cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Litter decay rates are determined by lignin chemistry

Litter decay rates are often correlated with the initial lignin:N or lignin:cellulose content of litter, suggesting that interactions between lignin and more labile compounds are important controls over litter decomposition. The chemical composition of lignin may influence these interactions, if lignin physically or chemically protects labile components from microbial attack. We tested the effect of lignin chemical composition on litter decay in the field during a year-long litterbag study using the model system Arabidopsis thaliana. Three Arabidopsis plant types were used, including one with high amounts of guaiacyl-type lignin, one with high aldehyde- and p-hydroxyphenyl-type lignin, and a wild type control with high syringyl-type lignin. The high aldehyde litter lost significantly more mass than the other plant types, due to greater losses of cellulose, hemicellulose, and N. Aldehyde-rich lignins and p-hydroxyphenyl-type lignins have low levels of cross-linking between lignins and polysaccharides, supporting the hypothesis that chemical protection of labile polysaccharides and N is a mechanism by which lignin controls total litter decay rates. 2D NMR of litters showed that lignin losses were associated with the ratio of guaiacyl-to-p-hydroxyphenyl units in lignin, because these units polymerize to form different amounts of labile- and recalcitrant-linkages within the lignin polymer. Different controls over lignin decay and polysaccharide and N decay may explain why lignin:N and lignin:cellulose ratios can be better predictors of decay rates than lignin content alone.
HeteroScouts: hardware assist for OS scheduling in heterogeneous CMPs

Designing heterogeneous chip multiprocessors (CMPs) with a mix of big cores (complex superscalar out-of-order pipelines) and small cores (simple in-order pipeline) is emerging as an attractive option for future architectures. Such architectures have the potential to deliver both high performance and power efficiency but this requires operating systems (OS) or virtual machine monitors (VMMs) to efficiently schedule each software thread on the type of core that is best suited for it. In this paper, we highlight the need for architectural support for OS scheduling in a heterogeneous CMP. We propose HeteroScouts, a hardware mechanism to assist the OS to efficiently predict the performance of a task on different cores in the platform.
The electronic band structure of CoS2(100)

Angle-resolved and energy-dependent photoemission was used to study the band structure of paramagnetic CoS2 from high-quality single-crystal samples. A strongly dispersing hybridized Co–S band is identified along the Γ–X line. Fermi level crossings are also analysed along this line, and the results are interpreted using band structure calculations. The Fermi level crossings are very sensitive to the separation in the S–S dimer, and it is suggested that the half-metallic gap in CoS2 may be controlled by the bonding–antibonding splitting in this dimer, rather than by exchange splitting on the Co atoms.
6.2.1 Foundations of Value Based Gap Analysis: Commercial and Military Developments

Gap Analysis is widely regarded as a useful tool to facilitate commercial and defense system acquisitions. This paper presents a rethinking of the theoretical foundations and systematics of Gap Analysis with practical extensions to illustrate its utility and limitations. The growing sophistication and complexity of new systems or system of systems have resulted in a dramatic increase in time and money to reach operational capability. Gap Analysis, properly defined and enacted, clarifies goals, appropriate investments and the end-use. This paper introduces the concept of thinking in terms of value and worth, termed Value Systems Thinking; and the concept of analyses and judgments for acquisition and product development – termed Value Systems Engineering.
Some remarks concerning matrices of the form A–A′, A−1A′

Matrices and operators of the formA−1A* have received a certain amount of attention in recent years. Here some of the literature is surveyed and the caseA−1A′ is studied for complex matrices withA′ denoting the transpose ofA. A generalization ofA−1A′ is introduced.
Nonlinear Response Properties of Ultralarge Hyperpolarizability Twisted π-System Donor−Acceptor Chromophores. Dramatic Environmental Effects on Response

State-average complete active space self-consistent field (SA-CASSCF) calculations are performed on the energetically lowest two electronic states of a novel alkyl-substituted 4-quinopyran twisted π-system electro-optic chromophore. In the gas phase, the ground-state electronic configuration is diradicaloid (D), and the first excited state is zwitterionic (Z). When an external dipolar field is applied to simulate polar solvation, the relative energies of D and Z are dramatically perturbed. At sufficient field strengths, the relative ordering of the states is inverted so that Z becomes the ground state. As the energy difference between the D and Z states falls, the magnitudes of the longitudinal static polarizability (α) and hyperpolarizability (β) increase appreciablyin certain cases, by 2 orders of magnitude. These computational results are interpreted and supported by qualitative state correlation diagrams constructed from qualitative molecular orbital theory and are in agreement with recent experimenta...
Observation of High-Energy Neutrino Reactions and the Existence of Two Kinds of Neutrinos

From the reaction pi /sup plus or minus / yields mu /sup plus or minus / + ( nu / nu /sup -/), it is dem onstrated that the neutrinos produce mu mesons but not electrons and are likely to be different from the neutrinos involved in beta decay. Approximate cross sections are determined. (L.N.N.)
Proton nuclear magnetic resonance and cyclic voltammetric studies of mixed bis(η6-arene)chromium(O) complexes from methyl- and trifluoromethyl-substituted arenes

Abstract Proton nuclear magnetic resonance and cyclic voltammetric studies were conducted on mixed bis(η 6 -arene)chromium(O) compounds each containing C 6 H 6− n (CH 3 ) n for half of the arene pair and C 6 H 5 CF 3 for the other half. There is more shielding of the methyl protons in (C 6 H 6− n (CH 3 ) n )- (C 6 H 5 CF 3 )Cr than in (C 6 H 6− n (CH 3 ) n ) 2 Cr contrary to expectation which should predict more shielding in the latter since CF 3 is generally regarded as an electron-withdrawing substituent. In view of this apparent anomaly, a ‘two-way traffic’ movement of the electron charge via the chromium atom serving as a relay for the effect of a substituent of one arene on the substituent of the other arene is proposed. It is also suggested that electron charge donation by the ligands and back-donation by chromium may be by different molecular orbital systems whereby the electron charge withdrawing power of CF 3 is more than compensated by a portion of the back- donated charge in excess of that donated by the ligands. The preference for the formation of the complexes is in decreasing order (C 6 H 6− n (CH 3 ) n )(C 6 H 5 CF 3 )Cr > (C 6 H 5 CF 3 ) 2 Cr > (C 6 H 6− n (CH 3 ) n ) 2 Cr. The formation of (1,2-C 6 H 4 (CH 3 ) 2 ) 2 Cr was almost completely suppressed. A mechanistic model based on dipoles existing on half-sandwich species and the uncomplexed partner arene, is proposed as, perhaps, one of the possible explanations for the preferential formation of more of one complex than another.
The Coexistence of Large and Small Firms: A Study of the Italian Mechanical Industries

Introduction, 116. — I. The structure of the Italian mechanical industries, 117. — II. The market for consumers' durables, 118. — III. Subcontracting and peak demand orders, 122. — IV. Growth possibility of large and small firms, 124. — V. The availability of financing, 127. — VI. The vulnerability of small firms, 129. — VII. Small firms: an evil or a blessing? 130.
Enhancement of systemic and sputum granulocyte response to inhaled endotoxin in people with the GSTM1 null genotype

Objective To determine if the GSTM1 null genotype is a risk factor for increased inflammatory response to inhaled endotoxin. Methods 35 volunteers who had undergone inhalation challenge with a 20 000 endotoxin unit dose of Clinical Center Reference Endotoxin (CCRE) were genotyped for the GSTM1 null polymorphism. Parameters of airway and systemic inflammation observed before and after challenge were compared in GSTM1 null (n=17) and GSTM1 (n=18) sufficient volunteers. Results GSTM1 null volunteers had significantly increased circulating white blood cells (WBCs), polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), platelets and sputum PMNs (% sputum PMNs and PMNs/mg sputum) after CCRE challenge. GSTM1 sufficient volunteers had significant, but lower increases in circulating WBCs, PMNs and % sputum PMNs, and no increase in platelets or PMNs/mg sputum. Linear regression analysis adjusted for baseline values of the entire cohort revealed that the GSTM1 null genotype significantly increased circulating WBCs, platelets and % sputum PMNs after challenge. Conclusion These data support the hypothesis that the GSTM1 null genotype is a risk factor for increased acute respiratory and systemic inflammatory response to inhaled CCRE. These data are consistent with other observations that the GSTM1 null genotype is associated with increased respiratory, systemic and cardiovascular effects linked to ambient air particulate matter exposure and indicate that the GSTM1 null genotype should be considered a risk factor for adverse health effects associated with exposure to environmental endotoxin.
Alternative material to mitigate chrome degradation on high volume ArF layers

One of the objectives of a robust optical proximity correction (OPC) model is to simulate the process variation including 3D mask effects or mask models for different mask blanks. Assuming that the data of different reticle blanks is the same, the wafer data should be a close match for the same OPC model. In order to enhance the robustness of the OPC model, the 3D mask effects need to be reduced. A test of this would be to ensure a close match of the so called fingerprints of different reticle blanks at the wafer level. Features for fingerprint test patterns include “critical dimension through pitch” (CDTP), “inverse CDTP”, and “linearity patterns” and critical dimension (CD) difference of disposition structures. In this manuscript the proximity matching of implant layers on chrome on glass (COG) and advance binary reticle blanks will be demonstrated. We will also investigate the influence of reticle blank material including reticle process on isolated and dense features upon the proximity matching for 28 nm high volumes ArF layers such as implant and 2X metal layers. The OPC model verification has been done successfully for both bare wafer and full field wafer for implant layers. There is comparable OPC model for advanced binary and COG reticle. Moreover, the wafer critical dimension uniformity (CDU) results show that advance binary has much better wafer CDU then COG. In spite of higher reticle cost when switching over to advanced binary, there is a considerable cost reduction for the wafer fab which includes a 39% savings in total reticle cost as well as cost reduction due to minimal line holds (LH), wafer reworks and scraps due to Chrome degradation.
Unbiased tracking with converted measurements

In many target tracking problems it is advantageous to perform tracking in a different coordinate system than the measurements. In these cases, the measurements require some form of conversion prior to use in tracking. There are two potential issues that arise when performing converted measurement tracking. The first occurs when the measurement conversion results in a biased (converted) measurement. The second is estimation bias that occurs when the estimate of the converted measurement error covariance is correlated with the measurement noise. First, previously proposed unbiased conversions are examined. Following this, the “decorrelated unbiased converted measurement” approach is examined and shown to overcome the issues of conversion bias and estimation bias. Finally this approach is evaluated in a Converted Measurement Kalman Filter (CMKF).
Elliptic factors in Jacobians of hyperelliptic curves with certain automorphism groups

We decompose the Jacobian variety of hyperelliptic curves up to genus 10, defined over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero, with reduced automorphism group A4, S4, or A5. Among those curves is a genus 4 curve with Jacobian variety isogenous to E 1 ×E 2 and a genus 5 curve with Jacobian variety isogenous to E for E and Ei elliptic curves. These types of results have some interesting consequences to questions of ranks of elliptic curves and ranks of their twists.
The META4 programming language

META4 is an object oriented language with first order reasoning capability that also includes reasoning about the change that the classes go through over time, efficient partial evaluation via runtime propagation of specific values, explicit run-time code generation via a source code to machine code compiling engine - not an interpreter.Coupled with a strong encapsulation principle and certain reasonable language restrictions and programmer supplied annotations, META4 allows all parts of the program, including the compiler itself to be extended and specialized over time. Therefore, META4 is mutable. We introduce the concept of run-time grammar extension, an elegant and powerful facility for custom-programming of new language semantics at the grammar level. In other words, its semantics and grammar can be extended or even modified, even at run time to solve specific problems.
Spray cooling in a closed system with different fractions of non-condensibles in the environment

Abstract Spraying liquid on a hot surface is an effective method for dissipating high heat fluxes from integrated circuit chips. In this study, HAGO nozzle was used to create the spray and a closed system with water as a test liquid was used. The effect of presence of non-condensibles in the closed system on the heat transfer coefficient in both single phase and boiling modes were investigated. Maintaining an air partial pressure of 3.1 kPa, while varying the vapor partial pressure from 7.3 kPa to 97.9 kPa, the total system pressure was varied from 10.4 kPa to 101 kPa. Experiments were also conducted by keeping the system pressure constant at 101 kPa and varying the air partial pressure inside the chamber from 2.75 kPa to 93.7 kPa. In each case, liquid temperature corresponded to the saturation temperature corresponding to partial pressure of vapor and this was also approximately the ambient temperature of vapor and air mixture in the chamber. It was found that in the single phase regime, overall heat transfer coefficient for lower concentration of non-condensibles in the system is much higher than that for the case with more non-condensibles. In boiling, heat transfer coefficient depends on the total system pressure in the system. For the same system pressure, data for different partial pressures of air overlap. For a water mass flux of 17.5 ml/min/cm2 at room temperature, critical heat flux as high as 230 W/cm2 was obtained at a surface temperature of 127 °C.
A Qualitative Study of Preservice Teachers' Early Field Experiences in an Urban, Culturally Different School.

The purpose of this study was to better understand how to prepare teachers for a diverse student population. The study addressed the significance of field experiences by focusing on the following research question: How do preservice teaching experiences at an urban, culturally different school affect teaching practices? Using several data sources, four conceptual categories formed the study's interpretive themes: (a) attitudes toward culturally different people, (b) pedagogy, (c) career expectations, and (d) senses of preparedness. Findings indicated that this experience positively affected the cultural attitudes and practices of the participants, increased cultural awareness, altered career expectations, and influenced the preservice teachers' sense of preparedness to teach culturally different children.
Presentations of Monomial Algebras and Uniserial Modules

Finite dimensional monomial algebras have naturally defined uniserial modules for each path in the quiver nonzero in the algebra. This observation is used to give a new characterization of monomial algebras and a necessary condition for an algebra to be isomorphic to a monomial algebra. The characterization of these latter algebras due to Bardzell and Green is revisited using uniserial modules. A class of algebras, strictly larger than previously studied ones, is found in which “isomorphic to a monomial algebra ⇒ monomial.”
Guidelines for the Use of Oversampling in Protein NMR

Abstract With detailed NMR studies being pursued on ever larger proteins, the question arises as to whether the typical 16-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) has sufficient dynamic range to digitize the sum of signals as well as a small signal of interest, even in the presence of excellent solvent suppression. Oversampling may sometimes be indicated to alleviate this problem. The noise in an NMR spectrum consists of analog receiver noise, analog noise from the analog-to-digital converter components, and "quantization noise" due to the limited precision of vertical digitization. Oversampling (i.e., sampling faster than required by the sampling theorem) may decrease the influence of the latter two noise components, both of which have high-frequency components and are not influenced by audio filters. In addition, oversampling in the indirect time domain may be of value under certain conditions. Signal-to-noise ratios were evaluated for doped and undoped H2O/D2O mixtures over a range of receiver gains for 1D and 2D proton NOESYs with or without oversampling in direct and indirect time domains. The results suggest general recommendations concerning the use of oversampling. These general principles allow spectroscopists to rapidly determine whether oversampling in direct or indirect dimensions will be useful under their particular experimental conditions.
Computerized literature search experiences in mathematics and engineering

The purpose of this paper is to present the experiences of the authors, their students and colleagues with computerized literature searches and to draw some conclusions and recommendations for the user. It is written from the point of view of the user and does not cover the design and operation of the computer program, the data bases or other features important to the system designer and information specialist.
Tensile Plastic Instability of Axisymmetric Pressure Vessels

This paper examines the calculated pressure at a tensile plastic instability of a pressure vessel and its relationship to burst test results. It is proposed that the instability pressure be accepted as an upper bound to the pressure at which a vessel bursts, and that a strength reduction factor be used to predict the burst. The paper also presents a suitable mathematical model for the calculation of the instability pressures for thin-walled axisymmetric vessels. The proposition is tested by applying the model to a pressurized diaphragm, four cylindrical shells, and two torispherical heads, for which experimental burst data are available. It is found that the ratio of the test burst pressure to the calculated pressure at the tensile plastic instability, expressed in percent, ranges from 71 to 96 percent. The highest ratio occurs for a pressurized diaphragm with no significant defects. The lowest ratios occur for cylindrical shells with longitudinal welds, suggesting that the presence of the welds had a detrimental effect on the burst strength. These results may be useful when designing a pressure vessel with respect to its ultimate strength.
A circumferential stress-growth rule predicts arcade arteriole formation in a network model.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that terminal arteriolar remodeling that is stimulated by elevated levels of circumferential wall stress (σθ) will proceed in a network pattern that gives rise to new arcade arterioles.Methods: A network model of two interconnected skeletal muscle arterio-capillary-venous units that incorporated diameter- and hematocrit-dependent blood viscosity was constructed. After computing the control values for wall shear stresses (τij) and σθij, a stimulus was provided by dilating the arterioles and raising input pressure. Wall shear stresses and σθij were then recomputed. The diameters of transverse arteriolar segments with σθij greater than a σθ threshold were increased by an amount that was dependent on the original diameter and the difference between σθ and the σθ threshold. Capillaries with an intraluminal pressure greater than a specified threshold were converted to terminal arterioles. Separate simulations in which remodeling was stimulated by elevated levels of τij were als...
Care of an infant with lethal malformation: where do we draw the line?

I read with great interest the “Ethics Rounds” article “An Infant With Trisomy 18 and a Ventricular Septal Defect” by Janvier et al in the April issue of Pediatrics .1 I agree with the authors that the decision to treat a critically ill infant with trisomy 18 raises difficult issues about value, futility, burdens of treatment, cost-effectiveness, and justice, but I was surprised that the authors used these criteria very superficially and in a biased way to support their opinions. I contend that the prolongation of life for these patients should not be recommended on the basis of these criteria. The authors in this report stated that every child with trisomy 18 is different and suggested that predicting outcome of an individual child is difficult. Although I agree with the statement in general, I disagree with the underlying message. Trisomy 18 is the second most common autosomal trisomy and has a birth prevalence of ∼1 in 3000 to 1 in 8000.2 This is one of the few chromosomal abnormalities for …
The role of equilibrium volume and magnetism on the stability of iron phases at high pressures

The present study provides new insights into the pressure dependence of magnetism by tracking the hybridization between crystal orbitals for pressures up to 600 GPa in the known hcp, bcc and fcc iron. The Birch-Murnaghan equation of state parameters are; bcc: V0 = 11.759 A(3)/atom, K0 = 177.72 GPa; hcp: V0 = 10.525 A(3)/atom, K0 = 295.16 GPa; and fcc: V0 = 10.682 A(3)/atom, K0 = 274.57 GPa. These parameters compare favorably with previous studies. Consistent with previous studies we find that the close-packed hcp and fcc phases are non-magnetic at pressures above 50 GPa and 60 GPa, respectively. The principal features of magnetism in iron are predicted to be invariant, at least up to ∼6% overextension of the equilibrium volume. Our results predict that magnetism for overextended fcc iron disappears via an intermediate spin state. This feature suggests that overextended lattices can be used to stabilize particular magnetic states. The analysis of the orbital hybridization shows that the magnetic bcc structure at high pressures is stabilized by splitting the majority and minority spin bands. The bcc phase is found to be magnetic at least up to 600 GPa; however, magnetism is insufficient to stabilize the bcc phase itself, at least at low temperatures. Finally, the analysis of the orbital contributions to the total energy provides evidence that non-magnetic hcp and fcc phases are likely more stable than bcc at core earth pressures.
Small cell carcinoma of the endometrium with concomitant pelvic inflammatory disease.

Background: Small cell carcinoma of the endometrium is a rare disease entity characterized by bulkiness and predisposition to necrosis. Clinical presentations include postmenopausal bleeding, lower abdominal mass, chronic abdominal pain and menorrhagia. We present a case of small cell carcinoma of the endometrium with concomitant pelvic inflammatory disease. The literature is also reviewed. Case: A 64 year old female presented was admitted with the principal complaints of fever, lower abdominal pain and malodorous vaginal discharge. Bimanual examination revealed cervical motion tenderness with a WBC of 9400 cells/µL and increased levels of neutrophils, band cells and C-reactive protein. Sonography revealed an adnexal echocomplex compatible with tubo-ovarian abscess. Culture of the vaginal discharge revealed the presence of E. coli. Symptoms persisted despite three days of antibiotics administration so a laparotomy was performed with a friable hemorrhagic uterus revealed and an area of necrosis evident in the left adnexa. Malignancy was confirmed from frozen section. Total abdominal hysterectomy, with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and optimal debulking, was performed. The final pathology report confirmed small cell carcinoma of the endometrium. Conclusion: Malignancy and pelvic inflammatory disease have overlapping clinical characteristics. Once pelvic inflammatory disease is suspected in a postmenopausal patient, malignancy should also be suspected, and a thorough examination and a tumor-marker analysis performed.
Towards an alignment of the actin molecule within the actin filament.

Abstract Electron micrographs of negatively stained actin filament paracrystals and single-layered filament rafts showing different interfilament spacings have been studied and three-dimensional reconstructions have been computed from them. Lateral ordering of the filaments in rafts was lost when interfilament spacings exceeded 8.5 nm, suggesting this distance as an upper limit for the filament diameter. Further, all reconstructions showed the same structural features at the 3 nm resolution level, except that the filaments from ordered single-layered rafts appeared 10–20 % wider than those from multi-layered paracrystals. A comparison between electron microscopical and X-ray filament data, and synthetic filaments generated using different tentative molecular models and /or orientations for actin did not allow a single best model to be selected.
A hybrid double-focusing mass spectrometer—high-pressure drift reaction cell to study thermal energy reactions of mass-selected ions

A new instrument is described that couples a reverse-geometry mass spectrometer operating at 5 kV to a high-pressure, temperature-variable drift reactor that operates at thermal energies. The first-stage mass spectrometer is a home-built instrument with the same dimensions and ion optics as a V.G. Instruments ZAB-2F. Ions exiting this instrument are decelerated to between 0 and 10 eV and focused on the entrance hole of the drift cell. The drift cell is 4.0 cm long and 1.52 cm in diameter and has a uniform drift field provided by stepped voltages applied to eight field guard rings. Pressure in the cell can be varied from 0 to 2 torr, and temperatures from 100 to 500 K. Ions exiting the cell are accelerated, passed through a quadrupole mass filter, and detected by an electron multiplier. A description is given of the ion optics used to focus and decelerate the beam from the first-stage mass spectrometer. Substantial analysis and discussion are given to ion energies in the cell and methods of pressure measurement. Experimental results obtained compare well with data in the literature when available. A new result on mobilities of Co+ ions in helium is presented. The data indicate that ions are present in both the ground state and metastable excited electronic state, exhibiting substantially different mobilities.
Content of total phenolics and phenolic acids in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruits as influenced by cultivar and solar UV radiation

Abstract Two cultivars of fresh market tomato [Oregon Spring (OS) and Red Sun (RS)] were each grown in two high tunnels at Beltsville, MD covered with a contrasting material of similar thickness (0.152 mm) and durability (4-year polyethylene). One covering material (Tyco Tufflite IV) transmitted ambient solar UV radiation from 290 to 400 nm (designated+UV) while the other material (Dura-Film Super 4) blocked UV wavelengths below 380 nm (designated−UV). Both films transmitted comparable amounts of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) from 400 to 700 nm. Ripe tomato fruits comparable in size and development were collected at maturity from plants of the two cultivars grown in each high tunnel under the contrasting covering materials. Four lots of tomatoes of each cultivar and each UV treatment were assayed for total phenolic (TP) content by a colorimetric Folin-Ciocalteu (FC) assay and for content of individual phenolic acids by a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-diode array detection (DAD) procedure. The phenolic acids extracted from the base hydrolyzed fraction were identified as caffeic acid, p -coumaric acid, and ferulic acid. Caffeic acid was the predominant phenolic acid in both tomato cultivars (OS and RS) grown in the two high tunnels. The total concentration of these three phenolic acids measured by HPLC was approximately 20% higher under +UV than under −UV treatment; this was true for both cultivars. A similar trend in quantities of TP yield was also observed when tomato extracts were assayed by a FC method. These results indicate that the phenolic content of tomato fruits is significantly affected by the spectral quality of solar UV radiation. Since phenolic compounds are known to play a key role as antioxidants in human nutrition, subtle differences in phenolic composition between the two high tunnels as a result of differences in the UV transmission properties of these different covering materials may be of considerable importance.
Comparison of panoramic radiography and panoramic digital subtraction radiography in the detection of simulated osteophytic lesions of the mandibular condyle.

Abstract Objective. The aim of this study was to compare panoramic temporomandibular joint radiography, unenhanced and color-enhanced digital-subtraction radiography with respect to detectability of simulated osteophytic lesions of the mandibular condyle. Methods. Three dry human skulls with no obvious temporomandibular joint pathology were selected. Four sizes of bone chips were placed on the anterior aspect of the condyle at medial, central, and lateral locations. Panoramic radiographs were made with and without the chips in place. These paired radiographs were digitized, and unenhanced and color-enhanced digital-subtraction images of the original panoramic images were obtained. Eight observers evaluated 72 randomized images of each modality for the presence or absence of simulated osteophytic lesions of the mandibular condyle, grading the images on a 100-point scale. Results. A z values for overall diagnostic accuracy of the three imaging modalities were 0.5376 for panoramic radiography, 0.7861 for unenhanced digital subtraction radiography, and 0.7923 for color-enhanced digital-subtraction radiography. Digital-subtraction radiography improved the detection accuracy of the original panoramic films. Conclusion. Panoramic radiographs were significantly less accurate in the detection of simulated osteophytic lesions of the mandibular condyle than the two digital-subtraction techniques. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2002;93:626-31
Transfer of gas to dissolved oxygen in water via porous and nonporous polymer membranes

The transfer rates of oxygen via polymer membranes in gas–membrane–gas and gas–membrane–water (dissolved oxygen) were investigated with various porous membranes and compared with results of silicone rubber sheet (nonporous, homogeneous polymer membrane). With a nonporous membrane, the permeability constant obtained by gas–membrane–gas represents the true membrane permeability in gas–membrane–water system, and consequently the transport resistance due to boundary layer can be quantitatively estimated. With a porous membrane, the data in gas–membrane–gas system (under applied pressure) merely represent the gas effusion rate of the membrane and are not directly related to the dissolved oxygen transfer rate in gas–membrane–water system. The penetration of liquid water into the pores of porous membrane is the most important controlling factor for the dissolved oxygen transfer rate of a porous membrane. With a porous membrane in which liquid water does not penetrate into the pore, the overall transfer rate of dissolved oxygen reaches the level which corresponds to that of the boundary layer found with silicone rubber membrane.
Strain differences in open-field behavior of the rat

Parameters of open-field behavior measures are reported for 12 inbred strains of laboratory rats: ACI, A990, A35322, F344, INR, IR, MNR, MNR-a, MR, TS1, TS3, and WAG. Strain differences were highly significant. Genetic drift in defecation is attributed to selection pressures. An analysis of covariance was used to obtain genetic and environmental correlations. The results suggested that any genetic factors underlying the relationship between defecation and ambulation in the open field involve physiological mechanisms that are different from those mediating environmental effects.
Detection of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) using a thermodynamic based gas sensor

Abstract Triacetone triperoxide (TATP) is commonly used in improvised explosive devices (IEDs) due to its relatively simple preparation and readily available precursors. In this study, a small footprint gas sensor utilizing metal oxide catalysts was fabricated and tested, which is capable of detecting the heat of reaction during the catalytic decomposition of TATP. Due to its relatively high vapor pressure compared to other explosives, TATP is an ideal target molecule for this type of gas sensor. TATP and its decomposition products, hydrogen peroxide and acetone were successfully detected using this thermodynamic based sensor platform. Each tested catalyst exhibited a specific response at a given temperature and the detection limit of TATP was determined to be in the range of parts per million. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was employed to study the oxidation state of selected catalysts prior to and after exposure to the target gases. Morphology of the catalysts in the as-deposited and tested condition was followed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
On robust network coding subgraph construction under uncertainty

We consider the problem of network coding subgraph construction in networks where there is uncertainty about link loss rates. For a given set of scenarios specified by an uncertainty set of link loss rates, we provide a robust optimization-based formulation to construct a single subgraph that would work relatively well across all scenarios. We show that this problem is coNP-hard in general for both objectives: minimizing cost of subgraph construction and maximizing throughput given a cost constraint. To solve the problem tractably, we approximate the problem by introducing path constraints, which results in polynomial time-solvable solution in terms of the problem size. The simulation results show that the robust optimization solution is better and more stable than the deterministic solution in terms of worst-case performance. From these results, we compare the tractability of robust network design problems with different uncertain network components and different problem formulations.
OXYGEN-ACCEPTING ANTIOXIDANTS WHICH ARISE DURING ASCORBATE OXIDATION

To identify potential antioxidant compounds derived from ascorbate, the hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidation of ascorbate and dehydroascorbate was studied by gas-chromatography electron impact mass spectrometry and liquid-chromatography electrospray mass spectrometry in real time. Significant differences in ascorbate and dehydroascorbate oxidation occurred at pH 3.3 compared to pH 7.4. Of note, the primary species present in dehydroascorbate (DHA)-containing solutions at pH 7.4 had a spectrum consistent with diketogulonate. Hydrogen peroxide exposure of DHA-containing solutions formed threonate more rapidly at pH 7.4 than at pH 3.3. In these solutions, a 5-carbon species with mass spectral characteristics of a 3,4,5-trihydroxy-2-ketopentanoate appeared to be an intermediate between diketogulonate and threonate, and was more labile than other species in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. These data suggest that a 3,4,5-trihydroxy-2-ketopentanoate is potentially a key antioxidant compound in the ascorbate degradation cascade and in ascorbate-containing solutions at physiologic pH.
A Comparison of the Cerebral Hemodynamic Response to Aramine and Norepinephrine in the Normotensive and the Hypotensive Subject

Previous observations have demonstrated a depression in cerebral blood flow during controlled hypotension with ganglionic blocking agents. Cerebral blood flow is also decreased when normotensive individuals are made hypertensive by the administration of vasopressor agents. The opposite response is observed when hypotensive individuals are made normotensive by the administration of these same agents, in which circumstance cerebral blood flow is increased.
Experimental Determination of Absolute f-Values for Methane

The absolute f-values of rotational lines in the positive and negative branches of the 2ν3 overtone band of CH4 have been derived from absorption measurements in the laboratory by two independent methods. The first method involves the use of the curve of growth and requires the observation of weak lines for which the total absorption is independent of the damping constant. In the second method the lines are broadened artificially, by the introduction of about 3 atmos of air, to half-widths that are about five times the slit width. The f-values are then determined by integration of the logarithm of the percentage absorption over the line profile. On the average, the f-values obtained by the two methods agree within 10 percent.
Anonymous authentication for mobile Single Sign-On to protect user privacy

This article proposes a system in which a Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication user can access and be authenticated to third party services with total anonymity as far as the Services Providers are concerned and where the GSM Network Operator provides a Single Sign-On service. Within the system, it is possible for a trusted authority to reveal the identity of the user if he or she is suspected of illegal activities. The system combines the GSM security features with the use of a digital signature to protect user privacy.
Fluorination of superconducting Ba2YCu3O9-δ

Abstract Using a series of samples ranging in composition from δ = 2 to δ = 3 we have successfully introduced substantial amounts of fluorine into samples of superconducting Ba2YCu3O9-δ by annealing under F2 gas flows at low temperatures. These syntheses yielded single phase materials containing up to 1.05 F per formula unit. 19F NMR experiments have confirmed that fluorine is incorporated into the lattice and susceptibility and transport measurements indicate that the samples are superconducting with critical temperatures in the range 80 to 89 K.
Using testimonial novels to think about social justice

This article argues that testimonial novels are an important curricular addition in classrooms that take seriously the responsibility to educate students about social justice and civic responsibility in a global context. The addition of testimonial novels to our literature courses lets us internationalize our curriculum by including courses and texts that focus on social justice. I explore the ways in which thinking about our curricular and pedagogical choices through a lens of social justice achieves a number of important educational goals. It encourages critical thinking, allows the development of effective oral communication and writing skills, helps cultivate an appreciation of literature and reading, and creates possibilities for students to see themselves as effective actors in political arenas and social struggles, as global citizens with commitments and responsibilities.
Regional changes in the expression of neurotrophic factors and their receptors following acute traumatic brain injury in the adult rat brain.

We have analyzed the effect of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) on the levels of mRNA expression of neurotrophic factors (NTFs): brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and their respective receptors: trkB, trkA and CNTFRalpha. The expression was examined in the region of the lesion as well as a region remote from the lesion at 12, 24, and 36 h following the injury. Our data suggest that after the brain injury, the expression of NGF and BDNF mRNAs were early, transiently and significantly upregulated while that of CNTF was a slow and less amplified response in both areas of the brain. We also found that trkA mRNA expression was only upregulated significantly in the remote area; trkB mRNA showed no significant change in either area except an upregulation at 12 h in the remote area. CNTFRalpha was downregulated significantly by 24-36 h in the lesion area and by 24 h in the remote area. These changes suggest that TBI regulates the expression of NTFs and their receptors. These alterations in expression may be involved in modulating the neuronal response after brain injury.
A scanning electron microscopic survey of the brain ventricular system of the female armadillo.

The scanning electron microscope was used to survey the brain ventricular system of the female armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) with emphasis on the third ventricle. The walls of the lateral ventricles, aqueduct, and fourth ventricle are covered by long cilia. In the lateral ventricle, the cilia are arranged in groups; but in the aqueduct and fourth ventricle, they are evenly placed over the cellular surfaces. The ependymal cells of the third ventricle are densely ciliated except for the organum vasculosum and infundibular recess. The non-ciliated luminal surface of these areas has a pebblestone appearance punctuated by numerous microvilli and two types of supraependymal cells.
A Case Series of Real-Time Hemodynamic Assessment of High Output Heart Failure as a Complication of Arteriovenous Access in Dialysis Patients

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is an important source of morbidity and mortality in end-stage renal disease patients. Although CHF is commonly associated with low cardiac output (CO), it may also occur in high CO states. Multiple conditions are associated with increased CO including congenital or acquired arteriovenous fistulae or arteriovenous grafts. Increased CO resulting from permanent AV access in dialysis patients has been shown to induce structural and functional cardiac changes, including the development of eccentric left ventricle hypertrophy. Often, the diagnosis of high output heart failure requires invasive right heart monitoring in the acute care setting such as a medical or cardiac intensive care unit. The diagnosis of an arteriovenous access causing high output heart failure is usually confirmed after the access is ligated surgically. We present for the first time, a case for real-time hemodynamic assessment of high output heart failure due to AV access by interventional nephrology in the cardiac catheterization suite.
A role for Pms2 in the prevention of tandem CC → TT substitutions induced by ultraviolet radiation and oxidative stress

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) is important for preventing base-pair substitutions caused by spontaneous or damage-related DNA polymerase errors. We have used a reversion assay based on mouse Aprt to investigate the role of MMR in preventing ultraviolet radiation (UV) and oxidative stress induced tandem CC → TT base pair substitutions in cultured mammalian cells. The reversion construct used for this assay can detect both C → T and CC → TT mutational events. Most spontaneous mutations in Pms2-deficient cells were single C → T substitutions (88%), with the remainder being tandem CC → TT substitutions (12%). The percentage of tandem CC → TT substitutions rose to 64% and 94% for Pms2-deficient cells exposed to UV and a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and metals (Cu/Fe), respectively. Exposure to hydrogen peroxide alone or metals alone did not induce the tandem substitutions, nor did treatment of the cells with the alkylating agent ethylmethane sulfonate, which induces G → A substitutions on the opposite strand. Tandem CC → TT substitutions were also induced by UV irradiation and the hydrogen peroxide/metal mixture in Pms2-proficient cells, but at frequencies significantly lower than those observed in the Pms2-deficient cells. We conclude that mismatch repair plays an important role in preventing tandem CC → TT substitutions induced by certain genotoxin exposures.
Formulation of Culture Medium with Agroindustrial Waste for β-Galactosidase Production from Kluyveromyces marxianus ATCC 16045

Seven strains of the genus Kluyveromyces were screened for β-galactosidase activity and Kluyveromyces marxianus ATCC 16045 was selected as the best enzyme producer for culture medium optimization. The production of β-galactosidase by submerged cultivation was evaluated using a factorial design and response surface methodology. The culture medium containing whey and parboiled rice effluent was formulated to maximize the production of β-galactosidase. The effects of the initial pH and the concentrations of whey lactose, peptone, (NH4)2SO4, yeast extract, and parboiled rice effluent on enzyme production were studied using a 2 IV 6-2 fractional design. A CCRD (24 trials plus axial and central points) was used for the four variables selected from the fractional design (lactose, peptone, (NH4)2SO4 and yeast extract), with β-galactosidase activity as the response. The optimum conditions established for production were a whey (lactose) concentration of 120 g/L, a yeast extract concentration of 5 g/L, a peptone concentration of 15 g/L, a (NH4)2SO4 concentration of 15 g/L, a parboiled rice effluent concentration of 30 g/L, and a pH value of 4.0. Under these conditions, the highest enzymatic activity of 10.4 U/mL was measured, being 9.5–9.7 as the values predicted by the proposed model, showing an enzymatic activity increase of 30% using alternative sources of lactose and nitrogen for β-galactosidase production.
Rapid quantification of pixel-wise fiber orientation data in micrographs

Defining fiber orientation at each pixel within a medical image has traditionally been computationally intensive and prone to systematic errors. A weighted orientation vector summation algorithm capable of detecting fiber orientation simultaneously at each pixel within an image is presented. As a result, pixel-specific fiber orientation information with 2 deg to 3 deg accuracy can be determined within seconds, enabling the practical use of pixel-wise orientation data for characterizing structural anisotropy. This analysis technique has applicability and potential diagnostic utility for a variety of modalities, including second harmonic generation, scanning electron microscopy and immunohistochemical imaging is demonstrated.