cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Understanding of multi-domain battle challenges: AI/ML and the day/night thermal variability of targets

Better understanding of Multi Domain Battle (MDB) challenges in complex military environments may start by gaining a basic scientific appreciation of the level of generalization and scalability offered by Machine Learning (ML) solutions designed, trained and optimized to achieve a single, specific task, continuously daytime and nighttime. We examine the generalization and scalability promises of a modern deep ML solution, applied to a unique spatial-spectral dataset that consists of blackbody calibrated, longwave infrared spectra of a fixed target site containing three painted metal surrogate tanks deployed in a field of mixed vegetation. Data was collected at roughly six minute intervals, nearly continuously, for over a year. This includes collection in many atmospheric conditions (rain, snow, sleet, fog, etc.) throughout the year. This paper focuses on data collected by a Telops Hyper-Cam from a 65 meter observation tower located at slant range of roughly 550 meters, from the targets. The dataset is very complex. There are no obvious spectral signatures from the target surfaces. The complexity is due in part to the natural variations of the various types of vegetation, cloud presence, and the changing solar loading conditions over time. This is precisely the environment MDB applications must function in. We detail some of the many training sets extracted to train different deep learning stacked auto encoder networks. We present performance results with receiver operator characteristic curves, confusion matrices, metric-vs-time plots, and classification maps. We show performance of ML models trained with data from various time windows, including over complete diurnal cycles and their performance processing data from different days and environmental conditions.
All the President's Czars

A bipartisan chorus in Congress, along with a bevy of conservative activists, has denounced President Obama's appointment of "czars" as a threat to separated powers. Yet when the executive branch formulates policy through czars accountable only to the president, does that not leave the legislative and executive powers more separate, rather than less?
Regional climate change projections from NA-CORDEX and their relation to climate sensitivity

The climate sensitivity of global climate models (GCMs) strongly influences projected climate change due to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide. Reasonably, the climate sensitivity of a GCM may be expected to affect dynamically downscaled projections. However, there has been little examination of the effect of the climate sensitivity of GCMs on regional climate model (RCM) ensembles. Therefore, we present projections of temperature and precipitation from the ensemble of projections produced as a part of the North American branch of the international Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (NA-CORDEX) in the context of their relationship to the climate sensitivity of their parent GCMs. NA-CORDEX simulations were produced at 50-km and 25-km resolutions with multiple RCMs which downscaled multiple GCMs that spanned nearly the full range of climate sensitivity available in the CMIP5 archive. We show that climate sensitivity is a very important source of spread in the NA-CORDEX ensemble, particularly for temperature. Temperature projections correlate with driving GCM climate sensitivity annually and seasonally across North America not only at a continental scale but also at a local-to-regional scale. Importantly, the spread in temperature projections would be reduced if only low, mid, or high climate sensitivity simulations were considered, or if only the ensemble mean were considered. Precipitation projections correlate with climate sensitivity, but only at a continental scale during the cold season, due to the increasing influence of other processes at finer scales. Additionally, it is shown that the RCMs do alter the projection space sampled by their driving GCMs.
Creation of a Field Guide to Camas Prairie Plants with Undergraduates: Project-Based Learning Combined with Epistemological Decolonization

Remnant camas prairies and associated oak woodlands are the focus of contemporary Indigenous food sovereignty efforts in the Salish Sea (aka Puget Sound) region of western Washington. They are also the focus of research and restoration to conserve at-risk species of animals and plants protected under the United States Endangered Species Act. Currently there is little collaboration between tribes and restoration scientists. These conditions create an opportunity and ethical imperative for developing undergraduate curriculum that highlights the connections between biodiversity conservation and traditional Indigenous ecological knowledge. Patchy mosaic prairie-oak woodland vegetation visibly reflects the imprint of human activity, which includes past burning to foster native food plants including common camas (Camassia quamash) and Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana). Using a floristic research project focused on these cultural landscapes as a case study, this essay illustrates how interdisciplinary inquiry and service learning can enrich college-level plant taxonomy curriculum, while creating rich opportunities for students to link their botanical studies to a historically-grounded understanding of why the conservation challenges exist in the first place. Through this collaborative, multi-year research effort, students contribute to the production of needed resources useful to regional conservation efforts. Affiliated learning communities also consider what it might mean to decolonize botanical knowledge in the context of ecological restoration.
Cardiobacterium Valvarum Bacteremia in a Left Ventricular Assist Device Recipient: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Introduction Cardiobacterium valvarum is a HACEK organism known for causing infective endocarditis (IE); there are no reported cases implicating this bacterium in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) infections in the English literature. Case Report A 59 year old gentleman with sarcoidosis, systolic heart failure (EF 15%), BiV-ICD (implanted 11/2015) and LVAD (Heartware implanted 10/2017) presented with fever and cough. He experienced worsening lower extremity edema and abdominal girth one week prior to admission. In the emergency room his temperature was 39.5°C and had mild erythema without drainage at his drive line exit site (DLES). Labs were notable for WBC of 15.5 × 103/μL and lactic acid of 2.2 mmol/L. Blood cultures were obtained and the patient received piperacillin-tazobactam and vancomycin. TTE and CT imaging of chest and abdomen demonstrated no significant findings. The initial blood culture became positive with gram-negative bacilli after 3.5 days and were identified as C. valvarum 28 days after initial presentation. He completed a two-week course of ertapenem and transitioned to cephalexin 500 mg BID as secondary prophylaxis. Erythema at the DLES improved and heart failure symptoms resolved. The patient remained on this regimen until transplant, 348 days from positive culture. The organisms classified in the HACEK (Haemophilus spp., Aggregatibacter spp., Cardiobacterium spp., Eikenella spp., and Kingella spp.) group are known for being fastidious causes of IE; they are not traditionally associated with pump, line, or pocket infections in VAD patients. The most common gram-negative bacterial infections associated with VADs and their components are P. aeruginosa and enteric organisms. This patient's case was treated as a VAD-related blood stream infection. Because Cardiobacterium spp. are oral commensals, DLES as the source was less likely. As noted in the IE guidelines, the presence of a HACEK organism without an identifiable source should be considered IE unless proven otherwise, even if there are no other stigmata of IE. Thus, despite only one culture growing C. valvarum, there was a high suspicion for the components of the VAD being seeded, resulting in antibiotic suppression until transplantation. Summary In the presence of a VAD, HACEK organism found in the bloodstream should be treated as a pump infection unless proven otherwise.
Spatiotemporal image fusion in Google Earth Engine for annual estimates of land surface phenology in a heterogenous landscape

Abstract Currently, quantifying phenology at landscape to regional scales is not feasible with field data or near-surface sensors. Consequently, the spatial and temporal complexity of phenology has been assessed using satellite-based estimates (land surface phenology, LSP). While estimates from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) capture intraannual patterns of phenology, they have relatively low spatial resolution. Estimates from sensors like Landsat capture finer spatial detail but are often limited by Landsat’s temporal resolution. We implemented a spatio-temporal image fusion method on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform and used the resulting dense time series of images to estimate intraannual LSP at 30-meter resolution. We utilized Landsat 8 surface reflectance and MODIS NBAR (Nadir BRDF-Adjusted Reflectance; MCD43A4) images from 2016 and 2017 in the interior Pacific Northwest of the United States. Images predicted from the GEE image fusion algorithm were evaluated with true Landsat observations and compared with the accuracy achieved by executing the original ESTARFM algorithm. Excluding snow and cloud obscured observations, the algorithm produced approximately 215 observations per 30-meter pixel in 2017. Root mean squared prediction error (RMSPE) of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for the GEE predicted images ranged from 0.032 to 0.066, and the RMSPE for the original ESTARFM predicted images from the ranged from 0.027 to 0.064. Phenometric estimates were evaluated with near-surface sensors (PhenoCams) in shrubland, conifer, and agricultural sites and field observations of phenology in grassland, open-pine, and mixed-conifer sites. Although phenometric estimates were dissimilar at all PhenoCam sites, the general temporal pattern of the GEE image fusion and PhenoCam time series was often similar. The start of season derived from the GEE image fusion time series had closer correspondence to the PhenoCam-derived start of season at the shrubland site (13 days) than the agriculture and conifer sites. The end of season was closest at one of the conifer sites and the agriculture site (22 and 31 days, respectively). Trends of some of the field-based phenology observations aligned with phenometrics estimated from the image fusion time series. At the grassland and open-pine field sites, the phenometrics from GEE image fusion were associated with phenophase trends of dominant plant functional types. Though characterizing LSP within the interior Pacific Northwest remains a challenge, this study demonstrates that image fusion implemented in GEE can produce a densified time series capable of capturing seasonal trends in NDVI related to vegetation phenology, which can be used to estimate intraannual phenometrics.
Long-term impact of the U.S. Armed forces Zero-Tolerance drug policy on female veterans.

Background In 1980, the U.S. military instituted a zero-tolerance policy for illicit substance use that led to a reduction in such use during military services. Long-term post-military effects have not been studied. Methods National survey data from 2012-2013 were used to compared veteran versus non-veteran differences in sociodemographic, behavioral and substance use and psychiatric diagnoses among women by cohort (i.e., those younger than 52 who would have entered the military under the no tolerance policy, and those older than 52 who would have entered before this policy was implemented). Multivariate interaction analyses between cohorts and veteran status were used to identify significant changes in veteran-non-veteran differences between these age cohorts on during the decades following the implementation of the zero-tolerance policy. Results Significant interactions primarily involved substance use diagnoses which were less frequent among veterans than non-veterans in the younger group of women, in contrast to the older group in which veterans had greater rates of substance use than non-veterans. These patterns were less robust for alcohol than substance use disorders and were not significant for psychiatric disorders. Conclusion The zero-tolerance policy appears to have had a long-term effect resulting in less substance use disorder and, to some extent, less alcohol use disorder among veterans as compared to non-veterans who served in the military after the zero-tolerance policy was implemented.
Barriers and Facilitators to Advance Care Planning among Chinese Patients with Advanced Cancer and Their Caregivers.

Background: Chinese American adults experience health disparities at the end of life. Culturally tailored advance care planning (ACP) may promote goal-concordant care across the continuum of serious illness. However, seriously ill Chinese Americans' preferences for ACP remain unknown. Objective: To explore barriers and facilitators to ACP among Chinese patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers. Design: Informed by socioecological theory, we conducted an exploratory qualitative study using semistructured interviews that were thematically analyzed. Setting/Participants: We recruited participants at one U.S. comprehensive cancer center. Of 27 eligible patients approached, we recruited 20 patients (74.1%) and 8 accompanying caregivers. Overall, participants were middle aged (55.6 ± 13.5 years), 60.7% female, 85.7% partnered/married, 89.3% college educated, and had low acculturation (mean Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identify Acculturation = 2.0 ± 1.6/5.0). More patients were privately insured (35%) than self-pay (30%), Medicare (25%), and Medicaid (10%). Caregivers were split between "spouse" and "child." Results: Findings highlight participants' trust in their clinicians and the study institution as primary supports for clinicians to lead ACP. However, participants' preconceptions of clinicians' professional responsibilities and participants' belief in an uncertain future may hinder an open discussion of goals and values for future medical care. A key moderating factor in how participants view ACP may be their level of acculturation to local care, behavioral, and communication norms. Conclusions: Chinese patients may prefer a routinized clinician-led ACP approach that supports their actionable priorities in the present by leveraging patient-clinician trust, gauging acculturation level, and using indirect communication strategies. Future studies should investigate preferred communication strategies to support in-the-moment care planning.
Keeping Vermont’s Public Libraries Safe: When Parents’ Rights May Preempt Their Children’s Rights

Under Vermont state law, the Confidentiality of Library Patron Records Act (CLPRA) mandates that parents have no legal right to request their child’s public library internet records unless the child is under the age of sixteen. This note addresses this important state issue. It argues that the CLPRA should be amended to better enable parents to ensure their child’s welfare. This note begins by exploring both the rights of parents to control the upbringing of their children and the independent rights of their children. The note then offers a legal model for determining when parents’ rights may preempt their child’s independent rights through state action. The note concludes by applying its offered legal model to the present issue. It argues that the Vermont State Legislature should amend the CLPRA age limit for minors from sixteen to eighteen years old, so that parents have legal authority to obtain their child’s public library records exclusively dealing with the internet.
Self-optimizing DHTs using request profiling

Various studies on request patterns in P2P networks have confirmed the existence of the interest-based clusters [11] and [12]. Some P2P networks that exhibit the small-world phenomenon contain clusters of peers that frequently communicate with one another [17]. The existence of interest-based clusters opens up the possibility of more efficient routing. In this paper we consider the problem of designing a self-optimizing overlay network and routing mechanisms to permit efficient location of resources by the periodic profiling of request patterns. Our self-optimization protocol uses selective replication of resources for restricting the sizes of the clusters, and proposes the deployment of inactive nodes for further reduction of the routing latency. The self-optimization protocol is demonstrated on the Chord network [22]. It leads to a routing latency that scales with the size of the clusters.
The Supercharged Northstar DOHC 4.4L V8 Engine for Cadillac

A new high output supercharged Northstar DOHC 4.4L V8 engine has been developed for new "V" series Cadillac performance models. The new engine combines the highest power rating of any production Cadillac engine to date with operating refinement uncommon at this power level. The new engine incorporates a high capacity airflow system including a unique GM Powertrain (GMPT) patented supercharger. The design integrates the intake manifold and supercharger (SC) into a supercharger module (SCM) supplied with throttle body (TB) and intercoolers (IC). The new engine architecture is based on the naturally aspirated (NA) rear wheel drive (RWD) engine released in 2004, but has been specifically designed and upgraded from the NA version for the greater structural and thermal loads that result from supercharging. Technologies specific to this supercharged engine version include a precision sand cast aluminum block, multi-layer steel (MLS) head gaskets, heavy-duty pistons and connecting rods, a piston cooling system, and specially polished exhaust ports. This new design results in exceptional performance over the entire operating range coupled with uncommon operating refinement. Simultaneous engineering and extensive use of math-based 3D design and analysis enabled a short development time and minimized the amount of development hardware required, while ensuring the highest reliability for the new engine. The new engine will be manufactured at the all-new GM Powertrain Performance Build Center in Wixom, Ml.
Career systems in transition: A normative model for organizational career practices

This paper offers an integrated formulation for the way organizations may approach planning and managing employees’ careers in a time of transition. A normative career model is developed and compared to an existing descriptive model. This normative model shows how career management practices may be integrated into a comprehensive organizational framework, and explores ways in which career systems can be transformed and aligned both internally and externally in terms of philosophy, policy and practice. The suggested formulation provides a framework from which organizations can develop strategic organizational career systems appropriate for the new millennium.
Will the Circle Be Unbroken

I would like to quote an article from the Miami Herald, March 18, 1979, entitled “British Couple Wants Their Kids Sterilized.”
FALCON: A MATLAB Interactive Restructuring Compiler

The development of efficient numerical programs and library routines for high-performance parallel computers is a complex task requiring not only an understanding of the algorithms to be implemented, but also detailed knowledge of the target machine and the software environment. In this paper, we describe a programming environment that can utilize such knowledge for the development of high-performance numerical programs and libraries. This environment uses an existing high-level array language (MATLAB) as source language and performs static, dynamic, and interactive analysis to generate Fortran 90 programs with directives for parallelism. It includes capabilities for interactive and automatic transformations at both the operation-level and the functional- or algorithm-level. Preliminary experiments, comparing interpreted MATLAB programs with their compiled versions, show that compiled programs can perform up to 48 times faster on a serial machine, and up to 140 times faster on a vector machine.
Lipid Peroxidation: A Specific form of Cellular Injury

The sections in this article are: 1 Chemistry of Lipid Peroxidation 2 Biological Consequences of Lipid Peroxidation 3 Possible Mechanisms in Lipoperoxidative Cell Injury 4 Protective Mechanisms 5 Liver Injury from Carbon Tetrachloride 6 Summary
A study of the U.S. intrastate crowdfunding exemptions

The enactment of intrastate crowdfunding exemptions around the United States has built up a lot of excitement. Crowdfunding became a popular phenomenon in the past 15 years for art and design projects. Crowdfunding companies only allowed raising money by receiving donations or loans without giving funders any security interests in the project's company. This is because any potential economic return could turn the transaction into a securities offering subject to the costly federal and state laws and regulations. Nonetheless, crowdfunding has been effective in enabling new innovations and ideas bloom. Intrastate securities crowdfunding might prove to be one of the most rewarding and game changing financial movements in the United States. It will strengthen the local economy represented by small businesses and help launch innovative new startups. However, its unique position between non-securities-based crowdfunding and private equity investments introduces complexity that must be mitigated before rewards can be harnesses. The paper analyzes this complexity by breaking it down into advantages and disadvantages. Each potential advantage and disadvantage is discussed and recommendations are made. Recommendations will be found useful for technology managers, technology entrepreneurs, organizations and agencies that plan to provide technical business services to entrepreneurs and small businesses, as well as advocates and regulators.
Local Graph Clustering Beyond Cheeger's Inequality

Motivated by applications of large-scale graph clustering, we study random-walk-based LOCAL algorithms whose running times depend only on the size of the output cluster, rather than the entire graph. All previously known such algorithms guarantee an output conductance of $\tilde{O}(\sqrt{\phi(A)})$ when the target set $A$ has conductance $\phi(A)\in[0,1]$. In this paper, we improve it to $$\tilde{O}\bigg( \min\Big\{\sqrt{\phi(A)}, \frac{\phi(A)}{\sqrt{\mathsf{Conn}(A)}} \Big\} \bigg)\enspace, $$ where the internal connectivity parameter $\mathsf{Conn}(A) \in [0,1]$ is defined as the reciprocal of the mixing time of the random walk over the induced subgraph on $A$. For instance, using $\mathsf{Conn}(A) = \Omega(\lambda(A) / \log n)$ where $\lambda$ is the second eigenvalue of the Laplacian of the induced subgraph on $A$, our conductance guarantee can be as good as $\tilde{O}(\phi(A)/\sqrt{\lambda(A)})$. This builds an interesting connection to the recent advance of the so-called improved Cheeger's Inequality [KKL+13], which says that global spectral algorithms can provide a conductance guarantee of $O(\phi_{\mathsf{opt}}/\sqrt{\lambda_3})$ instead of $O(\sqrt{\phi_{\mathsf{opt}}})$. In addition, we provide theoretical guarantee on the clustering accuracy (in terms of precision and recall) of the output set. We also prove that our analysis is tight, and perform empirical evaluation to support our theory on both synthetic and real data. It is worth noting that, our analysis outperforms prior work when the cluster is well-connected. In fact, the better it is well-connected inside, the more significant improvement (both in terms of conductance and accuracy) we can obtain. Our results shed light on why in practice some random-walk-based algorithms perform better than its previous theory, and help guide future research about local clustering.
Finding Dense Subgraphs with Size Bounds

We consider the problem of finding dense subgraphs with specified upper or lower bounds on the number of vertices. We introduce two optimization problems: the densest at-least-k-subgraph problem (dalks), which is to find an induced subgraph of highest average degree among all subgraphs with at least k vertices, and the densest at-most-k-subgraph problem (damks), which is defined similarly. These problems are relaxed versions of the well-known densest k-subgraph problem (dks), which is to find the densest subgraph with exactly k vertices. Our main result is that dalks can be approximated efficiently, even for web-scale graphs. We give a (1/3)-approximation algorithm for dalks that is based on the core decomposition of a graph, and that runs in time O(m + n), where n is the number of nodes and m is the number of edges. In contrast, we show that damks is nearly as hard to approximate as the densest k-subgraph problem, for which no good approximation algorithm is known. In particular, we show that if there exists a polynomial time approximation algorithm for damks with approximation ratio γ, then there is a polynomial time approximation algorithm for dks with approximation ratio γ 2/8. In the experimental section, we test the algorithm for dalks on large publicly available web graphs. We observe that, in addition to producing near-optimal solutions for dalks, the algorithm also produces near-optimal solutions for dks for nearly all values of k.
X-linkage of a human genetic locus that corrects the DNA synthesis lesion in tsC1AGOH mouse cells.

GM 126 human diploid fibroblasts were fused with a heat-sensitive mouse cell mutant defective in DNA synthesis, and primary hybrids were selected at permissive and nonpermissive temperatures in HAT medium. Primary hybrids, primary hybrid clones back-selected in 8-azaguanine at the permissive temperature, and subclones of heat-resistant primary hybrids isolated under nonselective conditions or after 8-azaguanine treatment were tested for heat sensitivity, the expression of 26 human enzymes assigned to 19 different human chromosomes, and the presence of human chromosomes. Only the human X chromosome and X-linked marker enzymes exhibited a clear pattern of concordant segregation with the heat-resistant phenotype. On the basis of these observations, we have defined the human genetic locus that corrects the heat-sensitive lesion in tsC1AGOH as hrC1AGOH and have assigned this locus to the X chromosome. This observation provides the first instance where two selectable markers (heat resistance and 8-azaguanine sensitivity) are found on a single human chromosome and suggests that these markers may prove to be a valuable push-pull selective system of use in determining the linear arrangement of genes on human chromosomes by somatic cell genetics.
Fight the Hypo: Fake Arguments, Trolleyology, and the Limits of Hypotheticals

The hypothetical is the staple of the law school classroom and useful in most intellectual endeavors. But, this inaugural lecture argues, interlocutors frequently misuse and misinterpret responses to hypotheticals because they demand that their respondents accept the “facts” embedded within. This form of argument, dubbed “FAKE” (for “Facts Are Known Exactly”), poses “facts” that are either impossible to accept or highly improbable and that would provoke counterarguments but for the command to accept the facts as hypothesized. The author presents his thesis in part through the lens of recent literature on the ethics of runaway trolley cars (these cases constitute a field of study known as “trolleyology”) and questions whether the answers we give and the preconceptions we seem to have about the morality of saving many at the expense of one can be explained by examining responses to the hypotheticals provided. The paper also examines the FAKE argument as used to justify assisted suicide, the right to harshly cross-examine the truth-telling but infirm witness, and upholding the law by violating it.
Disproof of a conjecture of Erdös and moser on tournaments

Abstract Erdos and Moser [1] displayed a tournament of order 7 with no transitive subtournament of order 4 and conjectured for each positive integer k existence of a tournament of order 2k−1−1 with no transitive subtournament of order k. The conjecture is disproved for k=5. Further, every tournament of order 14 has a transitive subtournament of order 5. Inductively, the conjecture is false for all orders above 5. Existence and uniqueness of a tournament of order 13 having no transitive subtournament of order 5 are shown.
Transient coupling between finite circuits on an anisotropic conducting half-space

The frequency domain response of a grounded linear circuit is deduced. The model of the ground is a homogeneous conducting half-space whose horizontal and vertical conductivities are specified. The source itself is formulated as an insulated current-carrying wire of finite length lying on the surface that is grounded at its end points. The tangential electric field expressions are used to calculate the induced voltage between two additional electrodes that are connected by an insulated wire. Particular attention is paid to the transient coupling response in the potential circuit when the source current is a step-function of time. Among other things, it is shown that the voltage response is a step-function only if the circuits are at right-angles and if the ground is effectively isotropic and nonpolarizable.
Immune Evasion Strategies of Porphyromonas gingivalis

Porphyromonas gingivalis is strongly correlated with chronic periodontitis. Its chronic persistence in the periodontium depends on its ability to evade host immunity without inhibiting the overall inflammatory response, which is actually beneficial for this and other periodontal bacteria. Indeed, the inflammatory exudate (gingival crevicular fluid) is a source of essential nutrients, such as peptides and hemin-derived iron. In this review, I discuss how P. gingivalis can promote its adaptive fitness through instigation of subversive crosstalk signaling. These interactions involve Toll-like receptor-2, complement receptor 3, C5a anaphylatoxin receptor, and CXC-chemokine receptor 4. Their exploitation by P. gingivalis allows the pathogen to escape elimination, obtain nutrients, and collaterally inflict periodontal tissue injury.
Effects of layers and vias on continuous-wave laser heating and damage of surface-micromachined structures

The response of microsystem components to laser irradiation is relevant to processes and applications such as laser processing, optical diagnostics, and optical microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device design and performance. The dimensions of MEMS, which are on the order of several micrometers, are on the same order as infrared laser wavelengths, which results in interference phenomena when the parts are partially transparent. Four polycrystalline silicon structures were designed and irradiated with 532 and 808 nm continuous wave laser light to determine the effects of layers, air gaps, and the presence of a substrate via on the threshold laser power for damage. The presence of a substrate via resulted in lower damage thresholds, and a single-layer structure had the highest damage threshold for structures irradiated with infrared light. Structures irradiated with visible wavelength light exhibited less sensitivity to the underlying via. Optical interference calculations are carried out to evaluate the absorptance of these structures as a feasible explanation for the observed results.
Adenovirus-mediated interleukin-12 gene therapy for metastatic colon carcinoma

Abstract Recombinant adenoviral mediated delivery of suicide and cytokine genes has been investigated as a treatment for hepatic metastases of colon carcinoma in mice. Liver tumors were established by intrahepatic implantation of a poorly immunogenic colon carcinoma cell line (MCA-26), which is syngeneic in BALB/c mice. Intratumoral transfer of the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) and the murine interleukin (mIL)-2 genes resulted in substantial hepatic tumor regression, induced an effective systemic antitumoral immunity in the host and prolonged the median survival time of the treated animals from 22 to 35 days. The antitumoral immunity declined gradually, which led to tumor recurrence over time. A recombinant adenovirus expressing the mIL-12 gene was constructed and tested in the MCA-26 tumor model. Intratumoral administration of this cytokine vector alone increased significantly survival time of the animals with 25% of the treated animals still living over 70 days. These data indicate that local expression of IL-12 may also be an attractive treatment strategy for metastatic colon carcinoma.
STROBE: a structured approach to observation of the decision-making environment.

Abstract Information Analysts must be able to gather information and interpret it reliably to promote good organizational decision making. The Information Analyst has three ways of obtaining this information: (1) interviewing, (2) investigation of hard data, and (3) observation. Until recently, observation has only been accomplished subconsciously. This paper describes how STR uctured OB servation of the E nvironment (STROBE) was used to aid in determining the information requirements of a regional blood service organization. STROBE was developed from a methodology used in film criticism. It is conceptualized by drawing a parallel between the concrete and abstract elements in a film, and similar elements found in an organization. It is then applied to the blood service organization and examples are provided for both concrete and abstract elements. These examples demonstrate that structured observation provides information unobtainable through interviewing and investigation.
The feasibility of personal computers as an only computer resource for a computer science program

This paper reports on the experiences at Union University in using a mini-computer based time-sharing facility versus a loosely-coupled micro-computer based facility. These two facilities are the only computer resources used by two disjoint academic populations. Comparisons are drawn on acquisition costs, staffing, and operating costs. The micro-computer system is an inexpensive, viable alternative.
Molecular Correlates of Human Renal Allograft Rejection

In one of thecytotoxic pathways, granzyme B, a serine protease requiredfor the induction of rapid DNA fragmentation, and per-forin, a pore-forming protein homologous to complementcomponents, collaborate to induce lysis of target cells. Inthe other cytotoxic pathway, the death gene Fas is ligatedand crosslinked by the death factor, Fas ligand, and thisresults in programmed cell death (apoptosis) of Fas-anti-gen-bearing cells.Our molecular analysis of human renal allograft biopsyspecimens demonstrated that intragraft expression of gran-zyme B mRNA is a signiﬁcant correlate of acute but not ofchronic rejection (Tables 1 and 2). Our ﬁnding that intra-renal expression of granzyme B mRNA is a correlate ofacute rejection of human renal allografts is in agreementwith the elegant studies of Lipman et al
Accelerated cotton boll dehiscence with growth regulator and desiccant chemicals

Abstract Cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants that had approximately 65% open bolls were sprayed with DEF (S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate), ethephon [(2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid], arsenic acid, and paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium ion) to determine the effects of the chemicals on boll dehiscence, seedcotton yield, and quality of seed and fiber. All chemicals except DEF increased boll dehiscence rate and first harvest percentage. The greatest effect on these two parameters occurred in the ethephon-treated plots. Total seedcotton yield was not affected by either DEF or ethophon, but was reduced significantly by treatments with either arsenic acid or paraquat. In addition, the fiber micronaire readings of the lint gathered at first harvest was reduced by arsenic acid and paraquat treatments. All chemical treatments had an adverse effect on one or more of the components of bolls that were unopened at treatment time. Boll size and fiber micronaire were reduced by treatments with ethephon. DEF caused a reduction in boll size only, whereas arsenic acid and paraquat caused reduction in boll size, seed index, lint index, fiber micronaire, and seed germination. These results indicate that growth regulator chemicals can be used to accelerate boll dehiscence and increase firsth harvest percentage, though the quality of the harvested product may be lowered if treatments are made when many immature bolls are present.
Pond culture of female green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) × male bluegill (L. macrochirus) hybrids stocked at two sizes and densities

Abstract The hybrid produced by crossing the female green sunfish ( Lepomis cyanellus ) and male bluegill ( L. macrochirus ) was evaluated under production conditions for 1 year. Juveniles were stocked at two initial sizes (38 and 66 g) and two densities (6175 and 12350/ha) into twelve 0.04-ha ponds and fed a diet containing 36% protein for 371 days. Fish stocked at 6175/ha had significantly higher ( P P P P P > 0.05) in percent protein, fat, and moisture of whole bodies of fish stocked in the different treatments. Stocking of large juveniles at high density produced more harvestable-size fish (> 110 g) per ha. Effects of higher stocking densities on feed utilization and improved feeding regimes should be investigated.
Patient Applied Tooth Whiteners are They Safe, Effective with Supervision?

A double-blind clinical trial compared the efficacy and safety of two popular carbamide peroxide tooth whitening products with a placebo agent. After six weeks, both study products produced significantly whiter teeth than did the placebo agent.
Timing of neuroendocrine responses and effect of m-CPP and fenfluramine plasma levels in OCD

Abstract The present study assesses the timing of and relationship between neuroendocrine response and metabolite blood levels following the partial serotonin (5-HT) agonist m-CPP and the 5-HT releaser/reuptake blocker fenfluramine. Cortisol levels peaked significantly earlier than did prolactin, m-CPP, fenfluramine, or norfenfluramine blood levels by time-to-peak analysis. This earlier cortisol response to both 5-HT agents raises the possibility that peripheral mechanisms may play a role cortisol release. Since peak m-CPP level correlated even more closely to peak prolactin rise than did peak fenfluramine, this suggests that prolactin response to oral m-CPP challenge is useful in assessing 5-HT function.
Monitoring treatment program participants' institutional behavior : a research note

A juvenile community treatment alternative to longterm state institutionalization is reviewed, and a means of monitoring participant progress through the five step Individual Development Treatment Alternative (IDSA) program is presented. Analysis of three years of staff-generated residential behavior data on 30 particpants reveals differentiation in response to the treatment program when controlling for two major antecedent variables offense and age. Further evaluation research is recommended, based on these tentative findings, to determine if differentiated treatment may be effective with individuals who have certain distinguishable characteristics.
Multiple biochemical effects of a series of x-ray induced mutations at the albino locus in the mouse.

Further studies of the four radiation-induced lethal albino mutations causing glucose 6-phosphatase deficiency in the mouse have shown that there is also a deficiency of tyrosine aminotransferase in the newborn albino mutants. These two enzymes can be induced in fetal and newborn heterozygous or homozygous normal littermate controls by injection of glucagon or dibutyryl cyclic AMP, but not in the albino mutants. Microsomal NADH-cytochrome c reductase was found to be increased in the albino mutants. The multiple biochemical abnormalities in the albino mutants, in addition to the lack of gene dosage effect in the heterozygotes, suggest the involvement of genes other than the structural genes for particular enzymes. When a new radiation-induced lethal albino mutation was tested against the four original alleles, complementation resulted, and double heterozygotes were found to be viable, with normal enzyme levels.
Children's Perception of Faces of Varied Immaturity

This research examined the relationship between facial immaturity and the perception of youthfulness, helplessness, and cuteness. In the first study, college students rated 16 faces for youthfulness. Faces varied within four dimensions (eye position, eye size, nose length, and shape of chin) representing either a mature or immature feature. College students rated faces conserving immature features as more youthful than those without those features. In the second study, three groups of children (5 to 8, 9 to 12, and 13 to 16 years old) rated the same 16 faces with respect to cuteness, helplessness, and youthfulness. Children were similar with respect to their attention to immature features when evaluating faces for youthful qualities, although older children were more sensitive to eye position than younger children when rating faces for youthfulness and helplessness. Older children were more consistent in their attention to immature features when rating faces.
Lava-seawater interactions at shallow-water submarine lava flows

Hydrothermal plumes associated with nearshore lava flows from Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii were studied on five occasions during 1989–1990 to address the current lack of data on direct lava-seawater interactions. The following enrichments were found in the sea-surface hydrothermal plumes above the active underwater lava flows: H2, 15,000x ambient seawater concentrations; Mn, 250x; and Si, 20x. Water temperatures reached 46°C. Lower concentrations and temperatures were observed in the plumes with increasing distance from shore, with H2, Si, and Mn concentrations linearly related to seawater temperature. Unlike deep sea spreading center hydrothermal plumes, no CH4 enrichment was observed. The elevated H2 is likely to be from water-rock reactions, rather than from the release of magmatic gas. The plume mass/heat ratios presented here suggest that submarine flood basalts, although aerially large, should be relatively small immediate contributors to oceanic geochemical cycles compared to hydrothermal circulation through the crust.
A contractual framework for new public management theory

Abstract This paper evaluates the potential for institutional economics to help us frame choices for the design of institutional arrangements aimed at improving public sector performance, and the lessons it offers for the development of a new public management theory. It defines the key elements of transaction cost and principal agency theory and their application to the public sector. Local government contracting, fiscal decentralization, and performance budgeting, applications that share problems resulting from divergent objectives, information costs associated with policy making and implementation, and risks to public sector accountability, are analyzed. This analysis demonstrates that institutional economics can illuminate how public management can effectively utilize private sector solutions by providing the theoretical underpinnings for government reform initiatives.
A Comparison of Feeding, Spacing, and Aggression in Color Morphs of the Midas Cichlid. Ii. After 24 Hours Without Food

We set out to test three hypotheses: (1) Gold Effect - the coloration of the gold morph confers an advantage in hostile interactions because that color inhibits aggression. (2) Habituation Effect - fish habituate to gold fish if they are encountered frequently. (3) Dominance-Generalization Effect - the color of the dominant fish is learned, and small fish who share that color receive some protection from attacks. The basic experiment consisted of one large juvenile dominating a feeder which was approached by small fish, 3 golds and 3 normals. In the treatment, the feeder was removed for 24 hr then replaced 20 min before recording; this was done to see if the Gold Effect would prevail over the Habituation Effect under conditions of forced competition. Contrary to expectations, the large fish attacked the small golds more than the small normals. However, their attacks could have been evoked by the attacks or feeding behavior of the small fish. The small fish themselves showed both the Gold and Dominance-Generalization Effects. And, as predicted, the Gold Effect prevailed over the Habituation Effect after being deprived of food; but the same thing happened in the control situation, apparently due to the stimulation of revealing concealed worms when their feeder was simply lifted and immediately replaced. The small golds appeared to feed more often than the small normals, but the difference was not significant. However, the small golds gained significantly more weight than did the small normals. Thus the small golds benefited more from their aggressive advantage over the small normals than they lost by being attacked more by the large dominant fish.
Strategic Implications of the Information Age

The continued enhancements of information technologies facilitate and increase knowl-edge intensity in organizations. As such, knowledge and information technologies play critical roles in the development of competitive advantage by firms. For example, IT facilitates organizational learning and helps firms move into international markets by making it easier to coordinate geographically dispersed units and operations. Even entrepreneurial new venture firms are moving into international markets earlier in their life cycle (Oviatt and MacDougall, 1977; Zahra et al., 2000). IT has become especially important to smaller, entrepreneurial firms to facilitate their networking and coopera-tive ventures with other firms in order to compete more effectively with much larger firms for major projects. Furthermore, information technologies facilitate these firms’ technological learning, a critical element to their survival and long-term success (Zahra et al., 2000). IT has also helped firms from emerging markets (e.g., Korea, Mexico) compete more effectively against firms from developed markets that have more resources. Thus, IT has helped facilitate the increasing globalization of businesses.
SiGe Profile Optimization for Improved Cryogenic Operation at High Injection

This paper explores SiGe profile optimization for improved cryogenic operation at high injection. Through analyzing distributive transit time profiles, the bottle neck limiting high injection fT is identified and then eliminated in an optimized profile design. The fabricated profile indeed shows considerably improved fT and beta at high injection
Population genetics of beneficial heritable symbionts.

Most species of insects are infected with heritable, facultative symbionts. Such symbionts first appear within a host lineage as a result of lateral transfer from other host species. Although some facultative symbionts are reproductive parasites and thus adversely affect the transmission of host nuclear genes, there is growing evidence that many are beneficial to their hosts by, for example, conferring protection from natural enemies. The origin, spread, and maintenance of such symbionts bears many similarities to, as well as important differences from, the process of adaptive evolution by beneficial nuclear mutations. The time is ripe for the development of a coherent theory of the ‘population genetics' of beneficial heritable symbionts.
Osteitis Condensans Ilii

Osteitis Condensans Ilii (OCI) is a benign cause of axial low back pain. Although no clear etiology has been identified, the prevailing theory is that mechanical strain affects the auricular portion of the ilium and causes premature arthritis. The location of the sclerosis has been traditionally confined to the ilium and may give the false impression of sacro-iliac joint involvement. Clinicians must be guided by history, radiographic findings, and laboratory studies in differentiating OCI with other disorders; furthermore additional causes of low back pain including metastatic disease and ankylosing spondylitis must be ruled out. Treatments for the condition are primarily conservative (therapies, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and steroid injections), with surgical resection being reserved for refractory cases.