cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Teeth located in the line of mandibular fracture

During the last decade, rigid internal fixation with mini plates and screws has attained widespread use for stabilization of facial bone fractures. This technique permits precise, three-dimensional stabilization of bony segments, decreases the time required for immobilization of the maxillo-masticatory apparatus, and allows patients to return to their preinjury state earlier. However, there is still controversy on the appropriate management of teeth located within the line of mandibular fractures. We review the outcome of teeth retained within the fracture. We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients admitted to the University of California, Davis, Medical Center with mandibular fractures from July 1, 1986, to June 30, 1991, who had retained at least 1 tooth and had had a 3-month follow-up. We were able to include a total of 254 patients who met these criteria. These patients were then divided into groups according to location of the fracture, method of stabilization, and management of dentition within the line of fracture. Data were then analyzed using a linear model to predict the percentages of success for each method of fixation. In conclusion, we found little difference in the outcome of fracture management whether the teeth were routinely extracted or retained as long as rigid fixation was employed for stabilization of the fracture segments.
Numerical study of a three-dimensional generalized stadium billiard

We study a generalized three-dimensional stadium billiard and present strong numerical evidence that this system is completely chaotic. In this convex billiard chaos is generated by the defocusing mechanism. The construction of this billiard uses cylindrical components as the focusing elements and thereby differs from the recent approach pioneered by Bunimovich and Rehacek [Commun. Math. Phys. 189, 729 (1997)]. We investigate the stability of lower-dimensional invariant manifolds and discuss bouncing ball modes. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
The influence of dietary cholesterol and fat on the homeostasis of cholesterol metabolism in early life in the rat.

Summary: Evidence has accumulated suggesting that exposure to dietary cholesterol during early developmental stages activates biochemical mechanisms that regulate cholesterol homeostasis in adult life. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were fed control or 1% cholesterol [high cholesterol-high fat (HC-HF) liquid diet during gestation, and with the same diet, offsprings were challenged at maturit 3-Hyroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase activity declined by 76%, and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity increased by 200%. Microsomal and serum cholesterol accumulation also increased significantly. Exposure to HC-HF diet during suckling and continued exposure with the same diet postweaning resulted in 52% decline in 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase and 280% increase in 7α-hydroxylase activity. Serum cholesterol level is not affected although microsomal cholesterol accumulation and the ratio of hepatic to serum cholesterol increased significantly in the experimental group when compared to the nonchallenged group. Rats exposed to HC-HF diet during lactation alone or during gestation and lactation and then challenged demonstrated enzymatic changes of similar magnitude. Serum and microsomal cholesterol levels also increased significantly by 126 and 1509%, respectively. The activity of the HMGCoA reductase system appears to be more sensitive to modulation by diet during gestation than during lactation. However. 7α-hydroxylase activity is susceptible to dietary manipulation with HC-HF diet only during lactation. Speculation: Low 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase and high cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activities in animals exposed to high cholesterol-high fat diet during gestation and challenged with the same diet at maturity supports the hypothesis that diet during early life influences the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis in adults. Furthermore, our results also suggest that significant alteration of 7α-hydroxylase activity during lactation, but not during gestation, may be due to late development of the bile acid-metabolizing system during gestation in rats as is known to occur in humans.
Magnetic information in the light diffracted by a negative dot array of Fe

We have investigated the magnetic properties of an array of holes in an Fe film using the magneto-optic Kerr effect. We develop the theory of diffraction from an array to include magneto-optic effects. The theory allows us to interpret the differences in the magnetic loops observed on the reflected beam and those observed on diffracted spots. The latter contain more detailed information on the magnetic structure in the vicinity of the holes and allow us to infer differences in the switching mechanism for fields applied along the easy and hard axes.
Low temperature internal friction in monocrystalline lithium fluoride

Abstract The effect of room temperature plastic deformation upon the internal friction of monocrystalline bars of LiF was measured over the temperature range 20–273°K at 6 and 40 kc/s at about 1 × 10 −7 strain amplitude, Slight deformation increased the over-all internal friction and gave rise to a well defined peak at about, 72°K at 40 kc/s. Further deformation up to 5 per cent increased the height of this peak and caused the appearance of a second peak at about 160°K. Aging appeared to lower the height of the 160°K peak more rapidly than that of the lower peak, while complete annealing at 650°C removed both peaks. From the variations of the peak temperature with frequency, activation energies of approximately 0.15 eV and 0.4 eV were calculated for the 72°K peak and the 160°K peak, respectively. The present results for the 72°K peak show similarities to the Bordoni peak for copper. However in contrast to the observations in copper there is some evidence that the peak temperature is strongly dependent upon the concentration of impurity, and this implies that the activation energy varies with impurity concentration.
High-thrust and low-power operation of a 30-cm-diameter mercury ion thruster

An investigation of a 30-cm-diameter mercury ion thruster designed for high-thrust and low-power operation is described. Experimental results are presented which indicate that good performance and long lifetime are achieved by using a boundary magnetic field arrangement to confine the ionizing electrons. Details of advanced ion-optics designs are discussed, and performance measurements obtained with an advanced two-grid ion-optics assembly are presented. Scaling of the state-of-the-art hollow cathode for higher emission-current capability is described, and performance and lifetime measurements are presented for the scaled cathode.
Aptamer-Conjugated Nanoparticles for Cancer Cell Detection

Aptamer-conjugated nanoparticles (ACNPs) have been used for a variety of applications, particularly dual nanoparticles for magnetic extraction and fluorescent labeling. In this type of assay, silica-coated magnetic and fluorophore-doped silica nanoparticles are conjugated to highly selective aptamers to detect and extract targeted cells in a variety of matrixes. However, considerable improvements are required in order to increase the selectivity and sensitivity of this two-particle assay to be useful in a clinical setting. To accomplish this, several parameters were investigated, including nanoparticle size, conjugation chemistry, use of multiple aptamer sequences on the nanoparticles, and use of multiple nanoparticles with different aptamer sequences. After identifying the best-performing elements, the improvements made to this assay’s conditional parameters were combined to illustrate the overall enhanced sensitivity and selectivity of the two-particle assay using an innovative multiple aptamer approach...
Depletion of cystine in cystinotic fibroblasts by drugs enclosed in liposomes.

Summary and degradable by lysosomal enzymes after their uptake by phagocytic cells. Lysosomally compartmentalized cystine can be removed from cystinotic cells by the use of reducing agents. In further investigation of means for converting cystine to a form or forms cystinosis is a recessive, autosomally inherited disease, the capable of penetrating the l~sosomal membrane, a number of fundamental cause of which remains unknown. There is an chemical agents either enclosed in phospholipid vesicles (li~o- accumulation of cystine in lysosomes, with particularly heavy wmes) or free in solution were presented to c~stinotic cells in concentrations in actively endocytic or phagocytic tissues such tissue culture. After a 2-hr incubation, cystine content of as kidney, liver, spleen, and white blood cells (25-27). These cultured cystinotic cells was generally reduced more effectively elevated cystine concentrations are apparently toxic to certain by such agents in liposomes than in the medium. The most cellular functions. During the first few years of life, the principal effective combination was cysteamine (MEA) in liposomes: a effects of abnormal cystine storage are growth retardation, 0-5 mM dose of MEA rduced the cystine content of cystinotic photophobia, hypothyroidism, and, most importantly, the renal cells 86% more when enclosed in liposomes than when dissolved Fanconi syndrome with subsequent renal failure (classic nephroat the equivalent dose in the medium. This observation could phathic cystinosis) (24). Adolescent onset and benign adult not be repeated when serum was omitted from the incubation cystinosis also shows intracellular accumulation of cystine but medium, indicating that serum binds or otherwise inactivates generally of lesser magnitude, with clinical symptoms correcystearnine and that the li~some-en~losed cystearnine is Pro- spondingly less severe or absent altogether. The existence of tected from this action. Other liposome-entra~~ed com~ounds these variant forms of cystinosis suggests that a partial reduction tested showed little if any depletion of intracellular cystine of intracellular cystine content in the nephropathic cystinotic beyond that caused by non-liposome-enciosed drug action. Some patient might therefore prove to be of clinical value. agents increased the intracellular cystine content. Others of low Cystine can be removed from cystinotic fibroblasts by agents molecular weight proved to be poorly retained by li~osomes, a such as MEA, cystamine, DTT, and vitamin C (4, 7, 11, 15, factor which may have been responsible for their relative 32). The first three compounds have known toxicity in vivo (13). ineffectiveness. Cysteamine, which is positively charged at neU- we have explored the action of these and other compounds on tral pH, was retained effectively when enclosed in "negative" cystinotic cells in tissue culture and the distribution of liposomes made by inclusion of phosphatidic acid in the lipid [35slcysteamine in normal mice, the free drug to its
Aerobic slurry reactor treatment of phenanthrene contaminated sediment

Abstract Studies were conducted to evaluate the bioremediation of 14 C-phenanthrene contaminated sediments under simulated in-place slurry reactor conditions. This included experiments investigating the rate of oxygen demand exerted by the sediments, the rate and extent of phenanthrene release under slurry conditions, and the fate of phenanthrene in an aerated slurry bioreactor. Experiments were conducted with estuarine sediments collected from Dickinson Bayou (near Houston, Texas, U.S.A.). Procedures were employed to minimize exposure of sediments to oxygen during handling and aging with 14 C-phenanthrene. The sediment oxygen demand (SOD) was determined to be 250 mg/kg O 2 —principally due to the presence of acid volatile sulfides. Under slurry conditions, rapid partitioning of phenanthrene was observed. In mixed bioreactors operated for 7 days, complete phenanthrene disappearance was observed, although volatilization losses were significant. Results of these studies provide useful information into the operation of slurry reactor systems and potential methods of enhancing system performance.
Three-dimensional reconstruction from planar projections

The technique of direct three-dimensional reconstruction from planar projections is analyzed from a linear system viewpoint. It is found that unfiltered back projection and summation of the one-dimensional planar projections gives a point-spread function that behaves like 1/r in three-dimensional space. Thus an analogy between this reconstruction problem and the familiar electrostatic problem is set up. To correct the 1/r blurring, a Laplacian operation on the unfiltered summation image is required. Another method for reconstruction is to perform a second derivative operation on the one-dimensional planar projection set before the back projection. For spherically symmetric objects, this algorithm reduces to the Vest–Steel formula. The advantages of this reconstruction scheme as compard with reconstruction from line projections are also discussed.
Voluntarily changing step length or step width affects dynamic stability of human walking

Changes in step width (SW), step length (SL), and/or the variability of these parameters have been prospectively related to risk of falling. However, it is unknown how voluntary changes in SW and SL directly alter variability and/or dynamic stability of walking. Here, we quantified how variability and dynamic stability of human walking changed when individuals voluntarily manipulated SW and SL. 14 unimpaired, young adults walked on a treadmill at their preferred walking speed with normal gait, with a metronome and with narrower, wider, shorter and longer steps than normal. Taking narrower steps caused increased SL variability while mediolateral (ML) movements of the C7 vertebra (i.e., trunk) became locally more stable (p<0.05) and anterior-posterior (AP) C7 movements became locally less stable (p<0.05). Taking wider steps caused increased SW and SL variability, while ML C7 movements became both locally and orbitally less stable (p<0.05). Any change in SL caused increased SW, SL, and stride time variability. When taking shorter steps, ML C7 movements exhibited greater short-term local and orbital instability, while AP C7 movements exhibited decreased short-term and long-term local instability (p<0.05). When taking longer steps, AP, ML, and vertical C7 movements all exhibited increased long-term local instability and increased orbital instability (p<0.05). Correlations between mean SW, SL and dynamic stability of C7 marker motions were weak. However, short-term voluntary changes in SW and SL did significantly alter local and orbital stability of trunk motions.
Regime Maintenance, Solution Sets, and Urban Economic Development:

Through a case study of economic development projects in Detroit, the author examines the influence of time and information constraints, policy entrepreneurs, and regime maintenance concerns in promoting policy replication and the development of solution sets. Detroit's experience suggests that political and symbolic benefits shape the decisions of policymakers concerned with preserving an existing governing coalition but that their reliance on past solution sets may weaken the position of this coalition.
Employment Social Skills What Skills Are Really Valued

Although social skills have long been recognized as essential in promoting employees’ employability (e.g., maintaining employment), there has been little research about work-related social skills f...
On the mechanism of resonant infrared polymer ablation: the case of polystyrene

We investigate the fundamental mechanisms of resonant-infrared laser ablation of polymers using polystyrene as a model material. Time-resolved plume shadowgraphy coupled with laser-induced temperature-rise calculations indicate that spinodal decomposition of a superheated surface layer is the primary mechanism for the initial stages of material removal. The majority of the ablated material is then released by way of recoil-induced ejection of liquid which proceeds for some tens of microseconds following a ~μs laser pulse excitation. The recoil-induced ejection of liquid material as the dominant ablation mechanism helps to explain previous observations of laser deposition of intact polymeric material.
Excited Energy States in Poly(P-Phenylenevinylene)

Abstract We have studied electronic excited states in films of poly(p-phenylene vinylene) using picosecond transient and steady state (cw) photoinduced absorption (PA) and photoluminescence (PL) as well as their excitation spectra (ES). The ps transient PA spectrum consists of two PA bands both with the same transient dynamics, one band peaks at ∼0.5 eV and the other peaks at 1.7 eV; neither of them can be related to the cw PA bands. Since the transient PL decay is correlated with the transient decay of both PA bands up to 200 ps, we conclude that the photoexcitations for t < 200 ps are radiative singlet excitons; they relax in about 200 ps and the radiative quantum efficiency substantially decreases thereafter. From the ES spectra of the cw PA band ES we tentatively assign the important excited electronic states in PPV such as the mAg exciton and the continuum band.
SU‐FF‐T‐261: A Monte Carlo Model to Simulate Single and Double Strand Breaks in DNA Molecules

Purpose: One of the most confounding issues in the treatment of cancer is that two patients with the same diagnosis respond differently to the same treatment. The ultimate goal of this research effort is to better understand why this occurs. As a first step, the study presented here is performed to develop a system of computer codes to model the complex reactions between ionizing radiation and DNA. Method and Materials: A mathematical atomistic model of a 167 base-pair B-DNA molecule was constructed using commercially available software packages. The probability of each possible fate of an •OH approaching to this 167 base-pair molecule was determined by implementing the “near-approach” DNA-radiation chemistry computational model described by Aydogan et al. (Radiat Res 157(1), 38–44, 2002) and compiled into an outcomes database. The secondary electron spectrum generated at depth in tissue by a Co-60 beam was modeled using the code MCNP 4.B. Two microdosimetry codes, OREC and RADLYS, originally developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, were adapted for this research. Attack sites were logged and single strand break (ssb) and double strand break (dsb) rates were calculated. Results: At a dose of 100 Gy, the concentration scaled dsb per molecule was only 0.4 which is in good agreement with the dsb data which is 0.43 dsb/ molecule from the computational effort described in this report. Conclusion: A Monte Carlo calculation model has been shown to simulate single and double strand breaks using a novel computational approach presented authors previously that reduces the computation time and eliminates unnecessary repetition of the computationally expensive near chemistry simulation in DNA damage. Experimental comparison of the single and double strand break yields calculated in this study have shown the accuracy of the DNA damage simulation model presented.
Changes in dynamic trunk/head stability and functional reach after hippotherapy.

Abstract Shurtleff TL, Standeven JW, Engsberg JR. Changes in dynamic trunk/head stability and functional reach after hippotherapy. Objectives To determine if hippotherapy (therapy using a horse) improves head/trunk stability and upper extremity (UE) reaching/targeting in children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy (SDCP). Design Pre-postoperative follow-up with a 12-week intervention and 12-week washout period after intervention. Setting A human performance laboratory with 6 camera video motion capture systems for testing. Participants Eleven children (age 5–13y, average 8y) with SDCP, 8 children (age 5–13y, average 8y) without disabilities. Intervention Hippotherapy intervention performed at 3 therapeutic horseback riding centers. Main Outcome Measures Video motion capture using surface markers collecting data at 60Hz, a mechanical barrel to challenge trunk and head stability, and functional reach/targeting test on static surface. Results Significant changes with large effect sizes in head/trunk stability and reaching/targeting, elapsed time, and efficiency (reach/path ratio) after 12 weeks of hippotherapy intervention. Changes were retained after a 12-week washout period. Conclusions Hippotherapy improves trunk/head stability and UE reaching/targeting. These skills form the foundation for many functional tasks. Changes are maintained after the intervention ceases providing a skill foundation for functional tasks that may also enhance occupational performance and participation.
Library Outreach to the Alabama Black Belt: The Alabama Entrepreneurial Research Network

The Angelo Bruno Business Library at The University of Alabama is a collaborator in a University outreach project, the Alabama Entrepreneurial Research Network (AERN). Centered in the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration, the purpose of AERN is to support entrepreneurship and small business development in rural, economically impoverished counties in central and south Alabama. AERN provides computing resources and support, business information resources, and training for the staff in the partner chambers of commerce and industrial development authorities as well as for the public. The Library's support of AERN is focused on on-site training and the development and maintenance of the AERN web site.
Role of hydrophobic solids in the stability of oil sands fine tailings

Abstract Hydrophobic solids are known to occur in the fine tailings produced during bitumen extraction at both the Syncrude and Suncor oil sands plants. Removal of these solids, and associated residual bitumen, produces changed settling behaviour and subsequent dewatering of the remaining tailings. In this work a fractionation scheme has been developed that allows this hydrophobic component to be separated selectively from fine tailings. Two types of particulate solids, both having considerably higher organic carbon contents than the bulk tailings solids, have been identified. In one fraction the solids are completely hydrophobic (HPS), whereas the particles in the other fraction exhibit intermediate wetting characteristics (BWS). Each fraction represents ∼ 1.5–2 wt% of the total tailings. The solids have been characterized by particle size distribution, XPS and elemental, including heavy metal, analyses. Both fractions are capable of forming a flocculated structure by an agglomeration process involving residual bitumen and naphtha in amounts typically found in tailings ponds. Measurement of the change in sediment volume for the agglomerated fractions has been used to investigate this process. Results for both fractions show a significant increase in the final sediment volume after agglomeration. The increase in sediment volume implies the formation of a flocculated structure. Such a structure could enhance tailings stability by reinforcing the ultrafine solids gel network also present in tailings.
Politicians against parties: Anti-party arguments as weapons for change in Germany

The language of anti-party arguments provides clues about the likely consequences of upsurges in popular disaffection with political parties. Anti-party rhetoric helps set the agenda for political action by mobilizing diffuse disaffection and discontent, and channelling it into support for specific reforms. Examining prevailing anti-party arguments for their normative frameworks and their diagnoses of the causes of pressing problems provides clues about the kinds of political change anti-party politics is likely to promote. This study develops distinctions between different types of anti-party arguments and employs them to highlight key differences between past and current anti-party debates in Germany.
Synthesis, Experimental/Theoretical Characterization, and Thermolysis Chemistry of CpBe(SiMe3), a Molecule Containing an Unprecedented Beryllium−Silicon Bond

The synthesis, characterization, and thermal decomposition of CpBe(SiMe3) are presented as part of an exploratory investigation designed to obtain more effective chemical vapor deposition precursors of metallic beryllium. The title compound provides the first example of a direct bond between beryllium and a non-carbenoid group 14 element. The base-free reaction of LiSiMe3 with CpBeCl in pentane affords the air-sensitive, volatile solid CpBe(SiMe3) (ca. 70% yield based on CpBeCl), which was characterized by single-crystal CCD X-ray diffraction, multinuclear NMR, and mass spectrometric studies, and theoretically by DFT/NBO analysis. The solid-state molecular geometry of CpBe(SiMe3) ideally conforms to C3v symmetry (under assumed cylindrical symmetry for the C5H5 ring); the Be−Si bond length of 2.185(2) A is markedly longer than the sum of covalent radii (2.01 A). The DFT-optimized molecular geometry closely conforms to that determined crystallographically. Total fragment charges (based upon atomic charge NB...
Influence of culture pH and phosphate on synchrony of Euglena gracilis.

Abstract With phototrophic nutrition at 21.5 °C Euglena gracilis divides synchronously when cultured on a repetitive light-dark cycle. The best synchrony was found to occur at a culture pH of 7.4. No synchrony was found at pH 4; some synchrony occurred at pH 3 and 6. Synchrony at pH 6.8 was largely abolished in culture on reduced (but not limiting) concentrations of phosphate.
Improving Architectural Composability and Consumability using Communities: Lessons learned from Eclipse, SOA and MDA

Summary form only given. The last few years has seen a great acceleration in the convergence of two communities - the open standards community that is setting a foundation for how global, interoperable software intensive systems can be specified and the open source community which is implementing many of these standards. As the pace of software complexity continues to accelerate -we are assembling and integrating software that is produced by a global community - new challenges are driving architectural innovation. How can we design these systems with composability in mind while at the same time improving the productivity & consumability (by architects as well as users) of the systems we deliver? The move towards model driven architecture (MDA) service oriented architecture (SOA) - the `architecture word is respectable now! - and many of the open source projects at eclipse.org and apache.org that implement these specifications clearly illustrate this trend. What is missing? - A focus on `consumability': How can we use motivating scenarios from end users that drive the implementation of these standards as we continue our thirst for simplifying and managing software complexity? The talk will conclude with some late breaking information on how some of the key emerging MDA and SOA standards are converging and building a foundation for the next wave of standards & innovation in business process management
A Dual Diagnosis Demonstration Project: Treatment Outcomes and Cost Analysis

This article presents findings from an outpatient dual diagnosis demonstration project that investigated whether integrated treatment services for severely and persistently ill patients with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders could result in improved outcomes and reduction of criminal justice and health care costs. Integrated treatment was defined as a simultaneous focus on both disorders through the provision of psychosocial rehabilitation, psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacologic treatment, and substance abuse recovery and relapse prevention by cross-trained staff. One hundred twenty six (126) patients with multiple DSM-IV Axis I and Axis II disorders were assessed on a variety of mental health, substance abuse, and quality of life measures at baseline and at six-month intervals up to three years post entry into treatment. Criminal justice and health care costs obtained from state and local databases were compared two years before and two years after initiation of treatment to determine cost differences. The study found statistically significant improvements in psychiatric symptoms, substance abuse, and quality of life outcomes. There were also decreases in criminal justice and acute and sub-acute mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) costs and increases in outpatient mental health and physical health care costs.
Structure and properties of two plastic peptide triblock, ABA, copolymers of poly(γ-benzyl-l-glutamate), A, and poly(butadiene/acrylonitrile), B

Two prototype triblock (ABA) copolymers of poly[(γ-benzyl-l-glutamate) x (butadiene/acrylonitrile)y (γ-benzyl-l-glutamate)x] have been synthesized and characterized. They were prepared by reacting a primary amine capped butadiene/acrylonitrile (ATBN) polymer with the N-carboxy anhydride of γ-benzyl-l-glutamate. The copolymers were ∼38 000 (copolymer 1) and 74 000 (copolymer II) molecular weight. X-ray diffraction and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy of films cast from dioxane (preferential for PBLG) and chloroform (non-preferential) show the benzyl glutamate segments to be predominantly α-helical and disordered α-helical, respectively. Electron microscopy of osmium tetroxide strained films cast from dioxane revealed lamellar domain formation indicative of phase separation. The midblock butadiene layers were ∼150 A thick while the alternating benzyl glutamate layers were 300 and 500 A thick for copolymers I and II, respectively. Films cast from chloroform exhibit a nearly homogeneous morphology, indicative of considerable phase mixing. Dynamic mechanical spectroscopy of the copolymers also revealed a dependence on morphology. The side chain transition of the benzyl glutamate appeared as a single peak when the copolymers were cast from dioxane and a double peak when the copolymers were cast from chloroform.
Tissue specific and non-specific changes in gene expression by aging and by early stage CR

Aging alters the expression of a variety of genes. Calorie restriction (CR), which extends life span in laboratory rodents, also changes gene expression. This study investigated changes in gene expression across three different tissues from the same mouse to examine how aging and early stage CR influence gene expression in different tissues of an organism. Expression profiling of heart, liver, and hypothalamus tissues was done in young (4-6 months) ad libitum fed (AL), young CR (2.5-4.5 months of CR), and old (26-28 months) AL male C57BL/6 mice. Aging significantly altered the expressions of 309, 1819, and 1085 genes in heart, liver, and hypothalamus tissues, respectively. In nine genes, aging altered expression across all three tissues although the regulation directions did not agree across all three tissues for some genes. Early stage CR in young mice significantly changed the expressions of 192, 839, and 100 genes in heart, liver, and hypothalamus tissues, respectively, and seven genes altered expression across all three tissues; three were up regulated and four were down regulated. The results of Gene Ontology (GO) Biological Process analysis indicated up regulation of antigen processing/presentation genes by aging and down regulation of stress response genes by early stage CR in all three tissues. The comparison of the results of aging and short term CR studies showed there were 389 genes, 18 GO biological processes, and 20 GO molecular functions in common.
Issues on UGV Optimal Motion Planning and Obstacle Avoidance

We present two different optimal control problem formulations that can be used to solve various trajectory planning scenarios of an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV). It is less a study of trajectory planning than it is an analysis of the optimal control planning method itself. Numerous issues regarding vehicle modeling, obstacle modeling and computational complexity are discussed. The results and recommendations presented in this work are quite simple concepts, but have not been covered in the literature of trajectory planning to the knowledge of the co-authors. Simulation results illustrate successful implementation in various scenarios.
The Case of Tobacco

Tobacco treatment provides an excellent case for the importance of treating substance use and other health-related problem behaviors within healthcare settings and systems as well as through other community settings. The incontrovertible evidence linking cigarette smoking with serious illness and premature death has placed increasing demands on the medical and mental health community to intervene with smokers. However, despite the known health risks, tobacco use remains high worldwide. In the United States, roughly 25% of adults smoke (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1999), with current prevalence estimates indicating that 28% of adult males and 22% of adult females smoke (Corrao, Guindon, Sharma & Shokoohi, 2000). Individuals with a current or past history of significant psychiatric problems including depression, schizophrenia, and alcoholism, have much higher rates of smoking and are less likely to stop smoking than those in the general population (Glassman, 1993). For instance, among individuals identified as alcoholic, the incidence of smoking is 80-90%, with alcoholic persons also more likely to smoke heavily (Bien & Burge, 1990; Bobo, 1989).
Relationship Building in Entrepreneurship Liaison Work: One Business Librarian's Experience at North Carolina State University

This article presents the growth of entrepreneurship education on college campuses as an opportunity for business librarians to engage strategic initiatives that reach beyond the business school. Drawing on the experiences of one business librarian serving as the primary liaison to a campus wide entrepreneurship initiative at North Carolina State University (NC State), this article illustrates how a relationship-building approach to liaison work can lead to iterative collaborations with faculty over time. An in-depth consideration of the relationship-building process offers a model that librarians in business and other subject liaison roles can adapt and reflect on their practice. The model considers three stages: recognizing events as opportunities, developing those opportunities into relationships, and cultivating those relationships through collaborative projects that can improve student learning and scholarship through synergistic outcomes.
Distributional robustness analysis for polynomial uncertainty

This paper addresses the problem of computing the worst-case expected value of a polynomial function, over a class of admissible distributions. It is shown that this problem, for the class of distributions considered, is equivalent to a convex optimization problem for which efficient linear matrix inequality (LMI) relaxations are available. In case that the performance function is continuous (not necessarily polynomial), the worst-case expected value can be approximated by using its polynomial approximations. Moreover, the proposed approach is applied to compute hard bounds of the worst-case probability of a polynomial being negative. Numerical examples are presented which illustrate the application of the results in this paper.
Geometrical ambiguity of pair statistics: point configurations

Point configurations have been widely used as model systems in condensed-matter physics, materials science, and biology. Statistical descriptors, such as the n -body distribution function g(n), are usually employed to characterize point configurations, among which the most extensively used is the pair distribution function g(2). An intriguing inverse problem of practical importance that has been receiving considerable attention is the degree to which a point configuration can be reconstructed from the pair distribution function of a target configuration. Although it is known that the pair-distance information contained in g(2) is, in general, insufficient to uniquely determine a point configuration, this concept does not seem to be widely appreciated and general claims of uniqueness of the reconstructions using pair information have been made based on numerical studies. In this paper, we present the idea of the distance space called the D space. The pair distances of a specific point configuration are then represented by a single point in the D space. We derive the conditions on the pair distances that can be associated with a point configuration, which are equivalent to the realizability conditions of the pair distribution function g(2). Moreover, we derive the conditions on the pair distances that can be assembled into distinct configurations, i.e., with structural degeneracy. These conditions define a bounded region in the D space. By explicitly constructing a variety of degenerate point configurations using the D space, we show that pair information is indeed insufficient to uniquely determine the configuration in general. We also discuss several important problems in statistical physics based on the D space, including the reconstruction of atomic structures from experimentally obtained g(2) and a recently proposed "decorrelation" principle. The degenerate configurations have relevance to open questions involving the famous traveling salesman problem.
Subnetwork Analysis for Dynamic Traffic Assignment Models: Strategy for Estimating Demand at Subnetwork Boundaries

Dynamic traffic assignment (DTA) can be used to model impacts of traffic control plan scenarios on travel behavior. However, using DTA for modeling construction project impacts is limited by the computational time required to simulate entire roadway networks. DTA modeling of a subarea surrounding these work zones extracted from a larger network can decrease the overall run time. A particular issue of interest is estimating dynamic demand along the boundary of the selected subnetwork. Often demand at the subnetwork boundary is based on flows extracted from a full, base network analysis. However, it is likely that impacts within the subnetwork caused by traffic control plans will extend beyond the boundary and affect this demand. The use of a logit model to reassign demand at subnetwork boundary centroids on the basis of differences in internal (subnetwork) travel times between base and impact scenarios is presented. The proposed methodology was implemented by using several software programs linked through ...
Repeater insertion and wire sizing optimization for throughput-centric VLSI global interconnects

As technology advances towards billion transistor systems, the cost of complex wire networks will require area efficient wiring methodologies. This paper explores the tradeoffs between wire latency, throughput and area for deep submicron (DSM) interconnect technologies. From basic physical models, optimal wiring sizing for repeater networks are rigorously derived and compared to HSPICE simulations. Key case studies from 250 nm to 70 nm technologies reveal that significant wire area reduction (20-50%) can be achieved with optimal wire sizing to maximize the throughput per unit wire area.
Confinement improvement and current profile control in the MST reversed-field pinch

Summary form only given, as follows. The reversed field pinch (RFP) is a toroidal magnetic configuration with a much weaker toroidal magnetic field compared to a tokamak. RFP behavior is determined in large part by magnetic fluctuations driven by the gradient in the current density. Since the RFP is a q/sub /spl darr//1 configuration, magnetic fluctuations are large and energy confinement is degraded by the associated transport Recently, energy confinement has been significantly improved in the MST reversed field pinch by applying inductive parallel current drive in the outer region of the plasma. Direct measurement of the current density profile and magnetic field fluctuations, by detection of the Faraday rotation of an injected FIR laser beam, indicates that internal magnetic fluctuations and the associated current fluctuations are reduced while current density profile is altered. As a result of reduced magnetic transport, the electron temperature nearly triples and beta doubles. Fast electron confinement is evidenced by a 100-fold increase in hard x ray radiation suggesting reduced magnetic stochasticity and the formation of good flux surfaces. The energy confinement time increases ten-fold, which is comparable to L- and H-mode scaling values for a tokamak with the same plasma current, density, heating power, size and shape. Tokamak quality confinement achieved in the MST reversed field pinch is at much higher beta and lower toroidal magnetic field. However, the confinement improvement is not sustained since the inductive current profile technique is itself transient. Research is underway to apply RF current drive to the RFP for sustained, improved confinement.
Improving Wireless Health Monitoring Using Incentive-Based Router Cooperation

Healthcare providers could use ad hoc networks to supplement the sometimes spotty and unreliable coverage of infrastructure-oriented wireless networks for patient monitoring. A proposed incentive-based approach encourages devices to cooperate as routers, significantly improving message delivery reliability.
Dynamics of transient probe beam amplification via coherent multiwave mixing in a local nonlinear medium-nematic liquid crystal

The dynamics of the transient thermal-grating-mediated probe-beam amplification effect in a nematic liquid crystal film is studied with the use of millisecond laser pulses. These experimental observations and the accompanying transient multiwave mixing analysis show that peak probe gain can occur at various locations within the grating decay time; the higher the induced index change, the sooner will peak gain occur. >
Fondaparinux for Thromboembolic Treatment and Prophylaxis of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia

Objective:TO review literature evaluating the use of fondaparinux for thromboembolic treatment and prophylaxis in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).Data Sources:A MEDLINE search (1966–February 2006) was conducted using the search terms fondaparinux, heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin, and thrombocytopenia to identify English-language articles. Additional sources were identified from bibliographies of select articles and the manufacturer.Data Synthesis:Fondaparinux, a pentasaccharide that selectively inhibits factor Xa, has been reported to have negligible or no cross-reactivity in vitro with HIT antibodies. Thromboembolic treatment and prophylaxis with fondaparinux in patients with HIT has been described. Three cases reported patients who were successfully treated for thromboembolic events with fondaparinux after developing HIT during therapy with unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). Another report showed positive outcomes using fondaparinux for prophy...
Vascular differentiation and glucose transporter expression in rat gliomas: effects of steroids.

Abstract The GLUT1 isoform of the glucose transporter is normally expressed at high levels in differentiated brain vessels that also express a permeability barrier. In contrast, malignant brain neoplasms have relatively undifferentiated vessels that are highly permeable, proliferate to high vascular densities, and often lose GLUT1 expression. Using the rat intracerebral 9L glioma model, we investigated whether dexamethasone-induced changes in permeability are associated with the appearance of other differentiated vascular properties. The percentage of vessels expressing immunohistochemically detectable GLUT1 (74.2 +/- 6.1%) and the tumor vessel density as assessed by laminin immunostaining (282 +/- 37 vessels/mm2) did not vary with control tumor size. Dexamethasone treatment resulted in an 83% reduction of vascular permeability to intravenous Evans blue, an increased percentage of vessels expressing GLUT1 (106.4 +/- 10.5%), lower vascular density (102 +/- 64 vessels/mm2), and smaller tumor size (control cross-sectional area, 17.0 +/- 3.4 mm2; treated, 4.6 +/- 1.0 mm2). Essentially all vessels became GLUT1-positive after dexamethasone treatment. Increased GLUT1 expression by glioma vessels in association with the appearance of other signs of differentiation (low vascular density, slow tumor growth) suggests that immunostaining for GLUT1 may identify neoplasms that are biologically less aggressive.
On the strength of Ko¨nig's duality theorem for countable bipartite graphs

Let CKDT be the assertion that, for every countably innite bipartite graph G, there exist a vertex covering C of G and a matching M in G such that C consists of exactly one vertex from each edge in M. (This is a theorem of Podewski and Steens (12).) Let ATR0 be the subsystem of second order arithmetic with arithmetical transnite recursion and restricted induction. Let RCA0 be the subsystem of second order arithmetic with recursive comprehension and restricted induction. We show that CKDT is provable in ATR0. Combining this with a result of Aharoni, Magidor and Shore (2), we see that CKDT is logically equivalent to the axioms of ATR0, the equivalence being provable in RCA0.
Characterization of ARC, apoptosis repressor interacting with CARD, in normal and dystrophin-deficient skeletal muscle

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an X-linked recessive disorder, primarily characterized by progressive muscle weakness and wasting. The disease results from the absence of dystrophin, however the precise molecular mechanisms leading to muscle pathology are poorly understood. Dystrophic muscles undergo increased oxidative stress and altered calcium homeostasis, which may contribute to myofiber loss by triggering both necrosis and apoptosis. Recent studies have identified ARC (apoptosis repressor with caspase recruitment domain) as an abundant protein in human muscle that can inhibit both hypoxia and caspase-8-induced apoptosis as well as protect cells from oxidative stress. To explore a potential role for ARC in protecting muscle fibers from dystrophic breakdown, we have cloned and characterized murine ARC and studied its expression in normal and dystrophic mouse muscle. ARC is expressed at high levels in striated muscle and displays fiber-type restricted expression patterns. ARC expression levels are normal in dystrophic mdx mice, although the intracellular localization pattern of ARC is slightly altered compared with normal muscles. Overexpression of ARC in transgenic mdx mice failed to alleviate the dystrophic pathology in skeletal muscles, suggesting that misregulation of the molecular pathways regulated by ARC does not significantly contribute to myofiber death.