cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Summary of the primer on tumor immunology and the biological therapy of cancer

The International Society for Biological Therapy of Cancer (iSBTc) is one of the "premier destinations for interaction and innovation in the cancer biologics community". It provides a primer course each year during the annual meeting to address the most important areas of tumor immunology and immunotherapy. The course has been given by prominent investigators in the area of interest, covering the core principles of cancer immunology and immunotherapy. The target audience for this program includes investigators from academic, regulatory, and biopharmaceutical venues. The program goal is to enable the attendees to learn the current status and the most recent advances in biologic therapies, and to leverage this knowledge towards the improvement of cancer therapy. The 2008 immunologic primer course was held on October 30 at the 23rd Annual meeting of iSBTc in San Diego, CA. Nine internationally renowned investigators gave excellent presentations on different topics. The topics covered in this primer included: (1) cytokines in cancer immunology; (2) anti-angiogenic therapy; (3) end stage: immune killing of tumors; (4) blocking T cell checkpoints; (5) approach to identification and therapeutic exploitation of tumor antigens; (6) T regulatory cells; (7) adoptive T cell therapy; (8) immune monitoring of cancer immunotherapy; and (9) immune adjuvants. We summarized the topics in this primer for public education. The related topic slides and schedule can be accessed online http://www.isbtc.org/meetings/am08/primer08.
Interfacial Chemistry of an Aluminum-to-EPDM Rubber Bonding System

Abstract During recent assessment of aging in aluminum-to-rubber bonds on stored solid rocket motors, corrosion and minor insulator debonds were observed. A test was conducted to study the progressive effect of exposure to high humidity on the bondline; elevated temperature was used to accelerate the aging. In a parallel test, samples were held at elevated temperature in a dry atmosphere. The test results were compared with the analyses of corroded and noncorroded hardware samples. The predominant corrosion product detected at the bondlines was aluminum oxide/hydroxide. In general, there was a very good correlation between the Cl:Al atomic percent ratio calculated from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of the ruptured bondline surfaces and the visual characterization of the extent of corrosion. The Cl:Al ratio, which represented the ratio of primer to corrosion product at the locus of failure, varied from 0.4 to 47. The implications for metal-to-rubber bond fabrication and storage are discussed.
Family-focused treatment for adolescents with bipolar disorder

Abstract Background Research has begun to elucidate the optimal pharmacological treatments for pediatric-onset bipolar patients, but few studies have examined the role of psychosocial interventions as adjuncts to pharmacotherapy in maintenance treatment. This article describes an adjunctive family-focused psychoeducational treatment for bipolar adolescents (FFT-A). The adult version of FFT has been shown to be effective in forestalling relapses in two randomized clinical trials involving bipolar adults. Methods FFT-A is administered to adolescents who have had an exacerbation of manic, depressed, or mixed symptoms within the last 3 months. It is given in 21 outpatient sessions of psychoeducation, communication enhancement training, and problem solving skills training. We describe modifications to the adult FFT model to address the developmental issues and unique clinical presentations of pediatric-onset patients. Results An open treatment trial involving 20 bipolar adolescents (11 boys, 9 girls; mean age 14.8±1.6) found that the combination of FFT-A and mood stabilizing medications was associated with improvements in depression symptoms, mania symptoms, and behavior problems over 1 year. Limitations These early results are based on a small-scale open trial. Conclusions Results from an ongoing randomized controlled trial will clarify whether combining FFT-A with pharmacotherapy improves the 2-year course of adolescent bipolar disorder. If the results are positive, then a structured manual-based psychosocial approach will be available for clinicians who treat adolescent bipolar patients in the community.
Control of dynamic microsystems

This paper formulates and solves control problems for nonlinear microsystems which comprise micro-electromechanical devices, micromachined transducers and microelectronics. We perform a consistent dynamic analysis and coherent designs with a minimum level of simplifications using high-fidelity mathematical models. The proposed methodology enables practical implementation for multi-input/multi-output systems due to overall conceptual consistency, design coherence, computational efficiency, algorithmic effectiveness and hardware simplicity. Various issues in nonlinear analysis and control are examined and experimentally verified substantiating design concepts for high-performance microsystems. The reported findings are demonstrated for a proof-of-concept closed-loop electrostatic microactuator.
Platinum hydride: A possible high temperature superconductor

Abstract Calculations of the band structure of PtH suggest an electronic properties picture almost identical with that of PdH. Evaluation of the electronphonon interaction from the densities of states and phase shifts resulting from the band structure calculations also yields a striking similarity between PtH and PdH. On the basis of these results and the assumption that the phonon spectra of PtH and PdH are also similar, the possibility of PtH being a high temperature superconductor is explored.
Application of simulation in designing a secure grid of distributed wireless sensor network

An important practical application of secure sensor networks is to monitor an area that may be divided into a square grid, where the sensor devices may be placed at the points of intersection with reasonable precision. In this paper, a simulation method to analyze and design such a network is discussed. The use of simulation technique is essential to determine the robustness (in terms of connectivity and coverage) of the resulting network consequent upon the failure of a certain number of nodes, since the sensor nodes usually fail at random. Detailed design charts are constructed for the implementation of a secure sensor network using transversal designs.
The temperature dependence of the viscoelastic softening and terminal dispersions of linear amorphous polymers

Thermorheological simplicity is shown to hold for poly(vinyl acetate) in the temperature range extending from Tg + 25°C to Tg + 80°C. Between Tg and Tg + 25°C the softening (glass to rubberlike) viscoelastic dispersion exhibits time-scale shift factors aT different from those of the terminal (rubberlike to steady-state) dispersion. The aT values calculated from zero-shear viscosities coincide with those from the terminal dispersion in the temperature range 60–154°C (Tg ≅ 35°C). The aT shifts obtained from the response in the terminal dispersion can be fitted to the Williams, Landel, and Ferry equation over the entire temperature range 42–154°C. The aT obtained from the softening dispersion is shown to exhibit a different functionality. An empirical modification of the Doolittle equation yields a very flexible relation which can be fitted to some aTs which cannot be represented by the usual Doolittle free-volume expression.
Is There a Need for Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection in Low Risk Prostate Cancer Patients Prior to Definitive Local Therapy

Abstract Objectives: In men with low risk prostate cancer the need for pelvic lymph node dissection is controversial. Therefore, we examined how many men with favorable preoperative risk factors had positive lymph nodes. Methods: 235 men with preoperative PSA ≤10ng/ml, Gleason score ≤6 and positive biopsies in only one lobe, had radio-guided pelvic sentinel lymph node (SLN) dissection and radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) or—in case of no positive lymph nodes detected—a transperineal I 125 seed implantation. Eighty-four men with positive biopsies in both lobes and identical PSA and Gleason score had SLN dissection and RRP. Results: In 187 men with positive biopsies in one lobe RRP was performed. Sixteen patients had positive lymph nodes. Median 6 SLN (mean 6.8) and 6 non-sentinel lymph nodes (NSLN) (mean 7.3) were dissected. All men with positive lymph nodes also had positive SLN. Eighty-four men with positive biopsies in both lobes had RRP. Nine men had positive lymph nodes (10.7%). A median of 6 SLN (mean 6.6) and 5 NSLN (mean 7.5) were dissected. All men with positive nodes had a single positive SLN. Conclusions: In patients with PSA ≤10ng/ml and biopsy Gleason score ≤6, positive lymph nodes were identified by radio-guided surgery in 6.8% [Wawroschek et al. Urol Int 2003;70:303; Narayan et al. Urology 1994;44:519] (positive biopsies in one lobe) and 10.7% [Wawroschek et al. Urol Int 2003;70:303; Eur Urol 1999;36:595] (positive biopsies in both lobes). Up to 4 positive SLN were found. Therefore, we suggest not to dispense with an operative lymph node staging, even in low risk disease.
Florida's snowbirds: spectacle, mobility and community since 1945

Florida's snowbirds: spectacle, mobility and community since 1945, by Godefroy Desrosiers-Lauzon, Montreal and Kingston, McGill-Queen's University Press, 2011, 364 pp., US$95.00 (hardback), ISBN 97...
The detection of an antigen present in gastric carcinoma.

Studies to detect antigenic sulfoglycoproteins using indirect immunofluorescence and counterimmunoelectrophoresis were performed on thirty-two gastric biopsies and on thirty-six gastric aspirations, respectively. Patients with gastric carcinoma, lymphoma, benign gastric lesions, and patients without evidence of gastric disease were studied. Specific antisera to sulfoglycoproteins found in aspirates of gastric carcinoma patients were produced in rabbits and later absorbed to increase specificity. Fluorescent staining of the cell membrane was observed in tissues of gastric carcinoma patients. In biopsies from patients with other forms of gastric pathology as well as normal gastric mucosa, a more diffuse fluorescent staining was noted. Counterimmunoelectrophoresis demonstrated a single precipitin band in all aspirates from patients with gastric carcinoma, in one patient with lymphoma, and in one patient with gastric polyps showing atypical hyperplasia. The remaining aspirates produced no precipitin bands. Results of this study suggest that counterimmunoelectrophoresis has greater diagnostic value than the indirect immunofluorescent technique for the detection of gastric sulfoglycoproteins. Thus, counterimmunoelectrophoresis may prove useful in the diagnosis of gastric carcinoma.
Promoting Energy Conservation in Master‐Metered Apartments through Group Financial Incentives1

An energy conservation contest among four groups of apartments (44 to 70 units each) in a University of Colorado family housing complex was conducted February-April, 1977. The winning group in each of six 2-week contests won $80 to use however it determined. The program produced a drop of about 10% in use of natural gas during the first contest; energy savings were smaller but still statistically significant throughout the first 8 weeks. Over a 12-week period, savings averaged 6.6%. Some changes in energy-using behaviors were reported by residents surveyed at the contest's end; however, knowledge of contest results by residents was minimal. The results are compared to those of other contest and rebate programs, the practical problems of costs exceeding savings and inaccurate estimates of energy savings are discussed, and implications for future research are suggested.
γ- and ultraviolet-radiation-induced solid-state polymerization of maleimide in a few binary systems

The solid-state polymerization of maleimide by γ- and ultraviolet irradiation was carried out in binary systems with succinimide, maleic anhydride, and acenaphthylene. Polymaleimide obtained from the solid-state polymerization of maleimide by γ-rays was amorphous, while that obtained from the solid-state polymerization by ultraviolet rays was highly crystalline. In the maleimide–succinimide system the rate of polymerization reached a maximum nearly at the eutectic composition when the polymerization was carried out by γ-irradiation. With ultraviolet irradiation the rate of polymerization became higher with increasing content of succinimide in the feed. In the maleimide–maleic anhydride system a copolymer of both constituents was formed by γ-irradiation, but almost no homopolymer was produced. On the other hand, two kinds of polymers, a crystalline copolymer and an amorphous one, were produced by ultraviolet irradiation. The results were compared with those obtained from the copolymerization in solution. In the maleimide-acenaphthylene system the main products with ultraviolet irradiation was the dimer of acenaphthylene.
Peritoneal cytology in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix

The importance of peritoneal cytology was investigated in 163 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Of 116 patients undergoing primary evaluation and treatment 3 (2.5%) had abnormal cytology. No abnormal specimens were found in 77 patients undergoing radical hysterectomy. Five (10.6%) of forty-seven patients evaluated and treated for posttreatment recurrence had abnormal cytology. All eight patients with abnormal cytology had other poor prognostic factors and are dead of cancer. The relevance of abnormal cytology is discussed.
On resolving conflicting views of cognitive conflict

Abstract F. B. Murray's (Developmental Review, 1983 , 3, 54–61) conclusion that a theoretically ambiguous relationship exists between cognitive conflict and Piaget's notion of equilibration was considered. It was suggested that theoretical clarity can be achieved if a distinction is drawn between conflict induction (disequilibrium) and conflict resolution (equilibration). Murray's suggestion that in Piaget's theory internal (cognitive) conflict can be mentally created was disputed. G. N. Cantor's (Developmental Review, 1983 , 3, 39–53) concerns about the adequacy of the measures of internal conflict in B. J. Zimmerman & D. E. Blom's (Developmental Review, 1983 , 3, 18–38) study due to their independence from external conflict manipulations was discussed. We agreed with Cantor that such findings obviate direct disconfirmation of an internal conflict construct; however, we suggested that evidence of conservation learning in the absence of either external or internal conflict renders Piaget's account less tenable.
Probing dark energy perturbations: The dark energy equation of state and speed of sound as measured by WMAP

We review the implications of having a nontrivial matter component in the Universe and the potential for detecting such a component through the matter power spectrum and integrated Sachs-Wolfe effect. We adopt a phenomenological approach and consider the mysterious dark energy to be a cosmic fluid. It is thus fully characterized, up to linear order, by its equation of state and its speed of sound. Whereas the equation of state has been widely studied in the literature, less interest has been devoted to the speed of sound. Its observational consequences come predominantly from very large scale modes of dark matter perturbations $(kl0.01h{\mathrm{Mpc}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}).$ Since these modes have hardly been probed so far by large scale galaxy surveys, we investigate whether joint constraints can be placed on those two quantities using the recent cosmic microwave background (CMB) fluctuations measurements by the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe as well as the recently measured CMB large scale structure cross correlation. We find only a tentative 1 sigma detection of the speed of sound, from CMB alone, ${c}_{s}^{2}l0.04$ at this low significance level. Furthermore, the current uncertainties in bias in the matter power spectrum preclude any constraints being placed using the cross correlation of CMB with the NRAO VLA Sky Survey radio survey.
On the glass transition and viscosity of phosphorus pentoxide

The calorimetric glass transition temperature T/sub g/ for pure anhydrous P/sub 2/O/sub 5/ melted in sealed SiO/sub 2/ ampules at 1000 /sup 0/C has been obtained directly for the first time with differential scanning calorimetry, and the increase in heat capacity at T/sub g/ has been determined. T/sub g/ measured in this way is 57 K higher than the value quoted in the literature, which is probably based on an Arrhenius law extrapolation of viscosity data to eta = 10/sup 13/ P. Combining the high-temperature viscosity data with the common observation that, for oxide glasses, eta = 10/sup 12/ P at the DSC T/sub g/, the authors find that the P/sub 2/O/sub 5/ viscosity obeys an Arrhenius law over at least 6 decades of eta. Furthermore, the intercept at 1/T = 0 coincides with the common point of T/sub g/ - reduced viscosity plots for a wide variety of liquids recently used in establishing the strong vs. fragile classification of glass-forming liquids. On this basis, P/sub 2/O/sub 5/ behaves as the archetypal strong liquid. However, the value of C/sub p/(liquid)/C/sub p/(glass) at T/sub g/, 1.27, is larger than expected on this basis since other strong liquids show smaller values, e.g.,more » GeO/sub 2/ (1.09) and BeF/sub 2/ (no ..delta..C/sub p/ detected). The dependence of T/sub g/ on heating rate has been determined and shows that enthalpy relaxation in the transition region has, within error, the same activation energy (43.9 kcal/mol) as for viscous flow.« less
Knowledge networks for global public health.

Abstract The challenges posed by a globalised world have made it imperative for society to search for solutions to emerging issues and to develop new ways of looking at old problems. Current discussions about global public health demand a shift in paradigms and the strategic positioning of public health within broader policy discussions that will enable it to influence political and action agendas. Critical to responding to these challenges is the generation, transmission and dissemination of new knowledge to create value. Recognising the cutting-edge role of knowledge, as a new form of capital that drives innovation and transforms society, the formation of knowledge networks is viewed as a strategy for developing a shared intellectual, conceptual and ethical infrastructure for the field of global public health. These knowledge networks are envisioned as a vehicle for sharing diverse perspectives, encouraging debate and sustaining alternative ways of thinking about and responding to the challenges that co...
Studies with Crystalline Amino Acid Diets for the Turkey Poult

Abstract PURIFIED diets in which a crystalline amino acid mixture serves as the sole source of amino nitrogen have been developed for a number of species. Among the successful mixtures which have recently been developed are ones capable of supporting near-normal growth of young chickens (Adkins et al., 1961a; Klain et al., 1960), egg production of hens (Fisher and Johnson, 1956; Adkins et al., 1961b) and nitrogen balance in the adult male chicken (Leveille and Fisher, 1958). However, except for a study by Vohra and Kratzer (1959), little attempt has been made to develop a free amino acid diet for the turkey poult. The desirability of developing a free amino acid diet for studying amino acid requirements and interrelationships in the turkey is obvious. The following studies were thus initiated to develop a crystalline amino acid mixture which, when added to a purified poult diet as the sole source of amino …
Clinical effects of recurrent attacks of acute rheumatic fever: a prospective epidemiologic study of 105 episodes.

Abstract A large population of children and adolescents with preceding index attacks of rheumatic fever has been followed prospectively at frequent intervals for 11 years in an epidemiologic out-patient research clinic, where special methods were employed to improve the reliability of clinical examination procedures. Despite the antistreptococcal prophylactic regimens assigned to all members of the population, 78 patients have had 105 recurrent attacks of rheumatic fever. During 34 recurrences in 29 patients with no significant murmurs in the index attack of rheumatic fever, 4 patients had seemingly new murmurs, all of which later disappeared leaving no evidence of residual heart disease. Rheumatic recurrences in 6 patients with possible carditis in the index attack also brought no new permanent cardiac damage. By contrast, evidence of new cardiac damage appeared in 48 of the 65 recurrences of rheumatic fever in 43 patients with definite cardiac involvement in the index attack. The new damage was permanent in 11 (37 per cent) of 30 patients whose ‘index’ carditis was manifested only by significant murmurs, and in 5 (38 per cent) of 13 patients with cardiac enlargement or decompensation in the index attack. Although faithful maintenance of antistreptococcal regimens reduced the number of recurrences that would have been expected in such a population before the availability of prophylaxis, the fidelity of previous maintenance of prophylaxis was ‘good’ in 73, and ‘not good’ in 32, of the 105 recurrent attacks. When a recurrence developed, the likelihood of new carditis seemed unrelated to the fidelity of previous prophylaxis and depended mainly on the preceding cardiac state of the host. These results indicate the importance of the host in cardiac effects of recurrences of rheumatic fever. Rheumatic recurrences seldom bring new cardiac damage to hearts previously free of it, but often adversely affect those that have already been injured.
Does Anti-Aging Equal Anti-Microbial?

Aging is the dominant risk factor for human disease in developed countries. Could it be that a wide variety of disease states all have their origins in a common mechanism? Major signaling pathways that determine the rate of aging, such as the insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) pathway, might give clues to the nature of this major disease risk factor. It has now been shown that insulin/IGF-1 signaling influences Caenorhabditis elegans resistance to bacteria in such a way that long-lived worms are stress-resistant and slow to succumb to infection. Perhaps enhanced innate immunity is a feature of genetically determined longevity.
The Federal Reserve Act of 1913

I. Spirit and obiects of the act, 213. — Advantages of the plan of regional banks, 216. — II. Organization of the system, 222. — Directors of the Federal Reserve Banks, 224. — Federal Reserve Board, 226. — III. Capital, earnings, deposits of the Federal Reserve Banks, 228. — New reserve requirements for national banks, 231. — IV. Clearing House functions of the Federal Reserve Banks, 234. — V. Federal reserve notes, 237. — National bank notes, 241. — VI. Lending operations of Federal Reserve Banks, 243. — How far operations with general public, 245. — VII. Additional powers granted to national banks, 249. — VIII. Supervisory functions of Federal Reserve Board, 251. — Probable relations of this Board to directors of Reserve Banks, 252.
New improved error bounds for the linear complementarity problem

New local and global error bounds are given for both nonmonotone and monotone linear complementarity problems. Comparisons of various residuals used in these error bounds are given. A possible candidate for a “best” error bound emerges from our comparisons as the sum of two natural residuals.
Comparison of u-channel ρO pion production with the isovector part of π+ photoproduction

Abstract The vector-dominance model predictions are used on the measurement of u -channel π − p → ϱ o n cross sections and a complete transversality system analysis on the ϱ o spin density matrix elements. The photon isovector part in γ p → π + n is isolated using the u -channel cross-section measurements and a specific Regge-pole fit for the Δ, N α and N γ trajectory exchanges. Both results are compared to examine their consistency.
Microbial genetics: Love the one you're with.

Candida albicans is notorious as an opportunistic microbe that causes thrush and serious systemic disease. For geneticists, however, it offers continuing revelations into the wondrously varied sex lives of fungi.
An equivalence of H-1 norms for the simple exclusion process

Resolvent H−1 norms with respect to simple exclusion processes play an important role in many problems with respect to additive functionals, tagged particles, and hydrodynamics, among other concerns. Here, general translation-invariant finite-range simple exclusion processes with and without a distinguished particle are considered. For the standard system of indistinguishable particles, it is proved that the corresponding H−1 norms are equivalent, in a sense, to the H−1 norms of a nearest-neighbor system. The same result holds for systems with a distinguished particle in dimensions d≥2. However, in dimension d=1, this equivalence does not hold. An application of the H−1 norm equivalence to additive functional variances is also given.
Macrolide Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus: Induction of Macrolide-Resistant Protein Synthesis

Induction of resistance to macrolide-, lincosamide-, and streptogramin B-type antibiotics in Staphylococcus aureus was studied by monitoring the appearance of erythromycin A (EM)-resistant [(14)C]leucine incorporation. Examination of the induction process revealed saturation kinetics and a time course much like that reported for penicillinase in gram-positive bacteria. Induction kinetics in exponentially growing cells were sigmoidal and appeared to reach a maximum and constant rate when growth reached stationary phase. Since the induction of EM-resistant colony-forming ability was complete within 60 min, ribosome modification cannot be limited to a fraction of the population and must occur in essentially every cell. However, EM-resistant growth was expressed in cells where less than half the [(14)C]leucine-incorporating activity was resistant to EM. This suggests that resistance requires that only a threshold level of ribosome modification be exceeded and that, once exceeded, resistance is dominant to sensitivity.
Experimental Varicocele Induces Testicular Germ Cell Apoptosis in the Rat

ABSTRACTPurpose: We evaluated the impact of experimentally created varicocele on ipsilateral and contralateral testicular germ cells in the rat.Materials and Methods: Experimental left varicocele was created by partial ligation of the left renal vein in 17 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. An additional 5 rats that underwent laparotomy and renal vein handling without ligation served as sham surgical controls. Five rats that underwent no surgical or other intervention served as a control group. Rats were sacrificed 7 (5), 14 (5) or 28 (7) days following varicocele creation. Germ cell apoptosis was quantified using a TUNEL assay. The results of this assay are expressed as the number of apoptotic germ cell nuclei per seminiferous tubular cross section. The presence of apoptosis was confirmed by cellular ultrastucture evaluation using transmission electron microscopy.Results: Control and sham animals were found to have a mean of 0.05 and 0.15 apoptotic germ cells per seminiferous tubular cross section, respecti...
Action of 5-thio-D-glucose and its 1-phosphate with hexokinase and phosphoglucomutase.

Abstract Previous work from this laboratory has shown that 5-thio- d -glucose is a competitive inhibitor for active transport of d -glucose. The present work indicates that the thiosugar analog and its 1-phosphate can also interfere with d -glucose 6-P formation. 5-Thio- d -glucose serves as a substrate for yeast hexokinase with a Km of 4 m m , and V of 8.8 nmol/min/μg of protein. The analog competitively inhibits d -glucose phosphorylation with a Ki of 20 m m . 5-Thio- d -glucose 1-P can act as a substrate for rabbit skeletal muscle phosphoglucomutase with a Km of 60 μ m and V of 0.17 μmol/min/μg of protein. Thus, 5-thio- d -glucose 1-P behaves as a near metabolic analog of d -glucose 1-P. 5-Thio- d -glucose 1-P is a competitive inhibitor of d -glucose 1-P conversion to the 6-P with a Ki of 16.2 μ m . 5-Thio- d -glucose 6-P produced by phosphorylation of 5-thio- d -glucose and by conversion from 5-thio- d -glucose 1-P was identified by chromatographic mobility and by color reactions.
Testicular synchrony: evaluation and analysis of different protocols.

Using the vitamin A depletion-replacement rat model to obtain testicular synchrony, we examined the reproducibility and degree of synchronization obtained by two different protocols. In the original protocol (A), synchrony was achieved by use of retinol alone. In protocol B, retinoic acid was used during the final days of vitamin A depletion as a supplement to retinoL With protocol A, a total of 56 rats were analyzed by an adaptation of a previously published method for quantifying synchrony. Animals treated by protocol A demonstrated a reproducible degree of synchrony although variability was high among Individual animals. A smaller group of animals treated with protocol B demonstrated a lower degree of synchrony. In contrast, the midpoint of synchrony (point in the cycle at which 50% of the stages are more advanced and 50% are less advanced) was a more constant value and was not different between the two treatments. The midpoints of synchrony obtained from both protocols were used to calculate a cycle duration of 300 h for our strain of Sprague-Dawley rats. Our results indicate that while the use of either protocol can reproducibly provide testicular synchrony, protocol A results in a higher degree of synchrony. The ability to synchronize testes to selected stages provides sufficient experimental material for the study of the molecular and cellular events of spermatogenesis.
An improved extreme point solution for checking robust stability of interval matrices with much reduced vertex set and combinatorial effort

This paper addresses a research topic of high interest, namely the issue of developing a finitely computable necessary and sufficient test for checking the robust stability of interval matrices and provides a complete solution to the problem in the form of an improved extreme point result. The novelty of the proposed solution is that for this special case of interval matrices, it is possible to reduce the computational effort significantly in the algorithm for checking the robust stability. By exploiting the hyperrectangle nature of the interval matrix description, the algorithm achieves computational savings in two avenues: in one avenue, we identify the critical vertex set to be used in the checking and in the other we avoid some unnecessary combinations. These two avenues when incorporated within the extreme point algorithm (developed by the author for checking the robust stability of general polytopes of matrices) results eventually in a much reduced number of extreme point (Kronecker nonsingularity matrices) checks in the final algorithm. This checking is done in the higher dimensional Kronecker Lyapunov space. The proposed methodology is illustrated with a variety of examples. The importance of this result and possible extensions of this result are discussed.
Effects of Esthetic Surroundings: I. Initial Effects of Three Esthetic Conditions Upon Perceiving “Energy” and “Well-Being” in Faces

(1956). Effects of Esthetic Surroundings: I. Initial Effects of Three Esthetic Conditions Upon Perceiving “Energy” and “Well-Being” in Faces. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 41, No. 2, pp. 247-254.
Joint rate and power control algorithms for wireless networks

There is a fundamental tradeoff between power consumption, data transmission rates, and congestion levels in a wireless network. These three elements influence the performance of rate and power control strategies, and they need to be coordinated judiciously. This paper proposes dynamic rate and power control algorithms for distributed wireless networks that also account for the congestion levels in a network. The design is pursued by formulating state-space models with and without uncertain dynamics and by determining control signals that help meet certain performance criteria (such as robustness and desired levels of signal-to-interference ratio). Simulation results illustrate the performance of the proposed control schemes.
Ascertainment of Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndromes

TO THE EDITOR: In a recent article published in Journal of Clinical Oncology, Goldberg et al estimated that approximately 45,000 new cases of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) were diagnosed among individuals 65 years or older in the United States in 2003. This number was surprisingly high, given that two other studies have estimated that the number of incident MDS cases is approximately 10,000 each year in the United States, and in both studies, that estimate was reportedly for all age groups combined. After a careful review of the article by Goldberg et al, we were quite concerned about how the authors ascertained MDS patients from among Medicare beneficiaries. As described by the authors, “the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology ninth edition CM (ICD-9-CM) code 238.7 was used to identify patients with a new diagnosis of MDS in calendar year 2003,” and patients with anemias of known causes or myeloid leukemia diagnosed in the previous year (2002) were excluded. It seems that the authors confused two different disease classification systems: the International Classification of Diseases, with the most recent codes contained within the 10th edition, and the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, with the most recent codes contained within the 3rd edition. The code cited by the authors, 238.7, is an ICD-9-CM code (CM indicates clinical modification) that is not specific to MDS. Rather, it includes multiple other diseases and conditions. The American Medical Association publishes the ICD-9-CM codes annually. In the 2002 and 2003 publications, the following information was listed for code 238.7. 238.7. Other lymphatic and hematopoietic tissues. Disease: lymphoproliferative (chronic), not otherwise specified; myeloproliferative (chronic), not otherwise specified; idiopathic thrombocythemia; megakaryocytic myelosclerosis; myelodysplastic syndrome; myelosclerosis with myeloid metaplasia; panmyelosis (acute). A patient who had Medicare claims that included an ICD-9-CM code of 238.7 might have been diagnosed with MDS or one of the several other diseases or conditions designated by this code. By using a nonspecific diagnostic code, the authors included non-MDS cases in their study population, which inflated the number of MDS patients and made the study findings difficult to interpret.
SimpleFlow: A Non-iterative, Sublinear Optical Flow Algorithm

Optical flow is a critical component of video editing applications, e.g. for tasks such as object tracking, segmentation, and selection. In this paper, we propose an optical flow algorithm called SimpleFlow whose running times increase sublinearly in the number of pixels. Central to our approach is a probabilistic representation of the motion flow that is computed using only local evidence and without resorting to global optimization. To estimate the flow in image regions where the motion is smooth, we use a sparse set of samples only, thereby avoiding the expensive computation inherent in traditional dense algorithms. We show that our results can be used as is for a variety of video editing tasks. For applications where accuracy is paramount, we use our result to bootstrap a global optimization. This significantly reduces the running times of such methods without sacrificing accuracy. We also demonstrate that the SimpleFlow algorithm can process HD and 4K footage in reasonable times. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effects of electric and magnetic fields on charge density wave solitons: Possible collective quantum behavior

Aharonov-Bohm oscillations of period h/2e in the charge density wave (CDW) magneto-conductance of TaS3 rings strongly support the hypothesis that CDW electron transport is a cooperative quantum phenomenon. In the picture discussed here, droplets or aggregates of solitons and antisolitons quantum-mechanically nucleate and carry current above a Coulomb blockade threshold for CDW transport. The Schrodinger equation is treated as a “classical” description of emerging order parameters, as in Feynman’s description of Josephson tunneling. However, one key distinction of the proposed CDW model is that both the amplitudes and relative phases of the soliton droplet order parameters can vary with time. This ability to vary both amplitudes and phases of wave-function-like order parameters may prove critical to any viable quantum information processing strategies robust against decoherence.
Is Toxoplasma egress the first step in invasion

The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii maintains an intracellular lifestyle that requires careful timing and coordination when exiting one cell (egress) and entering another (invasion). Here it is argued that T. gondii uses similar molecular mechanisms for egress and invasion, based on common morphology, dependence on motility, and regulation by a calcium-dependent signal transduction pathway. In our view, this strategy is highly advantageous because it allows the parasite to egress rapidly from one cell and immediately invade an adjacent cell, thereby minimizing exposure to the extracellular environment where it could be destroyed by host immune mediators.
Enhanced rates of acyl transfer to a neighboring hydroxyl group

Abstract 2-Hydroxymethyl-4-nitrophenyl trimethylacetate is rapidly converted, by an intramolecular pathway, to its benzyl ester counterpart in aqueous solutions of dilute buffers. Intramolecular acyl migration is favored by a factor of 105 over intermolecular transfer of the trimethylacetyl group to surrounding water molecules. The activation parameters of the reaction demonstrate that the rate acceleration is primarily entropic in origin. At constant pH, the apparent first-order rate constant for intramolecular acyl migration displays a linear dependence on the concentration of the basic component of the buffer. For catalysis by imidazole, a solvent deuterium isotope effect of k H k D = 2.4 is observed, in accord with a general base-catalyzed pathway. Similarities between intramolecular and intracomplex transacylations are discussed with the conclusion that the migration of a trimethylacetyl group from the phenolic oxygen atom of a 2-hydroxymethyl-4-nitrophenol to the adjacent benzylic oxygen atom provides an accurate model for acylation of the serine hydroxyl group at the active site of α-chymotrypsin by nitrophenyl esters.
Heights of native-born whites during the antebellum period.

This paper uses data on height by age drawn from Civil War muster rolls to analyze the nutritional status of the native-born white population during the antebellum period. Preliminary regression results reveal significant differences in adult heights across occupations, regions, urban-rural and migrant status, and birth cohorts. The economic and demographic implications of these findings are also explored.
Comparison of some different methods for measuring particle size using microscopically calibrated glass beads

Abstract Measurements of particle size distribution by the microscope and by a number of other methods were compared using samples of glass beads from a single blended batch as the reference material. The other methods included a Coulter counter, electroformed sieves, the Andreasen pipette, and the Roller analyzer. Surface average particle size calculated from microscopic and Lea-Nurse air-permeability measurements were also compared. As an independent check of diameter measurements with the microscope, comparisons were made with an interferometer, using fibers drawn from a melt of the same glass. These comparisons afforded an opportunity to assess some of the sources of error in each of the methods. Differences between the averages of results obtained with the microscope and those obtained with the Coulter counter, the Lea-Nurse apparatus, the Andreasen pipette as well as the interferometer were comparable in magnitude with the normal statistical variations inherent in the methods themselves. However, small systematic biases were observed. Agreement between results by the microscope and the Roller analyzer was satisfactory, although the latter is subject to greater uncertainties than the other methods investigated. Disagreements were obtained with fine electroformed sieves, which passed more material than predicted from the size distribution by the microscope.
Educating software engineering students to manage risk

In 1996, the University of Southern California (USC) switched its core two-semester software engineering course from a hypothetical-project, homework-and-exam course based on the Bloom taxonomy of educational objectives (knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation). The revised course is a real-client team-project course based on the CRESST (Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards and Student Testing) model of learning objectives (content understanding, problem solving, collaboration, communication and self-regulation). We used the CRESST cognitive demands analysis to determine the necessary student skills required for software risk management and the other major project activities, and have been refining the approach over the last four years of experience, including revised versions for one-semester undergraduate and graduate project courses at Columbia University. This paper summarizes our experiences in evolving the risk management aspects of the project courses. These have helped us mature more general techniques, such as risk-driven specifications, domain-specific simplifier and complicator lists, and the SAIV (schedule as an independent variable) process model. The largely positive results in terms of review pass/fail rates, client evaluations, product adoption rates and hiring manager feedback are summarized as well.
Pyrrolines as Prodrugs of γ‐Aminobutyric Acid Analogues

delta 1-Pyrroline, 5-methyl-delta 1-pyrroline, and 5,5-dimethyl-delta 1-pyrroline have been identified as substances metabolized to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), 4-aminopentanoic acid (methylGABA), and 4-amino-4-methylpentanoic acid (dimethylGABA), respectively. An enzyme system residing in the soluble fraction of rabbit liver catalyzes the conversion of delta 1-pyrroline to GABA and its lactam, 2-pyrrolidinone. Acetaldehyde, allopurinol, and cyanide inhibited the reaction. Incubation of deuterium-labeled delta 1-pyrroline with mouse brain homogenates produced deuterated GABA. Mouse liver 10,000 g supernatant and mouse brain homogenates converted 5-methyl-delta 1-pyrroline to methylGABA, and 5,5-dimethyl-delta 1-pyrroline to dimethylGABA. Four hours after intraperitoneal injection of 5-methyl-delta 1-pyrroline (200 mg/kg), methylGABA was detected in mouse brain (0.27 mumol/g). DimethylGABA (1.21 mumol/g) was determined in mouse brain 30 min after intraperitoneal administration of 5,5-dimethyl-delta 1-pyrroline (200 mg/kg). Neither methylGABA nor dimethylGABA penetrated into the central nervous system when administered in the periphery. The present studies suggest that pyrrolines may represent a chemical class of brain-penetrating precursors of pharmacologically active analogues of GABA.
Solute Mixing Models for Water-Distribution Pipe Networks

The spreading of solutes or contaminants through water-distribution pipe networks is controlled largely by mixing at pipe junctions where varying flow rates and concentrations can enter the junction. Alternative models of solute mixing within these pipe junctions are presented in this paper. Simple complete-mixing models are discussed along with rigorous computational-fluid-dynamics models based on turbulent Navier–Stokes equations. In addition, a new model that describes the bulk-mixing behavior resulting from different flow rates entering and leaving the junction is developed in this paper. Comparisons with experimental data have confirmed that this bulk-mixing model provides a lower bound to the amount of mixing that can occur within a pipe junction, while the complete-mixing model yields an upper bound. In addition, a simple scaling parameter is used to estimate the actual (intermediate) mixing behavior based on the bounding predictions of the complete-mixing and bulk-mixing models. These simple analy...
Preservice Teachers' Understanding of Perimeter and Area

Fifty-four postgraduate (elementary school) preservice teachers were given four tasks, two to assess their understanding of perimeter and two to assess their understanding of area. The teachers were asked to prepare a question that would assess student understanding of perimeter. Then they were given three problems and asked to decide whether the problems had sufficient information for a solution. The type of question prepared for the first task and the number of preservice teachers who stated that the other three tasks had insufficient information indicate a procedural understanding of perimeter and area, rather than a conceptual and relational understanding
A Dissipation Function for the Internal Wave Radiative Balance Equation

Abstract The radiative balance equation describes the evolution of the internal wave action density spectrum n (k) in response to propagation, generation, nonlinear transfer, dissipation, and other processes. Dissipation is assumed to be due primarily to wave breaking, either by shear or gravitational instability. As part of the Internal Wave Action Model (IWAM) modeling effort, a family of dissipation functions is studied that is to account for this dissipation by wave breaking in the radiative balance equation. The dissipation function is of the quasi-linear form Sdiss = −γ (k, Ri−1) n(k), where the dissipation coefficient γ depends on wavenumber k and inverse Richardson number Ri−1. It is based on the dissipation model of Garrett and Gilbert (1988) and contains three free adjustable parameters: c0, p, and q. To gain insight into the role that each of the free parameters plays in the dissipative decay of the wave spectrum, we first consider simple examples that can be solved analytically: the response t...
An L-section DC electric field switchable bulk acoustic wave solidly mounted resonator filter based on Ba 0.5S r 0.5 TiO 3

This paper reports on the modeling, fabrication, and experimental results of a voltage switchable barium strontium titanate solidly mounted resonator filter at 6 GHz. The filter insertion loss was measured to be -4.26 dB and the return loss to be -13.5 dB. The 3-dB bandwidth was measured to be 72 MHz and the quality factor was calculated to be 83. The data were collected at a dc bias voltage of 10 V. Temperature data were also collected, and the filter demonstrated a 0.71-dB increase in insertion loss and a 7-MHz decrease in center frequency with increase in temperature.
First Year Experience Course: Insights From The First Two Years

Retention rates of students in a business school Freshman Year Experience (FYE) course were compared to overall University retention rates for two successive years. Slightly higher retention was experienced by the business FYE students than for the University overall. Student responses to exit survey questions were compared to retention activity to assess any potential relationships. Contrary to existing theoretical models, no significant correlations existed between measures of academic skill building and retention, and between student connectedness and retention. Significant correlation did exist between student academic expectations and intention to return.
Stability bounds on compact astrophysical objects from information-entropic measure

We obtain bounds on the stability of various self-gravitating astrophysical objects using a new measure of shape complexity known as configurational entropy. We apply the method to Newtonian polytropes, neutron stars with an Oppenheimer-Volkoff equation of state, and to self-gravitating configurations of complex scalar field (boson stars) with different self-couplings, showing that the critical stability region of these stellar configurations obtained from traditional perturbation methods correlates well with critical points of the configurational entropy with accuracy of a few percent or better.