cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crowdsourcing subjective fashion advice using VizWiz: challenges and opportunities

Fashion is a language. How we dress signals to others who we are and how we want to be perceived. However, this language is primarily visual, making it inaccessible to people with vision impairments. Someone who is low-vision or completely blind cannot see what others are wearing or readily know what constitutes the norms and extremes of fashion, but most everyone they encounter can see (and judge) their fashion choices. We describe our findings of a diary study with people with vision impairments that revealed the many accessibility barriers fashion presents, and how an online survey revealed that clothing decisions are often made collaboratively, regardless of visual ability. Based on these findings, we identified a need for a collaborative and real-time environment for fashion advice. We have tested the feasibility of providing this advice through crowdsourcing using VizWiz, a mobile phone application where participants receive nearly real-time answers to visual questions. Our pilot study results show that this application has the potential to address a great need within the blind community, but remaining challenges include improving photo capture and assembling a set of crowd workers with the requisite expertise. More broadly our research highlights the feasibility of using crowdsourcing for subjective, opinion-based advice.
Toxoplasmosis in a large Minnesota family

Summary 1. A typical case of toxoplasmosis occurring in a 14-year-old girl is reported. 2. Positive neutralization tests against the Toxoplasma organism were present in the patient, her mother, and eight of nine siblings tested. 3. The mother and the nine siblings had no clinical symptoms or signs of toxoplasmosis as determined by physical and roentgenologic examination. 4. Partial coagulation of the choroid plexus gave complete and prolonged relief of symptoms due to hydrocephalus. 5. Preservation of essentially normal intelligence in spite of the presence of fairly marked hydrocephalus was notable. 6. Whether infection in this patient and her siblings was congenital or acquired could not be ascertained from the available data.
College Students: Learning Disabilities and Services.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 provides an impetus for the development of special services for learning-disabled college students. The article describes the problems of three such students and the services they needed to improve their chances for academic success. The authors provide suggestions for working with the learning-disabled college population.
Remediation of time-delay effects in tokamak axisymmetric control loops by optimal tuning and robust predictor augmentation

Abstract It is sometimes incorrectly assumed that, because superconducting tokamaks already have significant intrinsic or imposed sources of control delay, introducing extra delays/lags into the axisymmetric control loops will have negligible detrimental impact on the plasma control. This study exposes and quantifies the detrimental effects imposed by time delays/lags in the control loop in superconducting tokamaks, using as an example the plasma current control and radial position control in a vertically stable circular plasma in the KSTAR tokamak. Delays and lags in the power supplies, data acquisition, and vessel structure are taken into account. Optimal tuning of PID controllers in combination with an ohmic-flux control strategy is proposed as a possible method for remediating the negative effects of time delays/lags. In addition, an augmentation of the control loop by the introduction of a robust predictor has been proposed to improve the performance of the time-delayed closed-loop system when the amount of delay/lag in the loop is unknown. The Nyquist dual locus technique based on the Argument Principle in complex theory is employed to assess stability of the optimally tuned closed-loop system in the presence of time delays.
The life (lives) and times of native copper in Northwest North America

Abstract Native copper was used by several different indigenous ethno-linguistic groups in Alaska and Yukon starting in the Late Prehistoric period and continuing into the early twentieth century. This paper applies a relational biography approach to an analysis of the possible roles of native copper in northern Athabascan and northern Tlingit society. Native copper was used in a variety of contexts, both as practical and prestige technology, and also possessed animacy and agency, two important and closely intertwined concepts in the ontology of northern hunter-gatherers.
Soft-Pion Emission in Proton-Antiproton Annihilation

We calculate the amplitude for the annihilation process $\overline{p}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{+}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, and the differential rate for $\overline{p}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{+}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, normalized to the $\overline{p}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{+}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ rate, in the soft-pion limit, for annihilation in flight at vanishing momentum. The computation uses the formalism of current algebra and PCAC (partially conserved axial-vector current); of particular interest is the use of Low's soft-photon theorem to evaluate the isovector photon term. The final result is expressed as the $\overline{p}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{+}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ rate, differential in all five independent kinematic variables, chosen for their symmetry and their utility in comparing with experimentally determined spectra. The integral of this expression yields the branching ratio $\frac{\overline{p}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{+}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}}{\overline{p}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{+}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}}=2.25$, in reasonable agreement with experiment.
A survey of school psychologists' practices for identifying mentally retarded students

Surveys containing questions about identifying mentally retarded students were mailed to 500 randomly selected school psychologists, of whom 160 (32%) returned completed, usable forms. The Wechsler scales were the most frequently used tests for deriving IQ scores, which together with adaptive behavior scale scores were rated as most influential in identification-placement decisions. The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales were rated as the most used instruments for assessing adaptive delays. School psychologists were in less accord on issues such as the use of alternative norms for minority and lower SES students (35% confirmed their use), the application of an adaptive behavior standard score of 70 (47.7% indicated such use), and whether an established IQ score, such as 70, could be treated flexibly (27.2% stated they sometimes identified students with scores above the cut-off value). Suggestions are made for future research and current practice.
Improving Bluetooth performance in 802.11 interference environments

Bluetooth, with its short range and low power requirements, shows great promise in enabling the deployment of personal area networks. The ubiquity of other networking technologies such as IEEE 802.11 Local Area Networks means that wireless, short-range communication technologies such as Bluetooth will have to coexist with these 802.11 networks. We describe the design, implementation, and evaluation of a dynamic approach that improves Bluetooth performance in the presence of IEEE 802.11 traffic interference. Our approach improves Bluetooth performance in the presence of 802.11 interference traffic by almost 100% (for raw data throughput) and by 51-85% for real user applications such as file transfers.
Source to drain resistance beyond pinch-off in metal-oxide-semiconductor transistors (MOST)

A detailed analysis is performed yielding source to drain resistance of MOS transistors in the saturation region. The analysis is based on a depletion model of the pinched-off region of the channel. Good agreement is found between theory and experimental results obtained on N -channel silicon MOS transistors (channel length ∼5 µ).
Control of optical performance on the Space Telescope

A large astronomical telescope, termed the Space Telescope, is expected to be placed in orbit in the early 1980's. It will be operated as an international observatory that will enable astronomers to detect electromagnetic radiation over a much broader spectrum than is possible from ground observatories. The image quality (not degraded by atmospheric effects) will be limited only by the quality of the optics and by aperture diffraction. This opportunity to approach diffraction-limited imagery on an astronomical telescope of this size (2.4-m aperture) sets unusually stringent tolerances on the optical quality. The budgeting and control of these qualities throughout the design, fabrication, assembly, and operation of the Space Telescope is described. A feedback control system which will maintain the telescope at peak performance in the orbital environment is examined.
Metabolism and disposition of [14C]dimethylamine borane in male Harlan Sprague Dawley rats following gavage administration, intravenous administration and dermal application

Abstract1. Dimethylamine borane (DMAB) is used as a reducing agent in the manufacturing of a variety of products and in chemical synthesis. National Toxicology Program is evaluating the toxicity of DMAB in rodents following dermal application. The objective of this study was to evaluate the metabolism and disposition of DMAB in male Harlan Sprague Dawley (HSD) rats.2. Disposition of radioactivity was similar between gavage and intravenous administration of 1.5 mg/kg [14C] DMAB, with nearly 84%–89% of the administered radioactivity recovered in urine 24 h post dosing. At 72 h, only 1% or less was recovered in feces, 0.3% as CO2, and 0.5%–1.4% as volatiles and 0.3%–0.4 % in tissues.3. The absorption of [14C]DMAB following dermal application was moderate; percent dose absorbed increased with the dose, with 23%, 32% and 46% of dose absorbed at 0.15, 1.5 and 15 mg/kg, respectively. Urinary and fecal excretion ranged from 18%–37% and 2%–4% of dose, respectively, and 0.1%–0.2% as CO2, and 1%–3% as volatiles. Tis...
Clasper control in the round stingray, Urolophus halleri: lower sensorimotor pathways

The innervation of the clasper has been studied in the round stingray, Urolophus halleri. Several large myelinated nerves (diameters approx. 0.7 mm; #60–64 counting from the vagus) innervate the clasper muscles and skin. Low level electrical stimulation (<100 µA) of the nerves evokes clasper movements including: elevation, medial and lateral extension, rotation and opening. Stimulation of the spinal cord in the area of the roots of the clasper nerves also evoked the movements (<100 µA). Retrograde labeling of the clasper nerves using either cobalt-lysine or horseradish peroxidase (HRP) confirmed that motor neurons and sensory components of the nerves are at the levels indicated by stimulation. The motor neurons have large multipolar cell bodies (50–70µm) and occupy a discrete segment of the spinal cord.
Finite-element-based photoacoustic tomography: phantom and chicken bone experiments

We describe a photoacoustic image reconstruction algorithm that is based on the finite-element solution to the photoacoustic wave equation in the frequency domain. Our reconstruction approach is an iterative Newton method coupled with combined Marquardt and Tikhonov regularizations that can extract the spatial distribution of optical-absorption property in heterogeneous media. We demonstrate this algorithm by using phantom and chicken bone measurements from a circular scanning photoacoustic tomography system. The results obtained show that millimeter-sized phantom objects and chicken bones and/or joints can be clearly detected using our finite-element-based photoacoustic tomography method.
Paper strip method for assaying gradient fractions containing radioactive macromolecules.

Abstract The collection of fractions from gradients is simplified by the substitution of a paper strip marked off into sections for the usual paper disc technique. There is no loss of resolution in using the strip instead of discs.
SU‐FF‐J‐08: A Novel Method for Image‐Guided Verification of SBRT with An EPID in Cine Mode

Purpose: The adoption of stereotactic radiosurgical techniques for extra‐cranial treatment sites is predicated on a high accuracy and precision of tumor localization before and during each treatment. We introduce a novel method for monitoring the tumor location while the treatment beam is on by using a conventional electronic portal‐imaging device (EPID).Method and Materials: In our clinic, we are currently treating some liver patients under a Phase‐I IRB‐approved extra‐cranial radiosurgery protocol. Prior to treatment planning, multiple (n > 2) gold fiducial markers are implanted on the periphery of the tumor. At the time of treatment, the patient is placed in a stereotactic body frame with abdominal compression. After the set‐up orthogonal portal images are taken, the EPID is left in its acquisition position. When employed during treatment, the EPID, in cine mode, collects the exit radiation and produces a sequence of images for each field. By the end of treatment, a collection of images will be available in PortalVision for review. For advanced analysis and quantification, the images are exported and evaluated off‐line. Results: Given the length of hypofractionated treatments (due to the high dose delivered), we are able to acquire as many as 78 images for each field. The implanted gold markers are visible in the images even before processing. We use an in‐house program for calculating the location of the seeds and their relative distance to the planned location (as defined by the DRRs). Conclusion: We have developed an algorithm for quickly assessing target localization using implanted gold markers as surrogates. Not only is this information used to verify the treatment, but it may also be used in the future to adapt the treatment either for subsequent fields or remaining fractions. Conflict of Interest: This work was partially supported by a grant from Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
Acetaminophen-induced nephrotoxicity: Pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management

Acetaminophen-induced liver necrosis has been studied extensively, but the extrahepatic manifestations of acetaminophen toxicity are currently not described well in the literature. Renal insufficiency occurs in approximately 1–2% of patients with acetaminophen overdose. The pathophysiology of renal toxicity in acetaminophen poisoning has been attributed to cytochrome P-450 mixed function oxidase isoenzymes present in the kidney, although other mechanisms have been elucidated, including the role of prostaglandin synthetase and N-deacetylase enzymes. Paradoxically, glutathione is considered an important element in the detoxification of acetaminophen and its metabolites; however, its conjugates have been implicated in the formation of nephrotoxic compounds. Acetaminophen-induced renal failure becomes evident after hepatotoxicity in most cases, but can be differentiated from the hepatorenal syndrome, which may complicate fulminant hepatic failure. The role of N-acetylcysteine therapy in the setting of acetaminophen-induced renal failure is unclear. This review will focus on the pathophysiology, clinical features, and management of renal insufficiency in the setting of acute acetaminophen toxicity.
Ares Launch Vehicles Lean Practices Case Study

The Ares launch vehicles team, managed by the Ares projects office (APO) at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, has completed the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle System Requirements Review and System Definition Review and early design work for the Ares V Cargo Launch Vehicle. This paper provides examples of how Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen events, and Six Sigma practices are helping APO deliver a new space transportation capability on time and within budget, while still meeting stringent technical requirements. For example, Lean philosophies have been applied to numerous process definition efforts and existing process improvement activities, including the Ares I-X test flight certificate of flight readiness (CoFR) process, risk management process, and review board organization and processes. Ares executives learned Lean practices firsthand, making the team "smart buyers" during proposal reviews and instilling the team with a sense of what is meant by "value-added" activities. Since the goal of the APO is to field launch vehicles at a reasonable cost and on an ambitious schedule, adopting Lean philosophies and practices will be crucial to the Ares Project's long-term success.
Collective inter-subband excitations of electron gas in quantum wells in infrared absorption, Raman scattering and nonlinear optical processes

Abstract We discuss the role of collective inter-subband excitations of electron gases confined in quantum wells in infrared absorption, resonant Raman scattering and nonlinear optical processes. First, exchange as well as direct Coulomb interaction are invoked in a theoretical model to calculate the shift of the collective inter-subband modes from the single particle excitation energy. We then formulate the coupling of the collective inter-subband charge density mode to the electromagnetic field. The coupling mechanisms via exchange and direct Coulomb scattering for resonant Raman processes are discussed. An experiment is designed that can differentiate between the two mechanisms, based on their dependence on wavefunction overlap. Finally, we discuss nonlinear optical processes involving inter-subband transitions and collective excitations.
Emission of corrosive volatiles from wood. III. Effect of treatment with propylene oxide

A study has been made of the release of corrosive volatiles when wood shavings are sterilised by propylene oxide. Sterilisation of sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), beech (Fagus sylvatica), Norway spruce (Picea abies), Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga taxifolia) and Scots pine (Pinas sylvestris) with propylene oxide at varying relative humidities and subsequent incubation at 48° and 100% R.H. gave a variable release of corrosive volatiles but usually tended to increase the amount of acid released.
Policymaking and the Modern Court: When do Supreme Court Rulings Prevail?

VAILABLE research offers strikingly different images of the Supreme Court's success as a policy-maker. On one hand, some accounts depict the Supreme Court as a powerful policy-maker, whose rulings are rarely overturned. Only six to nine Constitutional amendments have overturned specific Court rulings (Abraham 1980: 351-58; Library of Congress 1973: 1789-97, 1983: S332-33). Despite periodic Court-curbing efforts in Congress (Nagel 1965; Handberg and Hill 1980), the Court's supporters have usually blocked efforts to overturn specific rulings or to limit the Court's appellate jurisdiction (Adamany and Grossman 1983; Schmidhauser and Berg 1972). Indeed, several unpopular rulings, such as the school prayer decisions (Weissberg 1976: 121-26) have prevailed for long periods of time. Still other accounts, however, challenge this image of a uniformly successful Court. Several authors argue that Congress often revises the Court's statutory construction (Dahl 1957; Harvard Law Review 1958; Handberg and Hill 1980; Krislov 1965: 143; Murphy 1962; Nagel 1969; Pritchett 1961; Stumpf 1965; Ulmer 1960). Other authors contend that the Court seldom successfully defies Congress and mass public opinion (Dahl 1957; Ulmer 1960). Many accounts provide instances of rulings which were ignored or reinterpreted by lower federal or state courts (Harvard Law Review 1954; Johnson 1979; Murphy 1959; Sheldon 1974: 197), by administrative agencies (Shapiro 1968), or by local officials (Barth 1968; Becker 1969; Becker and Feeley 1973; Birkby 1966; Canon 1974; Dolbeare and Hammond 1971; Goldman and Jahnige 1985: 221-22; Patric 1957; Wasby, D'Amato, and Metrailer 1977). The Supreme Court itself may also overrule, erode, "distinguish," or otherwise abandon its own rulings (Blaustein and Field 1958; Burnet v. Coronado Gas and Oil Co., 1932; Douglas 1949; Library of Congress 1973, 1983; Murphy 1972: 146-63).
Cardioprotection before revascularization in ischemic myocardial injury and the potential role of hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers

Despite the availability of interventional catheterization for patients with acute coronary syndromes, there is an unavoidable delay until the occluded coronary artery(s) can be revascularized, during which time persistent ischemia may lead to irreversible myocardial damage despite subsequently high patency rates. Accordingly, there has been an intense effort to develop early interventions that will preserve the viability of ischemic myocardium before revascularization. A number of novel strategies have been studied, including hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers. These compounds transport oxygen in the plasma to help maintain more normal oxygen delivery to the myocardium supplied by a thrombosed vessel, and they also release oxygen to tissue more efficiently than intraerythrocytic hemoglobin.
Expression of GDP-l-Fuc: Gal(β1–4)GlcNAc-R (Fuc to GlcNAc) α-1,3-fucosyltransferase and its Relationship to Glycoprotein Structure in a Human Erythroleukemia Cell Line, HEL

Terminal glycosylation may be a mechanism to control the function of specific biologically active glycoproteins. The biosynthesis of terminal sialyl and fucosyl residues on certain glycoproteins has been linked to the expression of the respective glycosyltransferase. In contrast, a human erythroleukemia cell line, HEL, contained a highly active GDP-L-Fuc: Gal(beta 1-4)GlcNAc-R (Fuc to GlcNAc) alpha-1,3-fucosyltransferase (alpha-1,3-fucosyltransferase) but no detectable alpha-1,3-linked fucosyl residues on the glycoproteins. The alpha-1,3-fucosyltransferase gave apparent Km values for Fuc(alpha 1-2)Gal(beta 1-4)GlcNAc beta-O-benzyl, Gal(beta 1-4)GlcNAc and GDP-fucose of 0.04, 0.68 and 0.12 mM, respectively. The lack of detectable fucosyl residues in alpha-1,3-linkage to GlcNAc on the [3H]fucose-labeled glycoproteins was shown with the use of almond alpha-1,3/4-fucosidase and internal controls to verify that the enzyme was active. Using Western-blot analysis, HEL cell glycoproteins reacted with blood group H type-2 antibody, confirming the presence of Fuc(alpha 1-2)Gal(beta 1-4)GlcNAc as reported by others and the presence of the preferred substrate for the enzyme. It is proposed that controls for terminal glycosylation in addition to glycosyltransferase expression are operative in HEL cells and that they are part of a multi-regulated process controlling terminal modifications of glycoproteins.
A Preliminary Step Towards Evaluating the Impact of Megan's Law: A Trend Analysis of Sexual Offenses in New Jersey from 1985 to 2005

This study examines the trend of sexual offense rates reported by law enforcement agencies in the 21 counties of New Jersey from 1985 through 2005. New Jersey was chosen because it was the birthplace of Megan's Law. This study is one component of a larger National Institute of Justice-funded study designed to evaluate the effectiveness of Megan's Law. In this preliminary step we attempt to fill in missing information concerning the pattern of sexual offense rates in New Jersey, while comparing them to drug offense rates and non-sexually based offending rates over the 21-year time frame. This study focuses on four questions: (1) What is the pattern of sexual offense rates in New Jersey for the 10 years prior to the passage of Megan's Law and the 10 years after? (2) How do these rates compare to the rates of drug offenses and non-sexually based offending in New Jersey for the same period? (3) Are there pattern differences across the 21 New Jersey counties? (4) Are there significant change points in the pattern of sexual offense rates at the state or county level that coincide with the implementation of Megan's Law? Results indicate that New Jersey experienced a consistently downward trend in sexual offense rates, with a significant change point in 1994. In the majority of counties, sexual offense rates were higher prior to 1994 (the year Megan's Law was passed) and were lowest after 1995. While sexual offense rates have rebounded somewhat, they are far lower than in the 1980s and early 1990s.
cDNA expression cloning in human cells using the pλDR2 episomal vector system

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-based vectors stably transform primate cells, which are expressing the trans-acting EBNA-1 gene, with efficiencies similar to those seen previously only in transient expression systems. These vectors propagate episomally and are readily recoverable into Escherichia coli. Taken together, these features make EBV vectors ideal for expression cloning. An EBV-based vector employing several advanced features that aid in the construction of highly representative, directionally cloned cDNA libraries is described. In a test of the system, an average of 45 colonies per 106 HPRT−, EBNA-1+ 293 cells per dish were generated following transfection with a HeLa cell cDNA library and selection for HPRT expression. This represents an increase in efficiency of 2 to 3 orders of magnitude over the efficiency of previously described systems using integrating vectors or EBV-based vectors in EBNA− cells.
What is the Role of NSAIDs in Pre-emptive Analgesia?

NSAIDs inhibit the cyclo-oxygenase enzymes, and decrease peripheral and central prostaglandin production. In addition to reducing the inflammation that accompanies tissue injury, decreasing prostaglandin production attenuates the response of the peripheral and central components of the nervous system to noxious stimuli. Such a reduction in the response to pain can reduce the peripheral and central sensitisation induced by noxious stimuli, and reduce the pain experienced in response to subsequent noxious stimuli. These properties would seem to make NSAIDs ideal drugs to use in a pre-emptive fashion, where analgesics are administered prior to a noxious stimulus, such as surgery, with the expectation that reduction in peripheral and central sensitisation will lead to a decrease of pain. However, the available perioperative trials of pre-emptive NSAID use have yielded modest or equivocal results, and these may be due, in part, to controversy associated with the definition of pre-emptive analgesia and how to conduct the corresponding clinical trials. Although NSAIDs may have a limited ability by themselves to induce a pre-emptive analgesic effect, the available trials suggest how the perioperative use of these drugs may be made more effective. It is expected that NSAIDs will play an increasing role in multimodal analgesia and pain relief in general.
The role of the vasculogenic phenotype and its associated extracellular matrix in tumor progression Implications for immune surveillance

Abstract Cutaneous and uveal melanoma provide excellent model systems for studying the processes of tumor progression, tumor cell invasion, metastasis and immunosurveillance. Studies that incorporate both of these models can provide novel insights into how tumor cells of common embryonic origin may respond to different environments and conditions, since cutaneous melanoma cells appear to metastasize by non-hematogenous (lymphatic) routes while uveal melanoma cells metastasize primarily through the blood. Microarray gene chip analyses have shown that aggressive cutaneous and uveal melanoma cells coexpress multiple phenotype-specific genes, which include genes previously thought specific to other cell types. These observations suggested that aggressive melanoma cells may undergo a genetic reversion to a pluripotent, embryonic-like (plastic) phenotype. Vasculogenic mimicry represents a remarkable example of tumor cell plasticity and is characterized by the unusual ability of aggressive human melanoma tumor cells to form tubular structures and patterned networks in three-dimensional culture reminiscent of embryonic vasculogenesis. Furthermore, extracellular matrices preconditioned by aggressive melanoma cells induce the aggressive, vasculogenic mimicry phenotype in poorly aggressive cells. Microarray analyses also supported previous observations that human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules are up-regulated and HLA class II molecules are down-regulated in aggressive uveal melanoma cells, which could facilitate an escape from immunosurveillance by natural killer cell activity during hematogenous metastasis. However, the up-regulation of HLA class I and down-regulation of HLA class II on the C8161 aggressive cutaneous melanoma cells compared to the poorly aggressive cutaneous melanoma cells reported in this review is contrary to previously published results for cutaneous melanoma and suggest that the aggressive cutaneous melanoma cell line could have been derived from a metastatic foci developed from a hematogenous (not lymphatic) metastasis. These observations offer unique perspectives regarding the plastic nature of aggressive melanoma cells that will continue to challenge our current thinking of identifying and targeting tumor cells that may masquerade as other cell types, yet may provide new prognostic markers for tumor detection, clinical diagnosis and novel therapeutic intervention strategies.
Assessing the Value of Climate Forecast Information for Pastoralists: Evidence from Southern Ethiopia and Northern Kenya

Abstract Climatic variability exerts tremendous influence on the livelihoods and well-being of pastoralists in the Horn of Africa. Recent advances in climate forecasting technologies have raised the intriguing prospect of reasonably accurate forecasts of coming seasons’ rainfall patterns. We explore the value of such external climate forecast information to pastoralists in southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya using data collected using both open-ended, qualitative methods to identify and understand indigenous climate forecasting methods and quantitative data collected using survey instruments. On balance, climate forecast information does not seem a limiting factor at present in pastoralist communities in the Horn of Africa.
After-school tutoring in the context of no Child Left Behind: Effectiveness of two programs in the Pittsburgh Public Schools

Abstract The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation has created pressure for districts to improve their students’ proficiency levels on state tests. Districts that fail to meet their academic targets for 3 years must use their Title I funds to pay for supplemental education services (SES) that provide tutoring or other academic instruction. Many districts, including the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS), have also adopted additional tutoring programs designed to help students reach proficiency goals. This paper examines student participation and achievement in two PPS tutoring programs—the NCLB-mandated SES program and a state-developed tutoring program. We examine the characteristics of students participating in each program, the effects of participation on student achievement, and the program features that are associated with improved achievement.
Defense reactions of mosquitoes to filarial worms: Role of the microfilarial sheath in the response of mosquitoes to inoculated Brugia pahangi microfilariae

Abstract The melanization response of Aedes trivittatus and A. aegypti (black-eyed Liverpool strain) against intrathoracically inoculated sheathed and chemically exsheathed Brugia pahangi microfilariae (mff) was assessed daily through 5 days postinoculation (PI). Response of A. aegypti against exsheathed mff was significantly reduced on all days compared with the response against sheathed mff, and a significantly greater percentage of exsheathed mff were alive through 4 days PI than were sheathed mff. The melanization response of A. trivittatus was nearly 100% effective against either sheathed or exsheathed mff by Day 2 PI. When mff were allowed to migrate through A. aegypti midguts in vitro before inoculation into intact A. aegypti, nearly 94% ( 120 128 ) of the parasites recovered had avoided the response and were developing. Penetration of A. trivittatus midguts in vitro by mff before inoculation into intact A. trivittatus did not prevent a melanization response. Inoculation of mff into A. trivittatus following A. aegypti midgut penetration, however, resulted in almost 60% ( 98 171 ) of the mff avoiding the response and developing as normal L1 larvae after 5 days PI. The possibility of mff acquiring host antigens during midgut penetration and therefore avoiding recognition as nonself by mosquitoes, and (or) the possibility of the midgut environment modifying or stimulating mff to inhibit the response of mosquitoes are discussed.
Synergisms and antagonisms of estrogens and progesterone in a mouse uterine bio-assay.

Bio-assay by the Hooker-Forbes method for progestin activity of mixtures of progesterone with estrone and with 17β-estradiol revealed complete inhibition, partial inhibition, no interference, or synergism, depending on the proportions of the mixtures. Bio-assay of progesterone restriol mixtures indicated partial or complete antagonism. These mechanisms may exercise significant control of the action of progesterone. (Endocrinology 79: 420, 1966
SU-GG-T-210: An Examination of the Usefulness of Films in Addition to Electronic Methods in Pre-Treatment IMRT QA

Purpose: Using radiographs for IMRT QA carries many disadvantages. Electronic QA methods, e.g. diode arrays, have become standard for efficiently and accurately verifying dose distributions. Because diode arrays have relatively low resolution, radiographs might be used in addition to array measurements to qualitatively verify geometric accuracy of fluence delivery. However, the finite ability of the human eye to compare films and TPS printouts is unreliable: diode arrays may detect geometric inaccuracies before the errors are recognizable on film. Does qualitative use of films contribute significantly to the pretreatment verification process? Methods and Materials: Four IMRT fluences (varying modulation) were delivered both on film and MapCHECK1 (Sun Nuclear Corporation). Errors were systematically introduced by omitting portions of the fluence, simulating a communication error between planning and delivery systems. Diode array measurements were compared to the TPS verification plan using DTA (3%, 3mm). Films were compared to TPS printouts by light‐box overlay. Increasingly larger portions of the fluence were omitted until the QA failed, either by errors observed on the film or MapCHECK DTA with <85% passing points. Results: For every modified fluence that failed QA, errors were apparent in MapCHECK before being observed on film. With up to 20% control points omitted, all radiographs appear virtually unchanged to the naked eye. On average, MapCHECK analysis of the same fluences failed due to omission of approximately 7% control points from the center of the fluences and 17% from the outer portions of the fluences. Conclusions: If an IMRT fluence is changed due to data transfer errors, qualitative analysis of radiographs does not improve upon the effectiveness of MapCHECK at detecting the error. Because such errors may not be detected if ≤20% control points are lost/corrupted, DTA analysis should always be accompanied by examination of isodose distributions and dose line profiles.
Towards an explanation of collisionless multiple-photon laser dissociation of SF6

Abstract The rapidity and high degree of molecular vibrational excitation by the absorption of ir laser light in SF 6 and other molecules may be due in large part to the anharmonic splitting of excited vibrational states. Anharmonic splitting of an overtone or combination vibrational level ( i ) is possible only in molecules with degenerate vibrational states, ( ii ) can be comparable in magnitude to the net anharmonic shift of the level, ( iii ) is generally much larger than the rotational shifts which have previously been proposed as an explanation for the dissociation of SF 6 . We find that consecutive nearly resonant transitions are possible in SF 6 up to υ 3 = 5 to 10.
Domain identification in impedance computed tomography by spline collocation method

A method for estimating an unknown domain in elliptic boundary value problems is considered. The problem is formulated as an inverse problem of integral equations of the second kind. A computational method is developed using a splice collocation scheme. The results can be applied to the inverse problem of impedance computed tomography (ICT) for image reconstruction. >
Free-operant and auto-titration brain self-stimulation procedures in the rat: a comparison of drug effects.

Rats were implanted with bipolar stimulating electrodes aimed at the medial forebrain bundle of the lateral hypothalamus, and trained to press a lever in one of two different procedures in order to receive electrical stimulation through the electrodes. In a free-operant procedure, each response produced a 200 msec train of electric pulses at a suprathreshold current, the intensity of which remained constant throughout the session. In an auto-titration procedure, each response produced an electrical stimulus which was initially set at a suprathreshold intensity. Every 15th response reduced the stimulation current by 3 μA. The animal could reset the current to its initial intensity at any time by pressing a second lever in the test chamber. The average current at which the animal pressed the reset lever was defined as the reinforcement threshold. Dose-response functions were determined for d- and l-amphetamine, alpha-methyltyrosine, and haloperidol. The reinforcement threshold was decreased by both d- and l-amphetamine, increased by haloperidol, and not changed by alpha-methyltyrosine. These effects on reinforcement threshold were not consistently related to the drug-induced changes in response rate in either procedure. The auto-titration procedure may be useful for distinguishing between drugs which cause nonspecific changes in the rate of ongoing behavior and those which specifically modify the reinforcement efficacy of brain stimulation.
Formulated diets versus seed mixtures for psittacines.

Psittacines are often classified as seed eaters despite studies that have established great di versity in food habits in the wild. While seeds are con sumed, so are flowers, buds, leaves, fruits and cam bium. Some psittacines consume parts of >80 species of grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees. In addition, insects may be important. Although there are few controlled studies of the requirements of psittacines, it is probable that most nutrient needs are comparable to those of domesticated precocial birds that have been thoroughly studied. Commercial seed mixes for psittacines com monly contain corn, sunflower, safflower, pumpkin and squash seeds, wheat, peanuts, millet, oat groats and buckwheat, although other seeds may be present. Be cause hulls/shells comprise 18-69% of these seeds and they are removed before swallowing, a significant proportion of typical seed mixtures is waste. Some of the seeds also are very high in fat and promote obesity. Common nutrient deficiencies of decorticated seeds in clude lysine, calcium, available phosphorus, sodium, manganese, zinc, iron, iodine, selenium, vitamins A, D, E and K, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, available niacin, vitamin B-12 and choline. Attempts to correct these deficiencies by incorporating pellets into seed mixes are usually thwarted by rejection of the pellets and dis proportionate consumption of items that are more highly favored. An extruded diet formulated to meet the projected nutrient needs of psittacines was fed with fruits and vegetables to eight species of psittacines for 1 y. Fledging percentage was increased to 90% from the 66% observed during the previous 2 y when these psittacines were fed seeds, fruits and vegetables. Al though this extruded diet was well accepted in a mix ture of fruits and vegetables and met nutrient needs, analyses have shown that not all commercial formu lated diets are of equal merit. J. Nutr. 121: S193- S205, 1991.
Rural School Innovations: Preparation, Awareness, Adoption.

The needs of rural educators have for too long been overlooked, say these writers, who on the following pages look at current practices and perceptions of such persons.
Improvement in dielectric properties of low temperature PECVD silicon dioxide by reaction with hydrazine

The dielectric properties of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) SiO2 deposited at 150°C were improved by reaction with anhydrous hydrazine vapor at 150–350°C. The permittivity and loss decreased ~32% and ~86%, respectively, after reaction with hydrazine at 150°C. The decrease in permittivity and loss correlated with a decrease in the dipole concentration (silanol + water). During exposure to humid conditions, water uptake in the SiO2 films degraded the dielectric properties. A nitrogen anneal at 350°C did not improve the dielectric properties of the PECVD SiO2. Although water was removed from the films, silanol remained. When the PECVD SiO2 deposited at 150° was reacted with hydrazine vapor at 150°C, both silanol and water were removed from the films. The dielectric properties and resistance to water absorption improved.
Visualization of Global Sensitivity Analysis Results Based on a Combination of Linearly Dependent and Independent Directions

A useful technique for the validation and verification of complex flight systems is Monte Carlo Filtering -- a global sensitivity analysis that tries to find the inputs and ranges that are most likely to lead to a subset of the outputs. A thorough exploration of the parameter space for complex integrated systems may require thousands of experiments and hundreds of controlled and measured variables. Tools for analyzing this space often have limitations caused by the numerical problems associated with high dimensionality and caused by the assumption of independence of all of the dimensions. To combat both of these limitations, we propose a technique that uses a combination of the original variables with the derived variables obtained during a principal component analysis.
MR spectroscopy in radiation injury.

SUMMARY: Detecting a new area of contrast enhancement in or in the vicinity of a previously treated brain tumor always causes concern for both the patient and the physician. The question that immediately arises is whether this new lesion is recurrent tumor or a treatment effect. The differentiation of recurrent tumor or progressive tumor from radiation injury after radiation therapy is often a radiologic dilemma regardless the technique used, CT or MR imaging. The purpose of this article was to review the utility of one of the newer MR imaging techniques, MR spectroscopy, to distinguish recurrent tumor from radiation necrosis or radiation injury.
The Pareto or Truncated Pareto Distribution? Measurement-Based Modeling of Session Traffic for Wi-Fi Wireless Internet Access

We have analyzed measurement traffic statistics for high-speed wireless Internet access sessions collected in a public nationwide Wi-Fi network. By ranking session lengths and traffic volumes we have found a law implying the truncated Pareto distribution. This finding is analogous to the relationship between Zipf's law and the Pareto distribution. By applying this new law we have developed a model for key session traffic variables. It has been successfully validated by linear regression. Some empirical session traffic statistics have been given for reference.
Dispersion and nonlinearity compensation using spectral phase conjugation

We demonstrate broadband spectral phase conjugation based on temporal imaging via four-wave mixing and show for the first time compensation of pulse distortions due to second- and third-order dispersion and self-phase modulation.
Generation of High Current Densities by Pure Cultures of Anode-Respiring Geoalkalibacter spp. under Alkaline and Saline Conditions in Microbial Electrochemical Cells

ABSTRACT Anode-respiring bacteria (ARB) generate electric current in microbial electrochemical cells (MXCs) by channeling electrons from the oxidation of organic substrates to an electrode. Production of high current densities by monocultures in MXCs has resulted almost exclusively from the activity of Geobacter sulfurreducens, a neutrophilic freshwater Fe(III)-reducing bacterium and the highest-current-producing member documented for the Geobacteraceae family of the Deltaproteobacteria. Here we report high current densities generated by haloalkaliphilic Geoalkalibacter spp., thus broadening the capability for high anode respiration rates by including other genera within the Geobacteraceae . In this study, acetate-fed pure cultures of two related Geoalkalibacter spp. produced current densities of 5.0 to 8.3 and 2.4 to 3.3 A m −2 under alkaline (pH 9.3) and saline (1.7% NaCl) conditions, respectively. Chronoamperometric studies of halophilic Glk. subterraneus DSM 23483 and alkaliphilic Glk. ferrihydriticus DSM 17813 suggested that cells performed long-range electron transfer through electrode-attached biofilms and not through soluble electron shuttles. Glk. ferrihydriticus also oxidized ethanol directly to produce current, with maximum current densities of 5.7 to 7.1 A m −2 and coulombic efficiencies of 84 to 95%. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) elicited a sigmoidal response with characteristic onset, midpoint, and saturation potentials, while CV performed in the absence of an electron donor suggested the involvement of redox molecules in the biofilm that were limited by diffusion. These results matched those previously reported for actively respiring Gb. sulfurreducens biofilms producing similar current densities (~5 to 9 A m −2 ). IMPORTANCE This study establishes the highest current densities ever achieved by pure cultures of anode-respiring bacteria (ARB) under alkaline and saline conditions in microbial electrochemical cells (MXCs) and provides the first electrochemical characterization of the genus Geoalkalibacter . Production of high current densities among the Geobacteraceae is no longer exclusive to Geobacter sulfurreducens, suggesting greater versatility for this family in fundamental and applied microbial electrochemical cell (MXC) research than previously considered. Additionally, this work raises the possibility that different members of the Geobacteraceae have conserved molecular mechanisms governing respiratory extracellular electron transfer to electrodes. Thus, the capacity for high current generation may exist in other uncultivated members of this family. Advancement of MXC technology for practical uses must rely on an expanded suite of ARB capable of using different electron donors and producing high current densities under various conditions. Geoalkalibacter spp. can potentially broaden the practical capabilities of MXCs to include energy generation and waste treatment under expanded ranges of salinity and pH.
BLOOD AND BONE MARROW CELLS OF THE DOMESTIC FOWL

1. A simple, direct method of counting leucocytes of the fowl is described. 2. Twenty-nine complete, morphological studies of the blood of eleven domestic fowls are recorded. 3. The characteristics of the cells found in the blood and bone marrow are described in detail and their relative numbers reported. 4. The supravital technique, using neutral red and Janus green, enables one to separate and classify accurately the confusing cells of the blood and bone marrow. 5. These studies provide a basis for future experimental studies on the blood and bone marrow cells of the fowl.