cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association between postoperative DTI metrics and neurological deficits after posterior fossa tumor resection in children.

OBJECTIVE Resection of posterior fossa tumors in children may be associated with persistent neurological deficits. It is unclear if these neurological deficits are associated with persistent structural damage to the cerebellar pathways. The purpose of this research was to define longitudinal changes in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics in white matter cerebellar tracts and the clinical correlates of these metrics in children undergoing resection of posterior fossa tumors. METHODS Longitudinal brain DTI was performed in a cohort of pediatric patients who underwent resection of posterior fossa tumors. Fractional anisotropy (FA) of the superior cerebellar peduncles (SCPs) and middle cerebellar peduncles (MCPs) was measured on preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up DTI. Early postoperative (< 48 hours) and longer-term follow-up neurological deficits (mutism, ataxia, and extraocular movement dysfunction) were documented. Statistical analysis was performed to determine differences in FA values based on presence or absence of neurological deficits. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS Twenty children (mean age 6.1 ± 4.1 years [SD], 12 males and 8 females) were included in this study. Follow-up DTI was performed at a median duration of 14.3 months after surgery, and the median duration of follow-up was 19.7 months. FA of the left SCP was significantly reduced on postoperative DTI in comparison with preoperative DTI (0.44 ± 0.07 vs 0.53 ± 0.1, p = 0.003). Presence of ataxia at follow-up was associated with a persistent reduction in the left SCP FA on follow-up DTI (0.43 ± 0.1 vs 0.55 ± 0.1, p = 0.016). Patients with early postoperative mutism who did not recover at follow-up had significantly decreased FA of the left SCP on early postoperative DTI in comparison with those who recovered (0.38 ± 0.05 vs 0.48 ± 0.06, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS DTI after resection of posterior fossa tumors in children shows that persistent reduction of SCP FA is associated with ataxia at follow-up.
Chapter 48 – Kangaroo Rat

Publisher Summary The kangaroo rat is a member of the order Rodentia and family Hetermyidae. The Merriam's kangaroo rat and the Bannertail kangaroo rat are the most commonly studied species. The name “kangaroo rat” originates from descriptions of this animal's hind limb structure and characteristic hopping patterns. The kangaroo rat's hind legs and feet are long and powerful, especially the skull. Unlike other members of the family Hetermyidae, the cheek teeth of Dipodomys (kangaroo rats) grow continuously. Kangaroo rat shave external fur-lined cheek pouches, as well as dermal sebaceous glands that are located in the intrascapular region of the back. The chapter further studies the nutrition, diseases, uses in research, and laboratory care of the kangaroo rat.
Resolving Isomers of Star-Branched Poly(Ethylene Glycols) by IMS-MS Using Multiply Charged Ions.

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) mass spectrometry (MS) centers on the ability to separate gaseous structures by size, charge, shape, and followed by mass-to-charge (m/z). For oligomeric structures,...
Structure of a dominant negative mutant reveals a stalled intermediate state of anthrax protective antigen pore maturation

Abstract Anthrax is a severe bacterial infection caused by Bacillus anthracis, which produces a tripartite toxin that includes protective antigen (PA), lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF). A series of dominant-negative mutations have been previously identified that prevent the heptameric PA prepore from forming the pH-induced, membrane spanning beta-barrel pore that is required for translocation of EF and LF to the cytoplasm of the infected cell. Here we show that the dominant negative D425A mutation stalls the formation of the pore at a reversible intermediate maturation state, which exhibits many of the structural aspects of the pore but fails to form the phi(ϕ)-clamp and beta-barrel structure needed for full pore maturation. Overall, this structure reveals that ϕ-clamp and beta-barrel pore formation are later steps in the pathway to pore formation, thereby providing a regulatory mechanism to prevent premature translocation of EF and LF.
Exploring the correlations between spatiotemporal daily activity-travel patterns and stated interest and perception of risk with self-driving cars

Abstract. The key to Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) successful penetration of markets lies in identifying specific needs that AVs satisfy for daily activity-travel participation of individuals. In this paper we explore whether and to what extent people’s exhibited spatiotemporal activity-travel patterns correlate with their stated perceptions about self-driving cars. We investigate the travel diaries of 3,411 survey respondents who live in the Puget Sound region of the U.S. in 2017 using sequence analysis. In parallel, we apply hierarchical clustering to identify people’s attitudes based on their stated interest and perception of risks about AVs. A multinomial regression model is built to examine the correlations between AV attitude clusters and daily activity-travel patterns. Statistically significant correlations are then identified. The model results suggest that people exhibiting different activity-travel behavior patterns also express distinct attitudes towards the uses of AVs. The model shows that people who travel to work during the day are more likely to be positive to AVs. In particular, the group traveling to work later than the regular 8-to-5 schedule shows stronger interest and less concerns to AVs, which can be partially explained by the diverse activities they do throughout the day, the variety of travel modes they use and presumably more schedule flexibility they need than the public transportation system offers.
An Analytical Model to Predict Extrinsic Aging in BAW Resonators

This manuscript introduces a 1D analytical model to predict the Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) resonator aging when it is due to package stress relaxation. Classical micro-acoustic resonator aging models rely on a logarithmic function to estimate the 10-year instability. However, this function is fitted through experiments and does not take into account the physical stress phenomenon. Instead, our proposed analytical model computes the frequency drift by relating the thermally-induced stress in BAW to the creep response of attached epoxy. To validate the model, we design an experiment in which a type of BAW resonator known as DBAR is attached to a single epoxy layer and subjected to different baking conditions.
Precursor Lesions of the Cervix: Glandular Precursor Lesions

Endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ is a relatively common condition that may lead to or be associated with invasive adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. There are a number of diagnostic problems concerning this entity, all of which are discussed in this chapter. Most of the differential diagnostic entities (proliferative endometrium, tuboendometrioid metaplasia, reparative changes, invasive adenocarcinoma, endometrioid adenocarcinoma and the like) are presented here along with recommendations for careful morphologic evaluation and ancillary diagnostic strategies. Although nearly all adenocarcinomas in situ of the endocervix are associated with high-risk HPV, some information about the extremely rare HPV-unassociated adenocarcinomas in situ is included. The entities are extensively illustrated and organized by case scenarios that highlight clinical, demographic, and morphological features.
Selection criteria for high-dose-rate surface brachytherapy and electron beam therapy in cutaneous oncology.

Purpose High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy is an alternative treatment to electron external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) of superficial skin lesions. The purpose of this study was to establish the selection criteria for HDR brachytherapy technique (HDR-BT) and EBRT in cutaneous oncology for various clinical scenarios. Material and methods The study consists of two parts: a) EBRT and HDR-BT treatment plans comparison analyzing clinical target volumes (CTVs) with different geometries, field sizes, and topologies, and b) development of a prediction model capable of characterization of dose distributions in HDR surface brachytherapy for various geometries of treatment sites. Results A loss of CTV coverage for the electron plans (D90, D95) was recorded up to 45%, when curvature of the applicator increased over 30°. Values for D2 cm3 for both plans were comparable, and they were in range of ±8% of prescription dose. An increase in higher doses (D0.5 cm3 and D0.1 cm3) was observed in HDR-BT plans, and it was greater for larger lesions. The average increase was 3.8% for D0.5 cm3 and 12.3% for D0.1 cm3. When CTV was approximately flat, electron plans were comparable with HDR-BT plans, having lower average D2 cm3, D0.5 cm3, and D0.1 cm3 of 7.7%. Degradation of quality of electron plans was found to be more dependent on target curvature than on CTV size. Conclusions Both EBRT and HDR-BT could be used in treatments of superficial lesions. HDR-BT revealed superior CTV coverage when the surface was very large, complex, curvy, or rounded, and when the topology was complicated. The prediction model can be used for an approximate calculation and quick assessment of radiation dose to organs-at-risk (OARs), at a depth or at a lateral distance from CTV.
The non-canonical interaction between calmodulin and calcineurin contributes to the differential regulation of plant-derived calmodulins on calcineurin.

Calmodulin (CaM) is an important Ca2+ signaling hub that regulates many protein signaling pathways. In recent years, several CaM homologs expressed in plants have been shown to regulate mammalian targets and they are attractive for gene therapy. However, the molecular basis of how the CaM homologs mutations impact target activation is unclear, which limits efforts to engineer their functional properties. To understand these mechanisms, we examined two CaM isoforms found in soybean plants that differentially regulate a mammalian target, calcineurin (CaN). These CaM isofroms, sCaM-1 and sCaM-4 share >90% and {approx}78% identity with the mammalian CaM (mCaM), respectively, activate CaN with comparable or reduced activity relative to mCaM. We used molecular simulations and experimental assays to probe whether calcium and protein-protein binding interactions are altered in plant CaMs relative to mCaM as a basis for differential CaN regulations. We found that the two sCaMs' calcium binding properties such as coordination and affinity are comparable to mCaM. Further, the binding of CaM to the CaM binding region (CaMBR) in CaN is also comparable among the three CaMs, as evidenced by calculated binding free energies and experimental measured EC50 [CaM]. However, mCaM and sCaM-1 exhibited stronger binding with a secondary region of CaN's regulatory domain that is weakened for sCaM-4. This secondary interaction is likely to affect the turnover rate (kcat) of CaN based on our modeling of enzyme activity and is consistent with our experimental data. Together, our data show how plant-derived CaM variants can alter target activation through interactions beyond calcium binding and canonical CaMBR binding, which may extend beyond the mammalian CaN target.
Ecosystemic Theory, Practice, and Policy: Training Recommendations for Environmental Public Health.

The readiness of the public health workforce to deliver the essential public health services is benchmarked against training competencies. Consequently, it is expected that the establishment of the Council on Education in Public Health competencies will continue to drive the agenda of the learning continuum, from education to practice. However, the absence of environmental health as a listed competency in the Council on Education in Public Health accreditation criteria weakens the core public health program structure originally outlined by the National Academy of Medicine (formerly known as the Institute of Medicine) and could further dissolve environmental health content from schools and programs of public health. The authors have examined the literature on environmental health and public health education, and propose 3 overarching perspectives to employ from a theory, practice, and policy viewpoint to address this disconnect as follows: 1. adopting a pedagogic theoretical model that integrates both social and environmental determinants of health as inseparable components of public health; 2. revisiting historical examples of public health practice failures and successes related to environmental determinants of health as cautionary tales to avoid and exemplars to follow, respectively; and 3. pursuing ecosystemic policy changes to redress the inadequacy of environmental health education in public health workforce training. The current environmental health competency gap weakens the public health workforce infrastructure by creating graduates without the necessary science-based skills to protect communities from environmental threats. This departure from environmental health devalues the profession of public health and prohibits populations from reaching their full health potential. Practitioners, educators, and the public need to play a role in transforming siloes in environmental public health theory, practice, and policy into coherent learning ecosystems on which current and future populations can confidently depend.
Energy retrofit analysis toolkits for commercial buildings: A review

Retrofit analysis toolkits can be used to optimize energy or cost savings from retrofit strategies, accelerating the adoption of ECMs (energy conservation measures) in buildings. This paper provides an up-to-date review of the features and capabilities of 18 energy retrofit toolkits, including ECMs and the calculation engines. The fidelity of the calculation techniques, a driving component of retrofit toolkits, were evaluated. An evaluation of the issues that hinder effective retrofit analysis in terms of accessibility, usability, data requirement, and the application of efficiency measures, provides valuable insights into advancing the field forward. Following this review the general concepts were determined: (1) toolkits developed primarily in the private sector use empirically data-driven methods or benchmarking to provide ease of use, (2) almost all of the toolkits which used EnergyPlus or DOE-2 were freely accessible, but suffered from complexity, longer data input and simulation run time, (3) in general, there appeared to be a fine line between having too much detail resulting in a long analysis time or too little detail which sacrificed modeling fidelity. These insights provide an opportunity to enhance the design and development of existing and new retrofit toolkits in the future.
Acoustoelasticity Using Longitudinal Waves for Residual Stress Evaluation

Residual stresses play an important role in the behavior of structures during machining and under load. Knowledge of these residual stress states allows better and more efficient use of the structures, as well as more accurate predictions of their behavior. In this paper, a new method for nondestructively evaluating complete states of plane residual stress is presented. The basic analytical and experimental procedures are reviewed, and results of estimated residual stresses are compared with numerical predictions.
On the Applicability of Stochastic Petri Nets for Analysis of Multiserver Retrial Systems with Different Vacation Policies

This paper deals with retrial systems where servers are subject to random vacations. So far, these systems were analyzed only by queueing theory and almost works assumed that the service station consists of one server and the customers source is infinite. In this paper, we give a detailed qualitative and performance analysis of finite-source multiserver retrial systems with multiple and single vacations of servers or all station, using Generalized Stochastic Petri nets. We show how this high level stochastic model allows us to cope with the complexity of such systems involving the simultaneous presence of retrials and vacations, and how stationary performance indices can be expressed as a function of Petri net elements.
Genetics of Schizophrenia

Many decades of study into the genetic epidemiology of schizophrenia consistently show familial clustering of the disorder, mostly due to genetic contributions. Early clues as to the complex genetic nature of schizophrenia risk are borne out in molecular studies (linkage and association). Linkage studies (optimized for simpler Mendelian conditions) and candidate gene association studies (more useful if a disorder’s pathophysiology is better known), however, are not as fruitful as genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Currently, schizophrenia GWAS are yielding a growing list of replicated individual risk loci (common variant, low effect size, individually detectable) tagged by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), copy number variant (CNV) risk loci (rare, high effect size, individually detectable), and polygenes (generally common, very low effect size, only detectable en masse). These risk variants and the genes they implicate are complemented by downstream analyses (network and pathway analyses), a variety of other “omics” approaches (e.g., transcriptomics, methylomics, proteomics, metabolomics), and deep re-sequencing studies (aimed at rare variants). Such approaches are shedding an unprecedented amount of light on the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. This includes its pleiotropic relationships to other conditions such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), bipolar disorder (BP), and intellectual disability (ID). Such knowledge is still in need of further extension (e.g., tethering to gene function and connecting to established environmental risk factors), consolidation (examination in other datasets, such as Asian and African, and replication in even larger meta-analyses), and translation into clinical utility (risk prediction and, especially, improved pharmacological treatments).
Radiation dosimetry and intraoral radiographic techniques. II. Internal and external dose measurements

Abstract Absorbed doses of x-radiation delivered to a Rando phantom head by seven intraoral radiographic techniques were measured during production of acceptable single molar bitewing radiographs. Techniques included three kilovoltages (50, 65, and 90 KVP), three source-to-skin distances (4.5, 8.5, and 16.5 inches), and two types of position-indicating devices (lead-lined cylinders and pointed plastic cones). One hundred fourteen thermoluminescent dosimeters were placed in the head and positioned to measure intrabeam and extrabeam doses. Skin entrance doses were higher for low KVP and plastic cone techniques. Doses recorded at skin exit surfaces were low and indicated that little radiation escaped from the phantom during exposure. Single bitewing film surface doses which produced comparable film densities ranged from 70.35 mrads to 79.95 mrads for all except the 50 KVP technique, which required a dose of 95.75 mrads. The 65 KVP, 16.5 inch source-to-skin distance, and open-end, lead-lined cylinder technique gave the lowest total measured dose of all techniques, followed by the 90 KVP, 16.5 inch source-to-skin distance, and open-end, lead-lined cylinder technique. Techniques utilizing pointed plastic cones delivered the greatest total doses, with the 50 KVP, 4.5 inch source-to-skin distance, and pointed cone technique ranking poorest.
Rate of insufficient samples for fine-needle aspiration for nonpalpable breast lesions in a multicenter clinical trial: The Radiologic Diagnostic Oncology Group 5 study

BACKGROUND Radiologic Diagnostic Oncology Group 5 is a multicenter clinical trial designed to evaluate fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of nonpalpable breast lesions performed by multiple operators using the same protocol. METHODS Four hundred and nineteen women with mammographically detected nonpalpable breast lesions were enrolled on the trial at 18 institutions. Group A institutions randomized women to stereotactically guided FNA (SFNA) followed by stereotactically guided core needle biopsy (SCNB), or SCNB only. Group B institutions randomized women to SFNA and SCNB, SCNB, or ultrasonographically guided FNA followed by ultrasonographically guided core needle biopsy (USCNB), or USCNB only. A total of 377 women were eligible for analysis. RESULTS FNA yielded 128 insufficient samples for the 377 patients (33.95%; 95% confidence interval, 29.2-38.7%). The rate of insufficient samples varied by type of lesion with calcified lesions associated with a significantly higher rate of insufficient sampling than masses (P < 0.001). The radiologist's level of suspicion of the lesion was not a statistically significant predictor of insufficient samples for mass lesions, but was a predictor for calcified lesions. For the 336 lesions for which histologic information was available, insufficient samples occurred in significantly more benign than malignant lesions. CONCLUSIONS The high rate of insufficient samples for FNA of nonpalpable breast lesions in this multicenter trial makes its use impractical in this setting. Because of this factor, the study was terminated early. Cancer 1998;82:679-88. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
Chapter 2 Caveolae and the Regulation of Cellular Cholesterol Homeostasis

Publisher Summary This chapter refers lipid rafts to as regions of membranes enriched in cholesterol and sphingolipids, whether these domains are localized in the plasma membrane or within intracellular membranes. The term caveolae is used to refer to a specialized subset of lipid rafts identified by the presence of the marker protein caveolin-1. This chapter examines the organization of lipid rafts and caveolae and their associated tracking pathways, and the role cholesterol plays in modifying the distribution, stability, and functions of these domains. The diversity of tracking pathways that initiate at caveolae and lipid rafts, as well as the variety of vesicle and non-vesicle pathways that provide transport and communications between these cell surface domains and multiple intracellular sites, indicates that there is no single prototypical pathway or cell type that represents all caveolae/lipid rafts. It is apparent that the structure and organization of lipid rafts in cells are as diverse and varied as the many functions that are associated with these structures. The cell requires a multiplicity of communication pathways in order to integrate its many responses to the wide variety of hormones, nutrients, and circulating factors that activate signal propagation and tracking within the cell.
Intra-amniotic urea and prostaglandin F2α for midtrimester abortion: A modified regimen

Abstract A study comparing intra-amniotic urea plus intravenous oxytocin and intra-amniotic urea with 10 mg. prostaglandin F 2α was completed. In addition, the results obtained with a further 150 patients receiving urea and prostaglandin are reported. Mean injection-abortion intervals ranged from 15.75 hours for urea-prostaglandin to 18.93 hours for urea-oxytocin. The advantages of urea-prostaglandin and suggested improvements are discussed. Over all, the method appears efficacious though incomplete abortions and cervical laceration are persistent problems.
Comparison of Vocal Vibration-Dose Measures for Potential-Damage Risk Criteria.

Purpose Schoolteachers have become a benchmark population for the study of occupational voice use. A decade of vibration-dose studies on the teacher population allows a comparison to be made betwee...
Intelligent instrumentation: a quality challenge

This is a reissue of a paper which appeared in ACTA IMEKO 1988, Proceedings of the 11th Triennial World Congress of the International Measurement Confederation (IMEKO), "Instrumentation for the 21st century", 16.-21.10.1988, Houston, pp. 337-345. After a review and description of current trends in the design of electronic measurement and analytical instrumentation, changes in its application and use, and of associated quality issues, this paper deals with new quality issues emerging from the expected increase of artificial intelligence impact on system design and implementation strategies. The concept of knowledge quality in all its aspects (i.e. knowledge levels, representation, storage, and processing) is identified as the key new issue. Discussion of crucial knowledge quality attributes and associated assurance strategies suggests the need to enrich the assurance sciences and technologies by the methods and tools of applied epistemology. Described results from current research and investigation, together with first applications of artificial intelligence to particular analytical instruments, lead to conclusion that the conceptual framework of quality management is, in general, adequate for successful resolution of all quality issues associated with intelligent instrumentation.
Disilane-Catalyzed and Thermally Induced Oligomerizations of Alkynes: A Comparison

The alkynes RC⋮CR (R = H, Et, Ph), RC⋮CH (R = Me(CH2)5, Me(CH2)7, Ph, Me3Si, EtO2C), and RC⋮CR‘ (R = Ph, R‘ = C6F5; R = Me, R‘ = Ph) trimerize to corresponding benzene derivatives in 30−100% yields in the presence of Si2Cl6 as a procatalyst at 170−200 °C over 20−48 h. These reactions represent only the second example of nonmetal-catalyzed alkyne trimerizations. The unsymmetrical alkynes Me3SiC⋮CH, EtO2CC⋮CH, and PhC⋮CC6F5 gave symmetrical 1,3,5-substituted benzenes, while the others led to isomeric mixtures. A 1:2 molar mixture of PhC⋮CH and PhC⋮CPh provided an isomeric mixture (45% yield) consisting mainly of 1,2,4,5-tetraphenylbenzene. While Si2(OMe)6 also catalyzed alkyne trimerizations (though not as efficiently as Si2Cl6), Si2Me6 did not, suggesting an electronegativity influence in the formation of the Cl3Si• radicals shown to be involved in these reactions. Somewhat unexpectedly, however, neither Si2F6 nor sym-Si2Me2Cl4 catalyzed alkyne trimerizations. Experimental support for the radical pathway p...
Optical determination of (partial) ordering in ordered alloys

rules are identified with theoretical estimates tempered by the joint effects of incomplete or partial ordering and biaxialstrain due to lattice mismatch. The effects of ordering are also considered in relation to Raman scattering, where it isshown that polarization dependent lineshape anomalies are associated with zone4olded modes, again due to the new
Long vowels in Proto-Japanese

The goal of this article is to provide internal and partial external evidence that Proto-Japanese had both vowel length and pitch accent. The author examines the evidence from Ryukyuan dialects of Japanese and from prehistoric Japanese loanwords in the Ainu language. This combined evidence demonstrates that the majority of Pre-Proto-Japanese words with initial vowel length may be associated with an initial low pitch. However, there are also certain words which combine initial high pitch and initial vowel length. Comparative data from Tungusic and Korean are also used.
On the effects of higher convection modes on the thermal evolution of small planetary bodies

The effects of higher modes of convection on the thermal evolution of a small planetary body is investigated. Three sets of models are designed to specify an initially cold and differentiated, an initially hot and differentiated, and an initially cold and undifferentiated Moon-type body. The strong temperature dependence of viscosity enhances the thickening of lithosphere so that a lithosphere of about 400 km thickness is developed within the first billion years of the evolution of a Moon-type body. The thermally isolating effect of such a lithosphere hampers the heat flux out of the body and increases the temperature of the interior, causing the solid-state convection to occur with high velocity so that even the lower modes of convection can maintain an adiabatic temperature gradient there. It is demonstrated that the effect of solid-state convection on the thermal evolution of the models may be adequately determined by a combination of convection modes up to the third or the fourth order harmonic. The inclusion of higher modes does not affect the results significantly.
Electrostatic-accelerator FELs for power beaming

Abstract We propose the use of electrostatic-accelerator free-electron lasers (EAFELs) to generate intense, CW, single-mode, laser radiation for space power beaming applications such as envisioned by the project SELENE. We discuss two basic FEL configurations employing present electrostatic accelerator technology (≤25 MV), together with the electron gun and electron collector beam recovery technology first developed for the UC Santa Barbara FEL.
LUMINESCENCE SPECTRA OF MASS-SELECTED PT2 IN ARGON

We report on an observation of the luminescence and luminescence excitation spectra of platinum dimers in an argon matrix. Samples were produced by sputtering from a metal target, followed by mass selection of dimer ions and codeposition with electrons and argon on a cold substrate. Emission is induced by pumping into the 800−815 nm region with a titanium−sapphire laser. Five sharp, intense spectral lines are observed, with an average spacing of 197.4 ± 3.3 cm-1 and origin at 10 730.5 ± 0.6 cm-1. A much weaker vibrational progression in the emitting state gives ωe‘ = 179.2 ± 0.6 cm-1. Fluorescence excitation profiles were also obtained and are well simulated using data from previous gas-phase measurements. A rather wide separation of the origins of excitation and emission indicates rapid intersystem crossing in the excited state, with the possibility that our emission is not to the dimer ground state.
Protracted Development of Responses to Whisker Deflection in Rat Trigeminal Ganglion Neurons

The rodent whisker-to-barrel pathway constitutes a major model system for studying experience-dependent brain development. Yet little is known about responses of neurons to whisker stimulation in young animals. Response properties of trigeminal ganglion (NV) neurons in 2-, 3-, and 4-week-old and adult rats were examined using extracellular single-unit recordings and controlled whisker stimuli. We found that the receptive field size of NV neurons is mature in 2-week-old animals while response latencies, magnitudes, and angular tuning continue to develop between 2 weeks of age and adulthood. At the earliest time recorded, NV neurons respond to stimulation of only one whisker and can be characterized as slowly or rapidly adapting (SA, RA). The proportion of SA and RA neurons remains constant during development. Consistent with known on-going myelination of NV axons, response latencies decrease with age, becoming adult-like during the third and fourth postnatal weeks for RA and SA neurons, respectively. Unexpectedly, we found that evoked response magnitudes increase several-fold during development becoming adult-like only during the fourth postnatal week. In addition, RA neurons become less selective for whisker deflection angle with age. Maturation of response magnitude and angular tuning is consistent with developmental changes in the mechanical properties of the whisker, the whisker follicle, and the surrounding tissues. The findings indicate that whisker-derived tactile inputs mature during the first postnatal month when whisker-related cortical circuits are susceptible to long-term modification by sensory experience. Thus normal developmental changes in sensory input may influence functional development of cortical circuits.
Effects of disorder on properties of A15 materials

We have calculated the effects of disorder on the density of states, Fermi velocity, and Drude plasma frequency for V and its $A15$ compounds ${\mathrm{V}}_{3}X$, with $X=\mathrm{A}\mathrm{l},\mathrm{ }\mathrm{G}\mathrm{a},\mathrm{ }\mathrm{G}\mathrm{e},\mathrm{ }\mathrm{S}\mathrm{i},\mathrm{ }\mathrm{and}\mathrm{ }\mathrm{Sn}$, and for Nb and its $A15$ compounds ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}X$, with $X=\mathrm{A}\mathrm{l},\mathrm{ }\mathrm{G}\mathrm{a},\mathrm{ }\mathrm{G}\mathrm{e},\mathrm{ }\mathrm{S}\mathrm{i},\mathrm{ }\mathrm{S}\mathrm{n},\mathrm{ }\mathrm{and}\mathrm{ }\mathrm{Sb}$ using the electron-lifetime model and the results of band-structure calculations. In most cases the density of states and the superconducting transition temperature ${T}_{c}$ are found to decrease with increasing disorder, in qualitative agreement with experiment. Exceptions are ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Sb and ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Si, for which we have found a small increase in ${T}_{c}$. We are also presenting calculations of the effects of disorder on the mean free path, BCS coherence length, London penetration depth, Ginzburg-Landau $\ensuremath{\kappa}$, and the temperature dependence of the upper critical field for the above materials. Comparison with the existing experimental data is made.
FIELD-CORRELATION EFFECTS IN TWO-PHOTON ABSORPTION FROM RANDOMLY AMPLITUDE-MODULATED LASER FIELDS

We report measurements of the absorption spectrum for two-photon absorption from a variety of randomly amplitude-modulated laser fields. The fields are generated by modulating the output of a stabilized tunable ring dye laser external to the laser cavity. As such, the field statistical properties are controllable and well characterized. The fields which we have used in this investigation include the real Gaussian field, the complex Gaussian field, and the real Gaussian field with a coherent component. For the last field, an interesting correlation effect is seen when the coherent component is in phase or 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} out of phase with the stochastic component. We have also investigated the effect of partial correlation of the two counterpropagating fields used in the measurements. In all cases we find excellent agreement between the measured absorption spectra and those calculated from the known fourth-order field-correlation functions.
Differences in the surface proteins of mouse B and T cells.

Abstract We have selectively labeled the surface of mouse thymus-dependent (T) and thymus-independent (B) lymphocytes by means of lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination. Examination of the labeled proteins by electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecylsulfate followed by autoradiography revealed differences in the cell surface proteins of B and T cells. Proteins from labeled thymocytes, T cell lymphomas, and both normal and activated peripheral T cells give a broad band of radioactivity corresponding to at least two protein components with apparent molecular weights of 170,000 to 190,000. This band is absent from autoradiographs of iodinated B cell proteins, which instead have another band corresponding to a protein with an apparent molecular weight of about 220,000. We have shown that these T and B cell marker proteins are synthesized by the cell and are not serum components selectively bound to the cell surface. We have also established that these proteins are the major iodinated species precipitated from Nonidet P-40 cell lysates by rabbit anti-mouse lymphocyte serum, suggesting that they are the major antigens recognized by rabbit antibodies to mouse lymphocytes.
Effects of side-stream tobacco smoke and smoke extract on glutathione- and oxidative DNA damage repair-deficient mice and blood cells

Cigarette smoke causes direct oxidative DNA damage as well as indirect damage through inflammation. Epidemiological studies show a strong relationship between secondhand smoke and cancer; however, the mechanisms of secondhand smoke-induced cancer are not well understood. Animal models with either (i) deficient oxidative DNA damage repair, or (ii) a decreased capacity to combat oxidative stress may help determine the pathways important in mitigating damage caused by smoke. In this study, we used mice lacking Ogg1 and Myh, both of which are involved in base excision repair by removing oxidatively damaged DNA bases. Gclm-deficient mice, which have decreased levels of glutathione (GSH), were used to look at the role of smoke-induced oxidative damage. Ex vivo experiments show significantly elevated levels of DNA single-strand breaks and chromosomal aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes from Ogg1(-/-)Myh(-/-) double knockout mice compared to wild type (WT) mice after 24h of exposure to cigarette smoke extract (CSE). The average γH2AX foci per cell was significantly elevated 3h after exposure to CSE in cells from Ogg1(-/-)Myh(-/-) double knockout mice compared to wildtype mice. In vivo we found that all mice had increased markers of DNA damage after exposure to side-stream tobacco smoke (SSTS). Ogg1(-/-)Myh(-/-) and Gclm(-/-) mice had altered levels of peripheral blood glutathione after SSTS exposure whereas wild type mice did not. This may be due to differential regulation of glutathione synthesis in the lung. We also found that Ogg1(-/-)Myh(-/-) mice had a decreased lifespan after oral gavage with benzo[a]pyrene compared to wildtype mice and sham-exposed Ogg1(-/-)Myh(-/-) mice. Our results are important in investigating the roles of oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage repair in cigarette smoke-induced cancers and characterizing the role of genetic polymorphisms in smoke-related disease susceptibility.
A high-resolution electron microscopic study of some members of the vernier structural series Bap(Fe2S4)q

Abstract BaFe 2 S 4 and Ba 13 (Fe 2 S 4 ) 12 have been imaged at high resolution in an electron microscope. Agreement between observed and calculated images for BaFe 2 S 4 is good. Marked heterogeneity exists in all the specimens observed and sharp unit cell boundaries are not observed. Rather, there are broad, wavy fringes suggesting that these structures should be thought of as a solid solution of moderately ordered structures.
Calculations of the ground state of 16 O

One of the central problems in nuclear physics is the description of nuclei as systems of nucleons interacting via realistic potentials. There are two main aspects of this problem: 1) specification of the Hamiltonian, and 2) calculation of the ground (or excited) states of nuclei with the given interaction. Realistic interactions must contain botn two- and three-nucleon potentials and these potentials have a complicated non-central operator structure consisting, for example, of spin, isospin and tensor dependences. This structure results in formidable many-body problems in the computation of the ground states of nuclei.
Better Thinking and Clearer Communication Will Help Special Education

The authors argue that insufficient attention has been given to foundational concepts in special education. Two classes of foundational concepts are discussed: human constructions and logico-mathematical facts. Four human constructions are examined: (1) making teaching most important, (2) discriminating among ideas, (3) choosing conceptual models, and (4) responding to diversity. Three logico-mathematical realities are detailed: (1) statistical phenomena, (2) sorting, and (3) labeling. The authors conclude with comments on the importance of better thinking and clearer communication, suggesting that the consequences of poor thinking and communicating are negative for both special educators and their students. Five recommendations for action are proposed.
Elevated hepatic SULT1E1 activity in mouse models of cystic fibrosis alters the regulation of estrogen responsive proteins.

Abstract Background Previous studies with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) ΔF508 mice indicate that estrogen levels may play a role in the occurrence or severity of CF-associated liver disease. However, the underlying mechanisms of liver disease in CF are poorly understood. Methods The levels of SULT1E1 (estrogen sulfotransferase) were measured in livers of control and CFTR-knockout (KO) mice. The impact of increased SULT1E1 activity on hepatic protein expression was assessed by immunoblot and MALDI mass spectrometric analysis. Results SULT1E1 expression was significantly elevated in livers of several CFTR-KO mice. SULT1E1 and CFTR were specifically detected in hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, respectively. Elevated SULT1E1 activity may result in lower levels of free β-estradiol thereby altering estrogen-responsive hepatic protein expression. Estrogen receptors (ER)-α and β were differentially regulated in CFTR-KO and CFTR-ΔF508 mice. ERα expression was reduced in mice with high SULT1E1 activity. Glutathione S -transferase-P1 and carbonic anhydrase III were significantly decreased in CFTR (−/−) mice with high SULT1E1 activity. Furthermore, cytochrome P450 2B9, also estrogen regulated, was significantly induced in the livers of CFTR (−/−) mice with high SULT1E1 activity. Conclusions Elevated SULT1E1 levels and associated alterations in estrogen-regulated hepatic protein expression may play an important role in CF liver disease.
Role of cellular adhesions in tissue dynamics spectroscopy

Cellular adhesions play a critical role in cell behavior, and modified expression of cellular adhesion compounds has been linked to various cancers. We tested the role of cellular adhesions in drug response by studying three cellular culture models: three-dimensional tumor spheroids with well-developed cellular adhesions and extracellular matrix (ECM), dense three-dimensional cell pellets with moderate numbers of adhesions, and dilute three-dimensional cell suspensions in agarose having few adhesions. Our technique for measuring the drug response for the spheroids and cell pellets was biodynamic imaging (BDI), and for the suspensions was quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS). We tested several cytoskeletal chemotherapeutic drugs (nocodazole, cytochalasin-D, paclitaxel, and colchicine) on three cancer cell lines chosen from human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29), human pancreatic carcinoma (MIA PaCa-2), and rat osteosarcoma (UMR-106) to exhibit differences in adhesion strength. Comparing tumor spheroid behavior to that of cell suspensions showed shifts in the spectral motion of the cancer tissues that match predictions based on different degrees of cell-cell contacts. The HT-29 cell line, which has the strongest adhesions in the spheroid model, exhibits anomalous behavior in some cases. These results highlight the importance of using three-dimensional tissue models in drug screening with cellular adhesions being a contributory factor in phenotypic differences between the drug responses of tissue and cells.
The mountain‐building cycle

The preceding papers have set forth characteristic aspects of tectonophysics, that is, the concerted effort to understand the structural details of the Earth's crust and the physical condition of the Earth as a whole in terms of the modern physics of materials. On the geophysical side, this effort comprises two main lines of work: (a) The determination of the present physical condition of the Earth's surface and its body as a whole, through measurements of as many variables as possible at as many points on the Earth as possible; (b) experimental determination in the laboratory of the laws of deformation of the materials and the necessary constants involved.
Restoring Economic Equilibrium: Human Capital in the Modernizing Economy

What restoring equilibrium entails dealing with economic disequilibria economic value of an entrepreneur's time entrepreneurial theory in retrospect stationary state versus modernization ideas and concept at issue income increasing events demand and supply of entrepreneurs identifying entrepreneurs by transitory income micro behaviour in reducing income variance entrepreneurial components in organized research institutions and property rights in human capital production and distribution of knowledge by universities entrepreneurial functions of families economic imbalances between industry and agriculture.
On the ‘ply discount method’ for determining effective thermo-elastic constants of laminates containing transverse cracks

Abstract Elastic constants and thermal expansion coefficients of a laminate containing transverse ply cracks are often calculated by reducing selected elastic moduli of the damaged plies. This approach is often referred to as the ‘ply discount method’. In the present paper, specific ply moduli required for reduction are identified by enforcing compatibility with inter-relationships that exist between the thermo-elastic properties of cracked and uncracked laminates. The effect of laminate geometry is investigated by comparing ply reduction factors as a function of crack density for a number of different stacking sequences. Reduction factors are obtained from higher order laminated plate models of composites containing transverse cracks. A simplified approach for determining inplane modulus reduction factors is also investigated.
Variation in Vegetative and Sexual Morphology among the Small Curved Species of Closterium1

Abstract Eighteen sexual clones of Closterium belonging to the C. venus - C. dianae complex were isolated and studied in unialgal culture. No correlation could be found between vegetative structure and the type of sexual morphology. The features of sexual reproduction appear to be less variable within a strain and to show less intergradation between different strains than the various aspects of the vegetative cells. It is proposed that sexual morphology be an essential feature in the identification and description of taxa within this group of Closterium. Closterium evesiculatum is described as a new species.
Nonisocentric treatment strategy for breast radiation therapy: a proof of concept study.

Purpose To propose a nonisocentric treatment strategy as a special form of station parameter optimized radiation therapy, to improve sparing of critical structures while preserving target coverage in breast radiation therapy. Methods and Materials To minimize the volume of exposed lung and heart in breast irradiation, we propose a novel nonisocentric treatment scheme by strategically placing nonconverging beams with multiple isocenters. As its name suggests, the central axes of these beams do not intersect at a single isocenter as in conventional breast treatment planning. Rather, the isocenter locations and beam directions are carefully selected, in that each beam is only responsible for a certain subvolume of the target, so as to minimize the volume of irradiated normal tissue. When put together, the beams will provide an adequate coverage of the target and expose only a minimal amount of normal tissue to radiation. We apply the nonisocentric planning technique to 2 previously treated clinical cases (breast and chest wall). Results The proposed nonisocentric technique substantially improved sparing of the ipsilateral lung. Compared with conventional isocentric plans using 2 tangential beams, the mean lung dose was reduced by 38% and 50% using the proposed technique, and the volume of the ipsilateral lung receiving ≥20 Gy was reduced by a factor of approximately 2 and 3 for the breast and chest wall cases, respectively. The improvement in lung sparing is even greater compared with volumetric modulated arc therapy. Conclusions A nonisocentric implementation of station parameter optimized radiation therapy has been proposed for breast radiation therapy. The new treatment scheme overcomes the limitations of existing approaches and affords a useful tool for conformal breast radiation therapy, especially in cases with extreme chest wall curvature.
A Survey and Assessment of Progress in Switching Theory and Logical Design in the Soviet Union

A comprehensive technical survey of Soviet switching theory and its applications to the logical design of digital systems reveals that, despite considerable activity (763 papers and books), the average state of the art in the U.S.S.R. is somewhat behind that in the U.S. However, there are a large number of noteworthy contributions, particularly in those aspects of the field dealing with complexity estimates of switching networks, synthesis of multiterminal circuits, the selection of logical primitives (building blocks), and certain minimization problems. This paper evaluates the Soviet position through June, 1964, compares it with that in the West, and summarizes the significant Soviet technical contributions. Recommendations are offered for initiating research in the United States in several special problem areas in switching theory.