cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lymphatic Mapping and Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Patients With Local Recurrence After Breast-Conservation Therapy

Background: Local recurrence (LR) after breast-conservation therapy for breast cancer occurs in 10% to 15% of cases. A subset of these represents biologically aggressive disease, yet prognostic features for identifying this high-risk category are lacking. We hypothesized that lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy would provide useful information regarding dominant lymphatic drainage patterns of patients with LR. Methods: Breast cancer case records involving surgery for LR at the University of Michigan from 2002 to 2004 were reviewed. The lymphatic drainage patterns were compared with those of 117 patients who underwent mapping for primary breast cancer. Results: Fourteen LR cases were identified (10 with initial axillary lymph node dissection, 2 with initial sentinel lymph nodes, and 2 with no axillary surgery at the time of primary cancer treatment); lymphatic mapping was performed in 10. The sentinel lymph node identification rate was 90%, the median number of lymph nodes retrieved was 3, and no metastases were detected. Significantly more cases of nonipsilateral axillary sentinel node drainage were observed in mapping procedures performed for LR compared with those for primary breast cancer (67% vs. 15%; P = .001). Conclusions: Lymphatic mapping is feasible in patients undergoing mastectomy for LR and is likely to identify aberrantly located sentinel lymph nodes that would otherwise be overlooked with a conventional completion mastectomy.
Bone Remodeling Dynamics Following Local X Irradiation: II

A tetracycline labeling method was used for demonstration of bone-remodeling changes in both tibias following unilateral local X irradiation of the mandible and tibia. A 5-mm diameter X-ray beam was used. Direct effects of 4,500 and 9,000 R exposures of two different radiation qualities were evaluated quantitatively. An assessment of the abscopal effect was also made.
Computational models for parallel computers

Computational models define the usage patterns of a computer. They can be used to derive the architecture of the machine, provide guidelines for programming tools, and suggest how the machine should be used in applications. Identifying computational models is especially important for parallel computers, because their architectures and usages are still not well understood in general. This paper describes a number of computational models for parallel computers. These models characterize the communication patterns under which processors exchange their intermediate results during computation. Emphases are placed upon models for one-dimensional processor arrays, reflecting Carnegie Mellon's experiences with the Warp systolic array machine. These models include local computation, domain partition, pipeline, multifunction pipeline and ring.
Evolutionary analysis of the kinesin light chain genes in the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti : gene duplication as a source for novel early zygotic genes

The maternal zygotic transition marks the time at which transcription from the zygotic genome is initiated and a subset of maternal RNAs are progressively degraded in the developing embryo. A number of early zygotic genes have been identified in Drosophila melanogaster and comparisons to sequenced mosquito genomes suggest that some of these early zygotic genes such as bottleneck are fast-evolving or subject to turnover in dipteran insects. One objective of this study is to identify early zygotic genes from the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti to study their evolution. We are also interested in obtaining early zygotic promoters that will direct transgene expression in the early embryo as part of a Medea gene drive system. Two novel early zygotic kinesin light chain genes we call AaKLC2.1 and AaKLC2.2 were identified by transcriptome sequencing of Aedes aegypti embryos at various time points. These two genes have 98% nucleotide and amino acid identity in their coding regions and show transcription confined to the early zygotic stage according to gene-specific RT-PCR analysis. These AaKLC2 genes have a paralogous gene (AaKLC1) in Ae. aegypti. Phylogenetic inference shows that an ortholog to the AaKLC2 genes is only found in the sequenced genome of Culex quinquefasciatus. In contrast, AaKLC1 gene orthologs are found in all three sequenced mosquito species including Anopheles gambiae. There is only one KLC gene in D. melanogaster and other sequenced holometabolous insects that appears to be similar to AaKLC1. Unlike AaKLC2, AaKLC1 is expressed in all life stages and tissues tested, which is consistent with the expression pattern of the An. gambiae and D. melanogaster KLC genes. Phylogenetic inference also suggests that AaKLC2 genes and their likely C. quinquefasciatus ortholog are fast-evolving genes relative to the highly conserved AaKLC1-like paralogs. Embryonic injection of a luciferase reporter under the control of a 1 kb fragment upstream of the AaKLC2.1 start codon shows promoter activity at least as early as 3 hours in the developing Ae. aegypti embryo. The AaKLC2.1 promoter activity reached ~1600 fold over the negative control at 5 hr after egg deposition. Transcriptome profiling by use of high throughput sequencing technologies has proven to be a valuable method for the identification and discovery of early and transient zygotic genes. The evolutionary investigation of the KLC gene family reveals that duplication is a source for the evolution of new genes that play a role in the dynamic process of early embryonic development. AaKLC2.1 may provide a promoter for early zygotic-specific transgene expression, which is a key component of the Medea gene drive system.
P-type doping with arsenic in (211)B HgCdTe grown by MBE

Arsenic incorporation and doping in HgCdTe layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) were examined in this paper. Arsenic incorporation into MBE-HgCdTe was carried out in two different ways: (1)ex-situ arsenic ion-implantation on indium-doped n-type HgCdTe layers, and (2) through a new approach called arsenic planar doping. We report onex-situ arsenic diffusion on indiumdoped MBE-HgCdTe layers at 450°C. In the investigated layers, arsenic redistribution occurs with a multi-component character. We obtained a diffusion coefficient of DAs = (1-3) × 10−13 cm2/s at 450°C. Results of differential Hall and fabricated p-n junctions suggest that during high temperature annealing, arsenic preferentially substitutes into Te sublattices and acts as acceptor impurities. In the second case, arsenic has been successfully incorporated during the MBE growth as an acceptor in the planar doping approach. Withoutex-situ annealing, as-grown layers show up to 50% activation of arsenic during the growth. These results are very promising forin-situ fabrication of infrared devices using HgCdTe material.
Effects of alloxan diabetes on rat parotid gland and saliva

Abstract 1. 1. The effects of alloxan diabetes on rat parotid gland and saliva were studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats. 2. 2. Parotid gland weight, RNA and DNA were unaffected. 3. 3. Amylase levels in both parotid gland and saliva were reduced. 4. 4. Peroxidase activity, however, was no different in the parotid gland, and was significantly increased in parotid saliva. 5. 5. Histologically, alloxan diabetes resulted in the intracellular accumulation of lipid within the acinar cells, and in an increase in mitotic activity.
Anthropology and the study of menopause: evolutionary, developmental, and comparative perspectives.

Objective This work aims to consider how the discipline of anthropology contributes to the study of menopause through evolutionary, developmental, and comparative perspectives. Methods This study was a review of skeletal and ethnographic evidence for menopause and postreproductive life in humans' distant past, hypotheses for the evolution of menopause and long postreproductive life, variation in age at menopause with focus on childhood environments, and the study of variation in symptom experience across populations. Results Longevity, rather than capacity for menopause, sets humans apart from other primates. Skeletal evidence demonstrates that some Neanderthals and archaic Homo sapiens lived to the age at menopause and that at least one third of women in traditional foraging populations live beyond menopause. The evolutionary reasons for why women experience a long postreproductive life continue to be debated. A developmental perspective suggests that early childhood may be a critical time for the environment to irreversibly influence the number of oocytes or rate of follicular atresia and, ultimately, age at menopause. A comparative perspective examines symptom experience at midlife through participant observation, qualitative interviews, and quantitative instruments to gain a holistic understanding of the meaning, experience, and sociocultural context of menopause. Conclusions An evolutionary perspective suggests that menopause is not a recent phenomenon among humans. A developmental perspective focuses on the influence of early childhood on ovarian function. A comparative perspective expands clinical norms and provides knowledge about the range of human variations.
Probabilistic quantitative precipitation forecasts derived from PoPs and conditional precipitation amount climatologies

Abstract Probabilistic quantitative precipitation forecasts (PQPFS) for discrete amount classes can be formulated as the product of precipitation probabilities (as issued in PoP forecasts) and the climatological probabilities of precipitation in specified categories conditional on the occurrence of measurable precipitation. Such forecasts, derived from historical subjective PoP forecasts, are investigated here for the 12–24 hour projection using two types of conditional climatologies. The first involves simply the conditional probabilities of precipitation in selected amount classes given that at least 0.254 mm (0.01″) occurred. The second conditional climatology involves three distributions for the same events, conditional both on the occurrence of measurable precipitation and on the magnitude of the PoP forecast. In this later case, separate conditional distributions are tabulated for occasions when “low” (0%–20%), “moderate” (30%–50%), and “high” (60%–100%) subjective PoP forecast were issued. Comparis...
High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of soluble and total oxalate in Ca- and Mg-amended liquid cultures of three wood decay fungi

Two brown-rot wood decay fungi, Fomitopsis pinicola and Meruliporia incrassata, and the white-rot species Phanerochaete chrysosporium were grown for 4 weeks in liquid culture at 0.35, 0.70, 1.05, and 5.00 mM calcium (Ca) and 1.35 and 2.70 mM magnesium (Mg) concentrations. Soluble and total oxalate levels were quantified using a revised ion-exchange HPLC protocol developed specifically for resolving oxalate and other organic acid anions from medium components. Total oxalate concentrations in brown-rot filtrate were not significantly different among treatments; however, soluble oxalate decreased significantly with increasing Ca concentration. Higher Mg concentrations increased soluble oxalate levels only slightly. There was a significant decrease in medium pH at 5.00 mM Ca for all species, as well as an apparent increase in decarboxylation activity in brownrot fungi. Total and soluble oxalate levels in the white-rot cultures were generally below detection for all treatments. The results show a significant influence of Ca on soluble oxalate concentrations not seen previously in the brown-rot species Postia placenta.
Film Cooling of Turbine Blade Surface With Extended Exit Holes

The main goal of gas turbine design is the effective use of energy. Usually, the efficient high temperature first and second stage turbine blade surface is cooled by jet of coolant flow from extended exit holes (EEH). Against the prevailing hot gas flow, the flow through EEH must be designed to form a film of cool air over the blade. Computational analyses are performed to examine the cooling effectiveness of flow from EEH over the suction side of a blade by solving conservation equations (mass, momentum and energy) and the ideal gas equation of state for the three-dimensional, turbulent, compressible flow. A diverging flow through EEH is typically choked at its throat, resulting in a supersonic flow, a shock and then a subsonic flow downstream. The location of the shock relative to the high-temperature gas flow over the blade determines the temperature distribution along the blade surface; which is analyzed in detail when the coolant flow rate is varied.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Cuando Vienen Matando: On Prepositional Shifts and the Struggle of Testimonial Subjects for Agency

military coup that destroyed our movement for social change in the 1970s. An outpour of testimonial texts is reaching the presses. The words of public intellectuals pepper interviews and newspaper arti cles dealing with the currency of the testimonial first person. Beatriz Sarlo s new book Tiempo pasado. Cultura de la memoria y giro sub jetivo. Una discusion contributes to this debate. Sarlo recognizes the value of the testimonial first person for legal purposes, to set records straight while other documentation is not available (24) and to secure justice. She admits that personal narratives can be a source for his torians (25). Sarlo argues, however, that excessive trust is placed on victims and survivors as producers of historical truth (62,63). Her in tervention has been called polemical by journalists in the country and abroad. Arturo Jimenez, from the Mexican newspaper La Jornada, has seen it as a call to "go beyond the overwhelming predominance of the testimonial account of the repression by the military dictatorship and to engage with more strength in theoretical reflections to be able to understand what has happened" (my trans.). What concerns me about these words and Sarlo's statements is the belief that survivors are unfit for theoretical reflection unless they undergo traditional academic training and do not refer directly to their experience. The debate appeals to journalists and scholars in the humanities alike. Both professions stake much on the search for the truth.1 The difficulties of understanding what testimonial texts and producers try to accomplish and their modus operandi stem from academia's exces sive preoccupation with the truth. The desire to construct a discourse of solidarity that empowers the victims by moving others to act to stop genocides and achieve justice is often an unseen force behind testimo nial texts. More attention should be paid to relations woven within and around them, on what Robert Hodge and Gunther Kress call the semiosic plane (262). When Sarlo in her chapter "La imaginacion sale de visita" (53-58) aptly conjures Hannah Arendt s call to "train the correspondents at large
Modeling and estimation of the humans' effect on the CO 2 dynamics inside a conference room

We develop a data-driven, Partial Differential Equation-Ordinary Differential Equation (PDE-ODE) model that describes the response of the Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) dynamics inside a conference room, due to the presence of humans, or of a user-controlled exogenous source of CO 2 . We conduct two controlled experiments in order to develop and tune a model whose output matches the measured output concentration of CO 2 inside the room, when known inputs are applied to the model. In the first experiment, a controlled amount of CO 2 gas is released inside the room from a regulated supply, and in the second, a known number of humans produce a certain amount of CO 2 inside the room. For the estimation of the exogenous inputs, we design an observer, based on our model, using measurements of CO 2 concentrations at two locations inside the room. We perform several simulation studies for the illustration of our design.
Diameter‐dependent dispersion in cylindrical bead packs

It has recently been argued that longitudinal dispersion in cylindrical packed beds is enhanced due to radial heterogeneities in the porosity and resulting velocity field. In particular, it is predicted that the time scale to attain asymptotic dispersion in a packed bed of radius R is proportional to R 2 /D T , where D T is the transverse dispersion constant in a homogeneous beadpack, and that the asymptotic longitudinal dispersion constant increases with Rid, where d is the bead diameter. We have measured the asymptotic dispersion rates for packed beds with Rid = 9.5, 12.7, and 25.4 and find good qualitative agreement with the predicted dependence on R/d.
Robotic colon and rectal surgery: a series of 131 cases.

Background Laparoscopic colorectal surgery has become a mainstay in the treatment of benign and malignant colorectal diseases. There are inherent limitations to conventional laparoscopy which can be overcome by the robot. Here we present our experience with 131 cases of robotic and robot-assisted colon and rectal resections.
Quantitative multi-parametric evaluation of centrosome declustering drugs: centrosome amplification, mitotic phenotype, cell cycle and death

Unlike normal cells, cancer cells contain amplified centrosomes and rely on centrosome clustering mechanisms to form a pseudobipolar spindle that circumvents potentially fatal spindle multipolarity (MP). Centrosome clustering also promotes low-grade chromosome missegregation, which can drive malignant transformation and tumor progression. Putative 'centrosome declustering drugs' represent a cancer cell-specific class of chemotherapeutics that produces a common phenotype of centrosome declustering and spindle MP. However, differences between individual agents in terms of efficacy and phenotypic nuances remain unexplored. Herein, we have developed a conceptual framework for the quantitative evaluation of centrosome declustering drugs by investigating their impact on centrosomes, clustering, spindle polarity, cell cycle arrest, and death in various cancer cell lines at multiple drug concentrations over time. Surprisingly, all centrosome declustering drugs evaluated in our study were also centrosome-amplifying drugs to varying extents. Notably, all declustering drugs induced spindle MP, and the peak extent of MP positively correlated with the induction of hypodiploid DNA-containing cells. Our data suggest acentriolar spindle pole amplification as a hitherto undescribed activity of some declustering drugs, resulting in spindle MP in cells that may not have amplified centrosomes. In general, declustering drugs were more toxic to cancer cell lines than non-transformed ones, with some exceptions. Through a comprehensive description and quantitative analysis of numerous phenotypes induced by declustering drugs, we propose a novel framework for the assessment of putative centrosome declustering drugs and describe cellular characteristics that may enhance susceptibility to them.
Extension of the DSMC method to high pressure flows

A collision-limiter method, designated as equilibrium direct simulation Monte Carlo (eDSMC), is proposed to extend the DSMC technique to high pressure flows. The method is similar to collision-limiter schemes considered in the past with the important distinction that for inviscid flows, equilibrium is enforced in the entire flow by providing a sufficient number of collisions, based on pre-simulation testing. To test the method with standard DSMC and Navier-Stokes (NS) methods, axi-symmetric nozzle and embedded-channel flows are simulated and compared with experimental temperature data and pre-existing calculations, respectively. The method is shown to agree with third-order Eulerian nozzle flows and first-order channel flows. Chapman-Enskog theory is utilized to predict the range of initial conditions where eDSMC is potentially useful for modeling flows that contain viscous boundary layer regions. Comparison with supersonic nozzle data suggests that the eDSMC method is not adequate for capturing the large variation in flow length scales occurring in supersonic expansions into a vacuum. However, when eDSMC is used in combination with the baseline-DSMC method a near-exact solution is obtained with a considerable computational savings compared to the exact DSMC solution. Viscous flow channel calculations are found to agree well with an exact Navier-Stokes (NS) calculation for a small Knudsen number case as predicted by Chapman-Enskog theory.
Oxytocin-induced release of prostaglandin F2 alpha in postpartum beef cows: comparison of short versus normal luteal phases.

The first postpartum ovulation after early weaning of calves (30 35 days of age) from cows is normally followed by a short luteal phase (6 10 days) unless the animals are pretreated with a progestogen (e.g. norgestomet). Reduced luteal lifespan in cattle is reportedly due to the premature release of a luteolysin (presumably prostaglandin F2 alpha [PGF2 alpha]). Therefore, the objective was to determine if oxytocin-induced release of PGF2 alpha (measured by the stable PGF2 alpha metabolite, 15-keto-13,14-dihydro PGF2 alpha [PGFM]) was greater for cows having a short compared to a normal luteal phase on Day 5 following the first postpartum estrus (Day 0). Thirty postpartum beef cows were randomly assigned into three groups (n = 10 per group) expected to have short (Short d 5) or normal (Norgestomet d 5 and Norgestomet d 16) luteal phases. Cows in Norgestomet d 5 and d 16 groups received Norgestomet (progestogen) implants for 9 days beginning 21 23 days postpartum. On Day 5 (Short d 5 and Norgestomet d 5) or Day 16 (Norgestomet d 16) following first postpartum estrus, each animal was injected (i.v.) with 100 IU oxytocin. In addition, cows in the Short d 5 group were subdivided into two groups following second estrus (normal luteal phase, n = 5 per group) to receive 100 IU oxytocin on Day 5 (Normal d 5) or 16 (Normal d 16), respectively. Estrous cycle length (means +/- SE) for cows in the Short d 5 group (8.7 +/- 0.4 days) was shorter (p less than 0.01) than for cows in all other groups (21.1 +/- 0.3 days).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Ascorbic acid effects on serotonin fluorescence.

Abstract Ascorbic acid successfully protects serotonin from catalytic destruction by iron during fluorometric detection but amine stability is accompanied by diminished fluorescence. The reduction of fluorescence has been found to result from absorption of 295 mμ wavelength activation light and from quenching of serotonin fluorescence by ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid in aqueous 3.5 N HCl was found to have molar absorptivity (e) of 4.4 ± 0.1 ( n = 6) and a quenching constant ( k q ) of 11.0 ± 0.2 ( n = 8).
Aesthetic Learning Theory and the Faith Formation of Young Adults

Abstract Participation in the arts is a form of practical reason and as such has the potential to form and transform the faith of individuals. The findings from Katherine M. Douglass's 2011 study on the role of the arts in the faith lives of young adults provides examples of the transformative potential of the arts as they foster expression, connection, and opening.
Evaluation and Management of Rectourethral Fistula Following Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer

Rectourethral Fistula (RUF) is an unusual entity with severe consequences to patients. Radiation induced RUF is an infrequent complication following prostate cancer treatment. Evaluation and management of radiation induced RUF is not uniform. A variety of alternatives are offered to manage RUF, including but not limited to the transanal, transrectal approach (York-Mason), pure perineal and combined abdomino-perineal approaches. It is of utmost importance that the genitourinary reconstructive surgeon be familiar with the etiology, anatomy and options to treat RUF. Treatment strategies must be tailored with consideration toward the etiology of the fistula and to the patient status.
Epistemic internalism and perceptual content: how a fear of demons leads to an error theory of perception

Despite the fact that many of our beliefs are justified by perceptual experience, there is relatively little exploration of the connections between epistemic justification and perceptual content. This is unfortunate since it seems likely that some views of justification will require particular views of content, and the package of the two might be quite a bit less attractive than either view considered alone. I will argue that this is the case for epistemic internalism. In particular, epistemic internalism requires a view of perceptual content that results in an error theory of perception. This, in turn, hobbles the internalist’s account of perceptual justification. While there are various stages along the way at which one can resist the argument, each one will involve significant commitments that highlight heretofore unacknowledged connections between justification and content. Even if the internalist is willing to make these moves and resist the argument, the argument reveals a novel way for the epistemic externalist to resist one of internalism’s main arguments.
honor and the sentiments of loss in a Bedouin society

Beginning with the observation that among the Awlād c Alī Bedouins of the Egyptian Western Desert individuals respond to personal loss with two contradictory sets of sentiments, one expressed in ordinary language and public interactions and the other expressed in a form of poignant lyric poetry spontaneously recited in intimate contexts, this paper explores the significance of the coexistence of discrepant discourses on emotion for understanding the relationship between the self and cultural ideals. For Awlād c Alī, like others in circum-Mediterranean societies, the cultural ideals are those entailed by the honor code. Analysis of the links between this code and the two discourses reveals the complexity of the relationship between cultural ideology and individual experience and its articulation. [self and emotion, ideology, honor code, poetry, Middle East Bedouins, loss]
Photorefractoriness in a sparrow: Phase of circadian photosensitivity elucidated by skeleton photoperiods

Photorefractoriness can be maintained in first-year male white-crowned sparrows kept on short daylengths if the birds are exposed to a short light pulse interrupting the dark period during a daily phase of photosensitivity. The photosensitive phase appears to be located between hours 9 and 20 following the onset of first light (Fig. 1).
A spiral volume coil for improved RF field homogeneity at high static magnetic field strength

Biological samples have a high dielectric constant that can shorten RF wavelengths by a factor of 8 relative to the vacuum. At high field strengths, finite wavelength effects within larger samples are the dominant cause of RF field nonuniformity. A coil design is presented that can reduce and even eliminate this inhomogeneity; 4-T images in phantoms and in the head of a normal volunteer are presented, which demonstrate improved homogeneity relative to a standard coil. This coil design should aid in realizing the potential advantages of imaging large samples at high field strengths.
Orthodox Constructions of the West . Edited by George Demacopoulos and Aristotle Papnikolaou. Orthodox Christianity and Contemporary Thought. New York: Fordham University Press, 2013. ix + 365 pp. $125 hardcover; $35 paperback.

(ProQuest: ... denotes non-US-ASCII text omitted.)Orthodox Constructions of the West . Edited by George Demacopoulos and Aristotle Papnikolaou . Orthodox Christianity and Contemporary Thought. New York : Fordham University Press , 2013. ix + 365 pp. $125 hardcover; $35 paperback.Book Reviews and NotesWhen Rudyard Kipling lamented that "East is East, and West is West, and ne'er the twain shall meet," he probably did not have the theological and cultural conflict of Eastern and Western Christianity in mind, but the sentiment expressed in the longer form of the quote ("Till Earth and Sky stand presently at God's great Judgment Seat") adeptly captures the feelings of many a historian and ecumenist. But perhaps because of this historic antagonism, the need for Orthodox Christians to understand and even appropriate the West, given the surge of Orthodox migrants over the past century and conversion of native Westerners to Eastern Christianity, is greater than at any point in the past. From that impulse comes the triennial conference series on the East-West Schism. The present volume is the result of papers delivered at the 2010 edition of that conference series.The selections in the volume cover a variety of different eras, ranging from the tenth century to the modern day, and a variety of subjects centered around the theme of how Eastern Christians have and continue to understand or misunderstand their Western co-religionists. The state of the question is admirably set in the chapter by Demacopoulos and Papnikolaou, which introduces the reader to the problem constructing a view of the West in modern Orthodox Christianity, in no small part because so many Orthodox themselves now live in "the West" or at least in countries historically founded by persons from Western Europe. The authors do not propose how Orthodox Christians might better identify "the Other" in opposition to their own traditions, and that is part of the point: that older categories are no longer as useful as they were even a century ago.Though all of the contributions to this volume are excellent, there are several which deserve special recognition. Among these is the overview of the current state of Roman Catholic and Orthodox ecumenical relations by Robert Taft. Much of the chapter is centered on the past wrong of each side against the other. Here, Taft is adamant and unflinching in his review of Catholic sins against the Orthodox, and is equally ready to point out that Orthodox Christians have similar problems with their own behavior, concluding that what both sides need is a more realistic and less hagiographic reading of their histories. …
Porin activity of Anaplasma phagocytophilum outer membrane fraction and purified P44.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum, an obligatory intracellular bacterium that causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis, has significantly less coding capacity for biosynthesis and central intermediary metabolism than do free-living bacteria. Thus, A. phagocytophilum needs to usurp and acquire various compounds from its host. Here we demonstrate that the isolated outer membrane of A. phagocytophilum has porin activity, as measured by a liposome swelling assay. The activity allows the diffusion of l-glutamine, the monosaccharides arabinose and glucose, the disaccharide sucrose, and even the tetrasaccharide stachyose, and this diffusion could be inhibited with an anti-P44 monoclonal antibody. P44s are the most abundant outer membrane proteins and neutralizing targets of A. phagocytophilum. The P44 protein demonstrates characteristics consistent with porins of gram-negative bacteria, including detergent solubility, heat modifiability, a predicted structure of amphipathic and antiparallel β-strands, an abundance of polar residues, and a C-terminal phenylalanine. We purified native P44s under two different nondenaturing conditions. When reconstituted into proteoliposomes, both purified P44s exhibited porin activity. P44s are encoded by approximately 100 p44 paralogs and go through extensive antigenic variation. The 16-transmembrane-domain β-strands consist of conserved P44 N- and C-terminal regions. By looping out the hypervariable region, the porin structure is conserved among diverse P44 proteins yet enables antigenic variation for immunoevasion. The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle of A. phagocytophilum is incomplete and requires the exogenous acquisition of l-glutamine or l-glutamate for function. Efficient diffusion of l-glutamine across the outer membrane suggests that the porin feeds the Anaplasma TCA cycle and that the relatively large pore size provides Anaplasma with the necessary metabolic intermediates from the host cytoplasm.
Catalyst deactivation during the liquid phase hydrodechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenol over supported Pd: influence of the support

Abstract In the liquid phase hydrodechlorination (HDC) of 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) over 1% (w/w) Pd/C and 1% (w/w) Pd/Al2O3, operated in the kinetic controlled regime, 2-chlorophenol is the only intermediate partially dechlorinated product which reacts further to yield phenol; cyclohexanone is formed over Pd/Al2O3 prior to the completion of dechlorination. Reuse of the catalysts revealed an appreciable deactivation of Pd/C and a limited loss of activity in the case of Pd/Al2O3. The Pd content, BET surface area, temperature programmed reduction (TPR) and hydrogen chemisorption/temperature programmed desorption (TPD) characteristics of the fresh and used catalyst samples have been recorded. The results indicate that the Pd/C catalyst lost ca. 50% of the total surface area during HDC operation due to occluded organic species but this was readily recovered by TPR. Measurement of the Pd content in the catalysts pre-/post-reaction and in the reaction liquid has demonstrated that Pd leaching is not significant during reaction. The nature of the surface active hydrogen is probed, hydrogen desorption characteristics are discussed and the possible sources of activity loss are considered.
The Construct Validity and Explanatory Power of the AISA Motor Score and the FIM: Implications for Theoretical Models of Spinal Cord Injury

The validity of measures utilized in research is of vital importance. The ASIA motor score (AMS) and the FIM™ are scales commonly used in spinal cord injury research. They each have two-dimensional structures, but the structure of the dimensions is very different. A model is developed and tested that clearly demonstrates the discrete AMS subscale structure and the separate but highly related dimensions of the FIM.
Clinical Approach to the Child with Scoliosis

Although most children with scoliosis are otherwise structurally normal, spinal curvature may represent one feature in a broader problem of altered development with a specific prognosis and a specific risk of occurrence in siblings and children of the affected individual. A clinical approach to the evaluation of the child with scoliosis is proposed based upon the age of recognition of the curvature and a detailed physical examination. Scoliosis is defined as a lateral curvature of the spine. In contrast to curves in the anteroposterior dimension (kyphosis and lordosis), scoliosis is never present in the normal spine. Although mild degrees of curvature are often asymptomatic, marked scoliosis produces severe disability and shortens lifespan by interfering with pulmonary mechanics, resulting in hyperventilation, pulmonary hypertension, and eventually, pulmonary and cardiac failure. Early diagnosis and promptly instituted treatment are effective in reducing long-term morbidity. It is critical to recognize that scoliosis is not a diagnosis. It is a description of a particular structural alteration which may be produced by a variety of pathogenetic mechanisms and which has many different etiologies. The vertical stability of an individual is maintained as a consequence of normal vertebral bodies, intervertebral disks, ligamentous and muscular attachments, and normal neuromuscular function. Alteration in any one of the above may lead to scoliosis.
CpRu(CO)2(BF4) and [CpFe(CO)2(THF)]+ on mesoporous silica as adsorbents for the removal of dibenzothiophenes from hydrocarbon solutions

The complexes, CpRu(CO)2(BF4) and [CpFe(CO)2(η2-2-methylpropene)][BF4], react with dibenzothiophene (DBT) and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-Me2DBT) to give [CpRu(CO)2(DBT)][BF4] and [CpFe(CO)2(4,6-Me2DBT)][BF4], whose structures were established by X-ray diffraction studies. The same types of products are obtained when dibenzothiophenes react with CpRu(CO)2(BF4) and [CpFe(CO)2(THF)][BF4] that are adsorbed on the mesoporous silica SBA-15. DRIFT and XPS studies indicate that CpRu(CO)2(BF4) and [CpRu(CO)2(DBT)][BF4] are adsorbed on the SBA-15 by hydrogen-bonding of the BF4− anions to surface Si–O–H groups. CpRu(CO)2(BF4)/SBA-15 removes 99% of the DBT in a 45% toluene/55% hexanes simulated petroleum feedstock. This solid phase extractant is less successful for sterically-hindered 4,6-Me2DBT, as only 72% of it is removed. The results show that CpRu(CO)2(BF4) can be immobilized by adsorption on mesoporous silica and that it reacts with dibenzothiophenes in the adsorbed form, CpRu(CO)2(BF4)/SBA-15, in much the same way that it reacts in solution.
The Microsynodontis (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Mochokidae) of the lower Guinea region, west central Africa, with the description of eight new species

Species of the mochokid catfish genus Microsynodontis Boulenger 1903 from the lower Guinea region in west central Africa (from the Cross River southwards to the Chiloango River drainages) are reviewed. Nine species (of which eight are described as new) are recognized. The status of other nominal species is also reviewed in this study; Microsynodontis christyi Boulenger, 1920 (previously considered a junior synonym of M. batesii) is shown to be a valid species. Characters useful for diagnosing Microsynodontis species are discussed and sexual dimorphism in the genus is also recorded for the first time.
Test-retest reliability of temporal and spatial gait characteristics measured with an instrumented walkway system (GAITRite®)

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability of temporal and spatial gait measurements over a one-week period as measured using an instrumented walkway system (GAITRite®). Methods: Subjects were tested on two occasions one week apart. Measurements were made at preferred and fast walking speeds using the GAITRite ® system. Measurements tested included walking speed, step length, stride length, base of support, step time, stride time, swing time, stance time, single and double support times, and toe in-toe out angle. Results: Twenty-one healthy subjects participated in this study. The group consisted of 12 men and 9 women, with an average age of 34 years (range: 19 – 59 years). At preferred walking speed, all gait measurements had ICC's of 0.92 and higher, except base of support which had an ICC of 0.80. At fast walking speed all gait measurements had ICC's above 0.89 except base of support (ICC = 0.79), Conclusions: Spatial-temporal gait measurements demonstrate good to excellent test-retest reliability over a one-week time span.
Early use of vacuum constriction device following radical prostatectomy facilitates early sexual activity and potentially earlier return of erectile function

To assess the efficacy of vacuum constriction devices (VCD) following radical prostatectomy (RP) and determine whether early use of VCD facilitates early sexual activity and potentially earlier return of erectile function. This prospective study consisted of 109 patients who underwent nervesparing (NS) or non-nerve-sparing (NNS) RP between August 1999 and October 2001 and developed erectile dysfunction following surgery. The patients were randomized to VCD use daily for 9 months (Group 1, N ¼ 74) or observation without any erectogenic treatment (Group 2, N ¼ 35). Treatment efficacy was analyzed by responses to the Sexual Health Inventory of Men (SHIM) (abridged 5-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5)), which were stratified by the NS status. Patient outcome regarding compliance, change in penile length, return of natural erection, and ability for vaginal intercourse were also assessed. The mean patient age was 58.2 years, and the minimum follow-up was 9 months. Use of VCD began at an average of 3.9 weeks after RP. In Group 1, 80% (60/ 74) successfully used their VCD with a constriction ring for vaginal intercourse at a frequency of twice/week with an overall spousal satisfaction rate of 55% (33/60). In all, 19 of these 60 patients (32%) reported return of natural erections at 9 months, with 10/60 (17%) having erections sufficient for vaginal intercourse. The abridged IIEF-5 score significantly increased after VCD use in both the NS and NNS groups. After a mean use of 3 months, 14/74 (18%) discontinued treatment. In Group 2, 37% (13/35) of patients regained spontaneous erections at a minimum follow-up of 9 months after surgery. However, only four of these patients (29%) had erections sufficient for successful vaginal intercourse and rest of patients (71%) sought adjuvant treatment. Of the 60 successful users, 14 (23%) reported a decrease in penile length and circumference at 9 months (range, 4–8 months) compared to 12/14 (85%) among the nonresponders. However, in control group 22/35 reported decrease in penile length and circumference. Early use of VCD following RP facilitates early sexual intercourse, early patient/spousal sexual satisfaction, and potentially an earlier return of natural
Integrated All-Photonic Coherent Receiver

An integrated all-photonic coherent receiver is presented for linear optical demodulation of phase modulated analog signals. The output of a balanced detector pair is directly connected to a tracking phase modulator to provide feedback phase tracking. The resulting measured link SFDR is 110dBHz2/3.
CASE STUDIES: APPLICATIONS OF QUALITY FUNCTION DEPLOYMENT IN ACCORD WITH MILITARY STANDARD 499B

Quality function deployment is a methodology to relate what needs to be done to how to do it. The methodology is used to implement the requirements for the systems engineering process established in Military Standard 499B in conjunction with Integrated Product Development teams. Examples are presented for two divergent applications: payload design for an upper atmosphere research satellite and investment strategy design for a division's research and technology program.
Distributed topology control of dynamic networks

In this paper, we present a distributed control framework for controlling the topology of dynamic multi-agent networks. Agents are equipped with local sensing and wireless communication capabilities, however, due to power constraints, they are required to switch between two modes of operation, namely active and sleep. The control objective investigated in this paper is to determine distributed coordination protocols that regulate switching between the operation modes of every agent such that the overall network guarantees multi-hop communication links among a subset of so called boundary agents. In the proposed framework, coordination is based on a virtual market where every request to switch off is associated with a bid. Combinations of requests are verified with respect to connectivity and the one corresponding to the highest aggregate bid is finally served. Other than nearest neighbor information, our approach assumes no knowledge of the network topology, while verification of connectivity relies on notions of algebraic graph theory as well as gossip algorithms run over the network. Integration of the individual controllers results in an asynchronous networked control system for which we show that it satisfies the connectivity specification almost surely. We finally illustrate efficiency of our scalable approach in nontrivial computer simulations.
Chairman’s Introduction to Sessions M1 and M2 on June 15, 1982

As Chairman of this session, I feel very privileged. First, it gives me the opportunity to express my tremendous admiration for the willingness of Professor Lowdin, Karin Lowdin, the local committee, and the helpers from far away Florida to undertake the organization of this meeting. It is already a demonstrated success and we are all very grateful.
Regulation in the heart field of zebrafish

In many vertebrates, removal of early embryonic heart precursors can be repaired, leaving the heart and embryo without visible deficit. One possibility is that this ‘regulation’ involves a cell fate switch whereby cells, perhaps in regions surrounding normal progenitors, are redirected to the heart cell fate. However, the lineage and spatial relationships between cells that are normal heart progenitors and those that can assume that role after injury are not known, nor are their molecular distinctions. We have adapted a laser-activated technique to label single or small patches of cells in the lateral plate mesoderm of the zebrafish and to track their subsequent lineage. We find that the heart precursor cells are clustered in a region adjacent to the prechordal plate, just anterior to the notochord tip. Complete unilateral ablation of all heart precursors with a laser does not disrupt heart development, if performed before the 18-somite stage. By combining extirpation of the heart precursors with cell labeling, we find that cells anterior to the normal cardiogenic compartments constitute the source of regulatory cells that compensate for the loss of the progenitors. One of the earliest embryonic markers of the premyocardial cells is the divergent homeodomain gene, Nkx2.5. Interestingly, normal cardiogenic progenitors derive from only the anterior half of the Nkx2.5-expressing region in the lateral plate mesoderm. The posterior half, adjacent to the notochord, does not include cardiac progenitors and the posterior Nkx2.5-expressing cells do not contribute to the heart, even after ablation of the normal cardiogenic region. The cells that can acquire a cardiac cell fate after injury to the normal progenitors also reside near the prechordal plate, but anterior to the Nkx2.5-expressing domain. Normally they give rise to head mesenchyme. They share with cardiac progenitors early expression of GATA 4. The location of the different elements of the cardiac field, and their response to injury, suggests that the prechordal plate supports and/or the notochord suppresses the cardiac fate.
Mechanical and Water Vapor Transmission Properties of Polysaccharide Films

The film-forming properties of chitosan, chitosan glutamate, sodium alginate, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) were investigated. Films were produced by a casting/solvent evaporation method from plasticizer-free and plasticizer-containing aqueous solutions. The water vapor transmission and mechanical properties (puncture strength and % elongation) of the films were investigated as a function of the polymer type and viscosity, plasticizer type (glycerin, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, triethyl citrate), plasticizer concentration, and type and concentration of acid used to dissolve chitosan. The effect of storage humidity was also examined. Glycerin and water were good plasticizers for chitosan glutamate. The chitosan film properties were dependent on the type and concentration of acid used to dissolve it, citric acid being a good plasticizer. The mechanical and water vapor transmission properties of alginate and HPMC films were less influenced by the investigated variables.
Attachment anxiety moderates the relationship between childhood maltreatment and attention bias for emotion in adults

Research indicates that some individuals who were maltreated in childhood demonstrate biases in social information processing. However, the mechanisms through which these biases develop remain unclear-one possible mechanism is via attachment-related processes. Childhood maltreatment increases risk for insecure attachment. The internal working models of self and others associated with insecure attachment may impact the processing of socially relevant information, particularly emotion conveyed in facial expressions. We investigated associations among child abuse, attachment anxiety and avoidance, and attention biases for emotion in an adult population. Specifically, we examined how self-reported attachment influences the relationship between childhood abuse and attention bias for emotion. A dot probe task consisting of happy, threatening, and neutral female facial stimuli was used to assess possible biases in attention for socially relevant stimuli. Our findings indicate that attachment anxiety moderated the relationship between maltreatment and attention bias for happy emotion; among individuals with a child abuse history, attachment anxiety significantly predicted an attention bias away from happy facial stimuli.