cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SmartCoach personal gym trainer: An Adaptive Modified Backpropagation approach

The enhanced performance of modern Artificial Intelligence algorithms has opened up limitless possibilities in the development of smart systems and devices. One of the most complex tasks for interactive devices is the analysis of human motion. However, using neural networks, movement can be classified and even understood. This paper proposes the use of an enhanced backpropagtion algorithm for developing a device that functions as a personal exercise trainer. It offers a full workout program, monitors the user's workout, counts down the reps and alerts the user when the move is performed incorrectly. Due to the real-time nature of the workout, an efficient algorithm must be used. The most popular one, the standard backpropagation (SBP) algorithm, updates weights using a fixed learning rate, which is optimized using trial and error. An improved algorithm, known as the Adaptive Modified Backpropagation (AMBP) algorithm, speeds up convergence by adapting the learning rate at each layer and at every epoch. In addition, the final error reached is significantly diminished by taking into consideration a new, linear error along with the standard nonlinear error. The feasibility of using AMBP to monitor and classify human motion is demonstrated by comparing system performance, specifically convergence speed and final error, with those obtained by standard algorithms.
Cognitive Development in a Young Child with Mucolipidosis Type IV: A Case Report.

Mucolipidosis Type IV (ML IV) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by severe psychomotor impairments and ophthalmologic abnormalities. Reports on the cognitive development of people with ML IV are limited, but suggest that achievement of language and cognitive milestones varies between a 3- and 18-month level. There is also variability in reports of whether people with ML IV make developmental progress, regress, or remain static after infancy. This study examines the longitudinal development of a young child with ML IV who participated in an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention.
An update on stem cell therapy for neurological disorders: cell death pathways as therapeutic targets

Here, we compiled ten papers detailing recent strides in the field of stem cell therapy, which address critical issues relevant to pursuing this experimental treatment for clinical applications in brain disorders. Topics include efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action underlying cell therapy, emerging technologies and combination pharmacotherapies with cell transplantation directed at improving the functional outcomes, and evaluation of key translational components of advancing novel therapeutics to the clinic, including the need for vis-a-vis comparisons with the gold standard of treatment post-injury (i.e., physical rehabilitation). A bioethics paper is also incorporated here to further appreciate the current status of cell therapy in the community setting. The overall goal of this special volume is to provoke a meaningful assessment of the lessons we have learned in recent years and to use such knowledge to carefully translate safe and effective applications of cell therapy, and its mechanism of action for the treatment of neurological disorders.
Thermal Decomposition Kinetics of Malonic Acid in the Condensed Phase

This study reexamines an early literature report of an unusual phenomenon of a dramatic difference in the activation energy for the thermal decomposition of malonic (propanedioic) acid in the liquid and solid states. The study has been carried out via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to probe possible differences between the kinetics in three condensed phases: solid, liquid, and supercooled liquid. An advanced isoconversional method has been applied to determine the activation energy, preexponential factor, and reaction model. The activation energy as well as preexponential factor for the decomposition processes in all three condensed phases have been determined to be practically the same: E = 110 ± 10 kJ mol–1 and log(A/min–1) = 13 ± 1. In all phases, the reaction kinetics has been found to follow the reaction order model. The reaction order values have been similar for the liquid and supercooled liquid phases but markedly smaller for the solid-phase decomposition. The results obtained have not confirmed...
Human dignity in Muslim perspective: building bridges

This essay argues that Islam, understood as a historically produced body of knowledge, contains resources from which we can reconstruct a conception of human dignity understood as a human right. Th...
Genetic and Epigenetic Modifications in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most aggressive malignancies with less than 5% survival rate. It is known to be chemo-radio-resistant and has also been considered resistant to other forms of therapy. Ductal adenocarcinoma accounts for the majority of cases and is characterized by an intense stromal inflammation reaction surrounding the cancer cells. Its poor prognosis can also be attributed to the late diagnosis of the disease and the absence of early detection tools or markers. The combination of erlotinib and gemcitabine is currently the only targeted therapy that has been shown to have overall survival benefits in PC patients. Emerging therapeutic routes, based on new targeted therapies, are actually being evaluated in PC, which includes epigenetics, tumor suppressor genes, and oncogenes regulators/modulators. Keeping these facts in mind, the aim of this chapter is to discuss the complications rendering PC as difficult to treat and focus on understanding the mechanisms, both epigenetic and genetic, that contribute to these outcomes. Biomarkers and new targeted therapeutic strategies against PC are also covered.
ELECTRONIC PROPERTIES OF N-TYPE β-SILICON CARBIDE CRYSTALS GROWN FROM SOLUTION

ABSTRACT Hall and resistivity measurements were performed in the temperature range 77°-1000°K on both α(6H) and β-silicon carbide n-type crystals. The temperature dependence of the electron mobility and electron concentration is discussed. Spin resonance of nitrogen was measured at 77°K. The properties of α- and β-silicon carbide crystals are compared.
Gical: Geo-Morphometric Inverse Cylindrical Method for Radiometric Calibration of Sar Images

An innovative method for radiometric calibration of SAR images affected by induced-topography distortions is proposed. The analytical formulation underlying the proposed method is rigorously obtained by using the fundamental concepts of the differential geometry of the surface. It encompasses a suitable 3D geometric description based on a trajectory-centric cylindrical coordinate system, a convenient parametrization of the illuminated terrain surface, and an inverse mapping approach. The practical effectiveness of the GICAL method is successfully demonstrated by using COSMO-SkyMed SAR data.
Contributions of Spore Secondary Metabolites to UV-C Protection and Virulence Vary in Different Aspergillus fumigatus Strains

Fungi are versatile organisms which thrive in hostile environments, including the International Space Station (ISS). Several isolates of the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus have been found contaminating the ISS, an environment with increased exposure to UV radiation. Secondary metabolites (SMs) in spores, such as melanins, have been shown to protect spores from UV radiation in other fungi. To test the hypothesis that melanin and other known spore SMs provide UV protection to A. fumigatus isolates, we subjected SM spore mutants to UV-C radiation. We found that 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN)-melanin mutants of two clinical A. fumigatus strains (Af293 and CEA17) but not an ISS-isolated strain (IF1SW-F4) were more sensitive to UV-C than their respective wild-type (WT) strains. Because DHN-melanin has been shown to shield A. fumigatus from the host immune system, we examined all DHN mutants for virulence in the zebrafish model of invasive aspergillosis. Following recent studies highlighting the pathogenic variability of different A. fumigatus isolates, we found DHN-melanin to be a virulence factor in CEA17 and IF1SW-F4 but not Af293. Three additional spore metabolites were examined in Af293, where fumiquinazoline also showed UV-C-protective properties, but two other spore metabolites, monomethylsulochrin and fumigaclavine, provided no UV-C-protective properties. Virulence tests of these three SM spore mutants indicated a slight increase in virulence of the monomethylsulochrin deletion strain. Taken together, this work suggests differential roles of specific spore metabolites across Aspergillus isolates and by types of environmental stress.IMPORTANCE Fungal spores contain secondary metabolites that can protect them from a multitude of abiotic and biotic stresses. Conidia (asexual spores) of the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus synthesize several metabolites, including melanin, which has been reported to be important for virulence in this species and to be protective against UV radiation in other fungi. Here, we investigate the role of melanin in diverse isolates of A. fumigatus and find variability in its ability to protect spores from UV-C radiation or impact virulence in a zebrafish model of invasive aspergillosis in two clinical strains and one ISS strain. Further, we assess the role of other spore metabolites in a clinical strain of A. fumigatus and identify fumiquinazoline as an additional UV-C-protective molecule but not a virulence determinant. The results show differential roles of secondary metabolites in spore protection dependent on the environmental stress and strain of A. fumigatus As protection from elevated levels of radiation is of paramount importance for future human outer space explorations, the discovery of small molecules with radiation-protective potential may result in developing novel safety measures for astronauts.
Toward Equilibria and Solvability of Blockchain Pooling Strategies: A Topological Approach.

In 2015, Eyal proposed the first game-theoretical model for analyzing the equilibrium of blockchain pooling: when the blockchain pools are abstracted as a non-cooperative game, two pools can reach a Nash equilibrium with a closed-form formula; Moreover, an arbitrary number of pools still exhibit an equilibrium as long as the pools have an equal number of miners. Nevertheless, whether an equilibrium exists for three or more pools of distinct sizes remains an open problem. To this end, this paper studies the equilibrium in a blockchain of arbitrary pools. First, we show that the equilibrium among $q$ identical pools, coinciding the result demonstrated by Eyal through game theory, can be constructed using a topological approach. Second, if the pools are of different size, we show that (i) if the blockchain's pools exhibit two distinct sizes, an equilibrium can be reached, and (ii) if the blockchain has at least three distinct pool sizes, there does not exist an equilibrium.
Brief paper: Human-computer dialogue design considerations

The three critical elements of quality human-computer dialogue design include a compilation of existing design guidelines, behavioral research to expand the general dialogue principles, and a computer-aided implementation for retrieval of the guidelines by dialogue authors. The need for empirically based dialogue guidelines relating to generic human-computer taks is stressed. The results of two studies dealing with interactive text editing are presented as examples of research directed toward specifying dialogue design principles and developing formal tools for human-computer dialogue research. One of these studies deals with a methodology for developing user models, and the second study deals with the design of HELP information. Computer-aiding in the form of rule-based systems for selecting appropriate dialogue guidelines and software tools for authoring dialogues are discussed as means for implementing these dialogue design considerations.
Effects of Fortetropin® on the rate of muscle protein synthesis in older men and women: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study

Background Fortetropin is a proteo-lipid complex made from fertilized egg yolk and, in young men, has been shown to increase lean body mass. Methods The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 21 days of Fortetropin supplementation on the fractional synthetic rate (FSR) of muscle protein in 10 healthy, older men and 10 women (66.4 ± 4.5 y). We used 2H2O labeling to measure FSR of multiple muscle protein ontologies. D3-creatine dilution was used to determine muscle mass at baseline. Subjects ingested 70% 2H2O for 21 day and saliva samples were collected to determine body 2H2O enrichment. A microbiopsy was obtained from the m. vastus lateralis on Day 21. Subjects were randomly assigned to Fortetropin (19.8 g/d) or placebo (cheese powder, 19.8 g/d). Results Restricting kinetic data to proteins with ≥2 peptides measured in at least 4 subjects per group resulted in 117 proteins meeting these criteria. The mean FSR for a majority of proteins in several muscle gene ontologies was higher in the Fortetropin group compared to placebo (32/38 myofibril proteins, 33/44 sarcoplasmic proteins, and 12/17 mitochondrial proteins) and this proportion was significantly different between groups using a binomial test and were independent of sex or baseline muscle mass. Conclusions The overall magnitude of the difference in muscle protein FSR of Fortetropin from placebo was 18%, with multiple gene ontologies affected. While these results should be confirmed in larger cohorts, they suggest that Fortetropin supplementation is effective for promoting muscle protein synthesis in older people.
ProtoAI: Model-Informed Prototyping for AI-Powered Interfaces

When prototyping AI experiences (AIX), interface designers seek useful and usable ways to support end-user tasks through AI capabilities. However, AI poses challenges to design due to its dynamic behavior in response to training data, end-user data, and feedback. Designers must consider AI’s uncertainties and offer adaptations such as explainability, error recovery, and automation vs. human task control. Unfortunately, current prototyping tools assume a black-box view of AI, forcing designers to work with separate tools to explore machine learning models, understand model performance, and align interface choices with model behavior. This introduces friction to rapid and iterative prototyping. We propose Model-Informed Prototyping (MIP), a workflow for AIX design that combines model exploration with UI prototyping tasks. Our system, ProtoAI, allows designers to directly incorporate model outputs into interface designs, evaluate design choices across different inputs, and iteratively revise designs by analyzing model breakdowns. We demonstrate how ProtoAI can readily operationalize human-AI design guidelines. Our user study finds that designers can effectively engage in MIP to create and evaluate AI-powered interfaces during AIX design.
Staged Approach to Autologous Reconstruction in the Ptotic Breast: A Comparative Study.

Background Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) and autologous breast reconstruction are associated with higher patient satisfaction, quality of life, and aesthetic outcome. For patients with naturally ptotic breasts, this ideal reconstructive treatment of NSM and autologous breast reconstruction poses a challenge. We describe our experience in treating patients with ptotic natural breasts using a 2-staged approach: oncoplastic breast reduction in the first stage followed by nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate autologous reconstruction in a second stage. Methods We reviewed cases of patients with grade III ptosis who underwent a staged reconstruction approach with reduction mammaplasty followed by NSM and immediate reconstruction with an abdominally based free flap (2014-2019). We compared this group of patients to a second group who underwent staging with a technique of nipple-areola complex (NAC) devascularization. A survey was administered to assess for patient satisfaction and aesthetic outcome 1 year after the second stage procedure. Results Eight patients were identified in our reduction group, and 9 patients were identified in our devascularization group. No cases of total NAC necrosis were noted in either group (0%). Two cases of partial NAC necrosis were noted in the devascularization group (11%), whereas none were observed in the reduction group. All patients were satisfied with final outcome (100%, P = 1.0). Aesthetic scores across all factors were higher in the reduction group. Scores for overall outcome (4.6 vs 3.7, P = 0.04), natural appearance (4.8 vs 3.8, P = 0.01), breast contour (4.8 vs 3.2, P = 0.002), and position of breasts (5.0 vs 3.9, P = 0.03) were significantly higher in the reduction group. Conclusions Breast ptosis no longer represents a contraindication for patients desiring nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate autologous reconstruction. This series supports the use of a 2-staged approach with reduction mammaplasty in patients with naturally ptotic breasts. A staged reduction approach may offer fewer NAC complications while also allowing for superior aesthetic outcomes.
American Musical Surrogacy: A View from Post-World War II South Africa

In this paper Muller asks the question what exactly was “American” about music made in and by Americans distributed globally as “popular” music in the twentieth century by examining the migration of this music in the post-World War II era. In this narrative, “American” music is deterritorialized by commoditization and at times might also be thought of as a diasporic entity. “Diasporic” here refers to the dispersion of musical commodities rather than living musicians into global networks of distribution and consumption. These commodities bear the personal and collective histories of their makers to consumers: to people who often live elsewhere, but share a social position similar to that of those who make the music. In their places of destination these commodities frequently convey feelings of intimacy, immediacy, even personal presesnce through the medium of music recorded in distant centers of cultural production but purchased and broadcast locally. What distinguishes a generalized global circulation of ...
A comparison between vaginal prostaglandin E2 suppositories and intrauterine extra-amniotic prostaglandins in the management of fetal death in utero

Abstract This retrospective study was undertaken to compare the efficacy, side effects, and complications of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) given as a vaginal suppository with those of PGE 2 administered via the intrauterine extra-amniotic route to induce labor after fetal death. The induction-to-delivery intervals were comparable, with 9.2 ± 3.94 hours and 8.6 ± 4.49 hours, respectively. However, the mean total amount of PGE 2 administered was much less via the intrauterine extra-amniotic route (1.8 milligrams) than by the vaginal suppository (45.2 mg). There was a 100% success rate in the patients treated by the intrauterine extra-amniotic route, but only a 91.3% success rate in those patients treated via the vaginal route. The side effects (vomiting, diarrhea, fever) and the complications (incomplete abortion, uterine rupture, oxytocin augmentation) occurred more frequently with the use of PGE 2 as a vaginal suppository. The vaginal route of administration of PGE 2 is somewhat more convenient, but the intrauterine extra-amniotic route may offer a higher degree of efficacy and safety with fewer side effects in the management of fetal death in utero.
Studies on single neurons in dorsal hippocampal formation and septum in unrestrained rats. II. Hippocampal slow waves and theta cell firing during bar pressing and other behaviors.

Abstract Hippocampal slow waves and firing of theta cells were investigated during voluntary and automatic behaviors of the rat, including bar pressing on continuous reinforcement and fixed-ratio 50. Voluntary behaviors (walking, orienting, postural adjustments, approaching food or water, following the experimenter's hand, jumping, and exploring) were accompanied by theta in the slow waves and fast, rhythmical firing in the theta cells. For a given cell the rates of firing were similar for all voluntary behaviors. Automatic behaviors (eating, drinking, teeth chattering, grooming, vomiting, and yawning) were accompanied by irregular slow-wave activity and slow, irregular firing in the theta cells. For a given cell the rates of firing were similar for all automatic behaviors. Electrode placement within the hippocampus was critical with regard to how much slow-wave theta could be recorded during voluntary behaviors, whereas theta cells throughout the hippocampus were identical in the form of their firing. Bar pressing on both continuous reinforcement and fixed-ratio 50 gave clearly non-theta responses in both units and slow waves. Some well-learned voluntary behaviors can become automatic and are not in the theta mode.
Locke on the Ontology of Persons

The importance of John Locke's discussion of persons is undeniable. Locke never explicitly tells us whether he thinks persons are substances or modes, however. We are thus left in the dark about a fundamental aspect of Locke's view. Many commentators have recently claimed that Lockean persons are modes. In this paper I swim against the current tide in the secondary literature and argue that Lockean persons are substances. Specifically I argue that what Locke says about substance, power, and agency commits him to the claim that persons are substances. I consider the passages mode interpreters cite and show why these passages do not imply that Lockean persons are modes. I also respond to two objections anyone who thinks Lockean persons are substances must address. I show that a substance reading of Locke on persons can be sympathetic and viable. I contend that with a clearer understanding of the ontological status of Lockean persons we can gain a firmer grasp of what Locke's picture of persons looks like. Finally, once we are armed with a better understanding of Locke on substance, mode, and personhood, we can pave the way toward a more nuanced description of the early modern debate over personal identity.
Enzyme “sequence” electrode for d-gluconate

Abstract A two-step enzyme sequence is coupled to a potentiometric gas sensor to prepare an electrode for D-gluconate, a substrate not measurable by conventional enzyme electrodes. The experimental variables and kinetic considerations for enzyme sequence electrodes are detailed using the gluconate system as a model. This research suggests that multi-step enzyme catalysis could usefully extend the range of membrane electrodes to new molecular species.
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of carboxylic-acid terminal alkanethiol self assembled monolayers on GaAs substrates

Abstract Adsorbate-induced charge depolarization can influence the organization of self assembled monolayers (SAMs) on semiconductor surfaces, especially as a function of the SAM functional group, SAM length and substrate dopant level and type. Based on systematic differences in the frequency response of the electrochemical impedance and phase data for carboxylic acid (COOH) terminal alkanethiol monolayers of varying alkane chain length assembled on GaAs substrates of different dopant level and type, we assessed the relative monolayer quality through fits to an appropriate equivalent circuit analog to compare the proportion of defects and SAM-induced semiconductor depolarization. At the open circuit potential in the NaCl–phosphate buffer, while SAMs on p+ GaAs were of marginally better quality than those on p GaAs, SAMs on n+ GaAs exhibited a far superior quality than those formed on n GaAs. COOH-terminal SAMs of longer chain lengths formed higher quality monolayers at all the substrate doping levels. COOH-terminal SAM modified n and n+ GaAs surfaces were passivated and stable over a wider voltage range than SAM modified p and p+ GaAs surfaces, from cyclic voltammetry. The poorer quality of COOH-terminal SAMs formed on GaAs substrates at the lower doping levels is attributed to the disorder as a result of the enhanced degree of charge depolarization at these surfaces, as substantiated by systematic variations in the space charge capacitance upon SAM modification that suggest a negative surface dipole.
Diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary metastases from cervical carcinoma.

Abstract The records of 2116 patients treated for cervical malignancy from 1969 to 1984 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham were reviewed and 88 (4.16%) had pulmonary lesions consistent with metastatic cervical cancer. The data were analyzed to characterize risk factors for developing lung metastases, to determine radiographie patterns, to assess methods of documentation, and to determine response to chemotherapy. Platinum-type chemotherapy has a 67.7% response rate on chest X ray, with one-third of the responses being complete. The prognosis is poor with a median survival of 0.69 year (8.3 months); only 2 of these 88 patients were long-term survivors. Although the survival is poor, a few statistically significant factors could be identified as prognostic. Our data do not support use of surveillance chest X rays, as there is no statistically significant survival difference in symptomatic versus asymptomatic patients. The development of more effective salvage therapy may alter this recommendation.
Image and Action in Peace Building

That images of the future motivate behavior in the present is a theory with both socio-historical and psychological evidence. Due to the difficulty of generating positive images of the future in the nuclear age, in contrast to the Utopian imagery of earlier ages, an experimental workshop was developed by Boulding and Ziegler to help people imagine positive futures—specifically, to image a future world without weapons. The workshop procedures are described, and three case examples are given of imaging groups with widely different background characteristics. Participants were able to create positive imagery in the workshop setting, and their imagery varied according to the background of the participating group. The paper explores the relationships among the intensity of the imaging experience, its saliency for the imager, and the action readiness of the imager; and it raises questions about the role of imaging workshops in the peace movement and the kinds of research that might make such workshops more effective.
The role of TRPV1 receptors in pain evoked by noxious thermal and chemical stimuli

Transient receptor potential receptors (TRP) on primary afferent neurons respond to noxious and/or thermal stimuli. TRPV1 receptors can be activated by noxious heat, acid, capsaicin and resiniferatoxin, leading to burning pain or itch mediated by discharges in C polymodal and Aδ mechano-heat nociceptors and in central neurons, including spinothalamic tract (STT) cells. Central nociceptive transmission involves both non-NMDA and NMDA receptors, and inhibitory interneurons as well as projection neurons contribute to the neural interactions. Behavioral consequences of intradermal injection of capsaicin include pain, as well as primary and secondary hyperalgesia and allodynia. Primary hyperalgesia depends on sensitization of peripheral nociceptors, whereas, secondary hyperalgesia and allodynia result from sensitization of central nociceptive neurons, such as STT cells. Central sensitization is associated with enhanced responses to excitatory amino acids and decreased responses to inhibitory amino acids. The mechanism of the increase in responses to excitatory amino acids includes phosphorylation of NR1 subunits of NMDA receptors and GluR1 subunits of AMPA receptors. Central sensitization depends on activation of several protein kinases and other enzymes, such as nitric oxide synthase. This process is regulated by protein phosphatases. Central sensitization can be regarded as a spinal cord form of long-term potentiation.
SELECTIVE DETACHMENT OF MITOTIC CELLS BY HYPOTONIC SALT SOLUTION

A method has been developed to obtain synchronous populations from a human cell line which previously resisted the use of the selective harvest technique. A concentration of Colcemid was determined which reversibly enriched the mitotic population but avoided delays in cell cycle progression. Mitotic cells were then detached from monolayer cultures by brief treatment with hypotonic salt solutions. The resulting populations of line A244 were shown to be viable and syntchronous by following attachment efficiency and cycle time and by monitoring mitotic index and deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis. Hypotonic solutions offer no advantage in the selection of mitotic L-929 cells, a line commonly synchronized by selective harves. However, their use with both CV-1 and A244 cells provided large populations highly synchronized with respect to mitosis. This technique might be applied successfully to cell types which do not demonstrate a selective advantage at division.
The electrochemical behavior of xLiNiO2·(1 − x)Li2RuO3 and Li2Ru1−yZryO3 electrodes in lithium cells

Abstract Cathode materials derived from Li 2 RuO 3 , Li 2 ZrO 3 and LiNiO 2 have been evaluated in lithium cells at room temperature as part of an ongoing study of composite x LiMO 2 ·(1− x )Li 2 M′O 3 electrodes. Our results confirm previous reports that two lithium ions can be initially extracted from Li 2 RuO 3 , but that only one lithium ion can be cycled between 4.4 and 2.8 V with a rechargeable capacity of approximately 200 mAh/g. Extending the voltage window to 4.6–1.4 V increases the reversible capacity of the Li 2 RuO 3 electrode significantly, to nearly 300 mAh/g. Similar capacities are obtained from a Zr-substituted electrode, Li 2 Ru 1− y Zr y O 3 for y =0.1, with excellent cycling stability. A composite electrode, 0.7LiNiO 2 ·0.3Li 2 RuO 3, provides a steady 150 mAh/g when cycled between 4.6 and 2.7 V.
The Ultrastructure of Normal Chick Intestinal Epithelium

Abstract Duodenal, jejunal and ileal mucosa of chicks, four to seven weeks old, were embedded in Epon-812 for examination by conventional electron microscopic procedures. A portion of the embedded tissues was also sectioned for examination by light microscopy. Principal cells, goblet cells, basal granular cells, intraepithelial lymphocytes, and globule leukocytes were observed in chick intestinal epithelium. The mucosal morphology of chick intestine varied little from that reported in the literature for mammals. The differences observed in chick intestinal mucosa included the following: a less dense glycocalyx (surface coat) covering the microvilli; smooth oval nuclei in the absorptive cells; an infrequency of mitochondrial dark granules; an absence of well developed lacteals; and the presence of nucleated erythrocytes in the lamina propria. Structural variations among similar types of cells were not observed in different parts of the small intestine. However, microvillar variations on the principal (absorptive) cells were seen. The microvilli on these cells were shorter near the villus tip and in the crypts than they were on cells in the central portion of the villi. There was also a tendency for the microvilli to be shorter, broader, and less numerous in distal areas of the intestine.
Integrating empirical research into the study of introductory accounting

Abstract This article develops a pedagogical tool for integrating the questions and findings of empirical accounting research into the lecture topics typically covered in introductory accounting courses. The objective of synthesizing research into teaching is to create a more appealing framework for the nonaccounting major to understand the sometimes mundane topics which are presented at the introductory level by developing his or her understanding of the role of accounting in the economy. Five examples of this integration are outlined and discussed at a level which the introductory student should comprehend. The benefits of implementing this approach are also noted throughout the article.
Next-to-leading order slepton pair production at hadron colliders

We compute total cross sections for various slepton pair production reactions scr(l{tilde )}{sub L}{tilde {nu}}{sub L}, scr(l{tilde )}{sub L}scr(l{bar {tilde )}}{sub L}, scr(l{tilde )}{sub R}scr(l{bar {tilde )}}{sub R} and {tilde {nu}}{sub L}{anti {tilde {nu}}}{sub L} in next-to-leading order QCD. For p{bar p} collisions at {radical} (S) =2 TeV, we find leading order cross sections to be enhanced by typically 35{percent} to 40{percent}. For pp collisions at {radical} (S) =14 TeV, the enhancement ranges from 25{percent} to 35{percent} depending on the mass of the sleptons. We comment upon the phenomenological implications of these results. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Enhancement of bacterial methane oxidation by clay minerals.

METHANE is abundantly liberated by bacteria from the sediments of rivers and lakes1. If methane formation exceeds its solubility in water it is released into the atmosphere2. Several species of bacteria oxidize methane as an energy source, converting it into cellular materials or carbon dioxide gas3. Accumulation of carbon derived from methane is involved in the ageing of lakes because it causes some carbon to be recycled in the aquatic ecosystem rather than lost as gas. How much methane carbon is retained in the ecosystem and how much escapes into the atmosphere depends on conditions in the water. This report describes enhancement of bacterial methane utilization by clay mineral particles in a simulated aquatic ecosystem.
Assessment of a New Three-Group Software Quality Classification Technique: An Empirical Case Study

The primary aim of risk-based software quality classification models is to detect, prior to testing or operations, components that are most-likely to be of high-risk. Their practical usage as quality assurance tools is gauged by the prediction-accuracy and cost-effective aspects of the models. Classifying modules into two risk groups is the more commonly practiced trend. Such models assume that all modules predicted as high-risk will be subjected to quality improvements. Due to the always-limited reliability improvement resources and the variability of the quality risk-factor, a more focused classification model may be desired to achieve cost-effective software quality assurance goals. In such cases, calibrating a three-group (high-risk, medium-risk, and low-risk) classification model is more rewarding. We present an innovative method that circumvents the complexities, computational overhead, and difficulties involved in calibrating pure or direct three-group classification models. With the application of the proposed method, practitioners can utilize an existing two-group classification algorithm thrice in order to yield the three risk-based classes. An empirical approach is taken to investigate the effectiveness and validity of the proposed technique. Some commonly used classification techniques are studied to demonstrate the proposed methodology. They include, the C4.5 decision tree algorithm, discriminant analysis, and case-based reasoning. For the first two, we compare the three-group model calibrated using the respective techniques with the one built by applying the proposed method. Any two-group classification technique can be employed by the proposed method, including those that do not provide a direct three-group classification model, e.x., logistic regression and certain binary classification trees, such as CART. Based on a case study of a large-scale industrial software system, it is observed that the proposed method yielded promising results. For a given classification technique, the expected cost of misclassification of the proposed three-group models were significantly better (generally) when compared to the technique?s direct three-group model. In addition, the proposed method is also evaluated against an alternate indirect three-group classification method.
Boundary Objects, Zones of Indeterminacy, and the Formation of Irish and Jewish Transnational Socio-Financial Networks

The concept of boundary object helps in understanding how members of different communities of practice can cooperate without sharing a consensus on their goals or even on precisely what they are doing. Sometimes, however, scholars treat boundary objects as a shorthand explanation for successful cooperation across boundaries. Instead of tracing the network of associations within which boundary objects are nestled, it is assumed that some properties inherent to particular objects secure cooperation. To offset this tendency, this article examines the Irish and Israeli governments’ attempts to raise funds in the United States through the sale of quasi-philanthropic bonds in the 1920s and 1950s, respectively. In the Israeli case, the bond served as a boundary object. In the Irish case, in contrast, a similar bond intensified disagreements between the Irish government and key Irish American organizations. The analysis highlights the importance of the entire socio-technical network within which boundary objects ...
EEG during lavender and rosemary exposure in infants of depressed and non-depressed mothers

Abstract This study investigated whether exposure to lavender or rosemary would change electroencephalographic (EEG) activity and behavior in infants of depressed and non-depressed mothers. Twenty newborns were exposed to a 10% (v/v) concentration of rosemary oil or lavender oil. Their EEG and behavior (via a video camera) were simultaneously recorded for 2-min each at baseline and during odor exposure. Group inclusion (depressed versus non-depressed) was based on mothers’ CES-D scores. Although the groups did not differ at baseline and the two odors did not differentially affect the EEG, the infants of depressed mothers showed increased relative left frontal EEG asymmetry from baseline to the odor exposure phase. Infants of non-depressed mothers showed no change in frontal EEG asymmetry from baseline to the odor exposure phase. At least in adults, greater relative left frontal EEG asymmetry has been associated with an approaching pattern of behavior and response to positive stimuli, while greater relative right frontal EEG asymmetry has been associated with a withdrawing pattern of behavior and response to negative stimuli. Among the behaviors recorded; negative affect, head turns, lip licking, and nose wrinkling, the only differences were that the infants of depressed mothers showed increased head turning during the odor exposure. These results suggest that infants of depressed and non-depressed mothers respond differently to odors.
Quantum mechanical predictions of chiroptical vibrational properties

The developments in quantum mechanical calculations of vibrational circular dichroism, vibrational Raman optical activity, and vibrational contributions to optical rotation are summarized. Further developments needed in each of these areas are pointed out. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
Stochastic versus deterministic variability in simple neuronal circuits: I. Monosynaptic spinal cord reflexes

Long time series of monosynaptic Ia-afferent to alpha-motoneuron reflexes were recorded in the L7 or S1 ventral roots in the cat. Time series were collected before and after spinalization at T13 during constant amplitude stimulations of group Ia muscle afferents in the triceps surae muscle nerves. Using autocorrelation to analyze the linear correlation in the time series demonstrated oscillations in the decerebrate state (4/4) that were eliminated after spinalization (5/5). Three tests for determinism were applied to these series: 1) local flow, 2) local dispersion, and 3) nonlinear prediction. These algorithms were validated with time series generated from known deterministic equations. For each experimental and theoretical time series used, matched time-series of stochastic surrogate data were generated to serve as mathematical and statistical controls. Two of the time series collected in the decerebrate state (2/4) demonstrated evidence for deterministic structure. This structure could not be accounted for by the autocorrelation in the data, and was abolished following spinalization. None of the time series collected in the spinalized state (0/5) demonstrated evidence of determinism. Although monosynaptic reflex variability is generally stochastic in the spinalized state, this simple driven system may display deterministic behavior in the decerebrate state.
Generalized Academic Prediction in Four‐Year Colleges

This investigation was designed to develop “generalized” regression weights for predicting first-year grades at any four-year college and to estimate the regression constant at each college to take into account differences among colleges in the academic potentials of their students and in the rigor of their grading practices. Results for 50 colleges which participated in the American College Testing Research Services were used to develop generalized regression weights for the ACT-Composite and the high school average (HSA). Regression constants were estimated by using Astin's (1965) factor scores for 167 colleges to predict mean ACT-Composite, mean HSA, and mean college GPA. The predictive efficiency of the generalized equations was compared with that of unique equations developed for 18 individual colleges. The generalized equations proved to be as accurate as the unique equations. Some implications were drawn for the practical application of generalized equations in pre-college guidance and college admission programs.
Exploiting Separation of Closed-Class Categories for Arabic Tokenization and Part-of-Speech Tagging

Research on the problem of morphological disambiguation of Arabic has noted that techniques developed for lexical disambiguation in English do not easily transfer over, since the affixation present in Arabic creates a very different tag set than for English, encoding both inflectional morphology and more complex tokenization sequences. This work takes a new approach to this problem based on a distinction between the open-class and closed-class categories of tokens, which differ both in their frequencies and in their possible morphological affixations. This separation simplifies the morphological analysis problem considerably, making it possible to use a Conditional Random Field model for joint tokenization and “core” part-of-speech tagging of the open-class items, while the closed-class items are handled by regular expressions. This work is therefore situated between data-driven approaches and those that use a morphological analyzer. For the tasks of tokenization and core part-of-speech tagging, the resulting system outperforms, on the given test set, a system that incorporates a morphological analyzer. We also evaluate the effects of the differences on parser performance when the tagger output is used for parser input.
Comparison of physiological responses of guard cell protoplasts of Nicotiana glauca isolated from leaves collected before dawn or at midday

We observed that guard cell protoplasts isolated from leaves collected at midday from Nicotiana glauca Graham (tree tobacco) did not give the same physiological responses to light as those isolated from leaves collected in early morning. Based on that observation, we attempted to determine whether there were significant differences between the physiological responses of guard cell protoplasts isolated from leaves collected before dawn (with closed stomata) and those isolated from leaves collected at midday (with open stomata). We isolated guard cell protoplasts from leaves collected before dawn and at midday and compared (1) rates of red and blue light-induced pH changes in weakly buffered media caused by changes in their metabolism, (2) their rates of oxygen consumption in darkness and oxygen evolution in light and (3) relative rates of decay of variable chlorophyll a fluorescence in their chloroplasts. Studies with the vital stain fluorescein diacetate failed to reveal any significant differences in the viabilities of protoplast preparations from leaves collected before dawn and at midday. Furthermore, protoplasts from leaves collected at these times swelled to similar extents in an osmotic medium containing 10 µM fusicoccin and 5 mM KCI. Nevertheless, rates of light-induced pH changes, rates of oxygen consumption and evolution and rates of decay of variable chlorophyll a fluorescence were all lower in preparations of guard cell protoplasts from leaves collected at midday than in preparations from leaves collected before dawn. Initial volumes of guard cell protoplasts isolated from leaves collected at midday were 150% of those of guard cell protoplasts isolated from leaves collected before dawn. We suggest that the differences in responses of guard cell protoplasts isolated from leaves collected before dawn and at midday may be caused by (1) nonoptimal isolation conditions for guard cell protoplasts prepared from leaves collected at midday, (2) the lower surface-to-volume ratio of guard cell protoplasts isolated from leaves collected at midday or (3) diurnal and/or circadian regulation of guard cell metabolism over the course of a day.
Serum cortisol changes in heifers induced by lipid X: A monosaccharide precursor in the biosynthesis of Gram-negative endotoxin

Abstract An experiment was conducted to measure the changes in serum cortisol and luteinising hormone ( LH ) concentrations in heifers during the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle after the administration of lipid X and Gram-negative endotoxin. Nine heifers whose oestrous cycles were synchronised with prostaglandin F2α. were assigned at random on day 10 after the second prostaglandin injection to one of the following groups. Group 1 heifers (n=3) received 5 μg kg−1 bodyweight of Escherichia coli endotoxin as an intrauterine infusion and one hour later received an intravenous injection of lipid X (5 μg kg−1 bodyweight). The treatment was reversed in group 2 heifers (n = 3), endotoxin was administered one hour after the lipid X treatment. Group 3 heifers (n=3) received endotoxin infusion and lipid X treatment at the same time. Similar dosages and routes of administration were used in all the groups for lipid X and endotoxin treatments. Blood samples were collected once every 15 minutes for seven hours, beginning one hour before and six hours after the initial treatment. In group I heifers there was a fourfold increase in serum cortisol concentrations within 30 minutes after both the treatments (from 6·5 to 24·6 ng ml−1 and from 7 · 3 to 29 · 5 ng ml −1 respectively). In group 2 heifers the cortisol concentrations increased from the baseline concentrations of 7·2 to 33·2 ng ml−1 within 30 minutes after lipid X treatment and remained at 22 · 5 ng ml−1 during endotoxin treatment. There was a further increase in cortisol concentrations (28·9 ng ml−1) after the endotoxin treatment. Serum cortisol concentrations reached baseline values within two hours after the treatment. In group 3 heifers there were no changes in serum cortisol concentrations. There were no changes in serum LH concentrations in any heifer. The results suggest that lipid X might have structural and functional similarities to E coli endotoxin.