cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
LONG TERM PROSTAGLANDIN SYNTHESIS INHIBITORS |[lpar]|PGSI|[rpar]| AND TRACHEAL FLUID |[lpar]|TF|[rpar]| PRODUCTION IN FETAL SHEEP

In fetal sheep, TF production is relatively constant during the last month of gestation; it decreases in the few days before birth, a time when fetal plasma PGE2 concentrations ([PGE2]) are rising. Short term (12 h) infusions of PGE2 decrease TF production, suggesting that the rise in endogenous [PGE2] may be responsible for the prepartum decrease in TF production. To investigate the possible role of PGE2 in the control of TF production before birth, we studied 5 chronically catheterized fetal sheep from 131-150d gestation. In 4 animals, we infused meclofenamate (Mec), a PGSI, at 1.4-2.8 mg/h (a dose previously shown to decrease [PGE2]); the infusion was continued until birth or fetal demise (5-13d). A control animal received an infusion of vehicle only, for 11d. Each day we collected tracheal fluid from a tracheal cannula and a soft, intrauterine collection bag. TF production in experimental and control animals was similar to previously reported normal values. During the 2 days prior to birth TF production progressively decreased in all animals to 30% of the usual rate; this decrease is similar to that previously reported. Thus, Mec did not prevent the prepartum decrease in TF production. We conclude that in the last few days before birth, the rise in [PGE2] does not cause the fall in TF production. (Supported by USPHS Grant HL 27356 (Pulmonary SCOR) and ALA Fellowship Grant.)
Jitter correlation induced by channel dispersion

Correlation between inter-symbol-interference (ISI), duty-cycle-distortion (DCD) and random jitter (RJ) at data channel output is investigated. Jitter components are extracted by comparing crossing time data between repeated simulations under different input jitter conditions. The results show that due to channel dispersion, DCD and RJ RMS at a given output edge depend on the pattern of neighboring bits and vary between edges, leading to correlations between output DCD, RJ and ISI.
Fast minimum and maximum selection

An algorithm of minimum and maximum selection, that allows to speed up this process is presented. New logic functions are introduced to describe the algorithm. Numbers are analyzed beginning with the most significant bits (MSBs). Particularly significant time reduction is achieved when bits of numbers come sequentially, beginning with the most significant ones, or one number comes earlier than the other, or it is necessary to select the minimum or maximum from several numbers (selection of the minimum from 8 4-bit numbers takes less time by 28% and area is 11% less in comparison with traditional methods).
A short-term longitudinal study of the early development of self-regulation

A short-term longitudinal study was conducted to determine whether self-regulation at 4 years could be predicted from child and maternal measures obtained when the children were age 24 months. The subjects were 69 children and their mothers drawn from the general community. Criterion behaviors assessed at 4 years were those suggestive of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Of the 24-month child measures, maternal ratings of the child's impulsivity and attention span, plus an objective measure of delay ability, were the most effective predictors. Maternal negativity, as assessed in mother-child interaction, predicted the criterion behaviors, even after the child's behavior as an elicitor of maternal behavior was controlled. Maternal child-rearing attitudes on the dimensions of warmth and aggravation were also effective predictors, even after controlling for the child's emotionality as a possible determinant of maternal attitudes. It is argued that the results with the maternal attitude measures provide support for the hypothesis that maternal behavior is a contributor to the development of self-regulation.
External cephalic version of the breech presentation under tocolysis

External cephalic version with tocolysis at or near term has been advocated to avoid cesarean birth for breech presentation. In our institution this maneuver was successfully performed in 207 of 304 parturients without major complications, and all but six had vertex presentation at delivery. The success of version was inversely correlated with gestational age but was not correlated with ease of version, number of attempts, or placental location. When this 3-year period was compared with the previous three years (1979 to 1981), there was a significant reduction in the number of breech presentations during labor, whereas the total delivery rate remained relatively constant over the 6-year period. It appears that in a carefully selected population, external version near term can be used safely to reduce the need for abdominal birth because of breech presentation.
Sustainability in Service Operations

This paper aims to set the stage for the development of an index that measures progress towards sustainability in the service sector. A review of the academic literature reveals history and theories on the subject, while a look at the trade literature describes what is happening in each of 13 different service sector industries. A framework for the development of a sustainability index for a commercial enterprise is developed. This framework is aligned with triple bottom line corporate reporting, and measures progress towards sustainability in terms of profit, people, and planet on the principle of continuous improvement.
Negative predictive value of excluding an embedded snake foreign body by ultrasonography

Objective Numerous reputable sources for healthcare providers advocate routine imaging to rule out an embedded tooth or fang after a snake bite. The objective of this study was to determine whether these foreign bodies can be reliably excluded by bedside ultrasonography. Methods All emergency medicine (EM) residents and faculty at a single institution were invited to participate. Two sets of 5 ultrasound gel phantoms were prepared using a method previously validated to have the same density as human tissue. In the first set of 5 phantoms, 1 snake fang was embedded to simulate a retained foreign body. Similarly, in the second set of 5 phantoms, 1 snake tooth was also embedded. Participants were asked to identify the presence or absence of a foreign body in each phantom using bedside ultrasonography. Year of training and confidence in excluding a snake foreign body were also recorded. Results Each participant ( n = 27) performed ultrasound imaging on 10 phantoms for a total of 270 samples. Range of experience included postgraduate year 1 (25.9%), postgraduate year 2 (29.6%), postgraduate year 3 (33.3%), and graduates of EM residency (11.1%). The sensitivity and negative predictive value for ruling out an embedded fang was 92.6% and 98.1%, respectively. The sensitivity and negative predictive value for ruling out an embedded tooth was 77.8% and 93.7%, respectively. Among all the phantoms, there was a sensitivity of 85.2% and a negative predictive value of 96%. Conclusion Bedside ultrasonography performed by an EM physician is a feasible option to rule out embedded foreign bodies after a snake bite if imaging is warranted.
Obesity in Families of Extremely Obese Women

In order to assess the prevalence of obesity in families of extremely obese individuals, we conducted a mail survey of a national obesity organization. Thirty-nine percent (N=981) of the questionnaires were completed and returned. Respondents were excluded from further analysis if they were adopted, male, their gender could not be determined, provided incomplete information about their parents or their own height and weight, or were less than 22 or greater than 63 years of age. The analyses included 729 probands and their families. Both the prevalence and the extent of obesity were high in the families members. The average family members' body mass index (BMI=kg/m2 was 30, and 78% of the families studied had at least one other obese (BM1>30 kg/m2) first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child). Although obesity was common in the families, survey respondents were generally the heaviest members of their families, having an average BMI of 47 kg/m2. Correlations among first- degree relatives were similar to those found for average weight groups, suggesting that obesity and BMI are similarly influenced by family genetic factors in this extremely obese population.
The Symbolic Annihilation of Women in Globalization Discourse: The Same Old Story in U.S. Newsmagazines

This quantitative and qualitative analysis of Time and Newsweek explores how women are incorporated into a globalization discourse that often is seen as a masculinized public sphere. Results indicate that although female journalists integrate women into the news more than their male counterparts, females are invisible in globalization discourse. When discussing female empowerment via globalization, it is through an economic lens with an eye to the impact on women's traditional roles as wives and mothers.
The Political Economy of Regional Water Institutions

Water experts, prominent among them resource economists, typically suggest a unified regional organization as the appropriate institutional approach to an entire range of problems. Yet, the performance of multistate regional organizations has been disappointing. It is argued here that failure of regional institutions to innovate is largely determined by the restraints imposed by political viability. The article describes the political environment of regional organizations and the incentives and disincentives for various interests to associate themselves with regional organizations. Finally, various possible strategies whereby a regional organization can build support are outlined.
Multiple Reductions Revisited

Paul Benacerraf's argument from multiple reductions consists of a general argument against realism about the natural numbers (the view that numbers are objects), and a limited argument against reductionism about them (the view that numbers are identical with prima facie distinct entities). There is a widely recognized and severe difficulty with the former argument, but no comparably recognized such difficulty with the latter. Even so, reductionism in mathematics continues to thrive. In this paper I develop a difficulty for Benacerraf's argument against reductionism that is of comparable severity to the now widely recognized difficulty with his general argument against realism.
Manganese‐iron interactions in the plant‐soil system

Abstract Dicotyledonous plants had significantly higher Mn and Fe intake rates on a near neutral soil, had a significantly higher Mn intake rate on a slightly calcareous soil, but had lower Mn and Fe intake rates on a calcareous soil, than monocotyledonous plants. This dependency on soil reaction suggests that dicots utilize primarily a chemical reduction mechanism, whereas monocots utilize some less pH‐dependent mechanism (possibly Mn(III)‐, Fe(III)‐organic complexation) to mobilize soil Mn and Fe. Soluble soil Mn and Fe fractions in the rhizosphere were consistently positively correlated with each other, as were Mn and Fe intake rates. These results suggest that for soil‐grown plants, Mn and Fe uptake was positively interrelated because both Mn and Fe were mobilized by similar root processes.
Avoiding system failure

An upgraded version of capitalism is needed to protect the world's resources. IDEA In Capitalism 3.0: A Guide to Reclaiming the Commons, Peter Barnes explains the history of capitalism in terms of its operating system. Capitalism 1.0 was notable for land enclosures, shortages and scarcity. Capitalism 2.0 is characterized by surplus and the need to stimulate demand for goods and credit. Its costs include stress and inequality. We are due, Barnes says, for an upgrade to Capitalism 3.0. Robert Costanza reviews the software specs for us. Third time lucky?
Clinical outcomes among renal transplant recipients with pre-transplant weakly-reactive donor specific antibodies

Background Alloantibody can lead to antibody-mediated rejection and graft loss in renal transplantation, necessitating an assessment of cross-match compatibility. Within the past decade, more specific solid phase assays of alloantibody have been widely adopted, allowing virtual cross-matching based on unacceptable antigens, the threshold of which is determined by individual centers. Methods We examined the clinical outcomes of 482 patients transplanted 2007–2009 in a single center, focusing on 30 patients with weakly reactive donor-specific antibody (DSA) determined prospectively prior to renal transplant. Results Compared with patients without DSA, patients with weakly reactive DSA do not have increased rates of antibody-mediated rejection, cellular rejection, or graft loss despite conventional immunosuppression utilization. Conclusions Using the screening methodology and immunosuppression regimen, we have applied to the patients with weak DSA allows them to be transplanted with equivalent outcomes as those without DSA, despite the overall higher risk characteristics of the patients in the weak DSA group.
A 60 GHz High Gain Transformer-Coupled Differential Cascode Power Amplifier in 65 nm CMOS

A fully differential high gain V-band three-stage transformer-coupled power amplifier (PA) is designed and implemented in 65 nm CMOS process. On-chip transformers which offer DC biasing for individual stages, extra stabilization mechanism, single-ended to differential conversion, and input/inter-stage/output matching are used to facilitate a compact amplifier design. The design and optimization methodologies of active and passive devices are presented. With a cascode configuration, the amplifier achieves a linear gain of 30.5dB centered at 63.5GHz and a -40dB reverse isolation under a 1V supply, which compares favorably to recent published V-band PAs. The amplifier delivers 9dBm and 13dBm saturation output power (Psat) under 1V and 1.5V supplies, respectively, and occupies a core chip area of 0.05mm2. The measurement results validate a high gain and area-efficient power amplifier design methodology in deep-scaled CMOS for applications in millimeter-wave communication.
Effects of Equivalence Ratio on the Emission and Temperature Characteristics of Spray Flames of Jet A/Butanol Blends Under Lean Conditions

Butanol is an attractive alternate fuel because it can be produced from renewable sources and has properties similar to those of petroleum fuels. Thus, blending butanol with petroleum fuels is a promising solution to reduce the dependence on petroleum fuels. In a previous study, we investigated the differences in the structure and emissions of Jet A and Butanol flames. The objective of this investigation was to study the emission and in-flame temperature characteristics of spray flames of Jet A/butanol blends at two equivalence ratios: 0.75 and 0.95. In addition to pure Jet A and pure butanol, blends of Jet A with 25%, 50% and 75% volumetric concentrations of butanol were used as fuel. The liquid fuel was atomized and combusted with air in a heated environment (479 K). The equivalence ratio was changed by altering the fuel flow rate, while maintaining the atomizing and coflow air flow rates constant, thus maintaining gas velocity field invariant. The global emission index of CO varied non-monotonically with the volume concentration of butanol in the blend at the lower equivalence ratio whereas the variation was gradual at the higher equivalence ratio. The global NOx emission index decreased monotonically as the butnaol content was increased at both equivalence ratios. The global NOx emission index level in the flames at equivalence ratio of 0.95 was higher than that at equivalence ratio of 0.75. At 25% flame height, the peak reaction zone was located off-axis; this radial location moved further away from the centerline as the equivalence ratio was increased. The peak temperatures were comparable in all the flames. The flames with butanol highlighted the effects of preferential vaporization of butanol.© 2012 ASME
Mantle seismic structure beneath the Kaapvaal and Zimbabwe Cratons

We present results of seismic tomography for a broad region of southern Africa using data from the seismic component of the Kaapvaal Project, a multinational, multidisciplinary experiment conducted in the late 1990s. Seismic images provide clear evidence of mantle structures that mimic the surface geology across the region and provide important constraints on subcrustal structure associated with Archean cratons. Specifically, a thick (~250 to 300km) mantle keel exists beneath the Kaapvaal craton; a slightly thinner (~225 to 250km) keel exists beneath the Zimbabwe craton and parts of the Archean Limpopo mobile belt. Mantle velocities lower than surrounding regions are evident across a broad swath beneath the surface expression of the Bushveld Complex, a ~2.05 Ga layered mafic intrusion. These reduced velocities may be due to mantle refertilization during intrusion of Bushveld magmas, or they may be caused by a thermal perturbation of more recent origin, perhaps related to the ~183 Ma Karoo magmatic event.
Effect of dietary administration of the trichothecene vomitoxin (deoxynivalenol) on IgA and IgG secretion by peyer's patch and splenic lymphocytes

Abstract Prolonged dietary exposure of mice to the trichothecene vomitoxin induces abnormally high levels of serum IgA and kidney mesangial IgA accumulation in a manner that is highly analogous to the human glomerulonephritis IgA nephropathy. In this study, the capacity of Peyer's patch and splenic lymphocytes to produce IgA and IgG were compared in B6C3F 1 mice that were fed diets with and without 25 ppm vomitoxin for up to 12 wk. Serum IgA increased 2-,4- and 8-fold after 4, 8 and 12 wk, respectively, of vomitoxin exposure and it became the primary serum isotype, whereas serum IgG was unaffected. On termination of the experiment there were increased numbers of IgA-secreting cells in Peyer's patches after 8 wk of toxin exposure and in the spleen after 4, 8 and 12 wk of toxin exposure. There were also increased numbers of IgG-secreting cells in Peyer's patches on termination of the experiment at 4, 8 and 12 wk but no effect was observed in the spleen. Supernatant IgA and IgA-secreting cell numbers were also markedly elevated in lymphocyte cultures obtained from Peyer's patches and, to a lesser extent, from spleens of treated mice compared with controls. Based on output of treated mice relative to corresponding controls, IgA secretion was greatest in concanavalin-A-stimulated and unstimulated Peyer's patch cultures. Enhanced IgG secretion and IgG-secreting cells were also observed in mitogen-stimulated and unstimulated Peyer's patch lymphocyte cultures of treated relative to control mice, but differences in splenocyte cultures were negligible. Based on total Ig output, IgA production was 8- to 20-fold greater than IgG production in both control and treatment Peyer's patch cultures. In contrast, vomitoxin treatment caused a shift from primarily IgG production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated spleen cultures to equivalent IgA production. These data provide in vitro evidence that ingestion of vomitoxin promotes terminal differentiation of IgA-secreting progenitors in the Peyer's patch and, to a lesser extent, in the spleen. These functional changes are consistent with the shift from IgG to IgA as the primary serum isotype.
Secular changes in Costa Rican rainfall: correlation with elevation

In 1982 and 1983, Costa Rica, like many other places in the world, suffered from the effects of an extremely intense El Nino Southern Oscillation (i.e. major dislocations of tropical rainfall regimes) (Rasmusson 1985, Schreiber & Schreiber 1984). Guanacaste Province, located in Costa Rica's dry northwestern corner, received little rain from October 1982 until June 1983, and rainfall for the rest of 1983 was far below long-term averages. With the cessation of El Nino in mid-1983, Guanacaste and its farmers, cattle ranchers, and biota could expect rainfall levels to return to 'normal' levels (1500-1600 mm rainfall annually in the lowlands). However, this may not be the case because, as I herein report, annual rainfall has been declining in lowland Guanacaste over the last 40-50 years. To determine the generality of this trend, I analysed long term rainfall statistics from several Costa Rican localities and, using regression analysis, discovered a non-random relationship between rainfall trends and elevation. Data for this report come from 10 Costa Rican meterological stations located throughout the country at elevations ranging from 5 to 1380 m above sea level (Figure 1). The number of years of continuous rainfall records varied from 16 to 95, and mean annual rainfall varied from 1617 to 4554 mm (Table 1). Temporal trends in rainfall at the 10 sites are illustrated in Figure 2. As is typical of rainfall data (Gaskell & Morris 1979, Nieuwolt 1977), considerable year-to-year variation exists. To reduce this variation, I transformed the raw data with a binomial smoothing operator with weights of 1, 4, 6, 4 and 1 for years t-2, t-l, t, etc., which improves the data's response to spectral analyses (J. M. Mitchell, in litt.). As Portig (1965) has noted, part of this variation in Costa Rica and elsewhere in Central America appears to be cyclical. Years of low rainfall tend to be associated with the occurrence of El Nino (Schreiber & Schreiber 1984), but this is not invariably the case (Figure 2).
A clinical trial of hyperalimentation in children with metastatic malignancies

In a controlled, randomized prospective clinical trial the utility of intravenous hyperalimentation (IVH) in the administration of and tolerance to chemotherapy was tested. The conclusions reached were 1) IVH is safe with a tolerable infection rate; 2) infectious complications correlate significantly with the nutritional status of the patient, with the presence of IVH being only a secondary factor; 3) IVH may be used to rehabilitate patients nutritionally, even those on intensive chemoterhapy; 4) the ability to deliver chemotherapy to patients seems to be improved by IVH, especially in malnourished patients in a late stage of disease.
The value of air plethysmography in predicting clinical outcome after surgical treatment of chronic venous insufficiency.

Purpose: The role of air plethysmography (APG) as a predictor of clinical outcome after surgery in venous disease is yet to be defined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of APG in predicting clinical outcome after venous surgery for chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Methods: Seventy-three extremities in 71 patients with Class 3 through 6 CVI were assessed preoperatively with CEAP (clinical, etiologic, anatomic, pathophysiologic) criteria, standing reflux duplex ultrasound scan, and APG with measurements of preoperative venous filling index (VFI), venous volumes, ejection fraction, and residual volume fraction. After surgical treatment of the affected limbs, repeat APG studies were obtained within 6 weeks. Established venous reporting standards were used for followup to calculate clinical symptom scores (CSSs) in each patient. Results: Superficial venous reflux occurred alone in 24 limbs or in conjunction with perforator incompetence in 26 limbs. Deep and superficial reflux, with or without perforator incompetence, was found in 16 limbs, and seven limbs had isolated deep insufficiency. Follow-up was available in 60 of 71 patients (mean period, 44.3 months). Postoperative APG demonstrated significant hemodynamic changes after surgery as measured with VFI, venous volumes, ejection fraction, and residual volume fraction. Mean CSSs decreased from 7.35 ± 0.56 preoperatively to 1.79 ± 0.32 at late follow-up after surgery (P < .001). With the use of logistic regression, the parameter correlating most closely with clinical outcome was the VFI. A normal postoperative VFI (≤ 2 mL/s) predicted a good clinical outcome (CSS ≤ 2) in follow-up patients, with a positive predictive value of 94%, a specificity of 89%, and a sensitivity of 70%. Conclusions: Normalization of the VFI after venous surgery for CVI is predictive of a good clinical outcome. This APG measurement may be a useful parameter to predict adequacy of surgery in patients with venous insufficiency. (J Vasc Surg 2000;32:961-8.)
Time to recurrence and survival in serous ovarian tumors predicted from integrated genomic profiles.

Background: Serous ovarian cancer (SeOvCa) is an aggressive disease with differential and often inadequate therapeutic outcome after standard treatment. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) has provided rich molecular and genetic profiles from hundreds of primary surgical samples. These profiles confirm mutations of TP53 in ,100% of patients and an extraordinarily complex profile of DNA copy number changes with considerable patient-to-patient diversity. This raises the joint challenge of exploiting all new available datasets and reducing their confounding complexity for the purpose of predicting clinical outcomes and identifying disease relevant pathway alterations. We therefore set out to use multi-data type genomic profiles (mRNA, DNA methylation, DNA copy-number alteration and microRNA) available from TCGA to identify prognostic signatures for the prediction of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Methodology/Principal Findings: We implemented a multivariate Cox Lasso model and median time-to-event prediction algorithm and applied it to two datasets integrated from the four genomic data types. We (1) selected features through cross-validation; (2) generated a prognostic index for patient risk stratification; and (3) directly predicted continuous clinical outcome measures, that is, the time to recurrence and survival time. We used Kaplan-Meier p-values, hazard ratios (HR), and concordance probability estimates (CPE) to assess prediction performance, comparing separate and integrated datasets. Data integration resulted in the best PFS signature (withheld data: p-value=0.008; HR=2.83; CPE=0.72). Conclusions/Significance: We provide a prediction tool that inputs genomic profiles of primary surgical samples and generates patient-specific predictions for the time to recurrence and survival, along with outcome risk predictions. Using integrated genomic profiles resulted in information gain for prediction of outcomes. Pathway analysis provided potential insights into functional changes affecting disease progression. The prognostic signatures, if prospectively validated, may be useful for interpreting therapeutic outcomes for clinical trials that aim to improve the therapy for SeOvCa patients.
Topological Orders and Chern-Simons Theory in Strongly Correlated Quantum Liquid

We review the topological orders in strongly correlated quantum liquids. The characterization of the topological orders through ground state degeneracy, non-Abelian Berry's phases and edge excitations are discussed.
Membrane binding of phage S13 messenger RNA.

About 65–70% of the S13-specific messenger RNA synthesized during a short pulse of [3H]uridine is found in association with host membrane components, which are defined as materials that form complexes with Sarkosyl-magnesium crystals and band (M-band) in a sucrose density gradient. Approximately 0.18 of this membrane-bound messenger can be released from the membrane by DNase treatment, and this small fraction may be from nascent mRNA chains of various molecular sizes. The membrane-bound phage-specific mRNA is found in polysomes. It is concluded that the cellular membrane contains a complex of structural sites for transcription and translation as well as for replication.
Extended mid-IR tuning of a Cr2+:CdSe laser

We report 2450-3400 nm laser operation from a Cr2+:CdSe laser, pumped by a Q-switched Tm, Ho:YLF laser. Laser tuning was achieved over a large part of the 2100-3400 nm emission cross section bandwidth using a simple grating-tuned resonator.
Quantum algorithm for simulating the dynamics of an open quantum system

In the study of open quantum systems, one typically obtains the decoherence dynamics by solving a master equation. The master equation is derived using knowledge of some basic properties of the system, the environment, and their interaction: One basically needs to know the operators through which the system couples to the environment and the spectral density of the environment. For a large system, it could become prohibitively difficult to even write down the appropriate master equation, let alone solve it on a classical computer. In this paper, we present a quantum algorithm for simulating the dynamics of an open quantum system. On a quantum computer, the environment can be simulated using ancilla qubits with properly chosen single-qubit frequencies and with properly designed coupling to the system qubits. The parameters used in the simulation are easily derived from the parameters of the system $+$ environment Hamiltonian. The algorithm is designed to simulate Markovian dynamics, but it can also be used to simulate non-Markovian dynamics provided that this dynamics can be obtained by embedding the system of interest into a larger system that obeys Markovian dynamics. We estimate the resource requirements for the algorithm. In particular, we show that for sufficiently slow decoherence a single ancilla qubit could be sufficient to represent the entire environment, in principle.
Synaptic interactions in the enteric plexuses

Current interest in the enteric nervous system and its independent integrative function is discussed. It is pointed out that about 25 putative neurotransmitters are considered to possibly participate in the actions of the plexuses comprising the complex. Four synaptic interactions known to occur within the system are analyzed. These are indicated by fast excitatory potentials (fast EPSPs), slow excitatory potentials (slow EPSPs), inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs), and presynaptic inhibition. What is known about the neurons involved and the stimuli which produce activities in these elements is presented.
West Nile virus infection of the placenta

Intrauterine infection of fetuses with West Nile virus (WNV) has been implicated in cases of women infected during pregnancy. Infection of timed-pregnant mice on 5.5, 7.5, and 9.5 days post-coitus (dpc) resulted in fetal infection. Infection of dams on 11.5 and 14.5 dpc resulted in little and no fetal infection, respectively. Pre-implantation embryos in culture were also infected with WNV after the blastocyst stage and the formation of trophectoderm. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression was observed in a trophoblast stem (TS) cell line after infection with a GFP-expressing WNV construct. However, no fluorescence was observed in differentiated trophoblast giant cell (TGC) cultures. GFP fluorescence was present in TGC cultures if infected TS cells were induced to differentiate. These results suggest that embryos are susceptible to WNV infection after the formation of the trophectoderm around 3.5 dpc through the formation of the functional placenta around 10.5 dpc.
Another look at statistical learning theory and regularization

The paper reviews and highlights distinctions between function-approximation (FA) and VC theory and methodology, mainly within the setting of regression problems and a squared-error loss function, and illustrates empirically the differences between the two when data is sparse and/or input distribution is non-uniform. In FA theory, the goal is to estimate an unknown true dependency (or 'target' function) in regression problems, or posterior probability P(y/x) in classification problems. In VC theory, the goal is to 'imitate' unknown target function, in the sense of minimization of prediction risk or good 'generalization'. That is, the result of VC learning depends on (unknown) input distribution, while that of FA does not. This distinction is important because regularization theory originally introduced under clearly stated FA setting [Tikhonov, N. (1963). On solving ill-posed problem and method of regularization. Doklady Akademii Nauk USSR, 153, 501-504; Tikhonov, N., & V. Y. Arsenin (1977). Solution of ill-posed problems. Washington, DC: W. H. Winston], has been later used under risk-minimization or VC setting. More recently, several authors [Evgeniou, T., Pontil, M., & Poggio, T. (2000). Regularization networks and support vector machines. Advances in Computational Mathematics, 13, 1-50; Hastie, T., Tibshirani, R., & Friedman, J. (2001). The elements of statistical learning: Data mining, inference and prediction. Springer; Poggio, T. and Smale, S., (2003). The mathematics of learning: Dealing with data. Notices of the AMS, 50 (5), 537-544] applied constructive methodology based on regularization framework to learning dependencies from data (under VC-theoretical setting). However, such regularization-based learning is usually presented as a purely constructive methodology (with no clearly stated problem setting). This paper compares FA/regularization and VC/risk minimization methodologies in terms of underlying theoretical assumptions. The control of model complexity, using regularization and using the concept of margin in SVMs, is contrasted in the FA and VC formulations.
Reproduction and Discrimination of Time in Obese Subjects

Two studies were conducted on time perception in obese subjects. In study 1, 20 obese and 20 normal-weight subjects were required to reproduce time intervals of 2, 4, and 8 seconds duration that had been signaled by an auditory cue by holding down a button. Obese subjects were found to be significantly less accurate on this task as well as more variable in their time estimations. In study 2 the same subjects discriminated between time durations of 2 or 2.4 seconds, 4 or 4.4 seconds, and 8 or 8.4 seconds. A signal detection analysis was employed to evaluate the possible role of response bias factors. Obese subjects were found to be less successful at discriminating the differences, although significant differences were only found with female subjects. The signal detection analysis revealed the differences were not due to response bias factors. The results support the internal-external theory of obesity by showing that obese subjects are inferior on time estimation tasks that require monitoring of internal ...
An integrative approach to neurotoxicology.

Exposure of human populations to a wide variety of chemicals has generated concern about the potential neurotoxicity of new and existing chemicals. Experimental studies conducted in laboratory animals remain critical to the study of neurotoxicity. An integrative approach using pharmacokinetic, neuropathological, neurochemical, electrophysiological, and behavioral methods is needed to determine whether a chemical is neurotoxic. There are a number of factors that can affect the outcome of a neurotoxicity study, including the choice of animal species, dose and dosage regimen, route of administration, and the intrinsic sensitivity of the nervous system to the test chemical. The neurotoxicity of a chemical can vary at different stages of brain development and maturity. Evidence of neurotoxicity may be highly subjective and species specific and can be complicated by the presence of systemic disease. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of these and other factors involved in the assessment of the neuroto...
SU-E-I-69: How to Appropriately Calculate Effective Dose for CT Using Either SSDE Or DLP

Purpose: To demonstrate how to calculate effective dose (E) using specific dose estimates (SSDE), and to correct the current method using CT dose length product (DLP). Methods: The institutional review board waived the need to obtain informed consent for this analysis. Data were analyzed from 352 chest and 241 abdominopelvic CT images (mean age 6.2 years ± 5.1; range 5–55 kg). To calculate E using SSDE, SSDE was first calculated for chest and abdominopelvic regions. 23 individual organ dose values were estimated using the patient's weight and effective diameter to look up a conversion factor that was multiplied by patient SSDE. Organ doses were averaged within patient weight-based populations, and used to calculate E by the method of weighted summation of organ dose with ICRP 103 tissue weighting factors (E_ICRP). E was calculated using population averaged CT examination DLP for the chest and abdominopelvic region using k-coefficients published in AAPM Report 96 (E_DLP). Results: E_DLP was different by an average of 21% (1.4/1.1) in the chest and 42% (2.4/3.4) in the abdominopelvic region as compared to calculating E_ICRP. K-coefficients published in AAPM Report 96 did not account for pitch factor other than unity, were derived using a 32 cm diameter CTDI phantom only, and used ICRP 60 tissue weighting factors. Once corrected for pitch factor, the appropriate size of CTDI phantom, and ICRP 103 tissue weighting factors, E_DLP improved in agreement with E_ICRP to better than 7% (1.4/1.3) and 4% (2.4/2.5) for the chest and abdominopelvic regions, respectively. Conclusion: Current use of DLP to calculate E was shown to be deficient when compared to the method using ICRP tissue weighting factors due to the outdated means by which the k-coefficients were derived. This study demonstrates a means to calculate E_ICRP using patient SSDE and how to appropriately correct E_DLP.
Real-time high-resolution PC-based system for measurement of errors on compact disks

Hardware and software utilities are developed to directly monitor the Eight-to-Fourteen (EFM) demodulated data bytes at the input of a CD player's Cross-Interleaved Reed-Solomon Code (CIRC) block decoder. The hardware is capable of identifying erroneous data with single-byte resolution in the serial data stream read from a Compact Disc by a CDD 461 Philips CD-ROM drive. In addition, the system produces graphical maps that show the physical location of the measured errors on the entire disc, or via a zooming and planning feature, on user selectable local disc regions.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Empirical model of Skeletonema costatum photosynthetic rate, with applications in the San Francisco Bay estuary

Abstract An empirical model of Skeletonema costatum photosynthetic rate is developed and fit to measurements of photosynthesis selected from the literature. Because the model acknowledges existence of: 1) a light-temperature interaction (by allowing optimum irradiance to vary with temperature), 2) light inhibition, 3) temperature inhibition, and 4) a salinity effect, it accurately estimates photosynthetic rates measured over a wide range of temperature, light intensity, and salinity. Integration of predicted instantaneous rate of photosynthesis with time and depth yields daily net carbon assimilation (pg C cell −1 day −1 ) in a mixed layer of specified depth, when salinity, temperature, daily irradiance and extinction coefficient are known. The assumption of constant carbon quota (pg C cell −1 ) allows for prediction of mean specific growth rate (day −1 ), which can be used in numerical models of Skeletonema costatum population dynamics. Application of the model to northern San Francisco Bay clearly demonstrates the limitation of growth by low light availability, and suggests that large population densities of S. costatum observed during summer months are not the result of active growth in the central deep channels (where growth rates are consistently predicted to be negative). But predicted growth rates in the lateral shallows are positive during summer and fall, thus offering a testable hypothesis that shoals are the only sites of active population growth by S. costatum (and perhaps other neritic diatoms) in the northern reach of San Francisco Bay.
The Addition of Water to Extract Maximum Levoglucosan from the Bio-oil Produced via Fast Pyrolysis of Pretreated Loblolly Pinewood

Levoglucosan is one of the major polar compounds that can be initially extracted into an aqueous fraction with water as the solvent. Levoglucosan can be hydrolyzed by an acid catalysis into monomeric sugars (primarily glucose), which can be further converted biochemically into alcohols or lipids, or converted catalytically into hydrogen. It has been demonstrated that the levoglucosan yield can be greatly increased if the proper pretreatment is applied to demineralize the feedstock prior to pyrolysis. In this study, bio-oil with a high levoglucosan concentration was produced via the fast pyrolysis of a dilute acid pretreated loblolly pine wood in an auger reactor. The water-to-bio-oil ratio, temperature, and time were selected as the three parameters to investigate the optimal condition for extracting the maximum amount of levoglucosan from the bio-oil. A response surface design (Box Behnken Design) was utilized to determine the direct and interactive effects of the three parameters on the extraction yield of the levoglucosan from the bio-oil. The optimal condition for the levoglucosan extraction was found to be 1.3:1 (water-to-bio-oil ratio), 25°C, and 20 min, with a levoglucosan yield of 12.7 wt%.
Understanding sanction under variable observability in a secure, collaborative environment

Norms are a promising basis for governance in secure, collaborative environments---systems in which multiple principals interact. Yet, many aspects of norm-governance remain poorly understood, inhibiting adoption in real-life collaborative systems. This work focuses on the combined effects of sanction and the observability of the sanctioner in a secure, collaborative environment. We present CARLOS, a multiagent simulation of graduate students performing research within a university lab setting, to explore these phenomena. The simulation consists of agents maintaining "compliance" to enforced security norms while remaining "motivated" as researchers. We hypothesize that (1) delayed observability of the environment would lead to greater motivation of agents to complete research tasks than immediate observability and (2) sanctioning a group for a violation would lead to greater compliance to security norms than sanctioning an individual. We find that only the latter hypothesis is supported. Group sanction is an interesting topic for future research regarding a means for norm-governance which yields significant compliance with enforced security policy at a lower cost. Our ultimate contribution is to apply social simulation as a way to explore environmental properties and policies to evaluate key transitions in outcome, as a basis for guiding further and more demanding empirical research.
Designing educational support in system-dynamics-based interactive learning environments

Although learning in the system dynamics approach is generally accomplished through student model creation, there are many cases where learning may be better facilitated through incorporation of system dynamics models into more guided simulations. A model of simulation design is described and illustrated wherein designers create models in a system dynamics package and then transfer those models into a general instructional authoring system for the addition of instructional support features.
Thermally Stable Blue-Light-Emitting Copolymers of Poly(alkylfluorene)

We have prepared a variety of high molecular weight, thermally stable, blue-light-emitting random copolymers of 9,9-di-n-hexylfluorene by nickel(0)-mediated polymerization. The copolymers are readily soluble and easily processable from organic solvents. Both the polymer and electronic properties may be tuned by selection of comonomer structure. The electronic properties also vary with composition and film morphology. A blue-light-emitting device has been prepared using ionic salts for electrochemical doping.
The golden hour: scientific fact or medical "urban legend"?

The term “golden hour” is commonly used to characterize the urgent need for the care of trauma patients. This term implies that morbidity and mortality are affected if care is not instituted within the first hour after injury. This concept justifies much of our current trauma system. However, definitive references are generally not provided when this concept is discussed. It remains unclear whether objective data exist. This article discusses a detailed literature and historical record search for support of the “golden hour” concept. None is identified.
Virtual cursors for XML joins

Structural joins are a fundamental operation in XML query processing and a large body of work has focused on index-based algorithms for executing them. In this paper, we describe how two well-known index features -- path indices and ancestor information -- can be combined in a novel way to replace one or more of the physical index cursors in a structural join with virtual cursors. The position of a virtual cursor is derived from the path and ancestor information of a physical cursor. Implementation results are provided to show that, by eliminating index I/O, virtual cursors can improve the performance of structural joins by an order of magnitude or more.
On the use of apparent kinetic parameters for immobilized enzyme with noncompetitive substrate inhibition

The use of a simple rate equation with apparent parameters to describe the kinetic behavior of an immobilized enzyme with uncompetitive [corrected] substrate inhibition was assessed. To do so, the reaction rate was calculated as a function of the interfacial substrate concentration, and the results were used to identify the apparent kinetic parameters by nonlinear regression. This procedure was repeated for different values of the diffusional constraints and of the inhibition constant. The equation using apparent parameters can describe the global kinetic behavior, provided that the diffusional and inhibitory constraints are not too high. When the constraints are high, a Michaelis-Menten equation can be used to model the kinetics for interfacial concentrations lower than the concentration leading to the maximum reaction rate.
ON ISSUES IN SOFTWARE ENGINEERING AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Software engineering (SE) needs to make substantial breakthroughs in many different areas to allow order of magnitude improvements in software development times, software quality, and system cost. Artificial intelligence (AI) is uniquely positioned to help the SE research community in many of these areas, and we examine issues in AI for SE research. Given the fuzzy definition of AI, we provide a list of AI techniques to identify how much AI there is in specific AI for SE research. We recommend using the divide and conquer approach for SE automation and provide criteria for dividing the SE problems. We provide a vision of the future CASE environment, a knowledge and database management system at the center in a client-server architecture, and argue that it constitutes an ideal test-bed for research in AI for SE. We recommend an AI for SE research approach that includes dividing the problem up, using protocol analysis, implementing on a realistic CASE environment, and evaluating in industrial settings. We give criteria to evaluate applications of AI to SE including generality, scalability, and combinability. We conclude that AI will help SE to make slow and steady progress, but that it constitutes no silver bullet.