cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TRANSFER OF CUTANEOUS HYPERSENSITIVITY TO TUBERCULIN WITH A CELL-FREE EXTRACT OF SPLENIC TISSUE.

Summary1. A method is described for preparing a cell-free first supernatant fluid from dissociated spleen cells from guinea pigs sensitized to tuberculin with Freund's complete adjuvant. 2. Intraperitoneal injections of this cell-free material confer on normal guinea pigs an ability to react in a delayed fashion to the intracutaneous injection of old tuberculin. This reaction is similar to that which can be transferred passively by the viable cells from which the cell-free supernatant fluid is derived.
Predictive Validity of the Battelle Developmental Inventory as a Measure of Social-Behavioral Development for Young Children with Disabilities

Although the Battelle Developmental Inventory (BDI) has become a widely-used assessment tool for evaluating the developmental skills of young children, little is known about this instrument in terms of its value as a measure of social-behavioral development and a predictor of later developmental outcomes. In this investigation, both of these aspects of the BDI were explored. Subjects were 121 young children with disabilities who participated in a longitudinal early intervention study. The BDI was administered to each subject upon their entry into the study, when they ranged in age from two-to five-years old. The subjects were rated by their parents with the Social Skills Rating System at a two- to three-year interval of time after their entry into the study, when they ranged in age from five-to eight-years old. Correlations between the two measures at two points in time found very weak to modest relationships between the BDI and SSRS. The most significant correlations were found between the BDI Personal-S...
Improved procedure for interconnecting piece-wise solutions

Abstract When a physical system, or its topological model, is torn apart into n independent parts, a factorized form of the true inverse matrix Z may be established by finding the inverse of n + 1 much smaller matrices. No additional matrix multiplications are needed. The first n matrices Z1 represent the n subdivisions, while the (n + 1)-th matrix Z4 represents a newly created physical system, to be called “intersection” system. The latter matrix is constructed out of the fragments of the inverted subdivisions. This paper shows that it is not necessary to establish the Z2 and Z3 matrices that couple Z4 of the intersection system with Z1 of the n subdivisions. The role of the coupling matrices can be taken over by the already established connection matrix C. Thus the amount of storage and the clerical work are greatly decreased from that shown previously. Moreover the number of multiplications needed to evaluate the unknown E for a given I is reduced. A simple numerical example is also worked out by the improved procedure.
Neutron Production and Collective Ion Acceleration in a High-Current Diode

New measurements demonstrate that neutrons produced in a high-current pulsed diode with deuterium-bearing electrodes are of beam-target origin. During a brief portion of a 70-nsec, 2-MV, 50-kA pulse, positive ions from the anode and cathode plasmas were observed to be accelerated toward the anode rather than the cathode as dictated by the externally applied field. Energetic deuterons were observed, behind a small aperture in the anode, which were the source of neutrons produced with Li or C anodes.
In-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy of 82Sr

The reaction XGe( WO,2p2n)YSSr with E( WO) = 80 MeV was used to study the nucleus YSSr. Measurements were made of the excitation functions, angular distributions, and el-el-t coincidences. From these measurements six new levels were placed in the level scheme of YSSr at 2683.7, 3609.2, 4367.1, 5308.4, 6364.4, and 7827.8 keV. A gamma ray with a very high anisotropy (A2 = -1.05(7), A4 = 0.12(6)) feeds the (11 ) level at 5914.5 keV. A new band based on the level at 3525.7 keV was identified. The sequence of transitions decaying down the negative parity band was reordered to 522-1005-876-694 keV.
Predicting the maximum compressive beam axial force during fire considering local buckling

Abstract Local buckling in floor beams has been one of the important observations in several fire events in steel buildings such as World Trade Center Tower 7 and large-scale fire experiments such as Cardington building test in U.K. Utilizing three dimensional finite element methods for complex geometry and nonlinear behavior of such connections, local buckling of the web followed by the buckling of the lower flange is observed to occur in early stages of fire, which causes instability to the floor system, and a significant reduction in the connection strength. The observations also suggest that the maximum compression in the floor beam is limited to the buckling capacity of the web and flanges near the connection. This paper contributes to such knowledge by investigating the local buckling of floor beams for different connection types at elevated temperatures using nonlinear finite element models. Moment connections are found to be more resistant to local buckling when compared to the shear connections. The results are also compared to the AISC design equation for plate buckling under ambient and elevated temperatures. Compared to the finite element analyses of this study, it is observed that at ambient temperature the AISC curve conservatively captures the buckling capacity of webs and flanges; at higher temperatures, AISC overestimates the capacity.
Regenerative, coal-based solid oxide fuel cell-electrolyzers

Abstract In this paper we theoretically analyze the concept of a reversible-and-regenerative solid oxide device comprising a multilayer architecture that will employ an oxygen-ion-conducting solid oxide, e.g. yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as the electrolyte. The two electrodes to be used in the device are reversible, i.e. capable of reversibly operating as the cathode and as the anode. One of the electrodes to be used is a liquid metal Ag and the other electrode will be chosen from several options including a nickel (Ni)–YSZ porous cermet. The advantage of such a device is the ability to use coal (carbon), an abundantly available fuel in a solid oxide fuel cell. The device can be operated in an electrolysis mode to generate hydrogen from coal and steam and in a power generation mode as a solid oxide fuel cell to generate electricity from the hydrogen generated during the electrolysis cycles.
Trap cropping to manage the red sunflower seed weevil in oilseed sunflower

The red sunflower seed weevil, Smicronyx fulvus LeConte, is a major pest of sunflower in North and South Dakota and Minnesota. Typically, insecticides are used to reduce oviposition and prevent economically damaging larval populations from developing. In a test of a reduced-pesticide alternative, we planted early maturing sunflower in the margins around commercial fields of oilseed sunflower. The margins flowered earlier than the field interiors and acted as a trap for the red sunflower seed weevil. They were treated with an insecticide while the trap rows were blooming and before the field interior began to flower. Conventional fields entirely treated with insecticide served as checks. We compared the trap and check fields with regard to yield, the fraction of larval-damaged seeds, and economic costs (insect damage and the cost of insecticide materials and application). Yield and larval damage of seeds were comparable between check and trap fields. However, the economic costs of weevil control in the check fields was greater than in the trap fields. Trap cropping is a recommended strategy for the red sunflower seed weevil, especially where economically damaging populations of the weevil are expected.
Dust mobilization and transport modeling for loss of vacuum accidents

We develop a general continuum fluid dynamic model for dust transport in loss of vacuum accidents in fusion energy systems. The relationship between this general approach and established particle transport methods is clarified, in particular the relationship between the seemingly disparate treatments of aerosol dynamics and Lagrangian particle tracking. Constitutive equations for granular flow are found to be inadequate for prediction of mobilization, as these models essentially impose a condition of flow from the outset. Experiments confirm that at low shear, settled dust piles behave more like a continuum solid, and suitable solid models will be required to predict the onset of dust mobilization.
Contextual advertisement placement in printed media

Advertisements today provide the necessary revenue model supporting the WWW ecosystem. Targeted or contextual ad insertion plays an important role in optimizing the financial return of this model. Nearly all the current ads that appear on web sites are geared for display purposes such as banner and "pay-per-click". Little attention, however, is focused on deriving additional ad revenues when the content is repurposed for alternative mean of presentation, e.g. being printed. Although more and more content is moving to the Web, there are still many occasions where printed output of web content is desirable, such as maps and articles; thus printed ad insertion can potentially be lucrative. In this paper, we describe a contextual ad insertion network aimed to realize new revenue for print service providers for web printing. We introduce a cloud print service that enables contextual ads insertion, with respect to the main web page content, when a printout of the page is requested. To encourage service utilization, it would provide higher quality printouts than what is possible from current browser print drivers, which generally produce poor outputs, e.g. ill formatted pages. At this juncture we will limit the scope to only article-related web pages although the concept can be extended to arbitrary web pages. The key components of this system include (1) the extraction of article from web pages, (2) the extraction of semantics from article, (3) querying the ad database for matching advertisement or coupon, and (4) joint content and ad layout for print outputs.
Placental prostanoid release in severe intrauterine growth retardation

Summary Our objective was to evaluate prostanoid release from the placentae of pregnancies complicated by severe intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and without hypertension, compared with placentae from normal, uncomplicated term pregnancies. A perifusion system was utilized to study the release of prostanoids 6-keto-prostaglandin F 1α (6-keto-PGF 1α ), thromboxane B 2 (TxB 2 ), prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) and prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α ) from human placentae from pregnancies complicated by normotensive severe IUGR ( n =9, five at term and four preterm) and normal control pregnancies ( n =6). For each placenta, triplicate chambers of tissue were perifused at a rate of 6 ml/h, and samples were collected from hours 5–10. Prostanoids were measured using specific and sensitive radioimmunoassays. In the IUGR group, the basal placental production of the vasoconstrictor thromboxane was not increased, nor was the ratio of cumulative TxB 2 to 6-keto-PGF 1α elevated compared with normal term controls. In three term IUGR placentae, the ratio was significantly decreased compared with controls. The basal placental production of the vasoconstrictor PGF 2α was likewise not increased compared with controls, nor was the ratio of PGF 2α to PGE 2 elevated. Two of the placentae in the term IUGR group demonstrated significant elevations of PGE 2 and 6-keto-PGF 1α . Overall, the IUGR placentae released normal or low normal levels of the prostanoids studied. The pattern of placental prostanoid release over time was similar to that of the normal term placentae. The term and preterm placentae of pregnancies complicated by severe IUGR did not exhibit an excess production of vasoconstrictor prostanoids. Therefore, strategies designed to reduce thromboxane production in severe IUGR without hypertension may be unjustified.
d-Fenf luramine Anorexia: Dissociation of Ingestion Rate, Meal Duration, and Meal Size Effects

Abstract In the present study, we ask whether the suppressive effect of d-fenfluramine ( d-FEN) on short-term intake can be better explained in terms of a primary action on particular behavioral parameters (e.g., ingestion rate or meal duration), as proposed by several investigators, or in terms of a primary effect on an intake “target” that can be achieved via diverse behavioral strategies. We applied two specialized intake testing paradigms that constrain the behavioral structure of the rat's meal in different ways, and determined whether or not the meal-size result varied in turn. [1] In the intraoral intake test, the rate of ingestion was clamped by the rate (1.0 ml/min) at which the test stimulus (12.5 % glucose) was intraorally delivered. A d-FEN (3 mg/kg) suppression of intraoral intake was obtained demonstrating that ingestion rate adjustment is not necessary for the anorexic effect. In addition, for both d-FEN and vehicle conditions, comparable amounts were consumed when the intraoral intake test was either continuous or interrupted for 10 min beginning 6 min after test onset. For d-FEN, the increase in meal duration (mean = 11.98 min) required to compensate for the imposed interruption indicates that the drug does not specify an absolute limit for meal duration. [2] In the drop size-controlled spout-licking test, the volume of 12.5% glucose delivered for each lick was fixed at either 8 or 4 μl. There was an overall reduction in intake with d-FEN (0.75 mg/kg), but as under vehicle injection conditions, the number of licks emitted approximately doubled when lick volume was halved. As a result, meal size was unaffected by the drop size manipulation. The drop size manipulation affected several other behavioral parameters under respective d-FEN and vehicle injection conditions, including: average rate of ingestion (ml/min), initial ingestion rate, and ingestion duration (meal duration minus pause time). The two experiments together demonstrate that the anorexic effect of d-FEN does not depend on adjustment of any particular behavioral parameter. The results suggest, rather, that given doses of d-FEN establish a particular degree of intake suppression that the rat defends via diverse behavioral strategies.
The low velocity response of the solid state nuclear track detector CR-39

Abstract We have studied the response of CR-39 to low velocity (β= ν c −2 ) ions. We find that the REL model cannot predict the low velocity response of CR-39. Furthermore, we find that nuclear stopping is only 20% as effective as electronic stopping at changing the response of CR-39. These results imply that CR-39 will never see a low velocity monopole.
Ozone-induced Loss of Intracellular Potassium Ion from Chlorella sorokiniana.

The unicellular algae Chlorella sorokiniana was used as a model system to investigate the interaction of ozone with plant cell membranes. Ozone induces K+ leakage from Chlorella sorokiniana similar to the electrolytic loss observed from many higher plants under stressful conditions. The kinetics of this leakage indicate that ozone initially interacts reversibly (within sec) with sites on membranes allowing a passive efflux of K+. This efflux ceases within minutes after the ozone stress is removed. This return to normal efflux is very temperature dependent. High intracellular osmolarity seems to be an important criterion of susceptibility to ozone injury in this model system, since rates of ozone-induced K+ leakage are less when the external osmotic potential is decreased by suspension of the cells in mannitol. Cell interaction with ozone is further complicated by a saturating-type dependence of the K+ efflux upon ozone concentration within the medium.
Guest editorial [intro. to special issue]

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV's) are beginning to demonstrate their capabilities to match these design criteria while still allowing emission-reduced (or even emission-free) vehicle operation and a considerably improved fuel economy during many driving patterns. The PNGV demonstrator vehicles, the Toyota Prius, the Honda Insight, and many more demonstrators from European automakers are clear signs of this trend. The fact that HEV?s can meet various requirements makes them viable options to substitute conventional vehicles in the short- and medium-term perspectives. It must, however, be remarked that the design of hybrid vehicles, much like that of conventional vehicles, is characterized by tradeoffs between fuel economy and emissions objectives and performance and driveability objectives. Hybrid vehicle analysis and design is concerned with the storage and conversion of energy in (or among) three domains - chemical, mechanical, and electrical. Some of the conversions are bidirectional (e.g., motor?generator action), and some are not (e.g., fuel chemical-to-mechanical energy conversion via a combustion process). Each domain is characterized by energy storage devices (e.g., fuels, batteries, supercapacitors, and flywheels), while energy conversion devices form links between energy domains. The papers included in this special section illustrate a cross section of the engineering problems and solutions associated with the design and analysis of hybrid vehicles. The papers contained in this special section represent two important areas: analysis and simulation of HEV's and the design of special hybrid electric drive subsystems.
N-methylglutamate dehydrogenase: kinetic studies on the solubilized enzyme.

Abstract N -methylglutamate dehydrogenase has been “solubilized,” by treatment with Triton X-100, and purified about fivefold. Eight different N -methyl amino acids serve as substrates for the enzyme with K m varying from approximately 0.2 m for the poorest substrate, sarcosine, to 54 μ m for the best substrate, N -methyl l -glutamate. The maximal velocity is independent of the N -methyl amino acid, yet decreases more than tenfold when the electron acceptor is changed from phenazine methosulfate to potassium ferricyanide. Double reciprocal plots measuring the effect of 2,6-dichloro-phenolindophenol on the K m of N -methyl l -glutamate show a series of parallel lines. The same result was obtained when sarcosine was used in place of N -methyl l -glutamate. These results are interpreted in terms of a two-step mechanism involving a reduced enzyme intermediate. The lack of product inhibition by glutamate or formaldehyde (or an equimolar mixture of the two) is discussed in terms of the possibility that N -methylene glutamate rather than glutamate or formaldehyde is the true product of the reaction.
Orientation, alignment, and polytype control in epitaxial growth of SiC nanowires for electronics application in harsh environments

SiC nanowires (NWs) are attractive building blocks for the next generation electronic devices since silicon carbide is a wide bandgap semiconductor with high electrical breakdown strength, radiation resistance, mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, chemical stability and biocompatibility. Epitaxial growth using metal-catalyst-based vapor-liquid-solid mechanism was employed for SiC NW growth in this work. 4H-SiC substrates having different crystallographic orientations were used in order to control NW alignment and polytype. A new technique based on vapor-phase delivery of the metal catalyst was developed to facilitate control of the NW density. Both 4H and 3C polytypes with a strong stacking disorder were obtained. The 4H and 3C NWs had different orientations with respect to the substrate. 4H NWs grew perpendicular to the c-plane of the substrate. The stacking faults (SFs) in these nanowires were perpendicular to the [0001] nanowire axes. All 3C NWs grew at 20° with respect to the substrate c-plane, and their projections on the c-plane corresponded to one of the six equivalent ⟨101-0⟩ crystallographic directions. All six orientations were obtained simultaneously when growing NWs on the (0001) substrate surface, while only one or two NW orientations were observed when growing NWs on any particular crystallographic plane parallel to the c-axis of the substrate. Growth on {101-0} surfaces resulted in only one NW orientation, thereby producing well-aligned NW arrays. Preliminary measurements of the NW electrical conductivity are reported utilizing two-terminal device geometry.
Breast reconstruction with the profunda artery perforator flap.

Background:The use of perforator flaps has allowed for the transfer of large amounts of soft tissue with decreased morbidity. For breast reconstruction, the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap, the superior and inferior gluteal artery perforator flaps, and the transverse upper gracilis flap are
Structural requirements at the catalytic site of the heteroduplex substrate for human RNase H1 catalysis

Human RNase H1 cleaves RNA exclusively in an RNA/DNA duplex; neither double-strand DNA nor double-strand RNA is a viable substrate. Previous studies suggest that the helical geometry and sugar conformation of the DNA and RNA may play a role in the selective recognition of the heteroduplex substrate by the enzyme. We systematically evaluated the influence of sugar conformation, minor groove bulk, and conformational flexibility of the heteroduplex on enzyme efficiency. Modified nucleotides were introduced into the oligodeoxyribonucleotide at the catalytic site of the heteroduplex and consisted of southern, northern, and eastern biased sugars with and without 2′-substituents, non-hydrogen bonding base modifications, abasic deoxyribonucleotides, intranucleotide hydrocarbon linkers, and a ganciclovir-modified deoxyribonucleotide. Heteroduplexes containing modifications exhibiting strong northern or southern conformational biases with and without a bulky 2′-substituent were cleaved at a significantly slower rate than the unmodified substrate. Modifications imparting the greatest degree of conformational flexibility were the poorest substrates, resulting in dramatically slower cleavage rates for the ribonucleotide opposing the modification and the surrounding ribonucleotides. Finally, modified heteroduplexes containing modifications predicted to mimic the sugar pucker and conformational flexibility of the deoxyribonucleotide exhibited cleavage rates comparable with those of the unmodified substrate. These data suggest that sugar conformation, minor groove width, and the relative positions of the intra- and internucleotide phosphates are the crucial determinants in the selective recognition of the heteroduplex substrate by human RNase H1 and offer immediate steps to improve the performance of DNA-like antisense oligonucleotides.
Anesthetic concerns of external maxillary distraction osteogenesis.

BACKGROUND: External maxillary distractions present additional anesthetic concerns to the existing complexity of the patient with craniofacial disorder. The distraction hardware is rigidly fixed to the cranium and projects in the frontofacial midline, thus limiting oronasal airway access. METHODS: A review of 16 patients (10 male, 6 female) having external maxillary distraction was done. Patients with patent tracheostomies were excluded. In all cases, the same type of external distraction device was used (R.E.D., K.L.S. Martin, Jacksonville, FL, USA). Perioperative records were reviewed for medical history; operative diagnosis, presence of airway disease, tracheostomy, laryngoscopy grade, use of fiberoptic bronchoscope, procedure, operative time, use of intraoperative steroid, day of postoperative extubation, and need for reintubation were documented. RESULTS: The study group was subdivided into two diagnostic categories: those with syndromic craniosynostosis (n = 9) and those with cleft lip/palate (CLP) (n = 7). Patients in the craniosynostotic group had grade 1 laryngoscopy views, with the exception of a single patient with Crouzon syndrome who had a grade 3 view. This was the only patient who required fiberoptic intubation. One patient with Apert syndrome required reintubation (48 hours after surgery); successful extubation was done 96 hours later. In the cleft lip/palate group, all patients had grade 1 laryngoscopic views, except one with a grade 3 view; no patient required fiberoptic intubation. Six of the seven patients were extubated immediately after surgery, with one patient extubated the next day. No patient experienced failure of extubation. CONCLUSIONS: External maxillary distraction minimally affects anesthetic management provided certain safeguards are observed. The vertical bar can be left attached to the cranial portion of the distractor, or it can be removed for extubation or reintubation. Removal of the vertical bar allows unobstructed direct laryngoscopy. This emphasizes the importance for the emergent availability of the appropriate screwdrivers and wire cutters to remove the vertical bar and trained personnel to perform the removal.
Average Seasonal Variation of the Atlantic Equatorial Currents from Historical Ship Drifts

Abstract Surface currents in the tropical Atlantic were studied using historical ship-drift data. These are the only available data capable of resolving the long-term seasonal fluctuations of currents over a broad geographical region. The North Equatorial Countercurrent was found to extend as a continuous eastward-flowing current across the Atlantic in the band 5–8°N from July to December. The maximum average eastward velocity was ∼30 cm s−1 during July-September. East of 20°W the countercurrent continued throughout the year. West of 20°W and from January to June the countercurrent disappeared and westward currents were observed. Average westward velocity reached 20 cm β−1 in April and May, centered near 40°W. The annual cycle in surface velocity (20 cm s−1 amplitude) agrees closely with that of geostrophic velocity inferred from variations in thermocline depth across the counter current jets, centered near 2°N and 4°S, separated by a minimum near 1°S. The northern jet has a large (14 cm s−1) semiannual v...
Real-time gene delivery vector tracking in the endo-lysosomal pathway of live cells

Using live-cell confocal microscopy and particle tracking technology, the simultaneous transport of intracellular vesicles of the endo-lysosomal pathway and nonviral polyethylenimine (PEI)/DNA nanocomplexes was investigated. Due to potential problems associated with the use of acid-sensitive probes in combination with a gene vector that is hypothesized to buffer the pH of intracellular vesicles, the biological location of PEI/DNA gene vectors was revealed by probing their trafficking in cells expressing fluorescent versions of either early endosome antigen 1, a protein that localizes to early endosomes, or Niemann Pick C1, a protein that localizes to late endosomes and lysosomes. Studies directly show that PEI/DNA nanoparticles are actively transported within both early and late endosomes, and display similar overall transport rates in each. Additionally, gene vector transfer between endosomes is observed. Over time posttransfection, gene vectors accumulate in late endosomes/lysosomes; however, real-time escape of vectors from membrane-bound vesicles is not observed.
Better ceramic substrates through zeolites

A novel synthetic route for fabricating dense aluminosilicate-based ceramics at relatively low temperatures (⩽1000°C) is described. The method involves ion exchange of an appropriate zeolite powder, followed by fabrication and sintering, to form a dense ceramic. Anorthite, cordierite- andβ-spodumene-based ceramic substrates with attractive physical properties for microelectronic packaging are obtained using these unusual precursors. A brief overview on the property requirements for substrates used in microelectronic packaging is outlined at the beginning of the article.
Graphical Standardization of Condensed Milk Products

Abstract 1.The ratio line is the locus of all points in which Fat Milk solids not fat equals the ratio desired in the finished product. 2.The line connecting the points representing the compositions of the materials to be combined in the mixture is the locus of all points representing the composition of every possible combination of these materials alone. 3.The intersection of the ratio line and composition line is a point which represents the only combination of the materials used which can furnish fat and solids not fat in the desired ratio.
Group Anger Control Training for junior high school delinquents

An Anger Control Training program was delivered in a group format for biweekly sessions at a public junior high school. Thirty-six adolescents were chosen from an inschool sample of 100 students in a behavior modification program for multisuspended delinquents, based on high rates of classroom and/or community disruptions. Students were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups, or to a no-contact control group. All subjects received a pre- and posttest battery, and continuous measures of school suspensions and fines for disruptive behavior were recorded during the program. Students were taught both general self-control strategies and strategies specific to aggressive/disruptive incidents. Analyses of the results revealed significant change scores for treatment subjects on dependent measures of problem-solving ability and self-control. Changes in daily frequencies of fines for disruptive behavior and for severe aggression resulting in expulsion from school were obtained between groups. Results are discussed in terms of the effectiveness of an inschool self-control training program as an adjunct to other behavior modification systems.
In Vitro Effects of Ovarian Steroids on Prostaglandin F2α Output by Human Endometrium and Endometrial Epithelial Cells

Correlations of the rise in prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) levels in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle with changes in plasma concentrations of ovarian steroids have suggested that progesterone (P) priming of the endometrium is necessary for the stimulation of PGF2 alpha production by estradiol (E2). However, despite the absence of significant levels of P in plasma during the follicular phase of the cycle, PGF2 alpha output by epithelial cell cultures derived from proliferative endometrium was stimulated in vitro by 10(-8) M E2 at least as well as PGF2 alpha output from secretory endometrium. In addition, basal PGF2 alpha output by proliferative endometrium under organ culture conditions was significantly greater than that by secretory endometrium. Concurrent addition of P counteracted the effects of E2 in these in vitro systems. P (10(-7) M) plus E2 (10(-8) M) resulted in PGF2 alpha output as low or lower than those of control incubations of secretory and proliferative endometrium. In the epithelial cell cultures, significant net stimulation by 10(-8) M E2 occurred in the presence of 10(-6) M P, a noteworthy finding since the rise in endometrial PGF2 alpha during the luteal phase takes place when the tissue is exposed to both E2 and P. P lowered the basal output of PGF2 alpha by endometrium in organ culture, but not by epithelial cells in monolayer cultures. E2 appears to stimulate PGF2 alpha output by increasing synthesis rather than diminishing metabolism, since exogenous [3H]PGF2 alpha was metabolized to an equivalent extent by fragments of secretory endometrium or glandular epithelial cells regardless of whether E2 was added to the incubation medium. The results from this study confirm that only secretory endometrium responds to E2 in vitro by significantly increasing PGF2 alpha output. The lack of response by proliferative endometrium, when contrasted with the marked responsiveness of epithelial cells derived from this tissue, suggests that an inhibitory influence is removed during the isolation or subsequent culture of endometrial glands.
Temporal summation of heat pain in humans: Evidence supporting thalamocortical modulation

Noxious cutaneous contact heat stimuli (48 °C) are perceived as increasingly painful when the stimulus duration is extended from 5 to 10 s, reflecting the temporal summation of central neuronal activity mediating heat pain. However, the sensation of increasing heat pain disappears, reaching a plateau as stimulus duration increases from 10 to 20 s. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 10 healthy subjects to determine if active central mechanisms could contribute to this psychophysical plateau. During heat pain durations ranging from 5 to 20 s, activation intensities in the bilateral orbitofrontal cortices and the activation volume in the left primary (S1) somatosensory cortex correlated only with perceived stimulus intensity and not with stimulus duration. Activation volumes increased with both stimulus duration and perceived intensity in the left lateral thalamus, posterior insula, inferior parietal cortex, and hippocampus. In contrast, during the psychophysical plateau, both the intensity and volume of thalamic and cortical activations in the right medial thalamus, right posterior insula, and left secondary (S2) somatosensory cortex continued to increase with stimulus duration but not with perceived stimulus intensity. Activation volumes in the left medial and right lateral thalamus, and the bilateral mid-anterior cingulate, left orbitofrontal, and right S2 cortices also increased only with stimulus duration. The increased activity of specific thalamic and cortical structures as stimulus duration, but not perceived intensity, increases is consistent with the recruitment of a thalamocortical mechanism that participates in the modulation of pain-related cortical responses and the temporal summation of heat pain.
On building an organizationally realistic agent-based model of local interaction and emergent network structure

We describe research intended to build an agent-based model that is "organizationally realistic". By this we mean that the attributes of the artificial organization of agents conform to empirical results for human organizational systems. We build upon the definitional structure of computational organization theory (Carley and Prietula, 1994) and represent an organization as a network of agents, tasks, resources, and knowledge (Krackhardt and Carley, 1998). We do not assume an a priori design requirement. Rather, organizational structures are posited to emerge endogenously, the particulars being a key area of study. Agent interactions are governed by local network dynamics, agent-specific rules, and explicit universal constraints (Hazy and Tivnan, 2003).
Monitoring and engineering protein-protein interactions in the bacterial periplasm

Protein-protein interactions are crucial to many cellular and industrial processes, including enzymatic pathways, molecule secretion, glycosylation, therapeutic production and function, and antibody function. Currently, many methods characterize protein interaction affinities in vitro and in vivo in the cytoplasm of various organisms, but to our knowledge, no such systems report folding and interaction of proteins in the periplasm. The periplasm of gram-negative bacteria offers an environment with different, beneficial characteristics for the production of heterologous (e.g. therapeutic) proteins. Thus, a means to easily and accurately detect and engineer protein interactions in the periplasm would be transformative for the development of novel antibodies and protein therapeutics. We have used a split β-lactamase protein complementation assay to successfully report interactions of several known interacting domains in the periplasm of Escherichia coli. Currently, we are using this technique to select for novel interactions in vivo from naive directed evolution libraries. This powerful methodology allows for a broad expansion of the protein engineer's toolbox for periplasmic expression and works towards a novel, efficient way to engineer new protein interactions in E. coli.
Predicting 3-Day and 7-Day Outcomes of Weaning From Mechanical Ventilation

Objective To determine the correlation of acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score and various weaning indexes (WIs) with 3- and 7-day weaning outcomes. Design Prospective, observational. Setting The medical ICU of a teaching, urban hospital. Methods The study included 118 adults referred for weaning from mechanical ventilation (MV). Critical care physicians, critical care nurses, and respiratory care practitioners were asked to predict whether it would take ≤ 3 days, 4 to 7 days, or≥ 8 days to wean each patient from MV. The WIs and APACHE II scores were measured or calculated. The causes of respiratory failure, the duration of MV before initiating weaning assessment, and the 3- and 7-day weaning outcomes were obtained. Significance was set at p Results The most common causes of respiratory failure were pneumonia (38 cases) and acute exacerbation of COPD (29 cases). Fifty-seven patients (48%) were successfully weaned from MV within 3 days of weaning assessment, and 67 (57%) were weaned within 7 days. The percentages of correct prediction of 3-day weaning outcome by critical care physicians, critical care nurses, and respiratory care practitioners were 64%, 62%, and 59%, respectively; for 7-day weaning outcome, 60%, 64%, and 58%, respectively. The successfully weaned groups had significantly lower APACHE II scores and higher maximal inspiratory pressures than the unsuccessfully weaned (failure) groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups for the remaining indexes, including rapid shallow breathing, dynamic compliance, static compliance, spontaneous respiratory rate, and the ratio of Pa o 2 to the fraction of inspired oxygen. Conclusions The overall severity of illness as assessed by APACHE II score correlates better with 3- and 7-day weaning outcome than the published WIs.
Plasma depletion layer: the role of the slow mode waves

The plasma depletion layer (PDL) is a layer on the sunward side of the magnetopause with lower plasma density and higher magnetic field compared to their corresponding values in the upstream magnetosheath. The depletion layer usually occurs during northward (IMF) conditions with low magnetic shear across the magnetopause. We have previously validated the Raeder global model by comparing the computed formation of a magnetosheath density depletion with in-situ observations. We also have performed a detailed force analysis and found the varying roles that different MHD forces play along the path of a plasma parcel flowing around the magnetopause. That study resulted in a new description of the behavior of magnetosheath magnetic flux tubes which better explains the plasma depletion along a flux tube. The slow mode waves have been observed in the magnetosheath and have been used to explain the formation of the PDL in some of the important PDL models. In this study, we extend our former work by investigating the possible role of the slow mode waves for the formation of the PDL, using global MHD model simulations. We propose a new technique to test where a possible slow mode front may occur in the magnetosheath by comparing the slow mode group velocity with the local flow velocity. We find that the slow mode fronts can exist in certain regions in the magnetosheath under certain solar wind conditions. The existence and location of such fronts clearly depend on the IMF. We do not see from our global simulation results either the sharpening of the slow mode front into a slow mode shock or noticeable changes of the flow and field in the magnetosheath across the slow mode front, which implies that the slow mode front is not likely responsible for the formation of the PDL, at least for the stable solar wind conditions used in these simulations. Also, we do not see the two-layered slow mode structures shown in some observations and proposed in certain PDL models. Instead, we see only a one-layered spatial PDL structure under the stable solar wind conditions used in this study.
Completely resected N1 non-small cell lung cancer: factors affecting recurrence and long-term survival.

Objective N1 disease in non–small cell lung cancer represents a heterogeneous patient subgroup with a 5-year survival of approximately 40%. Few reports have evaluated the correlation between N1 disease and tumor recurrence or which subgroup of patients would most benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods From 1997 through 2002, all patients with pathologic T1-4 N1 M0 non–small cell lung cancer who had a complete resection with systematic mediastinal lymphadenectomy were retrospectively analyzed and evaluated for factors associated with recurrence and long-term survival. Results One hundred eighty patients with N1 disease were evaluated. Sixty-six (37%) patients had either locoregional recurrence (n = 39 [22%]), distant metastasis (n = 41 [23%]), or both during follow-up. Univariate analysis demonstrated that visceral pleural invasion and age were associated with locoregional recurrence, whereas visceral pleural invasion, distinct N1 metastasis (as opposed to direct N1 invasion by the primary tumor), and multistation lymph node involvement were associated with distant metastasis ( P P = .015), visceral pleural invasion ( P P = .014). Conclusions In patients with N1-positive non–small cell lung cancer, visceral pleural invasion, multistation N1 disease, and distinct N1 metastasis are independent predictors of subsequent locoregional recurrence and distant metastasis. Advanced T classification, visceral pleural invasion, and higher tumor grade were predictors of poor survival. These patients represent a subgroup of patients with N1 disease who might benefit from additional therapy, including adjuvant chemotherapy.
Composition of Human Thrombus Assessed by Quantitative Colorimetric Angioscopic Analysis

Background Angioscopy surpasses other diagnostic tools, such as angiography and intravascular ultrasound, in detecting arterial thrombus. This capability arises in part from the unique ability of angioscopy to assess true color during imaging. In practice, hardware-induced chromatic distortions and the subjectivity of human color perception substantially limit the theoretic potential of angioscopic color. We used a novel application of tristimulus colorimetry to quantify thrombus color to both aid in its detection and assess its composition. Methods and Results A series of human thrombus models were constructed in vitro. Spatial homogeneity was ensured by light and electron microscopy. Quantitative colorimetric angioscopic analysis demonstrated excellent measurement reproducibility (mean difference, 0.07% to 0.17%), unaffected by illuminating light intensity (coefficient of variation, 0.21% to 3.67%). Colorimetric parameters C1 and C2 were strongly correlated (r=.99, P<.0001) with thrombus erythrocyte con...
A machine learning approach for automatic performance of a trumpet

The artificial mouth is a robotic device that simulates a human mouth. It consists of moveable lips and an adjustable air supply. In this study the use of a genetic algorithm to compute air pressure and lip pressure values so that the artificial mouth can correctly play five notes on a trumpet was investigated. The genetic algorithm is discussed. Results from experimentation showed solutions being found in as little as two generations.
A novel solution for the development of collaborative virtual environment simulations in large scale

There has been a growing interest in the application of collaborative virtual environments - CVEs in the WWW. However, most of the existing CVEs supporting systems are tuned to specific tasks and their architecture are, typically, tightly coupled to the applications. This makes any modification to the application dependent on programming, making CVEs construction and extension in large scale a challenging task. The ability to change an application without having to stop it is an important nonfunctional requirement for CVEs, especially if they are to be provided as Web services, available around the clock. This paper presents a novel solution for building and extending CVEs through the integration of interactive non-linear stories and virtual reality concepts. With this approach, CVEs applications can be composed as non-linear stories, which can be changed either completely or partly, making it easier for developers to build and/or extend CVEs applications. The innovative concept of this solution can make the development process of CVEs easier and faster, allowing their production in large scale. An art installation scenario is presented in this paper as a case study to illustrate how atomic simulations and VEML language can describe CVEs and extend them at runtime.
Effects of structural complexity enhancement on eastern red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus) populations in northern hardwood forests

Managing for stand structural complexity in northern hardwood forests has been proposed as a method for promoting microhabitat characteristics important to eastern red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus). We evaluated the effects of alternate, structure-based silvicultural systems on red-backed salamander populations at two research sites in northwestern Vermont. Treatments included two unevenaged approaches (single-tree selection and group-selection) and one unconventional approach, termed ‘‘structural complexity enhancement’’ (SCE), that promotes development of late-successional structure, including elevated levels of coarse woody debris (CWD). Treatments were applied to 2 ha units and were replicated two to four times depending on treatment. We surveyed red-backed salamanders with a natural cover search method of transects nested within vegetation plots 1 year after logging. Abundance estimates corrected for detection probability were calculated from survey data with a binomial mixture model. Abundance estimates differed between study areas and were influenced by forest structural characteristics. Model selection was conducted using Akaike Information Criteria, corrected for over-dispersed data and small sample size (QAICc). We found no difference in abundance as a response to treatment as a whole, suggesting that all of the uneven-aged silvicultural systems evaluated can maintain salamander populations after harvest. However, abundance was tied to specific structural habitat attributes associated with study plots within treatments. The most parsimonious model of habitat covariates included site, relative density of overstory trees, and density of more-decayed and less-decayed downed CWD. Abundance responded positively to the density of downed, well-decayed CWD and negatively to the density of poorly decayed CWD and to overstory relative density. CWD volume was not a strong predictor of salamander abundance. We conclude that structural complexity enhancement and the two uneven-aged approaches maintained important microhabitat characteristics for red-backed salamander populations in the short term. Over the long-term, given decay processes as a determinant of biological availability, forestry practices such as SCE that enhance CWD availability and recruitment may result in associated population responses. # 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
City Gods, Filiality, and Hegemony in Late Imperial China

When I first took office in this county, I went to pay my respects in the City God Temple. It was quite large and upon investigation turned out to have been built in 1557. It had already been some time since the last renovations had fallen again into disrepair. The main hall had a leaky roof and wet floor, the walls of the two side halls had fallen in and the statues were standing out in the open.
Knowledge acquisition from aerial images

Determining the position of a surface object from an aerial mobile tracking device is one of the major tasks in the control of airborne automatic-guided vehicles (AGVs). A knowledge acquisition algorithm that is able to classify roads in serial images is proposed. The information is acquired by encoding object features, which are then classified through a rule-based system in a database. To aid in the segmentation a generalized chain coding algorithm is employed. The approach presented represents the information extraction module of a vision-driven intelligent control system used to identify and follow objects of interest (roads) in an airborne video image. >