cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A framework for multi-dimensional adaptive subdivision objects

Despite the growing interest in subdivision surfaces within the computer graphics and geometric processing communities, subdivision approaches have been receiving much less attention in solid modeling. This paper presents a powerful new framework for a subdivision scheme that is defined over a simplicial complex in any n-D space. We first present a series of definitions to facilitate topological inquiries during the subdivision process. The scheme is derived from the double (k + 1)-directional box splines over k-simplicial domains. Thus, it guarantees a certain level of smoothness in the limit on a regular mesh. The subdivision rules are modified by spatial averaging to guarantee C1 smoothness near extraordinary cases. Within a single framework, we combine the subdivision rules that can produce 1-, 2-, and 3-manifold in arbitrary n-D space. Possible solutions for non-manifold regions between the manifolds with different dimensions are suggested as a form of selective subdivision rules according to user preference. We briefly describe the subdivision matrix analysis to ensure a reasonable smoothness across extraordinary topologies, and empirical results support our assumption. In addition, through modifications, we show that the scheme can easily represent objects with singularities, such as cusps, creases, or corners. We further develop local adaptive refinement rules that can achieve level-of-detail control for hierarchical modeling. Our implementation is based on the topological properties of a simplicial domain. Therefore, it is flexible and extendable. We also develop a solid modeling system founded on our theoretical framework to show potential benefits of our work in industrial design, geometric processing, and other applications.
Detecting simulated amnesia with event-related brain potentials

Two experiments were done in which groups of normal college undergraduate subjects were instructed to simulate autobiographical amnesia related to head injury. The subjects were tested for autobiographical knowledge with pencil-and-paper recall and recognition tasks, and on another day, with recognition tasks in which event-related potentials were recorded in response to the same autobiographical items, this time presented on a display screen. In the first study, three Event-Related Potential (ERP) block types were utilized: 1. 1) a block in which the subject's birthdate was an oddball with p = 0.11 and other dates (not relevant to the subject) had p = 0.89, 2. 2) a block in which phone numbers were used as stimuli, 3. 3) a block in which (mothers' maiden) names were used as stimuli. Only birthdate blocks were used in the second study. A P300 ERP was seen in response to rare, personally relevant items. In both studies, the main effect of stimulus type (personally relevant versus not personally relevant) on P300 amplitude was significant (p < 0.0001) and there was no main effect of block type in the first study. Under a sophisticated malingering instruction set, about 15% of the items were correctly recalled and about 50% were correctly recognized by simulators in pencil-and-paper tests. Under a naive malingering instruction set, most simulating subjects failed to recall and recognize autobiographical items. In the first study, an arbitrarily but a priori derived discrimination criterion based on a subject's average P300 amplitude afforded 92% correct discrimination of simulating individual subjects for birthdates and phone numbers. The value was 77% for mothers' maiden names. The same criterion applied to the single birthdate block in the second study yielded 93% correct discrimination. The results suggest the P300 may be useful in detection of malingered amnesia.
An experimental analysis of the effectiveness of “shaping” in reducing maladaptive avoidance behavior: An analogue study☆

Abstract Two studies are reported concerning the effectiveness of positive reinforcement of approach behavior or “shaping” in reducing college girls' fears of snakes, an analogue of clinical phobia. In the first study, “shaping” was found to be more effective than Systematic Desensitization in reducing behavioral avoidance of snakes, and equally effective in reducing anxiety as measured by GSR. In the second, shaping was facilitated by the presence of a therapist and to a lesser extent by modelling. The results suggest that shaping may be a useful treatment for “neurotic” fears and that social variables enhance the effectiveness of the procedure.
Primary Carcinoid Tumors of the Kidney

Purpose: We describe in detail the features of carcinoid tumors of the kidney. We evaluated possible prognostic factors.Materials and Methods: An extensive search was performed in the medical literature regarding primary carcinoid tumors of the kidney. Epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, histopathological, therapeutic and prognostic data were evaluated. Several potential risk factors were compared with the incidence of metastases and clinical outcome of the patients.Results: A total of 56 case reports were reviewed. Median patient age was 49 years. Horseshoe kidneys were present in 17.8% of cases. Incidental diagnosis was made in 28.6% of patients. The most common symptom was abdominal or flank pain and neuroendocrine syndromes occurred with only 12.7% of primary renal carcinoid tumors. Of the patients 73.6% presented with tumors larger than 4 cm. Metastases were present in 45.6% of patients at initial diagnosis and almost 60% with tumors greater than 4 cm had metastases.Conclusions: Renal carcinoid is...
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Monofunctionalized Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane C6H13(H7Si8O12)

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS), functionalized with a single hexyl substituent, have been studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations based on a reactive interaction potential. This potential is designed for mixed covalent−ionic interactions and facilitates the charge transfer that is associated with the rupture and formation of covalent bonds. The potential has been optimized to reproduce the known structural characteristics and dynamic properties of POSS. The model was then employed to study the melting behavior of crystalline monohexyl-POSS as well as the structural reorganization during subsequent cooling and glass formation. Simulations predict a melting temperature of crystalline monohexyl-POSS of 430 K. The amphiphilic nature of the structural building block in this compound is evident in the crystal phase through preferred POSS−POSS and hydrocarbon−hydrocarbon groupings, which give rise to a bilayered structure. Melting seems to originate from within the organic layers. A prefe...
13CO2H-labeled semirubin: hydrogen bonding and pKa

13CO2H-Labeled [6]-semirubin, 9-(6-[13C]-5-carboxypentyl)-2,3,7,8-tetramethyl-(10H)-dipyrrin-2-one, and its 91-oxo analog were synthesized from 2,3,7,8-tetramethyl-(10H)-dipyrrin-2-one. 13C NMR T1 measurements of the 13CO2H carbon were run in CDCl3, dioxane, (CH3)2SO and aqueous solvents and compared with those from the corresponding methyl esters. The data as well as those from nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) studies indicate intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the CO2H and dipyrrinone groups. Studies of the acids in aqueous solvent predict (1) intramolecular hydrogen bonding over a wide range of pH and (2) a pK a of ~4.4.
Community Attachment, Satisfaction, and Action

The effects of community attachment and satisfaction on community-level action were examined using data collected in a general population survey from a random sample of individuals in two rural communities in Texas. Substantial support was found for the hypothesis that attachment to the community is associated positively with community action. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses reveal that higher levels of community attachment result in increased levels of community action. Virtually no support, though, was found for the hypothesis that community satisfaction is negatively associated with community action. The multivariate findings also suggest that certain sociodemographic variables (i.e., education, marital status, race, and length of residence) are important predictors of community action. Possible implications of the findings are advanced, as are suggestions for future research.
Baroclinic instability with variable static stability - A design study for a spherical atmospheric model experiment

The effect of a radially-variable, dielectric body force, analogous to gravity on baroclinic instability for the design of a spherical, synoptic-scale, atmospheric model experiment in a Spacelab flight is investigated. Exact solutions are examined for quasi-geostrophic baroclinic instability in which the rotational Froude number is a linear function of the height. Flow in a rotating rectilinear channel with a vertically variable body force without horizontal shear of the basic state is also discussed.
Understanding Collaborative Computational Thinking

In this paper I discuss my doctoral research which aims to better understand collaborative computational thinking (CT). In order to be successful in the 21st century, skills such CT (understanding and applying computational concepts) are indispensable for people across all ages and disciplines. One can learn computational concepts by taking a traditional course offered in a school or by self-guided learning through an online platform. Whatever the form of learning, computational concepts can be difficult to fully comprehend for novices. Collaborative learning has been considered effective in reducing learner's anxiety and in helping struggling learners overcome common learning difficulties. The proposed dissertation study aims to investigate how collaboration impacts learning of CT across both classroom setting and in an online learning community. This paper briefly describes the motivation and outline of my proposed dissertation study, the overarching research questions, the data currently collected, and my data analysis methodologies.
Emergence of Cunninghamella as a pathogenic invasive mold infection in allogeneic transplant recipients.

Clinical Practice Points Cunninghamella, a relatively infrequent cause of mucormycosis, is associated with aggressive and often fatal disseminated invasive fungal infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients, in particular those receiving high-dose immune suppression. Polyene-based antifungal agents, such as amphotericin B and its lipid derivatives, are first-line therapy for invasive mucormycosis. Despite currently available treatment approaches, the attributable mortality of mucormycosis remains very high. Our single-center experience suggests that infection with Cunninghamella species portends worse outcomes. The impact of prophylactic approaches (eg, with extended-spectrum azoles such as posaconazole) in preventing this infection in high-risk patients awaits further investigation.
Enlarging endostoma (bone island) of the spinous process

Endostoma of bone (bone island) is a rare lesion and has been described in the spinous process in only one previous publication. Although these lesions are benign, they have a potential for enlargement. Radiography cannot completely differentiate these lesions from more aggressive processes, and removal of the lesion should be considered.
Neutral site binding of calcium ion to elastin coacervate IR spectroscopy

Summary Infrared spectroscopy of the N-formyl-O-methyl ester blocked α-elastin coacervate demonstrated that calcium specifically affected the amide I band, shifting it to shorter wave-numbers. Calcium chloride, calcium bromide, and calcium phosphate introduced a second peak in the C=O stretch region, sodium chloride and sodium phosphate were ineffectual. Correlation with IR spectra of synthetic elastin peptides, known to bind calcium with peptide acyl oxygens, indicated the calcium ion coordinated with neutral carbonyl sites on the peptide backbone. This is the first report of calcium ion binding to peptide carbonyls in the aqueous milieu of an α-elastin coacervate.
Chapter 7 Cell-mediated immunity

Article synthese sur l'etude des proprietes biologiques des lymphokines liberees et intervenants dans les mecanismes de l'immunite cellulaire. Un mecanisme inflammatoire tel que la formation de granulomes a ete etudie
A suboptimal feedback regulator for linear systems subject to average power constraints

A design procedure is developed for synthesizing a state vector feedback controller which approximates the minimum energy-average power constrained optimal regulator for linear systems. Simulation results are presented for second and fourth order systems which illustrate the restraining effects on the control signal of the nonlinear suboptimal regulator in relation to a linear feedback controller.
Improved and simplified tissue extraction method for quantitating long-chain acyl-coenzyme A thioesters with picomolar detection using high-performance liquid chromatography

A method has been developed that permits rapid and easy tissue extraction of long-chain acyl-coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) thioesters with sensitive quantitation by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Tissue homogenants are extracted using a reserve Bligh-Dyer technique, and long-chain acyl-CoA esters are harvested in the methanolic aqueous phase. Complex lipids and phospholipids are removed in the chloroform-rich organic Bligh-Dyer second phase, and long-chain acyl-CoA compounds are further purified from the methanolic aqueous Bligh-Dyer first phase on C18 extraction columns after removal of the methanol. The eluted and purified acyl-CoA esters are then quantitated by RP-HPLC using heptadecanoyl-CoA as an internal standard resulting in a detector sensitivity of about 12 pmol. Ten long-chain acyl-CoA esters from C12:0 to C20:4 were identified and separated from canine renal cortex and murine liver samples. The predominant acyl-CoA peaks from both kidney and liver were 14:0, 16:1, 16:0, 18:1, 18:2 and 20:4. Murine liver also produced 18:0 and all peaks disappeared after alkaline hydrolysis of the samples. This extraction and quantitation technique can successfully be used for tissue samples as small as 20 mg, and many samples can be processed in a short period of time. The simplicity of the extraction procedure and the sensitivity of the assay make this an attractive alternative approach to quantitating long-chain acyl-CoA thioesters from complex biological samples such as tissues.
Craniocervical Extension Improves the Specificity and Predictive Value of the Mallampati Airway Evaluation

BACKGROUND: The modified Mallampati (MMP) classification is a standard airway examination that assesses mouth opening and structures within the oral cavity. Recent data suggest that maximal mouth opening (as measured by interdental distance) is possible only with extension of the craniocervical junction. Because the MMP examination is performed with the head in a neutral position, the airway may appear worse because of submaximal interdental distance. We hypothesized that adding craniocervical extension to the MMP would allow for greater mouth opening, lower scores, and less false positives than the traditional MMP examination. METHODS: Multiple clinicians with at least 1 yr of airway experience evaluated adult airways (n 60) with the MMP examination (with head in neutral position). The same examination was then repeated with the addition of craniocervical extension (Extended Mallampati Score, EMS). RESULTS: On average, craniocervical extension decreased the MMP class (P 0.002). The EMS improved specificity from 70% to 80% and positive predictive value from 24% to 31% when compared with the traditional MMP. The sensitivity (83%) was the same for MMP and EMS. CONCLUSIONS: Craniocervical extension improves the specificity and positive predictive value of the MMP airway evaluation while retaining sensitivity of the traditional MMP examination. The introduction of the EMS into clinical practice should be considered.
Role of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in regulating tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) mediated increase of acetaminophen (APAP) and chlorpromazine (CPZ) toxicity in murine hepatocytes

Drug induced liver injury (DILI) accounts for more than 50% of the cases of acute liver failure in this country, and is the major cause of drug withdrawal from the market. DILI has been associated with the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Pro-inflammatory cytokines activate the mitogen activated protein kinase, c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the liver. Recent studies have shown that JNK can regulate the hepatotoxicity of the analgesic, acetaminophen (APAP). Several reports have shown that inflammation induced by the endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) augments the toxic response to hepatotoxicants in vivo. However, the mechanism by which inflammation alters drug-induced hepatotoxicity is not known. This study investigated the role of inflammatory mediators in regulating the toxicity of the hepatotoxic drugs, APAP or chlorpromazine (CPZ) in primary mouse hepatocytes. We found that, pre-treatment with TNF-alpha resulted in approximately 50 to 60% increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels by APAP or CPZ, while interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) or IL6 treatments showed only 15-20% increase in ALT release. The bacterial components, LPS or lipoteichoic acid (LTA) increased ALT release by approximately 35 to 38% upon drug treatment of the hepatocytes. The JNK inhibitor, SP600125 significantly diminished APAP and CPZ toxicity with or without TNF-alpha. Pre-treatment with TNF-alpha resulted in prolonged activation of JNK (upto 2 hr) in the presence of APAP or CPZ. These results show that TNF-alpha is the major cytokine involved in sensitizing hepatocytes to APAP- or CPZ-induced hepatotoxicity, likely by a mechanism involving sustained activation of JNK.
PET Imaging of Tumor Growth: Not as Easy as it Looks

Positron emission tomography can be used to image tumor proliferation when combined with appropriate labeled tracers, such as the thymidine analog [(18)F]-3'-deoxy-3'-fluorothymidine. Although thymidine kinase 1 is the principal mechanism of cell trapping, other variables, such as the cellular level of native thymidine, may need to be considered.
Diagnosis of hyperandrogenism: biochemical criteria.

Biochemical derangements in ovarian, adrenal, and peripheral androgen production and metabolism play an important role in underlying causes of hyperandrogenism. Specific diagnostic serum markers such as testosterone (total) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), respectively, may be helpful in the diagnosis of ovarian and adrenal hyperandrogenism, respectively. Validated immunoassays or mass spectrometry assays should be used to quantify testosterone, DHEAS and other principal androgens. Free testosterone measurements, determined by equilibrium dialysis or the calculated method, are advocated for routine evaluation of more subtle forms of hyperandrogenism. The skin, with its pilosebaceous units (PSUs), is an important site of active androgen production. A key regulator in PSUs is 5α-reductase, which transforms testosterone or androstenedione to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT in blood is not effective in indicating the presence of hyperandrogenism. However, distal metabolites of DHT have been shown to be good markers of clinical manifestations of hirsutism, acne and alopecia. Assays for these peripheral markers need improvement for routine clinical testing.
The Effect of Hibernation on the Caecal Flora of the Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel (Citellus tridecemlineatus)

Summary. The effect of hibernation on the caecal flora of the thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Citellus tridecemlineatus) was determined by comparing the flora of 7 active squirrels with that of 6 × 6 days hibernators and 2 × 42 days hibernators. Direct microscopical examination showed the presence of a wide variety of micro-organisms, including protozoa in all the animals. Using strict anaerobic techniques it was possible to isolate > 60% of the total flora of the active squirrels but only c. 30% in the hibernators. Several distinct types of anaerobic Gram negative, nonsporing rods predominated in both the active and hibernating animals. Gram positive, nonsporing rods and coccobacilli were present in the active squirrels but were not isolated from the 42 days hibernators. Atypical lactobacilli present at 106–108/g formed the major part of the aerobic flora of the active squirrels but were reduced at least 100-fold during hibernation.
Tumor microenvironment: Modulation by decorin and related molecules harboring leucine‐rich tandem motifs

Decorin, the prototype member of the small leucine-rich proteoglycans, resides in the tumor microenvironment and affects the biology of various types of cancer by downregulating the activity of several receptors involved in cell growth and survival. Decorin binds to and modulates the signaling of the epidermal growth factor receptor and other members of the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases. It exerts its antitumor activity by a dual mechanism: via inhibition of these key receptors through their physical downregulation coupled with attenuation of their signaling, and by binding to and sequestering TGFbeta. Decorin also modulates the insulin-like growth factor receptor and the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1, which indirectly affects the TGFbeta receptor pathway. When expressed in tumor xenograft-bearing mice or injected systemically, decorin inhibits both primary tumor growth and metastatic spreading. In this review, we summarize the latest reports on decorin and related molecules that are relevant to cancer and bring forward the idea of decorin as an anticancer therapeutic and possible prognostic marker for patients affected by various types of tumors. We also discuss the role of lumican and LRIG1, a novel cell growth inhibitor homologous to decorin.
Small bowel transit does not correlate with outcome of surgery in patients with colonic inertia

Colonic inertia is a motility disorder that may involve dysfunction of the entire intestinal tract. The aim of this study was to assess whether small bowel transit time is associated with the outcome of total abdominal colectomy in patients with colonic inertia. A retrospective review of the medical records of patients who underwent total abdominal colectomy for colonic inertia was performed to identify those individuals who had a preoperative small bowel transit study. The outcome of surgery was correlated with the results of the small bowel transit study. Fifty-two female patients underwent total abdominal colectomy for colonic inertia between 1988 and 2000, of whom 17 (33%) had a preoperative small bowel transit study. The small bowel transit time was normal in 11 patients (65%), and the time was abnormally prolonged in 6 (35%). At a mean follow-up of 37 months, there was no significant difference in the outcome of surgery between the two groups. A good result was achieved in 36% of the normal small bowel transit time group compared with 33% in the abnormal group; the result was fair in 63% and 33%, and poor in 0% and 33%, respectively (P=NS). The small bowel transit study does not reliably predict the outcome of total abdominal colectomy in patients with colonic inertia.
An Improved Formulation of Hybrid Model Predictive Control With Application to Production-Inventory Systems

We consider an improved model predictive control (MPC) formulation for linear hybrid systems described by mixed logical dynamical (MLD) models. The algorithm relies on a multiple-degree-of-freedom parametrization that enables the user to adjust the speed of setpoint tracking, measured disturbance rejection and unmeasured disturbance rejection independently in the closed-loop system. Consequently, controller tuning is more flexible and intuitive than relying on objective function weights (such as move suppression) traditionally used in MPC schemes. The controller formulation is motivated by the needs of nontraditional control applications that are suitably described by hybrid production-inventory systems. Two applications are considered in this paper: adaptive, time-varying interventions in behavioral health, and inventory management in supply chains under conditions of limited capacity. In the adaptive intervention application, a hypothetical intervention inspired by the Fast Track program, a real-life preventive intervention for reducing conduct disorder in at-risk children, is examined. In the inventory management application, the ability of the algorithm to judiciously alter production capacity under conditions of varying demand is presented. These case studies demonstrate that MPC for hybrid systems can be tuned for desired performance under demanding conditions involving noise and uncertainty.
Antitumor and immunologic effects of a pyridine-extracted fraction of Propionibacterium acnes.

The antitumor and immunological effects of a pyridine extractable fraction of Propionibacterium acnes were tested in a murine ovarian teratocarcinoma (MOT) model. Previous studies have demonstrated that tumor rejection in this model depends upon sequential activation of tumoricidal neutrophils (PMNs) followed by cytostatic macrophages. The pyridine extract significantly prolonged the survival of mice challenged with 103 or 104 MOT cells but had little impact on a 105 tumor inoculum. In vivo cytoreduction occurred within the first 24 h following IP treatment which correlated temporally with the influx of tumoricidal PMNs into the peritoneal cavity. Immunotherapy failure in mice challenged with 105 MOT cells occurred between 48 and 72 h after treatment when macrophage chemotaxis into the peritoneal cavity was initiated. Although injection of unfractionated bacteria activated MOT-cytostatic macrophages, the pyridine extract was deficient in this regard. Intraperitoneal injection of the pyridine extract resulted in an early (day +1) depression and late (day +5) enhancement of peritoneal NK cytotoxicity. These data suggest that the retention of neutrophil-activating moieties in the pyridine extract are sufficient for antitumor effects against low tumor inocula while the depletion of macrophage-activating determinants results in diminished effects against larger tumor cell challenges.
A Photochemical Approach to Directing Flow and Stabilizing Topography in Polymer Films

Coatings and substrates with topographically patterned features will play an important role in efficient technologies for harvesting and transmitting light energy. In order to address these applications, a methodology for prescribing height profiles in polymer films is presented here. This is accomplished by photochemcially patterning a solid-state, sensitized polymer film. After heating the film above its glass transition temperature, melt-state flow is triggered and directed by the chemical pattern. A second light exposure was applied to fully activate a heat-stable photo-crosslinking additive. The features formed here are thermochemically stable and can act as an underlayer in a multilayered film. To exemplify this capability, these films were also used to direct the macroscopic film morphology of a block copolymer overlayer.
The role of behavior in insecticide resistance

L'adaptation comportementale des insectes est un des mecanismes de resistance, en plus de l'insensibilite du site cible et de l'augmentation de la detoxicycation. Ce type de resistance est mal connu mais pourrait etre plus important que ce que suggere la litterature. Cet article fait le point sur ce mecanisme de resistance en faisant appel a des exemples concrets
Assessing flow during minimally invasive coronary artery bypass: an Allen's test equivalent.

Abstract The use of a provocative test to elicit selective regional myocardial dysfunction (detected with intraoperative TEE) as a method to infer adequacy of regional myocardial perfusion following MIDCAB is described. We liken the similarity of this technique to the originally described "Allens test" for determination of collateral blood flow adequacy.
Chickpea, Cicer arietinum: a new host for the pea leaf weevil, Sitona lineatus

Abstract Cicer arietinum L. is documented as a new host for the weevil Sitona lineatus (L.), one of the few known coleopteran herbivores of C. arietinum , and the first recorded in the USA. The factors leading to this association may be influenced by agricultural practices.
Legged Self-Manipulation

This paper introduces self-manipulation as a new formal design methodology for legged robots with varying ground interactions. The term denotes a set of modeling choices that permit a uniform and body-centric representation of the equations of motion - essentially a guide to the selection and configuration of coordinate frames. We present the hybrid system kinematics, dynamics, and transitions in the form of a consistently structured representation that simplifies and unites the account of these, otherwise bewilderingly diverse differential algebraic equations. Cleaving as closely as possible to the modeling strategies developed within the mature manipulation literature, self-manipulation models can leverage those insights and results where applicable, while clarifying the fundamental differences. Our primary motivation is not to facilitate numerical simulation but rather to promote design insight. We instantiate the abstract formalism for a simplified model of RHex, and illustrate its utility by applying a variety of analytical and computational techniques to derive new results bearing on behaviors, controllers, and platform design. For each example, we present empirical results documenting the specific benefits of the new insight into the robot's transitions from standing to moving in place and to leaping.
Gender Divide and Acceptance of Collaborative Web 2.0 Applications for Learning in Higher Education.

Abstract Situated in the gender digital divide framework, this survey study investigated the role of computer anxiety in influencing female college students' perceptions toward Web 2.0 applications for learning. Based on 432 college students' “Web 2.0 for learning” perception ratings collected by relevant categories of Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), the study revealed certain significant differences between genders on six Web 2.0 applications (blog, wiki, social networking tool, online video sharing tool, online game, and immersive virtual environment). Overall females felt more anxious of using Web 2.0 applications than males. However, such difference was not found on social networking tools and online video sharing tools. Therefore we contended that features of social networking tools and online video sharing might promote females' use of Web 2.0 applications. Future studies will cultivate the empirical relationship between genders and underlying learning processes afforded by Web 2.0 features.
The Influence of Monophosphoryl Lipid A (MPL™) on Erythrocyte Autoantibody Formation

The onset and the amount of erythrocyte autoantibodies induced by the injection of C57BL/6N mice with rat red blood cells (RRBC) were hastened and increased, respectively, after the administration of monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL); this was not the case for similarly treated BALB/cAnN mice, which make a lower autoantibody response after immunization with RRBC. The transfer of spleen cells from donor C57BL/6N mice immunized with RRBC suppressed autoantibody formation in recipient mice subsequently immunized with RRBC; however, treatment with MPL prevented neither the induction nor the expression of such suppression. This suggests that the increased autoantibody response in RRBC-immunized C57BL/6N mice treated with MPL is not due to the inactivation of suppressor cell activity which, in other studies, was found to be extremely sensitive to MPL.
Human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells decrease fibrosis and increase cardiac function in cardiomyopathy

Aims: We investigated whether human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (HUCBC) can limit progressive cardiomyopathy in TO2 hamsters. Materials & methods: A total of 22 TO2 1-month-old hamsters were treated with intramyocardial HUCBC, 4 × 106 in Isolyte®, and 23 TO2 1-month-old hamsters were treated with intramyocardial Isolyte. A total of 16 1-month-old F1B hamsters served as controls and received intramyocardial Isolyte. Echocardiograms were performed on all hamsters prior to and monthly after treatment for 6 months. Heart tissues were then stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson’s Trichrome and human leukocyte antibody. Results: In F1B hamsters, left ventricular fractional shortening (FS) and ejection fractions (EF) did not significantly decrease over 6 months. By contrast, in Isolyte-treated TO2 hamsters, FS decreased from 56.2 ± 1.0% to 19.7 ± 3.2% and EF decreased from 89.5 ± 1.4% to 44.9 ± 5.9% at 6 months (both p < 0.0001). The FS and EF in HUCBC-treated TO2 hamsters also progressively decre...
Comments on a linear paging model

The linear approximation relating mean time between page transfers between levels of memory, as reported by Saltzer for Multics, is examined. It is tentatively concluded that this approximation is untenable for main memory, especially under working set policies; and that the linearity of the data for the drum reflects the behavior of the Multics scheduler for background jobs, not the behavior of programs.
Palynology of the legler lignite: A deposit in the tertiary cohansey formation of New Jersey, U.S.A.

Abstract Six measured sections of lignite and related sediments of the Cohansey formation were studied palynologically reconstructing the vegetation and environment at the time of deposition and ascertaining the age of the deposit. Sections were exposed in a pit located at Legler, New Jersey, approximately 3.2 km north of Lakehurst. This is the first reported study of pollen of this formation. Pollen and spores of 40 taxa, consisting of 5 cryptogams, 4 gymnosperms, and 31 angiosperms were encountered in the lignite. Quercus and associates, Gordonia , Rosaceae, Ilex , and Clethra , form the lowermost stratigraphic assemblage. A middle assemblage consists of Quercus-Nyssa in association with the Ericaceae and Polypodiaceae; Quercus-Pinus makes up the uppermost assemblage. Several, predominantly warm-temperate to tropical genera, for example, Cyrilla, Jussiaea, Engelhardia, Gordonia , and Cyathea , are also represented. Dinoflagellates in the upper portions of the sections indicate a transitory estuarine setting. The dominant vegetation of Quercus, Pinus, Carya , and the warm-temperate genera, depict a climate generally warmer and wetter than at present. Pollen assemblages reflect a local environment that was subject to marine transgession and subsequent regression. The age of the deposit is believed to be late Miocene or early Pliocene.
Feasibility of a Supervised Inpatient Low-Calorie Diet Program for Massive Weight Loss Prior to RYGB in Superobese Patients

This study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of an inpatient low-calorie program for a substantial decrease of preoperative weight (>10 points in BMI) in superobese patients. Five patients were hospitalized for an average of 11 weeks and were placed on a low-calorie liquid diet (<900 kcal/day) and an exercise program. Following a drop of ten points in BMI, they underwent a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Hemoglobin A1c and lipid profiles were obtained at the beginning of the diet, prior to surgery and at the last follow-up appointment. Our results were compared to the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database, which included 1,046 bariatric operations performed at VA centers between October 1999 and August 2007. All five patients were massively obese men (body mass index (BMI) = 64.3 ± 2.1 kg/m2; 54.7 ± 2.6 years old; four of five were white) with multiple comorbid conditions, which placed them in a substantially higher risk for bariatric surgery. Of the four diabetic patients, two were insulin dependent. There was an average decrease in BMI by 12.7 points (85.8 ± 6.0 lb) during the preoperative diet period (11 weeks). All patients underwent RYGB without complications. This cohort of patients further decreased their BMI by 10.6 points (88.4 ± 29.4 lb) following surgical intervention. The total combined preoperative and postoperative excess body weight loss was 89% (10.6-month average follow-up). Sleep apnea resolved following gastric bypass but did not improve during the preoperative weight loss period. Hypertension, osteoarthritis, and dyslipidemia all improved following surgical intervention. Hemoglobin A1c decreased by 1.9% during diet-induced weight loss with no further improvement being noted after surgery. The two insulin-dependent diabetic patients discontinued insulin therapy following surgery. The NSQIP database contained 77 patients with similar characteristics to our cohort of patients. The 30-day mortality for this cohort of patients was 3.9% with a complication rate of 33.8%. Massive preoperative weight loss is possible to achieve with a liquid protein diet in superobese patients greatly facilitating gastric bypass surgery in an otherwise high-risk patient population.
Use of Exposure History to Identify Patterns of Immunity to Pneumonia in Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis)

Individual host immune responses to infectious agents drive epidemic behavior and are therefore central to understanding and controlling infectious diseases. However, important features of individual immune responses, such as the strength and longevity of immunity, can be challenging to characterize, particularly if they cannot be replicated or controlled in captive environments. Our research on bighorn sheep pneumonia elucidates how individual bighorn sheep respond to infection with pneumonia pathogens by examining the relationship between exposure history and survival in situ. Pneumonia is a poorly understood disease that has impeded the recovery of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) following their widespread extirpation in the 1900s. We analyzed the effects of pneumonia-exposure history on survival of 388 radio-collared adults and 753 ewe-lamb pairs. Results from Cox proportional hazards models suggested that surviving ewes develop protective immunity after exposure, but previous exposure in ewes does not protect their lambs during pneumonia outbreaks. Paradoxically, multiple exposures of ewes to pneumonia were associated with diminished survival of their offspring during pneumonia outbreaks. Although there was support for waning and boosting immunity in ewes, models with consistent immunizing exposure were similarly supported. Translocated animals that had not previously been exposed were more likely to die of pneumonia than residents. These results suggest that pneumonia in bighorn sheep can lead to aging populations of immune adults with limited recruitment. Recovery is unlikely to be enhanced by translocating naive healthy animals into or near populations infected with pneumonia pathogens.
The high temperature heat content and heat capacity of liquid cerium-copper alloys by levitation calorimetry

The electromagnetic method of heating was used to determine the heat contents of liquid-cerium-copper alloys over the complete range of alloy composition. The temperatures of the levitated samples were determined pyrometrically utilizing the normal spectral emissivity data measured in an earlier work. The heat capacity was derived from analytic expression for heat contents. The composition dependence of the heat capacity goes through a maximum at 67 at. pct Cu. This behavior is ascribed to the effect of a Ce-Cu2-type atomic clustering in the liquid phase.
Stochastic Modeling of Cracked Solids and the Related Size Effects

This paper examines the crack size effect of homogenization and microstructure on the materials. It is proposed that the size of the microstructure should not only affect the mean response of the material, which would correspond to the conventional deterministic concept of material size effect, but should also affect its whole probabilistic structure. As an example, a non-stationary stochastic tensor field is characterized as an equivalent continuum model of a solid medium with a random distribution of micro-cracks. The crack size dependence of the variance and covariance functions of the tensor field is verified and fitted to a proposed functional form. Once the correlation structure is determined, the corresponding stochastic field can be synthesized and standard computational algorithms can then be used to predict the behavior of the material.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Relations of homology between higher cognitive emotions and basic emotions

In the last 10 years, several authors including Griffiths and Matthen have employed classificatory principles from biology to argue for a radical revision in the way that we individuate psychological traits. Arguing that the fundamental basis for classification of traits in biology is that of ‘homology’ (similarity due to common descent) rather than ‘analogy’, or ‘shared function’, and that psychological traits are a special case of biological traits, they maintain that psychological categories should be individuated primarily by relations of homology rather than in terms of shared function. This poses a direct challenge to the dominant philosophical view of how to define psychological categories, viz., ‘functionalism’. Although the implications of this position extend to all psychological traits, the debate has centered around ‘emotion’ as an example of a psychological category ripe for reinterpretation within this new framework of classification. I address arguments by Griffiths that emotions should be divided into at least two distinct classes, basic emotions and higher cognitive emotions, and that these two classes require radically different theories to explain them. Griffiths argues that while basic emotions in humans are homologous to the corresponding states in other animals, higher cognitive emotions are dependent on mental capacities unique to humans, and are therefore not homologous to basic emotions. Using the example of shame, I argue that (a) many emotions that are commonly classified as being higher cognitive emotions actually correspond to certain basic emotions, and that (b) the “higher cognitive forms” of these emotions are best seen as being homologous to their basic forms.
Oxygen poisoning in the unanesthetized brain: correlation of the oxidation-reduction state of pyridine nucleotide with electrical activity.

Abstract Using light guides and an implanted cannula for excitation of pyridine nucleotide fluorescence and measurement of fluorescence emission and reflectance from the brain surface of unanesthetized rats, the changes in the oxidation-reduction level of pyridine nucleotides induced by hyperbaric oxygen on the brain cortex have been studied in detail. The level of pyridine nucleotide oxidation was little altered by addition of carbon dioxide to the hyperbaric gas mixture, or by perturbation with succinate, but the sequence of events was shortened by the former and lengthened by the latter treatment. Above the level of pyridine nucleotide oxidation induced by hyperbaric conditions, waves of increased oxidation were observed between bursts of seizure activity. Such oxidation cycles are in all respects similar to those seen on application of KCl to the surface of the cortex, and are thought to be due to K+ leakage from the cells to the extracellular space. Possible metabolic shifts of the brain in normoxic and hyperbaric conditions are discussed. The changes in the oxidation-reduction level of pyridine nucleotide induced by hyperbaric conditions are interpreted to indicate that under normoxic, conscious conditions the metabolic state of the brain approaches the ‘resting’ level characterized by the mitochondrial state 4.
The pursuit of hidden tracks in vedic

Dans la litterature vedique, on rencontre un champ semantique etonnamment large du terme pada (chemin). L'A. pense que les explications donnees a propos de ses sens figures ou derives sont incomplets. Il pense volontiers lui assigner le sens de mot ou d'unite de discours isolable. Si dans son sens litteral le terme pada signifie empreinte, il nous emmene directement dans le monde du signe et fonctionne plus ou moins clairement comme un terme de deduction. En fait, l'empreinte est un signe indexique reconnu comme tel dans l'Inde classique
Renal phenotype is exacerbated in Os and lpr double mutant mice

Renal phenotype is exacerbated in Os and lpr double mutant mice. Background ROP- Os/+ mice are born with oligosyndactyly and oligonephronia and develop renal dysfunction, which includes renal tubular epithelial cell (RTC) Fas-dependent apoptosis and tubular atrophy. MRL/ lpr mice harbor a Fas -inactivating mutation and develop glomerulonephritis, whereas mice expressing lpr on a C3H background demonstrate no renal phenotype. We hypothesized that crossing ROP- Os/+ with CH3- lpr/lpr mice would rescue the Os/+ renal phenotype by reducing Fas-dependent RTC apoptosis. Methods ROP- Os/+ mice were intercrossed with C3H- lpr/lpr mice and F 2 generation animals were phenotyped by kidney weight, serum creatinine, and albuminuria. Kidney sections were scored for histopathology and apoptosis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine additive effects of Os and lpr on renal phenotype. Results By 16 weeks, F 2 Os/+ lpr/lpr mice developed significantly more albuminuria, glomerulosclerosis, and interstitial inflammation compared to Os/++/+ mice. Glomerular cell apoptosis was increased in Os/+ lpr/lpr compared to Os/++/+ mice, with no significant difference in RTC apoptosis. A statistically significant Os-lpr effect on renal phenotype was demonstrated by multivariate analysis, which exceeded the combined independent effects if Os and lpr , indicating a biologic interaction exists between Os and lpr . Conclusion.Os/+ mice with a superimposed lpr mutation displayed a more severe renal phenotype, rather than phenotype rescue, suggesting that Fas pathway activation is necessary to delete cells resulting from Os -dependent injury. We further propose that an Os-lpr gene interaction and/or mixed ROP-C3H genetic background regulated the renal phenotype, consistent with the concept that chronic renal disease pathogenesis reflects effects of multiple nephropathy susceptibility alleles.
A Sociometric View of Some Integrated Open Classrooms1

A sixteen-item sociometric device was administered to 160 children in Grades K-4 in integrated open classrooms. Four items dealt with each of the following areas of evaluation: Positive Social (PS), Positive Intellectual (PI), Negative Social (NS), and Negative Intellectual (NI). Results indicated that black children selected more black children overall; white children selected more black children on NS and NI items, more white on PS and PI. On PS and PI items, both groups tended to select members of their own race; on NS and NI items, both tended to select black children.