cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Induction of cytochrome P450 isozymes by simultaneous inhalation exposure of hens to n-hexane and methyl iso-butyl ketone (MiBK).

Abstract Chickens were exposed simultaneously to the industrial hexacarbon solvents n -hexane and methyl iso -butyl ketone (M i BK). n -Hexane has been shown to be neurotoxic in both humans and other vertebrates. While M i BK is not neurotoxic, it has been shown to greatly synergize the clinical appearance of neurotoxicity in animals exposed to both of these solvents. Groups of hens were exposed for 29 days in inhalation chambers to 1000 ppm n -hexane in combination with 10, 100, 250, 500, or 1000 ppm M i BK. Other groups received either 1000 ppm n -hexane, 1000 ppm M i BK, or ambient air and served as controls. A dose-dependent decrease in body weight and an increase in clinical effects were noted for the highest exposure groups (1000 ppm n -hexane combined with 1000, 500 or 250 ppm M i BK). There was an M i BK dose-dependent increase in cytochrome P450 content and benzphetamine N -demethylase activity, but there was no distinct pattern for ethoxyresorufin O -deethylase or cytochrome c reductase activities. Mixed-function oxidase levels and activities (cytochrome P450 content and benzphetamine N -demethylase) were elevated significantly (P i BK group (10 ppm), although there were no clinical signs of neurotoxicity. Four different isozymes of cytochrome P450 were measured immunologically. There was a dose-dependent increase in three of the isozymes, two of which were phenobarbital inducible and one of which was induced by β-napthoflavone. Quantitatively, the largest increase was in the PB-A isozyme, a phenobarbital-inducible isozyme which accounted for approximately 70% of the cytochrome P450 present in animals treated with M i BK. The results suggest that M i BK selectively induces cytochrome P450 isozymes leading to the metabolic activation of the weak neurotoxicant n -hexane to the potent neurotoxicant 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD).
Infrastructure requirements for a large-scale, multi-site VLSI development project

This paper describes the design infrastructure and environment that were established to support the multi-site design of the IBM POWER4 microprocessor. The Common Tools Environment was created to provide a consistent means for accessing design tools and initiating operating system variables from multiple sites in a site-independent manner. The AIX® operating system and the Common Tools Environment masked local, site-specific details of the design environment, allowing site-specific design practices, shared storage, and information system policies to be transparently maintained. The design datamanagement system, the importance of highly reliable wide- and local-area networks, and the establishment of automated network monitoring are discussed.
Design of monocular head-mounted displays, with a case study on fire-fighting

The paper presents a design methodology and a case study for monocular head-mounted displays (HMDs), wherein a user can simultaneously and easily see the physical world by looking through and/or around the display. The design approach is user-focused because of the complexity of the human visual system, and because HMDs are very task, user, and context specific. A literature review of factors related to HMD design is given. This includes considerations for basic optical design, the human visual system, and head and neck biomechanics. General HMD design guidelines are given based on these considerations. For the specific case study on fire-fighting, it is recommended that the HMD be mounted at 15 degrees to 45 degrees below the Frankfurt plane, with a 15 degrees to 40 degrees field of view. A resolution of 20-60 px/deg should be focused at 1 m or farther. The neck joint torque due to the HMD should not exceed about 1 Nm. This equates to a typical maximum weight of 0.5 to 1 kg depending on the mounting location.
Second-order chemometric standardization for high-speed hyphenated gas chromatography: Analysis of GC/MS and comprehensive GCGC data

Second-order data such as those provided by hyphenated instruments like gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (GC/MS) provide a wealth of information. Multichannel detection combined with multivariate analysis allows compounds that have been incompletely resolved by chromatography to be accurately quantitated. Because of this ability, chromatographic instruments can be operated in a significantly faster, reduced resolution mode. One reason this practice has not become common is that retention time variations complicate comparison of multiple data sets. In this article, an objective retention time standardization technique is presented that substantially improves quantitation. This work demonstrates a key advantage of second-order chemical analysis—that is, the ability to correct for retention time variation found in data from GC/MS analyzers and a relatively new hyphenated gas chromatographic analyzer known as high-speed comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (comprehensive GC×GC). Second-order chromatographic standardization is demonstrated for the GC/MS analysis of methyltert-butyl ether (MTBE) in gasoline. The selectivity of capillary gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, combined with second-order analysis, allows this analysis to be performed in 40 s. Generalized rank annihilation method (GRAM) is used to quantify MTBE. Without standardization, an average retention time variation of 1.3% between standards and samples led to a quantitative precision error of about 20%. Second-order chromatographic standardization reduced this error to <5%. The standardization technique was also tested on comprehensive GC×GC data. In comprehensive GC×GC, the second of two columns repeatedly performed subsecond separations on portions of the effluent from a first column of different chemical selectivity. Comprehensive GC×GC of a white gas mixture modified with several test aromatic compounds was performed. The standardization demonstrated that retention times in comprehensive GC×GC are very repeatable in short column runs. GRAM was used to quantify overlapped ethylbenzene and p-xylene peaks in comprehensive GC×GC data. Because GRAM can be successfully applied to comprehensive GC×GC data, full resolution of all the analytes of interest is not necessary. As a result, comprehensive GC×GC run times can be dramatically shortened, which has significant implications for analyses in which short cycle times are of paramount importance. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Micro Sep 11: 97–107, 1999
Daily potential evapotranspiration and diurnal climate forcings: influence on the numerical modelling of soil water dynamics and evapotranspiration

Abstract A physically based, variably saturated flow model was developed to predict soil water dynamics, evapotranspiration (ET) from the vadose zone, and recharge to (or exfiltration from) the saturated zone using mean daily atmospheric forcings and to identify the value of diurnal climate forcings on those predictions. The vadose zone flow is modelled using the Galerkin finite element technique to solve Richards’ equation in one-dimension. The model was able to accurately predict measured soil moisture, water table elevation and actual ET at Paynes Prairie State Preserve in Florida. The forecast Nash–Sutcliffe efficiencies of actual ET, water table and average soil moisture content increased modestly, from 0.605–0.653, 0.888–0.916 to 0.902–0.913, respectively, when the average daily ET forcing was replaced with a diurnal evaporation cycle. Several additional numerical experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of the evaporation cycle disaggregation approach on modelled ET and soil moisture content for different soil textures, vegetation surfaces, and water table depth. The results show that the enhanced predictive value of the diurnal ET cycle increases with decreasing vegetation, decreasing clay content, and increasing water table depth. Using numerical studies, actual evaporation is shown to be higher for daily average evaporation as compared to the diurnal cycle evaporation for specific ranges of shallow water table depth. For clay soils, this range occurs from approximately 40 to 300 cm below land surface for bare soils and from approximately 40 to well below 300 cm below land surface for vegetated soils. The range for sandy soils is approximately 80–200 cm below land surface for both bare and vegetated soils. Within this range, the maximum difference of the actual to potential evapotranspiration ratio for the clay soil, resulting from using different forcing methods, is 20 and 10% for bare soil and vegetated conditions, respectively. The forcing method choice is more important for sandy soils with ratio differences of 50 and 16% for bare soil and vegetated conditions, respectively.
Pharmacological characterisation of ligand- and voltage-gated ion channels expressed in human iPSC-derived forebrain neurons.

Genetic causes, or predisposition, are increasingly accepted to be part of the ethiopathogenesis of many neuropsychiatric diseases. While genes can be studied in any type of cells, their physiological function in human brain cells is difficult to evaluate, particularly in living subjects. As a first step towards the characterisation of human inducible pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons from autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients, we used gene expression and functional studies to define the regional identity of the typical forebrain differentiation, demonstrate expression patterns of genes of interest in ASD and understand the properties of ‘control’ iPSC-derived neurons (iCell-Neurons™), with a focus on receptors and ion channels that play a central role in synaptic physio-pathology. The gene expression profile of the iCell-Neurons™ closely resembled that observed in neonatal prefrontal cortex tissues. Functional studies, performed mainly using calcium flux assays, demonstrated the presence of ionotropic glutamate (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid and N-methyl-d-aspartate) and gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors. Voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels were also identified using similar techniques. Overall, the results reported here suggest that iCell-Neurons™ are a good cellular model of a relatively immature forebrain human neuron population that can be used both as a control in comparison to patients cells, and as host cells in which mutations, insertions and deletions can be used in order to study the molecular mechanisms of ASD and other neurological disorders in an isogenic cellular background.
Effects of communication with important social referents on beliefs and intentions to use condoms

Data from a 1989 survey using the condom attitude and belief instrument with 310 clients from two sexually transmitted disease clinics identified significant social referents who influence condom-use intentions. They are sexual partner, father and friends. The present study found that communication with these referents had a positive net effect on beliefs about and intentions to use condoms. Implications applicable for intervention programmes to increase condom use are to promote talking about condoms between the sexual partners and important social referents and to develop such communication skills.
Estimators of slopes in linear errors-invariables regression models when the predictors have known reliability matrix

Abstract In a linear errors-in-variables regression model, one observes a dependent scalar variable Y i and an error-prone measurement X i of an r -dimensional latent predictor x i , i = 1,…, n , where it is assumed that E [ Y i | x i ] = a + Bx i . It is well known that the naive least squares estimator (LSE) of B obtained by regressing Y i on X i is biased and inconsistent. A natural alternative is to use maximum likelihood to estimate B , under normality assumptions. The use of normality assumptions creates identifiability problems which require parametric restrictions to resolve. Gleser (1992) argues that an appropriate parametric restriction is to assume that the reliability matrix A of the measured predictors X i is known. The problem of estimating B then reduces to estimation of slopes in a standard linear model with random regressors Λ X i , but with a known bound on the scaled magnitude (signal-to-noise ratio) of B . The slope b of the regression of Y i on Λ X i is the best unbiased estimator of B , and is asymptotically equivalent to the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) of B . In the present paper, it is shown that b is dominated in matrix (and thus total mean-squared-error) risk by a linear ‘shrinkage’ b of b . The naive LSE is also a linear shrinkage of b ; both the naive LSE and b are shown to be linearly inadmissible under total mean-squared-error risk unless Λ = cI r .
Por qué son útiles los modelos computacionales de comprensión de textos

Los modelos computacionales han jugado un rol importante en el descubrimiento y entendimiento de las complejidades psicologicas de la comprension textual. Esto ha sido por tres razones principales. En primer lugar, el proceso de transformar teorias de comprension de textos, descritas verbalmente (teorias conceptuales), en modelos computacionales de comprension promueve el desarrollo y evolucion de las teorias conceptuales, mostrando donde los modelos concuerdan con informacion empirica y donde no lo hacen. En segundo lugar, los modelos computacionales pueden ser aplicados a informacion de comportamientos con el fin de comprender mejor y evaluar constructos explicativos alternativos, especialmente en casos donde los patrones de comportamiento no resultan como se esperaba a priori. En tales casos, los investigadores aportan explicaciones post-hoc, muchas de las cuales resultan bastante razonables. Los modelos computacionales pueden asi proveer un modo de evaluar tales explicaciones. Por ultimo, y parcialmente, como resultado de los primeros dos beneficios, los modelos computacionales promueven la comunicacion entre investigadores dentro y a traves de diversas areas de investigacion. Estos argumentos se ilustran por medio de ejemplos especificos de modelos computacionales
Ensemble of classifiers to improve accuracy of the CLIP4 machine-learning algorithm

Machine learning, one of the data mining and knowledge discovery tools, addresses automated extraction of knowledge from data, expressed in the form of production rules. The paper describes a method for improving accuracy of rules generated by inductive machine learning algorithm by generating the ensemble of classifiers. It generates multiple classifiers using the CLIP4 algorithm and combines them using a voting scheme. The generation of a set of different classifiers is performed by injecting controlled randomness into the learning algorithm, but without modifying the training data set. Our method is based on the characteristic properties of the CLIP4 algorithm. The case study of the SPECT heart image analysis system is used as an example where improving accuracy is very important. Benchmarking results on other well-known machine learning datasets, and comparison with an algorithm that uses boosting technique to improve its accuracy are also presented. The proposed method always improves the accuracy of the results when compared with the accuracy of a single classifier generated by the CLIP4 algorithm, as opposed to using boosting. The obtained results are comparable with other state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms.
Survey of Robotic Surgery Credentialing Requirements for Physicians Completing OB/GYN Residency

Abstract Study Objective To describe credentialing requirements for newly graduated resident physicians for robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery in Alabama. Design Cross-sectional study (Canadian Task Force classification III). Setting Hospitals in the state of Alabama in the United States. Participants Credentialing authorities at hospitals in Alabama that currently use robotic surgery in the field of gynecology. Interventions Participants completed an online questionnaire about credentialing policies. Measurements and Main Results Fifteen of 16 hospitals (94%) in Alabama that use robotic technology for gynecologic surgery participated in this survey. All hospitals had a credentialing policy for robotic surgery; however, only 9 of the 15 hospitals (60%) had a separate pathway for physicians with recent residency training. This pathway consisted of an attestation letter from a residency program director in all of the 9 hospitals, a robotic case list in 3 (33%), and proctored cases after residency in 2 (22%). Five hospitals (55%) required a certain number of hysterectomy procedures (median, 5; range, 2–10). Conclusion Robotic surgery credentialing requirements in Alabama vary. Validation of requirements in best practices for robotic surgery by graduating resident physicians is needed.
Changing the Landscape of Power (Innovations Case Narrative: Amazon Conservation Team)

nous cultures are being disrupted and destroyed. At the Amazon Conservation Team (ACT), we see the survival of these two—the culture and the ecosystem—as inextricably linked, so we call our effort to protect them “biocultural conservation.” Key to the ultimate success of this process is improving our indigenous partners’ ability to meet many challenges—to their cultural integrity, their worldview, their resources—on their own terms. Such a process can entail everything from protecting forest species to knowing the potential uses of those plants and animals. If native peoples are to make informed decisions, it is imperative that we help them understand the value and potential value of the species they know, as well as their healing techniques and diagnostic approaches, their organic agriculture products, and much more. At ACT, we have tested an array of strategies. Some haven’t worked, but two have been extraordinarily successful. One is ethnographic mapping, a partnership program with indigenous peoples to teach them to map, manage, and protect their own lands. The second is the Shamans and Apprentices Program, which creates ways to pass on traditional healing knowledge and practices to younger generations. We hope that this wisdom will some day benefit the tribes as they deal with the outside world, and perhaps scientists will uncover new, potentially useful plant-based medicines, should these tribes ever decide to commercialize their
Regulation of biologic oncology products in the FDA׳s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

In the United States, cancer vaccines and immunotherapies, including cell and gene therapies and peptides and proteins used as therapeutic vaccines, are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research in the Office of Cellular, Tissue, and Gene Therapies (OCTGT). Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research has licensed two immunotherapy products for urologic indications: bacillus Calmette-Guerin for superficial bladder cancer and sipuleucel-T for advanced prostate cancer. OCTGT places a high priority on scientific and regulatory activities that promote the development of safe and effective cancer therapy products. OCTGT has published guidance documents and developed innovative tools that are designed to aid the rapid development of biologic products for patient use. The success of immunotherapeutic products for urologic malignancies stands as an example for ongoing and future therapeutic research and discovery.
Functional Series Expansions for Nonlinear Input-Output Systems with Delay

Abstract A new type of Chen-Fliess series is first introduced which depends on the input and delayed versions of the input. It is then shown how a class of analytic differential delay systems with a single delay and constant initial conditions has input-output maps representable in terms of this new functional series. As in the classical case, the coefficients can be computed by iterated Lie derivatives, but here the method is applied to an infinite dimensional embedding of the original state space system. Finally, the more technical issue of series convergence is addressed. Sufficient conditions are produced to guarantee convergence in both a local and global sense.
Local virial theorem in density-functional theory.

The local virial theorem is derived within the exact density-functional theory. Special forms of the local virial theorem valid within the local-density approximation and the local thermodynamic description are also presented.
A Review of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Dynamic Models

In this paper, state-of-the-art dynamic models for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) in the open literature are reviewed. The review also includes the transient modeling of SOFC systems with reformers. In the transients of a SOFC, three characteristic time constants are observed. One of the challenges in transient modeling is to capture these characteristic times. The first characteristic time is on the order of milliseconds and is mostly neglected, because it is too small, from the viewpoint of practical applications. The second time constant is on the order of seconds and arises mainly because of the mass-transport dynamics. The third characteristic time is on the order of minutes or hours and is dependent on the energy transport characteristics of the system. These characteristic times are extremely system-specific and, therefore, must be identified on a case-to-case basis. In this paper, the existing literature on dynamic studies are reviewed, focusing mainly on the fidelity of the model that is required...
Nucleation induction time in levitated droplets

Nucleation induction times of the protein lysozyme in aqueous solution were studied using electrodynamic levitation of single solution droplets. This technique allows the study of homogeneous nucleation by the elimination of dust, dirt, and container walls. A new experimental procedure was employed, which allowed control of the relative humidity around the supersaturated droplet and thus allowed the measurement of nucleation induction time at a given supersaturation. This measurement was performed 510 times at essentially identical conditions to obtain sufficient data to examine the statistics of nucleation induction time. An analysis of the data using the classic approach of Turnbull and a newly proposed two-step treatment is presented.
Interdiffusion phenomena in Au/Cu and Cu/Au bilayers

Abstract The microstructures of epitaxial deposits of (111) Cu/(111) Au and (111) Au/(111) Cu at various stages of interdiffusion are described. The most prominent microstructural features of Au/Cu films (where gold deposition occurred at temperatures less than 400 °C) were (Matthews) coincidence lattice misfit dislocations lying along 1 0 > directions in the film plane with |b| = a 2 directed out of the film plane. Their spacings, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) hot stage behavior and generation mechanisms are discussed. For more severe diffusion anneals, the coincidence dislocation density decreased and hexagonal networks identified as ( van der Merwe) natural lattice misfit dislocations became resolvable. They are edge type (lying along 2 > directions in the film plane) with |b| = a 2 1 0 > . For the case of Cu/(111) Au bilayers, copper deposited at and below 315 °C with a 20 min anneal again showed coincidence misfit networks. Higher temperature deposition of copper (or hot stage annealing) resulted in natural lattice misfit dislocations in the microstructure. The densities of both types of dislocations were determined and their TEM hot stage behavior was investigated. The method by which the two networks contribute to the relief of misfit strain in both bilayers is discussed.
The Electrotopological State: An Atom Index for QSAR

A new characterization of atoms in molecules is introduced as the electrotopological state index, which combines both the electronic character and the topological environment of each skeletal atom in a molecule. The electrotopological state (E-state) of a skeletal atom is formulated as an intrinsic value Ii plus a perturbation term ΔIi, arising from the electronic interaction within the molecular topological environment of each atom in the molecule. The atom intrinsic value, for first row atoms, is expressed as I = (δv + 1)δ, in which δv and δ are the counts of valence and sigma electrons, respectively, for the atom in the molecular skeleton. The E-state, Si, for atom i is defined as Si = Ij + ΔIj, where the influence of other atoms on atom i, ΔIi, is given as Σ(Ij — Ij)/rij2; rij is the graph separation between atoms i and j, counted as number of atoms, including i and j. Information in the electrotopological state is revealed by examples of various types of organic structures, including skeletal branching and heteroatom variation. The relation of the E-state value to NMR chemical shift is demonstrated for a series of carbonyl compounds. QSAR examples are given for hydrazide inhibition of MAO and for receptor binding of β-carbolines. These examples reveal the power of this approach to QSAR using atom level indexes, computed directly from molecule connection tables, in which it is possible to identify atoms and regions in the molecule which are important for activity.
Relationship of donor site to chondrogenic potential of periosteum in vitro

Periosteum has been shown in vitro and in vivo to have a chondrogenic potential that permits it to be used for cartilage regeneration. A useful donor site should have good chondrogenic potential, availability of a large quantity of periosteum, and relative ease of access, and it should be associated with a low rate of morbidity. We hypothesized that the chondrogenic potential of periosteum varies from one bone to another and among different regions of the periosteum from a single bone. A total of 370 periosteal and 37 fascia lata (control) explants were taken from the skull, the ilium, the scapula, the upper, middle, and lower medial proximal tibia, the posterior proximal tibia, and the distal tibia of 2-month-old New Zealand rabbits. The explants were cultured for 6 weeks in agarose/Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium to which 10 ng/ml of transforming growth factor-beta 1 was added during the first 2 weeks. Skeletal muscle and fascia lata were used as controls. In addition, the thickness, cell density, and total cell count of the cambium layer were measured in 24 explants from the donor sites on the ilium and the upper, middle, and lower proximal tibia. At 6 weeks, histomorphometry and quantitative collagen typing were performed. The periosteal donor sites could be grouped into three categories according to chondrogenic potential: ilium (best), scapula and tibia, and skull (no chondrogenesis). The scapular periosteum was slightly better than that from the tibia. Within the tibia, the upper and middle zones of the proximal region were similar and were slightly better than the lower proximal tibia or the distal tibia. The cellularity of the cambium layer correlated positively with the amount of cartilage as a percentage of the total area. The results of this study indicate that iliac periosteum exhibited the best overall chondrogenic potential in vitro but that periosteum from the traditionally used medial proximal tibia also was excellent. Periosteum from the skull was not chondrogenic. The chondrogenic potential of periosteum varies from bone to bone and within the periosteum from one bone. This variation in chondrogenic potential among donor sites may be due to a difference in the total cell count of the cambium layer.
The Effect of Understocking Density of Channel Catfish Stockers in Multiple-Batch Production

A multiple-batch study was conducted using stocker catfish (0.09 kg/fish) and carryover fish (0.39 kg/fish) to look at the effects of different stocker densities on fish production. Twelve 0.1-ha ponds were stocked with 7,400; 11,120; or 14,825 stockers/ha, and equal weights of carryover fish (2,268 kg/ha). Fish were fed once daily to apparent satiation with a 32% protein floating feed and aerated with a single 0.37-kW electric paddlewheel aerator. No significant differences were detected for gross, net, and net daily yields, growth (g/d), or survival. Sub-marketable yield (<0.57 kg) increased as stocking density increased. However, marketable yields (≥0.57 kg) were not affected by density. Carryover fish in high-density ponds had a significantly lower (P < 0.05) mean weight at harvest, but mean stocker weight was not different across densities. Economic analysis found breakeven prices increased and net returns decreased with increased stocking density when sub-marketable fish were not considered as reven...
RELIABILITY OF A SIMPLE SHOULDER ENDURANCE TEST

Reduced shoulder endurance in rotator cuff tear patients has been observed clinically. A simple and inexpensive shoulder endurance test protocol was developed. This study reports the test-retest reliability of the protocol. Twenty healthy volunteers without a history of shoulder pathology participated in the study. Each subject was tested twice, each on a separate day. Test-retest correlation coefficients of the arm endurance times were 0.59 and 0.60 for the dominant and nondominant sides, respectively. The protocol appears promising for assessing shoulder function.
R-∊ percolation in moderate-field hopping transport

Abstract The problem of the onset of nonlinear hopping conductivity in disordered systems is addressed using the Mott model. Four effects have been proposed which lead to nonlinearities in the current as a function of the applied electric field in moderate fields. In previous (R percolation) work, a model was used which circumvented two of these effects and evaluated the relative importance of the other two. In the present (R-∊ percolation) work, one of the other effects is included, and it is argued that the remaining effect does not play a role in the resulting model. As in the work for R percolation, a technique is used which employs a percolative approach on the scale of a macrobond and an effective-medium theory on a scale larger than a macrobond. The result is that the current is superlinear, in accordance with previous (but less rigorous) results.
Symbolism and social phenomena: Toward the integration of past and current theoretical approaches

This article takes up, but in a different key, an argument of postmodernists that the over-rationalized conception of society tends to ignore important phenomena such as those belonging to the symb...
Social interactions differentially affect reproductive and immune responses of Siberian hamsters

Social interactions can have pronounced effects on reproductive physiology and behavior in a wide range of species. Much less is known about the effects of social interactions on immunity. The goal of the present study was to test the effects of social interactions on both reproductive and immune responses in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). Male and female hamsters were housed alone, in same-sex pairs or in mixed-sex pairs for 4 weeks. Animals were then immunized with the antigen keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and blood samples were drawn 5 days postinoculation. Reproductive tissue masses, testosterone, 17β-estradiol and cortisol concentrations were measured and immunity was assessed by measuring serum anti-KLH IgM, and mitogen-stimulated splenocyte proliferation. Male hamsters housed with a female had increased testosterone and anti-KLH IgM and elevated splenocyte proliferation compared with males housed alone. Female hamsters housed in same-sex pairs had increased serum IgM compared with females housed with males. Cortisol was elevated in both sexes housed with male conspecifics compared with the other experimental groups. Serum estradiol concentrations did not differ among females in any group. Collectively, the results of the present study suggest that social interactions can alter reproductive responses, but that these changes appear unrelated to changes in immunity. In contrast, the presence of a male conspecific elicits social-stress-induced elevations in serum cortsiol in both males and females, which is generally immunosuppressive. These data support the notion of social-stress-induced suppression of immune humoral and cell-mediated immune responses.
Analysis of an advanced manufacturing cell through computer simulation

The use of a simulation technique with animation capability to analyze an advanced manufacturing cell used in an integrated IC manufacturing facility is described. This animated graphic model includes details of all equipment, the intracell material handling system, and all the process steps from molding through trim/form operations. The simulation model is used to analyze the behavior of the intracell material handling system as measured by the average material handling system utilization, average response times, and process characteristics such as equipment utilization, throughput through the cell, buffer capacities, and work-in-process inventory levels. The model has been used to recommend proper intracell material handling system, equipment, and input/output dock buffer capacities and to understand the actual cell capacity. >
Gap-based modeling of packet losses over the Internet

In packet-switching networks such as the Internet, packet losses occur due to temporary overload situations of shared resources. An accurate model of the packet loss behavior is required to design effective schemes for packet loss recovery. In this paper, we propose the employment of a Markov gap model to model the packet loss process. The results indicate that the Markov gap model is more accurate than other Markov chain models.
The Three Phases of Statistical Mechanics

The foundations of statistical mechanics are reviewed, based on the principle of maximum entropy, and this principle is shown to underlie the fundamental mechanisms of both equilibrium and nonequilibrium phenomena. Representative applications are provided—to quantum statistical systems in the first case, and to classical hydrodynamics in the second. Extensions of these ideas inspired by modern notions of chaos are mentioned, as well as ongoing work directed toward models of fully-developed turbulence.
How to program networked portable computers

What is the correct programming model for networked portable computers? Such computers come in many shapes and sizes, so it is unreasonable to expect that there is one programming model appropriate for every single variety. However, it is likely that there is some model that will work well for a wide range of cases. We propose the intelligently autonomous model for this role. Our goal for a widely applicable model is that it should allow applications to operate during disconnections, and that during disconnections the user shouldn't be surprised, that is, applications should behave predictably. The intelligently autonomous model fulfills these goals by having a remote file system with caching, and allowing user control over the cache. In more detail, we are interested in portable networked computers that: frequently access external data, have a reasonably powerful CPU, have a wireless network that suffers from intermittent, unpredictable disruptions. We survey existing models, and then explain why we think they fall short of user requirements. In particular, we feel that existing models have wrongly assumed that it is not necessary to customize applications for an intermittently connected environment. Then we present our intelligently autonomous model, and give a very brief report of our experiences with a prototype of it. >
Applying Graduate Student Perceptions of Task Engagement to Enhance Learning Conditions

Under what conditions are graduate students most likely to learn? How do we, as teachers, best create those conditions? The answer to these questions was the focus of this study whereby 91 masters’ students identified learning tasks that were most and least engaging. A model utilizing affective, behavioral and cognitive attributes was developed to measure graduate student engagement in learning tasks. Student survey data demonstrated a direct relationship between perceived value of the learning task, perceived effort put forth in achieving the learning task and perceived student engagement in learning. Multiple regression was used to predict engagement; two attributes, value and effort, predicted 93.2% of the variance in student learning task engagement. Results derived from a repeated measures t-test indicated that students performed significantly better, as measured by grades (p = .003), on learning tasks identified as most engaging when compared to learning tasks identified as least engaging.
Preoperative chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced gastric cancer

To examine toxicity and outcomes for patients treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for gastric cancer. Patients with gastroesophageal (GE) junction (Siewert type II and III) or gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent neoadjuvant CRT followed by planned surgical resection at Duke University between 1987 and 2009 were reviewed. Overall survival (OS), local control (LC) and disease-free survival (DFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Toxicity was graded according to the Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. Forty-eight patients were included. Most (73%) had proximal (GE junction, cardia and fundus) tumors. Median radiation therapy dose was 45 Gy. All patients received concurrent chemotherapy. Thirty-six patients (75%) underwent surgery. Pathologic complete response and R0 resection rates were 19% and 86%, respectively. Thirty-day surgical mortality was 6%. At 42 months median follow-up, 3-year actuarial OS was 40%. For patients undergoing surgery, 3-year OS, LC and DFS were 50%, 73% and 41%, respectively. Preoperative CRT for gastric cancer is well tolerated with acceptable rates of perioperative morbidity and mortality. In this patient cohort with primarily advanced disease, OS, LC and DFS rates in resected patients are comparable to similarly staged, adjuvantly treated patients in randomized trials. Further study comparing neoadjuvant CRT to standard treatment approaches for gastric cancer is indicated.
Social ecology, sustainability, and economics

article i nfo What mode of analysis might be employed, that captures the confluent action of material and social systems acting together? The framework of Social Ecology, which first emerged as a rejoinder to the Chicago School of Human Ecology of the early 1900s, evolved over subsequent decades as an attempt at such integration. We revisit social ecology's historical origins and foundational assumptions. We propose that the social ecological framework can offer useful conceptual grounding to scholars of ecological economics. We illustrate how this analytical lens affords a deeper understanding of unsustainable systems and valuation problems.
Spectral reflectance properties (0.4–2.5 μm) of secondary Fe-oxide, Fe-hydroxide, and Fe-sulphate-hydrate minerals associated with sulphide-bearing mine wastes

Diffuse reflectance spectra of 15 mineral species commonly associated with sulphide-bearing mine wastes show diagnostic absorption bands related to electronic processes involving ferric and/or ferrous iron, and to vibrational processes involving water and hydroxyl. Many of these absorption bands are relatively broad and overlapping; however, spectral analysis methods, including continuum removal and derivative analysis, permit most of the minerals to be distinguished. Key spectral differences between the minerals are illustrated in a series of plots showing major absorption band centres and other spectral feature positions. Because secondary iron minerals are sensitive indicators of pH, Eh, relative humidity, and other environmental conditions, spectral mapping of mineral distributions promises to have important application to mine waste remediation studies.
A Reclamation of the Case Against Cow's Milk

The best nutrition for the full-term, healthy newborn remains breast milk, lovingly provided by the mother. Every effort should be made to educate, reemphasize, and reassure the mothers of our patients about this most natural way of infant feeding. Yet, when the situation demands it, properly adjusted cow's milk preparations are a very acceptable substitute. Cow's milk also becomes a part of the diet when the infant is weaned from the breast.
Prevalence of diagnosis and staging of chronic kidney disease by primary care providers in a rural state.

Context: The Kidney Disease Outcomes and Quality Initiative guidelines are the most widely disseminated guidelines regarding the clinical evaluation and management of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Purpose: Assess the prevalence of diagnosis and staging of CKD by primary care providers (PCPs). Methods: For the purpose of this assessment, stage 3 CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 30 and 59 mL/min/1.73 m2 for at least 3 months. Eligible individuals were 1447 white, nondiabetic patients 40-74 years of age. Results: Information on a random sample of 110 patients was analyzed. Chronic kidney disease was reported in 22% of the patients, whereas only 7% of patients had both CKD and stage 3 reported in their medical record. PCPs were significantly more likely to record CKD in male than in female patients (79% vs 34%; P < .001). Patients who had CKD recorded were significantly more likely to be referred to a nephrologist (46% vs 3%; P < .001). Even among patients who had a di...
Properties of polyimide shells made using vapor phase deposition

Hollow polyimide shells, to be used in inertial confinement fusion experiments, were fabricated by codepositing monomer precursors onto spherical mandrels. Polyimide shells with 700 to 950 μm diameters and 4 to 13 μm wall thicknesses were produced. The shell wall shrunk 20–30% due to imidization. Burst and buckle pressure tests on these shells yielded estimated mechanical strength properties: ∼ 15 GPa elastic modulus and ∼ 300 MPa tensile strength. The permeability of D2 through polyamic acid at 298 K was 7.4 × 10−17 mol · m/m2 · Pa · s and increased to 6.4 × 10−16 mol · m/m2 · Pa · s upon curing the shell to 150 °C. The permeability of D2 at 298 K through vapor-deposited polyimide flat films was 240 times greater than through polyamic acid.
Method of linking Medicaid records to birth certificates may affect infant outcome statistics.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed how different methods of matching Medicaid records to birth certificates affect Medicaid infant outcome statistics. METHODS: Claims paid by Medicaid for hospitalization of the newborn and for the mother's delivery were matched separately to 1995 North Carolina live birth certificates. RESULTS: Infant mortality and low-birthweight rates were consistently lower when Medicaid was defined by a matching newborn hospitalization record than when results were based on a matching Medicaid delivery record. CONCLUSIONS: Studies of birth outcomes in the Medicaid population may have variable results depending on the method of matching that is used to identify Medicaid births.
Design principles for Brownian molecular machines: how to swim in molasses and walk in a hurricane.

Protein molecular motors—perfected over the course of millions of years of evolution—play an essential role in moving and assembling biological structures. Recently chemists have been able to synthesize molecules that emulate in part the remarkable capabilities of these biomolecular motors (for extensive reviews see the recent papers: E. R. Kay, D. A. Leigh and F. Zerbetto, Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2006, 46, 72–191; W. R. Browne and B. L. Feringa, Nat. Nanotechnol., 2006, 1, 25–35; M. N. Chatterjee, E. R. Kay and D. A. Leigh, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2006, 128, 4058–4073; G. S. Kottas, L. I. Clarke, D. Horinek and J. Michl, Chem. Rev., 2005, 105, 1281–1376; M. A. Garcia-Garibay, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., U. S. A., 2005, 102, 10771–10776)). Like their biological counterparts, many of these synthetic machines function in an environment where viscous forces dominate inertia—to move they must “swim in molasses”. Further, the thermal noise power exchanged reversibly between the motor and its environment is many orders of magnitude greater than the power provided by the chemical fuel to drive directed motion. One might think that moving in a specific direction would be as difficult as walking in a hurricane. Yet biomolecular motors (and increasingly, synthetic motors) move and accomplish their function with almost deterministic precision. In this Perspective we will investigate the physical principles that govern nanoscale systems at the single molecule level and how these principles can be useful in designing synthetic molecular machines.
Spatiotemporal Network Analysis and Visualization

Spatiotemporal social network analysis shows relationships among people at a particular time and location. This paper presents an algorithm that mines text for person and location words and creates connections among words. It shows how this algorithm output, when chunked by time intervals, may be visualized by third-party social network analysis software in the form of standard network pin diagrams or geographic maps. Its data sample comes from newspaper articles concerning the 2006 Darfur crisis in Sudan. Given an immense data sample, it would be possible to use the algorithm to detect trends that would predict the next geographic center(s) of influence and types of actors (foreign dignitaries or domestic leaders, for example). This algorithm should be widely generalizable to many text domains as long as the external resources are modified accordingly.
Field Investigation of Success Factors of Fish Passageways in Oregon

This paper discusses the results of a field investigation of 19 fish passageways constructed by the Oregon Department of Transportation. The intent of these passageways is to avoid significant disruption to the habitats required for a healthy life cycle for fish and other aquatic organisms. The field investigation of physical factors that may correlate with successful passageways may provide insight into more reliable and sustainable solutions to the problem of constructing highway crossings over natural waterways. The investigation is part of a larger study of whether construction practices may be additional factors that result in success. The researchers collected measurement information, including slopes, channel configurations, crossing structure characteristics, and streambed soil characteristics. The sites were judged on the basis of their suitability as fish passageways; for analytical purposes, a success factor was created and used to rate each site on the basis of the field observations. The phys...