cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonuniform region processing on SIMD arrays using the coterie network

Computation on and among data sets mapped to irregular, nonuniform, aggregates of processing elements (PEs) is an important problem in parallel vision processing, arising in segmentation and in support operations for intermediate-level grouping tasks. The difficulty is that the SIMD processors which map so effectively to pixel-based processing are restricted here in data-dependent computations by their limited control mechanisms. Associative processing is an effective means of applying parallel processing to nonuniform computations (Weems 1984), but often results in operating on one data set at a time. We address this problem by introducing an additional level of parallelism we call multiassociativity which provides a framework for performing associative computation on these data sets simultaneously. In this article we present algorithms developed for the coterie network (Weems et al. 1989) to simulate efficiently within nonuniform aggregates of PEs simultaneously the associative algorithms typically supported in hardware at the array level. One result is that algorithms requiring a number of operations proportional to the diameters of the regions in a mesh-connected topology can be executed in constant or logarithmic time using the coterie network. Other results are: the efficient application of existing associative algorithms (e.g., Falkoff 1962; Foster 1976) to arbitrary aggregates of PEs in parallel, and the development of efficient new multiassociative algorithms, among them parallel prefix and convex hull. The multiassociative framework also extends the associative paradigm by allowing operations on and among aggregates of PEs themselves, operations not defined when the entity in question is always an entire array. Two consequences are the support of divide-and-conquer algorithms within aggregates, and communication among aggregates. Numerous multiassociative low-level vision algorithms are presented.
Characterization of two monoglyceride hydrolyzing enzymes in rat adipose tissue

Abstract The present investigation has revealed the presence of two monoglyceride hydrolyzing enzymes in rat adipose tissue, tentatively designated as monoolein lipase and monolaurin lipase. These two enzymes can be differentiated on the basis of column chromatographic behavior, pH optimum, substrate preference, inhibition characteristics and heat sensitivity. The mobility of monolaurin lipase on Sephadex G-200 and gel electrophoresis is similar to that of a previously reported tributyrinase enzyme but can be differentiated from it on the basis of its inability to hydrolyze tributyrin and its relative insensitivity to F− inhibition.
Low BTU Fuels for Gas Turbines

The current shortage of conventional gas turbine fuels has created the need for new sources of clean fuel. One of the most promising new fuels is low Btu gaseous fuel, such as that produced by air-injected coal or oil gasifiers or other chemical processes. The various sources of low Btu fuels and their combustion characteristics are discussed. To burn many of the low Btu fuels in the 100 to 300 Btu/scf range necessitates certain design modifications to the gas turbine originally optimized for high energy fuels. The extent of the modification depends greatly on the low Btu fuel. The impact of low Btu fuels on the gas turbine thermodynamic cycle performance and environmental performance is very encouraging. From the environmental viewpoint, low Btu fuels promise to be clean fuels, while providing increased output at higher thermal cycle efficiencies than achieved with conventional fuels. The advantages of low Btu gaseous fuels are that they broaden basic energy sources, have higher shaft output, give low nitrogen oxide emissions, have low flame radiation, and have wide limits of flammability. Disadvantages are the large fuel volume flows, the slow carbon monoxide reaction rate, and compressor-turbine matching problems.
Problems with international measures of education

Abstract Comparative studies often use standard measures of educational attainment. Each country’s indigenous educational credentials are reclassified into a standard set of categories. Because the indigenous credentials differ among countries, the reclassification process varies greatly, and it differs depending on which standard classification system is used. In a review of two comparative studies using two different standard classification systems, three observations were made: 1) translating the indigenous credentials into the standard categories can lead to very different distributions of similar countries’ populations in the standard categories. 2) Reclassifying the indigenous credentials into the standard categories appears to follow different decision rules in different countries. 3) The heterogeneity of the indigenous credentials combined into the standard categories tends to distort cross-country similarities and differences. We discuss the weaknesses of the two standard sets of categories and call for further efforts to improve them.
Circulating neuropeptide Y in dog plasma consists of multiple peptide fragments

Neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity (NPY-LI) in dog plasma was characterized and quantified using three extraction methods (Sep-Pak:acetonitrile, HCl:ethanol, and ethanol). Sep-Pak extraction yields the best recovery and preserves the integrity of the peptide. Oxidized NPY is not generated during blood collection. Using two antisera of different specificities, at least three peptide forms in normal dog arterial and venous plasma were detected. A peptide with retention times similar to oxidized NPY or peptide YY is the major component of plasma NPY-LI under basal conditions, but NPY(1-36) predominates during sympathetic stimulation. The mature peptide in dog plasma is similar to human NPY. The antiserum ABII provides a more accurate measure of circulating NPY(1-36) and its oxidized form. The antiserum ABI is useful for detecting NPY-like fragments.
Proposition 187 reexamined: Attitudes toward immigration among California voters

The purposes of this study were to examine socio-demographic predictors of attitudes toward immigration in a community-based sample (N = 494) from the Los Angeles area; and to explore the relationship between attitudes toward immigration and the providing of educational and health services to the children of undocumented immigrants. Not providing services to the children of undocumented immigrants was a key element of California's Proposition 187. Attitudes toward immigration were measured with the Attitudes Toward Immigration Scale (ATIS). The providing of services was measured through the participants' evaluations of a school scenario and a health care scenario. Results indicated that participants who were middle-aged or older, less educated, identified as Republican, and were third generation or greater were more likely to hold negative attitudes toward immigration. Furthermore, participants holding negative attitudes toward immigration were less likely to provide education and health care services to the children of undocumented immigrants.
A Low Power CAMAC Drift Chamber Time Digitizer System

A Drift Chamber Time Digitizer System has been designed which combines direct counting and time stretching techniques. By time stretching for only the low order bits, most logic can be low power Schottky TTL allowing 3 channels of 3 ns time resolution in a single width CAMAC module while holding conversion time to less than 1?s.
Inhibitory Effect of Bile Acids on the Activity of Human β-Glucuronidase at Its Optimal pH

AbstractThe effect of bile acids on β-glucuronidase activity was studied with centrifuged and dialyzed urines as the source of enzyme and phenolphthalein glucuronide as the substrate. The enzyme activity was measured at 56° in acetate buffer pH 5.2. All unconjugated bile acids tested showed no effect on the enzyme activity, primarily due to their low solubility in water. The glycine and taurine conjugates of cholic acid also showed no significant influence on the enzyme. Conjugated deoxycholic and chenodeoxycholic acids, on the other hand, were profoundly inhibitory to the enzyme within the physiological range of concentration in bile. Kinetic studies revealed that taurine conjugates of these two bile acids were pure competitive inhibitors of the enzyme for the substrate; whereas, their glycine conjugates exhibited a mixed competitive and noncompetitive inhibition. Since both urine and bile enzymes have an identical narrow pH activity curve, we conclude that pH and bile acids are two major determinants of...
The purification and properties of Neurospora malate dehydrogenase

Abstract A procedure is described for the isolation of Neurospora malate dehydrogenase. The isolated protein represents 0.2–0.4% of the total extractable protein and is over 90% pure as evidenced by sedimentation velocity, sedimentation equilibrium, and N-terminal amino acid analyses. An average molecular weight of 54,000 was determined by various physical and chemical methods. The protein is nearly spherical with low tryosine and tryptophan content and four, free sulfhydryl groups. Physical and enzymic properties and total amino acid composition are similar to but not identical with mammalian malate dehydrogenases.
State of the Art of Foreign Language Education in the People's Republic of China

Foreign language education in the People's Republic of China was profoundly affected by the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976), and the current state of the art must be viewed against that backdrop. Foreign language pedagogy has made a remarkable recovery since the overthrow of the Gang of Four in 1976, and educational institutions have made great progress in meeting the desperate needs of the nation for linguistics despite serious handicaps. A concerted effort is being made to overcome shortcomings and to modernize foreign language teaching methods. Given the progress made since the Cultural Revolution and the momentum built up thus far, and barring further major political upheavals, the People's Republic of China should achieve recognition as a leader in foreign language teaching methodology before the turn of the century.
Coculture with autologous myotubes of cytotoxic T cells isolated from muscle in inflammatory myopathies

T-cell lines were expanded from muscle of 10 patients with polymyositis, 5 with inclusion body myositis, 5 with dermatomyositis, and 5 with other muscle diseases. All cell lines uniformly expressed T-cell antigens, but not natural killer cell or B-cell antigens. The proportion of helper (CD4+) and cytotoxic (CD8+) T cells in the expanded lines was variable and showed no correlation with the diagnosis. Sixteen cell lines (6 polymyositis, 4 inclusion body myositis, 5 dermatomyositis, 1 other muscle disease) consisted predominantly of CD8+ T cells. None of these lines displayed natural killer-like cytotoxicity but all were capable of lectin-dependent cytotoxicity. Three of 6 polymyositis, 1 of 4 inclusion body myositis, and 1 of 5 dermatomyositis lines showed low but statistically significant cytotoxicity against autologous myotubes (6 to 27% specific 51Cr release; effector-target ratio, 20:1). The results demonstrate that functionally competent cytotoxic T cells can be expanded from muscle affected by inflammatory myopathies and are consistent with the hypothesis that some cytotoxic T cells recognize an autoantigen on myotubes. Further studies of this experimental system may define the molecular mechanism of T cell-mediated muscle fiber injury and may help to identify the relevant antigens.
Temperature measurements made with a combined Rayleigh–Mie and Raman lidar

The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center stratospheric ozone lidar system has the capability of collecting both Rayleigh–Mie and Raman backscatter data simultaneously at a number of wavelengths. Here we report on an improved method by which temperature can be derived from a combination of the Rayleigh–Mie return at 351-nm lidar channels and the Raman nitrogen return at 382-nm lidar channels. We also examine some common techniques by which temperatures are retrieved from lidar data. Finally, we show results obtained in 1995 during two Network for the Detection of Stratospheric Change intercomparison campaigns at Lauder, New Zealand and Mauna Loa, Hawaii.
Inhibitory control of neural differentiation in mammalian cells.

In Xenopus embryos, a truncated type II activin receptor (Δ1XAR1), capable of blocking signals by several transforming growth factor (TGF)-β family members, can induce neural tissue suggesting neural fate is under inhibitory control. Activin and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) can act as neural inhibitors but only BMP4 can induce epidermis in Xenopus ectodermal cells. We have used the pluripotent mouse embryonal carcinoma cell line P19 to examine whether the mechanisms of ectodermal cell fate decisions are conserved among vertebrates. We show that a P19 cell line expressing Δ1XAR1 will differentiate into neurons. In addition, BMP4 inhibits retinoic acid (RA)-induced neural differentiation of P19 cells and induces keratin expression. These results suggest that in mammals as in amphibians neural fate is under inhibitory control and BMP4 can alter ectodermal differentiation.
Ultrastructure of mixed plant virus infection: bean yellow mosaic virus with cowpea severe mosaic virus or cowpea mosaic virus in bean.

Abstract Ultrastructural responses of bean leaf cells simultaneously infected with two morphologically distinct RNA viruses, cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) and bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV), or cowpea severe mosaic virus (CSMV) and BYMV, were studied in situ . The major effects on cells infected with two viruses included: (1) association of virus group-specific cytoplasmic inclusions characteristic of each virus; (2) close association of virions into specifically arranged aggregates in which CPMV or CSMV icosahedra were aligned along the long axes of the BYMV rods; and (3) the induced formation of intranuclear inclusions, spheres (22–26 nm in diameter) and filaments (10–14 nm wide and of variable length) in mixed infections of CSMV and BYMV. Intracellular serological testing using ferritin conjugated with CSMV antibodies revealed no relationship between the spherical intranuclear inclusions and CSMV capsids. We conclude that the ultrastructure of mixed infections could be used as another tool for identifying related plant viruses.
A parallel/vectorized double-precision exponential core to accelerate computational science applications

Many natural processes exhibit exponential decay and, consequently, computational scientists make extensive use of e-χx in computer simulation experiments. While it is common to implement transcendental functions (sine, cosine, exponentiation, etc.) in hardware using the well-known CORDIC algorithm, many contemporary FPGA implementations either use fixed point or reduced precision floating-point operations (which suffers from a high average/mean error). Unfortunately, these solutions are unacceptable for many computational scientist who require the accuracy of doubleprecision values.This paper presents a direct implementation of an IEEE 754 double-precision e-χx FPGA core to support computational science applications. The design is similar to CORDIC but has been modified to specifically support exponentiation; it is pipelined and parallel to efficiently handle large vectors of parameters. Compared to solutions described in the literature, it consumes lesser logical gates, enabling more e-χx cores per FPGA. The paper compares the implementation to the current prevailing approaches. Results shows that the implementation on the Virtex 4 XC4VFX60 FPGA achieves a correct precise double-precision e-χx values, with a high throughput.
Similar properties of [35S] t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate receptor and coupled components of the gaba receptor-ionophore complex in brains of human, cow, rat, chicken and fish

No significant differences are evident in the specific binding characteristics of [35S]t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([35S]TBPS) to EDTA/water-dialyzed P2 membranes of human, cow, rat, chicken and fish brain. This species similarity includes dissociation constants of 61-77 nM at 37 degrees C, maximum receptor densities of 3-7 pmol/mg protein, and sensitivity to inhibition or displacement by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), two cage convulsants (picrotoxinin and t-butylbicycloorthobenzoate) and the insecticide [1R,cis, alpha S]-cypermethrin, indicating a constancy during vertebrate evolution of the [35S]TBPS binding site and its coupling with other components of the GABA receptor-ionophore complex. As a possible exception, chicken and fish brain membranes appear to be less sensitive than the others to the insecticide alpha-endosulfan. Human and rat preparations are also essentially identical relative to the inhibition of radioligand binding by two GABA mimetics (muscimol and 3-amino-propanesulfonic acid), six other cage convulsants (including examples of three classes of polychlorocycloalkane insecticides), a potent anthelmintic agent (Ivermectin), dimethylbutylbarbiturate, the convulsant benzodiazepine Ro 5-3663, and ethanol. The findings to date with [35S]TBPS and the GABA receptor-ionophore complex in rat brain membranes are therefore generally applicable to human preparations. Cow brain is an appropriate source for large scale preparations in receptor purification studies since it is essentially identical to human and rat preparations in all parameters examined. Species differences in sensitivity to the toxic effects of the convulsants and polychlorocycloalkane insecticides considered are apparently not attributable to receptor site specificity.
Measurements of Thermal Gradients and their Effects on Segmental Concrete Bridge

This paper presents concrete temperature data through the depth of a segmental box girder bridge. These data were collected continuously over a 212 year time period. The maximum recorded positive a...
Leonor Michaelis and music: transcript of a conversation with Kunio Yagi in 1986.

I met Kunio Yagi in 1986, on the occasion of the International Symposium on Bioenergetics held in Nagoya and organized by Takayuki Ozawa, right hand man of Kunio and later director of the Department of Biochemistry. Kunio showed me his Institute and mentioned to me that Leonor Michaelis, after studying in Berlin and Freiburg im Breisgau, became head of the bacteriological department at the Urban hospital of Berlin until 1922. What was new to me was the fact that at that time, in 1922, he moved to Nagoya, where he founded the first Department of Biochemistry in Japan. Kunio told me that Michaelis imported chemicals, instruments and personnel from Germany. The textbooks were written in German and the teaching language was also German. Kunio himself spoke some German, as part of the tradition continued after Michaelis. Being born in 1919, Kunio could not obviously have met, as a scientist, Michaelis, who moved in 1926 to the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Kunio told me about the passion for violin music and the professional competence of Michaelis in playing this instrument. In fact, I remember having seen a poster announcing a public concert given by Michaelis in Nagoya. According to Kunio, Michaelis used also to listen to young violinists and advise them. Once he was asked by a young man if he could become a violin soloist. Michaelis, after having listened to him, told him to go to Europe and study further in Germany. After his return Michaelis listened to him again, but was not convinced of his talent and told him: ‘‘If scientists, like me, or artists, like you, cannot fly as high as they would like, we have always an alternative: teaching’’. The young man, Kunio said, thanked Michaelis and decided to dedicate himself to teaching violin. His name was Shinichi Suzuki, the inventor of the ‘‘Suzuki method’’ of teaching violin and other instruments to children. Shinichi Suzuki was born on 17 October 1898 in Nagoya, Japan. His father was a violin maker. Once Shinichi brought home a violin and began to teach himself. He was in his 20s when, acting on the advice of Michaelis, he traveled to Germany, where he studied with a famous violin teacher, Karl Kinger. Shinichi had always thought that young children could learn music just as they had learned to walk and talk. This was his method. Thank you Kunio. I found this story fascinating, for the link between science and art and for the influence that a German professor of biochemistry could have on the teaching of music in Nagoya, in Japan and in the entire world.
Nutrient transport during bioremediation of contaminated beaches: Evaluation with lithium as a conservative tracer

Bioremediation of oil-contaminated beaches typically involves fertilization with nutrients that are thought to limit the growth rate of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria. Much of the available technology involves application of fertilizers that release nutrients in a water-soluble form prior to bacterial uptake. Oil contamination of coastal areas from offshore spills usually occurs in the intertidal zone. This area is subjected to periodic flooding by a combination of tides and waves, which can affect the washout rate of water-soluble nutrients from the contaminated area. We used lithium nitrate as a conservative tracer to study the rate of nutrient transport in a low-energy, sandy beach on the southwestern shore of Delaware Bay. The rate of tracer washout from the bioremediation zone (i.e. the upper 25 cm below the beach surface) was more rapid when the tracer was applied at spring tide (when the tidal amplitude is largest) than at neap tide, but the physical path taken by the tracer plume was not affected. In both cases, the tracer plume moved vertically into the beach subsurface and horizontally through the beach in a seaward direction. The vertical transport was probably driven by waves infiltrating through the unsaturated zone. Hydraulic gradients that were established by differences between the rate at which the elevation of the water table in the beach changed and the rate at which the tide rose and fell contributed to horizontal movement of the plume.
Reciprocal effects of ascorbate on cancer cell growth and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases and transforming growth factor-β

Abstract Cancer is associated with increased cell growth, and expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). The dose-dependent effects of ascorbate (Vitamin C) on cancer cell growth, and expression of MMPs and TGF-β were examined. Renal-adenocarcinoma, melanoma and mammary cancer cells were dosed with 0–100 mM ascorbate and examined for cell survival or proliferation, and expression of MMP-1, MMP-2 and TGF-β at protein and/or mRNA levels. The lower concentrations of ascorbate significantly inhibited cancer cell viability while stimulating MMPs and TGF-β expression, indicating elimination of cancer cells with damage to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Conversely, ascorbate at higher concentrations dramatically stimulated cell proliferation and inhibited MMPs and TGF-β expression, implicating growth and ECM advantage.
An examination of excessive acquisition in hoarding disorder

Although much has been written about hoarding recently, excessive acquisition in hoarding has remained relatively unexplored. The present study examined the types and role of acquisition and acquisition avoidance in hoarding. Of the 852 people who identified themselves as having problems with hoarding and volunteered for an internet study, 526 completed principle study measures, and 369 of these met criteria for clinically significant hoarding. In addition, 469 family and friend informants completed measures about a hoarding loved one. Sixty percent of those who met criteria for hoarding also met criteria for excessive acquisition. Of the remainder, nearly 70% reported acquiring problems in the past. Overall, 88% of hoarding participants had problems with acquisition currently or in the past. Ninety-two percent of informants reported moderate or greater levels of acquisition on the part of their hoarding family member or friend. Comparisons of current, past, and non-acquirers indicated differences with respect to hoarding severity and associated features (e.g., cognitive failures, self-control, perfectionism). Further, a substantial number in all three groups reported avoidance of acquisition-related cues. Only a few cases reported stealing behavior. Inhibited self-control emerged as a significant predictor of excessive buying, while cognitive failures predicted both buying and free acquisition.
A Study of Adult Learning in a Virtual World

It is crucial that employees and students become astute adult learners. Due to rapidly changing technology in both the workplace and instructional venues, organizations are challenged to find new a...
The Rice Genome and the Minor Grains

Ronald P. Cantrell and Timothy G. Reeves (“The cereal of the world's poor takes center stage,” Perspectives, 5 April, p. [53][1]) correctly point out that the availability of the rice genome sequence has the potential to contribute to food security through the improvement of rice, the staple crop in the diets of half the world's population. They also point to its contribution to future improvement of maize, wheat, and other major commercial grains. A further boon will be felt through its contribution to improvement of the “minor” grains such as tef, sorghum, and the millets. The world's commercial grain crops have been the focus of enormous public and private investment. The minor grains also feed millions and are a key to food security for the poorest in Asia and Africa. These grains are culturally valued, adapted to harsh environments, nutritious, and diverse in terms of their genetic, agroclimatic, and economic niches. Research on these crops, however, has been severely underinvested, receiving minimal attention by advanced laboratories relative to their importance for the world's poorest regions. As a result, and because of the close evolutionary relationships among all of the domesticated grain crops [a point well made by Jan Leach et al. (“Why finishing the rice genome matters,” Letters, 5 April, p. [45][2]) and Jeffrey Bennetzen (“Opening the door to comparative plant biology,” Perspectives, 5 April, p. [60][3])], it is in these crops, too, where the rice sequence will have a significant food security payoff. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1070721 [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.296.5565.45b [3]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1071402
From sequence to function: using RNAi to elucidate mechanisms of human disease

RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as one of the most powerful tools for functionally characterizing large sets of genomic data. Capabilities of RNAi place it at the forefront of high-throughput screens, which are able to span the human genome in search of novel targets. Although RNAi screens have been used to elucidate pathway components and discover potential drug targets in lower organisms, including Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila, only recently has the technology been advanced to a state in which large-scale screens can be performed in mammalian cells. In this review, we will evaluate the major advancements in the field of mammalian RNAi, specifically in terms of high-throughput assays. Crucial points of experimental design will be highlighted, as well as suggestions as to how to interpret and follow-up on potential cell death targets. Finally, we assess the prospective applications of high-throughput screens, the data they are capable of generating, and the potential for this technique to further our understanding of human disease.
Transforming growth factor-beta-3 is mitogenic for rat retinal progenitor cells in vitro.

Recent data indicate that the process of neurogenesis in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) may be regulated by peptide growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-alpha, and acidic or basic fibroblast growth factor. We have investigated whether members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) family also play a role in this process and have found that TGFβ-3 is mitogenic for embryonic rat retinal cells in vitro. We also show that TGFβ-3 stimulates production of retinal amacrine cells while photoreceptor production remains unchanged. These data demonstrate that TGFβ-3 can regulate cell proliferation in the CNS during development and can also influence commitment or differentiation, or both, of neural progenitor cells to particular retinal fates. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Common-sense beliefs about cancer and health practices among women completing treatment for breast cancer.

Objective Following the end of adjuvant treatment, breast cancer survivors must cope with uncertainty related to the possibility of recurrence and the loss of the “safety net” treatment provides. The present study examined breast cancer survivors' efforts to manage uncertainty by making lifestyle changes, such as improvement in diet and exercise. We further investigated the role of women's common-sense beliefs about their cancer, as described by Leventhal's self-regulation theory, in explaining post-treatment changes.
Clinical cancer research: An embattled species

Clinical cancer research is at a crossroads. The major progress which has been achieved will continue, provided that factors which threaten the clinical cancer researcher are identified and corrected. These problems (with proposed solutions) include: the increasing number of clinical oncologists, particularly medical oncologists; the relationship of the practicing clinical oncologist to cancer centers; the relative attractions of clinical practice, on the one side, and basic science on the other, as compared to clinical cancer research; the lack of recognition that clinical cancer research provides an opportunity for high achievement and challenge, and originality; the threat of curtailment of research funding; jurisdictional and other conflicts between scientific and clinical disciplines; the emerging "establishment generation" of clinical oncology; and the bureaucratic and regulatory ambience that has increasingly enveloped the clinical cancer researcher. That opportunities for originality continue was illustrated by a new therapeutic surgery known as neoadjuvant or anterior chemotherapy. In this strategy, systemic treatment is employed prior to surgery and/or radiotherapy for patients with head and neck cancer has increased operability ("upstaged" the patient) and on preliminary analysis would appear to be increasing disease-free survival. A clinical trial in osteogenic sarcoma involving initial chemotherapy has indicated that such treatment not only provides substantial regression of the primary in the majority of patients but also results in a substantially improved disease-free and overall survival, particularly in patients with locally responsive disease.
Mesh-refinement and substructuring technique in elastic-plastic finite element analysis

Abstract Although substructuring technique and finite element mesh-grading schemes have been utilized independently in computer structure analysis within the elastic range, no evidence exists in the literature of their simultaneous use, especially in the inelastic range. A joint application of the two techniques using elastic-plastic finite element analysis is presented in this paper. It is shown that the two can be applied together quite successfully and may even lead to some savings of computational effort.
School-Based Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Programs Guidelines for the Special Educator

Evaluation and implementation recommendations for school-based alcohol and other drug prevention programs
Novel applications of randić molecular connectivity index on data reduction of chemical graphs

Abstract Benzenoid hydrocarbons are studied in terms of the much simpler caterpillar trees . Using molecular connectivity indices of the latter almost exact linear relations are obtained with natural logarithms of five properties of benzenoid hydrocarbons including all self-avoiding paths, conjugated circuits, number of Kekule structures, electronic absorption spectra, and heats of atomization.
The European Union and Ocean Use Management: The Marine Strategy and the Maritime Policy

Problems resulting from contemporary patterns of ocean use and threats to the viability of the marine environment have led to reconsideration of ocean use governance in a number of states, including the United States, Australia, and Canada. For its part, the European Union has been working on the development of a Marine Strategy to safeguard the environment and a more encompassing Maritime Policy into which the Marine Strategy would be folded. The desired Maritime Policy would reflect a holistic perspective of ocean space, embody an ecosystem-based approach to ocean use management, and provide a broad framework for ocean/coastal management. As has been seen elsewhere, developing such a governance system is difficult both in terms of conceptualization and, subsequently, in operationalization. The June 2006 European Commission Green Paper on Maritime Policy sets the stage for a year of consultations designed to develop an effective governance system for ocean management. Institutional and policy changes wil...
Genetic Etiologies for Phenotypic Diversity in Sickle Cell Anemia

The clinical course of patients with sickle cell anemia, a Mendelian trait, is characteristically highly variable. HbF concentration and the presence of a thalassemia are established modulators of the disease, but cannot account for all of its clinical heterogeneity. To find additional genetic modulators of disease, genotype-phenotype association studies, where single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes are linked with a particular phenotype, have been informative. SNPs in several genes of the TGF-beta/BMP superfamily, and some other genes linked to the endothelial function, and nitric oxide biology are associated with the subphenotypes of stroke, osteonecrosis, priapism, leg ulcers, pulmonary hypertension, and a more general measure of overall disease severity. Genome-wide association studies should help to confirm these observations and also to find hitherto unsuspected genetic modulators. Genetic association studies can have immediate prognostic value; they might also help to identify new pathophysiological pathways that could be susceptible to modulation.
Adaptive focal plane array: an example of MEMS, photonics, and electronics integration

The effectiveness of infrared imaging sensors for target detection and identification can be greatly enhanced by adding spectral analysis capability. Unfortunately, this usually comes with the penalties of increased size, weight, and significantly increased computational requirements, which limit the rate at which information can be made available to the user. By integrating MEMS, photonics and electronics technologies, a new type of staring spectral imager can be realized. An Adaptive Focal Plane Array (AFPA) device is being developed under DARPA sponsorship that consists of an array of MEMS tunable Fabry-Perot filters, hybridized with a dual band IR focal plane array. The MEMS filters will provide narrowband tuning in the LWIR (8.0-10.7 mm) and simultaneous broadband imaging in the MWIR (3-5 mm). Individual filter elements will be on the size scale of a small number of detector pixels. Each filter will be independently electrically addressable, enabling tailored spectral analysis of different regions in the scene. Rather than collecting the complete hyperspectral cube, work is focusing on methods that will enable selection of spatially optimized spectral band sets for a variety of targets and materials that are selected "on-the-fly" to maximize the contrast between the local background and the target or material to be identified. This paper discusses the structure and status of the AFPA device and highlights some unique challenges inherent in the integration of MEMS, photonics and electronics technologies.
The Future, Disposable Organizations and the Rigidities of Imagination:

Predictions of the future of organizations are variations on a theme of fantasy: reliably incorrect and usefully seductive. To illustrate a few general points about the role of imagination in human existence, some predictions about the future of organizations are developed from an interpretation of the environments that will shape organizational survival. The predictions emphasize the adaptiveness of populations of rigid, disposable organizations as well as some of the problems of sustaining rigidity. Imaginations of the future are portrayed as instruments of the organizational obstinacy required by such an adaptive system. Mention is made of one or two of the consequences of robbing fantasy of its innocence in this way.
Effects of hydrocarbons, char and bed solids on the oxidation of carbon monoxide in the freeboard of a fluidized bed coal combustor

The rate of CO oxidation in the freeboard of a fluidized bed coal combustor is retarded by the presence of hydrocarbons with which CO has to compete for the Oh radical and by the presence of solids on which radicals recombine. This retarding effect has been quantified and incorporated into a CO oxidation model. The importance of the retardation of CO oxidation was assessed by a detailed sensitivity analysis in which the relative contributions of hydrocarbons and solid particles were taken into account, together with the generation of CO by the heterogeneous reaction between fine and large char on the one hand and oxygen on the other. Results of this analysis and comparison with experiment indicate that depletion of OH concentration by reaction with hydrocarbons is the major retarding effect in the CO oxidation process and that the correct determination of the CO and O 2 concentrations along the freeboard require that the generation of CO and the consumption of O 2 by the char-O 2 reaction be taken into account.
A House Divided Party Strength and the Mandate Divide in Hungary, Russia, and Ukraine

Mixed-member electoral systems embrace two views of representation by electing some legislators in single-member district elections and others in a proportional representation election. This can po...
Promiscuity, sexual selection, and genetic diversity: a reply to Spurgin.

We recently reported a positive association between female promiscuity and genetic diversity across passerine birds, and launched the hypothesis that female promiscuity acts as a balancing selection, pressure maintaining genetic diversity in populations (Gohli et al. 2013). Spurgin (2013) questions both our analyses and interpretations. While we agree that the hypothesis needs more comprehensive empirical testing, we find his specific points of criticism unjustified. In a more general perspective, we call for a more explicit recognition of female mating preferences as mechanisms of selection in population genetics theory.
Risk Factor Research and Prevention for Anxiety Disorders: Introduction to the Special Series on Risk and Prevention of Anxiety Pathology

In relation to treatment-related research in the United States, there is relatively little systematic effort focused on the combination of risk and prevention for anxiety pathology. This article broadly discusses risk factor research and prevention program development for anxiety psychopathology. The authors also specifically discuss papers in this special issue that are focused on these topics. Risk factor research should be used by clinical researchers to inform prevention programs, and reciprocally, prevention knowledge should be effectively utilized to drive new, clinically focused risk factor research.
A Fair and Efficient Pricing Strategy for Slotted Aloha in MPR Models

In this paper, we propose a fair pricing strategy to improve the performance of a slotted Aloha system in which users act selfishly to improve their own utility. Based on a game theoretic framework, we show that both throughput and revenue can be optimized by appropriately selecting a pricing strategy for the selfish users. Our proposed solution considers multipacket reception capabilities for the physical layer. The network enforces fairness among different users by employing a pricing policy that favors equal access probabilities.
Parametric Response Map As an Imaging Biomarker to Distinguish Progression From Pseudoprogression in High-Grade Glioma

Purpose To assess whether a new method of quantifying therapy-associated hemodynamic alterations may help to distinguish pseudoprogression from true progression in patients with high-grade glioma. Patients and Methods Patients with high-grade glioma received concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and blood flow (rCBF) maps were acquired before chemoradiotherapy and at week 3 during treatment on a prospective institutional review board–approved study. Pseudoprogression was defined as imaging changes 1 to 3 months after chemoradiotherapy that mimic tumor progression but stabilized or improved without change in treatment or for which resection revealed radiation effects only. Clinical and conventional magnetic resonance (MR) parameters, including average percent change of rCBV and CBF, were evaluated as potential predictors of pseudoprogression. Parametric response map (PRM), an innovative, voxel-by-voxel method of image analysis, was also performed. Results Median radiation dose...
Applications of the geometry of digital spaces to medical imaging

We present the applications of the geometry of digital spaces to three processes frequently used in medical imaging; namely segmentation, boundary tracking and display.
The ubiquitin-proteasome system is responsible for cysteine-responsive regulation of cysteine dioxygenase concentration in liver

Hepatic cysteine dioxygenase (CDO) activity is a critical regulator of cellular cysteine concentration and availability of cysteine for anabolic processes and is markedly higher in animals fed diets containing excess sulfur amino acids compared with those fed levels at or below the requirement. Rat hepatocytes responded to a deficiency or excess of cysteine in the culture medium with a decrease or increase in CDO level but no change in CDO mRNA level. The cysteine analog, cysteamine, but not cysteine metabolites or thiol reagents, was also effective in increasing CDO. Inhibitors of the 26S proteasome blocked CDO degradation in cysteine-deficient cells but had little or no effect on CDO concentration in hepatocytes cultured with excess cysteine. High-molecular-mass CDO-ubiquitin conjugates were observed in cells cultured in cysteine-deficient medium, whether or not proteasome inhibitor was present, but these CDO-ubiquitin conjugates were not observed in cells cultured in cysteine-supplemented medium with or without proteasome inhibitor. Similar results were observed for degradation of recombinant CDO expressed in human heptocarcinoma cells cultured in cysteine-deficient or cysteine-supplemented medium. CDO is an example of a mammalian enzyme that is robustly regulated via its substrate, with the presence of substrate blocking the ubiquitination of CDO and, hence, the targeting of CDO for proteasomal degradation. This regulation occurs in primary hepatocytes in a manner that corresponds with changes observed in intact animals.
Cervical spine clearance protocols in Level I, II, and III trauma centers in California.

Abstract Background context Cervical spine clearance protocols were developed to standardize the clearance of the cervical spine after blunt trauma and prevent secondary neurologic injuries. The degree of incorporation of evidence-based guidelines into protocols at trauma centers in California is unknown. Purpose To evaluate the cervical spine clearance protocols in all trauma centers of California. Study design An observational cross-sectional study. Patient sample Included from Level I, II, III trauma centers in California. Outcome measures The self-reported outcomes of each trauma center's cervical spine clearance protocols were assessed. Methods Level I (n=15), II (n=30), and III (n=11) trauma centers in California were contacted. Each available protocol was reviewed for four scenarios: clearing the asymptomatic patient, the initial imaging modality used in patients not amenable to clinical clearance, and the management strategies for patients with persistent neck pain with a negative computed tomography (CT) scan and those who are obtunded. Results were compared with the 2009 Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) cervical spine clearance guidelines. Results The response rate was 96%. Sixty-three percent of California's trauma centers (Level I, 93%; Level II, 60%; Level III, 27%) had written cervical spine clearance protocols. For asymptomatic patients, 83% of Level I and 61% of Level II centers used National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study criteria with/without painless range of motion. For those requiring imaging, 67% of Level I and 56% of Level II centers stated a CT scan should be the first line of imaging. For obtunded patients and patients with persistent neck pain and a negative CT scan, more than 90% of Level I and more than 70% of Level II trauma centers incorporated the 2009 EAST recommendations. No institution recommended passive flexion-extension radiographs for the obtunded patient. Conclusions Written cervical spine clearance protocols exist in 63% of California's trauma centers and only 51% of the centers have protocols that follow current evidence-based guidelines. Standardization and utilization of these protocols should be encouraged to prevent missed injuries and secondary neurologic injuries.
Conditional Cash Transfers and Agricultural Production: Lessons from the Oportunidades Experience in Mexico

Abstract This paper explores whether cash transfer programmes conditioned on human capital outcomes can influence agricultural production. Programme impact on food consumption from own production, land use, livestock ownership, and agricultural spending are evaluated using first difference and weighted estimators, in which weights are constructed from propensity scores. The programme is found to increase the value and variety of food consumed from own production and to increase land use, livestock ownership and crop spending. Impact estimates are found to differ across land use categories and PROCAMPO participation. Results support the hypothesis that transfers influence agricultural production and impacts are greater for households invested in agriculture.
Classification of Simultaneous Movements Using Surface EMG Pattern Recognition

Advanced upper limb prostheses capable of actuating multiple degrees of freedom (DOFs) are now commercially available. Pattern recognition algorithms that use surface electromyography (EMG) signals show great promise as multi-DOF controllers. Unfortunately, current pattern recognition systems are limited to activate only one DOF at a time. This study introduces a novel classifier based on Bayesian theory to provide classification of simultaneous movements. This approach and two other classification strategies for simultaneous movements were evaluated using nonamputee and amputee subjects classifying up to three DOFs, where any two DOFs could be classified simultaneously. Similar results were found for nonamputee and amputee subjects. The new approach, based on a set of conditional parallel classifiers was the most promising with errors significantly less ( p <; 0.05) than a single linear discriminant analysis (LDA) classifier or a parallel approach. For three-DOF classification, the conditional parallel approach had error rates of 6.6% on discrete and 10.9% on combined motions, while the single LDA had error rates of 9.4% on discrete and 14.1% on combined motions. The low error rates demonstrated suggest than pattern recognition techniques on surface EMG can be extended to identify simultaneous movements, which could provide more life-like motions for amputees compared to exclusively classifying sequential movements.