cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Statistical Assessment of the Damage State in Plasma-Sprayed Thermal Barrier Coating

Thermal barrier coatings (TBC), which consist of yttria-partially-stabilized zirconia top coat and metallic bond coat deposited onto superalloy substrate, are favorably used as protective coatings of the hot section parts in advanced gas turbine engines to withstand increased inlet temperatures and thus improve engine performance. However, understanding and modeling the damage evolution in TBC under service exposed conditions still remain to be a challenge. This is due to the failure by the coupled effects of the external load-environment, the thermal expansion mismatch between the bond coat and TBC, microstructure of the coating, and degradation of the bond coat. In this study, the damage state in an air-plasma-sprayed APS) thermal barrier coating system was assessed using metallurgical and statistical methods. The damage evolution in the TBC can thus be described with a high degree of confidence. A mechanistic model, representing the micro-cracking mechanism, is presented and its prediction is also assessed on a statistical basis.© 2003 ASME
2011 Joseph W. St Geme Jr Lecture: Five Things I'd Like to See Changed in American Pediatrics, Five Lessons I've Learned

OBJECTIVE: In response to limitations in access to subspecialty care, I present personal observations and suggestions related to education of future pediatricians regarding development of critical thinking skills, care of complex and chronically ill patients, development of empathy, and restoration of responsibility that may help ameliorate this serious problem. Toward this end, I also offer 1 approach, a 24/7 telephone consultation network, for enriching interaction of primary care providers (PCPs) and subspecialists who can potentially provide rapid access to needed advice, reduce demand for subspecialty appointments, bolster decision-making and expertise, and realign resources with need. METHODS: Data were obtained from 579 requests by PCPs for telephone consultation by subspecialists in 8 areas (including child psychiatry). RESULTS: Of calls, 27% took <5 minutes and 79% took 5 to 15 minutes. Of calls, 28% resulted in a clinic visit; 8% prompted hospital transfer, hospital admission, or referral to an emergency department; and the remaining 64% resulted in continued management by PCP with reinforcement of the plan. Assuming most inquiries would have resulted in referral to a subspecialist were there no telephone consultation, we estimated that 70% (8+64%) of consultations realigned resources with need, resulting in large saving of unnecessary clinic visits, travel, expense to families, lost days at work, or missed school. CONCLUSIONS: Development of rapid telephone consultation networks could provide increased access to care for those children in greatest need, use limited resources more efficiently, foster collegial and productive relationships between medical providers, and increase expertise of PCPs and subspecialists. * Abbreviations: PCP — : primary care provider
Granulocytic sarcoma (chloroma) of the sacrum: initial manifestation of leukemia

We present an unusual case of a granulocytic sarcoma (chloroma) of the sacrum which predated the initial clinical manifestation of acute myelogenous leukemia. Although granulocytic sarcomas occur in up to 9.1% of cases of acute myelogenous leukemia they usually present concurrently with the leukemic presentation. Although granulocytic sarcomas can involve several different organ systems, bone is the most common site.
Energy‐efficient virtual grid aided routing for MANETs

Purpose – In a mobile ad hoc network (MANET), design of energy‐efficient routing schemes is essential for prolonging the network lifetime. The purpose of this paper is to show that one way to achieve energy efficiency in routing is to utilize location information, which becomes practical due to the recent increasing availability of low‐cost and reliable positioning devices.Design/methodology/approach – This paper proposes an eight‐direction forwarding virtual grid aided (VGA) routing scheme that uses location information to save energy. As a grid‐based scheme, VGA divides the whole network area into virtual grids.Findings – By using eight‐direction forwarding, the proposed VGA scheme outperforms the previous four‐direction forwarding geographical adaptive fidelity (GAF) protocol. The proposed VGA scheme is motivated by the fact that, in the GAF protocol, forwarding to the four diagonal neighboring grids cannot be done in one single hop, although most nodes in these grids can hear the signal.Originality/va...
An Anterior-to-Posterior Shift in Midline Cortical Activity in Schizophrenia During Self-Reflection

Background Deficits in social cognition, including impairments in self-awareness, contribute to the overall functional disability associated with schizophrenia. Studies in healthy subjects have shown that social cognitive functions, including self-reflection, rely on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and posterior cingulate gyrus, and these regions exhibit highly correlated activity during "resting" states. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that patients with schizophrenia show dysfunction of this network during self-reflection and that this abnormal activity is associated with changes in the strength of resting-state correlations between these regions. Methods Activation during self-reflection and control tasks was measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging in 19 patients with schizophrenia and 20 demographically matched control subjects. In addition, the resting-state functional connectivity of midline cortical areas showing abnormal self-reflection-related activation in schizophrenia was measured. Results Compared with control subjects, the schizophrenia patients demonstrated lower activation of the right ventral mPFC and greater activation of the mid/posterior cingulate gyri bilaterally during self-reflection, relative to a control task. A similar pattern was seen during overall social reflection. In addition, functional connectivity between the portion of the left mid/posterior cingulate gyrus showing abnormally elevated activity during self-reflection in schizophrenia, and the dorsal anterior cingulate gyrus was lower in the schizophrenia patients compared with control subjects. Conclusions Schizophrenia is associated with an anterior-to-posterior shift in introspection-related activation, as well as changes in functional connectivity, of the midline cortex. These findings provide support for the hypothesis that aberrant midline cortical function contributes to social cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.
The incorporation of [2-13C,14C,15N]-1-methyl-Δ1-pyrrolinium chloride into cuscohygrine in Erythroxylum coca

Abstract [2- 13 C, 14 C, 15 N]-1-Methyl-Δ 1 -pyrrolinium chloride was synthesized from potassium [ 13 C, 14 C]cyanide and [ 15 N]methylamine. The λ max at 267 nm previously reported for this iminium salt, was shown to be due to an impurity. Feth, F. et al . Phytochemistry 24 , 1653). The structure of this impurity was established as 1-methyl-3-( E )-(4′-methylaminobutylidene)-Δ 1 -pyrrolinium chloride formed by the acid cleavage of the dimer of the iminium salt. Administration of the labelled pyrrolinium salt to Erythroxylum coca plants resulted in the formation of radioactive cuscohygrine (specific inc. of 14 C: 0.25 %). The 13 CNMR spectrum of this alkaloid exhibited satellites at the signals due to C-2 and C-2′ arising from coupling of these carbons with the adjacent 15 N. The multiplicity of signals in the 13 C NMR spectrum of both natural and synthetic cuscohygrine indicated that the alkaloid is a mixture of its meso , (2 S ,2′ R ), and optically active (2 S ,2′ S ), (2 R ,2′ R ), diastereomers.
Use of computer tomography in subperiosteal implant therapy

T In the earliest attempts in treating patients with subperiosteal implant dentures, stone casts of the edentulous ridges were altered to approximate the bone contours. The alterations were based on intraoral radiographs that were used to estimate the thickness of the soft tissue.’ This method was abandoned in favor of a staged direct bone impression that continues to be used to achieve greater accuracy and better fit of the implant to the bone. The method presented in this article uses radiology to obtain casts from which subperiosteal implants can be designed and fabricated for edentulous jaws. The conception and feasibility studies have been reported.2 This article covers the clinical work that has subsequently taken place.
Strychnine eliminates alternating motor output during fictive locomotion in the lamprey

Abstract The motor program for swimming in the lamprey includes rhythmic bursting of motoneurons with output from the two sides of a spinal segment alternating strictly out of phase. This motor program can be observed in vitro in the isolated spinal cord. Addition of strychnine (5–10 μM) can selectively eliminate the alternation between sides without blocking the temporal pattern of bursting on each side. This result suggests that temporal bursting on the right and left sides of the spinal cord is generated by independent neuronal oscillators, while the alternation between the two sides results from crossed inhibitory coupling between these oscillators.
Mechanism for Unimolecular Decomposition of HMX (1,3,5,7-Tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine), an ab Initio Study

To improve the mechanistic understanding of the possible decomposition in the gas phase of the energetic material HMX (octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine), we used ab initio calculations to determine the various unimolecular decomposition channels. We find three distinct mechanisms: (i) homolytic cleavage of N−N bond to form NO2 (M = 46) and HMR (M = 250) which subsequently decomposes to form various products; (ii) successive HONO eliminations to give four HONO (M = 47) plus a stable intermediate (M = 108); (iii) O-migration from one of the NO2 groups of HMX to neighboring C atom followed by the decomposition of intermediate (M = 296) to INT222 (a ring-opened RDX structure) and MN-oring (M = 74), which can undergo dissociation to smaller mass fragments. The decomposition scheme for HMX is similar to that for RDX presented earlier (J. Phys. Chem. A 2000, 104, 2261), except that concerted decomposition of HMX to four MN (M = 74) molecules is not a favorable decomposition pathway, whereas this...
Construction of microfluidic chips using polydimethylsiloxane for adhesive bonding

A thin layer of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) prepolymer, which is coated on a glass slide, is transferred onto the embossed area surfaces of a patterned substrate. This coated substrate is brought into contact with a flat plate, and the two structures are permanently bonded to form a sealed fluidic system by thermocuring (60 °C for 30 min) the prepolymer. The PDMS exists only at the contact area of the two surfaces with a negligible portion exposed to the microfluidic channel. This method is demonstrated by bonding microfluidic channels of two representative soft materials (PDMS substrate on a PDMS plate), and two representative hard materials (glass substrate on a glass plate). The effects of the adhesive layer on the electroosmotic flow (EOF) in glass channels are calculated and compared with the experimental results of a CE separation. For a channel with a size of approximately 10 to 500 µm, a ∼200–500 nm thick adhesive layer creates a bond without voids or excess material and has little effect on the EOF rate. The major advantages of this bonding method are its generality and its ease of use.
Opening the black box: women’s empowerment and innovative secondary education in Honduras

This article aims to clarify the relationship between education and women’s empowerment. Drawing from qualitative data collected in a study of four Garifuna villages on the north coast of Honduras, it argues that education can trigger the empowerment process if it expands women’s knowledge and understanding, self‐confidence and awareness of gender equity. However, not all education programs will do this. The program studied, Sistema de Aprendizaje Tutorial, has several unique features that appear to foster the empowerment process and are not traditionally present in Latin American secondary schools. We must carefully consider the content and pedagogy of educational programs that attempt to promote women’s empowerment, rather than assuming that education and empowerment automatically go hand‐in‐hand.
Spatial heterogeneity and sources of soil carbon in southern African savannas

Abstract Knowledge of the southern Africa soil carbon pool, its heterogeneity, sources (from trees or grasses), and potential response to climate is extremely limited. In this study the Kalahari Transect (KT) was used as a representative savanna ecosystem to quantitatively evaluate the spatial heterogeneity of the soil carbon pool and its contributing sources. The KT encompasses a dramatic aridity gradient on relatively homogenous soils. Two sites were chosen along the KT, representing dry and wet conditions. In February–March 2005, soil samples were collected at each site along a 300 m transect. Stable carbon isotope (δ 13 C) and organic carbon content (%C) of the soils were utilized in the assessment in conjunction with geostatistical analysis of the spatial patterns of soil δ 13 C and %C. At the dry savanna site, well-defined patterns in both δ 13 C and %C were observed that were related to the distribution of woody vegetation. At the wet savanna site, the spatial patterns of δ 13 C and %C were somewhat less pronounced, but still were impacted by the distribution of woody vegetation. The relative contributions from C 3 and C 4 vegetation to the soil carbon pool at the wet site were independent of tree locations, but dependent on woody plant locations at the dry site. At the dry site, ~ 40% of the soil carbon was derived from C 3 vegetation, whereas at the wet site ~ 90% of the soil carbon originated from C 3 vegetation. These results represent an important step in understanding the impact of regional climate change (e.g., rainfall variations) on carbon sequestration in southern Africa by providing quantitative information on soil carbon spatial distributions and sources under different climatic conditions (e.g., different rainfall regimes).
Calculated Attractor Dimensions for Low-Order Spectral Models

Abstract Advancing knowledge about the phase space topologies of nonlinear hydrodynamic or dynamical systems has raised the question of whether the structure of the attractors in which the solutions are eventually confined can be characterized rigorously and economically. It is shown by applying the Lyapunov exponents, Lyapunov dimension, and correlation dimension to several low-order truncated spectral models that these quantities give useful information about the phase space structure and predictability characteristics of such attractors. The Lyapunov exponents measure the average exponential rate of convergence or divergence of nearby solution trajectories in an appropriate phase space. The Lyapunov dimension dL incorporates the dynamical information of the Lyapunov exponents to give an estimate of the dimension of the system attractor, while the correlation dimension v is a more geometrically motivated measure that is simple to compute and related to more classical dimensions. The Lyapunov exponents d...
The Adoption of E-Learning across Professional Groups.

The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of professional group membership on the rate of adoption of e-learning. The sample consisted of Engineering, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, and Marketing professionals from a Fortune 500 manufacturing company. Professional groups were categorized based on Rogers (1995) five categories of adoption: Laggard, Late Majority, Early Majority, Early Adopter, and Innovator. Survey was the method of data collection. A mail questionnaire was used to measure the rate of adoption e-learning, concerns about e-learning, and specific demographic variables. Data analysis included the use of basic descriptive, multiple regression, and analysis of variance. The statistical analysis was used to investigate the relationship between professional group membership and rate of adoption of e-learning and concerns about e-learning. Results revealed that professional groups do indeed adopt e-learning at different rates but that primary concerns about e-learning were the same. Recommendations for HRD professionals, business managers, and HRD educators and researchers are provided.
Electrophilic oxygen-atom transfer chemistry of α-azohydroperoxides

Abstract The ionic oxidations of alkenes, sulfides, and amines by α-azohydroperoxides are discussed. The reactivity and selectivity of cyclic α-azohydroperoxide 1 are similar to those of flavin 4a-hydroperoxide model compounds in heteroatom-oxidation. The α-azohydroperoxides show similar selectivity in epoxidation to that of peracids. The lack of a general acid catalysis requirement in aprotic medium as well as Hammett-type studies suggests a mechanism of oxygen-atom transfer that involves nucleophilic attack of the substrate on the terminal oxygen with concomitant transfer (hydrogen-bonding) of the hydroperoxy proton to the azo function. 17 O NMR data on enriched samples of α-azohydroperoxides show a solvent dependence that appears to correlate with kinetic data. However, solvent effects and intermolecular acid catalysis of the oxidations are generally minor effects. The intramolecular acid catalytic effects are of greater magnitude. α-Azohydroperoxides that contain phenolic groups show approximately 100-fold increased reactivity over those of electronically similar analogs. For α-azohydroperoxide ionic oxidations, selectivity appears to be essentially invariant, at a maximum value, and independent of reactivity.
New diruthenium complexes formed via modification with 1,1′-ferrocene dicarboxylic acid

Abstract Carboxylate exchange reactions between Ru2(DArF)3(OAc)Cl (1) and 1,1′-ferrocene dicarboxylic acid resulted in the new compounds [Ru2(DArF)3Cl]2(μ-1,1′-(O2CFcCO2) (3), where DArF is either N,N′-di(3,5-dichlorophenyl)formamidinate (D(3,5-Cl2Ph)F, a), or N,N′-di(3-methoxyphenyl)formamidinate (DmAniF, b). The exchange reactions between Ru2(DArF)2(OAc)2Cl (2) and 1,1′-ferrocene dicarboxylic acid yielded the new compounds Ru2(DArF)2(O2CFcCO2)Cl (4a and 4b). The dimeric nature of compounds 3 was confirmed by both the MS data and an X-ray structural study of 3b. The monomeric nature of compounds 4a and 4b was confirmed by the MALDI-TOF MS data. Both compounds 3 and 4 were also characterized with cyclic (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and room temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements.
Electronic medical record review as a surrogate to telephone follow-up to establish outcome for diagnostic research studies in the emergency department.

Background: Follow-up for diagnostic research studies might be facilitated if medical record review (MRR) could be used instead of telephone calls. Objectives: The authors hypothesized that MRR would yield similar accuracy to telephone follow-up. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of 2,178 initially disease-free patients who were followed after enrollment in a diagnostic study of either acute coronary syndrome (45 days) or pulmonary embolism (90 days) conducted in an urban teaching emergency department (ED). Disease status (positive or negative) was defined explicitly. Using structured data forms, trained researchers performed MRR using a comprehensive electronic database, and formulated an opinion about disease status. Trained researchers, blinded to the MRR, then dialed telephone numbers, asked questions from a script, and categorized disease status. The criterion standard was adjudication by consensus of two of three physicians who independently determined disease status based on explicit criteria and access to all follow-up data. Results: Adjudicators found that 13 of 2,178 patients developed disease during follow-up; all 13 true positives occurred among the 2,054 (94.3%) of patients who acknowledged intent to return to the study hospital. Telephone follow-up was successful in 81% of patients, and found all 13 true positives (sensitivity 100%) but with three additional false-positive cases. MRR disclosed 12 of 13 cases of disease (sensitivity 92%) with no false-positive cases. Further review of the one false-negative case from MRR revealed that it occurred after the prescribed time limit for follow-up. Conclusions: Under limited circumstances, accurate clinical follow-up for diagnostic studies conducted in the ED can be obtained by medical record review.
Neuropsychological patterns in pediatric epilepsy.

Results from comprehensive neuropsychological assessments of children diagnosed with epilepsy have rarely been reported. Previous research has generally focused on the measurement of overall intellectual ability and achievement skills. In the present study, neuropsychological evaluations including memory, attention, language, achievement, fine motor, executive function, visual motor integration, and behavior were completed on children ( n = 79 ) diagnosed with epilepsy. Neurocognitive skills were within expectations for measured intelligence with the exception of verbal and visual attention skills, which were significantly below expectations based on measured ability. Behaviorally, children were rated by their parents as demonstrating clinically elevated attentional problems. Differences in cognitive and behavioral function were not found according to seizure type. Findings suggested a more diffuse effect of childhood epilepsy reflected in a pattern of decreased attention skills.
An exogenous approach for adding multiple image representations to content-based image retrieval systems

Content-based image retrieval (CBIR) uses features that can be extracted from the images themselves. In previous work we have shown that using more than one representation of the images in a collection can improve the results presented to a user without changing the underlying feature extraction or search technologies French, J.C. et al., (2003). In this paper we show that we can also merge the results of multiple CBIR systems to achieve even greater retrieval effectiveness again without changing the underlying CBIR technology. We also present an example of this combined approach and show that it can dramatically improve retrieval effectiveness in content-based image retrieval systems.
Adhesion of the plasma polymer of trimethylsilane to aluminum alloys

The adhesion of a plasma polymer and the corrosion protection offered to aluminum alloy substrates depends on the cleanliness of the substrate surface and the state of oxides on the aluminum alloy surface. Both factors are dependent on what type of alloy is used, and consequently, the best preparation of the substrate surface differs on the type of aluminum alloy. Oxygen plasma treatment is effective for the elimination of organic surface contamination, but plasma treatment, such as that of mixed argon and hydrogen, cannot be used to modify the surface state of oxides on these alloys. This is because oxides of aluminum are stable and thus resist plasma modification, and prolonged plasma treatment has been observed to change concentrations of alloy components at the surface due to the heating of the alloy. Chemical cleaning of the surface is necessary before the application of the plasma polymer used for corrosion protection enhancement. Once the surface was properly prepared, a plasma polymer of trimethylsilane (TMS), prepared by cathodic polymerization, adhered well to aluminum alloys investigated in this study. Major adhesive failure, however, occurred as a consequence of reactor contamination when hexafluoroethane (HFE) plasma treatment of initially formed TMS plasma polymers was employed. Plasma pretreatment of the substrate with O2 or postplasma treatment of the plasma polymer of TMS with Ar (instead of HFE) was effective in eliminating the surface-contamination effect on the adhesion. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 1387–1398, 2002
Passicoccin: a sulphated cyanogenic glycoside from Passiflora coccinea

Abstract A novel cyclopentenoid cyanogenic glycoside (1-(6- O -β- D -rhamnopyranosyl-β- D -glucopyranosyloxy)-cyclopent-2-en-1-nitrile-4-sulphate) has been isolated from Passiflora coccinea . The structure was determined by means of the 1 H and 13 C NMR spectrum of the sulphate and its corresponding acetate derivative. Identification of the sugar constituents was made by HPLC and TLC. Passicoccin is so far unique to subgenus Distephana and its presence here is evidence for a phylogenetic relationship between Distephana and subgenera Granadilla and Tacsonia .
Range-Free Localization in Wireless Sensor Networks with Neural Network Ensembles

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), the location information of sensor nodes are important for implementing other network applications. In this paper, we propose a range-free Localization algorithm based on Neural Network Ensembles (LNNE). The location of a sensor node is estimated by LNNE solely based on the connectivity information of the WSN. Through simulation study, the performance of LNNE is compared with that of two well-known range-free localization algorithms, Centroid and DV-Hop, and a single neural network based localization algorithm, LSNN. The experimental results demonstrate that LNNE consistently outperforms other three algorithms in localization accuracy. An enhanced mass spring optimization (EMSO) algorithm is also proposed to further improve the performance of LNNE by utilizing the location information of neighboring beacon and unknown nodes.
Guest Editors' Introduction to the Special Issue on "Computer Models and Spatial Statistics for Environmental Science"

The December 2011 issue of the Journal of Agricultural, Biological, and Environmental Statistics is on the topic “Computer models and spatial statistics for environmental science.” This is a topic of great interest as the study of complex environmental phenomena increasingly relies on deterministic computer models. These models, for example regional climate models or rainfall-runoff simulators, are mathematical models that describe the evolution in time of a physical process. Usually, they consist of complex differential or partial differential equations that are not solvable in closed form. Hence, these are typically solved using numerical techniques, yielding deterministic predictions of a process. In this special issue, researchers tackle several important statistical problems that arise in the analysis of computer model output, for example calibrating model output with observed data, comparing and combing output from several computer models and physical observations, and building statistical emulators for computer models to predict the outcome of the models for new sets of input conditions. An important contribution of statisticians in the analysis of deterministic models is to quantify uncertainty in inferences and predictions in rigorous fashion. Uncertainty quantification is of great interest, especially as information from complex computer models and messy observational data is used for decision making. There are several types of uncertainty, including (1) parametric uncertainty in the model’s inputs or tuning parameters and (2) structural uncertainty in the mathematical equations that define the model. In “First-Order Emulator Inference for Parameters in Nonlinear Mechanistic Models”, Mevin B. Hooten, William B. Leeds, Jerome Fiechter, and Christopher K. Wikle provide a computationally-efficient method for quantifying parametric uncertainty. They approximate the complicated computer model with a more tractable statistical model, and use
Variability in rat irritable and predatory aggression

Rats from differing strains and/or suppliers show marked differences in the stability and frequency of shock-induced fighting under uniform parameters. Similar differences occur in mouse-killing behavior. Aggression differences are not necessarily related to differences in footshock sensitivity. Such behavioral variability can be used to correlate strain-dependent neurochemical and behavioral characteristics.
Loss of flexion after radial head replacement.

Prosthetic radial head replacement is a well-documented procedure; however, loss of elbow flexion after radial head arthroplasty has only recently been reported. This study reviews 6 patients who received modular prosthetic radial heads and had a clinically significant decrease in elbow flexion. The implant was removed in 4 of these patients because of reduced elbow motion and pain. This clinical finding is correlated with biomechanical data obtained by use of matched-pair, fresh-frozen upper extremity specimens loaded to 330 N with the forearm in positions of neutral, pronation, and supination for each of three elbow positions (0°, 90°, and 135°). The radiocapitellar gap was monitored and was significantly smaller under load during elbow flexion compared with extension. This study indicates the need for verification of the radiocapitellar gap throughout elbow range of motion in order to prevent these complications.
Sintering kinetics for a model final-stage microstructure: A study of AI2O3

Abstract Model experiments have been conducted on a series of alumina samples in which the microstructures have been tailored to conform to the classical configurations depicted in the models of final-stage sintering. Simultaneous measurements of sintered density, grain size, pore number density and pore size distribution were made as a function of sintering time at constant temperature (18500C). The data conformed to a model of grain-boundary-diffusion-controlled densification. Atom flux equations for grain-boundary diffusion transport and lattice diffusion transport were deduced from the data. The number of pores per unit volume was identified as the most critical factor influencing densification kinetics.
Validating the FAO AquaCrop Model for Rainfed Maize in Pennsylvania

It is widely known that a close relationship exists between crop production and water stress. In this study, field-measured data were used to test the performance of AquaCrop and its ability to capture this relationship for rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) in Pennsylvania. The objectives were to evaluate AquaCrop's ability to simulate the progression of cumulative biomass and grain yield with time, final biomass and harvestable yield, and volumetric water content at six depths. Two years of data from a study conducted in Rock Springs, PA, were used to validate AquaCrop's ability to accurately simulate the progression of cumulative biomass and grain yield with time, as well as final biomass and harvestable yield. Data collected from January 2004 to March 2006 from a study conducted near Landisville, PA, were used to assess AquaCrop's ability to effectively simulate soil moisture content at six depths. In addition, the 2004 and 2005 seasonal final biomass measurements obtained from the Landisville location were compared with the model's simulated values. The results indicated that AquaCrop was able to accurately simulate the progression of cumulative biomass and grain yield with time, with index of agreement values ranging from 0.96 to 0.99. Comparisons between simulated and measured final biomass and final harvestable yield produced biomass deviations ranging from 2.4 to 20.7% and yield deviations of 2.9 and 15.3%. The water balance evaluation indicated that, averaged across all depths, the results were consistent with other validation studies of soil water balance models, with RMSE ranging from 1.5 to 9.8% (v/v).
Long-term outcomes after carotid stent placement treatment of carotid artery dissection.

Objective To assess the long-term outcomes after stent placement for the treatment of carotid artery dissections. Methods Between 1992 and 1998, seven patients underwent stenting procedures for treatment of extracranial carotid artery dissections resulting from various causes, including trauma (n = 2), iatrogenesis (n = 2), spontaneous development (n = 2), and fibromuscular dysplasia (n = 1). Stenting procedures were performed for large, nonhealing, dissection-induced pseudoaneurysms (four cases) or severe preocclusive stenosis (three cases). A total of 11 stents were placed (Palmaz stents, n = 8; Wallstents, n = 3). Radiological follow-up examinations were performed after a mean period of 17.7 months (range, 1-67 mo), using conventional or computed tomographic angiography. Clinical follow-up data were obtained after a mean period of 42.9 months (range, 13-72 mo). Results All stent placements resulted in complete resolution of dissection-induced stenosis. For two of the four patients with aneurysms, the lesions occluded spontaneously at the time of the procedure. The third patient required coil embolization of the pseudoaneurysm. One patient exhibited progressive shrinkage of the aneurysm in serial follow-up examinations, with healing after 18 months. No clinical complications were associated with the procedures. One patient exhibited progression to asymptomatic occlusion 3 months after stenting. The remaining six patients exhibited no significant changes in luminal diameters. All patients remained in clinically stable condition, with no ischemic symptoms, during more than 3.5 years (mean period) of follow-up monitoring. Conclusion This experience suggests that stents placed for treatment of extracranial carotid artery dissections remain patent and patients remain free of symptoms on a long-term basis. Additional studies will be required to determine the optimal types of stents and intervals for follow-up monitoring using imaging.
REGULATORY POLICY ANALYSIS: WORKING IN A QUAGMIRE

The authors review five “definitions-in-use” that characterize regulatory policymaking and policy analysis. They survey these contradictory meanings and argue that the common use of all five has adversely affected efforts to reform and study government regulation.
The impact of body weight on ovarian cancer outcomes.

Background Obesity is a known risk factor and poor prognostic factor for many comorbidities including cancer. However, the influence of body mass index (BMI) on ovarian cancer outcomes is inconclusive. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of BMI and weight changes on survival in patients with advanced ovarian cancer after primary treatment. Methods All patients with a diagnosis of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer from January 2000 to December 2007 undergoing primary cytoreductive surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy were identified. Patients were divided into 3 categories: underweight/normal weight (BMI, 30 kg/m2). Adjusted hazard ratios for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated via Cox proportional hazards models. Results One hundred ninety-eight patients met the inclusion criteria. For all patients, the mean BMI was 26 kg/m2 (range, 16.4–49.1 kg/m2), with 43% of patients being classified as normal weight, 29% overweight, and 28% as obese. Median 5-year OS was 48.2 months (95% confidence interval, 16.4–49.1 months), and no differences in OS were noted between BMI groups. Unadjusted median PFS for patients with normal weight was 13.7 months, compared with 15.5 and 17.9 months for the overweight and obese groups. Adjusted analysis of BMI over time indicates a trend of increased risk for patients who gain weight in the 6 months after primary therapy on disease progression (hazard ratio, 1.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.87–3.26). Conclusions After adjustment for confounders, such as stage, grade, histology, age, and debulking status, data suggest a trend toward a shorter PFS in patients with a normal BMI. However, OS was not significantly related to BMI, and weight change in the 6 months after completion of treatment had no effect on PFS or OS. Further research should be directed at elucidating relationships between weight and cancer biology.
Diagnosing the prostatitis patient: The dilemma continues

National Institutes of Health Category III prostatitis/ chronic pelvic pain syndrome continues to pose a diagnostic and treatment challenge to most urologists. While this form of so-called prostatitis is the most prevalent and frustrating, little progress has been made in proving an etiology and consequently, in finding an effective remedy. The diagnostic dilemma is illustrated by the conflicting data employed to describe prostatitis. What is prostatitis? Is it a malady of the prostate gland itself? Is it a form of voiding dysfunction? Is it a myofascial pain syndrome? Or, is prostatitis urology’s brand of functional somatic syndrome? It is time we address the dilemma by looking beyond the prostate gland and toward a multidisciplinary perspective.
Allergen-Specific IgG1 Provides Parsimonious Heritability Estimates for Atopy-Associated Immune Responses to Allergens

Abstract Although serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) is generally elevated in atopic conditions, it is an unreliable trait for dissecting the genetic and environmental components contributing to atopic immune responses, because it can be significantly confounded by demographic factors (age, gender, and race) and clinical status (atopic vs nonatopic). Allergen-specific IgE is a discontinuous trait present only in those with sensitivity to allergens. However, all people will produce allergen-specific immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1), which is elevated among those atopically sensitized to specific allergens. We screened 91 Caucasian nuclear families (N = 367) with medical histories of atopic diseases and used variance components analysis to compare heritability estimates for total IgE and IgG1 produced against the common major allergen from house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p 1). An estimate of total IgE heritability was about 48%, although this was significantly confounded by age, gender, and clinical atopic status. In contrast, Der p 1–IgG1 demonstrated a significant inherited component of about 62% that was not influenced by age, gender, or clinical status. For genetic studies of atopic humoral responses, allergen-specific IgG1 may be a more reliable quantitative trait than serum IgE. Moreover, atopy is an inherited deregulation of immune responses to noninfectious antigens, involving antibody isotypes other than IgE.
Does the Spatial Distribution of Smaller Earthquakes Delineate Areas Where Larger Earthquakes Are Likely to Occur

In the development of the latest generation of National Seismic Hazard Maps, one of the component models used the spatial distribution of smaller earthquakes in the eastern United States to forecast the locations of larger earthquakes (Frankel, 1995). Variations of this hypothesis, that smaller earthquakes indicate where larger earthquakes are likely to occur, are found throughout earthquake studies. In a previous study (Kafka and Walcott, 1998), we tested this hypothesis for earthquakes in the northeastern United States (NEUS) to see how well the spatial distribution of smaller earthquakes recorded by seismic networks in the NEUS “forecasts” the locations of larger earthquakes that have already occurred. The essence of our procedure is to systematically analyze how often previously occurring smaller earthquakes occurred in the vicinity of larger earthquakes. The purpose of this study is to extend that investigation to other areas of the world to obtain a more global perspective on this issue. Here we report on an extension of that investigation to the southeastern United States, the New Madrid seismic zone, southern California, northern California, Israel, Turkey, and the entire eastern United States. Our results to date do, in fact, suggest that (in a variety of tectonic environments) the spatial distribution of smaller earthquakes delineates areas in which larger earthquakes are likely to occur. In a number of cases where locations of larger earthquakes were not forecast based on this approach, we suspect that the misses are, at least in part, due to incompleteness and quirks in the earthquake catalogs.
Research Priorities in Educational Technology: A Delphi Study

This article reports on the findings of a Delphi study conducted to determine research needs in educational technology over the next five years. The Delphi panel consisted of 30 educational technology experts from throughout the United States who participated in a three-round consensus building process via the Internet. The results of this e-research study provide a framework of eight research priority areas and specific research topics for those engaged in educational technology. (Keywords: research priorities, learning, teachers, models, strategies.)
Experience of bedside preformed silo staged reduction and closure for gastroschisis.

Abstract Aim The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of routine staged reduction and closure at the bedside, using preformed silos with no general anesthesia (PSnoGA), compared to emergency operative fascial closure (OFC) under general anesthesia for gastroschisis (GS). Methods A retrospective matched case-control analysis of neonates with GS was performed between 1990 and 2004 inclusively. Assessment included demographics, method of closure, days on ventilator, days to first enteral feed, days to full oral feeds, days on parenteral nutrition, length of hospital stay, and complications. Results Sixty-five patients with GS were treated in our institution between 1990 and 2004. Thirty-five underwent OFC, 4 had Bianchi ward reduction, and 26 received PSnoGA. Seventeen patients with bowel perforation, atresia, ward reduction, medical complications necessitating ventilation, or any other condition requiring urgent surgical intervention were excluded from the analysis. Patients were well matched for gestation and birth weight. Forty-eight patients (OFC = 27 and PSnoGA=21) were compared by using Mann-Whitney U test. Median days on ventilator (4 vs 0; P ≤ .0001) was significantly reduced, but there was no difference for days to full oral feeds (26 vs 31; P = .26), days on parenteral nutrition (25 vs 30; P = .28), and length of stay (32 vs 36; P = .32), respectively. Complications were similar for both groups. Conclusions PSnoGA has outcomes statistically similar to OFC, although days on ventilator are significantly reduced. Slow reduction of the bowel avoids abdominal compartment syndrome and closure may be achieved without fascial sutures. PSnoGA is performed at the bedside and aims to avoid general anesthesia, a period of ventilation, and out-of-hours operating, thereby reducing costs. A prospective, multicenter, randomized control trial is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of PSnoGA.
Bidirectional crosstalk between periventricular endothelial cells and neural progenitor cells promotes the formation of a neurovascular unit.

Interactions between neural progenitor cells (NPC) and endothelial cells (EC) from adult vascular beds have been well explored previously. However, the factors and signaling mechanisms that regulate neurogenesis and angiogenesis are most prevalent during embryonic development. This study aimed to determine whether embryonic brain endothelial cells from the periventricular region (PVEC) present an advantage over adult brain EC in supporting NPC growth and differentiation. PVEC were isolated from E15 mouse brains, processed, and sorted with immunomagnetic beads using antibodies against CD31/PECAM. On immunofluorescence (IF) staining, nearly all cells were positive for EC markers CD31 and CD144/VE-Cadherin. In proliferation studies, NPC proliferation was highest in transwell co-culture with PVEC, approximately 2.3 fold increase compared to baseline versus 1.4 fold increase when co-cultured with adult brain endothelial cells (ABEC). These results correlated with the PVEC mediated delay in NPC differentiation, evidenced by high expression of progenitor marker Nestin evaluated by IF staining. Upon further characterization of PVEC in an angiogenesis assay measuring cord length, PVEC exhibited a high capacity to form cords in basal conditions compared to ABEC. This was enhanced in the presence of NPC, with both cell types displaying a preferential structural alignment resembling neurovascular networks. PVEC also expressed high Vegfa levels at baseline in comparison to NPC and ABEC. Vegfa levels increased when co-cultured with NPC. We demonstrate that PVEC and NPC co-cultures act synergistically to promote the formation of a neurovascular unit through dynamic and reciprocal communication. Our results suggest that PVEC/NPC could provide promising neuro-regenerative therapies for patients suffering brain injuries.
Impending paradoxical embolism presenting as myocardial infarction.

Abstract We present a spectrum of findings with transthoracic echocardiography, coronary angiography, and open surgical exploration in a 54-year-old man who presented with an acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction and was diagnosed with impending paradoxical emboli. He underwent successful surgical removal of the thrombus. Learning objective: Impending paradoxical embolism, a biatrial thromboembolus in transit across a patent foramen ovale, is associated with a 20% mortality rate. Very rarely does it present as a ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. The optimal management (medical or surgical) for those who present with it remains a subject of debate, although surgery has been associated with less systemic embolization.>
Gender and early environmental influences on activity, overresponsiveness, and exploration

One hundred eighty-five rats reared in either an enriched or restricted environment were tested during adulthood to determine the influence of gender and rearing environment on 3 related response characteristics, activity, overresponsiveness, and exploratory behavior. Eight experiments were performed. It was found that although females are more active than males, rearing environment does not influence behavior in the running wheel or open field. When tested in a complex compartmentalized open field, females in general and restricted rats are significantly more active than enriched males. In addition, over subsequent testing, restricted animals are increasingly responsive and fail to habituate to the testing stimuli. When tested and retested for maze learning ability, males excel over females; enriched rats maintain their ability to outperform restricted rats, although both groups had previously learned the problem. Moreover, enriched rats demonstrate a greater tendency to explore and make irrelevant section entries on a maze that is problem free. Restricted rats, specifically, and females generally, have difficulty suppressing a learned repetitious pattern of rewarded responding when it is subsequently punished; restricted rats were deficient in the ability to passively avoid or escape noxious stimuli. These experiments, as well as supporting evidence in the literature, indicate that rats reared in a restricted environment develop a limited behavioral repertoire which is characterized by a generalized tendency to overrespond, a propensity towards perseverating in repetitious patterns of limited and circumscribed responding, and a failure to habituate to repeated contact with novel stimuli.
Rate of Dissociation of Nitrogen Tetroxide

THE speed at which the reaction N2O42NO2 attains equilibrium has been a subject of investigation for the last half-century. Since ordinary methods are valueless, attempts have been made to determine this rate by using the velocity of sound in the dissociating gas.
Time-orbiting potential trap for Bose-Einstein condensate interferometry

We describe an atom trap for Bose-Einstein condensates of {sup 87}Rb to be used in atom interferometry experiments. The trap is based on a time-orbiting potential waveguide. It supports the atoms against gravity while providing weak confinement to minimize interaction effects. We observe harmonic oscillation frequencies ({omega}{sub x},{omega}{sub y},{omega}{sub z}) as low as 2{pi}x(6.0,1.2,3.3) Hz. Up to 2x10{sup 4} condensate atoms have been loaded into the trap, at estimated temperatures as low as 850 pK. We anticipate that interferometer measurement times of 1 s or more should be achievable in this device.