cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Addressee Determines the Discourse: The Role of the Confessor in the Spiritual Autobiography of Madre María de San Joseph (1656–1719)

New World nuns' writings of the self are characterized by the influence exercised by the person to whom the texts are addressed. The majority of nuns who wrote their life stories did so at the behest of the confessor, who read the accounts and, if he found their lives worthy of emulation or deserving of censure, passed the writings along to other Church officials. The most outspoken reply to the problems caused by this situation is Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz's ‘Respuesta a Sor Filotea de la Cruz’, in which she responds to her confessor's expectations concerning the self-representation and writing of religious women. Her work is first to dismantle the traditional Church image of woman as passive and ignorant, then to reconstruct an image of woman as capable of pursuing intellectual and religious knowledge. To achieve this end, Sor Juana employs strategies now widely recognized by feminist literary critics as prevalent in pre-twentieth-century women's attempts to gain authority over their words: the use of m...
A rapid method of analysis of lumped-parameter mechanical networks

Abstract A new method is presented of analysing lumped-parameter mechanical systems in terms of their equivalent networks simply by inspection of the latter. The rules of combination of the various elements of a mechanical network are evolved in a simple manner. A table giving the numbers of the various groups of elements affords a convenient check. The simplicity and quickness of the method is illustrated by an example, which could represent the loading on the ram of a hydraulic servomechanism.
Growth Response and Fatty Acid Composition of Channel Catfish Fry Fed Practical Diets Supplemented with Menhaden Fish Oil

Abstract A 12-week feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the growth and compositional responses of channel catfish fry (Ictalurus punctatus) fed practical diets containing 7.6% fish meal supplemented with 0, 1.5, 3, or 6% menhaden fish oil. Weight gain significantly improved with increasing levels of supplemental menhaden oil up to 3% of diet; fish fed the diet containing 6% fish oil had depressed weight gain. Whole-body dry matter and lipid increased and protein decreased with increasing levels of menhaden oil. Ash content was not affected by dietary treatment. Fatty acid composition of polar lipids from whole-body tissue showed that supplementation of menhaden fish oil at a rate of 1.5% was sufficient to satisfy the essential fatty acid (EFA) requirement of young channel catfish based on the ratio of 20:3 n-9 to 22:6 n-3 fatty acids. Results from this study indicate that practical diets containing fish meal, but without supplemental fish oil, did not meet the n-3 EFA requirement of young chann...
Fluorescence in situ hybridization for diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma in primary sclerosing cholangitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are at risk of developing cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) may aid diagnosis of CCA. Objective To determine the diagnostic utility of FISH for CCA detection in patients with PSC. Design Meta-analysis. Setting Tertiary-care medical center. Patients Patients in studies where histopathologic correlation of CCA was available; 2 × 2 contingency data were constructed. Intervention Database search and review of study findings. Main Outcome Measurements Sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio, and pooled diagnostic odds ratio. Results The search yielded 8 studies, involving 828 patients who could be included in our meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of FISH for diagnosis of CCA in patients with PSC were 68% (95% confidence interval [CI], 61%-74%) and 70% (95% CI, 66%-73%), respectively. The pooled positive likelihood ratio was 2.69 (95% CI, 1.84-3.97), and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.47 (95% CI, 0.39-0.58). The pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 7.24 (95% CI, 3.93-13.36). For FISH polysomy (6 studies, n = 690), the pooled sensitivity and specificity of FISH were 51% (95% CI, 43%-59%) and 93% (95% CI, 91%-95%), respectively. The heterogeneity indices of I 2 measure of inconsistency was 45.9%. Visual inspection of the funnel plot showed low potential for publication bias. Limitations Inclusion of low-quality studies. Conclusion Our study suggests that FISH polysomy is highly specific; however, limited sensitivity of FISH highlights that better markers are required for early detection of CCA in PSC.
Trapped Melt in IIIAB Irons: Solid/Liquid Elemental Partitioning During the Fractionation of the IIIAB Magma

Group IIIAB, the largest iron-meteorite group, shows compositional trends (including a three-order-of-magnitude It concentration range) indicating that it formed by fractional crystallization of a metallic magma. Because about 200 irons are available, and all degrees of crystallization are well represented, IIIAB offers an excellent set of samples for the study of crystallization at all depths of the asteroidal core. On log-log Ir-Au, and Ir-As diagrams IIIAB forms a broad band; the breadth represents real meteorite-to-meteorite variations, far outside experimental or sampling uncertainties. A successful model must explain the width of this band; I suggest that it mainly resulted from the trapping of parental magma within the crystallizing solid. Because S is essentially insoluble in metal, the abundance of FeS is a measure of the fraction of trapped liquid. The trapped-melt model is supported by the observation that irons having higher S contents plot closer to the inferred composition of the magmatic parental liquid. The lowest S values are found in the irons occupying the left envelope of the IIIAB Ir-Au or Ir-As compositional fields, thus it is this set of irons that should be interpreted as the solid products of a fractionating magma. This simplifies the modeling of the crystallization process and allows inferences regarding the distribution ratios for other elements in the evolved IIIAB system. The large (multiton) Cape York irons show wide variations in their trapped-melt fractions; their compositions seem best understood in terms of a low initial S content of the IIIAB magma, about 20 mg/g. The inferred initial IIIAB distribution coefficient for Ir, 4.6, is much higher than published values based on laboratory studies of low-S systems; I suggest that low-S (and low-P) partition-ratio measurements tend to err in the direction of unity. In IIIAB distribution coefficients for Au, As, and Ni were still < 1 when the most evolved IIIAB irons formed, another indication of a low initial S content.
Contribution of Morphological Awareness to Second‐Language Reading Comprehension

This study investigates the contribution of second-language (L2) morphological awareness to foreign language reading comprehension. Tenth graders (n = 188) at a South Korean high school were assessed on 6 reading- and language-related variables: phonological decoding, listening comprehension, vocabulary knowledge, passage-level reading comprehension, metacognitive reading awareness, and morphological awareness. A series of 10 sequential regression analyses were conducted to determine the unique reading variance accounted for by each of the 2 morphological awareness tests included in this study (i.e., the Test of Morphological Structure–Revised [TMS–R], the Verbal Suffix Knowledge Test–Revised [VSKT–R]). The result revealed that morphological awareness was a significant predictor of L2 reading comprehension when other variables were controlled. Of the 2 tests, the TMS–R—a measure that primarily tested derivational morphological knowledge—showed stronger predictability. This provides evidence that morphological awareness, especially derivational morphological knowledge, is an important variable to be considered in explaining L2 reading comprehension among older readers.
Matching Kasteleyn Cities for Spin Glass Ground States

As spin glass materials have extremely slow dynamics, devious numerical methods are needed to study low-temperature states. A simple and fast optimization version of the classical Kasteleyn treatment of the Ising model is described and applied to two-dimensional Ising spin glasses. The algorithm combines the Pfaffian and matching approaches to directly strip droplet excitations from an excited state. Extended ground states in Ising spin glasses on a torus, which are optimized over all boundary conditions, are used to compute precise values for ground state energy densities.
Sexual function and vaginal anatomy in women before and after surgery for pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence.

Abstract Objective: We sought to describe sexual function in women before and after surgery for either prolapse or urinary incontinence, or both. Study Design: Women completed questionnaires, and vaginal dimensions were measured before and at least 6 months after surgery for prolapse or incontinence. Comparisons were made with signed-rank tests or the McNemar test. Results: Eighty-one (49%) of 165 women were sexually active before and after surgery; their mean age was 54.0 ± 9.9 years. Mean frequency of intercourse did not change. Dyspareunia was reported by 6 (8%) women preoperatively and 15 (19%) women after surgery; dyspareunia persisted postoperatively in 1 woman, developed in 14, and resolved in 5 ( P =.04). Dyspareunia occurred in 14 (26%) of 53 women after posterior colporrhaphy ( P =.01) and in 8 (38%) of 21 women who had Burch colposusupension and posterior colporrhaphy performed together ( P =.02). Vaginal dimensions decreased slightly after surgery; however, this did not correlate with any change in sexual function. Preoperatively, 66 (82%) women were satisfied with their sexual relationships, compared with 71 (89%) who were satisfied postoperatively. Conclusion: Sexual function and satisfaction improved or did not change in most women after surgery for either prolapse or urinary incontinence, or both. However, the combination of Burch colposusupension and posterior colporrhaphy was especially likely to result in dyspareunia. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;182:1610-5.)
Amino-terminal analysis of human fibrinogen treated with estrogenic steroids: Failure to support a thrombin-mimetic proteolytic effect

Abstract We have failed to confirm a recent report that various estrogens employed in oral contraceptives have a direct thrombin-mimetic effect on human fibrinogen. In particular, we found no change in the amino-terminal endgroup pattern when fibrinogen was exposed to large doses of either 17α-ethynyl estradiols or diethylstilbesterol.
Impacts on Agriculture of Deregulating the Transportation System

The term "deregulation," used in reference to surface transportation, is a useful, one-word slogan representing a significant increase in commercial freedom for the transportation industries. However, the term does not imply an institutional shift from the current, regulated, common carrier structure to a completely unregulated, competitive market structure. When constructing the Staggers Rail Act of 1980 and the Motor Carrier Act of 1980, Congress had no intention to terminate surface transportation regulation. The intent was to loosen the grip of government rules, allowing carriers and shippers to respond more fully to opportunities available in an increasingly competitive market environment. The purpose of this paper is to assess the likely effects of transportation regulatory reform on transportation opportunities of agricultural shippers and rural communities. This purpose requires consideration of three topics: (a) criteria for maintaining economic regulations, (b) tests of agricultural transportation markets against the criteria for regulation and (c) the legislated regulatory changes. This approach also will provide implications for the effects on agriculture of complete transportation economic deregulation.
Environmental scanning, industry structure and strategy making: concepts and research in the hospitality industry

Abstract This paper presents a model for strategic analysis in the restaurant industry. A review of the evolution of environmental scanning and the concept of industry structure is offered. These concepts as well as the results of research into the environmental scanning behavior of hospitality firms are synthesized into a proposed model for corporate environmental scanning activities.
Labrador Sea Water circulation in the Northern North Atlantic Ocean

Abstract Direct observation of velocities with drifting floats near 1500 m depth in the North Atlantic Ocean north of about 45°N are combined to derive a new basin-wide mean circulation within the layer of Labrador Sea Water (LSW). Inverse methods are used to determine a basin-scale circulation constrained by non-divergence and conservation of climatological large-scale potential vorticity (PV), with the aim of investigating large-scale PV dynamics, improving circulation estimates near the basin boundaries, and determining the relative amount of recirculation in sub-basin gyres with (aliased) direct velocity data. Eulerian averages are created from combined datasets, and a streamfunction of the non-divergent flow is computed from the velocity curl and the imposed boundary conditions. Unlike deep flow regimes at low latitudes, where the mid-depth interior circulation is dominated by zonal currents, the mid-depth subpolar flow is dominated by gyres. As suggested by previous estimates of mid-depth circulation, the LSW layer is rapidly circulating around the periphery of the subpolar basin in northern and western boundary currents. Recirculation within basins and exchange between the Labrador Basin and Irminger Basin is modified by the large-scale PV constraints. Eastward flow across the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is concentrated in the Charlie Gibbs Fracture Zone with return flow above the Reykjanes Ridge. A weaker subtropical return flow around the Azores Plateau appears, but data are insufficient to map adequately this region.
Female expression of the H-2-linked sex-limited protein (Slp) due to non-H-2 genes

Female mice of 15 inbred strains in which males express the H-2-linked sex-limited protein (Slp) were tested for the production of this protein. Four inbred strains (FM, LG/J, NZB, PL/J) were found in which females produce Slp in the absence of hormonal manipulation. Crosses have been made between strains FM, NZB, or PL/J and several Slp-negative strains. Slp-typing of the F1, F2, and backcross progeny, as well as of a number of recombinant inbred strains, indicates that production of Slp by normal females of these strains depends upon the concurrent presence of an Slp-positive, H-2-linked allele and of permissive alleles of one or two non-H-2 autosomal genes. Complementation studies with two of the strains (FM and PL) indicate that an identical genetic mechanism mediates expression of Slp in females of these two strains. FM-derived animals carrying the testicular feminization mutation (tfm) also express Slp, as do castrated NZB mice, indicating that Slp expression in these instances is not dependent upon testosterone as it is in other inbred strains. It is concluded from these results that genes distinct from the putative structural gene for Slp influence the sex-limitation of its expression.
Rapid administration technique of ketamine for pediatric forearm fracture reduction: a dose-finding study.

Study objective We estimate the minimum dose and total sedation time of rapidly infused ketamine that achieves 3 to 5 minutes of effective sedation in children undergoing forearm fracture reduction in the emergency department. Methods We used the up-down method to estimate the median dose of intravenous ketamine infused during less than or equal to 5 seconds that provided effective sedation in 50% (ED50) and 95% (ED95) of healthy children aged 2 to 5, 6 to 11, or 12 to 17 years who were undergoing forearm fracture reduction. Most patients were pretreated with opioids. Three investigators blinded to ketamine dose independently graded sedation effectiveness by viewing a video recording of the first 5 minutes of sedation. Recovery was assessed by modified Aldrete score. Results We enrolled 20 children in each age group. The estimated ED50 was 0.7, 0.5, and 0.6 mg/kg and the estimated ED95 was 0.7, 0.7, and 0.8 mg/kg for the groups aged 2 to 5, 6 to 11, and 12 to 17 years, respectively. For the group aged 2 to 5 years, an empirically derived ED95 was 0.8 mg/kg. All patients who received the empirically derived ED95 in the group aged 2 to 5 years or the estimated ED95 in the groups aged 6 to 11 and 12 to 17 years had effective sedation. The median total sedation time for the 3 age groups, respectively, was 25, 22.5, and 25 minutes if 1 dose of ketamine was administered and 35, 25, and 45 minutes if additional doses were administered. No participant experienced serious adverse events. Conclusion We estimated ED50 and ED95 for rapidly infused ketamine for 3 age groups undergoing fracture reduction. Total sedation time was shorter than that in most previous studies.
Spiking in auditory cortex following thalamic stimulation is dominated by cortical network activity

The state of the sensory cortical network can have a profound impact on neural responses and perception. In rodent auditory cortex, sensory responses are reported to occur in the context of network events, similar to brief UP states, that produce 'packets' of spikes and are associated with synchronized synaptic input (Bathellier et al., 2012; Hromadka et al., 2013; Luczak et al., 2013). However, traditional models based on data from visual and somatosensory cortex predict that ascending sensory thalamocortical (TC) pathways sequentially activate cells in layers 4 (L4), L2/3 and L5. The relationship between these two spatio-temporal activity patterns is unclear. Here, we used calcium imaging and electrophysiological recordings in murine auditory TC brain slices to investigate the laminar response pattern to stimulation of TC afferents. We show that although monosynaptically driven spiking in response to TC afferents occurs, the vast majority of spikes fired following TC stimulation occurs during brief UP states and outside the context of the L4>L2/3>L5 activation sequence. Specifically, monosynaptic subthreshold TC responses with similar latencies were observed throughout layers 2 - 6, presumably via synapses onto dendritic processes located in L3 & L4. However, monosynaptic spiking was rare, and occurred primarily in L4 and L5 non-pyramidal cells. By contrast, during brief, TC-induced UP states, spiking was dense and occurred primarily in pyramidal cells. These network events always involved infragranular layers, whereas involvement of supragranular layers was variable. During UP states, spike latencies were comparable between infragranular and supragranular cells. These data are consistent with a model in which activation of auditory cortex, especially supragranular layers, depends on internally generated network events that represent a nonlinear amplification process, are initiated by infragranular cells and tightly regulated by feed-forward inhibitory cells.
The central response to ovarian carcinoma simulates the response to sepsis

Background: Animal models of stress and sepsis demonstrate increased hypophyseal gene expression of the transcription factorc-fosand the cytokines interleukin-1 and interleukin-6. Chronic central nervous system exposure to interleukin-1 results in hypermetabolism, accelerated nitrogen loss, anorexia, and cachexia. We test the hypothesis that the host response to ovarian carcinoma recapitulates the host response to sepsis regarding the elaboration of the transcription factors and cytokines in the central nervous system, liver, and lung. Materials and methods: Nude mice were seeded intraperitoneally with either ovarian carcinoma (MA-148) or vehicle. The animal subjects were observed for 5 weeks and sacrificed for brain, pituitary, lung, and liver mRNA. We studied the mRNA accumulation of the transcription factorsc-fos, c-jun,and C/EBPα and the cytokines interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results: Compared with the control, ovarian carcinoma in the mouse model resulted in the following: (1) Pituitaryc-fosandc-junmRNA increased 3-fold (P= 0.012) and 6-fold (P 8-fold (P< 0.001); and (4) lung C/EBPα mRNA decreased greater than 10-fold (P< 0.001). Conclusions: We conclude that the host response to ovarian carcinoma in this animal model recapitulates many aspects of the host response to bacterial sepsis especially concerning pituitary gene expression. These data suggest that, as in sepsis, a hypothalamic–hypophyseal-mediated cytokine response in ovarian carcinoma may result in hypermetabolism, accelerated nitrogen loss, anorexia, and cachexia.
Semimicroscopic modeling of permeation energetics in ion channels

The semimicroscopic (SMC) approach to modeling the energetics of ion permeation through biological channels provides an alternative perspective to standard molecular dynamics methods. It exploits the timescale separation between electronic and structural contributions to dielectric stabilization and accounts for electronic polarization by embedding the channel in a milieu that, on average, describes this polarization. Ions, water, and selected peptide moieties are mobile and comprise the reorganizational contribution to dielectric stabilization. The conceptual advantages and limitations of the technique are described. Methodological details are outlined, stressing three convenient electrical geometries. Practical aspects of the SMC procedure are explained, highlighting the areas ripe for further development. Finally, some specific applications are considered.
The NSF/IEEE CAEME Center-what is next?

Topics identified for future activities by CAEME (Center for Computer Applications in Electromagnetic Education) are briefly described. These include: use of evolving technology such as interactive video and multimedia presentation in its future software developments: development of software packages that complement the developed software in the first round of CAEME funding; and effective means for integrating CAEME software in undergraduate electromagnetics education. >
Event-based retrieval from digital libraries containing streamed data

Data streams are a very important source of information for both researchers and ordinary users. Data streams might be video or audio streams or might be a stream of sensor readings, satellite images, etc. Saving data streams in digital libraries add the advantages of using digital libraries from archival, preservation, administration, access control, etc. to this information. For this specific type of digital libraries, event based retrieval provides an alternative, yet very natural way of retrieving information. People tend to remember or search by a specific event that happened in the stream better than by the time at which this event happened. The authors describe the organization and services of a prototype digital library system that contains streamed data and enables event based retrieval from them. They present a preliminary formal definition of data streams and events. They also show some possible applications of this system and conclude by presenting the ongoing and future extensions to the research.
Adjuvant combined modality therapy for malignant meningiomas

✓ Malignant meningiomas constitute 10% to 15% of all meningiomas and limited information exists regarding adjuvant treatment of these aggressive primary brain tumors. Fourteen patients (eight men, six women), ranging in age from 28 to 61 years (median 51 years), were prospectively treated for primary malignant meningiomas according to an institutional protocol. All patients underwent surgery (gross-total in four and subtotal resection in 10 patients) followed in 2 to 4 weeks by involved-field radiotherapy (range 59–60 Gy, median dose 60 Gy). Two to 4 weeks after radiotherapy all patients were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy that included cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, and vincristine (CAV). Patients who underwent gross-total resection received three cycles, whereas those with subtotal resection received six cycles of CAV. Four patients required CAV dose reduction due to myelosuppression, and in three patients, myelosuppression prevented administration of the planned course of CAV. Four patients required...
Perceptions of tornadoes, tornado risk, and tornado safety actions and their effects on warning response among Nebraska undergraduates

A survey of 613 undergraduates at a large public university in Nebraska was used to study how participants perceive tornadoes, tornado risk, and appropriate safety actions. Questions were asked to gauge participants’ overall tornado knowledge and response to tornado threat. Many students sought more information before responding to warnings and reported this additional confirmatory information would be necessary for them to respond to future warnings. Some variables were found to be positively or negatively associated with having safety plans and sheltering decisions. Those who responded to the highest proportion of warnings were from the Great Plains, perceived the local city as equally likely to be affected by a tornado compared to the surrounding region, and reported learning tornado-related information primarily from their parents. International students and those gaining most of their tornado-related knowledge from school responded to fewer warnings and took less safe actions overall. Many myths about tornado behavior and tornado safety were found to be prevalent.
Non-uniform error-sampled control system

A nonuniform ADC (analog-to-digital converter) is shown to be a viable option for a system designed for zero or small steady state errors. The choice of quantization levels is based on the ease of hardware implementation, speed of response, and the idea that, in control systems designed for zero steady state error, it should be sufficient to know the error with certain precision around zero, but that away from zero the same precision need not be necessary. A describing function analysis of the effect of the nonlinearity due to nonuniform quantization is presented. Some simulation results are also included. >
Alternate Symbol Inversion for Improved Symbol Synchronization in Convolutionally Coded Systems

Inverting alternate symbols of the encoder output of a convolutionally coded system provides sufficient density of symbol transitions to guarantee adequate symbol synchronizer performance, a guarantee otherwise lacking. Although alternate symbol inversion may increase or decrease the average transition density, depending on the data source model, it produces a maximum number of contiguous symbols without transition for a particular class of convolutional codes, independent of the data source model. Further, this maximum is sufficiently small to guarantee acceptable symbol synchronizer performance for typical applications. Subsequent inversion of alternate detected symbols permits proper decoding.
Optimizing SrTiO3 films on textured Ni substrates using chemical solution deposition

Chemical solution deposition (CSD) is used to grow high-quality (100)-oriented films of SrTiO3 (STO) on CSD Ba0.2 Ca0.8TiO3(100) (BCT) templates on textured W-doped Ni(100) (Ni:W) tape substrates. The BCT template films form a thin layer or “skin” that bridges its significant porosity. STO films grown at 1000 °C appear optimized for heteroepitaxial orientation, surface coverage, and film smoothness. Both interfaces in the STO(100)/BCT(100)/Ni:W(100) stack demonstrate excellent atomic registry and compositional abruptness. Doping STO with a few atomic percent of Nb reduces oxygen diffusion into the film by an order of magnitude and provides greater protection to the Ni interfacial surface from oxidation during the growth of additional functional oxides requiring relatively higher p(O2) high-temperature processing, such as superconducting YBa2Cu3O7−δ. CSD growth of BCT and STO also planarizes pre-existing grooves in the Ni:W(100) tapes while maintaining a high degree of orientation by forming facets at the interfaces.
Complementary Magnetic Tunnel Junction Logic

This brief proposes and analyzes a novel logic family composed solely of magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) to form complimentary pull-up and pull-down networks. This logic family solves the challenge of direct cascading in spintronic logic circuits while also providing non-volatile data storage. The increased logic density possible with complementary MTJs coupled with a charge pulse switching mechanism driven by ferromagnet polarization permits highly efficient logical computation. Furthermore, the presence of non-volatile memory within the logic structure provides a feasible hardware for non-von Neumann computer architectures.
Efficiency criteria as a mechanism for the environmental evaluation of power generation technologies

The potential of using efficiency as a screening criterion for developing future power generation technologies is examined in the context of pending CO2 limitations. Efficiency measured by CO 2 per unit of net power available for sale and overall thermal efficiency combined with direct environmental benefits are used to illustrate this concept. The results of this study indicate that improvements in efficiency provide greater environmental benefits than alternative emission reduction measures. However, significant improvements in efficiency may be required if power generation facilities are to meet the Bush administration's 18 percent proposed reduction in CO2 intensity by the year 2012
Effects of annealing and specimen geometry on dynamic compression of a Zr-based bulk metallic glass

High strain-rate compression experiments were performed with a split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) at 500–4000/s on cylindrical samples of a Zr-based bulk metallic glass (LM-1) in both the fully amorphous and annealed conditions. The effects of changes to the specimen geometry (i.e., L/D ratio) and the material heat treatment [i.e., annealing versus amorphous (as-received)], on the peak stress, strain-to-failure, and failure behavior were determined with the aid of an in situ video obtained by using a high-speed digital camera in conjunction with the split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). Examination of the in situ video recordings and light optical microscopy showed that the failed samples revealed preferential failure initiating at the sample ends due to stress concentration at the sample-insert interface. A new insert design was developed using transient, elastic-plastic finite-element simulations to reduce the effects of these stress concentrations. SHPB testing, combined with in situ video, subsequently revealed that this new experimental configuration promoted failure within the gage length and away from the sample ends in the samples tested. Significant effects of specimen geometry, insert design, and annealing on the apparent values of the peak stress, strain-to-failure, and fracture behavior were exhibited.
Is It Necessary to Harvest Additional Lymph Nodes after Resection of the Most Radioactive Sentinel Lymph Node in Breast Cancer

Background No consensus exists about the number of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) that should be removed based on radioactivity counts in breast cancer, although the "10% rule" is often used. We hypothesized that the node with the highest radioactivity would have the strongest probability of being a positive SLN, and we sought to determine the lowest radioactive count of a node harboring cancer. Study Design We retrospectively studied 332 breast cancer patients who underwent lymphoscintigraphy by injection of technetium 99m-labeled thiosulfate colloid and sentinel lymphadenectomy (SL) between 1997 and 2006, with intraoperative determination of radioactive counts of nodes by a gamma probe. All SLNs were examined by permanent sections consisting of at least 3 levels of 40- to 100-μm intervals for hematoxylin and eosin evaluation, with or without immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratins. Results Seventy-four percent of patients had more than 1 SLN removed (mean 2.8 per patient); 23.5% had SLN metastasis. Of the node-positive patients, the hottest SLN was positive in 85.9% (67 of 78). Five of the 78 patients (6.4%) with positive nodes had counts less than 10% of those of the hottest node. The lowest radioactive count of a positive SLN was 4.2% of that of the hottest node. Lymphatic mapping based on the 10% rule could greatly improve the false-negative rates compared with removing only the hottest SLN (14.1% versus 6.4%). Conclusions Most positive SLNs had the highest radioactivity. Our institutional experience indicates that to obtain an acceptable false-negative rate, nodes should be removed until the 10% rule is met.
Spatial and Temporal Variation in Fungal Endophyte Communities Isolated from Cultivated Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Studies of fungi in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) cultivated in the United States have largely focused on monitoring and controlling plant pathogens. Given increasing interest in asymptomatic fungal endophytes as potential biological control agents, surveys are needed to better characterize their diversity, distribution patterns and possible applications in integrated pest management. We sampled multiple varieties of cotton in Texas, USA and tested for temporal and spatial variation in fungal endophyte diversity and community composition, as well as for differences associated with organic and conventional farming practices. Fungal isolates were identified by morphological and DNA identification methods. We found members of the genera Alternaria, Colletotrichum and Phomopsis, previously isolated as endophytes from other plant species. Other recovered species such as Drechslerella dactyloides (formerly Arthrobotrys dactyloides) and Exserohilum rostratum have not, to our knowledge, been previously reported as endophytes in cotton. We also isolated many latent pathogens, but some species such as Alternaria tennuissima, Epicoccum nigrum, Acremonium alternatum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Chaetomium globosum and Paecilomyces sp., are known to be antagonists against plant pathogens, insects and nematode pests. We found no differences in endophyte species richness or diversity among different cotton varieties, but did detect differences over time and in different plant tissues. No consistent patterns of community similarity associated with variety, region, farming practice, time of the season or tissue type were observed regardless of the ecological community similarity measurements used. Results indicated that local fungal endophyte communities may be affected by both time of the year and plant tissue, but the specific community composition varies across sites. In addition to providing insights into fungal endophyte community structure, our survey provides candidates for further evaluation as potential management tools against a variety of pests and diseases when present as endophytes in cotton and other plants.
Evaluation of typhlitis in children: CT versus US

Sir, I am writing in reference to the article entitled “Neutropenic enterocolitis (typhlitis) associated with infectious mononucleosis,” by Sigirci et al., that was recently published in Pediatric Radiology [1]. In their article the authors state that computed tomography (CT) is the study of choice for the diagnosis of typhlitis due to the absent risk of bowel perforation when compared to colonoscopy or contrast enema examination. They also imply that ultrasonography (US) is less useful for the diagnosis of typhlitis because it is operator-dependent and image quality is compromised by significant ring-down artifact caused by distended loops of small-bowel in the right lower quadrant. We previously reviewed our experience with a cohort of 92 children being treated for cancer between 1990 and 2001 who had 99 episodes of typhlitis/colitis [2, 3]. In our review, 70 episodes were imaged by US and 51 by CT (some patients had both examinations). We recorded the largest colon wall measurement obtained by each modality and found that the mean bowel wall thickness measured by CT (1.4 cm, range 0.6–3.0 cm) was significantly larger (P=0.009) than the mean thickness measured by US (0.65 cm, range 0.30– 1.34 cm). We also found that US measurements were significantly correlated with the duration of typhlitis symptoms (P=0.05), whereas CT measurements were not (P=0.67). These findings suggest that CT measurements overestimate bowel wall thickness and, therefore, are less accurate than measurements obtained by US. We postulate that this is because on CT images intraluminal contents impair identification of the bowel mucosa, and inflammatory changes in surrounding mesentery may inhibit identification of the serosal surface (Fig. 1). In contrast, high-resolution US imaging allows visualization of individual layers of the bowel wall (the “gut-signature”) and, therefore, more accurate bowel wall measurement (Fig. 2). We concluded that ultrasonography is superior to CT in predicting the outcome of typhlitis, and we strongly recommend its use in screening patients who are suspected of having this complication. Perhaps most important, ultrasonography has the additional benefit of not exposing the patient to the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. While the use of ultrasonography for this indication does depend on the experience of the sonographer and radiologist who perform and interpret the examination, it is incumbent upon physicians who direct the use of these imaging modalities to apply the ALARA principle whenever possible. With practice and attention to proper technique, bowel ultrasonography can be performed reliably and quickly and is well-tolerated by the patient. We use ultrasonography as the first-line imaging modality in the assessment of children with Fig. 1 CT image of thickened colon (arrowheads). Note that intraluminal bowel contents (straight arrow) and surrounding inflammatory changes (curved arrow) make accurate measurement of the bowel wall difficult (reprinted with permission from McCarville et al. [2])
The Segmentation of Southern Sociology? Social Research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

This article examines the relative impact of sociologists from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) on the discipline in U.S. and, in particular, in the South. I explore measures of HBCU sociologists' participation in the Southern Sociological Society annual meetings and publication in Social Forces. I suggest that it may be plausible to consider the existence of a "core" and a "peripheral" sociology, reflecting historically white and historically black institutions respectively. Internal and external HBCUfactors contributing to this likelihood are discussed. This article will discuss the feasibility of viewing sociology in the South, and perhaps across the nation, as racially segmented. The applicability of a model that asserts two sociologies, "mainstream" or "primary," and "other" or "secondary," will be examined. The primary sociology usually associated with "major" historically white colleges and universities (HWCUs) will be contrasted with a secondary sociology that can be associated with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Since most HBCUs are located in the Southern states, any significant segmentation by race would have the most obvious implications for the sociology in that region. The history and present status of HBCUs will be examined along with ramifications for sociologists on these campuses. The general hypothesis of this work is that the organization of American sociology continues to reinforce the dominance of a "white" sociology, primarily associated with white scholars at HWCUs, over a second class or underclass sociology usually associated with HBCUs.
Taste Bud-Derived BDNF Is Required to Maintain Normal Amounts of Innervation to Adult Taste Buds

Gustatory neurons transmit chemical information from taste receptor cells, which reside in taste buds in the oral cavity, to the brain. As adult taste receptor cells are renewed at a constant rate, nerve fibers must reconnect with new taste receptor cells as they arise. Therefore, the maintenance of gustatory innervation to the taste bud is an active process. Understanding how this process is regulated is a fundamental concern of gustatory system biology. We speculated that because brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is required for taste bud innervation during development, it might function to maintain innervation during adulthood. If so, taste buds should lose innervation when Bdnf is deleted in adult mice. To test this idea, we first removed Bdnf from all cells in adulthood using transgenic mice with inducible CreERT2 under the control of the Ubiquitin promoter. When Bdnf was removed, approximately one-half of the innervation to taste buds was lost, and taste buds became smaller because of the loss of taste bud cells. Individual taste buds varied in the amount of innervation each lost, and those that lost the most innervation also lost the most taste bud cells. We then tested the idea that that the taste bud was the source of this BDNF by reducing Bdnf levels specifically in the lingual epithelium and taste buds. Taste buds were confirmed as the source of BDNF regulating innervation. We conclude that BDNF expressed in taste receptor cells is required to maintain normal levels of innervation in adulthood.
Erythrocebus patas (Patas monkey)

The karyotypes were prepared from lymphocyte cultures of two animals at London Zoo and are the gifts of Drs. Mary Lucas and Christine Hawkey, London, England. Pairing is arbitrary and identification of X is uncertain. Many submetacentrics can also be considered subtelocentrics. One pair of acrocentrics (#20 in the male) has a secondary constriction but it was not regularly found in the female cells.
Strong motion prediction using mathematical modeling techniques

abstract The Parkfield, California, earthquake of 1966 produced the first recording of ground motion in the immediate vicinity of an earthquake fault. The simplicity of displacement pulse observed at station 2 aroused great interest among seismologists working in the area of earthquake source mechanism. Since then, numerous theoretical works on simulating strong motion have been carried out, starting with the use of a simple kinematic model assuming a uniform slip over a fault plane. The assumption of uniform slip had to be modified to explain the strong motion observed during the Parkfield earthquake of 1966, the Borrego Mountain earthquake of 1968, the San Fernando earthquake of 1971, the Imperial Valley earthquake of 1979, the El Asnam earthquake of 1980, and others. Through these studies, the simulation technique has been advanced to include a more realistic medium. In the beginning, most methods used Green9s function for an unbounded homogeneous medium. Then, the free surface effect, the effect of a sedimentary layer as well as laterally heterogeneous basin structure have been included in the simulation. The above simulation studies were, however, restricted to relatively low-frequency waves represented in a displacement or velocity seismogram. In order to predict an acceleration seismogram dominated by high-frequency waves, hybrid models have been proposed in which gross features of rupture propagation are specified deterministically, but the details of the process are described by a stochastic model specified by a small number of parameters. The application of these models to several California earthquakes revealed encouraging results that some of the key parameters of the model are stable among earthquakes. Mathematical modeling techniques will play an important role in the prediction of strong motion for a great earthquake in California as well as for major earthquakes outside California, based on the records of moderate earthquakes already acquired in California.
Abstract 620: Chemoprevention of hydroxybutyl(butyl)nitrosamine (OH-BBN)-induced mouse urinary bladder cancer by the kava chalcone flavokawain A

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL About 75% of human bladder cancers are associated with cigarette smoking or exposure to industrial carcinogens. Kava roots have been traditionally used to prepare beverage and herb medicine in the South Pacific Island nations (Fiji, Vanutu, Samoa, etc.) for thousands of years. Recently, an epidemiological study has linked high kava consumption to lower incidences of cancers, including lung and bladder cancers, despite the presence of many smokers in the populations of the South Pacific Islands. We therefore examined the potential of flavokawain A, a predominant chalcone isolated from the kava plant for prevention of mouse urinary bladder cancer induced by the organ-specific and tobacco-smoking related nitrosamine OH-BBN. B6D2F1 mice at 8 weeks of age were gavaged 7.5 mg OH-BBN once per week for 12 weeks. In the standard prevention protocol, 0.1% FKA or vehicle food was administered as a dietary supplement to each group of mice beginning 1 week before the first OH-BBN administration and ending 32 weeks after the initial OH-BBN treatment. Dietary feeding of OH-BBN treated mice with 0.1% flavokawain A in the mouse diet decreased bladder wet weight by about 57% (Bladder weights for control versus flavokawain A were 74.18 ± 16.7 versus 32 ± 1.5 mg; P<0.01). In the standard promotion protocol, 0.1% FKA or vehicle food was given 1 week after the final OH-BBN administration for 19 weeks. Flavokawain A also significant reduced the bladder wet weight by about 27% (Bladder weights for control versus flavokawain A were 89.4 ± 23.4 versus 65.5 ± 10.6 mg; p<0.05). To increase the incidence of palpable OH-BBN induced bladder tumors, we extended 7.5mg OH-BBN treatment once per week for one more week up to a total of 13 weeks. In this modified promotion protocol, the percentage of palpable tumors in control group has reached to about 53%, which is similar to that reported by published literatures. Dietary feeding of 0.6% flavokawain A significantly decrease bladder wet weight by 73% (Bladder weights for control versus flavokawain A were 314.9 ± 106.7 versus 87.3 ± 15.2 mg, p=0.0265). In addition, we showed that flavokawain A induced activities of phase II enzyme (i.e. glutathione S-transferase and quinone reductase) in different organs (bladder, liver, prostate, etc.) of mice. Taken together, these results suggest that flavokawain A deserves further investigation for bladder cancer chemoprevention by targeting smoking or carcinogens exposed populations. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 620. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-620