cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Generatively Augmented Neural Network Watchdog for Image Classification Networks.

The identification of out-of-distribution data is vital to the deployment of classification networks. For example, a generic neural network that has been trained to differentiate between images of dogs and cats can only classify an input as either a dog or a cat. If a picture of a car or a kumquat were to be supplied to this classifier, the result would still be either a dog or a cat. In order to mitigate this, techniques such as the neural network watchdog have been developed. The compression of the image input into the latent layer of the autoencoder defines the region of in-distribution in the image space. This in-distribution set of input data has a corresponding boundary in the image space. The watchdog assesses whether inputs are in inside or outside this boundary. This paper demonstrates how to sharpen this boundary using generative network training data augmentation thereby bettering the discrimination and overall performance of the watchdog.
Understanding cancer caregiver burden over time: Dyadic assessments of family cohesion, conflict and communication.

Abstract Objective Previously we identified three distinct cancer communication concordance groups among cancer patient-caregiver dyads. This secondary analysis examined patient and caregiver reports of family functioning (cohesion and conflict) as associated with cancer communication concordance and assessed each as independent predictors of perceived caregiver burden among hematological cancer caregivers. Methods A case series of hematological cancer patient-caregiver dyads (n = 171) were recruited from oncology clinics in Virginia and Pennsylvania and followed for 2 years. Using the previously identified communication groups this analysis prospectively examines patient and caregiver perceptions of family cohesion and conflict and the association with burden over time. Results Caregiver burden decreased over time. Caregiver, but not patient perceptions of family cohesion decreased over time; decreased cohesion and increased conflict was associated with greater cancer communication discordance. Conclusions This work lends further support to the use of cancer communication congruence typologies for identifying potentially vulnerable dyads. Discordant cancer communication and declining caregiver perceptions of family cohesion may represent opportunities to intervene using family focused supportive services. Practice implications Only caregiver perceptions of family functioning were associated with burden therefore identifying and supporting those caregivers with worsening communication and family function is important.
Early and Bi-hemispheric seizure onset in a rat glioblastoma Multiforme model.

Abstract GBM is the most life-threatening neurological disease with annual incidence of ∼5 cases per 100,000 people and a median survival of less than 15 months. Seizures are the first clinical symptoms in 40%-45% of patients with GBM and its epileptogenic mechanisms are poorly understood, largely due to the challenge to develop a clinically-relevant animal model and the unknown latent period. In this study, we used continuous video-EEG monitoring to detect the earliest interictal and ictal events in a CRISPR- IUE GBM rat model that shares pathological and clinical features with those observed in humans. To our best knowledge, we showed for the first time that interictal epileptiform discharges emerged during early postnatal weeks and the first ictal event occurred during the fourth postnatal week. We also showed GBM animals showed independent bi-hemispheric epileptogenic events, suggesting a widespread circuitry dysregulation. Together, our work identified the temporal- and spatial frame of epileptogenic network in a highly clinically-relevant GBM animal model, paving ways for mechanistic studies at molecular, cellular and circuitry levels.
Mediator Personality Type and Perceived Conflict Goals in Workplace Mediation: A Study of Shared Neutrals

An abstract of the thesis of Karin Alayne Waller for the Master of Science in Conflict Resolution presented February 16, 2000. Title: Mediator ~ersonality Type and Perceived Conflict Goals in Workplace Mediation: A Study of Shared Neutrals. The focus of this thesis was around two questions: "Do mediators commonly share a personality typology?" and "Does personality type affect mediators' perceptions of disputants' goals?" The findings of this study have several implications for conflict management and its practitioners. For instance, consideration of one's own personality type can lead to deeper understanding of one's own biases and help develop mediator neutrality. Studies about mediation practitioners can also provide information about this under-represented group for ·use in career counseling, as well as in public education. This research suggests that 71 % of this group of mediators shared preferences in both the intuition and feeling dimensions, and 42% shared the three dimensions of intuition, fee ling and perceiving. According to :MBTI literature, individu~ls who fayer intuition tend to focus on relationships and look at the big picture and the connection between the facts. Individuals who prefer to use feeling in decision-maki~g tend to be sympathetic, compassionate, and people-focused. Individuals who prefer to use perceiving tend to be spontaneous and enjoy trusting their resourcefulness in adapting to the demands of a situation.
Weight-Rate Analysis

While our main study is Bayesian in character, we want also to see how a more traditional approach handles problems of discrimination. Some readers may prefer such an analysis, and many will wish to compare the results achieved by the two methods.
THE DISSOCIATION AND ASSOCIATION OF PROTEIN STRUCTURES.

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews recent investigations that have shown that the concept of the protein molecule, as a dynamic system of subunits, is a useful tool. It is seen that this concept has heuristic value for the biologist as well as for the chemist. It is assumed that all proteins are formed of one or more types of characteristic polypeptide chains. Few proteins are found to be simple random chains and some type of “secondary” structure, such as a helix is imposed by intramolecular action. By contrast, preferred intermolecular actions produce rope or sheet formations. Such secondary structures exhibit new possibilities for order and tertiary structures may appear. “Tertiary” structure is exemplified by a specific folding of the chain that already possesses secondary order or the pleating of a sheet if that is the secondary order. The chapter also reviews that the study of higher degrees of order in proteins has been pursued with enthusiasm, but little of the order sensed has been incorporated into the language. In most cases, there is no adequate subunit model nor is there general agreement concerning the relative importance of bonding types involved in association.
Creep Crack Growth Behavior of Aluminum Alloy 2519: Part I—Experimental Analysis

The discipline of time-dependent fracture mechanics has traditionally focused on the creep crack growth behavior of high-temperature materials that display creep-ductile behavior, such as stainless steels and chromium-molybdenum steels. Elevated temperature aluminum alloys, however, have been developed that exhibit creep-brittle behavior; in this case, the creep crack growth rate correlates with the stress intensity factor, K. The fracture characteristics of aluminum alloy 2519-T87 were studied at 135 C, and the creep and creep crack growth behavior were characterized utilizing experimental and numerical methods. The strain to failure for creep deformation specimens was limited to only 1.2 to 2.0%. Creep crack growth tests revealed a unique correlation between the creep crack growth rate and K, a result consistent with creep-brittle behavior. No experimental correlation was found between the creep crack growth rate and the C{sub t} parameter. Microscopy of fracture surfaces revealed distinct regions of intergranular and transgranular fracture, and the transition between the fracture regions was found to occur at a critical K-level. Experimental results also appeared to show that initiation of crack growth (incubation) is controlled by the accumulation of a critical amount of damage ahead of the crack tip and that a correlation exists between the incubation timemore » and K. Total time to failure is viewed as a summation of the incubation period and the crack growth period, and the design importance of incubation time is discussed.« less
Spacecraft Fire Detection and Extinguishment: A Bibliography

Pertinent fire detection and extinguishment references have been identified to further the knowledge of spacecraft fire safety. To broaden the scope of the bibliography, other unusual environments, e.g., aircraft, submarine, ship, have been included. In addition, for a more comprehensive view of the spacecraft fire safety problem, selected subjects are included, e.g., materials flammability, smoke, human behavior. The references will provide the researcher with access to state-of-the-art and historic works. Selected references from the 1960's have been included, but the emphasis is on references published from 1975 to 1987. The references are arranged by very broad categories. Often a paper will cover more than one topic, but for the purposes of this bibliography it will be cited only once.
Risk adjustment of Medicare capitation payments using the CMS-HCC model

This article describes the CMS hierarchical condition categories (HCC) model implemented in 2004 to adjust Medicare capitation payments to private health care plans for the health expenditure risk of their enrollees. We explain the model's principles, elements, organization, calibration, and performance. Modifications to reduce plan data reporting burden and adaptations for disabled, institutionalized, newly enrolled, and secondary-payer subpopulations are discussed.
Band alignment determination of MBE grown GaAsSb on GaAs with 1300 nm emission

Very thin mixed group-V layers deposited by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) enable the precise bandgap engineering required to meet the demands of modern devices. In optoelectronic devices it is important to control material gain (wavefunction overlap) in addition to the bandgap. For example, the MBE growth of small bandgap GaAsSb on GaAs has application in 1300 nm datacom lasers. When comparing GaAs/sub 1-x/Sb/sub x/ and In/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As, the bulk material bandgaps are very similar for x<0.5, however, for the same strain levels on the GaAs, much longer emission wavelengths can be reached using GaAsSb. This is attributed to a much smaller conduction band offset for the antimonides and a large bandgap bowing parameter for pseudomorphic GaAsSb on GaAs. Furthermore, the conduction band offset is reported to be type-II for large Sb compositions, allowing access to still longer wavelengths. The cost of achieving longer wavelengths through type-II band alignments is a reduction in material gain due to poor electron confinement. Therefore the band alignment must be carefully considered when engineering active materials for optoelectronic devices.
An Investigation of Preferred Shapes for Warning Labels

An examination was made of 19 different geometric shapes of warning labels, using the method of paired comparisons. Sixty-six college students viewed slides of all pairs of the shapes and each time...
Coarctation of aorta in infancy. Analysis of a 10-year experience with medical management.

Thirty infants with cardiac symptoms and with coarctation of the aorta were observed during the period from 1949 to 1959. The infants were treated first by medical management. Failure of medical management was the indication for additional diagnostic studies and for early surgery on the coarctation or the associated lesion if feasible. Three babies were operated upon; none survived. Including these three, there were 15 deaths during infancy, all in the first 8 months and 11 in the first 3 months of life. All who died and half who survived had intracardiac defects in addition to the coarctation. The associated lesions sometimes masked the presence of the coarctation making the latter diagnosis difficult. Among the 19 where the diagnosis of coarctation could be made with certainty on physical examination, there were 15 who survived infancy. There were no deaths among the eight patients with uncomplicated coarctation in the observation period of 5 to 10 years.
The impact of direct-to-consumer marketing of cancer genetic testing on women according to their genetic risk

Purpose: To assess the impact of direct-to-consumer marketing for genetic testing among women of varying genetic risk for breast and ovarian cancer. Methods: Telephone surveys were conducted with 315 women in Denver, Colorado, one target audience for the Myriad BRACAnalysis ad campaign. Genetic risk was determined from personal and family history and grouped by probability of having a BRCA1/2 mutation (low <5%, moderate 5–<10%, high ≥10%). Results: High-risk women were more knowledgeable about BRACAnalysis and more likely to recall the media ads than were low-risk women (60 vs. 39%, P < 0.01). After seeing the ads, about 40% of women were more interested in testing and about 10% expressed increased worry about developing breast or ovarian cancer. Women across all risk groups overstated the benefits and appropriateness of testing. An equal percentage of high- and low-risk women (51 and 60%) felt that they would benefit from genetic testing. Conclusion: The campaign effectively reached a large audience. Concern about breast cancer was not appreciably increased. A large percentage of low-risk women (not candidates for testing) expressed interest in testing, suggesting the campaign was too broad. A campaign targeted at high-risk women, who may benefit from testing might be preferred.
Discriminant Validity of the WISC-IV Culture-Language Interpretive Matrix

The Culture-Language Interpretive Matrix (C-LIM) was developed to help practitioners determine the validity of test scores obtained from students who are culturally and linguistically different from the normative group of a test. The present study used an idiographic approach to investigate the diagnostic utility of the C-LIM for the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) for distinguishing between a referred sample of 69 English language learners, 79 English-speakers diagnosed with Autism, and 216 English speakers referred for a special education evaluation. Results indicated that the WISC-IV C-LIM differentiated between these groups of students at chance rates. Evidence from the previous studies along with the results of the current study does not support the use of the C-LIM for making decisions about individuals in applied practice.
Parametric finite-volume micromechanics of periodic materials with elastoplastic phases

Abstract The recently incorporated parametric mapping capability into the finite-volume direct averaging micromechanics (FVDAM) theory has produced a paradigm shift in the theory’s development. The use of quadrilateral subvolumes made possible by the mapping facilitates efficient modeling of microstructures with arbitrarily shaped heterogeneities, and eliminates artificial stress concentrations produced by the rectangular subvolumes employed in the standard version. Herein, the parametric FVDAM theory is extended to the inelastic domain by implementing additional formulation required to accommodate plastic and thermal loading. Two different approaches of implementing plasticity have been investigated. The first approach is based on the treatment employed in previous versions of the theory wherein plastic strain fields are represented by a series expansion in Legendre polynomials. The second approach is based on direct surface-averaging of plastic strains calculated at a number of collocation points along the quadrilateral subvolumes’ surfaces, and offers substantial simplification in the parametric finite-volume theory’s elastic–plastic framework. Moreover, substantial reductions in execution times without loss of accuracy are realized due to the elimination of redundant plastic strain calculations in the subvolumes’ interiors employed in the evaluation of the Legendre polynomial coefficients. Numerical studies demonstrate the advantages of the parametric FVDAM theory relative to the standard version, together with new results that highlight its modeling capabilities vis-a-vis an emerging class of periodic lamellar materials with wavy microstructures and the thus-far undocumented architectural effects amplified by plasticity.
Radiation oxidation of polypropylene : A solid-state 13C NMR study using selective isotopic labeling

Abstract Polypropylene samples, in which the three different carbon atoms along the chain were selectively labeled with carbon-13, were subjected to radiation under inert and air atmospheres, and to post-irradiation exposure in air at various temperatures. By using solid-state 13 C NMR measurements at room temperature, we have been able to identify and quantify the oxidation products. The isotopic labeling provides insight into chemical reaction mechanisms, since oxidation products can be traced back to their positions of origin on the macromolecule. The major products include peroxides and alcohols, both formed at tertiary carbon sites along the chain. Other products include methyl ketones, acids, esters, peresters, and hemiketals formed from reaction at the tertiary carbon, together with in-chain ketones and esters from reaction at the secondary chain carbon. No evidence is found of products arising from reactions at the methyl side chain. Significant temperature-dependent differences are apparent; for example much higher yields of chain-end methyl ketones, which are the indicator product of chain scission, are generated for both elevated temperature irradiation and for post-irradiation treatment at elevated temperatures. Time-dependent plots of yields of the various oxidation products have been obtained under a wide range of conditions, including the post-irradiation oxidation of a sample at room temperature in air that has been monitored for 2 years. Radiation-oxidation products of polypropylene are contrasted to products measured for 13 C-labeled polyethylene in an earlier investigation: the peroxides formed in irradiated polypropylene are remarkably longer lived, the non-peroxidic products are significantly different, and the overall ratios of oxidation products in polypropylene change relatively little as a function of the extent of oxidation.
Stochastic modeling of segregation in a motionless mixer

Abstract The mixing of particles with different characteristics is generally accompanied by segregation which prevents the particles from attaining the randomly mixed state. A discrete steady-state Markov chain model was employed to model the axial segregation of solid particles in a motionless mixer. Three systems containing particles of different sizes and/or densities were studied. One step transition probabilities of the model were experimentally determined. The model can predict the concentration profiles, the degrees of mixedness, and the equilibrium states of these particle systems blended by passing the particles through a motionless mixer. Experimental results are in good agreement with those predicted from the model.
Alexander Winchell's Preadamites - A Case for Dismissal from Vanderbilt University

Alexander Winchell was hired by Vanderbilt University in 1875, the year the University opened under the jurisdiction of the Methodist Church South. As one of America's leading scientists Winchell was instantly Vanderbilt's most renowned faculty member. The man responsible for assembling Vanderbilt's first faculty, Bishop Holland McTyeire, recruited Winchell fervently. As a leading geologist and biologist Winchell was well published at the time of his hiring. His various beliefs regarding organic evolution, the age of the earth, and its geologic history were spelled out in his papers and books and there seems little reason to believe that Bishop McTyeire and the Methodists would have been in doubt about his views.While a Vanderbilt faculty member from 1875 to 1878 Winchell's additional writings and some of the lectures he gave became increasingly irritating to segments of the community. Finally, after his publication of Adamites and Preadamites in 1878, he was dismissed. However, this book about the races ...
Learning to teach mathematics and to analyze teaching effectiveness: evidence from a video- and practice-based approach

Although emerging consensus exists that practice-based approaches to teacher preparation assist in closing the distance between university coursework and fieldwork experiences and in assuring that future teachers learn to implement innovative research-based instructional strategies, little empirical research has investigated teacher learning from this approach. This study examines the impact of a video- and practice-based course on prospective teachers’ mathematics classroom practices and analysis of their own teaching. Two groups of elementary prospective teachers participated in the study—one attended the course and one did not. Findings reveal that the course assisted participants in making student thinking visible and in pursuing it further during instruction and in conducting evidence-based analyses of their own teaching. Conclusions discuss the importance of teaching these skills systematically during teacher preparation.
A fuzzy XML database system: Data storage and query processing

Fuzzy logic reflects human nature to express and evaluate the world in a vague manner. This paper describes our approach to incorporate fuzzy logic into XML database systems. The system was built on top of traditional XML databases, while allows the storage of fuzzy data as well as crisp data. The paper describes the structure of the system, starting with the critical architectural component named fuzzy meta- knowledge base, which records different types of fuzzy distributions for database attributes. Next, a fuzzy query language is presented that is based on the XQuery standard, while allowing fuzzy expressions in any condition in a query. A query processor was built to allow the processing and execution of a fuzzy query over both fuzzy and crisp XML data.
Corporate behavior and social change

This article presents a review of the book “Corporate Behavior and Social Change,” by James E. Post.
Is there a need for digital examination in patients with spontaneous rupture of the membranes

A prospective comparison between digital and visual speculum examination was made in 133 pregnant patients. The coefficient correlation between the two examinations of effacement and dilation of the cervix was 0.74. The present results suggest that cervical evaluation by means of speculum examination in the assessment of pregnant patients with spontaneous rupture of membranes are adequate.
Cut, paste and filter

We study the combined and separate effects of three parts of finite multi-test-tube cut and paste DNA computing. First, we reformulate the ideas of Csuhaj-Varju et al. (Comput. AI 15(2-3) (1996) 211), Freund (Pacific Symposium on Biocomputing, World Scientific Publishing Co., Singapore, 1997), and Priese et al. (in: L. Hunter, R.B. Altman, A. Kieth Dunker, T. Klein (Eds.), Pacific Symposium on Biocomputing, World Scientific Publishing Co., Singapore, 1998, pp. 547-558) about multi-test-tube splicing DNA computing in terms of cutting and pasting as in Pixton's work (Theoret. Comput. Sci. 234 (2000) 135). As Pixton shows (Discrete Appl. Math. 69 (1996) 101; Theoret. Comput. Sci. 234 (2000) 135) with just finite cutting and pasting only regular sets can be obtained from a finite set of initial molecules. The others cited above show that if filtering is allowed between a finite number of test-tubes in which finite splicing occurs then any recursively enumerable set can be obtained using finite sets of initial test-tube contents (Comput. AI 15(2-3) (1996) 211; in: Developments in Language Theory, Aachen, July 6-9, 1999, pp. 275-286; in: L. Hunter, R.B. Altman, A. Kieth Dunker, T. Klein (Eds.), Pacific Symposium on Biocomputing, World Scientific Publishing Co, Singapore, 1998, pp. 547-558). We confirm this result for cutting and pasting. Second, we show that when only finite pasting and filtering between tubes with finite initial contents are allowed then the result must be context free and that any context free language can be so obtained. Finally, we consider several forms of filtering and several ways of combining filtering with cutting, pasting or splicing and show that all are equivalent.
Corethrella (Diptera : Corethrellidae) of Eastern North America : laboratory life history and field responses to anuran calls

The laboratory life history from egg to adult is presented for Corethrella appendiculata Grabham, C. brakeleyi (Coquillett), and C. wirthi Stone. The average number of days required for a complete life cycle was 33 for C. appendiculata , 30 for C. brakeleyi , and 28 for C. wirthi . Degree of attraction of calls of eight species of anurans to female C. brakeleyi and C. wirthi was determined. Calls of the barking treefrog ( Hyla gratiosa ) were most attractive, and calls of the green treefrog ( H. cinerea ) least attractive.
Functional Characterization of the Cyclomarin/Cyclomarazine Prenyltransferase CymD Directs the Biosynthesis of Unnatural Cyclic Peptides⊥

In vitro and in vivo characterization of the cyclomarin/cyclomarazine prenyltransferase CymD revealed its ability to prenylate tryptophan prior to incorporation into both cyclic peptides by the nonribosomal peptide synthetase CymA. This knowledge was utilized to bioengineer novel derivatives of these marine bacterial natural products by providing synthetic N-alkyl tryptophans to a prenyltransferase-deficient mutant of Salinispora arenicola CNS-205.
Identification and tracking of harmonic sources in a power system using a Kalman filter

In this paper, two problems have been addressed on harmonic sources identification: the optimal locations of a limited number of harmonic meters and the optimal dynamic estimates of harmonic source locations and their injections in unbalanced three-phase power systems. Kalman filtering is used to solve these problems. System error covariance analysis by the Kalman filter associated with a harmonic injection estimate determines the optimal arrangement of limited harmonic meters. Based on the optimally-arranged harmonic metering locations, the Kalman filter then yields the optimal dynamic estimates of harmonic injections with a few noisy harmonic measurements. The method is dynamic and has the capability of identifying, analyzing and tracking each harmonic injection at all buses in unbalanced three-phase power systems. Actual recorded harmonic measurements and simulated data in a power distribution system are provided to prove the efficiency of this approach.
SU-FF-T-144: Determination of Feasibility and Prescribed Dose for 142Pr Glass Seeds for Prostate Cancer Brachytherapy

Purpose: A 142 Pr glass seed is proposed for brachytherapy treatment of prostate cancer. A prescribed dose for 142 Pr was derived and case study performed to assess the feasibility of the 142 Pr seed. Method and Materials: Sensitivity studies using the linear‐quadratic model and biological parameters were conducted to find the prescribed dose for 142 Pr . A case study was performed to assess the feasibility of the 142 Pr seed and modeled using the VariSeed™ program. The main work was the description of the seed, optimized planning, and comparison with conventional seeds. Results: 90 Gy from 142 Pr can give the equivalent biological effective dose (BED) of 144 Gy from 125 I and 125 Gy from 103 Pd using reasonable assumptions. As the α/β ratio decreases, the BED for 142 Pr increases exponentially. The BED of 142 Pr was insensitive to the tumor repopulation factor. Therefore, 142 Pr is acceptable for treating tumors with high tumor repopulation factor and low α/β ratio. Based on the dose‐optimization planning, the best arrangement of seeds, dose coverage, and isodose contours were found using 142 Pr glass seeds with the initial activity of 6 mCi. Fifty 142 Pr seeds can deliver the prescribed dose to about 90% of the prostate volume satisfying the dose constraints rules which were set to give lower dose to adjacent organs. From the comparisons, the coverage of 142 Pr glass seeds was higher than that of typical 125 I seeds. The surface area of the rectal wall exposed by 142 Pr glass seeds was less than that by 125 I seeds. Conclusion: A prescribed dose of 90 Gy is suggested for 142 Pr . 142 Pr glass seeds can deliver the prescribed dose to a larger volume of the prostate and the undesired doses to adjacent organs were less than seeds using low energy photons.
Stress field of planar curved dislocations

Abstract The stress components at a point in the plane of a planar curved dislocation are given in the form of simple integrals when the polar equation of the curve is known relative to the point as the origin.
Effects of aging on the intrinsic circadian period of totally blind humans.

Age-related changes in the intrinsic circadian period ([.tau]) have been hypothesized to account for sleep symptoms in the elderly such as early morning awakening. The authors sought to determine whether the aging process produced quantifiable differences in the [.tau] of totally blind men who had free-running circadian rhythms. The melatonin onset was used as the indicator of circadian phase. Melatonin rhythms had been characterized about a decade previously when the participants were 38 ± 6 (SD) years old. Both previous and current assessments of [.tau] were derived from at least 3 serial measurements of the 24-h melatonin profile from which the melatonin onset was determined. All 6 participants exhibited a longer [.tau] in the 2nd assessment (mean increase ± SD of 0.13 ± 0.08 h; p < 0.01). Four participants exhibited differences in [.tau] with nonoverlapping 95% confidence intervals. The results do not support the commonly held view that [.tau] shortens during human aging. On the contrary, [.tau] appea...
Apparent failure of prostaglandin F2a to improve the reproductive efficiency of postpartum dairy cows that had experienced dystocia and/or retained fetal membranes

Abstract This study was designed to determine the effect of exogenously administered prostaglandin F2a (PGF2a) to dairy cows that had experienced either dystocia and/or retained fetal membranes on their fertility during the subsequent postpartum period. A total of 680 cows was used in this study. Three groups were formed on the initial day (Day 0) of examination: Group 1 (n = 115), Group 2 (n = 114) and Group 3 (n = 451). Groups 1 and 2 were comprised of cows which had experienced dystocia and/or retained fetal membranes. Cows in Group 3 had calved normally and did not experience any adverse effects of the reproductive organs. Cows in Group 1 were treated with PGF2a (25 mg i.m.) on Day 0, while cows in Group 2 served as the abnormal, untreated controls. On Day 14, cows in Groups 1 and 2 were examined for normalcy. The reproductive parameters evaluated for all Groups were the percentage of cows becoming pregnant during 90, 120 and 180 d after calving; the mean number of services per pregnancy; and the mean days open. Data were analyzed using general linear models procedure for analysis of variance (P
An African village in transition: research into behaviour patterns

Even the more remote and isolated villages of dynamic and disparate Africa are changing rapidly. To understand this transition, a detailed descriptive record of human activity enables comparisons to be made of different groups and of one group at different times. The hourly, daily, and yearly behaviour patterns of rural people living in the Nsukka division of the former Eastern Region of Nigeria (now Biafra) are briefly described below. This information is based on field research carried on during 1966 in eight clusters of compounds near Nsukka town. At the time that the study was made, this was a rapidly developing Igbo village 43 miles from the regional capital city of Enugu.
Esophagogastric disconnection for gastroesophageal reflux in children with severe neurological impairment.

Abstract Purpose: Fundoplication has been used successfully to treat gastroesophageal reflux in the pediatric population; however, the results are poorer in those children with neurological impairment. We propose an alternative approach to the needs of these special patients and report the use of esophagogastric disconnection to control reflux in children with profound neurological impairment. Methods: Between 1991 and 1997, 27 esohagogastric disconnections were performed. All patients were severely neurologically impaired with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux confirmed by an upper gastrointestinal radiographic study. There were 16 boys and 11 girls with ages ranging from 6 months to 40 years. Three had undergone previous fundoplications that failed, whereas the remaining underwent esophagogastric disconnection as a primary antireflux procedure. Follow-up ranged from 1 month to 6.3 years (average, 2.8 years). The operative approach used a midline incision. The gastroesophageal junction was divided, and the gastric side was closed. A 30- to 40-cm jejunal limb was prepared for Roux-en-Y reconstruction and brought up to the esophagus in a retrocolic manner. Esophagojejunal and jejunojejunal anastomoses were then performed. A Stamm tube gastrostomy was placed, and the appendix was removed. A pyloroplasty and tube jejunostomy were performed when felt to be clinically indicated. Results: Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms resolved, and bolus feedings were tolerated by all patients. Oral feedings were tolerated except in those children limited by their swallowing abilities. Early postoperative complications occurred in eight patients (30%) with two (7%) requiring reoperation (esophageal leak and enterocolitis). Late reoperation was necessary in four patients (15%) for small bowel obstruction, paraesophagcal hernia, gastrostomy revision, and enterocolitis. There were no perioperative deaths, but three patients (11%) died of late surgical complications (two of small bowel obstructions, and one of improper reinsertion of a gastrostomy tube). Three other children died of unrelated causes. Conclusions: Esophagogastric disconnection effectively eliminates gastroesophageal reflux while allowing both bolus tube feedings and oral supplementation. This operation provides an alternative method of controlling gastroesophageal reflux in children with profound neurological impairment.
Local Controlled Intramyocardial Delivery of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Improves Postinfarction Ventricular Function Without Pulmonary Toxicity

Background— Local delivery methods can target therapies to specific tissues and potentially avoid toxicity to other organs. Platelet-derived growth factor can protect the myocardium, but it also plays an important role in promoting pulmonary hypertension. It is not known whether local myocardial delivery of platelet-derived growth factor during myocardial infarction (MI) can lead to sustained cardiac benefit without causing pulmonary hypertension. Methods and Results— We performed a randomized and blinded experiment of 127 rats that survived experimental MI or sham surgery. We delivered platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB with self-assembling peptide nanofibers (NFs) to provide controlled release within the myocardium. There were 6 groups with n≥20 in each group: sham, sham+NF, sham+NF/PDGF, MI, MI+NF, and MI+NF/PDGF. Serial echocardiography from 1 day to 3 months showed significant improvement of ventricular fractional shortening, end-systolic dimension, and end-diastolic dimension with local PDGF d...
Regulation of luteinizing hormone receptors in testicular interstitial cells by gonadotropin.

Summary The concentration of rat testicular receptors for luteinizing hormone, measured by specific binding of [125I] chorionic gonadotropin, was reduced for several days after a single injection of gonadotropin. Rapid and prolonged loss of receptors was observed after high doses of chorionic gonadotropin, and a delayed but equally prolonged loss of receptors occurred after low doses of chorionic gonadotropin, and the rapidly metabolized gonadotropin, ovine luteinizing hormone. These findings demonstrate that luteinizing hormone receptors are subject to regulation by elevated gonadotropin concentrations, and suggest that receptor loss is initiated by occupancy of a small proportion of the available receptor sites.
Chemical Genetics Reveals a Specific Requirement for Cdk2 Activity in the DNA Damage Response and Identifies Nbs1 as a Cdk2 Substrate in Human Cells

The cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) that promote cell-cycle progression are targets for negative regulation by signals from damaged or unreplicated DNA, but also play active roles in response to DNA lesions. The requirement for activity in the face of DNA damage implies that there are mechanisms to insulate certain CDKs from checkpoint inhibition. It remains difficult, however, to assign precise functions to specific CDKs in protecting genomic integrity. In mammals, Cdk2 is active throughout S and G2 phases, but Cdk2 protein is dispensable for survival, owing to compensation by other CDKs. That plasticity obscured a requirement for Cdk2 activity in proliferation of human cells, which we uncovered by replacement of wild-type Cdk2 with a mutant version sensitized to inhibition by bulky adenine analogs. Here we show that transient, selective inhibition of analog-sensitive (AS) Cdk2 after exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) enhances cell-killing. In extracts supplemented with an ATP analog used preferentially by AS kinases, Cdk2as phosphorylated the Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome gene product Nbs1—a component of the conserved Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 complex required for normal DNA damage repair and checkpoint signaling—dependent on a consensus CDK recognition site at Ser432. In vivo, selective inhibition of Cdk2 delayed and diminished Nbs1-Ser432 phosphorylation during S phase, and mutation of Ser432 to Ala or Asp increased IR–sensitivity. Therefore, by chemical genetics, we uncovered both a non-redundant requirement for Cdk2 activity in response to DNA damage and a specific target of Cdk2 within the DNA repair machinery.
Are the grammatical sentences of a language a recursive set

Many believe that the grammatical sentences of a natural language are a recursive set. In this paper I argue that the commonly adduced grounds for this belief are inconclusive, if not simply unsound. Neither the native speaker's ability to classify sentences nor his ability to comprehend them requires it. Nor is there at present any reason to think that decidability has any bearing on first-language acquisition. I conclude that there are at present no compelling theoretical grounds for requiring that transformational grammars enumerate only recursive sets. Hence, the fact that proposed transformational grammars do not satisfy this requirement does not, as some have claimed, represent a shortcoming in current theory.
Invited Paper-Synchrocyclotron Conversion

The possibility of increasing the output of fm cyclotrons is being explored simultaneously in many laboratories. Space charge seems to be the limiting factor. Practically every laboratory is investigating a form of hooded source known as the Livingston, calutron or Oak Ridge source. The ions must clear such a source so higher dee voltages are needed. The higher dee voltage is desirable in any case since the beam usually increases as some power of this voltage (if the repetition rate is increased correspondingly). The theoretical picture indicates a variation between V and V2. Some fm cyclotrons will try to increase performance by this method alone. Others will include all the possible improvements including a complete sector field near isochronism which will provide strong vertical focusing and reduce the frequency swing. The largest machines will probably try to achieve their goal by small sectors near the source and somewhat lareer limited radii sectors on the poles (with an unchanged radial profile). The status of these efforts is reviewed and some data on the Berkeley model program is given. It appears that most fm cyclotrons will eventually be partially or wholly converted to sector focused synchrocyclotrons.
Kyphosis in older women and its relation to back pain, disability and osteopenia: The study of osteoporotic fractures

To test the hypothesis that thoracic kyphosis is associated with substantial pain, disability, and height loss, we measured thoracic curvature, using an architect's flexicurve, of 610 women aged 65–91 years who were recruited from population-based listings. We assessed study subjects for back pain, back-related disability, height loss since age 25 years, perceived state of health, and bone mineral density (BMD) at the spine, calcaneus, proximal radius, and distal radius. Compared with the rest of the cohort, the 10% of women with the most severe kyphosis had 7% –17% lower BMD (p<0.001) and had lost an additional 2.4 cm height (p<0.001). However, kyphotic women had no greater back pain, disability caused by back problems, or poorer health. This cross-sectional study suggests that kyphosis is associated with decreased BMD and loss of height but does not cause substantial chronic back pain, disability, or poor health in older women.
Application of amines for treating flue gas from coal‐fired power plants

Recent advances have been made in hydrotreating of power plant boiler flue gases to reduce SO{sub x} and NO{sub x}, the major components of acid rain, to hydrogen sulfide and nitrogen, and to convert excess oxygen to water. The sulfur pollutants in the form of H{sub 2}S can be recovered and converted to elemental sulfur by a selective amine unit and a Recycle Seletox sulfur recovery unit. This combination of units, the Parsons Flue Gas Cleanup (FGC) Process, shows great promise in abating the SO{sub x} and NO{sub x} pollutants from coal-fired power plants and provides a novel use for selective amines. This paper reviews some of the earlier applications of amine in flue gas treating and the recent development of the Parsons FGC Process for over 99% removal of both SO{sub x} and NO{sub x}.
Control of bacteriophage development in Escherichia coli RCrel: Events following infection of K12 relaxed strains with T2 and T3☆

Abstract The effect of amino acid starvation on the growth of T2 and T3 in Escherichia coli RC rel strains was examined by infecting starved cells at the time of recovery from starvation. Under these conditions, very few T2 progeny are made, in contrast to T3 phage which grows well. Infection with T2 abolishes even the reduced incorporation of [ 14 C]leucine and [ 14 C]uracil that is observed in starved cells recovering from amino acid starvation. On the other hand, T3 infection does not diminish the incorporation of leucine and uracil. Although [ 14 C]thymine is taken up by the T2-infected starved cells in the presence of added deoxyguanosine, little DNA synthesis occurs as evidenced by the absence of incorporation of thymine into trichloroacetic acid-precipitable material. The induction of some early viral-specific functions was also investigated in order to understand the lack of T2 growth in cells recovering from starvation. The T2-specific DNA methylase is induced, but to a lesser extent than in cells infected in exponential growth, and even this induction is delayed. However, the T3-specific enzyme which cleaves S -adenosylmethionine is fully inducible on infection with this phage. The T2-specific alteration in the methylated albumin kieselguhr profile of leucyl-tRNA is still elicited after T2 infection of starved cells during recovery. The ribonucleoprotein particles accumulated during amino acid starvation and normally converted to ribosomes during the recovery period are degraded into smaller fragments by T2 infection. The stability of polysomes in starved cells was also examined as a possible cause for the prevention of T2 growth, but the larger polysomes are almost entirely absent after two hours of amino acid starvation. The growth of T2 in starved cells during the recovery period can be fully restored by a brief pre-incubation with the required amino acid before infection or by preventing RNA accumulation during starvation. The relevance of these findings to the development of bacteriophage in amino acid-starved RC rel strains is discussed.
The Education of the Senior Military Decision‐Maker

The armed forces are structurally changing in the direction of the bureaucratic-managerial model. This change is reflected in the increasingly important role played by the top military college charged with training senior officers to integrate the military and industrial spheres. Data are provided on the origin of the college and its mission, the demographic characteristics of the students, the changing content of the military-industrial curriculum, and the organization and quality of the faculty. Student performance on a standardized admissions test is compared with national norms. The overall strengths and weaknesses of the college and its role in turning out military leaders with managerial skills is discussed.
Random disorder and nonlinear susceptibility of conjugated polymers

Abstract Nonlinear optical properties of conjugated polymer chains are particularly sensitive, by virtue of their low dimensionality, to defects which disrupt translational order. We calculate numerically the effect of quenched random bond and site disorder on the third-harmonic generation susceptibility of a finite conjugated polymer chain, using the standard two-band tight-binding model. The large calculated changes in the magnitude of χ (3) as the amount of disorder grows over a reasonable range may explain the discrepancies between various experimentally reported values, or between experiment and pure chain theories. Site disorder leads to the appearance of a two-photon peak absent from the long chain limit of the pure Su-Schrieffer-Heeger theory and quantitatively consistent with experimental observations.
Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carrier Induces Heme Oxygenase-1 in the Heart and Lung but Not Brain

Background The clinical sequel of ischemia and reperfusion remains a challenge in several clinical areas. Overexpression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), using viral vectors, endotoxemia, and hypoxia, provides protection against ischemia and reperfusion injury. To date, however, no clinically viable therapy exists to safely induce HO-1. We have recently observed that administration of a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC) attenuates postinjury systemic inflammation. We have further demonstrated that an HBOC can induce HO-1 in vitro. We now explore the tissue-specific induction of heme oxygenase-1 after administration of an HBOC. Study Design Rats were infused with doses of HBOC or saline through femoral vein injection (n=5 per group). Animals were sacrificed and organs were flushed. Heart, lung, and brain samples were taken for evaluation of total organ levels of HO-1 induction and for histologic localization of the cellular expression of the HO-1. Heat shock protein 72 levels were also analyzed to determine whether HO-1 induction was a generalized stress response. Results Both the heart and lung demonstrated a dose-dependent induction of total organ HO-1. Interestingly, brain tissue did not have any significant amount of HO-1, either at baseline or after HBOC therapy. The cellular localization of HO-1 between organs was also specific, predominantly occurring in the cardiac myocyte and alveolar macrophages. Heat shock protein 72 levels were not significantly changed in any group examined, suggesting the induction of HO-1 is specific. Conclusions This study demonstrates that a clinically accessible product, HBOC, can specifically and selectively induce the expression of the protective enzyme HO-1 in vivo. These findings begin to characterize which organ systems may benefit by preischemic treatments with HBOC and further expand potential clinical applications of HBOCs.