cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Appalachian Landscape and Architecture through the Lens of Extraction

Long considered by many historians as an “internal colony” (Haynes, 1997), the cultural landscape of the coalfields of McDowell County, southern West Virginia (USA) displays a palimpsest of political, social, cultural and environmental history. Drawing out some of the most valuable coal in the world, Pocahontas “smokeless” (McGehee, 2012), the grip of absentee landholders (Myers, 2008) on the region is reflected in legible traces on the land. Investigating remnant industrial terrain, modelled using LiDAR, brings patterns to the surface for interpretation and typological analysis (Opitz, 2012). From early mining forms, wildcat and prospect mines, to tunnel and later Mountain Top Removal (MTR), the morphology of the landscape evolved in line with machine technology and reflects the history of place. Communities constructed as work camps reveal an ordered geometry of control, a mnemonic of “corporate paternalism” (Garay, 2011); while the buildings of Gary, West Virginia, a US Coal and Coke Company model town evoke a Utopian efficiency and economy. Post-1950s boom time McDowell County counted 100,000 residents with cluttered Main Streets and overflowing rail lines. Today the population has dwindled to near 20,000 and the memory of early twentieth century industry in the “Free State of McDowell” is fast being erased either through neglect, abandonment or conscious elimination. MTR mining and the practice of filling valleys with waste rock obliterates topography at an unprecedented scale. Abandoned camps are washed away from the floodplain or intentionally removed. Smaller scale mining operations are swept away as new technologies raise the economic viability of thin coal seams. As the landscapes, communities, and buildings of McDowell County are reorganised and reshaped, a methodology for analysis through remote sensing and ground-truthing (Doenus et al, 2008; Gallagher & Josephs, 2008; Horne, 2009) informs interpretive strategies in capturing narratives of place.
Remote sensing of PM2.5 during cloudy and nighttime periods using ceilometer backscatter

Abstract. Monitoring PM2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter d ≤ 2.5 µm) mass concentration has become of more importance recently because of the negative impacts of fine particles on human health. However, monitoring PM2.5 during cloudy and nighttime periods is difficult since nearly all the passive instruments used for aerosol remote sensing are not able to measure aerosol optical depth (AOD) under either cloudy or nighttime conditions. In this study, an empirical model based on the regression between PM2.5 and the near-surface backscatter measured by ceilometers was developed and tested using 6 years of data (2006 to 2011) from the Howard University Beltsville Campus (HUBC) site. The empirical model can explain ∼ 56, ∼ 34 and ∼ 42 % of the variability in the hourly average PM2.5 during daytime clear, daytime cloudy and nighttime periods, respectively. Meteorological conditions and seasons were found to influence the relationship between PM2.5 mass concentration and the surface backscatter. Overall the model can explain ∼ 48 % of the variability in the hourly average PM2.5 at the HUBC site when considering the seasonal variation. The model also was tested using 4 years of data (2012 to 2015) from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Southern Great Plains (SGP) site, which was geographically and climatologically different from the HUBC site. The results show that the empirical model can explain ∼ 66 and ∼ 82 % of the variability in the daily average PM2.5 at the ARM SGP site and HUBC site, respectively. The findings of this study illustrate the strong need for ceilometer data in air quality monitoring under cloudy and nighttime conditions. Since ceilometers are used broadly over the world, they may provide an important supplemental source of information of aerosols to determine surface PM2.5 concentrations.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for Third Circuit Offers Misguided Analysis of Product Hopping

Brand-name drug firms sometimes switch from one version of a drug to another to delay generic entry. In a case involving the acne-treating antibiotic Doryx, the Third Circuit failed to sufficiently appreciate the anticompetitive concerns with such “product hopping.” The court misapplied the law relating to monopoly power and exclusionary conduct, resulting in questionable rulings on the regulatory framework, foreclosure law, and other issues. The court also created a conflict with previous Third Circuit cases and the only other appellate product-hopping decision, the Second Circuit's Namenda decision.In short, the Third Circuit’s Doryx decision raises significant concerns.
Amylin receptor ligands reduce the pathological cascade of Alzheimer's disease

Amylin is an important gut-brain axis hormone. Since amylin and amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) share similar β sheet secondary structure despite not having the same primary sequences, we hypothesized that the accumulation of Aβ in the brains of subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD) might compete with amylin for binding to the amylin receptor (AmR). If true, adding exogenous amylin type peptides would compete with Aβ and reduce the AD pathological cascade, improving cognition. Here we report that a 10-week course of peripheral treatment with human amylin significantly reduced multiple different markers associated with AD pathology, including reducing levels of phospho-tau, insoluble tau, two inflammatory markers (Iba1 and CD68), as well as cerebral Aβ. Amylin treatment also led to improvements in learning and memory in two AD mouse models. Mechanistic studies showed that an amylin receptor antagonist successfully antagonized some protective effects of amylin in vivo, suggesting that the protective effects of amylin require interaction with its cognate receptor. Comparison of signaling cascades emanating from AmR suggest that amylin electively suppresses activation of the CDK5 pathway by Aβ. Treatment with amylin significantly reduced CDK5 signaling in a receptor dependent manner, dramatically decreasing the levels of p25, the active form of CDK5 with a corresponding reduction in tau phosphorylation. This is the first report documenting the ability of amylin treatment to reduce tauopathy and inflammation in animal models of AD. The data suggest that the clinical analog of amylin, pramlintide, might exhibit utility as a therapeutic agent for AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Limb lengthening in pediatric patients with ollier's disease

Background: Ollier's disease is a non-hereditary skeletal disorder. Orthopedic management of limb length discrepancy could be complex given the nature of bone pathology, the significant amount of length discrepancy and the difficulty to predict it. The goal of the study is to identify the outcomes and complications associated with surgical management of limb length discrepancy. Methods: This is an IRB approved, retrospective review of patients with Ollier's disease who had limb lengthening. The age at the time of surgery, amount of total length discrepancy and discrepancy for each individual bone, amount of lengthening and as a ratio to the length of the bone itself, type of fixator, duration of the fixator, complications are recorded. Unpaired T-tests evaluated the effect of simultaneous versus single-bone lengthening and tibia vs. femur being lengthened on the external fixator index. One-way ANOVA test was used to evaluate the effect of osteotomy location on mean External Fixator Index (EFI). Results: 14 patients with 40 segmental limb lengthening procedures are identified. The mean LLD was 7.1 cm and mean amount of length gained was 7.8 cm. Follow up was minimum 2 years and maximum 18 years 2 months. The average fixator duration was 178.6 days. The average percent of lengthening through each bone was 19.2. The average EFI was 36.5 days/cm. There was no difference between tibia vs. femur and between simultaneous vs. single bone on EFI. There was no difference among osteotomy type. There were 3 cases of nonunion, one delayed union, 5 cases of premature consolidation. One case had fixation failure. There were 7 cases of knee stiffness of which 3 cases required surgery. Conclusions: Our study shows that Enchondromal bone appears to respond to lengthening with a structurally proper regenerate. Premature consolidation needs to be always kept in mind and appropriate adjustment should be made in the rate of lengthening.
Cross-Cultural Focus Group Discussions

Conducting focus group discussions across cultures poses specific challenges for researchers. It requires flexibility, cultural sensitivity, maintaining methodological rigour and additional time and resources. Navigating these challenges can involve a steep cultural learning curve for researchers and requires a research team equipped to balance cultural sensitivity with methodological rigour. Using focus groups in cross-cultural research does not necessitate a new methodological approach, since the core principles remain the same. It does pose a challenge in applying the principles of focus group research while embracing the cultural norms of a given research context – which requires flexibility in the application of some methodological tasks. Cross-cultural focus group research is becoming increasingly common, with this method being used in an ever-widening range of study contexts. This chapter identifies the methodological principles that remain constant despite the study setting and research tasks where flexibility is needed. These issues are described for three stages of research: study design; data collection; and data analysis.
Glucocorticoid Regulation of Proopiomelanocortin Gene Expression in Rodent Pituitary

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses glucocorticoid regulation of proopiomelanocortin gene expression in rodent pituitary. The pituitary peptide hormones, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), endorphin, and melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) are derived from a larger precursor protein designated as proopiomelanocortin (POMC). The three MSH peptides contained within POMC, α, β, and γ are each located in a different region of the precursor. POMC is produced in many different tissues, particularly, the anterior and intermediate lobes of the pituitary which are the major sites of its synthesis. Radioimmunoassay and immunohistochemical evidence have identified POMC related peptides in the central nervous system tissue, intestinal tissue, and in certain ectopic tumors. POMC is processed to its end product hormones by several posttranslational events, some of which are tissue specific. Differential processing of the POMC precursor is best characterized in the anterior and intermediate lobes of the pituitary. Although the POMC protein appears to be the same in the two lobes, proteolytical processing results in distinctly different final peptide products. The anterior lobe of the pituitary is the source of the bioactive ACTH which is secreted into the blood stream. There are three basic mechanisms by which glucocorticoids could specifically decrease anterior pituitary content of POMC-related peptides in conjunction with a decrease in secretory rate: (1) increase the rate of intracellular degradation, (2) block the processing pathway, or (3) decrease the rate of synthesis.
Clinically Actionable Hypercholesterolemia and Hypertriglyceridemia in Children with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

OBJECTIVE:To determine the percentage of children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in whom intervention for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol or triglycerides was indicated based on National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines. STUDY DESIGN:This multicenter, longitudinal cohort study included children with NAFLD enrolled in the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network. Fasting lipid profiles were obtained at diagnosis. Standardized dietary recommendations were provided. After 1 year, lipid profiles were repeated and interpreted according to National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Expert Panel on Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction. Main outcomes were meeting criteria for clinically actionable dyslipidemia at baseline, and either achieving lipid goal at follow-up or meeting criteria for ongoing intervention. RESULTS:There were 585 participants, with a mean age of 12.8 years. The prevalence of children warranting intervention for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol at baseline was 14%. After 1 year of recommended dietary changes, 51% achieved goal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 27% qualified for enhanced dietary and lifestyle modifications, and 22% met criteria for pharmacologic intervention. Elevated triglycerides were more prevalent, with 51% meeting criteria for intervention. At 1 year, 25% achieved goal triglycerides with diet and lifestyle changes, 38% met criteria for advanced dietary modifications, and 37% qualified for antihyperlipidemic medications. CONCLUSIONS:More than one-half of children with NAFLD met intervention thresholds for dyslipidemia. Based on the burden of clinically relevant dyslipidemia, lipid screening in children with NAFLD is warranted. Clinicians caring for children with NAFLD should be familiar with lipid management.
Racial and ethnic differences in high school students’ perceptions of school climate and disciplinary practices

AbstractThis study examines the relationship between students’ perceptions of teacher treatment, school suspensions, and school climate in three high schools in Central New York (N = 1,444). Students completed an anonymous questionnaire about their perceptions of school climate and school disciplinary practices. Results showed racial and ethnic differences in perceptions of teacher treatment, suspension practices, and school climate. Race was the most significant predictor of perceptions of differential suspension practices and teacher treatment among students. For Black students, perceptions of differential treatment helped predict school climate perceptions. Students’ perceptions of unequal treatment of racial groups influence their experiences in school. We discuss research-based approaches that address systemic practices and policies, professional training of school personnel and provision of student services to help improve the school experiences of Black and other minority students and reduce the eq...
Control of Photocatalytic Oxidative Selectivity on Irradiated TiO2 Powders: A Diffuse Reflectance Kinetic Study

Both direct spectroscopic observation of intermediates formed on irradiated semiconductor surfaces and product analysis from inter- and intramolecular competition experiments with multifunctional organic substrates implicate direct interfacial electron transfer from an adsorbed organic donor as a primary process in photocatalytic oxidation reactions. Time-resolved diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is used to measure kinetic profiles for the decay of photogenerated transients on opaque, photocatalytically active metal oxide powders. The implications of such studies in the mechanistic characterization of photocatalytic detoxification are considered.
Intraoperative Considerations for Robotic Repair

Much like laparoscopic hernioplasty, the keys to performing a successful robotic hernia repair lie as much in the attention to ancillary details of the procedure as they do in performing the actual operative steps. Seemingly mundane details like room setup, patient positioning, port placement, and instrumentation all ultimately facilitate the successful completion of the robotic-assisted case. In this chapter we will discuss intraoperative considerations for robotic hernia repair including a review of the technical aspects of the procedures and will provide details and helpful tips for managing difficulties unique to robotic-assisted hernia repair. As of the writing of this chapter, the da Vinci system is the only device available in the United States for hernia repair and our discussion will focus entirely on this system.
Consultation-Liaison with Children and Adolescents

The field of consultation-liaison child and adolescent psychiatry is an important and vital sub-subspecialty of both child and adolescent psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine. The leading causes of morbidity and mortality among young people [e.g., accidents, homicide, malignancies, and suicide among youth aged 1–19 years (Hoyert et al. 2006)] suggest that there is much that psychiatrists can potentially contribute to general medical physicians striving to provide the best possible preventive and treatment-oriented care to children and adolescents.
Efficacy of exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy for youth anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder

Abstract Exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective first-line treatment for anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in youth. The chapter provides an overview of the evidence base for CBT in youth anxiety and OCD, including examples of well-studied interventions: Coping Cat, Cool Kids, the Pediatric OCD Treatment Study, and the Nordic Long-Term OCD Treatment Study. It then examines the efficacy of key delivery format adaptations such as remote treatments, treatment intensity, and group versus individual therapy. Finally, it presents research on the impact of important clinical characteristics on CBT outcome, such as family factors, disorder-specific issues, and comorbid disorders. Although further research is needed regarding predictors of treatment outcome and how to maximize efficiency of care, there is strong evidence to support the use of exposure-based CBT for youth anxiety and OCD.
Atypical presentations of ectopic pancreatic tissue

Abstract Background Ectopic pancreatic tissue (EPT) in a Meckel diverticulum is a well-known anomaly. Other locations are rare, especially in pediatric patients. We report on three children with incidental findings of EPT and reviewed the literature. Patients and methods Three children with incidental findings of EPT treated in our department, and 62 patients found in the literature were analyzed. The literature search was performed excluding EPT in Meckel's diverticulum and in tumors, i.e. teratomas. Results Two of our patients presented with an umbilical mass. The third patient presented with a gastric outlet obstruction due to an antral/pyloric mass. Histopathology showed EPT in all three of our patients without any signs of malignancy. In the literature, patients with EPT often appear to be asymptomatic. Symptomatic patients may present with bowel obstruction or intussusception. EPT in the umbilicus frequently seems to cause umbilical discharge. Our analysis supported the leading opinion in the literature that the upper gastrointestinal tract and especially the gastric antrum must be considered the most common location of EPT. Conclusion Although unusual in children, awareness of EPT may help to obtain the proper diagnosis faster and to plan accurate surgical therapy. Levelof evidence Prognosis study, Level IV.
Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy of Proteins

The methods and theories of solid-state NMR spectroscopy make it possible to study larger and more complex biological systems than with conventional NMR methods. They are also capable of providing unique information about the structure and dynamics of proteins. There are now a number of books and reviews that describe in detail solid-state NMR spectroscopy (e.g., Haeberlen, 1976; Mehring, 1983; Fyfe, 1983) and its applications to proteins (e.g., Oldfield et al, 1982; Torchia, 1984; Opella 1986; Opella et al, 1987).
Revised Horton model for event and continuous simulations of infiltration

Abstract The Horton equation has been widely used to simulate infiltration under ponding conditions and many efforts have been made to expand the applicability of this method to non-ponding conditions. However, because of the absence of appropriate drainage controls, most existing modified Horton methods cannot be used for continuous rainfall-runoff simulations with long dry time periods. The objective of this study is to develop a modified Horton infiltration model (MHI) for both event and continuous simulations with soil moisture threshold controls. Unlike other modified Horton methods, nonlinear and linear equations are used in this new method to quantify the relationships between infiltration capacity and soil water storage respectively for wet and dry soil moisture conditions (wet: gravity-driven free drainage stage; dry: capillarity-dominated non-drainage stage). Two tests of the MHI model were conducted to evaluate its performance in both event and continuous simulations. Fourteen modeling scenarios were considered in the event modeling test of MHI, which involved three soil types of different initial water contents under various rainfall conditions. The simulation results of MHI were compared with those simulated by a modified Green-Ampt model and the reference data from Mein and Larson (1971). Furthermore, MHI was applied to a field site in Grand Forks, North Dakota for continuous modeling and compared against the observed data, which demonstrated its capability in the modeling of infiltration and soil moisture variations.
Heat Shock Proteins and Pain

Introduction Pain, especially chronic pain, is a health issue affecting about one-third of the population all over the world. The sensitization of pain is highly associated with inflammatory responses to tissue damage and other harmful signals. The heat shock proteins (HSP) have been demonstrated to play central rolesin the inflammatory responses and pain via regulating the protein folding, maturation, activation, and degradation of proteins in varioussignal pathways. The objective of this chapter was to summarize the role of HSP in pain and pain drug-induced signal pathways and antinociception.
25 Year Old White Male with Brown Papillary Growths on Penis

A 25-year-old-white male presented with multiple growths located on his penile shaft. The patient had had a history of genital warts for 4 years that was treated with cryotherapy.
Consistent Estimation of Treatment Effects Under Endogenous Heteroskedasticity

The empirical literature on program evaluation limits its scope almost exclusively to models where treatment effects are homogenous for observationally identical individuals. This paper considers a treatment effect model in which treatment effects may be heterogeneous, even among observationally identical individuals. Specifically, extending the classical instrumental variables (IV) model with an endogenous binary treatment and a binary instrument, we allow the heteroskedasticity of the error disturbance to also depend upon the treatment variable so that treatment has both mean and variance effects on the outcome. In this endogenous heteroskedasticity IV (EHIV) model with heterogeneous individual treatment effects, the standard IV estimator can be inconsistent and lead to incorrect inference. After showing identification of the mean and variance treatment effects in a nonparametric version of the EHIV model, we provide closed-form estimators for the linear EHIV for the mean and variance treatment effects and the individual treatment effects (ITE). Asymptotic properties of the estimators are provided. A Monte Carlo simulation investigates the performance of the proposed approach, and an empirical application regarding the effects of fertility on female labor supply is considered.
Exploring the world of social policy: an international approach

Social policy domains span to every aspect where the development and addressing human needs are present; however, the study of social policy was traditionally regarded within the borders or jurisdi...
Immune Responses to COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines in Patients with Solid Tumors on Active, Immunosuppressive Cancer Therapy

Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have shown high efficacy, but immunocompromised participants were excluded from controlled clinical trials. We evaluated immune responses to the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine in solid tumor patients (n=52) on active cytotoxic anti-cancer therapy. These responses were compared to a control cohort that also received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine (n=50). Using live SARS-CoV-2 assays, neutralizing antibodies were detected in 67% and 80% of cancer patients after the first and second immunizations, respectively, with a 3-fold increase in median titers after the booster. Similar trends were observed in serum antibodies against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and S2 regions of Spike protein, and in IFNγ+Spike-specific T cells. The magnitude of each of these responses was diminished relative to the control cohort. We therefore quantified RBD- and Spike S1-specific memory B cell subsets as predictors of anamnestic responses to viral exposures or additional immunizations. After the second vaccination, Spike-specific plasma cell-biased memory B cells were observed in most cancer patients at levels similar to those of the control cohort after the first immunization. These data suggest that a third immunization might elevate antibody responses in cancer patients to levels seen in healthy individuals after the second dose. Trials should be conducted to test these predictions.
Impact of Anesthesiologist Experience on Early Outcomes in Adult Orthotopic Liver Transplantation.

ABSTRACT Background Liver transplantation is a complex surgical procedure. The experience of the anesthesiologist, and its potential relationship to patient morbidity and mortality, is yet to be determined. We sought to explore this possible association using our institutional training patterns as the subject of study. Methods This is a single center retrospective analysis investigating the association of an anesthesiologist's experience with liver transplantation and its potential effect on early patient outcomes in adult liver transplant recipients from January 2010 to September 2016. Training of team members consisted of a 6-month period of clinical shadowing with a senior anesthesiologist and co-staffing 8 liver transplant procedures before solo staffing a liver transplant. Specifically, patient outcomes for the first 5 transplants after this training were investigated. Results The only independent risk factor for early death or early graft loss was the amount of packed red blood cells administered during transplantation. With respect to secondary outcomes, the amount of packed red blood cells and hospitalization at the time of transplant were associated with the number of days on a ventilator, length of intensive care unit stay, and overall hospital length of stay. Conclusions The results of this study conclude that the training model currently in place for our new team members has no negative impact on patient outcomes after liver transplantation.
Navigating Transition-Metal Chemical Space: Artificial Intelligence for First-Principles Design

ConspectusThe variability of chemical bonding in open-shell transition-metal complexes not only motivates their study as functional materials and catalysts but also challenges conventional computat...
Quantitative lysine requirement for juvenile Florida pompano, Trachinotus carolinus fed plant-based diets

Abstract Florida pompano, Trachinotus carolinus is positioned to be an important fish species in US mariculture. If commercial production is to be developed sustainably and with reduced feed costs, it is critical to maximize the level of plant-based proteins in the diet. Thus, an understanding of limiting amino acids is necessary to properly formulate grow out feeds, which include lysine. This work was conducted using eight diets formulated with graded levels of lysine (1.42–2.42% dry weight) and fed to juvenile pompano (mean initial weight 13.07 ± 0.46) for 56 days. Dose responses and significant effects were observed in final weight (FW), percent weight gain (PWG), thermal growth coefficient (TGC) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Significant differences in mean fish whole body amino acids were observed in aspartic acid, glutamic acid, hydroxyproline, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tyrosine and valine. Regression models, such as broken-quadratic model (BQM), 4-parameter saturation kinetic model (4-SKM), 5-parameter saturation kinetic model (5-SKM), one-slope broken line model (BKL.1) and two-slope broken line model (BKL.2) from R were fitted against different parameters to determine the dietary lysine requirement. Thermal growth coefficient was the parameter utilized to fit a 4-SKM model and determine the quantitative lysine requirement. Based on these results, a minimum lysine requirement of 1.67% dry weight is recommended to meet nutritional requirements for growth in practical feed formulations.
A computational study on different penalty approaches for constrained optimization in radiation therapy treatment planning with a simulated annealing algorithm

In intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) a treatment plan is a high dimensionality optimization problem with the goal to give the prescribed radiation dose to the Planning Target Volume (PTV) while sparing critical organs. A clinically acceptable plan is usually generated by a numerical optimization process in pursuit of attaining the above mentioned goal. Incorporation of dose volume constraints (DVCs) for the OARs introduce an additional degree of impediment to the optimization task. Heuristic algorithms have been ascertained in the past as a powerful tool for various problems in radiation therapy, such as beam angle optimization (BAO) and IMRT treatment planning. Simulated Annealing (SA) algorithm has the capability to find global minima for bound-constrained optimization problems. However, its performance depends on the penalty method which is utilized for the constraints. In the current study we investigate the performance of three penalty methods for IMRT treatment planning for five prostate cases with dose volume constraints. In addition, sensitivity analysis was performed in order to study the effect of the penalty variables on the treatment plan. Finally the merits and demerits of each method have been discussed.
UPTAKE OF FAT BY PHAGOCYTIC CELLS. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ROLE OF PHAGOCYTOSIS. II. RABBIT ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES.

Abstract 1. 1. In the accompanying communication it was shown that polymorphonuclear leukocytes do not incorporate glycerolesters to an appreciable extent. A similar study of uptake of lipid was carried out with another phagocytic cell, the alveolar macrophage obtained from rabbit lungs. 2. 2. Alveolar macrophages incorporate I-14C-labeled free fatty acids complexed to serum albumin into cell lipids. Inhibition of glycolysis markedly reduced incorporation of fatty acid, while interference with oxidative metabolism had little or no inhibitory effect. 3. 3. In contrast to the polymorphonuclear leukocytes, the macrophages also incorporate [I-14C]tripalmitate and I-14C-labeled chylomicra. However, evidence was obtained indicating that [I-14C]phospholipids become associated with the cells by a non-metabolic process. 4. 4. Homogenates of macrophages were examined for the presence of lipidsplitting activity. High lipase (ec 3.1.1.3) activity was found with three different substrates. These activities manifested different pH optima. Phospholipase activity was also demonstrable as indicated by hydrolysis of lecithin and lysolecithin but was low compared to the lipase activity. 5. 5. Indirect evidence was obtained suggesting that lipolysis preceded uptake of glycerides. 6. 6. These results are discussed in the light of reports in the literature concerning uptake of intact glycerolesters by various tissues, presumably by a phagocytosis-like process. The hypothesis is presented that uptake of fat by cells is restricted to incorporation of free fatty acids. It is proposed that esterification takes place on or in the surface of the cell and that the apparent ability of a cell to incorporate glycerol esters depends upon the presence of lipid-splitting enzymes capable of acting near or on the surface membrane.
Flexible control-RCV system configuration for a CIM environment

A flexible control structure is discussed and demonstrated for an automated online/postprocess inspection system within a CIM (computer integrated manufacturing) environment. The flexible structure can be viewed as containing different structures, such as hierarchical or non-hierarchical, under different conditions. The flexible structure allows multiple control structures to be applied. >
ICODES: A Multi-Agent System in Practice

This paper describes the Integrated Computerized Deployment System (ICODES) from both an architectural and evolutionary vantage point. First, ICODES is a logistic software application of ship load-planning tools that utilizes intelligent software agents in a human-computer collaborative mode. As an example of a new generation of intelligent military decision-support systems, ICODES includes expert agents with automatic reasoning and analysis capabilities. This is made possible by an internal virtual representation of the load-planning environment, in terms of conveyance and cargo characteristics and the complex relationships that constitute the context within which loadplanning operations are performed. ICODES agents monitor the principal determinants of cargo stowage, including: the placement and segregation requirements for hazardous cargo items; the trim, list, stress, and bending moments of the conveyance structure; the accessibility of stow areas through ramps, cranes, elevators, hatches, and doors; the correct placement of cargo items in respect to fire lanes, no-stow areas, reserved stow areas, and inter-cargo spacing tolerances; and, the accuracy of cargo characteristics (e.g., dimensions, weight, type, and identification codes) relative to standard cargo libraries and associated reference tables. Second, ICODES is a system that has evolved over the past 10 years and is continuing to evolve from a stand-alone application focused on the load-planning of ships to a distributed environment capable of addressing the assembly and planning for any kind of surface or air conveyance. This transition from single domain to multiple domains and from stand-alone to distributed has been made possible by a scalable service-oriented architecture that emphasizes a multi-layered, multi-tiered design approach.
Use of pattern classification in medical decision making

Pattern classification is an important technique for medical decision making. In this paper, a method based on a new set of orthogonal polynomials is described. The method uses a modified form of supervised learning to assign data to the correct category from two or more possible choices. Results have been compared to standard nonlinear statistical discriminant analysis techniques, and have been shown to be consistently more accurate.
Business Ethics and the Origins of Contemporary Capitalism: Economics and Ethics in the Work of Adam Smith and Herbert Spencer

Both Adam Smith and the 19th century Social Darwinist Herbert Spencer, though in quite different ways, have been enormously influential in what is understood today to be free enterprise or capitalism. In this article Werhane examines the contributions of both, noticing that it is Spencer, not Smith, who advocates a “night watchman” theory of the state. As a social Darwinist, Spencer argues that those who are strongest should succeed and there should be no obstacles for those achievements: those who cannot compete should be allowed to wither away, thus strengthening the species, and thus it is from Spencer that later scholars glean the idea of meritocracy – that those who deserve to lead, to be wealthy or to be in power earned that right. Moreover, and of revelatory interest in Werhane’s commentary, Spencer defended workplace democracy, because it would allow the individual freedom of each individual participant that hierarchical organizations do not.
Venus mesosphere and thermosphere. III - Three-dimensional general circulation with coupled dynamics and composition

The three-dimensional structure and circulation of Venus' upper mesosphere and thermosphere is examined by means of a modification of NCAR's earth thermosphere general circulation model, using the parameterizations from an earlier two-dimensional Venus model that included eddy diffusion and wave drag. Many of the observed Venus thermosphere features are found to be reproduced by the model, which thereby serves as a benchmark on which to incorporate additional minor constituents and test new self-consistent parameterizations for wave drag and superrotation.
Identification of sequence-specific DNA binding proteins.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes methods for the identification of nuclear proteins that bind specific DNA sequences within the cis -regulatory domains of genes. Protocols for the preparation of nuclear extract, quantitative electrophoretic mobility shift analysis, oligonucleotide affinity chromatography, and protein preparation for amino acid sequence analysis are presented, along with examples of the successful application of these methods to the cis -regulatory analysis of the Cyllla and Endo16 genes. It is expected that with the completion of the Strongylocentrotus purpuratus genome project and the availability of highly sensitive methods of protein sequencing by mass spectrometry, the biochemical approach described here for the identification of transcription factors will become even more efficient and adaptable to rapid high-throughput technologies. The studies of the sea urchin embryo have provided a paradigm for the molecular analysis of transcriptional regulatory systems that control development. Sea urchin embryos are extremely amenable to gene transfer by microinjection and also it readily provides the large quantities of raw material required for protein biochemistry. This makes it possible to functionally dissect the cis -regulatory DNA sequences that control transcription during development, and in parallel, to identify the trans -acting factors that interact with each regulatory sequence. This chapter presents a methodology for the latter, from the preparation of nuclear extracts through the identification by the electrophoretic mobility shift analysis of specific sites of protein-DNA interaction, to the purification and identification of the proteins that bind that site.
Discrete variable transformations on symplectic systems and even order difference operators

Abstract Change of independent variablet = 1/xmotivates variable step size discretizations of even order differential operators. We develop variable change methods for discrete symplectic (i.e., J-orthogonal) systems. This enables us to perform simultaneous change of independent and dependent variables on discrete linear Hamiltonian systems and on newly defined even order variable step size formally self adjoint difference operators. These variable changes yield a new system which is related to the original system by an operator identity. We generalize results of Bohner and Doslý on transformations of formally self-adjoint scalar difference operators. They only considered a change of dependent variable whereas these methods allowy(xn) = μ(xn)z(tn) wheretn = f(xn). These variable change results bring the subject of transformation theory for even order difference operators closer to the known transformation theory in the continuous case.
Electron spectroscopies for simultaneous chemical and electrical analysis

Abstract Electrons are used as spectroscopic probes to determine elemental composition and chemistry, and are also useful as probes of the electrical properties of devices and materials. In this paper, four examples with incident and emitted electrons were used to evaluate the electrical and chemical properties of samples. These examples were the electrical conductivity of an Ag-epoxy composite, the electric field in an avalanche photodiode near breakdown, the mechanism of conductivity of semi-insulating polycrystalline films, and the charge at an oxide/semiconductor interface for high-k applications. This kind of work is very much in the spirit of the work done by Prof. Sefik Suzer.
The Role of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) in Functional Limitation in Community Dwelling Elders

Coronary heart disease (CHD) constitutes a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly population. CHD is managed under physician guidance. The management is primarily pharmacological, aimed at alleviating patient suffering and improving the clinical outcome. This approach ignores the functional aspect of CHD. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between the symptoms experienced by a group of frail elders due to coronary heart disease and the performance of physical activities. A group of 33 frail elders with CHD residing in the region of Western New York were interviewed over a period of 6 months using the LIFEware(r) Cardiac Assessment Form (CAF). The results indicate mild to moderate relationships between the symptoms experienced and the performance of physical activities. We suggest the use of occupational therapy intervention aimed at improving the performance of physical activities in frail elders symptomatic with CHD. The intervention could include the use of ...
Mean field model for the helix-coil transition in polypeptides

Abstract A mean field Ising-type model is proposed for helix-coil transitions is polypeptide molecules. A projection operator formalism is used to evaluate the time-correlation function relevant to the determination of the average helical content.
Evolution and Genetic Architecture of Chromatin Accessibility and Function in Yeast

Chromatin accessibility is an important functional genomics phenotype that influences transcription factor binding and gene expression. Genome-scale technologies allow chromatin accessibility to be mapped with high-resolution, facilitating detailed analyses into the genetic architecture and evolution of chromatin structure within and between species. We performed Formaldehyde-Assisted Isolation of Regulatory Elements sequencing (FAIRE-Seq) to map chromatin accessibility in two parental haploid yeast species, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces paradoxus and their diploid hybrid. We show that although broad-scale characteristics of the chromatin landscape are well conserved between these species, accessibility is significantly different for 947 regions upstream of genes that are enriched for GO terms such as intracellular transport and protein localization exhibit. We also develop new statistical methods to investigate the genetic architecture of variation in chromatin accessibility between species, and find that cis effects are more common and of greater magnitude than trans effects. Interestingly, we find that cis and trans effects at individual genes are often negatively correlated, suggesting widespread compensatory evolution to stabilize levels of chromatin accessibility. Finally, we demonstrate that the relationship between chromatin accessibility and gene expression levels is complex, and a significant proportion of differences in chromatin accessibility might be functionally benign.
Polytypoids in high Tc thallium based superconducting materials

Several high {Tc} compounds containing Tl (thallium) were prepared starting from different initial compositions. Superconducting properties and the structure were determined for each sample. Electron diffraction and transmission electron microscopy showed the existence of polytypic high {ital T}{sub {ital c}} compounds with the same {ital a}- and {ital b}-axes but different {ital c}-axis values. The {ital c}-axis appears to increase approximately in integral multiples of 0.15 nm with varying composition could be associated with the insertion of Cu-Ca or Cu-Tl layers in each unit cell. Several random stacking faults were also noted which give rise to diffuse streaking in the electron diffraction pattern.
Gang behavior in the schools: Reality or myth?

The purpose of this review is to explore the nature of gang behavior in U.S. schools, with a particular focus on the extent to which such behavior affects or exacerbates the larger issue of school violence. An unanticipated finding was the absence of strong empirical support for school gang violence. The evidence does show youth gangs have changed dramatically over the last several decades and have become more violent, largely due to drugs and weapons-carrying. One major impact of this violence on schools has been the dissolving of the school as the “neutral zone,” where gang activity ceased. Thus, it appears that the similar “turf” issues of the street gangs have infiltrated the schools. The review explores problems related to school gang violence definitions and literature, trends in school-related gang activity, reasons for gang membership, at-risk youth, and proposed strategies for ameliorating the problem.
Synaptic Regulation of Translation of Dendritic mRNAs

The selective localization of protein synthetic machinery at postsynaptic sites makes it possible for the synthesis of particular proteins to be regulated by synaptic signals. Here we consider how the structure of the machinery constrains synthetic capacity and the evidence that mRNA translation is locally controlled by synaptic signals. Since the discovery of protein synthetic machinery at synaptic sites on dendrites (Steward and Levy, 1982), substantial progress has been made in identifying dendritic mRNAs and in showing that dendritic protein synthesis is critical for persistent synaptic modifications like long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). Although many pieces of the puzzle have been identified, major questions remain. Here we focus on one of the unknowns: how translational activity at synapses is regulated and whether regulation involves upregulation or downregulation of overall translation or differential regulation of the translation of particular transcripts. It is useful to begin by considering constraints imposed by the nature of the protein synthetic machinery at synapses.
Reengineering Support through Measurement-driven Inference

External consulting services for business process reengineering are very expensive and the practice of process redesign itself is ripe for reengineering through AI technologies. The research described in this paper addresses the adaptation of extant knowledge-based systems to design and deploy a measurement-driven system for automated process-redesign support. The KOPeR system uses knowledge captured and formalized from the reengineering domain and is employed in the field through the redesign of three processes associated with procurement. The results demonstrate the use and utility of the system and lead to an agenda for future research directions along these lines. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.