cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction of photoperiod, light intensity, light quality and ancymidol on growth and flowering of Clerodendrum thomsoniae Balf. ‘Wisconsin’

Abstract Plants of Clerodendrum ‘Wisconsin’, untreated and soil-drenched with 0.9 mg of ancymidol (cyclopropyl (methoxyphenyl) 5-primidinemethanol), were grown under light intensities of 1492.09 μE s−1 m−2 (20% averaged at mid-day) and photoperiods of 9 h (SD), 16 h (LD) and a 9-h SD with 2 h incandescent light interruption (NI) during the dark period. Plants treated with ancymidol were 1 4 the height of untreated ones. The number of days to flower was least under SD, regardless of light intensity, and greatest under NI at 20% light intensity. Untreated plants produced 18.2, 10.2 and 1.4 flowers per plant under SD, LD and NI, respectively, and ancymidol-treated plants produced 63.6, 62.5 and 34.8 flowers per plant under SD, LD and NI, respectively. Untreated plants grown under natural daylength supplemented with incandescent light to give 16-h days or longer were approximately 7 times taller than treated ones; ancymidol-treated plants averaged 56.0 flowers per plant and untreated ones 0.3. Flower number was greatest in the natural 12-h and least in the 24-h photoperiod. Ancymidol-treated plants exposed to 1 h of red light before the dark period for 2 weeks averaged 48.5 flowers in SD and 55.8 in LD; untreated plants averaged 11.5 and 11.3 flowers, respectively. With far-red light treatment, ancymidol-treated plants produced only a few flowers, and untreated ones remained vegetative in both photoperiods.
Particle shape control using pulse electrodeposition: Methanol oxidation as a probe reaction on Pt dendrites and cubes

Abstract Shape controlled Pt particles were synthesized onto tungsten monocarbide (WC) substrates using a pulse electrodeposition method. The particle shape was strongly influenced by the deposition potential, with cubic particles formed using 0.14 V vs. NHE (normal hydrogen electrode) and dendritic particles formed at 0.04 V vs. NHE. The crystalline orientation and active surface area of the Pt particles were estimated using Cu stripping voltammetry. Finally, cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were used to determine the methanol electrooxidation activity, which revealed that the dendritic Pt showed much higher electrochemical activity than the cubic particles. These results demonstrated the possibility of more effectively utilizing Pt electrocatalysts by controlling the shape of Pt particles.
Epitaxial lift-off of strontium titanate thin films and the temperature dependence of the low frequency dielectric properties of the films

Using pulsed laser ablation, we have grown epitaxial bilayers of strontium titanate (STO) and yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO) on lanthanum aluminate (LAO) and neodymium gallate (NGO) substrates. Using a selective acid etch, we have removed the YBCO from the middle of the bilayer and lifted off the strontium titanate films from their parent substrates. Using coplanar interdigital capacitors patterned on the films' surface, we have measured the dielectric constant and loss as a function of frequency and temperature and have resolved frequency dependent loss peaks which indicate thermally activated behavior. Also, by applying a dc bias to the capacitor, we have seen tuning of the lifted off films' dielectric constants that compares favorably to films attached to substrates.
Placement of a multiorificed catheter in the inferior portion of the right atrium; percentage of gas retrieved and success rate of resuscitation after venous air embolism in prone dogs positioned with the abdomen hanging freely

Based on reports of fatal venous air embolism (VAE) occurring during lumbar laminectomy and spinal fusion in prone patients positioned with the abdomen hanging freely, it has been recommended that monitoring for VAE should be used for such cases, and that a multiorificed central venous catheter should be inserted for aspiration of VAE. A previous study from this laboratory reported that, in prone dogs positioned with the abdomen hanging freely, a multiorificed catheter located in the superior portion of the right atrium did not increase the success rate of resuscitation after VAE given via the femoral vein. The present study was designed to examine aspiration of VAE when prone dogs positioned with the abdomen hanging freely were given a fatal VAE via a femoral vein and a multiorificed catheter was located in the inferior portion of the right atrium. Fourteen dogs were anesthetized with isoflurane and nitrous oxide in oxygen and positioned with the abdomen ventral and hanging freely, the head fixed in a stereotaxic frame, the upper extremities resting on a surface approximately 10 cm below the level of the stereotaxic frame and the lower extremities on a surface below the level of the upper extremities (to assure that VAE entering the inferior vena cava would ascend toward the heart). In the control group (n = 7) a catheter was placed in the inferior portion of the right atrium but was not used to aspirate VAE. In a second group (n = 7) a modified Arrow prototype multiorificed catheter was inserted in the inferior portion of the right atrium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The diffusion cooling of neutrons in a finite moderator

Abstract When a pulse of fast neutrons is thermalized in a finite moderating medium, the asymptotic spectrum at long times is slower than an equilibrium Maxwellian distribution, because of preferential leakage of higher-energy neutrons. This phenomenon of “diffusion cooling” can be observed by examining the variation of the asymptotic neutron lifetime with the size of the moderating medium. In this paper, the phenomenon is investigated within the context of energy-dependent diffusion theory. A variational expression for the decay constant is formulated and evaluated for trial solutions of Maxwellian form for the neutron spectrum. For small deviations from thermal equilibrium, an expression of the form proposed by von Dardel is obtained. The present analysis relates the diffusion-cooling term in this expression to the energy dependence of the transport mean free path, and to the mean square energy transfer between thermal neutrons and moderator. An analysis of the available experimental results for beryllium, graphite, and water is carried out and yields information on the effects of chemical binding on the energy transfer between neutrons and moderator. The results for graphite are consistent with the model of Krumhansl and Brooks for the specific heat. The results for beryllium, however, are not consistent with a Debye model which fits the specific heat, and it is suggested that the diffusion cooling is actually smaller than the available experimental value. The analysis for water is less sound theoretically, but it indicates a considerable hindering of the molecular rotations in the liquid.
Intraoperative outflow resistance as a predictor of late patency of femoropopliteal and infrapopliteal arterial bypasses.

Abstract To evaluate the efficacy of intraoperative outflow resistance (OR) measurements in predicting late graft patency rates (PR) for femoropopliteal (FP) and femoroinfrapopliteal (FD) bypasses, we have reviewed 134 such cases performed during the past 3 years at our institution. Of these, 64 bypasses were FP (13 autogenous saphenous vein [ASV] and 51 polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE] and 70 were FD (43 ASV and 27 PTFE). Total and distal OR measurements (measured in millimeters of mercury per milliliter per minute) were divided into four groups each for all infrainguinal bypasses combined and for FP and FD bypasses separately. The relationship of PR to total and distal OR measurements were analyzed according to the product limit method. Overall 1- and 2-year PRs were 64% and 56%, respectively. For FP bypasses the same PRs were 78% and 67% whereas for FD bypasses, they were 52% and 45%, respectively. The 1-year PRs for FP and FD bypasses within each respective OR group were analyzed. For FP bypasses in the lowest to the highest total OR groups, the 1-year PRs were 86%, 75%, 78%, and 62% (NS), and for FD bypasses they were 72%, 89%, 23%, and 22% (p
Light-mediated fava bean (Vicia faba) response to phytochemical and protein elicitors and consequences on nutraceutical enhancement and seed vigour

Abstract Fava bean seedlings are a rich source of levo dihydroxy phenylalanine ( l -DOPA), the precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine. The nutraceutical value and seed vigour of light germinated fava bean seedlings were significantly improved by priming with natural elicitors like fish protein hydrolysates (FPH), lactoferrin (LF) and oregano extract (OE). These elicitors stimulate the phenylpropanoid pathway through the pentose phosphate and shikimate pathway enhancing the production of total phenolics and seed vigour. Previous research in our laboratory has shown that the best elicitor concentration for fava bean was 2 ml/l FPH, 50 ppm LF and 5 ml/l of OE. A 100% germination rate was observed in seeds primed with FPH, 97% with OE, and 92% in LF primed and control. Priming with FPH improved growth by 35 and 25.5% by OE when compared to control. The seeds primed with LF showed no significant increase compared to the control. A significant boost in total phenolics was seen in primed seedlings and this correlated with enhanced seedling height and weight. On day 16 the total phenolics was 25, 9 and 17% higher in FPH, LF and OE primed, respectively, when compared to control. On all days measured the G6PDH activity was higher in control than the elicited seedlings. Previous experiments have shown that for all elicitor treatments a high G6PDH activity was recorded during early germination (24 h) with a concurrent increase in total phenolics and was then reduced by day 20. In the case of control seedlings, phenolics and G6PDH activity was highest on day 20 corresponding to potential delayed developmental demand for metabolites. A steady increase in the GPX activity was observed as the germination progressed both in the case of control and primed seedlings reflecting the plants need for phenolics for lignification and structural development during growth. The antioxidant activity was maximal on day 20 for all treatments demonstrating that perhaps polymerization of phenolics has an antioxidant enhancing effect. The l -DOPA content in fava bean primed with FPH showed a 120% increase over that of the control, corresponding with the high phenolic production on day 16. The elicitors LH and OE showed a 97 and 30% increase respectively over that of the control. The present study demonstrates that elicited fava bean seedlings containing enhanced levels of l -DOPA has excellent potential for use as a functional food, nutraceutical and as an antioxidant. This research also holds agronomic importance suggesting the use of FPH and OE as elicitors to improve fava bean seed vigour and plant productivity.
WiP Abstract: Can Cyber-Physical Systems be Predictable? Inferring Cyber-Workloads from Physical Attributes

We present a new framework that can predict workloads of cyber-tasks based on their physical inputs.
BATSE Soft Gamma-Ray Observations of GRO J0422+32

We report results of a comprehensive study of the soft γ-ray (30 keV to 1.7 MeV) emission of GRO J0422+32 during its first known outburst in 1992. These results were derived from the BATSE earth-occultation database with the JPL data analysis package, EBOP (Enhanced BATSE Occultation Package). Results presented here focus primarily on the long-term temporal and spectral variability of the source emission associated with the outburst, which complement those reported earlier by BATSE, OSSE, COMPTEL, and SIGMA. The light curves with 1 day resolution in six broad energy bands (e.g., 35-100, 100-200, 200-300, 300-400, 400-700, and 700-1000 keV) show that the high-energy flux (>200 keV) led the low-energy flux (<200 keV) by ~5 days in reaching the primary peak, but lagged the latter by ~7 days in starting the declining phase. We confirm the "secondary maximum" of the low-energy (<200 keV) flux at ~TJD 8970-8981, ~120 days after the first maximum, reported earlier by the BATSE team. Our data show that the secondary maximum was also prominent in the 200-300 keV band, but became less pronounced at higher energies. During this 200 day period, the spectrum evolved from a power law with photon index of 1.75 on TJD 8839, to a shape that can be described by a Comptonized model or an exponential power law below 300 keV, with a variable power-law tail above 300 keV. The spectrum remained roughly in this two-component shape until around November 9 (TJD 8935), when the 35-429 keV luminosity dropped to below ~20% of its peak value observed on TJD 8848. It then returned to the initial power-law shape with an index of ~2 and stayed in this shape until the end of the period. The correlation of the two spectral shapes (e.g., Compton/power law tail vs. power law) with the high and low luminosities of the soft γ-ray emission is strongly reminiscent of that seen in Cyg X-1, suggesting that similar processes are at work in both systems. We also observed four separate episodes of high-energy (400-1000 keV) emission during the first 84 days of the event. We interpret these results in terms of the advection-dominated accretion flow (ADAF) model with possibly a "jetlike" region that persistently produced the nonthermal power-law γ-rays observed throughout the event.
Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of alkyl α-d-glucopyranosides

Abstract Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of a series of eleven alkyl α- d -glucopyranosides has been effected and compared with that of the corresponding series of alkyl β- d -glucopyranosides. The former were hydrolyzed at a lower rate than the latter, and, as a group, the d -glucopyranosides of primary alcohols were hydrolyzed at a lower rate than those of secondary alcohols. No relationship between rate of hydrolysis and steric or electronic effects of the aglycons was found. The activation parameters partially compensated each other. It is suggested that the rate of hydrolysis is primarily a function of the extent of protonation of the glycosidic oxygen atom, and that heterolysis leads, in each case, to a similar, product-like transition-state. The lower rate of hydrolysis (protonation) of alkyl α- d -glucopyranosides is attributed to the reverse anomeric effect.
Hypothesis generation and data quality assessment through association mining

Association mining aims to find valid correlations among data attributes, and has been widely applied to many areas of data analysis. In this paper we present a semantic network based association analysis model including three spreading activation methods, and apply this model to assess the quality of a dataset, and generate semantically valid new hypotheses for further investigation. We evaluate our approach on a real public health dataset, the Heartfelt study, and the experiment shows promising results.
Effect of salivary viscosity on frictional coefficients of orthodontic archwire/bracket couples

Stimulated whole saliva samples were collected from 30 healthy individuals and analysed with a cone and plate viscometer. On the basis of these dynamic viscosity measurements saliva from patients, who represented the mean value and two standard deviations above and below the mean value, were selected for frictional force testing. Four archwire/bracket couples (SS/SS, SS/PCA, ~-Ti/SS, and I3-Ti/PCA) were each tested in these three salivas as well as in the dry state a total of five times, each at five different normal loads. With two exceptions no significant differences were found between any of the three wet states for any couple studied. When the dry state was compared to any of the wet states, the SS archwire couples showed a singificant increase in frictional forces, while the 13-Ti archwire couples showed a slight decrease in frictional forces, which was not statistically significant.
A mouse model of human repetitive mild traumatic brain injury

A novel method for the study of repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (rmTBI) that models the most common form of head injury in humans is presented. Existing animal models of TBI impart focal, severe damage unlike that seen in repeated and mild concussive injuries, and few are configured for repetitive application. Our model is a modification of the Marmarou weight drop method and allows repeated head impacts to lightly anesthetized mice. A key facet of this method is the delivery of an impact to the cranium of an unrestrained subject allowing rapid acceleration of the free-moving head and torso, an essential characteristic known to be important for concussive injury in humans, and a factor that is missing from existing animal models of TBI. Our method does not require scalp incision, emplacement of protective skull helmets or surgery and the procedure can be completed in 1-2 min. Mice spontaneously recover the righting reflex and show no evidence of seizures, paralysis or impaired behavior. Skull fractures and intracranial bleeding are very rare. Minor deficits in motor coordination and locomotor hyperactivity recover over time. Histological analyses reveal mild astrocytic reactivity (increased expression of GFAP) and increased phospho-tau but a lack of blood-brain-barrier disruption, edema and microglial activation. This new animal model is simple and cost-effective and will facilitate characterization of the neurobiological and behavioral consequences of rmTBI. It is also ideal for high throughput screening of potential new therapies for mild concussive injuries as experienced by athletes and military personnel.
Performance of a Gaussian model for centerline concentrations in the wake of buildings

Abstract This paper examines the performance and inherent limitations of a Gaussian plume model for predicting ground-level plume centerline concentrations in the wake of buildings. The Gaussian plume equation has been modified to incorporate building wake enhanced dispersion parameters. Model-predicted concentrations were compared to three sets of field observations. Predicted and observed concentrations were partitioned into groups by source-receptor distance, atmospheric stability class, and source-release height. The group analyses provided a way to identify sources of model error. The variability of errors was found to have values between 50 and 100 % of the mean observed concentration for groups where the mean error was small.
Peritoneal dialysis in the management of acute renal failure in 5 dogs with leptospirosis

Objective: To describe the use of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in the management of 5 dogs with acute renal failure (ARF) caused by leptospirosis. Case Series Summary: All dogs were treated for leptospirosis with intravenous (IV) fluids and ampicillin prior to PD. Median age of dogs was 5 years (range 2–6 years). All dogs had positive titers for Leptospira bratislava. Median duration of PD was 4 days (range 3–16 days). PD resulted in a decrease in azotemia in all dogs. Median serum blood urea nitrogen at the start of PD was 192 mg/dL (range 140–235 mg/dL) and at the end of PD was 63 mg/dL (range 48–139 mg/dL). Median serum creatinine at the start of PD and the end was 12.8 mg/dL (range 7.7–16.9 mg/dL) and 3.4 mg/dL (range 1.4–11.1 mg/dL), respectively. Complications identified during PD included hypokalemia (n=3, 60%), hypoalbuminemia (n=2, 40%), hypomagnesemia (n=1, 20%), pelvic limb edema (n=2, 40%), central nervous system signs (n=2, 40%), dialysate retention (n=1, 20%), and leakage from the catheter site (n=1, 20%). Peritonitis was not identified in any of the dogs. Four dogs (80%) survived to discharge from the hospital. PD was effective for management of uremia in dogs with ARF caused by leptospirosis.
Cognitive science and teacher education

(1985). Cognitive science and teacher education. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 24, Learning and the Brain, pp. 127-130.
Efficiency of a model human image code.

Hypothetical schemes for neural representation of visual information can be expressed as explicit image codes. Here, a code modeled on the simple cells of the primate striate cortex is explored. The Cortex transform maps a digital image into a set of subimages (layers) that are bandpass in spatial frequency and orientation. The layers are sampled so as to minimize the number of samples and still avoid aliasing. Samples are quantized in a manner that exploits the bandpass contrast-masking properties of human vision. The entropy of the samples is computed to provide a lower bound on the code size. Finally, the image is reconstructed from the code. Psychophysical methods are derived for comparing the original and reconstructed images to evaluate the sufficiency of the code. When each resolution is coded at the threshold for detection artifacts, the image-code size is about 1 bit/pixel.
NURSERY OUTBREAK OF SCALDED SKIN SYNDROME DUE TO GROUP I STAPHYLOCOCCUS SUREUS

Scalded skin syndrome (SSS) has been associated with group II staphylococci. We recently studied a nursery outbreak of this syndrome caused by group I S. aureus. The epidemic occurred from 8/1-14/73 in the newborn nursery of a Salt Lake City hospital. Four female infants developed a scarlatinaform eruption within the first week of life. The eruption was characterized by a generalized, finely papular erythema; one infant experienced mild epidermal peeling. Two of the infants were febrile. Cultures of the umbilical cords and/or the anterior nares grew S. aureus, phage type 29/52/79/86/D11/81. The eruption rapidly cleared after treatment with Nafcillin. Bacteriologic surveillance of the nursery revealed one admitting nurse as a nasal carrier of the epidemic phage type; no infants other than the original cases were colonized with the epidemic strain, and no additional cases were uncovered by a telephone survey. Staphylococci which cause SSS are characterized by the production of a toxin which is capable of producing exfoliation in newborn mice. The epidemic strain, when tested in the suckling-mouse, produced epidermal necrolysis. The demonstration that a group I staphylococcus can produce an exfoliative toxin suggests that a common mechanism for toxin production may exist for groups I and II staphylococci.
Schizotypal personality disorder or prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia

Schizotypal personality disorder shares some attenuated phenotypic features with schizophrenia, but represents an independent syndrome. In contrast, prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia represent early warning signs of the impending onset of schizophrenia. Although these constructs are intended to reflect independent syndromes, self-report instruments measuring these constructs assess similar symptoms. It does not appear that existing research has examined the relative discriminant validity of screening instruments for these syndromes. A sample of 998 young adults (68% female; 73% Caucasian), within the age of risk for schizophrenia (ages 18-34; mean 20.4+/-2.2), met validity criteria after completing online versions of the Abbreviated Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ-B) and the 24-item Abbreviated Youth Psychosis at Risk Questionnaire (Y-PARQ-B). Based on clinical cut-off scores used in previous research, 5.2% were [only] considered at heightened risk for psychosis (potentially prodromal), 3.4% had [only] schizotypal personality features, and 2.9% met criteria for both constructs (75% of individuals meeting cutoff for one measure did not meet criteria for the other). Males and younger participants scored significantly higher on both measures. The total scores from the SPQ-B and Y-PARQ-B showed a significant positive correlation (r(s)=.66, p<.001, R2=.43); however, 57% of the variance was not shared between the measures. Of the three SPQ-B subscales, Cognitive-Perceptual showed the strongest correlation with Y-PARQ-B. Results suggest that the SPQ-B and Y-PARQ-B have moderate discriminate validity between the overlapping, yet distinct, constructs of schizotypal personality and heightened risk of developing psychosis (potentially prodromal).
Sexual dysfunction and antidepressants

Antidepressants can interfere with sexual desire, arousal, or orgasm. Frequency estimates vary considerably and are likely to be influenced by methods of assessment, drug type, diagnostic group, dose, length of treatment, baseline depressive status, and inclusion of a placebo condition. Frequency estimates of antidepressant induced sexual dysfunction were reviewed in three sets of data: Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR) product monograph, placebo-controlled trials, and uncontrolled reports. Rates were lowest in the PDR and highest when a structured rating was used. Among the drug groups, from all those sources, sexual dysfunction was lowest overall with bupropion, moclobemide, and trazodone, intermediate for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and venlafaxine, and highest for tricyclic (TCA) and first generation monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) drugs. In open, uncontrolled trials, bupropion was associated with disappearance of sexual dysfunction when given to patients who exhibited this side effect from TCA or SSRI drugs. This review suggests that men and women, depressives and non-depressives, are both at risk for sexual side effects. Currently available sexual function scales are either too complex for routine clinical use, or are limited in scope (e.g., restricted to males only). Availability of a simple, easy to use, analogue-type scale would facilitate research, and perhaps enhance the use of antidepressant drugs. Depression 2:233–240 (1994/1995). © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder’s Traumatic Stressor Criterion: History, Controversy, and Clinical and Legal Implications

This paper discusses posttraumatic stress disorder’s (PTSD) traumatic stressor criterion (Criterion A) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). The history of the stressor criterion is detailed, including how it has changed over time in successive versions of the DSM. We discuss controversy over the stressor criterion, regarding arguments about whether it is too conservative or too liberal. Studies comparing Criterion A and non-Criterion A events in their association with PTSD are discussed, including the finding across studies that non-Criterion A events are just as (or more) likely to result in PTSD. Potential explanations to account for this finding are discussed, including presentation of solutions to Criterion A’s limitations. Finally, legal implications for Criterion A in evaluating individuals presenting with PTSD in civil and criminal cases are discussed.
Strictness analysis of the untyped l-calculus

We provide a precise characterization of the strictness properties of the untyped lambda-calculus. Using the notion of head evaluation to model lazy evaluation, we give a definition of strictness appropriate for the lambda-calculus. We establish that strictness is a necessary and sufficient condition for the ‘eager’ evaluation of function arguments. We describe an algorithm for computing strictness properties of convergent terms. We show that the natural classification of if–then–else as strict in its first and, jointly, strict in its second and third arguments is possible only in an applied lambda-calculus that either includes constants or has some form of type structure.
Hybrid Gauss Pseudospectral and Generalized Polynomial Chaos Algorithm to Solve Stochastic Trajectory Optimization Problems

A algorithm combining the Gauss Pseudospectral Method (GPM) with a Generalized Polynomial Chaos (gPC) method to solve nonlinear stochastic optimal control problems with constraint uncertainties is presented. The GPM and gPC have been shown to be spectrally accurate numerical methods for solving deterministic optimal control problems and stochastic differential equations, respectively. The gPC uses collocation nodes to sample the random space, which are then inserted into the differential equations and solved using standard solvers to generate a set of deterministic solutions used to characterize the distribution of the solution by constructing a polynomial representation of the output as a function of uncertain parameters. The proposed algorithm investigates using GPM optimization software in place of deterministic differential equation solvers traditionally used in the gPC, providing minimum cost deterministic solutions that meet path, control, and boundary constraints. A trajectory optimization problem is considered where the objectives are to find the path through a two-dimensional space that minimizes the probability a vehicle will be ’killed’ by lethal threats whose locations are uncertain and to characterize the effects those uncertainties have on the solution by estimating the statistical properties.
Dysregulation of gene expression within the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor pathway in morbidly obese patients

Background The causes of obesity are multifactorial but may include dysregulation of a family of related genes, such as the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ). When activated, the PPARγ pathway promotes lipid metabolism. This study used microarray technology to evaluate differential gene expression profiles in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery.
XCS for adaptive user-interfaces

We outline our context learning framework that harnesses information from a user's environment to learn user preferences for application actions. Within this framework, we employ XCS in a real world application for personalizing user-interface actions to individual users. Sycophant, our context aware calendaring application and research test-bed, uses XCS to adaptively generate user-preferred alarms for ten users in our study. Our results show that XCS' alarm prediction performance equals or surpasses the performance of One-R and a decision tree algorithm for all the users. XCS' average performance is close to $90$ percent on the alarm prediction task for all ten users. These encouraging results further highlight the feasibility of using XCS for predictive data mining tasks and the promise of a classifier systems based approach to personalize user interfaces.
Congestion reduction during placement based on integer programming

This paper presents a novel method to reduce routing congestion during placement stage. The proposed approach is used as a post-processing step in placement. Congestion reduction is based on local improvement on the existing layout. However, the approach has a global view of the congestion over the entire design. It uses integer linear programming (ILP) to formulate the conflicts between multiple congested regions, and performs local improvement according to the solution of ILP. Experiments show that the proposed approach can effectively reduce the total overflow of global routing result. The short running time of the algorithm indicates good scalability on large designs.
Computations for constrained linear models

Abstract The article presents an algorithm for linear regression computations subject to linear parametric equality constraints, linear parametric inequality constraints, or a mixture of the two. No rank conditions are imposed on the regression specification or the constraint specification. The algorithm requires a full Moore-Penrose g-inverse which entails extra computational effort relative to other orthonormalization type algorithms. In exchange, auxiliary statistical information is generated: feasibility of a set of constraints may be checked, estimability of a linear parametric function may be checked, and bias and variance may be decomposed by source.
N-glycosylated and unglycosylated forms of caprine trophoblast protein-1 are secreted by preimplantation goat conceptuses.

Summary Goat conceptuses secrete caprine trophoblast protein-1 (cTP-1) which is related antigenically to the abundant embryonic interferon- α II of sheep and cattle. Antiserum to ovine and bovine TP-Is immunoprecipitated three molecular weight classes (23,000, 21,000 and 17,000, each with two isotypes) of cTP-1 from goat conceptus culture medium. Cultures which contained tunicamycin resulted in a shift in the M r =23,000 and M r =21,000 forms to a M r of 17,000. The M r =23,000 and 21,000 forms, but not the M r =17,000 form, bound to Concanavalin A-Sepharose and were eluted under conditions selective for glycoproteins bearing complex-type oligosaccharide(s). Thus cTP-1 is a mixture of glycosylated and unglycosylated polypeptides.
Implementation issues for marketable permits: A case study of newsprint

The Congress is considering a marketable permit approach to increase the demand for old newspapers. Although this approach, rather than a uniform standard, results in potential efficiency gains, these gains will be realized only if the policy is enforceable, and an active and competitive permit market develops. This paper highlights the unique features of the marketable permit system under consideration and examines the question of whether the conditions necessary for the full efficiency gains to be realized are likely to be met.
FPGA design of MOMS-based sampling rate converters

In this paper we describe design options when implementing sampling rate converters with FPGAs. We first review typical designs using IIR and FFT-based systems and then show implementations of fractional sampling rate changer ranging from Lagrange, B-spline to recently introduced C-MOMS and O-MOMS designs. Speed, area and error performance results for the circuits designed in VHDL are provided.
Near-surface channel impedance measurements, open-circuit impedance spectra, and differential capacitance vs potential measurements of the fermi level position at Si/ CH3CN contacts

Near-surface channel impedance measurements, open-circuit impedance spectra, and differential capacitance vs potential measurements have been used to determine the barrier height of liquid contacts formed with n-type and p-type Si electrodes. Barrier heights were measured as the redox potential, E(A/A^-), of a metallocene-based, one-electron, outer-sphere, acceptor/donor (A/A^-) pair was varied in CH_3CN solvent. The barrier heights of p-Si(111) electrodes in contact with CH_3CN−Me_(10)Fc^(+/0) (where Me_(10)Fc is decamethylferrocene) or CH_3CN-CoCp_2^(+/0) (where CoCp_2 is cobaltocene) were 0.69 ± 0.1 and 1.1 ± 0.1 V respectively. In contrast, barrier heights for n-Si(111)/CH_3CN−Me_(10)Fc^(+/0) and n-Si(111)/CH_3CN-CoCp_2^(+/0) contacts were 0.66 ± 0.1 and 0.09 ± 0.01 V, respectively. These measurements indicate that the barrier heights closely track changes in the electrochemical potential of the contact, instead of being relatively invariant to changes in the Fermi level of the contacting phase, as is observed for Si/metal Schottky barriers. These measurements also demonstrate that the low effective surface recombination velocity, S, for silicon in contact with CoCp_2^(+/0) is primarily the result of an accumulation layer rather than solely being due to a low density of surface electrical defects.
Organoindium Thiolate Oligomers: An X-ray Structural Study

The reaction of R3In (R = methyl, tert-butyl, xylyl) with bis(tricyclohexyltin) sulfide, 2-methylpropane-2-thiol, 4,6-dimethyl-2-mercaptopyrimidine, cyclopentanethiol, cyclohexanethiol, 2,5-dimethylbenzenethiol, or 2,6-methylbenzenethiol has yielded seven new indium−sulfur complexes: {m-Xyl2In[μ-SSn(C6H11)3]}2 (2), [t-Bu2In(μ-S-C5H9)]2 (3), [t-Bu2In(μ-S-C6H11)]2 (4), {t-Bu2In[μ-S(2,5-Me2)C6H3]}2 (5), [Me2In(μ-S-t-Bu)]3 (6), {t-Bu2In[μ-S(4,6-Me2)C4N2H]}3 (7), and {Me2In[μ-S(2,6-Me2)C6H3]}4 (8). These complexes have been studied by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and their structures have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. 2−5 form dimeric species with planar (In−S)2 cores, 6 forms a trimer which adopts a skew-boat conformation, 7 forms a trimer with a planar six-membered (InS)3 ring with a secondary In−N interaction, giving rise to a pseudo-five-coordinate In atom, and 8 forms a tetramer in an extended chair conformation, the first known indium tetramer. Several of the factors of...
Quantification of cellular properties from external fields and resulting induced velocity: Cellular hydrodynamic diameter

An experimental technique is discussed in which the size distribution of a population of cells is de- termined by calculating each cell's settling velocity. The settling velocity is determined from microscopically ob- tained images which were recorded on SVHS tape. These images are then computer imaged and processed, and the cell's location and velocity are determined using a computer algorithm referred to as cell tracking velocim- etry (CTV). Experimental data is presented comparing the distribution of human lymphocytes and a human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, determined using a Coulter counter and the CTV approach. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 64: 509-518, 1999.
Fractal approximation by absolutely continuous invariant measures

Abstract Let {X:τ1, …, τN} be an iterated function system with attractor S. We associate probabilities p1, …, pN with τ1, …, τN, respectively. Let M ( X ) be the space of Borel probability measures on X, and let M: M ( X )→ M ( X ) be the Markov operator associated with the iterated function system and its probabilities given by (Mν)(A)=ΣNi=1 piν(τ-1iA), where A is a measurable subset of X. Then there exists a unique μϵ M ( A ) such that Mμ=μ; μ is referred to as the measure invariant under the iterated function system with the associated probabilities. The support of μ is the attractor S. For X=unit square in R 2, we prove the existence of a sequence of iterated function systems whose invariant measures {μi} are absolutely continuous with respect to Lebesgue measure and {μi} converges weakly to μ as i→∞.
Linking biomarkers to reproductive success of caged fathead minnows in streams with increasing urbanization.

Reproductive and oxidative stress biomarkers have been recommended as tools to assess the health of aquatic organisms. Though validated in the laboratory, there are few studies that tie a change in gene expression to adverse reproductive or population outcomes in the field. This paper looked at 17 streams with varying degrees of urbanization to assess the use of biomarkers associated with reproduction or stress in predicting reproductive success of fathead minnows. In addition, the relationship between biomarkers and water quality measures in streams with varying degrees of urbanization was examined. Liver vitellogenin mRNA was correlated with reproduction within a period of 11 d prior to sampling irrespective of habitat, but its correlation with egg output declined at 12 d and beyond indicating its usefulness as a short-term biomarker but its limits as a biomarker of total reproductive output. Stress biomarkers such as glutathione S-transferase may be better correlated with factors affecting reproduction over a longer term. There was a significant correlation between GST mRNA and a variety of anthropogenic pollutants. There was also an inverse correlation between glutathione S-transferase and the amount of the watershed designated as wetland. Egg production over the 21-d was negatively correlated with the amount of urbanization and positively correlated to wetland habitats. This study supports the development of multiple biomarkers linking oxidative stress and other non-reproductive endpoints to changes in aquatic habitats will be useful for predicting the health of fish populations and identifying the environmental factors that may need mitigation for sustainable population management.
Sintered coal ash/flux materials for building materials

An Illinois coal ash, which has metals and a large amount of iron, is considered to be an especially difficult waster for disposal. In the process described in this paper, the high iron and metal content is used to create a building material with special properties. The metals are sequestered. The metals allow a process that creates valueadded products, building materials. The products are inexpensively prepared colored, strong, lightweight insulative structural panels. By either sintering in an oven at 725°C or by adding a flux and sintering at 525°C, panels are produced which will not leach metals from the ash. The use of an acid with the fly ash as a flux was investigated in comparison with fly ash control samples. The effects of sintering samples at different temperatures and with or without vacuum were also observed. Properties of the samples, including values for strength, water absorption, insulation, and color, are presented from this study.
Malignant teratoma of the parapharyngeal space in an adult: A rare lesion presenting as cervical cord compression

The 12th case of a cervical teratoma in an adult is presented. This malignant lesion, located in the parapharyngeal space, presented clinically with signs and symptoms of a cervical cord compression secondary to metastases. The computed tomography, dynamic scan, and angiography workup of this patient is presented, and the literature is reviewed.
Effects of Hemodialysis on Left Ventricular Diastolic Filling

Diastolic Doppler filling parameters were measured before and after hemodialyses, performed once with and once without fluid removal. Changes occurred only with fluid removal and correlated with weight loss, indicating that they are the result of reduction in preload.
Posttranslational acylation of the transferrin receptor in LSTRA cells with myristate, palmitate and stearate: Evidence for distinct acyltransferases

Abstract When incubated with [ 3 H]myristate or [ 3 H]palmitate, LSTRA cells, a murine T cell line, incorporated radiolabel into a protein of 95 kDa as analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This dually acylated protein was identified as the transferrin receptor by immunoprecipitation with a monoclonal anti-transferrin receptor antibody. Acylation of the transferrin receptor was posttranslational and occurred via ester or thioester linkages. Analysis of radiolabeled transferrin receptor protein a from [ 3 H]myristate-labeled cells by acid hydrolysis followed by thin layer chromatography revealed the exclusive presence of [ 3 H]myristate. Labeled transferrin receptor protein from [ 3 H]palmitate-labeled cells contained predominantly [ 3 H]stearate and smaller amounts of [ 3 H]palmitate. This is in contrast to the protein-tyrosine kinase p56 lck , which in [ 3 H]palmitate-treated LSTRA cells, incorporated primarily [ 3 H]palmitate. An analog of myristic acid, 5-nonanyloxyfuran-2-carboxylic acid, inhibited the incorporation of [ 3 H]myristate, but not [ 3 H]palmitate or [ 3 H]stearate into transferrin receptor protein, suggesting that these acylation events are distinct. These studies indicate that the murine transferrin receptor is acylated posttranslationally with myristate, palmitate and stearate and suggest that more than one acyltransferase activity is responsible for its acylation.
The molecular weight of an acetylcholine receptor isolated from Torpedo californica.

Summary The molecular weight of the acetylcholine receptor (AcChR) from Torpedo californica has been determined by membrane osmometry in detergent solutions. It appears that AcChR is a globular protein of 270,000 ± 30,000 daltons which does not change state of aggregation with varying detergent (0.1 to 1%) or protein (2 to 15 mg/ml) concentrations. Because of differences in the values obtained for protein concentration by amino acid analysis and colorimetric methods on the one hand and dry weight values on the other, it is calculated that as much as 45% of the dry weight of preparations of AcChR may be contributed by protein-bound Triton X-100.
Adrenalectomy potentiates immediate early gene expression in rat brain.

: Administration of kainate or pentylenetetrazole increased c-fos, c-jun, junB, and junD mRNA levels in rat brain in a dose-dependent manner. Kainate increased these mRNA levels predominantly in the hippocampus, and pentylenetetrazole was more effective in the cortex. Adrenalectomy (3 days) was used to eliminate endogenous glucocorticoid hormones. Adrenalectomy significantly potentiated kainate-induced increases, compared with increases caused by kainate (4 mg/kg) alone, in the hippocampal mRNA levels of c-fos and junB by 6.5-fold and of junD by twofold and tended to augment c-jun mRNA. Corticosterone administration blocked the potentiated stimulation of these mRNA levels caused by adrenalectomy. Adrenalectomy also significantly increased pentylenetetrazole-induced levels of c-fos mRNA in the cortex. These results demonstrate that glucocorticoids modulate immediate early gene expression in the brain, raising the possibility that this interaction contributes to interneuronal and interindividual differences in responses to stimuli and to the effects of stress- or disease-induced changes in glucocorticoid concentrations.
Interobserver reliability of attending physicians and bedside nurses when using an inpatient paediatric respiratory score.

Aims and objectives This study aimed to determine the interobserver reliability between bedside nurses and attending physicians for a paediatric respiratory score as part of an asthma Integrated Care Pathway implementation. Background An Integrated Care Pathway is one approach to improving quality of care for children hospitalised with asthma. Prior to implementation of the integrated care pathway, it was necessary to train nursing staff on the use of a respiratory assessment tool and to evaluate the interobserver reliability use of this tool. Design Prospective study using a convenience sample of children hospitalised for a respiratory illness in an academic medical centre. Methods The respiratory assessment used was the Paediatric Asthma Score. Bedside nurse-attending physician (27 different RNs and three attending paediatric hospitalists) pairs performed 71 simultaneous patient assessments on 20 patients. Intraclass correlation coefficient and kappa statistics were used to assess interobserver reliability. Results The overall intraclass correlation coefficient was nearly perfect where κ = 0·95, 95% CI (0·92, 0·97) and overall kappa for reliability based on clinically relevant score breakpoints was also high with κ = 0·82, 95% CI (0·75, 0·90). The majority of subgroup analyses revealed substantial to almost perfect agreement across a variety of diagnoses, age ranges, and individual score components. Conclusions Bedside nurses, with support and training from attending physicians, can perform respiratory assessments that agree almost perfectly with those of attending physicians. Relevance to clinical practice The use of an Integrated Care Pathway allows for optimal interprofessional collaboration between bedside nurses and attending physicians.
Improving plasmonic nanoantennas

Improvements in energy damage threshold of gold nanoantennas were studied using stabilizing dielectric films. Annealed nanoantennas show a stronger plasmonic resonance, but have a decreased damage threshold.
Business Value Assessment of Packaged Applications

Unlike others, IT services using packaged applications such as SAP and Oracle modules highly reuse and configure prepackaged software modules. However, the implementation and configuration situation of a packaged application project may significantly differ from another. In this paper, we propose a generic method and model for assessing the cost and benefit of IT services using packaged applications. The proposed method utilizes a questionnaire-based approach to project scoping to capture the heterogeneity. The questionnaire also helps define rules to model the relationship between effort requirements and possible scenarios of packaged application implementation. The proposed method utilizes a rule-based approach to generate cost estimations of given IT service projects. For packaged applications, template data can be pre-defined and customized by using reference process and metrics models, and solution hierarchies. Then, for a given implementation scenario, the business value is estimated by using and customizing the template data. Once the cost and benefit of an IT initiative is assessed as described, other derivative analyses such as business case analyses and pricing can be done by using the estimated costs and business benefits.