cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lumbar laminectomy for the resection of synovial cysts and coexisting lumbar spinal stenosis or degenerative spondylolisthesis: an outcome study.

Study design Surgeon- and patient-based (SF-36) outcome measures were used to assess the results of decompressive laminectomies for the excision of synovial cysts with coexistent lumbar spinal stenosis (45 patients) or for synovial cysts with coexistent lumbar stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis (35 patients). Objectives To evaluate the results following laminectomy and the excision of synovial cysts/stenosis with or without olisthy. Summary of background data SF-36 outcome studies evaluating these surgical results deserve further investigation. Methods Before surgery, patients with synovial cysts/ stenosis (45 patients) or cysts/stenosis/degenerative spondylolisthesis (35 patients), respectively, exhibited low back pain (40 and 33 patients), radiculopathy (43 and 33 patients), and neurogenic claudication (41 and 26 patients). Surgery required average 3.8 and 3.5 level laminectomies, respectively, for patients with cysts/stenosis and cysts/stenosis and olisthy. Outcomes were assessed 2 years after surgery. Results Five of 45 patients undergoing laminectomy alone for cysts/stenosis developed postoperative olisthy. Of 35 patients with cysts/stenosis and preoperative Grade 1 degenerative spondylolisthesis, olisthy increased after surgery to Grade 2 in 11 patients. Good/excellent results (58% and 63%) and SF-36 improvement on the Physical Function Scale (+44 and +38 points) were, respectively, documented for these two groups. Conclusions Using both surgeon and SF-36 outcome measures, 2 years following laminectomy for synovial cysts/lumbar stenosis with or without olisthy, patients exhibited a moderate degree of improvement. As synovial cysts reflect disruption of the facet joint and some degree of instability, primary fusion should be considered to improve operative results for patients in both categories.
Hyperfine magnetic field at cadmium impurity in Heusler alloys Ni2MnGa, Ni2MnIn, Cu2MnIn, and Au2MnIn

The Time Differential Perturbed Angular Correlation (TDPAC) technique has been used to measuare the hyperfine magnetic field at cadmium impurity located at the Ga site in Ni2MnGa (Tc = 379 K) and at the In site in Ni2MnIn (Tc = 323 K), Cu2MnIn (Tc = 500 K), and Au2MnIn (Tc = 140 K). Measurements utilized the 84‐nsec, 247‐keV state in Cd‐111. The temperature dependence of the hyperfine field, up to approximately .9Tc, was measured for Ni2MnGa, Ni2MnIn, and Cu2MnIn; in each case it approximately follows te Brillouin curve for J = 5/2. The sign of the hyperfine field at Cd has been measured to be negative at room temperature in Ni2MnGa, Ni2MnIn, and Cu2MnIn.
Diffusion Models for the Digital Wireless Industry in the U.S. and the World

This article investigates the wireless industry in the United States and the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and non-GSM revenues around the world. The real data available until 2003 suggests an “S” shaped diffusion might be in place globally and perhaps for the United States. We used a modified Bass diffusion model to compare to the real data and extended this model to forecast future data to 2020. We observed that the diffusion of wireless technology in the United States (WTUS) will stabilize in 2011 and that the saturation point will be reached around the year 2016. We also analyzed the global diffusion of GSM and non-GSM technologies. We show that the global revenues from GSM technologies may continue to increase until 2010 when the total market potential is predicted to be $600 to $800 billion and the switching cost is taken to be 0.1, 0.2, or 1. In another scenario, non-GSM revenues become greater than GSM revenues.
Fusing LIDAR-based voxel geometry with multi-angle visible imagery

Modern airborne LIDAR instruments are capable of accurately measuring fine detail, making them ideal for producing 3D models. A closely related problem is how best to map passive aerial imagery to the LIDAR-derived models. Typical solutions to this problem involve first constructing a surface representation from the LIDAR, then projecting imagery onto this surface. Unfortunately, a surface model can introduce errors into the process because it is not a good representation of the underlying scene geometry in areas containing overlapping or complex surfaces. A voxel-based 3D model of the LIDAR geometry is one alternative to the surface representation, and we show how this achieves more accurate results in complex areas when compared to existing approaches. Additional information we derive for the voxel model can also be used to assist with fusing the aerial imagery by driving quality metrics, and we demonstrate how this gives improved results. Multiple images covering the same area are required in order to capture details occluded in any single aerial photograph. We show how this occlusion affects fusion with the 3D model, and how any redundant color information can be filtered further to produce better products. Results are presented from our voxel-based fusion technique using LIDAR and coincident visible aerial imagery collected in the summer of 2011 over downtown Rochester, NY.
Bi-coordinate sound localization by the barn owl.

1. Binaurally time-shifted and intensityunbalanced noise, delivered through earphones, induced owls to respond with a head-orienting behavior similar to that which occurs to free field auditory stimuli. 2. Owls derived the azimuthal and elevational coordinates of a sound from a combination of interaural time difference (ITD) and interaural intensity difference (IID). 3. IID and ITD each contained information about the azimuth and elevation of the signal. Thus, IID and ITD formed a coordinate system in which the axes were non-orthogonal. 4. ITD was a strong determinant of azimuth, and IID was a strong determinant of elevation, of elicited head turn.
Error magnitudes in extrapolated approximations of sorbent retention volumes obtained by using temperature-dependent vapor pressures

Abstract The temperature dependence of the vapor pressure of a compound can be used to obtain an estimate of the effects of temperature ( T , K) on the retention volume of that compound on sorbents used in gas sampling. Since the T -dependence of the vapor pressure depends on the enthalpy of vaporization ΔH v and not on the enthalpy of desorption ΔH s from the sorbent surface itself, such an estimate will be subject to error. Let T 2 be the temperature at which an estimate of the retention volume is desired, and let T 1 be the temperature at which the retention volume is known. The magnitude of the error will then increase as the magnitudes of ( T 2 − T 1 ) and ( ΔH s − ΔH v ) increase. If both ΔH s and ΔH v are independent of T over the range of interest, then the error will be zero when either ( T 2 − T 1 ) or ( ΔH s − ΔH v ) is zero.
Consequences of inadequate management of hyponatremia.

Dilutional hyponatremia is a commonly observed disorder in hospitalized patients. It represents an excess of water in relation to prevailing sodium stores and is most often associated with a high plas
Like minds: evolutionary convergence in nervous systems

Abstract The Karger Workshop, ‘Evolutionary convergence as a tool for neuroscience,' was held by the J.B. Johnston Club at an annual satellite meeting associated with the Society for Neuroscience in San Diego, CA, USA on 9 November 2001.
Histologic changes in defunctioned rectums in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a clinicopathologic study of 82 patients with long-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: Inflammation occurs in defunctioned rectums in patients without inflammatory bowel disease. Defunctioned rectums in patients with inflammatory bowel disease have additional histopathologic changes that can cause diagnostic confusion. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether histologic changes in defunctioned rectums had any association with original pathologic diagnosis in the colectomy specimen, duration of defunctionalization, or occurrence of Crohn’s disease–like complications during follow-up. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the patient records and reexamined histologically the defunctioned rectums and original colectomy specimens of 84 consecutive patients encountered between 1983 and 1986. RESULTS: All excised rectal specimens had ulcers and erosions, usually with prominent mucosal lymphoid aggregates, often with mucosal atrophy, diffuse mucin depletion, and marked mucosal architectural distortion. Transmural lymphoid aggregates were identified in 56 patients (67 percent) and were graded as moderate or marked in 35 (42 percent). Ten rectal specimens contained nonnecrotizing granulomas. The original pathologic diagnoses from the colectomy specimens were as follows: ulcerative colitis (n = 22), Crohn’s disease (n = 19), indeterminate colitis (n = 41), adenocarcinoma (n = 1), and diverticular disease (n = 1). Only mild histologic changes were observed in rectal specimens from patients with diverticular disease and adenocarcinoma, and granulomas were identified more frequently in Crohn’s disease patients. Otherwise, no feature in the defunctioned rectum was associated with the original diagnosis or duration of defunctionalization. Sixteen patients (19 percent) had late surgical complications suggestive of Crohn’s disease (abscess, fistula, or subsequent biopsy specimen containing nonnecrotizing granulomas) after a median follow-up of 4.8 years. Five were patients categorized as having Crohn’s disease with colectomy specimen, nine had indeterminate colitis, and two had ulcerative colitis. No histologic feature in the defunctioned rectum was associated with Crohn’s disease–like complications. CONCLUSIONS: Granulomas in a defunctioned rectum were associated with an original diagnosis of Crohn’s disease. Transmural lymphoid aggregates were common in defunctioned rectums in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and did not indicate Crohn’s disease. Other histologic changes developed independently of diagnosis and duration of defunctionalization.
Two step exercise test as a test of cardiac function in chronic rheumatic heart disease and in arteriosclerotic heart disease with old myocardial infarction.

Abstract 1. 1. The electrocardiographic responses of ninety-two consecutive patients with rheumatic heart disease and 100 consecutive patients with arteriosclerotic heart disease who performed a standard two step Master exercise test were analyzed for changes in mechanism, conduction and repolarization and evaluated by five sets of criteria. 2. 2. The incidence of abnormal responses according to the various criteria ranged from 18 to 48 per cent. However, there was no significant difference in the incidence or types of abnormal electrocardiographic responses to exercise in rheumatic or arteriosclerotic heart disease when compared with the same criteria. 3. 3. The incidence of abnormal responses varied according to the severity of disease as measured by the functional and therapeutic classification, regardless of the cause. The incidence of abnormal responses of patients with rheumatic heart disease was not related to age, type of valvular lesion or digitalis medication, but was directly related to the functional status of the heart as determined by the therapeutic and functional classification, cardiac chamber enlargement, presence of atrial fibrillation and electrocardiographic response to the Valsalva maneuver. Abnormal electrocardiographic responses also occurred more commonly in patients with anterior myocardial infarction. 4. 4. We challenge the belief that abnormal electrocardiographic changes occurring after exercise are either diagnostic of coronary arteriosclerosis or caused solely by an insufficient blood supply to the myocardium. Reasons are presented why the interreaction of many facets of myocardial function should be considered in the understanding of the changes produced by exercise. 5. 5. The two step exercise test is a valuable test of cardiac function but is not specific for the diagnosis of cause. The test has proved to be of value as an objective measure of circulatory fitness for brief peak exercise and has been useful for prescribing work and daily activities for patients with all types of heart disease.
Periprostatic subendothelial intravascular granulomatosis: a mimic of high-grade intravascular prostatic adenocarcinoma.

A rarecaseofintravascular granulomatous inflammation mimicking intravascular prostatic adenocarcinoma isreported. Totheauthor's knowledge, there havebeenno previous reports ofprostatic orperiprostatic intravascular granulomatous inflammation. A 67-year-old manpresented withelevated serum-prostate specific antigen (PSA)andwasfoundtohaveahigh-grade adenocarcinoma oftheprostate. A radicalprostatectomy revealed intravascular subendothelial granulomatous inflammationmimicking vascular invasion ofahigh-grade adenocarcinoma foundelsewhere intheprostate. Immunoperoxidase stains confirmed that thesubendothelial infiltrate wascomposed ofhistiocytes andnottumorcells. Periprostatic subendothelial intravascular granulomatosis isarareevent, whichmaymimicvascular involvement ofhigh-grade prostatic adenocarcinoma andmayresult fromaprevious needle biopsy oftheprostate. Possible mechanisms forthis finding arediscussed. Itisimportant todistinguish this process fromhigh-grade prostatic adenocarcinoma involvingblood vessels forobvious clinical reasons. IntJSurgPathol 12(1):75-78, 2004
Circulating concentrations of high-molecular-weight adiponectin are increased following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.

In addition to weight loss, bariatric surgery for severe obesity dramatically alleviates insulin resistance. In this study, we investigated whether circulating concentrations of the high-molecular-weight (HMW) form of adiponectin are increased following gastric bypass surgery. The HMW form is implicated as the multimer responsible for adiponectin’s hepatic insulin-sensitising actions. We studied 19 women who were undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Studies were conducted prior to, and 1 and 12 months after surgery. One month after surgery, total plasma adiponectin concentrations were unchanged. Nevertheless, increases in both HMW (by 40±15%, p=0.006) and the proportion of adiponectin in the HMW form (from 40±2 to 50±2%, p<0.0001) were observed. At 12 months, total and HMW adiponectin concentrations were increased by 58±8% and 118±21%, respectively (both p<0.001). The majority (80%) of the increase of total adiponectin was due to an increase of the HMW form. After adjustment for covariates, increases of HMW and total adiponectin at 12 months were correlated with the decrease of fat mass (HMW, p=0.0076; total, p=0.0302). In subjects with improved insulin sensitivity at 12 months after surgery (n=18), the increase of HMW, but not that of total adiponectin, predicted the relative decrease of insulin resistance (HMW: p=0.0044; total: p=0.0775, after adjustment for covariates). These data suggest that the reduction of fat mass following gastric bypass surgery is an important determinant of the increase of HMW adiponectin concentrations, which in turn is associated with and may contribute to the resulting improvement of insulin sensitivity.
Use of balloon aortic valvuloplasty to size the aortic annulus before implantation of a balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valve.

Objectives Our aim was to describe the use of balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) to select proper transcatheter heart valve (THV) size. Background Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) measurement alone of the aortic annulus may not be adequate to select a THV size. BAV can more accurately size the aortic annulus. We report our experience using this strategy in patients undergoing THV implantation. Methods Twenty-seven patients underwent sizing of the aortic annulus by BAV and TEE. We implanted the minimal THV size that was greater than the annulus measured by BAV. Results The annulus measured by TEE was 21.3 ± 1.6 mm and by BAV was 22.6 ± 1.8 mm (p Conclusions BAV sizing of the aortic annulus is safe and is an important adjunct to TEE when selecting THV size. Implanting the minimal THV greater than the BAV annulus size resulted in no adverse events. These data suggest that use of BAV for THV selection may improve the safety and efficacy of THV implantation.
Langual: A food-description language

LANGUAL, a computer-based food-description language, uses standardized vocabulary to describe specific characteristics of foods and food products. Each food product in a database is described by a set of descriptors from the following factors: product type; food source; part of plant or animal; physical state, shape, or form; extent of heat treatment; cooking method; treatment applied; preservation method; packing medium; container or wrapping; food contact surface; consumer group/dietary use/label claim; geographic places and regions; and adjunct characteristics. The purpose of LANGUAL is to allow rapid, accurate retrieval of food names from food-related databases relative to descriptive terms for these factors. The major advantages of LANGUAL are the speed and specificity of the retrievals and the flexibility of the system relative to change and updating.
Data organization in magnetic bubble lattice files

In this paper, we discuss several aspects of data organization in the framework of a recently developed magnetic bubble memory technology known as a bubble lattice file. A dynamic ordering scheme, different from those implemented in conventional TI bar bubble memories, is proposed. This ordering is particularly suited for bubble lattices. Some performance figures are included for comparison.
Synthesis and SAR of Benzisothiazole- and Indolizine-β-d-glucopyranoside Inhibitors of SGLT2

A series of benzisothiazole- and indolizine-β-d-glucopyranoside inhibitors of human SGLT2 are described. The synthesis of the C-linked heterocyclic glucosides took advantage of a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction between a glucal boronate and the corresponding bromo heterocycle. The compounds have been evaluated for their human SGLT2 inhibition potential using cell-based functional transporter assays, and their structure−activity relationships have been described. Benzisothiazole-C-glucoside 16d was found to be an inhibitor of SGLT2 with an IC50 of 10 nM.
Harmaline-induced changes in gamma aminobutyric acidA receptor subunit mRNA expression in murine olivocerebellar nuclei

Increased CNS activity in the form of electrically or chemically induced seizures is known to alter the properties of GABA(A) receptors. The tremorgen, harmaline, causes a bursting pattern of activity in inferior olivary neurons, the effects of which are transmitted throughout the olivocerebellar circuit to other regions of the CNS. In situ hybridization was used to determine the effect of this increased activity on gamma aminobutyric acid(A) (GABA(A)) receptor subunit gene expression in the cerebellar Purkinje cell layer, deep cerebellar nuclei and inferior olivary complex of adult mice. In Purkinje cells, the expression of alpha(1), beta(2), and gamma(2) mRNAs was increased only slightly ( 60% above control levels at 6 h post-injection. A smaller increase was observed for alpha(2) mRNA, while beta(3) and gamma(1) transcripts dropped below control levels during the same period. The expression of corticotropin-releasing factor mRNA was also elevated in the olivary complex. These data indicate that while Purkinje cells and deep cerebellar neurons are only minimally affected, harmaline induced changes in cellular properties may result in increased numbers of alpha(4)-containing, diazepam-insensitive, GABA(A) receptors in olivary neurons.
Long-term outcomes after intrauterine morcellation vs hysteroscopic resection of endometrial polyps.

Abstract Study Objective To compare the long-term outcomes of intrauterine morcellation (IUM) of endometrial polyps vs a traditional operative polypectomy technique, hysteroscopic resection (HSR), and to identify factors predictive of recurrent abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) after operative polypectomy. Design Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery practice in a tertiary care center. Patients Women who underwent operative hysteroscopic polypectomy between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2009. Interventions Intrauterine morcellation or HSR with evaluation and/or treatment of recurrent AUB after operative polypectomy. Measurements and Main Results Of 311 patients (IUM group, 139; HSR group, 172), 167 (53.7%) had at least 1 gynecologic follow-up visit and 57 (18.4%) had recurrent AUB. Subsequent gynecologic clinic visit rates were similar between the 2 groups (HSR, 58.1%, vs IUM, 48.2%; p = .08). Recurrence of AUB within the first 4 years of follow-up was similar between the IUM and HSR groups (hazard ratio for HSR vs IUM, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.64–1.98; p = .59). However, recurrence of endometrial polyps approached statistical significance (hazard ratio, 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.94–11.49; p = .06). Premenopausal status, history of hormone replacement therapy, multiparity, and polycystic ovarian syndrome were independently associated with AUB recurrence. There were no reports of inability to establish a histopathologic diagnosis among all pathology specimens evaluated. Conclusion Compared with HSR, intrauterine morcellation may be associated with lower recurrence of endometrial polyps. However, the incidence of recurrent AUB is independent of polypectomy method.
The Flavor, Volatile Acidity, and Soluble Protein of Cheddar and other Cheese

The method of manufacturing Cheddar cheese has been known for many generations. About 50 years ago scientists began an intensive study of the factors affecting the flavor of this cheese with the idea that the source and identity of the flavoring substances could be established. Although much scientific knowledge has been accumulated from these studies, the specific flavoring materials are still unknown. The present trend toward the manufacture of Cheddar cheese from pasteurized milk has accentuated the need for this knowledge, as pasteurized milk cheese has less flavor and slightly different characteristics than that found in raw milk cheese. The literature is voluminous and only a few references will be cited. The fundamental chemical changes that occur during the ripening process as known in 1891 were stated by Van Slyke (17). He wrote that there was a slow evolution of carbon dioxide from the casein or fat, or both. Volatile and nonvolatile fat ty acids developed from the fat. The nitrogen compounds, especially casein, broke down into soluble compounds, some eventually becoming ammonia. Cured cheese was more alkaline than fresh cheese. The formation of the free fat ty acids was the principal chemical change during ripening. Van Slyke, Harding, and Hart (18) concluded from their study of rennet that this enzyme did not decompose protein into compounds that produced flavor in cheese. Suzuki, Hastings, and Hart (16) studied the origin and composition of steam disti]clate from cheese which contained the flavor compounds. They found bacteria to be the principal ripening agent. The lactose disappeared from cheese in 3 to 6 days but some of the lactates were fermented into volatile fa t ty acids, especially acetic and propionic. Butyric and caproic acids were deri.ved from the fats and proteins. Succinic acid, alcohols, and esters also were present in the steam distillate. Improved Cheddar cheese flavor has been reported with special cultures in Cheddar cheese making in addition to the usual lactic starter. Hucker and lVIarquardt (7) found that a Streptococc~s paracitrovorus culture used with Hansen's commercial starter produced characteristic cheese flavor of superior quality from pasteurized milk. Proteolytic coccus cultures produced bitter flavor, as did the culture of S. paracitrovorus when used without starter. Hansen, Bendixen, and Theophilus (3) confirmed that cheese
Ventromedial hypothalamic lesions in obese-hyperglycaemic mice (obob).

Bilateral electrolytic lesions were placed in the ventromedial nucleus (VMN) of lean and obese-hyperglycaemic mice (obob). The body weight of lean mice increased markedly and body composition studies revealed an increase in the percentage of body fat and a decrease of body water. Both serum insulin and glucose were increased. However, the body weight of obese-hyperglycaemic mice (obob) with bilateral VMN lesions failed to increase, through their body fat showed a small increase and their body water decreased. These data suggest that the VMN of obese-hyperglycaemic mice is functional. The small increase in the adiposity ofobob with bilateral VMN lesions might be due to the size of the lesion, which appeared to be smaller in theobob than in the lean mice.
Milestones in Movement Disorders Clinical Trials: Advances and Landmark Studies

Over the past 25 years clinical trials testing in movement disorders has evolved in order to more effectively and efficiently analyze the safety and efficacy of new interventions. Studies today regularly incorporate methods to decrease placebo and bias effects and to ensure more rigorous statistical analyses. Newer, standardized, and validated rating scales such as the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale are routinely employed in an effort to produce results that are comparable across different sites and studies. Several landmark studies in movement disorder research highlight these and other prominent procedural advances. The Deprenyl and Tocopherol Antioxidative Therapy of Parkinsonism trial pioneered the use of functional clinical end points, utilized a 2 × 2 factorial design to more efficiently analyze multiple interventions, and employed a washout design to assist in sorting putative neuroprotective from symptomatic effects. PRECEPT included neuroimaging as an outcome measure and highlighted the importance of futility studies in more efficiently directing resources. TEMPO and ADAGIO introduced the use of delayed-start (or 2-period) trials to try to identify disease-modifying interventions. NET-PD used futility studies to streamline the evaluation of potentially valuable treatments, followed by a large, long-term simple study design to assess the clinical significance of a new intervention. There have also been advances in clinical trials testing new surgical interventions, with the introduction of blinded outcome assessments and sham-surgery control groups. Collectively, methodological advances in clinical trials have permitted the safety and efficacy of new interventions to be tested more efficiently and economically and with a higher level of certainty that the potential benefits and adverse effects of interventions recommended for general use are well understood.
Nanoparticle surfactants as a route to bicontinuous block copolymer morphologies.

The surface chemistry of nanoparticles can be modified so that these particles behave like surfactants and localize at interfaces between two fluids. We demonstrate that small volume fractions φP of such surfactant nanoparticles added to lamellar diblock copolymers lead initially to a decrease in lamellar thickness with φP, a consequence of decreasing interfacial tension, up to a critical value of φP, beyond which the block copolymer adopts a bicontinuous morphology. These bicontinuous morphologies have stable domain spacings below 100 nm that further decrease with increasing φP and offer new routes to nanoscopically engineered polymer films with potential photovoltaic, fuel cell, and battery applications.
Characteristics of women nonsmokers exposed to passive smoke.

Abstract Background . Studies that have investigated the association between exposure to passive smoke and increased risk for disease have had inconclusive results and have raised questions about whether women exposed to passive smoke differ from those not exposed. Methods . The study population included 120 women non-smokers who reported that they had been exposed to passive smoke in the 24 hr prior to the interview and 213 women who reported no exposure. Women were queried about demographic, lifestyle, sexual, and reproductive factors. Results . Exposed women were younger, less educated, and slightly heavier than nonexposed women. They were more likely to be divorced or separated (OR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.4-7.6, P = 0.005), to have had first intercourse at or before age 16 (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0-1.9, P = 0.04), and to have had three or more live births (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.2-6.8, P = 0.02). Women exposed to passive smoke were more likely to have consumed two or more cups of coffee (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.1-3.8, P = 0.03), two or more glasses of beer (OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.1-12.5, P = 0.03), or to have smoked marijuana in the past 24 hr (OR = 14.7, 95% CI = 1.8-122.3, P = 0.01) than women who were not exposed. There were no differences noted between exposed and nonexposed women in history of gynecologic diseases or number of cervical microorganisms. Conclusion . Women exposed to passive smoke differed from those not exposed on several factors that should be considered in future studies that seek to investigate smoking-related disease risk.
Gravitational determination of deep-seated crustal structure of continental borders (structural interpretation of gravity-observations)

Even though the composition and structure of the “basement-complex” is a matter of great interest to geologists, the determination of the constitution of the crust at depth can only in the rarest instances be accomplished directly by geological means. It must, therefore, usually the accomplished by exploratory extrapolation, geophysically speaking, from regions of known surface or near-surface geology. Among the geophysical-exploratory techniques which may be used in this downward extrapolation of the structure and composition of the crust, the gravitational methods are among the easiest to use, are relatively cheap, and reveal highly significant anomalies, gradients, and patterns in the Earth's gravitational field. It has long been known that certain broad correlations exist between such gravity-anomalies and patterns, and deep-seated geologic structure; but until recently it was not feasible to secure gravity-measurements with sufficient accuracy and in sufficient abundance to do more than provide a basis for proving or disproving particular interpretations.
A hierarchy of eNCE families of graph languages

Abstract Even though eNCE and its subclasses have been studied intensively, their inclusion relations are not completely known. This paper proves some unknown relations among eNCE families of graph languages which yield, together with other known relations, a solid hierarchy of graph languages that completely determines equivalence, proper inclusion, and incomparability among NLC, NCE, eNLC, eNCE and their boundary, linear and apex subclasses. The bottom level of this hierarchy (i.e., Lin-A-NLC) contains an NP-complete graph language.
The transport of lysosomal enzymes.

This paper reviews the experimental evidence for the proposal that hydrolytic enzymes are introduced into lysosomes of cultured fibroblasts only after secretion and receptormediated recapture.
Dreams in the History of Philosophy

For 2,500 years western philosophers showed great interest in dreams—as subjects, examples, analogies, and contexts. Since 1960 this interest has declined, while scholars in other disciplines continue to study dreams, often addressing philosophical issues. The history and the current dialogue invite philosophers to reinvigorate their study of dreams. This essay develops these observations about the philosophy of dreams by focusing on its history, briefly noting its recent decline, and closing with comments about its future.
Iterative construction of binary lookahead addition trees

Abstract This paper presents a technique for implementing carry lookahead addition by iterative tree circuits of fan-in constrained logic. The approach makes use of a recursive construction, the computation tree, for synthesizing an n-bit lookahead adder. The method is particularly effective for moderate values of n and it is in accord with well-known asymptotic bounds on addition. Extensions to modular tree structures for lookahead adders are discussed.
Anisotropic and nonhomogeneous thermal conduction in 1 µm thick CVD diamond

We present an experimental study of thermal conduction in 1 μm thick suspended CVD diamond film by time-domain thermoreflectance (TDTR), an optical pump-probe technique. Important aspects of signal analysis and measurement sensitivity are discussed, outlining the various thermal metrology challenges posed by this system. We measure the properties of the near-interfacial coalescence region and high-quality growth region by performing experiments on the bottom and top sides of the suspended film, respectively, and find that the small average grain size of the former, and strong columnar anisotropy of the latter region are reflected in the measurements of thermal conductivity. Our TDTR methodology utilizes the information present in both the amplitude and phase response of the system at the modulation harmonic of the pump laser, in order to separate out the effects of the transducer-diamond thermal boundary conductance from the intrinsic diamond conductivity. Additionally, measurements are made across a range of modulation frequencies in order to obtain better estimates of the conductivity anisotropy. For the 1 μm thick film, we estimate an in-plane to through-plane anisotropy ratio of ~0.3, and through-plane conductivities of ~440 W/m-K and ~140 W/m-K for the high quality and coalescence regions, respectively.
A comparison between Cole-Hopf transformation and the decomposition method for solving Burgers' equations

The equation under discussion in this paper is the non-linear parabolic Burgers' equation given by(1)u"t+uu"[email protected]"x"x,where u=u(x,t) in some domain and @n is a parameter (@n>0), and uu"x is the non-linear term. Eq. (1) is similar in structure to Navier Stokes equation and has appeared in problems of aerodynamics, and was first introduced by J.M. Burgers. An equation simply related to (1) appears in the approximate theory of weak non-stationary shock wave in a real fluid [G. Adomian, Solving frontier problems of physics: The decomposition method, Kluwer, Boston, 1994, A. Wazwaz, Partial differential equations: Methods and applications, Balkema Publishers, The Netherlands, 2002, A. Wazwaz, A. Gorguis, An analytic study of Fisher's equation by using Adomian decomposition methods, Appl. Math. Comput. 154 (2004) 609-620, A. Wazwaz, A. Gorguis, Exact solutions for heat-like and wave-like equations with variable coefficients, Appl. Math. Comput. 149 (2004) 15-29]. The coefficient @n is a constant that defines the kinematic viscosity. If the viscosity @n=0, the equation is called inviscid Burgers' equation which governs gas dynamics. The aim of this paper is to study the exact solution of Eq. (1) in some domain with initial values by the method of Cole-Hopf transformation [E. Hopf, The partial differential equation u"t+uu"x=u"x"x, Comm. Pure Appl. Math. 3 (1950) 201-230; P. Lagestrom, J.D. Cole, L. Trilling, Problems in the theory of viscous compressible fluids, California Institute of Technology, 1949] which transforms (1) from a non-linear partial differential equation into linear heat equation which in turns can be solved exactly. We then formally derive the exact solution of (1) with initial and boundary conditions using the Adomian decomposition method. The comparative study will be conducted to show how reliable, sufficient, and simpler is the Adomian decomposition method.
X-probe flow sensor using self-powered active fiber Bragg gratings

Abstract A thermal X-probe sensor using self-powered fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) has been developed to measure both magnitude and direction of two-dimensional gas flows based on convective heat transfer principles. The flow sensor employs two cross-mounted FBGs (X-probe), which are heated by light carried in the same fiber that contains FBGs. When the power light is turned off, the FBGs are used to measure the temperature of the surrounding fluids. When the power light is turned on, in-fiber diode laser light is leaked out of the fiber and is absorbed by the surrounding metallic coating to raise the temperature of the fiber gratings. The convective heat removal by incoming gas flows changes the temperature of the fibers and, as a result, the resonance wavelengths of the heated FBGs are shifted. The FBG sensor is calibrated for air flows of speeds from 0.3 to 20 m/s and a yaw angle from −45° to 45°, respectively. Air flow tests indicate the flow speed and the direction deduced from the sensors are in good agreement with the actual flow conditions confirming the feasibility of the present sensor.
Calnexin, calreticulin, and ERp57 cooperate in disulfide bond formation in human CD1d heavy chain.

Members of the CD1 family of membrane glycoproteins can present antigenic lipids to T lymphocytes. Like major histocompatibility complex class I molecules, they form a heterodimeric complex of a heavy chain and β2-microglobulin (β2m) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Binding of lipid antigens, however, takes place in endosomal compartments, similar to class II molecules, and on the plasma membrane. Unlike major histocompatibility complex class I or CD1b molecules, which need β2m to exit the ER, CD1d can be expressed on the cell surface as either a free heavy chain or associated with β2m. These differences led us to investigate early events of CD1d biosynthesis and maturation and the role of ER chaperones in its assembly. Here we show that CD1d associates in the ER with both calnexin and calreticulin and with the thiol oxidoreductase ERp57 in a manner dependent on glucose trimming of its N-linked glycans. Complete disulfide bond formation in the CD1d heavy chain was substantially impaired if the chaperone interactions were blocked by the glucosidase inhibitors castanospermine or N-butyldeoxynojirimycin. The formation of at least one of the disulfide bonds in the CD1d heavy chain is coupled to its glucose trimming-dependent association with ERp57, calnexin, and calreticulin.
Radiative Transfer Effects on the Stability of Sound Waves in a Polytropic Atmosphere

From a perturbation analysis of the boundary value problem that describes the behavior of optically thin disturbances to a polytropic atmosphere initially in hydrostatic and radiative equilibrium, we derive criteria for the overstability of acoustic modes. Our criteria are more general than those found by Spiegel, which are strictly valid only if the radiative cooling time is uniform over the atmosphere, i.e., if the polytropic index m = 6. Our criteria for overstability are valid for any value of m. Applying our results to the Sun and giant stars, we find that sound waves in the envelope of the Sun do not appear to be unstable but that instability may occur in the envelopes of red giants. We note that, if acoustic waves become overstable as a star evolves into a giant, then the acoustic power in the envelopes of cool giants will be greater than one would have expected on the basis of the predictions of Lighthill theory. We propose that chromospheric heating in nonmagnetic stars (such as old giants in globular clusters) contains a significant component that arises from acoustic overstability.
An empirical investigation of the Paramount antitrust case

Production patterns in the US movie industry changed drastically between 1940 and 1960. During these decades, a major event took place: the Paramount antitrust case was resolved by the US Supreme Court in 1948. As a result, the five largest studios (MGM, Paramount, 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers and RKO) were forced to vertically disintegrate and separate production and distribution from exhibition. The Supreme Court also banned these and three other studios (Columbia, Universal and United Artists) from using block booking as contractual practice. In this article, I examine how this antitrust ruling affected the movie industry.
Clustering in supercritical mixtures: Theory, applications and simulations

Abstract Mixtures composed of small amounts of a solute in a near-critical solvent exhibit one of three possible types of behavior: attractive, weakly attractive, and repulsive. Each regime is characterized by the signs of the diverging solute partial molar properties, and of the excess number of solvent molecules surrounding a solute molecule with respect to bulk conditions (cluster size). Attractive behavior underlies all of the actual or proposed applications of supercritical fluids. Computer simulations of model near-critical mixtures suggest that, in attractive mixtures, enhanced solute-solvent interactions involve not only long-ranged effects, but also a pronounced solvent enrichment around solute molecules with respect to bulk conditions.
Expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor (subtype A) in prostate cancer.

Background. In prostate cancer, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been previously reported to increase cellular proliferation via the ionotropic GABAa receptor (GABAar) and to promote cellular invasiveness via the metabotropic GABAb receptor. Methods. In this study, we have investigated, by immunohistochemistry, GABAar levels in 12 normal human prostate, 13 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 148 human prostate cancer specimens. We have also examined the effect of several GABA agonists and antagonists on the in vitro proliferation of four human prostate cancer cell lines: LNCaP, MDA-PCA-2b, DU145 and PC3. Results. GABAar immunoreactivity was present in the stroma of ∼75% of the normal and BPH specimens, and in 95% of the prostate cancer specimens. Also, low to moderate GABAar staining was observed in the acinar epithelium of 50 (33%) prostate cancer specimens. No correlation was observed between GABAar staining and patient age, Gleason Sum or TNM stage. A GABAa agonist isoguvacine, at doses between 5–...
The fluorescence quantum yield of vitamin A2.

The fluorescence quantum yield of all-trans 3,4-didehydroretinol (vitamin A2) was measured in hexane at room temperature, using quinine sulfate as a standard. Unlike all-trans retinol (vitamin A1) which possessed a relative quantum yield of 0.0298, 3,4-didehydroretinol was 37 times lower in fluorescence (i.e. 0.0008). In addition, a significant bathochromic shift (both excitation and emission maxima) and a general broadening of the fluorescence spectra were noted for 3,4-didehydroretinol. This information is important not only for the understanding of the basic structure of vitamin A but also the photochemistry of vision.
Ovogenesis during sexual maturity as elucidated by experimental methods.

It has been repeatedly claimed that ovogenesis continues during sexual maturity but the evidence so far has not been considered entirely conclusive. On this account the more popular view among morphologists today is that ovogenesis in mammals ceases before puberty. The primary ovocytes contained in the mature ovary are not thought to be newly formed but simply stored there for later use.The chief reason that a demonstration of post-pubertal ovogenesis has been so difficult is on account of the fact that the process in normal mature ovaries is much retarded and easily overlooked.Recently my attention to this problem has been attracted by studying a series of ovaries from guinea pigs, in which the thyroids have been treated with radium emanation. Some of these ovaries had their germinal epithelium so much activated that all stages in post-pubertal ovogenesis could be seen and demonstrated almost as well as in young immature ovaries. By concentrating attention on this point I was later able to observe the ac...
Survey from skills-based hands on learning courses demonstrates increased laparoscopic caseload and clinical laparoscopic suturing

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the impact of the American Urological Association Hands on Laparoscopy course on the participants’ practices. Many urologists without fellowship training perform laparoscopy, but do not advance beyond hand-assisted, extirpative laparoscopy. The American Urological Association Hands on Laparoscopy course was designed to help these practitioners advance their skills. Methods A total of 68 urologists, aged 31 to 61 years (mean 46.6), participated in one of the four courses given between August 2002 and March 2004. The 2-day course included performing standardized tasks under videotape analysis and participating in porcine and pelvic trainer laboratory sessions. Surveys were sent by regular and electronic mail in September 2004 to assess the courses’ impact. The mean follow-up was 15.2 months (range 7 to 25). Results Of the 68 surveys mailed, 54 were returned (79%). Most respondents were in private practice and had had prior experience with extirpative laparoscopy. Of the respondents, 41 (76%) reported that their laparoscopic practice had expanded after taking the course, with 34% performing at least 2 cases per month. Also, 33 respondents (61%) reported performing laparoscopic suturing after taking the course, with 35% having sutured a bleeding vessel. Of the respondents, 85% reported that the video mentoring during the course was helpful. Of those who purchased a pelvic trainer, 90% reported practicing on it regularly. Conclusions The Hands on Laparoscopy course appeared to contribute to expansion of laparoscopic practices. Experience gained from skills-based lectures, videotape analysis of pelvic trainer performance, and a mentored porcine laboratory resulted in most (61%) participants expanding their practice to include clinical laparoscopic suturing.
Symmetric and Asymmetric Dinuclear Manganese(IV) Complexes Possessing a [MnIV2(μ-O)2(μ-O2CMe)]3+ Core and Terminal Cl- Ligands

The synthesis of new dinuclear manganese(IV) complexes possessing the [MnIV2(μ-O)2(μ-O2CMe)]3+ core and containing halide ions as terminal ligands is reported. [Mn2O2(O2CMe)Cl2(bpy)2]2[MnCl4] (1; bpy = 2,2‘-bipyridine) was prepared by sequential addition of [MnCl3(bpy)(H2O)] and (NBzEt3)2[MnCl4] to a CH2Cl2 solution of [Mn3O4(O2CMe)4(bpy)2]. The complex [MnIV2O2(O2CMe)Cl(bpy)2(H2O)](NO3)2 (2) was obtained from a water/acetic acid solution of MnCl2·4H2O, bpy, and (NH4)2[Ce(NO3)6], whereas the [MnIV2O2(O2CR)X(bpy)2(H2O)](ClO4)2 [X = Cl- and R = Me (3), Et (5), or C2H4Cl (6); and X = F-, R = Me (4)] were prepared by a slightly modified procedure that includes the addition of HClO4. For the preparation of 4, MnF2 was employed instead of MnCl2·4H2O. [Mn2O2(O2CMe)Cl2(bpy)2]2[MnCl4]·2CH2Cl2 (1·2CH2Cl2) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 21.756(2) A, b = 12.0587(7) A, c = 26.192(2) A, α = 90°, β = 111.443(2)°, γ = 90°, V = 6395.8(6) A3, and Z = 4. [Mn2O2(O2CMe)Cl(H2O)(bpy)2](NO3)2·H2O (2·H2O...