cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Morphogenesis of the truncus arteriosus of the chick embryo heart: Movements of autoradiographic tattoos during septation

In order to trace tissue movements during septation of the embryonic truncus arteriosus into aortic and pulmonary cardiac outlets, the cephalic margin of the developing tubular heart of chick embryos was tattooed at Hamilton-Hamburger Stages 20-22 using diffusion micropipettes filled with 0.5% agarose and radioactive macromolecular precursors (tritiated thymidine, uridine, and leucine). Following further incubation for 2, 48, or 96 hours, the locations of such tattoos were determined by autoradiography of sectioned tissue and computer reconstruction of the developing outflow tract. Two hours after tattooing, radiolabeled cells were clustered at the right distal margin of the myocardial tube, as intended. Two days later, during septation of the outflow tract into the two arterial streams, label was concentrated along the posterior margin of the myocardium, between the developing aortic and pulmonary valve anlagen to the embryo's right and left, respectively. Four days following tattooing, as truncal septation neared completion, remaining label was found primarily to the left of the aortic valve ring posterior to the pulmonary outlet. The movements of thymidine tattoos during septation were demonstrated in a series of 31 embryos, 14 fixed at 2 hours, 12 at 2 days, and 5 at 4 days following tattooing; similar results were seen in uridine and leucine labeled hearts. The motion of such tattoos in the developing chick heart suggests that the left side of the definitive semilunar valve ring derives from the right distal margin of the primitive tubular heart and that normal morphogenesis of the great arterial streams involves both retraction and rotation of the embryonic truncus arteriosus.
Reverse Engineering of Legacy Agricultural Phenology Modeling System

A software program which implements predictive phenology modeling is a valuable tool for growers and scientists. Such a program was created in the late 1980's by the creators of general phenology modeling as proof of their techniques. However, this first program could not continue to meet the needs of the field which created it and needed to be expanded or replaced. This paper presents an overview of the aims of phenology modeling and the legacy program which demonstrated it. The paper then discusses the process of reverse-engineering the legacy program and specifying the functionality for its successor. The result is a program which implements all the functions of the legacy code while providing a modern platform that is maintainable, portable, and open.
Modeling Transformations of Neurodevelopmental Sequences across Mammalian Species

A general model of neural development is derived to fit 18 mammalian species, including humans, macaques, several rodent species, and six metatherian (marsupial) mammals. The goal of this work is to describe heterochronic changes in brain evolution within its basic developmental allometry, and provide an empirical basis to recognize equivalent maturational states across animals. The empirical data generating the model comprises 271 developmental events, including measures of initial neurogenesis, axon extension, establishment, and refinement of connectivity, as well as later events such as myelin formation, growth of brain volume, and early behavioral milestones, to the third year of human postnatal life. The progress of neural events across species is sufficiently predictable that a single model can be used to predict the timing of all events in all species, with a correlation of modeled values to empirical data of 0.9929. Each species' rate of progress through the event scale, described by a regression equation predicting duration of development in days, is highly correlated with adult brain size. Neural heterochrony can be seen in selective delay of retinogenesis in the cat, associated with greater numbers of rods in its retina, and delay of corticogenesis in all species but rodents and the rabbit, associated with relatively larger cortices in species with delay. Unexpectedly, precocial mammals (those unusually mature at birth) delay the onset of first neurogenesis but then progress rapidly through remaining developmental events.
A comparison of altimeter and gravimetric geoids in the Tonga Trench and Indian Ocean areas

Geoids computed from GEOS-3 altimeter data are compared with gravimetric geoids computed by various techniques for 30 x 30 deg areas in the Tonga Trench and the Indian Ocean. The gravimetric geoids were calculated using the standard Stokes integration with the Molodenskii truncation procedure, the modified Stokes integration suggested by Ostach (1970) and Meissl (1971) with modified Molodenskii truncation functions, and three sets of potential coefficients including one complete to degree 180. It is found that the modified Stokes procedure with a cap size of 10 deg provides better results when used with a combined altimeter terrestrial anomaly field data set. Excellent agreement at the plus or minus 1 m level is obtained between the altimeter and gravimetric geoid using the combined data set, with the modified Stokes procedure having a greater accuracy. Coefficients derived from the 180 x 180 solution are found to be of an accuracy comparable to that of the modified Stokes method, however to require six times less computational effort.
On the identifiability of mixtures-of-experts

Abstract In mixtures-of-experts (ME) models, “experts” of generalized linear models are combined, according to a set of local weights called the “gating function”. The invariant transformations of the ME probability density functions include the permutations of the expert labels and the translations of the parameters in the gating functions. Under certain conditions, we show that the ME systems are identifiable if the experts are ordered and the gating parameters are initialized. The conditions are validated for Poisson, gamma, normal and binomial experts.
Fast wave-front reconstruction in large adaptive optics systems with use of the Fourier transform.

Wave-front reconstruction with the use of the fast Fourier transform (FFT) and spatial filtering is shown to be computationally tractable and sufficiently accurate for use in large Shack–Hartmann-based adaptive optics systems (up to at least 10,000 actuators). This method is significantly faster than, and can have noise propagation comparable with that of, traditional vector–matrix-multiply reconstructors. The boundary problem that prevented the accurate reconstruction of phase in circular apertures by means of square-grid Fourier transforms (FTs) is identified and solved. The methods are adapted for use on the Fried geometry. Detailed performance analysis of mean squared error and noise propagation for FT methods is presented with the use of both theory and simulation.
Thermodynamics of gas-containing voids in metals

Abstract Irradiation of materials frequently induces high supersaturations of vacancies and of dissolved inert gas atoms which may, under certain conditions, co-precipitate into voids. An expression is derived for the free energy change on forming such a void and is expressed in terms of vacancy supersaturations, the concentration and binding energy of the dissolved gas atoms, external pressure, strain energy and such usual ancillary data as surface energy and atomic volume. This free energy may be utilized to obtain boundary conditions for void growth and dissolution problems. An expression is derived for the homogeneous nucleation rate of voids, from which it is seen that externally applied pressures should usually have little effect on void formation. Dissolved gas atoms may, however, contribute as much to the driving force for nucleation as does a very high vacancy supersaturation. Finally, it is noted that in omitting the effects of solvent interstitials, the present analysis is not directly applicable to fast-breeder reactor phenomena.
Epitaxial growth of oxide thin films on (001) metal surfaces using pulsed-laser deposition

The epitaxial growth of CeO{sub 2} on various (001) metal surfaces using pulsed-laser deposition is discussed. In particular, the growth of (001) CeO{sub 2} on (001) Pd, Ag, and Ni is described. Emphasis is given to the specific deposition conditions which successfully alleviate the formation of native oxides at the metal/metal oxide interface. The control of the epitaxial relationships between the oriented oxides films and the underlying noble and oxidizing metal surfaces is addressed. In addition, recent use of these heterostructures in the epitaxial growth of high temperature superconducting films on biaxially-textured metal substrates for superconducting wire development is described.
CROSS SECTION COMPARISONS OF THE STRUCTURE OF GNP BY SECTOR OF ORIGIN; SOCIALIST AND WESTERN COUNTRIES*

SUMMARY The industrial structures of the centrally planned economies of Eastern Europe are compared with their Western counterparts in this paper. A general model is first postulated which relates the structure of output—industry, agriculture, services, etc., and manufacturing subsectors—to a set of explanatory variables. An Eastern European and a Western cross section are then fitted and the estimated coefficients are compared with the following results: Whereas structural differences among individual Western countries tend to be ‘explained’ by differences in per capita income, scale, natural resources, and trade utilization, these factors fail to ‘explain’ structural variation within Eastern Europe. Thus the socialist pattern of industrialization tends to the dependent upon different factors peculiar to centrally planned socialism and thus differs from the Western pattern.
Selecting high stability water clusters by examining locations of free OH bonds : Application in the study of (H2O)18 clusters

Abstract Computational studies on water clusters can be quite challenging, especially when an irregular cage with non-equivalent oxygen sites are considered which may yield a large number of starting geometries that differ in relative positions of non-H-bonding H (NHB H, free OH) atoms. A detailed study on water octamers suggests that the fewest number of NHB H atoms on neighboring oxygen sites yields the most stable neutral isomer followed by those with increasing number of NHB H atoms on adjacent sites. The least stable cluster has all the NHB H atoms around a ring. By considering a regular cage structure and minimum number of NHB H atoms on adjacent sites, one can readily identify a limited number of starting geometries that are optimized to highly stable isomers. This method has been verified in the identification of the most stable isomer of (H2O)8 cubic cage and (H2O)20 dodecahedral cage. The same method has been applied in the study of ( H 2 O ) 18 − cluster isomers.
THE CHALLENGE OF MOVING FROM WELFARE TO WORK

Despite overall low unemployment rates in 1996, various subgroups of the population had rates much higher than the average. This brief article considers the labor market profile of welfare recipients and examines the unemployment and underemployment rates of groups with similar demographic characteristics. In some cases, such rates are three and four times the overall national average.
Neutralizing charged aerosols with radioactive sources

Abstract Electrically charged aerosol particles reach an equilibrium charge distribution when mixed with positive and negative ions in a time which is inversely proportional to ionic concentration. One way to neutralize the charge on aerosols is to use radioactive sources in a neutralizing chamber. The differential equation governing ionic concentration is analyzed, and approximate solutions are given for various combinations of radioactive source geometry and neutralizing chamber geometry. It is shown that when the range of the radioactive particles emitted by the source is greater than or equal to the chamber dimensions, the ratio of the particle residence time to the characteristic time necessary for neutralization is proportional to the square root of the radioactive source strength, inversely proportional to flow rate, and proportional chamber dimensions to the second power. This ratio is computed for four successful neutralizers and found to be ≳ 10. This analysis should facilitate the design of radioactive neutralizers.
Signalling Price Image Using Advertised Prices

This paper addresses the issue of retail price image by offering an explanation for how and when stores can use their advertised prices to signal the prices of other products in the store. A model of a two-product retail market is presented in which stores advertise the price of one product and customers do not know the price of the other product before selecting which store to visit. In a model with full customer information, stores with different marginal costs charge different prices for each product. When customers do not know each store's marginal cost type, an opportunity arises for each store to signal its cost type using its advertised prices. In such a model, additional equilibria exist. In particular, stores with different costs may charge the same advertised price while continuing to charge different prices for the unadvertised product. Data from competing drycleaning stores is generally consistent with the model predictions. A number of additional properties of the equilibria are discussed and possible extensions to the model are proposed.
Rapid Recovery and Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis within 48 Hours of Receipt of a Clinical Specimen — Efficient Use of Rapid Methods

Abstract We report the rapid recovery and identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis within 48 h of receipt of the clinical specimen. This was accomplished using a combination of the BACTEC MGIT 960 (BD Diagnostic Systems, Sparks, MD), cytocentrifugation, and the M. tuberculosis Accuprobe (Gen-Probe, Inc., San Diego, CA).
Molten aluminum equilibrium membrane formed during controlled atmosphere brazing

Abstract Formation of a solidified joint between metallic and/or non-metallic materials is a critical phase of a manufacturing process called brazing. This paper provides an insight into an important aspect of this complex joint formation process for a system of aluminum alloys AA4343-AA3003 plus KF–AlF 3 as a flux. More specifically, a proof of the validity of the following hypothesis is given: the topology of the solidified brazed aluminum alloy joint can efficiently be described by an equilibrium membrane of the liquid alloy at the onset of solidification. A controlled atmosphere aluminum brazing process was considered. An experimental procedure is performed with ultra-pure nitrogen. Numerical results, based on a finite element discretization of a 2-D membrane profile, were obtained utilizing the minimum potential energy principle. An excellent agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental data unequivocally proves the validity of the introduced hypothesis.
Regulation of hormone-induced cyclic AMP response to parathyroid hormone and prostaglandin E2 in cells cultured from human giant cell tumors of bone.

Cells dispersed from human giant cell tumors of bone and grown in monolayer culture increase intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) when incubated with parathyroid hormone (PTH) or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). When cells are continuously exposed to PTH, cAMP levels increase acutely but then decrease rapidly to pretreatment values despite continued presence of hormone or addition of new hormone. Preincubation of cells with PTH for periods as short as 10 min results in a decrease in the capacity of cells to increase cAMP content when re-exposed to maximal stimulatory concentrations of PTH. The decrease in the magnitude of the PTH-induced cAMP response observed in cells pretreated with this hormone is dependent on the concentration of PTH present during the pre-incubation. The loss of cAMP response in cells pre-treated with either PGE2 or PTH is hormone specific in that cells made refractory by pretreatment with one hormone still increase cAMP content when exposed to the other. Although the cells are not releasing measurable amounts of prostaglandins into the medium, pretreatment with indomethacin results in an increase in the magnitude of the cAMP response to PGE2. The PTH-induced cAMP response is not affected by indomethacin pre-treatment. The loss of PTH responsiveness produced by hormone preincubation is consistent with the phenomenon of “down-regulation” observed with ligand-receptor interactions in a variety of tissues.
Ultrahigh vacuum high resolution transmission electron microscopy of sputter-deposited MoS2 thin films

Abstract High resolution electron microscopy has been used to characterize the structure of sputter-deposited MoS 2 coatings under both conventional and ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions. As deposited, the films have a mixture of short-range ordered basal-plane and edge-plane oriented grains near the film substrate interface; structural changes were characterized in a UHV transmission electron microscope as a function of two processing variables: temperature and Au deposition. Annealing in an oxygen environment was also carried out to assess chemical stability. During thermal annealing in UHV and in oxygen, substantial long-range ordering of the basal islands followed by grain growth was observed. Inhomogeneous oxidation resulting in the formation of MoO 3 in the initial stages followed by grain growth, yielding the final morphology of a mixture of MoO 3 crystallites of 5–50 nm size was seen on annealing in an oxidizing atmosphere. Au nucleation and growth on both thermally annealed and as-deposited films were seen to follow the Volmer-Weber mode, i.e. three-dimensional islands; these islands were also seen to be highly textured. Also, in comparison with carbon and SiO substrates, Au demonstrated higher stability on MoS 2 to electron beam fluxes, suggesting higher bonding strengths to the substrate. These experiments demonstrated the paramount need for UHV conditions during both deposition and characterization to avoid uncertain contamination artifacts.
Enhancement of Brain p02 During Cardiopulmonary Bypass using a Hyperosmolar Oxygen Carrying Solution

During the past decade a new syndrome has been recognized: cerebral hypoxia secondary to cardiopulmonary bypass, resulting in impairment of cognitive memory. The incidence of the syndrome appears to be no less that 30% in patients over 65 years of age undergoing cardiac surgery. There are several factors contributing to hypoxia produced by cardiopulmonary bypass. One of these factors is crystalloid pump prime and replacement solutions devoid of (1) oxygen carrying capacity and (2) devoid of protein and its colloid osmotic pressure. This shortcoming of cardiopulmonary crystalloid solutions is partially responsible for two of the three major pathologic effects of cardiopulmonary bypass: (1) hypoxia (2) interstitial fluid accumulation (anasarca, water-logging, edema). This report describes an oxygen carrying hyperosmolar solution which enhances brain p02 and diminishes interstitial fluid accumulation. This blood substitute consists of perfluorcarbons and saccharides, but could consist of a hemoglobin variant...
Interval least-squares filtering with applications to video target tracking

This paper focuses on applying an interval recursive least-squares (RLS) filter to a video target tracking problem. An RLS filter can be sensitive to variations in filter parameters and disturbance to state observations to make the solutions impractical in practical problems. Specially, in the application of video target tracking using an RLS filter, inaccurate parameters in the affine model may result in noticeable deviations from true target positions to lose the target. To make results robust, each filter parameter and state observation is allowed to vary in an interval. Motivated by this idea, an interval RLS filter is proposed to produce state estimation and prediction by narrow intervals. Simulations show that an interval RLS filter is robust to state and observation noise and variations in filter parameters and state observations, and outperforms an interval Kalman filter. Using an interval RLS filter, a video target tracking algorithm is developed to estimate the target position in each frame. The proposed tracking algorithm using an interval RLS filter is robust to noise in video sequences and error of the affine models, and outperforms that using an RLS filter. Performance evaluations using real-world video sequences are provided to demonstrate effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Fine‐needle aspiration of pigmented villonodular synovitis of the temporomandibular joint masquerading as a primary parotid gland lesion

The fine-needle aspiration findings in a case of pigmented villonodular synovitis of the temporomandibular joint are presented. The characteristic cytomorphologic and clinical features of this uncommon, benign fibrohistiocytic lesion are discussed. In addition, due to the initial clinical impression of a primary parotid gland lesion, the differential diagnosis for the cytomorphologic features observed (histiocytoid cells admixed with osteoclast-like giant cells) are discussed within the context of a primary salivary gland mass.
Ex vivo effect of gold nanoparticles on porcine synovial membrane.

sizes (5–52 nm) and biomarker levels of inflammation were determined to characterize the ex vivo particle interaction with the synovium. Lipopolysaccharide or recombinant human interleukin-1 β were added to fluid environments to assess the ex vivo effect of pro-inflammatory factors on permeability and biomarker levels. The synovium showed size selective permeability with only 5 nm a uNps effectively permeating the entire tissues’ width. This process was further governed by particle stability in the fluid environment. a uNps reduced matrix metalloproteinase and lactate dehydrogenase activity and hyaluronic acid concentrations but had no effect on prostaglandin e 2 levels. exposure to pro-inflammatory factors did not significantly affect auNp permeation or biomarker levels in this model. r esults with ex vivo tissue modeling of porcine synovium support an anti-inflammatory effect of a uNps warranting further investigation.
Have changing forests conditions contributed to pollinator decline in the southeastern United States

Two conservation goals of the early 20th century, extensive reforestation and reduced wildfire through fire exclusion, may have contributed to declining pollinator abundance as forests became denser and shrub covered. To examine how forest structure affects bees we selected 5 stands in each of 7 forest types including: cleared forest; dense young pines; thinned young pines; mature open pine with extensive shrub/sapling cover; mature open pine with extensive herbaceous plant cover and little shrub cover; mature upland hardwood forest; and mature riparian hardwood forest. We sampled bees during the 2008 growing season using pan traps and measured overstory tree density, understory herbaceous plant and shrub diversity and cover, light penetration, and leaf area index. Numbers of bees and numbers of species per plot were highest in cleared forest and in mature pine stands with an herbaceous plant understory. Estimates of asymptotic species richness were highest in mature riparian hardwood forests, cleared forests and open pine forests with an herbaceous plant understory. Bee communities in the cleared forests and in the mature pine with an herbaceous plant understory were grouped together in ordination space which was consistent with perMANOVA results. The best predictor variable for bee species density was total tree basal area which was negatively correlated (r2 = 0.58), while the best model for predicting bee abundance (r2 = 0.62) included canopy openness, plant species density (both positively correlated) and shrub cover (negatively correlated). Our results combined with many others show that thinning forests combined with shrub control provides good bee habitat, is compatible with habitat restoration and management for other species, and the resulting forests will be healthier and less susceptible to old (e.g., southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis) and new (European woodwasp, Sirex noctilio) threats.
When Medicine Meets Engineering—Paradigm Shifts in Diagnostics and Therapeutics

During the last two decades, the manufacturing techniques of microfluidics-based devices have been phenomenally advanced, offering unlimited potential for bio-medical technologies. However, the direct applications of these technologies toward diagnostics and therapeutics are still far from maturity. The present challenges lay at the interfaces between the engineering systems and the biocomplex systems. A precisely designed engineering system with narrow dynamic range is hard to seamlessly integrate with the adaptive biological system in order to achieve the design goals. These differences remain as the roadblock between two fundamentally non-compatible systems. This paper will not extensively review the existing microfluidic sensors and actuators; rather, we will discuss the sources of the gaps for integration. We will also introduce system interface technologies for bridging the differences to lead toward paradigm shifts in diagnostics and therapeutics.
Cancer-related and treatment-related fatigue

Fatigue is a distressing and persistent symptom for patients with gynecological cancer and for survivors. Debilitating cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is produced by both the disease and its treatment. Although awareness and study of CRF have grown in recent years, consistent assessment has not been a priority in routine medical practice. The pathophysiological mechanisms that induce CRF remain unclear, and effective pharmacological interventions have yet to be established. Based on the literature and our own research results, this review focuses on recent progress toward understanding the nature and causes of CRF and on several promising treatment modalities. Given the prevalence and severity of CRF in the gynecological cancer patient population, establishing standardized fatigue measurement and management methods in routine clinical oncology care is of utmost importance. Whether CRF has an underlying inflammatory cause is still hypothetical, however, and no mechanism-driven symptom intervention is currently in clinical use, even though the development of such interventions would provide patients with greater symptom control. Advancing translational and clinical fatigue research will require anatomical pathway studies and well-designed clinical investigations that focus on the development of mechanism-driven interventions based on physiological–behavioral fatigue research, implementation of guidelines for experimental designs, and discovery of biomarkers identifying individuals at high risk for CRF. Validated patient-reported outcomes measures are an essential component of such clinical studies. Because numerous subscales, unidimensional measures, and multidimensional measures exist, clinicians and researchers should consider individual circumstances, good clinical practice, and research goals as guides for choosing the most appropriate fatigue measurement tool. Additionally, education about CRF should be made available to all patients and their caregivers, as accurate and age-appropriate information about conditions like CRF can alleviate much of the stress and anxiety brought on by poor communication about this distressing condition.
Characterization of Low Bone Mass in Young Patients with Thalassemia by DXA, pQCT and Markers of Bone Turnover

Previous reports using dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) suggest that up to 70% of adults with thalassemia major (Thal) have low bone mass. However, few studies have controlled for body size and pubertal delay, variables known to affect bone mass in this population. In this study, bone mineral content and areal density (BMC, aBMD) of the spine and whole body were assessed by DXA, and volumetric BMD and cortical geometries of the distal tibia by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) in subjects with Thal (n = 25, 11 male, 10 to 30 years) and local controls (n=34, 15 male, 7 to 30 years). Z-scores for bone outcomes were calculated from reference data from a large sample of healthy children and young adults. Fasting blood and urine were collected, pubertal status determined by self-assessment and dietary intake and physical activity assessed by written questionnaires. Subjects with Thal were similar in age, but had lower height, weight and lean mass index Z-scores (all p 18 years, n = 11) had lower tibial trabecular vBMD (p = 0.03), cortical area, cortical BMC, cortical thickness, periosteal circumference and section modulus Z-scores (all p < 0.01) compared to controls. Cortical area, cortical BMC, cortical thickness, and periosteal circumference Z-scores (p = 0.02) were significantly lower in young Thal (≤ 18 years, n = 14) compared to controls. In separate multivariate models, tibial cortical area, BMC, and thickness and spine aBMD and whole body BMC Z-scores remained lower in Thal compared to controls after adjustment for gender, lean mass and/or growth deficits (all p < 0.01). Tanner stage was not predictive in these models. Osteocalcin, a marker of bone formation, was significantly reduced in Thal compared to controls after adjusting for age, puberty and whole body BMC (p=0.029). In summary, we have found evidence of skeletal deficits that cannot be dismissed as an artifact of small bone size or delayed maturity alone. Given that reduced bone density and strength are associated with increased risk of fracture, therapies focused on increasing bone formation and bone size in younger patients are worthy of further evaluation.
Effects of repeated maternal separation on prepulse inhibition of startle across inbred mouse strains

A growing body of research implicates genetic factors and childhood trauma in the etiology of neuropsychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia. However, there remains little understanding of how genetic variation influences early life stress to affect later disease susceptibility. Studies in rats have shown that postnatal maternal separation (MS) results in later deficits in prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response (PPI), an impairment in sensorimotor gating found in schizophrenic patients. In the present study, genetic differences in the effects of repeated MS on PPI were examined in eight inbred strains of mice (129S1/SvImJ, 129P3/J, A/J, BALB/cJ, BALB/cByJ C57BL/6J, DBA/2J and FVB/NJ). Mice were assigned to either MS (180 min/day on postnatal days P0-P13), 'handling' (15 min/day, P0-P13) or facility-reared conditions and tested for PPI at 12 weeks of age. Results demonstrated major strain differences in the production of viable offspring irrespective of MS, leading to the exclusion of 129P3/J, A/J and BALB/cJ from the study. Pups from the five remaining strains exhibited marked differences in the acoustic startle response and PPI, confirming previous strain comparisons. However, MS produced no significant effects on PPI in any of the strains tested. A second form of postnatal stress (repeated footshock) also failed to alter PPI in the one strain studied, C57BL/6J. Present results demonstrate that the form of MS studied herein does not provide a robust model of early life stress effects on PPI in the mouse strains tested. The development and validation of a reliable mouse model of early life stress remains an important research goal.
Hamster oocyte penetration tests with oocytes frozen in propanediol: comparison with non-frozen oocytes.

Hamster oocytes were frozen using a 1,2-propanediol-sucrose procedure, which resulted in over 90% survival. After thawing and zona removal the oocytes were compared with non-frozen oocytes in a zona-free hamster egg test employing spermatozoa from human semen donors and suspected infertility patients. Similar data were obtained, indicating that propancdiol-sucrose frozen hamster eggs may be used in place of fresh eggs for convenience and to a void scheduling problems.
The real world: CLL

In this issue of Blood, Danese and colleagues present a large database analysis of patterns of care and outcomes with respect to chemoimmunotherapy for older patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Their analysis demonstrates some of the important benefits and limitations of health services research as it relates to hematology.
ON THE SCATTERING PHASE FOR AdS5 × S5 STRINGS

We propose a phase factor of the worldsheet S-matrix for strings on AdS5 × S5 apparently solving Janik's crossing relation exactly.
Water Structural Changes in the L and M Photocycle Intermediates of Bacteriorhodopsin as Revealed by Time-Resolved Step-Scan Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy†

In previous Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) studies of the photocycle intermediates of bacteriorhodopsin at cryogenic temperatures, water molecules were observed in the L intermediate, in the region surrounded by protein residues between the Schiff base and Asp96. In the M intermediate, the water molecules had moved away toward the Phe219−Thr46 region. To evaluate the relevance of this scheme at room temperature, time-resolved FTIR difference spectra of bacteriorhodopsin, including the water O−H stretching vibration frequency regions, were recorded in the micro- and millisecond time ranges. Vibrational changes of weakly hydrogen-bonded water molecules were observed in L, M, and N. In each of these intermediates, the depletion of a water O−H stretching vibration at 3645 cm-1, originating from the initial unphotolyzed bacteriorhodopsin, was observed as a trough in the difference spectrum. This vibration is due to the dangling O−H group of a water molecule, which interacts with Asp85, and its absence in ea...
EFFECTS OF OVERLEARNING AND SPATIAL DELAY OF REINFORCEMENT UPON A DISCRIMINATION REVERSAL.

Rats were trained on a brightness discrimination task under two conditions of spatial delay of reinforcement. Groups received either 0 or 150 postcriterial trials and then were given reversal training. Reversal training was under either the same delay as experienced in original learning or the alternate one. The results indicated that the delay variable, ineffective in original learning, affected reversal acquisition. The postcriterial trials had no affect on trials to reversal criterion. Further analysis indicated that overtraining resulted in a greater number of initial responses to the originally positive stimulus early in reversal training.
Academic radiology: the reasons to stay or leave1

Abstract Rationale and Objectives. To find major reasons why junior academic radiologists leave academia for private practice and to suggest future changes to motivate them to stay. Materials and Methods. 2000 surveys were sent to every tenth member of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) who completed training within the past decade. Those in academic institutions and those who left within 5 years were asked to respond. Results. 132 radiologists responded. Thirty-two percent of responders were in academic radiology. Of those in academic radiology, 71% plan to stay at the same institution, 7% are planning to move to another academic institution, 17% are considering private practice, and 5% are leaving for private practice. The main reasons to leave were low pay and lack of academic time. Sixty-eight percent of responders already left academia after an average of 3.28 years. Ninety-five percent feel the decision was good, and 65% would not go back. Forty-nine percent experienced more than 100% pay increase, 60% feel they work harder, and 62% feel quality of life is better. Conclusion. Significant changes should be made to motivate junior radiologists to stay in academia. Developing leaders in radiology is a must, and should be a top priority. Academic radiologists should not be expected to read private practice volumes and still have time to produce quality research and teaching. Clinical duties should be limited to 32 hours per week. At least 1 day a week should be protected academic time. Efforts should be made to decrease the discrepancy between incomes. Mentoring is important, allowing a smooth transition for junior faculty members to optimize academic progress and lead to promotion.
Long-term supplementation of various dietary lipids alters bone mineral content, mechanical properties and histological characteristics of Japanese quail

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term supplementation of fat in the diets on the fatty acid composition, chemical, mechanical, and histological properties of tibial bone. Month-old male Japanese quail were fed a basal diet containing either soybean oil (SBO), hydrogenated soybean oil (HSBO), chicken fat (CF), or menhaden fish oil (FO) at 50 g/kg of the diet and maintained on these diets for 7 mo. Lipid treatments did not affect body weight, food intake, tibial length, or diameter. The FO diet group had the highest percentage of tibial ash, and both the FO and HSBO significantly increased tibial mineral content compared to those given SBO or CF. The type and amount of fatty acids in the diets had a profound influence on fatty acid composition of lipids in tibial cortical bones. Quail fed FO had the highest concentration of (n-3) fatty acids, and those fed SBO were highest in (n-6) fatty acids. The HSBO diet, containing high level of trans-fatty acids, led to the accumulation of these fatty acids in bone. In quail, long-term supplementation of FO or HSBO increased tibial shear force and shear stress and improved histological cortical thickness and density when compared to those given SBO or CF. These results suggest that long-term exposure to a FO or HSBO diet have a significant beneficial effect on bone metabolism.
The New Public Management at Middle Age: Critiques of the Performance Movement

series, as do the authors of the previous two works in the series: Norma M. Riccucci, author of How Management Matters (2005) and David H. Rosenbloom, coauthor with Howard McCurdy of Revisiting Waldo's Administrative State (2006). This review will concentrate on the works by Radin and the two Fredericksons. However, consideration of the series as a whole points to what we might call the "Radin critique" of public management. There is unusual overlap in the findings of the four works, which together provide powerful and useful ideas about performance, oversight, and measurement in the context of some enduring issues in public administration.
INTRA-ATOMIC MAGNETIC INTERACTIONS FOR f ELECTRONS.

An examination is made of the effects of spin-spin and spin-other-orbit interactions on the energy levels of $f$-electron configurations. The theory is applied to several rare-earth atoms and ions under a number of simplifying assumptions. Considerable improvements in the fits between experiment and theory are obtained, particularly for the sextets of Gd iv. Electrostatically correlated spin-orbit interaction is studied and found not to be susceptible to parametric absorption into the ordinary spin-orbit and spin-other-orbit interactions. The various contributions to the effective Hamiltonian for two electrons are decomposed into parts having well-defined group-theoretical properties, in preparation for their calculation for any configuration ${f}^{N}$.
Thermal Protection during Percutaneous Thermal Ablation of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Thermal injury to collateral structures is a known complication of thermal ablation of tumors. The authors present the use of CO2 dissection and inserted balloons to protect the bowel during percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation and cryotherapy of primary and locally recurrent renal cell carcinoma. These techniques offer the potential to increase the number of tumors that can be treated with RF ablation or cryotherapy from a percutaneous approach.
The influence of obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus on accretion and the distribution of adipose tissue in pregnancy

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of pregravid obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on the longitudinal accretion and distribution of adipose tissue in pregnancy. Study design Women with normal glucose tolerance and GDM were evaluated before conception, early (12-14 weeks) and late (33-36 weeks) in gestation. Fat mass, lean body mass, and percent body fat were assessed longitudinally with hydrodensitometry. Serial biceps, triceps, subscapular, iliac, costal, mid thigh, and lower thigh skinfold measurements quantified the changes in fat mass distribution. Pregravid obesity was defined as >25% body fat. Results Subjects included 19 patients with GDM (5 lean women, 14 obese women), and 33 patients with normal glucose tolerance (controls; 12 lean women, 21 obese women). GDM and control subjects were similar in pregravid percent body fat (29.6% vs 27.9%, P =.47) and fat mass (20.8 kg vs 18.2 kg, P =.37). Values for subjects with GDM and controls were also similar in terms of percent body fat, fat mass, and weight gained (change in percent body fat, −0.7% vs 1.9% [ P =.07]; change in fat mass, 3.8 kg vs 5.0 kg [ P =.08]; change in weight, 12.0 kg vs 13.2 kg [ P =.35]). Lean subjects gained more percent body fat compared with obese subjects (change in percent body fat, 3.3% vs 0.1% [ P =.004]) but gained similar amounts of fat mass (change in fat mass, 4.7 kg vs 4.2 kg [ P =.58]), lean body mass (7.6 kg vs 8.8 kg [ P =.18]), and weight (change in weight, 12.3kg vs 13.0 kg [ P =.61]) The distribution of adipose tissue that was accumulated as estimated with skinfold measurements was similar between patients with GDM and glucose tolerance ( P >.05 for all changes in skinfolds), but significantly different between lean and obese patients ( P Conclusion Lean women accrue significantly more fat mass than obese women, regardless of glucose tolerance. Pregestational obesity rather than GDM influences the distribution of adipose accretion.
Colour composite comparisons for agricultural assessments

Abstract There have been extensive evaluations of different remote sensing digital classification techniques. In contrast, there has been very little systematic evaluation of various enhancements, such as different colour composites, for visual interpretations. This study examined three Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) colour composites for visual classification of agricultural crops in an Imperial Valley, California study area. Accuracy results varied considerablywith the composite from the best three bands as determined by transformed divergence calculations being more useful than an image obtained via principle components or the standard infrared simulated false colour composite.
Characteristics of sleep following sexual activity and wheel running in male rats

Abstract The EEG sleep patterns of 12 male rats were studied for 4 hr following each of three different conditions: sexual activity, wheel running and no manipulation. Sexual activity was followed by substantial increases in sleep as indicated by several measures. Wheel running produced some enhancement of sleep, but significantly less than did sexual activity. Sleep following sexual activity generally was characterized by fewer, relatively long episodes, whereas that following wheel running was characterized by more short episodes.
Avoiding Professional Publication Panic: Advice to New Scholars Seeking to Publish in the Field of Early Childhood Education

This article provides practical strategies for beginning scholars to assist in writing for professional publications. Specific strategies include awareness/understanding of publication requirements of institutions, types of manuscripts, creating time and space for writing, knowing publication outlets in the field, ethics/plagiarism, the manuscript submission and evaluation process, and ideas for turning rejected articles into accepted ones.
Reduced Basis Method for Nanodevices Simulation

Ballistic transport simulation in nanodevices, which involves self-consistently solving a coupled Schrodinger-Poisson system of equations, is usually computationally intensive. Here, we propose coupling the reduced basis method with the subband decomposition method to improve the overall efficiency of the simulation. By exploiting a posteriori error estimation procedure and greedy sampling algorithm, we are able to design an algorithm where the computational cost is reduced significantly. In addition, the computational cost only grows marginally with the number of grid points in the confined direction.
Does Degree of Androgen Suppression Matter in Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer?

In men with metastatic prostate cancer, androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) is the mainstay of therapy. Through reduction of serum testosterone from normal levels (approximately 250 to 950 ng/dL [8 to 32 nmol/L]) to castrate levels, ADT has been shown to reduce tumor burden and alleviate symptoms and may improve survival. Although ADT can suppress circulating testosterone levels by 90% to 95%, not all men achieve a testosterone level in the castrate range; others may initially achieve castrate levels but then experience testosterone breakthrough above that level. Castration has historically been defined as serum testosterone of less than 20 ng/dL (0.7 nmol/L), although a threshold of less than 50 ng/dL (1.7 nmol/L) was adopted by the Prostate Cancer Working Group 2 for the purposes of clinical trial accrual.1 However, this was essentially an arbitrary threshold, and the clinical significance of the testosterone level and the optimal degree of testosterone suppression following ADT remain in question.
Regulation of urinary bladder function by protein kinase C in physiology and pathophysiology

Background Protein kinase C (PKC) is expressed in many tissues and organs including the urinary bladder, however, its role in bladder physiology and pathophysiology is still evolving. The aim of this review was to evaluate available evidence on the involvement of PKC in regulation of detrusor contractility, muscle tone of the bladder wall, spontaneous contractile activity and bladder function under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
Reliability Influences from Electrical Overstress on LSI Devices

Reliability prediction of MOS LSI devices by testing at elevated temperature can be influenced by electrostatic discharge and electrical overstress conditions during the test period. MOS devices that used junction diodes in the input protection structure were found to be more susceptible to failure from electrostatic discharge in 125°C ambient temperature than at 25°C. Failure analysis and modeling indicate that this effect is more severe for MOS LSI devices than for bipolar devices due to the doping levels used in the MOS technology. These effects will impact accelerated life testing, simulation testing of electronic systems to be operated at elevated temperatures and failure analysis techniques performed at elevated temperatures.
Transport anomalies in dilute silver-rare earth alloys

Abstract It is noted that the residual resistivities for Ag alloyed with rare earth impurities from the latter half of the rare earth series are approximately three times the residual resistivity for any other trivalent impurity. Moreover, these residual resistivities are essentially independent of the magnetic character of the impurities. New thermoelectric power data indicate the impurity contributions to the diffusion thermoelectric power are positive . These anomalies are shown to be consistent with a very simple model which includes core contributions to the seattering.