cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fate of branch arteries after intracranial stenting.

OBJECTIVE: One concern with respect to stent procedures performed to treat patients with intracrantal lesions is the fate of normal major arterial branches after sents are placed across them. Because most of of these lesions occur at vessel vti;i;i t =I bifurcations or at branch points, a normal major branch often arises near the lesion and may be difficult to avoid during stent positioning. The aim of this article is to describe the angiographic outcome of intracranial major branch arteries crossed by a stent in the intracranial circulation. METHODS: We examined the immediate postprocedural cerebral angiograms of the 40 patients who underwent intracrantal stenting at the University at Bufalo, Buffalo, NY, between June 1998 and April 2000. to each of 10 patients. the stent was placed across a nurmal major branch artery. Stents were used to treat aneurysms in seven patients and intracranial stenosis in three patients. The latest cerebral angiogram available was reviewed, and the patency of the major branch arteries was evaluated. RESULTS: The angiographic follow-up period ranged from 4 days to 35 months (mean follow-up, 10 mo), Each of the 10 major branch arteries was patent. No infarcis were associated with the territory of the major branch arteries crossed by the stents, and no patient experienced a related episode of clinical ischemia. Four patients died as a result of causes unrelated to the stenting procedure. The histology of a middle cerebral artery stent that was placed across a lenticuiostriate perforator is presented. CONCLUSION: The flexible, low-profile stents used in this study had no angiographically or clinically apparent effect on the major Intracranial branches across which they were placed.
Transport of amino acids into the estrogen-primed uterus. I. General characteristics of the uptake in vitro.

Abstract The uptake of free amino acids by the immature rat uterus has been studied in vitro . 1. 1. The uptake of the model amino acid, α-aminoisobutyric acid, showed properties of active transport. It was saturable; it occurred against a gradient of the free amino acid; it could be decreased by metabolic inhibitors such as cyanide, 2,4-dinitrophenol and lack of O 2 ; and it was temperature sensitive. It was also decreased by the presence of high levels of other amino acids or of K + , and by the absence of extracellular Na + . 2. 2. Under appropriate conditions, 1 μg estradiol injected into the rats could increase the uptake in vitro of α-aminoisobutyric acid, l -serine, l -alanine, glycine, l -proline, l -lysine, 1-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid, l -valine and dl -norleucine. As short a time as 1 h in vivo was sufficient for this level of the hormone to stimulate uptake of α-aminoisobutyric acid, 1-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid, l -alanine and l -proline. A 10 −6 M level of estradiol added in vitro stimulated α-aminoisobutyric acid uptake if incubation periods were extended to 6 h. 3. 3. Estradiol increased uptake at all α-aminoisobutyric acid levels tested (0.3–10 mM). Approximation of kinetic constants showed that the hormone increased the ν max of α-aminoisobutyric acid uptake without altering its K m .
Perioperative Imaging in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a constellation of left-sided congenital heart defects that result in variable hypoplasia of the left ventricle, left ventricular outflow tract, and aorta. Perioperative imaging with echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and cardiac catheterization is vital for diagnosis, surgical planning, prognosis, and postoperative management.
Multidetector Computerized Tomography Can Guide and Document Alcohol Septal Ablation in Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy

Cardiac imaging is of special value in the diagnosis and management of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.1 Echocardiography2 and magnetic resonance imaging,3 in particular, have been used to diagnose the disorder, to elucidate its pathophysiology, and to guide and document the results of treatment.4 A 41-year-old woman was evaluated for treatment of symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Because of a strong family history of hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies, in some cases associated with sudden death, an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator was implanted. Despite treatment with metoprolol succinate, verapamil, and finally metoprolol plus diltiazem, she had New York Heart Association Class III dyspnea and fatigue; symptoms were worse after a meal. Echocardiography showed asymmetrical septal hypertrophy, systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve, and moderate tricuspid and mitral valves regurgitation (right ventriclular systolic pressure 50 to 60 mm Hg) (online-only Data Supplement Movies I to III). A multidetector computerized tomography (MDCT) study of the heart and coronary arteries was done to delineate 1) the degree and exact location of interventricular septal hypertrophy; 2) the presence and degree of systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve and mitral valve leaflet-septal contact; and 3) the anatomy of the coronary arterial supply to the hypertrophied interventricular septum. Electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated contrast enhanced MDCT scan was performed using a Siemens SOMATOM Definition AS 128-slice computerized tomography scanner (Siemens Medical Solutions, Forchheim, Germany). Imaging was performed from the ascending thoracic aorta to the level of the upper abdomen during a 6-second breath hold at end inspiration. We used a triphasic IV regimen: 60 mL of iodinated contrast (Isovue [Iopamidol] 370 mg …
Molecular and functional diversity of maize.

Over the past 10 000 years, man has used the rich genetic diversity of the maize genome as the raw material for domestication and subsequent crop improvement. Recent research efforts have made tremendous strides toward characterizing this diversity: structural diversity appears to be largely mediated by helitron transposable elements, patterns of diversity are yielding insights into the number and type of genes involved in maize domestication and improvement, and functional diversity experiments are leading to allele mining for future crop improvement. The development of genome sequence and germplasm resources are likely to further accelerate this progress.
Distinct roles for PI3K in proliferation and survival of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells.

Phosphoinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is a downstream effector for multiple ligand-activated receptors and modulates cell responses through activation of its target protein kinase B (Akt). We examined the roles of PI3K-Akt signaling in a primary glial (oligodendrocyte) progenitor cell culture system that is ligand-dependent for cell proliferation, survival, and prevention of differentiation. We demonstrate that PI3K and Akt (Ser-473 phosphorylation) are activated in response to platelet-derived growth factor but not basic fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) and that distinct forms of PI3K are activated in early progenitors and later-maturation pro-oligodendroblasts as identified by their sensitivity to wortmannin. By establishing conditions to examine effects on cell proliferation and survival independently, we demonstrate that PI3K is necessary for a full mitogenic response and that PI3K is also necessary for early progenitor survival. Our results therefore demonstrate that PI3K-Akt signaling independently regulates proliferation and survival, that the form of PI3K is distinct in early progenitors and pro-oligodendroblasts, and that FGF2 does not activate this pathway in either primary glial cell population.
Structure and bonding characteristics of chalcogenide glasses in the system BaSeGa2Se3GeSe2

Abstract The structure of chalcogenide glasses in the system BaSe Ga 2 Se 3 GeSe 2 is investigated using a combination of Raman spectroscopy, 71 Ga and 77 Se NMR spectroscopy and neutron scattering. The results of these experiments, when taken together, indicate that the structure of these glasses consists primarily of a corner-shared network of (Ga/Ge)Se 4 tetrahedra with minor edge-sharing. Homopolar metal–metal bonds are detected in glasses even with BaSe:Ga 2 Se 3 > 1, implying violation of chemical order; however, such bonding is primarily limited to Ge atoms, in the form of Ge Ge bonds. A comparison between these glasses and crystalline Ba 2 GeSe 4 , of their Raman and NMR spectroscopic signatures, suggest the formation of a modified network with non-bridging Se atoms upon increasing the BaSe content. Therefore, the structure of BGGS glasses undergoes network modification characteristic of oxides as well as continuous alloying and homopolar bond formation characteristic of non-oxide chalcogenides.
Mechanism of biosynthesis of mycelial glucosan from pentoses by Aspergillus niger.

The biosynthesis of mycelial glucosan from glucose-1-C14, xylose-1-C14, and ribose-1-C14 by Aspergillus niger was studied. The results indicate that the pentoses were converted to glucose via transketolase, transaldolase, and iso-merase reactions, followed by polymerization to form mycelial glucosan. The difference in labeling of glucose from ribose as compared with xylose suggests that D-arabitol may be involved as an intermediate in ribose metabolism.
Open-pore polyurethane as a medium for coal conversion process aqueous effluent cleanup

Abstract A study was made of varying the reaction conditions of in-situ polymerized open-pore polyurethane (OPP). Optimum conditions were determined by electron microscopy and flow-rate studies. Using these conditions, large 1-in. × 12-in. columns were polymerized and compared, by use of a four-column bench-scale adsorption apparatus, with the same type columns filled with three common commercial adsorbents. Breakthrough curves (TOC, total phenol, etc.) of a synthetic and an actual coal conversion wastewater were then plotted for each of these columns.
The genomic organization of human dystrobrevin.

Dystrophin-related and dystrophin-associated proteins (DAPs) are thought to play an important role in the stability and maintenance of the plasma membrane during muscle contraction and relaxation. Studies conducted on the electric organg of Torpedo californica have shown that some of the DAPs are also involved in the formation and maintenance of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). In addition, dystrophin and several DAPs have been shown to be the primary genetic defect in a number of phenotypically similar muscular dystrophies. We previously reported the identification and characterization of human dystrobrevin, a protein which is unique in being both homologous to dystrophin and a dystrophin-associated protein. Here we describe the genomic organization of the human dystrobrevin gene. It is encoded by 23 exons spanning at least 180 kb of chromosome 18q12. Three different C-termini of dystrobrevin are generated by the mutually exclusive mRNA splicing of three exons. Two alternatively spliced exons (exons 11A and 12) are utilized exclusively in striated muscles. A comparison between the genomic organization of dystrophin and human dystrobrevin shows that the two genes have significant similarities in their genomic structure, implying an ancestral or evolutionary relationship. Based on intronic sequence, a primer set was designed to specifically amplify each exon of dystrobrevin to screen for mutations by SSCP in patients with neuromuscular diseases for which dystrobrevin could be a candidate.
Evidence That Commercial Calf and Horse Sera Can Contain Substantial Amounts of Trans-10, Cis-12 Conjugated Linoleic Acid

We analyzed fetal calf, newborn calf, horse, and adult cow sera for conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). All sera samples contained CLA, but the amounts varied. The predominant isomer was cis-9,trans-11 CLA but some samples appeared to contain substantial amounts of an isomer with the retention time of trans-10,cis-12 CLA.
Airflow Over a Heated Coastal Mountain

Abstract Observations of airflow over the Santa Ana Mountains were analyzed by numerical techniques. The Boussinesq equations and their energy properties were used to define the terms computed from the observed data. The numerical results were based on a 2-km horizontal and 200-m vertical mesh. Flow over the ridge can be divided into three distinct stages. The first stage is that of the valley wind regime with ridge-top convection. The second and third stages are associated with flow across the ridge. After a short transition period, the flow streams across the ridge and oscillates in the vertical plane. This wave-like motion is apparently produced by the response to the thermal field.
Non-kähler symplectic manifolds with toric symmetries

Drawing on the classification of symplectic manifolds with cosiotropic principal orbits by Duistermaat and Pelayo, in this note we exhibit families of compact symplectic manifolds, such that (i) no two manifolds in a family are homotopically equivalent, (ii) each manifold in each family possesses Hamiltonian, and non-Hamiltonian, toric symmetries, (iii) each manifold has odd first Betti number and hence it is not a Kahler manifold. This can be viewed as an application of the aforementioned classification.
CERES: The start of the next generation of radiation measurements

Abstract This paper describes current state of the investigation of Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES), which had its first instrument launched on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) from Japan in late November 1998. This instrument performed extremely well during its first six months in orbit. The ERBE-like data products from the CERES instrument on TRMM are being archived, so that geolocated radiances are already available for scientific research, about six months after launch. This paper also describes some of the validation work the CERES Team has undertaken and identifies differences between ERBE data and CERES. Because of the complexity of the measurement process, several factors must be considered in dealing with the question of whether these differences are the result of changes between the ERBE and CERES measurements or are real changes in the radiation budget. Based on this work, the CERES investigation appears poised to provide a major improvement in our understanding of the interaction between clouds, radiation, and climate.
Spatial resolution of visual feedback affects variability and structure of isometric force.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of spatial resolution of visual feedback on the variability and structure of isometric force. We manipulated spatial resolution of the display by changing the number of possible feedback dot positions. Twelve healthy young adults (5 men, 7 women) attempted to apply a constant level of force normal to a load cell with the index finger using two types of visual displays. One display provided high spatial resolution visual feedback by allowing feedback dot take any position from the 440 pixels along the vertical dimension of the screen. This display provided precise information about the current level of force relative to the target and to a range of allowable force deviation around the target. The other display provided low spatial resolution visual feedback by depicting applied force as taking on only three discrete values—below, within, or above the target range. Participants produced less variable and more complex (higher approximate entropy) force output with the displays that had higher spatial resolution. Recurrence quantification analysis of the force time series revealed that the display with low visual feedback resolution promoted a more intermittent, discontinuous force-production performance.
Use of a new 10Be and 26Al inventory method to date marine terraces, Santa Cruz, California, USA

Marine terraces along active continental margins reflect the interplay between sea-level oscillations and rock uplift. Well-dated marine terraces record the timing of sea-level highstands and delimit both uplift and geomorphic rates. Cosmogenic radionuclides provide a new tool for dating previously undatable terraces. Because the five marine terraces north of Santa Cruz, California, are capped by well-developed soils formed in regressive marine sands, both predepositional cosmogenic radionuclide inheritance and bioturbation of the profile must be accounted for. We present a new cosmogenic radionuclide inventory method that uses the depth-integrated cosmogenic radionuclide concentration to determine the terrace age. This method yields terrace ages that correlate well with sea-level highstands of marine oxygen isotope stages 3, 5a, 5c, 5e, and 7. The implied uplift rate is steady at 1.1 mm/yr, and is two to three times higher than rates suggested by earlier studies.
A Brief History of Statistical Models for Network Analysis and Open Challenges

Networks are ubiquitous in science. They have also become a focal point for discussion in everyday life. Formal statistical models for the analysis of network data have emerged as a major topic of interest in diverse areas of study, and most of these involve a form of graphical representation. Probability models on graphs date back to 1959. Along with empirical studies in social psychology and sociology from the 1960s, these early works generated an active “social science network community” and a substantial literature in the 1970s. This effort moved into the statistical literature in the late 1970s and 1980s, and the past decade has seen a burgeoning network literature coming out of statistical physics and computer science. In particular, the growth of the World Wide Web and the emergence of online “networking communities” such as Facebook, Google+, MySpace, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and a host of more specialized professional network communities have intensified interest in the study of networks and networ...
Effects of Popularity and Gender on Peers' Perceptions of Prosocial, Antisocial, and Jealousy-Eliciting Behaviors

Perceived popularity is associated with both positive and negative characteristics, and adolescents' stereotypes associated with popularity reflect this paradox. The current study investigated adolescents' stereotypes associated with popularity and gender, as well as their liking for popular peers who engage in prosocial, antisocial, and jealousy-eliciting behaviors. Of particular interest was how adolescents perceive the behaviors of same-sex versus other-sex peers of varying levels of popularity. A total of 190 seventh and ninth graders were randomly assigned to evaluate, via a series of vignettes, a hypothetical same-sex and other-sex peer who was either popular, unpopular, or of neutral status. Results suggest that adolescents view popular peers as less prosocial, more antisocial, and as eliciting more romantic jealousy than other peers. Adolescents' expectations regarding prosocial and antisocial behavior generally reflected widely held gender stereotypes. They were more accepting of antisocial behaviors enacted by other-sex peers compared to same-sex peers.
Presence of links between zinc and melatonin during the circadian cycle in old mice: effects on thymic endocrine activity and on the survival

Links between zinc and melatonin in old melatonin treated mice with a reconstitution of thymic functions have been recently documented. Concomitant increments of the nocturnal peaks of zinc and melatonin, with a synchronization of their circadian patterns, are achieved in old mice after melatonin treatment. A recovery of the nocturnal peaks of thymulin plasma levels and of the number of thymulin-secreting cells with a synchronization of their circadian patterns are also achieved. The existence of significant positive correlations between melatonin and zinc and between melatonin and thymulin or the number of thymulin-secreting cells supports the presence of links between zinc and melatonin also during the circadian cycle with a beneficial effect on thymic functions. The altered circadian pattern of corticosteron in old mice is normalized by melatonin. The existence of inverse correlations between corticosteron and melatonin, between corticosteron and zinc and between corticosteron and thymulin or the number of thymulin-secreting cells during the whole circadian cycle, suggests the involvement of glucocorticoids pathway in the melatonin thymic reconstitution, via zinc. The presence of an interplay among zinc, melatonin, glucocorticoids and thymulin may be, therefore, supported during the circadian cycle. 'In vitro' experiments from old thymic explants show a direct action of zinc, rather than melatonin, on thymulin production, further suggesting that the action of melatonin on the thymic efficiency is mediated by the zinc bioavailability. The beneficial effect of the links between zinc and melatonin on thymic functions during the circadian cycle, may be extended to a prolonged survival in aging, where, however, zinc may be more involved.
Slot Length Limits for Largemouth Bass in Small Private Impoundments

Abstract Fourteen small private impoundments were studied from 1976 to 1979 to determine if a slot length limit of 12.0–15.0 in for largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides would result in proportional stock densities (PSDs) of 40–60 for largemouth bass and 20–40 for bluegills Lepomis macrochirus. Impoundments meeting the PSD objectives increased from three to six for largemouth bass, from two to five for bluegills, and from one to three for both species. Relative abundance of largemouth bass 12.0 in and longer increased in most ponds with initially low PSDs of largemouth bass; relative abundance of bluegills 3.0–5.9 in long also increased in those ponds. Anglers released about 45% of their catch of largemouth bass shorter than 12.0 in. Anglers kept few largemouth bass shorter than 9.0 in, and only the 11.0–11.9-in fish were kept more than 50% of the time. The data suggest that high recruitment of largemouth bass causes low PSD and surplus numbers of 8.0–11.9-in largemouth bass. Predation by stock-length lar...
Chirped four-wave mixing in the largely normal dispersion regime from femtosecond pulse-pumped photonic crystal fiber

A four-wave mixing process of 4700 cm -1 Stokes-shift is stimulated by pumping a 20-cm commercial large-mode-area photonic crystal fiber with amplified Ti:sapphire femtosecond pulses. The phase-matching condition is realized through an intermodal scheme which promotes the process in the largely normal dispersion regime of the fiber. The walk-off effect of the interacting pulses is minimized by introducing an initial chirp to the pump pulses. Conversion efficiency over 7% from near-infrared pump input to visible anti-Stokes signal can be achieved.
Capturing and assessing evidence of student teacher inquiry: A case study

Abstract In this paper, we present five principles underlying teacher inquiry and report a case study during which student teachers in a US teacher education programme used evidence-based decision support, an inquiry method designed to help teachers analyse and adapt their own teaching through the use of a video analysis tool. This case study examined interplay among tools designed to guide teaching practice, student teachers’ own self-guided inquiry, and feedback from cooperating teachers as they made instructional decisions. Preservice teachers initially accepted the guidance provided by teaching analysis tools, but abandoned the tools in favour of informal self-assessments and feedback from cooperating teachers when they assumed teaching responsibilities in their own classrooms. We discuss the role of external support and video evidence in guiding preservice teacher inquiry.
Layer dynamics and phase transition for non-linear thermoviscoelasticity

In this article, we study the dynamics of transition layers for a system of 1D non-linear thermoviscoelasticity with non-monotone stress–strain relation.
Three counterexamples refuting Kieu's plan for ''quantum adiabatic hypercomputation''; and some uncomputable quantum mechanical tasks

Abstract Tien D. Kieu, in 10 papers posted to the quant - ph section of the xxx.lanl.gov preprint archive [some of which were also published in printed journals such as Proc. Royal Soc. A 460 (2004) 1535] had claimed to have a scheme showing how, in principle, physical “quantum adiabatic systems” could be used to solve the prototypical computationally undecidable problem, Turing’s “halting problem”, in finite time, with success probability >2/3 (where this 2/3 is independent of the input halting problem). There were several errors in those papers, most which ultimately could be corrected. More seriously, we here exhibit counterexamples to a crucial step in Kieu’s argument. The counterexamples are small quantum adiabatic systems in which “decoy” nonground states arise with high probability (>99.999%). Kieu had wrongly claimed no decoy state could ever acquire occupation probability greater than 50%. These counterexamples destroy Kieu’s entire plan and there seems no way to correct the plan to escape them. Nevertheless, there are some important consequences salvageable from Kieu’s idea: we can prove that the “halflife” of Kieu’s quantum systems is uncomputably large and no fully general form of the quantum adiabatic theorem can exist that yields computable upper bounds on adiabatic convergence times (both unless Church’s thesis is false so that finite time adiabatic quantum system evolution is unsimulable); and we can prove that no algorithm exists to find the ground-state energy of Kieu’s class of quantum Hamiltonians and hence their long-term thermal behavior is uncomputable.
The preparation of extracts of plasma lipids free from water-soluble contaminants

Abstract The preparation of extracts of plasma lipids free from water-soluble contaminants by the procedure of precipitating lipids and proteins together, washing the water-soluble solutes out of the precipitate with water, and extracting the lipids from the washed precipitate has been examined. As precipitants tungstic acid, colloidal iron, and zinc hydroxide have been tested, and as solvents Bloor's ethanol-ether and Folch's chloroform-methanol. Either solvent with any of the precipitants can be used, but preference is given to the combination of zinc hydroxide as precipitant and chloroform-methanol as solvent. The procedure is convenient, as precipitation, washing, and extraction of the lipids are all carried out in the same centrifuge tube.
Response‐Adaptive Randomization for Clinical Trials with Continuous Outcomes

We provide an explicit asymptotic method to evaluate the performance of different response-adaptive randomization procedures in clinical trials with continuous outcomes. We use this method to investigate four different response-adaptive randomization procedures. Their performance, especially in power and treatment assignment skewing to the better treatment, is thoroughly evaluated theoretically. These results are then verified by simulation. Our analysis concludes that the doubly adaptive biased coin design procedure targeting optimal allocation is the best one for practical use. We also consider the effect of delay in responses and nonstandard responses, for example, Cauchy distributed response. We illustrate our procedure by redesigning a real clinical trial.
Power Sources Designed For Space

New, improved and more reliable power sources will have to be developed if anticipated, space-oriented, requirements for higher power and longer life are to be satisfied. Conversion systems employing chemical, solar and nuclear energies are described and their prospects for further improvement discussed.
Williams-watts dielectric relaxation: A fractal time stochastic process

Dielectric relaxation in amorphous materials is treated in a defect-diffusion model where relaxation occurs when a mobile defect, such as a vacancy, reaches a frozen-in dipole. The random motion of the defect is assumed to be governed by a fractal time stochastic process where the mean duration between defect movements is infinite. When there are many more defects than dipoles, the Williams-Watts decaying fractional exponential relaxation law is derived. The argument of the exponential is related to the number of distinct sites visited by the random walk of the defect. For the same reaction dynamics but with more traps than walkers, an algebraically decaying relaxation is found.
TIME IS MONEY: Suggestions for More Effective Fundraising in the 1990s

Successful fundraising is an ongoing, proactive process that requires a clear focus on donors' interests and aspirations. Key measures for timely goal attainment include researching prospective donors carefully, using volunteers effectively, and specifying requests when asking for gifts. Personal solicitations together with conscientious acknowledgments of donor gifts and volunteer efforts help expedite and sustain a fundraising campaign.
Conceptualizing and Measuring Corporate Ideology

The present study focuses on corporate ideology, an important element of culture, which refers to the explicit and publicly expressed beliefs and values of an organization's key decision-makers. Although the literature suggests that ideology affects strategy, practices, and performance, few studies have measured the construct. The present study identifies the dimensions of corporate ideology and develops a typology of ideology. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in which questionnaires were mailed to 645 of the largest manufacturing companies in the U.S. The response rate was 25 percent. The results of the study identify three dimensions of ideology: progressive decision-making, social responsibility, and organicity. They suggest that ideologies have some tendency to fall along a continuum from traditional to progressive. The importance of this finding to strategy and performance are explained within a contingency framework.
MRI-Guided Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy of Malignant and Benign Breast Lesions

We present the clinical implementation of a novel hybrid system that combines magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and near-infrared (NIR) optical measurements for the noninvasive study of breast cancer in vivo. Fourteen patients were studied with a MR-NIR prototype imager and spectrometer. A diffuse optical tomographic scheme employed the MR images as a priori information to implement an image-guided NIR localized spectroscopic scheme. All patients who entered the study also underwent gadolinium-enhanced MRI and biopsy so that the optical findings were cross-validated with MR readings and histopathology. The technique quantified the oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin of five malignant and nine benign breast lesions in vivo. Breast cancers were found with decreased oxygen saturation and higher blood concentration than most benign lesions. The average hemoglobin concentration ([H]) of cancers was 0.130+/-0.100 mM, and the average hemoglobin saturation (Y) was 60+/-9% compared to [H]=0.018+/-0.005 mM and Y=69+/-6% of background tissue. Fibroadenomas exhibited high hemoglobin concentration [H]=0.060+/-0.010 mM and mild decrease in oxygen saturation Y=67+/-2%. Cysts and other normal lesions were easily differentiated based on intrinsic contrast information. This novel optical technology can be a significant add-on in MR examinations and can be used to characterize functional parameters of cancers with diagnostic and treatment prognosis potential. It is foreseen that the technique can play a major role in functional activation studies of brain and muscle as well.
The effect of earnings characteristics on firms' discretionary disclosure decisions

This study examines whether firms expand accounting disclosures in response to perceived market undervaluation. Using a signalling theory framework, this paper predicts that managers will use disclosures to align the market's expectations about future earnings performance with their own. We predict that the market undervalues firms with positive (negative) abnormal earnings when the persistence of the abnormal earnings is higher (lower) than market expectations. Therefore, these firms will signal to the market by expanding their accounting disclosures. Furthermore, firms with positive and negative abnormal growth are expected to seek different types of disclosures to correct the perceived undervaluation. Our findings demonstrate that a relationship exists between the persistence of the earnings components and firms' changes in discretionary disclosures, suggesting that characteristics of corporate earnings are associated with changes in disclosure decisions. Therefore, any analysis of the benefits to expanded disclosures should also consider the characteristics of the reported earnings.
Soliton-effect compression of supercontinuum to few-cycle durations in photonic nanowires

By exploiting the broad region of anomalous group-velocity dispersion (GVD) and the large effective nonlinearity of photonic nanowires, we demonstrate soliton-effect self-compression of 70-fs pulses down to 6.8 fs. Under suitable conditions, simulations predict that self-compression down to single-cycle duration is possible.
Network Topology Design to Optimize Link and Switching Costs

We consider the problem of designing a network which minimizes the total cost of the switching facilities and the fiber links, by choosing the subset of nodes at which to install switching functionality and the subset of the available fiber links to employ for interconnecting nodes. This objective addresses jointly two of the most significant costs in the design of a communications network - the number of switching sites and the total linear distance of the utilized links - and results in substantial cost benefits. Since relative costs vary depending on specific circumstances, we characterize the tradeoff between the number of switching sites and the total link length. Our study is performed for a network supporting full connectivity between all nodes, rather than for a specific traffic matrix, and thus reveals fundamental properties inherent to the given topology. We address both the unprotected and the protected cases, and we present heuristic algorithms to solve the problem.
Stereotypes and Social Types in Ellison's Invisible Man*

The literature of the first three decades of the twentieth century records directly and indirectly the rise of national society and the destruction of the local society. The very fact that so many of the most able writers of the so-called “lost generation” were ex-patriots could…be taken, not unfairly, as a direct product of the fact that while local forms of American community were being destroyed, the national community was too underdeveloped to re-incorporate the pieces. The artists were like refugees from destroyed communities1.
Vitamin A Depletion Induced by Cigarette Smoke Is Associated with the Development of Emphysema in Rats

We showed previously that vitamin A deficiency per se causes emphysema. Benzo(a)pyrene, a constituent in cigarette smoke, induces vitamin A depletion when administered to rats; therefore, we tested the hypothesis that cigarette smoke induces vitamin A depletion, which is associated with the development of emphysema. Male weanling rats were fed a purified AIN-93G diet and divided into two groups. The experimental group was exposed to cigarette smoke from 20 nonfiltered commercial cigarettes/d for 5 d/wk, whereas the control group was exposed to air. After 6 wk, tissues were collected for histological and biochemical analyses. Retinol levels were measured in serum, lung and liver. The trachea, lung and liver were examined for histological changes. Vitamin A levels decreased significantly in serum, lung and liver of smoke-treated rats. Histological examination revealed the presence of interstitial pneumonitis along with severe emphysema. There was a significant inverse relationship between vitamin A concentration in the lung and the severity of emphysema (r = -0.69 and P < 0.03). Detachment or hyperplasia (and metaplasia) of the tracheal epithelium and liver vacuole formation also were evident in the smoke-treated rats. The results of this research indicate that exposure to cigarette smoke induces vitamin A depletion in rats, which is associated with the development of emphysema.
Amyand's hernia.

Case report A 67-year old man had a large irreducible right inguino-scrotal hernia which had been enlarging for 8 years. During the last two weeks he had felt a ‘dragging’ pain in the right groin. He had no fever, anorexia or evidence of intestinal obstruction. The scrotum was neither tender nor tense. Surgery revealed an indirect inguinal hernial sac containing the caecum, ileum and appendix. The appendix was inflamed but not perforated. Histopathological confirmation was obtained. The appendix was covered by adjacent inflamed mesentery. The ileum was normal and devoid of a Meckel’s diverticulum. After performing an a appendicectomy, the bowel was returned to the peritoneal cavity. The hernial sac was divided close to the neck and a Shouldice repair done.
Hysteretic surface effects in multifilamentary NbTi wires exposed to transverse applied fields

Discrepancies in the magnetic hysteresis have been found between bare and clad samples of fine filamentary, multifilamentary, NbTi wires. This difference manifests itself as a greater hysteresis loss in bare than in clad filaments that is significant even in the transverse field orientation. These effects are investigated over a wide range of samples, and for various filament diameters. The dependence of these losses on the orientation of the field with respect to the filaments is studied as well. These effects are attributed to interface pinning.
Backend low-k TDDB chip reliability simulator

Backend low-k time-dependent dielectric breakdown degrades reliability of circuits with Copper metallization. We present test data and link it to a methodology to evaluate chip lifetime due to low-k time-dependent dielectric breakdown. Other failure mechanisms can be integrated into our methodology. We analyze several layouts using our methodology and present the results to show that the methodology can enable the designer to consider easy design modifications and their impact on lifetime, separate from the design rules.
Enhancing yield at the end of the technology roadmap

Scaled manufacturing technologies require advanced techniques for improving device reliability and production yield. We present a transistor-level redundancy technique for manufacturing devices with low vulnerability and improving yield in future circuits The technique relies on appropriate design style selection and controlled redundancy to achieve area and power trade-offs.
Early development of the kelp fly, Coelopa frigida (Diptera). II. Morphology of cleavage and blastoderm formation.

Cleavage and blastoderm formation in Coelopa frigida are extremely rapid developmental processes. In short (6–7 minutes) successive cell cycles, nuclei multiply and spread out through the egg. The movement seems to be aided by endoplasmic vesicles and cisternae which are in direct contact with the nuclear membrane. The first cells to separate from the egg plasmodium in early superficial cleavage stages are the pole cells. Precursor material from multivesicular bodies forms the pole cell membranes. The primary nuclei from the posterior pole region are removed from the blastoderm by the pole cell segregation. Blastoderm nuclei from the regions adjacent to the posterior pole migrate into the residual periplasm after pole cell segregation has been completed and constitute the blastoderm nuclei in that region of the egg. Nucleoli are not revealed during internal cleavage. They appear in pole cells shortly after their segregation. The generation time of the blastoderm nuclei increases after the twelfth cleavage. Concurrently, nucleoli form in the blastoderm nuclei and permanent cell membranes separate individual blastoderm cells. After blastoderm cells have been separated from each other, they remain in contact with the interior yolk sac by means of cytoplasmic canals. This contact is maintained at least during the early phases of blastokinesis. Observations on nuclear migration and rapid membrane formation are discussed as examples of protein assembly from subunits as an alternative to de novo protein synthesis in early stages of development.
Petroleum Prospect Valuation: The Option to Drill Again

We examine the value of an exploration prospect that is to be exploited via a series of possibly dependent trials. Failure on any particular trial is assumed to convey bad news, but also provides an option to try again. The pattern and strength of dependence among trials determines the value of this option, and therefore also influences the value of the underlying prospect. We describe the solution to this valuation problem, examine the behavior of the option premium, and characterize potential errors that are inherent in two ad hoc procedures that are often used to estimate prospect value. We demonstrate that the impact of dependence among trials is monotonic: each increase in the degree of dependence results in a further reduction in expected value of the prospect. We also characterize the particular pattern of dependence that is implied by a plausible model of exploratory risk.
Enhancements of the split-and-merge algorithm for image segmentation

A postprocessor of the split-and-merge procedure is presented to solve two problems encountered in image segmentation: (1) the proper setting of parameters is difficult and the result may be undergrown (too many regions) or overgrown (too few regions); and (2) the outlines obtained do not lie at edges. The postprocessor carries out two operations, namely, boundary elimination and edge editing, to solve these two problems, respectively. The processing time of these two procedures grows about linearly with the image complexity. >
Kerley Pergamon lecture: The diaphragm. Radiologic correlations with anatomy and pathology.

Anatomically, the diaphragm consists of muscular fibres which are attached to the periphery of the thoracic cage and converge into a central tendon. Physiologically, the diaphragm acts as if it were composed of two muscle aggregates, a costal portion attached to the ribs and a crural portion not attached to the ribs. Radiologically, the diaphragm can therefore be considered to have anterior (more accurately, anterolateral) and posterior attachments. In the ensuing discussion, several aspects of the anatomy and pathology of the diaphragmatic attachments will be considered. The subject of diaphragmatic injury will not be reviewed.
Two dimensional finite difference method for the analysis of piezoelectric devices

A general finite difference technique is described for the AC steady-state analysis of two-dimensional piezoelectric devices. The method is formulated to accommodate anisotropic and inhomogeneous material as well as variable mesh spacings such that irregular boundaries can be modeled. The method is applied to a bulk acoustic wave resonator and stacked crystal filter structures. For the resonator analysis, the results are compared with published data. >
Endogenous private safety investment and the willingness to pay for mortality risk reductions

When individuals cannot undertake safety-improving expenditures, the effect of an increase in the initial risk on the willingness to pay (WTP) for mortality risk reduction is positive because of the dead-anyway effect. When they can undertake safety-improving expenditures, the effect of an increase in the initial risk is governed by two effects: The dead-anyway effect which is positive and the high-payment effect which is negative. We treat the two types of risk-reducing expenditures, endogenous and exogenous, as inputs in a safety-improving technology function and find conditions that guarantee that the high-payment effect dominates.
Middle School Student Learning in Evolution: Are Current Standards Achievable?

he designation of reasonable and sound academic standards is often touted as the cornerstone upon which science education reform rests (National Academy of Sciences, 1998; Alles, 2001). Given their importance, it is vital that standards be written so that the outlined goals are practically attainable, especially if they are used to design state tests. Therefore, standards for each grade level should be written to coincide with results from the educational literature (Linn et al., 1994).
Minimum time control of a second-order system

A new algorithm for determining the switching time and final time for the minimum-time control of a second-order system is described. We show that if there is only one switch in the bang-bang control, then the switching time and final time are related through an affine mapping. This mapping is determined by the system dynamics, the initial and target states, and the control bounds on the control input. The resulting time-optimal controller is easy to design and implement, making it suitable for online implementation. Since the algorithm also produces the final time, it becomes feasible to optimize the switching sequence over a collection of states to be visited so as to minimize the total visiting time.
Is the Tendency to Produce an Excess of Either Sex in the Domestic Fowl Inherited

Abstract THE demonstration of the inheritance of the tendency to produce an excess of either sex in the domestic fowl would be of immense practical importance to the poultry industry and of considerable biological interest concerning sex determination. Since the term “sex determination” has reference to the causes which lead to the production of an individual of one or the other sex, the demonstration of the inheritance of the sex ratio should lead to the possibility of sex control to a certain extent at least, since the term “sex control” means that the causes which determine sex are more or less amenable to human control. In so far as the writer is aware, no conclusive data have been published concerning the inheritance of the tendency to produce an excess of either sex in the domestic fowl. Jull (1931a) has shown that the normal sex ratio, meaning the percentage of males in . . .
Adolescent rats are resistant to adaptations in excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms that modulate mesolimbic dopamine during nicotine withdrawal.

Adolescent smokers report enhanced positive responses to tobacco and fewer negative effects of withdrawal from this drug than adults, and this is believed to propel higher tobacco use during adolescence. Differential dopaminergic responses to nicotine are thought to underlie these age-related effects, as adolescent rats experience lower withdrawal-related deficits in nucleus accumbens (NAcc) dopamine versus adults. This study examined whether age differences in NAcc dopamine during withdrawal are mediated by excitatory or inhibitory transmission in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine cell body region. In vivo microdialysis was used to monitor extracellular levels of glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the VTA of adolescent and adult rats experiencing nicotine withdrawal. In adults, nicotine withdrawal produced decreases in VTA glutamate levels (44% decrease) and increases in VTA GABA levels (38% increase). In contrast, adolescents did not exhibit changes in either of these measures. Naive controls of both ages did not display changes in NAcc dopamine, VTA glutamate, or VTA GABA following mecamylamine. These results indicate that adolescents display resistance to withdrawal-related neurochemical processes that inhibit mesolimbic dopamine function in adults experiencing nicotine withdrawal. Our findings provide a potential mechanism involving VTA amino acid neurotransmission that modulates age differences during withdrawal.