cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Algorithmic Risk Assessments on Human Predictions and its Analysis via Crowdsourcing Studies

As algorithmic risk assessment instruments (RAIs) are increasingly adopted to assist decision makers, their predictive performance and potential to promote inequity have come under scrutiny. However, while most studies examine these tools in isolation, researchers have come to recognize that assessing their impact requires understanding the behavior of their human interactants. In this paper, building off of several recent crowdsourcing works focused on criminal justice, we conduct a vignette study in which laypersons are tasked with predicting future re-arrests. Our key findings are as follows: (1) Participants often predict that an offender will be rearrested even when they deem the likelihood of re-arrest to be well below 50%; (2) Participants do not anchor on the RAI's predictions; (3) The time spent on the survey varies widely across participants and most cases are assessed in less than 10 seconds; (4) Judicial decisions, unlike participants' predictions, depend in part on factors that are orthogonal to the likelihood of re-arrest. These results highlight the influence of several crucial but often overlooked design decisions and concerns around generalizability when constructing crowdsourcing studies to analyze the impacts of RAI
Robust & Asymptotically Locally Optimal UAV-Trajectory Generation Based on Spline Subdivision

Generating locally optimal UAV-trajectories is challenging due to the non-convex constraints of collision avoidance and actuation limits. We present the first local, optimization-based UAV-trajectory generator that simultane-ously guarantees validity and asymptotic optimality for known environments. Validity: Given a feasible initial guess, our algo-rithm guarantees the satisfaction of all constraints throughout the process of optimization. Asymptotic Optimality: We use an asymptotic exact piecewise approximation of the trajectory with an automatically adjustable resolution of its discretization. The trajectory converges under refinement to the first-order stationary point of the exact non-convex programming problem. Our method has additional practical advantages including joint optimality in terms of trajectory and time-allocation, and robustness to challenging environments as demonstrated in our experiments.
'Good Politicians': Experimental Evidence on Motivations for Political Candidacy and Government Performance

How can we motivate "good" politicians — those that will carry out policy that is responsive to citizens' preferences — to enter politics? In a field experiment in Pakistan, we vary how political office is portrayed to ordinary citizens. We find that emphasizing pro-social motives for holding political office instead of personal returns — such as the ability to help others versus enhancing one's own respect and status — raises the likelihood that individuals run for office and that voters elect them. It also better aligns subsequent policies with citizens' preferences. The candidacy decisions are explained by social influence, and not information salience — we find that social versus personal messaging matters only when randomly delivered in a public setting but not in private. Results also show that changes in political supply, not citizen preferences or behavior, explain policy alignment. Taken together, the results demonstrate that non-financial motivations for political entry shape how politicians perform in office.
Policing Ethnicity: Lab-in-the-Field Evidence on Discrimination, Cooperation, and Ethnic Balancing in the Liberian National Police

Policing Ethnicity: Lab-in-the-Field Evidence on Discrimination, Cooperation, and Ethnic Balancing in the Liberian National Police
Uncertainty Visualization of the Marching Squares and Marching Cubes Topology Cases

Marching squares (MS) and marching cubes (MC) are widely used algorithms for level-set visualization of scientific data. In this paper, we address the challenge of uncertainty visualization of the topology cases of the MS and MC algorithms for uncertain scalar field data sampled on a uniform grid. The visualization of the MS and MC topology cases for uncertain data is challenging due to their exponential nature and the possibility of multiple topology cases per cell of a grid. We propose the topology case count and entropy-based techniques for quantifying uncertainty in the topology cases of the MS and MC algorithms when noise in data is modeled with probability distributions. We demonstrate the applicability of our techniques for independent and correlated uncertainty assumptions. We visualize the quantified topological uncertainty via color mapping proportional to uncertainty, as well as with interactive probability queries in the MS case and entropy isosurfaces in the MC case. We demonstrate the utility of our uncertainty quantification framework in identifying the isovalues exhibiting relatively high topological uncertainty. We illustrate the effectiveness of our techniques via results on synthetic, simulation, and hixel datasets.
Presentations of the Roger–Yang generalized skein algebra

We describe presentations of the Roger-Yang generalized skein algebras for punctured spheres with an arbitrary number of punctures. This skein algebra is a quantization of the decorated Teichmuller space and generalizes the construction of the Kauffman bracket skein algebra. In this paper, we also obtain a new interpretation of the homogeneous coordinate ring of the Grassmannian of planes in terms of skein theory.
Adenosine Receptors in the Heart

A1 and A2 adenosine receptors (A1AR, A2AR) mediate the biological actions of this nucleoside. The ligand-binding peptide of the A1AR has an Mr of 35–38 kd and that of the A2AR an Mr of 45 kd. Both are glycoproteins. Alkylxanthines, such as theophylline, competitively inhibit ligand binding at both receptors. GTP-binding transduction proteins couple the receptors to their effectors, Gi (and Go?) for the A1AR and Gs for the A2AR. Effectors which are known to be coupled to cardiac A1ARs include adenylate cyclase (inhibition), muscarinic K+ channels (activation), and ATP-sensitive K+ channels (activation). A1ARs coupled to phospholipase C apparently do not occur in the heart. Stimulation of adenylate cyclase is the only known effect of A2AR activation. Adenosine, formed in the heart and acting through A1ARs coupled to K+ channels, slows the rate of SA node firing, retards conduction through the AV node, and reduces the force of atrial but not ventricular contraction. Acting through A1ARs coupled to adenylate cyclase, adenosine antagonizes the cardiostimulatory actions of catecholamines and other agonists that stimulate cyclic AMP production. A2ARs in the coronary arteries mediate vasodilation. One source of adenosine is cytosolic AMP, linked through myokinase to the cytosolic ATP phosphorylation potential, an index of cellular energy state. Adenosine from this source is thought to couple coronary blood flow rate to the cellular energy state, thus constituting the metabolic component of coronary flow control. The actions of adenosine at cardiac muscle A1ARs tend to reduce energy consumption, whereas the action at coronary A2ARs increases energy supply. In concert, these actions are cardioprotective.
Influence of Culture Media on the Radiation Resistance of Micrococcus radiodurans

The addition of NZ-case (a tryptic digest of casein) to a growth medium (PC) consisting of tryptone, glucose, and yeast extract caused a significant decrease in γ radiation resistance of Micrococcus radiodurans. The level of radiation resistance was inversely related to the concentration of NZ-case. The ld50 for this organism was approximately 700 krad when grown in tryptone, glucose, yeast extract, and dl-methionine (TGYM) broth, but it was approximately one-half as resistant when grown in a PC medium containing 0.5% NZ-case (PCNZ). The resistance to ultraviolet light was also reduced. Cultures transferred from PCNZ to TGYM media regained the high level of resistance.
Introduction to Arthropods: Structure, Function and Development

The phylum Arthropoda is the largest assemblage in the Animal Kingdom, the number of arthropod species outstripping all others many times over. Of particular interest in medical entomology are the more than 17 thousand species of bloodsucking (hematophagous) insects and the 25 thousand or so species of ticks (Beaty and Marquardt 1996). The enormous success of this group is reflected in the seemingly endless variety of niches occupied, their 600 million-year evolutionary time span, and their high biomass in various ecosystems.
Factors that Influence Regeneration of the Neuromuscular Junction

Regeneration of neuromuscular junctions after trauma occurs in an orderly way and relies on communication between nerve and muscle. This paper summarizes evidence that factors which direct the growth and differentiation of both pre- and postsynaptic components of regenerating neuromuscular junctions are associated with the extracellular matrix of muscles.
Determination of Vapor Phase Diffusivity for Toluene-Air System and for Benzoic Acid-Air System

There are several methods available for determination of diffusion coefficients. Stefan diffusion tube was most widely used for the measurement of vapor phase diffusivity in binary systems. It was proved theoretically that the radial concentration profile may be negligible in a thin cyclindrical section. It was also shown theoretically that the velocity profile does not affect the mass flux. This report considered longtitudinal diffusivity alone. The diffusivity of toluene-air system was measured from 40°C to 70°C and that of benzoic acid-air system was estimated from 140°C to 160°C.
Cooperative Modulation Classification of multiple signals in Cognitive Radio Networks

Automatic Modulation Classification (AMC) is an important component in Cognitive Radio (CR) Networks. Multiuser AMC classifies the modulation schemes of simultaneous multiple unknown transmitters. In addition, cooperation among multiple CR receivers for modulation classification offers significant improvements in classification performance and overcomes the detrimental channel effects that degrades the single CR classifier performance. In this paper, a novel centralized soft-combining data fusion algorithm based on the joint probability distribution of fourth order cumulants is presented for cooperative modulation classification. Fourth order cumulants of the received signals are calculated as discriminating features for different modulation schemes at each CR node and sent to a centralized data Fusion Center (FC). The FC chooses the modulation scheme that maximizes the joint probability of the estimated cumulants. As compared to independent receiver classification, cooperative classification results are significantly improved under the same multi-path environment.
Sputter deposition of nanocrystals and nanocomposites

Abstract We have synthesized Mo and Cu nanocrystals using a high-pressure sputtering. The size and the morphology of these nanocrystals depend strongly on the sputtering gas pressure. This technique opens a new class of materials, in both single phase or composite forms, which cannot be obtained by conventional evaporation methods.
Temperature dependence of the emitter switched thyristor characteristics

Abstract The effect of increasing the temperature on the characteristics of the EST is discussed in this paper. High temperature measurements were made on 600 V forward blocking multi-cell EST devices which were fabricated using an IGBT process sequence. An important feature of the EST is that the voltage drop across the lateral MOSFET, which is in series with the thyristor region, increases and compensates for the decrease in the thyristor voltage drop at higher temperatures, producing an emitter ballasting effect. Thus, the integration of this MOSFET in series with the thyristor results in a positive temperature coefficient for the forward voltage drop at current densities above 167 A cm−2 and a negative temperature coefficient below this current density. This behavior favors uniform current distribution and improved turn-off capability. Experimental results indicate a decrease in the latching current density of the main thyristor and the parasitic thyristor with an increase in the ambient temperature. Transient measurements show an increase in the turn-off time and a decrease in the maximum controllable current density. These experimental results are supported and quantified by two-dimensional physics based models.
Cross-Plied Cylindrical Composite Shells under Transverse End Load

Analytical solutions for cross-plied composite shells under transverse end load are presented. Based on a Saint-Venant's semi-inverse method and the theory of cylindrically orthotropic elasticity, two connected partial differential equations are developed using Lekhnitskii's stress functions. Solutions are obtained using separation of variables and solved the governing equations sequentially. Special cases of a single transversely isotropic (0° ply) shell, μ = 2 and/or ξ = 3 occurring in a layer are also briefly derived for stress and displacement response. To illustrate the fundamental nature of the problem, detailed distributions of radial strain and stress for two layups, [90/0] 2 and [0/90] 2 , with two different midradius to thickness ratios are discussed
Spleen foci and polycythemia in C57B1 mice infected with host-adapted Friend leukemia virus.

The host range of Friend leukemia virus was altered significantly by passage in newborn C57Bl mice. Two virus isolates (BSB and BB6), derived from the original Friend virus stock, induced the familiar “Friend disease” and polycythemia in suckling or adult C57Bl mice. However, both isolates differed from the parent virus in Swiss mice by their longer latent period and lower mortality in adult C57Bl mice. Replication of spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV) from either isolate was limited in suckling mice and barely detectable in adult C57Bl mice. Host susceptibility to SFFV in the BSB isolate varied according to age in young adult C57Bl mice, and was also affected by a gene closely linked with or at the Histocompatibility-2 locus. Spleen focus formation by either BSB or BB6 in adult BALB/c mice gave one-hit dose-response relationships, in contrast to the multiple-hit relationship obtained with the parent virus. Thus, infection of C57Bl mice with either of two host-adapted viruses resulted in the development of polycythemia and splenomegaly without extensive SFFV replication, in contrast to earlier observations with the original Friend virus preparation in Swiss mice. Even with the present virus-host system, however, there was an association between virus replication and the virulence of the induced disease. In addition, there was an association between adaptation of SFFV to the C57Bl strain and an increased concentration of either helper virus or competent virions. Reasons for the low virus titers in several mouse strains and for the limited virus replication in the two strains tested were not apparent.
Awards, lectures, and fellowships sponsored by the AANS/CNS Section on Tumors

A major goal of the Section on Tumors of the American Association of Neurological Surgery (AANS) and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) since it was founded in 1984 has been to foster both education and research in the field of brain tumor treatment and development. In support of this goal, the Section sponsors a number of awards, named lectures, and fellowships at the annual meetings of the AANS and CNS. In this article, we describe the awards given by the AANS/CNS Section on Tumors since its foundation, the recipients of the awards, and their philanthropic donors. The subsequent history of awardees and their work is briefly examined. Specifically for the Preuss and Mahaley Awards, this article also examines the rates of publication among the award-winning abstracts and achievement of grant funding by awardees.
Topological constraints on stabilized flux vacua

Abstract We study the influence of four-form fluxes on the stabilization of the Kahler moduli in M-theory compactified on a Calabi–Yau four-fold. We find that, under certain nondegeneracy condition on the flux, M5-instantons of a new topological type generate a superpotential. The existence of such an instanton restricts possible four-folds for which the stabilization by this mechanism is expected. These topological constraints on the background are different from the previously known constraints, derived from the flux-free analysis of the nonperturbative effects.
In vitro packaging of covalently closed circular monomers of bacteriophage DNA

Extracts from coliphage P2 or P4-infected cells can package exogenous P2 or P4 DNA into viable phage particles. This in vitro system was used to determine the structure of the DNA substrate for the packaging reaction. Results obtained with covalently joined linear concatemers, covalently closed circles, and mature phage DNA as the substrates indicate that DNA packaging in the phages P2 and P4 does not involve the cutting of mature phage DNA from a concatemeric precursor. Instead, the substrate of the in vitro DNA packaging reaction appears to be either a covalently closed circular monomer of the phage DNA or the mature phage DNA itself. Sedimentation analysis of P2 phage DNA synthesized in cells infected with a P2 head mutant showed that covalently closed circular DNA molecules accumulate in such cells. Together, the in vitro and in vivo results suggest that covalently closed monomer circles are the substrates of the P2 and P4 DNA packaging reactions.
A Neurophysiology OSCE as a Marker for Performance on the Resident in Training Examination (P07.242)

Objective: Implementing an observed clinical skills examination (OSCE) to improve neurophysiology scores on the RITE to prepare residents post-residency and ultimately improve patient safety. Background The RITE exam is an indicator of a resident9s ability to pass the board examinations. Emphasis is placed on preparation for the RITE during training for residents to gauge their knowledge or lack thereof. Our institutional OSCE was implemented in 2010 and has been modified and increased in sample size since presented at the AAN in 2010. Design/Methods: Neurology residents (PGY 2-4, n=17) undertook an institutional test covering EEG and EMG in 2011. There were 11 multiple choice questions on EEG and 5 structured questions on EMG, each scored out of a maximum of 1. EEG prints were obtained from Boston Medical Center records. EMG questions were obtained from an arbitrary textbook on EMG. Individual resident scores were anonymised and blinded to the investigators. Comparisons were made between the scores on the institutional exam and the RITE between both year of training and within year of training. Results: PGY3 outperformed other years on average in the subcategory of neurophysiology on the institutional test but not on the RITE. The RITE score improved in each year of residency. More junior residents were above the national average in neurophysiology than PGY3. Conclusions: RITE scores improve with more experience in neurology residency. Generally scores improve in neurophysiology on the RITE. After modification to MCQ structure and expansion of number of questions (from 9 to 16) the institutional test did not correlate with the RITE. However the institutional exam may encourage more motivation in studying for the RITE. Further investigation will be needed to improve the association. It is unclear whether the institutional examination motivates junior residents to perform better on the RITE. Disclosure: Dr. Westwood has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hohler has received personal compensation for activities with Teva Neuroscience as a speaker.
OVIPOSITION RESOURCES, TERRITORIALITY AND MALE REPRODUCTIVE TACTICS IN THE DRAGONFLY PALTOTHEMIS LINEATIPES (ODONATA: LIBELLULIDAE)

Etude, chez Paltothemis lineatipes, des effets de l'addition de ressources d'oviposition a des territoires de mâles sur le comportement reproducteur des femelles et les tactiques adoptees par les mâles
Dynamic instability of a transversely isotropic column subjected to a compression pulse

Abstract A theoretical study of the dynamic instability of geometrically imperfect transversely isotropic columns under axial compressive pulse is presented. The analysis includes transverse shear deformation as well as translational and rotational inertia terms. The effect of transverse shear rigidity is investigated for various pulse frequencies, ranging from quasi-static to impulsive compressive loads. An appropriate dynamic instability criterion is defined and utilized and the corresponding buckling results are compared with those for isotropic columns, as well as with results obtained by the classical beam theory. The results show that for isotropic columns the classical theory predicts accurately the dynamic buckling strength. However, for columns with low transverse shear rigidity, buckling loads predicted by the refined theory may be as low as almost two thirds of those estimated via the classical theory.
Liver denervation attenuates the hypophagia produced by an imbalanced amino acid diet

We observed previously that totally liver denervated (TLD) rats consumed more of an imbalanced amino acid diet (IAAD) than sham-operated controls (CON). For the present study rats were either CON, TLD, had only the hepatic-vagal branch cut (HVX), or had all nerves on the hepatic artery and portal vein removed (HAPV) (n = 10-11). The rats were prefed a purified basal diet for 9 days then switched to an isoleucine IAAD for 7 days. On days 2-5 all experimental groups consumed more (p < 0.05) of the IAAD than the CON; they also showed less (p < 0.01) weight loss on days 3-7. This experiment showed that either total or partial liver denervations enhanced the intake of an IAAD compared to CON. However, when one considers the anatomical arrangement of the nerves and the surgery technique employed the vital neural pathway may involve the hepatic vagal branch.
Evaluation of a disease management plan for prevention and diagnosis of thromboembolic disease in major trauma patients

Abstract Purpose Evaluate the effectiveness of our program of thromboembolic disease (TED) prophylaxis. Methods Multisystem trauma patients with closed head injury, spinal cord injury, and/or long bone/pelvic fractures severe enough to require inpatient rehabilitation are at high risk for TED: deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). A retrospective analysis of 262 such trauma patients, from September 1995 through July 1997, was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of our program of TED prophylaxis. Mechanical compression devices (CDs) and/or anticoagulation treatment were the primary methods of prophylaxis. If clinical suspicion of TED was present, duplex ultrasound (DU) was used. Otherwise, patients were screened once by DU before transfer to a rehabilitation facility. Results There was 99% compliance with prophylaxis use. One hundred one patients died of injuries less than 48 hours after admission. Forty-four patients died in the hospital more than 48 hours after admission; 4 (9%) had TED manifest as DVTs (3 patients; 66% at the level of the popliteal or above) and PE (1 patient; 2%). One hundred seventeen patients survived and were transferred to rehabilitation facilities. Fourteen of these (12%) had TED manifest as DVTs (13 patients; 71% at the level of the popliteal or above) before transfer and PE (1 patient; 1%). Three patients developed DVTs without PEs during 2-month follow-up in rehabilitation. Of the 14 patients who developed TED, 7 had prophylaxis with CDs alone and 5 had CDs plus heparin, aspirin, or caval filter (CD+), an incidence of 11%. Increased injury severity score and increased length of stay were associated with development of TED (p Conclusions The compliance rate for TED prophylaxis in these severely injured trauma patients was high. An 11% incidence of TED was found in this population; 4 of 160 patients (2.5%) died with or from TED. Compression devices alone or CD+ offered equal prophylaxis. Single DU screening of clinically negative lower extremities demonstrated an 8.6% incidence of TED; clinical suspicion of TED as an indication for DU screening increased positive findings to 42%.
Experiences of Social and Structural Forms of Stigma Among Chinese Immigrant Consumers with Psychosis

Chinese immigrants tend to rely on family and close community for support given their vulnerable societal position. Yet stigma, especially from structural and familial sources, may have a particularly harmful impact upon Chinese immigrants with psychosis. Using a descriptive analysis based upon grounded theory, we examined stigma experiences of 50 Chinese immigrant consumers with psychosis, paying particular attention to frequency, sources, and themes of social and structural stigma. Although past research indicates that family is a recipient of stigma, we found instead that family members were common perpetuators of social forms of stigma. We also found that perceptions of work deficit underlie many forms of stigma, suggesting this is “what matters most” in this community. Lack of financial resources and language barriers comprised most frequent forms of structural stigma. Anti-stigma efforts should aim to improve consumer’s actual and perceived employability to target what is most meaningful in Chinese immigrant communities.
Commissurotomy for Rheumatic Aortic Stenosis I. Surgery

As long ago as the middle of 1949 it had been demonstrated by the senior author that any blunt dilating mechanism applied within the stenotic aortic orifice would, upon expansion, force the separation of one or more of the fused commissures. Thus the diminutive valve orifice could be enlarged without the creation of additional insufficiency and with the restoration of such part of the original valve function as the pathologic distortion of the leaflets would permit. In other words the principles and effectiveness of such an aortic commissurotomy would be comparable to those of the similarly named operation for mitral stenosis. It has remained for us finally to develop an instrument and a technic capable of implementing these concepts, and this has at last been accomplished.
Medial or lateral dislocation (snapping) of a portion of the distal triceps: A biomechanical, anatomic explanation*☆☆

Medial and lateral snapping (dislocation) of the distal triceps over the epicondyle during elbow flexion has been reported but is frequently misdiagnosed and is not well understood. In this study a mathematical model was designed to simulate the effect that bony abnormalities at the distal humerus and soft tissue variations of the distal triceps have on the line of pull of the triceps. The predictions were then tested on prefabricated and fabricated plastic elbow models, as well as 8 cadaveric elbows. When the bony alignment was altered, varus angulation had the greatest effect: 30 degrees varus malalignment of the distal humerus displaced the centroid of the triceps vector medially by approximately 2.0 cm. Valgus malalignment had a lesser effect: 30 degrees valgus displaced it laterally by 1.5 cm. Negligible effects on the triceps line of pull were seen with internal or external malrotation and with flexion or extension malalignment. Of the soft tissue alterations, displacement of the triceps insertion had a greater effect than movement of the triceps origin. The triceps vector was displaced by approximately 70% of the amount of translation of the triceps insertion. The relationship between the triceps line of pull and the bony alignment is represented by the triceps (T) angle. Our use of the T angle to understand snapping triceps is analogous to the use of the quadriceps (Q) angle for patellar subluxation/dislocation. Treatment should aim to restore normal triceps biomechanics with soft tissue or bony procedures.
Testing and Validation of a Series PHEV Control System

EcoCAR 2: Plugging into the Future is an Advanced Vehicle Technology Competition managed by the U.S. Department of Energy at Argonne National Laboratory. The competition challenges 15 universities across North America to reduce the environmental impact of a production vehicle without compromising performance, safety and consumer acceptability. To meet this goal, the Pennsylvania State University Advanced Vehicle Team has designed a series plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) capable of achieving a 40 mile all-electric range. An auxiliary power unit (750 cc two-cylinder engine converted to run on E85 fuel) provides extended range greater than 200 miles. A rigorous development process has been followed to provide a control system that meets the safety, performance and fuel economy targets, including fault mitigation.This paper summarizes the control system development strategy, starting with vehicle component selection. The strategies used to develop a control algorithm and plant model in parallel are described. Extensive testing is performed throughout the vehicle development process, including both software-in-the-loop (SiL), hardware-in-the-loop (HiL), and in-vehicle testing. In addition, it will be shown how pertinent testing data plays a crucial role in further plant model developments.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Isolation of viral coat protein mutants with altered assembly and aggregation properties

A method was developed to screen bacteria for synthesis of mutant proteins with altered assembly and solubility properties using bacteriophage MS2 coat protein as a model self-associating protein. Colonies expressing coat protein from a plasmid were covered with an agarose overlay under conditions that caused the lysis of some of the cells in each colony. The proteins thus liberated diffused through the overlay at rates depending on their molecular sizes. After transfer of the proteins to a nitrocellulose membrane, probing with coat protein-specific antiserum revealed spots whose sizes and intensities were related to the aggregation state of coat protein. The method was employed in the isolation of assembly defective mutants and to find soluble variants of an aggregation-prone coat protein mutant.
The hydromechanics of hydrocephalus: Steady-state solutions for cylindrical geometry

Hydrocephalus is a state in which the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid is disturbed. This fluid, produced within the brain at a constant rate, moves through internal cavities in it (ventricles), then exits through passages so that it may be absorbed by the surrounding membranes (meninges). Failure of fluid to move properly through these passages results in the distention of the passages and the ventricles. Ultimately, this distention causes large displacements and distortion of brain tissue as well as an increase of fluid in the extracellular space of the brain (edema). We use a two-phase model of fluid-saturated material to simulate the steady state of the hydrocephalic brain. Analytic solutions for the displacement of brain tissue and the distribution of edema for the annular regions of an idealized cylindrical geometry and small-strain theory are found. The solutions are used for a large-deformation analysis by superposition of the responses obtained for incrementally increasing loading. The effects of structural and hydraulic differences of white and gray brain matter, and the ependymal lining surrounding the venticles, are examined. The results reproduce the characteristic steady-state distribution of edema seen in hydrocephalus, and are compared with experiment.
A new apex-ejecting perfused rat heart preparation: relation between coronary flow and loading conditions.

The isolated perfused rat heart is an important experimental preparation for both mechanical and biochemical studies. In order to define better the relationship between coronary flow and loading conditions, a new preparation was developed in which the left ventricle ejected through the apex, while the aortic perfusion pressure could be separately controlled at a higher level than the apex afterload. Results were compared with a standard aortic perfused and ejecting preparation. All analyses were made at low calcium concentration (1.6 mmol·litre−1) for reducing cardiac performance. Coronary flow was related to perfusion pressure in the aortic ejecting preparation when the aortic afterload chamber was between 6.0 and 9.3 kPa (45 and 70 mmHg). Coronary autoregulation was demonstrable in the apex ejecting preparation irrespective of the height of the apex afterload chamber and the aortic ejecting preparation when the aortic chamber was between 11.0 and 16.0 kPa (83 and 120 mmHg). Following the addition of 10−6 mol·litre−1 adenosine, there was significant coronary vasodilatation, and flow became pressure dependent in all cases. In the apex-ejecting preparation, with a high aortic pressure, coronary flow remained at relatively fixed level, and increases in oxygen demand were met by increasing oxygen extraction. Thus, in this preparation oxygen extraction was directly related to workload. With abrupt increases in afterload, going from 6.0 to 9.3 kPa (45 to 70 mmHg) to a higher level, there was evidence of transient hypoxia with the aortic ejecting but not the apex ejecting preparation. It is concluded that the apex ejecting heart is a stable preparation in which coronary perfusion pressure and flow can be maintained independent of preload and afterload. The coronary reserve of this preparation provides some advantage for both mechanical and biomedical studies.
Calorimetric beam-current integrator

Abstract A single-cup calorimeter for beam-current integration and its associated electronics are described. The design allows beam power up to 120 W and is shown to integrate with an accuracy of 1 over a range of beam energy, current, and power.
Salt Marsh Harvest Mice, Urban Development, and Rising Sea Levels

Abstract: The salt marsh harvest mouse, Reithrodontomys raviventris, is endemic to the marshes of San Francisco Bay. Ultimate factors such as rising sea level and tectonic changes will play important roles in the future management of the mouse, causing a shift from tidal marshes threatened by submergence to diked marshes threatened by development Land values and government regulations force the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies into proximate management strategies to recover the species. Whether large enough areas of diked marsh can be acquired in the near future to adequately protect the mouse in perpetuity is questioned.
Optimizing full-dose radiation therapy in the successful bladder-sparing management of patients with invasive bladder carcinoma

Bladder-sparing treatment approaches for patients with invasive (of bladder muscle) cancers must be used carefully and cautiously because when radiation is used without discrimination (for patient and tumor selection) and without other modalities (de-bulking transurethral surgery, systemic chemotherapy or intraoperative radiotherapy) the local success rate is less than 50%. The goal is to irradiate only those patients whose tumors will have a fully maintained complete response. To reach this goal will require combining radiation with de-bulking surgery and systemic chemotherapy as well as some patient selection. The intricate multidisciplinary coordination is optimally led by the urologic surgeon from carefully designed guidelines (treatment protocols). It is important that randomized trials of chemotherapy as neoadjuvant to radiation and/or surgery have begun so their potential usefullness is tested before clinicians become prematurely, or possibly incorrectly, convinced of their benefit.
The prognostic value of pharmacologic stress myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with permanent pacemakers

Background. The aim of this study is to assess the prognostic value of pharmacologic stress (adenosine or dipyridamole) myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with permanent electronic ventricular pacemakers. Methods and Results. Between October 1986 and December 1995, 93 patients with pacemakers underwent pharmacologic stress testing with myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography imaging. Follow-up information on 91 patients (98%) was obtained. Mean follow-up was 5.6 ± 2.4 years. Previously published clinical and image variables were analyzed for their prognostic significance with regard to cardiac death, cardiac death/ nonfatal myocardial infarction, and cardiac death/nonfatal myocardial infarction/late revascularization. The presence of a high-risk scan was a significant predictor of subsequent cardiac death by both univariate (χ2 = 9.4, P < .001) and multivariate analysis (χ2 = 6.5, P = .01) after adjustment for clinical score. Clinical score was not a significant predictor of cardiac death. Conclusion. This study demonstrates that pharmacologie stress myocardial perfusion imaging provides significant prognostic information in patients with permanent pacemakers. In this population, pharmacologie stress myocardial perfusion imaging can differentiate patients at high risk of a subsequent cardiac event from those at low risk. These results support the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guideline recommendations for pharmacologie stress perfusion imaging in patients with permanent pacemakers. (J Nucl Cardiol 2005;12:37-42.)
The contributions of cognitive engineering to the design and use of expert systems

Abstract The cognitive basis of several issues critical to building expert systems is reviewed. Required and desirable attributes of a knowledge elicitation methodology are identified. It is argued that knowledge should be elicited from several levels of expertise. Plausible contributions of research in human problem solving to knowledge representation and design of control structure are examined. Implications of the literature on human learning and on expert-novice differences for machine learning are reviewed. The applicability of systems, which rely on user modelling, to the design of intelligent interfaces is discussed.
Estrogen Effects on Insulin-Like Growth Factor Gene Expression in a Human Osteoblastic Cell Line with High Levels of Estrogen Receptor

Insulin-like growth factors (IGF)-I and IGF-II are produced by osteoblasts and are important paracrine/autocrine regulators of osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. Estrogen has been reported to increase gene expression of IGF-I in rodent osteoblasts. However, because species differences have been demonstrated in expression of various aspects of the IGF system in bone cells, it is not known whether this action also occurs in human osteoblasts. Thus, we assessed the effects of estrogen treatment on IGF-I and IGF-II gene expression in vitro in a recently developed human fetal osteoblast cell line that has high levels of estrogen receptors. As assessed by a quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction method, treatment of hFOB/ER9 cells with 17β-estradiol (E2) increased steady state levels of IGF-I mRNA in a time- and dose- dependent fashion with a maximal increase of 319% ± 33% (P < 0.01) of control occurring after treatment with 10−7 M E2 for 48 hours. In contrast, E2 did not alter steady state levels of IGF-II mRNA. The pure (type 2) antiestrogens ICI 182,780 (10−7 M) and ICI 164,384 (10−6 M) blocked the E2- induced increase in IGF-I mRNA levels. Interestingly, 4-hydroxytamoxifen (10−7 M), a documented pure antiestrogen in reproductive tissues, also increased IGF-I mRNA to levels similar to those observed in E2-treated cells. Since E2 was shown to mediate its effects on some target genes through a cAMP-dependent pathway, we studied the interaction between E2 and agents that are known to increase intracellular cAMP. Forskolin (10−8 M) and dibutyryl cAMP (10−3 M) increased IGF-I mRNA levels sixfold, and cotreatment with E2 did not affect these changes, consistent with a possible mediation of the estrogen effect on IGF-I gene expression by cAMP. We conclude that in human osteoblastic cells, the IGF-I gene is a target for estrogen action, suggesting that IGF-I may mediate part of the effects of estrogen in human bone.
SPINNING OFF AND SPINNING ON(?) : THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE US COMPUTER SOFTWARE INDUSTRY

Abstract The development of the US computer software industry has been powerfully influenced by federal government policy during the postwar period. Its importance for the demands of Cold War defense, especially strategic air defense during the 1950s, meant that the software industry received considerable support from federal RD but by the late 1960s, these industrial innovations drew on research and manpower that had been generously supported by federal government funds. Our discussion of the federal role in the US software industry begins with a description of the earliest years of federal involvement in the U.S. computer industry, a period during which software scarcely existed as a distinguishable technology and focus of development effort. We then examine the federal role in supporting the emergence of computer science as an academic discipline, a discussion that spans 1955–1990. The concluding section summarizes our argument and suggests some points of contrast with the experience of other industrial economies.
Footprints of nonsentient design inside the human genome

Intelligent design (ID)—the latest incarnation of religious creationism—posits that complex biological features did not accrue gradually via natural evolutionary forces but, instead, were crafted ex nihilo by a cognitive agent. Yet, many complex biological traits are gratuitously complicated, function poorly, and debilitate their bearers. Furthermore, such dysfunctional traits abound not only in the phenotypes but inside the genomes of eukaryotic species. Here, I highlight several outlandish features of the human genome that defy notions of ID by a caring cognitive agent. These range from de novo mutational glitches that collectively kill or maim countless individuals (including embryos and fetuses) to pervasive architectural flaws (including pseudogenes, parasitic mobile elements, and needlessly baroque regulatory pathways) that are endogenous in every human genome. Gross imperfection at the molecular level presents a conundrum for the traditional paradigms of natural theology as well as for recent assertions of ID, but it is consistent with the notion of nonsentient contrivance by evolutionary forces. In this important philosophical sense, the science of evolutionary genetics should rightly be viewed as an ally (not an adversary) of mainstream religions because it helps the latter to escape the profound theological enigmas posed by notions of ID.
An Independent Auditing Mechanism for Testing

Do we need an independent auditing mechanism for standardized testing? How effective are existing approaches for maintaining high standards of test development and use? What approaches to auditing testing seem promising?
Introducing the fast nonlinear Fourier transform

The nonlinear Fourier transform (NFT; also: direct scattering transform) is discussed with respect to the focusing nonlinear Schrodinger equation on the infinite line. It is shown that many of the current algorithms for numerical computation of the NFT can be interpreted in a polynomial framework. Finding the continuous spectrum corresponds to polynomial multipoint evaluation in this framework, while finding the discrete eigenvalues corresponds to polynomial root finding. Fast polynomial arithmetic is used in order to derive algorithms that are about an order of magnitude faster than current implementations. In particular, an N sample discretization of the continuous spectrum can be computed with only O(N log2 N) flops. A finite eigenproblem for the discrete eigenvalues that can be solved in O(N2) is also presented. The feasibility of this approach is demonstrated in a numerical example.
Is the IPO pricing process efficient

This paper investigates underwriters’ treatment of public information throughout the IPO pricing process. Two key findings emerge. First, public information is not fully incorporated into the initial price range. While the economic magnitude of the bias is small, it is puzzling because it is not clear who benefits from it. Further, it indicates that the filing range midpoint is not an unbiased predictor of the offer price, as prior literature has assumed. Second, while public information is similarly not fully incorporated into the final offer price, the small economic significance of this relation indicates that the IPO pricing process is almost efficient.
Application of the wavelet transform in detecting multiple events of microearthquake seismograms

The Wavelet Transform (WT) is employed here to discriminate multiple events contained in microearthquake seismograms. The WT decomposes the signal into well localized time-frequency compartments (or “Heisenberg boxes”) that display the energy distribution over the time and frequency domains simultaneously, therefore providing a useful technique to characterize dispersion and attenuation of a seismic signal, as well as to identify multiple interfering events. This letter suggests that the WT could provide a useful tool to analyze complicated seismic signals, especially to detect the multiple events contained in microearthquake seismograms.
Elevated proliferation of proximal tubule cells and localization of accumulated α2u-globulin in F344 rats during chronic exposure to unleaded gasoline or 2,2,4-trimethylpentane

In order to better characterize the pathogenesis of alpha 2u-globulin (alpha 2uG) nephropathy, cell proliferation was quantitated within the three proximal tubule segments of the kidney (P1, P2, and P3) and proximal tubule segments affected by chronic progressive nephrosis (CPN) in male and female F344 rats exposed to 10, 70, or 300 ppm unleaded gasoline (UG) or 50 ppm 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (TMP) from 3 to 50 weeks. The P2 segment of male rats exposed to UG or TMP responded with dose-related increases in cell turnover (up to 11-fold) that persisted during chronic exposure. This proliferative response closely paralleled the extent and severity of immunohistochemically detectable alpha 2uG in the P2 segment. Neither alpha 2uG nor cytotoxicity was evident in cells of the P1 or P3 segment; however, cell proliferation was increased (up to 8-fold) for up to 22 weeks of exposure in the P3 segment. Increased numbers of proximal tubules affected by CPN were found in males exposed to UG or TMP for 22 or 48 weeks, compared to controls. These lesions contained epithelial cells that were highly proliferative. Control or treated female rats exhibited neither alpha 2uG nephropathy nor increases in P2 or P3 cell turnover, and the extent of CPN was greatly reduced as compared to male rats. The results of this and related studies suggest that chronic cell proliferation associated with alpha 2uG nephropathy and CPN in male rats exposed to UG or isoparaffinic components of UG, such as TMP, may be responsible for the sex- and species-specific nephrocarcinogenic effects of UG.
Towards precision experiments with LEBIT at NSCL/MSU

The Low Energy Beam and Ion Trap (LEBIT) Project is getting closer to its goal to convert the high-energy fragment beams produced at NSCL/MSU into low-energy low-emittance beams. This beam manipulation will be done by a combination of a high-pressure gas stopping cell and a radiofrequency quadrupole (RFQ) ion accumulator and buncher. The first experimental program to benefit from the low-energy beams produced will be high-accuracy mass measurements on very short-lived isotopes with a 9.4 T Penning trap system. The status of the project is presented with an emphasis on LEBIT's advanced trapping techniques.