cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Skin detection in hyperspectral images

Hyperspectral imagers collect information of the scene being imaged at close contiguous bands in the electromagnetic spectrum at high spectral resolutions. The number of applications for these imagers has grown over the years as they are now used in various fields. Many algorithms are described in the literature for skin detection in color imagery. However increased detection accuracy, in particularly over cluttered backgrounds, and of small targets and in low spatial resolution systems can be achieved by taking advantage of the spectral information that can be collected with multi/hyperspectral imagers. The ultimate goal of our research work is the development of a human presence detection system over different backgrounds using hyperspectral imaging in the 400-1000nm region of the spectrum that can be used in the context of search and rescue operations, and surveillance in defense and security applications. The 400-1000 nm region is chosen because of availability of low cost imagers in this region of the spectrum. This paper presents preliminary results in the use of combinations of normalized difference indices that can be used to detect regions of interest in a scene that can be used as a pre-processor in a human detection system. A new normalized difference ratio, the Skin Normalized Difference Index (SNDI) is proposed. Experimental results show that a combination the NDGRI+NDVI+SNDI results in a probability of detection similar to that of the NDGRI. However, the combination of features results in a much lower probability of false alarm.
Antimycin A: Stimulation of Cell Division and Protein Synthesis in Tetrahymena pyriformis

Addition of antimycin A to a culture of Tetrahymena pyriformis caused an increase in cell division and protein synthesis in this ciliated protozoan. The antimycin effect is a function of the time of exposure to the antibiotic as well as of the age of the culture. A large accumulation of endoplasmic reticulum, reflecting increased protein synthesis, was visualized by electron microscopy in cells stimulated by the antimycin A.
sIL-2Rα + IL-2: fertilizer for tolerance.

The heterogeneous clinical course in follicular lymphoma (FL) is poorly understood. However, the supporting role of the microenvironment in malignant B-cell survival is clearly observed in this disease, 1 prompting many to consider a “seed-versus-soil” hypothesis.
RADIOGRAPHIC AND ANGIOGRAPHIC EVALUATIONS OF FERRETS EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED WITH DIROFILARIA IMMITIS

Five ferrets of each sex were each inoculated with 15 third-stage infective larvae of Dirofilaria immitis to study radiographic and angiographic changes in the cardiopulmonary system following heartworm infection; 5 additional ferrets of each sex served as noninfected controls. Prior to inoculation and every 8 weeks thereafter until 40 weeks, the infected and noninfected ferrets were radiographed; angiographic examinations were done prior to necropsy. At necropsy, the worms in the heart, lungs, and associated vessels were counted, and lung histosections were prepared and examined for changes. Radiographic changes were seen in the right side of the heart and associated vessels of infected ferrets as compared with the noninfected ferrets, but changes were less prominent than those seen in heartworm-infected dogs and cats. The changes were primarily an increase in the size of the right side of the heart, especially the right atrium. Radiographically, no changes could be visualized in the pulmonary vascular system. Worms in the enlarged cranial vena cava, azygous vein, and left caudal lobar pulmonary artery of infected animals were delineated by angiography. Histologically, no changes were seen in the pulmonary vascular tissues.
Pulsed eddy-current characterization of corrosion in aircraft lap splices: quantitative modeling

Pulsed eddy-current detection and characterization of wall- thinning in aircraft lap-splices due to corrosion is studied theoretically. The relevant lap-splices consist of two one mm thick sheets of aluminum bonded together by bolts and separated a small distance by a insulating sealant. Corrosion changes the thickness of both plates and the size of the gap between them. The problem is to determine nondestructively the thickness of both the 'top' and 'bottom' plates as well as the intervening gap. We calculate the time-domain current-voltage response function of a small cylindrically symmetric coil of wire that is placed next to a lap-joint and excited by a step-function current. The result for air-core coils is obtained as a simple quadrature, while coils that contain ferrite-cores are modeled with a finite element code. The characteristic features of the transient response are shown to depend sensitively on the thickness of the top plate, the gap and the bottom plate.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Assessing Learning and Teaching Performance of a Construction Capstone Course

The assessment and evaluation of a course refers to the selection and implementation of methods used to determine whether and how well the course's objectives have been achieved, and to the interpretation of results. Researchers and educators have extensively discussed various methods to assess the learning performance of students. This paper develops an assessment tool that can be used to measure the level of achievement of the learning objectives for a construction capstone course. The development of the assessment tool employs the concept of quality function deployment (QFD), a technique used to measure the service quality of an organization.
Balloon dilatation of benign and malignant esophageal strictures. Blind retrograde balloon dilatation.

Balloon esophageal dilatation offers many theoretical advantages (safety, speed, and patient comfort) over dilatation with mercury-filled bougies or with the Eder-Puestow system. The authors used balloon dilators in 22 patients with dysphagia secondary to benign or malignant strictures. Dilatation was performed with fluoroscopic guidance, blindly, or by a combination of these techniques. For “blind” stricture dilatation, an Eder-Puestow spring-tipped guide wire is placed into the stomach using a fiberoptic endoscope. The distance from the incisor teeth to the stricture is measured, and the balloon shaft is marked to indicate when the middle of the balloon is within the stricture. Dilatation is then performed using the antegrade or, the preferred, retrograde technique. Finally, the dilated stricture is calibrated by pulling an inflated balloon through the previously strictured area without difficulty. An attempt was made to achieve an esophageal diameter of 15 mm at the initial dilatation episode, and patient discomfort was used as a guide as to the final diameter. The balloon dilatation technique was highly successful, and a stricture diameter of 15 mm (45-47 French) was achieved at the initial dilatation in most instances. Malignant strictures were easily dilated. Balloon dilatation is convenient, effective, quick, and potentially safer than the previous Eder-Puestow or mercury-filled bougie techniques.
E‐books: the University of Texas experience, part 2

This article follows‐up on an earlier Library Hi Tech article on the e‐book program at the University of Texas. It notes changes in usage that have occurred with the addition of e‐book catalog records in the library online catalog, and changes in selection patterns as librarians have gained more experience with the e‐book. It also surveys the current digital information environment, notes the increasing commodification of information, details the e‐book efforts of the Association of American Publishers and examines potential future e‐book directions.
Vibrational force constants from generalized X-ray scattering factors

Abstract Generalized X-ray scattering factors have been extracted from an accurate one-electron density function of molecular hydrogen. With the approximation that the atomic densities perfectly follow the nuclei, vibrational force constants are given in terms of sum rules for the generalized X-ray scattering factors. Calculated (experimental) results for H 2 are k e = 5.76 (5.73) mdyne A −1 , l e = -38.7 (~36.9) mdyne A −2 and m e = 246 (235) mdyne A −3 .
Task requirements and hemispheric asymmetry for the processing of single letters.

Abstract Subjects viewed letters to the left or right of fixation and were required to indicate whether or not each letter was a member of a target set. Half the subjects were told to base their responses on the name of each stimulus, while half were instructed to use stimulus configuration as the basis for their decision. An interaction of visual field and instructions was found for reaction time to target items. The role of task requirements in investigations of hemispheric asymmetry is discussed.
Effect of oral contraceptive pills on the level of creatine phosphokinase with regard to carrier detection in duchenne muscular dystrophy

Abstract A controlled study of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels of 40 women (20 who were using contraceptive pills and 20 who were not using the pills) during 4 phases of the monthly menstrual cycle revealed no increase in CPK levels for women using the pills. Also, there was no statistical difference between the levels at different phases in the monthly cycle, for either the “on pill” group or the control group. Therefore, we conclude that the contraceptive pill does not increase the level of serum CPK. Whether or not a woman is taking contraceptive pills is irrelevant in making a determination for the carrier state of X-linked muscular dystrophies. Furthermore, the phase of the menstrual cycle does not need to be a consideration in the drawing of blood for heterozygosity studies.
Effect of Three Elution Buffers on the Recovery and Structure of Monoclonal Antibodies

Antibodies are routinely purified by acid/salt elution from antigen affinity columns. The antibodies recovered with this procedure are active, but the recovery of protein is often low. We investigated the effect of acid and other denaturing or chaotropic solvents on the conformation of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) made against the extracellular region of Her2 receptor (sHer2) derived from Chinese hamster ovary cells. The mAb remain almost completely folded in the 0.1 M glycine, pH 2.9, commonly used for elution, with the beta-sheet secondary structure intact, and only very small changes detected in the environment of the tryptophans. In 7 M urea, 50 mM NaAc pH 4.0, the antibody was partially unfolded, with the Trp environment further perturbed and some of the beta-sheet structure converted to disordered structure. In 6 M guanidine HCl, 50 mM NaAc, pH 4.0, the antibody is completely unfolded, with no secondary or tertiary structure present. The antibodies exposed to glycine or urea were refolded by dialysis into phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), while the guanidine HCl-denatured antibodies were refolded by dialysis into 7 M urea, pH 4.0, followed by dialysis into PBS. The refolded antibodies were capable of forming antigen-antibody complexes which could be isolated by gel filtration chromatography. Two different mAbs were subjected to immunoaffinity chromatography on sHer2-Sepharose. mAb86 was eluted by 0.1 M Gly, pH 2.9, while mAb52 was eluted with the 7 M urea, 50 mM NaAc, pH 4.0. The isolated antibodies were refolded by dialysis into PBS, analyzed for their ability to recognize native sHer2 by immunoprecipitation, and denatured sHer2 by Western blot analysis. Both preparations recognized the native protein, but precipitated slightly different forms of sHer2, indicating that they might recognize different epitopes. The mAb52 is a more sensitive reagent for Western blot analysis. Thus, this procedure can be used to recover antibodies which would not be recovered with glycine as the only eluate. It is also possible that the antibodies can be fractionated by the different eluants into populations which can be used for different applications.
Elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in older endurance athletes

To ascertain whether older (masters) athletes exhibit a more favorable plasma lipoprotein/lipid profile than sedentary men of similar age, 14 endurance-trained masters athletes (mean age 60 ± 2 years [± standard error of the mean]), 12 older, untrained-not lean men (mean age 62 ± 1 years), 9 older untrained-lean men (mean age 61 ± 2 years), 15 young endurance-trained athletes (mean age 26 ± 1 years) and 15 young untrained men (mean age 28 ± 1 years) were studied. The athletes had higher values for maximal oxygen uptake and lower levels of body fatness compared with the untrained men, regardless of age (p <0.05). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was markedly higher in the masters athletes than in the other groups (66 vs 42 to 55 mg/dl, p <0.05). The total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations of the masters athletes generally were higher than those of the younger groups, similar to those of the older lean men, and lower than those of the older-not lean men (p <0.05). The TC/HDL cholesterol ratios were similarly low (2.8 to 3.4) for the athletes and the young untrained men compared with the older untrained men (4.0 to 5.6) (p <0.05). Thus, some older endurance athletes exhibit markedly higher HDL cholesterol levels and lower TC/HDL cholesterol ratios compared with their sedentary peers. This favorable plasma lipoprotein profile may indicate a reduced risk of developing coronary artery disease for older men who exercise regularly.
Guest Editorial Critical Technology: Infrared Optics

This special issue on Infrared Optics is the first of what we expect will be an annual issue and an Optical Engineering tradition. Included in this issue are papers on the design and testing of infrared optical systems and components, including lenses, mirrors, coatings, and filters.
Fate of phosphorus on bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) pastures

Abstract Phosphorus is considered to be the major factor causing eutrophication of Lake Okeechobee and other waterways in Florida. An important source of P for Lake Okeechobee is runoff of soluble P fertilizer applied to bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) pastures. The present study was conducted to ascertain whether P application levels could be reduced below current agronomic recommendations without affecting pasture yields or quality and to determine the effects of P application on surface water quality. A field study was conducted on a bahiagrass pasture to assess the yield response of bahiagrass to five annual rates of P (0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 kg ha−1) and two application times (dry season and wet season). Fertilizer treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications on an Immokalee fine sand (sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Arenic Haplaquods). Results indicate that P fertilization rates could be reduced from 48 to 24 kg P ha−1 without affecting yields or quality of bahiagrass. Yields in 1989 averaged 11.4, 14.7 and 10.4 Mg ha−1 for the 48, 24 and 0 kg P ha−1 treatment, repectively. Time of P application had no effect on yields or quality of bahiagrass. There was a linear increase in Mehlich I extractable P in the A and E horizons and a quadratic increase to P in the Bh horizon in 1989. Extractable P ranged from 3.8 to 22.5, 1.3 to 2.5, and 21 to 55 mg P kg−1 for the A, E and Bh horizons, respectively. Phosphorus concentrations in surface water runoff was reduced from 33 to 60% as P application rates were decreased from 48 to 12 kg P ha−1 while total P loss was reduced from 17 to 78%, respectively. Recommended reductions in P application should result in substantial cost savings to producers and also reduce P inputs into surface water.
Perioperative retinoic acid syndrome in a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), a vitamin A derivative, is prescribed for induction of chemotherapy in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Like other chemotherapy agents, ATRA has an adverse effect known as retinoic acid syndrome. The case of a 22 year old woman with acute promyelocytic leukemia, who received ATRA and subsequently developed retinoic acid syndrome, is presented. The patient's symptoms resolved after administration of dexamethasone, allowing the completion of chemotherapy without further complications.
A High-Throughput Methodology for Screening Solution-Based Chelating Agents for Efficient Palladium Removal

A simple and efficient screening methodology for scavenger reagent identification was carried out to overcome the high levels of residual palladium present in the Axitinib process. The purification strategy relied on crystallization of the desired product from the crude reaction mixture leaving the residual palladium in the mother liquor by using Pd-chelating agents. Theoretical models based on naive Bayesian classifier were also performed to support the screening team. Using the best model, a virtual screening of commercially available compounds was conducted and new theoretical hits were generated. Some of these theoretical ligands were then tested experimentally, confirming the validity of our model.
Mechanisms of CaMKII action in long-term potentiation

Long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic strength occurs during learning and can last for long periods, making it a probable mechanism for memory storage. LTP induction results in calcium entry, which activates calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). CaMKII subsequently translocates to the synapse, where it binds to NMDA-type glutamate receptors and produces potentiation by phosphorylating principal and auxiliary subunits of AMPA-type glutamate receptors. These processes are all localized to stimulated spines and account for the synapse-specificity of LTP. In the later stages of LTP, CaMKII has a structural role in enlarging and strengthening the synapse.
Interaction of CbbR and RegA* Transcription Regulators with the Rhodobacter sphaeroides cbbI Promoter-Operator Region

The form I (cbbI) Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) reductive pentose phosphate cycle operon ofRhodobacter sphaeroides is regulated by both the transcriptional activator CbbR and the RegA/PrrA (RegB/PrrB) two-component signal transduction system. DNase I footprint analyses indicated that R. sphaeroides CbbR binds to thecbbI promoter between −10 and −70 base pairs (bp) relative to the cbbI transcription start. A cosmid carrying the R. capsulatus reg locus was capable of complementing an R. sphaeroides regA-deficient mutant to phototrophic growth with restored regulated synthesis of both photopigments and ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). DNase I footprint analyses, using R. capsulatusRegA*, a constitutively active mutant version of RegA, detected four RegA* binding sites within the cbbI promoter. Two sites were found within a previously identifiedcbbI promoter proximal regulatory region from −61 to −110 bp. One of these proximal RegA* binding sites overlapped that of CbbR. Two sites were within a previously identified promoter distal positive regulatory region between −301 and −415 bp. Expression from promoter insertion mutants showed that the function of the promoter distal regulatory region was helical phase-dependent. These results indicated that RegA exerts its regulatory affect on cbbI expression through direct interaction with the cbbI promoter.
2011 Special Issue: Multi-site stimulation of subthalamic nucleus diminishes thalamocortical relay errors in a biophysical network model

This paper presents results on a computational study of how multi-site stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN), within the basal ganglia, can improve the fidelity of thalamocortical (TC) relay in a parkinsonian network model. In the absence of stimulation, the network model generates activity featuring synchronized bursting by clusters of neurons in the STN and internal segment of the globus pallidus (GPi), as occurs experimentally in parkinsonian states. This activity yields rhythmic inhibition from GPi to TC neurons, which compromises TC relay of excitatory inputs. We incorporate two types of multi-site STN stimulation into the network model. One stimulation paradigm features coordinated reset pulses that are on for different subintervals of each period at different sites. The other is based on a filtered version of the local field potential recorded from the STN population. Our computational results show that both types of stimulation significantly diminish TC relay errors; the former reduces the rhythmicity of the net GPi input to TC neurons and the latter reduces, but does not eliminate, STN activity. Both types of stimulation represent promising directions for possible therapeutic use with Parkinson's disease patients.
QCD corrections to polarized Σ - beta decay: Second class form factor effects

Abstract Working within the framework of the MIT bag model, all six form factors describing Σ−→ n beta decay matrix element of the strangeness-changing weak current in the standard electroweak theory have been calculated, including QCD vertex corrections to order αs. The results are close to the predictions of the Cabbibo model, the QCD corrections not being very large. In particular, we found the induced second class weak electric dipole form factor to be small (g 2 ≌−0.04) , in spite of the rather sizeable s-u quark mass difference, because it is significantly suppressed by quark confinement effects. Our results are in excellent agreement with the recent high statistics data on polarized Σ− beta decay, as are the Cabbibo model predictions.
Effect of in vivo loss of GDF-15 on hepatocellular carcinogenesis.

Growth/differentiation factor-15(GDF-15) is a divergent TGF-β family member that is expressed following liver injury and carcinogen exposure. GDF-15 expression is highly associated with gastrointestinal cancer stage, size, and metastasis and has been implicated in inhibition of tumor growth and increased tumor invasiveness. The current study sought to determine the effect of GDF-15 ablation on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in vivo. Male mice genetically deleted for the gene encoding GDF-15 (Gdf15 −/− mice) and wild-type controls were exposed to the hepatocarcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DEN). Mice were killed at 6 months of age and their livers dissected and processed for histology. Tumor number and size relative to total liver area examined were determined. At 6 months of age, tumors were identified in 16 of 20 (80%) Gdf15 −/− mice and 16 of 19 wild-type mice (84%). No significant difference in tumor-occupied area was observed in Gdf15 −/− mice versus wild-type mice. In addition, no difference in invasiveness was observed in HCC arising in Gdf15 −/− as compared to wild-type mice. In wild type mice strong immunohistochemical staining for GDF-15 was noted on small HCC foci, whereas a loss of GDF-15 expression was found in a number of advanced HCC tumors. Although highly expressed in association with multiple gastrointestinal cancers, and lost in some advanced HCC, genetic ablation of GDF-15 has no apparent effect on HCC tumor formation rate, growth rate or invasiveness in diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC in vivo.
Trichinella spiralis: Newborn larval migration route in rats reexamined

Abstract The route by which Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae migrate from the small intestine to striated muscle was studied in inbred AO and random-bred Sprague-Dawley rats. Newborn larvae were quantitatively recovered from the thoracic duct lymph, peritoneal cavity, and hepatic portal vein blood during the course of a primary infection with 4000 muscle larvae. The total recovery of newborn larvae assessed in this manner was compared with the number of muscle larvae in control rats receiving the same infection. In both strains of rats, most of the newborn larvae were recovered from hepatic portal vein blood, fewer than 3% of newborn larvae were recovered from the thoracic duct lymph and peritoneal cavity combined. Long-term drainage of thoracic duct lymph (>24 hr) significantly increased newborn larval recovery over short-term drainage (
A Mixture Theory Approach for the Shock Response of Composite Materials

A fiber-reinforced composite material is composed of a fiber embedded within a matrix or binder material. The shock response of these two materials is, in gen eral, quite different; typically, the matrix material is considerably more compliant than the fiber. Therefore, the passage and unloading from a shock will result in different thermo dynamic states for the two materials. Mixture theory provides the basis for the develop ment of a methodology to treat the individual thermodynamic responses of a composite material within the context of a macroscopic continuum computer code. The equations for the mixture theory are presented and then applied to a finite-difference representation. The treatments of equations of state, distortional (plastic work) energy, and viscous dissipation (artificial viscosity) are explicitly discussed. The paper concludes with some examples of shocking and unloading, both for isothermal and adiabatic mixing between the two con stituents, of an epoxy and glass composite material.
The plan recognition problem: an intersection of psychology and artificial intelligence

Understanding actions involves inferring the goal of the actor and organizing the actions into a plan structure. The BELIEVER system is a psychological theory of how human observers understand the actions of others. The present theory is concerned with single-actor sequences and can account for goal-directed actions that may succeed or fail in accomplishing the goal, as well as actions governed by norms. After discussing how AI can be applied in psychological theory construction, the BELIEVER system is presented by specifying a plan recognition process and its knowledge sources.
Empirical Modifications to a Phase Space Planner Which Compensates for Low Stiffness Actuation in a Planar, Point-Foot, Biped Robot

This paper presents an extensive experimental study of the first steps of the Hume robot. Hume is an adult sized, 20 kg, series-elastic, point-foot biped robot capable of very fast leg movements. In this study, Hume is constrained to planar motion by a linkage mechanism. We present our application of phase space planning to one, two, and three step walking, the last one over an obstacle. In the implementation, we modified the original theory and added ad-hoc adjustments since the robot could not follow the original theory’s planned walking trajectories despite their theoretical stability. We present a good correlation between the phase space plans and our various experiments, and an analysis of the robot’s final behavior. Overall the planner and ad-hoc modifications allowed us to execute very smooth gaits even over non-flat surfaces but at the same time demonstrated the shortcomings of open loop techniques.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Catalyzed steam gasification of biomass

Abstract Steam gasification of wood in the presence of catalysis was investigated. Two methods for wood/catalyst contacting were used: dry mixing of the wood and solid catalyst and impregnation of the wood with catalyst. Impregnation gave greater yields and rates than dry mixing and was used throughout the remainder of the investigation. Catalysts used included potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, trona, and borax, in order of their effectiveness at all temperatures. The gasification process with and without catalyst occurred in two stages: (1) a rapid pyrolysis immediately after heatup and (2) reaction of steam with the char residue. The steam/char reaction obeyed pseudo-first-order kinetics.
Plasma Osmotic and Electrolyte Concentrations of Largemouth Bass from Some Acidic Florida Lakes

Abstract Five acidic clear (pH 3.7–4.9), three acidic colored (pH 4.1–4.6), and three neutral (pH 6.9–7.3) north-central Florida lakes were surveyed in 1983 to determine plasma osmotic and electrolyte concentrations, growth, and coefficients of condition for largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides floridanus. Plasma osmotic concentrations averaged greater than 273 milliosmoles/kg in fish from acidic colored and circumneutral lakes, but averaged less than 269 milliosmoles/kg in four of the acidic clear lakes. Growth and coefficients of condition of largemouth bass > 305 mm total length in the acidic lakes were significantly lower than in the neutral lakes. Reductions in fish growth and condition, however, could be related to either acidic conditions or lake trophic status. Received April 22, 1984 Accepted February 28, 1985
The Neural Basis of Multisensory Integration in the Midbrain: Its Organization and Maturation

Multisensory integration describes a process by which information from different sensory systems is combined to influence perception, decisions, and overt behavior. Despite a widespread appreciation of its utility in the adult, its developmental antecedents have received relatively little attention. Here we review what is known about the development of multisensory integration, with a focus on the circuitry and experiential antecedents of its development in the model system of the multisensory (i.e., deep) layers of the superior colliculus. Of particular interest here are two sets of experimental observations: (1) cortical influences appear essential for multisensory integration in the SC, and (2) postnatal experience guides its maturation. The current belief is that the experience normally gained during early life is instantiated in the cortico-SC projection, and that this is the primary route by which ecological pressures adapt SC multisensory integration to the particular environment in which it will be used.
A Framework for Replacement Modeling Assumptions

ABSTRACT In this paper, a general, framework for replacement modeling assumptions is introduced. This framework involves the classification of assumptions into the four major categories of structural, realistic, descriptive, and simplifying (limiting) assumptions. Examples of assumptions from the literature on replacement modeling are then grouped into these four major categories. It is contended that this proposed framework assists the analyst in understanding existing replacement models and facilitates new model construction
Science Commons: Material Transfer Agreement Project

vital to the success and advancement of science. Many research protocols require assembling a large and diverse set of materials from many sources. Yet, often the process of finding and negotiating the transfer of such materials can be difficult and time-consuming. The ability to locate materials based on their descriptions in journal articles is often limited by lack of sufficient information about origin and availability, and there is no standard citation for such materials. In addition, the process of legal negotiation that may follow can be lengthy and unpredictable. This can have important implications for science policy, especially when delays or inability to obtain research materials result in lost time, productivity, and research opportunities. These transactional barriers for material transfer may ultimately have more impact on the productivity of basic laboratory science than concerns related to patents or other intellectual property. Science Commons, a project of Creative Commons, is a non-profit initiative that promotes policy and technology that remove unnecessary legal and technical barriers to scientific collaboration and innovation. Science Commons’s Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) Project seeks to reduce unnecessary barriers to the transfer and reuse of basic research materials and reagents, for both United States and international scientific collaboration, by proposing a scalable and flexible infrastructure for searching, negotiation, and tracking. Creative Commons was founded in 2001 by cyberlaw and intellectual property pioneers, including James Boyle, Michael Carroll, Molly Shaffer Van Houweling, and Lawrence Lessig, MIT computer science professor Hal Abelson, lawyerturned-documentary filmmaker-turned-cyberlaw expert Eric Saltzman, renowned documentary filmmaker Davis Guggenheim, noted Japanese entrepreneur Joi Ito, and public domain Web publisher Eric Eldred. Inspired by the open source movement, Creative Commons published a set of standardized copyright licenses free Thinh Nguyen
A CASE ILLUSTRATION OF “SPONTANEOUS” THERAPY PREEMPTING PLANNED THERAPY

Abstract It has long been known that “spontaneous” therapeutic events complicate studies of specific methods of therapy. A case is reported in which plans for therapeutic change were dramatically superseded by unscheduled events that brought about the required change in a way parallel to that which had been planned.
Two-part tariffs as regulatory constraints

Abstract This paper introduces a regulatory two-part monopoly pricing mechanism with desirable properties. Assuming that firm managers are informed about cost and demand functions, no detailed prior information of the regulator about the regulated firm and its environment is required. Also, subsequent observations of the regulator are restricted to verifiable bookkeeping data. Nevertheless, the pricing formula is simple and easily interpreted. The firm may freely choose the variable price of the two-part tariff as long as the fixed part obeys a constraint. The firm will then in every period receive an approximation to the welfare change caused by its price changes over the last period. Contrary to most other suggestions for incentive pricing the current approach requires no government subsidies.
New modular equations in the spirit of Ramanujan

We give proofs for new Ramanujan-type modular equations discovered by M. Somos and establish applications of some of them.
Accurate transition rates for intercombination lines of singly ionized nitrogen

The transition energies and rates for the $2{s}^{2}2{p}^{2}$ ${}^{3}{P}_{1,2}$--$2s2{p}^{3}$ ${}^{5}{S}_{2}^{o}$ and $2{s}^{2}2p3s$--$2{s}^{2}2p3p$ intercombination transitions have been calculated using term-dependent nonorthogonal orbitals in the multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock approach. Several sets of spectroscopic and correlation nonorthogonal functions have been chosen to describe adequately term dependence of wave functions and various correlation corrections. Special attention has been focused on the accurate representation of strong interactions between the $2s2{p}^{3}$ ${}^{1,3}{P}_{1}^{o}$ and $2{s}^{2}2p3s$ ${}^{1,3}{P}_{1}^{o}$levels. The relativistic corrections are included through the one-body mass correction, Darwin, and spin-orbit operators and two-body spin-other-orbit and spin-spin operators in the Breit-Pauli Hamiltonian. The importance of core-valence correlation effects has been examined. The accuracy of present transition rates is evaluated by the agreement between the length and velocity formulations combined with the agreement between the calculated and measured transition energies. The present results for transition probabilities, branching fraction, and lifetimes have been compared with previous calculations and experiments.
Methamphetamine-induced striatal apoptosis in the mouse brain: comparison of a binge to an acute bolus drug administration.

Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant that induces neural damage in experimental animals and humans. A binge (usually in the 5–10 mg/kg dose range 4× at 2 h intervals) and the acute bolus drug administration (20–40 mg/kg) of METH have been employed frequently to study neurotoxicity in the brain. In this study we have compared these drug delivery schedules to determine their efficacy to induce striatal apoptosis. Exposure of male mice to a binge of METH at 10 mg/kg 4× at 2 h intervals (cumulative dose of 40 mg/kg) was approximately four times less effective in inducing apoptotic cell death (TUNEL staining) 24 h after METH treatment in the striatum than a single bolus administration of 30 mg/kg of METH. The residual TUNEL staining observed three days after METH treatment is proportionately equivalent between a binge and the acute bolus drug administration. Interestingly, a binge of METH induces a hyperthermic response of longer duration. This study demonstrates that an acute bolus drug administration of METH is more effective inducing striatal apoptosis in mice, and therefore, is more suitable for studies assessing the impact of METH on sites post-synaptic to the striatonigral dopamine terminals.
Tables of identical-particle fractional parentage coefficients

Abstract The one-particle fractional parentage coefficients for totally antisymmetric states of n identical fermions have been calculated by diagonalizing the Casimir operators of the unitary and symplectic groups. They are tabulated for n up to the half-filled shell for j ≦ 11 2 , and n ≦ 5 for j = 13 2 and 15 2 respectively. The coefficients for totally symmetric states of identical bosons, dn (n ≦ 7), fn(n ≦ 6) and gn(n ≦ 5) were determined in a similar manner.
Call for Papers---Special Issue of Management Science: Business Analytics: Submission deadline: September 16, 2012 Expected publication date: First Quarter 2014

Organizations today have access to enormous data sets, and sophisticated business analytical tools are needed to harness the tremendous potential of these data to improve day-to-day decision making. To encourage further developments in this rapidly growing area of interdisciplinary research, Management Science will publish a special issue dedicated to business analytics. Applications of business analytics extend to nearly all managerial functions in an organization. Using microlevel data, mathematical models can become more realistic, be validated more easily, and match more closely true behavioral phenomena. Through business analytics, historical data can be used to discover relationships among important elements in an organization's environment, make more formal statistical inferences regarding the structure or strength of these relationships, and improve actions taken by the organization. Because these relationships are often not static, the entire cycle of identification, estimation, prediction, and decision making is repeated frequently and on an ongoing basis, leading to real-time and highly targeted data-driven decisions. We envision business analytics applied to many domains, including, but surely not limited to: digital market design and operation; network and social-graph analysis; pricing and revenue management; targeted marketing and customer relationship management; fraud and security; sports and entertainment; retailing to healthcare to financial services to many other industries. We seek novel modeling and empirical work which includes, among others, probability modeling, structural empirical models, and/or optimization methods. Submission: Please submit your manuscript online via http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/ms You must select "Special Issue" as the Manuscript Type in Step 1 and select one of the issue's four coeditors in Step 5. Manuscripts will generally be assigned to one of the Associate Editors for this issue (see below; please recommend three in Step 4), but you may also recommend guest Associate Editors.
MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ACQUIRED CYTOMEGALOVIRUS (CMV) DISEASE IN A NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (NICU)

During a 19 day period in 1982, 4 of 12 infants in an NICU room at the University of Illinois developed hyperbilirubinemia with or without thrombocytopenia, fever or respiratory distress. Each of the 4 infants was viruric with CMV. All 4 were premature (gestational ages 26-31 weeks), were at least 1 month old at onset of symptoms (range 36-79 days) and had received multiple transfusions of packed red blood cells (range 4-11 transfusions; 94-150 cc total volume). Although the mothers of all 4 infants had IgG to CMV, none had anti-CMV IgM; cervical cultures were obtained from 2 of the 4 mothers, and CMV was not recovered. BamHl restriction-endonuclease analysis of all 4 CMV isolates showed identical banding patterns in the CMV's of 2 infants who had received blood from a common donor. The other 8 infants were followed for acquisition of CMV; none developed viruria. Of the 11 female health-care personnel in closest contact with the CMV-infected infants, 2 had anti-CMV IgG, but neither showed rises in titer or developed anti-CMV IgM. The other 9 remained seronegative 1 month following their exposure. Restriction-endonuclease analysis, used here in conjunction with conventional epidemiology indicates a low risk of CMV transmission from infected, tertiarycare NICU infants to other neonates or to health-care personnel.
Effect of surface roughness on surface plasmon resonance absorption

Abstract The absorption of light by surface plasmons has been studied using the method of attenuated total reflection. The reflectance from a quartz-Ag interface has been measured as a function of angle and surface structure for the wavelength region from 3600 to 6000 . It is shown that the reflectance minimum for a smooth Ag film is changed in both angular position and spectral half-width by roughening the Ag surface with CaF 2 underlayers. Dispersion curves are presented which show that the wave vector of a surface plasmon propagating on an irregular surface is greater than that of an equally energetic surface plasmon propagating on a planar surface.
Uncertainty Analysis of a Polytropic Compression Process and Application to Centrifugal Compressor Performance Testing

In recent years, several papers have been written concerning the application of uncertainty analyses for isentropic compression processes under the assumption of ideal gas behavior. However, for high-pressure ratio machines, the ideal gas model fails to capture the physics of the process. Still, the estimation of test uncertainty for polytropic processes is hindered by the complexity of the equations used to calculate the performance parameters and by the incorporation of real gas equations into the models. This paper presents an uncertainty analysis developed to estimate the error levels in data gathered during factory aero-performance tests of single- or multi-stage centrifugal compressors. The analysis incorporates the effects of the variation and uncertainty levels of every parameter used to calculate centrifugal compressor aero-thermal performance. Included are the variables used to define the thermodynamic states of the fluid inside the compressor, as well as geometric and operational parameters associated with the machine and test loop. Two different methods have been utilized and the results compared to evaluate the advantages and drawbacks of each. The first method is based on the direct use of the Monte Carlo simulation technique combined with real gas equations of state. The second method employs uncertainty propagation equations and the methodology included in the ASME PTC-19.1 (1998) Test Code. Both approaches utilize the polytropic compression model and equations for performance evaluation that are included in the ASME PTC 10 (1997) Power Test Code for compressors and exhausters. The methods and results from this work may be easily extended to the isentropic compression model as well. The use of real gas equations of state make the methods applicable to virtually any gas composition. Although the analysis was intended to be applied to ASME PTC 10 Type 2 tests, the method can be extended to evaluate Type 1 and/or on-site field tests, as long as certain considerations are addressed. The uncertainty analysis presented is then used to evaluate data from several machines, ranging from a low-pressure ratio gas pipeline compressor to an eight-stage machine used for natural gas processing. Comments are offered concerning the effects of machine pressure ratio on the levels of uncertainty, as well as the importance of proper selection of instrumentation to minimize the error level of the test data. Special emphasis is placed on the benefits of using this analysis during the planning phase of the test program, to determine the optimal combination of instruments, to guarantee acceptable levels of uncertainty.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
A longitudinal examination of socioemotional learning in African American and Latino boys across the transition from pre-K to kindergarten.

Questions about socioemotional learning in boys of color (BOC) arise in light of the disproportionate rates of school adjustment difficulties BOC experience by adolescence. Socioemotional competence in BOC is assessed in terms of self-regulation, interpersonal skills, and positive relationships with peers and teachers when they enter pre-K. Changes in competence are tracked until the end of kindergarten. Teachers from randomly selected early childhood programs in 11 states rated children's socioemotional competence in the fall and spring of pre-K. Children were followed through the end of kindergarten. Analyses compared Black (n = 278) and Latino (n = 347) boys to girls of color (n = 624) and White children (n = 1,209) while controlling for family poverty. Pre-K teachers rated a majority of BOC proficient on self-regulation and peer relations. BOC did not differ from White boys on initial competence ratings or on development over time, although boys as a group were rated as less competent than girls. Although gender mattered in the initial assessment of socioemotional competence, gender was unrelated to change in competence over time. The longitudinal analyses showed a decline in teacher ratings of socioemotional competence from pre-K to kindergarten. This decline was most likely attributable to the demands, structure, and didactic approaches common in kindergarten. Social competence did predict academic skills. Self-regulation of emotions was the domain most consistently related to academic functioning. The vulnerability BOC experience during adolescence is not evident in the levels of social competence they demonstrate early in their lives at school.
Effects of doxazosin on diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in C57BR/cdJ mice

Abstract Plasma cholesterol levels are markedly reduced when doxazosin, a selective α1-adrenoceptor inhibitor, is administered for several days to C57BR/cdJ mice that have been fed a high cholesterol diet. This system affords a useful model for investigating the mechanism by which selective α1-adrenoceptor inhibitors decrease circulating lipid levels. The results indirectly suggest that hypercholesterolemia induced by dietary cholesterol may involve activation of the sympathetic nervous system. The basis for linkage between circulating cholesterol levels and sympathetic nervous activity, while not yet understood, may involve changes in the balance among cholesterol pathways in the liver, alteration of vasomotor tone and control of the activity of vascular endothelial upases. An additive effect is described for cholestyramine and doxazosin, in which low density lipoprotein cholesterol is decreased by 76% by a combination of maximal doses of the 2 agents.
Photoelectrochemical and solid‐state properties of LuRhO3

Rare‐earth rhodates of the distorted perovskite structure are semiconductors with a band gap of 2.2 eV. They may be doped either n or p type. The oxides are stable against photodecomposition at the potential for hydrogen evolution. With ceramic p‐type LuRhO3 as the cathode and n‐type TiO2 as the anode of an electrolytic cell sufficient photopotential is developed both to photoelectrolyze water in sunlight with no externally applied potential and to generate power simultaneously. As synthesized, LuRhO3 is p type as determined by thermoelectric power measurements, but may be doped n type by the introduction of Th+4 during synthesis. Electrical resistivity data show that this oxide passes through compensation as the doping level increases, the activation energy at compensation being one‐half the optical band gap. The concentration of donor and acceptor impurities was determined by magnetic susceptibility to be in the vicinity of 1% for all samples. From these data, an estimate of 2.5 cm2/V sec can be made for the mobility of holes and 1 cm2/V sec for the mobility of electrons. Unlike most n‐type oxides reported, LuRhO3 possesses deep lying impurity levels and surface capacitance is far from Mott‐Schottky behavior. We have developed a theory of surface capacitance for deep levels, and the data agree well with theory. It is interesting to note that the Fermi level of LuRhO3 is pinned to the electrolyte at the same potential independent of whether the oxide is p or n type.