cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Sarns 3M heparin bonded to Duraflo II and control circuits in a porcine model: macro- and microanalysis of thrombi accumulation in circuit arterial filters.

Heparin-bonded perfusion circuits have been reported to reduce the thrombus formation during various levels of systemic heparinization. The goal of this study was to compare the efficacy of thrombo-resistance of the Sarns 3M heparin-bonded circuit to Baxter Duraflo II and untreated control in a porcine model. Fifteen Yorkshire pigs (60-65 kg) were anesthetized, heparinized with 3000 IU, intravenously (i.v.) and surgically cannulated with an internal jugular outflow and a femoral vein inflow. All circuits consisted of a 22-Fr venous cannula, centrifugal pump, arterial filter, an 18-Fr cannula for return and connected with equal lengths of 3/8" polyvinyl chloride tubing. The flows were maintained at 2.0 l/min for 4 h. Thrombus formation in filter samples were morphometrically analyzed through macro-densitometry, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Our findings revealed that the 3M circuit had significantly less gross thrombus (p < 0.001), 66% and 84% less microscopic thrombi and fivefold less SEM-measured aggregates (p = 0.03) compared to the Duraflo II and uncoated groups. This study demonstrated that the 3M heparin-bonded circuit had significantly reduced the formation of micro- and macro-thrombi in the minimally heparinized pig model compared to the Duraflo II and untreated control circuits.
Pulmonary Complications of HIV Infection : Autopsy Findings

Study objectives To describe the pulmonary complications in patients with HIV infection, and the changes in the incidence of these complications over a 12-year period. Design Retrospective review of autopsy records. Setting Two university-affiliated medical centers. Patients We studied autopsy findings from 233 patients with HIV infection who died between 1985 and 1996. Demographic data, risk factors for HIV infection, and the lengths of hospital stay were obtained. The histologic and microbiological findings of the respiratory system, and the extrapulmonary organ involvement by Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), Pneumocystis carinii, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Mycobacterium avium complex were reviewed. Results Ninety-two percent of the patients were black and 75% were male. The two most common identified risk factors for HIV infection were homosexuality (34%) and injection drug use (27%). Bacterial pneumonia was the most frequent pulmonary complication (42%). The two most common causes of bacterial pneumonia were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. P carinii pneumonia (PCP) was found in 24%, with extrapulmonary involvement in 13%. Pulmonary mycobacterial infections were seen in 33%, with multiple extrapulmonary involvement. The most common site affected by KS was the lung. Of all pulmonary complications, only the incidence of PCP decreased over the 12-year period. Conclusions Recognizing the high incidence rate of bacterial pneumonia, the high frequency of pulmonary KS and the not uncommon occurrence of extrapulmonary P carinii infection in patients with HIV helps in improving their care.
A tissue-specific transcription enhancer element is located in the major intron of a rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chain gene

We have studied the DNA sequences required for high level expression of a cloned heavy chain immunoglobulin gene stably introduced into mouse myeloma cells by DNA transfection. We found that DNA sequences derived from the germ line JH-C mu region are required for accurate and efficient transcription from a functionally rearranged VH promoter. Similar to viral transcriptional enhancer elements, these cellular sequences stimulate transcription from either the homologous VH gene segment promoter or a heterologous SV40 promoter. They are active when placed on the 5' or 3' side of the rearranged VH gene segment and they function when their orientation is reversed. However, unlike viral enhancers, the Ig gene enhancer appears to act in a tissue-specific manner, since it is active in mouse B cells but not in mouse fibroblasts. The nucleotide sequence of the Ig enhancer region contains repeating elements that closely resemble sequence the possible role of tissue-specific transcription in cell differentiation and malignant transformation.
Savings Behavior And Satisfaction With Savings: A Comparison Of Low‐ And High‐Income Groups

Associations between satisfaction with savings and level of savings with mea sures of motivation to save, motivations to spend, and family resources were found to differ substantially between low- and high-income couples. Below a threshold level of income of $9,000, it appeared that couples simply could not afford to save very much of their limited incomes. Above that apparent threshold level, savings rose very rapidly with income. Among couples whose incomes were above the threshold, satisfaction with savings was primarily a function of income, savings, and family size, while level of savings was primarily a function of income, education, family size, and home ownership. Motivation to save was associated with both savings and satisfaction with savings in terms of significant quadratic relationship.
Semantic congruity effects in judgments of loudness

This research uses comparative judgments of the relative loudness of sounds to make a critical test of one theory of the mental representation of continuous physical attributes. The first two experiments find a semantic congruity effect, which is an interaction such that subjects can pick the louder of two loud sounds faster than the softer, and the softer of two quiet sounds faster than the louder. According to the theory under test, physical quantities are stored as points on a representational continuum, with a variance as well as a mean placement on it. The theory predicts the semantic congruity effect by assuming that the variance of placement of intensities on the representational continuum is a function of the direction of judgment: a soft sound will have less variance than a loud one when judged for softness and more when judged for loudness. Since the speed of making a judgment increases as variance decreases, the theory predicts a semantic congruity effect. However, for loudness, it can be shown that variance does not change in the manner assumed. The finding of a semantic congruity effect therefore disconfirms the theory. Alternative models are discussed. This research was supported by NSF Grant BNS 78-17442.
Polarimetry Using Stress-Engineered Optical Elements

We describe a method of polarimetry using stress-engineered optical elements. By using the deterministic, space-variant nature of retardance due to stress birefringence, the Stokes parameters can be deduced from a single camera frame.
Abstract CN05-02: Energy balance and cancer at the bench: What's new?

Evidence is strong that a reduction in risk for certain types of cancer is associated with moderate to vigorous physical activity (PA); however, there is limited understanding of the role of type, intensity, duration, and frequency of PA and their mechanisms in accounting for this health benefit. The objective of this presentation is to provide insights from preclinical investigations of PA and breast cancer that inform the general understanding of candidate mechanisms that may account for both the energy dependent and independent effects of PA. Hypotheses about cellular mechanisms will be linked to hypotheses to about systemic effects of PA. Issues considered will include: 1) what contracting muscle releases into circulation or removes from circulation that would directly modulate the carcinogenic process in epithelial cells; 2) whether the effects of muscle contraction on epithelial cell carcinogenesis are exerted in an endocrine, paracrine, autocrine, or intracrine manner; and 3) if the effects of muscle contraction on malignant cells differ from effects on normal or premalignant cells that do not manifest the hallmarks of malignancy. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):CN05-02.
Evaluating long term forecasts

Abstract The U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration (EIA), and its predecessor organizations, has published projections of U.S. energy production, consumption, distribution and prices annually for over 30 years. A natural issue to raise in evaluating the projections is an assessment of their accuracy compared to eventual outcomes. A related issue is the determination of the sources of “error” in the projections that are due to differences between the actual versus realized values of the associated assumptions. One way to do this would be to run the computer-based model from which the projections are derived at the time the projected values are realized, using actual rather than assumed values for model assumptions; and, compare these results to the original projections. For long term forecasts, this approach would require that the model's software and hardware configuration be archived and available for many years, possibly decades, into the future. Such archival creates many practical problems; and, in general, it is not being done. This paper reports on an alternative approach for evaluating the projections. In the alternative approach, the model is run many times for cases in which important assumptions are changed individually and in combinations. A database is assembled from the solutions and a regression analysis is conducted for each important projected variable with the associated assumptions chosen as exogenous variables. When actual data are eventually available, the regression results are then used to estimate the sources of the differences in the projections of the endogenous variables compared to their eventual outcomes. The results presented here are for residential and commercial sector natural gas and electricity consumption.
Echo intensity compensation by echolocating bats

When mounted on a swinging pendulum, mustache bats, Pteronotus p. parnellii, emit ultrasonic pulses as they move toward and away from fixed targets. During forward swings they systematically decrease the intensity of their emitted pulses and during backward swings they increase the intensity. In this way, echo strength is continuously adjusted and apparently optimized for signal analysis. We have called this behavior echo intensity compensation. Pteronotus simultaneously Doppler and echo intensity compensate during forward swings of the pendulum but during backward swings they only echo intensity compensate. Pteronotus can regulate the intensity of both the constant frequency and frequency modulated components of their pulses; this regulation is independent of vestibular cues, pulse repetition rates, pulse durations and pulse-echo intervals.
A Realization Procedure for Threshold Gate Networks

One engineering parameter of importance in the realization of threshold gate networks is the tolerance which must be placed on the coefficients and threshold of the individual components. A previous paper gives a realization procedure which allows this tolerance to be controlled. The present paper gives an alternate realization procedure which also allows the tolerance to be controlled, but which is somewhat different in its application. The new procedure can be considered to be a generalization of an earlier procedure for the single-element realization problem. The function is first decomposed using a generalization of the function tree and then reconstructed using a generalization of the range theorem plus some additional simplification theorems.
Interstitial cystitis: A Cause of Chronic Pelvic Pain in Adolescents

and medical data were collected, including obesity-related comorbidities, previous and current use of hormonal contraception, sexual activity prior to surgery, sexual orientation, and whether or not they consented to and received the levonorgestrel releasing IUS. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Results: There were 26 girls eligible for this study. Two girls had the levonorgestrel releasing IUS placed before, and one after surgery due to individual medical needs. We focused our analyses on the remaining 23 girls. The mean age at the time of surgery was 17.5 years (SD 2.6); mean age at menarche 11.9 years (SD 1.7); mean BMI 51.6 (SD 6.5). Fifty-two percent (12/ 23) reported past hormonal contraception use, with the majority reporting previous use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs). Twenty-six percent were sexually active before surgery and 82 percent (19/23) described themselves as heterosexual. Thirty percent (7/ 23) had polycystic ovary syndrome; 26, 39, and 30 percent described symptoms of menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, and oligomenorrhea respectively. Ninety-one percent (21/23) of the girls consented to and received the levonorgestrel releasing IUS in the operating room at the time of their weight loss surgery. Conclusions: Severely obese adolescent females seeking bariatric surgery have high rates of menstrual problems and PCOS, and many have appropriately been prescribed COCs. Intrauterine contraception offered at the time of bariatric surgery is feasible and acceptable among severely obese adolescent females, providing both contraceptive and non-contraceptive benefits.
Involvement of 5-HT2A receptors in the elevation of rat serum corticosterone concentrations by quipazine and MK-212.

The possible involvement of 5-HT2A or 5-HT2C receptors in the elevation of serum corticosterone in rats by quipazine (2-(1-piperazinyl)quinoline maleate) and MK-212 (6-chloro-(1-piperazinyl)pyrazine), direct-acting 5-HT receptor agonists, was investigated by the use of two newly available receptor antagonists, SB 200646A (N-(1-methyl-5-indolyl)-N'-(3-pyridyl)urea) and MDL 100,907 (R-(+)-alpha-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-[2-(4-fluorophenylethyl)]- 4-piperidinemethanol). MDL 100,907 blocked the increase in serum corticosterone elicited by quipazine and MK-212 with ED50 values of 0.0028 and 0.0027 mg/kg, s.c., respectively. In contrast, SB 200646A only partially antagonized the serum corticosterone concentration increases by quipazine and MK-212 even at the highest dose tested, 40 mg/kg, i.p. Because published data show the affinities of MDL 100,907 and SB 200646A for 5-HT2C receptors to be nearly identical, whereas the affinity of MDL 100,907 for 5-HT2A receptors is 17500-fold higher than that of SB 200646A, our findings suggest that 5-HT2A receptors rather than 5-HT2C receptors mediate the serum corticosterone increases by both quipazine and MK-212.
Uniqueness of Gauss-Birkhoff quadrature formulas

We show that the Gauss–Birkhoff quadrature formulas introduced in [4] are uniquely determined. This will be verified using techniques of continuous deformation. The methods of proof also yield an interlacing condition for the knots as the number of them increases.
Principles of psychosocial assessment of adolescents.

Psychosocial and mental health problems are quite prevalent among adolescent worldwide, some data reporting up to 20% of adolescents having such problems. A number of risk factors, familial, individual and societal, have been indentified as contributing to these problems in adolescents. There are also many factors, such as family and societal connectedness,that protect adolescents from engaging in health risk behaviors that lead to psychosocial and mental health problems. A careful psychosocial assessment should be an essential part of adolescent health care. This paper provides a brief review of the principles of psychosocial assessment of adolescents.
Liver DT-diaphorase activity increases with age and dietary restriction in Lobund-Wistar rats

Effects of a 30 percent (%) dietary restriction on liver DT-diaphorase activity toward various substrates were studied in male Lobund-Wistar (L-W) rats throughout the life span. DT-diaphorase catalyzes the reduction of quinones to hydroquinones, thus playing a major role in protecting cells against oxidative stress manifested by quinines. Eighty rats were divided into 2 groups and fed ad libitum or a 30% calorie-restricted diet. Eight rats in each group were killed at 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months of age. DT-diaphorase activity in liver cytosol was determined. The specific activity (per mg protein) of the enzyme in the ad libitum group toward 1,4-naphthoquinone (NQ) increased with age from 6 to 30 months, while those toward 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol (DCPIP), 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (MNQ) and ubiquinone0 (UQ0) increased with age from 18 to 30 months. The specific activity of the enzyme toward all four substrates in the restricted group did not change between 6 and 18 months, then increased with age from 18 to 30 months. When the enzyme activity was calculated on a per gram body weight basis or a per gram liver basis, the age-associated patterns of the ad libitum and restricted groups were similar to those on per mg protein basis. Dietary restriction increased the activity of DT-diaphorase on per mg protein basis, per gram body weight basis, or per gram liver basis, at almost all age points. The results suggest that dietary restriction contributes to the delaying of the aging process by decreasing oxidative stress exerted by quinones through increased DT-diaphorase activity.
Research interests in the field of behavioral, psychosocial, and policy cancer research.

The growth of research in behavioral, psychosocial, and policy aspects of cancer is quite evident through examination of the literature. Although it is necessary to recognize the importance of past achievements in these areas, it is equally essential to identify the current interests and future areas that will form a new research agenda. The present study is the first attempt to shed light on these issues by surveying a group of behavioral, psychosocial and policy researchers from 1997 (n=714) and 2002 (n=1102). Questions were posed that dealt with current and future research interests. Results indicate a stable core of research interests in the field, as well as changing trends in interest that may affect the direction of future research. Prevention and detection, psychosocial issues, and quality of life were clearly the most recognized research interests. Emerging areas of research interest seem to be special populations and health care delivery. Examination of these findings may help with research planning, funding allocation, management, beginning researcher education, and practice.
Accelerating stimuli for two classes of coercive behaviors

The analyses focused on a means by which classes of events may be derived from sequential data. A prior analyses of family interaction has derived two classes labeled Hostile and Social Aggression. Events in a class were initiated by a common network of antecedent behaviors. The current analyses showed that class members also shared a common set of maintaining consequences. These events correlated with altered probabilities for the immediate recurrence of a target event.
Electrical characterization of BaTiO3 heteroepitaxial thin films by hydrothermal synthesis

The electrical properties of hydrothermally grown epitaxial pseudocubic BaTiO3 thin films formed on epitaxial electrode layers of SrRuO3 on SrTiO3 single crystal substrates have been evaluated by variable frequency dielectric testing. The initial as-synthesized BaTiO3 film displayed a dielectric constant of 450 with very high losses (tan δ ˜ ~ 100%) at 10 kHz due to OH− and H2O, incorporated during growth, contributing to migration losses within the film. Improvements were seen with increasing postprocessing heat-treatment time and temperature with improved properties seen after a heat treatment at 300 °C for 24 h (e ˜ ~ 200, tan δ ˜ ~ 8%). Relationships were established for dielectric constant and loss tangent with structural changes observed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction.
Transneuronal regulation of protein synthesis in the brain-stem auditory system of the chick requires synaptic activation.

The cellular mechanisms by which afferents influence their target neurons were investigated using a slice preparation of the chick brain- stem auditory system. Each brain slice contained portions of the auditory nerve and the second-order auditory nucleus, nucleus magnocellularis (NM), bilaterally. NM neurons on one side of the slice were stimulated either orthodromically, via activation of the ipsilateral auditory nerve, or antidromically, via electrical stimulation of their axons. NM neurons on the other side of the slice were not stimulated and served as a within-animal control population. Evoked activity was monitored extracellularly in all preparations. Orthodromic activation of NM neurons for either 1.5 or 3.5 hr resulted in enhanced protein synthesis by these neurons. This result is similar to those of previous in vivo experiments (Steward and Rubel, 1985; Born and Rubel, 1988). When slices were maintained in a medium having low Ca2+ and high Mg2+ concentrations, both synaptic transmission from the auditory nerve to NM and also the difference in protein synthesis between the stimulated and unstimulated sides of the brain were blocked. Antidromic activation of NM neurons did not enhance protein synthesis, but rather resulted in reliably less synthesis by the stimulated cells. Together, these results suggest that activity- dependent release of some “trophic” substance from the auditory nerve is necessary for this form of transneuronal regulation. Electrical activity of the postsynaptic neuron per se is not sufficient for increasing protein synthesis in these cells.
Overview of the Dynamic Hohlraum X-Ray Source at Sandia National Laboratories

Progress in understanding the physics of dynamic hohlraums is reviewed for a system that is capable of generating 10 TW of axial radiation for high-temperature ( 200 eV) radiation-flow experiments and inertial confinement fusion capsule implosions. Two-dimensional magneto-hydrodynamic simulation comparisons with data show the need to include wire initiation physics and subsequent discrete-wire dynamics in the simulations if a predictive capability is to be achieved.
ANALYSIS OF SOME SAMPLING DISTRIBUTIONS FOR QUALITY CONTROL OF FOODS

The sampling distributions of aflatoxin in fresh and roasted pecans, visible mycelium in fresh pecans and total plate count in ground beef were examined using the chi-square and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was found to be more conservative than the chi-square test and a powerful technique for rejection of null hypotheses. The results indicated that many sampling distributions used in quality control of foods deviate significantly from the normal distribution. The sampling distribution for total plate count in ground beef and the distribution of sample means were determined. A critical sample size of at least 5 was found to be necessary to approximate the normal distribution for the sample means. The average and standard deviation control charts utilizing the sample size of 5 were established to illustrate the detection of out-of-control samples.
A blackboard architecture of the microwave generic controller for the DSN antenna subsystem

This paper presents a Hayes-Roth blackboard architecture for the Microwave Generic Controller (UGC) for the Antenna Microwave Subsystem in the NASA Deep Space Network. A formal specification of the current UGC and the new blackboard architecture is also given using the Higher-Order Logic (HOL) Proof System. HOL makes it possible to provide a straightforward, unambiguous and consistent specification of the UGC. The UGC is responsible for monitoring and controlling the switches and rain blowers for the Antenna Microwave Subsystem. The new blackboard architecture for the UGC introduces a collection of parallel processes called knowledge sources. Because of the parallel nature of the blackboard and the ability to retrieve the most current information quickly, there is a gain in efficiency. In addition, the blackboard architecture of the UGC is extensible, which is in keeping with the design philosophy of the UGC. >
A Structural Analysis of Destination Travel Intentions as a Function of Web Site Features

This study used the technology acceptance model to assess the influence of tourism Web site characteristics on perceived Web site usefulness in planning a trip. Furthermore, the impact of Web site usefulness on intentions to travel to a destination was examined using structural equation modeling analysis. Consumer characteristics such as previous visits to the destination or its Web site, online travel-planning experience, and Internet use were included in the model. The results showed that motivating visuals and trip information functionality were significant predictors of Web site usefulness. Web site usefulness was a significant predictor of intent to travel to the destination, whereas previous visits to the destination or its Web site had significant but small negative influence on intentions to travel. The motivating visuals factor was also a significant direct predictor of intentions to travel to the destination, whereas trip information functionality had indirect influence on intentions through Web...
Value of the Rydberg Constant

The spectroscopic measurements of Houston and of Chu pertinent to the Rydberg constant have been adjusted to a new wavelength value (5015.6779\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0003 A in air) for the helium line used as a standard by them. This new wavelength, based primarily on recent measurements by the author and by Series and Field, replaces the value 5015.675 A accepted by Houston and Chu. The adjustment brings their data into good agreement with spectroscopic observations relative to the cadmium primary standard made by Drinkwater, Richardson, and Williams. Cohen's conclusion in 1952 that the disagreement of Houston's and Chu's results with those of Drinkwater, Richardson, and Williams was due to a discrepancy in the two standards is thus verified.In addition, a re-appraisal of the data of Chu and of Drinkwater, Richardson, and Williams has resulted in a treatment of their observations substantially different from that given by Cohen. The value of the Rydberg constant resulting from a weighted averaging of all the data, ${R}_{\ensuremath{\infty}}=109737.312\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.008$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, is, however, in excellent agreement with the presently accepted value 109737.309\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.012 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ calculated by Cohen from the data of Drinkwater, Richardson, and Williams.
Cube-in: A Learning Kit for Physical Computing Basics

We present Cube-in, a kit designed to help beginners learn about fundamental concepts in physical computing. Through play and observation, Cube-in users can investigate digital and analog signals, inputs and outputs, and mapping between inputs and outputs before they work on electronics and construct circuits. By simplifying interaction methods, Cube-in provides an accessible entry point to key physical computing concepts.
Donor funding priorities for communicable disease control in the developing world.

The evidence indicates that neither developing world need nor industrialized world interests explain all funding patterns, and that donors may be imitating one another in ways that do not take into account problems in the developing world. There is an urgent need for a major increase in funding for communicable disease control in the developing world, and for more balanced allocation of the resources already provided.
Does Cultural Distance Hinder Trade in Goods? A Comparative Study of Nine OECD Member Nations

We examine the effect of cultural distance, a proxy for the lack of a minimum reservoir of trust necessary to initiate and complete trade deals, on bilateral trade flows. Employing data for 67 countries that span the years 1996–2001, we estimate a series of modified gravity specifications and find that cultural dissimilarity between nations has an economically significant and consistently negative effect on aggregate and disaggregated trade flows; however, estimated effects vary in magnitude and economic significance across measures of trade and our cohort of OECD reference countries. The consistently negative influence of cultural distance indicates that policymakers may wish to consider mechanisms that enhance the build-up of trust and commitment when seeking to facilitate the initiation and completion of international trade deals. Our findings also imply that coefficient estimates from related studies that do not account for the trade-inhibiting effect of cultural distance may be biased.
Adaptation and accommodation in the squid axon

Current clamp data of the squid axon indicate that there is a qualitative change in the adaptive response as the magnitude of the current step is increased. Large stimulus currents have a strong inhibitory effect on spike generation and on active responses in general. Such currents always lead to only one action-potential and to the elimination of post-spike subthreshold oscillation. In view of a direct connection between stimulus current and potassium current I K, the potassium channel of the Hodgkin-Huxley model is reinterpreted in a natural way such that the K+ conductance is directly dependent on I K in addition to a voltage dependence. The I-Kdependence seems to dominate whenever the stimulus current is greater than approximately 35 μA/cm2. For current ramps, and large current steps, such a current formulation leads to good agreement with the data.
Glycolysis and krebs cycle metabolites in mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki, girard 1859, exposed to mercuric chloride : allozyme genotype effects

Concentrations of glycolysis and Krebs (citric acid) cycle metabolites were measured in the tail tissues of mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki, Girard 1859) in response to exposure to 0.86 mg/L Hg (as HgCl2) for 28 h. Substrate and product concentrations were compared between allozyme genotypes at two loci (glucosephosphate isomerase-2 and malate dehydrogenase-1) to determine whether allozyme genotypes in mosquitofish were differentially inhibited by mercury. Mercury treatment, regardless of allozyme genotype, caused decreased concentrations of glucose-6-phosphate (-27%) and lactate (-27%). Mercury treatment led to increased concentrations of malate (+33%) and oxaloacetate (+28%). Increased Krebs cycle activity could have been a response to greater energy needs associated with maintaining homeostasis under stressful conditions. There was no evidence of differential inhibition of allozymes at either locus. Fish of genotype Gpi-238/38 exhibited an overall increase in glycolytic activity in response to mercury treatment.
Knowledge representation and reasoning in the design of composite systems

The design process that spans the gap between the requirements acquisition process and the implementation process, in which the basic architecture of a system is defined, and functions are allocated to software, hardware, and human agents. is studied. The authors call this process composite system design. The goal is an interactive model of composite system design incorporating deficiency-driven design, formal analysis, incremental design and rationalization, and design reuse. They discuss knowledge representations and reasoning techniques that support these goals for the product (composite system) that they are designing, and for the design process. To evaluate the model, the authors report on its use to reconstruct the design of two existing composite systems rationally. >
Lectures for Mobile Devices, Evaluating "iPod/PDA-casting" Technology and Pedagogy

This paper explores the use of recorded lectures in formats for mobile devices (Video iPod and PDA) in a graduate computer science program using a software system developed at this university. Recordings are converted to formats for mobile devices along with an interface that allows students to subscribe to a course to receive automatic lecture downloads. The technology, pedagogy, student perceptions of the technology, and impact on educational success is explored in this paper. The mobile device lectures are in addition to the existing distance-learning option that allows students to attend live lectures by using a Web browser, and to view recorded lectures. Students self-select whether to attend on-campus in the classroom, attend live over the Internet, or to view the recorded lectures
Multistate Mark-Recapture Analysis Reveals No Effect of Blood Sampling on Survival and Recapture of Eastern Kingbirds (Tyrannus Tyrannus)

ABSTRACT. The experimentally supported and prevailing opinion is that blood sampling has few to no long-term effects on survival of birds when conducted properly, and blood sampling has become a vital addition to the toolbox of many ornithologists. However, many of the studies that concluded that blood sampling had negligible effects on birds used approaches that did not account for temporary emigration and probability of capture. To date, the only study to have done so found that blood sampling had a strong negative effect on survival. We conducted a mark-recapture analysis of 8 years of banding and bleeding data on Eastern Kingbirds (Tyrannus tyrannus) to determine whether survival was negatively influenced by blood sampling. Our analyses adjusted for temporary emigration and probability of recapture and accounted for (1) transitions between the bled and the nonbled state and (2) a change in protocol roughly midway through the study that resulted in a change from single to often multiple (and larger) dr...
Decision fusion by people: Experiments, models, and sociotechnical system design

People and machines perform tasks differently. Building optimal systems that include people and machines, requires understanding their respective behavioral properties. The task of decision fusion is considered and the performance of people is compared to the optimal fusion rule. Our behavioral experiments demonstrate that people perform decision fusion in a stochastic manner dependent on various factors, whereas optimal rule is deterministic. A Bayesian hierarchical model is developed to characterize the observed human behavior. This model captures the differences observed in people at individual level, crowd level, and population level. The implications of such a model on developing large-scale human-machine systems are presented by developing optimal decision fusion trees with both human and machine agents.
Do not let death do us part: ‘find-me’ signals in communication between dying cells and the phagocytes

The turnover and clearance of cells is an essential process that is part of many physiological and pathological processes. Improper or deficient clearance of apoptotic cells can lead to excessive inflammation and autoimmune disease. The steps involved in cell clearance include: migration of the phagocyte toward the proximity of the dying cells, specific recognition and internalization of the dying cell, and degradation of the corpse. The ability of phagocytes to recognize and react to dying cells to perform efficient and immunologically silent engulfment has been well-characterized in vitro and in vivo. However, how apoptotic cells themselves initiate the corpse removal and also influence the cells within the neighboring environment during clearance was less understood. Recent exciting observations suggest that apoptotic cells can attract phagocytes through the regulated release of ‘find-me’ signals. More recent studies also suggest that these find-me signals can have additional roles outside of phagocyte attraction to help orchestrate engulfment. This review will discuss our current understanding of the different find-me signals released by apoptotic cells, how they may be relevant in vivo, and their additional roles in facilitating engulfment.
Transport Characteristics of Particulate Materials in a Double-tube-socket Pipe Pneumatic Conveying System

Pulverized coal ash,fluorite powder and lime powder were chosen as typical materials. The transport experiment was carried out in a double-tube-socket pipe pneumatic conveying system with 100 m length and 100 mm diameter. The effects of powder diameter and density on their pneumatic conveying were analyzed. In the research range,the lowest air volume flow rate of pneumatic conveying for pulverized coal ash,fluorite powder and lime powder was 200,300 and 800 m3/h,the lowest pressure gradient of conveying 0.8,1.2 and 1.1 kPa/m,and the air volume flow rate of highest material flow rate 500,620 and 820 m3/h,separately. Based on the transport characteristics and pressure gradient trend along the conveying direction,the pipeline could be divided into developing,transition and developed sections.
Evaluation of a bed utilization system in a surgical nursing section

This research study evaluated a new bed utilization program established in the surgical nursing section at a major military medical facility. The study involved four wards with 83 beds before the new system was implemented, and three wards with 71 beds after the implementation. Five variables were identified as having an effect on the bed management program. These variables were time of discharge, escort compliance, bed availability, staff satisfaction, and patient satisfaction. Both a paired t test and an independent t test were applied for statistical analysis at the 0.05 level of significance. Data were collected for 1 month at two different intervals for comparison, using two surveys, patient records, 24-hour nursing reports, and same-day surgical schedules. A sample size of 103 was used as a basis for time of discharge and staff and patient satisfaction. The staff satisfaction survey also included a demographic data sheet. Escort compliance and bed availability were based on a 30-day time frame. The sample subjects included all patients who entered the surgical nursing section and their health care providers. Data analysis revealed significant differences in escort compliance and bed availability between the pre and post data. Findings from this study support the need for a functional, efficient bed management system.
Bibliography of Chadwick F. Alger

“A Peaceful World Is Possible If YOU Make a Contribution”, in Attila Fabian, ed., A Peaceful World Is Possible, Sopron, Hungary: Unuversity of West Hungarian Press, 2012.
Application of optimal algorithm in vacuum path planning of robot

In this paper, we bring forward a BP algorithm condition modeling and an attitude modeling based on PUMA robot vacuum path planning. Considering the limitation of the traditional particle swarm optimization(PSO) in searching space and easily running into local optimal points. We introduced the re-initialization mechanism based on the global information feedback to modified particle swarm optimization (MPSO) algorithm in this paper. To combine the MPSO algorithm with BP network algorithm before applying it in Vacuum Path Planning of PUMA Robot. Then the mixed BP-MPSO optimal algorithm can not only avoids the difficulty in solving the inverse motion equations, but also ensures that the optimal solution, which can obtains the global optimal aim instead of falling into local extremer. The results of simulation experiment show that this algorithm can well enhance the efficiency of vacuum path planning.
Comparative Conformational Dynamics of Cellular Prion Proteins Towards Elucidating the Species Barrier

Prion proteins are responsible for a series of fatal, transmissible neurodegenerative diseases. The infectious agents in prion diseases, PrPSc, result from the misfolding of the properly folded isomer, PrPc.Prion diseases are capable of crossing the species barrier, but the factors that influence the species barrier are not yet fully understood. Our goal is to determine the extent by which the native conformation of PrPc correlates with the species barrier. We will report on our structural bioinformatics study that analyzes the PrPc ensemble from a number of species for which experimental evidence suggests distinct species barrier tendencies. Our observations suggest that the secondary and tertiary structure of the protein contribute more to the transmission barrier than the specificity of the primary sequence.
Molecular Orbital Approach to σ-π Rearrangements of Organotransition Metal Complexes in Catalysis

A characteristic feature of organo-transition metal complexes lies in the flexibility of their bonding modes, which is closely related to their activities as homogeneous catalysts. The possible transformation between σ-bonded and π-bonded modes, i. e. the σ-π rearrangement, is a typical example [1–3]. The first evidence of σ-π rearrangement of organotransition-metal complex can be traced back to the isolation of triphenyltris (tetrahydrofuran) chromium (III) [4] as an intermediate in the synthesis of Hein’s π-arene- chromium complex [5–7]. Since then, many examples of an important class of the σ-π rearrangements have been reported. Coupled with a growing interest in catalysis [8], recent emphasis in this area has been directed to organizations of organometallic reactions underlying every important step of the catalytic reactions. We are obviously far from our ultimate goal: designs of catalysts. However, an accumulation of precise knowledge of mechanistical concepts in each step is necessary in order to approach this goal. In this paper, molecular orbital considerations are applied to the mechanistic aspects of the σ-π rearrangements especially in catalysis.
Genetic Diversity, Virulence, and Meloidogyne incognita Interactions of Fusarium oxysporum Isolates Causing Cotton Wilt in Georgia.

Locally severe outbreaks of Fusarium wilt of cotton (Gossypium spp.) in South Georgia raised concerns about the genotypes of the causal pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum. Vegetative complementation tests and DNA sequence analysis were used to determine genetic diversity among 492 F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum isolates obtained from 107 wilted plants collected from seven fields in five counties. Eight vegetative complementation groups (VCG) were found, with VCG 01117B and VCG 01121 occurring in 66% of the infected plants. The newly recognized VCG 01121 was the major VCG in Berrien County, the center of the outbreaks. All eight VCG resulted in significant increases in the percentages of wilted leaves (27 to 53%) and significant reductions in leaf weight (40 to 67%) and shoot weight (33 to 60%) after being stem punctured into Gossypium hirsutum ‘Rowden’. They caused little or no significant reductions in shoot weight and height or increases in foliar symptoms and vascular browning in a soil-i...
Nucleated red blood cells, critical illness survivors and postdischarge outcomes: a cohort study.

Little is known about risk factors associated with out-of-hospital outcomes in survivors of critical illness. We hypothesized that the presence of nucleated red blood cells in patients who survived critical care would be associated with adverse outcomes following hospital discharge. We performed a two-center observational cohort study of patients treated in medical and surgical intensive care units in Boston, Massachusetts. All data were obtained from the Research Patient Data Registry at Partners HealthCare. We studied 2878 patients, age ≥ 18 years, who received critical care between 2011 and 2015 and survived hospitalization. The exposure of interest was nucleated red blood cells occurring from 2 days prior to 7 days after critical care initiation. The primary outcome was mortality in the 90 days following hospital discharge. Secondary outcome was unplanned 30-day hospital readmission. Adjusted odds ratios were estimated by multivariable logistic regression models with inclusion of covariate terms thought to plausibly interact with both nucleated red blood cells and outcome. Adjustment included age, race (white versus nonwhite), gender, Deyo–Charlson Index, patient type (medical versus surgical), sepsis and acute organ failure. In patients who received critical care and survived hospitalization, the absolute risk of 90-day postdischarge mortality was 5.9%, 11.7%, 15.8% and 21.9% in patients with 0/μl, 1–100/μl, 101–200/μl and more than 200/μl nucleated red blood cells respectively. Nucleated red blood cells were a robust predictor of postdischarge mortality and remained so following multivariable adjustment. The fully adjusted odds of 90-day postdischarge mortality in patients with 1–100/μl, 101–200/μl and more than 200/μl nucleated red blood cells were 1.77 (95% CI, 1.23–2.54), 2.51 (95% CI, 1.36–4.62) and 3.72 (95% CI, 2.16–6.39) respectively, relative to patients without nucleated red blood cells. Further, the presence of nucleated red blood cells is a significant predictor of the odds of unplanned 30-day hospital readmission. In critically ill patients who survive hospitalization, the presence of nucleated red blood cells is a robust predictor of postdischarge mortality and unplanned hospital readmission.
Harriet Tubman, Women on 20s, and Intersectionality: Public Memory and the Redesign of U.S. Currency

This article analyzes representative texts from the public debate surrounding the Treasury Department’s decision to place Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill, showing that public memories of Tubman were complicated by an intersectional understanding of her role as a black woman abolitionist. Tubman’s femininity is emphasized to the detriment of her historical significance in a way that complicates Tubman’s relationship to currency as a victim of the slave trade. Using money as a technology of memorialization invites a deeper understanding of Tubman as a black anticapitalist woman, as her placement on money is read by some as ironic. The article concludes with a discussion of the relationship between memorialization and social justice and complications to how money functions as a technology of memory.
Outcomes of Ventral Hernia Repair With Concomitant Panniculectomy.

Purpose Combined ventral hernia repair and panniculectomy (VHR/PAN) is controversial, and the safety profile including anticipated complications has been questioned. We present a retrospective case series review of patients from the University of Maryland Medical Center to help surgeons counsel patients on the risks and benefits of this procedure. Methods A retrospective database was collected using current procedural terminology codes for VHR/PAN. The patient-specific variables that were studied include the following: sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cirrhosis, immunosuppression, length of operation, acute incarcerated hernias, hernia size and location, mesh size and location, pannus weight, concomitant component separation, use of negative-pressure wound therapy, intestinal violation, follow-up duration, ventral hernia working group, history of bariatric surgery, previous hernia repair, skin dehiscence, skin necrosis, chronic wound, surgical site infection, seroma, hematoma, fascial dehiscence, hernia recurrence, unplanned return to operating room, and medical complication. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine which factors affected the complication outcomes. Results There were 106 patients with an average age and BMI of 53 years and 39, respectively. Fifty-eight patients (54.72%) had at least 1 surgical site occurrence. Twenty-three patients (21.70%) had at least 1 repair failure. Twenty-eight patients (26.42%) had an unplanned trip back to the operating room. Seventeen patients (16.04%) had at least 1 medical complication. Conclusions The risk factors associated with developing complications are higher BMI, longer operating time, larger mesh size, larger hernia size, component separation, use of biologic mesh, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and intestinal violation. The use of negative-pressure wound therapy decreased complication rates, and patients with a previous hernia repair seemed to benefit the most from having a combined VHR/PAN. However, when compared with previous reports of VHR alone, VHR/PAN does seem to increase wound complications and reoperation rates.