cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Supracerebellar Transtentorial Approach for Occipital Meningioma to Maximize Visual Preservation: Technical Note

Background and importance Surgery for resection of tentorial meningiomas compressing primary visual cortex carries a significant risk of worsening vision. This concern is especially acute in patients with a preexisting visual deficit. Approaches that involve mechanical retraction of the occipital lobe further threaten visual function. The supracerebellar transtentorial (SCTT) approach, which does not carry a risk of occipital retraction injury, should be considered for patients with occipital tentorial meningiomas to maximize functional visual outcomes. Clinical presentation A 54-yr-old woman underwent 2 resections and radiation therapy for a right occipital oligodendroglioma as a teenager. She was left with a complete left homonymous hemianopsia. The patient now presented with progressive vision loss in her remaining right visual field. Imaging revealed a left occipital superiorly projecting tentorial meningioma. To preserve her remaining visual function the SCTT approach was chosen for resection. A Simpson grade 1 removal was achieved without disrupting the occipital lobe pia or requiring mechanical cerebellar retraction. A diagnosis of a WHO grade II meningioma (presumably radiation induced) was made. The patient's vision returned to premorbid baseline 1 wk after surgery. Conclusion The SCTT approach should be considered for the surgical management of patients with occipital tentorial meningiomas when visual preservation is at risk. This approach avoids transgression of visual cortex and minimizes the risk of venous infarction or contusions from retraction injury.
Scientific worth of polymer and graphene foam-based nanomaterials

This is a state-of-the-art review on the current state and advancements in the field of polymer and graphene foam-based nanocomposites. Graphene is nanoallotrope of carbon having single layer of he...
Introductory lecture: advances in ion spectroscopy: from astrophysics to biology

This introduction provides a historical context for the development of ion spectroscopy over the past half century by following the evolution of experimental methods to the present state-of-the-art. Rather than attempt a comprehensive review, we focus on how early work on small ions, carried out with fluorescence, direct absorption, and photoelectron spectroscopy, evolved into powerful technologies that can now address complex chemical problems ranging from catalysis to biophysics. One of these developments is the incorporation of cooling and temperature control to enable the general application of "messenger tagging" vibrational spectroscopy, first carried out using ionized supersonic jets and then with buffer gas cooling in radiofrequency ion traps. Some key advances in the application of time-resolved pump-probe techniques to follow ultrafast dynamics are also discussed, as are significant benchmarks in the refinement of ion mobility to allow spectroscopic investigation of large biopolymers with well-defined shapes. We close with a few remarks on challenges and opportunities to explore molecular level mechanics that drive macroscopic behavior.
Use of a Modified Langevin Equation to Describe Turbulent Dispersion of Fluid Particles in a Channel Flow

A stochastic method to represent the positions and velocities of fluid particles in a nonhomogeneous turbulence was pursued. Spatially varying Lagrangian time scales obtained from direct numerical simulations of turbulent flow in a channel and spatially varying joint Gaussian forcing functions were incorporated into a Langevin equation. The model was tested by comparing calculations of the dispersions and velocities of particles originating from point sources with experiments carried out in a DNS of fully-developed turbulent flows in a channel at Reτ = 150 and 300. The model captured the dispersions, mean velocities and moments of the velocity fluctuations very well. The use of jointly Gaussian (rather than uncorrelated Gaussian) forcing functions greatly improved the calculation of dispersions and mean velocities in the stream wise direction, as well as turbulence quantities which include stream wise velocity fluctuations. The condition of well-mixedness for the model was verified by considering the behavior of a uniform distribution of sources.
Electrically Switchable Color Changes in Lying Helix Cholesteric Liquid Crystals

Cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) is a one-dimensional photonic material with a self-assembled helical structure of either a right-handed or left-handed circular rotation of the nematic liquid crystal director along a helical axis. Previously we reported dynamic EO response in polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals (PSCLCs) prepared with negative dielectric anisotropy (Δe < 0) nematic liquid crystal hosts, including DC field induced bandwidth broadening [1–4], red shifting tuning [5,6], blue shifting tuning [7] and scattering switching [8] responses. This dynamic EO response is explained by the electromechanical deformation of the polymer network directly affecting the pitch of the CLC.
The Alford Plea Turns Fifty: Why It Deserves Another Fifty Years

Fifty years ago in North Carolina v. Alford, the Supreme Court ruled that it does not violate due process for a judge to accept a guilty plea from a defendant who maintains his innocence. The Alford pleas are problematic to some, as they allow for the punishing of a defendant who has neither been adjudicated guilty nor admitted guilt. This essay critically evaluates the arguments against Alford pleas. It demonstrates that these anti-Alford plea arguments are largely a product of misunderstandings regarding innocence determinations, what constitutes coercion, and the impracticality of abolishing the practice. Furthermore, this essay discusses the overlooked benefits Alford pleas offer to defendants, victims, the criminal justice system, and society at large.
A process of engagement: Using government documents in open pedagogy

Abstract An education information librarian, a government documents librarian, and an instructional designer collaboratively developed a lesson plan to engage researchers with open educational resources (OER). They selected and curated freely available, online United States federal government documents on topics that would engage their audience. During the lesson, they wanted to inspire workshop attendees to become researchers through a collaborative group project and share this lesson plan with students and library patrons. This article will describe the process used to collect resources, develop the lesson plan, and assess engagement of participants during seven workshops. These face-to-face and virtual workshops were given to educators and librarians from K-12 through the university level.
Topological antennas: Aperture radiators, leaky-wave surfaces, and orbital angular momentum beam generation

The emerging field of topological photonics has extended our capability to control and manipulate electromagnetic waves. Thus far, however, research has focused on realizing defect-immune waveguides for on-chip communication. Making similar advancement for antennas, which are an integral component and crucial to the performance of wireless devices, could lead to a parallel impact on wireless communication. In particular, the requirement for impedance matching that is fundamental to current antenna technology constitutes a major limitation to transmitting and receiving free-space signals in terms of bandwidth and power efficiency. Here, we show how reciprocal photonic topological insulator (PTI) metasurfaces can be designed to enable a unique radiation mechanism needless of impedance matching. This relies on the fact that counter-propagating spin states are decoupled from each other; hence, this self-matching characteristic spans the entire bandwidth of the PTI’s bandgap. Specifically, we present two strategies for out-coupling spin-polarized edge modes: (1) in the form of an end-fire antenna at the abrupt termination of the PTI with free space and (2) in the form of a leaky-wave antenna by engineering the dispersion of the edge mode to lie above the light line. In the first approach, we compare our results to conventional rectangular waveguide apertures and planar Vivaldi antennas, which either have a large profile or flared ends to obtain gradual impedance matching. In the second approach, we demonstrate how our structure can emit orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams with various orbital charge numbers by simply varying the length of the PTI interface when made into a circular loop. The reduced device area and complexity due to removing the need for any matching network and the ability to easily multiplex OAMs of any charge, in addition to the wideband and high efficiency performance, make the proposed topological antennas highly attractive for many applications.
Sarcina organism of the stomach: Report of a case

Abstract Sarcina Ventriculi is a gram-positive organism, rarely encountered as a human pathogen. It has been described in stomach specimens, often in patients with delayed gastric emptying. The exact role of this organism in human disease is not clear. In this case report, we describe a case of Sarcina organism associated with gastric ulceration. This organism is likely underreported and often overlooked, as it may not be obvious on routine staining. Awareness of this organism and further studies are needed to understand its role in human disease.
Assessing the Relationship Between Well-Care Visit and Emergency Department Utilization Among Adolescents and Young Adults.

Abstract Purpose To investigate the association between adolescent and young adult (AYA) well-care visits and emergency department (ED) utilization. Methods Vermont's all-payer claims data were used to evaluate visits for 49,089 AYAs (aged 12-21 years) with a health-care claim from January 1 through December 31, 2018. We performed multiple logistic regression analyses to determine the association between well-care visits and ED utilization, investigating potential moderating effects of age, insurance type, and medical complexity. Results Nearly half (49%) of AYAs who engaged with the health-care system did not attend a well-care visit in 2018. AYAs who did not attend a well-care visit had 24% greater odds (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19–1.30) of going to the ED at least once in 2018, controlling for age, sex, insurance type, and medical complexity. Older age, female sex, Medicaid insurance, and greater medical complexity independently predicted greater ED utilization in the adjusted model. In stratified analyses, late adolescents and young adults (aged 18-21 years) who did not attend a well-care visit had 47% greater odds (95% CI: 1.37 - 1.58) of ED visits, middle adolescents (aged 15-17 years) had 9% greater odds (95% CI: 1.01–1.18), and early adolescents (aged 12-14 years) had 16% greater odds (95% CI: 1.06 - 1.26). Conclusions Not attending well-care visits is associated with greater ED utilization among AYAs engaged in health care. Focus on key quality performance metrics such as well-care visit attendance, especially for 18- to 21-year-olds during their transition to adult health care, may help reduce ED utilization.
Risks in Hydrologic Design of Engineering Projects

By using the probability theory it has been shown that for any hydrologic design with a certain return period and expected life of a project there is always a calculated risk of failure involved. For a time invariant hydrologic system this simple risk can be computed. Conversely, if the expected project life and the simple risk are known, the corresponding design return period can be determined. Such a determination of the return period is independent of the type of distribution and the plotting position of the hydrologic data. Furthermore, there are additional risks and uncertainties involved which should be considered in hydrologic design of engineering projects such as those due to limited record of data available, using rainfall records to synthesize runoff information, stochastic nature of the hydrologic system, and the techniques utilized in the mathematical processing of the data.
Safety and efficacy of endoscopic spray cryotherapy for Barrett's dysplasia: results of the National Cryospray Registry

Abstract Retrospective series have shown the efficacy of endoscopic spray cryotherapy in eradicating high-grade dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett's esophagus (BE); however, prospective data are lacking, and efficacy for low-grade dysplasia (LGD) is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of spray cryotherapy in patients with LGD or HGD. A multicenter, prospective open-label registry enrolled patients with dysplastic BE. Spray cryotherapy was performed every 2-3 months until there was no endoscopic evidence of BE and no histological evidence of dysplasia, followed by surveillance endoscopies up to 2 years. Primary outcome measures were complete eradication of dysplasia (CE-D) and complete eradication of all intestinal metaplasia (CE-IM). Ninety-six subjects with Barrett's dysplasia (67% HGD; 65% long-segment BE; mean length 4.5 cm) underwent 321 treatments (mean 3.3 per subject). Mean age was 67 years, 83% were male. Eighty patients (83%) completed treatment with follow-up endoscopy (mean duration 21 months). In patients with LGD, rate of CE-D was 91% (21/23) and rate of CE-IM was 61% (14/23). In HGD, CE-D rate was 81% (46/57) and CE-IM was 65% (37/57). In patients with short-segment BE (SSBE) with any dysplasia, CE-D was achieved in 97% (30/31) and CE-IM in 77% (24/31). There were no esophageal perforations or related deaths. One subject developed a stricture, which did not require dilation. One patient was hospitalized for bleeding in the setting of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. In the largest prospective cohort to date, data suggest endoscopic spray cryotherapy is a safe and effective modality for eradication of BE with LGD or HGD, particularly with SSBE.
The Scheduled Transfer (ST) Protocol

This paper describes the Scheduled Transfer (ST) protocol that can be used by applications to bypass the operating system (OS) for network communications. The design of ST has been influenced by two overriding goals. First, we want ST to be used to move data between multiple vendors’ machines and over different media; therefore, we have proposed ST as an ANSI standard and defined a network protocol that is independent of the underlying physical layer. Second, ST has been designed to operate in a large, heavily-loaded scientific computing environment, and this goal is manifested in several ways. ST has been designed to minimize receive processing, relieving network congestion that could occur if the receiver exerts backpressure into the network. ST provides a mechanism by which upper layer protocol (ULP) headers can be separated from application data, a capability that is generally necessary to avoid a subsequent memory-to-memory copy in the host. ST includes support for reassembly of application messages that are striped across multiple physical interfaces. ST also includes a flow control mechanism that relieves the ULP from this responsibility and provides the opportunity for the implementor to offload this function to the network interface (NI).
Teenage Employment In Hospitality: Attitudes, Outcomes And Analysis

The benefits of career education have been questioned by recent research on the academic and social development of students who work while 109634808801200244in high school. The current study investigates attitudes about short and long term advantages and disadvantages of high school employment among a sample of workers and non-workers who have gone on to college. Findings are generally positive, and recommendations are made for providing an employment experience which is beneficial to the employer and the high school students.
FtsHi1/ARC1 is an essential gene in Arabidopsis that links chloroplast biogenesis and division

The Arabidopsis arc1 (accumulation and replication of chloroplasts 1) mutant has pale seedlings and smaller, more numerous chloroplasts than the wild type. Previous work has suggested that arc1 affects the timing of chloroplast division but does not function directly in the division process. We isolated ARC1 by map-based cloning and discovered it encodes FtsHi1 (At4g23940), one of several FtsHi proteins in Arabidopsis. These poorly studied proteins resemble FtsH metalloproteases important for organelle biogenesis and protein quality control but are presumed to be proteolytically inactive. FtsHi1 bears a predicted chloroplast transit peptide and localizes to the chloroplast envelope membrane. Phenotypic studies showed that arc1 (hereafter ftsHi1-1), which bears a missense mutation, is a weak allele of FtsHi1 that disrupts thylakoid development and reduces de-etiolation efficiency in seedlings, suggesting that FtsHi1 is important for chloroplast biogenesis. Consistent with this finding, transgenic plants suppressed for accumulation of an FtsHi1 fusion protein were often variegated. A strong T-DNA insertion allele, ftsHi1-2, caused embryo-lethality, indicating that FtsHi1 is an essential gene product. A wild-type FtsHi1 transgene rescued both the chloroplast division and pale phenotypes of ftsHi1-1 and the embryo-lethal phenotype of ftsHi1-2. FtsHi1 overexpression produced a subtle increase in chloroplast size and decrease in chloroplast number in wild-type plants while suppression led to increased numbers of small chloroplasts, providing new evidence that FtsHi1 negatively influences chloroplast division. Taken together, our analyses reveal that FtsHi1 functions in an essential, envelope-associated process that may couple plastid development with division.
Using Fly Ash as a Marker to Quantify Culturally‐Accelerated Sediment Accumulation in Playa Wetlands

Wetlands in the Rainwater Basin in Nebraska are vulnerable to sediment accumulation from the surrounding watershed. Sediment accumulation has a negative impact on wetland quality by decreasing the depth and volume of water stored, and the plant community species composition and density growing in the wetland. The objective of this study was to determine the amount of sediment that has accumulated in five selected wetlands in the Rainwater Basin in Nebraska. Soil cores were taken at five or six locations along transects across each wetland. This study used the fly ash, which is generated by coal-burning locomotives that were present generally in the late 1800s and early 1900s, as a marker to quantify the sediment deposition rates. The cores were divided into 5 cm sections and the soils were analyzed using a fly ash extraction and identification technique. Results indicate that the average depth of sediment ranged from 23.00 to 38.00 cm. The annual average depth of sediment accumulation ranged from 0.18 cm/yr to 0.29 cm/yr. The annual sediment accumulation rate from both wind erosion and water erosion in these five sampling wetlands was between 1.946 and 3.225 kg/m2/yr. The results of this research can be used to develop restoration plans for wetlands. The fly ash testing technology can also be applied to other areas with the railroads across the United States.
Exit-Site Infection Due to Nontubercular Mycobacteria in an Immunocompromised Peritoneal Dialysis Patient

Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections are uncommon in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. They may present as exit-site infection or peritonitis causing significant morbidity, sometimes resulting in loss of the PD catheter. There are no clear guidelines regarding the choice of antibiotics or duration of therapy. Often patients are treated with prolonged courses of antibiotics. We present a case of a human immunodeficiency virus–positive PD patient with NTM exit-site infection along with a brief review of treatment and outcomes of previously reported NTM infections in PD patients.
Learning to heal: The development of American medical education

Learning to Heal: The Development of American Medical Education, Ludmerer, K.M. (Basic Books, New York, 1985) 346 pages, $21.95.
Beowulf Clusters: From Research Curiosity to Exascale

This paper reviews the technical and social events that stimulated early deployments of large-scale Beowulf-style clusters for production scientific and engineering use at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) and the subsequent development of the NSF TeraGrid. Insights and lessons from these experiences have shaped further development of high-performance computing environments and exposed a set of research challenges for creation of exascale computing systems.
Brain Mechanisms Subserving Self‐Generated Imagery: Electrophysiological Specificity and Patterning

The present study was designed to assess the patterning of occipital and sensorimotor EEG activation during self-generated visual and kinesthetic imagery. Twenty subjects were requested to imagine, in separate trials, a flashing light, a tapping sensation on the right forearm, and both the light and the tapping together. Prior to the imagery trials, subjects were exposed to the stimuli which they were asked to subsequently imagine. EEG was recorded from the left occipital and left sensorimotor regions, filtered for alpha and quantified on-line. The results indicated that self-generated visual imagery elicited greater relative occipital activation than comparable kinesthetic imagery. The imagine-both condition fell predictably in between the two unimodal imagery conditions. The difference between visual and kinesthetic imagery was primarily a function of greater occipital activation during the former versus the latter task. No difference in overall alpha abundance among the three imagery tasks was found. These findings suggest that the self-generation of imagery in different modalities elicits specific changes in the sensory regions of the brain responsible for processing information in the relevant modalities.
Major, minor and trace element mass fractions determined using ED-XRF, WD-XRF and INAA for three fireclay reference materials: č.137; č.138; and č.139

This paper is the second in a series of characterization studies of clay and sediment reference materials (RMs) conducted by the Center for Applied Isotope Studies, University of Georgia, and the Research Reactor Center, University of Missouri–Columbia. Here we report the following major, minor and trace element mass fractions determined using wavelength dispersive and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence and instrumental neutron activation analysis for three fireclay RMs (c.137–139) manufactured by Mittal Steel Ostrava a.s. and distributed by Brammer Standard Company, Inc.: major elements reported as oxides Na2O, MgO, Al2O3, SiO2, P2O5. K2O, CaO, TiO2, MnO, Fe2O3 and the following minor and trace elements: As, Ba, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Eu, Hf, La, Lu, Nb, Nd, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, U, V, Y, Yb, Zn, and Zr.
Inducible nitric oxide synthase is required in alcohol-induced liver injury: studies with knockout mice.

Abstract Background & Aims: Oxidative stress contributes to early alcohol-induced liver injury, and superoxide (O2·−) production from NADPH oxidase plays a key role. However, the production of the free radical nitric oxide (NO·) by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) could also be involved. Methods: To test this hypothesis, iNOS knockout (B6.129P2-Nos2tm1 Lau) and wild-type mice were fed high-fat control or ethanol-containing diets for 4 weeks. Results: Mean body weight gains were not significantly different between treatment groups, and average urine ethanol concentrations were similar in wild-type and iNOS knockout mice. After 4 weeks, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were increased significantly about 4-fold over control values (29 ± IU/L) by enteral ethanol (113 ± 20) in wild-type mice; this effect of ethanol was significantly blunted in iNOS knockout mice (50 ± 9). Similar protective effects against liver damage were observed if wild-type mice were treated with the iNOS inhibitor N-(3-aminomethyl)benzyl-acetamindine (1400W). Enteral ethanol also caused severe fatty accumulation, mild inflammation, and necrosis in the liver in wild-type mice but had no effect in iNOS knockout mice. The accumulation of 4-hydroxynonenal (lipid peroxidation) and 3-nitrotyrosine (reactive nitrogen species formation) protein adducts caused by alcohol was completely blocked in iNOS knockout mice. Conclusions: These data strongly support the hypothesis that iNOS is required for the pathogenesis of early alcohol-induced hepatitis by production of nitric oxide-derived pro-oxidants (e.g., peroxynitrite).
Abstract P4-13-05: The gap between perceptions of risk and actual risk for breast cancer.

Background: Estimating a woman9s individual risk for breast cancer is essential for tailoring appropriate screening and risk reduction strategies. Prior research suggests that women often misperceive their risk as either higher or lower than it actually is. As a result, average risk women who perceive their risk to be high may experience unnecessary anxiety. In contrast, high risk women who perceive their risk to be average/low may not utilize needed screening or available risk reduction options. The overall aim of this study is to compare perception of breast cancer risk to actual risk among a sample of multi-ethnic women with a range of breast cancer risk. Methods: As part of BREASTCARE, a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate a PC-tablet based intervention providing multi-ethnic women and their primary care physicians with tailored information about breast cancer risk, we collected baseline information regarding perception of risk. Women visiting general internal medicine primary care clinics at two sites (one academic practice and one safety net practice) during the study period, between the ages of 40 and 74, who spoke English, Spanish or Chinese, and had no personal history of breast cancer were eligible to participate. Participants were asked how concerned they were about getting breast cancer: very concerned, somewhat concerned, a little concerned, or not at all concerned. They were also asked what they believed their chances of getting breast cancer were compared to other women their age: higher, the same, or lower. We classified women as high risk if they had a positive family history based on the Referral Screening Tool (Bellcross, et al. 2009), or were in the top 5% estimated 5-year risk for their age group based on either the Gail Model (Gail et al. 1999) or the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium Model when breast density data was available (Tice et al. 2008). We then compared women9s perception of breast cancer risk with their actual risk. Results: To date, data has been obtained for 913 participants. One third of the women were white, 23% Black, 23% Latina and 17% Asian. Twenty percent (N = 182) of the women were classified as high risk. Among average risk women (N = 727) 48% were very or somewhat concerned about getting breast cancer. In contrast, 35% of high risk women were a little or not at all concerned. When asked how their chances of getting breast cancer compared to other women their age, 20% of average risk women thought their risk was higher than other women their age, while 71% of those at high risk indicated that they had the same or lower risk than other women their age. Conclusions: Our results suggest that both average and high risk women have an incorrect perception of their personal breast cancer risk compared to their actual risk. Interventions that address this misunderstanding can help those at high risk to initiate appropriate risk reduction practices and those at average risk to reduce unnecessary anxiety. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-13-05.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Location Modeling

The year 2009 marked the centennial of Alfred Weber’s (1909) Theory of the Location of Industries, which more than any other single publication launched the field of Location Science. In the ensuing 100 years, the field has changed dramatically. The hand-drawn concentric circles and mechanical devices of the early 20th century were rendered obsolete by the invention of linear programming, digital computers, branch-and-bound, and GIS. On the computational side, simple but efficient greedy, substitution, and Lagrangean-relaxation heuristics have been augmented by newer developments in simulated annealing, genetic algorithms, ant colony optimization, Tabu search, heuristic concentration, as well as other approaches. Models for industrial factories and warehouses now occupy a small space in the field, having been joined by public sector facility location, emergency vehicle posting, special concerns for undesirable and obnoxious facilities, and countless other point, line, and areal facility problems. Researchers have explored different solution spaces (planar, network, discrete, spherical, and hybrid), numerous objectives (single vs. multiple), temporal aspects (static vs. dynamic), the nature of demand (point, planar, path flows), and other problem dimensions. Location researchers approach these issues from a variety of backgrounds: economics, engineering, geography, mathematics and operations research from both academic and business points of view. To bring these varied specialists together, Jonathan Halpern and Michael Goodchild, launched the International Symposium on Locational Decisions (ISOLDE) in 1978, which was held in Banff, Alberta. This symposium has been held every three years since 1978 for an intensive week focused solely on location decision-making. The papers in this special issue of Networks and Spatial Economics are expanded and refined treatments of topics identified at ISOLDE XI, held in Santa Barbara CA in 2008, as central to current scholarly inquiry into locational decisions. However, in no sense are Netw Spat Econ (2010) 10:293–295 DOI 10.1007/s11067-010-9136-5
An instrumented method for assessment and remediation of stuttering: A single-subject case study

Abstract A single-subject experimental design was used to investigate the feasibility of applying non-invasive laboratory instrumentation for examining speech physiology to assessment and biofeedback-based remediation of stuttering. Physiologic assessment facilitated the development of behavioral goals directed at changing respiratory and phonatory behaviors for this subject. Visual biofeedback therapy produced reduction in respiratory discontinuities and increased phonatory continuity, concomitant with reduced perceivable molar dysfluency. Methods used in this case illustrate a variety of options and problems related to clinical use of instrumentation. Results suggest that signals which represent respiratory, phonatory, and articulatory physiologic events may be clinically practical for evaluating and altering perceivable dysfluency.
Osmosis is not driven by water dilution

There is a misconception among plant scientists that osmosis is driven by the tendency of solutes to dilute water. In this opinion article, we discuss the quantitative and qualitative failures of this view, and go on to review the correct kinetic picture of osmosis as it appears in physics textbooks.
Distinct roles for the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions in the degradation and accumulation of chloroplast tufA mRNA: Identification of an early intermediate in the in vivo degradation pathway

Elongation factor Tu in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a chloroplast-encoded gene (tufA) whose 1.7-kb mRNA has a relatively short half-life. In the presence of chloramphenicol (CAP), which freezes translating chloroplast ribosomes, a 1.5-kb tufA RNA becomes prominent. Rifampicin-chase analysis indicates that the 1.5-kb RNA is a degradation intermediate, and mapping studies show that it is missing 176–180 nucleotides from the 5′ end of tufA. The 5′ terminus of the intermediate maps to a section of the untranslated region (UTR) predicted to be highly structured and to encode a small ORF. The intermediate could be detected in older cultures in the absence of CAP, indicating that it is not an artifact of drug treatment. Also, it did not overaccumulate in the chloroplast ribosome-deficient mutant, ac20 cr1, indicating its stabilization is specific to elongation-arrested ribosomes. To determine if the 5′ UTR of tufA is destabilizing, the corresponding region of the atpA-aadA-rbcL gene was replaced with the tufA sequence, and introduced into the chloroplast genome; the 3′ UTR was also substituted for comparison. Analysis of these transformants showed that the transcripts containing the tufA 3′-UTR accumulate to significantly lower levels. Data from constructs based on the vital reporter, Renilla luciferase, confirmed the importance of the tufA 3′-UTR in determining RNA levels, and suggested that the 5′ UTR of tufA affects translation efficiency. These data indicate that the in vivo degradation of tufA mRNA begins in the 5′ UTR, and is promoted by translation. The data also suggest, however, that the level of the mature RNA is determined more by the 3′ UTR than the 5′ UTR.
Emerging views on the structure and dynamics of the Ca2+‐ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum

The ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport in sarcoplasmic reticulum involves transitions between several structural states of the Ca2(+)-ATPase, that occur without major changes in the secondary structure. The rates of these transitions are modulated by the lipid environment and by interactions between ATPase molecules. Although the Ca2(+)-ATPase restricts the rotational mobility of a population of lipids, there is no evidence for specific interaction of the Ca2(+)-ATPase with phospholipids. Fluorescence polarization and energy transfer (FET) studies, using site specific fluorescent indicators, combined with crystallographic, immunological and chemical modification data, yielded a structural model of Ca2(+)-ATPase in which the binding sites of Ca2+ and ATP are tentatively identified. The temperature dependence of FET between fluorophores attached to different regions of the ATPase indicates the existence of 'rigid' and 'flexible' regions within the molecule characterized, by different degrees of thermally induced structural fluctuations.
Sex differences in relation of locus of control and reported anxiety.

The present data suggest sex differences (27 men, 19 women; 18.5 and 17.8 yr. old on average) in the relationship between externality of locus of control and reported anxiety. A positive linear relationship was found between these variables in different situations for men and women and between externality and different expressions of anxiety for each sex. The data support an interaction of values and expectancy in anxiety.
On the sequential nature of interprocedural program-analysis problems

In this paper, we study two interprocedural program-analysis problems--interprocedural slicing and interprocedural dataflow analysis-- and present the following results: These results provide evidence that there do not exist fast (N?-class) parallel algorithms for interprocedural slicing and precise interprocedural dataflow analysis (unlessP =N?). That is, it is unlikely that there are algorithms for interprocedural slicing and precise interprocedural dataflow analysis for which the number of processors is bounded by a polynomial in the size of the input, and whose running time is bounded by a polynomial in the logarithm of the size of the input. This suggests that there are limitations on the ability to use parallelism to overcome compiler bottlenecks due to expensive interprocedural-analysis computations.
Microphotonics: An out-of-plane experience

Using clever device engineering, European researchers have created vertically emitting microcavity lasers, potentially paving the way towards powerful terahertz sources and detectors useful for imaging and biological sensing.
Implementation of the Quantum Fourier Transform

A quantum Fourier transform (QFT) has been implemented on a three qubit nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) quantum computer to extract the periodicity of an input state. Implementation of a QFT provides a first step towards the realization of Shor's factoring and other quantum algorithms. The experimental implementation of the QFT on a periodic state is presented along with a quantitative measure of its efficiency measured through state tomography. Experimentally realizing the QFT is a clear demonstration of the ability of NMR to control quantum systems.
Proteolytic activities of cobra venoms based on inactivation of α2-macroglobulin

The venoms of various cobra species showed a wide range of abilities to cleave hide powder azure, with Naja naja kaouthia and Ophiophagus hannah venoms showing the lowest activities and Naja nivea venom showing the greatest activity on this dye-linked substrate. The activities of the venoms on hide powder did not completely correlate with their ability to inactivate the alpha 2-macroglobulin of human serum. Incubation of 4-5 micrograms of Naja nigricollis venom per microliter of serum for 30 min caused loss of 95% of the alpha 2-macroglobulin activity of the serum. The inactivation was rapid, reaching 80% inactivation 5 min after mixing. This loss of alpha 2-macroglobulin activity was used to quantitate the weak proteolytic activity of N. nigricollis venom and a partially purified sample of the major fibrinogenolytic proteinase of the venom. The inactivation of alpha 2-macroglobulin was also used to compare the proteinase activities of venoms from seven species or subspecies of cobra. Based on alpha 2-macroglobulin inactivation, N. nigricollis had the highest proteinase activity among the tested venoms. The measurement of alpha 2-macroglobulin inactivation should provide a useful alternative to hide powder digestion for demonstration of weak proteolytic activities in venoms.
Pneumothorax during argon beam–enhanced coagulation in laparoscopy

Argon beam coagulation is an effective modality to control rapid diffuse hemorrhage. We present a case of pneumothorax from argon beam coagulation used during laparoscopic surgery. We discuss potential cardiopulmonary consequences of this relatively new application of argon beam technology.
Expertise in the Media

control the distribution of knowledge, to create zones of confidentiality, to erase the past, and to manage the display of information merits greater attention.' By addressing the production of the unknowable (in its many forms) more systematically, S&TS can deepen our understanding of the social topology of knowledge, and of the role of gaps, holes, and densities of knowledge in stabilizing social orders.
Temporal trends of trace metals in sediment and invertebrates from stormwater management ponds

Stormwater ponds are an increasingly common feature in urban landscapes. Because these ponds retain runoff and particulate-bound contaminants from impervious surfaces, organisms inhabiting stormwater ponds may be exposed to elevated metal levels in sediments. This study evaluated temporal changes in sediment and macroinvertebrate Cu, Pb and Zn over an eleven-year period with specific attention to land use in pond watersheds. Sediment and invertebrate metal levels were quantified using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (1993 samples) or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (2003–2004 samples). Sediment trace element levels did not significantly change from 1993 to 2003-2004 with the exception of Zn in ponds receiving runoff from highways, which increased from a mean of 32 mg kg−1 in 1993 to 344 mg kg−1 in 2003–2004. Sediment Pb and Cu generally remained below published threshold effects concentrations (TEC) except for two instances of elevated Cu in 2003–2004. Zn remained below the TEC in 1993 but exceeded the TEC in six ponds in 2003–2004. Trace metal body burdens varied among invertebrate groups, and to a lesser extent among land uses, but in both cases this variation was a function of year. In general, trace element body burdens were more similar among invertebrate groups or land use or both during 2003–2004 when compared to levels in 1993. Our results suggest sediment and invertebrate trace metal levels are at steady state in these stormwater management ponds and that risk to organisms inhabiting these ponds does not vary as a function of pond age.
An innovative application of a commercially available double-sided adhesive for the collection of aerosols by impaction

We investigated a commercially available double-sided electrically conductive carbon adhesive for the collection of aerosols by impactors. This collection surface was found to be excellent for X-ray microanalysis since it does not contribute to the energy dispersive spectrum. X-ray microanalysis of this substrate showed it to contain only carbon and oxygen with carbon being the major component. The carbon substrate is ideal for backscatter electron microscopy because of maximal contrast differences between it and the collected noncarbonaceous particles. The characteristics of this substrate are advantageous for performing feature analysis and chemical characterization of aerosols by automated scanning electron microscopy.
Levels of serum IgE in response to gastro-intestinal nematodes in cattle

Abstract Serum IgE concentration has been considered a valuable measurement in parasitic infections, yet little has been reported regarding cattle. This study examines the association of IgE levels of nematode-naive Holstein steer calves and the level of gastrointestinal parasitism acquired by grazing irrigated pasture for 30 days. Total IgE levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) specific for bovine IgE on serum collected both before and after exposure to parasite-infested pastures. Following necropsy, parasite loads were determined by direct count from the contents of the abomasum, small intestine, cecum and large intestine; species of Ostertagia and Cooperia being the most common helminths found. Significant increases of IgE in the serum of calves with light infestations were seen, whereas calves with moderate to heavy infestations showed only mild IgE increases. With increased parasite burden, the frequency of increased IgE levels was reduced. Additionally, there appeared to be a seasonal correlation relating the level of serum IgE detected to the number of worms counted and to the course of parasite development.
Conformational alteration in serum albumin as a carrier for pyridoxal phosphate: a distinction from pyridoxal phosphate-dependent glutamate decarboxylase.

The conformation of bovine serum albumin (BSA), a pyridoxal phosphate (pyridoxal-P) carrier, was investigated by using uv/visible spectrophotometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism, and differential scanning microcalorimetry. Upon interacting with pyridoxal-P, the uv/visible absorption spectrum of BSA exhibits peaks at 330 and 392 nm due to the formation of a Schiff base. Pyridoxal-P quenches the fluorescence emission intensity (excited at 295 or 280 nm) by 24% and enhances fluorescence steady-state polarization of BSA by 20%. These observations suggest a conformational change in BSA when it interacts with pyridoxal-P. However, this conformational change appears to be small since circular dichroism showed only a 2–4% decrease in the α-helical content of BSA and no change in the β-sheet content, and differential scanning microcalorimetry yielded only a 10% change in the enthalpy of thermal unfolding of BSA. 2-Aminoethylisothiouronium bromide, an antioxidant, causes no effect on either uv/visible absorption spectrum or fluorescence emission intensity of BSA, suggesting that BSA lacks sensitive sulfhydryl groups. To help in understanding BSA as a carrier for pyridoxal-P, the results were compared with those for glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), a pyridoxal-P-dependent protein, which requires pyridoxal-P as the cofactor for activity. Although BSA and GAD exhibit comparable molecular weights (66430 versus 65300), numbers of amino acid residues (582 versus 585), and binding affinity (>106M−1), distinct conformational alterations occur between the two proteins upon interacting with pyridoxal-P: a small conformational change for BSA versus a large conformational change for GAD. In contrast to the case of BSA, AET causes significant effects on both the uv/visible spectrum and fluorescence emission intensity of GAD, because GAD contains sensitive sulfhydryl groups. Factors such as disulfide bond and active site sequence were discussed to understand BAS as a carrier for pyridoxal-P and a pyridoxal-P-independent protein.
Misoprostol: an effective agent for cervical ripening and labor induction.

Objective: Our purpose was to compare the safety and efficacy of intravaginal misoprostol versus intracervical prostaglandin E2 gel (dinoprostone) for preinduction cervical ripening and induction of labor. Study design: Two hundred seventy-six patients with indications for induction of labor and unfavorable cervices were randomly assigned to receive either intravaginal misoprostol or intracervical dinoprostone. Twenty-five micrograms of misoprostol were placed in the posterior vaginal fornix every 3 hours, with a potential maximum of eight doses. Prostaglandin E2 in gel form, 0.5 mg, was placed in the endocervix every 6 hours, with a maximum of three doses. Further medication was withheld with the occurence of spontaneous rupture of membranes, entry into active phase of labor, or a “prolonged contraction response.” Results: Among those evaluated, 138 received misoprostol and 137 received dinoprostone. The average interval from start of induction to vaginal delivery was shorter in the misprostal group (1323.0 ± 844.4 minutes) than in the dinoprostone group (1532.4 ± 706.5 minutes) (p < 0.05). Need for oxytocin augmentation of labor occurred more commonly in the dinoprostone group (72.6%) than in the misprostol group (45.7%) (p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in the routes of delivery. Twenty-eight of the misoprostol-treated patients (20.3%) and thirty-eight of the dinoprostone-treated patients (27.7%) required abdominal delivery. Complications such as uterine lachysystole and thick meconium passage occurred with similar frequency in the two treatment groups. Conclusions: Intravaginal administration of misoprostol appears to be as effective as intracervical dinoprostone for cervical ripening and labor induction. Complications associated with prostaglandin administration were not statistically different between the two treatment groups. The cost of misoprostol ($0.36/100μg) is much less than that of dinoprostone ($75/0.5mg).