cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Motor functions and their anatomical basis in the forebrain and tectum of the alligator.

Abstract Loci in the forebrain and optic tectum of unanesthetized and unrestrained South American alligators, Caiman sklerops , were stimulated by means of permanently implanted electrodes. Stimuli of 0.20–0.60 mamp applied to the dorsolateral portion of the corpus striatum initiated ipsilateral locomotory movements that were flexible in nature; i.e., modifiable by external environmental situations. They were coordinated and occurred after a latent period of 1–5 sec. Stimulation of the dorsal pallium caused no overt motor responses. Nevertheless, some of the experiments suggested that the dorsal pallium may exert an influence on motor function and that this influence is probably limited to a class of responses associated with the head region. Stimulation of the lateral portion of the optic tectum produced ipsilateral circling movements, whereas stimulation of the medial tectal region caused circling in the contralateral direction. Stimulation at midline regions evoked a forward progression. The locomotory responses evoked from the optic tectum occurred immediately after the application of the stimulus. The observed movements were rigid and stereotyped in character and were not modified by nuances in the external environment. These data do not support the commonly held idea that the optic tectum, with its stereotyped responses, plays a dominant role in reptilian behavior.
122. Psychological risk factors are related to higher levels of antioxidant enzyme activity in ovarian cancer patients

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced during mammalian metabolism. ROS are quenched by the action of antioxidant enzymes such as Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (MnSOD) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx). In healthy tissue, when ROS accumulate and cause damage to DNA, proteins, and lipid membranes, apoptosis can be triggered. In cancer tissue, cellular metabolism is upregulated, and it has been hypothesized that the activity of antioxidant enzymes may be upregulated, ultimately acting to protect cancer cells from reaching a ROS-derived apoptosis signal threshold. Relationships between psychosocial factors and antioxidant enzyme activity in human tumors have not previously been examined. Here, we examined associations of MnSOD and GPx in primary ovarian tumor tissues with indicators of psychological distress (CES-D) prior to surgery. Frozen tumor tissue was analyzed for MnSOD and GPx. Significantly higher levels of MnSOD were detected in higher grade tumors ( p n = 75, p = 0.01) were associated with significantly higher MnSOD levels in high grade tumors. In contrast, GPx was associated with lower levels of vegetative depression ( n = 74, p = 0.049) and marginally associated with greater positive mood ( N = 73, p = 0.056) but not with depressed mood ( p = 0.44). No relationships were seen between MnSOD and positive mood or vegetative depression (all p values >0.60). Ongoing research is examining the clinical relevance of these findings.
Standardizing the RT-2S Brake Reaction Time Tester

The purpose of the study was to standardize the RT-2S brake reaction time tester as an alternative brake reaction timer to the American Automobile Association's (AAA) blue box that is no longer man...
Syllable Weight in Old English Meter: Grids, Morae, and Kaluza's Law

SUMMARYSyllable weight in Old English meter is usually seen as a technicality involving rules of 'resolution' and 'suspension of resolution'. Because the patterns of syllable weight seem more arbitrary than other features of Old English meter, some metrists reject the concept altogether, and those who use it normally relegate it to a kind of addendum to the rules of stress. However, by directly linking the possibility for resolution to degree of stress, syllable weight becomes as basic as stress in the 'strong-stress meter' of Old English, and suspension of resolution is accounted for as a matter of course. The meter does not require separate statements for the various contexts of resolution and its blocking. A grid-moraic representation is a convenient way of showing this interaction of syllable weight and stress.RESUMETraditionellement, on traite le poids syllabique dans le metre du vieil anglais comme une technicite qui comprend des regles de 'resolution' et de 'suspension de resolution'. Comme les structures du poids syllabique paraissent plus arbitraires que d'autres traits du vieil anglais, certains metriciens rejettent le concept completement, et ceux qui s'en servent le releguent a une espece de supplement aux regles d'accentuation. Cependant, en reliant la possibilite de resolution a un degre d'accentuation, le poids syllabique devient aussi fondamental que l'accent dans un 'metre d'accentuation forte' du vieil anglais, et, par consequence, on rend compte de la suspension de resolution. Le metre n'exige pas de constatations distinctes pour les differents contextes de resolution et son bloquage. Une representation par grille moraique semble une facon convenable de demontrer cette interaction entre le poids syllabique et l'accent.ZUSAMENFASSUNGIn der Prosodie des Altenglischen wird das Silbengewicht gewohnlich als ein Verfahren angesehen, das 'Resolution' und 'Aufhebung der Resolution' regelt. Weil das Muster des Silbengewichts weit willkurlicher als andere Cha-rakteristika des altenglischen Metrums erscheint, haben einige Metriker dieses Konzept ganz aufgegeben, und solche, die sich dessen bedienen, haben es es zu einer Art Anhang zu den Betonungsregeln gemacht. Indem man jedoch die Moglichkeit der Resolution mit der Schwere der Betonung verbindet, wird das Silbengewicht genauso grundlegend wie die Betonung im 'stark-akzentuierten Metrum' des Altenglischen, und die Aufhebung der Resolution wird dement-sprechend behandelt. Das Metrum bedarf also nicht mehr getrennter Feststel-lungen beziiglich der verschiedenen Bedingungen der Resolution und der Abblockung. Eine Darstellung mithilfe moraischer Raster erscheint als eine praktische Weise, die Interaktion zwischen Silbengewicht und Betonung auf-zuzeigen.
Buffering unbalanced assembly systems

Many assembly systems are required to hold minimal work-in-process inventories because of space or capital limitations. Unfortunately, in the presence of variable processing times, output from an assembly line may be severely restricted if no work-in-process inventory is held. Thus, assembly lines often should be designed to have minimal, but not zero, buffer capacity. In this paper we address the issue of how one should optimally deploy limited buffer capacity in unbalanced assembly systems, and we find that the answer is sometimes counterintuitive. We study simple asynchronous assembly systems with random processing times and develop simple heuristic rules that can be used to improve existing operations and to support line designers who are faced with increasingly rapid cycles of new product introduction. We apply these heuristics to several larger systems and discover that they perform quite well.
The low temperature properties of a short-ranged resonating-valence-bond superconductor

Abstract It is shown that a RVB state is the ground state of a class of frustrated Heisenberg models. An approximate version of this model, the hard core quantum dimer gas, is solved exactly and the nature of the RVB superconducting state is discussed.
Integrating circadian activity and gene expression profiles to predict chronotoxicity of Drosophila suzukii response to insecticides.

Native to Southeast Asia, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) is a recent invader that infests intact ripe and ripening fruit, leading to significant crop losses in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Since current D. suzukii management strategies rely heavily on insecticide usage and insecticide detoxification gene expression is under circadian regulation in the closely related Drosophila melanogaster, we set out to determine if integrative analysis of daily activity patterns and detoxification gene expression can predict chronotoxicity of D. suzukii to insecticides. Locomotor assays were performed under conditions that approximate a typical summer or winter day in Watsonville, California, where D. suzukii was first detected in North America. As expected, daily activity patterns of D. suzukii appeared quite different between ‘summer’ and ‘winter’ conditions due to differences in photoperiod and temperature. In the ‘summer’, D. suzukii assumed a more bimodal activity pattern, with maximum activity occurring at dawn and dusk. In the ‘winter’, activity was unimodal and restricted to the warmest part of the circadian cycle. Expression analysis of six detoxification genes and acute contact bioassays were performed at multiple circadian times, but only in conditions approximating Watsonville summer, the cropping season, when most insecticide applications occur. Five of the genes tested exhibited rhythmic expression, with the majority showing peak expression at dawn (ZT0, 6am). We observed significant differences in the chronotoxicity of D. suzukii towards malathion, with highest susceptibility at ZT0 (6am), corresponding to peak expression of cytochrome P450s that may be involved in bioactivation of malathion. High activity levels were not found to correlate with high insecticide susceptibility as initially hypothesized. Chronobiology and chronotoxicity of D. suzukii provide valuable insights for monitoring and control efforts, because insect activity as well as insecticide timing and efficacy are crucial considerations for pest management. However, field research is necessary for extrapolation to agricultural settings.
Nonunique solution to the Schwinger-Dyson equations.

In principle, a path-integral representation for a quantum field theory uniquely determines all of the Green's functions of the theory. One possible way to calculate the Green's functions is to derive from the path-integral representation an infinite set of coupled partial differential equations for the Green's functions known as the Schwinger-Dyson equations. One might think that all nonperturbative information about the Green's functions is contained in the Schwinger-Dyson equations. However, we show that while the Schwinger-Dyson equations do determine the weak-coupling perturbation expansions of the Green's functions, the solution to the Schwinger-Dyson equations is not unique and therefore the nonperturbative content of the Green's functions remains undetermined. In particular, one cannot use the Schwinger-Dyson equations to compute high-temperature or strong-coupling expansions.
Evaluation of 10 kV, 80 kA Si SGTO Switching Components for Army Pulsed Power Applications

The U.S. Army Research Lab (ARL) is investigating the switching capabilities of advanced silicon devices for high current pulsed power applications. These solid state switches are intended to replace more traditional vacuum switches. The benefits of these switches are higher dI/dt, peak power levels and current densities, increased reliability and lifetime, and smaller switch volume [1]. The peak current achieved by the device was 83.3 kA, with a 10% to 90% rise time of 3.5 ?s while a 0.263 MA2s without failure. The peak power of the device during this test shot was 78.7 MW. ARL is collaborating with Silicon Power Corp. (SPCO) to evaluate Super-GTO performance and improve upon switch/buss bar packaging for pulsed power applications.
Simulation standards: a framework for standard modular simulation

The primary reason for building manufacturing simulations is to provide support tools that aid the manufacturing decision-making process. Simulations are typically a part of a case study commissioned by manufacturing management to address a particular set of problems. The objectives of the case study determine the types of simulation models, input data, and output data that are required. Neutral model libraries and interface data standards could simplify the simulation analyst's job and significantly improve the simulation case study process. This paper describes a proposed framework for simulation standards development. The framework is comprised of four major component elements: 1) industry sector, 2) hierarchical level of the manufacturing organization, system, or process, 3) simulation case study area, and 4) manufacturing model and data types.
Mutations of HNRNPA0 and WIF1 predispose members of a large family to multiple cancers

We studied a large family that presented a strong familial susceptibility to multiple early onset cancers including prostate, breast, colon, and several other uncommon cancers. Through targeted gene, linkage, and whole genome sequencing analyses, we show that the presence of a variant in the regulatory region of HNRNPA0 associated with elevated cancer incidence in this family (Hazard ratio = 7.20, p = 0.0004). Whole genome sequencing identified a second rare protein changing mutation of WIF1 that interacted with the HNRNPA0 variant resulting in extremely high risk for cancer in carriers of mutations in both genes (p = 1.98 × 10−13). Analysis of downstream targets of the mutations in these two genes showed that the HNRNPA0 mutation affected expression patterns in the PI3 kinase and ERK/MAPK signaling pathways, while the WIF1 variant influenced expression of genes that play a role in NAD biosynthesis. This is a first report of variation in HNRNPA0 influencing common cancers or of a striking interaction between rare variants coexisting in an extended pedigree and jointly affecting cancer risk.
Histologic Classification of Thymoma: The World Health Organization and Beyond

Thymoma classification has remained for many years a troubled and contentious field. In recent years, the World Health Organization (WHO) presented a proposal for the histopathologic classification of thymic epithelial neoplasms that has been adopted as the standard by many pathologists throughout the world. Yet, controversy still exists regarding its validity, accuracy, usefulness, and reproducibility in routine clinical practice. This article reviews the basic criteria of the current WHO classification of thymoma, along with its weaknesses and limitations, and presents alternate proposals for the histopathologic approach to the classification of thymic epithelial neoplasms.
Constructing non-stationary Dynamic Bayesian Networks with a flexible lag choosing mechanism

Dynamic Bayesian Networks (DBNs) are widely used in regulatory network structure inference with gene expression data. Current methods assumed that the underlying stochastic processes that generate the gene expression data are stationary. The assumption is not realistic in certain applications where the intrinsic regulatory networks are subject to changes for adapting to internal or external stimuli. In this paper we investigate a novel non-stationary DBNs method with a potential regulator detection technique and a flexible lag choosing mechanism. We apply the approach for the gene regulatory network inference on three non-stationary time series data. For the Macrophages and Arabidopsis data sets with the reference networks, our method shows better network structure prediction accuracy. For the Drosophila data set, our approach converges faster and shows a better prediction accuracy on transition times. In addition, our reconstructed regulatory networks on the Drosophila data not only share a lot of similarities with the predictions of the work of other researchers but also provide many new structural information for further investigation. Compared with recent proposed non-stationary DBNs methods, our approach has better structure prediction accuracy By detecting potential regulators, our method reduces the size of the search space, hence may speed up the convergence of MCMC sampling.
Nanofibers from gas-assisted polymer melt electrospinning

The concept of a gas-assisted polymer melt electrospinning process is presented. This technique allows for reduced quenching of the melt jet in the spinning region, and thus increasing the jet attenuation rate and resulting in production of sub-micron scale fibers. A comprehensive melt electrospinning model was used to analyze the effects of the heated air stream on the polymer jet. It was found that under the investigated conditions in electrospinning of polylactic acid (PLA) melt, air drag produced an additional 10% thinning compared to the un-assisted melt electrospinning process, and the heating provided by the air stream resulted in an additional 20-fold jet thinning.
NMDA Receptors Regulate Nicotine-Enhanced Brain Reward Function and Intravenous Nicotine Self-Administration: Role of the Ventral Tegmental Area and Central Nucleus of the Amygdala

Nicotine is considered an important component of tobacco responsible for the smoking habit in humans. Nicotine increases glutamate-mediated transmission throughout brain reward circuitries. This action of nicotine could potentially contribute to its intrinsic rewarding and reward-enhancing properties, which motivate consumption of the drug. Here we show that the competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist LY235959 (0.5–2.5 mg per kg) abolished nicotine-enhanced brain reward function, reflected in blockade of the lowering of intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) thresholds usually observed after experimenter-administered (0.25 mg per kg) or intravenously self-administered (0.03 mg per kg per infusion) nicotine injections. The highest LY235959 dose (5 mg per kg) tested reversed the hedonic valence of nicotine from positive to negative, reflected in nicotine-induced elevations of ICSS thresholds. LY235959 doses that reversed nicotine-induced lowering of ICSS thresholds also markedly decreased nicotine self-administration without altering responding for food reinforcement, whereas the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptor antagonist NBQX had no effects on nicotine intake. In addition, nicotine self-administration upregulated NMDA receptor subunit expression in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and ventral tegmental area (VTA), suggesting important interactions between nicotine and the NMDA receptor. Furthermore, nicotine (1 μM) increased NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents in rat CeA slices, similar to its previously described effects in the VTA. Finally, infusion of LY235959 (0.1–10 ng per side) into the CeA or VTA decreased nicotine self-administration. Taken together, these data suggest that NMDA receptors, including those in the CeA and VTA, gate the magnitude and valence of the effects of nicotine on brain reward systems, thereby regulating motivation to consume the drug.
Effects of certain triazenes on chick embryos and on tumors explanted to the chorioallantois.

Summary1. A new compound that inhibits the growth of the sarcoma 180 in mice, 3,3 - dimethyl-1-phenyltriazene, “triazene,” also exhibits teratogenic activity in the chick embryo and damages mouse and human tumors explanted to the chorioallantois of the chick embryo. 2. The teratogenic syndrome produced by the injection of “triazene” into the yolk sac of the 4-day embryo consists of parrot-beak, micromelia, bent tibiotarsus, edema, and feather growth inhibition. This effect can be prevented by the injection of nicotinamide. Several analogs of “triazene” have been tested for teratogenic properties. 3. When injected into the yolk sac of embryos carrying chorioallantoic grafts of the mouse sarcoma 180 and Toolan's human epidermoid carcinoma #3, “triazene” causes inhibition of tumor growth and cellular injury. This effect is similar to that produced by nitrogen mustard and other polyfunctional alkylating agents. Because “triazene” shows certain similarities in tumor-inhibiting activity when compared to nitroge...
Differential management of waste by construction sectors: a case study in Michigan, USA

Waste is a great problem in the world of construction. If dealt with appropriately, there can be many benefits, including lower overall cost, faster production, a higher quality and more sustainable buildings. There are many solutions available for minimizing waste during construction. However, a great amount of waste still exists, whether in residential, commercial, industrial, infrastructural or other constructions. The purpose of this investigation is to ascertain key sources of waste, and whether generation varies with the type and size of the constructors. A sample of 30 general contractors was studied, and several null hypotheses on waste generation and minimization differences among sectors were tested using the Kruskal–Wallis H‐test. Although subtle shifts were observed in the aspects of waste behaviour that seemed predicated on construction sectors and capital base, to some extent the proposition that the construction type and size can influence waste generation and minimization was validated. Ba...
Cytokine modulation of human corneal epithelial cell ICAM-1 (CD54) expression

Abstract To determine whether pro-inflammatory cytokines modulate intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1; CD54) expression on cultured primary human corneal epithelial cells (HCEs), confluent HCEs were treated with various concentrations of interferon-γ(IFN-γ), interleukin-1α(IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-4, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), or combinations over time. ICAM-1 expression was measured by flow cytometry and/or a cell-based ELISA using a monoclonal mouse anti-human CD54 antibody. The apparent MW of ICAM-1 protein was determined by immunoprecipitation of biotinylated HCEs. RT-PCR was used to detect ICAM-1 RNA. The mature cell surface form of HCE ICAM-1 was ∼110 kDa as determined by immunoprecipitation. IFN-γand TNF-α induced both dose- and time-dependent increases in ICAM-1 expression. An ∼20-fold increase in ICAM-1 was seen at 50–100 U IFN-γ ml-1. ICAM-1 specific mRNA accumulated ∼4.5-fold after IFN-γtreatment. TNF-α(100 U ml-1) induced a consistent ∼6.0-fold increase in ICAM-1 expression. When IFN-γand TNF-α were mixed, at sub-optimal concentrations of each, a synergistic effect on ICAM-1 expression was not detected. Neither IL-4, IL-1α nor IL-1β affected ICAM-1 expression in a consistent fashion. In summary, ICAM-1 was modulated on primary human corneal epithelial cells by the cytokines IFN-γand TNF-α in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Cytokine modulation of corneal epithelial cell ICAM-1 during inflammation may contribute to corneal epithelial cell injury by aiding the attachment of inflammatory cells such as eosinophils which express the receptor for ICAM-1, the β2integrins (CD11a,b,c/CD18).
Concomitant intraoperative renal artery embolization and resection of complex renal carcinoma.

Abstract Background Renal cell carcinoma, which has the propensity for rapid enlargement and local invasion, may present a surgical challenge, in part because of extensive vascularity. Conventional treatment typically involves staged preoperative renal artery embolization followed by nephrectomy after 1 or 2 days. We evaluated the clinical outcome of concomitant intraoperative embolization and nephrectomy. Methods Over 7 years, eight patients with renal cell carcinoma underwent combined intraoperative renal artery coil embolization and nephrectomy. A cohort of 14 patients who underwent staged renal embolization and nephrectomy during the same period served as the control group. Renal tumor embolization was achieved via percutaneous femoral artery approach, followed by coil placement in the distal portion of the main renal artery. Complete renal artery embolization was confirmed with intraoperative angiography. Nephrectomy was performed either concomitantly or after renal artery embolization, dependent on treatment group. Intraoperative data, clinical outcome, and hospital cost were compared between the two groups. Results Renal artery embolization and nephrectomy were successfully performed in all patients. There was no perioperative mortality. Mean hospital length of stay in the combined and staged treatment groups was 5.6 ± 1.3 days and 10.2 ± 3.2 days, respectively. Post-infarction syndrome developed in four patients (36%) in the staged group, compared with no patients in the combined treatment group. Decreased room cost and radiology cost was noted in the combined treatment group compared with the staged group. Mean total hospital cost was significantly less in patients who underwent the combined treatment compared with the staged treatment approach (mean difference, $9214; P = .02) During mean follow-up of 36 months, six patients (27%) died of unrelated causes. There was no evidence of tumor recurrence in surviving patients. Discussion In patients with renal cell carcinoma, combined renal embolization and nephrectomy minimizes patient discomfort and post-infarction syndrome associated with traditional staged treatment. Moreover, it is associated with reduced hospital costs, due in part to decreased hospital length of stay. Vascular surgeons with endovascular skills are well suited to perform intraoperative renal artery embolization. Use of adjunctive endovascular techniques to facilitate large open procedures is a growing role for the endovascular-competent vascular surgeon.
Healthcare Data Integration and Informatics in the Cloud

An information integration and informatics framework for healthcare applications leverages the parallel computing capability of a cloud-based, large-scale distributed batch-processing infrastructure built with commodity hardware. The result is new flexibility for developers of advanced healthcare applications.
Spontaneous Hemoperitoneum in Pregnancy from a Ruptured Superficial Uterine Vessel

A 31-year-old multipara woman pregnant at gestational age 32+ weeks with twins encountered hemoperitoneum resulting from superficial uterine vessel rupture during tocolytic course. The initial presentations were unspecific and sonographic examination was negative. Later the aggravated symptoms led to an impression of abruption placentae and emergent cesarean section was performed. A superficial venous bleeder was located on the posterior uterine wall and the internal bleeding was up to 3 L. Maternal and fetal outcome were good. Hemoperitoneum during pregnancy is rare but life-threatening to both mother and fetus, and it mimics placenta abruption in many ways. However, by careful investigations with cardiotocogram and bedside echo, they are quite distinguishable. Aggressive fluid replacement and immediate surgical intervention after rapid diagnosis provides the best prognosis.
Instrumenting the Balance Error Scoring System for Use With Patients Reporting Persistent Balance Problems After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract Objective To determine whether alterations to the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), such as modified conditions and/or instrumentation, would improve the ability to correctly classify traumatic brain injury (TBI) status in patients with mild TBI with persistent self-reported balance complaints. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Outpatient clinic. Participants Subjects (n=13; age, 16.3±2y) with a recent history of concussion (mild TBI group) and demographically matched control subjects (n=13; age, 16.7±2y; control group). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Outcome measures included the BESS, modified BESS, instrumented BESS, and instrumented modified BESS. All subjects were tested on the noninstrumented BESS and modified BESS and were scored by visual observation of instability in 6 and 3 stance conditions, respectively. Instrumentation of these 2 tests used 1 inertial sensor with an accelerometer and gyroscope to quantify bidirectional body sway. Results Scores from the BESS and the modified BESS tests were similar between groups. However, results from the instrumented measures using the inertial sensor were significantly different between groups. The instrumented modified BESS had superior diagnostic classification and the largest area under the curve when compared with the other balance measures. Conclusions A concussion may disrupt the sensory processing required for optimal postural control, which was measured by sway during quiet stance. These results suggest that the use of portable inertial sensors may be useful in the move toward more objective and sensitive measures of balance control postconcussion, but more work is needed to increase sensitivity.
Technology mapping for low power in logic synthesis

Abstract Traditionally, three metrics have been used to evaluate the quality of logic circuits - size, speed and testability. Consequently, synthesis techniques have strived to optimize for one or more of these metrics, resulting in a large body of research in optimal logic synthesis. As a consequence of this research, we have today very powerful techniques for synthesis targeting area and testability; and to a lesser extent, circuit speed. The last couple of years have seen the addition of another dimension in the evaluation of circuit quality - its power requirements. Low-power circuits are emerging as an important application domain, and synthesis for low power is demanding attention. The research presented in this paper addresses one aspect of low-power synthesis. It focuses on the problem of mapping a technology-independent circuit to a technology-specific one, using gates from a given library, with power as the optimization metric. We believe that the difficulty in obtaining accurate models of power at the technology-independent level makes it difficult to optimize for power at this level, and thus feel that the technology mapping step offers the most direct way of power optimization during logic synthesis. Several issues in modeling and measuring circuit power, as well as algorithms for technology mapping for low power are presented here. Empirically it is observed that a significant variation in the power consumption is possible just by varying the choice of gates selected. In fact, our experiments over a large set of benchmark circuits show that compared to mapping for power, mapping for area or delay can lead to circuits that have significantly higher power consumption: up to 32% higher in case of mapping for area, and up to 153% higher in case of mapping for delay.
The incidence and management of siaolocele after parotidectomy.

Objectives: (1) To determine if a postparotidectomy sialocele occurs at a higher incidence with a partial superficial parotidectomy compared with a near-complete parotidectomy and (2) to determine ...
Sources of error in the determination of trichloroethylene in blood.

One of the more common methods in determining volatile chemicals in biological samples involves an extraction procedure followed by a chromatographic quantitation step. These analytical methods are generally validated using conventional techniques with some attempts to minimize analyte losses during sample handling. After a successful validation, the analyst will feel confident that the procedure employed would provide an accurate determination of the analyte in the sample. However, it is difficult or sometimes impossible to identify precisely the losses that occur during sample handling. In this paper problems associated with the accurate determination of the volatile analyte, trichloroethylene, (TCE) are addressed. Gas chromatography was performed with a Perkin-Elmer Sigma 2000 chromatograph equipped with a 63Ni detector. Experiments to determine recovery of TCE were performed on both water and blood samples.
Hospital-to-hospital variation in lymph node detection after colorectal resection

BACKGROUND Better recovery of lymph nodes from colorectal carcinoma resection specimens has been shown to be associated with higher survival rates for patients with TNM Stage II and Stage III tumors. It is possible that inadequate lymph node recovery and/or assessment could contribute to disparities in survival, with particular variation according to hospital volume. METHODS Data from a population-based study that involved 33 counties in North Carolina and was conducted between April 1997 and April 2000 were available for the examination of variations in lymph node recovery and detection of positive lymph nodes according to self-reported demographic characteristics and hospital volume. The study comprised 324 patients with T2–T3N0–N1M0 colon adenocarcinoma. Logistic regression was used to determine odds ratios (ORs) associated with the recovery of fewer than seven lymph nodes and ORs associated with the detection of a positive lymph node according to hospital volume and patient characteristics. RESULTS Low-volume hospitals were more likely to recover < 7 lymph nodes compared with high- and medium-volume hospitals (low-volume vs. high-volume: adjusted OR, 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.8–4.6; low-volume vs. medium-volume: adjusted OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 0.7–4.5) and less likely to detect positive lymph nodes. After controlling for tumor characteristics, low-volume hospitals were less than one-half as likely to detect a positive lymph node (low-volume vs. high-volume: adjusted OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1–0.8; low-volume vs. medium-volume: adjusted OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.1–1.2). CONCLUSIONS The current study suggests that patients at low-volume hospitals may have their tumors pathologically understaged more frequently compared with patients at high- and medium-volume hospitals. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Implementation of Image-enhanced Endoscopy into Solo and Group Practices for Dysplasia Detection in Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Enhanced surveillance colonoscopy techniques for dysplasia detection in ulcerative colitis have successfully been implemented into group and solo practices. Chromoendoscopy (CE), in particular, has been shown to significantly increase dysplasia detection in surveillance of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. CE can be learned and is reproducible, with an associated modest increase in procedure time.
Characteristics of Mg/sub x/Zn/sub 1-x/O thin film bulk acoustic wave devices

Piezoelectric thin film zinc oxide (ZnO) and its ternary alloy magnesium zinc oxide (Mg/sub x/Zn/sub 1-x/O) have broad applications in transducers, resonators, and filters. In this work, we present a new bulk acoustic wave (BAW) structure consisting of Al/Mg/sub x/Zn/sub 1-x/O/n/sup +/-ZnO/r-sapphire, where Al and n/sup +/ type ZnO serve as the top and bottom electrode, respectively. The epitaxial Mg/sub x/Zn/sub 1-x/O films have the same epitaxial relationships with the substrate as ZnO on r-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/, resulting in the c-axis of the Mg/sub x/Zn/sub 1-x/O being in the growth plane. This relationship promotes shear bulk wave propagation that affords sensing in liquid phase media without the dampening effects found in longitudinal wave mode BAW devices. The BAW velocity and electromechanical coupling coefficient of Mg/sub x/Zn/sub 1-x/O can be tailored by varying the Mg composition, which provides an alternative and complementary method to adjust the BAW characteristics by changing the piezoelectric film thickness. This provides flexibility to design the operating frequencies of thin film bulk acoustic wave devices. Frequency responses of devices with two acoustic wave modes propagating in the specified structure are analyzed using a transmission line model. Measured results show good agreement with simulation.
Experiments and simulations of tunnel-ionized plasmas.

The tunneling-ionization model predicts that fully ionized plasmas with controllable perpendicular ({ital T}{sub {perpendicular}}) and negligible longitudinal temperature ({ital T}{sub {parallel}}) can be produced. The validity of these predictions has been studied through experiments and supporting theory and simulations. Emission of odd harmonics of the laser frequency, indicative of a stepwise ionization process, has been observed. X-ray measurements show that the plasma temperature is higher for a circularly polarized laser-produced plasma compared to when linear polarization is used. Analytically we find that the growth of the stimulated Raman (SRS) and Compton scattering (SCS) instabilities are suppressed during the ionization phase. A higher {ital T}{sub {parallel}} than expected from the single-particle-tunneling model was observed after the ionization phase through SCS fluctuation spectra. The maximum achievable plasma density is found to be limited by ionization induced refraction. One-dimensional (1D) simulations show that, after the ionization phase, the initial {ital T}{sub {parallel}} is low as expected from the single particle model and SRS density fluctuations grow to large values. In 2D simulations, however, {ital T}{sub {parallel}} at the end of the ionization phase is already much higher and only SCS is seen to grow. The simulations indicate that stochastic heating and the Weibelmore » instability play an important role in plasma heating in all directions and in making the plasma isotropic. Two-dimensional simulations also confirm that refraction plays a crucial role in determining the maximum electron density that can be obtained in such plasmas.« less
Nutrient relations in coppiced black cottonwood and red alder

Two-year-old coppice of black cottonwood and red alder, grown in pure culture and in mixture, were compared using terminal twigs and leafless shoots harvested in the winter. Terminal twigs were taken with buds intact; they were about 15 cm long. Leafless shoot samples included all above-ground components. In pure culture, dry weights of the leafless shoots per plant were similar for the two species. In mixture with alder, however, weight of the cottonwood plants was enhanced and that of alder was reduced, but neither response was statistically significant. Nutrient concentration, content per plant, and utilization varied by the plant tissues analyzed, cultural treatment (purevs. mixed), and species. In general, nutrient concentrations were higher in the terminal twigs than in the leafless shoots of both species. Cultural treatment did not significantly affect nutrient concentration in cottonwood twigs or in the leafless shoots of either species. Concentrations of N and Fe were significantly higher and those of Mn were lower in twigs of mixed alder than in twigs of pure alder. Twigs of cottonwood were significantly higher than those of alder in concentration of P and Zn, and lower in N, Mn, and Cu. Compared with alder, cottonwood leafless shoots were significantly higher in concentration of Ca, but lower in N, S, Cu, and Mn. With few exceptions, nutrient content was highest in the shoots of the large plants of mixed cottonwood, intermediate in medium-sized pure cottonwood and pure alder, and lowest in the small mixed alder. Cottonwood was significantly more efficient than alder in use of N, S, and Cu, and less efficient in use of Ca. Some of the differences between cultural treatments and species may be associated directly or indirectly with the N2-fixing ability of red alder. Mixed culture of the two species appears promising because of the increased growth of cottonwood. Planted separately in pure culture, the choice between cottonwood and alder may be determined, in part, by the nutritional status of the soil where plantations are established.
Affinity labeling of isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase with N-bromoacetylisoleucyl-tRNA.

Isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli B forms an irreversible complex with N-bromoacetyl-[3H]Ile-tRNA which is not disrupted after equilibration with excess tRNAIle. The presence of tRNAIle in the incubation protects the enzyme from alkylation by this reagent, whereas tRNAPhe has no effect. Under comparable conditions, bromoacetate does not form a covalent link with the enzyme. The results demonstrate that N-bromoacetyl-Ile-tRNA binds reversibly to the enzyme by non-covalent interactions with the tRNA moiety, and then forms a covalent bond between the alkylating group and an amino acid residue of the protein.
Polarization studies of the 16O(γ, n)15O reaction

Abstract The polarization of photoneutrons from the reaction 16O(γ,n)15O has been studied at angles of 45° and 90° with the 12C(n,n)12C reaction as an analyser. The neutron energies were determined with a nanosecond time-of-flight spectrometer. Appreciable polarization is observed at 45° throughout the giant dipole resonance region.
Trends in occupational segregation by race and ethnicity in the USA: evidence from detailed data

This article analyses trends in occupational segregation by race and ethnicity in the USA over the period 1983 to 2002. During this period, racial segregation markedly declined, while there was a fairly sizable increase in ethnic segregation. Almost all the changes in racial and ethnic segregation were due to the racial or ethnic composition effect. This finding is important since the composition effect truly measures the change in racial or ethnic segregation by eliminating the effect of changes in the size of occupations. During the period 1983–2002, the service, managerial, sales, operators and professional specialty occupations contributed the most to the decline in segregation between Blacks and NonBlacks, while the service, production and farming occupations contributed the most to the increase in segregation between Hispanics and NonHispanics.
Endocervical cell collection using cytobrush, liquid-fixation, and cytocentrifugation: A feasibility study using 455 hysterectomy specimens.

Differential uterine curettage may be performed for the evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of substituting cytological methods for differential uterine curettage to evaluate the entire glandular axis of the uterus and the transformation zone. In order to simulate differential uterine sampling, the endocervix was brushed in 455 uteri from which an endometrial cytology sample had been previously collected. Twenty-five percent of the brushes' cell-sample was examined using two 17.5 mm circle-slides prepared with a Hettich cytocentrifuge. The resulting slides were homogeneous and cellular. They were compared to tissue sections of matched hysterectomy specimens. Endometrial adenocarcinoma was overrepresented in the endocervical cytology preparations. This was ascribed either to prior endometrial collection with "drop-down contamination" of the endocervix and/or to entry of the cytobrush into the endometrial cavity. Otherwise, cytological and histological diagnoses were comparable for squamous and endocervical-adenomatous lesions. Under the conditions of this simulation, endometrial and endocervical brushings appeared to complement each other as case-finding techniques for evaluating abnormal uterine bleeding. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1999;21:419-426.
Symmetry in mathematics

Abstract In this paper the theme of symmetry in mathematics is explored. The main problems may be formulated as the determination of the symmetry groups of objects of various categories. As a result, it is possible to put the works of Lie, Cartan, Chevalley, Gel'fand, Harish-Chandra, Langlands and many others, in proper perspective.
Integrating Psychology into the Interdisciplinary Core Curriculum

I argue that the discipline of psychology can be effectively presented to undergraduates in an interdisciplinary core curriculum. I briefly review ways to place psychology in core curricula and present an illustrative curriculum introduced at Moravian College in 1990. I discuss how psychology is covered in three of seven courses from this curriculum and conclude by discussing benefits of interdisciplinary core programs.
Electroconvulsive shock, brain acetylcholinesterase activity and memory☆

Abstract The hypothesis that electroconvulsive shock (ECS) causes disinhibition and decrement in retention by altering the activity of cholinergic neurons was investigated. In the first study rats were given a series of 4 ECS treatments in a 20-min period. One group was sacrificed immediately, another group after 4 hr, another group after 24 hr, and a fourth group after 96 hr. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity for the whole brains was determined for these groups and a control group. ECS increases AChE levels which return to pre-ECS level within 96 hr. A second study attempted to eliminate or augment the retention deficit caused by ECS through the use of scopolamine (anticholinergic) and eserine (anticholinesterase). Results indicate that scopolamine partially eliminates the decrement in retention while eserine in association with ECS creates an even greater decrement.
Modeling of pnpn GaN and 6H-SiC thyristors

We have developed a current controlled numerical model by solving the semiconductor device drift-diffusion equations in an isothermal condition to study the current-voltage characteristics of heterostructure GaN/6H-SiC pnpn thyristors. The temperature sensitive parameters such as the density of states, lifetime, mobility, and bandgap energy are included for the electrical characterization. The modeling work is aimed at designing four-layer pnpn thyristors using GaN, 6H- SiC, or combination of thereof, for high power high temperature switching applications. Preliminary simulated results show high power switching at high temperature.
1% efficiency Al/sub 0.3/Ga/sub 0.7/As planar-doped-barrier electron emitters

Owing to a larger bandgap and a higher breakdown field, higher emission efficiency and emission current density have been obtained from Al 0.3 Ga 0.7 As planar-doped-barrier electron emitters (PDBEEs) compared with GaAs PDBEEs. Preliminary experiments gave an emission efficiency of 1% and a current density of 2.3Acm -2 from a 5×144μm 2 emission region with an anode bias of 100 V. Further improvement of the device performance can be achieved by optimising the device design and surface activation process
Postischemic reperfusion: ultrastructural blood-brain barrier and hemodynamic correlative changes in an awake model of transient forebrain ischemia.

OBJECTIVE In nonrecovery models of cerebral ischemia, blood-brain barrier (BBB) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes are known to occur during reperfusion. It is unknown, however, whether those CBF and BBB alterations occur after brief, transient ischemia with neurological recovery. The purpose of this study was to characterize the time course of CBF and BBB ultrastructural changes during reperfusion in an awake, recovery model of transient global forebrain ischemia (GFI). METHODS Forty-five adult Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected, while awake, to 10 minutes of GFI by the nine-vessel occlusion method. Thirty-five age-matched animals composed a sham-operated group. Normal control (n = 5), sham-operated (n = 5), and nine-vessel occlusion/reperfusion (n = 15) rats were selected for ultrastructural analysis. Electroencephalography was performed, and CBF, mean arterial blood pressure, and intracranial pressure were measured during ischemia and reperfusion up to 24 hours. Quantitative morphological analysis of cortical BBB capillaries was performed by transmission electron microscopy at the same time points at which specific CBF changes occurred during reperfusion. RESULTS CBF decreased to 6% of preocclusion values during GFI. This correlated with coma and decerebrate rigidity. During reperfusion, short-lived hyperemia (225 +/- 18%, P < 0.001) was characterized by increased intracranial pressure (28.3 +/- 2.6 mm Hg, P < 0.001) and isoelectric electroencephalogram. This was followed by hypoperfusion, which reached a nadir of 59.7% (59.7 +/- 8.8%, P < 0.01) from baseline by 90 minutes. At this time point, the electroencephalogram recovered, and intracranial pressure and mean arterial blood pressure showed no abnormalities. By 8.5 hours, CBF returned to normal, and this coincided with complete recovery of the animal. Ultrastructural BBB analysis revealed astrocyte end-foot process edema and patent capillaries during hyperemia. Severe interstitial BBB edema and capillary lumen collapse was observed during hypoperfusion. Detachment and migration of pericytes was observed during hypoperfusion and beyond. CONCLUSION A biphasic CBF response is elicited during reperfusion after brief nonlethal GFI under awake conditions.