cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Vanishing of the Sun: A Manifestation of Cortical Plasticity

Abstract In Monet’s painting Impression. Rising Sun, when one steadily fixates the image of a sailor in the center of the picture for several seconds, the solar disk progressively disappears, being replaced in both brightness and color by the surrounding sky. This “filling-in” phenomenon reflects a process of cortical remapping, similar to the one that occurs in the presence of visual field defects. Filling-in is largely ignored by clinicians, despite its major implications in ophthalmologic practice, especially the nonrecognition of visual field deficits. (Surv Ophthalmol 42:449–452, 1998.
Voiding dysfunction following removal of eroded synthetic mid urethral slings

Purpose: Voiding dysfunction following genitourinary erosion of synthetic mid urethral slings is not clearly reported. We investigated the incidence of voiding dysfunction in patients following sling excision due to vaginal, urethral or intravesical mesh erosion.Materials and Methods: Retrospective review identified 19 patients with genitourinary erosion of polypropylene mesh slings. Comprehensive urological evaluation was performed in all patients, and perioperative and postoperative data were analyzed. Voiding dysfunction was defined as refractory storage symptoms, emptying symptoms and pelvic pain. All subsequent medical and surgical interventions were recorded.Results: In 19 patients a total of 11 vaginal, 7 intravesical and 5 urethral erosions occurred. Mean patient age was 52 years (range 32 to 69) and average followup was 8.4 months (range 3 to 34). Average time from symptom onset to sling removal was 10.1 months (range 1.5 to 38). Of the 19 patients 14 (74%) presented with multiple symptoms. Sympt...
A not-so-simple Lie bracket expansion

Lie algebras and quantum groups are not usually studied by an undergraduate. However, in the study of these structures, there are interesting questions that are easily accessible to an upper-level undergraduate. Here we look at the expansion of a nested set of brackets that appears in relations presented in a paper of Lum on toroidal algebras. We illuminate certain terms that must be in the expansion, providing a partial answer for the closed form. Lie algebras and quantum groups are not topics that you are apt to hear undergraduates math majors discussing in their spare time. However, there are a surprising number of nontrivial questions in this area that are undergraduate appropriate. In this paper, we will give a brief overview of the broad mathematical setting, and then discuss an accessible problem that involves expanding a nested set of brackets. Lie algebras, their universal enveloping algebras and quantum groups are a fundamental part of representation theory that have many applications within mathematics and mathematical physics. Lie algebras and Lie groups were originally discovered by Sophus Lie in the late nineteenth century [Borel 2001]. Given a Lie algebra, we associate a unique associative algebra called the universal enveloping algebra. In 1985, Jimbo and Drinfeld discovered q-analogues of these universal enveloping algebras called “quantum groups”, which have been a recent area of study (see [Lusztig 1993]). In order to find the quantum analogue of a Lie algebra it is often desirable to understand the defining relationships of the Lie algebra inside of its universal enveloping algebra. The motivation for this project came from a paper by Lum in which he gives a nice presentation of a toroidal Lie algebra that could be useful in understanding this Lie algebra’s quantum group [Lum 1998]. All of these relations utilize a nested set of brackets called t.k/. For simplicity, we have modified t.k/ by a scalar. In this paper we seek to understand the expansion of this object.
The effect of lever retraction on resistance to extinction of a response rewarded with electrical stimulation of the brain

Two experiments assessed the effect of lever retraction on resistance to extinction of a response rewarded with electrical stimulation of the brain. The results showed that responding during extinction increased following training with lever retraction.
Isolated Innominate Artery From the Main Pulmonary Artery in DiGeorge Syndrome

![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] [![Graphic][3] ][3] Suprasternal View Showing the Ascending Aorta in Short Axis The main pulmonary artery (MPA) is seen, with the isolated innominate artery (IA) originating from the MPA. Note the long course of the IA prior to its division into the
Cost and cost-effectiveness studies in heart failure research☆

Background Heart failure is a major and increasing cause of death and disability and accounts for significant resourse use. In the United States alone, the prevalence is 4.6 million, with an incidence rate of 550,000 new cases a year and approximately 957,000 hospitalizations a year. Methods and Results Methods of evaluating cost and outcome and of comparing cost with outcome are reviewed. Economic and cost-effectiveness studies in heart failure research, especially those related to clinical trials, are reviewed in the therapeutic areas of digoxin, angiotension-converting enzyme inhibition, beta blockers, disease management, and transplantation. Conclusion In an era in which economic constraints on medical resourse use limit the ability to give all services to all patients, economic studies can help guide more rational decision making. Economic studies in heart failure can be expected to improve and so help society to make better, more informed choices. (Am Heart J 2002;143:565-76.)
Separation and identification of polycyclic hydrocarbons in rubber dust.

Abstract A spectrophotometric technique is described for determining the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in furnace black, vehicular tire rubber, and lung tissue, utilizing benzene and immiscible solvent system extraction followed by thin-layer chromatography on cellulose with N,N-dimethylformamide as developer. By use of this procedure, furnace black and new and aged vehicular tire rubber are found to contain 3,4-benzpyrene, 1,2-benzpyrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene in quantities which are not diminished by processing, aging, or wear. In a further application of the procedure it was established that commercial furnace black and furnace black deposited in the lungs of monkeys are similar in that both contain adsorbed 1,2-benz-pyrene, pyrene, and possibly fluoranthene, and two unidentified fluorescent compounds. They are dissimilar in that the furnace black from monkey lungs contains no coronene or 3,4-benzpyrene.
Lagrangian and Hamiltonian aspects of wave mixing in non-uniform media: waves on strings and waves in gas dynamics

Hamiltonian and Lagrangian perturbation theory is used to describe linear wave propagation in inhomogeneous media. In particular, the problems of wave propagation on an inhomogeneous string, and the propagation of sound waves and entropy waves in gas dynamies in one Cartesian space dimension are investigated. For the case of wave propagation on an inhomogeneous heavy string, coupled evolution equations are obtained describing the interaction of the backward and forward waves via wave reflection off gradients in the string density. Similarly, in the case of gas dynamics the backward and forward sound waves and the entropy wave interact with each other via gradients in the background flow. The wave coupling coefficients in the gas-dynamical ease depend on the gradients of the Riemann invariants R ± and entropy S of the background flow. Coupled evolution equations describing the interaction of the different wave modes are obtained by exploiting the Hamiltonian and Poisson-bracket structure of the governing equations. Both Lagrangian and Clebsch-variable formulations are used. The similarity of the equations to equations obtained by Heinemann and Olbert describing the propagation of bidirectional Alfven waves in the solar wind is pointed out.
Predicting the Readiness of Elementary School Children to Learn an Effective Dental Flossing Technique

Data on age and sex and the results of the Moore Eye-Hand Coordination Test were analyzed to determine the relationships that existed between these variables and the time it took the individual to learn how to manipulate dental floss between all of the teeth and how to clean the teeth effectively with dental floss. An analysis of data on 117 Lebanon, Ore, elementary school children, 8 through 11 years of age, revealed that there were significant relationships between age (or eye-hand coordination) and flossing-manipulation skill and the ability to effectively remove plaque with dental floss. Although sex was not highly correlated with flossing-manipulation skill and flossing effectiveness, there were some significant differences between the boys and girls at certain age levels in either the flossing-manipulation skill or the flossing-effectiveness tests. The analysis revealed that the variables of age, sex, and eye-hand coordination could not precisely predict when particular students were ready to learn an effective dental flossing technique. Finally, data revealed that all 8-, 9,- 10-, and 11-year-old youngsters could learn how to use dental floss effectively within ten, seven, six, and five days, respectively.
Conquistadors, Monsters, and Maps: Moby-Dick in a New World Context

AbstractHerman Melville's Moby-Dick (1851) is read within a hemispheric American context of transmission across political and cultural borders. A reinterpretation is proposed of what many still regard as the 'Great American Novel' by examining the national concerns of Moby-Dick in relation to a longer New World history of European conquest and settlement in America, North and South. Inter-American hieroglyphic and cartographic sources are identified for the novel and the argument is made that, by redeploying colonial print and visual archives that form the legacy of New World writers, Melville reverses the course of Jacksonian nation-building, which was rapidly making the US the political successor of the Spanish Empire and was likely to replicate its recent failures.
The theory of the electromagnetic self-force according to conformal symmetry II: Initial data and stability problems

The problem of well-posed initial data, those guaranteeing existence and uniqueness of solutions, is studied in this Part II. The motion equations, including the new self-force, are second-order differential-difference equations with a variable lag, due to the nonzero minimum time lag in causal signal propagation enforced ultimately by the conformal group symmetry. An initial-data theorem for a quite general class of solutions is conjectured on the basis of recent work in the literature. But these may well be too general, showing physical anomalies like «self-collision», infinite impulsive forces or others. We conjecture that the subclass of physical («doubly analytic») solutions is obtained precisely by the traditional initial data of space-time position and velocity specified at the initial instant. The idea of the proof is sketched, and simple solvable models are shown to support it. The stability problem is formulated and verified in the free (no external field) case.
Interactions between a microsporidian pathogen of the lawn-armyworm and the hymenopterous parasite Apanteles marginiventris

The hymenopterous parasite Apanteles marginiventris oviposited with equal frequency in Nosema-infected and in uninfected lawn-armyworm (Spodoptera mauritia acronyctoides) when the hosts were exposed in separate containers. When the hosts were exposed together, however, the parasites seemed to prefer the infected hosts although the difference was not statistically significant. Nosema-infected hosts had deleterious effects on their internal parasites. There was high parasite larval and pupal mortality, greatly reduced adult emergence, and those few adults that did emerge were smaller and significantly shorter-lived than the parasites from uninfected hosts. These detrimental effects did not derive from a direct infection of the parasite by Nosema, but rather, because an infected host apparently was not completely adequate for parasite development. There were no observable pathological changes in the tissues of parasites reared in infected hosts. The parasites successfully transmitted the pathogen from severely infected hosts to noninfected hosts during oviposition.
The authors of the article cited above respond

Krouwer (1) makes a valid point that total error for a measurement procedure must include analytical nonspecificity influences (referred to as “random patient interferences” by Krouwer) as well as mean calibration bias and imprecision components. Fig. 3 in the report from the Laboratory Working Group (LWG) of the National Kidney Disease Education Program showed boundaries for combinations of bias and imprecision that would contribute no more than a 10% change in root mean square error for estimates of glomerular filtration rate …
Parametric target detection algorithm based on ISLIM for hyperspectral imaging

A supervised subpixel target detection algorithm based on iterative simple linear model for hyperspectral imaging is developed. Parameter estimation, whitening transformation, and comparison of the test results with the classical approach are discussed. Numerical results indicate that the performance of the parametric algorithm is comparable with the corresponding classical approach and requires fewer training pixels.
Does seed dispersal limit initiation of primary succession in desert playas

To investigate the initiation of primary succession in a cold-desert playa-dune complex, we studied the large-scale (2000 m) seed (diaspore) dispersal patterns at Mono Lake, California. Seeds of seven of the ten species reaching the barren playa had wind-dispersal adaptations. Rates of dispersal (numbers of seeds per square metre per day) were as much as three orders of magnitude lower on the playa than in the diverse dune vegetation. However, seed input appeared sufficient to reach potential safe sites on the playa, with a peak input of 66 ± 8 total seeds·m·d. The smooth playa surface, the virtual absence of aboveground barriers, and the high windspeed environment promote the long-distance dispersal of seeds (at least 1300 m for Chrysothamnus spp. and at least 700 m for Sarcobatus vermiculatus). The large spatial scale of sampling revealed a relatively high seed input onto the playa by the dominant pioneer species S. vermiculatus, despite the low abundance of parent vegetation in this region. All of these results implicate low rates of seed entrapment as an obstacle to establishment on this desert playa, rather than a lack of seed input.
Minimally invasive lateral mass screw fixation in the cervical spine: initial clinical experience with long-term follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: Lateral mass screw fixation of the subaxial cervical spine has been a major advancement for spinal surgeons. This technique provides excellent three-dimensional fixation from C3 to C7. However, exposure of the dorsal spinal musculature can produce significant postoperative neck pain. The incorporation of a minimal access approach using tubular dilator retractors can potentially overcome the drawbacks associated with the extensive muscle stripping needed for traditional surgical exposures. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the first 18 patients treated using lateral mass screws placed in a minimally invasive fashion. All patients, except 2 who were lost to follow-up, had a 2-year minimum clinical follow-up. All patients had a computed tomography (CT) scan in the immediate postoperative period to check the positioning of implanted hardware. Operative time, blood loss, and complications were ascertained. Fusion was assessed radiographically with dynamic radiographs and CT scans. RESULTS: Sixteen of the 18 patients underwent successful screw placement. Two patients had the minimal access procedure converted to an open surgery because radiographic visualization was not adequate in the lower cervical spine. Six cases involved unilateral instrumentation and 10 had bilateral screws. A total of 39 levels were instrumented. There were no intraoperative complications, and follow-up CT scans demonstrated no bony violations except in cases where bicortical purchase was achieved. All patients achieved bony fusion. CONCLUSION: A minimally invasive approach using tubular dilator retractors can be a safe and effective means for placing lateral mass screws in the subaxial cervical spine. Up to two levels can be treated in this manner. This approach preserves the integrity of the muscles and ligaments that maintain the posterior tension band of the cervical spine but requires adequate intraoperative imaging.
Hematolymphopoietic and inflammatory cytokines in neural development

It is now clear that cytokines traditionally viewed as immune modulators participate in inflammatory responses within the adult nervous system. However, in the developing nervous system hematolymphopoietic cytokines also play a role unrelated to neural-immune interactions. Instead, many of these factors subserve primary regulatory functions related both to the morphogenesis and to the cellular maturation of the central and peripheral nervous systems. This article focuses specifically on cytokine actions in neural development.
Injection quenching and the high temperature water-splitting reactor

Abstract It is shown that injection quenching may be an effective method for recovering hydrogen gas generated by the direct, uncatalyzed thermal splitting of water. The method is simple and efficient enough to offer encouragement for further study of direct splitting as a realistic possibility for the generation of H 2 from water.
The effects of insulin on urinary urea and ammonia production.

Abstract 15N-Iabelled glycine, ammonium chloride, and L-aspartic acid were infused intravenously into a series of non-diabetic adults at a constant rate for 4 to 8 hours. Midway during the infusion, a pulse of 8–10 units of regular insulin was injected as a pulse or infused at a constant rate for the remainder of the 15N infusion period. Frequent urine specimens were collected during the infusion period. The 15N enrichment of the urinary urea, ammonia, and amino acids increased smoothly with time until the insulin was given. The pulse of insulin caused a downturn on the 15N enrichment. We concluded from this that a) the effect of a pulse of insulin on human urea and ammonia metabolism lasted for about one hour, and b) insulin affected glutamine distribution in the plasma.
Carbon fibre composites with improved fatigue resistance due to the addition of tin-lead alloy particles

Abstract The addition of tin-lead (60 wt% Sn) alloy particles (about 21–25 μm in diameter, in an amount up to 37 wt% or 7.2 vol%) between continuous unidirectional carbon fibre layers in an epoxy-matrix composite was found to improve the fatigue life by over 100 times. The alloy addition had little effect on the tensile strength, tensile modulus, compressive strength, compressive modulus (with the compressive force parallel and perpendicular to the fibres), but increased the electrical resistivity. The composites were fabricated by compression moulding at 185–200°C and 1 MPa for 30 min. The heating allowed the alloy to melt while the epoxy cured. The fatigue life enhancement is probably due to the hindering of the fatigue crack growth by the alloy particles.
Segmental pancreatic canine neck autotransplantation with exocrine drainage to the parotid duct.

Description de la technique. 4 des chiens ont survecu avec un bon fonctionnement du greffon pancreatique
An explicit model of exponential decay

Abstract An exactly soluble model is presented that exhibits exponential decay to arbitrary accuracy as the potential is increased. The model is constructed with the goal of making it the simplest possible dynamical system which still has enough structure to exhibit exponential decay. The result is a discrete-space analogue of a one-dimensional double potential-barrier problem. The solution of the system is based upon an analysis of the analytic properties of the resolvent. The spectral function is also calculated and is shown to approach rapidly the canonical Breit-Wigner form.
Surface Evaluation Of The Grazing Incidence Mirrors For The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer

The EUV scattering from the Wolter-Schwarzschild type I short wavelength scanner mirror aboard the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer is measured, and the results are used to evaluate the surface microroughness of the mirror. It is found that the most likely values for the mirror surface are sigma = 20 A, and rho = 40 microns. These results are consistent with previous estimates, but with a higher degree of certainty. The full-scale simulation presented here allows over 99 percent of the light distribution to be reasonably modeled.
Economics of multimillion-joule inductive energy storage

IN MANY electric energy storage applications the objective is to store energy slowly over a relatively long interval and than withdraw the energy quickly to obtain a very high peak power. For certain applications of this type, inductance coils have significant advantages over capacitors or rotating machinery. The inductive storage method is particularly advantageous in situations where millions of watt-seconds are to be stored and the energy is to be expended in a time interval of a few milliseconds.
Biology, Host Preferences, and Abundance of Mesochorus curvulus (Hymenoptera: lchneumonidae), a Hyperparasite of Peristenus spp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Parasitizing Plant Bugs (Miridae: Hemiptera) in Alfalfa-Grass Forage Crops

Abstract Mesochorus curvulus Thomson was the only secondary parasite (hyperparasite) reared from six primary parasites (Braconidae: five Peristenus spp., one Leiophron sp.) collected in the field, in their mirid hosts. These six braconids parasitized nymphs of four species of phytophagous plant bugs, two (Leptopterna, Trigonotylus) feeding on forage grasses, and two (Adelphocoris, Lygus) feeding on alfalfa. The principal samples were collected weekly and biweekly on commercial farms in northwestern New Jersey over a 10-yr period. Although M. curvulus attacked six primary parasite species, it preferred Peristenus pallipes (Curtis), which in turn preferred the two non-native, grass-feeding mirids. These preferences suggest that both P. pallipes and M. curvulus are also not native to North America. Rates of hyperparasitism were higher in the most abundant primary parasites, so were density-dependent. The low hyperparasitism rates observed (1–11%) indicate that Mesochorus does not have a strong negative effec...
Marrow stromal cells differentiate into vasculature after allogeneic transplantation into ischemic myocardium

Background Marrow stromal cells (MSCs) are reportedly able to improve ventricular function after myocardial infarction through the paracrine effect or regenerating myocytes. However, the evidence to prove that is scant. In this animal study, we employed MSCs isolated from transgenic pigs designed to express enhanced green fluorescent proteins as the donor to study the fate of the cells after allogeneic transplantation. Methods Green MSCs prepared from transgenic pigs were allogeneically transplanted into chronic ischemic myocardium of 8 Yorkshire pigs by direct intramyocardial injection (total 1.2 × 10 8 cells in 2.5 mL saline, with 25 injection sites). Cohorts of 2 animals were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks, and 3 months after injection to study the fate of the injected cells. Results Allogeneic injection of the green MSCs is safe; no observable side effects or signs of graft versus host disease were observed. By 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) counterstained frozen sections, the green cells were found migrating from the injected area into deeper layers of myocardium over the course of 1 to 6 weeks. By immunofluorescent staining, the green cells were associated with smooth muscle actin or von Willebrand factor positive cells, suggesting that the transplanted cells were contributing to the formation of new vessels. We found no evidence that these cells were associated with the new generation of cardiac myocytes. Three months after injection, clusters of MSCs still can be found in the middle layer of ischemic myocardium; however, no unlimited cell growth was found. Conclusions Allogeneic transplantation of green MSCs can be safely used to elucidate the mechanisms of cell-based therapy. The benefits of this therapy appear mainly due to the angiogenesis, not the regeneration, of cardiac myocytes.
Policing Hate: What can be done?

Violence arising out of social diversity, in particular race, ethnicity, religion, and culture, is the too common lot of humankind. This paper discusses what the police can do to mitigate the cruelty that hatred generates. It argues that police cannot reduce hatred directly, but can significantly contribute to creating an environment that lessens the likelihood that hatred will result in interpersonal violence. The police do this by acting in ways that create bonds of citizenship. This is achieved by being fair, effective, and open in all their activities. Fairness involves acting in accordance with internationally recognized standards of human rights. Five specific programs for achieving this goal are discussed. Effectiveness means being responsive to the needs of both individuals and groups. Six programs for achieving this objective are reviewed. Finally, openness means being transparent and accountable, and seven programs for implementing this goal are presented.
A Study of Blood Utilization by Diagnosis, Month of Transfusion, and Geographic Region of the United States

The purpose of this study was to analyze blood utilization by 92,815 transfused patients treated in 300 United States hospitals during 1974. In order to achieve this end, transfused patients were first divided into 349 diagnosis groups. Blood transfusion data for the highest ranking 50 groups in terms of total units administered to patients in the group are presented and discussed, as well as the blood needs of patients in 19 major disease categories such as malignant neoplasm. Blood transfusion is then correlated with the month of the year by presenting the mean number and the total number of units transfused per month for the country as a whole and for each of four geographic regions. Individual diagnosis groups with significant variation in the mean number of units transfused among the months are also listed and discussed. To aid in the interpretation of mean monthly transfusion rates for the various diagnosis groups, a list of operative procedures with significant variation in the quarterly frequency is offered. Diagnosis groups with significant variation in the mean transfusion rate among the four geographic regions are presented with interpretation of the data.
IT open house: what it can do for your organization

Information Technology and the work of technical staff are often mysterious and intimidating to those on the outside looking in. Developing a positive appreciation for IT policies, functions, and responsibilities is important for good customer relations and to obtain broad organizational support, which is so essential in these times of scarce resources and tight budgets.In this paper, we will share how the IT Services unit (IT staff) of the Office of Admissions and Records (OAR) at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, used the fun and relaxed atmosphere of an open house to educate and inform non-technical staff (staff) about our services. Using posters, brochures, presentations, contests, and games, we helped staff understand who we are, what we do, and how our services provide the underpinning for day-to-day departmental operations.Following the event, we surveyed staff in order to assess the success of our efforts. Staff members also volunteered ample informal feedback. We will fill you in on what we learned and why we are convinced that this is an event worth repeating - and worth sharing with our counterparts at other institutions.
Evaluation of blood flow velocity in the ascending aorta and main pulmonary artery of normal subjects by Doppler echocardiography

Blood flow velocity measurements were made in the ascending aorta and proximal main pulmonary artery of 20 adult normal subjects (12 men and eight women, age range 21 to 46 years) with the use of a commercial prototype ultrasound instrument combining a spectrum analyzer-based, pulsed Doppler velocimeter with a two-dimensional sector scanner. The sector scanner was used to produce two-dimensional images of the main pulmonary artery so that the Doppler sample volume could be placed parallel to the flow stream. A 2.25 MHz right-angle M-mode ultrasound transducer was positioned in the suprasternal notch and was used to measure blood flow velocity in the ascending aorta. There were significant differences (p less than 0.001) between the ascending aorta and main pulmonary artery (PA) in the following blood flow parameters: peak flow velocity (aorta = 92 cm/sec, PA = 63 cm/sec), average acceleration (aorta = 940 cm/sec2, PA = 396 cm/sec2), acceleration time (aorta = 98 msec, PA = 159 msec), deceleration time (aorta = 197 msec, PA = 172 msec), average deceleration (aorta = 473 cm/sec2, PA = 356 cm/sec2), and ejection time (aorta = 294 msec, PA = 331 msec). These data indicate that despite a four to five times higher arterial resistance in the systemic circuit compared to the pulmonary circuit, blood is accelerated two to three times more rapidly in the ascending aorta than in the main pulmonary artery. Also, the peak flow velocity is higher in the aorta and is achieved earlier in systole than in the pulmonary artery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
New Insights and Faster Computations for the Graphical Lasso

We consider the graphical lasso formulation for estimating a Gaussian graphical model in the high-dimensional setting. This approach entails estimating the inverse covariance matrix under a multivariate normal model by maximizing the l1-penalized log-likelihood. We present a very simple necessary and sufficient condition that can be used to identify the connected components in the graphical lasso solution. The condition can be employed to determine whether the estimated inverse covariance matrix will be block diagonal, and if so, then to identify the blocks. This in turn can lead to drastic speed improvements, since one can simply apply a standard graphical lasso algorithm to each block separately. Moreover, the necessary and sufficient condition provides insight into the graphical lasso solution: the set of connected nodes at any given tuning parameter value is a superset of the set of connected nodes at any larger tuning parameter value. This article has supplementary material online.
A model to characterize acoustic softening during ultrasonic consolidation

Abstract Ultrasonic consolidation (UC) is a solid state bonding process in which thin metal foils are bonded under the influence of ultrasonic vibration and pressure. Large parts can be made by placing foils side by side or by stacking layers to create thicker parts. Thermal and acoustic softening of metals during UC leads to increased plastic deformation and plays an important role in bond formation. In this work, a thermo-mechanical finite element model is developed to quantify the degree of thermal and acoustic softening occurring in Al 1100-0 foils during UC. The model uses experimentally measured temperatures and changes in the foil's geometry during UC to quantify the amount of thermal and acoustic softening. Acoustic softening is shown to reduce the yield stress of Al 1100-0 foils by up to 82%. In addition, thermal softening is found to be relatively minor, typically less than 5% of the total material softening. This method to quantify acoustic softening during UC allows for a better overall understanding of the bonding process and allows several aspects of the UC bonding process to be optimized and improved.
An equilibrium focused approach to calculating the Raman spectrum of the symmetric OH stretch in formic acid dimer

The recent reaction surface Hamiltonian model for the double proton tunneling in formic acid dimer of Barnes et al. [G.L. Barnes, S.M. Squires, E.L. Sibert, J. Phys. Chem. B. 112 (2008) 595.] has been applied to the calculation of the symmetric OH stretching Raman spectra. We interpret the full Raman spectra obtained through use of a simplified, single minimum spectrum. Extensive state mixing is found, leading to broad spectral features. Results compare well with the experimental measurements of Bertie et al. [J.E. Bertie, K.H. Michaelian, H.H. Eysel, D. Hager, J. Chem. Phys. 85 (9) (1986) 4779]. We also report improvements upon our previous approach and present ground state and fundamental frequencies as well as tunneling splittings obtained with our new method.
Propagation of weakly nonlinear magnetoacoustic waves

Abstract Using the reductive perturbation method we show that the modified Burgers equation governs the propagation of a weakly nonlinear slow magnetoacoustic wave near the equilibrium state with zero transverse magnetic field.
Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Collected During Epizootics of Hemorrhagic Disease among Captive White-tailed Deer

To help determine specific vectors of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) and bluetongue (BT) viruses for white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus Zimmermann, in the southeastern United States, Culicoides sp. midges were collected during epizootics of hemorrhagic disease among captive white-tailed deer in Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina. Culicoides variipennis (Coquillett), a confirmed vector of EHD and BT viruses, was present in low numbers in light-trap collections made at all sites. Collections from deer made in Georgia and North Carolina yielded only a single specimen of C. variipennis. Other Culicoides species present in far greater numbers during the epizootics included C. lahillei Lutz, C. paraensis (Goeldi), and C. stellifer (Coquillett). C. lahillei warrants particular attention as a potential vector because it readily feeds on white-tailed deer and was by far the predominant species collected from deer during the epizootics.
The energetic cost of adaptive feet in walking

While humanoid feet are made of rigid plates, human feet have evolved into highly articulated and flexible elements. This adaptiveness provides key advantages. It absorbs impacts and secures grip when interacting with the environment. However, the human foot design potentially increases the energetic cost, because it features actuators and provides less power transfer than a rigid plate does. Here we use neuromuscular models with different foot designs and show that human feet incur about 20% more energetic cost than rigid ones for walking speeds up to 1.2ms−1, which is close to the preferred walking speed. Above this speed, human feet do not show an energetic disadvantage. In addition we propose a foot design for prosthetic or humanoid feet which preserves key features of adaptive feet but does not require actuation, and show that it reduces the energetic cost by 15% or more independent of the walking speed. We conclude that human evolution may have traded the advantages of adaptive feet for energy efficiency, and that robotic systems could gain the former without compromising on the latter.
Electrophoretic forms of human liver α-l-fucosidase and their relationship to fucosidosis (mucopolysaccharidosis F)

Abstract 1. Human liver α-L-fucosidase was studied by starch gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing both before and after treatment with neuraminidase. These studies revealed the presence of 5–6 bands on starch gels and six isoelectric forms with p I 's of 6.9, 6.5, 6.1, 5.9, 5.7 and 5.5. The activity of the two most acidic forms was reduced after neuraminidase treatment. 2. Liver tissue from a patient with fucosidosis had approximately 4% of normal α- l -fucosidase activity. Starch gel electrophoresis revealed that all electrophoretic forms of the enzyme appear to be deficient. 3. Apparent Michaelis constants ( K m 's) determined for both the normal and fucosidotic liver α- l -fucosidase for 4-methylumbelliferyl-α- l -fucopyranoside were found to be 0.085 mM and 0.058 mM, respectively. 4. The pH activity profile of normal and fucosidotic liver α- l -fucosidase were very similar with major pH optima at 5.4 and 5.3, respectively.
Interfacial properties and equilibria in the apatite-aqueous solution system

Abstract Thermodynamic calculations of the solubility of hydroxyapatite have been carried out and the results are presented in different types of equilibrium diagrams in order to interpret observed interfacial behavior in this system. For predicting the electrical double-layer properties, especially the conditions for zero surface charge, diagram with activities of predominant calcium and phosphorous species as the axes and pH as the third independent variable have been found to be most useful. Conditions for zero charge at the surface are predicted based on the assumption that the affinity for the surface of all the lattice ions in solution is nearly equal. The different kinds of equilibrium diagrams have been found useful to explain some hitherto unexplained observations in the literature. Calculations have also been made to determine the effect of fluoride ions on the thermodynamic properties of the system. Experimental data are presented to support the calculations.
Source of the P1 Component of the Cochlea Round Window Recording

The cochlear round window potentials of cats and guinea pigs have been studied in their response to a short click stimulus coupled with specifically placed neural lesions. With the destruction of a specific area of the cochlear nucleus, by means of electrical coagulation, a loss of the positive portion of the potentials (P1) occurred. This potential did not recover during 4 hours of observation in contrast to the extensive recovery observed within 2 hours after lesions were made at the internal auditory meatus (including the vestibular nerve and OCB fibers). The lack of recovery in the animals in which lesions were placed in the cochlear nucleus may be explained on the basis that the responsible neurons in this area were destroyed. Since the P1 potential has a short latency with respect to the termination of microphonic activity and the changes are seen only with lesions placed peripherally to or at the specific cochlear nucleus area; it is proposed that the P1 potential possibly represents an activity of...
Prion peptide 106-126 modulates the aggregation of cellular prion protein and induces the synthesis of potentially neurotoxic transmembrane PrP.

In infectious and familial prion disorders, neurodegeneration is often seen without obvious deposits of the scrapie prion protein (PrPSc), the principal cause of neuronal death in prion disorders. In such cases, neurotoxicity must be mediated by alternative pathways of cell death. One such pathway is through a transmembrane form of PrP. We have investigated the relationship between intracellular accumulation of prion protein aggregates and the consequent up-regulation of transmembrane prion protein in a cell model. Here, we report that exposure of neuroblastoma cells to the prion peptide 106–126 catalyzes the aggregation of cellular prion protein to a weakly proteinase K-resistant form and induces the synthesis of transmembrane prion protein, the proposed mediator of neurotoxicity in certain prion disorders. The N terminus of newly synthesized transmembrane prion protein is cleaved spontaneously on the cytosolic face of the endoplasmic reticulum, and the truncated C-terminal fragment accumulates on the cell surface. Our results suggest that neurotoxicity in prion disorders is mediated by a complex pathway involving transmembrane prion protein and not by deposits of aggregated and proteinase K-resistant PrP alone.
HIV-infected T cells are migratory vehicles for viral dissemination

After host entry through mucosal surfaces, human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) disseminates to lymphoid tissues to establish a generalized infection of the immune system. The mechanisms by which this virus spreads among permissive target cells locally during the early stages of transmission and systemically during subsequent dissemination are not known. In vitro studies suggest that the formation of virological synapses during stable contacts between infected and uninfected T cells greatly increases the efficiency of viral transfer. It is unclear, however, whether T-cell contacts are sufficiently stable in vivo to allow for functional synapse formation under the conditions of perpetual cell motility in epithelial and lymphoid tissues. Here, using multiphoton intravital microscopy, we examine the dynamic behaviour of HIV-infected T cells in the lymph nodes of humanized mice. We find that most productively infected T cells migrate robustly, resulting in their even distribution throughout the lymph node cortex. A subset of infected cells formed multinucleated syncytia through HIV envelope-dependent cell fusion. Both uncoordinated motility of syncytia and adhesion to CD4(+) lymph node cells led to the formation of long membrane tethers, increasing cell lengths to up to ten times that of migrating uninfected T cells. Blocking the egress of migratory T cells from the lymph nodes into efferent lymph vessels, and thus interrupting T-cell recirculation, limited HIV dissemination and strongly reduced plasma viraemia. Thus, we have found that HIV-infected T cells are motile, form syncytia and establish tethering interactions that may facilitate cell-to-cell transmission through virological synapses. Migration of T cells in lymph nodes therefore spreads infection locally, whereas their recirculation through tissues is important for efficient systemic viral spread, suggesting new molecular targets to antagonize HIV infection.
Serum aminotransferase levels are associated with markers of hypoxia in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a disorder that often presents with elevated serum aminotransferase levels. Although it has classically been linked with the metabolic syndrome, recent studies suggest NAFLD may also be associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study evaluates the association between serum aminotransferase levels and factors connected with: either the metabolic syndrome (elevated body mass index [BMI], lipid profile, blood pressure, fasting glucose), or with OSA severity (apnea hypopnea index, lowest oxygen saturation level, oxygen desaturation index, percent of time below 90% saturation [%T<90]). DESIGN Retrospective case series. PATIENTS AND SETTING 109 adult patients with OSA at a university hospital general clinical research center. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Markers of hypoxia (lowest oxygen saturation level and %T<90), correlated significantly with aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (Pearson's r = -0.31 to -0.38, P <0.003), while apnea hypopnea index, body mass index, blood pressure, fasting glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels did not. Hierarchical linear regression was then done to determine the best predictors of aminotransferase levels. Markers of metabolic syndrome were entered as one block and markers of sleep apnea as another. Regression analyses explained 16.3% of the variance in AST and 18.9% of the variance in ALT, with %T<90 playing the largest role. CONCLUSIONS In patients with obstructive sleep apnea, serum aminotransferase levels are better predicted by markers of oxygen desaturation than by factors traditionally associated with the metabolic syndrome.
Male pheromone stimulates ovarian follicular development and body growth in juvenile female opossums (Monodelphis domestica)

Female opossums are induced into estrus by direct exposure to a non-volatile pheromone in male scentmarks. Juvenile females develop this responsiveness by 150 days of age (days), and earlier (130 days) if exposed to male pheromone beginning at 90 days. The goal of this study was to examine the effect of male pheromone on body growth and ovarian follicular development in young opossums. Females (n = 28) were weaned at 56 days and caged individually with ad libitum food and water from 84 days. Body mass was recorded 2–3 times weekly and the onset of estrus was monitored by urogenital sinus cytology. Exposed females were given continuous access to adult male scentmarks from 90 days and randomly selected for necropsy at 105 and 130 days. Unexposed females were isolated from direct contact with males and their scentmarks and randomly selected for necropsy at 90, 105, 130, and 150 days. Exposed females were larger (63.5 ± 1.1 g) than unexposed females (56.6 ± 1.1 g) at 130 days, and 4 of 5 had expressed estrus or proestrus. Uterine mass at 130 days was higher (P < 0.05) in exposed (129.8 ± 28.8 mg) than in unexposed (25.4 ± 6.7 mg) females, none of which expressed estrus by 150 days. The mean number of developing, antral follicles per female increased from 1.5 ± 1.5 at 90 days to 17.8 ± 5.2 at 130 days. Mean diameter of developing antral follicles at 130 days was larger in exposed (534 ± 54 μm) than in unexposed females (393 ± 4 μm). The results of this study demonstrate that pheromonal induction of first estrus in juvenile opossums is associated with an increased rate of body growth and follicular development.
The effect of fixed and functional appliances on enamel decalcifications in early Class II treatment

The presence of enamel decalcifications before and after early Class II treatment was examined on 41 subjects and 164 permanent first molars. No new demineralization areas were found in patients wearing only a removable appliance. Of the maxillary molars 6% displayed decalcifications in patients wearing a headgear only: whereas of patients wearing a headgear and biteplate 25% displayed enamel lesions. Eighteen percent of white spot lesions diagnosed before treatment had shown a “reversal phenomenon,” wheraby the enamel appeared normal after treatment. This process only occurred in the functional appliance group indicating that remineralization was better achieved with an appliance that was capable of being removed from the oral cavity.
Robustness bounds for linear systems with uncertainty: Keeping eigenvalues in specified regions

Robustness bounds for linear systems with time-invariant uncertainty are studied. The emphasis is on keeping the eigenvalues of the perturbed system in a specified region in the complex plane (such as a wedge). Using standard Lyapunov techniques, bounds on the uncertain parameters are obtained that guarantee the system eigenvalues to remain in the desired region. >
A traffic characterization of popular on-line games

This paper describes the results of the first comprehensive analysis of a range of popular on-line, multiplayer, game servers. The results show that the traffic behavior of these servers is highly predictable and can be attributed to the fact that current game designs target the saturation of the narrowest, last-mile link. Specifically, in order to maximize the interactivity of the game itself and to provide relatively uniform experiences between players playing over different network speeds, on-line games typically fix their usage requirements in such a way as to saturate the network link of their lowest speed players. While the traffic observed is highly predictable, the traces also indicate that these on-line games provide significant challenges to current network infrastructure. As a result of synchronous game logic requiring an extreme amount of interactivity, a close look at the trace reveals the presence of large, highly periodic, bursts of small packets. With such stringent demands on interactivity, routers must be designed with enough capacity to quickly route such bursts without delay.