cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Illumination in the Focal Plane of a Camera Lens

Direct photoelectric measurement has been made of illumination in the focal planes of typical photographic objectives. The results in many cases differ seriously from what might be expected simply on the basis of the cos4 law plus vignetting. The deviation takes the form of an unexpectedly large rate of decrease of illumination with respect to distance from the axis, and may be so great as to have important consequences on work in color photography and photographic photometry. The effect is apparently inherent in the design of almost any photographic objective.
In Vivo Effects of Goldenseal, Kava Kava, Black Cohosh, and Valerian on Human Cytochrome P450 1A2, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4/5 Phenotypes

Objectives Phytochemical-mediated modulation of cytochrome P-450 activity may underlie many herb-drug interactions. Single time-point, phenotypic metabolic ratios were used to determine whether long-term supplementation of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), kava kava (Piper methysticum), or valerian (Valeriana officinalis) extracts affected CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, or CYP3A4/5 activity.
Our poetry will inhabit this land forever

“Mujer Salvadorena . . . woman whose hands of tenderness and strength will work for a new society,” sang the lovely voices of Grupo Teosinte. It was my first visit to El Salvador and surrounded by peasant women and men, I listened to a song celebrating the women of Chalatenango, a particularly war‐torn area of El Salvador. The group was part of ASTAC, the Salvadoran Association of Workers in Art and Culture, and the poetry set to music, audience response, and style of performance indicated to me that poetry meant something different here than how I had experienced it in my own country, the United States. In these few pages I hope to celebrate some of my new friends, mujeres salvadorenas, whose poetry builds community by providing a language of resistance, by processing atrocities and holding memories present, by celebrating women's strength, by keeping the community and land alive even when in exile, and by modeling the work of joy in building resistance communities.
The DEAD Box Protein Mrh4 Functions in the Assembly of the Mitochondrial Large Ribosomal Subunit

Proteins in a cell are universally synthesized by ribosomes. Mitochondria contain their own ribosomes, which specialize in the synthesis of a handful of proteins required for oxidative phosphorylation. The pathway of mitoribosomal biogenesis and factors involved are poorly characterized. An example is the DEAD box proteins, widely known to participate in the biogenesis of bacterial and cytoplasmic eukaryotic ribosomes as either RNA helicases or RNA chaperones, whose mitochondrial counterparts remain completely unknown. Here, we have identified the Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial DEAD box protein Mrh4 as essential for large mitoribosome subunit biogenesis. Mrh4 interacts with the 21S rRNA, mitoribosome subassemblies, and fully assembled mitoribosomes. In the absence of Mrh4, the 21S rRNA is matured and forms part of a large on-pathway assembly intermediate missing proteins Mrpl16 and Mrpl39. We conclude that Mrh4 plays an essential role during the late stages of mitoribosome assembly by promoting remodeling of the 21S rRNA-protein interactions.
Components of surface energy balance in a temperate grassland ecosystem

Eddy correlation measurements of moisture, heat, and momentum fluxes were made at a tall grassland site in Kansas during the First International Satellite Land Surface Climatology Project Field Experiment. The fluxes, stomatal conductance, and leaf water potential of three grass species are reported. The species are big bluestem, indiangrass, and switchgrass. The daily and seasonal variation in the components of the surface energy balance and the aerodynamic and canopy surface conductances for prairie vegetation are examined.
Oral effects of hydrolytic enzymes on taste acuity in man.

Abstract EFFECTS of oral exposure to various hydrolytic enzymes on subjective taste responses and detection and recongition thresholds for four taste qualities were measured in normal volunteers. Polypeptide bond-rupturing enzymes decreased subjective taste acuity and increased detection and recognition thresholds for four taste qualities from one to twelve hours. Lipases, peptidases, ribonuclease and polysaccharidases had no effect on taste acuity. These findings suggest that protein exposed to the oral environment is involved in an event common to the appreciation of all four taste qualities.
Recombination between retrotransposons as a source of chromosome rearrangements in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract Homologous recombination between dispersed repeated genetic elements is an important source of genetic variation. In this review, we discuss chromosome rearrangements that are a consequence of homologous recombination between transposable elements in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisae. The review will be divided into five sections: (1) Introduction (mechanisms of homologous recombination involving ectopic repeats), (2) Spontaneous chromosome rearrangements in wild-type yeast cells, (3) Chromosome rearrangements induced by low DNA polymerase, mutagenic agents or mutations in genes affecting genome stability, (4) Recombination between retrotransposons as a mechanism of genome evolution, and (5) Important unanswered questions about homologous recombination between retrotransposons. This review complements several others [S. Liebman, S. Picologlou, Recombination associated with yeast retrotransposons, in: Y. Koltin, M.J. Leibowitz (Eds.), Viruses of Fungi and Simple Eukaryotes, Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, 1988, pp. 63–89; P. Lesage, A.L. Todeschini, Happy together: the life and times of Ty retrotransposons and their hosts, Cytogenet. Genome Res. 110 (2005) 70–90; D.J. Garfinkel, Genome evolution mediated by Ty elements in Saccharomyces, Cytogenet. Genome Res. 110 (2005) 63–69] that discuss genomic rearrangements involving Ty elements.
Hybrid Generative-Discriminative Visual Categorization

Learning models for detecting and classifying object categories is a challenging problem in machine vision. While discriminative approaches to learning and classification have, in principle, superior performance, generative approaches provide many useful features, one of which is the ability to naturally establish explicit correspondence between model components and scene features--this, in turn, allows for the handling of missing data and unsupervised learning in clutter. We explore a hybrid generative/discriminative approach, using `Fisher Kernels' (Jaakola, T., et al. in Advances in neural information processing systems, Vol. 11, pp. 487---493, 1999), which retains most of the desirable properties of generative methods, while increasing the classification performance through a discriminative setting. Our experiments, conducted on a number of popular benchmarks, show strong performance improvements over the corresponding generative approach. In addition, we demonstrate how this hybrid learning paradigm can be extended to address several outstanding challenges within computer vision including how to combine multiple object models and learning with unlabeled data.
CFD application for coal/air balancing in power plants

Abstract Unbalanced coal/air flow in the pipe systems of coal-fired power plants will lead to non-uniform combustion in the furnace, and hence a overall lower efficiency of the boiler. A common solution to this problem is to put orifices in the pipe systems to balance the flow. It is well known that if the orifices are sized to balance clean air flow to individual burners connected to a pulverizer, the coal/air flow would still be unbalanced and vice versa. However, the current power industry practice throughout the world is to size orifices for balancing the clean air flow and accept the resulting imbalance in coal/air flow. Field tests are mostly conducted to verify a balanced clean air flow. It is now proposed to size the orifices for balancing the coal/air flow and then calculate the unbalanced clean air flow distribution to be known as the “tailored clean air flow”. Commercially available Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code CFX was used to simulate the complex flows in the piping systems in a power plant. The two-phase modelling technique was employed to estimate the pressure drop coefficients with both clean air and coal/air flows in order to size the orifices. The results indicate that the pressure drop is strongly dependent on the piping system geometry. With this proposed method, field tests can be conducted to correspond with the tailored clean air flow, and the coal/air flow balancing would be achieved.
Using Primary Language Support via Computer to Improve Reading Comprehension Skills of First-Grade English Language Learners.

Through this exploratory study the authors investigated the effects of primary language support delivered via computer on the English reading comprehension skills of English language learners. Participants were 28 First-grade students identified as Limited English Proficient. The primary language of all participants was Spanish. Students were assigned to two groups for an 8-week intervention period. Treatment Group 1 used a computer-based literacy program with English oral language instructions. Treatment Group 2 used a computer-based literacy program with Spanish oral language instructions. Data indicated that all participants experienced significant growth in fluency, word reading, and passage comprehension. Results revealed no significant difference between the two groups in the areas of fluency or word reading. However, the students who received Spanish language support via the computer had significantly higher scores in the area of reading comprehension.
Adaptation of Quasi-Least Squares to Estimate Correlations within a Nuclear Family

In this article, we adapt the quasi-least squares, a robust procedure for estimating correlation between continuous variables, to the analysis of familial clustered data. The estimators derived from this procedure are compared with traditional maximum likelihood and moment estimators. The emphasis is on estimation of the correlations within a nuclear family. The quasi-least squares estimators are found to be nearly as efficient as the maximum likelihood estimators in the large sample case when the data are Gaussian. When the sample size is small, simulations show that the quasi-least squares estimators are more robust than the alternatives with respect to estimated infeasibility probabilities and mean square error. We conclude that the quasi-least squares procedure is preferable to the maximum likelihood and moment procedures in the analysis of correlations within a nuclear family.
Estimation of the clutter rank in the case of subarraying for space-time adaptive processing

A simple formula for estimating the clutter rank in the case of subarraying is derived. The well-known Brennan's rule can be viewed as a special case of this formula. With the help of this formula, an insight into the eigenspectrum structure of the clutter in the case of subarraying can be achieved, and can be used to design an optimal subarraying. The simulation also verifies the accuracy of this formula.
Enhanced passive avoidance retention following posttrain serotonergic receptor antagonist administration in middle-aged and aged rats.

The experiments examined the ability of posttrain administration of serotonergic receptor antagonists to attenuate the age-related deficits in avoidance retention normally exhibited by middle-aged (l2 months) and aged (22 months) rats. Ketanserin (0, 1.0, 10.0 mg/kg) produced a significant dose-dependent increase in test step-through latencies in both age groups. The suppression of responding did not appear to be due to generalized learned aversion as nonshocked rats, injected with the highest dose of ketanserin, did not exhibit similar elevations in test latencies. In order to determine whether the ketanserin-induced effect could be generalized to other serotonergic antagonists, middle-aged and aged animals were injected with a single dose of mianserin (10.0 mg/kg). This antagonist also significantly increased step-through latencies in both age groups, while not affecting the performance of nonshocked animals. The results provide additional evidence for a role of the serotonergic nervous system in memory, and may have important implications in the development of effective treatment strategies for geriatric-related cognitive disorders.
Hantaan virus M RNA: coding strategy, nucleotide sequence, and gene order

Abstract The M genome segment of Hantaan virus was molecularly cloned and the nucleotide sequence of cDNA was determined. The virion RNA is 3616 bases long with 3′- and 5′-terminal nucleotide sequences complementary for 18 bases. A single long open reading frame in the viral complementary-sense RNA had the potential to encode 1135 amino acids or a polypeptide of 126,000 Da. Amino-terminal sequences of isolated G1 and G2 envelope glycoproteins were determined, revealing a gene order with respect to message sense RNA of 5′-G1-G2–3′. Mature G1 begins 18 amino acids beyond the first AUG of the open reading frame, preceded by a short, hydrophobic leader sequence. G2 begins at the 649th amino acid of the open reading frame and also follows a hydrophobic sequence. Carboxy termini of G1 and G2 were localized and gene order was verified by immune precipitation of Hantaan proteins with antisera to synthetic peptides generated by using amino acid sequences derived from the cDNA sequence. The antipeptide sera were also reactive by immunoblotting with SDS-denatured G1 and G2. Molecular weights of 64,000 and 53,700 were calculated for the G1 and G2 glycoproteins, respectively, from their predicted amino acid sequences. Five potential asparagine-linked glycosylation sites were contained within the G1 amino acid sequence and two within the G2 sequence. These data are consistent with our previous estimates of the molecular weights and extent of glycosylation of the Hantaan envelope glycoproteins.
Release of trace elements from wood ash by nitric acid

Currently wood ash is being used as a soil amendment. Its use is regulated based on trace element content. However, no published information exists on solubilities of trace elements in wood ash. We investigated the release of environmentally-significant trace elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn) from wood ash as a function of pH and of particle size. Wood ash was sampled from three sources in Maine and sieved into <0.5 mm, 0.5–1 mm, and 1–2 mm fractions. Elemental compositions were determined using a HNO3/H2O2 digestion. Sub-samples (1 g) from each of the nine samples (three sources and three size fractions) were reacted with 50 mLs of standardized HNO3 for a week using a range of acid concentrations (0.01–0.25 M) to achieve a range in final pH values. The resulting solutions were filtered and analyzed. The compositions of the three wood ashes varied widely. The dominant elements were Si (9.7–34%), Ca (5.8–21%), K (0.8–5.7%), Al (0.8–4.9%), and Mg (0.5–3.0%). Trace elements were present in the following concentrations ranges: Cd (1.9–12 mg kg−1), Cr (24–92 mg kg−1), Cu (33–75 mg kg−1), and Zn (130–1400 mg kg−1). Both Cd and Zn were released readily from the ashes at final pH values of approximately 6.5 and below. In the final pH range of 3–4, 80–100% of the total Cd and 70–90% of the total Zn was released by the ashes. All three wood ashes showed somewhat different patterns of Cr release. Level of Cr(VI) in a water extract of the ash fractions was found to be a much better predictor of relative Cr solubility than total Cr. Solubility of Cu was low, and Pb was very insoluble. There was little influence of particle size on release of trace elements. The relatively high Cd concentration of wood ash compared with soil, and its relative solubility in wood ash, should be considered in evaluating the potential environmental impact of spreading wood ash on land.
Carbohydrate liquid-crystals

Abstract Certain alkyl glycosides and 1-thioglycosides are shown to have thermotropic, liquid-crystal phases between room temperature and their melting points. In the alkyl 1-thio-β- d -xylopyranoside series, liquid-crystal phases occur with heptyl and octyl chains, but not with hexyl, or lower, members of the series. Heptyl 1-thio-α- d -mannopyranoside forms liquid crystals, but the substitution of terminal OH, Cl, and CN groups on the alkyl chains inhibits liquid-crystal formation. Octyl, nonyl, and decyl α- and β- d -glucopyranosides form liquid crystals. This property is associated with crystal structures in which the carbohydrate moieties are hydrogen-bonded and the alkyl chains intercalated.
Simple technique for measuring the filled volume of liquid or solid CVD precursor chemicals in bubblers

We describe a simple technique for measuring the fill level of a liquid or solid precursor bubbler. This technique may be applied on chemical vapor deposition (CVD) systems which employ back-pressure control of the liquid/solid source. The method is based on the principle that the pressurization rate of the bubbler vessel is a measure of its unfilled volume; and this parameter can be easily and accurately measured using the electronic back-pressure controllers that are typically supplied on CVD reactors. As the precursor chemical is consumed, a larger gas volume is available within the bubbler, causing the pressurization rate to become slower. Over the life of the bubbler, the fill level can be inferred by comparing the bubbler's pressurization rate with that of the new source bubbler. The procedure can be used to estimate the source consumption within a few grams precision, exemplified here using a liquid trimethylgallium bubbler. While this procedure does not provide a continuous measurement of the bubbler fill, it works equally well for solid and liquid precursors; and the technique may be implemented into the reactor control system and employed to provide day-by-day measurement of the bubbler fill.
Predatory Personalities as Behavioral Mimics and Parasites Mimicry–Deception Theory

Humans use a variety of deceptive tactics to extract resources from unsuspecting others. In this article, I suggest that much can be learned about patterns of human deception from predatory nonhuman animal behavior and parasitic infections. Nonhuman animals and parasitic infections utilize deceptive tactics to extract resources through two overarching strategies: (a) complex deception, slow resource extraction, heavy integration into a host or community, and low risk of detection, or (b) superficial deception, immediate resource extraction, little host or community specificity, and increased risk of detection. Predatory and parasitic human personalities may operate in analogous ways. Guided by analogies derived from nonhuman animal mimicry (such as color or behavioral deception) and micro-organismic infections, I have developed a theoretical framework to better understand deceptive and parasitic human behaviors as well as the characteristics defining them. Although applicable to areas of predatory and parasitic human behavior, two specific traits (psychopathy and Machiavellianism) are highlighted that have dire consequences for financial fraud, interpersonal harm, and organizational misbehavior.
French Proper Names: A Guide to Correct Usage

by clear-cut rules such as apply to even more complex Spanish names; comprehensive guides to usage are not readily available; a search for precedents will prove in some cases to be more confusing than useful; and a haphazard or intuitive resolving of questions of form can only be termed imprudent. Proper names entail special problems beyond the scope of this article; but I am disposed to think that writers, editors, and bibliographers generally will welcome a few helpful observations on their usage and, especially, on their treatment in bibliographies, indexes, and cross references.'
Long-Term Survival in 2,505 Patients With Melanoma With Regional Lymph Node Metastasis

Objective To examine the long-term outcomes of patients with melanoma metastatic to regional lymph nodes. Background Data Regional lymph node metastasis is a major determinant of outcome for patients with melanoma, and the presence of regional lymph node metastasis has been commonly used as an indication for systemic, often intensive, adjuvant therapy. However, the risk of recurrence varies greatly within this heterogeneous group of patients. Methods Database review identified 2,505 patients, referred to the Duke University Melanoma Clinic between 1970 and 1998, with histologic confirmation of regional lymph node metastasis before clinical evidence of distant metastasis and with documentation of full lymph node dissection. Recurrence and survival after lymph node dissection were analyzed. Results Estimated overall survival rates at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years were 43%, 35%, 28%, and 23%, respectively. This population included 792 actual 5-year survivors, 350 10-year survivors, and 137 15-year survivors. The number of positive lymph nodes was the most powerful predictor of both overall survival and recurrence-free survival; 5-year overall survival rates ranged from 53% for one positive node to 25% for greater than four nodes. Primary tumor ulceration and thickness were also powerful predictors of both overall and recurrence-free survival in multivariate analyses. The most common site of first recurrence after lymph node dissection was distant (44% of all patients). Conclusions Patients with regional lymph node metastasis can enjoy significant long-term survival after lymph node dissection. Therefore, aggressive surgical therapy of regional lymph node metastases is warranted, and each individual's risk of recurrence should be weighed against the potential risks of adjuvant therapy.
Point of care ultrasound strikes again.

AbstractThe article by Vohra and colleagues, “Sonographic Signs of Snakebites”, is reviewed and offers a novel use of ultrasound to assess the severity of soft tissue injury due to crotaline envenomation. The authors have shown the feasibility and potential utility of this modality. Further studies are needed to determine the true value of these sonographic findings and how to apply them to patient care.
A Higher-Order Compact Method in Space and Time Based on Parallel Implementation of the Thomas Algorithm

In this study we propose a novel method to parallelize high-order compact numerical algorithms for the solution of three-dimensional PDEs in a space?time domain. For such a numerical integration most of the computer time is spent in computation of spatial derivatives at each stage of the Runge?Kutta temporal update. The most efficient direct method to compute spatial derivatives on a serial computer is a version of Gaussian elimination for narrow linear banded systems known as the Thomas algorithm. In a straightforward pipelined implementation of the Thomas algorithm processors are idle due to the forward and backward recurrences of the Thomas algorithm. To utilize processors during this time, we propose to use them for either nonlocal data-independent computations, solving lines in the next spatial direction, or local data-dependent computations by the Runge?Kutta method. To achieve this goal, control of processor communication and computations by a static schedule is adopted. Thus, our parallel code is driven by a communication and computation schedule instead of the usual “creative programming” approach. The obtained parallelization speed-up of the novel algorithm is about twice as much as that for the basic pipelined algorithm and close to that for the explicit DRP algorithm. Use of the algorithm is demonstrated and comparisons with other schemes are given.
Symmetric‐group algebraic variational solutions for Heisenberg models at finite temperature

The Heisenberg spin Hamiltonian for a collection of N spin-1/2 sites is viewed, as favored by Professor Matsen, to be an element of the group algebra of the symmetric group L N . Several computationally tractable, variational group-algebraic approximations for the finite-temperature density matrix are made so as to minimize the Gibb's free-energy functional. Relations to previous quite differently motivated approximations are identified, though improvements are noted with the present approach
Optical waveguides in crystalline organic semiconductor thin films

Optical waveguiding in a crystalline organic semiconductor, namely, 3,4,9,10 perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA), has been demonstrated in slab and rib waveguides using both end‐fire and grating coupling at λ 1.064 μm. The effective indices of the transverse electric (TE) modes measured by means of grating coupling are in good agreement with theoretical prediction. A very low propagation loss of 2.5 dB/cm in a PTCDA rib waveguide has been determined from measurements of the scattered light intensity from the top surface of the guide.
Conjoint Analysis of Negotiator Preferences

Negotiator preferences are a universal element of conflict resolution theories, but have posed problems of operationalization which have hampered empirical verification and development of the theories. Conjoint analysis is proposed as a method for assessing the preferences of negotiators and their constituencies generally, and union, management, and employee preferences in a collective bargaining context, specifically. The technique is useful to researchers and practitioners in that it is easier to apply than Von Neumann-Morgenstern (1947) utility theory, and provides more information than simple issueprioritizing techniques. Conjoint analysis is used to analyze a simulated contract negotiation and shown to be both practical and valid. The technique is described and assessed; research and practical application are suggested in the areas of contract negotiation and third party intervention. An application of the technique for testing the Nash (1953) model of bargaining is included as an illustration of the...
A coordinated location policy for load sharing in hypercube-connected multicomputers

Uneven task arrivals in a hypercube-connected multicomputer may temporarily overload some nodes while leaving others underloaded. This problem can be solved or alleviated by load sharing (LS); that is, some of the tasks arriving at overloaded nodes, called overflow tasks, are transferred to underloaded nodes. One important issue in LS is to locate underloaded nodes to which the overflow tasks can be transferred. This is termed the location policy. Any efficient location policy should distribute the overflow tasks to the entire system instead of 'dumping' them on a few underloaded nodes. To reduce the overhead for collecting state information and transferring tasks, each node is required to maintain the state information of only those nodes in its proximity, called a buddy set. Several location policies-random probing, random selection, preferred lists, and bidding algorithm-are analyzed and compared for hypercube-connected multicomputer systems. Under the random-selection and preferred-list policies, an overloaded node can select, without probing other nodes, an underloaded node within its buddy set, while under the random probing policy and the bidding algorithm the overloaded node needs to probe other nodes before transferring the overflow task. Task collision(s) is said to occur if two or more overflow tasks are transferred (almost) simultaneously to the same underloaded node. The performances of these location policies are analyzed and compared in terms of the average number of task collisions. Our analysis shows that use of preferred lists allows the overflow tasks to be shared more evenly throughout the entire hypercube than the other two location policies. >
On the distribution of a statistic arising in exact simultaneous confidence bands

In the area of exact simultaneous confidence bands for all contrasts of three or more regression lines one quickly encounters a certain statistic that aids in the discovery of critical values for developing the confidence bands. In this paper, the exact distribution of this statistic is derived.
The role of GABAergic neuroactive steroids in ethanol action, tolerance and dependence.

This article reviews data on ethanol and neurosteroid interactions in the CNS. We discuss how GABAergic neurosteroids, including 3α,5α-TH PROG and 3α,5α-TH DOC, produced in response to systemic ethanol administration contribute to several of the effects of ethanol associated with modulation of GABAA receptors in rodents. There is an essential correlation between the time course of ethanol-induced 3α,5α-TH PROG production in the brain and specific behavioral and neural effects of ethanol. Furthermore, the anticonvulsant and inhibitory effects of ethanol on spontaneous neural activity were completely prevented by a key inhibitor of steroid biosynthesis. 3α,5α-TH PROG influences cognitive processing, spatial learning and memory and alters drinking behaviors in rats. Furthermore, ethanol induction of 3α,5α-TH PROG is diminished in tolerant and dependent animals. These effects are associated with increases in the sensitivity of GABAA receptors to neurosteroids and suggest an important role in ethanol withdrawal. Together, we suggest that 3α,5α-TH PROG and 3α,5α-TH DOC contribute to ethanol action and this interaction may represent a new mechanism of ethanol action. The identification of neurosteroid intermediaries involved in ethanol action may lead to important advances in the field and the development of novel therapeutics for alcoholism.
Spectral analysis of infant EEG and behavioral outcome at age five

Abstract Power spectral and discriminant analysis techniques were used to compare EEG records obtained at term and at 3 months past term from 5 groups of varying risk and developmental outcome. The groups were: (1) healthy full-terms; (2) healthy pre-terms with normal outcomes; (3) sick pre-terms with normal outcomes; (4) sick pre-terms with delayed development; (5) sick pre-terms with later neurological problems. The EEG samples recorded at term were identified as belonging to the correct subject group at 52–70% accurracy, 20% being chance for 5 groups. The accuraacy varied with the 4 classes of EEG patterns used. The individual subjects were also classified into their correct groups with few exceptions. Similar success was obtained with EEG samples selected from recording at 3 months past term. The predominant power spectral discriminating features were changes in intra- and inter-hemispheric coherence, and increased power, particularly in the middle and higher frequency range. Thus, computer analyses of EEG samples, using features not readily identified visually, differentiated risk from non-risk infants and also differentiated infants with substantial neonatal medical complications who have good or poor developmental outcomes.
The Link Between Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Sexual Dysfunction

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) occurs in up to 50 % of men by age 50, and the incidence increases with age. The rate of erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with BPH ranges from 30 to 70 %, but can be as high as 90.5 % in males aged over 50 years. BPH/lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and sexual dysfunction (SD) can have a substantial negative impact on a man’s quality of life (QoL). Symptom severity and impact on QoL in each condition increase when LUTS and ED coexist. Age and erection change in patients with LUTS could also correlate with ejaculation dysfunction. However, urologists and primary care physicians appear to under-recognize SD in men with BPH/LUTS. We review the mechanisms of action, association, and effect of treatment between BPH and ED.
Type 1 Interferons Cool the Inflamed Brain

Although interferon-beta is the most popular treatment for multiple sclerosis, its mechanism of action remains enigmatic. In this issue of Immunity, Prinz et al. (2008) elucidate an intriguing portrait of the pleiotropic effects of type 1 interferons in taming brain inflammation.
919-15 Rotational Atherectomy in Chronic Total Occlusions

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the success rate, complication profile and predictors of outcome of rotational atherectomy (RA) after guidewire crossing of chronic total occlusions (CTO). 145 total occlusions were treated in 139 procedures between 1988 and 1993. Of these, there were 112 single lesion procedures. Compared to pts with non-total occlusions (NTOI, pts with CTO were more likely to be male, younger and have a prior MI, but less likely to present with unstable angina or to have diabetes. Lesions were more likely type C (68.7% vs 15.1%, P l 0.0001) and longer (14.8 ± 7.8 vs 8.0 ± 5.6 mm, p l 0.0001). Mean baseline stenosis was 100.0%. Post-Rotablator stenosis was 45.6 ± 17.5%. Post-adjunctive balloon stenosis was 24.6 ± 15.9% while final residual stenosis was 26.9 ± 16.8%. The maximum mean burr size was 1.8 ± 0.26 mm while average vessel diameter was 2.74 ± 0.65 mm. Success without major complications occurred in 91.0%. Dissection occurred in 18.0%, acute in-lab closure in 3.6%, post-Cath lab reocclusion in 3.6%, emergency bypass surgery on 0%, death in 1.4% and NOMI in 4.3% of pts. Based on 49.2% angiographic follow-up, restenosis occurred in 62.5% of pts. Univariate predictors of RA success were pt age (p = 0.02), lesion eccentricity (p = 0.04) and vessel diameter (p = 0.02). In a multivariable logistic regression model, only larger vessel diameter remained as an independent predictor of success (2.8 ± 0.6 vs 2.0 ± 0.5 mm). Older age (p = 0.04) and diabetes (p = 0.01) were univariate predictors of restenosis. However, in the final multivariable logistic model, only diabetes remained a significant predictor. In conclusion, RA for the treatment of CTO has acceptable success and restenosis. Non-diabetics with relatively larger vessel diameter appear to benefit most.
Immunology at the University of Iowa.

Immunology has been an important area of biomedical research at The University of Iowa for many decades. Although the list of immunologists working at this institution has varied over this time period, there has been a steady and continuing growth of immunology and immunologists, in a number of different basic science and clinical departments. This growth was accelerated by the initiation in 1993 of The Immunology Graduate Program, an NIH-funded pre-doctoral training program that awards the Ph.D. degree in Immunology. Prior to this time, students interested in immunology received their Ph.D. degrees in related disciplines, most commonly Microbiology. Thus, while the institution produced a number of notable and successful immunologists, there was no single doctoral training program focused upon this topic. This was the impetus for a small working group to establish and gain regents’ approval for the current degree program. This program, now in the third funding cycle of its T32 award, currently contains 29 faculty members and 31 graduate students who work in laboratories in seven different home departments. The location of their laboratories in close approximation enhances the frequent collegial and collaborative interactions that have long characterized research at The University of Iowa. Thus, although immunologic research at Iowa is notable for its breadth and diversity, a variety of common themes weave together the many individual research programs. About 23 of these programs are represented by review articles contained in this issue, but additional immunology research adds to and complements this group. Immunology research here covers the gamut of cells of the immune system, as reflected by the topics of the reviews herein. Some of the reviews in this issue focus upon properties of particular types of B lymphocytes [1], T lymphocytes [2–4], myeloid cells [5–7], NK cells [8], and platelets [9]. Others cover processes and/or receptors and molecules that are used by multiple cell types.
Treatments of southern pine with vinyl chloride and methyl methacrylate for radiation-produced wood-plastic combinations

A method was developed for the impregnation of liquid vinyl chloride monomer into wood. Wood-plastic combinations (WPC) prepared from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyvinyl chloride plasticized with diocylthalate (DOP+PVC) were found to offer improvements in selected physical properties of wood. The initial anti-swell efficiency (ASE) values of PMMA WPC and DOP+PVC WPC are very high, averaging approximately 87 and 82 percent respectively after 5 hours of soaking; whereas PVC WPC attained an average of only 53 percent. After prolonged soaking, the ASE values of all treated wood decreased considerably, indicating no permanent stability was achieved. In hardness, the PMMA WPC attained an average springwood-summerwood rating of 76, the DOP+PVC WPC and the PVC WPC a rating of 69 and 63, respectively; whereas the untreated wood achieved a rating of only 53.
Antibody responses to trinitrophenyl (TNP)-l-glutamic acid60-l-alanine30-l-tyrosine10 (GAT) in microcultures: Anti-hapten and anti-carrier responses appear to be under separable control

Abstract We have previously reported that the IgM anti-hapten plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to trinitrophenyl (TNP)-conjugated l -glutamic acid 60 - l -alanine 30 - l -tyrosine 10 (GAT) is not under conventional Ir gene control in an in vitro microculture system. To explore this phenomenon, we examined both the anti-hapten and anti-carrier antibody responses to TNP-GAT in the microculture supernatants using a solid-phase radioimmunoassay (RIA). We show that splenocytes from GAT-responder BALB/c mice produce anti-hapten and anti-carrier antibody responses to TNP-GAT in microcultures, while splenocytes from GAT-nonresponder DBA/ 1 mice produce anti-hapten but not anti-carrier responses to TNP-GAT in these culture conditions. We further demonstrate that supernatants from rat splenocyte cultures stimulated by concanavalin A (Con A) similarly drive unprimed, T-lymphocyte-depleted splenocytes to produce anti-hapten but not anti-carrier antibody responses to TNP-GAT in microcultures. This observation suggests that T-cell-B-cell contact may not be required for the generation of anti-hapten responses by splenocytes to TNP-GAT in microcultures and may explain the absence of conventional Ir gene control of such responses in these cultures.
The effect of machine stiffness on grinding of silicon nitride

This study investigates the effect of machine stiffness on normal forces, actual depth of cut, and workpiece strength in grinding of silicon nitride. To obtain a grinding system with an adjustable stiffness, a compliant workholder is added to a precision grinder. Single-pass and multi-pass grinding experiments are conducted to evaluate the effect of machine stiffness. Cup-type diamond wheels of two different bond types and three grit sizes are used in the grinding experiments. Static and dynamic simulation is carried out to correlate grinding forces and actual depth of cut with machine stiffness. Since the simulation uses a time-domain model, it can accommodate non-linearities caused by the effect of machine stiffness on grinding forces and actual wheel depth of cut, workpiece regeneration, wheel wear, as well as wheel bond type and grit size effects, etc. Particularly, the model allows simulating grinding instability and the interference phenomenon due to residual material removal in multi-pass grinding. The study concludes that both simulation and experimental results have a good agreement.
Glucosamine incorporation into rat cerebrum: Effect of adrenalectomy, corticosterone, exercise, and training ☆

Abstract Incorporation of D-[l- 14 C]glucosamine into various metabolic fractions was studied in an experiment designed to quantify the relative influence of physiological and behavioral factors. Different physiological states were established by sham operation (S), adrenalectomy (A), and adrenalectomy plus corticosterone replacement (H). Within each physiological condition the behavioral state was varied by swim-escape training (E), swimming exercise (X) or nonswimming controls (C). Adrenalectomy caused a generalized increase in label uptake by cerebral cortex and hippocampus, but precursor levels in the blood were elevated also, suggesting a systematic physiological effect. Behavioral state had no effect on overall uptake, but did influence the distribution of label between soluble and membrane-bound glycoproteins. These results indicate that D-[l- 14 C]glucosamine is an effective glycoprotein and ganglioside precursor in behavioral experiments, provided corrections for the influence of systematic physiological factors are made.
Mini-Open Repair Technique of HAGL (Humeral Avulsion of the Glenohumeral Ligament) Lesion

This article describes a limited open technique to repair humeral avulsions of the glenohumeral ligament (HAGL). The main feature of this technique is the sparing of the superior 50% of the subscapularis tendon. Essentially, an L-type incision is made in the lower third of the subscapularis tendon approximately 1 cm medial to the lesser tuberosity. The transverse limb of this incision is made just superior to the anterior circumflex vessels. Beginning inferiorly, the subscapularis tendon is lifted up, exposing the humeral ligament avulsion. The HAGL lesion is then repaired with 2 or 3 suture anchors anatomically. The advantages of this technique are preservation of the important superior tendinous portion of the subscapularis tendon, thereby preserving strength, easier rehabilitation, and return to full activity.
Synthesis and characterization of sterically hindered arylsilanes containing the 2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl ligand (TMP): X-ray structures of (TMP)SiH3, (TMP)2SiH2, and (TMP)3SiH

Abstract The homologous series of primary, secondary and tertiary silanes containing the sterically demanding 2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl (TMP) group have been prepared in yields ranging from 22 to 45%. The arylsilanes were characterized by multinuclear NMR, IR, GC–MS, elemental analyses, and X-ray crystallography. Relatively short intramolecular distances are observed between Si and the O atoms in the ortho-methoxy groups of the aryl ligand and are shorter than the sum of the van der Waal’s radii in the solid state for all three arylsilanes.
CORPORATE REINVESTMENTS IN CITIES AND THE REDEMPTIVE POWER OF MONEY AND CITIZENSHIP

: Corporate and institutional actors in cities have the capacity to promote the public good. Many theorists have overlooked the positive accomplishments of powerful individuals and institutions in the development process. As a result, visions of the city are limited and often inaccurate.
A spectrophotometric technique for measuring particle ingestion by black fly larvae

A spectrophotometric technique was developed to provide insight into the feeding behavior of Simulium vittatum Zetterstedt (Diptera: Simuliidae) larvae. Larvae were exposed to water insoluble Neon Red particles (NRP) (DayGlo®) in a controlled current. The insoluble particles were available for capture by the cephalic fans of the larvae and subsequent ingestion. The length of gut occupied by the particles after a given exposure time was determined by visual inspection and measured with the aid of a dissecting microscope. Larvae were then homogenized in acetone to solubilize the particles. After filtration, the quantity of pigmented particles in the alimentary tract of the larvae was determined using spectrophotometric analysis. The quantity of particles per unit length of the alimentary tract was calculated. Experiments were conducted to determine the ideal concentration of NRP for obtaining an accurate measure of ingestion without interfering with normal larval feeding behavior. Larval mortality following ingestion of insecticidal proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. israelensis was used as an indirect measure of feeding behavior for these experiments. A concentration of 15 p.p.m. of NRP in the larval medium was the highest concentration used that did not interfere with larval mortality following exposure to the insecticidal proteins. Additional experiments demonstrated that components of the experimental matrix did not interfere with NRP absorbance. The final experiment revealed that the consumption of NRP and insecticidal proteins by larvae was influenced by clay and cellulose in the larval medium.
Extracellular iron reductases: identification of a new class of enzymes by siderophore-producing microorganisms.

Abstract This study identifies extracellular iron reductases in culture supernatant fluids of the siderophore-producing microorganismsEscherichia coliandPseudomonas aeruginosa.These enzymes were constitutively produced and reduced and released iron from a variety of ferric chelators. Dialyzable cofactors, necessary for the transfer of electrons in the enzymatic reduction of iron, were identified. The reductases were sensitive to treatment with proteinase K and guanidine–HCl, were not associated with siderophore activity, and were apparently released from the cell as extracellular enzymes. The acquisition of59Fe2+by cell suspensions ofE. coliandP. aeruginosawas saturable, suggesting that the ferrous iron generated by these reductases can be bound and transported.Salmonella typhimuriummutantsfeoB, tonB, entB,andentBfeoB,deficient in numerous known iron uptake pathways, were found to exhibit substantial extracellular iron-reducing activities over that of the parent. A hypothesis is proposed in which the extracellular iron reductases excreted by siderophore-producing microorganisms may be responsible for the mobilization of iron during conditions of iron repletion when siderophores are repressed and may also function in concert with siderophores during periods of iron starvation.
Fitting contact lenses after myopic keratomileusis.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and results of contact lens fittingfollowing myopic keratomileusis (MKM). Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital, and Swinger Vision Center, New York, New York, USA. Methods: Postoperative fitting of contact lenses was studied as part of a prospectiveevaluation of myopic keratomileusis. In this series, 27 eyes of 20 patients had residual postoperative refractive errors that were corrected with contact lenses. Patients were fit at a mean of 9.4 months after surgery by the trial-lens method. Preoperative keratometry readings and refractions, as well as postoperative keratometry readings, refractions, and contact lens specifications, were recorded and used for fitting. Results: Twenty-six eyes (96%) were fit successfully: 24 (89%) with rigid gas-permeablelenses and 2 (7%) with daily-wear soft lenses. The mean diameter of the rigid lenses was 10.00 mm (range 9.4 to 11.0 mm) and the mean base curve, 8.52 mm (range 7.9 to 9.2 mm). The 2 soft lenses had base curves of 8.6 and 8.9 mm. The mean lens power was −5.24 diopters (D) (range −0.37 to −14.75 D), which was, on average, 4.06 D more myopic than the postoperative spectacle refraction. Postoperative keratometry provided a good starting point for the trial lens. Lenses were tolerated for up to 16 years. One eye, fit with a soft lens, developed significant myopia during the fifth year. Conclusion: After lamellar refractive surgery, the topography of the cornea is significantly altered. Although the postoperative keratometry readings are steeper than the actual curvature, they are reasonably reliable for determining the base curve of the initial trial lens, validating the use of conventional methods of fitting rigid contact lenses in patients who have had MKM.
Phenylalanine metabolites as indicators of dietary compliance in children with phenylketonuria

The data from this study showed that the excretion of three major metabolites of phenylalanine in patients with PKU approach normal values at blood phenylalanine levels less than 5.0 mg/dl. The MANOVA showed statistically significant differences in phenyllactate excretion when blood phenylalanine was greater than 10.0 mg/dl. The PL and total metabolite excretion were significantly correlated to blood phenylalanine in multiple samples taken from two individual subjects. Using data obtained from single patient observations may serve as a means for individualizing the PKU diet to insure low levels of phenylalanine metabolites and thus insure optimal development for patients with PKU.