cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of image guidance during whole-brain radiation therapy

Abstract Purpose Radiation oncologists are rapidly adopting image‐guided radiation therapy (IGRT), warranting further evaluation of its role and value. We analyzed the impact of IGRT for one of the most common radiation treatments. Methods and materials We retrospectively identified patients who received whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) with mask immobilization and who underwent routine IGRT with kilovoltage imaging. We calculated IGRT shifts by comparing couch positions before and after imaging. We determined the dosimetric impact of IGRT on lens maximum and dose received by 95% (D95%) of the brain and cribriform region. We calculated episode of care costs using the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Results A total of 206 patients received 2392 image‐guided fractions. The median absolute shift was 1 mm, 1 mm, and 2 mm in the vertical, lateral, and longitudinal directions, respectively. Ninety-nine percent of shifts were ≤6 mm, 7 mm, and 9 mm in the vertical, lateral, and longitudinal directions, respectively. For the 22 patients with the largest average shift per fraction, treating without IGRT would have changed D95% brain by a median 3 cGy (interquartile range, 2-9) and D95% cribriform region by a median 39 cGy (interquartile range, 7-116). Without IGRT, lens doses would have increased for 11/22 patients and decreased for 11/22. Using a 700 cGy lens threshold, there was no net change in the proportion of patients above and below the threshold regardless of IGRT use. For a 10-fraction course, daily IGRT accounted for 10% of the total episode of care cost. Conclusions IGRT results in small positional corrections during WBRT. Even among cases with the largest shifts, the dosimetric impact is minor for the brain and modest for the cribriform region and lenses. This study suggests mask immobilization alone is sufficient for routine cases, and it may help clinicians make evidence-based decisions about IGRT in this setting.
Liquid–Liquid Phase Separation in Highly Supersaturated Aqueous Solutions of Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs: Implications for Solubility Enhancing Formulations

Highly supersaturated aqueous drug solutions are often generated during drug testing and upon delivery to the patient. The phase behavior of such solutions appears complex and poorly understood, with the formation of colloidal drug aggregates often being reported. In this study, the phase behavior of eight hydrophobic poorly water-soluble drug molecules in highly supersaturated aqueous solutions was examined, and colloid formation was explained in terms of liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS). A relationship was found between the concentration at which LLPS was observed and the theoretically predicted amorphous “solubility” value, where the latter was predicted based on the thermodynamic properties of the crystalline solid/supercooled liquid and solution activity coefficients. A phase diagram for the ritonavir–water system as a function of temperature was used to demonstrate that LLPS occurs in the metastable region of the phase diagram, and thus LLPS is a precursor to crystallization. Using an amorphous...
Bullous impetigo and pregnancy: Case report and review of blistering conditions in pregnancy.

Author(s): Cohen, Philip R | Abstract: Background: Bullous impetigo results from Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) release of exfoliative toxins type A and type B thatresults in flaccid, easily ruptured, bullae in the upper layers of the epidermis. Physiologic, gestation-associated, and incidental skin changes can occur in pregnancy. Blisters in pregnant women can occur secondary to either common skin disorders orspecific dermatoses of pregnancy.Purpose: To describe a pregnant woman with bullous impetigo and review bullous conditions in pregnant women.Methods: PubMed was used to search the following terms, separately and in combination: blister, blistering, bullous, gestationis, herpes, herpetiformis, impetigo, pemphigoid, pregnancy, pregnant, psoriasis, pustular, virus. All papers were reviewed and relevant manuscripts, along with their reference citations, were evaluated.Results: Flaccid, easily rupturing, pustules, which developed into superficial annular erosions with peripheral scale and central healing appeared in a woman of 7-weeks gestation and allergy to penicillin on her lower abdomen, suprapubic region, perineum, buttocks, and proximal legs. A bacterial culture subsequently isolated methicillin-susceptible S. aureus. All of the lesions resolved after treatment with clindamycin.Conclusions: Bullous impetigo should be considered in the differential diagnosis of common skin diseases presenting as blistersin pregnant women.
Non-Infringing Uses in Digital Sampling: The Role of Fair Use and the de Minimis Threshold in Sample Clearance Reform

In this book excerpt, the authors address the role of two major legal exceptions to copyright protection in the music industry’s practices surrounding digital sampling. Although the United States law on the books requires a balance between the interests of copyright owners and sampling musicians, the business practice has been to mandate licensing in almost every instance. Despite this hurdle to a more balanced approach to sampling, the authors discuss several benefits that might come through doctrinal or statutory reforms, or even through developing best practices for claiming fair use.
Serological analysis of the suspected measles and rubella infection in Shaoguan 2007 to 2011

Objective To analyze the serological features of serum IgM for measles and rubella , and to design strategies for its prevention and control. Methods Measles and rubella specific IgM antibodies were measured by IgM-capture ELISA in all suspected measles and rubella cases during 2007-2011. The results were analyzed using SPSS18.0. Results 29.56% of the samples were found positive for the measles specific IgM in the past 5 years. The overall positive rate of rubella specific IgM was 17.39%. The positive rate of the annual measles during 2007-2011 was 39.81% , 52.44% , 27.45%, 6.25% , 3.23% , the difference was statistically significant (χ2=61.06,P0.01); the positive rate of rubella is respectively 0.97%, 9.76%, 29.41%, 0.25%, 34.41%, the difference was statistically significant (χ2=47.18,P0.05). Most of the patients were aged 0.8 to 30 years old.Most of the cases of measles were distributed between March and September. For rubella, most of the cases were distributed in between March and June. Conclusions The occurrence of measles was significantly reduced in 2011. However, there was a tendency in the increase of rubella in 2009 and 2011, and we should pay more attention in the control of rubella.
Probe into the BE Teacher's Team Building Structure

By giving the definition,making the classification,and stating the objective of BE(Bilingual English),the article analyses the characteristics of a successful BE class and requirements of a BE teacher.Finally,it gives the suggestions on how to build an excellent teachers' team taking on BE tasks.
Characterization of two small-particle composite resins.

The in vitro occlusal wear of two recently introduced, small-particle composite resins was evaluated. Twelve disks of each material were opposed by maxillary third molars and subjected to 300,000 masticatory cycles in a servohydraulic model of the human masticatory apparatus. Before and after profiles of the surfaces of both the disks and the teeth were mapped and digitally recorded on magnetic disks. P-50 disks showed significantly (P less than .05) less volume loss than did Herculite disks. Enamel that opposed P-50 disks showed significantly (P less than .001) more wear than did enamel that opposed Herculite disks.
Make the Most of Cultural Diversity

Leaders for many years have talked about the importance of taking greater advantage of their nation’s, region’s, and community’s diversity: diversity owing to culture; diversity owing to gender; diversity owing to people’s life choices; diversity owing to immigration. The vast majority of leaders, however, have not taken full account of diversity’s growing importance.
Learning, Achievement, and Assessment: Constructs at a Crossroads

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the inter-relationship of learning, achievement, and assessment in the world of education. It is a dynamic time for those involved in education. Theories of learning are rapidly changing and influencing conceptions of appropriate instruction. To understand the connectivity among learning, achievement, and assessment, various questions need to be answered. “What is the purpose of education?”, “What is learning?”, “What do we mean by assessment?”, and “Are learning and achievement the same thing?”. It is equally worthwhile to re-examine the issue of the purpose of assessments. The chapter provides some background and perspectives on these questions. It addresses three constructs in flux: learning, achievement, and assessment. The chapter is directed toward five objectives. First, a distinction is drawn between learning and achievement. Second, a conceptual definition of assessment is developed. Third, a new conceptualization of assessment is provided in which assessment is viewed as a special case of research design. Fourth, an organizing framework for assessment is provided. This framework attempts to illustrate the practical relationships between learning, achievement, and assessment. Finally, suggestions for the future interplay between learning, achievement, and assessment are provided.
Medicaid Eligibility Expansions and Privately Insured Patients

Motivated by the current Medicaid eligibility expansion, this paper explores how privately insured hospital patients are affected by an increase in Medicaid patients. A theoretical model shows that an expansion in Medicaid eligibility will reduce the quantity of private patients a hospital optimally treats and increase prices for the remaining private patients. The model is tested using a California health insurance program in the late 2000's that increased insurance coverage for uninsured individuals in particular counties. Two-stage regression results support the theoretical predictions and show that private patients face higher prices when the treatment of fixed marginal revenue patients increase.
Process for patterning features in poly(acrylic acid) for microelectronic applications

A method for patterning micro-scale features in a poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) film for engineering applications has been developed. Because PAA is a water-soluble polymer, careful attention has to be given during the development portion of the photolithographic process. To obtain well-defined patterns, development time was reduced by half following a regular photolithography exposure step. The remaining photoresist, and the PAA underneath it, were removed using a plasma ash process. After stripping the photoresist, polygonal windows such as triangles, rectangles, squares, pentagons, hexagons, heptagons, and octagons were created. This plasma ash process for patterning micro-scale features in PAA holds potential for fabrication of polymer microstructures, sacrificial layer micromolding, and patterned substrate micromolding. As a proof of concept, we applied these patterns to a solder-based self-assembly process to form 3D polyhedra.
Population Assessments: 2013–2050–2100: Growth, Stability, Contraction

Global population growth continues although the annual rate of growth has decreased from a high of more than 87 million people in 1989 to 76.5 million in 2011. Statistical analyses indicate that the rate will fall to 43 million people in 2049. A dropping rate of population growth notwithstanding the world’s population is projected to increase from 7.1 billion people in 2013 to more than 9.7 billion people during the mid-twenty-first century [1]. It is expected to stabilize at more than 10 billion people by the end of the century according to the United Nations Population Division, [2] the United States Bureau of the Census, [3] and other expert groups. The predicted stabilization figure represents about 40 % more global citizens than inhabited the earth at the beginning of 2013. The rate of population growth is dependent on multiple factors: (1) the number of females in or coming into child-bearing ages; (2) fertility rate or the average number of children borne by a woman in a country during her child-bearing years; (3) a worldwide increase in life expectancy; (4) government policies; and (5) religious and cultural influences. This increase in world population together with movement of large numbers of citizens from rural living to urban centers creates concerns about high population density as well as population growth [4]. The capability of the “haves” to provide for the “have-nots” is in question. This capability has not been achieved for the earth’s 2013 population. It may be attained in the future with deliberative planning, adoption of technology advances, development investment, and governments that have the will to respond to fulfilling the needs of their citizens.
General Artifact Reduction Scheme for Laminography

Laminography is an imaging method that visualizes a plane of a three-dimensional object using multiple x-ray imaging [1,2]. A laminograph is produced by aligning features in the component radiographs for a particular “plane of focus”and averaging the radiographs to emphasize the features of interest. Due to the averaging process, relative strong features in another plane, while being reduced in intensity, may still be visible after the laminographic process and may cause incorrect human interpretations. A general artifact reduction scheme for laminography is presented in this paper.
Differences of opinion on systemic exercise intolerance disease are not ‘mistakes’: a rejoinder to Jason Sunnquist, Gleason and Fox

ABSTRACTDifferences of opinion about how case definitions are operationalized should not be characterized as ‘mistaken.’ Despite limitations, our study provides insight into how systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID) criteria perform early in the course of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) compared to other case definitions. To facilitate early, accurate diagnosis, research needs to be performed, ideally, prospectively with subjects who have not been ill for years. In addition, results of past treatment studies may not be applicable to many ME/CFS patients because criteria used for research differed from patients’ clinical presentations. To avoid this potential mismatch between research employing the new clinically-focused SEID criteria should be promoted, rather than discouraged.
Metaplastic Cells in the Stomach Arise, Independently of Stem Cells, via Dedifferentiation or Transdifferentiation of Chief Cells

Spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia (SPEM) develops in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis due to infection with Helicobacter pylori; it might be a precursor to intestinal metaplasia and gastric adenocarcinoma. Lineage tracing experiments of the gastric corpus in mice have not established whether SPEM derives from proliferating stem cells or differentiated, post-mitotic zymogenic chief cells in the gland base. We investigated whether differentiated cells can give rise to SPEM using a nongenetic approach in mice. Mice were given intraperitoneal injections of 5-fluorouracil, which blocked gastric cell proliferation, plus tamoxifen to induce SPEM. Based on analyses of molecular and histologic markers, we found SPEM developed even in the absence of cell proliferation. SPEM therefore did not arise from stem cells. In histologic analyses of gastric resection specimens from 10 patients with adenocarcinoma, we found normal zymogenic chief cells that were transitioning into SPEM cells only in gland bases, rather than the proliferative stem cell zone. Our findings indicate that SPEM can arise by direct reprogramming of existing cells-mainly of chief cells.
Aortic fat pad destruction and post operative atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Atrial arrhythmias are a common complication of cardiac surgery. Reports describing pericardiac neurogenic tissue led us to hypothesize that removal of the aortic fat pad could cause an autonomic imbalance and contribute to atrial arrhythmias following cardiac surgery. Methods: A randomized prospective pilot study (n =131) was conducted to test our hypotheses. Patients underwent conventional cardio-pulmonary bypass surgery (CPB) or off pump coronary bypass surgery (OPCAB). The fat pad was either left intact or removed. The incidence of de novo atrial arrhythmias during the patient's hospital stay was tabulated. Patients with peri-operative myocardial infarction or pre-existing atrial or supraventricular arrhythmias were excluded. The randomization schedule was made subservient to clinical judgment at surgery. After promising preliminary results, an extension study (n =189 patients, total patients =320) was performed which employed the same definitions and interventions but was a sample of convenience. The data of this second study have not been previously published. Results: In the pilot study, in demographically similar groups, logistic regression demonstrated a significantly elevated atrial arrhythmia incidence when the fat pad was removed (Odds ratio 3.49, 95% confidence intervals 1.09 to 11.18). A chi-square analysis of these same data, however, (4 fibrillations in 58 patients with fat pad intact versus 15 fibrillation in 73 patients with fat pad removed; P = 0.051) suggested that the importance of the fat pad status was not definite. Overall, atrial arrhythmias were present in 19 of 131 patients (14.5%). In the extension study, in contrast to the pilot data, the data did not demonstrate any contribution of fat pad status to the incidence of atrial fibrillation. Conclusions: Although we feel that our hypothesis remains viable, retention of the aortic fat pad during coronary artery bypass surgery may not be related to a decreased incidence of post operative atrial arrhythmias.
A phase II Southwest Oncology Group study of cisplatin and continuous infusion vinblastine in the treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcoma

Purpose and Methods: Bone and soft tissue sarcomas currently comprise 1% of adult malignancies and 15% of pediatric malignancies [1]. While doxorubicin and ifosfamide are active agents, no significant impact on survival has been observed. More active regimes are required in sarcoma. This trial studied cisplatin and a 5 day continuous infusion of vinblastine for patients who had had disease progression of advanced soft tissue sarcoma after a doxorubicin based regimen. Results: Between July 1983 and October 1986, 20 patients entered the study. There were no treatment related deaths. Seven patients required dose adjustment for neutropenia. No responses were observed.
The Personal and the Philosophical

I have always had the attitude that, perhaps more than any other field of endeavor, philosophy as a life’s work involves a set of personal questions and issues that are partly being worked out in one’s professional undertakings.
Nanoscale Intelligent Imaging Based on Real-Time Analysis of Approach Curve by Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) enables high-resolution imaging by examining the amperometric response of an ultramicroelectrode tip near a substrate. Spatial resolution, however, is com...
Predicting surf zone injuries along the Delaware coast using a Bayesian network

More than 2000 surf zone injury (SZI) events, including 196 spinal injuries and 6 fatalities, were recorded at the five most populated beaches along the 25 miles of Atlantic-fronting Delaware coast from 2010 through 2017. The episodic nature of SZI indicates the importance of linking the environmental conditions and human behavior in the surf zone to predict days with high injury rates. Higher order statistics are necessary to effectively consider all associated factors related to SZI. Two unique Bayesian networks were constructed to model SZI and predict changes in injury rate (proportion of injuries to bathers) and injury likelihood (probability of at least one injury occurrence) on an hourly basis. The models incorporate environmental data collected by weather stations, wave gauges, and researcher personnel on the beach as prior (e.g., historic) information to infer relationships between provided parameters. Sensitivity analysis determined the most influential parameters related to injury rates were significant wave height, foreshore slope, and water temperature. Log-likelihood ratio scores indicate the network predicts SZI likelihood during any specified hour with more skill than prior predictions with the best performing model improving prediction 69.1% of the time (log-likelihood ratio = 69.1%). Issues persist with predicting SZI that have a log-likelihood ratio ≪ − 1 (< 5% of 2017 injuries) and occur in conditions different than when most other SZI occur. Better understanding of SZI will improve awareness techniques to educate beachgoers and assist beach patrol decision making during high-risk conditions.
Neurobiology of Falls: Neuroimaging Assessment

There is a strong rationale in support of age-related neurobiological changes as causes of falls for community-dwelling older adults. Evidence from multiple sources indicates a key role of the fronto-parietal and subcortical brain networks in age-related falls. Neuroimaging assessment has advanced our understanding of the neurobiological drivers of falls, including changes in these networks that affect both physical and cognitive function. Current neuroimaging modalities allow for the assessment of not only of the structural integrity of central nervous system (CNS) components, but also of its vascular, functional, and molecular characteristics. These advancements in neuroimaging are allowing for a more detailed understanding of the early and subtle age-related impairments to CNS that may be contributors to falls. In this chapter, we first review the main neuroimaging modalities that have uncovered changes in the aging CNS in relationship to falls. We then summarize and critically discuss these findings in the context of the neurobiology of falls. Lastly, we propose new lines of inquiries that could potentially influence diagnosis, prognosis, and management of falls.
Impact of Project-based Learning on Self-Efficacy of Students in Engineering Modeling and Design Courses

This paper reports results of a longitudinal study to investigate the impact of project-based learning on self-efficacy of students in engineering modeling and design courses. Engineering modeling and design curriculum is based on hands-on and project-based learning activities to provide students an experience of going through the engineering design process. An important measure of effectiveness of engineering modeling and design curriculum is the determination of self-efficacy of students. Self-efficacy refers to the degree of confidence in their ability to utilize the skills learned during these courses. The data for the study was collected through a specially-designed self-efficacy instrument during three iterations of the Engineering Modeling and Design Course at Arkansas Tech University. A within-subjects approach is used to assess self-efficacy and perception based on learning style preferences of the students. This approach helped us statistically analyze the variability in students’ course grades based on their preferred learning styles. We also examined the data to identify factors that could predict students’ course scores based on their self-efficacy. The results indicate that there is strong correlation between the self-efficacy scores and the overall course grades of the students in engineering modeling and design courses.
Vocal Tradeoffs in Anterior Glottoplasty for Voice Feminization

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Anterior (Wendler) glottoplasty has become a popular surgery for voice feminization. However, there has been some discrepancy between its theoretical pitch-raising potential and what is actually achievable, and downsides to shortening the glottis have not been fully explored. In addition, descriptions of the surgery are inconsistent in their treatment of the vocal ligament. This study aimed to determine 1) how fundamental frequency (fo ) is expected to vary with length of anterior glottic fixation, 2) the impact of glottic shortening on sound pressure level (SPL), and 3) the effect of including the ligament in fixation. STUDY DESIGN Computational simulation. METHODS Voice production was simulated in a fiber-gel finite element computational model using canonical male vocal fold geometry incorporating a three-layer vocal fold composition (superficial lamina propria, vocal ligament, and thyroarytenoid muscle). Progressive anterior glottic fixation (0, 1/8, 2/8, 3/8, etc. up to 7/8 of membranous vocal fold length) was simulated. Outcome measures were fo , SPL, and glottal flow waveforms. RESULTS fo increased from 110 Hz to 164 Hz when the anterior one-half vocal fold was fixed and continued to progressively rise with further fixation. SPL progressively decreased beyond 1/8 to 1/4 fixation. Inclusion of the vocal ligament in fixation did not further increase fo . Any fixation increased aperiodicity in the acoustic signal. CONCLUSIONS The optimal length of fixation is a compromise between pitch elevation and reduction in output acoustic power. The simulation also provided a potential explanation for vocal roughness that is sometimes noted after anterior glottoplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE NA Laryngoscope, 131:1081-1087, 2021.
Safely repositioning dual-lumen ECMO cannulas with a transfemoral lasso snare.

Introduction:Dual-lumen cannulas were designed to provide venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) with single-vessel access. Anatomic and size considerations may make appropriate p...
Self‐guided field trips take invertebrate zoology students away from their screens and into the environment for hands‐on learning

There is a great importance for undergraduate biology students to study organisms in their natural context Safety concerns surrounding the global COVID‐19 pandemic prevented Marine Invertebrate Zoology students at the University of Tampa from participating in traditional faculty‐led field trips during the Fall of 2020 Instead, students were assigned to conduct a diversity‐focused field trip on their own and report their findings Here we describe considerations and methods for creating a safe and valuable self‐guided field trip assignment for upper‐level invertebrate zoology students These methods are adaptable for a variety of different habitat types and can be conducted with little to no special equipment or training Students were successful in completing this assignment and found it highly enriching [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Invertebrate Biology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use This abstract may be abridged No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract (Copyright applies to all Abstracts )
“You Teach What?” Black Males, New Latino South Classrooms, and Wanderlust

An abundant and longstanding body of scholarship has underscored the White femininity of the U.S. K-12 teaching workforce and the need to diversify its ranks. Black males, in particular, potentiall...
For a probabilistic sociology: A history of concept formation with Pierre Bourdieu

This article uses a history of concept formation focused on Pierre Bourdieu’s probabilism to provide the groundwork for a probabilistic sociology. We argue that not only was Bourdieu a probabilist, but that reframing probability along heterodox lines holds empirical promise when it is also linked to new concept formation, as evident in the case of Bourdieu. For the anglophone sociological field, probability is of primary significance for method and epistemic commitment. Sociological theory continues to react to the integral role of probability used for the purposes of sociological knowledge but finds very little in the way of concept formation that does not adopt the same commitments as the methodologists. The history we outline retrieves a different approach, one which finds Bourdieu aligned with objective probability borrowed from the sociology of Max Weber. This version of probabilism locates probability directly in the world and makes it a source of concept formation without the intervention of the methodologists. This article follows Bourdieu as he recognizes objective probability in the work of Weber (around 1973) and then engages in novel concept formation on these grounds. Ranging between spaces of objective probability (fields), spaces of randomness (games of chance), and spaces of determinism (apparatus), Bourdieu’s mature probabilism reveals the conceptual and meta-methodological differences that come with making probability objective. Probabilistic expectations derive from the world itself, rather than existing as part of explanation or method. Specifically, this history of concept formation reveals a looping relation between objective probability (chances) and learned probability (expectations) that, as Bourdieu himself appreciated, holds wide-ranging implications for best knowledge practices and empirical sociological research.
Cranial Computed Tomographic Abnormalities in Leptomeningeal Metastasis

Sixty-four (57.6%) of 111 cancer patients with cerebrospinal fluid cytology positive for malignant cells had cranial computed tomographic (CT) scans within 2 weeks before or after a lumbar puncture. Twenty-two (34.3%) of the 64 had abnormal CT findings indicative of leptomeningeal metastasis: (1) sulcal-cisternal enhancement, (2) ependymal-subependymal enhancement, (3) widened irregular tentorial enhancement, or (4) communicating hydrocephalus. Thirteen (59.6%) of these 22 patients had associated parenchymal metastases. Recognition of leptomeningeal disease may alter the management of patients with parenchymal metastases. Communicating hydrocephalus in cancer patients should be considered to be related to leptomeningeal metastasis until proven otherwise.
Alterations in corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type 1 in the preoptic area and hypothalamus in mice during the postpartum period.

Abstract Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) signaling through CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1) regulates autonomic, endocrine, and behavioral responses to stress, as well as behavioral changes during the maternal period. Previous work in our lab reported higher levels of CRFR1 in female, compared to male, mice within the rostral anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV/PeN), a brain region involved in maternal behaviors. In this study, we used CRFR1-GFP reporter mice to investigate whether the reproductive status (postpartum vs. nulliparous) of acutely stressed females affects levels of CRFR1 in the AVPV/PeN and other regions involved in maternal functions. Compared to nulliparous, postpartum day 14 females showed increased AVPV/PeN CRFR1-GFP immunoreactivity and an elevated number of restraint stress-activated AVPV/PeN CRFR1 cells as assessed by immunohistochemical co-localization of CRFR1-GFP and phosphorylated CREB (pCREB). The medial preoptic area (MPOA) and paraventricular hypothalamus (PVN) of postpartum mice showed modest decreases in CRFR1-GFP immunoreactivity, while increased CRFR1-GFP/pCREB co-expressing cells were found in the PVN following restraint stress relative to nulliparous mice. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and CRFR1-GFP co-localization was also assessed in the AVPV/PeN and other regions and revealed a decrease in co-localized neurons in the AVPV/PeN and ventral tegmental area of postpartum mice. Corticosterone analysis of restrained mice revealed blunted peak, but elevated recovery, levels in postpartum compared to nulliparous mice. Finally, we investigated projection patterns of AVPV/PeN CRFR1 neurons using female CRFR1-Cre mice and revealed dense efferent projections to several preoptic, hypothalamic, and hindbrain regions known to control stress-associated and maternal functions. Together, these findings contribute to our understanding of the neurobiology that might underlie changes in stress-related functions during the postpartum period.
Cellular Stress and Molecular Responses in Bladder Ischemia

The concept of bladder ischemia as a contributing factor to detrusor overactivity and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is evolving. Bladder ischemia as a consequence of pelvic arterial atherosclerosis was first documented in experimental models and later in elderly patients with LUTS. It was shown that early-stage moderate ischemia produces detrusor overactivity, while prolonged severe ischemia provokes changes consistent with detrusor underactivity. Recent studies imply a central role of cellular energy sensors, cellular stress sensors, and stress response molecules in bladder responses to ischemia. The cellular energy sensor adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase was shown to play a role in detrusor overactivity and neurodegeneration in bladder ischemia. The cellular stress sensors apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 and caspase-3 along with heat shock proteins were characterized as important contributing factors to smooth muscle structural modifications and apoptotic responses in bladder ischemia. Downstream pathways seem to involve hypoxia-inducible factor, transforming growth factor beta, vascular endothelial growth factor, and nerve growth factor. Molecular responses to bladder ischemia were associated with differential protein expression, the accumulation of non-coded amino acids, and post-translational modifications of contractile proteins and stress response molecules. Further insight into cellular stress responses in bladder ischemia may provide novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets against LUTS.
Congenital Lung Lesions

Congenital lung anomalies include congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM), congenital lobar emphysema (CLE), bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS), and bronchogenic cyst. Lesions may contain a mixture of these elements or communicate with the gastrointestinal tract. Diagnosis is now commonly made by routine prenatal ultrasound and patients are frequently referred to a fetal diagnosis and treatment center before birth. The discovery of these anomalies should be followed by full ultrasonographic evaluation, and, in some cases, fetal MRI to search for coexisting anomalies.
Value proposition for configurable optical network elements

The value of configurable optical network elements for the fast provisioning of wavelength services is assessed against manual provisioning. Results are presented that were obtained by evaluating the long haul wavelength circuit provisioning process.
On the robust stability of a family of disk polynomials

In his well-known theorem, V.L. Kharitonov (1978) established that Hurwitz stability of a set F/sub I/ of interval polynomials with complex coefficients is equivalent to the Hurwitz stability of only eight polynomials in this set. In this study the authors consider an alternative but equally meaningful model of uncertainty by introducing a set F/sub D/ of disk polynomials, characterized by the fact that each coefficient of a typical element P(s) in F/sub D/ can be any complex number in an arbitrary but fixed disk of the complex plane. The result shows that the entire set is Hurwitz stable if and only if the 'center' polynomial is stable and the H/sub infinity /-norms of two specific stable rational functions are less than one. Unlike Kharitonov's theorem, the present result can be readily applied to the Schur stability problem, and the resulting condition is equally simple. >
Supergranulation at the Center of the Disk

The Kitt Peak multi-channel magnetograph was used to make raster scans of the super-granulation at the center of the disk. The scan pattern was arranged to largely cancel out the effects of the 5 min oscillations and the granulation and to enhance visible effects of the supergranulation.
Effect of Zytron and Its Degradation Products on Soil Microorganisms

There was no adverse effect of Zytron, o-2,4-dichlorophenyl o-methyl isopropyl phosphoramidothioate, a herbicide, upon molds, actinomycetes, and soil bacteria in field plots, or upon selected soil microorganisms in model systems. 2,4-Dichlorophenol, a degradation product, was found to be toxic at levels above 10 ppm to molds, but levels this high were not found in soil from treated plots. Aspergillus clavatus degraded both Zytron and 2,4-dichlorophenol. Sodium o-methyl isopropyl phosphoramidothioate, another degradation product of Zytron, stimulated the growth of a species of Penicillium.
Statins and hip fracture risk in men: a population-based case-control study.

Abstract Purpose To estimate the association between hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA inhibitor (statin) use and hip fracture. Methods We conducted a population-based case-control study. Cases were 6774 male enrollees in a large managed care organization, aged 45 or more years, with an incident hip fracture from 1997 to 2006. Controls without fracture ( n = 6774) were matched to cases on age, race, and medical center. Electronic information on pharmaceutical use was used to identify the dispensing of statins from 1991 forward. Results Overall, 1884 (27.8%) cases and 2150 controls (31.7%) used a statin before index date (matched odds ratio [mOR] = 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.74–0.87). Adjustment for comorbidity burden strengthened the magnitude of the overall association (mOR = 0.68, CI = 0.62–0.74). The adjusted association was similar across age groups but was strongest among men aged 80 years or more (mOR = 0.62, CI = 0.54–0.71) and was most pronounced in African Americans (mOR = 0.43, CI = 0.28–0.64). Greater duration of statin use did not alter the odds ratios. Conclusions These data add to the growing evidence of a potential protective effect of statin use on bone health. However, these results need to be replicated in a prospective study that can account for confounding by indication which may explain these findings.
Temporal and spatial variability in the composition of lavas exposed along the Western Blanco Transform Fault

The northern scarp of the Western Blanco Transform (BT) Fault Zone provides a “tectonic window” into crust generated at an intermediate-rate spreading center, exposing a ∼2000 m vertical section of lavas and dikes. The lava unit was sampled by submersible during the Blancovin dive program in 1995, recovering a total of 61 samples over vertical distances of ∼1000 m and a lateral extent of ∼13 km. Major element analyses of 40 whole rock samples exhibit typical tholeiitic fractionation trends of increasing FeO*, Na2O, and TiO2 and decreasing Al2O3 and CaO with decreasing MgO. The lava suite shows a considerable range in extent of crystallization, including primitive samples (Mg# 64) and evolved FeTi basalts (FeO > 12%; TiO2 > 2%). On the basis of rare earth element and trace element data, all of the lavas are incompatible-element depleted normal mid-ocean ridge basalts (N-MORB; La/SmN < 1). The geochemical systematics suggest that the lavas were derived from a slightly heterogeneous mantle source, and crystallization occurred in a magmatic regime of relatively low magma flux and/or high cooling rate, consistent with magmatic processes occurring along the present-day southern Cleft Segment. The BT scarp reveals the oceanic crust in two-dimensional space, allowing us to explore temporal and spatial relationships in the horizontal and vertical directions. As a whole, the data do not appear to form regular spatial trends; rather, primitive lavas tend to cluster shallower and toward the center of the study area, while more evolved lavas are present deeper and toward the west and east. Considered within a model for construction of the upper crust, these findings suggest that the upper lavas along the BT scarp may have been emplaced off-axis, either by extensive off-axis flow or off-axis eruption, while the lower lavas represent axial flows that have subsided with time. A calculation based on an isochron model for construction of the upper crust suggests that the Cleft Segment requires at least ∼50 kyr to build the lower extrusive section, consistent to first order with independent estimates for the construction of intermediate-spreading rate crust.
Relation of age to outcome after endoscopic sinus surgery in children.

Objective To determine whether endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in children has a better outcome at a certain age. Design and Setting Cohort study in a tertiary care children's hospital. Patients Ninety-nine children who underwent ESS between January 1994 and June 1999. Main Outcome Measures Determining ESS outcomes was based on answers to a questionnaire mailed to the caregivers at least 1 year after surgery. Outcomes were considered failures if children required revision surgery or if their symptoms were not improved. Results The overall ESS success rate was 82%. Univariate analysis of age and surgery outcome revealed that children older than 6 years had an 89% success rate but that children younger than 6 years had a 73% success rate ( P = .04). Of the 99 patients, 11 (9%) required revision surgery. Among them, 9 were younger and 2 were older than 6 years ( P = .008). Of the 4 children younger than 3 years, 3 (75%) required revision surgery. Conclusions Endoscopic sinus surgery in children younger than 3 years was not successful but it was beneficial in children older than 6 years. It may be beneficial at any age if a complication from chronic sinusitis occurs; however, for children younger than 6 years, revision surgery may later be necessary.
Analyical Solutions for Failure Evolution With a Nonlinear Local Damage Model

The partitioned-modeling and similarity methods are applied in this paper to derive a closed-form solution for localized dynamic failure problems, with a nonlinear local damage model. The initial point of the localization is taken as the point at which the type of governing differential equation transforms from being hyperbolic to elliptic for dynamic case due to material damage. The evolution of localization is represented by a moving material surface of discontinuity between the elliptic domain and hyperbolic domain. A closed-form solution for a static loading case is also given as a complementary note to show evolution of the localized failure. The effects of model parameters on the structural response are investigated, and the evolution of relevant field variables is illustrated to demonstrate the essential feature of the localized failure evolution.
Comparison of Interpolative versus Full-Frame Cosine Transform Image Compression of Digital Chest Radiographs

Pixel subsampling is a simple and straight-forward method for digital image compression. Adjacent pixels in chest radiographs are highly correlated. Therefore, one may reduce the heavy burden of image data storage by subsampling pixels and reconstructing by interpolation whenever viewing is required. We performed a study on compression of chest radiographs using: (1) pixel subsampling followed by interpolation; and (2) a bit-allocation technique based on the full-frame discrete cosine transform (DCT). To obtain a compression ratio of 16:1, we subsample one pixel from each 4x4 pixel matrix. Bilinear and cubic spline interpolation are the two methods used in this study since they are simple and smooth interpolation methods. The more complex process of full-frame DCT yields optimal performance when the correlation of adjacent pixels are high [6]. By adjusting two quantization parameters in the full-frame DCT method, one can also achieve a 16:1 compression ratio. Our evaluation of pixel subsampling versus full-frame DCT uses: (1) statistical comparison of root mean-square errors (RMSE); (2) comparison of local structure fidelity; and (3) comparison of differences in subtraction images (original minus reconstructed).© (1989) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Fabry-Perot, Bragg grating, and optical MEMS sensors for naval shipboard use

In an effort to support the advancement of U.S Navy initiatives in improved machinery diagnostics and control, improved information collection for damage control systems, and greater integration of shipboard sensor information the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) is engaged in an ongoing project to evaluate and develop advanced optical sensors. Initial efforts focused on examining the possibility of replacing some mature conventional sensors with their optical counterparts. Currently, NSWCCD is focusing on specific niche applications where measurements can not be made by the conventional means, or where optical sensors provide a significant performance advantage. Focus areas of innovative fiber optic sensors have included EMI immunity, measurement of absolute strain, smart structure development, and linking advanced sensors to optical communications networks. Sensor technologies being investigated include Fabry-Perot type interferometers, grating type fiber optic sensors, and optically operated MEMS sensors. Commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) sensors which utilize the preceding technologies are being tested and evaluated in Navy laboratories. In addition, research initiatives are underway to develop new sensors as well as methods for interfacing these sensors with current and future controls, communication, and monitoring equipment.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Systemism, Social Mechanisms, and Scientific Progress: A Case Study of the International Crisis Behavior Project:

Systemism and social mechanisms, as articulated by Bunge, are concepts with great potential for application to assessment of research progress. This study will use the conceptual tools made available by systemism and social mechanisms to evaluate the International Crisis Behavior (ICB) Project as a scientific effort toward the greater understanding of crises in world politics. Systemism and social mechanisms are articulated as key concepts in the quest for scientific progress. The goals and basic characteristics of the ICB Project as a scientific venture then are described. The ICB Project is assessed in terms of how well it lives up to standards for scientific progress. Finally, conclusions and ideas about future research are presented. The basic finding of this study is that the ICB Project is quite successful in meeting the standards for scientific progress entailed by the concepts of systemism and social mechanisms.
Sensitivity analysis of the potential for elastic gas-solid scattering from surface defects

Abstract The role of surface defects in elastic gas-solid collisions is investigated by means of a recently developed numerical procedure based on the Moller operator and wavepackets. Since the procedure explicitly evaluates the scattering wavefunction, it yields the probabilities for scattering from the given initial state into all possible final states as well as the sensitivity of the probabilities with respect to variations in the gas-surface potential. Probabilities and their functional sensitivities are calculated for a simulated Pt surface exhibiting various configurations of vacancies: isolated sites, “interacting” di-vacancies and closely-packed tri-vacancies. The functional sensitivities indicate which regions of the gas-defect-solid potential are most relevant to the scattering dynamics. The resultant physical insight should be ultimately helpful for inverting experimental data to obtain the interaction potential.
Kinetic control in the alcoholysis reaction involving hexakisdimethylamidodialuminium and tert-butanol. Preparation, crystal and molecular structures of Al(OBut)3(HNMe2) and Al2(NMe2)(OBut)5

Abstract Addition of excess ButOH to hydrocarbon solutions of Al2(NMe2)6 yields Al(OBut)3(HNMe2) and Al2(OBut)6 as kinetic and thermodynamic products, respectively, by way of a remarkably persistent intermediate Al2(NMe2)(OBut)5.