cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantifying Cell-Surface Biomarker Expression in Thick Tissues with Ratiometric Three-Dimensional Microscopy

The burgeoning fields of in vivo three-dimensional (3D) microscopy and endomicroscopy, as well as ex vivo tissue cytometry have introduced new challenges for tissue preparation and staining with exogenous molecular contrast agents. These challenges include effective delivery of the agents, and once delivered, distinguishing between bound verses unbound molecular probes. If applied topically, there are additional issues with rinsing off unbound probe, which can be nonuniform and inefficient in thick tissues, thus leading to ambiguous contrast and a large nonspecific background that may obscure molecule-specific staining. Therefore, we have developed a ratiometric 3D microscopy scheme that not only reduces the effects of nonspecific sources of contrast, but also enables quantification of the relative binding affinity of imaging probes to their biomarker targets. Here we demonstrate this ratiometric approach by simultaneously imaging a HER2/neu (erbB2)-targeted monoclonal antibody labeled with one fluorophore and an isotype-matched negative control antibody labeled with another fluorophore. By taking a pixel-by-pixel calibrated ratio between the signals from each fluorescent image channel, accurate quantification of specific versus nonspecific binding affinity is achieved with cultured cells, yielding data that are in agreement with analyses via flow cytometry. We also demonstrate quantitative 3D microscopic imaging of biomarker expression in tissue models and in thick human biopsy samples of normal, HER2-negative, and HER2-positive breast tumors. This strategy enables rapid, quantitative, and unambiguous volumetric microscopy of biomarker expression in thick tissues, including whole biopsies, and will enable real-time optical assessment of disease markers in the living body.
Optimizing consistency checking for memory-intensive transactions

Transactional memory (TM) reduces parallel programming complexity while maintaining multi-threaded performance benefits. Consistency checking, the way memory conflicts are found in TM, is critical to performance and is executed through either validation or invalidation. We present a unique invalidation algorithm which boasts high transactional throughput for memory-intensive transactions.
Relationship of clinic-based gait speed measurement to limitations in community-based activities in older adults.

Abstract Verghese J, Wang C, Holtzer R. Relationship of clinic-based gait speed measurement to limitations in community-based activities in older adults. Objective To examine the ability of clinic-based assessments of gait speed to capture limitations in a broad range of home- and community-based activities. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Community-based aging cohort study. Participants Community-residing subjects (N=655; 61% women; age ≥70y; mean, 80.4y). Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures Limitations on 3 gait-related activities of daily living (walking inside home, climbing up and down stairs) and 6 motor-based but gait-independent activities (bathing, dressing, getting up from a chair, toileting, shopping, using public transportation). Results Gait speed was associated with the presence of self-reported difficulty for all 3 home-based activities that were directly gait related and 5 of 6 motor-based activities. Gait speed of 1m/s or less was associated with increased risk for limitations on at least 1 of the 9 selected activities (odds ratio, 3.21; 95% confidence interval, 2.24–4.58; P Conclusions Gait speed measured in clinical settings has ecologic validity as a clinical marker of functional status in older adults for use in clinical and research settings.
Review Article on Amos Yong's,The Spirit Poured Out on All Flesh: Pentecostalism and the Possibility of Global Theology

Amos Yong's book is not only a valuable contribution to but also represents an important development in Pentecostal theology. His work brings Pentecostalism into conversation with concerned individuals throughout the world who are dealing with various large scale cultural and social crises. Yong constructs an interpretation of Pentecostalism in response to the predicament of late modernity, which he sees as marked by questions concerning the existence and possibility of experiencing the supernatural, the implied relativism of religious and cultural pluralism, and the autonomy of science and its claims about truth and reality. In this space allotted to me, I do two things: (1) give a brief overview, interspersed with commentary, on the salient features of Yong's book and (2) suggest that the agenda of Pentecostal theology be broadened to include treatment of other global issues such as the globalization of capitalism, mass migration, and war and violence.
Crack-particle interactions during intergranular stress corrosion of AA5083 as observed by cross-section transmission electron microscopy

Abstract Studies of intergranular stress corrosion cracks growing in AA5083 aged to contain β-phase (Al3Mg2) particles at the grain boundary are reported. These studies have shown that for tests in a NaCl + K2CrO4 solution that β-phase particles are converted to Al2O3 particles and that the crack propagates through or around them.
A conceptual framework for end-of-life care: A reconsideration of factors influencing the integrity of the human person

In this article, we examine emerging themes in the research and theoretical literature on care at the end of life to develop a conceptual framework to guide further research in this area. The integrity of the human person is the organizing concept, and the spiritual domain is at the core of the psychological, physical, and functional domains. This framework extends beyond previous frameworks for care at the end of life by including the relationship of the health professional and the health care organization to the integrity of the person. Also, outcomes in this framework extend beyond quality of life and comfort to include patient decision-making methods and achievement of life goals. Attention is given to the cultural dimension of personhood in our multicultural society, and the definition of end of life is expanded to include both the acute phase of terminal illness and the frailty of health associated with advanced age.
Flint Clay and a Flint-Clay Facies

Flint clay is denned as a sedimentary, microcrystalline to crystalline clay (rock) composed dominantly of kaolin, which breaks with a pronounced conchoidal fracture and resists slaking in water. Additional ceramic (refractory) properties are implied, but not expressed, in the definition. Flint clay first given recognition in the U.S.A., has been observed on all continents; it will probably be found to be more abundant than its occurrences reported to date. It occurs in rocks mainly Carboniferous or Cretaceous in age, and is invariably associated with plant- or coal-bearing measures. The environment of deposition is commonly lowlying paludal, in basins in either clastic silicate rocks or in karstic carbonates. It is inferred that parent illitic and/or kaolinitic clay colloids were transported into the swamps and there under-went further dialysis, alteration, and eventual crystallization in situ, producing a notably homogeneous kaolinite clay possessing interlocking crystallinity. Some occurrences were further desilicated to high-alumina minerals, particularly to diaspore and boehmite. Flint clay is interpreted as being an intermediate member of a so-called flint-clay facies which is a claystone sequence ranging from high-alumina minerals (or potentially so) formed on the highest part, structurally and/or topographically, of the depositional area, and grading down-structure and/or lower in elevation through flint clay to iliite-kaolinite plastic clay and thence to marine illitic shale, all being equivalent stratigraphically. The geochemical reactions are depotassification of parent clay by substitution of K+ by H+, and desilication, especially where high-alumina minerals are formed.
Surface acoustic wave measurements of a superconducting granular lead film in a magnetic field

Measurements of the dc resistance and surface acoustic wave attenuation have been made in a granular superconducting lead film which was subjected to an externally applied magnetic field. Resistance and attenuation curves were obtained as a function of temperature for fixed magnetic field as well as function of magnetic field for fixed temperature. The resistance and attenuation data are discussed within the context of a percolation description of granular superconducting films.
Plasma proteomic analysis of cancer patients for VTE risk stratification

Purpose We hypothesize that a combination of biologic and anatomic parameters can improve VTE risk stratification cancer patients. We have previously presented our work on the role of a venous stenosis in VTE. This work focuses on plasma proteomic profiles in patients with stage III/IV cancer, as this population has the highest VTE rate at our institution. Materials and Methods Serial monthly blood samples were obtained from 64 stage III/IV cancer patients over 6 months. Initially, we compared the 7 patients with VTE and 14 age-matched controls without VTE. We limited our analysis to the blood draw immediately preceding the VTE. We analyzed 29 proteins known to be involved in inflammation and thrombosis. The expression levels for each of the proteins were compared between cases and controls in a series of univariate and multivariate analyses. Results VCAM-1 and MMP-1 demonstrated statistically significant differences between cases and controls in the univariate analysis (5117±2504 vs 2349±1282 FU, p Conclusion VCAM-1 and MMP1 expression levels were statistically significantly elevated in VTE cases compared with controls. In a multivariate analysis, the expression level of VCAM-1 was significant. These results suggest that VCAM-1 and MMP1 serum levels may be potential predictors of DVT in GI cancers and need to be confirmed in a larger study.
Self-Reported Sexual Orientation and Identity Before and After Sexual Reorientation Therapy

Researchers disagree on whether sexual reorientation (i.e., conversion or reparative) therapy (SRT) can change sexual orientation. Much of the recent research relies on participants from a particular religious denomination or from SRT organizations. This study recruited participants from SRT organizations and from gay-affirming ones. In this cross-sectional study, 37 former SRT participants reported no statistically significant differences in sexual orientation and sexual identity from before SRT participation to the time of their participation in this study. Practitioners with clients struggling with their sexual orientation or identity must be informed of SRT alternatives, including person-centered and gay-affirmative approaches.
Commentary on ‘Using inverse weighting and predictive inference to estimate the effects of time‐varying treatments on the discrete‐time hazard’

I would like to begin by thanking the editor Ralph D’Agostino for his recognition of the importance of the topic considered in Dawson and Lavori’s paper and for inviting this commentary. Dawson and Lavori (DL) propose several methods for estimating the e ect of a monotone treatment pattern on the hazard function of a discrete failure time variable and compare their approaches to others previously proposed. In my opinion, DL’s methods in their Sections 1–3 are interesting and correct but are not the best available. However, I believe the methods DL propose in Sections 4 and 5 are biased without the addition of further, rather implausible, assumptions. Additionally, I feel that certain of DL comments indicate they are not fully aware of the motivation for and the range of the di erent methods proposed by myself and colleagues. My commentary is organized as follows. I rst review DL’s methodological proposals in the order in which they appear in their paper and compare other proposals with theirs. In my nal section, I review DL’s critique of methodologies proposed by myself and co-authors.
Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Films: Materials And Applications

Typical applications of polymer-dispersed of liquid crystal (PDLC) films include large and flexible information &splays and windows with electronically controlled transmission. Whenever these applications are intended for outdoor usage as, for example, when the films are to be applied to automobile sunroofs, selection criteria for the materials and choice of preparation method become important in order to satisfy the environmental temperature and humidity extremes. This paper reviews and compares different technologies for preparing PDLC films, giving special emphasis to their microstructure and ability to exhibit good electro-optic performance over an extended temperature range.
Multilocus estimation of genetic structure within populations.

Abstract Spatial structure of genetic variation within populations is well measured by statistics based on the distribution of pairs of individual genotypes, and various such statistics have been widely used in experimental studies. However, the problem of uncharacterized correlations among statistics for different alleles has limited the applications of multiallelic, multilocus summary measures, since these had unknown sampling distributions. Usually multiple alleles and/or multiple loci are required in order to precisely measure spatial structures, and to provide precise indirect estimates of the amount of dispersal in samples of reasonable size. This article examines the correlations among pair-wise statistics, including Moran I -statistics and various measures of conditional kinship, for different alleles of a locus. First the correlations are mathematically derived for random spatial distributions, which allow averages over alleles and loci to be used as more powerful yet exact test statistics for the null hypothesis. Then extensive computer simulations are conducted to examine the correlations among values for different alleles under isolation by distance processes. For loci with more than three alleles, the results show that the correlations are remarkably and perhaps surprisingly small, establishing the principle that then alleles behave as nearly independent realizations of space–time stochastic processes. The results also show that the correlations are largely robust with respect to the degree of spatial structure, and they can be used in a straightforward manner to form confidence intervals for averages. The results allow a precise connection between observations in experimental studies and levels of dispersal in theoretical models.
CFD Assessment of Aerodynamic Degradation of a Subsonic Transport Due to Airframe Damage

A computational study is presented to assess the utility of two NASA unstructured Navier-Stokes flow solvers for capturing the degradation in static stability and aerodynamic performance of a NASA General Transport Model (GTM) due to airframe damage. The approach is to correlate computational results with a substantial subset of experimental data for the GTM undergoing progressive losses to the wing, vertical tail, and horizontal tail components. The ultimate goal is to advance the probability of inserting computational data into the creation of advanced flight simulation models of damaged subsonic aircraft in order to improve pilot training. Results presented in this paper demonstrate good correlations with slope-derived quantities, such as pitch static margin and static directional stability, and incremental rolling moment due to wing damage. This study further demonstrates that high fidelity Navier-Stokes flow solvers could augment flight simulation models with additional aerodynamic data for various airframe damage scenarios.
A G Protein γ Subunit-specific Peptide Inhibits Muscarinic Receptor Signaling

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors modulate the function of a variety of effectors through heterotrimeric G proteins. A prenylated peptide specific to the G protein gamma5 subunit type inhibits G protein activation by the M2 muscarinic receptor in a reconstitution assay. Scrambling the amino acid sequence of the peptide significantly reduces the efficacy of the peptide. The peptide does not disrupt the G protein heterotrimer. In cultured sympathetic neurons, the gamma5 peptide inhibits modulation of Ca(2+) current by the M4 receptor. Peptide activity is specific, the scrambled peptide and peptides specific to two other members of the G protein gamma subunit family are significantly less effective. The gamma5 peptide has no effect on Ca(2+) current modulation by the alpha2-adrenergic and somatostatin receptors. In addition, the gamma5 peptide inhibits muscarinic receptor signaling in spinal cord slices with specificity. These results support a specific role for G protein gamma subunit types in signal transduction, most likely at the receptor-G protein interface.
Everyday Exotic: Transnational Space, Identity and Contemporary Foodways in Bangalore City

The relationship between food and identity grows more complex every day as globalization and the accompanying movement of peoples, cultures and capital define new ideological and sensory frontiers....
Diagnosis and Population Analysis of Pythium Species Using AFLP Fingerprinting

Accurate identification of Pythium species, the causal agents of Pythium root rot and dampingoff of seedlings, and characterization of populations within the species would greatly assist in selecting and implementing control strategies for these pathogens. Several molecular techniques offer methods for accurate and rapid identification of species, but provide little information about their populations. In this study, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting was used to characterize plant-pathogenic Pythium species and intraspecific populations. Species-diagnostic AFLP fingerprints for Pythium aphanidermatum, P. irregulare, and P. ultimum, and tentative fingerprints for six other species, were identified. Intraspecific distance analyses of P. aphanidermatum, P. ultimum, and P. irregulare revealed distinct patterns of intraspecific variation among the three species. P. aphanidermatum showed the smallest mean distance among isolates (15%), followed by P. ultimum (37%). P. irregulare had the largest mean distance among isolates (64%), which were divided into two populations with great genetic differentiation (FST = 0.2), suggesting the presence of a cryptic species boundary within this species.
Mechanical Design of the Space Infrared Interferometric Telescope (SPIRIT)

The Space Infrared Interferometric Telescope (SPIRIT), a candidate NASA Origins Probe mission, is a cryogenic 6-36m variable-baseline imaging interferometer operating at 25 - 400 μm. SPIRIT utilizes dual, meter-class, telescopes which translate along opposed deployable booms. The collimated beams from the telescopes are combined in a central instrument module operating at 4K and lower. Mission-enabling mechanisms include the large, optical delay line scan mechanism, the afocal collector telescope trolley drives, and the boom deployment mechanisms. This paper provides an overview of the mechanical aspects of the conceptual design created to meet the challenging instrument requirements.
EFFECTS OF MARKETING-MANUFACTURING INTEGRATION ON NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TIME AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

Abstract There is a need to better understand the advantages and disadvantages of marketing-manufacturing integration (MMI) in new product development. In this paper we examine the influences of MMI in each of four stages of new product development (NPD) on new product time and success. A path analysis of data collected from 467 completed NPD projects indicates that increased MMI in each stage of product development is respectively associated with greater product competitive advantage, which in turn is associated with higher project return on investment (ROI). Greater MMI is also significantly associated with longer product commercialisation (PC) stages of new product development, but the data indicate little significant relationship between NPD project time and project return on investment. Hence, increased MMI may require added NPD time, but this drawback appears to be outweighed by the added benefits accrued to greater product competitive advantage.
A Case for Ethics

Scientific training has been subject to disintegrative forces that have separated and compartmentalized the formal consideration of social, historical, philosophical, and moral dimensions of science. These attributes are, in fact, part of the integrated whole and are a part of the lessons faculty and other mentors provide in every professional interaction, like it or not. We have described background and objectives to create a context for the current surge of interest in the area of professional ethics. These objectives apply equally well to the other neglected or ignored dimensions of scientific training.
Rebellion in Group

Rebellion is a strategy of social action: to overthrow the group's status quo or to adamantly oppose its revision. Rebellion occurs when other avenues of influence seem futile or unattractive-a judgment that depends on the group's genuine receptivity to discussion and change, and equally, on the state of mind of the rebel. There are different pathways of rebellion: defiance, secession/exile, anarchy, or revolution. Although rebellion represents an individual's mental attitude toward a group, it is useful to think of group process and rebellion as an attempt to move the group in a different direction. Similar to other group members, the therapist has rebellious feelings and thoughts, and may take on the multiple roles of defiant instigator, exiled outcast, anarchist, and revolutionary.
Genetic mapping and manipulation: chapter 1--Introduction and basics.

Copyright: © 2006 David Fay. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: davidfay@uwyo.edu Genetic mapping and manipulation: Chapter 1-Introduction and basics* David Fay, Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071-3944 USA
Temperature dependence of the response time of dilute metallic spin glasses.

The temperature dependence of the time decay of the thermoremanent magnetization has been measured for four dilute metallic spin glasses: Ag:${\mathrm{Mn}}_{2.6\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{at}.\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{%}}$, Ag:${\mathrm{Mn}}_{4.1}$ at. $_{\mathrm{%}}$, Ag:${\mathrm{Mn}}_{2.6}$ at. % +${\mathrm{Sb}}_{0.46}$ at. %, and Cu:${\mathrm{Mn}}_{4.0}$ at. %. After cooling in a constant applied field, the field was cut to zero and the time decay of the thermoremanent magnetization was observed over a period of 0.2--500 sec. The time dependence of the thermoremanent magnetization can be described well by a stretched exponential: ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{TRM}}$(t)=${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{0}$exp[-(t/${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{p}$ ${)}^{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}n}$], with an apparent rate, 1/${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{p}$, which varies exponentially with the inverse reduced temperature over nearly the entire temperature range of measurement below ${T}_{g}$, the glass temperature. Moreover, the temperature dependence of 1/${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{p}$ is given by a universal function, 1/${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{p}$=A exp(-2.5${T}_{g}$/T), with A${=10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$ ${\mathrm{sec}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. Very near to ${T}_{g}$, the apparent rate 1/${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{p}$ decreases much more rapidly as T diminishes, and the scaling with ${T}_{g}$ breaks down. All of these results can be mapped onto a recent calculation of the dynamics of the infinite-range Ising spin-glass model by De Dominicis et al. We are able to fit the observed temperature dependence of 1/${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{p}$ over the full temperature range (T\ensuremath{\le}${T}_{g}$) using either the experimentally determined values for the quantities in the theory, or those values extracted from the Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model.
Eosinophilic myeloid disorders: new classification and novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of reviewThe aim of this brief review is to evaluate recent developments in the classification and treatment of eosinophilic myeloid disorders in the context of reactive, lymphocyte-variant, and idiopathic eosinophilias.Recent findingsThe revised 2008 WHO classification recognizes both molec
Amino Acids 143 to 150 of the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Scaffold Protein Are Required for the Formation of Portal-Containing Capsids

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) portal is composed of a dodecamer of UL6 protein molecules whose incorporation into the capsid is mediated by interaction with the HSV-1 UL26.5 scaffold protein. Previous results with an in vitro capsid assembly assay demonstrated that nine amino acids (amino acids 143 to 151) of the UL26.5 protein are required for its interaction with UL6 and for incorporation of the portal complex into capsids. In the present study an HSV-1 mutant, bvFH411, was isolated and contained a deletion that removed the codons for UL26.5 amino acids 143 to 150. The mutant virus failed to produce infectious virus in noncomplementing cells, and only B capsids that contained only minor amounts of portal protein were made. These data corroborate our previous in vitro studies and demonstrate that amino acids 143 to 150 of UL26.5 are required for the formation of portal-containing HSV-1 capsids.
Space filling curves over finite fields

In this note, we construct curves over finite fields which have, in a certain sense, a “lot” of points, and give some applications to the zeta functions of curves and abelian varieties over finite fields. In fact, we found the basic construction, given in Lemma 1, of curves in A which go through every rational point, as part of an unsuccessful attempt to find curves of growing genus over a fixed finite field with lots of points in the sense of the Drinfield-Vladut bound [2]. The idea of applying that construction along the lines of this note grew out of an August 1996 conversation with Ofer Gabber about whether every abelian variety over a finite field was a quotient of a Jacobian, during which he constructed, on the fly, a proof of that fact. A variant of his proof appears here in Theorem 11. It is a pleasure to acknowledge my debt to him.
Genotyping by Guanosine-Dependent Quenching of Single-Labeled Fluorescein Probes

Fluorescent-labeled oligonucleotide probes can be used in real-time PCR for rapid detection of specific product and for fine sequence analysis [1–5]. Changes in the magnitude of probe fluorescence upon hybridization to product DNA are responsible for the versatility of fluorescent oligonucleotides in monitoring PCR. Several techniques have been developed for using oligonucleotide probes to generate a fluorescent signal detectable by instruments such as the LightCycler. These fluorescent-labeled molecules utilize the natural phenomenon of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to provide such a signal. During FRET, a donor fluorophore absorbs light energy and transfers it to either an acceptor, a second fluorophore that emits the light energy at a second, molecule-specific wavelength, or to a quencher, a molecule that dissipates the energy as heat. Exonuclease probes (TaqMan) [6], hairpin probes (Molecular Beacons) [7], and self-probing primers (Scorpions) [8] are examples of FRET systems in which the fluorescence of a donor is quenched by a second chromophore attached to the same molecule. Because two fluorophores are conjugated to a single oligonucleotide, the design, synthesis, and purification of these probes can be difficult and expensive.
Influence of radiation dose and reconstruction algorithm in MDCT assessment of airway wall thickness: A phantom study.

Purpose: Wall thickness (WT) is an airway feature of great interest for the assessment of morphological changes in the lung parenchyma. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has recently been used to evaluate airway WT, but the potential risk of radiation-induced carcinogenesis—particularly in younger patients—might limit a wider use of this imaging method in clinical practice. The recent commercial implementation of the statistical model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) algorithm, instead of the conventional filtered back projection (FBP) algorithm, has enabled considerable radiation dose reduction in many other clinical applications of MDCT. The purpose of this work was to study the impact of radiation dose and MBIR in the MDCT assessment of airway WT. Methods: An airway phantom was scanned using a clinical MDCT system (Discovery CT750 HD, GE Healthcare) at 4 kV levels and 5 mAs levels. Both FBP and a commercial implementation of MBIR (VeoTM, GE Healthcare) were used to reconstruct CT images of the airways. For each kV–mAs combination and each reconstruction algorithm, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the airways was measured, and the WT of each airway was measured and compared with the nominal value; the relative bias and the angular standard deviation in the measured WT were calculated. For each airway and reconstruction algorithm, the overall performance of WT quantification across all of the 20 kV–mAs combinations was quantified by the sum of squares (SSQs) of the difference between the measured and nominal WT values. Finally, the particular kV–mAs combination and reconstruction algorithm that minimized radiation dose while still achieving a reference WT quantification accuracy level was chosen as the optimal acquisition and reconstruction settings. Results: The wall thicknesses of seven airways of different sizes were analyzed in the study. Compared with FBP, MBIR improved the CNR of the airways, particularly at low radiation dose levels. For FBP, the relative bias and the angular standard deviation of the measured WT increased steeply with decreasing radiation dose. Except for the smallest airway, MBIR enabled significant reduction in both the relative bias and angular standard deviation of the WT, particularly at low radiation dose levels; the SSQ was reduced by 50%–96% by using MBIR. The optimal reconstruction algorithm was found to be MBIR for the seven airways being assessed, and the combined use of MBIR and optimal kV–mAs selection resulted in a radiation dose reduction of 37%–83% compared with a reference scan protocol with a dose level of 1 mGy. Conclusions: The quantification accuracy of airway WT is strongly influenced by radiation dose and reconstruction algorithm. The MBIR algorithm potentially allows the desired WT quantification accuracy to be achieved with reduced radiation dose, which may enable a wider clinical use of MDCT for the assessment of airway WT, particularly for younger patients who may be more sensitive to exposures with ionizing radiation.
3D MHD Simulations of Waves Excited in an Accretion Disk by a Rotating Magnetized Star

We present results of global 3D MHD simulations of warp and density waves in accretion disks excited by a rotating star with a misaligned dipole magnetic field. A wide range of cases are considered. We find for example that if the star’s magnetosphere corotates approximately with the inner disk, then a strong one-arm bending wave or warp forms. The warp corotates with the star and has a maximum amplitude (|zω |/r ~ 0.3) between the corotation radius and the radius of the vertical resonance. If the magnetosphere rotates more slowly than the inner disk, then a bending wave is excited at the disk-magnetosphere boundary, but it does not form a large-scale warp. In this case the angular rotation of the disk [Ω(r,z = 0)] has a maximum as a function of r so that there is an inner region where d Ω/dr > 0. In this region we observe radially trapped density waves in approximate agreement with the theoretical prediction of a Rossby wave instability in this region.
Tools for formal specification, verification, and validation of requirements

Although formal methods for developing computer systems have been available for more than a decade, few have had significant impact in practice. A major barrier to their use is that software developers find formal methods difficult to understand and apply. One exception is a formal method called SCR for specifying computer system requirements which, due to its easy to use tabular notation and its demonstrated scalability, has already achieved some success in industry. Recently a set of software tools, including a specification editor, a consistency checker, a simulator, and a verifier has been developed to support the SCR method. This paper describes recent enhancements to the SCR tools: a new dependency graph browser which displays the dependencies among the variables in the specification, an improved consistency checker which produces detailed feedback about detected errors, and an assertion checker which checks application properties during simulation. To illustrate the tool enhancements, a simple automobile cruise control system is presented and analyzed.
On precision and recall of multi-attribute data extraction from semistructured sources

Machine learning techniques for data extraction from semistructured sources exhibit different precision and recall characteristics. However to date the formal relationship between learning algorithms and their impact on these two metrics remains unexplored. We propose a formalization of precision and recall of extraction and investigates the complexity-theoretic aspects of learning algorithms for multiattribute data extraction based on this formalism. We show that there is a tradeoff between precision/recall of extraction and computational efficiency and present experimental results to demonstrate the practical utility of these concepts in designing scalable data extraction algorithms for improving recall without compromising on precision.
Statistical model for spatial correlation in thin film deposition and reactive growth

This paper presents a statistical method for the estimation of thickness variations present across a wafer lot in low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) and reactively grown films. The method uses experimental thickness data to construct a unified Karhunen-Loeve expansion based model that captures both deterministic and random thickness variations. The model uses a set of quadratic interpolation functions fitted to mean spatial data to approximate the deterministic nonuniformity and a few normalized random variables to represent run-to-run fluctuations. This model therefore retains the spatial correlations present between different deposition and growth steps in a process necessary for the estimation of parametric yield and permits the calculation of distribution functions over different lot populations (wafer, die, point, etc.). Models for spatial correlations in LPCVD oxide, nitride, polycrystalline silicon, and thermal oxide growth were constructed from a data set of 35000 thickness measurements recorded from a total of 40, 25-wafer runs. In each case, the model gives good predictions (90-95% confidence) with just one or two random variables.
Decoupled nonlinear three-term controllers for robot trajectory tracking

A simple controller is proposed for independent joint control of a manipulator to enable accurate trajectory tracking without requiring specific knowledge about the robot dynamics. Each joint controller consists of three nonlinear integral terms in the tracking error. Global asymptotic stability of tracking errors is established using the Lyapunov stability theory. The control system is shown to be robust to torque disturbances affecting the system and to a class of unmodeled dynamics. To further improve the robustness of the closed-loop system in situations where measurement noise is present, a simple modification to the controller is proposed. It is shown that exponential convergence of the error to arbitrarily small values is guaranteed with this modification. A systematic procedure for the selection of controller parameters is provided, and simulations results using the complete dynamic model of a six degree of freedom industrial robot are presented to demonstrate the excellent tracking performance of the proposed controller.
Large Datasets in Biomedicine: A Discussion of Salient Analytic Issues

Advances in high-throughput and mass-storage technologies have led to an information explosion in both biology and medicine, presenting novel challenges for analysis and modeling. With regards to multivariate analysis techniques such as clustering, classification, and regression, large datasets present unique and often misunderstood challenges. The authors' goal is to provide a discussion of the salient problems encountered in the analysis of large datasets as they relate to modeling and inference to inform a principled and generalizable analysis and highlight the interdisciplinary nature of these challenges. The authors present a detailed study of germane issues including high dimensionality, multiple testing, scientific significance, dependence, information measurement, and information management with a focus on appropriate methodologies available to address these concerns. A firm understanding of the challenges and statistical technology involved ultimately contributes to better science. The authors further suggest that the community consider facilitating discussion through interdisciplinary panels, invited papers and curriculum enhancement to establish guidelines for analysis and reporting.
Networking and cooperation within the Music Library Association

ABSTRACT This article is an updated version of a paper presented at the 1995 Music Library Association conference, held in Atlanta, GA, for the Information Sharing Subcommittee program. The paper focuses on the cooperative projects in which music librarians have been involved since the inception of the Music Library Association in the early 1930s. Library literature contains only a few examples of descriptions of cooperative efforts that are then discussed next. In response to a query placed on MLA-L, music librarians sent examples of cooperation and networking in their libraries. MLA-L was monitored for six months and the results of this survey are included.
The ambiguity of the English present perfect

This study examines grammatical and discourse-pragmatic reflexes of the existential and resultative readings of the English present perfect. I present both negative and positive arguments in favor of the claim that the present perfect is ambiguous (rather than vague) with respect to these readings. In particular, I argue that the resultative present-perfect represents a formal idiom: a morphosyntactic form characterized by idiosyncratic constraints upon grammar, meaning and use. Certain constraints upon the resultative present-perfect, in particular that which prevents it from denoting a pragmatically presupposed event proposition, can be MOTIVATED with respect to a discourse-pragmatic opposition involving the preterite. However, such constraints cannot be PREDICTED from functional oppositions or any general semantic principles. Finally, I suggest that mastery of aspectual grammar crucially entails knowledge of such idiomatic form-meaning pairings.
Biological Control of Fusarium‐wilt in Carnation With Serratia liquefaciens and Hafnia alvei Isolated from Rhizosphere of Carnation

Serratia liquefaciens provided better protection of carnations from infection by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi, than did Hafnia alvei. The protection occurred when the bacterial isolates were applied to the cuttings before rooting, but not when applied to the root system of rooted cuttings. S. liquefaciens was recovered from carnation stem segments along the stem up to the top after 60 days but after 120 days they were recovered only up to 2.5cm. Zones of inhibition of Fusarium-conidia sprayed on agar plates previously incubated with stem segments appeared around the bacterial colonies of S. liquifaciens after additional incubation for 24—48h.
Developing insider attack detection model: A grounded approach

Insider threats and attacks are a known problem. Within an enterprise it is very difficult to detect and identify insider attacks and abuse against Information Systems. A study was conducted by observing a group of IS security analysts who detect and identify insider attacks. Commonalities and generalizations were made based on the study to create an insider attack detection model. This model will allow other IS security analysts the ability to increase detection of insider attacks and reduce false positives.
Hunter Self-monitoring by the Isoseño-Guaraní in the Bolivian Chaco

Declared in 1995, the 34,400 km 2 Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park is the first protected area in South America co-managed by an indigenous organization, the Capitania del Alto y Bajo Isoso (CABI). In 1997, based on historical occupation by the Isoseno-Guaraniover the past 300 years, CABI formally demanded a 19,000 km 2 'Tierra Comunitaria de Origen' (TCO) that adjoins, but does not overlap, the national park. The creation of TCOs and the co-administration of protected areas are elements of decentralization processes in Bolivia, whereby the management of land and natural resources is devolving to departmental and municipal levels of government. This paper examines biodiversity monitoring in the context of a community wildlife management program developed with CABI. Hunter self-monitoring (100-150 hunters per month) combined with monthly activity records for potential hunters (7637 observed hunter-months) permit esti- mations of total offtakes of subsistence game species for 1996-2003, as well as catch-per-unit-effort over the same time period. These data show considerable fluctuations from year to year and no declining trends that would suggest over-hunting. Monitoring populations of multiple game species can be relatively expensive, even with the voluntary support of hunters, considering data collection and analysis, as well as presentation and discussion through community meetings. At the same time, monitoring does not provide highly accurate assessments of short-term changes in wildlife resources. However, relatively simple participatory methods are important for generating infor- mation on long-term trends and for creating a context for community discussion of formal wildlife management.
Wikis in the classroom: Properties and potential uses of this collaborative learning tool

Student engagement is tied to course performance and information retention. Shifting the focus of the classroom from a lecture-based approach to a student-centered learning environment is one way to achieve this goal. One tool that can be used to allow student contribution to the content and direction of a course is a wiki. Wikis are highly flexible collaborative websites that can be structured to meet course needs and allow multiple users to contribute to site content. They provide a platform where real-time editing can be performed in a flexible 'topical' format. They are intended to promote group learning through collaboration rather than isolated reflection, and can provide another avenue through which instructors can connect with various types of learners through multimedia learning. We will present multiple ways in which wikis can be used in the classroom, such as collaborative projects, peer review, debates, competitions, and student comments and reflections on course material. Within these contexts faculty can promote the use of multimedia and creativity within student work and enable peer learning through public project viewing. They also track each student’s edits and additions to site content, allowing for instructor assessment of an individual’s contributions to group progress. We have found that the use of the wiki format promoted class participation, a sense of community within the course in question, and a feeling of project ownership and accomplishment.
Cryptogenic stroke in the setting of intravaginal prostaglandin therapy for elective abortion

Abstract Vaginal prostaglandin pessaries are considered safe and effective method of abortion within the first two trimesters of pregnancy. We present a case of a young woman, with no known risk factors for cerebrovascular events, who developed a cryptogenic stroke following administration of intravaginal Misoprostol. Case report and review of the relevant literature. A 30-year-old woman presented with right hemiparesis and aphasia after having received three 600 μg tablets of intravaginal Misoprostol for an elective abortion earlier in the day. A brain MRI revealed an acute ischemic infarction in the left middle cerebral artery territory. An extensive workup for possible etiologies was negative. Intravaginal Misoprostol may be associated with stroke in young women. Further study is required to determine if this case represents an isolated incident, or a true association.
Collaborative Information Seeking (CIS) in Context

The field of collaborative information seeking (CIS) has been going through a fundamental shift, so much that it is almost emerging as a new field altogether. One of the challenges that such an invigorating process brings to a field is how to define its key elements, and CIS is no exception. Researchers have brought forth their works in this domain under the labels of collaborative information retrieval, collaborative information behavior, co-browsing, and collaborative or collective search, among others. Often a subset of these terms are used interchangeably, but one could also see them as subdomains in their own right. This chapter introduces the reader to several of the most commonly used terms and definitions. Corresponding works for these terms are summarized to provide a comprehensive overview of recent developments in this field. In addition to the literature, the chapter also uses discussions and derived lessons from half a dozen recent workshops and other events on CIS and related topics. The landscape of CIS is constantly evolving, but the present chapter should provide a firm ground for one to observe and participate in the development of this emerging field.
On the Interpretation of Strict Utility Choice Models

The strict utility choice model has been much studied by psychologists, behavioral scientists, and statisticians. It states that there exists a function u on a set X of objects so that the probability p that an object a is chosen from a nonempty finite subset A of X is given by the equation $$p = \frac{{u(a)}} {{\sum\nolimits_{e \in A} {u(e)} }} $$ (1) . The main purpose of this paper is to understand how the function u should be interpreted. It will be argued that u is a portion of a “probability function”.
Serosal and cutaneous recordings of gastric myoelectrical activity in patients with gastroparesis.

The aims of this study were to 1) investigate gastric myoelectrical activity in patients with gastroparesis, 2) validate the cutaneous electrogastrogram (EGG) in tracking the frequency change of th...