cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microbial osteolysis in an Early Pleistocene hominin (Paranthropus robustus) from Swartkrans, South Africa

Abstract Microbiological degradation is one of the most important factors responsible for the destruction of bone in archaeological contexts. Microscopic focal destruction (MFD) is the most prevalent form of microbial tunneling and is encountered very commonly in human bones from archaeological sites, whereas animal bones from these same sites show significantly better preservation if they were deposited in a fragmentary (e.g., butchered) state. Similarly, most fossils show either no evidence or only minor traces of bacterial osteolysis. These observations and experimental evidence point to an endogenous origin for osteolytic bacteria, suggesting that bone bioerosion could potentially aid in reconstructing early taphonomic events. We here report extensive MFD in the mandibular corpus of a small (presumptive female) individual of the hominin Paranthropus robustus from the Early Pleistocene site of Swartkrans, South Africa. The specimen (SKX 5013) derives in situ from the Member 2 deposit, which is dated to ca. 1.5–1.0 Ma. Examination of sections from the corpus by backscattered electron microscopy reveals numerous small linear longitudinal and budded tunneling cavities, which tend to be concentrated around Haversian canals and are more abundant closer to the endosteal aspect of the section. The taphonomy of Swartkrans has been the subject of intense investigation, and given the possibility that different agents of accumulation may have been responsible for the faunal and hominin fossils in the different members at the site, the observation that a specimen of P. robustus from Member 2 displays significant microbial osteolysis is of potential interest. A study of the prevalence of this process in adequately large samples of the animal bones from these units may yield novel insights and provide refinement of our understanding of their taphonomic histories. Such observations might well reveal differences among the various members that could provide another valuable source of osteoarchaeological information for the site.
Furnace Fan Motor Technology Assessment

Understanding the barriers associated with the lack of adoption of energy efficient technologies in the residential sector has always been an area of major focus. In order to encourage the adoption of these technologies, it is important to first understand what is currently needed, what the current status to meeting these needs are, and then determining the gaps between the current status and needs. These gaps can be used to determine what is possibly restricting the adoption of the technology, and solutions can be determined that can potentially close these gaps. One such energy efficient technology that has been an area of focus is energy efficient furnace fan motors. This study looks at the current technical, organizational, and personal gaps associated with this technology and determines the positive and negative influences restricting adoption. Solutions to the gaps are then identified and are specified as guides to help change negative influences to positive influences. The second section of this study is a bibliometric analysis used to evaluate the current R&D status of the three main technologies currently available in the market. Both journal articles and patents are associated with the respective stages of R&D to determine the specialization of different countries with respect to the technology and to determine the progress over time of the technology in each of the first three R&D stages. The purpose of this study is therefore to evaluate the technology from the R&D perspective as well as the market perspective. Finally, a link between the current R&D status and the technical requirements of the market is identified.
Electronic states of C2H6

The complete photoelectron spectrum of ethane has been measured in the valence region using Ne, He I, and He II resonance radiation. The resolution of these spectra is sufficient to partially resolve vibronic structure accompanying the transition to the ground ionic state. The similarity of this structure with that obtained from model calculations using the Jahn-Teller theorem strongly suggests that the active vibration in this transition is a doubly degenerate CH3 deformation mode and that the ground ionic state is a Jahn-Teller split 2 E g state. These experiments suggest a 2 A 1g term for the first excited ionic state. The transition to the 2 A 2u state of the ion contains evidence for two active vibrations v 1 (C–H stretch) and v 3 (C-C stretch).
Targets of somatic hypermutation within immunoglobulin light chain genes in zebrafish

Summary In mammals, somatic hypermutation (SHM) of immunoglobulin (Ig) genes is critical for the generation of high-affinity antibodies and effective immune responses. Knowledge of sequence-specific biases in the targeting of somatic mutations can be useful for studies aimed at understanding antibody repertoires produced in response to infections, B-cell neoplasms, or autoimmune disease. To evaluate potential nucleotide targets of somatic mutation in zebrafish (Danio rerio), an enriched IgL cDNA library was constructed and > 250 randomly selected clones were sequenced and analysed. In total, 55 unique VJ-C sequences were identified encoding a total of 125 mutations. Mutations were most prevalent in VL with a bias towards single base transitions and increased mutation in the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs). Overall, mutations were overrepresented at WRCH/DGYW motifs suggestive of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) targeting which is common in mice and humans. In contrast to mammalian models, N and P addition was not observed and mutations at AID hotspots were largely restricted to palindromic WRCH/DGYW motifs. Mutability indexes for di- and trinucleotide combinations confirmed C/G targets within WRCH/DGYW motifs to be statistically significant mutational hotspots and showed trinucleotides ATC and ATG to be mutation coldspots. Additive mutations in VJ-C sequences revealed patterns of clonal expansion consistent with affinity maturation responses seen in higher vertebrates. Taken together, the data reveal specific nucleotide targets of SHM in zebrafish and suggest that AID and affinity maturation contribute to antibody diversification in this emerging immunological model.
SU-E-I-66: Brief Occurrences of Brain Signals Leading to Dynamic Patterns in Resting State FMRI

Purpose: To identify functional connectivity patterns in the resting-state network of the brain using blood-oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signals from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods: Extracted fMRI BOLD signals from the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) were averaged and used to find time points at which the BOLD signal exceeded a threshold. These time points were then compared with signals at all points within the brain to locate the BOLD signals which breached a threshold within a given time period. Next, regions with similar temporal patterns were grouped and analyzed to create networks. Results: Investigation of the number of correlating time points between PCC region activity, and above threshold signals throughout the brain, demonstrates signal correlation with the seed region’s activity. Time points in the top 5% demonstrated 87% more matches relative to those within the 5% of time points closest to zero activity. When comparing the bottom 12% of the time points in the PCC, this number dropped to 12%, however this is substantially higher than the median BOLD signals. Conclusion: This work demonstrates that interactions between different regions of the brain can be revealed through spontaneous increases in BOLD activity within the PCC. Future investigation is needed to find out how low fluctuations in the signal from a seed region interact and form patterns with other regions of the brain. Further analysis of temporal patterns and subtle changes in the pathology can be used to potentially investigate possible differences between healthy brains, and those afflicted with abnormalities such as Parkinson’s disease. This research is supported by NIH R01-NS074045
An Asynchronous Augmentation to Traditional Course Delivery.

Asynchronous augmentation facilitates distributed learning, which relies heavily on technology and self-learning. This article reports the results of delivering a real estate principles course usin...
Comparison of Clinical and Dynamic Knee Function in Patients with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficiency

BackgroundWhether passive measures of isokinetic muscle strength deficits and knee laxity are related to the dynamic function of the anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knee remains unclear.HypothesesArthrometer measurements are not predictive of peak external knee flexion moment (net quadriceps muscle moment), isokinetic quadriceps muscle strength correlates with peak external knee flexion moment (net quadriceps muscle moment), and isokinetic hamstring muscle strength correlates with peak external knee extension moment (net flexor muscle moment).Study DesignCross-sectional study.MethodsGait analysis was used to assess dynamic function during walking, jogging, and stair climbing in 44 subjects with unilateral anterior cruciate ligament deficiency and 44 control subjects. Passive knee laxity and isokinetic quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength were also measured.ResultsArthrometer measurements did not correlate with peak external flexion or extension moments in any of the activities tested or with isok...
Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2: An Independent Predictor of Coronary Artery Disease Events in Primary and Secondary Prevention

In recent years, atherosclerosis has become recognized as an inflammatory disease whose activity can be assessed by circulating biomarkers. Along with C-reactive protein (CRP), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A 2 (Lp-PLA 2 ) may now be considered as a biomarker with sufficient accumulated evidence to support its application in clinical practice. Lp-PLA 2 is especially appealing because of its vascular specificity, which directly derives from its role in plaque pathophysiology. This article reviews the highlights of the >25 prospective epidemiologic studies now published on Lp-PLA 2 as a risk marker in primary or secondary prevention. These trials demonstrate generally consistent correlations between elevated Lp-PLA 2 levels and the increased risk for cardiovascular events, even after multivariable adjustment for traditional risk factors, with roughly a doubling of risk associated with upper quantile levels. Furthermore, Lp-PLA 2 as a risk predictor has been shown to be independent of and complementary to high-sensitivity CRP. These study results combined with recommendations from the American Heart Association/Centers for Disease Control (AHA/CDC) and the National Cholesterol Education Program III (NCEP III) suggest that Lp-PLA 2 might best be used in current clinical practice to refine risk prediction in those at intermediate cardiovascular risk. An increasingly prevalent group at intermediate risk shown to benefit from Lp-PLA 2 risk modification is the population with the cardiovascular metabolic syndrome, clinically identified as overweight patients with features of mixed dyslipidemia, dysglycemia, and hypertension. An additional application supported by these studies is further risk stratification of high- (often secondary-) risk patients into a group at very high risk, for whom a more aggressive target for low-density lipoprotein of
Nonlinear Seismic Response of Earth Dams with Canyon Interaction

This paper examines the nonlinear earthquake response of earth dams, using a model that considers the deformability of the surrounding medium and effects of spatial variation of the seismic excitation. A finite-element based method has been developed in which the dam is idealized as a shear beam and the surrounding medium as a halfspace. Nonlinear behavior of the dam is modeled using multiyield surface plasticity theory. The model can simulate canyons of arbitrary shape and SH-wave seismic excitation. The methodology is illustrated by simulating the upstream–downstream earthquake response of La Villita Dam, which is located near the epicenter of the 1985 Mexico earthquake. Results show that the reduction in the response that occurs as a result of dam-canyon interaction remains significant when the inelastic deformation of the dam is included in the model, and that when examined in the frequency domain, nonlinearity has radically different effects at low, medium, and high frequencies of excitation.
Recovery of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient After Ischemia-Induced Spreading Depression Relates to Cerebral Perfusion Gradient

Background and Purpose Transient decreases of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of water as measured by fast diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the ischemic border zone are thought to reflect cellular swelling associated with spreading depression. DWI and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI were applied to study the characteristics of spreading depression and the correlation between ADC recovery time and tissue perfusion in focal ischemia. Methods Serial DWI was performed during remote middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats (n=5) with an echo-planar imaging technique. ADC maps were calculated and ADC values displayed as a function of time in user-defined regions of interest with a time resolution of 12 to 16 seconds. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI was performed for qualitative correlation of ADC changes with tissue perfusion. Results Recovery time of transient ADC decreases correlated with the degree of the perfusion deficit (r=.81, P<.001). Slowly recovering ADC declines were found close to the ischem...
Response to 30 generations of selection for open-field activity in laboratory mice

High and low lines resulting from 30 generations of bidirectional selection for open-field activity have nonoverlapping distributions and more than a thirtyfold difference in mean activity. Open-field defecation scores of lowactive lines are approximately 7 times higher than those of high-active lines, substantiating earlier reports of a large, negative genetic correlation between these characters. Since the selection experiment is replicated, other variables which are found to be reliably different among the high, control, and low lines are likely to be causally related to open-field activity; thus these selected lines of mice may be of use to other investigators.
Publication delays in articles in economics: what to do about them

The issue of publication delays in economics journals is addressed based on survey responese from members of the American Economic Association. The results imply that there is both a perceived and actual problem with the length of time it takes to have journal articles published in economics. The fundamental realization is that there is no one to blame for the delays but ourselves. The survey results imply that if economists were more efficient in reviewing documents and returning the results, the delays could be reduced considerably. To help enhance efficiency, there seems to be considerable support for the idea o fpaying reviewers, and for doing so on a sliding scale relative to expeditiousness, adn paying for this service through larger assessments upon submission. However, there is also an emphasis that editors need a restructuring of their selection process, and enhanced policing of reviewers.
Calcium in lymphotoxin-mediated cytolysis: cellular pools, fluxes, and role of extracellular concentration.

Abstract This study explores, by kinetic analysis, the movement of calcium among cellular pools of target cells in which cytotoxicity is induced by human lymphotoxin, and evaluates the requirement for calcium in this reaction. We employed the kinetic model of Borle to quantitate flux rates and pool sizes. It was found that the rate of flux between the surface (plasma membrane-glycocalyx) compartment and the intracellular compartment was greatly increased. The size of the total exchangeable intracellular calcium pool was not altered, but there was an apparent decrease in the size of the surface calcium pool. This latter phenomenon may be related to the blebbing and exofoliation of plasma membranes under the influence of the lymphokine. Lymphotoxin-induced cytotoxicity is observed in calcium-free medium and over a range of calcium concentrations. These results argue against cell death due to a massive inrush of calcium into the cell under these circumstances.
Paramagnetic resonance absorption of a V center in LiF

Abstract By X-irradiation of LiF at liquid-nitrogen temperature, an electron-deficiency center is created that can be described as a F 2 - molecule-ion, as was shown in previous work by C astner and K anzig . The present paper contains a more rigorous and complete study of the paramagnetic resonance absorption spectrum of this center. The spin energy matrix based on the spin Hamiltonian proposed in the previous paper has been diagonalized, and it is shown that the “allowed” and “forbidden” transitions between the resulting energy levels are in good agreement with the observed paramagnetic resonance lines, for any orientation of the crystal in the d.c. magnetic field.
Discriminant validity of a new measure of self-efficacy for reaching movements after stroke-induced hemiparesis.

Study design: Case-control study. Introduction: After stroke, difficulties in motor control mediate spontaneous paretic arm use in real life. Along with the obvious motor impairments, self-efficacy has been shown to be an important modifier for physical function. However, a self-efficacy measure for arm reaching is lacking. The aim of this study was to develop such a measure and to examine its validity. Methods: Fifteen participants with hemiparesis and ten control participants were recruited. A measure of reaching self-efficacy (RSE) was developed using a two-dimensional center-out target array. Results: For the control group, RSE was significantly correlated with target distance (r ¼� 0.657) and location (r ¼� 0.545), respectively. Additionally, average RSE was lower for the non-dominant than the dominant hand (p < 0.001). More importantly, for the stroke group, RSE was significantly correlated with target distance (r ¼� 0.603) and location (r ¼� 0.378), respectively. Finally, average RSE was lower for the paretic than the non-paretic hand (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These results demonstrate robust discriminant validity for this new measure of reaching self-efficacy.
Locating lucrative passengers for taxicab drivers

In an urban setting, such as the city of Beijing, after a taxi driver drops the previous passenger, he/she needs to decide where to drive to find the next --- preferably lucrative --- passenger. Different drivers follow different strategies that are mostly based on personal experiences. In this work, we analyze large amounts of GPS location data of taxicabs to compute a high-level profit-maximizing strategy for taxi drivers. Formally, we model the problem of finding a passenger as a Markov Decision Process (MDP) whose parameters are estimated from the GPS data. For this MDP, we compute an optimal policy using dynamic programming. We show that the proposed strategy captures meaningful rules for finding a passenger and we demonstrate that taxi drivers whose behaviors agree with our proposal generate more profit than average drivers.
Outcomes in kidney transplantation

It is estimated that there are greater than 100,000 kidney transplant recipients with a functioning graft in the United States. Recent advances in immunosuppression have improved short-term graft survival rates and decreased early mortality by decreasing the incidence and therapy for acute rejection episodes. For those accepted on the waiting list, transplant prolongs patient survival compared with remaining on dialysis. During the 1990s, 3 new immunosuppressive drugs were introduced in clinical kidney transplantation. All were approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration after large, controlled, randomized trials. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), when combined with cyclosporine (CSA) and prednisone, lowered acute rejection rates by nearly 50% compared with control. Tacrolimus compared with CSA also significantly reduced acute rejection rates in kidney transplant recipients, but was associated with a significant increase in posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) in the early trials. When evaluated in combination with MMF, the incidence of PTDM was much lower. At the end of the decade, sirolimus was shown in several randomized trials to lower acute rejection rates and is believed to be less nephrotoxic compared with calcineurin inhibitors. All of the randomized trials were not statistically powered to assess long-term superiority. Registry analyses have been performed that appear to show some long-term benefit of immunosuppressive therapy with MMF. Other outcome assessments in kidney transplant recipients include risk factors for chronic allograft nephropathy, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and bone disease. Although there are few randomized trials, understanding of the significance of these common complications has progressed and strategies for therapy and intervention have been developed. This article focuses on the randomized trials of immunosuppressive therapy and complications associated with use of these drugs. In addition, we review the current management and intervention for the comorbidities associated with the long-term clinical management of the kidney transplant recipient.
Preservation of protein in wilted lucerne using formic, sulphuric or trichloroacetic acid

A laboratory-scale experiment was conducted with lucerne (Medicago sativa) to determine the effects of acid treatment on proteolysis during ensiling and during subsequent in vitro ruminal protein incubations. Lucerne (300 g dry matter (DM) kg-1 forage) was either untreated (control) or treated with sulfuric, formic or trichloroacetic acid (a protein precipitant that stops enzyme activity) at levels sufficient to adjust immediately forage pH to 4.0, then conserved as either silage or hay. Time-course data indicated that non-protein nitrogen (N) formation was 70-90% complete after 1 day of fermentation in the silo. Non-protein N concentrations (g kg-1 total N) were 177 at ensiling and increased to 567 (control), 426 (sulfuric), 398 (formic) and 263 (trichloroacetic) after 60 days of ensiling. Because non-protein N in silage treated with formic and sulfuric acids was nearly three times greater than that in silage treated with trichloroacetic acid, it is clear that the typical acid treatments only slow proteolysis and do not destroy protease activity during ensiling. The ruminal protein degradation rate of conserved forages was slower than that of fresh-cut forage that was preserved with dry ice immediately after cutting. The degradation rate of all acid-treated forages was similar, indicating a consistent effect on ruminal degradation regardless of method of preservation. There was a clear effect of acid treatment on reducing the rate and extent of ruminal degradation of protein in lucerne hay.
Successful new product team leaders

Abstract This article examines differences between more and less effective new product development team leaders. We found that successful leaders understood and accepted project goals, perceived more autonomy in managing their projects, and perceived more senior management support for their projects. Moreover, successful leaders learned significantly different lessons from their projects than their less successful colleagues. A discussion of the results, along with several implications for new product development, is presented.
A decision support system for automated guided vehicle system design

Abstract An interactive decision support system (DSS) for automated guided vehicle (AGV) system design is described. The DSS allows the user to flexibly access an analytical model relating changes in the levels of design variables to performance measures and operating dynamics for control zone AGV systems. The underlying analytical model applies recently developed advances in modelling the impact of vehicle dispatching within an extended analytical model for AGV system design. Using the DSS, the system designer can interactively screen preliminary design solutions prior to the development of the simulation models used to develop and validate detail design specifications. This makes it possible to explore a broader range of the design solution space in a process of intelligent enumeration. A sample problem is examined using the DSS.
Selected Topics on Lymphoid Lesions in the Head and Neck Regions

Lymphoid tissue located in the head and neck region include multiple regional lymph node chains as well as mucosa associated lymphoid tissue of the conjunctiva, buccal and nasopharyngeal cavities (Waldeyer’s ring), and thyroid and salivary glands. This region is a rich source of antigenic stimuli including infectious agents coming from the outside environment. Many reactive conditions that affect lymphoid tissue in this region may mimic neoplasia. In fact, distinguishing between benign and malignant lymphoid proliferations in the head and neck region is a relatively frequent diagnostic challenge and in many instances, this distinction is not straightforward. It therefore behooves the practicing pathologist to be able to recognize the benign lymphoproliferative disorders that affect this region so as to effectively guide the appropriate clinical management of such patients. Kimura disease, Epstein Barr lymphadenitis, HIV associated salivary gland disease and chronic sialadenitis are benign conditions that not infrequently affect lymphoid tissue in the head and neck region and that share certain overlapping features with malignant lymphoma. In this brief review, we discuss these conditions and highlight clinicopathological features that may help distinguish them from neoplastic lymphoproliferations that may share similar features.
Isolating the mobility and characterizing the effect of crosslink structure versus the monomer state using ion time of flight

Abstract The relationship of conductivity and the mobility of the charge carriers to the viscosity have been separately measured during buildup in the network structure of an epoxy–amine as the reaction approaches the gel point and as a function of temperature for the unreacted resin using dielectric and ion-time-of-flight measurements. The mobility, not conductivity, is observed to correlate with the changing viscosity and a significant increase in the number of mobile charge carriers is observed during the approach to the gel point of the polymerization. This is most likely due to the increasing number of O–H groups created during the polymerization reactions.
Lifecycle of Library Leadership

Column Editor's Note. Leadership and management skills are essential for every librarian in every type of library. As our libraries transition to an electronic environment with reduced budgets yet ...
Some preliminary notes on the effect of psyllid yellows on seed stock from infected plants

Sufficient evidence has already been presented to show that damage to seed from psyllid infestation may occur under certain environmental conditions, and that it is dangerous to certify fields showing more than fifteen per cent of mild symptoms of psyllid yellows on second inspection. This tolerance was adopted in Colorado beginning with the season of 1934.
Evolution of developmental rate in mammals

Abstract The allometric relationship between gestation period and body mass in terrestrial placental mammals was analyzed using data from 147 species. Important differences were found among the various orders. These differences can be explained if it were assumed that the order-specific lifestyle and environment in which the young are born has caused different selection pressures on the newborn young in the various orders and thus influenced the number of young per litter and duration of gestation. As proposed elsewhere, such evolutionary effects on embryonic development may be have indirectly influenced the evolution of mammalian life span.
Speckle phase noise in coherent laser ranging: fundamental precision limitations

Frequency-modulated continuous-wave laser detection and ranging (FMCW LADAR) measures the range to a surface through coherent detection of the backscattered light from a frequency-swept laser source. The ultimate limit to the range precision of FMCW LADAR, or any coherent LADAR, to a diffusely scattering surface will be determined by the unavoidable speckle phase noise. Here, we demonstrate the two main manifestations of this limit. First, frequency-dependent speckle phase noise leads to a non-Gaussian range distribution having outliers that approach the system range resolution, regardless of the signal-to-noise ratio. These outliers are reduced only through improved range resolution (i.e., higher optical bandwidths). Second, if the range is measured during a continuous lateral scan across a surface, the spatial pattern of speckle phase is converted to frequency noise, which leads to additional excess range uncertainty. We explore these two effects and show that laboratory results agree with analytical expressions and numerical simulations. We also show that at 1 THz optical bandwidth, range precisions below 10 μm are achievable regardless of these effects.
Formation of two-dimensional complexes of F-actin and crosslinking proteins on lipid monolayers: demonstration of unipolar alpha-actinin-F-actin crosslinking

A method is described for forming two-dimensional (2-D) paracrystalline complexes of F-actin and bundling/gelation proteins on positively charged lipid monolayers. These arrays facilitate detailed structural studies of protein interactions with F-actin by eliminating superposition effects present in 3-D bundles. Bundles of F-actin have been produced using the glycolytic enzymes aldolase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, the cytoskeletal protein erythrocyte adducin as well as smooth muscle alpha-actinin from chicken gizzard. All of the 2-D bundles formed contain F-actin with a 13/6 helical structure. F-actin-aldolase bundles have an interfilament spacing of 12.6 nm and a superlattice arrangement of actin filaments that can be explained by expression of a local twofold axis in the neighborhood of the aldolase. Well ordered F-actin-alpha-actinin 2-D bundles have an interfilament spacing of 36 nm and contain crosslinks 33 nm in length angled approximately 25-35 degrees to the filament axis. Images and optical diffraction patterns of these bundles suggest that they consist of parallel, unipolar arrays of actin filaments. This observation is consistent with an actin crosslinking function at adhesion plaques where actin filaments are bound to the cell membrane with uniform polarity.
Formal total synthesis of RK-397 via an asymmetric hydration and iterative allylation strategy

A formal total synthesis of the oxopentaene macrolide antibiotic RK-397 has been achieved. Nine stereocenters were established by a combination of allylation and our asymmetric hydration reactions and a 1,5 anti-selective aldol reaction. The synthesis proceeded in 19 steps from simple achiral conjugated dienoates.
b-quark decay in the collinear approximation

The semileptonic decay of a b quark, b{yields}cl{nu}, is considered in the relativistic limit where the decay products are approximately collinear. Analytic results for the double differential lepton energy distributions are given for finite charm-quark mass. Their use for the fast simulation of isolated lepton backgrounds from heavy quark decays is discussed. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
Optimal approach to the mitral valve: Dissection of the interatrial groove

Surgical exposure of the mitral valve has challenged surgeons for more than 30 years. Many ingenious, but often complex approaches have been devised during this time. Using the dissection of the interatrial groove to bring the left atrial incision more anterior and medial, we have achieved excellent exposure in more than 300 mitral valve procedures. This simple technique does not lengthen the procedure and is not associated with an increased risk of either early or late morbidity.
On the Classification of Stable Domains

Abstract In the second half of a two-part study of stable domains, we explore the extent to which the stability of an integral domain is determined by the stability of its prime and finitely generated ideals. This yields pullback theorems for stable domains, a method of constructing nonstandard examples of stable domains, and a complete classification of coherent stable domains. A non-coherent stable domain is constructed.
BITAM: an engineering-principled method for managing misalignments between business and IT architectures

As the rates of business and technological changes accelerate, misalignments between business and IT architectures are inevitable. Existing alignment models, while important for raising awareness of alignment issues, have provided little in the way of guidance for actually correcting misalignment and thus achieving alignment. This paper introduces the BITAM (Business IT Alignment Method) which is a process that describes a set of twelve steps for managing, detecting and correcting misalignment. The methodology is an integration of two hitherto distinct analysis areas: business analysis and architecture analysis. The BITAM is illustrated via a case study conducted with a Fortune 100 company.
Changes in growth and size distribution of Sarotherodon macrochir and Sarotherodon andersoni from the Kafue Floodplain, Zambia, since construction of the Kafue Gorge Dam

The Kafue floodplain produces an annual fish yield of about 5000 tonnes. The 1971 closure of the Kafue Gorge Dam downstream from the floodplain modified flooding patterns and created some question as to whether conditions for growth and reproduction of major species would be adversely affected or improved. No obvious changes in the growth of the two major species, Sarotherodon andersoni and S. macrochir, that could be related to the dam were found in samples collected in 1975. Available data concerning year class fluctuations and size distribution indicate that typical high post-impoundment water levels may limit reproduction and year class size of these Sarotherodon species.
Task Lighting Effects on Office Worker Satisfaction and Performance, and Energy Efficiency

AbstractThis paper reports on two experiments conducted in the same office laboratory. As part of a larger experiment, 58 participants worked for a day under one of two lighting designs. The first design used ceiling-recessed parabolic luminaires only; the second design employed the same parabolic ambient lighting, with the addition of an angle-arm task light. Participants had no control over the lighting until the afternoon, when they were offered dimming control over the ambient parabolic lighting; participants with task lighting were also permitted to move the arm location. During the day participants performed a variety of simulated office tasks, as well as completing a number of questionnaires on mood, satisfaction, and discomfort. There was no main effect of lighting design on questionnaire outcomes, however, task lighting was associated with performance improvements on some tasks. Interestingly, provision of a task light did not lower participants' preferred ambient light output.The second experime...
Possible cholestatic injury from ranitidine with a review of the literature

Although one of the histamine-2 (H2) receptor antagonists, oxmetidine, has been shown to be intrinsically hepatotoxic, overt liver injury attributable to the commonly used analogues such as ranitidine is rare, given the millions of patients who have received this medication. However, isolated cases of hepatitis associated with ranitidine have been reported in the literature since the early 1980s when this drug was first introduced. We report a case of cholestatic hepatitis associated with ranitidine use. Liver biopsy showed diffuse panacinar canalicular cholestasis and cholestatic rosettes in zone 3. The clinical syndrome and the laboratory abnormalities resolved completely after discontinuation of the drug. There have been a few other published reports of ranitidine associated acute cholestatic hepatitis, and in this case ranitidine was temporally related to the onset of symptoms and liver enzyme abnormalities. With recent over-the-counter (OTC) availability of the H2 receptor antagonists and the increasing use of these drugs in the general population, physicians need to be aware of this rare but potentially serious side effect of ranitidine.
A knowledge-based approach for facilities location planning

Abstract The location of facilities is important for both service and manufacturing firms seeking to start up new businesses or to expand or modify the scope of their current operations. Numerous models have been developed to assist in the location decision, both for specific types of facilities and businesses, as well as for the general case. Most available models, however, are unable to cope with symbolic, uncertain, or incomplete information. In addition, they must deal with combinatorially huge solution spaces of feasible locations, requiring excessive computation. Even recourse to many heuristic methods suffers from nonoptimal solutions and corresponding accuracy concerns. This paper describes a knowledge-based system (KBS) for the location problem that attempts to remedy the above problems. It provides a means for capturing symbolic concepts and handling qualitative aspects of the location decision. The KBS achieves this by employing user-defined heuristics and inferencing strategies to drastically reduce the solution space and thereby, the computational requirements for procedural models. Furthermore, it applies expert heuristics to identify an appropriate model for a particular facilities location problem. The structure of the KBS program is described, along with an illustration of its use.
Cytochrome P-450 ligands: Metyrapone revisited

Expressing metyrapone interactions with ferrous cytochrome P-450 as ligand saturation by cytochrome, rather than the more conventional cytochrome saturation by ligand, an extinction coefficient of 68.5 +/- 1.8 mM-1 cm-1 for the metyrapone complex of dithionite-reduced rat hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 was derived. Utilizing this new extinction coefficient, the increased cytochrome P-450 present after phenobarbital induction was almost exclusively that which is able to both bind to metyrapone and form a metabolic-intermediate complex from norbenzphetamine. However, it was not the only subpopulation present in microsomes that was able to bind metyrapone, nor the only one capable of forming a metabolic intermediate complex from norbenzphetamine. Thus, neither technique alone can be used to quantitate the "phenobarbital-induced form" of cytochrome P-450.
Luteinizing hormone receptor concentrations, adenylate cyclase activity and phosphodiesterase activity of bovine corpora lutea: Comparison of short and normal estrous cycles

Abstract Concentrations of unoccupied and occupied luteinizing hormone (LH) receptors, basal and agonist-activated adenylate cyclase activities and phosphodiesterase activity of corpora lutea from seventeen postpartum beef cows anticipated to have a short or normal luteal lifespan were compared. Calves were weaned 26 to 33 days postpartum and the cows assigned to groups 1 or 2. In group 1 (n=8), corpora lutea were removed on day 5 (day 0 = estrus) following the first and third estrus. In group 2 (n=9), lutectomy occurred on day 5 following the third estrus. The length of the first estrous cycle ranged from 7 to 12 days, ( x ± SD =8.1 ± 1.6 days ) in eight of nine cows in group 2 and the mean ( x ± SE ) length of the second estrous cycle for groups 1 and 2 was 19.6 ± .2 and 20.9 ± .4 days, respectively. Luteal weight, luteal progesterone concentration, plasma progesterone concentration, luteal unoccupied and occupied LH receptor concentrations, and luteal adenylate cyclase (basal and agonist-activated) activities were similar (P>.05) on day 5 of the first (group 1) and third (groups 1 and 2) estrous cycles. The preceding plasma and luteal measurements were similar (P>.05) on day 5 of the third estrous cycle for groups 1 and 2. Luteal phosphodiesterase activity was similar (P>.05) for groups 1 and 2 on day 5 of the third estrous cycle, but higher (P
Negative Ion Formation in the Atomic Oxygen – Acetylene Reaction

PREVIOUSLY1,2 we have reported on the production of positive chemi-ions in low-pressure atomic oxygen–acetylene reactions. Now we have also observed large concentrations (estimated as 1011–1012 c.c.−1) of negative ions in this system and have concluded that they are formed predominantly by electron attachment processes. This medium thus offers a much-needed new opportunity for the examination of electron attachment and charge transfer phenomena and the reactions of negative ions with positive ions and neutral species. Both the ‘natural’ ions of the reaction environment and those ions formed in the presence of additives can be investigated.
Interpretation of outcome on dichotic listening tests following stroke.

The historical basis for interpretation of the dichotic listening performance of aphasic patients is presented. Most studies agree with respect to outcome; aphasic patients as a group tend to have ...
Generalized lipodystrophy (lipoatrophic diabetes): Evidence for abnormal pituitary function

Long term observations and studies on two unrelated children with generalized lipodystrophy suggest a pituitary-endrocrine disorder with abnormal melanotropic growth-hormone-like secretion as the probable cause. Our patients have the advanced characteristics of generalized lipodystrophy which include loss of all body fat, skeletal and muscal overgrowth, hepatomegaly due to neutral fat infiltration, insulin resistant hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia, hyperpigmentation and greatly elevated levels of immunoreactive insulin. We subjected a 13-year-old girl with generalized lipodystrophy to total surgical hypophysectomy. The pituitary gland was normal in size and appearance. subsequent histo-cytologic studies showed no anatomic abnormalities. Usual doses of endocrine explacement medications were sufficient. Post-hypophysectomy, the patient rapidly improved. At three months, the following changes have occurred: (CLINICAL) 1) skin less pigemented, 2) acanthosis nigricans much improved, 3) liver about half former size, 4) beginning subcutaneous fat deposition. (LABORATORY) 1) serum no longer lipemic, with neutral fat levels returned to normal, 2) liver function tests returned to normal, 3) hyperinsulinism and insulin resistance less severe. Our pre-hypophysectomy studies showed immunoreactive growth hormone levels to be low normal with no significan increase following intravenous insulin or arginine. These pre- and post-hypophysectomy findings suggest that the central problem involves the pituitary's secretion of an abnormal hormone with melanotrophic and growth hormone properties.
Determination of Compensation Density by Hall and Mobility Analysis in Copper-Doped Germanium

The carrier concentration and mobility, as determined from the Hall effect, have been analyzed on a computer for a series of copper-doped-germanium samples. Both types of analysis gave good agreement in determining the density of compensating donors over the range of 4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{10}$ to 6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{15}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$. This agreement is good evidence in support of the theory of ionized-impurity scattering. It was found that neutral-impurity-scattering theory had to be modified to account for the nonhydrogenic nature of the copper impurity center. The degeneracy of the copper acceptor was found to be four, in agreement with the effective-mass calculation.
Query refinement for multimedia similarity retrieval in MARS

Advances in image processing, database management, and information retrieval has resulted in content-based multimedia retrieval to emerge as an important area of research. Typical content-based retrieval systems allow users to specify queries by providing examples of objects similar to the ones they wish to retrieve. Due to the subjective nature of retrieval, it is unlikely that the answers to the ‘starting query’ will satisfy the user’s information need. Rather, among answers retrieved, the user may find one or more objects that are closer to what she has in mind compared to the original examples.
Time-Varying Stochastic Turbulence Model

In this paper we present a new stochastic model for time-varying turbulence. The model can be viewed as a linearization of the Navier-Stokes equation, with deterministic drift and diffusion terms, plus an additional stochastic driving term. Fixed-time realizations of the model have Kolmogorov statistics, but the diffusion and stochastic driving terms yield "boiling" behavior that is different from the Taylor frozen flow model.
Role of interleukin-6 in human and mouse mucosal IgA plasma cell responses.

In summary, we have shown that human appendix and murine PP B cells, freshly isolated from normal tissue, respond to IL-6 with significant increases in IgA SFC. Further, sIGA+ B cells from appendix express more IL-6R than is seen with B cells isolated from PBMC and spleen. When IgA subclass responses were measured, rhIL-6 induced both IgA1 and IgA2 SFC responses; however, 60–70% of the total response was represented by the IgA2 subclass. Our studies suggest that the human appendix as well as murine PP are enriched sources for sIgA+ B cells which are responsive to cytokines such as IL-6 for induction of IgA plasma cell responses.