cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Er-doped sesquioxides for 1.5-micron lasers - spectroscopic comparisons

Due to the favorable thermal properties of sesquioxides as hosts for rare earth laser ions, we have recently studied the spectroscopy of Er:Lu 2 O 3 in the 1400-1700 nm wavelength range, and here report its comparison with our earlier results on Er:Y 2 O 3 and Er:Sc 2 O 3 . These studies include absorption and fluorescence spectra, fluorescence lifetimes, and inference of absorption and stimulated emission cross sections, all as a function of temperature. At room temperature, optical absorption limits practical laser operation to wavelengths longer than about 1620 nm. In that spectral range, the strongest stimulated emission peak is that at 1665 nm in Er:Sc 2 O 3 , with an effective cross section considerably larger than those of Er:Y 2 O 3 and Er:Lu 2 O 3 . At 77K, the absorption is weak enough for efficient laser operation at considerably shorter wavelengths, where there are peaks with much larger stimulated emission cross sections. The three hosts all have peaks near 1575-1580 nm with comparably strong cross sections. As we have reported earlier, it is possible to lase even shorter wavelengths efficiently at this temperature, in particular the line at 1558 nm in Er:Sc 2 O 3 . Our new spectroscopic studies of Er:Lu 2 O 3 indicate that its corresponding peak, like that of Er:Sc 2 O 3 , has a less favorable ratio of stimulated emission to absorption cross sections. Reasons for the differences will be discussed. We conclude that for most operating scenarios, Er:Sc 2 O 3 is the most promising of the Er-doped sesquioxides studied for laser operation around 1.5-1.6 microns.
The Production Function, Crop Diversity, and the Debate Between Conventional and Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract Organizational assumptions embedded in the production function of neoclassical economics have served to structure production agriculture in the United States for the past 100 years. The narrow focus of the production function on the inputs of land, labor, capital, and management and the use of on-farm profitability as the primary definition of sustainability have come under attack from sustainable agriculturalists, who argue that the social and environmental consequences of production are as important as the economic outcomes. Using diversity of crops harvested as an indicator of sustainability, the production function is operationalized to inform the debate between the conventional, neoclassical model of production and the alternative, sustainable model. Census of agriculture data from 1978, 1982, and 1987 are used in both cross-sectional and temporal models. Results show that increases in expenditures for equipment and machinery, prevalence of corporate farms, higher rates of tenancy, and the prevalence of large farms are associated with lower levels of diversity at the county level. Conversely, higher levels of diversity are found in counties with greater farm labor expenses, where there are more medium-size farms, and where farmers are more likely to farm full-time.
Matrix metalloproteinase-10 promotes Kras-mediated bronchio-alveolar stem cell expansion and lung cancer formation

Matrix metalloproteinase 10 (MMP-10; stromelysin 2) is a member of a large family of structurally related matrix metalloproteinases, many of which have been implicated in tumor progression, invasion and metastasis. We recently identified Mmp10 as a gene that is highly induced in tumor-initiating lung bronchioalveolar stem cells (BASCs) upon activation of oncogenic Kras in a mouse model of lung adenocarcinoma. However, the potential role of Mmp10 in lung tumorigenesis has not been addressed. Here, we demonstrate that Mmp10 is overexpressed in lung tumors induced by either the smoke carcinogen urethane or oncogenic Kras. In addition, we report a significant reduction in lung tumor number and size after urethane exposure or genetic activation of oncogenic Kras in Mmp10 null (Mmp10−/−) mice. This inhibitory effect is reflected in a defect in the ability of Mmp10-deficient BASCs to expand and undergo transformation in response to urethane or oncogenic Kras in vivo and in vitro, demonstrating a role for Mmp10 in the tumor-initiating activity of Kras-transformed lung stem cells. To determine the potential relevance of MMP10 in human cancer we analyzed Mmp10 expression in publicly-available gene expression profiles of human cancers. Our analysis reveals that MMP10 is highly overexpressed in human lung tumors. Gene set enhancement analysis (GSEA) demonstrates that elevated MMP10 expression correlates with both cancer stem cell and tumor metastasis genomic signatures in human lung cancer. Finally, Mmp10 is elevated in many human tumor types suggesting a widespread role for Mmp10 in human malignancy. We conclude that Mmp10 plays an important role in lung tumor initiation via maintenance of a highly tumorigenic, cancer-initiating, stem-like cell population, and that Mmp10 expression is associated with stem-like, highly metastatic genotypes in human lung cancers. These results indicate that Mmp10 may represent a novel therapeutic approach to target lung cancer stem cells.
Femoral Bow Predicts Postoperative Malalignment in Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract Diaphyseal bowing may compromise axial alignment in revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). 277 patients undergoing revision TKA were evaluated for coronal bowing and hip–knee–ankle (HKA) axis. The mean femoral bow was 1.52°±0.18° varus (−10.1° to +8.4°). The mean tibial bow was 1.25°±0.13° valgus (−5.9° to +10°). HKA axis averaged 3.08°±0.35° varus preoperatively compared to 0.86°±0.25° varus postoperatively. Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability was high. Femoral bow greater than 4° significantly correlated with postoperative HKA axis malalignment (r=0.402, P =0.008). 39.7% of patients deviated 3° or greater from a neutral mechanical axis with a significant difference in femoral bow (0.94°±0.31°, P =0.003). Diaphyseal bowing clearly has an important effect on postoperative limb alignment in revision TKA.
An assessment of the Myers-Briggs Type indicator

A comprehensive assessment of the Myers-Briggs Type indicator is presented, including a description of the four personality scales measured by the instrument, a summary of the scoring process, and an extensive review of intercorrelation studies, reliability studies, and validity studies conducted with the Indicator. Results of the studies indicate that the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is an adequately reliable self-report inventory. The Extraversion-Introversion Sensation-Intuition, and Thinking-Feeling scales appear to be relatively independent of each other, measuring dimensions of personality which seem to be quite similar to those postulated by Carl Jung.
Solid-Phase Synthesis of Deoxynucleic Guanidine (DNG) Oligomers and Melting Point and Circular Dichroism Analysis of Binding Fidelity of Octameric Thymidyl Oligomers with DNA Oligomers

A practical solid-phase synthesis of deoxynucleic guanidine (DNG), a positively charged DNA backbone analogue, is reported. The nucleoside coupling step in the solid-phase synthesis of DNG involves the attack of a terminal 3‘-amine upon an electronically activated 5‘-carbodiimide to create a protected guanidinium internucleoside linkage. The activated carbodiimide is synthesized in situ by the mercury(II) abstraction of sulfur from an unsymmetrically substituted thiourea in which one substituent is an electron-withdrawing protecting group and the other is the 5‘-nucleoside monomer. This produces, in addition to the carbodiimide, a mercury sulfide precipitate which accumulates in the pores of the solid support, restricting solvent and reagent access and reducing the coupling yields with each successive cycle. This obstacle is overcome by a simple washing step involving a thiophenol solution which readily removes the mercury salt. The addition of this step to the cycle enables DNG oligomers to be synthesize...
Exploratory clinical testing of neuroscience drugs

Other articles in this special issue illustrate the remarkable promise of today's neuroscience for ameliorating the impact of nervous system diseases: a massive impact measurable in deaths, suffering, lost human potential and drained resources. At last we have the tools and understanding to begin to identify rational countermeasures against scourges that have long had names but not treatments. In just the past few years, the first drugs useful in the amelioration of stroke, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease symptoms, as well as several new anticonvulsants, have been approved by U.S. and European regulatory agencies. New therapeutic strategies are emerging at a quickening pace, filling the research pipelines in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. In tantalizing view are drugs that may slow the progression of Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, reduce the brain's vulnerability to ischemic insults, alleviate depression, anxiety or pain refractory to current medicationsand even help restore functions lost to spinal cord injury.
Relativistic models of the neutron-star matter equation of state

Motivated by a recent astrophysical measurement of the pressure of cold matter above nuclear-matter saturation density, we compute the equation of state of neutron-star matter using accurately calibrated relativistic models. The uniform stellar core is assumed to consist of nucleons and leptons in beta equilibrium; no exotic degrees of freedom are included. We found the predictions of these models to be in fairly good agreement with the measured equation of state. Yet the mass-versus-radius relations predicted by these same models display radii that are consistently larger than the observations.
Effect of isoproterenol upon serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT) activity and melatonin production in the chick pineal gland

Abstract The administration of isoproterenol to chicks (5 days after hatching) resulted in a modest increase in pineal serotonin N -acetyltransferase (SNAT) activity and a decrease in pineal melatonin levels. The changes observed following isoproterenol administration did not occur consistently in a dose-related or time-course related manner, nor were these changes of the magnitude seen in endogenous nocturnal melatonin levels. Therefore, interpretation of the physiological significance of the isoproterenol-induced changes in melatonin and SNAT must be carefully evaluated.
Interfraction Patient Setup for Multiple Volumetric-based Image Guidance Systems for Head and Neck IMRT

79.2Gy. Dose constraints and contouring guidelines were according to current RTOG specifications. VMAT plans were generated for 6MV and 10MV photons using the treatment planning system, the Analytical Anisotropic Algorithm (AAA) and identical optimization conditions. Plans were normalized such that 98% of the planning target volume (PTV) received 100% of the prescribed dose. Dose-volumetric parameters analyzed for comparison included the Bladder V80, V65, and V30, the Rectum V79.2, V60, and V25, PTVmax, PTVmin, Integral Dose, Conformity Index, Gradient Measure, and Monitor Units. 6MV and 10MV plans were compared using a paired t-test, for both the entire cohort and subsets of patients stratified according to the mean Interplanar Distance (IPD), Bladder Volume, Rectum Volume, or PTV Volume. Relative differences between the plans are reported below. Results: The 10MV photons resulted in significantly (p 22cm), the same parameters were again significantly improved with 10MV for both the thinner and thicker patients (p 180cm), those with a larger PTV had a 16.9% lower Rectum V79.2 with 10MV compared to those with a smaller PTV (p Z 0.033). Conclusions: The main dosimetric benefit of 10MV as compared to 6MV photons is seen in thicker patients (IPD >22cm), though all 10MV plans resulted in a lower integral dose, gradient measure, and monitor units. If our findings are verified in a larger cohort of patients, clinical implications may include preventing secondary malignancies, decreasing treatment time, and reducing late rectal and bladder toxicity. Author Disclosure: M.D. Mattes: None. C. Tai: None. H. Ashamalla: None. N.C. Ikoro: None.
rab7 Activity Affects Epidermal Growth Factor:Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Degradation by Regulating Endocytic Trafficking from the Late Endosome

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family. Ligand (epidermal growth factor or EGF) binding to the EGFR results in the coordinated activation and integration of biochemical signaling events to mediate cell growth, migration, and differentiation. One mechanism the cell utilizes to orchestrate these events is ligand-mediated endocytosis through the canonical clathrin-mediated endocytic pathway. Identification of proteins that regulate the intracellular movement of the EGF·EGFR complex is an important first step in dissecting how specificity of EGFR signaling is conferred. We examined the role of the small molecular weight guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G-protein) rab7 as a regulator of the distal stages of the endocytic pathway. Through the transient expression of activating and inactivating mutants of rab7 in HeLa cells, we have determined that rab7 activity directly correlates with the rate of radiolabeled EGF and EGFR degradation. Furthermore, when inhibitory mutants of rab7 are expressed, the internalized EGF·EGFR complex accumulates in high-density endosomes that are characteristic of the late endocytic pathway. Thus, we conclude that rab7 regulates the endocytic trafficking of the EGF·EGFR complex by regulating its lysosomal degradation.
A scaled nucleation model for ideal binary systems

Abstract A scaled binary nucleation model for ideal systems is presented and used to analyze the experimental hexanol–ethanol data of Strey and Viisanen at 260 K. A major feature of the scaled nucleation rate is the rate prefactor, J 0 , which is only weakly T (and composition) dependent and here is approximated by a constant. The model gives surprisingly good agreement with the experimental activity plot, and the scaled model method for finding the critical cluster composition (with binary surface tension composition variation) provides a better fit to the experimental data than the revised classical model.
The Effect of Concomitant Carcinoma In Situ on Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Urothelial Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder: Inferior Pathological Outcomes but No Effect on Survival

Purpose: It is generally believed that carcinoma in situ is refractory to chemotherapy but specific data are lacking to validate this. We evaluated the effect of concomitant clinical carcinoma in situ on cancer specific outcomes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for muscle invasive bladder cancer.Materials and Methods: We performed an institutional review board approved, multi-institutional, retrospective review of the records of patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical cystectomy for muscle invasive bladder cancer from 2008 to 2012. Pretreatment clinical variables were collected and patients were stratified by the presence of clinical carcinoma in situ on precystectomy transurethral bladder tumor resection specimens. Pathological outcomes, including the complete response rate (pT0N0Mx) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, were compared between the 2 groups. Recurrence-free, cancer specific and overall survival was analyzed.Results: Of 189 patients who met study criteria 56 (29.6%) had c...
I & We: The case for the Responsive Community

Individualism has become so pervasive in modern society that it now undercuts the legitimacy of any collectivity or social institution. An emerging position challenges this individualism as excessive, offering in its stead a synthesis that recognizes the moral standing of both individual and community. This synthesis, the ‘I & We’ (or Responsive Community), traces its origins to two opposing historical positions. The Tory (or conservative) position views society as an organic whole, the sole source of authority, legitimacy, and value. Whigs (or liberals), in contrast, invest all value and legitimacy in the individual. The I & We view maintains that individual and society presuppose and necessitate one another, and that the tension between them is not only inevitable, but in part desirable; and, that attempts to redefine and alleviate the strain between individual and community provide the basis for social change. A renewed understanding of community's importance to the individual leads to a critique of psychological Whigism — overemphasis on the feelings and needs of the self — and also suggests a new approach to devising public policy.
Microsurgical two-layer vasovasostomy: word of caution.

Abstract Microsurgical technique, with separate mucosal and muscular layer anastomosis, recently has been advocated as the most successful method of vasovasostomy. Unexpected difficulties may be encountered using this method, moreover, considerable practice in the microsurgical laboratory is mandatory before actual performance of the procedure. As with any innovation in surgical technique, a judgment of the clinical superiority of the two-layer anastomosic method must await substantiating results from other investigators.
Discovery of active enhancers through bidirectional expression of short transcripts

Long-range regulatory elements, such as enhancers, exert substantial control over tissue-specific gene expression patterns. Genome-wide discovery of functional enhancers in different cell types is important for our understanding of genome function as well as human disease etiology. In this study, we developed an in silico approach to model the previously reported phenomenon of transcriptional pausing, accompanied by divergent transcription, at active promoters. We then used this model for large-scale prediction of non-promoter-associated bidirectional expression of short transcripts. Our predictions were significantly enriched for DNase hypersensitive sites, histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac), and other chromatin marks associated with active rather than poised or repressed enhancers. We also detected modest bidirectional expression at binding sites of the CCCTC-factor (CTCF) genome-wide, particularly those that overlap H3K27ac. Our findings indicate that the signature of bidirectional expression of short transcripts, learned from promoter-proximal transcriptional pausing, can be used to predict active long-range regulatory elements genome-wide, likely due in part to specific association of RNA polymerase with enhancer regions.
Health and economic impact of HPV 16/18 vaccination and cervical cancer screening in Eastern Africa

Eastern Africa has the world's highest cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates. We used epidemiologic data from Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe to develop models of HPV-related infection and disease. For each country, we assessed HPV vaccination of girls before age 12 followed by screening with HPV DNA testing once, twice, or three times per lifetime (at ages 35, 40, 45). For women over age 30, we assessed only screening (with HPV DNA testing up to three times per lifetime or VIA at age 35). Assuming no waning immunity, mean reduction in lifetime cancer risk associated with vaccination ranged from 36 to 45%, and vaccination followed by screening once per lifetime at age 35 with HPV DNA testing ranged from 43 to 51%. For both younger and older women, the most effective screening strategy was HPV DNA testing three times per lifetime. Provided the cost per vaccinated girl was less than I$10 (I$2 per dose), vaccination had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio [I$ (international dollars)/year of life saved (YLS)] less than the country-specific per capita GDP, a commonly cited heuristic for "very cost-effective" interventions. If the cost per vaccinated girl was between I$10 (I$2 per dose) and I$25 (I$5 per dose), vaccination followed by HPV DNA testing would save the most lives and would be considered good value for public health dollars. These results should be used to catalyze design and evaluation of HPV vaccine delivery and screening programs, and contribute to a dialogue on financing HPV vaccination in poor countries.
Fluxless bonding of Si chips to aluminum boards using electroplated Sn solder

The high thermal conductivity and light weight properties of aluminum (Al) make it a promising material in high power device packaging and automotive electronics. A primary challenge is its high coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of 23 ppm/°C. In this research, we investigated the possibility of surmounting this challenge by bonding large Si chips to Al substrates using fluxless tin (Sn) solder. The Si–Al pair probably has the largest CTE mismatch among all bonded structures in electronic packaging. In experiments, 0.1 μm Cr layer and 0.2 μm Cu layer were deposited on Al substrates, followed by an electroplated 25 μm copper (Cu) layer. The Sn solder layer was then electroplated over the Cu, followed immediately by thin (0.1 μm) silver (Ag) layer. The joint thickness was controlled either by bonding pressure or by incorporating Cu spacers. Microstructure and composition of the joints were studied with scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Despite the large CTE mismatch, the bonded structures did not break. The minimum fracture force measured among six samples by shear test is higher than three times of what specified in MIL-STD-883H, method 2019.8. This preliminary result corroborates potential adaption of Al substrates and boards in electronic packaging where lightweight is essential.
Expletive Constructions Are Not "Lower Right Corner" Movement Constructions

Dans son article de 2002, J. Bobaljik suggere que le mouvement A furtif et le mouvement A visible doivent etre distingues a l'interface de la PF et non dans la syntaxe. De cette facon, le mouvement entre d'une maniere uniforme dans la syntaxe en laissant une copie complete dans la position d'origine. Il en resulte 4 combinaisons possibles : 1) la PF et la LF privilegient toutes deux la copie la plus haute ; 2) la PF privilegie la copie la plus haute et la LF la copie la plus basse ; 3) la LF privilegie la copie la plus haute et la PF la copie la plus basse ; 4) la PF et la LF privilegient toutes deux la copie la plus basse. Cette 4e possibilite, qui est appelee aussi constructions du coin droit en bas, est illustree par des constructions expletives avec there. En montrant que les constructions expletives ne sont pas des constructions impliquant un mouvement et que par consequent elles ne peuvent pas illustrer la categorie des constructions du coin droit en bas, l'A. souligne que cette categorie peut exister en theorie, mais pas dans la realite
Reproductive biology of deep-sea catsharks (Chondrichthyes: Scyliorhinidae) in the eastern North Pacific

Apristurus brunneus, A. kampae, and Parmaturus xaniurus were caught by trawl and longline between Washington and southern California (48°N to 32°N latitude) from June 2001 through October 2004. In females, oviducal gland width increased with TL in all three species but remained within 4 to 6% of TL. Oocyte diameter increased with TL during reproductive development in all species, and continued to increase with size after reproductive maturity was reached. The weight-length relationships differed significantly among species but not between sexes of any species from the eastern North Pacific combined. Using logistic regression, it was determined that total length at 50% maturity (TL50) of A. brunneus males was 514 mm TL and all A. brunneus males were mature at 547 mm TL. Female A. brunneus reached TL50 at 501 mm TL and all female A. brunneus were mature at 581 mm TL. Apristurus kampae males and females reached TL50 at approximately 485 mm TL and 490 mm TL, respectively. Parmaturus xaniurus males reached TL50 at 444 mm TL and females at 501 mm TL. Gravid female A. brunneus were found in all months of the year, but gravid P. xaniurus were found primarily June through September. Adult A. kampae females were found only in July through November and there were gravid females in all these months. Based upon gonadosomatic indices, IG, these species may mate within a defined period of time (April through June); however, A. brunneus appear to reproduce throughout the year and P. xaniurus reproduce within a defined season (approximately July through September).
Grating couplers and ring resonator in aluminum nitride

We report on the use of aluminum nitride (AlN) as an integrated photonic material. One-dimensional grating couplers, waveguides and rings are fabricated in 400 nm polycrystalline AlN films. Single couplers exhibit −6.6 dB peak insertion loss.
Genetic Parameters of Five-Month Lactation Records

Abstract Genetic parameters of five-month records were estimated from 27,612 records divided into two age of freshening groups and five breeds from between and within sire group analyses of deviations from herd-mate averages. Heritability estimates of 150-day milk production for first and later lactations were: Ayrshire, .40 and .20; Guernsey, .03 and .14; Holstein, .27 and .15; Jersey, .20 and .07; and Brown Swiss, .59 and .21. Genetic correlation estimates between 150-day and 305-day milk production of the first and later lactations were: Ayrshire, .95 and .93; Guernsey, .66 and .68; Holstein, .96 and .89; Jersey, .88 and 1.02; and Brown Swiss, .91 and .93. Estimates of the within sire regression of daughter records on herd-mate averages were for 150-day and 305-day first lactation records: Ayrshire, 1.01 and .89; Guernsey, .71 and .72; Holstein, .89 and .88; Jersey, .59 and .56; and Brown Swiss, .73 and .80. Similar, although generally slightly higher, regression coefficients were found for later lactation records. The results suggest that differences in persistency and rate of maturity are not likely to be of major importance in evaluating sires on 150-day rather than 305-day daughter performance.
Writing Constructive Proofs Yielding Efficient Extracted Programs

Abstract The NuPRL system [3] was designed for interactive writing of machine–checked constructive proofs and for extracting algorithms from the proofs. The extracted algorithms are guaranteed to be correct 1 which makes it possible to use NuPRL as a programming language with built-in verification[1,5,7,8,9,10]. However it turned out that proofs written without algorithmic efficiency in mind often produce very inefficient algorithms — exponential and double-exponential ones for problems that can be solved in polynomial time. In this paper we present some general principles of efficient programming in constructive type theory as well as describe a case study that shows how these principles apply to particular problems. We consider the proof of the Myhill–Nerode automata minimization theorem from the NuPRL automata library [4] which leaded to a double–exponential (in time) extracted program. Systematic use of the presented principles allowed us to build a new complexity cautious proof leading to polynomial-time algorithm extracted by the same NuPRL extractor. We believe that the principles presented in this paper in combination with other methods may lead to an efficient technique of programming-by-proofs.
Overloading on Slides: Cognitive Load Theory and Microsoft’s Slide Program PowerPoint

the integration of Microsoft’s powerpoint and other slideware programs into the classroom setting may hinder educational progress rather than help it. an examination of the literature focusing on Cognitive load theory recognizes that students’ have a limited tolerance for the amount of sights and sounds on display at any given time, especially in learning environments. this article finds that an interdisciplinary approach is needed to effectively design slides that can educate without overloading the students.
An Electromyographic Analysis of the Knee During Functional Activities I. The Normal Profile

This study describes the fine-wire electromyographic profile of the normal knee. Twenty-two subjects with no prior history of knee injury volunteered for the study. Each subject had fine-wire electromyographic evaluation of 8 muscles (vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, semimembranosus, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles) while performing 7 functional activities. The percentage of maximum manual test for each muscle during each phase of the activities was used to determine means and standard deviations for the group. Walking and ramp and stair ascending and descending produced similar electromyographic profiles. Running and cross-cutting demonstrated unique electromyographic profiles with an overall higher muscle activity than the previous 5 activities. A quadriceps-hamstrings muscles' coordinated response was identified consistently in each activity. These findings illustrate the integral nature of each of the 8 examined muscles in knee motion. Furthermore, this study demonstrates a coordinated response of quadriceps-hamstrings muscles in the normal knee and may more thoroughly define the coordinated activity of these 2 antagonist muscle groups. Finally, this study provides a framework within which various knee conditions can be compared and from which specific rehabilitation recommendations can be generated.
Keratinocyte Growth Factor Acts as a Mesenchymal Factor That Promotes Ovarian Primordial to Primary Follicle Transition

An important but poorly understood process in ovarian biology is the transition of the developmentally arrested primordial follicle to the developing primary follicle. Interactions between the epithelial and mesenchymal cells of the follicle are critical for the coordination of ovarian follicle development. The mesenchymal growth factor keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) (i.e., fibroblast growth factor-7) and the epithelial growth factor kit ligand (KITL) are known to interact to coordinate the growth of later-stage antral follicles. The hypothesis tested in the current study is that KGF acts as a mesenchymal factor to promote the primordial to primary follicle transition. A postnatal 4-day-old rat ovary organ culture system was used to investigate the actions of KGF. KGF treatment promoted 65% of follicles to undergo the primordial to primary follicle transition, but only 45% underwent development in control ovaries. Neutralizing antibody for KGF was found to attenuate the stimulatory action of KITL, but neutralizing antibody for KITL was not able to attenuate the stimulatory action of KGF. Further analysis demonstrated that KGF was found to stimulate the expression of KITL (i.e., mRNA levels) by granulosa cells. KITL in turn was found to stimulate the expression of KGF to create a positive feedback loop. Interestingly, KGF expression was localized to selected mesenchymal cells (i.e., precursor theca cells) surrounding the developing primordial follicle. Observations suggest that developing granulosa cells of the primordial follicles produce KITL, which helps recruit precursor theca cells to the follicle; the thecal cells then produce KGF, which acts on the granulosa to amplify KITL expression and support primordial follicle development. KGF appears to be a mesenchymal factor that promotes the primordial to primary follicle transitions.
The use of complete-case and multiple imputation-based analyses in molecular epidemiology studies that assess interaction effects.

In molecular epidemiology studies biospecimen data are collected, often with the purpose of evaluating the synergistic role between a biomarker and another feature on an outcome. Typically, biomarker data are collected on only a proportion of subjects eligible for study, leading to a missing data problem. Missing data methods, however, are not customarily incorporated into analyses. Instead, complete-case (CC) analyses are performed, which can result in biased and inefficient estimates.
Office Relocation and Environmental Change: A Case Study

As office environments become more subject to rapid and continuous change, strategies must be developed to manage the resulting effects of increased levels of stress and dislocation on the part of ...
Structures of randomly generated mutants of T4 lysozyme show that protein stability can be enhanced by relaxation of strain and by improved hydrogen bonding via bound solvent.

The structures of three mutants of bacteriophage T4 lysozyme selected using a screen designed to identify thermostable variants are described. Each of the mutants has a substitution involving threonine. Two of the variants, Thr 26 → Ser (T26S) and Thr 151 → Ser (T151S), have increased reversible melting temperatures with respect to the wild-type protein. The third, Ala 93 → Thr (A93T), has essentially the same stability as wild type. Thr 26 is in the wall of the active-site cleft. Its replacement with serine results in the rearrangement of nearby residues, most notably Tyr 18, suggesting that the increase in stability may result from the removal of strain. Thr 151 in the wild-type structure is far from the active site and appears to sterically prevent the access of solvent to a preformed binding site. In the mutant, the removal of the methyl group allows access to the solvent binding site and, in addition, the Ser 151 hydroxyl rotates to a new position so that it also contributes to solvent binding. Residue 93 is in a highly exposed site on the surface of the molecule, and presumably is equally solvent exposed in the unfolded protein. It is, therefore, not surprising that the substitution Ala 93 → Thr does not change stability. The mutant structures show how chemically similar mutations can have different effects on both the structure and stability of the protein, depending on the structural context. The results also illustrate the power of random mutagenesis in obtaining variants with a desired phenotype. Although knowledge of the mutant structures makes it possible to rationalize their behavior, it would have been very difficult to predict in advance that these mutants would be stabilizing.
Behavioral Counseling to Promote a Healthy Lifestyle in Persons With Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

This systematic review of 74 trials for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force assesses benefits of lifestyle counseling interventions for persons with cardiovascular risk factors. Intensive inter...
Temporal Relationship of Progestin Secretion, LH Release and Ovulation in Rats

The rate of secretion of progesterone and 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one (20α-OHP) into the ovarian vein, the concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH) in serum and the time of ovulation were determined in mature, cycling rats. Each progestin was determined by a double isotope method, and LH was measured by means of a radioimmunoassay. The secretory rates of both progestins at 2 pm on proestrus were 50% greater than during late diestrus. These increases occurred at least 2 hr before the occurrence of the LH surge. Thus, both progestins could have been involved in triggering the release of LH. Throughout most of the estrous cycle, serum LH concentration was very low; but during proestrus, between 4 and 6pm, the serum concentration rose many-fold, after which the concentration of serum LHdecreased rapidly. In contrast to LH, the secretion of the progestins, with the exception of the secretory rates at 4 am, continued to increase steadily after the LH surge until 8 am on estrus. After 8 am on estrus, progestin ...
The continuous-time signals and systems concept inventory

This paper describes the development of a continuous-time signals and systems concept inventory (CT SSCI) exam. The CT SSCI exam has twenty-five multiple choice questions and is designed to assess students' understanding of core concepts in undergraduate signals and systems. The questions require little or no computation, and contain distractors, or incorrect answers, that capture common student misconceptions. This paper discusses the list of concepts covered by the exam, reviews test results for the first version of the CT SSCI, and describes the question design strategy. A study to evaluate version 2.0 of the exam is underway at four campuses, and this paper reports preliminary results from that study.
Segmentation of X‐ray computed tomography images of porous materials: A crucial step for characterization and quantitative analysis of pore structures

[1] Nondestructive imaging methods such as X-ray computed tomography (CT) yield high-resolution, three-dimensional representations of pore space and fluid distribution within porous materials. Steadily increasing computational capabilities and easier access to X-ray CT facilities have contributed to a recent surge in microporous media research with objectives ranging from theoretical aspects of fluid and interfacial dynamics at the pore scale to practical applications such as dense nonaqueous phase liquid transport and dissolution. In recent years, significant efforts and resources have been devoted to improve CT technology, microscale analysis, and fluid dynamics simulations. However, the development of adequate image segmentation methods for conversion of gray scale CT volumes into a discrete form that permits quantitative characterization of pore space features and subsequent modeling of liquid distribution and flow processes seems to lag. In this paper we investigated the applicability of various thresholding and locally adaptive segmentation techniques for industrial and synchrotron X-ray CT images of natural and artificial porous media. A comparison between directly measured and image-derived porosities clearly demonstrates that the application of different segmentation methods as well as associated operator biases yield vastly differing results. This illustrates the importance of the segmentation step for quantitative pore space analysis and fluid dynamics modeling. Only a few of the tested methods showed promise for both industrial and synchrotron tomography. Utilization of local image information such as spatial correlation as well as the application of locally adaptive techniques yielded significantly better results.
Visualization of multidimensional, multivariate volume data using hardware-accelerated non-photorealistic rendering techniques

This paper presents a set of feature enhancement techniques. coupled with hardware-accelerated non-photorealistic rendering for generating more perceptually effective visualizations of multidimensional, multivariate volume data, such as those obtained from typical computational fluid dynamics simulations. For time-invariant data, one or more variables are used to either highlight important features in another variable, or add contextural information to the visualization. For time-varying data, rendering of each time step also takes into account the values at neighboring time steps to reinforce the perception of the changing features in the data over time. With hardware-accelerated rendering, interactive visualization becomes possible leading to increased explorability and comprehension of the data.
An edge-based approach to image fusion of images via reconstruction estimation

Image fusion algorithms attempt to combine multiple registered images into a single image in a way which retains the most pertinent information from each of the images to be fused. In this paper, a new edge-based image fusion algorithm using the Parameterized Logarithm Image Processing (PLIP) model is presented. Coarse approximation and edge information from the images to be fused are extracted using PLIP primitives and separately processed. The results are fused to yield the reconstructed fusion result. The Logarithmic Michelson contrast measure by entropy (log AMEE) is used to quantitatively access the quality of image fusion results. Experimental results via computer simulations show that the proposed algorithm can outperform current image fusion techniques both by qualitative and quantitative means.
Unsupervised Semantic Parsing

We present the first unsupervised approach to the problem of learning a semantic parser, using Markov logic. Our USP system transforms dependency trees into quasi-logical forms, recursively induces lambda forms from these, and clusters them to abstract away syntactic variations of the same meaning. The MAP semantic parse of a sentence is obtained by recursively assigning its parts to lambda-form clusters and composing them. We evaluate our approach by using it to extract a knowledge base from biomedical abstracts and answer questions. USP substantially outperforms TextRunner, DIRT and an informed baseline on both precision and recall on this task.
Conformal profile theory for performance scaling of ultrabroadband optical parametric chirped pulse amplification

We developed a theory of optimization of amplifier bandwidth and conversion efficiency in ultrabroadband optical parametric chirped pulse amplification based on the principle of making the optimal conversion length uniform in time through pulse shaping. Conformal profiles, ideal combinations of pump intensity, seed intensity, and wave-vector mismatch temporal profiles can be found analytically by use of the exact Jacobi elliptic function solutions for signal gain and pump depletion in optical parametric amplification. We derive and investigate these gain equations for the general purpose of aiding the design of optical parametric amplifiers. Using these analytics, through an extensive analysis of conformal profile methods, we find conformal profile pulse shaping can significantly boost amplifier bandwidth as well as conversion efficiency, allowing in some amplifiers a severalfold increase in obtainable peak power. Pump pulse shaping is found to be particularly effective and flexible.
Select cognitive deficits in Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide deficient mice

Background: The neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is widely distributed in the adult central nervous system where this peptide functions to regulate synaptic transmission and neural excitability. The expression of VIP and its receptors in brain regions implicated in learning and memory functions, including the hippocampus, cortex, and amygdala, raise the possibility that this peptide may function to modulate learned behaviors. Among other actions, the loss of VIP has a profound effect on circadian timing and may specifically influence the temporal regulation of learning and memory functions. Results: In the present study, we utilized transgenic VIP-deficient mice and the contextual fear conditioning paradigm to explore the impact of the loss of this peptide on a learned behavior. We found that VIP-deficient mice exhibited normal shock-evoked freezing behavior and increases in corticosterone. Similarly, these mutant mice exhibited no deficits in the acquisition or recall of the fear-conditioned behavior when tested 24-hours after training. The VIP-deficient mice exhibited a significant reduction in recall when tested 48-hours or longer after training. Surprisingly, we found that the VIP-deficient mice continued to express circadian rhythms in the recall of the training even in those individual mice whose wheel running wheel activity was arrhythmic. One mechanistic explanation is suggested by the finding that daily rhythms in the expression of the clock gene Period2 continue in the hippocampus of VIP-deficient mice. Conclusion: Together these data suggest that the neuropeptide VIP regulates the recall of at least one learned behavior but does not impact the circadian regulation of this behavior.
Study of Micro-Bubbles in the North Sea

This paper presents the study of micro-bubbles in the North Sea and other natural waters. Detailed measurements of both the spatial variation and the time variation of micro-bubbles in the sea were performed by using an optical technique. Two major sources of micro-bubbles were identified: the persistent population of micro-bubbles associated with the activities of zooplankton and the transient population associated with breaking waves.
A method of generating atmospheric turbulence with a liquid crystal spatial light modulator

The Naval Research Laboratory has developed a new method for generating atmospheric turbulence and a testbed that simulates its aberrations far more inexpensively and with greater fidelity using a Liquid Crystal (LC) Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) than many other methods. This system allows the simulation of atmospheric seeing conditions ranging from very poor to very good and different algorithms may be easily employed on the device for comparison. These simulations can be dynamically generated and modified very quickly and easily. In addition, many models for simulating turbulence often neglect temporal transitions along with different seeing conditions. Using the statistically independent set of Karhunen-Loeve polynomials in conjunction with Kolmogorov statistics in this model provides an accurate spatial and temporal model for simulating turbulence. An added benefit to using a LC SLM is its low cost; and multiple devices can be used to simulate multiple layers of turbulence in a laboratory environment. Current testing with using multiple LC SLMs is under investigation at the Naval Research Laboratory and the Naval Postgraduate School.
Causation: Interactions between Philosophical Theories and Psychological Research

This article explores some ways in which philosophical theories of causation and empirical investigations into causal learning and judgment can mutually inform one another.
Regression by Progression: Unleveling the Classroom Playing Field Through Cosmetic Neurology

High school and college students across the country are increasingly using methylphenidate and amphetamines to increase cognition, improve grades, and gain a competitive edge over their classmates. They also use these substances recreationally. Both stimulant drugs are prescribed to treat individuals suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a psychological disorder that places millions of students at a competitive disadvantage within the learning environment. Due to their high potential for abuse, methylphenidate and amphetamines are listed as controlled substances under U.S. law. Therefore, they can only be used legally with a prescription. The non-medical use of either stimulant is a crime punishable by imprisonment and the imposition of substantial monetary fines, but the lack of enforcement coupled with moral acceptance of such use among students has led to an increase in illicit use of each stimulant. This article addresses the increasing use of methylphenidate and amphetamines by high school and college students and argues that states have a responsibility to prevent the uncontrolled, non-therapeutic, and injury-causing use of stimulants by students under their supervision and to protect the rights of individuals with ADHD. After the Introduction in Part I, Part II provides a brief overview of ADHD, the dangers associated with the use of methylphenidate and amphetamines to treat the disorder, and the Food and Drug Administration's response to risks posed by the use of each drug. Part III explores the increasing non-medical use of methylphenidate and amphetamines by students across the United States and considers the short term and long-term implications of such use. Part IV argues that the current regulatory structure is inadequate and negatively impacts students with legitimate medical needs by un-leveling the playing field created by existing laws. Part V presents recommendations to level the academic playing field.