cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Data Acquisition in Social Internet of Things based on Contract Theory

Social Internet of Things (SIoT) studies the social and physical relationships among sensor nodes. In this paper, the data acquisition problem from the SIoT nodes is studied following a techno-economics-based approach via exploiting Contract Theory. The SIoT nodes’ social and physical characteristics are analyzed to define the SIoT nodes’ unique types, which are of continuous and dynamically changing nature. The crowdsourcing manager offers personalized rewards to the SIoT nodes in order to incentivize them to provide their collected data, while considering imperfect information of the SIoT nodes’ attributes. A contract-theoretic optimization problem is formulated and solved to determine the optimal contracts, i.e., crowdsourcing manager’s rewards and SIoT nodes’ performance, while jointly optimizing the benefits of all the involved entities. Simulation results show that the proposed framework improves the system’s social welfare by 11% compared to an SIoT nodes’ type agnostic approach.
Test-retest reproducibility of isokinetic lifting strength measurements

Objectives: To determine the intra-rater reproducibility of normalized lifting strength (NLS) measurements. Methods: 30 healthy male volunteers with a mean age of 28.16 ± 7.59 years participated in this study. Each subject was tested by the same physician twice in a week, with at least 48 hours between the test sessions. For the evaluation of intra-rater reproducibility, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), the standard error of measurement (SEM) and the smallest real difference (SRD) and Bland and Altman method were used. Results: Intra-rater ICCs of the NLS were 0.77 and 0.67 at 19.4 and 38.9 cm/s, respectively. The SEM% were 13.2% and 20.1% while the SRD% were 36.6% and 55.8% at these velocities, respectively. Conclusions: The reproducibility of NLS using the Biodex Lift Simulation Attachment was moderate in terms of the ICC and low in terms of the SRD. Thus the test, as described and applied is not sufficiently sensitive to detect clinically relevant changes.
Using OpenNotes in inpatient (hospital) settings: Connecting physician-patient communication with user-centered professional communication

This study shares findings of a pilot study involving interviews of patients and/or family members in six inpatient (hospital) services regarding the sharing of physicians' notes during patient hospital stays (the OpenNotes project). The study exemplifies the role of technical communication in hospital settings, specifically how physicians document technical expertise for a range of audiences and purposes through progress notes. In this study, the notes that were shared with patients were not written with patients in mind, and interviewers asked questions about patients' perspectives of themselves as the subject of the notes. Results from the interviews demonstrated that patients and/or family members discussed themes of document use (how they used the notes), readability issues (e.g., abbreviations), involvement (e.g., questions), and physician care (feelings about the care they received). These themes reinforced the idea that patients and family members saw themselves as a reading audience of the notes, even though the notes were not originally intended for them.
Information Architecture and Web-Based Instruction

This poster session presents the application of principles of information architecture to Web-based instruction. Information architecture is the structuring of data to meet the informational and management requirements of an organization or group of people. The discipline of information architecture is informed by principles of information theory and communication theory, information design, and the findings of cognitive psychologists on perception and learning. In this presentation, I examine relevant literature on information architecture and web site creation, consider the application of the principles of information architecture to Web-based instruction, and discuss ongoing research to evaluate the efficacy of such an application. The following topics are addressed:
Activity-Dependent Modification of Intrinsic Neuronal Properties

The processes that develop and maintain the intrinsic electrical properties of neurons are modeled by allowing the maximal strength of membrane conductances to be slowly varying functions of the intracellular calcium concentration. The resulting dynamic regulation of conductances allows model neurons to self-assemble their membrane currents and to react to and recover from external perturbations. This dramatically increases the stability of the model neuron and makes its intrinsic characteristics activity-dependent. For example, model neurons in a two-cell network spontaneously differentiate in response to each other’s activity. In a spatially extended model neuron, the dynamic regulatory mechanism causes a non-uniform distribution of currents to develop in response to both the morphology and the activity of the neuron.
Common Reasoning about Admissibility

We analyze common reasoning about admissibility in the strategic and extensive form of a game. We define a notion of sequential proper admissibility in the extensive form, and show that, in finite extensive games with perfect recall, the strategies that are consistent with common reasoning about sequential proper admissibility in the extensive form are exactly those that are consistent with common reasoning about admissibility in the strategic form representation of the game. Thus in such games the solution given by common reasoning about admissibility does not depend on how the strategic situation is represented. We further explore the links between iterated admissibility and backward and forward induction.
Extensional Flow of Dilute Polymer Solution

In the previous paper, the detailed experimental set-up and procedures were described for tubeless siphon or Fano flow, from which the tensile viscosity, ηT, is calculated. Here we investigate the simultaneous effects of temperature and concentration on tensile viscosity. A semi-empirical scaling law has now been established to relate the concentration, c, temperature, T, and deformation rate, e, by a reduced deformation rate variable to bring all ηT together. Furthermore, ηT has been compared with the steady and dynamic shear data. The onset of high ηT occurs in the vicinity of the onset of non-Newtonian viscosity observed in a simple shear flow experiment. Finally, the asymtotic solution of Hassager’s kinetic theory of a bead-rod model for macromolecular solutions2 has been compared with experimental data. It indicates that ηT depends strongly on the molecular weight, and the higher the molecular weight, the more sensitive the tensile viscosity in terms of e.
Is surfactant therapy beneficial in the treatment of the term newborn infant with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Objectives To determine the impact of surfactant replacement on survival, need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and chronic lung disease in term infants with prenatally diagnosed congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Study design Prenatally diagnosed infants born at ≥37 weeks' gestation with immediate distress at delivery and no other major congenital anomalies, who were enrolled in the CDH Registry, were analyzed. For univariate analysis, χ2 tests were used for categoric variables and unpaired t tests for nominal variables. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios. Results Eligible infants (n = 522) were identified. Demographic variables were similar between the surfactant-treated (n = 192) and nonsurfactant-treated (n = 330) groups, with the exception of race (white, 88.0% vs 71.2%; P = .0007). The use of ECMO and incidence of chronic lung disease were higher (59.8 vs 50.6, P = .04; 59.9 vs 47.6, P = .0066) and survival lower in the surfactant-treated cohort (57.3 vs 70.0, P = .0033). Adjusted logistic regression for use of ECMO, survival, and chronic lung disease resulted in odds ratios inconsistent with an improved outcome associated with surfactant use. Conclusions This analysis shows no benefit associated with surfactant therapy for term infants with a prenatal diagnosis of isolated CDH.
Synthesis of Dolichol in a Polyprenol Reductase Mutant Is Restored by Elevation ofcis-Prenyl Transferase Activity☆☆☆

Abstract CHB11-1-3 is a glycosylation mutant of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, isolated by screening mutagenized cells for those with decreased intracellular lysosomal enzyme activity [C. W. Hall et al. (1986) Mol. Cell. Biochem. 72, 35–45]. CHB11-1-3 synthesizes the lipid polyprenol, the metabolic precursor of dolichol, rather than dolichol, indicating a defect in polyprenol reductase. This defect was demonstrated previously in Lec9 CHO mutants, and cell fusion experiments confirmed that CHB11-1-3 is a member of this complementation group. A revertant of CHB11-1-3, CHBREV, isolated for its ability to grow at 39°C, synthesizes dolichol at near-normal levels. CHBREV is probably a second-site revertant, because it synthesizes three to four times as much polyprenol as CHB11-1-3 and exhibits a similar elevation in the specific activity of cis -prenyl transferase. This higher activity appears to reflect an increase in enzyme molecules rather than the presence of an activator or absence of an inhibitor. These results suggest that CHB11-1-3 is a “ K m ” mutant, because synthesis of higher amounts of the substrate of polyprenol reductase obviates the defect.
Some Spectra-Structure Correlations of Ketones in the 400–200 cm −1 Region

The far ir spectra of some aliphatic ketones were recorded and analyzed. It is possible to differentiate between isomers by means of their far ir spectra.
Decision analysis using spreadsheets

Abstract The goal of this paper is to show how a spreadsheet program can be used, in a surprisingly powerful way, to build, solve, and perform sensitivity analysis on a decision tree. The process is illustrated using a well-known problem taken from the literature.
Effect of variability in anatomical landmark location on knee kinematic description

Small variability associated with identifying and locating anatomical landmarks on thekneehasthepotentialtoaffectthejointcoordinatesystemsandreportedkinematicdescriptions. The objectives of this study were to develop an approach to quantify the effect of landmark location variabilityonbothtibiofemoralandpatellofemoralkinematicsandtoidentifythecriticallandmarks and associated degrees of freedom that most affected the kinematic measures. The commonly used three-cylindric open-chain kinematic description utilized measured rigid body kinematics from a cadaveric specimen during simulated gait. A probabilistic analysis was performed with 11 anatomicallandmarkstopredictthevariabilityineachkinematic.Themodelpredictedtheabsolute kinematic bounds and offset kinematic bounds, emphasizing profile shape, for each kinematic over thegaitcycle,aswellastherangeofmotion.Standarddeviationsofupto2mmwereassumedforthe anatomical landmark locations and resulted in significant variability in clinically relevant absolute kinematic parameters of up to 6.58 and 4.4 mm for tibiofemoral and 7.68 and 6.5 mm for patellofemoral kinematics. The location of the femoral epicondylar prominences had the greatest effect on both the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral kinematic descriptions. A quantitative understanding of the potential changes in kinematic description caused by anatomical landmark variability is important not only to the accuracy of kinematic gait studies and the evaluation of total knee arthroplasty implant performance, but also may impact component placement decision- making in computer-assisted surgery. 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:1221-1230, 2007
Predictors of Medical Skepticism and Psychological Distress Among Older Adult Cancer Survivors

Abstract The increased efficacy of cancer treatments has resulted in greater numbers of older adults who survive cancer. This study examined the psychological well-being of cancer survivors (with no evidence of disease) and their attitudes of medical skepticism toward physicians. The impact of recurrence, a family history of cancer, and physical functioning were examined. Higher levels of medical skepticism toward physicians were reported by survivors of recurrences and may reflect the intense experience of dealing with physicians over the course of two or more episodes of cancer. Because the research has implications concerning the relationship between cancer survivors and their physicians, physicians should consider the potential for medical skepticism and psychological distress among their patients who are cancer survivors.
Effects of acute agonist treatment on subcellular distribution of κ opioid receptor in rat spinal cord

We investigated whether acute treatment with agonists affected subcellular distribution of κ opioid receptor (KOPR) in the dorsal horn of the rat lumbar spinal cord by using immunoelectron microscopy. Rats were injected intrathecally (i.t.) with U50,488H (100 nmole), dynorphin A (1-17) (15 nmole) or vehicle. The doses chosen have been shown to induce antinociception. Rats were perfused transcardially 30 min later and lumbar spinal cords were removed and processed for electron microscopic analysis. KOPR was stained with KT-2, a specific polyclonal antibody against the rat/mouse KOPR(371-380) peptide, followed by gold-labeled secondary antibody and silver intensification. The silver grains were present in axons, terminals, dendrites and somata and the association with plasma membranes were quantified in dendrites as KOPR-IR was most frequently observed in these profiles. In vehicle-treated rats, ~27% of KOPR-immunoreactivity was associated with plasma membranes. U50,488H, i.t., did not cause a significant change in the % of KOPR present on plasma membranes, whereas dynorphin A, i.t., significantly decreased cell surface KOPR to ~19%. In summary, these data indicate that U50,488H and dynorphin A differentially regulate the subcellular distribution of endogenous KOPR.
Les troubles visuels transitoires : démarche diagnostique

Transient vision loss results from a variety of disorders including benign dry eye as well as vision- or life-threatening disorders such as giant cell arteritis. The goal of the initial evaluation is to determine the most likely mechanism based on the past medical history, characteristics of visual loss, and ophthalmologic and neurologic examinations. The ophthalmologist is often the first physician consulted and plays an essential role. Indeed, identification of the mechanism of transient visual loss allows the care-taker to properly decide on the work-up, its timing (emergency or otherwise), and subsequent treatment.
Monitoring SEU parameters at reduced bias (CMOS SRAM)

SEU (single event upset) sensitivity of a CMOS SRAM (static random-access memory) increases with decreasing bias in such a manner that the critical charge exhibits a linear dependence on bias. This should allow proton and neutron monitoring of SEU parameters even for radiation-hardened devices. The sensitivity of SEU rates to the thickness of the sensitive volume is demonstrated, and procedures for determining the SEU parameters using protons are outlined. A method for determining the thickness of the sensitive volume using SEU measurements at normal and grazing incidence has been developed. Values determined by this procedure agree with values obtained with large collection measurements, SEM measurements, and estimates from the thickness of the epi-layer. >
Activity-dependent slowing of conduction differentiates functional subtypes of C fibres innervating human skin.

1The effects of impulse activity on conduction in cutaneous C fibres have been examined in 46 microneurographic recordings from 11 normal subjects and 11 diabetic patients with normal nerve conduction. A tungsten microelectrode was inserted into a cutaneous nerve, usually the superficial peroneal close to the ankle, and intraneural microstimulation was used to identify an area of skin innervated. Three minute trains of 0.25 ms stimuli at 1, 2 and 4 Hz were then delivered to the surface of the skin, separated by intervals of 6 min with stimulation at 0.25 Hz. Slowing and block of conduction were measured from the nerve responses for up to seven C units per stimulation sequence. 2Three types of C unit were distinguished by their responses to repetitive stimulation: type 1 units slowed progressively during the 3 min trains; slowing of type 2 units reached a plateau within 1 min; while type 3 units hardly slowed at all. Data from normal and diabetic subjects did not differ and were pooled. After 3 min at 2 Hz, the percentage increases in latency were for type 1, 28.3 ± 9.7 (n= 63 units, mean ±s.d.); for type 2, 5.2 ± 1.6 (n= 14); and for type 3, 0.8 ± 0.5 (n= 5), with no overlap. After 3 min at 4 Hz, 58% of type 1 units (but no type 2 or 3 units) blocked intermittently. Recovery of latency after stimulation was faster for type 2 than for type 1 units, but conduction velocities of the three types were similar. 3Type 1 units were identified as nociceptors and 7 type 2 units were identified as ‘cold’ fibres, activated by non-noxious cold, with no overlap in modality. None of the units tested was activated by weak mechanical stimuli or reflex sympathetic activation. 4Spike waveforms were averaged for 18 type 1, 10 type 2 and 6 type 3 units. All units had predominantly triphasic action potentials with a major negative peak, but those of type 3 units were on average both smaller and briefer than those of type 1 and type 2 units. 5It is concluded that repetitive electrical stimulation reliably differentiates nociceptive from cold-specific C fibres innervating human hairy skin, as has previously been shown for the rat. Cold fibres can propagate impulses continuously at much higher rates than nociceptive fibres. The nature of the type 3 units is unclear.
Magnetic shift of the quadrupolar nucleus 63Cu in polycrystalline Cu2O

Magnetic shift components can be measured for spin 32 nuclei experiencing a strong symmetric nuclear electric quadrupole interaction by observation of the features of the NMR powder pattern in the quadrupole regime (νQ > ν0). The perpendicular shift component has been previously measured in several materials by detection of the singularity at the low field edge of the pattern. The first measurement of the parallel shift component, obtained by observation of the high field edge, is reported here. For 63Cu in Cu2O, σ| = 0.0021 ± 0.0002.
Preoperative status and risk of complications in patients with hip fracture.

BACKGROUND: Limited information is available on preoperative status and risks for complications for older patients having surgery for hip fracture. Our objective was to identify potentially modifiable clinical findings that should be considered in decisions about the timing of surgery.
Abstract 5463: ICG-001 induces cell cycle arrest to inhibitin vitroandin vivopancreatic cancer growth

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Wnt/β-catenin signaling is an important mediator of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) initiation and progression, warranting its exploration as a target of therapeutic intervention. Wnt modulators with acceptable in vivo bioavailability and efficacy as Wnt/β-catenin transcriptional inhibitors have only recently become available and include the small molecule compound ICG-001. Discovered in a library screen for inhibitors of Wnt/β-catenin reporter activity, ICG-001 interacts with cyclic AMP-response element-binding protein (CBP) to block its function as a co-transcriptional activator of β-catenin/TCF-mediated transcription. ICG-001 inhibits both in vitro and in vivo colon cancer growth and has demonstrated efficacy in a variety of other in vivo Wnt-driven disease models. Having recently shown subsets of PDAC tumors are dependent on increased levels of Wnt ligand-dependent autocrine signaling, we addressed the efficacy and function of ICG-001 on in vitro and in vivo PDAC growth. As a single agent, ICG-001 significantly inhibited anchorage-dependent and -independent growth of PDAC cell lines in vitro and increased survival in an orthotopic xenograft model of PDAC (HR=0.207, 95%CI: 0.079-0.543, P=0.001). ICG-001 also synergized with gemcitabine to inhibit anchorage-dependent growth in vitro and improve survival in the orthotopic xenograft model (HR= 0.074, 95%CI: 0.026, 0.212, P<0.001). Mechanistically, ICG-001 treatment did not significantly increase apoptosis in PDAC cell lines, but instead dramatically inhibited cell cycle progression via G1 arrest. Although ICG-001 inhibited β-catenin/TCF-mediated transcription as measured by luciferase-based reporter assays and endogenous target gene expression, these changes occurred at concentrations above those seen to induce G1 cell cycle arrest, suggesting ICG-001 growth inhibitory effects may be unrelated to its specific effects as a Wnt pathway inhibitor. Gene expression microarray analysis revealed ICG-001 treatment alters the expression of known Wnt target genes, as well as a much larger number of genes involved in DNA replication and cell cycle control. In conclusion, this study indicates ICG-001 is a promising small-molecule therapeutic for pancreatic adenocarcinoma and identifies numerous target genes whose altered expression provide insights into mechanism of action and candidate biomarkers for following therapeutic response. . Citation Format: Michael D. Arensman, Anna R. Lay, David W. Dawson. ICG-001 induces cell cycle arrest to inhibit in vitro and in vivo pancreatic cancer growth. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 5463. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5463
The Interior Northwest Landscape Analysis System: A step toward understanding integrated landscape analysis

Abstract The Interior Northwest Landscape Analysis System (INLAS) project demonstrated a method for assembling teams of scientists to conduct integrated landscape analyses at the mid- or subbasin scale in the interior Northwestern United States. A state and transition modeling system (STM) with transition probabilities calibrated by using a stand-level silvicultural model to estimate rates of vegetative change was used as a central vegetative “modeling engine.” It connected to a variety of resource-related models including: wildlife habitat quantity, insect activity, grazing by ungulates, timber management, and wood utilization potential. Where appropriate, the study team examined other vegetation modeling approaches including an optimization approach based on heuristic methods and modifications to an existing stand-level projection tool, which was integrated with existing fire and insect behavior models. The STM approach provided a relatively simple interface for most resource models. These were connected to examine the influence of vegetative succession, natural disturbances, and management over a 100–200-year horizon under three management scenarios: (1) background natural disturbance, (2) fire suppression only, and (3) active fuel management. Taken all together, the results suggest to us: (1) maintaining abundant large-tree multistoried structure in cool, moist forest conditions is likely to be difficult, (2) both active fuel treatment and passive management scenarios increased the proportion of large-tree single-story forests in dry forest conditions, and (3) fire suppression only was least effective in producing and maintaining these “legacy” structures in either dry or moist forest conditions.
Rapid Confirmation of Clostridium perfringens by Using Chromogenic and Fluorogenic Substrates

The use of 4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate (MUP) and ortho-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (ONPG) for the identification of Clostridium perfringens was investigated. A liquid assay containing both MUP and ONPG was a highly specific alternative method for C. perfringens confirmation, reducing incubation time from 48 to only 4 h. The assay solution is easy to prepare, does not require anaerobic conditions for use, and has an extended shelf life.
Synthesis and characterization of CdSe nanorods functionalized with regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene)

Nanorod−polymer composites consisting of intimately connected regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and CdSe nanorods hold promise for applications in photoactive devices. As phase separation typifies nanorod−polymer or nanoparticle−polymer composites, synthetic routes to chemically attach P3HT to CdSe nanorods are needed. In this study, arylbromide-functionalized CdSe nanorods were prepared by ligand exchange from conventional alkane-covered CdSe nanorods. Vinyl-terminated P3HT was then attached to the nanorod surface by Heck coupling with the arylbromide ligands. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the P3HT-functionalized CdSe nanorods showed excellent nanorod dispersion in the P3HT matrix, unlike that seen for alkane-covered nanorods in P3HT. Importantly, photoluminescence characterization performed on thin films of the P3HT-covered nanorods showed photoluminescence quenching of P3HT, making these hybrid materials good candidates for photovoltaic applications.
Doctoral Education and the Development of an Interdisciplinary Identity.

Higher education is challenged to produce innovative, collaborative and interdisciplinary knowledge in response to increasing social demands. Faculty are often ill-prepared to engage in such work, raising questions as to the balance between disciplinary identity and interdisciplinary engagement. This article examines the experiences of 40 students enrolled in an interdisciplinary PhD programme. How might scholars embarking on their academic career develop an interdisciplinary identity? The data suggest the importance of a strong disciplinary foundation, an understanding of the integrative process, the recognition of interdisciplinary outcomes and the ability to participate in collaborative research. The conclusions offer insight into how faculty and doctoral students might conceptualise interdisciplinary education.
Surface Bifurcation in Anisotropic Materials With Application to Aluminum Alloys

Surface bifurcation is an instability mechanism which appears in the form of surface waviness on traction-free surfaces in ductile solids subjected to large strains. In sheet metal forming, the practical interest in this phenomenon stems from the fact that it occurs past the onset of localization, i.e., the forming limit, but prior to the local fracture failure in a quasi-static, monotonic loading process. In this work, we apply the general theory for surface bifurcation in a homogeneously strained, anisotropic, rate-independent, elastoplastic half-space, to study the influence of material anisotropy on the onset of surface instabilities. In particular, we calculate the critical principal strains ∈ 1 c , ∈ 2 c and the corresponding eigenmode orientation angle Ω c when the principal strain axes are at a fixed angle a with respect to the rolling direction of the solid. The presented calculations are for a 2024-T3 aluminum alloy, whose constitutive properties have been determined experimentally. It is found that by varying the strain orientation angle α, the surface bifurcation strains can vary up to an order of 80 percent for in-plane principal strains of different sign, but only up to an order often percent for principal strains of the same sign. The eigenmode orientation angle Ω c is calculated for a particular strain orientation (α = π/6), for which case it is found that Ω c is close to the forming limit angle ψ c only for positive principal strains. The presentation is concluded by a discussion of the influence of the anisotropy and the yield surface parameters of the constitutive model on surface bifurcation.
Report of Committee on Methods and Operations, Eastern Section, Seismological Society of America, 1940

The Committee on Methods and Operations was first authorized and organized in 1938 (Cambridge-Weston meeting) to gather information on the actual operating practices at the eastern seismograph stations and to make available such informat1on to the members of the Society. The Committee was thus to serve in large part as a clearing-house for the exchange of ideas on operating methods, new devices and instruments. The Committee personnel for 1938–39 and 1939–411 consisted of E. L. Perry, chairman, E. A. Hodgson, M. K. Hubbert, J. B. Macelwane, S.J., and F. Neumann. No formal questionnaire was circulated but an outline of suggested topics was sent to eastern stations by the Chairman with a request for comment. Only a few stations were canvassed in 1938–39 but a considerable amount of material for a trial report was obtained, edited and issued in mimeographed form at the 1939 (New York) meeting. The present report far 1939–40 is based an the earlier report with additional material gained by canvassing all eastern stations and from discussions at the 1940 (Cincinnati) meeting. It has been found that there is some overlap with the work of the committees on Vault Construction and on Amateur Seismology although this has been avoided as far as possible.
A general inequality for conformally flat submanifolds and its applications

In several papers Antal Balog, Glyn Harman and the author studied the distribution of p l (mod 1), where l is a given real number lying in the interval (0,1) and p runs over the prime numbers. One of the main questions in these papers can be formulated in the following way: Let a real t be given. For what fixed positive real numbers t is it possible to prove an asymptotic estimate, as N→∞, for the number of primes p ≤; N satisfying { p l -t} -t ? In the present paper we deal with the weaker problem for what real numbers t > 0 an asymptotic estimate of this kind holds true for almost all t. When l < 1/2 we get a wider t-range for almost all t than it is hitherto possible to obtain for a single t.
A prospective study of agents associated with acute respiratory infection among young American Indian children.

Background Native American children have higher rates of morbidity associated with acute respiratory infection than children in the general United States population, yet detailed information is lacking regarding their principal clinical presentations and infectious etiologies.
Prerelease efficacy assessment, in quarantine, of a tephritid gall fly being considered as a biological control agent for Cape-ivy (Delairea odorata)

Due to the long-standing emphasis on only releasing host-specific agents, classical biological control of weeds has an enviable track record of few direct impacts to nontargets. However, even an agent whose host-range is restricted solely to the target weed can have indirect impacts. Such indirect impacts are most likely if, after release, the populations of the agent build up to high numbers without causing accompanying declines in the populations of the target weed. Therefore, it is advisable, prior to release, to demonstrate that the candidate agent is not only host-specific, but that it has clear potential to depress populations of the target weed. Prerelease efficacy assessments (PREA) of potential weed biocontrol agents are not yet common, and are most easily done in the region where both the target and the potential agent are native. We present an example of a PREA performed under strict containment conditions of an approved quarantine facility. A gall-forming fly, Parafreutreta regalis, from South Africa is being considered for release in California to control Cape-ivy, Delairea odorata. We conducted two trials exposing test Cape-ivy plants to two different densities of this fly, and, after approximately two months, comparing the growth of the galled vines to similar vines that had not been exposed to flies. Under both the high density (10 pairs of flies/plant) and low density (2 pairs/plant) treatments, the galled vines exhibited visible stunting, and the ungalled stems were longer, and had more nodes and larger leaves. These trials confirmed that relatively subtle, sublethal impacts on the target can be quantified, even under strict containment conditions, and this should encourage others to assess, prior to release, the potential impact of prospective agents on their proposed target.
Stochastic fitting of specular X-ray reflectivity data using StochFit

Specular X-ray reflectivity data provide detailed information on the electron density distribution at an interface. Typical modeling methods involve choosing a generic electron density distribution based on an initial speculation of the electron density profile from the physical parameters of the experimental system. This can lead to a biased set of solutions. StochFit provides stochastic model-independent and model-dependent methods for analyzing X-ray reflectivities of thin films at an interface. StochFit divides an electron density profile into many small boxes and stochastically varies the electron density of these boxes to locate the best fit to a measured reflectivity. Additionally, it provides the ability to perform model-dependent fitting with a stochastic search of the parameter space in order to locate the best possible fit. While model-independent profile search algorithms have been described previously, they are difficult to implement because of the heavy computational requirements, and there is a dearth of software available to the general scientific public utilizing these techniques. Several cases that illustrate the usefulness of these techniques are presented, with a demonstration of how they can be used in tandem.
The development and initial tests of an atmospheric model based on a vertical coordinate with a smooth transition from terrain following to isentropic coordinates

An atmospheric model (η model) is developed by modifying the UW θ —σ hybrid model. In the η model, the vertical coordinate transforms smoothly from terrain following to isentropic coordinates. The model is developed to capitalize on the inherent advantage of numerical modeling in isentropic coordinates and to eliminate the interface between the sigma planetary boundary layer and isentropic free atmosphere present in the UW θ-σ model. This formulation provides the potential for the data assimilation and the application of higher order schemes.
FOXO3a regulates oxygen-responsive expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells.

Microvascular endothelial cell (EC) expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) 2 is induced in situ by ischemia/reperfusion injury. To assess effects of molecular oxygen on TNFR2 expression, we subjected cultured human dermal microvascular ECs (HDMECs) to hypoxic conditions (1% O2) or to hypoxic conditions followed by return to normoxic conditions. TNFR2 mRNA and protein are expressed under normoxic conditions but are rapidly reduced by hypoxia; they fall even further upon reoxygenation but rebound by 6–9 h. TNFR1 expression is unaffected by hypoxia or reoxygenation in these same cells. We identified a potential FOXO3a binding site in the 5′ enhancer region of the TNFR2 gene. FOXO3a from normoxic but not hypoxic HDMECs binds an oligonucleotide sequence matching this site, and the endogenous enhancer binds FOXO3a at this site in HDMECs under normoxic but not hypoxic conditions. Unphosphorylated FOXO3a is present in the nucleus of HDMECs under normoxic conditions. Hypoxia leads to FOXO3a phosphorylation at an Akt/protein kinase B target site and subsequent nuclear export; these processes are reversed by reoxygenation and blocked by LY294002, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor that blocks Akt activation. LY294002 also prevents the hypoxia-mediated decrease in TNFR2 expression. Transiently transfected FOXO3a activates a TNFR2 promoter/reporter construct in HDMECs, whereas small interference RNA knockdown of FOXO3a reduces TNFR2 but not TNFR1 expression under normoxic conditions. Reduction in TNFR2 by small interference RNA sensitizes HDMECs to TNFR1-mediated apoptosis. We conclude that FOXO3a regulates oxygen-dependent changes in expression of TNFR2 in HDMECs, controlling sensitivity to TNF-mediated apoptosis.
Scaling up agent coordination strategies

Deploying intelligent agents to do peoples' bidding in environments ranging from Internet marketplaces to Mars has received much attention. Exactly what an agent is and in what sense a computational agent can behave intelligently remain the subject of considerable debate. However, most would agree that coordination, an agent's fundamental capability to decide on its own actions in the context of the activities of other agents around it, is a central concern of intelligent agency. The value of an intelligent agent coordination strategy lies in how well it scales along various dimensions of stress. Understanding the agent population, its task environment, and expectations about its collective behavior are central to mapping the space of potential approaches. The paper discusses agent coordination and dimensions of coordination stress.
Geologic mapping of tectonic planets

Geological analysis of planets typically begins with the construction of a geologic map of the planets’ surfaces using remote data sets. Geologic maps provide the basis for interpretations of geologic histories, which in turn provide critical relations for understanding the range of processes that contributed to the evolution. Because geologic mapping should ultimately lead to the discovery of the types of operative processes that have shaped a planet surface, geologic mapping must be undertaken in such a way as to allow such discovery. I argue for modifications in current planetary geologic mapping methodology that admit that tectonic processes may have contributed to the formation of a planet surface, and I emphasize a goal of constraining geologic history rather than determining global stratigraphy. To this end, it is imperative that secondary (tectonic) structures be clearly delineated from material units; each record different aspects of planet surface evolution. Neglecting such delineation can result in geologic maps and interpreted geohistories in which both the spatial limits and the relative ages of material units and suites of secondary structures are incorrect. Determination of absolute time is fundamentally difficult to constrain in planetary studies. In planetary geology the only means to estimate absolute age is the density of impact craters on a surface. Crater density surface ages are more akin to terrestrial ANd average mantle model ages, which reflect the average time at which all of a rock’s components were extracted from the Earth’s mantle. Rocks, or planetary surfaces, with very different geohistories could yield the same average model age. Dating tectonic events or determining rates of tectonic events is even more difficult. fl 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Avian Assemblages in Altered and Natural Grasslands in the Northern Campos of Uruguay

Abstract. Alteration of habitat has been highlighted as the most important factor causing declines in populations of grassland birds. In this study we characterized bird assemblages in cultivated and natural grasslands under four different agricultural schemes in Uruguay. We surveyed birds along transects to determine species richness, composition, and population density along this agricultural gradient. Although species richness was lower in the most natural grassland type (24 species), community composition and abundance patterns highlighted the importance of natural grasslands for the conservation of habitat specialists. An analysis of similarity showed that bird communities in the four grassland types were distinct (ANOSIM global R = 0.68). Several species using grassland facultatively were characteristic of cultivated habitats, whereas the opposite was true for grassland obligates and natural grasslands. An indicator-species analysis further supported the association of grassland-facultative and gras...
Expression and localization of CERKL in the mammalian retina, its response to light-stress, and relationship with NeuroD1 gene.

Mutations in the Ceramide kinase like (CERKL) gene are associated with retinitis pigmentosa (RP26) and cone-rod dystrophy. CERKL is homologous to Ceramide kinase (CERK), and its function is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to test the expression and distribution of this gene and its protein in rat and in mouse tissues, in light-stressed rat retinas and in the retinas of NeuroD1 knock-out mice to understand the role of CERKL in the retina. Expression of Cerkl and Cerk mRNA was determined by quantitative RT-PCR. Expression of the protein was determined by Western blotting with anti-CERKL antibody. Localization of the protein was determined by using immunofluorescence microscopy. With qRT-PCR, we revealed that the relative mRNA expression of Cerkl was the highest in the retina among all the rat tissue tested; it was >10-fold higher than in the brain. On the other hand, Cerk has ubiquitous expression and its relative abundance is >2 fold of Cerkl in the retina. Cerkl was expressed minimally in the developing mouse eyes and reached a peak at retinal maturity at 2 months. Western blots of retinal tissues revealed two major CERKL protein bands: 59 kDa (C1) and 37 kDa (C2). However, only C2 CERKL was found in the rat retinal rod outer segment (ROS) at level of that was not changed in light vs. dark adaptation. In the light-stressed retina, expression of Cerkl mRNA increased significantly, which was reflected in only on C2 CERKL protein. The CERKL protein localized prominently to the ganglion cells, inner nuclear layers (INL), retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, and photoreceptor inner segments in the retinal sections. Nuclear localization of CERKL was not affected in RPE, INL and the ganglion cell layers in the light-stressed retina; however, the perinuclear and outer segment locations appear to be altered. In the NeuroD1 knock-out mouse retina, the expression of Cerkl mRNA and protein decreased and that decrease also pertains to C2 CERKL. In conclusion, the retina had the highest level of Cerkl mRNA and protein expression, which reached its maximum in the adult retina; CERKL localized to ROS and RPE cells and the light-adaptation did not change the level of CERKL in ROS; light-stress induced Cerkl expression in the retina; and its expression decreased in NeuroD1 knock-out retina. Thus, CERKL may be important for the stress responses and protection of photoreceptor cells.
An efficient and accurate model of the coax cable feeding structure for FEM simulations

An efficient and accurate coax cable feed model is proposed for microstrip or cavity-backed patch antennas in the context of a hybrid finite element method (FEM). A TEM mode at the cavity-cable junction is assumed for the FEM truncation and system excitation. Of importance in this implementation is that the cavity unknowns are related to the model fields by enforcing an equipotential condition rather than field continuity. This scheme proved quite accurate and may be applied to other decomposed systems as a connectivity constraint, comparisons of our predictions with input impedance measurements are presented, and these demonstrate the substantially improved accuracy of the proposed model.
Thermodynamics of RNA internal loops with a guanosine-guanosine pair adjacent to another noncanonical pair.

Thermodynamic parameters measured by optical melting are reported for formation of RNA duplexes containing tandem noncanonical pairs with at least one guanosine-guanosine (GG) pair. For selected sequences, imino proton NMR provides evidence that the desired duplex forms and that the structure of a GG pair adjacent to a noncanonical pair depends on context. A GG pair next to a different noncanonical pair is more stable than expected from measurements of adjacent GG pairs. This is likely due to an unfavorable stacking interaction between adjacent GG pairs, where areas of high negative charge probably overlap. The results suggest a model where tandem noncanonical pairs closed by two GC pairs are assigned the following free energy increments at 37 °C: 0.8 kcal/mol for adjacent GG pairs, 1.0 kcal/mol for GG next to UU, and −0.3 kcal/mol for all others. These values are adjusted by 0.65 kcal/mol for each closing AU pair.
Utility of Repeated Praziquantel Dosing in the Treatment of Schistosomiasis in High-Risk Communities in Africa: A Systematic Review

Background Controversy persists about the optimal approach to drug-based control of schistosomiasis in high-risk communities. In a systematic review of published studies, we examined evidence for incremental benefits from repeated praziquantel dosing, given 2 to 8 weeks after an initial dose, in Schistosoma-endemic areas of Africa.
296 DIABETES MELLITUS (DM), HASHIMOTO'S THYROIDITIS (HT)AND JUVENILE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (JRA) IN A 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL

The association of DM,HT and JRA has not been previously recorded.The purpose of this communication is to report our preliminary findings in a 14 year old Haitian girl who developed insul in- dependent DM at age 6 yrs, goiter at 9 yrs, and polyarticular JRA at 12 yrs.No evidence of iridocyclitis was present.Following thyroid and gold therapy the goiter regressed and the arthritis improved.There was a family history of DM and goiter in the mother and of DM in maternal relatives.Investigations revealed normal T4;antimicrosomal thyroid antibodies (1:25,000 and 1:7,000);antinuclear antibodies (1:32,768 and 1:1,024);rheumatoid factor (1:320 and 1:640);high-normal C3 (240mg%) and elevated C4 (240mg%);normal IgA and IgM,elevated IgG;elevated gamma globulin; normal CBC peripheral smear and serum B12;normal adrenal response to ACTH stimulation;HL-A,A-28,A-9,B-27,B-7,CW-2;elevated ESR (33 and 26 mm/hr); and evidence of JRA on wrist x-ray.These findings are consistent with the presence of an autoimmune disorder. Furthermore,their association with DM in this patient lends support to the concept that DM may itself be a disease of autoimmune origin.We believe this to be the first report of the coexistence and concurrent expression of DM, HT and JRA in one individual.
Memory for literary metaphors

Three studies used a forced-choice recognition task to compare memory for metaphorical and nonmetaphorical sentences expressing the same idea. Materials were quotations from Shakespeare and adaptations thereof. Results, using both sentence lists and play synopses with quoted excerpts, found that metaphors were correctly recognized more frequently than nonmetaphors and that false alarms tended in a more, rather than less, metaphorical direction. This finding differed both from a naive theory, predicting metaphors to be more difficult, and from results of studies of nonliterary metaphors finding no metaphor-nonmetaphor differences.
Caval occlusion technique for hepatic venous sampling: A new approach to estimating splanchnic substrate balance in conscious dogs

We have proposed a new technique for sampling hepatic venous blood in conscious dogs. Sub-hepatic vena caval blood flow was temporarily occluded by a previously implanted inflatable snare so that all blood entering the inferior vena cava was hepatic venous effluent. Hepatic venous blood samples were collected from the inferior vena cava 8 seconds after beginning caval occlusion, with the total interval of flow occlusion lasting 12 to 15 seconds. No behavioral or metabolic alterations were observed when or metabolic alterations were observed when hepatic venous effluent was repetitively sampled using the caval occlusion technique. Net splanchnic glucose balance (NSGB) was measured in conscious dogs receiving saline, glucose or glucagon infusions. NSGB measurements made with the caval occlusion technique were in accord with previous results obtained via tracer methodology or arterio-venous difference techniques utilizing hepatic vein catheterization. The caval occlusion technique thus provides a method for collecting hepatic venous blood samples from conscious animals without the difficulties associated with hepatic vein catheterization.