cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tissue response to dental caries.

Abstract Caries still represents the most widespread human disease. The pulp tissue sequelae of den tin caries are of utmost importance, because prevention of pulpal damage considerably reduces the need for extensive restorations and endodontic therapy. There is, however, considerable disagreement in the literature regarding how early the pulpal response to caries can be detected. The material in this article, gathered from the author's and his coauthors' earlier investigations, deals with pulp reactions from initial caries to increasingly extensive caries; caries in combination with attrition; the effect of carious den tin in experimental cavities of intact dentin; the effect of medicaments, restorative procedures and materials, and indirect pulp capping in the treatment of deep caries; microbiologic aspects of dentin caries; diagnosis criteria for treatment; light and electron microscopic study of teeth with carious exposure; periodontal disease and root caries in the geriatric population; pulp biopsies of teeth with periapical lesions, and the breakdown of the remaining pulp and its periapical sequelae. Pulpal reactions to initial caries detected as early as bacteria reach the dentinal tubules arc also discussed. As in medium and deep caries, this can be reversible following the removal of the infected dentin, except for irritation dentin and calcifications on the canal walls or free in the lumen. Bacteria remaining in dentinal tubules combined with iatrogenesis may be the reason for pulpal disintegration under deep restorations. Indirect pulp capping is not an acceptable procedure. Pain (or lack thereof) is not a predictable indicator of the inflammatory stage of the pulp. Root caries must be treated early to prevent pulpal destruction. Vital pulp tissue can be found in the roots of teeth with periapical radiolucencies that will ultimately show the presence of bacteria.
Developing nonlinear queuing regressions to increase emergency department patient safety: Approximating reneging with balking

Administrators know when Emergency Department (ED) overcrowding is a problem in their hospital. Lead times to change ED capacity are long and require strategic tools. ED patients who Leave WithOut Treatment (LWOT) before seeing a physician are, in queuing nomenclature, 'reneging' from an overcrowded situation and are an important measure of ED patient safety. We propose to enable strategic decision making on future ED capacity on the basis of patient safety (rather than congestion measures). We hypothesize that the LWOT reneging percentage is captured by the balking probability (p"K) relationship of an M/M/1/K queue. If true, this relationship is superior to the typical ad hoc regression relationships commonly found. Since it is based on a physical scientific mechanism, the sample size requirements and extrapolation power are improved. We derive the form of a binomial response nonlinear weighted regression model that best fits p"K for predicting LWOT to long-term ED performance by means of Gauss-Newton linearization. Our results include asymptotic Wald confidence intervals on prediction, specific Pearson and Deviance model goodness-of-fit tests, and residual analysis that facilitate identification of outlying data points. None of these features exist for reneging (or balking) models previously presented in the literature.
Liquid Phase Behavior of Ionic Liquids with Water and 1-Octanol and Modeling of 1-Octanol/Water Partition Coefficients

This study examines the effect of structural components of an ionic liquid (IL), including the choice of the anion, alkyl chain length on the cation, and substitution on the cation, on the mutual solubility with water and with 1-octanol. This is important because ionic liquids have been shown to be good replacements for organic extraction solvents in some liquid separations. In addition, we use the measured data to predict 1-octanol/water partition coefficients for the ionic liquids using the nonrandom two liquid (NRTL) and electrolyte nonrandom two liquid (eNRTL) excess Gibbs energy models. Specifically, the mutual solubilities of 15 different imidazolium, pyridinium, and quaternary ammonium ionic liquids with water were measured at (23.5 ± 1) °C. An increase in the alkyl chain length or the substitution decreases the mutual solubility with water. The [BF4]- and [B(CN)4]- anions are significantly more hydrophilic than [PF6]-, [(CF3SO2)2N]-, and [(CF3SO2)3C]-. The mutual solubilities of 10 ILs with 1-octa...
A task-appropriate hybrid architecture for explanation.

This paper analyzes how a spectrum of architectural and structural ideas fit together to provide the required functionality for explanation generation. Several information processing tasks involved in the choice and organization of the content of an explanation are identified. These are best modeled by distinct mechanisms; hence a particular class of hybrid planning architectures most clearly reflects the nature of the explanation task. The architecture is exemplified by a description of an implemented explanation planner. Various implications of the architecture are discussed, including a classification of structuring relations based on their sources and roles in planning; the elimination of goal-posting preconditions from goal refinement operators; and the level at which nondeterminism is handled. Cet article examine comment un spectre ? idees architectures et structurales s'integrent pour assurer la fonctionnalite necessaire a la generation ? explications. Plusieurs taches de traitement de ľ information qui entrent en jeu dans le choix et ľ organisation du contenu ? une explication sont identifyees. Leur modelisation est plus facile si on a recours a des mecanismes distincts; en consequence, une classe particuliere ? architectures de planification hybrides reflete tres clairement la nature de la tache ? explication. Ľ architecture est expliquee aľ‘aide ? une description ? un planificateur ? explications implemente Diverses implications de ľ architecture sont traitees, y compris une classification des relations structurantes basee sur leurs sources et leurs roles dans la planification; ľelimination des preconditions ? enregistrement des buts des opeiateurs de raffinement des buts; et le niveau auquel le non determinism est pris en consideration.
Eosinophil traffic in the circulation following allergen challenge

Background: Eosinophils contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma and localize to the lung after allergen exposure by uncertain mechanisms. Methods: We used intrabronchial instillation of allergen to model the interaction between inhaled allergen and the lung. We measured the number of peripheral blood leukocytes and the expression of VLA-4 (CD49d), Mac-1 (CD11b) and PSGL-1 (CD162) up to 4 h after instillation of allergen into a bronchus of eight atopic asthmatics. For controls, we instilled normal saline into a subset of the asthmatic subjects, and allergen into nonatopic, nonasthmatic subjects. Results: There were changes of total leukocyte number, number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils in all three groups (atopic asthmatics instilled with allergen, atopic asthmatics instilled with saline, nonatopic nonasthmatic subjects instilled with allergen), which were likely related to bronchoscopy. However, the decrease of eosinophils was significant only in the atopic asthmatics instilled with allergen. The remaining eosinophils in the allergen challenged asthmatics were not activated as defined by cell density or change of expression of VLA-4, Mac-1 and PSGL-1. Conclusions: While eosinophils rapidly and specifically leave the circulation after allergen challenge of atopic asthmatics, the remaining circulating eosinophils are not activated.
State Based Determinants of Inward FDI Flow in the US Economy

Inward foreign direct investment (FDI) represents an integral part of the US economy. The flow of international capital has been a key factor expanding economy. The inward US FDI constitutes important factor contributing to output growth in the US economy. This paper investigates factors affecting the inward FDI flow among fifty states of the United States. The analysis uses annual data for the period from 1997 to 2007. The study identifies several state-specific determinants of FDI and investigates the changes in their importance during the study period. Our results show that among the major determinants, the real per capita income, real per capita expenditure on education, FDI related employment, research and development expenditure, and capital expenditure are found to have a significant positive impact on FDI inflows. There is also evidence that the share of scientists and engineers in the workforce exerts a small positive impact on inward FDI flow. In addition, per capita state taxes, unit labor cost, manufacturing density, unionizetion, and unemployment rate exert a negative impact on FDI inflows.
Loneliness in HIV-infected smokers

Loneliness is common in persons living with HIV (PLWH). Lonely people smoke at higher rates than the general population, and loneliness is a likely contributor to the ongoing smoking epidemic among PLWH. We explored factors associated with loneliness in a cohort of 272 PLWH smokers enrolled in two separate tobacco treatment trials. Loneliness was independently associated with lack of a spouse or partner, lower educational attainment, "other or unknown" HIV exposure category, depression, anxiety, recent alcohol consumption, and higher daily cigarette consumption. Referral to group therapy reduced loneliness, whereas referral to an individual web-based tobacco treatment did not.
Effects of ryanodine on calcium sparks in cut twitch fibres of Rana temporaria

1. Localized calcium release events (calcium sparks) were studied in voltage-clamped cut twitch fibres of Rana temporaria. 2. A histogram of thousands of spontaneous sparks displayed a monotonically decreasing amplitude distribution from the low to the high limit of > 7 DeltaF/F(0) units. 3. Several effects of low micromolar concentrations of ryanodine (0.4-2 microM) on spontaneous sparks, reproducing the agent's effects on single ryanodine receptor channel current in bilayers, were observed collectively for the first time in live fibres, namely (a) increases in spark frequency followed by (b) conversions of sparks into steady glows lasting tens of seconds, (c) occasional interruptions of the glows by brief gaps of darkness, and (d) abolition of sparks at the locations of the glows. The glow could reflect the incessant Ca(2+) flux through a single (or a few) calcium release channel locked in the semi-open state, which was allowed to make occasional transitions to the closed state but not to the fully open state. 4. Higher concentrations of ryanodine (> or = 20 microM) suppressed the spontaneous sparks effectively and permanently, presumably by deactivating the ryanodine receptors. 5. Depolarization-evoked sparks elicited with small pulses had higher frequencies and larger amplitudes than spontaneous sparks and were abolished by both concentrations of ryanodine. 6. With 1-2 microM ryanodine, however, a uniform non-sparking calcium release persisted during the pulse, with the globally averaged increase in fluorescence intensity being about half that of the control. A possible origin of this non-sparking release may be related to the structural coupling between the voltage sensors and the ryanodine receptors that can exist only in live fibres but not in the bilayer preparation.
Are rare primate taxa specialists or simply less studied

Aim Rare species are reported to be specialized. However, rare taxa are usually less studied than are common taxa. If so, the reported specialization might be just a result of paucity of records. We here test for this sampling artefact in primates, a taxon in which rarity has been explained by specialization. Location Tropical Africa, Madagascar, Asia, Americas. Methods We define rare and common species as those with geographical range sizes in the lower and upper quartiles, respectively, for primates in each realm. We conducted two independent searches of published literature to determine if there were significantly fewer studies on a common measure of specialization, diet, for rare vs. common species. We then tested for sampling artefact in reported diet breadth by comparing the number of references needed to obtain it for both rare and common species. Results We found, in both literature searches, significantly fewer studies on diet for rare primates – a mode of zero references for rare species, and one for common. By contrast, no significant difference existed for number of references needed to attain the full reported diet breadth: a median of one reference for both specialized, rare and generalized, common species. Main conclusions Rare species are indeed studied less. Nevertheless, the finding that rare primates are specialists is not necessarily mere sampling artefact.
Acute unilateral visual loss in the elderly due to retrobulbar optic neuropathy

A 61-year-old man developed fever and a urinary tract infection followed five days later by acute visual loss in the right eye. Funduscopic examination was normal. A retrobulbar optic neuropathy was diagnosed but careful consideration was given to choroidal ischemia as an etiology. A sphenoidal mucocele was found on emergent MRI scan and drained expeditiously, with marked improvement in visual function. The diagnosis of giant cell arteritis should always be entertained when dealing with visual loss in the elderly.
Effects of local peak detection on attributed scattering centre extraction in SAR

Attributed scattering centres in synthetic aperture radar imagery reveal information that would otherwise be unknown to an analyst. How the method used for pixel qualification affects the attribution is considered. Using the well-known Prony method as the standard, the effects of position estimation from local peak detection and the two-dimensional (2D) Prony method on pixel attribution to canonical scattering centres are shown. The efficacy of using 3D attributed scattering centres to characterise a commercial vehicle is also demonstrated.
Role in tumorigenesis of silent mutations in the TP53 gene.

Over 10,000 mutations in the TP53 suppressor gene have been recorded in the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) tumor data base. About 4% of these mutations are silent. It is a question whether these mutations play a role in tumor development. In order to approach this question, we asked whether the reported silent mutations are randomly distributed throughout the TP53 gene. The p53 data base was searched exon by exon. From the frequency of codons with no silent mutations, the average number of silent mutations per codon for each exon was calculated using the Poisson distribution. The results indicate the distribution to be non-random. About one-third of all silent mutations occur in “hot-spots” and after subtraction of these hot-spots, the remaining silent mutations are randomly distributed. In addition, the percentage of silent mutations among the total in the silent mutation hot-spots is close to that expected for random mutation. We conclude that most of the silent mutations recorded in tumors play no role in tumor development and that the percentage of silent mutation is an indication of the amount of random mutation during tumorigenesis. Silent mutations occur to a significantly different extent in different tumor types. Tumors of the esophagus and colon have a low frequency of silent mutations, tumors of the prostate have a high frequency.
Age-dependent magnitude and time course of early light adaptation

Crawford (1947) demonstrated that large and rapid changes in visual sensitivity accompany an abrupt increase in retinal illumination. This has been referred to as early light adaptation (ELA) in order to distinguish these initial adjustments from those occurring after the eye has become more fully light adapted (White, Kelly, & Sturr, 1978). Although much research has been carried out on ELA, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. As part of a baseline condition for a recent ELA study in our laboratory (Kelly, 1979), ELA functions were measured on a large homogeneous field. Four observers showed a large threshold rise at the onset of the adapting field, with an exponential decay to steady-state level. However, a fifth observer repeatedly failed to show the large threshold overshoot. Following considerable effort to determine the cause of this difference, we suspected that age might be a major variable. The subject with the anomalous results was 47 years old, whereas all the others were in their 20s. Since there is a growing body of evidence documenting losses in temporal response properties of the aging visual system (Eriksen, Hamlin, & Breitmeyer, 1970; Kline & Orme-Rogers, 1978; Kline & Schieber, 1981; Pollack, 1978; Walsh, 1976), we postulated that the ELA function would also manifest age-dependent changes. This report describes a study designed to test this hypothesis.
Thermodynamic and kinetic properties of intrinsic defects and Mg transmutants in 3C–SiC determined by density functional theory

Abstract Density functional theory (DFT) is used to calculate the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of transmutant Mg in 3C–SiC due to high-energy neutron irradiation associated with the fusion nuclear environment. The formation and binding energies of intrinsic defects, Mg-related defects, and clusters in 3C–SiC are systematically calculated. The minimum energy paths and activation energies during point defect migration and small cluster evolution are studied using a generalized solid-state nudged elastic band (G-SSNEB) method with DFT energy calculations. Stable defect structures and possible defect migration mechanisms are identified. The evolution of binding energies during Mg2Si formation demonstrates that the formation of Mg2Si needs to overcome a critical nucleus size and nucleation barrier. It is found that C vacancies promote the formation of the Mg2Si nucleus, and formation of which results in a compressive stress field around the nucleus. These data are important inputs in meso- and macro-scale modeling and experiments to understand and predict the impact of Mg on phase stability, microstructure evolution, and performance of SiC and SiC-based materials during long-term neutron exposures.
The sandwich method for computing fixed points

Many equilibrium and optimization problems in economics and operations research can be put in the form: Find x such that f(x) = x, where x is a nonnegative vector with component sum one and f is a continuous function (not necessarily differentiable, convex, or concave).
The effect of copper on glutathione metabolism in human leukocytes.

Leukocytes incubated with Cu(II) showed a decrease in both glutathione reductase activity and reduced glutathione content. The glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity under the same conditions was not affected. Serum albumin added to mixtures prevented the loss of enzyme activity, whiled-penicillamine andl-histidine had little effect. Prior oxidation of the cell-reduced glutathione did not diminish the enzyme inhibitory action of Cu(II). The amount of regeneration of reduced glutathione in leukocytes previously treated with diamide to oxidize their reduced glutathione was a function of Cu(II) concentration in the media. No evidence was obtained that elevated serum ceruloplasmin levels in rabbits, nor incubation of leukocytes in vitro with ceruloplasmin, affect leukocyte glutathione reductase activity. It was proposed that the major mechanism by which copper affects glutathione metabolism in leukocytes is by inhibition of glutathione reductase.
Metals and PAHs adsorbed to street particles

Abstract Particles were collected from 18 different city streets adjacent to five different landuses in the City of Santa Monica, California. Landuses were classified as industrial, roads, multifamily residential, commercial and single family residential. Particles were collected using a vacuum cleaner with a 0.1-μm filter and a rotating brush head. Particles were first sized into six fractions from 43–2200 μm using two sets of sieves. Representative samples of the four size fractions smaller than 841 μm from each landuse were separately digested to extract metals and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Smaller particles had higher solid-phase concentrations, but not as high as the ratios of their specific surface areas, assuming spherical shape. Relative PAHs concentrations were higher on small particles than were metal concentrations. Single-family residential areas were the lowest in metals and PAHs, with only a few exceptions. The greatest mass of pollutants was associated with the particles in the 100–250 μm range.
One-dimensional physics-based reduced-order model of lithium-ion dynamics

Abstract We present a method to produce a physics-based one-dimensional discrete-time state-space reduced-order model (ROM) of a lithium-ion cell. The resulting ROM can predict the five variables of a standard porous-electrode model—reaction flux, solid and electrolyte lithium concentration, and solid and electrolyte potentials—at any location across the cell cross section, as well as cell terminal voltage. The method to generate the model involves first linearizing the porous-electrode-model equations, and then deriving closed-form Laplace-domain transfer functions from the linearized equations. Next, the discrete-time realization algorithm (DRA) is used to convert the transfer functions into an optimal discrete-time state-space realization. Advantages of this approach include that the DRA avoids nonlinear optimization and gives a straightforward method for selecting the system order for the ROM. Simulation results demonstrate that the ROM cell voltage predictions and the ROM internal electrochemical variable predictions match very closely with results obtained by simulating the full nonlinear porous-electrode partial differential equations.
Evaluation of reproductive function among men occupationally exposed to a stilbene derivative. I: Hormonal and physical status

This is the first of two reports describing a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Health Hazard Evaluation conducted in response to complaints of impotence and decreased libido among male employees who manufactured 4,4'-diaminostilbene-2,2' disulfonic acid (DAS; CAS 81-11-8), an intermediate in the manufacture of fluorescent whitening agents. DAS is structurally similar to the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES). Levels of six reproductive hormones in 30 male workers who manufactured DAS (current DAS workers) and 20 former DAS workers were compared to levels of 35 workers who manufactured plastics additives. Current and former DAS workers had lower mean total testosterone (TT) levels compared to additives workers (458 and 442, respectively, vs. 556 ng/dL; p = 0.05 and 0.04). Current and former DAS workers were 3.6 (95% CI, 0.5-24.4) and 2.2 (95% CI, 0.3-18.0) times more likely than additives workers to have lowest quartile TT levels (< 386 ng/dL) after adjustment for age and body mass index. Duration of employment in DAS production was negatively related to the workers' testosterone levels. These data suggest that occupational DAS exposure may be associated with alterations in male reproductive hormone levels.
Profiting without Production: How Finance Exploits Us All

Lapavitsas's Profiting without Production is a tour de force, covering the subject of financialization thoroughly, from the abstract to the concrete, including an impressive analysis of derivative ...
The Impact of Prenatal Androgens on Vaginal and Urogenital Sinus Development in the Female Mouse

ABSTRACTPurpose: In females abnormal urogenital virilization can occur secondary to prenatal exposure to exogenous or endogenous androgens. We studied the effects of different doses of prenatal androgens on urogenital sinus development and the location of the vaginal confluence in a mouse model.Materials and Methods: Timed pregnant C57/6 mice were exposed to 2, 5 and 10 mg testosterone propionate on gestational days 14 through 18. On gestational day 19 the genital tubercles and internal genitalia were examined grossly and histologically for the presence of virilization. Three-dimensional computer reconstruction was done and plastic cast injection molds of the urogenital sinus were made in select specimens.Results: Microscopic analysis confirmed the spectrum of virilization, which occurred in 98% of testosterone propionate treated female fetuses. Plastic cast injection showed that affected females had a longer urogenital sinus, more proximal confluence and shorter vagina in a dose dependent manner. Histolo...
Peripheral blood mononuclear cell transcriptome profiles suggest T-cell immunosuppression after uncomplicated mechanical circulatory support device surgery.

Mechanical circulatory support device (MCSD) surgery in patients with advanced heart failure patients is often complicated by infections that are linked to altered cell-mediated immunity. Using a transcriptome-wide peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) gene expression profiling approach, we analyzed expression patterns directly before and after MCSD implantation in 11 patients who had an uncomplicated course after MCSD implantation (Day 0-24 hours before, Day 1-24 hours after, and Day 7-1 week after implantation). Data were analyzed using Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM) and High-Throughput GoMiner on post-implantation profiles (Day 1, Day 7) in comparison with baseline (Day 0). Day1 profiles included differential expression of 821 genes (SAM, FDR 1.5), enriching >60 Gene Ontology (GO) categories. Grouping by component genes revealed GO clusters, which we term "interleukin related" (primarily upregulated), "T-cell related" (primarily downregulated), and "apoptosis related" (both up- and down-regulated genes). Day 7 profiles included GO categories related to repair processes. In conclusion, transcriptome-wide expression profiling of PBMCs suggests a response pattern to MCSD implantation of inflammatory activation and simultaneous T-cell suppression.
The Lord’s Resistance Army Case: Uganda’s Submission of the First State Referral to the International Criminal Court

On December 16, 2003, Uganda referred the situation concerning the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) to the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). It was the first time that a state party had invoked Articles 13(a) and 14 of the Rome Statute in order to vest the Court with jurisdiction. For both Uganda and the ICC, the case presented an important opportunity. For Uganda, the referral was an attempt to engage an otherwise aloof international community by transforming the prosecution of LRA leaders into a litmus test for the much celebrated promise of global justice. Since 1986, LRA atrocities have wreaked havoc on the Acholi people of northern Uganda. Given the absence of any vital national interests, influential states have not been inclined either to pressure Sudan to stop harboring the LRA or to help government forces confront the insurgents. Instead, the burden was placed on Uganda to negotiate a peaceful settlement with a ruthless, cult-like insurgency. The imprimatur of international criminal justice, sought through the referral to the ICC, was a means of thrusting this long-forgotten African war back onto the international stage.
"Completely Different Worlds": EAP and the Writing Experiences of ESL Students in University Courses

One source of information that should inform decisions about English for academic purposes (EAP) writing courses is students' experiences in those courses and beyond. A survey of ESL students in the U.S. (Leki & Carson, 1994) has indicated that they experience writing differently depending on the source of information drawn on in writing a text: general world knowledge or personal experience; a source text or texts used as a springboard for ideas; or a source text (or other external reality), the content of which the student must display knowledge. This article, based on interview data, reports on how ESL students experience writing under each of these conditions in their EAP writing classes and their academic content classes across the curriculum. The findings suggest that writing classes require students to demonstrate knowledge of a source text much less frequently than other academic courses do. We argue that EAP classes that limit students to writing without source texts or to writing without responsibility for the content of source texts miss the opportunity to engage L2 writing students in the kinds of interactions with text that promote linguistic and intellectual growth. To explain and understand any human social behavior … we need to know the meaning attached to it by the participants themselves. (Nielsen, 1990)
Long-term outcome of patients with drug-refractory atrial flutter and fibrillation after single- and dual-site right atrial pacing for arrhythmia prevention

Abstract Objectives. An initial crossover study comparing dual- and single-site right atrial pacing was performed followed by a long-term efficacy and safety evaluation of dual-site right atrial pacing in patients with drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). Also examined was the efficacy of two single-site right atrial pacing modes (high right atrium and coronary sinus ostium) and the long-term need for cardioversion, antithrombotic and antiarrhythmic drug therapies during dual-site atrial pacing. Methods. Thirty consecutive patients with drug-refractory symptomatic AF and documented primary or drug-induced bradycardia were implanted with a dual chamber rate-responsive pacemaker and two atrial leads. Single-site atrial pacing was performed at the high right atrium or the coronary sinus ostium. Continuous atrial pacing was maintained. Results. Mean arrhythmia-free intervals increased from 9 ± 10 days in the control period preceding implant to 143 ± 110 days (p Conclusions. Atrial pacing in combination with antiarrhythmic drugs eliminates or markedly reduces recurrent AF. Prevention of AF is enhanced by dual-site right atrial pacing. High right atrial and coronary sinus ostial pacing do not differ in efficacy. Dual-site right atrial pacing is safe, achieves long-term rhythm control in most patients, decreases the need for cardioversion, and antithrombotic therapy can be selectively reduced.
Age-Related Changes in Cutaneous Basal Lamin: Scanning Electron Microscopic Study

Scanning electron microscopy of human epidermal-dermal basal lamina demonstrated striking age-related changes. The basal lamina from abdominal skin was exposed in specimens from 26 humans by separation of epidermis and dermis after treatment with sodium bromide solutions. Transmission electron micrographs demonstrated the split to be in the lamina lucida. Scanning electron microscopy of mature epidermal-dermal junction and basal lamina showed distinct dermal valleys; tall, dome-shaped dermal papillae; and basal lamina arranged in prominent corrugations that tended to be oriented vertically on papillae and irregularly on interpapillary zones. Skin from subjects in their 7th through 10th decades demonstrated progressive loss of dermal valleys, flattening and widening of dermal papillae, and loss of basal lamina corrugations.
The entire graph of a bridgeless connected plane graph is hamiltonian

Abstract In this paper we show that the entire graph of a bridgeless connected plane graph is hamiltonian, and that the entire graph of a plane block is hamiltonian connected and vertex pancyclic. In addition, we show that in any block G which is not a circuit, given a vertex v of G and a circuit k of G, there is a path p, suspended in G, such that p is a path in k of length at least 1 and G − E(p) − V0(G − E(p)) is a block which includes v.
Estimating the risks of liver and lung cancer in humans exposed to trichloroethylene using a physiological model

Abstract Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a common and persistent environmental contaminant found in groundwater near most large cities and at Superfund landfill sites. In many cases, the groundwater is the primary source for water consumption. Because of the widespread distribution of TCE in the environment, a significant fraction of the population may ingest or inhale TCE over an extended period of time. Typically, environmental concentrations of TCE are in the ppb range [1]. Health concerns for environmental exposure to TCE stem largely from positive outcomes in laboratory cancer bioassay studies with rodents at relatively high exposure concentrations [2]. Epidemiological evidence that TCE is a human carcinogen is equivocal [2].
Asthma and aerobic exercise: a review of the empirical literature.

Objective: The purpose of the present article was to provide a comprehensive review of the empirical literature on the association between asthma and aerobic exercise among adults. Methods: A literature search was conducted utilizing electronic search engines (i.e., PsycINFO and PubMed) using the following keyword algorithms: asthma AND (exercise OR physical activity). Results: These searches resulted in approximately 5665 citations. Only results that were directly relevant were included in the present review. Conclusions: Overall, empirical evidence suggests that (1) individuals with asthma are less likely to engage in physical activity than those without asthma, (2) individuals with asthma are not biased in their subjective reporting of symptoms during aerobic exercise, (3) physical inactivity among individuals with asthma is associated with negative health consequences and increased asthma-related difficulties, and (4) regular aerobic exercise improves asthma symptom management, lung function, and ment...
Multiple attribute utility function decision-making with decision variables operator for stable state optimization

Two factors, the weight and the attribute values, are considered on method for the classical multiple attribute decision-making in this paper. The wide degree of change of decision variable affects the stability of the control system, for example, the set value of control variable. A multiple attribute decision-making method with decision variables operator is proposed based on utility function for stable state optimization in the process control system. Thus, the weight, attribute values and the change of decision variable are all considered such that the state optimization system is stable. The simulation results show that the improved method is effective.
Is anesthesia bad for the newborn brain

Although certain data suggest that common general anesthetics may be neurotoxic to immature animals, there are also data suggesting that these same anesthetics may be neuroprotective against hypoxicischemic injury, and that inadequate analgesia during painful procedures may lead to increased neuronal cell death in animals and long-term behavioral changes in humans. The challenge for the pediatric anesthesia community is to design and implement studies in human infants to ascertain the safety of general anesthesia. In this article, the authors review the relevant preclinical and clinical data that are currently available on this topic.
New materials and processes for flat panel X-ray detectors

Flat panel X-ray imagers using amorphous silicon active matrix addressing have been introduced to the medical imaging market at sizes up to 40×40 cm and with up to 10 million pixels. Some new technology developments, which can further increase the performance of these devices, are described. High atomic number polycrystalline X-ray photoconductors can operate near the theoretical sensitivity and at reasonably low bias voltages. The higher sensitivity obtained in HgI2 allows single-photon detection, which opens up new imaging opportunities. Another approach to improve sensitivity is to integrate an amplifier at the pixel level, which requires laser-recrystallised polysilicon transistors. A pixel-level source follower amplifier is shown to have enough gain to overcome other noise sources. A three-dimensional device structure is needed to accommodate the pixel electronics, and so the sensor is deposited on top of the electronics, separated by a thick passivation layer. Future possible detector technologies based on printing and organic semiconductors are discussed.
Multiple Heads Acting as One Make a Thinking Enterprise

In the 21st century, enterprises must be able to think as a whole body to solve problems where multiple heads think as though they were one. Problems have their own structures that establish the information flow that must occur before the problem can be solved. Organizations also have their own structures that establish the information flows that occur most naturally within the organization. But the problem structure and the structure of the organization solving it may not correspond, requiring some information groping beyond the organization's natural information flow. The principal method used in the past for solving problems has been reductionism, i.e. reducing the problem into smaller problems until these smaller problems can be understood and solved. This has led to the hierarchical organizational structure where the assumed structure of the problem forms a tree. But many of today's complex problems do not have tree structures. A non-reductionist approach to problem solving is required.
T4 mutants unable to induce deoxycytidylate deaminase activity.

Abstract T4 induces dCMP deaminase activity in Escherichia coli B. Mutants ( cd ) of T4 unable to induce this activity have been isolated at a high frequency by hydroxylamine treatment. No selection procedure was needed other than an enzymatic assay of extracts of phage-infected cells. The isolation of these mutants indicates that at least one T4 cistron controls the production of dCMP deaminase activity. Studies of one cd mutant suggest that either it makes no dCMP deaminase or else one that is structurally altered. The cd + function does not appear to be essential for T4 growth in E. coli B nor does it significantly affect the production of the other early enzymes dTMP synthetase and dCMP hydrooxymethylase.
Energy-conscious flow shop scheduling under time-of-use electricity tariffs

Abstract A time-indexed integer programming formulation is developed and used to identify manufacturing schedules that minimize electricity cost and the carbon footprint under time-of-use tariffs without compromising production throughput. The approach is demonstrated using a flow shop with 8 process steps operating on a typical summer day. Results suggest that shifting electricity usage from on-peak hours to mid-peak hours or off-peak hours, while reducing electricity cost may increase CO2 emissions in regions where the grid base load is met with electricity from coal-fired power plants. The trade-off between minimizing electricity cost and reducing CO2 emissions is shown via a Pareto frontier.
Laser ablation of the mouse zona pellucida for blastomere biopsy

Purpose A xenon-chloride non-contact laser system was evaluated for opening the mouse zona pellucida prior to embryo biopsy.
Checking alkali delivery of a proportioner in vegetable oil refining

A method has been developed for the determination of soda ash and sodium hydroxide in vegetable oil-alkali mixtures as a check on proportioning equipment feeding oil and alkali. The method depends upon the potentiometric titration in one step of free alkali and soap, using a pH meter and the glass electrode-calomel electrode assembly. The analysis is sufficiently rapid to serve as a convenient control in a continuous refining process.
DFWM Spectroscopy of Quantum Dot Glasses

This DFWM Χ(3) spectroscopy technique uses a tunable optical parametric oscillator providing 3.4 μsec pulses and provides essentially background free spectral measurements. We fabricated the III-V quantum dot samples by thermally processing Schott glass filters.
Thermal analysis in the laser-heated diamond anvil cell

A new technique actively controls thermal radiation and monitors sample properties during laser-heating in a diamond anvil cell. The technique can be described as a qualitative application of thermal analysis. Discontinuities in temperature, laser power, visible thermal radiation, or in their derivatives as functions of time can be associated with the enthalpy of phase transitions (such as melting) or with changes in material properties (such as emissivity).
Prime-desert n -tuplets

Although the number of primes is infinite, one can still find as many consecutive composite integers "as one pleases"; 100, 500, 1,000, 1,000,000, or whatever. That is, there are "regions" of consecutive integers in the set N = {1, 2, 3,... ) of positive integers where no prime is to be found and the number of integers in such a region can be as many as we please. For example, if we wish to point out a region of 1,000 consecutive composite integers in N we may consider the numbers 1001! + 2, 1001! + 3, ..., 1001! + 1001 and observe that the first integer is divisible by 2, the second is divisible by 3, and so on, and that the last integer is divisible by 1001. In general, to find k consecutive positive integers in N, none of which is a prime, we need only consider the numbers (k + 1)! + 2, (k + 1)! + 3,...,(k + 1)! + (k + 1). It is to be pointed out, of course, that these numbers may not form the first such region in N. For example, the numbers 22! + 2, 22! + 3. ... , 22! + 22 form a region of 21 consecutive integers where no prime is present, but the integers 1130,1131,...,1150 form the first such region. It is also to be pointed out that one or both of the numbers (k + 1)! + 1, (k + 1)! + (k + 2) may not be prime, meaning that the region can be extended in one direction or the other (perhaps both) to include additional consecutive composite integers. This is not the case for the region containing the integers from 1130 to 1150, inclusive, since 1129 and 1151 are both prime numbers. When a region of k consecutive composite integers cl, c2,..., Ck cannot be extended in either direction to include additional composites because the integers c1 and ck + 1 are both primes, we shall call the region a prime desert of length k. Thus the subset {1130 + 1,1131, .. .,1149,1150) of N is a prime desert of length 21 (and it is the first prime desert of length 21). Several questions immediately arise:
Chick sensory neuronal growth cones distinguish fibronectin from laminin by making substratum contacts that resemble focal contacts.

SUMMARY The adhesive interactions of nerve growth cones stabilize elongating nerve fibers and mediate transmembrane signaling to regulate growth cone behaviors. We used interference reflection microscopy and immunocytochemistry to examine the dynamics and composition of substratum contacts that growth cones of chick sensory neurons make with extracellular adhesive glycoproteins, fibronectin and laminin. Interference reflection microscopy indicated that sensory neuronal growth cones on fibronectin-treated substrata, but not on laminin, make contacts that have the appearance and immobility of fibroblastic focal contacts. Interference reflection microscopy and subsequent immunocytochemical staining showed that pl integrin and phosphotyrosine residues were concentrated at growth cone sites that resemble focal contacts. Two other components of focal contacts, paxillin and zyxin, were also co-localized with concentrated phosphotyrosine residues at sites that resemble focal contacts. Such staining patterns were not observed on laminintreated substrata. Growth cone migration on fibronectintreated substrata was inhibited by herbimycin A, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. We conclude that sensory neuronal growth cones distinguish fibronectin from laminin by making contacts with distinct organization and regulation of cytoskeletal components at the adhesive sites. This finding suggests that growth cone interactions with different adhesive molecules lead to distinctive transmembrane organization and signaling to regulate nerve fiber elongation. 0 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Hybrid integrated plasmonic-photonic waveguides for on-chip localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensing and spectroscopy

We experimentally demonstrate efficient extinction spectroscopy of single plasmonic gold nanorods with exquisite fidelity (SNR > 20dB) and high efficiency light coupling (e. g., 9.7%) to individual plasmonic nanoparticles in an integrated platform. We demonstrate chip-scale integration of lithographically defined plasmonic nanoparticles on silicon nitride (Si3N4) ridge waveguides for on-chip localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensing. The integration of this hybrid plasmonic-photonic platform with microfluidic sample delivery system is also discussed for on-chip LSPR sensing of D-glucose with a large sensitivity of ∼ 250 nm/RIU. The proposed architecture provides an efficient means of interrogating individual plasmonic nanoparticles with large SNR in an integrated alignment-insensitive platform, suitable for high-density on-chip sensing and spectroscopy applications.
Alteration of the Murine Gastrointestinal Microbiota by Tigecycline Leads to Increased Susceptibility to Clostridium difficile Infection

Antibiotics can play dual roles in Clostridium difficile infection (CDI); antibiotic treatment increases the risk of CDI, and antibiotics are used to treat CDI. The glycylcycline antibiotic tigecycline has broad antimicrobial activity, yet it is rarely associated with the development of CDI, presumably due to its activity against C. difficile. In this study, we investigated how tigecycline treatment affects the structure of the gut microbiota and susceptibility to CDI by treating mice with tigecycline (n = 20) or saline (n = 8) for 10 days. A sequence analysis of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicons was used to monitor changes in the fecal microbiota. A subset of the mice was followed for 5 weeks after the end of treatment. The remaining mice were challenged with C. difficile strain VPI 10463 spores 2 days after the tigecycline treatment ended. Tigecycline treatment resulted in major shifts in the gut microbiota, including large decreases in Bacteroidetes levels and large increases in Proteobacteria levels. Mice with tigecycline-altered microbial communities were susceptible to challenge with C. difficile spores and developed clinical signs of severe CDI. Five weeks after the cessation of tigecycline treatment, the recovery of the bacterial community was incomplete and diversity was lower than in the untreated controls. Antibiotics with intrinsic activity against C. difficile can still alter the microbiota in a way that leads to susceptibility to CDI after discontinuation of the drug. These results indicate that microbiotic dynamics are key in the development of CDI, and a better understanding of these dynamics may lead to better strategies to prevent and treat this disease.
Quantum coherence in dissipative systems

Abstract This paper reviews the considerable progress that has been made in the last two years in understanding some novel quantum mechanical coherence effects in superconducting interference devices. Some general aspects of quantum coherence in the presence of dissipation is also discussed.