cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation of colon cancers for human papillomavirus genomic sequences by polymerase chain reaction

Two previous studies have reported the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) genomic sequences in colorectal cancers. We examined DNAs from 50 colorectal tumors for HPV sequences by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using HPV consensus L1 primers for amplification. The PCR products were screened with a generic HPV probe consisting of amplimers of HPV-16 and HPV-18. All tumor DNAs were negative for HPV sequences. These results call into the question the reported association of colorectal cancers with HPVs.
Resonances in the dipositronium system: Rydberg states

We were previously successful in representing series of Ps + H scattering resonances as mainly due to quasi-bound Rydberg states in either the closed e+ + H– or Ps– + H+ system. An obvious extension would be to investigate the analogous Ps + Ps system, as either e+ + Ps– or e– + Ps+. Here we treat the system in four increasingly complete approximations: with and without including electron and positron symmetry and charge conjugation symmetry. A comparison is made with previous calculations, and in an Appendix the relationship between quasi-bound states and scattering resonances is clarified.
Glutamate in the spinal sympathetic intermediolateral nucleus: localization by light and electron microscopy

Glutamate immunoreactivity was examined in the sympathetic intermediolateral nucleus (IML) of the thoraic spinal cord using an antibody (Hepler et al., J. Histochem. Cytochem., 36 (1988) 13–22) to hemocyanin-conjugated l-glutamate and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique. Glutamate labeling was seen in punctate varicosities throughout the IML, in IML neurons and their dendritic processes extending into the lateral funiculus, and diffusely in the IML neuropil. Glutamate labeling was unaffected by preabsorption of the antibody with a conjugate of l-aspartate (100 μg/ml) to bovine serum albumin (BSA), but was abolished by similar treatment with a conjugate of l-glutamate (1.7 μg/ml) to BSA. Glutamate immunoreactivity in the IML was eliminated caudal to T3 spinal transection, while that in the dorsal horn was preserved. Ultrastructural examination of the IML revealed that glutamate was localized within round clear vesicles in axon terminals ranging in diameter from 0.6 to 2.5 μm, and containing several mitochondria, but no dense-core vesicles. Glutamate-containing terminals made primarily asymmetric synapses on small dendrites of IML neurons. These synapses were usually enveloped by processes of astrocytic glia which could also contain glutamate immunoreactivity. The findings provide an anatomic substrate for glutamatergic excitation of sympathetic nerve discharge through a descending spinal pathway terminating the IML. These daata support the hypothesis that sympathoexcitation elicited by stimulation of the rostral ventrolateral medulla may be mediated by a direct glutamatergic pathway to the IML.
Atypical neural substrates of Embedded Figures Task performance in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Superior performance on the Embedded Figures Task (EFT) has been attributed to weak central coherence in perceptual processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The present study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine the neural basis of EFT performance in 7- to 12-year-old ASD children and age- and IQ-matched controls. ASD children activated only a subset of the distributed network of regions activated in controls. In frontal cortex, control children activated left dorsolateral, medial and dorsal premotor regions whereas ASD children only activated the dorsal premotor region. In parietal and occipital cortices, activation was bilateral in control children but unilateral (left superior parietal and right occipital) in ASD children. Further, extensive bilateral ventral temporal activation was observed in control, but not ASD children. ASD children performed the EFT at the same level as controls but with reduced cortical involvement, suggesting that disembedded visual processing is accomplished parsimoniously by ASD relative to typically developing brains.
Non-orthogonal Riemannian Wavefield Extrapolation

Wavefield extrapolation is implemented in non-orthogonal Riemannian spaces. The key component is the development of a dispersion relationship appropriate for propagating wavefields on generalized non-orthogonal meshes. This wavenumber contains a number of mixed-domain fields in addition to velocity that represent coordinate system geometry. An extended split-step Fourier approximation of the extrapolation wavenumber is developed that provides accurate results when multiple reference parameters sets are used. Three examples are presented that demonstrate the validity of the theory. An important consequence is that greater emphasis can be placed on generating smoother computational meshes, rather than satisfying restrictive semi-orthogonal criteria, leading to more accurate and efficient Riemannian wavefield extrapolation.
Simulation of OFDM technique for wireless communication systems

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex (OFDM) is a modulation technique to transmit the baseband Radio signals over Fiber (RoF). Combining OFDM modulation technique and radio over fiber technology will improve future wireless communication. This technique can be implemented using laser and photodetector as optical modulator and demodulator. OFDM uses multiple sub-carriers to transmit low data rate streams in parallel, by using Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) or Phase Shift Keying (PSK). In this paper we will compare power spectrum signal and signal constellation of transmitted and received signals in RoF using Matlab and OptiSystem simulation software.
Counterion Adsorption Effects on the Swelling Pressure in Clays

The effects arising due to counterion adsorption in interacting planar electrical double layers is studied using modified Gouy-Chapman theory. The conditions used here model clay swelling experiments that have shown a strong dependence on the choice of counterion. The results show that the swelling pressure between charged plates depends on counterion adsorption, but they do not explain the experimental data. If the adsorption is strong enough, the swelling pressure becomes so small that it is unaffected by the plate separation. The swelling pressure is also affected by the bulk electrolyte concentration, although for a given adsorption parameter the adsorbed charge density is independent of ion concentration.
Electronic structure and related properties of silver

Utilisation de la combinaison lineaire des orbitales gaussiennes. Etude de la structure de bande, des densites d'etats, de la surface de Fermi, des profiles de Compton, et de la conductivite optique. Comparaisons entre l'experience et les calculs
Nuclear quadrupole deformations and anisotropic angular correlations between K x rays and gamma rays

Anisotropic angular correlation between gamma rays and the $K$ x rays following the $K$ conversion from nuclei with large static deformations has been studied. A complete theoretical expression for $^{181}\mathrm{Ta}$, the second known case of this phenomenon, is presented. This case involves several mixed nuclear transitions which result in 62% of the x rays arising from magnetic dipole internal-conversion processes and 38% arising from electric-quadrupole internal-conversion processes.
Making reliable decisions in the study of wildlife diseases: using hypothesis tests, statistical power, and observed effects.

The increasing importance of wildlife diseases in conservation efforts places an additional importance on research study design, data analysis, and interpretation. In this paper, we explore the design and analysis of wildlife disease data with regard to hypothesis testing, statistical power, sample sizes, the relative costs of type I versus type II errors, and effect size. To illustrate these ideas, we conducted a literature review of the Journal of Wildlife Diseases (JWD), ran computer simulations that estimate type II error rates for statistical techniques commonly used in JWD, and reanalyzed previously published data on disease prevalence. Many studies published in JWD used chi-squared analysis on prevalence data, but only 19% reported estimates of the observed effect size. Furthermore, 10% of studies had pooled sample sizes ≤40, and many had potentially high costs of type II relative to type I errors. Our computer simulations suggest that many articles published in JWD lack sufficient statistical powe...
MANAGEMENT OF NUTRITIONAL PROBLEMS IN SUBACUTE CARE

Poor nutritional status is one of the major factors associated with functional decline and mortality in older persons. Older persons are at increased risk for malnutrition because of the physiologic anorexia of aging. During a stay in a subacute care facility, attention to nutrition is a major component of the rehabilitative process. The pathophysiology of malnutrition, diagnostic techniques available to diagnose malnutrition, causes and management of protein energy malnutrition, specific nutritional problems caused by vitamin and trace element deficiency, and nutritional management of specific diseases (e.g., hip fracture and diabetes mellitus) are reviewed.
Analysis of Pressure Fluctuations in Fluidized Beds

Pressure fluctuations were measured in a fluidized bed and evaluated in the frequency domain. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of bed parameters on the power spectra from the corresponding pressure fluctuations. The motivation for this work is to develop pressure fluctuations as a diagnostic tool for fluidized-bed reactors and combustors. Pressure fluctuation data for a range of bed heights, fluidization velocities, particle sizes, particle densities, and bed temperatures were taken to determine the effect of these parameters on the power spectrum. The dominant frequency was a function of the height of the fluidized bed. Secondary peaks were not influenced by the height of the bed, although they did depend on the position of the probe in the bed. Peaks in power spectra were observed to shift in frequency as the gas superficial velocity through the bed was changed. Powders of different classification had distinctive power spectra. Group A powders behaved like first-order linear sy...
Lactate racemase hydroxylamine-dependent 18O exchange of the α-hydroxyl of lactic acid

Abstract The lactic acid racemase (EC 5.1.2.1) derived from Clostridium butylicum catalyzes the racemization of the α- 18 O label. The proposed α-carbonyl intermediate for the enzyme-catalyzed reaction has been previously shown to be trapped as an enzyme-bound oxime in the presence of hydroxylamine. This report demonstrates that the formation of the inactive enzyme-bound oxime, followed by reactivation in the presence of an excess of competing free carbonyl (pyruvic acid) results in a complete loss of the α- 18 O label from an original α- 18 O-labeled lactic acid.
Programming time in serial tapping responses as a function of pathway constraint

This study varied the accuracy demand within a linear series of targets to investigate the effect of movement-pathway constraints on response-programming time. Sidaway, Christina, and Shea (1988) have suggested that constraints placed upon movement initiation by the demand for response precision may play an important role in determining the length of the programming process. By varying the subtended angles of a series of three targets, this experiment tested the specific prediction of Sidaway et al. that programming time may be a function of the target, within a line of targets, that subtends the smallest angle at the start position. It is this target that demands the greatest precision in the movement pathway. Subjects participated in a series of conditions in which the size and placement of the target that imposed the maximal constraint was varied. In each condition the subjects were required to strike a series of three targets with a stylus in a simple reaction-time paradigm. Analysis of the reaction-time results revealed a significant effect of size of constraint, but no effect of position of constraint. Analysis of the movementtime data dispelled movement-duration and movement-velocity interpretations of the results and intimated a possible online trajectory-correction process.
A framework for creating hybrid‐open source software communities

The open source software (OSS) model is a fundamentally new and revolutionary way to develop software. The success of the OSS model is also setting the stage for a structural change in the software industry; it is beginning to transform software industry from manufacturing to a service industry. Despite the success of the OSS model, for-profit organizations are having difficulty build- ing a business model around the open source paradigm. Whereas there are some isolated empirical studies, little rigorous research has been done on how tradi- tional organizations can implement and benefit from OSS practices. This research explores how organizations can foster an environment similar to OSS to manage their software development efforts to reap its numerous advantages. Drawing on organizational theory, we develop a framework that guides the creation and man- agement of a hybrid-OSS community within an organization. We discuss the impli- cations of this framework and suggest areas for future research.
ADEQUACY OF FOOD LABELING FOR CONSUMERS ON LIMITED SODIUM DIETS

A survey of consumers on sodium restricted diets was conducted to determine the adequacy of current food labeling for sodium content in processed foods. Individuals were interviewed personally. Results based upon this limited study indicate present food labeling does not adequately inform consumers of the sodium content in processed food even though those surveyed indicated they read labels. The respondents were aware of the importance of potassium in conjunction with low sodium diets. In some cases individuals were aware of sodium content in foods containing high levels of sodium and these foods were not included in their diets, but more generally foods were avoided because of likes, dislike, fat content, etc. Sodium and salt had equal meaning for 66.7% of those surveyed. To some extent they avoided foods with sodium additives in the ingredient statement, if “sodium” was prominent in the name.
A 4-bit ultra-wideband beamformer with 4ps true time delay resolution

This paper documents an ultra-wideband (UWB) fully integrated beamformer which features controllable true time delay and power gain. The UWB beamformer accomplishes 4-bit delay variation with 4 ps resolution, 5 dB gain variation in 1 dB steps, and a -3dB gain bandwidth of 11.2 GHz. Overall operation is achieved by the integration of a three-bit tapped delay trombone-type structure with 4ps variable delay resolution, a one-bit 32ps fixed delay coplanar-type structure, and a variable gain distributed amplifier. The prototype chip fabricated in a 0.18 mum BiCMOS SiGe process occupies 1.6mm2 of silicon area and consumes 125 mW from a 2.5 V supply at the maximum gain setting of 14.2 dB
Identification of TRAIL as an Interferon Regulatory Factor 3 Transcriptional Target

Interferon production and apoptosis in virus-infected cells are necessary to prevent progeny virus production and to eliminate infected cells. Paramyxovirus infection induces apoptosis through interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3), but the exact mechanism of how IRF-3 functions is unknown. We show that IRF-3 is involved in the transcriptional induction of TRAIL, a key player in the apoptosis pathway. IRF-3 upregulates TRAIL transcription following viral infection and binds an interferon-stimulated response element in the TRAIL promoter. The mRNA for TRAIL and its receptor, DR5, are induced following viral infection. These studies identify TRAIL as a novel IRF-3 transcriptional target.
Whirler mutant hair cells have less severe pathology than shaker 2 or double mutants.

MYOSIN XV is a motor protein that interacts with the PDZ domain-containing protein WHIRLIN and transports WHIRLIN to the tips of the stereocilia. Shaker 2 (sh2) mice have a mutation in the motor domain of MYOSIN XV and exhibit congenital deafness and circling behavior, probably because of abnormally short stereocilia. Whirler (wi) mice have a similar phenotype caused by a deletion in the third PDZ domain of WHIRLIN. We compared the morphology of Whrnwi/wi and Myo15sh2/sh2 sensory hair cells and found that Myo15sh2/sh2 have more frequent pathology at the base of inner hair cells than Whrnwi/wi, and shorter outer hair cell stereocilia. Considering the functional and morphologic similarities in the phenotypes caused by mutations in Myo15 and Whrn, and the physical interaction between their encoded proteins, we used a genetic approach to test for functional overlap. Double heterozygotes (Myo15sh2/+, Whrnwi/+) have normal hearing and no increase in hearing loss compared to normal littermates. Single and double mutants (Myo15sh2/sh2, Whrnwi/wi) exhibit abnormal persistence of kinocilia and microvilli, and develop abnormal cytoskeletal architecture. Double mutants are also similar to the single mutants in viability, circling behavior, and lack of a Preyer reflex. The morphology of cochlear hair cell stereocilia in double mutants reflects a dominance of the more severe Myo15sh2/sh2 phenotype over the Whrnwi/wi phenotype. This suggests that MYOSIN XV may interact with other proteins besides WHIRLIN that are important for hair cell maturation.
Use of leaf enriching harvesting methods to increase the yield of leaf protein concentrate from lucerne

A prototype leaf stripping machine and a conventional forage harvester with a raised header were used to obtain high protein lucerne (alfalfa) fractions. The stripped lucerne leaves and lucerne tops contained 26.2 and 27.2% protein, respectively. Pilot-scale extraction of the ground leaves and the ground tops resulted in leaf protein concentrate (LPC) yields of 18.8 and 20.0%, respectively, compared with 12.8 and 15.7% for the appropriate whole lucerne control. LPC yields as high as 27.4% were obtained by the addition of lucerne solubles to the lucerne tops prior to grinding. Low LPC yields (4.0–8.0%) were obtained from the lucerne stem fraction. After processing, the press cake fraction from the leaf-enriched feed materials still contained over 17% protein.
Mechanisms of Sensitivity Loss due to Visual Cortex Lesions in Humans and Macaques

This study represents the first use of noise masking and signal detection theory to examine mechanisms of visual loss after lesions of visual cortex. Noise-masked contrast thresholds were increased in 2 macaques and 2 humans at lesion-affected, compared with control, regions of their visual fields. Experiments suggested by the organization of visual cortex examined possible mechanisms of the visual loss. Two experiments tested the hypothesis that damage to feedback connections might eliminate the benefit of comparing test stimuli with remembered representations but neither could account for the sensitivity loss. The third experiment found that extrastriate lesions did increase the trial-to-trial variability of sensory decisions, suggesting this as one mechanism of sensitivity loss. In addition to clarifying mechanisms of lesion-induced contrast sensitivity loss, this study also showed that elevated contrast thresholds, that are subtle in the absence of external noise, became dramatic when measured with masking noise.
Perfect simulation of an inventory model for perishable products

We study an inventory model for perishable products with a critical-number ordering policy under the assumption that demand for the product forms an i.i.d. sequence, so that the state of the system forms a Markov chain. Explicit calculation of the stationary distribution has proved impractical in cases where items have reasonably long lifetimes and for systems with large under-up-to levels. Using the recently developed coupling-from-the-past method, we introduce a technique to estimate the stationary distribution of the Markov chain via perfect simulation. The Markov chain that results from the use of a critical-number policy is particularly amenable to these simulation techniques, despite not being ordered in its initial state, since the recursive equations satisfied by the Markov chain enable us to identify specific demand patterns where the backward coupling occurs. *Work supported in part by NSF Grant DMS-9803682.
Efficient simulation of synthesis-oriented system level designs

Modeling for synthesis and modeling for simulation seem to be two competing goals in the context of C++-based modeling frameworks. One of the reasons is while most hardware systems have some inherent parallelism efficiently expressing it depends on whether the target usage is synthesis or simulation. For synthesis, designs are usually described with synthesis tools in mind and are therefore partitioned according to the targeted hardware units. For simulation, runtime efficiency is critical but our previous work has shown that a synthesis-oriented description is not necessarily the most efficient, especially if using multiprocessor simulators. Multiprocessor simulation requires preemptive multithreading but most current C++-based high level system description languages use cooperative multithreading to exploit parallelism to reduce overhead. We have seen that, for synthesis-oriented models, along with adding preemptive threading we need to transform the threading structure for good simulation performance. In this paper we present an algorithm for automatically applying such transformations to C++-based hardware models, ongoing work aimed at proving the equivalence between the original and transformed model, and a 62% to 76% simulation time improvement on a dual processor simulator.
Effect of Sediment Load on Soil Detachment and Deposition in Rills

mass. The energy for these processes is provided, basically, by the weight of the mixture of water and sediment According to theory, the rate of detachment of soil particles in and the downslope gradient of the flow. Studies related rills is reduced as a first-order function of the amount of sediment to the mechanics of rill erosion have shown that rates load in the flow. The first objective of this study was to determine if experimental results confirmed current detachment-transport cou- of soil detachment are inversely dependent upon the pling theory. The second objective was to investigate two hypothesized magnitude of the sediment load at a given time and mechanisms responsible for any coupling effect observed: The first location on the soil surface (Meyer and Monke, 1965; mechanism was that since turbulence is known to be a critical factor Rice and Wilson, 1990; and Cochrane and Flanagan, in detachment by flow, and since it is also known that sediment in 1996). The theoretical basis for this effect has been diswater reduces turbulent intensity, it was suggested that sediment in cussed by Foster and Meyer (1972) and Hairsine and flow reduces detachment via a correspondent reduction in turbulent Rose (1992a, 1992b). intensities. This hypothesis was tested indirectly by adding a sediment Foster and Meyer (1972) (later presented in more load that was carried entirely in the suspended state. The second detail by Foster, 1982) support the hypothesis that the mechanism was that sediment covering the soil bed during the erosion flow possesses finite energy, which may be expended process shields the soil from the forces of flow, thus reducing detachment. This hypothesis was tested by introducing bed-load sediment. either to detach soil particles from the bulk soil mass Sediment loads exiting the rill and detachment and deposition along or to transport previously detached sediments. Within the rill were measured. Detachment was reduced and deposition in- this framework, it might be considered that the energy creased as a linear function of the amount of sediment introduced into required to sustain movement of the sediment in transit, the flow. Results indicated that, in general, detachment did decrease as well as to initiate movement of previously detached according to current theory, but discrepancies in the erosional patterns sediment particles resting on the bottom of the bed, is were observed, which none of the current models explain. Both hy- less than the energy necessary to detach new sediments pothesized mechanisms of reduction in detachment rates were apparfrom the soil mass. In this way, the energy is preferenently active in reducing detachment rates, though the shielding mechatially used for those processes related to the continuanism appeared to have a greater impact than did the mechanism
The photochemical formation and fate of nitric acid in the metropolitan detroit area: Ambient, captive-air irradiation and modeling results

Outdoor smog chamber experiments, a photochemical model and ambient air measurements were used to evaluate the formation rate and fate of HNO3 on photochemically active days in the Detroit metropolitan area during the summer of 1981. The primary tool used to ascertain the rate of HNO3 formation and its dependence on the O3 precursors, nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) was outdoor smog chambers filled with ambient air. Based on the NOx decay observed in the chambers, a first-order (in NOx) HNO3 formation coefficient, k{HNO3}, of 10.6 ± 1.9 % h−1 was derived from 14 air samples irradiated on 10 sunny days. Additions to the chambers at the start of the irradiations of NMHC, NOx or clean air did not strongly affect k{HNO3}. In contrast, O3 formation was markedly affected by the additions; NOx additions inhibited O3 formation, whereas NMHC additions enhanced ozone formation. A photochemical model, referred to as the carbon-bond model, version 3 (CB-3), was used to predict kHNO3, the sensitivity of kHNO3 to the additions, and the nitrogen-containing product distribution in the chambers. While the model satisfactorily predicted the mean kHNO3, it failed to predict the observed insensitivity of kHNO3 to the additions. The model also predicted that HNO3 was by far the major nitrogen-containing product of NOx oxidation by a ratio of 3:1 over all other species; peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) accounted for most of the rest of the oxidized NOx. The atmospheric concentrations of HNO3 expected on photochemically active days (in the absence of HNO3 removal) were predicted using the rate of formation of HNO3 relative to O3 formation in the chambers together with the net amount of O3 formed photochemically in the atmosphere. The PAN concentration was also predicted, using the yield of PAN relative to HNO3 obtained from the CB-3 model. The predictions were compared to maximum atmospheric concentrations of these species derived from a set of measurements at sites downwind of the city. The comparison suggests that the photochemical HNO3 source was strongly attenuated by HNO3 removal processes, the most likely of which was its reaction with basic, soil-related aerosols.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and antibodies to DNA in the serum of hamsters and man infected with schistosomes.

Summary(i). The guanine + cytosine content of S. mansoni has been shown to be 34.4 moles % on the basis of its buoyant density in CsCl and 34.9 moles % on the basis of its ultraviolet absorbance-temperature profile.(ii). Antibodies to DNA have been demonstrated in hamsters infected with S. mansoni and humans infected with S. japonicum. These antibodies show a broad specificity and react with DNAs of parasite, bacterial, and mammalian origin.(iii). Circulating DNA has been demonstrated in the serum of hamsters infected with S. mansoni.(iv). It is suggested that schistosomiasis, in some instances at least, exhibits autoimmune or immune-complex disease.
Columellar Muscle of Neogastropods: Muscle Attachment and the Function of Columellar Folds

Malacologists often assume that ornamentation on snail shells is functional, and therefore adaptive. I conducted the first comprehensive test of the widely accepted hypothesis that columellar folds, a type of internal ornamentation, enhance the performance of the columellar muscle, which attaches the snail to its shell. Careful dissections of live, non-relaxed specimens reveal that the physical attachment between the columellar muscle and the columella is not restricted to a small, circular patch located deep within the shell. Instead, the attachment is long and narrow, extending approximately a full whorl along the length of the columella. I developed a novel technique for preparing three-dimensional reconstructions from photographs documenting the dissections. These reconstructions were then used to measure four parameters that describe the muscle: (1) the surface area of the physical attachment between the muscle and columella, (2) the total contact area between the muscle and the columella, (3) the depth of attachment, and (4) the length of attachment. None of these parameters differed significantly between species with and without folds. In light of the biomechanics of muscular hydrostats, values of the first parameter indicate that columellar folds probably do not guide the columellar muscle as the animal moves in and out of its shell. Values of the other parameters indicate that columellar folds neither increase an animal's ability to maneuver its shell nor facilitate deeper withdrawal. These results, and the fact that folds have evolved convergently several times, might indicate that folds are an easily evolvable solution to many functional problems, none of which are currently understood.
Communication Behavior and Coorientational Relations

A new model of cognitive processes in interpersonal communication is explicated, resulting in a redefinition of the concept of coorientational accuracy. Three experiments are reported in which the accuracy state is treated as an antecedent condition to various types of communication behaviors. The results of these experiments show differences in the communication behavior subsequent to the four accuracy states defined in the proposed model.
Carbon nanotube electrical-substitution cryogenic radiometer: initial results

A carbon nanotube cryogenic radiometer (CNCR) has been fabricated for electrical-substitution optical power measurements. The CNCR employs vertically aligned multiwall carbon nanotube arrays (VANTAs) as the absorber, heater, and thermistor, with a micromachined silicon substrate as the weak thermal link. Compared to conventional cryogenic radiometers, the CNCR is simpler, more easily reproduced and disseminated, orders of magnitude faster, and can operate over a wide range of wavelengths without the need for a receiver cavity. We describe initial characterization results of the radiometer at 3.9 K, comparing electrical measurements and fiber-coupled optical measurements from 50 μW to 1.5 mW at the wavelength of 1550 nm. We find the response to input electrical and optical power is equivalent to within our measurement uncertainty, which is currently limited by the experimental setup (large temperature fluctuations of the cold stage) rather than the device itself. With improvements in the temperature stability, the performance of the CNCR should be limited only by our ability to measure the reflectance of the optical absorber VANTA.
An intelligent decision support system for supply, distribution, and marketing planning

The paper focuses on a new and successful application of an optimization-based decision support system (DSS) in the Petroleum Industry. It involves the design, development and implementation of a model and computer system to address the complex short-term planning and operational issues associated with the supply, distribution and marketing of refined petroleum products. This has evolved into an intelligent DSS that uses the tools of Knowledge Engineering and Expert Systems to build an effective, integrated DSS. Several unique modeling features, hitherto untried in any major modeling effort, have been successfully implemented in a Network Optimization framework. The use of a fourth generation modeling language called GENASYS has been instrumental in capturing the intricacies of the network model and facilitates creating new model structures for various parametric changes. Concepts from Knowledge Based Systems and Artificial Intelligence applied in setting up ‘Exception Reports’ through the use of production rules are another major characteristic of this application. The impact of this decision support system on integrated short-term planning and decision making and in stimulating changes in the attitudes and environment of the users and management is extensive.
Vision and academic performance of learning disabled children.

The purpose of this study was to assess differences in academic performance among myopic, hyperopic, and emmetropic children who were learning disabled. More specifically, myopic children were expected to perform better on mathematical and spatial tasks than would hyperopic ones and that hyperopic and emmetropic children would perform better on verbal measures than would myopic ones. For 439 learning disabled students visual anomalies were determined via a Generated Retinal Reflex Image Screening System. Test data were obtained from school files. Partial support for the hypothesis was obtained. Myopic learning disabled children outperformed hyperopic and emmetropic children on the Key Math test. Myopic children scored better than hyperopic children on the WRAT Reading subtest and on the Durrell Analysis of Reading Difficulty Oral Reading Comprehension, Oral Rate, Flashword, and Spelling subtests, and on the Key Math Measurement and Total Scores. Severity of refractive error significantly affected the Wech...
The Legitimacy Crisis in the United States: A Conceptual Analysis

A “legitimacy crisis” is widely perceived to exist on the basis of polls of public attitudes reflecting a precipitous decline in confidence in societal leadership, increasing manifestations of illegal, antisocial and repressive behavior or policies, and the demonstrable structural failures of the state to respond to fundamental human needs. Some attention is given to the fact that there are different types of legitimacy crises, that delegitimation may focus upon various dimensions of the legal order, and that a legitimacy crisis is ultimately a relative state of affairs. Insofar as broad causes of a legitimacy crisis may be identified, it has been associated with the attributes of a modern mass society, the specifically capitalist nature of some contemporary societies, and the impact of special events and circumstances such as the Vietnam War and Watergate. A conceptualization of a legitimacy crisis, with perceptual, behavioral and structural dimensions, has been provided and may serve as a point of departure for further research, analysis and political speculation.
Real Time Optical Diagnostics in Laser Etching and Deposition

Optical probing of laser-assisted chemical reactions on surfaces in real time can help explain and control these processes. Raman microprobe spectroscopy and micro laser induced fluorescence are the two optical probes employed here to investigate several examples of localized laser surface reactions. Raman microprobe analysis is used to monitor in real time the CuCl and CuCl2 products on the surface during local laser etching of copper films by Cl2 and the concomitant loss of the Cu2O passivation layer. It is also used to follow the production of Cu2O during the laser oxidation of Cu. Polarization Raman analysis is utilized to identify and analyze partially molten silicon during laser heating in vacuum and during the etching of silicon by chlorine. Laser induced fluorescence is used as a real time microprobe of desorbed products during local laser-assisted etching of Si and Al surfaces.
A Query Algorithm for Agnostically Learning DNF

Motivation: One of the most celebrated results in computational learning theory is Jackson’s query algorithm for PAC learning DNF formulas with respect to the uniform distribution [3]. A natural question is whether DNF formulas can be learned (even with queries and with respect to the uniform distribution) in a highly noisy setting, i.e., the wellknown agnostic framework of learning [5]. Additionally, it is straightforward to see that an agnostic learning algorithm for DNF formulas would give algorithms for weakly learning polynomial-size depth-3 circuits with respect to the uniform distribution in the standard PAC learning model. Halfspaces are another simple and important concept class of functions still not known to be agnostically learnable with respect to the uniform distribution, even if the learner can make queries (although some relevant work exists for the uniform distribution that we mention below).
Voicing Seduction to Silence Leadership

Using feminist deconstructive strategies, this paper exposes some of the rhetorical and cultural conditions that have sustained the organizational leadership literature as a seductive game. The juxtaposition of 'leadership' and 'seduction' functions as the focus of analysis for understanding the cultural limits of know ledge at times when innovations in theory and research are expected, but do not seem to be happening. Through various analytical approaches, the paper creates 'reading effects' that may be unsettling for the community of organizational scholars. This opens different spaces for reflecting upon and arguing against the closure imposed by organizational research and theory on what can be said to be organizational knowledge.
Water pipe steam stones: familiarity and use among US young adults.

Introduction Water pipe tobacco smoking (WTS) is associated with substantial toxicant exposure. Water pipe steam stones (WSS) are marketed as a healthier alternative. The purpose of this study was to determine, in a nationally representative sample, young adults' familiarity with, perceptions regarding, and use of WSS. Methods A survey about WTS was completed by 3,253 members of an online nonvolunteer access panel. Four items specifically addressed WSS. Results Of the 228 individuals who had heard of WSS, 17% (n = 41) reported using them. Use was associated with ever (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 7.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.7-21.8) and current (AOR = 16.1, 95% CI = 5.1-51.5) WTS. Compared with those who thought that WSS had about the same harm as WTS, those who thought that WSS was "a lot less harmful" to a person's health had substantially higher odds of having tried WSS (AOR = 6.8, 95% CI = 2.0-23.1). Conclusions Approximately 1 in 6 young adults who have heard of WSS used them. WSS use is associated with the perception of reduced harm.
The zebrafish: a new model organism for integrative physiology

This brief review summarizes features of the zebrafish, Danio rerio, that make it a suitable model organism for studies of regulatory physiology. The review presents the argument that random mutagenesis screens are a valuable gene-finding strategy to identify genes of functional importance and that their utility, although well established for developmental issues, will extend to a variety of topics of interest to the regulatory physiologist. Particular attention is drawn to the range of functional responses amenable to mutagenesis screens in larval zebrafish. Other virtues of the organism, the range of genomic tools, the potential for innovative optical methods, and the tractability for genetic and other experimental manipulations, are also described. Finally, the review provides examples of functional studies in zebrafish, including studies in sensory neurons, cardiac rhythm disturbances, gastrointestinal function, and studies of the developing kidney, that illustrate potential applications. Because of the relative ease with which combinatorial studies can be performed, the zebrafish may eventually be particularly valuable in understanding the functional interaction between subtle gene defects that cause polygenic disorders.
A Genetic Algorithm that Incorporates an Adaptive Mutation Based on an Evolutionary Model

Dealing with many free parameters and finding an appropriate set of parameter values for an evolutionary algorithm (EA) has been a longstanding major challenge of the Evolutionary Computation community. Such difficulty has directed researchers' attention towards devising an automated ways of controlling EA parameters. This work is concerned with proposing a novel method which adaptively adjusts EA and specifically genetic algorithm (GA) mutation rates. The proposed method incorporates the underlying statistical framework of biological evolutionary models into the generic context of evolutionary algorithms. By using such model, besides adapting the mutation rate, this method aims to wisely determine the types of replacing genes in the mutation procedure. To demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed algorithm, the method is evaluated using a wide array of test functions and the outcome is compared with a state-of-the-art adaptive mutation evolutionary algorithm. The results demonstrates that the newly suggested algorithm significantly outperform its adaptive rival in most of the test cases.
Localization of BiP to translating ribosomes increases soluble accumulation of secreted eukaryotic proteins in an Escherichia coli cell-free system

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) resident Hsp70 chaperone, BiP, docks to the Sec translocon and interacts co-translationally with polypeptides entering the ER to encourage proper folding. In order to recreate this interaction in Escherichia coli cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) reactions, a fusion protein was formed between the ribosome-binding portion of the E. coli protein trigger factor (TF) and BiP. The biophysical affinity to ribosomes as well as the characteristic Hsp70 ATPase activity were both verified for the fusion protein. When added to E. coli-based CFPS reactions, the TF-BiP fusion chaperone increased soluble yields of several protein fragments that are normally secreted through the ER and have poor solubility in typical CFPS reactions. For comparison, a fusion between TF and the native E. coli Hsp70, DnaK, was also constructed. This fusion was also biologically active and increased soluble yields of certain protein targets in CFPS. The TF-BiP fusion described in this study can be seen as a first step in reconstituting and better understanding ER folding pathways in the prokaryotic environment of E. coli CFPS.
Characterization of the Spatial Dispersion of Corn Root Injury by Corn Rootworms (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The dispersion of root injury to Zea mays L. by corn rootworm, Diabrotica spp., larvae was characterized using geostatistics to determine the appropriate sampling distance to obtain independent estimates of root injury. We also investigated the effect of the root injury levels on the spatial dependence of root injury at three different spatial scales: large-scale study with 25-m sampling distance in three, 8-ha fields; moderate-scale study with 0.2-m sampling distance in six, 2-ha fields; and small-scale study with exhaustive sampling in eight, 12-m(2) plots within cornfields. In the large-scale study, a nugget model best fit the semivariograms, indicating the dispersion of root injury exhibited a random pattern. In the moderate-scale study, all the semivariograms were best fit with an exponential model, and 68 to 96% of the variability was explained by spatial dependence, suggesting a high degree of spatial aggregation of corn root larval injury. The ranges of semivariograms fell within 1 m within a row to obtain unbiased estimates of root injury.
Muscle shortening increases sensitivity of fatigue to severe hypoxia in canine diaphragm

The effects of inspired O2 on diaphragm tension development during fatigue were assessed using isovelocity (n = 6) and isometric (n = 6) muscle contractions performed during a series of exposures to moderate hypoxia [fraction of inspired O2 (FIO2) = 0.13], hyperoxia (FIO2 = 1), and severe hypoxia (FIO2 = 0.09). Muscle strips were created in situ from the canine diaphragm, attached to a linear ergometer, and electrically stimulated (30 Hz) to contract (contraction = 1.5 s/relaxation = 2 s) from optimal muscle length (Lo = 8.9 cm). Isovelocity contractions shortened to 0.70 Lo, resulting in a mean power output of 210 mW/cm2. Fatigue trials of 35 min duration were performed while inspired O2 was sequentially changed between the experimental mixtures and normoxia (FIO2 = 0.21) for 5-min periods. In this series, severe hypoxia consistently decreased isovelocity tension development by an average of 0.1 kg/cm2 (P less than 0.05), which was followed by a recovery of tension (P less than 0.05) on return to normoxia. These responses were not consistently observed in isometric trials. Neither isovelocity nor isometric tension development was influenced by moderate hypoxia or hyperoxia. These results demonstrate that the in situ diaphragm is relatively insensitive to rapid changes in O2 supply over a broad range and that the tension development of the shortening diaphragm appears to be more susceptible to severe hypoxia during fatigue. This may reflect a difference in either the metabolic or blood flow characteristics of shortening contractions of the diaphragm.
A Survey of Dual-Degree Training Opportunities at U.S. Dental Schools

The purpose of this article is to describe access to information for the dual-degree dental scientist training programs (D.D.S.-D.M.D./Ph.D.) currently available for predoctoral students at U.S. dental schools. Given the ongoing shortage of dental faculty and the progressive emphasis on evidence-based dentistry, these programs will be instrumental in training future dental faculty. A comprehensive review of the institutional websites for all fifty-six U.S. dental schools was undertaken in January 2006. After identification of advertised dual-degree programs, a follow-up survey was sent to twenty-two dental schools that described the existence of a dual-degree dental scientist training program. The results of the survey and website review indicate that there are a number of programs in operation, but it is difficult to determine even basic features of these programs including curriculum structure, financial aid, and infrastructure support for students. Several current dental scientist trainee students were also contacted to discuss their programs in more detail. The insights derived from this investigation may assist dental school applicants, current predoctoral dental students, and administrators seeking to design or promote their existing dental scientist training programs.
Skipping Graceland; and Reasons to Burn Your Poetry, Now:

“You know, Bush is always comparing me to Elvis in sort of unflattering ways.” —Bill Clinton It began outside the piano lounge.
Monosized Aggregates - A New Model

For applications requiring colloidal particles, it is desirable that they be monosized to better control the structure and the properties. In a number of systems, the monosized particles come together to form aggregates that are also monosized. A model is presented here to explain the formation of these monosized aggregates.