cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EVAPORATION FROM POROUS MEDIA: A CAPILLARY MODEL OF A PENETRATING FRONT

A capillary tube model was solved to investigate the influence of mass transfer coefficient, temperature, and front depth on the evaporation rate during the penetrating-front period of water-filled porous media dried in hot air. The results show that increasing the flow rate of the drying air is not so efficient as increasing the sample temperature. Due to attenuating diffusion rate, the rate of liquid front migration decreases with time. The calculations explain the falling rate period behavior of sandstone heated at 121°C. Trends depicted by the model may be useful for the design of heating conditions for drying processes.
Closure–state specification for markov–process models with incomplete micro data

When estimating a Markov-process model from observed micro data, it may be necessary to assume a closure state for the process—a state that can account for entities that may come into or go out of existence.When collecting data to estimate such a model, we may not be able to “see” the closure state explicitly; we must posit some value for the number of entities in it.In addition to developing maximum-likelihood estimators of the closure-state size, this paper examines the effect on point-estimate and hypothesis-test performance, as well as on prediction accuracy, of alternative methods of specifying the size of the closure state.Analytical and empirical evidence suggests that results of interest to the modeler are generally not sensitive to closure-state specification.In an advertising-media application, which truns out to support our insensitivity conclusion, the closure state holds firms that are not currently among the top advertisers.A firm entering the ranks of the top advertisers is modeled as a tra...
A covert channel construction in a virtualized environment

Memory deduplication has been widely used in various commodity hypervisors. However, while this technique improves memory efficiency, it has an impact on system security. In particular, memory deduplication is usually implemented using a variant of copy-on-write techniques, for which, writing to a shared page would incur a longer access time than those non-shared. By exploiting this artifact, we demonstrate a new covert channel can be built in a virtualized environment.
Attilio da Empoli’s English language reception

This is a study of Attilio da Empoli’s reception in English. Describes the search to find his works or references to him. Gives details of the search process. There are only a few references to his work in English. There is nothing about his life in English. The first biography in English, “Attilio da Empoli’s Life” is given. Describes and discusses his reception in the English language, including comments on the historical context in which his writing occurred. Contains observations about his only book in English and the theory it contains. Concludes that he deserves more recognition than he has received. Contains suggestions about the kind of research program that is needed to put him on the record in English.
Ecological Degradation and Agricultural Intensification in the Andean Highlands

Andean cultural ecologists have made two claims in recent years: ecological decomposition is absent due to effective indigenous management of communal resources, and agricultural intensification is inversely related to altitude. Drawing on material from the Jukumani Indians of Northern Potosi, Bolivia, these assertions are challenged. First, there is little evidence to prove or disprove ecological degradation. Second, the location of agricultural intensification, as the Jukumani data suggests, is influenced by altitude as well as by the presence of market.
Nonvolatile 3D-FPGA with monolithically stacked RRAM-based configuration memory

SRAM based configuration memory is the primary contributor to the large area, delay, and power consumption of FPGAs relative to ASICs. In [1] it is estimated that a 3D-FPGA with the configuration memory stacked on top of the FPGA logic and routing can achieve 57% smaller die area than a baseline 2D-FPGA in 65nm CMOS technology. Motivated by these potential performance gains, several programmable logic devices with different monolithically stacked configuration memory technologies have been reported [2–4]. These memory technologies, however, require materials and/or processes that may not be compatible or scalable with CMOS processes. This paper presents the first 3D-FPGA with stacked configuration memory based on the emerging nonvolatile Resistive RAM (RRAM) technology described in [5], which is both compatible and scalable with CMOS.
Zinc-65 Levels in Oysters in the Thames River (Connecticut)

Levels of zinc-65 in oysters from selected sites in the Thames River (Connecticut) have been determined for a 12-month period. The highest levels of radioactivity were in oysters from a bed situated opposite the United States submarine base in March 1961 (1637 micro-microcuries per kilogram of moist tissue). None of the samples assayed showed sufficient amounts of radioactivity to represent a health hazard.
A NEURAL NETWORK BASED APPROACH TO MECHANICAL DESIGN OPTIMIZATION

Abstract A new conceptual framework for solving design optimization problems based on a neural computing paradigm is examined. It is seen that highly interconnected networks of nonlinear analog neurons are extremely effective in computing. These neurons represent an approximation to the biological neurons. The general behavior of an artificial neural network can be readily adapted to solve an optimization problem by appropriately selecting synaptic connections. Results of the computer simulation of a neural network designed to solve four optimization problems are presented to illustrate the computational power of these networks. The optimum solutions obtained using neural networks compare favorably with the optimum solutions obtained using gradient-based search techniques. The results indicate that the efficiency and power of this biological information processing scheme can be effectively utilized to solve other optimization problems with similar efficiency,
Check Formation on the Scales of Hatchery-Reared Lake Trout Prior to and Soon after Release into Lake Superior

Abstract We investigated two assumptions about scales of hatchery-reared lake trout Salvelinus namaycush stocked as yearlings into Lake Superior: (1) only one check is formed during hatchery life and (2) a “stocking check” forms when the fish are released. We examined four scales from each of 176 fish prior to release from five hatcheries and 55 fish soon after release. Prior to release, 91 % of the lake trout had only one check. This percentage was 81–100% for individual hatcheries. Evidence for a stocking check was observed only on fish whose scales had grown substantially between release and subsequent recapture. All measures of variability were less and check conspicuousness was greater for fish raised in hatcheries with seasonal cycles of temperature and photoperiod than for those reared with nearly constant water temperatures and darkness. We conclude that the assumption of only one check prior to stocking was not grossly violated when several scales from the same fish were interpreted and that ther...
Road Extraction from High-Resolution Remote Sensing Images Based on Synthetical Characteristics

Road extraction is the recurring important application of high-resolution remote sensing images. In order to achieve the goal of road extraction, the various characteristics of geographic information of high-resolution remote sensing images as well as the application and models of road extraction are analyzed, then an effective way of extracting roads from high-resolution remote sensing images is found, and then the high-resolution remote sensing image road extraction algorithm based on texture characteristics assisted by other characteristic information is put forward. The specific process of road extraction in the algorithm is introduced, and the function of road extraction of urban high-resolution remote sensing image based on texture characteristics is also tested practically, the result shows that this method has a higher degree of accuracy in extracting roads from urban high-resolution remote sensing images.
Effects of Single-Bundle and Double-Bundle ACL Reconstruction on Tibiofemoral Compressive Stresses and Joint Kinematics During Simulated Squatting

The purpose of this study was to compare tibiofemoral (TF) kinematics and TF compressive stresses between single bundle- (SB-) and double bundle-ACL reconstruction (DB-ACLR) during simulated squatting. Twelve matched pairs of fresh frozen cadaver knees were utilized. A simulated squat through 100° of knee flexion was performed in the ACL-intact joint. The ACL was transected and SB- and DB-ACLR procedures were performed in one knee of each pair. The squat was repeated. Knee kinematics were measured using a motion tracking system and the TF compressive forces were measured using thin film pressure sensors. The posterior shifts of the tibia for SB- and DB-ACLR knees were significantly greater than the ACL-intact condition for knee flexion angles 0° to 40° (p .32). There were no significant differences between the two reconstruction conditions (p=.74). This study showed that there was no difference in the TF kinematics or compressive stresses between SB- and DB-ACLR, and only minor differences when compared to the intact state.
Breast Cancer Stem Cells Survive Periods of Farnesyl-Transferase Inhibitor-Induced Dormancy by Undergoing Autophagy

A cancer stem cell has been defined as a cell within a tumor that possesses the capacity to self-renew and to cause the heterogeneous lineages of cancer cells that comprise the tumor. These tumor-forming cells could hypothetically originate from stem, progenitor, or differentiated cells. Previously, we have shown that breast cancer cells with low metastatic potential can be induced into a reversible state of dormancy by farnesyl transferase inhibitors (FTIs). Dormancy was induced by changes in RhoA and RhoC GTPases. Specifically, RhoA was found to be hypoactivated while RhoC was hyperactivated. In the current study we demonstrate that these dormant cells also express certain known stem cell markers such as aldehyde dehydrogenase I (ALDHI) and cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44). We also show that autophagy markers Atg5, Atg12, and LC3-B are expressed in these dormant stem cell-like breast cancer cells. Inhibiting autophagy by inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) blocked the process of autophagy reversing the dormant phenotype. Further, we show that c-jun NH2 terminal kinase (JNK/SAPK) is upregulated in these dormant stem cell-like breast cancer cells and is responsible for increasing autophagy.
A New Calculus for the Treatment of Optical SystemsVI. Experimental Determination of the Matrix

A simple, straightforward method is described for determining experimentally the matrix of any, crystalline plate. The method involves three measurements of the state of polarization of light transmitted by the plate, and also a measurement of its transmission factor for natural light. These measurements determine the matrix uniquely, except for a phase factor whose practical significance is small. The conditions are stated for the application of the method to the more general type of optical system described in V. A statement of the content of future papers in this series is included.
Effects of Short-Term Finasteride on Apoptotic Factors and Androgen Receptors in Prostate Cancer Cells

Purpose: We explored the molecular correlates of the effect of finasteride on prostate tissue in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.Materials and Methods: Patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer were eligible for study. After providing informed consent patients were randomized to receive 5 mg finasteride or placebo daily for at least 30 days before surgery. At surgery prostate tissue was harvested from the surgical specimen and sent for analysis. Tissue samples were analyzed for the pro-apoptotic factors caspase-3, caspase-7 and IGFBP-3. Samples were also analyzed for the tumor suppressor/proto-oncoproteins bcl-2, p53 and p21. Finally, tissues were analyzed for androgen receptor density and insulin growth factor-1.Results: A total of 22 study and 20 placebo samples were collected and analyzed. Negligible staining for bcl-2 or caspase-3 was noted in each group. Statistical differences were not observed for bcl-2, p53, p21 or insulin growth factor-1 between the groups....
Accurate excitation energies of 11B and 11C

Abstract Excitation energies of the first five states in 11 B were measured with the 13 C(d, α) 11 B reaction. Values obtained are 2125.4 ± 1.4 keV, 4444.5 ± 1.6 keV, 5020.2 ± 1.9 keV, 6745.9 ± 3.4 keV and 6795.7 ± 3.0 keV. These values agree with results obtained previously in this lab with the 10 B(d,p) 11 B and 9 Be 3 He, p) 11 B reactions. Hence no effect on the measured excitation energies of the charge of the incoming and outgoing particles was observed. Previous values are altered up to 1.3 keV by recalculation to correct for change in recoil mass with excitation. Corrected values are given. The measured ground state Q -value is 5166.6 ± 2.5 keV and agrees with the value calculated from mass tables. Excitation energies of 11 C were measured with the 12 C( 3 He, α) 11 C reaction using Tandem Accelerators and broad-range spectrographs, at both the Argonne National Laboratory and Notre Dame. The excitation energy of the first state was confirmed by measurements with the 10 B( 3 He, d) 11 C reaction. The results agree and give average values of 2000.6 ± 0.9, 4318 ± 1.2, 4804.2 ± 1.2, 6339.2 ± 1.4, 6478.2 ± 1.3, 6904.8 ± 1.4, 7499.7 ± 1.5 and 8104.5 ± 1.7 where the uncertainties listed are statistical only and do not include the uncertainty in the calibration energy. A systematic discrepancy with values listed in a recent summary article is found.
On social connection in university life

Sara Kathleen Henry reports some interesting findings from her study on the intersection between students' use of social media, social and psychological well-being, and sense of community.
Experimental Performance of a Quantum Simulator: Optimizing Adiabatic Evolution and Identifying Many-Body Ground States

We use local adiabatic evolution to experimentally create and determine the ground-state spin ordering of a fully connected Ising model with up to 14 spins. Local adiabatic evolution---in which the system evolution rate is a function of the instantaneous energy gap---is found to maximize the ground-state probability compared with other adiabatic methods while requiring knowledge only of the lowest $\ensuremath{\sim}$$N$ of the ${2}^{N}$ Hamiltonian eigenvalues. We also demonstrate that the ground-state ordering can be experimentally identified as the most probable of all possible spin configurations, even when the evolution is highly nonadiabatic.
Premature ovarian failure: Think ‘autoimmune disorder’

A comprehensive look at the causes and co-morbidities of premature ovarian failure leads straight to an emphasis on underlying immunologic disorders—and the need for prompt diagnosis.
A method of fabrication of a facial prosthesis that improves retention and durability: A clinical report

This clinical report describes a technique for the fabrication of a facial prosthesis with a visible light-curing resin overlaid with a silicone elastomer. Clinical observations have revealed considerable improvement in the duration of retention of the prosthesis with an adhesive and enhanced longevity of the prosthesis as compared with conventional silicone elastomer facial prostheses retained with the same adhesive.
Stripping potentiometry of indium in aqueous chloride solutions

Stripping potentiometry (SP) has been used effectively for the determination of trace levels of several metal species in solution. Indium ion, which can be readily reduced and has a high solubility in mercury, can be determined directly using SP. The reduction potential of indium is located between those of lead and cadmium, necessitating optimization of several experimental parameters for successful quantitative analysis. A method for the SP of In(III) is presented which utilizes constant current stripping analysis (CCSA) at a mercury-film glassy carbon electrode in KCl solutions in the presence of Pb(II) and Cd(II).
Regulation of the System x−C cystine/glutamate exchanger by intracellular glutathione levels in rat astrocyte primary cultures

The system x(C)- (Sx(C)-) transporter functions to mediate the exchange of extracellular cystine (L-Cys(2)) and intracellular glutamate (L-Glu). Internalized L-Cys(2) serves as a rate-limiting precursor for the biosynthesis of glutathione (GSH), while the externalized L-Glu can contribute to either excitatory signaling or excitotoxicity. In the present study the influence of culture conditions (with and without dibutyryl-cAMP) and GSH levels on the expression of Sx(C)- were investigated in primary rat astrocyte cultures. Sx(C)- activity in dbcAMP-treated cells was nearly sevenfold greater than in untreated astrocytes and increased further (∼threefold) following the depletion of intracellular GSH with buthionine sulfoximine. This increase in Sx(C)- triggered by GSH depletion was only observed in the dbcAMP-treated phenotype and was distinct from the Nrf2-mediated response initiated by exposure to electrophiles. Changes in Sx(C)- activity correlated with increases in both protein and mRNA levels of the xCT subunit of the Sx(C)- heterodimer, an increase in the V(max) for L-Glu uptake and was linked temporally to GSH levels. This induction of Sx(C)- was not mimicked by hydrogen peroxide nor attenuated by nonspecific antioxidants but was partially prevented by the co-administration of the cell-permeant thiols GSH-ethyl ester and N-acetylcysteine. These findings demonstrate that the expression of Sx(C)- on astrocytes is dynamically regulated by intracellular GSH levels in a cell- and phenotype-dependent manner. The presence of this pathway likely reflects the inherent vulnerability of the CNS to oxidative damage and raises interesting questions as to the functional consequences of changes in Sx(C)- activity in CNS injury and disease.
Developmental changes in teratocytes of the braconid wasp Cotesia congregata in larvae of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

The endoparasitic wasp Cotesia congregata develops in the hemocoel of larval stages of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. Teratocytes were released from the serosal membrane during hatching of the first instar wasp larva at 2-3days after oviposition; about 160 cells were released per embryo. The cells increased in diameter from about 10 to >200mm prior to wasp emergence. Nascent microvilli, visible on the cell surface before hatching of the first instar larva, rapidly increased in length and number following release of the cells. Irrespective of when the wasps were due to emerge, or how many parasitoids were present in the host, dramatic cytological changes occurred in the cells during the last instar of the host's development. Many of these morphological and ultrastructural changes were symptomatic of the cytological features of degenerating or apoptotic cells, and large numbers of vesicles appeared interspersed amongst the microvilli. The nucleus developed extensive dentritic ramifications, and the chromatin condensed in large clumps on the inner nuclear membrane. At the final stages of the wasps' development, the nucleus occupied the bulk of the interior of the cell. The cytoplasm gradually grew dramatically more electronluscent and less granular, as did the nucleoplasm, which is also indicative of impending cell death. Following the parasites' emergence, many of the cells underwent extensive blebbing of the cell surface. Teratocytes within a host appeared heterogeneous with respect to their morphological appearance. Analysis of the proteins secreted by teratocytes in vitro following labelling with (35)S-methionine showed that many (>30) polypeptides were synthesized de novo and secreted by the cells; some proteins were clearly targeted for secretion. We presume that the cells likely secrete a large number of proteins in vivo as well as in vitro.
Capturing Volunteered Historical Information: Lessons from Development of a Local Government Crowdsourcing Tool

Government agencies are adopting a variety of web-based strategies to improve information systems, increase civic engagement, and enhance decision-making capabilities and planning processes. Within the U.S., a university research team designed a municipal web tool called the Austin Historical Survey Wiki to fill a pragmatic need for information about historic resources to be used for long range planning and development review purposes. The authors situate this web experiment in relation to an array of models for government interaction with citizens via data collection efforts and the application of GIS and web-based technologies. This experiment offers local government agencies and practitioners a replicable model for tracking official data and citizen contributions to a GIS. In addition, this research offers insights into potential barriers to and requirements for collaboration between government agencies and citizens online.
Extracellular volume expansion and delayed resolution of hypertension after canine aortic coarctectomy

Abstract The hemodynamic changes occuring after surgical correction of thoracic aortic coarctation were studied in two neonatally coarcted dogs at six months of age and compared to sham surgery in two littermate controls. Excision of the tight iatrogenic aortic band with direct aortic reanastomosis abolished pressure gradients. Post-coarctectomy systemic pressure rose, after an early transient fall, to pre-operative proximal levels and was sustained for two to four weeks before decreasing to control normotensive values. Femoral systolic pressure (and renal perfusion pressure) rose by 47–57 mmHg in coarcted dogs (p
Preparation of an unusual fluoroalkyl phosphinoyl chelate complex, {k3-P,C,P,k1-O-(CF3)2PCH2C6H3CH2P(CF3)O}2Pt2

Abstract Electron poor cationic complexes [( CF 3 PCP )Pt(L)]+ (where L = CO, NC5F5, or acetone) react with H2O in polar solvents via selective hydrolysis of a single P–CF3 substituent to afford the spectroscopically-characterized phosphinoyl-bridged complex {k3-P,C,P,k1-O-(CF3)2PCH2C6H3CH2P(CF3)O}2Pt2 (1) in good yield. X-ray diffraction confirms the presence of a six-member Pt–P–O–Pt–P–O ring in a chair conformation. The presumed intermediate aqua complex, ( CF 3 PCP )Pt(H2O)+, is stable in dichloromethane, but when dissolved in more polar solvents readily converts to 1.
Local mobility of the lac repressor molecule.

Abstract The rotational mobility of lac repressor from Escherichia coli was investigated by nanosecond fluorescence depolarization spectroscopy. A single rotational correlation time (φ) of the repressor was observed by monitoring the emission anisotropic decay of the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence. The small value of φ (9·5 ns) suggests that one or both of the two tryptophan residues in the repressor are located in a flexible segment of the protein molecule. This segmental flexibility is enhanced by binding of inducer (isopropyl-β- d -thiogalactoside) to the repressor while it is restrained by binding of anti-inducer (glucose) or small DNA fragments, as indicated by the changes in φ. Further time-dependent emission anisotropy studies with an extrinsic fluorescent probe, N-(iodoacetylaminoethyl)-5-naphthylamine-1-sulfonate, covalently attached to the repressor yielded two rotational correlation times. The shorter φS (6·7 ns) also corresponds to a segmental flexibility whereas the longer φL (118 ns) represents the rotational motion of the entire repressor molecule. Both the values of φS and φL vary by addition of inducer or anti-inducer in a manner similar to that observed for the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence but they are insensitive to addition of DNA fragments. The changes in local mobility of the lac repressor molecule observed in these studies may provide some insight into how inducer (or anti-inducer) destabilizes (or stabilizes) the repressor-operator complex.
Energy eigenvalues for Yukawa potentials

A simple formula is given for the energy levels of a particle bound by a Yukawa potential which is accurate at the 1% level over the entire range of $Z$ for a large range of $n$ and $l$.
Elastic scattering and vibrational excitation of CO2 by 4, 10, 20 and 50 eV electrons

Elastic and vibrationally inelastic differential, integral and momentum-transfer cross sections for electrons scattered by CO2 molecules are reported at 4, 10, 20 and 50 eV impact energies. The elastic cross sections are placed on an absolute scale by means of a relative flow technique. The inelastic cross sections are normalised to the elastic ones by using the inelastic to elastic intensity ratios. Data are reported for up to ten features in the 0.0 to 0.4 eV energy-loss region.
Third head of the gastrocnemius: an MR imaging study based on 1,039 consecutive knee examinations

Objective The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of a third head of the gastrocnemius and to describe the course, morphology, and insertion of the third head as seen on the basis of routine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the knee.
The temperature dependence of the hydroxyl deuterium quadrupole coupling parameter and the rotational correlation time of the OD internuclear vector in neat ethanol-d 1

The temperature dependence of the hydroxyl proton chemical shift and deuterium quadrupolar relaxation time of neat ethanol were measured over the temperature range 190–350 K. The proton isotropic chemical shift varies from 6.2 ppm at 190K to 4.7 ppm at 350 K. The deuterium NMR relaxation time in ethanol-d1 varies from 6.2 ms to 309 ms over the same range. Ab initio calculations performed on various ethanol clusters ranging in size from monomer to hexamer show a linear correlation (R2 = 0.99) between XD, the deuterium quadrupole coupling parameter, and δH, the isotropic proton chemical shift in ppm relative to TMS: XD(kHz) = 297.60 − 15.28δH. The temperature dependence of XD ranges from 199.5kHz at 190K to 221.4 kHz at 350 K. Using the values for XD and the relaxation time data, the temperature dependence of the OD rotational correlation time was found to vary from 282 ps at 190 K to 4.5 ps near the boiling point (350 K). Using these correlation times and bulk viscosity data, the Gierer-Wirtz model predict...
Ulysses measurements of variations in the solar wind‐interstellar hydrogen charge exchange rate

Charge exchange with solar wind protons is the primary ionization process for interstellar hydrogen traveling through the heliosphere. In this study we use Ulysses solar wind observations to examine and quantify variations in charge exchange. We find that these variations are largest within stream interaction regions where the charge exchange rate is tens of times larger in compressional, corotating interaction regions (CIRs) than in rarefactions. Similarly, we find enhanced charge exchange in compression regions ahead of fast CMEs. As a consequence, much of the interstellar hydrogen at low latitudes is picked up in pulses as CIRs and fast CMEs sweep past. Observations over Ulysses' first full polar orbit indicate that the charge exchange rate is higher at low than at high latitudes, and that this rate drops off more slowly than the inverse square of heliocentric distance. We believe that this is due to the growth of CIRs as they propagate out through the inner heliosphere. The variability of hydrogen charge exchange has implications for the analysis of scattered Lyman-α observations and produces variations in the pickup rates of newly ionized interstellar hydrogen, which is a seed population for anomalous cosmic rays.
Isolation of Hirsutella thompsonii from the citrus rust mite, Phyllocoptruta oleivora, and its cultivation on various synthetic media

Abstract The parasitic fungus Hirsutella thompsonii was isolated from the citrus rust mite, Phyllocoptruta oleivora , and grown on eight synthetic media. Most rapid growth occurred on potato-dextrose agar, V-8-juice agar, Sabouraud-dextrose agar, and modified soil fungus medium. Maximum production of conidia was obtained after 12 days on potato-dextrose agar, Sabouraud-dextrose agar, and agar-agar (Bacto). The characteristic gross morphology of the fungus was dependent on the medium employed.
Human genetics: an expression of interest.

The baseline level of gene expression varies from person to person, but how is this determined genetically? The answer may improve our understanding of complex traits, including some genetic diseases.
ROBUST SCALABLE VISUALIZED CLUSTERING IN VECTOR AND NON VECTOR SEMI-METRIC SPACES

We describe an approach to data analytics on large systems using a suite of robust parallel algorithms running on both clouds and HPC systems. We apply this to cases where the data is defined in a vector space and when only pairwise distances between points are defined. We introduce improvements to known algorithms for functionality, features and performance but review state of the art as this is not broadly familiar. Visualization is valuable for steering complex analytics and we discuss it for both the non vector semi-metric case and for clustering high dimension vector spaces. We exploit deterministic annealing which is heuristic but has clear general principles that can give reasonably fast robust algorithms. We apply methods to several life sciences applications.
Efficacy of Lidocaine for Pain Control in Subcutaneous Infiltration During Liposuction

Background Liposuction remains the most commonly performed aesthetic surgical procedure in the United States. Preoperative infiltration of the subcutaneous tissues with a wetting solution has become standard. These solutions typically contain some amount of lidocaine for pain control. High doses of lidocaine have been demonstrated to be safe, but large amounts of this cardioactive agent during elective cosmetic procedures may be unnecessary. Objective A study was designed to examine the effects of wetting solutions with lower concentrations of lidocaine on perioperative pain. Methods Seventeen patients were prospectively randomized to subcutaneous infiltration with one of 3 different lidocaine concentrations: 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, or 30 mg/kg. Intra- and postoperative lidocaine and monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) plasma concentrations were measured and the total intraoperative inhalation gas requirements and minimum alveolar concentrations were recorded. Postoperative pain medication requirements were recorded and morphine equivalents were calculated. Patient pain level was subjectively assessed by using a visual analog pain scale. Results There was no difference in the intraoperative lidocaine or MEGX concentrations between any of the 3 groups. There was also no statistical difference between the 3 groups when comparing intraoperative inhalational gas requirement, postoperative morphine equivalence requirements, or subjective pain using the visual analog scale. Conclusions Decreasing concentrations of lidocaine in infiltrative wetting solutions did not significantly affect intraoperative anesthesia requirements or postoperative pain with liposuction. Lower concentrations of lidocaine can effectively be used, use of any lidocaine may be unnecessary. Future investigations may examine whether total elimination of lidocaine yields similar results in terms of anesthesia requirements and postoperative pain. ( Aesthetic Surg J 2009;29:122–128. )
Delegates or Trustees? A Theory of Political Accountability

Politicians vary in both their competence and their policy preferences. We show that how voters trade off competence against ideological congruence has key implications for the type of representation incumbents provide. When voters privilege competence, they encourage trustee representation, and when voters emphasize ideological congruence, they encourage delegate representation. Selection on competence is most likely to occur when uncertainty about the policy preferences of politicians is minimal. A surprising implication of our analysis is that ideological congruence between incumbents and voters is not a necessary precondition for trustee representation to be rewarded at the ballot box.
Young girls in science: Academic ability, perceptions and future participation in science

(2000). Young girls in science: Academic ability, perceptions and future participation in science. Roeper Review: Vol. 22, No. 4, pp. 261-262.
A telomere-dependent DNA damage checkpoint induced by prolonged mitotic arrest.

Mammalian telomeres are protected by shelterin components to avoid being recognized as DNA damage. Now cells under prolonged mitotic arrest are found to deprotect their telomeres, with dissociation of shelterin subunit TRF2 and degradation of the G-strand overhang. This leads to DNA damage signaling and checkpoint activation and apoptosis in the following G1 phase.
1535 RENAL AND VASCULAR RESPONSES TO CONVERTING ENZYME INHIBITION (CEI) DURING FETAL LIFE

The renal and vascular responses to a continuous infusion of captopril (5 μg/min/kg) were studied in 2 groups of chronically catheterized fetal lambs (10 130 days gestation; term 145 days). The infusion of CEI completely blocked the rise in fetal arterial blood pressure (MABP) following a bolus of angiotensin-I (1 μg). In both groups plasma angiotensin-II (A-II) decreased significantly (p 130 days during CEI. A significant (p 130 days during CEI; PRA did not increase in fetuses 130 days gestation.
Master Data Management-CDI

A strategic barrier at enterprise level is lack of consistent and accurate reference information. In this context, an increasingly popular solution and critical component within an organizationpsilas drive towards EIM is master data management (MDM)-customer data integration. MDM strategy, architecture, and enabling technologies dealing with various aspects of customer data constitute is ldquocustomer data integration (CDI)rdquo, service-oriented view of the CDI platform, often called a data hub. MDM-CDI is increasingly concerned with the notion of ldquomultiplesrdquo -multiple data domains, the multiple relationships among them, and the multiple usage styles. Further discussion has been focused on explaining the Implementation of master data management and customer data integration through a MDM framework architecture that is scalable by design. Framework approach ensures the optimal performance and storage of data within the CDI hub. We took a close look at the conceptual model, logical model and different entities to be considered for designing a CDI platform which includes a complete, 360-degree view of customer data including the totality of the relationships the customer has with the organization. Hence supporting the fundamental transformation of an enterprise from an account-centric business to a new, effective, and agile customer-centric business-a transformation that has a profound impact on the way companies conduct business and interact with their customers. It is critically important to understand what business processes need to be improved. Once the current state of the business processes and their weaknesses are defined and documented, the target-state business processes need to be determined .The goal of this MDM-CDI paper is to outline the Requirements to overcome the functional limitations of current state and presenting CDI hub framework which drives the path for unified view of customer capabilities while providing an industry road map that highlights the necessary planning assumptions.
Elastic modulus variation in mandibular bone: A microindentation study of Macaca fascicularis

We characterized the heterogeneous ani- sotropic elastic properties of mandibular bone in an adult female specimen of Macaca fascicularis using the technique of microindentation. This approach used an in- denter of known mass and geometry to sample bone hardness at a spatial resolution in the order of 100 lm. Hardness values were converted to elastic modulus using empirically derived regression. We determined properties in alveolar, midcorpus, and basal regions of coronal and transverse sections taken from multiple locations along the corpus and ramus. Within sections, we determined properties from endosteal, midcortical, and periosteal regions. We found regional variations in bone structure, including bands of orthotropic circumferential lamellar bone at the endosteal and periosteal corpus base, angu- lar region, and ramus. Transversely isotropic osteonal bone characterizes the midcortices of alveolar and basal regions, with many resorption spaces in alveolar regions restricting sampling opportunities. Regional variations in elasticity include relatively compliant bone in the an- terior corpus and ramus. Basal cortical bone is stiffer longitudinally than transversely or superoinferiorly, while the evidence for directional dependence in alveolar bone is equivocal. Alveolar bone appears to be relatively compliant with respect to bone found in midcorpus or ba- sal regions. Considerable variation exists in structure and material properties on a highly localized scale, more so than is discernible through conventional approaches for determining material property variation. Am J Phys Anthropol 135:100-109, 2008. V C 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Regulation of flavin dehydrogenase compartmentalization: requirements for PutA-membrane association in Salmonella typhimurium.

Abstract PutA is a multifunctional, peripheral membrane protein which functions both as an autogenous transcriptional repressor and the enzyme which catalyzes the two-step conversion of proline to glutamate in Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli. To understand how PutA associates with the membrane, we determined the role of FAD redox and membrane components in PutA–membrane association. Reduction of the tightly bound FAD is required for both derepression of the put operon and membrane association of PutA. FADH2 alters the conformation of PutA, resulting in an increased hydrophobicity. Previous studies used enzymatic activity as an assay for membrane association and concluded that electron transfer from the reduced FAD in PutA to the membrane is required for the PutA–membrane interaction. However, direct physical assays of PutA association with membrane vesicles from quinone deficient mutants demonstrated that although electron transfer is essential for proline dehydrogenase activity, it is not required for PutA–membrane association per se. Furthermore, PutA efficiently associated with liposomes, indicating that PutA–membrane association does not require interactions with other membrane proteins. PutA enzymatic activity can be efficiently reconstituted with liposomes containing ubiquinone and cytochrome bo, confirming that proline dehydrogenase can pass electrons directly to the quinone pool. These results indicate that PutA–membrane association is due strictly to a protein–lipid interaction initiated by reduction of FAD.
Interaction between fungal endophytes and environmental stressors influences plant resistance to insects

Neotyphodium coenophialum, an endophytic fungus that infects shoots of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), may protect its host from herbivory through production of alkaloids. Yet, the fungus can also modify plant resource allocation, regrowth dynamics, and drought tolerance, and these changes may also influence herbivores. We tested if N. coenophialum infection interacted with stress (drought or simulated herbivory) to modify plant resistance to insects. We assigned greenhouse plants to one of four treatments: 1) clipping at 3 cm above the soil surface, 2) drought stress during insect bioassays, 3) drought stress prior to insect bioassays, or 4) daily watering. Treatments were crossed with presence or absence of endophyte to give eight treatment combinations, and we assessed the performance of bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) feeding on plants in two separate experiments from each of the eight treatments. Aphids were placed into clip bags on leaf blades and allowed to reproduce parthenogenetically. Plant tissue was fed to third instar fall armyworm caterpillars until they molted into the fifth instar. Developmental time was recorded and larval growth was obtained gravimetrically. We also assessed total protein nitrogen (N) and loline alkaloids in plants. Total protein N was unaffected by endophyte infection. In contrast, stress influenced total protein N, but its effect varied with endophyte infection. Uninfected plants that were clipped had higher total protein N; this trend was absent in infected plants. Plants in drought stress had lower N, but only if they were infected. Lolines were nearly absent from uninfected plants. In infected plants they tended to be higher in clipped plants. The effect of endophyte infection differed between the two insects: aphid reproduction was reduced by the endophyte, but endophyte infection enhanced caterpillar performance. Both insects were affected by interactions between the endophyte and stress. Aphids were negatively affected by drought stress, but only when feeding on uninfected plants, while caterpillars showed the opposite response, displaying lower performance on drought stressed plants only if they were infected. Aphids reproduced faster on regrowth tissue (following damage by clipping) of uninfected plants, but endophyte infection cancelled this effect. In contrast, performance of caterpillars was not influenced by an interaction between damage and infection. We conclude that N. coenophialum does not provide universal resistance to insects. Endophyte-mediated resistance varies with insect species and will be a complex function of environmental stress, including drought and prior damage.
Learning words from labeling and directive speech

Despite the common intuition that labeling may be the best way to teach a new word to a child, systematic testing is needed of the prediction that children learn words better from labeling utterances than from directive utterances. Two experiments compared toddlers’ label learning in the context of hearing words used in directive versus labeling utterances. In Study 1 (N = 64) 24-month-olds learned a novel label equally well from directive and labeling utterances, whereas 18-month-olds only learned in the labeling context. When the novel label was placed at the end of a directive utterance in Study 2 (N = 16), even 18-month-olds were able to learn it. These findings highlight young children’s flexibility in interpreting words in a variety of contexts, and the importance of considering the various linguistic and non-linguistic settings where words are encountered.
Etomidate as a sole agent for endotracheal intubation in the prehospital air medical setting

Abstract Introduction: Etomidate is an anesthetic agent with rapid onset, short duration of action, a generally stable hemodynamic profile, and cerebroprotective effects. It is used in the hospital setting to facilitate emergency endotracheal intubation. This helicopter EMS used etomidate as an intubating agent without paralytics for 2 years. Methods: Intubations performed by the helicopter crew using etomidate alone were reviewed. Intubation was classified as successful or unsuccessful. Successful intubations requiring three or more attempts or repeated doses of etomidate were interpreted as difficult. Results: Fifty patients received etomidate to facilitate orotracheal intubation. Etomidate was the sole agent in 44 of these cases. Mean age was 31 years (range 4-79); 35 patients (80%) were men. Most patients (79%) were victims of blunt trauma. The mean dose of etomidate was 0.5 mg/kg (range 0.3-1.1). Hemodynamic parameters remained stable. Intubation was successful in 39 patients (89%). Intubation was difficult in seven patients (16%) and unsuccessful in five (11%). Masseter muscle spasm was noted in three of the five patients for whom intubation was unsuccessful. Other complications included emesis in eight patients and seizure-like activity in one patient. Conclusion: Etomidate can be used to facilitate emergency endotracheal intubation in the prehospital air medical setting, with a success rate of 89%. At the doses used in the study, hemodynamic parameters remained stable, but intubation was difficult or unsuccessful in 27% of patients. Masseter muscle spasm, which may represent orofacial myoclonus or inadequate relaxation, is common in patients who cannot be intubated with etomidate. Etomidate is recommended as a sole agent for facilitating intubation only when rapid sequence intubation with paralysis is contraindicated or otherwise undesirable.
Clinical Cutoffs for the Beck Depression Inventory and the Geriatric Depression Scale with Older Adult Psychiatric Outpatients

The present study developed new clinical cutoffs for the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) with 59 older adult psychiatric outpatients. Maximum discrimination of a current major depressive episode resulted, with cutoff scores of 22 for the BDI and 16 for the GDS. Specifically, the following validity scores emerged for the BDI: sensitivity, 64%; specificity, 73%; positive predictive power, 75%; negative predictive power, 61%; and hit rate 68%. For the GDS the validity scores were as follows: sensitivity, 79%; specificity, 69%; positive predictive power, 77%; negative predictive power, 72%; and hit rate, 75%. Combined BDI and GDS scores did not result in improved prediction of a current major depressive episode as compared to the GDS alone. These results support the notion that the BDI and GDS are valid quick screening instruments in discriminating a current major depressive episode for older adult psychiatric outpatients.
Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents and the Practice of Gynecologic Oncology

Abstract Patients with gynecologic cancers, especially epithelial ovarian cancer, are frequently anemic during chemotherapy. Therapy with recombinant erythropoietic proteins is associated with an increase in hemoglobin concentration and a reduction in transfusion requirements during chemotherapy. Over the past several years, it has become clear that erythropoietic therapy is associated with an increased incidence of venous thrombosis, especially during pelvic radiation therapy. Moreover, recent data largely obtained in patients with non-gynecologic cancer have raised a concern that erythropoietic therapy might in some way enhance tumor progression or decrease survival of patients with cancer. The preclinical and clinical data are reviewed herein. For patients with ovarian cancer, treatment with erythropoietic proteins has not been associated with adverse tumor outcomes, although the data are limited, and additional trials are needed.
Properties and Microstructure of Zein Sheets Plasticized with Palmitic and Stearic Acids

ABSTRACT Interest in biodegradable materials for packaging and agricultural uses has grown in recent years. Plant proteins have been proposed as inexpensive, renewable, and abundant feedstock. Corn zein was investigated based on value-added considerations and on the unique thermoplastic and hydrophobic properties of zein. Films prepared from zein are known to be tough and resistant, but also hard and brittle, thus requiring the addition of plasticizers to improve flexibility. The objectives of this research were to study the tensile properties, water absorption, and microstructure of zein sheets plasticized with palmitic and stearic acids. Both palmitic and stearic acids showed similar effects as plasticizers of zein. Tensile strength of zein sheets increased with the addition of low levels of plasticizers. However, beyond a critical point, tensile strength decreased with further addition of fatty acids. Water absorption decreased continuously with increasing fatty acid content. Kinetic parameters indicat...