cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Speech breathing in senescent and younger women during oral reading.

Breathing patterns in 20–30-year-old and 60–70-year-old women were recorded noninvasively during various nonspeech and oral reading tasks. On the nonspeech tasks, the only significant difference be...
SU‐E‐T‐84: TrueBeam Commissioning: A Multi‐Institutional Experience

Purpose: Latest generation linear accelerators(linacs), TrueBeam (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA) and its stereotactic counterpart, TrueBeam STx, have several unique features, including high‐dose‐rate flattening‐filter‐free (FFF) photon modes, reengineered electron modes with new scattering foil geometries, updated imaging hardware/software, and a novel control system. We have performed a comprehensive evaluation of three TrueBeam linacs at three different institutions and report on our commissioning experience. Methods: Acceptance and commissioning data were analyzed for three TrueBeam linacs equipped with 120 leaf (5 mm width) MLCs at three different institutions. Dosimetric data and mechanical parameters were compared. These included measurements of photon beam profiles (6X, 6XFFF, 10X, 10XFFF, 15X), photon and electron percent depth dose (PDD)curves (6MeV, 9MeV, 12MeV), relative photon output factors (Scp),electron cone factors, mechanical isocenter accuracy, MLC transmission, and dosimetric leaf gap (DLG). Results: Gantry/collimator isocentricity measurements were similar (0.27–0.28mm), with overall couch/gantry/collimator values of 0.46–0.68mm across the three institutions. Dosimetric data showed good agreement between machines. The largestdiscrepancy was observed with measured MLC DLG (for 6, 10 and 15 MV photons, average DLGs were 1.95 ± 1.15mm, 2.22 ± 1.30 mm, and 2.20 ± 1.24mm, respectively). Photon and electron PDDs were comparable for all energies. 6, 15 and 10 MV photon beam quality, %dd(10)x varied less than 0.3% for all machines. Electron beam quality specifier (R50) showed less than 1.7% variation for all energies. Output factors (Scp) and electron cone factors agreed within 0.27%, on average; largest variations were observed for small field sizes (0.77% variation, 2×2cm2) and small cone sizes (0.39% variation, 6×6 cm2 cone), respectively. Conclusions: Overall, strong agreement was observed in TrueBeam commissioning data. This comprehensive set of multi‐institutional data may serve as a benchmark for other institutions embarking on TrueBeam commissioning, ultimately improving the safety/quality of beam commissioning
SU-F-BRE-05: Development and Evaluation of a Real-Time Robotic 6D Quality Assurance Phantom

Purpose: A 6 degree-of-freedom robotic phantom capable of reproducing dynamic tumor motion in 6D was designed to more effectively match solid tumor movements throughout pre-treatment scanning and radiation therapy. With the abundance of optical and x-ray 6D real-time tumor tracking methodologies clinically available, and the substantial dosimetric consequences of failing to consider tumor rotation as well as translation, this work presents the development and evaluation of a 6D instrument with the facility to improve quality assurance. Methods: An in-house designed and built 6D robotic motion phantom was constructed following the so-called Stewart-Gough parallel kinematics platform archetype. The device was then controlled using an inverse kinematics formulation, and precise movements in all six degrees of freedom (X, Y, Z, pitch, roll, and yaw) as well as previously obtained cranial motion, were effectively executed. The robotic phantom movements were verified using a 15 fps 6D infrared marker tracking system (Polaris, NDI), and quantitatively compared to the input trajectory. Thus, the accuracy and repeatability of 6D motion was investigated and the phantom performance was characterized. Results: Evaluation of the 6D platform demonstrated translational RMSE values of 0.196 mm, 0.260 mm, and 0.101 mm over 20 mm in X and Y and 10 mmmore » in Z, respectively, and rotational RMSE values of 0.068 degrees, 0.0611 degrees, and 0.095 degrees over 10 degrees of pitch, roll, and yaw, respectively. The robotic stage also effectively performed controlled 6D motions, as well as reproduced cranial trajectories over 15 minutes, with a maximal RMSE of 0.044 mm translationally and 0.036 degrees rotationally. Conclusion: This 6D robotic phantom has proven to be accurate under clinical standards and capable of reproducing tumor motion in 6D. Consequently, such a robotics device has the potential to serve as a more effective system for IGRT QA that involves both translational and rotational dimensions. Research was partially funded by NIH Grant T32 EB002103-21 from NIBIB. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIBIB or NIH.« less
Maternal High Fat Diet Is Associated with Decreased Plasma n–3 Fatty Acids and Fetal Hepatic Apoptosis in Nonhuman Primates

To begin to understand the contributions of maternal obesity and over-nutrition to human development and the early origins of obesity, we utilized a non-human primate model to investigate the effects of maternal high-fat feeding and obesity on breast milk, maternal and fetal plasma fatty acid composition and fetal hepatic development. While the high-fat diet (HFD) contained equivalent levels of n-3 fatty acids (FA's) and higher levels of n-6 FA's than the control diet (CTR), we found significant decreases in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and total n-3 FA's in HFD maternal and fetal plasma. Furthermore, the HFD fetal plasma n-6:n-3 ratio was elevated and was significantly correlated to the maternal plasma n-6:n-3 ratio and maternal hyperinsulinemia. Hepatic apoptosis was also increased in the HFD fetal liver. Switching HFD females to a CTR diet during a subsequent pregnancy normalized fetal DHA, n-3 FA's and fetal hepatic apoptosis to CTR levels. Breast milk from HFD dams contained lower levels of eicosopentanoic acid (EPA) and DHA and lower levels of total protein than CTR breast milk. This study links chronic maternal consumption of a HFD with fetal hepatic apoptosis and suggests that a potentially pathological maternal fatty acid milieu is replicated in the developing fetal circulation in the nonhuman primate.
Multifocal right atrial myxoma and pulmonary embolism

Multifocal cardiac myxoma with greater than two foci is rarely reported in the literature. We report a case of a 22-year-old woman who presented with profound right heart failure, and was found to have seven right atrial myxomas with bilateral pulmonary embolism, including near-complete occlusion of right pulmonary arterial flow. Multifocal atrial myxoma occurs most often in the familial setting, and often is associated with recurrence. Her disease was nonfamilial. She was successfully treated with surgical resection, and has had complete recovery with no evidence of recurrence over a 4-year period.
Freestream capturing for moving coordinates in three dimensions

A detailed formula is developed that can be used in both finite-volume (FV) and finite-difference (FD) methods for constructing freestream capturing metrics in space and time. It is shown that, considering an FV cell on the FD grid, the freestream capturing metrics in space and time can be constructed from the FD formulation. The approach is costly but guarantees the global conservation for an arbitrary motion of the grid.
Designing a GENI Experimenter Tool to Support the Choice Net Internet Architecture

Test beds such as GENI provide an ideal environment for experimenting with future internet architectures such as Choice Net. Unlike the narrow waist of the current Internet (IP), Choice Net encourages alternatives and competition at the network layer via an economic plane that allows users to choose and purchase precisely the services they need. In this paper we describe our experiences implementing the Choice Net architecture on GENI. Some features of GENI, such as the ability to program the network layer, to leverage existing protocols and software, to run real applications generating realistic traffic, and the ability to perform long-running experiments made GENI an ideal platform for Choice Net experimentation. However, we found that GENI currently lacks the tools needed to make it easy to use these features. To address this issue, we designed and implemented a GENI Experimenter Tool specifically designed and tailored to perform tasks commonly needed by experimenters such as dynamically configuring nodes, loading and compiling node-specific code, executing Click modules, running commands on sets of nodes, accessing the local file system on nodes, and dynamically logging into nodes.
Geographic characteristics of a network interdiction problem

The protection of critical infrastructure from natural and intentional events is a key component of any national security agenda. Protection schemes need to be readily identifiable and adaptable to complex changing environments. In this paper, we identify strategic geographic characteristics that impact the location of detection resources (e.g. sensors) towards the defense of regional critical infrastructure. Specifically, we seek to estimate the relationship between the results of a variation of the traditional shortest path network interdiction problem and geographical characteristics of the transportation infrastructure and the urban environment. Experiments conducted on three distinct transportation networks of different shapes and granularities (New York City—grid, Houston—radial, Boston—hybrid) underline the importance of geographic characteristics such as the proximity to resource location, attacker entry points as well as network coverage. Insights gained from this work are relevant to policy and decision makers to facilitate the development of analytical and decision-support tools capable of identifying resource allocation strategies. We discuss a heuristic-based framework that prioritizes the selection of detection resources, reflecting the importance of geographic characteristics. The findings underline the importance of geographical characteristics for the allocation of resources in a regional setting.
Semiconductor Solar Superabsorbers

Understanding the maximal enhancement of solar absorption in semiconductor materials by light trapping promises the development of affordable solar cells. However, the conventional Lambertian limit is only valid for idealized material systems with weak absorption and cannot hold for the typical semiconductor materials used in solar cells due to the substantial absorption of these materials. Herein we theoretically demonstrate the maximal solar absorption enhancement for semiconductor materials and elucidate the general design principle for light trapping structures to approach the theoretical maximum. By following the principles, we design a practical light trapping structure that can enable an ultrathin layer of semiconductor materials, for instance, 10 nm thick a-Si, absorb > 90% sunlight above the bandgap. The design has active materials with one order of magnitude less volume than any of the existing solar light trapping designs in literature. This work points towards the development of ultimate solar light trapping techniques.
Intervening during crises of life transitions: Promoting a sense of humor as a stress moderator

Abstract The numerous crisis situations associated with life cycle transitions present the mental health professional with numerous intervention opportunities. Since a good sense of humor can assist in the mediation of stress, a crisis intervention technique designed to enrich a person's appreciation of humor during and after life cycle transitions has therapeutic merit. Toward this goal, the author has designed an imagery technique which permits the enhancement of a person's sense of humor. Guiding clients towards the generation of humor at the imagery level has been found to be therapeutically beneficial. Methods of intervention utilizing the factors of absurdity, incongruity and exaggeration are discussed in promoting an adaptive sense of humor.
Spinal α3β2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors tonically inhibit the transmission of nociceptive mechanical stimuli

The presence of non-alpha4beta2, non-alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) in the rat spinal cord has been suggested previously, but the identity of these nAChRs had not been shown. Intrathecal administration of the alpha3beta2*/alpha6beta2* selective alpha-conotoxin MII (alpha-CTX MII) dose- and time-dependently reduced paw withdrawal thresholds to mechanical pressure in normal rats. The pronociceptive effect of alpha-CTX MII was partially blocked by NMDA receptor antagonism and lost completely following ablation of C-fibers. The effect of spinal nerve ligation on alpha-CTX MII-induced mechanical hypersensitivity was also assessed. Sensitivity was lost in the hind paw ipsilateral to spinal nerve ligation, but maintained in the contralateral hind paw at control levels. Radioligand binding in spinal cord membranes revealed high and low affinity alpha-CTX MII binding sites. Spinal nerve ligation did not significantly alter alpha-CTX MII binding ipsilateral to ligation. Finally, no evidence for the presence of alpha6-containing nAChRs was identified. The results of these studies show the presence of 2 populations of alpha-CTX MII-sensitive nAChRs containing the alpha3 and beta2, but not the alpha6, subunits in the rat spinal cord that function to inhibit the transmission of nociceptive mechanical stimuli via inhibiting the release of glutamate from C-fibers. Spinal nerve ligation produces a unilateral loss of alpha-CTX MII-induced mechanical hypersensitivity without altering alpha-CTX MII binding sites. Our data support a peripheral injury-induced loss of a cholinergic inhibitory tone at spinal alpha3beta2* nAChRs, without the loss of the receptors themselves, which may contribute to mechanical hypersensitivity following spinal nerve ligation.
Two cases of ortho-phthalaldehyde induced allergic reactions in patients undergoing surveillance cystoscopy

Abstract Rationale Sterilizing agents, including gluteraldehyde, have been implicated as causes of immunologic respiratory reactions. Ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA), a gluteraldehyde-free agent, is recognized as an alternative disinfectant and has not been associated with allergic hypersensitivity. We report two cases in which OPA has been implicated as the cause of anaphylaxis and angioedema. Methods Case 1: WP is a 70-year-old man diagnosed with bladder cancer three years prior to presentation and has been followed by routine cystoscopic evaluations every three months. After his ninth cystoscopy, WP noted immediate pruritis and angioedema of his genitals followed by urticaria, dyspnea, hypotension, and syncope which responded to IV fluids and diphenhydramine. Our evaluation included RAST for latex, skin testing to local anesthetics, topical lidocaine gel, and the disinfectant–OPA. Case 2: AK is a 68-year-old man diagnosed with bladder cancer 18 months prior to evaluation who is followed by surveillance cystoscopies every three months. His most recent one resulted in immediate angioedema of his genitals and lower abdomen that progressively worsened over the next hour. Our evaluation was similar to the one described in case 1. Results In both cases, the latex RAST and skin tests for local anesthetics and topical lidocaine gel were negative. The pricks for OPA in serum albumin were positive at a 1:10,000 dilution in each patient. Conclusions These are the first reported cases of urticaria, angioedema and anaphylaxis associated with OPA. This gluteraldehyde-free agent should be considered a possible cause of severe allergic reactions in those exposed to it during endoscopic procedures.
Analytical and Experimental Characterization of Parasitic Motion in Flexure-Based Selectively Compliant Precision Mechanisms

Flexure-based selectively compliant mechanisms with less than six degrees of freedom are capable of meeting the demanding requirements of ultra precision positioning and scanning systems. However, machining imperfections induce undesirable motion and limit the mechanisms precision capability. A spatial kinematics based kinetostatic model is presented here that not only enables determination of inherently spatial parasitic motion due to machining imperfections, but also offers critical geometric insight into the motion characteristics of flexure mechanisms. The analytical development reveals that the geometric errors induced by machining imperfections perturb the special screw systems of motion of ideal flexure mechanisms to their corresponding general screw systems. This insight leads to clearly defined metrics that can capture the non-ideal behavior using screw system theory and is applicable to all selectively compliant mechanisms. This result is illustrated using one and two DOF mechanisms as examples. In the case of rotational DOF flexure mechanisms, the pitch of twist of motion captures the difference between the special and general screw systems and represents the intrinsic parasitic motion. The machining imperfections are regarded as Gaussian random variables with known variance, and the model is used to determine the variance of the pitch of twist via Monte Carlo simulation, leading to determination of the precision capability of the flexure mechanisms. The modeling and analysis is illustrated using one and two DOF rotation flexure mechanisms. Finally, the details of a test setup built to determine the parasitic motion of the one DOF rotational mechanism are presented. Experimental results indicate that the one DOF flexure mechanism is indeed executing screw motion rather than pure rotation.© 2008 ASME
Screening mammography reduces morbidity of breast cancer treatment.

OBJECTIVE. This commentary discusses the retrospective cohort study by Barth et al. studying the effect of screening mammography on morbidity of breast cancer treatment.CONCLUSION. Barth et al. found that cancers identified at screening mammography (versus those detected by physical examination) were smaller and more frequently node-negative. Hence, the former group of breast cancer patients was more likely to be treated with less morbid therapy. This evidence-based study contributes to the clinical practice of screening mammography.
Second-order Green's function theory of a Heisenberg paramagnet

The Heisenberg paramagnet in one, two, and three dimensions is analyzed by a second-order Green's function theory similar to that used by Knapp and ter Haar. This theory, which incorporates the exact values for the zero, first, and second moments of the relaxation function as boundary conditions, yields results satisfying the rotational symmetry of the paramagnetic region as well as the principle of detailed balance. We find that our predictions for equal time properties in the classical limit are identical with the RPA Green's function theory of Liu as well as the spherical model results of Lax. The quantum limit is analyzed, and our predictions for the 1/T series coefficients for both internal energy and susceptibility are compared with exact results.
Genetic counseling for congenital heart disease: new approaches for a new decade.

Congenital heart disease (CHD), which occurs in about 0.7% of all live-born children, is the leading cause of death from birth defects. Understandably, parents of patients, and increasingly patients themselves, are interested in the risk that further offspring will be affected. Advances in genetics now permit accurate estimation for many forms of CHD, especially the identification of patients and families with recurrence risks of up to 50%. The increased availability of genetic information, combined with the use of noninvasive imaging to look for subtle defects and targeted genetic testing, have demonstrated that the relevant question to ask about an individual’s apparently isolated CHD is whether it is syndromic or familial. Syndromes that involve clinically important noncardiac findings may best be managed by, or in consultation with, a clinical geneticist. Other familial syndromes remain entirely within the purview of the cardiologist. The practicing cardiologist needs to continue to stay abreast of genetic discoveries in the field of CHD in order to provide proper management, including genetic counseling, to patients and their families.
An Overview of DNA Microarray Grid Alignment and Foreground Separation Approaches

This paper overviews DNA microarray grid alignment and foreground separation approaches. Microarray grid alignment and foreground separation are the basic processing steps of DNA microarray images that affect the quality of gene expression information, and hence impact our confidence in any data-derived biological conclusions. Thus, understanding microarray data processing steps becomes critical for performing optimal microarray data analysis. In the past, the grid alignment and foreground separation steps have not been covered extensively in the survey literature. We present several classifications of existing algorithms, and describe the fundamental principles of these algorithms. Challenges related to automation and reliability of processed image data are outlined at the end of this overview paper.
Core Concepts of Institutionalist Public Finance: Problem Solving, Institutional Analysis, Strategic Choice, and Stakeholder Engagement

Citizens and policymakers in many nations are becoming increasingly concerned about large budget deficits and mounting long-term fiscal policy challenges. At the same time, slow economic growth in the United States and Europe is causing some people to demand more government spending (and lower taxes) and others to question the efficacy of fiscal policy. Against that backdrop, institutional economists are exhibiting renewed interest in the field of public finance. This article responds by outlining four core concepts of institutionalist public finance: problem solving, institutional analysis, strategic choice, and stakeholder engagement. What distinguishes the perspective of institutionalism from that of neoclassical economics, today’s dominant economic paradigm, is described in the course of the discussion. The core concepts of institutionalist public finance offer a coherent approach to the study of fiscal policy questions. Those concepts were first fashioned decades ago, but remain relevant: institution...
Fast imaging algorithm for simulating pattern transfer in deep-UV resist and extracting postexposure bake parameters

This paper presents a simulator, RIAR (Rapid Imaging Analysis for Resists), for fast imaging resist profiles given a post exposure bake (PEB) model. First, the aerial image profile on the surface of the resist is obtained through SPLAT. Then the image profile is converted into the resist pattern after PEB and develop by solving a given 2-dimensional PEB model, which is usually a 2-D partial differential equation (PDE) system. The 2-D PDE system is taken as an image transform and is solved by iteratively approximating the solution with 3- variable polynomial on space and is much faster than the traditional PDE solver. The time complexity of RIAR and STORM are compared with respect to reaction rate, diffusivity, simulation scale, etc. RIAR achieves a speed up of 5 to 7 times STORM, maintaining the precision. In addition, RIAR consumes much less memory and can simulate domains of 9,000 nodes on a DEC Alpha 600 MHz, 256 MB DRAM workstation in a reasonable time. An example of applying RIAR in line-end shortening simulation is also given.
Three-dimensional absolute nodal co-ordinate formulation: Plate problem

In this investigation, an absolute nodal co-ordinate dynamic formulation is developed for the large deformations and rotations of three-dimensional plate elements. In this formulation, no infinitesimal or finite rotations are used as nodal co-ordinates, instead global displacements and slopes are used as the plate coordinates. Using this interpretation of the plate coordinates the new method does not require the use of co-ordinate transformation to define the global inertia properties of the plates. The resulting mass matrix is the same constant matrix that appears in linear structural dynamics. The stiffness matrix, on the other hand, is a non-linear function of the nodal co-ordinates of the plate even in the case of a linear elastic problem. It is demonstrated in this paper that, unlike the incremental finite element formulations, the proposed method leads to an exact modelling of the rigid body inertia when the plate element moves as a rigid body. It is also demonstrated that by using the proposed method the conventional plate element shape function has a complete set of rigid body modes that can describe an exact arbitrary rigid body displacement. Using this fact, plate elements in the proposed new formulation can be considered as isoparametric elements. As a consequence, an arbitrary rigid body motion of the element results in zero strain. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surprisingly high solubility of the ionic liquid trihexyltetradecylphosphonium chloride in dense carbon dioxide

For the first time an ionic liquid is observed to be appreciably miscible in dense CO2, up to about 7 mass%. The solubility in CO2 is more than one order of magnitude higher than for alkanes of similar carbon number. The investigated P–T phase behavior of four isopleths for the ionic liquid trihexyltetradecylphosphonium chloride in CO2 shows a concentration independence of the isopleths for the investigated compositions similar to the known phase behavior of organic compounds such as adamantane, octacosane and squalane in supercritical CO2 at high pressures. Overall, the results demonstrate that a single-phased ionic liquid–CO2 solvent system for chemical synthesis is conceivable.
Zinc modulates mRNA levels of cytokines.

Zinc plays an important role in cell-mediated immune function. Altered cellular immune response resulting from zinc deficiency leads to frequent microbial infections, thymic atrophy, decreased natu...
Web-based analyses of e-journal impact: approaches, problems, and issues

This study1 assesses the ways in which citation searching of scholarly print journals is and is not analogous to backlink searching of scholarly e-journal articles on the WWW, and identifies problems and issues related to conducting and interpreting such searches. Backlink searches are defined here as searches for Web pages that link to a given URL. Backlink searches were conducted on a sample of 39 scholarly electronic journals. Search results were processed to determine the number of backlinking pages, total backlinks, and external backlinks made to the e-journals and to their articles. The results were compared to findings from a citation study performed on the same e-journals in 1996. A content analysis of a sample of the files backlinked to e-journal articles was also undertaken. The authors identify a number of reliability issues associated with the use of “raw” search engine data to evaluate the impact of electronic journals and articles. No correlation was found between backlink measures and ISI citation measures of e-journal impact, suggesting that the two measures may be assessing something quite different. Major differences were found between the types of entities that cite, and those that backlink, e-journal articles, with scholarly works comprising a very small percentage of backlinking files. These findings call into question the legitimacy of using backlink searches to evaluate the scholarly impact of e-journals and e-journal articles (and by extension, e-journal authors).
Tectonically buried continent/ocean boundary, Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas

A seismic-reflection sequence observed at depth beneath the south flank of the Benton Uplift in Arkansas is interpreted to mark the early Paleozoic continent/ocean boundary. The sequence is similar in both external and internal geometry to wedge-shaped features commonly observed in the narrow zone separating continental from oceanic basement on modern passive margins and interpreted as layered volcanic sequences. It is suggested that slope and rise sediments now exposed in the Benton Uplift were thrust in a “thin-skinned” fashion over the edge of the North American continent during initial stages of the Carboniferous Ouachita orogeny, but that later uplift and slight northward translation of the continental margin basement occurred in a more “thick-skinned” fashion, preserving the boundary wedge intact beneath the earlier thrust sheets.
New Information Regarding Digitalis Metabolism

The digitalis glycosides, digoxin and digitoxin, have been examined in the light of new information regarding absorption, excretion, and metabolism. Digitoxin is completely absorbed, extensively recycled in the intestine, protein-bound, metabolized, and excreted largely in the urine as metabolites. It possesses, as a result, a long half-time of five to seven days. Factors governing its excretion and metabolism are incompletely studied in human subjects. Digoxin is 80 percent to 90 percent absorbed, little recycled, relatively little protein-bound, relatively little metabolized, and excreted largely unchanged in the urine. As a result it has a shorter half-time of 1.5 days and its excretion may be directly related to creatinine clearance. These properties of the commonly used glycosides should assist in clinical management of patients with congestive heart failure. Smaller doses of either glycoside than usually prescribed appear to suffice for adequate digitalization, and the dangerous complication of digitalis toxicity may then be avoided.
Cogeneration of retrogradely labeled corticocortical projection and GABA-immunoreactive local circuit neurons in cerebral cortex

The times of origin of cortico-cortical projection neurons and local circuit neurons in rat visual cortex were determined. The birthdates of the projection neurons were assessed using a technique that combined retrograde labeling with lectin-bound horseradish peroxidase and tritiated thymidine autoradiography. The birthdates of some cortical local circuit neurons were determined by combining GABA immunocytochemistry with [3H]thymidine autoradiography. Double-labeled neurons (those with retrograde or immunoreactive label in their perikarya and autoradiographic silver grains over their nuclei) were born during the third week of gestation. Projection and local circuit neurons born on gestational day 14, 15, 17, 19 or 20 were located primarily in layer VIb, VIa, V, III or II, respectively. Thus, both populations of neurons are generated by parallel and concurrent inside-to-outside patterns.
Glycoprotein gp130 of Dictyostelium discoideum Influences Macropinocytosis and Adhesion

Glycoprotein gp130, found on the plasma membrane of Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae, was postulated previously to play a role in phagocytosis. The gene for gp130 was cloned and when translated, yielded a 768 amino acid preproprotein of 85.3 kDa. It had nearly 40% similarity to the 138 kDa family of glycoproteins implicated in sexual cell fusion during macrocyst formation in D. discoideum. The difference between the calculated size and observed M(r) of 130 kDa on protein gels likely was due to N-glycosylation that was confirmed by lectin blots. Consistent with its surface-exposure, an antibody raised against recombinant protein stained the plasma membrane of D. discoideum amoebae. Gp130 and its transcripts were high during axenic growth of cells, but relatively low during growth on bacteria. The gene for gp130 was disrupted and cell lines lacking the glycoprotein were efficient phagocytes, indicating that gp130 was dispensable for phagocytosis. Gp130-null cells were similar in size to parent DH1 cells, had enhanced macropinocytosis and grew faster to higher densities. They also exhibited weaker cell-substrate adhesion but displayed greater cell-cell cohesion. Collectively, the data indicated that gp130 influenced macropinocytosis and played a role in adhesion during vegetative growth.
Using occupancy models of forest breeding birds to prioritize conservation planning

As urban development continues to encroach on the natural and rural landscape, land-use planners struggle to identify high priority conservation areas for protection. Although knowing where urban-sensitive species may be occurring on the landscape would facilitate conservation planning, research efforts are often not sufficiently designed to make quality predictions at unknown locations. Recent advances in occupancy modeling allow for more precise estimates of occupancy by accounting for differences in detectability. We applied these techniques to produce robust estimates of habitat occupancy for a subset of forest breeding birds, a group that has been shown to be sensitive to urbanization, in a rapidly urbanizing yet biological diverse region of New York State. We found that detection probability ranged widely across species, from 0.05 to 0.8. Our models suggest that detection probability declined with increasing forest fragmentation. We also found that the probability of occupancy of forest breeding birds is negatively influenced by increasing perimeter–area ratio of forest fragments and urbanization in the surrounding habitat matrix. We capitalized on our random sampling design to produce spatially explicit models that predict high priority conservation areas across the entire region, where interior-species were most likely to occur. Finally, we use our predictive maps to demonstrate how a strict sampling design coupled with occupancy modeling can be a valuable tool for prioritizing biodiversity conservation in land-use planning.
PAHNKE'S "GOOD FRIDAY EXPERIMENT' A LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP AND METHODOLOGICAL CRITIQUE

On Good Friday, 1962, before services commenced in Boston University's Marsh Chapel, Walter Pahnke administered small capsules to twenty Protestant divinity students. Thus began the most scientific experiment in the literature designed to investigate the potential of psychedelic drugs to facilitate mystical experience (Pahnke, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1970; Pahnke & Richards, 1969a, 1969b, 1969c). Half the capsules contained psilocybin (30mg), an extract of psychoactive mushrooms, and the other half contained a placebo. According to Pahnke, the experiment determined that "the persons who received psilocybin experienced to a greater extent than did the controls the phenomena described by our typology of mysticism" (Pahnke, 1963, p. 220).
Serpentinite: Record of Tectonic and Petrologic History

David O'Hanley has produced a book that encompasses a working knowledge of serpentinite needed to understand oceanic crust accretion and continental margin tectonics. The main theme of this book is to demonstrate that careful mineralogy and petrologic studies of serpentinites holds great promise in providing clues to unravel complex tectonic histories. It goes beyond giving insights into the paragenesis of serpentine minerals related to the pressure and temperature (P-T) of their stability fields by showing the influence of fluid rock interaction.
Diel rhythms of basal and stress-induced corticosterone in a wild, seasonal vertebrate, Gambel's white-crowned sparrow

Glucocorticoids have a wide array of actions in vertebrates. Daily fluctuations in basal levels of glucocorticoids are thought to regulate homeostatic mechanisms. In contrast, elevated levels secreted in response to stress stimulate changes in physiology and behavior. These changes are thought to aid an animal in avoiding chronic stress or death. Twenty-four-hour rhythms in basal and stress-induced glucocorticoids have been detected in laboratory mammals, but studies in wild, seasonal vertebrates are rare. Identification of plasticity in hormone secretion in wild vertebrates is critical to understanding the effects of hormones on physiology and behavior, and therefore the success of an animal in its natural environment. In the present study, we characterized diel patterns of basal and stress-induced corticosterone (the avian glucocorticoid) under two photoperiods in Gambel's white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii). In contrast to previous findings in the white-crowned sparrow, we demonstrated a robust rhythm in basal corticosterone secretion, in which corticosterone reaches peak levels at the end of the inactive period, and has returned to trough levels just after the active period has begun. We also demonstrated a diel rhythm in secretion of corticosterone in response to a stressor, showing the greatest response at the beginning of the active period. Patterns of CORT secretion were similar under both photoperiods. These patterns show interesting similarities and differences to classical mammalian rhythms.
Endovascular recanalization of complete subacute to chronic atherosclerotic occlusions of intracranial arteries

Objective/background Symptomatic subacute/chronic large artery intracranial occlusive disease represents a common medical dilemma. We now report a multicenter experience of endovascular recanalization of intracranial atherosclerotic occlusions refractory to medical therapy. Methods Retrospective multicenter case series of consecutive endovascularly treated patients presenting with symptomatic (transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke) subacute (>48 h) or chronic complete occlusion of an intracranial artery of presumed atherosclerotic etiology. All of the patients were considered to be in the high risk category with symptomatic intracranial occlusions and progression or recurrence of their symptoms despite the best medical therapies. Results 24 patients (median age 63 years; mean pretreatment National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score 10; 66% men) presenting with recurrent TIAs (n=1) or strokes (n=23) were treated in two academic centers from April 2005 to June 2012. Median time from symptoms/documented occlusion to treatment was 5 days. Periprocedural complications included one symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, one reperfusion syndrome, three asymptomatic dissections, and one asymptomatic perforation. There were no periprocedural strokes. Immediate postprocedural improvement (NIHSS decrease ≥4 at hospital discharge) occurred in 43% (10/23) of patients. There were no recurrent TIAs or strokes in the 22 patients with clinical follow-up at 90 days. At 90 days, there were two deaths (unrelated to the procedure) and 9/22 patients with an available modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score achieved a good outcome (mRS score of 0–2). Conclusions Endovascular recanalization can be performed with an acceptable safety profile in selected patients with symptomatic complete subacute to chronic intracranial atherosclerotic occlusion. Additional studies are warranted to investigate whether this treatment compares favorably with best medical management.
Spontaneous emission enhancement via guided resonance modes in GaN nanorod-array LEDs

We demonstrate strong correspondence between the emission characteristics of core-shell GaN nanorod array LEDs and guided resonance modes. We identify a nanorod array which produces 26 times more total brightness than an equivalent slab.
Study of Park-and-Ride Facilities and Their Use in the San Francisco Bay Area of California

Park-and-ride lots are important support facilities for transit and ridesharing in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. The authors designed and carried out the region's first large-scale, detailed study of park-and-ride facilities and users. Three Bay Area Rapid Transit (rail) station parking lots were also surveyed. The user survey results showed that almost all the parking users were commuters; at the freeway lots, half were transit users and the remainder were organized and casual carpoolers. Most drove alone to the park-and-ride lot and made long trips to work, many more than 30 mi one way. Users had concerns about lot security, the lack of lighting, and the quality of transit services offered. Analysis of focus group data determined that schedule adherence rather than frequency was the cause of most concerns. Participants expressed a willingness to pay for parking that was fenced, security patrolled, and lighted, with shelters for waiting. Together, the surveys and focus groups have provided in...
The Pond You Fish In Determines the Fish You Catch: Exploring Strategies for Qualitative Data Collection

Qualitative research has increased in popularity among social scientists. While substantial attention has been given to various methods of qualitative analysis, there is a need to focus on strategies for collecting diverse forms of qualitative data. In this article, the authors discuss four sources of qualitative data: participant observation, interviews, physical data, and electronic data. Although counseling psychology researchers often use interviewing, participant observation and physical and electronic data are also beneficial ways of collecting qualitative data that have been underutilized.
Highly phase stable mode-locked lasers

The authors report on stabilizing the carrier-envelope phase of mode-locked Ti:sapphire lasers. Optimization of the construction of the lasers for ease of phase stabilization is discussed. Results demonstrating long-term phase coherence of the generated pulse train are presented, yielding a phase coherence time of at least 326 s, measurement time limited. The conversion of amplitude noise to phase noise in the microstructured fiber, which is used to obtain an octave spanning spectrum, is measured. The resulting phase noise is found to be sufficiently small so as to not corrupt the phase stabilization. Shift of carrier-envelope phase external to the laser cavity due to propagation through a dispersive material is measured.
The Use of Next-of-Kin in Assessing Handedness

The present study administered a 15-item handedness questionnaire to 129 college students and their next-of-kin. This questionnaire was similar to the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory, except that a 7-point scale was used instead of a 2-choice scale. Test-retest reliability was evaluated with a second administration of the handedness questionnaire to each subject. Analysis showed a high test-retest reliability for all items and a high correlation between subject and next-of-kin responding for most items. However, some items on the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory showed much higher correlations than others when comparing subject and next-of-kin responding. The contribution of these data is that subjects' handedness can be accurately estimated from next-of-kin responses if a subset of these questionnaire items are used.
Self-Assembly of Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposite Coatings that Mimic the Structure of Shell

After over a decade of research, the efficient synthesis and processing of layered organic/inorganic nanocomposites that mimic bone and shell structures remains an elusive goal of the materials chemist. We report on a rapid, efficient, continuous method to form layered nanocomposites via evaporation induced supramolecular self-assembly (SSA). During dip coating of a homogeneous sol containing alcohol or ether solvents, silica precursors, organic monomers, initiators and surfactant (at an initial concentration below cmc), solvent evaporation induces the formation of micellar structures that co-organize with silica to form cubic, hexagonal or lamellar mesophases. The organic monomers and initiators are solvated within the hydrophobic micellar interiors. Subsequent photo or thermal polymerization and washing results in a silica/polymer thin film nanocomposite. The microstructural and physical characteristics of these materials will be discussed in the context of potential applications as abrasion resistant coatings and optical hosts.
Minimum modelling retrospective cost adaptive control of uncertain Hammerstein systems using auxiliary nonlinearities

We augment retrospective cost adaptive control (RCAC) with auxiliary nonlinearities to address a command-following problem for uncertain Hammerstein systems with possibly non-monotonic input nonlinearities. We assume that only one Markov parameter of the linear plant is known and that the input nonlinearity is uncertain. Auxiliary nonlinearities are used within RCAC to create a globally non-decreasing composite input nonlinearity. The required modelling information for the input nonlinearity includes the intervals of monotonicity as well as values of the nonlinearity that determine overlapping segments of the range of the nonlinearity within each interval of monotonicity.
Changes in DNA Methylation and Gene Expression during 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-Induced Suppression of the Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated IgM Response in Splenocytes

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a bacterial endotoxin and a potent B-cell activator capable of inducing a humoral immune response. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a well-established immunotoxicant that can suppress humoral immune responses, including those initiated by LPS stimulation. In murine models, TCDD-induced suppression of the LPS-activated primary immunoglobulin M (IgM) response is observed both in vivo and in vitro and is typically evaluated as a decrease in the number of IgM antibody-forming cells. The TCDD-induced suppression of the primary humoral immune response occurs, at least in part, upstream of IgM production. The current study was designed as an initial test of our hypothesis that altered DNA methylation, an epigenetic event, is involved in the LPS-induced IgM response by splenocytes as is the suppression of this response by TCDD. Splenocyte-derived DNA from mice treated in vivo with sesame oil + PBS, LPS, TCDD, or LPS + TCDD was used for the current investigation. DNA methylation was evaluated using a technique that permits assessment of the methylation status of multiple genomic regions simultaneously in an unbiased fashion (no specific genes or genomic regions are preselected). Additionally, the expression of selected genes was determined. Our results indicate that treatment with LPS or TCDD can alter DNA methylation and, importantly, combined TCDD + LPS results in altered DNA methylation that was not simply the addition of the changes discerned in the individual treatment groups. Thus, we have identified cross talk between LPS and TCDD at the level of DNA methylation and gene expression.
Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Dementia: A Clinical Perspective

Mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia are common problems in the elderly. Primary care physicians are the first point of contact for most patients with these disorders and should be familiar with their diagnosis, prognosis, and management. Both mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia are characterized by objective evidence of cognitive impairment. The main distinctions between mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia are that in the latter, more than one cognitive domain is invariably involved and substantial interference with daily life is evident. The diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia is based mainly on the history and cognitive examination. The prognosis for mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia is an important motivation for diagnosis because in both, there is a heightened risk for further cognitive decline. The etiology of mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia can often be established through the clinical examination, although imaging and other laboratory tests may also contribute. Although Alzheimer disease is the most common cause of both, cerebrovascular disease and Lewy body disease make important contributions. Pharmacological treatments are of modest value in mild dementia due to Alzheimer disease, and there are no approved pharmacological treatments for mild cognitive impairment of any etiology. Nonetheless, new-onset cognitive impairment is a worrisome symptom to patients and families that demands answers and advice. If a patient is having difficulties managing medications, finances, or transportation independently, diagnosis and intervention are necessary to ensure the health and safety of the patient.