cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microbiome and bile acid profiles in duodenal aspirates from patients with liver cirrhosis: The Microbiome, Microbial Markers and Liver Disease Study.

AIM Cirrhosis is a leading cause of death worldwide, yet there are no well-established risk stratifying tools for lethal complications, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients with liver cirrhosis undergo routine endoscopic surveillance, providing ready access to duodenal aspirate samples that could be a source for identifying novel biomarkers. The aim of this study was to characterize the microbiome and bile acid profiles in duodenal aspirates from patients with liver cirrhosis to assess the feasibility of developing biomarkers for HCC risk stratification. METHODS Thirty patients with liver cirrhosis were enrolled in the Microbiome, Microbial Markers, and Liver Disease study between May 2015 and March 2017. Detailed clinical and epidemiological data were collected at baseline and at 6-monthly follow-up visits. Duodenal aspirate fluid was collected at baseline for microbial characterization using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing and bile acid quantification using mass spectroscopy. RESULTS Alcohol-related cirrhosis was associated with reductions in the Bacteroidetes phylum, particularly Prevotella (13-fold reduction), and expansion of Staphylococcus (13-fold increase), compared to hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis. Participants with hepatic encephalopathy (HE) had less microbial diversity compared to patients without HE (P < 0.05), and were characterized by expansion of Mycobacterium (45-fold increase) and Gram-positive cocci including Granulicatella (3.1-fold increase), unclassified Planococcaceae (3.3-fold increase), and unclassified Streptococcaceae (4.5-fold increase). Non-Hispanic White patients had reduced microbial richness (P < 0.01) and diversity (P < 0.05), and increased levels of conjugated ursodeoxycholic acid (glycoursodeoxycholic acid and tauroursodeoxycholic acid, P < 0.05) compared to Hispanic patients. CONCLUSION Microbial profiles of duodenal aspirates differed by cirrhosis etiology, HE, and Hispanic ethnicity.
Directionality in the Architecture of the Language Faculty: Integrating with Real Time

This chapter considers the valid representation of directionality in the architecture of the Language Faculty by recognizing that Universal Grammar (UG) is at one and the same time both (i) a theory representing the fundamental principles and parameters that underlie all possible natural languages; and (ii) a theory of what is biologically programmed in the Language Faculty, making language acquisition empirically possible. Thus it would explain at one and the same time how both head final and head initial languages come to exist (each accounting for roughly half of the world’s languages) and how they come to be acquired (each in roughly equivalent times with roughly equivalent ease). In both ways – cross-linguistic variation and cross-linguistic language acquisition – a Language Faculty, i.e., one critically informed by UG, must be expected to integrate with language processing, i.e., to integrate with language realized in real time. The question is how. In fact, current linguistic theory of UG has brought this issue front and center. In this paper, we will attempt to explicate this issue, articulating two currently distinct and disparate views of UG and suggest that these two differ precisely in their view of how the integration of UG with language in real time is effected. Recognizing this difference and resolving it is fundamental to developing a theory of UG as a veridical component of the Language Faculty. Presumably this difference also has implications for the development of language processing models that hopes to account for the equivalent efficiency of the Human Language Parser for both right headed and left headed languages. We suggest that in conjunction with further theoretical study, more precise predictions and further typological study, both language processing studies such as those in this volume as well as language acquisition studies can and should be brought to bear on this leading issue.
Scene reconstruction research — towards an automatic system

Current research towards three-dimensional reconstruction from aerial images at the University of Massachusetts is briefly summarized. The goal of this research is automatic robust reconstruction of both natural and cultural features under a variety of conditions and variable sensor data. We suggest that a promising direction for achieving this goal lies in the construction of systems containing context sensitive control strategies for synchronizing the application of image understanding modules (algorithms) whose individual domain of expertise is limited.
One Wound, Two Wounds: The Body as the Site for Writing

This chapter explores how sketchbooks can aid development of a personalized approach to drawing and to visual thinking. It highlights the media-tension caused by the Australian Government to cage off most of the city, limiting the population's movements with extra police and members of the armed forces. Sketchbooks have allowed the author to document news and current affairs in ways that are distinctly different from those available to a lens-media or text-based journalism. There is still recognition of the place of sketchbooks in reportage, and particularly as used by war artists during the World Wars and subsequent conflicts, yet this process is open to replacement by photography. In the end, the process of drawing in a sketchbook at times for the author has been a way of experiencing pure adrenaline. The sketchbook provides a unique environment to develop visual thinking. It blurs the lines between formal academic approaches to drawing.
Reevaluating human colonization of the Caribbean using chronometric hygiene and Bayesian modeling.

Human settlement of the Caribbean represents the only example in the Americas of peoples colonizing islands that were not visible from surrounding mainland areas or other islands. Unfortunately, many interpretive models have relied on radiocarbon determinations that do not meet standard criteria for reporting because they lack critical information or sufficient provenience, often leading to specious interpretations. We have collated 2484 radiocarbon determinations, assigned them to classes based on chronometric hygiene criteria, and constructed Bayesian colonization models of the acceptable determinations to examine patterns of initial settlement. Colonization estimates for 26 islands indicate that (i) the region was settled in two major population dispersals that likely originated from South America; (ii) colonists reached islands in the northern Antilles before the southern islands; and (iii) the results support the southward route hypothesis and refute the “stepping-stone model.”
Navigating the neoliberal capitalist appropriation of feminist discourses against compulsory romance

This study uses Critical Discourse Analysis to investigate how young women navigate discourses of feminism and compulsory romance under neoliberalism. Groups of young women were asked to discuss th...
Prognostic significance of body mass index-adjusted criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy.

Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG-LVH) is associated with both cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Obesity attenuates the sensitivity of several ECG-LVH criteria, so body mass index (BMI) adjusted criteria have been developed. However, the prognostic significance of BMI-adjusted ECG-LVH criteria is not known. This analysis included 7812 participants (59.8 ± 13.4 years, 53% women, 50% non-Hispanic-whites) from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The Cornell criteria (R in aVL + S in V3 ≥ 2800 µV in men or ≥2200 µV in women) and Sokolow-Lyon criteria (S in V1 + R in V5 or R in V6 ≥ 3500 µV) criteria were used for LVH. To account for the effects of obesity, the BMI-adjusted Cornell criteria (product of R in aVL + S in V3 and BMI > 60 400 µV kg m-2 ) and the BMI-adjusted Sokolow-Lyon criteria (add 400 µV if overweight, add 800 µV if obese) were used. Compared to traditional ECG-LVH criteria, more participants met criteria for ECG-LVH with BMI-adjusted Cornell voltage (9.9% vs 2.9%) and BMI-adjusted Sokolow-Lyon (13.1% vs 6.4%) criteria. In multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models, the BMI-adjusted Sokolow-Lyon criteria performed no better than traditional criteria (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.06-1.32 for all-cause, HR 1.38, 95% CI 1.17-1.62 for cardiovascular mortality) and the BMI-adjusted Cornell voltage criteria attenuated the association with all-cause (HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.03-1.32) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.13-1.60). Despite potential improvements in the detection of LVH using BMI-adjusted ECG-LVH criteria, adjusting for BMI may result in the loss of prognostic information.
Modeling neurodegenerative diseases with cerebral organoids and other three-dimensional culture systems: focus on Alzheimer’s disease

Many neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntington’s disease, are characterized by the progressive accumulation of abnormal proteinaceous assemblies in specific cell types and regions of the brain, leading to cellular dysfunction and brain damage. Although animal- and in vitro-based studies of NDs have provided the field with an extensive understanding of some of the mechanisms underlying these diseases, findings from these studies have not yielded substantial progress in identifying treatment options for patient populations. This necessitates the development of complementary model systems that are better suited to recapitulate human-specific features of ND pathogenesis. Three-dimensional (3D) culture systems, such as cerebral organoids generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells, hold significant potential to model NDs in a complex, tissue-like environment. In this review, we discuss the advantages of 3D culture systems and 3D modeling of NDs, especially AD and FTD. We also provide an overview of the challenges and limitations of the current 3D culture systems. Finally, we propose a few potential future directions in applying state-of-the-art technologies in 3D culture systems to understand the mechanisms of NDs and to accelerate drug discovery.
Incorporating Time Demands into Studies of Principal Time Use.

For more than a century, numerous studies examined and reported how principals allocated their time. Assuming that differences in selection, participation and satisfaction of tasks by principals re...
Salvaging the endothelium in acute respiratory distress syndrome: a druggable intersection between TLR4 and NAD + signalling

eNAMPT neutralisation may be effective treatment in acute respiratory distress syndromehttps://bit.ly/3oaES9c
Molecular transport: I. In vivo studies of transport mutants of Neurospora crassa with altered amino acid competition patterns

Abstract The active transport of metabolites by Neurospora crassa conidia has been studied by both kinetic and genetic methods. Transport, reported to be dependent on temperature, pH, and an energy source, is shown to accumulate amino acids by (1) a system specific for neutral-aromatic amino acids, the neutral transport system; (2) a system specific for basic amino acids, the basic transport system; and (3) a non-specific general amino acid transport system. Transport by any of these systems, separately or in combination, results in the accumulation of the respective amino acid against a concentration gradient. The p -fluorophenylalanine-resistant mutant, Pm − N 22 , is deficient in transport of l -phenylalanine, but not l -arginine. Analogous to this is the canavanine-resistant mutant, Pm − B 37 , which is deficient in transport of l -arginine, but not l -phenylalanine. The double mutant, Pm − NB (derived from a cross of Pm − N 22 and Pm − B 37 ) has reduced transport of both l -arginine and l -phenylalanine. This double mutant retains some residual transport activity for both the basic and neutral amino acids. The kinetic properties of this residual activity indicate a capability for transport of either neutral or basic amino acids and further suggests that it is under separate genetic control.
Anaphora for limited domain systems

This paper presents a simple mechanism for the resolution of anaphora in limited domain natural language systems. For such domains, this mechanism provides functionality equivalent to the natural communication mechanism of anaphora as used and understood by people, but without the deep inferencing or cognitive modelling required for full simulation of human performance. The mechanism covers simple pronoun anaphora, and set selection anaphora (e.g. "last one", "one before", "others"). It was developed to provide the most efficient and effective communication between system and user, even if this meant diverging significantly from human performance when this performance was impractical to reproduce. In cases of radical divergence, we were careful to make the behaviour of the mechanism very simple and easy to predict. In this way, the user can rely either on his experience of human performance or his knowledge of the artificial, but simple, substitute to predict the behaviour of the system m response to his inputs. An algorithmic description of an implemented version of the mechanism is presented. A similar approach to other aspects of man-machine interfaces is recommended as a promising way to address the problem of habitabiiity that still plagues all natural language computer interfaces.
Predictive reduction of power and latency (PuRPLe)

Increasing efforts have been aimed towards the management of power as a critical system resource, and the disk can consume approximately a third of the power required for a typical laptop computer. Mechanisms to manage disk power have included spin-down policies and APIs to modify access workloads to be more power-friendly. In this work we present a measurement study of disk power consumption, focusing on the potential impact of successfully optimizing disk layout or predicting future disk accesses with predictive read-ahead. We demonstrate how such strategies can allow the reduction of disk power consumption at least as well as traditional disk spin-down schemes, while avoiding the serious performance degradation that can occur from excessive spin-downs. Experimental results showed that a successful predictive disk management policy could reduce disk power consumption by over 80%, while maintaining the responsiveness of a continuously running disk. In contrast, an aggressive spin-down policy that does not attempt to optimize layout or predictively read-ahead data, would achieve the same results at the expense of increasing average delays by 2 to 4 times. Another contribution of this work involves the accuracy of the measurements, which were conducted at a level precise enough to distinguish the power consumption of drive electronics, spindle-motors, and disk arm movement.
THE EFFECTS OF REAL-TIME INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE FEEDBACK AND GOAL SETTING ON COMPUTER- MEDIATED GROUP IDEA GENERATION

Prior computer-mediated group idea generation research has concluded that social loafing is likely an important factor in reducing individual and group task performance. Group researchers—both focusing on non-technology and technology-mediated groups—have theorized that loafing could be minimized if individuals and groups were given either clear feedback on their task performance or if given clear and attainable performance goals. To examine the efficacy of these interventions on task performance, a computer-mediated idea generation environment was constructed that provided performance feedback for all group members where each member could view how many ideas every group member produced throughout an experimental session. In addition, this environment supported the ability to set a challenging, but attainable, performance goal for each group member (i.e., throughout a session, each member was able to track their performance toward a pre-set performance goal). Using this computer-mediated environment, a laboratory experiment was conducted with five-member groups that examined the influence of both goal setting (i.e., explicit–difficult versus do your best) and performance feedback (i.e., performance feedback versus no-performance feedback) in a 2 × 2 factorial design on group task performance. Providing performance feedback was found to significantly improve task performance. Additionally, performance feedback and goal setting interacted, such that groups in the performance feedback/explicit–difficult goal treatment had the highest performance. The implications of these results for future research, as well as the implications for the design of the human-computer interface in electronic group idea generation systems, are discussed.
The control and verification of similar agents operating in a broadcast network environment

We explore issues related to the control and verification of similar agents that interact through events broadcast over a network. The similar agents are modeled as discrete-event systems that have identical structure. System events are partitioned into global and private events that respectively affect all agents or exactly one agent. We show how the state explosion problem inherent to many concurrent systems is not as problematic in this setting. We give a procedure to test if these systems are globally deadlock-free or nonblocking. We explore control and verification problems related to both local and global specifications on these systems. For each module there is exactly one controller and all controllers enforce the same control policy. Necessary and sufficient conditions for achieving local and global specifications in this setting are identified.
Effect of anisotropy and anharmonicity on protein crystallographic refinement: An evaluation by molecular dynamics

Molecular dynamics simulations are employed to determine the errors introduced by anharmonicity and anisotropy in the structure and temperature factors obtained for proteins by refinement of X-ray diffraction data. Simulations (25 ps and 300 ps) of metmyoglobin are used to generate time-averaged diffraction data at 1.5 A resolution. The crystallographic restrained-parameter least-squares refinement program PROLSQ is used to refine models against these simulated data. The resulting atomic positions and isotropic temperature factors are compared with the average structure and fluctuations calculated directly from the simulations. It is found that significant errors in the atomic positions and fluctuations are introduced by the refinement, and that the errors increase with the magnitude of the atomic fluctuations. Of particular interest is the fact that the refinement generally underestimates the atomic motions. Moreover, while the actual fluctuations go up to a mean-square value of about 5 A2, the X-ray results never go above approximately 2 A2. This systematic deviation in the motional parameters appears to be due to the use of a single-site isotropic model for the atomic fluctuations. Many atoms have multiple peaks in their probability distribution functions. For some atoms, the multiple peaks are seen in difference electron density maps and it is possible to include these in the refinement as disordered residues. However, for most atoms the refinement fits only one peak and neglects the rest, leading to the observed errors in position and temperature factor. The use of strict stereochemical restraints is inconsistent with the average dynamical structure; nevertheless, refinement with tight restraints results in structures that are comparable to those obtained with loose restraints and better than those obtained with no restraints. The results support the use of tight stereochemical restraints, but indicate that restraints on the variation of temperature factors are too restrictive.
LAPD-based terminal adaptation for ISDN

An approach to terminal adaption for attachment of existing data terminals to integrated-services digital networks (ISDNs) that is based on the link-access protocol for the D-channel (LAPD) is presented. This terminal adaption mechanism has been incorporated in the text of CCITT draft recommendation V.120. A set of functional objectives for terminal adaption is presented; these relate to connectivity, failure isolation, and ability to take advantage of ISDN capabilities. The technique used in the LAPD-based approach, which relies on the encapsulation of the user's data stream with the information field of LAPD frames, is briefly described. The use of CCITT recommendation Q.931 procedures, operating over a logical channel that is multiplexed at the LAPD frame level within the end-to-end physical connection, is then discussed. The Q.931 procedures control the setup of one or more logical channels carrying user data, and also control the negotiation of terminal adaption parameters for each such channel. The properties of LAPD-based terminal adaption are reviewed in the context of the stated functional objectives. It is concluded that this mechanism fulfils all the objectives, and in fact does so by taking advantage of the capabilities of ISDN, LAPD, and Q.931. >
Facilitation by alcohol of active avoidance acquisition performance in the goldfish.

Abstract Common goldfish ( Carassius auratus ) were exposed for 3 hr or 6 hr to alcohol solution (628 mg per 100 ml) or were treated identically but never exposed to alcohol. Following pretraining exposure, fish were given 20 trials of active dark-avoidance training in individual shuttle boxes. Alcohol-treated fish obtained significantly higher mean levels of correct responding during acquisition. The enhancement of acquisition performance was not appreciably altered by 6-hr compared with 3-hr pretraining exposure. Neither was the enhanced acquisition performance attributable to increased general shuttling during the 10-sec shock-free conditioned stimulus period. There was some evidence that alcohol-treated fish, compared with controls, swam into and out of the electrified compartment more often during training; however, this sort of responding correlated with correct responding no better for alcohol-treated than for control fish. In another experiment, alcohol was shown to increase sensitivity to light in goldfish. The explanation of the observed facilitation by alcohol of acquisition performance in goldfish may involve an effect on stress or anxiety; an effect of increased sensitivity to electric shock; or an effect of acute increased availability of central monoamines.
Inexpensive and Accurate Two-sided Semiconductor Wafer Alignment

Abstract We describe a simple and inexpensive method for the two-sided semiconductor mask alignment that is often required when making micromechanical sensor structures. Integrated sensors, such as thin-membrane pressure transducers, typically require alignment of photolithographic patterns on opposite surfaces of a semiconductor wafer. Since two-sided mask aligners and infrared microscopes used for this purpose are quite costly, researchers may wish to use instead the very inexpensive but accurate method described here.
Multidisciplinary impact damage prognosis methodology for hybrid structural propulsion systems

This work presents a detailed methodology for comprehensive crashworthiness analysis of hybrid or composite structures jet engine forward sections when subjected to soft impact. Effective strategies are developed within an explicit finite element framework for modeling a bird, intra-ply and inter-ply composite damage, and hybrid structural failure. These techniques are then combined to form a full multiphysics, multiscale crashworthiness analysis methodology. Hybrid fan blade fracture, leading edge de-bonding, composite casing delamination, and other progressive damage effects are captured. The methods developed thus far have the potential to accurately capture the full spectrum of forward section impact damage.
Effects of type and concentration of polyols on the molecular structure of corn starch kneaded with pullulanase in a Farinograph

Abstract For investigating the effects of type and concentration of polyols on the molecular structure of starch, corn starch (50 g, d.b.) were kneaded in a Farinograph at 60 °C for 3 h with 15 ml polyol solutions (10–100% for glycerol, 10–50% for erythritol, xylitol and sorbitol, and with water as control) and with or without pullulanase (32 NPUN/g starch). The molecular weight and chain length distributions of kneaded starch were determined by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography ( HPSEC ). Results showed the average molecular weight and chain length of amylose of the kneaded starch obviously decreased. Starch kneaded with water had lower extent of degradation than that of starch kneaded with polyol solutions. For starch kneaded with the same polyol, the degradation extent of starch decreased with the increasing concentration of polyol solution, but no apparent trend was found for starch kneaded with different polyol solutions at the same concentration. In addition, kneading without pullulanase leads to starch degradation to a similar magnitude as when the starch was kneaded with the enzyme. Results of this study imply that the mechanical force is the main factor on the degradation of starch kneads with pullulanase and different polyol solutions in a Farinograph. Furthermore, starches knead with different polyol solutions have distinct extent of degradation. For the same type of polyol uses, the extent of degradation depends on the polyol concentration.
Development of a Research Agenda at the Intersection of Industrial and Systems Engineering and Health Care: Implications for Human Factors and Ergonomics

In September, 2009, AHRQ and NSF convened a workshop in which experts in the fields of industrial and systems engineering (ISyE) and health care explored critical areas of research at the intersection of both fields. The objectives were to 1) articulate a vision for an ideal health care delivery system, 2) determine why current efforts to apply ISyE knowledge to health care have not resulted in meaningful change, and 3) propose a research and action agenda that should be pursued to enable the field of ISyE to substantially contribute to the realization of an ideal health care delivery system. This paper presents the vision of the ideal health care delivery system and elements of the research agenda that are salient to the field of human factors and ergonomics (HFE). The ideal health care delivery system was defined as one that is new, patient-centered, and engineered. The research agenda emphasized knowledge innovation related to systems monitoring, modeling, and modification, but also included items rela...
Relation between the transition point in micellar size distribution, the cmc, and the cooperativity of micellization

The critical micelle concentration Ccrit, defined by us as the concentration at which a transition in the shape of the micellar size distribution occurs, and the conventional critical micelle concentration CMC are related to the stepwise association equilibrium constant which reflects the cooperative nature of micellization. It is shown (i) that the horizontal inflection point in the micellar size distribution corresponding to Ccrit, as well as the maximum in the stepwise association constant occur at the same aggregation number gcrit, and (ii) that the inverse of Ccrit, is equal to the maximum value of the stepwise association constant at gcrit. The inverse of the conventional CMC is also equal to the stepwise association constant but at an aggregation number g∗ where both a maximum in the micellar size distribution and a maximum in the free energy of micellization per surfactant molecule (−Δg0) occur. One thus demonstrates, in a direct and simple way, that the theoretically defined Ccrit, is a close lower bound of the practical CMC.
TRNA PROCESSING IN HUMAN MITOCHONDRIAL DISORDERS

Many human mitochondrial disorders are associated with mutations in tRNA genes or with deletions of regions containing tRNA genes, all of which may be suspected to play a role in recognition by RNase P. Here we describe the analysis of five such mutations. The results presented here demonstrate that none of thse mutations result in errors in RNase P function. Further studies of mutations in tRNAs need to be pursued to elucidate the identity elements for RNase P function in mammalian mitochondria.
Comparing methods for monitoring serum creatinine to predict late renal allograft failure

Abstract Few studies have systematically investigated what changes in chronic renal allograft function best predict subsequent graft failure, when these changes occur, and whether they occur soon enough to allow possible intervention. We collected serum creatinine values (mean, 183 ± 75 values/patient) measured over a maximum follow-up of 22 years in 101 consecutive renal transplant recipients (excluding creatinine levels from periods of acute rejection). We determined the dates of first decline in inverse creatinine (Δ1/Cr; P 2001 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.
Converting poultry litter to activated carbon: optimal carbonization conditions and product sorption for benzene.

To promote utilization of poultry litter as a source material for manufacturing low-cost activated carbon (AC) that can be used in wastewater treatment, this study investigated optimal production conditions and water-borne organic sorption potential of poultry litter-based AC. Pelletized broiler litter was carbonized at different temperatures for varied time periods and activated with steam at a range of flow rate and time. The AC products were examined for quality characteristics using standard methods and for organic sorption potentials using batch benzene sorption techniques. The study shows that the yield and quality of litter AC varied with production conditions. The optimal production conditions for poultry litter-based AC were carbonization at 700 °C for 45 min followed by activation with 2.5 ml min−1 steam for another 45 min. The resulting AC possessed an iodine number of 454 mg g−1 and a specific surface area of 403 m2 g−1. It sorbed benzene in water following sigmoidal kinetic and isothermal pat...
Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation to Use Computers in the Workplace1

Previous research indicates that perceived usefulness is a major determinant and predictor of intentions to use computers in the workplace. In contrast, the impact of enjoyment on usage intentions has not been examined. Two studies are reported concerning the relative effects of usefulness and enjoyment on intentions to use, and usage of, computers in the workplace. Usefulness had a strong effect on usage intentions in both Study 1, regarding word processing software (β=.68), and Study 2, regarding business graphics programs (β=.79). As hypothesized, enjoyment also had a significant effect on intentions in both studies, controlling for perceived usefulness (β=.16 and 0.15 for Studies 1 and 2, respectively). Study 1 found that intentions correlated 0.63 with system usage and that usefulness and enjoyment influenced usage behavior entirely indirectly through their effects on intentions. In both studies, a positive interaction between usefulness and enjoyment was observed. Together, usefulness and enjoyment explained 62% (Study 1) and 75% (Study 2) of the variance in usage intentions. Moreover, usefulness and enjoyment were found to mediate fully the effects on usage intentions of perceived output quality and perceived ease of use. As hypothesized, a measure of task importance moderated the effects of ease of use and output quality on usefulness but not on enjoyment. Several implications are drawn for how to design computer programs to be both more useful and more enjoyable in order to increase their acceptability among potential users.
Flow cytometry in the diagnosis of lymphomas.

Abstract Because of recent advances in instrumentation, immunological reagents, and methods for measuring a variety of cell constituents and functions, there has been increasing interest in clinical applications of flow cytometry. Several commercially available flow cytometers and a growing list of monoclonal antibodies make it feasible for clinical laboratories to apply this technology for phenotyping leukocytes in leukemias, lymphomas, immunological disorders, transplantation, and infectious diseases. The ability to measure cell constituents such as DNA, RNA, proteins, enzymes, and hormone receptors has added to the list of applications. Use in conjunction with simultaneous phenotyping with monoclonal antibodies makes such measurements even more valuable. Phenotyping specimens from a large number of patients with lymphomas and leukemias has demonstrated the value of flow cytometry in diagnosis and patient management.
Evaluation of the accuracy of the free-energy-minimization method.

We have made a detailed comparison between three competing methods for determining the free energies of solids and their defects: the thermodynamic integration of Monte Carlo (TIMC) data, the quasiharmonic (QH) model, and the free-energy-minimization (FEM) method. The accuracy of these methods decreases from the TIMC to QH to FEM method, while the computational efficiency improves in that order. All three methods yield perfect crystal lattice parameters and free energies at finite temperatures which are in good agreement for three different Cu interatomic potentials [embedded atom method (EAM), Morse and Lennard-Jones]. The FEM error (relative to the TIMC) in the (001) surface free energy and in the vacancy formation energy were found to be much larger for the EAM potential than for the other two potentials. Part of the errors in the FEM determination of the free energies are associated with anharmonicities in the interatomic potentials, with the remainder attributed to decoupling of the atomic vibrations. The anharmonicity of the EAM potential was found to be unphysically large compared with experimental vacancy formation entropy determinations. Based upon these results, we show that the FEM method provides a reasonable compromise between accuracy and computational demands. However, the accuracy of this approach is sensitive to the choice of interatomic potential and the nature of the defect to which it is being applied. The accuracy of the FEM is best in high-symmetry environments (perfect crystal, high-symmetry defects, etc.) and when used to describe materials where the anharmonicity is not too large.
Wide electrochemical window ionic salt for use in electropositive metal electrodeposition and solid state Li-ion batteries

A stable hydrophobic ionic crystalline solid comprised of the N-propyl-N-methylpiperidinium cation and hexafluorophosphate anion PP13PF6 exhibits a remarkably wide electrochemical window of 7.2 V. This high purity crystalline ionic salt has versatility for use as an electrolyte in the electrodeposition of reactive metals such as tin. Moreover, this ionic salt can be used as a solid state electrolyte in Li-ion batteries. Theoretical calculations indicate that this solid state electrolyte has vacant sites that are preferential for Li-ion conductivity with an energy barrier of 0.4 eV. Further, the ionic crystals exhibit molecular rotations which facilitate facile Li-ion transport.
Mechanism of IL-12 mediated alterations in tumour blood vessel morphology: analysis using whole-tissue mounts.

Angiogenesis is a multistep process that is limited and carefully regulated in normal adult tissue, but in tumours this regulation is disrupted and the process remains ‘switched on’ (Hanahan and Folkman, 1996). Ample experimental data support the fact that tumour growth requires access to blood vessels and subsequent expansion of host vessels to provide nutrients for the growing tumour mass (Folkman, 1995a). Furthermore, many studies in a variety of tumour types have reported a correlation between the extent of tumour vasculature and poor prognosis or increased metastases (Weidner et al, 1991; Folkman, 1995b; Weidner and Folkman, 1996). Thus, accurate assessment of the vasculature of tumours could provide valuable information regarding treatment outcomes and the likelihood of metastatic spread to other sites. Angiogenesis can be regulated by a variety of factors. Several cytokines produced by immune cells also have been shown to affect the process of angiogenesis. One of the most noteworthy is interleukin (IL)-12, which is produced by antigen presenting cells (APC), such as macrophages and dendritic cells (DC) in response to bacterial stimuli or other inflammatory cytokines. Thus, IL-12 plays an important role in both the innate and adaptive immune responses (Trinchieri, 1998). Owing to its central role in stimulating immunity, it has been examined for possible therapeutic effects in the treatment of tumours. In addition to its effects on the immune system, IL-12 has also been shown to inhibit angiogenesis (Voest et al, 1995; Sgadari et al, 1996). Despite studies in both experimental models and in patients (reviewed in Trinchieri and Scott, 1999), and clear demonstrations of therapeutic efficacy, relatively little is known about how it alters vessel formation within tumours. In part, this is due to the difficulty in assessing the three-dimensional structure of vessels and other cellular components within the tumour. Assessment of tumour vessels is generally based on immunohistochemistry of tumour sections. Although use of this technique has led to a great deal of important information, these procedures are extremely time consuming and provide only a limited two-dimensional view of the vessels. This makes it very difficult to visualise the structure of the microvasculature and identify differences among different tumour types or changes following treatment regimens. To more easily and accurately visualise vessels within tumours, we developed a whole-tissue mount technique that provides a three-dimensional view of the tumour vasculature relative to other components of the tumour tissue. This technique was first validated by studying vessels from transgenic mice that express green fluorescent protein (GFP) (Wu et al, 2000), and then used to investigate the mechanism by which IL-12 influences the vessel architecture within B16 tumours.
Cost-Effective Alternative Methods for Office Workstation Measurements: Self-Assessment and Partnered-Assessment

In office settings with a large number of employees, workstation measurement can be a time consuming task for an ergonomist. In seeking ways to reduce the time scheduled for this task, a study was designed to determine if anthropometric and workstation information could be accurately collected by employees themselves or by two-person teams consisting of an employee and a co-worker. An iterative process was used to develop a method that would: 1) require a minimum number of measurements to be made by the employees, 2) produce an acceptable level of accuracy, and 3) provide complete and useful information to an ergonomist. Results of the study show acceptable accuracy when using a combined assisted and unassisted data collection approach.
Leucine in the sky with diamonds.

Abstract New structures of LD motifs bound to the focal adhesion targeting domain show that the motifs are recognized as amphipathic α helices. The structures highlight the structural and functional diversity of leucine and aspartic acid-based targeting motifs.
Simulating the response to a sonic boom

Sonic booms can cause considerable annoyance and damage. Studying the response of a room with an open win dow can be useful in design and acoustic treatment. In most cases, a one-dimensional lumped parameter model can be used for the acoustics of the room-window system. A linear, energy-equivalent damping model is adequate for shock response calculations at off-resonance conditions. A shock response spectrum showing the maximum response as a function of shock duration is a convenient way to present results for design purposes. Output from a CSMP program suggests that a little damping is usually sufficient when the natural period of the room and window is well above the duration of the sonic boom; heavy damping is necessary when this is not true.
Building-level occupancy data to improve ARIMA-based electricity use forecasts

The energy use of an office building is likely to correlate with the number of occupants, and thus knowing occupancy levels should improve energy use forecasts. To gather data related to total building occupancy, wireless sensors were installed in a three-storey building in eastern Ontario, Canada comprising laboratories and 81 individual work spaces. Contact closure sensors were placed on various doors, PIR motion sensors were placed in the main corridor on each floor, and a carbon-dioxide sensor was positioned in a circulation area. In addition, we collected data on the number of people who had logged in to the network on each day, network activity, electrical energy use (total building, and chilling plant only), and outdoor temperature. We developed an ARIMAX model to forecast the power demand of the building in which a measure of building occupancy was a significant independent variable and increased the model accuracy. The results are promising, and suggest that further work on a larger and more typical office building would be beneficial. If building operators have a tool that can accurately forecast the energy use of their building several hours ahead they can better respond to utility price signals, and play a fuller role in the coming Smart Grid.
Robustness of regularized linear classification methods in text categorization

Real-world applications often require the classification of documents under situations of small number of features, mis-labeled documents and rare positive examples. This paper investigates the robustness of three regularized linear classification methods (SVM, ridge regression and logistic regression) under above situations. We compare these methods in terms of their loss functions and score distributions, and establish the connection between their optimization problems and generalization error bounds. Several sets of controlled experiments on the Reuters-21578 corpus are conducted to investigate the robustness of these methods. Our results show that ridge regression seems to be the most promising candidate for rare class problems.
DELINQUENCY, DEVELOPMENT, AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION IN INDIA*

This paper attempts to explain findings from a study of juvenile delinquency carried out by myself and S. Priyadarsini in India during 1978. In contrast to countries like the United States, delinquency in India is not considered to be a major problem by adults or correctional officials, and delinquency rates have remained low. Several socio-economic features of Indian society, such as the interpersonal ties of family and the social requirements of an agrarian-scarcity economy, ensure that young people are integrated into the dominant social system and deter the development of an adolescent subculture separate from adult society. As integral elements of the socio-economic structure of the country, Indian youth are neither oriented to normative violations nor are they perceived by adults as “outsiders” in need of formal control.
A simple design for a fraction collector

Abstract Although there are some fraction collectors available for large volumes and for operation under refrigeration, the instrument described here has the advantage of being simple and readily fabricated without any demanding machine work. It is also sufficiently compact that the space required in a lateral direction is little more than that occupied by the bottles in which the collection is made, and will fit readily in a domestictype refrigerator.
Hadronic research at kaon factories

Abstract Future experiments in strong-interaction physics that are especially suited for kaon factories, such as the proposed LAMPF II, are discussed. The need to focus on the issue of confinement of light quarks (u, d, s) is stressed. Experiments to search for the H dibaryon and glueballs, as well as to pursue the sea-quark distribution in nuclei using the Drell-Yan process, are featured. A brief discussion of the LAMPF II facility and its costs is also presented.
Potent beta-adrenergic antagonist possessing chemically reactive group.

Abstract A highly potent beta-adrenergic antagonist based on the structure of alprenolol has been prepared by replacement of the isopropylamine residue of alprenolol by 1, 8-diamino-p-menthane (AlpM). The resulting mixture of isomers (AlpM) competes for occupancy of beta-adrenergic receptors in frog erythrocycte membranes with an apparent K D of 210 pM. The bromoacetylated derivative of AlpM (BrAlpM) leads to an irreversible inactivation of the [ 3 H]dihydroalprenolol ([ 3 H]DHA) binding sites. Various adrenergic agonists and antagonists afford specific and stereoselective protection of the receptor against inactivation by BrAlpM. Tritiation of AlpM followed by bromoacetylation and chromatographic separation yielded two isomers, Br-1-AlpM and Br-8-AlpM of high specific radioactivity (∼ 40 Ci/mmol). Both radiolabelled isomers interacted specifically and with high affinity with the beta-adrenergic receptor, but only a small amount of the ligands could be covalently incorporated into the receptor subunit. This agent provides a powerful new probe for studies of beta-adrenergic receptors in analogy with bungarotoxin for the nicotinic cholinergic receptor.
An Adaptive Level Set Approach for Incompressible Two-Phase Flows

We present a numerical method using the level set approach for solving incompressible two-phase flow with surface tension. In the level set approach, the free surface is represented as the zero level set of a smooth function; this has the effect of replacing the advection of density, which has steep gradients at the free surface, with the advection of the level set function, which is smooth. In addition, the free surface can merge or break up with no special treatment. We maintain the level set function as the signed distance from the free surface in order to accurately compute flows with high density ratios and stiff surface tension effects. In this work, we couple the level set scheme to an adaptive projection method for the incompressible Navier?Stokes equations, in order to achieve higher resolution of the free surface with a minimum of additional expense. We present two-dimensional axisymmetric and fully three-dimensional results of air bubble and water drop computations.