cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Second-order scattering approximation of pulse vector radiative transfer equation

The problem of polarized light propagating through scattering media can be explained using the vector radiative transfer equation. This equation is an integro-differential equation and is well-known to be unsolvable analytically. One of the approximate solutions is discrete ordinates method which is based on the discretization of the Stokes parameters and the Mueller matrix. Although it produces accurate results, it requires a lot of computational resources. In addition, there are limitations on the calculation for angles that are very close to the optical axis. The solutions at these angles are necessary for some applications such as atmospheric imaging. First-order scattering approximation has been applied to mitigate the computational resource situation. It can also be used to calculate the solution at the angles that are very close to optical axis. However, it lacks information about the cross-polarization and it is inaccurate when light encounters more scattering events. Second-order scattering approximation provides more accurate solutions and offers some information about cross-polarization. We develop the first-order and second-order scattering approximations and their solutions for the pulse wave case. We investigate the second-order approximation solutions and compare them to the solution from the complete vector radiative transfer equation in several cases.
Antiemetic and motor-depressive actions of CP55,940: cannabinoid CB1 receptor characterization, distribution, and G-protein activation.

Dibenzopyran (Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol) and aminoalkylindole [R(+)-[2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-[(morpholinyl)methyl]pyrolol[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazin-yl]-(1-naphthalenyl) methanone mesylate; (WIN55,212-2)] cannabinoids suppress vomiting produced by cisplatin via cannabinoid CB(1) receptors. This study investigates the antiemetic potential of the "nonclassical" cannabinoid CP55,940 [1alpha,2beta-(R)-5alpha]-(-)-5-(1,1-dimethyl)-2-[5-hydroxy-2-(3-hydroxypropyl) cyclohexyl-phenol] against cisplatin-induced vomiting and assesses the presence and functionality of cannabinoid CB(1) receptors in the least shrew (Cryptotis parva) brain. CP55,940 (0.025-0.3 mg/kg) reduced both the frequency of cisplatin-induced emesis (ID(50)=0.025 mg/kg) and the percentage of shrews vomiting (ID(50)=0.09 mg/kg). CP55,940 also suppressed shrew motor behaviors (ID(50)=0.06- 0.21 mg/kg) at such doses. The antiemetic and motor-suppressant actions of CP55,940 were countered by SR141716A [N-piperidino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methylpyrazole-3-carboxamide], indicating both effects are cannabinoid CB(1) receptor-mediated. Autoradiographic studies with [3H]-SR141716A and [35S]-GTPgammaS binding revealed that the distribution of the cannabinoid CB(1) receptor and its activation pattern are similar to rodent brain and significant levels are present in brain loci (e.g., nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS)) that control emesis. The affinity rank order of structurally diverse cannabinoid ligands for cannabinoid CB(1) receptor in shrew brain is similar to rodent brain: HU-210=CP55,940=SR141716A>/=WIN55,212-2>/=delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol>methanandamide=HU-211=cannabidiol=2-arachidonoylglycerol. This affinity order is also similar and is highly correlated to the cannabinoid EC(50) potency rank order for GTPgammaS stimulation except WIN55,212-2 and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol potency order were reversed. The affinity and the potency rank order of tested cannabinoids were significantly correlated with their antiemetic ID(50) potency order against cisplatin-induced vomiting (CP55,940>WIN55,212-2=delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) as well as emesis produced by 2-arachidonoylglycerol or SR141716A (CP55,940>WIN55,212-2>delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol).
CLINICAL UTILITY OF SERUM RIA IGFBP-3 IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF Gil INSUFFICIENCY

We analysed whether serum IGFBP-3 was a useful parameter of GH secretion status. The subjects were complete GHD patients(cGHD, n=40; stimulated GH peaks 10 ng/ml). (l)The sensitivity of IGFBP-3 for cGHD(true positive) and the specificity of IGFBP-3 for NS (true negative) were almost 90%. The sensitivity of pGHD with low IGF-I was 67%, whereas that of pGHD with normal IGF-I was 20%. Thus, IGFBP-3 may reflect GH secretion status and it is one of the screening parameters in the diagnosis of GHD. (2)Among the prepubtal subjects, their height and height gain after the GH treatment (tx) were analysed. There was a significant correlation between their height SDS and IGFBP-3 SDS. Furthermore, there was a correlation between IGFBP-3 SDS before GH tx and delta height SDS after 1 year GH tx, suggesting IGFBP-3 may reflect GH secretion status. In conclusion. IGFBP-3 is one of the screening parameters In the diagnosis of GHD and may reflect GH secretion status.
Growth hormone-releasing hormone peptide and mRNA are overexpressed in GH-deficient Ames dwarf mice

Hypothalamic expression of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) was quantified morphologically in dwarf mice which exhibit spontaneous genetic GH absence. Mouse GHRH mRNA was assessed by in situ hybridization; densitometric evaluation of total mRNA in dwarfs showed levels 2.3-fold higher than in phenotypically normal siblings (p < 0.01); assessment of mRNA per neuron by autoradiographic grain counting indicated a 2.5-fold increase per cell in dwarfs (p < 0.005). GHRH peptide was evaluated immunocytochemically using a new mouse-specific antiserum; numbers of neurons containing detectable levels were 3-fold higher in dwarfs (p < 0.005). The increase in GHRH mRNA corroborates that reported previously in the GH-deficient little mouse, and after hypophysectomy in rats; GHRH peptide increase contrasts with previous reports of the effect of acute GH removal by hypophysectomy, in which GHRH levels fell. The results suggest that chronic GH deficiency is accompanied by increased translation as well as transcript...
Focused Cardiac Ultrasound: Where Do We Stand?

Focused cardiac ultrasound (FCU) is a bedside examination of the heart performed with a small, portable ultrasound platform by a physician as an adjunct to their physical examination. The goal is to recognize a narrow list of abnormalities that are both detectable by physicians with limited ultrasound training and have high clinical assessment value. Results from the FCU examination are integrated with traditional bedside assessment (physical examination and history) to provide early management plans and patient triage in settings when echocardiography cannot be obtained or is not immediately available.
STORAGE AND UTILIZATION OF ELASTIC STRAIN-ENERGY DURING JUMPING

Based upon the optimal control solutions to a maximum-height countermovement jump (CMJ) and a maximum-height squat jump (SJ), this paper provides a quantitative description of how tendons and the elastic elements of muscle store and deliver energy during vertical jumping. After confirming the ability of the model to replicate the major features of each jump (i.e. muscle activation patterns, body-segmental motions, ground reaction forces, jump height, and total ground contact time), the time histories of the forces and shortening velocities of all the musculotendon actuators in the model were used to calculate the work done on the skeleton by tendons as well as the series-elastic elements, the parallel-elastic elements, and the contractile elements of muscle. We found that all the elastic tissues delivered nearly the same amount of energy to the skeleton during a CMJ and an SJ. The reason is twofold: first, nearly as much elastic strain energy was stored during the SJ as the CMJ; second, more stored elastic strain energy was lost as heat during the CMJ. There was also a difference in the way energy was stored during each jump. During the CMJ, strain energy stored in the elastic tissues came primarily from the gravitational potential energy of the skeleton as the more proximal extensor muscles were stretched during the downward phase of the jump. During the SJ, on the other hand, energy stored in the elastic tissues came primarily from the contractile elements as they did work to stretch the tendons and the series-elastic elements of the muscles. Increasing tendon compliance in the model led to an increase in elastic energy storage and utilization, but it also decreased the amount of energy delivered by the contractile elements to the skeleton. Jump height therefore remained almost the same for both jumps. These results suggest that elastic energy storage and utilization enhance jumping efficiency much more than overall jumping performance.
Suppression of mouse rhodopsin expression in vivo by AAV mediated siRNA delivery

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that the expression of rhodopsin can be down regulated in vivo by AAV-delivered siRNA. This is the first step in an RNA replacement strategy for the allele-independent treatment of Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa (ADRP).
The solubility of cellulose in liquid ammonia/salt solutions

The dissolution of cellulose in solutions of liquid ammonia and ammonium thiocyanate is discussed. Viscosity measurements on dilute solutions of cellulose in this solvent over a range of shear rates and shear stresses are reported. A four-bulb Ubbelohde suspended level viscometer was used for the measurements. Plots of log [η] versus log M gave Mark-Houwink coefficients of a = 0.95 and K = 6.686 × 10−5 at 25°C for [η] as dl/g. The Bloomfield equation was used to calculate effective bond lengths (b) from limiting viscosity numbers of cellulose in solutions of ammonia/ammonium thiocyanate and Cuene, respectively. Results indicate that cellulose may have similar configurations in both solvents and also that the ammonia solutions are true cellulose solutions. Miscibility of the cell- ulose/ammonia/ammonium thiocyanate solutions with organic solvents, such as glycerol, is also reported. Further, a few interesting characteristics of the liquid ammonia/ammonium salt solutions, discussed briefly, are the convenient boiling point, the rheological behavior, and the relatively high concentration of cellulose obtainable.
Classification of villous atrophy with enhanced magnification endoscopy in patients with celiac disease and tropical sprue.

Background Intestinal lesions in celiac disease (CD) and tropical sprue (TS) can be patchy. Improved endoscopic identification of affected areas may increase the diagnostic yield of biopsy specimens. Enhanced magnification endoscopy [EME] combines magnification endoscopy with 3% acetic acid instillation. Objective This study describes endoscopic findings associated with villous atrophy during EME. Design Patients underwent EME with a magnifying endoscope with acetic-acid application. Surface mucosal patterns were characterized before and after acetic-acid spraying. Observed surface patterns were compared with histologic results obtained from a single targeted biopsy specimen. Setting Policlinica Metropolitana in Caracas, Venezuela. Patients Patients with diagnosed but untreated CD or TS. Results Fifty-two biopsy specimens were obtained from 27 patients (17 men, 10 women; mean age 50.5 years; range, 24-76 years; 12 with CD and 15 with TS). EME of the duodenum revealed 4 different mucosal patterns: I, normal; II, stubbed; III, ridged; and IV, foveolar. Three of the 4 patterns were strongly associated with the presence of villous atrophy (pattern I, 1/18 [5.5%]; II, 16/17 [94%]; III, 12/12 [100%]; and IV, 5/5 [100%]). EME was more sensitive than standard endoscopy for detecting villous atrophy, 100% versus 58% in CD and 93% versus 20% in TS. Furthermore, EME identified patchy areas of partial villous atrophy in 16 patients (5 CD and 11 TS) in whom standard endoscopy was normal. Conclusions EME identifies 3 characteristic endoscopic patterns that correlate with the presence of villous atrophy. EME could help identify patchy areas of partial mucosal atrophy, potentially reducing the need for blind biopsies.
The Multi-Colored Hot Interstellar Medium of "The Antennae" Galaxies (NGC 4038/39)

We report the results of the analysis of the extended soft emission discovered in the Chandra ACIS pointing at the merging system NGC 4038/39 (the Antennae). We present a `multi-color' X-ray image that suggests both extensive absorption by the dust in this system, peaking in the contact region, as well as variations in the temperature of different emitting regions of the hot interstellar medium (ISM). Spectral fits to multi-component thermal emission models confirm this picture and give a first evaluation of the parameters of the hot plasma. We compare the diffuse X-ray emission with radio continuum (6cm), HI, CO, and H$\alpha$ images to take a first look at the multi-phase ISM of the Antennae galaxies. We find that the hot (X-ray) and cold (CO) gas have comparable thermal pressures in the two nuclear regions. We also conclude that the displacement between the peak of the diffuse X-ray emission in the north of the galaxy system, towards the inner regions of the northern spiral arm (as defined by H$\alpha$, radio continuum and HI), could result from ram pressure of infalling HI clouds.
Studies of turbulent angular momentum transport in Taylor-Couette flow via 2D LDV

The turbulent (i.e., fluctuation-driven) transport of angular momentum in Taylor-Couette flow may be observed locally and directly with second order velocity fluctuation correlations obtained by dual beam (2D) Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV). This method is complementary to torque measurements, and initial results are commensurate with earlier torque studies performed in turbulent regimes. Other results utilizing this technique with centrifugally-stable high Reynolds number (Re) flows indicate that the fluid is quiescent and devoid of significant angular momentum transport, even up to Re ~ 106. This latter result is thought to bear upon the hydrodynamic properties of cool astrophysical accretion disks.
Comment on ''measurement of aerodynamic heating of wind-tunnel models by means of temperature- sensitive paint.''

Measuring aerodynamic heating of wind-tunnel models by temperature sensitive paint, noting ambient pressure effect
Large scale digital atlases in neuroscience

Imaging in neuroscience has revolutionized our current understanding of brain structure, architecture and increasingly its function. Many characteristics of morphology, cell type, and neuronal circuitry have been elucidated through methods of neuroimaging. Combining this data in a meaningful, standardized, and accessible manner is the scope and goal of the digital brain atlas. Digital brain atlases are used today in neuroscience to characterize the spatial organization of neuronal structures, for planning and guidance during neurosurgery, and as a reference for interpreting other data modalities such as gene expression and connectivity data. The field of digital atlases is extensive and in addition to atlases of the human includes high quality brain atlases of the mouse, rat, rhesus macaque, and other model organisms. Using techniques based on histology, structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging as well as gene expression data, modern digital atlases use probabilistic and multimodal techniques, as well as sophisticated visualization software to form an integrated product. Toward this goal, brain atlases form a common coordinate framework for summarizing, accessing, and organizing this knowledge and will undoubtedly remain a key technology in neuroscience in the future. Since the development of its flagship project of a genome wide image-based atlas of the mouse brain, the Allen Institute for Brain Science has used imaging as a primary data modality for many of its large scale atlas projects. We present an overview of Allen Institute digital atlases in neuroscience, with a focus on the challenges and opportunities for image processing and computation.
That amazing man Beck.

Cole writes about Lewis C. Beck (1798-1853) who was a professor of Chemistry and Natural Philosopy at Rutgers from 1830 to 1953. Cole mines the 803 pages of diaries and other sources of this explorer-botanist-geographer to tell the tale of this amazing man.
Chemical trapping of surface intermediates in methanol synthesis by amines

The rates of methylisopropylamine synthesis from mixtures of CO/H2/isopropylamine and CH3OH/H2/isopropylamine were studied under methanol synthesis conditions using a CuZnO catalyst. Comparison of the rates of methylation of isopropylamine with carbon monoxide/hydrogen and with methanol demonstrated that the major pathway for isopropylamine methylation was by the reaction of isopropylamine with a methanol precursor and not with the product methanol. In a similar methylation reaction, diethylamine reacted with COH2 and produced methyldiethylamine. In order to determine whether the added diethylamine reacted more rapidly with surface C1 aldehydic residue, surface formate, or adsorbed CO, the hydrogenation of N,N-diethylformamide, a potential intermediate of the reaction of adsorbed CO and surface formate with diethylamine, was studied. The hydrogenation of N,N-diethylformamide gave methyldiethylamine as one of the primary products, but the rate of hydrogenation of N,N-diethylformamide did not account for the rate of the overall synthesis of methyldiethylamine from CO/H2/diethylamine. Further, the diethylamine methylation reaction did not interfere with the water-gas shift (WGS) reaction, and the yields of CO2 and H2O were exactly those predicted from the WGS reaction rates in the absence of diethylamine but in the presence of an equivalent amount of water. The C1 methanol precursor undergoing amination was deduced to be an aldehydic type intermediate.
Evaluation of Constipation

The evaluation of the chronically constipated patient is multifaceted and challenging. Many clinicians define constipation according to the latest Rome III diagnostic criteria for functional gastrointestinal disorders. Female sex, older age, low fiber diet, a sedentary life style, malnutrition, polypharmacy, and a lower socioeconomic status have all been identified as risk factors for functional constipation. In elderly patients, it is important to rule out a colonic malignancy as the cause of constipation. The initial evaluation of the constipated patient includes a detailed history to elicit symptoms distinguishing slow transit constipation from obstructive defecation. Slow transit and obstructive defecation are the two major subtypes of functional constipation. In addition, the clinician should identify any secondary causes of constipation. The office examination of the constipated patient includes an abdominal, perineal, and a rectal exam. Many patients improve with lifestyle modification. When dietary interventions and lifestyle modifications fail, many diagnostic studies are available to further evaluate the constipated patient. Sitzmark transit study, nuclear scintigraphic defecography, electromyography, anorectal manometry, balloon expulsion test, paradoxical puborectalis contraction, cinedefecography, and dynamic magnetic resonance imaging defecography have all been used to diagnose the underlying causes of functional constipation.
An easy-to-manufacture 2 degree-of-freedom remote center of compliance for micro-transfer printing

This paper presents the design and development of a remote center of compliance (RCC) for a stamp holder for the micro-transfer printing process. One important aspect of the design of an automated printer to implementing the micro-transfer printing process is the generation of conformal contact between the stamp and the donor and acceptor substrates. Orientation errors during set up make this very hard to achieve with the introduction of some compliance. To introduce such compliance without the loss of overlay registration accuracy, a 2 degree of freedom (2-dof) remote centre of compliance is designed into the stamp holder so that its instantaneous rotation center at the face of the stamp. This design is implemented using flexure hinges in a configuration that makes the resulting system compact, in-expensive and easy to manufacture.
Increased phosphorylation of a specific nuclear protein in rat superior cervical ganglia in response to nerve growth factor.

Abstract The addition of nerve growth factor to the media of cultures of sympathetic ganglia produces an increase in the phosphorylation of a specific nuclear protein. Similar data are obtained when nerve growth factor is administered in vivo . A comparable effect is produced by analogs of cyclic AMP.
Science Starts Early

Infants and young children can exhibit striking confusion about how the world works, from failing to grasp that wind causes waves, to being mystified about how babies are created. Indeed, some researchers have characterized a child's knowledge of the world as a bundle of misconceptions awaiting replacement with correct concepts through education ( 1 ).
The calculation of breast cancer risk for women with a first degree family history of ovarian cancer

Recent linkage analyses demonstrate the strength of the genetic association between breast and ovarian cancer in some families. These findings highlight the importance of considering a woman's family history of ovarian cancer in the calculation of her risk of breast cancer. In this study, data on breast and ovarian cancer from the Cancer and Steroid Hormone Study, a large, population-based, case-control study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, are used to calculate age-specific and cumulative risks of developing breast cancer for a woman with a first degree family history of ovarian cancer. These risks are calculated using maximum likelihood estimates from an autosomal dominant genetic model fit previously to the observed age-specific recurrence data of breast cancer among first degree relatives of the breast cancer cases and controls in these data as well as from genotype-specific estimates of lifetime ovarian cancer risk derived from this model. Under this model, the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer for a woman with one or two first degree relatives affected with ovarian cancer is estimated to be approximately 13% and 31%, respectively. A woman with one first degree relative affected with ovarian cancer and one first degree relative affected with breast cancer has an estimated risk of 40 percent of developing breast cancer by age 79 years if the relative with breast cancer was diagnosed in her thirties. This risk decreases with increasing age of onset of the relative affected with breast cancer.
A New Fluorometric Method of Assay for Alexandria Senna Leaves (Cassia Acutifolia, Delile)†

The logarithms of the percent fluorescences vary inversely with the relative concentrations of ammonia layers obtained when different weights or samples of Alexandria senna leaves are subjected to Borntraeger's reaction under specific conditions. The method of assay is sensitive, accurate, and rapid. It should be used comparatively until a reference standard is established.
Abundance and biomass of meroplankton during the spring bloom in an Alaskan Bay

The composition, abundance and biomass of meroplankton in Auke Bay, Alaska, was estimated during the spring bloom, April—June, 1987–1989. Meroplankton made up 5 to 40% of the total zooplankton popu...
043 Iκ-B Adenoviral Gene Transfer Improves Wound Healing

Introduction: One of the earliest events in wound healing and scar formation is the inflammatory phase. Deficient or excessive inflammatory responses result in aberrant healing. NFK-b is a transcription factor that regulates key genes responsible for multiple intra-nuclear inflammatory cytokines. When bound to IK-B, an inhibitory protein, this factor is in an inactive state. We studied the wound healing effects of irreversibly inhibiting the activation of NFK-b by continuously infusing adenoviral activated IK-B. Methods: Seventy-five male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent subcutaneous implantation of polyvinyl alcohol sponge-osmotic pump constructs. The pumps were filled with a solution containing a genetically altered adenovirus containing the DNA for continuously activated IK-B protein. 50 μl of viral transport media containing 5 × 109 PFU of virus were delivered to each individual sponges daily. Controls included pumps filled with normal saline in one group or filled with sham virus in another group. Sponges were harvested on days 1,3,5, and 7 post-implantation. The sponges were analyzed for TNF-α and nitric oxide (NO) levels, as index of inflammation, as well as for hydroxyproline (OHP) content at seven days, an index of collagen deposition. Results: Treatment with the IK-B virus resulted in significantly higher levels of OHP after seven days when compared to normal saline and sham virus treated sponges (654 ± 81 vs 546 ± 109 vs 498 ± 123 μg OHP/100 mg sponge, P < 0.05 by ANOVA). Wound fluid NO concentration was significantly lower in the IkB group after 5 days (38 ± 15 vs 55 ± 12 vs 71 ± 27 μM, P < 0.05 by chi-square). There were no differences in sponge TNF-α concentrations on days 1,3, and 5. Conclusions: Treatment of wound sponge granulomas with IK-B increases the amount of collagen deposition after seven days. Reduction of inflammation by inhibiting NF-KB may be a possible mechanism of action, as reflected in decreased NO wound content.
Spectroelectrochemical photoluminescence of titanium dioxide nanosheets and nanoparticles in aqueous and nonaqueous environments

Spectroelectrochemical photoluminescence (SEPL) is used to investigate surface electron and hole traps on anatase nanoparticles, anatase nanosheets and rutile nanowires in aqueous and nonaqueous environments. In aqueous environment there is an overvoltage for occupying surface electron traps in rutile and anatase samples. For anatase, this overvoltage is larger on (101) nanoparticles than on (001) nanosheets. The electrochemical energy levels of electron traps determined by SEPL in acetonitrile are consistent with emitted photon energies as determined by the photoluminescence spectrum. Our results show how the contacting solvent and particle morphology can influence the redox potential of surface electron traps and thus guide further research on improving the performance of nano- TiO 2 in applications such as dye–sensitized solar cells and solar water splitting.
Enhanced anaerobic digestion as a sanitation and energy recovery technology

The potential for using an enhanced anaerobic digestion (AD) process as a sanitation and energy recovery technology for communities that lack access to basic sanitation was evaluated. For the enhanced AD system to generate a reliable supply of biogas, so that it can be adopted and self-sustained by the community, the use of algal biomass as a supplementary feedstock was evaluated. In addition, the effects of operational parameters on waste mineralization and biogas production were investigated. The results show that the system has the potential to be developed into an effective waste treatment technology, and it has produced high biogas yields and digested waste low in fecal bacteria and high in nutrients. Reductions of 42 to 51% in volatile solids and 29 to 45% in chemical oxygen demand were achieved at 35 °C. On average, total coliform and fecal coliform concentrations of 7.6 × 10 5 and 1.4 × 10 4 CFU per gram of total solids, respectively, were measured in the digested waste. The total nitrogen and phosphorus content of the residual was determined to be in the range of 9–17% as N and 3–7% as P (7–16% as P 2 O 5 ). The biogas yields varied in the range of 0.47–0.57 mL per mg of volatile solids digested.
Machine learning from remote sensing analysis

An intelligent system (SEIDAM-System of Experts for Intelligent Data Management) is being developed for answering queries about the forests and the environment through the integration of remote sensing, geographic information, models and field measurements. SEIDAM consists of an hierarchical group of expert systems. Machine learning and planning can be used to create plans that execute image analysis software in order to recognize specific objects and perform a variety of different tasks. A query (task) could require, for example, that forest inventory stored in a GIS be updated to reflect past harvesting. As sensors become more numerous, the choices of data and options to recognize objects become more complex. These complexities can be reduced by making use of case-based reasoning. Only the data needed to answer the query will be used. The aim of case-based reasoning is to avoid having to build a solution to a problem from first principles, or by drawing on rare expertise, by adapting a known solution for an old problem to the new problem. There is a constantly growing variety of data sets. Providing information at various degrees of accuracy and at often different cost. A non-expert user of this data could greatly benefit from reusing specific cases of queries, which convert the data into knowledge that other users were seeking before. A case, in this context, consists of a query and an example of the process (plan) that answers that query using a single or a multi-sensor data set, and geographic information, such as forest cover, topography, hydrology, etc. In their earlier work, the authors constructed a planner (LEAR), a planning system for creating expert systems by executing software for a case and interacting with a human expert. they now wish to raise the machine learning methods from creating expert systems for executing existing software to creating new rules (knowledge) derived from observing remote sensing analysis cases. Knowledge about objects acquired by the LEAR planner can be used to assist a case-based reasoner during both its retrieval step and its adaptation step. >
Subjective Alertness Rhythms in Elderly People

The aim of this study was to evaluate age-related changes in the circadian rhythm of subjective alertness and to explore the circadian mechanisms underlying such changes. Using a visual analogue scale (VAS) instrument, 25 older men and women (71 y and older; 15 female, 10 male) rated their subjective alertness about 7 times per day during 5 baseline days of temporal isolation during which habitual bedtimes and waketimes were enforced. Comparisons were made with 13 middle-aged men (37-52 y) experiencing the same protocol. Advancing age (particularly in the men) resulted in less rhythmic alertness patterns, as indicated by lower amplitudes and less reliability of fitted 24-h sinusoids. This appeared in spite of the absence of any reliable age-related diminution in circadian temperature rhythm amplitude, thus suggesting the effect was not due to SCN weakness per se, but to weakened transduction of SCN output. In a further experiment, involving 36 h of constant wakeful bedrest, differences in the amplitude of the alertness rhythm were observed between 9 older men (79 y+), 7 older women (79 y+), and 17 young controls (9 males, 8 females, 19-28 y) suggesting that with advancing age (particularly in men) there is less rhythmic input into subjective alertness from the endogenous circadian pacemaker. These results may explain some of the nocturnal insomnia and daytime hypersomnia that afflict many elderly people.
A supply chain forecast and planning application for small businesses

Supply chain demand forecast and inventory purchase planning are essential business operations to many businesses. In this paper, we discuss the strategies and techniques in the supply chain demand forecast and inventory purchase planning for small businesses from practitioner's perspective. The strategies and techniques include using point-of-sales (POS) data for better demand forecast, designing and developing an Excel-based spreadsheet modelling tool to assist the decision-making. The paper demonstrates: 1) forecasting techniques using regression model; 2) purchase planning using Excel-based spreadsheets; 3) data lookup techniques to link sales, purchase and inventory data.
Risk-Sharing Arrangements That Link Payment For Drugs To Health Outcomes Are Proving Hard To Implement

Risk-sharing agreements, under which payers and pharmaceutical manufacturers agree to link payment for drugs to health outcomes achieved, rather than the volume of products used, offer an appealing payment model for pharmaceuticals. Although such agreements have been widely touted, the experience to date mainly demonstrates how hard they are to implement. Barriers include high implementation costs, measurement challenges, and the absence of a suitable data infrastructure. Risk-sharing arrangements could gain traction in the United States as payers and product manufacturers acquire experience with the concept and as measurement techniques and information systems improve. For the foreseeable future, they are likely to remain the exception as drug companies pursue payment models unconnected to data collection or performance assessment.
TAS2R38 genotype predicts surgical outcome in nonpolypoid chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background Over 550,000 sinus surgeries are performed annually in the United States on patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Although the results of sinus surgery vary widely, no known genetic factor has been identified to predict surgical outcomes. The bitter taste receptor T2R38 has recently been demonstrated to regulate upper airway innate defense and may affect patient responses to therapy. Our goal was to determine whether TAS2R38 genetics predicts outcomes in CRS patients following sinus surgery. Methods A prospective study of patients undergoing sinus surgery evaluating postoperative outcomes through the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22). Patients were genotyped for TAS2R38. Results A total of 123 patients with CRS were initially analyzed; 82 patients showed nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and 41 patients were without nasal polyps (CRSsNP). Six months after surgery, the overall SNOT-22 improvement was 25 ± 23 points. The TAS2R38 genotype was found to significantly correlate with surgical outcomes in patients without polyps; homozygotes for the functional receptor had a mean improvement of 38 ± 21, whereas heterozygotes or homozygotes for the nonfunctional receptor had a mean improvement of 12 ± 22 (p = 0.006). This result was confirmed with a multivariate regression that incorporated further patients with 1-month and 3-month scores (n = 207). Conclusion In patients undergoing sinus surgery for CRS, we have identified a genetic polymorphism that predicts variability in quality of life improvement following surgery at 6 months in nonpolypoid CRS. This is the first genetic polymorphism identified that has demonstrated to predict surgical outcome for a select group of CRS patients.
Metabolic stress suppresses humoral immune function in long-day, but not short-day, Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)

Individuals of many species experience marked seasonal variation in environmental conditions and must adapt to potentially large fluctuations in energy availability and expenditure. Seasonal changes in immunity have likely evolved as an adaptive mechanism to cope with seasonal stressors. In addition, these changes may be constrained by seasonal fluctuations in energy availability. The goal of this study was to assess the role of energetic trade-offs associated with seasonal variation in immunity. In addition to body fat stores, metabolic fuels (e.g., glucose) may affect immune function in seasonally breeding rodents. In this study we experimentally reduced energy availability via injections of the metabolic inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) in long- and short-day housed Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) and then examined antigen-specific antibody production. Metabolic stress decreased antibody response compared with control animals in long days. In contrast, no difference was observed between treatment groups in short days. These data suggest that reductions in energy availability suppress immunity and short days buffer organisms against glucoprivation-induced immunosuppression.
The Kobayashi and Maskawa Paper: The Early Days

In this short note, I decribe the circumstances immediately before and after the paper by Kobayashi and Maskawa came out. I pay some attention to the other suggestions for six quarks for a variety of reasons, and the experimental establishment of t he Standard Model.
PGE2 and PAR-1 in pulmonary fibrosis: a case of biting the hand that feeds you?

most membrane receptors in mammalian systems are seven-transmembrane domain G protein-coupled receptors. Proteinase (or protease)-activated receptors (PARs) are a novel family of G protein-coupled receptors. Unlike other G protein-coupled receptors that require ligand binding for activation, PARs
Life-span changes to adults' language: Effects of memory and genre

Three different language samples were collected from a group of young adults, 18 to 28 years of age, and a group of elderly adults, 60 to 92 years of age: an oral questionnaire eliciting information about the adults' background, education, and current health and activities; an oral statement describing the person they most admired; and a written statement recounting the most significant event in their lives. In addition, the WAIS vocabulary and digit-span tests were administered to the adults. Age-related changes in the length, clause structure, and fluency of the adults' oral answers and oral and written statements were investigated. There was an overall decrement in the complexity of adults' oral and written statements attributable to an age-related loss of left-branching clauses which occurred in all three language samples. Correlations between the length, clause, and fluency measures from the language samples and the education, health, and WAIS vocabulary and digit-span tests revealed that better-educated adults scored higher on the WAIS vocabulary test, produced longer utterances, and used more right-branching clauses, and that adults with greater memory capacity, as measured by the WAIS Digits Backward test, produced more complex utterances and used more right- and left-branching clauses. Judges found the statements from the elderly adults to be more interesting and clearer than those from the young adults. This finding suggests that there is a trade-off between producing complex syntactic structures and producing clear and interesting prose.
Chemical properties of nitrosoureas: Implications for interaction with misonidazole☆

Abstract Experiments were designed to evaluate the relationship between the alkylating and/or carbamoylating properties of various nitrosoureas and the differential tumor response enhancements produced when the radiation sensitizer misonidazole (MISO) is combined with nitrosoureas for the treatment of KHT tumors. A single dose of misonidazole (1 mg/gm) was combined simultaneously with each of 3 chloroethyl-nitrosoureas (MeCCNU; 1-(2-chloroethyl)3-(2,6-dioxo-3-piperidyl)-1-nitrosourea, PCNU; and chlorozotocin, CLZ) for the treatment of intramuscularly transplanted KHT sarcomas. Using an in vivo-in vitro tumor excision assay, dose response curves and the degree of dose modification produced by combined treatment with misonidazole were determined for each nitrosourea, 24 hours after drug administration. These results were compared with those of previous studies in which MISO was combined with two other nitrosoureas, BCNU and CCNU. The dose modifying factors obtained in combination with misonidazole were 1.0, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, and 2.4 for CLZ, PCNU, MeCCNU, BCNU, and CCNU, respectively. The magnitude of cell kill enhancement achieved by each of these nitrosourea-MISO treatments was directly ( P ) correlated with the carbamoylating activity of the nitrosourea included in the combination. Since carbamoylation has been associated with the inhibition of DNA damage repair, the correlation observed between carbamoylating activity and dose enhancement in MISO-nitrosourea combinations suggests that repair inhibition plays a significant role in the interaction between MISO and the chloroethyl-nitrosoureas in the KHT sarcoma.
Photochemical reaction between cyclohexyl isocyanide and π-cyclopentadienyldicarbonyltrimethylsilyliron(II)

Abstract The photoreaction between C 5 H 5 Fe(CO) 2 Si(CH 3 ) 3 (I) and cyclohexyl isocyanide leads to the sequential replacement of both carbonyl groups by the isocyanide. Both the racemic monosubstituted product, C 5 H 5 Fe(CO)(C 6 H 11 NC)Si(CH 3 ) 3 (II) and the disubstituted product, C 5 H 5 Fe(C 6 H 11 NC) 2 Si(CH 3 ) 3 (III) have been isolated and characterized. Photoreaction between the disubstituted product III and C 5 H 5 Fe(CO) 2 Si(CH 3 ) 3 in a sealed tube gives the monosubstituted product, II. Thermal initiation of the above reactions failed. The disubstituted product III is stable under both the thermal and photochemical conditions used; thus, insertion of isocyanide into FeSi bond was observed not to occur.
Military use of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment : Updated E3 concerns

The use of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment on military platforms is expected to significantly increase as United States Secretary of Defense William Perry's acquisition reform initiative continues to be implemented. COTS installations an military platforms have demonstrated both the expected performance and time-to-develop improvements, as well as some unexpected problems due to electromagnetic environmental effects (E/sup 3/) emission or susceptibility problems. Rapid response electromagnetic interference (EMI) reduction teams have been able to successfully apply traditional Department of Defense E/sup 3/ installation and design techniques to restore some of the system performance. These lessons-learned experiences have shown that program managers can neither ignore E/sup 3/ requirements nor simply specify existing commercial EMI requirements. To minimize the potential negatives due to the use of COTS equipment, it is necessary to analyze the causes of the existing problems and develop a methodology to minimize or eliminate similar E/sup 3/ problems on future military platforms.
RegNetB: Predicting Relevant Regulator-Gene Relationships in Localized Prostate Tumor Samples

Background: A central question in cancer biology is what changes cause a healthy cell to form a tumor. Gene expression data could provide insight into this question, but it is difficult to distinguish between a gene that causes a change in gene expression from a gene that is affected by this change. Furthermore, the proteins that regulate gene expression are often themselves not regulated at the transcriptional level. Here we propose a Bayesian modeling framework we term RegNetB that uses mechanistic information about the gene regulatory network to distinguish between factors that cause a change in expression and genes that are affected by the change. We test this framework using human gene expression data describing localized prostate cancer progression. Results: The top regulatory relationships identified by RegNetB include the regulation of RLN1, RLN2, by PAX4, the regulation of ACPP (PAP) by JUN, BACH1 and BACH2, and the co-regulation of PGC and GDF15 by MAZ and TAF8. These target genes are known to participate in tumor progression, but the suggested regulatory roles of PAX4, BACH1, BACH2, MAZ and TAF8 in the process is new. Conclusion: Integrating gene expression data and regulatory topologies can aid in identifying potentially causal mechanisms for observed changes in gene expression.
Public Opinion: Theory for Tomorrow

Public opinion has been studied in a variety of ways, and the method adopted in each case is dictated in large measure by the kind of results the student may seek. One may ask: what is public opinion at a given time, in a given area, on a particular issue of public policy? The characteristic method of such an inquiry is to make a survey, or take a poll, of a number of people, who by some definition may be regarded as members of the public. Statistical analysis, mathematical calculations, and just plain judgment, all play their part in such an inquiry. Even the more complicated tabulating and projection machines may be used to reach final conclusions long before complete statistical data have been assembled. Public officials may dream of a time when a competent civil service can use such investigations to determine either what public policy must be, or to what extent it retains the confidence of the general and open public. All over the world such devices for studying popular reaction have come into use, and in spite of some failures they are sufficiently attractive to have a brilliant future. But one may also ask: what does public opinion mean to any particular individual? In other words, if we start with the selfconscious existence of a person, we can see him project his consciousness to something "other" than himself. We can see him judging something that may be called "public opinion" solely in accordance with its meaning in his own existence. Little work has been done in this area, and probably not even the most adept pollster can get very far in such an inquiry. Yet any single person must see himself as partly organic with the environment of attitude, judgment, and feeling in which he lives. He must estimate to what extent he lives in harmony with public opinion, and to what extent he is in rebellion against it. He must calculate the pressure it can bring to bear upon him, and the penalty it may exact from him if he openly flaunts what the community insists should be done or not done. In a philosophical sense, this is the real public opinion, for the collective judgment, however it is made, must be a product of the individual's conception of the significance of public opinion.
Detection of mitosis within a stem cell population of high cell confluence in phase-contrast microscopy images

Computer vision analysis of cells in phase-contrast microscopy images enables long-term continuous monitoring of live cells, which has not been feasible using the existing cellular staining methods due to the use of fluorescence reagents or fixatives. In cell culture analysis, accurate detection of mitosis, or cell division, is critical for quantitative study of cell proliferation. In this work, we present an approach that can detect mitosis within a cell population of high cell confluence, or high cell density, which has proven challenging because of the difficulty in separating individual cells. We first detect the candidates for birth events that are defined as the time and location at which mitosis is complete and two daughter cells first appear. Each candidate is then examined whether it is real or not after incorporating spatio-temporal information by tracking the candidate in the neighboring frames. For the examination, we design a probabilistic model named Two-Labeled Hidden Conditional Random Field (TL-HCRF) that can use the information on the timing of the candidate birth event in addition to the visual change of cells over time. Applied to two cell populations of high cell confluence, our method considerably outperforms previous methods. Comparisons with related statistical models also show the superiority of TL-HCRF on the proposed task.