cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Color association values and response interference on variants of the Stroop test

Abstract A simple mediation model is applied to the Stroop phenomenon of response interference on color word naming tasks. A prediction is educed that as the degree of color association value for sets of words vary, the extent of response interference will vary directly. Five different lists, including three distinct levels of color associativity, were used in a repeated measurement Latin Square design. Results indicate a close correspondence between color association value and response interference. Word frequency is discussed as an important antecedent variable for response interference, whose role remains to be defined. It is suggested that a highly precise model for predicting interference times is feasible.
Examining the Level of Service Consequence of Transit Signal Priority During Urban Evacuation

This research answers the question, during an urban evacuation should regional planners allow transit units signal priority when police assisted traffic controls are not an option. A case study of Washington D.C. shows allowing transit signal priority (TSP) during an urban evacuation has little to no effect on evacuation clearance time. Furthermore, four non-prioritized units are required to accomplish the task of three prioritized vehicles. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Nonlinear Stationary Rossby Waves on Nonuniform Zonal Winds and Atmospheric Blocking. Part I: The Analytical Theory

Abstract Many recent theoretical and observational studies have been devoted to the understanding of atmospheric patterns that persist beyond the synoptic time scale. These patterns are known as blocking events. Properties of blocking events emerging from the observational evidence are consistent with the properties of nonlinear, i.e., coherent, localized structures characterized by locking of phases and phase speeds which are amplitude dependent. In the present paper we develop a nonlinear, analytical theory with solutions in the form of stationary, coherent structures superimposed on a mean westerly wind. The model is the inviscid, quasi-geostrophic potential vorticity conservation equation with a mean zonal wind having vertical as well as horizontal shear. The used mean wind profile is typical of the atmosphere at midlatitude. The stationary, coherent solution is an antisymmetric dipole, with the anticyclone north of the cyclone; it has an equivalent barotropic vertical structure, is meridionally as we...
In Search of Legitimacy: Peace Grant Making of U.S. Philanthropic Foundations, 1988-1996:

This analysis of peace grant making of U.S. foundations in 1988-1996 is guided by neoinstitutional organizational theory. The author argues that legitimacy concerns underlie the choices foundations make regarding the organizations and causes they fund. Academic and elite recipients give legitimacy to foundations and draw most of the latter’s support. Foundations’ authority in conferring legitimacy is prominent vis-a-vis nonelite organizations, which often seek to mobilize foundation support but receive much less of it than elite grantees do. The overall size of peace grant making was very small in the examined period and declined in constant dollars from 1988 to 1996. The author suggests that foundations were disinclined to fund peace due to normative pressure from the “national security state.” Future research should advance theories about sources of external influence on foundations, paying particular attention to the state’s capacity to shape organizational behavior of foundations and of the nonprofit ...
Treatment of groundwater contaminated with gasoline components by an ozone/UV process

Abstract In this paper, the treatment of real groundwater samples contaminated with gasoline components, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX), methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), and other gasoline constituents in terms of total petroleum hydrocarbons as gasoline (TPHg) by an ozone/UV process was investigated. The treatment was conducted in a semi-batch reactor under different experimental conditions by varying ozone gas dosage and incident UV light intensity. The groundwater samples contained BTEX compounds, MTBE, TBA, and TPHg in the ranges of 5–10 000, 3000–5500, 80–1400, and 2400–20 000 μg l−1, respectively. The ozone/UV process was very effective compared to ozonation in the removal of the gasoline components from the groundwater samples. For the various gasoline constituents, more than 99% removal efficiency was achieved for the ozone/UV process and the removal efficiency for ozonation was as low as 27%. The net ozone consumed per mol of organic carbon (from BTEX, MTBE, and TBA) oxidized varied in the range of 5–60 for different types of groundwater samples treated by the ozone/UV process. In ozonation experiments, it was observed that the presence of sufficient amount of iron in groundwater samples improved the removal of BTEX, MTBE, TBA, and TPHg.
From Climate-change Spaghetti to Climate-change Distributions for 21st-Century California

The uncertainties associated with climate-change projections for California are unlikely to disappear any time soon, and yet important long-term decisions will be needed to accommodate those potential changes. Projection uncertainties have typically been addressed by analysis of a few scenarios, chosen based on availability or to capture the extreme cases among available projections. However, by focusing on more common projections rather than the most extreme projections (using a new resampling method), new insights into current projections emerge: (1) uncertainties associated with future greenhouse-gas emissions are comparable with the differences among climate models, so that neither source of uncertainties should be neglected or underrepresented; (2) twenty-first century temperature projections spread more, overall, than do precipitation scenarios; (3) projections of extremely wet futures for California are true outliers among current projections; and (4) current projections that are warmest tend, overall, to yield a moderately drier California, while the cooler projections yield a somewhat wetter future. The resampling approach applied in this paper also provides a natural opportunity to objectively incorporate measures of model skill and the likelihoods of various emission scenarios into future assessments.
Iterative use of the Bruggeman-Hanai-Sen mixing model to determine water saturations in sand

The accuracy of the Bruggeman-Hanai-Sen (BHS) mixing model has been previously demonstrated for two-material mixtures during BHS model development. Using permittivities determined from modeling ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data, the BHS model has been iteratively applied to three-material mixtures of water, sand, and a dense, nonaqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL). However, the accuracy of this application has not been verified. A 10-cm air-line system driven by a network analyzer is used to measure bulk permittivitities when the water saturations in a sand are varied (frequency range of 20 to 200 MHz). Through iterative use of the BHS mixing model, the measured permittivities are used to calculate water saturations, which are compared to known saturation values. An iterative BHS mixing model for an air/water/sand system must consider which two-material end member (air/sand or water/sand) represents the matrix term in the original two-material BHS model. An air/sand matrix provides the best accuracy for low water saturations, and a water/sand matrix provides the best accuracy for high water saturations; thus, a new weighted model is developed. For a given porosity and a measured bulk permittivity, water saturation is most accurately determined by proportionally weighting the water saturation values determined using air/sand as the matrix and water/sand as the matrix in the BHS model.
Effect of high dosages of bacterial challenge on acid phosphatase release from Biomphalaria glabrata hemocytes

Abstract Specimens of Biomphalaria glabrata challenged with 2 μl of heat-killed Bacillus megaterium at a concentration of 9 × 10 9 bacteria/ml showed a significant elevation of acid phosphatase activity level at 2 hr post-challenge but there were no significant fluctuations of enzyme activity at any of the other four time intervals post-challenge. Substantiating the earlier hypothesis of Cheng [ Amer. Zool. , 23 , 129–144 (1983b); Mar. Tech. Soc. J. , 17 , 18–25 (1983c)], it is postulated that if the dosage of the challenging agent is high, most of the recognition sites on the cell, nuclear, and/or lysosomal membranes become saturated and hence are unavailable for the recognition of subsequent challenge. Also, there is a burst of enzyme hypersynthesis and subsequent release which is reflected by a significant elevation of serum enzyme activity level which, in the present case, occurred at 2 hr post-challenge.
Single-chip surface micromachined integrated gyroscope with 50/spl deg//h Allan deviation

The design principles of a mass-produced surface micromachined gyroscope are described. The device is integrated on a single 3 mm/spl times/3 mm chip with a 3-/spl mu/m BiCMOS process. It has a 4-/spl mu/m-thick polysilicon structure, 5-V 6-mA supply, 12.5-mV//spl deg//S sensitivity, 10 000:1 dynamic range, 30 000-gee shock survival, and -55/spl deg/C to +85/spl deg/C operating temperature.
The role of neighborhood social networks in scattered‐site public housing residents’ search for jobs

Abstract In theory, housing poor families in the suburbs among those who are not poor can provide better housing options and help families connect with economic and social opportunities. Social networks are vital links to larger social systems and the neighborhood networks of low‐income people may thus influence their access to opportunity. Does living in small clusters of public housing in a nonpoor area instead of in a dispersed housing pattern influence the types of social ties poor people use when they look for jobs? Dispersed residents have neighborhood social networks that contain greater diversity, so therefore they have greater access to diverse sources of information. Dispersed residents, however, use their neighbors less frequently when they look for a job than clustered residents do. Implications for theory, policy, and practice are discussed.
Indentation of a Rigid Sphere into an Elastic Half-Space in the Direction Orthogonal to the Axis of Material Symmetry

In this work a contact problem for a transversely isotropic half-space indented by a rigid sphere is considered. The axis of symmetry of the half-space is orthogonal to the axis of the applied contact load, which makes the problem fully three-dimensional. An exact solution to this contact problem is constructed. Stresses and strains are obtained in the form of contour integrals in the complex plane with explicitly determined dimensionless integrands. As an illustrative application of the constructed solution, failure beneath the indenter in a unidirectional composite is analyzed.
Recommend-As-You-Go: A Novel Approach Supporting Services-Oriented Scientific Workflow Reuse

Services computing technology enables scientists to expose data and computational resources wrapped as publicly accessible Web services. However, our study indicates that scientific services are currently poorly reused in an ad hoc style. This project aims to help domain scientists find interested services and reuse successful processes to attain their research purposes in the form of workflows. In contrast to existing interface-based services discovery approaches, this paper proposes a novel approach of proactively recommending services in a workflow composition process, based on service usage history. The underpinning is a People-Service-Workflow (PSW) network that models existing scientific artifacts, services and workflows, and their past usage relationships into a social network. Various social network analysis techniques are applied to discover hidden knowledge accrued. A prototyping search engine has been developed as a proof of concept, and is seamlessly integrated as a plug-in into the Tavern a workbench, a widely used scientific workflow management tool.
Exciting the GKP string at any coupling

Abstract We analyze the spectrum of excitations around the Gubser–Klebanov–Polyakov (GKP) rotating string in the long string limit and construct a parametric representation for their dispersion relations at any value of the string tension. On the gauge theory side of the AdS/CFT correspondence, i.e., in the planar N = 4 super Yang–Mills theory, the problem is equivalent to finding the spectrum of scaling dimensions of large spin, single-trace operators. Their scaling dimensions are obtained from the analysis of the Beisert–Staudacher asymptotic Bethe ansatz equations, which are believed to solve the spectral problem of the planar gauge theory. We examine the resulting dispersion relations in various kinematical regimes, both at weak and strong coupling, and detail the matching with the Frolov–Tseytlin spectrum of transverse fluctuations of the long GKP string. At a more dynamical level, we identify the mechanism for the restoration of the SO ( 6 ) symmetry, initially broken by the choice of the Berenstein–Maldacena–Nastase vacuum in the Bethe ansatz solution to the mixing problem.
Mate selection in the 1970s

The author reviews major trends in courtship in the United States and abroad during the past 10 years. Topics considered include trends in the sociocultural determinants of marital choice the decreasing emphasis on dating the rise in cohabitation changes in courtship behavior research on love and theories of mate selection (ANNOTATION)
Induction of thyroid follicular adenomas and carcinomas by N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine

Subcutaneous injection of N-nitrosobis(2-oxypropyl)amine (BOP) induced thyroid follicular adenomas and carcinomas in MRC rats. The tumor yield was 50% following a single dose and 60% after weekly treatment for life. In males the tumor incidence was slightly higher and the latency period shorter, while in females, the tumors were larger. Sites of origin, size, multiplicity and morphologic patterns of tumors were analyzed in relation to dose and sex. The possible mechanisms involved in tumorigenesis are discussed.
Stress redistribution in ceramic/metal multilayers containing cracks

Abstract Multilayer systems comprising either Al or Cu bonded to sapphire have been used to evaluate stress redistribution effects around cracks, caused by slip in the metal. Single precracks have been introduced into the outermost sapphire layer and strain distributions measured around those cracks upon loading. Both moire interferometry and (Cr3+) fluorescence piezospectroscopy have been used for that purpose. Finite element calculations of the plastic zone size, Ls, the crack opening displacement, δ, and the strains have been made, with the yield strengths of the metals, σo, regarded as unknowns. Comparison of Ls or δ with the measurements establishes σo. Once the relevant yield strengths have been determined, the calculated stresses and strains (as redistributed by slip in the metal layer) are found to be in reasonable correspondence with the values measured by either moire interferometry or piezospectroscopy. Some small discrepancies remain, which have yet to be explained.
The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning—Done by Sociologists: Let's Make That the Sociology of Higher Education

Ces deux articles discutent de la validite de la creation d'un discipline sociologique a part entiere, la sociologie de l'enseignement superieur. Les AA. analysent les raisons qui poussent a depasser le cadre du scolarship of teaching and learning (STL) ainsi que celui de la sociologie de l'education
Amateurs and Professionals, Lawyers and Critics: An Essay on Kornstein's Shakespeare

Full disclosure requires me to admit that I am a professional literary critic, an author, and a feminist; that I am neither a Shakespearean scholar nor a lawyer. Mr. Korstein is "a full-time, practicing, shirtsleeve lawyer in a small Manhattan firm that concentrates on litigation" (at xi) and "only an amateur" (at xiv) when it comes to Shakespeare. He has represented, among others, actress Vanessa Redgrave in her suit against the Boston Symphony Orchestra for blacklisting and author Joe McGiniss in his defense against "hidden libel" brought by the convicted killer who was the subject of Fatal Vision. As critic and author, then, we each represent both the professional critic and the educated amateur, the practitioner and the enthusiast, the legal-minded literati and the literary lawyers: our conversation here might be said to be paradigmatic of the law and literature enterprise itself. That enterprise is now fully institutionalized, with its university affiliations, its professional journals, its superstars and internecine struggles. The interdisciplinary study of the discursive fields of law and literature is a very difficult enterprise, no longer exemplified by counting how many times the Supreme Court refers to Hamlet as an index of literature's utility to the law. The enterprise has also gone beyond pointing out, on the one hand, how lawyers and judges can benefit from reading great literature, a benefit manifest in their enhanced writing skills and their capacity for less rule-bound judgments; or suggesting, on the other, how literary critics and practitioners can draw on legal debates and representations for their material. We have
COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT REDUCTION A CROSS‐CULTURAL STUDY1

Abstract Deux experiences distinctes, l'une aux Etats-Unis, l'autre en Suede, ont ete consacrees aux effets de trois niveaux de communication (Communication Nulle — Communication Factuelle — Communication Totale) sur la reduction des conflits inter-personnels. Deux sujets, amenes, par entra[icaron]nement prealable, a un systeme de croyance different, doivent parvenir a une decision commune dans une t[acaron]che nouvelle, mais semblable a la premiere. La reduction du conflit est faible dans toutes les conditions. Cependant les sujets avec communication totale montrent moins de conflit que les sujets sans communication (p < .01), les sujets avec communication factuelle se situant entre les deux. On n'observe aucune difference, entre les deux pays, dans l'effet du niveau dc communication sur la reduction du conflit. Enfin, la connaissance par feedback des consequences de la t[acaron]che n'a pas d'effet sur la reduction du conflit cognitif, ce qui suggererait que l'on doive utiliset d'autres types de feedback...
Regulation of the rat class I alcohol dehydrogenase gene by Growth Hormone

Abstract Growth hormone (GH) increases the transcription of the rat class I alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) gene. Two transcription factors, the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) and the liver activator protein (LAP), were previously shown to bind to the ADH promoter at nucleotide positions −11 to −22 relative to the start-site of transcription and to activate the ADH promoter in co-transfection experiments. In this study, exposure of cultured rat hepatocytes to GH (1 μg/ml) for 4 days increased LAP mRNA, but not C/EBP mRNA, in conjunction with an increase in ADH mRNA. GH, in transient transfection experiments of primary rat hepatocyte cultures, activated an ADH promoter-reporter gene construct containing the C/EBP binding site, but failed to activate a construct containing a 4-bp mutation at this site. These results suggest that the effect of GH in enhancing ADH promoter activity is mediated by LAP binding to the C/EBP site.
Horseshoes and the Conley index spectrum

Given a continuous map on a locally compact metric space and an isolating neighborhood which is decomposed into two disjoint isolating neighborhoods, it is shown that the spectral information of the associated Conley indices is sufficient to conclude the existence of a semi-conjugacy onto the full shift dynamics on two symbols.
Dobutamine stress echocardiography in preoperative and long-term postoperative risk assessment of elderly patients.

The authors reviewed all negative preoperative dobutamine stress echocardiograms (DSEs) performed over a 3-year period to determine the value of negative DSE for preoperative risk assessment in elderly patients. All patients with negative DSE performed for preoperative evaluation were followed. Cardiac event rates during and after the operative procedure were determined for hard end points (nonfatal myocardial infarction, cardiac death) and soft end points (emergency room visits, hospitalization for unstable angina, congestive heart failure, coronary angioplasty, coronary artery bypass graft surgery). Results noted that DSEs were negative for ischemia in 82 preoperative evaluations. Group 1 (age >/=65; n=41) had hard and soft event rates per patient/year of 0.97% and 7.3%, while group 2 (age <65; n=41) had hard and soft event rates per patient/year of 0.81% and 10.8%. There were no significant differences in event rates between the two groups (p=NS). In conclusion, the authors found that negative DSEs predict low cardiac event rates in elderly patients during the perioperative and long-term postoperative periods, which are not significantly different from the cardiac event rates in a younger cohort.
Challenges using modeling and simulation in architecture development

Abstract A discrete event simulation was developed combining the Optical Tracking Network (TeleTrak) and Satellite Position Attained by RF-Keyed Tracking (SPARK) system into one system to track, image, and identify space objects as they pass through the space fence to increase space situational awareness for the United States Air Force. The objectives for this study are threefold: model a “to-be” architecture for a combined TeleTrak and SPARK system to develop system requirements, determine if an optimal position for the telescope exists to return to while waiting for the next collect, and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of DOE and simulation principles and techniques. The paper explores the uses and pitfalls of modeling and simulation with this case study. While a working model remained elusive, several important observations emerged. Six recommendations are given to help others become more successful in a modeling and simulation environment along with ideas to pursue in additional research.
Influence of clearance leakage on turbine heat transfer at and near blade tips - Summary of recent results

In gas turbine engines, the unshrouded blades of axial turbine stages rotate in close proximity to the stationary outer wall, or seal, of the turbine housing. The pressure difference between pressure and suction sides of the blade drives a leakage flow through the gap between the rotating blade tip and adjacent wall. Flow and heat transfer at the blade tips have long been subjects of interest to gas turbine engine designers because of effects on aerodynamic performance and because material failures are frequently observed in that region. However, until quite recently only a very incomplete and largely qualitative understanding existed of the clearance gap flowfield, and virtually no information was available on the heat transfer effects. In this paper, an overview is given of recent published efforts to elucidate more features of the leakage-related flowfield and convection heat transfer on and near unshrouded turbine blade tips. 20 references.
A novel method of demonstrating rectal prolapse.

Background Full thickness rectal prolapse may be difficult to view in the outpatient setting. We present a novel method to demonstrate it using equipment commonly found in the Urology clinic.
Inhibition of IκB-α and IκB-β Proteolysis by Calpain Inhibitor I Blocks Nitric Oxide Synthesis

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates the induction of the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in part by inducing the nuclear translocation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB). LPS induces ubiquination and phosphorylation of the IkappaB inhibitory subunit of NF-kappaB. Subsequently, the ubiquitin-proteasome multicatalytic enzyme complex catalyzes the proteolytic degradation of IkappaB with resultant nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB. Our results demonstrate that the proteasome inhibitor calpain inhibitor I dose-dependently inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide synthesis in RAW macrophages. The inhibitor was found to block iNOS transcription and protein translation as noted by Northern analysis and Western blotting, respectively. LPS stimulated rapid proteolytic degradation of IkappaB-alpha which was inhibited by approximately 50% in the presence of calpain inhibitor I. In contrast, LPS induced the delayed proteolytic degradation of IkappaB-beta which was almost totally inhibited by calpain inhibitor I. Calpain inhibitor I also decreased the LPS-induced nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB. These results demonstrate that the ubiquitin-proteasome complex has an important role in induction of iNOS in response to stimuli which act via the NF-kappaB/IkappaB signal transduction pathway. Furthermore, the results suggest that the ubiquitin-proteasome complex is important in the degradation of IkappaB-beta as well as IkappaB-alpha. Finally, we have demonstrated that there is a marked difference in the extent of proteolysis of IkappaB-alpha and IkappaB-beta when the ubiquitin-proteasome complex is inhibited with calpain inhibitor I.
Using EPIC model to manage irrigated cotton and maize

Simulation models are becoming of interest as a decision support system for management and assessment of crop water use and of crop production. The Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) model was used to evaluate its application as a decision support tool for irrigation management of cotton and maize under South Texas conditions. Simulation of the model was performed to determine crop yield, crop water use, and the relationships between the yield and crop water use parameters such as crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and water use efficiency (WUE). We measured actual ETc using a weighing lysimeter and crop yields by field sampling, and then calibrated the model. The measured variables were compared with simulated variables using EPIC. Simulated ETc agreed with the lysimeter, in general, but some simulated ETc were biased compared with measured ETc. EPIC also simulated the variability in crop yields at different irrigation regimes. Furthermore, EPIC was used to simulate yield responses at various irrigation regimes with farm fields� data. Maize required ~700 mm of water input and ~650 mm of ETc to achieve a maximum yield of 8.5 Mg ha-1 while cotton required between 700 and 900 mm of water input and between 650 and 750 mm of ETc to achieve a maximum yield of 2.0�2.5 Mg ha-1. The simulation results demonstrate that the EPIC model can be used as a decision support tool for the crops under full and deficit irrigation conditions in South Texas. EPIC appears to be effective in making long-term and pre-season decisions for irrigation management of crops, while reference ET and phenologically based crop coefficients can be used for in-season irrigation management
Method using gas chromatography to determine the molar flow balance for proton exchange membrane fuel cells exposed to impurities

Abstract An understanding of the potentially serious performance degradation effects that trace level contaminants can cause in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is crucial for the successful deployment of PEMFC for commercial applications. An experimental and analytic methodology is described that employs gas chromatography (GC) to accurately determine the concentration of impurity species in the fuel and oxidant streams of a PEMFC. In this paper we further show that the accurate determination of the contaminant concentrations at the anode and cathode inlets and outlets provides a means to quantify reactions of contaminants within the cell and to identify diffusive mass transport across the membrane. High data accuracy down to sub-ppm contaminant levels is required and was achieved by addressing several challenges pertaining to experimental setup and data analysis which are both discussed in detail. The application of the methodology is demonstrated using carbon monoxide and toluene which were injected into the cell at concentrations between 1 and 10 ppm and 20 and 60 ppm, respectively. Both impurities were observed to react in the fuel cell: carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, and toluene to methylcyclohexane. For both contaminants closure of the molar flow balances to within 3% was achieved even at the low contaminant concentrations. This allowed the extent of both reactions at the applied operating conditions to be quantified. The presented methodology is shown to be a valuable tool for investigating the effects and reactions of trace contaminants in fuel cells and for providing critical insights into the mechanisms responsible for the associated performance degradation.
The unbalanced high‐tech life: are employers liable?

Technology has created new capabilities, as well as new demands, for many of today's employees. For those who work in technology-enhanced environments, the pace and round-the-clock activity creates a source of stimulation that may become addictive. While the potential for this type of behavioral addiction is recognized by both researchers and the popular press, few companies are seriously considering the associated risks, one of which could be legal action against the organization. By combining research on addiction, technology use, workplace demands, and legal precedent, this article considers issues likely to require decision by the courts, as well as background on the evolution of related legal questions for insight to possible outcomes
MICROFLORA OF FRESH PORK SAUSAGE CASINGS. 1. Regenerated Collagen Casings

SUMMARY— Regenerated collagen casings had contamination levels varying from less than 50 up to 32,000 microorganisms per gram. Greatest recoveries of microorganisms were obtained on the less inhibitory media. Aerobic recovery on Tryptone Glucose Extract Agar was slightly higher than anaerobic recovery on Brewer's Anaerobic Agar. Anaerobic recovery on differential media was similar to aerobic recovery. 61 isolates were obtained from casings by enrichment techniques followed by streak plating. Of these isolates, 57.3% were of the genus Bacillus, 8.2% Pseudomonas, 6.6% Clostridium, 6.6% Streptococcus, 6.6% Lactobacillus, 3.3% Micrococcus, 3.3% Corynebacterium, 1.6% Staphylococcus, 1.6% Escherichia and 1.6% Propionibacterium
Pulmonary strongyloidiasis associated CD3+ large granular lymphocytosis

We report a case of pulmonary strongyloidiasis in a patient with large granular lymphocytosis. He was on short-term high dose immunosuppressant therapy. A 77-year-old white male presented to the emergency room with fever and shortness of breath for 10 days. The patient had been diagnosed about 3 months prior to this presentation with "large granular lymphocytosis" (LGL) after a workup for pancytopenia. Methotrexate and prednisone had been started 1 month ago for the treatment of LGL. Five days prior to the current presentation, he had been started on moxifloxacin as an outpatient but got progressively worse and came to an emergency room. Bronchial washings (bronchoalveolar lavage) demonstrated numerous filariform larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis. The patient was treated with ivermectin and improved. Pulmonary strongyloidiasis should be considered in the differential if X-ray findings show a interstitial or alveolar pattern and if the patient has visited the endemic areas, even in the remote past.
Quantitative analysis of the feeding behavior of four populations of chickens.

Abstract Comparisons were made among male chickens from four populations for traits associated with feeding behavior during the period from 21 to 71 days of age. The populations were obtained from two lines of chickens, divergently selected for juvenile body weight, into which the sex-linked gene for dwarfism was introduced. Differences among populations in body weight paralleled those for feed consumption, which appeared to be related to meal number rather than meal size. Males from the high-weight line, while spending significantly less time in feeding activity, consumed more feed than those from the low-weight line. Normal chicks exhibited a more pronounced periodicity in feeding rhythms than did the dwarf chicks. Positive correlations of meal size with premeal and with postmeal intervals support the hypothesis that both meal activation and termination mechanisms contribute to appetite control. Differences in the cross-correlation function of meal size with meal intervals between normal and dwarf birds suggested that meal termination mechanisms were of greater importance to appetite control in normal than in dwarf chickens.
A constant compliance force modulation technique for scanning force microscopy (SFM) imaging of polymer surface elasticity

A new method of force modulation scanning force microscopy (SFM) imaging based on a constant compliance feedback loop is presented. The feedback adjusts the loading force applied by the SFM tip to the surface in order to maintain a constant compliance beneath the tip. The new method, constant compliance force modulation (CCFM), has the advantage of being able to quantify the loading force exerted by the tip onto the sample surface and thus to estimate the elastic modulus of the material probed by the SFM tip. Once the elastic modulus of one region is known, the elastic moduli of other surface regions can be estimated from the spatial map of loading forces using the Hertz model of deformation. Force vs. displacement measurements made on one surface locality could also be used to estimate the local modulus. Several model surfaces, including a rubber-toughened epoxy polymer blend which showed clearly resolved compliant rubber phases within the harder epoxy matrix, were analyzed with the CCFM technique to illustrate the method's application.
Differentiating intrathecal catheter tip granulomas from normal magnetic resonance image distortion caused by metallic catheter tips.

Objective To characterize the normal image distortion produced by metallic intrathecal catheter tips and define features that differentiate them from a catheter tip granuloma. Methods Three Medtronic Inc. (Minneapolis, MN) intrathecal catheter models (M8709, M8711, and M8731) were placed in a water-filled phantom, which was secured with a spinal coil and scanned with a 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. MRI scans from two patients receiving intrathecal opiate therapy without a granuloma and one patient with a granuloma were analyzed for comparison. Results All three catheter models produced a metallic susceptibility artifact, which distorted the local tissue image. The tip appeared as a round, dark void sandwiched between two bright bands in the sagittal plane. Axial views produced an oval-shaped, dark central void completely surrounded by a bright rim. On MRI scans, catheter tip diameter varied from 2.3 to 6.7 mm and tip length varied from 4.0 to 7.5 mm, which is a 74 to 480% increase over their actual size. The catheter tip appearance in the phantom correlated with the tip appearance in MRI scans from patients with intrathecal catheters. Images from a tip granuloma show a bright rim surrounding the catheter tip in the sagittal plane with or without contrast as well as postcontrast enhancement of the whole granuloma, and the catheter tip appeared greater than 5 mm in diameter and length. Conclusion When evaluating possible granuloma development around an intrathecal catheter tip, it is important to take into account the characteristic metallic susceptibility artifact and increased size of normal metallic catheter tips on MRI scans.
Removal of copper, lead, and cadmium ions by microflotation

Abstract Removal of copper, lead, and cadmium ions from aqueous solution by microflotation has been studied as a function of pH in the presence and in the absence of aluminum nitrate and aluminum sulfate, respectively. Lauric acid and ethanol were used as the collector/frother mixture. Efficient removal occurred only when precipitation of a metal hydroxide took place. Residual levels of copper as low as 0.03 ppm were achieved. In the absence of aluminum salts the three metal ions exhibited different behavior but the presence of aluminum salts dominated all systems eliminating these differences. Using a synthetic “sea water” it was shown that precipitating ions could be separated from nonprecipitating ions.
Optical methods for the nondestructive evaluation of collagen morphology in bioprosthetic heart valves.

The aim of the present study was to assess the suitability of nondestructive optical methods as a means of evaluating collagen morphology in bioprosthetic heart valve leaflets. The results of this study demonstrate that transmitted polarized light and incident polarized light optics facilitate the imaging of the inherent birefringence of valvular collagen fibers. Polarized light optics readily document the different patterns of collagen orientation and configuration in porcine aortic valvular (PAV) and bovine pericardial valvular (BPV) bioprostheses. Incident polarized light optics also provide information on leaflet surface morphology. Verification that the birefringence observed by polarized light optics represents leaflet collagen was provided by conventional histologic and transmission electron microscopic methods. Quantitative determinations of the spacing of collagen bundle waves gave similar values in intact and in sectioned BPV leaflets. Potential applications of polarized light optics in the assessment of bioprosthetic valve collagen are as follows: (1) the selection of the desired orientation of collagen bundles within pericardium intended to be configured into bioprosthetic leaflets; (2) evaluation of the effects of mechanical stresses and leaflet motion on collagen morphology in bioprosthetic valve leaflets; and (3) initial screening of leaflet specimens and selection of the desired collagen orientation for embedding and sectioning of samples for conventional morphologic studies.
Rule interestingness analysis using OLAP operations

The problem of interestingness of discovered rules has been investigated by many researchers. The issue is that data mining algorithms often generate too many rules, which make it very hard for the user to find the interesting ones. Over the years many techniques have been proposed. However, few have made it to real-life applications. Since August 2004, we have been working on a major application for Motorola. The objective is to find causes of cellular phone call failures from a large amount of usage log data. Class association rules have been shown to be suitable for this type of diagnostic data mining application. We were also able to put several existing interestingness methods to the test, which revealed some major shortcomings. One of the main problems is that most existing methods treat rules individually. However, we discovered that users seldom regard a single rule to be interesting by itself. A rule is only interesting in the context of some other rules. Furthermore, in many cases, each individual rule may not be interesting, but a group of them together can represent an important piece of knowledge. This led us to discover a deficiency of the current rule mining paradigm. Using non-zero minimum support and non-zero minimum confidence eliminates a large amount of context information, which makes rule analysis difficult. This paper proposes a novel approach to deal with all of these issues, which casts rule analysis as OLAP operations and general impression mining. This approach enables the user to explore the knowledge space to find useful knowledge easily and systematically. It also provides a natural framework for visualization. As an evidence of its effectiveness, our system, called Opportunity Map, based on these ideas has been deployed, and it is in daily use in Motorola for finding actionable knowledge from its engineering and other types of data sets.
Use of avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase at high temperature for sequence analysis of highly structured RNA.

Abstract Avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase (AMV RT) is routinely used in the sequence analysis of RNA and DNA templates. We review the various methods for dealing with secondary structures that would otherwise result in premature termination or sequence compression. Based on our experience in sequencing the 11-kb single-stranded RNA genome of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, we have found that raising the reaction temperature above 47°C is the simplest way to overcome template secondary structure, and the use of 98% formamide gels is the simplest way to overcome product secondary structure.
Construct validation of scales derived from the Rorschach method : A review of issues and introduction to the Rorschach rating scale

I suggest the main goal of Rorschach validation should be a refined understanding of what each score means. Toward this end, I review general issues in construct validity, hurdles unique to the Rorschach, and general limitations with validation criteria. I then recommend two approaches for improving criteria so they can begin approximating the gold standards that are necessary for a refined understanding of what scores actually measure. The first is a method for improving expert clinical judgment, and the second is a method for aggregating data across diverse judges. Finally, the Rorschach Rating Scale (RRS) is presented as a criterion tool to be used with either of these approaches to validation. The RRS is a fairly comprehensive summary of the constructs thought to be measured by various Rorschach scoring systems. The utility of the RRS for research and training are discussed, as are other practical, theoretical, and psychometric issues in its application.
Hemodynamic Adaptations to Stress with Advancing Age

. With advancing adult aging an increase in vascular stiffness, an increase in systolic, pulse and mean arterial pressure, modest left ventricular hypertrophy, and a moderate decline in early diastolic filling rate have uniformly been observed. In some individuals these changes are not associated with enhanced systemic resistance if arterial pressure remains within the normotensive range. End-systolic volume, stroke volume, ejection fraction, velocity of ejection, and cardiac output are preserved in these elderly subjects. In other individuals both aortic impedance and peripheral vascular resistance are increased with age and modest declines in resting stroke volume and cardiac output have been observed. During maximal exercise a diminished heart rate and a diminished reduction of end-systolic volume occur in elderly subjects. In some, an enhanced end-diastolic volume prevents a reduction in or enhances stroke volume (Starling mechanism); this adaptation bears a striking resemblance to that observed during exercise when the beta-adrenergic system is pharmacologically inhibited. In other elderly subjects, stroke volume during exercise does not increase to the extent that it does in younger subjects. Even in these subjects in whom peak cardiac output during exercise declines, however, it is not entirely clear that the central circulation limits peak oxygen consumption (VO2). The non-uniformity of results of studies that have investigated the effect of aging on cardiac function and vascular resistance suggests that variables that impact on cardiovascular function other than aging per se, i.e. life style variables, e.g. nutrition, smoking, physical conditioning status, or the prevalence of occult coronary disease, differed among the various subjects studied.
Pyrmidine biosynthesis during development of rat cerebellum.

Extract: The activities of the first two enzymes of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway, carbamyl phosphate synthetase (GPS) and aspartate transcarbamylase (ATG) (EG. 2.1.3.2), were closely correlated with cellular proliferation in rat cerebellum. Uridine kinase demonstrated a different developmental pattern which suggests an important role, in nondividing cells, for the pathway by which preformed pyrimidines are utilized for nucleic acid synthesis.
Fluorescent and affinity-based tools to detect cysteine sulfenic acid formation in proteins

Cysteine sulfenic acid formation in proteins results from the oxidative modification of susceptible cysteine residues by hydrogen peroxide, alkyl hydroperoxides, and peroxynitrite. This species represents a biologically significant modification occurring during oxidant signaling or oxidative stress, and it can modulate protein function. Most methods to identify such oxidatively modified proteins rely on monitoring the loss of one or more thiol group(s) or on selective labeling of nascent thiol groups following reduction of oxidized proteins. Our previous work reported the direct labeling of these chemically distinct modifications with a dimedone analogue, 1,3-cyclohexadione, to which a linker and functional group (an alcohol) had been added; further addition of a fluorescent isatoic acid or methoxycoumarin reporter allowed detection of the incorporated tag by fluorescence techniques ( Poole, L. B., Zeng, B. B., Knaggs, S. A., Yakubu, M., and King, S. B. ( 2005) Synthesis of chemical probes to map sulfenic acid modifications on proteins. Bioconjugate Chem . 16, 1624-1628 ). We have now expanded our arsenal of tagging reagents to include two fluorescein-, two rhodamine-, and three biotin-conjugated probes based on the original approach. The new tools provide readily detectable fluorescent and affinity probes to identify sulfenic acid modifications in proteins and have been used in subsequent mass spectrometric analyses to confirm covalent attachment of the conjugates and directly determine the site of modification.
Modeling the role of social-cognitive processes in the recognition of own- and other-race faces

Known as the cross-race effect (CRE), psychological research has consistently shown that people are less accurate at identifying faces of another, less familiar race. While the CRE has most often been demonstrated in recognition memory, its effects have also been found in temporally preceding social-cognitive stages—including racial categorization, perceptual discrimination, and higher-level cognitive processing. Using path models of own- and other-race face processing, the current study sought to estimate how temporally preceding processes might mediate the CRE established in recognition memory. Results demonstrated that racial categorization and higher-level cognitive processes primarily mediate the CRE in recognition memory, and that the degree of interracial contact moderated the incidence of repetition errors on other-race faces.
Active vibration cancellation of tonal disturbance using orthogonal eigenstructure control

Orthogonal Eigenstructure Control (OEC) is a novel control method that can be used for active vibration cancellation. OEC is an output feedback control method applicable to multiple-input, multiple-output linear systems. In this paper, application of OEC for active vibration cancellation in a plate is presented. A steel plate clamped at four edges is used as a test plate and piezoelectric actuators are used as control actuators. Accelerometers are used for measuring the acceleration and displacement at ten locations on the plate. A tonal disturbance with a frequency of 150 Hz is applied to the plate by an electromagnetic actuator. After identification of the state-space model of the plate, orthogonal eigenstructure control is used to find the control gains that decouple the modes of vibrations and reduce transferring of vibrational energy between them. The results show significant vibration suppression throughout the plate.