cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous above and below approach to giant pituitary adenomas: surgical strategies and long-term follow-up.

Introduction Giant pituitary adenomas of excessive size, fibrous consistency or unfavorable geometric configuration may be unresectable through conventional operative approaches. We present our select case series for operative resection and long-term follow-up for these unusual tumors, employing both a staged procedure and a combined transsphenoidal-transcranial above and below approach. Method A retrospective chart review was performed on patients operated via the staged, and combined approaches by the senior author (J.N·B.). Preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes were reviewed. A detailed description of the operative technique and perioperative management is provided. Results Between 1993 and 1996, two patients harboring giant pituitary adenomas underwent an intentionally staged resection, and between 1997 and 2006, nine patients harboring giant pituitary adenomas underwent surgery via a single-stage above and below approach. Nine patients (82%) presented with non-secreting adenomas and two patients (18%) presented with prolactinomas refractory to medical management. Gross total resection was achieved in six patients (55%), near total resection in 1 (9%), and subtotal removal in 4 (36%). Seven patients (64%) experienced visual improvement postoperatively and no major complications occurred. Long-term follow-up averaged 51.6 months. Panhypopituitarism was observed in four patients, partial hypopituitarism in four, persistent DI in two, and persistent SIADH in one. Conclusions The addition of a transcranial component to the transsphenoidal approach offers additional visualization of critical neurovascular structures during giant pituitary adenoma resection. Complications rates are similar to other series in which complex pituitary adenomas are resected by other means. The above and below approach is both safe and effective and the immediate and long-term advantages of a single-stage approach justify its utility in this select group of patients.
A Stereoselective Approach to Pseudoguaianolides

Abstract The pseudoguaianolides are a class of naturally occurring hydroazulene lactones.1 Damsin (I), one of the structurally simpler members of the class, is a representative example.2 The more complex members may be considered as more highly oxidized or unsaturated derivatives of Damsin.1 Some of these feature a C-7, C-8-fused γ-butyrolactone.1
Surgical oncology at the crossroads: the future is now.

I am aware that I would not have had this opportunity to serve as your President this past year were it not for the help of many others, and I wanted to recognize several individuals specifically. My surgical residency years in Chicago enabled me to work closely with David Skinner at the University of Chicago and Steven Economou at Rush University (Fig. 1). Dr. Skinner was a master of clarity in thought, articulation, and purposeful accomplishment. Dr. Economou was the first to show me the cognitive and technical aspects of our specialty. A practitioner of multidisciplinary oncology care long before the concept came into vogue, Dr. Economou was proof positive that cancer could be thought through and beaten back by knowledge coupled to an “eloquent scalpel”. Dr. Economou was the first to stimulate, and then encourage, my aspirations to become a surgical oncologist, and for this I will always be grateful.
Enzymatic changes of the bovine pituitary multicatalytic proteinase complex, induced by magnesium ions

Abstract The effect of magnesium ions on the catalytic activities of the bovine pituitary multicatalytic proteinase complex (MPC) was studied. Mg 2+ markedly stimulated the breakdown of dephosphorylated β-casein (caseinolytic activity) and the hydrolysis of CbzLeuLeuGlu-2-naphthylamide (peptidylglutamyl peptide bond hydrolyzing activity) by a 1700-fold purified preparation of MPC. Cleavage of CbzD-AlaLeuArg-2-naphthylamide (trypsin-like activity) was strongly inhibited and cleavage of CbzGlyGlyLeu p -nitroanilide (chymotrypsin-like activity) was weakly inhibited. Similar results were produced when enzymatic activities in the absence of Mg 2+ were measured at 52 °C rather than at 37 °C. Trace protein impurities were removed by phenyl-Sepharose chromatography. This additional chromatographic step, while not changing the specific activities of hydrolysis of the three synthetic chromogenic substrates, led to a marked activation of the breakdown of dephosphorylated β-casein. Mg 2+ was not able to further stimulate the caseinolytic activities of either the phenyl-Sepharose-treated preparation or the preparation measured at 52 °C. Mg 2+ therefore converts a “repressed” form of MPC to an “activated” form, possibly by promoting dissociation of a protein inhibitor, and may serve as a physiological regulator of this enzyme complex.
Computation of modal decompositions for studying electromagnetic induction

In this paper, a numerical method for calculating the wideband, low-frequency, eddy-current response of a metallic body-of-revolution is described. Solutions are given in a modal decomposition that can be related to the discrete spectrum of relaxation frequencies and the measured magnetic polarizability dyadic. Calculated responses are compared with the analytically known solution for a sphere and measured responses for a cylinder. A graph of the relaxation frequencies and moments for the two most dominant modes in a cylinder, given as a function of aspect ratio, is provided.
Transluminal coronary angioplasty of postmortem human hearts

Abstract Twelve autopsy human hearts were submitted to coronary angiography and coronary arterial balloon angioplasty. The effect of angioplasty was determined by follow-up coronary angiography as well as gross and microscopic inspection of the coronary arteries dilated. Fifty-four dilations were performed in 24 coronary arteries. Angiographically 50 of the 54 dilations resulted in a mean (± standard deviation) increase in luminal diameter ranging from 1.9 ± 0.9 to 2.7 ± 0.8 mm. Failure to increase luminal size was usually related to a predilation coronary diameter greater than that of the inflated angioplasty balloon. Dilation resulted in mural disruption with intimai or medial tears, or both, in 65 percent of arteries dilated. Disruption was more frequent in arteries with atherosclerosis and calcification. The mechanism of luminal enlargement in coronary angioplasty may be focal damage to the arterial wall with intimai or medial splitting as opposed to plaque compression as initially suggested.
Migration / evolution of security towards wireless ATM

This proposal aims to outline possibilities for the migration, evolution path from second-generation systems (GSM) to wireless ATM regarding security aspect.Some of the factors and parameters of security affecting the migration path towards wireless ATM are identified. Also expected, planned security features for wireless ATM is explained and compared to second generation cellular systems.This work is done following the work of ASPeCT ( Advanced Security for Personal Communications Technologies) in a similar manner.
Gliomas of the optic nerve: histological, immunohistochemical (MIB-1 and p53), and MRI analysis.

Gliomas of the optic nerve, although typically of pilocytic (WHO grade I) histology, can present within the spectrum of astrocytic neoplasia including glioblastoma (WHO grade IV). In certain cases, histologic features alone make the distinction between pilocytic and diffuse astrocytomas difficult. We reviewed 22 cases of optic nerve gliomas, 19 of which were pilocytic astrocytomas (PA), and 3 of which were diffuse, non-pilocytic astrocytomas. The cases were evaluated for their clinical course, radiographic appearance, histologic grade, and proliferation indices as detected by MIB-1 (Ki-67) and p53 antibodies. Of the 19 PA, 14 showed no tumor growth by magnetic resonance imaging, and had Ki-67 and p53 labeling indices (LI) of 2%. Thus, in cases of aggressive optic nerve tumors in which the histologic review of biopsy material cannot confidently confirm the diagnosis of pilocytic or diffuse fibrillary glioma, a p53 LI of > 1% appears to favor the diagnosis of diffuse astrocytoma.
Tissue sampling at ERCP in suspected malignant biliary strictures (Part 2).

Part I of this review in the previous issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy outlined the key points of tissue sampling at ERCP and considered intraductal bile aspiration cytology, cytologic/histologic analysis of retrieved plastic biliary stents and fine needle aspiration cytology. Specimen adequacy, slide preparation, and accuracy of slide interpretation, which is often influenced by the interpretation “philosophy” of individual cytopathologists, are fundamental to the effort to optimize cancer detection by using tissue sampling techniques at ERCP. Intraductal bile aspiration is simple and inexpensive but adds little to the other methods, which have higher rates of cancer detection. Therefore, bile aspiration is recommended only when other sampling techniques cannot be used. Cytologic evaluation of material from retrieved plastic biliary stents is relatively insensitive (32%) and impractical as a firstline approach to the diagnosis of malignant biliary obstruction because diagnosis is delayed until the stent is removed. However, it can be considered in patients undergoing stent exchange when other methods of tissue sampling fail to confirm the suspected diagnosis of malignancy. Endoscopic fineneedle aspiration (FNA) cytology has a lower rate of cancer detection (33%) than initially reported and is technically difficult. It is usually used to supplement other simpler methods. Part II of this review considers the remaining tissue sampling methods for use at ERCP: brush cytology, endobiliary forceps biopsy, and the multimodal tissue sampling. Methods for improving diagnostic yield are discussed. BRUSH CYTOLOGY
Internally consistent pattern of seismicity near Charleston, South Carolina

An improved velocity model for the meizoseismal area of the 1886 Charleston earthquake was used to relocate current seismicity, which showed marked separation into clusters. The relocated hypocenters and composite focal plane solutions were compared with available geophysical data to interpret their tectonic significance and possible association with the 1886 earthquakes. There is a distinct velocity discontinuity at a depth of about 10 km, where Vp increases from 5.9 to 6.45 km/s. The relocated hypocenters and composite focal plane solutions delineate two main source zones lying at different depths. The shallower zone, at 4 to 8 km depth and collinear with the Ashley River, is herein named the Ashley River seismogenic zone. The composite focal plane solution suggests reverse faulting on a steeply dipping northwest-striking fault with the southwest side upthrown. This zone is also associated with aeromagnetic and gravity anomalies. The deeper zone, at 9 to 13 km, suggests a right slip on a fault extending N26°E from east of Ravanel to Jedburg, a distance of more than 25 km, and dipping steeply to the west-northwest. Its location and extent are similar to the so-called Woodstock fault. Examination of geomorphic data suggests that there may be some ongoing tectonic uplift and subsidence in the area. The inferred P axes from fault-plane solutions are oriented S60°W. Firsthand accounts of the 1886 earthquakes suggest that two source areas were active in 1886 and the months that followed; I postulate that the two zones of current seismicity are coincident with the 1886 source areas.
John Craig and the Probability of History: From the Death of Christ to the Birth of Laplace

Abstract In 1699 John Craig published an underappreciated book on the probability of historical events. A new interpretation of Craig's work is offered, and it is argued that his formula for the probability of testimony was tantamount to a logistic model for the posterior odds. A modern model for the transmission of evidence is given that is qualitatively similar to Craig's, and Craig's attempt to date the Second Coming of Christ is discussed. Finally, Craig's model is fit to more modern data (from 1882) on the birth date of Laplace.
Identifying coronary artery disease in women by heart rate adjustment of ST-segment depression and improved performance of linear regression over simple averaging method with comparison to standard criteria

Abstract Performance of exercise electrocardiography for the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) in women has been limited by relatively poor sensitivity and specificity of standard test criteria. Recent studies suggest that diagnostic methods incorporating heart rate (HR) adjustment of ST-segment depression during exercise may improve the accuracy of exercise testing in women, but the relative performance of different rate-adjusted methods for this purpose is unknown. To assess the effect of gender on relative test performance of the ST-segment/HR (ST/HR) slope, the simple ST/HR index, the HR-recovery loop, and standard ST-depression criteria for the identification of CAD, the exercise electrocardiograms of 254 patients with known or suspected CAD (67 women and 187 men) and of 150 clinically normal subjects (29 women and 121 men) were analyzed. Specificity of each method was comparable in men and women: ST/HR slope 98% (118 of 121) vs 97% (28 of 29), ST/HR index 97% (117 of 121) vs 97% (28 of 29), and HR-recovery loop 96% (116 of 121) vs 93% (27 of 29). In contrast, although there was no difference in sensitivity of the ST/HR slope (95% [177 of 187] vs 93% [62 of 67]; p = not significant [NS]) or HR-recovery loop (90% [168 of 187] vs 87% [58 of 67]; p = NS) between men and women, the ST/HR index was less sensitive for CAD in women than in men (82% [55 of 67] vs 93% [173 of 187]; p
Spectral resolution of a second binding site for Nile Red on cytochrome P4503A4

Nile Red is sequentially metabolized by cytochrome P4503A4 to the N-monoethyl and N-desethyl products, which typifies the metabolism of many amine containing drugs. Sequential metabolism of a single substrate results in complex kinetics that confound predictive models of drug clearance. As a fluorescent model for drugs which undergo sequential metabolism, Nile Red provides the opportunity to monitor drug-CYP interactions wherein the fluorescent properties of Nile Red could, in principle, be exploited to determine individual rate and equilibrium constants for the individual reactions. Previously, it was shown that Nile Red binds at the active site and fluoresces (K(D) approximately 50nM) with maximum emission at approximately 620nm, but it was unclear whether a red-shifted emission, at approximately 660nm, consisted of only free Nile Red or Nile Red bound at a second site on the protein. Here, equilibrium binding studies, including 'reverse titrations' spanning low ratios of CYP3A4/Nile Red, indicate two binding sites for Nile Red with a contribution to the 'red emission' greater than can be accounted for by free Nile Red. Singular value decomposition affords basis spectra for both spectral components and fits well to the experimentally determined concentration dependence of Nile Red emission. In addition, the red spectral component, with an apparent K(D)=2.2muM, is selectively eliminated by titration with the known allosteric effectors of CYP3A4, alpha-napthoflavone and testosterone. Furthermore, the double mutant L2311F/D214E, previously demonstrated to perturb a peripheral allosteric site, lacks the red-emitting Nile Red binding site, but retains the blue-emitting site. Together these data indicate that a second Nile Red site competes with other effectors of CYP3A4 at a site that results in Nile Red emission at 660nm.
Diffusion of 1H and 2H on W(001)

The diffusion of 1H and 2H on the (001) plane of a tungsten field emitter has been studied by the field emission fluctuation method, employing a rectangular probe for anisotropy determinations. Diffusion was found to be temperature independent for T 220K a third regime with E = 4−7kcal/mol and D0 = 10−5−10−7cm2/s occurs. There is some diffusion anisotropy for both tunneling and weakly activated diffusion, and also for high temperature diffusion at very low coverage, presumably corresponding to surface reconstruction with a single domain predominating. For T < 200K evidence for the coexistence of two diffusion regimes was found and is tentatively attributed to fluctuations caused by single atoms and by collective modes, respectively. Isotope effects were small under all conditions, including tunneling. Mean square fluctuations were temperature dependent, except below 140 K. The resultant “activation” energies suggest that much of this dependence involves substrate compression. The small isotope effect in tunneling and the small values of E and D0 in the first activated regime are attributed to the involvement of substrate distortions in diffusion, essentially via polaronic effects and adsorbate-substrate atom phasing requirements for H hopping. The self diffusion of thermally generated W atoms at 660 ≤ T ≤ 775K was also investigated: E ≈ 18kcal/mol and D0 ≈ 10−7cm2/s.
Octic 2-adic fields

Abstract We compute all octic extensions of Q 2 and find that there are 1823 of them up to isomorphism. We compute the associated Galois group of each field, slopes measuring wild ramification, and other quantities. We present summarizing tables here with complete information available at our online database of local fields.
Casimir-Lifshitz Theory and Metamaterials

Based on a generalization of the Lifshiftz theory, we calculate Casimir forces involving magnetodielectric and possibly anisotropic metamaterials, focusing on the possibility of repulsive forces. It is found that Casimir repulsion decreases with magnetic dissipation, and even a small Drude background in metallic-based metamaterials acts to make attractive a Casimir force that would otherwise be predicted to be repulsive. The sign of the force also depends sensitively on the degree of optical anisotropy of the metamaterial and on the form of the frequency dependency of the magnetic response.
A recombinant defective adenoviral agent expressing anti-bcl-2 ribozyme promotes apoptosis of bcl-2-expressing human prostate cancer cells.

Over-expression of bcl-2, a potent anti-apoptosis protein, is likely to be one of the genetic mechanisms through which human prostate cancer cells develop resistance to hormonal and other forms of therapy. To develop a therapeutic agent for hormone-resistant prostate cancer based on suppression of bcl-2 expression, we had previously designed and synthesized a dual-hammerhead ribozyme capable of recognizing and specifically cleaving human bcl-2 mRNA in vitro as well as in vivo. To increase the efficiency by which the anti-bcl-2 ribozyme can be delivered to target cells, we have created a recombinant replication-deficient (defective) adenoviral agent capable of expressing the anti-bcl-2 ribozyme upon infection. This viral agent effectively reduces intracellular levels of bcl-2 mRNA and protein in cultured LNCaP prostate cancer cells following standard infection procedures. Likewise, the defective adenovirus-anti-bcl-2 ribozyme induces extensive apoptosis in several androgen-sensitive (LNCaP) and androgen-insensitive (LNCaP/bcl-2 and PC-3) human prostate cancer cell lines that express differing amounts of bcl-2 protein. One androgen-insensitive prostate cancer cell line, DU-145, lacking in bcl-2 expression, was found to be completely refractory to the effects of the virus ribozyme, supporting the concept that the cytotoxic effects of the ribozyme are based solely on its effects on bcl-2 expression. Our results support further development of this adenovirus/anti-bcl-2 ribozyme for potential gene therapeutic purposes in certain forms of hormone-resistant prostate cancer where over-expression of bcl-2 proto-oncogene is indicated.
Human Growth Hormone (hGH) May Influence Chromosome Aberrations and Fragility 487

The influence of hGH treatment on spontaneous chromosome aberrations and chromosome fragility was tested in 23 naive patients aged 4 to 16 years. The breaking action of ionizing radiation was used as an indicator of chromosome fragility. 17 patients had growth hormone deficiency, 1 Turner syndrome, and 5 neurosecretory growth hormone dysfunction. Blood samples were taken at baseline and following 6 months of hGH treatment (0.3 mg/Kg/week). Lymphocyte cultures and cytogenetic preparations were established using standard cytogenetic techniques. Half of the cultures were irradiated with 3 Gy of gamma rays. All mitotic preparations were coded to ensure “blind” enumeration of aberrations. A one-way ANOVA was performed on log transformed data for analysis of aberrations per cell. There were no significant differences between pre-treatment (9,500 cells) and post-treatment (8,000 cells) cells for spontaneous chromosome-type aberrations (mean ± SEM) 4.2 × 10-3 ± 1.2 × 10-3 vs 7.9 × 10-3 ± 2.9 × 10-3 (p=0.08); for chromatid-type aberrations 9.2 × 10-3 ± 2.8 × 10-3 vs 1.1× 10-2 ± 4.0 × 10-3 (p=0.42); and for total aberrations (chromosome + chromatid) 1.3 × 10-2 ± 3.0× 10-3 vs 1.9 × 10-2 ± 7.0 × 10-3 (p=0.10). There were also no significant differences for radiation-induced aberrations (4,550 pretreatment cells and 4,850 post-treatment cells) for chromosome aberrations 1.12 ± 3.0 × 10-2 vs 1.05 ± 5.0 × 10-2 (p=0.18); for chromatid aberrations 2.6 × 10-2 ± 5.0 × 10-3 vs 2.0× 10-2 ± 3.0 × 10-3 (p=0.60); and for total aberrations 1.15 ± 3.0 × 10-2 vs 1.07 ± 5.0 × 10-2 (p=0.17). However, when the data were analyzed on a per chromosome basis (i.e. number of aberrant chromosomes ÷ total number of chromosomes scored) with binomial probability being applied to the raw data, small but significant differences were seen. Total spontaneous aberrations per cell (mean with 95% confidence limits) were: pre-treatment 2.65 × 10-4 (2.18 × 10-4 to 3.13 × 10-4) vs post-treatment 3.42 × 10-4 (2.83 × 10-4 to 4.02× 10-4) p<0.05), and for total radiation-induced aberrations 2.51 × 10-2 (2.44 × 10-2 to 2.57 × 10-2) vs 2.40 × 10-2 (2.34 × 10-2 to 2.47× 10-2) (p<0.05). This analysis suggests that 6 months of hGH treatment may lead to a significant increase in spontaneous chromosome aberrations and significant decrease in chromosome fragility. The disparity between the chromosome aberration and fragility data is unexplained and requires further investigation.
A developmental approach to self‐monitoring behavior

Research has failed to consistently validate Snyder's self‐monitoring construct. Criticisms of the construct have focused upon both the logic of the construct and on the scale used to measure it. This investigation examined changes that may occur in self‐monitoring behavior as individuals age. The Revised Self‐Monitoring Scale was administered to four different age groups: 16–18 year olds, 21–34 year olds, 35–54 year olds, and 55–82 year olds. While individuals in these groups exhibited no significant differences in their self‐monitoring behavior, individuals of varying ages did differ in the extent to which they reported they were able to modify their self‐presentations. The Revised Self‐Monitoring Scale proved to be reliable, except for use with the 16–18 year old age group. Limitations of the scale are discussed and recommendations for further self‐monitoring research are proposed.
Perceived Emotional Support and Frequent Social Contacts Are Associated with Greater Knowledge of Stroke Warning Signs: Evidence from Two Cross-sectional US Population Surveys

Public knowledge of acute stroke symptoms is a goal of public health policy. Similarly, general health knowledge is a hypothesized pathway for the salutary effects of social ties. This study examined the association of stroke warning sign knowledge with the quantity (number of recent social contacts) and/or quality (perceived emotional support) of social ties in two population-based cross-sectional surveys (Ns = 33,326 and 80,454). Both higher levels of emotional support and more frequent social contacts were independently associated with greater stroke warning sign knowledge. Social isolation is a novel marker of poor knowledge of stroke warning signs.
Ethylene: Response of Fruit Dehiscence to CO2 and Reduced Pressure

These studies were conducted to determine whether ethylene serves as a natural regulator of fruit wall dehiscence, a major visible feature of ripening in some fruits. We employed treatments to inhibit ethylene action or remove ethylene and observed their effect on fruit dehiscence. CO(2) (13%), a competitive inhibitor of ethylene action in many systems, readily delayed dehiscence of detached fruits of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), pecan (Carya illinoensis [Wang.] K. Koch), and okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.). The CO(2) effect was duplicated by placing fruits under reduced pressure (200 millimeters mercury), to promote the escape of ethylene from the tissue. Dehiscence of detached fruits of these species as well as attached cotton fruits was delayed. The delay of dehiscence of cotton and okra by both treatments was achieved with fruit harvested at intervals from shortly after anthesis until shortly before natural dehiscence. Pecan fruits would not dehisce until approximately 1 month before natural dehiscence, and during that time, CO(2) and reduced pressure delayed dehiscence. CO(2) and ethylene were competitive in their effects on cotton fruit dehiscence. All of the results are compatible with a hypothetical role of ethylene as a natural regulator of dehiscence, a dominant aspect of ripening of cotton, pecan, and some other fruits.
Transparent Clocks vs. Enterprise Ethernet switches

Precision Time Protocol (PTP) is a high-precision time synchronization protocol designed to operate over a local area network. PTP, typically referred to as 1588, is defined by the IEEE Standard 1588™-2008 and provides clock synchronization at the nanosecond level. Even though devices with support for 1588 are widely available, there have been few performance studies of such devices. This paper investigates the impact of latency and high bandwidth background traffic on 1588 clock synchronization in a network consisting of both 1588 and non-1588 aware switches. As expected, we found that 1588-aware switches provide higher precision time synchronization in smaller-scale networks. In larger networks with congestion, 1588-aware switches were unable to maintain high accuracy clock synchronization due to the lack of traffic prioritization. Our results also show that having cut-through Enterprise Ethernet switches with prioritization enabled is adequate for maintaining sub-microsecond synchronization.
Using Computer-Based Writing Software to Facilitate Writing Assignments in Large Political Science Classes

It is generally accepted in the literature that writing assignments, even short ones, increase both student writing ability and comprehension of the material covered in the assignments. As class enrollments increase, particularly at the introductory level, however, instructors often sacrifice writing assignments because of the difficulty in grading written assignments. In this study, we assess the benefits of an online writing program (Calibrated Peer Review [CPR]) that allows students to learn to evaluate and actually grade each other's essays. We find that the CPR process results in better content mastery on exams. Moreover, it makes writing assignments feasible in very large classes.
Perfluorochemical elimination from the lungs: effect of initial dose.

Liquid-assisted ventilation with perfluorochemical (PFC) has been beneficial in a variety of respiratory diseases in animals and humans. Although PFC evaporation from the lungs is in part dependent on ventilation strategy and positioning, guidelines for initial and replacement dosing are unclear. We hypothesized that PFC evaporative loss over time is dependent on the size of the initial dose. Juvenile rabbits (n = 18) were ventilated using constant animal position and ventilator strategy. PFC (perflubron: LiquiVent ) was instilled endotracheally, using four groups with initial doses of 2, 6, 12, and 17 mL/kg. A previously described thermal detector that measures PFC in expired gas was used to calculate loss rate, residual perflubron in the lung, and volume loss as a % of initial fill volume. There was a significant dose, time, and dose-time interaction such that evaporative loss was dependent on initial PFC volume and time after fill (P < 0.05). Evaporative loss rate decreased earlier at lower doses. The percentage of initial volume lost to evaporation over time was inversely related to dose and could not be predicted by decreasing % PFC saturations, independent of dose. Evaporative loss should be considered to optimize both the application of PFC to the lung and replacement dosing during partial liquid ventilation.
Effects of single-parent status on mothers and their high-risk infants

Home environments and maternal perceptions of infant temperament were compared for single-parent and two-parent families of high-risk or developmentally disabled infants. Single mothers' younger age, lesser education, and lower occupational status were covaried from analyses of measures taken when infants were 9 months and again when infants were 18-months-old. At both times single mothers provided less optimal environmental stimulation as measured by the HOME Inventory. They provided fewer appropriate play materials at 9 months, and they were less involved with their children and provided fewer opportunities for variety in daily stimulation at 18 months. Single mothers rated their babies' temperaments more negatively at 9 months but not at 18 months. Results are discussed in the context of multiple stresses to adequate parenting.
DNA: directional neighborhood analysis for detection of breast masses in screening mammograms

We introduce a computer-assisted detection (CAD) system for the automated detection of breast masses in screening mammograms. The system targets the directional behavior of the neighborhood pixels surrounding a reference image pixel. The underlying hypothesis is that in the presence of a mass the directional properties of the breast tissue surrounding the mass should be altered. The hypothesis was tested using a database of 1,337 mammographic regions of interest (ROIs) extracted from DDSM mammograms. There were 681 ROIs containing a biopsy-proven mass centered in the ROI (340 malignant, 341 benign) and 656 ROIs depicting normal breast parenchyma. Initially, eight main directional propagations were identified and modeled given the center of the ROI as the reference pixel. Subsequently, eight novel morphological features were extracted for each direction. The features were designed to characterize the disturbance occurring in normal breast parenchyma due to the presence of a mass. Finally, the extracted features were merged using a back propagation neural network (BPANN). The network served as a non linear classifier trained to determine the presence of a mass centered at the reference image pixel. The BPANN was trained and tested using a leave-one-out sampling scheme. Its performance was evaluated with Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis. Our CAD system showed an ROC area index of Az=0.88±0.01 for discriminating mass vs. normal ROIs. Detection performance was robust for both malignant (Az=0.88±0.01) and benign masses (Az=0.87±0.01). Thus, the proposed directional neighborhood analysis (DNA) can be applied effectively to identify suspicious masses in screening mammograms.
Reconfigurable deployable antennas for space communications

This paper discusses the merging of reconfigurable and deployable antennas for satellite and space communications. Reconfigurable antennas, normally proposed for terrestrial applications, allow deployable antennas to be more adaptive and more capable to perform additional functions. In this paper, various antenna concepts that can deploy and at the same time possess frequency tuning capability are proposed for space communications. The addition of tuning ability allows a more efficient, selective and cognitive communication schemes.
Impact of fibronectin assembly on platelet thrombus formation in response to type I collagen and von Willebrand factor.

Plasma fibronectin enhances platelet thrombus formation on surfaces coated with collagen. We investigated the role of fibronectin assembly in this process. Platelets adherent to fibrillar type I collagen, but not platelets adherent to von Willebrand factor (VWF), supported assembly of plasma fibronectin under static conditions. At a shear rate of 1250 s–1, platelets adherent to collagen assembled coperfused plasma fibronectin and formed larger thrombi in a fibronectin-concentration–dependent manner, with a maximum effect at 250 μg/mL. Enhanced thrombus formation on collagen was blocked by a peptide that binds to the N-terminal region of fibronectin and inhibits fibronectin assembly. Cross-linking of fibronectin to collagen prior to exposure to platelets had no effect on thrombus formation. Collagen-induced platelet thrombus formation at a shear rate of 5000 s–1 required coperfusion with VWF and did not result in assembly of coperfused fibronectin. VWF-mediated increase in platelet thrombi on collagen was not enhanced and indeed was somewhat attenuated by coperfused fibronectin at a shear rate of 5000 s–1. These results indicate that, at moderately high but not very high shear rates, fibronectin assembly in platelet aggregates that form in response to collagen enhances thrombus formation and serves as an alternative to VWF-mediated enhancement.
Negative Effect of High Calcium Levels on Schwann Cell Survival

Our previous studies showed that the functional recovery of an injured nerve correlates with calcium absorption, and that acceleration of this absorption can greatly improve regeneration. In our study, we examined effects of the calcium concentration on cultured Schwann cells obtained from the rat sciatic nerve. Using published methods and simple calculations, we measured the calcium concentration inside normal and injured (crushed) nerve fibers and found that the injured-nerve internal calcium concentration is 16.8 mM, on average. The cells, including Schwann cells, were isolated from an intact sciatic nerve and cultured with various Ca2+ concentrations of calcium-spiked media, from the normal (1.8 mM) to 5.0–16.8 mM. The cells were fixed, blocked, and incubated with Anti-S-100, Goat-Anti-Mouse, and Propidium Iodide. They were viewed under fluorescent conditions to identify the Schwann cells. All the cells in the control dishes were viable, and there were large numbers of Schwann cells present. All the experimental dishes showed the profound concentration-dependent harmful effect of excessive calcium on the number and type of cells present. The high level of calcium corresponding to nerve injury severely affected Schwann and all other cell survival and growth in this cell culture study. Thus, Schwann cell survival and growth are very sensitive to and negatively affected by higher calcium levels than that in the normal media.
A low heat leak temperature stabilized column type support

Abstract The design and analysis of a low heat leak temperature stabilized column type support is presented. Engineering design formulas have been developed for a three tube composite column which uses the cryostat liquid nitrogen radiation shield as a heat sink. Also, the design concept and method of analysis for the general case using many tubes with or without heat sinks is also developed. These simple structural elements conduct negligible amounts of heat to the supported cold mass and may be designed to shrink, grow, or remain unchanged in height when cooled to operating conditions. The three tube specimen presented herein has a collapse load of 9 000 kg and a heat leak of less than 11 mW.
Parameter estimation of stochastic model-based image segmentation technique

Since both detection and classification in an unsupervised stochastic model-based segmentation technique require the results from estimation, model parameter estimation becomes a core part of these types of techniques. Based on FNM model, ML likelihood equations and their solutions have been derived. After investigating the Bayesian probability in these solutions and comparing it with probability membership of EM algorithm, this paper proves that both CM and EM algorithms which are used in this segmentation technique do produce asymptotically unbiased ML estimates of FNM parameters, through the iterative process, when the stopping criteria are satisfied. The evolution of probability membership in the iterative process finally leads to the pixel labeling. The corresponding Cramer-Rao bounds of the variances of these estimates are also derived. The results by applying this performance analysis method to the simulated images with signal-to-noise (SNR) as a parameter, are obtained and reported in this paper. These results show that for the images with the moderate quality, the parameter estimates are quite accurate. When SNR >= 14.5 db, all estimates are within the one- standard deviation interval.
Effect of mechanical surface treatments on Ti–6Al–4V direct metal deposition parts

Abstract The effect of surface treatments, including aggressive milling, rotational burnishing, and nonrotational burnishing, on Ti–6Al–4V DMD (direct metal deposition) parts was investigated. Particular emphasis is on the question of whether these surface treatments could induce the plastically deformed and work-hardened layer that was proven to enhance the fatigue resistance of titanium alloys and was a key step for recrystallization. Through the microhardness examination and microstructure analysis, it was found that the rotational burnishing process was able to work harden the material deeper than 1000 μm, while the work-hardened layer generated by the nonrotational process was ∼600 μm and that for aggressive milling was less than 10 μm. Because surface finish is another critical factor for the resistance of fatigue crack initiation, it was also evaluated for these treatments.
Deterring discrimination with data

Discrimination on grounds of race, sex, and handicap persists in many local school districts in spite of nearly twenty years of sustained attention from federal policymakers. Because litigation proceeds slowly and expensively, and because administrative attacks on discrimination have been stymied by political controversy, additional policy strategies merit careful consideration. We studied the operation of one such strategy in nine local districts: the mandatory collection of data concerning civil rights matters in schools. Data collection and reporting shaped local compliance with civil rights laws in four ways: by threatening local officials with future penalties, by providing political ammunition to constituencies that care about civil rights, by allowing local districts to learn about their own performance, and by framing school practices in ways that heighten awareness about equity. In this policy setting, data collection has advantages and disadvantages that complement those of other enforcement strategies. In this and other policy settings, data collection has power to elicit compliance even in the absence of conventional enforcement.
East-derived Strata in the Methow Basin Record Rapid Mid-Cretaceous Uplift of the Southern Coast Mountains Batholith

The Jurassic–Cretaceous Methow basin of northern Washington State and southern British Columbia forms an overlap sequence linking several small tectonostratigraphic terranes. Sandstone petrography, sandstone and mudrock geochemistry, and detrital zircon U–Pb age and Hf analysis of mid-Cretaceous, east-derived Methow strata together document a remarkably uniform provenance signature that suggests proximal, abundant, and unchanging sediment sources throughout deposition. The eastern belt of the Coast Mountains batholith, intruded into Stikine and related inboard terranes of the Intermontane superterrane, along with Jurassic and Cretaceous plutons of the westernmost Okanogan Range, provide the best match to the provenance signature of east-derived sediment in the Methow basin during the mid-Cretaceous. Furthermore, the Cretaceous and Jurassic plutons of the eastern Coast Mountains batholith and western Okanogan Range were rapidly uplifted to provide the substantial thickness of sediment in the Methow basin, ...
Phylogenetic Relationships within Uvularia (Colchicaceae) Based on Morphology

Abstract The five species of bellworts in the genus Uvularia are common woodland herbs endemic to eastern North America. Two previous studies conducted phylogenetic analyses of Uvularia based on matK and rbcL gene sequences. The objective of this study was to create a phylogeny for Uvularia based on 18 qualitative morphological characters and 14 quantitative characters. Two phylogenetic analyses were performed, one including all 32 characters and one excluding the 14 quantitative characters. Strict consensus trees from the two analyses had the same topology and were congruent with published molecular phylogenies, supporting two sections of the genus.
Towards fuzzy method for estimating prediction accuracy for discrete inputs, with application to predicting at-risk students

In many practical situations, we need, given the values of the observed quantities x1, ⋯, xn, to predict the value of a desired quantity y. To estimate the accuracy of a prediction algorithm f(x1, ⋯, xn), we need to compare the results of this algorithm's prediction with the actually observed values. The value y usually depends not only on the values x1, ⋯, xn, but also on values of other quantities which we do not measure. As a result, even when we have the exact same values of the quantities x1, ⋯, xn, we may get somewhat different values of y. It is often reasonable to assume that for each combinations of xi values, possible values of y are normally distributed, with some mean E and standard deviation σ. Ideally, we should predict both E and σ, but in many practical situations, we only predict a single value y. How can we gauge the accuracy of this prediction based on the observations? A seemingly reasonable idea is to use crisp evaluation of prediction accuracy: a method is accurate if y belongs to a k0-sigma interval [E-k0·σ, E+k0·σ], for some pre-selected value k0 (e.g., 2, 3, or 6). However, in this method, the value y = E+k0·σ is considered accurate, but a value E+(k0+e)·σ (which, for small e>0, is practically indistinguishable from y) is not accurate. To achieve a more adequate description of accuracy, we propose to define a degree to which the given estimate is accurate. As a case study, we consider predicting at-risk students.
Counter‐expertise and the politics of collaboration

(1998). Counter‐expertise and the politics of collaboration. Science as Culture: Vol. 7, Strategizing counter-expertise, pp. 145-172.
Host specificity tests of Chrysomelobia labidomerae, a mite parasitic on the Colorado potato beetle

Abstract The parasitic mite, Chrysomelobia labidomerae Eickwort, appears to be limited to coleopterous hosts in the tribe Zygogrammini of the subfamily Chrysomelinae. The mite was originally described as a parasite of adult Labidomera clivicollis (Kirby) in New York. We found it in Mexico parasitizing 4 additional species in the tribe Zygogrammini: Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), Leptinotarsa undecemlineata Stahl., Leptinotarsa signaticollis Stahl., and Leptinotarsa cacica Stahl. Experimentally, we found many species to be unsuitable hosts for a Mexican race of the mite including the honey bee, Apis mellifera (L.); coccinellids: Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville, Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer), Coccinella septempunctata L., and the Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant; carabids: Harpalus pennsylvanicus DeGeer, and Clivinia impressifrons LeConte; the cerambycid, Tetraopes tetrophthalmus (Forster); and the chrysomelid, Lema trilineata L. Larvae of L. decemlineata were also found to be uns...
Smooth interpolation of a mesh of curves

The interpolation of a mesh of curves by a smooth regularly parametrized surface with one polynomial piece per facet is studied. Not every mesh with a well-defined tangent plane at the mesh points has such an interpolant: the curvature of mesh curves emanating from mesh points with an even number of neighbors must satisfy an additional “vertex enclosure constraint.” The constraint is weaker than previous analyses in the literature suggest and thus leads to more efficient constructions. This is illustrated by an implemented algorithm for the local interpolation of a cubic curve mesh by a piecewise [bi]quarticC 1 surface. The scheme is based on an alternative sufficient constraint that forces the mesh curves to interpolate second-order data at the mesh points. Rational patches, singular parametrizations, and the splitting of patches are interpreted as techniques to enforce the vertex enclosure constraint.
Evaluation of a Feed Intake Stimulant for Dairy Calves

Abstract Forty-eight 2-day-old Holstein calves were penned individually and assigned randomly to four treatment groups (equalized for sex): 1) control; 2) 3mg Elfazepam 2 2Elfazepam (generic name) was supplied by Smith-Kline Corp. per day in milk, then in starter after weaning; 3) 6mg Elfazepam per day in milk, then in starter after weaning; 4) no Elfazepam in milk, 6mg per day in starter from 2 days of age. Whole milk was fed twice daily for 28 days. A starter diet was fed ad libitum from 2 to 90 days of age. Alfalfa hay was fed ad libitum beginning 4 days post-weaning. Intake and performance were similar among treatments during prewean-ing and for 10 days postweaning. After 10 days postweaning (41 to 90 days of age), daily feed intake and gain were greater for calves receiving 6mg Elfazepam per day (milk→starter) than for controls. Over the 88-day trial, all calves receiving Elfazepam consumed 10% more feed and gained weight 6% more rapidly than control calves. Feed efficiency was not different among treatment groups during any phase of the study. Elfazepam appears to stimulate intake in young growing ruminants.
Aspects of distributivity

A lattice L is distributive if it satisfies the identity $$a \wedge \left( {b \vee c} \right) = \left( {a \wedge b} \right) \vee \left( {a \wedge c} \right).$$ .
Age-related memory impairment: Is the cure worse than the disease?

Aging impairs multiple memory systems. The neurochemical substrates of normal memory differ between memory systems. In this issue of Neuron, Ramos et al. find that activation of protein kinase A, which has been reported to improve hippocampal-dependent spatial memory in aged animals, has the opposite effect on prefrontal cortex-dependent working memory in aged animals.