cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
KIR Ligand Incompatibility in the Host Versus Graft Direction Predicts Graft Failure and Dominant Graft in Cord Blood Transplantation but Not in Haploidentical Transplantation

Donor-derived natural killer (NK) cell alloreactivity has been shown to improve clinical outcomes following allogeneic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Host versus graft (HvG) directed NK cell alloreactivity can also occur. Several epitopes of HLA-B and HLA-C are ligands for inhibitory killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) that regulate NK cell cytotoxicity. These KIR ligands (KIR-L) may be surrogates of NK cell alloreactivity in the HLA-mismatched setting. To determine the impact of donor/recipient KIR-L mismatch (KIR-L-MM) direction on engraftment, we examined cord blood (CBT) and haploidentical (Haplo) HSCT performed at our institution between 2011 and 2018. We computed KIR-L and direction of KIR-L-MM for recipient/ donor pairs using the KIR ligand calculator (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/ipd/kir/ligand.html). Summary data and the relative risk of graft failure were analyzed. In the CBT cohort (N=70), there were KIR-L mismatches (KIR-L-MM) in the HvG and GvH direction in 32 and 31 recipient-cord blood unit pairs respectively. There were no KIR-L-MM in 26 transplants while seven had KIR-L-MM in both GvH and HvG directions. Overall, 16 CBT failed to engraft (23%). There was an increased risk of graft failure in recipients of HvG KIR-L-MM transplants (R.R 2.15; p=0.063) with this trend most significant when the mismatch was in HLA-C ligand (R.R 2.46; p=0.027); Figure 1. Out of 8 double CBTs where one cord unit had HvG KIR-L-MM, the non-mismatched unit fully engrafted in 7 cases (87.5%). In 6 double CBTs where there was KIR-L-MM from one cord unit in the GvH and the GvG (graft versus other graft) direction, 4 (67%) of such units became the dominant graft. Of 8 double CBTs in which both cord units had KIR-L-MM in the HvG direction there was graft failure in 3 (37.5%). Time to neutrophil engraftment and lymphocyte recovery when engraftment occurred was not significantly impacted by KIR-L-MM. In the Haplo cohort (N=26), all of the 5 graft failures (19%) were KIR-L mismatched only in the GvH direction (R.R 9.53; p=0.114). There were 9 HvG KIR-L-MM transplants and they all engrafted. Fourteen transplant pairs in this cohort had KIR-L-MM in the GvH direction; 2 pairs had both HvG and GvH KIR-L-MM while 3 pairs did not have any KIR-L-MM. Time to neutrophil engraftment was not impacted by GvH or HvG KIR-L-MM. This study suggests an increased likelihood of graft failure in CBT when HvG KIR-L-MM exists. There is also a trend in favor of engrafting the GvH/GvG KIR-L-MM unit in double CBT. These factors should be considered when selecting cord units for CBT. A similar graft failure effect of HvG KIR-L-MM is not seen in this small Haplo cohort; on the contrary the data suggests GvH directed KIR-L-MM associates with graft failure. This association merits exploration in a larger database.
Microgrid Design: A Piecewise Linear Approach

Planning microgrids can be challenging, especially when the spatial and temporal profiles of demand and generation do not align well, thus making an integrated approach, where generation and storage systems are designed and operated together, essential. In this work we provide a mixed integer linear programming based optimization framework that can be used for sizing, positioning and controlling PV systems and batteries simultaneously in a way that reduces the cost of operating as a microgrid while also maintaining a high quality of service. We apply our framework to a realistic example and show its ability to provide at least 10% savings in operational cost, twice the battery operational lifetime, and significant power quality benefits when compared to several known techniques.
Evaluating Risks, Reported Cases and Screening Recommendations for Breast Cancer in Transgender Patients

Breast cancer research has traditionally focused on biological females who identify as women. Less is known about the incidence of breast cancer in transgender populations who identify with a gender that does not correspond with their birth sex. There are data to suggest a potential link between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and breast cancer in transgender patients. While there is a need for more robust studies in this area, current data suggest there is no increased risk in female-to-male transgender men, and a potential increased risk in male-to-female transgender women. These studies also suggest that transgender patients face significant disparities in care. Clinicians require improved education to understand the potential risks associated with HRT, standards of cancer screening for transgender patients, and proper sensitivity in communication with this patient population. This review examines the existing literature, outlines the current data on the potential risks associated with HRT, and provides a 3-pronged approach to communicate risk, screen, and diagnose breast cancer in transgender patient populations. **Note: All authors contributed equally to this manuscript.**
Verification of Manual Digitization Methods During Experimental Simulation of Knee Motion

Cadaveric testing is a common approach for verifying mathematical models used in computational modeling work. In the case of a knee joint model for calculating ligament tension during total knee replacement (TKR) motion, model inputs include rigid body motions defined using the Grood-Suntay coordinate system as a spatial linkage between the tibial component orientation relative to the femoral component. Using this approach requires the definition of coordinate systems for each rigid TKR component (i.e. tibial and femoral) based on fiducial points, manual digitization of a point cloud within the experimental setup, and registration of the orientation relative to the relevant bone marker array. The purpose of this study was to compare the variability between two different manual point digitization methods (a hand-held stylus and pivot tool each calibrated in the optical tracking system), using a TKR femoral component in a simulated cadaver limb experimental setup as an example. This was accomplished by verifying the mathematical algorithm used to calculate the coordinate system from the digitized points, quantifying the variability of the manual digitization methods, and discussing how any error could affect the computational model. For the hand-held stylus method, the standard deviation of the origin and, x-, y-, and z-axis calculations were 0.50mm, 1.31 degrees, 0.51 degrees, and 0.62 degrees, respectively. It is important to note that there is an additional error created using the hand-held stylus from required manual digitization of each rigid marker array. This average additional error was 0.54mm for the origin and 1.70, 1.66, and 0.98 degrees for the x-, y-, and z-axes, respectively. For the pivot tool method, the standard deviation was 0.35mm, 0.37 degrees, 1.27 degrees, and 1.24 degrees for the origin, x-, y-, and z-axes, respectively. It is essential to minimize experimental error, as small errors in alignment can substantially alter model outputs. In this study of cadaver simulation of limb motion, the pivot tool is the better option for minimizing error. Careful definition of fiducial points and repeatable manual digitization of the point cloud is critical for meaningful computational models of TKR motion based on cadaver experimental work.
Explicit Holomorphic Structures for embeddings of closed 3-manifolds into $\mathbb{C}^3$

Expanding on my former work in [1] and with the work of Kasuya and Takase in [5], we demonstrate that for a given link $L \subset M$ which is null-homologous in $H_1(M)$ and for any smooth 2-plane field $\eta$ over $L$ there exists a smooth embedding $F:M \hookrightarrow \mathbb{C}^3$ so that the complex tangents of the embedding is exactly $L$ and at each $x \in L$ the holomorphic tangent is exactly $\eta_x$. Furthermore, we demonstrate how the analyticity of a complex tangent, as given by the Bishop invariant, may be determined exactly from the angle formed between the holomorphoc complex plane the the curve of complex tangents.
Comparison of Dynamic and Static Assessment of Cerebral Autoregulation in Non-Human Primates

Measurements of static and dynamic cerebral autoregulation were performed in nonhuman primates. Comparison of changes in intracranial and arterial blood pressure are discussed for their influence on autoregulatory responses measured non-invasively with diffuse optical instruments.
Environmental Injustice: How Treaties Undermine Human Rights Related to the Environment

Growing cries for action to effectively address the climate and other environmental crises hold important implications for the governance of cross-border investments. Policymakers and environmental advocates have often overlooked how provisions granted by states in international investment agreements (IIAs) have been used by investors to challenge government measures taken in the public interest to protect the environment and advance environmental justice. This paper explains how the investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanism, made available to investors in thousands of bilateral and multilateral trade and investment agreements, may influence the future of environmental justice. It revisits and builds upon discussions of how ISDS may chill legitimate and necessary regulation (or shift the costs thereof), elaborating upon theories of chill and providing examples of how ISDS has been used to challenge actions taken to address the climate crisis and protect threatened water resources. The paper also then explores implications for the environmental justice dimensions of environmental regulation, describing how ISDS can undermine democratic processes and stakeholders’ abilities to meaningfully participate in environmental decisionmaking and protect their rights. The paper concludes with recommendations on how states can address the systemic impact of ISDS on regulatory space over environmental and other matters of public interest.
Bioconversions in extrusion cooking

Abstract The process of extrusion is well known in the art. For example, the use of extrusion to promote degradation and liquefaction of starch within cereal grain to provide a feedstock for alcoholic fermentation has been found in literatures. The extruded materials may be processed further by exposure to enzymes or heat. The development of a process that uses extrusion to facilitate separation of a cereal material into various product streams would be desirable. The chapter gives an insight into the various raw materials that are involved in the production of ethanol, pretreatment methods, and enzymes used in the process. An attempt to discuss both food and nonfood applications has been carried out.
Active Life Expectancy

Active life expectancy, the average number of years a person can expect to live without chronic disability, is a better measure of the health status of populations in economically developed countries than total life expectancy because the latter has reached levels where most early deaths have been prevented and large survival increases are now likely only at later ages. It is important to assess whether such life expectancy increases are associated with improved quality of life, the capability for independent living, and continued economic activity. Active life expectancy calculations are illustrated with recent disability data from the United States.
Hyperhomocysteinemia is an emerging comorbidity in ischemic stroke.

Abstract Hyperhomocysteinemia or systemic elevation of the amino acid homocysteine is a common metabolic disorder that is considered to be a risk factor for ischemic stroke. However, it is still unclear whether predisposition to hyperhomocysteinemia could contribute to the severity of stroke outcome. This review highlights the advantages and limitations of the current rodent models of hyperhomocysteinemia, describes the consequence of mild hyperhomocysteinemia on the severity of ischemic brain damage in preclinical studies and summarizes the mechanisms involved in homocysteine induced neurotoxicity. The findings provide the premise for establishing hyperhomocysteinemia as a comorbidity for ischemic stroke and should be taken into consideration while developing potential therapeutic agents for stroke treatment.
Massive Black Hole Binaries and Where to Find Them with Dual Detector Networks

A single space-based gravitational wave detector will push the boundaries of astronomy and fundamental physics. Having a network of two or more detectors would significantly improve source localization. Here we consider how dual networks of space-based detectors would improve parameter estimation of massive black hole binaries. We consider two scenarios: a network comprised of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) and an additional LISA-like heliocentric detector (e.g. Taiji); and a network comprised of LISA with an an additional geocentric detector (e.g. TianQin). We use Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques and Fisher matrix estimates to explore the impact of a two detector network on sky localization and distance determination. The impact on other source parameters is also studied. With the addition of a Taiji or TianQin, we find orders of magnitude improvements in sky localization for the more massive MBHBs, while also seeing improvements for lower mass systems, and for other source parameters.
Development and Implementation of an Inpatient CAMEO© Staffing Algorithm to Inform Nurse- Patient Assignments in a Pediatric Cardiac Inpatient Unit

Abstract Background Nursing workload measurement systems are vital to determine nurse staffing for safe care. The Inpatient Complexity and Assessment and Monitoring to Ensure Optimal Outcomes (CAMEO©) acuity tool provides a standardized language to communicate the acuity and complexity of nursing care in the pediatric inpatient setting. Design and methods A process improvement project was implemented on a pediatric cardiac inpatient unit to utilize the Inpatient CAMEO© tool to inform nurse-patient assignments. Development of the Inpatient CAMEO© Staffing Algorithm utilized a modified Delphi methodology. Six Delphi rounds were performed for algorithm development, addressing potential implementation barriers, educating nursing staff, piloting feasibility, and final full implementation. Results The cardiac inpatient unit's charge nurses' algorithm utilization was 86% (n = 12) during the feasibility pilot. The algorithm impacted and changed 28% (n = 4) of the shifts' assignments. One-year post algorithm implementation, CAMEO© documentation rates increased from 25 to 30% to >60%. A retrospective, two-week point-prevalence analysis one-year post-implementation described adherence to the Inpatient CAMEO© Staffing Algorithm for 87% (n = 375) of the nurses' patient assignments. Conclusions The Inpatient CAMEO© Staffing Algorithm was developed based upon the Inpatient CAMEO© tool and the Inpatient CAMEO© Complexity Classification System to inform nurse-patient assignments and allocate nursing resources. The Inpatient CAMEO© Staffing Algorithm was feasible and sustainable for over one year following implementation at a single center's pediatric cardiac inpatient unit.
MINE IMPACT BURIAL PREDICTION FROM ONE TO THREE DIMENSIONS

The Navy's mine impact burial prediction model creates a time history of a cylindrical or a noncylindrical mine as it falls through air, water, and sediment. The output of the model is the predicted mine trajectory in air and water columns, burial depth/orientation in sediment, as well as height, area, and volume protruding. Model inputs consist of parameters of environment, mine characteristics, and initial release. This paper reviews near three decades' effort on model development from one to three dimensions: (1) one dimensional models predict the vertical position of the mine's center of mass (COM) with the assumption of constant falling angle, (2) two-dimensional models predict the COM position in the (x, z) plane and the rotation around the y-axis, and (3) three-dimensional models predict the COM position in the (x, y, z) space and the rotation around the x-, y-, and z-axes. These models are verified using the data collected from mine impact burial experiments. The one-dimensional model only solves one momentum equation (in the z-direction). It cannot predict the mine trajectory and burial depth well. The two dimensional model restricts the mine motion in the (x, z) plane (which requires motionless for the environmental fluids) and uses incorrect drag coefficients and inaccurate sediment dynamics. The prediction errors are large in the mine trajectory and burial depth prediction (six～ten times larger than the observed depth in sand bottom of the Monterey Bay). The three-dimensional model predicts the trajectory and burial depth relatively well for cylindrical, near-cylindrical mines, and operational mines such as Manta and Rockan mines.
Collection Development Policies in Community College Libraries.

Abstract This article emphasizes the need for collection development policy in academic libraries. The author highlights the areas of resource sharing, community analysis, and collection assessment. The article provides an overview of how to create a collection development policy, and recommends books on writing such policies. It also includes appendices with excerpts from model statements.
Anterior Urethral Reconstruction

A urethral stricture is a scar that occurs as a result of tissue injury. As the scar heals, circumferential contraction may occur, leading to luminal narrowing. In the past, the most common etiology of urethral stricture disease was inflammatory urethritis. With the advent of more effective antibiotic therapy, external trauma and urethral instrumentation have emerged as the most frequent causes today.
Models of marine molluscan diseases: Trends and challenges.

Abstract Disease effects on host population dynamics and the transmission of pathogens between hosts are two important challenges for understanding how epizootics wax and wane and how disease influences host population dynamics. For the management of marine shellfish resources, marine diseases pose additional challenges in early intervention after the appearance of disease, management of the diseased population to limit a decline in host abundance, and application of measures to restrain that decline once it occurs. Mathematical models provide one approach for quantifying these effects and addressing the competing goals of managing the diseased population versus managing the disease. The majority of models for molluscan diseases fall into three categories distinguished by these competing goals. (1) Models that consider disease effects on the host population tend to focus on pathogen proliferation within the host. Many of the well-known molluscan diseases are pandemic, in that they routinely reach high prevalence rapidly over large geographic expanses, are characterized by transmission that does not depend upon a local source, and exert a significant influence on host population dynamics. Models focused on disease proliferation examine the influence of environmental change on host population metrics and provide a basis to better manage diseased stocks. Such models are readily adapted to questions of fishery management and habitat restoration. (2) Transmission models are designed to understand the mechanisms triggering epizootics, identify factors impeding epizootic development, and evaluate controls on the rate of disease spread over the host’s range. Transmission models have been used extensively to study terrestrial diseases, yet little attention has been given to their potential for understanding the epidemiology of marine molluscan diseases. For management of diseases of wild stocks, transmission models open up a range of options, including the application of area management, manipulation of host abundance, and use of scavengers and filter feeders to limit the concentration of infective particles. (3) The details of host population processes and pathogen transmission dynamics are blended in models that evaluate the effects of natural selection and/or genetic modification in developing disease resistance in the host population. Application of gene-based models to marine diseases is only now beginning and represents a promising approach that may provide a mechanistic basis for managing marine diseases and their host populations. Overall disease models remain both uncommon and underutilized in addressing the needs for managing molluscan diseases and their host populations.
Organotypic Cultures of Mammalian Nerve Tissues: A Model System for Neurotoxicological Investigations

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a model system involving organotypic cultures of mammalian nerve tissues for neurotoxicological investigations. Experiments have demonstrated that the specific intercellular relationships between axons and Schwann cells required to produce myelin can be reproduced in vitro by chick embryo dorsal root ganglia maintained in the Maximow slide assembly. The technique has been extended to the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) in roller tube cultures of fragments of newborn kitten cerebellum. Now, fragments of virtually all levels of the neuraxis from the olfactory bulb to the neuromuscular junction have been maintained for periods of time ranging to a year or more. A relatively faithful model of the tissues is reproduced as observed in vivo, demonstrating myelinogenesis and synaptogenesis as determined by structural, ultrastructural, functional, and neurochemical characteristics. Cocultures, such as dorsal root ganglia-spinal cord-striate muscle or of dorsal root ganglia-spinal cord-brain stem have demonstrated the capacity of the tissues to form specific synapses at a distance. A major advantage of this technique is the availability of the living tissue for constant, sequential observations and photographic recording of active or reactive events at magnifications up to 600 diameters.
Bridging the gap between vulnerabilities and threats in electronic voting

Several recent studies have reported substantial vulnerabilities throughout the designs and implementations of current commercially available optical scan and DRE electronic voting system used in the United States. Every system examined by the security research community (from four major vendors) was found to have software flaws and architectural failures that, under some circumstances, could allow an attacker to take control over precinct hardware, alter or fabricate recorded results, or install and virally propagate malicious software and firmware throughout the entire system. These systems suffer from basic cryptographic and key management errors, buffer overflows in modules that accept input from untrusted sources, easily circumvented access controls, backdoor debugging modes, and feature interaction and configuration vulnerabilities. In some cases, systemwide viruses can be introduced by a single individual voter or temporary precinct poll worker.
Nutrition of cellular slime molds. II. Growth of Polysphondylium pallidum in axenic culture.

Hohl, Hans-Rudolf (University of Wisconsin, Madison) and Kenneth B. Raper. Nutrition of cellular slime molds. II. Growth of Polysphondylium pallidum in axenic culture. J. Bacteriol. 85:199–206. 1963.—Several strains of Polysphondylium pallidum were grown on a liquid soluble medium in axenic culture. The medium contained embryo extract, serum albumin, Tryptose, dextrose, vitamins, and salts. The final cell yield was about 6–11 × 106 cells/ml, depending on the strain. The generation time was usually about 5 to 6 hr. The myxamoebae were grown for over 125 generations on this soluble complex medium without decrease in growth vigor or loss of their capacity to form normal fructifications when removed to an appropriate surface (e.g., agar). Thus the whole life cycle of this species was completed in the absence of any bacteria or bacterial products. Other species of the Dictyosteleaceae grew less well or failed to grow in the liquid medium described.
Does cystoscopy correlate with the histology of recurrent papillary tumours of the bladder

Objective To correlate the cystoscopic appearance of recurrent papillary bladder tumours with the histology after transurethral resection, and thus ascertain whether cystoscopy can reliably identify low-grade, noninvasive papillary tumours suitable for outpatient fulguration. Patients and methods In all, 150 recurrent papillary tumours of the bladder identified at outpatient flexible cystoscopy were classified as either low-grade and noninvasive (TaG1), high-grade and noninvasive (TaG3), or invasive (T1G3) tumours, and correlated with urine cytology and histology of tumour stage and tumour grade after transurethral resection. Results Cystoscopy classified 84 of the 150 papillary tumours as TaG1 and 66 as either TaG3 or T1G3. Cystoscopy correctly predicted the histology of 78 of 84 (93%) TaG1 tumours, 71 of 72 (98%) TaG1 tumours associated with a negative urine cytology, and 92% of TaG3 or T1G3 tumours. Conclusions A skilled urologist can identify noninvasive, low-grade recurrent papillary bladder tumours on follow-up cystoscopy that do not require biopsy and that may be treated by outpatient fulguration alone.
List Error-Correction with Optimal Information Rate (Invited Talk)

The construction of error-correcting codes that achieve the best possible trade-off between information rate and the amount of errors that can be corrected has been a long sought-after goal. This talk will survey some of the work on list error-correction algorithms for algebraic codes [8,5], culminating in the construction of codes with the optimalinformation rate for any desired error-correction radius [7,4]. Specifically, these codes can correct a fraction pof worst-case errors (for any desired 0 0. We will describe these codes, which are called folded Reed-Solomon codes, and give a peek into the algebraic ideas underlying their list decoding. Over the years, list-decodable codes have also found applications extraneous to coding theory [3], including several elegant ones in cryptography. The problem of decoding Reed-Solomon codes (also known as polynomial reconstruction) and its variants from a large number of errors has been suggested as an intractability assumption to base the security of protocols on [6]. Progress on list decoding algorithms for algebraic codes has led to cryptanalysis of some of these schemes. It is interesting to note that the line of research that eventually led to the above-mentioned result for folded Reed-Solomon codes can be traced back to a cryptographic assumption concerning simultaneous polynomial reconstruction and algorithms for decoding "interleaved" Reed-Solomon codes that it inspired [1,2]. Given the cryptographic theme of the ICITS conference, we will also briefly allude to the above connection in the talk.
Anthropometry as a predictor of front squat performance in American college football players

To assess the extent anthropometry predicts front squat performance, American college football players (n = 18) performed 3-6 repetition sets at 55, 65, 75 and 80% of their 1RM (one repetition maximum) load across two workouts. At the conclusion of sets, an accelerometer (Myotest Inc., Royal Oak MI) measured peak power, force and velocity. Before the first workout, anthropometric data were collected from subjects that emphasized body segment length ratios in an attempt to predict front squat variance. Via multivariate regression, anthropometry attempted to predict the variance from each of 12 criterion variables (peak power, force and velocity at each load). With an α = 0.05, anthropometry predicted significant amounts of variance for six criterion variables, which also had high R (0.647-0.832) and R 2 (0.419-0.720) values. The same variables also yielded moderate standard error of estimates, thus anthropometry accounted for much front squat performance variance. Height/hip width ratio, body weight, body mass index and torso length were the best predictors of front squat performance. Based on current results, it was concluded anthropometry is an important predictor of front squat performance in American college football players.
Butch/Femme, F2M, Pregnant Man, Tranny-Boi: Gender Issues in the Lesbian Community

The author discusses issues pertaining to transgender women and girls. Women identifying as male or transitioning to becoming male are often ignored in the scientific and lay literature on transgender people. The many newer terms for transgender women and girls are discussed, as well as new ways for transgender girls to express their identities. The importance of family and community supports is discussed, and common issues that young transgender people bring into mental health treatment are elucidated.
Epidemiology: Cornerstone for Health Education.

"Why do we have to take epidemiology? We're going to be educators, not scientists!" This is the common cry of health science students, who, in preparation for becoming professional health educators at the State University of New York College at Brockport, are required to study the Principles of Epidemiology. This course, also offered as an elective to all Brockport College students, attracts other health science students, such as biology and nursing students, and others. Students from other disciplines who have chosen the course as an elective often drop it when in the first class session they learn the nature of, and the required work in, the course. The health education students, however, do not have a choice and feel they "are stuck," since the subject is a requirement. Paradoxically, a strange transformation takes place as the course progresses and the students discover the true nature and definition of epidemiology and begin to understand the many implications of the subject. Some students are overjoyed with the fascination of the subject. To some this is their first involvement with the methods of analytical thinking. How, then, should one convince health science majors and, most importantly, their advisors, of the importance of their mastery of epidemiology? A discussion must be held and the questions which must be asked and answered are: 1) How can epidemiology help the professional health educator function effectively? 2) How can epidemiology assist health science students and workers to understand the cause of disease problems? 3) How can epidemiology help them plan education and programs for the prevention of disease problems?
Capital adequacy ratio regulations and accounting choices in commercial banks

Abstract This study examines a commercial bank manager's incentives to reduce regulatory costs imposed when the bank's capital adequacy ratio falls below its regulatory minimum. It also tests the general political sensitivity hypothesis that a manager seeks to reduce political costs incurred when revenue is unusually large. Tests of adjustments to the loan loss provision, loan charge-offs, and securities gains and losses attempt to control for exogenous economic conditions and previous investing decisions. Results are consistent with hypotheses associating accounting adjustments with capital adequacy ratio guidelines, but fail to support the political sensitivity hypothesis.
Literary enhancement and physical therapy among children using robotics

The purpose of this project is to program a robot that will interact with disabled children by reading stories and having physical therapy routines. The processes currently used to engage children in reading and exercising are monotonous and visually displeasing. A commercial robot, RS Media, manufactured by WowWee Corp., was selected because of its instructiveness, mobility, aesthetics, and programmability. The goal is ultimately to use Linux-based programming to create programs that include text-to-speech software for storytelling and using robot body movements with text-to-speech to create exciting physical therapy routines. The scope of this project is to enhance literacy and physical therapy (exercise) by using this robot as a motivation factor among children.
On dielectric breakdown statistics

In this paper, we investigate the dielectric breakdown data of some insulating materials and focus on the applicability of the two- and three-parameter Weibull distributions. A new distribution function is also proposed. In order to assess the model distribution's trustworthiness, we employ the Monte Carlo technique and, randomly selecting data-subsets from the whole dielectric breakdown data, determine whether the selected probability functions accurately describe the breakdown data. The utility and strength of the proposed expression are illustrated distinctly by the numerical procedure. The proposed expression is shown to be a valuable alternative to the Weibull ones.
Micropatterned nanostructures: a bioengineered approach to mass-produce functional myocardial grafts.

Cell-based therapies are a recently established path for treating a wide range of human disease. Tissue engineering of contractile heart muscle for replacement therapy is among the most exciting and important of these efforts. However, current in vitro techniques of cultivating functional mature cardiac grafts have only been moderately successful due to the poor capability of traditional two-dimensional cell culture systems to recapitulate necessary in vivo conditions. In this issue, Kiefer et al [1] introduce a laser-patterned nanostructured substrate (Al/Al2O3 nanowires) for efficient maintenance of oriented human cardiomyocytes, with great potential to open new roads to mass-production of contractile myocardial grafts for cardiovascular tissue engineering.
A multifactor model for international plant location and financing under uncertainty

Abstract This paper presents a model for analyzing international plant location and financing decisions under uncertainty. The model diverges from the usual plant location problem in that location and financing decisions are considered simultaneously. This approach is necessary since subsidized financing as well as preferential tax treatment can be significant influences on international location decisions. In addition, financing in different currencies can be used to hedge uncertain price and exchange rate movements. Risk aversion enters via a mean-variance objective function in firm profit. The resulting problem is mixedinteger quadratic and would generally present severe computational difficulties. However, we show that a multifactor approach can be used to transform this problem into one which can be solved fairly readily. The result is a model which is computationally feasible for problems of reasonable size while still including the effects of uncertainty, financial subsidies and hedging strategies on international location decisions. Computational experience is discussed for two solution procedures. One approach uses the quadratic programming package of LINDO coupled to a branch-and-bound procedure. The other approach used a gradient search procedure plus branch-and-bound.
Stroke Development in Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Alters the Ability of Cerebrovascular Muscle to Utilize Internal Ca2+ to Elicit Constriction

Background and Purpose— The ability of middle cerebral arteries (MCAs) to utilize intracellular smooth muscle (SM) Ca2+ to produce constriction in response to pressure and agonists was assessed in relation to hemorrhagic stroke development in Wistar-Kyoto stroke-prone (SHRSP) and stroke-resistant (srSHR) spontaneously hypertensive rats. Methods— MCAs were studied with the use of a pressure myograph at 100 mm Hg. Results— MCAs from srSHR and prestroke SHRSP exhibited pressure-dependent constriction and constricted in response to vasopressin or serotonin in the presence of nifedipine or the absence of [Ca2+]o. MCAs from poststroke SHRSP lost the latter functions and could only constrict in response to vasopressin/serotonin in Krebs’ solution containing Ca2+ in the absence of nifedipine. This indicated that the SM could not utilize internal Ca2+ for constriction and maintained constriction by Ca2+ entry through L-type channels. The MCAs of poststroke SHRSP could not constrict to [K+]o-induced depolarization,...
Genetic influences on cellular reactions to spinal cord injury: A wound-healing response present in normal mice is impaired in mice carrying a mutation (WldS) that causes delayed Wallerian degeneration

Progressive tissue necrosis is a process unique to the injured mammalian spinal cord which often leads to gradually increasing cavitation and enlargement of the lesion. To evaluate the role of neuronal degeneration in initiating this response, histopathological changes were compared in C57BL and WldS (delayed Wallerian degeneration mutation) mice. The spinal cord was crushed at T8, producing a primary lesion at the site of the trauma and a secondary lesion extending rostrocaudally in the dorsal columns (where long ascending and descending fiber tracts undergo Wallerian degeneration). Cavitation was relatively mild at both sites and developed mainly at the margins of the lesions. In striking contrast to spinal cord injury in rats, progressive necrosis did not occur in mice; instead, the primary and secondary lesion sites became filled in by macrophages and fibroblasts embedded in a well-vascularized collagenous stroma. Quantitative image analysis revealed that the primary lesion decreased dramatically in size and cavitation between 2 and 3 weeks in C57BL, whereas in WldS the reduction in size and cavitation began later (at 4 weeks) and was less complete. The initial development of the secondary lesion began later and its healing was less complete in WldS than C57BL. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that neuronal damage, including Wallerian degeneration, triggers inflammatory responses leading to tissue repair. For this reason, any delay in neuronal degeneration, as in the WldS mutation, results in deficient tissue repair as reflected in the larger size of both primary and dorsal column lesions.
Importance of a surface hydrophobic pocket on protein phosphatase-1 catalytic subunit in recognizing cellular regulators.

Cellular functions of protein phosphatase-1 (PP1), a major eukaryotic serine/threonine phosphatase, are defined by the association of PP1 catalytic subunits with endogenous protein inhibitors and regulatory subunits. Many PP1 regulators share a consensus RVXF motif, which docks within a hydrophobic pocket on the surface of the PP1 catalytic subunit. Although these regulatory proteins also possess additional PP1-binding sites, mutations of the RVXF sequence established a key role of this PP1-binding sequence in the function of PP1 regulators. WT PP1α, the C-terminal truncated PP1α-(1–306), a chimeric PP1α containing C-terminal sequences from PP2A, another phosphatase, PP1α-(1–306) with the RVXF-binding pocket substitutions L289R, M290K, and C291R, and PP2A were analyzed for their regulation by several mammalian proteins. These studies established that modifications of the RVXF-binding pocket had modest effects on the catalytic activity of PP1, as judged by recognition of substrates and sensitivity to toxins. However, the selected modifications impaired the sensitivity of PP1 to the inhibitor proteins, inhibitor-1 and inhibitor-2. In addition, they impaired the ability of PP1 to bind neurabin-I, the neuronal regulatory subunit, and GM, the skeletal muscle glycogen-targeting subunit. These data suggested that differences in RVXF interactions with the hydrophobic pocket dictate the affinity of PP1 for cellular regulators. Substitution of a distinct RVXF sequence in inhibitor-1 that enhanced its binding and potency as a PP1 inhibitor emphasized the importance of the RVXF sequence in defining the function of this and other PP1 regulators. Our studies suggest that the diversity of RVXF sequences provides for dynamic physiological regulation of PP1 functions in eukaryotic cells.
Make IT matter: The opportunities and responsibilities of pervasive computing research

Many technologists have been wooed by the vision of pervasive or ubiquitous computing. We must recall that much of the initial visions of this field urged a human-centric view of the challenges and opportunities. Much of the initial efforts in our field have addressed important technical challenges, but for the overall health and longevity of pervasive computing, we need to think beyond our own relatively small communities. In this talk, I will try to show how I think our field must turn outward and think beyond the formulation of problems that we alone understand. I will show some examples that use health, education and the home as case studies.
“Mission Geography” and the Use of Satellite Imagery in K‐12 Geographic Education — A NASA ‐ GENIP Partnership

Abstract Mission Geography is a collaboration between the United States' National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) and the American “Geography Education National Implementation Project” (GENIP), created to provide for and develop curriculum supplementary material for teachers of grades Kindergarten through High School (grade twelve). Mission Geography uses NASA imagery and scientific inquiries to teach about Earth. This paper provides an example of how geographic concepts concerning volcanoes and volcanic hazards can be taught at the American middle school level (grades 5‐8) using NASA resources
Hat die wissenschaftliche Monographie noch eine Chance

The paper was first presented during the International Booksellers and Librarians Center Symposium, “Wissenstransfer und Wissensorganisation im 21. Jahrhunderd” during the Frankfurt Book Fair, Germany on October 22, 2000.
A new model to study quantitative effects of laser angioplasty on human atherosclerotic plaque.

A new model for analyzing the major effects of the use of any laser angioplasty system is described. Changes in any of the six major determinants of effect (energy, duration, wavelength, medium, absorption, geometry) can be evaluated. In this report a neodymium: yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser was used to make 408 laser exposures in vitro on segments of human cadaveric atherosclerotic aorta. Energy, medium (air, human blood, perfluorochemical arid saline), geometry and duration were varied. The depth and width of the resultant plaque craters were measured. A large amount of exposure to exposure variability was found in all groups of experiments, even when conditions were held as constant as possible in this rigidly controlled laboratory setting. This variability is attributable to differences in energy absorption by the plaque. Changes in media and fiber optic tip to plaque distance also markedly altered exposure outcome. For example, the average depth of the hole created by a 15 W, 2 second blast with the fiber tip adjacent to the plaque in blood was 1.7 ± 0.1 mm (n = 27), but the range was between 0.5 and 2.7 mm. Under the same conditions, except with the fiber tip 1 mm away from the plaque, the average hole depth was 0.4 ± 0.1 mm (n = 12) and the range was 0.0 to 1.7 mm. The use of this model to analyze the major determinants of lasing effects in different laser angioplasty systems should help to select the best conditions for lasing and allow assessment of the variability of outcome.
Making Science Matter in Clinical Practice: Redefining Psychotherapy

Evidence suggests that the well-known chasm that exists between science and practice may be maintained less by the intransigence of practitioners than by the failure of scientists to (a) offer a workable model of how to integrate science to clinicians and (b) recognize how weak the evidence is for certain widely held beliefs about the nature of empirically supported treatments (ESTs). A rational weighing of the status of current evidence behooves scientists to take another, more careful look at why ESTs have failed to distinguish themselves from other treatments and to use this information in framing a broader approach to psychotherapy research.
Potential Role of Histamine Monochloramine in a Rabbit Model of Ileitis

Histamine chloramines, derived from the chlorination of histamine by granulocyte-derived oxidants, are potential mediators of intestinal injury and dysfunction in states of atopy or inflammation. We assessed the ability of histamine monochloramine to increase epithelial permeability in rabbit distal small intestine and determined whether the conditions for histamine chloramine formation are favorable in a rabbit model of ileitis. Epithelial permeability, quantified by the blood-to-lumen clearance of 51Cr-labeled ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, was enhanced by luminal perfusion with either histamine or histamine monochloramine (10 μM), although the latter was twice as effective (p < 0.05). In a rabbit model of ileitis induced by a luminal solution of acetic acid (200 mM) and casein (10 mg/ml) there was a marked increase in epithelial permeability and in the release into the lumen of histamine, myeloperoxidase, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α and protein. These results suggest that the conditions are favorable fo...
Double-base lesions are produced in DNA by free radicals.

Abstract Evidence has been accumulating at the oligomer level that free radical-initiated DNA damage includes lesions in which two adjacent bases are both modified. Prominent examples are lesions in which a pyrimidine base is degraded to a formamido remnant and an adjacent guanine base is oxidized. An assay has been devised to detect double-base lesions based on the fact that the phosphoester bond 3′ to a nuclesoside bearing the formamido lesion is resistant to hydrolysis by nuclease P1. The residual modified dinucleoside monophosphates obtained from a nuclease P1 (plus acid phosphatase) digest of DNA can be 32P-postlabeled using T4 polynucleotide kinase. Using this assay the formamido single lesion and the formamido–8-oxoguanine double lesion were detected in calf thymus DNA after X-irradiation in oxygenated aqueous solution. The lesions were measured in the forms d(PFpG) and d(PFpGH), where PF stands for a pyrimidine nucleoside having the base degraded to a formamido remnant and GH stands for 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine. The yields in calf thymus DNA irradiated 60 Gy were 8.6 and 3.2 pmol/μg DNA, respectively.
Cerebral lateralization and spatial ability

Frequencies of three cerebral dominance genotypes who show right or left ear superiority on a verbal dichotic listening test and left or right field superiority on a tachistoscopic lateral field test of perceptual dominance are deduced. A hypothesis is offered relating direction of cerebral dominance, as defined by genotype, to degree of lateral specialization and perceptual ability, and a theoretical distribution of subjects according to spatial-perceptual ability and lateralization is derived. This distribution corresponds almost exactly with empirical data, thus confirming the proposed correlation between lateralization and spatial-perceptual capacity.
A Practical Approach to Financial Analysis

(1977). A Practical Approach to Financial Analysis. The Journal of Business Education: Vol. 52, No. 6, pp. 257-258.
Cervical stenosis secondary to rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata.

Rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP) is a rare peroxisomal disorder leading to multiple developmental malformations, including skeletal deformity. Specifically, involvement of the vertebral bodies has been described. Presented here is a case of a two-year-old female child with RCDP leading to advanced cervical stenosis as detected on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the cervical spine. The practicing clinician should be aware of the possibility of cervical stenosis secondary to RCDP and its impact on the management of the patient with this rare disease process.