cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contrast sensitivity basics and a critique of currently available tests.

The ability to distinguish contrast plays an important role in patients' everyday vision. Contrast sensitivity testing can identify many ocular diseases. Testing the peak of contrast sensitivity function provides a useful clinical adjunct to standard visual acuity assessments. This article reviews the basics of contrast sensitivity. It also describes the currently available contrast sensitivity tests and compares their reliability, advantages, and disadvantages. Financial Disclosure Drs. Spaeth and Richman have developed and patented a contrast sensitivity test titled the Spaeth/Richman Contrast Sensitivity test. Dr. Wirostko has no financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Hydraulic Conductivity of Geosynthetic Clay Liners Exhumed from Landfill Final Covers

Samples of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) from four landfill covers were tested for water content, swell index, hydraulic conductivity, and exchangeable cations. Exchange of Ca and Mg for Na occurred in all of the exhumed GCLs, and the bentonite had a swell index similar to that for Ca or Mg bentonite. Hydraulic conductivities of the GCLs varied over 5 orders of magnitude regardless of cover soil thickness or presence of a geomembrane. Hydraulic conductivity was strongly related to the water content at the time of sampling. Controlled desiccation and rehydration of exhumed GCLs that had low hydraulic conductivity ( 10−9 to 10−7 cm∕s) resulted in increases in hydraulic conductivity of 1.5–4 orders of magnitude, even with overburden pressure simulating a 1-m -thick cover. Comparison of these data with other data from the United States and Europe indicates that exchange of Ca and/or Mg for Na is likely to occur in the field unless the overlying cover soil is sodic (sodium rich). The comparison also shows th...
An ultrastructural analysis of mature sperm from the crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus, Dana

Sperm from the crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus, resemble other reptantian sperm in that they are composed of an acrosome, subacrosomal region, nucleus, membrane lamellar complex, and spikes which radiate from the nuclear compartment. The acrosome (PAS positive vesicle) can be subdivided into three regions: the apical cap, crystalline inner acrosomal material, and outer acrosomal material which is homogeneous except for a peripheral electron dense band. The nucleus contains uncondensed chromatin and bundles of microtubules which project into the spikes. The orientation of the microtubule bundles relative to the nuclear envelope near the base of the subacrosomal region suggests that the nuclear envelope may function in the organization of the spike microtubules.
Citation, funding acknowledgement and author nationality relationships in four information science journals

A bibliometric profile of four information science journals is developed. Data on acknowledgements to funding sources, authors‘ nationalities and the citedness of published articles are analysed. The relationships among these variables are explored. Citedness appears to be associated with journal of publication and an author’s nationality, but not with funding.
Developing a Scientist: A retrospective look

Although one of the goals of science education is to educate and nurture the next generation of scientists and engineers, there is limited research that investigates the pathway from childhood to becoming a scientist. This study examined the reflections of 37 scientists and engineers about their in‐ and out‐of‐school experiences as well as their memories of significant people who may have influenced their careers. In‐depth, semi‐structured interviews were conducted and the interview transcripts were analyzed for potential influences on career decisions. Analysis showed several commonalities in participants’ reported experiences that influenced career decisions in science and engineering. Informal advising and mentoring by teachers and family members were noted as important. Across participants, tinkering, building models, and exploring science independently in and out of school were viewed as factors that influenced interests in science and engineering. Implications of these results for formal and informa...
Dramatic Shifts in Benthic Microbial Eukaryote Communities following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Benthic habitats harbour a significant (yet unexplored) diversity of microscopic eukaryote taxa, including metazoan phyla, protists, algae and fungi. These groups are thought to underpin ecosystem functioning across diverse marine environments. Coastal marine habitats in the Gulf of Mexico experienced visible, heavy impacts following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, yet our scant knowledge of prior eukaryotic biodiversity has precluded a thorough assessment of this disturbance. Using a marker gene and morphological approach, we present an intensive evaluation of microbial eukaryote communities prior to and following oiling around heavily impacted shorelines. Our results show significant changes in community structure, with pre-spill assemblages of diverse Metazoa giving way to dominant fungal communities in post-spill sediments. Post-spill fungal taxa exhibit low richness and are characterized by an abundance of known hydrocarbon-degrading genera, compared to prior communities that contained smaller and more diverse fungal assemblages. Comparative taxonomic data from nematodes further suggests drastic impacts; while pre-spill samples exhibit high richness and evenness of genera, post-spill communities contain mainly predatory and scavenger taxa alongside an abundance of juveniles. Based on this community analysis, our data suggest considerable (hidden) initial impacts across Gulf beaches may be ongoing, despite the disappearance of visible surface oil in the region.
Leadership Training on the Bergen Fjord: A Case Study and Evaluation

After working together in teams for a year, 24 Norwegian naval cadets participated in a 4-day exercise. Interpersonal ratings were collected before and after. Performance data were collected in the field. The ratings predicted leader and group effectiveness, and the exercise was shown to have substantial effects on team and leadership development.
Turbulence model for steady and unsteady boundary layers in strong pressure gradients

A new turbulence model for two-dimensional, steady and unsteady boundary layers in strong adverse pressure gradients is described. The model is developed in a rational way based on understanding of the flow physics obtained from experiments. The turbulent shear stress is given by a mixing length model, but the mixing length in the outer region is not a constant times the boundary layer thickness; it varies according to an integral form of the turbulence kinetic energy equation. This approach accounts for the history effects of the turbulence. The form of the near-wall mixing length model is derived based on the distribution of the shear stress near the wall, and it takes into account the pressure and convection terms which become important in strong adverse pressure gradients. Since the significance of the normal stresses in turbulent kinetic energy production increases as separation is approached, a model accounting for this contribution is incorporated. Experimental data indicate a change in turbulence structure near and through separation. Such a change can be significant and is accounted for here using an empirical function. The complete model was tested against steady and unsteady, two-dimensional experimental cases with adverse pressure gradients up to separation. Improved predictions compared to those obtained with other turbulence models were demonstrated.
A simple method for calculating two-phase equilibria in ternary systems

Abstract A relatively simple method is introduced for calculating two-phase equilibria in ternary systems using a macro-driven spreadsheet. The method is applied to the U-Zr-C ternary system. The thermodynamic algorithm used in calculating phase boundaries is based on free energy minimization methods described by Chang and Rudy. However, the computational technique described in this paper can easily be adapted to many other thermodynamic models.
First-time mothers' perceptions of prenatal care services

This study sought to uncover information regarding prenatal care services as reported by primiparas. Inadequate prenatal care has been linked with the delivery of low birth weight (LBW) infants and infant mortality. This secondary analysis of a larger study (N = 426) examined the need for and availability, accessibility, and use of prenatal care services by primiparas (n = 141). Results indicated that primiparas delivering LBW infants reported less satisfaction with information on birth control and less information on infant feeding. In addition, mothers of LBW infants reported more often than mothers of normal birthweight infants that transportation and finances were barriers to prenatal care. Childbirth preparation class was the only predictor variable for birth weight in this study.
From Pilgrimage to Crusade: The Liturgy of Departure, 1095–1300

In 1293, only two years after the fall of Acre, but many years before the end of crusading aspirations to reclaim Jerusalem, William Durandus, Bishop of Mende, composed a new rite for those taking up the cross “to go in aid of the Holy Land,” which he included in his magisterial and enduring edition of the Roman pontifical. In this rite the bishop would bless and then bestow to the departing crusader the devotional insignia of his canonical status: the cross, along with the traditional pilgrim's scrip and staff. Durandus' rite drew on a number of long-standing texts for travel benedictions and pilgrimage benedictions, but reworked them into an elegant whole, the sum of which was far greater than its inherited parts. It enjoined the crusader to “take up the cross” (cf. Matt. 16.24) and hasten towards “your [that is, Christ's] tomb,” beseeched God to protect him from danger and absolve him from the chains of sin, and emphasized taking the cross as a passion emblematic of Christ's own salvific sacrifice. The...
Improved electrochemical stability at the surface of La0.8Sr0.2CoO3 achieved by surface chemical modification

The degradation of the surface chemistry on perovskite (ABO3) oxides is a critical issue for their performance in energy conversion systems such as solid oxide fuel/electrolysis cells and in splitting of H2O and CO2 to produce fuels. This degradation is typically in the form of segregation and phase separation of dopant cations from the A-site, driven by elastic and electrostatic energy minimization and kinetic demixing. In this study, deposition of Ti at the surface was found to hinder the dopant segregation and the corresponding electrochemical degradation on a promising SOFC cathode material, La0.8Sr0.2CoO3 (LSC). The surface of the LSC films was modified by Ti (denoted as LSC-T) deposited from a TiCl4 solution. The LSC and LSC-T thin films were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, nano-probe Auger electron spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), upon annealing at 420–530 °C in air up to about 90 hours. The oxygen exchange coefficient, kq, on LSC-T cathodes was found to be up to 8 times higher than that on LSC cathodes at 530 °C and retained its stability. Sr-rich insulating particles formed at the surface of the annealed LSC and LSC-T films, but with significantly less coverage of such particles on the LSC-T. From this result, it appears that modification of the LSC surface with Ti reduces the segregation of the blocking Sr-rich particles at the surface, and a larger area on LSC surface (with a higher Sr doping level in the lattice) is available for the oxygen reduction reaction. The stabilization of the LSC surface through Ti-deposition can open a new route for designing surface modifications on perovskite oxide electrodes for high temperature electro- and thermo-chemical applications.
MEMS-based adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy

We have developed a compact, robust adaptive optics (AO) scanning laser ophthalmoscope using a microelectromechanical (MEMS) deformable mirror (DM). Facilitated with a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor, the MEMS-DM-based AO operates a closed-loop modal wave aberration correction for the human eye and reduces wave aberrations in most eyes to below 0.1 μm rms. Lateral resolution is enhanced, and images reveal a clear cone mosaic near the foveal center. The significant increase in throughput allows for a confocal pinhole whose diameter is less than the Airy disc of the collection lens, thereby fully exploiting the axial resolution capabilities of the system.
Mutations of Eurocentric Domination and Their Implications for African American Resistance

An increasing observation by many social scientists is that the method through which European Americans maintain control over society's political, economic, and cultural institutions has mutated. Over the last 30 years or so, Eurocentric domination can be assumed to have mutated away from domination by repression/terror toward domination by seduction. This article discusses five sociopolitical trends through which this mutation has occurred and examines how this transformation has placed African Americans at significant risk of capitulating to Eurocentric domination.
MO-A-16A-01: QA Procedures and Metrics: In Search of QA Usability

Radiation therapy has undergone considerable changes in the past two decades with a surge of new technology and treatment delivery methods. The complexity of radiation therapy treatments has increased and there has been increased awareness and publicity about the associated risks. In response, there has been proliferation of guidelines for medical physicists to adopt to ensure that treatments are delivered safely. Task Group recommendations are copious, and clinical physicists' hours are longer, stretched to various degrees between site planning and management, IT support, physics QA, and treatment planning responsibilities.Radiation oncology has many quality control practices in place to ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe treatments. Incident reporting systems have been developed to collect statistics about near miss events at many radiation oncology centers. However, tools are lacking to assess the impact of these various control measures. A recent effort to address this shortcoming is the work of Ford et al (2012) who recently published a methodology enumerating quality control quantification for measuring the effectiveness of safety barriers. Over 4000 near-miss incidents reported from 2 academic radiation oncology clinics were analyzed using quality control quantification, and a profile of the most effective quality control measures (metrics) was identified.There is a criticalmore » need to identify a QA metric to help the busy clinical physicists to focus their limited time and resources most effectively in order to minimize or eliminate errors in the radiation treatment delivery processes. In this symposium the usefulness of workflows and QA metrics to assure safe and high quality patient care will be explored.Two presentations will be given:Quality Metrics and Risk Management with High Risk Radiation Oncology ProceduresStrategies and metrics for quality management in the TG-100 Era Learning Objectives: Provide an overview and the need for QA usability metrics: Different cultures/practices affecting the effectiveness of methods and metrics. Show examples of quality assurance workflows, Statistical process control, that monitor the treatment planning and delivery process to identify errors. To learn to identify and prioritize risks and QA procedures in radiation oncology. Try to answer the question: Can a quality assurance program aided by quality assurance metrics help minimize errors and ensure safe treatment delivery. Should such metrics be institution specific.« less
Complex gas - Liquid reactions: Feedback from bulk liquid to liquid - Side film

Abstract The extensive literature on gas-liquid reactions has, with a few exceptions, been devoted to reactions that are considered to be completed entirely in liquid film or bulk liquid for the sake of simplification of modeling and design. A different perspective for modeling of gas-liquid reactors is provided here considering multiple (series-parallel) reactions occurring over the entire liquid phase, with at least one species participating in the reaction scheme being volatile. The two-way linkages between liquid film and bulk liquid are properly accounted for in the present approach. The dispositions of concentration profiles for reactant and product species in the liquid film are presented and discussed for a perfectly mixed reactor. The implications of these dispositions on parameters such as augmentation and enhancement factors and distribution of the extent of a reaction between liquid film and bulk liquid are discussed. Expressions for species concentrations in different portions of the two phases are obtained analytically for linear kinetics. Numerical illustrations demonstrate that an unwarranted confinement of liquid phase reactions to either liquid film or bulk liquid can lead to incorrect design of and erroneous prediction of performance of gas-liquid reactors. Variation in relative importance of reactions in liquid film with respect to reactions in bulk liquid with variations in process parameters and effectiveness of the reactions in the presence of mass transfer resistances are also examined.
Amygdala modulates memory for changes in reward magnitude: Reversible post-training inactivation with lidocaine attenuates the response to a reduction in reward

Abstract The present study used a reward reduction paradigm to examine the role of the amygdala in memory for reduction in reward magnitude. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with bilateral amygdala cannulae and trained to run a straight alley (6 trials/day) for either ten or one 45-mg food pellets. On Day 10 of training, half the animals in the 10 pellet reward group were shifted to a one pellet reward. Immediately following shifted trials, the animals received an intra-amygdala injection of either a 2% lidocaine solution or phosphate buffer (0.5 μl/side). Shifted training continued for 2 more days and no further injections were given. Shifted animals that received a buffer injection displayed a sharp increase in response latencies compared to unshifted controls on the second day of shifted training. In contrast, shifted animals that received intraamygdala injections of lidocaine exhibited significantly lower latencies compared to the shifted vehicle group on the second day of shifted training. The findings indicate that post-training inactivation of the amygdala attenuates the response to reward reduction, suggesting that the amygdala modulates the storage of memory for a reduction in reward magnitude.
Independent sets in triangle-free cubic planar graphs

We prove that every triangle-free planar graph on n vertices with maximum degree three has an independent set with size at least 3/8n. This was suggested and later conjectured by Albertson, Bollobas, and Tucker.
Carboxylic Acid- and Ester-Functionalized Siloxane Scaffolds on Glass Studied by Broadband Sum Frequency Generation

Broadband sum frequency generation has been used to characterize glass surfaces functionalized with siloxanes containing terminal carboxylic acid and ester functional groups. ω-Ester silanes can be used in the preparations of ester-functionalized glass surfaces, which yield acid-functionalized surfaces via hydrolysis. This general methodology can be used in environmental, biochemical, or materials science surface chemistry to generate surfaces with tunable physical and chemical properties. Definitive characterization of these carboxylate-functionalized glass surfaces can be performed in the C−H vibrational frequency region using sum frequency generation.
Performance of porous refractory valve for liquid metals

An aggregate of nonwettable refractory particles can act as an off-on valve to control the flow of liquid metals. The performance of such a particle valve is evaluated experimentally and theoretically. The breakthrough pressure, PBR, which is the pressure differential required to initiate flow through the particle valve has been theoretically derived: PBR = -10.928 [γLV/d] cos θ′A where γLV is the liquid-vapor surface tension, d is the uniform particle diameter, and θ′A is the apparent advancing contact angle between the liquid and solid. Experimentally determined breakthrough pressures for the Sn/Al2O3 and Hg/Al2O3 systems agree with and confirm the derived expression. Mechanisms which may lead to premature breakthrough. of the liquid through the valve are: i) failure due to direct impingement of liquid droplets on the particle valve, ii) failure by augmented hydrostatic pressure caused by an impinging liquid droplet, and iii) failure due to buoyancy forces acting on individual particles. Critical operating limits for each mechanism are given.
THE THEORY OF URINE FORMATION IN WATER DIURESIS WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR ANTIDIURESIS.

We investigate a model of the renal medulla in which active NaCl transport is restricted to the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop. The model contains a vas rectum, a loop of Henle, salt, and water. The model generates interstitial osmolality curves consonant with the known functioning of the kidney in water diuresis. Using data from the white rat and the curves generated by the model, one can predict the permeability of the thin limb of Henle's loop to NaCl and the percentage of total renal blood flow entering the inner medulla. In this model interstitial osmolality at the papilla can be about twice plasma osmolality, so that NaCl transport restricted to the outer medulla can contribute significantly to the work required in producing a hypertonic urine. However, the interstitial osmolality monotonically decreases proceeding from the junction of the outer and inner medulla to the papilla, and the maximum interstitial osmolality in the outer medulla is greater than the maximum interstitial osmolality in the inner medulla. Thus we infer that a source of active transport located in the inner medulla is needed to explain the high osmolalities observed in hydropenia. A sketch of an alternative model, a “lineal multiplication mechanism”, for the renal concentrating process is presented in which active transport in the inner medulla is restricted to active salt transport by the collecting duct. The lineal multiplication mechanism makes no use of counter-current multipliers in the inner medulla.
Modeling and Control of Quasi-Z-Source Inverter for Distributed Generation Applications

The voltage-fed Z-source inverter/quasi-Z-source inverter (qZSI) has been presented suitable for photovoltaic (PV) applications mainly because of its single-stage buck and boost capability and improved reliability. This paper further addresses detailed modeling and control issues of the qZSI used for distributed generation (DG), such as PV or fuel cell power conditioning. The dynamical characteristics of the qZSI network are first investigated by small-signal analysis. Based on the dynamic model, stand-alone operation and grid-connected operation with closed-loop control methods are carried out, which are the two necessary operation modes of DG in distributed power grids. Due to the mutual limitation between the modulation index and shoot-through duty ratio of qZSI, constant capacitor voltage control method is proposed in a two-stage control manner. Minimum switching stress on devices can be achieved by choosing a proper capacitor voltage reference. Experimental results are presented for validation of the theoretical analysis and controller design.
NEW TWISTS IN THE LEADING-EDGE VORTEX

![Figure][1] Insects aren't airplanes. If they flew like airplanes, they would fall right out of the sky because their wings are much too small. But since they flap their wings, they can generate a `leading-edge vortex', a rotating element of fluid along the front of the wing that
Age Differences in Personality Structure: a Cluster Analytic Approach

A cluster analytic approach was used to determine possible age differences in the structure of personality as measured by the Cattell Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire. Subjects were 969 adult male volunteers, originally divided into three groups: 25 to 34, 35 to 54, and 55 to 82. Two familiar dimensions of personality, Anxiety-Adjustment and Introversion-Extraversion, were found to be cross sectionally stable. A third cluster dimension, interpreted as openness to experience, showed age-related differences. Young subjects showed openness to feelings; middle-aged subjects showed openness to ideas; and old subjects showed a balanced openness to both feelings and ideas. Repartitioning of the sample into two groups (ages 25 to 43 and 44 to 82), and three groups (25 to 39, 40 to 47, and 48 to 82) confirmed these age differences in the third cluster. The interpretation of the third cluster is discussed in terms of Jung's concepts of psychological functions.
Divergence in seasonal hydrology across northern Eurasia: Emerging trends and water cycle linkages

[1] Discharge from large Eurasia rivers increased during the 20th century, yet much remains unknown regarding details of this increasing freshwater flux. Here, for the three largest Eurasian basins (the Ob, Yenisei, and Lena) we examine the nature of annual and seasonal discharge trends by investigating the flow changes along with those for precipitation, snow depth, and snow water equivalent. On the basis of a multiperiod trend analysis and examination of station data, we propose two characteristic regimes to explain the long-term discharge increase from these large Eurasian rivers. Over the early decades from approximately 1936 to 1965, annual precipitation correlates well with annual discharge, and positive discharge trends are concurrent with summer/fall discharge increases. The latter decades were marked by a divergence between winter/ spring flows, which increased, amid summer/fall discharge declines. A comparison of cold season precipitation (CSP) and spring discharge trends across subbasins of the Ob, Yenisei, and Lena shows limited agreement with one precipitation data set but good agreement (R 2 > 0.90) when a second is used. While natural variability in the Arctic system tends to mask these emerging trends, spatial and temporal changes can generally be characterized by increased solid precipitation, primarily to the north, along with a drier hydrography during the warm season.
New metrology techniques improve the production of silicon diffractive optics

Silicon immersion gratings and grisms offer significant advantages in compactness and performance over frontsurface gratings and over grisms made from lower-index materials. At the same time, the high refractive index of Si (3.4) leads to very stringent constraints on the allowable groove position errors, typically rms For each step of the groove production, we have used new and sensitive techniques to determine the contribution of that step to the phase non-uniformity. Armed with an understanding of the errors and their origins, we could then implement process controls for each step. The plasma uniformity was improved for the silicon nitride mask etch process and the phase contribution of the plasma etch step was measured. We then used grayscale lithography, a technique in which the photoresist is deliberately underexposed, to measure large-scale nonuniformities in the UV exposure system to an accuracy of 3-5%, allowing us to make corrections to the optical alignment. Additionally, we used a new multiple-exposure technique combined with laser interferometry to measure the relationship between UV exposure dose and line edge shift. From these data we predict the contribution of the etching and photolithographic steps to phase error of the grating surface. These measurements indicate that the errors introduced during the exposure step dominate the contributions of all the other processing steps. This paper presents the techniques used to quantify individual process contributions to phase errors and steps that were taken to improve overall phase uniformity.
A toolchain for the detection of structural and behavioral latent system properties

The cost to repair a requirements-based defect in softwarebased systems increases substantially with each successive phase of the software lifecycle in which the error is allowed to propagate. While tools exist to facilitate early detection of design flaws, such tools do not detect flaws in system requirements, thus allowing such flaws to propagate into system design and implementation. This paper describes an experience report using a toolchain that supports a novel combination of structural and behavioral analysis of UML state diagrams that is not currently available in commercial UML modeling tools. With the toolchain, models can be incrementally and systematically improved through syntaxbased analysis, type checking, and detection of latent behavioral system properties, including feature interactions. This paper demonstrates use of the toolchain on an industry-provided model of onboard electronics for an automotive application.
Nonpolynomial closed-string field theory.

Recently, we announced the construction of a new nonpolynomial closed-string field theory which successfully reproduced all $N$-point tree amplitudes, thus solving a long-standing problem. This action generalized the four-string tetrahedron interaction that we introduced earlier, which was required to derive the Shapiro-Virasoro model. However, we gave no derivation of the nonpolynomial action. In this paper we present the detailed analysis of its derivation. We calculate all nonpolynomial graphs up to eighth order and their coefficients, and even the coefficients of several infinite series of polyhedra. We use gauge invariance to calculate all coefficients. Because of an enormous redundancy created by a web of overconstrained equations, we have multiple checks that our coefficients are correctly calculated.
It Is Time to Look at Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction From the Right Side

Heart failure with preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (HFpEF) represents approximately half of patients with heart failure and confers similar morbidity and mortality as HF with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF). 1 HFpEF has been characterized by abnormal LV diastolic function, abnormal LV-central vascular coupling, impaired systolic reserve and chronotropic response during exercise, abnormal skeletal muscle function, and dysfunction of the right ventricular-pulmonary vascular (RV-PV) unit. The pathophysiological heterogeneity underlying HFpEF likely explains, in part, why there are no HFpEF-specific therapies to date associated with improved survival in this population. Careful delineation of HFpEF subphenotypes on the basis of predominant pathophysiologic inputs may improve diagnostic classification, guide targeted therapy, and ultimately improve clinical outcome.
The Sites and Consequences of Melatonin Binding in Mammals

SYNOPSIS. Melatonin, a hormone of the pineal gland, exerts multiple effects upon the brain-pituitary axis of vertebrates. Among mammals, the best documented physiological roles of melatonin involve the photoperiodic induction of reproductive and other seasonal adjustments. Daylength regulates the effects of gonadal steroids upon gonadotropin secretion and sexual behavior as well as the frequency of a neural generator of GnRH pulses. In hamsters, these effects are paralleled by changes in GnRH, AVP and beta-endorphin immunoreactivity, and in opiate receptor density in the medial amygdala. Autoradiographic studies indicate a high concentration of 2[125I]-iodomelatonin binding sites in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of some photoperiodic mammals but not in others. In contrast, such binding sites have been found in the pars tuberalis of all seasonally breeding mammals studied to date.
Characterization of olfactory receptor neurons and other cell types in dissociated rat olfactory cell cultures

In dissociated cell cultures, control over the cellular environment facilitates study of the differentiation of mature cellular phenotypes. Central to this approach is a rigorous characterization of the cells that reside in culture. Therefore, we have used a battery of cell type-specific antibody markers to identify the cell types present in dissociated cultures of olfactory mucosal cells (containing cells from both the epithelium and lamina propria). To identify olfactory receptor neurons in the cultures, staining with antibodies against neuron-specific tubulin was compared to staining with antibodies to neuron-specific enolase, the neural cell adhesion molecule, N-CAM, and the adhesion molecule, LI. Staining of mature olfactory neurons in culture, with an antibody against the olfactory marker protein, was compared to staining with antibodies to carnosine. In contrast to tissue section staining, the overlap between carnosine and olfactory marker protein staining was not complete. Olfactory nerve glial cells were immunoreactive for the S100 beta protein and nestin, an intermediate filament found in early neuronal progenitor cells and Schwann cells. Antibodies to nestin did not label olfactory neurons or progenitor cells. An antibody to an oligodendrocyte-Schwann cell enzyme, 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase, did not label olfactory glia, but did label oligodendrocyte-like cells that appeared to be derived from the CNS glial feeder layer. An antibody against the heavy (200 kDa) neurofilament protein stained a minor subset of cells. The cultures also contained muscle cells, cartilage cells and macrophages (and/or microglia). These results demonstrate that multiple cell types either maintain or re-establish differentiated, cell type-specific phenotypes in dissociated olfactory cell cultures.
Creating Significant Learning Experiences across Disciplines.

The purpose of this study was to use Fink's (2003) taxonomy of significant learning to redesign courses and assess student learning. Significant improvements were found across the semester for students in the six courses, but there were differences in which taxa showed improvement in each course. The meta-analysis showed significant, positive changes across disciplines in the areas of foundational knowledge, application, human dimension, and learning how to learn. This study provides support for Fink's taxonomy in which significant learning can be achieved through course redesign.
Soluble forms of CD44 and CD54 (ICAM-1) cellular adhesion molecules are released by human prostatic cancer cell lines

We have identified that human prostatic cancer cell lines DU145, PC3, ND1, ALVA31 and JCA1 released soluble CD44 molecules and DU145, PC3 and ND1 released soluble CD54. Both soluble and surface CD44 were not found in LNCaP, and both forms of CD54 were not expressed in LNCaP and JCA1. CD54 was found to be highly expressed on cell surface in ALVA31, but these cells did not release soluble CD54. Expression of both cell surface and soluble forms were examined after treatment of cells with IFN-gamma, TGF-beta 1, or culturing in serum-free media. The concentration of soluble CD54 in supernatants changed to small extent after treatment with TGF-beta 1 and increased after treatment with IFN-gamma or in serum-free media. Cell surface expression of CD54 however, changed only minimally after treatment. The levels of cell surface and soluble CD44 also changed minimally after treatment with IFN-gamma and TGF-beta 1 but decreased in serum-free media and this was accompanied by marked elevation of soluble CD44 in supernatants. These data indicate that soluble CD44 might be released from cell surface by shedding whereas alternative splicing is the most likely mechanism of soluble CD54 release.
Ramsey-Paris-Harrington numbers for graphs

Abstract Ramsey-Paris-Harrington numbers are studied for the special case of graphs, giving reasonably close asymptotic upper and lower bounds for their growth.
Postnatal expression of glutamate decarboxylases in developing rat cerebellum

The recent identification of two genes encoding distinct forms of the GABA synthetic enzyme, glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), raises the possibility that varying expression of the two genes may contribute to the regulation of GABA production in individual neurons. We investigated the postnatal development the two forms of GAD in the rat cerebellum. The mRNA for GAD67, the form which is less dependent on the presence of the cofactor, pyridoxal phosphate (PLP), is present at birth in presumptive Purkinje cells and increases during postnatal development. GAD67 mRNA predominates in the cerebellum. The mRNA for GAD65, which displays marked PLP-dependence for enzyme activity, cannot be detected in cerebellar cortex by in situ hybridization until P7 in Purkinje cells, and later in other GABA neurons. In deep cerebellar nuclei, which mature prenatally, both forms of GAD mRNA can be detected at birth. The amounts of immunoreactice GAD and GAD enzyme activity parallel changes in mRNA levels. We suggest that the delayed appearance of GAD65 is coincident with synapse formation between GABA neurons and their targets during the second postnatal week. GAD67 mRNA may be present prior to synaptogenesis to produce GABA for trophic and metabolic functions.
9. Network density and synaptic weight mechanisms for non-evoked transitions in cognition and EEG

A major challenge in neuroscience is to understand how neural systems respond to external stimuli. An often ignored but even greater challenge is to understand how neural systems make decisions independently of external input. In this presentation we will show how two complementary mechanisms can support and modulate autonomous transitions in complex persistent activity: (1) network density and (2) synaptic weights. Computational models with random, ring and spatial connectivity are applied to help illustrate how changes in synaptic weights can effect changes to frequencies and the occurrence of frequency sweeps observed in EEG recordings. Simulations iterating across excitatory and inhibitory weight combinations (E → E; E → I; I → E; I → I) show that changes in all types of connections can have non-linear effects on activity propagation properties. For example, changing excitatory → excitatory connections in a network with fixed density can result in large shifts in activity frequency. Peak population frequencies range from approximately 20 Hz to 80 Hz with a tendency to rise as the E → E weighting is increased. These changes in spectral properties tend to be even more complex and non-monotonic in response to changes in connections to and from inhibitory populations. In turn, changes to the cellular density of two- and three-dimensional networks alter the spatial and spectral nature of activity propagation allowing for complex formations such as spiral waves and the emergence of autonomous transitions. Together, the co-modulation of weight and density parameters allows for complex, persistent activity with a range of frequency distributions and autonomous transitions patterns. The effects of the interactions of these two mechanisms suggest that alterations to network density along with weight modulations may be key factors in enabling EEG transitions that can occur independently of external input. The two mechanisms may thus be important evolutionary, developmental, and learning strategies for dynamical tuning of neural population activity underlying cognition. Support contributed by: CIHR, NIH.
Oligothiophene Isocyanides for Platinum-Based Molecular Electronic Applications

Understanding molecular orientation on a metal surface is key to designing molecular electronic device junctions. Though platinum device electrodes are of particular interest as a more stable alternative to the often used gold electrodes, the chemisorption of conducting molecules onto platinum surfaces has not been thoroughly studied. We present herein the first detailed study of the ability and manner in which soluble oligothiophene isocyanides, of lengths ranging from 2 to 7 nm, chemisorb onto platinum surfaces and nanoparticles. It was found that these oligothiophene isocyanides stand at a 41° angle from the platinum surface normal, suggesting their applicability in molecule-bridged platinum electrode devices.
All-optical formation of an atomic Bose-Einstein condensate.

We have created a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) of ${}^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms directly in an optical trap. We employ a quasielectrostatic dipole force trap formed by two crossed ${\mathrm{CO}}_{2}$ laser beams. Loading directly from a sub-Doppler laser-cooled cloud of atoms results in initial phase space densities of $\ensuremath{\sim}1/200$. Evaporatively cooling through the BEC transition is achieved by lowering the power in the trapping beams over $\ensuremath{\sim}2\mathrm{s}$. The resulting condensates are $F\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}1$ spinors with $3.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$ atoms distributed between the ${m}_{F}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}(\ensuremath{-}1,0,1)$ states.
Dentofacial effects of bone-anchored maxillary protraction: A controlled study of consecutively treated Class III patients

Introduction In this cephalometric investigation, we analyzed the treatment effects of bone-anchored maxillary protraction (BAMP) with miniplates in the maxilla and mandible connected by Class III elastics in patients with Class III malocclusion. Methods The treated sample consisted of 21 Class III patients consecutively treated with the BAMP protocol before the pubertal growth spurt (mean age, 11.10 ± 1.8 years) and reevaluated after BAMP therapy, about 1 year later. The treated group was compared with a matched control group of 18 untreated Class III subjects. Significant differences between the treated and control groups were assessed with independent-sample t tests (P Results Sagittal measurements of the maxilla showed highly significant improvements during active treatment (about 4 mm more than the untreated controls), with significant protraction effects at orbitale and pterygomaxillare. Significant improvements of overjet and molar relationship were recorded, as well as in the mandibular skeletal measures at Point B and pogonion. Vertical skeletal changes and modifications in incisor inclination were negligible, except for a significant proclination of the mandibular incisors in the treated group. Significant soft-tissue changes reflected the underlying skeletal modifications. Conclusions Compared with growth of the untreated Class III subjects, the BAMP protocol induced an average increment on skeletal and soft-tissue advancement of maxillary structures of about 4 mm, and favorable mandibular changes exceeded 2 mm.
Recent studies on pathophysiologic mechanisms in human neoplastic disease.

Abstract Progress is being made in the description of disturbances in the physiology of the patient with cancer. For certain problems such as the anemia of neoplastic disease and many of the phenomena of multiple myeloma, knowledge of the mechanisms involved has increased rapidly. In other areas, the issues have been defined, and work on precise mechanisms is going on. Studies of the type described in this communication hold promise for offering rational measures to support the host against the effects of the tumor, for defining criteria which may be used objectively as indicators to measure therapeutic regimens and for broadening the understanding of the biology and biochemistry of the tumor cell.
Constitutive Modeling and Algorithmic Implementation of a Plasticity-like Model for Trabecular Bone Structures

Trabecular bone is a highly porous orthotropic cellular solid material present inside human bones such as the femur (hip bone) and vertebra (spine). In this study, an infinitesimal plasticity-like model with isotropic/kinematic hardening is developed to describe yielding of trabecular bone at the continuum level. One of the unique features of this formulation is the development of the plasticity-like model in strain space for a yield envelope expressed in terms of principal strains having asymmetric yield behavior. An implicit return-mapping approach is adopted to obtain a symmetric algorithmic tangent modulus and a step-by-step procedure of algorithmic implementation is derived. To investigate the performance of this approach in a full-scale finite element simulation, the model is implemented in a non-linear finite element analysis program and several test problems including the simulation of loading of the human femur structures are analyzed. The results show good agreement with the experimental data.
Air oxidation of yttrium and some yttrium-base alloys☆

Abstract An investigation was made of the air oxidation behavior of yttrium metal of 99.9% purity at temperatures between 500° and 1400°C. An oxide layer formed on the metal surface affords excellent protection against oxidation up to about 875°C but this film breaks down at higher temperatures, resulting in complete failure of the specimen within a few days or hours. The effects of those impurities present in commercial grade yttrium upon the oxidation rate between 600° and 9oo°C were also studied. Fluorine and silicon were found to affect this rate adversely whereas carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, chromium, iron, nickel, tantalum and titanium have little if any effect. The role of fluorine was studied quite extensively at various temperatures and concentrations in an attempt to determine the reasons for its detrimental effect.
Effects of 3-(o-Toloxy)-Propane-1,2-diol (Mephenesin) and 3-2-methyl-6-Chlorophenoxy)-Propan-1,2-Diol (P105) on α-Excitability of Muscle

SummaryMephenesin and P105 both consistently increase rheobase (r), the time constant of excitatiion (k), and stability (R/k) of frog sartorius muscle.
A living laboratory for the design and evaluation of ubiquitous computing technologies

We introduce the PlaceLab, a new "living laboratory" for the study of ubiquitous technologies in home settings. The PlaceLab is a tool for researchers developing context-aware and ubiquitous interaction technologies. It complements more traditional data gathering instruments and methods, such as home ethnography and laboratory studies. We describe the data collection capabilities of the laboratory and current examples of its use.
Ultralong dark decay measurements in BaTiO(3).

We have observed dark decay rates in BaTiO3 crystals at elevated temperatures that correspond to dark decay times as long as 2200 years at room temperature. Our investigations have shown that cerium is a desirable dopant in BaTiO3 for enhancing the dark storage time.
Differential rate of ribosomal protein synthesis in Escherichia coli B/r.

Abstract The differential rate of ribosomal protein synthesis, α r (ribosomal protein synthesis rate/total protein synthesis rate), was measured for Escherichia coli strain B/r growing at different steady-state rates ranging from 0.67 to 2.3 doublings/hour. For growth rates above 1.2 doublings/hour, α r was found to be proportional to the growth rate μ (doublings/h), such that α r = 0.09 μ, and the ribosome efficiency (amino acids polymerized/second per ribosome), calculated from α r , was found to be 14 to 18 amino acids/second per ribosome. With decreasing growth rates below 1.2 doublings/hour, α r was found to be increasingly greater than 0.09 μ and the ribosome efficiency gradually decreased such that at μ = 0.67, α r = 0.085, and the ribosome efficiency was reduced by 30% and was equal to 10 to 13 ammo acids/second per ribosome. These results imply that the protein to DNA ratio is constant for μ > 1.2 and equal to 4 × 10 8 to 5 × 10 8 amino acids/genome. For μ μ = 0.67, protein to DNA = 3 × 10 8 to 4 × 10 8 amino acids/genome. These relationships were verified by direct measurements of the amounts of DNA, RNA and protein at different steady-state growth rates. In addition, protein accumulation was measured following a nutritional shift-up from succinate to glucose minimal medium. The results indicate that the ribosome efficiency increases by approximately 40% within the first few minutes following the shift-up.