cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The disposal of an intravenously administered amino acid load across the human forearm

This study was designed to examine the role of the skeletal muscle in man in the disposal of an intravenously administered L-amino acid solution. Arterio-deep venous differences of amino acids, glucose and lactate, and blood flow across the human forearm were measured in 9 healthy normal male volunteers (age = 27 ± 2 yr, weight = 79 ± 4 kg and height = 180 ± 2 cms) after an overnight fast (12 hr). Glucose and alanine turnover rates were estimated using a continuous infusion of 3-3H-glucose and U-14C-alanine isotopes. All measurements were obtained during steady state conditions, basally and two hours after the start of an L-amino acid infusion (8.5% solution). During the control period there was a significant release of total alpha amino nitrogen (AAN) equal to 300 ± 97 nmole100 g forearm muscle/min with alanine and glutamine accounting for over 80% of that amount (260 ± 24 nmole100 g forearm muscle/min). The release of the branched chain amino acids (BCAA) was only significant for valine, while the release of each of the keto acids of leucine and valine, α-ketoisocaproate and α-ketoisovalerate (37 ± 12 and 36 ± 7 nmole100 ml forearm muscle/min respectively) was significant from zero and exceeded the release of the corresponding amino acids (13 ± 17 and 24 ± 7 nmole100 g forearm muscle/min for leucine and valine respectively). The infusion of the L-amino acid solution resulted in a reversal of amino acid balance across the forearm. There was a net uptake of AAN of 1195 ± 209 nmole100 g forearm muscle/min with the BCAA accounting for 513 ± 75 nmole100 g forearm muscle/min or 49 ± 6% of the uptake. The net uptake of BCAA by skeletal muscle did not exceed 35% of the amount infused. The release of α-ketoisocaproate and α-ketoisovalerate showed no significant change from basal levels. The output of alanine and glutamine persisted in response to the infusion; while alanine output dropped by 40%, glutamine output increased by 50% (68 ± 23 and 218 ± 42 nmole100 g forearm muscle/min respectively), yet the combined release of alanine and glutamine did not change significantly from basal levels. Amino acid infusion resulted in a twofold increase in insulin and glucagon. Plasma glucose fell from 5.3 ± 0.05 mM basally to 5.04 ± 0.06 mM (p < 0.05), while blood lactate increased from 0.587 ± 0.03 mM to 0.639 ± 0.025 mM (p < 0.05); similarly there was a time dependent increase in glucose uptake by muscle (from 0.857 ± 0.08 to 1.27 ± 0.07 μmole100 g forearm muscle/min, p < 0.05) and lactate release (0.226 ± 0.03 to 0.297 ± 0.045 μmole100 g forearm muscle/min, p < 0.05). These results indicate that a significant amount of the amino acids infused, and specifically the BCAA are extracted by human skeletal muscle, and mostly retained as such for later use. The data obtained under the conditions of the present study also indicate that tissues other than skeletal muscle are as important in the overall handling of these amino acids. However, it remains to be seen whether these findings can be extrapolated to other physiological conditions.
Stability, electronic structure, and vibrational modes of the Ti8C12 dimer

We present our density-functional results of the geometry, electronic structure, and dissociation energy of Ti 8 C 1 2 dimer. We show that as opposed to the currently held view that Ti 8 C 1 2 are highly stable monodispersed clusters, the neutral Ti 8 C 1 2 clusters form covalent bonds and form stable dimers. We determine that the Ti atoms bond weakly (0.9 eV/bondj to organic ligands such as ammonia. Alternatively the metallocarbohedrene (Met-Car) dimer has a cohesive energy of 4.84 eV or approximately 1.2 eV per bond. While Met-Car dimers are stable, formation of these dimers may be quenched in an enviroment that contains a significant population of organic ligands. The ionization and dissociation energies of the dimer are of the same order, which prevents the observation of the dimer in ion mass spectroscopy. The analysis of the vibrational frequencies show the lowest-energy structure to be dynamically stable. We also present infrared-absorption and Raman-scattering spectra of the Ti 8 C 1 2 dimer.
Control of sonic fatigue for high-speed flight vehicles using shape memory alloys

A finite element method for the analysis of thermal deflection and random response is presented for shape memory alloy (SMA) fiber reinforced composite plates subjected to thermal and acoustic loads. The formulation considers the temperature dependent nonlinear material properties of SMAs, the initial deflection and initial stresses, and the geometrical nonlinearity of large thermal deflections. A two-step solution procedure for the combined thermal and acoustic loading is employed consisting of an incremental method for the material nonlinearities and a Newton-Raphson iteration method for prediction of panel responses. Examples are given to show that it is feasible to eliminate the large thermal deflection completely and to reduce the dynamic random response within a given operating temperature range with the proper percentages of SMA volume fraction, prestrain and alloy composition.
Folic acid usage and awareness in pregnant women in Istanbul, Turkey

Intake of folic in the periconceptional period reduces the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness regarding the use of folic acid in pregnacy. We assessed the consumption of folic acid during pregnancy among Turkish women presented to the hospital and analyzed the difference of folic acid supplementation between planned and unplanned pregnancies. Of the 1076 women, 677 (62.9%) reported current use of a prenatal folic acid at the time of the department visit, while 399 pregnant women (37.0%) identified themselves as non-users ( p = 0.006). In the unplanned pregnancy group, 302 (65.22%) women reported taking folic acid during pregnancy, but 161 (34.77%) women began three months prior to conception as recommended by their gynecologists ( p <0.0001). Although, the study group was a significant user with a high awareness of folic acid, our findings may not be generalizable to other areas of the country. Because, parcitipants were likely to be one of the most educated group with a medium or high socio-economical status. Besides these hopeful results, we believe the necessity to re-evaluate our educational strategies and consider reduction of unplanned pregnancies as part of our goals.
Regime Switching Issues and Criteria for Coupled Static-Dynamic Atomistic Methods

Coupled static-dynamic atomistic method may be used for coarse graining time in temporal multi-scale atomistic modeling of nano-mechanical problems. This approach can be especially effective for mechanical processes that consist of two distinct phases: the slow phase when the system resides in one local energy minimum and the fast phase associated with a rapid transition from one meta-stable state to another. In this case, the slow phase can be effectively modeled using static energy minimization technique, while the fast phase corresponding to the state transition event may be modeled dynamically. In this case, dynamic modeling is necessary to capture the dynamic effects, such as thermal and inertial, that can not be accounted for in static modeling. One of the major issues of this type of method is to determine when the transitions between the two regimes have to be done. In this presentation, issues of switching between the static and dynamic regimes are outlined and criteria that can be used for effective switching between the two regimes are proposed. In particular, a dynamic-to-static switch based on the kinetic energy and static-to-dynamic switch based on the potential energy are discussed.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Harmonic analysis on hyperboloids

Abstract The regular representation of O ( n , N ) acting on L 2 ( O(n, N) O(n, N − 1) ) is decomposed into a direct integral of irreducible representations. The homogeneous space O(n, N) O(n, N − 1) is realized as the Hyperboloid H = {(x, t) ϵ R n + N : ¦ t ¦ 2 − ¦ x ¦ 2 = 1} . The problem is essentially equivalent to finding the spectral resolution of a certain self-adjoint invariant differential operator □ h on H , which is the tangential part of the operator □ = Δ x − Δ t on R n + N . The spectrum of □ h contains a discrete part (except when N = 1) with eigenfunctions generated by restricting to H solutions of □ u = 0 which vanish in the region ¦ t ¦ , and a continuous part H − . As a representation of O ( n , N ), H − ⊕ H − is unitarily equivalent to the regular representation on L 2 of the cone {(x, t) : ¦ x ¦ 2 = ¦ t ¦ 2 } , and the intertwining operator is obtained by solving the equation □ u = 0 with given boundary values on the cone. Explicit formulas are given for the spectral decomposition. The special case n = N = 2 gives the Plancherel formula for SL (2, R ).
Further studies of the Perkins stability during Space Weather Month

A simple integral equation describing the height of the mid-latitude ionosphere is presented and compared with observations and a more sophisticated model. At any instant, the ionosphere moves toward an equilibrium altitude, if it exists, which is determined by a combination of southward wind and eastward electric field. If no equilibrium exists, the layer simply falls at its terminal velocity or at a wind or electric field-aided rate. Including a simple recombination model provides an even more complete characterization of the nighttime ionosphere. By comparing the measured and predicted content, an estimate of the flux from the plasmasphere is possible.
Focal facial dermal dysplasia: Bitemporal lesions resembling aplasia cutis congenita

Focal facial dermal dysplasia is the preferred designation for an inherited disorder characterized by congenital scarlike lesions on the temples. Review of the literature reveals a spectrum of associated facial anomalies that cannot be clearly divided into discrete clinical syndromes. To reconcile the apparent genetic diversity of previously reported cases, we postulate autosomal dominant inheritance with incomplete penetrance. An isolated case of a 4 1/2-month-old infant with typical bitemporal markings and otherwise normal facies is described.
General solution of a simple Levi-Civitá functional equation on non-abelian groups

The general solution of the functional equation f(xy) = f(x)h(y) + f(y) on abelian groups is well-known. We present methods for solving this equation on various non-abelian groups. In particular we treat the equation on semidirect products, then extend this treatment to solvable groups. We also find the solution on perfect groups. These results also apply to the more general equation f(xy) = g(x)h(y) + k(y).
Trace analysis and leaching dynamics of volcanic ash using NAA and ICP-MS

In 2010, Mt Merapi in Indonesia erupted releasing approximately 160 million tonnes of ash, roughly 75 % of which fell on or near Indonesia. With this extreme amount of a substance, even tract elements can become relevant. We have identified a variety of trace and major elements in this ash using instrumental neutron activation analysis. We have used a variety of techniques to improve our measurements, such as the use of epithermal neutrons and a Compton suppression system that resulted in accurate measurements of a wide range of trace elements including heavy metals. In order to better understand the leaching dynamics at which various elements can enter the local waters and have either enriching or toxic effects on the local ecosystem, we used a modified US Environmental Protection Agency Toxicity Characterization Leaching Procedure (TCLP) employing simulated rainwater.
An Individual-Difference Perspective Applied to Word Association

Most cognitive approaches to word association and some theories of social cognition converge on the notion that the performance of repetitive behaviors should predict word association responses. To study this issue, the authors examined the frequencies of free-association responses of 1, 003 subjects to ambiguous words, some of which had subdominant senses that were linked to repetitive behaviors (e.g., draft and alcohol use). Results showed that three out of four measures of individual differences in repetitive behaviors significantly predicted responses for words linked to their respective behaviors. Gender, age, and language background were controlled for in these analyses. Although cognitive approaches suggested that an experimental manipulation of item presentation (grouped vs. randomly mixed items) should influence responses, this effect was not significant. Implications are discussed in terms of theories of lexical ambiguity and implicit influences of memory for previous experiences.
Service-Oriented Business Performance Management for Real-Time Enterprise

This paper presents a SOMA based methodology of defining SOA for business performance management. This method is coined as BPM SOMA. We will describe the essential capabilities that are supported by business performance management systems and how these capabilities can be materialized into BPM services that would constitute an SOA for business performance management (BPM). Business integration generates many technologies in last couple of decades, e.g., application integration, middleware, business process modeling and integration, business intelligence and business service management. To a larger extent, BPM contains part of all of the technologies for business integration. Customers are facing more severe business integration challenges than ever. For example, the gap between business and IT is becoming greater. Simple solution of exposing data to customers on the glass is not sufficient to help customers operate their businesses. BPM is aimed for resolving business integration issues by providing an integrated framework, enabling an organization to understand the status of business processes across business and IT, placing that understanding in context against goals and trends and taking timely action to improve business operations.
Moscow's Proxy? Cuba and Africa 1975–1988

This article explores the role that Cuba played in Africa after its dispatch of 36,000 soldiers to Angola in late 1975 and the first few months of 1976. The article focuses on the two most important aspects of Cuba's policy in Africa after 1976: its intervention in Ethiopia in 1977–1978; and its continuing presence in Angola, a presence that continued until 1991. The article analyzes Cuba's motivations, the extent to which Fidel Castro's policy was a function of Soviet demands, and the effect of Cuba's policy in Africa on relations with the United States. The concluding section offers an assessment of the costs and benefits of Cuba's policy.
Regional cerebral blood flow in cocaine- versus methamphetamine-dependent patients with a history of alcoholism.

Although abuse of cocaine or methamphetamine usually takes place in the context of heavy drinking, there is little information on the effects of such substance use comorbidity on brain perfusion. We explored similarities and differences in the effects of these two drugs in combination with alcohol on brain function using SPECT. Global and regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) were examined in 7 abstinent cocaine-dependent alcoholics (CDA; mean age = 39.2 yr, S.D. = 9.2 yr), 7 abstinent methamphetamine-dependent alcoholics (MDA; mean age = 36.8 yr, S.D. = 5.0 yr), and 7 non-alcoholic/non-stimulant abusing controls (NAC; mean age = 37.3 yr, S.D. = 9.6 yr). MDA had significantly lower global CBF than CDA who, in turn, were significantly lower than NAC. In addition, CDA had abnormal perfusion in the superior posterior frontal region compared to NAC; while MDA did not display specific regional deficits. Therefore, it appears that cocaine alters the relationship between global and regional CBF in alcoholics, while methamphetamine does not.
The Combination of Elements in the Personalized System of Instruction

Systematic experimental manipulation of the four components of PSI and required lectures gives results suggesting that dropping any feature is undesirable.
Thermal study of semiconductor-superconductor hybrids

The authors have conducted an experiment to evaluate the thermal problems that would result if a GaAs amplifier chip were flip mounted via solder-ball connections to an otherwise superconducting receiver on a larger Si chip. The GaAs chip is modeled by a chip carrying a thin-film resistor, which is used to dissipate the same amount of heat as the GaAs IF (intermediate frequency) amplifier. The energy gaps exhibited by Nb tunnel junctions are used to monitor the temperature in a number of places surrounding the heat source. The results indicate that thermal effects do not preclude the use of semiconductor-superconductor hybrid receivers. The data indicate that for applications involving power dissipation less than 150 mW (gain of up to 45 dB) on a chip of area of approximately 0.1 cm/sup 2/, neither switching of lines nor thermal fluctuations of devices is likely to be a problem when the devices are at least 1 mm from the edge of the chip and away from the path of the helium bubbles. The limit on power dissipation is likely to be temperature fluctuations rather than excessive temperature. >
Partial volume tissue classification of multivariate MR images

A statistical classifier is described that classifies each tissue for the partial volume within each voxel, using the gray-level distribution of soft tissues. The classifier utilizes the image context information and is based on the Markov random field (MRF) image model. The classification algorithm proposed takes advantage of the fact that in magnetic resonance imaging multiple images can be obtained from the same anatomical section with different pulse sequences, with each image having different response characteristics for each soft tissue. The classification accuracy of the classifier was evaluated in terms of root-mean-squares estimation error. Results for a simulated and a real image are shown and discussed. >
Thin-film multimaterial optoelectronic integrated circuits

The multimaterial integration of thin-film optoelectronic devices with host substrates ranging from silicon circuits to glass waveguides to polymer micromachines offers to the system designer the freedom to choose the optimal materials for each component to achieve performance and cost objectives. Thin-film compound semiconductor optoelectronic devices are comparable to, and, in some cases, better than, their on-wafer counterparts. Thin-film detectors have been integrated with receiver circuits and movable micromachines, thin-film emitters with drive circuitry, and both have been used to demonstrate three-dimensionally interconnected systems. Vertical electrical integration of detector arrays on top of circuits is examined for massively parallel processing of images. Vertical optical interconnections of stacked silicon circuits (which are transparent to the wavelength of light used) are explored, and are used to develop a massively parallel processing architecture based upon low memory, high throughput, and high input/output.
Distributed clustering in ad-hoc sensor networks: a hybrid, energy-efficient approach

Prolonged network lifetime, scalability, and load balancing are important requirements for many ad-hoc sensor network applications. Clustering sensor nodes is an effective technique for achieving these goals. In this work, we propose a new energy-efficient approach for clustering nodes in ad-hoc sensor networks. Based on this approach, we present a protocol, HEED (hybrid energy-efficient distributed clustering), that periodically selects cluster heads according to a hybrid of their residual energy and a secondary parameter, such as node proximity to its neighbors or node degree. HEED does not make any assumptions about the distribution or density of nodes, or about node capabilities, e.g., location-awareness. The clustering process terminates in O(1) iterations, and does not depend on the network topology or size. The protocol incurs low overhead in terms of processing cycles and messages exchanged. It also achieves fairly uniform cluster head distribution across the network. A careful selection of the secondary clustering parameter can balance load among cluster heads. Our simulation results demonstrate that HEED outperforms weight-based clustering protocols in terms of several cluster characteristics. We also apply our approach to a simple application to demonstrate its effectiveness in prolonging the network lifetime and supporting data aggregation.
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Where Do the Seizures Really Begin?

Defining precisely the site of seizure onset has important implications for our understanding of the pathophysiology of temporal lobe epilepsy, as well as for the surgical treatment of the disorder. Removal of the limbic areas of the medial temporal lobe has led to a high rate of seizure control, but the relatively large number of patients for whom seizure control is incomplete, as well as the low rate of surgical cure, suggests that the focus extends beyond the usual limits of surgical resection. Reevaluation of the extent of the pathology, as well as new data from animal models, suggests that the seizure focus extends, at least in some cases, beyond the hippocampus and amygdala, which are usually removed at the time of surgery. In this review, we examine current information about the pathology and physiology of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy syndrome, with special emphasis on the distribution of the changes and patterns of seizure onset. We then propose a hypothesis for the nature of the seizure focus in this disorder and discuss its clinical implications, with the ultimate goal of improving surgical outcomes and developing nonsurgical therapies that may improve seizure control.
Rethinking Prevention of HIV Type 1 Infection

Research on the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection is at a critical juncture. Major methodological challenges to performing prevention trials have emerged, and one after another promising biomedical interventions have failed to reduce the incidence of HIV-1 infection. Nevertheless, there is growing optimism that progress can be achieved in the near term. Mathematical modeling indicates that 2 new strategies, "test and treat" and preexposure prophylaxis, could have a major impact on the incidence of HIV-1 infection. Will our hopes be justified? We review the potential strengths and limitations of these antiretroviral "treatment as prevention" strategies and outline other new options for reducing the incidence of HIV-1 infection in the near term. By maximizing the potential of existing interventions, developing other effective strategies, and combining them in an optimal manner, we have the opportunity to bring the HIV-1 epidemic under control.
Combined dynamic and geochemical evidence for convergent melt flow beneath the East Pacific Rise

Determining the flow of magma and solid mantle beneath mid-ocean ridges is crucial for understanding the dynamics of plate spreading and the formation of new oceanic crust. Theoretical models suggest a range of possible flow regimes—from passive, plate-driven flows1,2 to ‘active’, buoyantly driven solid convection3,4,5,6,7—and have spurred an ambitious field programme to attempt to distinguish these flow fields using geophysical techniques8. Models that explore the geochemical consequences of melt transport9, however, suggest that these different flow fields can also have distinctive geochemical signatures. Here we compare model predictions to the chemistry of well located and closely sampled basalts from across the ridge-crest of the fast-spreading East Pacific Rise at 12° N (refs 10,11,12). These data show features that are not explained by traditional geochemical models of ocean-ridge magma generation, yet are consistent with the geochemical consequences of the new transport models that have passive mantle flow and convergent lateral melt migration. These results are also consistent with those of the seismic MELT experiment8, but add new information about the relative flow of melt and solid in the mantle which is probably unmeasurable by geophysical techniques.
Use of fiducials and unsurveyed landmarks as geolocation tools in vehicular-based landmine search

When searching for land mines using vehicular-mounted sensors, it is important that the ground locations of the detected mines be accurately determined. This is useful for data association when one has multiple looks at a mine by a single sensor or if one uses multiple sensors. It is of ultimate importance for the primary mission, which is to neutralize the detected mines or mark them for avoidance. This paper addresses the use of surveyed landmarks, i.e., fiducials, as well as unsurveyed but visible landmarks within the sensor field of view for improving the geolocation accuracy. Preliminary results show that in fact geolocation accuracy can be improved significantly by using these tools. The method is primarily applicable to combat situations where a road is to be cleared for advancing troops and equipment. This is in contrast to humanitarian demining where one has more time and can approach suspected landmines from different viewpoints.
A Wideband, Dual-Polarized, Substrate-Integrated Cavity-Backed Slot Antenna

A new technique for designing wideband dual-polarized slot antennas is presented. The proposed structure is in the form of a differentially fed cross-slot antenna backed by a shallow substrate-integrated cavity with a depth of approximately λ0/10 . This technique takes advantage of a double-resonance observed in off-center microstrip-fed slot antennas to enhance its bandwidth to double that of typical cavity-backed cross-slot antennas of the same size. Experimental results demonstrate a bandwidth of 19%, average gain of 5.3 dBi, isolation better than 28 dB, and wideband polarization purity.
Evaluation of constitutive iron reductase (AtFRO2) expression on mineral accumulation and distribution in soybean (Glycine max. L).

Iron is an important micronutrient in human and plant nutrition. Adequate iron nutrition during crop production is central for assuring appropriate iron concentrations in the harvestable organs, for human food or animal feed. The whole-plant movement of iron involves several processes, including the reduction of ferric to ferrous iron at several locations throughout the plant, prior to transmembrane trafficking of ferrous iron. In this study, soybean plants that constitutively expressed the AtFRO2 iron reductase gene were analyzed for leaf iron reductase activity, as well as the effect of this transgene's expression on root, leaf, pod wall, and seed mineral concentrations. High Fe supply, in combination with the constitutive expression of AtFRO2, resulted in significantly higher concentrations of different minerals in roots (K, P, Zn, Ca, Ni, Mg and Mo), pod walls (Fe, K, P, Cu and Ni), leaves (Fe, P, Cu, Ca, Ni and Mg) and seeds (Fe, Zn, Cu and Ni). Leaf and pod wall iron concentrations increased as much as 500% in transgenic plants, while seed iron concentrations only increased by 10%, suggesting that factors other than leaf and pod wall reductase activity were limiting the translocation of iron to seeds. Protoplasts isolated from transgenic leaves had three-fold higher reductase activity than controls. Expression levels of the iron storage protein, ferritin, were higher in the transgenic leaves than in wild-type, suggesting that the excess iron may be stored as ferritin in the leaves and therefore unavailable for phloem loading and delivery to the seeds. Also, citrate and malate levels in the roots and leaves of transgenic plants were significantly higher than in wild-type, suggesting that organic acid production could be related to the increased accumulation of minerals in roots, leaves and pod walls, but not in the seeds. All together, these results suggest a more ubiquitous role for the iron reductase in whole-plant mineral accumulation and distribution.
Transition Planning: Teaching Sexual Self-Management.

Transition programs prepare adolescent patients for their transfer from pediatric to adult healthcare. Primary care physicians must incorporate sexual health self-management into transition planning for adolescents and young adults, but most especially for those with chronic illness or developmental disabilities.
Permeability and Effective Stress: GEOLOGIC NOTES

Permeability of the Berea Sandstone was measured as a function of both confining pressure and pore pressure. As expected, permeability decreased with increased confining pressure and increased with increasing pore pressure. However, pore pressure had a significantly larger effect on permeability than did confining pressure. This behavior can be explained if the matrix through which the pore fluid flows has a higher compressibility than the granular framework which supports externally applied stresses.
Evaluation of anodic TA 2 O 5 as the dielectric layer for EWOD devices

We report that anodic tantalum pentoxide (Ta 2 O 5 ) exhibits severe polarity and frequency dependencies that, when used as the dielectric material for electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) devices, in many cases result in long-term performance that is worse than when conventional dielectrics (e.g., SiO 2 ) are used. This rather disappointing news is nevertheless relevant to the community and calls for critical assessment. Here, we find that under direct current (DC) actuation Ta 2 O 5 is attractive for EWOD only if the droplet is negatively biased, and that under alternating current (AC) it is acceptable only for low frequencies.
Alterations in nasal airway resistance following superior repositioning of the maxilla

Superior repositioning of the maxilla is a contemporary surgical procedure used to correct a variety of dentofacial deformities, including vertical maxillary excess. Concern for the effect of this procedure on nasal respiration is warranted, since superior repositioning of the maxilla may decrease the volume of the nasal cavity. In this study pre- and postoperative nasal-resistance values were obtained for 52 patients who underwent superior repositioning of the maxilla by the LeFort I downfracture procedure. Of these 52 patients, 24 underwent segmental osteotomies and 28 underwent one-piece superior repositioning. Results indicate that the long-faced persons for whom superior repositioning of the maxilla is recommended usually have pretreatment nasal-resistance values within previously reported normal ranges. Superior repositioning of the maxilla, with or without involvement of the nasal floor, usually results in decreased nasal resistance.
The Association of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Status in Patients with Osteoarthritis in the Primary Care Office.

Background: Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and osteoarthritis (OA) are commonly found in patients followed up in a primary care office. Clear evidence to support the link between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and OA is lacking. Aim: To describe the association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status in patients with OA in the primary care office. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of 1,455 patients seen in our primary care office between November 2013 and October 2014. All patients were older than 18 years and had a diagnosis of OA. Demographic characteristics as well as 25(OH)D levels and comorbidities were analyzed. Results: Levels of 25(OH)D were available in 1,222 patients with OA. Fifty-one percent of the patients had a low 25(OH)D level. Patients with OA and low 25(OH)D were on an average 5 years younger than patients with OA and normal 25(OH)D (P < 0.001). African Americans (71.7%) and Hispanics (63.1%) had a higher prevalence of low 25(OH)D compared to Whites (42.9%) and other races (49.1%) (P < 0.001). There were significantly more smokers (15.4%) and patients with type 2 diabetes (27.6%) in the group of patients with osteoarthritis and low 25(OH)D (P < 0.001). A lower prevalence of hypothyroidism (18.5% versus 27.4%) and higher body mass index (BMI) were also noted in the group of interest. Conclusion: Patients with low levels of 25(OH)D and OA are younger than their counterparts with low 25(OH)D level. Future studies are needed to clarify the relationship between 25(OH)D level and OA.
A Note on the Complexity of Model-Checking Bounded Multi-Pushdown Systems ?

In this note, we provide complexity characterizations of model checking multi-pushdown systems. Multi-pushdown systems model re- cursive concurrent programs in which any sequential process has a fi- nite control. We consider three standard notions for boundedness: context boundedness, phase boundedness and stack ordering. The logical formal- ism is a linear-time temporal logic extending well-known logic CaRet but dedicated to multi-pushdown systems in which abstract operators (re- lated to calls and returns) such as those for next-time and until are pa- rameterized by stacks. We show that the problem is EXPTIME-complete for context-bounded runs and unary encoding of the number of context switches; we also prove that the problem is 2EXPTIME-complete for phase- bounded runs and unary encoding of the number of phase switches. In both cases, the value k is given as an input (whence it is not a constant of the model-checking problem), which makes a substantial difference in the complexity. In certain cases, our results improve previous complexity results.
Abdominal Lipomatosis with Secondary Self-Strangulation of Masses in an Adult Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta)

An 10-y-old, intact male rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) presented for bilateral scrotal swelling and a distended abdomen. A soft mass in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen was palpated. A barium study did not reveal any gastrointestinal abnormalities. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a large (1.25 kg, 15.0 × 13.0 × 9.5 cm), red and tan, soft, circumscribed, spherical mass within the greater omentum and 10 to 20 smaller (diameter, 1 to 4 cm), soft to firm masses in the mesentery and greater omentum. The resected mass was a self-strangulating abdominal lipoma, a pedunculated neoplasm composed of white adipocytes arising from peritoneal adipose tissue undergoing secondary coagulation necrosis after strangulation of the blood supply due to twisting of the mass around the peduncle. The smaller masses were histologically consistent with simple or self-strangulating pedunculated abdominal lipomas. The macaque presented again 9 mo later with a firm, 5.0-cm mass in the midabdomen, with intestinal displacement visible on radiographs. Given this animal's medical history and questionable prognosis, euthanasia was elected. Necropsy revealed numerous, multifocal to coalescing, 1.0- to 15.0-cm, pale tan to yellow, circumscribed, soft to firm, spherical to ellipsoid, pedunculated masses that were scattered throughout the mesentery, greater omentum, lesser omentum, and serosal surfaces of the gastrointestinal tract. All of the masses were pedunculated abdominal lipomas, and most demonstrated coagulation necrosis due to self-strangulation of the blood supply. To our knowledge, this report is the first to describe abdominal lipomatosis with secondary self-strangulation of masses in a rhesus macaque.
Orthotopic transplantation after implantation of a Jarvik 7 total artificial heart.

A total artificial heart was used to support the circulation in 33 heart transplantation candidates who were expected to die before procurement of a donor heart. Twelve of these patients (mean age 35 ± 10 years) underwent cardiac transplantation. Another patient is still being supported with the total artificial heart 90 days after implantation. The other 20 patients died during mechanical support because their condition could not be stabilized for transplantation, despite blood flow restoration. Fifty-six percent of the patients younger than 40 years underwent successful transplantation and six of nine patients are long-term survivors. By comparison, in the older group, 17.6% of patients underwent transplantation and one of three survived long term. Forty-four percent of patients in the acute decompensation group had successful transplantation and four of seven patients are long-term survivors. In the chronic decompensation group these figures were 29.4% and three of five patients. All patients who were heavily immunosuppressed (n = 4) died of sepsis. Transplantation was considered and performed only when the patient’s condition was correct and stable. In six patients an infection developed in the immediate posttransplant period. Three of the infections were resolved with antibiotic therapy. One originated in the mediastinum and is still unresolved, although the patient’s condition is improving. Another patient died of an anoxic coma caused by ventilatory problems. There were two late deaths at 14 and 19 months, one resulting from a combination of toxoplasmosis and rejection and the other from a Kaposi sarcoma caused by azathioprine treatment. In conclusion, selection of the patient before implantation of the total artificial heart is critical to the outcome of the procedure. A strict policy of attempting heart transplantation only in the absence of any usual contraindications should be applied for patients subjected to bridge to transplant procedures. Survival after transplantation performed under such conditions seems to be equal to that of conventional orthotopic transplantation.
Structured clinical breast examination (CBE) training results in objective improvement in CBE skills.

Background. A statewide breast cancer care provider needs assessment had identified CBE training as a target educational need. Accordingly, the authors implemented a one‐on‐one skills‐based course ...
The Threat of Industrial Oil Palm Expansion to Primates and Their Habitats

Large-scale, industrial oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) plantations are rapidly expanding in tropical forest regions to supply a growing global demand for palm oil, the world’s most popular vegetable oil. Such agro-industrial enterprises are a growing threat to primates and their habitats. We review the history of palm oil production, starting with its origins in Africa followed by its expansion to other tropical regions including Malaysia and Indonesia, where over 85 % of the world’s palm oil is now produced. We examine the ecological and socioeconomic impacts of industrial oil palm developments and address global attempts to produce palm oil sustainably. Our analysis indicates that large-scale, industrial oil palm plantations directly destroy tropical forest biodiversity and negatively affect adjacent intact forests. Contrary to arguments made by many advocates of industrially produced palm oil, we find that such production schemes may not be in the economic interests of local communities and may lead to social conflict. We find that in many cases industrial oil palm developments suffer from lack of transparency and fail to obtain the free, prior, and informed consent of local people who are at a great disadvantage when negotiating with agribusinesses. We present evidence indicating that efforts to produce palm oil sustainably through the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil suffer from lack of oversight, enforcement, and accountability and, ultimately, allow for deforestation. We recommend ways to reduce the ecological and social impacts of industrially produced palm oil and suggest that the conservation, development, and human rights communities work with national governments to develop alternative palm oil production schemes that reduce environmental impacts and socioeconomic risks.
Radiotherapy and Evidence in an Age of High Technology

Some remarkable discoveries were made about the fundamental nature of the universe at the turn of the nineteenth century. In 1895, the German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen, working at the University of Wurzburg, observed a strange fluorescence as he tinkered with cathode ray tubes, a phenomenon he would later describe as ‘x-rays’. Building on this excitingly new and mysterious finding in 1899 two Polish scientists working in Paris—Marie and Pierre Curie—announced to the world the discovery of several compounds that emitted similar radiating energy, including an element they termed ‘radium’ (from the Latin radius or ‘ray’). Within a few years both discoveries were taken up into medical use, particularly in the field of cancer after the Curie’s published evidence demonstrating that ‘radioactivity’ was likely biologically destructive to tumours (as it was to all tissues, as many of the early pioneers in this work found out at the cost of their own health).3
4.32 – Genomics of Odor Receptors in Zebrafish

Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying olfactory sensory processing has been facilitated by research conducted in a variety of vertebrate model systems. In particular, the zebrafish has provided a wealth of information at the molecular level, owing in part to recent advances in the molecular biology of its olfactory system and analysis of this organism’s genome sequence. A comparison of the zebrafish odorant receptor repertoire – as characterized through genome database mining and other informatics approaches – sheds important light on the evolution and function of odorant receptors in vertebrates.
Tissue-specific emergence of regulatory and intraepithelial T cells from a clonal T cell precursor

Peripheral Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (pTregs) maintain immune homeostasis by controlling potentially harmful effector T cell responses toward dietary and microbial antigens. Although the identity of the T cell receptor (TCR) can impose commitment and functional specialization of T cells, less is known about how TCR identity governs pTreg development from conventional CD4+ T cells. To investigate the extent to which TCR identity dictates pTreg fate, we used somatic cell nuclear transfer to generate a transnuclear (TN) mouse carrying a monoclonal TCR from a pTreg (pTreg TN mice). We found that the pTreg TCR did not inevitably predispose T cells to become pTreg but instead allowed for differentiation of noninflammatory CD4+CD8αα+ intraepithelial lymphocytes (CD4IELs) in the small intestine. Only when we limited the number of T cell precursors that carried the TN pTreg TCR did we observe substantial pTreg development in the mesenteric lymph nodes and small intestine lamina propria of mixed bone marrow chimeras. Small clonal sizes and therefore decreased intraclonal competition were required for pTreg development. Despite bearing the same TCR, small intestine CD4IEL developed independently of precursor frequency. Both pTreg and CD4IEL development strictly depended on the resident microbiota. A single clonal CD4+ T cell precursor can thus give rise to two functionally distinct and anatomically segregated T cell subsets in a microbiota-dependent manner. Therefore, plasticity of the CD4 T cell compartment depends not only on the microbiota but also on specialized environmental cues provided by different tissues.
The Intelligibility of Spectrum Inversion

Christopher Peacocke has recently made an important and insightful effort to fashion a non-verificationist method for distinguishing sense from nonsense (or, as he puts it, genuine from spurious hypotheses).1 The argument is subtle and complex, and varies somewhat with each of his three target 'spurious hypotheses': that if a perfect fission of one person into two were to occur, one and only one of the resulting persons would be identical with the original; that another person's visual experience can be qualitatively different from your own when you are both seeing the same object, even though your relevant brain states are physically identical and so are your environmental conditions; and that the entire material universe is moving undetectably at a particular uniform velocity with respect to absolute space. My own assessment of his efforts is that they are most successful against the third of these hypotheses, and that this is a function of the fact that of the three, it alone (from both Peacocke's and my perspectives) clearly employs a problematic concept that of absolute location. However, my purpose here is not to engage in a comprehensive evaluation of Peacocke's project; it is rather to defend the extreme inverted spectrum hypothesis (henceforth EISH) against his attack. I shall argue not only that his argument against EISH fails, but that he is himself independently committed to its intelligibility. Beyond that, I shall point out some striking and, to my mind,
Soil health and carbon management

Soil, a natural four-dimensional body at the atmosphere–lithosphere interface, is organic-carbon-mediated realm in which solid, liquid, and gaseous phases interact at a range of scales and generate numerous ecosystem goods and services. Soil organic carbon (SOC) strongly impacts soil quality, functionality and health. Terms soil quality and soil health should not be used interchangeable. Soil quality is related to what it does (functions), whereas soil health treats soil as a living biological entity that affects plant health. Through plant growth, soil health is also connected with the health of animals, humans, and ecosystems within its domain. Through supply of macro- and micronutrients, soil health, mediated by SOC dynamics is a strong determinant of global food and nutritional security. Soil C pool consists of two related but distinct components: SOC and soil inorganic C (SIC). The SIC pool comprises of primary and secondary carbonates, and the latter consists of calcitic (no net sequestration of atmospheric CO2) and silicatic (net sequestration). While SOC is highly dynamic, its mean residence time depends on the degree of protection (physical, chemical, biological, and ecological) within the soil matrix. Formation of stable microaggregates and of organo–mineral complexes can protect SOC against microbial processes for millennia. In addition to formation of silicatic type of secondary carbonates, leaching of bicarbonates into the subsoil or shallow water table is also an important mechanism of sequestration of CO2 as SIC. Numerous soil functions and ecosystem services depend on SOC and its dynamics. Improvements in soil health, along with increase in availability of water and nutrients, increases soil's resilience against extreme climate events (e.g., drought, heat wave) and imparts disease-suppressive attributes. Enhancing and sustaining soil health is also pertinent to advancing Sustainable Development Goals of the U.N. such as alleviating poverty, reducing hunger, improving health, and promoting economic development.
Cluster Model Studies of Anion and Molecular Specificities via Electrospray Ionization Photoelectron Spectroscopy.

Ion specificity, a widely observed macroscopic phenomenon in condensed phases and at interfaces, is a fundamental chemical physics issue. Herein we report our recent studies of such effects using cluster models in an “atom-by-atom” and “molecule-by-molecule” fashion not possible with the condensed-phase methods. We use electrospray ionization (ESI) to generate molecular and ionic clusters to simulate key molecular entities involved in local binding regions and characterize them by employing negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy (NIPES). Inter- and intramolecular interactions and binding configurations are directly obtained as functions of the cluster size and composition, providing molecular-level descriptions and characterization over the local active sites that play crucial roles in determining the solution chemistry and condensed-phase phenomena. The topics covered in this article are relevant to a wide range of research fields from ion specific effects in electrolyte solutions, ion selectivity/recog...