cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ontogeny of T Lymphocyte Function in the Neonate

T cell precursors are first detected in the thymus at eight weeks of gestation. By 15 to 20 weeks of gestation, T-cell precursors expressing alpha beta and gamma delta T-cell receptors are present in the thymus in numbers relatively similar to those found in postnatal life. However, recent data suggest that T-cell receptor diversity is more limited during fetal and neonatal life than in adults. Additionally, the functional capacity of T cells in the fetus and neonate is immature, in that neonatal T cells express a limited repertoire of lymphokines in response to activation. Specifically, the production of the lymphokines, interferon-gamma and interleukin-4, which participate in the maturation of cytotoxic cells, activation of macrophages, and the maturation and modulation of B cell function and isotype expression, is reduced more than tenfold compared to cells from adults. This appears to result primarily from the lack of memory T cells in the fetus and neonate, reflecting their antigenic naivete. The difference in lymphokine expression is due to diminished transcription of these genes in neonatal T cells in response to activation. Preliminary data indicate that differences in essential promoter elements regulating transcription of these lymphokine genes plays a role in their differential expression in T cells.
Planning theory revisited

Abstract After brief personal recollections of the origins of planning theory, the author poses the question of why, after five decades of active theorizing, it is still impossible for people engaged in writing planning theory to agree on a formal definition of their subject. Four possible answers are explored: the problem of defining planning as an object to be theorized; the impossibility of talking about planning disconnected from actual institutional and political contexts; the several modes of doing planning theory and the dilemma of choosing among them; and the difficulty of incorporating power relations into planning discourse. The paper concludes with a brief comment on three themes that should be made central to theorizing; the production of the urban habitat, the rise of civil society, and the question of power.
Directed expression of Hox A3 upregulates target genes associated with wound healing in diabetic mice

Abstract Introduction: Poor wound healing in diabetic patients is associated with deficiencies in the production of growth factors, collagen, and other proteins involved in cell proliferation and migration. However, it remains unclear how the diabetic environment affects regulation of these molecules in response to wounding at the level of gene transcription. We hypothesized that Hox A3 could accelerates diabetic wound healing through activation of target genes that promote angiogenesis and cell migration. Methods: Hox A3 and control plasmids were transfected into cells and wounds from wild type and leptin receptor deficient diabetic mice. Wounds were analyzed for up to 40 days, depending on initial size. Protein levels were measured by Western blot analysis. Hox A3 target gene activation was assayed by semi-quantitative PCR and quantitative real time PCR. Results: Directed Hox A3 expression in diabetic wounds dramatically accelerated wound healing as wounds closed at day 42 compared to the control, day 77 (p Conclusions: Hox A3 function is dramatically reduced in diabetic wounds and is associated with poor wound healing. Restoring Hox A3 expression significantly accelerates wound healing and is therefore a potential therapeutic target in diabetic patients. Further studies are underway to determine why diabetic cells fail to activate Hox A3.
Grand Theories and Ambiguous Republican Critique: Tushnet on Constitutional Law

Mark Tushnet is one of the most prolific constitutional commentators today and a prominent representative of radical (critical legal studiesoriented) legal thought. His book, unlike many collections of previously published work, organizes and integrates many of his major law review articles into a coherent whole. It is an important work that provides insights into law that will be appreciated by legal thinkers across the entire political spectrum. But in the final analysis, its critique of contemporary legal liberalism is the strength of the book, while its critique of legal conservativism and Tushnet's alternative political theory are unsatisfying. The first part of this essay is a summary of the book; the reader with less time will find that, for the most part, the main ideas of each section are summarized very briefly in the first and last paragraphs of the section. The second part focuses on two particular questions: Tushnet's critique of originalists (among whom I would be classed) and his broad discussion of liberalism and republicanism.
Deep-sea carbonate: pteropod distribution and the aragonite compensation depth

Abstract The aragonite compensation depth (ACD), the depth in the ocean at which pteropods disappear, varies greatly between and within ocean basins. Average depth is near 1.5 km for low latitudes, with the Atlantic having typical values between 2 and 3 km, and Pacific and Indian oceans values between 0.5 and 1.5 km. ACD values shoal toward high latitudes and on the continental slopes. Maximum values (3.4 km) are reached in the North Atlantic, which acts as a ‘carbonate trap’.
Neutralization of the Gonadotropic Effects of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Secreted by Human Choriocarcinoma Transplanted in Hamsters Actively Immunized against the β-Subunit of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Coupled to Tetanus Toxoid*

The effect of active immunization with the β-subunit of hCG coupled to tetanus toxoid (tt) on the gonadotropic activity of hCG was investigated in hamsters implanted with the BeWo strain of human choriocarcinoma. Control immunized hamsters produced hCG from days 1–15 after the lag phase of tumor growth. Peak levels of hCG (>3 μg hCG/ml serum) were recorded on day 5. hCGβ-tt immunization inhibited the increases in ovarian and uterine weights and estrogen (E) and progesterone (P) levels induced by hCG in controls at various points after the beginning of tumor growth. Ovarian and uterine weights did not significantly rise above the peak weights of the normal 4-day estrus cycle between 0900–1100 h until day 10 in tumor-bearing hamsters immunized with hCGβ-tt. In contrast, both ovaries and uteri showed significant increases in weight by day 1 of tumor growth in controls. P increases were completely blocked throughout the 15 days of tumor growth after hCGβ-tt immunization. Likewise, rises in E were suppressed t...
Restoration of out-of-focused color photographic images

Abstract A method of deconvoluting the defocused color photographic images utilizing a white-light processing is described. In the white-light processing, a diffraction grating is used to provide three primary color light sources for the color image restoration. Three complex inverse filters, for each primary color, are used in the Fourier transform plane. Experimental demonstrations of the color image restoration of defocused photographic images are given.
Stochastic modeling of physically derived signature spaces

Traditional approaches to hyperspectral target detection involve the application of detection algorithms to atmospherically compensated imagery. Rather than compensate the imagery, a more recent approach uses physical models to generate target subspaces. These radiance subspaces can then be used in an appropriate detection scheme to identify potential targets. The generation of these subspaces involves some a priori knowledge of data acquisition parameters, scene and atmospheric conditions, and possible calibration errors. Variation is allowed in the model since some parameters are difficult to know accurately. Each vector in the subspace is the result of a MODTRAN simulation coupled with a physical model. Generation of large target spaces can be computationally burdensome. This paper explores the use of statistical methods to describe such target signature spaces. The statistically modeled spaces can then be used to generate arbitrary radiance vectors to form a sub-space with potential "real-time" applications. Statistically modeled target subspaces, using limited training samples, were found to accurately resemble MODTRAN derived radiance vectors.
Studies on the fluorescence and binding of 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonate by submitochondrial particles.

Abstract The basis for the correlation between fluorescence changes of 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS 3 ) with changes of the functional state of submitochondrial particles has been investigated. Evidence is presented which suggests that under the conditions studied initiation of electron transfer does not result in an increase in the quantum yield of ANS fluorescence. More apparent was a dramatic increase in the binding affinity of the “energized” membrane for the fluorochrome. Some pH-dependent increase in the binding capacity of the membrane was also observed. In contrast, the number of apparent binding sites was increased without changing the affinity of the membrane for ANS by either lowering the pH of the medium or adding the lipophilic cation ketamine. At the concentrations studied, oleate noncompetitively inhibited ANS binding to submitochondrial particles, but competitively inhibited ANS binding to phospholipid micelles. The binding characteristics for ANS of “lipid-depleted” submitochondrial particles were somewhat similar to those of submitochondrial particles oxidizing succinate. The evidence suggests that generation of the “energized” state produces either a potential gradient or a conformational change of protein components which results in an increase in binding affinity of the membrane for ANS. A marked change in the hydrophobicity of the binding site for ANS does not appear to occur.
Effects of stress and birth order on attitude change.

Abstract : In a field experiment, the effects of a persuasive communication under high and low stress were assessed. 258 Navy recruits were given a counter-attitudinal communication either under high fear (waiting to go through teargas familiarization) or under relaxed conditions (in their barracks). A mood checklist 'take' measure verified that subjects were significantly more frightened in the high stress condition than under low stress. High stress Ss showed significantly more attitude change than low stress Ss. An interaction between fear and birth order was also found. Later-borns under high fear showed more attitude change than first-borns. Last-borns at least five years younger than their next older sibling (large-gap last-borns) were more similar to first borns than to 'small gap' later-borns.
Charitable Giving and “Excessive” Fundraising

Recently, some charities have been attacked for spending an â€œexcessiveâ€ portion of their resources on fundraising. This paper shows how competition for donations can push fundraising shares to high levels even when donors dislike charities that spend a large portion of receipts on fundraising. It also considers a case in which donors take account of the productivity of fundraising in generating gifts from others. In the light of the models developed in the paper, a variety of regulatory strategies are assessed from the dissemination of information to the establishment of a federated fund drive.
A snapshot imaging spectropolarimeter

We have designed and built a system using computed-tomographic imaging spectropolarimetry (CTICS). It allows spatial, spectral, and polarimetric evaluation of a scene in a single snapshot image. We present results from the implementation of this new technique in a short wave infrared CTICS system.
Hume on Justice to Animals, Indians and Women

Evaluation des circonstances sociales de la justice que sont la disette moderee, au niveau des ressources, et une bienfaisance limitee parmi les gens, dans le cadre de la definition humeenne de la justice en termes d'utilite pour la societe. Soulevant la question du presuppose d'une egalite de pouvoir approximative dans le traitement du statut juridique des animaux, des Indiens et des femmes chez Hume, l'A. propose une interpretation du passage de la «Recherche sur les principes de la morale», consacre aux restrictions de la justice, qui met en evidence le role de celle-ci comme possibilite d'une societe vraie, ainsi que la nature des droits et les limites evidentes de l'esprit non-humain
THE ARTERIAL SYSTEM OF THE HEAD AND NECK OF THE RHESUS MONKEY WITH EMPHASIS ON THE EXTERNAL CAROTID SYSTEM.

The arterial plan of the head and neck of 64 immature rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) was studied using four techniques — dissection, corrosion preparations, cleared specimens, and angiographs. In general, the arterial plan of this area in the monkey is similar to that of man. However, certain outstanding differences were noted. The origin, course, and distribution of all arteries is described as well as the vascular relations to pertinent structures.
Self-rated health trajectories in the African American health cohort.

Background Self-rated health taps health holistically and dynamically blends prior health histories with current illness burdens and expectations for future health. While consistently found as an independent predictor of functional decline, sentinel health events, physician visits, hospital episodes, and mortality, much less is known about intra-individual changes in self-rated health across the life course, especially for African Americans. Materials/Methods Data on 998 African American men and women aged 50–64 years old were taken from a probability-based community sample that was first assessed in 2000–2001 and re-assessed 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 9 years later. Using an innovative approach for including decedents in the analysis, semi-parametric group-based mixture models were used to identify person-centered group trajectories of self-rated health over time. Multivariable multinomial logistic regression analysis was then used to differentiate the characteristics of AAH participants classified into the different group trajectories. Results Four self-rated health group trajectories were identified: persistently good health, good but declining health, persistently fair health, and fair but declining health. The main characteristics that differentiated the self-rated health trajectory groups from each other were age, education, smoking, morbidity (angina, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and kidney disease), having been hospitalized in the year prior to baseline, depressive symptoms, mobility limitations, and initial self-rated health. Conclusions This is the first study to examine self-rated health trajectories separately among African Americans. Four qualitatively distinct self-rated health group trajectories were identified that call into question the accuracy of prior reports that a single, average self-rated health trajectory for African Americans adequately captures their within-group heterogeneity.
A multiplex RNA-seq strategy to profile poly(A+) RNA: Application to analysis of transcription response and 3′ end formation

RNA-seq technologies are now replacing microarrays for profiling gene expression. Here we describe a robust RNA-seq strategy for multiplex analysis of RNA samples based on deep sequencing. First, an oligo-dT linked to an adaptor sequence is used to prime cDNA synthesis. Upon solid phase selection, second strand synthesis is initiated using a random primer linked to another adaptor sequence. Finally, the library is released from the beads and amplified using a bar-coded primer together with a common primer. This method, referred to as Multiplex Analysis of PolyA-linked Sequences (MAPS), preserves strand information, permits rapid identification of potentially new polyadenylation sites, and profiles gene expression in a highly cost effective manner. We have applied this technology to determine the transcriptome response to knockdown of the RNA binding protein TLS, and compared the result to current microarray technology, demonstrating the ability of MAPS to robustly detect regulated gene expression.
Effective Cohorting and “Superisolation” in a Single Intensive Care Unit in Response to an Outbreak of Diverse Multi-Drug-Resistant Organisms

Abstract Background: Cohorting patients in dedicated hospital wards or wings during infection outbreaks reduces transmission of organisms, yet frequently, this may not be feasible because of inadequate capacity, especially in the intensive care unit (ICU). We hypothesized that cohorting isolation patients in one geographic location in a single ICU and using enhanced isolation procedures (“superisolation”) can prevent the further spread of highly multi-drug-resistant organisms (MDRO). Methods: Six patients dispersed throughout our Surgical Trauma Burn ICU had infections with carbapenem-resistant, non-clonal gram-negative MDRO, namely Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Aeromonas hydrophilia, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Providencia rettgeri. Five of the six patients also had simultaneous isolation of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Under threat of unit closure and after all standard isolation procedures had been enacted, these six patients we...
Rapid determination of liquid-vapor equilibria. 2,2,2-Trifluoroethanol +tetrahydrofuran at 298.15 K

Abstract An automated vapor-pressure apparatus designed in this laboratory has been used to obtain liquid-vapor equilibria for 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol + tetrahydrofuran at 298.15 K. Curves of vapor pressure against composition (liquidus and vapor lines) are inferred from pressures and total compositions, using activity-coefficient expansions consistent with the Gibbs-Duhem equation. Deviations from vapor-phase ideality have been attributed to formation of a 1—1 hydrogen-bonded complex between trifluoroethanol and tetrahydrofuran, for which an association constant of 55 dm3 mol−1 is calculated. The experimental and computational methods described can yield accurate liquid-vapor equilibrium results in a fraction of the time required for conventional recirculating-still experiments.
Fatigue strength of cantilevered metal frameworks for tissue-integrated prostheses.

Abstract The design of the metal alloy framework in cantilevered sections of fixed tissue-integrated prostheses, is critical. Several cross-sectional designs have been advocated, including the popular L-shaped beam, which permits the economical use of space for tooth placement. The fatigue strengths of 15 L-shaped cantilevered framework sections of the same metal alloy were tested. The castings were divided into three groups of five according to vertical wall heights of 4, 5, and 6 mm. Fatigue durability of each sample was determined by counting the number of cycles of vertical forces required to induce catastrophic failure. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between all three groups in the cycles counted at failure ( p
Metabolic Mechanisms of Stress Hyperglycemia

Stress hyperglycemia has gained the attention of virtually every physician who encounters critically ill patients, with the emergence of clinical data supporting tight glycemic control and intensive insulinization for optimal outcome. In order to effectively manage stress hyperglycemia, newer theories of critical illness and the interactions of the brain, neuroendocrine axis, and immune system need to be explored. Nonlinear physiologic processes, glucose allostasis, immune-neuroendocrine axis activation, and molecular mechanisms of insulin receptor signal transduction contribute to a novel model of stress hyperglycemia. In chronic critical illness, allostatic overload leads to a plurality of organ-system derangements and eventually death. Intervention not only involves insulinization according to neurofuzzy logic but also targeting more proximate events with cognitive/behavioral therapy and hypothalamic releasing factors.
Rapid quantification of TBP and TBP degradation product ratios by FTIR-ATR

Tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) is the key complexant within the plutonium and uranium reduction extraction process used to extract uranium and plutonium from used nuclear fuel. During reprocessing TBP degrades to dibutyl phosphate (DBP), butyl acid phosphate (MBP), butanol, and phosphoric acid over time. A method for rapidly monitoring TBP degradation is needed for the support of nuclear forensics. Therefore, a Fourier transform infrared spectrometry-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) technique was developed to determine approximate peak intensity ratios of TBP and its degradation products. The technique was developed by combining variable concentrations of TBP, DBP, and MBP to simulate TBP degradation. This method is achieved by analyzing selected peak positions and peak intensity ratios of TBP and DBP at different stages of degradation. The developed technique was tested on TBP samples degraded with nitric acid. In mock degradation samples, the 1,235 cm−1 peak position shifts to 1,220 cm−1 as the concentration of TBP decreases and DBP increases. Peak intensity ratios of TBP positions at 1,279 and 1,020 cm−1 relative to DBP positions at 909 and 1,003 cm−1 demonstrate an increasing trend as the concentration of DBP increases. The same peak intensity ratios were used to analyze DBP relative to MBP whereas a decreasing trend is seen with increasing DBP concentrations. The technique developed from this study may be used as a tool to determine TBP degradation in nuclear reprocessing via a rapid FTIR-ATR measurement without gas chromatography analysis.
An Analytical Representation of Chip Area for Corner-Radiused Tools Under Both Depth-of-Cut and Feed Variations

The operation of corner-radiused tools under both depth-of-cut and feed variation is a situation that occurs for many processes (e.g., straight turning, contour turning, boring, and face-milling) and under many practical conditions. A new chip-area expression is formulated by applying a rotational transformation to the chip-area geometry. Results obtained with this new representation are compared to an exact area computation algorithm based on geometric shapes. The new representation and its associated expressions are far more simple than those of the exact area representation. The errors introduced by the new representation have been analyzed and found to be very small. To increase the accuracy of the expressions for numerical applications, numerical and analytical error-compensation functions have been developed. The latter makes the expressions exact, at the expense of increased algorithmic content, whereas the former is less algorithmic with negligible errors even under extreme conditions.
The 700 MHz Auction

With an increased focus on national security and public safety communications, the US Congress revisited its plan to reclaim television broadcaster frequencies to be reallocated and auctioned by the FCC and it specifically allocated a portion of that spectrum for use by public safety. The FCC was charged with the duty of auctioning this spectrum and licensing it to create a public safety network. The recent FCC Auction 73 was a success in auctioning all spectrum to be returned, save for the D Block that had been allocated for a dual commercial-public safety network by the FCC, for which the sole bid did not even approach the reserve, much less exceed the reserve as did all other auction bids. In this paper, we briefly review spectrum history and 700 MHz history in particular, cover the intent and the outcome of the auction, and then examine numerous obstacles to the successful auctioning of this spectrum.
PGH2-derived levuglandin adducts increase the neurotoxicity of amyloid β1–42

The body of evidence indicating that oligomers of amyloid beta(1-42) (Abeta(1-42)) produce toxicity to neurons, together with our demonstration that prostaglandin H(2) (PGH(2)) oligomerizes amyloid beta(1-42), led to the examination of the neurotoxicity of amyloid beta(1-42) treated with PGH(2). The neurotoxic effects of Abeta(1-42) incubated with PGH(2) was examined in primary cultures of cerebral neurons of mice, monitoring the reduction of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) as an indicator of cell toxicity. Whereas Abeta(1-42) itself, incubated for 24 h, has little or no effect on MTT reduction, Abeta(1-42) 24 h after exposure to PGH(2) produced a marked inhibition of MTT reduction, comparable with the inhibition resulting from Abeta(1-42) that has been oligomerized by incubation for 6 days. Similar results were obtained when Abeta(1-42) was incubated with levuglandin E(2) (LGE(2)), a reactive aldehyde formed by spontaneous rearrangement of PGH(2). The oligomers formed from reaction of Abeta(1-42) with LGE(2) exhibit immunochemical similarity with amyloid-derived diffusible ligands (ADDLs), as determined by analysis of the products of reaction of Abeta(1-42) with LGE(2) using western blotting with an antibody that is selective for ADDLs.
Early and late components of feed-forward postural adjustments to predictable perturbations

Objectives The purpose was to investigate two types of feed-forward postural adjustments associated with preparation to predictable external perturbations.
Nuclear mRNA accumulation causes nucleolar fragmentation in yeast mtr2 mutant.

Abstract We have identified a set of genes that affect mRNA transport (mtr) from the nucleus to the cytoplasm of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. One of these genes, MTR2, has been cloned and shown to encode a novel 21-kDa nuclear protein that is essential for vegetative growth. MTR2 shows limited homology to a protein implicated in plasmid DNA transfer in Escherichia coli. PolyA+RNA accumulates within the nucleus of mtr2-1 in two to three foci at 37 degrees C. mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA synthesis continue as do pre-mRNA splicing, tRNA processing, and rRNA export at 37 degrees C. Under these conditions the polyA tail length increases, and protein synthesis is progressively inhibited. Nucleolar antigens also redistribute to two to three nuclear foci at 37 degrees C, and this redistribution depends on ongoing transcription by RNA polymerase II. Surprisingly, these foci coincide with the sites of polyA+RNA accumulation. Comparable colocalization and dependance on RNA polymerase II transcription is seen for the mtr1-1 mutant. The disorganization of the nucleolus thus depends on mRNA accumulation in these mutants. We discuss the possible functions of MTR2 and the yeast nucleolus in mRNA export.
Optimal steering of a mobile robot

An interesting problem in the control of mobile robots is the steering. In this paper a mobile robot with front-wheel steering is treated. A third-order kinematic model is developed. The problem of optimally steering the robot from an initial position and heading to a final position and heading is addressed. The performance measure is taken to be elapsed time. Assuming a fixed speed, this corresponds to a path of minimum distance. It is found that the trajectory consists of segments of maximum-curvature turns and segments of straight lines. The straight-line segments are singular arcs. The problem is shown to simplify when final heading is free. Four examples are solved.
Listening for Self-Reflective Talk in Visitors’ Conversations: A Case Study of the Exploratorium's Mind Collection

ABSTRACT Self-reflection is critical for visitors to make sense of an exhibit collection in which they are the subject of investigation and may play an important role in any informal learning context. This study examines this construct by listening for self-reflective talk at Mind, an exhibit collection focused on helping visitors explore aspects of themselves rather than external objects or phenomena. It addresses 3 questions: (a) What does self-reflective talk sound like in such a collection? (b) What categories of self-reflective talk are prevalent? (c) What types of exhibits engender what categories of self-reflective talk? Findings indicate that self-reflective talk comes in various forms. Self-monitoring talk, including self-assessments about how visitors are feeling and doing and what they know, is more prevalent than self-connecting talk, comments about visitors’ own lives, values, and their sense of self. Comparisons among different types of exhibits suggest that exhibits designed for multiple us...
Conceptions of Personal Issues: A Domain Distinct from Moral or Societal Concepts.

NuccI, LARRY. Conceptions of Personal Issues: A Domain Distinct from Moral or Societal Concepts. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1981, 52, 114-121. The study employed a series of sorting tasks with 80 subjects (age 7-20) to determine whether children and adolescents make a conceptual distinction between events defined as personal matters and issues of morality or social convention. It was found that subjects at all ages ranked moral violations as more wrong than violations of convention. Social conventional violations, in turn, were ranked as more wrong than the commission of acts in the personal domain. Reasons given for event rankings were consistent with the moral, conventional, or personal nature of acts. In other sorting tasks, subjects ranked moral transgressions as wrong even in the absence of governing rules. In the final task, subjects sorted acts in the personal domain as their own business and, as such, acts which should not be rule governed.
Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the electroencephalogram in normal horses during spontaneous drowsiness and sleep.

Background: The influence of sleep on the equine electroencephalogram (EEG) has not been well documented. Hypothesis: The objectives were to develop a noninvasive method of electrode placement for recording the EEG in horses and to establish normal EEG parameters for the various states of vigilance. Findings are compared with previously published reports on equine sleep based on electrocorticography (ECoG). Animals: Five neurologically normal horses. Methods: Overnight EEGs were recorded digitally in association with simultaneous videotaping of the horses' behavior. Data were analyzed by visual inspection, states of vigilance were identified, and representative segments were quantitatively processed. Transient EEG events were examined. Results: Slow wave sleep (SWS) was significantly different (P < .05) in frequency and power from drowsiness and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Second-degree heart block was associated with SWS as were transient events commonly recognized in EEGs of humans. Drowsiness and REM sleep were similar. In both, background activity was low-amplitude β activity admixed with prominent activity of approximately 4 Hz. Standing REM sleep was associated with numerous partial collapses in 1 horse. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Normative data for several states were described and probable benign variants identified. This information will serve as control data for sedative and anesthetic studies in this species. The sleep patterns observed during this study are those of horses removed from their usual surroundings, and thus may represent those encountered in a clinical environment.
Administration of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor to children undergoing allogeneic marrow transplantation : A prospective, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract: Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was administered to 40 pediatric patients undergoing partially matched related, or closely matched unrelated, allogeneic marrow transplants. This trial was set up in a prospective, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled manner to establish if the administration of GM-CSF to such patients enhanced neutrophil recovery in this allogeneic transplant setting. The GM-CSF group had a significantly shorter time to neutrophil recovery to > 500 × 109 cells/L (15 days) than the placebo group (p = 0.0036). In addition, the GM-CSF group had a significantly shorter neutrophil recovery time to > 1000 × 109 cells/L (18 days) than the placebo group (p = 0.0053). The primary objective of this study was met by showing that GM-CSF enhanced neutrophil recovery in this allogeneic setting. However, within the study group of patients, there was no effect of GM-CSF on the incidence or severity of graft-vs.-host disease (GvHD), one of the secondary end-points of the study. With regard to the other secondary end-points, there was no effect of GM-CSF on marrow cellularity, duration of systemic antibiotics given for real infections or as prophylaxis to prevent infections, risk of significant infections (as defined by systemic culture of virus, fungus, or bacteria), and duration or cost of hospitalization, platelet recovery, and nutritional support. With the secondary end-points, it will be necessary to study larger numbers of pediatric patients to identify differences that are small in this study group. In conclusion, GM-CSF can be safely administered to children with few, if any, significant side-effects. Additional work remains to facilitate earlier discharge of patients and decreased antibiotic usage, to offset the cost of using a neutrophil growth factor.
Liquefaction of Wyodak Coal with Phosphomolybdic Acid

Phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) has been found to be a very effective catalyst precursor for direct liquefaction of Wyodak coal. A concentration of 300 mg Mo/kg maf coal of PMA imparts greater activity when impregnated onto the coal compared to adding the crystalline solid directly to the reaction mixture. Significant improvement in the reaction occurred only when H2S was added to the reaction mixture, suggesting that the Keggin anion does not act as the catalyst. Impregnated PMA is at least as active as organically soluble molybdenum di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphorodithioate or oxothiomolybdenum N,N-dibutyldithiocarbamate. The method of impregnating the PMA from aqueous solution onto the coal did not have any significant influence on THF solubilization or resid conversion. It was also found that neither THF solubilization nor conversion to distillate was affected by impregnating the Mo precursor onto only 10% of the feed coal. However, if the PMA is impregnated onto a carbon carrier, which is then mixed with coal, v...
Traveling supraglacial lakes observed on Antarctic ice shelf

A sequence of lakes on top of the George VI ice shelf in Antarctica has been observed to move along the boundary of the ice shelf with Alexander Island. LaBarbera and MacAyeal analyzed satellite images of the George VI ice shelf in Antarctica taken from 2001 through 2010. They found that the supraglacial lakes move in a direction and with a speed that differs from ice shelf flow: parallel to the grounding line of the ice shelf, in the manner of a traveling wave. The authors present a simple model to show how the lakes form in the depressions associated with compressions of the ice sheet. The study could help researchers better understand the dynamics of the ice shelf. (Geophysical Research Letters, doi:10.1029/2011GL049970, 2011)
How can you teach what you don't know?: a case study of learning and teaching microsoft .NET framework and C#

One of the biggest challenges in teaching of Information Technology is keeping up with the technology let alone any new concepts in pedagogy. Software goes through a change cycle of every 18 - 24 months with major revisions every 5 years and entire paradigm shifts every 10 years. As a professor of IT, I have often found that what I once knew is no longer of value other than interesting history. How does one stay up with the technology, what technology should be learned, what technology should be taught, and when should the switch-over to the new technology be made are questions that plague IT teachers. This paper will offer some possible ways of dealing with these issues.
The Surface Membranes of Muscle Fibres

The electrical properties of muscle are best explained in terms of the state of polarization of the surface of the muscle fibre. The uninjured surface of an isolated frog sartorius muscle is equipotential. Localized injury causes the injured part to be electrically negative to the uninjured surface. This indicates that normally the outside of the surface is positive to the inside. The same condition appears to exist in nerve fibres. Stimulation of muscle or nerve causes an impulse to move along the fibre. This impulse is a phase of depolarization which passes longitudinally along the surface of the fibre. The action potential which is a consequence of the depolarization has been much studied, but little is yet known of the nature and properties of the surface membrane at which the depolarization occurs. A consideration of the results of studies on the electrical behaviour of large single plant cells promises to throw some light on this problem (Osterhout 1929, 1931, 1934, 1935). The protoplasm of a cell of Valonia or Nitella forms a layer about 10 μ thick surrounding an aqueous vacuole. This protoplasm consists probably of an outer and inner layer of non-aqueous material and an intermediate aqueous layer. The evidence for this derives from (1) the shape of the action potential curve, and (2) the fact that a circuit consisting of cell sap—protoplasmic layer—cell sap has a considerable e. m. f., which would not be so if the protoplasm were homogeneous. It is the purpose of this paper to apply the method of the second criterion to muscle fibre, and to study this “asymmetry” potential. It is difficult to apply the same criteria to a muscle as to a large single algal cell for the following reasons. (1) A muscle comprises many fibres and the response of the inner fibres to a solute in he external medium is governed by the time of diffusion of the solute into the muscle. (2) An algal cell and a muscle fibre are histologically dissimilar. (3) It is impossible to extract the semi-liquid contents of a muscle fibre in the way that sap can be taken from a large plant vacuole. And an aqueous solution cannot be prepared of the same inorganic salt composition as muscle fibre because the phosphate content is too high and causes precipitation of Ca and Mg.
A central limit theorem for families of stochastic processes indexed by a small average step size parameter, and some applications to learning models

Let ϑ > 0 be a measure of the average step size of a stochastic process {p n (θ) } n=1 (θ). Conditions are given under whichp n (θ) is approximately normally distributed whenn is large and ϑ is small. This result is applied to a number of learning models where ϑ is a learning rate parameter andp n (θ) is the probability that the subject makes a certain response on thenth experimental trial. Both linear and stimulus sampling models are considered.
Scanning tunneling microscopy: a critical view of tip participation

Abstract A model for the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) experiment is presented which explicitly treats the STM tip as a polyatomic crystalline surface. The net tunneling current is the sum of all tunneling occurrences from each tip atom to every substrate atom. With the aid of computer simulations, the atomic resolution of an hexagonally close-packed substrate with a nearest neighbor distance of 0.245 nm is reproduced using an hexagonally close-packed tip with a nearest neighbor distance of 0.277 nm. The resulting periodicity of the image is independent of tip size. The recent observations of anomalous long range periodicity is explained by employing the model in a simulation of a 2.7 nm super lattice.
An Online Recommender System for Large Web Sites

In this paper we propose a WUM recommender system, called SUGGEST 3.0, that dynamically generates links to pages that have not yet been visited by a user and might be of his potential interest. Differently from the recommender systems proposed so far, SUGGEST 3.0 does not make use of any off-line component, and is able to manage Web sites made up of pages dynamically generated. To this purpose SUGGEST 3.0 incrementally builds and maintains historical information by means of an incremental graph partitioning algorithm, requiring no off-line component. The main innovation proposed here is a novel strategy that can be used to manage large Web sites. Experiments, conducted in order to evaluate SUGGEST 3.0 performance, demonstrated that our system is able to anticipate users' requests that will be made farther in the future, introducing a limited overhead on the Web server activity.
Approximate Equations of Motion for Gases and Liquids

Abstract A set of conditions which justify the application of the Boussinesq approximation to compressible fluids is developed. Two cases are found and compared. In the first, in which the vertical scale of the motion can be of the same order of magnitude as the scale height of the medium, the perturbation momentum must be nondivergent and the effects of perturbations of pressure appear in several places. In the other case, where the vertical scale of the motion is much less than the scale height, the perturbation velocities are non-divergent and the perturbation pressure appears only in the pressure gradient force. The approximate equations lead to linearized equations controlling the stability of wave motion which are formally equivalent to those for the same problem in the flow of a stratified medium which is incompressible in the sense that the flow is solenoidal. Thus, a variety of results about such motions are made applicable to the problems of convection and gravity wave motion in the atmosphere. ...
Frequency of consumption, familiarity and preferences for chestnuts in Missouri

A study of frequency of consumption and familiarity with preparing chestnuts was conducted in the state of Missouri from 2003 to 2008. A conjoint analysis of chestnut attributes was completed in 2008 to expand on previous consumer preference research. Information from final consumers was collected during the annual Missouri Chestnut Roast festival at the Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center in New Franklin, Missouri. The study tracks changes in frequency of consumption and consumer familiarity with preparing chestnuts. The conjoint analysis evaluated pair-wise profiles to quantify the effects of origin, production process and price on consumer preferences. Results show improvements in the frequency of consumption and familiarity with cooking chestnuts in Missouri. Findings suggest the festival has influenced consumption patterns among return visitors. The conjoint analysis identified locality of produce and organic certification to be major drivers behind consumer preferences. Price is also an important attribute influencing consumer preferences. Conjoint analysis results indicate that chestnuts grown in Missouri or the U.S. carrying an organic label can capture price premiums.
Mobile Agent Based Autonomic Dynamic Parallel Computing

Parallel computing is widely adotped in scientific and engineering applications to enhance the efficiency. Moreover, there are increasing research interests focusing on utilizing distributed networked computers for parallel computing. The Message Passing Interface (MPI) standard was designed to support portability and platform independence of a developed parallel program. However, the procedure to start an MPI-based parallel computation among distributed computers lacks autonomicity and flexibility. This article presents an autonomic dynamic parallel computing framework that provides autonomicity and flexibility that are important and necessary to some parallel computing applications involving resource constrained and heterogeneous platforms. In this framework, an MPI parallel computing environment consisting of multiple computing entities is dynamically established through inter-agent communications using the IEEE Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents (FIPA) compliant Agent Communication Language (ACL) messages. For each computing entity in the MPI parallel computing environment, a load-balanced MPI program C source code along with the MPI environment configuration statements are dynamically composed as a mobile agent code. A mobile agent wrapping the mobile agent code is created and sent to the computing entity where the mobile agent code is retrieved and interpretively executed. An example of autonomic parallel matrix multiplication is given to demonstrate the self-configuration and self-optimization properties of the presented framework.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Chemotherapy: Metastatic pancreatic cancer--is FOLFIRINOX the new standard?

In the phase III ACCORD 11 trial, FOLFIRINOX was associated with the longest survival ever reported for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (11.1 months). However, toxicities associated with the four-drug regimen will limit its use to patients with a good performance status.
STELLAR MAGNETIC FIELDS: THE ROLE OF A MAGNETIC FIELD IN THE PECULIAR M GIANT, HD 4174.

Principles of coronal heating via basic electrodynamic effects, viz., resonant absorption of Alfven surface waves (quiescent) and magnetic tearing instabilities (impulsive), are detailed to argue three principles which may have application to late-type evolved stars. First, if one observes that B-squared/8 pi is much greater than rho times v-squared in a stellar atmosphere, then the observed magnetic field must originate in an interior dynamo. Second, low mass-loss rates could imply the presence of closed magnetic flux loops within the outer atmosphere, which constrain hydrodynamic flows when the magnetic body forces exceed the driving forces. Third, given that such magnetic loops effect an enhancement of the local heating rate, a positive correlation is predicted between the existence of a corona and low mass-loss rates. Application of these principles is made in the case of the peculiar M giant star HD 4174, which is purported to have a kilogauss magnetic field. Several of its spectroscopic peculiarities are shown to be consistent with the above principles, and further observational checks are suggested. Possible application to dMe and RS CVn objects is sketched.
United States-China joint ventures: The issue of ownership

During the decade of 1978 to 1988, China’s modernization and open economic policy became a record of achievement for China, and the rest of the world marveled at China’s spectacular economic performance. The summer of 1989 became a difftcult experience for China, and its economic impact remains a hard reality. Macroeconomic data in Table 1 point to this fact. Our studies of bnited States-China joint ventures (Dutta, 1988; Dutta and Merva, 1987) can progress only after this turn of event is appropriately accounted for. One view is that the 19781988 decade of rapid economic development in China could not be sustained indefinitely. A recession, or at least a soft landing, was to occur, and it happened from 1988 to 1989. Our studies point to the cyclical time path of economic dynamics, and suggest that China put in place its macroeconomic policy controls-monetary as well as fiscal-to initiate forceful countercyclical policy actions. Even so, the year 1989 shall remain a benchmark in the profile of China’s modernization and open economic policy. The annual growth rate of GNP, low in earlier decades, followed an upward trend ever since economic reforms of 1978 were put in place. The annual rate of growth of GNP from 1979 to 1988 rose to 9.6. Columns 4 through 6 of Table 1, show that the annual rate of growth of GDP was at about 11% each year in 1987 and 1988, and it tumbled to a meager 4% in 1989. The pattern of downturn is significant in other sectors-industrial production, service, merchandise trade-export as well as imports. The one exception is agricultural production, where the rate of decline is rather small. The rate of inflation peaked in 1988 and has been noted to be an economic argument for the popular discontent in 1989. In 1989, China’s macroeconomic policy to contain its double-digit rate of inflation made its contribution.
Is Scientific Research Part of Prewriting in the Scientific Writing Process

La signification de l'acte d'ecriture et en particulier celui de la pre-ecriture dans la recherche scientifique ne peut etre examinee qu'en relation avec l'acte d'invention. Les concepts d'invention en ecriture et en recherche scientifique sont examines du point de vue philosophique