cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
U-statistics with conditional kernels for incomplete data models

For incomplete data models, the classical U-statistic estimator of a functional parameter of the underlying distribution cannot be computed directly since the data are not fully observed. To estimate such a functional parameter, we propose a U-statistic using a substitution estimator of the conditional kernel given the observed data. This kernel estimator is obtained by substituting the non-parametric maximum likelihood estimator for the underlying distribution function in the expression of the conditional kernel. We study the asymptotic properties of the proposed U-statistic for several incomplete data models, and in a simulation study, we assess the finite sample performance of the Mann–Whitney U-statistic with conditional kernel in the current status model. The analysis of a real-world data set illustrates the application of the proposed methods in practice.
The paths and destinations of the induced ipsilateral retinal projection in goldfish.

Adult goldfish had one tectal lobe removed surgically, and several months later, the eye contralateral to the missing tectum was injected with radioactive proline. Radioautographs of the brains were studied to trace the paths and termination sites of the optic fibers. The optic tract decussated at the chiasm, as normally, but then ran caudally in a large neuroma on the tectum-less side of the brain. Substantial numbers of fibers left this neuroma to enter two or more of five commissures, through which they recrossed the midline. These commissures: transverse, minor, horizontal, posterior and ansate, ordinarily contain few or no optic fibers. All are normally linked with the tectum. Negligible numbers of aberrant optic fibers recrossed the midline elsewhere. On the intact side of the brain, ipsilateral to the injected eye, the optic fibers innervated some or all of the nuclei and areas normally served by contralateral retinal fibers. An earlier behavioral study of these same fish had shown that some of them made reversed optokinetic nystagmus in response to stripe movement seen by the eye projecting ipsilaterally; others failed to respond to stimuli through this eye. In all the reversed responders, a caudal group of retinal projection sites was labeled ipsilaterally. This included the basal optic nucleus and the caudal portions of nucleus dorsolateralis thalami and area pretectalis. Tn the non-responders, these targets were not labeled ipsilaterally. Together, these results suggest that one or more of these three sites is or are responsible for optokinetic nystagmus in normal goldfish.
Polymorphisms in the genes for coagulation factors II, V, and VII in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Abstract Background.—Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality in the United States, accounting for approximately 33% of all deaths in this country. Of these deaths, most are du...
Comparison Of Film/Screen To Electronic Review Consoles: Phase II

ABSTRACT This paper describes the psychophysical evaluation of a prototype electronic viewing consoledeveloped by the Toshiba Corporation. The evaluation consisted of two phases. In the first phase, fourradiologists viewed 10 pediatric images. Each image was viewed first with no enhancement, second withwindow and level, and third with pan and zoom. A diagnosis and certainty was recorded for each ofthese viewings. The areas under the curve (AUC) were 0.80, 0.86, and 0.91 for no enhancement, window and level, and pan and zoom, respectively, compared to an AUC of 0.90 for film. The secondphase was a clinical comparison of the capabilities of this electronic system to those of conventional filmand computed radiography using cholangiography studies of the biliary system. Thirty -six images wereviewed by five radiologists, and free use of enhancement functions was allowed. The areas under thecurve for the images seen on the viewing console, conventional film, and computed radiography filmimages were 0.84, 0.84, and 0.83, respectively. The authors conclude that for examinations of theseanatomic regions, pediatric chest and cholangiograms, each of them depicting a variety of pathologicprocesses, electronic viewing consoles seem to convey the needed information for accurate diagnosis.1. INTRODUCTION
Paper wet performance and ester crosslinking of wood pulp cellulose by poly(carboxylic acid)s

Poly(carboxylic acid)s have been used as crosslinking agents for wood pulp cellulose to increase the wet strength of paper. In this research, we evaluated the effects of two multifunctional carboxylic acids, i.e., 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) and poly(maleic acid) (PMA), on the wet strength retention, dimensional stability, wet stiffness, and folding endurance of the treated paper. We observed that the wet strength retention, dimensional stability, and wet stiffness of the treated sheets increase, whereas the folding endurance decreases as the poly(carboxylic acid) concentration applied to those sheets increases. We measured the ester carbonyl band absorbance in the spectra of the treated paper. The linear correlation between the ester carbonyl band absorbance and wet strength, dimensional stability, and wet stiffness indicates that the improvement in the wet performance of the treated paper is directly attributed to the ester crosslinking of the wood pulp cellulose by poly(carboxylic acid)s. The data presented in this article also indicate that FTIR spectroscopy can be used for predicting the performance of the paper crosslinked by poly(carboxylic acid)s. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67: 649–658, 1998
Respiratory Virus-Induced Dysregulation of T-Regulatory Cells Leads to Chronic Rejection

Background Lower respiratory viral infections predispose to bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). In addition, there is emerging evidence to support the role of autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of BOS. Because CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory T-cells (Treg) control autoimmunity, we tested the hypothesis that respiratory virus-induced Treg dysfunction leads to BOS. Methods Treg frequency was monitored using flow cytometry. Apoptosis, cytokines, and antibodies were analyzed using annexin V assay, LUMINEX, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Murine studies were performed using the orthotopic tracheal transplant model. Results (A) Human studies: Treg troughs (decrease >50% of baseline) were found in 13 (43.3%) of 30 lung transplant recipients. Treg isolated during troughs revealed increased apoptosis (37.8%). Patients with Treg troughs had increased prevalence of antibodies to self-antigens collagen type I (23.1% vs 5.8% pretrough), collagen V (7.7% vs 0%), and k-alpha tubulin (30.7% vs 11.7%, p 3.5-fold) and induction of co-cultured Treg apoptosis (5.6-fold increase). Conclusions Respiratory viral infections cause Treg apoptosis which leads to the development of de novo autoimmunity that may play a role in the pathogenesis of BOS.
Nicotinic transmission in sympathetic ganglia: Blockade by the snake venom neurotoxin kappa-bungarotoxin

Abstract Kappa-bungarotoxin, a snake venom α-neurotoxin, blocks nicotinic transmission in chick lumbar sympathetic ganglia as well as in the rat superior cervical ganglion. Intracellular and extracellular recordings support the conclusion that the toxin has a specific action at the postsynaptic nicotinic receptors on ganglia neurons. The affinity of kappa-bungarotoxin for receptors in chick ganglia appears to be higher than that for receptors in the rat ganglia. Kappa-bungarotoxin can thus be used as a ligand for studying nicotinic receptors in a variety of neuronal preparations.
Protecting infants in healthcare facilities from abduction: a facility's search for a sound infant security system

Metropolitan Methodist Hospital, a 279-bed facility, had an electronic infant security system frequently in need of repairs. The vendor became increasingly difficult to locate, and so the decision was made to replace the system. A literature search of vendors and agencies supporting hospitals in the prevention of infant abductions; solicitation of information from facilities experiencing abductions; and onsite tours of facilities were most beneficial in determining a new system. As a result, the facility purchased a state-of-the-art infant security system and agreed to participate as a beta site for mother-baby recognition identification bands, an added security feature not yet on the market. This article describes the process of evaluating and selecting an infant security system in order to reduce the risk of infant abduction.
New wine in old wineskins? Growth, terrorism and the resource curse in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Since 1995, growth in sub-Saharan Africa has averaged more than 5% per year reversing a two-decade decline of real income per capita. In this paper, we explore the extent to which the nascent growth is sustainable or not due to higher incidences of terrorism and commodity price declines. Our analysis is based on a rich unbalanced panel data set with annual observations on 46 countries from 1968 to 2004. We explore these data with cross-sectional and panel growth regression analysis and quantile regressions. We estimate the economic and statistical effect of terrorism on growth in sub-Saharan Africa, controlling for a variety of other factors. We then investigate the extent to which there appears to be a structural break in the estimated relationships. We find that the terrorist-oriented fragility of sub-Sahara has increased in the most recent period. We find that most of the fragility can be explained by the growth in countries that are primary fuel exporters. Indeed, our evidence points to the fact that resource-rich countries have not done an adequate job of investing in counter-terrorist policies.
Comprehensive Efficiency, Weight, and Volume Comparison of SiC- and Si-Based Bidirectional DC–DC Converters for Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Silicon carbide (SiC)-based switching devices provide significant performance improvements in many aspects, including lower power dissipation, higher operating temperatures, and faster switching, compared with conventional Si devices. However, tradeoffs in efficiency, size, and weight between Si- and SiC-based converters are still unclear in the literature. In this paper, a bidirectional dc-dc converter that is suitable for hybrid or electric vehicle application is studied based on three sets of device combinations, e.g., all-silicon [conventional silicon insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) and silicon PN diodes], hybrid (silicon IGBTs with SiC Schottky diodes), and all-SiC (SiC metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors with SiC Schottky diodes). At the switching frequency of 20 kHz, comparative analyses regarding the power loss reduction of power devices and efficiency improvements are carried out for the converters. Possible size and weight reduction is also investigated by increasing the operating frequencies of hybrid and all-SiC converters while reducing the capacitance and inductance values.
Passing for mean: Barnfield and the Aristotelian poetics of copulation

History tells us that Caesar came, saw, and conquered. Richard Barnfield's sodomitical shepherd-poet Daphnis came, saw, and conquered (or perhaps saw, conquered, and came) as well. Such, at least, is what we are led to believe in the initial stanza of Barnfield's "The Affectionate Sheapheard," for there Daphnis describes his love for the boy Ganymede as an attempt at seduction that came to fruition:
Establishment of an Experimental Intrapulmonary Tumor Nodule Model

Abstract Background . A pulmonary tumor model is necessary to study the biology and therapy of lung cancer. Methods to establish a solitary intrapulmonary nodule are not well defined. Two methods for solitary intrapulmonary tumor nodule development in the Fischer rat are described. Methods . Methylcholanthrene-induced sarcoma cell suspensions were introduced into lung parenchyma of Fischer rats via limited thoracotomy and lung puncture, or instilled into a distal airway after tracheal puncture and catheterization. Intrapulmonary tumor location, implantation mortality, procedure length, and animal survival were recorded. Results . Single pulmonary nodules developed at the implanted position in 100% (n = 320) and 95% (62/65) of animals after direct injection into the pulmonary parenchyma or via tracheal puncture and instillation. Operative mortality was 2% and 5% via lung or tracheal implantation, respectively. Less than 5 minutes was required for each implantation. Mean survival time was 24 ± 2 and 26 ± 6 days after lung or tracheal implantation in animals allowed to survive until tumor-induced death. Conclusions . These easily performed, reproducible methods of establishing solitary intrapulmonary tumors are useful tools for lung cancer research.
Factors affecting the online travel buying decision: a review

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on theories affecting consumers' online purchase intention of travel products. It seeks to explore the literature on the theoretical foundation of factors influencing customers' online purchase intentions in general and in the travel industry specifically. It also suggests areas for further research on online travel buying decisions.Design/methodology/approach – The conceptual framework of factors affecting customer online buying decisions – including customers' attitudes, quality of web site design, customer satisfaction, and customer trust – is developed by examining the theoretical foundation for each online purchase intention of travel product. The theoretical foundations and literature review include discussions of the theory of planned behavior, consumer trust literature, quality of travel web site design, and consumer satisfaction literature.Findings – The paper identifies antecedents of consumers' online purchase intention, including ...
Setting Priorities for Comparative Effectiveness Research: A Case Study Using Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

Objective To test the feasibility of a framework for prioritizing new comparative effectiveness research (CER) questions related to management of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) using practice guidelines and a survey of clinicians. Design Cross-sectional survey. Participants Members of the American Glaucoma Society (AGS). Methods We restated as an answerable clinical question each recommendation in the 2005 American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Patterns (PPPs) regarding the management of POAG. We asked members of the AGS to rank the importance of each clinical question, on a scale of 0 (not important at all) to 10 (very important), using a 2-round Delphi survey conducted online between April and September 2008. Respondents had the option of selecting "no judgment" or "research has already answered this question" to each question in lieu of the 0 to 10 rating. We used the ratings assigned by the Delphi respondents to determine the importance of each clinical question. Main Outcome Measures Ranking of importance of each clinical question. Results We derived 45 clinical questions from the POAG PPPs. Of the 620 AGS members invited to participate in the survey, 169 completed the Round 1 survey; 105 of 169 also completed Round 2. We observed 4 response patterns to the individual questions. Nine clinical questions were ranked as the most important: 4 questions on medical intervention, 4 questions on filtering surgery, and 1 question on adjustment of therapy. Conclusions Our theoretical model for priority setting for CER questions is a feasible and pragmatic approach that merits testing in other medical settings. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
Saddle-point "trapping" of Rydberg electrons in crossed electric and magnetic dc fields: A time-dependent approach.

The possibility of a microscopic Penning trap [suggested by C. W. Clark, E. Korevaar, and M. G. Littman, Phys. Rev. Lett. 54, 320 (1985)] formed by the magnetic-field-induced stabilization of saddle-point motion of an atomic electron moving in the presence of combined internal Coulomb and externally applied electric and magnetic potentials is investigated using time-dependent methods. Photoeffect spectra are calculated as the Fourier transform of the dipole correlation function for propitiously chosen initial conditions, and these indeed show oscillations as predicted by Clark et al. However, it is shown that maximal trapping occurs for the case in which only the magnetic field is present (giving the usual Landau confined states for electrons with zero average mechanical momenta) and that the Stark-Coulomb saddle point simply destabilizes this simpler motion. Both the relationship of the calculated spectra to the propagation of wave packets in the combined fields and their relationship to the periodic classical orbits ``quantized'' by Clark et al. are discussed. The more difficult problem of predicting what might be observed in a photoeffect spectrum of an atomic ground state in the presence of crossed external fields is also discussed from the time-dependent perspective.
Mean-field superconductivity in a strong magnetic field

Abstract We have solved the microscopic mean-field equations for a BCS superconductor in a strong magnetic field. Calculations were performed for fields both above and below the semiclassical upper critical field. In the low-field regime we find small quantum corrections to the results of semiclassical theory, whereas in the reentrant strong-field regime we find that the vortex lattice state changes qualitatively.
Interventionism and Applied Science in Anthropology

"Interventionism" is not a new thing in the profession of anthropology; it is one of its oldest elements. The account of the first French anthropological society, La societe des observateurs de I'homme, as given by one historian,1 indeed confirms the worst fears of some modern sceptics of applied anthropology; we are told that in 1808, three years after its formation, the infant organization "was united with La societe philanthropique and lost its scientific identity." The ethnological societies of London and Paris were also abolitionist organizations; the French organization was founded in 1838 under the leadership of a member of the British Society for the Protection of the Aborigines. The anthropological societies of London and Paris were formed after them, partly by the secession of some conservative elements of the two ethnological societies.2 Thus at the outset organized anthropology had two wings—a liberal or radical wing, frankly interventionist, and a conservative wing, proposing to study man "in...
Gauging the patient-centered potential of online health seeking

Online Health Seeking (OHS) is the process by which people find, share and consume online health and wellness information. OHS is widespread, widely studied and often presented as a concerning new trend. We suggest OHS is a natural fit with patient-centered care, representing an opportunity to improve patient provider relationships and patient satisfaction. Over two years we conducted a series of investigations of OHS at a local clinic where OHS plays an important role in care. Through focus groups, shadowing and interviewing we explore how this clinic's health professional advisors and their clients interact around OHS. We also use a set of repeated surveys to investigate the link between components of OHS and concepts like Patient-Centered Care (PCC) and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC). In this paper we present the results of our studies, which describe a clinic that emphasizes OHS and show encouraging links between OHS, PCC and the MHLC. Working to unpack these results, we discuss how OHS could be better operationalized as a tool for improving care and conclude with suggestions for patient-centered OHS interventions.
A multi-dimensional evaluation of the nanomanipulator, a scientific sollaboration system

The nanoManipulator system provides a natural scientist with the ability to interact directly with materials ranging in size from DNA to cells (Finch, Chi, Taylor II, Falvo, Washburn, & Superfine, 1995). By providing a virtual environment interface to an atomic force microscope (AFM), the nanoManipulator allows users to see, feel, and modify individual biological samples or groups of samples in a fluid or dry environment. A distributed version of the nanoManipulator is under development. This will allow scientists to conduct experiments and collaborate across distances during the scientific process (Brooks, Jr., et al., 1998).We are evaluating the distributed nanoManipulator and its impact on scientific collaboration using a multi-dimensional framework (see Fig. 1).This framework highlights the importance of examining process and outcome in research, scientific experimentation, and collaboration technology. Each of these dimensions suggests important questions whose answers will help determine if collaboration technology will fit into and support and/or change the process of research and scientific experimentation. Each of these dimensions is discussed below.
Heart rate and blood pressure in panic disorder, major depression, and comorbid panic disorder with major depression

Secondary major depression is common in patients with panic disorder (PD) and has been reported to worsen prognosis. Little is known about the effect of comorbid depression on the autonomic symptoms associated with PD. In this study, the heart rate and blood pressure of 44 patients with PD, 20 patients with major depression (MD), and 12 patients with both panic disorder and depression (PDD) were measured during postural challenge. Patients with PDD were found to have higher diastolic and systolic pressures throughout (P < 0.05), and to have a higher resting cardiac load (P < 0.05). This heightened autonomic arousal remained when the effects of age, race, and the frequency of panic attacks were removed. The results suggest that PDD patients may have increased autonomic dysfunction.
Basic patterns for arrangement of electric power systems for steel mills

The steel mill power systems to be discussed in this paper may be as small as about 15,000 kw installed capacity and may approach or even exceed a capacity of 200,000 kw. If the steel mill has blast furnaces and coke ovens with waste fuel available, part of this capacity will be from turbine generators. Where possible there will be a tie to the electrical utility; and in many mills all of the electric power is provided by the electrical utility. The utilization voltages for the steel mill usually will include 440 volts, 2,300 volts, and 6,600 or 13,200 volts for the large motors or furnaces. Generation will usually be at 6,900 or 13,800 volts, although some older 2,300-volt machines are still in service. Formerly there was only limited use of voltages above 6,900 but there is an increasing need for higher transmission voltages. These include 22, 33, and 69 kv.
Does the presence of labor or membrane rupture affect the ability of ultrasound to accurately estimate fetal weight in twin gestations

Abstract Objective: To determine whether labor or fetal membrane rupture adversely affects the ability of ultrasound to accurately estimate fetal weight (EFW) in a twin gestation. Methods: A medical record audit was performed on a 2-year patient experience of women delivering live born twins and undergoing a complete ultrasound examination within 72 hours of delivery. Those patients experiencing labor or membrane rupture at the time of the last ultrasound examination were compared with those without these factors to determine if there was any detrimental impact on the accuracy of ultrasound to EFW. Results: The overall ability of ultrasound to accurately assess EFW was in the range of 64–76%. This was not significantly different in the accuracy in women experiencing labor (62–80%) or in women with membrane rupture (63–81%). The ability of ultrasonography to detect fetal discordance in this series ranged from 78–100% with a specificity that ranged from 84% to 89%. Conclusion: The ability of ultrasonography to accurately assess EFW, as well as detect the discordant twin gestation, is not altered by the presence of labor or membrane rupture.
Static checking of dynamically generated queries in database applications

Many data-intensive applications dynamically construct queries in response to client requests and execute them. Java servlets, for example, can create strings that represent SQL queries and then send the queries, using JDBC, to a database server for execution. The servlet programmer enjoys static checking via Java's strong type system. However, the Java type system does little to check for possible errors in the dynamically generated SQL query strings. Thus, a type error in a generated selection query (e.g., comparing a string attribute with an integer) can result in an SQL runtime exception. Currently, such defects must be rooted out through careful testing, or (worse) might be found by customers at runtime. In this article, we present a sound, static program analysis technique to verify that dynamically generated query strings do not contain type errors. We describe our analysis technique and provide soundness results for our static analysis algorithm. We also describe the details of a prototype tool based on the algorithm and present several illustrative defects found in senior software-engineering student-team projects, online tutorial examples, and a real-world purchase order system written by one of the authors.
EPIC - a retargetable, highly optimizing Lisp compiler

The Experimental Portable Standard Lisp Compiler (EPIC) is a compiler testbed for experimentation with, and development of, Lisp compilation strategies. EPIC uses an architectural description of the target machine to increase portability, and performs extensive optimizations in the form of source-to-source transformations, register allocation, and peephole optimization. It introduces machine-specific instructions early to enable machine-specific optimizations in the initial passes. EPIC produces better code than the original Portable Standard Lisp compiler, has an improved portability model, and is easier to maintain.
Remarks on the use of 'diffusion diagrams' in modeling scale-dependent diffusion

Abstract An empirical relationship between an apparent diffusivity and the scale of diffusion can be used in numerical modeling for oceanic dispersion. Some care must be exercised primarily because the diffusivity and the diffusion scale are usually defined somewhat arbitrarily. On the basis of the diffusion equation with a scale-dependent diffusivity, it is shown that the proper formula may differ numerically by an order of magnitude from the empirical relation.
Auditory brainstem anomalies in albino cats. I. Evoked potential studies

The amount of melanin pigmentation in the inner ear is positively correlated with the general pigmentation of the body and specifically with the amount of pigment in the eye. The misrouting of retinofugal projections which accompanies ocular and oculocutaneous albinism has been thought to be a defect in decussation unique to the visual system. Evidence suggests that functional abnormalities may also exist in the auditory systems of albino humans and animals. To evaluate this possibility, evoked potential techniques were used to examine the functional anatomy of decussating brainstem auditory pathways in albino and pigmented cats. Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were recorded from albino, pigmented, and Siamese cats using monaural stimulation. ABRs were recorded ipsilateral and contralateral to the stimulated ear. The albinos were complete tyrosinase-negative (cc), not the dominant white (W) variety associated with deafness. In pigmented cats, the amplitudes of ABRs recorded with the reference electrode ipsilateral to the stimulated ear and the ABRs recorded using the reference contralateral to the stimulated ear did not differ by more than 40% for individual components appearing between 2 and 4 ms after stimulus onset. In albino cats the components at these latencies were obliterated or greatly attenuated in the ABR recorded using the reference contralateral to the stimulated ear. These data indicate that anomalies may exist in the brainstem at the level of the acoustic striae, superior olivary nuclei and/or trapezoid body in tyrosinase-negative albino cats.
STRUCTURED MOVING GRID AND GEOMETRIC CONSERVATIONLAWS FOR FLUID FLOW COMPUTATION

Fluid flow analysis using structured moving boundary fitted grids is presented. This type of method can be applied to certain moving boundary problems. The Cartesian velocity components are made the primary variables, and grid motion and geometric conservation are handled in a natural way through the contravariant velocities and the Jacobian evaluations. A SIMPLE-based sequential solver along with a staggered grid is employed. Furthermore, appropriate treatments of the discretized form of the diffusion term on a nonorthogonal skewed grid are also discussed. The moving grid approach is applied to simulate test problems involving phase change.
Location Verification using Communication Range Variation for Wireless Sensor Networks

Localization plays an important role in wireless sensor networks, since sensors need to associate their readings with location in order to deliver meaningful information. A promising approach to enhance the robustness and the security of localization is location verification, where the objective is to verify a node's claimed location. In this paper, we propose a new location verification protocol, where verifier nodes vary their communication range in order to triangulate the position of a node. We first present the network model and our assumptions, followed by a detailed description of the protocol. Next, a security analysis is provided which shows that the new approach is robust against several location spoofing attacks. Moreover, we derive both analytical and simulation results for the coverage probability and show that a high coverage probability can be achieved with the new protocol, even with a relatively low density of verifier nodes. Finally, we study the impact of localization error on the verification probability and demonstrate that the protocol is sensitive enough to detect small deviations between claimed and actual locations.
THE OCCURRENCE, EVOLUTION, AND PHYLOGENETIC SIGNIFICANCE OF PARENCHYMA IN COLEOCHAETE BRÉB. (CHLOROPHYTA)

Thalli of four species of the charophycean green alga Coleochaete Breb.; C. irregularis, C. soluta, C. orbicularis, and C. scutata, were examined using light and electron microscopy. The parenchymatous nature of the plant bodies of C. orbicularis and C. scutata became apparent when the degree of cellular association in these species was compared with that of parenchymatous land plant tissues, the pseudoparenchymatous thalli of C. soluta, and the branched filaments of C. irregularis. Coleochaete soluta was shown to be morphologically and phylogenetically transitional between the more primitive branched filamentous species (C. irregularis) and the more advanced discoid species (C. orbicularis and C. scutata). The branching patterns observed in C. soluta suggested a possible pathway for the evolutionary development of land plant parenchyma from branched, filamentous charophycean green algae. IT IS WIDELY ACCEPTED that the ancestors of the earliest land plants were related to presentday green algae (Raven, Evert and Curtis, 1981). However, even the most primitive or delicate of extant archegoniate plants as well as fossils of early land plants are parenchymatous, while examples of advanced parenchymatous green algae are rare. Possession of a parenchymatous plant body allowed the development of specialized structures and tissues such as vascular tissues, cutinized epidermis, and multicellular jacketed gametangia which contributed greatly to the success of plants in the transition to land. Therefore, the problem of how land plant parenchyma might have
Simple and complex movements in a patient with infarction of the right supplementary motor area

The role played by the supplementary motor area (SMA) in the higher-level organization of motor behaviour (motor programming) has been highlighted by the study of cerebral blood flow during voluntary movements in normal humans. We present a detailed physiological investigation from a patient with a right SMA lesion and show that the right SMA plays a role in programming simultaneous and sequential movements in both arms, though the contralateral arm was the more severely impaired. In addition, we obtained evidence to suggest that the precentral motor cortex may be more responsive to peripheral perturbations when the modulating influence of the SMA is absent. In view of the similarity of the physiological findings in this subject to those in patients with Parkinson's disease, we suggest that the defect of motor programming in Parkinson's disease is likely to reflect functional deafferentation of the SMA.
Extracting culture through textual analysis

Abstract Language has been viewed as a window on the mind. Language is also a window on culture. Through analyzing texts the interplay between human cognition and culture can be examined. Through analyzing texts cognitive similarities and differences across individuals, which serve as a basis for culture can be described. Through analyzing texts the impact of culture on individual behavior can be examined. In addition, such analyses can locate similarities and differences across cultures and changes within cultures. This paper explores the relative benefits for using content analysis and map analysis for extracting and analyzing culture given a series of texts. Content analysis has been the traditional textual analysis method used for examining culture. However, it is not theoretically grounded. In contrast, map analysis has received less use and is theoretically grounded in an understanding of human cognition. It is shown that under certain conditions map analysis subsumes content analysis. Researchers can thus use map analysis not only to extract and analyze culture but to examine the relationship between cognition and culture. Illustrative applications are drawn from four different studies.
Single Molecule Oxidative Folding

More than a third of human proteins contain disulfide bonds, yet our understanding of how these are formed in vivo has remained rudimentary. Formation of disulfides takes place during oxidative folding and is catalyzed by the enzyme Protein Disulfide Isomerase (PDI). We have developed a single molecule approach to study this process in real-time, using force-clamp AFM. We investigated the oxidative folding of human titin domains, in the presence and absence of oxidase enzymes such as human PDI. Our approach enables, for the first time, independent kinetic measurements of folding and disulfide formation in individual proteins. Strikingly, we discovered a critical period for disulfide formation in the titin I1 domain. After protein folding was completed, disulfide formation could no longer be catalyzed by PDI. Thus, the competing kinetics of PDI-mediated oxidation and protein folding determines the outcome of oxidative folding. The involvement of glutathione in oxidative folding has long been under speculation. We show that glutathionylation can retard the kinetics of protein folding by more than 10-fold, revealing a possible novel role of this ubiquitous small molecule. In protein substrates with more than two cysteines, our data show that correct pairing is achieved through substrate folding rather than through the action of the oxidase enzyme. Therefore, the accuracy of cysteine pairing increases along the folding pathway of the substrate. These unprecedented observations shed new light on how disulfide formation relates to protein folding in vivo. Taken together, we are able to construct a complete kinetic model of oxidative folding, incorporating experimentally measured rates for the individual reaction steps. The technique presented here can be used to elucidate the pathway of oxidative folding for a wide variety of proteins, and can also be used to identify mechanisms that trigger misfolding and disease.
GrADSolve: a grid-based RPC system for parallel computing with application-level scheduling

Although some existing Remote Procedure Call (RPC) systems provide support for remote invocation of parallel applications, these RPC systems lack powerful scheduling methodologies for the dynamic selection of resources for the execution of parallel applications. Some RPC systems support parallel execution of software routines with simple modes of parallelism. Some RPC systems statically choose the configuration of resources for parallel execution even before the parallel routines are invoked remotely by the end user. These policies of the existing systems prevent them from being used for remotely solving computationally intensive parallel applications over dynamic computational Grid environments. In this paper, we discuss a RPC system called GrADSolve that supports execution of parallel applications over Grid resources. In GrADSolve, the resources used for the execution of parallel application are chosen dynamically based on the load characteristics of the resources and the characteristics of the application. Application-level scheduling is employed for taking into account both the application and resource properties. GrADSolve also stages the user's data to the end resources based on the data distribution used by the end application. Finally, GrADSolve allows the users to store execution traces for problem solving and use the traces for subsequent solutions. Experiments are presented to prove that GrADSolve's data staging mechanisms can significantly reduce the overhead associated with data movement in current RPC systems. Results are also presented to demonstrate the usefulness of utilizing the execution traces maintained by GrADSolve for problem solving.
Evaluation of neutron techniques for illicit substance detection

We are studying inspection systems based on the use of fast neutrons for detecting illicit substances such as explosives and drugs in luggage and cargo containers. Fast-neutron techniques can determine the quantities of light elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen in a volume element. Illicit substances containing these elements are characterized by distinctive elemental densities or density ratios. We discuss modeling and tomographic reconstruction studies for fast-neutron transmission spectroscopy.
The average diameter of general tree structures

In this paper, we study the static behavior of distributed memory architecture with general tree structures. After defining and discussing the notion of average diameter, we first show that the average time it takes to send messages between any two arbitrary processors in a binary tree structure with n processors is e(log n), through combinatorial analysis. We will also show that we can extend this result to general tree structures with n nodes, with a reasonable assumption, i.e., when m = o(n), where m is the maximum number of children any node could have. We believe that the results presented in this paper have captured some important inter-processor data transmission behavior of computers with distributed memory architectures, particularly those with (binary) tree structured inter-processor networks. As an application of combinatorial and a- symptotic analysis, this paper solves yet another average path length problem, thus is also theoreti- cally interesting. Finally, some of the techniques we have developed in this paper might also be useful in the study of similar problems. (~) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Precautionary saving and consumption growth in Taiwan

Abstract Consumption and income have both grown rapidly in Taiwan over the past forty years, with younger birth cohorts experiencing faster growth. The long upward trend in consumption presents a strong challenge to the consumption smoothing predictions of the Permanent Income Hypothesis. Household survey data from 1976–1996 are used to examine the extent to which precautionary savings behaviour can explain this rapid consumption growth in an environment with high levels of savings. We find evidence for a strong precautionary motive in Taiwan, with levels of prudence much higher than found in the United States and United Kingdom. These high rates of prudence explain much of the rapid consumption growth, while the faster consumption growth of younger cohorts is attributed in part to their greater participation in industries with more earnings risk.
Real-time monitoring primary cardiomyocyte adhesion based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electrical cell-substrate impedance sensing.

The cell−substrate distance is a direct indicator of cell adhesion to extracellular matrix which is indispensable in cell culture. A real-time monitoring approach can provide a detailed profile of cell adhesion, so that enables the detecting of adhesion-related cell behavior. In this work, we report a novel real-time impedance-based method to record the adhesion profile of cardiomyocyte, overcoming its inscrutability due to the primary culture. Microfabricated biosensors are applied in cardiomyocyte culture after characterizing the cell-free system. Cyclic frequency scanning data of cell-related impedance are generated and automatically fit into the equivalent circuit model, which is established using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The data are displayed as the alteration of normalized cell−substrate distance and the essential parameters for manual electric cell−substrate impedance sensing calibration of absolute distance. The time course displays a significant decline in the equivalent cell−subs...
Metastasis-promoting immunity: when T cells turn to the dark side.

While the role of endogenous T cells in antitumor immunity is being debated, little is known about whether and how T cells promote tumorigenesis. In this issue of Cancer Cell , DeNardo and colleagues demonstrate that IL-4-producing T cells enhance metastasis by programming macrophages to produce factors that enhance tumor invasion.
Xid-like phenotypes: a B cell signalosome takes shape.

The molecular events linking BCR stimulation to Ca2+ flux are coming into focus. Considering together the results of biochemical studies and mouse genetic analyses, strong support now exists for a “signalosome” model of B cell activation. In this view, the central response regulator (PLCγ2) is activated by multiple independent inputs that are organized by interactions with membrane phosphoinositides and a docking protein (BLNK). A further level of organization may be provided by localization in lipid rafts. It should be emphasized that the picture of the B cell signalosome is probably incomplete. It is likely that other proteins that interact with Btk may be involved in signal integration and modification. It will be important to apply genetic tests of function to these components. Another challenge for the future is to determine whether distinct signalosomes are organized by other receptors on B cells. The application of gene targeting technology, including conditional inactivation and RAG chimeric approaches, should continue to clarify the complexities of lymphocyte activation.§To whom correspondence should be addressed (e-mail: owenw@microbio.ucla.edu).
Urinary excretion of glycine in tropical sprue

1. Glycine accounts for a significantly greater portion of the total amino acid nitrogen in 24-hr. urine collections from patients with sprue than from normal persons on the same diet.
100 Years of inspiring quality at the ACS: How did we get here?

Throughout its 100-year history of working to ensure that surgical patients receive safe, high-quality, cost-effective care, the American College of Surgeons has adhered to four key principles: (1) Set the standards to identify and set the highest clinical standards based on the collection of outcomes data and other scientific evidence that can be customized to each patient's condition so that surgeons can offer the right care, at the right time, in the right setting. (2) Build the right infrastructure to provide the highest quality care with surgical facilities having in place appropriate and adequate staffing levels, a reasonable mix of specialists, and the right equipment. Checklists and health information technology, such as the electronic health record, are components of this infrastructure. (3) Collect robust data so that surgical decisions are based on clinical data drawn from medical charts that track patients after discharge from the hospital. Data should be risk-adjusted and collected in nationally benchmarked registries to allow institutions to compare their care with other providers. (4) Verify processes and infrastructure by having an external authority periodically affirm that the right systems are in place at health care institutions, that outcomes are being measured and benchmarked, and that hospitals and providers are proactively responding to these findings.
A Pull System for Delegating Knowledge Work

A pull system using kanban is commonly used in manufacturing settings to efficiently control the flow of goods. Its success in service operations is limited to processes similar to production lines when the output is repetitive. This paper examined how well a pull system for delegating non-repetitive output performed in an experimental setting of knowledge work, similar to what is found in many services. Results indicated that performance, as measured by completion time for cognitive tasks, improved under a pull as opposed to a push system of delegation. The improvement occurred with no change in output quality, stress levels, or satisfaction.
FOXG1 dysregulation is a frequent event in medulloblastoma

Medulloblastomas represent 20% of malignant brain tumors of childhood. Although, they show multiple, non-random genomic alterations, no common, early genetic event involving all histologic types of medulloblastomas have been described. Nineteen medulloblastomas were analyzed using chromosomal comparative genomic hybridization (cCGH). Nine tumors with the most frequent number of genetic changes were further analyzed using bacterial artificial chromosome array CGH (aCGH). With aCGH, the frequency of gains and losses were higher than with cCGH. Chromosome 2p gains spanning 2p11–2p25 including N-myc locus, 2p24.1 were detected in 5/9 (55%) tumors while 14q12 gains were detected in 6/9 (67%) tumors. The 14q12 locus overlapped with the FOXGI gene locus. Quantitative real time PCR showed a 2–7-fold copy gain for FOXG1 in all the nine tumors. Protein expression was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in all histologic types. The expression of FOXG1 and p21cip1 showed an inverse relationship. FOXG1 copy gain (>2 to 21 folds) was seen in 93% (55/59) of a validating set of tumors and showed a positive correlation with protein expression (Spearman’s rank order correlation coefficient = 0.276; P = 0.038) representing the first report of FOXG1 dysregulation in medulloblastoma. Modulation of FOXG1 expression in DAOY cell line using siRNA showed a modest decrease in proliferation with a 2-fold upregulation of p21cip1. Current reports indicate that FOXG1 represses TGF-β induced expression of p21cip1 and cytostasis, and forms a transcriptional repressor complex with Notch signaling induced hes1. Our findings are consistent with a role for FOXG1 in the inhibition of TGF-β induced cytostasis in medulloblastoma.
Žižka's Drum: The Political Uses of Popular Religion

Now Žižka had appointed a time to assemble for the purpose of attacking Sigismund when, near the castle of Přibyslav, by divine inspiration, if you will, that detestable, cruel, horrible and savage monster was stricken with an infectious disease and died. The one whom no mortal hand could destroy was extinguished by the finger of God. As he lay ill he was asked where he wished to be buried after his death. He ordered that his body be flayed, the flesh discarded for the birds and animals, and a drum be fashioned from his skin. With this drum in the lead they should go to war. The enemies would turn to flight as soon as they heard its voice.