cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Length Scale for Transmission of Rotations in Dense Granular Materials

Deformation of granular materials is often characterized by strain localization in the form of shear bands, which exhibit a characteristic width of about 10―20 particle diameters. Much of the relative motion of particles within a shear band is accompanied by rolling, as opposed to sliding, since the latter requires more dissipative work. However, in a densely packed assembly, rolling cannot be accomplished without some sliding. This dissipative constraint implies a characteristic rotation transmission distance, i.e., the distance to which the information about rotation of a particle propagates. Here, we use the discrete element method to investigate this length and its directional dependence as function of the force chain network. We found that the rotation transmission distance correlates with the shear band width observed in experiments and previous numerical simulations. It is strongly dependent on the particle size distribution and the coefficient of interparticle friction, and weakly dependent on pressure. Moreover, the transmission of rotations is strongly directionally dependent following the pattern of force chains. To describe this dependence, we define a nonlocal tensorial description of force chain directionality.
Deus Vult: The Geopolitics of the Catholic Church

The Catholic Church is a religious tradition with a highly centralised organisational structure which operates worldwide but that must adjust itself to and effectively operate in local and world-regional contexts that can often challenge and threaten to subvert its central doctrines, operational principles, and political compromises with secular authorities. The Church has long provided the source and model, with its base in the sacred origins of sovereignty, for a quintessentially Western statehood. In this context, I wish to raise three points for further discussion using the significant example of the Catholic Church that future research on the contemporary confluence between religion and geopolitics should address. The first is whether a church can have “geopolitics.” I answer in the affirmative with a number of arguments for doing so. The second is the idea, made in writing and in his practice by Pope Benedict, that Western civilisation is in crisis and that only a restoration of a historic Christend...
Target maneuver detection using image features

There are a number of algorithms currently available for tracking highly maneuverable targets using position measurements. A comparison of some of these algorithms using benchmark trajectories is given in a session of the 1994 American Control Conference. Dramatic increases in tracking performance (lower loss of lock rates, larger interdwell intervals, and more accurate state estimates) will likely result from novel uses of additional non-traditional sensor information. In particular, an imaging sensor provides information which can be used to increase tracking performance. In this paper, we use an imaging sensor to detect target maneuvers, which is based on monitoring changes in image features. By accurately and quickly detecting the onset and termination of maneuvers, we are able to reconfigure the tracking filter in order to increase performance. Simulations are provided to show how augmenting a traditional radar only system with an imaging sensor to detect maneuvers can improve tracking performance.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Protein factor which induces conversion between Physarum ornithine decarboxylase forms in vitro.

Abstract The rapid activity modulation of ornithine decarboxylase (L-ornithine carboxylase-lyase, EC 4.1.1.17) in Physarum polycephalum is closely correlated with a reversible post-translational modification of this enzyme. A factor has now been isolated from homogenates of exponentially-grown microplasmodia which catalyzes the conversion of the active enzyme form, A, into its less active, B state. Partial purification of this A-B converting factor has been achieved using DEAE-Sephacel chromatography and Ultrogel Aca-34 gel filtration. It appears to be a heat labile, acidic protein with a molecular weight of about 35 000 which binds to large macromolecules in crude fractions isolated using low ionic strength buffers. The in vitro converting reaction requires the presence of spermidine or spermine (1 mM) while putrescine is much less effective, and inorganic cations are ineffective at levels up to 5 mM. Enzyme conversion is reduced in elevated ionic strengths and in the presence of polyamine chelators such as ATP, ADP or GTP (1.0 mM). Under current assay conditions the interaction between ornithine decarboxylase and this factor is stoichiometric, yet it is not reversed even by conditions which favor dissociation of protein-protein interactions. This is the first report of the isolation of a protein factor which is involved in the interconversion of ornithine decarboxylase between its alternate enzyme states.
Diffusion of resonance radiation in atomic vapor imaging

Abstract The effect of resonance radiation diffusion due to radiation trapping has been studied in an atomic vapor imaging filter. Using a cesium resonance fluorescence imaging monochromator, the spatial distortions due to resonance radiation trapping by Cs atoms in the pumping/imaging region have been investigated. It was found that the spatial distortions were dependent on the number density of the Cs atoms, as well as the irradiance of the signal photons at 852.12 nm (62S1/2→62Po3/2). The pump laser (917.23 nm, 62Po3/2→62D5/2) did not influence the radiation diffusion to the same degree as the signal beam. It is shown that there is a compromise between maximum optical density and spatial resolution. The number density of the Cs resonance fluorescence imaging monochromator was optimized to obtain the highest spatial resolution and signal-to-background ratio.
A profile of amino acid and catecholamine levels during endotoxin-induced acute lung injury in sheep: searching for potential markers of the acute respiratory distress syndrome

The identification of plasma markers of the course of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is needed to improve its treatment and to further advance the development of new therapeutic agents. The status of markers of lung injury in ARDS is reviewed and some new potential markers are proposed. This study focused on plasma amino acids, related amino compounds, and catecholamine levels during the acute phase of endotoxin-induced lung injury in 8 sheep characterized by the onset of pulmonary edema caused by increased microvascular permeability. A number of significant changes from baseline values were found. During the sixth hour of a 12-hour period of endotoxin infusion, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and alanine levels increased whereas the isoleucine level decreased. During the sixth hour of the immediate postendotoxin period, the taurine level increased while the levels of arginine, citrulline, glycine, isoleucine, methionine, ornithine, serine, threonine, and tryptophan decreased. These findings are compared with prior studies in human subjects detailing the amino acid profile characteristic of advanced sepsis. We conclude that the present profile of catecholamine and amino acid changes during endotoxemia in sheep deserves further study in human subjects to determine its significance as a marker of the early stage of ARDS.
Efficient solar-to-fuels production from a hybrid microbial–water-splitting catalyst system

Photovoltaic cells have considerable potential to satisfy future renewable-energy needs, but efficient and scalable methods of storing the intermittent electricity they produce are required for the large-scale implementation of solar energy. Current solar-to-fuels storage cycles based on water splitting produce hydrogen and oxygen, which are attractive fuels in principle but confront practical limitations from the current energy infrastructure that is based on liquid fuels. In this work, we report the development of a scalable, integrated bioelectrochemical system in which the bacterium Ralstonia eutropha is used to efficiently convert CO2, along with H2 and O2 produced from water splitting, into biomass and fusel alcohols. Water-splitting catalysis was performed using catalysts that are made of earth-abundant metals and enable low overpotential water splitting. In this integrated setup, equivalent solar-to-biomass yields of up to 3.2% of the thermodynamic maximum exceed that of most terrestrial plants. Moreover, engineering of R. eutropha enabled production of the fusel alcohol isopropanol at up to 216 mg/L, the highest bioelectrochemical fuel yield yet reported by >300%. This work demonstrates that catalysts of biotic and abiotic origin can be interfaced to achieve challenging chemical energy-to-fuels transformations.
Exciton transport and nonradiative decay in semiconductor nanostructures

A phenomenological theory describing the exciton photoluminescence ~PL! kinetics in type-II superlattices is proposed herein, which takes into account both the intrinsic exciton radiative decay and nonradiative decay due to exciton trapping by interfacial defects surrounding a ‘‘disordered’’ interface. We have thus investigated the effect of system dimensionality on details of these nonradiative-decay kinetics. For effectively threedimensional and two-dimensional structures, the theory predicts a transition from strongly nonexponential to nearly exponential decay kinetics as the temperature is increased. Contrastingly, for one-dimensional structures the decay kinetics is predicted to be nonexponential at all temperatures. Using these predictions, we have applied this model to explain our observed time-resolved PL on specific short-period type-II GaAs/AlAs superlattices. These PL decays are thus explained both over a wide range of temperatures ~2‐30 K! and over an observed crossover from nonexponential to exponential behavior. The model allows us to extract a nonradiative-defect density and an average radiative-decay rate from the experimental data. @S0163-1829~98!03940-X#
The role of arachidonic acid metabolites in cardiovascular homeostasis. Biochemical, histological and clinical cardiovascular effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and their interactions with cardiovascular drugs.

Derivatives of arachidonic acid may be involved in atherosclerosis and its clinical complications. There is much interest in pharmacologically manipulating the arachidonic acid cascade as a means of preventing cardiovascular disease. The development of atherosclerosis has been intensively studied and the consequences of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular vessel occlusion are too familiar. Many factors are probably involved, but the role of plasma lipoproteins and the interactions between various constituents of blood and blood vessel walls have received particular attention. The risk of cardiovascular disease associated with high plasma concentrations of the low density lipoproteins and the possible protective effects of high density lipoproteins have been well documented. Much is now known about lipoprotein biochemistry, and the importance of controlling the quantity and quality of dietary lipids has been demonstrated in epidemiological studies. In studies of patients with transient ischaemic attacks, aspirin reduced the risk of stroke and death in males, although these benefits were not as convincingly demonstrated in women. The majority of patients were given aspirin 1300mg daily, but the optimum dosage was not properly evaluated. Administering aspirin in combination with another antiplatelet drug did not appear to offer any therapeutic advantage in these patients. Aspirin showed a positive, but non-significant trend towards reduced numbers of cardiac events, non-fatal infarcts and total mortality in patients who had experienced at least one myocardial infarction. In contrast, statistically significant beneficial effects were recorded when patients with unstable angina were administered aspirin. The risks of myocardial infarction or coronary death were reduced by 51 % in 2 large studies. Aspirin may also be of value in maintaining the patency of coronary bypass grafts. When administered in combination with dipyridamole the incidence of graft occlusions after 1 year was 11% compared with 25% in the placebo group.
Analysis of patients with longitudinal intestinal lengthening procedure referred for intestinal transplantation.

Abstract Background/Purpose: Longitudinal intestinal lengthening procedures (LILP) in patients with short gut syndrome (SGS) enhances small intestinal peristalsis and decreases bacterial overgrowth without reducing absorptive surface. Therefore, patients theoretically may be easily weaned off TPN. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of failed LILP in SGS patients referred for intestinal transplantation. Methods: Twenty-seven (11%) of 230 children with SGS and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) dependency evaluated for intestinal transplantation at our institution had undergone LILP. This was performed at a mean age of 1.7 years (range, 1 day to 14.7 years); the mean age at the time of evaluation was 3.3 years (range, 0.4 to 17 years). Two patients underwent LILP immediately after birth. The principle diagnoses producing SGS were gastroschisis (n = 8), intestinal atresia (n = 11), neonatal volvulus (n = 7) and necrotizing enterocolitis (n = 1). Before LILP, the mean length of intestine was 32 cm (range, 8 to 70 cm). Fifteen (56%) patients had jaundice at the time of evaluation. Results: All but one child were considered candidates for intestinal transplantation. The mean intestinal length achieved after LILP was 48 cm (range, 16 to 100). The mean follow-up from the date of LILP was 876 days (range, 109 to 4,109 days). After LILP, only 9 (33%) patients increased their caloric intake through the enteral route by ≥50%, and only 1 patient could be weaned off TPN. In the patients with liver dysfunction at the time of LILP, none recovered. Most of the patients had multiple episodes of sepsis after LILP. Fourteen (52%) of 27 patients underwent intestinal transplantation, 7 combined with a liver allograft because of TPN-induced end-stage liver disease. Six of the transplanted patients are alive and TPN free. Of the remaining 13 (48%) nontransplanted patients, 9 patients died. The main cause of death was TPN-induced liver failure. Three patients are on partial TPN, and only 1 patient was weaned off TPN. The presence of an ileocecal valve did not impact on outcome. Surprisingly, patients with ≥50% of colon at the time of LILP had poorer survival than those with less. Twelve (44%) of 27 patients had surgical complications, and in both patients with LILP performed in the neonatal period it failed immediately with acute complications. There were no differences in patient survival rate for patients with SGS without LILP (n = 203) and those with LILP (n = 27). Conclusion: Based on patients with unsuccessful LILP referred for intestinal transplantation, we believe this procedure should be avoided in the neonatal period, in those patients with liver dysfunction, and when intestinal length is J Pediatr Surg 36:178-183. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Sex-trait stereotypes in the self-and peer descriptions of third grade children

Previous studies have indicated that third-grade children have an appreciable knowledge of sex-trait stereotypes, that is, psychological traits which are differentially associated with men and women in our culture. The present study was designed to assess the degree to which children of this age employ sex-stereotyped traits in their descriptions of themselves and their peers. Subjects were 88 third-grade children, 44 boys and 44 girls, tested by male and female examiners. Each child was administered a self-description measure and a peer description measure, both of which were modifications of the Sex Stereotype Measure (SSM) used in earlier studies assessing children's knowledge of adult-defined stereotypes. Results indicated that both boy and girl subjects generally attributed male traits to boy peers and female traits to girl peers. Sex differences were found on the self-description measure, where girl subjects generally saw their behavior as more similar to female traits than male traits, while boys generally saw their behavior as equally similar to both. This asymmetry in the degree of stereotyping in boys' and girls' self-descriptions is discussed in terms of the relatively more “adult” (and perhaps “unnatural”) components of the male stereotype and the greater difficulty in socializing children to conform to the model which it provides.
A Microplate-Based Instrument for Resolving Fluorescence Lifetimes

We describe a microplate-based, time-resolved fluorescence (TRF) spectrometer, able to detect multiple fluorescence lifetimes with acquisition times comparable to existing steady-state plate readers. The instrument combines high-energy pulsed laser sources (10-20 kHz repetition rate, 1-3 ns pulse width) with a photomultiplier and high-speed digitizer (1 GHz) to record a complete fluorescence decay waveform after each pulse. Pulse-averaged measurements of dyes in single wells yielded lifetimes comparable in accuracy and precision to single photon counting (SPC.) Lifetimes as short as 1 ns may be resolved by interleaving with an effective sample rate of 5 GHz. In a multiple-well format (96- or 384-well plates) the response of a dye to concentration gradients was easily observed, e.g., in quenching by acrylamide. The precision was sufficient to resolve mole fractions in mixtures of single-exponential dyes with an acquisition time of 0.5 s per well. In multiple-well experiments the variation in total measured fluorescence was comparable to steady-state instruments, while the precision in lifetime was better than 2%. These features will enable rapid, multiple-well, time-resolved FRET and fluorescence quenching experiments to determine changes of structural equilibria in solution, cells, and reconstituted systems.
Ammonia adsorption on multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Electronic properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes are investigated with electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy in light of their application as chemosensors. The nanotubes were exposed to ammonia both before and after an oxidative purification procedure. Ammonia exposure affects most strongly the resonance stemming from conduction electrons at ambient temperature, and that from intrinsic defects at 5 K. The strong interaction with ammonia even at ambient temperature holds promise for use of multi-walled carbon nanotubes as chemosensors, as also shown in other work. The ESR technique provides a simple method to investigate the potential of a sensor material in bulk.
Rattlesnake Rattles and Burrowing Owl Hisses: A Case of Acoustic Batesian Mimicry

Burrowing owls nest and roost in ground squirrel burrows, a refuge frequently used by rattlesnakes. When cornered, burrowing owls produce a vocal hiss that has been suggested to mimic a rattlesnake's rattle. To test this hypothesis, we conducted an experiment using two populations of Douglas ground squirrels that differ in their evolutionary histories with rattlesnakes. Both squirrel populations were sympatric with burrowing owls. Squirrels from a population subjected to natural selection by rattlesnakes treated the owl hiss as cautiously as they did the rattle, and responded with greater caution to the rattle and hiss than to two control sounds. Squirrels from a rattlesnake-free area, however, were less systematic in differentiating among the rattle, the hiss, and the control treatments. Such variation between ground-squirrel populations provides evidence that the burrowing owl's defensive hiss currently functions as an acoustic Batesian mimic of a rattlesnake's rattle.
609. Acute-Phase Toxicity Following Systemic Administration of Non-Human Primate Derived Adenoviral Vectors to Mice

Top of pageAbstract Non human primate (NHP) derived adenoviral vectors are currently being pursed as candidate vectors for vaccination in individuals with prior exposure to human adenoviruses. In the present study we monitored toxicity at different times following high dose systemic administration of NHP adenoviruses (AdC6, AdC7 and AdC9) to C57BL/6 mice. Vector administrations were usually accompanied by a transient leukopenia and thrombocytopenia that resolved by day 14. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of various tissues indicated presence of infiltrates primarily in the liver. In addition, serum alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) levels were elevated. However, vectors could be detected in a variety of tissues including liver, spleen, lung and bone marrow. Pro-inflammatory cytokines |[ndash]| notably IFN-|[alpha]|, IL-6, TNF-|[alpha]| and KC |[ndash]| were elevated within 2 hrs of vector administration and started to decline to baseline levels by 24 hrs. The profile and magnitude of cytokines induced by the NHP adenoviruses were different when compared to human Ad5. In particular, the levels of IL-6, TNF-|[alpha]| and IFN-|[alpha]| were substantially higher with NHP adenoviruses than with human Ad5. The increased activation of innate immunity observed with the NHP adenoviruses in mice was studied in vitro with two different types of human dendritic cells, monocytoid and plasmacytoid. In each case, the NHP adenoviruses resulted in increased production of inflammatory cytokines as compared to what was seen with human Ad5. Additional studies were performed in knockout mice (MyD88 KO and type I interferon receptor KO) to better understand the mechanisms that lead to the brisk activation of innate immunity with NHP adenoviruses. These studies suggest that NHP adenoviruses initiate an autocatalytic type I interferon response that augments the secretion of TNF-|[alpha]| and IL-6. The cellular receptors and signaling pathways responsible for these effects are under investigation.
Hypothalamic Tuberculoma Associated with Secondary Panhypopituitarism

Tuberculosis of the central nervous system remains quite rare in developed countries, accounting for only 0.53% of cases of tuberculosis in the United States. The most common form of intracranial tuberculosis is tuberculous meningitis; however, involvement may also take the form of a solid granulomatous mass (tuberculoma), which accounts for 15% to 30% of the neurosurgical cases in developing countries. An unusual case of a hypothalamic tuberculoma is presented in a man, who initially presented with signs and symptoms consistent with panhypopituitarism. Brain biopsy on two occasions confirmed caseating granuloma, and treatment with several antituberculous medications led to clinical improvement and radiographic resolution of the disease.
Effects of arsenic n/sup +/ contact implants on memory switching in vertical polycrystalline silicon resistors

The effects of arsenic implants, which form the lower and the upper n/sup +/ contact regions of the vertical polycrystalline silicon resistor, on memory switching have been investigated. It is shown that switching in devices without the lower n/sup +/ contact is initiated due to Joule heating, whereas in devices without the upper n/sup +/ contact, it is electronic in nature. These resistors are suitable for applications in high density 'fuse-programmable' memory technology. >
Characterizing high-velocity angular vestibulo-ocular reflex function in service members post-blast exposure

Blasts (explosions) are the most common mechanism of injury in modern warfare. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and dizziness are common sequelae associated with blasts, and many service members (SMs) report symptoms worsen with activity. The purpose of this study was to measure angular vestibulo-ocular reflex gain (aVOR) of blast-exposed SMs with TBI during head impulse testing. We also assessed their symptoms during exertion. Twenty-four SMs recovering from TBI were prospectively assigned to one of two groups based on the presence or absence of dizziness. Wireless monocular scleral search coil and rate sensor were used to characterize active and passive yaw and pitch head and eye rotations. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to monitor symptoms during fast walking/running. For active yaw head impulses, aVOR gains were significantly lower in the symptomatic group (0.79 ± 0.15) versus asymptomatic (0.87 ± 0.18), but not for passive head rotation. For pitch head rotation, the symptomatic group had both active (0.915 ± 0.24) and passive (0.878 ± 0.22) aVOR gains lower than the asymptomatic group (active 1.03 ± 0.27, passive 0.97 ± 0.23). Some SMs had elevated aVOR gain. VAS scores for all symptoms were highest during exertion. Our data suggest symptomatic SMs with TBI as a result of blast have varied aVOR gain during high-velocity head impulses and provide compelling evidence of pathology affecting the vestibular system. Potential loci of injury in this population include the following: disruption of pathways relaying vestibular efference signals, differential destruction of type I vestibular hair cells, or selective damage to irregular afferent pathways—any of which may explain the common discrepancy between reports of vestibular-like symptoms and laboratory testing results. Significantly reduced pitch aVOR in symptomatic SMs and peak symptom severity during exertional testing support earlier findings in the chronic blast-exposed active duty SMs.
Disseminated juvenile xanthogranulomatosis in a newborn resulting in liver transplantation

Juvenile xanthogranuloma is a histiocytic tumor that usually appears at birth or during the first year of life. Although most patients have solitary lesions, some have multiple cutaneous lesions, associated visceral lesions, or both. Although juvenile xanthogranulomas are usually confined to the skin; visceral involvement does occur in a small subset of patients and can be life threatening. We describe a newborn girl initially described as a "blueberry muffin baby" with multiple juvenile xanthogranulomas of the skin and liver that were complicated by progressive cholestasis and portal hypertension necessitating a liver transplantation.
An experimental analysis of visual screening and DRO for stereotyped behavior in young children with developmental disabilities

Visual screening and differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) were compared for the treatment of stereotyped behavior in four preschoolers with developmental disabilities. Combinations of single subject experimental designs were used to study effects on target and concurrent behaviors. Treatment sessions were conducted under structured work and unstructured play conditions in two preschool classes. Visual screening was found to be an effective and practical response reduction procedure. DRO also reduced stereotyped behavior, but only visual screening achieved clinically significant reductions. As far as concurrent effects were concerned, on-task behavior generally increased when stereotyped behavior decreased; it reached highest levels during visual screening sessions. At the beginning of visual screening, transitory negative side effects emerged in two subjects who showed an increase in disruptive behavior. The therapist who implemented all treatments stated that it was possible for a skilled teacher to conduct visual screening andlor DRO programs while controlling a small group of children and taking care of other teaching responsibilities at the same time.
The School Administrator as Change Agent: Skills for the Future:

Change is a vital component of any system that grows and develops. Change in education is also necessary and must be guided by a competent change agent—the school administra tor who must have the skills to guide change for the benefit of the school.
Polymer semiconductors: a fast mover with a bright spark.

The combination of high-mobility charge transport and efficient luminescence in one material has so far proved elusive in semiconducting polymers. Varying the side groups on a single polymer can improve both properties simultaneously.
Therapy of mycosis fungoides with topically applied fluocinolone acetonide under occlusive dressing

The effects of topical fluocinolone therapy on the lesions of mycosis fungoides were evaluated in 6 patients. Concentrations of fluocinolone 0.01 to 0.2% beneath occlusive plastic film were used. Pre- and post-treatment histological studies were carried out. Treatment was effective in modifying lesions both clinically and microscopically. The degree of improvement appeared proportionately related to the concentration used. No serious side effects were observed. Improvement was noted for as long as 9 months when therapy was continued.
Cues versus proximate drivers: testing the mechanism behind masting behavior

Masting, the intermittent and synchronized production of seeds, is a common and important phenomenon throughout the plant kingdom. Surprisingly, the proximate mechanisms by which populations of masting plants synchronize their seed sets have been relatively unexplored. We examined how temperature influences the acorn crop of the valley oak Quercus lobata, a masting species common in California, USA, over 33 years in order to assess whether temperature acts directly on acorn crop as a cue or whether it acts instead through intermediate steps indicative of a direct mechanistic connection to acorn production. Compared to several alternatives, the difference in temperature during the spring flowering period over the prior two years (Δt) was a good predictor of annual acorn crop in valley oak, as proposed recently by Kelly et al. Significantly, Δt correlates positively with temperatures the previous April, a likely driver of pollination success in valley oak, and negatively with the previous year's acorn crop, which is in turn negatively correlated with the current year's acorn crop, presumably due to resource limitation. Thus, the success of Δt is not as a cue but rather explained by its close relationship to the proximate drivers that have a direct, mechanistic relationship with acorn crop size.
Endoscopic endonasal approach to the infraorbital nerve with nasolacrimal duct preservation.

Objectives Infraorbital nerve (ION) decompression, excision to remove intrinsic tumors, and resection with oncological margins in malignancies with perineural invasion or dissemination are usually accomplished with an open approach. The objective is to describe the surgical anatomy, technique, and indications of the endonasal endoscopic approach (EEA) to the ION with nasolacrimal duct preservation. Design Eleven sides of formalin-fixed specimens were dissected. An anterior maxillary antrostomy was performed. The length of the ION prominence within the sinus and anatomic features of the covering bone were studied. A 45-degree endoscope visualized the infraorbital prominence endonasally. An angled dissector and dural blade allowed for dissection and resection of the ION ipsilaterally and contralaterally. Results The bone features of the ION prominence allowed for ipsilateral dissection in 10 out of 11 sides. In one case with the ION surrounded by thick cortical bone, the dissection could only be started by drilling contralaterally. The 45-degree endoscope visualized 92.2% and 100% of the length of the nerve using the ipsilateral and contralateral nostrils, respectively. Ipsilaterally, 83% of its length was resected, and 96.3% was resected contralaterally. Conclusion The ION can be approached using an ipsilateral EEA with nasolacrimal duct preservation in most cases. The contralateral approach provides a wider angle to access the ION. This technique is primarily indicated in cases where the EEA can be used for tumor resection and oncological margins within the ION.
An in vitro dynamic evaluation of prophylactic knee braces during lateral impact loading

To determine the ability of prophylactic knee braces to reduce or limit medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligament elongation under dynamic loading conditions, we used cadaveric specimens that had a surrogate soft tissue material that matched the tissue compliance of in vivo contracted muscles. Eight cadaveric specimens were fitted with four prophylactic knee braces and instrumented with Hall Effect Strain Transducers on both the medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligament. Each specimen was mounted in a testing frame while a lateral impact was applied to the knee joint by a pendulum at levels below the injury threshold. Legs were tested at 0 degrees and 30 degrees of knee flexion, both with and without an intact anterior cruciate ligament. The maximum elongation for each ligament was calculated as a percentage of the initial measured length. The addition of a prophylactic knee brace significantly reduced the level of impact force at the point of impact, but this did not result in a significant reduction of anterior cruciate ligament elongation for any test. Although not significant, all braces tested were more effective at reducing medial collateral ligament elongation during a lateral impact with the knee flexion at 30 degrees than at 0 degrees.
Moyers receives Edward A. Flinn III Award: Citation

Jarvis L. Moyers received the Edward A. Flinn III Award posthumously at the 2011 AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 7 December 2011 in San Francisco, Calif. The award honors “individuals who personify the Union's motto ‘unselfish cooperation in research’ through their facilitating, coordinating, and implementing activities.”
OpenCL Performance Evaluation on Modern Multi Core CPUs

Utilizing heterogeneous platforms for computation has become a general trend making the portability issue important. OpenCL (Open Computing Language) serves the purpose by enabling portable execution on heterogeneous architectures. However, unpredictable performance variation on different platforms has become a burden for programmers who write OpenCL programs. This is especially true for conventional multicore CPUs, since the performance of general OpenCL applications on CPUs lags behind the performance expected by the programmer considering the conventional parallel programming model. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of OpenCL programs on out-of-order multicore CPUs from the architectural perspective. We evaluate OpenCL programs on various aspects, including scheduling overhead, instruction-level parallelism, address space, data location, locality, and vectorization, comparing OpenCL to conventional parallel programming models for CPUs. Our evaluation indicates different performance characteristic of OpenCL programs and also provides insight into the optimization metrics for better performance on CPUs.
Risk attitudes and mitigation among gold miners and others in the Suriname rainforest

This article analyses the question: do attitudes towards risk influence participation in small-scale gold mining, a hazardous activity that generates uncertain income? This question is examined by measuring and comparing the risk attitudes of gold miners and non-mining community members in the rainforest of Suriname, South America. The author presents a multivariate model to predict the duration of work in mining areas as a function of risk tolerance, age, education, and household demographics. The results suggest that a greater tolerance to risk increases the duration of a person's mining career. However, attitudes explain only a fraction of the variation in occupational choices. Qualitative data suggest that these choices are primarily shaped by local barriers to human capital development and by national economic volatility. Given their marginal position in society and the multitude of mining risk mitigation strategies, it is questionable whether gold mining exposes Suriname forest peoples to greater risks than other subsistence alternatives. The author argues that sensitivity to local historical and cultural conditions would improve the efficiency of policies aimed at developing a more sustainable mining industry. By zooming in on the daily lives of miners, anthropology can complement macro-scale analyses and contribute to policy interventions in the small-scale mining sector.
Learning Across Senses: Cross-Modal Effects in Multisensory Statistical Learning

It is currently unknown whether statistical learning is supported by modality-general or modality-specific mechanisms. One issue within this debate concerns the independence of learning in one modality from learning in other modalities. In the present study, the authors examined the extent to which statistical learning across modalities is independent by simultaneously presenting learners with auditory and visual streams. After establishing baseline rates of learning for each stream independently, they systematically varied the amount of audiovisual correspondence across 3 experiments. They found that learners were able to segment both streams successfully only when the boundaries of the audio and visual triplets were in alignment. This pattern of results suggests that learners are able to extract multiple statistical regularities across modalities provided that there is some degree of cross-modal coherence. They discuss the implications of their results in light of recent claims that multisensory statistical learning is guided by modality-independent mechanisms.
Biology of Dendritic Cells in Aging

Dendritic cells are central to the generation of both immunity and tolerance. This review focuses on the alterations in the functions of dendritic cells in aged and its consequences on both tolerance and immunity. We have discussed certain mechanisms responsible for the defective dendritic cell function associated with aging.
Maternal Depression and Family Media Use: A Questionnaire and Diary Analysis

We describe the association between postpartum depression and the quantity and content of infant media use. Households with depressed mothers viewed twice as much television as households with non-depressed mothers did, and depressed mothers appeared to derive comparatively greater pleasure from television viewing. Maternal depression was associated with an increased exposure to child-directed content by 6–9-month-old infants, although it was not associated with an increased exposure to adult-directed programming. Depressed mothers also reported being less likely to sit and talk with their children during television use or to consult outside sources of information about media. This increase in television exposure without corresponding parental involvement could negatively affect developmental outcomes.
Electrostatic effects on pressure drop in tube flows

Abstract Electrohydrodynamic effects on forced convection in tubes may have significant implications for enhancement of heat exchanger performance in heat pumps and other devices. Of particular concern in such applications is the possibility of increased pressure drop associated with electrostatic discharge. Large frictional losses could substantially increase the required pumping power, offsetting performance gains associated with improved heat transfer rates. This articles describes a series of experiments designed to determine the effects of corona discharge on pressure fields for air flow in cylindrical tubes. Experiments were performed with a single concentric electrode in the tube and with two nonconcentric electrodes. Measurements were performed at potentials from the onset of measurable current to near the spark-over point and at Reynolds numbers from 103 to 2 × 104. Friction factors were seen to increase as much as 250 percent over the values obtained in the absence of an applied electric field. Results suggest that the electrostatic effect on pressure drop is very sensitive to current density, Reynolds number, and electrode configuration.
Designing the workstation for the immediate future.

Although much attention is being given to the design of the anesthesia workstation of the next century, significant opportunities exist to improve current systems. There have been sufficient technological advances that enable immediate improvement on current techniques and methodologies. As this team realized, much can be done to improve the workstation of the immediate future.
Recommendations for postexposure prophylaxis of operating room personnel and patients exposed to bloodborne diseases.

The purpose of this collective review is to discuss management of operating room personnel who have had occupational exposure to blood and other body fluids that might contain hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I). HBV postexposure prophylaxis includes starting hepatitis B vaccine series in any susceptible unvaccinated operating room personnel who sustain an exposure to blood or body fluid during surgery. Postexposure prophylaxis with hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) is an important consideration after determining the hepatitis B antigen status of the patient. Ideally, all operating room personnel should be vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine before they pursue their career in surgery. Immune globulin and antiviral agents (e.g., interferon with or without ribavirin) should not be used for postexposure prophylaxis of operating room personnel exposed to patients with HCV; rather, follow-up HCV testing should be initiated to determine if infection develops. Postexposure prophylaxis for HIV involves a basic four-week regimen of two drugs (zidovudine and lamivudine; lamivudine and stavudine; or didanosine and stavudine) for most exposures. An expanded regimen that includes a third drug must be considered for HIV exposures that pose an increased risk for transmission. When developing a postexposure prophylaxis regimen, it is helpful to contact the National Clinicians' Postexposure Prophylaxis Hotline (1-888-448-4911).
Determining the Oviposition Rhythm of Phanerotoma flavitestacea, an Egg-Larval Parasite

A convenient method of learning the daily oviposition cycle of the egg-larval parasite Phanerotoma flavitestacea Fischer has been devised using a hygrothermograph cylinder and turntable on which the host eggs are exposed. The parasite lays most of its eggs between 1800 and 0500 hours. Construction of the apparatus is explained.
Vaginal microbicides save money: a model of cost-effectiveness in South Africa and the USA.

Objective To determine the hypothetical cost-effectiveness of vaginal microbicides preventing male to female HIV transmission. Methods A mathematical epidemiological and cost-effectiveness model using data from South Africa and the USA was used. The prospective 1-year-long intervention targeted a general population of women in a city of 1 000 000 inhabitants in two very different epidemiological settings, South Africa with a male HIV prevalence of 18.80% and the USA with a male HIV prevalence of 0.72%. The base case scenario assumes a microbicide effective at 55%, used in 30% of sexual episodes at a retail price for the public sector in South Africa of US$0.51 per use and in the USA of US$2.23 per use. Results In South Africa, over 1 year, the intervention would prevent 1908 infections, save US$6712 per infection averted as compared with antiretroviral treatment. In the USA, it would be more costly: over 1 year, the intervention would prevent 21 infections, amounting to a net cost per infection averted of US$405 077. However, in the setting of Washington DC, with a higher HIV prevalence, the same intervention would prevent 93 infections and save US$91 176 per infection averted. Sensitivity analyses were conducted and even a microbicide with a low effectiveness of 30% would still save healthcare costs in South Africa. Conclusions A microbicide intervention is likely to be very cost-effective in a country undergoing a high-level generalised epidemic such as South Africa, but is unlikely to be cost-effective in a developed country presenting epidemiological features similar to the USA unless the male HIV prevalence exceeds 2.4%.
Current Surgical Management of Intestinal Metastases

Malignant tumors of the small bowel account for less than 10% of all gastrointestinal neoplasms. The majority of these tumors are secondary neoplasms metastatic from either an intra- or extra-abdominal site. Symptoms related to these tumors include bleeding, obstruction, and perforation, although the great majority of these metastases remain asymptomatic and are only discovered at autopsy. Outcomes remain poor and most interventions are palliative. We review the current surgical recommendations for management of this challenging clinical scenario.
Diagnostic accuracy of dipyridamole technetium 99m-labeled sestamibi myocardial tomography for detection of coronary artery disease

Abstract Background. The diagnostic accuracy of exercise 99mTc-labeled sestamibi and intravenous dipyridamole 201T1-labeled myocardial tomography is established. The accuracy of dipyridamole stress 99mTc-labeled sestamibi myocardial tomography for the detection of coronary artery disease has not been reported. Methods and Results. Our purpose was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of same-day, rest-dipyridamole stress 99mTc-labeled sestamibi myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) compared with coronary angiography. Two hundred forty-four patients who were unable to exercise adequately underwent both dipyridamole 99mTc-labeled sestamibi SPECT and coronary angiography within 6 months. Dipyridamole was administered intravenously in a standard dose of 0.56 mg/kg for 4 minutes. Cardiac and noncardiac side effects were recorded. The presence of coronary stenoses of 50% or greater diameter reduction in each of the major coronary arteries was compared with imaging data in corresponding myocardial perfusion beds. The patient population was predominately (98.8%) male with a mean age of 63 ± 9 years (range 33 to 83 years). The majority of patients had stable angina (88%). Eighty-four patients (35%) gave a prior history of myocardial infarction; 44 patients (18%) had a history of congestire heart failure. The principal limitation to exercise stress was peripheral vascular disease in 62 patients (26%). No serious side effects occurred during dipyridamole stress; 14% of patients had chest pain and 8% of patients had 1 mm or greater ST segment depression. Of the 204 patients with documented coronary stenoses, 43 (21%) had single-vessel disease and 161 (79%) had multivessel disease. The sensitivity was 93% ( 40 43 in patients with single-vessel disease) and 91% ( 146 161 in patients with multivessel disease). Overall sensitivity was 91%. The specificity was 28% ( 11 40 ) in this population with a high prestest probability of coronary artery disease and posttest referral for cardiac catheterization. Conclusion. 99mTc-labeled sestamibi myocardial tomography in conjunction with intravenous dipyridamole stress is a safe and sensitive method for the detection of coronary artery disease. The diagnostic accuracy of dipyridamole stress 99mTc-labeled sestamibi SPECT for the detection of coronary artery disease is similar to that reported for exercise stress 99mTc-labeled sestamibi tomography, making this a suitable alternative for the evaluation of patients who are unable to exercise adequately.
Fracture mechanics of delamination in ARALL laminates

Abstract Fracture mechanics of delamination in ARALL laminates is examined by using a finite element method employing special singular elements. Since these special elements contain the exact stress singularity, the delamination stress intensity factors and energy release rates can be evaluated conveniently. Solution convergence is studied to demonstrate the efficiency of this method. To ensure the validity of the result, the numerical prediction is compared with experimental results. Very good agreement is obtained.