cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Current research in meat color

This review surveyed recent literature focused on factors that affect myoglobin chemistry, meat color, pigment redox stability, and methodology used to evaluate these properties. The appearance of meat and meat products is a complex topic involving animal genetics, ante- and postmortem conditions, fundamental muscle chemistry, and many factors related to meat processing, packaging, distribution, storage, display, and final preparation for consumption. These factors vary globally, but the variables that affect basic pigment chemistry are reasonably consistent between countries. Essential for maximizing meat color life is an understanding of the combined effects of two fundamental muscle traits, oxygen consumption and metmyoglobin reduction. In the antemortem sector of research, meat color is being related to genomic quantitative loci, numerous pre-harvest nutritional regimens, and housing and harvest environment. Our knowledge of postmortem chilling and pH effects, atmospheres used for packaging, antimicrobial interventions, and quality and safety of cooked color are now more clearly defined. The etiology of bone discoloration is now available. New color measurement methodology, especially digital imaging techniques, and improved modifications to existing methodology are now available. Nevertheless, unanswered questions regarding meat color remain. Meat scientists should continue to develop novel ways of improving muscle color and color stability while also focusing on the basic principles of myoglobin chemistry.
An experimental study on SpO 2 data acquisition and processing in a general body area network

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major public health concern today. It is a leading contributor to chronic morbidity throughout the world and many who suffer from it die prematurely due to the worsening of symptoms called exacerbations. Therefore, we must design robust systems which not only perform real time monitoring of the patient's body parameters, but also detect changes in physical activity and physiological responses during an exacerbation. The principal method for monitoring a COPD patient is to use a pulse oximeter to measure the oxygen levels in the blood. This paper will detail the design and development of a pulse oximeter platform built into an everyday wireless mouse. Implementing the sensor into a commonly used device allows it to be more accessible and less cumbersome for patients with COPD.
Delayed peripartum vasculopathy: Cerebral eclampsia revisited

Over a 2-year period, we treated 4 postpartum patients with acute neurologic problems appearing 4 to 9 days after delivery. Three patients either had no proteinuria or edema and therefore did not meet all accepted clinical criteria for the diagnosis of eclampsia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain in all patients demonstrated high-signal foci most prominent in the parieto-occipital regions and the subcortical white matter. Cerebral angiogram in 2 patients revealed diffuse vasospasm. In 3 patients, MRI abnormalities resolved. MRI and angiographic abnormalities in our patients are identical to those of patients meeting accepted criteria for eclampsia. Our experience suggests that the current criteria for the diagnosis of eclampsia are too stringent, both in terms of clinical picture and days postpartum to cerebral manifestations.
Vitamin D in asthma: Panacea or true promise?

concentrations <30 ng/mL) at enrollment was associated with a modest increase in the risk of severe asthma exacerbations over a 4-year follow up period in members of the Childhood Asthma Management Program cohort. Although this observation seems to suggest an important role for vitamin D in reducing exacerbation risk, we are unable to determine from this study the pathways through which the outcome is mediated. As noted by the authors, thestudyislimitedbytheabsenceofrepeatedvitaminDmeasurements over time, an issue that limits our ability to understand the extent to which fluctuations in vitamin D levels over time (because of seasonal, lifestyle, and demographic variables) might be relevant to the observed effect. Of note, the benefit with regard to exacerbations seemed to be accrued independent of significant effects of vitamin D status on markers of atopy or airway hyperresponsiveness,andinthesettingofonlysmalleffectsonabsolute FEV1. Although the exact nature of the relationship betweenvitamin D and severe exacerbations remains unclear, and although 1 limitation of the dataset the authors analyzed is the absence of specific data regarding respiratory tract infections, these findings suggest an effect that is mediated through enhanced resistance to respiratory tract infection rather than through direct modification of airway inflammation. This conclusion is supported by in vitro data showing that vitamin D is important in inducing the production of antimicrobial peptides, including cathelicidin, 8,9 as well as by an analysis of
Boundary genes in regulation and evolution of secondary growth

Many extant land plants display secondary growth originating in a lateral meristem known as vascular cambium. A conspicuous product of secondary growth is wood which dominates terrestrial ecosystem biomass. Despite the economic and ecological significance of the process the underlying molecular mechanism are still poorly understood. We have recently shown that members of the LBD transcription factor family play function in control of secondary growth. Here we propose a mechanistic model of LBD regulatory roles. We also show how these roles may be linked to evolutionary changes in level and pattern of wood formation that provide structural and functional innovations in wood anatomy in relation to species growth habit and biology.
Coherent coupling of multiple transverse modes in a quantum cascade laser

We investigate phase coherence of multi-transverse modes in quantum cascade lasers through both near- and far-field mode measurements. We explain the observed phase locking by four-wave mixing of longitudinal modes belonging to different transverse modes.
Subpixel measurement of image features based on paraboloid surface fit

ABSTRACTA digiuil image processing inspection system is under development at Oak Ridge National Laboratory that will locateimage features on printed material and measure distances between them to accuracies of 0.001 in. An algorithm has beendeveloped for this system that can locate unique image features to subpixel accuracies. It is based on a least-squares fit ofa paraboloid function to the surface generated by correlating a reference image feature against a test image search area.Normalizing the correlation surface makes the algorithm robust in the presence of illumination variations and local flaws.Subpixel accuracies of better than 1/16 of a pixel have been achieved using a variety of different reference image features. 1. INTRODUCTIONAn algorithm has been developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) that can be used to locate a variety offeatures or objects in a digitized image to subpixel accuracies. The algorithm uses a set of normalized correlation j1 generated by correlating a stored reference template against a test image search area that is believed to contain the feature
Orbital teratoma in the newborn A case report

A case of congenital orbital teratoma is presented with illustrations and discussion of typical radiographic features which may facilitate preoperative diagnosis and treatment.
Optimum conditions for synchronous oospore production in crosses of Achlya ambisexualis

Conditions are described for the rapid and synchronous production of oospores in crosses of Achlya ambisexualis (J. R. Raper) under conditions which facilitate oospore isolation. The temperature range 18 to 22°C yielded optimum numbers of oogonia which contained 8 to 20 oospores. Lower temperatures resulted in slower development of equivalent numbers of oogonia whereas higher temperatures resulted in more rapid development of reduced numbers of oogonia, an increased proportion of which were abnormal. A ratio of seven female to three male oospores yielded maximum numbers of oogonia-containing oospores. Lower ratios of females to males reduced the number of oogonia. Higher ratios resulted in increased numbers of oogonia; however, the proportion of oogonia which failed to delimit oospores increased significantly. Under optimum conditions 5 × 10 7 oospores were produced per 10-cm petri dish in 8 days. Oospores could be freed from other cellular material by a simple grinding procedure followed by centrifugation in colloidal silica step gradients.
Social Skills Interventions for Individuals with Autism: Evaluation for Evidence-Based Practices within a Best Evidence Synthesis Framework

This paper presents a best evidence synthesis of interventions to increase social behavior for individuals with autism. Sixty-six studies published in peer-reviewed journals between 2001 and July 2008 with 513 participants were included. The results are presented by the age of the individual receiving intervention and by delivery agent of intervention. The findings suggest there is much empirical evidence supporting many different treatments for the social deficits of individuals with autism. Using the criteria of evidence-based practice proposed by Reichow et al. (Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38:1311-1318, 2008), social skills groups and video modeling have accumulated the evidence necessary for the classifications of established EBP and promising EBP, respectively. Recommendations for practice and areas of future research are provided.
Dirichlet problem of heat equation for C2 domains

Soit t=τ(x) une fonction C 2 sur R, soit Ω la region {(x,t):t>τ(x)}. On demontre que: sur ∂Ω, des ensembles de mesure parabolique zero par rapport a chaque point dans Ω sont exactement ceux de longueur zero
College Students' Reasons for Nonuse of Condoms Within Dating Relationships

Two hundred ten heterosexual undergraduates in dating relationships were surveyed about reasons for not using condoms every time for vaginal and anal sex and for increasing or decreasing condom use during their relationships. Half of the respondents reported consistent condom use in the first month of their relationships, while only 34% reported consistent condom use in the past month. Subjective assessments of partner safety and the belief that sufficient measures were being taken to avoid pregnancy were important reasons for condom nonuse. Study results suggest that interventions should emphasize the importance of objectively assessing HIV/STD risk before reducing condom use within relationships. Interventions also need to provide additional information on the riskiness of heterosexual anal sex.
Gamma ray studies of neutron-rich sdf shell nuclei produced in heavy ion collisions.

Reanalysis of [ital ichproductsofbinaryreactio] [ital nsof]$[sup 34]S, [sup 36]S, and [sup 37]Cl beams on [sup 160]Gd targets. Gates set on known [ital amma]$[ital raysin]$[ital A][similar to]160 products selected individual react ion channels and identified coincident [ital amma]$[ital raysin]$[ital A][similar to]36 partner products. Transfers of protons from projectile to target and of neutrons from target to projectile were generally favored, leading to excited neutron-rich light nuclei, including some difficult to reach by other means. Notable results include the observation of [ital amma]$[ital raycascadesup][sup [ital t][ital h][ital e]][ital high] [ital e] [ital stknownyraststatesinfour]$[ital N]=20 isotones. In two [ital N]=19 nuclei, [sup 33]Si and [sup 34]P, the two [ital N]=22 nuclei, [sup 38]S and [sup 39]Cl, previously unknown yrast states were identified.
Intraoperative physiologic variables and outcome in cardiac surgery: Part I. In-hospital mortality.

Abstract Background . Risk stratification schemes have been developed to predict outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures, which are predominately based upon unalterable preoperative patient characteristics. The purpose of this study was to determine if minimum intraoperative hematocrit, maximum glucose concentration, mean arterial pressure on cardiopulmonary bypass, or duration of bypass influence risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality after CABG. Methods . Outcome data from 2,862 CABG patients were merged with intraoperative physiologic data. A preoperative mortality risk index was calculated for each patient. Variables found significant ( p Results . Overall mortality rate was 1.85%. The preoperative risk index was significantly associated with mortality ( p = 0.0001). No significant association was present between mortality and intraoperative variables. Preexisting hypertension was an independent predictor of mortality after controlling for risk index and bypass duration. Conclusions . Preexisting hypertension proved to be an independent predictor of mortality in our patient population. This study found no evidence to support the hypothesis that mean arterial pressure less than 50 mm Hg, lower hematocrit, or elevated glucose while on bypass increases in-hospital mortality.
Identification of two new cytochrome P450 genes and their 5'-flanking regions from the housefly, Musca domestica.

Abstract Two new cytochrome P450 cDNAs, named CYP28B1 and CYP4G13v2 , and their 5′-flanking regions were cloned and sequenced from a housefly strain, ALHF. The cDNA sequences of CYP28B1 and CYP4G13v2 have open reading frames of 1449 and 1653 nucleotides encoding proteins of 483 and 551 amino acid residues, respectively. Sequence analysis shows that both CYP28B1 and CYP4G13v2 putative P450 proteins contain: (1) a highly hydrophobic N terminus; (2) a P450 protein signature motif, FXXGXRXCXG, known as the important ligand for heme binding; (3) a motif, YXXAXXXEXXR, which is a conserved P450 sequence coinciding with Helix K; and (4) a typical aromatic sequence, A 1 XXPXXA 2 XPXBA 3 , which is conserved within most P450s. The 5′-flanking regions of CYP28B1 (>2 kb) and CYP4G13v2 (>1 kb) were isolated from adaptor-ligated ALHF genomic DNA libraries. The transcription start points of CYP28B1 and CYP4G13v2 were mapped to 176 and 163 nucleotides upstream of the ATG translation start codon within the conserved arthropod promoter elements of TCATT and ACAGT, respectively. Possible regulatory binding sites for general transcription factors, Sp1 and AP1, were mapped in the 5′ promoter regions of CYP28B1 whereas TFIID and Oct-1 were mapped in CYP4G13v2 . Five conserved cis -acting elements for tissue- or cell-specific transcription regulatory factors were identified in the promoter regions of both P450 genes. A structure of five 153-nucleotide (nt) highly identical repeats and two partial repeat sequences were found in the promoter region of CYP28B1 . The homologous (90% identity) sequences of the 153-nt repeat were also found in the promoter region of CYP4G13v2 . The homologous sequences of the repeat in other insect P450 gene promoter regions are discussed.
The relativistic Riemann invariants and the propagation of initial data surfaces

A method is described by which the relativistic Riemann invariants can be found for a fluid with an arbitrary equation of state, undergoing dissipation and moving in a general metric. Specific formulae are derived for a spherically symmetric system. Limiting cases defined by relativistic and non-relativistic gases, both warm, cold, fast and slow are examined. We prove that the invariants do exist, and a necessary and sufficient condition for their determination is the solution of a differential equation with the structure of an exterior one form of two components. The common parameter of these components is the characteristic space-time direction which is also derived in the process of determining the invariants. The characteristic surfaces, being the surfaces over which initial data is carried, all coalesce to the forward light cone in the extreme relativistic limit. Relativistic fluids emanating from receding sources appear to increase their internal kinetic energy as they decelerate. A non-linear distance-velocity relation for these waves is evident in the differential equations which are found. Their full meaning remains to be explored.
Quantitative study of interactions between oxygen lone pair and aromatic rings: substituent effect and the importance of closeness of contact.

Current models describe aromatic rings as polar groups based on the fact that benzene and hexafluorobenzene are known to have large and permanent quadrupole moments. This report describes a quantitative study of the interactions between oxygen lone pair and aromatic rings. We found that even electron-rich aromatic rings and oxygen lone pairs exhibit attractive interactions. Free energies of interactions are determined using the triptycene scaffold and the equilibrium constants were determined by low-temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy. An X-ray structure analysis for one of the model compounds confirms the close proximity between the oxygen and the center of the aromatic ring. Theoretical calculations at the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level corroborate the experimental results. The origin of attractive interactions was explored by using aromatic rings with a wide range of substituents. The interactions between an oxygen lone pair and an aromatic ring are attractive at van der Waals' distance even with electron-donating ...
Successful repair of a massive coronary arteriovenous fistula in a 68-year-old man

Successful ligation of a massive coronary arteriovenous fistula in a 68-year-old man is reported. The defect, which extended from the left coronary artery to the coronary sinus, had been diagnosed 17 years earlier. At the time of repair, the patient's age and fistula-related complications made him a relatively high-risk operative candidate. In light of this case, operative approaches for repairing coronary arteriovenous fistulas are discussed.
Caregivers' Social Capital and Satisfaction with their Children's Service Providers

The authors examine children's access to and caregiver's satisfaction with organizations that provide leisure time activities for children on Saturdays. The authors argue that access and satisfaction are a function of families' financial, cultural, and social capital. Using data on 1,036 households in the Phoenix metropolitan area in 2003–04, the authors found that families' financial and cultural capital affected whether or not children participated in activities organized by organizations, but family ties to the organization directly (e.g., either worked there, volunteered, donated) resulted in caregivers being more satisfied with the services. The authors also found that the benefits of network closure (caregivers knowing the parents of the other children on site) were greater the riskier the activities of the child (e.g., sports or cheerleading). Contrary to the authors' expectations, having family or friends in the area did not affect caregiver's satisfaction with the child's provider.
AB INITIO MOLECULAR-DYNAMICS STUDY OF THE STRUCTURAL, VIBRATIONAL, AND ELECTRONIC PROPERTIES OF GLASSY GESE2

We present results of an ab initio molecular-dynamics study of glassy ${\mathrm{GeSe}}_{2}$ using a 216 atom model. The network topology of our model is analyzed through partial pair correlations, angle distributions, partial static structure factors, and ring structures. The total static structure factor and first sharp diffraction peak are in good agreement with experiment. The vibrational density of states and dynamical structure factor are in good agreement with experimental results as well. We have visualized the normal modes vectors in order to qualitatively understand their motion. The electronic density of states compares very well with experimental ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy measurements. The localization of the electronic states is analyzed. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Body size, mortality, and longevity

Abstract The body-size dependent relationships of mortality and longevity are examined for birds and eutherian mammals. Differences between mass exponents for maximum recorded longevity and survival times for fractions of original adult populations confirm the age-dependence of mortality in both classes and a size-dependency of population-age distribution. The potential number of offspring produced by a surviving fraction of a mammalian population appears to be a size-independent ecological constant. Social structure would be more likely in larger animals since greater continuity would be provided when a higher proportion of the population consisted of senior, experienced animals, as described by the ratio of time for survival of 1 in 1000 to maximum potential lifespan: t 0·001 /t max = 0·91 m 0·32 2·94 m 0·20 = 0·31 M 0·12 , that is the expected lifespan approaches the maximum as size increases.
Effect of deuterium oxide on the relaxation of glycerol-extracted muscle.

DEUTERIUM oxide is known to retard the contraction of living muscle1–3. The site of its action, however, remains obscure; it affects significantly neither the membrane excitation4–6 nor the contraction of the proteins in glycerol-extracted muscle5. Deuterium oxide has, however, a differential effect on the contractile response to a number of nucleotides; whereas the interactions with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and cytodine triphosphate (CTP) are not affected, those with inosine triphosphate (ITP) and uridine triposphate (UTP) are retarded5. The ATPase of myofibrils6 and myosin B7 is reduced by deuterium oxide under certain conditions; at neutral pH the myosin B ATPase is, however, not significantly affected7. In the case of ITPase, the reaction is always slower on substitution of deuterium oxide for normal water (H2O) (ref. 7).
Entropy elasticity of isotropic rubber-like solids at finite strains

Abstract This paper presents a macroscopic continuum formulation and a numerical analysis of constitutive equations (for stress, entropy and heat flux) describing the thermoelastic behavior of amorphous cross-linked polymers above the glass transition temperature in which a specimen typically ‘snap-back’ with rubbery characteristics. The introduced coupled thermomechanical functional extends the classical strain energy function proposed by Ogden. Volume changes due to thermal expansion are regarded for a large temperature domain and play a remarkable role in thermoelastic materials. The non-linear thermoelastic problem is solved within a staggered (fractional-step) method which is based on a two-phase (isentropic) operator split. Each of the two symmetric sub-problems retains the characteristic dissipative structure of the implicit monolithic scheme which consequently results to an unconditionally stable product formula algorithm. The numerical analysis side shows in particular the capability of the theoretical framework reproducing the realistic physical stress-deformation-temperature relations of rubber. Distinctive attention is paid to the thermoelastic inversion phenomena, a remarkable property governing the class of rubber-like materials.
Internal hernias after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Abstract Background Laparoscopic gastric bypass (Lap-RYGB) is an increasingly common procedure performed for severe obesity. Internal hernias are a potential problem associated with Lap-RYGB, and little is known about the clinical presentation and the diagnostic accuracy of this potentially serious complication. Methods A retrospective review of 1,000 retrocolic Lap-RYGB was performed to identify those who developed postoperative internal hernias. Clinical symptoms, radiologic characteristics, and operative outcomes were analyzed to determine clinical and radiologic diagnostic accuracy (including computed tomography [CT] scan and upper gastrointestinal imaging). Subsequent independent review was performed to match operative intervention with radiologic imaging and interpretation. Operative outcomes, including the hernia closure technique, hospital length of stay, and mortality were obtained. Results Of 1,000 Lap-RYGB procedures, 45 internal hernias were identified (4.5%) in 43 patients. Hernia location included transverse colon mesentery (n = 43, 95%) or Petersen's defect (n = 2, 5%). The most common clinical symptoms included intermittent, postprandial abdominal pain, and/or nausea vomiting (86%), although 20% had no abdominal tenderness. Initial radiologic imaging studies were diagnostic in 64%, although subsequent review of all imaging studies showed diagnostic abnormalities in 97%. CT findings suggestive of internal hernia include small bowel loops in the left upper quadrant and evidence of small bowel mesentery traversing the transverse colon mesentery. All patients with internal hernias underwent operative repair (98% performed laparoscopic). One patient had a negative laparoscopy, although the preoperative CT suggested an internal hernia was present. The mean time to intervention for an internal hernia repair was 225 days (range 2 to 490), whereas hospital length of stay was 1.2 days (range 1 to 4). No deaths were noted. Conclusions Internal hernias after retrocolic lap-RYGB are associated with vague abdominal complaints and limited radiologic imaging results. A high index of clinical suspicion should be used in this patient population, and surgeon review of radiology imaging studies should be performed. Prompt surgical intervention is successful and can commonly be performed laparoscopically.
In Vivo Testing of an Infection-Resistant Vascular Graft Material

Present prosthetic arterial conduits continue to suffer the clinically and economically catastrophic complication of infection. We recently described a novel technique for binding quinolone antibiotics to Dacron based on principles of textile chemistry. This thermofixation procedure ("pad/heat") utilizes the limited fibrophilic characteristics of the quinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin (Cipro) to permit pad/heat application and allowed controlled, sustained release from Dacron in several in vitro assays. The objective of this study was to test this infection-resistant prosthetic vascular graft material in an in vivo model. Dacron segments (1 cm2, either plain, dipped into antibiotic immediately prior to implantation, or Cipro pad/heat treated) were implanted in the dorsal subcutaneous tissue of the rabbit and directly contaminated with 106Staphylococcus aureus. After 1 week, the samples were sterily harvested. Wounds were blindly graded on a scale from 1 (no evidence of infection, good tissue incorporation) to 4 (suppurative infection extending outside of the graft pocket, no gross tissue incorporation). Plain Dacron was easily infected in this model (mean grade 3.1 ± 0.6, 92% culture positive). Notably, however, a significant (P < 0.05) wound grade difference between the dipped (2.3 ± 1.0) and pad/heat (1.4 ± 0.6) samples was demonstrated. Determination of adherent bacteria present on the implanted Dacron pieces by sonication and culture studies again revealed a significant difference between the dipped (56% culture positive) and pad/heat (12% culture) groups (P < 0.025). Histologic studies confirmed good tissue incorporation of the pad/heat samples. This project opens new avenues in the development of infection-resistant biomaterials.
Towards a fault-tolerant multi-agent system architecture

Multi-agent systems are prone to failures typical of any distributed system. Agents and resources may become unavailable due to machine crashes, communication breakdowns, process failures, and numerous other hardware and software failures. Most of the work done in fault handling in multi-agent systems deals with detection and recovery from faults such as state-inconsistencies, relying on the traditional techniques for recovering from other distributed systems failure. However, the traditional fault-tolerance techniques are designed for specific situations and they require special infrastructural support. We argue for fault-tolerance techniques that can be readily implemented using a generic agent shell with minimal or no modification to the agent infrastructure. We propose that theories from multi-agent systems literature can be effectively combined with basic fault-tolerance principles to design robust multi-agent systems. In particular, we argue that (1) teamwork may be used to create a robust brokered architecture that can recover a multi-agent system from broker failures without incurring undue overheads, (2) teamwork may also be used to guarantee a specified number of brokers in a large multi-agent system, and (3) agent autonomy can be used to prevent thrashing and guarantee acceptable levels of quality of service by an agent. We also describe the Adaptive Agent Architecture (AAA), a fault-tolerant brokered multi-agent system architecture, and present experimental evidence using the AAA to validate our approach.
Spore formation in plants: SPOROCYTELESS and more

Plant reproduction is initiated by the specification of sporocytes that form haploid spores through meiosis. A new study in Arabidopsis published in Cell Research shows how the product of SPOROCYTELESS/NOZZLE, a key gene in this process, partners with co-repressors and transcription factors to promote spore formation, and draws interesting parallels with fungi.
Stereotype Threat and Employment Testing: A Commentary

This article comments on Sackett, Schmitt, Ellingson, and Kabin's (2001) suggestion that stereotype threat may not generalize to employment testing, and the 4 articles of this issue following from it. We argue that each experiment lacked the no-stereotype threat control group needed to experimentally test stereotype threat effects; that sizeable stereotype threat effects occurred nonetheless; and that research not reviewed by Sackett et al. suggests that stereotype threat may be the sole cause of important real-life test-score gaps. The 4 experiments, we suggest, reveal important mediators of stereotype threat effects; their test-specific and general form, and their generalizability to IQ testing. We offer a framework for assessing its generalizability to real-life employment tests.
Electric‐Utility Resource Planning and Decision‐Making: The Importance of Uncertainty

Uncertainty is a critical factor that pervades all aspects of electric-utility planning. Uncertainties about future load growth, about the continued performance of existing supply and demand resources, and about the costs, construction times, and operations of new resources greatly complicate utility resource acquisition. This paper discusses the factors that lead to uncertainty, reviews the methods that utilities use in planning and in acquiring resources, and suggests future research to help deal with these uncertainties. This review is based on assessments of the long-term resource plans prepared by 10 utilities and one Public Service Commission, telephone interviews with staff at these 11 organizations and with staff at three consulting firms, and reviews of many other related publications.
Cemented long-stem revision total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract From 1981 to 1989, 38 cemented, posterior, stabilized, revision, total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) were performed at the authors' institution using the stemmed kinematic stabilizer prosthesis of a single design. The mean clinical follow-up after the index procedure was 10.1 years. The Knee Society pain score averaged 17 points before revision and improved to 51 points at last follow-up, and the function score averaged 48 points before revision and improved to 57 at last follow-up. Ten-year component survival free of revision or removal for any reason was 96.7%; 11-year component survival free of revision for aseptic loosening was 95.7%. Cemented stem fixation in revision TKA provides good clinical results with durable fixation at an average of 10 years' follow-up.
Synthesis, characterization, and biodegradation of copolymers of unsaturated and saturated poly(ester amide)s

A new family of biodegradable copolymers of unsaturated poly(ester amide)s (UPEAs) and saturated poly(ester amide)s (SPEAs) based on L-phenylalanine, aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, and aliphatic dialcohols was synthesized by solution polycondensation and characterized. These unsaturated/saturated poly(ester amide) copolymers (USPEAs) were obtained in fairly good yields with N,N-dimethylacetamide as the solvent. The molecular weights (Mn and Mw) of the USPEAs measured by GPC ranged from 15 to 60 kg/mol with a molecular weight distribution of 1.07–1.63. The chemical structures of the USPEAs were confirmed by both IR and NMR spectra. The USPEA copolymers had glass transition temperatures lower than that of pure UPEA but higher than that of pure SPEA. An increase in the unsaturated component in the USPEA copolymers led to an increase in their glass transition temperatures. The solubility of the copolymers was good in N,N-dimethylacetamide and dimethyl sulfoxide but poor in water, acetone, methanol, and ethyl acetate. The preliminary in vitro biodegradation properties of the USPEA copolymers were investigated in both pure phosphate buffered saline (PBS) buffer and α-chymotrypsin solutions. The copolymers showed significantly faster weight loss in an enzyme solution than in a pure PBS buffer. Upon the adjustment of the unsaturated-to-saturated diester monomer feed ratio, the obtained USPEA copolymers could have controlled chemical and physical properties, such as glass transition temperatures, solubility, and biodegradability, which could easily extend their applications to biomedical and pharmaceutical areas. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1595–1606, 2007
An Empirical Study of the Energy Consumption of Android Applications

Energy is a critical resource for smartphones. However, developers who create apps for these platforms lack quantitative and objective information about the behavior of apps with respect to energy consumption. In this paper, we describe the results of our source-line level energy consumption study of 405 real-world market applications. Based on our study, we discover several interesting observations. For example, we find on average apps spend 61% of their energy in idle states, network is the most energy consuming component, and only a few APIs dominate non-idle energy consumption. The results of this study provide developers with objective information about how energy is consumed by a broad sample of mobile applications and can guide them in their efforts of improving the energy efficiency of their applications.
Modeling and classifying symmetries using a multiscale opponent color representation

A new class of multiscale symmetry features provides a useful high-level representation for color texture. These symmetry features are defined within and between the bands of a color image using complex moments computed from the output of a bank of orientation and scale selective filters. We show that these features not only represent symmetry information but are also invariant to rotation, scale, and illumination conditions. The features computed between color bands are motivated by opponent process mechanisms in human vision. Experimental results are provided to show the performance of this set of features for texture classification and retrieval.
Helical Turbines for the Gulf Stream: Conceptual Approach to Design of a Large-Scale Floating Power Farm

This paper describes the helical turbine as an efficient new instrument for converting the kinetic energy of hydro streams into electric or other mechanical energy. A multi-megawatt project is proposed, conceived as an ocean power farm equipped with a number of helical turbines, along with a floating factory for in situ production of hydrogen fuel by means of electrolyzing ocean waters. Besides mega hydro-power farms, mini-power stations with helical turbines of a few kilowatts each are also proposed as possibilities for small communities or even individual households located near tidal shorelines or river banks with strong water currents. No construction of hydro dams is necessary for such applications.
Hypercorrection and rule generalization

Hypercorrection is always a function of rule generalization, though the converse does not hold. It is therefore a sociolinguistic term, not definable in purely linguistic terms. What is generalized is not necessarily the original rule of the grammar. It may be an added rule symmetrical to it. These symmetrical rules are not necessarily ‘Last rules’, for their output may undergo further non-hypercorrect rules. (Hypercorrection, sociolinguistics, phonological theory, historical phonology.)
Molecular Lubricants and Glues for Micro‐ and Nanodevices

Research advances in molecular coatings from functional polymeric and organic molecules designed as molecular lubricants or molecular glues for micro- and nanodevices are presented here, with a focus on organized molecular films from amphiphilic molecules, molecules with reactive ends and functional oligomers. The interfacial properties of molecular coatings critical for their lubrication (see Figure) or adhesive performance at the nanoscale are discussed in conjunction with results on molecular structure and morphology of these coatings. Examples of the latest developments in the field of nanocomposite molecular coatings and applications of molecular lubrication concepts for computer hard drives are presented.
Seasonal variations in moisture use in a piñon–juniper woodland

In water-limited environments of the intermountain region of North America, summer precipitation may play a role in the structure and function of aridland communities and ecosystems. This study examined the potential reliance on summer precipitation of two widespread, coexisting woody species in the southwestern United States, Pinus edulis Englmn. (Colorado pinon) and Juniperus osteosperma (Torr) Little (Utah juniper). The current distributions of P. edulis and J. osteosperma are highly suggestive of different dependencies on summer rainfall. We hypothesized that P. edulis was dependent on summer precipitation, utilizing summer precipitation even during extremely dry summers, whereas J. osteosperma was not dependent, using summer precipitation only when amounts were above some minimum threshold. Using sap flux and stable isotopic methods to assess seasonal water sources and water use efficiency, we examined the response of these two species to seasonal variations in moisture at a site located near the northern limits of the North American monsoon. Both sap flux and isotopic results indicated that P. edulis was responsive to summer rain, while J. osteosperma was not. Following summer rain events, sap flux density increased in P. edulis for several days, but not in J. osteosperma. Isotopic evidence indicated that P. edulis took up summer-derived moisture to a greater extent than J. osteosperma. Values of the natural abundance stable isotope ratio of carbon of leaf soluble carbohydrates increased over the summer for P. edulis, indicative of assimilation at higher water use efficiency, but were invariant for J. osteosperma. Our results supported the hypothesis that P. edulis and J. osteosperma are differentially sensitive to summer precipitation and are discussed in the light of potential changes in the seasonality of precipitation associated with climate change.
Expression of the Orphan Nuclear Receptor, Germ Cell Nuclear Factor, in Mouse Gonads and Preimplantation Embryos

Germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF, NR6A1) is an orphan member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and functions as a repressor of gene transcription. GCNF mRNA is expressed in postgastrulation mouse embryos and is required for normal mouse embryonic development. In adult mice, GCNF transcripts are predominantly expressed in spermatogenic cells and growing oocytes of the gonads. To extend this observation to the protein level, we generated and characterized a specific antibody against GCNF. Using this antibody we found that GCNF protein was exclusively present in postmeiotic spermatogenic cells of the testis in 21- and 56-day-old mice. In the ovary, GCNF protein was present in the cytoplasm of oocytes from primary to preovulatory follicles. GCNF protein was also present in unfertilized oocytes and preimplantation embryos. The presence of GCNF protein in adult mouse gonads indicates that GCNF may play a role during gametogenesis. Our results also show that GCNF in early embryos is a maternal protein and could be involved in the regulation of zygotic gene expression and preimplantation embryonic development. gametogenesis, ovary, spermatogenesis, steroid hormone receptors, testis
Spliceosome assembly pathways for different types of alternative splicing converge during commitment to splice site pairing in the A complex.

Differential splice site pairing establishes alternative splicing patterns resulting in the generation of multiple mRNA isoforms. This process is carried out by the spliceosome, which is activated by a series of sequential structural rearrangements of its five core snRNPs. To determine when splice sites become functionally paired, we carried out a series of kinetic trap experiments using pre-mRNAs that undergo alternative 5 splice site selection or alternative exon inclusion. We show that commitment to splice site pairing in both cases occurs in the A complex, which is characterized by the ATP-dependent association of the U2 snRNP with the branch point. Interestingly, the timing of splice site pairing is independent of the intron or exon definition modes of splice site recognition. Using the ATP analog ATPS, we showed that ATP hydrolysis is required for splice site pairing independent from U2 snRNP binding to the pre-mRNA. These results identify the A complex as the spliceosomal assembly step dedicated to splice site pairing and suggest that ATP hydrolysis locks splice sites into a splicing pattern after stable U2 snRNP association to the branch point.
Children in the Muslim Middle East

Children in the Muslim Middle East. Elizabeth Warnock Fernea. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1995.477 pp.
Six-month, prospective, longitudinal, open-label caffeine and dextromethorphan phenotyping study in children with growth hormone deficiency receiving recombinant human growth hormone replacement.

Abstract Background: Recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) is increasingly being used in children. Although growth hormone (GH) may alter the clearance of concomitantly administered medications, its effects on individual drug-metabolizing enzymes in children have not been characterized. Objective: The goal of this study was to assess the activities of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2, N -acetyltransferase 2, xanthine oxidase, and CYP2D6 in children with isolated idiopathic GH deficiency before and 3 and 6 months after initiation of r-hGH treatment. Methods: This 6-month, prospective, longitudinal, open-label phenotyping study was conducted at 4 academic tertiary care centers within the Pediatric Pharmacology Research Unit network. Prepubertal or early pubertal children (4-14 years) with short stature and isolated idiopathic GH deficiency were enrolled. Patients were given 4 ounces of a cola beverage and 0.5 mg/kg of dextromethorphan (DM) before and 3 and 6 months after initiation of r-hGH treatment. Urine was collected for 8 hours after probe substrate administration, and enzyme activity was assessed using validatedcaffeine/metaboliteandDM/metabolitemolar ratios. Patients with a DM/dextrorphan molar ratio ≥0.3 were classified as poor metabolizers, and those with a ratio Results: Fourteen patients (mean [SD] age, 11.5 [2.6] years [age range, 4.5-14.6 years]; 11 males, 3 females; 100% white; median height and weight, 131.8 cm and 29.2 kg, respectively) completed the 3 study visits. However, data from 2 patients were excluded from analysis due to procedural violations. In all patients, growth velocity and serum IGF-1 concentrations were significantly higher ( P Conclusions: In this study population of children with isolated idiopathic GH deficiency, no significant differences in caffeine/metabolite and DM/metabolite molar ratios were observed after initiation of r-hGH treatment.
Estimating prion concentration in fluids and tissues by quantitative PMCA

The misfolded form of the prion protein, PrPSc, can be quantified in a variety of tissues and fluids using a quantitative version of the popular protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) assay. Prions, the proteinaceous infectious agent responsible for prion diseases, can be detected with high sensitivity by protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) technology. Here we describe a quantitative PMCA procedure to calculate the concentration of very low levels of prions in biological samples. Using this procedure, we determined the quantities of misfolded prion protein (PrPSc) in brain, spleen, blood and urine of scrapie-affected hamsters.
The RING Finger Domain of MDM2 Is Essential for MDM2-mediated TGF-β Resistance

In this study, we attempt to gain insights into the molecular mechanism underlying MDM2-mediated TGF-β resistance. MDM2 renders cells refractory to TGF-β by overcoming a TGF-β–induced G1 cell cycle...
Type 1 Interferons Inhibit Myotube Formation Independently of Upregulation of Interferon-Stimulated Gene 15

Introduction Type 1 interferon (IFN)-inducible genes and their inducible products are upregulated in dermatomyositis muscle. Of these, IFN-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) is one of the most upregulated, suggesting its possible involvement in the pathogenesis of this disease. To test this postulate, we developed a model of type 1 IFN mediated myotube toxicity and assessed whether or not downregulation of ISG15 expression prevents this toxicity.
Restratification after Deep Convection

Abstract An important, yet poorly understood, aspect of the water mass transformation process in the ocean is the manner in which the convected fluid, once formed, is accommodated and drawn into the general circulation. Following “violent mixing” in the open ocean that creates a deep homogenous body of fluid, restratification of the surface (∼500 m) layer is observed to occur rapidly, sealing over the convection patch. Recent hydrographic casts and tomography inversions in the Gulf of Lions by Send et al., for example, show that very quickly, within a week or so of the cessation of cooling, a stratified near-surface layer develops on top of the mixed patch. This restratification occurs much more rapidly than can be accounted for by air–sea fluxes. By analytical and numerical study the authors argue that advection by geostrophic eddies spawned by the baroclinic instability of the mixed patch is likely to be a principal mechanism by which restratification occurs. A restratification timescale, τrestrat ≈ 56r...
Single magnet levitation by repulsion using a planar coil array

This paper describes the controlled levitation of a single disk magnet above an array of cylindrical coils, using electromagnetic repulsion to generate actuation forces and torques from coil currents, and an optical motion tracking system to provide realtime position and orientation measurements for feedback control. Our method is to measure the electromagnetic forces and torques generated from a single cylindrical coil current on a disk magnet as a function of their relative positions beforehand, then combine the forces and torques from multiple identical coils in a planar array to derive matrix transformations from coil currents to forces and torques, given the position of the magnet during levitation. If the transformation matrix is invertable, then the coil currents necessary to generate forces and torques for feedback control can be calculated. With our setup, proportional-derivative feedback control applied in each direction of motion is sufficient for stable magnetic levitation. Experimental results for levitation of a single magnet are given for a simplified case with 3 coils with the magnet motions partially constrained by an attachment to a ball joint, and for 5 coils with the rotation of the magnet about its vertical axis left uncontrolled to rotate freely.