cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Study of the Cost, Accuracy, and Benefits of 3-Dimensional Sonography Compared With Hysterosalpingography in Women With Uterine Abnormalities

Objectives We conducted a prospective blinded study to evaluate the costs, accuracy, risks, and benefits of 3-dimensional (3D) transvaginal sonography compared to hysterosalpingography. Methods A total of 101 women aged 26 to 44 years with evidence of uterine anomalies were enrolled. All participants had routine hysterosalpingography as part of their infertility evaluation as well as 3D transvaginal sonography as part of the study. Surgical findings were used as the standard for final diagnosis. Results A total of 6 normal uteri and 119 uterine anomalies were classified: 30 congenital uterine anomalies (3 arcuate, 1 unicornuate, 4 bicornuate, 2 didelphys, and 20 septate uteri) and 89 acquired anomalies (38 polyps, 30 fibroids, 17 synechiae, and 4 adenomyosis). Congenital anomalies were correctly identified in 30 of 30 cases by 3D sonography but from 10 to 30 of 30 cases by hysterosalpingography. The detection rates for acquired uterine anomalies were lower for both techniques: 44 to 89 of 89 cases for 3D sonography and 22 to 74 of 89 cases for hysterosalpingography. Only 7 of the 20 septi would have been surgically corrected if patients only had hysterosalpingography. On the contrary, 30 of 30 patients with congenital uterine anomalies, 2 of 4 patients with adenomyosis, and all 6 patients with normal uteri were spared from surgery with diagnoses by 3D sonography. No adverse effects were reported after sonography, and only 6 minor ones were reported after hysterosalpingography. Conclusions Three-dimensional transvaginal sonography provides visualization and evaluation of the uterine cavity with similar or better accuracy than standard hysterosalpingography in the office setting, with lower cost and morbidity.
LV Motion and Strain Computation from tMRI Based on Meshless Deformable Models

We propose a novel meshless deformable model for in vivoLeft Ventricle (LV) 3D motion estimation and analysis based on tagged MRI (tMRI). The meshless deformable model can capture global deformations such as contraction and torsion with a few parameters, while track local deformations with Laplacian representation. In particular, the model performs well even when the control points (tag intersections) are relatively sparse. We test the performance of the meshless model on a numeric phantom, as well as in vivoheart data of healthy subjects and patients. The experimental results show that the meshless deformable model can fully recover the myocardial motion and strain in 3D.
COMPARING PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN OUTCOMES AFTER DIFFERENT TYPES OF RADIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT OF CLINICALLY LOCALIZED PROSTATE CANCER HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTROLLING FOR ESTABLISHED PROGNOSTIC FACTORS

Purpose: We evaluated the impact that the composition of prognostic factors in a patient cohort may have on prostate specific antigen (PSA) outcome following external beam radiation therapy for clinically localized prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: The distribution of PSA, biopsy Gleason score and American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) T stage in men with prostate cancer treated with interstitial plus external beam radiation therapy was used to select a matched cohort who underwent 3-dimensional (D) conformal external beam radiation therapy. We compared PSA outcomes after 3-D conformal external beam radiation therapy in the overall and matched cohorts of 766 and 570 patients, respectively.Results: Men treated with interstitial plus external beam radiation therapy had a significantly lower rate of PSA greater than 10 to 20 (p = 0.02) and greater than 20 ng./ml. (p <0.0001), biopsy Gleason score 7 (p = 0.02) and 8 to 10 (p <0.0001), and AJCC stage T2c disease (p <0.0001). Likewise, these men also ha...
Scheduling and Management Improvements Accelerate Roadway Design

The Federal Highway Administration's Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division has been actively involved over the past 10 years with the development of a process to maintain better control of its design project schedules. Three initiatives were undertaken during this time period. The first initiative involved a change in structural organization by establishing a strong project management concept from a project's inception to its construction contract award. The second initiative recognized early on that a well-scheduled project eliminates many of the problems encountered during the design process. The resulting scheduling resource system became a valuable tool for the project managers. In the third initiative, a team developed a road map of the design process to better serve the division's customers. After 10 years, customer satisfaction is improving, project schedules are under better control, and improvements to the design process have resulted in timely and cost-efficient projects.
Role Of Diffraction In Phase Retrieval From Intensity Measurements

The role played by diffraction in the question of the uniqueness of phase retrieval from intensity measurements in the aperture plane and focal plane of a thin lens is investigated. It is shown for a specific example that diffraction from the lens aperture stop reduces the nonuniqueness which is present if this diffraction is ignored.
Relationships between macro- and micronutrient nutrition of slash pine on three coastal plain soils

Slash pine seedlings on Bladen, Leon, and Lakeland soils responded differently to P and N fertilization. Seedling growth was increased by all treatments on Bladen soil, whereas responses by seedlings on the other soils were nil. All soils were low in extractable P with both Bladen and Lakeland yielding 0.85 ppm P. Growth response to fertilizer was positive on Bladen soil because soil and tissue levels of P were raised above “critical” levels and other nutrients were present in adequate quantities. Tissue analyses indicated, and subsequent experiments utilizing macro- and micronutrients proved, that excess P applications reduced certain micronutrients to growth-limiting levels on both Leon and Lakeland soils. Best growth on Leon soil occurred when P and N were supplemented with Cu. On the Lakeland soil macronutrients supplemented with Cu, Mn, or Zn produced greatest growth. Toxicity levels of five micronutrients on the latter soil also were determined.
Direct DNA delivery into zebrafish embryos employing tissue culture techniques

Summary: The production of transfected fish embryos requires expertise in injecting the fertilized eggs and/or expensive equipment for electroporation or microprojectiles. This article demonstrates that by exposure to DNA constructs conjugated with transfecting reagents dechorionated Danio rerio embryos are capable of acquiring extracellular DNA and expressing reporter genes. Embryos incubated with pCMVluc complexed with GeneJammer or GenePORTER expressed luciferase 24–48 h after exposure. pCMVGFP DNA mixed with the same agents generated embryos that exhibited differential patterns of expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP). Embryonic development varied depending on the procedure employed and the reporter gene utilized. Expression of the luciferase gene did not interfere with the subsequent development of the embryos. In contrast, the embryos expressing a high level of GFP were affected, probably due to a very active promoter. These results demonstrate the ease of obtaining transfected fish embryos, which facilitate the mass production of new genotypes and extend the procedure to laboratories with limited resources. genesis 31:1–5, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Minds, machines and economic agents: Cambridge receptions of Boole and Babbage

Abstract In the 1860s and 1870s the logic of Boole and the calculating machines of Babbage were key resources in W. S. Jevons’s attempt to construct a mechanical model of the mind, and both therefore played an important role in Jevons’s attempted revolution in economic theory. In this same period both Boole and Babbage were studied within the Cambridge Moral Sciences Tripos, but the Cambridge reading of Boole and Babbage was much more circumspect. Implicitly following the division of the moral sciences into material and ‘real’ as established by the Rev. Grote, John Venn treated Boole’s logic as a purely formal science, while Alfred Marshall based his psychological model of the mechanical part of the human mind upon Babbage’s two-level machine. From the different perspectives of logic and psychology, Venn and Marshall did not simply incorporate their readings of Boole and Babbage, but also attempted to establish the limits to any mechanical explanation of the mind. This comparison of the attitudes to mental science of Jevons and Marshall provides a foundation from which the differing conceptions of economic theory of the two men can be established.
Polyamine stimulation of phosphorylation of nonhistone acidic protein in nuclei and nucleoli from Physarum polycephalum.

Intact isolated nuclei and nucleoli from the slime mold Physarum polycephalum incorporated inorganic [32P]phosphate into the phenol-soluble acidic nuclear proteins when incubated for 1 h in a phosphorylation mixture consisting of [32P]phosphate (pH 6.8), glucose, Mg2+, and ATP. The polyamines spermidine and spermine, or equimolar combinations of these compounds with putrescine, at 1 mM total amine concentration, stimulated phosphorylation of these nuclear proteins compared to control experiments lacking these compounds. The magnitude of enhanced phosphorylation ranged from 6-fold to 30-fold depending on the combination of polyamines employed and the given nuclear preparation. Magnesium ion could not substitute for the polyamines in effecting this stimulation. Fractionation of the phosphorylated proteins by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecylsulfate revealed that different polypeptides among them were phosphorylated by nuclei in the presence, versus the absence, of the polyamines. In the presence of all three polyamines, each at 0.33 mM, enhanced phosphorylation was primarily due to [32P]-phosphate incorporation into four major nuclear proteins. These proteins had molecular weights of 14000, 27000, 52000, and 70000, respectively. In the absence of the polyamines, three major proteins were phosphorylated with molecular weights of 17500, 21200, and 25000, respectively. The polypeptides of 52000 and 70000 molecular weight were also selectively phosphorylated in, and isolated from, intact nucleoli after incubation in phosphorylation mixtures supplemented with 1 mM total polyamines. The [32P]phospho-protein linkage of the 32P-containing substances in polyacrylamide gels was established by the capacity of pronase to eliminate these protein bands and by their insensitivity to nuclease digestion. Polyamine stimulation of the phosphorylation of these nuclear proteins was unaltered by 2-propynylamine, an irreversible inhibitor of amine oxidase. Moreover, H2O2 did not stimulate phosphorylation of these proteins by intact nuclei in which amine oxidase was inhibited by 2-propynylamine.
Pulmonary-Function Testing

Pulmonary-function tests provide objective, quantifiable measures of lung function. They are used to evaluate and monitor diseases that affect heart and lung function, to monitor the effects of environmental, occupational, and drug exposures, to assess risks of surgery, and to assist in evaluations performed before employment or for insurance purposes. The indications for pulmonary-function tests are summarized in Table 1. Spirometric examination, the most widely used such test, is the focus of this paper. Spirometry is the measurement of the movement of air into and out of the lungs during various breathing maneuvers. Such examinations should be readily available and routinely . . .
Oxidation of Mn(II): Initial mineralogy, oxidation state and ageing

The initial solid phase oxidation products formed during the oxidation of aqueous Mn(II) at 25°C were studied as a function of time. The analyses included morphology (TEM), mineralogy (x-ray diffraction), OMn ratio (iodometric method), oxidation state of manganese (XPS), and dissolved manganese. The initial solid formed under our conditions was Mn3O4 (hausmannite) which converted completely to γMnOOH (manganite) after eight months. βMnOOH (feitknechtite) appeared to be an intermediate in this transformation. The OMn ratio was initially 1.37 and increased to 1.49 over the same time span. Throughout the course of this study the XPS analyses showed that the surface of the solids (<50 A) was dominated by Mn(III). The solution pH and dissolved manganese concentrations were consistent with disproportionation and oxidation reactions that favor the transformation of Mn3O4 to γMnOOH but not to γMnO2.
PHYSICS AT HIGH LUMINOSITY MUON COLLIDERS AND A FACILITY OVERVIEW.

Physics potentials at future colliders including high luminosity {mu}{sup +}{mu}{sup -} colliders are discussed. Luminosity requirement, estimates for Muon collider energies of interest (0.1 TeV to 100 TeV) are calculated. Schematics and an overview of Muon Collider facility concept are also included.
Development of 2-micron Lasers and Lidars for 3D Wind and Carbon Dioxide Measurement

This presentation will give an overview of 2-micron pulsed laser and lidar developments to enable global winds and atmospheric greenhouse gases measurements for weather, wind energy, climate and global warming studies.
Further development of raccoon poxvirus-vectored vaccines against plague (Yersinia pestis).

Abstract In previous studies, we demonstrated protection against plague in mice and prairie dogs using a raccoon pox (RCN) virus-vectored vaccine that expressed the F1 capsular antigen of Yersinia pestis . In order to improve vaccine efficacy, we have now constructed additional RCN-plague vaccines containing two different forms of the lcrV (V) gene, including full-length (Vfull) and a truncated form (V307). Mouse challenge studies with Y. pestis strain CO92 showed that vaccination with a combination of RCN-F1 and the truncated V construct (RCN-V307) provided the greatest improvement ( P = 0.01) in protection against plague over vaccination with RCN-F1 alone. This effect was mediated primarily by anti-F1 and anti-V antibodies and both contributed independently to increased survival of vaccinated mice.
The development of the spleen in the Gecko, Gymnodactylus kotschyi

A study of the developing spleen in thirty-three embryos of the Gecko, Gymnodactylus kotschyi, revealed the fact that four phases occurred. In thefirst phase the spleen anlage appears as a plate of cells on the peritoneal surface of the dorsal mesentery, just above the primordial stomach. Thesecond phase shows the spleen as a brick-shaped protuberance in which the first capillaries (believed to be arterial) appear. The blood drains through the dorsal pancreas to enter the ductus venosus. Thethird phase shows the spleen as an oval with a more extensive system of capillaries which still seem to be arterial in nature. The blood still drains into the dorsal pancreas, thence to the ductus venosus. Thefourth phase persists to the time of hatching and reveals a change in the circulatory system of the spleen. The capillaries within the spleen are of two sizes. Those closest to the splenic artery are smaller in diameter than those which lead to the splenic vein. The former seem to be arterial and the latter venous in type. The splenic vein enters the ductus venosus direct. The intermediate pathway through the pancreas has now been dicontinued. The cells of the spleen are very small and almost entirely nuclear in the later embryonic stages.
Renal compensation for cecal loss in Gambel's quail (Callipepla gambelii)

Some studies have implicated the avian digestive cecae as important sites of water and solute reclamation working in concert with the lower intestine and the kidneys as part of an integrated osmoregulatory system. In Gambel's quail (Callipepla gambelii), we studied compensatory adjustments in renal function on days 6-7 and 16-17 following ligation of cecae. Plasma osmolality (Posm) varied significantly between groups with sham-operated birds (Cs), with an average (Posm) of 348 mOsm/kg H2O and quail with ligated cecae (Cx) having a (Posm) of 355 mOsm/kg H2O. We detected no change in the rate of glomerular filtration (GFR) between experimental and control groups either shortly after cecectomy or after 16-17 d following surgery. Regression analysis of GFR and urine flow rate (V) showed that Cx birds had a significantly lower V at a given GFR than did controls, evidence that Cx quail absorbed more fluid in their renal tubules. Increased fluid reabsorption was apparently driven by an enhanced reabsorption of sodium. Indeed, sodium excretion was lower in Cx quail as compared to sham-operated birds. On days 6-7, Cx quail drank more water than Cs birds, but by days 16-17 drinking rates were similar. At the end of the experiments, Cx quail showed a proliferation of microvilli along the apical membrane of the rectum, an adjustment consistent with the idea that the rectum alters its absorption capacity to adjust for the loss of cecal function.
Combination of BCG and interferon intravesical immunotherapy: an update.

To provide an update on the use of interferon (IFN) in the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). A literature review of intravesical IFN was performed. In vitro evidence suggested that IFN combined with BCG may have a synergistic effect on the immune response, and treatment regimens with IFN have used reduced BCG dosage in an attempt to reduce toxicity. IFN combined with BCG may salvage some patients, single-course BCG failures or late relapsers, while those that relapse quickly may be destined to failure. However, based on the results of a recently reported randomized trial, the addition of IFN may not improve efficacy in BCG naive patients. BCG plus IFN remains an alternative in selected patients with NMIBC who fail intravesical BCG.
Successful treatment of aspermia secondary to obstruction of ejaculatory duct

A case is reported of a patient with aspermia secondary to bilateral ejaculatory duct obstruction. Successful therapy was accomplished by use of the direct-vision urethrotome.
On neutron diffraction from vortices in uniaxial superconductors

Abstract The London approach is used to obtain the neutron scattering form factor ofa vortex in a uniaxial layered superconductor. The form factor depends upon the direction of the scattering vector within the crystal. The structure of the vortex lattice is determined in the same approximation for any orientation of the vortices in the crystal.
New Species and Combinations in Physaria (Brassicaceae) from Western North America

ABSTRACT Three new species of Physaria (Nuttall) A. Gray from the western United States are described and illustrated: P. eriocarpa Grady & O'Kane, P. pachyphylla O'Kane & Grady, and P. pycnantha Grady & O'Kane. Physaria curvipes (A. Nelson) Grady & O'Kane and P. spatulata (Rydberg) Grady & O'Kane are proposed as new combinations in the genus and are provided with updated descriptions. Taxonomic changes are the product of a molecular study of these species and others formerly allied with P. reediana O'Kane & Al-Shehbaz ( = Lesquerella alpina (Nuttall) Watson). A key is provided that includes the species described here as well as other central Rocky Mountain species traditionally affiliated with P. reediana.
Prospective Links Between Ethnic Socialization, Ethnic and American Identity, and Well-Being Among Asian-American Adolescents

Ethnic socialization and ethnic identity have been related to positive outcomes, but little research has examined these associations longitudinally. This three-wave study prospectively linked socialization messages at Time 1, ethnic identity and American identity at Time 2, and self-esteem and depressive symptoms at Time 3 in 147 (58 % female; 25 % first-generation) Asian-American adolescents. The results indicated positive links between cultural socialization messages and ethnic and American identity, though the latter association was significant only for females. Ethnic identity was positively related to self-esteem, and mediated the positive effect of cultural socialization on self-esteem. The promotion of mistrust was positively linked to self-esteem and negatively related to ethnic identity, though this latter association was significant for foreign-born youth only. Our findings highlight the importance of elucidating prospective links in identity development, and examining gender and generational differences within them.
Cytomegalovirus Proteins vMIA and m38.5 Link Mitochondrial Morphogenesis to Bcl-2 Family Proteins

Apoptosis is a host defense mechanism against viruses that can be subverted by viral gene products. Human cytomegalovirus encodes viral mitochondria-localized inhibitor of apoptosis (vMIA; also known as pUL37x1), which is targeted to mitochondria and functions as a potent cell death suppressor by binding to and inhibiting proapoptotic Bcl-2 family members Bax and Bak. vMIA expression also dramatically alters mitochondrial morphology, causing the fragmentation of these organelles. A potential ortholog of vMIA, m38.5, which was identified in murine cytomegalovirus, has been shown to localize to mitochondria and protect against chemically induced apoptosis by unknown mechanisms. Despite sharing negligible homology with vMIA and no region detectably corresponding to the vMIA Bax-binding domain, we find that m38.5, like vMIA, binds to Bax and recruits Bax to mitochondria. Interestingly, m38.5 and vMIA appear to block Bax downstream of translocation to mitochondria and after an initial stage of Bax conformational change. In contrast to vMIA, m38.5 neither binds to Bak nor causes mitochondrial fragmentation. Consistently with Bax-selective inactivation by m38.5, m38.5 fragments mitochondria in Bak knockout (KO) cells and protects Bak KO cells from apoptosis better than Bax KO cells. Thus, vMIA and m38.5 share some, but not all, features of apoptosis regulation through Bcl-2 family interaction and allow the dissection of Bax translocation into discrete steps.
Phosphorylation–Dephosphorylation States at Different Sites Affect Phosphoprotein Phosphatase 1 Activity

We have previously reported that the binding of type I collagen to its receptor initiates platelet aggregation involving phosphoprotein phosphatase 1 (PP 1), which coprecipitates with the 65-kDa platelet type I collagen receptor. Phosphorylation of the anti-PP1 precipitation PP1 decreases its enzyme activity. In the present investigation, the mechanism of the decreased enzyme activity was studied by examining the phosphorylation of PP 1 on serine/threonine or tyrosine residues. Phosphoamino acid analysis of the PP 1 indicates that serine, threonine, and tyrosine can all be phosphorylated. We find that the activity of PP 1 decreases with serine/threonine phosphorylation but that phosphorylation of tyrosine residue activates enzyme activity. These results indicate that the activity of platelet phosphoprotein phosphatase 1 is controlled by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation states at multiple, different site(s).
A New Kind of Developmental Science: Using Models To Integrate Theory and Research

Using Models to Integrate Theory and Research Kurt W . Fischer & Theo L. Dawson Relating Efficiency, Memory, and Structure 2 Developmental Rulers 3 Using Models of Development 8 Conclusion 11 References 13
Algebraic eikonal approach to electron-molecule scattering. I. Generalized formalism

The algebraic eikonal approach to electron-molecule scattering, in which the coupling to both rotational and vibrational states of the molecule is taken into account to all orders in the dipole strength, is generalized to include more realistic interactions. Such interactions may be nonlinear functions of the generators of the dynamical algebra of the molecule. The approach is applied to electron scattering off LiF, where a realistic nonlinear dipole operator is used. A significant enhancement of the calculated inelastic vibrational cross section is observed.
Evaluating PHA Productivity of Bioengineered Rhodosprillum rubrum

This study explored the potential of using Rhodosprillum rubrum as the biological vehicle to convert chemically simple carbon precursors to a value-added bio-based product, the biopolymer PHA. R. rubrum strains were bioengineered to overexpress individually or in various combinations, six PHA biosynthetic genes (phaC1, phaA, phaB, phaC2, phaC3, and phaJ), and the resulting nine over-expressing strains were evaluated to assess the effect on PHA content, and the effect on growth. These experiments were designed to genetically evaluate: 1) the role of each apparently redundant PHA polymerase in determining PHA productivity; 2) identify the key gene(s) within the pha biosynthetic operon that determines PHA productivity; and 3) the role of phaJ to support PHA productivity. The result of overexpressing each PHA polymerase-encoding gene indicates that phaC1 and phaC2 are significant contributors to PHA productivity, whereas phaC3 has little effect. Similarly, over-expressing individually or in combination the three PHA biosynthesis genes located in the pha operon indicates that phaB is the key determinant of PHA productivity. Finally, analogous experiments indicate that phaJ does not contribute significantly to PHA productivity. These bioengineering strains achieved PHA productivity of up to 30% of dry biomass, which is approximately 2.5-fold higher than the non-engineered control strain, indicating the feasibility of using this approach to produce value added bio-based products.
Description of a Folded Five-Electrode Conductivity Cell for Towed Applications

Towed instrumentation cables have been developed for use in the marine research community to obtain profile measurements of some physical oceanographic parameters down to 100 meters and over a lateral range. The Technical Planning and Development Group at Oregon State University has been progressively expanding and improving the capability and reliability of a faired instrumented cable system called DIPS (Distributed Instrumentation Profiling System), that can be conveniently deployed and maintained by a four-man research team on a 30-meter research vessel. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the profiling cable system, with a greater focus on the description and operation of a folded five-electrode conductivity cell.
Reliability as Argument

Reliability consists of both important social and scientific values and methods for evidencing those values, though in practice methods are often conflated with the values. With the two distinctly understood, a reliability argument can be made that articulates the particular reliability values most relevant to the particular measurement situation and then the most appropriate evidence and theory to support an argument for the presence of that value. The steps in making a reliability argument are explained and an extended example is given. The article is intended to provoke discussion, debate, and the development of additional reliability methodologies.
Determinants of Nam8-dependent splicing of meiotic pre-mRNAs

Nam8, a component of yeast U1 snRNP, is optional for mitotic growth but required during meiosis, because Nam8 collaborates with Mer1 to promote splicing of essential meiotic mRNAs AMA1, MER2 and MER3. Here, we identify SPO22 and PCH2 as novel targets of Nam8-dependent meiotic splicing. Whereas SPO22 splicing is co-dependent on Mer1, PCH2 is not. The SPO22 intron has a non-consensus 5′ splice site (5′SS) that dictates its Nam8/Mer1-dependence. SPO22 splicing relies on Mer1 recognition, via its KH domain, of an intronic enhancer 5′-AYACCCUY. Mutagenesis of KH and the enhancer highlights Arg214 and Gln243 and the CCC triplet as essential for Mer1 activity. The Nam8-dependent PCH2 pre-mRNA has a consensus 5′SS and lacks a Mer1 enhancer. For PCH2, a long 5′ exon and a non-consensus intron branchpoint dictate Nam8-dependence. Our results implicate Nam8 in two distinct meiotic splicing regulons. Nam8 is composed of three RRM domains, flanked by N-terminal leader and C-terminal tail segments. The leader, tail and RRM1 are dispensable for splicing meiotic targets and unnecessary for vegetative Nam8 function in multiple synthetic lethal genetic backgrounds. Nam8 activity is enfeebled by alanine mutations in the putative RNA binding sites of the RRM2 and RRM3 domains.
Layered semiconductor molybdenum disulfide nanomembrane based Schottky-barrier solar cells

We demonstrate Schottky-barrier solar cells employing a stack of layer-structured semiconductor molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanomembranes, synthesized by the chemical-vapor-deposition method, as the critical photoactive layer. An MoS2 nanomembrane forms a Schottky-barrier with a metal contact by the layer-transfer process onto an indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrate. Two vibrational modes in MoS2 nanomembranes, E12g (in-plane) and A1g (perpendicular-to-plane), were verified by Raman spectroscopy. With a simple stacked structure of ITO–MoS2–Au, the fabricated solar cell demonstrates a photo-conversion efficiency of 0.7% for ∼110 nm MoS2 and 1.8% for ∼220 nm MoS2. The improvement is attributed to a substantial increase in photonic absorption. The MoS2 nanomembrane exhibits efficient photo-absorption in the spectral region of 350–950 nm, as confirmed by the external quantum efficiency. A sizable increase in MoS2 thickness results in only minor change in Mott–Schottky behavior, indicating that defect density is insensitive to nanomembrane thickness attributed to the dangling-bond-free layered structure.
Anticariogenic Effects of Tea in Rats

Teas varying in fluoride and tannin concentration were evaluated in rats for anticariogenic activity. There was a direct correlation between fluoride in tea and the inhibition of sulcal caries in rats, whereas no relationship was observed between tannin and this type of lesion. Teas also had a significant effect on caries progression and imparted a black stain to the teeth.
Biological markers of cognition in prodromal Huntington's disease: a review.

Abstract Huntington’s disease (HD), an autosomal-dominant genetic disorder, has historically been viewed as a degenerative movement disorder but it also includes psychiatric symptoms and progressive cognitive decline. There has been a lack of consensus in the literature about whether or not cognitive signs can be detected in carriers before clinical (motor) onset of the disease, i.e., prodromal HD. However, recently validated mathematical formulas to estimate age of clinical onset, refined over the past 5–7 years, have allowed researchers to overcome the methodological limitation of treating all prodromal carriers as a homogenous high-risk group (i.e., whether they may be 2 or 15 years from diagnosis). Here we review 23 articles on the HD prodrome, all of which related cognition to a biological marker of disease burden (i.e., genetic load, neuroimaging). All studies found at least one cognitive domain was associated with disease burden in prodromal HD participants. There was greater variability in both the detection and cognitive domain affected in those farther from onset (or those with less pathology) while most studies reliably found declines in visuomotor performance and working memory in those closer to onset. These findings indicate that cognitive signs can be reliably detected in the HD prodrome when comparing cognition to additional disease markers, however, there continues to be significant variability on cognitive findings among large and methodologically rigorous studies. This may reflect true heterogeneity in the prodromal HD phenotype which must be further explored by analyzing intra-individual variance, determining demographic risk factors associated with decline/protection, and examining if particular HD families exhibit distinct cognitive profiles. These and additional future directions are discussed.
Computational study of incipient leading-edge separation on a supersonic delta wing

A computational study on a 65 deg delta wing at a freestream Mach number of 1.60 has been conducted by obtaining conical Reynolds-averaged, Navier-Stokes solutions on a parametric series of geometries that varied in leading-edge radius and/or circular-arc camber. The computational results showed that increasing leadingedge radius or camber delay the onset of leading-edge separation on the leeside of a delta wing at a specific angle of attack. The Reynolds number was varied from 1 x 106-5 x 10 6 for a turbulent boundary layer and was shown to have a minor effect on the effectiveness of leading-edge radius and/or camber in delaying the onset of leading-edge separation. Both laminar and turbulent boundary-layer models were investigated at a Reynolds number of 1 x 10 6, and the predicted flow pattern was found to change from attached flow for the turbulent boundary-layer model to separated flow for the laminar boundary-layer model.
Do Humans Have Souls? Perspectives from Philosophy, Science, and Religion:

This essay seeks to promote a concept of human nature that is usually called nonreductive physicalism, which is at least not ruled out by Scripture, and may in fact be closer to biblical thinking than dualism. The essay then looks to neuroscience to show that it provides useful insights into how and why we behave as we do.
Performance of Generalized Diversity Combining System for Coded Transmissions

Diversity combining is an important technique for combating fading in wireless communications. Generalized diversity combining selects a subset of diversity branches and combines them coherently. It has been established that when the transmission is uncoded, the optimal generalized diversity combining in the sense of minimizing bit error rate is to select branches that offer the maximum sum log-likelihood ratio (LLR). In the coded case, such diversity combining is not optimal any more. We present in this paper an upper bound result on the bit error rate performance of coded transmissions over general memoryless channels, and apply the analysis to the diversity selection problem. The resulting semi-analytical method for evaluating performance of coded diversity combining schemes offers insight on the difference between the performances of the coded and uncoded systems. It is shown via a numerical example that a scheme that selects individually "strong" branches (in the sense of large LLR) can out-perform a scheme that selects branches that are jointly "strong".
Why do people misunderstand climate change? Heuristics, mental models and ontological assumptions

Studies have indicated that many people misunderstand climate change. Equipped with a limited mental model they inappropriately use a pattern matching heuristics to analyze climate change and mistakenly believe that we can stabilize atmospheric CO2 by keeping anthropogenic emissions at current rates. Drawing on the findings from cognitive and developmental psychology, I argue that the widespread misunderstanding of climate change may arise from an error in people’s ontological assumptions. The pattern matching heuristics highlights correlations in shape and associates with a static mental model, both of which are effective for understanding objects. When people adopt the pattern matching heuristics, they may have implicitly treated climate change as an object. However, climate change belongs to a different kind of ontological existence. It is a dynamic process with temporal totality and inertia, two unique features essential to understanding climate change. Due to the sequence of cognitive development, we have developed an object bias – a tendency to treat processes as objects. This object bias can become a mental block, preventing us from adopting appropriate mental models to analyze climate change. To understand climate change, we need a fundamental transformation from an object-only ontology to a new one that properly treats objects and processes as distinct kinds. Finally, I briefly discuss strategies to foster the new ontological perspective in the discussion of climate change.
DENSITY HOMOGENEITY AND ESTIMATED MOLECULAR WEIGHT OF INTERFERON.

THIS communication presents evidence of the density homogeneity of chick embryo interferon and gives an estimate of its molecular weight as determined by equilibrium sedimentation in a caesium chloride density gradient.
Clinically relevant graphical predictions from Bayesian joint longitudinal-survival models

Recent interest in understanding the effect of interventions on patient-reported outcomes as well as traditional clinical endpoints has led to an expansion of methods for simultaneous modeling of longitudinal and survival data in clinical trials. Such joint models link the multiple outcome measures using an underlying latent structure, typically a collection of individual-level random effects. They can estimate treatment effects separately on different aspects of a disease process, as well as illuminate associations among outcomes and individual variability. In communicating model output to clinicians and patients, it is challenging to convey a meaningful interpretation of multiple treatment effects, complex outcome associations, and important underlying assumptions. This paper presents graphical displays designed to make the output of Bayesian joint models accessible to non-technical audiences, while preserving important methodological features. We emphasize individual-level posterior predictions of longitudinal and survival outcomes, illustrating our methods using patient-reported symptom severity and survival in a clinical trial example.
Regulation of pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis in Pseudomonas synxantha.

Regulation of pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis in Pseudomonas synxantha ATCC 9890 was investigated and the pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway enzyme activities were affected by pyrimidine supplementation in cells grown on glucose or succinate as a carbon source. In pyrimidine-grown ATCC 9890 cells, the activities of four de novo enzymes could be depressed which indicated possible repression of enzyme synthesis. To learn whether the pathway was repressible, pyrimidine limitation experiments were conducted using an orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (pyrE) mutant strain identified in this study. Compared to excess uracil growth conditions for the succinate-grown mutant strain cells, pyrimidine limitation of this strain caused dihydroorotase activity to increase about 3-fold while dihydroorotate dehydrogenase and orotidine 5′-monophosphate decarboxylase activities rose about 2-fold. Regulation of de novo pathway enzyme synthesis by pyrimidines appeared to be occurring. At the level of enzyme activity, aspartate transcarbamoylase activity in P. synxantha ATCC 9890 was strongly inhibited in vitro by pyrophosphate, UTP, ADP, ATP, CTP and GTP under saturating substrate concentrations.
Shape control of a beam consisting of triangular meso-structure segments with multiple V-shaped flexure springs

This paper presents a direct displacement synthesis method for the design of shape control of meso-structure beams with multiple V-shaped flexure springs. The objective is to design a beam that will deform to a desired final shape when under a specific load. The method uses a ground structure geometry which can facilitate variable bending stiffness along the length of the beam using compliant spring members. The synthesis procedure involves the use of direct displacement to determine how the bending stiffness of the beam must vary to produce the desired shape change. The direct displacement synthesis method differs from other compliant mechanism synthesis methods found in literature, such as pseudo-rigid-body and continuum structure optimisation, in the approach taken to solve for the unknown variables in the system. By using direct displacement to determine how the structure must respond to a specific load to achieve the desired shape change, the unknown variables within the system can be extracted directly without the use of optimisation techniques. The method is detailed and sensitivities explored. With this method and no iterations, the spring configuration values can be determined such that the resulting shape is within 1% of the target shape.
Multilevel adaptive process control of acquisition and post-processing of computed radiographic images in picture archiving and communication system environment

Computed radiography (CR) has become a widely used imaging modality replacing the conventional screen/film procedure in diagnostic radiology. After a latent image is captured in a CR imaging plate, there are seven key processes required before a CR image can be reliably archived and displayed in a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) environment. Human error, computational bottlenecks, software bugs, and CR system errors often crash the CR acquisition and post-processing computers which results in a delay of transmitting CR images for proper viewing at the workstation. In this paper, we present a control theory and a fault tolerance algorithm, as well as their implementation in the PACS environment to circumvent such problems. The software implementation of the control theory and the algorithm is based on the event-driven, multilevel adaptive processing structure. The automated software has been used to provide real-time monitoring and control of CR image acquisition and post-processing in the intensive care unit module of the PACS operation at the University of California, San Francisco. Results demonstrate that the multilevel adaptive process control structure improves CR post-processing time, increases the reliability of the CR images delivery, minimizes user intervention, and speeds up the previously time-consuming quality assurance procedure.
The Stroke Prevention Patient Outcomes Research Team. Goals and methods.

The aim of the present study, based at Duke University and involving 14 other institutions, is to identify the most appropriate and cost-effective clinical strategies for prevention of ischemic (thrombotic or embolic) stroke in high-risk individuals and to design and test an intervention to disseminate this information to providers and the public. The study uses (1) secondary data from literature review, Medicare claims, and population-based data from three epidemiological studies and (2) primary data generated in national physician and patient surveys and in demonstration trials. Phases I through III involve data collection and analysis using a decision/cost-effectiveness model and consensus development methods. Phase IV includes intervention in physicians9 practice patterns. Data is collected by literature survey and abstraction, review of medical records, claims analysis, and patient and physician surveys. A structured decision model and a well-defined clinical focus provide a successful organization for a PORT on stroke prevention.
Telecommunications in Nigeria

Abstract Today many developing nations face the dual pressures of demand from within for basic telecommunications services and of push from the international community to modernize national networks and reflect the global trend towards telecommunications deregulation This article examines how Nigeria is coping with the challenge. It reviews the institutional and regulatory developments in that country's telecommunications sector in the three decades since independence, and discusses some plans and potential problems for the future.
Effects of Process Variables on Poly-Aluminum Chloride (PAC)-Rosin Sizing Performance under Neutral Papermaking Conditions

The effects of process variables, including poly-aluminum chloride (PAC) and rosin levels and equilibration time on PAC-rosin sizing performance, were investigated for three alternative sizing processes, include conventional, reverse sizing, and premixing under neutral papermaking conditions. The individual and interaction effects of sizing variables were determined. It was found that, in contrast to conventional sizing, the sizing efficiency increased with increasing equilibration time when reverse and premixing processes were used for the sizing treatment. In both processes, increasing equilibration time can lead to potential savings in PAC or rosin. Finally, the optimum conditions for more cost-effective sizing were determined for the three sizing processes. 1. Introduction Paper strength properties depend considerably on hydrogen bonding between cellulose fibers. The penetration of water into the paper structure and fibers can break hydrogen bonds and greatly weaken the paper. To avoid this limitation and to increase the water-repellency of paper, hydrophobic sizing is performed for most paper grades, especially in the case of writing and packaging papers. For several reasons, e.g., easy control of sizing, simple handling of rosin, compatibility with other additives and cost effectiveness, generally acidic alum-rosin sizing methods have been applied for paper sizing since the
Effects of membrane potential versus pHi on the cellular retention of doxorubicin analyzed via a comparison between cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and multidrug resistance (MDR) transfectants

Recently (Wei et al., Biophys J 69: 883-895, 1995), several 3T3/hu cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) transfectant clones were found to exhibit a low-level multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype. This phenotype is similar, but not identical to that found for MDR transfectants not previously exposed to chemotherapeutic drugs. Both MDR and CFTR transfectants are depolarized (exhibit lower plasma membrane delta psi ), but the former have alkaline pHi whereas the latter are acidic. It has been proposed (Roepe et al., Biochemistry 32: 11042-11056, 1993) that both decreased delta psi and increased pHi contribute to altered cellular retention of chemotherapeutic drugs in MDR tumor cells, but the relative contribution of each to altered cellular drug accumulation, drug retention, and drug efflux has not been studied in detail. We therefore examined doxorubicin transport for hu CFTR and mu MDR 1 transfectants using sensitive continuous monitoring of fluorescence techniques. Both CFTR and MDR transfectants exhibited significantly reduced doxorubicin accumulation, relative to drug-sensitive control cells. Plots of the initial rate of accumulation versus doxorubicin concentration were linear for the control cells and the CFTR and MDR transfectants between 0.1 to 0.5 microM drug, but better fit by a quadratic between 0.1 to 1.5 microM drug. The slopes of these curves were proportional to measured delta psi. Low-level selection of either CFTR or MDR transfectants with chemotherapeutic drug did not decrease further the initial rate of drug accumulation or change delta psi. Accumulation experiments for control cells performed in the presence of various concentrations of K+ further suggests that the rate of accumulation is related to delta psi. By measuring the kinetics of doxorubicin release for CFTR and MDR transfectants preloaded with drug, we concluded that alkaline pHi perturbations are more important for determining relative intracellular binding efficiency. We also concluded, similar to the case previously made for MDR protein (Roepe, Biochemistry 31: 12555-12564, 1992) that CFTR overexpression does not enhance the rate of drug efflux. These data better define the role of lowered delta psi and elevated pHi in altering the cellular retention of doxorubicin in MDR tumor cells.
Hypoxic Responses of Vascular Cells

1998;114;25S-28S Chest Hideo Koike, Dara Brodsky, Victoria Arthur and S. Alex Mitsial Stella Kourembanas, Toshisuke Morita, Helen Christou, Yuxiang Liu, Hypoxic Responses of Vascular Cells ation http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/114/1_Supplement/25S.1.cit services can be found online on the World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and ISSN:0012-3692 ) http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/site/misc/reprints.xhtml ( prior written permission of the copyright holder. this article or PDF may be reproduced or distributed without the Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062. All rights reserved. No part of Copyright1998by the American College of Chest Physicians, 3300 Physicians. It has been published monthly since 1935. is the official journal of the American College of Chest Chest