cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vitro studies of the rabbit immune system. IX. Extended culture of rabbit cytotoxic cells and the generation of TCGF-dependent T lymphocyte lines.

Rabbil T lymphocytes with cytotoxic activity for mouse target cells can be maintained in culture for several weeks by periodically restimulating with fresh mouse cells or by culturing with a source of TCGF. The former procedure greatly enriches the cultured cells for cytotoxic activity but has the disadvantage of introducing cellular debris. Cell growth and cytotoxic activity waned after 4–6 weeks using either procedure. However, T lymphocyte lines (TLL) could be isolated from limiting dilution cultures containing mitomycin C-treated mouse ‘feeder’ cells and a source of TCGF. These cells grew out with a frequency of one in 50–150 and c15% of these growing cells had cytotoxic activity. Some cytotoxic cells lost their lytic activity after 4–5 months but others have persisted for over 7 months. Some TLL have now been growing for over 20 months.
Synthesis of Switching Functions by Threshold Elements

In this paper, two general methods of determining a separating surface f(x)= ?n-1 i=0 ?i?i(x) = 0 will be developed for any switching problem in terms of threshold elements ? i (x). First, a polynomial decision function f(x) is synthesized so that it has no more than N terms in it where N is the total number of pattern vectors of the switching problem. This decision function is easily amenable for mechanization since it needs the solution of a triangular system of N equations in N unknowns. In addition, a method of deriving aminimal polynomial solution f(x) will also be given. Second, a decision function f(x) involving general threshold elements ? i (x) is derived from the polynomial solution so that it has fewer terms than the polynomial solution. Examples will be given to illustrate the methods and compare these results with those obtained by the traditional method of prime implicants.
The House Rules: Autonomy and Interests among Service Workers in the Contemporary Casino Industry

This ethnography of blackjack dealing at a corporate casino in Nevada reveals that dealers, to make tips, regularly violate the house's directives for regulating their interactive labor. Although t...
Enhancing cerebellar infarction

Five patients with CT evidence of enhancing cerebellar infarcts are analyzed. This represented 12% of cerebellar infarcts diagnosed by CT scan. The pattern of cerebellar linear enhancing bands which are contiguous with a hypo- or isodense lesion is quite characteristic of cerebellar infarction. In two cases, the lesion appeared isodense on the plain scan and therefore the enhanced scan was crucial to establishing the diagnosis of a cerebellar infarction. The presence of nodular or ring enhancement is sometimes seen with cerebellar infarction but is more common of neoplastic disorders, vascular malformations, or infectious-inflammatory disorders. The enhancement pattern of the cerebellar infarctions developed within the initial seven days after the onset of neurological deficit, and this is earlier than the enhancement pattern of supratentorial ischemic vascular lesions.
Evaluation of Jatropha isabelli natural products and their synthetic analogs as potential antimalarial therapeutic agents.

Abstract Protozoal diseases such as malaria are a leading world health concern. We screened a library of fractionated natural products to identify new potential therapeutic leads and discovered that jatrophone (a product of Jatropha isabelli) exerts significant activity against Plasmodium falciparum strains 3D7 and K1. A focused jatrophone-scaffold library was synthesized to evaluate jatrophone's mode of action and identify more selective analogs. Compounds 25 and 32 of this natural product–inspired compound library exhibited micromolar EC50 values against strains 3D7 and K1, thus providing a new antimalarial molecular scaffold. Our report describes an efficient derivatization approach used to evaluate the structure–activity relationship of jatrophone analogs in search of potential new antimalarial agents.
Protein Tyrosine Kinase Activity during Egg Activation Is Important for Morphogenesis at Gastrulation in the Sea Urchin Embryo

Abstract Fertilization triggers a series of preprogrammed events functioning to activate egg metabolism, incorporate the paternal genome, and initiate development. The activity of protein tyrosine kinases during egg activation is required for several steps leading up to the first cell division. We now present evidence for an additional protein tyrosine kinase-mediated event that occurs between 30 and 45 min after insemination and is not required until gastrulation, which occurs over 24 hr later. Eggs treated with protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors within this window of time cleaved and formed normal blastulae but could not gastrulate or undergo further development to the pluteus stage. These findings provide the first evidence that some of the control mechanisms used in later development are established during a brief period of time in the fertilized egg and require the action of one or more protein tyrosine kinases.
A rapid method for visualization of single-stranded genomic RNAs of animal viruses

We describe a method for the electron microscopic examination of the single-stranded genomic RNAs of two enveloped animal viruses, vesicular stomatitis virus and influenza virus. Virions are disrupted with Triton X-100, viral proteins are digested with proteinase K, and the RNA in the sample is prepared for electron microscopy using the formamide-urea spreading technique. The method requires small quantities of purified virus, involves minimal manipulations, and provides RNA preparations for electron microscopic examination usually within an hour. The size and appearance of the RNA molecules thus prepared are comparable to those obtained by phenol extraction. The present method, however, provides a simpler and rapid means to determine the size and structure of single-stranded genomic RNAs of animal viruses by electron microscopy using minimal quantities of purified virus.
Americans' use of dietary supplements that are potentially harmful in CKD

Background The prevalence in the United States of dietary supplement use that may be harmful to those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unknown. We sought to characterize potentially harmful supplement use by individual CKD status. Study Design Cross-sectional national survey (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2008). Setting & Participants Community-based survey of 21,169 nonpregnant noninstitutionalized US civilian adults (aged ≥20 years). Predictor CKD status (no CKD, at risk of CKD [presence of diabetes, hypertension, and/or cardiovascular disease], stages 1/2 [albuminuria only (albumin-creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/g)], or stages 3/4 [estimated glomerular filtration rate of 15-59 mL/min/1.73 m2]). Outcome Self-reported use of dietary supplements containing any of 37 herbs the National Kidney Foundation identified as potentially harmful in the setting of CKD. Measurements Albuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate assessed from urine and blood samples; demographics and comorbid conditions assessed by standardized questionnaire. Results An estimated 8.0% of US adults reported potentially harmful supplement use within the last 30 days. A lower crude estimated prevalence of potentially harmful supplement use was associated with higher CKD severity (no CKD, 8.5%; at risk, 8.0%; stages 1/2, 6.1%; and stages 3/4, 6.2%; P Limitations Herb content was not available and the list of potentially harmful supplements examined is unlikely to be exhaustive. Conclusions The use of dietary supplements potentially harmful to people with CKD is common regardless of CKD status. Health care providers should discuss the use and potential risks of supplements with patients with and at risk of CKD.
The value of rocket immunoelectrophoresis for C4 activation in the evaluation of patients with angioedema or C1-inhibitor deficiency☆☆☆

The correct diagnosis and characterization of C1-inhibitor deficiency depends on both clinical observations and laboratory evaluation of complement in plasma. Rocket immunoelectrophoresis for C4d is a sensitive assay for C4 activation in plasma. We have evaluated the value of this assay in identifying patients with C1-inhibitor deficiency. C4 activation was assessed in the plasmas of 15 patients with hereditary angioedema, five patients with variant form of hereditary angioedema, and four patients with acquired C1-inhibitor deficiency. Control groups consisted of 27 patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria and/or angioedema and seven normal volunteers. C4 activation was detected in all 52 plasma samples collected from the 24 patients with C1-inhibitor deficiency. The degree of C4 activation increased during attacks of angioedema and decreased (but remained elevated) during treatment with attenuated androgens. The concentrations of C4, C2, and C1 inhibitor were also measured; however, none of these measurements identified all of the patients with C1-inhibitor deficiency. Thus, we conclude that the measurement of C4 activation is one of the best tests available to evaluate a patient for C1-inhibitor deficiency, and a normal result will exclude the diagnosis of C1-inhibitor deficiency.
Flow-injection determination of sugars with immobilized enzyme reactions and chemiluminescence detection

Abstract Glucose is determined by reaction with gluocose oxidase to produce hydrogen peroxide which is quantified via a chemiluminescence reaction with luminol. Sucrose, maltose, lactose and fructose are determined by enzymatic conversion to glucose (using invertase, amyloglucosidase, lactase. and glucose isomerase, respectively) and subsequent determination of the glucose, All enzymes are immobilized on controlled-pore glass and contained in flow-through reactors. For glucose, sucrose, and maltose the linear log-log working range 0.2 μM-1 mM, with a detection limit of 0.1 μM; for lactose and fructose the linear working range is 3 μM-1 mM with a detection limit of 1 μM. Assay time is 2 min.
Reduction of nitric acid on Ag in ultrahigh vacuum : A Raman spectroscopic investigation

Abstract The reduction of HNO 3 on Ag as a function of temperature in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) is studied using Raman spectroscopy and thermal desorption-mass spectrometry (TDMS). Thin layers of molecular HNO 3 are stable on the surface below 150 K, but are spontaneously reduced above 150 K with concomitant time-dependent partial desorption of products. The asymmetric nitric oxide dimer, NONO, is observed as the sole reduction product that remains on the surface based on its distinctive Raman spectral signature. The mechanism of NONO formation from HNO 3 is proposed to occur through a multistep reduction of HNO 3 on the Ag surface starting from NO 3 - and proceeding stepwise through NO 2 and NO 2 - to NO, followed by combination to form NONO in a process catalyzed by a Lewis acid, oxidized Ag species. Desorption of the majority of surface species is largely complete by 210 K.
A method based on rank-ordered filter to detect edges in cellular image

To extract morphological features about nuclei from microscopy cellular image, it is usually required to find the edges of nuclei at first. Standard edge detection methods may not produce satisfactory results due to the varying brightness and background in cellular image. It is important to extract close, smooth, and correct edges in order to compute features like compactness, convexity, roundness, and etc. We present a new method to detect edges of nuclei in microscopy images. The method is based on using median filtering to compute the total variation with respect to the central pixel in a filter window. This step exploits one important feature of median filter, i.e., within the filter window, the total variation (TV) with respect to the median is always less than or equal to the TV with respect to the original center pixel. In other words, median filtering looks for the output that minimizes the total variation within the filtering window. The resulting image has enhanced contrast along the boundary of nuclei. As the final step, we use popular edge detection methods such as Canny detector and Laplacian of Gaussian to find edges of nuclei in the image. Examples from processing real cellular image obtained by light microscope show that the method obtains better edges in terms of connectivity, smoothness, and closely following the boundary of nuclei.
Tube structures of probable microbial origin in the Neoarchean Carawine Dolomite, Hamersley Basin, Western Australia

The approximately 2.63 Ga Carawine Dolomite, Hamersley Basin, Western Australia, preserves tube structures of probable microbial origin that formed in a low energy environment. The tubes are 0.4-1.8 cm in diameter and at least 10-16 cm long in outcrop. The tubes are defined by dark, 45-microm-thick dolomicritic walls, whereas the tube fill and host rock are composed of 30 microm, cloudy dolomite crystals and rare 170- to 425-microm-wide, dark well-sorted clasts. Closely spaced, rarely discontinuous laminae coat the insides of tubes; less closely spaced, peaked, discontinuous laminae coat the outsides of tubes. The laminae on the outsides of tubes are often intercalated with mammilate structures. The presence of probable microbial coatings on both the insides and the outsides of the tube walls requires that the tubes formed above the sediment-water interface. These tube structures probably formed during gas-charged fluid escape, similar to tubes observed in ancient and modern hydrocarbon seeps and cylindrical water transfer structures in sandstones. The laminae that coat the tubes have very similar geometries to modern biofilms that form in both turbulent and laminar flow, and their geometries probably reflect flow conditions during the fluid escape. The identification of these structures suggests that the preserved interaction between fluid escape and microbial growth in carbonates may be more common than previously thought.
Metrology of microstructured waveguides for spintronic applications

Patterned permalloy films embedded in a coplanar waveguide (CPW) were fabricated, and the magnetization dynamics of such structures were investigated. Anisotropic magneto-resistance (AMR) effect was utilized as the detection mechanism to study the dynamics of such device structures. The introduced approach is suitable for investigation of magnetization dynamics in small magnetic devices and other candidate systems for spintronic applications.
Alfentanil-induced hypermetabolism, seizure, and histopathology in rat brain

We evaluated the effect of alfentanil on hippocampal glucose utilization and histopathology associated with alfentanil-induced seizures. Three separate experiments were performed. First, anesthetized, paralyzed Long-Evans rats (n = 15; 5 rats per group) were mechanically ventilated and randomly assigned to three groups: (a) control, 70% N2O and 30% O2 continued for 1 h; (b) low-dose alfentanil (150 micrograms/kg i.v. bolus), followed by infusion at 15 micrograms.kg-1 x min-1 for 1 h without N2O; or (c) high-dose alfentanil (1000 micrograms/kg i.v. bolus), followed by infusion at 100 micrograms.kg-1 x min-1 for 1 h without N2O. After 1 h, [6-14C]glucose was injected intravenously for autoradiography. With high-dose alfentanil, there was increased glucose utilization in the ventral hippocampus and the lateral septal nucleus. In the second experiment, anesthetized, paralyzed Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 12; 4 rats per group) were mechanically ventilated, underwent insertion of hippocampal depth electrodes, and were randomly assigned to three groups: (a) control, 70% N2O and 30% O2; (b) low-dose alfentanil (150 micrograms/kg i.v. bolus), with 70% N2O and 30% O2; or (c) high-dose alfentanil (1000 micrograms/kg i.v. bolus), with 70% N2O and 30% O2. An epileptiform pattern was observed on hippocampal and subdermal electroencephalographic recordings in both alfentanil groups. In the third experiment, anesthetized, paralyzed Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 20) were mechanically ventilated and assigned to two groups: (a) control, 70% N2O and 30% O2 (n = 5) or 100% O2 (n = 5) continued for 1 h; or (b) alfentanil (2000 micrograms/kg i.v. bolus), followed by infusion at 33.3 micrograms.kg-1 x min-1 for 1 h with 100% O2. After tracheal extubation, the rats recovered overnight. Light-microscopic evaluation revealed hippocampal or amygdaloid damage in 6 of the 10 alfentanil-treated rats. High doses of alfentanil administered to rats can produce limbic system seizure activity with hypermetabolism associated with neuropathologic lesions.
Evidence Suggesting That the Mouse Sperm Acrosome Reaction Initiated by the Zona Pellucida Involves an α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

Abstract The mammalian sperm acrosome reaction (AR) is essential to fertilization and is believed to be initiated in vivo by ZP3, a glycoprotein component of the egg zona pellucida (ZP). Recently, we reported the results of antagonist studies suggesting that a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) containing an α7 subunit (α7nAChR) plays a role in the human sperm AR initiated by recombinant human ZP3 or by acetylcholine (ACh). Here, we show that ACh can initiate the mouse sperm AR and that antagonists of the nAChR inhibit the AR initiated by ACh or by ZP obtained from ovarian oocytes (isolated heat-solubilized mouse ZP). Preincubation with three antagonists of the nAChR, α-bungarotoxin (100 nM), α-conotoxin IMI (100 nM), and methyllycaconitine (100 nM), significantly blocked AR initiation by ACh or by isolated heat-solubilized mouse ZP (P ≤ 0.002). Because the only nAChR subunit known to bind all three antagonists is the α7, an α7nAChR appears to be involved in the mouse sperm AR initiated by mouse ZP ...
The efficacy of pace in the remediation of naming deficits

This study compared the effects of PACE and traditional stimulation therapy in the remediation of naming deficits. The subject was a 66-year-old conduction aphasic. An ABCBC time-series design was employed. Greater gains were evidenced during the PACE phases of treatment on two types of probes--confrontation naming and picture description tasks.
State Government Promotion of Manufacturing Exports: A Gap Analysis

This study empirically examines the level of the export-related expertise of manufacturing firms in a Midwestern state of the United States, various problems they face in export business, and types of government assistance desired, by their stage of export involvement. It also investigates the appropriateness of government export assistance and the gap between governmental export promotion efforts and private sector needs. It is shown that the identification of expertise, problems, and government assistance needs by export stage can help government agencies develop a systematic approach to export promotion.
Ion chromatography of metal cations on carboxylic acid resins

The goal of the present work is to study cation separations on weak-acid resins that are easily synthesized and carry the exchange group on the crosslinking benzene ring of the resin or on a short spacer arm from the ring. The synthesis and general properties of two carboxylic resins are described. A higher exchange capacity is required for effective ion chromatographic separations than that needed for sulfonated resins. A number of excellent separations are reported using eluents containing ethylenediammonium cations plus a weak complexing agent. The effect of pH on retention times of metal ions is reported.
Unravelling the Phellinus pini s.l. complex in North America: a multilocus phylogeny and differentiation analysis of Porodaedalea

Summary Phellinus sensu lato (s.l.) is a complex of segregate genera that act as aggressive pathogens of woody plants. Nearly all of the genera in this complex have unresolved taxonomies, including Porodaedalea, which is one of the most important trunk rot pathogens of coniferous trees throughout the northern hemisphere. In an attempt to elucidate the species within Porodaedalea, a multilocus phylogenetic analysis was performed with partial sequences from four loci (internal transcribed spacer, nuclear large subunit, tef1 and rpb2) using 41 isolates that originated from North America and Europe. For reference, we analysed the neotype isolates of Porodaedalea pini and P. chrysoloma. Our results confirmed that Porodaedalea pini s.s. and P. chrysoloma s.s. are unique phylogenetic species that do not occur in North America. We detected two discrete clades of Porodaedalea originating from the southwestern and southeastern United States. Isolates from these regions grouped with significant statistical support and represent undescribed taxa. With the exception of P. cancriformans, our analyses revealed monophyly among 28 isolates originating from the northern United States, Canada and Fennoscandia, a group we have labelled the ‘Holarctic group’. Holarctic group isolates were collected from Larix, Picea, Pinus, Pseudotsuga and Tsuga and were presumed to represent at least four morphological species (P. gilbertsonii, P. laricis, P. pini s.l. and P. piceina). Tests of gene flow and genetic differentiation detected significant differences among Holarctic group isolates by region of origin, and three subgroups were designated: (i) Atlantic-Boreal; (ii) Interior; and (iii) Pacific. Neutrality tests using the Holarctic group demonstrated significant departures from the standard neutral model of evolution and could indicate that a diversifying selection has maintained rare phenotypes in the population, which has fostered taxonomic confusion in Porodaedalea.
Detection of oxygen consumption of cultured adherent cells by bead injection spectroscopy.

This paper describes a method for detecting oxygen consumption of adherent cell cultures. The sensing is based on oxygen-dependent quenching of the phosphorescence of a Pt-porphyrin complex immobilized on microcarrier beads, which are used as the cell culture substrate. Bead injection, a recent variant of the flow injection technique, is used to pack an aliquot of the beads into a small sensing layer that can be easily and rapidly renewed. The technique is tested on a model system of Chinese Hamster Ovary M1 cells grown on Cytodex-3 microcarrier beads. Cellular respiration is monitored through O2 consumption measured across a period of 3 min. The method is validated by detecting the impairment of aerobic metabolism caused by 1.5 mM amobarbital. Further, it is shown to have enough precision to distinguish even more subtle changes, such as the increase in oxygen consumption caused by stimulation of the muscarinic m1 receptor with 100 μM carbachol.
The rapid terrain visualization interferometric synthetic aperture radar sensor

The Rapid Terrain Visualization interferometric synthetic aperture radar was designed and built at Sandia National Laboratories as part of an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) to “demonstrate the technologies and infrastructure to meet the Army requirement for rapid generation of digital topographic data to support emerging crisis or contingencies.” This sensor is currently being operated by Sandia National Laboratories for the Joint Precision Strike Demonstration (JPSD) Project Office to provide highly accurate digital elevation models (DEMs) for military and civilian customers, both inside and outside of the United States. The sensor achieves better than DTED Level IV position accuracy in near real-time. The system is being flown on a deHavilland DHC-7 Army aircraft. This paper outlines some of the technologies used in the design of the system, discusses the performance, and will discuss operational issues. In addition, we will show results from recent flight tests, including high accuracy maps taken of the San Diego area.
Antibody structure, instability, and formulation

The number of therapeutic monoclonal antibody in development has increased tremendously over the last several years and this trend continues. At present there are more than 23 approved antibodies on the US market and an estimated 200 or more are in development. Although antibodies share certain structural similarities, development of commercially viable antibody pharmaceuticals has not been straightforward because of their unique and somewhat unpredictable solution behavior. This article reviews the structure and function of antibodies and the mechanisms of physical and chemical instabilities. Various aspects of formulation development have been examined to identify the critical attributes for the stabilization of antibodies.
A Kolmogorov Goodness-of-Fit Test for Discontinuous Distributions

Abstract The Kolmogorov goodness-of-fit test is known to be conservative when the hypothesized distribution function is not continuous. A method for finding the exact critical level (approximate in the two-sided case) and the power in such cases is derived. Thus the Kolmogorov test may be used as an exact goodness-of-fit test for all completely specified distribution functions, whether continuous or not continuous. Several examples of the application of this extension of the Kolmogorov test are also included.
Managing the Volatility Risk of Investment Portfolios with Minimum-Volatility ETFs: A Long-Term Approach or a Period-Specific Investment Strategy?

A newcategory of exchange-traded funds, low-volatility ETFs, aim to use a combination of techniques to reduce risk in a portfolio while at the same time delivering levels of return comparable to the market. Launched in 2011, they have been touted as cleverly managed volatility strategies. This study thoroughly explores their effectiveness and ponders whether they should be construed as long-term managed volatility strategies or as period-specific solutions most effective only during periods of pronounced market turmoil. Examination of them over longer time periods shows that, overall, the long-term efficacy of low-volatility investing doesn’t stand up well to empirical evidence. While a few have managed volatility with various degrees of success, the same cannot be said of the returns delivered, as only two funds have been able to deliver returns that reflect those of the market. Estimating that this mixed performance relates to the fact that the market has yet to give them the opportunity to show their true value during periods of significant volatility, these investment strategies were also tested for 2008, the type of year for which they are seemingly best suited, in that case with strikingly favorable results.
Increased spectral dispersion via triple-quantum nuclear magnetic resonance

Abstract Triple-quantum proton resonance spectra were collected and assigned for several spin systems of common occurrence in organic compounds. The increased dispersion in the ω1 dimension allows one easily to resolve the CH3 signals in a mixture of CH3CH2CH2OH and CH3CH2CH2CHO.
snRNAs as the catalysts of pre-mRNA splicing

The spliceosome, the gigantic molecular machine that performs pre-mRNA splicing in eukaryotes, contains over 200 different proteins and five RNA molecules. The central role played by the spliceosomal RNAs in splicing has led to the hypothesis that, like the ribosome, the spliceosome is an RNA-centric enzyme and a relic from the RNA world. Recent structural studies have provided the first glimpses of the structural features of spliceosomal RNAs, and mutational analyses in vivo and in vitro have uncovered new functional roles for a catalytically essential domain. An emerging model for the active site of group II introns, a closely related class of natural ribozymes, is likely to provide a wealth of insights on structure and function of the active site of the spliceosome.
Hemoglobin-containing cells of Neodasys (Gastrotricha, Chaetonotida). I. Morphology and ultrastructure.

The overall anatomy of Neodasys as well as data for hemoglobin-containing cells are described. Hemoglobin-containing cells are shown to be mesodermal specializations constituting approximately 14% of the animal's total body volume (4.87 ± 104 μl). These globular cells (10-14 μm) are situated in two longitudinal rows, each dorsolateral to the straight gut. Branches from the cells enwrap perikarya of muscle and nerve cells whose mitochondria are found just below their respective plasmalemmata in intimate association with the hemoglobin-containing cells. The ground substance of the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm of these nearly organelle-free cells is extremely electron-dense and is presumed to represent the hemoglobin molecules. Locomotion analyses indicate that the cells can undergo a threefold change in linear dimension in 0.25 seconds, raising the possibility of convective mixing in these cells. Structural and ultrastructural comparisons with similar cells in adults of other species of Gastrotricha indicate that the hemoglobin-containing cells of Neodasys may be homologous to the socalled Y cells of other species, some of which contain myofilaments. A muscle-cell origin is considered for the evolution of hemoglobin-containing cells of Neodasys.
COMPACT: THE USE OF COMPUTER SCIENCE TO IMPROVE ACCOUNTING PEDAGOGY

Desirable improvements in college-level accounting pedagogy are now possible through the use of computer science technology that provides efficient student input using optical scanners or mark-sense cards and permits information retrieval using direct access storage devices. Optimum application of this technology requires that students receive error analyses capable of increasing their level of retained knowledge and that instructors receive output which identifies student strengths as well as emerging weaknesses. Instructor output should also provide data for statistical evaluation of class sections. We have developed the COMPACT system in attempting to meet these needs. Our article deleneates the minimum computer configuration as well as the one currently in use. We discuss the contents of student and instructor feedback. Through examples we show the role of the input error analysis routines and demonstrate the use and current limitations of these routines in their ability to provide algorithmic error analysis. We then illustrate a heuristic set which, under certain circumstances, is required to analyze multi-entry transactions occuring as subsets of student problem solution input. We conclude by indicating the probable extentions of our system both in terms of subject matter and computer hardware.
Tactile Skin Deformation Feedback for Conveying Environment Forces in Teleoperation

Teleoperated robots are used in a variety of applications. The immersive nature of the teleoperated experience is often limited by a lack of haptic information. However, in many applications there are difficulties conveying force information due to limitations in hardware fidelity and the inherent tradeoffs between stability and transparency. In situations where force feedback is limited, it is possible to use sensory substitution methods to convey this force information via other sensory modalities. We hypothesize that skin stretch feedback is a useful substitute for kinesthetic force feedback in force-sensitive teleoperated tasks. We created and tested a tactile device that emulates the natural skin deformation present during tool mediated manual interaction. With this device, experiment participants performed teleoperated palpation to determine the orientation of a stiff region in a surrounding artificial tissue using skin stretch, force, reduced gain force, graphic, or vibration feedback. Participants using skin stretch feedback were able to determine the orientation of the region as accurately as when using force feedback and significantly better than when using vibration feedback, but also exhibited higher interaction forces. Thus, skin stretch feedback may be useful in scenarios where force feedback is reduced or infeasible.
Study of Intra-Molecular Crosslinking of Polyacrylamide in Cr(III)-Polyacrylamide Gelation by Size-Exclusion Chromatography, Low-Angle Laser Light Scattering, and Viscometry

The application of crosslinked-polymer systems for permeability modification of petroleum reservoirs has received increasing attention in recent years. A crosslinked-polymer treatment, in general, involves an injection of a polymer solution into high-permeability zones or fractures which have been previously swept by the displacing fluid1. The polymer solution reacts, either before or after injection, to form a three-dimensional gel network which reduces the effective permeability of the invaded portions of the reservoir. Fluid subsequently injected is diverted to other, tighter regions of the formation, thereby improving overall volumetric sweep efficiency.
A knowledge representation technique for systems dealing with hardware configuration

A representation language combining the attributes of both rule-based systems and frame-based systems is discussed within the context of developing systems for computer hardware configuration. It is believed that the combination of these two common approaches to knowledge representation provides many advantages over the strict use of either of the two approaches alone.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Articular Cartilage

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has proven to be an accurate noninvasive method for the evaluation of articular cartilage [1–13], demonstrating morphologic changes as well as biochemical and structural changes. This chapter will concentrate on the morphologic imaging of articular cartilage and articular cartilage repair procedures using MR. Multiple MR pulse sequences have been used to evaluate the morphology of articular cartilage, but the most widely used clinically are proton density or T2-weighted fast spin-echo (FSE, TSE) sequences with or without fat suppression.
Parameterizing the natural fluorescence kinetics of Thalassiosira weissflogii

We examined variability in the natural fluorescence yield of a neritic diatom, Thalassiosira weissflogii, in continuous cultures. In this species, kinetics in natural fluorescence yield over time scales less than a photoperiod were characterized by sharp decreases, occurring at irradiance intensities that presumably coincide with the onset of nonphotochemical fluorescence quenching by interconvertible xanthophylls. The irradiance at which these decreases occurred, and the concomitant degree of quenching involved, varied systematically in these cultures as a function of dilution rate and irradiance intensity, independent of biomass. Similar diurnal kinetics in natural fluorescence yield were observed in phytoplankton assemblages in a coastal transition region in the Gulf of Alaska. An empirical parameterization was developed to quantify these diurnal kinetics in terms of the magnitude of this increased quenching and the irradiance at which it occurred, in order to track the behavior of these kinetics over longer time scales of days to weeks.
An iCRISPR Platform for Rapid, Multiplexable, and Inducible Genome Editing in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) offer a unique platform for elucidating the genes and molecular pathways that underlie complex traits and diseases. To realize this promise, methods for rapid and controllable genetic manipulations are urgently needed. By combining two newly developed gene-editing tools, the TALEN and CRISPR/Cas systems, we have developed a genome-engineering platform in hPSCs, which we named iCRISPR. iCRISPR enabled rapid and highly efficient generation of biallelic knockout hPSCs for loss-of-function studies, as well as homozygous knockin hPSCs with specific nucleotide alterations for precise modeling of disease conditions. We further demonstrate efficient one-step generation of double- and triple-gene knockout hPSC lines, as well as stage-specific inducible gene knockout during hPSC differentiation. Thus the iCRISPR platform is uniquely suited for dissection of complex genetic interactions and pleiotropic gene functions in human disease studies and has the potential to support high-throughput genetic analysis in hPSCs.
A Dietary Method to Correct a Gizzard Abnormality of Broilers

Abstract Commercial mixed-sex broilers were reared in cages and on the floor on new oak shavings. Diets fed were a basal diet, the basal diet plus 3% by weight of ground litter, and the basal diet plus 3% by weight of ground shavings. The temperature was maintained at 29° C. for the 8-week experiment period. Broilers reared in cages and given the basal diet had significantly lower gizzard weights, when expressed as a percentage of body weight, than the floor-reared broilers given the basal diet. The inclusion of 3% ground litter in the diet resulted in increased gizzard weight, but gizzard weight was not as great as for the floor-reared birds. The cage-reared broilers given the diet with 3% ground shavings had gizzard weights equal to or greater than the floor-reared broilers. Within each treatment, females had significantly higher gizzard weights than the males when expressed as a percentage of body weight.
Increasing Incidence of Nutritional Rickets: A Population-Based Study in Olmsted County, Minnesota

Objective To determine temporal trends in incidence and risk factors of nutritional rickets in a community-based population.
Tenascin-C, over expressed in lung cancer down regulates effector functions of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes.

Abstract Purpose: Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins play a significant role in the survival and metastasis of cancer cells. Tenascin-C (TN-C) is an extracellular matrix protein and its large isoform has been implicated in tumor progression. Goal of this study was to analyze the expression of the small and large isoforms of TN-C in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and determine its functional significance. Experimental design: TN-C expression was studied in tumor and non-tumor tissue of patients with NSCLC at the mRNA and protein level. Immunomodulatory properties of the large isoform of TN-C were analyzed by determining its effect on lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine secretion by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). Results: Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed an eight-fold increase in the amount of large isoform in cancer cells compared to adjacent normal tissue. Expression at the protein level by Western blot analysis using a murine monoclonal anti-TN-C antibody detected increased expression of the large isoform in the tumor tissue that was correlated with the development of recurrent disease. A 18-fold increase in the expression of the large TN-C isoform was observed in patients with recurrent NSCLC compared to non-recurrent NSCLC. Large isoform of TN-C significantly inhibited anti-CD3 and mitogen-induced proliferation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes and interferon-gamma production by TIL isolated from the lung cancer specimens. Conclusions: Increased expression of TN-C observed at the site of tumor in NSCLC correlates with recurrence. TN-C inhibits TIL proliferation and cytokine thereby may promote tumor immune evasion and recurrence.
Endothelial Cell Stimulation by Anti-CD9 Antibodies

The adhesion of neutrophils to endothelium is a fundamental early component of the inflammatory response. An understanding of adhesion events will enlarge our understanding of mechanisms involved in the inflammatory response.
Representing sea ice knowledge in a Dempster-Shafer belief system

The authors describe the sea ice knowledge acquisition and representation effort involved in an intelligent system called the Advanced Reasoning using Knowledge for Typing Of Sea Ice (ARKTOS) for satellite sea ice classification. ARKTOS first uses a segmentation technique to extract contiguous sea ice regions (features), then computes attributes of each feature, and finally applies an expert system to classify the features. To classify the features using an expert system, the authors obtained transcripts regarding the sea ice applications and domain through interviews with sea ice experts. A qualification process ensued to identify relevant attributes and to also provide a consistent reference for all rules. To enable the utility of the rules in a Dempster-Shafer belief system, each rule is also associated with a number that indicates how confident one feels about the assertions made by the rule if it is actually fired. Once fired, the belief system accumulates the evidence and handles conflicting hypotheses systematically to arrive at a classification of the feature. The authors' current implementation of ARKTOS facilitates improvement of the reasoning process by allowing expert users to evaluate and edit numerous aspects of the rules or sea ice knowledge conveniently. Presently, they have included a graphical user interface package to enable visual evaluation for such knowledge refinement. ARKTOS is able to classify ERS and RADARSAT sea ice imagery satisfactorily based on the current rule bases.
Prostacyclin for ischemic ulcers in peripheral arterial disease. A random assignment, placebo controlled study.

Abstract A 72 h infusion of prostacyclin or placebo was given into femoral artery as a treatment for ischemic ulcers in 30 patients with peripheral arterial disease. Patients were well matched for age, sex, type and localization of disease, rest pain, number and area of ulcers, calf blood flow and previous sympathectomies. They had no diabetes mellitus, gangrene or marked aorto-iliac involvement. Six weeks after the infusion there was a significant difference in ulcer area between the two groups /p 0.05, t paired test/. Thus, intra-arterial infusion of prostacyclin promotes healing of ischemic ulcers in non-diabetic patients with peripheral arterial disease without gangrene.
Identification of aquatic Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia by hybridization with species-specific rRNA gene probes.

Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia is a common environmental bacterium which can be pathogenic for plants and humans. In this study, four strategies were used to identify aquatic isolates: API test strips, hybridization with species-specific DNA probes for the 16S and 23S rRNA genes, fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles, and growth on selective medium (TB-T agar [C. Hagedorn, W. D. Gould, T. R. Bardinelli, and D. R. Gustarson, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 53:2265-2268, 1987]). Only 59% of the isolates identified as B. cepacia with the API test strips were confirmed as B. cepacia by using fatty acid profiles. The 23S rRNA probe generated a few false-positive results but dramatically underestimated the number of B. cepacia isolates (i.e., 40% of the colonies that did not hybridize to the probe were B. cepacia, as determined by FAME). The 16S rRNA probe generated more false-positive results than the 23S rRNA probe but was effective in identifying the majority of the B. cepacia isolates. The selective medium was only partially successful in recovering B. cepacia. Use of the B. cepacia-specific 16S rRNA probe was the most efficient and accurate way of identifying B. cepacia.
Preparation of mesoporous silica monoliths with ordered arrays of macrochannels templated from electric-field-oriented hydrogels.

The fabrication of ordered inorganic arrays of varying length scales and with multimodal porosities is of practical importance owing to their potential application in many areas of materials chemistry, including catalysis and separations science. A common approach to the controlled synthesis of this class of materials, first exploited in the synthesis of the MCM-41 family of molecular sieves, is to polymerize the inorganic phase around an organic template by using a sol–gel process. The organic phase is then removed by calcination leaving a void space that is a replica of the size, orientation, and arrangement in space of the template. By using multiple templates of different length scales, hierarchically porous inorganic structures containing various combinations of micro-, meso-, and macropores have been realized. We report herein the creation of a mesoporous silica monolith that contains oriented macroporous channels, which is achieved by the application of an electric field to a hydrogel template during polymerization and cross-linking. 9] To the best of our knowledge, this is first time an external electric field has been used to create ordered, hierarchical meso-/ macroporous silicate materials. The template matrix is created through the electrical alignment of a polyacrylamide hydrogel, which is accomplished by copolymerizing a mixture of acrylamide functionalized with immobiline and bisacrylamide in the presence of an electric field (60 Vcm ). The presence of this field creates interstitial voids of approximately 10 mm in diameter. The channel structure, which can be imaged through confocal microscopy, is present in the field-oriented hydrogel (Figure 1a), but is replaced by a disordered structure (Figure 1b) when no field is applied.
Mobile radio changes the pace of the nation

The purpose of this paper is to direct attention to the many uses of radio communication systems, some of them unusual and seldom heard of, and to show how organizations, through the use of radio, are better able to coordinate their activities and thus provide a quicker and more efficient service to the public.
Changes in Sonographically Measured Inferior Vena Caval Diameter in Response to Fluid Loading in Term Pregnancy

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine whether the inferior vena caval (IVC) diameter is influenced by intravascular volume changes in pregnancy. METHODS A prospective observational study was done on 2 groups of normal term gravidas. In 24 patients, we measured the IVC diameter, blood pressure, and heart rate (HR) before and after a 1-L fluid infusion in preparation for regional anesthesia, after initiation of an epidural block, and within 24 hours postpartum. In a second group of 15 women, we measured the IVC diameter sequentially during a 1-L crystalloid infusion. RESULTS In the first group, the mean baseline IVC diameter ± SD at end-inspiration was 1.45 ± 0.32 cm, which was 19% smaller than at end-expiration (1.73 ± 0.31 cm; P= .003). This respiratory cycle variation remained significant at each measurement epoch. The mean caval diameter at end-inspiration increased by 23% after the fluid bolus (P = .012). Hydration was not, however, accompanied by any significant change in the HR, mean arterial pressure, or collapsibility index of the inferior vena cava. With epidural anesthesia, the mean arterial pressure decreased from 88 ± 9 to 80 ± 7 mm Hg (P= .018), but the HR and collapsibility index remained unchanged. Postpartum values were not significantly different from their baseline measurements, except for the mean arterial pressure, which was lower by about 6 mm Hg (P = .042). In the second group, the IVC diameter at end-inspiration increased by 31% after the 1-L infusion, and there was a positive correlation between the volume infused and the IVC diameter (r= 0.67; P< .0001). CONCLUSIONS Measurable variations in the IVC diameter occur in response to volume changes in normal term pregnancy and postpartum.
Cultural Frame Switching and Emotion Among Mexican Americans

ABSTRACTRecent evidence indicates that bicultural individuals shift between interpretive frames rooted in different cultures in response to cues encountered in a given situation. The explanation for these shifts has been labeled cultural frame switching. The current research sought to investigate the effect of priming culture among Mexican Americans. Culture was primed by exposing either Mexican or American icons to Mexican Americans prior to the individuals completing an attribution task followed by completing questionnaires assessing emotion. Results revealed that participants primed with American icons reported fewer external attributions and less positive emotion than did participants primed with Mexican icons.