cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bridging the gap between vision and commercial applications

There is a large gap between academic vision research and industrial machine vision applications. A cross-fertilization between academic and industrial researchers is of mutual benefit: it leads to practical applications of benefits to industry as well as offering real-world challenges that deepen research understanding. A cross-disciplinary atmosphere between academia and industry should be encourages by appropriate funding sources in government, academia, and industry should be encouraged by appropriate funding sources in government, academia, and industry. Three real-life projects in the author's experience at General Motors demonstrate the potential payoffs of such an approach. An understanding of human hyperacuity mechanisms led to a subpixel method for finding circuit board locations to extremely high accuracy using a low-cost machine vision system. Research on the neural basis of primate color vision led to a proposed new type of color display, based on opponent mechanisms, that should be cheaper than conventional RGB displays. Also, a study of primate motion vision led to machines on the plant floor, and the sensor and display devices needed for vehicles of the 21st century, will greatly benefit from closer interaction between academic and industrial researchers.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Space Shuttle Main Engine instrumented High Pressure Oxidizer Turbopump technology test bed testing results summary

This paper presents the test results from the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) instrumented High Pressure Oxidizer Turbopump (HPOTP). The turbopump was tested on Engine 3001, a highly instrumented engine, in an effort to characterize the turbopump and the engine system. Seven tests, for a total duration of 766 seconds, were performed over a five month time period. The testing was performed at a wide variety of engine conditions. Changes in engine mixture ratio, power level, engine inlet oxidizer pressure, engine inlet fuel pressure, and engine start sequence were made. A discussion of all the HPOTP pressure and temperature data obtained are presented with comparisons to supporting analyses made where applicable. The effect of the various engine conditions on the measured data is addressed. This paper also discusses the challenges that were overcome to obtain the data. The significant instrumentation related problems encountered during the design, fabrication, and testing of this turbopump are summarized. Only those issues that affected the data obtained or the instrumentation itself are discussed. The relevance of the data to other noninstrumented turbomachinery is outlined. Conclusions and recommendations resulting from the test series will be presented.
Strategy in inhibition of cathepsin B, a target in tumor invasion and metastasis.

Cathepsin B, a cysteine protease, is an important target in fighting cancer. This enzyme has been implicated in enhancing tumor invasiveness and metastasis, therefore inhibitors for cathepsin B are highly sought as potential anticancer and antimetastatic agents. A structure-based design effort was pursued in arriving at a template for inhibition of cathepsin B. Focused compound libraries were synthesized based on this template, which were screened for cathepsin B inhibitory properties. Compound 2, 1-(2(R)-{1(S)-acetoxy-2-[2(S)−(2,4-difluoro-benzoylamino)-3-phenyl-propionylaminooxy]-2-oxo-ethyl}-pentanoyl)-pyrrolidine-2(S)-carboxylic acid benzyl ester, is the prototype of this novel class of cysteine protease inhibitor that emerged from the search. The molecule modifies the active site of cathepsin B covalently, irreversibly, and efficiently, a process for which the kinetic parameters were evaluated. A set of three judiciously altered variants of compound 2 was also synthesized to explore the details of th...
Optimization of UV-light-modified multidomain cell for large-size TFT-LCDs

The multi-domain technology of UV light modified method has been further studied for the application to TFT/LCDs. The additional process is only UV light irradiation through the sub-pixel mask onto the polyimide film. The cell design of pre-tilt control and LC alignment optimization has been studied. The pre-tilt angle difference and the lower pre- tilt angle between the upper and the lower glass substrate are the key to apply this technology to TFT/LCD, the value are more than 2 degree and less than 1 degree, respectively. The process dependency of this technology has also been evaluated and proved its application to TFT/LCD cell process. The opto-electrical characteristics will be described including charge retention, transmittance-voltage curve, and driving life issue.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A convex “Ferguson plot” of polystyrene particles in electrophoresis on 0.25 to 2.0 % polyacrylamide (30 % Bis-crosslinked)

The plot of log(mobility) vs. gel concentration for polystyrene particles of 26.9 and 44.2 nm radius in 30% Bis-crosslinked polyacrylamide below 2.2 %T, containing 22.5% Metrizamide and 6 M urea, is convex. The convex plots of the two particles are essentially parallel. This parallelism suggests a retardation by a mechanism other than sieving. The parallel plots cover a range of polyacrylamide concentrations characterized by progressive fluidity as %T is lowered below 2 %T. The convex curvature renders suspect the previous free mobility and valence determinations in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis obtained by linear extrapolation of Ferguson plots to 0 %T. Nonlinear extrapolation to 0 % T of plots of log(mobility) vs. gel concentration in the concentration range below 2 %T of 30% Bis-crosslinked polyacrylamide for the two polystyrene particles, corrected for the effects on mobilities of Metrizamide, urea and a lower ionic strength, provides free mobility values similar to those obtained under otherwise identical conditions on agarose gel electrophoresis.
Amine composition influences apparent activity of enzyme in charged film microcapsules.

AbstractIt has been shown that, when captured in charged film microcapsules prepared from spermine alginate, intact viruses retain infectivity, isolated viral proteins retain immunogenicity, and trypsin retains enzymatic activity. However, it was unclear whether the greater anionic strength of hemisulfate residues such as those in carrageenan might alter protein conformation and activity unfavourably in comparison with the lesser influence of alginate carboxylates. Further, the influence of the structure of the amine used to prepare the capsules was largely unknown. To examine these questions, trypsin, used as a model protein, was encased in microcapsules prepared from iota-carrageenan and oligoamines drawn from either the homologous series spermine, spermidine, putrescine or ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepenta-mine. The gross structures of encapsulated and native trypsin were compared by denaturing electrophoresis and their enzymatic activity by the method of Hum...
Tunable hybrid mode-locked dye laser operating in the range 735–760 nm

Abstract Hybrid mode-locking of two near infra-red dyes, Pyridine 2 and Rhodamine 700 is reported. Five different absorber dyes are used to produce the optimum gain/absorber dye combination for operation at 745 nm. The laser, tuned using a birefringent filter, produces pulses down to 325 fs long and the untuned laser, incorporating intracavity dispersion compensation, generates pulses
q -Analogs of the binomial coefficient congruences of Babbage, Wolstenholme and Glaisher

Abstract The object of this paper is to provide q -analogs of several classical binomial coefficient congruences due to Babbage, Wolstenholme and Glaisher. The q -analogs turn out to be succinct and unexpected.
Gynecologic cancer among the socioeconomically disadvantaged

It is difficult to discern the true dimensions of the relationship between poverty and gynecologic cancer. In well designed studies of patients with gynecologic cancers, demographic stratification usually is performed based on race/ethnicity, age, or geographic locale, but not on economic class. The unstated assumption of many of these reports is that women of color, inhabitants of rural communities, and older women are all poor. Although it is true that these populations are overrepresented among the poor, unless the variable of economic class is specifically evaluated, the broad nature of the problem may go unappreciated : the status of gynecologic cancers among the poor is primarily a reflection of a deeply rooted structural problem in the U.S. economy, the reverberations of which are experienced by all women who cannot afford regular health care. When women are poor and have gynecologic cancers, they often seek orthodox health care only after the symptoms have become unbearable. Explanations of this phenomenon include underlying feelings of pessimism, fatalism, or low self-esteem ; faith in a belief system that does not regard the physician as the person to whom one goes for prevention or treatment of diseases ; inaccessibility of health care facilities ; experiences interpreted as degrading once health care facilities are accessed ; high risk behavior and inability to pay. Programs that find effective ways around structural and functional problems of daily life and that respect and understand cultural norms have the best chance of finding temporary solutions to this national problem.
Kantianism, Moral Worth and Human Welfare

Introduction 1. Kantian Analysis: From Duty to Autonomy 2. Is Good Will Over-Rated? 3. Hypothetical Consent in Kantian Constructivism 4. Beneficence and Self-Love 5. Reasonable Self-Interest 6. Happiness and Human Flourishing 7. Meeting Needs and Doing Favors 8. Personal Values and Setting Ends 9. Four Conceptions of Conscience 10. Wrongdoing, Desert, and Punishment 11. Punishment, Conscience, and Moral Worth 12. Moral Dilemmas, Gaps, and Residues Bibliography, Index
Meningioma of the third ventricle.

A case of meningioma of the third ventricle is described. The tumor was completely removed using a transcallosal approach.
Some remarks on the models of plate tectonics on terrestrial planets: From the view-point of mineral physics

Abstract Some mineral physics-related issues are reviewed that are closely related to the operation of plate tectonics on terrestrial planets with different mass. Plate tectonic style of convection would occur when the surface layer has only modest strength relative to the stress generated by mantle convection so that it can deform and subduct into the mantle. Both the stress on the lithosphere generated by mantle convection and the resistance of the lithosphere for subduction depend on the relevant materials properties. A review is presented on the scaling relationships between relevant physical properties and planet mass and on the strength of the lithosphere. It is shown that if physically plausible scaling is made both for the relevant materials properties and the macroscopic energy balance, a large Earth-like planet may not necessarily have plate tectonics. In addition to the internal processes, the surface conditions such as the surface temperature may also play an important role via its effects on the thickness of thermal or chemical lithosphere, making it difficult for plate tectonics to operate on small planets. Therefore, in this model, plate tectonics would operate on planets with modest size like Earth, but the validity of this conclusion hinges on the characterization of (i) the influence of pressure-dependent properties on the vigor of convection and of (ii) the resistance for subduction. In particular, the processes determining the resistance for subduction have an important influence on the operation of plate tectonics. Key issues are highlighted that require further studies including the influence of depth-dependent properties on convection and the formulation of the resistance of the lithosphere for subduction.
Global greenhouse studies: Need for a new approach to ecosystem manipulation

As time progresses, the world is changing in ways that are describable, but we are still unable to predict these changes with any degree of accuracy. Radiative and chemical properties of the atmosphere, global climate, and global ecology are dynamic and measurable, but they are also linked to each other in complex and poorly understood ways. While many of the physical and biological sub-processes are understood and modeled in great detail, predictive capabilities are poor if the linkages are not understood. Fortunately, linking of complex models across scientific disciplines (e.g., atmospheric chemistry-climate-agronomy-economics) to analyze large scale interactions has begun. 54 refs.
Quality and Maturity Indices for Postharvest Handling of Southern peas

Purple hull pinkeye southern peas were harvested at three levels of maturity, shelled and stored at three temperatures (1, 5, and 20°C). Samples were evaluated at three storage intervals (1, 4 and 7 days) using 11 different indicators of quality. Alcohol insoluble solids and total solids measurements were most closely related to maturity differences. Derived instrumental color functions (AH and AE), pH, total acidity, and % green peas were the quality indices providing the best separation of the effects of maturity and storage. Instrumental color values were more ciosely correlated to changes in % green peas than total chlorophyll concentration. The proposed indices provide the means for a unified study of quality changes in sourthern peas during all stages of postharvest handling.
Hydrogen stabilization of metallic vanadium dioxide in single-crystal nanobeams

The metal–insulator transition in vanadium dioxide can be reversibly suppressed to cryogenic temperatures by doping with atomic hydrogen.
Zeros of Functions with Finite Dirichlet Integral

In this paper, we refine a result of Nagel, Rudin, and Shapiro (1982) concerning the zeros of holomorphic functions on the unit disk with finite Dirichlet integral.
Modification and characterization of ultrafiltration membranes for treatment of produced water

This contribution describes the surface modification of low molecular weight cutoff regenerated cellulose ultrafiltration membranes by grafting poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)-block-poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate) (PPEGMA) nanolayers from the membrane surface using surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. The objective of the work was to change the membrane surface properties in ways that limit foulant accumulation on these membranes and provide an easy, chemical-free way to remove any attached foulants during produced water filtration. ATR-FTIR spectra confirmed the successful grafting of both polymers from the membrane surface. Analysis of AFM topographical images indicated that membrane surface roughness decreased slightly from 2.6 nm for the unmodified membrane to 1.7 nm following PNIPAAm-b-PPEGMA modification. The performance of the modified membranes was tested by measuring water flux using synthetic produced water developed from an oil-in-water emulsion. Polymer grafting led to a roughly 40% decrease in the water flux, but the final flux was comparable to commercial membranes used for removal of organics with high salt passage. Furthermore, modified membranes showed slower flux decline than unmodified membranes, and, hence, the modified membranes allowed a 13.8% higher cumulative volume of water to be processed over a 40 h cross-flow filtration run. To test potential for chemical-free cleaning, filtration runs were carried out before and after a temperature-controlled water rinse. Flux recovery was better for the modified membranes after a cold water rinse. The flux recovered fully to initial values for both the PNIPAAm- and PNIPAAm-b-PPEGMA-modified membranes; while only ∼81% of the initial flux was recovered for the unmodified membrane. All three membranes exhibited poor salt rejection, as would be expected for ultrafiltration membranes. However, TOC removal efficiencies were higher than 97% for PNIPAAm-b-PPEGMA-modified membranes. Taken together, results from this work indicate that PNIPAAm-b-PPEGMA modified ultrafiltration membranes could be used to separate emulsified oils from large volumes of produced water at high flux.
The mechanism of tumor allograft survival induced by CP-17,193.

CP-17,193 was examined in vivo for its immunosuppressive effects and for its promotion of E1(4) tumor allograft survival. At a dose of 10 mg/kg p.o., it was shown to suppress the development of both antibody-dependent and cellular cytotoxicity for E1(4) cells. After cessation of drug treatment, and in contrast to what is observed with cyclophosphamide, the humoral immune response was promptly restored. The restoration of cellular cytotoxicity followed a more protracted course, and the tumor allograft was not rejected by day 24. Three possible mechanisms of immunosuppression were examined. CP-17,193 was shown to inhibit the formation of IL-2 sensitive blasts. However, it had no effect on T cell proliferation using performed blasts in the presence of added IL-2, and it did inhibit IL-2 production. Its immunosuppressive effects might therefore be explained by an inhibition of some initial step of lymphocyte activation which interferes with the T lymphocyte's ability to progress on to cell division and IL-2 production after stimulation.
Enhanced Activity of Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon Mixtures as aryl Hydrocarbon (Ah) Receptor Agonists

Abstract The relative potencies of benzo[a]pyrene and a complex mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) produced as by-products of manufactured gas plant (MGP) residues as inducers of hepatic microsomal ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) were determined in the B6C3F1 mouse. The ED50 values for the induction response were 78 and 65 mg/kg for benzo[a]pyrene and the MGP-PAH mixture, respectively, although benzo[a]pyrene and other compounds containing four or more rings were only trace components of this mixture. A comparison of the EROD induction potencies of benzo[a]pyrene and the MGP-PAH mixture showed that the mixture was approximately 706 times more active than expected based on its benzo[a]pyrene content (0.17%). The enhanced activity of the MGP-PAH mixture was also observed for several other aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor-mediated responses, including inhibition of the splenic plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to both T-cell-dependent and independent antigens in B6C3F1 mice. The nature of t...
Role of Protein Kinase C in the Translational Regulation of Lipoprotein Lipase in Adipocytes

Abstract The hypertriglyceridemia of diabetes is accompanied by decreased lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in adipocytes. Although the mechanism for decreased LPL is not known, elevated glucose is known to increase diacylglycerol, which activates protein kinase C (PKC). To determine whether PKC is involved in the regulation of LPL, we studied the effect of 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) on adipocytes. LPL activity was inhibited when TPA was added to cultures of 3T3-F442A and rat primary adipocytes. The inhibitory effect of TPA on LPL activity was observed after 6 h of treatment, and was observed at a concentration of 6 nm. 100 nm TPA yielded maximal (80%) inhibition of LPL. No stimulation of LPL occurred after short term addition of TPA to cultures. To determine whether TPA treatment of adipocytes decreased LPL synthesis, cells were labeled with [35S]methionine and LPL protein was immunoprecipitated. LPL synthetic rate decreased after 6 h of TPA treatment. Western blot analysis of cell lysates indicated a decrease in LPL mass after TPA treatment. Despite this decrease in LPL synthesis, there was no change in LPL mRNA in the TPA-treated cells. Long term treatment of cells with TPA is known to down-regulate PKC. To assess the involvement of the different PKC isoforms, Western blotting was performed. TPA treatment of 3T3-F442A adipocytes decreased PKC α, β, δ, and e isoforms, whereas PKC λ, θ, ζ, μ, ι, and γ remained unchanged or decreased minimally. To directly assess the effect of PKC inhibition, PKC inhibitors (calphostin C and staurosporine) were added to cultures. The PKC inhibitors inhibited LPL activity rapidly (within 60 min). Thus, activation of PKC did not increase LPL, but inhibition of PKC resulted in decreased LPL synthesis by inhibition of translation, indicating a constitutive role of PKC in LPL gene expression.
Time-Resolved Imaging of Material Response Following Laser-Induced Breakdown in the Bulk and Surface of Fused Silica

Optical components within high energy laser systems are susceptible to laser-induced material modification when the breakdown threshold is exceeded or damage is initiated by pre-existing impurities or defects. These modifications are the result of exposure to extreme conditions involving the generation of high temperatures and pressures and occur on a volumetric scale of the order of a few cubic microns. The response of the material following localized energy deposition, including the timeline of events and the individual processes involved during this timeline, is still largely unknown. In this work, we investigate the events taking place during the entire timeline in both bulk and surface damage in fused silica using a set of time-resolved microscopy systems. These microscope systems offer up to 1 micron spatial resolution when imaging static or dynamic effects, allowing for imaging of the entire process with adequate temporal and spatial resolution. These systems incorporate various pump-probe geometries designed to optimize the sensitivity for detecting individual aspects of the process such as the propagation of shock waves, near-surface material motion, the speed of ejecta, and material transformations. The experimental results indicate that the material response can be separated into distinct phases, some terminating within a few tens of nanoseconds but some extending up to about 100 microseconds. Overall the results demonstrate that the final characteristics of the modified region depend on the material response to the energy deposition and not on the laser parameters.
Challenges of remote border monitoring

Monitoring long lengths of remote borders with ground surveillance methods, presents many challenges. This paper will discuss three in particular that must be addressed in order to build an effective remote ground surveillance system. The three issues are: (1) providing reliable and efficient power, (2) providing adequate and timely maintenance to minimize downtime, and (3) networking systems for effective data transmission. A well planned remote ground surveillance system that overcomes each of these three challenges will provide a cost-effective solution requiring minimal support infrastructure solution to meet border monitoring and protection needs.
Salivary IgA antibody to oral streptococcal antigens in predentate infants.

Salivary IgA antibodies to oral streptococci which colonize the infant oral cavity soon after birth were analyzed in 53 whole salivas of 17 infants who were between three and 27 weeks old. Antibody activities to Streptococcus mitis cells were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay in 78% of the whole salivas by the twelfth week of age. This antibody activity was associated with polymeric IgA as determined after gel filtration of salivas on Superose 6, followed by ELISA. Western blot analyses were used to detect IgA antibodies to Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus salivarius culture supernatants. Forty one, and 91% of saliva samples contained IgA antibody which reacted in Western blot analyses with S. salivarius and S. mitis culture supernatants, respectively. The youngest infant to show reactive IgA antibody with either oral streptococcal antigen preparation was five weeks old. Salivary IgA antibody to either bacterial culture supernatant was detected in Western blot only after the isolation of the respective streptococcal species from the oral cavity of these young infants. Some heterogeneity was observed among patterns developed with salivas from different infants. These results suggest that salivary IgA antibody responses may be induced by oral colonization (S. mitis, S. salivarius) by the end of the first month of life.
Validity of Stanford-Binet IV with linguistically precocious toddlers☆

Abstract Thirty toddlers selected for linguistic precocity were administered standardized measures of cognitive and language development at ages 20, 24, and 30 months, including the Bayley Mental Scale and selected tests from Stanford-Binet Fourth Edition (S-B IV) (20 months); S-B IV and Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Revised (PPVT-R) (24 months); and S-B IV, Stanford-Binet Form L-M (S-B L-M), and PPVT-R (30 months). S-B IV yielded composite scores lower than those of the other cognitive measures, particularly at 24 months. Except for S-B IV at 24 months, there was substantial correspondence within domains, not only within a single age but across ages. Validity of the S-B IV at 24 months appears questionable, even with this linguistically advanced group. Practical roblems in use of this test with very young children were discussed.
NEW PHASES OF N2O4 AT HIGH PRESSURES AND HIGH TEMPERATURES

Abstract High P–T studies of molecular N2O4 using Raman, synchrotron infrared, and X-ray diffraction measurements reveal several new phenomena. Significant changes in the vibrational spectra indicate a phase transition at about 12 GPa. The X-ray diffraction measurements show that the material remains cubic through the transition. We ascribe the transition to a change in the molecular geometry of N2O4 within the cubic unit cell. Further vibrational spectra of heated samples enabled observation of another phase, the ionic isomer NO+NO3− produced at high pressures and temperatures. These studies provide new information on the phase diagram and stability of N2O4 at high P–T conditions.
The Difficulty of Escaping Preconceptions in Writing an Article About the Difficulty of Escaping Preconceptions: Commentary on Hunt and Carlson (2007).

If not for two major unsupported statements, "Considerations Relating to the Study of Group Differences in Intelligence" would be a superb piece. As it is, Hunt and Carlson (2007, this issue) have written a generally excellent guide to the thorny problem of studying group differences in intelligence. Such an article sensible, well-written, and balanced was sorely needed. This is a field that has been an ideological landmine. We are delighted to see a major work of this high caliber, motivated by science rather than ideology, published in Perspectives on Psychological Science, However, we believe there are two major unsupported statements that mar this otherwise excellent article.
Drug-Addicted, Pregnant Women: Punishment Or Treatment?:

Frustrations over the drug problem in the United States have led to calls for increasing penalties for traffickers and for holding drug users accountable. The latter has been heard more recently with respect to drug-addicted, pregnant women. At the same time, a portion of the public has called for treating these drug-addicted women. Consequently, drug-addicted, pregnant women have received both punitive action and treatment endeavors. Many advocates for these women, however, state that a woman's rights to privacy and autonomy are violated when efforts are made to punish or forcibly treat them. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to discuss the rationales for both punishment and treatment for drug-addicted, pregnant women and the implications of both policies.
Case-based approach to managing angle closure glaucoma with anterior segment imaging

This is a case-based approach to the diagnosis and management of angle closure glaucoma of a variety of causative factors, with a special emphasis on the use of advanced anterior segment imaging including ultrasound biomicroscopy and anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Although all angle closure is caused by iridotrabecular contact, the cause of angle closure glaucoma is classified based on the site of primary blockage of aqueous movement from anterior to posterior: pupillary block, plateau iris, lens-related, and posterior causative factors. Although gonioscopy is traditionally used to visualize the angle structures and estimate the angle width, objective and reproducible measurement of the anterior chamber angle can best be obtained with advanced anterior segment imaging. In this review article, we demonstrate the utility of anterior advanced imaging to identify underlying mechanisms in cases of angle closure glaucoma in guiding directed management.
Effect of HIV integrase inhibitors on the RAG1/2 recombinase

Assembly of functional Ig and T cell receptor genes by V(D)J recombination depends on site-specific cleavage of chromosomal DNA by the RAG1/2 recombinase. As RAG1/2 action has mechanistic similarities to DNA transposases and integrases such as HIV-1 integrase, we sought to determine how integrase inhibitors of the diketo acid type would affect the various activities of RAG1/2. Both of the inhibitors we tested interfered with DNA cleavage and disintegration activities of RAG1/2, apparently by disrupting interaction with the DNA motifs bound specifically by the recombinase. The inhibitors did not ablate RAG1/2's transposition activity or capture of nonspecific transpositional target DNA, suggesting this DNA occupies a site on the recombinase different from that used for specific binding. These results further underscore the similarities between RAG1/2 and integrase and suggest that certain integrase inhibitors may have the potential to interfere with aspects of B and T cell development.
Bayesian Estimation of the Binomial Parameter

Abstract : A recent paper by Feldman and Fox (1968) discussed the estimation of the parameter n in the binomial distribution when the other parameter p is known. This paper gives a Bayesian treatment of the problem both when p is known and when p is unknown. The Bayesian approach is a very practical one and is especially easy to apply in small problems because less computing is involved. It also does not require any appeal to asymptotic distributional results. (Author)
Current Accounts in a Currency Union

A fear about EMU was that in the absence of national currencies, country-specific shocks would result in greater current account divergences between member states. This paper finds that divergences across euro-area countries are smaller and have not risen relative to those across 13 other advanced economies with more flexible exchange rates. Also, the size of country-specific current account shocks in EMU countries is smaller and their persistence is greater than in the other advanced economies. However, these differences in current account dynamics do not appear related to different exchange rate dynamics.
Fetal hypothalamic transplants promote survival and functional regeneration of axotomized adult supraoptic magnocellular neurons.

Abstract This study investigated the mechanisms by which fetal hypothalamic transplants promote functional recovery in neurohypophysectomized rats. Seven days after neurohypophysectomy (resulting in urine osmolalities of about 800 mOsm), young adult male Long-Evans rats received either fetal hypothalamic grafts ( n = 10) or sham transplants ( n = 7). Recovery from the lesioned-induced diabetes insipidus was monitored for 6 months and then the transplant sites were evaluated by immunocytochemistry. Surviving host supraoptic magnocellular neurons and neurophysin-positive grafted neurons were counted and their formation of neurohemal contacts evaluated by retrograde transport of systemically injected horseradish peroxidase (HRP). There were significantly more surviving supraoptic magnocellular neurons in neurohypophysectomized animals with median eminence-placed grafts (2236 ± 261 neurons/animal) than in animals with ectopic tissue grafts (895 ± 142 neurons/animal) or sham implants (1052 ± 92 neurons/animal). Almost all surviving host magnocellular neurons were labeled with retrogradely transported HRP while virtually none of the grafted neurophysin positive cells showed evidence of HRP uptake. The degree of functional recovery was directly correlated with the increased survival of host neurons. By 8 weeks post-transplantation, animals with median eminence-placed grafts had recovered from their diabetes insipidus and could concentrate their urine to within normal limits (2,120 ± 110 mOsm). This recovery was stable for the remainder of the 6 month test period. In contrast, animals with ectopic grafts and sham transplants had permanent deficits in fluid regulation. Our results provide evidence for the long-term capacity of fetal neural tissue implants to rescue host neurons from the cell death that typically occurs in the mature central nervous system after axotomy. In addition, these results demonstrate that the surviving neurons can regenerate and establish functionally appropriate connections in the adult brain.
Unilateral and bilateral hypogastric artery interruption during aortoiliac aneurysm repair in 154 patients: a relatively innocuous procedure.

Abstract Objective: Hypogastric artery (HA) occlusion during aortic aneurysm repair has been associated with considerable morbidity. We analyzed the consequences of interrupting one or both HAs in the standard surgical or endovascular treatment of aortoiliac aneurysms (AIAs). Methods: From 1992 to 2000, 154 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (n = 66), iliac aneurysms (n = 28), or AIAs (n = 60) required interruption of one (n = 134) or both (n = 20) HAs as part of their endovascular (n = 107) or open repair (n = 47). Endovascular treatment was performed with a variety of industry- or surgeon-made grafts in combination with coil embolization of the HAs. The standard surgical techniques included oversewing or excluding the origins of the HAs and extending the prosthetic graft to the external iliac or femoral artery. Results: There were no cases of buttock necrosis, ischemic colitis requiring laparotomy, or death when one or both HAs were interrupted. Persistent buttock claudication occurred after 16 (12%) of the unilateral and 2 (11%) of the bilateral HA interruptions. Impotence occurred in 7 (9%) of the unilateral and 2 (13%) of the bilateral HA interruptions. Minor neurologic deficits of the lower extremity were observed in 2 (1.5%) of the patients with unilateral HA interruption. Conclusions: Although HA flow should be preserved if possible, selective interruption of one or both HAs can usually be accomplished safely during endovascular and open repair of anatomically challenging AIAs. We believe other comorbid factors such as shock, distal embolization, or the failure to preserve collateral branches from the external iliac and femoral arteries may have contributed to the morbidity in other reports of HA interruption. (J Vasc Surg 2001;33:S27-32.)
Higher modal dynamic plastic behavior of beams loaded impulsively

The higher modal dynamic plastic response of fully clamped beams has been examined using various rigid perfectly plastic theoretical procedures and a numerical elastic-plastic computer code. The theoretical predictions of equation, which retain the influence of geometry changes, and the numerical results agree reasonably well with the corresponding experimental values on strain rate insensitive beams which were subjected to first and second modal initial velocity distributions. However, all the experimental results for the third mode case lie below the various theoretical methods and numerical results, the reason for which is possible due to the neglect of transverse shear effects.
Childhood Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome

Although research published during the past year suggests the prevalence of childhood obesity in the USA may have plateaued, it remains unacceptably high and places large numbers of youths at elevated risk of chronic diseases. The concept of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is frequently used to help capture this increased risk. Use of the MetS concept with children remains controversial, however. Addressing issues related to the definition of the MetS and its utility in clinical and research settings has generated a variety of recent investigative efforts. At the same time, the past year revealed a number of promising prevention and treatment interventions for childhood obesity and the MetS. Still unknown, however, is the optimal combination of diet, exercise, and other behavioral changes for improving the obesity and MetS status of children. These issues are the subject of this review.
15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 modulates manganese-induced activation of the NF-κB, Nrf2, and PI3K pathways in astrocytes

Excessive exposure to manganese (Mn) increases levels of oxidative stressors and proinflammatory mediators, such as cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin E(2). Mn also activates nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), an important mediator of inflammation. The signaling molecule 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J(2) (15 d-PGJ(2)) is an anti-inflammatory prostaglandin. Here, we tested the hypothesis that 15 d-PGJ(2) modulates Mn-induced activation of astrocytic intracellular signaling, including NF-κB and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), a master regulator of antioxidant transcriptional responses. The results establish that 15 d-PGJ(2) suppresses Mn-induced NF-κB activation by interacting with several signaling pathways. The PI3K/Akt pathway, which is upstream of NF-κB, plays a role in this activation, because (i) pretreatment with 15 d-PGJ(2) (10 μM for 1h) significantly (p<0.01) inhibited Mn (500 μM)-induced PI3K/Akt activation and (ii) inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway with LY29004 significantly (p<0.05) decreased NF-κB activation. 15 d-PGJ(2) also significantly (p<0.05) attenuated Mn-induced astrocytic NF-κB activation by inhibiting the Mn-induced phosphorylation of IκB kinase and subsequent IκB-α degradation. Because Mn-induced oxidative stress is also associated with Nrf2 activation, additional studies addressed the ability of 15 d-PGJ(2) to modulate the Nrf2 pathway. 15 d-PGJ(2) significantly (p<0.01) increased Nrf2 expression in whole-cell lysates. Consistent with its pro-oxidant properties, Mn also increased Nrf2 expression. Nevertheless, cotreatment of whole-cell lysates with both Mn and 15 d-PGJ(2) partially suppressed (p<0.01) the 15 d-PGJ(2)-induced increase in astrocytic Nrf2 protein expression. Mn treatment also decreased (p<0.001) expression of DJ-1, a Parkinson disease-associated protein and a stabilizer of Nrf2, and 15 d-PGJ(2) attenuated Mn-induced astrocytic inhibition of DJ-1 expression. Collectively, these results demonstrate that 15d-PGJ(2) exerts a protective effect in astrocytes against Mn-induced inflammation and oxidative stress by modulating the activation of the NF-κB and Nrf2 signaling pathways.
Infant socialization in Primates

Abstract This review considers evolutionary trends, functions, stages, and current issues in Primate socialization. The concept of social “set” is discussed in the context of the interactional nature of socialization, where the infant is regarded as a primary effector in its own socialization. Laboratory approaches and measurement techniques are reviewed briefly.
Ultrasonic Interferometers Revisited

I have been tinkering with ultrasonic transducers once more. In earlier notes I reported on optics-like experiments performed with ultrasonics,1 described a number of ultrasonic interferometers,2 and showed how ultrasonic transducers can be used for Fourier analysis.3 This time I became interested in trying the technique of using two detectors in acoustic interferometers instead of the usual one.
Bayes Error Rate Estimation Using Classifier Ensembles

The Bayes error rate gives a statistical lower bound on the error achievable for a given classification problem and the associated choice of features. By reliably estimating th is rate, one can assess the usefulness of the feature set that is being used for classification. Moreover, by comparing the accuracy achieved by a given classifier with the Bayes rate, one can quantify how effective that classifier is. Classical approaches for estimating or finding bounds for the Bayes error, in general, yield rather weak results for small sample sizes; unless the problem has some simple characteristics, such as Gaussian class-conditional likelihoods. This article shows how the outputs of a classifier ensemble can be used to provide reliable and easily obtainable estimates of the Bayes error with negligible extra computation. Three methods of varying sophistication are described. First, we present a framework that estimates the Bayes error when multiple classifiers, each providing an estimate of the a posteriori class probabilities, a recombined through averaging. Second, we bolster this approach by adding an information theoretic measure of output correlation to the estimate. Finally, we discuss a more general method that just looks at the class labels indicated by ensem ble members and provides error estimates based on the disagreements among classifiers. The methods are illustrated for artificial data, a difficult four-class problem involving underwater acoustic data, and two problems from the Problem benchmarks. For data sets with known Bayes error, the combiner-based methods introduced in this article outperform existing methods. The estimates obtained by the proposed methods also seem quite reliable for the real-life data sets for which the true Bayes rates are unknown.
Regional stiffening with aging in tibialis anterior tendons of mice occurs independent of changes in collagen fibril morphology

The incidence of tendon degeneration and rupture increases with advancing age. The mechanisms underlying this increased risk remain unknown but may arise because of age-related changes in tendon mechanical properties and structure. Our purpose was to determine the effect of aging on tendon mechanical properties and collagen fibril morphology. Regional mechanical properties and collagen fibril characteristics were determined along the length of tibialis anterior (TA) tendons from adult (8- to 12-mo-old) and old (28- to 30-mo-old) mice. Tangent modulus of all regions along the tendons increased in old age, but the increase was substantially greater in the proximal region adjacent to the muscle than in the rest of the tendon. Overall end-to-end modulus increased with old age at maximum tendon strain (799 ± 157 vs. 1,419 ± 91 MPa) and at physiologically relevant strain (377 ± 137 vs. 798 ± 104 MPa). Despite the dramatic changes in tendon mechanical properties from adulthood to old age, collagen fibril morphology and packing fraction remained relatively constant in all tendon regions examined. Since tendon properties are influenced by their external loading environment, we also examined the effect of aging on TA muscle contractile properties. Maximum isometric force did not differ between the age groups. We conclude that TA tendons stiffen in a region-dependent manner throughout the life span, but the changes in mechanical properties are not accompanied by corresponding changes in collagen fibril morphology or force-generating capacity of the TA muscle.
The Bulk of Unpolymerized Actin in Xenopus Egg Extracts Is ATP-bound

Non-muscle cells contain 15-500 microM actin, a large fraction of which is unpolymerized. Thus, the concentration of unpolymerized actin is well above the critical concentration for polymerization in vitro (0.2 microM). This fraction of actin could be prevented from polymerization by being ADP bound (therefore less favored to polymerize) or by being ATP bound and sequestered by a protein such as thymosin beta 4, or both. We isolated the unpolymerized actin from Xenopus egg extracts using immobilized DNase 1 and assayed the bound nucleotide. High-pressure liquid chromatography analysis showed that the bulk of soluble actin is ATP bound. Analysis of actin-bound nucleotide exchange rates suggested the existence of two pools of unpolymerized actin, one of which exchanges nucleotide relatively rapidly and another that apparently does not exchange. Native gel electrophoresis of Xenopus egg extracts demonstrated that most of the soluble actin exists in complexes with other proteins, one of which might be thymosin beta 4. These results are consistent with actin polymerization being controlled by the sequestration and release of ATP-bound actin, and argue against nucleotide exchange playing a major role in regulating actin polymerization.
Risk-neutral valuation of participating life insurance contracts in a stochastic interest rate environment

Over the last years the valuation of life insurance contracts using concepts from financial mathematics has become a popular research area for actuaries as well as financial economists. In particular, several methods have been proposed of how to model and price participating policies, which are characterized by an annual interest rate guarantee and some bonus distribution rules. However, despite the long terms of life insurance products, most valuation models allowing for sophisticated bonus distribution rules and the inclusion of frequently offered options assume a simple Black-Scholes setup and, in particular, deterministic or even constant interest rates. We present a framework in which participating life insurance contracts including predominant kinds of guarantees and options can be valuated and analyzed in a stochastic interest rate environment. In particular, the different option elements can be priced and analyzed separately. We use Monte Carlo and discretization methods to derive the respective values. The sensitivity of the contract and guarantee values with respect to multiple parameters is studied using the bonus distribution schemes as introduced in Bauer et al. (2006). Surprisingly, even though the value of the contract as a whole is only moderately affected by the stochasticity of the short rate of interest, the value of the different embedded options is altered considerably in comparison to the value under constant interest rates. Furthermore, using a simplified asset portfolio and empirical parameter estimations, we show that the proportion of stock within the insurer’s asset portfolio substantially affects the value of the contract.
Cosmetic minilaparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background: Since its introduction in 1987, the technique of laparoscopic cholecystectomy has continued to undergo evolution. One area of refinement has been the optimization of cosmetic results. Surgeons have reduced port size and number or both in attempts to achieve this goal. In this report, we describe a method of adjusting port position to obtain more discreet scars. Methods: Minilaparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed using three 5-mm ports. One port is placed in the umbilicus. Instead of placing the two additional ports in the right subcostal and subxiphoid positions, they are moved to either side of midline at the level of the pubic hairline. Results: The result is one scar hidden in the umbilicus, with the two other scars located below the bikini line. These scars are nearly undetectable when the patient is wearing minimal clothing. Conclusion: We conclude that, in addition to minimizing port size and number, positioning of ports can be used to optimize cosmetic results.