cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Algorithms for a temporal decoupling problem in multi-agent planning

The Temporal Decoupling Problem (TDP) arises when a group of agents collaborating on a set of temporally-dependent tasks seek to coordinate their execution of those tasks by applying additional temporal constraints sufficient to ensure that agents working on different tasks may operate independently. This paper: (1)formally defines the TDP, (2) presents theorems that give necessary and sufficient conditions for solutions to the TDP, (3)presents a family of sound and complete algorithms for solving the TDP, and (4) compares the performance of several variations of the basic algorithm. Although this work was motivated by a problem in collaborative multi-agent planning, it represents a contribution to the theory of Simple Temporal Networks that is independent of the motivating application.
Comparisons between 4x×2x hybrid and open-pollinated true-potato-seed families

TPS progenies from open-pollinated and 4x×2x crosses were compared on the basis of seed quality, seedling vigor, seedling tuber production and tuber yield. The hybrids from 4x×2x crosses were superior in all the traits. Even though the hybrid families may have these outstanding features, the relatively high cost of producing seeds can be a limitation to their widespread utilization in developing countries. Seeds from open pollination are much less expensive; their cost of production is only 10–20 % of that of hybrid seeds. Thus, the use of TPS families from open pollination may be an economical method for the production of potatoes from true seed until a suitable method of producing low-cost hybrid seed is available.
Pharmacologic identification of muscarinic receptors in the pylorus of the cat by binding of [3H]-quinuclidinyl benzilate.

Muscarinic receptors in the smooth muscle of the cat pylorus (pyloric sphincter) were identified by binding of the ligand (±) [3H]-quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]-QNB). Receptor related binding of [3H]-QNB reached steady-state in thirty minutes at 37°C, was saturable, showed pharmacologic specificity and was stereoselective. An apparent equilibrium dissociation constant, KD, of 1.9 ± 0.3 nM and maximum receptor concentration of 122 ± 13 femtomoles per mg of protein (means ± S.E.M.) were determined from Scatchard plots of [3H]-QNB binding. Hill coefficients of 0.99 and 1.01 indicated the absence of cooperative interactions. The muscarinic antagonists atropine and propantheline inhibited binding with IC50 values in the nanomolar range, whereas bethanechol was over four orders of magnitude less potent. Noncholinergic agents had little or no effect on [3H]-QNB binding. The levo isomer of QNB was about seventy times more effective at inhibiting binding than its dextro isomer while dextro benzetimide was greater than two thousand fold more active than levo benzetimide. The isomers of another anticholinergic compound, tropicamide, also competed for [3H]-QNB binding sites in a stereoselective manner, the levo isomer being eighty-five times more potent than the dextro isomer.
RELATION OF MOISTURE TO WATER ACITIVITY IN PRUNES AND RAISINS

Moisture sorption isotherms were determined for raisins and prunes, with raisins producing hysteresis at the lower and higher ends of the curves. Maturity of the fresh fruit influenced the sorption isotherms but not storage time. Optimum water activities for minimizing a product's degradation rate during storage were determined for prunes and raisins to be about 0.1.
Nucleic acid sequences of primate type C viruses in normal and neoplastic human tissues.

RECENT reports on the isolation of type C viruses from human cells have generated considerable controversy because of the close relationship of the viruses to the type C viruses of subhuman primates1–5. These findings have been interpreted as evidence for contamination despite the repeated isolation of some type C viruses from separate clinical specimens or from separate frozen primary cell stocks of the same donor6–9. Our laboratory has described a type C virus which is released from the HEL–12 strain of normal human embryonic lung fibroblasts5. The HEL–12 virus is related immunologically to simian sarcoma (woolly monkey fibrosarcoma) virus (SiSV) and the endogenous type C viruses of baboons and domestic cats9–11. To demonstrate that the HEL–12 virus is not an adventitious contaminant, fresh human tissues were examined for antigenic cross-reactivity with HEL–12 virus antigens. Some patients with myelogenous leukemia contain circulating immunoglobulins which specifically inhibit the reverse transcriptases of HEL–12 virus and primate type C viruses12. In addition, the glomerular immune complexes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus contain antigens related to HEL–12 virus proteins13. Using the techniques of molecular hybridisation, we demonstrate here that HEL–12 cells contain proviral DNA sequences before antigen expression or spontaneous virus release can be detected. We also present evidence for the existence of nucleic acid sequences homologous to HEL–12 viral RNA in the DNAs from certain cancer patients.
Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization Causes Sustained VEGF Secretion

Transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMR) using a carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) laser has been shown to relieve angina, increase vascular density, and improve myocardial contraction. A study of 28 patients receiving TMR was conducted to monitor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels with the goal of clarifying the relationship between TMR, the amelioration of angina, and vascular density. Serum VEGF levels were measured during four periods (preoperative, postoperative, convalescence, and late) in these 28 patients who received sole therapy TMR for un-revascularizable ischemic angina and the levels were compared with the control group consisting of 10 nonischemic thoracotomy patients. Twelve of the 28 patients had previous coronary artery bypass graft(s); 10 had unstable angina, and 1 had an ejection fraction less than 30%. Overall, angina class was reduced from 3.8 ± 0.9 to 1.0 ± 0.9 ( P 2 TMR therapy causes locally increased vascular density and angina relief.
Selecting literature for young language-disordered children

This paper presents guidelines for selecting children's literature for use with language-disordered children. Techniques are suggested for evaluating prose and poetry, and for the use of literature in therapy.
The maze-making and solving technique for coil embolization of large and giant aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Despite major progress in treating aneurysms by coil embolization, the complete occlusion of aneurysms of >10 mm in diameter (large/giant aneurysms) remains challenging. We present a novel endovascular treatment method for large and giant cerebral aneurysms called the “maze-making and solving” technique and compare the short-term follow-up results of this technique with those of conventional coil embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients (65 ± 11.5 years of age, 7 women) with large/giant unruptured nonthrombosed cerebral aneurysm (mean largest aneurysm dimension, 19 ± 4.4 mm) were treated by the maze-making and solving technique, a combination of the double-catheter technique and various assisted techniques. The coil-packing attenuation, postoperative courses, and recurrence rate of this maze group were compared with 30 previous cases (conventional group, 65.4 ± 13.0 years of age; 22 women; mean largest aneurysm dimension, 13.4 ± 3.8 mm). RESULTS: Four maze group cases were Raymond class 1; and 4 were class 2 as indicated by immediate postsurgical angiography. No perioperative deaths or major strokes occurred. Mean packing attenuation of the maze group was significantly higher than that of the conventional group (37.4 ± 5.9% versus 26.2 ± 5.6%). Follow-up angiography performed at 11.3 ± 5.4 months revealed no recurrence in the maze group compared with 39.2% in the conventional group. CONCLUSIONS: The maze-making and solving technique achieves high coil-packing attenuation for efficient embolization of large and giant cerebral aneurysms with a low risk of recurrence.
Localized measures for nonstationary time-series of physiological data

We will discuss localized measures related to the concepts of dimension, Lyapunove exponents (entropy), and recurrence diagrams. We stress the relevance of localized events and coincidences in physiological time series that often are lost when statistical averaging methods are applied. We suggest event-based statistics as an alternative to spectral or averaged-based statistics. The use of wavelets bases for characterizing localized structures is discussed as a potential alternative to Fourier-based analysis. Finally we mention how local domains in state space could be applied as triggers for external stimuli and thereby improve the statistics of ERP recordings.
NOREPINEPHRINE-INDUCED HYPERTENSION EFFECTS ON THE CONGENITAL CORONARY LESIONS OF PERINATAL PIGLETS. PERINATAL PREVENTION OF ATHEROGENESIS?1333

The congenital coronary lesions of piglets (Biology of the Neonate, in press) were perturbed by the primary perinatal catecholamine, norepinephrine. Newborn piglets had 45 minutes of sustained norepinephrine-induced hypertension before 4, 72, or 168 hours of baseline conditions. After euthanasia, the anterior descending coronary artery was serially sectioned for light and electron microscopy. Changes were limited to the endothelium and subendothelial intima of the most proximal segment of the anterior descending coronary artery. As similar changes are normally present in perinatal piglets, the experimental animals were compared with sham-operated controls to determine if there was a modification of the naturally-occurring congenital lesions. The increase of coronary lesions >50% circumference (15 of 33 piglets, 45%) was not statistically significant (11 of 32 control piglets, 34%); however, the experimental groups showed unique features. At 4 hours, there was marked intimal edema, disruption of the endothelium, and fragmentation and dissolution of the internal elastic lamina. There was selective invasion of the intima by monocyte-macrophages and platelets. After 72 and 168 hours there was an increase in preexisting modified smooth muscle cell plaques in which there developed prominent fibroplasia and collagenization. It is proposed that perinatal rheologic trauma to the coronary wall induced by acute hypertension may be responsible for these changes and may be an initiating factor in atherogenesis. Perinatal control of catecholamine-induced hypertension may play a role in the prevention of atherogenesis.
Heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of laminar air flows moving in a parallel-plate channel with transverse hemi-cylindrical cavities

Abstract Laminar flows in parallel-plate channels are usually caused by a combination of small channel dimensions and low fluid velocities. As a consequence, the heat transfer coefficients in these channels are extremely low. The present study avoids inward protruding fins attached to the channel walls and instead focuses on the opposite arrangement. That is, molding the walls of parallel-plate channels with arrays of transverse cavities pointing outward. Two configurations were studied, one with symmetrically opposing cavities onto the bottom and upper walls and another with non-symmetric or staggered cavities onto the two parallel walls. A 120-cm-long channel contains two series of 3, 6 and 12 transverse cavities having ratios of cavity depth to cavity print diameter δ/D of 0.125, 0.25, 0.375, and 0.5. Computations are performed for Reynolds numbers based on the hydraulic diameter ranging from 1000 to 2500 for air (Pr = 0.7). The finite-volume method is used to perform the computational analysis with embedded second-order-accurate QUICK and SIMPLE schemes. It is found that the cavity/channel assemblies can achieve heat transfer enhancements of about 30% relative to the smooth channel, with pressure loss increases of 19%. In all cases examined, the outcome of the numerical simulation reveals that the heat transfer enhancement overcomes the pressure drop accretion.
Growth of Chamaedaphne calyculata at two peatland sites in relation to nutrient availability

Biomass production, length of current-season shoots, number of new shoots produced per plant, reproductive effort, and tissue-nutrient concentrations of the ericaceous evergreenChamaedaphne calyculata (leatherleaf) were determined at two acidic peatland sites. Measurements were made under unfertilized conditions and following the addition of NPK over two conscutive years. The “shrub” site, a poor fen, had a deeper aerobic zone during most of the growing season, larger pools of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg within the surface peat (0–30 cm) and the leatherleaf biomass, and greater amounts of extractable P and K within the peat. At the poor fen, taller leatherleaf shrubs had significantly more biomass and longer shoots, and more flowers and fruits were produced. At the “open” site, a bog, leatherleaf plants doubled biomass productivity, shoot length, and allocation to reproductive structures, and increased the concentration of N, P, and K in current shoots in response to the additions of NPK. In contrast, leatherleaf at the poor fen site responded to the addition of NPK by only increasing the concentration of N, P, and K in the current shoots. These results suggest that the growth of leatherleaf may be limited by the availability of N, P, and/or K in bogs but not in poor fens.
Lithospheric drift on early Mars: Evidence in the magnetic field

Abstract The crustal magnetic anomalies on Mars may represent hot spot tracks resulting from lithospheric drift on ancient Mars. As evidence, an analysis of lineation patterns derived from the ΔBr magnetic map is presented. The ΔBr map, largely free of external magnetic field effects, allows excellent detail of the magnetic anomaly pattern, particularly in areas of Mars where the field is relatively weak. Using cluster analysis, we show that the elongated anomalies in the martian magnetic field form concentric small circles (parallels of latitude) about two distinct north pole locations. If these pole locations represent ancient spin axes, then tidal force on the early lithosphere by former satellites in retrograde orbits may have pulled the lithosphere in an east–west direction over hot mantle plumes. With an active martian core dynamo, this may have resulted in the observed magnetic anomaly pattern of concentric small circles. As further evidence, we observe that, of the 15 martian giant impact basins that were possibly formed while the core dynamo was active, seven lie along the equators of our two proposed paleopoles. We also find that four other re-magnetized giant impact basins lie along a great circle about the mean magnetic paleopole of Mars. These 11 impact basins, likely the result of fallen retrograde satellite fragments, indicate that Mars once had moons large enough to cause tidal drag on the early martian lithosphere. The results of this study suggest that the magnetic signatures of this tidal interaction have been preserved to the present day.
Reflection moveout inversion in azimuthally anisotropic media: accuracy, limitations and acquisition

Parameter estimation from the elliptical variations in the normal-moveout (NMO) velocity in azimuthally anisotropic media is sensitive to the angular separation between the survey lines in 2D, or equivalently, the source-to-receiver azimuth in 3D, and to the set of azimuths used in the inversion procedure. The accuracy in estimating the orientation of an NMO ellipse, in particular the parameter a, is also sensitive to the magnitude of anisotropy. On the other hand, the accuracy in estimating the semi-axes of the NMO-velocity ellipse is about the same for any magnitude of anisotropy. To invert for the NMO ellipse parameters at least three NMO-velocity measurements along distinct azimuth directions are needed. In order to maximize the accuracy and stability in parameter estimation, it is best to have the azimuths for the three source-to-receiver directions 60° apart. Having more than three distinct source-to-receiver azimuths (e.g. full azimuthal coverage) provides a useful data redundancy that enhances the quality of the estimates. In order to maximize quality in the inversion process, it is recommended to design the seismic data acquisition such that it contains small sectors (≤10°) with adequate fold and offset distribution. Using three NMO-velocity measurements, 60° apart, an azimuthally anisotropic layer overlain by an azimuthally isotropic overburden (as might occur for fractured reservoirs) should have a relative thickness (in time) with respect to the total thickness at least equal to the ratio of the error in the NMO (stacking) velocity to the interval anisotropy of the fractured layer. Coverage along more than three azimuths, however, improves this limitation, which is imposed by Dix differentiation, by at most 50%, depending on the number of observations (NMO velocities) that enter the inversion procedure.
Electromagnetic scattering from arbitrary random rough surfaces using stabilized extended boundary condition method (SEBCM) for remote sensing of soil moisture

In this paper, the stabilized extended boundary condition method (SEBCM) is developed based on the classical EBCM to solve both 2D and 3D electromagnetic scattering from arbitrary random rough surfaces. The SEBCM gives accurate full wave solutions over large range of surface roughnesses and medium losses, which are far beyond the validity range of analytical methods, and perform with much higher efficiency than numerical methods. These properties make SEBCM a competitive forward model in the inverse problem for soil moisture retrieval from radar measurements.
Automated particle characterization using holographic video microscopy

With an efficient particle identification algorithm, combine with hardware acceleration and software optimization, holographic microscopy data can be analysis in near real time with sufficient accuracy to enable unattended holographic tracking and particle characterization.
Arbitrating repression: language policy and education in Arizona

In 2000, voters in the US state of Arizona passed Proposition 203 English for the Children, effectively abolishing bilingual education services in favor of a submersion approach termed Sheltered English Immersion. In this discussion, I use an ethnographic lens to highlight the logistical complexities involved in the negotiation of restrictive educational language policies between macro levels of development, meso levels of interpretation and micro levels of educational application. By looking at language policy as a sociocultural process, I reveal how Arizona's anti-bilingual education policy has unfolded across various levels of bureaucracy and been enacted in schools where the majority of students come from an immigrant background. Specifically, the current study explores how Proposition 203 has affected patterns of language use in predominantly language-minority classrooms by illustrating the influence of key policy arbiters within politically repressive environments.
Novel Differential Surface Stress Sensor for Detection of Chemical and Biological Species

A miniature sensor consisting of two adjacent micromachined cantilevers (a sensing/reference pair) is developed for detection of chemical and biological species. A novel interferometric technique is utilized to measure the differential bending of sensing cantilever with respect to reference. Presence of species is detected by measuring the differential surface stress associated with adsorption/absorption of chemical species on sensing cantilever. Surface stress associated with formation of alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on the sensing cantilever is measured to characterize the sensor performance.
Effect of Ultraviolet Irradiation on Egg Hatch, Subsequent Larval Development, and Adult Longevity of the Tobacco Budworm and the Bollworm

Eggs (18-24 hours old) of the tobacco budworm. Heliothis virescens (F.), and the bollworm, H. zea (Boddie), were exposed to ultraviolet irradiation of a short (2537 A) or a long (3600 A) wavelength to determine the effect of these rays on egg hatch, subsequent development, and adult longevity. A gradual increase in time of exposure to the short-wave rays caused a gradual decrease in the percentage egg hatch, and no hatch occurred after an exposure of 20 minutes. However, the hatch was not greatly affected until exposures were longer than 1 minute. Eggs exposed to the long-wave rays had a comparable percentage hatch in all treatments. The treatments had no influence on time for larval and pupal development or on the longevity of adults emerging from embryos that survived the treatment.
Mesoblends of Polyether Block Copolymers with Poly(ethylene glycol)

Mesoblends are conveniently generated by sorbing a parent homopolymer into a microphase-separated triblock or higher-order multiblock copolymer swollen by a block-selective solvent. These nonequilibrium systems afford a viable route by which to produce, in systematic fashion, novel copolymer/homopolymer blends as well as explore homopolymer transport and solubility within a molecularly confined polymer environment. In the present work, we have imbibed poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) differing in molecular weight into a model poly(styrene-b-ethylene oxide-b-styrene) (SEOS) triblock copolymer and a commercial poly(amide-b-ethylene glycol) (AEG) multiblock copolymer. Solvent quality and solution concentration are found to have a profound effect on PEG solubility in both copolymers, whereas PEG molecular weight over the range 100−4600 is generally less influential. Transmission electron microscopy reveals the spatial distribution of amorphous PEG within the SEOS copolymer matrix, and complementary differential sc...
Functionals and Functional Derivatives of Wave Functions and Densities

It is shown that the process of conventional functional differentiation does not apply to functionals whose domain (and possibly range) is subject to the condition of integral normalization, as is the case with respect to a domain defined by wave functions or densities, in which there exists no neighborhood about a given element in the domain defined by arbitrary variations that also lie in the domain. This is remedied through the generalization of the domain of a functional to include distributions in the form of , where is the Dirac delta function and is a real number. This allows the determination of the rate of change of a functional with respect to changes of the independent variable determined at each point of the domain, with no reference needed to the values of the functional at different functions in its domain. One feature of the formalism is the determination of rates of change of general expectation values (that may not necessarily be functionals of the density) with respect to the wave functions or the densities determined by the wave functions forming the expectation value. It is also shown that ignoring the conditions of conventional functional differentiation can lead to false proofs, illustrated through a flaw in the proof that all densities defined on a lattice are -representable. In a companion paper, the mathematical integrity of a number of long-standing concepts in density functional theory are studied in terms of the formalism developed here.
Embedded-cluster self-consistent partial-wave method: Extending the spatial scale of electronic structure calculations

An efficient approach to extending the spatial scale of electronic structure calculations is described in this work. The method is formulated as a combination of the ``interacting fragments'' concept of Harris [Phys. Rev. B 31, 1770 (1985)] and the divide and conquer (D) method of Yang [Phys. Rev. Lett. 66, 1438 (1991); Phys. Rev. A 44, 7823 (1991)], which recognizes the intrinsic locality of electron bonding and is devised to optimize the total electron charge density within an approximate representation of partitioned components. Beginning with a brief review of D concepts, we report results from this method using the D as an ``embedding'' method for coupling an atomic cluster to its extended environment. The convergence properties as implemented within the self-consistent partial-wave (SCPW) linear variational method are illustrated through various applications. In particular, results from a study of the adsorption of La atoms at the prism plane of $\ensuremath{\beta}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{Si}}_{3}{\mathrm{N}}_{4}$ demonstrate the practicality of the SCPW using D as an embedding technique.
Transplant strategies for idiopathic myelofibrosis

Idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) is a clonal stem cell disorder and is one of the four major myeloproliferative disorders, which include essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV), and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Patients may be asymptomatic at the early stages, but later progress to marrow fibrosis, splenomegaly with pancytopenia leading to anemia, and other constitutional symptoms. Most of the care available is supportive and only palliates the constitutional symptoms. Prognosis for these patients is dependent on karyotype, hemoglobin count, and age. Stem cell transplantation is the only curative therapy, which results in eradication of the stem cell clone, with the cessation of extramedullary hematopoiesis and resolution of marrow fibrosis and its sequelae. Stem cell replacement therapy using either autologous or allogeneic stem cells has been attempted in small populations of patients with variable benefit. A nonmyeloablative approach has shown promise in a very small number of patients, but additional investigation is required for the ideal management of these patients.
TRANSFER FUNCTION MODEL ORDER AND PARAMETER ESTIMATION

. A distributed lag model with a rational transfer function is considered. We have demonstrated that the C-table can be used to determine the orders of the rational transfer function and the Pade table can be used to estimate the parameters of an identifiable transfer function. In case the model is not uniquely identified, the C-table reduces possible competing models to only a few for further examination. Pade approximant gives consistent initial values for possibly more efficient iterative procedures to estimate the coefficients of the identified model. Some asymptotic results on the estimation of the C-table and the Pade table are given. A few examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.
Improving measurement of Chesapeake Bay's dead zone

In the 1930s, researchers first noticed that the Chesapeake Bay had a dead zone, an expanse of water with drastically reduced concentrations of oxygen. In the 1980s, hypoxia—low-oxygen conditions—gave way in some places to anoxia—a near-total depletion of dissolved oxygen. A lack of oxygen makes the water inhospitable for many marine organisms, and the Chesapeake Bay is the focus of major ecosystem rehabilitation efforts.
Probing the structure of falcipain-3, a cysteine protease from Plasmodium falciparum: comparative protein modeling and docking studies.

Increasing resistance of malaria parasites to conventional antimalarial drugs is an important factor contributing to the persistence of the disease as a major health threat. The ongoing search for novel targets has resulted in identification and expression of several enzymes including cysteine proteases that are implicated in hemoglobin degradation. Falcipain-2 and falcipain-3 are considered to be the two principal cysteine proteases in this degradation, and hence, are potential drug targets. A homology model of falcipain-3 was built and validated by various structure/geometry verification tools as well as docking studies of known substrates. The correlation coefficient of 0.975 between interaction energies and Km values of these substrates provided additional support for the model. On comparison with the previously reported falcipain-2 homology model, the currently constructed falcipain-3 structure showed important differences between the S2 pockets that might explain the variations in the Km values of various substrates for these enzymes. Further, docking studies also provided insight into possible binding modes and interactions of ligands with falcipain-3. Results of the current study could be employed in de novo drug design leading to development of new antimalarial agents.
Picket-fence interferometer on the antenna of the Noctuidae and Pyralidae moths

The morphology of the picket-fence sensor on the antennae of night-flying Noctuidae and Pyralidae moths is described, and a 2λ cardboard wax model of the sensor is constructed. A polar plot of the model in the path length of 3.1-cm rf gives a broad bandwidth main lobe and two 20° bandwidth sidelobes. Moving the picket-fence sensor 1 cm in the path length gives an interference pattern of minimum and maximum rf energy. The radiation pattern and interference pattern accommodate the known far-IR side-emitted blackbody (9.7-μm) IR radiation of a flying moth.
Impact of computer-assisted data collection, evaluation and management on the cancer genetic counselor's time providing patient care.

Cancer genetic counseling sessions traditionally encompass collecting medical and family history information, evaluating that information for the likelihood of a genetic predisposition for a hereditary cancer syndrome, conveying that information to the patient, offering genetic testing when appropriate, obtaining consent and subsequently documenting the encounter with a clinic note and pedigree. Software programs exist to collect family and medical history information electronically, intending to improve efficiency and simplicity of collecting, managing and storing this data. This study compares the genetic counselor’s time spent in cancer genetic counseling tasks in a traditional model and one using computer-assisted data collection, which is then used to generate a pedigree, risk assessment and consult note. Genetic counselor time spent collecting family and medical history and providing face-to-face counseling for a new patient session decreased from an average of 85–69 min when using the computer-assisted data collection. However, there was no statistically significant change in overall genetic counselor time on all aspects of the genetic counseling process, due to an increased amount of time spent generating an electronic pedigree and consult note. Improvements in the computer program’s technical design would potentially minimize data manipulation. Certain aspects of this program, such as electronic collection of family history and risk assessment, appear effective in improving cancer genetic counseling efficiency while others, such as generating an electronic pedigree and consult note, do not.
The utility of GLUT-1 immunolocalization in cell blocks: An adjunct to the fine needle aspiration diagnosis of cystic squamous lesions of the head and neck.

BACKGROUND Cytologic distinction of metastatic cystic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) from benign squamous cell lesions, especially the ones with superimposed inflammatory atypia, can be very challenging. The authors evaluated the usefulness of glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) immunostaining as an adjunct to fine-needle aspirations of squamous lesions of the head and neck. METHODS Immunohistochemical staining for GLUT-1 was performed on paraffin-embedded cell blocks of 28 cases with the following cytologic diagnoses: 1) metastatic SCC (11 cases); 2) atypical squamous cells, South CarolinaC cannot be excluded (6 cases); and 3) cytologic findings consistent with branchial cleft cyst (BCC) (11 cases). RESULTS All 11 cases with an unequivocal cytologic diagnosis of metastatic SCC were positive for GLUT-1. Tissue follow-up confirmed metastatic SCC in all 11 cases. The squamous cells in all 11 cases with cytologic findings consistent with BCC were negative for GLUT-1; tissue follow-up confirmed diagnoses of BCC in 8 cases. In the remaining 3 cases, excision was not performed, and, clinically, no recurrences were identified at 28, 20, and 16 months of follow-up. Of the 6 cases with cytologic diagnosis of atypical squamous cells, 3 were negative and 3 were positive for GLUT-1. Subsequent excisional biopsies in these cases revealed 4 cases of metastatic SCC (3 positive and 1 negative for GLUT-1), 1 case of BCC (negative for GLUT-1), and 1 case of thyroglossal duct cyst (negative for GLUT-1). CONCLUSION GLUT-1 immunostaining is a useful adjunct in differentiating benign and malignant squamous lesions in cell-block material. Although negative staining for GLUT-1 does not exclude malignancy, positive immunoreactivity for GLUT-1 may aid in accurate diagnosis of malignancy in cytomorphologically equivocal squamous lesions of the head and neck. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
INTEGRATING AUTOMATED BALL INDENTATION WITH ASME B31G CODE TO ASSESS INTEGRITY OF CORRODED PIPELINES

In order to provide deterministic structural integrity assessment for safe and efficient operation of corroded pipelines, the following information is required: (a) the actual key mechanical properties (yield and ultimate strength, and fracture toughness) of the pipeline materials, (b) the present thickness and diameter of the pipeline, and (c) the profile of the maximum depth of corrosion pits over the pipeline axial length, and the size of sharp cracks. Both items (b) & (c) can be determined by conventional techniques. A patented in-situ StressStrain Microprobe (SSM) system was used to provide item (a), the required key mechanical properties (tensile and fracture toughness), in a nondestructive and localized fashion without any interruption of the pipeline transmission using its novel Automated Ball Indentation (ABI) test technique.
Picosecond coherence coupling in the pump and probe technique

Abstract A general expression for the coherent artifact in photoinduced absorption measured by coherent polarized pump and probe beams is derived. The conditions for its reduction in isotropic media by using cross-polarized beams is discussed. Examples of experimental data illustrating the conclusions of the theory are shown.
Predicting environmental fate parameters with infrared spectroscopy

Abstract One of the principal uncertainties associated with risk assessments of organic chemicals in the environment is the lack of chemical-specific values that quantify the many processes determining the chemical's transport and transformation. Because it is not feasible to measure the many constants that are required when thousands of chemicals must be considered, reliable predictive methods are required. A precise theory-based method is now available for many processes whose mechanisms are understood well enough to model theoretically. However, a void exists for processes that are not well understood. We have been developing an infrared spectroscopy-based method to fill that void. Herein, we summarize previously published progress to date, and present new results that strengthen the feasibility of the method. Specifically, we show that the method is capable of predicting constants for ten physical/ chemical properties and distribution coefficients for a diverse set of organic esters, typically to within an error percent of ten. The predictive models are built using full infrared spectra and partial least-squares (PLS) modeling. A critical evaluation of the approach, and a brief description of ongoing developments, is presented.
Regulation of Stem Cells by Intersecting Gradients of Long-Range Niche Signals

We have used Drosophila ovarian follicle stem cells (FSCs) to study how stem cells are regulated by external signals and draw three main conclusions. First, the spatial definition of supportive niche positions for FSCs depends on gradients of Hh and JAK-STAT pathway ligands, which emanate from opposite, distant sites. FSC position may be further refined by a preference for low-level Wnt signaling. Second, hyperactivity of supportive signaling pathways can compensate for the absence of the otherwise essential adhesion molecule, DE-cadherin, suggesting a close regulatory connection between niche adhesion and niche signals. Third, FSC behavior is determined largely by summing the inputs of multiple signaling pathways of unequal potencies. Altogether, our findings indicate that a stem cell niche need not be defined by short-range signals and invariant cell contacts; rather, for FSCs, the intersection of gradients of long-range niche signals regulates the longevity, position, number, and competitive behavior of stem cells.
Endoscopic treatment of intranasal abnormalities associated with nasolacrimal duct obstruction

Abstract Purpose To report the incidence of intranasal abnormalities in children with nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction and the results of treatment, which included nasal endoscopic removal of abnormal tissue. Methods Nasal endoscopy was performed prospectively in 22 infants with mucoceles; in 97 children ≥ 18 months at the time of initial NLD probing; and in 59 children with persistent NLD obstruction after previous probing. Endoscopic removal of abnormal tissue was performed in addition to NLD probing or balloon-catheter dilation. Results NLD cysts were found in 22 of 22 (100%) infants with mucoceles. Cysts or other abnormalities of the distal duct were found in 6 of 97 (6.2%) children ≥ 18 months at the time of initial probing and in 5 of 59 (8.5%) children whose previous NLD probing was unsuccessful. Surgery was successful in 91% of patients. Conclusion Nasal endoscopy identified intranasal anatomic abnormalities of the distal nasolacrimal duct uniformly in infants with mucoceles and in 6% to 9% of older children with complicated NLD obstruction. Treatment, including endoscopic removal of abnormal tissue, was successful in most patients. The use of nasal endoscopy may improve the treatment of patients with these disorders.
The Implications of Stigma and Anonymity for Self-Disclosure in Health Blogs

The reported study examines the implications of anonymity and stigma in the form of illness-related embarrassment for self-disclosure in the context of health blogging. Drawing from theorizing about anonymous communication and stigma, anonymity is argued to be strategically used by individuals who are embarrassed by their illness and to moderate the relationship between embarrassment and self-disclosure. Data from 114 individuals who blog about their experiences coping with a health condition were examined to test study hypotheses. Illness-related embarrassment was positively associated with anonymity. Additionally, anonymity moderated the relationship between embarrassment and self-disclosure. Among bloggers with relatively higher levels of anonymity, illness-related embarrassment was positively associated with self-disclosure. The results suggest that anonymity is strategically used and fosters self-disclosure among individuals who are embarrassed by their illness.
The Significance of Extremism in the Black Revolution

This paper examines the connotations of the term “extremism” as used with reference to the Black Protest Movement. An heuristic definition of contemporary black extremism is derived from Gary Marx' review of opinion surveys which identify modal attitudes towards values, tactics and leaders among putative members of the movement. Propositions concerning the possible significance of extremist leaders are then advanced. They may: 1) increase the bargaining power of moderate leaders; 2) provide a corrective to illusions of progress by, 3) identifying unresolved issues and defining new ones; 4) radicalize a growing segment of the movement membership and increase the polarization between the movement and its opposition; 5) focus the attention of the opposition and the bystander public on new issues; and 6) evoke extreme repressive measures from the opposition.
The deployment scheduling analysis tool (DSAT)

The deployment scheduling analysis tool is an analysis tool for studying military deployment scenarios. The tool has a user interface through which the user selects the deploying units, equipment, and their required delivery dates. The user also selects the ports (air, rail, and sea) through which the units will travel to get to the final destination. Finally, the user selects the transportation assets on which the units will travel and assigns those assets to the routes in the deployment network. The system schedules the equipment for deployment by creating individual equipment routings and then repetitively simulating the deployment to determine the deployment closure time and the maximum lateness (L"m"a"x) of any unit. The equipment is scheduled to minimize the maximum lateness of all deploying units. Deployment information is formatted into various graphs and reports. Finally, the user can modify various aspects of the deployment scenario to conduct sensitivity analysis. A valuable option is a heuristic procedure to reassign transportation assets in an attempt to further reduce the deployment closure time and L"m"a"x.
Stimulation of coho salmon growth by insulin-like growth factor I.

The effect of insulin-like growth factor I on growth rate of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) was examined. Juvenile coho salmon received implants of osmotic minipumps containing recombinant bovine insulin-like growth factor I (rbIGF-I) or saline for a period of 3 to 4 weeks. High doses of rbIGF-I (greater than 0.13 microgram.g-1.d-1) resulted in hypoglycemia and death. In 2-year-old coho salmon, 0.09 microgram.g-1.d-1 rbIGF-I administered for 25 days doubled linear growth rate and increased growth rate in weight by 40%. In rapidly growing, 1-year-old coho salmon, growth rate was not altered by rbIGF-I at 0.01 or 0.05 micrograms.g-1.d-1 for 31 days. In ration-limited fish exhibiting slow growth in the control group, rbIGF-I (0.02 microgram.g-1.d-1) increased linear growth rate by up to threefold and growth rate in weight by up to fourfold. The results indicate that exogenous treatment with mammalian IGF-I can stimulate coho salmon growth under some conditions, and that endogenous IGF-I may be an important factor in regulating growth of teleosts.
Fine-mapping of HLA associations with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in US populations

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) displays remarkable ethnic predisposition for whites, with relative sparing of African-American and Asian populations. In addition, CLL displays among the highest familial predispositions of all hematologic malignancies, yet the genetic basis for these differences is not clearly defined. The highly polymorphic HLA genes of the major histocompatibility complex play a central role in immune surveillance and confer risk for autoimmune and infectious diseases and several different cancers, the role for which in the development of CLL has not been extensively investigated. The National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match has collected HLA typing from CLL patients in need of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant and has recruited millions of volunteers to potentially donate hematopoietic stem cells. HLA genotypes for 3491 US white, 397 African-American, and 90 Hispanic CLL patients were compared with 50 000 controls per population from the donor registry. We identified several HLA alleles associated with CLL susceptibility in each population, reconfirming predisposing roles of HLA-A*02:01 and HLA-DRB4*01:01 in whites. Associations for haplotype DRB4*01:01∼DRB1*07:01∼DQB1*03:03 were replicated across all 3 populations. These findings provide a comprehensive assessment of the role of HLA in the development of severe CLL.
Drug abuse treatment as an HIV prevention strategy: a review

We review drug abuse treatment as a means of preventing infection with HIV. Thirty-three studies, with an aggregate of over seventeen thousand subjects, were published in peer-reviewed journals from 1988-1998. Research on the utility of drug abuse treatment as an HIV prevention strategy has focused primarily on methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) rather than other modalities such as residential or outpatient drug-free treatment. Recent research provides clear evidence that MMT reduces HIV risk behaviors, particularly needle-use, and strong evidence that MMT prevents HIV infection. There is less definitive evidence that MMT reduces needle-sharing and unsafe sexual behavior, or that other treatment modalities prevent HIV infection. Future research should take into account patient self-selection processes and investigate other treatment modalities for heroin and stimulant abuse to determine their effects on HIV risk behaviors and HIV infection.
Calculated and Measured Air and Soil Freeze-Thaw Frequencies

Abstract Freeze-thaw frequencies calculated by eight different counting methods were compared using daily maximum and minimum temperatures from eight north-central United States National Weather Service (NWS) stations. These frequencies were also compared to those obtained using hourly air temperature data from six of the same NWS stations. In addition, the calculated frequencies were compared to measured freeze-thaw frequencies at several depths in a bare soil and a sod-covered soil at the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus climatological observatory. The necessary acceptance of the idealized daily heating cycle when using daily maximum and minimum air temperature data resulted in a higher occurrence of calculated freeze-thaw events than those obtained with hourly data; one method gave 23% more freeze-thaw events with the daily maximum and minimum temperatures. With the freeze-thaw phenomenon centered upon those months in which the mean temperature hovers near O°C, a bimodal frequency occurs at the ...
Efficient production of Hantaan and Puumala pseudovirions for viral tropism and neutralization studies.

Abstract Puumala (PUUV) and Hantaan (HTNV) viruses are hantaviruses within the family Bunyaviridae and associated with Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) in humans. Little is known about how these viruses interact with host cells, though pathogenic hantaviruses interact with α v β 3 integrin. To study host cell interactions and rapidly test the ability of antibodies to prevent infection, we produced HTNV and PUUV pseudovirions on a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) core. Similar to replication-competent hantaviruses, infection was low-pH-dependent. Despite broad cell tropism, several human T cell lines were poorly permissive to hantavirus pseudovirions, compared to VSV, indicating a relative block to infection at the level of entry. Stable expression of α v β 3 integrin in SupT1 cells did not restore infectivity. Finally, the pseudovirion system provided a rapid, quantitative, and specific method to screen for neutralizing antibodies in immune sera.
Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Flow Regimes in Microchannels

Recent experimental data dealing with gas-liquid two-phase flow regimes and their transitions in microchannels with circular and near-circular cross-sections are reviewed and compared. It is shown that, for microchannels with hydraulic diameters close to 1 mm, the available data are in good agreement. These data are used as the basis for the development of a simple Weber number-based flow regime map that divides the entire flow map into four zones: a surface tension dominated zone including bubbly and plug flow patterns; an inertia dominated zone representing the annular flow regime; a dispersed/churn flow zone; and a transition zone that consists of other intermittent flow patterns. Comparison is als o made with the limited available data representing channels with slightly larger hydraulic diameters or different cross-sectional geometries, and the effects of channel cross-sectional geometry and size are examined and discussed. The areas in need of further systematic experimental investigation are identified.© 2002 ASME