cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acute abdominal pain caused by hematometra in an adolescent female: a case report

Background Hematometra is a pathologic collection of blood in the uterus. It is a rare condition that is most commonly associated with congenital anomalies or prior surgical procedures causing an obstruction of the genitourinary outflow tract. We present an unusual case of hematometra in a healthy and active adolescent female with no prior risk factors. This is a rare and important case report due to the complexity of diagnosis when a young female presents with an acute abdomen. In addition, for a patient who presents with no prior risk factors for hematometra, such as in our patient, the diagnosis and workup may become overly complicated, adding strain to patient care and health care cost. To the best of our knowledge and based on an extensive literature search, there has not been a reported case of hematometra in an adolescent female without any aforementioned risk factors.
Synthesis, computational, and photophysical characterization of diaza-embedded [4]helicenes and pseudo[4]helicenes and their pyridinium and viologen homologues

Abstract Synthesis of three [4]heli-viologens and their helical precursors, and two “pseudo-[4]helicenes” and their alkylated derivatives, which have potential device and catalysis applications, are reported. Their structures and racemization barriers have been explored with the B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,p), M06-2X/6-311+G(2d,p), and M11/6-311+G(2d,p) computational models. The photophysical properties of the helicenes and pseudo-helicenes and their alkylated derivatives have been measured. Unusual singlet-triplet energy gaps, ΔE ST , were measured and discussed for the charged alkylation products.
A capacity maximization scheme for intersection management with automated vehicles

Abstract With the advent of connected and automated vehicle technology, in this paper, we propose an innovative intersection operation scheme named as MCross: M aximum C apacity inte R section O peration S cheme with S ignals. This new scheme maximizes intersection capacity by utilizing all lanes of a road simultaneously. Lane assignment and green durations are dynamically optimized by solving a multi-objective mixed-integer non-linear programming problem. The demand conditions under which full capacity can be achieved in MCross are derived analytically. Numerical examples show that MCross can almost double the intersection capacity (increase by as high as 99.51% in comparison to that in conventional signal operation scheme).
The system effects of calibration reliability on maintenance production

Maintenance for a fleet of aircraft can be viewed from a systems engineering perspective. Not only are the aircraft complex systems, the logistics of maintaining airworthy systems depend on resources such as technicians, parts, and support equipment. Support equipment which falls under the Test, Measurement, and Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE) category requires periodic calibration. The calibration process verifies the support equipment's accuracy against a traceable standard, and provides for adjustment to comply with the standard. In some instances, the support equipment may not meet the standard across the full range of measurement, so it may be labeled with a limited calibration designation, which identifies the range in which the instrument's measurements are not valid. If the support equipment cannot meet the standard, it is either discarded, or it must be overhauled to address its material deficiencies. When a fleet of aircraft transitions into an expeditionary setting they transport a limited pool of equipment to minimize the logistics footprint. However, the calibration interval persists, and they are required to submit their support equipment for calibration. Typically, the schedule is known in advance, so a sufficient quantity of support equipment should be available while an asset is away for calibration. The turnaround time including outbound and return shipping combined with the time required for induction, calibration, and simple repair can impact the overall effective availability for a given class of support equipment. In one instance, a frequently used item had a 90 day calibration interval with a three week turnaround time resulting in 77% effective availability. Low effective availability can drive an increase in overall fleet operating costs as additional assets will be required to maintain the aircraft.
Areal factors in the development of the European periphrastic perfect

Three essential elements in the development of the European periphrastic perfect are explored, each of which demonstrates the important role played by areal diffusion. First, an east-west split in auxiliary usage is examined: HAVE developed as an auxiliary only in the west, while BE remains predominant in the east; convergence along linguistic borders is examined in some detail. Secondly, an explanation for this western predominance of HAVE is proposed: it is claimed that Latin formed its HAVE perfect on the model of Ancient Greek, with subsequent development of this construction in the Romance and other western European languages. Both the use of the HAVE auxiliary in Latin and the reinterpretation of the past passive participle as active are claimed to be due to Greek influence. Finally, the more recent shift of perfects from anterior or resultative to preterital meaning is presented as originating in Parisian French, and diffusing from there to other varieties within its realm of influence.
Three-Dimensional Wind Field Modeling: A Review

Over the past several decades, the development of computer models to predict the atmospheric transport of hazardous material across a local (on the order of 10s of km) to mesoscale (on the order of 100s of km) region has received considerable attention, for both regulatory purposes, and to guide emergency response teams. Wind inputs to these models cover a spectrum of sophistication and required resources. At one end is the interpolation/extrapolation of available observations, which can be done rapidly, but at the risk of missing important local phenomena. Such a model can also only describe the wind at the time the observations were made. At the other end are sophisticated numerical solutions based on so-called Primitive Equation models. These prognostic models, so-called because in principle they can forecast future conditions, contain the most physics, but can easily consume tens of hours, if not days, of computer time. They may also require orders of magnitude more effort to set up, as both boundary and initial conditions on all the relevant variables must be supplied. The subject of this report is two classes of models intermediate in sophistication between the interpolated and prognostic ends of the spectrum. The first, known as mass-consistent (sometimes referred to as diagnostic) models, attempt to strike a compromise between simple interpolation and the complexity of the Primitive Equation models by satisfying only the conservation of mass (continuity) equation. The second class considered here consists of the so-called linear models, which purport to satisfy both mass and momentum balances. A review of the published literature on these models over the past few decades was performed. Though diagnostic models use a variety of approaches, they tend to fall into a relatively few well-defined categories. Linear models, on the other hand, follow a more uniform methodology, though they differ in detail. The discussion considers the theoretical underpinnings of each category of the diagnostic models, and the linear models, in order to assess the advantages and disadvantages of each. It is concluded that diagnostic models are the better suited of the two for predicting the atmospheric dispersion of hazardous materials in emergency response scenarios, as the linear models are only able to accommodate gently-sloping terrain, and are predicated on several simplifying approximations which can be difficult to justify a priori. Of the various approaches used in diagnostic modeling, that based on the calculus of variations appears to be the most objective, in that it introduces the fewest number of arbitrary parameters. The strengths and weaknesses of models in this category, as they relate to the activities of Sandia's Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST), are further highlighted.
Reproducible Research Concepts and Tools for Cancer Bioinformatics

“Reproducible research” refers to a publishing discipline, originating in the geosciences, in which journal articles are accompanied by publication of data resources and software sufficient to allow independent reproduction of all tables and figures presented in articles. This paper reviews concepts of reproducible research in connection with cancer bioinformatics. The importance of reproducible discipline in the face of analytic complexity of microarray studies is documented with two case studies, and the role of portable self-documenting data and software archives in securing reproducibility is described. Legal protections for those engaged in reproducible research are discussed in the context of current US copyright law; a reproducible research standard that formalizes rights and obligations of those engaged in reproducible research is detailed. There is every indication that reproducible discipline is feasible for microarray studies, and reliability of inferences in cancer bioinformatics will be enhanced if commitments to concrete reproducibility are broadly accepted in the research community.
Evaluation of Two Training Methods for Teaching the Abdominal Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma Technique (A-FAST) to First- and Second-Year Veterinary Students.

Ultrasound techniques, including focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) examinations, are commonly used in veterinary practice, making inclusion of ultrasound in veterinary curricula ...
Undergraduates’ grade-point averages are dependent on their number of friends [Virginia Commonwealth University]

According to National Center for Education Statistics (2018), in 2016-17, the average tuition fees for first-time, full-time undergraduates is $8,800 at 4-year public institutions, $16,300 at private for-profit institutions, or $33,500 at private nonprofit ones. The expense is either paid by students and their families or by private and governmental institutions. Either way, it is of everyone’s interest to ensure that the money spent is due, in comparison with the outcomes (high salary, skilled workers, etc.). Hence, it is crucial and beneficial to investigate what factors influence academic performance variable, measured in grade-point average (GPA). This paper investigated the relationship between the number of friends full-time college students have and their academic performance, retention, and persistence since the rate of retention and persistence and academic excellence are intercorrelate and often coexist. The difference in degrees of impact between high school friends and new college friends on undergraduates was examined. The benefits of social support arose from friendship on undergraduates’ welfare, academic retention and performance were explored. Outside factors that could potentially affect the relationship between the number of friends and GPA, such as gender, living arrangement, satisfaction with college environment and overall life were also assessed. It was established that the more friends an undergraduate student has, the more social support they perceive, the happier and more satisfied with college life they are, and the higher GPA they obtain. However, when the size of undergraduate’s network becomes too big, the available time for intimate friends and for studying is compensated, thinning the positive effect of social support and inflicting undergraduates’ potential capability and performance. Since the conclusion was generated from previous researches and reports, it would be beneficial to have surveys or experiments conducted to either disprove or further support the conclusion.
Host cell protein quantification of an optimized purification method by mass spectrometry.

Abstract Recombinant ExoProtein A (EPA), a detoxified form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Exotoxin A, is used as a protein carrier in the vaccine field. A scaled manufacturing process, in which EPA was expressed in Escherichia coli, yielded a product that approached or exceeded our upper limit of E. coli host cell protein (HCP) content per human dose. The purification process was redeveloped to reduce HCP levels in the bulk product and HCP content was evaluated by orthogonal methods. Using a platform specific immunoassay, the HCP level from the original purification method was 1,830 ppm (0.18% w/w) while the revised purification process yielded the HCP below the detection limits of the assay. With a 2D/LC-MSE methodology the reference sample from the original process was found to contain 57 unique HCPs at a total level of 37,811 ppm (3.78% w/w). Two lots were tested after purification with the revised process and contained 730 and 598 ppm (0.07% and 0.06% w/w), respectively. To develop a high-throughput MS method, the samples were tested on a 1D/LC-MS/MS. The data sets from the two mass spectrometers correlated well. These improved HCP profiles support implementing the revised purification process for manufacturing the EPA protein carrier and 1D/LC-MS/MS for HCP analysis.
Pharmacokinetics and safety of erlotinib and its metabolite OSI-420 in infants and children with primary brain tumors.

Erlotinib (Tarceva®), a potent small molecule inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase, has been evaluated to treat infants and children with primary brain tumors. The pharmacokinetics of erlotinib and its primary metabolite OSI-420 were characterized and exposure–safety associations were investigated. This analysis involved patients enrolled in two clinical studies and receiving oral erlotinib once daily as part of treatment. Single-dose and steady-state erlotinib and OSI-420 plasma concentrations were assayed using HPLC–MS/MS methods. Population pharmacokinetic modeling and univariate covariate analysis evaluating demographic, clinical and selected CYP3A5, CYP3A4, ABCB1, and ABCG2 genotypes were performed. Associations between erlotinib and OSI-420 pharmacokinetics, and with toxicities (diarrhea and skin rash) occurring post-dose were explored. Data from 47 patients (0.7–19 years old) were collected and best fitted by one-compartment linear models. Erlotinib and OSI-420 apparent clearances (CL/F and CLm/Fm) were higher in patients < 5 years compared to older patients (mean CL/F: 6.8 vs 3.6 L/h/m2, and mean CLm/Fm: 79 vs 38 L/h/m2, p < 0.001), and were 1.62-fold and 1.73-fold higher in males compared to females (p < 0.01). Moreover, CL/F was 1.53-fold higher in wild-type patients than in patients heterozygous or homozygous mutant for ABCG2 rs55930652 (p < 0.05). Most of the toxicities reported were grade 1. No associations were found between drug pharmacokinetics and drug-induced toxicities. Erlotinib therapy was well tolerated by pediatric patients with primary brain tumors. No dosing adjustments based on age or patient characteristics are recommended for this patient population.
Designing Technology Environments to Support System Modeling Competence

Building and using models to make sense of phenomena or to design solutions to problems is a key science and engineering practice. Using technology-based tools in class can promote the development of students’ modeling practice, systems thinking, and causal reasoning. In this chapter we focus on the development of students’ system modeling competence that became evident as students engaged in the modeling practice while using an online modeling tool in the context of a high school chemistry unit. We describe and provide examples for four aspects of system modeling competence: (1) defining the boundaries of the system by including components in the model that are relevant to the phenomena under investigation, (2) determining appropriate relationships between components in the model, (3) using evidence and reasoning to build, evaluate, and revise models, and (4) interpreting the behavior of a model to determine its usefulness in explaining and making predictions about phenomena. We discuss how building, using, evaluating, and revising models can be classified into the four system modeling competence aspects, and how technology tools can support the development of students’ system modeling competence.
The American Presidency: A Brief History

In the author’s succinct presentation: “The tension between the static constitutional character of the presidency and the dynamic political culture, society, and economy in which it is embedded—and especially the technologies, even more especially the communication technologies that have emerged over the last century—will be the main focus of this paper.”
Lillian Wald reports on organizing to combat the 1918 influenza pandemic in New York City

This “From the Archives” article provides the text of Lillian D. Wald’s report on the response of the Nurses’ Emergency Council and social services to the 1918 influenza pandemic in New York City.
Towards smart buildings with self-tuned indoor thermal environments – A critical review

Abstract Previous studies show differences in thermal comfort among individual occupants and suggest solutions that incorporate building occupants in sensing and control frameworks (a.k.a., human-in-the-loop) and tune heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems based on their preferences to enable self-tuned thermal environments. The objective of the review presented in this paper is to discuss two key aspects of self-tuned thermal environments: (i) learning individual occupants’ thermal comfort; (ii) HVAC control based on the learned comfort profiles. The review is conducted considering practical issues associated with the implementation of such modeling and control approaches in real buildings. We found that research on learning personalized comfort profiles has rather focused on developing and testing the adopted methods assuming that it is feasible to collect a large amount of training data in real buildings. In addition, previous research has given less attention to the validity of methods for collecting occupants’ feedback responses. Hence, we focus our discussion on data collection, input variable selection, and performance evaluation considering the data efficiency. Regarding HVAC systems control, we found that arbitrary rules have been used to operate the systems with the learned occupant comfort profiles, and we discuss their validity and consistency for different occupants and buildings.
Lab kits for remote and socially distanced instruction in a GE Acoustics Course

A lab kit that has been developed for teaching a general education acoustics course online has proven useful for socially distanced instruction in seated courses as well. This presentation will give an overview of the kit and experiences with adapting and using it to provide flexibility for students in all modalities of instruction during COVID-19.
INHIBITION OF P21RAS ACTIVATION BLOCKS PROLIFERATION BUT NOT DIFFERENTIATION OF INTERLEUKIN-3-DEPENDENT MYELOID CELLS

Interleukin-3 (IL-3) induces proliferation of immature myeloid cells and mast cells and prevents programmed cell death (apoptosis) in vitro. These activities are exerted through binding of IL-3 to specific, high affinity receptors that then initiate a series of intracellular signaling events. Among the earliest of these signaling events in an IL-3-dependent cell line such as 32Dcl3 are activation of one or more receptor-associated tyrosine kinases followed by activation of p21ras. In an effort to define the functional role of p21ras activation in mediating the effects of IL-3, we constructed a series of sublines of 32Dcl3 in which a dominant inhibitory mutant of Ha-ras (c-Ha-ras(Asn-17)) was expressed under the control of a steroid-inducible promoter. Steroid treatment (dexamethasone, 1 microM) specifically induced c-Ha-ras(Asn-17) protein and mRNA and blocked IL-3-induced accumulation of p21ras-GTP in 32Dcl3/p21rasN17 cell lines, but not in control cells. Dexamethasone slightly inhibited IL-3-dependent proliferation of control 32Dcl3 cell lines (to 80% of maximum), but it completely blocked proliferation of 32Dcl3/p21rasN17 cell lines and induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1. This proliferative block could be overcome by cotransfection with v-ras, and was reversible if dexamethasone was washed out. Cells arrested by c-Ha-ras(Asn-17) were viable in culture for > 2 weeks, despite their inability to proliferate. Notably, however, these cells remained dependent on IL-3 for viability and initiated apoptosis within 18 h of IL-3 deprivation. Finally, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-induced differentiation of 32Dcl3/p21rasN17 cells to neutrophils was not affected by steroid-induced expression of c-Ha-ras(Asn-17) and did not require removal of IL-3. These results suggest that IL-3-induced proliferation and maintenance of cell viability are either initiated through separate signal transduction pathways or require different degrees of p21ras activation. Similarly, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-induced neutrophil differentiation is not blocked by expression of c-Ha-ras(Asn-17).
Optimal Surface Flattening

The problem of optimal surface flattening in 3-D finds many applications in engineering and manufacturing. However, previous algorithms for this problem are all heuristics without any quality guarantee and the computational complexity of the problem was not well understood. In this paper, we prove that the optimal surface flattening problem is NP-hard. Further, we show that the problem admits a PTAS and can be solved by a (1 + ?)-approximation algorithm in O(nlogn) time for any constant ?> 0, where nis the input size of the problem.
Premenopausal women with sexual dysfunction: the need for a bladder function history.

ABSTRACT Introduction Despite the high prevalence of both female sexual problems and bladder dysfunction in the premenopausal population, sexual history forms used in primary care offices rarely include questions about the impact of bladder dysfunction on sexual health. Aim To provide a review of the literature that illustrates the relationship between bladder problems and sexual performance of premenopausal women. Main Outcome Measures To objectively support by a review of the literature the need for a complete bladder history in when evaluating premenopausal women with female sexual dysfunction. Methods Pubmed was searched for all articles (from November 1980 to June 2007) that reported on the effect bladder dysfunction has on premenopausal female sexual function. Results The scant literature available strongly suggested that bladder dysfunction is a contributor to sexual dysfunction and that this medical concern should be considered in all women, regardless of age who present with sexual complaints. Conclusion Further studies need to be conducted in order to solidify a direct causal relationship between bladder dysfunction and premenopausal female sexuality. These studies should include a larger sample size, clearly defined types of sexual dysfunction and bladder dysfunction, and appropriate follow-up of patient responses using validated objective and subjective outcome modalities to confirm that the patient responses are factual. Mehta A, and Bachmann G. Premenopausal women with sexual dysfunction: The need for a bladder function history.
"'Gulag'—Slavery, Inc.": The Power of Place and the Rhetorical Life of a Cold War Map

In 1951, the American Federation of Labor produced a map of the Soviet Union showing the locations of 175 forced labor camps administered by the Gulag. Widely appropriated in popular magazines and newspapers, and disseminated internationally as propaganda against the U.S.S.R., the map, entitled “‘Gulag’—Slavery, Inc.,” would be cited as “one of the most widely circulated pieces of anti-Communist literature.” By contextualizing the map’s origins and circulation, as well as engaging in a close analysis of its visual codes and intertextual relationships with photographs, captions, and other materials, this essay argues that the Gulag map became an evidentiary weapon in the increasingly bipolar spaces of the early Cold War. In particular, “‘Gulag’—Slavery, Inc.” draws on cartography’s unique power of “placement” to locate forced labor camps with authenticity and precision, infiltrating the impenetrable spaces of the Soviet Union as a visually compelling mode of Cold War knowledge production.
Chapter 22 Methods of study of tumor necrosis factor-related ligands in apoptosis

Publisher Summary This chapter describes production and characterization of standard reagents used in tumor necrosis factor (TNF) research, and discusses application of these tools to study the proapoptotic effects of TNF-related ligands on cells and their modulation by viruses. The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-TNF receptor (TNFR) superfamily currently contains more than 20 ligand-receptor systems. TNF-related ligands are type II transmembrane proteins that generally form trimers. These multivalent ligands initiate signal transduction by aggregation of their specific cell surface receptors, which are type I transmembrane glycoproteins. The chapter discusses that direct measurement of apoptotic potential is performed by examining the effect of a ligand in cell culture models, either expressed on cell membranes or produced in soluble form. Therefore, an important preliminary step in the characterization of a new TNF family ligand is cloning and expression of the ligand in a form that allows accurate quantification and standardization of apoptotic responses. Key reagents include: (1) soluble recombinant TNF family ligands; (2) cells expressing full-length, membrane-bound ligands; and (3) soluble, recombinant forms of TNF receptor proteins.
Relationship Between Acid Secretion and Blood Flow in the Canine Stomach: Role of Oxygen Consumption

Abstract The relationship of acid secretion to blood flow and oxygen consumption was investigated in the isolated canine stomach during intraarterial infusion of pentagastrin. Blood flows above and below control values were achieved by pump perfusion and partial arterial occlusion, respectively. When blood flow was increased from a control value of 38 ml · min −1 · 100 g −1 to 85 ml · min −1 · 100 g −1 , both acid secretion and oxygen consumption remained constant at 0.08 mEq · min −1 · 100 g −1 and 2.1 ml · min −1 · 100 g −1 , respectively. A reduction in blood flow to 9.0 ml · min −1 · 100 g −1 caused acid secretion and oxygen consumption to decrease to 26% and 44% of control values, respectively. The results indicate that acid secretion is independent of blood flow at flow rates above 38 ml · min −1 · 100 g −1 . A model of the interrelationships between blood flow, oxygen consumption, and acid secretion is proposed that may explain much of the conflict in the literature concerning these three parameters.
Imaging individual green fluorescent proteins.

Recent advances in fluorescence microscopy techniques have allowed the video-time imaging of single molecules of fluorescent dyes covalently bound to proteins in aqueous environments1. However, the techniques have not been exploited fully because proteins can be difficult to label, and dye modification may cause partial or complete loss of activity. These difficulties could be circumvented by fusing proteins to green fluorescent protein (GFP) of the jellyfish Aequorea victoria. Here we report that single S65T mutant GFP molecules2 can be imaged using total internal reflection microscopy, and that ATP-driven movement of an individual kinesin molecule (a microtubule motor protein) fused to GFP can be readily observed.
High Quality Factor Resonant MEMS Accelerometer With Continuous Thermal Compensation

We report a new silicon Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometer based on differential frequency modulation (FM) with experimentally demonstrated thermal compensation over a dynamic temperature environment and $\mu g$ -level Allan deviation of bias. The sensor architecture is based on resonant frequency tracking in a vacuum packaged silicon-on-insulator (SOI) tuning fork oscillator. To address drift over temperature, the MEMS sensor die incorporates two identical tuning forks with opposing axes of sensitivity. Demodulation of the differential FM output from the two simultaneously operated oscillators eliminates common mode errors and provides an FM output with continuous thermal compensation. The first SOI prototype with quality factor of 350000 was built and characterized over a temperature range between 30 °C and 75 °C. Temperature characterization of the FM accelerometer showed less than a 0.5% scale-factor change throughout a temperature range from 30 °C to 75 °C, without any external compensation. This is enabled by an inherently differential frequency output, which cancels common-mode influences, such as those due to temperature. Allan deviation of the differential FM accelerometer revealed a bias instability of $6\,\, \mu \text{g}$ at 20 s, along with an elimination of any temperature drift due to increases in averaging time. After comparing the measured bias instability with the designed linear range of 20 g, the sensor demonstrates a wide dynamic range of 130 dB. A second design iteration of the FM accelerometer, vacuum-sealed with getter material, was created to maximize $Q$ -factor, and thereby frequency resolution. A $Q$ -factor of 2.4 million was experimentally demonstrated, with a time constant of >20 min.
Refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia: Prognosis and treatment options

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a common malignancy often managed by the practicing oncologist rather than at a tertiary referral center. Since no standard treatment has been shown to be curative, patients are frequently observed without treatment for many years. In the past, first-line therapy with an alkylating agent, particularly chlorambucil, was standard when treatment became necessary. Because of its superior activity in achieving remission and extending the time to relapse and disease progression compared with alkylating agents, the purine nucleoside analog fludarabine is now commonly used as first-line treatment. Historically, salvage treatment with combination chemotherapy included an alkylating agent, anthracycline, vinca alkyloid, and/or corticosteroid. Currently, salvage regimens often incorporate a purine nucleoside analog and an alkylating agent. Two monoclonal antibodies, rituximab and alemtuzumab, have become available and have made further advances in both first-line and salvage treatment of patients with CLL. In this article we review the agents and regimens that have been studied as salvage treatment of CLL. With the development of purine nucleoside analogs and monoclonal antibodies, incremental progress has been made in the therapy of previously treated patients with CLL. Newer strategies will aim to further improve the complete remission rate, which may have a positive impact on survival.
A High Performance Neurally-Controlled Cursor Positioning System

Prior work has shown that neural activity from the primate brain can maneuver a computer cursor to specified visual targets. This cursor movement can take over a second, longer than the time for an arm reach to the same location. We asked if this acquisition time could be reduced, thereby increasing the number of targets that could be hit per second. We implemented a system that positions a prosthetic cursor at discrete locations, based on pre-movement neural activity in rhesus monkeys. Using a delayed center-out reaching task with several different target layouts, neural activity was simultaneously recorded from an electrode array implanted in the dorsal pre-motor cortex. We designed a target prediction algorithm based on maximum-likelihood models (using Gaussian or Poisson distributions) to decode the upcoming reach target in real-time. During cursor trials, the algorithm predicted the most likely reach target using 50-275 ms of delay activity starting at least 150 ms after target onset If the target prediction was correct, a cursor was positioned and the monkey received a reward. The performance of the system was evaluated based on the accuracy of decoded targets and speed at which targets were decoded, both of which were consolidated with an information theoretic analysis. The maximum average sustained rate of target acquisition was 43 targets per second obtained with a 2 target layout and 50 ms of delay activity. The maximum information transfer rate calculated for the system was 6.5 bps obtained with an 8 target layout and 100 ms of delay activity
Studies on the cellular pharmacology of N-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-chlorophenyl)-urea.

Abstract The cellular pharmacology of N-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-N-(4-chlorophenyl)-urea (MPCU) has been examined in a cloned line of GC3 human colon adenocarcinoma cells. There was a rapid concentrative accumulation of drug, which could be separated into energy-independent and -dependent phases. Accumulation over 15 sec was linear and temperature dependent, but not energy dependent (azide insensitive). The rate of uptake was a linear function of concentration over a wide range (0.0026 to 5 mM). No saturation kinetics were demonstrated. Steady state was achieved within 10 min, and drug levels associated with GC 3 c 1 cells exceeded the extracellular concentration by 4- to 6-fold. This second phase “concentrative accumulation” of drug was azide sensitive. When cells were incubated to steady state in the presence of azide, removal of azide (with addition of glucose) resulted in a further uptake of sulfonylurea to a higher steady state. When [3H]MPCU was removed from the medium after achieving steady state, loss of drug from cells was rapid ( T 1 2 ≈ 130 sec ), and no tightbinding component was apparent. After achieving steady state, cell-associated drug was lost into drugcontaining medium reaching a lower steady state if 10 mM azide (± glucose) was added. These data indicate that MPCU may enter cells by a non-saturable energy-independent process (passive diffusion) and bind weakly to some intracellular component or become sequestered to some compartment in an energy-dependent manner.
Further studies on the increase in drug-metabolizing capacity adjacent to intrahepatic Morris hepatomas

Abstract Microsomal cytochrome P-450 content was higher in histologically non-tumorous liver adjacent to intrahepatically implanted Morris hepatomas 5123D or 7795 than in histologically normal liver far removed from each tumor. V max values for microsomal benzo[ a ]pyrene monooxygenase activity and cyclophosphamide activation were also significantly higher in tumor-adjacent liver than in normal liver far removed from tumor. K m values of these reactions were unchanged. After intrahepatic implantation, inert spheres of several different materials produced no regional differences in hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 content. Both intrahepatic Morris hepatomas exhibited markedly reduced cytochrome P-450 content and benzo[ a ]pyrene monooxygenase activity. Cyclophosphamide biotransformation could not be detected in microsomes from either Morris hepatoma. Similar recoveries from microsomes of far-removed and tumor-adjacent liver indicated that differences between these regions in drug-metabolizing activity could not be attributed to different stabilities or sedimenting properties of their microsomes. Although microsomal recovery was significantly less from hepatomas than from far-removed or tumor-adjacent liver, this loss of tumor microsomes accounted for only a small part of the reductions in cytochrome P-450-mediated monooxygenases observed within tumors. Compared to control rats. tumor-bearing rats exhibited no change in hepatic drug-metabolizing capacity measured in vivo by hexobarbital sleeping times and antipyrine elimination rates. Phenobarbital (PB) pretreatment of tumor-bearing rats induced cytochrome P-450 to different extents within far-removed liver, tumoradjacent liver, and both hepatomas. The same differential inducibility occurred with PB pretreatment for cyclophosphamide activation. After PB induction, differences in drug-metabolizing activity between far-removed and tumor-adjacent liver disappeared; though induced, these activities remained lower in the hepatomas than in other regions. These changes in drug-metabolizing activity in both basal and PB-induced states of various hepatic regions were related to changes in cellularity of tumor-adjacent tissue. Hepatocellular nuclei prepared from tumor-containing liver were separated into diploid and tetraploid classes by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Compared to far-removed liver, tumoradjacent liver contained significantly more diploid nuclei and less tetraploid nuclei.
A Survey of Egg Mottling and Other Quality Attributes in North Georgia Flocks

Abstract YOLK mottling is an egg quality problem of sporadic, but frequently serious, nature. Known causes of mottling include certain worming compounds (Beane et al., 1965), gossypol (Heywang et al., 1955, and many others) and Nicarbazin (Polin and Porter, 1956; Baker et al., 1957; Weiss, 1957). However, mottled yolks have been reported to occur in eggs when hens have been known to have no access to any of these compounds (Fry and Wilson, 1965; Polin et al., 1957; Blackshear et al., 1967). Storage of eggs at room temperatures has been shown to increase mottling (McNalley and Brant, 1958; Blackshear et al., 1967), as have certain types of mechanical manipulation of eggs (Blackshear et al., 1967; Schiable et al., 1936). Increasing age of the egg (Blackshear et al., 1967) has been shown to increase both incidence and severity of mottling. Polin and Porter (1956) reported that hens in the first weeks of . . .
Aluminum electrocoagulation pretreatment reduces fouling during surface water microfiltration

Abstract A bench-scale study was undertaken to evaluate aluminum electrocoagulation pretreatment for dead-end, constant pressure microfiltration of surface water. Electrochemical aluminum production quantitatively obeyed Faraday's law with a 3-electron transfer at nearly 100% efficiency resulting in Al(OH) 3 precipitation. X-ray diffractometry proved that Al(OH) 3 precipitates were predominantly amorphous. Enmeshment of colloids in amorphous precipitates (sweep flocculation) was the predominant colloid destabilization mechanism. Additionally, the floc zeta potential became less negative (→0) as more and more aluminum was added indicating the secondary role of adsorption of hydrolyzed aluminum species and charge neutralization in destabilization. Fouling of a commercially available polymeric microfiltration membrane following electrocoagulation pretreatment was found to (i) be lower at pH 6.4 compared with 7.5, (ii) decrease only up to an intermediate aluminum dosage, and (iii) exacerbate with increasing transmembrane pressure. In all experiments, cake filtration was the predominant flux decline mechanism for the entire duration of microfiltration. Increased fouling at higher transmembrane pressures (manifested as more rapid decline of the instantaneous flux normalized by the initial flux) was attributed to cake compressibility. Optical microscopy revealed that floc sizes increased monotonically with aluminum dosage even though fouling worsened at high electrocoagulant concentrations. This suggests that fouling was controlled by antagonistic effects of adding more and more aluminum coagulant; increasing total mass loading of colloidal foulants (higher total filtration resistance) and creating larger flocs (decreasing specific cake resistance). Significant reductions in microfilter fouling with aluminum electrocoagulation pretreatment suggests the next logical step of larger-scale testing under “real-world” conditions before recommending it for surface water treatment.
Factor structure and heritability of endophenotypes in schizophrenia: findings from the Consortium on the Genetics of Schizophrenia (COGS-1).

Abstract Background Although many endophenotypes for schizophrenia have been studied individually, few studies have examined the extent to which common neurocognitive and neurophysiological measures reflect shared versus unique endophenotypic factors. It may be possible to distill individual endophenotypes into composite measures that reflect dissociable, genetically informative elements. Methods The first phase of the Consortium on the Genetics of Schizophrenia (COGS-1) is a multisite family study that collected neurocognitive and neurophysiological data between 2003 and 2008. For these analyses, participants included schizophrenia probands (n = 83), their nonpsychotic siblings (n = 151), and community comparison subjects (n = 209) with complete data on a battery of 12 neurocognitive tests (assessing domains of working memory, declarative memory, vigilance, spatial ability, abstract reasoning, facial emotion processing, and motor speed) and 3 neurophysiological tasks reflecting inhibitory processing (P50 gating, prepulse inhibition and antisaccade tasks). Factor analyses were conducted on the measures for each subject group and across the entire sample. Heritability analyses of factors were performed using SOLAR. Results Analyses yielded 5 distinct factors: 1) Episodic Memory, 2) Working Memory, 3) Perceptual Vigilance, 4) Visual Abstraction, and 5) Inhibitory Processing. Neurophysiological measures had low associations with these factors. The factor structure of endophenotypes was largely comparable across probands, siblings and controls. Significant heritability estimates for the factors ranged from 22% (Episodic Memory) to 39% (Visual Abstraction). Conclusions Neurocognitive measures reflect a meaningful amount of shared variance whereas the neurophysiological measures reflect largely unique contributions as endophenotypes for schizophrenia. Composite endophenotype measures may inform our neurobiological and genetic understanding of schizophrenia.
Mapping Savanna Tree Species at Ecosystem Scales Using Support Vector Machine Classification and BRDF Correction on Airborne Hyperspectral and LiDAR Data

Mapping the spatial distribution of plant species in savannas provides insight into the roles of competition, fire, herbivory, soils and climate in maintaining the biodiversity of these ecosystems. This study focuses on the challenges facing large-scale species mapping using a fusion of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and hyperspectral imagery. Here we build upon previous work on airborne species detection by using a two-stage support vector machine (SVM) classifier to first predict species from hyperspectral data at the pixel scale. Tree crowns are segmented from the lidar imagery such that crown-level information, such as maximum tree height, can then be combined with the pixel-level species probabilities to predict the species of each tree. An overall prediction accuracy of 76% was achieved for 15 species. We also show that bidirectional reflectance distribution (BRDF) effects caused by anisotropic scattering properties of savanna vegetation can result in flight line artifacts evident in species probability maps, yet these can be largely mitigated by applying a semi-empirical BRDF model to the hyperspectral data. We find that confronting these three challenges—reflectance anisotropy, integration of pixel- and crown-level data, and crown delineation over large areas—enables species mapping at ecosystem scales for monitoring biodiversity and ecosystem function.
Is the difference between gill and girl more than a letter

Letter-like characters from continua ranging between t and l d and l, or i and l were factorially embedded in word frames either having or not having an l in a position adjacent to the variable character. In the former but not in the latter case, the letter continuum manipulation varied the degree of presence of doubled-letter parallelism as well as the degree to which the character was one letter rather than the alternative. Letter-identification rating data suggested that the parallelism property played a minor part in the process of identifying the words. This result, as well as the more general issues associated with it, are examined within the framework of a fuzzy propositional model of pattern identification.
Reasoning about Infinite Computations

We investigate extensions of temporal logic by connectives defined by finite automata on infinite words. We consider three different logics, corresponding to three different types of acceptance conditions (finite, looping, and repeating) for the automata. It turns out, however that these logics all have the same expressive power and that their decision problems are all PSPACE-complete. We also investigate connectives defined by alternating automata and show that they do not increase the expressive power of the logic or the complexity of the decision problem.
Advances in noninvasive cardiac output monitoring: an update.

Routine monitoring of circulatory function during the perioperative period has generally consisted of heart rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiography. Clinical signs, such as urine output, jugular venous distention, skin turgor, and skin perfusion have been used to estimate cardiac function. These signs may be unreliable, particularly in critically ill patients.2-4 Although Harvey discovered the circulation of the blood more than 300 years ago, routine measurements of cardiac output (CO) have been available to clinicians only since 1970.5 Since its introduction in 1970, pulmonary artery catheterization has been considered the gold standard for the measurement of CO in humans. Although its risk-to-benefit ratio has not been determined, this procedure has become one of the most common procedures performed in critically ill patients around the world.6-8 During anesthesia, CO determination is traditionally reserved for patients with severe circulatory instability or patients undergoing major surgery because the standard technique for CO measurement requires right heart catheterization with its attendant costs and risks.6 Ideally, the technology that provides CO estimation should be noninvasive, accurate, reliable, and continuous. At present, no single monitoring method meets all of these criteria.3 New methods of noninvasive CO monitoring have become available for use in the operating room. In addition to being able to use them at the bedside, a major advantage of many noninvasive techniques is that they avoid the risks of morbidity as well as discomfort associated with more invasive techniques. Because many of these techniques have developed so quickly, anesthesiologists may be unfamiliar with all their clinical applications. Even more challenging may be to decide if the new method can replace the old gold standard based on clinical evidence and the appropriate statistical analysis. Previous studies comparing CO measurement techniques suffered from deficiencies in design or suboptimal statistical methodology,9 leading to the erroneous belief that these techniques are interchangeable when significant differences exist. The purpose of this review is twofold: (1) to outline the utility and limitations of new methods of noninvasive CO monitoring (without the use of an intravascular catheter) currently available to anesthesiologists and (2) to assist practitioners to more critically review new reports on these techniques. MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM
Object recognition as a function of stimulus characteristics

Twenty-five college students were tested for recognition memory of small common objects immediately after exposure and after a retention interval of 1 week. The objects were classified into three object types based upon a cluster analysis of rated stimulus characteristics. The results indicated that recognition performance was influenced by object type and retention interval. The importance of considering stimulus characteristics in theoretical explanations of memory for environmental detail was discussed.
Enumeration of graphs by degree sequence

The degree sequence (d0, d1, …, dp-1) of a graph G of order p is defined by dk = the number of points of G of degree k. Methods of Robinson are extended to produce a generating function F(x0, x1, x2, …) where the coefficient of x…x is the number of graphs of order p having degree sequence (d0, …, dp-1).