cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal strategies from random walks

We analyze a sequential game between a Gambler and a Casino. The Gambler allocates bets from a limited budget over a fixed menu of gambling events that are offered at equal time intervals, and the Casino chooses a binary loss outcome for each of the events. We derive the optimal min-max strategies for both participants. We then prove that the minimum cumulative loss of the Gambler, assuming optimal play by the Casino, is exactly a well-known combinatorial quantity: the expected number of draws needed to complete a multiple set of “cards” in the generalized Coupon Collector’s Problem. We show that this quantity and the optimal strategy of the Gambler can be efficiently estimated from a simple random walk.
Comments on Mohan Matthen's ‘The Pleasure of Art’

ABSTRACTThis paper examines Mohan Matthen's account of aesthetic pleasure. The first part explores implications of Matthen's notion of ‘fit’ between features of art objects and our pleasurable contemplation of them. Through historical comparisons with Plato and Dewey, I challenge his claim not to be offering a theory of aesthetic norms. The second part of my paper sketches how Matthen might address two important problems of contemporary aesthetics: the first concerning interpretation, and the second concerning genres of art that evoke negative or painful emotions such as tragedy, melodrama, and horror.
COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COOPERATIVE MODEL OF STAD TYPE AND PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING MODEL WITH SCIENTIFIC APPROACH ON SEQUENCE AND SERIES LESSON MATERIAL IN CLASS X IPA AT SMAN 1 DUAMPANUA

The study aims at examining (1) the difference of learning outcomes in class which used problem-based learning model and cooperative learning model of STAD type, (2) the difference of learning outcomes in class which used problem-based learning model and cooperative learning model of STAD type, (3) the comparison of effectiveness of problem-based learning model and cooperative learning model of STAD type with scientific approach. The study is an experimental research with pretest and posstest control group design using the treatment twice and using the instrument: tests of learning outcomes, student activity sheets observation and questionnaire responses of students. The population of the study was students of class X IPA at SMAN 1 Dupamanua in Pinrang district. The samples were two classes, namely class X IPA 2 as the experiment class I using problem-based learning model and class X IPA 3 as the experiment class II using cooperative learning model of STAD type. Samples were selected by employing random sampling technique. Data of the test of learning outcomes were analyzed by employing on-sample test analysis and independent sample test, and questionnaire was analyzed using descriptive analysis. The results of the study revealed the (1) there was significant improvement between the class which used problem-based learning model and cooperative of STAD type indicated by the significant P < 0.05, (2) the learning outcomes used problem-based learning model was higher which was 78 than cooperative learning model of STAD type which was 74. (3) the students gave positive response on the use of problem-based learning model with 17 which gave excellent response and 83% gave good response and 62% gave good response. The problem-based learning model showed higher result on sequence and series lesson material than cooperative learning model of STAD type
Litigation in the Fossil Fuel Divestment Movement

The fossil fuel divestment movement has been described as the fastest-growing disinvestment movement in history, and in recent years it has continued to expand. Despite its growth, however, the movement has made little use of legal action, instead utilizing tactics of public pressure and persuasion, and the future role of litigation in the movement is unclear. To consider litigation's potential role in the movement and the challenges it may face, I examine the first and only case of litigation in the fossil fuel divestment movement thus far: Harvard Climate Justice Coalition et al. v President and Fellows of Harvard College et al. (2015), in which seven Harvard students (including the author) filed suit to compel the university to divest its endowment from fossil fuel companies. I examine motivations for filing the suit in the context of the broader fossil fuel divestment movement, the case's history, and the challenges faced by the suit, including arguments surrounding causation, particularization, representation of future generations, limiting principles, and framing. I then discuss potential opportunities for fossil fuel divestment litigation in the future. As the field of climate change law develops further, litigation over fossil fuel investments could grow in frequency and importance.
Effect of the Amount of Dormant Pruning on Growth and Water Use of Containerized Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia × Fauriei ‘Tuscarora’)

Abstract A study was conducted to determine the effects of different dormant pruning treatments on subsequent plant development and water use of crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia × Fauriei Koehne ‘Tuscarora’) transplanted into containers. Dormant, bare-root plants were pruned to the normal practice of a 30% reduction of existing shoot length by heading back and thinning of weak branches. Plants were randomly assigned to 3 pruning treatments including: 1) control—no further pruning, 2) shoot pruned—an additional 50% reduction of remaining shoot length for a total of 65% reduction in shoot length, or 3) a 50% reduction of root area in addition to the 30% reduction in shoot length. Fifty percent (50%) root pruning severely reduced earliness of bud-break and plant survival when compared to either the control or the 65% shoot pruning treatments. Earliest bud-break and highest plant survival were rated for plants in the 65% shoot pruned treatment. Plants in the 50% root pruned treatment had a significantly higher num...
The Genesis of Transformational Environment and Entrepreneurial Orientation in Family Firms

We research a firm’s entrepreneurial orientation as a function of its ownership structure-i.e., whether the organization is owned and controlled by a family. We claim that this relationship occurs ...
Chapter 5 – The Problem of Externalities—An Overview

Chapter 5 offers an introduction to the next three chapters on externalities. Its two main objectives are to indicate which externalities require government intervention and to present the general equilibrium model of social welfare maximization that will be used to analyze externalities.
Current Situation with Respect to Environmental Problems in the United States

Summary The history and the responsibilities of the national Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are presented, and the difficulties resulting from unclearly defined competences of the states' environmental protection agencies and other institutions for environmental protection are discussed with examples. Zusammenfassung Die Bildung und Aufgaben der nationalen Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) werden vorgestellt und besonders die Schwierigkeiten durch unklar definierte Kompetenzen der staatlichen environmental protection agencies und sonstiger Umweltschutzamter an einigen Beispielen diskutiert.
A β-Ta system for current induced magnetic switching in the absence of external magnetic field

Magnetic switching via Giant Spin Hall Effect (GSHE) has received great interest for its role in developing future spintronics logic or memory devices. In this work, a new material system (i.e. a transition metal sandwiched between two ferromagnetic layers) with interlayer exchange coupling is introduced to realize the deterministic field-free perpendicular magnetic switching. This system uses β-Ta, as the GSHE agent to generate a spin current and as the interlayer exchange coupling medium to generate an internal field. The critical switching current density at zero field is on the order of 106 A/cm2 due to the large spin Hall angle of β-Ta. The internal field, along with switching efficiency, depends strongly on the orthogonal magnetization states of two ferromagnetic coupling layers in this system.
Reducing Early Readmissions after Ventral Hernia Repair with the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative.

Background Early readmission after ventral hernia repair (VHR) can hinder patient recovery and increase resource use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative Early Readmission Reduction Initiative in reducing early readmissions after VHR. Study Design Risk factors for early readmission and best practices of surgeons with the lowest readmission rates after VHR were determined through collaborative learning. Two interventions for reducing early readmissions were developed: a structured questionnaire administered to patients within 1 week after discharge from the hospital or an early clinic visit after discharge and before a regularly scheduled postoperative visit. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the impact of these interventions on early readmission. Results Use of the questionnaire and early clinic visit was tracked in 3,007 patients. Of these, 343 received the questionnaire (2.6% readmission rate), 761 had an early clinic visit after discharge (3.0% readmission rate), 138 had both (4.3% readmission rate), and 1,765 patients received neither (5.9% readmission rate). After controlling for factors associated with early readmissions, administration of the questionnaire (odds ratio 0.42; 95% CI 0.21 to 0.84; p Conclusions The Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative Early Readmission Reduction Initiative successfully reduced readmissions after VHR using a structured questionnaire or early clinic visit implemented after discharge and before routine 30-day postoperative follow-up.
Evaluation Through Independent Measurements: Complex Terrain and Humid Tropical Region in Ethiopia

Evaluation of satellite rainfall products was conducted using ground-based daily rainfall measurements at 22 locations within a grid of 5×5 km collected during summer monsoon 2008 in a very complex terrain and humid tropical region in Ethiopia. Two high-resolution satellite rainfall products, namely, PERSIANN-CCS available at 1-h and 0.04° resolution, and CMORPH available at 30-min and 0.08° resolution. Both remotely-sensed products underestimated heavy events by about 50%, and so caution must be exercised when using CMORPH and PERSIANN-CCS as input for flood forecasting, as this could underestimate large flood events. The underestimation in monthly total rainfall was significant (32% for CMORPH, 49% for PERSIANN-CCS), and this error level needs to be acknowledged in applications that require monthly analyses. PERSIANN-CCS failed to detect half of the light events, and consistently those under 1.6 mm/day, indicating clearly that PERSIANN-CCS has difficulty detecting light rainfall events in complex terrain.
Male Breast Disease: What the Radiologist Needs to Know

The male breast is susceptible to a variety of benign and malignant processes, many of which clinically present as a palpable finding, focal pain, or breast enlargement. Gynecomastia is the most common abnormality in the male breast and must be distinguished from malignancy. Imaging of the symptomatic male breast begins with a diagnostic mammogram in a patient ≥25 years and targeted ultrasound in a patient 50 years and treated with exogenous hormone therapy for >5 years should undergo breast cancer screening. This paper will review the anatomy of the male breast, appropriate imaging of the symptomatic male breast, gynecomastia and other benign conditions, and male breast cancer and other malignant conditions. Finally, we will discuss imaging of the transgender patient.
Polymer/carbon-based quantum dot nanocomposite: forthcoming materials for technical application

This endeavor presents state-of-the-art overview on polymer/carbon-based quantum dot nanocomposite. Carbon-based quantum dot (graphene quantum dot, carbon nanodot, and polymer dot) are ∼10nm. Carbo...
Remarkable Points and X(N)-SpaCes

In 1974 Veksler, Koldunov, and Lozanovsky discovered that in the vicinity of some points in the maximal ideal space of the classical Banach algebra ∞[0, 1] every measurable function is integrable. One of the purposes of this paper is to familiarize the reader with these points (referred to as remarkable points) and to indicate several directions for applications. The paper also studies and presents some applications of a new type of extension for Dedekind complete vector lattices.
Short-term outcomes of combined pars plana vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane and phacoemulsification surgery with multifocal intraocular lens implantation.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional and anatomical outcomes of combined phacovitrectomy with multifocal intraocular lens (mfIOL) implantation. Methods Retrospective, interventional, non-comparative case series of six eyes that received a combined phacoemulsification surgery with apodized, diffractive mfIOL implantation for cataract and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with membrane peeling for epiretinal membrane (ERM). Outcome measures included distance and near visual acuities (DVA and NVA), central macular thickness (CMT), intraocular pressure (IOP), and disruption of external limiting membrane (ELM) or inner-segment outer-segment (IS/OS) junction. Results Mean logMAR glare DVA improved from 0.40 (Snellen 20/50) preoperatively to a mean uncorrected DVA of 0.038 (Snellen 20/22) (P=0.004) at 6 months after surgery. All eyes achieved NVA of J2 or better by 12 months postoperatively. Median CMT improved by 10 µm and mean IOP increased by 1 mmHg at 12 months postoperatively. Percentage of patients with ELM or IS/OS disruptions decreased from 66.7% to 33.3%. Two eyes demonstrated residual metamorphopsia on Amsler grid testing postoperatively. Postoperatively, four eyes required laser capsulotomy and one required LASEK for refractive correction. Conclusion Combined phacovitrectomy, membrane peeling, and mfIOL implantation improved VA in patients with idiopathic ERM. Multifocality was achieved, but final visual outcome was delayed due to posterior capsular opacification and macular healing.
Stackelberg Game-Theoretic Spectrum Allocation for QoE-Centric Wireless Multimedia Communications

Multimedia Quality of Experience (QoE) is a predominant factor that drives customer satisfaction and user experience in the future wireless networks. This paper proposes a Stackelberg game theoretic spectrum allocation approach for QoE-centric wireless multimedia communication rather than the traditional data traffic. Here, we introduce the cost of utilizing the spectrum as a factor in the utility of the service provider and the client device. Both service provider and client devices are assumed rational and selfishly look to maximize their utility in a non-cooperative manner. Stackelberg game is used to formulate the interaction between the service provider and the client device, and to derive the Nash Equilibrium for the utility maximization problem. The paper proves existence of a Stackelberg game solution such that the utility of both client device and the service provider is maximized. The simulation results demonstrate that QoE and fairness can be achieved by the proposed game-theoretic spectrum allocation scheme.
Clinical Factors Associated with Longer Hospital Stay Following Ovarian Cancer Surgery

Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancy and is treated with a combination of cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy. Extended length of stay (LOS) after surgery can affect patient morbidity, overall costs, and hospital resource utilization. The primary objective of this study was to identify factors contributing to prolonged LOS for women undergoing surgery for ovarian cancer. Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was queried to identify women from 2012–2016 who underwent hysterectomy for ovarian, fallopian tube and peritoneal cancer. The primary outcome was LOS >50th percentile. Preoperative and intraoperative variables were examined to determine which were associated with prolonged LOS. Results: From 2012–2016, 1771 women underwent elective abdominal surgery for OC and were entered in the ACS-NSQIP database. The mean and median LOS was 4.6 and 4.0 days (IQR 0–38), respectively. On multivariate analysis, factors associated with prolonged LOS included: American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Classification III (aOR 1.71, 95% CI 1.38–2.13) or IV (aOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.44–2.46), presence of ascites (aOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.44–2.46), older age (aOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.13–1.35), platelet count >400,000/mm3 (aOR 1.74, 95% CI 1.29–2.35), preoperative blood transfusion (aOR 11.00, 95% CI 1.28–94.77), disseminated cancer (aOR 1.28, 95% CI 1.03–1.60), increased length of operation (121–180 min, aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.13-1.91; >180 min, aOR 2.78, 95% CI 2.13–3.64), and postoperative blood transfusion within 72 h of incision (aOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.59–2.62) (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusions: Longer length of hospital stay following surgery for OC is associated with many patient, disease, and treatment-related factors. The extent of surgery, as evidenced by perioperative blood transfusion and length of surgical procedure, is a factor that can potentially be modified to shorten LOS, improve patient outcomes, and reduce hospital costs.
Auto-Tuning for Military Microgrids

Microgrids for tactical military applications present unique challenges. These systems, usually consisting of low power (10s of kWs) generators of relatively equal capacity, are inherently islanded and do not have a large dominant power source that acts as a regulating device. Military loads are most often intermittent and inductive in nature and tend to stress the grid system. Present efforts of tuning tend to be inaccurate and trial and error in nature, requiring sophisticated equipment and highly trained personnel. It is the objective of this effort to fully automate an effective and efficient tuning methodology that may be implemented by largely untrained military personnel under harsh battlefield conditions
“More Brazilian Than Cachaça”: Brazilian Sugar-Based Ethanol Development in the Twentieth Century

Today, Brazil has one of the most diverse energy systems in the world. The sugar-based ethanol industry plays a pivotal role in that achievement, yet scholars of energy development have focused little on ethanol. This article examines the history of the sugar-based ethanol industry from its beginning in the 1930s to the creation of the state-led program Proalcool (the National Ethanol Program) in 1975 and the ethanol-fueled car in 1979. This article demonstrates how federal and private actors connected nationalist goals of a modern, industrial Brazilian identity to ethanol in order to sustain the industry against the vagaries of the sugar market. Drawing from production data, the monthly sugar industry journal Brasil Acucareiro, newspapers, government funding applications for privately owned ethanol distilleries, and oral interviews, it highlights how the idea of a nationally developed technology and domestic industry etched a long-term place for the ethanol industry in the nation’s energy strategy. Resumen Hoje, o Brasil tem um dos sistemas de energia mais diversos no mundo. A industria sucroalcooleira tem um papel central nessa conquista, mas academicos em desenvolvimento de energia tem se concentrado pouco no alcool. Esse artigo se concentra na historia da industria desde seu inicio na decada de 30 ate a criacao do programa estadual, Proalcool (o programa nacional do alcool), em 1975 e o carro a alcool em 1979. Esse artigo mostra como os participantes federais e privados conectaram as metas nacionalistas de uma identidade brasileira moderna e industrial com o alcool para manter a industria contra as dificuldades do mercado acucareiro. Usando dados de producao, o diario mensal Brasil Acucareiro, jornais, aplicacoes para fundos governamentais para destilarias privadas do alcool, e entrevistas orais, esse artigo destaca como a ideia da tecnologia desenvolvida nacionalmente e a industria domestica estabelecerem um lugar no longo prazo para a industria do alcool na estrategia energetica nacional. Publisher’s Note: A correction article relating to this paper has been published and can be found at https://larrlasa.org/articles/10.25222/larr.1586/ .
III Mitarbeiter – Eine zentrale Voraussetzung für ein erfolgreiches CRM

Aufbauend auf den theoretischen Grundlagen aus Teil I (v. a. Kapitel 3 und 4) soll im Folgenden in einem ersten Schritt analysiert werden, ob der Mitarbeiter eine strategische Grose im CRM und damit grundsatzlich als eine zentrale Voraussetzung fur ein erfolgreiches CRM zu sehen ist.
Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Adolescents

Interpersonal psychotherapy for depressed adolescents (IPT-A) is a time-limited treatment that has been shown to be efficacious in university and community settings. IPT-A is defined in a treatment manual that was adapted to address the developmental needs of adolescents and their families. IPT-A is based on the theory that depression occurs in an interpersonal context. The goals of treatment are to improve adolescents' interpersonal relationships and alleviate their depression symptoms. This is accomplished by identifying and addressing an interpersonal problem area for each adolescent that is related to the onset or maintenance of the depression. This article describes the theoretical roots of IPT-A, outlines the treatment approach, summarizes the empirical research, and discusses a number of recent adaptations of IPT-A.
83 The prognostic significance of peripheral blood biomarkers in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with pembrolizumab: a clinical study

Background Pembrolizumab is an anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibody used for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Systemic inflammation has long been associated with poor outcomes in many types of solid tumors.1 Peripheral blood biomarkers such as absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and absolute neutrophil count to absolute lymphocyte count ratio (ANC/ALC) serve as surrogate markers of inflammation. The aim of this study is to investigate ALC and ANC/ALC in patients with advanced NSCLC receiving pembrolizumab and determine if there is a correlation between these biomarkers and overall survival (OS). Methods A total of 240 patients with advanced NSCLC treated with pembrolizumab at Northwell Health hospital centers were included. The ALC and ANC/ALC were examined at initiation of pembrolizumab and after 6 weeks on treatment. The prognostic role of these peripheral blood biomarkers on OS were examined with Kaplan-Meier curves and a multivariable cox regression analysis. Results Of the 240 patients, the majority were male (52%), with a median age of 67 years (interquartile range [IQR] 59–73 years), had a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma (76%), with stage IV disease (82%). PDL-1 expression was >50% in 44% of the patients. The median time on treatment with pembrolizumab was 5.7 months [IQR: 2.7–12.5]. The median ALC and ANC/ALC were significantly lower at 6 weeks of pembrolizumab compared to the start date of treatment (1.38 vs. 1.4, p Conclusions High ALC at time of diagnosis as well as low ANC/ALC at baseline and at 6 weeks on treatment correlated with an increased OS in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with pembrolizumab. These findings represent a readily available predictive biomarker for oncologists and may help with risk stratification and strategizing treatment plans. Ethics Approval The study was approved by Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell at Staten Island University Hospital’s IRB #: 19–0922 Reference Mantovani A, Allavena P, Sica A, Balkwill F. Cancer-related inflammation. Nature. 2008;454(7203):436–44.
Determination of Airborne Release Fractions from Solid Surrogate Nuclear Waste Fires

Solid waste samples consisting of shredded cellulose, coated with either mesoparticles of metallic salts or dried metal nitrate (lutetium, ytterbium, or depleted uranium) solutions, were generated ...
The Sock Problem Revisited

When matching n pairs of socks, drawn randomly one at a time, there is a question of how big the pile of unmatched socks is expected to get. Each permutation of socks drawn has a corresponding Dyck...
Mesonephroma of the ovary

Abstract A satisfactory classification of ovarian tumors has not yet been established, although much has been accomplished recently by correlating the clinical and pathologic features of these neoplasms. In reviewing over 350 true neoplasms of the ovary, a group of 6 has been separated on the basis of their pathologic characteristics. Schiller has recently described a similar group of cases and believes them to be derived from mesonephric tissue. It is the purpose of this paper to describe the clinical and pathologic characteristics of these tumors and to discuss their histogenesis.
Lower Bounds for Constant Depth Circuits for Prefix Problems

A prefix-or circuit has n inputs and n outputs; the ith output is the OR of the first i inputs. A prefix-carry circuit has 2n inputs, interpreted as two n-bit numbers, and n outputs; the ith output is the carry in the ith position of the sum of the two numbers. We show a nonlinear lower bound for constant-depth, unboundedfanin implementations of prefix-or. However, with negation, linear size circuits are possible. For prefix-carry, we show nonlinear lower bounds for arbitrary circuits. In both cases the lower bounds exhibit a size/depth tradeoff: the circuit size must be at least Ω(nf d −1 d(n)) for depth a constant times d. Here the functions f d form an increasing hierarchy coextensive with the primitive recursive functions. The lower bounds match the known upper bounds for these problems, to within a constant factor for depth.
Measurement of Tc-99m DTPA Serum Clearance for Estimating Glomerular Filtration Rate in Children With Cancer

Clearance of the radiopharmaceutical Tc-99m DTPA estimated from blood samples with no urine collection can provide a reliable estimate of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in adults, but has not been well studied in children. The disposition of Tc-99m DTPA was determined in 17 children with cancer, and the influence of binding and study design on the estimates for serum clearance were evaluated. Nine blood samples were obtained over 6 hours in each patient, and serum was assayed for total and free Tc-99m. Free Tc-99m DTPA was determined by ultrafiltration. Estimates of clearance derived from a two-compartment model for ultrafiltrable Tc-99m DTPA were determined from all nine measured concentrations, and these results served as a reference value for GFR in each subject. Total Tc-99m DTPA concentrations also were best described by a two-compartment model, but the median total clearance (35 ml/min) was significantly (p < 0.01) lower than the ultrafiltrate clearance (58 ml/min). The effect of a simplified sampling schedule was assessed from clearance estimates based on a 3-point subset of the ultrafiltrable data. The median clearance of 69 ml/minute was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than the reference GFR. However with a correction factor included to account for the positive bias arising from the limited sampling schedule, the reference estimates for GFR were well predicted (r2 = 0.99) with no significant bias. Ultrafiltrable Tc-99m DTPA serum clearance using a limited sampling schedule can provide a consistent and clinically feasible estimate of glomerular filtration rate in children, but binding in serum and study design are potentially important confounding factors.
Dissolved oxygen and thermal regimes of a Ugandan crater lake

This paper quantifies the temporal pattern of thermal stratification and deoxygenation in Lake Nkuruba, a small (3 ha), deep (maximum depth = 38 m) crater lake in western Uganda. Dissolved oxygen penetrated to an average depth of 9 m and a maximum depth of 15 m below which the lake was permanently anoxic over the 2 years of study. Although surface oxygen levels were correlated with both surface water temperature and rainfall, seasonal cycles of dissolved oxygen were not well-defined and may have been obscured by the high frequency of short-term fluctuations and by inter-annual variations caused by shifts in rainfall. Surface water temperature averaged 23.30.7C (S.D.) and varied directly with air temperature. Both diurnal changes and top-bottom temperature differentials were small averaging 1.70.7C and 1.60.8C, respectively. Thermal stability ranged from 101.3 to 499.9 g-cm cm 2 and was positively related to surface water temperature suggesting that this small protected lake responds rapidly to short-term meteorological changes. Because contribution to the annual heat exchange cycle was confined to upper waters, the lake’s annual heat budget was low, 1,073.8 cal cm 2 yr 1 . However, net primary productivity was relatively high averaging 1.3 g C m 2 d 1 .
Cellular events in tolerance. I. Induction and loss of tolerance in neonatal and adult rats.

Abstract Tolerance of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was induced in newborn rats by a single injection of a high dose (10 mg) of BSA. The lower doses tried either had no apparent effect or resulted in priming. Tolerance lasted for about four weeks in Wistar Furth (WF) rats and was followed by rapid recovery of responsiveness to challenge. Tolerance maintained from birth to 10.5 weeks of age by weekly injections of BSA lasted for about two weeks after the last injection; recovery then took place at about the same rate as in rats beginning to recover four weeks after a single injection at birth. Adult rats did not become tolerant even after 9 weeks of repeated injections of either high (2 and 10 mg) or low doses (1.0 and 0.1 μg) of BSA; a longer schedule with the highest dose might have achieved tolerance, since during response to challenge, recipients of the high dose made progressively less antibody than controls. Partial tolerance was induced in adult rats by injection of a very low dose of ovalbumin (OA) (55 pg/g body weight) three times per week for six weeks. The antibody made by partially tolerant rats was not of markedly different avidity from that made by controls, nor was it of a different IgG class. The effective dose was one-tenth of that which resulted in the presence of detectable antibody at the time of challenge. These findings are discussed in relation to recent hypotheses about the mechanism(s) of induction and loss of tolerance.
Clinical applications of capillary electrophoresis based immunoassays

Immunoassays have long been an important set of tools in clinical laboratories for the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Over the last two decades, there has been growing interest in utilizing CE as a means for conducting immunoassays with clinical samples. The resulting method is known as a CE immunoassay. This approach makes use of the selective and strong binding of antibodies for their targets, as is employed in a traditional immunoassay, and combines this with the speed, efficiency, and small sample requirements of CE. This review discusses the variety of ways in which CE immunoassays have been employed with clinical samples. An overview of the formats and detection modes that have been employed in these applications is first presented. A more detailed discussion is then given on the type of clinical targets and samples that have been measured or studied by using CE immunoassays. Particular attention is given to the use of this method in the fields of endocrinology, pharmaceutical measurements, protein and peptide analysis, immunology, infectious disease detection, and oncology. Representative applications in each of these areas are described, with these examples involving work with both traditional and microanalytical CE systems.
Toward an ITS specific knowledge engine

New technologies and researches are being developed every day for Intelligent Transportation Systems. How to recognize and maximize the potentials of ITS technologies becomes a big challenge for ITS researchers. Usually people would rely on general search engines like Yahoo!, Google to retrieve related information. The direct problem of these search engines is information overload [1]. Another issue with the search engines is that it's difficult to keep the web pages up-to-date.
Revised and updated paleomagnetic results from Costa Rica

[1] Paleomagnetic results from globally distributed lava flows have been collected and analyzed under the time-averaged field initiative (TAFI), a multi-institutional collaboration started in 1996 and designed to improve the geographic and temporal coverage of the 0–5 Ma paleomagnetic database for studying both the time-averaged field and its very long-term secular variations. Paleomagnetic samples were collected from 35 volcanic units, either lava flows or ignimbrites, in Costa Rica in December 1998 and February 2000 from the Cordilleras Central and Guanacaste, the underlying Canas, Liberia and Bagaces formations and from Volcano Arenal. Age estimates range from approximately 40 ka to slightly over 6 Ma. Although initial results from these sites were used in a global synthesis of TAFI data by Johnson et al. (2008), a full description of methodology was not presented. This paper documents the definitive collection of results comprising 28 paleomagnetic directions (24 normal, 4 reversed), with enhanced precision and new geological interpretations, adding two paleointensity estimates and 19 correlated 40Ar/39Ar radiometric ages. The average field direction is consistent with that of a geocentric axial dipole and dispersion of virtual geomagnetic poles (17.3 ± 4.6°) is in general agreement with predictions from several statistical paleosecular variation models. Paleointensity estimates from two sites give an average field strength of 26.3 μT and a virtual axial dipole moment of 65 ZAm2. The definitive results provide a useful augmentation of the global database for the longer term goal of developing new statistical descriptions of paleomagnetic field behavior.
Familial amaurotic idiocy in male German shorthair pointers.

Amaurotic idiocy was recognized in a family of German shorthair pointers. The disease affected only males and their familial relation indicated that this apparently sex-linked condition was probabl...
Oculomotor control in calliphorid flies: GABAergic organization in heterolateral inhibitory pathways.

In calliphorid Diptera, motor neurons mediating visually evoked head movements can be excited or inhibited by visual stimuli, depending on the directionality of the stimulus and whether it is in the ipsi- or contralateral visual field. The level at which inhibition occurs is of special interest because binocular activation of homolateral tangential neurons in the lobula plate demonstrates that excitatory interaction must occur between the left and right optic lobes. Recordings and dye fillings demonstrate a variety of motion-sensitive heterolateral pathways between the lobula plates, or between them and contralateral deutocerebral neuropil, which provides descending pathways to neck motor centers. The profiles of heterolateral tangential cells correspond to neurons stained by an antibody against γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Other GABA-immunoreactive interneurons linking each side of the brain correspond to uniquely identified motion-sensitive neurons linking the deutocerebra. Additional inhibitory pathways include heterolateral GABAergic descending and ascending neurons, as well as heterolateral GABAergic neurons in the thoracic ganglia. The functional significance of heterolateral GABAergic pathways was tested surgically by making selective microlesions and monitoring the oculoniotor output. The results demonstrate an important new attribute of theinsect visual system. Although lesions can initially abolish an excitatory or inhibitory response, this response is reestablished through alternative pathways that provide inhibitory and excitatory information to the same motor neurons. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Serosal adhesions ‐ the next hurdle in colic surgery

“The story for all these substances has been very much the same: initial enthusiasm, often actual use in clinical cases, then further investigations which showed either no effect at all or an actual increase in adhesion formation compared to controls, then finally the abandonment of that particular material.”
Respiratory responses to long-term temperature exposure in the box turtle,Terrapene ornata

In late February, seven box turtles were collected with body temperatures between 7 and 9°C. Ventilation, gas exchange and end-tidal\(P_{O_2 }\) and\(P_{CO_2 }\) were recorded at 5, 10, 15 and 25°C, the animals being at each temperature for 2 to 3 weeks. There was a pronounced diurnal rhythm of breathing frequency at all temperatures. At 5°C the mean 24-h frequency was only 3.7 breaths h−1. At 15°C the frequency was 16 times higher with a 17-fold increase of ventilation. Oxygen uptake only changed from 3.4 to 12.7 ml·kg−1·h−1. Consequently, the ratio (ventilation, ml BTPS/O2 uptake, ml STPD) increased from 12.5 at 5°C to 48 at 15°C, but decreased to 24 at 25°C. The decrease of this ratio during cold exposure contrasts with an increase of the ratio during cooling earlier reported for fresh water turtles,Pseudemys. Cutaneous CO2 elimination was important at low temperature. This caused a decrease of the pulmonary gas exchange ratio so that end-tidal\(P_{CO_2 }\) remained low at 5°C in spite of an end-tidal\(P_{O_2 }\) of only 54 Torr.
A new approach for facility siting using mapping risks on a plant grid area and optimization

Abstract The present work is focused on developing a methodology to find the optimal placement of a hazardous process unit and other facilities using optimization theory while considering a risk map in the plant area. Incidents can have possible consequences resulting from flammable gas releases, which can be evaluated by using consequence modeling programs. The probability of each incident can be derived from initial leak hole size estimation through event tree analysis. In this methodology the plant area was divided into square grids and risk scores were estimated for each grid. The overall cost is a function of the probable cost of property damage due to fires or explosions and the interconnection cost including piping, cable, and management. The proposed approach uses a mixed integer linear optimization programming (MILP) that identifies attractive locations by minimizing the overall cost. A case study is presented for a hexane–heptane separation facility that considers the meteorological data for the given area in order to show the applicability of the proposed methodology. Results from this study will be useful in assisting the selection of locations for facilities and for risk management.
Diurnal Surface-Pressure Variations over the Continental United States and the Influence of Sea Level Reduction

Abstract This paper presents the results of a detailed study of the diurnal and semidiurnal pressure variations at the surface across the continental United States. Using a larger dataset than preceding studies and a variety of analysis approaches, the spatial and temporal variations in the diurnal and semidiurnal components of station and sea level pressure are described, and the influence of current pressure reduction techniques on the characteristics of sea level pressure is evaluated. It is shown that the temperature-averaging scheme currently used in sea level pressure reduction creates a bogus semidiurnal signal in sea level pressure over high terrain. This paper also describes the summertime mesoscale evolution of station pressure over the northeast United States and presents 3-h pressure-change maps for the continental United States during the summer and winter seasons.
Measurement advances for high-speed semiconductor laser sources

Commercial telecommunication systems are now being offered at the OC-192/STM-64 (10 Gb/s) data rates. Research results show that even higher time domain multiplexed rates are feasible. With these increasing data rates, measurement technology is being challenged to keep up the pace. This presentation discusses several new measurement techniques and technologies that will enable measurement and verification of these state of the art systems.
Comparative effects of lovastatin and chenodeoxycholic acid on plasma cholestanol levels and abnormal bile acid metabolism in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis

We investigated the effect of the hepatic hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor lovastatin and the primary bile acid chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) on plasma sterol and bile alcohol concentrations and the excretion of bile alcohols in urine in a 38-year-old homozygote with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX). Untreated, plasma cholesterol concentrations were less than normal (171 +/- 5 v 185 +/- 3 mg/dL, P < .05) while plasma cholestanol levels were more than 20 times higher than the control mean (2.26 +/- 0.17 v 0.1 +/- 0.1 mg/dL, P < .0001). Plasma and urinary bile alcohol concentrations were markedly increased (12.6 +/- 0.6 and 154 micrograms/mL, respectively, v trace amounts in controls), with the ratio of 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha, 25-tetrol to 5 beta-cholestane, 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,23 (22 and 24),25-pentols being 1.6 in plasma and reversed to 0.15 in urine. Treatment with lovastatin (40 mg/d) reduced plasma cholesterol concentrations 13%, but failed to decrease plasma cholestanol or bile alcohol levels. Abundant amounts of bile alcohols continued to be excreted in urine. In contrast, CDCA (750 mg/d) inhibited abnormal bile acid synthesis, as evidence by a 17-fold decrease in total bile alcohol levels in plasma and a 29-fold decrease in urine and the virtual elimination of cholic acid and deoxycholic acid from the bile. Plasma cholestanol concentrations also decreased 85%, but cholesterol levels increased 14%. The combination of CDCA with lovastatin did not improve plasma cholestanol or bile alcohol concentrations compared with CDCA treatment alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Oxygen sinks in reactions of thin bilayer refractory metal films with SiO2 substrates

Abstract The reactions of thin single chromium or tantalum films and thin bilayer Zr/V, V/Zr, Zr/Cr, Cr/Zr, Ta/Cr and Cr/Ta film stacks with SiO 2 substrates in the temperature range from 650°C to 1000°C in vacuum have been studied by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and X-ray diffraction techniques. The chromium or tantalum films did not react with SiO 2 within the resolution of RBS up to the anneal at 1000°C. For the bilayer structures of SiO 2 /Zr/V, SiO 2 /Zr/Cr and SiO 2 /Ta/Cr, the surface vanadium and chromium films were not involved in the reactions and the zirconium or tantalum films next to the SiO 2 substrates reacted with SiO 2 in the same way as in the SiO 2 /Zr and SiO 2 /Ta structures. In contrast, both metal films in the SiO 2 /V/Zr, SiO 2 /Cr/Zr and SiO 2 /Cr/Ta structures reacted with SiO 2 . A layer of vanadium- or chromium-rich silicides formed next to the SiO 2 substrates and a layer of zirconium or tantalum oxides appeared at the surface. The detailed final phase configurations depended on the original thickness ratio of the two metal films. The occurrence of all the reactions depended on the presence of an oxygen sink.
Automation as the engineer sees it

Problems of automation are discussed with particular emphasis on their importance to society and to the engineer.
Semiconductor material requirements for orthogonal strip detectors

We discuss the physical and electrical properties of semiconducting crystals necessary for use in orthogonal strip detectors. We also compute what constraints the properties of existing CdZnTe crystals place on the design of orthogonal strip detectors. First we consider the constraints imposed by uniform material that has limited charge carrier transport properties and resistivity. Next, we consider what effects spatially varying electrical properties (non-uniformities) have on the performance of detectors. Finally, we discuss the properties of CZT crystals available today that we have measured in our laboratory, and what ramifications these measured properties have on the design and construction of orthogonal strip detectors.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The distribution of divalent trace elements between sulfides, oxides, silicates and hydrothermal solutions: I. Thermodynamic basis

Abstract Experimental data for the standard Gibbs free energies of formation from the elements of a wide variety of metal sulfides and oxides, spinels, olivines and pyroxenes at 25°C and 1 bar define linear correlations, within about ±900 cal·mole−1, with the corresponding conventional standard partial molal Gibbs free energies of formation of the aqueous M2+ cations of the form ΔG f, m D Z 0 = a m D Z ΔG fM 2+ 0 +b M D Z where aMaZ and bMaZ are empirically determined constants characteristic of the structure MnZ. The only exceptions to correlations of this type are compounds of the heavy alkaline earths Ca, Sr and Ba, which appear to follow correlations with cation radius instead. The linear free energy correlations enable prediction of standard Gibbs free energies of formation of compositional end-members of a particular structure MnZ provided that aMaZ and bMaZ are known accurately. When only the free energy of the Mg end-member is known, the standard Gibbs free energy of formation at 25°C and 1 bar of the Fe endmember, and hence aMaZ and bMaZ Can be predicted from the temperature independence of a M a Z a otivine and estimated entropies and heat capacities for the Fe end-member. Using this approach, the free energies of ferrosilite, hedenbergite and annite at 25°C and 1 bar were predicted to within ±1000 cal·mole−1 of the helgeson et al. (1978) values. Free energies of formation of talc (M3Si4O10(OH)2), clinchlore (M5Al2Si3O10(OH)8), and tremolite (Ca2M5(Si4O11)2(OH)2)-type compounds where M is Mg, Mn, Zn, Fe, Co, or Ni were then predicted at 25°C and 1 bar. Calculation of the equilibrium distribution of Mg, Zn and Sr between galena and hydrothermal solution, and Zn, Mg, Fe and Mn between chlorite and hydrothermal solution demonstrates: (1) that the Sr contents of low temperature galenas (e.g. Mississippi Valley-type) should be negligible (reported analyses of Sr content and Sr isotopic composition of such galenas are probably attributable to fluid inclusions or carbonate inclusions); and (2), that the Zn contents of hydrothermal chlorites in a model of the midoceanic ridge hydrothermal systems are sensitive to temperature, to complexing in the aqueous phase, and to the overall Fe/Mg ratio of the chlorite.
Organ alchemy: producing insulin in the liver

Expressing pancreatic transcription factors in the liver drives the formation of insulin-producing cells and normalizes blood glucose levels in a mouse model of diabetes ( pages 596–603 ).
Effects of cereal alkylresorcinols on human platelet thromboxane production

Abstract An extraction, purification, and identification procedure was used to determine and isolate alkylresorcinol homologs in rye. The major alkylresorcinol homologs have saturated odd-numbered carbons with the predominant chain length of C15, C17, C19, C21, C23, and C25. Rye alk(en)ylresorcinol homologs of C17:0, C17:1, C19:0, C21:0, C23:0, and C25:0, including a C15:0 standard, were used to study their effects on thrombin-challenged human platelet thromboxane production. C15:0 at .02 μmol/L, C17:1 at .2 and 2 μmol/L, C19:0 at .02 μmol/L, C21:0 at 2 μmol/L, and C23:0 at .02 and 2 μmol/L, significantly stimulated thromboxane production approximately 30 to 65 percent. These stimulation effects of alk(en)ylresorcinol homologs can be interpreted via either their membrane disruptive or free radical scavenging properties.