cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Loss of Growth arrest specific gene 6 (Gas6) results in altered GnRH neuron migration, delayed vaginal opening and sexual maturation in mice

Prior work has shown the importance of TAM (Tyro3, Axl, Mer) receptor tyrosine kinases in GnRH neuronal development and reproductive function. It is unclear if TAM receptor actions are dependent on ligand activation for their functional effects; thus, we characterized reproductive phenotype of ligand Growth arrest specific gene (Gas6) null mice. Gas6 null mice showed delayed vaginal opening and delayed first estrus. Animals eventually attained normal estrous cycles as adults. The GnRH neuronal population was significantly decreased in Gas6 null adults and embryos, but the final positioning of cell bodies in the hypothalamus was normal. Vaginal tissue showed up-regulation of TAM receptor mRNAs in the absence of the ligand. These data confirm that Gas6 plays a role in early GnRH neuronal development and during vaginal opening. The phenotype of Gas6 KO mice suggests that TAMs function in a ligand-dependent and independent manner to control GnRH neuron development to modulate normal reproductive function.
Dermal absorption of pesticides in the rat.

The Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) of the Environmental Protection Agency has developed a standard protocol for evaluating the dermal penetration of pesticides in the rat. This protocol was formalized in 1994 as a guideline for Dermal Absorption Studies of Pesticides. To date, in excess of 263 studies on the dermal absorption of over 160 pesticide chemicals have been submitted to OPP as part of the pesticide registration and risk assessment processes. The majority of these studies has been performed according to the OPP standard protocol in the rat. These studies constitute the largest database in existence on the dermal absorption of a wide variety of chemicals using a standard protocol. From this standard protocol it is possible to describe, quantitatively with dose and time, the entrance of a chemical into and penetration through the mammalian epidermis into the systemic circulation, its concentration in blood and in the body, and its excretion in urine and feces. This article describes the experim...
Report endorses climate study, recommends several research foci

A major study to understand climate variability and predict climate change should proceed in the same direction, a National Research Council (NRC) panel has recommended. The panel also urged the implementation of a number of future research activities. The study, known as the Continental-Scale Intercomparison Project (GCIP), the first of five continental-scale projects of the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX), began in 1990. Recent efforts to study climate have emphasized the importance of improved understanding of many aspects of the hydrologic cycle and the exchange of energy and water at the atmosphere-surface interface. To address these issues within the context of the Mississippi River basin, the World Climate Research Programme established the GEWEX GCIP. The NRC established a panel specifically to evaluate and provide scientific leadership and guidance on the scientific strategies, plans, and priorities of the GEWEX Program. This panel's report, “GCIP: A Review of Progress and Opportunities,” also highlighted the major accomplishments of the study so far. It was released June 8 at the GCIP Mississippi River Hydrometeorology Conference in St. Louis, Mo.
Spatial processes and Galois/concept lattices

There is a fair amount of interest in the use of Galois or Concept Lattices in the social sciences as a way of representing complex data structures; it does not seem to be widely appreciated that these structures are homologous to those arising from a discrete noncompensatory multidimensional response process, as originally outlined by Coombs. Here I formalize the spatial intuition underlying Coombs’s proposal, and show how, for any set of data, we may recreate the set of all possible minimal spatial representations.
Clinically indicated and routine replacement of peripheral IV catheters did not differ for phlebitis

Source Citation Rickard CM, Webster J, Wallis MC, et al. Routine versus clinically indicated replacement of peripheral intravenous catheters: a randomised controlled equivalence trial. Lancet. 2012...
A metal-organic framework with a hierarchical system of pores and tetrahedral building blocks

Hierarchical chemical structures that incorporate some of the complexity typical of biological assemblies now exist and are being developed for use as highly selective catalysts, sensors, and ion- and drug-transport materials. Generally, such synthetic systems are based on supramolecular structures, for which it is possible to design step-by-step reactions that progressively lead to complex architectures of discrete molecular components. [1] In contrast, the stepwise synthesis of analogous extended (nonmolecular) networks is not feasible, because the intermediates are insoluble. Herein, we present the synthesis of MOF-500, a new metal–organic framework (MOF), to illustrate how a “one-pot” reaction can yield a crystalline solid with four distinct levels of complexity (defined by structural elements of increasing size, with distinct compositions, structures, and pores). Prior knowledge of reaction conditions that yield the porous tetrahedral level-3 building blocks of MOF-500 (Figure 1) obviates the need for a multistep synthesis. [2] We highlight the remarkable similarities between the structure of the extended network MOF-500 and that of its molecular building blocks (IRMOP-51). Furthermore, we demonstrate that a concomitant fourfold increase in gas uptake and surface area occurs on going from the crystals of the molecular building blocks IRMOP-51 to those of the extended network MOF-500. Figure 1 outlines the conceptual and practical aspects of
SU‐DD‐A2‐06: The Effect of Respiratory Rate and Radiation Timing On Dose Coverage in Dynamic Breast IMRT

Purpose:IMRT has been shown to be capable of delivering plans with desirable homogeneous dose distribution for breast cancertreatment. However, the dose distribution may be influenced by interplay between dynamic MLC and respiratory motion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of respiratory rate and radiation timing on the dose distribution of breast dynamic IMRT.Method and Materials: Using similar setup configuration, a helical CT and 4DCT image sets for six breast cancer patients were collected and contoured. Dynamic IMRT plans were designed using the helical CTimages. The planned MLC sequence was segmented according to the respiratory phases with a series of respiratory rates (7.5–30/min) and radiation timing (evenly distributed in respiratory cycles). The segmented dynamic MLC sequences were applied to the radiation fields on the corresponding 4DCT phases. A program was developed to calculate the cumulative dose distribution from all the phases. Results: For normal breathing rates (15–20/min), the dose coverage didn't change significantly regardless of radiation starting time. The change of target V90 was less than 2%. However, for extremely slow respiratory rates (7.5–10/min), the dose distribution and V90 changed significantly depending on the radiation timing. The change of target V90 was more than 10%. There was no significant dose coverage change for the underlying heart regardless respiratory rate or radiation timing. Conclusions: For breast patients treated with dynamic IMRT, if the respiratory rate of the patient is within the “normal” range then the impact of such respiration on dose coverage of the target was found to be statistically insignificant. However, the dose distribution may change significantly when patient has a slow breathing rate. Respiratory gating may be required to obtain satisfactory dose coverage for such cases. There was no significant dose distribution change for heart regardless respiratory rate or radiation timing.
alpha-synuclein fibrillogenesis is nucleation-dependent. Implications for the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is pathologically characterized by the presence of intracytoplasmic Lewy bodies, the major components of which are filaments consisting of α-synuclein. Two recently identified point mutations in α-synuclein are the only known genetic causes of PD. α-Synuclein fibrils similar to the Lewy body filaments can be formedin vitro, and we have shown recently that both PD-linked mutations accelerate their formation. This study addresses the mechanism of α-synuclein aggregation: we show that (i) it is a nucleation-dependent process that can be seeded by aggregated α-synuclein functioning as nuclei, (ii) this fibril growth follows first-order kinetics with respect to α-synuclein concentration, and (iii) mutant α-synuclein can seed the aggregation of wild type α-synuclein, which leads us to predict that the Lewy bodies of familial PD patients with α-synuclein mutations will contain both, the mutant and the wild type protein. Finally (iv), we show that wild type and mutant forms of α-synuclein do not differ in their critical concentrations. These results suggest that differences in aggregation kinetics of α-synucleins cannot be explained by differences in solubility but are due to different nucleation rates. Consequently, α-synuclein nucleation may be the rate-limiting step for the formation of Lewy body α-synuclein fibrils in Parkinson's disease.
Noncontact stimulation from estrous females evokes penile erection in rats

Five experiments demonstrated that noncontact stimulation from estrous females evokes penile erection in a high proportion of sexually experienced male rats. In Experiment 1, 23 of 24 males (96%) displayed erections while separated from estrous females by a wire-mesh barrier, compared with 8% when no female was present. In Experiment 2, inaccessible estrous females stimulated erection in 100% of males, whereas only 38% responded to inaccessible unfamiliar males and 0% to inaccessible preferred food or an empty cage (n = 8/group). These data suggest that nonsexual arousing stimuli do not readily evoke erections. Experiments 3 and 4 demonstrated that bedding collected from estrous females is highly attractive to males, but is ineffective in promoting erections even when the males can burrow in the bedding. Therefore, estrous odors alone are apparently insufficient to stimulate erection. In Experiment 5, the percentage of males (n = 18) responding with erection did not vary significantly as a function of their exposure to ovariectomized females (67%), receptive but nonproceptive females (83%), or proceptive females (89%), but these stimuli were progressively more effective in reducing erection latency and increasing the number of erections displayed, suggesting that behavioral cues emitted by females promote erection. The display of erection by rats under the conditions used in these studies satisfies conventional criteria for recognition as psychogenic erections, which we have provisionally defined as erections that occur without concurrent somesthetic stimulation. The availability of a rodent model of psychogenic erection should foster analysis of its physiological mediation.
Influence of verticillium wilt resistant and susceptible potato genotypes on populations of antagonistic rhizosphere and rhizoplane bacteria and free nitrogen fixers

Verticillium wilt resistant A 66 107-51 and susceptible Russet Burbank potatoes differentially influenced populations of rhizosphere and rhizoplane bacteria. Although differences in total bacteria between the two genotypes were not significantly different, selective differences were evident. These included increases in bacteria antagonistic in vitro toward Verticillium dahliae strain RB 5, and bacteria capable of fixing nitrogen that were more commonly associated with the wilt-resistant potato. Bacteria that were antagonistic to V. dahliae were predominantly Bacillus spp. Other antagonists were species of Pseudomonas, Gluconobacter, Flavobacterium, and Streptomyces. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria were Azotobacter and Azomonas spp. The suppression of Verticillium wilt in Russet Burbank during the growing season following the planting of A 66 107-51 may, in part, be explained by the above findings.
Particle-Size-Grouping Model of Precipitation Kinetics in Microalloyed Steels

The formation, growth, and size distribution of precipitates greatly affects the microstructure and properties of microalloyed steels. Computational particle-size-grouping (PSG) kinetic models based on population balances are developed to simulate precipitate particle growth resulting from collision and diffusion mechanisms. First, the generalized PSG method for collision is explained clearly and verified. Then, a new PSG method is proposed to model diffusion-controlled precipitate nucleation, growth, and coarsening with complete mass conservation and no fitting parameters. Compared with the original population-balance models, this PSG method saves significant computation and preserves enough accuracy to model a realistic range of particle sizes. Finally, the new PSG method is combined with an equilibrium phase fraction model for plain carbon steels and is applied to simulate the precipitated fraction of aluminum nitride and the size distribution of niobium carbide during isothermal aging processes. Good matches are found with experimental measurements, suggesting that the new PSG method offers a promising framework for the future development of realistic models of precipitation.
Dating North Asian surface assemblages with ostrich eggshell: implications for palaeoecology and extirpation

East Asian ostrich (Struthio anderssoni Lowe) was thought to have become extinct sometime in the Late Pleistocene. Petroglyphs portray ostrich with Pleistocene animals, and ostrich eggshell (OES) fragments and ornaments from Holocene sites were considered to be older fossils. Here we summarize previous radiometric dates for ostrich eggshell (OES) and present 15 new calibrated accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dates, indicating that ostrich survived in Mongolia and northern China until at least 8.9 ka BP. The dates in our sample population suggest a correlation between Struthio and warm steppe environments, with extirpation probably related to essential changes in Holocene steppe ecosystems including human expansion. This study assesses the usefulness of Asian OES for archaeological dating by AMS, constrains the date of Asian ostrich extirpation, and investigates palaeoenvironmental implications of ostrich survival and extinction.
Growth of bismuth on the Si(100) surface: AES and LEED study

Abstract The growth of Bi on the Si(100)-(1 .> 2) surface has been investigated with low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) at temperatures between 80 and 1200 K. The deposition of Bi atoms onto the substrate at temperatures above 280 K first resulted in a (1 × 1) substrate reconstruction at about 1 ML Bi exposure, followed upon further exposure by Bi island formation of the Stranski-Krastanov (SK) type. Bi overlayers deposited on the Si(100) substrate at temperatures below 280 K were found to be disordered and uniform. Dramatic aggregation of Bi atoms in the disordered overlayers ( > 1 ML) was observed by both LEED and AES at a temperature of about 300 K. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images further confirmed Bi island growth.
Assembling a protein-protein interaction map of the SSU processome from existing datasets.

Background The small subunit (SSU) processome is a large ribonucleoprotein complex involved in small ribosomal subunit assembly. It consists of the U3 snoRNA and ∼72 proteins. While most of its components have been identified, the protein-protein interactions (PPIs) among them remain largely unknown, and thus the assembly, architecture and function of the SSU processome remains unclear. Methodology We queried PPI databases for SSU processome proteins to quantify the degree to which the three genome-wide high-throughput yeast two-hybrid (HT-Y2H) studies, the genome-wide protein fragment complementation assay (PCA) and the literature-curated (LC) datasets cover the SSU processome interactome. Conclusions We find that coverage of the SSU processome PPI network is remarkably sparse. Two of the three HT-Y2H studies each account for four and six PPIs between only six of the 72 proteins, while the third study accounts for as little as one PPI and two proteins. The PCA dataset has the highest coverage among the genome-wide studies with 27 PPIs between 25 proteins. The LC dataset was the most extensive, accounting for 34 proteins and 38 PPIs, many of which were validated by independent methods, thereby further increasing their reliability. When the collected data were merged, we found that at least 70% of the predicted PPIs have yet to be determined and 26 proteins (36%) have no known partners. Since the SSU processome is conserved in all Eukaryotes, we also queried HT-Y2H datasets from six additional model organisms, but only four orthologues and three previously known interologous interactions were found. This provides a starting point for further work on SSU processome assembly, and spotlights the need for a more complete genome-wide Y2H analysis.
Stability conditions for the sequential design of non-diagonal multivariable feedback controllers

Sufficient conditions to guarantee closed-loop internal stability for sequentially designed multivariable feedback control systems are developed in this paper. The class of MIMO systems considered have transfer function matrices that are square and invertible. The contributions of these stability conditions to the knowledge base of sequential loop design are two-fold. First, unstable Smith-McMillan pole-zero cancellations in the feedback loop are explicitly considered, thus ensuring internal closed-loop stability. Second, the class of systems addressed is expanded to include MIMO systems with non-minimum phase Smith-McMillan zeros. An important feature of the proposed stability conditions is that the elements of the controller matrix which must be non-zero to achieve internal stability are transparently displayed. As a result, only those off-diagonal controllers needed to achieve the pre-specified stability objectives are used, thus reducing implementation complexity. The application of the stability crit...
Δ FosB overexpression in the nucleus accumbens enhances sexual reward in female Syrian hamsters

Repeated activation of the mesolimbic dopamine system results in persistent behavioral alterations accompanied by a pattern of neural plasticity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). As the accumulation of the transcription factor Δ FosB may be an important component of this plasticity, the question addressed in our research is whether Δ FosB is regulated by sexual experience in females. We have shown that female Syrian hamsters, given sexual experience, exhibit several behavioral alterations including increased sexual efficiency with naive male hamsters, sexual reward and enhanced responsiveness to psychomotor stimulants (e.g. amphetamine). We recently demonstrated that sexual experience increased the levels of Δ FosB in the NAc of female Syrian hamsters. The focus of this study was to explore the functional consequences of this induction by determining if the constitutive overexpression of Δ FosB by adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors in the NAc could mimic the behavioral effects of sexual experience. Animals with AAV-mediated overexpression of Δ FosB in the NAc showed evidence of sexual reward in a conditioned place preference paradigm under conditions in which control animals receiving an injection of AAV-green fluorescent protein (GFP) into the NAc did not. Sexual behavior tests further showed that males paired with the AAV-Δ FosB females had increased copulatory efficiency as measured by the proportion of mounts that included intromission compared to males mated with the AAV-GFP females. These results support a role for ΔFosB in mediating natural motivated behaviors, in this case female sexual behavior, and provide new insight into the possible endogenous actions of ΔFosB.
Computer Modeling of Diesel Spray Atomization and Combustion

Abstract A multi-dimensional code has been developed to study the effects of injection pressure and nozzle hole inlet conditions on diesel engine performance and emissions. The code includes a new liquid core and spray breakup model. The models were validated using spray visualization images obtained from a single-cylinder version of the Caterpillar 3406 heavy-duty truck engine instrumented with an endoscope system. The computational results were also compared with experimental emissions data. The results show that combustion and emissions predictions are controlled by the details of the spray model. With modifications to the spray model to account for Rayleigh-Taylor and Kelvin-Helmholtz drop breakup mechanisms, the predicted liquid and vapor-fuel penetration agrees well with that measured. The models were applied over a wide range of engine operating conditions and were found to provide good prediction accuracy. The simulations also showed that sharp edged-inlet nozzles give significantly lower particul...
Ethanol Potentiates the Depressant Effects of Cocaine in Human Fetal Myocardium In Vitro

AbstractBackground: Cocaine and ethanol use is widespread in our society and is not uncommon in pregnant women. Previous work has demonstrated that acute exposure to cocaine produced significant effects on the configuration of human fetal myocardial action potentials and contractility in vitro. It has been hypothesized that these target-specific effects of cocaine may provide a plausible mechanism to account for fetal arrhythmia or sudden fetal death in utero. Objective: This study was conducted to determine if treatment with a low concentration of ethanol (200 mg/L) would predispose human fetal myocardium to cocaine-induced toxicity in vitro. Methods: Fetal hearts (12-14 weeks) were obtained at the time of elective abortion and transported to the laboratory in cold physiological salt solution. The force of muscle contractions and transmembrane potentials of ventricular walls were studied during external electrical stimulation in a specially constructed superfusion chamber. Results: When a concentration o...
The rotary binding change mechanism of ATP synthases.

Abstract The F 0 F 1 ATP synthase functions as a rotary motor where subunit rotation driven by a current of protons flowing through F 0 drives the binding changes in F 1 that are required for net ATP synthesis. Recent work that has led to the identification of components of the rotor and stator is reviewed. In addition, a model is proposed to describe the transmission of energy from four proton transport steps to the synthesis of one ATP. Finally, some of the requirements for efficient energy coupling by a rotary binding change mechanism are considered.
Modeling Survival After Diagnosis of a Specific Disease Based on Case Surveillance Data

Motivated by a study assessing the impact of treatments on survival of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) patients, we developed a semi-parametric method to estimate the life expectancy after diagnosis using data from case surveillance. With the proposed method, the life expectancy is estimated based on the traditional non-parametric life table method, but the age-specific death rates are estimated using a parametric model to derive more robust estimates from limited numbers of deaths by single year of age. The uncertainties associated with the semi-parametric estimates are provided. In addition, the life expectancy among people with the disease is compared with the life expectancy among those with similar demographic characteristics in the general population. The average years of life lost is used to measure the impact of the disease or the treatment on the survival after diagnosis. The trend of impact over time can be evaluated by the annual estimates of life expectancy and average years of life lost in the past.
Evaluation and restoration of the 1970 volcanic gas analyses from Mount Etna, Sicily

Abstract The 1970 Mount Etna volcanic gas analyses (Huntingdon, 1973) are among the most reduced volcanic gas samples ever reported. They contain 20–40% H2, 2–3.5% CO, and 2–5% H2S. Calculated oxygen fugacities for most of the analyses are well below quartz-fayalite-magnetite, several are more reduced than magnetite-wustite and all are many orders of magnitude less than those measured by Sato and Moore (1973) in the gas-streams of the collection sites at the time the samples were taken. The analyses show no similarity to calculated equilibrium compositions at any temperature. Deviations between analytical and equilibrium compositions indicate the gases have undergone extensive reduction involving mainly loss of oxygen. There also is limited evidence of sulfur loss. The reduced analyses are not the products of unusually reduced lavas, but originated from reactions of the erupted gases with the metal sampling device used in the collection procedure. The oxygen deficiencies of the analyses have been restored using the atomic hydrogen, carbon and sulfur data of Huntingdon and the oxygen fugacity data of Sato and Moore. The restored analyses are much more representative of the erupted gases which were remarkably rich in CO2 (15–35%) and SO2 (15–35%), and they show relatively steady compositions at each collection site over periods of observation ranging from hours to days.
Towards Distributed Video Summarization

Video summarization is a fertile topic in multimedia research. While the advent of modern video cameras and several social networking and video sharing websites (like YouTube, Flickr, Facebook) has led to the generation of humongous amounts of redundant video data, video summarization has emerged as an effective methodology to automatically extract a succinct and condensed representation of a given video. The unprecedented increase in the volume of video data necessitates the usage of multiple, independent computers for its storage and processing. In order to understand the overall essence of a video, it is therefore necessary to develop an algorithm which can summarize a video distributed across multiple computers. In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm for distributed video summarization. Our algorithm requires minimal communication among the computers (over which the video is stored) and also enjoys nice theoretical properties. Our empirical results on several challenging, unconstrained videos corroborate the potential of the proposed framework for real-world distributed video summarization applications.
The effect of acute exercise on high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and the subfractions in females.

Abstract The effect of an acute exercise session on high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and the subfractions HDL 2 -C and HDL 3 -C was determined for 9 healthy females ( V O 2max = 46.62 ± 4.82 ml · kg −1 , min −1 ). Each subject underwent a continuous 40-min run on a treadmill at a workload corresponding to 70% of V O 2max . A venous blood sample was obtained immediately prior to exercise and 5 min, 24, 48 and 96 h after the exercise. Pre-exercise values were: HDL-C (61.7 ± 3.7 mg · dl −1 ); HDLZ-C (22.4 ± 2.1 mg · dl −1 ); HDL3-C (39.3 ± 2.0 mg · dl −1 ). At 5 min after exercise, HDL-C (66.2 ± 4.4 mg · dl −1 ) and HDL 3 -C (44.5 ± 2.8 mg · dl −1 ) were significanty elevated ( P 3 -C were not significantly different from pre-exercise at the remaining time points. In comparison with pre-exercise, HDL 2 -C showed no significant change at any of the post-exercise time points. Results indicated that the rise in HDL-C following acute exercise was due to an increase in the subfraction HDL 3 -C. The change in total HDL-C and HDL 3 -C was transient in that pre-exercise values were re-attained within 24 h following acute submaximal exercise.
The absorption and fluorescence spectrum of SnS and SnO: Matrix-induced intersystem crossing

Abstract The spectrum of SnS and SnO was studied in the 14 000 to 50 000 cm −1 region in argon, krypton and xenon matrices at 20°K. The D 1 Π- X 1 Σ absorption system is reported. All SnO spectra show a vibrational band red of that earlier reported to be (0, 0). This suggests that the numbering should be corrected to yield a new T 00 = 28 923 cm −1 . Excitation of the D state of both molecules leads to strong red fluorescence but not to the resonance fluorescence observed in the gas phase. The red fluorescence is attributed to the transition a - X where a is believed to be 3 Π. The fluorescence results from matrix induced intersystem crossing, a process which is unusual in diatomic molecules. Absorption and fluorescence matrix shifts of T 00 and ω 0 are consistent with the heavy atom effect.
Cyclic AMP-induced expression of the mouse lactate dehydrogenase-A promoter-CAT fusion gene in Chinese hamster ovary wild-type cells, but not in cAMP-dependent protein kinase mutant cells

The promoter region of mouse lactate dehydrogenase-A gene was fused with the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene of Escherichia coli , and the expression of this fusion gene was induced by cyclic AMP in Chinese hamster ovary wild-type cells, but not in mutants affecting the regulatory or catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase.
Sector Specific Wage Rigidity and Factor Accumulation

Economic expansion resulting from factor accumulation is introduced in the mobile capital and small open economy version of the Harris-Todaro model. Among other things, it is shown that economy expansion leads to normal effects on urban unemployment if land is introduced as a scarce input in the agricultural sector. However, capital accumulation and labour growth have indeterminate effects on the absolute level of urban unemployment.
Hemoglobin AC retinopathy managed with vitrectomy and adjunctive bevacizumab

Sir, Since the first report of hemoglobin (Hb) AC retinopathy,1 few cases have been described and the pathogenesis remains obscure.2 Significant intraoperative bleeding may make vitrectomy for proliferative retinopathy from sickling hemoglobinopathies challenging.3
Relationship between selective visual attention and visual consciousness

The relationship between attention and consciousness is a close one, leading many scholars to conflate the two. However, recent research has slowly corroded a belief that selective attention and consciousness are so tightly entangled that they cannot be individually examined.
Scanning transmission electron microscopy determination of critical InAs QD parameters from high-quality focused ion beam lamellas

InAs quantum dots in InGaAs matrix samples were prepared by focused ion beam (FIB) for cross-sectional scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) analyses in order to evaluate the quality of the FIB lamella preparation in the case of critical semiconducting materials. Despite the damage induced by the Ga ion bombardment, the good quality of the lamella led to a very accurate evaluation of important dot parameters, such as shape, size, In composition profiles in the dots and embedding matrix, from a direct analysis of the STEM images. These results were compared to those reported by the current literature for similar material systems, but often derived by indirect methods.
The role of normal skin in the spread of streptococcal pyoderma.

The primary body site of acquisition of group A streptococci was examined prospectively in a population with endemic streptococcal pyoderma. Weekly cultures were obtained during the skin infection season from apparently normal upper respiratory and cutaneous sites (and from skin lesions when present) in 44 children and adults living on the Red Lake Indian Reservation.During the 9-week period of the study 705 of a total of 2305 cultures were positive for group A streptococci. The percentage of positive cultures from the various sites were: throat (20%); nose (24%); wrist (32%); ankle (35%); back (22%); and skin lesions (81%). Group A streptococci were also isolated from fingernail dirt, clothing and bedding as well as from a few household pets and insects.Analysis of serial cultures obtained from the same individuals at weekly intervals suggested that the strains isolated from skin lesions first appeared on normal skin in the 2 weeks preceding the lesion. Spread to the nose and throat followed skin acquisition and/or skin lesions.The high prevalence of group A streptococci on normal skin in the absence as well as the presence of pyoderma, and their appearance on normal skin before recovery from either skin lesions or the upper respiratory tract are consistent with the view that skin acquisition was a primary predisposing factor to pyoderma. Since the literature indicates that group A streptococci are rarely part of the normal skin flora, these findings raise the possibility of unique biological properties of these and perhaps other pyoderma strains, as distinct from other group A streptococci.
Collaboration Between Hematologists and Mental Health Professionals on a Bone Marrow Transplant Team

Collaboration between hematologists and mental health professionals on a bone marrow transplant team reflects the, recognition that emotional stress is a significant component of this complicated treatment for leukemia and other life-threatening diseases. This new professional relationship relieves the pressures on the physician and nursing staff, provides psychological continuity in patient care, broadens the scope of the team's knowledge of patients and their families, and allows for preventive intervention. The mutual support system and the mutual identification established by the hematologist and the mental health professional enhance job satisfaction and provide an encouraging model for young physicians in the use of mental health services.
The permanent electric dipole moment and hyperfine interaction in ruthenium monoflouride (RuF).

Ruthenium monofluoride, RuF, has been detected using low-resolution laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) in the visible and near infrared spectral regions. A visible band, designated as [18.2]5.5−XΦ9∕24, has been recorded field-free and in the presence of a static electric field using high-resolution LIF spectroscopy. The r0 internuclear distances for the [18.2]5.5 and XΦ9∕24 states were determined to be 1.911 and 1.916A, respectively. The vibrational interval ΔG1∕2 of 534(15)cm−1 for the XΦ9∕24 state was determined from the analysis of the dispersed LIF. The Stark shifts of the visible band were analyzed to produce permanent electric dipole moments of 1.97(8) and 5.34(7)D for the [18.2]5.5 and XΦ9∕24, states, respectively. The fluorine magnetic hyperfine structure associated with spectral features was analyzed. The hyperfine structure and dipole moments are interpreted using a molecular-orbital correlation model and compared with FeF and other ruthenium-containing molecules.
Equal gain combining for acquisition of UWB signals

The acquisition of ultra-wideband (UWB) signals is a potential bottleneck for system throughput in a packet-based network employing UWB signaling format in the physical layer. The problem is mainly due to the low signal power which forces the acquisition system to process the signal over long periods of time before getting a reliable estimate of the timing of the signal. Hence there is a need to develop more efficient acquisition schemes by taking into account the signal and channel characteristics. In this paper, we investigate a single-user acquisition scheme which collects the energy in the multipaths by performing equal gain combining (EGC) to improve the acquisition performance. We define the hit set as the set of hypothesized phases which can guarantee adequate system performance after acquisition and also study the effect of the EGC window length on the acquisition performance.
Developments in alcoholism treatment.

Alcohol treatment systems expanded and diversified considerably over the past decade. This reflects adaptation to a variety of forces, including developments in national health care financing and policy, changes in other health care systems with which alcohol treatment had strong ties, the more diffuse effects of social movements and a “drying trend” in American public opinion, as well as agitation by advocacy and provider groups within the alcohol field. Drawing on national monitoring data, this chapter reviews developments at the levels of financing policy, organizations, client populations, and treatment modalities, documenting expansion in private sector alcohol treatment units, a growing emphasis on providing outpatient treatment, a merger between services for alcohol and drugs at the organizational and conceptual levels, increases in service delivery to coerced populations, as well as demographic change in alcohol treatment caseloads during the 1980s.
Black Church Culture and Community Action

Cultural theory posits that social groups possess a cultural repertoire or “tool kit” that reflects beliefs, ritual practices, stories and symbols that provide meaning and impetus for resource mobilization. However, little research based on quantitative techniques has been forwarded relative to the relationship between longstanding Black Church cultural components ‐ specifically, scripture, songs, prayers and sermons ‐ and activism among Black churches. Using a large national sample of Black congregations across seven denominations, I test aspects of cultural theory. Findings support the consistent, direct relationship between prayer groups and gospel music and various forms of community action and less influence by spirituals and the general usage of sacred scripture. 1 has long been considered a bulwark in the Black community. Research supports its’ religious, economic, socio-cultural and political dimensions (Billingsley 1999; Drake and Cayton 1962; Dubois 1953[1996], 1903[2003]; Ellison and Sherkat 2000; Frazier 1964; Lincoln and Mamiya 1990; Mays and Nicholson 1933; Morris 1984; Nelsen and Nelsen 1975). More contemporary studies tend to contradict some of these claims (Gregory 1998; McRoberts 2003). An ethnographic study by Pattillo-McCoy (1998) details aspects of Black Church cultural transference to Black community members in the Chicago neighborhood of Groveland. An important point of departure for her seminal analysis presupposes a relationship between cultural “tools” such as prayer, songs and other religious symbols, and community action among Black congregations. Although this correlation has been suggested based on theoretical, anecdotal or qualitative findings, to my knowledge, scholars have not tested this relationship using quantitative techniques. 2 To address this limitation, I assess whether key claims, derived largely from ethnographic studies, are evident for a national sample of 1,863 Black congregations in order to test aspects of cultural theory. This study investigates whether cultural symbols such as gospel music, spirituals, prayer and social justice sermons endemic to the Black Church engender community action. Although not an exhaustive test, this study examines existing literature on the role of the Black Church as a change agent as well as possible correlates between common cultural patterns and specific strategies to address social problems in the Black community.
Automatic extraction of the intracranial cavity on transverse MR brain images

The morphometric analysis of various normal and pathological brain structures is the focus of interest in the study of a number of neuropsychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and multi infarct dementia (MID). These studies require the computation of the relative volumes and areas of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), white matter, gray matter, and white matter lesions (WML) of several types, which are seen in magnetic resonance (MR) images. Such quantitative analyses are facilitated by the extraction of the intracranial cavity from the images, a process that can be demanding and error prone when performed manually. In this paper a robust method is presented that permits its automatic extraction from transverse T2-weighted MR images. The algorithm has been tested on a total of 76 images and the results are discussed. >
Polarized Negative Hydrogen Source for the Ags

A collaboration has been formed to create a high energy polarized beam facility at the Brookhaven National Laboratory AGS.1 Argonne National Laboratory, in collaboration with Yale University, will provide the polarized source as part of its contribution. It must produce polarized H- since the AGS is converting to H injection. Intensity is critical because of the short linac pulse (≤ ½ msec). Our design is based on a source recently built by W. Haeberli at the University of Wisconsin.2,3 This is the first source that uses the reaction Cs0+H ↑ 0 →Cs++H ↑ - , and it has excellent intensity (1–3 µAmps DC) and polarization (~90%). Using the improvements described below, the AGS source should produce a much higher intensity (pulsed) and should retain the high polarization of the Wisconsin source. It is scheduled to be operational at BNL by October 1982.
Intrauterine diagnosis of triploidy: the use of radiologic and ultrasonographic techniques in conjunction with amniocentesis.

The frequency of triploid conceptuses in man is estimated to be approximately 1%; most are aborted during the first trimester. There are reports of 31 triploid fetuses which survived past the 24th week of gestation, including several infants born at term. We are unaware of a report of the prenatal diagnosis of triploidy. A typical clinical syndrome has been delineated in nonmosaic triploid fetuses and infants, including intrauterine growth retardation, syndactyly, eye and ear abnormalities, hypogonadism in males, and hydatidiform placenta. A 32-year-old primigravida presented with small uterine size at 16 weeks gestation. Subsequently the uterus grew very slowly. Ultrasound examination at 23 weeks revealed a fetal head size consistent with 20 weeks gestation and a thoracic diameter consistent with 14 weeks. Amniocentesis was done for karyotype analysis and α-fetoprotein determination. Amniography showed a small fetus with obvious disproportion between head and trunk. Abortion was induced with prostaglandin. The fetus had features consistent with the triploidy syndrome, and the amniotic fluid cells were later found to have a 69,XXY karyotype. Chromosomal polymorphisms of the fetus and parents indicated that the supernumerary haploid set of chromosomes originated from failure of the second meiotic division in the mother. This case illustrates the way in which the combined use of amniocentesis, ultrasonography, and radiographic techniques can be advantageous in prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling, especially when the patient is relatively late in pregnancy so that it is necessary to obtain a rapid diagnosis.
All-optical WDM packet networks

This paper describes the components and subsystems for the implementation of a multi-GHz optoelectronic data transport network using self-routing packets in a multi-hop network. The short packet payloads are compressed using optical wavelength division multiplexing techniques, and remain optical from source to destination while traversing the switching nodes. The routing is done with a lean, self-routing hot potato protocol in order to avoid the need for data storage at the switching nodes and to provide a fixed node latency equivalent to a few meters of fiber. Sustainable throughput both into and out of the electronic host at each node should exceed 10 Gb/s. Some technical details of the switching nodes and interfaces of the recirculating shuffle network, and the stepped wavelength laser arrays and testbed will be given.
The Part Played by Gentiles in the Flow of Mass Communications: On the Ethnic Utopia of Personal Influence:

Personal Influence is not only a landmark study within the sociological literature on networks, influence, and decision making. It is also an allegory of Jewish-ethnic identity in mid-twentieth-century America and a side-ways commentary on modern Jewish involvement in communications. The book participates in a utopian imagination of society in which Jews and Gentiles alike would be centrally involved in the flow of communications. It turns from Gentile-style status toward Jewish-style connectivity as the basis of social power; defends socially grounded conceptions of mental life against Gentile individualism; insists in its notion of the two-step flow on the rabbinic principle that a text without a commentary is meaningless; and performs some amazing intellectual-moral-historical footwork with the most inconspicuous of all its central terms, “people.” In all these things, it can be read as a “Jewish” text in some sense.
A chronic increase in physical activity inhibits fed-state mTOR/S6K1 signaling and reduces IRS-1 serine phosphorylation in rat skeletal muscle

A chronic increase in physical activity and (or) endurance training can improve insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant skeletal muscle. Cellular mechanisms responsible for the development of insu...
Time delay as a diagnostic technique for power drives

A novel technique to evaluate changes over time of trigger circuit parameters, especially the power transistors of standard power electronic converters is proposed. This technique takes advantage of existing instrumentation and provides a key novel feature to assess the aging status of power electronic circuits and electric machines as a result of transistor degradation. We propose the use of a low-cost digital circuit, capable of time delay tracking. A simplified platform for the implementation of the time delay tracking and its experimental evaluation are presented. Experimental data is included and the viability of the diagnostic technique as a practical real-time device health-state indicator assessed.
Non-scanning CARS microscopy using wide-field geometry

We report a wide-field Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) microscopy technique based on non-phasematching illumination and imaging systems. This technique is based on a non-collinear sample illumination by broad laser beams and recording image of sample at anti-Stokes wavelength using full-frame image detector. An amplified Ti:Sapphire laser and an Optical Parametric Amplifier (OPA) provided picosecond pump and Stokes beams with energies sufficient for CARS generation in an area of 100 µm in diameter. The whole field of view of the microscope was illuminated simultaneously by the pump and Stokes beams, and CARS signal was recorded onto a cooled CCD, with resolution determined by the microscope objective. Several illumination schemes and several types of thin sample preparations have been explored. We demonstrated that CARS image of a 100x100 µm sample can be recorded with submicrometer spatial resolution using just a few laser pulses of microJoule energies.