cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deletion of the mouse X-linked Prame gene causes germ cell reduction in spermatogenesis.

Preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) is cancer/testis antigen and a transcriptional repressor, inhibiting the signaling of retinoic acid through the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) for promoting cell proliferation and preventing cell apoptosis in cancer cells. The role of PRAME in testis and germline is unknown. We report here the generation and characterization of an X-linked Prame conditional knockout (cKO) mouse. Although fertile, the testis size (p < .01) and sperm count (p < .05) of the Prame cKO mice were significantly reduced by 12% at 4 months of age compared with the Prame floxed mice. Histological, immunofluorescence with germ cell-specific markers and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling analyses of testis cross-sections at postnatal day 7 (P7), P14, P21, P35, P120, and P365 indicated a significant increase in apoptotic germ cells at P7 and P14 and an increase in abnormal seminiferous tubules at P21 and P35. Germ cells were gradually lost resulting in two different phenotypes in the Prame cKO testes: Sertoli-cell-only for some of the affected tubules in young mice (at P35) and germ cell arrest at spermatogonia stage for other affected tubules in mature mice. Both phenotypes were a consequence of disruption in RAR signaling pathway by the depletion of Prame at a different time point during the first and subsequent rounds of spermatogenesis. The results suggest that Prame plays a minor, but important role in spermatogenesis and different paralogs in the Prame gene family may be functionally and partially redundant.
This Is How We Do It: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Morbid obesity afflicts one third of the population in the United States and decreases life expectancy by 5-20 years. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) has been an established operation for the treatment of morbid obesity for nearly three decades. There are several different techniques for performing a LRYGB. We describe our circular stapled gastrojejunostomy technique and our preoperative and postoperative management of patients.
Mapping Cortical Activations Underlying Naturalistic Language Generation Without Motion Censoring Using HD-DOT

This study measures cortical activity underlying covert and overt verb generation using high-density diffuse optical tomography (HD-DOT). Results demonstrate HD-DOT captures activations comparable to fMRI and is resistant to speech-related motion artifact.
Source-receptor relationships for atmospheric mercury deposition in the context of global change

Abstract There have been growing concerns about mercury pollution in the global environment and better understanding of the source-receptor relationships for mercury deposition in the context of global change is greatly needed. We use a global 3-D chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem) to examine the source-receptor relationships between various regions as well as the impacts from changes in anthropogenic emissions, climate, land use and land cover. Through an extensive set of sensitivity simulations, we quantify the relative contributions from various sources (such as domestic vs. foreign anthropogenic sources; anthropogenic vs. natural sources) to total mercury deposition in specific receptor regions (East Asia, South Asia, Europe, North America, and the Laurentian Great Lakes). Under the 2050 A1B emission scenario (the higher emission scenario with fast economic growth and balanced emphasis on all energy sources), the relative contributions from anthropogenic emissions to total mercury deposition for each receptor region are calculated to increase in general, while the relative contributions from ocean and terrestrial sources are found to decrease. On the other hand, with the 2050 B1 emission scenario (the lower emission scenario with rapid introduction of clean energy and resource-efficient technologies), we find the changes in the relative contributions from anthropogenic emissions show different signs over different regions, reflecting the divergent trends in future anthropogenic emissions (notably, emissions increase in South Asia and decrease in East Asia). Compared to the impacts of anthropogenic emissions on the source-receptor relationships of mercury deposition, the impacts from changes in climate and land use/land cover are generally smaller in magnitudes but show stronger spatial variations.
Mapping spatially explicit vegetation gaps in Florida rosemary scrub using unmanned aerial vehicles

Advances in remote sensing technologies offer new means to monitor habitats of importance on large scales. Florida rosemary scrub is one such threatened habitat, found in patches across the landscape in relatively elevated areas, and is often characterized by shrub‐less areas (gaps) among the dominant shrubs, which provide favorable microhabitats for many endemic and endangered plants and animals. However, gaps are difficult and time‐consuming to characterize, especially across large areas, using traditional ground‐based field methods. We developed and tested a method for rapidly classifying gaps using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV or drone). Aerial data were collected by a UAV‐mounted camera in April 2018, and stratified, random ground surveys to verify UAV data were conducted March through April 2018 at Archbold Biological Station in south‐central Florida, USA. We used mosaicked and georeferenced digital surface and terrain models to calculate vegetation height across 33 rosemary scrub sites (~230,000 m² at 0.064 m² pixel resolution). Gaps were defined as >1 m² areas where vegetation height was <10 cm. We found that gap areas from UAV models and field surveys were significantly correlated across varying gap sizes, times‐since‐fire, and relative elevations. We also observed a significant decrease in mean gap area and percent gap space with increasing time‐since‐fire, a pattern consistent with smaller‐scale, ground‐based sampling, and a marginally significant increase in gap area with relative elevation. This remote sensing method lends itself to better exploration of how gap areas, their spatiotemporal patterns, and associated fire history, elevation, soil, and other geographic data affect structural vegetation dynamics across the landscape. This study illustrates the success of UAV modeling of gap space in Florida rosemary scrub, a result of regional consequence for the southeastern United States, but more broadly, it encourages the use of UAV technology as a tool to enhance traditional field‐based methods in systems globally. As habitat fragmentation and loss become increasingly problematic for the conservation of threatened habitats, understanding these complex spatial dynamics is crucial to the conservation and management of vegetation communities and their biodiversity.
Feasibility of a Wearable-Based Physical Activity Goal-Setting Intervention Among Individuals With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Context Individuals with a history of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) demonstrate persistent reductions in physical activity (PA) volume that are not being addressed during rehabilitation. Currently, it is challenging for clinicians to prescribe exercise interventions that extend beyond in-person rehabilitative care in a manner that is responsive and acceptable to patients. Objective To investigate the feasibility of using a novel, technology-driven, personalized goal-setting intervention over a 2-month period among young individuals with a history of primary unilateral ACLR. Design Single-blinded feasibility study. Setting University community. Patients or other participants Ten women and 2 men (age = 22.0 ± 3.0 years, time since surgery = 56.0 ± 36.3 months) with a history of primary unilateral ACLR. Intervention(s) All participants completed a 28-day PA observation period immediately followed by a 28-day individualized PA goal-setting intervention period delivered via a commercially available PA monitor. Main outcome measure(s) Primary feasibility outcomes were days of PA monitor wear compliance and days of goal achievement during the intervention period. Participants also completed the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) at study enrollment and after the intervention period, and the individual change in the KOOS Quality of Life subscale was compared with the minimal detectable change (7.2 points). Results Average PA monitor wear compliance was 95.5% ± 7.3% during the observation period and 97.7% ± 2.9% during the intervention period. Median goal achievement was 31.5% ± 6.8% during the intervention period. Five participants demonstrated meaningful improvements in the KOOS Quality of Life subscale during the study period. Conclusions Individualized goal setting via mobile technology appears to be a feasible approach to PA promotion. However, based on the low rate of daily goal attainment during the intervention period, continued refinement of this intervention aproach would be beneficial before broad clinical implementation.
A Map of Bandits for E-commerce.

The rich body of Bandit literature not only offers a diverse toolbox of algorithms, but also makes it hard for a practitioner to find the right solution to solve the problem at hand. Typical textbooks on Bandits focus on designing and analyzing algorithms, and surveys on applications often present a list of individual applications. While these are valuable resources, there exists a gap in mapping applications to appropriate Bandit algorithms. In this paper, we aim to reduce this gap with a structured map of Bandits to help practitioners navigate to find relevant and practical Bandit algorithms. Instead of providing a comprehensive overview, we focus on a small number of key decision points related to reward, action, and features, which often affect how Bandit algorithms are chosen in practice.
Extreme Nailing or Less Invasive Plating of Lower Extremity Periarticular Fractures

Periarticular fractures of the lower extremity can be difficult injuries to stabilize effectively. Modern advances in technique and implant design now allow many of these fractures to be fixed with an extreme intramedullary nail. When nailing is not possible, less invasive plating through percutaneous incisions is a reliable option. The decision to perform extreme nailing is multifactorial and is based on the fracture pattern, the condition of the soft tissues, the medical condition of the patient, and the importance of earlier or immediate weightbearing.
A twistorial description of BMS symmetries at null infinity

We describe a novel twistorial construction of the asymptotic BMS symmetries at null infinity for asymptotically flat spacetimes. We define BMS twistors as spinor solutions to some set of components of the usual spacetime twistor equation restricted to null infinity. The space of BMS twistors is infinite-dimensional. We show that given two BMS twistors their symmetric tensor product can be used to generate (complex) vector fields which are the infinitesimal BMS symmetries of null infinity. In this sense BMS twistors are ``square roots'' of BMS symmetries. We also show that these BMS twistor equations can be written a pair of covariant spinor-valued equations which are completely determined by the intrinsic universal structure of null infinity.
EVOLUTION OF PAEDOMORPHOSIS IN PLETHODONTID SALAMANDERS: ECOLOGICAL CORRELATES AND RE-EVOLUTION OF METAMORPHOSIS

Life-history modes can profoundly impact the biology of a species, and a classic example is the dichotomy between metamorphic (biphasic) and paedomorphic (permanently aquatic) life-history strategies in salamanders. However, despite centuries of research on this system, several basic questions about the evolution of paedomorphosis in salamanders have not been addressed. Here, we use a nearly comprehensive, time-calibrated phylogeny of spelerpine plethodontids to reconstruct the evolution of paedomorphosis and to test if paedomorphosis is (1) reversible; (2) associated with living in caves; (3) associated with relatively dry climatic conditions on the surface; and (4) correlated with limited range size and geographic dispersal. We find that paedomorphosis arose multiple times in spelerpines. We also find evidence for re-evolution of metamorphosis after several million years of paedomorphosis in a lineage of Eurycea from the Edwards Plateau region of Texas. We also show for the first time using phylogenetic comparative methods that paedomorphosis is highly correlated with cave-dwelling, arid surface environments, and small geographic range sizes, providing insights into both the causes and consequences of this major life history transition.
Evolutionary Biology of the Foxtail (Setaria) Secies-Group

The foxtails (Setaria spp.) are one of the worst weed groups interfering with U.S. and world agriculture and land management (Holm et al., 1977, 1979, 1997), therefore one of the world’s most successful terrestrial plant organisms. The success of the foxtails is to a large extent due to their intimate evolutionary relationship with humans, disturbance, agriculture, and land management. The invasive threat of this weed group continues due to its increasing geographic range of distribution, the appearance of new species and biotypes, and the increase of herbicide resistant variants. The invasive and colonizing ability of the weedy foxtails is buffered against change by the accumulation of dormant seed in soil seed banks, a trait permitting enduring occupation of a locality.
An Iron Deficiency in Polar Mesospheric Clouds

More than a century ago, observers noted the appearance of luminous high-altitude clouds at northern latitudes. These noctilucent clouds are now known to be ice crystals in the mesospheric region of the atmosphere. In his Perspective, [Hunten][1] discusses work reported in the same issue by [ Plane et al .][2] on an unusual phenomenon in these polar mesospheric clouds. Normally, a layer of iron atoms from disintegrating meteorites is observed with laser spectroscopy in the mesosphere. But in the presence of polar mesospheric clouds, the iron atoms stick to the ice crystals and are missing from the spectroscopic signal. Such an effect may turn out to occur with other metal species in the atmosphere as well. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/304/5669/395 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/304/5669/426
The Kiss of Death: A New Model for How Perforin Delivers Granzymes to Target Cells

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) induce target cell apoptosis when they release perforin (PFN) and granzymes (Gzm) into the immune synapse. PFN delivers Gzms into the target cell, but how PFN does this has been unclear. Because PFN forms pores in the plasma membrane, Gzms were originally thought to enter target cells via these pores. However, these pores were too small to allow even small dyes to disseminate into the target. Here we find that PFN dramatically perturbs the target cell membrane, creating pores that transiently allow Ca++ and small dyes into the cell. However, the membrane is rapidly resealed and the dyes are circumscribed within membrane proximal blebs. The Ca++ flux triggers a wounded membrane repair response in which internal vesicles, including lysosomes and endosomes, donate their membranes to reseal the damaged membrane. The target cell actively participates in determining its own fate during cell-mediated death. The target cell membrane repair response is necessary for target cells subjected to CTL attack to avoid necrosis and undergo the slower process of programmed cell death. However, Gzms do not pass into the cell via PFN plasma membrane pores. Instead PFN triggers the rapid endocytosis of Gzms into large EEA-1-staining vesicles, which then release their cargo into the cytosol to trigger apoptosis. from 2005 International Meeting of The Institute of Human Virology Baltimore, USA, 29 August – 2 September 2005
Significant potential utility for donor yield models: but proceed with caution.

Over the past decade, there has been an astounding proliferation and availability of data in health care used to evaluate processes of care and provider performance. The lexicon of health care has evolved such that value-based purchasing, evidence-based medicine, comparative effectiveness, pay for performance and now health care reform have tangible implications for the practice of medicine. Transparency of health care information has many laudable goals including the facilitation of informed decisionmaking for both caregivers and patients, enabling evaluations of best care models, providing quality assurance and allowing for rigorous analyses of interventions in clinical practice. However, there are also concerns about the potential misuse of data and unintended consequences that may arise from public reporting of health care outcomes without well conceived strategic planning.
Population coding: a historical sketch.

Publisher Summary This chapter gives an overview of population coding. The chapter discusses a reliable sign or “signature” of a system that employs a distributed code where its neurons taken one at the time are broadly tuned along a dimension that, the system nonetheless appears to resolve with a high degree of precision. For visual cells, the dimension may be retinal location, wavelength, orientation, speed, direction, or at higher levels, form and position in head- or body-centered coordinates. Neurons in the auditory system respond to a wide range of sound frequencies and intensities, and the broad tuning of olfactory and gustatory neurons is well established. There is ample evidence that this characteristic applies to the primary motor cortex and superior colliculus. Progress has been made in estimating the distribution of activity in response to stimulation at some locus along the dimension involved. Neural systems are non-linear, the convolution techniques suitable for linear systems cannot be applied directly, and a major challenge is to develop methods to map the real distributions of activity to stimuli more complex than points.
Implications of $\mu\nu \gamma \gamma$ Production on Precision Measurement of the W Mass

The process $p \bar p \rightarrow \mu^- \bar \nu \gamma \gamma$ is calculated including finite lepton mass effects. Implications for precision measurements of the $W$ mass at the Tevatron are discussed.
Benefits Of High Internal Work Motivation Comparing Retail Sector To Manufacturing

The Hackman and Oldhman Model has been tested in several areas with additional testing needed in the service sector. This study tested the model within a manufacturing company and evaluated several of the dimensions of the model. This paper will evaluate two of these dimensions; high internal work motivation and task significance. The plan that was surveyed has a population of 1,000 with 200 sampled. The company examined is a larger manufacturer of electric motors and the sample was taken from one plant with all three shifts samples. The plant has a population of 1,000 with 200 sampled. A comparison study was done in a major retail company. From the survey sample of 534 employees of the retail company, 330 responses were returned, indicating a 62 percent response rate. The average age of those responding to the survey was 37.9 years. Males accounted for 22.7 percent of the respondents’ while 72.7 percent were female.
Cannibals by night? In situ video monitoring reveals diel shifts in inter- and intra-specific predation on the American lobster1

We conducted tethering experiments in the field to evaluate day–night differences in the identity and frequency of predators encountered by the American lobster (Homarus americanus) in coastal Maine, USA. Separate daytime and nighttime deployments were conducted using tethered lobsters under infrared-illuminated video surveillance. Supplemental tethering trials without video surveillance provided further quantitative information on diel and size-specific predation patterns. We found crabs to be the most common predators during the day, whereas lobsters prevailed at night. Contrary to expectations, we measured higher predation rates at night than during the day, suggesting that nocturnal interactions with conspecifics may play a more important role in lobster population regulation than previously thought when lobster population densities are high and large predatory fish are rare. As large predatory groundfish have been depleted in the Gulf of Maine, lobster populations have reached historic highs, making ...
Erdheim-Chester disease with prominent pericardial effusion: cytologic findings and review of the literature.

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare, non-Langerhans form of histiocytosis of unknown origin with distinct clinicopathologic and radiographic features. Reports detailing the cytology of ECD are rare. We describe a case of ECD with pericardial effusion. Cytologic examination revealed a hypercellular specimen composed of clusters and singly dispersed foamy macrophages with round nuclei and inconspicuous nucleoli, admixed with lymphocytes, eosinophils, and Touton-type multinucleated giant cells. Immunostains for CD68 were strongly positive in the foamy macrophages while S100 and CD1a were negative. The presence of foamy histiocytes, multinucleated giant cells, lymphocytes and eosinophils are also features of other systemic histiocytic disorders, including Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) and sarcoidosis. To the best of out knowledge, this is the first report describing the cytological features of ECD in a pericardial effusion. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2014;42:530–534. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Peroxyacetyl radical: Electronic excitation energies, fundamental vibrational frequencies, and symmetry breaking in the first excited state

Peroxyacetyl radical [CH3C(O)O2] is among the most abundant peroxy radicals in the atmosphere and is involved in OH-radical recycling along with peroxyacetyl nitrate formation. Herein, the ground (X) and first (A) excited state surfaces of cis and trans peroxyacetyl radical are characterized using high-level ab initio methods. Geometries, anharmonic vibrational frequencies, and adiabatic excitation energies extrapolated to the complete basis-set limit are reported from computations with coupled-cluster theory. Excitation of the trans conformer is found to induce a symmetry-breaking conformational change due to second-order Jahn-Teller interactions with higher-lying excited states. Additional benchmark computations are provided to aid future theoretical work on peroxy radicals.
Nordihydroguaiaretic acid improves metabolic dysregulation and aberrant hepatic lipid metabolism in mice by both PPARα-dependent and -independent pathways

Creosote bush-derived nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a lipoxygenase inhibitor, possesses antioxidant properties and functions as a potent antihyperlipidemic agent in rodent models. Here, we examined the effect of chronic NDGA treatment of ob/ob mice on plasma dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and changes in hepatic gene expression. Feeding ob/ob mice a chow diet supplemented with either low (0.83 g/kg diet) or high-dose (2.5 g/kg diet) NDGA for 16 wk significantly improved plasma triglyceride (TG), inflammatory chemokine levels, hyperinsulinemia, insulin sensitivity, and glucose intolerance. NDGA treatment caused a marked reduction in liver weight and TG content, while enhancing rates of fatty acid oxidation. Microarray analysis of hepatic gene expression demonstrated that NDGA treatment altered genes for lipid metabolism, with genes involved in fatty acid catabolism most significantly increased. NDGA upregulated the mRNA and nuclear protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), and the activated (phosphorylated) form of AMP-activated kinase. NDGA increased PPARα promoter activity in AML12 hepatocytes and also prevented the fatty acid suppression of PPARα expression. In contrast, PPARα siRNA abrogated the stimulatory effect of NDGA on fatty acid catabolism. Likewise, no stimulatory effect of NDGA on hepatic fatty acid oxidation was observed in the livers of PPARα-deficient mice, but the ability of NDGA to reverse fatty liver conditions was unaffected. In conclusion, the beneficial actions of NDGA on dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice are exerted primarily through enhanced fatty acid oxidation via PPARα-dependent pathways. However, PPARα-independent pathways also contribute to NDGA's action to ameliorate hepatic steatosis.
Regulation of taurine transporter gene (TauT) by WT1.

In the present study we have demonstrated that WT1 (Wilms tumor suppressor gene) enhances the expression of TauT (taurine transporter gene) in human embryonic kidney 293 cells in a dose-dependent manner. TauT promoter activity was increased five-fold by cotransfection of a full-length TauT promoter-reporter construct with WT1. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) using nuclear extracts from WT1-overexpressing 293 cells showed a putative WT1-binding site in the basal promoter region of TauT, which bound to WT1 in EMSAs. Mutation of this WT1 consensus sequence abolished binding of WT1. These results demonstrate that TauT may represent a downstream target gene of WT1 during renal development.
Protective supervision: An inquiry into the relationship between child welfare and the court system

Abstract Protective Supervision, in most states, is defined in statute as an option in which the child is allowed to remain in the home of high-risk parents under the authority of the court, with supervision provided by the child protection system. Protective Supervision provides states an option to fulfill the federal mandate, as expressed in its guidance on the Child and Family Services Review, to assure that children are safely maintained in their homes whenever possible and appropriate. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of published work on this option. Further, the relationship between child protection and the judicial system, implicit in Protective Supervision, is rarely examined. In response to this dearth of information, an exploratory study was undertaken in Minnesota, funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Data were derived from focus groups in every region of the state, with both child protection and judicial system participants. This study offers insights into the complicated nature of the partnership between two complex systems — child welfare and the court system. Currently, there is wide variation in how Protective Supervision is understood and practiced. However, where there is mutual respect between child welfare and the courts, Protective Supervision offers a useful tool.
J. G. Fichte, Review of Immanuel Kant,Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch (Königsburg: Nicolovius, 1795)

Traduction anglaise du compte rendu de lecture de Fichte sur le «Projet de paix perpetuelle» de Kant. Deux mois avant la publication de son ouvrage intitule «Fondement du droit naturel», Fichte y defend l'originalite de sa propre theorie du droit face a la doctrine kantienne.
Size distributions of the suspended particles of the Chesapeake Bay turbidity maximum

Abstract It has been suggested by POSTMA (1967) that the suspended particles in a turbidity maximum produced by the net non-tidal estuarine circulation should have a narrow size distribution. Particles larger than a certain size would presumably be deposited while smaller particles would be carried out of the area by the net seaward flow of the upper layer. There have been very few pertinent data to support or deny this suggestion. An intensive investigation of the Chesapeake Bay's turbidity maximum has shown that its suspended particle population is determined by the physical processes, local resuspension and the net non-tidal estuarine circulation, which combine to produce the turbid zone; and that the suspended particles have a narrow size distribution both in terms of equivalent projected diameters and Stokes' diameters or settling velocities. Determinations were made both of the number-size distributions by a photomicrographic technique and of the volume-settling velocity (“size”) distributions by a sedimentation technique. The suspended particle population of the Chesapeake Bay's turbid zone is composed of two sub-populations. One sub-population is comprised of particles with settling velocities of the same order as the vertical mixing velocities. These particles form a “natural background” of suspended sediment found throughout the water column and whose concentration and particle size distribution are very uniform over periods of weeks or months. The second sub-population consists of particles which are alternately suspended and deposited. The presence of this sub-population is made manifest by semi-tidal fluctuations of the concentration of suspended sediment in the lower layer at stations deeper than about 4 m and throughout the water column at shallower stations. The fluctuations produced by tidal “scour and fill” are accompanied by marked changes in the volume-size distribution and increase in magnitude near the bottom—the sediment source.
Evidence for cerebellar-frontal subsystem changes in children treated with intrathecal chemotherapy for leukemia: enhanced data analysis using an effect size model.

Background Following brain insult in early childhood, the later maturing neocerebellum and frontal lobes frequently show abnormalities. Objective To investigate the morphologic characteristics and function of a proposed cerebellar-frontal subsystem in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with intrathecal methotrexate using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging, neuropsychological measures, nonlinear multiple regression analysis, and a statistical effect size model that augments interpretive validity of nonsignificant statistical findings, particularly from small sample size studies. Design Comparison and relationship of magnetic resonance imaging morphometry of cerebellar lobuli I-V and VI-VII and prefrontal cortices, and performance on 5 neuropsychological tests assessing visual-spatial attention, short-term memory, and visuomotor organization and coordination between childhood survivors of ALL and a matched control group. Participants Ten childhood survivors of ALL treated between 1982 and 1989 with standard 3-year intrathecal chemotherapy, and matched control subjects. Main Outcome Measures Morphometric results of cerebellar lobuli I-V and VI-VII and prefrontal cortices, and results of Trail-Making Tests, Rey-Osterreith Complex Figure Test, WISC-III Coding. Results Significant effect size model values for outcome measures in the ALL group support deficits in lobuli VI-VII and prefrontal cortices, and neuropsychological performance. Multiple regression analysis results were consistent with hypothesized involvement of a cerebellar-frontal brain subsystem. Conclusion Treatment of children with ALL with intrathecal methotrexate before 5 years of age has structural and functional effects on the developing neocerebellar-frontal subsystem.
Remote Sensing of Soil Degradation: Introduction

In the 21st century, mapping and monitoring the occurrence of soil degradation will be an important component of successful land management. Remote sensing, with its unique ability to measure across space and time, will be an increasingly indispensible tool for assessing degradation. However, much of the recent experience and progress in using remote sensing and other geospatial technologies to map soil degradation is reported outside of the peer-reviewed literature. This motivated the organization of a special collection of papers focused on remote sensing of soil degradation, to highlight recent successes, common challenges, and promising new approaches. This introductory paper provides an overview of the papers, gaps in knowledge, and future research directions. Across several regions and types of degradation, many assessments to date have relied heavily on data from the Landsat satellite sensor. Many approaches have also relied at some point on subjective visual interpretation, either of the satellite imagery itself or to provide field data used to train models that use satellite data. While subjectivity is not necessarily bad, it precludes repeatability and makes it even more important to rigorously test model estimates with independent data. Overall, it remains quite challenging to find robust relationships between remote sensing measures and soil degradation, particularly for slight to moderate levels of degradation. There have nonetheless been some clear successes, and there remains great potential for progress. Promising directions outlined in the papers include using multi-year measures of vegetation condition, combining different sensor systems including optical and radar data, and using advanced statistical techniques such as Bayesian networks and decision trees.
Change in Intraocular Pressure Measurements after LASIK: The Effect of the Refractive Correction and the Lamellar Flap

Objective To study the relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) readings after LASIK and the amount of refractive correction. Design Retrospective noninterventional case series. Participants Patients receiving primary LASIK for myopia and myopic astigmatism. Methods A database of preoperative, intraoperative, and 3-month postoperative data for 8113 consecutive eyes that underwent primary myopic and myopic astigmatic LASIK was retrospectively reviewed. Linear regression analysis of measured IOP change as a function of refractive change was then performed. Age and preoperative keratometry were also reviewed by multiple regression. Main Outcome Measures Best-fit curve relating change in measured IOP to refractive change. Results The mean spherical equivalent of the refractive change was –4.98±2.64 diopters (mean ± standard deviation). The mean decrease in measured IOP was 2.0±3.3 mmHg. Linear regression analysis revealed a decrease of 0.12 mmHg of measured IOP per diopter of refractive change (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09–0.15, R 2 = 0.009, P P Conclusions The reduction of IOP readings after corneal refractive surgery is a linear function of the amount of refractive correction, with an additional constant reduction that is probably related to the lamellar corneal flap. These data suggest that the lamellar corneal flap makes no contribution to the load-bearing characteristics of the post-LASIK cornea.
Positive Peer Reporting in the Classroom: a Review of Intervention Procedures

Positive peer reporting (PPR) is a classroom-based intervention to improve social interactions between students using rewards and positive social attention. Along with a variant of the procedure referred to as “Tootling,” PPR has demonstrated overwhelmingly positive results since its development. However, a unified, standard protocol for successful implementation of PPR interventions has not yet been established. A review of 24 studies, including 48 separately described cases of PPR in classroom settings, provided information concerning adaptations for students in special education, alternative school, and mainstream classrooms. Student participants ranged from preschool (age 4) to eighth grade (age 16). This paper summarizes the common procedural components found across cases described in the studies. A comparison of PPR-based interventions reported in the literature by various research teams also revealed differences in the procedures for targeting individuals or groups, providing training and support, allocating rewards, proceeding with daily peer report sessions, and terminating the intervention. Variations in specific procedural elements that may relate to PPR’s effectiveness are discussed. The authors also provide suggestions to guide and support the advancement of standardized methods of PPR for future research and clinical application.
NUTRITIONAL FRACTIONS AFFECTING SURVIVAL IN YOUNG ADRENALECTOMIZED RATS

INTRODUCTION IN PREVIOUS studies (Ralli and Graef, 1943; Ralli, 1946; Dumm and Ralli, 1948) on young adrenalectomized rats, it was observed that survival following adrenalectomy was significantly influenced by the level of calcium pantothenate in the diet. An intake of at least 4 mg. daily of calcium pantothenate was necessary to obtain prolonged survival. With this intake, 50% of the adrenalectomized rats survived for more than 75 days. When sodium chloride was completely omitted from the diet survival was sharply curtailed, regardless of the amount of calcium pantothenate ingested. The studies were done on 60 day old rats that had been for 30 days on a diet deficient in pantothenic acid. The present report concerns the effects of other fractions of the vitamin B complex and of ascorbic acid on the survival of rats similarly treated. The survival of rats never subjected to a period of pantothenate deficiency was also determined.
Hamartoma on the hard palate associated with corpus callosum agenesis, microphthalmia, and skin malformation.

Congenital epulis is a well-known lesion that occurs almost exclusively along the alveolar ridge of the maxilla in newborns. A microscopic finding of the ordinary type is similar to that of granular cell tumor that consists of polygonal cells with abundant granular cytoplasm. The histologic variants have been described as congenital leiomyomatous epulis or leiomyomatous hamartoma. Although the exact etiology still remains unknown, they are generally accepted as hamartomatous lesions. Most hamartomas occur as an isolated abnormality, but some may be seen with other developmental defects such as lobulated tongue or cleft lip and palate. In this article, we report a rare case of palatal hamartoma with corpus callosum agenesis, microphthalmia, and malformation of the skin. The pathologic findings and association with other developmental anomalies are unique.
The Handicapped: Special Needs and Strategies for Counseling.

This article examines the psychosocial needs of disabled persons and the counseling approaches for dealing with their special needs. The authors discuss problems of self-concept, body image, frustration and anger, and dependency and motivation. Strategies are drawn from a broad spectrum of counseling theories, with examples from neo-Freudian, Gestalt, rational-emotive, and behavioral frameworks, with a stress on counselor versatility and involvement with clients' individual responses to disability.
Topside Facilities Design For Hutton TLP

The Hutton North Sea field is to be developed using the world's first commercial Tension Leg Platform (TLP). This paper explains how the choice of a TLP, with its dynamic behaviour and structural configuration, affected the design of the topside facilities. The problems faced by facilities engineers are described as are the methods used to resolve them. The nature of the problems described are general to TLPs, consequently the material presented is applicable to designs of the future.
Experimental and computational studies of molecules with close, non-bonded hydrogen–hydrogen contacts: common computational methods grossly overestimate some ‘through-space’ NMR scalar coupling constants

Abstract The NMR spin–spin scalar coupling constants (JHH's) of closely contacting, but non-bonded hydrogen atoms in a series of highly strained molecules (including a new in,in-cyclophane made specifically for this study) have been examined both experimentally and computationally. The experimental JHH's are invariably quite small (0.1–0.6 Hz), but common DFT methods with modest basis sets nearly always overestimate these values, by factors of 10–30, and even with quite large basis sets (up to cc-pVQZ) the JHH's of two of the molecules are overestimated by a factor of 10 or more. Possible reasons for these discrepancies are discussed.
Nucleation of highly dense nanoscale precipitates based on warm laser shock peening

Warm laser shock peening (WLSP) is an innovative thermomechanical processing technique, which combines the advantages of laser shock peening (LSP) and dynamic aging (DA). It has been found that a unique microstructure with highly dense nanoscale precipitates surrounded by dense dislocation structures is generated by WLSP. In order to understand the nucleation mechanism of the highly dense precipitates during WLSP, aluminum alloy 6061 (AA6061) has been used by investigating the WLSP process with experiments and analytical modeling. An analytical model has been proposed to estimate the nucleation rate in metallic materials after WLSP. The effects of the processing temperature and high strain rate deformation on the activation energy of nucleation have been considered in this model. This model is based on the assumption that DA during WLSP can be assisted by the dense dislocation structures and warm temperature. The effects of the working temperature and dislocation density on the activation energy of precipitation have been investigated. This model is validated by a series of experiments and characterizations after WLSP. The relationships between the processing conditions, the nucleation density of precipitates and the defect density have been investigated.
The Impact of Time Pressure and Experience on Information Search and Decision-Making Processes

The goal of this research was to examine the diagnosis and decision processes of pilots when dealing with conflicting information. The loose coupling between decision processes and an event outcome makes it hard for researchers to use data such as accident reports as reliable indicators of the quality of decisions, and one problem faced by researchers is determining the extent to which pilot decision processes during events are faulty. We examined pilot strategies in a Web-based automated cockpit scenario as a function of time pressure condition (present vs. absent) and experience with automated systems. Time pressure had an impact on time to diagnosis and information accessed for more experienced pilots only. Pilots who accessed more information were more likely to make accurate diagnoses but were less confident in them. Neither time pressure nor experience had a main effect on diagnosis accuracy or confidence. More experienced pilots tended to conduct a thorough information search when under no time pressure, but time pressure caused pilots of all experience levels to accelerate and filter their information search. Results highlight the importance of training for coherent information use under time pressure given the complexities of automated aircraft.
Automated end-user behaviour assessment tool for remote product and system testing

This paper introduces a virtual reality (VR) based automated end-user behavioural assessment tool required during product and system development process. In the proposed method, while VR is used as a means of interactive system prototype; data collection and analysis are handled by an event based system which is adopted from human-computer interaction and data mining literature. The overall objective of the study is developing an intelligent support system where physical prototyping and the needs for human involvement as instructors, data collectors and analysts during the user assessment studies are eliminated. The proposed method is tested on a product design example using 27 subjects. The experimental results clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed user assessment tool.
Functional, Nutritional, and Rheological Properties of Protein Powders from Arrowtooth Flounder and their Application in Mayonnaise

: Arrowtooth flounder soluble protein powder (AFSP) and arrowtooth flounder insoluble protein powder (AFISP) were evaluated for their functional, nutritional, and rheological properties. AFSP and AFISP contained 80% and 79% protein and 5.9% and 14.9% fat, respectively. Yield of AFSP (8.6%) was less than AFISP (13.1%). AFSP and AFISP had desirable essential amino acid and mineral contents. Emulsion stability of AFSP was greater than AFISP. Fat and water absorptions (mL/g protein) were 5.2 and 1.8 for AFSP, respectively, and 3.3 and 4.2 for AFISP Mayonnaises made from AFSP had greater emulsion stability than mayonnaise made from AFISP. Mayonnaises from both AFSP and AFISP possessed pseudoplastic and viscoelastic characteristics.
Performance Enhancement of Fixed Regulating Systems Via Actuator Saturation

Developed in this paper is a controller design technique that utilizes actuator saturation to meet stringent output performance specifications for regulating systems with fixed components. Regulating performance is achieved via the design of a linear controller that saturates the actuator for large step disturbances yet operates linearly for smaller step disturbances. The controller is designed using a pseudo-linearization technique based oil a describing function approach Such an approach retains the advantages of a frequenc y domain technique including the enforcemen t of time domain performance specifications and the incorporation of model uncertainty. The resulting control law provides an improved regulating performance for large step disturbances without requiring a larger actuator. For small step disturbances, the control system maintains linear operation and provides desirable system response characteristics.
A note on the KNM-ER 999 hominid femur

Abstract The KNM-ER 999 hominid femur, in light of improved knowledge of later Pleistocene human postcranial morphology and ongoing reassessments of the emergence of modern humans in Africa, appears morphologically aligned with early modern humans rather than with late archaic humans. This is reflected especially in its having a clear pilaster, a proximally positioned minimum diaphyseal breadth (thereby lacking a proximo-medial diaphyseal buttress) and an exceptionally high neck-shaft angle. In these features, and especially the fast, it shows affinities to the Levantine Qafzeh-Skhul early modern human sample. However, the uncertainty regarding its stratigraphic provenience (early Late Pleistocene versus early Holocene) makes its relevance to the emergence of modern humans in Africa tenuous.
Multichannel retailing: A case study of early experiences

As retailers offer multiple channels in response to competitive pressures, switching costs incurred by both retailers and consumers will shape the evolution of retailing channels. In this paper we examine propositions regarding channel loyalty, channel switching, order size, and merchandise returns based on purchase data from a specific catalog retailer that has expanded its channels to include Internet shopping. The data for this retailer shows that all four groups of customers—those who entered the database as catalog buyers, as store buyers, as Internet buyers, and as non-buyers—used multiple channels. Switching solely to this established catalog retailer's new Internet channel appears to be more difficult for consumers than relying on two or more channels. The use of multiple channels is greatest among those who entered as Internet customers, reflecting their lower risk-aversion and lower learning costs. Since the database contained only transactional information, we can make limited inferences about customers’ underlying characteristics and motivations that influence their purchase behaviors. We draw case-specific inferences and eschew generalization. Other retailers’ experiences will be affected by their own past strategies and costs and not just by the general characteristics of the channels.
Chemical studies in oklahoma plants. VI. Physalis mollis Nuttall—A Plant Insecticide

Physalis mollis, commonly known as smooth ground cherry, has been used as a fly poison. A chemical investigation of this plant has been made and its effects upon flies have been studied. The plant is effective as a fly poison and the active constituent is probably an alkaloid which has been detected.