cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fomenting Authoritarianism Through Rules About Rulemaking

In recent years, the President of the Unites States has assumed increasing power. Among other things, the President now makes decisions that federal administrative agencies previously would have made. This trend is not new, but it has reached a new height in the current administration. Some of the reasons for this development are obvious: the Congress’s lawmaking ability has atrophied, and technology and the media encourage the President to take credit for federal policy decisions. Just as Congress’s inaction contributes to this trend, so too does agency inaction. When agencies cannot make or change policy in a timely and efficient manner, the President is more inclined to do it himself. Agency rulemaking has become extremely resource-intensive making them increasingly unable to respond to changing circumstances in a timely fashion. That is due in part to requirements imposed by the Congress, the President, and the courts. Though well-intentioned, the judicial rules about rulemaking are particularly problematic. Many of those rules conflict with the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), the primary statute governing federal agency procedure and judicial review. That conflict is of great concern because the passage of the APA in 1946 marked a significant moment in deliberative democracy: after years of debate among the Congress, the Executive Branch, and the public, Congress passed the APA unanimously, and the President signed it into law. The APA balanced multiple values, concerns, and variables. When the courts to disturb that balance, they raise exceptional separation-of-powers and political-accountability concerns. The judicial rules governing agency rulemaking also are problematic because they have unanticipated consequences. Of the three branches of the U.S. government, the courts are the least capable of considering various positions and proposals and predicting which approach to administrative policymaking will be most effective. Thus, their rules seeking to enhance transparency, accountability, and public participation in administrative processes yield other results as well. Among other things, the courts’ rules about rulemaking have fomented the growth of authoritarianism by making agency rulemaking more difficult. Changing times require changing policy. Congress’s policymaking ability, however, is severely compromised, and federal agencies are overburdened by procedural requirements. Thus, the President has stepped into the policymaking breach. The courts should recognize their role in the changing power structure of the U.S. government and adhere to the careful balance achieved in the APA. They should require agencies to adhere to the APA’s requirements without overburdening them.
The MDS genomics-prognosis symbiosis

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal disorders characterized by the accumulation of complex genomic abnormalities that define disease phenotype, prognosis, and the risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia. The clinical manifestations and overall outcomes of MDS are very heterogeneous with an overall survival that can be measured in years for some patients to a few months for others. Prognostic scoring systems are important staging tools that aid physicians in their treatment recommendations and decision-making and can help patients understand their disease trajectory and expectations. Several scoring systems have been developed in MDS with the International Prognostic Scoring System and its revised version, the most widely used systems in clinical practice and trial eligibility. These models and others use mainly clinical variables that are obtained from bone marrow biopsy and peripheral blood measurements. Adding molecular data to current models may improve its predictive power but the ultimate method to incorporate this information remains a work in progress. Novel methods to develop a personalized prediction model that provides outcomes that are specific for a patient are currently under way and may change how we think about risk stratification in MDS patients in the future.
The Effects of Being Time Poor and Time Rich on Life Satisfaction

Many people living in modern society feel like they don’t have enough time and are constantly searching for more. But, is having limited discretionary time actually detrimental? And, can there be downsides of having too much free time? In two largescale datasets spanning 35,375 Americans, we test the relationship between the amount of discretionary time individuals have and their life satisfaction. We find and internally replicate a negative quadratic relationship between discretionary time and life satisfaction. These results show that while having too little time is indeed linked to lower levels of life satisfaction, having more time does not continually translate to greater life satisfaction, and can even reduce it.
Nonlinear transient properties of laser induced waveguides (Conference Presentation)

The challenge of guiding or deflecting a laser beam in a disturbed medium involves careful consideration of various nonlinear interactions of light with air and their transient response. A light filament provides a high intensity region in space that maintain its shape for propagation lengths longer than the Rayleigh range. The possibility to use this light channel for coupling optical, teraherz and radio frequency had been spurring researches in this field. We present the contribution of transient nonlinear response of the medium on light propagation. The nonlinear interaction of ultrashort pulses with air leaves a spatial distribution of ionized medium that evolves into an equilibrium plasma. The light pulse has left the medium it ionized before the plasma has reached equilibrium. Therefore, the reaction of the medium onto the filament involves a transient evolution of the ensemble of ions and electrons that follow deterministic trajectories under the influence of the light field. Other nonlinear interactions such as molecular alignment also have a time dependent response. The relative influence of the plasma and molecular motion is modified by focusing conditions. The standard focusing of light into air combines the nonlinear Kerr focusing with the desired linear focusing of the optics. A focusing through a sharp pressure gradient made by an aerodynamic window enhances the pointing stability of the laser beam. The effect of transient response of the medium driven by nonlinear interaction of ultrashort pulse on the guided beam will be discussed.
Shortage of Business Professors Threatens Quality Instruction.

(1984). Shortage of Business Professors Threatens Quality Instruction. The Journal of Business Education: Vol. 59, No. 5, pp. 193-197.
Abstract 181A: PIN1 and FOXP3 regulate SKP2 expression

S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2), a component of the E3 ubiquitin ligase SKP1-CUL1-Fbox complex, acts as an oncogene/oncoprotein as evidence suggests that overexpression of SKP2 results in cell cycle dysregulation and tumorigenesis as well as associates with poor prognosis in numerous cancers. The unique peptidyl-propyl isomerase PIN1, which isomerizes the cis-trans peptide bond between pSer/pThr and proline, regulates its target proteins’ cell localization, stability, and function. However, whether SKP2 is the target protein of PIN1 remains unknown. Herein, we demonstrate that SKP2 expression is regulated by PIN1 and FOXP3. First, we observed that knock-down PIN1 using siRNAs reduced SKP2 protein level in several cancer cell lines (MCF7, PC3, DU145, HepG2, and JEG3 cells). Secondly, we found that overexpression of PIN1 increased SKP2 protein level. Furthermore, PIN1 dose-dependently enhanced SKP2 promoter activity in gene reporter assay. Since FOXP3 is a known transcriptional repressor for the oncogene SKP2, we investigated whether PIN1 affects FOXP3-mediated SKP2 expression. Interestingly, we observed that PIN1 dose-dependently counteracted FOXP3-mediated SKP2 promoter activity. Finally, we demonstrated that mutations on PIN1 (W34A) and FOXP3 (Y342F) abolished PIN1-mediated and FOXP3-mediated SKP2 expression, respectively. Taken together, our results suggest that PIN1 functions as a novel regulator of SKP2 and with FOXP3 may be involved in tumor development and progression. Citation Format: Wei-Hsiung Yang, Chiung-Min Wang, William H. Yang. PIN1 and FOXP3 regulate SKP2 expression [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 181A.
Three-dimensional boundary fitted parabolic-equation model of underwater sound propagation.

A three-dimensional (3-D) parabolic-equation (PE) method utilizing a higher-order split-step Pade algorithm and a boundary fitted grid has been developed to accurately solve 3-D underwater sound propagation problems with non-planar or tilted boundaries. At each PE marching step, the split-step Pade algorithm enables the method of alternating directions to implement the square-root Helmholtz operator by carrying out its one-dimensional (1-D) derivative components alternately, and it also allows a straightforward application of the 1-D non-uniform Galerkin method to discretize the solution mesh. The advantage of the boundary fitted grid to improve PE solution accuracy is most profound in the case of fitting to a pressure release surface as its boundary condition is a scalar and has no direction. This method can also be applied to a sloping interface by rotating the grid to align with the interface. Numerical problems of semi-circular waveguide and tilted wedge were solved using this boundary fitted PE method, and benchmark reference solutions were used to examine and confirm the accuracy of the PE solutions. Future applications include modeling 3-D acoustic scattering from a rough sea surface and 3-D sound propagation in beach environments.
A Model for $R(t)$ Elements and $R(t)$ -Based Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity With Basic Circuit Examples

Spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) is a fundamental synaptic learning rule observed in biology that leads to numerous behavioral and cognitive outcomes. Emulating STDP in electronic spiking neural networks with high-density memristive synapses is, therefore, of significant interest. While one popular method involves pulse-shaping the spiking neuron output voltages, an alternative approach is outlined in this article. The proposed STDP implementation uses time-varying dynamic resistance [ ${R}$ ( ${t}$ )] elements to achieve local synaptic learning from spike-pair STDP, spike triplet STDP, and firing rates. The ${R}$ ( ${t}$ ) elements are connected to each neuron circuit, thereby maintaining synaptic density and leveraging voltage division as a means of altering synaptic weight (memristor voltage). Example ${R}$ ( ${t}$ ) elements with their corresponding behaviors are demonstrated through simulation. A three-input-two-output network using single-memristor synaptic connections and ${R}$ ( ${t}$ ) elements is also simulated. Network-level effects, such as nonspecific synaptic plasticity, are discussed. Finally, spatiotemporal pattern recognition (STPR) using ${R}$ ( ${t}$ ) elements is demonstrated in simulation.
The role of turbulent fluctuations in aerosol activation and cloud formation

Aerosol indirect effects are one of the leading contributors to cloud radiative properties relevant to climate. Aerosol particles become cloud droplets when the ambient relative humidity (saturation ratio) exceeds a critical value, which depends on the particle size and chemical composition. In the traditional formulation of this problem, only average, uniform saturation ratios are considered. Using experiments and theory, we examine the effects of fluctuations, produced by turbulence. Our measurements, from a multiphase, turbulent cloud chamber, show a clear transition from a regime in which the mean saturation ratio dominates to one in which the fluctuations determine cloud properties. The laboratory measurements demonstrate cloud formation in mean-subsaturated conditions (i.e., relative humidity
CEO Risk and Stakeholder Relations: The Moderating Role of Managerial Discretion

Using the managerial discretion literature, this paper examines a link between CEO risk and stakeholder relationship. We first propose the necessity of modifying the risk management approach to sta...
A Secure Control Learning Framework for Cyber-Physical Systems Under Sensor and Actuator Attacks

In this article, we develop a learning-based secure control framework for cyber-physical systems in the presence of sensor and actuator attacks. Specifically, we use a bank of observer-based estimators to detect the attacks while introducing a threat-detection level function. Under nominal conditions, the system operates with a nominal-feedback controller with the developed attack monitoring process checking the reliance of the measurements. If there exists an attacker injecting attack signals to a subset of the sensors and/or actuators, then the attack mitigation process is triggered and a two-player, zero-sum differential game is formulated with the defender being the minimizer and the attacker being the maximizer. Next, we solve the underlying joint state estimation and attack mitigation problem and learn the secure control policy using a reinforcement-learning-based algorithm. Finally, two illustrative numerical examples are provided to show the efficacy of the proposed framework.
Evaluation of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy as a Bridging Method.

Background With the implementation of the new heart allocation system, heart transplantation teams are prompted to reevaluate management of patients requiring mechanical circulatory support. The purpose of our study is to compare the outcomes of patients supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) before transplantation. Methods The United Network for Organ Sharing database was queried for all adult patients (aged 18 years or more) who required support with ECMO before heart transplantation from 2001 to 2018. Patients were stratified into patients who did not require ECMO before transplantation, who were weaned off ECMO before transplantation, who were bridged immediately to transplantation from ECMO, and who were bridged to a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) before transplantation. Demographics and outcomes including 1-year survival, postoperative stroke, postoperative renal failure requiring dialysis, episodes of rejection, and graft failure were compared. Results Overall, 29,370 patients did not require ECMO before transplantation, 101 patients were weaned off ECMO before transplantation, 118 were bridged from ECMO directly to transplantation, and 55 patients were successfully bridged from ECMO to LVAD before transplantation. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates found a statistically significant decrease in 1-year survival for patients who were bridged from ECMO to transplantation compared with patients who were bridged to LVAD before subsequent transplantation (P Conclusions Our study suggests bridging ECMO patients to an LVAD before transplantation will result in improved 1-year survival compared with patients bridged to immediate transplantation. With the new heart allocation system, continued evaluation of outcomes is required to inform management strategies.
Psychiatric Comorbidities in Pediatric Epilepsy

Psychiatric comorbidities are close to 5-times higher in children and youth with epilepsy (CYE) compared to general population. With epilepsy being one of the most common neurological disorders in children, we provide a timely review of psychiatric issues in CYE. A meta-analysis found a pooled prevalence of anxiety in 18.9% and depression in 13.5% of CYE. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is 2.5 to 5.5 times higher in CYE compared to healthy counterparts. Recent evidence highlights that behavioral adverse effects may lead to discontinuation of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) in more than 10% of CYE. Up to 70% CYE shows elevation in baseline psychological symptoms after AED initiation. Identifying psychiatric symptoms can be easily accomplished by the routine use of psychiatric screening instruments in CYE clinics, which is associated with improved health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Psychoeducation is a key component for any visit with CYE. There is some evidence of the effectiveness of behavioral psychological interventions for CYE. There are no therapeutic trials of psychotropics in CYE, but treatment recommendations based on the experience in adults with epilepsy and general population are applicable. Early diagnosis and management of psychiatric comorbidities leads to improvement in HRQOL of CYE. This requires routine screening and a multidisciplinary teamwork.
A novel hyperelastic model for biological tissues with planar distributed fibers and a second kind of Poisson effect

Abstract Constitutive models are of fundamental importance to many biomedical problems such as the rupture prediction of aortic aneurysms. Existing structure-based constitutive models such as the widely used Gasser–Ogden–Holzapfel (GOH) model usually need to specify the number of fiber family which may be difficult to identify for many kinds of tissues. In this study, we developed a novel hyperelastic model for biological tissues which does not need the information of the number of fiber family. We illustrated that a single generalized structure tensor (GST) with one parameter can characterize the structure of arbitrary planar fiber distribution as long as an in-plane symmetric axis exists. Based on the GST, we developed three novel fiber strain energy functions. Moreover, we proposed a novel second kind of Poisson effect which can capture deformation coupling properties of bio-tissues that the traditional well-known Poisson effect can hardly capture. According to the second kind of Poisson effect, the models constructed from the three novel strain energy functions exhibit different deformation couplings, referred to as strong, medium and weak coupling. The model of medium coupling has the best fitting for experimental data of porcine aortic tissues, and the model of weak coupling has the worst fitting. The newly proposed second kind of Poisson effect is a useful and essential supplement to the traditional Poisson effect and can be applied to investigate the accuracy of nonlinear constitutive models.
A hybrid model-based and learning-based approach for classification using limited number of training samples.

The fundamental task of classification given a limited number of training data samples is considered for physical systems with known parametric statistical models. The standalone learning-based and statistical model-based classifiers face major challenges towards the fulfillment of the classification task using a small training set. Specifically, classifiers that solely rely on the physics-based statistical models usually suffer from their inability to properly tune the underlying unobservable parameters, which leads to a mismatched representation of the system's behaviors. Learning-based classifiers, on the other hand, typically rely on a large number of training data from the underlying physical process, which might not be feasible in most practical scenarios. In this paper, a hybrid classification method -- termed HyPhyLearn -- is proposed that exploits both the physics-based statistical models and the learning-based classifiers. The proposed solution is based on the conjecture that HyPhyLearn would alleviate the challenges associated with the individual approaches of learning-based and statistical model-based classifiers by fusing their respective strengths. The proposed hybrid approach first estimates the unobservable model parameters using the available (suboptimal) statistical estimation procedures, and subsequently use the physics-based statistical models to generate synthetic data. Then, the training data samples are incorporated with the synthetic data in a learning-based classifier that is based on domain-adversarial training of neural networks. Specifically, in order to address the mismatch problem, the classifier learns a mapping from the training data and the synthetic data to a common feature space. Simultaneously, the classifier is trained to find discriminative features within this space in order to fulfill the classification task.
Maternal high-fat diet during pregnancy with concurrent phthalate exposure leads to abnormal placentation.

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a synthetic chemical commonly used for its plasticizing capabilities. Because of the extensive production and use of DEHP, humans are exposed to this chemical daily. Diet is a significant exposure pathway and fatty food contain the highest level of phthalates. The impact on pregnancy following DEHP exposure and the associated interaction of high fat (HF) diet remains unknown. Here we report that exposure of pregnant mice to an environmentally relevant level of DEHP did not affect pregnancy. In contrast, mice fed a HF diet during gestation and exposed to the same level of DEHP display marked impairment in placental development, resulting in poor pregnancy outcomes. Our study further reveals that DEHP exposure combined with a HF diet interfere with the signaling pathway controlled by nuclear receptor PPARγ to adversely affect differentiation of trophoblast cells, leading to compromised vascularization and glucose transport in the placenta. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that maternal diet during pregnancy is a critical factor that determines whether exposure to an environmental toxicant results in impaired placental and fetal development, causing intrauterine growth restriction, fetal morbidity, and mortality.
A Most Useful Ball of Thread

This book review of Navigating HUD Programs: A Practitioner’s Guide to the Labyrinth (George Weidenfeller & Julie McGovern eds., 2012) discusses the approach the book takes to a range of HUD programs, discusses some intimations of reform efforts suggested by the authors, and explores ways in which the book’s guidance reflects potential benefits in nascent HUD efforts at programmatic consolidation and modernization.
The Future of Trauma Practice: Visions and Aspirations

Abstract In the new and evolving field of traumatology, the need to keep practitioners apprised of emerging developments is acute. While many journals about trauma exist, most of them focus primarily on publication of empirical research studies. Applied professionals rarely read these journals because they see empirical investigations as having very little relevance to their daily practice. Regrettably, these circumstances foster divisiveness between traumatologists who identify themselves mainly as researchers and those who consider themselves chiefly practitioners. Providing an avenue for bridging and integrating the sub-cultures of trauma research and practice is one of the primary aims of the Journal of Trauma Practice (JTP). JTP also seeks to unite the diverse professions that routinely work with traumatized populations, such as emergency room personnel and other medical practitioners, attorneys and forensic specialists, law enforcement personnel, and emergency service workers. Accomplishing these ob...
Property, Contract, and Verifiability: Understanding the Law's Restrictions on Divided Rights

PROPERTY, CONTRACT, AND VERIFIABILITY: UNDERSTANDING THE LAW’S RESTRICTIONS ON DIVIDED RIGHTS Henry Hansmann Yale Law School Reinier Kraakman Harvard Law School July 2001 Send correspondence to: Henry Hansmann Yale Law School P.O. Box 208215 New Haven, CT 06520-8215 203-432-1040 fax henry.hansmann@yale.edu Reinier Kraakman Harvard Law School Cambridge, MA 02138 617-495-1110 fax kraakman@law.harvard.edu We have benefited from comments received during presentations at ALEA, Boston University, Harvard, Northwestern, Stanford, Vanderbilt, and Yale, and from conversations with a number of colleagues.
Thrombocytosis associated with acute osteomyelitis

Thrombocytosis is rarely observed during infection. We are describing a patient with acute osteomyelitis and bacteremia who developed thrombocytosis. In the patient described the platelet count paralleled the activity of the infection and the response to therapy. The causes of thrombocytosis and its implications are briefly reviewed.
National Surveys on Energy and Environment: Public Opinion on Climate Policy Options

This report responds to the evolving American debate over alternative roles that federal and state governments might play in attempting to address the issue of climate change, including specific policies that have either been enacted or remain under serious consideration in Washington, D.C. or in state capitals. The findings are drawn from a Fall 2012 telephone survey conducted under the auspices of the National Surveys on Energy and Environment (NSEE), which reflect a formal partnership between the Muhlenberg Institute of Public Opinion at Muhlenberg College and the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. This survey secured responses from 917 American citizens, drawn from all regions of the nation and comprising a statistically representative profile of the citizenry.
The Effect of Contract Regulation: The Case of Franchising

States and the federal government have enacted laws intended to police franchisors' use of termination provisions in franchise contracts to opportunistically take over profitable establishments. This regulation may, however, reduce the total number of chain outlets because franchising is a valuable form of contracting and termination rights allow franchisors to police franchisee free-riding on the franchised trademark. On the other hand, no such effect is implied if the regulation reduces franchisors' extra gains from skimming profitable franchises. We exploit two new sources of data to provide new empirical evidence on the effects of franchise regulation. Panel data on fast food establishments extracted from uniform franchise offering circulars show that laws restricting franchisor termination rights lead to a reduction in franchising, and this reduction is not offset by the concomitant increase in franchisor-operated establishments. This article also examines how Coasian bargaining between the franchisor and franchisee can mitigate the effect of regulation. In particular, regulation may be apparently important but actually inconsequential because affected parties can easily waive the regulation or avoid it through contractual choice-of-law and choice-of-forum clauses. To examine this, we use state employment data to more broadly examine the effects of franchise regulation. We find that employment in franchise industries is significantly reduced when states enact restrictions on franchisor termination rights and the effect is larger when states limit the ability to contract around these restrictions.
Classification and description of alluvial plant communities of the Piedmont region, North Carolina, USA

Questions: What are the alluvial vegetation types of the North Carolina Piedmont? How is species composition related to site conditions? Location: Catawba, Yadkin-PeeDee, Cape Fear, Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River Basins, North Carolina Piedmont region, southeast USA. Methods: We recorded 194 alluvial vegetation plots. Vegetation types were derived using flexible β-hierarchical cluster analysis and random forests classifiers to reassign misclassified plots. We used canonical correspondence analysis to show the relationship between species composition and key environmental variables. Results: Twelve forested vegetation types and two herbaceous types were distinguished, nested within a hierarchical classification structure ive higher-level groups. The five mega groups describe broad geomorphic–floristic conditions, whereas the narrower vegetation types characterize finer-scale floristic variation. Floristic variation is related to stream order and soil chemistry (pH and Ca:Mg ratio), as well as soil texture variables (percentage sand and percentage clay). We present a summary of floristic composition and structure, environmental setting and geographic distribution for each of the 14 vegetation types. Conclusions: We suggest recognition of 14 alluvial vegetation types in the North Carolina Piedmont. In comparing our vegetation types with the community concepts currently recognized in the US National Vegetation Classification, some of our types fit well within recognized NVC associations, whereas others deviate sharply from established types, suggesting the need for reworking the currently recognized NVC alluvial type concepts.
The Evolution of Adolescence and the Adolescence of Evolution: The Coming of Age of Humans and the Theory about the Forces that Made Them.

Adolescence is a period characterized by well-documented growth and change, including reproductive, social, and cognitive development. Though not unheard of, modern evolutionary approaches to adolescence are still relatively uncommon. Recent treatises in developmental biology, however, have yielded new tools through which to explore human physiological and behavioral growth, highlighted the role of the environment, and provided new avenues of thought for amelioration. Life history, the integration of form with function, and the concept of evolutionary mismatch are discussed.
Genetic linkage maps of Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus urophylla using a pseudo-testcross: mapping strategy and RAPD markers

We have used a "two-way pseudo-testcross" mapping strategy in combination with the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay to construct two moderate density genetic linkage maps for species of Eucalyptus. In the cross between two heterozygous individuals many single-dose RAPD markers will be heterozygous in one parent, null in the other and therefore segregate 1:1 in their F1 progeny following a testcross configuration. Meiosis and gametic segregation in each individual can be directly and efficiently analyzed using RAPD markers. We screened 305 primers of arbitrary sequence, and selected 151 to amplify a total of 558 markers. These markers were grouped at LOD 5.0, theta = 0.25, resulting in the maternal Eucalyptus grandis map having a total of 240 markers into 14 linkage groups (1552 cM) and the paternal Eucalyptus urophylla map with 251 markers in 11 linkage groups (1101 cM) (n = 11 in Eucalyptus). Framework maps ordered with a likelihood support > or = 1000:1 were assembled covering 95% of the estimated genome size in both individuals. Characterization of genome complexity of a sample of 48 mapped random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers indicate that 53% amplify from low copy regions. These are the first reported high coverage linkage maps for any species of Eucalyptus and among the first for any hardwood tree species. We propose the combined use of RAPD markers and the pseudo-testcross configuration as a general strategy for the construction of single individual genetic linkage maps in outbred forest trees as well as in any highly heterozygous sexually reproducing living organisms. A survey of the occurrence of RAPD markers in different individuals suggests that the pseudo-testcross/RAPD mapping strategy should also be efficient at the intraspecific level and increasingly so with crosses of genetically divergent individuals. The ability to quickly construct single-tree genetic linkage maps in any forest species opens the way for a shift from the paradigm of a species index map to the heterodox proposal of constructing several maps for individual trees of a population, therefore mitigating the problem of linkage equilibrium between marker and trait loci for the application of marker assisted strategies in tree breeding.
Toll-Like Receptor 4 Is Required for Optimal Development of Th2 Immune Responses: Role of Dendritic Cells

LPS potently induces dendritic cell maturation and the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-12, by activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Since IL-12 is important for the generation and maintenance of Th1 responses and may also inhibit Th2 cell generation from naive CD4 T cell precursors, it has been inferred that TLR4 signaling would have similar effects via the induction of IL-12 secretion. Surprisingly, we found that TLR4-defective mice subjected to sensitization and pulmonary challenge with a protein allergen had reductions in airway inflammation with eosinophils, allergen-specific IgE levels, and Th2 cytokine production, compared with wild-type mice. These reduced responses were attributable, at least in part, to decreased dendritic cell function: Dendritic cells from TLR4-defective mice expressed lower levels of CD86, a costimulatory molecule important for Th2 responses. They also induced less Th2 cytokine production by antigenically naive CD4 T cells in vitro and mediated diminished CD4 T cell Ag-specific pulmonary inflammation in vivo. These results indicate that TLR4 is required for optimal Th2 responses to Ags from nonpathogenic sources and suggest a role for TLR4 ligands, such as LPS derived from commensal bacteria or endogenously derived ligands, in maturation of the innate immune system before pathogen exposure.
Evidence for two anomalous I blood group determinants.

One normal donor has been found whose red blood cells type as I positive with all anti-I sera except those obtained from patients with chronic cold hemagglutinin disease (CCHD). In addition, these cells had more H than other random O cells and may be devoid of i antigen. Complete absorption of non-CCHD anti-I with the unusual cells left an anti-I reactive with other I positive cells. These unique cells have allowed definition of at least two separate I determinants present on adult cells.
The Ubiquitous Nature of Epistasis in Determining Susceptibility to Common Human Diseases

There is increasing awareness that epistasis or gene-gene interaction plays a role in susceptibility to common human diseases. In this paper, we formulate a working hypothesis that epistasis is a ubiquitous component of the genetic architecture of common human diseases and that complex interactions are more important than the independent main effects of any one susceptibility gene. This working hypothesis is based on several bodies of evidence. First, the idea that epistasis is important is not new. In fact, the recognition that deviations from Mendelian ratios are due to interactions between genes has been around for nearly 100 years. Second, the ubiquity of biomolecular interactions in gene regulation and biochemical and metabolic systems suggest that relationship between DNA sequence variations and clinical endpoints is likely to involve gene-gene interactions. Third, positive results from studies of single polymorphisms typically do not replicate across independent samples. This is true for both linkage and association studies. Fourth, gene-gene interactions are commonly found when properly investigated. We review each of these points and then review an analytical strategy called multifactor dimensionality reduction for detecting epistasis. We end with ideas of how hypotheses about biological epistasis can be generated from statistical evidence using biochemical systems models. If this working hypothesis is true, it suggests that we need a research strategy for identifying common disease susceptibility genes that embraces, rather than ignores, the complexity of the genotype to phenotype relationship.
Sallplane Flights through Funnel Clouds

This paper reports on three intentional flights through small south Florida funnel clouds in a sailplane. Two of the penetrations were through vertical funnels, and one was through a sloping funnel cloud. The latter allowed a more significant immersion time interval within the vortex, and this resulted in much greater effects on the aircraft. With use of the induced variations from normal flight, the instrumentation carried, the physiological observations of the pilot, and the meteorological sounding data, it is possible to deduce some of the characteristics of these funnels.
Relation of Density to Brown Trout Movement in a Michigan Stream

Abstract Summer mark and recapture experiments were performed on the brown trout (Salmo trutta), population of the Pine River, Michigan. Three 427-m sections were divided into seven 61-m stations, and trout over 15 cm in total length from each station were marked distinctively. Even though the population density of brown trout over 15 cm in total length decreased approximately 50% from 1968 to 1969, trout movement patterns did not change. Brown trout oriented their movements around the station of original capture in both years. If a positive relationship between movement and population density exists, it exists at densities exceeding 209 trout per hectare.
Imaging spectrometer for high resolution measurements of stratospheric trace constituents in the ultraviolet.

A high-resolution spectrometer has been developed for studies of minor constituents in the middle atmosphere at ultraviolet wavelengths. In particular, the instrument is intended for observations of upper stratospheric UV bands. The spectrometer has a slit width of 0.08 A obtained by means of an echelle grating and a cross-disperser grating. The image plane detector is an intensified CCD consisting of a high gain proximity focused image intensifier that is fiber optically coupled to a two-dimensional CCD array. An instantaneous bandwidth of 9.2 A is resolved across 488 pixels at 0.018 A/pixel, permitting simultaneous acquisition of multiple lines of selected OH bands and the neighboring background. The spectrometer and the approach have been successfully demonstrated as a technique for measuring the concentration of OH on two high-altitude balloon flights. This paper reports the instrument design and its achieved performance.
Tonsilar NK Cells Restrict B Cell Transformation by the Epstein-Barr Virus via IFN-γ

Cells of the innate immune system act in synergy to provide a first line of defense against pathogens. Here we describe that dendritic cells (DCs), matured with viral products or mimics thereof, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), activated natural killer (NK) cells more efficiently than other mature DC preparations. CD56brightCD16− NK cells, which are enriched in human secondary lymphoid tissues, responded primarily to this DC activation. DCs elicited 50-fold stronger interferon-γ (IFN-γ) secretion from tonsilar NK cells than from peripheral blood NK cells, reaching levels that inhibited B cell transformation by EBV. In fact, 100- to 1,000-fold less tonsilar than peripheral blood NK cells were required to achieve the same protection in vitro, indicating that innate immune control of EBV by NK cells is most efficient at this primary site of EBV infection. The high IFN-γ concentrations, produced by tonsilar NK cells, delayed latent EBV antigen expression, resulting in decreased B cell proliferation during the first week after EBV infection in vitro. These results suggest that NK cell activation by DCs can limit primary EBV infection in tonsils until adaptive immunity establishes immune control of this persistent and oncogenic human pathogen.
Couple Therapy and Addictions

Abstract Therapies for alcoholism, substance abuse, and other addictions traditionally focus on characteristics of individuals such as behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. These kinds of programs tend to target problems inside the abusing person rather than a relational system. Treatments that are more recent locate the problems within systems of people. Regardless of the locus or cause of the abuse or addiction, seen as arising from disease processes, systemic dynamics, or other mechanisms that lead to unfortunate habits and behaviors, utilizing the individual's partner or family in therapy has become an important part of successful treatment. This article reviews models of couple treatment for alcoholics and substance abusers in terms of initiation into treatment, primary treatment, and relapse prevention.
Rapid and specific detection of bacteria using bioluminescence

Abstract This paper describes rapid methods for the detection of very low numbers of bacteria. Specificity was obtained by the use of antibodies in immunomagnetic separation, a bacteriophage to allow targeted cell lysis, or a combination of both. The amplified endpoint assay used cell-derived adenylate kinase to convert added adenosine diphosphate (ADP) to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which could then act as a substrate for the firefly bioluminescence reaction. Specific and non-specific assays were evaluated using Escherichia coli O157 as the test organism. Limits of detection of around 102 cells ml−1 could be obtained with an upper end cut-off of around 107 cells ml−1. Depending on the level of specificity offered, the assays took from 5 min to just under 1 h.
Modeling Smart Grid adoption via a social network model

Smart Grid Technologies are poised to radically transform the way energy is used. Analyses of the workings of smart grid and its effects have been investigated in numerous existing works. Adoption of smart grid, however, has not been. Modeling this adoption poses problems not found in other work on technology adoption, since the behaviors of individual users can affect other users in complex ways. This contrasts with earlier work, where effects between users tend to be strictly positive or strictly negative. In this paper, we introduce a model of smart grid adoption based on social networks. Our model is highly modular and therefore is well-suited to study the effects of each component. We find that for widespread adoption of smart grid demand response technology, utility companies should educate the populace about smart grid, make sure they are releasing it into connected communities, and should not sell non-smart-grid electricity too cheaply.
A neural computational aid to the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract Study Objective: Accurate identification of the presence of acute myocardial infarction in adult patients who present to the emergency department with anterior chest pain remains elusive. The artificial neural network is a powerful nonlinear statistical paradigm for the recognition of complex patterns, with the ability to maintain accuracy when some data required for network function are missing. Earlier studies revealed that the artificial neural network is able to accurately identify acute myocardial infarction in patients experiencing chest pain. However, these studies did not measure network performance in real time, when a significant amount of data required for network function may not be available. They also did not use chemical cardiac marker data. Methods: Two thousand two hundred four adult patients presenting to the ED with anterior chest pain were used to train an artificial neural network to recognize the presence of acute myocardial infarction. Only data available at the time of initial patient evaluation were used to replicate the conditions of real-time patient evaluation. Forty variables from patient histories, physical examinations, ECG results, and chemical cardiac marker determinations were used to train and then test the network. Results: The network correctly identified 121 of the 128 patients (sensitivity 94.5%; 95% confidence interval 90.6% to 97.9%) with myocardial infarction at a specificity of 95.9% (95% confidence interval 93.0% to 98.5%), despite the fact that an average of 5% (individual range 0% to 35%) of the input data required by the network were missing on all patients. Conclusion: Network accuracy and the maintenance of that accuracy when some data required for function are unavailable suggest that the artificial neural network may be a potential real time aid to the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction during initial patient evaluation. [Baxt WG, Shofer FS, Sites FD, Hollander JE. A neural computational aid to the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Ann Emerg Med. April 2002;39:366-373.]
Development Of A High Resolution X-Ray Imaging Device For Use In Coronary Angiography

This paper describes a high resolution x-ray imaging device which is being developed through NIH sponsorship by the University of Arizona. It consists of an external modular x-ray sensor, a proximity focussed image intensifier and six CCD's coupled to the output of the image intensifier via six fiber optic tapers. The tapers are joined at the large ends to form a coplanar fiber optic taper assembly. The spatial resolution is expected to be determined by the external sensor up to the Nyquist frequency of the CCD which is (after magnification by the tapers) 3.9 1p/mm. The intended application is coronary angiography.
The stable topology of 4-manifolds

Abstract The stable theory (which allows connected sums with S 2 × S 2 ) is unified and extended using current 4-manifold techniques. Principal new results are a stable 5-dimensional s -cobordism theorem, and the fact that 1-connected smooth 4-manifold pairs stably have handle decompositions with no 1-handles.
Reconstruction of isotope distribution in the brain: error analysis for instrument design.

A method is presented for evaluating the accuracy of 3-D reconstruction of the distribution of single-photon emitters in the brain. The method is free of the constraints of convolution-type error analysis and allows evaluation of attenuation, inverse square, and collimation effects. The approach may also be used to evaluate the error in transmission scanning and positron imaging. The coefficient of variation of projection values in reconstruction by emission isd −1/2 (d=detected counts); in reconstruction by transmission, it is (d −1+e −1)1/2/ln(e/d) (e=incident counts). The most important factors influencing the design of a detector array for 3-D reconstruction of single-photon emitters include number, position, orientation, and collimation of detectors. Figures of merit that have been developed combine the above factors with the random error of the projection values and provide an index of accuracy of the reconstruction. Using these figures of merit, a stationary multidetector array for dynamic reconstruction of gamma-emitting radiosotopes in the brain has been designed. The array consists of 200 detectors arranged hemispherically around the head. The collimator size is 6×6×50 mm and the average volume of resolution is 30 cm3. Given 5-sec sampling time, the simulated instrument reconstructs a 1 μCi/cm3 concentration of133Xe with 5% accuracy in cortical tissue; and 10% accuracy in deeper structures.
Adsorbate-geometry specific subsurface relaxation in the CO/Pt(111) system.

A dramatic multilayer substrate relaxation is observed for the (√19×√19)-13CO adlayer phase on a Pt(111) electrode by surface X-ray scattering. Within the (√19×√19) unit cell, a vertical expansion of 0.28 A was determined for the Pt atoms under near-top-site CO molecules, whereas only 0.04 A was found under near-bridge-site CO molecules. The lateral displacements involve small rotations toward more symmetric bonding. Both the expansions and rotations extend into the bulk with a decay length of 1.8 Pt layers. This nonuniform layer expansion, hitherto unseen, appears to be a manifestation of the differential stress induced by CO adsorption at different sites.
The Individual Family Service Plan: Unresolved Problems.

The federal requirement to develop an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) for all infants and toddlers with special needs has a major conceptual difficulty that has, to date, been inadequately addressed in the literature. That problem stems from the linkage of family service to family assessment. Many authorities, attracted to parental “empowerment” theory, advocate that parents should be the authors rather than (or as well as) the objects of assessment, and that professionals and parents should be partners in assessing needs and planning services. When there is disagreement, professionals should defer to parents, who are in the best position to assess their own needs. We question the wisdom of conducting assessments with, or on, families of targeted children. But, if there are to be assessments, we argue that families are better served, and mutual respect better preserved, by a traditional complementary relationship: The professional controls the evaluation process, determines the problems (with the input of the family), and makes recommendations, which parents are then free to reject.