cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Knowledge systems development in U.S. agriculture

Abstract Knowledge engineering involves simulating the problem solving logic of a human expert, group of experts, or a constructed “expert process.” It is the integration of assimilated information as knowledge with data. This is, in fact, the procedure used in human decision making. The potential capabilities for knowledge engineering to help solve ill-structured agricultural problems where information and data are incomplete has excited many scientists. However, knowledge engineering is in its infancy and is not ready for widespread, economically viable application to commercial agriculture. The state of the art for developing and using agricultural knowledge-based decision support “expert” systems is discussed; representative examples depicting areas that are most promising are presented, and specific examples from the authors' experiences are given. These are followed by comments on commercialization, pitfalls, needed developments, and prognosis.
A stringent test for the nucleotide switch mechanism of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase.

Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase (CPS) catalyzes the formation of carbamoyl phosphate from bicarbonate, glutamine, and two molecules of MgATP. The X-ray crystal structure of the enzyme has revealed that the two nucleotide binding sites are separated by approximately 35 A. Isotopic oxygen exchange of 18 O and 16 O between solvent water and ( 13 C)bicarbonate was measured using 13 C NMR spectroscopy during substrate turnover in the presence and absence of glutamine as a nitrogen source. In the absence of added glutamine, CPS catalyzed the exchange of one oxygen atom from bicarbonate with solvent water during every turnover of the bicarbonate-dependent ATPase reaction. In the presence of added glutamine, there was no exchange of solvent water with bicarbonate during the enzymatic synthesis of carbamoyl phosphate, indicating that any carbon-containing intermediate in the reaction mechanism is committed to the formation of carbamoyl phosphate and is not subject to hydrolysis. These results are fully consistent with a chemical mechanism that requires the physical migration of the carbamate intermediate from the site of its formation within one of the nucleotide binding domains to the other nucleotide binding domain for subsequent phosphorylation by the second MgATP. These results are not compatible with a nucleotide switch mechanism. The nucleotide switch mechanism includes the synthesis of carbamoyl phosphate entirely within a single nucleotide binding domain and concurrent conformational changes driven by the bicarbonate-dependent hydrolysis of MgATP at the second nucleotide binding domain.
An Attachment Perspective on Borderline Personality Disorder: Advances in Gene–Environment Considerations

Accumulating evidence points to severe relationship dysfunction as the core epigenetic expression of borderline personality disorder (BPD). In adulthood, BPD is typified by disorganization within and across interpersonal domains of functioning. When interacting with their infants, mothers with BPD show marked withdrawal and frightening or frightened behavior, leading to disorganized infant–mother attachments. Linked to both infant disorganization and BPD is a maternal state of mind typified by unresolved mourning regarding past loss or trauma. Early risk factors for BPD in adulthood include maternal withdrawal in infancy and separation of 1 month or more from mother in the first 5 years of life. Likely contributing biological factors include genes linked to dopamine, serotonin, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and neuropeptides. The complex gene-environment picture emerging confers risk or protection against BPD pathology in ways consistent with infants varying biological sensitivity to context. This line of research may refine early risk assessment and preventive mental health services.
Differentiation and dedifferentiation can function simultaneously and independently in the same cells in Dictyostelium discoideum.

Abstract When developing cultures of Dictyostelium discoideum are disaggregated and morphogenesis is reinitiated, cells recapitulate the stages they had progressed through prior to disaggregation in a fraction of the original time. If developing cultures are disaggregated and the cells resuspended in nutrient medium, they retain this capacity for 1.5 hr and then synchronously and rapidly revert to the slow timing of log phase cells. Loss of the capacity to recapitulate morphogenesis rapidly is referred to as the “erasure event.” Following the erasure event, cells systematically lose developmentally acquired functions in a defined temporal sequence of dedifferentiation. Cells which have just passed through the erasure event can be stimulated to reenter the developmental program, even though they still possess several aggregation-associated functions acquired during the initial developmental program. In this report, we have tested whether cells stimulated to reenter the developmental program immediately after the erasure event progress along the same rate-limiting pathway leading to aggregation as they did during initial development and whether this rate-limiting pathway can run simultaneously with and independently of the sequence of dedifferentiation. Results are presented which demonstrate (1) that the erasure event resets the rate-limiting pathway for development back to zero and that erased cells reentering development progress along the same rate-limiting pathway as naive log phase cells, (2) that the loss of an aggregation-associated function late in the sequence of dedifferentiation is completely blocked by the addition of cycloheximide, but not cAMP, just prior to the expected time of loss, and (3) that differentiation and dedifferentiation can function simultaneously and independently in the same cells, even though the former leads to the acquisition and the latter to the loss of the same aggregation-associated functions (in this case EDTA-resistant adhesion and cAMP-stimulated motility).
Postbuckling and vibration of a flexible strip clamped at its ends to a hinged substrate

Abstract A flexible strip is attached at its ends to a substrate comprised of two rigid plates connected with a hinge. One end of the strip is bonded to one of the plates, and the other end to the other plate. Initially the plates are flat and the strip has an upward (buckled) deflection. The right plate is rotated upward. This problem is motivated by an application of flexible electronic circuits in automobiles and possible debonding at the contact points with the substrate. The strip is modeled as an elastica. Equilibrium configurations and corresponding forces and moments are computed. If the system is symmetric, the strip contacts itself at a point when the rotation is sufficiently large. If the rotation is increased for an asymmetric system, the strip may jump to a shape having point contact with one of the plates and line contact with the other. Small vibrations about equilibrium are analyzed. The natural frequencies decrease as the rotation increases. Even though the strip is inextensible, the second mode has no nodes, and the number of extreme values in its shape increases as the rotation increases. Forced vibrations are also investigated, and the transmissibility is determined.
Ocean Wave Energy Concepts

Nine ocean wave energy conversion techniques are described and discussed. These techniques include the use of heaving and pitching bodies, cavity resonators, wave focusing, pressure devices surging devices, paddles, outriggers and combination devices. Examples of each technique are presented, and required subsystems are described. Finally a comparison study is performed based on efficiency, operational practicality and cost.
The influence of lead vehicle behavior and vehicle rates of closure on a driver's braking behavior

Given the great prevalence of vehicle accidents, collision prevention should be a priority for ground transportation research. The understanding of such incidents is critical to the safety of the driver. This study involved simulations of multiple driving situations variant on Rate of Closure (the relative speed between two vehicles) and Lead Vehicle Behavior. Useful Field of View and Test Anxiety measures were used to analyze additional factors related to driving with little success. The findings show that brake onset times of younger drivers are significantly related to the behavior of a lead vehicle and to the rate of closure. As such, any system that only uses time to contact or distance to contact is fundamentally flawed. These results aid in the general understanding of driver behavior and could fundamentally change automatic braking systems. Language: en
Principles of Mucin Architecture: Structural Studies on Synthetic Glycopeptides Bearing Clustered Mono-, Di-, Tri-, and Hexasaccharide Glycodomains

The structural characteristics of a mucin glycopeptide motif derived from the N-terminal fragment STTAV of the cell surface glycoprotein CD43 have been investigated by NMR. In this study, a series of molecules prepared by total synthesis were examined, consisting of the peptide itself, three glycopeptides having clustered sites of α-O-glycosylation on the serine and threonine side chains with the Tn, TF, and STF carbohydrate antigens, respectively, and one with the β-O-linked TF antigen. Additionally, a glycopeptide having the sequence SSSAVAV, triglycosylated with the Ley epitope, was investigated. NMR data for the tri-STF-STTAV glycopeptide were used to solve the structure of this construct through restrained molecular dynamics calculations. The calculations revealed a defined conformation for the glycopeptide core rooted in the interaction of the peptide and the first N-acetylgalactosamine residue. The similarity of the NMR data for each of the α-O-linked glycopeptides demonstrates that this structure ...
Holographic image subtraction of high-velocity dust using a Pockels cell

Holographic subtraction is accomplished on a single plate by using a Pockels cell external to the laser cavity. It is demonstrated that the electro-optic effect may be used to enhance contrast by subtraction on a microscopic scale and at exposure intervals of the order of microseconds.
The efficiency of antibody affinity maturation: can the rate of B-cell division be limiting?

Abstract It has been known for many years that the affinity of antibodies for antigen increases with time during an immune response. It is now clear that two processes play fundamental roles in this affinity ‘maturation' in the mouse-V gene somatic mutation and antigen affinity-based selection. Exactly how these two processes work in concert is not fully understood. In this article Tim Manser argues that models of affinity maturation based on the assumption that somatic mutation, antigen selection and B-cell division are interdependent may not explain the high efficiency of the process, and he suggests an alternative model.
Novel ligands for the human histamine H1 receptor: synthesis, pharmacology, and comparative molecular field analysis studies of 2-dimethylamino-5-(6)-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalenes.

Abstract This paper reports the synthesis of a novel series of (±)-2-dimethylamino- 5- and 6-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives (5- and 6-APTs), and, corresponding affinity, functional activity, and, molecular modeling studies with regard to drug design targeting the human histamine H 1 receptor. The 5-APTs have 2- to 4-fold higher H 1 receptor affinity than the endogenous agonist histamine. The chemical nature of a meta -substituent on the 5-APT pendant phenyl moiety does not significantly affect H 1 affinity. In contrast, analogous meta -substitution for the 6-APTs increases H 1 affinity up to 100-fold. The new APTs do not activate H 1 receptor-linked intracellular signaling and apparently are competitive H 1 antagonists. A new model that establishes structural parameters for binding to the human H 1 receptor by APTs and other ligands was developed using 3-D QSAR (CoMFA). The model predicts H 1 ligand binding with a higher degree of external predictability compared to a previously reported model. The APTs also were examined for activity at human serotonin 5-HT 2A and 5-HT 2C receptors, which are phylogenetically closely related to the H 1 receptor. 5-APT and m -Cl-6-APT were identified as novel agonists that selectively activate 5-HT 2C receptors. It is concluded that the lipophilic (brain-penetrating) APT molecular scaffold may have pharmacotherapeutic potential in neuropsychiatric diseases.
How Well Do We Know the Size of the U.S. Natural Gas Resource Base

Published estimates of the US potential gas resource base vary considerably in magnitude. However, one finds a general agreement that a large, accessible natural gas resource base exists that both backs up the current inventory of proved gas reserves and is available to make a larger contribution to the nation`s energy supply. From a comparison of six such estimates by four industry and government organizations, this paper attempts to facilitate understanding of the differences in their (1) perceptions of the resource base, (2) data sources, and (3) analytical approaches. These differences lead directly to the differences in reported results. The apparent magnitudes of these differences diminish, however, on examination of the assumptions made by the organizations (particularly concerning the role of technology) and how they have defined the categories of assessed gas resources.
Shock-Capturing Technique for Hypersonic, Chemically Relaxing Flows

A fully coupled, shock capturing technique is presented for chemically reacting flows at high Mach numbers. The technique makes use of a total variation diminishing (TVD) dissipation operator which results in sharp, crisp shocks. The eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the fully coupled system, which includes species conversion equations in addition to the gas dynamics equations, are analytically derived for a general reacting gas. Species production terms for a model dissociating gas are introduced and are included in the algorithm. The convective terms are solved using a first-order TVD scheme while the source terms are solved using a fourth-order Runge-Kutta scheme to enhance stability. Results from one-dimensional numerical experiments are shown for a two species and a three species gas.
Toward error analysis of large-scale forest carbon budgets

Quantification of forest carbon sources and sinks is an important part of national inventories of net greenhouse gas emissions. Several such forest carbon budgets have been constructed, but little effort has been made to analyse the sources of error and how these errors propagate to determine the overall uncertainty of projected carbon fluxes. We performed an error analysis for estimates of tree volume and volume change determined by repeated measurements of permanent sample plots for the South-eastern United States as a step toward assessing errors in the carbon budget constructed by the USDA Forest Service. Error components recognized were: sampling error for sample plot selection; measurement error for tree height and diameter; and regression error for tree volume. Most of the propagated error in volume and volume change estimation was due to samp? ling error. Error estimates depended on the size of the area examined (single state to region) and the degree to which tree growth and recruitment balanced mortality and harvesting. Approximate regional 95% confidence intervals were 3 455 073 000 ?39 606 000 (1.1%) m3 for current growing-stock volume, and 10 616 000 ?4210 000 (39.7%) m3 years-1 for growing-stock volume change. These methods should be useful in further analysis of the sources of error and overall uncertainty in national efforts to quantify carbon fluxes asso? ciated with forests and land cover dynamics.
Frequency-Response Models for Electroosmotic Actuators

Electroosmosis is a low-cost actuation methodology for micro- and nanofluidic systems including lab-on-chip technologies. Potential applications include transport and analysis of DNA, RNA, proteins, vaccines, antibiotics, and a range of other molecules at the micro- and nanoscales. Fields of application range from microbiology, biochemistry, and medicine to genetics. This paper develops new control-oriented frequency-response models for thin rectangular channels that, for example, relate applied voltage to flow rate. These are 2D models, which can be approximated with simple first-order responses whose bandwidth can be expressed in terms of the fundamental actuator parameters of solution density and viscosity and channel height. The DC response is characterized largely by channel height, viscosity, permittivity, and the zeta-potential (ζ-potential), which is the electrical potential in the solution at the channel walls.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Maximizing the total number of spanning trees in a graph: Two related problems in graph theory and optimum design theory

The purpose of this paper is to discuss two related problems in graph theory and optimum design theory: maximizing the number of spanning trees in a graph and finding a D -optimum incomplete block design. A regular complete multipartite graph is shown to have the maximum number of spanning trees among all the simple graphs with the same numbers of vertices and edges.
Wisdom from the fly

Arguably, almost all research in Drosophila can be considered basic research, yet many of the most essential and fundamental concepts of human genetics were first decoded in the fly. Although the fly genome, which is organized into only four chromosomes, is approximately one-twentieth the size of the human genome, it contains roughly the same number of genes, and up to 75% of human disease-related genes have Drosophila homologues [1]. The fly was prized for its simplicity and utility even before such compelling homology with humans was apparent. Since Thomas Hunt Morgan began his seminal experiments over a century ago (Table 1), the Drosophila system has revealed countless key mechanisms by which cells function, including the factors that maintain chromatin and the signaling pathways that control cell fate determination and organism development. More recently, the fly has emerged as a critical neurobiological tool and disease model for a range of genetic disorders. In this review, we present a brief retrospective of Drosophila as an indispensable genetic system and discuss some of the many contributions, past and present, of this facile system to human genetics.
Substance abuse treatment in an urban HIV clinic: who enrolls and what are the benefits?

Abstract Substance abuse treatment (SAT) is important for HIV medical care. Characteristics of those who choose SAT and effects of SAT on HIV clinical outcomes are not understood. We compared patients who enrolled and did not enroll in a SAT program offered within an HIV clinic, and evaluated the effect of SAT on CD4 T-cell counts and HIV plasma viral load (VL). Subjects were assessed and invited to enroll in SAT. Enrollees chose to receive psychological and psychiatric treatment, or motivational enhancement and relapse prevention, or residential SAT. We used logistic regressions to determine factors associated with enrollment (age, race, sex, HIV transmission risk factors, CD4 T-cell counts, and VL at assessment). A two-period (assessment and six months after SAT) data analysis was used to analyze the effect of SAT on CD4 T-cell count and log VL controlling for changes in HIV therapy. We find that, compared to Decliners (N=76), Enrollees (N=78) were more likely to be females (29.5% vs. 6.6%, OR=5.32, 95%...
THE EFFECTS OF A NEW ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE ON GONADOTROPIN EXCRETION.

Abstract Six subjects were administered varying doses of ethynodiol diacctate (SC-11800) in combination with 0.1 mg. mestranol and the effects of these drugs on gonadotropin excretion observed. Control cycles were studied on all subjects. The contraceptive action of this drug combination appears to be the inhibition of an ovulatory peak in luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in midcycle. Doses of 2.0 mg. SC-11800 with 0.1 mg. mestranol appeared to stimulate follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) excretion while LH excretion was prematurely stimulated in one subject during the first treatment cycle. A similar LH response was observed with 0.5 mg. SC-11800 and 0.1 mg. mestranol in another patient, however, FSH levels were uniformly suppressed at this dose. There were no peaks of LH in the second treatment cycles of either the 2.0 mg. or the 0.5 mg. dose of the drug mixture. No effect was seen on FSH excretion at the 1.0 mg. dose of SC-11800 in combination with 0.1 mg. mestranol in either the first or second treatment cycle. The LH excretion patterns of subjects on 1.0 mg. dose showed no ovulatory peaks of this hormone at any time while on treatment.
Change in sensitivity to d-amphetamine in frontal rats as a function of time: Shifting of the dose-response curve

Three doses (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg) of d-amphetamine and saline were administered to rats with frontal cortical ablations and to rats with sham operations during the 1st and 6th postoperative weeks. Locomotor activity of both groups of rats was measured following all injections. Hypersensitivity to d-amphetamine in the frontal rats was found to increase from the 1st to the 6th postoperative weeks.
Mechanistic Studies of the NO–CO Reaction onRh/Al2O3under Net-Oxidizing Conditions☆

Abstract The dynamic behavior of NO and CO adsorbates over a 0.2 wt% Rh/Al 2 O 3 catalyst was studied under net-oxidizing conditions by in situ infrared spectroscopy combined with pulse transient techniques. The observed sequence of adsorbate and CO 2 concentration profiles during the pulse reaction studies reveals that Rh + (CO) 2 is an active adsorbate which reacts with adsorbed oxygen to form CO 2 . The observed transient behaviors of Rh + (CO) 2 , Rh–NO − , and CO 2 during the pulse reactions can be explained by the proposed NO–CO reaction mechanism in which (i) Rh–NO − dissociates to form adsorbed nitrogen and oxygen and (ii) adsorbed oxygen further reacts with Rh + (CO) 2 to produce CO 2 . Addition of air to the NO–CO reactant stream produces a net-oxidizing environment for the NO–CO reaction. Adsorbed oxygen from air reacts with Rh–NO + producing the nitrato species and providing more Rh sites for the NO–CO reaction at 473 K. At 573 K and above, adsorbed oxygen reacts with Rh + (CO) 2 producing CO 2 , blocks the reduced Rh 0 sites for Rh–NO − , oxidizes Rh 0 /Rh + to Rh 2+ sites, and inhibits the NO conversion and N 2 O formation. Rh sites are readily reduced and return to their initial state and the catalyst returns to its initial activity when air is withdrawn from the reactant stream. Preservation of the reduced Rh sites for Rh–NO − is required to maintain the catalyst activity for the NO–CO reaction under net-oxidizing conditions.
Phytotoxic Eremophilanes from Ligularia macrophylla.

Systematic bioassay-guided fractionation of the methylene chloride extract of the roots from Ligularia macrophylla was performed to identify both phytotoxic and antifungal compounds. Four phytotoxic eremophilanes (furanoeremophilan-14β,6α-olide, 6β-angeloyloxy-10β-hydroxyfuranoeremophilane, eremophil-7(11)-ene-12,8α;14β,6α-diolide, and 3α-angeloyloxybakkenolide A) and two antifungal fatty acids (linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid) were isolated. The X-ray crystal structure determination of 6β-angeloyloxy-10β-hydroxyfuranoeremophilane is reported here for the first time. All four eremophilanes substantially inhibited growth of the monocot Agrostis stolonifera (bentgrass) while demonstrating little activity against the dicot Lactuca sativa (lettuce) at 1000 µM. In a dose–response screening of all compounds for growth inhibitory activity against Lemna paucicostata, 6β-angeloyloxy-10β-hydroxyfuranoeremophilane was the most active with an IC50 of 2.94 ± 0.16 µM. This compound also caused the greatest reduction...
In utero infection and adult schizophrenia.

We review emerging evidence indicating that in utero exposure to infection is a risk factor for schizophrenia. It is hypothesized that a prenatal infection increases the liability to schizophrenia in adulthood by adversely affecting the maturation of critical brain structural and functional components implicated in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of the disorder. Early evidence for a role of in utero infection includes investigations linking schizophrenia with birth during the winter and in urban regions, and ecologic studies demonstrating associations between influenza epidemics and births of pre-schizophrenic patients. The findings of the latter studies are, however, equivocal. To more rigorously address this question, our group has used increasingly sophisticated research designs that incorporate more refined measures of exposure and outcome, and continuous follow-up of treated cases. This work has already yielded several intriguing findings, including associations between schizophrenia and two in utero infections--rubella and respiratory infection. We also describe our ongoing birth cohort investigations that are expected to advance this work further, including studies that utilize maternal serum samples drawn during pregnancy of offspring who were later diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Minority stress and physical health among sexual minority individuals

This study examined the effects of minority stress on the physical health of lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGBs). Participants (N = 396) completed baseline and one year follow-up interviews. Exposure to stress and health outcomes were assessed with two methods: a subjective self-appraisal method and a method whereby two independent judges externally rated event narratives using standardized criteria. The odds of experiencing a physical health problem at follow-up were significantly higher among LGBs who experienced an externally rated prejudice event during the follow-up period compared to those who did not. This association persisted after adjusting for experiences of general stressful life events that were not related to prejudice. Self-appraised minority stress exposures were not associated with poorer physical health at 1-year follow-up. Prejudice-related stressful life events have a unique deleterious impact on health that persists above and beyond the effect of stressful life events unrelated to prejudice.
Hardware implementation of MPI_Barrier on an FPGA cluster

Message-Passing is the dominant programming model for distributed memory parallel computers and Message- Passing Interface (MPI) is the standard. Along with pointto- point send and receive message primitives, MPI includes a set of collective communication operations that are used to synchronize and coordinate groups of tasks. The MPI_Barrier, one of the most important collective procedures, has been extensively studied on a variety of architectures over last twenty years. However, a cluster of Platform FPGAs is a new architecture and offers interesting, resourceefficient options for implementing the barrier operation. This paper describes an FPGA implementation of MPI Barrier. The premise is that barrier (and other collective communication operations) are very sensitive to latency as the number of nodes scales to the tens-of-thousands. The relatively slow processors found on FPGAs will significantly cap performance. The FPGA hardware design implements a tree-based algorithm and is tightly integrated with the custom high-speed on-chip/off-chip network. MPI access is available through a specially-designed kernel module. This effectively offloads the work from the CPU and OS into hardware. The evaluation of this design shows signficant performance gains compared with a conventional software implementation on both an FPGA cluster and a commodity cluster. Further, it suggests that moving other MPI collective operations into hardware would be beneficial.
The Effects of Busulfan on Gonadal Differentiation and Development in Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Abstract To determine the effects on gonadal differentiation and development, two concentrations of busulfan (1,4-butanediol dimethanesulfonate) were injected into the albumen of unincubated Japanese quail eggs, and the eggs were then incubated. Half of the hatchlings were killed at 3 days of age and the rest at 10 wk of age (4 wk past puberty). Hatchability of fertile eggs was lowest in those eggs injected with 420 μg of busulfan (19.6%), intermediate in the 210-μg group (54.7%), and highest in the sham-injected control group (73.3%). Gonads were examined histologically for germ cells and normal development All 23 birds evaluated after injection with 210 μg of busulfan had histologically normal gonads. In the 420-μg group, six out of eight birds were abnormal. Three females and one male in this group had gonads lacking germ cells, and two males had testicles with a combination of normal seminiferous tubules and tubules lacking spermatogonia.
Integrating PC's into the information center (session overview)

Since the concept of the Information Center was developed at IBM Canada in 1976, it has often raised as many questions as it answered. As originally conceived, the Information Center was to provide training, support, and data access to selected members of the user community so that they could develop idiosyncratic applications or produce new one-time reports. The goal was to reduce the programming load on an under-staffed data processing department by cutting demands for program development.The wide spread introduction of low-cost, powerful, personal desk-top computers had a tremendous impact on the nature and function of traditional data processing departments. The Information Center appeared to offer an ideal way to integrate the burgeoning numbers of microcomputers into the more conventional mainframe computer environments of most large business organizations.This session addresses several of the underlying factors involved in both the theory and practice of Information Center utilization. The first paper examines the background of the Information Center concept and the methods in which Information Centers are actually being used by industrial organizations in the San Diego area. The investigation points out that Information Centers are, in fact, very popular, but there is a diversity of management responses about the best way to use microcomputers within the Information Center framework. The paper also stresses that the shift in computer power to the user can have profound effects on the role of Computer Science and Information Center departments in preparing professionals for their business and scientific careers.The second paper examines the use of microcomputers in the Information Center in a different way. It considers the “best” programming language aspect of the problem. The feasibility of using microcomputer-based implementations of PROLOG within the Information Center environment is studied. Several distinct applications are examined and examples of PROLOG programs are presented. The paper concludes that PROLOG is particularly well suited to both business and scientific problems often faced by microcomputer users.The last paper considers the problem of training the heterogeneous user population that is associated with the typical Information Center. Training must cover the entire spectrum, ranging from computer operations to application programming, to data security. The paper reviews microcomputer-based training packages as well as more traditional training devices.
Percutaneous liver biopsy in hemophiliac children with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

OBJECTIVE To develop a protocol for safe performance of percutaneous liver biopsies in children with deficiency of factor VIII (n = 12) or IX (n = 2) and chronic hepatitis C virus infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS Liver biopsies were performed after administration of factor VIII or IX, before and 24 weeks after cessation of antiviral therapy. To define the optimal means of providing replacement therapy, 10 children were enrolled in a randomized crossover design study of bolus versus continuous factor VIII for performance of the liver biopsy. For the crossover study, all of the patients were given a loading dose of 50 +/- 5 IU recombinant factor (rF)VIII/kg; a minimum of factor VIII activity of > or = 80% 30 to 60 minutes following factor VIII infusion was required for liver biopsy. For the bolus protocol, rFVIII 25 to 50 IU/kg was given 6, 14, 24, 36, 48, and 60 hours after completion of the loading dose. For the continuous protocol, rFVIII was given 3 to 4 IU/kg per hour for 48 hours, followed by a bolus of 25 IU/kg at 60 hours. In patients with factor IX deficiency, a loading dose of 100 IU/kg was followed by a bolus of 50 IU/kg at 3, 15, 27, and 48 hours after the loading dose. RESULTS Twenty liver biopsies were performed in children with factor VIII deficiency without major complications. One of the 3 biopsies in the patients with factor IX deficiency was complicated by a hemoperitoneum. Midazolam and fentanyl were used in the first 8 patients. However, postbiopsy pain, presumably secondary to hematoma in 2 patients and hemoperitoneum in 1, prompted us to use ultrasound to locate a suitable biopsy site and to change to propofol; this allowed us to better immobilize the liver, to minimize postbiopsy bleeding. The subsequent 15 biopsies were well tolerated without postbiopsy pain or other complication. CONCLUSIONS Percutaneous liver biopsy in children with factor VIII deficiency can be safely performed using either bolus or continuous infusion of recombinant factor VIII. A brief general anesthetic and ultrasound guidance are recommended.
Corrosion of orthodontic devices

A brief overview of the theory of corrosion and the formation of galvaniccouples is presented, followed by a discussion of the metals and alloys used in the fabrication of orthodontic appliances and devices. Attention is paid to the factors that contribute to establishment of corrosion cells in the mouth. Although oral corrosion generally does not cause significant destruction of metal, it can elicit in patients adverse physiological responses such as local irritation and metal hypersensitivity. There are indications that orthodontic treatment may lower the incidence of nickel hypersensitivity. Destructive attack on orthodontic appliances does occur, however, when certain types of denture cleanser are used to clean appliances that contain soldered joints.
Human viral superantigens: to be or not to be transactivated? - Response

I would like to thank Lafon et al. for pointing out that the human endogenous retrovirus family HERV-W might also display superantigen activity. These observations strengthen the emerging relationship between endogenous retroviruses and the immune system. As discussed in my commentary and underscored by Lafon et al., virally mediated upregulation of endogenous superantigen genes could represent an important missing link in the etiology of some human autoimmune diseases.Lafon et al. also point out that reactivation of human endogenous retrovirus genes cannot account for all the previously described human viral superantigens. In this regard, they argue that a superantigen has been formally identified in rabies virus [1xEvidence for a viral superantigen in humans. Lafon, M et al. Nature. 1992; 358: 507–510Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (106)See all References[1]. Although I certainly agree that previously described viral superantigens are not necessarily linked to endogenous retroviruses, I do not agree that superantigens have already been formally identified in viruses other than retroviruses. The data on rabies virus N protein quoted by Lafon et al. are consistent with a superantigen, but they certainly do not constitute a formal proof. Importantly, none of the subsequent studies published on the activity of rabies virus nucleocapsid and N protein rule out alternative possibilities, such as the induction of T-cell stimulatory activity in B cells (or other MHC class II-positive cells) [2xRabies virus superantigen. Lafon, M. : 151–170See all References[2]. It is true that fixed B cells pulsed with rabies virus N protein were reported to induce modest proliferation of T cells, but no T-cell receptor Vβ specificity was demonstrated in this experiment [1xEvidence for a viral superantigen in humans. Lafon, M et al. Nature. 1992; 358: 507–510Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (106)See all References[1]. Additional receptors for rabies virus nucleocapsid on T cells further complicate the story [2xRabies virus superantigen. Lafon, M. : 151–170See all References[2]. In my view, formal proof awaits a detailed molecular analysis of the interactions of the N protein with the MHC class II and T-cell receptor molecules. Regardless of the underlying mechanism, it is clear that the superantigenic activity associated with rabies virus might be an important modulator of the immune response to this virus. I would also add that murine gammaherpesvirus-68 polyclonally activates B cells and induces an endogenous Vβ-specific T-cell activity that is not related to known retroviruses [3xA mouse model for infectious mononucleosis. Flano, E et al. Immunol. Res. 2001; 24: 353–369See all References[3].
Echocardiographic markers for mitral valve surgery to preserve left ventricular performance in mitral regurgitation.

Background The timing of mitral valve (MV) surgery to preserve left ventricular (LV) contractility in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) has been defined by complex cardiac catheterization techniques. Whether noninvasive methods can identify patients with MR, a normal LV ejection fraction, and early LV contractile impairment is unknown. We hypothesized that echocardiographic measures would separate patients with MR and a normal LV ejection fraction into those with and without contractile dysfunction and, thus, prospectively predict the response of LV size and performance to MV surgery. Methods and Results We studied 27 patients with micromanometer LV pressures and radionuclide angiography to obtain a determination of LV volumes and ejection fraction and calculate chamber elastance, a measure of LV contractility, before MV surgery. Echocardiographic studies were performed before MV surgery and repeated at 3 and 12 months after surgery. Age, New York Heart Association class, LV plus maximum pressure per unit change in time, LV systolic and end-diastolic pressures, and echocardiographic posterior wall thickness and radius to wall thickness ratio did not identify preoperative LV contractile dysfunction. However, other echocardiographic measures were related to LV contractility, including LV end-diastolic dimension (r = –0.50, P <.005), LV end-systolic dimension (r = –0.60, P <.0001), and LV fractional shortening (r = 0.50, P =.005). From analysis of receiver operator characteristic curves, an LV end-systolic dimension of ≥40 mm was identified as most predictive for separating patients with MR before surgery into those with and without LV contractile dysfunction (sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 100%). The patients with MR and impaired preoperative LV contractility showed a dramatic deterioration in LV fractional shortening at 3 months after MV surgery (P =.01), which recovered to within the normal range for fractional shortening at 12 months (P =.02) from a progressive reduction in LV end-systolic dimension. This response in LV size and performance temporally differed from that in the patients with MR and normal contractility (2-way analysis of variance P <.0001). However, at 12 months after MV surgery, LV end-diastolic dimension, end-systolic dimension, and fractional shortening were normal in both groups of patients with MR. Conclusion We conclude that echocardiographic measures, particularly an end-systolic dimension of ≥40 mm, may be useful for identifying patients with MR before surgery with early, occult LV contractile dysfunction in whom MV surgery may be recommended to preserve LV systolic performance. (Am Heart J 2000;140:476-82.)
Congenital scoliosis: possible causes and consequences in a skeleton from Nubia

Reports of congenital scoliosis (CS) are rare in the literature of paleopathology. This study details severe CS in the complete, well preserved skeleton of an adult male, dated to AD 550–800, from the Sudanese site of Kulubnarti. This skeleton, designated as S-16, is the most complete archaeologically derived example of CS to be documented. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TLR8: the forgotten relative revindicated

The endosomal Toll-like receptors (TLRs) TLR3, TLR7, TLR8 and TLR9 are important in sensing foreign nucleic acids encountered by phagocytes. Because TLR8 was initially thought to be non-functional in mice, less is known about TLR8 than the genetically and functionally related TLR7. Originally associated with the recognition of single-stranded RNA of viral origin, there is now evidence that human TLR8 is also able to sense bacterial RNA released within phagosomal vacuoles, inducing the production of both nuclear factor (NF)-κB-dependent cytokines and type I interferons (IFNs), such as IFN-β. The functions of TLR8 extend beyond the recognition of foreign pathogens and include cross-talk with other endosomal TLRs, a process that may also have a role in the generation of autoimmunity.
The Impact of Urge Urinary Incontinence on Quality of Life: Importance of Patients' Perspective and Explanatory Style

Author(s): DuBeau, CE; Levy, B; Mangione, CM; Resnick, NM | Abstract: ObjectivesThe impact of urinary incontinence (UI) on health-related quality of life (QoL) is significant yet variable, but little is known about patient-defined content areas regarding the influence of UI on QoL and whether patient-specific factors correlate with specific content areas of UI-related QoL. In order to identify the most valid content areas for a new UI-related QoL questionnaire, our primary goal was to determine the content areas of greatest concern regarding UI-related QoL among older persons with urge incontinence. The second goal was to examine the possible role of patients' explanatory style as a mediator of UI impact on health-related QoL. Data on the questionnaire will be presented elsewhere.DesignFocus groups comprising urge-incontinent persons were used to obtain verbatim descriptions of the impact of UI on QoL.SettingA university-affiliated tertiary hospital.ParticipantsCommunity-dwelling women (n = 25) and men (n = 5) more than 60 years of age, with urge incontinence, recruited from newspaper, newsletter, and radio advertisements.MeasurementsQualitative content analysis of focus group transcripts was used to determine QoL items. These were compared with previously described UI-related QoL items obtained from the literature. Subjects' statements regarding causes of UI were evaluated for predominant explanatory style.ResultsThirty-two UI-related QoL items were identified, more than half of which were not described previously. Compared with expert-defined UI-related QoL items from the literature, patient-defined items focused more on coping with embarrassment and interference from UI than on prevention of actual activity performance. Explanatory statements were made frequently by patients talking about their UI. Although positive style explanatory statements were most common, they did not correlate with any QoL items. By contrast, there was a significant correlation between negative explanatory style and six specific UI-related QoL items.ConclusionsFocus groups of older persons with urge incontinence suggest that experts and patients view the impact of urge UI on QoL differently. Whereas experts focus more on functional impact, patients more often cite the impact of UI on their emotional well-being and on the interruption of activities. In addition, the association between negative explanatory style and specific UI-related QoL items suggests that explanatory style may be an important mediator of patients' perceptions of UI-related QoL.
Best Unbiased Estimation in Unbalanced Split Plot Designs

Best unbiased estimation is considered for linear combinations of cell means and for variance components in unbalanced split plot designs in which the whole plots have a randomized complete block design or a completely randomized design. The conditions for existence of best unbiased estimators are expressed in terms of the number of observations in the whole plot, subplot, and block combinations. These conditions are easy to use for constructing or identifying unbalanced split plot designs which allow for best unbiased estimation.
Evaluate that information

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to raise awareness of the need to critically evaluate information, no matter what the source or origin.Design/methodology/approach – Examines how information is distributed to end users.Findings – This article notes that changes in business and marketing strategies have caused information to be communicated in more personal ways, yet evaluation criteria should still be applied.Originality/value – Reinforces the value of evaluating all types of information sources, especially newer forms such as blogs and podcasts.
Nonparametric estimation of distributions with categorical and continuous data

In this paper we consider the problem of estimating an unknown joint distribution which is defined over mixed discrete and continuous variables. A nonparametric kernel approach is proposed with smoothing parameters obtained from the cross-validated minimization of the estimator's integrated squared error. We derive the rate of convergence of the cross-validated smoothing parameters to their 'benchmark' optimal values, and we also establish the asymptotic normality of the resulting nonparametric kernel density estimator. Monte Carlo simulations illustrate that the proposed estimator performs substantially better than the conventional nonparametric frequency estimator in a range of settings. The simulations also demonstrate that the proposed approach does not suffer from known limitations of the likelihood cross-validation method which breaks down with commonly used kernels when the continuous variables are drawn from fat-tailed distributions. An empirical application demonstrates that the proposed method can yield superior predictions relative to commonly used parametric models.
An efficient iterative algorithm for computation of scattering from dielectric objects

We have developed an efficient iterative algorithm for electromagnetic scattering of arbitrary but relatively smooth dielectric objects. The algorithm iteratively adapts the equivalent surface currents until the electromagnetic fields inside and outside the dielectric objects match the boundary conditions. Theoretical convergence is analyzed for two examples that solve scattering of plane waves incident upon air/dielectric slabs of semi-infinite and finite thicknesses. We applied the iterative algorithm for simulation of sinusoidally-perturbed dielectric slab on one side and the method converged for such unsmooth surfaces. We next simulated the shift in radiation pattern of a 6-inch dielectric lens for different offsets of the feed antenna on the focal plane. The result is compared to that of the Geometrical Optics (GO).
Job Literacy: The Relationship between School Preparation and Workplace Actuality.

THIS STUDY EXAMINED the literacy demands, competencies, and strategies present in the daily reading of students and workers in order to determine the extent to which literacy, as it is encountered in schools, is a preparation for various occupational literacy demands. Subjects included 48 high school juniors, 51 adult technical school students, and 150 workers representing a cross-section of occupations ranging from blue collar to professional/technical. Trained interviewers interviewed and tested subjects at their places of study or work to determine (a) the amount of daily reading; (b) its scope, depth, difficulty, and type; (c) the general and job literacy competence of each subject; and (d) the purposes, strategies, and alternatives to literacy employed by each subject. Results suggested that the students read less often in school than most workers do on the job, that they read less competently, face easier material which they read to less depth, and that the strategies students employ may be less effective than those employed by workers.