cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Meta-analysis shows that overabundant deer (Cervidae) populations consistently decrease average population abundance and species richness of forest birds

Local-scale studies have shown that an overabundance of Cervidae species (deer, elk, moose) impacts forest bird communities. Through meta-analysis, we provide a generalized estimate of the overall direction and magnitude of the indirect effects overabundant cervids have on avian species. We conducted 2 distinct meta-analyses that synthesized data on 130 bird species collected from 17 publications. These analyses compared bird species' population abundance and/ or species richness at sites with overabundant cervids to sites with lower cervid abundance or without cervids. We evaluated whether the impacts of overabundant cervids are generally in the same direction (positive, negative) across avian species and locations and if effects vary in magnitude according to avian nesting location and foraging habitat. We found that where cervids were overabundant, there was a significant decrease in mean bird population abundance and species richness. Species that nest in trees, shrubs, and on the ground showed the largest decreases in abundance, as did species whose primary habitat is forest and open woodland and species that are primarily insectivores or omnivores. We did not find significant decreases in abundance for avian species that nest in cavities, whose primary habitat is grassland or scrub, nor for species that mainly eat seeds. Our results indicate that overabundant cervids, likely through their direct effects on vegetation and indirect effects on insects and forest birds, negatively impact individual bird populations and decrease overall avian species richness. LAY SUMMARY Local-scale studies suggest that when cervid species (deer, elk, moose) are overabundant, forest bird populations and communities are negatively impacted. We synthesized data from 17 publications to provide a global summary of the average impacts that overabundant cervids have on bird species abundance and richness. Forest bird abundance and richness decline where cervid species are overabundant, likely because they alter vegetation that birds use as components of habitat and the resources that vegetation provides birds. The highest magnitude abundance declines are seen in populations of tree, shrub, and ground-nesting avian species, species whose primary habitat is forest and open woodland, and species that are insectivores or omnivores. Our results suggest that, to maintain forest bird biodiversity, wildlife and land managers should consider actions to keep cervid species from becoming overabundant or reduce populations where they are already overabundant.
The Death of a Child and Parents' Psychological Distress in Mid to Later Life: Racial/Ethnic Differences in Exposure and Vulnerability.

Objectives This study considered whether experiencing the death of a child is associated with subsequent psychological distress in older populations, as well as variation in both exposure and vulnerability to the death of a child among Black, Hispanic, and White older parents. Methods We used multilevel models to link the death of a child with subsequent distress for 9,763 non-Hispanic White, 2,496 non-Hispanic Black, 1,014 foreign-born Hispanic, and 712 U.S.-born Hispanic parents from the Health and Retirement Study, 2006-2016. Results The death of a child is associated with increased psychological distress in mid to later life for Black, White, and Hispanic parents, with greater vulnerability for foreign-born Hispanic parents. Notably, Black and U.S.-born Hispanic parents are disadvantaged because of the additive effects of their greater exposure to bereavement and their higher distress levels regardless of bereavement status. These effects persist net of additional stressors associated with race/ethnicity. Discussion The death of a child is a traumatic life course event associated with lasting psychological distress for aging parents. Black and U.S.-born Hispanic parents are disadvantaged in that they are more likely than White parents to experience the death of a child, and foreign-born Hispanic parents may be disadvantaged by greater vulnerability to distress following child death.
SU-E-T-749: Thorough Calibration of MOSFET Dosimeters

Purpose: To improve the accuracy of the MOSFET calibration procedure by performing the measurement several times and calculating the average value of the calibration factor for various photon and electron energies. Methods: The output of three photon and six electron beams of Varian Trilogy linear accelerator SN 5878 was calibrated. Five reinforced standard sensitivity MOSFET dosimeters were placed in the calibration jig and connected to the Reader Module. As the backscatter material was used 7 cm of Virtual Water. The MOSFET dosimeters were covered with 1.5 cm thick bolus for the regular and SRS 6 MV beams, 3 cm bolus for 15 MV beam, 1.5 cm bolus for 6 MeV electron beam, and 2 cm bolus for the electron energies of 9, 12, 15, 18, and 22 MeV. The dosimeters were exposed to 100 MU, and the calibration factor was determined using the mobileMOSFET software. To improve the accuracy of calibration, this procedure was repeated ten times and the calibration factors were averaged. Results: As the number of calibrations was increasing the variability of calibration factors of different dosimeters was decreasing. After ten calibrations, the calibration factors for all five dosimeters were within 1% of one another for all energies, except 6 MV SRS photons and 6 MeV electrons, for which the variability was 2%. Conclusions: The described process results in calibration factors which are almost independent of modality or energy. Once calibrated, the dosimeters may be used for in-vivo dosimetry or for daily verification of the beam output. Measurement of the radiation dose under bolus and scatter to the eye are examples of frequent use of calibrated MOSFET dosimeters. The calibration factor determined for full build-up is used under these circumstances. To the best of our knowledge, such thorough procedure for calibrating MOSFET dosimeters has not been reported previously. Best Medical Canada provided MOSFET dosimeters for this project.
Geriatric Radiology A Proto-Manifesto

Since 1995, a salient development in Radiology has been the emergence and growth of subspecialization as a defining organizational principle for the distribution of work and expertise. At that time, 18 years ago, more than 80 % of recent graduating residents opted to continue their radiologic education in a fellowship program. Today in the last survey we undertook of the 300 senior residents taking our annual board review course, 94 % of them will spend a year (for some even two) gaining knowledge and skill in one of the well-defined distinctive concentration areas of diagnostic imaging. About one half of them will be enrolled in an ACGME-sponsored program-all of those in IR, Neuro and Pediatrics—and a few in Abdominal radiology and MSK-while the rest will be in an unregulated non-ACGME fellowship including most abdominal and MSK programs and all MR and Breast subspecialty trainings, too.
Blind source recovery using an adaptive generalized Gaussian score function

The paper discusses blind source recovery (BSR) of minimum phase and non-minimum phase mixtures of multiple source distributions using an adaptive score function. This proposed parametric score function is derived from the generalized Gaussian distribution model. An adaptive algorithm to determine the tuning parameter for the proposed score function using batch kurtosis of the BSR output is also presented. The primary advantage of the proposed framework is that it renders the adaptive estimation of the demixing network to be completely blind. No a priori information about the distribution structure of the original sources is required. Simulation examples verifying the proposed framework are also presented.
Image restoration by inhomogeneous G-M field modeling and adaptive Kalman filtering

An inhomogeneous Gauss-Markov (G-M) model of the image field is used to enhance the visual quality of the restored image by Kalman filtering in the spatial domain. In the corresponding Kalman filter, the transition matrix in the predicting part is no longer a constant matrix as it was in previous homogeneous G-M modeling. Instead, it becomes a function of the spatial coordinates as well as the edge running parameter /spl theta/. The optimal estimate is a weighted sum of several Kalman filter estimates with each Kalman filter operating in parallel with a separate known value of /spl theta/. The experimental results are compared with those obtained in the homogeneous G-M modeling. >
Access to periodicals holdings information

AbstractProviding users with a single source of information about all periodical titles available, regardless of source or format, is a high priority in many libraries. This article describes a project to extend the standard MARC-based library catalog with links to periodical titles available from full-text aggregators. The project developed a process for creating and maintaining brief bibliographic records for these non-traditional periodical titles; it features automated record creation and maintenance, and makes use of innovative local MARC tag definitions. This article also discusses a method to access this information at the point of need from within citation databases.
Computed Tomographic Imaging of Anomalous Coronary Arteries

To the Editor: Ropers et al1 present a series of images demonstrating that the proximal course of anomalous left main and left anterior descending coronary arteries originating from the right sinus of Valsalva can be visualized by electron beam computed tomography. We are writing to communicate that more widely available, retrospectively gated multislice computed tomography (MSCT) of the heart2 can be used to similar effect. For example, we recently examined a 34-year-old hypertensive smoker who was referred for evaluation of atypical chest pain …
Completely resected recurrent soft tissue sarcoma ; primary anatomic site governs outcomes

Abstract BACKGROUND: We define the natural history and influence of primary anatomic site for completely resected locally recurrent soft tissue sarcoma (STS) without distant metastasis. STUDY DESIGN: We selected 290 patients having at least one local recurrence (LR) after complete resection of primary STS (all sites) between 1982 and 1999. Of these, 239 patients had complete resection of their first LR: 161 extremity-trunk and 78 retroperitoneal-head and neck-visceral-thoracic sarcomas. Study end points included second local recurrence-free survival, distant recurrence-free survival, and disease-specific survival, estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using a log-rank test and Cox's proportional hazards model for extremity-trunk and retroperitoneal (RP; n=39) tumor sites only. RESULTS: Median followup was 82 months. Complete gross resection rates declined with each subsequent recurrence. Primary tumor site (extremity-trunk: relative risk [RR] 0.74, confidence interval [CI] 0.57 to 0.96, p=0.03) and microscopic resection margin (negative: RR 0.80, CI 0.62 to 0.99, p=0.04) independently predicted subsequent local control. Extremity-trunk site and high tumor grade were significant independent predictors of distant disease relapse after complete resection of LR. Site also had a notable influence on disease-specific survival: RP recurrence was associated with 1.4 times increased risk of tumor-related mortality (p = 0.02; 5-year disease-specific survival: extremity-trunk 70% versus RP 57%). High tumor grade was the most marked predictor of tumor-related mortality (RR 1.66, CI 1.28 to 2.18, p CONCLUSIONS: Site governs local control, distant recurrence-free and disease-specific survival for completely resected locally recurrent sarcoma without metastasis. Distant disease relapse determines outcomes for recurrent extremity-trunk STS, and local recurrence is the determinant of tumor-related death in the RP.
Diffusion-drift modeling of carbon-based nanowire FETs

Continuum models of transport in carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoribbons are created by treating the charge flow in the carbon layers in a 2D diffusion-drift approximation. A crucial element of the treatment is the electron equation of state that allows the effects of confinement and chirality to be represented. To model nanowire devices, the transport layer is embedded within a 3D structure and coupled to the electrostatics. This is illustrated with applications to carbon-based nanowire field-effect transistors of varying designs.
Answering Developmental Questions Using Secondary Data

Secondary data analysis of large longitudinal and national data sets is a standard method used in many social sciences to answer complex questions regarding behavior. In this article, we detail the advantages of using these data sets to study developmental questions across the lifespan. First, we provide an overview of how using secondary data can increase studies' scientific integrity. Then, we detail where and how data sets can be obtained that answer specific questions. Finally, we discuss methodological issues related to using longitudinal, population data sets. These data sets can enhance science and test theories by increasing the rigor and generalizability of research to the general population, making secondary data analysis an important method to consider.
Probabilistic diagnosis in wafer-scale systems

Studies fault diagnosis based on a realistic probabilistic model for wafer-scale multiprocessor systems. In this model, an individual processor fails independently with probability p. The authors use a comparison testing approach. The testing is performed in multiple stages by the processors. They assume that different testing tasks are executed in different stages, and the coverage of each testing task is imperfect and is represented by a parameter c/sub v/. Imperfect coverage can be used to model intermittent faults where individual test may be incapable of detecting a fault. The authors present an efficient distributed self-diagnosis algorithm that probabilistically identifies faulty and fault free units. They show that our algorithm achieves very high accuracy even when the system is sparsely interconnected, and a large number of faulty units are present in the system. >
Neoadjuvant twice daily chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer: Treatment-related mortality and long-term outcomes

Abstract Objective Because of the short potential doubling time of esophageal cancer, there is a theoretical benefit to using an accelerated radiation treatment schedule. This study evaluates outcomes and treatment-related mortality and morbidity of patients treated with neoadjuvant hyperfractionated accelerated chemoradiation for resectable esophageal cancer. Methods and materials Outcomes from 250 consecutive patients with resectable esophageal cancer treated with preoperative hyperfractionated accelerated chemoradiotherapy (45 Gy in 30 twice-daily fractions over 3 weeks) followed by planned transhiatal esophagectomy were analyzed. Grade 3 or greater treatment related toxicity, surgical complications, and treatment-related mortality were determined. Additionally, available surgical specimens were graded for pathological response to chemoradiation. Overall survival (OS) and locoregional control were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The log rank test was used to determine statistical significance. Results Median follow-up was 59 months for surviving patients; 87% of patients had adenocarcinoma and 13% had squamous cell carcinoma. Eleven percent of patients did not have surgery because of the development of metastases, declining performance status, or refusal. Twenty-seven patients were found to have unresectable and/or metastatic disease at the time of surgery. Overall, 10 of 223 operated patients died within 3 months, resulting in a perioperative mortality rate of 4%. Median OS was 28.4 months (95% confidence interval, 22.3-35.6 months) for all patients and 35.1 months (95% confidence interval, 27.4-47 months) for patients who underwent esophagectomy. There were 32 isolated locoregional failures with a 3-year locoregional control rate of 83%. Of 129 patients who had independent pathology review, 29% had complete response to treatment. This group had a median OS of 98.9 months and 3-year OS of 74%. Conclusion Neoadjuvant twice-daily chemoradiation for esophageal cancer is a safe and effective alternative to daily fractionation with low treatment-related mortality and long-term outcomes similar to standard fractionation courses.
Human lymphoblastoid cell lines of B- and T-cell origin: Different responses to infection with vesicular stomatitis virus

Abstract Human lymphoblastoid cell lines of B- or T-cell origin were infected with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) at a multiplicity of infection of 10 plaque-forming units (PFU)/cell. In two T-cell lines (HSB and Molt-4F) infection resulted in complete cytolysis and the production of 100 to 200 PFU/cell. In contrast, VSV replication was restricted in two B-cell lines (Raji and Daudi); no cytopathic effects were noted and only about 10 PFU/cell were produced. In every instance a persistent infection was readily established in the B-cell lines. A detailed study of acute VSV infection of HSB (T) and Raji (B) cells showed that the restricted replication of VSV in B cells was characterized by the reduction of VSV RNA transcription and the inability of VSV to inhibit host cell protein synthesis. The results suggest several mechanisms for the establishment of persistent viral infections in B-lymphoblastoid cells.
A developmental neurobiological model of motivated behavior: Anatomy, connectivity and ontogeny of the triadic nodes

Adolescence is the transition period that prepares individuals for fulfilling their role as adults. Most conspicuous in this transition period is the peak level of risk-taking behaviors that characterize adolescent motivated behavior. Significant neural remodeling contributes to this change. This review focuses on the functional neuroanatomy underlying motivated behavior, and how ontogenic changes can explain the typical behavioral patterns in adolescence. To help model these changes and provide testable hypotheses, a neural systems-based theory is presented. In short, the Triadic Model proposes that motivated behavior is governed by a carefully orchestrated articulation among three systems, approach, avoidance and regulatory. These three systems map to distinct, but overlapping, neural circuits, whose representatives are the striatum, the amygdala and the medial prefrontal cortex. Each of these system-representatives will be described from a functional anatomy perspective that includes a review of their connectivity and what is known of their ontogenic changes.
Charging-free electrochemical system for harvesting low-grade thermal energy

Tremendous low-grade heat is stored in industrial processes and the environment. Efficient and low-cost utilization of the low-grade heat is critical to imminent energy and environmental challenges. Here, a rechargeable electrochemical cell (battery) is used to harvest such thermal energy because its voltage changes significantly with temperature. Moreover, by carefully tuning the composition of electrodes, the charging process is purely powered by thermal energy and no electricity is required to charge it. A high heat-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 2.0% can be reached when it is operated between 20 and 60 °C. Such charging-free characteristic may have potential application for harvesting low-grade heat from the environment, especially in remote areas.
PTEN controls β-cell regeneration in aged mice by regulating cell cycle inhibitor p16ink4a

Tissue regeneration diminishes with age, concurrent with declining hormone levels including growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). We investigated the molecular basis for such decline in pancreatic β-cells where loss of proliferation occurs early in age and is proposed to contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetes. We studied the regeneration capacity of β-cells in mouse model where PI3K/AKT pathway downstream of insulin/IGF-1 signaling is upregulated by genetic deletion of Pten (phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10) specifically in insulin-producing cells. In this model, PTEN loss prevents the decline in proliferation capacity in aged β-cells and restores the ability of aged β-cells to respond to injury-induced regeneration. Using several animal and cell models where we can manipulate PTEN expression, we found that PTEN blocks cell cycle re-entry through a novel pathway leading to an increase in p16(ink4a), a cell cycle inhibitor characterized for its role in cellular senescence/aging. A downregulation in p16(ink4a) occurs when PTEN is lost as a result of cyclin D1 induction and the activation of E2F transcription factors. The activation of E2F transcriptional factors leads to methylation of p16(ink4a) promoter, an event that is mediated by the upregulation of polycomb protein, Ezh2. These analyses establish a novel PTEN/cyclin D1/E2F/Ezh2/p16(ink4a) signaling network responsible for the aging process and provide specific evidence for a molecular paradigm that explain how decline in growth factor signals such as IGF-1 (through PTEN/PI3K signaling) may control regeneration and the lack thereof in aging cells.
Relationship between stimulus strength and the cutaneous silent period

During sustained muscle contraction, an interval of reduced activity follows an electrical cutaneous stimulus, called the cutaneous silent period (CSP). To evoke a CSP, a single stimulus must be painful. We used single sural nerve stimuli to evoke a CSP in ipsilateral soleus muscle, and studied the relationships between stimulus strength, sensory action potential (SAP) morphology, and subjective experience. Near nerve electrodes were employed to record the sural SAP in order to record activity in slower conducting fibers in addition to Aα fibers. In 6 normal subjects, the stimulus strength required to evoke a CSP ranged from 8 to 10 times threshold intensity. Pain threshold was slightly below that necessary to evoke the CSP. SAP shape changed with stimulus strength; main component amplitude occasionally increased as strength increased beyond 10 times threshold, and slowly conducting late components became more prominent. At stimulus intensities or at less than CSP threshold, components were seen conducting from 15–20 m/s that were not observed at lower intensities. We suggest that activation of sensory axons with conduction velocities in the range of Aδ fibers are necessary to evoke the CSP, and that their potentials can be discerned in the SAP. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Time-resolved ring structure of backscattered circularly polarized beams from forward scattering layered structures

The backscattering of circularly polarized light at normal incidence to a half-space composed of two index matched layers with different absorption coefficients is studied using the Electric Field Monte Carlo method. The top layer, of thickness L 1 = 2.5[ l s ], where l s is the scattering length, is non-absorbing and is composed of particles suspended in water with anistropy factor g = 0.8. The bottom layer, of thickness L 2 = 25[ l s ], is composed of absorbing particles with g = 0.8. The backscattered light with the same helicity (co-polarized) as the incident beam emerging from the top surface is analyzed in the time domain as absorption in the second layer increases from 1% to 10% of the scattering coefficient, μs. For the case of a homogenous half-space, composed of non absorbing particles with anisotropy factor g = 0.8, a ring-peak is known to be observed in the time-resolved co-polarized backscattered light intensity. For the two layer geometry tested here, a similar ring structure is found and used to determine the path length of photons traveling in the second layer. In recent studies, the ring-peak was postulated to be comprised of photons undergoing semi-circular trajectories as a result of near forward scattering events in the forward scattering media. This ideal picture of photon trajectories is tested and found to be an accurate characterization of photon trajectories in forward scattering media. Specifically, it is shown that time-sliced measurements of the backscattered co-polarized intensity at the ring-peak and path lengths of photons determined from the segment of arc of their idealized semi-circluar trajectories in the second layer can be used in conjunction with Beer's law to reproduce the known absorption coefficient of the second layer. This is a first indication that photons contributing to the ring-peak in co-polarized backscatter follow semi-circular trajectories. Moreover, it demonstrates that ring-structure can be used to determine subsurface features such as absorption coefficients in layered structures.
Increasing the Levels of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I by an IGF Binding Protein Inhibitor Produces Anxiolytic and Antidepressant-Like Effects

The present studies were conducted to determine if increasing central levels of the neurotrophic factor insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) either directly or indirectly produces anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects in the mouse. Central levels of IGF-I can be increased directly, by administering IGF-I, or indirectly by blocking the insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs). The IGFBP family has the unique ability to regulate IGF-I levels by sequestering IGF-I into an inactive complex. Therefore, an IGFBP inhibitor increases the level of IGF-I available to bind to its receptor. Intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of the nonspecific IGFBP inhibitor NBI-31772 (10-30 microg) increases the number of punished crossings in the four-plate test and NBI-31772 (0.3-10 microg) increases time spent in the open quadrant of the elevated zero maze (EZM), indicative of anxiolytic-like effects. NBI-31772 (3-30 microg) also decreases immobility time in the tail suspension test, indicative of antidepressant-like effects. Similarly, icv administration of IGF-I (0.1 microg) produces anxiolytic-like effects in the four-plate test and IGF-1 (0.3-1 microg) produces anxiolytic-like effects in the EZM. IGF-I (10 microg) also produces antidepressant-like effects in the tail suspension test. Coadministration of the IGF-I receptor antagonist JB1 with NBI-31772 or IGF-I blocks the anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like effects of these compounds. These results suggest that NBI-31772 produces behavioral effects by increasing levels of IGF-I that in turn activate the IGF-I receptor. The present studies demonstrate that an IGFBP inhibitor mimics the behavioral effects of IGF-I and that IGFBP inhibition may represent a novel mechanism by which to increase IGF-I to treat depression and anxiety.
Comparative advertising in horizontal business publications

Abstract Comparative advertising, the practice of comparing two or more named or unnamed products in an advertisement, is well known to industrial marketers. This article focuses on the use of comparative advertising in the three leading business publications: Business Week , Forbes , and Fortune . The authors studied approximately 2900 full-page advertisements from 1970 through 1985. It was found that there was a significant increase in the use of comparative advertising during this period; in fact, the use of comparative advertising nearly tripled from 1970 to 1985. Although the predominant use of comparative advertising involves implied comparisons, there has been a continuing increase in the use of the more aggressive strictly comparative format.
Power Drills to Fenestrate Exposed Bone to Stimulate Wound Healing

Power drills can be used to stimulate the formation of granulation tissue over exposed cortical bone. These tools allow for the rapid fenestration and selective abrasion of large areas of exposed bone; fenestration and abrasion create the multiple bleeding points essential for the production of granulation tissue. The granulation tissue thus produced is allowed to grow out through the holes to cover bone. This procedure can be performed in an outpatient setting, usually without the need for either local or general anesthesia; it is particularly useful for patients considered to be poor risks for general anesthesia. Healing by granulation tissue is a somewhat slow process, but it has a high success rate, causes few complications, and produces very good cosmetic results. Two cases illustrate the method of fenestration of exposed cranial bone to stimulate granulation tissue. Specific instructions describe the needed care of exposed bone.
Theoretical Comparison of Singly Multiplexed Hadamard Transform Spectrometers and Scanning Spectrometers

We present a general mathematical framework within which the relative performance of singly multiplexed Hadamard transform spectrometers (HTS) and conventional scanning spectrometers (SS) may be compared. The theoretical multiplex advantage (Fellgett advantage) is calculated for spectrometers operating in two spectral regions. For the low energy region, i.e., infrared, the determined multiplex advantage F is (N/2)1/2 (N is the number of slots), in accordance with predictions given by Fellgett. For the high spectral energy region, i.e., uv-vis, F=(x/2x¯)1/2, where x is the intensity of the spectal element sought and x¯ is the average intensity produced across the whole spectrum. Our predictions are verified by computer simulation of various characteristic spectra. Based on these results, we arrive at some conclusions concerning the practical application of HTS systems.
Compound windows of the Hénon-map

Abstract For the two-parameter second-order Henon map, the shapes and locations of the periodic windows–continua of parameter values for which solutions x 0 , x 1 , … can be stably periodic, embedded in larger regions where chaotic solutions or solutions of other periods prevail–are found by a random searching procedure and displayed graphically. Many windows have a typical shape, consisting of a central “body” from which four narrow “antennae” extend. Such windows, to be called compound windows, are often arranged in bands, to be called window streets, that are made up largely of small detected but poorly resolved compound windows. For each fundamental subwindow–the portion of a window where a fundamental period prevails–a stability measure U is introduced; where the solution is stable, | U | 1 . Curves of constant U are found by numerical integration. Along one line in parameter space the Henon-map reduces to the one-parameter first-order logistic map, and two antennae from each compound window intersect this line. The curves where U = 1 and U = − 1 that bound either antenna are close together within these intersections, but, as either curve with U = − 1 leaves the line, it diverges from the curve where U = 1 , crosses the other curve where U = − 1 , and nears the other curve where U = 1 , forming another antenna. The region bounded by the numerically determined curves coincides with the subwindow as found by random searching. A fourth-degree equation for an idealized curve of constant U is established. Points in parameter space producing periodic solutions where x 0 = x m = 0 , for given values of m , are found to lie on Cantor sets of curves that closely fit the window streets. Points producing solutions where x 0 = x m = 0 and satisfying a third condition, approximating the condition that x n be bounded as n → − ∞ , lie on curves, to be called street curves of order m , that approximate individual members of the Cantor set and individual window streets. Compound windows of period m + m ′ tend to occur near the intersections of street curves of orders m and m ′ . Some exceptions to what appear to be fairly general results are noted. The exceptions render it difficult to establish general theorems.
Coded Aperture Imaging of Gamma-Rays Using Multiple Pinhole Arrays and Multiwire Proportional Chamber Detector

Coded shadows of gamma-ray distributions have been made using both random pinhole and non-redundant pinhole coded apertures with a multiwire proportional chamber as detector. Image reconstruction is done optically with incoherent light. Lateral and depth resolution results are presented and calculations of background and signal to noise ratios for the nonredundant aperture are made and compared with the single pinhole collimator.
Continuous recording reliability analysis of three monitoring systems for horse core body temperature

The short-term continuous recording reliability of three different monitoring technologies (blood temperature, rectal temperature, and a remote telemetry-based gastrointestinal temperature) for horse body temperature was analyzed. Recording reliability of each technology was assessed by calculating the corruption rate (the relative amount of unusable data collected) for data collected over a 6h time frame. In a subsequent trial, recording reliability was assessed for the telemetry system during two consecutive data collection days, including a period of transport. Calculations were made for the total percentage of corrupt data and the percentage of corrupt 5min intervals. The remote, continuous technology performed comparably for total percent of corrupt data and demonstrated a reduced percentage of corrupt 5min intervals, compared with both directly connected technologies. It also performed similarly over two consecutive days of monitoring, and did not differ for monitoring within a stall or a trailer. Based on the results of this analysis, it is recommended to account for expected data loss in transmission of remote monitoring by instrumenting additional animals and sampling with greater frequency.
Opportunities for Filling Gaps in Breast and Lung Cancer Outcomes Research

The purpose of this study was to describe reported research regarding breast and lung cancer outcomes in terms of (a) level of impact, (b) survival outcomes, (c) quality-of-life outcomes, (A) mental health outcomes, (e) cost outcomes, and (f) satisfaction outcomes. In addition, we describe the impact that type of cancer (breast or lung), year of publication (1999 to 2003), drug intervention (yes or no), surgical intervention (yes or no), and study type (clinical trial, cohort study, or other) had on the outcomes we studied. A total of 2,993 articles were identified and reviewed, with 1,470 (49.1%) of these articles related to breast cancer outcomes and 1,523 (50.9%) articles related to lung cancer outcomes. The majority (85%) of the articles we reviewed were coded as having only level 1 impact (adds to the knowledge base only). Logistic regression analysis revealed that lung cancer studies were more likely than breast cancer studies to have outcomes at a level of impact greater than level 1 and to focus on survival outcomes. However, breast cancer studies were more likely than lung cancer studies to focus on quality of life, mental health, and satisfaction. The results identified areas of inquiry for which researchers could provide more comprehensive investigation to fill potential gaps in breast and lung cancer outcomes research.
On atmospheric lidar performance comparison: from power aperture product to power aperture mixing ratio scattering cross-section product

A new performance index for atmospheric lidar, namely the power–aperture–mixing ratio–scattering cross-section (PAMS) product, is proposed. Unlike the index widely used at present, namely the power–aperture (PA) product, the new index provides an accurate comparison between different types of lidar for measuring the same atmospheric parameters. Using a sodium resonance lidar and a ‘Rayleigh’ lidar for measuring temperature and wind in the mesopause region (80–105 km) as an example, the concept and application of PAMS are illustrated.
Increasing Social Conservatism in the Pakistan Army: What the Data Say

This essay interrogates popular beliefs about Islamization of the Pakistan Army officer corps and the polity from which the army recruits. It first assembles and synthesizes the extant secondary literature on Islamization of Pakistan generally, and the army in particular. As access to the Pakistan Army diminished after 1990 when numerous US sanctions on Pakistan limited defense cooperation and other forms of bilateral engagements, this secondary literature is generally truncated to 1990. To expand what is known about the Pakistan Army, this essay next presents the results of an ongoing quantitative analysis of district-level officer recruitment (and retire- ment) data. This ecological study finds that, as recently as 2002, districts that pro- duce army officers are actually more socially liberal and urban than is commonly believed. This essay discusses the implications of the changes in the officer corps and concludes with a call for a robust research agenda on the Pakistan Army.
The papain catalyzed synthesis of hippuryl-substituted anilides.

Abstract An aqueous extract of papaya latex has been used to catalyze the synthesis of various hippuryl-substituted anilides at pH's 4, 5, and 6 from hippuric acid and a nuclear-substituted aniline. The results show that the following anilines can couple with hippuric acid: o-, m-, and p-fluoroaniline, m- and p-chloroaniline, m- and p-bromoaniline, m- and p-iodoaniline and o-, m-, and p-methylaniline. o-Chloroaniline, o-bromoaniline, and o-iodoaniline would not react at any of the pH values tried. The selectivity of the enzyme for an aniline to participate in the synthetic reaction seems to be based, in part, on the basicity of the nitrogen of the aniline and on the size (van der Waals' radius) and location of the substituent on the aniline nucleus.
Direct measurement of water availability in gelled plant tissue culture media

Water constitutes nearly 100% of the volume and 95% of the mass of gelled plant tissue culture media. Even so, plant growth and development responses observed to occur with relatively small changes in gelling agent concentration (0.1% of media total mass) have been attributed to changes in media water availability. Measurements with three alternative direct techniques, specific for measuring physiochemical water availability indicated the effects of a change of this magnitude in gelling agent concentration negligibly affected the media water potential and water conductivity. Sensitive pressure membrane measurements indicated that incremental gelling agent concentration increases of 0.1% (of media total mass) within the range normally used for plant tissue culture media, depressed water matric potential only 1–2cm H2O (1–2×10−4 MPa (mega pascal.)); these values were confirmed with equally sensitive tensiometer measurements. Moreover, no effect of concentration on water movement could be detected with a precise constant-head permeameter over a broader range of gelling agent concentrations. These results indicate that eitherin vitro plants are extremely sensitive to subtle shifts in water status, or other physiochemical factors that also change with gelling agent concentration are contributing to the reported effects on plant growth and development.
Effects of adenine, ATP, and methionine on L-ethionine inhibition of RNA synthesis in mouse liver.

l -Ethionine inhibits rat and mouse liver RNA and protein synthesis possibly by inducing ATP deficiency. In rats, this inhibitory effect is prevented and inhibited by adenine, ATP, and l -methionine. In mouse liver, this effect on RNA synthesis was prevented by simultaneous equimolar doses of l -methionine but not when methionine was injected 1.5 hr after ethionine. Neither adenine nor ATP appreciably altered l -ethionine inhibition of RNA synthesis although adenine itself markedly inhibited RNA synthesis.
Thermal lensing from near-infrared laser radiation in an artificial eye

A confocal imaging system mounted to a micrometer stage was used to image the thermal lens induced into a water filled Cain-cell artificial eye. A dual-beam pump-probe geometry was used to quantify the 633-nm visible wavelength probe beam's transient response when exposed to the near-infrared pump-beam source. The infrared laser radiation wavelengths tested were 1110, 1130, 1150 and 1318 nm for 1-s exposures to 450-mW of power. Analysis of video data revealed the amount of refractive shift, induced by the thermal lens, as a function of time. Data demonstrate how the formation and dissipation of the thermal lens follow a logarithmic excitation and exponential decay in time respectively. Confocal imaging showed that thermal lensing was strongest for the 1150-nm wavelength followed by 1130, 1318 and 1110-nm.
Primate-inspired vehicle navigation using optic flow and mental rotations

Robot navigation already has many relatively efficient solutions: reactive control, simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), Rapidly-Exploring Random Trees (RRTs), etc. But many primates possess an additional inherent spatial reasoning capability: mental rotation. Our research addresses the question of what role, if any, mental rotations can play in enhancing existing robot navigational capabilities. To answer this question we explore the use of optical flow as a basis for extracting abstract representations of the world, comparing these representations with a goal state of similar format and then iteratively providing a control signal to a robot to allow it to move in a direction consistent with achieving that goal state. We study a range of transformation methods to implement the mental rotation component of the architecture, including correlation and matching based on cognitive studies. We also include a discussion of how mental rotations may play a key role in understanding spatial advice giving, particularly from other members of the species, whether in map-based format, gestures, or other means of communication. Results to date are presented on our robotic platform.
Irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking of austenitic stainless steels: Recent progress and new approaches

Irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking (IASCC) of several types of BWR field components fabricated from solution-annealed austenitic stainless steels (SSs), including a core internal weld, were investigated by means of slow-strain-rate test (SSRT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and field-emission-gun advanced analytical electron microscopy (FEG-AAEM). Based on the results of the tests and analyses, separate effects of neutron fluence, tensile properties, alloying elements and major impurities identified in the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specifications, minor impurities, water chemistry, and fabrication-related variables were determined. The results indicate strongly that minor impurities not specified by the ASTM-specifications play important roles, probably through a complex synergism with grain-boundary Cr depletion. These impurities, typically associated with steelmaking and component fabrication processes, are very low or negligible in solubility in steels and are the same impurities that have been known to promote intergranular SCC significantly when they are present in water as ions or soluble compounds. It seems obvious that IASCC is a complex integral problem which involves many variables that are influenced strongly by not only irradiation conditions, water chemistry, and stress but also iron and steelmaking processes, fabrication of the component, and joining and welding. Therefore, for high-stress components in particular, it would be difficult to mitigate IASCC problems at high fluence based on the consideration of water chemistry alone, and other considerations based on material composition and fabrication procedure would be necessary as well.
II. Identification of afferents contributing to sympathetically evoked activity in wide-dynamic-range neurons

The purpose of this study was to determine which types of mechanoreceptor afferents contribute to sympathetically evoked activity in wide-dynamic-range (WDR) neurons--the spinal neurons thought to mediate sympathetically maintained pain. The experimental approach was to record and compare activity evoked in single WDR neurons, hair afferents, and slowly adapting type I (SAI) afferents in anesthetized cats. During electrical stimulation of the sympathetic trunk, WDR neurons responded with either an early transient burst of activity, sustained activity, or both. The early transient response was observed only in neurons with piloerection in the receptive field; this response had a similar time course to sympathetically evoked activity in hair afferents with piloerection in the receptive field. The sustained response that occurred in some WDR neurons was independent of piloerection and was similar in time course to the response evoked in SAI afferents by sympathetic stimulation. We conclude that hair and SAI afferents contribute to different components of sympathetically evoked activity in WDR neurons and that both types of afferents are likely to be involved in sympathetically maintained pain in humans.
Structure and activation dynamics of RBL-2H3 cells observed with scanning force microscopy

Surface and subsurface dynamics of Rat Basophilic Leukemia cells, a model system of stimulated secretion, were imaged using Scanning Force Microscopy (SFM) at a rate of 50–60 s/image. Cytoskeletal elements and organelles were tracked within quiescent cells and those activated after IgE receptor crosslinking. In addition, surface waves were observed moving within the plasma membrane. The structures seen in quiescent and activated cells can be correlated with those seen in electron micrographs and topographic SFM images of fixed detergent-extracted cells. Furthermore, images of the detergent-extracted nuclei reveal the presence of numerous nuclear pore complexes. High-magnification images of the nuclear pore complexes show evidence of subunit structure and exhibit dimensions consistent with those reported previously using electron microscopy. The behavior and overall change in morphology of cells observed during activation was consistent with that observed under similar conditions with Differential Interference Contrast microscopy. This study demonstrates that SFM, unlike other techniques, can be used to provide high-resolution information in both fixed and living cells.
Role of Toll-Like Receptor–Driven Innate Immunity in Thoracic Organ Transplantation

Innate immunity represents the first line of defense against microbial invasion. Recent studies have determined that a group of germline-encoded receptors, termed Toll-like receptors (TLRs), are critical for recognizing foreign motifs on microbial organisms and initiating innate responses. An exciting area of research has recently linked activation of TLRs on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to effective antigen presentation and activation of naive T cells. Most studies have shown that TLR-dependent immune function leads to T-helper 1 (TH1) immunity, although evidence also supports that TH2 immune responses may be initiated by TLR signaling in certain contexts. In either case, innate immune signaling via TLRs leads to a productive adaptive immune response. In contrast to studies in purely infectious models, emerging data from experimental and clinical studies have provided evidence that TLR immune function is important in acute allograft rejection. Specifically, MyD88, an important TLR signal adaptor, was found to be critical for the rejection of minor-mismatched skin allografts, and important for alloimmune priming and TH1 immunity against fully allogeneic skin grafts. Furthermore, a clinical study has shown that recipients with TLR 4 polymorphisms associated with endotoxin hyporesponsiveness manifest reduce acute lung allograft rejection. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that innate immunity is important for alloimmunity. Future therapeutic modalities that target innate rather than adaptive immune mechanisms represent a promising avenue for future studies in thoracic organ transplantation.