cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Negative selection, epitope mimicry and autoimmunity

Infections often precede the onset of autoimmune disease and molecular (or epitope) mimicry is a plausible link. Cross-reacting epitopes are common between an infecting microorganism and the host because negative selection of self-reactive T-cells and B-cells is frequently incomplete. Complete eradication could lead to major voids in the immunologic repertoire. The association of an autoimmune disease with a microbial epitope may signify a causal relationship with the organism, an indirect connection through bystander effects, persistent infection or coincidence. There are well-established examples of a microbial mimic inducing a defined model of autoimmune disease in experimental animals but such instances are still relatively rare in humans. Establishing epitope mimicry as a direct cause opens opportunities for preventing the disease. Current approaches to cancer immunotherapy provides new examples of epitope mimicry between cancer antigens and normal tissue antigens.
A systematic spatial bias in remembering eye positions

Categorical bias in location memory in geometric spaces is well established. The present study assessed the presence of the bias in locating eyes in images of human faces. Participants were present...
Reciprocal Disruptions in Thalamic and Hippocampal Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Youth with 22q11.2 Deletions

22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is a recurrent copy number variant (CNV) with high penetrance for developmental neuropsychiatric disorders. Study of individuals with 22q11DS therefore may offer key insights into neural mechanisms underlying such complex illnesses. Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) studies in idiopathic schizophrenia have consistently revealed disruption of thalamic and hippocampal circuitry. Here, we sought to test whether this circuitry is similarly disrupted in the context of this genetic high-risk condition. To this end, resting-state functional connectivity patterns were assessed in a sample of young men and women with 22q11DS (n=42) and demographically matched healthy controls (n=39). Neuroimaging data were acquired via single-band protocols, and analyzed in line with methods provided by the Human Connectome Project (HCP). We computed functional relationships between individual-specific anatomically-defined thalamic and hippocampal seeds and all gray matter voxels in the brain. Whole-brain type I error protection was achieved through nonparametric permutation-based methods. 22q11DS patients displayed reciprocal disruptions in thalamic and hippocampal functional connectivity relative to control subjects. Thalamo-cortical coupling was increased in sensorimotor cortex, and reduced across associative networks. The opposite effect was observed for the hippocampus in regards to sensory and associative network connectivity. The thalamic and hippocampal dysconnectivity observed in 22q11DS suggest that high genetic risk for psychiatric illness is linked with disruptions in large-scale cortico-subcortical networks underlying higher-order cognitive functions. These effects highlight the translational importance of large-effect CNVs for informing mechanisms underlying neural disruptions observed in idiopathic developmental neuropsychiatric disorders.
Rapid evolution of a voltage-gated sodium channel gene in a lineage of electric fish leads to a persistent sodium current

Most weakly electric fish navigate and communicate by sensing electric signals generated by their muscle-derived electric organs. Adults of one lineage (Apteronotidae), which discharge their electric organs in excess of 1 kHz, instead have an electric organ derived from the axons of specialized spinal neurons (electromotorneurons [EMNs]). EMNs fire spontaneously and are the fastest-firing neurons known. This biophysically extreme phenotype depends upon a persistent sodium current, the molecular underpinnings of which remain unknown. We show that a skeletal muscle–specific sodium channel gene duplicated in this lineage and, within approximately 2 million years, began expressing in the spinal cord, a novel site of expression for this isoform. Concurrently, amino acid replacements that cause a persistent sodium current accumulated in the regions of the channel underlying inactivation. Therefore, a novel adaptation allowing extreme neuronal firing arose from the duplication, change in expression, and rapid sequence evolution of a muscle-expressing sodium channel gene.
Ion-Dipole Collisions: Recent Theoretical Advances

The calculation of ion-permanent dipole capture rate constants is a problem that has received considerable attention in recent years. This paper summarizes the present state of the theory; particularly, advances occuring since the article of Bowers and Su (1975) was published. Emphasis is placed on a recently developed transition state theory approach which is capable of producing a rigorous upper bound to the true capture rate constant obtained from solution of the classical equations of motion.
Indirect and direct determination of the casein content of milk by Kjeldahl nitrogen analysis: collaborative study

The classic method for determination of milk casein is based on precipitation of casein at pH 4.6. Precipitated milk casein is removed by filtration and the nitrogen content of either the precipitate (direct casein method) or filtrate (noncasein nitrogen; NCN) is determined by Kjeldahl analysis. For the indirect casein method, milk total nitrogen (TN; Method 991.20) is also determined and casein is calculated as TN minus NCN. Ten laboratories tested 9 pairs of blind duplicate raw milk materials with a casein range of 2.42-3.05% by both the direct and indirect casein methods. Statistical performance expressed in protein equivalents (nitrogen x 6.38) with invalid and outlier data removed was as follows: NCN method (wt%), mean = 0.762, sr = 0.010, sR = 0.016, repeatability relative standard deviation (RSDr) = 1.287%, reproducibility relative standard deviation (RSDr) = 2.146%; indirect casein method (wt%), mean = 2.585, repeatability = 0.015, reproducibility = 0.022, RSDr = 0.560%, RSDR = 0.841; direct casein method (wt%), mean = 2.575, sr = 0.015, sR = 0.025, RSDr = 0.597%, RSDR = 0.988%. Method performance was acceptable and comparable to similar Kjeldahl methods for determining nitrogen content of milk (Methods 991.20, 991.21, 991.22, 991.23). The direct casein, indirect casein, and noncasein nitrogen methods have been adopted by AOAC INTERNATIONAL.
Ring Resonator Based Ultrasound Detection in a Zero-Change Advanced CMOS-SOI Process

Optical ultrasound detection using microring resonators (MRRs) in a zero-change 45nm CMOS-SOI electronic-photonic platform with high intrinsic sensitivity of 39.6 fm/kPa and frequency response of 6MHz is reported.
Multisource Digital Identity

In this article, I discuss an architecture and set of standards for enabling Internet identity that mirrors the decentralized way that people have used credentials in the physical world for centuries. This identity architecture, called “multisource identity,” enables flexible, ad hoc workflows to be realized on the fly without costly and time-consuming integrations. What's more, it can put people at the center of their online data interactions, creating an ethical system for data sharing that respects human dignity.
Postnatal β2 adrenergic treatment improves insulin sensitivity in lambs with IUGR but not persistent defects in pancreatic islets or skeletal muscle.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Global Health, Gates Foundation [OPP1066912]; United States Department of Health & Human Services, National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA [R01DK-084842]; United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture [2012-67012-19855, T32 HL007249, 2015-03545]; United States Department of Health & Human Services, National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA [T32 HD007186, K12 HD068372, UL1TR001082]
Warren, Samuel & Louis Brandeis. The Right to Privacy, 4 Harv. L. Rev. 193 (1890)

In late nineteenth century America, there were limited legal remedies when a person’s information or image was taken by people without permission. Sometimes a person did not even know that personal...
A novel approach for lavender essential oil authentication and quality assessment.

Abstract Currently, the quality of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) essential oil (LEO) is defined and regulated based on standards and methods established by regulatory authorities. Unfortunately, these existing standards and methods are not sufficient for LEO quality evaluation due to the complexity of LEO and adulteration encouraged by a burgeoning market. This study provides an efficient and reliable method for LEO quality assessment and adulteration detection. After a comprehensive investigation, involving a large set of LEO samples (n = 72) analyzed by multiple techniques (GC/MS, GC/Q-ToF, NMR, and chemometric analysis), a new approach named Q-Index was proposed. Fourteen marker compounds, along with trans-furano-linalool oxide acetate (an indicator of synthetic compound adulteration in LEO), were identified. These marker compounds played significant roles in discriminating the adulterated samples from the authentic LEOs. Calculation of the Q-Index value using the identified marker compounds permitted the detection of fraudulent samples. As demonstrated, all the authentic LEOs exhibited high Q-Index values ( > 100), whereas the adulterated or poor-quality samples displayed low Q-Index values (
Pulpits and Stones: African American Terrains of Action and Memory

The cultural landscapes of African American communities in the 19th century were often anchored with a church, cemetery, and school. Sectarian and secular dynamics interacted in shaping the terrains of those social networks. This article explores such developments in the impacts of religious beliefs, practices, and congregations on the strategic locations and configurations of churches and cemeteries before and after the Civil War, with a focus on the U.S. Midwest. For example, the founding and placement of African Methodist Episcopal churches in the antebellum period often aided routes of escape from slavery. Cemeteries could provide spaces for continuing developments of African heritage practices. In landscapes where residential and commercial environments could, at times, be racially integrated, placement of churches and graveyards were subjects of both pragmatic choices and symbolic associations.
Identifying Opportunities to Discuss Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis During Contraceptive Coaching Discussions With Urban Adolescent Women.

Abstract Purpose HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reduces HIV transmission and is approved for adolescents aged 12–17 years. Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) have modest PrEP uptake rates, while many receive reproductive health counseling. We sought to identify opportunities for incorporating PrEP education in contraceptive counseling delivered to AGYW. Methods We performed a secondary analysis of data from the Health Coaching for Contraceptive Continuation pilot study, which supported contraceptive use among AGYW. Participants were 14–22 years old, sexually active with males, and not desiring pregnancy within 12 months. Coaches were sexual health educators with ≥5 years’ experience providing contraceptive and PrEP counseling to youth. Participants completed a baseline visit within 30 days of contraceptive initiation and completed up to five monthly coaching sessions. Of 33 enrollees, this analysis includes the 21 who completed ≥4 sessions. Two coders deductively coded session transcripts for five themes: opportunities to discuss PrEP; HIV knowledge, risk perception, and testing attitudes; changes in HIV risk status; condom use knowledge and skills; and sexually transmitted infection knowledge and risk perception. Results Of the 111 transcripts coded, 24 contained opportunities to discuss PrEP and were inductively analyzed. Thematic analysis demonstrated three types of opportunities for PrEP discussions: failure to introduce information, and provision of incomplete information or misinformation. Analysis also revealed four opportunity contexts: sexually transmitted infection prevention strategies, HIV risk reduction, avoidance of adverse sexual health outcomes, and disclosures of condom nonprotected sexual behaviors. Only one transcript mentioned PrEP. Conclusions Multiple opportunities to introduce PrEP counseling exist within contraceptive counseling provided to AGYW.
Universal effective medium theory to predict the thermal conductivity in nanostructured materials

Abstract Nanostructured materials enable high thermal transport tunability, holding promises for thermal management and heat harvesting applications. Predicting the effect that nanostructuring has on thermal conductivity requires models, such as the Boltzmann transport equation (BTE), that capture the non-diffusive transport of phonons. Although the BTE has been well validated against several key experiments, notably those on nanoporous materials, its applicability is computationally expensive. Several effective model theories have been put forward to estimate the effective thermal conductivity; however, most of them are either based on simple geometries, e.g., thin films, or simplified material descriptions such as the gray-model approximation. To fill this gap, we propose a model that takes into account the whole mean-free-path (MFP) distribution as well as the complexity of the material’s boundaries in infinitely thick films with extruded porosity using uniparameter logistic regression. We validate our approach, which is called the “Ballistic Correction Model” (BCM), against full BTE simulations of a selection of three base materials (GaAs, InAs, and Si) with nanoscale porosity, obtaining excellent agreement. While the key parameters of our method, associated with the geometry of the bulk material, are obtained from the BTE, they can be decoupled and used in arbitrary combinations and scales. We tabulated these parameters for a few cases, enabling the exploration of systems that are beyond those considered in this work. Providing a simple yet accurate estimation of thermal transport in nanostructures, our work sets out to accelerate the discovery of materials for thermal-related applications.
Understanding Network Wide Hurricane Evacuation Traffic Pattern from Large-scale Traffic Detector Data

In this study, we develop a data pipeline incorporating automated data quality checking, data imputation, and spatiotemporal visualization of large-scale traffic data to understand the changes in traffic patterns during hurricane evacuation as it unfolds. We collect large-scale Microwave Vehicle Detection System (MVDS) data during Hurricane Irma from four highways in Florida: I–75, I–95, I–4, and Florida Turnpike that served majority of the evacuation traffic. Based on an extensive analysis, we provide insights on network wide spatiotemporal evacuation traffic patterns of Hurricane Irma. Such insights will help transportation agencies recognize the utility of large-scale real-time data, previously unused, to better understand the extent and spatiotemporal distribution of evacuation traffic. To demonstrate this, we analyze the processed data to understand the influence of different spatiotemporal factors on the changes in evacuation traffic pattern. Our results show at least an 18-hour (approximately) time lag between the time of issuing an evacuation order and the time when people first started to evacuate in large numbers. Such findings have potential implications to deal with the challenges of mass evacuation in real time and allows us to develop large-scale network level evacuation traffic prediction model.
Pleasures of the palate from the consumer marketing perspective

Abstract Eating and related decisions are strongly influenced by mental processing of sensory experiences and expectations about the future value of consumption. This article reviews the extant interdisciplinary literature. The emotional responses and inhibitions are given prominence as the paper focuses on a holistic perspective on eating. It is argued that beyond the physiology of the brain, studies inform best how the consumers develop their attitudes and make decisions about food. Main mental factors and processes affecting the perceived (dis)pleasure are addressed and the future research objectives proposed.
Performance bounds for coordinated AUV search planning

This paper establishes plausible limits on search performance for a set of AUVs participating in a coordinated undersea search operation. We build on previously developed cell based methods for evaluating search performance under conditions of geospatial non-homogeneity in detection likelihood and search object placement. To establish performance bounds, a theoretical template provided in the communications channel is adapted for development of an analogous AUV search channel. The concept of search capacity is introduced and developed in this paper. From a simple cell search capacity, search channel configurations are devised to suit specific search performance objectives and to demonstrate the generality of the performance bound when applied to search. This information theoretic performance measure is shown to support decomposition over search subspaces allowing for plausible inference in AUV search planning and post operation evaluation under geospatial non-homogeneity. Results are presented to demonstrate the validity of the performance bounds and their inherent capability to measure the collaboration potential among searchers.
Cardiac metastasis from malignant melanoma

Abstract 1. 1. Four cases of cardiac metastasis from malignant melanoma are reported. 2. 2. A review of the literature discloses only twenty-three such cases. Doubtless others have been reported, but under the heading of carcinoma or sarcoma. 3. 3. We believe that cardiac metastasis in cases of malignant melanoma is more frequent than the paucity of reported cases would lead one to think. 4. 4. In one of our cases the patient was a negress, and this is the first time such an occurrence has been reported in that race. 5. 5. In none of the cases presented here was the involvement of the heart suspected clinically.
Mental health treatment use and perceived treatment need among suicide planners and attempters in the United States: between and within group differences

Despite many previous studies of suicidal ideation and/or attempts, little research has examined mental health treatment use and perceived treatment need among and within groups of ideators and/or attemptors. We examined mental health treatment use and perceived treatment need in four groups of US adults who had serious suicidal ideation: (1) no suicide plan/no attempt; (2) planned/no attempt; (3) no plan/attempted; and (4) planned/attempted. We compared ideators and nonideators using the 154,923 U.S. residents aged 21 and older who participated in the 2008–2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). We then employed logistic regression analyses to discern factors associated with treatment use and perceived treatment need among and within the four groups of ideators (N = 7,348). More than 30% of ideators who made suicide plans and/or attempted suicide received no treatment before or after planning or attempting. Racial/ethnic minorities had lower odds of treatment use in all four groups, but major depression significantly increased the odds in all but the no plan/attempted group. Treatment use and substance use disorder increased the odds of perceived need in all four groups. The four groups have different rates of treatment access and perceived treatment need that do not appear to be commensurate with their risk level. The findings underscore the importance of treatment access for all those at-risk of suicide, especially racial/ethnic minorities and those of lower SES.
Some theory of multistage order statistic filters

The removal of noise by a class of order statistic filters, called multistage order statistic filters or multiwindow filters, is described. These filters take 'ranks of ranks'. A new filter type is defined and its equivalence under special circumstances to a filter defined in the literature is shown. This filter's deterministic and statistical properties are explored. This filter is believed to be the best available for smoothing high signal-to-noise ratio images. >
Reducing the Cost of Corporate Employee Relocation

Over 400 corporate relocation transactions from forty-one states were examined to identify factors affecting variable relocation costs. Analysis of covariance disclosed that corporate relocation co...
An alternative extrinsic pathway of human blood coagulation

To study the interrelationships of the major human coagulation pathways, factor X activation in normal and various deficient human plasmas was evaluated when clotting was triggered by dilute rabbit or human thromboplastin. Various dilutions of thromboplastin were added to plasma samples containing 3H-labeled factor X, and the time course of factor X activation was determined. At a 1/250 dilution of rabbit brain thromboplastin the rate of factor X activation in factor VIII or factor IX deficient plasma was only 10% of the activation rate seen for normal or factor XI deficient plasma. Reconstitution of the deficient plasmas with factors VIII or IX, respectively, restored normal factor X activation. Similar results were obtained when various dilutions of human thromboplastin replaced the rabbit thromboplastin. From these experiments, it is inferred that normal activation of factor X in plasma due to dilute thromboplastin requires factors VII, IX and VIII. An alternative extrinsic pathway that involves factors VII, IX, and VIII may be a major physiologic extrinsic pathway, and this pathway may help to explain the clinical observations of bleeding diatheses in patients deficient in factors IX or VIII.
A cloned human CCAAT-box-binding factor stimulates transcription from the human hsp70 promoter

Abstract The basal promoter of the human hsp70 gene is predominantly controlled by a CCAAT element at position -70 relative to the transcriptional initiation site. We report the isolation of a novel cDNA clone encoding a 114-kDa polypeptide that binds to the CCAAT element of the hsp70 promoter. Expression of this CCAAT-binding factor (CBF) cDNA activated transcription from cotransfected hsp70 promoter-reporter gene constructs in a CCAAT-dependent manner. CCAAT-binding factor shows no homology to the previously identified human CCAAT transcription factor or rat CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein.
The possible orders of solutions of linear differential equations with polynomial coefficients

We find specific inforrnation about the possible orders of transeendental solutions of equations of the form f(n) +Pn _l(z)f(n-l) ++Po(z)f0, where Po(Z),Pl(Z)? aPnL(Z) are polynomials with po(z) g 0. Several examples are given.
Mycophenolate mofetil and Sirolimus as second or further line treatment in children with chronic refractory Primitive or Secondary Autoimmune Cytopenias: a single centre experience.

Summary The management of refractory autoimmune cytopenias in childhood is challenging due to the lack of established evidence on escalating treatments. The long-term efficacy of immunosuppressive drugs was evaluated in children with refractory autoimmune cytopenias referred to the Haematology Unit of the Gaslini Children's Hospital between 2001 and 2014. Patients were grouped into three categories: autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS), ALPS-related syndrome (at least one absolute/primary additional criterion for ALPS) and primary autoimmune cytopenia (PAC, cytopenia with no other immunological symptoms/signs). Fifty-eight children (aged 1–16 years) entered the study: 12 were categorized with ALPS, 24 were ALPS-related and 22 had PAC. Five didn't receive treatment. Fifty-three were initially treated with steroids/intravenous immunoglobulin. Fourteen responded, whereas 39 did not. Of these 39 patients, 34 (87%) received mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) as second/further-line treatment and 22 (65%) responded. Within these 34 subjects, ALPS patients responded better (11/11, 100%) than the two other groups pooled together (11/23, 48%; P = 0·002). Sirolimus was given as second/further-line treatment to 16 children, and 12 (75%) responded, including 8 who previously failed MMF therapy. Median follow-up was 3·46 years. MMF and Sirolimus were well-tolerated and enabled partial/complete and sustained remission in most children. These drugs may be successfully and safely used in children with refractory autoimmune cytopenias with or without ALPS/ALPS-related disorders and may represent a valid second/further line option.
Biology of Isozymes

Isozymes are now a common part of the scientific vocabulary, but their recognition is relatively recent, having been first announced in 1959 (Markert and Mqller). Prior to that time, molecular heterogeneity had often been noted in enzyme preparations, but such heterogeneity was usually attributed to contaminants or to partially denatured or degraded enzyme molecules (see e.g., Meister 1950). During the 1950's there were occasional suggestions that this heterogeneity might not all be artifactual but might indeed reflect reality within the cell (Neilands 1952a and b, Vesell and Beam 1957, Wieland and Pfleiderer 1957). Most of these investigators used zone electrophoresis to separate enzyme preparations into several different active
Natural convection heat transfer from a vertical plate to high permeability porous media : an experiment and an approximate solution

Abstract The heat transfer rate from an isothermal vertical plate placed next to saturated high permeability porous media is studied experimentally and analytically. The media used are polyurethane foams saturated with air. An integral method is applied in predicting the heat transfer rate by including the non-Darcy effects, which are expected to be significant for high permeabilities and high Rayleigh numbers. Good agreement is found between the experimental and predicted results except when the permeability is relatively low and the Peclet number becomes very small. Although some of the permeabilities encountered are large, for the experimental conditions considered in this study the Rayleigh numbers are not very high; therefore, the non-Darcy effects are not significant.
Asymmetric synthesis of car☐yclic C-nucleoside, (−)-9-deazaaristeromycin

Enantiomeric synthesis of a carbocyclic C-nucleoside, 9-deazaaristeromycin (1) was achievedvia the key intermediate6, which was prepared stereoselectively using Bu3SnH and subsequent DIBAL-H reduction from the intermediate4. A new carbocyclic C-nucleoside, (−)-9-deazaaristeromycin was prepared fromd-γ-ribonolactone. Download full-size image
Comparing the forecasting performance of neural networks and forward exchange rates

Abstract Neural networks are model-free nonparametric estimators, which when applied to forecast currency prices, outperform forward rates of exchange. In this paper, the 1 month forecasting performance of a neural network model is tested and compared with that of the forward rate for three currencies: the British pound, the German mark and the Japanese yen. Two criteria are applied to evaluate performance: accuracy and the ability to correctly predict the direction of the exchange rate movement. The neural network results for the three currencies tested outperformed the forward rate both in terms of accuracy and correctness.
The Chipman Meat Cutter

(1950). The Chipman Meat Cutter. The Progressive Fish-Culturist: Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 214-215.
Phase fluorometric studies of spectral relaxation at the lipid-water interface of phospholipid vesicles

Abstract We examined the dynamic properties of the lipid-water interface region of model membranes using the probe 2-p-toluidinylnaphthalene-6-sulfonic acid (TNS). For comparison we also examined the temperature-dependent spectral properties of TNS in the viscous solvent glycerol. Fluorescence phase shift and demodulation measurements were used to prove that the membranes relax around the excited state of TNS on the ns time scale. The rate of spectral relaxation is thought to reflect the mobility of the polar interface region of the membranes on this same time scale. The spectral relaxation times were estimated by the use of phase-sensitive detection of fluorescence. Using this method one may directly record, in an approximate fashion, the emission spectra of the relaxed and the initially excited states of TNS. The relative intensities of these phase-sensitive spectra, in combination with the measured phase and modulation values on the short and long wavelength sides of the emission, yield the spectral relaxation times. For saturated and unsaturated phosphatidylcholines, at temperatures ranging from 5 to 50°C, the relaxation times ranged from 5 to 1 ns. The activation energies for spectral relaxation were near 4 kcal/mol. Surprisingly, the relaxation times decreased smoothly with increasing temperature, and did not change abruptly at the phase transition temperatures. These results indicate that the small molecular motions of the interface region of membranes, which are responsible for spectral relaxation, are not dramatically influenced by the phase state of the acyl side chain region of the membranes.
HIV/AIDS surveillance and prevention studies in Japan: Summary and recommendations

Abstract Japan is considered to have a low prevalence of HIV/AIDS, with a cumulative number of 2,556 AIDS cases and 5,140 HIV cases reported by the end of 2002. However, the recent trend of HIV cases shows a substantial increase, particularly among men who have sex with men and youth/young adults. The epidemiology of HIV/AIDS cases in Japan and a summary of current HIV prevention studies are presented based on surveillance data, research papers, and the Japanese government's annual reports on HIV behavioral and intervention studies of MSM, youths, and Japanese nationals who visit or are temporarily staying in the United States or Thailand. Recommendations and suggestions are presented for future HIV prevention research and structural changes in the Japanese government system, which funds HIV/AIDS care and prevention studies.
Comparative Lyot Coronagraphy with Extreme Adaptive Optics Systems

As adaptive optics technology continues to improve, the stellar coronagraph will play an ever increasing role in ground-based high-contrast imaging observations. Although several different image masks exist for the most common type of coronagraph, the Lyot coronagraph, it is not yet clear what level of wave front correction must be reached in order to gain, either in starlight suppression or observing efficiency, by implementing a more sophisticated design. In this paper, we model image plane Lyot-style coronagraphs and test their response to a range of wave front correction levels, in order to identify regimes of atmospheric compensation where the use of hard-edge, Gaussian, and band-limited image masks becomes observationally advantageous. To delineate performances, we calculate the speckle noise floor mean intensity. We find that apodized masks provide little improvement over hard-edge masks until on-sky Strehl ratios exceed ~0.88Sqs, where Sqs is the intrinsic Strehl ratio provided by the optical system. Above this value, fourth-order band-limited masks outperform Gaussian masks by generating comparable contrast with higher Lyot stop throughput. Below this level of correction, hard-edge masks may be preferentially chosen, since they are less susceptible to low-order aberration content. The use of higher order band-limited masks is relegated to situations where quasi-static residual starlight cannot be sufficiently removed from the search area with speckle-nulling hardware.
Toxoplasmosis-associated deaths among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-infected persons in the United States, 1992-1998.

SIR-We read with interest the article in Clinical Infectious Diseases by Abgrall and colleagues entitled "Incidence and Risk Factors for Toxoplasmic Encephalitis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients before and during the Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Era" [1]. In their study, using data from 68 French university hospitals, the authors showed that the incidence of toxoplasmic encephalitis decreased nearly 4-fold after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), from 3.9 cases per 100 person-years among 19,598 patients in 1992-1995, to 1.0 case per 100 person-years among 17,016 patients in 1996-1998.
Evidence for the Importance of Interactions between Active Defects in Glasses

We report new evidence obtained between $500\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}$ and $150\mathrm{mK}$ for the importance of interactions between tunneling two level systems in structural glasses. After the application of a large dc electric field we observed logarithmic relaxations in ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{\ensuremath{'}}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ and ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ for up to ${10}^{4}\mathrm{s}$. The frequency dependence of the relaxation in ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{\ensuremath{'}}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ observed at higher temperatures vanishes for temperatures well below the minimum of ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{\ensuremath{'}}(\ensuremath{\omega},T)$ and we find ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}(\ensuremath{\omega})\ensuremath{\propto}T$ below the high temperature plateau, both qualitatively in agreement with models involving interactions.
Building expert system with KNACK

KNACK is an automated, specialized knowledge acquisition tool to generate expert systems that assist with different classes of reporting tasks. KNACK has been used by knowledge engineers to produce a series of reporting systems. Whenever such a system revealed inadequacies, KNACK was used to improve it. If individual task requirements could not be realized with KNACK, the knowledge base was manually enhanced. This paper summarizes the experience gained and outlines the scope of the current KNACK tool. It characterizes the application systems built, relates data on KNACK's performance to the defined characteristics, identifies shortcomings, and suggests directions along which to extend KNACK. ‡
The Role of Culture in Designing Environments for People with Dementia A Study of Russian Jewish Immigrants

Cultural heritage is an essential enduring aspect of self-identity for older adults, including those with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Culture may serve as a therapeutic barrier or as a therapeutic resource in caring for this population. Cultural heritage is currently underused as a therapeutic resource in environments for people with dementia and for other older adults. Accommodation of cultural heritage in these settings requires sensitive spatial organization and appointment of the physical environment to support culturally based activities and rituals. This article outlines key aspects of culture to be considered in designing for people with dementia including cultural group history and life experiences, assets, beliefs and values, caregiving practices, and activities and preferences. This frame-work for considering culture is applied to the design of hypothetical environments for older Russian Jewish immigrants in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and in West Hollywood, California.
Acoustic waveform inversion with application to seasonal snow covers

The amplitude and waveform shape of atmospheric acoustic pulses propagating horizontally over a seasonal snow cover are profoundly changed by the air forced into the snow pores as the pulses move over the surface. This interaction greatly reduces the pulse amplitude and elongates the waveform compared to propagation above other ground surfaces. To investigate variations in snow-cover effects, acoustic pulses were recorded while propagating horizontally over 11 different naturally occurring snow covers during two winters. Two inversion procedures were developed to automatically match the observed waveforms by varying the snow-cover parameters in theoretical calculations. A simple frequency-domain technique to match the dominant frequency of the measured waveform suffered from multiple solutions and poor waveform matching, while a time-domain minimization method gave unique solutions and excellent waveform agreement. Results show that the effective flow resistivity and depth of the snow are the parameters controlling waveform shape, with the pore shape factor ratio of secondary importance. Inversion estimates gave flow resistivities ranging from 11 to 29 kN s m−4, except for two late-season cases where values of 60 and 140 were determined (compared to 345 for the vegetation-covered site in the summer). Acoustically determined snow depths agreed with the measured values in all but one case, when the depth to a snow layer interface instead of the total snow depth was determined. Except for newly fallen snow, the pore shape factor ratio values clustered near two values that appear to correspond to wet (1.0) or dry (0.8) snow.
New logarithmic radiative corrections to the hyperfine splitting in hydrogenic atoms

We report here on the calculation of new radiative corrections to the hyperfine splitting in hydrogenic atoms. The result for the correction ΔE to the 1S state is ΔE/EF= (αw/π)(-2/3 ln2 + lnw · · [8/3 ln2 — 37/72 — 4/15]), wherew=(αZ)2 andEfis the lowest-order splitting. The last term is due to vacuum polarization. A brief description is given of the method of calculation, which employs the free-propagator expansion of the bound-electron Green’s function. In the important case of hydrogen, the new corrections tend to slightly worsen the already unsatisfactory agreement of theory with experiment. The relevance of this result to the proton structure problem is briefly discussed. Integral expressions are given for the « mean electromagnetic radius » of the proton in terms of the proton charge and magnetic moment form factors in momentum space.
Investment in alternative electricity supply plans by publicly owned utilities

Abstract This paper presents an approach to choosing between alternative electricity generation technologies. Investor owned and publicly owned utilities have substantially different financial constraints which are the basis for a financial model which captures elements unique to publicly owned utilities. The financial model, linked with an electricity generation supply model, projects costs and the utility's future financial condition, given alternative supply plans. A decisionmaking procedure is proposed which highlights key economic and engineering assumptions and includes risk among the criteria for choosing among alternative investments in future electricity generating capacity. The types of supply planning risks are delineated and strategies for abating risk are identified and evaluated
Stimulation of neuron‐like cell growth by Aloe substances

Aloe plant materials are widely known for their uses in folk medicine, particularly for their ability to aid healing of minor cutaneous wounds and for protection of skin cells. Several in vitro studies have shown Aloe substances stimulate fibroblast and epithelial cell growth and induce lectin-like responses in immune cells involved in skin wound repair processes. In our present studies, we quantitatively tested Aloe substances extracted from whole leaves and gel filets for their comparative effects on induction of proliferation in fibroblast cells and, for the first time, in neuron-like cells. Aloe gel substances were found to significantly increase proliferation in suspension-treated neuron-like cells to a greater level than that detected in similarly treated fibroblast cells in short term cultures. In long term cultures of cells treated only once, Aloe substances maintained both cells viability at different doses of Aloe. These studies demonstrate for the first time that partially purified substances in Aloe extracts can stimulate the growth of neuron-like cells in vitro, therefore extending the range of types of cells highly reactive with Aloe substances.
European Unification and the Dollar Problem

Introduction, 159. —I. External economic objectives and unification, 160. — II. Methods of achieving balance with the dollar area, 162. — III. Economic unification and the attainment of external equilibrium, 168. — IV. Conclusion, 181.
Morphologic characterization of the ice worm Mesenchytraeus solifugus.

Ice worms occupy a unique position in metazoan phylogeny in that they are the only known annelid that completes its life cycle in ice. The mechanism(s) associated with this adaptation are likely to occur at different levels, ranging from modification of their metabolism to changes in morphology. In this study, we examined specimens of Mesenchytraeus solifugus by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in an effort to identify morphologic structures that may aid in its glacial habitation. We report that M. solifugus contains an elongated head pore at the tip of its prostomium, numerous sensory structures, and differentially oriented setae that curve abruptly at their distal end. J. Morphol. 246:192–197, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Potential noradrenergic regulation of serotonergic neurons in the median raphe nucleus

Pharmacological and morphological evidence suggests that the functional activity of serotonergic neurons may be regulated by catecholamines. We have attempted to reveal a potential pathway by which this interaction might occur. Rats received bilateral knife cut lesions of the ventral noradrenergic bundle which severed the A-1 and A-2 cell body contributions to this projection. Controls received a sham lesion into the cerebellum. Two weeks later all animals were sacrificed, and norepinephrine and serotonin levels were measured in discrete nuclei of the brain. Lesion placement was confirmed histofluorometrically. Serotonin levels in the median raphe nucleus were significantly reduced by 40%, but levels of serotonin were unaffected in the dorsal raphe nucleus and 8 serotonergic terminal regions. The lesions did not affect levels of norepinephrine in the locus coeruleus, cingulate cortex, or habenula. This study suggests that a noradrenergic projection to the median raphe nucleus from the A-1 and A-2 cell body groups may modulate serotonergic neuronal function.
Water balance during vitellogenesis by the American cockroach: Translocation of water during the cycle

Abstract The female American cockroach undergoes harmonious cycles of ingestion and elimination during the 6-day vitellogenic cycle. More water is lost through transpiration than through faeces, and under dessicating conditions the female cockroach is able to reduce water loss by regulation of transpiration. The use of radioactive water permits a comparison of ‘gross’ and ‘net’ water loss during transpiration.
A Modification of Mayer's Hemalum

A survey of histological literature shows that Delafield's hematoxylin is one of the most widely used histological stains. Personal interviews with workers in this field elicit comments which seldom appear in print. Most workers confess that it usually requires several unsuccessful attempts to make a usable stain. The experienced technician is no more successful than the self-taught beginner. I have examined, at various schools, preparations stained with so-called Delafield's stain and the range of colors and degrees of muddiness found were surprising. A somewhat greater degree of certainty and uniformity is desirable in a stain which is to be used by classes in elementary histology. Mayer's hemalum has not enjoyed the popularity which it deserves perhaps because the formula given in a widely used text is incorrect. This was found to be a source of discouragement to self-taught students in some smaller colleges.
The art of the chemical probe

Chemical biologists frequently aim to create small-molecule probes that interact with a specific protein in vitro in order to explore the role of the protein in a broader biological context (cells or organisms), but a common understanding of what makes a high-quality probe is lacking. Here I propose a set of principles to guide probe qualification.
TECHNIQUES OF SUBJECTIVE WORKLOAD ASSESSMENT: A COMPARISON OF SWAT AND THE NASA-BIPOLAR METHODS

Abstract Assessment of subjective workload is becoming increasingly important in the evaluation of human-machine systems. Two popular methods were compared: (1) the Subjective Workload Assessment Technique (SWAT) that employed a conjoint measurement procedure to confer interval scale properties on the workload ratings, and (2) a technique under development at NASA that used an individually weighted workload score. Both methods were applied in a laboratory experiment that required the rating of a number of single- and dual-tracking and spatial transformation tasks. Both subjective assessment techniques displayed similar sensitivity to the different task manipulations. However, both techniques failed to detect the resource competition effects in the dual-task performance, and were in general insensitive to response execution processing demands. A notable difference between the two techniques was that the NASA-Bipolar ratings consistently had a smaller between-subject variability than the SWAT ratings. Discu...
Surgical Anatomy of the Nail Unit

A gross anatomic exploration of the nail unit was performed. The characteristic gross components of the nail unit and its relationship to the digital anatomy are described and presented in detail. Each segment of the nail unit is illustrated both photographically and with artistic illustration. It is our intention that through a simple gross dissection the nail structural unit may be better understood.
Heavy quark energy loss: Collisional vs radiative

Abstract In this proceedings we compare 0 th order in opacity medium and vacuum energy loss. We show that, contrary to naive expectations, the difference between medium and vacuum 0 th order energy loss is significant, and has to be included in the computation of jet quenching. This is due to the fact that, in addition to the radiative energy loss, medium modified gluon dispersion relation also induces collisional energy loss, which does not exist in the vacuum.
An evaluation of airline beta values and their application in calculating the cost of equity capital

Abstract This paper focuses on the calculation of the cost of equity capital in a sample of airlines, in comparison to industry-calculated values. The approach usually taken is to apply the Capital Asset Pricing Model to airline stock prices and market indices. The research shows that the calculated β values are sensitive to the precise methodology and calculations used. Further, the low regression model fits indicate the Capital Asset Pricing Model may not be the most suitable model for β value calculations. The emerging β values are lower than expected, and possible causes of this are discussed.
The peptide chains of some plant viruses.

Abstract Tomato bushy stunt and potato X viruses and cucumber viruses 3 and 4 were analyzed for amino-terminal and carboxyl-terminal amino acid residues. No free amino-terminal groups could be detected for any of these viruses using the fluorodinitrobenzene and phenylisothiocyanate methods. Using a hydrazinolysis procedure, the C-terminal residues of tomato bushy stunt, potato X, and the cucumber viruses were found to be leucine, proline, and alanine, respectively. A subunit size was calculated for each virus from the number of moles of terminal amino acid found for a known weight of virus.
The effect of catalyst granule size on the hydrogenation of benzene over a supported nickel catalyst

In connexion with the study of the hydrogenation of benzene to cyclohexane over nickel and nickel oxide supported on silica gel (see reference11), an examination of the effect of granule size of the catalyst has been made at temperatures 225°, 250° and 275°. It was found that, with increasing state of sub-division, the experimental velocity constant, k2, is proportional to the external surface area of the catalyst down to a certain granule size. Further sub-division has no effect on activity as, when the critical granule size is reached, a sufficient area is exposed so that all of the catalyst is adsorbed on the surface of the carrier.