cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Potential oil-field discoveries for Azerbaijan

Abstract In Azerbaijan, about 300 structures that could be oil fields are known onshore, and 66 structures are already recognized in the offshore region. The question is what fraction of these structures can be expected to yield horizons with commercial value. To find an answer to this problem a statistical analysis has been conducted of data covering the last 100 years of oil production in Azerbaijan. The number of producing horizons per field was considered as a random value, described by a linear combination of Poisson and geometric distributions. A numerical method for finding the best-fitting values of the parameters of such distribution was developed. As a consequence, about 75% of the onshore structures, and almost 90% of the offshore structures could contain oil-bearing horizons (but not necessarily commercially viable). To estimate the commercial values of these horizons, as well as the probability that any discovered horizon will be commercially viable, further analysis of the reserves, areas, thicknesses, GOR, etc., is required.
The association of client characteristics and acceptance of harm reduction: A policy-capturing study of psychologists

The current study employed a policy-capturing methodology to examine the degree to which selected client characteristics (i.e., years of drug use, previous drug treatment, criminal history, employment status, psychiatric history, HIV status, gender, race) were associated with psychologists’ ratings of the acceptability of two harm reduction interventions: needle exchange (NE) and short-term methadone (STM) treatment. A sample of psychologists were mailed a booklet containing 64 case profiles of injection drug users and asked to rate the acceptability of either NE or STM as an intervention for the client described in each profile. Ratings of the acceptability of NE were meaningfully correlated with profile clients’ number of previous treatment attempts and with profile clients’ being described as HIV positive. Acceptance of STM was generally lower than acceptance of NE, and acceptability ratings of STM were associated with profile clients’ number of previous treatment attempts, years of drug use, and emplo...
Functional MRI Studies of Animal Models in Epilepsy

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has become a widely used imaging modality in the past decade in both human studies and animal models. Epilepsy presents unique challenges for neuroimaging due to subject movement during seizures, and the need to correlate the timing of often unpredictable seizure events with fMRI data acquisition. These challenges can readily be overcome in animal models of epilepsy. Animal models also provide an opportunity to investigate the fundamental relationships between fMRI signals and brain electrical activity through invasive studies not possible in humans. fMRI studies in animal models of epilepsy can enable us to correctly interpret fMRI signal increases and decreases in human studies, ultimately elucidating specific networks that will be targeted for improved treatment of epilepsy.
Nitric oxide synthase inhibition with NG-mono-methyl-L-arginine reversibly decreases cerebral blood flow in piglets.

OBJECTIVE We tested the hypothesis that, in piglets, the intravenous administration of the reversible inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, NG-mono-methyl-L-arginine, decreases cerebral blood flow via a mechanism unrelated to cerebral oxygen consumption. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study. SETTING Animal laboratory at a university. SUBJECTS Pentobarbital-anesthetized piglets (1 to 2 wks of age; 2.6 to 4.0 kg). INTERVENTIONS Piglets were treated with either 50 mg of NG-mono-methyl-L-arginine, 100 mg of NG-mono-methyl-L-arginine, or an equal volume of saline by intravenous infusion over 10 mins. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Mean arterial pressure increased after NG-mono-methyl-L-arginine (50 mg dose: 84 +/- 6 to 100 +/- 7 mmHg; 100 mg dose: 82 +/- 4 to 107 +/- 4 mmHg; p < .001). Forebrain blood flow (microspheres) decreased (37 +/- 2 to 30 +/- 2 mL/min/100 g; p < .05) and cerebrovascular resistance increased (2.1 +/- 0.2 to 3.5 +/- 0.3 mmHg/mL/min/100 g; p < .05) only after 100 mg of NG-mono-methyl-L-arginine. Neurohypophysis blood flow decreased to 56 +/- 9% of the control value, while forebrain blood flow decreased only to 81 +/- 4% of the control value after 100 mg of NG-mono-methyl-L-arginine administration. Blood flow returned to control values by 30 mins after infusion. NG-mono-methyl-L-arginine administration had no effect on cerebral oxygen consumption at either dose. Intravenous administration of L-arginine (300 mg) immediately after the infusion of 100 mg of NG-mono-methyl-L-arginine was associated with prompt (by 3 mins) recovery of blood flow to all brain regions that were affected by NG-mono-methyl-L-arginine. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that nitric oxide and/or a nitric oxide-containing substance is an important mediator of cerebrovascular tone in piglets, acting via a mechanism unrelated to altering cerebral oxygen consumption.
Studies in Tissue Pressure

SummaryWith the use of a manometric method for direct determination of tissue pressure it was found that the mean subcutaneous tissue pressure in the extremities at heart level varied between 17.9 and 37.1 mm. of water. The subcutaneous tissue pressure was increased in the foot on assuming the erect position and further on weight bearing. Factors other than venous pressure are important in the regulation of tissue pressure.
Primary Surgical Management of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Surgical treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has been advanced by the development of transoral surgical approaches. Transoral robotic surgery and transoral laser microsurgery are two approaches that allow minimally invasive surgical treatment of OPSCC. In this article, we review the most recent literature regarding the use of TORS and TLM in the surgical management of OPSCC, with a focus on indications, oncologic, and functional outcomes.
Gas-liquid chromatography in lunar organic analysis

Gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) is a powerful and sensitive method for the separation and detection of organic compounds at nanogram levels. The primary requirement for successful analyses is that the compounds of interest must be volatile under the chromatographic conditions employed. Nonvolatile organic compounds must be converted to volatile derivatives prior to analysis. The derivatives of choice must be both amenable to chromatographic separation and be relatively stable. The condition of volatility necessitates the development of efficient derivatization reactions for important groups of compounds as amino acids, carbohydrates, nucleosides, etc. Trimethylsilylation and trifluoroacetylation represent specific areas of recent prominence. Some relevant practical aspects of GLC are discussed.
Interactive Learning of a Multiple-Attribute Hash Table Classifier for Fast Object Recognition

Multiple-attribute hashing is now considered to be a powerful approach for the recognition and localization of 3D objects on the basis of their invariant properties. In the systems developed to date, the structure of the hash table is fixed and must be created by the system developer?an onerous task especially when the number of attributes is large, as it must in systems that use both geometric and nongeometric attributes. Another deficiency of previous systems is that uncertainty is treated as a fixed value and not modeled. In this paper, we will present a system, named MULTI-HASH, which uses the tools of decision trees and uncertainty modeling for the automatic construction of hash tables. The decision-tree framework in MULTI-HASH is based on a hybrid method that uses both qualitative attributes, such as the shape of a surface, and quantitative attributes such as color, dihedral angles, etc. The human trainer shows objects to the vision system and, in an interactive mode, tells the system the model identities of the various segmented regions, etc. Subsequently, the decision-tree-based framework learns the structure of the hash table.
The G-S-T theory of cellular differentiation

Abstract Every cell in a developing embryo has the same genotype. The genes, identified as G1, G2.....Gn, are programmed to operate sequentially, G1 acting at time (T1), G2 at T2, and Gn at Tn. These genes will transcribe their message, however, only if they are in the immediate vicinity of the appropriate stimulus. These stimuli, S1, S2 .....Sn, are specific for the genes with the same subscript. If a gene is not “turned on” at the appropriate time, it loses its opportunity, and the ontire system shifts to the next time phase. This theory is discussed, in terms of both embryological data and as a working model for the design of future experiments.
Formulation and experiments with high‐order compact schemes for nonuniform grids

Considers the extension of a new class of higher‐order compact methods to nonuniform grids and examines the effect of pollution that arises with differencing the associated metric coefficients. Numerical studies for the standard model convection diffusion equation in 1D and 2D are carried out to validate the convergence behaviour and demonstrate the high‐order accuracy.
Amyloid angiopathy in diffuse lewy body disease

We determined the frequency of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) in 135 consecutive cases of diffuse Lewy body disease (DLBD) (N = 67), Alzheimer9s disease (AD) (N = 34), and normal elderly controls (NECs) (N = 34). DLBD cases were subdivided into those with pathologic changes compatible with coexistent AD (DLBD/AD) and those without sufficient AD-type changes to warrant that diagnosis. In each case, we assessed the frequency, severity, and distribution of CAA on multiple thioflavin-S-stained sections of cerebral cortex examined with fluorescent microscopy. Based on immunocytochemistry with βT-amyloid antibodies, amyloid in all the brains was composed of βT/A4. CAA was present in the leptomeningeal vessels in 50% of the NECs and in 100% of AD cases. In DLBD without coexisting AD, the frequency of leptomeningeal CAA was 58%, whereas in DLBD/AD, the frequency was 85%. The frequency of CAA in parenchymal vessels was 38% for NECs, 97% for AD, 43% for DLBD, and 85% for DLBD/AD. There was no significant difference in the frequency or severity of CAA between NECs and DLBD, but CAA was significantly more severe, and comparable with CAA in AD, in the cases of DLBD/AD. Ten NECs had focal CAA without senile plaques (SPs), whereas all other cases with CAA had at least some SPs. Neither CAA nor SPs were present in 14 cases, including seven NECs and seven DLBD cases. We found cerebrovascular accidents in 50 cases (including nine without CAA) and leukoencephalopathy in 24 cases. These results suggest that CAA and other AD-type changes are not concomitant with DLBD but are related to coexisting AD or pathologic aging.
The symptom experience in the first 100 days following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Goals of work Despite advances in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), post-transplant complications are common, and patients’ symptom experience has not been well documented.
Task-dependent recruitment of intrinsic brain networks reflects normative variance in cognition.

Background Functional neuroimaging has great potential to inform clinical decisions, whether by identifying neural biomarkers of illness progression and severity, predicting therapeutic response, or selecting suitable patients for surgical interventions. Yet a persisting barrier to functional neuroimaging's clinical translation is our incomplete understanding of how normative variance in cognition, personality, and behavior shape the brain's structural and functional organization. We propose that modeling individual differences in these brain–behavior relationships is crucial for improving the accuracy of neuroimaging biomarkers for neurologic and psychiatric disorders. Methods We addressed this goal by initiating the Cognitive Connectome Project, which bridges neuropsychology and neuroimaging by pairing nine cognitive domains typically assessed by clinically validated neuropsychological measures with those tapped by canonical neuroimaging tasks (motor, visuospatial perception, attention, language, memory, affective processing, decision making, working memory, and executive function). To date, we have recruited a diverse sample of 53 participants (mean [SD], age = 32 [9.7] years, 31 females). Results As a proof of concept, we first demonstrate that our neuroimaging task battery can replicate previous findings that task performance recruits intrinsic brain networks identified during wakeful rest. We then expand upon these previous findings by showing that the extent to which these networks are recruited by task reflects individual differences in cognitive ability. Specifically, performance on the Judgment of Line Orientation task (a clinically validated measure of visuospatial perception) administered outside of the MRI scanner predicts the magnitude of task-induced activity of the dorsal visual network when performing a direct replication of this task within the MRI scanner. Other networks (such as default mode and right frontoparietal) showed task-induced changes in activity that were unrelated to task performance, suggesting these networks to not be involved in visuospatial perception. Conclusion These findings establish a methodological framework by which clinical neuropsychology and functional neuroimaging may mutually inform one another, thus enhancing the translation of functional neuroimaging into clinical decision making.
Does simultaneous lung-liver transplantation provide an immunologic advantage compared with isolated lung transplantation?

Simultaneous lung–liver transplantation (SLLT) is an uncommon procedure that is limited to patients unable to tolerate transplantation of either organ alone. It has been postulated that same-donor liver transplantation might provide an immunologic advantage to other simultaneously transplanted organs. We present our experience with SLLT comparing immunologic outcomes with those of patients receiving only lung transplantation to determine whether such a clinical benefit exists. CLINICAL SUMMARY Approval for retrospective review of our transplantation database was obtained from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Total Quality Control Council. Simultaneous lung–liver or heart–lung–liver transplantation was performed in 4 adults between 2003 and 2006. A control group was selected based on age, underlying diagnosis, date of transplantation, and immunosuppressive regimen. All patients receivedinductiontherapy with rabbit antithymocyte globulin, alemtuzumab, or daclizumab. Our protocols for immunosuppression management, diagnosis/ treatment of acute rejection, and infection prophylaxis have been described previously. 1 Fisher’s exact test and an independent t test were used for qualitative and quantitative variable analysis, respec
Some monothetic subsemigroups of S(ℝ)

In this note we verify a conjecture of Magill [3] about orders of “steplike” functions. These functions turn out to be useful in producing a finite subsemigroup of S(ℝ) of any given order.
Gamma-ray detection in an intense flux of 14 MeV neutrons

Abstract The hexafluorine-based scintillator NE226 is compared to the toluene-based scintillator NE213 as a detector of gamma radiation in the presence of 14 MeV neutrons. It is shown that when pulse shape discrimination techniques are employed NE213 is superior because the NE226 is an efficient detector of 14 MeV neutrons through the 19 F(n, particle, gamma) reactions.
Multiple Scattering Corrections to the Impulse Approximation in the Two-Body System

Exact solutions for the scattering of a fast particle by two heavy scatterers are obtained and compared with the usual treatment of the impulse approximation in which multiple scattering is neglected. It is found that the multiple scattering qualitatively changes the solution except in the extreme Born approximation limit. The methods developed are applied to the isotopic spin dependent, but spin independent, scattering of mesons in the deuteron. It is found that if high energy scattering is assumed to be in the isotopic spin $\frac{3}{2}$ state, a considerable depression in the total cross section can be expected for phase shifts larger than 45 degrees.
Preparing Highly Qualified Teacher Candidates for Urban Schools The Importance of Dispositions

Teacher education programs are at a critical link for the preparation of teachers who possess an ethical stance regarding the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required to intervene effectively with all students. Therefore, teacher education is taking center stage in the discussion relevant to teacher quality and its effectiveness on the achievement of diverse students in urban settings. Learning climates and expectations must be created where self-reflection and critical cultural consciousness are part of the routine, normative demands of teacher education if systemic change is to occur. The author contends that it is essential that candidates possess more than pedagogical knowledge but also the essential dispositions to affirm and embrace all students. Therefore, agendas should be espoused that promote educational equity for all students, while ensuring that indeed no child is left behind.
Piagetian Pessimism and the Mapping Abilities of Young Children: A Rejoinder to Liben and Downs

(1997). Piagetian Pessimism and the Mapping Abilities of Young Children: A Rejoinder to Liben and Downs. Annals of the Association of American Geographers: Vol. 87, No. 1, pp. 168-177.
Design and evaluation of a coupled monolithic preconcentrator-capillary zone electrophoresis system for the extraction of immunoglobulin G from human serum

Abstract The analysis of proteins in biological fluids by capillary electrophoresis (CE) is of interest in clinical chemistry. However, due to low analyte concentrations and poor concentration limits of detection (CLOD), protein analysis by this technique is frequently challenging. Coupling preconcentration techniques with CE greatly improves the CLOD. An on-line preconcentration-CE method that can selectively preconcentrate any protein for which an antibody is available would be very useful for the analysis of low abundance proteins and would establish CE as a major tool in biomarker discovery. To accomplish this, the development of an on-line protein G monolithic preconcentrator-CE device is proposed. To generate active groups for protein immobilization, glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was used to prepare polymer monoliths. A 1.5–2 cm monolith was cast inside a 75 μm I.D. fused silica capillary that had previously been coated with alternating layers of negatively (dextran) and positively (polybrene) charged polymers. Protein G was covalently bound to GMA. Monoliths from different formulations were prepared and evaluated for binding capacity to optimize the monolith formulation for protein preconcentration. The physical properties of the column considered best for preconcentration were determined by mercury intrusion porosimetry. The total pore area was 4.8 m2/g, the average pore diameter was 3.3 μm and the porosity was 82%. The monolith had a low flow resistance and was macroscopically homogeneous. The effectiveness of the monolith to rapidly preconcentrate proteins at flow rates as high as 10 μL/min was demonstrated using a 1.8 μM IgG solution. This system proved effective for on-line sample extraction, clean-up, preconcentration, and CE of IgG in human serum. IgG from diluted (500 and 65,000 times) human serum samples was successfully analyzed using this system. The approach can be applied to the on-line preconcentration and analysis of any protein for which an antibody is available.
Structural Health Monitoring for Frame Structure with Semi-rigid Joints

This paper presents a method for detecting and locating structural damages in local elements or regions of a structural system by directly utilizing structural vibration measurements. A previously developed damage diagnosis technique is enhanced by including a simplified lumped-mass model, which is equivalent to the complex frame structure. The parameters derived from the simplified lumped-mass model are used in the damage diagnosis algorithm, while the actual dynamic responses measured from the frame structure under seismic excitation are used as the inputs. The dynamic responses measured from different floors can be decoupled by implementing the proposed damage diagnosis algorithm. As a result, damages in the frame structure can be detected and located. Numerical examples of a three-story-one-bay steel frame model and a benchmark-liked four-story-two-bay steel frame model are considered to demonstrate and evaluate the effectiveness of the present method.
The structure of segmental errors in the speech of deaf children

A quantitative description of the segmental errors occurring in the speech of deaf children is developed. The method of description separates out those errors or characteristics that are common to all deaf speakers from those that are common to different subpopulations of the deaf (e.g., severely versus profoundly hearing impaired) from those errors or characteristics that are unique to individual speakers. Using this technique, the pattern of segmental errors is specified for several groups of children including deaf children at a school for the deaf as well as hearing-impaired children who have been mainstreamed into the regular school system.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection visualized by EGFP expression demonstrates dependence on known mediators of EBV entry

Studies of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and pathogenesis are limited by the lack of recombinant EBV bearing a reporter gene. Currently such studies typically utilize cellular transformation and immortalization as indicators of virus infection which takes several weeks. To investigate the dependence on known cellular receptors for EBV infection, a novel enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expressing virus, designated EBfaV-GFP, was used to infect a variety of different cell types. EBfaV-GFP infects B lymphoma-derived cell lines, lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) and primary B cells, as judged by expression of EGFP. Ability of clonal cells to be infected with EBfaV-GFP correlates with expression of the known EBV entry mediators CD21 and HLA-DR. EGFP-expressing LCLs were derived by infection of primary B cells with EBfaV-GFP. Cells of the Jurkat line, derived from T lymphocytes, could not be infected, and infected primary lymphocytes did not include appreciable numbers of CD2-positive cells, showing that EBV rarely infects T cells. Expression of EGFP by EBV provides the opportunity to rapidly visualize infection in living cells and better delineate populations of infected cells.
Ring opening of 2,5-didehydrothiophene: matrix photochemistry of C4H2S isomers.

Irradiation (λ > 254 nm) of matrix-isolated 2,5-diiodothiophene (10) gives rise to IR bands assigned to ethynylthioketene (6). Diethynyl sulfide (3), which would form in the process of retro-Bergman cyclization of the incipient 2,5-didehydrothiophene (4), is not detected. Under the same irradiation conditions, matrix-isolated diethynyl sulfide (3) rearranges to thioketene 6 and butatrienethione (5), the global minimum on C4H2S potential energy surface. The photochemical formation of thioketene 6 from either diyl 4 or sulfide 3 may be interpreted in line with a recent computational prediction on the thermal ring opening of diyl 4, which favors C−S bond cleavage, leading to 6, over C−C bond cleavage, leading to 3. Photolysis of matrix-isolated 3,4-thiophenedicarboxylic acid anhydride (11) enables the observation of the photoequilibration of three low-energy C4H2S isomers, butatrienethione (5), ethynylthioketene (6), and butadiynylthiol (7), via apparent [1,3]-hydrogen shifts.
Effects of colony size and stage of development on defense response by the swarm-founding wasp Polybia occidentalis

In social insects the level of defensive effort generally increases with colony size, but the effects of the size of the defending adult population and the size of the brood population being defended have not been separated. We used pre-emergence-stage colonies of the swarm-founding wasp, Polybia occidentalis, to distinguish the effects of these two parameters on the intensity of colony defense. We elicited defensive behavior by using both mechanical (taps) and chemical (alarm-pheromone-containing venom) stimuli, and scored the responses as the number of attacks on a standard target. The intensity of defense increased linearly throughout the colony's first 25 days of development, despite the decrease in absolute numbers of adults during the same period. That is, the per capita attack rate increased strongly during this period, leading us to conclude that the intensity of defense is a function of the colony's investment in brood and not of the number of defending adults. We provide evidence that the increase is attributable neither to sensitization due to frequent disturbance, nor to the aging of the adult wasps. We further show that defensive effort on a per capita basis decreased with increasing size across colonies, whether colony size was measured as number of adults or as investment in brood. This pattern suggests that the cost-benefit relationship of defending the colony changes with colony size.
Analysis of a process for replication of electroforming molds with integral microscreens

A process for the rapid replication of electroforming plastic micromolds has been developed at Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA. The process is based on injection molding of plastic replicates with integral metallic screens to produce sacrificial electroforming molds in which the metallic screen acts as the conducting base and the plastic features provide insulating sidewalls. The process consists of injecting molten PMMA via a center-gate into a disk-shaped mold cavity in which a sandwich of a flow channel plate, porous Nickel foam, and metallic microscreen are placed on top of the LIGA-fabricated tooling. A numerical model for the coupled heat transfer and fluid flow phenomena is used to investigate the effects of various process parameters on the mold-filling behavior. The results from the parametric studies are presented and discussed.
Single Muscle Site sEMG Interface for Assistive Grasping

We present a joint demonstration between the Robotics, Autonomous Systems, and Controls Laboratory (RASCAL) at UC Davis and the Columbia University Robotics Group, wherein a human-in-the-loop robotic grasping platform in the Columbia lab (New York, NY) is controlled to select and grasp an object by a C3-C4 spinal cord injury (SCI) subject in the UC Davis lab (Davis, CA) using a new single-signal, multi- degree-of-freedom surface electromyography (sEMG) human- robot interface. The grasping system breaks the grasping task into a multi-stage pipeline that can be navigated with only a few inputs. It integrates pre-planned grasps with on-line grasp planning capability and an object recognition and target selection system capable of handling multi-object scenes with moderate occlusion. Previous work performed in the RASCAL lab demonstrated that by continuously modulating the power in two individual bands in the frequency spectrum of a single sEMG signal, users were able to control a cursor in 2D for cursor to target tasks. Using this paradigm, four targets were presented in order for the subject to command the multi- stage grasping pipeline. We demonstrate that using this system, operators are able to grasp objects in a remote location using a robotic grasping platform. I. INTRODUCTION Grasping objects is critical to many activities of daily life that present challenges to people with upper limb mobility impairments. This work presents an assistive grasping system using a human-in-the-loop for a disabled user to grasp objects from a table using a novel, non-invasive sEMG based input device even in somewhat cluttered scenes. The novel device measures only a single differential sEMG signal at one muscle site on the user. The system puts the user in control of a multi-stage grasping pipeline that includes object recogni- tion, integrated pre-planned and on-line grasp planning with feedback to help the user plan robust grasps in near real time. We show that an impaired user can successfully use this system to grasp objects using a real robotic grasping platform. The key contributions of this work include: a) In- tegration with a novel sEMG input device which relies on only a single muscle site. b) A new UI that improves the disabled user's ability to understand the scene and produce correct grasps in complex, cluttered environments. c) Online reachability analysis and feedback. d) Online assessment of the desired approach direction. e) Evaluation of this system on an impaired user in a remote location. f) A demonstration that this new UI is descriptive enough for the user to operate in an environment that they have never seen.
Comparing Calibrations of Similar Conically Scanning Window-Channel Microwave Radiometers

The Global Precipitation Measuring Mission requires the ability to compare the calibrations of similar, but not identical, orbiting microwave radiometers. A fitting algorithm has been developed which adjusts a set of geophysical parameters to match the radiances of a source sensor. The adjusted parameters are then used to compute the radiances for a target sensor. For comparison purposes, a simple (weather forecast) analysis-based algorithm has also been implemented. The algorithms have been tested on two pairs of sensors, TMI/Windsat and TMI/AMSR-E. The differences in the results between the two algorithms are generally small. The contribution of various error sources has also been evaluated. The error analysis suggests similar quality for both algorithms. A comparison of the observed variability in the differences between the two sensors in each pair shows very similar variability for the TMI/AMSR-E pair as for the TMI/Windsat pair. It is also shown that the fitting algorithm partially compensates for shortcomings in the radiative transfer models by introducing spurious correlations among the retrieved parameters.
Growth and development of the thinning canopy in a post-hurricane tropical rain forest in Nicaragua

Abstract The effect of catastrophic disturbance on forest structure was studied for 10 years subsequent to the landfall of Hurricane Joan in 1988. Four sites within the damage area and one control site outside of the area were established in the early 1990s and positions and sizes (DBH and crown height) were measured annually. Results of the study are reported in the context of the debate between equilibrium versus non-equilibrium models of tropical forest dynamics. Equilibrium models imply some sort of niche segregation on a species to species basis, whereas non-equilibrium models emphasise chance and history in the development of canopies. In either case, the details of the dynamics of building and thinning after a disturbance are key to resolve the debate. Physical aspects of the developing canopy began with a severely damaged forest with effectively no canopy at all. Two distinct canopies had developed 4 or 5 years after the disturbance; (1) a larger but diffuse canopy made up of the tress that had survived the hurricane standing and had begun resprouting high in their damaged crowns and (2) a ‘thinning canopy’ of very densely packed crowns of small individual trees, resulting from the growth of surviving saplings and seedlings and trees that had sprouted near to the ground. Competitive thinning has begun to occur in this dense lower canopy. Since the disturbance, the increase in number of species has been great, ranging from 134 to 208% over what would be expected in a mature forest. Mortality patterns in the thinning canopy suggest that trees are not dying at random and thus supports a niche-based model of forest regeneration. Qualitative analysis of the thinning canopy also suggests that some species have come to occupy the upper position in the canopy (and are thus likely to be competitive dominants) while other species have come to occupy the lower position (and are thus likely to be competitively suppressed). A qualitative model is proposed illustrating where, during the process of regeneration, various authors have emphasized either a niche (equilibrium) or non-niche (non-equilibrium) model. It is suggested that in the building phase of the post-disturbance forest a non-niche interpretation is most appropriate while in the thinning phase a niche interpretation may be warranted.
Cross-Sectional Imaging of the Thyroid Gland

Directed imaging is useful in assessing the thyroid gland. Nuclear scintigraphy reveals functional information about the thyroid gland, while cross-sectional imaging, including ultrasound, CT, and MR imaging provide important adjunctive anatomic information about the thyroid as well as about related structures in the neck, including the presence or absence of cervical and mediastinal lymphadenopathy, or extension of thyroid disease into adjacent soft tissues or the mediastinum. This article reviews the anatomy and physiology of the thyroid gland and addresses issues related to diseases affecting the thyroid gland, with an emphasis on neoplasms and the role of cross-sectional MR and CT imaging in the assessment of thyroid neoplasia.
Intramolecular fluorescence correlation spectroscopy in a feedback tracking microscope.

We derive the statistics of the signals generated by shape fluctuations of large molecules studied by feedback tracking microscopy. We account for the influence of intramolecular dynamics on the response of the tracking system and derive a general expression for the fluorescence autocorrelation function that applies when those dynamics are linear. We show that in comparison to traditional fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, tracking provides enhanced sensitivity to translational diffusion, molecular size, heterogeneity, and long-timescale decays. We demonstrate our approach using a three-dimensional tracking microscope to study genomic λ-phage DNA molecules with various fluorescence label configurations.
Public no more universities: subsidy to self‐reliance

Purpose – Tightened government budgets are forcing public universities to confront a new economic reality as the traditional low tuition‐high subsidy model of public higher education becomes increasingly unsustainable. The shift toward reliance on tuition relative to taxpayer support reflects adjustments in consumer preferences, increased mobility, enhanced competition from non‐traditional providers, and reallocated government budgets. The outcome is clear: taxpayer support for higher education is decreasing, and is decreasing sharply and permanently when measured on a per student basis. The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for university leaders that can provide the foundation for the transformation that needs to take place as universities face a permanent decline in public support. The primary goal is to point out differences between private business enterprises and public universities and then to suggest that many of the characteristics that define private sector excellence are applicabl...
Numerical Modeling of a Mini/Microchannel Reactor for Methane-Steam Reforming

Numerical modeling of methane-steam reforming is performed in a mini/microchannel with heat input through Nickel-deposited channel walls. The low-Mach number, variable density Navier-Stokes equations together with multicomponent reactions are solved using a parallel numerical framework. Methane-steam reforming is modeled by three reduced-order reactions occurring on the reactor walls. The surface reactions in the presence of Nickel catalyst are modeled as Neumann boundary conditions to the governing equations. Effects of the total heat input, heat flux profile, and inlet methane-steam molar concentration on production of hydrogen are investigated in detail.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
The role of compressibility in energy release by magnetic reconnection

Using resistive compressible magnetohydrodynamics, we investigate the energy release and transfer by magnetic reconnection in finite (closed or periodic) systems. The emphasis is on the magnitude of energy released and transferred to plasma heating in configurations that range from highly compressible to incompressible, based on the magnitude of the background beta (ratio of plasma pressure over magnetic pressure) and of a guide field in two-dimensional reconnection. As expected, the system becomes more incompressible, and the role of compressional heating diminishes, with increasing beta or increasing guide field. Nevertheless, compressional heating may dominate over Joule heating for values of the guide field of 2 or 3 (in relation to the reconnecting magnetic field component) and beta of 5-10. This result stems from the strong localization of the dissipation near the reconnection site, which is modeled based on particle simulation results. Imposing uniform resistivity, corresponding to a Lundquist number of 10(exp 3) to 10(exp 4), leads to significantly larger Ohmic heating. Increasing incompressibility greatly reduces the magnetic flux transfer and the amount of energy released, from approx. 10% of the energy associated with the reconnecting field component, for zero guide field and low beta, to approx. 0.2%-0.4% for large values of the guide field B(sub y0) > 5 or large beta. The results demonstrate the importance of taking into account plasma compressibility and localization of dissipation in investigations of heating by turbulent reconnection, possibly relevant for solar wind or coronal heating.
Do Polymorphic Female Brown Anoles (Anolis sagrei) Differ in Sprint Speed or Escape Behavior

Abstract: The Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei) is a polymorphic species, with females often exhibiting one of three distinct pattern morphs. Efforts to correlate female-limited pattern polymorphism in anoles to ecological or physiological factors have largely been unsuccessful, with such correlations being either inconsistent among species or among populations of a single species. To test the hypothesis that morph types would differ in their response to putative predators, we observed escape behavior in 84 female A. sagrei from Cape Eleuthera (Eleuthera, Bahamas) and tested 103 females for sprint speed. We found differences between morph types in hindlimb span and perch height. Differences in sprint speed were not significant, nor did morphs differ in escape responses. We suggest further studies to determine whether differences between morphs in hindlimb span are genetic or plastic, and, if plastic, what factor might be responsible. We conclude that perching at different heights could be selectively advantage...
Pseudocysts of the pancreas.

Abstract Pseudocyst is the most common cystic lesion which occurs in association with the pancreas. Pancreatitis appears to be the most frequent etiologic factor in the development of a pseudocyst. Characteristically, a patient who has a cyst of this type presents a history suggestive of recurring pancreatitis and a rounded mass somewhere in the upper part of the abdomen. The mass may change in size or at times disappear entirely between attacks of abdominal pain. Occasionally pain is absent or minimal. Roentgenologic studies may show abnormalities in the stomach or duodenum caused by pressure from the cyst. Forty-four cases of pseudocyst of the pancreas are reviewed. The procedure of incision and drainage with or without marsupialization is considered the treatment of choice. Cysts recurred in only three of the thirty-one cases in which treatment of this type was employed. In each of these three cases it appeared that an inadequate period of drainage had been maintained. Total excision of the cyst or an anastomosis between the cyst and some part of the intestinal tract are recommended only in exceptional cases.
Contributions of inter- and intra-state emissions to ozone over Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

Simulation of CMAQ with the high-order direct decoupled method (HDDM) for two 2005 episodes was used to assess the impacts of local emissions and regional transport on ozone concentrations in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) region of Texas. The episodes featured east-northeasterly winds conducive to interstate transport of air pollutants. The study revealed that local, intrastate, and neighbouring state emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO x ) all contributed significantly to daytime ozone in DFW. Local NO x emissions exerted the strongest impact on local ozone, though the impact was highly variable temporally and spatially within the region. NO x emissions from Texas areas outside DFW contributed on average about 10 ppb to daytime DFW ozone. Neighbouring states (Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi) in total also contributed about 10 ppb to DFW ozone. Anthropogenic VOC emissions from outside the DFW region yielded negligible impact on DFW ozone. DFW ozone is shown to respond more nonlinearly to local N...
Abstract 5029: RasGRP3- a new therapeutic target in human melanoma

RasGRP3, a RasGEF (Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor), is an activator of H-Ras, R-ras and Rap1, Here, we report that its expression level was increased in multiple human melanoma cell lines, reaching a level of protein expression approaching that of Ramos cells in the case of the SK-MEL-5 melanoma line. Likewise, RasGRP3 expression was variably elevated in human melanoma tissue samples. The importance of RasGRP3 expression for the melanoma cell lines was demonstrated by down regulating its expression, which inhibited cell proliferation and blocked both colony formation in soft agar and xenograft tumor formation in immunodeficient mice in the case of both the M14 and SK-Mel-5 cell lines. Finally, RasGRP3 was involved in downstream signaling in these cells. Suppression of RasGRP3 expression reduced both basal and HGF induced AKT phosphorylation in the M14 and SK-Mel-5 cells. Consistent with these results, we found that overexpression of RasGRP3 in human primary melanocytes changed their morphology, enhanced cell proliferation, and caused xenograft tumor formation. Suppression of the RasGRP3 overexpression in these cells inhibited downstream RasGRP3 responses and suppressed cell growth, confirming the functional role of RasGRP3 in the altered behavior of these cells. We conclude that RasGRP3 represents a potential therapeutic target in melanoma. Even more generally, the high level of expression and functional role of RasGRP3 in melanoma emphasizes that this RasGEF may play a more general role in regulation of Ras family members than had been initially appreciated. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5029.
Development and Validation of a Measure of Self-Critical Rumination:

Self-criticism is a form of negative self-evaluation that has strong associations with many forms of psychopathology. Rumination is a maladaptive form of repetitive thinking that is associated with many psychological disorders. Although measures of several different types of rumination (e.g., general rumination, depressive rumination, anger rumination) have been developed, none focuses specifically on self-critical rumination. An initial pool of items addressing self-critical rumination was developed by adapting items from existing rumination measures and through a writing task administered to both student and clinical samples. Following an evaluation of content validity, 24 items were administered to a large sample of undergraduates along with measures of related constructs. The final 10-item version of the Self-Critical Rumination Scale showed excellent internal consistency, a clear single-factor structure, convergent relationships with related constructs, and incremental validity over other measures of self-criticism and rumination in predicting both general distress and features of borderline personality disorder.
The globalization of messenger RNA regulation.

遗传信息由DNA转录为RNA，再翻译为行使功能的蛋白质，这是生命信息表达的中心法则。自发现以来，转录调控在一直是基因表达领域的主要研究对象。而当基因转录后，mRNA分子自身是如何被调控的？RNA结合蛋白及非编码RNA是如何影响mRNA加工、运输、胞内定位以及稳定性？在应激条件或者发育进程中，细胞如何提高RNA调控的效率？ 杜克大学医学中心Jack D. Keene教授是研究RNA调控的专家，曾发现并阐明了蛋白的RNA识别模式（RNA Recognition Motif），而携带该模式的蛋白后被证实为最大的RNA结合蛋白家族。该发现对于RNA调控研究具有至关重要的贡献。Keene教授指出，在mRNA转录后调控研究的初期，科学家鉴定出了mRNA的顺式及反式调控区域、非编码调控RNA、及一系列RNA结合蛋白，为该领域发展奠定了良好的基石。由于条件所限，初期研究常采用点对点研究模式，如某特定RNA结合蛋白和一个特定的RNA分子之间的相互作用，这虽然可以为生物学现象提供解释，但不足以提供丰富的信息。随着对一些RNA经典元件如AU-rich Element（ARE）、iron response Element的研究深入，视野从单分子拓展到对信号通路的调控，如神经特异性的RNA结合蛋白HuB通过与100多个不同的mRNA分子ARE元件结合，调控神经细胞的增殖及分化；血红素生物合成的重要分子Ferritin、Transferrin Receptor、ALAS合成酶等的mRNA，均含有iron response Element，可被铁调控蛋白协调调控，共同参与血红素生成。特定的RNA结合蛋白可以调控不同的RNA靶标，使细胞应对及适应不同条件，这是转录后RNA整体化调控蓝图的雏形。 Keene教授进而指出，测序技术的迅速发展使整体研究mRNA转录后调控产生了巨大飞跃。研究者建立了RIP-CHIP-SEQ技术来鉴定细胞内整体水平的RBP的RNA靶标，将RNA-蛋白的相互作用的研究提升到整体细胞水平。研究发现：许多RNA结合蛋白的mRNA靶序列不仅具有类似的序列特征，而且在同一个信号通路上或者在同一个大分子复合体中。具有相似功能的mRNA被成组的剪切、运输、稳定、翻译或者降解。每个类型的mRNA在细胞内都有多个拷贝，每个mRNA分子可能被不同功能的调控因子调控，这原则上为细胞提供了更大的转录后调控的弹性空间，使细胞以更经济快捷的方式应对不同生理状况。 最后，Keene教授对该领域尚待解决的问题提出展望及见解。在特定的发育阶段，细胞是如何发出信号实现蛋白-RNA复合物的激活或抑制或解离？如何建立无偏见的蛋白-RNA结合研究体系？如何发展更好的技术手段来区分蛋白-RNA瞬时和稳定的结合？随着技术体系的成熟，越来越多的非编码RNA和RNA结合蛋白被发现，整体RNA 转录后动态调控研究将产生更大的突破。
MOLECULAR WEIGHT DISTRIBUTIONS OF VINYL POLYMERS GRAFTED TO A SOLID POLYMERIC SUBSTRATE BY IRRADIATION (THEORETICAL)

The molecular weight distributions of vinyl polymers grafted by irradiation have been deduced theoretically. The derivations are rigorous for cases where chain transfer is not important or in all cases where the radiation dose is high (>1 Mrad). In the absence of chain transfer, the width of the distribution depends mainly on conversion of monomer to grafted polymer and on the ratio of the rate constant for propagation to that for termination (kp/2kt). As this ratio gets smaller, the molecular weight distribution becomes broader. For relatively small values of kp/2kt (e.g., 0.5 or less), the width of the distribution increases markedly with increasing conversion. In such cases, the occurrence of chain transfer tends to make the distribution narrower. For a monomer grafted to a substrate where kp/2kt = 0.9 (for example), the ratio of weight to number average molecular weight is ca. 2. In general, monomers which have lower rates of propagation should form grafted polymers with broader molecular weight distributions.
Photonic crystal assisted high-efficiency thermal photovoltaic generation

We present a detailed theoretical and experimental analysis of a novel thermal photovoltaic generation scheme based on the use of radioisotope heating of a metallic photonic crystal emitter. A two-fold TPV-device enhancement efficiency is observed.
Lipid-linked cell wall precursors regulate membrane association of bacterial actin MreB

The bacterial actin homolog MreB, which is crucial for rod shape determination, forms filaments that rotate around the cell width on the inner surface of the cytoplasmic membrane. What determines filament association with the membranes or with other cell wall elongation proteins is not known. Using specific chemical and genetic perturbations while following MreB filament motion, we find that MreB membrane association is an actively regulated process that depends on the presence of lipid-linked peptidoglycan precursors. When precursors are depleted, MreB filaments disassemble into the cytoplasm, and peptidoglycan synthesis becomes disorganized. In cells that lack wall teichoic acids but continue to make peptidoglycan, dynamic MreB filaments are observed, although their presence is not sufficient to establish a rod shape. We propose that the cell regulates MreB filament association with the membrane, allowing rapid and reversible inactivation of cell wall enzyme complexes in response to the inhibition of cell wall synthesis.