cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sex steroids and experimental invasive atypia in mice

Abstract The effect of artificially administered progesterone or estrogen on podophyllin-induced atypia in the cervix and vagina of the castrated female mouse was studied. Four groups (estrogen, progesterone, both estrogen and progesterone, and controls) were studied in the first two experiments. Epithelial abnormalities were most advanced in the castrated animals treated with estrogen alone. The second two experiments were designed to continue the observations made on the castrated animals treated with estrogen alone. The number of estrogen and podophyllin applications was increased, but there was no proportional increase in the severity of the lesions. However, 14 animals receiving between 30 to 64 applications of podophyllin had lesions suggestive of early stromal invasion.
Demonstration of an optical cavity sensor with a differential detection method by refractive index measurements

This paper describes refractive index measurements for verifying a novel optical cavity based sensor using a differential detection method. Two low cost laser diodes at the wavelengths of 780 nm and 850 nm are used. The optical cavity is created by a SU-8 to SU-8 bonding of two silver sputtered glass substrates. The intensities of two lasers are measured by an sCMOS camera after the cavity is filled with a refractive index of fluid. We employed a differential detection method which calculates differential values using measured intensities in order to enhance sensitivity. Combined with the noise analysis, the limit of detection of refractive index is estimated to be 6.944 × 10−6 R.I.U.
MATLAB® for Communications System Design

This chapter introduces some of the capabilities in MATLAB related to the analysis, design, modeling, simulation, implementation, and verification of communications systems. For modeling and simulation, we can use algorithmic building blocks from the communications system toolbox, either as System objects or as Simulink blocks. Many aspects of physical layer (PHY) processing of mobile standards can be modeled and simulated more efficiently in MATLAB. The chapter attempts to answer the following question: How can MATLAB, a high‐level programming language and a design and simulation environment with an extensive library of software toolboxes, help academics and practitioners in the development of mobile and wireless systems?.
Can the IRS Effectively Regulate Tax Planning Advice

This article asks whether tax planning advice can ever be effectively regulated by the IRS. The article first explores whether tax advice differs in kind from other forms of legal advice. Secondly, it looks at the clear regulatory distinction between the treatment of return preparation advice and the treatment of tax planning advice, taking into account historical anomalies and asking if the difference in treatment is justified or misguided. The article then reviews and evaluates efforts to regulate planning advice directly, including earlier attempts to address tax shelter opinions in Circular 230, the current covered opinion rules and written advice rules, and the proposed changes in these sections of Circular 230, Less direct approaches such as flagging certain transactions (reportable transactions) with tax shelter potential for particular focus are noted along with their limitations as is the role of oral tax planning advice. Finally, the article discusses how combining more than one approach (such as retaining the accuracy standard of the covered opinion rules, UTP filing requirements, and competency testing) might be useful in regulating the quality of tax planning advice, but concludes that a magic IRS bullet for monitoring and regulating the quality of tax planning advice has yet to be invented. However, the article notes that reducing the ability of taxpayers to rely on the advice of tax advisors to avoid penalties might force taxpayers to hold their advisors to account through malpractice litigation to a degree that the Service will never be able to do.
Chinese Immigrant Families Living in the US Practice Parental Involvement Differently

A qualitative case study methodology was used to research and understand how five Chinese immigrant families support their children’s academic achievement through parental involvement at home and school. The study is derived from two research questions: (1) what are the parents’ educational beliefs in supporting their children’s school learning? and (2) what parental involvement steps do parents adopt to aid their children in achieving academic success? As the data indicated, these Chinese immigrant parents had high academic expectations for their children’s educational outcomes; they especially believe their children must master the English language (verbal and literacy) and have a sound mathematical knowledge base. Second, the study shows that these parents are highly engaged in home-based parent involvement (e.g., study areas, books and learning materials, teaching and assisting with math and language, especially, and all subject learning generally). It is also shows that these parents responded to “invitations” from the school for involvement. The findings of this study calls attention to the challenges and strategies of the Chinese immigrant families for school involvement and the need for a home‒school connection and parent‒teacher cooperation for the Chinese immigrant family
Integration of communication and computational architectures for HUMS

The methodology used to design most of the complex engineering systems is "divide and conquer," in which a complex problem is partitioned into a number of simpler sub-problems that can be solved independently, and whose individual solutions yield the solution of original complex problem. A common methodology in solving these sub-problems is the reuse of existing designs to reduce design cost and development time. But the crucial part in this process is the integration of subsystems into a single system, which satisfies both system and subsystem-level requirements. In collaboration with NASA Langley Research Center, we have been trying to identify the issues and problems faced during design integration of health usage and monitoring systems (HUMS). We developed a methodology for integration of these complex systems. In This work, we present an iterative process model for the integration. We also explain the implementation of the proposed model for the integration of subsystem architectures in HUMS.
A Controller for a Spark Ignition Engine with Bi-Fuel Capability

A bi-fuel engine with the ability to run optimally on both compressed natural gas (CNG) and gasoline is being developed. The engine control system described here employs adaptive closed-loop control optimizing fuel delivery and spark timing for both fuels. Ic-cylinder pressure was measured in the experimental engine using piezoelectric pressure transducers. Reductions in engine-out emissions, as compared with stock operations, were observed when using the controller with gasoline. Further reductions in emissions were achieved with CNG operation, due to properties of the fuel. An improvement in engine stability was also realized with the controller. 14 refs., 12 figs.
Temporal and spatial patterns of Cl – and Na + concentrations and Cl/Na ratios in salted urban watersheds

The study of sodium and chloride in the environment has a long history with a particular focus on road salting in urban areas. In many studies, spatial scales are limited (e.g., city) and temporal measurements are coarse (e.g., monthly), with the result that our understanding of the hydrogeochemical dynamics is constrained. Through a unique set of spatial and temporal measurements from the State of Michigan we a) examine the spatial distribution of chloride across a broad geographic area, b) explore the temporal behavior of chloride and sodium over hydrologic events capturing snowmelt and rain through salting seasons, c) evaluate the use of chloride/sodium ratios as a tool for linking sources to concentrations, and d) develop a conceptual framework for processes responsible for their environmental concentrations. Results show 1) the short-term and local impact of urban areas on chloride concentrations is clearly delineated, 2) concentration and ratio variations over the hydrographs differ during salting and post-salting periods, 3) chloride/sodium ratios do not clearly indicate a halite source and can be very high (>5) and this is interpreted to be due to the different environmental behaviors of the two ions, and 4) during salting periods, chloride and sodium are quickly removed from the landscape during first flush and diluted as event water begins to dominate, but in post salting periods, only chloride is diluted. We also find evidence for upwelling of brine in some locations. These two solutes are easily measured indicators of human influences on water quality and it is recommended that they routine be included in water quality assessments. However, we suggest more research is necessary to better understand their cycling on shorter time scales and then how this knowledge can be used to inform our understanding of other chemical cycles in the environment.
Play to Learn? An Experiment

Does playing a game in class improve students' ability to analyze the game using game theory? We report results from an experimental design which allows us to test a series of related hypotheses. We fail to find support for the conjectured learning-enhancing effects and discuss what lessons can be learned substantially and methodologically.
Noise measurement to ensure compatible land use

Noise exposure is a critical problem in urban and suburban communities. In many cases noise is not considered by local agencies responsible for land use planning and zoning. This may be due in part to the difficulty in applying the more sophisticated noise criteria. An event-related noise criterion is suggested for use by communities with limited resources. Comparisons are made with standards in common use.
Activity of weekly paclitaxel in patients with advanced endometrial cancer previously treated with both a platinum agent and paclitaxel.

Abstract Purpose. The aim of this report is to describe the potential clinical utility of the weekly administration of paclitaxel in patients with endometrial cancer previously treated with a platinum agent and paclitaxel (delivered on an every 3-week schedule). Methods . We briefly describe the clinical courses of three women with recurrent endometrial cancer who had prior exposure to platinum and paclitaxel, and who were subsequently treated with weekly paclitaxel in an effort to relieve significant cancer-related symptoms. Results . In these individuals, the weekly administration of paclitaxel was reasonably well tolerated. There was evidence of both objective and subjective improvement in the status of the malignant process. Conclusion . The weekly administration of paclitaxel is a rational management approach in women with metastatic or recurrent endometrial cancer who have previously received treatment with both a platinum agent and paclitaxel. This delivery strategy should be further explored through the conduct of well-designed clinical trials, both in the primary and secondary chemotherapeutic management of this malignancy.
Superplastic compression, microstructural analysis and mechanical properties of a fine grain three-phase alumina–zirconia–mullite ceramic composite

Abstract The creep behavior, microstructure and mechanical properties of a three-phase 40 vol.% alumina–30 vol.% zirconia–30 vol.% mullite ceramic composite were investigated. This material was made from zirconia (3Y-TZP) and the reaction of nanoscale powders of alumina and a silica sol to form mullite. Only a few small (10–15 nm) silica pockets remained after sintering, although the original amount of silica was 5.9 wt.%. The material demonstrated a steady-state strain rate and showed superplastic flow under compression. Most grains were equiaxed and sharply facetted. Samples quenched from 1450 °C indicated that the high temperature microstructure is similar to the as-sintered state. Dislocations formed in both mullite and zirconia grains during deformation, suggesting that a dislocation mechanism plays a role during superplastic deformation. The hardness was 15 GPa and the fracture toughness was 6.5 MPa m 1/2 , with no degradation in properties with 100% deformation.
Modulation of helper T cell function by prostaglandins

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of prostaglandins on the production of interleukins 2, 4, and 5 (IL-2, IL-4, and IL-5), interferon-gamma (IFN gamma), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and transformating growth factor beta 1 by CD4+ T cells. METHODS: TH0, TH1, and TH2 T cell clones were stimulated in the presence and absence of the prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) analog misoprostol and PGE2. Lymphokine production was analyzed by using a semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction with lymphokine-specific primer sets and/or by determining lymphokine activity in bioassays. RESULTS: PGE2 and misoprostol have distinct effects on different functional T helper cells. TH1 cells, which predominantly produce IL-2 and IFN gamma, are completely inhibited, while TH2 cells, which preferentially produce IL-4 and IL-5, are largely unaffected. Misoprostol and PGE2 are equivalent in their ability to modulate T cell function. In the presence of prostaglandins, TH0-like helper cells, which are characterized by the coproduction of multiple lymphokines, function as TH2 cells; however, they do not differentiate into TH2 T cells. CONCLUSION: Prostaglandins that are produced in inflamed tissue can regulate the functional capabilities of infiltrating T cells. In the presence of PGE2, TH1-like responses are suppressed and TH0-like responses are shifted toward a TH2-like pattern dominated by the production of IL-4 and IL-5. Inhibition of prostaglandin production by antiinflammatory agents might restore TH1 responses with local production of IL-2 and IFN gamma.
Seasonal carbon isotope discrimination in a grassland community

Grassland communities of arid western North America are often characterized by a seasonal increase in ambient temperature and evaporative demand and a corresponding decline in soil moisture availability. As the environment changes, particular species could respond differently, which should be reflected in a number of physiological processes. Carbon isotope discrimination varies during photosynthetic activity as a function of both stomatal aperture and the biochemistry of the fixation process, and provides an integrated measure of plant response to seasonal changes in the environment. We measured the seasonal course of carbon isotope discrimination in 42 grassland species to evaluate changes in gas exchange processes in response to these varying environmental factors. The seasonal courses were then used to identify community-wide patterns associated with life form, with phenology and with differences between grasses and forbs. Significant differences were detected in the following comparisons: (1) Carbon isotope discrimination decreased throughout the growing season; (2) perennial species discriminated less than annual species; (3) grasses discriminated less than forbs; and (4) early flowering species discriminated more than the later flowering ones. These comparisons suggested that (1) species active only during the initial, less stressful months of the growing season used water less efficiently, and (2) that physiological responses increasing the ratio of carbon fixed to water lost were common in these grassland species, and were correlated with the increase in evaporative demand and the decrease in soil moisture.
Do density oscillations exist near the free surface of 4He

Variational calculations are carried out for liquid 4He with a free surface. Five classes of wave functions are studied, four of which permit the density profile to exhibit oscillations near the surface. We conclude that it is not possible to determine with certainty whether density oscillations exist by variational methods alone. On the other hand, certain qualitative features of the layered structure and quantitative bounds on the extent of the oscillations can be observed, if the latter indeed exist. These observations lead us to believe that effects of a layered structure on, e.g., evaporation, surface scattering, and properties of adsorbates are probably too weak to be detectable.
Disability and posttraumatic stress disorder in disaster relief workers responding to September 11, 2001 World Trade Center Disaster

Empirical evidence suggests that social and occupational disability plays a significant role in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The purpose of this study was to assess the role of social/occupational disability and to identify predictors of the development of PTSD in a group of disaster relief workers (DRWs) who had been deployed to the World Trade Center (WTC) following September 11, 2001. Eight hundred forty-two utility workers completed a battery of comprehensive tests measuring PTSD and social occupational functioning. Results indicated a significant association between PTSD symptoms and impaired social/occupational functioning. Symptomatic workers were also more likely to have a history of trauma, panic disorder, and depression. Those with a history of trauma, depression, generalized anxiety disorder or panic reported significantly more disability than those without a psychiatric history. Careful screening of PTSD and social/occupational functioning in DRWs following a disaster is warranted so that early treatment can be undertaken to prevent a chronic and disabling course.
A spin-label study of the viscosity profile of sarcoplasmic reticular vesicles.

Abstract Sarcoplasmic reticular vesicles were prepared from both lobster and rabbit muscle. A variety of water-soluble, lipid-soluble, and alkylating spin labels were used to treat the sarcoplasmic reticular vesicles. All spin label analyses were carried out with and without NiCl 2 . Nickel is used to remove spin label signal originating from outside of, on the surface of, or localized in the outermost part of the outer bilayer half of the sarcoplasmic reticular membrane. We conclude that the hydrocarbon portion of sarcoplasmic reticular vesicles has symmetry in regard to the physical properties that limit spin label motion; however, we find that the membrane interface limits spin label motion more on the inner surface than the outer surface and that the trapped aqueous volume which is sampled by water soluble spin labels inside the vesicle enclosure limits spin label motion much more than the average aqueous medium outside.
Clumpy disk accretion and chondrule formation

Abstract Chondrules are the major constituent of most of the primitive meteorites, yet the mechanism of their formation is largely unknown. Chondrule textures and compositions place tight constraints on the thermal processing necessary to turn precursor dust aggregates into chondrules—temperatures between about 1500 and 2000 K and cooling times of hours are indicated. As suggested by Hood and Horanyi (1991, Icarus 93, 259-269), shock heating within the nebula may be capable of matching the thermal constraints, provided that a suitable source of nebular shocks can be found. We suggest here that the source of the shocks possibly responsible for chondrule formation was episodic accretion onto the solar nebula of low-mass clumps (∼10 22 g) of interstellar gas. Three types of astronomical observations are best explained by the existence of opaque clumps that block stellar radiation while moving at high velocities within a few astronomical units of young stellar objects: (a) rapid variations in stellar luminosity, independent of wavelength; (b) rapid changes in surface brightness of nearby reflection nebulae; and (c) rapid variations in spectral lines excited in circumstellar regions. While the origin of these clumps is presently unknown, they might arise from the inhomogeneous infall of the residual molecular cloud core, from the return of matter ejected by the stellar wind, or from a combination of these two effects. Infalling clumps will impact the protoplanetary disk at high velocity, producing a localized, intense source of heat suitable for chondrule formation. As the resulting shock wave propagates into the nebula, preexisting aggregates of dust grains formed in the nebula will be melted by the shock front, producing chondrules. For reasonable estimates of the clump impact rate onto a minimum mass nebula, we find that a nonnegligible fraction of the nebula mass undergoes the required thermal processing. Clumpy disk accretion is a mechanism that is capable of providing a long-lived, late-phase, episodic, and variable intensity source of cyclical thermal processing for chondrule precursor grains.
Necessary, Sufficient and Permissive: A Single Locomotor Command Neuron Important for Intersegmental Coordination

In this report we posed the overarching question: What multiple contributions can a single neuron have on controlling the behavior of an animal, especially within a given context? To address this timely question, we studied the neuron R3b-1 in the medicinal leech. This bilaterally paired neuron descends from the cephalic ganglion and projects uninterrupted through the segmental ganglia comprising the nerve cord; its terminal arbors invade each hemi-ganglion. We discovered that a single R3b-1 neuron functions as a command neuron in the strictest sense, as it was both necessary and sufficient for fictive crawling behavior. Aside from these command-related properties, we determined that R3b-1 modulates the cycle period of crawl motor activity. R3b-1 has previously been shown to activate swimming behavior, but when the CNS was exposed to dopamine (DA), crawling became the exclusive locomotor pattern produced by R3b-1. DA exposure also led to bursting in R3b-1 that matched periods observed during fictive crawling, even when potential ascending inputs from crawl oscillators were removed. Although the above attributes render R3b-1 an intriguing cell, it is its ability to permit the coordination of the segmentally distributed crawl oscillators that makes this multifunctional neuron so notable. To our knowledge, this cell provides the first biological example of a single command neuron that is also vital for the intersegmental coordination of a locomotor behavior. Furthermore, our study highlights the importance of DA as an internal contextual cue that can integrate functional layers of the nervous system for adaptive behavior.
Design and Construction of a Micro-focus In-line Phase-contrast Cone Beam CT (PC-CBCT) System for Soft Tissue Imaging

In recent years, the in-line phase-contrast (in-line PC) technique has been implemented using synchrotrons and microfocus x-ray tubes for soft tissue imaging as the in-line PC's image quality enhancement. In this study, a new in-line phase-contrast cone-beam CT (PC-CBCT) system has been designed and tested in our lab to produce higher image quality enhancement. The PC-CBCT system consists of a micro-focus x-ray tube, a high-resolution detector and a rotating phantom holder. The nominal focal spot size is 9 microns, which is expected to produce partially coherent x-rays. The detector system has a phosphor screen, an optical fiber coupling unit and a CMOS chip with an effective pixel pitch of 22.5 microns. Some key system parameters, including tube voltage (or x-ray spectrum), source-to-object distance and object-to-detector distance were balanced and optimized to achieve enough spatial coherence and degree of interference to acquire edge-enhanced phase-contrast images as projection images. The phantom holder was rotated for 360 degrees with a step of 1.2 degrees, and during the rotation in-line PC images were acquired at all angular positions. The FDK algorithm was applied to compute the reconstruction using the edge-enhanced PC images. Small soft tissue samples (breast tissues and animal organs) were scanned and reconstructed. The tomographic images showed enhanced structure edges and details.
Type-II conjecture is true for finite I-trivial monoids

We discuss the importance of determining MII for any finite monoid M. We prove that if all regular elements of the finite monoid M are type-II elements (a decidable condition which includes I-trivial), then the strong type-II conjecture is true for M, i.e., MII = MII′ and so MII is decidable. As an application we prove that for P(G), the monoid of nonempty subsets of a finite group G, [P(G)]II = [P(G)]II′ holds.
SIGMOID STRUCTURE OF AN EMERGING FLUX TUBE

We present the results from three-dimensional MHD simulations of a magnetic flux tube emerging through the solar photosphere. The simulation is initialized with a straight tube of twisted magnetic field located in the upper convection zone. Buoyancy effects drive an arched segment of the tube upward through the photospheric layer and into the corona. Matter drains from the coronal field, which thereafter undergoes a rapid expansion. The coronal magnetic field formed in this manner exhibits outer poloidal field lines that resemble a potential arcade and inner toroidal field lines that emerge after the tube axis, forming sigmoid structure. The simulations suggest that the neutral-line shear and sigmoidal field arise as a natural by-product of flux emergence.
On stochastic risk ordering of network services for proactive security management

Contemporary network services don't have any statistical ranking mechanism for proactive security management. Since the emerging threats are actively exploiting the vulnerabilities in network services to compromise the system, not much attention has been paid to rank these services based on their vulnerability history. We argue in this paper that a reliable mechanism could be used to rank these services based on their vulnerability history. Such ranking will be significantly helpful for proactive network security management to partition services and deploy security countermeasures. We propose a framework using stochastic order alternatives to statistically rank network services based on time intervals between exploits as reported by National Vulnerability Database (NVD). We show that Statistical techniques can be used to rank these services by modeling the related metrics. We validated our technique using products of known ranking, and presented some case studies to confirm our result on real network services.
High-Speed Multiprocessors and Compilation Techniques

The purpose of this paper is to present some ideas on multiprocessor design and on automatic translation of sequential programs into parallel programs for multiprocessors. With respect to machine design, two subjects are discussed. First, a multiprocessor allowing parallelism at a very low level is sketched and then, a brief discussion on the interconnection network is presented.
A phase 1 study of concomitant high-dose lenalidomide and 5-azacitidine induction in the treatment of AML.

A phase 1 study of concomitant high-dose lenalidomide and 5-azacitidine induction in the treatment of AML
Dynamic displacement field reconstruction through a limited set of measurements: Application to plates

Abstract The paper presents a procedure for the identification of the full-field dynamic response of a structure from a limited set of experimental measurements. An iterative technique based on modal decomposition maps the displacement field of the vibrating structure by using experimental data in conjunction with the numerical model of the considered structure. Algebraic relationships between experimental measurements and equivalent modal loads allow the identification of the full-field dynamic response from few experimental data. This procedure is detailed for a plate structure subjected to a harmonic concentrated load.
Relationship between Environment and Physician' Communication: Health Information Technology

Objective: To examine whether the relationship between the external environment and physician’ communication patterns is mediated by health information technology (HIT) availability. Data sources: ...
Aspects of numerical and representational methods related to the finite-difference simulation of advective and dispersive transport of freshwater in a thin brackish aquifer

Abstract The simulation of the transport of injected freshwater in a thin brackish aquifer, overlain and underlain by confining layers containing more saline water, is shown to be influenced by the choice of the finite-difference approximation method, the algorithm for representing vertical advective and dispersive fluxes, and the values assigned to parametric coefficients that specify the degree of vertical dispersion and molecular diffusion that occurs. Computed potable water recovery efficiencies will differ depending upon the choice of algorithm and approximation method, as will dispersion coefficients estimated based on the calibration of simulations to match measured data. A comparison of centered and backward finite-difference approximation methods shows that substantially different transition zones between injected and native waters are depicted by the different methods, and computed recovery efficiencies vary greatly. Standard and experimental algorithms and a variety of values for molecular diffusivity, transverse dispersivity, and vertical scaling factor were compared in simulations of freshwater storage in a thin brackish aquifer. Computed recovery efficiencies vary considerably, and appreciable differences are observed in the distribution of injected freshwater in the various cases tested. The results demonstrate both a qualitatively different description of transport using the experimental algorithms and the interrelated influences of molecular diffusion and transverse dispersion on simulated recovery efficiency. When simulating natural aquifer flow in cross-section, flushing of the aquifer occurred for all tested coefficient choices using both standard and experimental algorithms.
The Cultural Context of the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics

The American Counseling Association code of ethics was constructed in a particular cultural context and reflects the assumptions of that context. Beginning with a discussion of the purposes served by ethical codes, I review 3 patterns of implicit assumptions: (a) examples of implicit cultural bias, (b) examples of cultural encapsulation, and (c) examples favoring the dominant culture. Positive recommendations for developing more inclusionary ethical guidelines are discussed on the basis of case examples and the consequences of good or bad ethical practice. The need to make underlying philosophical and cultural assumptions explicit in the Preamble to the code of ethics is clarified.
Inorganic Compound Speciation By Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR)

FT-IR offers a unique method of inorganic compound speciation. Particularily in environmental samples, inorganic information has previosuly been limited to elemental or at best anion/cation information. Using FT-IR, a relatively small amount of sample (about 1 mg) can yield inorganic compound identifications. Of central importance to this technique is the availability of a good computerized reference library of pure inorganic compounds in common hydration states. This library should cover both mid- and far IR. In our laboratory, this library is being amassed using X-ray crystallography to comlement infrared results. A computer search system for the identification of inorganic compounds in mixtures has been developed which uses the above library as well as spectral knowledge of the user. Second derivative spectra are used to establish exact peak frequencies. The combination of good reference spectra and the ability to locate the exact position of overlapping bands by the use of the 2nd derivative, allows the identification of specific inorganic compounds in complex mixtures.
ENHANCED CARBON TRANSFER BETWEEN ONIONS INFECTED WITH A VESICULAR‐ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGUS

Summary Carbon (C) transfer between onion plants was enhanced by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas formed by the fungus, Glomus etunicatus. By applying pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) to hyphae, C translocation to the root was reduced but not eliminated indicating that two transfer processes may be involved; namely, cytoplasmic translocation within hyphae and mass flow along hyphal walls. Most of the transferred C remained in the roots; little or no C was translocated to the shoots. Therefore, it is uncertain whether C was released to the recipient plant or retained in fungal tissue.
Validity of self-reported use of assisted reproductive technology treatment among women participating in the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System in five states, 2000.

Objectives: To assess the validity of a question on assisted reproductive technology (ART) incorporated into the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) in 2000. While the intent of the question is to ascertain whether the index infant was conceived using ART, the phrasing was ambiguous for women who had used ART while trying to conceive the index infant but became pregnant after discontinuing treatment. Methods: We compared weighted PRAMS estimates from five states that incorporated the ART question in 2000 with data from the U.S. ART Surveillance System (ART-SS) maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). U.S. medical practices are mandated to report data for every ART procedure to CDC annually; thus, the ART-SS is highly specific and complete. Results: ART use was reported for 156 of the PRAMS births in our study population, representing 4,571 (95% Confidence Limit, 3,452–5,690) births from the total birth cohort in the five states of interest in 2000. For the same maternal residency states and year, 1,768 births were reported to the ART-SS. Thus, we calculate that PRAMS overestimated ART use by 2,803 births. PRAMS estimated 2.59 times as many ART births as reported to the ART-SS. While for singletons, a large excess in estimated births from PRAMS was observed (ratio=3.50), there was little difference between the PRAMS estimates and ART-SS for twin and triplet births. Conclusion: These findings suggest women responding to PRAMS may be reporting past ART use in addition to current. The findings by plurality support this hypothesis.
Localized hypertrophic neuropathy: Magnetic resonance imaging findings and long-term follow-up

Four patients with painless, progressive focal neurological deficits that localized to peripheral nerve or plexus were eventually found to have the relatively rare condition of localized hypertrophic neuropathy or intraneural perineurioma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was an excellent tool for aiding in the precise localization of the lesion, if specifically tailored with regard to imaging planes and specific MRI sequences. Fat-saturated T2-weighted and fat-saturated T1-weighted postgadolinium images provided the best visualization, particularly with a high-field magnet and phase array body coil. Two patients stabilized following resection of the lesion and sural nerve grafting, and 1 had partial improvement in a proximal muscle following neurolysis.
An objective indicant of binocular vision in humans: size-specific interocular suppression of visual evoked potentials.

Abstract Evoked cortical potentials (VEPs) to grid patterns flashed to one eye were suppressed in amplitude when grid patterns were continuously presented to the other eye. The degree of interocular suppression of VEPs was influenced by the stereoacuity of the subjects. VEPs were obtained to each of two grid sizes flashed to one eye (individual squares subtending 15 and 60 min of arc) and changes in amplitude of these VEPs were considered as a function of four stimuli continuously presented to the other eye (diffuse light, 15, 30, and 60 min of arc squares in grids). Interocular suppression of VEPs was greater (a) when the continuously presented grid was of high (38.00 mL) as compared to low (00.38 mL) intensity, (b) when the continuous and flashed grids were of the same as compared to different sizes, and (c) in six subjects who had good as compared to six subjects who had poor binocularity. Eleven of the twelve subjects could be classified correctly as having good or poor binocularity on the basis of statistically significant interocular suppression of VEPs. The results were interpreted in terms of centrally located binocular neurons responsive to specific grid sizes or spatial frequencies and the decreased functioning of such neurons in subjects with poor binocularity.
Binding of copper and nickel to cavities in silicon formed by helium ion implantation

Cavities formed in Si by He ion implantation and annealing are shown to be strong traps for Cu and Ni impurities. Experiments utilizing ion-beam analysis and transmission electron microscopy indicate that Cu is trapped at the internal surfaces of cavities up to {approximately}1 monolayer coverage with a binding energy of 2.2{plus_minus}0.2 eV relative to solution. This is greater than the heat of solution from the precipitated Cu{sub 3}Si phase, determined to be 1.7 eV in agreement with earlier work. Copper at cavity-wall sites is reversibly replaced by H during heating in H{sub 2} gas, indicating the relative stability of the two surface terminations. Initial results for Ni impurities indicate that trapping at cavities is again energetically preferred to silicide formation. The saturation coverage of Ni on the internal surfaces, however, is an order of magnitude smaller for Ni than Cu, consistent with published studies of external-surface adsorption. These results suggest that cavity trapping may getter metallic impurities in Si more effectively than methods based on silicide precipitation.
Properties of brome mosaic virus and its related antigens.

Abstract Crude sap from Moore barley infected with brome mosaic virus (BMV) and purified BMV produced two and sometimes three precipitation lines when diffused against an antiserum to purified virus in the Ouchterlony double-diffusion test. Antigens, which sedimented more slowly than infectious virus, were detected after density-gradient centrifugation at pH 7.0 and 8.0 of crude sap from BMV-infected plants and of BMV previously purified by density-gradient centrifugation, a result indicating that the virus dissociated during density-gradient centrifugation. The stability of crude and purified virus preparations decreased as pH was increased from pH 5.0 to 8.0, whether stability was measured by loss of infectivity or by the increase in concentration of breakdown products. Materials in boiled extracts of healthy barley stabilized the virus. The stabilization could not be detected at pH 5.0, but it became increasingly greater as pH was increased from pH 6.0 to 8.0. Purified virus dissociated into two subunits of uniform size. These subunits, antigens 1 and 2, were noninfectious; apparently they were nucleoproteins. Noninfectious antigens from above the infectious zone in density-gradient columns were concentrated by high speed centrifugation and, when analyzed by the Ouchterlony test, formed precipitation lines identical to those formed by purified virus. It is suggested on the basis of immunoelectrophoretic analysis of crude sap and purified virus preparations that the virus might have dissociated in the agar gel to produce these antigens.
Myalgia and elevated creatine kinase activity associated with subcutaneous injections of diluent

A 16-year-old boy with short stature and mild primary hypothyroidism recelved subcutaneous injections of either recombinant human growth hormone or placebo in diluent that contained glycerol and m -cresol as a preservative. While he was receiving the study drug, myalgia developed and serum creatine kinase values were elevated. Both resolved when injections were stopped and recurred when injections of diluent alone were given. The myalgia and elevated creatine kinase activity were apparently caused by a component of the diluent.
Cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemical studies of cation radical and dication adsorption behavior for 7,7′-diphenyl-7,7′-diapocarotene

Abstract An unusually intense cyclic voltammogram (CV) cathodic peak for 7,7′-diphenyl-7,7′-diapocarotene in dichloromethane is found with several different electrodes. Results of CV, bulk electrolysis, and simultaneous spectroelectrochemical studies indicate that such behavior is due to the adsorption of cation radicals and dications of this compound. The strength of adsorption is believed to be moderate. In contrast, the CV obtained in the polar solvent acetonitrile shows no adsorption, which may indicate that these cation radicals and dications undergo a subsequent irreversible chemical reaction or a rapid decay process in acetonitrile. A mechanism involving several electrode reactions and adsorption equilibria is proposed.
Preoperative L1 and L2 paravertebral block is an effective postoperative analgesia for hip arthroscopy in a multimodal analgesic regimen.

We describe the case of a 30-year-old woman with chronic hip pain secondary to avascular necrosis. She received preoperative L1–L2 paravertebral block for postoperative pain control after arthroscopic hip surgery. Preoperative paravertebral block at the level of L1–L2 provided an effective postoperative analgesia for hip arthroscopy when used in a multimodal approach.
Rolling Resistance Moment-Based Adhesion Characterization of Microspheres

A microsphere-surface adhesion characterization technique based on the rolling resistance moment of the adhesion bond is reported and demonstrated. With a nanomanipulation system, an increasing lateral pushing force is applied to a polymer microsphere adhered on a silicon substrate in the ambient environment, and the rolling displacement of the particle in response to the external force is recorded. The work of adhesion for polymer microspheres to the silicon substrate is extracted from the force-displacement curves. Unlike the traditional colloid probe technique where particles are glued to the cantilever beam and the normal detachment force as a function of the out-of-plane displacement is measured, in the current work the work of adhesion is directly determined from the measured rolling resistance moment and the proposed approach requires no prior knowledge of the particle diameter. In addition to the work of adhesion for the set of microspheres, the critical angles of rolling prior to rolling are esti...
S-Nitrosothiol Detection via Amperometric Nitric Oxide Sensor with Surface Modified Hydrogel Layer Containing Immobilized Organoselenium Catalyst†

A novel electrochemical device for the direct detection of S-nitrosothiol species (RSNO) is proposed by modifying an amperometric nitric oxide (NO) gas sensor with thin hydrogel layer containing an immobilized organoselenium catalyst. The diselenide, 3,3‘-dipropionicdiselenide, is covalently coupled to primary amine groups in polyethylenimine (PEI), which is further cross-linked to form a hydrogel layer on a dialysis membrane support. Such a polymer film containing the organoselenium moiety is capable of decomposing S-nitrosothiols to generate NO(g) at the distal tip of the NO sensor. Under optimized conditions, various RSNOs (e.g., nitrosocysteine (CysNO), nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), etc.) are reversibly detected at ≤0.1 μM levels, with sensor lifetimes of at least 10 days. The presence of reducing agents (e.g., glutathione) added to the test solution enhances the amperometric dynamic range output to ∼25 μM levels of RSNO species. Sensitivities observed for different small molecule RSNO species are nearly...
A new principle is employed for 60-cycle A-C network analyzers

Through the use of a new principle, the impedance-phase-shift, the weight of the reactor elements of a 60-cycle a-c network analyzer has been reduced to a value lower than that obtainable in designs employing medium-frequency 500-cycle zone, and approximately equal to those employing high-frequency 10,000-cycle zone. The reactors have an X-R ratio of infinity in terms of system measurements. Among other advantages gained by the use of standard, power frequency is the elimination of the special-type motor-generator unit to supply power to the analyzer. Power is supplied through constant-voltage magnetic-stabilizing type transformers.
Microbial degradation of guanidinium ion

Abstract Guanidinium ion was degraded by microorganisms in a variety of surface water samples. Degradation of the cation was characterized by long and variable periods prior to enhanced microbial activity and was considerably slower than the degradation of the amino acid arginine. A carbon source could potentiate the degradation of guanidinium ion, in which case its carbon was mineralized and its nitrogen could be used for growth; but at nutrient levels in surface water, only slight mineralization of the cation's carbon was demonstrated and was considerably slower than that of urea carbon. Degradation of guanidinium ion by microorganisms capable of growing on it as a sole carbon source was estimated to be slow relative to two xenobiotic compounds. The development of such populations in surface water samples was dependent on the concentration of guanidinium ion.
Further evaluation of nonfeed removal methods for molting programs

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate several nonfeed removal methods compared with feed removal for induced molting of laying hens. An experiment was conducted using 576 Dekalb White hens (69 wk of age) randomly assigned to 1 of 8 dietary treatments. Two of these treatments consisted of feed removal for 10 d followed by ad libitum access to a 16% CP, corn-soybean meal diet or a 94% corn diet for 18 d. The other 6 treatments provided ad libitum access for 28 d to diets containing 94% corn, 94% wheat middlings (WM), 71% WM: 23% corn, 47% WM: 47% corn, 95% corn gluten feed, and 94% distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). At 28 d, all hens were fed a laying hen diet (16% CP), and production performance was measured for 40 wk. The 2 feed removal treatments resulted in total cessation of egg production within 6 d. Egg production of hens fed the 94% WM, 71% WM: 23% corn, corn, corn gluten feed, and 47% WM: 47% corn diets all decreased to 6% or less by d 12, 16, 19, 20, and 28, respectively. Egg production of hens fed DDGS never decreased below 18%. Body weight loss ranged from 10% (DDGS) to 26% (10-d feed removal), with the other treatments being similar at 17%. No consistent differences were observed among treatments throughout the 40-wk postmolt period for egg production, egg specific gravity, egg weight, egg yield, or feed efficiency. No differences were observed among feed removal treatments versus several nonfeed removal treatments for ovary and oviduct weights and blood heterophil:lymphocyte ratios during the molt period. In addition, interactive social behaviors were not different throughout the molt period between hens fed the 94% WM and those deprived of feed for 10 d. Our results indicate feeding WM, corn, corn gluten feed, and WM:corn diets are effective nonfeed removal methods for molting laying hens.
Away from Home? Two French Directors in Search of their Identity

In 1997 and 2002 two French directors crossed the border to film on foreign land. Tony Gatlif's Gadjo Dilo (The Crazy Foreigner) (1997) moved to the eastern european country of Romania and Cedric K...