cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using Multivariate Generalizability Theory to Assess the Effect of Content Stratification on the Reliability of a Performance Assessment.

In recent years, demand for performance assessments has continued to grow. However, performance assessments are notorious for lower reliability, and in particular, low reliability resulting from task specificity. Since reliability analyses typically treat the performance tasks as randomly sampled from an infinite universe of tasks, these estimates of reliability may not be accurate. For tests built according to a table of specifications, tasks are randomly sampled from different strata (content domains, skill areas, etc.). If these strata remain fixed in the test construction process, ignoring this stratification in the reliability analysis results in an underestimate of “parallel forms” reliability, and an overestimate of the person-by-task component. This research explores the effect of representing and misrepresenting the stratification appropriately in estimation of reliability and the standard error of measurement. Both multivariate and univariate generalizability studies are reported. Results indicate that the proper specification of the analytic design is essential in yielding the proper information both about the generalizability of the assessment and the standard error of measurement. Further, illustrative D studies present the effect under a variety of situations and test designs. Additional benefits of multivariate generalizability theory in test design and evaluation are also discussed.
Differential antibiotic-induced release of endotoxin from gram-negative bacteria.

Treatment of log phase cultures ofEscherichia coli with cell active antibiotics results in increased exposure of immunologically reactive lipid A epitopes of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and release of soluble LPS into culture supernatants. Comparison of the efficacy of two cell wall active antibiotics, ceftazidime, a penicillin-binding protein 3 selective antibiotic, and imipenem, a penicillin-binding protein 2 selective antibiotic, for their relative efficacy in mediating LPS release indicated quantitative but not qualitative differences, with the former antibiotic manifesting a significantly broader range of concentrations at which LPS release could be demonstrated. Comparison of the relative efficacy of these two antibiotics in a mouse bacteraemia model in which animals were made hypersensitive to the lethal effects of endotoxin by treatment with D-galactosamine indicated that the latter antibiotic may provide a greater level of protection. These studies suggest that the release of endotoxin mediated by antibiotic treatment may contribute to the pathogenesis of disease in infections due to gram-negative organisms.
The development of vestibulocochlear efferents and cochlear afferents in mice

We have reinvestigated the embryonic development of the vestibulocochlear system in mice using anterograde and retrograde tracing techniques. Our studies reveal that rhombomeres 4 and 5 include five motor neuron populations. One of these, the abducens nucleus, will not be dealt with here. Rhombomere 4 gives rise to three of the remaining populations: the facial branchial motor neurons; the vestibular efferents; and the cochlear efferents. The migration of the facial branchial motor neurons away from the otic efferents is completed by 13.5 days post coitum (dpc). Subsequently the otic efferents separate into the vestibular and cochlear efferents, and complete their migration by 14.5 dpc. In addition to their common origin, all three populations have perikarya that migrate via translocation through secondary processes, form a continuous column upon completion of their migrations, and form axonal tracts that run in the internal facial genu. Some otic efferent axons travel with the facial branchial motor nerve from the internal facial genu and exit the brain with that nerve. These data suggest that facial branchial motor neurons and otic efferents are derived from a common precursor population and use similar cues for pathway recognition within the brain. In contrast, rhombomere 5 gives rise to the fourth population to be considered here, the superior salivatory nucleus, a visceral motor neuron group. Other differences between this group and those derived from rhombomere 4 include perikaryal migration as a result of translocation first through primary processes and only then through secondary processes, a final location lateral to the branchial motor/otic efferent column, and axonal tracts that are completely segregated from those of the facial branchial and otic efferents throughout their course inside the brain. Analysis of the peripheral distribution of the cochlear efferents and afferents show that efferents reach the spiral ganglion at 12.5 dpc when postmitotic ganglion cells are migrating away from the cochlear anlage. The efferents begin to form the intraganglionic spiral bundle by 14.5 dpc and the inner spiral bundle by 16.5 dpc in the basal turn. They have extensive collaterals among supporting cells of the greater epithelial ridge from 16.5 dpc onwards. Afferents and efferents in the basal turn of the cochlea extend through all three rows of outer hair cells by 18.5 dpc. Selective labeling of afferent fibers at 20.5 dpc (postnatal day 1) shows that although some afferents are still in early developmental stages, some type II spiral ganglion cells already extend for long distances along the outer hair cells, and some type I spiral ganglion cells end on a single inner hair cell. These data support previous evidence that in mice the early outgrowth of afferent and efferent fibers is essentially achieved by birth.
Condensation of Symmetrized Tensor Powers

An algorithm for condensing symmetrized tensor powers of a modular representation of a finite group with respect to a monomial subgroup is introduced. We show that our algorithm provides a practical tool for analyzing tensor powers of modules. We include a brief review of symmetrization of tensor powers and of condensation of modules.
Interracial rape: Examining the increasing frequency argument

A number of researchers have recently challenged the long-held notion among criminologists that rape, along with most other violent crimes, is an intraracial crime. Based on analysis of survey data they concluded that black rapists “prefer” or “seek out” white victims and that the likelihood of a black offender selecting a white victim has been increasing during recent years. Data presented here (1977–88 National Crime Surveys) refute the notion that black rapists “prefer” white victims. Moreover these same data fail to support the contention that rapes involving black offenders and white victims have been increasing. According to National Crime Survey estimates, the proportion of black offenders that victimize whites has been declining.
Designing and Regulating Health Insurance Exchanges: Lessons from Massachusetts:

The Massachusetts health care reform provides preliminary evidence on the function of health insurance exchanges and individual insurance markets. This paper describes the type of products consumers choose and the dynamics of consumer choice. Evidence shows that choice architecture, including product standardization and the use of heuristics (rules of thumb), affects choice. In addition, while consumers often choose less generous plans in the exchange than in traditional employer-sponsored insurance, there is considerable heterogeneity in consumer demand, as well as some evidence of adverse selection. We examine the role of imperfect competition between insurers, and document the impact of pricing and product regulation on the level and distribution of premiums. Given our extensive choice data, we synthesize the evidence of the Massachusetts exchange to inform the design and regulation on other exchanges.
Sequential steroid hormone treatment antagonizes the action of estrogen in chick oviduct.

Abstract We have studied the effects of the sequential administration of hormones to estrogen-withdrawn chicks on oviducal estrogen receptor levels, ovalbumin mRNA accumulation and oviduct wet weight gain. Chicks were primed with estrogen 8–18 h before the administration of progesterone, dihydrotestosterone, testosterone or estrogen. The second hormone treatment did not affect oviduct wet weight gain or the levels of cytosolic estrogen receptor. The rate of ovalbumin mRNA accumulation decreased from 2–6 h after all second hormone treatments except testosterone. By 12 h following injection of the second hormone, ovalbumin mRNA levels had recovered to that found in the control chicks. The levels of salt extractable nuclear estrogen receptor were affected by all the second hormone treatments. Following progesterone, dihydrotestosterone or low doses of estrogen (0.5 mg) nuclear receptor levels decreased in parallel with ovalbumin mRNA accumulation. However following testosterone, and intermediate or high doses of estrogen (1–2 mg), changes in the nuclear estrogen receptor levels did not correlate with changes in ovalbumin mRNA accumulation. Thus, the levels of the salt-extractable nuclear estrogen receptor may not always measure the amount of receptor actively involved in the regulation of gene expression in the chick oviduct. These studies emphasize the importance of correlating biological phenomena with receptor data in order to determine whether the method employed to measure receptor levels is appropriate in the systems under study.
Noise Calibration Repeatability of an Airborne Third-Generation Radiometer (Letters)

A third-generation S-band radiometer has been calibrated at intervals over 3-1/2 years. The built-in stabilization concepts have proven to be very effective. In spite of some nonideal conditions (on runway, in wind, and in rain), an rms value of 0.7 K calibration repeatability has been observed with an average temperature deviation (bias error) of 0.03 K.
Constraints-Driven Optimal Actuation Policies for Diffusion-Reaction Processes with Collocated Actuators and Sensors

This work introduces modal model predictive control (MMPC) design methodology in the framework of optimal actuation policies, which results due to the presence of input and state constraints for a class of distributed parameter systems modeled by parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs). The predictive control law accounts for input and state constraints and with respect to actuator/sensor position placement, it generates an optimal actuation policy that switches applied control action among available prespecified actuator locations. The proposed constrained predictive control law utilizes a low-order modal representation in the optimization functional while higher modes are included only in the PDE state constraints. Accordingly, the proposed control law is formulated by the minimization algorithm whereby optimization is performed over all available preset collocated actuator/sensor positions. In this sense, the minimizing algorithm provides a control law that chooses among best collocated actuator/sensor positions available, with respect to the lowest optimal cost among these positions. An example of a diffusion-reaction process, with spatially uniform unstable steady state, subject to flux boundary conditions, is considered.
Design of progressive syntax-rich multichannel audio codec

Being able to transmit the audio bitstream progressively is a highly desirable property for network transmission. MPEG-4 version-2 audio supports fine grain bit rate scalability in the Generic Audio Coder (GAC). It has a Bit-Sliced Arithmetic Coding (BSAC) tool, which provides scalability in the step of 1kbit/sec per audio channel. However, this fine grain scalability tool is only available for mono and stereo audio material. Not much work has been done on progressively transmitting multichannel audio sources. MPEG Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) is one of the most distinguished multichannel digital audio compression systems. Based on AAC, we develop a progressive syntax-rich multichannel audio codec in this work. It not only supports fine grain bit rate scalability for the multichannel audio bitstream, but also provides several other desirable functionalities. A formal subjective listening test shows that the proposed algorithm achieves a better performance at several different bit rates when compared with MPEG-4 BSAC for the mono audio sources.
FBLT: a real-time contention manager with improved schedulability

We consider software transactional memory (STM) concurrency control for embedded multicore real-time software, and present a novel contention manager for resolving transactional conflicts, called FBLT. We upper bound transactional retries and task response times under FBLT, and identify when FBLT has better real-time schedulability than the previous best contention manager, PNF. Our implementation in the Rochester STM framework reveals that FBLT yields shorter or comparable retry costs than competitor methods.
In-situ integrated processing of high Tc superconductors and related materials by MOCVD for the fabrication of hybrid superconductor/semiconductor devices

Rapid isothermal processing and microwave-excited gases (N2O + O2 + He) have been used to deposit YBCO films on YSZ substrates. The thermal cycle represents the lowest thermal budget used by any other researcher. A Tc of 75 K was observed. These results coupled with the capability of depositing YBCO on BaF2/Si substrate indicate the usefulness of MOCVD for the practical realization of superconductor/semiconductor hybrid devices.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Pen2 and Presenilin-1 Modulate the Dynamic Equilibrium of Presenilin-1 and Presenilin-2 γ-Secretase Complexes

γ-Secretase is known to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease through production of amyloidogenic Aβ42 peptides. Early onset familial Alzheimer disease mutations in presenilin (PS), the catalytic core of γ-secretase, invariably increase the Aβ42:Aβ40 ratio. However, the mechanism by which these mutations affect γ-secretase complex formation and cleavage specificity is poorly understood. We show that our in vitro assay system recapitulates the effect of PS1 mutations on the Aβ42:Aβ40 ratio observed in cell and animal models. We have developed a series of small molecule affinity probes that allow us to characterize active γ-secretase complexes. Furthermore we reveal that the equilibrium of PS1- and PS2-containing active complexes is dynamic and altered by overexpression of Pen2 or PS1 mutants and that formation of PS2 complexes is positively correlated with increased Aβ42:Aβ40 ratios. These data suggest that perturbations to γ-secretase complex equilibrium can have a profound effect on enzyme activity and that increased PS2 complexes along with mutated PS1 complexes contribute to an increased Aβ42:Aβ40 ratio.
Formulas for calculating available potential energy over uneven topography

Formulas are derived that correctly account for the uneven surface topography (mountains) in calculations of atmospheric available potential energy and its rate of change. Two (barotropic) reference states for available potential energy are discussed: one is horizontally stratified, the other has uniform surface pressure. The former is a state of minimum total potential energy and the latter is a state of minimum enthalpy. Both proposed reference states lead to similar, simple expressions for generation of available potential energy. A numerical procedure is presented for calculating the horizontally stratified reference state from a given atmospheric state. For a simple case with mountains, various methods of computing available potential energy are compared, which illustrates the inherent errors in previous formulas. Potential applications of the “exact” expressions are mentioned in the concluding section. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1979.tb00902.x
A Review of HIV Interventions for At-Risk Women

This paper reviews published reports on primary prevention of sexual transmission of HIV with women from the beginning of the AIDS epidemic through March 1996. All reviewed interventions were conducted in the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico and the reports described a psychological, behavioral, or educational component specifically to address sexual risk reduction and included a behavioral evaluation component. Manual and computer searches identified 47 studies that targeted women and provided a female-specific analysis of intervention effects. Sixteen of the 47 studies fulfilling more rigorous methodological reporting standards were considered separately. Overall, the findings demonstrate that HIV prevention programs can be effective in reducing risky sexual behavior among at-risk women. Program effectiveness varied by intervention type, session duration, and whether studies included women alone or both men and women. The most efficacious HIV prevention programs were specifically directed toward women, focused on relationship and negotiation skills, and involved multiple, sustained contacts. Evidence also indicated that community-level interventions hold promise. This review includes a methodological critique, identification of research gaps, and recommendations for future intervention research with women.
Generation of subpicosecond electrical pulses by optical rectification.

We describe the generation of subpicosecond electrical pulses by optical rectification of ultrashort optical pulses. The electrical pulses are generated by the second-order nonlinear response of a LiTaO3 crystal bonded to a coplanar transmission line. A bipolar temporal waveform with a width of 875??fs was measured after a propagation distance of 175 µm. This pulse width was limited by the response time of the photoconductive sampler. We observed both broadening and amplitude reduction in the temporal waveform owing to propagation.
The Spread Spectrum Concept

This paper describes an idealized spread-spectrum communication system. The processing gain concept is developed as a measure of a well-designed system's robust performance against independent wide-sense stationary interference. Multipath and repeater jammer rejection, partial correlation problems, and security requirements are related to spread-spectrum code properties.
Persistence of effects of nitrification inhibitors added to soils

Abstract The persistence of the effects of four nitrification inhibitors (2‐ethynylpyridine, nitrapyrin, etridiazole, 3‐methylpyrazole‐l‐carboxamide) on nitrification in soil was assessed by measuring the ability of two soils to nitrify NH4 + [added as (NH4)2SO4] after they had been treated with 5 μg inhibitor g‐1 soil and incubated at 10, 20, or 30°C for 0, 21, 42, 84, 126, or 168 days. The soils used differed markedly in organic‐matter content (1.2 and 4.2% organic C). The data obtained showed that the persistence of the effects of the inhibitors studied decreased markedly with increase in soil temperature from 10 to 30°C and that, whereas the initial inhibitory effects of the test compounds on nitrification were greatest with the soil having the lower organic‐matter content, the persistence of their effects at 20 or 30°C was greatest with the soil having the higher organic‐matter content. The inhibitory effects of 2‐ethynylpyridine and etridiazole on nitrification were considerably more persistent than...
Background subtraction algorithms for videodensitometric quantification of coronary stenosis

The determination of percent stenosis of coronary arteries is an important task in medicine. In this paper we discuss three different algorithms which can be used in conjunction with videodensitometry to measure this quantity. These algorithms may be used in subtracting the background under a vessel segment thus eliminating the need for a preinjection mask. Mathematical details of the algorithms and experimental results are presented.
Application of Inclusion Principle to Mechanical Systems

As an attempt to simplify the decentralized control design methodology, this paper specializes the inclusion principle of Ikeda and Siljak to mechanical systems. It shows that an expanded system, in a matrix second order form, can be obtained which includes the original system. Sufficient conditions and transforms of the system matrices are given to guarantee that the original system would be either an aggregation, or a restriction, of the resulting expanded system. A constructive procedure is provided to produce an expanded system which is the best approximation (in a 2-norm sense) of a presepecified structure/dynamics of the enpanded system. An example is included to illustrate the methodology.
Robust wireless video transmission using MPML

A robust wireless video transmission scheme using MPEG video Markup Language (MPML) with adaptive error correction codes (ECCs) is proposed in this work. MPML can provide selective description for various MPEG video components to meet the special application requirements. We present an efficient MPML compression algorithm to reduce the size of MPML description and apply the adaptive ECCs to protect the MPML-coded description bitstream unequally against channel noises. It is demonstrated by experimental results that the proposed MPML protection can achieve good error resilient performance comparable with the well-known error resilient techniques.
Low-dose antithymocyte globulin enhanced the efficacy of tacrolimus and mycophenolate for GVHD prophylaxis in recipients of unrelated SCT

We performed a retrospective analysis of the outcome of 197 consecutive unrelated donor transplant recipients who received GVHD prophylaxis either TM regimen (tacrolimus and mycophenolate) (121 patients) or TM/ATG-G regimen (TM with low-dose antithymocyte globulin (ATG) of 4.5 mg/kg, ATG-G, Genzyme) (76 patients). Cumulative incidences of grade II-IV acute GVHD for the TM and TM/ATG-G cohorts were 49% and 61% (P=0.11) and grade III-IV acute GVHD for the TM and TM/ATG-G cohorts were 27% and 14% (P=0.02), respectively. There was no difference in the incidence of relapse or disease progression between TM and TM/ATG-G-16% and 23% (P=0.64). TM/ATG-G cohort had lower incidence of non-relapse mortality (NRM; 37% vs 20%, P=0.01), chronic GVHD (56% vs 43%, P<0.001) and more favorable global chronic GVHD severity (P<0.001). Univariate analyses showed improved OS and PFS of patients who received TM/ATG-G. Multivariate analysis confirmed TM/ATG-G had a favorable influence on OS (P=0.05) but not on PFS (P=0.07). We concluded that low-dose ATG of 4.5 mg/kg given in conjunction with TM improved GVHD prophylaxis without increased risk of relapse. Lower NRM, lower incidence and severity of chronic GVHD could potentially improve survival.
Revisiting Wolbachia Supergroup Typing Based on WSP: Spurious Lineages and Discordance with MLST

The obligate intracellular bacteria Wolbachia are taxonomically subdivided into eight supergroups (named A-H). Supergroup typing of strains has been mostly based on phylogenetic inference of the Wolbachia surface protein (wsp), a gene that recently has been shown to experience high rates of recombination. This brings into question its suitability not only for microtaxonomy, but also for supergroup classification of the genus. A Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) scheme for Wolbachia has recently been developed that types strains based on five conserved genes, thus providing a rigorous supergroup annotation of strains. Here we report striking discrepancies in supergroup designation between MLST and wsp inferences, and propose a revision of current methods for Wolbachia supergroup typing. Transfer of whole wsp gene sequences between supergroups A and B has occurred. Furthermore, as a result of intragenic recombination, wsp phylogeny creates spurious basal lineages that are not supported by MLST. For example, the proposed supergroup G, based upon wsp alone, likely represents only a wsp recombinant clade. Removal of supergroup G is advised until and unless the existence of this lineage is substantiated by other sequence information (e.g., MLST). We recommend a full characterization MLST for a correct strain typing, while, based on the current data set, use of a single MLST gene can be effective for supergroup designation of A and B strains. Finally, we note that the sharing of wsp sequences between A and B strains indicates a strong genetic cohesiveness of Wolbachia strains, supporting designation of these bacteria within the same species, W. pipientis.
In vivo protection against soman toxicity by known inhibitors of acetylcholine synthesis in vitro.

Soman inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, essentially irreversibly, producing an accumulation of acetylcholine (ACh) which is responsible for many of its toxic effects. Current approaches to treatment include: (1) atropine, a muscarinic receptor blocker; (2) pyridine-2-aldoxime methylchloride (2-PAM), an enzyme reactivator; and (3) carbamate protection of the enzyme. However, no fully satisfactory regimen has been found, primarily because of the rapid aging process. In this study, compounds known to inhibit ACh synthesis in vitro were evaluated in combination with atropine and 2-PAM so as to assess their potential utility in protection against soman toxicity in rats. Acetylsecohemicholinium (100 micrograms/kg, i.c.v.t., 30 min prior to soman), an inhibitor of high affinity choline uptake (HAChU) and cholineacetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in vitro, enhanced the protective effects of atropine and 2-PAM, reducing the mortality within the first 2 hr following soman. N-Hydroxyethylnaphthylvinylpyridine (NHENVP), a quaternary ChAT inhibitor (1.7 mumol/kg, i.m.), significantly reduced the overall percent mortality due to soman from 80% to 20%. The compound was most effective when administered 2-3 min prior to soman and was effective only by the intramuscular route. N-Allyl-3-quinuclidinol, a potent HAChU inhibitor (1 mumol/kg, i.m.) was the most effective quinuclidine analog evaluated, also reducing the percent mortality for a 24-hr period. Unlike NHENVP, it was most effective when given 30-60 min prior to soman. It is suggested from the data that compounds that disrupt presynaptic ACh synthesis in vitro may prove effective in treating organophosphate poisoning. The results demonstrate interesting differences among the compounds studied and provide insight for the design of protectants against soman toxicity. These findings further underscore the need to examine the structure activity and pharmacokinetic properties of these compounds, i.e. comparison of routes of administration, dose-response relationships, and time to effect.
Technology Development for Advanced Concepts in Gas-Insulated Power Transformers

A new concept for a compact, gas-insulated power transformer employing sheet wound aluminum coils with polymeric film insulation and, separate sealed cooling system is described. A design comparison is given to illustrate the potential benefits it offers in terms of lighter weight, smaller dimensions, higher efficiency, and less audible noise than a conventional transformer with an oil/cellulose insulation system. The technological challenges which must be overcome before this concept can be implemented are outlined in the paper and progress which has been made toward development of a complete design practice is discussed.
Über m‐Hydroxyarylphosphine und ‐phosphinoxyde

Es werden m-Hydroxyarylphosphine und -phosphinoxyde durch Entmethylierung der entsprechenden Methoxy-Derivate dargestellt.
Quartet luminescence from copper porphyrins

Abstract Coupling of an unpaired d electron to the porphyrin phosphorescent triplet gives rise to a “tripdoublet” and a quartet state. Luminescence from Cu porphin and Cu octalkylporphin is largely tripdoublet at liquid nitrogen temperature and quartet at liquid hydrogen temperature, while Cu tetraphenylporphin is quartet at both temperatures.
Phosphorylation-dependent ubiquitylation and degradation of androgen receptor by Akt require Mdm2 E3 ligase

The androgen receptor (AR) controls several biological functions including prostate cell growth and apoptosis. However, the mechanism by which AR maintains its stability to function properly remains largely unknown. Here we show that Akt and Mdm2 form a complex with AR and promote phosphorylation-dependent AR ubiquitylation, resulting in AR degradation by the proteasome. The effect of Akt on AR ubiquitylation and degradation is markedly impaired in a Mdm2-null cell line compared with the wild-type cell line, suggesting that Mdm2 is involved in Akt-mediated AR ubiquitylation and degradation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the E3 ligase activity of Mdm2 and phosphorylation of Mdm2 by Akt are essential for Mdm2 to affect AR ubiquitylation and degradation. These results suggest that phosphorylation-dependent AR ubiquitylation and degradation by Akt require the involvement of Mdm2 E3 ligase activity, a novel mechanism that provides insight into how AR is targeted for degradation.
Impedance profiling: A convenient technique for determining the redox or protonic acid doping characteristics of conducting polymers

Abstract A technique for rapidly determining the conductivity of a conducting polymer film as it is doped in an aqueous me non-aqueous medium is presented. The technique is particularly useful for rapid screening of new potential dopants. It is applicable to redox or protonic acid doping. Experimental conditions can be modified to optimize conductivity and study other related effects; these optimum condition ccan subsequently be used for large scale doping by conventional synthetic methods. Results for the oxidative doping of trans-(CHx in HBF4 (48% aq.)/H2O2, and in CF3COOH (0%, aq.)/H2O2, for cis-(CH)x i in iodine/CCl4, and for polyaniline doped in aq. HCl at different pH values are presented.
Adoption in African wild dogs, Lycaon pictus

Parental care of unrelated young is occasionally misdirected and maladaptive from an individual fitness perspective (e.g. interspecific brood parasitism). Alternatively, adults may‘adopt’dependent young and gain direct benefits irrespective of the degree of relatedness. For social species whose fitness is partially a function of group size, direct benefits of increasing group size may provide a mechanism favouring adoption independently of the inclusive fitness consequences. African wild dogs. Lycaon pictus, are social carnivores for which group size has been positively crrelated with reproductive success and competitive ability. Co-operative breeding by wild dogs has been described previously as strongly kin-selected and helpers were assumed to be invariably closely related to offspring. However, observations from this study show that the assumption that helpers are related to those they help is not always valid. A minimum of 25% of study area packs (n=12) contained nonbreeding adults that provided parental care for unrelated pups. Costs of adopting unrelated weaned wild dog pups are slight or nonexistent except for delayed costs due to later potential conflict with mature same-sex adoptees over access to mates. Immediate and delayed direct benefits identified here are associated with increasing group size and may indicate important mechanisms underlyig adoption and the evolution of helping behaviour in wild dogs.
Evidence for multiple populations in normal erythropoiesis using chromosome length as the criterion.

IT was recently reported by Powsner and Berman1 that the No. 1 chromosome in megaloblastic erythropoiesis in humans was approximately one-third longer than the corresponding normal chromosome. It appeared to one of us (S. A.) that the length of normal chromosomes may be distributed bimodally and not unimodally. To test the possibility that there may be multiple populations, the fit of data to unimodal and bimodal normal distribution curves was determined by means of a specially programmed IBM 7074 computer. Briefly, the data were divided into a series of population pairs, and the mean and standard deviation were determined for each population of each pair together with its proportion and the mean and standard deviation of the data considered as a single population2,3. We also calculated the likelihood that each of the population pairs could be represented as a single normal distribution and as a double normal distribution2,3. Chi-square with three degrees of freedom was calculated from the maximum likelihood distribution parameters2 and the probability (P) of a single population was determined.
Towards root phenotyping in situ using THz imaging

Root growth and development are critical for plant survival and productivity. While systems have been developed to automate the process of extracting root traits using 2D and 3D imaging under controlled conditions, to date, no systems exist that can non-destructively and repeatedly provide high-quality information on roots of field-grown plants. At the same time, Terahertz (THz) imaging is becoming a valuable tool in many areas, including medicine, pharmacology, security, etc. and has the potential for non-destructive, repeated imaging of root systems growing in pot and eventually field conditions. In this paper, we present a framework for investigating root growth and function of plants by analyzing and classifying THz data. The proposed system can successfully identify organic materials from potting soil or sand using both THz transmitted and reflected signals.
Lateral geniculate spikes and eye movements in sleeping and awake cats following uni- and bilateral labyrinthectomy and cerebellar lesion

The role of the labyrinthine apparatus and the cerebellum in producing sleep rapid eye movements and lateral geniculate nucleus spikes was assessed by performing staged labyrinthectomies and cerebellar lesions in cats with chronically implanted electrodes. Eye movements during fast-wave sleep and lateral geniculate nucleus spikes in the awake and sleeping cat or after reserpine administration were apparently normal in all respects following these procedures. Changes in sleep patterns were noted in all cats after cerebellar lesions. The labyrinthine apparatus and cerebellum make no necessary contribution to the production of lateral geniculate nucleus spikes or fast-wave sleep rapid eye movements.
Evaluating the structure of the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) survey from the patient's perspective.

The Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) survey is a widely used instrument to assess the patient experience with healthcare delivery. This study aims to evaluate the factorial structure of PACIC from the patient perspective. A postal survey was mailed to 4,796 randomly selected adults with diabetes from 34 primary care clinics. Internal consistencies of PACIC subscales were assessed by Cronhach’s α. Factorial structure was evaluated by confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses. Based on responses of 2,055 patients (43 % response rate), exploratory factor analysis discerned a 4-factor, not 5-factor, model dominated by patient evaluation of healthcare services (explaining 74 % of the variance). The other 3 factors addressed patient involvement (goal setting, participating in the healthcare team) and social support for self-management. The underlying factorial structure of PACIC, which reflects the patient perspective, is dynamic, patient-centered, and differs from the original 5-factor model that was more aligned with views of healthcare delivery stakeholders.
Pregnancy in women with valvular heart disease

Patients with valvular disease who desire pregnancy or are already pregnant require specialised care. Ideally, women undergo preconceptual counselling that addresses any procedures needed to decrease the risks of pregnancy, including valve replacement, if the patient has symptoms at baseline. Management during pregnancy includes replacing any contraindicated medications with safer alternatives, optimising loading conditions, careful monitoring and aggressive treatment of any exacerbating factors. Rarely, percutaneous or surgical intervention is required during pregnancy. Labour and delivery often require invasive haemodynamic monitoring and a multi-disciplinary team for optimal maternal and fetal outcomes.
Off-Target Verbosity Evokes Negative Stereotypes of Older Adults

Off-target verbosity is the inclusion of irrelevant information into an inappropriately lengthy narrative and is a characteristic exhibited by about 20% of older people. This experiment demonstrated that off-target verbosity elicited negative stereotypes of older adults among younger listeners. The talkative speaker who remained on-target did not elicit stereotypes as strongly, however, and even helped listeners remember details of the speaker’s narrative.
Intraocular Lens Power Calculations in Long Eyes

In eyes with axial lengths greater than 25.0 mm, intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulas tend to suggest IOLs of insufficient power, leaving patients with postoperative hyperopia. This chapter describes the development and validation of a method for optimizing axial length to improve the accuracy of these formulas. In consecutive cases, refractive prediction errors with the Holladay 1, Haigis, SRK/T, and Hoffer Q formulas were evaluated. Eyes were then randomized into two groups, one to develop regression formulas to optimize axial length and one to validate the method. Two additional data sets were used for validation in this original study, as well as another data set that is yet unpublished. The method of optimizing axial length significantly reduced the mean numerical refractive prediction errors: (1) for IOLs > 5.00 diopters (D), from a range of +0.27 to +0.68 D to a range of −0.10 to −0.02 D, and (2) for IOLs ≤5.00 D, from a range of +1.13 to +1.87 D to a range of −0.21 to +0.01 D (all P < 0.05). Optimizing axial length also significantly reduced the percentage of eyes that would be left hyperopic in the two additional published data sets and in a more recent set of unpublished data. The unpublished data set also demonstrated better accuracy with optimized axial lengths in comparison to the Barrett Universal Formula. In conclusion, optimizing axial length with the proposed formulas in this chapter reduced the percentage of long eyes that would end up with an undesired hyperopic outcome.
Relationship of aortic valve calcification with coronary artery calcium severity: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Background Aortic valve calcification (AVC) and atherosclerosis share causative and pathologic features. Objective We evaluated the relationship between AVC and coronary artery calcium (CAC) severity in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Methods Men and women aged 45–84 years (n=6809; mean age, 62 years) were studied. The presence and burden of AVC and CAC were determined by noncontrast cardiac computed tomography. Relative risk regression was used to model the probability of AVC as a function of CAC>0 as well as CAC categories (0, 1–99, 100–399, and ≥400) with the reference group being CAC=0. Results The prevalence of AVC and CAC was 13% and 50%, respectively. Among those without CAC, the prevalence of AVC was 5% and increased across levels of CAC severity such that 14%, 25%, and 38% had AVC with increasing CAC scores of 1–99, 100–399, and ≥400, respectively ( P for trend Conclusion Our study shows that AVC is independently associated with increasing severity of CAC.
Age-Related Changes in the Persistence and Pathogenicity of Salmonella typhimurium in Chicks

Effects of age at exposure on the persistence of Salmonella in various tissues of chicks were assessed in two experiments. Broiler chicks, housed on wire floors in isolation cabinets, were orally inoculated with S. typhimurium at various ages (1 to 8 days after hatching). The postinoculation mortality of chicks declined significantly (P less than .05) as the age at inoculation increased. One experiment investigated the effect of age at inoculation on the persistence of S. typhimurium in the cecum. Salmonella persisted for 7 wk after inoculation in 81.3% of the chicks inoculated at 1 day of age and in 62.5% of the chicks inoculated at 8 days of age. The mean number of cecal Salmonella at 7 wk postinoculation was also greater for chicks inoculated on Day 1 than for those inoculated on Day 8. The second experiment examined the effect of age at inoculation on the adherence of S. typhimurium to and penetration through the cecal epithelium. The ceca of chicks inoculated at 1 day of age were colonized by significantly more adhering Salmonella at 2 days postinoculation (1.4 x 10(8)/g) than were those of chicks inoculated at 3, 5, or 7 days of age (8.0 x 16(6)/g or less), but age did not affect the recovery of S. typhimurium from livers or spleens.
Enhancing effect of Mg++ on clotting activity of Ca++.

ConclusionThe results of the experiments demonstrated that whereas ionized magnesium salts (MgCk) alone do not possess the coagulative activity of calcium salts, they do markedly enhance the effect of calcium. The enhancement is more apparent when the Ca ion concentration is relatively low and the concentration of magnesium salts exceeds that of calcium salts. Thus the action of Mg++ is secondary or accessory, the more essential and decisive role in clotting being played by Ca++.The parallelism between the enhancing effect of Mg++ in the coagulative and the complementary activities of the blood provides additional support for the close relationship of thes two phenomena.
The intellectual challenge of CSCW: the gap between social requirements and technical feasibility

Over the last 10 years, Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) has identified a base set of findings. These findings are taken almost as assumptions within the field. In summary, they argue that human activity is highly flexible, nuanced, and contextualized and that computational entities such as information sharing, roles, and social norms need to be similarly flexible, nuanced, and contextualized. However, current systems cannot fully support the social world uncovered by these findings. In this article I argue that there is an inherent gap between the social requirements of CSCW and its technical mechanisms. The social-technical gap is the divide between what we know we must support socially and what we can support technically. Exploring, understanding, and hopefully ameliorating this social-technical gap is the central challenge for CSCW as a field and one of the central problems for human-computer interaction. Indeed, merely attesting the continued centrality of this gap could be one of the important intellectual contributions of CSCW. I also argue that the challenge of the social-technical gap creates an opportunity to refocus CSCW.
Aerosolized red-tide toxins (brevetoxins) and asthma.

Abstract Background: With the increasing incidence of asthma, there is increasing concern over environmental exposures that may trigger asthma exacerbations. Blooms of the marine microalgae, Karenia brevis , cause red tides (or harmful algal blooms ) annually throughout the Gulf of Mexico. K brevis produces highly potent natural polyether toxins, called brevetoxins , which are sodium channel blockers, and possibly histamine activators. In experimental animals, brevetoxins cause significant bronchoconstriction. In humans, a significant increase in self-reported respiratory symptoms has been described after recreational and occupational exposures to Florida red-tide aerosols, particularly among individuals with asthma. Methods: Before and after 1 h spent on beaches with and without an active K brevis red-tide exposure, 97 persons ≥ 12 years of age with physician-diagnosed asthma were evaluated by questionnaire and spirometry. Concomitant environmental monitoring, water and air sampling, and personal monitoring for brevetoxins were performed. Results: Participants were significantly more likely to report respiratory symptoms after K brevis red-tide aerosol exposure than before exposure. Participants demonstrated small, but statistically significant, decreases in FEV 1 , midexpiratory phase of forced expiratory flow, and peak expiratory flow after exposure, particularly among those participants regularly using asthma medications. No significant differences were detected when there was no Florida red tide ( ie , during nonexposure periods). Conclusions: This study demonstrated objectively measurable adverse changes in lung function from exposure to aerosolized Florida red-tide toxins in asthmatic subjects, particularly among those requiring regular therapy with asthma medications. Future studies will assess these susceptible subpopulations in more depth, as well as the possible long-term effects of these toxins.
Control and Automatic Processing During Tasks Requiring Sustained Attention: A New Approach to Vigilance:

Vigilance decrements are interpreted within a two-process (automatic/control) theory of human information processing, and the theoretical components of the normal vigilance curve are discussed in relation to type of processing and amount of practice. Two experiments were conducted showing significant vigilance decrements when subjects utilized effortful control processing; the normal decrement was not observed when effortless automatic processing was possible. Maximum vigilance decrements occur when subjects must continually and redundantly allocate control-processing resources. Results disconfirm the habituation hypothesis. It is concluded that structuring a task such that there is a consistent relationship between signals and noise will reduce vigilance problems. System design implications suggest that tasks should be structured to minimize continuous and repetitive control processing. Methods for developing vigilance-decrement-resistant automatic processing are discussed.
Immuno-PET of cancer: a revival of antibody imaging.

See page [1173][1] With the identification of tumor-associated antigens more than 30 y ago and the development of hybridoma technology in 1975, investigators realized that Paul Ehrlich's vision to effectively target drugs to diseased tissues could be tested. It was shown that monoclonal antibodies
Automated Proxemic Feature Extraction and Behavior Recognition: Applications in Human-Robot Interaction

In this work, we discuss a set of feature representations for analyzing human spatial behavior (proxemics) motivated by metrics used in the social sciences. Specifically, we consider individual, physical, and psychophysical factors that contribute to social spacing. We demonstrate the feasibility of autonomous real-time annotation of these proxemic features during a social interaction between two people and a humanoid robot in the presence of a visual obstruction (a physical barrier). We then use two different feature representations—physical and psychophysical—to train Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) to recognize spatiotemporal behaviors that signify transitions into (initiation) and out of (termination) a social interaction. We demonstrate that the HMMs trained on psychophysical features, which encode the sensory experience of each interacting agent, outperform those trained on physical features, which only encode spatial relationships. These results suggest a more powerful representation of proxemic behavior with particular implications in autonomous socially interactive and socially assistive robotics.
Initial Studies of the Molecular Basis of Peptide Mimicry of Group B Streptococcal Type III Capsular Polysaccharide

We have previously shown that the peptide FDTGAFDPDWPA is a mimetic of the group B streptococcal type III capsular polysaccharide (CPS(III)). It binds to anti-CPS(III) antibodies and can be used to immunize mice and produce anti-CPS(III). In this paper we investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying this peptide-carbohydrate mimicry in two ways. First, we have examined the conformation of the peptide by NMR spectroscopy in water. Next, we have produced monoclonal anti-peptide and anti-CPS(III) antibodies, compared their fine specificity, and have sequenced them. The results indicate that the peptide assumes a conformation that may be similar to that of the CPS(III) in solution and that the peptide and CPS(III) elicit an overlapping repertoire of antibodies.