cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Automated and nonbiased regional quantification of functional neuroimaging data

Purpose: In the quantification of functional neuroimaging data, region-of-interest (ROI) analysis can be used to assess a variety of properties of the activation signal, but taken alone these properties are susceptible to noise and may fail to accurately describe overall regional involvement. Here, the authors present and evaluate an automated method for quantification and localization of functional neuroimaging data that combines multiple properties of the activation signal to generate rank-order lists of regional activation results. Methods: The proposed automated quantification method, referred to as neuroimaging results decomposition (NIRD), begins by decomposing an activation map into a hierarchical list of ROIs using a digital atlas. In an intermediate step, the ROIs are rank-ordered according to extent, mean intensity, and total intensity. A final rank-order list (NIRD average rank) is created by sorting the ROIs according to the average of their ranks from the intermediate step. The authors hypothesized that NIRD average rank would have improved regional quantification accuracy compared to all other quantitative metrics, including methods based on properties of statistical clusters. To test their hypothesis, NIRD rankings were directly compared to three common cluster-based methods using simulated fMRI data both with and without realistic head motion. Results: For both the no-motion and motion datasets, an analysis of variance found that significant differences between the quantification methods existed (F = 64.8, p < 0.0001 for no motion; F = 55.2, p < 0.0001 for motion), and a post-hoc test found that NIRD average rank was the most accurate quantification method tested (p < 0.05 for both datasets). Furthermore, all variants of the NIRD method were found to be significantly more accurate than the cluster-based methods in all cases. Conclusions: These results confirm their hypothesis and demonstrate that the proposed NIRD methodology provides improved regional quantification accuracy compared to cluster-based methods.
Response of Andropogon gerardii (Poaceae) to fire-induced high vs. low irradiance environments in tallgrass prairie: leaf structure and photosynthetic pigments

Examen du role possible des caracteristiques structurales des feuilles et des pigments photosynthetiques dans l'augmentation apres incendie des taux de photosynthese, de production et des capacites de competition de cette graminee
TH-D-224A-01: QA for Tomotherapy

Purpose: To describe the commissioning and quality assurance for helical tomotherapy machines. Method and Materials: Helical tomotherapy is a volumetric image guided, fully dynamic, IMRT delivery system. It was been developed at the University of Wisconsin and is now commercially manufactured as the ‘Hi‐Art’. At the core of this fully dynamic IMRT Delivery system lies a short gantry‐mounted linac that is used both for treatment and per‐treatment MVCT imaging. Aside from the primary collimator and the jaws, which set the width of the beam, it is also collimated by a binary multileaf collimator generating a fan beam of intensity‐modulated radiation. Modulation varies with gantry angle. Hence, the Hi‐Art allows for the acquisition of a helical pre‐treatment MVCT scan that is used for online image guidance and allows for precise interfraction positioning of the patient while in the actual treatment position just prior to the start of treatment. Due to its unique design the Hi‐Art system, allows highly conformal dose‐distributions to be delivered to patients in a helical fashion. Patients are treated lying on a couch that is translated through the bore of the machine as the gantry rotates, therefore the Hi‐Art is the therapy equivalent of helical CT. Since this approach to therapy is fully dynamic it requires synchrony of gantry rotation, couch translation, linac pulsing and the opening and closing of the leaves of the binary multileaf collimator used for beam modulation. Results: Over the course of the clinical implementation of the HiArt we have developed a quality assurance (QA) system that covers machine specific QA. The machine specific QA system is similar to that recommended for conventional linear accelerator QA by AAPM Task Group 40; however since the Hi‐Art design and operation differs from that of conventional medical linear accelerators, the tomotherapy QA system contains also novel components, such as QA checks for synchrony of gantry rotation, couch translation, linac pulsing and the opening and closing of the leaves of the binary multileaf collimator.Conclusion: In the first part of the presentation the design and dosimetric characteristics of Hi‐Art machines are summarized and the QA system is described along with experimental details of its implementation, while in the second part the pre‐treatment patient‐specific delivery QA for helical tomotherapy is discussed. Learning Objectives: 1. The audience will understand the rationale for the proposed machine specific QA for Tomotherapy machines and how to carry out the various tests in a systematic and controlled fashion. 2. The rationale for the proposed patient specific pre‐treatment QA and how to carry it out in a systematic and controlled fashion will be understood.
Development and application of an analytical model of stream/aquifer interaction

Abstract A mathematical model to simulate stream/aquifer interactions in an unconfined aquifer subjected to time varying river stage was developed from the linearized Boussinesq equation using the principle of superposition and the concept of semigroups. The mathematical model requires an estimate of three parameters to simulate ground-water elevations; transmissivity, specific yield, and recharge. The solution has physical significance and includes terms for the steady-state water level, the steady-state water level as influenced by a change in river stage, a transient redistribution of water levels in the aquifer from the previous day, and a transient change in water level caused by a change in river stage. The mathematical model was tested using observed water table elevations at three locations across a 2-km-wide alluvial valley aquifer. The average absolute deviation between observed and simulated daily water levels was 0.09 m. The difference in river stage over the test year was 4.9 m.
Visual perception and stereoscopic imaging: an artist's perspective

This paper continues my 2014 February IS and T/SPIE Convention exploration into the relationship of stereoscopic vision and consciousness (90141F-1). It was proposed then that by using stereoscopic imaging people may consciously experience, or see, what they are viewing and thereby help make them more aware of the way their brains manage and interpret visual information. Environmental imaging was suggested as a way to accomplish this. This paper is the result of further investigation, research, and follow-up imaging. A show of images, that is a result of this research, allows viewers to experience for themselves the effects of stereoscopy on consciousness. Creating dye-infused aluminum prints while employing ChromaDepth® 3D glasses, I hope to not only raise awareness of visual processing but also explore the differences and similarities between the artist and scientist―art increases right brain spatial consciousness, not only empirical thinking, while furthering the viewer’s cognizance of the process of seeing. The artist must abandon preconceptions and expectations, despite what the evidence and experience may indicate in order to see what is happening in his work and to allow it to develop in ways he/she could never anticipate. This process is then revealed to the viewer in a show of work. It is in the experiencing, not just from the thinking, where insight is achieved. Directing the viewer’s awareness during the experience using stereoscopic imaging allows for further understanding of the brain’s function in the visual process. A cognitive transformation occurs, the preverbal “left/right brain shift,” in order for viewers to “see” the space. Using what we know from recent brain research, these images will draw from certain parts of the brain when viewed in two dimensions and different ones when viewed stereoscopically, a shift, if one is looking for it, which is quite noticeable. People who have experienced these images in the context of examining their own visual process have been startled by the effect they have on how they perceive the world around them. For instance, when viewing the mountains on a trip to Montana, one woman exclaimed, ”I could no longer see just mountains, but also so many amazing colors and shapes”―she could see beyond her preconceptions of mountains to realize more of the beauty that was really there, not just the objects she “thought” to be there. The awareness gained from experiencing the artist’s perspective will help with creative thinking in particular and overall research in general. Perceiving the space in these works, completely removing the picture-plane by use of the 3D glasses, making a conscious connection between the feeling and visual content, and thus gaining a deeper appreciation of the visual process will all contribute to understanding how our thinking, our left-brain domination, gets in the way of our seeing what is right in front of us. We fool ourselves with concept and memory―experiencing these prints may help some come a little closer to reality.
Eastern Aphrodite Terra on Venus - Characteristics, structure, and mode of origin

Altimetric and radar-image cross-strike discontinuities (CSDs) are found to cut across the nearly east-west strike of Eastern Aphrodite (EA) Terra, dividing or segmenting it into offset domains. Each of these domains is characterized by a discontinuous central chasma or trough. These features have been mapped in the altimetric and radar image data of EA on the basis of abrupt termination of riftlike central chasma, offset, and segmentation of the center highlands, and radar image discontinuities previously mapped in Western Aphrodite in terms of length, orientation, and influence on the central highlands and adjacent lowlands. It is concluded that EA displays a variety of geological and geophysical characteristics similar to those occuring at divergent boundaries. The surface map characteristics are the result of a great horizontal motion of the crust diverging from a well-defined linear region, a process that can occur whether the surface is part of a thick and strong plate detached from mantle convection or part of a thin and weak layer attached to a deep convective limb.
On the evolution of anisogamy from isogamous monoecy and on the origin of sex

Abstract A new hypothesis is established for the evolution of anisogamy in isogamous monoecious haploid unicells. Contrary to present concepts, it is assumed that in such isogamous ancestors the genetically identical gametes are bipolarly different as (+) and (−). The gametic differentiation of a monoecious taxon may be perceived as a phenocopy of that of a related dioecious form. The two gametic phenotypes result from alternative pathways of sexual differentiation. The alternative must be controlled by a sensible switch mechanism that responds to minor differences between vegetative cells when gametogenesis is triggered. Cell-size dependent factors are assumed to be able to influence the switch mechanism causing bigger cells to be of one sex, smaller cells of the other. Fertilization then occurs selectively between big and small gametes because of their sexual difference. Size-different gametes within one species may arise from different types of gametogenesis depending on how many gametes one vegetative cell produces. These assumptions, i.e. the bipolarity of isogametes, in monoecious taxa, size-dependent sex determination, and different types of gametogenesis within one taxon, are justifiable since they are realized independently from each other in various species. It is postulated that mutational fixation of the size-dependent sex determination in such monoecious species creates cell lineages producing sex-different macro- and microgametes and establishes constitutional anisogamous dioecy. The proposed hypothesis clearly separates the evolution of anisogamy as a problem of sexual reproduction from the evolution of sex per se, sex being defined as a bipolarity effecting fertilization.
Measuring Skin While Drilling

A new model is proposed to characterize the variation in skin effect along a horizontal well. Typically, a cylindrical-shaped damaged region is assumed ; however, this work describes the damaged region as a combination cylindrical-conical shape. The shape of the damaged region and the severity of the damage is governed by the contact time of the drilling fluid with the formation. This time is a function of the drilling rate penetration (ROP) and the mud filtrate invasion rate. Simple, empirical models are used to provide ROP and mud filtrate invasion rate. The effects of anisotropy ratio, penetration rates, and horizontal length are included in the analysis. Anisotropy and increasing penetration rate both will result in a decrease in the skin effect. Any horizontal well length greater than the equivalent horizontal length of the cone-shaped damage region will result in a constant cylindrical-shaped damage region, which can be evaluated using Hawkins' formula. The cone-shaped damage region will exist at the furtherest end of the horizontal length. The time to transform the cone-shaped damage region to a cylinder is the circulation time after drilling to the total length. This circulation time is determined for the various anisotropy ratios and penetration rates.
Platinum nanoclusters on graphite substrates: a molecular dynamics study

Molecular dynamics simulations are used to investigate the shape and structure evolution of single platinum clusters of cubic and spherical shape containing 256 and 260 atoms, respectively, deposited on a static graphite substrate. The evolution is monitored at variable temperature, and as a function of metal-substrate interactions at constant temperature. The Pt-Pt interactions are modelled with the many-body Sutton-Chen potential, whereas a Lennard-Jones potential is used to describe the Pt-C interactions. Heating and cooling curves calculated between 200 K and 1800 K are used to determine solid-solid and solid-liquid transitions. Structural changes are detected through analyses of density profiles and diffusion coefficients. A clear analogy is observed between temperature-induced wetting phenomena and those resulting from enhancement of the metal-substrate interactions.
Caustic Stress Corrosion Cracking of Low Alloy Iron Base Materials

Abstract This paper reports a study of stress corrosion cracking of Fe-3Ni, Fe-3Ni-0.5Mo, and Fe-3Ni-0.06P alloys in 9M NaOH. The samples were tested at 98 C and at −400 mVHg/HgO under constant load. The results show that Fe-3Ni is very resistant to caustic stress corrosion and that additions of 0.5Mo degrade this resistance only slightly. However, phosphorus segregation to grain boundaries significantly impairs caustic cracking resistance. Possible mechanisms for the effect of phosphorus and molybdenum on caustic stress corrosion cracking are considered. It will also be demonstrated by comparison of these data with those obtained on low alloy steels that the presence of carbon or carbides degrades the caustic cracking resistance of iron base alloys but that small additions of vanadium and chromium have little effect. Segregated sulfur also has no effect on the cracking process.
Breast cancer and importance of zygosity determination in triplet sisters

This study is the first to examine the genetic risk in a breast cancer-prone family wherein two of three triplet sisters and their mother manifested breast cancer. The unaffected triplet, the proband, was found to be monozygotic with her deceased sister through DNA testing of tumor blocks and dizygotic to her living affected sister. Genetic counseling implications are discussed.
The effect of a scorbutic diet on ferritin-hemosiderin iron stores in the liver and spleen of female guinea pigs

Abstract Ascorbic acid deprivation for 21 days in female guinea pigs was associated with an increase in splenic hemosiderin and total iron, but no change in splenic ferritin iron. Decreases in hepatic ferritin, hemosiderin, and total iron were also produced. Upon refeeding ascorbic acid for only 3 days, elevated splenic total iron returned to control levels while the diminished hepatic iron stores remained low.
Thromboxane B2 levels in relation to maternal hypertension/preeclampsia and cigarette smoking

Abstract Objective: To determine whether cigarette smoking alters maternal thromboxane B2 (TxB2) levels in women who develop hypertension (HTN) or preeclampsia (PE). Study design: In a prior clinical trial, nulliparous women were randomized to low-dose aspirin (302) or placebo (302). For this analysis, serum TxB2 levels (ASA 241, placebo 245) at randomization (20–24 weeks of gestation) and at 28–30 weeks of gestation were evaluated. Former and current smokers were classified as smokers. Results: Smoking was similar between groups (ASA 22: placebo 19%, P = 0.36). Hypertension or PE was similar in smokers and nonsmokers in either group (any HTN: ASA smoke 6: no smoke 8%, placebo smoke 11: no smoke 11%; PE: ASA smoke 2: no smoke 2%, placebo smoke 7: no smoke 6%). Within the overall population, baseline TxB2 distribution compared by Wilcoxon rank sum test was unaffected by smoking. In the placebo group, baseline TxB2 levels did not predict PE in smokers versus nonsmokers. Within each group, a TxB2 reduction from baseline of less or greater than 50% was not related to smoking. Conclusion: Smoking did not affect pregnancy-associated maternal TxB2 levels in normotensive women or in those who developed HTN or PE.
Comparison of Spinal Profiles While Standing, Supine, Prone, and Seated in Four Chair Types: A Pilot Study

A 3-dimensional digitizer was used to evaluate the spinal profiles of 16 subjects. These subjects (8 female, 8 male) are from 4 age ranges: 12–14, 20–22, 40–42, and 60–62 years of age. Each subject was measured in 7 different body positions to include: standing, supine, prone, and seated on one of 4 different chair styles. The 4 chairs were a metal folding chair, a stackable plastic molded chair, a 5-caster padded “secretarial” chair, and an ergonomic kneeling “posture” chair similar to a Balans® chair.The measured spinal profiles were separated into 4 spinal angles (measured with respect to a vertically projected line), the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral angles. Each spinal angle was the dependent variable for an ANOVA analysis. The independent variables were posture, age, gender, and subject. The ANOVA analysis showed that the main effect of posture was significant for the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral angles. Post hoc testing demonstrated that the supine thoracic angle differed significantly fro...
High-Q microresonators for mid-IR light sources and molecular sensors

We propose and demonstrate a simple and reliable method for fabricating high-quality whispering-gallery mode (WGM) optical microresonators in “mid-IR relevant” low-loss ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF (ZBLAN) glasses. Intrinsic quality factors of 107 have been demonstrated, providing great promise for WGM-based mid-IR (MIR) devices. Absorption-limited Q-factors of over 3×108 are anticipated over the 2.0 to 3.2 μm MIR wavelength range in ZBLAN microcavities in the foreseeable future.
Primary Mediastinal Neoplasms in Infants and Children

Abstract Primary mediastinal tumors were observed in 62 infants and children. Thirty-nine of the tumors were located posteriorly, 16 anteriorly, and 7 in the middle mediastinum. Neurogenic tumors occurred in 36 patients, with neuroblastoma accounting for 25. Lymphoma was noted in 20 patients, teratoma in 5 patients, and a rare lipoma in 1. Overall, 47 patients had malignant tumors, and 16 survived. All 15 patients with benign tumors survived. Because of the high incidence of primary malignancy in this age group, all childhood mediastinal lesions should be explored. Although dismal results were obtained with lymphoma (1 patient is alive, a survival of 5%) a 56% survival (14 patients) was achieved with mediastinal neuroblastoma. Patients under 1 year of age with neuroblastoma had an 88% survival rate (8 of 9 patients). Those diagnosed after 1 year had a 37.5% survival rate (6 of 16). Results were more favorable with mediastinal lesions (56% survival) than with retroperitoneal neuroblastoma (19% survival), regardless of the patient's age. Complete or partial extirpation and radiation therapy yielded the most success, while chemotherapy offered significant palliation.
Pulsed Yb:fiber system capable of >250kW peak power with tunable pulses in the 50ps to 1.5ns range

We have demonstrated a pulsed 1064 nm PM Yb:fiber laser system incorporating a seed source with a tunable pulse repetition rate and pulse duration and a multistage fiber amplifier, ending in a large core (>650 μm2 mode field area), tapered fiber amplifier. The amplifier chain is all-fiber, with the exception of the final amplifier’s pump combiner, allowing robust, compact packaging. The air-cooled laser system is rated for >60 W of average power and beam quality of M2 250 kW peak power across the pulse tuning range. We present frequency conversion to 532 nm with efficiency greater than 70% and conversion to UV via frequency tripling, with initial feasibility experiments showing >30% UV conversion efficiency. Application results of the laser in scribing, thin film removal and micro-machining will be discussed.
Patterns of treatment failure in pediatric Hodgkin’s disease treated with combined modality therapy

Materials/Methods: One hundred eighty-one pediatric patients were treated for Hodgkin’s disease at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on two sequential protocols from 1990 to 2000 using multi-agent chemotherapy and involved-field radiation therapy (RT). Treatment was adapted according to risk of recurrence based on Ann Arbor stage and prognostic factors that included bulky nodal disease measuring 6cm or bulky mediastinal disease measuring 1/3 mediastinal-thoracic ratio. Low risk patients (Stage I-IIA) received VAMP (vinblastine, doxorubicin, methotrexate, prednisone) chemotherapy 4 cycles. High risk patients (all others) received VEPA (vinblastine, etoposide, prednisone, doxorubicin) chemotherapy 6 from 1990–94 and VAMP alternated with COP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine) x 6 from 1994–2000. Patients received 25.5 Gy RT to the initially involved nodal regions and non-marrow metastatic sites. Patients who experienced a complete response after two cycles received 15 Gy. Pattern of failure (in field, out of field, both) and dose to the site of failure were determined by review of radiation treatment records and radiographic studies demonstrating failure. Disease and in-field control rates are reported.
Predictors of Delayed Transition From Central Venous Catheter Use to Permanent Vascular Access Among ESRD Patients

Background Early arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation is necessary to curb the use of central venous catheters (CVCs) and reduce their complications. We sought to examine patient characteristics that may influence persistent CVC use 90 days after dialysis therapy initiation among patients using a CVC. Methods Data from the 1999 to 2003 Clinical Performance Measures Project was linked to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medical Evidence (2728) form. Results Most patients (59.4%) starting dialysis with a CVC failed to transition to permanent access within 90 days, whereas 25.4% received a graft and only 15.2% received an AVF. Older patients (>75 years) were more than 2-fold more likely to remain CVC dependent at 90 days ( P = 0.0.001) compared with those younger than 50 years. In addition, race and sex were highly predictive of CVC dependence at 90 days; black females, white females, and black males were 75% ( P P P = 0.023) more likely than white males to maintain CVC use, whereas patients with ischemic heart disease and peripheral vascular disease were 35% ( P = 0.023) and 39% ( P = 0.007) more likely to remain CVC dependent at 90 days, respectively. Conclusion Prolonged CVC dependence is more likely to occur among patients of older age, females, blacks, and those with cardiovascular comorbidity, suggesting inadequate or late access referral or greater primary access failure. Our findings suggest possible missed opportunities for early conversion of patients to permanent vascular access that may vary by race and sex.
Endoscopic partial medial maxillectomy with mucosal flap for maxillary sinus mucoceles

Abstract Purpose To describe a technique of endoscopic medial maxillectomy with mucosal flap for postoperative maxillary sinus mucoceles and to present a case series of subjects who underwent this procedure. Materials and methods This case series includes four subjects with postoperative maxillary sinus mucoceles who underwent resection via endoscopic partial medial maxillectomy with a mucosal flap. We will discuss the clinical presentation, imaging characteristics, operative details, and outcomes. Results Four subjects are included in this study. The average age at the time of medial maxillectomy was 52 years (range 35–65 years). Three subjects (75%) were female. One subject (25%) had bilateral postoperative maxillary sinus mucoceles. Two subjects (50%) had unilateral right sided mucoceles, and the remaining subject had a unilateral left sided mucocele. All subjects had a history of multiple sinus procedures for chronic sinusitis including Caldwell–Luc procedures ipsilateral to the postoperative mucocele. All subjects underwent endoscopic medial maxillectomy without complication and were symptom free at the last follow up appointment, average 24 months (range 3–71 months) after medial maxillectomy. Conclusions For postoperative maxillary sinus mucoceles in locations that are difficult to access via the middle meatus antrostomy, we recommend endoscopic medial maxillectomy with mucosal flap. Our preliminary experience with four subjects demonstrates complete resolution of symptoms after this procedure.
Dewatering fibrous sludge with soy protein

Abstract Sludge is typically conditioned with petroleum-based polymers such as cationic polyacrylamides (c-PAMs) prior to dewatering. It is shown that soy and whey proteins can function as sludge conditioners. High cake solids are obtained when fiber or fibrous sludge is dewatered after treatment with a crude soy flour hydrolysate. Filtrate turbidity is not reduced by the soy alone, but it can be significantly lowered with a small c-PAM supplement. The approach is demonstrated with wood pulp fiber and several paper mill sludges. The binding of soy protein to sludge solids is much weaker than that of c-PAM, but it still produces a denser cake because charge reversal is reduced. Although soy protein and sludge particles are both negatively charged overall they both contain positively charged groups that facilitate bonding. The cost:benefits of c-PAM supplemented soy protein are attractive when compared to a full c-PAM dose. In addition, the soy product has a green value.
Quasi-sudden brittle fracture at both edges of a finite crack

Abstract The diffraction of a plane horizontally polarized shear wave by a crack of finite length is analyzed and the extension of both crack edges prior to the arrival of the first diffracted waves, i.e. quasi-sudden fracture, is studied. In light of an energy rate balance criterion it is found that for an incident step-stress pulse, quasi-sudden fracture may occur but always at both crack edges, often initiating at the trailing edge first. For an incident wave whose stress vanishes at the wavefront, however, quasi-sudden fracture may occur only at the leading crack edge, or if at both edges, at the leading edge first. For both waveforms, the rate of crack extension is non-constant and increases rapidly so that crack branching may be expected. Finally instantaneous crack extension at a uniform rate is possible only if the incident wave stress possesses a square-root sinularity at the wavefront. This result agrees with earlier work by Achenbach.
Children and personal watercraft: injury characteristics and potential countermeasures.

Every summer, families and children travel to the waterways to participate in recreational activities. One increasingly popular water activity for children is riding on, or operating, personal watercraft (PWC). When these were first produced in the 1970s, they were one seat water vessels with a maximum of 40 horsepower engines. Today, many manufacturers are producing vessels with three seats, horsepowers over 120–135, able to reach top speeds of 65–70 miles per hour. Although there are many variations, the most popular is known in America as a Sea-Doo. These PWCs generally cost $4000 to $8000. As one PWC dealer stated, “You would have to spend at least $35 000 to $40 000 for a boat to go that fast. Personal watercraft is a cheap way to go fast”.1 Clearly, PWCs are getting bigger and faster and manufacturers appear to be targeting younger populations through sophisticated media advertisements, splashy designs, and appealing to the inherent “fun” of PWC use. In response to the possible dangers from their use by people 18 years and under, many states in the US have passed regulations governing their operation. But questions remain: how safe are PWCs? Are these countermeasures enough? Are those under 19 at greater risk for injury as operators or passengers than older users? Another concern is for the safety of other users of the waterways. Indications are that injuries, disabilities, and fatalities are increasing as the popularity of these boats grows. Injuries from PWC related crashes in the …
Neonatal Estrogen Exposure Disrupts Uterine Development in the Postnatal Sheep

Postnatal development of the ovine uterus between birth and postnatal day (PND) 56 involves budding differentiation of the endometrial glandular epithelium from the luminal epithelium (LE) followed by extensive coiling and branching morphogenesis of the tubular glands. To determine the short- and long-term effects of estrogen on neonatal ovine uterine development after PND 14, neonatal sheep were randomly assigned at birth (PND 0) to be treated daily with estradiol-17beta benzoate (EB; 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, or 10 microg/kg body weight.d) during one of two developmental periods (PND 14-27 or 42-55). All ewes were hemiovariohysterectomized at the end of EB treatment on either PND 28 or 56, and the remaining uterine horn and ovary removed on PND 112. Immediate responses to EB treatment included dose- and age-dependent increases in uterine wet weight, thickness of the endometrium, myometrium, and LE, but decreases in endometrial glands on PND 28 and 56. Transient exposure to EB decreased gland number and thickness of the endometrium and LE on PND 112 but did not affect extrauterine reproductive tract structures. The mechanism of estrogen inhibition of uterine development did not involve effects on cell proliferation. Real-time PCR analyses found that EB exposure disrupted normal patterns of growth factor (IGF-I, IGF-II, fibroblast growth factor-7, fibroblast growth factor-10, and hepatocyte growth factor) and receptor mRNA expression in the uterus. Transient exposure of the neonatal ewe to estrogens during critical periods specifically alters growth factor networks that perturb normal development of the uterus, leading to permanent alterations in uterine structure and function.
VISCOSIMETRIC DETERMINATION OF THE HYALURONIDASE CONTENT OF SPERMATOZOA

With the observation that the dispersion of the cumulus cells surrounding the rat ovum was necessary to enable fertilization of the egg by sperm, and that this dispersion could be brought about by a heat labile substance produced by spermatozoa, Pincus & Enzmann (1935), the relationship of these substances to certain clinical aspects of sterility has received increasing attention. Factors with similar diffusing properties have been obtained from numerous sources including culture filtrates, invasive bacteria, a large variety of organs and tissues, neoplasms included, snake venom and leeches. Chain and Duthie (1940) noted a marked mucolytic activity of these extracts, characterized by a rapid fall in the viscosity of synovial fluid and the liberation of reducing substances. Further investigation by others revealed that these spreading factors are closely associated, if not identical, with a group of enzymes that hydrolyze hyaluronic acid, and are known as hyaluronidases.
Glenohumeral volume reduction in arthroscopic shoulder reconstruction: a cadaveric analysis of suture plication and thermal capsulorrhaphy.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to objectively assess glenohumeral volume changes after arthroscopic suture plication, arthroscopic thermal capsulorrhaphy, and combined suture and thermal treatment. Type of study Cadaveric study. Methods Five matched pairs of cadaver shoulders were treated with either thermal capsulorrhaphy (n = 5) or arthroscopic suture plication (n = 5). The shoulders treated with plication were then treated with thermal capsulorrhaphy to form a combined treatment group (plication and thermal). Preoperative and postoperative glenohumeral volume measurements were obtained, and the techniques were statistically compared with a 1-factor analysis of variance. Results All 3 procedures produced marked decreases in glenohumeral capsular volume. Suture plication reduced intra-articular volume an average of 19.0%. Thermal capsulorrhaphy resulted in a mean capsular volume reduction of 33.4%. Combined treatment with suture plication and thermal capsulorrhaphy reduced glenohumeral volume an average of 41.0%. Both thermal capsulorrhaphy and the combined treatment produced significantly greater reduction in glenohumeral volume than plication alone ( P Conclusions Our results indicate that arthroscopic suture plication and thermal capsulorrhaphy are both effective in reducing glenohumeral intra-articular volume. Thermal capsulorrhaphy alone or in combination with suture plication led to significantly greater reduction in capsular volume when compared with isolated suture plication.
Balance Sheets, the Transfer Problem, and Financial Crises

In a world of high capital mobility, the threat of speculative attack becomes a central issue of macroeconomicpolicy. While “first-generation” and “second-generation” models of speculative attacks both have considerablerelevance to particular financial crises of the 1990s, a “third-generation” model is needed to make sense of thenumber and nature of the emerging market crises of 1997-98. Most of the recent attempts to produce such amodel have argued that the core of the problem lies in the banking system. This paper sketches another candidatefor third-generation crisis modeling—one that emphasizes two facts that have been omitted from formal modelsto date: the role of companies' balance sheets in determining their ability to invest, and that of capital flows inaffecting the real exchange rate.
Flash photolysis of caged nitric oxide inhibits proximal tubular fluid reabsorption in free-flow nephron

A nonobstructing optical method was developed to measure proximal tubular fluid reabsorption in rat nephron at 0.25 Hz. The effects of uncaging luminal nitric oxide (NO) on proximal tubular reabsor...
Microstructurally small fatigue crack growth in thin, aluminum-alloy, pressure vessel liner

Abstract Motivation to decrease weight and cost of composite-overwrapped pressure vessels used in space exploration leads to designs that challenge the current qualification standards and methods for predicting fatigue life of the structures. Namely, as thickness of the metallic, overwrapped liners is reduced (potentially to tens of grains through-thickness), plastic deformation extends to the liner bounds, and linear elastic fracture parameters become invalid for fatigue crack growth characterization. In this case, fatigue crack growth is likely governed by microstructural features of the material. Life predictions should ultimately reflect this microstructural dependence. In this work, we design a study that involves both experimental and computational modeling aspects to gain three-dimensional perspective of the microstructural features influencing fatigue crack growth in a thin aluminum alloy reminiscent of a metallic liner material. High-energy X-ray diffraction microscopy is explored as a method for characterizing microstructural morphology, including crystallographic orientations, in a volume of material containing a microstructurally small fatigue crack. Initial work involves a feasibility study of the material form (rolled sheet versus actual liner material) to be used in the proposed experimental study. An outlook on future work of the study is provided.
Symmetry Breaking and Scalar Bosons

There are reasons to suspect that the spontaneous breakdown of the gauge symmetries of the observed weak and electromagnetic interactions may be produced by the vacuum expectation values of massless weakly coupled elementary scalar fields. A method is described for finding the broken-symmetry solutions of such theories even when they contain arbitrary numbers of scalar fields with unconstrained couplings. In any such theory, there should exist a number of heavy Higgs bosons, with masses comparable to the intermediate vector bosons, plus one light Higgs boson, or "scalon" with mass of order $\ensuremath{\alpha}{{G}_{F}}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}}$. The mass and couplings of the scalon are calculable in terms of other masses, even without knowing all the details of the theory. For an SU(2) \ensuremath{\bigotimes} U(1) model with arbitrary numbers of scalar isodoublets, the scalon mass is greater than 5.26 GeV; a likely value is 7-10 GeV. The production and decay of the scalon are briefly considered. Some comments are offered on the relation between the mass scales associated with the weak and strong interactions.
Developing and Enhancing Successful Intelligence in Introductory Psychology Students: An Interview with Robert J. Sternberg

Lani C. Fujitsubo (LCF) is an Associate Professor and the Director of Testing at Southern Oregon University. Her teaching interests are in General Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Human Sexuality, Ethics, and Counseling. Her research has included cross-cultural issues within counseling and academia, celibacy and sexual choices among college students, and issues pertaining to women who have chosen to remain childless. Robert J. Sternberg (BJS) is a Professor of Psychology and Education at Yale University. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and was recognized by Science Digest as one of the 100 top young scientists in the United States. He is the recipient of numerous grants and awards and has written more than 500 articles and 40 books.
Improving Interactional Organizational Research: A Model of Person-Organization Fit

In order for researchers to understand and predict behavior, they must consider both person and situation factors and how these factors interact. Even though organization researchers have developed interactional models, many have overemphasized either person or situation components, and most have failed to consider the effects that persons have on situations. This paper presents criteria for improving interactional models and a model of person-organization fit, which satisfies these criteria. Using a Q-sort methodology, individual value profiles are compared to organizational value profiles to determine fit and to predict changes in values, norms, and behaviors.
Study on adhesion of thin film coatings of polypyrrole on glass substrate for mechanical durability of sensor devices

Thin film coatings of polypyrrole have been extensively used as gas sensors in chemiresistors where the films are deposited on insulating substrates. These polypyrrole films have also been used as coatings to glass optical fiber as a chemo-chromic transducer for gas sensing. For long term mechanical durability of these sensing films, their adhesion to the substrate is very important. Adhesion between polypyrrole films and glass slide substrates is investigated for solution deposited polypyrrole films. The substrate surface is investigated in terms of addition of silane coupling agents and substrate surface roughness, for enhancement of the film substrate adhesion. The adhesion test is performed by the standard ASTM D - 4541 Pull-off Test Method. The films deposited on as-received slides are characterized for their electrical conductivity and optical transmission for their use in both chemiresistor and optical fiber sensor applications for nerve agent DMMP (di-methylmethylphosphonate) sensing.
Species and sexual differences in antennal lobe architecture and glomerular organization in two parasitoids with different degree of host specificity, Microplitis croceipes and Cotesia marginiventris

The endoparasitic wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Microplitis croceipes (specialist) and Cotesia marginiventris (generalist), are parasitoids of lepidopteran larvae and differ in their degree of host specificity. Recent studies have reported key differences between the two species in the abundance of antennal olfactory sensilla and their response to host-related volatiles. Here, we have compared antennal lobe architecture and glomerular organization in the two parasitoid species by using a combination of axonal tract tracing techniques and confocal microscopy. In M. croceipes, the medial half of the antennal lobe is larger with a greater number of glomeruli compared with the lateral half, whereas in C. marginiventris, the lateral half is larger than the median half. The volume of the antennal lobe is approximately 2.5 times greater in M. croceipes than in C. marginiventris. However, the number of glomeruli per antennal lobe is only slightly higher in M. croceipes (females: 219–222; males: 220–224) than in C. marginiventris (females: 192–194; males: 193–196). A comparison of males and females within each species demonstrated a striking sexual difference in terms of an enlarged glomerulus (macroglomerulus or MG) at the entrance of the antennal nerve and of a complex of 3–4 MG (CMG) in the posterior region of the antennal lobe of males of both species. Being specific to males, both the MG and CMG might be involved in the detection of female-related odor.
Retrospective and prospective metacognitive judgments in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

A growing body of research suggests that some non-human animals are capable of making accurate metacognitive judgments. In previous studies, non-human animals have made either retrospective or prospective judgments (about how they did on a test or how they will do on a test, respectively). These two types of judgments are dissociable in humans. The current study tested the abilities of two rhesus macaque monkeys to make both retrospective and prospective judgments about their performance on the same memory task. Both monkeys had been trained previously to make retrospective confidence judgments. Both monkeys successfully demonstrated transfer of retrospective metacognitive judgments to the new memory task. Furthermore, both monkeys transferred their retrospective judgments to the prospective task (one, immediately, and one, following the elimination of a response bias). This study is the first to demonstrate both retrospective and prospective monitoring abilities in the same monkeys and on the same task, suggesting a greater level of flexibility in animals’ metacognitive monitoring abilities than has been reported previously.
Combined optical and microwave remote sensing measurements of the stratosphere from a balloon platform: improving our understanding of ozone photochemistry

Combined infrared and microwave remote sensing measurements of the stratosphere are combined to test several aspects of a constrained photochemical model. The authors find that a model with conventional chemistry only is unable to reproduce the observed abundance of ClO and HOCl relative to HCl, while results from a model which includes 10% production of HCl from the reaction of OH and ClO are in good agreement with the observations. The modified model predicts that the rates of production and loss of ozone are in balance at altitudes where the photochemical lifetimes are short compared to the characteristic transport time (30-40 km), in agreement with the rates calculated directly from the authors' measurements of HO/sub 2/, OH, NO/sub 2/, O/sub 3/, and ClO. The modified model also shows that for the balloon flight analyzed halogen-catalyzed ozone loss plays a lesser role than previously believed. >
Nuclear Data Sheets for A=213

Evaluated spectroscopic data and level schemes from radioactive decay and nuclear reaction studies are presented for all nuclei with mass number A=213. This evaluation for A=213 supersedes the earlier one by Y. A. Akovali (1992Ak01), published in Nuclear Data Sheets 66, 237 (1992).
North-south topographic slope asymmetry on Mars: Evidence for insolation-related erosion at high obliquity

[1] A map of north–south subkilometer-scale slope asymmetry on Mars obtained from statistical analysis of along-track MOLA topographic profiles reveals well-defined zonal belts of north–south slope asymmetry at 40–50° latitude in both hemispheres. In these narrow anomalous belts the pole-facing slopes are systematically gentler than equator-facing slopes. This asymmetry is especially pronounced for the steepest (>20°) slopes, in which pole-facing slopes are three times less frequent than >20° slopes facing the equator. We interpret these belts to be related to insolation asymmetry. Specifically, we suggest that summertime melting of ground ice on pole-facing slopes occurred during periods of very high obliquity (∼45°) in the past and favored downslope movement of material and reduction of steep pole-facing slopes.
Emergency medicine in West Kazakhstan, CIS

Now a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Kazakhstan is the second largest of the republics that made up the former Soviet Union. This report describes the structure of the health care system in Kazakhstan, with particular emphasis on emergency medicine. It examines medical education, the organization of health care services, emergency medical services, emergency department structure, and the challenges facing emergency medicine.
MAP kinase phosphatase-1 deficiency impairs skeletal muscle regeneration and exacerbates muscular dystrophy

In skeletal muscle, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) is a critical negative regulator of the MAPKs. Since the MAPKs have been reported to be both positive and negative for myogenesis, the physiological role of MKP-1 in skeletal muscle repair and regeneration has remained unclear. Here, we show that MKP-1 plays an essential role in adult regenerative myogenesis. In a cardiotoxin-induced muscle injury model, lack of MKP-1 impaired muscle regeneration. In mdx mice, MKP-1 deficiency reduced body weight, muscle mass, and muscle fiber cross-sectional area. In addition, MKP-1-deficient muscles exhibit exacerbated myopathy accompanied by increased inflammation. Lack of MKP-1 compromised myoblast proliferation and induced precocious differentiation, phenotypes that were rescued by pharmacological inhibition of p38α/β MAPK. MKP-1 coordinates both myoblast proliferation and differentiation. Mechanistically, MyoD bound to the MKP-1 promoter and activated MKP-1 expression in proliferating myoblasts. Later, during myogenesis, MyoD uncoupled from the MKP-1 promoter leading to the down-regulation of MKP-1 and facilitation of promyogenic p38α/β MAPK signaling. Hence, MKP-1 plays a critical role in muscle stem cells and in the immune response to coordinate muscle repair and regeneration.—Shi, H., Boadu, E., Mercan, F., Le, A. M., Roth Flach, R. J., Zhang, L., Tyner, K. J., Olwin, B. B., Bennett, A. M. MAP kinase phosphatase-1 deficiency impairs skeletal muscle regeneration and exacerbates muscular dystrophy.