cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retroaction and the “Fate” of the mediator in three stage mediation paradigms

Two experiments were conducted to assess the availability of the mediator after second-stage practice in three-stage mediation paradigms. In Exp. I, recall of List 1 (A-B) associations was tested after A-B, B-C or A-B, D-C training. In Exp. II, the availability of the mediator (which involved List 1 R-S recall) was measured after B-C, A-B or B-C, A-D training. It was found that the potential mediator was at least as available in paradigms conducive to producing mediation (A-B, B-C and B-C, A-B) as the analogous term in the control paradigms (A-B, D-C and B-C, A-D). This result was contrary to an hypothesis that the mediator would be unlearned as a function of interference (negative transfer) conditions extant during stage 2 learning. The failure to find unlearning was attributed to an increased opportunity for practice and familiarization involving the mediator during stage 2 in the mediation paradigms.
Global Perspective of Speech Pathology Education

The entire world population is over 3.4 billion, with more than half of the world’s population living in areas where a single hazard could signifi cantly impact them. An example of the connectedness of the global conditions is the recent catastrophe that the tsunamis brought to southeast Asia, south Asia and Africa. It is imperative that we understand the world that we share and the challenges that we face. Over one third of the world’s urban population lives in a slum and it is projected that in 30 years that fi gure will be have doubled to 2 billion. The world population is continually increasing, by 2050 the world population is expected to reach 9.1 billion. The world population will age rapidly over the next 45 years. This global population is spread across seven continents with people speaking over 6,700 languages and over 399,000 languages and dialects. Some are spoken by over a billion people and others are shared only by a few. The development of speech pathology education differs from area to area and from region to region. What is being taught in Iceland may not be included in Honduras, what is being prepared in Brazil may be unheard of in Bermuda. Countries such as Iraq are barely capable of providing basic needs while countries such as Sweden provide health coverage for her entire populace. Islands may be isolated from the larger continents, but some islands are progressing rapidly such as Malta and other islands such as Sumatra are not making many changes. Countries such as Burma (Myanmar) are still going through political unrest and very little information is available about the current status while countries such as the United States are going on-line. These disparities and differences are continuing to challenge the education committee of the International Association of Lopopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP). In addition, the entire world is progressing rapidly in technology and information. The services we provide continue to expand. The mission of the IALP is to work
Regulatory Guide 1.200 PRA Peer Reviews: A Peer Reviewer Perspective

In January 2007, the NRC issued Revision 1 to Regulatory Guide (RG) 1.200 endorsing Addendum B of the ASME PRA Standard, RA-Sb-2005. Effective January 1, 2008, the probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) supporting any risk-informed application must comply with the requirements of RG 1.200 and the ASME PRA Standard, as explained in NRC’s Regulatory Issue Summary (RIS) 2007-06. Per Section 6 of the ASME PRA Standard, a peer review must be performed to demonstrate compliance with the ASME PRA Standard. In the late 1990s, all nuclear plants in the U. S. had a peer review performed in accordance with NEI 00-02. However, the ASME PRA Standard requirements are more extensive than the review elements in NEI 00-02. Appendix D of NEI 00-02, endorsed by Appendix B of RG 1.200, includes a self-assessment process for using the NEI 00-02 results to, in part; assess a PRA’s compliance with the ASME PRA Standard. The ASME PRA Standard requires a peer review for any PRA element that has been upgraded since the original peer review. There is also the consideration that if the PRA updates have resulted in enough changes to the model that the current model no longer is adequately represented by the model that was originally peer reviewed, then, at their discretion, the utility may request a new peer review. Both the Boiling Water Reactor Owners Group (BWROG) and the Pressurized Water Reactor Owners Group (PWROG) have authorized projects to conduct the peer reviews against RG 1.200, Revision 1 to support risk-informed applications after January, 2008. Two key elements have changed since the original NEI 00-02 peer reviews. These are: (1) the number of specific requirements that need to be reviewed and (2) the need for the utility undergoing a peer review to complete a self-assessment and a roadmap to the documentation supporting their assessment to enable the peer review team to complete their review within a reasonable timeframe. Since the original approval of the ASME PRA Standard in 2003, many plants have performed self-assessments either internally or with the assistance of contractors to ascertain their compliance with the ASME PRA Standard. A number of lessons have been learned as a result of these self-assessments that should be carried forward to the next round of formal peer reviews against Addendum B of the ASME PRA, RA-Sb-2005. This paper examines some of the lessons learned while performing these self-assessments, and provides some guidance for a pre-review self-assessment and as well as some guidelines on compiling a roadmap to support the self-assessment and the peer review.Copyright © 2008 by Westinghouse Electric Company
Protective properties afforded by pioglitazone against intrastriatal LPS in Sprague-Dawley rats.

We created an inflammation-induced Parkinson's disease model, where microglia activation leads to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra. Pioglitazone, an agonist of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ), can prevent these deficits and protect dopaminergic neurons. To continue exploring the effects of pioglitazone in this model we focused on the expression of PPAR-γ, uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), and mitoNEET. We report that intrastriatal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increases striatal PPAR-γ, UCP2, and mitoNEET expression, and pioglitazone attenuates these LPS-induced changes.
Role of high resolution in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging: Applications to MR angiography, intracranial T1‐weighted imaging, and image interpolation

The role of high-resolution imaging has generally been limited because of the associated loss of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as voxel size decreases and imaging time increases. Despite these truths, we show that high-resolution imaging methods can be used to perform better magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), enhance visibility of small structures, and allow better image interpolation. Specifically, we show that very small vessels can be seen with conventional MRA methods, and small lesions on the order of a few cubic millimeters can be seen with a single dose of gadolinium diethyltriaminepentaacetic acid, and structures such as the hippocampal formation are best depicted when a high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) imaging method is used. We also show that image interpolation for the 3D visualization of structures with complicated geometry is best accomplished with a fractional voxel evaluation using the Fourier transform shift theorem on high-resolution images. We demonstrate that the expression for visibility, CNR √p, can be used to establish the optimal resolution to see a given structure. CNR refers to the contrast-to-noise ratio and p is the number of voxels occupied by the object in the image. The optimal resolution is determined from theoretical curves of visibility as a function of voxel size relative to object size. We also demonstrate the enhancement of small vessel visibility on individual images and maximum-intensity projection images with voxel sizes as small as 0.29 mm using 1024 sampled points in the readout direction. Using 3D visibility arguments, it is predicted that under the right conditions, objects of interest much smaller than the voxel size can be seen on conventional MR images. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 8, 529–543, 1997
Leber hereditary optic neuropathy: mitochondrial mutations and degeneration of the optic nerve

The predominant manifestation of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a sudden and usually severe bilateral loss of central vision, most often in the mid-20s, that is due to a degeneration of the ganglion cell layer and optic nerve. LHON is an inherited form of blindness in which a mutation in the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) is the primary etiological event. More than 95% of the LHON pedigrees in peoples of Northern European descent harbor one of the three mitochondrial mutations at nucleotides 3460, 11778 and 14484, although there are other rare primary mutations. In addition, there may be mtDNA mutations that have a secondary etiological role. The penetrance of the optic neuropathy is incomplete in LHON families, and males are affected much more often then females. The incomplete penetrance indicates that secondary etiological factors are necessary for the development of the optic neuropathy, although they are poorly understood at the present time. Several types of studies suggest that optic nerve function in LHON patients is impaired in the presymptomatic phase, probably as a result of a mitochondrial respiratory chain abnormality, although visual acuity is not compromised. In some family members, the presence of secondary etiological factors triggers a wave of optic nerve dysfunction in which vision is lost (the acute phase). Depending upon the particular primary LHON mutation that the patient carries, a variable proportion of the dysfunctional ganglion cells and optic nerve axons die during the atrophic phase, probably through an apoptotic pathway. In 11778 LHON patients, retinal ganglion cell degeneration occurs almost without exception, and recovery of vision is extremely rare. In contrast, activation of the cell death pathway is less frequent, or less extensive, in 14484 LHON patients and there is often a substantial recovery of vision.
Exotic monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) in New Jersey: nest site selection, rebuilding following removal, and their urban wildlife appeal

Understanding how birds exist in highly urban cities is important to maintaining biodiversity within these environments, and exotic species pose a unique opportunity to examine adaptation. The non-native monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) nests mainly in cities in the United States, and in some places, is considered a nuisance by utility companies. Monk parakeets nest communally (many nests in one nest structure) and colonially (many nest structures in one area). We studied monk parakeets in urban New Jersey to determine where they nested, if nest sites were similar among parakeets nesting in trees and utility poles, and if they rebuilt following removal. Of the 51 nest structures we studied, 37% were on utility poles, 8% were on a man-made gazebo, and the rest were in trees. Nest structures located on poles were located closer to the ground, had fewer nest holes, and the distance to nearest tree was greater than for tree nest structures. The pole nest structures were closer to the top of the “canopy” or structure, and were always located on or around the pole rather than out on one of the cross beams. The nest structures were similar in size and shape whether they were located on poles, other man-made objects, or in trees. Thus monk parakeets built similar nest structures, and located them about the same distance from the ground and from houses whether they were in utility poles or in trees, leading to the conclusion that poles provide suitable sites for them. The parakeets persisted in nesting on the utility poles and another man-made gazebo despite being removed over several years, and despite the presence of other nearby unused trees. After parakeet nest structures were removed from poles by the utility company, most birds began rebuilding within the day. The persistence, despite persecution, of the monk parakeet on poles, and the fact that poles provide attractive and secure support for nest structures, suggest that they will continue to do so. Managers must either learn to live with the parakeets, redesign the utility pole structure to be less appealing to the birds, provide them with alternative nest sites on the utility poles or nearby, or continue to forcibly remove them. Local support for the parakeets, and their potential to serve as urban icons, have resulted in New Jersey’s utility company working with local enthusiasts and scientists to ensure the birds are not harmed during nest removal.
In-plane permeability characterization of the vacuum infusion processes with fiber relaxation

In vacuum infusion processes fiber preforms are placed onto the single molding surface and enveloped with a non-rigid polymer bag which is sealed to the molding surface. The flexible bagging film does deform during the resin infusion process thus changing the compaction of the fabric. However, one can also relax the preform by drawing a partial vacuum in a rigid chamber placed on top of the flexible bag which will increase the permeability of the fabric under the chamber. A numerical model is presented to characterize the change in permeability and describe the mold filling for such processes in which the fabrics undergo controlled relaxation by external stimuli. The predictions from the simplified model agreed reasonably well with the experiments. This characterization and resin flow front prediction with time method should prove useful in processes such as Vacuum Induced Preform Relaxation (VIPR) process which can be used to actively manipulate flow in a vacuum infusion process.
Eisenmenger's complex with unusual hemodynamic findings.

Abstract An unusual case of Eisenmenger's complex with pressures in the lesser circulation significantly greater than in the systemic circuit is presented with a brief review of the literature. A right hilar mass, in reality a thrombosed aneurysm of the right pulmonary artery, was misinterpreted on the plain chest roentgenograms as being a tumor for which an exploratory thoracotomy was performed. Presence of any associated lesion such as aortic stenosis was excluded by lack of any pressure gradient between the aorta and left ventricle. A possible explanation for the development of the condition is presented.
The Effect of Food Stamp Nutrition Education on the Food Insecurity of Low-income Women Participants

Abstract Objective To determine the effect of Food Stamp Nutrition Education (FSNE) in Indiana on participants' food insecurity and food insufficiency. Design A single-blind randomized design. A randomized experimental group completed 5 FSNE lessons as an intervention between a pre- and posttest, whereas a control group completed a pre- and posttest without FSNE intervention. Setting Client homes and community locations in 24 Indiana counties. Participants Female head-of-household participants ≥ 18 years old; n=219. Intervention FSNE lessons targeting food insecurity and nutrition. Main Outcome Measures Dependent variables food insecurity and food insufficiency were quantified with the 6-item United States Household Food Security Scale and United States Department of Agriculture Food Insufficiency Question, respectively. The independent variable was the randomly assigned treatment group. Analysis Participants' characteristics were compared with chi-square analysis. Analyses of covariance models were constructed to find the effect of treatment group on food insecurity and food insufficiency. Significance indicated at P ≤ .05. Results Food insecurity and food insufficiency in the experimental group compared with the control group were significantly improved ( P = .03, P = .04, respectively). Conclusions and Implications FSNE was successful in improving participants' food insecurity and food insufficiency, indicating nutrition education is an appropriate intervention for food insecurity.
Semirigorous bounds for the dipole moments and transition moments of the LiH molecule

Semirigorous error limits for the dipole moments and transition moments of LiH at R = 3.015 bohr are reported. Weinhold's formula for the upper and lower bounds to transition moments is extended to include transitions between states of the same symmetry, and Chong's (1976) semirigorous expression for the lower bound to the overlap between the approximate and the true wavefunctions is applied to the calculation. The semirigorous theory of Chong was also generalized in the sense that the zeroth-order wavefunction was allowed to contain many configuration state functions instead of just the Hartree-Fock or first natural configuration state function.
Hydrotropic Solubilization of Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs

The solubilizing ability of two aromatic hydrotropes, N,N-diethylnicotinamide (DENA) and N,N-dimethylbenzamide (DMBA), was investigated using a set of 13 poorly soluble, structurally diverse drugs. The number of aromatic rings in the solute molecule has a very strong effect on the solubility enhancement produced by either hydrotrope. However, although solubility enhancements in the order of 1000- to 10,000-fold were obtained with each of the hydrotropic agents, important differences were found between the two. DMBA is more hydrophobic and undergoes more extensive self-association than DENA, as determined by vapor osmometry. As a result, DMBA is generally a more powerful solubilizer of hydrophobic drugs. DENA, on the other hand, is more polar and its self-association is essentially limited to dimer formation. However, despite being less hydrophobic, DENA is an extremely powerful solubilizer of paclitaxel, a highly hydrophobic compound. Such a result is attributed to the higher hydrogen bonding ability of DENA over DMBA and the very high hydrogen bonding ability of paclitaxel. These observations in turn illustrate the strong interplay between specific and hydrophobic interactions on the observed solubilization by hydrotropic agents.
Chandra's Darkest Bright Star: Not So Dark after All?

The Chandra High Resolution camera (HRC) has obtained numerous short exposures of the ultraviolet (UV)-bright star Vega (α Lyrae; HD 172167: A0 V), to calibrate the response of the detector to out-of-band (non-X-ray) radiation. A new analysis uncovered a stronger "blue leak" in the imaging section (HRC-I) than reported in an earlier study of Vega based on a subset of the pointings. The higher count rate—a factor of nearly 2 above prelaunch estimates—raised the possibility that genuine coronal X-rays might lurk among the out-of-band events. Exploiting the broader point-spread function of the UV leak compared with soft X-rays identified an excess of counts centered on the target, technically at 3σ significance. A number of uncertainties, however, prevent a clear declaration of a Vegan corona. A more secure result would be within reach of a deep uninterrupted HRC-I pointing.
An individual particle analysis and budget study of Onondaga Lake sediments1

The sedimentation of particles in Onondaga Lake, N.Y., was examined by scanning electron microscopy with automated image analysis and X-ray energy spectroscopy (SAX), a technique of individual particle characterization. The composition of the particles coming into the lake and those present in the sediments was analyzed to calculate an annual sediment budget. An allochthonous sediment input of 21,800 tonnesmyr-’ and a sediment output of 3,300 tonnesmyr-I were calculated from flow rates, sediment loads, and concentrations. A sediment mass budget yielded an autochthonous sediment formation of 15,900 tonneseyr-l and a net sedimentation of 34,500 tonnessyr-l. Calcite particles comprised a majority of these autochthonous sediments and were found in the epilimnion. In addition, measurable amounts of iron sulfide were formed in the hypolimnion. Such budgets provide information, based on different particle classes, for studies of particle formation, transport, and deposition processes in limnetic environments.
Freedom: a copper-free, oxidant-free and solvent-free palladium catalysed homocoupling reaction

Herein, we describe a copper-free, oxidant-free, solvent-free homocoupling reaction using a palladium catalyst under mechanochemical conditions. We extended the methodology to palladium catalyst on solid support which showed a different reactivity and different product ratios from the non-supported catalyst. We were able to recycle the polymer supported catalyst for 5 cycles.
A randomized, observer-blind comparison between the Neurotip mounted Neuropen and a disposable plastic neurological wheel for assessing the level of spinal blockade at cesarean section.

Abstract Background Various methods are used to assess the height of sensory block to touch under spinal anesthesia for cesarean section. We tested a novel, inexpensive, miniature, user-dependent plastic neurological wheel against the user-independent Neurotip mounted Neuropen. Methods Patients received either spinal or combined spinal–epidural anesthesia. For each patient assessment, the devices were randomly assigned to one of two independent investigators. The order of device application was randomly permuted. Neither researcher was involved with anesthetic care. At 5-min intervals for 20min after spinal injection, and again at the end of the operation, the levels of block to loss-of-touch sensation were assessed. While one investigator evaluated the block, the other left the operating room and vice versa. Mixed-effects regression and Bland–Altman analysis were used to weigh agreement between devices. Results The mean difference in level-to-touch was 0.04 (95% CI −0.18, 0.27) dermatome levels. Measurement error standard deviation associated with the Neurotip mounted Neuropen and plastic neurological wheel was 1.36 (95% CI 1.26, 1.41) and 1.33 (95% CI 1.26, 1.46) dermatome levels, respectively. The difference in measurement error standard deviation was −0.03 (95% CI −0.16, 0.24). This evidence excludes the possibility, with 95% confidence, of clinically significant bias or measurement error differences between methods. Occasional wide variances in dermatome level were observed with both instruments at the initial assessment only. Conclusion The compact plastic neurological wheel is as clinically reliable as the Neurotip mounted Neuropen.
Eulogy for the Iowa shooting victims

On November 1, three distinguished faculty members of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Iowa were among the victims of a murderous assault. Each of these individuals was at the height of his professional career. Each was devoted to teaching and advising students at all academic levels ranging from undergraduate freshmen to doctoral candidates and postdoctoral associates. Each was of national and international stature. All were specializing in the study of complex properties of ionized gases or plasma, the so-called fourth state of matter. This field is known technically as theoretical plasma physics. It is estimated that over 99% of matter in the universe is in the form of plasma—hence its central importance in the upper atmospheres and magnetospheres of planets, the Sun, the interplanetary medium, and in almost all large astrophysical systems.
Smoking increases inflammation and metalloproteinase expression in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of cigarette smoking on the composition of human carotid endarterectomy plaques.Background: Smoking has been recognized as a major risk factor in atherogenesis. It is believed that smoking contributes to the atherosclerotic process and plaque instability in part by increasing the adherence of macrophages to the vessel wall and inducing the release of proteolytic enzymes. However, data are lacking in humans.Methods: Carotid endarterectomy specimens of 21 smokers and 21 nonsmokers matched for age, gender, and symptoms were immunohistochemically stained with antibodies against CD68 (macrophages [MAC]), macrophage-derived metalloelastase (MMP-12), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1). Sections were also evaluated for elastin content by van Gieson staining. The stained areas were planimetrically quantified as the percentage of immunopositive tissue area of the total tissue area.Results: Smoking was associated with increased macrophage immunoreactivity (9.1% ±...
Toward closure of the inherent optical properties of natural waters

A fundamental relationship of inherent optical properties (IOP) is that the beam attenuation coefficient is the sum of the volume absorption and scattering coefficients (c = a + b). A relative calibration of a set of instruments can be provided using this IOP closure equation. Measurement of the true beam attenuation coefficient c is not practical as all attenuation instrumentation has some finite acceptance angle in which scattered light is collected. We provide a theoretical framework for measuring the attenuation and scattering coefficients in a consistent manner. Using this framework, we provide a practical version of the IOP closure equation. We apply the practical IOP closure equation to measurements made at Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho, in the spring of 1992. Results of this IOP closure indicate that the practical closure equation is a useful approach. Closure was achieved during some measurement sets but not at others. The intermittent lack of closure may be due to the method of determining the scattering coefficient from the general angle scattering meter or that the calibration of at least one of the instruments drifted during the time of the experiment.
Health Beliefs and Health Behaviors of Physical Therapists

The purpose of this study was to examine the health beliefs and health behaviors of physical therapists. A survey questionnaire was sent to a 10% random sample of the physical therapists on the Texas licensure list for 1984, and 234 responses (69%) were used in the data analysis. The respondents tended to have positive health beliefs and good health behaviors in terms of a healthy life style. These findings have implications for physical therapists as role models for encouraging good health habits in their patients.
Reliability of fault tolerant control systems: Part II

For Part I see ibid. 40th IEEE Conf. Proceedings on Decision and Control (2001). Reliability properties peculiar to fault-tolerant control systems are emphasized. The paper proposes to formulate the fault tolerant control problem as an optimization problem that maximizes coverage of failures through redundancy management. Coverage modeling is attempted in a way that captures its dependence on the control performance and on the diagnostic resolution. Under the proposed redundancy management policy, it is shown that an enhanced overall system reliability can be achieved with a control law of a superior robustness, with an estimator of a higher resolution, and with a control performance requirement of a lesser stringency.
Bivariate Flood Frequency Analysis Using the Copula Method

Using the copula method, bivariate distributions of flood peak and volume, and flood volume and duration were derived. A major advantage of this method is that marginal distributions of individual variables (i.e., flood peak, volume, and duration) can be of any form and the variables can be correlated. The copula method was applied to obtain the conditional return periods that are needed for hydrologic design. The derived distributions were tested using flood data from Amite River at Denham Springs, La., and the Ashuapmushuan River at Saguenay, Quebec, Canada. The derived distributions were also compared with the Gumbel mixed and the bivariate Box–Cox transformed normal distributions. The copula-based distributions were found to be in better agreement with plotting position-based frequency estimates than were other distributions.
Gel Placement in Production Wells

Straightforward applications of fractional-flow theory and material-balance calculations demonstrate that, if zones are not isolated during gel placement in production wells, gelant can penetrate significantly into all open zones, not just those with highwater saturations. Unless oil saturations in the oil-productive zones are extremely high, oil productivity will be damaged even if the gel reduces water permeability without affecting oil permeability. Also, in field applications, capillary pressure will not prevent gelant penetration into oil-productive zones. An explanation is provided for the occurrence of successful applications of gels in fractured wells produced by bottomwater drive. With the right properties, gels could significantly increase the critical rate for water influx in fractured wells.
Phenotyping of Haptoglobin on Gradient Acrymalide Gel Slabs using the Beckman Microzone System

A phenotyping procedure for haptoglobin is described utilizing gradient acrylamide gels. The haptoglobin phenotypes (seen as complexes with hemoglobin) are separated by wide margins. In addition, each haptoglobin type shows a unique pattern. At this time, the gradient acrylamide gel electrophoresis results in an unmistakable positive identification of the haptoglobin phenotype. A detailed analytical micro procedure is described for the preparation, electrophoresis, and the preservation in the dry form of the acrylamide gel electrophoretograms.
On the frequency factor in electron transfer reactions and its role in the highly exothermic regime

Consideration of current information on the dependence of the electron transfer rate on the radial separation distance and on the reactants′ radial distribution function suggests for adiabatic transfers a frequency factor closer to 10^(12)M^(−1) s^(−1) than to 10^(11)M^(−1) s^(−1). One effect is to raise the λ values estimated from self-exchange rate constants, and to extend thereby the range of ΔG°'s in which the “inverted region′” is masked by a diffusion-controlled reaction rate.
Scribl: an HTML5 Canvas-based graphics library for visualizing genomic data over the web

Motivation: High-throughput biological research requires simultaneous visualization as well as analysis of genomic data, e.g. read alignments, variant calls and genomic annotations. Traditionally, such integrative analysis required desktop applications operating on locally stored data. Many current terabyte-size datasets generated by large public consortia projects, however, are already only feasibly stored at specialist genome analysis centers. As even small laboratories can afford very large datasets, local storage and analysis are becoming increasingly limiting, and it is likely that most such datasets will soon be stored remotely, e.g. in the cloud. These developments will require web-based tools that enable users to access, analyze and view vast remotely stored data with a level of sophistication and interactivity that approximates desktop applications. As rapidly dropping cost enables researchers to collect data intended to answer questions in very specialized contexts, developers must also provide software libraries that empower users to implement customized data analyses and data views for their particular application. Such specialized, yet lightweight, applications would empower scientists to better answer specific biological questions than possible with general-purpose genome browsers currently available. Results: Using recent advances in core web technologies (HTML5), we developed Scribl, a flexible genomic visualization library specifically targeting coordinate-based data such as genomic features, DNA sequence and genetic variants. Scribl simplifies the development of sophisticated web-based graphical tools that approach the dynamism and interactivity of desktop applications. Availability and implementation: Software is freely available online at http://chmille4.github.com/Scribl/ and is implemented in JavaScript with all modern browsers supported. Contact: ude.cb@htram.robag Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Clomiphene therapy in epileptic women with menstrual disorders

We studied the effects of clomiphene therapy on seizure frequency in 12 women who had clinical and EEG features of complex partial seizures as well as menstrual disorders with reproductive endocrine abnormalities. Ten of the 12 women improved (p
Distributed joint source-channel decoding for correlated Markov sources

Summary form only given. Most current distributed joint source-channel coding (DJSCC) work focus on sources without memory, like i.i.d sources. We consider a general scenario where the sources are not only correlated with each other but also have memory. In particular, we design a constrained distributed joint source-channel decoder (C-DJSCD) for the optimal variable length multiple access source code (MASC) encoded sources for the symmetric distributed coding scenario. The proposed decoder is based on maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) estimation.
Knowledge networks: An avenue to ecological management of invasive weeds

Ecological management of invasive weeds will require substantial increases in the application of ecological knowledge and its integration with other forms of knowledge. To enable these increases, we call for purposeful development of knowledge networks in which new knowledge about a complex situation is created by the interaction of different forms of knowledge. We believe that invasive-plant management must be based on a fine-tuning of managed ecosystems, in which operations (e.g., farm activities) are comprehensively adjusted to confront invasives with a wide array of control measures. Land managers must have the primary role in this tuning process because of their holistic knowledge of the ecosystems they manage. Additionally, such ecological management of invasives will require support from new or improved practices in many relevant sectors, e.g., involving extension workers, farm advisors, and researchers of many sorts. Knowledge networks facilitate the creation, application, and integration of knowledge that will be needed to support ecological invasive-plant management. Worldwide, knowledge networks are under very active development as promising solutions to ecological-management challenges. To develop, networks require proactive organization and facilitation. We have developed an experimental knowledge network to facilitate ecological management of field-crop weeds on the basis of collaborative learning groups that help farmers and other professionals develop necessary knowledge. These groups have been favorably evaluated by most participants, and this article describes the results of our project, including our insights into development of such networks.
rhEPO in surgical oncology

Anemia is common in cancer patients and is often considered merely secondary to the underlying malignancy. Anemia associated with cancer varies widely with stage of disease and/or treatment and in general will develop slowly with hemoglobin values ranging from 8 to 10 g/dL (Mercuriali and Inghilleri 2002). But because anemia has an independent impact on length and quality of life (QOL) (Nissenson et al. 2003), anemia in cancer patients has been more closely scrutinized in order to improve its evaluation and treatment. Blood transfusion appears to overcome the negative prognostic effects of low presenting hemoglobin levels (Grogan et al. 1999), but is often associated with a higher risk of infection. Blood transfusions remain particularly helpful in the context of either severe anemia (Hb < 8.0 g/dL) or life-threatening anemia (Hb < 6.5 g/dL), particularly when the condition is aggravated by bleeding as a result of a surgical intervention. This chapter, focused on the use of human recombinant erythropoietin (rhEPO) in surgical cancer patients, will first attempt to review the transfusion requirements of cancer patients undergoing surgery and review the risks associated with allogeneic blood transfusion in these patients. Secondly, we will discuss the alternative use of rhEPO to treat perioperative anemia in cancer patients.
THE COVARIANCE STRUCTURE OF LIFE-HISTORY CHARACTERS IN DAPHNIA PULEX

The genetic covariance structure for life-history characters in two populations of cyclically parthenogenetic Daphnia pulex indicates considerable positive correlation among important fitness components, apparently at odds with the expectation if antagonistic pleiotropy is the dominant cause of the maintanence of genetic variation. Although there is no genetic correlation between offspring size and offspring number, present growth and present reproduction are both strongly positively correlated genetically with future reproduction, and early maturity is genetically correlated with larger clutch size. Although the ubiquity of antagonistic pleiotropy has been recently questioned, there are peculiarities of cyclical parthenogenesis that could lead to positive life-history covariance even when negative covariance would be expected in a similar sexual species. These include the influence of nonadditive gene action on evolution in clonally reproducing organisms, and the periodic release of hidden genetic variance within populations of cyclical parthenogens. Examination of matrix similarity, using the bootstrap for distribution-free hypothesis testing, reveals no evidence to suggest that the genetic covariance matrices differ between the populations. However, there is considerable evidence that the phenotypic and environmental covariance matrices differ between populations. These results indicate approximate stability of the genetic covariance matrix within species, an important assumption of many phenotypic evolution models, but should caution against the use of phenotypic in place of genetic covariance matrices.
Surveillance of Dynamic Threats in Complex Urban Environments

The Air Force Research Laboratory is developing advanced EO/IR sensing concepts for urban surveillance including hyperspectral change detection, infrared wide area surveillance, and feature-aided target tracking in complex, culturally-cluttered areas.
Multiple-channel routing in a linear lightwave network

This work is aimed at solving the problem of routing in a "linear" lightwave network (LLN).1 A LLN is an optical network in which the network nodes perform only linear operations on optical signals: power combining, dividing, and possibly linear (i.e., nonregenerative) amplification. The transport of a signal from a transmitter to a receiver is all optical, with no electro-optic conversion taking place anywhere except at the transmitters and receivers themselves. Thus, the network contains no electronic bottlenecks. LLN's can have arbitrary mesh-type topologies for reliability and load distribution.
Das sogenannte Klimakterium virile

Though the male obviously does not experience a climacteric in the very definite sense of the female change of life, nevertheless between the ages of 40 and 65 the male, like the female, undergoes a diminution in the production of the sex hormones: principally androgens. If this decline is slow and gradual, there are practically no symptoms. A sudden arrest of the internal secretory function of the testes, however, may give rise to clearly defined climacteric disturbances.
Disposition and Pharmacology of a GalNAc3-conjugated ASO Targeting Human Lipoprotein (a) in Mice

Triantennary N-acetyl galactosamine (GalNAc3)-conjugated antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) have greatly improved potency via receptor-mediated uptake. In the present study, the in vivo pharmacology of a 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl)-modified ASO conjugated with GalNAc3 (ISIS 681257) together with its unmodified congener (ISIS 494372) targeting human apolipoprotein (a) (apo(a)), were studied in human LPA transgenic mice. Further, the disposition kinetics of ISIS 681257 was studied in CD-1 mice. ISIS 681257 demonstrated over 20-fold improvement in potency over ISIS 494372 as measured by liver apo(a) mRNA and plasma apo(a) protein levels. Following subcutaneous (SC) dosing, ISIS 681257 cleared rapidly from plasma and distributed to tissues. Intact ISIS 681257 was the major full-length oligonucleotide species in plasma. In tissues, however, GalNAc sugar moiety was rapidly metabolized and unconjugated ISIS 681257 accounted > 97% of the total exposure, which was then cleared slowly from tissues with a half-life of 7–8 days, similar to the half-life in plasma. ISIS 681257 is highly bound to plasma proteins (> 94% bound), which limited its urinary excretion. This study confirmed dose-dependent exposure to the parent drug ISIS 681257 in plasma and rapid conversion to unconjugated ASO in tissues. Safety data and the extended half-life support its further development and weekly dosing in phase 1 clinical studies.
Studies on biotypes of the brown and white-backed planthopper in China and Vietnam

[Objectives] In order to provide guidance for breeding insect-resistant rice crops, biotypes of the brown and white-backed planthopper(BPH and WBPH) were investigated in China and Vietnam. [Methods] Population group detection and honeydew quantity detection methods were used to study the virulence characteristics and the biotype structure of BPH and WBPH collected from Guangxi, Yunnan, Henan, Hunan, Chongqing and Guizhong in China, and Hanoi, Ha Tinh, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City and Song Cuu Long in Vietnam. [Results] BiotypeⅡwas comprised a greater proportion of BPH populations collected from the main rice planting areas in China and the central and northern parts of Vietnam. These BPH populations showed virulence to rice varieties with the Bph1 or bph2 gene. A greater proportion of BiotypesⅡ+Ⅲ was found in BPH populations collected from Simao, China, and this population showed virulence, or strong virulence, to varieties with the Bph1 or bph2 or bph4 gene. A greater proportion of BiotypeⅡ+ Ⅲ was found in BPH populations collected from Ho Chi Minh City and Song Cuu Long in Vietnam. These populations showed virulence, or strong virulence, to varieties with the Bph1, bph2, Bph3 or bph4 gene. A greater proportion of the BiotypeⅠgene was found in WBPH populations collected from different sites in China. The largest proportion of the Biotype Ⅲ was found in populations collected from Hanoi, Ha Tinh and Hue in Vietnam. All WBPH populations were strongly virulent to rice varieties with the Wbph1 or Wbph2 genes, variable in virulence to varieties with the Wbph3 gene, and of moderate virulence to varieties with the Wbph5 gene. [Conclusion] Rice varieties with the Bph1 or bph2 gene should not be selected to breed plants resistant to BPH and varieties with the Wbph1 or Wbph2 gene should not be selected to breed plants resistant to WBPH.
Alterations in Digestive Function Caused by Pancreatic Disease

Pancreatic exocrine secretion is regulated by a complex interaction of meal-stimulated neurohormonal reflexes. Pancreatic enzyme output must be reduced to less than 10 per cent of normal before fat absorption is appreciably impaired, proving that the pancreas secretes a large surplus of enzymes. Surgical therapy does not improve pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, and partial pancreatic resection frequently precipitates steatorrhea in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Therefore, pancreatic resection should be undertaken cautiously in patients who do not yet have clinically evident exocrine insufficiency. In most patients, oral pancreatic enzymes will control diarrhea secondary to steatorrhea. In others, concurrent administration of an H2 blocker is required to reduce gastric acidity and prevent enzyme inactivation in the stomach. Formulations with an acid-resistant coating are also effective in some patients. However, complete normalization of fat absorption with restoration of body weight and nutritional well-being requires careful management of multiple dietary and behavioral factors, as well as long-term follow-up. Unfortunately, this appears to be an elusive goal, as many patients with chronic pancreatitis continue to die of malnutrition.
Being assertive…or not

Assertiveness remains a hot topic for self-help books and websites. On amazon.com in late February 2012, a search for “assertiveness” in the self-help category brought up 6,055 titles, “assertiveness in women” yielded 1,170, and “assertiveness in men” had 424 offerings. In Figure 6.1, the online advice on assertiveness is aimed at women and in particular at women who are ambitious in their careers, although the author says that both sexes should find her advice useful. In Figure 6.2 the focus is on how to reduce interpersonal conflict, maintaining good interpersonal relations while not being a “doormat.” Both these sites give advice on how one can pursue one's agendas without jeopardizing the perception that one is “nice” and concerned about others. In Figure 6.3, the site offers tips clearly aimed only at men, where the goal is heterosexual dating success. A quick look at book titles and the like suggests that the samples shown in Figures 6.1–6.3 are not atypical, with assertiveness for women often stressed in contexts of succeeding at work and for men in contexts of “making it” with women. Both sexes are sometimes targeted on general interpersonal relations issues, though women seem to get more of this. Women do indeed get counseled on assertiveness in heterosexual relations, but the emphasis there is on “just say no ” and similar campaigns for stopping sexual harassment and date rape rather than on impressing potential male romantic partners. The message seems to be that women are deficient in their assertiveness in work and family contexts, and there is also apparently worry that some men need to unleash the assertiveness (domineeringness?) women are said to find sexually appealing in men.
Scaling-up charge injection to nanowire p-n heterojunctions: From individual nanowires to their large size arrays

One-dimensional nanocrystals and nanowires due to their high crystal quality, ease of growth, control and diversity in their composition have become promising building blocks in a number of technologies including photovoltaic, chemical sensing and light sources. One of the technological barriers to integrate such nanostructures to devices is the inability in controlling their hierarchical order on a scalable fashion. An ordered structure is needed because charge transport must be done at the individual nanowire level. In this presentation, we use a crystal growth technique for wafer scale growth of planar nanowires. We discuss a surface-directed vapor-liquid-solid (SVLS) growth technique in which horizontal nanowires grow from individual Au nanodroplets, and their alignment is dictated by the underlying substrate. SVLS process maintains the strength of the traditional VLS-based methods in growth of nanowires, while enabling excellent control over their hierarchical assemblies. We discuss the concept of “smart surfaces” for planar growth of some semiconductor oxides such as ZnO and TiO 2 and present results on growth morphology of other II-VI semiconductors. In this presentation we show the impact of the substrate on growth direction of nanowires and formation of bi- and tri-directional assemblies as well as n-p heterojunctions (Figure 1a, b).