypic and genotypic expression of these "minor" forms of NCL.
Two-stage integer programs with stochastic right-hand sides: a superadditive dual approach

We consider two-stage pure integer programs with discretely distributed stochastic right-hand sides. We present an equivalent superadditive dual formulation that uses the value functions in both stages. We give two algorithms for finding the value functions. To solve the reformulation after obtaining the value functions, we develop a global branch-and-bound approach and a level-set approach to find an optimal tender. We show that our method can solve randomly generated instances whose extensive forms are several orders of magnitude larger than the extensive forms of those instances found in the literature.
Design of novel prodrugs for the enhancement of the transdermal penetration of indomethacin

Abstract A series of esters of indomethacin containing tertiary amine functional groups and designed for transdermal delivery were synthesized. The rates of chemical hydrolysis of all the esters in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer were determined. For N,N-diethylaminopropyl N-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-5-methoxy-2-methyl-3-indole acetate (ester 4), the rates of chemical hydrolysis in pH 5.5–11.25 buffers were investigated in detail. Ester 4 was chemically stable and had a higher n-octanol/water partition coefficient and a greater solubility in water at pH 7.4 than indomethacin. Furthermore, the rate of transdermal penetration of ester 4 through cadaver skin in Franz cells was found to be more than 10-times faster than that of indomethacin itself. Ester 4 was found to possess surface-active properties (CMC = 0.5 mg/ml). Assuming that micelles cannot penetrate biologic membranes, a corrected permeability coefficient was calculated for ester 4 using only the monomer concentration. This value, 3.6 × 10−2 cm/h, was 100-times greater than that of indomethacin. These results suggest that prodrugs with structures similar to that of ester 4 may be useful for enhancing transdermal penetration of other carboxylic acid-containing anti-inflammatory agents.
Calcium‐sensing receptor (CaSR) as a novel target for ischemic neuroprotection

Object Ischemic brain injury is the leading cause for death and long-term disability in patients who suffer cardiac arrest and embolic stroke. Excitotoxicity and subsequent Ca2+-overload lead to ischemic neuron death. We explore a novel mechanism concerning the role of the excitatory extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) in the induction of ischemic brain injury. Method Mice were exposed to forebrain ischemia and the actions of CaSR were determined after its genes were ablated specifically in hippocampal neurons or its activities were inhibited pharmacologically. Since the CaSR forms a heteromeric complex with the inhibitory type B γ-aminobutyric acid receptor 1 (GABABR1), we compared neuronal responses to ischemia in mice deficient in CaSR, GABABR1, or both, and in mice injected locally or systemically with a specific CaSR antagonist (or calcilytic) in the presence or absence of a GABABR1 agonist (baclofen). Results Both global and focal brain ischemia led to CaSR overexpression and GABABR1 downregulation in injured neurons. Genetic ablation of Casr genes or blocking CaSR activities by calcilytics rendered robust neuroprotection and preserved learning and memory functions in ischemic mice, partly by restoring GABABR1 expression. Concurrent ablation of Gabbr1 gene blocked the neuroprotection caused by the Casr gene knockout. Coinjection of calcilytics with baclofen synergistically enhanced neuroprotection. This combined therapy remained robust when given 6 h after ischemia. Interpretation Our study demonstrates a novel receptor interaction, which contributes to ischemic neuron death through CaSR upregulation and GABABR1 downregulation, and feasibility of neuroprotection by concurrently targeting these two receptors.
Brain Volume Reductions within Multiple Cognitive Systems in Male Preterm Children at Age Twelve

Objectives To more precisely examine regional and subregional microstructural brain changes associated with preterm birth. Study design We obtained brain volumes from 29 preterm children, age 12 years, with no ultrasound scanning evidence of intraventricular hemorrhage or cystic periventricular leukomalacia in the newborn period, and 22 age- and sex-matched term control subjects. Results Preterm male subjects demonstrated significantly lower white matter volumes in bilateral cingulum, corpus callosum, corticospinal tract, prefrontal cortex, superior and inferior longitudinal fasciculi compared with term male subjects. Gray matter volumes in prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and temporal lobe also were significantly reduced in preterm male subjects. Brain volumes of preterm female subjects were not significantly different from those of term female control subjects. Voxel-based morphometry results were not correlated with perinatal variables or cognitive outcome. Higher maternal education was associated with higher cognitive performance in preterm male subjects. Conclusions Preterm male children continue to demonstrate abnormal neurodevelopment at 12 years of age. However, brain morphology in preterm female children may no longer differ from that of term female children. The neurodevelopmental abnormalities we detected in preterm male subjects appear to be relatively diffuse, involving multiple neural systems. The relationship between aberrant neurodevelopment and perinatal variables may be mediated by genetic factors, environmental factors, or both reflected in maternal education level.
The role of frameless stereotactic techniques in the treatment of pediatric CNS lesions

Abstract The surgical management of children with deep-seated lesions within the brain and skull base or with superficial lesions within functionally important regions of the brain is often challenging. In order to optimize the functional outcome of an affected child, it is essential not only to adequately treat the offending lesion, but also to minimize injury to the surrounding brain. In this study, we examined the applicability of a video-interactive frameless stereotactic system for intraoperative localization and treatment of a variety of pediatric central nervous system problems, including craniotomy for tumor (n = 14), vascular malformation (n = 3), or cortical resection for intractable epilepsy (n = 4); ventricular puncture for shunt insertion in a patient with slit ventricles (n = 2); transoral odontoid resection (n = 1); cannulation of a brainstem syrinx (n = 1); removal of a foreign body (n = 1); and posterior craniocervical decompression (n = 1). The efficacy of the system was judged on several criteria: (1) the accuracy of the targeting achieved; (2) whether the system facilitated treatment of the lesions of interest; and (3) whether neurologic function was preserved. In general, the accuracy of the system for target localization was within 2–4 mm when rigid head fixation was employed intraoperatively. In such cases, frameless stereotactic guidance was extremely helpful in providing rapid and reliable assistance with operative planning, which facilitated the treatment of a variety of lesions in critical areas of brain with minimal neurologic morbidity. Limitations of this technology and potential solutions to these shortcomings are discussed. We conclude that the application of frameless stereotaxis for intraoperative localization represents a major advance in the treatment of a variety of intracranial processes in children by providing a means for accurately directing the approach to and removal of a targeted lesion while minimizing injury to the surrounding brain.
Mutants of Acanthamoeba castellanii resistant to erythromycin, chloramphenicol, and oligomycin.

Cell lines of Acanthamoeba castellanii resistant to erythromycin (EryR), chloramphenicol (CapR), and oligomycin (OliR) have been isolated. These may be the first such mutants for A. castellanii. These mutants have been phenotypically stable for 2 years, surviving storage and vegetative multiplication in the absence of drugs. Resistance was specific for each drug, but double mutants (e.g. EryRCapR) were obtained by stepwise selection. Mutant frequencies were determined in multiwell plates; less than 10 colony forming units (CFU/10(5) amebas were observed in wild-type populations 12 days after incubation in 500 microgram Ery/ml, 2.5 mg Cap/ml, or 15 microgram Oli/ml. After 30 days, averages of 100 CFU/10(5) amebas were observed in Ery and Cap, whereas, frequencies for Oli remained unchanged. Frequencies for EryR and CapR were consistent with rates of recovery from these drugs in batch cultures. We were unable to obtain spontaneous mutants resistant to cycloheximide, emetine, 5-fluorodeoxyuridine, or ethidium bromide. EryR, CapR and OliR could be mitochondria mutants.
Perceptions of team performance: a comparison of male and female engineering students

Teaching engineers to work effectively on teams has become a critical component of engineering education. It is no longer adequate for engineering students to graduate with strong technical skills. They must also be able to work effectively on teams. The authors believe that the current team emphasis in engineering provides a unique opportunity to maximize the role of women by capitalizing on their unique blend of technical and relational strengths. This study examines perceptions of the relative performance of men and women on first year engineering fundamentals project teams. To measure perceptions of team performance, the authors gave a peer-rating instrument (Team Developer) to 263 men and 43 women assigned to 68 teams. They compared males and females on self-rating, team rating and self-team rating discrepancy along four behavioral dimensions: communication, collaboration, decision-making and self-management. Contrary to expectations, they found no overall difference between self and team ratings and no difference between males and females in self-ratings, team ratings, or self-team rating discrepancy. They discuss the implications of their findings for female students on predominately male teams.
Medicaid: health promotion and disease prevention for school readiness.

Medicaid’s child health program, Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT), emphasizes health promotion and disease prevention as vehicles to ensure that children are ready for school and able to succeed in life. Required components of preventive care can be mapped to specific health outcomes that are important attributes of school readiness and prerequisites for educational success. The federal government and states can take specific action to assure that children receive all of the health care services, including preventive services, necessary to promote their optimal health and development and, thus, to maximize their future productivity.
A Comparison of Web Page and Slide/Tape for Instruction in Periapical and Panoramic Radiographic Anatomy

Self-guided slide/tape (ST) and web page (WP) instruction in normal radiographic anatomy of periapical and panoramic images is compared using objective test performance and subjective preference of freshman dental students. A class of seventy-four students was divided into a group studying anatomy in periapical images using WP and a group studying similar ST material. In a modified cross-over design the groups switched presentation technologies to learn anatomy in panoramic images. Students completed self-administered on-line quizzes covering WP materials and conventional quizzes for ST material. Students also completed a voluntary survey. Mean quiz performance identifying matched anatomic features in PA (n = 26) and panoramic images (n = 35) was excellent (96.9%) and not different between image types (p = 0.12) or presentation technologies (p = 0.81). Students preferred WP for accessibility, ease of use, freedom of navigation, and image quality (p
On the design of elementary distributed systems

Abstract Distributed systems range from the elementary to the very complex. This paper is concerned with the design of elementary systems in which there are no multiple copies of files, transactions exhibit a high degree of geographic locality, and the network topology is a tree. Issues considered include the selection of processors at different sites in the network, line topology and bandwidths, and allocation of application functions to processors. A case study is presented.
Metastable Nitride Synthesis by Pulsed Laser Deposition: A New Phase in the NbNx System

Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) has been used to grow a series of NbN x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.2) thin-film materials, including a new superconducting phase. The structural and electrical properties of the NbN x films were characterized. Structural analysis of the new NbN phase indicates that it is stabilized by heteroepitaxial growth on (100) MgO and is shown to be a primitive cubic distortion from the typical B1, or rock-salt structure. In addition, the NbN phase has a higher superconducting critical temperature and a larger lattice parameter when compared with films of B1-NbN. Growth of this new phase demonstrates that the nonequilibrium synthesis properties of PLD can be used to deposit new, metastable materials.
Ecosystem metabolism and nutrient dynamics in the main channel and backwaters of the Upper Mississippi River

Summary Photosynthesis and respiration are primary drivers of dissolved oxygen dynamics in rivers. We measured dissolved oxygen dynamics, aquatic ecosystem metabolism, algal abundance and nutrient concentrations at main channel and backwater sites on a reach of the Upper Mississippi River that borders the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota (U.S.A.). We asked (i) how ecosystem metabolism rates, dissolved oxygen dynamics and nutrient concentrations differed in the main channel and in backwaters, (ii) whether ecosystem metabolism relates to solar irradiance, nutrient concentration, algal abundance, temperature and river discharge and (iii) whether the relationships between ecosystem metabolism and these environmental factors differs between the main channel and backwaters. The rates of aquatic ecosystem metabolism in the main channel were among the highest reported for large rivers. Mean daily gross primary production (GPP), ecosystem respiration (R) and net ecosystem production (NEP) in the main channel in the 2006 growing season were 10, 6 and 4 g O2 m2 d−1, respectively. Solar irradiance, discharge and temperature, rather than nutrients, accounted for most temporal variability in gross primary production (GPP). Discharge was negatively associated with GPP in the main channel and temperature positively associated with GPP in backwaters. Primary production consistently exceeded respiration in the main channel in summer, resulting in persistent oxygen supersaturation from late June to early August. Maximum chlorophyll concentrations (˜140 μg L−1) were observed in the main channel, rather than the backwaters. Nitrogen and phosphorus exhibited contrasting temporal patterns in backwaters probably reflecting differences in their sources and sinks; N declined during the growing season while P increased.
p53 Binds and Activates the Xeroderma Pigmentosum DDB2 Gene in Humans but Not Mice

The DDB2 gene, which is mutated in xeroderma pigmentosum group E, enhances global genomic repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and suppresses UV-induced mutagenesis. Because DDB2 transcription increases after DNA damage in a p53-dependent manner, we searched for and found a region in the human DDB2 gene that binds and responds transcriptionally to p53. The corresponding region in the mouse DDB2 gene shared significant sequence identity with the human gene but was deficient for p53 binding and transcriptional activation. Furthermore, when mouse cells were exposed to UV, DDB2 transcription remained unchanged, despite the accumulation of p53 protein. These results demonstrate direct activation of the human DDB2 gene by p53. They also explain an important difference in DNA repair between humans and mice and show how mouse models can be improved to better reflect cancer susceptibility in humans.
Optic nerve signals in a neuromorphic chip II: testing and results

Seeking to match the brain's computational efficiency , we draw inspiration from its neural circuits. To model the four main output (ganglion) cell types found in the retina, we morphed outer and inner retina circuits into a 96/spl times/60-photoreceptor, 3.5/spl times/3.3 mm/sup 2/, 0.35 /spl mu/m-CMOS chip. Our retinomorphic chip produces spike trains for 3600 ganglion cells (GCs), and consumes 62.7 mW at 45 spikes/s/GC. This chip, which is the first silicon retina to successfully model inner retina circuitry, approaches the spatial density of the retina. We present experimental measurements showing that the chip's subthreshold current-mode circuits realize luminance adaptation, bandpass spatiotemporal filtering, temporal adaptation and contrast gain control. The four different GC outputs produced by our chip encode light onset or offset in a sustained or transient fashion, producing a quadrature-like representation. The retinomorphic chip's circuit design is described in a companion paper [Zaghloul and Boahen (2004)].
Expression of Islet1 marks the sensory and neuronal lineages in the mammalian inner ear.

Several basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) genes have been shown to be essential for the generation of the auditory sensory hair cells or the spiral ganglion (SG) neurons that innervate the hair cells in the cochlea, as well as a variety of cell types in the other nervous systems. However, it remains elusive what cellular context-dependent mechanisms confer the inner ear–specific neuronal or sensory competency/identities. We explored the possibility that one of the mechanisms responsible for generating cellular diversity in the nervous system through cooperative action of bHLH and LIM-homeodomain (LIM-HD) transcriptional factors might also contribute to the inner ear–specific sensory and/or neuronal competency. Here, we show that Islet1 (Isl1), a LIM-HD protein, is expressed early in the otocyst in the region that gives rise to both the auditory sensory organ, the organ of Corti, and SG neurons. Subsequently, the expression of Isl1 is maintained in SG neurons but is transitory in the sensory lineage. At embryonic day 12 (E12) in mice, the expression of Isl1 marks distinctively the ventral portion of the nascent cochlear epithelium encompassing the primordial organ of Corti. At E13, Isl1 is maintained at relatively high levels in the sensory primordium while down-regulated in the other regions of the cochlear duct. As the sensory epithelium starts to differentiate, it is down-regulated in the entire cochlear epithelium. The expression of Isl1 in the developing inner ear reveals an early and likely a common step in the development of both sensory and neuronal lineages of the inner ear, and suggests its potential role in the inner ear-specific sensory and neuronal cell development.
Back-scatter from perfectly-conducting doubly-trochoidal and doubly-sinusoidal surfaces

Expressions are developed by means of the "current-distribution" method for the far-zone energy back-scattered from large perfectly-conducting doubly-trochoidal and doubly-sinusoidal surfaces.
Quantitative evaluation of positive ϕ angle propensity in flexible regions of proteins from three-bond J couplings

(3)JHNHα and (3)JC'C' couplings can be readily measured in isotopically enriched proteins and were shown to contain precise information on the backbone torsion angles, ϕ, sampled in disordered regions of proteins. However, quantitative interpretation of these couplings required the population of conformers with positive ϕ angles to be very small. Here, we demonstrate that this restriction can be removed by measurement of (3)JC'Hα values. Even though the functional forms of the (3)JC'Hα and (3)JHNHα Karplus equations are the same, large differences in their coefficients enable accurate determination of the fraction of time that positive ϕ angles are sampled. A four-dimensional triple resonance HACANH[C'] E.COSY experiment is introduced to simultaneously measure (3)JC'Hα and (3)JHNC' in the typically very congested spectra of disordered proteins. High resolution in these spectra is obtained by non-uniform sampling (in the 0.1-0.5% range). Application to the intrinsically disordered protein α-synuclein shows that while most residues have close-to-zero positive ϕ angle populations, up to 16% positive ϕ population is observed for Asn residues. Positive ϕ angle populations determined with the new approach agree closely with consensus values from protein coil libraries and prior analysis of a large set of other NMR parameters. The combination of (3)JHNC' and (3)JC'C' provides information about the amplitude of ϕ angle dynamics.
Improving Bonding to Piezoelectric Poly(vinylidene fluoride) for Sensor Applications

Abstract Argon, oxygen, nitrogen and ammonia plasmas and an acid etch pretreatment were performed on uniaxially stretched piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) film in order to improve wettability and bonding. Oxygen plasma was found to be too harsh, but nitrogen and argon plasmas improved wettability and resulted in a seven-fold increase in 180° peel strengths. However, this improvement in peel strength was accompanied by a 90% decrease in the piezoelectric properties of the polymer. The acid etch yielded contact angles similar to those of the plasma treated material, and improved peel strengths some twelve times over that of the untreated film. Significantly, no piezoelectric loss resulted from the acid etch.
The Role of the Oceans in the Carbon Cycle

Of the pools in the terrestrial carbon cycle sharing appreciable flows of carbon, the ocean pool is by far the largest (Fig.1). It contains an amount of dissolved carbon more than fifty times that present in the atmosphere as CO2. The next largest pool is that of economically available fossil carbon, which is probably five times and perhaps as much as ten times the present atmospheric content (Rotty and Narland, 1980). Next in order of decreasing size is the carbon stored on land in live and dead plants and as soil humus, totalling an amount roughly three times the present atmospheric content (Emanuel et al., 1981).
Vyacheslav Ivanov’s Aesthetic: The Sonnet “Love”

The aesthetic norms of Vyacheslav Ivanov, the most important figure in the Russian Symbolist movement, and his philosophical conceptions grew out of Classical Antiquity, German philosophy, and the philosophy of Vladimir Solovyov. Vladimir Solovyov had a strong impact on the symbolists, especially such renowned ones as Alexandr Blok, Andrey Bely, Valeriy Bryusov. Vladimir Solovyov’s aesthetic system appears as a syncretization of the antique notion of Beauty, pagan in its essence, with Christianity. A feminine image, Saint Sophia, is revived from Hellenic Antiquity, or rather from German Romanticism and Jacob Boehme, as well as Orthodox theology, in the poems of the Symbolists. Vyacheslav Ivanov worshiped Vladimir Solovyov as a Christian thinker and poet and tried to follow him.
Surface Integrity – Definition and Importance in Functional Performance

This chapter presents an overview of the nature of the surface that results from manufacturing processes, as this nature has long been recognized as having a significant impact on the product performance, longevity and reliability. Surface alterations may include mechanical, metallurgical, chemical and other changes. These changes, although confined to a small surface layer, may limit the component quality or may, in some cases, render the surface unacceptable. A basic understanding of the changes in the condition of the surface is very much required if improvement in product quality is to be attained. Surface integrity (SI) reveals the influence of surface properties and condition upon which materials are likely to perform. It has long been known that the method of surface finishing and the complex combination of surface roughness, residual stress, cold work, and even phase transformations strongly influence the service behavior of manufactured parts as fatigue and stress corrosion.