cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Growth responses of the mixotrophic dinoflagellates, Cryptoperidiniopsis sp. and Pfiesteria piscicida, to light under prey-saturated conditions

Abstract Recent research emphasis on the ecology of Pfiesteria spp. (Dinophyceae) has led to recognition of several morphologically similar heterotrophic dinoflagellates that often co-occur with Pfiesteria spp. in estuaries along the United States Atlantic coast. These include cryptoperidiniopsoid dinoflagellates, which resemble Pfiesteria spp. in having complex life cycles that include zoospores capable of kleptoplastidy. To examine and compare the role of kleptoplastidy in Cryptoperidiniopsis sp. and Pfiesteria piscicida , we tested the effects of irradiance on growth under prey-saturated ( Storeatula major , Cryptophyceae) conditions. Growth of Cryptoperidiniopsis was strongly influenced by light intensity while no major effects were observed in P. piscicida . In Cryptoperidiniopsis , highest cell numbers and specific growth rates, but lowest specific cryptophyte consumption rates, were found at the highest light intensity tested (100 μmol photons m −2 s −1 ). A growth model was developed and used to estimate that the average half-life of chloroplasts ingested by Cryptoperidiniopsis decreased 3.4-fold from 12.6 h at high light to 3.7 h in the dark. These results show that light strongly enhances specific growth rate and growth efficiency of Cryptoperidiniopsis feeding on cryptophytes, and suggest that retained kleptochloroplasts may play a quantitatively significant role in carbon and energy metabolism of this organism. Differences in the effects of light between Cryptoperidiniopsis and P. piscicida may reflect different nutritional strategies, and allow these closely related dinoflagellates to occupy different niches and co-exist.
Production of Uterine Tumors in the Guinea Pig by Local Implantation of Estrogen Pellets

The tumorigenic effects of estrogens were studied in guinea pigs. Implantation of estradiol benzoate pellets in 1 uterine horn produced fibromyomatous tumors in 9 of 12 animals. No tumors were observed in the uterine horns bearing cork or paraffin implants. 6 animals exhibited hydrometria which was associated with hydrosalpinx in 2 cases and pyometria in another 2 cases. There were 2 cases of pyometria alone. Injection of estradiol benzoate and implantation of estrone pellets failed to produce tumors. Implantation of testosterone propionate pellets in the uterine horn contralateral to the estradiol-benzoate-treated horn appeared to limit the extent to which the estrogen could produce tumors.
Line and streak detection on polished and textured surfaces using line integrals

In this paper, a framework for detecting lines in a polished or textured substrate is proposed. Modules for image capture, rectification, enhancement, and line detection are included. If the surface being examined is specular (mirror-like), the image capture will be restricted, that is, the camera has to be fixed off-axis in the zenith direction. A module for image rectification and projection is included to overcome this limitation in order to yield an orthographic image. In addition, a module for image enhancement that includes high-boost is employed to improve the edge sharpness and decrease the spatial noise in the image. Finally, a line-integral technique is applied to find the confidence vectors that represent the spatial positions of the lines of interest. The Full-Width at Half-Max (FWHM) approximation is applied to determine the corresponding lines in a target image. Experimental results show that our technique has an effective performance on synthetic and real images. Print quality assessment is the main application of the proposed algorithm; however, it can be used to detect lines/ streak in prints, on substrate or any type of media where lines are visible.
Automated ventricular tachyarrhythmia recognition: a combination of cycle length and nonlinear dynamics measurements.

Automated Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia Recognition. Introduction: Cardiac monitoring devices such as external cardioverter defibrillators and ICU computerized ECG monitoring systems sense individual QRS complexes to detect and subclassify ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Many algorithms that evaluate ECG morphology mark individual QKS complexes so that specific waveform characteristics can he measured. QRS sensors miss a percentage of electrogram events, especially during fibrillatory rhythms; thus, a morphology algorithm that helps subclassify arrhythmias without marking individual electrogram events may be more robust and improve arrhythmia detection accuracy. Methods and Results: Four nonlinear dynamics calculations were evaluated for detecting ventricular tachyarrhythmias and for subclassifying monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (MVT) and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT). Five-second epochs of normal (NML, n = 48), MVT (n = 58), and PVT (n = 75) rhythms were presented to a statistical discriminant function based on cycle length (CL), and its performance was compared to two other discriminant functions, one consisting of the nonlinear dynamics calculations and one consisting of a combination of all variables. The discriminant function based on nonlinear dynamics calculations and CL detected 100% of the ventricular tachyarrhythmias, and subclassified more (P < 0.001) MVT and PVT arrhythmias (90%) than that based on CL alone (71%). Conclusions: The nonlinear dynamics measurements used in this study significantly increased the suhclassification accuracy of the CL-based discriminant function, and they were calculated from ECG signals without marking individual QRS complexes. Therefore, arrhythmia detectors that use nonlinear dynamics measurements may commit fewer classification errors due to QRS undersensing and aid therapy decisions when circumstances suggest that QRS sensing is inaccurate.
Oral tetracyclines for ocular rosacea: an evidence-based review of the literature.

AbstractPurposeTo review the basis for the use of oral tetracyclines in ocular rosacea.MethodsReview of the published literature.ResultsTwo prospective, masked, and placebo-controlled studies of oxytetracycline for ocular rosacea demonstrated a modest treatment benefit. Studies performed with tetrac
Biosynthesis of glycosyl phosphatidylinositol protein anchors

Glycosyl phosphatidylinositols (GPIs) serve as membrane anchors for many plasma membrane proteins in all eukaryotic cells. African trypanosomes provide an ideal system for investigating GPIs, because these parasites produce extremely large quantities to anchor their major surface protein, the variant surface glycoprotein. Through radiolabeling methods and use of a cell-free system, the major features of the trypanosome GPI biosynthetic pathway have been elucidated. It is likely that these techniques, successful in the study of trypanosome GPIs, will be applicable to other eukaryotic cells.
SENSORI-MOTOR PERFORMANCE UNDER VARYING NOISE CONDITIONS

A group of subjects performed a task in quiet and noisy environments. The noise was intermittent, within the frequency range of 75 to 9600 cycles and at sound levels of 70, 80, 90, and 100 db. The study was experimental, but simulated an occupational situation. There was a tendency for more errors and less precision when working in the noisy environment. Response times were slower and the number of errors greater than when noise levels and frequencies were highest. The frequency range of 2400-4800 cycles was associated with the slowest response time and largest number of errors, both at 90 and 100 db. It appears that intermittent noise may have a reducing effect on the individual's capacity for quick and precise execution of coordinated movements. The implications for safety and certain production tasks seem obvious.
Hotel tax receipts and the ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’: a time series intervention seasonal ARIMA model with time-varying variance

This study examines the influence of the release of a best-selling book and movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, set in Savannah, Georgia on local tourism demand. Tourism demand is proxied by revenue collected from an ad valorem hotel room tax in Savannah. The hotel tax revenue series is first modelled as a seasonal ARIMA model with three intervention variables: an index variable to capture the influence of the best-selling book and two dummy variables to represent the impact of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and hurricane Floyd. The presence of time-varying variance in the residuals is captured through an ARCH model. The results indicate that the book index had a positive and significant impact on hotel tax receipts, while the dummy variables for the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and hurricane Floyd were each negative with only the dummy variable for hurricane Floyd marginally significant.
The impact of 1990 Medicaid drug rebates policy on access to prescriptions.

The U.S. Congress passed a new law (PL 101-508) in 1990 requiring the pharmaceutical manufacturers to grant rebates on prescription drugs sold at retail under the federal Medicaid program. The goals include containing Medicaid program costs and expanding access of the indigent to ethical drug treatments. This paper evaluates the impact of HCFA's mandatory federal upper limit (FUL) prices on the retail sales volume of prescription drugs during 1994. Data of the most frequently dispensed drugs, as measured by the National Prescription Audit of IMS America, are used. Regression model results suggest that the competing drug prices impact sales significantly, and Medicaid drug rebates expand access to drug interventions by stimulating retail transactions. Prescription sales are also own-price insensitive (inelastic) in Medicaid and non-Medicaid market segments. The implications of extending Medicaid prescription drug rebates policy to enrollees in the traditional Medicare program are examined.
Assessing instruments for mixed household solid waste collection services in the Flemish region of Belgium

Abstract Instruments to reduce waste can be divided into three groups: first, pecuniary incentives; second, service level; finally, measurements stimulating prevention and waste reduction. Also specific characteristics of the community determine the amount of waste generated. We evaluate whether findings in literature on effectiveness of policy measures are valid for Belgium, specifically for the Flemish region. The policy mix instituted by the Flemish authorities in the ‘implementation plan household waste 2003–2007’ and implemented by local authorities, is assessed. Multiple regression analysis identifies those measurements having the greatest impact on household solid waste. We found an income elasticity of 0.326. Also the provided service level has a significant impact. Pecuniary incentives are effective instruments in reducing waste, with a price elasticity of −0.139. Furthermore, a higher percentage of direct costs, directly attributable to waste services, borne by households, reduces waste. A consequent implementation of the ‘polluter pays’ principle proves to be effective.
A Case for In-Kind Transfers

One of the most common policy-related messages that economists present to non-economists is the superiority of cash over in-kind transfers as a policy tool. A good deal of government policy on behalf of the poor consists, of course, of various forms of in-kind assistance, such as medical care or food stamps. However, if we wish to help the poor, the argument goes, in-kind transfers are an inferior way to do so.
A real-coninvolutory analog of the polar decomposition

Abstract We study properties of coninvolutory matrices (EĒ = I), and derive a canonical form under similarity as well as a canonical form under unitary consimilarity for them. We show that any complex matrix has a coninvolutory dilation, and we characterize the minimum size of a coninvolutory dilation of a square matrix. We characterize the m-by-n complex matrices A that can be factored as A = RE with R real and E coninvolutory, and we discuss the uniqueness of this factorization when A is square and nonsingular.
INTRACELLULAR HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATION CHANGES DURING ACUTE RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS AND ALKALOSIS.

The intracellular [H + ] of fully oxygenated and reduced erythrocytes have beenmeasured in vitro after a thirty-minute period of equilibration with different pCO 2 tensions. The intracellular [H + ] was a linear function of the extracellular fluid [H + ] over a range of 19.7 to 170.0 nanoeq. per liter. During clinical conditions of acute respiratory acidosis and alkalosis, the intracellular [H + ] followed the extracellular [H + ] closely, with little change in the [H + ] differences across the red cell. The significance of the [H + ] difference across the red cell in the interpretation of the oxygen dissociation curve is discussed.
Divergent effects of painful nerve injury on mitochondrial Ca2+ buffering in axotomized and adjacent sensory neurons

Abstract Mitochondria critically regulate cytoplasmic Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca 2+ ] c ), but the effects of sensory neuron injury have not been examined. Using FCCP (1 µM) to eliminate mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake combined with oligomycin (10 µM) to prevent ATP depletion, we first identified features of depolarization-induced neuronal [Ca 2+ ] c transients that are sensitive to blockade of mitochondrial Ca 2+ buffering in order to assess mitochondrial contributions to [Ca 2+ ] c regulation. This established the loss of a shoulder during the recovery of the depolarization (K + )-induced transient, increased transient peak and area, and elevated shoulder level as evidence of diminished mitochondrial Ca 2+ buffering. We then examined transients in Control neurons and neurons from the 4th lumbar (L4) and 5th lumbar (L5) dorsal root ganglia after L5 spinal nerve ligation (SNL). The SNL L4 neurons showed decreased transient peak and area compared to control neurons, while the SNL L5 neurons showed increased shoulder level. Additionally, SNL L4 neurons developed shoulders following transients with lower peaks than Control neurons. Application of FCCP plus oligomycin elevated resting [Ca 2+ ] c in SNL L4 neurons more than in Control neurons. Whereas application of FCCP plus oligomycin 2 s after neuronal depolarization initiated mitochondrial Ca 2+ release in most Control and SNL L4 neurons, this usually failed to release mitochondrial Ca 2+ from SNL L5 neurons. For comparable cytoplasmic Ca 2+ loads, the releasable mitochondrial Ca 2+ in SNL L5 neurons was less than Control while it was increased in SNL L4 neurons. These findings show diminished mitochondrial Ca 2+ buffering in axotomized SNL L5 neurons but enhanced Ca 2+ buffering by neurons in adjacent SNL L4 neurons.
Technology Acceptance Model Applied to the Adoption of Grid and Cloud Technology

Advances in grid technology in the past two decades have enabled some organizations to harness enormous computational power on demand. However, the prediction of widespread adoption of grid technology has not materialized, while cloud technology is increasingly gaining acceptance. Using the online survey engine-Survey Monkey, data were collected from individuals 242 respondents in schools, businesses and government in USA to determine the influential factors in the adoption process of grid and cloud technology. The multiple regression technique was used to determine the relationship between the intent to adopt grids and the behavioral factors: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude competition from alternative technology-clouds and trust security. The research established a valuable model to predict acceptance or rejection of grids or clouds. Implications for professionals in business, information technology, and computer science are discussed.
Spin-coated ZnO thin films using ZnO nano-colloid

Using ZnO nano-colloids, thin films of ZnO have been deposited and characterized. The nano-colloid has been synthesized using a top-down wet chemistry method starting from submicron ZnO particles. The steric stabilization technique is implemented using stearic acid as a capping agent to prevent agglomeration of the ZnO nanoparticles. A stable suspension is achieved, exhibiting strong optical absorbance and a band edge at 376 nm. The simple chemistry enables a uniform film on a variety of substrates using spin coating. Current-voltage (I–V) measurements of ZnO films deposited on quartz after annealing treatment show a resistivity of 1.89×105 Ω · cm.
Lymphoid malignancies: many tumor types, many altered genes, many therapeutic challenges

The lymphoid tissues, including both the B and T cell lineages, are characterized by a unique level of biological complexity due to the anatomical organization of functionally distinct cell subpopulations and complex processes of genetic alteration required to generate immune responses. Not surprisingly, this physiological diversity and complexity is mirrored by the broad spectrum of malignancies derived from lymphocytes. The articles in this Review Series highlight recent progress in selected common lymphoid malignancies, with a focus on the genetic alterations that drive malignant transformation, including those identified by genome-wide analyses. These genetic alterations represent the basis from which cellular pathways of therapeutic relevance can be identified, studied, and eventually targeted.
Septic system density and infectious diarrhea in a defined population of children.

One-quarter of U.S. households use a septic system for wastewater disposal. In this study we investigated whether septic system density was associated with endemic diarrheal illness in children. Cases--children 1 to < 19 years old seeking medical care for acute diarrhea--and controls resided in the Marshfield Epidemiologic Study Area, a population-based cohort in central Wisconsin. Enrollment was from February 1997 through September 1998. Study participants completed a structured interview, and septic system density was determined from county sanitary permits. Household wells were sampled for bacterial pathogens and indicators of water sanitary quality. Risk factors were assessed for cases grouped by diarrhea etiology. In multivariate analyses, viral diarrhea was associated with the number of holding tank septic systems in the 640-acre section surrounding the case residence [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 1.08; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02-1.15; p = 0.008], and bacterial diarrhea was associated with the number of holding tanks per 40-acre quarter-quarter section (AOR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.02-1.46; p = 0.026). Diarrhea of unknown etiology was independently associated with drinking from a household well contaminated with fecal enterococci (AOR, 6.18; 95% CI, 1.22-31.46; p = 0.028). Septic system densities were associated with endemic diarrheal illness in central Wisconsin. The association should be investigated in other regions, and standards for septic systems should be evaluated to ensure that the public health is protected.
Compositional and Biochemical Variations Within Broiler Breast Muscle Subjected to Different Processing Methods

Abstract Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the chemical and biochemical composition of broiler breast meat as a function of intramuscular locations and different processing treatments. Birds were obtained from a commercial processing plant and killed via cervical dislocation. The breast meat was 1) removed immediately post-mortem (hot-boned, HB), 2) immediately removed and chilled 24 h (hot-boned and aged, HB-A), or 3) conventionally processed (chilled 24 h prior to breast meat removal, CP). Meat samples were removed from the anterior, middle, and posterior areas of the pectoralis major, and from the anterior and posterior areas of the p. minor. In Experiment 1, samples were analyzed for percentage moisture, protein, lipid, and ash and residual glycogen content after storage. In Experiments 2 and 3, lactate and glycogen contents were determined immediately for the CP and HB treatments only. No significant differences in moisture, protein, lipid, ash, or residual glycogen were found by location within either of the breast muscles in Experiment 1. The HB and HB-A muscles had significantly higher moisture contents (73.0 and 73.5%) than CP muscle (72.1%), but no difference in protein, lipid, or ash was detected on a dry weight basis. In Experiments 2 and 3, glycogen content tended to be greater in the posterior location of the p. major only and lactate greater in the posterior location of the CP treatment of Experiment 3 only. No differences were noted for either glycogen or lactate by location within the p. minor.
EHMTI-0316. Exam findings predict outcome of C1 block for migraine treatment

Previous studies have shown the C1 spinal nerve has sensory neurons. Direct stimulation of the C1 spinal nerve provokes peri-orbital pain in migraine patients. No data exist which can predict a positive outcome for C1 nerve root block. Tenderness over the greater occipital nerve has been shown to predict outcome of GON block. We propose that tenderness over the GON with periorbital referral on exam predicts periorbital referral on direct C1 stimulation and predicts a positive outcome of block.
Distributed anonymous data collection and feedback

Diagnostic, usage, and statistical data collection occurs continuously in the background on our computers and smart devices. However, the privacy and anonymity of the process or of the resulting data set are seldom given much thought by device owners. We propose and are in the process of implementing and evaluating a framework for non-realtime anonymous data collection, aggregation for analysis, and feedback. Departing from the usual "trusted core" approach, we aim to maintain the reporter's anonymity, even if the core of the system is compromised. We design a peer-to-peer mix network tuned to carry data to a centralized repository while maintaining (i) source anonymity, (ii) privacy in transit, (iii) the ability to provide feedback from central server to source.
Self-efficacy Manipulation and State Anxiety Responses to Exercise in Low Active Women

The present study manipulated self-efficacy in an exercise context and examined its effect on the state anxiety of low active women. Participants ( N = 59) were randomly assigned to a low or high efficacy condition, and self-efficacy was manipulated by presentation of computer-generated false feedback after a graded exercise test. Participants returned for a second exercise bout several days later. Efficacy was successfully manipulated and participants in the high efficacy condition reported significantly less anxiety than those in the low efficacy condition both after the graded exercise test and before and after an acute bout of exercise. Results are discussed in terms of the effect of exercise intensity and manipulation condition on anxiety.
Ferret pyramidal cell dendritogenesis: Changes in morphology and ganglioside expression during cortical development

Pyramidal cell ontogenesis and basilar dendritic differentiation were evaluated concomitantly with ganglioside expression and distribution in ferret cerebral cortex. Layer V neurons began basilar dendritogenesis on postnatal day 1 (P1) with a peak in dendritic arborization occurring at P21. Layer II/III neurons, in contrast, were in early stages of basilar dendritic differentiation at P14, resulting in a complex dendritic arbor at P28. High performance thin-layer chromatography showed numerous changes in ganglioside expression during cortical development, including a decline of GM2 in the mature cortex. The temporal expression and cellular distribution of GM2, GD2, GM1, GD3, and GM3 gangliosides in developing cerebral cortex were determined by immunocytochemistry. GM2 immunoreactivity (IR) was most prominent in layer V neurons between P1 and P21 and in layer II/III neurons between P14 and P28 with staining diminishing to near absent levels in the adult. GM2-IR appeared as punctate structures within the somatodendritic domain and by electron microscopy was shown to be membrane-bound vesicles often in close proximity to the plasmalemma. Expression of GM2, but not of other gangliosides studied, followed two well-documented developmental neurogenic gradients: ventrolateral to dorsomedial and radial (inside-first outside-last). Onset of significant GD2 expression in layer II/III and V pyramidal cells was delayed until P14 and persisted in adult neocortex. GD3 was localized most prominently to glial-like cells, whereas GM1 was primarily localized to white matter. The close temporal and spatial concordance of GM2-IR in cortical pyramidal neurons undergoing dendritogenesis is consistent with its proposed role as a modulator of dendritic differentiation. J. Comp. Neurol. 413:429–448, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Space and Matter.

REFERRING to NATURE of June 14 and to the interesting resume on page 897 of Prof. Einstein's Nottingham lecture, I note that he virtually agrees with me in claiming matter as passive and space as active. Matter is that which is acted upon; space is that which acts. Matter is inert; space is energetic. Matter does nothing, though it serves to display the energy of which space is full: it merely sails placidly along the path of least resistance, like a straw in a stream or a leaf in the wind.
Adenosine attenuation of isoproterenol-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity is enhanced with aging in the adult heart

Abstract Interstitial levels and release of adenosine have been shown to be greater for aged adult hearts compared to young adult hearts. Furthermore, blockade of A 1 adenosine receptors in the aged adult heart prevents the reduced contractile and metabolic response to isoproterenol. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an enhanced antiadrenergic effect of adenosine in the aged adult heart. Ventricular membranes from young and aged adult hearts were incubated in the presence of isoproterenol (ISO) and phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA) either alone or in combination. Basal and ISO-enhanced adenylyl eyclase activity were significantly reduced in the membranes from aged rats. PIA alone, at 0.1 nM to 100 μM, had no direct effect on basal adenylyl cyclase activity in membranes from either group. In the presence of either 100 nM or 1 μM ISO, 100 μM PIA significantly attenuated ISO-enhanced adenylyl eyclase activity to a greater extent in the aged adult heart membranes (78 or 48% for the aged vs. 37 or 25% for the young). Moreover, in the presence of 100 nM ISO the IC 50 for the PIA concentration response curve was shifted to the left for the aged ventricular membranes as compared to the membranes from young adults (1.62 × 10 − 7 M vs 1.5 × 10 − 6 M, aged vs young, respectively). The enhanced inhibition of adenylyl eyclase is associated with an increase in adenosine a 1 receptor density ( 23.7 ± 3.5 vs 14.7 ± 1.7 fmol/mg , aged vs young) and K d (6.1 ± 1.7 vs 2.2 ± 0.5 nM , aged vs young) in the aged adult heart membranes as determined by [ 3 H]DPCPX binding. These results suggest that the reduced response to catecholamines in the aged adult heart may be due, at least in part, to an enhanced expression of the antiadrenergic effect of adenosine on β-adrenergic receptor mediated activation of adenylyl eyclase.
Effect of high ammonium levels on nitrification, soil acidification, and exchangeable cation dynamics

Abstract In almond orchards which are fertilized and irrigated with drip systems, fertilizers are applied to a relatively small soil volumes several times during the growing season. Where NH4‐based fertilizers are used, high NH4 levels are anticipated in soil solution and on exchange sites. The effects of high NH4 concentration on nitrification, soil acidification, and exchangeable cation dynamics were studied in an incubation experiment where 500 and 2000 mg N/kg soil were added as (NrL4)2SO4. After incubation for 25 days with added (NH4)2SO4, nitrifying bacteria were lower than the populations at the start of experiment. In the 2000 mg N/kg treatment, nitrification activity nearly ceased and soil acidification was reduced. Although nitrification activity was lower in the 500 mg N/kg treatment than in the control, after 10 days of incubation, nitrification activity lowered soil pH by 0.7 units. After the initial 10 days, soil pH was lowered to 4.8 and nitrification activity was depressed. Ammonium ions o...
Bayesian modeling of several covariance matrices and some results on propriety of the posterior for linear regression with correlated and/or heterogeneous errors

We explore simultaneous modeling of several covariance matrices across groups using the spectral (eigenvalue) decomposition and modified Cholesky decomposition. We introduce several models for covariance matrices under different assumptions about the mean structure. We consider 'dependence' matrices, which tend to have many parameters, as constant across groups and/or parsimoniously modeled via a regression formulation. For 'variances', we consider both unrestricted across groups and more parsimoniously modeled via log-linear models. In all these models, we explore the propriety of the posterior when improper priors are used on the mean and 'variance' parameters (and in some cases, on components of the 'dependence' matrices). The models examined include several common Bayesian regression models, whose propriety has not been previously explored, as special cases. We propose a simple approach to weaken the assumption of constant dependence matrices in an automated fashion and describe how to compute Bayes factors to test the hypothesis of constant 'dependence' across groups. The models are applied to data from two longitudinal clinical studies.
Quality assurance for polychromatic flow cytometry

This protocol outlines a three-part quality assurance program to optimize, calibrate and monitor flow cytometers used to measure cells labeled with five or more fluorochromes (a practice known as polychromatic flow cytometry). The initial steps of this program (system optimization) ensure that the instrument's lasers, mirrors and filters are optimally configured for the generation and transmission of multiple fluorescent signals. To determine the sensitivity and dynamic range of each fluorescence detector, the system is then calibrated by measuring fluorescence over a range of photomultiplier tube (PMT) voltages by determining the PMT voltage range and linearity (Steps 2-10) and validating the PMT voltage (Steps 11-17). Finally, to ensure consistent performance, we provide procedures to monitor the precision, accuracy and sensitivity of fluorescence measurements over time. All three aspects of this program should be performed upon installation, or whenever changes occur along the flow cytometer's optical path. However, only a few of these procedures need to be carried out on a routine basis.
Spatially encoded pseudopure states for NMR quantum-information processing

Quantum-information processing by liquid-state NMR spectroscopy uses pseudopure states to mimic the evolution and observations on true pure states. A new method of preparing pseudopure states is described, which involves the selection of spatially labeled states of an ancilla spin with which the spin system of interest is correlated. This permits a general procedure to be given for the preparation of pseudopure states on any number of spins, subject to the limitations imposed by the loss of signal from the selected subensemble. The preparation of a single pseudopure state is demonstrated by carbon and proton NMR of ${}^{13}\mathrm{C}$-labeled alanine. With a judicious choice of magnetic-field gradients, the method further allows encoding of up to ${2}^{N}$ pseudopure states in independent spatial modes in an $N+1$ spin system. Fast encoding and decoding schemes are demonstrated for the preparation of four such spatially labeled pseudopure states.
Host Distributions of Uncultivated Fecal Bacteroidales Bacteria Reveal Genetic Markers for Fecal Source Identification

The purpose of this study was to examine host distribution patterns among fecal bacteria in the order Bacteroidales, with the goal of using endemic sequences as markers for fecal source identification in aquatic environments. We analyzed Bacteroidales 16S rRNA gene sequences from the feces of eight hosts: human, bovine, pig, horse, dog, cat, gull, and elk. Recovered sequences did not match database sequences, indicating high levels of uncultivated diversity. The analysis revealed both endemic and cosmopolitan distributions among the eight hosts. Ruminant, pig, and horse sequences tended to form host- or host group-specific clusters in a phylogenetic tree, while human, dog, cat, and gull sequences clustered together almost exclusively. Many of the human, dog, cat, and gull sequences fell within a large branch containing cultivated species from the genus Bacteroides. Most of the cultivated Bacteroides species had very close matches with multiple hosts and thus may not be useful targets for fecal source identification. A large branch containing cultivated members of the genus Prevotella included cloned sequences that were not closely related to cultivated Prevotella species. Most ruminant sequences formed clusters separate from the branches containing Bacteroides and Prevotella species. Host-specific sequences were identified for pigs and horses and were used to design PCR primers to identify pig and horse sources of fecal pollution in water. The primers successfully amplified fecal DNAs from their target hosts and did not amplify fecal DNAs from other species. Fecal bacteria endemic to the host species may result from evolution in different types of digestive systems.
Motion Technologies CRADA CRD-03-130: Assessing the Potential of a Mechanical Continuously Variable Transmission

This report summarizes the results of a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Motion Technologies LLC. The purpose of the CRADA is to assess the usefulness of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for wind turbine applications. The CVT considered is capable of rapid ratio changes and may be directly applicable to variable speed wind turbine designs. This approach potentially offers a less expensive mechanical alternative to the use of power electronics (PE) currently used in large and small machines for variable speed operation. According to Motion Technologies, the CVT is the first continuously variable transmission that is scalable to the torque capacities required in large wind turbine applications. The CVT technology was examined for potential economic and performance benefits when integrated into conventional wind turbine designs. This report is the first step in assessing the practicality of using C VT technology in variable speed wind turbines.
Vehicle fleet as a distributed energy storage system for the power grid

Experts in the field have agreed that the addition of an energy storage unit to vehicles and renewable energy sources benefits their performance, efficiency, cost, and reliability. In this paper, the notion of integration of vehicular with renewable systems so that they can both share the onboard battery unit of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles is discussed.
Protonation of individual histidine residues is not required for the pH-dependent entry of West Nile virus: evaluation of the "histidine switch" hypothesis.

Histidine residues have been hypothesized to function as sensors of environmental pH that can trigger the activity of viral fusion proteins. We investigated a requirement for histidine residues in the envelope (E) protein of West Nile virus during pH-dependent entry into cells. Each histidine was individually replaced with a nonionizable amino acid and tested functionally. In each instance, mutants capable of orchestrating pH-dependent infection were identified. These results do not support a requirement for any single histidine as a pH-sensing “switch,” and they suggest that additional features of the E protein are involved in triggering pH-dependent steps in the flavivirus life cycle.
Branching near nonlinear plane waves in dispersive systems

A perturbation method for computing multiperiodic solutions to a class of nonlinear partial differential equations is described. These equations include the envelope equations of hydrodynamic stability as well as equations derived in other fluid dynamical contexts. The multiperiodic waves, which contain two frequencies, bifurcate from a class of exact periodic plane-wave solutions with frequency $\omega _1 $. The second frequency, $\nu( \varepsilon )$, is constructed via a perturbation expansion in a small parameter $\varepsilon $. It is shown that the bifurcation points $\nu( 0 )$ are the eigenvalues of the linearized operator determining the stability (linearized) of the nonlinear plane-wave solutions. The specific examples of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation (NLS) and the modified KdV equation (mKdV) are treated.
Comparison of the Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy with the sublabial transnasal and endonasal approaches to the sphenoid sinus and sella: a cadaveric study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the access afforded by the Le Fort I osteotomy with the more traditional sublabial and endonasal approaches to the pituitary fossa. Patients and Methods: Five fresh cadaveric heads were obtained for this study. Endonasal, sublabial, and Le Fort I osteotomy approaches to the pituitary fossa were performed on each specimen. Retractors were placed in the surgical field to simulate the intraoperative speculum position for each approach. Fluoroscopic images were obtained in 2 views. For each specimen, all images for a given approach were digitally superimposed to compare the magnitude of exposure obtained by each approach. Angular measurements were then compared among the 3 approaches. Results: In the axial plane the degree of lateral exposure with the Le Fort I approach ranged from 15° to 35°, with a mean of 22.6°. By comparison, minimal or no lateral movement of the speculum was possible with the sublabial and endonasal approaches. In the sagittal plane the degree of vertical exposure with the Le Fort I approach ranged from 13° to 22°, with a mean of 17°. The sublabial approach provided 6° to 17° of vertical exposure, with a mean of 11.4°. Minimal or no vertical movement of the speculum was possible with the endonasal approach. Conclusions: The Le Fort I osteotomy is a valuable midline approach for pituitary lesions that require broad exposure. Access in both the axial and sagittal planes is greater than with traditional trans-septal approaches.
Measuring Mamma's Milk: Fascism and the Medicalization of Maternity in Italy

Measuring Mamma's Milk: Fascism and the Medicalization of Maternity in Italy. Elizabeth Dixon Whitaker. Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press, 2000. vii. 358 pp., tables, figures, notes, glossary, references, index.
Reliable automatic plan selection for visual robotic positioning

Reliability analysis techniques developed for robotics are applied to a 6 d.o.f. visual positioning system. The task is to measure an object's pose and then grip the object reliably subject to time and accuracy constraints. Errors due to pixel truncation in the stadimetric vision system, forward kinematic and inverse kinematic uncertainties, and joint position and velocity noise are stochastically modeled. Simulation results for PUMA 500 kinematic and dynamic characteristics are presented. >
Pesticide metabolism and potential for metabolic interactions.

© 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 19:276–277, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20077
The Need for Review and Understanding of SELDI/MALDI Mass Spectroscopy Data Prior to Analysis

Multiple studies have reported that surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectroscopy (SELDI-TOF-MS) is useful in the early detection of disease based on the analysis of bodily fluids. Use of any multiplex mass spectroscopy based approach as in the analysis of bodily fluids to detect disease must be analyzed with great care due to the susceptibility of multiplex and mass spectroscopy methods to biases introduced via experimental design, patient samples, and/or methodology. Specific biases include those related to experimental design, patients, samples, protein chips, chip reader and spectral analysis. Contributions to biases based on patients include demographics (e.g., age, race, ethnicity, sex), homeostasis (e.g., fasting, medications, stress, time of sampling), and site of analysis (hospital, clinic, other). Biases in samples include conditions of sampling (type of sample container, time of processing, time to storage), conditions of storage, (time and temperature of storage), and prior sample manipulation (freeze thaw cycles). Also, there are many potential biases in methodology which can be avoided by careful experimental design including ensuring that cases and controls are analyzed randomly. All the above forms of biases affect any system based on analyzing multiple analytes and especially all mass spectroscopy based methods, not just SELDI-TOF-MS. Also, all current mass spectroscopy systems have relatively low sensitivity compared with immunoassays (e.g., ELISA). There are several problems which may be unique to the SELDI-TOF-MS system marketed by Ciphergen(®). Of these, the most important is a relatively low resolution (±0.2%) of the bundled mass spectrometer which may cause problems with analysis of data. Foremost, this low resolution results in difficulties in determining what constitutes a "peak" if a peak matching approach is used in analysis. Also, once peaks are selected, the peaks may represent multiple proteins. In addition, because peaks may vary slightly in location due to instrumental drift, long term identification of the same peaks may prove to be a challenge. Finally, the Ciphergen(®) system has some "noise" of the baseline which results from the accumulation of charge in the detector system. Thus, we must be very aware of the factors that may affect the use of proteomics in the early detection of disease, in determining aggressive subsets of cancers, in risk assessment and in monitoring the effectiveness of novel therapies.
Signal Timing Estimation Using Sample Intersection Travel Times

Signal timing information is important in signal operations and signal/arterial performance measurement. Such information, however, may not be available for wide areas. This imposes difficulty, particularly for real-time signal/arterial performance measurement and traffic information provisions that have received much attention recently. We study, in this paper, the possibility of using intersection travel times, i.e., those collected between upstream and downstream locations of an intersection, to estimate signal timing parameters. The method contains three steps: (1) cycle breaking that determines whether a new cycle starts; (2) exact cycle boundary detection that determines when exactly a cycle starts or ends; and (3) effective red (or green) time estimation that estimates the actual duration of the red (or green) time. The proposed method is a combination of traffic flow theory and learning/estimation algorithms and can be used to estimate the cycle-by-cycle signal timing parameters for a specific movement of a signal. The method is tested using data from microscopic simulation, field experiments, and next-generation simulation with promising results.
Duration of virus shedding after trivalent intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccination in adults.

Objective:To characterize the probability and duration of viral shedding among adults given trivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (LATV).Design:Prospective surveillance study.Methods:Nasal wash samples were collected from adult volunteers at baseline and on days 3, 7, and 10 and between days 17 and 21 following intranasal LAIV vaccination. The presence, titer, and identification of each specific strain of influenza virus shed were determined by standard methodology.Results:Twenty subjects received LATV. No samples were positive for influenza virus at baseline. After LAIV vaccination, influenza virus was recovered from 10 of 20 vaccinees on day 3, from 1 of 18 vaccinees on day 7, and from none of the samples on days 10 or 17 through 21. Vaccinees who shed vaccine virus were significantly younger than those who did not (mean age, 26.4 vs 38.6 years; P < .01). Although the presence of specific mucosal immunoglobulin A to influenza B was associated with significantly less shedding of influenza B after vaccination (P = .02), associations of shedding with other measures of immunity were not detected.Conclusion:The duration of shedding of vaccine virus after LAIV in adults is limited and may be associated with an individual's prior influenza vaccination history.
Replication degree customization for high availability

Object replication is a common approach to enhance the availability of distributed data-intensive services and storage systems. Many such systems are known to have highly skewed object request probability distributions. In this paper, we propose an object replication degree customization scheme that maximizes the expected service availability under given object request probabilities, object sizes, and space constraints (e.g., memory/storage capacities). In particular, we discover that the optimal replication degree of an object should be linear in the logarithm of its popularity-to-size ratio. We also study the feasibility and effectiveness of our proposed scheme using applications driven by real-life system object request traces and machine failure traces. When the data object popularity distribution is known a priori, our proposed customization can achieve 1.32-2.92 "nines" increase in system availability (or 21-74% space savings at the same availability level) compared to uniform replication. Results also suggest that our scheme requires a moderate amount of replica creation/removal overhead (weekly changes involve no more than 0.24% objects and no more than 0.11% of total data size) under realistic object request popularity changes.
The What If? Collaborative Planning Support System

In this paper I will describe What if?, a scenario-based, policy-oriented planning support system (PSS) that uses increasingly available GIS data to support community-based processes of collaborative planning and collective decisionmaking. It incorporates procedures for conducting land suitability analysis, projecting future land-use demands, and allocating the projected demands to the most suitable locations. The system allows users easily to create alternative development scenarios and determine the likely impacts of alternative public-policy choices on future land-use patterns and associated population and employment trends. It is easy to use, can be customized to the user's database and policy issues, and provides outputs in easy to understand maps and reports.
The Most Important Things Learned About Violence and Trauma in the Past 20 Years

In the past 2 decades, important insights have been gained regarding violence and trauma. Complications occur in how violence and trauma, their causes, and their effects on victims should be defined. Violence and abuse to women—physical, sexual, and emotional—are not rare events and are most often perpetrated by partners or acquaintances rather than strangers and occur in nonmarital as well as marital relationships, including same-sex relationships. A promising methodological innovation in the study of violence and trauma is the use of longitudinal designs. Innovations in treatments for victims such as evidence-based interventions have been slow to emerge; they include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and the Seeking Safety group intervention for drug-abusingwomen with traumahistories. Future research should address increased understanding of variation in individual responses to violence and trauma, matching of treatment to different types of male offenders, better understanding of how...