cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retinoic acid and polyriboinosinic : Polyribocytidylic acid stimulate robust anti-tetanus antibody production while differentially regulating type 1/type 2 cytokines and lymphocyte populations

Retinoic acid (RA), a bioactive retinoid, and polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidylic acid (PIC) are known to promote immunity in vitamin A-deficient animals. In this study, we hypothesized that RA, PIC, and the combination can provide significant immunoadjuvant activity even in the vitamin A-adequate state. Six-week-old C57BL/6 mice were immunized with tetanus toxoid (TT) and treated with RA and/or PIC at priming in three independent studies of short and long duration. RA and PIC differentially regulated both primary and secondary anti-TT IgG isotypes, whereas the combination of RA + PIC stimulated the highest level of anti-TT IgG production and, concomitantly, a ratio of IgG1 to IgG2a similar to that of the control group. The regulation of Ab response was strongly associated with type 1/type 2 cytokine gene expression. Whereas RA reduced type 1 cytokines (IFN-gamma and IL-12), PIC enhanced both type 1 and type 2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-12) and cytokine-related transcription factors. Despite the presence of PIC, the IL-4:IFN-gamma ratio was significantly elevated by RA. In addition, RA and/or PIC modulated NK/NKT cell populations and the level of expression of the costimulatory molecules CD80/CD86, evident 3 days after priming. Notably, the NKT:NK and CD80:CD86 ratios were correlated with the IL-4:IFN-gamma ratio, indicative of multiple converging modes of regulation. Overall, RA, PIC, and RA + PIC rapidly and differentially shaped the anti-tetanus Ig response. The robust, durable, and proportionate increase in all anti-TT IgG isotypes induced by RA + PIC suggests that this combination is promising as a means to enhance the Ab response to TT and similar vaccines.
Zero‐Inflated Data

As its name suggests, zero inflation indicates that a dataset contains an excessive number of zeros. The word inflation is used to emphasize that the probability mass at the point zero exceeds that allowed under a standard parametric family of distributions. Zero-inflated data are abundant in many disciplines, including the environmental sciences. If not properly modeled, the presence of excess zeros can invalidate the distributional assumptions of the analysis, jeopardizing the integrity of the scientific inferences. The zeros can also create many computational difficulties. Recently, a fair amount of interest has concentrated on the analysis of zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) counts. Strictly speaking, however, the data need not follow a Poisson distribution in order to be zero inflated. In this article, a broader definition of the subject is taken; zero inflation is considered as a practical data phenomenon that can be associated with any parametric family of distributions.
Social Choice and the Mathematics of Manipulation

Honesty in voting, it turns out, is not always the best policy. Indeed, in the early 1970s, Allan Gibbard and Mark Satterthwaite, building on the seminal work of Nobel laureate Kenneth Arrow, proved that with three or more alternatives there is no reasonable voting system that is non-manipulable; voters will always have an opportunity to benefit by submitting a disingenuous ballot. The ensuing decades produced a number of theorems of striking mathematical naturality that dealt with the manipulability of voting systems. This 2005 book presents many of these results from the last quarter of the twentieth century, especially the contributions of economists and philosophers, from a mathematical point of view, with many new proofs. The presentation is almost completely self-contained, and requires no prerequisites except a willingness to follow rigorous mathematical arguments. Mathematics students, as well as mathematicians, political scientists, economists and philosophers will learn why it is impossible to devise a completely unmanipulable voting system.
Impact of Marsy’s Law on Parole in California: An Empirical Study

Marsy’s Law (Proposition 9) purported to increase Victims’ Rights by making significant changes to parole in California. Supporters of Marsy’s Law intended to decrease lifer inmate’s “chances” to obtain parole by statutorily lengthening the amount of time between parole hearings, and to increase victim presence at parole hearings by creating greater opportunities for victim participation.I conducted an analysis of 211 randomly selected parole hearing transcripts in California both before and after Marsy’s Law was implemented. I found that the passage of Marsy’s Law nearly doubled the amount of time set by the Parole Board between parole hearings. It is unclear whether Marsy’s Law has increased victim participation at parole hearings or has impacted the quality of victim participation at parole hearings.
Leaps in Innovation: The Bolt versus Bannister Effect in Algorithmic Tournaments

This paper explores whether innovation breakthroughs stimulate or impede future progress in individual innovation. On the one hand, one could argue that substantial improvements to the status quo might inspire advances through competition. On the other hand, one could claim such improvements might have the opposite effect, stifling motivation or creativity in rivals. Using a unique data set of predictive modeling contests from Kaggle we analyze 25,898 distinct attempts at innovation. We address two related questions to frame our central theme: (1) What effect do discontinuous leaps (as opposed to incremental steps) in innovation contests have on future progress? (2) What predicts such discontinuous leaps in innovation contests? The answers to these questions are as follows. Behavior after discontinuous leaps differs from behavior after continuous steps in innovation tournaments. We find that leaps result in increased rates of entry submission early in contests and improved scores going forward. For the second question, the characteristics that predict leaps turn out to be somewhat different than those that predict steps. Leaps are more likely with lower prior scores, while incremental steps are more likely with bigger teams and bigger prizes. This paper contributes new understanding to the literature on innovation tournaments and offers managers guidance about how to foster leaps in innovation.
Phase diagram of the PbTe-PbSe Pseudobinary system

The phase diagram of the pseudobinary PbTe-PbSe system has been reinvestigated by thermal analysis of homogenized liquid and solid alloy samples and by thermodynamic calculation of the liquidus-solidus gap. The observed liquidus arrest temperatures vary monotonically and sublinearly with composition and are in excellent agreement with the values reported by Grimes (1965). The solidus arrest temperatures however are significantly above the values of the two previous investigations by Elagina and Abrikosov (1956) and by Grimes (1965). The liquidussolidus gap never exceeds 0.13 mole fraction and shows excellent agreement with the values calculated from the ideal liquidus-solidus equation. The recently reported linear variation with composition of the lattice parameter of solid solutions is confirmed.
Effective control knowledge transfer through learning skill and representation hierarchies

Learning capabilities of computer systems still lag far behind biological systems. One of the reasons can be seen in the inefficient re-use of control knowledge acquired over the lifetime of the artificial learning system. To address this deficiency, this paper presents a learning architecture which transfers control knowledge in the form of behavioral skills and corresponding representation concepts from one task to subsequent learning tasks. The presented system uses this knowledge to construct a more compact state space representation for learning while assuring bounded optimality of the learned task policy by utilizing a representation hierarchy. Experimental results show that the presented method can significantly outperform learning on a flat state space representation and the MAXQ method for hierarchical reinforcement learning.
Induction of Colon Tumors in 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine-Resistant Lobund Wistar Rats by Methylazoxymethanol Acetate

Sprague-Dawley and Lobund Wistar rats, which were sensitive and resistant to induction of colon tumors by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH), respectively, were treated with methylazoxymethanol (MAM), the product of DMH metabolism by the microsomal mixed-function oxidase system. Although the colon tissue in both stocks of rats had similar NAD+-dependent dehydrogenase activities that are considered necessary to activate MAM to an ultimate carcinogen, still a sevenfold greater incidence of colon tumors was found in the Sprague-Dawley rats, and their tumors were more extensive. The results indicated that the difference in susceptibility to colon tumor induction between the rat stocks was partially related to metabolic activation of the DMH and to other, as yet undetermined, endogenous factors.
Flow Pattern Analysis of Constructed Wetlands Treating Landfill Leachate

Three series of tracer studies were performed on three constructed wetlands at the New Hanover County Landfill near Wilmington, North Carolina, USA. One vegetated free water surface wetland (FWS-R), one vegetated subsurface flow wetland (SSF-R), and one unvegetated control subsurface flow wetland (SSF-C) were studied. A conservative tracer, lithium chloride, was used to study the chemical reactor behavior of these wetlands under normal operating conditions. Results indicated that short-circuiting is quite common in SSF wetlands, while FWS wetlands are well-mixed and not as subject to short-circuiting. These results were obtained from and reinforced with tracer measurements at interior points in these wetlands, analysis of residence time distributions from two different formulations, and the construction of residence volume distributions. The short-circuiting in the SSF wetlands can be attributed to the following: (1) Vertical mixing is inhibited by a combination of physical barriers and density gradients caused by rainfall and runoff dilution of the upper layer; and (2) Leachate is drawn from the bottom of the wetland, causing it to further prefer a flow path along the bottom.
Neutron radiography characterization of an operating proton exchange membrane fuel cell with localized current distribution measurements

Abstract Neutron radiography has proven to be a powerful tool to study and understand the effects of liquid water in an operating fuel cell. In the present work, this experimental method is coupled with locally resolved current and ohmic resistance measurements, giving additional insight into water management and fuel cell performance under a variety of conditions. The effects of varying the inlet humidification level and the current density of the 50 cm 2 cell are studied by simultaneously monitoring electrochemical performance with a 10×10 matrix of current sensors, and liquid water volumes are measured using the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) neutron imaging facility. A counter flow, straight channel proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell is used to demonstrate localized performance loss corresponds to water-filled channels that impede gas transport to the catalyst layer, thereby creating an area that has low current density. Furthermore, certain operating conditions causing excess water accumulation in the channels can result in localized proton resistance increase, a result that can only be accurately observed with combined radiography and distributed electrochemical measurements.
Monolithic Integration Of Si And GaAs Devices

Integration of Si MOSFETs with GaAs MESFETs and with GaAs/AlGaAs double-heterostructure LEDs on mono-lithic GaAs/Si substrates is reviewed. Both Si MOSFETs and GaAs MESFETs show characteristics comparable to those for devices fabricated on separate Si and GaAs substrates. In LED/MOSFET integration, the cathode of each LED is connected with the drain of a MOSFET. LED modulation rates up to 27 Mbps have been achieved by applying a stream of voltage pulses to the MOSFET gate.
Revision of absolute configuration of enantiomeric (methylenecyclopropyl)carbinols obtained from (R)-(-)- and (S)-(+)-epichlorohydrin and methylenetriphenylphosphorane. Implications for reaction mechanism and improved synthesis of antiviral methylenecyclopropane analogues of nucleosides.

Absolute configurations of enantiomeric methylenecyclopropanecarbinols obtained by reaction of (R)- and (S)-epichlorohydrin 5 with methylenetriphenylphosphorane or resolution of the corresponding oxaphospholane 6 via a salt with l-(+)-tartaric acid and subsequent Wittig transformation with formaldehyde were revised. The (−)-oxaphospholane 6 has the S,S and (−)-(methylenecyclopropyl)carbinol (4) the R configuration. The configurations of (+)-6 and (+)-4 are then R,R and S, respectively. These assignments are in accord with an initial attack of phosphorane at the oxirane ring of epichlorohydrin. An improved preparation of key enantiomeric intermediates (R)-1a and (S)-1a, important for synthesis of antiviral purine methylenecyclopropane analogues of nucleosides, is also described.
The Surface Crack Problem for a Plate With Functionally Graded Properties

In this study the plane elasticity problem for a nonhomogeneous layer containing a crack perpendicular to the boundaries is considered. It is assumed that the Young's modulus of the medium varies continuously in the thickness direction. The problem is solved under three different loading conditions, namely fixed grip, membrane loading, and bending applied to the layer away from the crack region. Mode I stress intensity factors are presented for embedded as well as edge cracks for various values of dimensionless parameters representing the size and the location of the crack and the material nonhomogeneity. Some sample results are also given for the crack-opening displacement and the stress distribution.
Preferences for EMS transport and pediatric emergency department care.

Objectives. To characterize the reasons pediatric emergency department (PED), patients access emergency medical services (EMS) for transport to the pediatric ED. To describe the acceptability of other modes of transport andalternative sites of care. Methods. We included a convenience sample of the responsible adults accompanying pediatric patients who arrived via EMS to the PED of an academic medical center. We administered a survey to evaluate why they chose EMS andtheir feelings about alternative modes of transport (e.g., medical van, taxi) or alternative sites of care (e.g., urgent care center, primary care physician's office, or getting an appointment within 24 hours). Results. One hundred thirthy-eight surveys were completed. Pediatric patients averaged eight years of age. Trauma (44%) andseizures (17%) were the chief complaints. The primary reasons for EMS use were perceived medical necessity (54%) andsecurity of transport by EMS (17%). Only transport by EMS was found to be acceptable. The responsib...
Syringosubarachnoid shunt for syringomyelia associated with Chiari I malformation.

An 11-year-old girl with Chiari I malformation presented with a large cervico-thoracic syrinx (Fig. 1). There was poor clinical improvement 4 months after foramen magnum decompression. Subsequently, syringosubarachnoid shunting was performed, resulting in complete resolution of the syrinx and marked clinical improvement. The shunt was seen as a small tubular structure on MRI, with prominent flow artifact within the thecal sac near the shunt opening (Fig. 2). Syringomyelia associated with Chiari I malformation can be treated by foramen magnum decompression, syringosubarachnoid shunting and syringoperitoneal shunting [1, 2]. Syringosubarachnoid shunting is a safe, effective and techni-
[3H]arachidonic acid metabolism in rat brain minces: effects of nucleotide triphosphates, CDPcholine and CMP.

Rat brain minces were used to investigate the effects of nucleotides on the metabolism of arachidonic acid in nerve tissue. Brain free fatty acids, neutral lipids and phospholipids, were radiolabeled in vivo following intracerebral injection of [3H]arachidonic acid. Minces were prepared from the radiolabeled cerebra and were incubated in a modified Krebs-Ringer buffer with and without various nucleotides. The incubation-induced accumulation of unesterified [3H]arachidonate was reduced in the presence of CDPcholine, ATP, CTP, GTP, and UTP. These nucleotides inhibited choline and inositol glycerophospholipid hydrolysis. They also reduced the amount of labeled diglycerides. However, CDPethanolamine had no effect on arachidonic acid metabolism in the mince preparation and CMP appeared to stimulate further hydrolysis of choline glycerophospholipids, resulting in increased accumulation of [3H]arachidonic acid and labeled diglycerides. We suggest that the production of unesterified [3H]arachidonate and labeled diglycerides is due to the involvement of more than one catabolic reaction, since the high energy nucleotides had similar effects on fatty acid accumulation, but different effects on phospholipid labeling.
Quantum Theory of Electrical Transport Phenomena

In a previous paper we have developed a theory of electrical transport phenomena for a simple quantum-mechanical model. That treatment was based on an expansion in powers of the strength of the scattering mechanism. In the present paper we consider the same model, but obtain the transport equation in powers of the density of scatterers without restricting ourselves to weak scattering potentials. The expansion involves scattering operators for single centers, pairs of centers, etc., in a manner in many ways analogous to the virial expansion of equilibrium properties. The lowest order terms yield the usual Boltzmann equation. The first correction, in density, to this equation is explicitly given. For the case of spherically symmetric scatterers the solutions of these equations are also obtained.
Persistence of Desoxycorticosterone-Induced Hypertension in the Nephrectomized Rat

SummaryThe blood pressure of rats rendered hypertensive by treatment with desoxycorticosterone acetate continues to rise following total nephrectomy. Hypertension of this type is not dependent upon a renal mechanism for its maintenance and it is not a. consequence of renal vascular damage which is a later development. The relationship of the adrenal cortex to certain forms of clinical hypertension is discussed.
Intelligent form removal with character stroke preservation

A new technique for intelligent form removal has been developed along with a new method for evaluating its impact on optical character recognition (OCR). All the dominant lines in the image are automatically detected using the Hough line transform and intelligently erased while simultaneously preserving overlapping character strokes by computing line width statistics and keying off of certain visual cues. This new method of form removal operates on loosely defined zones with no image deskewing. Any field in which the writer is provided a horizontal line to enter a response can be processed by this method. Several examples of processed fields are provided, including a comparison of results between the new method and a commercially available forms removal package. Even if this new form removal method did not improve character recognition accuracy, it is still a significant improvement to the technology because the requirement of a priori knowledge of the form's geometric details has been greatly reduced. This relaxes the recognition system's dependence on rigid form design, printing, and reproduction by automatically detecting and removing some of the physical structures (lines) on the form. Using the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) public domain form-based handprint recognition system, the technique was tested on a large number of fields containing randomly ordered handprinted lowercase alphabets, as these letters (especially those with descenders) frequently touch and extend through the line along which they are written. Preserving character strokes improves overall lowercase recognition performance by 3%, which is a net improvement, but a single performance number like this doesn't communicate how the recognition process was really influenced. There is expected to be trade- offs with the introduction of any new technique into a complex recognition system. To understand both the improvements and the trade-offs, a new analysis was designed to compare the statistical distributions of individual confusion pairs between two systems. As OCR technology continues to improve, sophisticated analyses like this are necessary to reduce the errors remaining in complex recognition problems.
Structure of Lupeol and Its 19a-H-Isomer

Abstract The silver‐ion‐assisted dehydrochlorination rearrangement of 19α‐chloro‐18α‐oleanane‐3β‐ol (lupeol hydrochloride) was reinvestigated. The alkene so obtained was ozonized to yield an epimeric mixture (at C‐19) of two methyl ketones. The mechanism of the rearrangement of the chloro derivative to lupeol and its 19α‐H‐isomer is reinterpreted in the light of these new findings.
Polyelectrolyte multilayers as anti-adhesive membrane coatings for virus concentration and recovery

Abstract Crossflow membrane filtration is emerging as a concentration method for the recovery and detection of viruses in large volumes of water. To increase virus recovery, an ultrafiltration membrane is usually “blocked” with a proteinaceous solution or a chemical dispersant. This proof-of-concept study explores a novel approach using controlled and rapid (
An immunohistochemical study of extracellular matrix formation during chondrogenesis.

Abstract The accumulation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan was correlated with chick limb bud chondrogenesis by immunohistochemical methods. Antisera directed against chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan subunit were used in indirect immunohistochemical reactions which also utilized goat anti-rabbit IgG coupled to fluorescein isothiocyanate, peroxidase, or hemocyanin. Immunohistochemical reaction products were localized to alcian green staining regions in developing limb bud cultures. Developing cartilage nodules reacted with the immunohistochemical probes by 3–4 days and showed a progressive increase in reaction with time. Noncartilage cells in the same cultures did not react. Scanning electron microscopy revealed extensive binding of hemocyanin-antibody complexes to the chondrogenic matrix network. In contrast, the matrix synthesized by limb bud cultures blocked from differentiating by 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine showed no reaction.
Incidence In infants and Mortality from Congenital Malformations of the Circulatory System

Summary This study comprises an investigation into the incidence of congenital malformations of the circulatory system in all live births in 1958 among the inhabitants of the municipality of Leiden, and an analysis of the figures concerning congenital malformations of the circulatory system as an underlying cause of death in the Netherlands in the years 1951–1962. In 15 of 1817 children (8%) a congenital malformation of the circulatory system was found. A discussion is included of possible sources of error in the calculation of the incidence reported. The results can be considered as representative for the Netherlands as a whole. This means that the number of infants born alive in this country with a congenital malformation of the circulatory system will currently be about 2000 annually. Up to the present there has not been a decline in mortality figures for congenital malformations of the circulatory system in the Netherlands. Mortality ensues in 80 % of the cases in infancy. The number of infants dying from congenital malformations of the circulatory system is at the moment about 500 annually. One third die in the first week of life, half within the first month.
Generation of Light by the Relative Motion of Contiguous Surfaces of Mercury and Glass

Light generation by relative motion of mercury and helium contained in UV transmitting glass, noting intensity decrease with prolonged rotation
Carbohydrate antigen delivery by water soluble copolymers as potential anti-cancer vaccines

Tumor associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) are overexpressed on tumor cells, which renders them attractive targets for anti-cancer vaccines. To overcome the poor immunogenicity of TACAs, we designed a polymer platform for antigen presentation by co-delivering TACA and helper T (Th) cell epitope on the same chain. The block copolymer was synthesized by cyanoxyl-mediated free radical polymerization followed by conjugation with a TACA Tn antigen and a mouse Th-cell peptide epitope derived from polio virus (PV) to afford the vaccine construct. The glycopolymer vaccine elicited an anti-Tn immune response with significant titers of IgG antibodies, which recognized Tn-expressing tumor cells.
Sensitivity analysis for a structured juvenile-adult model

In this paper, we consider a model which describes the dynamics of an amphibian population where individuals are divided into juveniles and adults. We derive sensitivity partial differential equations for the sensitivities of the solution with respect to the reproduction and mortality rates for adults. We also present numerical results to show the application of these equations to an amphibian population of green tree frogs (Hyla cinerea).
Local and overall flow in composites predicted by micromechanics

Abstract Rate-dependent inelastic flow in metal matrix composites subjected to multiaxial stress states is quantified by flow surfaces, which are geometrically analogous to yield surfaces. The definition of flow is important because the most meaningful definition from a theoretical viewpoint, dissipation, is not measurable in the laboratory. Inelastic power is measurable, but differs from the dissipation due to residual stresses and evolution of the material state. Since experiments are necessary for development and validation of models, both definitions are important and considered here. The relationship between local flow in the matrix and overall flow of the composite is explored using finite element and generalized method of cells micromechanical analyses. The loci of flow surfaces in the axial–transverse and transverse–transverse stress planes are plotted. At the threshold, the overall flow surface is the intersection of all the local flow surfaces. Beyond the threshold, the intersection of all the local flow surfaces is smaller than the overall flow surface and differences between the dissipation and inelastic power are notable. Most importantly, the directions of the overall inelastic strain rate vectors are generally not normal to the overall surface of constant dissipation after the material state has begun to evolve. Thus, an associative macroscale continuum model will be, at best, approximate. Interestingly, local flow surfaces beyond the threshold are not necessarily convex when plotted in the overall stress plane. This is due to the existence of residual stresses. In addition, the generalized method of cells was found to accurately estimate the inner and outer envelopes of the local flow surface cluster with a surprisingly small number of subcells.
Obstacles and opportunities in the application of network analysis to the evaluation of R&D

A comprehensive review of studies that apply the network approach to investigating the development of ST examine more closely untidy networks; focus on the content of network links rather than their formal aspects; and develop a concept of ‘network effectiveness’ in terms of the network's ability to expand the uses of S&T knowledge. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.
Rational orbits around charged black holes

We show that all eccentric timelike orbits in Reissner-Nordstr\"om spacetime can be classified using a taxonomy that draws upon an isomorphism between periodic orbits and the set of rational numbers. By virtue of the fact that the rationals are dense, the taxonomy can be used to approximate aperiodic orbits with periodic orbits. This may help reduce computational overhead for calculations in gravitational wave astronomy. Our dynamical systems approach enables us to study orbits for both charged and uncharged particles in spite of the fact that charged particle orbits around a charged black hole do not admit a simple one-dimensional effective potential description. Finally, we show that comparing periodic orbits in the Reissner-Nordstr\"om and Schwarzschild geometries enables us to distinguish charged and uncharged spacetimes by looking only at the orbital dynamics.
The effect of combining recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha with local radiation on tumor control probability of a human glioblastoma multiforme xenograft in nude mice.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the antitumor activity of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rHuTNF-α) on a human glioblastoma multiforme (U87) xenograft in nude mice, and to study the effect of combining rHuTNF-α with local radiation on the tumor control probability of this tumor model. Methods and Materials: U87 xenograft was transplanted SC into the right hindleg of NCr/Sed nude mice (7–8 weeks old, male). When tumors reached a volume of about 110 mm 3 , mice were randomly assigned to treatment: rHuTNF-α alone compared with normal saline control; or local radiation plus rHuTNF-α vs. local radiation plus normal saline. Parameters of growth delay, volume doubling time, percentage of necrosis, and cell loss factor were used to assess teh antitumor effects of rHuTNF-α on this tumor. The TCD 50 (tumor control dose 50%) was used as an endoint to determine the effect of combining rHuTNF-α with local radiation. Results: Tumor growth in mice treated with a dose of 150 μg/kg body weight rHuTNF-α, IP injection daily for 7 consecutive days, was delayed about 8 days comapred to that in controls. Tumors in the treatment group had a significantly longer volume doubling time, and were smaller in volume and more necrotic than matched tumors in control group. rHuTNF-α also induced a 2.3 times increase of cell loss factor. The administration ofthe above-mentioned dose of rHuTNF-α starting 24 h after single doses of localized irradiation under hypoxic condition, resulted in a significant reduction in TCD 50 from the control value of 60.9 Gy to 5035 Gy ( p Conclusion: rHuTNF-α exhibits an antitumor effect against U87 xnograft in nude mice, as evidence by an increased delay in tumor growth as well as cell loss factor. Also, there was an augmentation of tumor curability when given in combination with radiotherapy, resulting in a significantly lower TCD 50 value in the treatment vs. the control groups.
Reaction of Laser-Ablated Uranium Atoms with CO: Infrared Spectra of the CUO, CUO-, OUCCO, (η2-C2)UO2, and U(CO)x (x = 1−6) Molecules in Solid Neon

Laser-ablated uranium atoms have been reacted with CO molecules during condensation with neon at 4 K. Absorptions at 1047.3 and 872.2 cm-1 are assigned to the CUO molecule formed from the insertion reaction that requires activation energy. Isotopic substitution shows that the upper band is largely U−C and the lower band mostly U−O in vibrational character. Absorptions at 2051.5, 1361.8, and 841.0 cm-1 are assigned to the OUCCO molecule, which is formed by the CO addition reaction to CUO and ultraviolet−visible photon-induced rearrangment of the U(CO)2 molecule. The OUCCO molecule undergoes further photochemical rearrangment to the (C2)UO2 molecule, which is characterized by symmetric and antisymmetric OUO stretching vibrations at 843.2 and 922.1 cm-1. The uranium carbonyls U(CO)x (x = 1−6) are produced on deposition or on annealing. Evidence is also presented for the CUO- anion and U(CO)x- (x = 1−5) anions, which are formed by electron capture. Relativistic density functional theoretical calculations have...
Influence of microstructure size on the plastic deformation kinetics, fatigue crack growth rate, and low-cycle fatigue of solder joints

The influence of microstructure size on the plastic deformation kinetics, fatigue crack growth rate and low-cycle fatigue of eutectic Sn-Pb solder joints is reviewed. The principal microstructure feature considered is the average eutectic phase size d=(dPb+dSn)/2. The effect of an increase in reflow cooling rate (which gave a decrease in d) on the flow stress and on fatigue life was irregular at 300K, depending on the stress or strain level and cooling rate. In contrast, a consistent increase in fatigue life with decrease in d occurred for thermomechanical cycling between −30° and 130°C. Constitutive equations for plastic deformation and fatigue crack growth rate are presented which include the microstructure size. It appears that the rate-controlling deformation mechanism is the intersection of forest dislocations in the Sn phase. The mechanism for both static and dynamic phase coarsening appears to be grain boundary diffusion with a t1/4 time law. Some success has been achieved in predicting the cyclic stress-strain hysteresis loops and fatigue life, including the influence of the as-reflowed microstructure size and its coarsening. Additional definitive studies are however needed before we can accurately predict the fatigue life of solder joints over the wide temperature range and conditions experienced by electronic packages.
Algorithm for computer processing and analysis of gamma ray spectra for large-scale laboratory operations

Abstract For large scale neutron activation analysis laboratories, computer analysis of data is necessary. This work discusses major features of the analytical program which has been developed and is currently being used at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Specific attention is drawn to fitting function choice, controlled fitting techniques, and methods of error analysis. In order to test the program, samples of standard reference material from the National Bureau of Standards were obtained and analyzed. The results of this analysis are given and demonstrate that the code is effectively doing its intended task.
Supercomputations in QCD

Abstract I summarize results from large scale simulations of lattice QCD. I also discuss the types of computers used in these simulations, including various custom processors for lattice gauge theory.
Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of caffeine from guaraná

Abstract A single-pass system was designed to study extraction of caffeine from wet guarana seeds using supercritical carbon dioxide. Extraction was studied as a function of pressure and temperature to determine caffeine solubility at equilibrium conditions between 136.1 and 272.2 atm and temperatures of 35, 45, and 55 °C. Solubility of caffeine into supercritical CO 2 was affected directly by CO 2 density. Caffeine solubility was modeled by using thermodynamic relationships and the Peng-Robinson equation of state on a water-free basis. Effective diffusion coefficients of caffeine in ground guarana seeds were determined by conducting long-term extraction experiments.
Food aid impacts on recipient developing countries: A review of empirical methods and evidence

This paper surveys the economic literature on the effects of food aid on recipient developing countries. It reviews the conceptual and empirical challenges associated with evaluating the impact of food aid and surveys the main analytical techniques that are used in such evaluations. It then summarises the available empirical evidence on the effect of food aid on national economic development, domestic agricultural production and markets, commercial trade and the nutritional status of recipients. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Challenging Definitions: Human Agency, Diverse Religious Practices and the Problems of Boundaries

Much contemporary scholarship in Religious Studies emphasizes communities who contest the standard definitions of their religion. However, religious labels and terms such as syncretism often implicitly validate the dominant definitions that identify these diverse practices as peripheral. This essay explores the challenges that the dominant definitions present to such communities and suggests an emphasis on agency and the contestation surrounding any definition of a religion to avoid privileging one definition of a religion and, thereby, to facilitate a more balanced analysis. The example of Sindhi Hindus illustrates the value of this emphasis on agency. Sindhi Hindu communities and individuals construct and defend their own definitions of religions in environments where non-Sindhis challenge Sindhi practices, which do not necessarily correspond exactly to the definitions that the Sindhis construct for themselves. Adding Bell's conception of ritual inscription to this discussion of agency further highlights how participation in practices commonly associated with different religions can foster internal tensions. Therefore, an emphasis on agency with its complexity and limitations enables scholars to recognize the internal pressures that exist in some constructions of religious practices without contributing to the external challenge from dominant definitions. This approach also enables a more nuanced analysis of processes of syncretism that are more complex than traditional applications of that term allow.
Hospital-acquired conditions after bariatric surgery: we can predict, but can we prevent?

Background Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services initiated a non-payment policy for certain hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) in 2008. This study aimed to determine the rate of the three most common HACs (surgical site infection (SSI), urinary tract infection (UTI), and venous thromboembolism (VTE)) among bariatric surgery patients. Additionally, the association of HACs with patient factors and the effect of HACs on post-operative outcomes were investigated.
Network Synthesis by the Use of Potential Analogs

Two analog devices are described which are useful in solving the approximation problem of network synthesis. Both devices utilize a sheet of conducting Teledeltos paper to produce a two-dimensional potential field which simulates a required network function. The first device simulates the gain and phase of a network, and is primarily useful in designing networks for a prescribed steadystate response. The second device simulates the real part of the function, and is useful in designing networks for a prescribed transient response.
A Bayesian network and analytic hierarchy process based personalized recommendations for tourist attractions over the Internet

Selecting tourist attractions to visit at a destination is a main stage in planning a trip. Although various online travel recommendation systems have been developed to support users in the task of travel planning during the last decade, few systems focus on recommending specific tourist attractions. In this paper, an intelligent system to provide personalized recommendations of tourist attractions in an unfamiliar city is presented. Through a tourism ontology, the system allows integration of heterogeneous online travel information. Based on Bayesian network technique and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, the system recommends tourist attractions to a user by taking into account the travel behavior both of the user and of other users. Spatial web services technology is embedded in the system to provide GIS functions. In addition, the system provides an interactive geographic interface for displaying the recommendation results as well as obtaining users' feedback. The experiments show that the system can provide personalized recommendations on tourist attractions that satisfy the user.
Theory of size effects in depinning of charge-density waves.

The theory of depinning of charge-density waves by quantum tunneling that has been applied successfully to bulk specimens (3D) is extended to specimens where one or more of the transverse dimensions becomes less than bulk transverse phase-coherence distance. Results for threshold fields, ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{T}}$, derived by McCarten et al. for 2D weak pinning are extended to 1D. The square of the pinning frequency should be proportional to ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{T}}$. The reversible threshold polarization, \ensuremath{\epsilon}(0)${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{T}}$, should be essentially independent of dimensions.
Do claims-based comorbidities adequately capture case mix for surgical site infections?

Background There is increasing interest in using administrative claims data for surveillance of surgical site infections in THAs and TKAs, but the performance of claims-based models for case-mix adjustment has not been well studied. Performance of claims-based models can be improved with the addition of clinical risk factors for surgical site infections.
Educational approaches promoting optimal laxative use in long-term-care patients

A laxative (LAX) utilization review program was conducted on 87 patients over 60 yr of age at a large long-term-care hospital in San Francisco, California, during 9 months in 1975–1976. An initial, prospective LAX utilization study (12 weeks) identified problem areas of utilization. This was followed by an intervention period utilizing various educational methods upon both physicians and nurses. A follow-up LAX utilization study was conducted and assessed effectiveness of the interventions in bringing about the desired change. Ninety per cent of the patients were prescribed one or more LAX agents. An overall decrease in LAX prescribing and administration along with a substantial saving in LAX costs was observed following the intervention period. LAX categories which showed significant prescribing decreases included bulk-forming (p < 0.05), lubricant (p < 0.001) and saline (p < 0.05). Bisacodyl prescribing showed an increase (p < 0.01). Various factors were found to be important for the success of the educational interventions. For physicians, it was essential that the approach was non-threatening and had peer support. The use of neutral internal data may have aroused interest. In contrast, the nurses were amenable to traditional inservice education and directives. In addition, a method of statistical evaluation of changes in drug prescribing, specially suitable for small patient populations, is presented.
An examination of the relationship between communication and socialization deficits in children with autism and PDD-NOS

Abstract Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are characterized by pervasive impairments in repetitive behaviors or interests, communication, and socialization. As the onset of these features occurs at a very young age, early detection is of the utmost importance. In an attempt to better clarify the behavioral presentation of communication and socialization deficits to aid in early assessment and intervention, impairments in these areas were examined among infants and toddlers (17–36 months) with Autistic Disorder (AD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), and non-ASD related developmental delay. The Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits-Part1 ( BISCUIT-Part1 ) and the Battelle Developmental Inventory, 2nd Edition ( BDI-2 ) were utilized to examine communication and socialization levels, respectively, among these groups. All groups significantly differed on level of socialization impairment with the Autism group displaying the greatest impairment and the non-ASD related developmental delay group evincing the least impairment. In regards to communication deficits, the non-ASD related developmentally delayed group differed significantly in comparison to the Autism and PDD-NOS groups; however, no significant differences were found between children with AD and PDD-NOS. While communication and socialization impairments were found to significantly correlate for all participants with the exception of those with PDD-NOS, these correlations were not found to significantly differ from one another across groups. The implications, limitations, and future directions of these results are discussed.
On the histochemistry and ultrastructure of the daughter sporocyst of Cercaria buccini Lebour, 1911

Abstract The body wall of the daughter sporocyst of Cercaria buccini has been examined by means of the light microscope, scanning and transmission electron microscopes, and the effect on the host, the carnivorous prosobranch Buccinum undatum, has been described both at the light microscopical and ultrastructural levels. The sporocyst is provided with long microvilli. Large extrusions distended by a large vesicle and with pores through which the contents of the vesicle can be released into the host tissue are found between the microvilli. The stereoscan micrographs revealed about 5 µ long cilia scattered all over the sporocyst surface; each cilium is apparently a part of a sensory structure. The tegument contains high concentrations of acid and alkaline phosphatases and small concentrations of non-specific esterase and aminopeptidase. The host tissue surrounding the sporocyst was always found in an advanced stage of histolysis. The extracorporeally digested host tissue must be absorbed through the sporocys...
Women in science fiction

Science fiction has become an important medium of communication for new ideas and values concerning sex roles, and the influx of women into this previously male literary subculture is a change of significance for popular culture. This article uses the first large well-collected body of social science survey data to examine the ideological orientations of women readers and authors. None of the leading women authors write the traditional Hard-Science variety of science fiction that explores innovations in physicial science and technology, and there is a slight tendency for women readers to prefer this type less than men do. Women authors tend to write either Sword-and-Sorcery, a variety of heroic fantasy, or New-Wave science fiction, a politically liberal and stylistically progressive form. Many of the women authors use their fiction as a medium for advocating social change from a feminist perspective. Science fiction has become a forum for women authors' uninhibited public analysis of contemporary sex roles and consideration of options for the future.
Stem cell research: the California experience.

Rarely has a field of biomedical research caught the public imagination as dramatically as stem cell research. The idea of transplanting human cells that have been grown in vitro to replace damaged or diseased tissues and to restore function is easy to understand and is appealing in its concept.
Problems of Modern Foreign Language Teaching

THE intention of this article is to stimulate interest in making the study of modern foreign languages more interesting, real, and profitable to the student. So it does not seem out of place, first, to sum up the aims commonly accepted as the goal in studying modern foreign languages; secondly, to compare these aims with the results now obtained; and, lastly, to suggest a few changes in method by which the results may be brought into closer proximity with those aims.