cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Millimeter Waves on Natural Killer Cell Activation

Millimeter wave therapy (MMWT) is being widely used for the treatment of many diseases in Russia and other East European countries. MMWT has been reported to reduce the toxic effects of chemotherapy on the immune system. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether millimeter waves (MMWs) can modulate the effect of cyclophosphamide (CPA), an anticancer drug, on natural killer (NK) cell activity. NK cells play an important role in the antitumor response. MMWs were produced with a Russian-made YAV-1 generator. The device produced modulated 42.2 +/- 0.2 GHz radiation through a 10 x 20 mm rectangular output horn. Mice, restrained in plastic tubes, were irradiated on the nasal area. Peak SAR at the skin surface and peak incident power density were measured as 622 +/- 100 W/kg and 31 +/- 5 mW/cm2, respectively. The maximum temperature elevation, measured at the end of 30 min, was 1 degrees C. The animals, restrained in plastic tubes, were irradiated on the nasal area. CPA injection (100 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally on the second day of 3-days exposure to MMWs. All the irradiation procedures were performed in a blinded manner. NK cell activation and cytotoxicity were measured after 2, 5, and 7 days following CPA injection. Flow cytometry of NK cells showed that CPA treatment caused a marked enhancement in NK cell activation. The level of CD69 expression, which represents a functional triggering molecule on activated NK cells, was increased in the CPA group at all the time points tested as compared to untreated mice. However, the most enhancement in CD69 expression was observed on day 7. A significant increase in TNF-alpha level was also observed on day 7 following CPA administration. On the other hand, CPA caused a suppression of the cytolytic activity of NK cells. MMW irradiation of the CPA treated groups resulted in further enhancement of CD69 expression on NK cells, as well as in production of TNF-alpha. Furthermore, MMW irradiation restored CPA induced suppression of the cytolytic activity of NK cells. Our results show that MMW irradiation at 42.2 GHz can up-regulate NK cell functions.
Start making sense: a three-tier approach to citizen journalism

This commentary considers citizen journalism emerging from the Syrian Civil War and argues that its usefulness is dependent on an “interpreter tier” of user-generated media analysts. In contrast to discourse celebrating more direct forms of citizen journalism, the piece emphasizes the importance of intermediary layers of meaning-making as the means by which complex fields of amateur information can be made intelligible. This “interpreter tier,” although often ignored in popular and scholarly discourse, takes on an increasingly important function as mainstream sources must increasingly rely on citizen materials produced in far off places.
Diurnal and seasonal variation in surface wind at Sita Eliya, Sri Lanka

Hourly measurements of surface winds at Sita Eliya (6° 58′ N, 80° 46′ E, 1860 m a.s.l.) located atop the North-South mountain ridge in Sri Lanka were analyzed to investigate the diurnal and seasonal variation in the wind climate. Surface winds are dominated by the monsoon regimes, with Northeasterlies from November to January, Southwesterlies from February to May and Westerlies and Northwesterlies from June to October. Through most of the year, the average wind speed is around 6–8 m/s. However from June to August, it is around 10–14 m/s. Wind in June is gusty due the location of the low-level Easterly jet over Sri Lanka. The wind undergoes a reversal in both zonal and meridional directions in March and November coincident with the migration of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone. Notwithstanding the period from May to September being designated as the Southwest monsoon, the wind is from West, South-West-West and North-North-West. During the Southwest monsoon, wind speed during the night is nearly as high as that during the day. This anomalous diurnal variation in wind speeds may be related to orographic influences. The high wind speeds at Sita Eliya, in conjunction with the moderate diurnal and seasonal variability in wind speed, is suitable for wind-energy generation.
Uniqueness of solutions of aH ∞ optimization problem and complex geometric convexity

We study uniqueness of an H∞ optimization problem which is central to the worst case frequency domain system design. It was known that if the so-called sublevel sets are strictly convex inC N, then the uniqueness holds. On the other hand, there are examples of non-uniqueness if the sublevel sets are just strictly pseudoconvex. In this paper we prove that uniqueness holds for a type of convexity which is strictly in-between geometric and pseudoconvexity.
Defining (and Denying) Diversity Through Interdistrict Choice

Interdistrict choice programs are among the few policy mechanisms that work against segregation and inequality in the United States, but little research has examined these. This qualitative study examines one collaborative, analyzing how stakeholders' understandings of the program's purpose influence program decisions. It involves document review, observations, and interviews (n = 65). Our analysis suggests that different rationales for “diversity” are driving implementation today than those that undergirded its inception. A shift to “instrumental” rationales limits systemic orientations toward regional inequity by narrowly defining diversity and, ultimately, denying access to many students of Color who apply to cross district boundaries.
The Value Profile: A Factor Analytic Study of Value Statements*

The Value Profile is a general purpose inventory of values developed for use in research on interpersonal relations. Eight hundred and seventy-two value statements were collected from tests of values, personality tests, theoretical treatments of values, and statements made by subjects in group discussions. A factor analysis of 143 items representing all value positions yielded four orthogonal factors: I, Acceptance of Authority; II, Need-determined Expression vs. Value-determined Restraint; III, Equalitarianism; and IV, Individualism. The underlying factor space seems to be congruent with that obtained by Morris, and others, and provides a means of relating existing theoretical classifications of value positions to each other.
Glucocorticoid Receptor/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 5 (STAT5) Interactions Enhance STAT5 Activation by Prolonging STAT5 DNA Binding and Tyrosine Phosphorylation

The regulation of casein gene expression by both PRL and glucocorticoids has been a well studied paradigm for understanding how the signaling pathways regulated by these two hormones interact in the nucleus. Previous studies have demonstrated that the downstream effectors of these pathways, signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), are associated via protein-protein interactions and act synergistically to enhance beta-casein gene transcription. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy was used to demonstrate that PRL-activated STAT5 can translocate GR into the nucleus, and that ligand-bound GR can translocate STAT5 into the nucleus. This provided further support of an interaction between the two proteins. To better understand the mechanism of transcriptional synergy between STAT5 and GR, experiments were performed in cells transiently transfected with STAT5 alone or with STAT5 and GR. GR cotransfection enhanced the DNA-binding activity of STAT5 without affecting STAT5 protein levels. The enhancement of STAT5 DNA binding by GR resulted in the formation of a complex that exhibited prolonged DNA binding after PRL treatment. This was correlated with increased STAT5 tyrosine phosphorylation, suggesting that GR enhances STAT5 DNA binding by modulating the rate of STAT5 dephosphorylation. In contrast, cotransfection of the estrogen receptor resulted in an overall decrease in STAT5 tyrosine phosphorylation, without changing the kinetics of dephosphorylation. Enhancement of STAT5 activity by GR is, therefore, one component of the transcriptional synergy exhibited by STAT5 and GR at the beta-casein promoter and is an example of how transcription factors at a composite response element may modulate each other's activity.
Real-time multi-processor-based robot control

This paper considers the real-time computational capability requirements of modern robot controllers. The control tasks are analyzed to obtain a lower bound on the number of mathematical operations required to generate the control signal. Then the stability of the sampled data control system is considered to estimate the maximum sample time based on stability. These bounds together with the analyses of the interprocessor communication channel bandwidth and the computation wordsize, a quantitative method of designing a (parallel or serial) computational structure for robot control is proposed. This analysis is applicable to a design utilizing custom VLSI or for a systolic array based system or a design with conventional discrete microprocessors.
A muon collider as a Higgs factory

Evidence from the LEP experiments for a Higgs boson at a mass of 115 GeV has recently been presented at CERN. The first muon collider would be the best accelerator at which to study such a Higgs boson. The cross section for direct Higgs production is much larger than the associated production with a Z, which is an advantage for the muon collider. The storage ring would be 350 meters in circumference with a luminosity of 2 /spl times/ 10/sup 31/ cm/sup 2/ s/sup -1/ and an energy spread of 0.0001 [/spl Delta/ E/E]. Feasibility studies for muon storage rings as neutrino factories have been undertaken. In addition, further R&D has been done on emittance exchange needed for longitudinal cooling at a high luminosity muon collider. Using the results of these R&D efforts, a new study to develop a muon collider Higgs factory is underway. The current status of this study will be presented.
Scanning electron microscopy of Toxoplasma gondii: parasite torsion and host-cell responses during invasion.

Scanning electron microscopy confirmed our previous finding that toxoplasmas actively invade mouse peritoneal cells that are inhibited from phagocytosis. The parasites entered cells with the conoid end first and sometimes showed a counter-clockwise torsion of the body during invasion. Counter-clockwise torsion was also noted in free toxoplasmas. Host-cell responses to active invasion varied with experimental conditions and with the type of host cell. Under adverse culture conditions for phagocytosis, normal macrophages formed rudimentary filopodia or lamellipodia around the tips of in vading toxoplasmas; macrophages subjected to hyperthermia before similar incubation with toxoplasmas showed little or no response to invasion. Normal and heat-treated lymphocytes showed little surface reaction to invasion, but occa ionally a flocculent collar was seen around the tip of an invading toxoplasma. Scanning electron microscopy provides clues to possil'e mechanisms of toxoplasma locomotion and host-cell invasion.
A reassessment of human cranial plasticity: Boas revisited

In 1912, Franz Boas published a study demonstrating the plastic nature of the human body in response to changes in the environment. The results of this study have been cited for the past 90 years as evidence of cranial plasticity. These findings, however, have never been critiqued thoroughly for their statistical and biological validity. This study presents a reassessment of Boas' data within a modern statistical and quantitative genetic framework. The data used here consist of head and face measurements on over 8,000 individuals of various European ethnic groups. By using pedigree information contained in Boas' data, narrow sense heritabilities are estimated by the method of maximum likelihood. In addition, a series of t tests and regression analyses are performed to determine the statistical validity of Boas' original findings on differentiation between American and European-born children and the prolonged effect of the environment on cranial form. Results indicate the relatively high genetic component of the head and face diameters despite the environmental differences during development. Results point to very small and insignificant differences between European- and American-born offspring, and no effect of exposure to the American environment on the cranial index in children. These results contradict Boas' original findings and demonstrate that they may no longer be used to support arguments of plasticity in cranial morphology.
Scoring Methods and Difficulty Levels for Cloze Tests of Proficiency in English as a Second Language.

tion of all language skills is the capacity to anticipate elements in sequence (Oller, 1971a).l This notion is by no means new, but it emphasizes the dynamic integration that takes place when generating elements within the confines of time. It suggests a model of language competence that includes a constantly adjusting element of expectancy which depends on transitional probabilities within and between the atomic and molecular units of discourse. It is this little understood element of expectancy which seems crucial to the successful production and interpretation of utterances. Since it seems likely that the cloze procedure-a method of test construction which consists of deleting words from prose-is apt to be an excellent device for testing this sort of expectancy, I predict that it will play an increasingly important role not only in the measurement of second-language proficiency, but also in experimental explorations into the mysteries of the human mind itself. These considerations constitute the major underlying motivation for the present study. The possibility of utilizing the cloze procedure as a measure of ESL (English as a Second Language) proficiency has recently aroused considerable interest. Studies by Darnell (1968), Bowen (1969), Kaplan and Jones (1970), Oller and Conrad (1971), and Oller and Inal (1971) have demonstrated that the cloze method has merit, but several important questions are yet unanswered. Among them are the matters of scoring and levelof-difficulty, and their respective contributions to the effectiveness of cloze tests as measures of ESL (English as a Second Language) proficiency. A still further and possibly more important question concerns the nature of the cloze task and the skills involved in performing it. Previous research has shown repeatedly that the best and most convenient method for scoring when native speakers are tested is simply to count the number of exact-words restored to the context (Taylor, 1953, Rankin, 1957, Ruddell, 1963, Bormuth, 1965). Although native speakers tend to get higher mean scores when acceptable substitutes are counted as correct, the increase in total test variance is so slight that the extra effort involved is scarcely worthwhile. It is considerably simpler to ask for each fill-in, "Does it match the original word?," than it is to ask, "Is this response contextually acceptable?" Moreover, scorers are likely to be less reliable in the latter
Climate Change and Human Population Dynamics

Mathematical models are frequently used to predict population trends in biologic systems, ecologic applications, as well as for human populations. Most commonly these models are developed for static conditions for stable population trends that reflect the carrying capacity of the system under study. In this study we extend this concept to the analysis of dynamic carrying capacity of earth systems as these limits may change as a time-dependent function of the external stresses that are imposed on the system. It is anticipated that this would represent a typical case for environmental systems where the carrying capacity of the system is a function of future climatic conditions. This question was tackled in the literature qualitatively, indicating that sustainable population levels may collapse in view of adverse climatic conditions. In this study a model of this type is proposed and the stability conditions of world population are evaluated quantitatively for some scenarios. The outcome observed is that within the projected temperature increase ranges of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) studies (1–6 ∘C) the carrying capacity stability levels of world population will be mostly maintained albeit at much lower levels than present. However, for temperature increase scenarios close to and beyond ∼6 ∘C the world population may lose its stability characteristics, in which case drastic changes in population levels are expected. These quantitative observations indicate the urgency of imposing controls over increasing temperatures worldwide.
Cyclic nucleotides can induce luteinizing hormone receptor in cultured granulosa cells

FSH promotes the appearance of LH receptor on granulosa cells during the late stages of their differentiation. The mechanisms by which FSH induces LH receptor are not known, but intracellular cAMP has been implicated. To determine if the induction of LH receptor by FSH might be mediated by cAMP, agents that elevate intracellular cyclic nucleotides were added to cultured granulosa cells. Increasing concentrations of 8-bromo-cAMP (8-Br-cAMP; 0.05–10 mM), 8-bromo-cGMP (8-Br-cGMP; 0.05–10 mM), or cholera toxin (1 × 10-3 to 1 × 106 ng/ml) were added to the cells at the initiation of culture. The LH receptor content and the concentration of progesterone were measured at various times up to 72 h. Each of the agents induced LH receptor, although only cholera toxin was as effective as optimal concentrations of FSH,8-Br-cAMP (2 mM),8-Br-cGMP (2 mM), and cholera toxin (100 ng/ml) were maximally effective in inducing receptor. Seventy two hours were required for maximal receptor induction with each of the agents. In ...
Robust stability of discrete linear systems in presence of a small parameter

In this paper we consider a family of discrete linear systems in the presence of a small parameter. When the small parameter vanishes the degree of the corresponding characteristic polynomials drops. Necessary and sufficient computationally tractable stability conditions for the family of characteristic polynomials are provided. >
Will Teachers Receive Higher Student Evaluations by Giving Higher Grades and Less Course Work

This study investigated whether mean expected grades and the level of difficult/workload in courses, as reported by students, unduly influence student ratings instruction. Over 50,000 college courses whose teachers used the Student Instructional Report II were analyzed. In addition to the two primary independent variables, the regression analyses included 8 subject area groupings and controlled for such factors as class size, teaching method, and student perceived learning outcomes in the course. Learning outcomes had a large positive effect on student evaluations of instructions, as it should. After controlling for learning outcomes, expected grades generally did not affect student evaluations. In fact, contrary to what some faculty think, courses in natural sciences with expected grades of A were rated lower, not higher. Courses were rated lower when they were rated as either difficult or too elementary. Courses rated at the “just right” level received the highest evaluations.
Creep studies for zircaloy life prediction in water reactors

Zirconium alloys, commonly used as cladding tubes in water reactors, undergo complex biaxial creep deformation. The anisotropic nature of these metals makes it relatively complex to predict their dimensional changes in-reactor. These alloys exhibit transients in creep mechanisms as stress levels change. The underlying creep mechanisms and creep anisotropy depend on the alloy composition as well as the thermomechanical treatment. The anisotropic biaxial creep of cold-worked and recrystallized Zircaloy-4 in terms of Hill’s generalized stress formulation is described, and the temperature and stress dependencies of the steady-state creep rate are reviewed. Predictive models that incorporate anelastic strain are used for transient and transients in creep.
Quantification of Brittle Deformation in Burial Compaction, Frio and Mount Simon Formation Sandstones

ABSTRACT Brittle deformation, together with grain rearrangement and ductile grain deformation, is a key mechanism of compaction in sandstones. Quartz cementation, by virtue of its impact on sandstone mechanical properties, is expected to affect the compaction progress by these various mechanisms. Sandstone samples of different ages and compositions, taken from two basins with contrasting burial histories, are used to quantify the relationship between brittle deformation and quartz cementation in the context of burial compaction. Exponential trends of increasing deformation by microfracturing are observed in both the lithic-rich Frio Formation from the Gulf of Mexico basin (r2 = 0.81) and in the quartz-rich Mount Simon Formation from the Illinois basin (r2 = 0.78). The two formations contrast in terms of the observed rate of grain fracture increase with depth. A larger number of quartz grains in the Mount Simon Formation undergo fracturing at shallow burial ( 3 km) a larger number of quartz grains are fractured in the Frio sandstones. Cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging conducted on an SEM shows that grain fracturing and subsequent cementation of fractures by quartz can occur before, during, and after normal quartz overgrowth precipitation, although fracturing is generally concurrent with cementation. The intensity of brittle deformation for a single fractured grain is independent of depth, as illustrated by plotting the ratio of the number of particles in fractured grains versus depth (r2 = 0.21 for Frio and 0.03 for Mount Simon), suggesting that, once fractured, grains do not tend to become the locus of subsequent fracturing. Apparent fracture apertures in the Frio grains are slightly wider (average 5 µm) than in Mount Simon grains (average measurable aperture width 4 µm). Quartz grains in the Frio have a variety of fracture morphologies, including wedge-shaped apertures, intense comminution at grain contacts, and grains with exploded fabrics. Apparent fracture apertures in Mount Simon grains are thinner and transect grains as straight, uniform traces. Differences in fracture intensity and pattern are attributed to the fact that cementation in the Frio began at greater depth than cementation in the Mount Simon. Combining information on the degree of brittle deformation and the amount of quartz cement localized within microfractures (here referred to as Cf or volume of intragranular cement) allows calculation of the amount that brittle deformation influences compaction. In the Frio Formation, 0.12 to 8.37% of porosity loss due to compaction can be attributed to brittle deformation, whereas the values for the Mount Simon Formation lie between 0.25 to 2.16%. The larger values within both formations are affiliated with deeper samples in which a majority of grains manifest fracturing.
MODERN RNAV PROCEDURE DESIGN CAPABILITIES

The demand for safe and useful procedures is increasing in the National Airspace Sy stem (NAS) to meet the needs of airlines and Air Traffic (AT) service providers. Area navigation (RNAV) and Required Navigational Performance (RNP) capabilities within the U.S. air carrier fleet continue to increase as airlines retire older aircraft and r eplace them with new more capable ones . Utilization of these avionics capabilities to execute new procedures is essential for more efficient use of airspace and as an enabler of op erational benefits . During the past three years , there has been a collabor ative effort by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), airli nes, and industry to develop new procedures for the terminal area. As part of this effort, The MITRE Corporation's Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD) worked with stakehol ders to capture the process for the design and development of procedures . Lessons learned have been incorporate d as more FAA facilities have used the process . The process has gained wider acceptance am ong stakeholders and has become the preferred guideli nes for procedure development with the primary benefits of fewer mistakes, less rework, and reduced time for implementation. Tools and automation , when strategically incorporated as part of the process, are a key method for workload reduction, elimination of paper, and elimination of inter -organizational stovepipes. This paper discusses a collaborative RNAV procedure tool developed by CAASD for the FAA and industry called Terminal Area Route Generation, Evaluation, and Traffic Simulati on (TARGETS) . The TARGETS application combines the science , engineering , and best business practices needed for procedure design. The functionality of TARGETS include s a geographic information system (GIS) tailored to procedure design, flyability assessment, protected airs pace surface generation, obstacle assessment, noise assessment, seamless data exchange with centralized databases and other applications , and simulation of t he operational environment. This paper discusses the role of each of these capabilities and relate d technical issues within the context of RNAV procedure development.
Fluorescent silica colloids for study and visualization of skin care products.

Background: The efficacy of skin care products depends on the time and dynamics of their absorbance by the skin, and its spatial distribution on the skin. Regular scrapebased methods may depend on the operator and are destructive and invasive in nature. Here, we describe a novel method based on non-contact optical measurements to trace the location and dynamics of skin care products on the skin. Methods: We use fluorescent silica colloidal particles of micron sizes at a rather small concentration as non-invasive tracers. As an example of skin care products, we use two base materials: either glycerin or vaseline. A mixture of each product with fluorescent particles is applied on human skin. The amount of fluorescence is monitored by means of a fluorescent spectrometer. The scraping method is used to compare with the spectroscopic measurements. Results: Fluorescent tracers make the skin care product visible under UV light. This allows obtaining an optical image of the spatial distribution of the product on the skin. The quantitative data of fluorescence are well correlated with the scrape data. Comparison of the difference in the spectral and scraped mass data reveals the details of accumulation of the skin products in skin cracks and crevices. Conclusion: We described an efficient non-invasive benign method to quantify dynamics and to perform mapping of emollients and humectants on the skin.
Short and Ultrashort TE Imaging of Cartilage and Fibrocartilage

By using short and ultrashort TE imaging, it is possible to visualize the deep layers of articular cartilage. Fibrocartilage can also be seen in the meniscus, intervertebral disc, temporomandibular joint, triangular fibrocartilage complex, and entheses. The magic angle effect can be used to create contrast between different short T2/T2* components. The techniques reveal a detailed structure that has not been seen previously with MR imaging. Keywords: MRI; musculoskeletal; osteoarthritis; degenerative joint disease; meniscus; intervertebral disc; tendon; ligament; enthesis; temporomandibular joint
Using Dependency Tracking to Provide Explanations for Policy Management

Explanations for decisions made by a policy framework allow end users to understand how the results were obtained, increase trust in the policy decision and enforcement process, and enable policy administrators to ensure the correctness of the policy. In our framework, an explanation for any statement including a policy decision is a representation of the list of reasons (known as dependencies) associated with its derivation. Dependency tracking involves maintaining the list of reasons (statements and rules) for the derivation of a new statement. In this paper, we describe our policy approach that (i) provides explanations for policy decisions, (ii) provides more efficient and expressive reasoning through the use of nested sub-rules and goal direction, and (Hi) is grounded in semantic Web technologies. We discuss the characteristics of our approach and provide a brief overview of the AIR policy language that implements it. We also discuss how relevant explanation information is identified and presented to end users and describe our preliminary graphical user interface.
Cloning, Characterization, and Transcription of Three Laccase Genes from Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, the Take-All Fungus

Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, a filamentous ascomycete, is an important root pathogen of cereals that causes take-all disease and results in severe crop losses worldwide. Previously we identified a polyphenol oxidase (laccase) secreted by the fungus when induced with copper. Here we report cloning and partial characterization of three laccase genes (LAC1, LAC2, and LAC3) from G. graminis var. tritici. Predicted polypeptides encoded by these genes had 38 to 42% amino acid sequence identity and had conserved copper-binding sites characteristic of laccases. The sequence of the LAC2 predicted polypeptide matched the N-terminal sequence of the secreted laccase that we purified in earlier studies. We also characterized expression patterns of these genes by reverse transcription-PCR. LAC1 was transcribed constitutively, and transcription of LAC2 was Cu inducible. All three genes were transcribed in planta; however, transcription of LAC3 was observed only in planta or in the presence of host (wheat) plant homogenate.
Explaining the Support for Homeownership Policy in US Cities: A Political Economy Perspective

Local officials in the US often extol the virtues of homeownership. Public proclamations about homeownership are frequent from these officials and echo many of the claims made by federal policy makers. While the federal government has promoted and funded policy to increase homeownership for decades, little is known about the level of financial support devoted to homeownership at the local level or the reasons for any variation in support among cities. This research examines the attitudes of city mayors about local policies and homeownership and investigates explanations for support of homeownership policy. In doing so, the research uses a public choice framework to explore the effects of inter-city competition and other factors on local housing policy making. Using data from surveys of city mayors and professional staff, as well as US Census data, this research finds that high levels of competition are associated with higher levels of support for homeownership. Furthermore, the results suggest that homeow...
Remote Sensing of Coastal Plumes and Ocean Fronts: Overview and Case Study

Abstract Coastal plumes, which carry run-off from land, influence the circulation patterns and ecology of nearby coastal areas, causing eutrophication, turbidity, and spread of harmful pollutants. They can be observed along many coasts. Estuarine and ocean fronts result when denser water under-rides lighter water giving rise to an inclined interface and a strong convergence at the surface, which can concentrate phytoplankton and pollutants. To detect and map fronts and plumes, remote sensors exploit their differences in turbidity, color, temperature, or salinity from ambient background water. The most effective remote sensing techniques for observing coastal plumes and estuarine/ocean fronts are reviewed. Studies are presented, which use data from multispectral and hyperspectral imagers, thermal infrared (TIR) radiometers, microwave radiometers, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). Mounted on satellites and aircraft, these sensors provide the spatial/temporal resolution and coverage needed for tracking plu...
Transplantation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell–Derived Alveolar Epithelial Type II Cells Abrogates Acute Lung Injury in Mice

Respiratory diseases are a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Current treatments offer no prospect of cure or disease reversal. Transplantation of pulmonary progenitor cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) may provide a novel approach to regenerate endogenous lung cells destroyed by injury and disease. Here, we examine the therapeutic potential of alveolar type II epithelial cells derived from hESCs (hES-ATIICs) in a mouse model of acute lung injury. When transplanted into lungs of mice subjected to bleomycin (BLM)-induced acute lung injury, hES-ATIICs behaved as normal primary ATIICs, differentiating into cells expressing phenotypic markers of alveolar type I epithelial cells. Without experiencing tumorigenic side effects, lung injury was abrogated in mice transplanted with hES-ATIICs, demonstrated by recovery of body weight and arterial blood oxygen saturation, decreased collagen deposition, and increased survival. Therefore, transplantation of hES-ATIICs shows promise as an effective therapeutic to treat acute lung injury.
Dual-isotope (In-111/Tc-99m) SPECT: noise and artifact reduction with an analytic attenuation correction method

Noise and artifacts may reduce lesion delectability in dual-isotope (Tc-99m/In-111) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies. The effects of attenuation can lead to artifacts near high-activity structures, e.g., the liver, spleen, kidneys, or urinary bladder. Without effective attenuation correction, these artifacts may reduce diagnostic utility. This study compares three processing methods: 1) zeroth-order Chang's (1978) attenuation correction (ZOCAC) with three-dimensional (3-D) Butterworth filtering; 2) quasi-optimal attenuation correction (QOAC) with 3-D Butterworth filtering; and 3) QOAC with a new adaptive filter. A physical phantom is used to determine effective attenuation coefficients to use with Tc-99m and with In-111. Computer simulation studies are used to optimize the parameters of the filters and to compare the three processing methods using bias versus variance plots. The results indicate that QOAC and the adaptive filter both improve the bias-variance tradeoff. Differences between the ZOCAC and the QOAC reconstructions are seen in clinical studies. QOAC noticeably reduces artifacts which have artificially low activity concentration near high-activity structures, e.g., near the urinary bladder and great vessels in Tc-99m labeled red blood cell images. QOAC, combined with the new adaptive filter, holds promise for improving Tc-99m/In-111 SPECT reconstructions.
Attitudes Toward Clothing of Elderly Men

Individuals use clothing to foster self-esteem and to assist in social encounters. Daily choice of personal attire remains one way by which elderly individuals in institutions may express feelings ...
Social Work Practice with Ethnically and Racially Diverse Nursing Home Residents and Their Families

In Social Work Practice with Ethnically and Racially Diverse Nursing Home Residents and Their Families, the unique characteristics and needs of ethnically diverse nursing home residents are well la...
Significance of rate of onset in impact injury evaluation

The concept of rate of onset as an injury potential index is critically discussed through the analysis of a wide range of noninjurious whole body decelerations and localized impacts. Examination of the physical data shows that extremely high rates of onset are tolerable without injury and that these levels of rate of onset are reciprocally dependent on the pulse rise time. The physical data is next discussed with reference to existing acceleration injury criteria, specifically the GSI and HIC indices. This work substantiates the conclusions that a single rate of onset tolerance level is not warranted and that rate of onset is not a proven injury potential index.
Using Part-Of Relations for Discovering Causality

Historically, causal markers, syntactic structures and connectives have been the sole identifying features for automatically extracting causal relations in natural language discourse. However various connectives such as “and,” prepositions such as “as” and other syntactic structures are highly ambiguous in nature, and it is clear that one cannot solely rely on lexico-syntactic markers for detection of causal phenomenon in discourse. This paper introduces the theory of granularity and describes different approaches to identify granularity in natural language. As causality is often granular in nature, we use granularity relations to discover and infer the presence of causal relations in text. We compare this with causal relations identified using just causal markers. We achieve a precision of 0.91 and a recall of 0.79 using granularity for causal relation detection, as compared to a precision of 0.79 and a recall of 0.44 using pure causal markers for causality detection.
Decimalization And Market Quality

This paper uses a new data base to examine the impact of decimalization on market quality, payment for order flow, and member profits. I examine changes in these measures following the adoption of decimalization by the Toronto Stock Exchange. The data base employed lists the identities of each party to trade as well as the purpose of the trade. I find that, as predicted, execution costs reduce for low priced and high volume stocks. Also, consistent with predictions is a reduction in market depth. Although direct payment for order flow is not allowed in Canada, another form of it is allowed - internalization. I am able to identify those trades that have been internalized against a member's inventory account. Recent theoretical academic papers argue that decimalization will eliminate payment for order flow. I find that decimalization has a negligible impact on internalization. With respect to member profits, I find that decimalization has a negligible impact on trading profits, and may also result in higher commission profits.
Experience of Limb Lengthening

Results and problems in 14 cases of tibial lengthening were investigated.Patients such as poliomyelitis, congenital dislocation of the hip and osteomyelitis from 10 to 15 years old were operated on by Z or horizontal osteotomy. All but one were lengthened gradually using distraction apparatus (Katayama-Hirakawa). The average gain was 12.2 per cent of the initial length of the tibia. The results were classified as follows; 9 excellent, 2 good and 3 poor, we regarded genu valgum and axial displacement as severe complications.Genu valgum seems to occur by1) descent of the fibular head.2) muscular imbalance.3) adduction contracture of the hip joint.4) medial protrusion of the axis.The prevention of genu valgum is difficult but it'll be possible to avoid the axial displacement by inserting the pins correctly and by device of the pin itself.
Nonintrusive Continuum Sensitivity Analysis for Aerodynamic Shape Optimization

Continuum Sensitivity Analysis (CSA) provides an analytic method to obtain derivatives of structural and fluid responses. The primary advantages of the presented local formulation are that analytic derivatives are computed and mesh sensitivity is avoided. With the use of Spatial Gradient Reconstruction technique, it has been shown that nonintrusive implementation of CSA is possible for structural systems. In the current work, we extend this to fluid systems. The specific requirements of a computational fluid dynamics solver for such a nonintrusive implementation are described in detail. Derivatives of flow variables have been calculated using CSA for two examples, (a) flow in a lid-driven cavity, and (b) subsonic-supersonic isentropic flow through a convergent divergent nozzle. The corresponding sensitivity equations and boundary conditions are derived.
Louis Houck: Opponent and Imitator of Jay Gould

History has recorded many instances where inconspicuous competitive units have achieved success in opposing mighty combinations of power. The thesis has been voiced that even in periods of wildest competition the small businessman has not been entirely hapless. His size has been a political asset, and very early he learned to exploit that asset to the utmost. Louis Houck, the Missouri railroader, played the part of David; his Goliath was none other than Jay Gould. Houck not only made capital of his economic vulnerability, but boldly employed the very tactics for which the public was condemning his formidable adversary.
Identification and Characterization of Acidic Hydrolases with Chitinase and Chitosanase Activities from Sweet Orange Callus Tissue

Acidic chitinases (EC 3.2.1.14) were isolated and characterized from 4-week-old nonembryogenic Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck cv 'Valencia' callus tissue. The enzymes were purified using size exclusion, anion exchange, and chromatofocusing HPLC techniques. Eleven isoforms were isolated with M(r)s between 26,000 and 37,400. Eight of the isoforms were purified to homogeneity, and all but one cross-reacted with a polyclonal antibody raised against a basic class I potato leaf chitinase. The isoelectric points (determined by chromatofocusing) were from pH 4.5 to 5.4. All hydrolases degraded chitin and four were capable of hydrolyzing solubilized shrimp shell chitosan suggesting they may be chitosanases (EC 3.2.1.99). Apparent chitosanase activity generally decreased with decreasing acetylation of the chitosan (i.e. from 20% to 0% acetylation). The chitinases and chitinases/chitosanases are predominantly endochitinases. Chitosanase activity was optimal at pH 5 while the pH optimum for chitinase activity ranged between pH 3.5 and 5.5. The chitinases and chitinases/chitosanases were stable up to 60 degrees C and showed their highest enzyme activity at that temperature. N-terminal sequences were obtained on three of the isoforms. One of the isoforms was identified as a class II chitinase and the other two as class III chitinases.
Arachnology: scavenging by brown recluse spiders.

The brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) is a threat to humans and establishes huge populations in urban habitats throughout central North America1,2 — more than 2,000 of these spiders were recorded in a single house in Kansas3. What do these spiders eat in order to build and maintain such numbers? Here I combine laboratory prey-choice experiments with observations of the behaviour of L. reclusa in houses to show that this spider prefers dead, scavenged prey over live prey. This finding may explain how immense populations of these spiders can flourish even in adverse conditions.
Skepticism and Dogma in the White House: Jimmy Carter’s Theory of Governing

Dogma and skepticism are not necessarily universal tendencies to be applied regardless of subject. It is possible to be skeptical about some things and dogmatic about others. Indeed, unless dogma is to become utter rigidity, and skepticism sheer disbelief, there must be some combination that varies by object and degree — one trusts science more than astrology, family more than statesmen. There are contexts in which skepticism may be misplaced. Perhaps there are even experiments showing that assuming a posture of scientific skepticism toward loved ones (“How are your” “What do you mean exactly?”) is counterproductive (though some relationships may last as long as an hour under this onslaught). It is important, therefore, to differentiate the object of skepticism and the degree of dogma.
Treatment of infection after total knee arthroplasty by débridement with retention of the components.

Thirty-one total knee arthroplasties were followed by infection in twenty-seven patients who were subsequently treated with debridement, retention of the components, and intravenous administration of antibiotics. The results were reviewed retrospectively in an effort to evaluate the function of the prostheses that had been salvaged successfully and to identify the causes of failure of those around which an infection had recurred. At the most recent follow-up (average duration, 8.8 years), infection had recurred around twenty-four (77 per cent) of the thirty-one arthroplasties. Seven knees (23 per cent) remained free of infection. Function remained satisfactory, although revision was subsequently needed in two knees for reasons other than infection. One cause of failure was the duration of the infection before debridement. This averaged twenty-one days for the seven knees in which the prosthetic arthroplasty had been salvaged and thirty-six days for the twenty-four knees in which treatment had failed. Another cause of failure was the type of organism: Staphylococcus aureus had caused the infection in fourteen (58 per cent) of the twenty-four knees in which the treatment failed but in only two of the seven knees in which the prosthetic arthroplasty was salvaged. In addition, eight infections in the first group were resistant to penicillin, whereas both infections in the second group were sensitive to penicillin. The four infections with gram-negative organisms in the series were all in knees in which the treatment failed. All six hinged prostheses that were used failed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Angiographic embolisation of a ruptured renal artery aneurysm in a primigravida during the first trimester.

Renal artery aneurysm (RAA) rupture during pregnancy is a rare event, carries a high morbidity and mortality rate for both mother and foetus (Nakamura et al. 2013), and is known that almost all cas...
The effects of dynamic airway photographs on preoperative airway planning among a panel of anesthetists.

Abstract Study objective To determine whether having preoperative airway photographs will change the preanesthetic airway plan. Design Questionnaire. Setting American academic medical center (Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston MA). Subjects Twenty-five test subjects (American Society of Anesthesiologists 1-4) were enrolled to have their preoperative airway photographs taken as well as to have a customary preoperative history and physical examination. In addition, 15 anesthetists were enrolled to review the subjects' preoperative history, physical examination, and preoperative airway photographs. Measurements All 15 anesthetists were asked to fill out a survey for airway management for each test subject. Main results All 15 anesthetists completed the survey. Across all providers, plans were changed a median of 24% (95% confidence interval [CI], 12.7-38.6). Among attending anesthesiologists, airway management plans were changed 30% of the time (95% CI, 12.4-40.0), whereas among nonattending level providers, plans changed 24% of the time (95% CI, 12.0-38.8). χ 2 Tests found no difference between the percent change of airway plans between attending and nonattending level providers ( P =.306). Conclusions Our findings suggest that the addition of dynamic airway photographs to preoperative airway reports affects airway management plans among a variety of anesthesia care providers. In general, dynamic airway photographs can aid preoperative airway management planning.