cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pessimistic optimisation for modelling microbial communities with uncertainty

Optimisation-based mathematical models provide ways to analyse and obtain predictions on microbial communities who play critical roles in the ecological system, human health and diseases. However, there are inherent model and data uncertainties from the existing knowledge and experiments so that the imposed models may not exactly reflect the reality in nature. Here, we aim to have a flexible framework to model microbial communities with uncertainty, and introduce P-OptCom, an extension of an existing method OptCom, based on pessimistic bilevel optimisation. This framework relies on the coordinated decision making between the single upper-level and multiple lower-level decision makers to better approximate community steady states even when the individual microorganisms' behavior deviate from the optimum in terms of their cellular fitness criteria. Our study demonstrates that without experimental knowledge in advance, we are able to analyse the trade-offs among the members of microbial communities and closely approximate the actual experimental measurements.
Topology Optimized Phase Change Material Integrated Heat sinks and Validation

Additive manufacturing and topology optimization algorithms have provided a springboard for heat sink development in novel cooling schemes. Here, phase change material (PCM) integrated heat sinks have been constructed using direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) of AlSi10Mg alloy in a two-tier design, incorporating topology optimized fin structures for conducting heat both to the PCM within the tier, as well as to the 2nd tier, where forced air cooling removes energy from the structure. As such, energy removal balancing can be achieved for ameliorating transient power spikes in an electronic package, while maintaining a lower fan power in the air channel. To validate this thermal performance, an experimental testbed was constructed to evaluate these multimode cooling heat sinks, under various heat dissipation and fan power conditions. Sugar alcohol PCMs are evaluated in this effort for passively absorbing a portion of the total heat load in an electronic package heater analog.
Associated factors and outcomes of delaying adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer by biologic subtypes: a National Cancer Database study.

Several studies have evaluated the role of delayed initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) in breast cancer (BC), but the results have remained controversial and an optimal time has not been defined. Our aim was to determine the effect of time to starting AC from the date of surgery on survival of BC patients, based on estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, using data from the National Cancer Database (NCDB). A total of 332,927 Stage I–III BC patients who received AC from 2010 to 2016 were analyzed. We included all ER, PR and HER2 statuses and excluded patients with stage 4 and stage 0 (DCIS) disease. The cohort was divided into five groups based on the time of initiating AC from the date of the most definitive surgery i.e., ≤ 30 days, 31–60 days, 61–90 days, 91–120 days and > 120 days. They were further divided into five subgroups based on the receptor status. Hazard ratio (HR) estimates and Kaplan–Meier (KM) analysis shows that starting AC by 31–60 days shows the best survival outcome in all the subtypes, except in hormone positive/HER2 negative BC in which 31–60 days and 61–90 days have similar outcomes. After surgery for BC, it takes around 4–6 weeks to begin AC and delay in initiating the same leads to poor outcomes. Our results are particularly significant in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), similar to prior studies showing a benefit to starting AC as early as possible after surgery.
Maternal diabetes and fetal cardiac output.

BACKGROUND The intrauterine environment is a key determinant for long-term health outcomes. Adverse fetal environments, such as maternal diabetes, obesity and placental insufficiency are strongly associated with long-term health risks in children. Little is known about differences in fetal cardiac output hemodynamics of diabetic mothers (DM) vs. non-diabetic mothers (NDM). Our study aims to investigate the left-sided, right-sided, and combined cardiac output (CCO) in fetuses of DM vs. NDM. METHODS Retrospective data were collected in fetuses of DM (N = 532) and NDM (103) at mean gestational age 24 weeks. Examination included 2D echo and pulse wave Doppler. Wilcoxon rank sum tests and Chi-square tests were used to test for distribution difference of maternal and fetal continuous and categorical measures respectively between DM and NDM. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to assess intra-observer reliability of fetal cardiac measurements. RESULTS DM mothers had higher mean weight (89.7±22.2 kg) than NDM (76.8±19.8 kg), p < 0.0001 and higher mean BMI (33.4±7.5) than NDM (28.3±5.8), p < 0.0001. C-section delivery occurred in 66% of DM vs. 35% of NDM fetuses. Fetuses of DM mothers had significantly larger semilunar valve diameter, higher left ventricular (LV) output, higher combined cardiac output and lower right ventricle /left ventricle ratio compared to NDM. CONCLUSION The greater CCO (adjusted for fetal weight), left sided cardiac output in the fetuses of DM, compared to NDM, represent differences in cardiac adaptation to the diabetic environment.
New mechanism-based approaches to treating and evaluating the vasculopathy of scleroderma.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Utilizing recent insight into the vasculopathy of scleroderma (SSc), the review will highlight new opportunities for evaluating and treating the disease by promoting stabilization and protection of the microvasculature. RECENT FINDINGS Endothelial junctional signaling initiated by vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-cadherin) and Tie2 receptors, which are fundamental to promoting vascular health and stability, are disrupted in SSc. This would be expected to not only diminish their protective activity, but also increase pathological processes that are normally restrained by these signaling mediators, resulting in pathological changes in vascular function and structure. Indeed, key features of SSc vasculopathy, from the earliest signs of edema and puffy fingers to pathological disruption of hemodynamics, nutritional blood flow, capillary structure and angiogenesis are all consistent with this altered endothelial signaling. It also likely contributes to further progression of the disease including tissue fibrosis, and organ and tissue injury. SUMMARY Restoring protective endothelial junctional signaling should combat the vasculopathy of SSc and prevent further deterioration in vascular and organ function. Indeed, this type of targeted approach has achieved remarkable results in preclinical models for other diseases. Furthermore, tracking this endothelial junctional signaling, for example by assessing vascular permeability, should facilitate insight into disease progression and its response to therapy.
Signal sequence-independent protein secretion in gram-negative bacteria: colicin V and microcin B17.

Publisher Summary This chapter investigates the signal sequence-independent transport processes that have focused on two systems—the export of ColV and that of MccB17 . These systems form the basis for the experimental protocols that are presented in the chapter. These procedures, however, are intended to be applicable to a variety of dedicated export pathways. The methodologies presented have been described primarily as they apply to the bacteriocin secretion systems. However, many of the same approaches can be applied to the investigation of other bacteriocins, as well as to other signal sequence-independent export systems. It may be possible to exploit the dedicated export mechanisms of MccB17 and ColV to excrete the products of cloned genes. The finding that ColV – PhoA protein fusions are translocated suggests that the ColV system in particular may be used effectively to export heterologous proteins. Thus, the investigation of signal sequence-independent export systems may have practical application in the construction of exportable protein fusions; in addition, these pathways provide relatively simple models for investigating fundamental principles underlying protein secretion.
“It’s Kind of Twisted”: Professionalizing Discourse during Youth Documentary Making

This qualitative research article explores how youth create multimodal rhetoric during a service-learning course at a local Youth Media Organization. The study takes a detailed look at how the youth want to gain access to the Discourse of the documentary making process but struggle with the confines of conventions of film as is represented by the professional documentary maker who is their instructor. The research combines sociocultural and cognitive research traditions while investigating the youth and instructor’s relationship and interactions concerning the production of rhetoric.
Using Shewhart and CUSUM Charts for Diagnosis with Count Data in a Vendor Certification Study

Many service organizations today have problems with the quality of the credit card processing task. A case study shows the results of a process performance evaluation and process capability analysis used to identify and solve the problem of excess varia..
Timeline: a high performance archive for a distributed object store

This paper describes TimeLine, an efficient archive service for a distributed storage system. TimeLine allows users to take snapshots on demand. The archive is stored online so that it is easily accessible to users. It enables "time travel" in which a user runs a computation on an earlier system state. Archiving is challenging when storage is distributed. In particular, a key issue is how to provide consistent snapshots, yet avoid stopping user access to stored state while a snapshot is being taken. The paper defines the properties that an archive service ought to provide and describes an implementation approach that provides the desired properties yet is also efficient. TimeLine is designed to provide snapshots for a distributed persistent object store. However the properties and the implementation approach apply to file systems and databases as well. TimeLine has been implemented and we present the results of experiments that evaluate its performance. The experiments show that computations in the past run well when the archive store is nearby, e.g., on the same LAN, or connected by a high speed link. The results also show that taking snapshots has negligible impact on the cost of concurrently running computations, regardless of where the archived data is stored.
On functions whose graph is a Hamel basis

We say that a function h: R→ R is a Hamel function (h E HF) if h, considered as a subset of R 2 , is a Hamel basis for R 2 . We prove that every function from R into R can be represented as a pointwise -sum of two Hamel functions. The latter is equivalent to the statement: for all f 1 , f 2 ∈ R R there is a g ∈ R R such that g+f 1 , g + f 2 ∈ HF. We show that this fails for infinitely many functions.
The impact of obesity on adult tracheostomy complication rate

Objectives/Hypothesis Prospectively compare tracheostomy-related complications in obese patients with complications in nonobese patients. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Methods Adult patients undergoing tracheostomy were studied. Patients who had a prior tracheostomy were excluded. Complications were classified as intraoperative, early (within the first 2 weeks), or late. Results A total of 151 patients met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Fifty-five percent of obese patients experienced at least one tracheostomy-related complication; 19.5% of the control group had a complication. Mean procedure duration for patients with body mass index <30 was 24.74 minutes and for obese patients was 46.17 minutes. There was a statistically significant effect of body mass index on complication rate (P < .0001) and on procedure duration (P < .0001). The relationships between body mass index and intraoperative complications (P = .027) and early postoperative complications (P = .001) were significant. Conclusions The tracheostomy-related complication rate is significantly higher for obese patients, especially for body mass index ≥35, especially in the intraoperative and early postoperative time periods. Procedure duration is significantly longer in obese patients. Level of Evidence 2b. Laryngoscope, 125:105–110, 2015
Comparison of mathematical model predictions to experimental data of fatigue and performance

As part of the "Fatigue and Performance Modeling Workshop," six modeling teams made predictions for temporal profiles of fatigue and performance in five different scenarios. One scenario was based on a laboratory study of fatigue and performance during 88 h of extended wakefulness with or without nap opportunities. Another scenario was based on a field study of alertness in freight locomotive engineers. Two scenarios were based on laboratory studies with various conditions of chronic sleep restriction and recovery. There was a theoretical scenario for future ultra-long-range flight operations as well. Experimental data were available for all scenarios except the latter. The model predictions were compared with the experimental data; after linear scaling using mixed-effects regression, mean square errors were computed to quantify goodness-of-fit. The six models were also compared among each other on the basis of these mean square errors. The present paper provides detailed information about the results of these comparisons. The models were capable of predicting the data for some scenarios fairly well. However, predicting the data for the two scenarios involving chronic sleep restriction was more problematic. Differences among the predictions from the six models were relatively small, suggesting that these models have a broad common basis. More experimental research is needed to yield new insights for the further development of fatigue and performance models.
Talking voices: Appendix II: Transcription conventions

Examples are presented in poetic lines rather than prosaic blocks. I believe that this better captures their rhythm and makes the text easier to read. Lines represent intonation units, to capture in print the natural chunking achieved in speaking by a combination of intonation, prosody, pausing, and verbal particles such as discourse and hesitation markers. (See Chafe 1986 for a discussion of the multidisciplinary research that documents the universality of such chunking in oral discourse.) In transcription, punctuation represents intonation, not grammatical conventions. In most cases I depart from my previous practice, and, I believe, the most common practice, of representing selected expressions in reduced form, such as “gonna” for “going to,” “hadda” for “had to,” “woulda” for “would have,” because I have been convinced by Preston (1982) that such nonstandard spelling is always inconsistently applied and has the effect of giving readers a negative impression of the speaker, an impression that does not follow from the casual pronunciation in speech. Preston (1985) found that readers consistently rate the social class of speakers lower if their conversation is transcribed using such nonstandard spellings. Because such reduced phonological realizations are standard in casual speech, representing them by a nonstandard spelling misrepresents them.
Baseline and Early MR Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Quantification as a Predictor of Response of Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma to Doxorubicin Drug-Eluting Bead Chemoembolization

Abstract Purpose To investigate baseline and early apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) derived from diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) as a predictor of objective response (OR) and survival in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with doxorubicin drug-eluting bead (DEB) transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. Materials and Methods In a prospective study, 57 patients underwent DEB chemoembolization. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and DWI were performed at baseline and 1 and 3 months after DEB chemoembolization. OR was evaluated per modified Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (mRECIST) and European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) guidelines. Baseline ADCs of tumors that showed OR at 1 and 3 months were compared with nonresponding tumor ADCs by two-sample t test and receiver operating characteristic curves. Additionally, ADC changes at 30 days were correlated with OR. Finally, Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to compare survival between patients with lesions demonstrating more restricted baseline diffusion and others. Results At 1 month, 33 patients (60%) showed OR (21 complete responses and 12 partial responses). At baseline, tumors with OR at 1 month showed significantly more restricted diffusion (0.731 × 10 −3 mm 2 /s) compared with others (1.057 × 10 −3 mm 2 /s; P = .031). No difference between response rates at 1 and 3 months according to mRECIST and EASL was observed. For an area under the curve of 0.965, the sensitivity and specificity of predicting objective tumor response at 1 month using a baseline HCC ADC of 0.83 × 10 −3 mm 2 /s were 91% and 96%, respectively. In addition, patients with lesions with a baseline ADC −3 mm 2 /s showed prolonged survival compared with others ( P Conclusions In unresectable HCC, a baseline ADC −3 mm 2 /s is a predictor of survival and treatment response at 1 and 3 months after DEB chemoembolization with high sensitivity and specificity.
Some Recent Results in Chemical Reaction Network Theory

The aim of chemical reaction network theory is to draw connections between reaction network structure and qualitative properties of the corresponding differential equations. Some recent results are discussed, in particular those relating to the possibility of multiple steady states in very complex continuous flow stirred tank reactors, to mechanism discrimination in heterogeneous catalysis, and to the possibility of traveling composition waves on isothermal catalyst surfaces
Temporal Aspects of Macromolecular Synthesis in Eukaryotic Cells

To provide better drug therapy through more sensible temporal delivery requires knowledge of the kinetic relations between intercellular and intracellular activities at all levels, from the half-life of specific molecules to the cyclic rhythmicity of the whole organism. For any given drug and pathological condition, the importance of one or another level may predominate. Certainly many, if not most, of the drugs in use today affect the molecular activities of many tissues. This paper therefore will attempt to discuss the basic information available regarding the temporal relationships of the macromolecular processes in eukaryotic cells.
Rab11-like GTPase associates with and regulates the structure and function of the contractile vacuole system in Dictyostelium

Screening of a cDNA library revealed the existence of a Dictyostelium cDNA encoding a protein 80% identical at the amino acid level to mammalian Rab11. Subcellular fractionation and immunofluorescence studies revealed that DdRab11 was exclusively associated with the ATPase proton pump-rich contractile vacuole membrane system, consisting of a reticular network and bladder-like vacuoles. Video microscopy of cells expressing GFP-DdRab11 revealed that this Rab was associated with contractile vacuolar bladders undergoing formation, fusion and expulsion of water. The association of DdRab11 with contractile vacuole membranes was disrupted when cells were exposed to either hypo-osmotic conditions or an inhibitor of the ATPase proton pump. Cells that overexpressed a dominant negative form of DdRab11 were analyzed biochemically and microscopically to measure changes in the structure and function of the contractile vacuole system. Compared with wild-type cells, the dominant negative DdRab11-expressing cells contained a more extensive contractile vacuole network and abnormally enlarged contractile vacuole bladders, most likely the result of defects in membrane trafficking. In addition, the mutant cells enlarged, detached from surfaces and contained large vacuoles when exposed to water, suggesting a functional defect in osmotic regulation. No changes were observed in mutant cells in the rate of fluid phase internalization or release, suggesting the DdRab11-mediated membrane trafficking defects were not general in nature. Surprisingly, the rate of phagocytosis was increased in the dominant negative DdRab11-expressing cells when compared with control cells. Our results are consistent with a role for DdRab11 in regulating membrane traffic to maintain the normal morphology and function of the contractile vacuole.
Esau’s Mission, or Trauma as Propaganda: Disability after the Intifada

Israelis and Palestinians, while sharing an I/Abrahamic root, many chapters of Semitic history, and common values of resourcefulness and valor, both have defended their cultural boundaries through the exchange of mutilating, annihilative blows upon the other. The intifada (an Arabic word meaning to shake off or shiver because of illness, fear, or weakness) of the millennium signify a trope of body and status among the fragmented population in the region; specifically, the propagandizing of traumatic events that suggest victimization and invalidation. The discursive nature of “unnatural” catastrophe—devastation of Palestinian communities by Israeli Defense Forces, blitzing of Israeli civilians in planned attacks— substitutes the propaganda of trauma for the reality of disability experienced in both cultures. Reflecting the duality of rhetorical positions seen in I/Abraham’s disposition of both Isaac and Esau, this essay links the root of trauma propaganda to the ideology of religious fitness and righteousness.
Approach to the Patient with Renal Disease

There are various ways by which a patient with renal disease can present as either an initial outpatient or an inpatient consultation. Some patients can present with incidental hematuria and/or proteinuria. Symptoms generally vary but are more commonly noted with advanced stages of chronic kidney disease. A systematic, well organized approach is of utmost necessity in arriving at the correct diagnosis. A multitude of laboratory and ancillary studies, including a percutaneous renal biopsy (performed when necessary), are available to arrive at the right diagnosis. An algorithmic approach to hematuria and proteinuria is also presented.
Towards better than human capability in diagnosing prostate cancer using infrared spectroscopic imaging

Cancer diagnosis is essentially a human task. Almost universally, the process requires the extraction of tissue (biopsy) and examination of its microstructure by a human. To improve diagnoses based on limited and inconsistent morphologic knowledge, a new approach has recently been proposed that uses molecular spectroscopic imaging to utilize microscopic chemical composition for diagnoses. In contrast to visible imaging, the approach results in very large data sets as each pixel contains the entire molecular vibrational spectroscopy data from all chemical species. Here, we propose data handling and analysis strategies to allow computer-based diagnosis of human prostate cancer by applying a novel genetics-based machine learning technique ({\tt NAX). We apply this technique to demonstrate both fast learning and accurate classification that, additionally, scales well with parallelization. Preliminary results demonstrate that this approach can improve current clinical practice in diagnosing prostate cancer.
Increase voted to NSF Budget

The Subcommittee on Science, Research, and Technology of the House Committee on Science and Technology voted by a narrow margin on March 10 to increase the National Science Foundation (NSF) budget authorization by $30 million, pushing the total budget to $1099.5 million. The increase is targeted solely for science and engineering education (see table). Although the total for research and related activities in NSF remained the same as in President Reagan's budget request, the subcommittee shifted funds among directorates, including an $8.9 million decrease from the budget of the Directorate for Astronomical, Atmospheric, Earth, and Ocean Sciences (AAEO). The subcommittee action also calls for $1.6 million to be allocated to United States participation in the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (NASA).
Heterosexual Students' Experiences in Sexual Orientation Intergroup Dialogue Courses

Heterosexism contributes to an unsafe campus climate for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) college students. Intergroup dialogue courses about sexual orientation seek to build awareness, cross-group relationships, and commitment to social action to address anti-LGB prejudice and discrimination. Although dialogue courses are growing in popularity, few courses address sexual orientation. To advance knowledge of these dialogues, this qualitative study explores heterosexual students' motivations and expectations, challenges, and learning outcomes related to their participation in intergroup dialogue courses on sexual orientation. Core themes include desire to learn about the LGB community, concerns about offending classmates, anxiety around LGB stigma, conflict with classmates around controversial topics, affirming LGB people, and learning about heterosexism, privilege, and intersectionality of identity. Implications for intergroup dialogue pedagogy and research are discussed.
In vitro studies of intragastric digestion.

Following consumption of a meal, 99% of the large food particles are emptied only after intragastric fragmentation has reduced their diameter to less than 2 mm. Anin vitro model was constructed to evaluate some of the factors which may play a role in the process of intragastric digestion. Gastric mixing of food was simulated in a silicone rubber tube (ID 19 mm) placed in a peristaltic pump. Peristaltic waves progressed upwards along the tube at a frequency of 0, 1, or 3/min, reducing the internal diameter of the tube to 5 mm. Cooked chicken liver particles (2–2.8 mm in diameter) were placed in the tube with one of the following: (1) 150 mM NaCl, (2) 150 mM HCl with or without pepsin, or (3) phosphate buffer at pH 7, 5.4, or 2.6 + pepsin. After 30 min, the extent of particle reduction and of solubilization of proteins were determined and expressed as percent of the initial liver weight. The diameter of liver particles was reduced to a greater extent in NaCl than in pH 7 buffer or acid solutions with or without pepsin. In contrast, the amount of proteins solubilized was enhanced two- to threefold by acid pepsin solutions compared to NaCl or pH 7 phosphate. The presentin vitro studies suggest that changes in motor and/or secretory activity of the stomach significantly modify intragastric digestion.
Operation & maintenance considerations for gas cooling equipment

ABSTRACT This article will cover operating & maintenance considerations for gas cooling equipment with the primary focus on absorption chillers; including discussion of absorption cycles, the importance of maintaining vacuum, scheduled maintenance, controlling the rate of internal corrosion and purge systems.
Natural convection from a buried pipe with external baffles

Numerical solutions are presented for the natural convection heat transfer from a pipe with two baffles attached along its surface buried beneath a semi-infinite, saturated, porous medium. The surface of the medium is assumed to be permeable. The governing equations for Darcy flow are solved using finite differences. The complicated geometry is handled through the use of a body-fitted curvilinear coordinate system. Results are presented for three baffle lengths and a range of burial depths and Rayleigh numbers. The numerical simulations indicate that substantial energy savings can be realized if baffles are used. The results obtained in terms of the Nusselt number for the case of no-baffle are in excellent agreement with analytical and experimental results available in the literature. A simple correlation for Nu has been developed as a function of Ra, pipe burial depth h/R, and baffle length l/R.
The Accommodation of Protestant Christianity with the Enlightenment: An Old Drama Still Being Enacted

Throughout its history, the United States has been a major site for the accommodation of Protestant Christianity with the Enlightenment. This accommodation has been driven by two closely related but distinct processes: the demystification of religion's cognitive claims by scientific advances, exemplified by the Higher Criticism in Biblical scholarship and the Darwinian revolution in natural history; and the demographic diversification of society, placing Protestants in the increasingly intimate company of Americans who did not share a Protestant past and thus inspiring doubts about the validity of inherited ideas and practices for the entire human species. The accommodation of Protestant Christianity with the Enlightenment will continue to hold a place among American narratives as long as “diversity” and “science” remain respected values, and as long as the population includes a substantial number of Protestants. If you think that time has passed, look around you.
Preparation of Alkaline-Metal-Doped C60 Superconducting Film and Its Stabilization in Air with Protective Coatings

Preparation conditions of C60 film were studied by varying substrates, substrate temperature and the rate of evaporation. Crystalline C60 thin films were prepared on GaAs(100) at the substrate temperature of 100° C in order to obtain superconductors by alkaline metal doping. The Rb/Cs-doped film showed a superconducting transition with T c( onset)=24±3 K and T c( zero)=8 K. The composition of the superconducting film was measured by micro-Auger electron spectroscopy. Air stability of Rb3C60 superconducting film with protective coatings applied was studied. A Si protective film maintained superconductivity for 220 min in air. In addition a Si/Al protective coatings maintained superconductivity for 8 h.
ROAM: An Authorization Manager for Grids

The Resource Oriented Authorization Manager (ROAM) was created to provide a simple but flexible authorization system for the FusionGrid computational Grid. ROAM builds on and extends previous community efforts by both responding to access authorization requests and by providing a Web interface for resource management. ROAM works with the Globus Resource Allocation Manager (GRAM), and is general enough to be used by other virtual organizations that use Globus middleware or X.509/TLS authentication schemes to secure a Grid of distributed resources. In addition to describing ROAM, this paper discusses the basic design parameters of a Grid authorization system and the reasons for the choices made in the ROAM design.
Sharing in teams of heterogeneous, collaborative learning agents

This paper is focused on the effects of sharing knowledge and collaboration of multiple heterogeneous, intelligent agents (hardware or software) which work together to learn a task. As each agent employs a different machine learning technique, the system consists of multiple knowledge sources and their respective heterogeneous knowledge representations. Collaboration between agents involves sharing knowledge to both speed up team learning, as well as refine the team's overall performance and group behavior. Experiments have been performed that vary the team composition in terms of machine learning algorithms, learning strategies employed by the agents, and sharing frequency for a predator-prey cooperative pursuit task. For lifelong learning, heterogeneous learning teams were more successful than homogeneous learning counterparts. Interestingly, sharing increased the learning rate, but sharing with higher frequency showed diminishing results. Lastly, knowledge conflicts are reduced over time the more sharing takes place. These results support further investigation of the merits of heterogeneous learning. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Comparison of Equal Percentile and Partial Credit Equatings for Performance-Based Assessments Composed of Free-Response Items.

This study compares the equal percentile (EP) and partial credit (PC) equatings for raw scores derived from performance-based assessments composed of free-response (open-ended) items clustered around long reading selections or multistep mathematics problems. Data are from the Maryland School Performance Assessment Program. The results suggest that Masters (1982; Wright & Masters, 1982) partial credit model may be useful for equating examinations composed of moderately easy (or not too difficult)items sharing a first principal component with at least 25% of the total variance. This conclusion appears to hold even in the presence of some level of response dependency for the items within each cluster. Although visible discrepancies were found between PC and EP equated scores in the skewed tail of the score distributions, the direction of these discrepancies is unpredictable. Therefore, it cannot be concluded from the study that the two methods give equivalent results when the distributions are markedly skewed.
Using DDF in a Post Hoc Analysis to Understand Sources of DIF

The purpose of this article is to describe and demonstrate a three-step process of using differential distractor functioning (DDF) in a post hoc analysis to understand sources of differential item functioning (DIF) in multiple-choice testing. The process is demonstrated on two multiple-choice tests that used complex alternatives (e.g., “No Mistakes”) as distractors. Comparisons were made between different gender and race groups. DIF analyses were conducted using Simultaneous Item Bias Test, whereas DDF analyses were conducted using loglinear model fitting and odds ratios. Five items made it through all three steps and were identified as those with DIF results related to DDF. Implications of the results, as well as suggestions for future research, are discussed.
Effect of Microstructure on Material-Removal Mechanisms and Damage Tolerance in Abrasive Machining of Silicon Carbide

Effects of microstructural heterogeneity on material-removal mechanisms and damage-formation processes in the abrasive machining of silicon carbide are investigated. It is shown that the process of material removal in a conventional silicon carbide material with equiaxed-grain micro-structure and strong grain boundaries consists of the formation and propagation of transgranular cracks which results in macroscopic chipping. However, in a silicon carbide material, containing 20 vol% yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) second phase, with elongated-grain micro-structure and weak grain boundaries, intergranular micro-cracks are formed at the interphase boundaries, leading to dislodgment of individual grains. These different mechanisms of material-removal affect the nature of machining-induced damage. While in the conventional silicon carbide material the machining damage consists of transgranular median/radial cracks, in the heterogeneous silicon carbide material, abrasive machining produces interfacial micro-cracks distributed within a thin surface layer. These two distinct types of machining damage result in a different strength response in the two forms of silicon carbide materials. In the case of the conventional silicon carbide, grinding damage results in a dramatic decrease in strength relative to the as-polished specimens. In contrast, the ground heterogeneous silicon carbide specimens show no strength loss at all.
Elastic-plastic cube model for ultrasonic friction reduction via Poisson's effect.

Abstract Ultrasonic friction reduction has been studied experimentally and theoretically. This paper presents a new elastic–plastic cube model which can be applied to various ultrasonic lubrication cases. A cube is used to represent all the contacting asperities of two surfaces. Friction force is considered as the product of the tangential contact stiffness and the deformation of the cube. Ultrasonic vibrations are projected onto three orthogonal directions, separately changing contact parameters and deformations. Hence, the overall change of friction forces. Experiments are conducted to examine ultrasonic friction reduction using different materials under normal loads that vary from 40 N to 240 N. Ultrasonic vibrations are generated both in longitudinal and vertical (out-of-plane) directions by way of the Poisson effect. The tests show up to 60% friction reduction; model simulations describe the trends observed experimentally.
Infratentorial Strokes for Posterior Circulation Folks: Clinical Correlations for Current Translational Therapeutics

Approximately 20 percent of all strokes will occur in the Infratentorial brain. This is within the vascular territory of the posterior vascular circulation. Very few clinical specifics are known about the therapeutic needs of this patient sub-population. Most evidence-based practices are founded from research about the treatment of anterior circulatory stroke. As a consequence, little is known about how stroke in the Infratentorial brain region would require a different approach. We characterized the neurovascular features of Infratentorial stroke, pathophysiological responses, and experimental models for further translational study.
“Cahiers du cinéma” ‘s rereading of hollywood cinema: An analysis of method

(1978). “Cahiers du cinema” ‘s rereading of hollywood cinema: An analysis of method. Quarterly Review of Film Studies: Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 405-416.
Acute effects of oats and vitamin E on endothelial responses to ingested fat.

Abstract Objective: To assess the effects of oats and vitamin E on endothelial function following a high-fat meal in healthy adults as measured by brachial artery reactivity studies (BARS). Methods: A total of 25 men and 25 women (N=50) were recruited from a community population to participate in this randomized, crossover study. All subjects were free of known vascular disease, and female subjects were postmenopausal. Subjects underwent BARS before and after a high-fat meal (50 gm fat) on three occasions 1 week apart, one each with vitamin E 800 IU, oatmeal containing 3 gm β-glucan, or a comparable bowl of wheat cereal serving as a placebo, in random sequence. The ultrasonographer was blinded to treatment status. Results: Endothelial function, as measured by brachial artery peak flow during one minute of post-occlusive hyperemia, declined significantly from baseline when the high-fat meal was consumed with the wheat cereal (−13.4%; p =0.02). There was no difference in brachial artery flow change before and after a high-fat meal with oats (+0.37%; p =0.77) or a high-fat meal with vitamin E (+1.87%; p =0.42). No significant differences in flow-mediated vasodilation before and after the high-fat meal were detected among the three supplements. Conclusions: Endothelial dysfunction induced by acute fat ingestion in healthy adults is apparently prevented by concomitant ingestion of oats or vitamin E, but not wheat. Nutrient distribution and meal composition may have important implications for cardiovascular health.
Convex sets for image synthesis in enhancement and compression

ABSTRACT The method of alternating projections onto convex (POCS) sets is used to process images for both compression andenhancement. Convex sets are derived that define certain desirable characteristics of the images for both applications.A new image is produced using POCS which satisfies these characteristics thereby relaxing others. For enhancement,images are produced that display more of the information desired such as adjacent pixel differences. For compression,relaxing the characteristics not deemed important allows for improved coding efficiency. POCS provides the ability todefine the problem piecewise, to apply many or few constraints as desired, and to easily implement the algorithm byseparately deriving and implementing the projection operators. 1. INTRODUCTION The technique described in this paper uses the method of successive projections onto convex sets (POCS) to find imageswith the appropriate user defined characteristics while relaxing those features which are not deemed important. SincePOCS determines a feasible solution, and not necessarily an optimum solution, there may be many possible images whichmeet the criteria of the problem. This creates many interesting solutions and allows a flexible method of investigationthat is easily programmed and visualized. In this paper two problems are addressed which may be staged in terms ofconvex sets: image enhancement and image compression.In the enhancement example, it might be necessary to transform an image so that the dynamic range of pixel values iswithin human visual limits yet the displayed image retains the pixel differences of the original. These constraints canbe modeled as convex sets, and POCS can easily be employed to find an image satisfying all of the constraints, if theintersection is non-null. For compression, the constraints might be maximal compression using a Lempel-Ziv coder witha given per pixel error. One approach to this problem could be to grossly blur the original image then, defining theerror constraint as a convex set, find a feasible solution which meets both criteria, again, if the intersection is non-null.If the sets have a null intersection, then it is possible to find an image which is within the visual range and is closest tothe the pixel difference constraints using nonintersecting POCS [5] .
Neuroprotective and Antiretroviral Effects of the Immunophilin ligand GPI 1046

HIV infection results in a neurodegenerative disorder for which currently there is no effective therapy available. Currently, available antiretroviral therapy has no impact on the production of early regulatory HIV proteins once the virus is integrated. Of these proteins, Tat was shown to be toxic to neurons. We, thus, used an in vitro neuronal culture system to determine if immunophilin ligands could protect against Tat-induced neurotoxicity. We found that GPI 1046 had potent neuroprotective effects in this model. The compound was able to protect the neurons even though it only partially obliterated Tat-induced oxidative stress in neurons, suggesting that other mechanisms may be important in mediating its neuroprotective effect. Furthermore, GPI 1046 showed inhibition of HIV replication and Tat-mediated long terminal repeat (LTR) activation suggesting that this class of compounds may be worthy of further exploration as a potential treatment for HIV dementia.
A comparison of the airway response to segmental antigen bronchoprovocation in atopic asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Abstract Background: Patients with allergic asthma and those with allergic rhinitis (without asthma) share many immunopathologic features but differ in the presence of lower airway symptoms in response to antigen. Objectives: We sought to compare the airway inflammatory response to antigen in patients with atopic asthma and allergic rhinitis. Methods: Segmental bronchoprovocation with saline or ragweed antigen was performed in 9 patients with atopic asthma and 9 patients with allergic rhinitis without asthma. The antigen dose used in segmental bronchoprovocation was 10% of the dose that caused a 20% decrease in FEV 1 in response to inhalation challenge. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed from the saline- and antigen-challenged segments at 5 minutes and 48 hours after challenge. BAL fluid was analyzed for cell count and differential, distribution of lymphocytes, and concentration of soluble factors (histamine, IL-5, matrix me-talloproteinase 9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1, and fibronectin). In addition, BAL cells were cultured ex vivo, and IL-5, IFN-γ, and IL-10 generation was measured. Results: Antigen challenge led to similar patterns of cellular recruitment, mediator levels, and BAL cell cytokine generation in both groups; however, the dose of antigen required to promote comparable responses in the airway was significantly less in patients with asthma. Conclusion: These data suggest that the pattern of acute airway inflammation in response to allergen does not by itself explain antigen-induced lower airway obstruction and asthma symptoms. We speculate that other factors, such as increased airway sensitivity to allergen or preexisting airway injury and remodeling, might explain why patients with asthma and rhinitis differ in their clinical and physiologic response to antigen exposure. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2003;111:79-86.)
Osteopontin does not mitigate cisplatin ototoxicity or nephrotoxicity in adult mice.

ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to determine whether osteopontin, a molecule with a variety of biologic effects including cell death inhibition, plays an important role in protection of the inner ear and kidney from the toxic effects of the chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin.Study DesignIn vivo study using a model system of cisplatin toxicity in adult mice.SettingVirginia Merrill Bloedel Hearing Research Center, University of Washington.Subjects and MethodsOsteopontin+/+ and Osteopontin−/− adult mice were treated with intraperitoneal cisplatin (20 mg/kg) or saline (control). Osteopontin levels were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Auditory brainstem response thresholds and cochlear histology were used to assess ototoxicity, while serum creatinine and renal histology were used to assess nephrotoxicity. For quantitative experiments, 8 to 18 animals were included in each treatment group.ResultsAt 72 hours after cisplatin treatment, there was a slight increase in osteopontin levels within the kidney but...
Sites of Protein Kinase A Activation of the Human ClC-2 Cl– Channel

Human ClC-2 Cl– (hClC-2) channels are activated by protein kinase A (PKA) and low extracellular pHo. Both of these effects are prevented by the PKA inhibitor, myristoylated PKI. The aims of the present study were to identify the PKA phosphorylation site(s) important for PKA activation of hClC-2 at neutral and low pHo and to examine the relationship between PKA and low pHo activation. Recombinant hClC-2 with point mutations of consensus phosphorylation sites was prepared and stably expressed in HEK-293 cells. The responses to forskolin plus isobutylmethylxanthine at neutral and acidic pHo were studied by whole cell patch clamp in the presence and absence of phosphatase inhibitors. The double phosphorylation site (RRAT655(A) plus RGET691(A)) mutant hClC-2 lost PKA activation and low pHo activation. Either RRAT or RGET was sufficient for PKA activation of hClC-2 at pHo 7.4, as long as phosphatase inhibitors (cyclosporin A or endothal) were present. At pHo 6 only RGET was needed for PKA activation of hClC-2. Low pHo activation of hClC-2 Cl– channel activity was PKA-dependent, retained in RGET(A) mutant hClC-2, but lost in RRAT(A) mutant hClC-2. RRAT655(D) mutant hClC-2 was constitutively active and was further activated by PKA at pHo 7.4 and 6.0, consistent with the above findings. These results show that activation of hClC-2 is differentially regulated by PKA at two sites, RRAT655 and RGET691. Either RRAT655 or RGET691 was sufficient for activation at pHo 7.4. RGET, but not RRAT, was sufficient for activation at pHo 6.0. However, in the RGET691(D) mutant, there was PKA activation at pHo 6.0.
Iron mobilization in mineral dust: Can anthropogenic SO2 emissions affect ocean productivity?

[1] For Fe contained in long-range transported aeolian dust to act as a micronutrient for oceanic phytoplankton it must be first dissolved or mobilized. We propose that Fe-mobilization can occur in mineral dust from East Asia by the incorporation of SO2 into the advecting dust plumes and subsequent acidification of the dust through heterogeneous SO2 oxidation. To test this hypothesis, we consider a dust plume that originated from the gobi-deserts and advected over the Pacific Ocean. Data collected over the Yellow Sea confirm that this plume contained high concentrations of dust and SO2. Significant gaseous HNO3 concentrations indicate that the dust particles were acidified (i.e., pH < 2). At these pH's, 1–2% of the Fe contained in a deliquescent mineral dust particle would be mobilized within 3–5 days. These results suggest a possible link between the rate of C-fixation in so-called High-Nitrate-Low-Chlorophyll regions of the Pacific Ocean and SO2 emissions from East Asia.