cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anti-Idiotype Antibodies Can Induce Long-Term Complete Remissions in Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Without Eradicating the Malignant Clone

The immunoglobulin on the surface of B-cell lymphomas can be a tumor-specific target for monoclonal antibody therapy. Between 1981 and 1993, 45 individuals with low grade B-cell lymphoma were treated with 52 courses of custom-made anti-idiotype antibodies. The antibodies were used either alone or in combination with -interferon, chlorambucil, or interleukin-2 (IL-2). The majority of these patients responded to treatment, with a 66% overall and 18% complete response rate. Six patients (13%) experienced prolonged complete remissions, five of which are ongoing from 4 to 10 years after therapy and are the subject of this report. We asked whether residual lymphoma could be found in these patients with prolonged remissions. We performed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assays for idiotype protein or anti-idiotype antibodies in serum. Blood and bone marrow samples were examined by flow cytometry for idiotype positive cells, and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for clonal gene rearrangements of immunoglobulin CDR3 sequences or t(14;18) translocations. Using these sensitive and specific tests it was possible to detect very low levels of residual lymphoma in five of these patients who had been in clinical remission for 3 to 8 years before this evaluation. These five have continued without recurrence for up to 3 years since. Thus, we have found a pattern of residual inactive disease in patients treated with anti-idiotype antibodies. The biology of follicular lymphoma evidently includes the potential for tumor dormancy after therapies with varied mechanisms of action, resulting in clinical inactivity for many years. Thus, long-term control of the disease is possible at a clinical level despite persistence of the malignant clone. © 1998 by The American Society of Hematology.
Studies on the Role of Vitamin E in Chick Nutrition

Abstract THE two clinical symptoms commonly used to characterize a vitamin E deficiency in chicks are exudative diathesis and encephalomalacia. They usually appear separately; however, under some conditions they appear concomitantly (Dam 1944). The term exudative diathesis characterizes a condition resulting from an accumulation of plasma in the subcutaneous tissues, muscles or connective tissue. The increased moisture content of brains from chicks showing symptoms of encephalomalacia suggests the possibility of exudation in brain tissue. Dam and Glavind (1942) and Bird (1943) reported that increasing the soluble salts in the chick’s diet increased the severity of the edema which developed on the vitamin E inadequate ration. It is doubtful if the vitamin E inadequate ration used by these workers provided enough of other essential nutrients for normal growth even when made adequate in vitamin E. Edema has been observed in animals receiving rations low in protein and essential minerals. Dam (1944) reported . . .
Congenital Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia with Multiple Physical Anomalies in a Female Neonate

Congenital Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia (CAMT) is a rare disorder of infancy characterized by isolated thrombocytopenia along with hypoplasia or aplasia of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. It is caused by c-mpl mutation which disrupts the function of thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor. CAMT in association with physical anomalies is a rare entity with only limited data from single case reports being available. Here we present a case of 35 days neonate who had CAMT together with facial malformations and cardiac defects.
The establishment of a mobile intensive care unit.

The need for a Mobile Intensive Care Unit is discussed and the planning and construction of such a vehicle for use in the Hunter Region of New South Wales is described.The staffing, method of mobil...
Eye-Tracking Evidence that Happy Faces Impair Verbal Message Comprehension: The Case of Health Warnings in Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Television Commercials.

Risk warning or disclosure information in advertising is only effective in correcting consumers’ judgments if enough cognitive capacity is available to process that information. Hence, comprehension of verbal warnings in TV commercials may suffer if accompanied by positive visual elements. This research addresses this concern about cross-modality interference in the context of direct-to-consumer (DTC) pharmaceutical commercials in the United States by experimentally testing whether positive facial expressions reduce consumers’ understanding of the mandated health warning. A content analysis of a sample of DTC commercials reveals that positive facial expressions are more prevalent during the verbal warning act of the commercials than during the other acts. An eye-tracking experiment conducted with specially produced DTC commercials, which vary the valence of characters’ facial expressions during the health warning, provides evidence that happy faces reduce objective comprehension of the warning.
A Mickey Mouse Reader GarryApgar, Editor. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2014.

A Mickey Mouse Reader Garry Apgar, Editor. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2014.When Garry Apgar set out to write Mickey Mouse: Emblem of the American Spirit, soon to be published by the Walt Disney Family Foundation, he found a plethora of sources on the famous mouse. As he arranged his mass of raw material, he realized its value for scholars, leading to A Mickey Mouse Reader. Apgar describes his book as "a compendium of the liveliest, most instructive, and influential texts on Mickey Mouse from 1928 to the present day. It contains not just the musings of scholars or the literati, but also less solemn fare, geared toward what the French call le grand public" (xx). The sixty-nine articles derive from diverse publications, such as the New York Times (Mickey's "newspaper of record" from which Apgar takes one sixth of the book's text), The New Yorker, Time, Literary Digest, Washington Post, Harvard Crimson, Journal of Popular Culture, and Art Digest, and represent some of the most insightful authors ever to write about Disney's famous mouse, including Diego Rivera, Terry Rams aye, E.M. Forster, Maurice Sendak, John Culhane, Stephen Jay Gould, John Updike, Marshall Fishwick, John Cane maker, Charles Solomon, M. Thomas Inge, Garry Apgar, and Walt Disney himself (or his publicist, who offers "What Mickey Means to Me"). This book of essays, although not designed to be read in one sitting from cover to cover, could be, for it provides a compelling narrative of the interwoven careers of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse over nearly a half century, during which the film industry traversed from, as Apgar notes, "the heyday of silent pictures and the advent of talkies into the Golden Age of the studio system, and its decline" (xvii).The book is arranged chronologically in seven sections, each with an introduction highlighting Mickey Mouse's tie to the culture of the time. Apgar's annotations for virtually every entry assist the reader in charting Mickey Mouse through several stages of media technology and social change and in understanding the development of his myth. For example, Apgar notes the first mentions of Disney's wife Lillian's and, much later, coworker Ub Iwerks' contributions to the Mickey Mouse creation story. He also follows the ebbs and flows of Mickey Mouse's stature in the public perception. In Mickey's early years, writers frequently compared him to Chaplin. In 1931, Time acknowledged Mickey's international prominence, saying, "Like Charlie Chaplin, Mickey Mouse is understood all over the world because he does not talk" (23). The same year, in American Magazine, Harry Carr called him "one of the greatest 'box office' actors in the world-though he is the only one who doesn't receive a salary" (25). By 1933, the College Art Association reported on a tour of Mickey Mouse art that ran in prestigious art houses such as New York City's Kennedy Galleries and Boston's Robert C. …
Bringing probability judgments into policy debates via forecasting tournaments

Political debates often suffer from vague-verbiage predictions that make it difficult to assess accuracy and improve policy. A tournament sponsored by the U.S. intelligence community revealed ways in which forecasters can better use probability estimates to make predictions—even for seemingly “unique” events—and showed that tournaments are a useful tool for generating knowledge. Drawing on the literature about the effects of accountability, the authors suggest that tournaments may hold even greater potential as tools for depolarizing political debates and resolving policy disputes.
Lesion of the basal forebrain cholinergic neurons attenuates sleepiness and adenosine after alcohol consumption.

Alcohol has a profound effect on sleep. However, neuronal substrates mediating sleep-promoting effects of alcohol are unknown. Since the basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic neurons are implicated in the homeostatic regulation of sleep, we hypothesized that the BF cholinergic neurons may have an important role in sleepiness observed after alcohol consumption. 192-IgG-saporin (bilateral BF infusions) was used to selectively lesion BF cholinergic neurons in adult male Sprague Dawley rats. Standard surgical procedures were used to implant sleep recording electrodes or microdialysis guide cannulas. The first experiment used between-group design [lesion and sham (controls)] and examined effects of BF cholinergic neuronal lesions on alcohol (3 g/Kg; ig) induced sleep promotion. The second experiment used within-group design [lesion (ipsilateral BF) and sham (controls; contralateral BF) in same animal] and local reverse microdialysis infusion of alcohol (300 mM) to examine the effects of cholinergic neuronal lesions on extracellular adenosine in the BF. Alcohol had a robust sleep promoting effect in controls as evidenced by a significant reduction in sleep onset latency and wakefulness; NREM sleep was significantly increased. No such alcohol-induced sleep promotion was observed in lesioned rats with significantly fewer BF cholinergic neurons. REM sleep was minimally affected. Adenosine release was significantly reduced following local infusion of alcohol on the lesion side, with significantly fewer cholinergic neurons as compared to the control side. Based on these results, we suggest that alcohol promotes sleep by increasing extracellular adenosine via its action on cholinergic neurons of the BF. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Evaluating the Financial Vulnerability of a Major Electric Utility in the Southeastern U.S. to Drought under Climate Change and an Evolving Generation Mix.

There is increasing recognition of the vulnerability of electric power systems to drought and the potential for both climate change and a shifting generation mix to alter this vulnerability. Nonetheless, the considerable research in this area has not been synthesized to inform electric utilities with respect to a key factor that influences their decisions about critical infrastructure: financial risk for shareholders. This study addresses this gap in knowledge by developing a systems framework for assessing the financial exposure of utilities to drought, with further consideration of the effects of climate change and a shifting generation mix. We then apply this framework to a major utility in the Southeastern U.S. Results suggest that extreme drought could cause profit shortfalls of more than $100 million if water temperature regulations are strictly enforced. However, even losses of this magnitude would not significantly impact returns for shareholders. This may inadvertently reduce pressure internally ...
Split Consideration for Foreground and Background Painting Using Artificial Neural Networks

Recent Deep Neural Networks (DNN) are able to successfully extract global art style from a painting and apply it to a separate content image. However, the foreground and background of a painting or image typically have distinctively different styles i.e. textures and color compositions. In this paper a method is proposed to consider the background and foreground styles separately when painting using artificial neural networks.
Measuring Hospital Performance Using Mortality Rates: An Alternative to the RAMR.

Background The risk-adjusted mortality rate (RAMR) is used widely by healthcare agencies to evaluate hospital performance. The RAMR is insensitive to case volume and requires a confidence interval for proper interpretation, which results in a hypothesis testing framework. Unfamiliarity with hypothesis testing can lead to erroneous interpretations by the public and other stakeholders. We argue that screening, rather than hypothesis testing, is more defensible. We propose an alternative to the RAMR that is based on sound statistical methodology, easier to understand and can be used in large-scale screening with no additional data requirements. Methods We use an upper-tail probability to screen for hospitals performing poorly and a lower-tail probability to screen for hospitals performing well. Confidence intervals and hypothesis tests are not needed to compute or interpret our measures. Moreover, unlike the RAMR, our measures are sensitive to the number of cases treated. Results To demonstrate our proposed methodology, we obtained data from the New York State Department of Health for 10 Inpatient Quality Indicators (IQIs) for the years 2009-2013. We find strong agreement between the upper tail probability (UTP) and the RAMR, supporting our contention that the UTP is a viable alternative to the RAMR. Conclusion We show that our method is simpler to implement than the RAMR and, with no need for a confidence interval, it is easier to interpret. Moreover, it will be available for all hospitals and all diseases/conditions regardless of patient volume
Comparison of single-kinect and dual-kinect motion capture of upper-body joint tracking

Motion capture systems can acquire human body motion for use in a variety of applications. For example, acquired data can be used in robotic applications for controlling traffic and aircraft marshaling. Traffic police and aircraft marshals spend long hours directing car and plane traffic and are susceptible to the effects of pollution, as well as mental and physical fatigue. These jobs could be automated using robots that mimic human upper-body motions. In order to develop such robotic systems, natural human motion should be studied. Microsoft Kinect V2 is a non-invasive, low-cost camera primarily used in the video gaming industry which can be adopted for human-body motion analysis. This study evaluates the joint-tracking abilities of single-Kinect and dual-Kinect systems. The dual-Kinect system provides robust and accurate tracking of several complex upper-body motions.
Changes in Student Attitudes About a Psychiatric Career

The authors surveyed 97 third-year medical students before and after a six-week psychiatric clerkship to determine which factors influenced their decisions about psychiatry as a possible career choice. Four attitudinal themes emerged that seemed to negatively affect the students’ perception of psychiatry. The students were concerned that psychiatry made insufficient use of medical knowledge and skills, was too abstract, evoked unpleasant personal feelings, and that patients were unresponsive to treatment. A comparison of pre- and post-clerkship attitudinal themes suggested that the students’ reservations about specializing in psychiatry declined with clinical experience. These findings, if confirmed by more definitive study, suggest the need to reappraise the psychiatric curriculum for medical students.
The Prior Odds of Testing a True Effect in Cognitive and Social Psychology

Efforts to increase replication rates in psychology generally consist of recommended improvements to methodology, such as increasing sample sizes to increase power or using a lower alpha level. How...
The Stanford Solar Center, SuperSID Monitor

The Stanford Solar Center’s SuperSID monitor provides an excellent introduction to the fascinating hobby of radio astronomy, especially for those who do not have much space, as the antenna needed for the SuperSID monitor doesn’t need to be placed high up. No antenna mast is needed, and the antenna will work perfectly well at ground level, either indoors or outdoors. In fact an indoor antenna can work very well.
The never-to-be developed countries of Latin America

An examination of some of the specific reasons why what is known as development is unachievable in the nations of Latin America reveals that the most immediate reason is its demographic situation. This region has the highest population growth rate in the world--2.6% per year. The rural population is moving to the cities, and there are not enough jobs. If population control were to be implemented now, Latin America's population growth would continue for at least 70 years. More mothers having children, even if each has fewer, can still result in total births exceeding total deaths in a given population. The energy outlook is gloomy in South America--of the estimated 542 billion barrels of global oil reserves in 1973, Latin America had only 6.7%, with most of that in Venezuela. The author feels labor-intensive agriculture, including the building of dikes, dams, wells, irrigation canals, drainage ditches, feeder roads, bridges, terraces, and storage facilities will be seen as the only way to reduce unemployment, increase food production, stem the drain of foreign exchange, reverse the trend of cityward migration, halt the destruction of the carrying capacity of the countryside, and restore the eroded sense of dignity and efficacy of the poor.more » (MCW)« less
Prevention is the role of governments, not health systems

We are told that prevention is at the heart of the long term plan for the NHS, published last week (doi:10.1136/bmj.l80; doi:10.1136/bmj.l85). This sounds like good news; prevention is, after all, better than cure. But we should be wary of suggestions that it’s the role of the NHS to prevent disease. There are many good elements of secondary prevention in the plan, as Rachel Chapman and John Middleton point out this week (doi:10.1136/bmj.l218), but there are also many other calls on the NHS’s limited …
Conservatism and the Genteel Heritage

The chapter opens with a consideration of the role played by technocratic expertise in contemporary representative government. The author argues that the genteel tradition lives on to some extent in deliberative forms of democratic governance and in modern conservatism. He identifies good taste as the underlying principle of gentility, and argues that the gentleman was inherently conservative due to his acceptance of this principle. The chapter, and hence the book, concludes with some reflections on the tensions that exist between the genteel heritage and the egalitarian ideals of contemporary mass democracy.
Black and White Bioscope: Making Movies in Africa 1899-1925: by Neil Parsons, Foreword by Kevin Brownlow, Bristol, Intellect, 2018, 252 pp., $80.00 (hardcover), ISBN: 978-1-78320-943-9

Historian Neil Parsons has contributed an enriching and yet problematic volume on early cinema entitled, ‘Black and White Bioscope: Making Movies in Africa 1899–1925.’ Ostensibly, it is an extensiv...
Leveraging Technology to Improve Health Disparity Research: Trilingual Data Collection Using Tablets

Survey research is an essential component of epidemiological research to understand the health of older adults. However, there are several limitations to conventional data collection methods that may serve as barriers for recruitment and retention of research participants, especially from minority populations. With recent technological advancements, our research team developed an innovative data collection and management system to address linguistic and cultural barriers, data quality, data security, and data preparation issues. This platform has been utilized in the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago since 2011. Future use and improvement of this system will facilitate research among minority older adults and increase research participation and representativeness to ultimately understand and improve the health and well-being of diverse populations. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:S479-S485, 2019.
Tutorial on agent-based modelling and simulation

Agent-based modelling and simulation (ABMS) is a relatively new approach to modelling systems composed of autonomous, interacting agents. Agent-based modelling is a way to model the dynamics of complex systems and complex adaptive systems. Such systems often self-organize themselves and create emergent order. Agent-based models also include models of behaviour (human or otherwise) and are used to observe the collective effects of agent behaviours and interactions. The development of agent modelling tools, the availability of micro-data, and advances in computation have made possible a growing number of agent-based applications across a variety of domains and disciplines. This article provides a brief introduction to ABMS, illustrates the main concepts and foundations, discusses some recent applications across a variety of disciplines, and identifies methods and toolkits for developing agent models.
Poincaré’s Homoclinic Horror

A simplefied mathematical model, in the form of a discrete dynamical system, was developed to study the spatially-localized, synchronous spiking observed in a large network of neural tissue.
Flow of Ions Through a Small Orifice in a Charged Plate

Measurements of ion and electron current densities and temperatures in a low pressure arc may be made with a collector which is screened by a close parallel electrode pierced with uniform circular holes. The electrostatic potential distribution in the neighborhood of a pierced electrode, pierced with either slit or hole, has been worked out. The volt-ampere characteristic for random electrons is exponential for the higher retarding voltages and the exponent gives a temperature slightly too high. When the anode drop is known the current density of electrons can be calculated. The volt-ampere characteristic for positive ions is linear for small accelerating voltages. For small retarding voltages the characteristic is not a pure exponential. The characteristic gives anode drop, ion current density, "transverse" ion temperature and "longitudinal" ion temperature. The limitations and possible errors are discussed.
Chapter 19 – Burglary

Publisher Summary Burglary is a crime that affects all strata of society. Losses range from relatively small amounts to millions of dollars; burglary suspects can have widely varying degrees of skill and expertise. It is a very difficult crime to investigate. Although difficult to investigate, burglary usually offers a relatively large number of clues. Understanding the type of burglary, the characteristics of the offense, and the demographic characteristics of the victim can provide insight into the suspect and his or her background. The expanding capabilities of single-digit fingerprint systems, such as Automated Fingerprint Identification System, and breakthroughs in DNA analysis offer significant tools in burglary investigations. Research indicates that the preliminary analysis of a burglary case can provide “solvability factors” that make it possible to focus on those cases with the highest probability of being solved. Guidelines for conducting burglary investigations and follow-up activities are also provided in the chapter.
Stable 3D Head Direction Signals in the Primary Visual Cortex

Abstract The mammalian brain’s navigation system is informed in large part by visual signals. While the primary visual cortex (V1) is extensively interconnected with brain areas involved in computing head direction (HD) information, it is unknown to what extent navigation information is available in the population activity of visual cortex. To test whether information about head direction information is available in visual cortex, we recorded neuronal activity in V1 of freely behaving rats. We show that significant information about yaw, roll, and pitch of the head can be linearly decoded from V1 either in the presence or absence of visual cues. Individual V1 neurons were tuned to head direction, with a quarter of the neurons tuned to conjunctions of angles in all three planes. These results demonstrate the presence of a critical navigational signal in a primary cortical sensory area and support predictive coding theories of brain function.
Phase mechanics of colloidal gels: osmotic pressure drives non-equilibrium phase separation

Although dense colloidal gels with interparticle bonds of order several kT are typically described as resulting from an arrest of phase separation, they continue to coarsen with age, owing to the dynamics of their temporary bonds. Here, k is Boltzmann's constant and T is the absolute temperature. Computational studies of gel aging reveal particle-scale dynamics reminiscent of condensation that suggests very slow but ongoing phase separation. Subsequent studies of delayed yield reveal structural changes consistent with re-initiation of phase separation. In the present study we interrogate the idea that mechanical yield is connected to a release from phase arrest. We study aging and yield of moderately concentrated to dense reversible colloidal gels and focus on two macroscopic hallmarks of phase separation: increases in surface-area to volume ratio that accompanies condensation, and minimization of free energy. The interplay between externally imposed fields, Brownian motion, and interparticle forces during aging or yield, changes the distribution of bond lengths throughout the gel, altering macroscopic potential energy. The gradient of the microscopic potential (the interparticle force) gives a natural connection of potential energy to stress. We find that the free energy decreases with age, but this slows down as bonds get held stretched by glassy frustration. External perturbations break just enough bonds to liberate negative osmotic pressure, which we show drives a cascade of bond relaxation and rapid reduction of the potential energy, consistent with renewed phase separation. Overall, we show that mechanical yield of reversible colloidal gels releases kinetic arrest and can be viewed as non-equilibrium phase separation.
Evaluation of Preemergence Herbicide Programs for Control of Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase-Resistant Amaranthus palmeri in Soybean

Protoporphyrinogen oxidase- (PPO-) resistant Amaranthus palmeri (S.) Wats. (Palmer amaranth) was confirmed in Arkansas in 2015. Field trials were conducted in Crawfordsville, Gregory, and Marion, Arkansas in 2016, and Crawfordsville and Marion in 2017, assessing PPO-resistant Palmer amaranth control options in Glycine max (L.) Merr. (soybean). Twelve trials consisted of 26 preemergence (PRE) treatments, evaluated for Palmer amaranth control and density reduction at 28 days after treatment (DAT). Treatments that consisted of PPO- or acetolactate synthase- (ALS-) inhibiting herbicides such as flumioxazin (72 g ai ha−1) or sulfentrazone + cloransulam (195 g ha−1 + 25 g ha−1) controlled Palmer amaranth <60%. At 28 DAT, treatments including mixtures of a very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) plus the photosystem II- (PSII-) inhibiting herbicide metribuzin provided increased control over single herbicide sites of action (SOA) or herbicides mixtures to which Palmer amaranth was resistant. Pyroxasulfone + metribuzin (149 g ha−1 + 314 g ha−1) controlled Palmer amaranth 91% control across twelve trials at 28 DAT. S-metolachlor alone did not provide consistent, acceptable control of PPO-resistant Palmer amaranth (55–77%); subsequent research has determined that these populations are resistant to S-metolachlor. A minimum of two effective herbicides should be included in soybean PRE programs for control of PPO-resistant Palmer amaranth.
Applying a New CT Quality Metric in Radiology: How CT Pulmonary Angiography Repeat Rates Compare Across Institutions.

Abstract Objectives To quantify overall CT repeat and reject rates at five institutions and investigate repeat and reject rates for CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA). Methods In this retrospective study, we apply an automated repeat rate analysis algorithm to 103,752 patient examinations performed at five institutions from July 2017 to August 2019. The algorithm identifies repeated scans for specific scanner and protocol combinations. For each institution, we compared repeat rates for CTPA to all other CT protocols. We used logistic regression and analysis of deviance to compare CTPA repeat rates across institutions and size-based protocols. Results Of 103,752 examinations, 1,447 contained repeated helical scans (1.4%). Overall repeat rates differed across institutions (P ) and somewhat weaker evidence at the others (P = .005 and P = 0.011; odds ratios: 2.2 [1.3-3.8] and 3.7 [1.5-9.1], respectively). Accounting for size-based protocols, CTPA repeat rates differed across institutions (P Discussion The results indicate low overall repeat rates (
An Improved Analytical Model for the Elastic and Plastic Strain-hardening Shear Behaviour of Fully Grouted Rockbolts

Fully grouted rock bolts are one of the main forms of rock reinforcement used in underground mines, especially in coal mines. Analytical models describing the deformation behaviour of rock bolts under various loading conditions are used in numerical models for designing appropriate rock reinforcement. A reliable analytical model capable of accurately predicting rock bolts’ responses under different loading conditions is, therefore, important for more realistic numerical models and effective reinforcement design. In this paper, a new analytical model for shear behaviour of rock bolts is proposed which can better predict rock bolt behaviour under large shear deformations. A method to consider the effect of post-elastic strain hardening on bending stiffness of rock bolt is presented. The analytical model is validated with results from laboratory shear tests and found to be consistent with the laboratory results. To analyse the effect of post-elastic strain hardening on shear behaviour of a rock bolt, results from the proposed analytical model is compared with analytical model without strain-hardening effect. Without strain hardening, the analytical models overestimate the ultimate shear displacement by up to 35% in the examples shown in the paper.
Limitations of Efficient Reducibility to the Kolmogorov Random Strings

We show the following results for polynomial-time reducibility to RC, the set of Kolmogorov random strings.
Distributed Algorithms for Multi-Robot Observation of Multiple Moving Targets

An important issue that arises in the automation of many security, surveillance, and reconnaissance tasks is that of observing the movements of targets navigating in a bounded area of interest. A key research issue in these problems is that of sensor placement—determining where sensors should be located to maintain the targets in view. In complex applications involving limited-range sensors, the use of multiple sensors dynamically moving over time is required. In this paper, we investigate the use of a cooperative team of autonomous sensor-based robots for the observation of multiple moving targets. In other research, analytical techniques have been developed for solving this problem in complex geometrical environments. However, these previous approaches are very computationally expensive—at least exponential in the number of robots—and cannot be implemented on robots operating in real-time. Thus, this paper reports on our studies of a simpler problem involving uncluttered environments—those with either no obstacles or with randomly distributed simple convex obstacles. We focus primarily on developing the on-line distributed control strategies that allow the robot team to attempt to minimize the total time in which targets escape observation by some robot team member in the area of interest. This paper first formalizes the problem (which we term CMOMMT for i>Cooperative Multi-Robot Observation of Multiple Moving Targets) and discusses related work. We then present a distributed heuristic approach (which we call A-CMOMMT) for solving the CMOMMT problem that uses weighted local force vector control. We analyze the effectiveness of the resulting weighted force vector approach by comparing it to three other approaches. We present the results of our experiments in both simulation and on physical robots that demonstrate the superiority of the A-CMOMMT approach for situations in which the ratio of targets to robots is greater than 1/2. Finally, we conclude by proposing that the CMOMMT problem makes an excellent domain for studying multi-robot learning in inherently cooperative tasks. This approach is the first of its kind for solving the on-line cooperative observation problem and implementing it on a physical robot team.
Conjugal Transfer of Bacteriophage Resistance Determinants on pTR2030 into Streptococcus cremoris Strains

Agar surface conjugal matings were used to introduce heat-sensitive phage resistance (Hsp) determinants carried on the conjugal plasmid pTR2030 into Streptococcus cremoris KH, HP, 924, and TDM1. Lactose-fermenting (Lac) transconjugants were selected from matings of Lac variants of S. cremoris KH, HP, 924, and TDM1 with Streptococcus lactis ME2 or a high-frequency donor, S. lactis T-EK1 (pTR1040, Lac; pTR2030, Hsp). For all of the S. cremoris strains examined, select Lac transconjugants were completely resistant to plaquing by their homologous lytic phages. In all cases the plaquing efficiencies were less than 10. Acquisition of a 30-megadalton plasmid (pTR2030) in the S. cremoris phage-resistant transconjugants was demonstrated by direct plasmid analysis, by hybridization with P-labeled probes, or by conjugal transfer of pTR2030 out of the phage-resistant transconjugants into a plasmid-cured recipient, S. lactis LM2302. Acid production, coagulation ability, and proteolytic activity of phage-resistant transconjugants in milk were comparable to those of their phage-sensitive parents. Further, S. cremoris phage-resistant transconjugants were not attacked by phage in starter culture activity tests, which included a 40 degrees C incubation period. The results demonstrated that phage resistance determinants on pTR2030 could be conjugally transferred to a variety of S. cremoris strains and confer resistance to phage under conditions encountered during cheese manufacture. Phage-resistant transconjugants of S. cremoris M43 and HP were also constructed without the use of antiblotic markers to select conjugal recipients from mating mixtures.
Intracellular Multiplication of Legionella pneumophila : Human Pathogen or Accidental Tourist?

Pathogens which secrete toxins and otherwise damage host cells and tissues from the outside have been studied from a variety of approaches. In many cases it has been possible to purify toxins as well as their receptors and targets. In some cases (e.g., diphtheria toxin, pertussis toxin), the basis of toxin activity is understood at the molecular level. For these organisms, it is possible to describe at least one important aspect of the pathogenesis of the disease carefully enough to devise specific hypotheses that lead to a relatively deep understanding of the basis of pathogenesis.
Characterization of high capacitance electrodes for the application of direct current electrical nerve block

Direct current (DC) can briefly produce a reversible nerve conduction block in acute experiments. However, irreversible reactions at the electrode-tissue interface have prevented its use in both acute and chronic settings. A high capacitance material (platinum black) using a charge-balanced waveform was evaluated to determine whether brief DC block (13 s) could be achieved repeatedly (>100 cycles) without causing acute irreversible reduction in nerve conduction. Electrochemical techniques were used to characterize the electrodes to determine appropriate waveform parameters. In vivo experiments on DC motor conduction block of the rat sciatic nerve were performed to characterize the acute neural response to this novel nerve block system. Complete nerve motor conduction block of the rat sciatic nerve was possible in all experiments, with the block threshold ranging from -0.15 to -3.0 mA. DC pulses were applied for 100 cycles with no nerve conduction reduction in four of the six platinum black electrodes tested. However, two of the six electrodes exhibited irreversible conduction degradation despite charge delivery that was within the initial Q (capacitance) value of the electrode. Degradation of material properties occurred in all experiments, pointing to a possible cause of the reduction in nerve conduction in some platinum black experiments .
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of tariquidar (XR9576), a P‑glycoprotein inhibitor, in combination with doxorubicin, vinorelbine, or docetaxel in children and adolescents with refractory solid tumors

P-glycoprotein (Pgp), an ATP-dependent transport protein, confers multidrug resistance in cancer cells. Tariquidar binds and inhibits Pgp. To assess the toxicity, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics of tariquidar, we conducted a phase I trial of tariquidar in combination with doxorubicin, docetaxel, or vinorelbine in children and adolescents with recurrent or refractory solid tumors. Patients less than 19 years of age with refractory or recurrent solid tumors were eligible. Tariquidar (1, 1.5, or 2 mg/kg) was administered alone and in combination with doxorubicin, docetaxel, or vinorelbine. PK of tariquidar and cytotoxic drugs was performed. Pgp function was assessed by a rhodamine efflux assay and 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy. Tumor Pgp expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Response was assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Twenty-nine subjects were enrolled. No tariquidar-related dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was observed. DLT related to cytotoxic drugs occurred in 12 % of subjects receiving tariquidar 2 mg/kg. When administered in combination with tariquidar, the clearance of docetaxel and vinorelbine was reduced compared to prior studies. Inhibition of rhodamine efflux was dose dependent. After tariquidar administration, 99mTc-sestamibi accumulation in tumor increased by 22 %. Objective responses (1 complete, 2 partial) were observed. There was no association between tumor Pgp expression and response. A tolerable and biologically active dose of tariquidar was established in children and adolescents. This trial demonstrates that modulators of resistance can be evaluated in combination with chemotherapy, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic endpoints can be useful in determination of recommended dose in children and adolescents.
Initial United States experience with the Paracor HeartNet myocardial constraint device for heart failure

Objective This study was undertaken to review the initial results and surgical safety data for the US Food and Drug Administration safety and feasibility trial of the Paracor HeartNet (Paracor Medical, Inc, Sunnyvale, Calif.) myocardial constraint device. Methods Patients with New York Heart Association functional class II or III heart failure underwent device implantation (n = 21) through a left minithoracotomy. Results The average age was 53 years (31–72 years). There were 18 men and 3 women, and 17 patients had nonischemic etiology of heart failure. Mean heart failure duration was 8.3 years (1.4-18.8 years). Average ejection fraction was 22% (11%-33%), with an average left ventricular end-diastolic dimension of 74 mm (55-94 mm). Previous medical therapy included angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, β-blockers, diuretics, digoxin, and aldosterone receptor blockers. At implantation, 17 patients had implantable electronic devices: 1 biventricular pacemaker, 11 biventricular pacemakers with cardioverter-defibrillators, and 5 implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Patient comorbidities included hypertension in 10 cases, diabetes mellitus in 8, myocardial infarction in 1, and ventricular tachycardia in 8. Mean operative time was 68 minutes (42–102 minutes), and implantation time averaged 15 minutes (5–51 minutes). The average time to ambulation was 1.6 days (1–4 days). The intensive care unit stay averaged 3.3 days (1–16 days), and hospital stay averaged 6.3 days (4–16 days). Atrial fibrillation occurred in 2 patients, and there were 2 in-hospital deaths. Conclusions The Paracor device can be implanted in patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular function with a high degree of success. Significant surgical complications were infrequent. The initial US experience supports the conduct of a randomized, controlled, pivotal trial.
Knowledge Management and Library Culture

Knowledge management (KM), or the effective use of knowledge, has been practiced successfully by many business organizations. Individual libraries and librarians have periodically utilized KM. However, on a comprehensive scale, the library culture seems divided. This article examines the attitudes and practices of two distinct groups of specialized librarians and their relationship to the use of KM tools.
The development of the prechordal plate and mesoderm of amblystoma punctatum

This paper describes the development of the prechordal plate and mesoderm of Amblystoma punctatum from the late yolk-plug stage to the stage of about nineteen somites. In the earliest stage described the prechordal plate is embedded in the roof of the archenteron and flanked on both sides by prechordal mesoderm with which it is fused. The characteristics and limits of the prechordal plate and mesoderm are discussed and the fate of both traced. It is demonstrated that the mesodermal cores of the mandibular arches are probably largely derived from the prechordal mesoderm which flanks the prechordal plate. The prechordal plate is later separated out of the roof of the foregut in a caudocephalic direction, giving rise to a median mass of mesoderm which expands laterally independently of the mandibular portions of the prechordal mesoderm to give rise to head mesenchyme lying largely anterior to the level of the hyoid arch. The expansion of this mesoderm is followed in some detail. The boundary between prechordal and notochordal regions is placed at approximately the boundary between the mandibular and hyoid arches. The question of the interpretation of the prechordal region is briefly discussed.
Effect of chronic ethanol consumption on energy-linked processes associated with oxidative phosphorylation: Proton translocation and ATP-Pi exchange

Abstract Male rats were administered an ethanol-containing diet for 31 days during which time they demonstrated fatty liver. Mitochondria and submitochondrial particles were prepared from their livers (ethanol mitochondria, ethanol submitochondrial particles) and from their pair-fed partners (control mitochondria, control submitochondrial particles). The H+/coupling site ratio was not significantly different in ethanol and control mitochondria with succinate as electron donor. A 13% decrease in the H+/coupling site ratio was observed in ethanol mitochondria, however, when β-hydroxybutyrate was used as substrate. The rate of ATP-Pi exchange was decreased significantly in both ethanol mitochondria and submitochondrial particles as compared to control preparations. These observations demonstrate ethanol-elicited decreases in energy conservation in the site I region of the electron transport chain and in the activity of the ATP synthetase complex.
A small-animal inhalation chamber for short-to-intermediate term exposure

An inhalation chamber for behavioral toxicology studies is described. Complete and uniform diffusion of test atmospheres throughout the chamber is achieved, thus solving a dead-airspace problem prevalent in extant chamber designs. Modular attachments to the chamber allow for a variety of uses, including physiological-pathological and classical or operant conditioning. The chamber design and size are appropriate for testing most small laboratory animals (e.g., birds, rodents, and small primates), but the chamber is easily modified for use with larger vertebrates. Despite the versatility of design, the chamber is relatively inexpensive and easy to build.
Improved temporary restorations for onlay preparations

Abstract An improved, efficient method of constructing a temporary onlay restoration is presented. Two advantages of this method over traditional techniques are discussed.
Opiate withdrawal increases ProTRH gene expression in the ventrolateral column of the midbrain periaqueductal gray

The midbrain periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) has a critical role in the modulation of behavioral and autonomic manifestations of the opiate withdrawal syndrome. We report a nearly 5-fold increase in proTRH gene expression in neurons of the ventrolateral column of the PAG following naltrexone precipitated morphine withdrawal. The accumulation of immunoreactive proTRH-derived peptides, but not the mature TRH tripeptide was concomitantly observed in these cells. These findings indicate that proTRH-derived peptides synthesized in neurons of the ventrolateral PAG may function as modifiers of opiate withdrawal responses.
The Nucleus of the Human Lens: Demonstration of a Highly Characteristic Protein Pattern by Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis and Introduction of a New Method of Lens Dissection

A practical method for dissection of human lenses is described. The method utilizes the suture patterns as a guide to identify the developmental stage in which fiber cells were formed. Lenses were separated into cortex and adult, infantile, fetal and embryonic nuclear regions. Analysis of the proteins in each of these regions in adult lenses shows that the lens nucleus has a highly characteristic two-dimensional protein pattern distinct from that of the cortex. Each of the nuclear regions has essentially the same protein pattern. The data suggest that the conversion of cortical fibers to mature nuclear fibers involves well controlled processes.
A further comparison of tests of hypotheses in LAV regression

Abstract This study compares five alternate test procedures for the significance of coefficients in LAV regression. The WALD and LR tests using the SECI estimator of λ proposed by McKean and Schrader (Commun. Statist. - Simulation Comput. 13 (1984) p. 751–773) were examined as well as versions of these tests using bootstrap estimates of λ (BWALD and BLR) and the LM test. There is some evidence that the empirical level of significance for the LM test more nearly conforms to the expected level (5% used in study) than the observed levels do for the other tests. The two tests that appear to perform best in the experiment are the LR test using the SECI estimator of λ and the LM test. The bootstrap version of the LR test is computationally more expensive and appears to be no better (and perhaps worse in terms of the empirical size) than the traditional version. The WALD test appears inferior in the computations in either its traditional or bootstrap versions.