cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CT perfusion imaging of lung cancer: benefit of motion correction for blood flow estimates

CT perfusion (CTP) imaging assessment of treatment response in advanced lung cancer can be compromised by respiratory motion. Our purpose was to determine whether an original motion correction method could improve the reproducibility of such measurements. The institutional review board approved this prospective study. Twenty-one adult patients with non-resectable non-small-cell lung cancer provided written informed consent to undergo CTP imaging. A motion correction method that consisted of manually outlining the tumor margins and then applying a rigid manual landmark registration algorithm followed by the non-rigid diffeomorphic demons algorithm was applied. The non-motion-corrected and motion-corrected images were analyzed with dual blood supply perfusion analysis software. Two observers performed the analysis twice, and the intra- and inter-observer variability of each method was assessed with Bland-Altman statistics. The 95% limits of agreement of intra-observer reproducibility for observer 1 improved from −84.4%, 65.3% before motion correction to −33.8%, 30.3% after motion correction (r = 0.86 and 0.97, before and after motion correction, p < 0.0001 for both) and for observer 2 from −151%, 96% to −49 %, 36 % (r = 0.87 and 0.95, p < 0.0001 for both). The 95% limits of agreement of inter-observer reproducibility improved from −168%, 154% to −17%, 25%. The use of a motion correction method significantly improves the reproducibility of CTP estimates of tumor blood flow in lung cancer. • Tumor blood flow estimates in advanced lung cancer show significant variability. • Motion correction improves the reproducibility of CT blood flow estimates in advanced lung cancer. • Reproducibility of blood flow measurements is critical to characterize lung tumor biology and the success of treatment in lung cancer.
Higher exosomal phosphorylated tau and total tau among veterans with combat-related repetitive chronic mild traumatic brain injury.

Objective: The objective of the study is to measure plasma and exosomal levels of tau, phosphorylated tau (p-tau), and amyloid beta (Aβ) in Veterans with historical mild traumatic brain injury (mTB...
Planet Dynamic or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Reflection

A fundamental belief underlying forty years of programming languages research, aptly captured by the slogan “Well-typed programs can’t go wrong”, is that programs augmented with machine-checked annotations are more likely to be free of bugs. But of course, real programs do wrong and programmers are voting with their feet. Dynamic languages such as Ruby, Python, Lua, JavaScript and R are unencumbered by redundant type annotations and are increasingly popular. JavaScript, the lingua franca of the web, is moving to the server with the success of Node.js. R, another dynamic language, is being used in statistics, biology and finance for data analysis and visualization. Not only are these languages devoid of types, but they utterly lack any static structure that could be used for program verification. This talk will draw examples from recent results on JavaScript and R to illustrate the extent of the problem and propose some directions for research.
An Introduction to Evolution Governed by Accretive Operators

This chapter focuses on the evolutionary equations. The theory of partial differential equations does not have a few unifying basic results. Instead, it splits immediately into many topics, each with its own fundamental theorems and methods. However, most problems in partial differential equations arising from physical models either have the form of evolution equations, which describe the change of a physical system in time, or result from seeking stationary solutions of some evolution problem. These evolution problems can often be regarded as ordinary differential equations in some infinite–dimensional space. The chapter discusses recent results concerning abstract Cauchy problems in infinite–dimensional spaces that are close in spirit to classical ordinary differential equations. Moreover, it presents a broad range of interesting problems in partial differential equations.
CATALYZED LAMELLAR REACTIONS OF GRAPHITE

Most lamellar compounds of graphite form readily without the need of a catalyst because of a large favorable free energy of formation. However, for some compounds the free energy change is small and the formation of such compounds may require a catalyst. The formation of the sodium–graphite lamellar compounds has been found by us to require a catalyst. It has been reported that the lamellar reactions of graphite with indium chloride or graphite with cadmium chloride are also catalyzed reactions. These reactions are known to require the presence of chlorine which is reported not to enter into the compound. However, our experiments show that the compounds of graphite with indium chloride or with cadmium chloride contain appreciable amounts of chlorine. The chlorine is completely ionized and in both the indium chloride and cadmium chloride compounds the chlorine is the only acceptor present. The reacted chlorine can be recovered as free chlorine by thermal decomposition of the compounds.
Detection of Cardiac Allograft Rejection by Noninvasive Imaging of Lymphocyte Infiltration

The pathologic basis of acute cardiac transplant rejection is the infiltration of activated lymphocytes into the myocardium.1 With increasing severity of allograft rejection, the perivascular lymphocytic infiltration evolves into multifocal and more diffuse infiltration. The interstitial lymphocytic aggregates are subsequently associated with myocyte damage in higher grades of rejection. The damage is the result of activated lymphocytes attacking the myocytes, and this effect may persistent after the rejection has started to resolve. In severe degrees of rejection, diffuse inflammatory process becomes more aggressive and is associated with vasculitis, interstitial hemorrhage, and edema. Therefore, the acute rejection is graded as IA, IB, II, IIIA, IIIB, and IV based on the pattern and degree of lymphocytic infiltration and the degree of inflammation within the myocardium.1
Detection of DNA Rearrangements in the AML1 and ETO Loci and of an AML1/ETO Fusion mRNA in Patients With t(8;21) Acute Myeloid Leukemia

The (8;21)(q22;q22) translocation is a frequent karyotypic abnormality seen in approximately 40% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia subtype M2 (AML-M2) and an abnormal karyotype. The translocation interrupts two genes, AML1 on chromosome 21 and ETO on chromosome 8, that are consequently fused in the der(8) chromosome to produce a novel chimeric gene and message. Selected genomic DNA probes from chromosome 21 and from chromosome 8 near the breakpoint junction detect rearrangements in the DNA of about 80% of the patients with the rearrangement at diagnosis and in relapse. We analyzed the DNA of 20 patients with t(8;21) AML by standard Southern blot with probes originating from chromosomes 21 and 8 near the breakpoint junction, and we identified rearranged bands in 17 of the 20 patients at diagnosis and in relapse. We also used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with appropriate primers from the AML1 and ETO genes to amplify the cDNAs from a cell line with the t(8;21) and from seven AML patients with the t(8;21). We detected a fused transcript in the cell line and in all of the patients analyzed, including three patients who did not show any rearrangement by Southern blot analysis and one patient in hematologic remission, who later relapsed. Combining the results from Southern blot and PCR analysis, we could detect the t(8;21) in all of the patients tested. These results indicate that, whereas several DNA probes used as genetic markers do detect the t(8;21) in most, but not all Southern blots of patients with AML, PCR amplification with primers from AML1 and ETO can be used as a more sensitive and accurate means for detecting this chromosomal abnormality, and for observing the patients' response to therapy.
Ailurus fulgens (Lesser panda)

Skin biopsies of one male and one female specimens were kindly supplied by Dr. C. Gray, National Zoological Park, Washington, D.C., USA. They gave similar results and agree with the findings of Todd and Pressman. Because of the cytologic similarity to Felidae the Karyotype has been arranged like that of cats. The prominent satellited marker chromosomes are placed in the fourteenth position.
Epigenetic Diversity and Application to Breeding

Abstract Natural phenotypic variation is the basis of crop improvement. Understanding the basis of this variation has long focused on the role of genetic diversity and its exploitation in breeding programs. Beyond the genetic level, the genome is regulated by various chromatin modifications, which can be referred to as the “epigenome”. Differences in the epigenome between individuals can affect gene expression and be a contributing factor in phenotypic variation. In some instances, these differences may also be inherited independent of genetic variation. While much has been learned mechanistically, the study of epigenomic diversity and function in plants has remained limited to a handful of examples. Moving the study of epigenome from one of discovery to application will require addressing still unanswered questions of how extensive epigenomic variation is, its relationship to the genome, and ultimately its contribution to phenotypic variation.
Dissolved organic matter reduces the effectiveness of sorbents for mercury removal.

Abstract Mercury (Hg) contamination of soils and sediments impacts numerous environments worldwide and constitutes a challenging remediation problem. In this study, we evaluate the impact of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the effectiveness of eight sorbent materials considered for Hg remediation in soils and sediments. The materials include both engineered and unmodified materials based on carbon, clays, mesoporous silica and a copper alloy. Initially, we investigated the kinetics of Hg(II) complexation with DOM for a series of Hg:DOM ratios. Steady-state Hg-DOM complexation occurred within 48 to 120 h, taking longer time at higher Hg:DOC (dissolved organic carbon) molar ratios. In subsequent equilibrium experiments, Hg(II) was equilibrated with DOM at a defined Hg:DOC molar ratio (2.4 · 10 −6 ) for 170 h and used in batch experiments to determine the effect of DOM on Hg partition coefficients and sorption isotherms by comparing Hg(II) and Hg-DOM. Hg sorption capacities of all sorbents were severely limited in the presence of DOM as a competing ligand. Thiol-SAMMS®, SediMite™ and pine biochar were most effective in reducing Hg concentrations. While pine biochar and lignin-derived carbon processed at high temperatures released negligible amounts of anions into solution, leaching of sulfate and chloride was observed for most engineered sorbent materials. Sulfate may stimulate microbial communities harboring sulfate reducing bacteria, which are considered one of the primary drivers of microbial mercury methylation in the environment. The results highlight potential challenges arising from the application of sorbents for Hg remediation in the field.
Cutaneous and subcutaneous metastasis of appendicular osteosarcoma in dogs: 20 cases

BACKGROUND Metastasis of appendicular osteosarcoma is most common to the lungs and is generally considered a terminal event in dogs. Behavior and prognosis associated with cutaneous or subcutaneous metastases (CSM) is poorly defined. OBJECTIVE Describe the population and gather prognostic information regarding appendicular osteosarcoma with CSM in dogs. ANIMALS Twenty dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma and CSM. METHODS Retrospective case series. Medical records were searched to identify dogs diagnosed with appendicular osteosarcoma that developed CSM. Demographic data, order of metastatic events, and CSM clinical features were evaluated. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed and log-rank tests were used to compare survival between groups of dogs. RESULTS In 19 dogs (95%), CSM was an incidental finding. Seventeen dogs (85%) developed pulmonary metastasis, and 1 dog (5%) developed bone metastasis. No other metastatic sites were detected before euthanasia. The median CSM-free interval and CSM survival time were 160 days (range: 0-542 days) and 55 days (range: 5-336 days), respectively. The median CSM survival time was significantly longer for dogs treated with surgery and chemotherapy (94 days) or chemotherapy only (64 days) than for dogs that did not receive these treatments (11 days) (P = .002 and P = .03, respectively). No other factors were associated with survival after diagnosis of CSM. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE The skin or subcutaneous tissue can be the first osteosarcoma metastatic site detected. After CSM diagnosis, the prognosis is grave with median survival <2 months. Although this finding could have been biased by case selection, treatment with surgery and chemotherapy may improve outcome.
Quantifying the surveillance required to sustain genetic marker-based antibiotic resistance diagnostics

Abstract Diagnostics that minimize the time to selection of an appropriate antibiotic treatment represent an important strategy in addressing the challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Among this class of diagnostics, the use of pathogen genotype to predict AMR phenotype has been facilitated by advances in rapid sequencing platforms. A longstanding objection to this approach, however, is that the emergence of novel resistance mechanisms will inevitably lead to a decline in the sensitivity of these diagnostics. Here, we show that while the sensitivities of some genetic markers of resistance remain stably high, sensitivities of other markers rapidly decline, as expected, due to the emergence of novel resistance variants. We then present a simple mathematical framework that defines the sampling and phenotypic testing rates needed for early detection of novel resistance variants and thus demonstrate how surveillance can help maintain the sensitivity and utility of sequence-based AMR diagnostics. One sentence summary Targeted sampling strategies are necessary for early detection of novel resistance mechanisms and sustainability of genotype-based detection of novel resistance mechanisms and sustainability of genotype-based diagnostics.
Dynamic Covalent Polyurethane Networks with Excellent Property and Cross-Link Density Recovery after Recycling and Potential for Monomer Recovery

Dynamic urethane chemistry, which involves both associative and dissociative mechanisms, can be used to achieve reprocessability in cross-linked polyurethane (PU) networks. We discovered that prope...
A Call to Action: Strengthening Vaccine Confidence in the United States

* Abbreviation: CDC — : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention In the United States and around the world, measles (a serious, potentially fatal, and extremely contagious infection) was considered a disease of the past until recently. However, what was once old news is now making headlines again with a remarkably predictable storyline: when immunity to measles falls in a population, outbreaks soon follow. This scenario has unfolded in places such as Ukraine, the Philippines, Israel, and Samoa with devastating consequences.1 In 2019 alone, the United Kingdom and 3 other European countries lost measles elimination status in part because of vaccine hesitancy, or the delay in acceptance or the refusal of vaccination despite availability of vaccination services, which was named one of the top global public health threats by the World Health Organization. Amid this global measles resurgence, the United States experienced a chain reaction of measles cases imported into close-knit, undervaccinated communities (primarily by unvaccinated US residents carrying measles home from outbreaks abroad), leading to outbreaks across the country in 2018 and 2019. These outbreaks were fueled by targeted vaccine misinformation and resulted in the highest number of measles cases in almost 30 years, nearly costing the United States its measles elimination status.2 To protect our nation, we need to change this narrative. We must empower families, in all … Address correspondence to Sarah Mbaeyi, MD, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Mail Stop H24-8, Atlanta, GA 30329. E-mail: smbaeyi{at}cdc.gov
Prokaryote autoimmunity in the context of self-targeting by CRISPR-Cas systems.

Prokaryote adaptive immunity (CRISPR-Cas systems) can be a threat to its carriers. We analyze the risks of autoimmune reactions related to adaptive immunity in prokaryotes by computational methods....
C-Face: Continuously Reconstructing Facial Expressions by Deep Learning Contours of the Face with Ear-mounted Miniature Cameras

C-Face (Contour-Face) is an ear-mounted wearable sensing technology that uses two miniature cameras to continuously reconstruct facial expressions by deep learning contours of the face. When facial muscles move, the contours of the face change from the point of view of the ear-mounted cameras. These subtle changes are fed into a deep learning model which continuously outputs 42 facial feature points representing the shapes and positions of the mouth, eyes and eyebrows. To evaluate C-Face, we embedded our technology into headphones and earphones. We conducted a user study with nine participants. In this study, we compared the output of our system to the feature points outputted by a state of the art computer vision library (Dlib) from a font facing camera. We found that the mean error of all 42 feature points was 0.77 mm for earphones and 0.74 mm for headphones. The mean error for 20 major feature points capturing the most active areas of the face was 1.43 mm for earphones and 1.39 mm for headphones. The ability to continuously reconstruct facial expressions introduces new opportunities in a variety of applications. As a demonstration, we implemented and evaluated C-Face for two applications: facial expression detection (outputting emojis) and silent speech recognition. We further discuss the opportunities and challenges of deploying C-Face in real-world applications.
Major Forces Affecting Rural Regions in 2020

Rural regions in OECD countries have always faced development challenges, resulting from their: reliance on natural resources, small labour forces, and long distances from markets, as well as the effects of globalization. Now, in addition, their development opportunities are further constrained by: climate change requirements, increased economic fragility resulting from COVID and the lingering effects of the 2008 recession, and the uneven impacts of the Internet economy. But, from a rural development policy perspective, perhaps the most important new challenge is the rise of rural populism. While rural areas and people have long been seen as distinct from their urban counterparts, in the last two decades these gaps have grown. Importantly, while the internet and information and communications technology (ICT) were initially seen as providing opportunities to improve social cohesion and link rural and urban people and places, instead they seem to have increased tensions. Because the core values of urban and rural people have grown so far apart, it is more difficult to establish the political compromises that are required to form effective policy. Absent some reconciliation of these social and political differences, it is difficult to see how national government policy can evolve to meet new challenges. Consequently, the likelihood of national governments being able to identify and implement coherent rural development policies is reduced.
Achieving Equality in a Pluralist Democracy

The past year has been defined by overlapping challenges: a global pandemic, economic distress, and, in the United States, mass movements for racial justice. Indeed, for anyone who has spent a frac...
Engine Cycle Simulations and Comparisons to Real Engine Performance

An analytical framework is assembled, suitable for the quantitative evaluation of engine performance (fuel consumption, WOT, NOX emissions) and the appreciation of engine performance sensitivities and trade-offs. Emphasis is placed on complete, conventional spark-ignition engines in production. /GMRL/
THE ORIGIN OF LOW MASS STARS

Recent evidence indicates that most low mass stars in the Galaxy (<5 M⊙) form alongside massive stars in clusters embedded in giant molecular clouds. Once their parental gas is removed, the fate of these clusters is to disperse and blend into the field population of the galactic disk. The distribution of stellar masses in the solar neighborhood, called the Initial Mass Function, is discussed in the context of the origin of low mass stars. Arguments based on the production rate of field stars are presented that point to giant molecular clouds as the primary birth sites for low mass stars. The role of observations of molecular clouds at millimeter and infrared wavelengths in confirming this picture is reviewed. Millimeter-wave observations have revealed that molecular clouds consist of low-density gas interspersed with high-density cores. Near-infrared images of these clouds indicate that stars form preferentially in these cores, with the number of young stars roughly scaling with the mass of the core. Molecular-line and near-infrared observations which characterize star formation in the nearest giant molecular cloud complex in Orion are presented. The implications for the Sun forming in a cluster environment are briefly discussed.
Nicotine‐induced phosphorylation of ERK in mouse primary cortical neurons: evidence for involvement of glutamatergic signaling and CaMKII

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is activated in vivo in a number of brain areas by nicotine and other drugs of abuse. Here we show that nicotine stimulation of cultured mouse cortical neurons leads to a robust induction of ERK phosphorylation that is dependent on nicotine concentration and duration of exposure. Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II activity is necessary for nicotine-induced ERK phosphorylation and neither cAMP-dependent protein kinase or protein kinase C appear to be involved. Activity of glutamate receptors, L-type voltage-gated calcium channels, and voltage-gated sodium channels are also required for nicotine-induced ERK phosphorylation. Nicotine-induced ERK phosphorylation was inhibited by high concentrations of mecamylamine, however it was not blocked by other broad nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) inhibitors (including hexamethonium and chlorisondamine) or nAChR subtype selective inhibitors (such as methyllycaconitine, alpha-bungarotoxin, dihydro-beta-erythroidine, and α-conotoxin Au1B). In accord with these pharmacological results, nicotine-induced ERK phosphorylation was normal in primary cultures made from β2 or α7 nAChR subunit knockout mice. The α3/beta4 nAChR agonist cytisine did not induce ERK phosphorylation suggesting that α3/β4 nAChRs were not involved in this process. Taken together, these data define a necessary role for glutamatergic signaling and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in nicotine-induced ERK phosphorylation in cortical neurons and do not provide evidence for the involvement of classical nAChRs.
Chapter two: Phenomenology of tsunamis II: scaling, event statistics, and inter-event triggering

Abstract Observations related to tsunami catalogs are reviewed and described in a phenomenological framework. An examination of scaling relationships between earthquake size (as expressed by scalar seismic moment and mean slip) and tsunami size (as expressed by mean and maximum local run-up and maximum far-field amplitude) indicates that scaling is significant at the 95% confidence level, although there is uncertainty in how well earthquake size can predict tsunami size ( R 2 ∼ 0.4–0.6). In examining tsunami event statistics, current methods used to estimate the size distribution of earthquakes and landslides and the inter-event time distribution of earthquakes are first reviewed. These methods are adapted to estimate the size and inter-event distribution of tsunamis at a particular recording station. Using a modified Pareto size distribution, the best-fit power-law exponents of tsunamis recorded at nine Pacific tide-gauge stations exhibit marked variation, in contrast to the approximately constant power-law exponent for inter-plate thrust earthquakes. With regard to the inter-event time distribution, significant temporal clustering of tsunami sources is demonstrated. For tsunami sources occurring in close proximity to other sources in both space and time, a physical triggering mechanism, such as static stress transfer, is a likely cause for the anomalous clustering. Mechanisms of earthquake-to-earthquake and earthquake-to-landslide triggering are reviewed. Finally, a modification of statistical branching models developed for earthquake triggering is introduced to describe triggering among tsunami sources.
Surface proteins of Bordetella pertussis: Comparison of virulent and avirulent strains and effects of phenotypic modulation

The surface proteins of several Bordetella strains and their modulated derivatives were examined by surface radioiodination, cell fractionation, and Western blotting. A surface protein with a high Mr, missing in a mutant lacking the filamentous hemagglutinin, was identified in virulent Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis cells and was absent in avirulent B. pertussis strains. The electrophoretic profiles of lipopolysaccharide and the 40,000-Mr anion-selective porin were not determinants which correlated with phase variation or phenotypic modulation. At least three envelope proteins (91,000, 32,000, and 30,000 molecular weight) were found only in virulent B. pertussis strains and were absent or diminished in the avirulent phase and most phenotypically modulated strains. Two transposon-induced mutants unable to produce hemolysin, dermonecrotic toxin, pertussis toxin, and filamentous hemagglutinin also lacked these three envelope proteins, confirming that virulence-associated envelope proteins were genetically regulated with other virulence-associated traits.
Low Zinc Status in Guinea Pigs Impairs Calcium Uptake by Brain Synaptosomes

Zinc deficiency results in defective central nervous system function and in peripheral neuropathy. Calcium serves as second messenger in both pre- and postsynaptic membranes. Presynaptic uptake of calcium occurs via voltage-gated channels, whereas postsynaptic uptake occurs by way of a glutamate-activated channel, the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-channel. This study was designed to determine the effect of zinc status on calcium uptake by synaptic membranes prepared from guinea pigs deprived of zinc. Within each group of three guinea pigs, one animal was allowed to consume a low zinc (< 1 mg/kg) diet ad libitum (-ZN), one an adequate zinc (100 mg/kg) diet ad libitum (+AL), and one the adequate zinc diet restricted (+RF). When the -ZN guinea pig within a group developed clinical signs of deficiency, synaptosomes were prepared from brain cortices and calcium uptake measured by use of 45Ca. Both high potassium- and glutamate-stimulated calcium uptakes by synaptosomes from zinc-deficient guinea pigs were significantly lower than those of controls, with the glutamate-stimulated uptake 40% lower. In vitro addition of either magnesium or zinc resulted in lower uptake in synaptosomes from all dietary groups. Regardless of in vitro conditions, calcium uptake was impaired by zinc deficiency. The impaired function of calcium channels may explain the neurological disturbances observed in zinc-deficient animals.
A Social-Cognitive Perspective on Social Support

We hope that you were able to answer “yes” to this question from Procidano and Heller’s (1983) perceived social support scale, because “yes” answers across a number of similar items are associated with a wide range of positive outcomes. But consider for a moment how you arrived at your answer. From one perspective, you could have made your answer as a “good scientist” would. You carefully recalled and summed all the instances of emotional support that you had received and compared them to the amount that you believe most people get. If your score was a standard deviation above the mean, you answered “Yes,” a standard deviation below, you answered “No,” and within a standard deviation from the mean produced a “Don’t know.”
Ambivalence, indifference, distinction: A comparative netfield analysis of implicit musical boundaries

Abstract This study offers a reconceptualization of social and symbolic boundaries around music by specifying combinations of inclusion, exclusion, and ambivalence in musical tastes, producing eight ideal-typical forms of musical boundaries. These forms are investigated using data from a survey of students at the University of Mississippi measuring implicit boundary processes through respondent genre classifications of favorite and least favorite artists. These data are analyzed using comparative netfield analysis, a combination of comparative and relational methods that provides a mixed methods framework for connecting interpretations of individual-level processes to a map of the socio-musical field. The main opposition found in this musical field is between divider and ambivalent boundary forms, i.e., those who draw boundaries between versus within genres. A secondary opposition is defined by those who are indifferent to major genres. Case studies suggest that musical boundaries are often organized around racialized and gendered genre categories. I draw implications for studies of omnivorousness, genre classification, and mixed methods analysis in cultural sociology.
The Impact of Frequency and Duration of Air Quality Monitoring: Atlanta, GA, Data Modeling of Air Pollution and Mortality

The purpose of this analysis is threefold. We first examine the extent to which a longer series of data improves our understanding of air pollution on human mortality in the Atlanta, GA, area by updating the findings presented in Klemm and Mason (J. Air Waste Manage. Assoc. 2000, 50, 1433-1439) and Klemm et al. (Inhal. Toxicol. 2004, 16 (Suppl 1), 131-141) with 7.5 additional years of data. We explore estimated effects on two age groups (<65 and 65+) and four categories of cause of death. Second, we investigate how enlarging the geographic area of inquiry influences the estimated effects. Third, because some air quality (AQ) measures are monitored less frequently than daily, we investigate the extent to which AQ measurement frequency can influence estimates of relationships with human mortality. Our analytical approach employs a Poisson regression model using generalized linear modeling in S-Plus to estimate the relationship between daily AQ measures and daily mortality counts. We show that the estimated effects and their associated t values vary by year for nine AQ measures (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter < or =2.5 microm [PM2.5], elemental carbon [EC], organic carbon [OC], NO3, SO4, O3, NO2, CO, and SO2). Several of the estimated AQ effects show downward trends during the 9-year period of study. The estimated effects tend to be strongest for the AQ measurement during the day of death and tend to decrease with additional lags. Enlarging the geographic area from two to four counties in the metropolitan area decreased the estimated effects, perhaps partly due to the fact that the measurement site is located in one of the two original counties. Estimated effects utilizing data as if the AQ were only measured every 3rd or every 6th day each week or twice per week vary from lower to higher than that estimated with daily measurements, although the t values are lower, as expected.
Multi-Formalism Modeling For Evaluating The Effect Of Cyber Exploits.

An approach based on multi-formalism modeling to model, analyze, and evaluate the effect of cyber exploits on the coordination in decision making organizations is presented. The focus is on the effect that cyber exploits have on information sharing and task synchronization. The organization members are supported by systems and interact with each other through communication networks. Colored Petri Nets are used to model the decision makers in the organization and computer network models to represent their interactions. Protocols of interaction are modeled by rules of enablement where the decision makers, when interacting, must refer to the same state of the environment. Two measures of performance are then introduced: information consistency and synchronization. The multiformalism based modeling approach and the computation of the measures of performance are illustrated though a simple example.
The solution of anagrams: A reexamination of the effects of transition letter probabilities, letter moves, and word frequency on anagram difficulty.

Word frequency (WF), number of letter moves, and solution word transition letter probabilities (TP) were related to anagram solution. The solution word TP measure was based on the relative frequencies of correct to incorrect bigrams within the pool of bigrams defined by the letters of the anagram rather than on the absolute frequencies of the correct bigrams. This bigram rank measure, which also took word length and letter position into account, was a powerful predictor of anagram difficulty (p < .001). Likewise, number of letter moves predicted anagram solution strongly (p < .001), but WF was only a marginal predictor (.05 < p < .10). In addition, there were no significant interactions among the three variables, nor wasanagram TP consistently related to anagram difficulty. The results were interpreted in terms of an approach which combined elements of an hypothesis and an S-R mediational theory.
Relaxation methods for problems with strictly convex separable costs and linear constraints

We consider the minimization problem with strictly convex, possibly nondifferentiable, separable cost and linear constraints. The dual of this problem is an unconstrained minimization problem with differentiable cost which is well suited for solution by parallel methods based on Gauss-Seidel relaxation. We show that these methods yield the optimal primal solution and, under additional assumptions, an optimal dual solution. To do this it is necessary to extend the classical Gauss-Seidel convergence results because the dual cost may not be strictly convex, and may have unbounded level sets.
White-Rot Fungi Demonstrate First Biodegradation of Phenolic Resin

Phenolic resins, phenol-formaldehyde polymers previously thought to be nonbiodegradable, are produced at an annual rate of 2.2 million metric tons in the United States for many industrial and commercial applications. Three independent lines of evidence established their biodegradability with the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Chromatic transformation of growth medium (yellow to pink) indicated initial biodegradation of the resin 3 days after inoculation. A degradation product, 13C-labeled phenol, was detected with gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Scanning electron micrographs revealed physical evidence of degradation. This is the first demonstrated biodegradation of these phenol-formaldehyde polymers and stands as a platform for investigation into bioremediation and biorecycling of phenolic resins.
A course in software portability

This paper describes an experimental course on the topic of software portability, and initial experience in teaching this course. With the continuing proliferation of both applications and computing environments, the need for portability is being increasingly recognized. A large proportion of the software now being developed will eventually need to be ported to new environments. Yet this topic is missing from most computer science and software engineering curricula.The course described here was designed to explore practical issues in the development of portable software. Lectures and discussions on portability topics are combined with the ongoing development of a simple software project designed to expose a variety of portability problems. During the course the project is ported to several environments and redesigned to improve its portability.This course has been taught experimentally with encouraging results. Student assignments have used novel and effective methods to overcome portability barriers. Feedback from student indicates that they have become more aware of portability issues to be considered in software development, and have gained experience with system interface issues in several programming environments.
Comparison of sequences of the H, F, and N coding genes of measles virus vaccine strains

Many live-attenuated vaccines for measles virus have been developed using either the prototype Edmonston strain or other locally isolated measles strains. The attenuation methods used to develop these vaccines have differed in the type(s) of cell line(s) used, number of passages, and temperatures of incubation. To assess the extent of genetic diversity within vaccine strains and to determine the extent to which the varied passage histories may have affected the viruses, we conducted sequence analyses of the fusion, hemagglutinin, nucleoprotein, and matrix genes of Edmonston-derived and non-Edmonston-derived strains. Despite the diverse geographic origins of the vaccine viruses and the different attenuation methods used, there was remarkable sequence similarity among all strains examined. The sequences of all of the vaccine strains were very similar to the sequences of a low-passage seed of the original Edmonston strain. The most divergent sequences were from two of the non-Edmonston-derived vaccines: CAM-70, a vaccine developed from a Japanese wild-type virus, and S-191, which was developed in China.
INHIBITION BY PUROMYCIN OF THE INITIATION OF SYNTHESIS OF INFECTIOUS RNA AND VIRUS BY CHICKEN EMBRYO CELLS INFECTED WITH WESTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS VIRUS.

Abstract Single-step growth curves of Western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) virus in cultures of chick-embryo cells showed that infectious virus titers began to increase by 2.5 hours post-inoculation (PI). The amounts of infectious ribonucleic acid (IRNA) isolated by the use of cold phenol began to increase about 30 minutes earlier. The effect of inhibiting protein synthesis on the time at which IRNA and virus began to increase was determined. Puromycin was used at a concentration of 49 μg/ml. This concentration of puromycin inhibited by 98–99% the incorporation of H 3 -histidine into chick-embryo cell proteins. When chick-embryo cells infected with WEE virus were incubated with puromycin from 1 to 3 hours PI, a subsequent delay of 1.5 and 2 hours occurred before IRNA and virus titers, respectively, began to increase. However, when infected cultures were incubated with puromycin from 3 to 5 hours PI, a time when virus synthesis was already underway, there was only a 30-minute delay before IRNA and virus titers began to increase again. It is concluded that puromycin-sensitive events must occur prior to the synthesis of viral IRNA and virus.
Communication's role and technology preferences during hurricane evacuations

Emergency evacuations are dynamic, time-critical events involving complex coordination decisions. To develop robust evacuation policies, it is important to understand how people respond to evacuation alerts, including choices of time to leave and routes to take. The purpose of this study was to investigate the preferred communication sources and modalities for evacuees to use and learn about changes in hurricane scenarios. A hurricane evacuation behavior survey was administrated to residents in the greater Charleston, South Carolina, area. In this study, two hurricane scenarios are examined to understand prehurricane evacuation decisions and communication preferences of residents. Results from the survey indicate that while driving, respondents prefer using radios to gather traffic and weather information. When at home, television is the most preferred modality among respondents to determine weather status and to find out about hurricane evacuation notices. Concerning evacuation behavior, respondents prefer leaving in the daytime rather than at night. To account for this preference, evacuation announcements and notifications should be broadcast early enough to allow for more daytime evacuations. This may result in a longer lead time if the announcement would have otherwise occurred at night. The evacuation timing decisions from the survey are then compared with historical behavior data from a retrospective Hurricane Hugo survey. The respondents indicate a tendency to evacuate earlier than what was shown in the Hurricane Hugo survey. This may imply that it takes longer to actually prepare to leave than respondents to the current survey realize. Alternatively, respondents to the Hurricane Hugo survey may pay more attention to weather patterns as well as wait for orders to be provided by the state rather than make a proactive decision to leave.
International variance in the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip

Introduction Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is the most common congenital musculoskeletal abnormality. Recourse to definitive surgical treatment is not typically taken until over the age of 18–24 months. International consensus regarding age at surgery, degree of dysplasia requiring surgery and type of osteotomy is not available in the literature.
Activity pattern as a mechanism of predator avoidance in two species of acmaeid limpet

Abstract Activity patterns in the foraging activity of two species of acmaeid limpets, Collisella limatula (Carpenter, 1864) and C. scabra) (Gould, 1846) were documented over the entire tidal cycle. C. limatula was found to be active only while awash by the tide and during night-time emergence; periods of inactivity were spent in crevices and on the undersides of boulders. C. scabra, which homes to a scar on the upper surfaces of rocks, foraged only while awash in daylight. The activity pattern of C. limatula was demonstrated to be an effective mechanism for avoiding predation by Octopus, a major visual predator of limpets, in both laboratory and field experiments. The homing habit of Collisella scabra was also shown to reduce the rate of predation in the laboratory. It is suggested that the observed activity patterns have evolved in response to predation pressure from swift-moving visual predators.
Polyol Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles: Use of Chloride and Oxygen to Promote the Formation of Single-Crystal, Truncated Cubes and Tetrahedrons

Single-crystal cubes and tetrahedrons of silver with truncated corners/edges have been prepared for the first time in high yields by reducing silver nitrate with ethylene glycol heated to 148 °C in the presence of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) and a trace amount of sodium chloride. These nanoparticles were relatively monodisperse in size and shape, and their dimensions could be readily controlled in the range of 20 to 80 nm by varying the reaction time and other experimental parameters. We propose that the defects inherent in twinned nuclei of silver led to their selective etching and dissolution by chloride and oxygen (from air), leaving only the single crystalline ones to grow into nanoscale cubes and tetrahedrons.
‘Disequilibrium’ exchange rates as industrialization policy☆

Abstract This paper deals with a long-standing puzzle: why are developing countries so reluctant to change their exchange rates when their currencies have become blatantly overvalued? The argument developed here is the following: under circumstances that are fairly common to real economies, a policy which deliberately maintains the exchange rate at a disequilibrium level can be welfare-increasing by promoting structural change. This can come via the presence of a systematic link between the real exchange rate and the manufacturing sector's terms of trade vis-a-vis agriculture. The paper considers a model in which there exists a relationship between these two due to technological factors. Using a two-period, two-sector general equilibrium model, it demonstrates that such a link provides authorities with a tool which can be manipulated to bring about industrial growth and increase welfare in the presence of unrealized learning-by-doing effects.
PARENT REINFORCEMENT FOR CHILD ACHIEVEMENT: THE USE OF A LOTTERY TO MAXIMIZE PARENT TRAINING EFFECTS

This study describes and evaluates a reinforcement program in which parents earned lottery tickets and won prizes for the progress made by their handicapped children during home-based intervention. An ABAB reversal design replicated across three families was used to assess the effects of the lottery on the children's mastery of language skills. Results showed that the reinforcement of the parents for training accomplishments, as indexed by their children's achievements, produced clinically significant increases in the children's progress when compared with the children's progress under the routine supportive practices of the baseline condition. The implications of the findings for parent training programs in general are discussed.
Percutaneous coronary intervention pharmacology: from a triangle to a square.

In this issue of the Journal , Ndrepepa et al. ([1][1]) present a meta-analysis of 4 ISAR (Intracoronary Stenting and Antithrombotic Regimen) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) trials suggesting that bleeding complications and myocardial infarction (MI) are equivalent predictors of 1-year
Dopaminergic supersensitivity in striatum and olfactory tubercle following chronic administration of haloperidol of clozapine

Abstract Mice were maintained on diets containing haloperidol or clozapine for 8–10 days. Two days after these drug-containing diets were withdrawn the effects of apomorphine were determined on locomotor activity and on the retardation of dopamine depletion produced by synthesis inhibition with α-methyltyrosine. After either neuroleptic the effects of apomorphine were enhanced when compared with mice maintained on a control diet, suggesting the development of supersensitive dopamine receptors.
Pulmonary retention of inhaled diesel particles after prolonged exposures to diesel exhaust

Abstract The effect of continuous exposure to diluted diesel exhaust on the pulmonary retention of inhaled diesel particles was studied in male Fischer 344 rats. Test animals were first exposed to clean air or diluted diesel exhaust in exposure chambers at nominal particulate concentrations of 250 μg/m3 or 6 mg/m3 for 20 hr/day, 7 days/week, for periods lasting from 7 to 112 days, followed by a nose-only exposure to 14C-tagged diesel particles for 45 min. At preselected time intervals after the radioactive exposure, the 14C-activities in the lungs of groups of four animals were measured to determine the clearance of the 14C-diesel particles up to 1 year. The pulmonary retention of the radioactive diesel particles was greater in animals which had been preexposed to diesel exhaust. The slower alveolar clearance of particle-laden macrophages and leukocytes can be described by a normal biphasic clearance model. Since some of the macrophages were found sequestered as aggregates in the pulmonary region, a slow-clearing residual component was included in a modified lung retention model. When these residual fractions were determined and excluded from the active particulate transport within the lungs, normal alveolar clearance rates were calculated for the animals with a preexposure diesel particulate dose less than 0.8 mg. Slower clearance was observed at a dose of 6.5 mg and no clearance was evident at a dose of 11.8 mg in their lungs. In effect, the greater retention of inhaled particles can be interpreted as a sign of impaired lung clearance attributable to the prolonged exposures to high concentrations of diesel exhaust gases and/or the presence of accumulated carbonaceous particles residing in sequestered macrophage aggregates in the lungs.