cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Urologic Innovation in the Spaceflight Environment: Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions

The coming decades are poised to usher in an era of commercial spaceflight and extended duration missions beyond low-earth orbit. Urologic challenges and conditions have been central to the history of human spaceflight, and their effective management will continue to play a key role in future endeavors. Voiding equipment, such as the Universal Waste Management System aboard the International Space Station, is emblematic of the significant technical strides that have been made to improve the usability and functionality of non-terrestrial waste elimination and containment devices. Detailed investigations over the past few decades have demonstrated that crew members are at an increased risk of developing nephrolithiasis due, in large part, to the effects of microgravity. Renal calculi and their potentially debilitating effects represent one of the most significant urologic complications that could impact the success of future long duration missions. Other urologic conditions, such as urinary tract infections, urinary retention, and urinary incontinence have been well documented during flight and pose their own challenges. While preventive measures remain central to all mitigation strategies, imaging and treatment modalities such as a S-Mode ultrasound, burst wave lithotripsy, and ultrasonic propulsion are being developed and evaluated as in-flight countermeasures for urologic pathology. Parabolic flights have been conducted to develop and evaluate the feasibility of using surgical and endoscopic techniques to treat urologic conditions in microgravity. Although less often discussed, occupation-related delayed conception and the risk of radiation-induced gamete damage suggests that there may be a need for NASA to adopt a policy for Assisted Reproductive Technology for both male and female astronauts. The last 60 years of human spaceflight have provided a unique opportunity for discovery and medical technology innovation. This paper serves to highlight the advancements that will help pave the way for the next 60 years of human spaceflight.
In-Office Esophageal Procedures

Dysphagia is a common symptom experienced by many and arising from numerous different pathologies. Advances in technology have allowed for development of thin, distal-chip, video esophagoscopes. These esophagoscopes have transformed patient care and allow the clinician to perform a comprehensive dysphagia evaluation and provide advanced treatments for swallowing disorders in the office without the need for sedation. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a state-of-the-art review of office-based esophageal procedures.
How to Be an Effective Team Leader and Committee Member or Chair

Academic leaders are often chosen based on their academic success and reputation in the core mission of research over teaching and patient care. However, leadership of a team, committee, or department in an Academic Medical Center (AMC) also requires knowledge of clinical operations and finances, as well as administrative and managerial skills that are usually not part of the academic medical education or career. Many AMCs have recognized the need for effective physician leaders to successfully advance innovation and improve the clinical care of patients. They offer educational programs to help their faculty grow into leadership roles spanning the traditional silos of hospital administration, clinical care, research, and education of the next generation of physicians and scientists. The academic physician is encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities. The skills one will learn will greatly benefit one’s academic career even if one does not choose a traditional leadership position.
Comparison of daily versus nondaily image-guided radiotherapy protocols for patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Background The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of nondaily image-guided radiotherapy (RT) strategies with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for head and neck cancer. Methods Alignment data was analyzed from 103 consecutive patients treated by IMRT for head and neck cancer who had undergone daily imaging with onboard mega-voltage CT (MVCT), resulting in 3275 images. Geometric setup errors that would have occurred using less-than-daily imaging were hypothetically estimated for 4 temporal less-than-daily image-guided RT protocols. Results For image-guided RT on the first fraction, weekly image-guided RT, first 5 + weekly image-guided RT, and alternating day image-guided RT, the respective incidences of geometric miss were 50.5%, 33.8%, 30.1%, and 15.7% assuming 3-mm uncertainty margins; and 18.7%, 11.7%, 10.3%, and 4.1% with 5-mm margins. Conclusion Less-than-daily image-guided RT strategies result in a high incidence of potential miss when 3-mm uncertainty margins are utilized. Less-than-daily image-guided RT strategies should incorporate margins of at least 5 mm. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 992–997, 2014
Déplacer les frontières conceptuelles du genre

La distinction classique entre sexe et genre dans les sciences sociales a ete trop rapidement calquee sur les representations communes qui dictent implicitement les frontieres du biologique et du social. L’annulation recente de cette distinction dans les etudes de genre, initiee par Judith Butler, resulte paradoxalement d’une adhesion non reconnue a ces frontieres. La critique constructiviste du concept de sexe issue de l’epistemologie feministe dans les sciences de la vie n’a pas la rigueur que les sciences sociales lui accordent. Il faut deplacer les frontieres du genre vers le biologique, non les annuler en faisant du sexe quelque chose d’aussi « construit culturellement » que le genre. Le sexe, au singulier, n’est pas la meme chose que les sexes, au pluriel. Les corps definis par leurs caracteres sexuels (mâles, femelles) ne sont pas des realites biologiques, mais du genre. Les caracteres du sexe, en revanche, doivent etre definis comme une realite resultant de mecanismes genetiques precis.
The Characterization and Interconversions of Two Conformational States of Cytochrome b5 Reductase

Abstract Two stable conformational states of cytochrome b5 reductase, the active holoenzyme and an inactive flavoprotein species, have been obtained in identical buffers between pH 10.7 and 11.5. Physical and chemical characterization of these two protein forms showed that the catalytically active species is a much more compact polypeptide in which one or both of the tryptophanyl residues and the flavin are in a more nonpolar environment. The transition from holoenzyme to the more swollen enzyme form also exposes one cysteinyl and one tyrosyl residue to the medium and destroys the pyridine nucleotide-binding site. Moreover, the swollen enzyme conformation, in contrast to the active enzyme, is attacked by proteolytic enzymes. Prolonged tryptic digestion produced a compact, stable flavin-binding peptide of approximately 10,000 molecular weight. The characterization of the pH dependence and kinetics of the transitions between the two reductase structures suggests that the state of ionization of basic amino acid residues, as well as exposure of the buried cysteinyl and sulfhydryl residues, contribute significantly to the stability of the two species in the alkaline pH region and the observed hysteresis during the cycle of inactivate enzyme formation and regeneration of active reductase. The swollen, inactive conformation is stabilized between pH 8.5 and 10.3 by formation of the mersalyl complex with the additional sulfhydryl group which is reactive in this protein species.
Dual Enrollment, Structural Reform, and the Completion Agenda

This chapter contextualizes and extends the previous chapters by addressing the intertwined issues of structural systems reform and college completion, as well as the role dual enrollment can play in ensuring equitable postsecondary outcomes for underrepresented students.
Examination of the Qβ-Replicase Reaction by Sucrose Gradient and Gel Electrophoresis

Abstract The products of an in vitro synthesis with the Qβ replicase purified from Escherichia coli infected by the ribonucleic acid (RNA) bacteriophage Qβ were examined by sucrose gradient centrifugation and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It was found that, in contrast to sucrose gradients, gel electrophoresis clearly resolved four classes in the newly synthesized RNA. The product was found to contain mature Qβ-RNA and small-molecular-weight RNA. In addition, two species were identified which corresponded to the structures found in vivo by Francke and Hofschneider and by Franklin. All of the participants implicated in RNA replication by in vivo studies have now been synthesized in vitro and isolated from the reaction mixture.
High School Equivalency as Counter-Space.

This chapter is based on the findings of an ethnographic study of an urban General Education Development (GED®) program and suggests that, for some marginalized African American and other young men of color, adult education programs are counter-spaces (Yosso, Ceja, Smith, & Solorzano, 2009) of spatial justice in opposition to previous negative school spaces. The chapter is framed from the perspective of critical race theory.
Dietary fat and sex modify heterozygote effects of the rat fatty (fa) allele.

Rats carrying one copy of the obesity gene fa may exhibit intermediate phenotypes between lean (+/+) and homozygous mutants (fa/fa). Previous data suggested to us that fa heterozygotes may be more sensitive than wild-type rats to high fat diets. To test this hypothesis, we generated +/+ and fa/+ rats and fed them diets containing 12% or 48% energy as fat for 7 wk. Energy efficiency was significantly greater in males than in females and in high fat-fed vs. low fat-fed rats. Perirenal fat pad weights were significantly greater in males than in females, in high fat- vs. low fat-fed rats and in fa/+ vs. +/+ rats. Adipose and soleus plasma membrane calcium-ATPase concentrations were significantly lower in rats fed the high fat diet. This protein was also lower in soleus of fa/+ rats compared with +/+ rats. There were significant diet x genotype interactions such that the high fat diet had the greatest effect on fat pads and calcium-ATPase in fa/+ rats. The results of the present study show heterozygote effects of the fa allele and suggest that these effects may be modulated by both sex-related factors and dietary manipulation.
Joint Attention Responses of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to Simple versus Complex Music

Background Joint attention deficits are viewed as one of the earliest manifestations and most characteristic features of the social deficits in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of simple versus complex music on joint attention of children with ASD. Method Thirty children with a diagnosis of ASD participated in this study. Fifteen of the participants were diagnosed with severe ASD and 15 were diagnosed with mild/moderate ASD. Each participant took part in six, 10-minute individual music conditions (3 simple & 3 complex) over a 3-week period. Each condition was designed to elicit responses to joint attention. Results RESULTS indicated a statistically significant interaction between music modality and functioning level. Therefore, the effect of simple versus complex music was dependent on functioning level. Specifically, the Simple Music Condition was more effective in eliciting Responses to Joint Attention (RJA) for children diagnosed with severe ASD, whereas the Complex Music Condition was more effective in eliciting RJA for children diagnosed with mild/moderate ASD. Conclusions The results of the present study indicate that for children in the severe range of functioning, music that is simple, with clear and predictable pattems, may be most effective in eliciting responses to bids for joint attention. On the contrary, for children in the mild/moderate range of functioning, music that is more complex and variable may be most effective in eliciting responses to bids for joint attention. These results demonstrate that careful manipulation of specific musical elements can help provide the optimal conditions for facilitating joint attention with children with ASD.
Picosecond Structural Dynamics at the Advanced Photon Source

The paradigm “structure determines function” has long been a motivation for X-ray structural studies. However, the understanding of function can go well beyond static pictures with atomic resolution, as one explores the time domain with short-pulse X-rays. The U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory is home to a suite of science techniques and facilities that exploit the short-pulse nature of X-rays to probe structural dynamics in chemical, biological, condensed matter, and atomic/molecular systems.
Testing Interpersonal Deception Theory: The Language of Interpersonal Deception

An analysis of verbal behavior was undertaken to test principles of interpersonal deception theory (IDT). It was predicted that language choice in deceptive messages would reflect strategic attempts to manage information through nonimmediate language. This linguistic profile, though, was expected to be altered in response to preinteractional factors - relational and behavioral familiarity - and interactional factors - form of deception and receiver suspicion. Results from two investigations are reported: a secondary analysis on interactions in an earlier study (Burgoon, Buller, Dillman, & Walther, 1995) and analysis of a primary experiment employing a 2 (relationship) × 2 (receiver expertise) × 2 (receiver suspicion) × 2 (truth/deception) within-subjects factorial design. As expected, senders displayed greater verbal nonimmediacy when deceiving. Expertise had a greater effect on linguistic behavior than a prior relationship with the receiver, with senders using more verbal nonimmediacy with novice receivers. Senders were more verbally nonimmediate when equivocating. Suspicion produced a mixed pattern of linguistic cues. The possibility that changes produced by preinteraction and interactional factors were strategic attempts to bolster credibility is discussed.
Potential Roles of Microglial Cell Progranulin in HIV-Associated CNS Pathologies and Neurocognitive Impairment

Progranulin (PGRN) is a highly unusual molecule with both neuronal and microglial expression with two seemingly unrelated functions, i.e., as a neuronal growth factor and a modulator of neuroinflammation. Haploinsufficiency due to loss of function mutations lead to a fatal presenile dementing illness (frontotemporal lobar degeneration), indicating that adequate expression of PGRN is essential for successful aging. PGRN might be a particularly relevant factor in the pathogenesis of HIV encephalitis (HIVE) and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). We present emerging data and a review of the literature which show that cells of myeloid lineage such as macrophages and microglia are the primary sources of PGRN and that PGRN expression contributes to pathogenesis of CNS diseases. We also present evidence that PGRN is a macrophage antiviral cytokine. For example, PGRN mRNA and protein expression are significantly upregulated in brain specimens with HIVE, and in HIV-infected microglia in vitro. Paradoxically, our preliminary CHARTER data analyses indicate that lower PGRN levels in CSF trended towards an association with HAND, particularly in those without detectable virus. Based upon these findings, we introduce the hypothesis that PGRN plays dual roles in modulating antiviral immunity and neuronal dysfunction in the context of HIV infection. In the presence of active viral replication, PGRN expression is increased functioning as an anti-viral factor as well as a neuroprotectant. In the absence of active HIV replication, ongoing inflammation or other stressors suppress PGRN production from macrophages/microglia contributing to neurocognitive dysfunction. We propose CSF PGRN as a candidate surrogate marker for HAND.
Removal of hardly fermentable ballast from the maize silage to accelerate biogas production

Abstract The removal of hardly fermentable ballast from the maize silage was investigated on a commercial scale to reduce the retention times, volumes of fermentors and associated heating requirements. The technology consisted of the under-hot-water maceration followed by decantation and the double-screw-press to separate the most labile pools of carbon from the ballast organic matter. This procedure minimized the inhibitor formations in the subsequent steam-explosion followed by enzymatic hydrolysis. The hydrolysis products were squeezed out from the lignocellulose ballast by the rotary dewatering press, fused with liquids previously obtained and anaerobically fermented providing 316.7 m 3 CH 4 VS t −1 in 200 h. The rigid briquettes from the ballast at the rotary dewatering press were charcoaled (27.506 MJ kg −1 ). All the technology was designed to run on the waste heat from the flue gases (490 °C) at the cogeneration unit linked to the 1 MW ep biogas station.
Long recovery of the lower ionosphere from the quasi-electrostatic effects of cloud-tog-round lightning

Early VLF events with a long recovery time on the order of tens of minutes have been studied by several recent works [Cotts and Inan, GRL, 34, L14809, 2007; Haldoupis et al., JGR, 39, L16801, 2012; Salut et al., JGR, 117, A08311, 2012]. It has been suggested that the long recovery is caused by long-lasting conductivity perturbations in the lower ionosphere, which can be created by sprites/sprite halos triggered by cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning [Moore et al., JGR, 108, 1363, 2003; Haldoupis et al., 2012].We recently developed a two-dimensional fluid model with simplified ionospheric chemistry for studying sprite halos [Liu, JGR, 117, A03308, 2012]. The model chemistry captures major ion species and reactions in the lower ionosphere. The simulation results on sprite halos caused by positive CG lightning indicated when the electron detachment process from O- ions is included, electron density may grow even at subbreakdown conditions and the sprite halo front can descend to a lower altitude than previously thought. In this talk, we present the simulation results on the dynamics of sprite halos caused by negative CG lightning. For the halos caused by positive CG, their ionization fronts typically become very sharp as they descend downward, so simulations may suffer from numerical instability eventually [Liu, 2012]. However, the ionization front of a negative halo caused by lightning of similar strength is smoother, and the model can simulate the entire lifetime of the ionospheric perturbations. We show the modeling results on the ionospheric perturbations created by the negative halo and discuss how the ionosphere recovers to its original state.
An analytical method for constructing a probabilistic model of a wind farm

This paper introduces a new method to model the output power of wind farms in reliability evaluation. The proposed model is presented in terms of capacity outage probability table (COPT) considering the mechanical failure of wind turbine generators (WTG) and the correlation between the outputs of turbines on the same farm. Normal convolution methods are not applicable because the correlation between the turbines. Based on the proposed model, the COPT of wind farm has been constructed and applied on the IEEE RTS-79 to calculate the well known reliability indices. Furthermore, a comparison of the reliability indices with and without considering the mechanical failures of WTG is shown. The results indicate the importance of inclusion WTG mechanical availability in estimating reliability of wind power. The results were validated using Monte Carlo simulation. The proposed model reduces the complexity of using analytical methods, and provides accuracy for the estimation of reliability indices.
Analysis on Wind-Induced Vibration Dynamic Responses of Transmission Tower-Line System

Tower-line system of overhead transmission line are sensitive to wind. Therefore, dynamic effect of wind load should be taken into consideration, for instance, wind-induced vibration coefficient. There might be some errors in the calculation of the coefficient in accordance with ‘Load code for the design of building structures’, for its ignoring the irregular figure, scattered masses and coupling effect of tower-line system. Tower-line system is set up in virtual environment, with tower-line coupling considered, and research wind-induced vibration dynamic responses under Davenport wind speed spectrum. Random vibration theory was applied to calculate the coefficient. Whole tower was divided by hight, and calculated segment’s the wind-induced vibration coefficient seprately. Compare the coefficient from Load Code and random vibration theory, the latter with tower-line coupling effect and tower figure considered, is close to the actual.
Estimation of mean left atrial pressure from transesophageal pulsed doppler echocardiography of pulmonary venous flow

To determine whether pulmonary venous flow and mitral inflow measured by transesophageal pulsed Doppler echocardiography can be used to estimate mean left atrial pressure (LAP), we prospectively studied 47 consecutive patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. We correlated Doppler variables of pulmonary venous flow and mitral inflow with simultaneously obtained mean LAP and changes in pressure measured by left atrial or pulmonary artery catheters. Among the pulmonary venous flow variables, the systolic fraction (i.e., the systolic velocity-time integral expressed as a fraction of the sum of systolic and early diastolic velocity-time integrals) correlated most strongly with mean LAP (r = -0.88). Of the mitral inflow variables, the ratio of peak early diastolic to peak late diastolic mitral flow velocity correlated most strongly with mean LAP (r = 0.43), but this correlation was not as strong as that with the systolic fraction of pulmonary venous flow. Similarly, changes in the systolic fraction correlated more strongly with changes in mean LAP (r = -0.78) than did changes in the ratio of peak early diastolic to peak late diastolic mitral inflow velocity (r = 0.68). We conclude that in the surgical setting observed, pulmonary venous flow from transesophageal pulsed Doppler echocardiography can be used to estimate mean LAP. This technique may provide a rapid, simple, and relatively noninvasive means of gauging this variable in patients undergoing intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography.
Desiccation in the black dragon,Hagenius brevistylus Selys

Hagenius brevistylus lost mass by evaporation in a moderately desiccating environment at the rate of 20.4 mg h−1, and died of desiccation in less than 1 day at a body mass of 79.8% of their normally hydrated mass. It was estimated thatHagenius minimally would have to consume the equivalent of 60% of its body mass each day to meet its daily water requirements. This amount of food is equivalent to that necessary to power flight of a dragonfly for 4.6h.
Optical Constants of Electrodeposited Mixed Molybdenum−Tungsten Oxide Films Determined by Variable-Angle Spectroscopic Ellipsometry

Mixed molybdenum−tungsten oxides of varying stoichiometry (MoxW1-xO3, 0 < x < 1) prepared by cathodic electrodeposition from aqueous peroxo-polymolybdotungstate solutions on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates were evaluated by variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry (VASE) and transmission measurements from 200 to 1000 nm (1.24−6.2 eV). A Tauc−Lorentz dispersion model was used to determine the real and imaginary components of the complex refractive index for MoxW1-xO3 films as a function of Mo fraction. The optical band gaps were also estimated from Tauc plots. The refractive index increased (2.07−2.20 at 800 nm) while the optical band gap decreased (3.38−2.95 eV) in a linear fashion for MoxW1-xO3 films with increasing Mo fraction. These trends correlate chiefly with Mo-doping-induced changes in film structure and grain size as supported by X-ray diffraction measurements.
Bivariate Binary Data Analysis with Nonignorably Missing Outcomes

One of the objectives in the Northern Manhattan Stroke Study is to investigate the impact of stroke subtype on the functional status 2 years after the first ischemic stroke. A challenge in this analysis is that the functional status at 2 years after stroke is not completely observed. In this paper, we propose a method to handle nonignorably missing binary functional status when the baseline value and the covariates are completely observed. The proposed method consists of fitting four separate binary regression models: for the baseline outcome, the outcome 2 years after the stroke, the product of the previous two, and finally, the missingness indicator. We then conduct a sensitivity analysis by varying the assumptions about the third and the fourth binary regression models. Our method belongs to an imputation paradigm and can be an alternative to the weighting method of Rotnitzky and Robins (1997, Statistics in Medicine 16, 81-102). A jackknife variance estimate is proposed for the variance of the resulting estimate. The proposed analysis can be implemented using statistical software such as SAS.
Current practices in management information systems

Abstract The results of a nationwide survey of U.S. systems analysts chosen from firms listed in Standard and Poor's Register of Corporations, Directors, and Executives are presented. Respondents are highly experienced analysts who work with large-scale information systems projects in mature IS environments. Technical, organizational, and intrinsic facets of the information systems development process are assessed. Findings of the study indicate that while these facets of the development process are changing, the changes are not occurring as rapidly as the literature often suggests. Systems flowcharts continue to be the most widely used systems development tool. Relatively newer products such as CASE tools are used by over one-half of analysts, yet their benefits are not being fully exploited.
1263 THE INFLUENCE OF VITAMIN E ON OXYGEN-INDUCED LUNG INJURE AND DYSFUNCTION IN THE NEONATAL RAT

1263 THE INFLUENCE OF VITAMIN E ON OXYGEN-INDUCED LUNG INJURE AND DYSFUNCTION IN THE NEONATAL RAT
A complement response may activate metamorphosis in the ascidian Boltenia villosa

Ascidian metamorphosis transforms a free-swimming larval chordate ascidian into a sessile adult through a distinct series of metamorphic events. Initially, larvae must become competent to respond to settlement cues. Settlement is then marked by dramatic body plan remodeling and may be accompanied by attachment to the substrate. Subtractive hybridization has revealed that many innate immunity transcripts are upregulated during metamorphosis in the ascidian Boltenia villosa. Several of these genes have well-known roles in the mannose-binding lectin (MBL)-complement pathway of innate immunity, including MBL and MBL-activated serine protease (MASP). MBL recognizes and binds to bacterial pathogens, activates MASP, and triggers the complement cascade. In B. villosa, larvae upregulate BvMASP at the time of competency to initiate settlement. We show that several bacterial strains can induce settlement and that the timing of BvMASP expression in the papillae-associated tissue (PAT) cells is tightly correlated with larval competency. We further demonstrate that serine protease inhibitors used to block the complement response also block metamorphosis, allowing tail resorption, but preventing further morphological changes. Based on these experiments, we propose that the MBL-complement pathway may be important for competency, bacterial substrate detection and body plan remodeling during metamorphosis.
Fault Analysis of Communication Network Based on Combined Rules of Fault-Tree and Code Book

In order to find the fault root cause for power communication network alarms, it uses the fault analysis rules base which based on the method rules’ combination of fault-alarm event tree and code book, and also combines the gradual accumulated troubleshooting case base to achieve the intelligent analysis and processing of faults. This fault analysis technique, which combined the rules and cases, has improved the troubleshooting level of the power communication network.
Stochastic modelling of chemical engineering systems. Application of the generalized master equation to the bubble population in a bubbling fluidized bed

Abstract The master equation is a stochastic population balance, applicable to most systems composed of discrete entities. More often than not, the solution of the master equation is extremely difficult, if not impossible; thus a rational approximation scheme based on a power series expansion in terms of the inverse volume can be introduced. This enables us to derive equations for means, covariances and correlation functions of the random variables, each representing the number of entities of one type in the system. In this paper, the generalized master equation is applied to model the bubble population in a bubbling fluidized bed. The random variables are the numbers of bubbles of different sizes in various compartments. The fluctuations in the total surface area of the bubble phase are also studied by deriving expressions for the mean, covariance and correlation function.
Multinational transfer pricing: A transaction cost and resource based view

Transfer pricing stands at the heart of a MNE management control system. We review the theories of TCE and RBV and develop antecedents and consequences of transfer prices based on these theories. We propose viewing transfer pricing decisions through a TCE and RBV value chain framework. We review a sample of transfer pricing literature based on this theoretical perspective and show how it fits within our framework. Our framework suggests that setting transfer pricing policy is indeed a complex problem that includes many factors and has many consequences, some of which may be at odds with each other. We give some suggestions for future research based on this framework.
Slag as evidence for early iron production in arctic Norway

Physical, structural and chemical analyses were made on slag remains obtained from three sites in Iron Age arctic Norway. Scanning electron microscopy and x‐ray microanalysis were employed to confirm that the slag can only be a result of iron production. Although a distinction between slag produced by smithing and smelting proved difficult, consideration of the processes and the resources available support the assumption that both were practiced at the sites. The results provide firm evidence of iron production in the region of Norway north of the 69th parallel, by at least the sixth century AD.
Realization of High Mode Confinement in Nanometer Thin Low-Index Media by Multiple Stacked Slot Waveguides

A multiple stacked slot waveguide structure is proposed for realizing high optical mode confinement in nanometer thin low-index media. A 45% confinement factor has been achieved in 250nm wide and 5nm thin multiple low-index layers.
Prenatal ethanol exposure decreases hippocampal 3H-glutamate binding in 45-day-old rats.

The effect of prenatal ethanol exposure on putative glutamate receptor binding sites in rat brain was studied using radiohistochemical techniques. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a liquid diet containing either 3% or 6% (vol./vol.) ethanol throughout gestation. Pair-fed dams received isocalorically matched liquid diets and a lab chow ad lib group served as control for paired feeding. At 45 days of age, the offspring were sacrificed and their brains analyzed by in vitro 3H-glutamate autoradiography. Compared to pair-fed controls, specific 3H-glutamate binding was reduced by 49–53% in regions of the dorsal hippocampal formation of 45-day-old rats whose mothers consumed either 3% or 6% ethanol diets. Specific 3H-glutamate binding was decreased also in the ventral hippocampal formation, entorhinal and posterior neocortex, but to a less consistent degree and magnitude than in dorsal hippocampal formation of fetal alcohol rats. The reduction in hippocampal 3H-glutamate binding 45 days after prenatal ethanol exposure suggests a long-lasting net decrease in glutamate-mediated excitatory neurotransmission within the hippocampal formation of fetal alcohol rats. This glutamate receptor binding site alteration may be one factor contributing to a decrease in long-term potentiation of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in fetal alcohol rats. In addition, this alteration may underlie learning and other behavioral deficits associated with functional defects of the hippocampal formation.
On vector partition functions

Abstract We present a structure theorem for vector partition functions. The proof rests on a formula due to Peter McMullen for counting lattice points in rational convex polytopes.
Becoming a Teacher: The Development of Preservice Teacher Perspectives

(1988). Becoming a Teacher: The Development of Preservice Teacher Perspectives. Action in Teacher Education: Vol. 10, Open Theme, pp. 101-109.
Structural Characterization of Built-Up Timber Columns

The use of novel built-up columns as structural members is investigated. The columns are fabricated from dimensional timber and connected with mechanically applied adhesive, using a proprietary system. An extensive test program was carried out on full-scale built-up timber columns. Axial, flexural, and squash load tests, intended to characterize the service and ultimate behaviors of the columns, are reported. The results of the test program are compared with standard calculations of allowable design capacities for non-built-up timber columns. It is concluded that the built-up columns tested may be safely designed using the same methods as are used for solid timber columns that use the material properties of the constituent timbers. This results in a significant advantage in load-carrying capacity of the built-up sections over solid sections for columns having dimensions greater than 127 × 127 mm (5 × 5 in.).
Learning features and their transformations from natural videos

Learning features invariant to arbitrary transformations in the data is a requirement for any recognition system, biological or artificial. It is now widely accepted that simple cells in the primary visual cortex respond to features while the complex cells respond to features invariant to different transformations. We present a novel two-layered feedforward neural model that learns features in the first layer by spatial spherical clustering and invariance to transformations in the second layer by temporal spherical clustering. Learning occurs in an online and unsupervised manner following the Hebbian rule. When exposed to natural videos acquired by a camera mounted on a cat's head, the first and second layer neurons in our model develop simple and complex cell-like receptive field properties. The model can predict by learning lateral connections among the first layer neurons. A topographic map to their spatial features emerges by exponentially decaying the flow of activation with distance from one neuron to another in the first layer that fire in close temporal proximity, thereby minimizing the pooling length in an online manner simultaneously with feature learning.
Optic gliomas of the anterior visual pathway.

Purpose of review To review advances in the diagnosis and management of optic-pathway gliomas made within the past 5 years. Recent findings Important papers regarding optic-pathway gliomas have been published recently in the following areas: neuroimaging, natural history and how the presence of neurofibromatosis type 1 affects it, unusual presentations, visual prognosis, and treatment with fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy. Summary The diagnosis and treatment of optic-pathway gliomas has been aided greatly by a greater understanding of the natural history of these tumors and their prognosis related to the presence of neurofibromatosis type 1. Advances in magnetic resonance imaging are helping to delineate tumor extent. Newer radiation techniques that spare surrounding tissues are being used to treat optic-pathway gliomas, but chemotherapy has become the first-line treatment modality.
Alkinmetathese als neues Synthesewerkzeug: ringschließend, ringöffnend und acyclisch

Konzeptionell und mechanistisch (!) ist die Metathese disubstituierter Alkine in Gegenwart eines Molybdan- oder Wolframkatalysators (siehe Schema) mit der Olefinmetathese verwandt. Durch geschickte Reaktionsfuhrung und sorgfaltige Wahl der Substrate konnen nun auch durch die Alkinmetathese Ringe geoffnet und geschlossen sowie hochmolekulare Polymere hergestellt werden.
Differential biotransformation of dynorphin A(1–17) and dynorphin A(1–13) peptides in human blood, ex vivo

The biotransformation in human blood in vitro of three dynorphin A (Dyn A) peptides was studied by matrix assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry to determine whether the natural peptide, Dyn A(1-17), is biotransformed differently from Dyn A (1-13), the natural sequence shortened form used in numerous neurobiological and pharmacological studies. In addition to studies of Dyn A(1-17), a natural product from prodynorphin and Dyn A(1-13), a natural sequence truncation of Dyn A(1-17), Dyn A(1-10)amide, a synthetic analogue of Dyn A(1-17) presumed to be protected from rapid biotransformation was also studied Synthetic Dyn A peptides were incubated in freshly drawn blood for various periods of time prior to mass spectrometric analysis. Several peptide products were identified from each precursor; the time profiles of appearance and disappearance of the major products were followed. Substantial differences in products and especially in the rate of biotransformation were observed between the processing of Dyn A(1-17) and the two shorter Dyn A peptides, Dyn A(1-13) and Dyn A(1-10)amide. Significant amounts of the natural Dyn A(1-17) survived 4 h of incubation (half-life 3 h). Dyn A (2-17), a major processed product of Dyn A(1-17) in blood, continued to accumulate during the 4-h incubation period. By contrast, both Dyn A(1-13) and Dyn A(1-10) amide were biotransformed very rapidly with half-lives of < 1 min and 10 min, respectively. Most of the products from these two peptide precursors were also further processed rapidly, with the exception of Dyn A(4-12) and Dyn A(4-10)amide, which were detected for over 2 h. Dyn A(1-6) was found as a minor biotransformation product from all three precursor peptides. These findings suggest that an important function of the four C-terminal amino acid residues of the natural form, Dyn A(1-17) [compared to Dyn A(1-13)], is to stabilize or protect the peptide from biotransformation by enzymes, by preserving a natural hairpin structure possibly near the carboxyl-terminus.
Phenylbutazone ionization kinetics.

Abstract Phenylbutazone has been associated with bioavailability problems and has shown nonclassical behavior in phase‐transport studies. This nonclassical behavior has been attributed, in part, to the fact that phenylbutazone, as a carbon acid, undergoes noninstantaneous ionization kinetics. Instantaneous reaction is an assumption made in many diffusion‐limited transport models involving a simultaneous ionization reaction. The ionization kinetics of phenylbutazone were determined at an ionic strength of 0.1 and 25° using a stopped‐flow spectrophotometer. A log R obs versus pH profile for the approach to the ionization equilibrium was determined, and a mechanism consistent with the profile was postulated. The percent enol versus the diketo form of phenylbutazone acid as well as pKa enol and pKa diketo was kinetically calculated. The protonation reaction was highly catalyzed by general acids while the deprotonation reaction was highly catalyzed by general bases. The general acid, water, was a poor proton donor to the anionic form (the so‐called mesomeric anion) of phenylbutazone.
Indian Audience Interpretations of Health-Related Content in the Bold and the Beautiful

This article explores the meanings given by Indian viewers to a series of health-related episodes dealing with ‘Tony’s HIV’ in the Hollywood television soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful. Forty-two respondents in six focus group interviews and in 17 in-depth personal interviews were asked for their interpretations of this television health content. Indian respondents interpreted the sexual explicitness and the assertiveness of female characters as characteristic of the US, but not as a part of Indian reality. The sexual openness in The Bold and the Beautiful ‘shocked’ Indian viewers, and led some to watch the episodes only in private. Indian respondents generally had positive reactions to the ‘Tony’s HIV’ episodes, although they felt that self-disclosure of HIV/AIDS status could not happen in India, where HIV/AIDS is highly stigmatized. In general, Indian respondents felt that ‘Tony’s HIV’ showed an ideal situation regarding HIV/AIDS, but one that was far removed from Indian reality.
Bacterial lipopolysaccharide-induced coordinate downregulation of arginine vasopressin receptor V3 and corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 messenger ribonucleic acids in the anterior pituitary of endotoxemic steers.

AVP and CRF are potent stimulators of pituitary ACTH secretion in cattle. Actions of AVP and CRF at the anterior pituitary are mediated by AVP receptor V3 (V3) and CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1). The primary objective of these studies was to determine the effect of systemic inflammatory stress on V3 and CRFR1 mRNAs in the bovine anterior pituitary. Holstein steers (n=20) were injected with 200 ng/kg bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tissues collected 0, 2, 4, 12, and 24 h later. All animals responded to LPS administration with an increase in body temperature, plasma ACTH, and cortisol (p<0.05). Abundance of anterior pituitary V3 mRNA was decreased at 2, 4, and 12 h following LPS administration (p<0.05) and returned to basal by 24 h. A similar temporal regulation of pituitary CRFR1 mRNA (p<0.05), but not pituitary pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA, was observed following LPS administration. Similar downregulation of CRFR1 mRNA was not observed in other brain regions following LPS administration (cerebellum, hypothalamus). Our results indicate that V3 and CRFR1 mRNAs are coordinately downregulated in the anterior pituitary during systemic inflammatory stress. Decreased AVP and CRF receptor expression may help regulate the pituitary-adrenal response to stress.
Estimation of vital rates by means of Monte Carlo simulation.

Monte Carlo simulation has been used to estimate age-specific fertility and mortality rates for a small population,the French-derived isolate of Northside on St. Thomas, U. S. Virgin Islands. Estimates were based on data collected in a household census and genealogical survey and on birth, death, and marriage records for the years 1916to 1966. During this 50-year period (in which the population size increased from 202 to 657), the numbers of births and deaths were too, small to estimate age-specific rates directly, and in addition, death registration was incomplete. Mortality rates were estimated using a simulation program in which mortality was the only stochastic variable. A model mortality schedule was chosen which most accurately reproduced the growth pattern of the population over the 50-year period. To estimate fertility rates, a more complex simulation model was used in which fertility, nuptiality, and mortality were random variables with probability distributions. Preliminary estimates of fertility were made from the birth records and used as input to this simulation program. Birth probabilities were adjusted empirically from one set of simulation runs to the next, until population growth rates, as well as other demographic characteristics, were similar in the real and simulated populations. The birth rates which produced the best fit to the real population data were taken as the estimated age-specific fertility schedule. To reproduce the real population age structure more closely, secular changes in birth probabilities were applied.
Replication patterns of three isodicentric X chromosomes and an X isochromosome in human lymphocytes.

Chromosomes from four patients with variants of the Turner syndrome were investigated by G- and C- banding and DNA replication techniques. Their karyotypes were: 1) 46,X,idic(X)(q28), 2) 45,X/46,X,idic(X)(q24), 3)45,X/ 46,X,idic(X)(p11), and 4) 46,X,i(Xq). In Patients 1, 2, and 3, the abnormal X was isodicentric, with different break-and-fusion points in each case. In each, the G-band pattern on one side of the breakpoint was a mirror image of that on the other side. Each had two distinct C-bands, only one of which was associated with a primary constriction. The fourth patient had an isochromosome of the long arm of an X in which only one C-band could be discerned. Replication studies were done on lymphocyte cultures by incorporating a thymidine analogue and staining with acridine orange. In addition, replication patterns of normal early- and late-replicating X chromosomes were studied in two normal females. In the four patients, all the normal X chromosomes had normal early-replication patterns. The two idic(X) chromosomes with break-and-fusion points on their long arms almost always had symmetric replication patterns, which demonstrates that the corresponding bands replicated synchronously. In contrast, many of the idic(X)(p11) and i(Xq) chromosomes showed asymmetric or asynchronous replication. In each, the replication pattern of the abnormal X was similar to the equivalent portions of a normal late-replicating X.
Silicon Isotopic Composition in Large Meteoritic SiC Particles and 22Na Origin of 22Ne.

Large SiC particles extracted from acid-insoluble residues of carbonaceous chondrites are isotopically anomalous in both silicon and carbon and contain isotopically extreme noble gases. These particles are thought to have originated in mass outflows from red giant stars and to have existed in the interstellar medium at the time the solar system formed from an interstellar cloud. Calculations show that the silicon isotope correlations in those large SiC particles can be generated only in the most massive carbon stars. Consequently, the almost pure Ne-22 in those particles must be interpreted as the condensation of radioactive Na-22 in the particles as they flowed away from the stars. The Na-22 is produced through proton capture by Ne-21 at the base of the surface convection zone. Ne-22 does not exist abundantly in helium shells hot enough to burn magnesium, which is necessary to establish the measured silicon isotopic composition.
Visualization of three-dimensional pore morphologies in a high-pressure die-cast Mg–Al–RE alloy

Reconstruction and visualization of three-dimensional (3-D) pores are of interest for understanding microstructure–properties relationships in cast Mg-alloys. In this contribution, a montage serial sectioning technique is applied to reconstruct a large volume of the 3-D microstructure of a new high-pressure die-cast AE44 Mg-alloy at a high resolution. The 3-D reconstruction reveals that the shapes and morphologies of the gas pores in the AE44 alloy are substantially different from those in other important cast Mg-alloys, which may partly account for the AE44 alloy’s superior properties.