cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parkinson disease: etiology, pathogenesis and future of gene therapy.

Abstract Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder with a prevalence of 1–2% in people over the age of 50. It has a world-wide distribution and has no gender preference. The neurological hallmark of PD is the presence of Lewy bodies and is characterized by the degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. The causes of PD are unknown but considerable evidence suggests a multifactorial etiology involving genetic and environmental factors. A molecular genetic approach identified three genes and at least two additional loci in rare familial forms of PD. Two of these genes are involved in the ubiquitin mediated pathway of protein degradation and the third one is a highly expressed protein in the synaptic terminal and is called α-synuclein. In animal models, it has been shown that use of the household pesticide which is known to contain rotenone, causes PD. Thus, a combined action of genetic and environmental factors is responsible for the pathogenesis of PD. Although use of levodopa or dopamine agonists can substantially reduce clinical symptoms, and transplantation of fetal nerve tissue still remains as an alternative therapy (although it has been recently shown to be having no overall benefit), directed delivery of glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (known to have trophic effects on dopaminergic neurons) may also be a beneficial therapeutic option for PD patients.
A General System to Measure and Calculate Daily Crop Water Use

There is a need for an accurate method to calculate and to measure crop water use on real-time. We implemented a system that combines knowledge of crop water use and available technology to control the timely application of water. Our objective was to test the system and compare it to the empirical engineering approach that uses a crop coefficient to relate crop water use to a reference evapotranspiration. Technologies involved are the measurement of plant water use with stem flow gauges, of soil water with time domain reflectometry, and weather variables. Measurements are coupled with calculated values of crop water use obtained with the model ENWATBAL. A single computer controls all functions, for example, measurements, model execution, activation of water delivery system. The system was tested for a 2-yr period with cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in Lubbock, TX, using surface drip irrigation. Field experiments were conducted on an Olton clay loam (fine, mixed, superactive, thermic Aridic Paleustolls). Comparison of measured and calculated values of crop transpiration and soil water evaporation were in close agreement. Simulated results indicated that for a 3-d frequency irrigation with small quantities of water the engineering approach lacks the resolution to accurately calculate daily requirements of cotton under the semiarid conditions of the Texas High Plains (THP). This is particularly true early in the growing season when predominant evaporative losses are from the soil and not from the crop. We conclude that the proposed system is general and can be applied to schedule irrigations based on accurate estimates of water loss.
Target organs and systems: methodologies to assess immune system function.

Immunotoxicity encompasses both reduced and heightened immune function. Diverse chemicals can impair functioning of the immune system. Both monographs and books have been devoted to detailed descri...
Crystallization of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/polycarbonate blends. I. Unreinforced systems

The crystallization and transition temperatures of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) in blends with polycarbonate (PC) is considered using thermal analysis. Additives typically used in commercial polyester blends, transesterification inhibitor and antioxidant, are found to enhance the crystallization rate of PET. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) reveals two glass transition temperatures in PET/PC blends, consistent with an immiscible blend. Optical microscopy observations are also consistent with an immiscible blend. Small shifts observed in the Tg of each component may be due to interactions between the phases. The degree of crystallinity of PET in PET/PC blends is significantly depressed for high PC contents. Also, in blends with PC content greater than 60 wt %, two distinct crystallization exotherms are observed in dynamic crystallization from the melt. The isothermal crystallization kinetics of PET, PET modified with blend additives, and PET in PET/PC blends have been evaluated using DSC and the data analyzed using the Avrami model. The crystallization of PET in these systems is found to deviate from the Avrami prediction in the later stages of crystallization. Isothermal crystallization data are found to superimpose when plotted as a function of time divided by crystallization half-time. A weighted series Avrami model is found to describe the crystallization of PET and PET/PC blends during all stages of crystallization. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Analytical Characteristics of a Spark-Sampled/Pulsed Radio-Frequency Re-Excited Analytical Discharge

A high-voltage analytical spark is used to “sample” a metallic electrode and to convert that sample into a desirable form (toroidally shaped post-atomic vapor). This sample is then inductively re-excited with a short burst of radio-frequency (200 MHz) energy. Emission resulting from this re-excitation process is simplified, is free from background continuum, and shows narrow linewidths, when compared with direct spark emission. Analytical working curves for lead and iron in copper-based alloys show good linearity and range. Detection limits of 10 ppm are also shown for several elements in metallic samples.
Genetic dissection of tomato bushy stunt virus p19-protein-mediated host-dependent symptom induction and systemic invasion.

Abstract The plus-sense single-stranded RNA of tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) encodes a 19-kDa protein, which is translated from a 3′ proximal open reading frame (p19) that is entirely nested within the cell-to-cell movement gene (p22). Expression of the cytosolic p19-protein induces either a systemic lethal collapse in Nicotiana benthamiana and N. clevelandii, or necrotic local lesions on resistant N. tabacum. In spinach, the p19-protein is required at high abundance for efficient systemic invasion. This study aimed to determine whether these seemingly different host-dependent biological activities are governed by the same or separate regions on the 172 amino acid p19-protein. For this purpose, codons for charged amino acids predicted to be exposed on the surface of the polypeptide and presumably available for host-specific interactions, were targeted for mutagenesis. A total of 12 mutants were generated, which had no deficiencies in replication or cell-to-cell movement, and substitution of amino acids at the extreme N-terminal end or within the carboxyl 70 amino acids failed to cause a noticeable biological effect on plants. However, mutations dispersed between positions 43 and 85 on the N-terminal half prevented the onset of a systemic lethal necrosis on N. benthamiana and N. clevelandii. With one exception, the same mutants elicited mostly chlorotic, rather than necrotic, local lesions on N. tabacum. Mutations in the central region, which substituted Arg with Gly at positions 72 or 75–78, impaired the ability of TBSV to systemically invade spinach plants. However, substitution with Ala instead of Gly at position 72 had minimal effects on systemic spread in spinach, suggesting the possible influence of protein structure effects. The implications are that regions on the N-terminal portion of the p19-protein mediate interactions in a host-dependent manner and that a central region is required for all activities either by a direct effect of the amino acids or through maintenance of structural integrity.
Critical Overview: Adverse Cutaneous Reactions to Psychotropic Medications

Background Adverse cutaneous reactions (ACRs) are common, potentially life-threatening or symptomatically and cosmetically unappealing side effects of psychotropic drugs. Data sources A MEDLINE search of the literature was employed to cite the association of various psychotropic drugs with specific cutaneous reactions. Data synthesis In addition to the common exanthematous eruption, we explore several serious reactions including erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, urticaria, angioedema, anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity syndrome, hypersensitivity vasculitis, erythroderma, and drug-induced lupus erythematosus. Other side effects such as alopecia, pigmentary disorders, photosensitivity, lichenoid lesions, fixed drug eruptions, and psoriasiform, acneiform, and seborrheic eruptions are discussed. Attention is paid to the morphology and distribution, systemic findings, diagnosis, and treatment of these conditions. Conclusion Awareness of ACRs will allow psychiatrists to deter their continuation or recurrence, educate patients who have them, and diagnose serious instances of them.
Cephalomedullary Nails in the Treatment of High-energy Proximal Femur Fractures in Young Patients: A Prospective, Randomized Comparison of Trochanteric Versus Piriformis Fossa Entry Portal

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare a cephalomedullary nail that uses a piriformis fossa starting point to one that uses a trochanteric starting point, in the treatment of high-energy proximal femur fractures in young patients. Our hypothesis was that a nail that uses a trochanteric starting point would result in less blood loss than a nail that uses a piriformis fossa starting point. Design: Prospective, randomized. Setting: Level 1 trauma center. Patients: Thirty-four consecutive patients aged between 18 and 50 years who sustained a subtrochanteric, intertrochanteric, or ipsilateral femoral neck/shaft fracture due to a high-energy injury were enrolled. Intervention: Patients were randomized to have their fractures repaired with a Russell-Taylor Recon Nail or Howmedica Long Gamma Nail. Surgery was performed on a fracture table, in supine or lateral position according to the surgeon's preference. Direct fracture exposure was avoided. Reduction was obtained through traction, patient positioning, and manual pressure. If necessary, stab-wound incisions were made to introduce instruments to improve reduction. Intramedullary reamers were used, and all nails were statically locked. Bone grafting was not used. Main Outcome Measures: Blood loss, incision length, duration of surgery, and body mass index were recorded for each patient. Surgeon's assessment of ease of use of the device and quality of reduction were noted. Patients were to be followed up to assess fracture union. Hip and knee ranges of motion at latest follow-up were measured. Radiographs obtained at the time of union were assessed for varus malalignment. Return to work status was recorded, and the Harris Hip Score was used to assess hip function. Results: There were 17 patients in each group. The 2 groups did not differ with regard to blood loss, incision length, and duration of surgery or intraoperative complications. Body mass index was significantly linked to duration of surgery (P < 0.001) and incision length (P < 0.001). Surgeon's assessment of ease of use and reduction quality for the two devices did not differ. The rate of varus malunion did not differ between the 2 groups. Two patients were lost to follow-up before fracture union. All other fractures healed with no need for bone grafting or other procedures to obtain union. One obese patient developed a wound infection that resolved after debridement and a course of antibiotics. A total of 6 patients were lost prior to their 1-year follow-up visit. Among the remaining 28 patients, at an average follow-up of 14 months, no difference was noted between the 2 groups with regard to return to work status, Harris Hip Score, or hip and knee ranges of motion. Conclusions: Both devices yield predictably good results in these difficult fractures. We found no difference between the two devices with regard to incision length, duration of surgery, blood loss, reduction, ease of use, union rate, complication rate, or outcome.
Comparison of the Effects of Computer-Based Practice and Conceptual Understanding Interventions on Mathematics Fact Retention and Generalization

ABSTRACT The authors’ purpose was to determine the effects of computer-based practice and conceptual interventions on computational fluency and word-problem solving of fourth- and fifth-grade students with mathematics difficulties. A randomized pretest–posttest control group design found that students assigned to the computer-based practice intervention group outperformed students in the comparison group on the retention measure. Students assigned to the conceptual intervention did not outperform the comparison group on any of the outcome variables. Implications for instruction and interventions are discussed.
Alveolar Epithelial Cells Block Lymphocyte Proliferation In Vitro without Inhibiting Activation

In the face of constant exposure to inhaled antigens, precise local regulation of immune responses in the pulmonary alveolar space is essential to achieve a delicate balance between host defense and excessive immune responses that are incompatible with the primary physiologic function of the lung. We postulated that the cells of the alveolar epithelium may have an immunoregulatory role in the lung. Therefore, we have examined the effects of primary cultures of rat type II alveolar epithelial cells on lymphocyte proliferation and on the expression of a number of markers of T-cell activation. Monolayers of alveolar epithelial cells suppressed proliferation and DNA synthesis by concanavalin A-stimulated rat splenocytes. Suppression of [3H]thymidine incorporation was independent of the dose of mitogen and was also apparent when lymphocytes were stimulated with phorbol esters and calcium ionophore, suggesting that the effect was independent of cell surface binding of the lectin. Suppression was reversed 48 h a...
What makes a craft souvenir authentic

Abstract The purpose of the research was to broaden understanding of souvenir consumption through empirical examination of the concept of authenticity in craft souvenirs. Descriptions of craft authenticity from 385 midwestern US tourists were content analyzed for prominent themes. Criteria used by tourists to define authenticity included a craft's uniqueness, workmanship, aesthetics and use, cultural and historical integrity, and genuineness. Characteristics of the craftperson and the shopping experience also contributed to authenticity. Definitions of authenticity varied with tourists' ages, stage of travel careers, and tourism styles, but not with tourists' gender. Elaboration and refinement of the definition of souvenir authenticity is recommended with non-hand-produced souvenirs and with tourists in other regions of the U.S.
Evaluation of high efficiency Csl and Cul photocathodes for soft x-ray diagnostics.

The photoefficiency of CsI and CuI photocathodes was measured for photons in the 22–240-eV (50–560-A) energy range. The within-batch and batch-to-batch variation in photoefficiency were studied as was the sensitivity of the samples to storage under dry nitrogen. The effect of exposure to air was investigated. The shape of the photoefficiency curves was found to agree quite well with that expected from the photoabsorption cross sections of the materials. CsI in particular appears useful as a detector in soft x-ray diagnostics, especially as a narrowband detector in the 100-eV photon energy range where peak measured efficiencies can exceed 300%.
Binding energy and structure of e + Na

We calculate the nonadiabatic binding energy and geometry of the weakly bound state of e{sup +}Na. We use the Peach model potential, which includes both the dipole and an effective quadrupole term in the polarization, to describe the interaction of the electron and positron with the ion core. The effective three-body Schroedinger equation is solved with the finite element method. Because the model potential gives rise to three spurious states, the true ground state of e{sup +}Na is embedded in a dense spectrum of spurious states. We develop a method for extracting the correct ground state for e{sup +}Na, even when the energy is nearly degenerate with a spurious level. The calculated value for the binding energy is consistent with other calculations.
FAMIAL PITUITARY DWARFISM(FPD). AN ENTITY OF DIVERSE ETIOLOGY AND MODE OF INHERITANCE

FPD is quite rare and the available data indicate different modes of inheritance. We present here in eleven cases of FPD, which belong to four family trees. FT1) The affected members are father and son. The father has isolated GH deficiency, While the son has ADH and GH deficiency with no response to GHRH. The pituitary fossa is extremely small. FT2) The known affected members are the index case, a boy, his mother and the mother's brother. All 3 members had low GH values post clonidine or L-DOPA, with a good respone to exogenous GHRH. We thus presume that the defect lies in the GHRH synthesis or secretion. FT3) Two females, first cousins, with isolated GH deficiency, whose mothers are sisters and of short stature. The mothers have not been tested as yet. FT4) Four affected members, 2 girls and 2 boys, who belong to four related families, inhabitants of a small village. The low GH values did not rise following exogenous GHRH. Besides GH, other pituitary hormone deficiencies were present in different combinations. DNA analysis of all affected members is in grogress. The available data denote that familial pituitary dwarfism has diverse etiology, and extensive studies are needed to determine etiology, pathoqenesis and the genetics involved.
Acceptance and application of ISO 9002 in Europe and throughout the world

Abstract The ISO 9000 series of standards developed from NATO defence standards, and arrived in the food industry via engineering and general manufacturing: ISO 9002 is the standard normally chosen by the food industry, although ISO 9001 may be more appropriate in some cases. Within the food industry the UK is most advanced in adopting the standards, but certification is becoming increasingly popular in the EC and Scandinavia, and considerable interest in the benefits of such systems is being shown worldwide. Several methods of attaining certification to ISO 9000 are available: the most valuable is third-party certification by a body accredited to assess in the relevant field. National accreditation councils exist or are being estblished in many countries both within and outside the EC. The interpretation of the standard by assessment bodies within the food industry means that areas necessary to protect quality, such as hygiene controls and pest control, should be included in quality systems which are intended to meet the requirements of the standard: assessors will also expect there to be a suitable product recall system. Operation of a quality system which can be demonstrated to meet the requirements of ISO 9000 can contribute to a defence under the UK Food Safety Act.
Ecosystem services: From eye-opening metaphor to complexity blinder

Abstract What started as a humble metaphor to help us think about our relation to nature has become integral to how we are addressing the future of humanity and the course of biological evolution. The metaphor of nature as a stock that provides a flow of services is insufficient for the difficulties we are in or the task ahead. Indeed, combined with the mistaken presumption that we can analyze a global problem within a partial equilibrium economic framework and reach a new economy project-by-project without major institutional change, the simplicity of the stock-flow framework blinds us to the complexity of the human predicament. The ecosystem services approach can be a part of a larger solution, but its dominance in our characterization of our situation and the solution is blinding us to the ecological, economic, and political complexities of the challenges we actually face.
Speech Enhancement for Listeners With Hearing Loss Based on a Model for Vowel Coding in the Auditory Midbrain

A novel signal-processing strategy is proposed to enhance speech for listeners with hearing loss. The strategy focuses on improving vowel perception based on a recent hypothesis for vowel coding in the auditory system. Traditionally, studies of neural vowel encoding have focused on the representation of formants (peaks in vowel spectra) in the discharge patterns of the population of auditory-nerve (AN) fibers. A recent hypothesis focuses instead on vowel encoding in the auditory midbrain, and suggests a robust representation of formants. AN fiber discharge rates are characterized by pitch-related fluctuations having frequency-dependent modulation depths. Fibers tuned to frequencies near formants exhibit weaker pitch-related fluctuations than those tuned to frequencies between formants. Many auditory midbrain neurons show tuning to amplitude modulation frequency in addition to audio frequency. According to the auditory midbrain vowel encoding hypothesis, the response map of a population of midbrain neurons tuned to modulations near voice pitch exhibits minima near formant frequencies, due to the lack of strong pitch-related fluctuations at their inputs. This representation is robust over the range of noise conditions in which speech intelligibility is also robust for normal-hearing listeners. Based on this hypothesis, a vowel-enhancement strategy has been proposed that aims to restore vowel encoding at the level of the auditory midbrain. The signal processing consists of pitch tracking, formant tracking, and formant enhancement. The novel formant-tracking method proposed here estimates the first two formant frequencies by modeling characteristics of the auditory periphery, such as saturated discharge rates of AN fibers and modulation tuning properties of auditory midbrain neurons. The formant enhancement stage aims to restore the representation of formants at the level of the midbrain by increasing the dominance of a single harmonic near each formant and saturating that frequency channel. A MATLAB implementation of the system with low computational complexity was developed. Objective tests of the formant-tracking subsystem on vowels suggest that the method generalizes well over a wide range of speakers and vowels.
Substitutional solutes in AlCo: Part I. Effects of solute on moduli, lattice parameters, and vacancy production

The effects of solute-related defects in AICo are measured by changes that they produce in lattice parameter, specific gravity, and elastic moduli. By comparison with the effects of off-stoichiometry on the same parameters in binary Al-Co alloys, the solute-produced defects can be partially characterized. Cell occupancy numbers are calculated and used to infer that vacancies are formed on both sides of stoichiometry and also when solute replaces Al or Co in AICo. These data are also essential to testing the effects of the solutes studied—Mn, Re, and Ti—on mechanical hardening, to be reported separately in Part II.
Changes in the distribution of income and wealth of farm households: evidence from Wisconsin panel data

A second objective of this study is to examine the role of various income sources in determining the distribution of total income. This is important in order to understand the implications of the implementation of specific policies on the well-being of farm families. For example, increased availability of human capital development for off-farm employment could be significant for smaller operations if they tend to use this market to supplement low-farm related incomes.
Handling the load

The Internet's available bandwidth is sometimes just barely enough to sustain the load we're imposing on it. Who's the culprit? The Web, of course, with all its bandwidth devouring technologies. Solving the Web's load problems is no simple task. However, given the speed at which Web sites are adopting bandwidth hungry technology, we can expect serious trouble on the Internet within a few years. This trouble may disappear temporarily with the start-up of projects like Internet 2, whose aim is to greatly increase the Internet's overall bandwidth. But computer technology fills bandwidth like a gas fills a room, taking up as much space as its given. Making greater bandwidth available will most likely spark the creation of more bandwidth hungry technology until the load is once again unbearable. In the end, one important principle remains: decentralization. The load, whatever it is, must be split intelligently between the clients and servers, utilizing bandwidth in an efficient manner. After all, decentralization is the principle on which the Web was built.
336 TRANSGENIC Stra8-EYFP PIGS: A MODEL FOR DEVELOPING MALE GERM CELL TECHNOLOGIES

Stimulated by retinoic acid 8 (STRA8) is a protein that is required for meiotic initiation in both male and female gametes in vertebrates. It is also expressed in embryonic germ cells and neonatal male germ cells of mice. The utility of using the Stra8 promoter to recognise and isolate pre-meiotic male germ cells has been reported by others in the mouse. In order to mark germ cells in male pigs, we cloned 1.6 kb of the mouse Stra8 promoter and used it to develop a reporter plasmid using mitochondrial-localised enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (mEYFP). The Stra8-mEYFP transgenic male pigs were produced using somatic cell nuclear transfer. The mEYFP reporter was expressed and easily detectable in the live germ cells of the mature animals and could be observed during tissue culture. The mitochondrial-localised expression of the EYFP reporter was helpful in observing the size and stage of the germ cell. The mEYPF protein was found to be expressed only in the testis of the transgenic pigs using Western blot analysis, whereas endogenous STRA8 protein was also detected in the lung and brain. Fluorescent immunohistochemistry of testicular sections of the transgenic pigs indicated a similar expression pattern to that of the endogenous STRA8 protein. There was an overlap in the expression of the mEYFP and the endogenous STRA8 protein; however, it was observed that the mEYFP protein was present at an earlier stage of spermatogenesis than the STRA8 protein. Immunocytochemistry performed on plated tubules similarly showed varying intensity in expression between the mEYFP transgene and the endogenous STRA8. The difference in the timing of protein expression may be due to the model created or the use of the mouse Stra8 promoter for the expression of mEYFP. Alternatively, the lag in expression between that of the endogenous STRA8 and mEYFP protein may be due to attenuated translation of the Stra8 mRNA. This transgenic model should be useful for the study of reproduction, development, transplantation, biotechnology, and culture of the pig male germ line. Supported by North Carolina Agricultural Research Service 02234.
Protein adsorption onto nanomaterials for the development of biosensors and analytical devices: A review

An important consideration for the development of biosensors is the adsorption of the biorecognition element to the surface of a substrate. As the first step in the immobilization process, adsorption affects most immobilization routes and much attention is given into the research of this process to maximize the overall activity of the biosensor. The use of nanomaterials, specifically nanoparticles and nanostructured films, offers advantageous properties that can be fine-tuned to maximize interactions with specific proteins to maximize activity, minimize structural changes, and enhance the catalytic step. In the biosensor field, protein-nanomaterial interactions are an emerging trend that span across many disciplines. This review addresses recent publications about the proteins most frequently used, their most relevant characteristics, and the conditions required to adsorb them to nanomaterials. When relevant and available, subsequent analytical figures of merits are discussed for selected biosensors. The general trend amongst the research papers allows concluding that the use of nanomaterials has already provided significant improvements in the analytical performance of many biosensors and that this research field will continue to grow.
Social climate and major choice: A test of Holland's theory in university student living groups

Abstract The relationship between the major choice composition of an environment and the social climate of that environment was investigated. Specifically, the distribution of major choices of the students in college living units, as determined by the Holland (1973) typology, was related to the characteristics of the social environments of the living units. The results supported Holland's theory in that these two sets of variables were predictably related. The results emphasize the role of social climate as a mediator between personality variables and the development of different types of occupational environments.
Energy-transfer processes from the excited singlet manifold of chlorophyll

Abstract The observation of fluorescence from S N states produced by photon absorption in S 1 states of chlorophyll species is presented. Electronic energy transfer (EET) from the highly excited states of chlorophyll a or the lently linked chlorophyllide a pair in pyridine to an acceptor molecule. F555, has been studied. We also report energy up-conversion that involves energy transfer from a chlorophyll triplet to the ground state of the rubrene molecule followed by collisional interaction of two rubrene triplets to yield a ground-state and singlet rhyrene.
Least Squares, Modeling, and Signal Processing

Abstract The concept of least squares (LS) as applied to an inconsistent system of linear or nonlinear equations is a fundamental tool in numerical analysis. Furthermore, these techniques have been applied with much success in solving many of the more challenging problems found in signal processing. In the standard LS problem, one seeks a choice for the vector x governing the inconsistent system of linear equations A x ≍ y so that these equations are best approximated in the least-squares error sense. In this paper, the concepts underlying an LS solution approach are presented in a tutorial fashion and only a basic knowledge of Euclidean spaces Rn and Cn is presumed. Much of the analysis is related to a linear system of equations where use of the fundamental fact that all Hermitian matrices have a full set of pairwise orthonormal eigenvectors plays a central role. Once the basic LS solution characterization of a linear system of equations has been made, a statistical analysis of this solution is undertaken. Conditions under which the LS solution is particularly sensitive to additive noise are established. This sensitivity can be decreased by using the concept of reduced rank approximation where a trade-off between estimation bias and estimation variance is made. The notion of linear least-squares error is then generalized to consider the case whereby the inconsistent system of linear equations A( θ ) x = y has a system matrix A( θ ) that depends on a set of real parameters θ . It is now desired to select both x and θ so as to obtain a best approximate solution. This is shown to lead to a modified LS solution. An important extension of this problem is next made whereby the multiple inconsistent system of linear equations A ( θ ) x k = y k for 1 ≤ k ≤ N is best approximated in the least-squares error sense. These concepts are then further generalized to include the task of finding an LS solution to a system of nonlinear equations described by F ( x , θ ) = y .
Comparison between ectoderm-conditioned medium and fibronectin in their effects on chondrogenesis by limb bud mesenchymal cells.

Abstract Limb bud ectoderm inhibits chondrogenesis by limb bud mesenchymal cells cultured at high density or on collagen gels. This ectodermal antichondragenic influence has been postulated to function in vivo in regulating the spatial patterning of cartilage and soff connective tissue in the limb. We have developed a method for preparing ectoderm-conditioned medium containing antichondrogenic activity. Using a simple bioassay, we have investigated some characteristics of the ectodermal products and their effects on limb bud mesenchymal cells. Inhibition of chondrogenesis by ectoderm-conditioned medium was tested on limb bud mesenchymal cells cultured on collagen gels. The antichondrogenic influence involves enhanced cell spreading and is alleviated by agents, such as cytochalasin D, that induce cell rounding. Fibronectin resembles ectoderm-conditioned medium in its ability to inhibit chondrogenesis and promote cell spreading in collagen gel cultures of limb bud mesenchymal cells. However, Western blot analysis shows that the antichondrogenic activity of ectoderm-conditioned medium is not due to fibronectin in the medium. Peptides related to the fibronectin cell-binding domain block the antichondrogenic effect of fibronectin, but not that of ectoderm-conditioned medium. On the other hand, an antibody to an integrin, as well as heparan sulfate, alleviates the antichondrogenic effects of both fibronectin and ectoderm-conditioned medium. The antichondrogenic effect of ectoderm-conditioned medium may be mediated by an integrin and by a cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan, but it does not depend directly upon fibronectin-mediated cell spreading.
Robust inference in discrete hazard models for randomized clinical trials

Time-to-event data in which failures are only assessed at discrete time points are common in many clinical trials. Examples include oncology studies where events are observed through periodic screenings such as radiographic scans. When the survival endpoint is acknowledged to be discrete, common methods for the analysis of observed failure times include the discrete hazard models (e.g., the discrete-time proportional hazards and the continuation ratio model) and the proportional odds model. In this manuscript, we consider estimation of a marginal treatment effect in discrete hazard models where the constant treatment effect assumption is violated. We demonstrate that the estimator resulting from these discrete hazard models is consistent for a parameter that depends on the underlying censoring distribution. An estimator that removes the dependence on the censoring mechanism is proposed and its asymptotic distribution is derived. Basing inference on the proposed estimator allows for statistical inference that is scientifically meaningful and reproducible. Simulation is used to assess the performance of the presented methodology in finite samples.
Use of tracheostomy in the PICU among patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation.

The purpose of the present study is to describe the use of tracheostomy, specifically frequency, timing (in relation to initiation of mechanical ventilation), and associated factors, in a large cohort of children admitted to North American pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) and requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. This was a retrospective cohort study. De-identified data were obtained from the VPSLLC database, a multi-site, clinical PICU database. Admissions between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2011 were enrolled in the study if the patient required mechanical ventilation for at least 72 h and did not have a tracheostomy tube at initiation of mechanical ventilation. A total of 13,232 PICU admissions from 82 PICUs were analyzed in the study; of these, 872 (6.6 %) had a tracheostomy tube inserted after initiation of mechanical ventilation. The rate varied significantly (0–13.4 %, p < 0.001) among the 45 PICUs that had 100 or more admissions included in the study. The median time to insertion of a tracheostomy tube was 14.4 days (IQR 7.4–25.7), and it also varied significantly by unit (4.3–30.4 days, p < 0.001) among those that performed at least ten tracheostomies included in the study. There is significant variation in both the frequency and time to tracheostomy between the studied PICUs for patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation; among those who received a tracheostomy, the majority did so after two or more weeks of mechanical ventilation. Future studies examining tracheostomy benefits, disadvantages, outcomes, and resource utilization of this patient subgroup are indicated.
Evaluating Workflow Tools with SDAG

Workflow management systems (WMS) are typically comprised of or make use of multiple independent software components. The design and development of those components is typically drawn from functional requirements of scientific applications that utilize the corresponding WMS. Consequently, the WMS design reflects those core functional requirements in applications that it supports in the future. Whereas most design criteria are engineered to be as generic as possible, some design trade-offs may prove sub-optimal for certain new workflow applications. We argue that WMS design tradeoffs that emerge from a limited set of real-world applications can be minimized by the use of larger, more varied synthetic application datasets. We present SDAG, a tool for generating synthetic well formed workflows (WFWs) that span a varied space of synthetic WFWs around any reference workflow. These synthetic WFWs enable developers to test and evaluate WMS or their constituent software components on a broad range of workflows and enable more generic design criteria for WMS.
Discovery of a sensitive, selective, and tightly binding fluorogenic substrate of bovine plasma amine oxidase.

We report a novel fluorogenic substrate of bovine plasma amine oxidase (BPAO), namely, (2-(6-(aminomethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy)ethyl)trimethylammonium (ANETA), which displays extremely tight binding to BPAO (Km 183 ± 14 nM) and yet is metabolized fairly quickly (kcat 0.690 ± 0.010 s−1), with the aldehyde turnover product (2-(6-formylnaphthalen-2-yloxy)ethyl)trimethylammonium serving as a real time reporting fluorophore of the enzyme activity. This allowed for the development of a fluorometric noncoupled assay that is 2 orders of magnitude more sensitive than the spectrophotometric benzylamine assay. The discovery of ANETA involved elaboration of the lead compound 6-methoxy-2-naphthalenemethaneamine by structure-based design, which recognized the ancillary cation binding site of BPAO as the most significant structural features controlling binding affinity. Structure-based design further ensured a high level of selectivity: ANETA is a good substrate of BPAO but is not a substrate of either porcine kidney diam...
Particle creation in conformally invariant models

Abstract The lowest nontrivial scattering amplitudes are computed at tree level for three classically conformally invariant models: the Wess-Zumino-Witten model, the O( n )-model, both known to be classically integrable, and an N =4 supersymmetric (hyperkahler) nonlinear σ-model. It is found that there is particle production for all models except for the WZW model at the critical points (i.e., when it is quantum conformally invariant), which can be understood as due to the decoupling of left- and right-movers at the critical points. This shows that tree level amplitudes, which are unphysical in the quantum theory, cannot be used to decide against classical integrability for conformally invariant models (in contrast to the case of massive theories).
Mental health services seeking in sexual assault victims.

Abstract Sexual assault victims experience significant mental health sequelae from being victimized. Despite these psychological symptoms, survivors seek traditional mental health services at low rates. Little research has addressed the potential barriers that may lead to lower rates of mental health service seeking or whether these services in fact help survivors to recover from the psychological impact of sexual assault. This paper reviews literature on sexual assault victimization and mental health service seeking to examine what is currently known. Certain demographic background, assault characteristics, and post-assault factors appear to be related to likelihood of mental health service seeking, yet most studies of correlates of victims' help-seeking have been limited to nonprobability samples. Suggestions for theory, research, and clinical practice are made including longitudinal investigations studying a range of potential mental health support sources and development of innovative mental health se...
FACTOR ANALYTIC STUDIES OF THE LINCOLN-OSERETSKY TEST OF MOTOR PROFICIENCY.

The results of two factor analyses of the success or failure on each item of the Lincoln adaptation of the Oseretsky test of motor development of 434 Ss in two separate samples have been presented ...
A study of the cardiac innervation in domestic animals: Cattle

The cardiac innervation of cattle was morphologically dissected and described. Descriptions of the ganglia of origin as well as the course and distribution are presented. Sympathetic nerves arose from the thoracic and cervicothoracic ganglia, but unlike those of the horse, dog and cat did not arise from the more cranial situated cervical ganglia. Most left thoracic and some cervicothoracic cardiac nerves passed through a cardiac ganglion of the left intervascular triangle before being distributed to the heart. Parasympathetic cardiac innervation arose from the vagi, both cranial and caudal to the origin of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, and from the recurrent laryngeal nerves themselves. Left heart nerves primarily supplied the area along the coronary groove caudally and on the right side. This included the area of the coronary sinus and atrioventricular node. Left cardiac nerves also extended along the right coronary artery. Both left and right cardiac nerves passed to the cardiac plexus and also along the descending and circumflex branches of the left coronary artery on the left side. Right cardiac nerves extended primarily between the venae cavae or between the caudal vena cava and left atrium to the area of the sinoatrial node but also into the area of the coronary sinus and atrioventricular node.
Quantum nondemolition measurements - Comment on recent developments

The limitations of the detectability of extremely weak signals (gravitational radiation for instance) imposed by Heisenberg's uncertainty principle on the sequential determination of those signals have been explored recently. A variety of schemes have been proposed to circumvent these limitations. Although all of the earlier attempts have been proven fruitless a recent proposal seems to be quite promising. The scheme, consisting of two harmonic oscillators interacting with each other in a peculiar way, allows for an exact analytical solution which is derived here. If it can be assumed that the expectation value of one of the canonical variables of the total system suffices to monitor the weak signal it can be shown that, in the absence of thermal noise, arbitrarily weak signals can in principle be measured without interference from the uncertainty principle.
Basic principles of stereographic software development

Generation of images for a time-multiplexed stereoscopic display environment is not a straightforward extension of image generation in a perspective graphics environment. There are several factors that must be taken into account in order to produce high-quality, stereographic images. An overview is provided of some of the factors that are important to the proper construction and display of computer graphic images in a time-multiplexed environment. In particular, image generation algorithms, horizontal parallax, interocular cross talk and ghosting, refresh rate, image scaling, and interaction with 3-D spaces are discussed.
Using order statistics to estimate real estate bid distributions

In order to determine an optimum sales strategy for a property it is useful to estimate the distribution of bids which will be received for the property. The more accurate the estimate of the distribution, the higher the expected return will be from following the optimal strategy. This paper presents a technique for estimating the parameters of that distribution based on order statistics. It also describes how a posted list price might affect the sale price data used in this estimation technique, and how the technique can be modified to deal with this type of censored data.
Adaptive sinusoidal disturbance cancellation for precise pointing of Stewart platforms

This paper combines an adaptive sinusoidal disturbance cancellation scheme with fault tolerant pointing algorithms for Stewart platforms. This results in a fault-tolerant pointing system capable of low-frequency tracking, mid-frequency rejection of large monotone disturbances, and high-frequency passive vibration isolation. Since often the frequency of the monotone sinusoidal disturbance cannot be precisely known, a phase-locked loop (PLL) algorithm is used to catch the frequency and a method for PLL design is developed. Experimental results on the University of Wyoming Stewart platform demonstrate that pointing errors caused by a monotone disturbance decrease 50-fold even in the presence of multiple actuator failures.
Statistical analysis and modeling of high definition video traces

High definition video streams are gaining larger shares of the Internet usage for typical users on daily basis. This is an expected result of the current boom in the online standard and high definition (HD) video streaming services such as YouTube and Hulu. Because of these video streams' unique statistical characteristics and their high bandwidth requirements, they are considered to be a continuous challenge in both network scheduling and resource allocation fields. In this paper we provide a statistical analysis of over 50 high definition video traces that resembles wide varieties of high definition video traffic workloads. We performed both factor and cluster analysis on our collection of video traces to support a better understanding of video stream workload characteristics and their impact on network traffic. Additionally, we compare and evaluate different modeling approaches for high definition videos traces.
Optimal placement of a two-link planar manipulator using a genetic algorithm

In this paper, we study the base placement problem for a two-degree-freedom-robot. The feasible area for the robot base is described, and its manipulability measure is formulated. To find the optimal base location of the robot, we develop a genetic algorithm (GA) to search for the valid solution in the reachable area of the robot base. To speed up the evolutionary process, we keep the elitists from one generation to the next generation according to certain elitist rate. The genetic algorithm approach is beneficial because it can also be extended to trajectory planning for robots with more degrees-of-freedom. We demonstrate the algorithm with some examples.
High Frequency Responses of Granular Magnetic Material CoFeHfO and Amorphous Material CoZrTa

This paper compares the permeability spectra of granular CFHO and amorphous CoZrTa (CZT) thin films with different thickness and laminated structures, and show that granular CFHO has much better high-frequency response and can be an excellent candidate for high-frequency applications.
Perceptions of Body Malleability: Linkages With Body-Related Feelings and Behaviors Among Undergraduate Women and Men

This study explored the utility of body-related behaviors, body attitudes, normative beliefs, and body mass index (BMI) in predicting perceptions of malleability and the utility of body attitude, subjective norms, perceptions of malleability, and BMI in predicting desires to change the body and attempts to change the body. Aquestionnaire was administered to undergraduates. Regression analyses suggested that female and male perceptions of malleability were predicted by attempts to change the body. Among females, body attitudes and normative beliefs about siblings and friends predicted perceptions of malleability. For both females andmales, adding perceptions of malleability to a regression model including body attitude and subjective norm increased the variance explained in desire and attempts to change the body. BMI did not predict perceptions of malleability, desire to change the body, or attempts to change the body.