cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The development and validation of the laryngopharyngeal measure of perceived sensation.

Objectives Globus pharyngeus (GP) is described as the subjective sensation of having a "lump" in the throat in the absence of correlating physical findings or dysphagia. Historically, despite the frequency of patient complaints, GP has been difficult to quantify with current outcome measures. This is in large part due to lack of a user-friendly, modernized, objective patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) of symptom severity. The aim of this study is to develop a modernized, practical, validated PROM for evaluating GP symptom severity. Methods The Laryngopharyngeal Measure of Perceived Sensation (LUMP questionnaire) was created in three phases: 1) item generation by an expert panel involving two laryngologists and two speech language pathologists developed from common patient-reported GP symptoms, with patient confirmation; 2) line-item reduction based on internal consistency and reliability; 3) and instrument validity, which was assessed by administering the questionnaire to patients complaining of GP as well as patients without GP. Results A 19-item questionnaire was developed from an expert panel, which was then administered to 110 patients, 100 of whom met inclusion criteria. After statistical analysis, less internally consistent or relevant questions were removed, leaving eight items with an internal consistency (Cronbach alpha) of 0.892. When administered to 54 patients with GP versus 31 normal patients, the mean score was found to be higher in those with GP versus normal patients (P value Conclusion Preliminary results suggest the eight-item LUMP questionnaire is a valuable PROM for evaluating GP symptom severity. Level of evidence NA Laryngoscope, 2019.
Perturbation of base excision repair sensitizes breast cancer cells to APOBEC3 deaminase-mediated mutations.

Abundant APOBEC3 (A3) deaminase-mediated mutations can dominate the mutational landscape (‘mutator phenotype’) of some cancers, however, the basis of this sporadic vulnerability is unknown. We show here that elevated expression of the bifunctional DNA glycosylase, NEIL2, sensitizes breast cancer cells to A3B-mediated mutations and double-strand breaks (DSBs) by perturbing canonical base excision repair (BER). NEIL2 usurps the canonical lyase, APE1, at abasic sites in a purified BER system, rendering them poor substrates for polymerase β. However, the nicked NEIL2 product can serve as an entry site for Exo1 in vitro to generate single-stranded DNA, which would be susceptible to both A3B and DSBs. As NEIL2 or Exo1 depletion mitigates the DNA damage caused by A3B expression, we suggest that aberrant NEIL2 expression can explain certain instances of A3B-mediated mutations.
Purpose as a Powerful Resource in the Time of COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2), has claimed thousands of lives within the past few months; disrupted peo...
Studies on the erythron and the ferrokinetic responses in beagles adapted to hypergravity

Red cell survival, ferrokinetics, and hematologic parameters were investigated in beagle dogs exposed to chronic hypergravity (2.6 Gx). Ineffective erythropoiesis, red cell mass, plasma volume, and Cr-51-elution were significantly increased; maximum Fe-59 incorporation was decreased; and there was no change in the mean erythrocyte life span following autologous injection of Cr-51-labeled red cells and Fe-59-labeled transferrin. Red cell count, F(cells), total body hemoglobin (Hb), susceptability to osmotic lysis, and differential reticulocyte count were increased. White blood cell count, venous blood %Hb, mean cell volume, mean cell Hb, mean cell Hb concentration, and serum iron were decreased. No changes were observed for body mass, mg Fe per g Hb, iron binding capacity, percent saturation of iron carrying capacity, or the electrophoretic mobility of purified Hb. This study indicated that chronic exposure to hypergravity induced changes in red cell size, volume, total mass, and membrane permeability.
The sensational temporality of spoilers in The Woman in White and Avengers: Endgame

In anticipation of the April 2019 release of the film Avengers: Endgame, which was the finale of a years-long serial storytelling arc, co-director Joe Russo commented in an interview that “this one...
Acceptable Noise Levels Determined by Traditional and Self-Assessed Methods.

Background Many apps have been developed for users to screen their hearing in their own home. The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity and efficiency of a self-assessed acceptable noise level (ANL) in comparison to the traditional ANL measurements. Research Design A within-subject repeated measures research design was utilized. Data Collection and Analysis Sixty-two adults with normal hearing were recruited from Auburn University and the surrounding community. ANLs were measured utilizing the traditional measurement as well as the self-assessed ANL via the Unitron uHear app. Results Within-subject repeated measures of variance revealed no significant differences between traditional ANL measurements and self-assessed ANL measurements. Significant differences were found for time required for testing in each condition, revealing self-assessed testing to be significantly faster. Conclusion The self-assessed ANL measurement via the Unitron uHear app is a valid and efficient measurement of ANL in adults with normal hearing.
An Approximate Direct Inverse as a Preconditioner for Ill-conditioned Problems

This paper implemented an approximate direct inverse for the surface integral equation including multilevel fast-multipole method. We apply it as a preconditioner to two examples suffering convergence problem with an iterative solver.
Cerebellar Control of Movement

Morphologically, the term “cerebellum” may be unambiguously used to denote the neuronal mass composed by the cerebellar cortex, the cerebellar nuclei, and the intervening white matter (the fibers that lie between these two sites). This mass is clearly separated from the rest of the central nervous system by three large fiber bundles, the cerebellar peduncles (superior, middle, and inferior). However, until now no such unambiguous description could be given for its overall physiology because owing to its intermediate location between the sensory and motor realm, its function could only be considered within the context of that of the rest of the nervous system. One may say, in fact, that in absolute terms the cerebellum does not play a primary role in either sensory or motor function; its destruction does not produce alteration of sensation or paralysis.
The challenges of achieving a 100% renewable electricity system in the United States

Summary Understanding the technical and economic challenges of achieving 100% renewable energy (RE) electric power systems is critical, given the increasing number of United States regional and state commitments toward this goal. Although no detailed study of a major utility of large interconnection under 100% RE system has been published, considerable literature explores the potential to greatly increase RE penetration. This literature, combined with real-world experience with increased RE deployment, points to two main challenges associated with achieving 100% RE across all timescales: (1) economically maintaining a balance of supply and demand and (2) designing technically reliable grids using largely inverter-based resources. The first challenge results in a highly nonlinear increase in costs as the system approaches 100% RE, in large part because of seasonal mismatches. The second challenge might require new inverter designs, depending on the mix of RE technologies. Analysis and experience to date point to no fundamental technical reasons why a 100% RE electric power system cannot be achieved, but the economic challenges indicate the need for advancements in several technologies and careful consideration of the suite of options that could be used to achieve equivalent carbon-reduction goals. Previous work also points to the need for analytic tool development, and techno-economic feasibility analysis must also consider the host of regulatory, market, and policy issues that might limit the ability to deploy mixes of resources that are suggested by least-cost modeling exercises.
Rapid organocatalytic chirality analysis of amines, amino acids, alcohols, amino alcohols and diols with achiral iso(thio)cyanate probes

The widespread occurrence and significance of chiral compounds does not only require new methods for their enantioselective synthesis but also efficient tools that allow rapid determination of the absolute configuration, enantiomeric composition and overall concentration of nonracemic mixtures. Although chiral analysis is a frequently encountered challenge in the chemical, environmental, materials and health sciences it is typically addressed with slow and laborious chromatographic or NMR spectroscopic techniques. We now show with almost 40 analytes representing 5 different compound classes, including mono-alcohols which are particularly challenging sensing targets, that this task can be solved very quickly by chiroptical sensing with a single, readily available arylisocyanate probe. The probe reacts smoothly and irreversibly with amino and alcohol groups when an organocatalyst is used at room temperature toward urea or carbamate products exhibiting characteristic UV and CD signals above 300 nm. The UV signal induction is not enantioselective and correlated to the total concentration of both enantiomers, the concomitant generation of a CD band allows determination of the enantiomeric composition from the same sample, and the sense of the induced Cotton effect reveals the absolute configuration by comparison with a reference. This approach eliminates complications that can arise when enantiomerically impure NMR derivatizing agents are used and it outperforms time-consuming HPLC protocols. The generation of distinct UV and CD signals at high wavelengths overcomes issues with insufficient resolution of overlapping signals often encountered with chiral NMR solvating agents that rely on weak binding forces. The broad solvent compatibility is another noteworthy and important characteristic of this assay. It addresses frequently encountered problems with insufficient solubility of polar analytes, for example pharmaceuticals, in standard mobile phase mixtures required for chiral HPLC analysis. We anticipate that the broad application spectrum, ruggedness and practicality of organocatalytic chiroptical sensing with aryliso(thio)cyanate probes together with the availability of automated CD multi-well plate readers carry exceptional promise to accelerate chiral compound development projects at reduced cost and with less waste production.
Hypogalactia in mammary quarters adjacent to lipopolysaccharide-infused quarters is associated with transcriptional changes in immune genes

Infusion of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) into a mammary gland can provoke inflammatory responses and impair lactation in both the infused gland and neighboring glands. To gain insight into the mechanisms controlling the spatiotemporal response to localized mastitis in lactating dairy cows, we performed RNA sequencing on mammary tissue from quarters infused with LPS, neighboring quarters in the same animals, and control quarters from untreated animals at 3 and 12 h postinfusion. Differences in gene expression were annotated to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. Comparing mammary transcriptomes from all 3 treatments revealed 3,088 and 1,644 differentially expressed (DE) genes at 3 and 12 h, respectively. Of these genes, >95% were DE only in LPS-infused quarters and represented classical responses to LPS: inflammation, apoptosis, tissue remodeling, and altered cell signaling and metabolism. Although relatively few genes were DE in neighboring quarters (56 at 3 h; 74 at 12 h), these represented several common pathways. At 3 h, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), nuclear factor-κB, and nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor signaling pathways were identified by the upregulation of anti-inflammatory (NFKBIA, TNFAIP3) and cell adhesion molecule (VCAM1, ICAM1) genes in neighboring glands. Additionally, at 12 h, several genes linked to 1-carbon and serine metabolism were upregulated. Some responses were also regulated over time. The proinflammatory response in LPS-infused glands diminished between 3 and 12 h, indicating tight control over transcription to re-establish homeostasis. In contrast, 2 glucocorticoid-responsive genes, FKBP5 and ZBTB16, were among the top DE genes upregulated in neighboring quarters at both time points, indicating potential regulation by glucocorticoids. We conclude that a transient, systemic immune response was sufficient to disrupt lactation in neighboring glands. This response may be mediated directly by proinflammatory factors from the LPS-infused gland or indirectly by secondary factors released in response to systemic inflammatory signals.
Trends and Variation in Length of Stay Among Hospitalized Febrile Infants ≤60 Days Old.

OBJECTIVES Researchers in recent studies suggest that hospitalized febrile infants aged ≤60 days may be safely discharged if bacterial cultures are negative after 24–36 hours of incubation. We aimed to describe trends and variation in length of stay (LOS) for hospitalized febrile infants across children’s hospitals. METHODS We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study of febrile infants aged ≤60 days hospitalized from 2016 to 2019 at 39 hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System database. We excluded infants with complex chronic conditions, bacterial infections, lower respiratory tract viral infections, and those who required ICU admission. The primary outcomes were trends in LOS overall and for individual hospitals, adjusted for patient demographics and clinical characteristics. We also evaluated the hospital-level association between LOS and 30-day readmissions. RESULTS We identified 11 868 eligible febrile infant encounters. The adjusted mean LOS for the study cohort decreased from 44.0 hours in 2016 to 41.9 hours in 2019 (P CONCLUSIONS The LOS for hospitalized febrile infants decreased marginally between 2016 and 2019, although overall LOS and change in LOS varied substantially across children’s hospitals. Continued quality improvement efforts are needed to reduce LOS for hospitalized febrile infants.
Schur Parameters and Positive Block Matrices

Our aim in this chapter is to emphasize the role played by the Schur parameters in connection with the structure of the positive definite kernels on the set of integers. These parameters appear as operator angles describing the geometry of a certain space associated to the given kernel by a simple renorming construction, usually referred to as the Kolmogorov decomposition. In this setting we make the connection with the dilation theory by emphasizing a key multiplicative structure of the Kolmogorov decomposition. This explains the structure of the Naimark and Sz.-Nagy dilations as elementary rotations of certain contractions. A few immediate applications are also presented. Thus, we discuss Cholesky factorizations, determinantal formulae for positive block matrices and orthogonal polynomials on the unit circle.
Chapter 21 - Trophic Factors and Cell Adhesion Molecules Can Drive Dysfunctional Plasticity and Senile Plaque Formation in Alzheimer's Disease through a Breakdown in Spatial and Temporal Regulation

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the role of trophic factors and cell adhesion molecules in brain plasticity and explores the hypothesis that these molecules contribute to the development of age-related pathology in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The trophic molecules play a significant role in the process of plaque formation and β-amyloid and amyloid precursor protein (APP) are involved in attracting neurites and are responsible for their toxicity. Some of these molecules include fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), heparan sulfate proteoglycans, and the cell adhesion molecule—amyloid precursor protein (APP). Common plasticity mechanisms may be activated by divergent insults, but converge into a positive feedback cascade that induces further degeneration, programmed cell death, and further inflammation. The potential therapeutic role for growth factors in modulating the progression of AD is examined. β-amyloid, which is derived from APP, appears to have the ability to serve as a pseudo cell-adhesion molecule. When β-amyloid assembles into fibrils and develops a β-sheet conformation, it induces in neuronal processes the morphological features of dystrophic neurites in and around senile plaques.
The family farms in the United States: social relations, scale and region

Family farms are one of America's cultural icons and an important element of American farming tradition. However, their definition is neither clear-cut nor unambiguous; as indicated by the authors of this article, the role and significance of family farms are different for all currently used definitions. Comparing and contemplating the definitions specified by the USDA and UN-FAO, as well as the concepts put forth by American organizations, e. g. the National Family Farm Coalition or Family Farm Defenders, the authors point out sizable differences in numbers and basic characteristics of family farms. These differences result from factors related to scale of production, extent of land ownership and tenancy, as well as various social and regional influences. The two latter categories encompass issues affecting mid-sized farms (agriculture of the middle), the significance of income from extra-agricultural labor for the family farm budget, the role and importance of hired labor, and the characteristics and extent of land tenancy. The authors stress the importance of family farming in maintaining the vitality of local communities and food security in the US along with its role in protecting biodiversity and the environment. The closing part of the article focuses on addressing US rural policy, which should count protecting family farms among its key goals.
Orbits of all sorts

Can we predict how a group of bodies, attracting each other by gravity, should move? The short answer is no — once there are three bodies or more, the system is chaotic. But there are some special solutions. A new type of approximate solution is appealingly simple to construct: just draw any closed curve, and fill it with a large number of particles moving around at constant speed.
Cytoskeletal stiffness controls the threshold of T cell activation (IRM10P.747)

T cells require a dynamic cytoskeleton to effectively scan antigen-presenting cells and become fully activated. To study the function of cytoskeletal changes as they occur in real time during T cell activation, we modified an atomic force microscope to deliver antigen via the cantilever, simultaneously ligating T-cell receptors (TCRs) and measuring changes in cytoskeletal mechanics. We show that antigenically naive T cells are mechanically stiff and their cytoskeletal structures undergo rapid relaxation at the site of TCR ligation. In contrast, antigen-experienced memory and effector T cells are already soft prior to TCR triggering. We found that cytoskeletal relaxation is due to depolymerization of actin, is proportional to antigen dose, and requires proximal TCR signaling pathways but not ICAM-1:LFA-1 interaction. We identified pathways controlling the stiffness of naive T cells, and blocking these pathways resulted in naive T cells become soft even prior to TCR triggering. Moreover, these soft yet antigen-inexperienced T cells showed a reduced threshold for allo- and antigen-specific activation compared to controls. Our results highlight the functional importance of cytoskeletal stuctures in tuning T cell responses to spatially localized signals from APCs.
Improved Uniformity of Multiphase Ceramic‐Metal Plasma‐Sprayed Coats

Processing-technology development of a multiphase, self-lubricating, plasma-spray powder resulted in greater uniformity and reproducibility of plasma-sprayed coats. The effect of particle-size variation, binder concentration, and reproducible processing parameters are reported. Greater adhesive strengths of coats to substrates were achieved by particle-size variation, use of an intermediate bond coat such as Ni-Cr, or heat treatment. Quantitative analyses of polished, coated specimens are also given.
Liquefaction of coal under mild conditions: Catalysis by strong acids, iodine and their combination

Abstract The concept of using an acid coal depolymerization catalyst with a balancing hydrogenation/ hydrogenolysis function to prevent retrogressive reactions forms the basis of this work. A catalytic system based on combining the superacid CF3SO3H (triflic acid) with iodine was examined in coal liquefaction under mild reaction conditions. This system was shown to be effective for three types of coal. For example, CF 3 SO 3 H (25 wt%) I 2 (0.5 wt%) in tetralin as solvent gave 79 ± 2% conversion of a Wyodak coal to 54% asphaltenes and 37% oils after 2 h at 300 °C under 6.8 MPa of H2 pressure using a batch microreactor. Under identical conditions the acid alone gave only 46% conversion, while iodine alone gave 58%. The combined catalytic system also performed well with toluene as solvent; with the higher rank Illinois no. 6 and Pittsburgh seam coals, best results were obtained with 10 wt% acid 0.5 wt% I 2 . Weaker acids such as p-toluenesulphonic acid and sulphuric acid (98%) were less effective than triflic acid in this catalytic coal conversion. From the dependence of product selectivity on the catalytic system and reaction conditions, and from elemental analyses of liquids and residues and 1H and 13C n.m.r. measurements, it is concluded that the main function of the acid is to enhance coal depolymerization to asphaltenes while the (major) role of iodine in the combined catalytic system is to hydrogenate and hydrocrack the asphaltenes to oils. It is important to note that each catalyst alone, triflic acid as well as iodine, can utilize molecular H2 to liquefy coal. Finally, the combined catalytic system removed more than 50% of the nitrogen and over 90% of the sulphur of the original coal, as shown for Illinois no. 6 and Pittsburgh seam samples.
Artifacts reduction in mutual information-based image registration using prior information

Mutual information (MI) is currently the most popular match metric in handling the registration problem for multimodality images. However, interpolation artifacts impose deteriorating effects to the accuracy and robustness of MI-based methods. This paper analyzes the generation mechanism of the artifacts inherent in partial volume interpolation (PVI) and shows that the mutual information resulted from PVI is a convex function within each voxel grid. A new joint entropy estimation scheme using prior information is proposed to reduce the artifact effects and we demonstrate the improvements via experiments on misalignments between MR brain scans obtained using different image acquisition protocols.
Pd oxidation under UHV in a model Pd/ceria-zirconia catalyst

A model planar catalyst was prepared by depositing Pd onto a thick (few μm) film of ceria–zirconia in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV), and the oxidation state of Pd and its support was determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, following thermal treatments in UHV, oxygen, or carbon monoxide. It was found that Pd could be oxidized simply by heating the catalyst in UHV, indicating that transfer of oxygen from the support to the metal is both thermodynamically favorable and facile.
Nonlinear vector multiresolution analysis

We explore the use of multiresolution analysis for vector signals, such as multispectral images or stock market portfolio time series. These signals often contain local correlations among components that are overlooked in a component-by-component analysis. We show that a coarse signal defined by taking local arithmetic averages is equivalent to analyzing the signal component by component, but by using the average that minimizes the L/sup 2/ distance to the local points results in a non-separable vector multiresolution analysis. We propose using the vector multiresolution representation for signal processing tasks such as compression and denoising. We prove some results in denoising and present color image examples.
A non-local, ordinary-state-based viscoelasticity model for peridynamics.

A non-local, ordinary-state-based, peridynamics viscoelasticity model is developed. In this model, viscous effects are added to deviatoric deformations and the bulk response remains elastic. The model uses internal state variables and is conceptually similar to linearized isotropic viscolelasticity in the local theory. The modulus state, which is used to form the Jacobian matrix in Newton-Raphson algorithms, is presented. The model is shown to satisfy the 2nd law of thermodynamics and is applicable to problems in solid continuum mechanics where fracture and rate effects are important; it inherits all the advantages for modeling fracture associated with peridynamics. By combining this work with the previously published ordinary-state-based plasticity model, the model may be amenable to viscoplasticity problems where plasticity and rate effects are simultaneously important. Also, the model may be extended to include viscous effects for spherical deformations as well. The later two extensions are not presented and may be the subject of further work.
Identification and Enhancement of On-stage Acoustics in a Multipurpose Auditorium

The objective of this research is to identify the measurable sound quality parameters of an existing multipurpose auditorium in which the acoustics are not adequate for orchestral purposes. The major problems have been identified as the lack of sufficient projection of sound from the stage area, the inability of the musicians to hear themselves and each other, and the poor reverberation in the auditorium. Objective architectural acoustic parameters have been identified and analyzed by conducting acoustical measurements following standardized procedures. One of the measured objective parameters is 'Musician Support', which depends on the amount of early reflections available on stage for the musicians. An acoustic shell, which is a set of large panels that surround an orchestra, will increase the level of early reflections. The goal of this study is to assess the effectiveness of an acoustic shell in improving the on-stage acoustics of this particular auditorium. An objective analysis of these parameters is presented with and without the shell in place, in order to quantify the overall enhancement for the musicians provided by the acoustic shell.
Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 Inactivates Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1α To Reduce Acute Lung Inflammation and Injury in Mice

To determine the role of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) in acute lung injury (ALI), we delivered LPS or bleomycin by the intratracheal route to MMP-8(-/-) mice versus wild-type (WT) mice or subjected the mice to hyperoxia (95% O(2)) and measured lung inflammation and injury at intervals. MMP-8(-/-) mice with ALI had greater increases in lung polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and macrophage counts, measures of alveolar capillary barrier injury, lung elastance, and mortality than WT mice with ALI. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from LPS-treated MMP-8(-/-) mice had more MIP-1alpha than BALF from LPS-treated WT mice, but similar levels of other pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. MIP-1alpha(-/-) mice with ALI had less acute lung inflammation and injury than WT mice with ALI, confirming that MIP-1alpha promotes acute lung inflammation and injury in mice. Genetically deleting MIP-1alpha in MMP-8(-/-) mice reduced the increased lung inflammation and injury and mortality in MMP-8(-/-) mice with ALI. Soluble MMP-8 cleaved and inactivated MIP-1alpha in vitro, but membrane-bound MMP-8 on activated PMNs had greater MIP-1alpha-degrading activity than soluble MMP-8. High levels of membrane-bound MMP-8 were detected on lung PMNs from LPS-treated WT mice, but soluble, active MMP-8 was not detected in BALF samples. Thus, MMP-8 has novel roles in restraining lung inflammation and in limiting alveolar capillary barrier injury during ALI in mice by inactivating MIP-1alpha. In addition, membrane-bound MMP-8 on activated lung PMNs is likely to be the key bioactive form of the enzyme that limits lung inflammation and alveolar capillary barrier injury during ALI.
On the hardness of topology inference

Many systems require information about the topology of networks on the Internet, for purposes like management, efficiency, testing of new protocols and so on. However, ISPs usually do not share the actual topology maps with outsiders; thus, in order to obtain the topology of a network on the Internet, a system must reconstruct it from publicly observable data. The standard method employs traceroute to obtain paths between nodes; next, a topology is generated such that the observed paths occur in the graph. However, traceroute has the problem that some routers refuse to reveal their addresses, and appear as anonymous nodes in traces. Previous research on the problem of topology inference with anonymous nodes has demonstrated that it is at best NP-complete. In this paper, we improve upon this result. In our previous research, we showed that in the special case where nodes may be anonymous in some traces but not in all traces (so all node identifiers are known), there exist trace sets that are generable from multiple topologies. This paper extends our theory of network tracing to the general case (with strictly anonymous nodes), and shows that the problem of computing the network that generated a trace set, given the trace set, has no general solution. The weak version of the problem, which allows an algorithm to output a "small" set of networks- any one of which is the correct one- is also not solvable. Any algorithm guaranteed to output the correct topology outputs at least an exponential number of networks. Our results are surprisingly robust: they hold even when the network is known to have exactly two anonymous nodes, and every node as well as every edge in the network is guaranteed to occur in some trace. On the basis of this result, we suggest that exact reconstruction of network topology requires more powerful tools than traceroute.
A numerical simulation of airflow in human bronchial passages during high-frequency ventilation

The flow of air in the first four generations of the tracheobronchial tree is simulated using a 2-D, fluid mechanical model and numerical computations. Results are obtained for an asymmetric breathing cycle used in high-frequency ventilation. Computed flow patterns show interesting features including flow recirculation, preferred direction of flow in bifurcating tubes, and a net shear stress toward the expiratory direction. >
Vitamin D and Prevention of Colorectal Adenoma: A Meta-analysis

Background: Vitamin D status is associated inversely with risk of colorectal cancer, but the association with adenoma risk is less clear. This meta-analysis examined the overall relationship between circulating (plasma or serum) 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], vitamin D intake (dietary, supplemental, or total), and colorectal adenoma incidence in published studies. Methods: A meta-analysis composed of 17 epidemiologic studies [1 cross-sectional, 9 case-control, and 7 cohort or nested case-control studies; 7 on 25(OH)D and 12 on vitamin D intake] published before December 2007 was done to examine the association between circulating 25(OH)D, vitamin D intake, and colorectal adenomas. Summary Peto odds ratios (OR) were computed for overall and stratified analyses. Results: Circulating 25(OH)D was inversely associated with risk of colorectal adenomas: the OR was 0.70 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.56-0.87] for high versus low circulating 25(OH)D. The highest quintile of vitamin D intake was associated with an 11% marginally decreased risk of colorectal adenomas compared with low vitamin D intake (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.78-1.02). For recurrent adenomas, there was a decreased risk of 12% (95% CI, 0.72-1.07) among individuals with high versus low vitamin D intake. The inverse associations appeared stronger for advanced adenoma [OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.45-0.90 for serum 25(OH)D and OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.63-0.95 for vitamin D intake], but the number of studies was small. Conclusions: Both circulating 25(OH)D and vitamin D intake were inversely associated with colorectal adenoma incidence and recurrent adenomas. These results further support a role of vitamin D in prevention of colorectal adenoma incidence and recurrence. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(11):2958–69)
Potential Variations Arising Out of a Periodic Lattice of Isolated Logarithmic Singularities

This correspondence alludes to two recent publications [2], [3] which have developed two entirely distinct formulations for tapping spurious Compton electron emanating from the walls of system-generated EMP simulators. While both formulations recognize the predominant role played by the potential field, no attempt was made in either paper to estimate the relative error involved in pursuing the efficient analysis of the GJT paper [2]. This article does such an analysis based on the variations in the potential field as the parameters of the periodic lattice are changed. This would help the designer to choose between the two techniques?the efficient one with parametric limitations or the more involved one with a large measure of parametric freedom.
The electronic structure of SiO3: a problematic example for coupled cluster methods

Abstract A new Si x O y species has been isolated in argon matrices at low temperatures by Roy et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 104 (1996) 8]. The new species was characterized by vibrational spectra and proposed to be SiO 3 in a C 2v structure, with an unusual O–O bond. To explore this structure, we use the CCSD(T), QRHF-CC, EOM-CC, IP-STEOM and the DIP-STEOM method to investigate SiO 3 and its anion. The IP-STEOM and DIP-STEOM schemes allows us to describe traditional multi-reference situations in what is conceptionally a one determinantal frame work. Our results support the experimentally found C 2v structure.
Methyl substituted benzene adducts of trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylene mercury

Trimeric perfluoro-ortho-phenylene mercury (1) dissolves in substituted benzenes including toluene, ortho-xylene, meta-xylene, para-xylene and is sparingly soluble in mesitylene. The 199Hg NMR resonance of 1 in toluene, ortho-xylene, meta-xylene, and para-xylene appears at δ −1051.8, −1053.5, −1051.4 and −1059.1 ppm, respectively. These resonances are slightly upfield from the resonance observed for 1 in CH2Cl2 (δ −1045.2 ppm) and possibly indicates the solvation of the mercury centres by molecules of arenes. Slow evaporation of solutions of 1 in toluene, ortho-xylene, meta-xylene, para-xylene and mesitylene affords 1·toluene (2), 1·ortho-xylene (3), 1·meta-xylene (4), 1·para-xylene (5) and 1·mesitylene (6), respectively, as crystalline complexes. These adducts have been characterized by elemental analysis and X-ray crystallography. Thermogravimetric analyses indicate that 2–5 begin to lose the coordinated arene at a temperature below 50 °C; however, in the case of 6 loss begins around 91 °C. The structures of 2, 4 and 5 reveals the existence of binary stacks in which the aromatic core of the benzenes approaches the mercury centres of 1. In the case of 3 and 6, the aromatic molecule appears preferentially bound to one of the two proximal molecules of 1. Hence, 3 and 6 are best described as discrete 1 ∶ 1 complexes. In 2–6, the resulting Hg⋯Caromatic distances are in the range 3.2–3.5 A and are within the sum of the van der Waals radii. They reflect the presence of secondary polyhapto π-interactions occurring between the electron-rich aromatic molecules and the acidic mercury centres.
Acceptance testing for PACS: from methodology to design to implementation

Acceptance Testing (AT) is a crucial step in the implementation process of a PACS within a clinical environment. AT determines whether the PACS is ready for clinical use and marks the official sign off of the PACS product. Most PACS vendors have Acceptance Testing (AT) plans, however, these plans do not provide a complete and robust evaluation of the full system. In addition, different sites will have different special requirements that vendor AT plans do not cover. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a protocol for AT design and present case studies of AT performed on clinical PACS. A methodology is presented that includes identifying testing components within PACS, quality assurance for both functionality and performance, and technical testing focusing on key single points-of-failure within the PACS product. Tools and resources that provide assistance in performing AT are discussed. In addition, implementation of the AT within the clinical environment and the overall implementation timeline of the PACS process are presented. Finally, case studies of actual AT of clinical PACS performed in the healthcare environment will be reviewed. The methodology for designing and implementing a robust AT plan for PACS was documented and has been used in PACS acceptance tests in several sites. This methodology can be applied to any PACS and can be used as a validation for the PACS product being acquired by radiology departments and hospitals. A methodology for AT design and implementation was presented that can be applied to future PACS installations. A robust AT plan for a PACS installation can increase both the utilization and satisfaction of a successful implementation of a PACS product that benefits both vendor and customer.
Hormonal basis for sexual dimorphism of the sound-producing apparatus of the oyster toadfish

We investigated the endocrine basis for sexual dimorphism of the sound-producing apparatus (swimbladder and attached sonic muscles) in the oyster toadfish Opsanus tau by implanting steroid pellets in gonadectomized females and males. In females, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone caused, respectively, 32.3 and 31.5% increase (P < 0.0001), and estradiol 17 β caused 11.3% increase (P < 0.0104) in swimbladder weight compared with controls. In males, testosterone caused 17.7% (P < 0.028), dihydrotestosterone 24.0% (P < 0.0008), and estradiol 10.8% (N.S.) increase from controls. Swimbladder weight gains occurred despite the fact that these fish refused food and did not gain weight. In a final experiment on fed females, testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone caused a similar increase (16.6 and 18.9%, respectively) compared with controls. These results indicate that swimbladders in adults of both sexes retain the ability to respond to steroid treatments and suggest that sexual differences in bladder size are controlled without a critical period by hormonal concentrations within the fish.
The effect of acute and chronic glucocorticoid excess on leucine kinetics and protein turnover in vivo

The present studies were undertaken to assess the effects of excess cortisol on amino acid exchange in the conscious dog. Three groups of 18-hr fasted dogs with catheters chronically implanted in the femoral artery were studied: Group I (n = 6) received saline; Groups II and III (n = 5, each) received ACTH intravenously (1 U/min) for 7 hr; in addition, Group III received ACTH, 500 U/day intramuscularly for 4 days. Leucine rates of appearance (Ra) and clearance were measured using a constant infusion of L-4,5-[3H]leucine. ACTH treatment resulted in a 9-fold increase in plasma cortisol in Groups II and III (from 2 ± 1 to 18 ± 1 and 17 ± 2 μg/dl, in II and III, respectively P < 0.001), with no effect on either plasma insulin or glucagon. Plasma leucine (mmole/liter) increased from 118 ± 6 (I) to 153 ± 6 (II, P < 0.005) to 275 ± 35 (III, P < 0.001). Leucine Ra (micromoles/kilogram/minute) did not change in II, but rose by 39% (P < 0.005) in III. Clearance (milliliters/kilogram/minute) dropped from 25 ± 2 (I) to 18 ± 2 (II, P < 0.005), to 15 ± 2 (III, P < 0.001). It is concluded that acute elevations of cortisol increased plasma leucine only by inhibiting its rate of disposal, whereas chronic elevations had a dual effect; they inhibited leucine disposal and increased its entry into the plasma compartment, suggesting an inhibition of protein synthesis and stimulation of protein breakdown.
Patterns of Service Utilization: Child, Maternal, and Service Provider Factors

The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between service utilization patterns in early intervention programs and specific child, maternal, and service provider characteristics. Service utilization data for 133 infants and toddlers were gathered for 1 week out of every month for a 4 month duration. For each service encounter, the duration, location, type of service, and academic discipline of service provider was recorded. Findings revealed that families received an average of 1.7 hours per week of services (unduplicated hours). Older children (toddlers) and mothers with higher levels of education received significantly more service. Thirty-four percent of all services occurred in community-based settings and community-based services were utilized more when both mother and provider were college educated. Data also suggest that early intervention is no longer restricted to specialized centers but includes the universe of neighborhood resources.
CATECHOLLISION : a game to teach catecholamine synthesis for IBM PCs and compatibles

CATECHOLLISION is an arcade-style computer game that teaches catecholamine synthesis. Tyrosine and the enzymes involved in the synthesis fall from the top of the screen. The player must combine them to produce DOPA and the catecholamines. An accumulation of unused chemicals ends the game. The game includes features such as music and sound effects, several levels of difficulty, a hint option for beginning students, and saved high scores.
Effects of alloy and solution chemistry on the fracture of passive films on austenitic stainless steel

The Taguchi analysis method was used to simultaneously study the effects of alloy chemistry, pH, and halide ion concentrations on the fracture of electrochemically grown passive films using a nanoindentation technique. Three austenitic stainless steels, 304L, 316L, and 904L were potentiostatically polarized in hydrochloric acid solutions. The fracture load was dominated primarily by alloy chemistry. Passive films mechanically weaken as the atomic iron concentration increases in the film. Prolonged anodic ageing time increases the fracture load of passive films.
U.S. interests in the new Taiwan

Part 1 The new Taiwan: Taiwan's political development Taiwan's economic development flexible diplomacy the security of Taiwan. Part 2 Policy implications for the United States beyond containment in Asia - US strategy and policy in the 1990s US interests in the Republic of China policy recommendations and conclusions.
Effects of Perceiver / Target Gender and Social Networking Presence on Web-based Impression Formation

As the Web has expanded in its use and utility it has fundamentally changed the way in which individuals gather and use information. This paper suggests that those changes give rise to tangible and significant effects in the impressions people form of others using Web-based information. This study explores the impacts of perceiver gender, target gender, and social networking presence on subjects’ perceptions of potential teammates otherwise unknown to them as revealed by ratings they assign based only on search engine results. Experiments reveal differences in how male and female perceivers view others’ social networking activity in general and suggest that how the perceiver gender matches, or differs, from the gender of the target affects how social networking presence plays into impression formation. Findings hold implications for professionals, academics and individuals concerned with the role that Web-based information plays in impression formation and how inherent gender-based biases may affect power and politics in the workplace and beyond.
Oxidative weathering of Illinois No.6 coal

The exposure of freshly-mined Illinois No.6 bituminous coal (Monterey Mine No.1) to atmospheric oxygen at ambient conditions resulted in a slow oxidation reaction which appeared to be complete within two months to produce an oxidized coal product with ≈26% more organically bound oxygen than the fresh coal. An oxygen functional group analysis was performed to determine the carboxylic acid, hydroxyl and ether group content of the coal before, during and after the reaction. Infrared analysis showed no carbonyl production; however, ether functionality was being produced. O-methylation reactions which employed isotopically labelled methyl groups (both C-13 and deuterium) were used to identify and quantify O-H and CO2H sites in the weathering coal samples. It was found that these acidic groups were not the products of oxidative weathering. Essentially all of the chemically incorporated oxygen eventually formed ether linkages. In a related study on this coal, hydroperoxide was detected as a transient intermediate in the early stages of the oxidation. A mechanism is proposed which involves the simultaneous formation under mild temperatures of a hydroperoxide and a carbon radical that undergoes a radical displacement producing the ether product directly. Solvent swelling studies revealed that these ethers act as cross-linking agents in the coal structure. The more highly cross-linked coal structure that resulted from weathering was responsible for the destruction of the plastic properties of this bituminous coal.
Influenza-Infected Neutrophils within the Infected Lungs Act as Antigen Presenting Cells for Anti-Viral CD8+ T Cells

Influenza A virus (IAV) is a leading cause of respiratory tract disease worldwide. Anti-viral CD8+ T lymphocytes responding to IAV infection are believed to eliminate virally infected cells by direct cytolysis but may also contribute to pulmonary inflammation and tissue damage via the release of pro-inflammatory mediators following recognition of viral antigen displaying cells. We have previously demonstrated that IAV antigen expressing inflammatory cells of hematopoietic origin within the infected lung interstitium serve as antigen presenting cells (APC) for infiltrating effector CD8+ T lymphocytes; however, the spectrum of inflammatory cell types capable of serving as APC was not determined. Here, we demonstrate that viral antigen displaying neutrophils infiltrating the IAV infected lungs are an important cell type capable of acting as APC for effector CD8+ T lymphocytes in the infected lungs and that neutrophils expressing viral antigen as a result of direct infection by IAV exhibit the most potent APC activity. Our findings suggest that in addition to their suggested role in induction of the innate immune responses to IAV, virus clearance, and the development of pulmonary injury, neutrophils can serve as APCs to anti-viral effector CD8+ T cells within the infected lung interstitium.