cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IL-6 antagonizes TGF-beta and abolishes immune privilege in eyes with endotoxin-induced uveitis.

PURPOSE. To determine the immunosuppressive status of aqueous humor (AqH) from mouse eyes afflicted with endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) and to identify the relevant cytokines responsible for immunomodulatory activity within EIU AqH. METHODS. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was injected into hind footpads of C3H/HeN mice; and AqH, collected at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours, was evaluated for content of transforming growth factor (TGF)-b, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6, and interferon (IFN)-g and capacity to suppress anti-CD3‐ driven T-cell proliferation. Cytokine mRNA expression in iris‐ ciliary body (I/CB) was analyzed by RNase protection assays. RESULTS. During 6 to 24 hours after LPS injection, total TGF-b levels in AqH increased even though the fluid lost its capacity to suppress T-cell activation. At this time, AqH contained high levels of IL-6, and I/CB contained high levels of IL-6 mRNA. When IL-6 was neutralized with specific antibodies, inflamed AqH reacquired its capacity to suppress T-cell activation, which correlated with high levels of TGF-b. Coinjection of IL-6 plus antigen into the anterior chamber of the eye of normal mice prevented antigen-specific anterior chamber‐associated immune deviation (ACAID). CONCLUSIONS. LPS-induced intraocular inflammation is associated with local production of IL-6, which robs AqH of its immunosuppressive activity, perhaps by antagonizing TGF-b. The fact that IL-6 antagonized ACAID induction in normal eyes suggests that strategies to suppress the intraocular synthesis of IL-6 may reduce inflammation and restore ocular immune privilege. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2000;41:2591‐2599)
Harnessing the Power of Information for the Next Generation of Environmental Law

Despite the ubiquity of information, no one has proposed calling the present era the Knowledge Age. Knowledge depends not only on access to reliable information, but also on sound judgment regarding which information to access and how to situate that information in relation to the values and purposes that comprise the individual's or the social group's larger projects. This is certainly the case for wise and effective environmental governance. A regulator needs accurate information to understand the nature of a problem and the consequences of potential responses. Likewise, the regulated community needs information to decide how best to comply with adopted rules, and the public needs information in order to accept the credibility and legitimacy of the regulatory regime. But governance also requires judgment regarding how to manage information itself - how to structure burdens of proof in light of goals such as public safety or promotion of economic growth, how to balance the public's interest in disclosure against competing aims such as national security or the protection of trade secrets, whether to withhold information in the belief that it may actually be harmful to the recipient, and so on. This paper, written as a foreword for the Texas Law Review's symposium issue, "Harnessing the Power of Information for the Next Generation of Environmental Law," provides a model to understand the role of information in environmental law - how it is generated, utilized, and disseminated within regulatory processes. Drawing on the diverse and significant insights of the symposium articles, the paper attempts both to make sense of the role of information in environmental protection and to highlight significant questions and concerns.
Evolution of Navajo eclogites and hydration of the mantle wedge below the Colorado Plateau, southwestern United States

[1] Eclogite and pyroxenite xenoliths from ultramafic diatremes of the Navajo province on the Colorado Plateau have been analyzed to investigate hydration of continental mantle and effects of low-angle subduction on the mantle wedge. Xenoliths have been characterized by petrographic and electron probe analysis and by Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr, K-Ar, and O isotopic analysis of mineral separates from one eclogite and by U-Pb isotopic analysis of zircons from three samples. K-Ar analysis of phengite establishes eruption of a Garnet Ridge, Arizona, diatreme at 30 Ma. Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr analyses of clinopyroxene and garnet from that eclogite document recrystallization shortly preceding eruption. Three zircon fractions have been analyzed from that eclogite and from two others representing the nearby Moses Rock and Mule Ear diatremes. Seven of nine small multigrain fractions scatter about a poorly fit discordia between ca. 35 Ma and 1515 Ma (fractions range from overlapping concordia at the lower intercept to a 207Pb/206Pb age of ca. 1220 Ma). The discordant fractions establish a mid-Proterozoic zircon component in each eclogite, inconsistent with an origin from basalt of the Farallon plate. The pressure recorded by one of these eclogites (3.3 GPa) exceeds that of an eclogite previously attributed to the Farallon plate. Nonetheless, each of the eclogites contains a fraction of nearly concordant zircons with ages in the range 35 to 41 Ma, and one rock also contains a fraction that is nearly concordant at 70 Ma. These concordant ages are interpreted to record episodic zircon growth during recrystallization of Proterozoic mantle. The concordant zircon ages are consistent with published data that establish recrystallization of Navajo eclogites from 81 to 33 Ma, a time interval similar to that of the Laramide orogeny. The eclogite-facies recrystallization and growth of new zircon are attributed to the catalytic effects of water introduced into the mantle from the Farallon slab. Water penetrated fracture zones extending for at least tens of kilometers into the mantle wedge above the Farallon slab during low-angle subduction. Magmatism in the San Juan volcanic field to the northeast of the diatremes may be related to similar hydration.
An alternative method to calculate cloud radiative forcing: Implications for quantifying cloud feedbacks

[1] A modification to the traditional cloud radiative forcing (CRF) formula is presented. This alternative approach uses incident–rather than absorbed–solar radiation to calculate shortwave cloud radiative forcing at the surface. By removing the competing influence of surface albedo on CRF, the new formula more effectively isolates the impact of clouds and cloud changes under different climatic regimes. The removal of surface albedo effects makes the change in CRF a more useful measure of cloud feedback, although other factors (such as changes in clear-sky solar absorption) can still muddle the interpretation. I present examples from GCM greenhouse simulations that demonstrate how this new formula can help to differentiate between actual cloud feedbacks versus apparent ones induced by snow and ice meltback using the traditional CRF equation. The results suggest that changes in surface albedo contribute approximately 20 to 40% of the high-latitude CRF anomaly using the standard formula applied to an equilibrium 2 × CO2 simulation and about 50% to the greater Arctic when used on 21st-century transient greenhouse experiments.
Domesticating the Conscience

Michael McKeon’s The Secret History of Domesticity offers a powerful theory for understanding the intensity of religious conflict during the 17th century and its role in advancing the central categories of liberal political thought. Through McKeon’s framework we can see the struggle for confessional homogeneity as a conflict over interpretations of the public and the role of the private with respect to its legitimacy, purpose and direction resulting from the devolution of absolutism. The perspective his theory illuminates also allows us to recognize the Anglican consensus as a domestication of radical challenges to the consolidating state on the basis of liberty of conscience.
Guided preparedness planning with lay communities: enhancing capacity of rural emergency response through a systems-based partnership.

Introduction Community disaster preparedness plans, particularly those with content that would mitigate the effects of psychological trauma on vulnerable rural populations, are often nonexistent or underdeveloped. The purpose of the study was to develop and evaluate a model of disaster mental health preparedness planning involving a partnership among three, key stakeholders in the public health system. METHODS: A one-group, post-test, quasi-experimental design was used to assess outcomes as a function of an intervention designated Guided Preparedness Planning (GPP). The setting was the eastern-, northern-, and mid-shore region of the state of Maryland. Partner participants were four local health departments (LHDs), 100 faith-based organizations (FBOs), and one academic health center (AHC)-the latter, collaborating entities of the Johns Hopkins University and the Johns Hopkins Health System. Individual participants were 178 community residents recruited from counties of the above-referenced geographic area. Effectiveness of GPP was based on post-intervention assessments of trainee knowledge, skills, and attitudes supportive of community disaster mental health planning. Inferences about the practicability (feasibility) of the model were drawn from pre-defined criteria for partner readiness, willingness, and ability to participate in the project. Additional aims of the study were to determine if LHD leaders would be willing and able to generate post-project strategies to perpetuate project-initiated government/faith planning alliances (sustainability), and to develop portable methods and materials to enhance model application and impact in other health jurisdictions (scalability). RESULTS: The majority (95%) of the 178 lay citizens receiving the GPP intervention and submitting complete evaluations reported that planning-supportive objectives had been achieved. Moreover, all criteria for inferring model feasibility, sustainability, and scalability were met. CONCLUSIONS: Within the span of a six-month period, LHDs, FBOs, and AHCs can work effectively to plan, implement, and evaluate what appears to be an effective, practical, and durable model of capacity building for public mental health emergency planning. McCabe OL , Perry C , Azur M , Taylor HG , Gwon H , Mosley A , Semon N , Links JM . Guided preparedness planning with lay communities: enhancing capacity of rural emergency response through a systems-based partnership. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2012;28(1):1-8. Language: en
Synthesis of tritium labeled nadolol

Tritium labeled nadolol (3) was prepared by electrophilic bromination of nadolol (1) to give 8′-bromonadolol (2). Catalytic reductive debromination with tritium gas gave 8′-[3H]-nadolol (3), with a specific activity of 3.36 Ci/mmol.
Determination of low concentrations of chlorite and chlorate ions by using a flow-injection system

Abstract A flow-injection method is reported for the determination of chlorite ion and chlorite and chlorate ions in mixtures at the submilligram per liter level in drinking water. The chlorite ion concentration is selectively determined by using its reaction with iodide ion at pH 2, which liberates iodine. Both species react with iodide ion in6 M HCl to produce iodine, the concentration of which is measured spectrophotmetricaly at 370 nm. The individual species are determined using multiplel regression. The method exhibits a linear range from 2 to 150 μM (0.1–10.1 mg l-1) for chlorite ion and from 2 to μM (0.1–8.3 mg l-1 for chlorate ion, with relative standard deviations of 0.4 and 1.2%, respectively.
Epidemiologic and Surgicopathologic Findings of Papillary Serous and Clear Cell Endometrial Cancers When Compared to Endometrioid Carcinoma

Abstract Purpose. The aim of this study was to identify similarities and differences in epidemiologic and surgicopathologic staging results for papillary serous (PS) and clear cell (CC) endometrial cancers compared with endometrioid (EM) carcinoma of the endometrium. Methods. Clinical and surgicopathologic data were retrospectively collected on 574 clinical stage I–II endometrial cancer patients, including 53 PS and 18 CC (based on postoperative histology), undergoing hysterectomy at Duke University Medical Center between 1967 and 1990. All staging material was available and reexamined prior to this analysis, and FIGO surgical staging was retrospectively assigned. PS and CC histologic subtypes were compared both as a common category and as discrete categories versus EM, EM grade 1 (EM1), EM grade 2 (EM2), and EM grade 3 (EM3). Fisher's exact test was used to compare proportions with unordered categories (2 × 2 tables), while the χ 2 test for trend was used to compare proportions in 3 × 2 tables with ordered categories. Differences in medians were compared with the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results. PS tumors accounted for 8%, CC for 2%, and EM for 90% of cases. Overall, 14% of tumors were changed to a different postoperative histology including 64% of PS, 50% of CC, and 8% of EM. Postoperative histology changes were 4% for EM1 and 21% for EM3. PS, CC, and EM3 had more surgical sampling performed than for other EM. Rates for lymph node dissections were similar for EM3 (81%), PS (72%), and CC (67%) tumors, although metastases were more frequent for PS and CC compared with EM3. When PS tumors were confined to the endometrium, paraaortic metastases occurred in 13%. LVSI increased with EM grade and was highest for PS and CC. Upstaging to surgical stage III–IV occurred in 47% of PS, 39% of CC, and 12% of EM. The majority of PS and CC tumors were confined to the inner one-third of the myometrium, compared with EM tumors, where grade correlated with depth of myometrial invasion. Extrauterine metastases occurred in 55% of PS and 45% of CC tumors confined to the inner one-half, compared with 17% of EM3. Conclusion. Frequent changes from preoperative to postoperative histology and grade may contribute to misassignment of preoperative and intraoperative risk as determined by depth of myometrial invasion for PS and CC patients. The higher frequency of extrauterine metastases in PS and CC tumors compared with EM3, despite similar surgical sampling rates, supports a more virulent behavior. The poor correlation between depth of myometrial invasion and risk for extrauterine metastases helps to explain poorer survival in PS and CC patients, in addition to more frequent upstaging. These results support routine extended surgical staging for women with preoperative or intraoperative diagnosis of PS and CC tumors. Intraoperative assessment of tumor grade and histology may be indicated and warrants further investigation.
The impact of hotel size on staffing levels in Hawaii

Abstract Using cross-section data from a survey of hotels and apartment hotels in Hawaii, this article examines some influences upon the level of employment per room. The findings confirm that the size, the type (hotel or apartment hotel), the quality of the accommodation, and the kind of guests (group or independent travellers), all have significant impacts on the amount and kind of employment generated.
Some properties of basic families of subsets

A basic system is a nonempty collection of finite incomparable subsets of a set such that for any two subsets or bases in the collection, any element of one basis can be replaced by some element of the other to give another basis in the collection. In a basic system, any subset of one basis can be bijectively exchanged for distinct elements of another; for a finite set, basis complements also have these properties; and certain conditions will guarantee that two such systems on the same set will contain a common basis. All proofs are new, elementary, and set-theoretic. In addition, they suggest efficient algorithmic procedures whose efficiencies are calculated.
Mice with altered serotonin 2C receptor RNA editing display characteristics of Prader-Willi syndrome

RNA transcripts encoding the 2C-subtype of serotonin (5HT(2C)) receptor undergo up to five adenosine-to-inosine editing events to encode twenty-four protein isoforms. To examine the effects of altered 5HT(2C) editing in vivo, we generated mutant mice solely expressing the fully-edited (VGV) isoform of the receptor. Mutant animals present phenotypic characteristics of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) including a failure to thrive, decreased somatic growth, neonatal muscular hypotonia, and reduced food consumption followed by post-weaning hyperphagia. Though previous studies have identified alterations in both 5HT(2C) receptor expression and 5HT(2C)-mediated behaviors in both PWS patients and mouse models of this disorder, to our knowledge the 5HT(2C) gene is the first locus outside the PWS imprinted region in which mutations can phenocopy numerous aspects of this syndrome. These results not only strengthen the link between the molecular etiology of PWS and altered 5HT(2C) expression, but also demonstrate the importance of normal patterns of 5HT(2C) RNA editing in vivo.
Characterization of lineage restricted forms of a Xenopus CD45 homologue

The leukocyte common antigen, also known as CD45, is a structurally heterogenous molecule ranging in molecular weight from 180 to 220 kDa. CD45 belongs to a family of high molecular weight, cell surface glycoproteins expressed on all hematopoietic lineages with the exception of mature erythrocytes. In higher vertebrates, the highly conserved cytoplasmic domain of CD45 exhibits protein tyrosine phosphatase activity and has been implicated in lymphocyte activation through dephosphorylation of critical tyrosine residues on substrates associated with signal transduction pathways. The monoclonal antibody CL21 recognizes a high molecular weight determinant expressed on the surface of Xenopus leukocytes which was postulated to be a CD45 homologue. In order to determine if lymphocyte subpopulations expressed different molecular weight variants, splenic B cells were identified and isolated on the basis of surface IgM and the CL21 determinant expressed by these cells was compared to the determinant expressed by thymocytes. Immunoprecipitation revealed that IgM + B cells expressed a 220 kDa molecular weight variant whereas thymocytes and IgM-cells expressed a 180 kDa variant. Bone marrow myeloid cells, isolated on the basis of light scatter properties, expressed a determinant which ranged from 150 to 160 kDa. Dephosphorylation experiments utilizing p-nitrophenyl phosphate, 32P-labeled Raytide [tyr(P)], or Kemptide [ser(P)] as substrates demonstrated that immunoprecipitated CL21 antigen exhibited tyrosine specific phosphatase activity which was inhibited by sodium orthovanadate. Thus, data based on the presence of enzymatic activity and lineage restricted molecular weight variants support the hypothesis that the CL21 determinant is the amphibian homologue of mammalian CD45, and suggest that both structural and functional elements of CD45 have been conserved during vertebrate evolution.
Disruption of the ventral visual stream in a case of reduplicative paramnesia.

ANDREW E. BUDSON,a,b,c,d HEIDI L. ROTH,e DORENE M. RENTZ,b,c,f AND MICHAEL RONTHALc,f bDivision of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA cHarvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA dDepartment of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA eDepartment of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA fDepartment of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Ice: A New Dosage Form of an Old Drug

Ice, which has been described as the drug of the 1990s, is a pure form of (+)methamphetamine hydrochloride; it is more dangerous because of its purity and because it can be inhaled. Taken by this route, the drug causes an effect similar to that from an intravenous dose, and much more intense than that from ingestion. The detailed mechanism of action differs from that of cocaine, but the overall stimulant effect of methamphetamine is similar. Methamphetamine effects, however, persist for hours, whereas cocaine effects are over in minutes. Ice is, therefore, just another agent for abuse by those seeking psychostimulation and, as with cocaine, compulsive abusers of amphetamines consume the drug repeatedly and continuously. Unlike cocaine, methamphetamine is a synthetic compound and is manufactured in illicit laboratories within the United States.
Supermode noise suppression of a harmonically modelocked laser by external optical injection

We report on supermode noise suppression of a harmonically modelocked laser by optical injection. The modelocked laser was injection locked to a CW narrow linewidth source. Injection locking selects a single supermode group reducing the supermode noise spurs in the photodetected signal by 20 dB to a level of -130 dBc/Hz.
Determination of the coordination geometry of supported vanadium catalysts by electron spin echo modulation analysis

Abstract Electron spin echo modulation analysis was used to characterize the coordination geometry of the paramagnetic vanadium species formed in the 0.25% V 2 O 5 in SiO 2 with D 2 O adsorbate. The deuterium modulation indicates one deuteron at 0.23 nm and four deuterons at 0.26 nm. The four farther deuterons are interpreted as due to two-coordinated water molecules.
Modeling particle inflation from poly(amic acid) powdered precursors. I. Preliminary stages leading to bubble growth

Morphological characteristics of polyimide microstructures obtained by solid-state powder foaming determine the geometric properties of the unit cell, in polyimide foams prepared by this process. Morphological analysis of precursor particles has shown that particle size and shape, as well as the presence of embedded microvoids, exert a strong influence on the final microstructure morphology. Of equal importance in the morphological development are processing conditions such as heating rate and primary blowing agent content in the particles, prior to thermal treatment. In the present paper, the first of two numerical schemes is presented. A numerical model has been developed to study the preliminary stages that lead to particle inflation. Based on this model, a parametric analysis is performed for pertinent governing parameters, with the purpose of determining their effect on the onset of particle inflation and the potential morphological characteristics of polyimide microstructures. It has been found that precursor particle morphology and nuclei density are the key parameters in determining the potential morphology of the microstructures, by limiting the number of bubbles that grow within each particle. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:560–571, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers.
LOCAL STATUS AND NATIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE

Perceptions of individual well-being are influenced by local status, i.e., one's place in the income distribution of one's reference group. In general, reference groups are smaller than the entire nation. If national social welfare is an aggregate of individual's well-being, then it is not symmetric with respect to all individuals. A geographical interpretation of reference groups means that the welfare of a family living in one region is only influenced by other families in that region. An empirical application, using states, shows that a Gini index modified to reflect local status showed much less improvement 1949-1979 than did the standard Gini.
POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME-LIKE SYMPTOMS AMONG AIDS CAREGIVERS '

Interviews were conducted with 43 mothers of AIDS fatalities 2 or 3 years following their sons' deaths. Eighty-four percent of the mothers who devoted full-time care to their sons for substantial periods of time showed a cluster of symptoms normally associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Only 8% of those who did not engage in extended care experienced three or more of these symptoms.
THE INFLUENCE OF HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE AND URETHANE ON THE THERMAL INACTIVATION OF BACTERIOPHAGE

In Difco nutrient broth, containing 0.5 per cent NaCl, pH 6.6, Escherichia coli phages T1, T2, and T5 were inactivated at 66 degrees C., and T7 at 60 degrees C., at nearly the same rate. In each case the rate of destruction was not uniform but more or less decreased with time of heating. With T2 there was an initial increase in number of infective centers after heating for several minutes at 66 degrees C. Hydrostatic pressures up to 10,000 pounds per square inch retarded the thermal destruction of T1, T2, and T5, but accelerated that of T7, while small concentrations of urethane accelerated the rate of each. The rate of inactivation was increased by the addition of 0.005 M phosphate, and was decreased by 0.005 M MgCl(2) in all but T7, whose rate was unaffected by this amount of Mg. The influence of Ca was similar to that of Mg. The addition of 0.005 M MgCl(2) to the broth medium resulted in a first order rate of destruction of T5 at either normal or increased pressure, and with as well as without urethane. Analysis of data obtained under these conditions indicated that the thermal inactivation proceeds with a volume increase of activation of 113 cc. per mol, and with a heat and entropy of 170,000 calories and 425 E. U., respectively, in the rate-limiting reaction. In the presence of 0.1 M urethane the heat and volume change of activation are apparently slightly greater. The relation between concentration of urethane and the amount of acceleration in rate of destruction at normal pressure and 66 degrees C. indicated that the total rate involves at least two first order rate processes: the thermal inactivation itself and a urethane-catalyzed reaction, the latter involving the combination of an average of 2.3 molecules of urethane in the activated state of the bacteriophage molecule whose destruction results in loss of phage activity.
Design and Implementation of an Advanced Visual Guided Mobile Robot: ShinPu #1

In this paper we present the development and the functionality of an advanced visual guided mobile robot, namely "ShinPu #1", and demonstrated its two kinds of tracking applications, namely point tracking and path tracking applications. For point tracking applications, ShinPu #1 contains a visual servo system based on the sliding mode control technique such that it can automatically detect the shape features of objects and track them in real time even subject to partial occlusion and uncertainty of object movements. For path tracking applications, ShinPu #1 contains an efficient lane-marker tracking system, incorporated the inverse perspective mapping, the randomized Hough transform method and the least-square line fitting technique, to measure relative locations of the lane-marker at a look-ahead distance. In addition, by utilizing the feedback linearization technique, ShinPu #1 is able to navigate along a lane-marker and maintain a safe lateral offset to the lane-marker.
When tribal wars are mass mediated: Re-evaluating the policy of "non-interference.":

This paper explores the current and potential role of existent and emerging electronic media in the peacemaking process in Africa, where media ownership is paternalistic, politics tribalistic, and internal conflicts are driven by inter-tribal animosity. Against the background of an international political culture of "non-interference," the author attempts to answer the ques tion, "when has interference occurred?" A proposed typology, which weighs the dimensions of third party involvement in prototypical conflicts along host nation's anxiety-cooperation continuum, provides the basis for the suggestion of another political culture of preventive diplomacy. The need for another political culture is offered as a rationale for the proactive deployment of electronic media at the onset of conflicts and well before genocidal blood- bath.
A nonverbal test of naturalistic memory for alcohol commercials

This study investigated a nonverbal test of memory for naturally occurring events: alcohol commercials. Such tests, supported by dual-code and transfer-appropriate processing perspectives from basic research, are useful for research on consumer behavior and public health. The participants were 750 adolescents who completed a nonverbal test of memory, tailored to detect prominent visual features of remembered alcohol commercials. The results showed (a) that independent judges reliably coded primary features of remembered advertisements along most dimensions, and (b) the test met important criteria for convergent and discriminant validity in comparisons with other measures. Applications were proposed for research on advertising effects, health behavior, and media copy testing. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neutron-gamma discrimination using NaI(Tl) scintillators with application for measurement of the gamma-ray multiplicity distribution in heavy-ion reactions

Abstract An intrinsic time resolution of (0.99 ± 0.08) ns fwhm has been measured for commercially available 7.6 cm × 7.6 cm NaI(Tl) scintillator detectors with fast photomultiplier tubes. This time resolution allows almost complete discrimination between neutrons and γ -rays over a short flight path. Application of this technique to the reaction 690 MeV 84 Kr + Ag is discussed.
NC algorithms for computing the number of perfect matchings in K 3,3 -free graph and related problems

Abstract We show that the problem of computing the number of perfect matchings in K3,3-free graphs is in NC. This contrasts with the #P-completeness of counting the number of perfect matchings in arbitrary graphs. As corollaries we obtain NC algorithms for checking if a given K3,3-free graph has a perfect matching and if it has an EXACT MATCHING. Our result also opens up the possibility of obtaining an NC algorithm for finding a perfect matching in K3,3-free graphs.
On determination of sample size in hierarchical binomial models.

We consider a two- and a three-stage hierarchical design containing the effects of k clusters with n units per cluster. In the two-stage model, the conditional distribution of the discrete response Y(i) is assumed to be independent binomial with mean n(straight theta)i (I=1,....k). The success probabilities, straight theta(i)'s, are assumed exchangeable across the k clusters, each arising from a beta distribution. In the three-stage model, the parameters in the beta distribution are assumed to have independent gamma distributions. The size of each cluster, n, is determined for functions of straight theta(i). Lengths of central posterior intervals are computed for various functions of the straight theta(i)'s using Markov chain Monte Carlo and Monte Carlo simulations. Several prior distributions are characterized and tables are provided for n with given k. Methods for sample size calculations under the two- and three-stage models are illustrated and compared for the design of a multi-institutional study to evaluate the appropriateness of discharge planning rates for a cohort of patients with congestive heart failure.
Screening for the early detection of cancer- II. The impact of screening on the natural history of the disease

Abstract In this report we develop a model which describes the temporal evolution of the natural history of a chronic progressive disease such as cancer, in a population which is subjected to screening and “natural” demographic forces. Several new measures of merit are defined, in terms of which the salutory effects of screening can be ascertained quantitatively. A computer program has been written which permits exploitation of the model over a wide range of assumptions concerning the characteristics of the disease in question. We present results based upon a set of assumptions chosen to mimic the known epidemiologic characteristics of cervical cancer. We show that an intelligently designed screening program, which preferentially selects high-risk age strata for screening, convincingly outperforms a program which screens all ages over 30 annually.
Solar aureole instrumentation and inversion techniques for aerosol studies: Part 1, system design and calibration

The in-flight calibration of satellite radiometers using ground truth measurements relies on the use of an atmospheric radiative transfer code. The accuracy of the calibration depends largely on the aerosol model used in the radiative transfer codes. In order to improve the calibrations, a camera system has been developed for the determination of the aerosol size distribution, index of refraction, and scattering phase function. In addition, the camera can be used to measure ozone and water vapor content. The camera uses a two dimensional silicon CCD array to image the sun and the solar aureole. A filter wheel provides eight spectral bands from 310 nm to 1045 nm. The camera is mounted on an altitude-azimuth mount for tracking the sun. An external computer allows automatic or manual data acquisition. This paper presents the design and calibration of the camera system. A companion paper presents the data collection and inversion techniques used to retrieve the parameters of interest.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A new robust-control-oriented system identification method

Abstract This paper introduces a new robust-control-oriented system identification method, which consists of the following three steps: 1. High-order ARX model identification; 2. Loop shaping weighting functions design based on the high-order ARX model; 3. Control-oriented model reduction by minimizing the weighted L 2 -gap between the high-order ARX model and the low-order model. This method truly integrates the control objective into the identification step. A robust controller can be readily designed as a result of the identification. Simulation examples are given to show that smaller weighted ν -gap can be achieved by using the proposed method.
A Method for Optimum Scheduling of Power and Voltage Magnitude

A general formulation of the economic dispatch problem is presented, based on the Lagrange multipliers approach. The necessary conditions are established and upon these conditions an algorithm is developed for real power and voltage magnitude dispatch (i.e., reactive power dispatch). Feasible solutions are always attained during the optimizing procedure. Basically the coordination equations have the same form of the Jacobian matrix for which efficient solution methods have already been developed. Very small additional work beside the necessary calculations for a load flow solution by Newton's method is required. All the equality constraints dual variables (Lagrangian multipliers) are calculated in the iterative procedure, but once the optimal solution is attained (within a specified precision) the additional dual variables of the Kuhn-Tucker theorem for the effective inequality constraints can be calculated. The feasibility of the method is shown by means of a sample system.
Evaluating an element of the Clarke generalized Jacobian of a composite piecewise differentiable function

Bundle methods for nonsmooth optimization and semismooth Newton methods for nonsmooth equation solving both require computation of elements of the (Clarke) generalized Jacobian, which provides slope information for locally Lipschitz continuous functions. Since the generalized Jacobian does not obey sharp calculus rules, this computation can be difficult. In this article, methods are developed for evaluating generalized Jacobian elements for a nonsmooth function that is expressed as a finite composition of known elemental piecewise differentiable functions. In principle, these elemental functions can include any piecewise differentiable function whose analytical directional derivatives are known. The methods are fully automatable, and are shown to be computationally tractable relative to the cost of a function evaluation. An implementation developed in Cpp is discussed, and the methods are applied to several example problems for illustration.
Grassmann—Cayley algebra and robotics

Plucker coordinates are a suitable way to represent lines in space for purposes of studying instantaneous motions of robot arms. Similarly, we can represent any affine subspace of Euclidean space of any dimension. This can be useful for studying motion spaces of robot arms. In this paper, after we introduce Plucker coordinates and develop a few of their basic properties, we present them in a somewhat more abstract setting, called the Grassmann—Cayley algebra. Several other applications of this algebra are also described.
A Comparison of Intermonthly and Interannual Teleconnections in the 700 mb Geopotential Height Field during the Northern Hemisphere Winter

Abstract Intermonthly and interannual teleconnection patterns in the 700 mb geopotential height field during the Northern Hemisphere winter are computed by the method of digital filtering and spatial correlation analysis. A comparison of the teleconnection patterns of the intermonthly signal with the patterns described by Wallace and Gutzler shows that the western Pacific, western Atlantic and Pacific-North American patterns are clearly defined by the intermonthly signal; weak evidence for the eastern Atlantic pattern is also found. A northern Asian pattern, having one center over Mongolia and another over the Kara Sea near 70°N, 70°E, is also found to be a prominent feature of the intermonthly signal. The one-point correlation maps show that the spatial correlation function is dominated by the intermonthly band. The Pacific-North American pattern is well-defined in both the intermonthly and interannual bands. Three additional patterns—the North Pacific, the Eurasian and the zonally-symmetric seesaw—appea...
The Elastic-Viscoelastic Correspondence Principle for Functionally Graded Materials, Revisited

Paulino and Jin [Paulino, G. H., and Jin, Z.-H., 2001, Correspondence Principle in Viscoelastic Functionally Graded Materials, ASME J. Appl. Mech., 68, pp. 129-132], have recently shown that the viscoelastic correspondence principle remains valid for a linearly isotropic viscoelastic functionally graded material with separable relaxation (or creep) functions in space and time. This paper revisits this issue by addressing some subtle points regarding this result and examines the reasons behind the success or failure of the correspondence principle for viscoelastic functionally graded materials. For the inseparable class of nonhomogeneous materials, the correspondence principle fails because of an inconsistency between the replacements of the moduli and of their derivatives. A simple but informative one-dimensional example, involving an exponentially graded material, is used to further clarify these reasons.
Directed guide wire placement during ERCP using a papillotome

scope. Ano the r po ten t ia l pitfall is t h a t i t can somet imes be difficult to advance the wire alongside an exis t ing s t en t t h rough a ve ry t igh t s t r ic ture . In our experience, th is can no rma l ly be achieved a f te r us ing a va r i e ty of guide wires. C a n n u l a t i n g alongside the s t en t t h rough a s t r ic ture m a y be more difficult for hila r s t r ic tures where the re is less leverage avai lab le to app ly to the guide wire. For mos t bi l iary s t en t exchanges , however , i t is qui te easy to cross a mid or dis ta l s t r ic ture wi th a guide wire alongside the existing stent . Apply ing this sna re bes idethe-wire techn ique m a i n t a i n s access across the s t r ic ture , and the reby faci l i ta tes a successful s t en t exchange.
Avoiding certain frustration, reflection, and the cable guy paradox

We discuss the cable guy paradox, both as an object of interest in its own right and as something which can be used to illuminate certain issues in the theories of rational choice and belief. We argue that a crucial principle—The Avoid Certain Frustration (ACF) principle—which is used in stating the paradox is false, thus resolving the paradox. We also explain how the paradox gives us new insight into issues related to the Reflection principle. Our general thesis is that principles that base your current opinions on your current opinions about your future opinions need not make reference to the particular times in the future at which you believe you will have those opinions, but they do need to make reference to the particular degrees of belief you believe you will have in the future.
Syntheses and characterization of imidodiphosphinoselenido complexes of V(IV), V(III), and Cr(III): [VO{N(SePPh2)2}2]·CH2Cl2, [V{N(SePPh2)2} 3]·CH2Cl2, and [Cr{N(SePPh2)2}3]·CH2Cl2

Abstract The imidodiphosphinoselenido complexes of V(IV), V(III), and Cr(III), [VO{N(SePPh 2 ) 2 } 2 ]·CH 2 Cl 2 ( 1 ), [V{N(SePPh 2 ) 2 } 3 ]·CH 2 Cl 2 ( 2 ), and [Cr{N(SePPh 2 ) 2 } 3 ]·CH 2 Cl 2 ( 3 ), have been prepared from the reaction between VCl 3 (THF) 3 ( 1 and 2 ) or CrCl 2 ( 3 ) and K[N(SePPh 2 ) 2 ] in CH 2 Cl 2 . These compounds have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic techniques as well as by a magnetic susceptibility measurement for 3 . In each of these compounds the [N(SePPh 2 ) 2 ] − ligand exhibits an Se , Se ′-bonding chelation to the metal center. In 1 , two ligands are coordinated to a VO 2+ unit to afford a pyramidal environment about V; in 2 and 3 , three ligands are coordinated to each metal center to afford an octahedral geometry.
Properties of the Bivariate Normal Cumulative Distribution

Abstract Mathematical properties are demonstrated for lower integral limits of the bivariate normal upper cumulative distribution function. Equidistributional contours are defined as the functional relationship between these lower limits. These contours are shown to shift upward as the correlation coefficient increases or the cumulative distribution value decreases, holding other parameters constant. They are also shown to be strictly concave over the range of argument values.
Thresholds for soliton creation in the Ablowitz-Ladik lattice

Square barrier initial potentials for the Ablowitz-Ladik (AL) lattice are considered, both in the single component as well as in the vector (Manakov) case. We determine the threshold condition for creating solitons with such initial conditions in these integrable, discrete versions of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation for the case of one-, two-, three- and four-site barriers. We find that for square barriers in the scalar case, it is impossible to generate a soliton with a single-site excitation, while only one soliton can be produced from a two-site and three-site square barrier. Finally, in the four-site case, there appear to be two thresholds, one leading to a soliton and a second one to a breathing soliton. We illustrate the differences of the vector case from the scalar one for initial conditions with disjoint support between the components, and also discuss the case of non-square barriers. The analytical findings are corroborated by numerical simulations in all the presented cases.
Controlled production of single-wall carbon nanotubes by catalytic decomposition of CO on bimetallic Co–Mo catalysts

Abstract The term `controlled production' of single-wall nanotubes (SWNT) implies the ability to control the selectivity towards SWNT by changing catalyst formulations and operating conditions, combined with a quantitative measurement of the SWNT obtained. In this contribution, a significant advancement towards the controlled production of SWNT is reported. A family of Co–Mo catalysts has been found to be able to produce SWNT with high selectivity, depending on the Co:Mo ratio, the temperature of operation, and the processing time. The optimization of the catalyst was possible by the application of a simple and direct method of quantification of the SWNT production.
Relation between left ventricular shape and Doppler filling parameters in patients with left ventricular dysfunction secondary to coronary artery disease.

Abstract Left ventricular (LV) shape is an independent predictor of exercise capacity in patients with systolic LV dysfunction. Recent studies suggest that end-systolic LV shape is related to the generation of restoring forces during contraction that facilitate filling at lower LV pressure during subsequent diastole. To test the hypothesis that preservation of a more elliptical LV shape would be associated with a distribution of diastolic inflow characterized by increased early relative-to-late filling, 32 outpatients with coronary artery disease and ejection fraction
Use of the Essay Examination to Investigate the Writing Skills of Undergraduate Education Majors

Three essay questions were administered to junior education major college students. Factor analysis of the ratings showed that content played a large role in the students' responses, yielding dominant first order factors. Generalizability theory, used to examine the reliability of students' ratings showed the need for more raters and questions.
All-Copper Chip-to-Substrate Interconnects Part II. Modeling and Design

A fabrication technique involving electro- and electroless copper deposition was used to produce all-copper chip-to-substrate interconnects. This process electrolessly joins copper pillars, followed by annealing at 180°C. The process is tolerant to in-plane and through-plane misalignment and height variations. The mechanical compliance and electrical performance of copper-pillar chip-to-substrate interconnects is modeled in this paper. The elastic, thermomechanical behavior and electrical performance of the chip-to-substrate interconnects are related to the geometric parameters of the pillars (pitch, diameter, and aspect ratio) and physical properties of the interconnects (yield stress, coefficient of thermal expansion, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, and electrical conductivity). The optimum pillar design is a trade-off between the mechanical compliance of the copper pillars and parasitic electrical effects. Copper pillars with a diameter of 48-100 μm and height of 508-657 μm are mechanically compliant and have parasitic inductance and capacitance less than 300 pH and 8.8 fF, respectively. A polymer collar improves the design space to 38-100 μm diameter and height from 441 to 617 μm.
Plasmodium berghei: energy metabolism of sporozoites.

Abstract The energy metabolism of Plasmodium berghei sporozoites was studied by using their motility as an indicator of energy production and consumption. Sporozoites suspended in medium without sugars or amino acids ceased to move. Motility was restored by the addition of any of several sugars or amino acids to the medium. Inhibition of sporozoite motility, under otherwise favorable conditions, was induced by fluoride, malonate, cyanide, amytal, rotenone, antimycin A, arsenate, 2,4-DNP, and diphenylamine. The results suggest that these sporozoites utilize glycolysis, the Krebs' cycle, and conventional electron transport through the cytochrome chain.
Oxidative phosphorylation in rat oral mucosal mitochondria.

Oral mucosal mitochondria were isolated and characterized morphologically by electron microscopy. Polarographic measurements were made of respiration and oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondrial preparations. ADP:O ratios approaching or slightly exceeding the theoretical maxima and stabilized respiratory control ratios were achieved with malate + glutamate, succinate and ascorbate- N,N,N 1 N 1 tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD) as substrates. Inhibition by rotenone, antimycin A, azide, and cyanide established the classical electron transport chain as the major pathway of mitochondrial respiration. Respiration of the oral mucosal mitochondria was stimulated by DNP in the presence of succinate. DNP-stimulated respiration exceeded that observed in the presence of ADP plus Pi and increasing the concentration of DNP progressively inhibited respiration.
Control of the mitotic exit network during meiosis.

The mitotic exit network (MEN), a pathway essential for vegetative growth, is largely dispensable for the specialized meiotic divisions, contributing only to timely exit from meiosis II. MEN activi...