cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increased prolactin binding and morphological changes in the wound epithelium of regenerating limbs of Notophthalmus viridescens

Distribution of prolactin has been examined in regenerating forelimbs from the newt Notophthalmus viridescens. Specific prolactin binding was demonstrated in homogenates of unamputated tissue, and of regenerating limbs at from 3 to 21 days postamputation. Labeled prolactin that was injected intraperitoneally into animals with one regenerating limb accumulated in the most distal portion of the regenerate at 7 and 14 days postamputation. Light microscopic autoradiography demonstrated that labeled prolactin was localized most heavily in the apical, outer layer of the wound epithelium. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that, in addition to changes in prolactin affinity following amputation, morphological changes occurred in the apical wound epithelium as well. Cell surfaces of the stump epidermis were characterized by periodic dispersion of papillae among a network of interconnecting structures 1–2 μm across. By contrast, the surfaces of cells from the area in which labeled prolactin was found to localize most intensely were characterized by lack of papillae and, depending on the stage of regeneration, a pattern of microvilli and microplicae. These morphological alterations appear to reflect functional and biochemical differences between stump epidermis and wound epithelium.
Rheumatic Fever Bacteriologic Studies of a Non-Methemoglobin-Forming Streptococcus with Special Reference to its Soluble Toxin Production

Recent studies on the production of soluble toxins by Streptococcus scarlatinae,1 Streptococcus erysipelatis,2 and certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus,3 suggested a study of possible toxin production by a series of other streptococci. The first indication of a toxin producing streptococcus associated with rheumatic fever was obtained by the author in March, 1926, when an unusual strain of a nonhemolytic and non-methemoglobin-forming streptococcus was repeatedly isolated from blood cultures taken from a 5 year old girl, admitted to the Strong Memorial Hospital, on March 23, 1926. The patient was found to be ill with acute rheumatic fever, endocarditis, myocarditis, pericarditis, and pleurisy. On March 31 the patient expired and at autopsy, the clinical diagnosis was confirmed. From the vegetations on the mitral valves a streptococcus was isolated, identical biologically with the organism obtained from blood cultures during life. At that particular time, our laboratory was engaged in the study of soluble toxins produced by streptococci associated with scarlet fever and erysipelas. The strains of non-methemoglobin-forming streptococci isolated from the case of rheumatic fever, labelled in these studies as RF. 1, were found to produce a potent, soluble, thermostable toxin, similar in many respects with those produced by the scarlet fever and erysipelas streptococci. Perhaps, more striking than their ability to produce a soluble toxin, was their action upon the complex carbohydrates, in that they consistently fermented inulin and salicin, and differed definitely from the pneumococcus in that they remained bile insoluble. The unusual biological character-
Numerical Simulations of Cluster Formation Using a Discrete Velocity Kinetic Theory of Gases.

Cluster formation is simulated numerically with discrete velocity Boltzmann model in two space dimensions. The model exhibits cluster coagulation, fragmentation and transport. It evolves two different scales obtained from an elastic and inelastic collision Knudsen numbers e and µ respectively. For flow impinging on a wall with specularly reflective boundary condition these scales appear both analytically and numerically.
What Is Distinctive about China′s Economic Transition? State Enterprise Reform and Overall System Transformation

Abstract Entry of nonstate industrial firms has played a crucial role in China′s reform process by creating markets and competition. Yet the state-owned sector has also performed adequately, improving incentives and productivity, and turning in a respectable growth performance. Moderate improvements in the state sector have thus supported a virtuous cycle of reform. Simple contrasts between state and private ownership systems therefore explain little of China′s apparently successful combination of reform and growth. J. Comp. Econom., June 1994, 18 (3), 470-490. University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0519.
The changing association between social status and coronary heart disease in a rural population.

Abstract Until recently, inconsistent findings regarding the association between social status and coronary heart disease (CHD) have been explained primarily in terms of methodologic differences among studies. However, a closer examination of selected findings reveals that the association may have changed from positive (increasing risk with higher social status) to negative (increasing risk with lower social status) in certain urban populations as the absolute rate of CHD was also changing, following a period of rapid socio-ecologic change or “modernization”. The purpose of this study is to investigate a possible change in social status effect and to examine its biological basis for the white adult population of a rural county in Georgia between 1960 and 1974. While an apparent change in the association between social status and CHD was found for men in the predicted direction, no trend was found for women. The change was most dramatic among men under the age of 55 for whom the age-standardized ratio measure of association shifted from significantly greater than one (the null value) to significantly less than one. This result was concluded to be valid and is consistent with the finding of a substantial decline in CHD mortality during the same period for men in the study population but not for women. There is convincing evidence that the changing effect of social status was partially due to differential changes in certain biological risk factors of CHD, as intervening factors-particularly blood pressure increases among younger men during the 1960's. Alternatively, there was no support for the hypothesis that social status modified the effect of biological factors on CHD. Major sex differences in the findings and the implications of these results are discussed in the general context of social epidemiologic research.
Buckling of bridging fibres in composites

In brittle materials such as concrete and ceramics, fibre reinforcement has been widely accepted as an effective way of improving their strength and toughness. In addition, a notable pseudo strain-hardening phenomenon can contribute to a significantly enhanced ductility of the composite when an adequately designed fibre system is used. This condition was first proposed by Aveston et al. [1], and later extended by Marshall et al. [2] for continuous aligned fibre reinforced brittle matrix composites. More recently, further extensions to randomly oriented discontinuous fibre reinforced composites have been presented [3, 4]. Upon satisfying the conditions described in the above mentioned micromechanical models, the ultimate tensile strains of the composites are usually improved by two orders of magnitude [5-7]. Total fracture energy reaching 35 kJ/m 2 was also reported for a 2% polyethylene fibre reinforced cement paste [8]. This kind of ductile fracture resembles metal instead of brittle materials. The pseudo strain-hardening behaviour of fibre reinforced brittle matrix composites is associated with multiple cracking, and results from adequate stress transfer capability of bridging fibres. Studies are typically conducted under monotonic tensile loading only. In reality, composites are usually subject to cyclic loads. As a preliminary report of ongoing research on the cyclic behaviour of pseudo strain-hardening cementitious composites, we present initial findings on buckling of bridging nylon fibres across fracture planes in a cement composite after complete unloading in tension. An analytic model is also proposed to account for this buckling phenomenon. Type I Portland cement, silica fume and superplasticizer were used to form the cement paste with water/cementitious ratio of 0.27. Discontinuous nylon fibres (Lr = 21 mm, dr = 25/+m, and Ef = 5.2 GPa) were used to reinforce the paste at a volume fraction of 2%. Tensile coupon specimens of size 304.8 × 76.2 x 12.7 mm were prepared and tested under direct tension in a servo hydraulic tester. Detailed mix proportions and testing procedures can be found elsewhere [9]. Tensile stressstrain curves were recorded. An optical microscope with 50 times magnification was used to examine the bridging fibres after the specimen was completely unloaded. The stress-strain curve is shown in Fig. 1, where four peaks are identified, corresponding to four multiple cracks which occurred within a length of
Learning from What Works: Improving an Introductory Computing Course for Architects with Teaching Methods from Media Computation (Abstract Only)

This poster describes an ongoing five-year assessment of a new introductory programming course for architecture students at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The goal of this course is to teach the fundamentals of computing with an emphasis on their relation to design and aesthetics. Many of the students struggle with the material, as they typically come into the course with no prior programming experience. To improve class performance, the author turned to instructional methods developed for Media Computation, which have been successfully used to teach introductory programming to non-major students for more than a decade. Our data suggest that the same methods -- media-based contextual content, pair programming, and peer instruction -- can have positive effects for students taking an introductory programming course taught by and for disciplines other than computer science. Compared to the first version of the course, which used traditional labs and lectures, the second iteration of the course, updated with the three instructional methods from Media Computation, resulted in higher student retention and an increase in student interest in computing topics. These improvements have remained consistent over the past three years. The data implies that research-based practices from computer science education can be used to improve computing education in other domains.
Patient perceptions of physical and emotional discomfort related to urodynamic testing: A questionnaire-based study in men and women with and without neurologic conditions

Objective To determine predictors of physical and emotional discomfort associated with urodynamic testing in men and women both with and without neurologic conditions. Methods An anonymous questionnaire-based study was completed by patients immediately after undergoing fluoroscopic urodynamic testing. Participants were asked questions pertaining to their perceptions of physical and emotional discomfort related to the study, their urologic and general health history, and demographics. Logistic regression was performed to determine predictors of physical and emotional discomfort. Results A total of 314 patients completed the questionnaire representing a response rate of 60%. Half of the respondents (50.7%) felt that the examination was neither physically nor emotionally uncomfortable, whereas 29.0% and 12.4% of respondents felt that the physical and emotional components of the examination were most uncomfortable, respectively. Placement of the urethral catheter was the most commonly reported component of physical discomfort (42.9%), whereas anxiety (27.7%) was the most commonly reported component of emotional discomfort. Presence of a neurologic problem (odds ratio, 0.273; 95% confidence interval, 0.121-0.617) and older age (odds ratio, 0.585; 95% confidence interval, 0.405-0.847) were factors associated with less physical discomfort. There were no significant predictors of emotional discomfort based on our model. Conclusion Urodynamic studies were well tolerated regardless of gender. Presence of a neurologic condition and older age were predictors of less physical discomfort. These findings are useful in counseling patients regarding what to expect when having urodynamic procedures.
The bilaterally asymmetrical architecture of the submammalian corneal stroma resembles a cholesteric liquid crystal.

Abstract Analysis of serial sections of corneas of birds, fishes, amphibians, and reptiles cut perpendicular to the optical axis reveal that the collagenous stroma is a cholesteric liquid crystal-like lattice which has the same handedness in both eyes and is thus bilaterally asymmetrical.
Cover Picture: Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 8/2002

The cover picture shows the simple, one-step synthesis of cyclo[8]pyrroles, a new class of aromatic heteroannulene. Using a newly developed biphasic oxidative coupling procedure that employs aqueous FeCl3 as the oxidant, these novel porphyrin-like systems may be obtained in yields exceeding 70% starting from well-known bipyrrolic precursors. While formally derived from porphyrin as the result of substituting a pyrrole for each of the original bridging meso-carbon atoms, the cyclo[8]pyrroles differ from these quintessential tetrapyrrolic macroycles by virtue of Q-like absorption bands that are red-shifted into the near IR. Cyclo[8]pyrroles also show a propensity for protonation and anion binding that is underscored by the X-ray structure of the sulfate salt that makes up the background for this illustration. More on these exciting new molecules can be found in the communication by J. L. Sessler et al. on pp. 1422–1425.
Fast and High Accuracy Multigrid Solution of the Three Dimensional Poisson Equation

We employ a fourth-order compact finite difference scheme (FOS) with the multigrid algorithm to solve the three dimensional Poisson equation. We test the influence of different orderings of the grid space and different grid-transfer operators on the convergence and efficiency of our high accuracy algorithm. Fourier smoothing analysis is conducted to show that FOS has a smaller smoothing factor than the traditional second-order central difference scheme (CDS). A new method of Fourier smoothing analysis is proposed for the partially decoupled red-black Gauss?Seidel relaxation with FOS. Numerical results are given to compare the computed accuracy and the computational efficiency of FOS with multigrid against CDS with multigrid.
Gestalt Principles in Multimodal Data Representation

Data visualization is a powerful tool to communicate data in a clear, digestible format through graphical means. To be effective, however, form and function need to work in tandem, filtering layers of noise to reveal the key aspects of the analyzed data. Indeed, this could prove to be sufficient in discovering already known patterns. Still, the search for undiscovered patterns would require the full dataset to be presented as a whole, which bears the risk of sensory overload. Human sensory systems function as a systemic unit in relation to one another, dynamically sampling the signals around us to give a concise scene analysis. To decipher a complex, multidimensional dataset, a representational system that is able to reproduce the layers of information through different stimulations would be required. This article explores the possibilities of using multimodal data representation as a method to communicate multidimensional data, guided by the principles of Gestalt psychology. Point Cloud, an artwork that implements such explorations through the visualization and sonification of lightning data is presented as an application of this research. The Web extra can be found at http://youtu.be/pQtxsvgv80E.
Consensus sediment quality guidelines for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures

Sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been derived from a variety of laboratory, field, and theoretical foundations. They include the screening level concentration, effects ranges—low and—median, equilibrium partitioning concentrations, apparent effects threshold, ΣPAH model, and threshold and probable effects levels. The resolution of controversial differences among the PAH SQGs lies in an understanding of the effects of mixtures. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons virtually always occur in field-collected sediment as a complex mixture of covarying compounds. When expressed as a mixture concentration, that is, total PAH (TPAH), the guidelines form three clusters that were intended in their original derivations to represent threshold (TEC = 290 μg/g organic carbon [OC]), median (MEC = 1,800 μg/g OC), and extreme (EEC = 10,000 μg/g OC) effects concentrations. The TEC/MEC/EEC consensus guidelines provide a unifying synthesis of other SQGs, reflect causal rather than correlative effects, account for mixtures, and predict sediment toxicity and benthic community perturbations at sites of PAH contamination. The TEC offers the most useful SQG because PAH mixtures are unlikely to cause adverse effects on benthic ecosystems below the TEC.
Combining a dispersal model with network theory to assess habitat connectivity

Assessing the potential for threatened species to persist and spread within fragmented landscapes requires the identification of core areas that can sustain resident populations and dispersal corridors that can link these core areas with isolated patches of remnant habitat. We developed a set of GIS tools, simulation methods, and network analysis procedures to assess potential landscape connectivity for the Delmarva fox squirrel (DFS; Sciurus niger cinereus), an endangered species inhabiting forested areas on the Delmarva Peninsula, USA. Information on the DFS's life history and dispersal characteristics, together with data on the composition and configuration of land cover on the peninsula, were used as input data for an individual-based model to simulate dispersal patterns of millions of squirrels. Simulation results were then assessed using methods from graph theory, which quantifies habitat attributes associated with local and global connectivity. Several bottlenecks to dispersal were identified that were not apparent from simple distance-based metrics, highlighting specific locations for landscape conservation, restoration, and/or squirrel translocations. Our approach links simulation models, network analysis, and available field data in an efficient and general manner, making these methods useful and appropriate for assessing the movement dynamics of threatened species within landscapes being altered by human and natural disturbances.
Magnet Shape Optimization to Reduce Pulsating Torque for a Five-Phase Permanent-Magnet Low-Speed Machine

Five-phase surface-mounted permanent-magnet machines can inherently produce a smooth electromagnetic torque which can be increased when using third harmonic current injection. To really take advantage of these characteristics, the rotor magnets can be shaped to obtain a back electromotive force with large third harmonic term. This is the scope of this paper. For the design specifications of a low-speed marine propulsion machine, the following objective must be achieved: to significantly mitigate the pulsating torque without reducing the average torque bearing in mind the solution where the rotor is made with full pole-pitch magnets. An analytical field computation, called equivalent coil method, is developed to quickly explore the magnet geometries. Thus a procedure to optimize small trapezoid notches at the surface of the pole magnets is performed. Referring to the classical fully pole-pitch magnet shape, the solution found allows a substantial reduction of the pulsating torque without reducing the torque density. Furthermore, with regard to an equivalent three-phase machine, for the same copper losses, the average torque of the optimized five-phase machine can be potentially higher if the third harmonic current injection is implemented.
Asynchronous Distributed Learning of Topic Models

Distributed learning is a problem of fundamental interest in machine learning and cognitive science. In this paper, we present asynchronous distributed learning algorithms for two well-known unsupervised learning frameworks: Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) and Hierarchical Dirichlet Processes (HDP). In the proposed approach, the data are distributed across P processors, and processors independently perform Gibbs sampling on their local data and communicate their information in a local asynchronous manner with other processors. We demonstrate that our asynchronous algorithms are able to learn global topic models that are statistically as accurate as those learned by the standard LDA and HDP samplers, but with significant improvements in computation time and memory. We show speedup results on a 730-million-word text corpus using 32 processors, and we provide perplexity results for up to 1500 virtual processors. As a stepping stone in the development of asynchronous HDP, a parallel HDP sampler is also introduced.
Dephosphorylation and Intracellular Redistribution of Ventricular Connexin43 During Electrical Uncoupling Induced by Ischemia

Electrical uncoupling at gap junctions during acute myocardial ischemia contributes to conduction abnormalities and reentrant arrhythmias. Increased levels of intracellular Ca(2+) and H(+) and accumulation of amphipathic lipid metabolites during ischemia promote uncoupling, but other mechanisms may play a role. We tested the hypothesis that uncoupling induced by acute ischemia is associated with changes in phosphorylation of the major cardiac gap junction protein, connexin43 (Cx43). Adult rat hearts perfused on a Langendorff apparatus were subjected to ischemia or ischemia/reperfusion. Changes in coupling were monitored by measuring whole-tissue resistance. Changes in the amount and distribution of phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated isoforms of Cx43 were measured by immunoblotting and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy using isoform-specific antibodies. In control hearts, virtually all Cx43 identified immunohistochemically at apparent intercellular junctions was phosphorylated. During ischemia, however, Cx43 underwent progressive dephosphorylation with a time course similar to that of electrical uncoupling. The total amount of Cx43 did not change, but progressive reduction in total Cx43 immunofluorescent signal and concomitant accumulation of nonphosphorylated Cx43 signal occurred at sites of intercellular junctions. Functional recovery during reperfusion was associated with increased levels of phosphorylated Cx43. These observations suggest that uncoupling induced by ischemia is associated with dephosphorylation of Cx43, accumulation of nonphosphorylated Cx43 within gap junctions, and translocation of Cx43 from gap junctions into intracellular pools.
Gastric and duodenal features of meals mediate controls of liquid gastric emptying during fill in rhesus monkeys

To study the dynamics of liquid gastric emptying in rhesus monkeys under conditions that simulated gastric fill during a meal, we measured the gastric emptying of liquid glucose at various concentrations and volumes when administered intragastrically at rates ranging from 12.5 to 37.5 ml/min. Glucose gastric emptying was faster during than following the period of gastric fill. At a single glucose concentration, volume infused rather than the rate of filling determined the volume emptied. Lower glucose concentrations emptied more slowly than physiological saline. As glucose concentration increased, emptying during fill slowed. Duodenal glucose infusions greatly slowed the rate of saline emptying during fill, demonstrating duodenal feedback control. Although casein hydrolosate emptied more rapidly than glucose, the dynamics of volume and concentration dependency and the role of duodenal feedback were similar. These data reveal that both gastric volume and duodenal negative feedback controls important in gastric emptying following stomach filling also contribute to its control during fill.
Study and construction of a Thiomicrospira crunogena mutant for the cardiolipin gene

Abstract. Thiomicrospira crunogena is a chemolithoautotrophic gamma-proteobacterium that has the ability to survive in fluctuating levels of inorganic carbon due to its carbon concentrating mechanism (CCM). The purpose of this study was to construct a genetic mutant of T. crunogena that would be unable to survive in low levels of inorganic carbon, in order to identify gene(s) involved in T. crunogena's CCM. First, Escherichia coli (BW 20767) was conjugated with T. crunogena so that the Tn5 transposon in this E. coli strain would randomly insert into the T. crunogena genome and interrupt the coding region of a gene involved in the CCM of T. crunogena. Then, mutants were selected based on the ability to survive in different amounts of inorganic carbon. Next, the DNA from the T. crunogena mutants was isolated and a genomic library of junction plasmids created, with some plasmids containing the Tn5 transposon and genomic DNA surrounding the insertion site. E. coli (DH5α/λpir) was transformed with the junction...
Bertolotti Syndrome as a Potential Cause of Low Back Pain in Golfers

Bertolotti syndrome, defined as the association of back pain with lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), was first described in 1917 by Mario Bertolotti [1]. LSTV, which are caused by congenital factors, are estimated to be present in 12.3% of the general population [2]. The actual relationship between the presence of LSTV and low back pain is highly debated, with several studies that claim little or no significant correlation [3-5], and other studies that conclude that transitional vertebrae result in a predisposition to low back pain [6-9]. The latter of these studies hypothesize that the transitional vertebrae at the L5-S1 level cause hypermobility and abnormal torque at the adjacent vertebral segment that leads to increased disk and/or zygapophyseal joint (z-joint) degeneration. Low back pain is clearly exhibited among golfers, with 22%-36% of male golfers and 22%-27% of female golfers reporting back pain [10]. Investigators in several studies assert that the general shift from the “classic swing” to the “modern swing,” which places more rotational stress and hyperextension on the lumbar spine, is behind the increased occurrence of back pain in golfers [10-12]. The biomechanics of the “modern swing” expose the spine to increased spinal loading, which may elevate the risk for myofascial, diskogenic, spondylolitic, and/or z-joint injuries, and the subsequent development of low back pain [11,12]. Our review of the literature regarding Bertolotti syndrome in athletes revealed only one article, which briefly describes the condition in a 20-year-old baseball player [13]. The present article reports the cases of 2 golfers with chronic low back pain, whose source of pain was identified to be the LSTV through diagnostic imaging and fluoroscopic injections. These cases highlight how, in many sports, and golf in particular, the lumbar spine is placed under significant repetitive loads that could potentially lead to the uncommon expression of Bertolotti syndrome from LSTV, which normally exists as asymptomatic anatomic anomalies. As a result, physicians should consider Bertolotti syndrome in their differential diagnosis when examining athletes who present with idiopathic low back pain.
Carrier dynamics in catastrophic optical bulk damaged InGaAs-AlGaAs strained QW broad-area lasers

We investigated catastrophic optical bulk damage in high power broad-area InGaAs strained quantum well lasers with windowed n-contacts using time-resolved EL and transient PL techniques.
Institutional Innovation and the Creation of Liquid Financial Markets: The Case of Bankers' Acceptances, 1914-1934

With passage of the Federal Reserve Act in 1913, the institutional structure necessary to support an American market for bankers' acceptances was created. This article examines the development of the secondary market for bankers' acceptances during its first 20 years. It provides evidence that discount market liquidity increased dramatically during the 1920s and helped the dollar acceptance challenge the sterling bill as an important source of trade finance around the world. The Federal Reserve Banks played a key role by reducing the risk borne by private dealers and propelling the market to a high-liquidity equilibrium.The author thanks Mike Haupert, William Roberds, and Ellis Tallman for their useful comments and suggestions, and Susan Isaac for her excellent editorial assistance. All errors are the responsibility of the author.
Pathology of Endometrioid Tumors

This chapter will inform the reader of the pathologic features of endometrioid tumors. Benign endometrioid tumors include endometrioid cystadenomas and adenofibromas, and endometrioid borderline tumors. Malignant endometrial tumors include endometrial adenocarcinoma and its variants (sex cord-like, spindled, clear cell, and several others). For each of these endometrioid tumor types, this chapter provides information on prevalence, macroscopic and microscopic features, differential diagnoses, and clinical behavior.
Evolutionary Analysis for Functional Divergence of Jak Protein Kinase Domains and Tissue-Specific Genes

Jak (Janus kinase) is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, which plays important roles in signal transduction pathways. The unique feature of Jak is that, in addition to a fully functional tyrosine kinase domain (JH1), Jak possesses a pseudokinase domain (JH2). Although JH2 lost its catalytic function, experimental evidence has shown that this domain may have acquired some new but unknown functions. This apparent functional divergence after the (internal) domain duplication may result in dramatic changes of selective constraints at some sites. We conducted a data analysis to test this hypothesis. Our result shows that shifted selective constraints (or shifted evolutionary rates) between the JH1 and the JH2 domains are statistically significant. Predicted amino acid sites by posterior analysis can be classified into two groups: very conserved in JH1 but highly variable in JH2, and vice versa. Moreover, we have studied the evolutionary pattern of four tissue-specific genes, Jak1, Jak2, Jak3, and Tyk2, which were generated in the early stages of vertebrates. We found that after the (first) gene duplication, site-specific rate shifts between Jak2/Jak3 and Jak1/Tyk are significant, presumably as a consequence of functional divergence among these genes. The implication of our study for functional genomics is discussed.
Relationships in glaucoma patients between standard vision tests, quality of life, and ability to perform daily activities.

Purpose: To determine the relationships among three methods of assessing visual loss caused by glaucoma: (1) standard clinical tests of vision, (2) self-reported quality of life, and (3) the ability to perform activities of daily living.Methods: One hundred and ninety two glaucoma patients with a full range of glaucomatous visual loss were selected from the Glaucoma Service of Wills Eye Institute. Subjects were evaluated clinically by visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, visual field, stereopsis, the Disc Damage Likelihood Scale, and intraocular pressure. Subjects were evaluated subjectively by the 25-item National Eye Institute’s Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) and objectively by a performance-based measure of visual function, the Assessment of Disability Related to Vision (ADREV). Statistical analysis, including Spearman coefficients, was performed on the data from the clinical measures, NEI-VFQ-25, and ADREV.Results: The clinical tests had higher correlations with ADREV than with the NEI-...
An enhanced multicast routing protocol for host mobility in IPv6 based networks

In this paper, a routing protocol to provide an enhanced multicasting service to mobile hosts in IPv6 based networks is proposed. The main purpose of the algorithm is to reduce both the number of multicast tree reconstructions and multicast service disruption time. The proposed multicast routing protocol is a hybrid method using the advantages of the bidirectional tunneling and the remote subscription proposed by the IETF Mobile EP working group. The proposed scheme satisfies the maximum tolerable transfer delay time and supports the maximum tunneling service. The simulation results show that the proposed protocol has better performance in the number of multicast tree reconstruction and the time of multicast service disruption than the previous protocols does.
Endometriosis and its treatment with danazol or lupron in relation to ovarian cancer.

Purpose: It has been hypothesized that circulating androgens may be involved in the development of ovarian cancer. The androgenic medication, danazol, and the antiandrogenic medications, leuprolide and nafarelin, are commonly used in the treatment of endometriosis. We assessed the associations between the use of these medications and ovarian cancer. Experimental Design: We pooled information on self-reported use of danazol and leuprolide/nafarelin from two population-based case-control studies of incident ovarian cancer, comprising 1373 cases and 1980 controls. Odds ratios for the association between danazol and ovarian cancer, and leuprolide/nafarelin and ovarian cancer were adjusted for age, parity, oral contraceptive use, and family history of ovarian cancer. These analyses were repeated among the 120 cases and 124 controls who reported having had endometriosis. Results: Danazol users ( n = 19) were at a significantly elevated 3.2 fold (95% confidence interval, 1.2–8.5) risk of developing ovarian cancer, whereas leuprolide/nafarelin users ( n = 23) were not at significantly elevated risk (odds ratio, 1.0; 95% confidence interval, 0.4–2.4). Similar results were obtained among the subset of women with endometriosis. Conclusions: Danazol, but not leuprolide/nafarelin, increased the risk of ovarian cancer. This supports the hypothesis that androgen excess may be associated with the development of ovarian cancer.
Scripts for group model building

Building models directly with client groups has become increasingly common in the field of system dynamics. For the past nine years, the modeling group at the University at Albany has been experimenting with techniques handling the complex modeling and facilitation processes involved in group work. This article extends the previously reported work by discussing specific scripted techniques used to implement the group modeling building approach. The authors’ purpose is to initiate a larger discussion of shared scripts and techniques for group model building. The discussion is divided into planning for a group model building conference, scheduling the day, particular scripts and techniques for various group model building tasks, and closing a group modeling conference. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Syst. Dyn. Rev. 13, 107‐129, 1997 (No. of Figures: 4 No. of Tables: 0 No. of Refs: 40) Model building or model refinement working directly with a small group of clients has become increasingly common in the field of system dynamics. Almost ten years ago Jac Vennix (Vennix et al. 1988) described a procedure for involving health care practitioners in the Netherlands in the construction and refinement of a dynamic model of health care, an approach which he has continued to develop (Vennix 1990; 1996). Barry Richmond (1987; 1997) has described the Strategic Forum as a way to involve clients directly in model building and analysis. Many consultants have refined the practice of developing causal loop sketches with direct involvement of client groups to include preliminary model development, refinement, and presentation. Outside the field of system dynamics, other systems thinkers and group decision support experts have similarly developed advanced approaches to working with small groups to support system conceptualization, model formulation, and decision making. Particularly notable is the work of Colin Eden (Eden et al. 1983; Eden 1989; Eden and Ackermann 1992), John Bryson (Bryson and Finn 1995; Bryson 1995), and John Rohrbaugh (see references below). This article suggests that modelers who engage in modeling with groups rely on fairly sophisticated pieces of small group process, which we will call ‘‘scripts.’’ A full multi-day modeling conference consists of a sequence of such scripts placed
SAR Image Complex Pixel Representations

Complex pixel values for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images of uniform distributed clutter can be represented as either real/imaginary (also known as I/Q) values, or as Magnitude/Phase values. Generally, these component values are integers with limited number of bits. For clutter energy well below full-scale, Magnitude/Phase offers lower quantization noise than I/Q representation. Further improvement can be had with companding of the Magnitude value.
A Complement of Collaborators: Bringing Private Memoirs to Public Life

ABSTRACTThis essay focuses on the genesis, growth, development, editing, and publication process of memoirs in their life context. It demonstrates how the efforts of a full complement of collaborators, from editors to web designers—some conspicuous, others unobtrusive, but all significant—are necessary in bringing an autobiographical work to autonomous existence.
Evolution of Solution Chemistry through Interactions with Waste Package Internal Structural Components

The chemistry of the aqueous environment inside any breached waste packages is critical to the release of radionuclides from the waste packages for high-level waste disposal. A corrosion test cell that simulates some aspects of the internal geometry of the waste packages has been designed to investigate changes in the in-package solution chemistry. A series of tests was conducted to evaluate solution chemistry variations as a function of applied potential and temperature using a specimen of Type 316L stainless steel with a predrilled hole as a simulated pit. A micro-syringe was used to extract solutions from inside and outside the pit. The solutions were analyzed for cation concentrations using capillary electrophoresis, and the pH was measured using a micro-electrode. Preliminary measurements showed substantially high cation concentrations inside the pit due to anodic dissolution of Type 316L stainless steel. The solution pH became considerably acidic, reaching a value of 2.6. These results suggest that interactions of waste package internal structural components with incoming water may have significant influence on the evolution of water chemistry and the subsequent corrosion of waste forms such as spent nuclear fuel.
Cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis: a review of recent developments.

Purpose of reviewNearly half of all patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis will develop cognitive dysfunction, a symptom associated with significant decline in activities of daily living. The purpose of this review is to discuss recent literature investigating issues related to cognitive dysfunc
Is the peripheral blood film reliable for the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia

Seven hematologists and two hematology residents independently reviewed a coded, randomized series of 62 peripheral blood films and, in each case, each decided whether or not there was morphologic evidence of iron deficiency anemia. A total of 756 independent interpretations was thus obtained in this study. Interpretations of iron deficiency anemia were made in 5.8% of the reviews of blood films obtained from 24 normal control individuals and in 49.0% of the reviews of blood films from 38 patients with proven iron deficiency anemia. Four of the participants examined the same slides twice in different random series and, on the average, contradicted 22% of their own interpretations. Except when morphologic changes are pronounced, the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia from examination of the peripheral blood film is difficult and not very reliable.
ENVIRONMENT‐DEPENDENCE OF QUANTITATIVE GENETIC PARAMETERS IN IMPATIENS PALLIDA

Population response to selection depends on the presence of additive genetic variance for traits under selection. When a population enters an alien environment, environment-induced changes in the expression of genetic variance may occur. These could have large effects on the response to selection. To investigate the environment- dependence of genetic variance, we conducted a reciprocal transplant experiment between two ecotypically differ- entiated populations of Impatiens pallida using the progeny of a standard mating design. The floodplain site was characterized by high water availability, moderate temperatures, and continuous dense stands of Impatiens. The hillside site was drier, with larger temperature extremes and supported only scattered patches of Impatiens with significantly lower seed production and earlier mortality. Estimates of heritability were low for each of the 13 traits measured in each population and site (range from 0-28%). Additive genetic variance for life-history traits tended to be larger than for morphological traits, but genetic variance in fitness was estimated to be not significantly different from zero in all cases. Significant heritability was detected in both populations for one trait (date of first cleistogamous flower) known to be closely related to fitness on the hillside. In general, heritability was reduced for populations when grown in the hillside site relative to the floodplain site, suggesting that stress acts to reduce the expression of genetic variance and the potential to respond to selection there. Consistent reductions in heritability associated with more stressful environments suggest that populations invading such sites may undergo little adaptive differentiation and be more prone to local extinction.
Abstract A118: The mTORC2 component Rictor directs branching morphogenesis and survival in the mammary epithelium

The intracellular serine/threonine kinase mTOR functions in two distinct complexes that integrate many cellular cues to regulate diverse processes in development and disease. Raptor-dependent mTOR Complex-1 (mTORC1) mediates cell growth and metabolism, whereas the less well-studied Rictor-dependent mTOR Complex-2 (mTORC2) promotes cell survival and cytoskeletal organization. Previous studies link mTORC1 to malignant transformation of mammary epithelial cells (MECs). The role of mTOR and the relative contributions of mTORC1 versus mTORC2 in postnatal mammary morphogenesis, however, remain unclear. We report that mTORC2 ablation via Rictor loss impaired branching morphogenesis, MEC survival, MEC migration, and mTORC2-mediated signaling through Akt and Rac1-GTPase in vivo and ex vivo. Constitutively active Rac1 (CA-Rac1) rescued branching, invasion, and survival of mTORC2-impaired MECs, but CA-Akt did not. These effects were recapitulated by rapamycin treatment. Surprisingly, genetic mTORC1 disruption via Raptor gene targeting did not affect ascinar mammary morphogenesis in organoids or in vivo, but did cause decreased signaling through the mTORC1 effector ribosomal protein S6 and transiently slowed cellular proliferation. These data demonstrate the distinct, non-overlapping properties of mTORC1 and mTORC2 during post-natal mammary development, roles which may be preserved in breast cancers. Citation Format: Meghan M. Morrison, Donna Hicks, Rebecca S. Cook, Dana M. Brantley-Sieders. The mTORC2 component Rictor directs branching morphogenesis and survival in the mammary epithelium. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Breast Cancer Research: Genetics, Biology, and Clinical Applications; Oct 3-6, 2013; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2013;11(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A118.
The Impact of Class and Sexuality-Based Stereotyping on Rape Blame

In order to investigate whether stereotypes about sexuality can impact perceptions of sexual assault, participants read a scenario that described a situation in which a woman reported being raped. ...
A study on moving mesh finite element solution of the porous medium equation

An adaptive moving mesh finite element method is studied for the numerical solution of the porous medium equation with and without variable exponents and absorption. The method is based on the moving mesh partial differential equation approach and employs its newly developed implementation. The implementation has several improvements over the traditional one, including its explicit, compact form of the mesh velocities, ease to program, and less likelihood of producing singular meshes. Three types of metric tensor that correspond to uniform and arclength-based and Hessian-based adaptive meshes are considered. The method shows first-order convergence for uniform and arclength-based adaptive meshes, and second-order convergence for Hessian-based adaptive meshes. It is also shown that the method can be used for situations with complex free boundaries, emerging and splitting of free boundaries, and the porous medium equation with variable exponents and absorption. Two-dimensional numerical results are presented.
Quality assurance in the endoscopy unit: An emphasis on outcomes.

This article identifies and reviews key elements of quality improvement programs for an endoscopy unit. The new paradigm of quality improvement seeks to improve all performance, and does not simply focus on the low outliers as in the traditional “quality assurance” program. The organization and key elements are emphasized, including selection of key indicators and methodologies for the development of standards of practice and benchmarks. Examples of quality improvement initiatives are discussed, demonstrating their value in improved patient care and the process or function of an endoscopy unit.
Entropy as a Metric Generator of Dissipation in Complete Metriplectic Systems

This lecture is a short review on the role entropy plays in those classical dissipative systems whose equations of motion may be expressed via a Leibniz Bracket Algebra (LBA). This means that the time derivative of any physical observable f of the system is calculated by putting this f in a “bracket” together with a “special observable” F, referred to as a Leibniz generator of the dynamics. While conservative dynamics is given an LBA formulation in the Hamiltonian framework, so that F is the Hamiltonian H of the system that generates the motion via classical Poisson brackets or quantum commutation brackets, an LBA formulation can be given to classical dissipative dynamics through the Metriplectic Bracket Algebra (MBA): the conservative component of the dynamics is still generated via Poisson algebra by the total energy H, while S, the entropy of the degrees of freedom statistically encoded in friction, generates dissipation via a metric bracket. The motivation of expressing through a bracket algebra and a motion-generating function F is to endow the theory of the system at hand with all the powerful machinery of Hamiltonian systems in terms of symmetries that become evident and readable. Here a (necessarily partial) overview of the types of systems subject to MBA formulation is presented, and the physical meaning of the quantity S involved in each is discussed. Here the aim is to review the different MBAs for isolated systems in a synoptic way. At the end of this collection of examples, the fact that dissipative dynamics may be constructed also in the absence of friction with microscopic degrees of freedom is stressed. This reasoning is a hint to introduce dissipation at a more fundamental level.