cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Culturally Responsive Secondary Education: Exploring Cultural Differences through Existential Pedagogy.

Around the world, the twenty-first-century secondary classroom is based on growing cultural diversity. Educators that employ a culturally responsive curriculum with a proposed framework of existent...
Synthesis and in vitro pharmacological studies of new C(2) modified salvinorin A analogues.

Abstract Salvinorin A is the most potent naturally occurring opioid agonist yet discovered with high selectivity and affinity for κ-opioid receptor. To explore its structure and activity relationships, a series of salvinorin A derivatives modified at the C(2) position were prepared and studied. These salvinorin A derivatives were screened for binding and functional activities at the human κ-opioid receptor. Compound 4, containing a methoxymethyl group at the 2-position, was a full κ-agonist with an EC50 value at 0.6 nM, which is about 7 times more potent than salvinorin A.
Functional characterization of SMN evolution in mouse models of SMA

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a monogenic neurodegenerative disorder and the leading genetic cause of infantile mortality. While several functions have been ascribed to the SMN (survival motor neuron) protein, their specific contribution to the disease has yet to be fully elucidated. We hypothesized that some, but not all, SMN homologues would rescue the SMA phenotype in mouse models, thereby identifying disease-relevant domains. Using AAV9 to deliver Smn homologs to SMA mice, we identified a conservation threshold that marks the boundary at which homologs can rescue the SMA phenotype. Smn from Danio rerio and Xenopus laevis significantly prevent disease, whereas Smn from Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Schizosaccharomyces pombe was significantly less efficacious. This phenotypic rescue correlated with correction of RNA processing defects induced by SMN deficiency and neuromuscular junction pathology. Based upon the sequence conservation in the rescuing homologs, a minimal SMN construct was designed consisting of exons 2, 3, and 6, which showed a partial rescue of the SMA phenotype. While a significant extension in survival was observed, the absence of a complete rescue suggests that while the core conserved region is essential, additional sequences contribute to the overall ability of the SMN protein to rescue disease pathology.
Tackling Achilles' Heel in Synthetic Biology: Pairing Intracellular Synthesis of Noncanonical Amino Acids with Genetic-Code Expansion to Foster Biotechnological Applications

For the last two decades, synthetic biologists have been able to unlock and expand the genetic code, generating proteins with unique properties through the incorporation of noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs). These evolved biomaterials have shown great potential for applications in industrial biocatalysis, therapeutics, bioremediation, bioconjugation, and other areas. Our ability to continue developing such technologies depends on having relatively easy access to ncAAs. However, the synthesis of enantiomerically pure ncAAs in practical quantitates for large-scale processes remains a challenge. Biocatalytic ncAA production has emerged as an excellent alternative to traditional organic synthesis in terms of cost, enantioselectivity, and sustainability. Moreover, biocatalytic synthesis offers the opportunity of coupling the intracellular generation of ncAAs with genetic-code expansion to overcome the limitations of an external supply of amino acid. In this minireview, we examine some of the most relevant achievements of this approach and its implications for improving technological applications derived from synthetic biology.
Strategic Convergence Bidding in Nodal Electricity Markets: Optimal Bid Selection and Market Implications

Convergence bidding (CB), a.k.a., virtual bidding (VB), is a market mechanism facilitated by Independent System Operators (ISOs) in wholesale electricity markets to help lower the gap between the prices in the day-ahead market (DAM) and prices in the real-time market (RTM). In this paper, we seek to answer two questions: 1) how can a strategic market participant maximize its profit when submitting CBs? 2) how can such strategically placed CBs affect the price gaps? Answering these questions is not straightforward but the results are insightful. The bidding problem in this context is a bi-level optimization, where the upper-level is about maximizing the profit for the convergence bidder and the lower-level is the economic dispatch problem. By solving the formulated bidding problem, we investigate the impact of strategic CBs on the DAM and RTM locational marginal prices (LMPs) under various practical scenarios. We demonstrate the scenarios under which a strategic CB, whether on its own, or when it is submitted jointly with a physical demand or physical supply bid, can or cannot work as intended, and result in decreasing or increasing the price gap in nodal electricity markets. We also examine how the performance of strategic CBs can be affected by uncertainty in demand or generation bids as well as physical contingencies in the power system, such as transmission line tripping. Special cases, such as net-zero convergence bidding are studied. The long-term performance of strategic convergence bidding is investigated. The above and other market implications are discussed in multiple case studies.
Cause for Concern or Cause for Celebration?: Did Bostock v. Clayton County establish a new mixed motive theory for Title VII cases and make it easier for plaintiffs to prove discrimination claims?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against an employee “because of” race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This seems simple enough, but if an employer makes an adverse employment decision partly for an impermissible reason and partly for a permissible reason, i.e., if the employer acts with a mixed motive, has the employer acted “because of” the impermissible reason? No, according to Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc. and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center v. Nassar, cases where the Supreme Court of the United States effectively held that proving that an employer acted “because of” an impermissible reason requires proving “but for” causation, which means proving that the employer acted “solely because of” an impermissible reason. This is very difficult to do as evidenced by this quote from a United States Senator who participated in the debates surrounding the enactment of Title VII: “If anyone ever had an action that was motivated by a single cause, he is a different kind of animal from any I know of.” On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court decided Bostock v. Clayton County and held that an employer that terminates an employee because the employee is gay or transgender violates Title VII’s prohibition against sex discrimination. But that is not all Bostock did. At several points in the opinion, the Court said that a Title VII plaintiff proves that her employer acted “because of” an impermissible reason and proves “but for” causation even in cases where the employer acted with a mixed motive, so long as an impermissible reason was one of those motives, and the impermissible reason was decisive. Bostock thus departed from Gross and Nassar in its framing of what “but for” causation means in Title VII cases. This article posits that Bostock articulated a new mixed motive theory that allows a Title VII plaintiff to prove “but for” causation in cases where the employer acted partly for an impermissible reason and partly for a permissible reason so long as the impermissible reason was decisive. Under this view of Bostock, it is now easier for a plaintiff whose employer acted with a mixed motive to prove “but for” causation and receive the full panoply of Title VII remedies.
Novel temporal and spatial patterns of metastatic colonization from rapid-autopsy tumor biopsies

Background: Metastatic breast cancer is a deadly disease with a low 5-year survival rate. Tracking metastatic spread in living patients is difficult, and thus poorly understood. Results: Via rapid autopsy, we have collected 30 tumor samples over 3 timepoints and across 8 organs from a triple-negative metastatic breast cancer patient. The large number of sites sampled, together with deep whole genome sequencing and advanced computational analysis, allowed us to comprehensively reconstruct the tumor9s evolution at subclonal resolution. The most unique, previously not reported aspect of the tumor9s evolution we observed in this patient was the presence of "subclone incubators", i.e. already metastatic sites where substantial tumor evolution occurred before colonization of additional sites and organs by subclones that evolved at the incubator site. Overall, we identified four discrete waves of metastatic expansions, each of which resulted in a number of new, genetically similar metastasis sites that also enriched for particular organs (e.g. abdominal vs bone and brain). The lung played a critical role in facilitating metastatic spread in this patient: the lung was the first site of metastatic escape from the primary breast lesion; subclones at this site were the source of all four subsequent metastatic waves; and multiple sites in the lung acted as subclone incubators. Finally, functional annotation revealed that many known driver or metastasis-promoting tumor mutations in this patient were shared by some, but not all metastatic sites, highlighting the need for more comprehensive surveys of a patient9s metastases for effective clinical intervention. Conclusions: Our analysis revealed the presence of substantial tumor evolution at metastatic incubator sites, with potentially important clinical implications. Our study demonstrated that sampling of a large number of metastatic sites affords unprecedented detail for studying metastatic evolution.
Clinical outcomes of patients with endometrioid epithelial ovarian cancer following surgical treatment.

BACKGROUND Endometrioid epithelial ovarian cancer (EEOC) is rare, and its management poorly defined. We examined factors associated with 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) after surgery for EEOC. METHODS Retrospective study: treatment and outcomes of all EEOC patients undergoing initial surgery at, or presenting to, our institution within 3 months of initial surgery, 1/2002-9/2017. RESULTS In total, 212 patients were identified. Median follow-up, 63.9 months (range, 0.7-192); median age at diagnosis, 52 years (range, 20-88); disease stage: I, n = 145 (68%); II, n = 47 (22%); III/IV, n = 20 (9%); FIGO grade: 1, 127 (60%); 2, 66 (31%); 3, 17 (8%); unknown, 2 (1%). One hundred twenty-eight (60%) had endometriosis; 75 (35%), synchronous endometrioid endometrial cancer (80%, IA); 101 (48%), complete surgical staging; 8 (5%), positive pelvic lymph nodes (LNs); 6 (4%), positive para-aortic LNs; 176 (97%), complete gross resection; 123 (60%), postoperative chemotherapy; 56(28%), no additional treatment. Five-year PFS, 83% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 76.6%-87.8%); 5-year overall survival (OS), 92.7% (95% CI: 87.7%-95.8%). Age, stage, and surgical staging were associated with improved 5-year PFS, and younger age at diagnosis with improved 5-year OS (p < 0.001). Chemotherapy did not improve 5-year PFS in IA/IB versus observation, but improved survival in IC (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.22-4.59, p = 0.99; HR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.04-0.7, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS Age, stage, and full surgical staging were associated with improved 5-year PFS. Chemotherapy showed no benefit in IA/IB disease.
Pedigree simulations reveal that maternity assignment is reliable in populations with conspecific brood parasitism, incomplete parental sampling and kin structure.

Modern genetic parentage methods reveal that alternative reproductive strategies are common in both males and females. Under ideal conditions, genetic methods accurately connect the parents to offspring produced by extra-pair matings or conspecific brood parasitism. However, some breeding systems and sampling scenarios present significant complications for accurate parentage assignment. We used simulated genetic pedigrees to assess the reliability of parentage assignment for a series of challenging sampling regimes that reflect realistic conditions for many brood-parasitic birds: absence of genetic samples from sires, absence of samples from brood parasites and female kin-structured populations. Using 18 microsatellite markers and empirical allele frequencies from two populations of a conspecific brood parasite, the wood duck (Aix sponsa), we simulated brood parasitism and determined maternity using two widely used programs, cervus and colony. Errors in assignment were generally modest for most sampling scenarios but differed by program: cervus suffered from false assignment of parasitic offspring, whereas colony sometimes failed to assign offspring to their known mothers. Notably, colony was able to accurately infer unsampled parents. Reducing the number of markers (nine loci rather than 18) caused the assignment error to slightly worsen with colony but balloon with cervus. One potential error with important biological implications was rare in all cases-few nesting females were incorrectly excluded as the mother of their own offspring, an error that could falsely indicate brood parasitism. We consider the implications of our findings for both a retrospective assessment of previous studies and suggestions for best practices for future studies.
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Detection of Threat Chemicals with Portable Raman Spectrometers

We are demonstrating surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy using compact Raman spectrometers for field detection of trace-level threat materials. The goal is to improve limits-of- detection for realistic threat materials.
A Critique and Alternative to Dworkin's Right Answer Thesis

Ronald Dworkin has famously insisted that there is a single right answer to even the most difficult cases. Although controversial, Dworkin does offer compelling arguments to substantiate his claim. This paper tracks and critiques Dworkin’s reasoning of the “single right answer” (“SRA”) thesis. The gist of my critique is that Dworkin fails to convincingly show why one should favor his SRA thesis over other moral views when confronted with a hard case. I also propose an alternative to Dworkin’s SRA thesis based on a partnership of varying moral interpretations, which is preferable to the SRA thesis in resolving difficult constitutional cases.
Nonlinear Effects in High-Peak Power Nd: Glass Laser Systems

We now begin an investigation of what may be regarded as the central problem in the design of high-peak power Nd:glass laser systems. The phenomena of self-focusing, discovered when high-power lasers first became available, presently limits the output of every laser system designed to operate at short (50–200 ps) pulse widths. Although the problem has yielded to a number of improvements in laser materials, most notably the development of low-nonlinearindex glasses (Chap.2), it is fair to say that the major developments leading to present-day laser systems that deliver multi-terawatt performance per beamline are due to the excellent work of colleagues at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. In particular, they deserve credit for such concepts as spatial filtering and imaging, to be treated in detail below; but, more importantly, the major advancement is in our understanding of the nonlinear effects, well known to the experimentalist in this area. Although the basics of self-focusing theory (Sect.7.2–4) were known for some time previous to the advent of the construction of large Nd:glass laser systems, the major contribution here is the development of semi-phenomenological theories that enable the laser designer to proceed with a great degree of confidence and reliably predict the operating characteristics of such a system. As is usually the case with systems of such complexity, it is impossible to simulate the exact physics in detail because it would call for a computational capability and expense that is beyond the resources of any single laboratory. Consequently, what we present in Sects.7.2–6 below is the current phenomenological understanding that has led to multi-terawatt performance of a number of laser systems in this country and abroad.
Critical Finding Capture in the Impression Section of Radiology Reports

Introduction Radiology reports communicate imaging findings to ordering physicians. The substantial information in these reports often causes physicians to focus on the summarized “impression” section. This study evaluated how often a critical finding is documented in the report’s “impression” section and describes how an automated application can improve documentation.
Filling the Gaps: Hume and Connectionism on the Continued Existence of Unperceived Objects

L'A. analyse la premiere explication de la croyance en l'existence continue des objets non percus chez Hume et en tire les consequences philosophiques du point de vue d'une science de la nature humaine, en general, et du point de vue de l'abime entre les objets et leurs impressions, en particulier. Distinguant l'hypothese de l'assimilation par convergence et l'hypothese de l'assimilation par superposition, l'A. evalue la these du scepticisme envers les sens soutenue dans le premier livre du «Traite de la nature humaine».
Abstract 20012: Measuring the Sinuses of Valsalva and Left Ventricular Outflow Tract by Cardiac Computed Tomographic Angiography: Incremental Value for Sizing the Valve for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement?

Background: Accurate assessment of aortic annulus size (AoA) is critical for insuring successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) as well as to minimize para-valvular regurgitation. However, the AoA is occasionally difficult to assess due to challenges caused by annular calcification, motion artifact and improper CT gating. Proper TAVR valve size and sealing is dependent more than just AoA, but rather multiple other measurements including the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) diameters and sinuses of Valsalva. We hypothesized that the measurement of sinuses of Valsalva and LVOT by cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) imaging are important adjunctive measurements in determining the ideal valve size for TAVR. Methods: Consecutive patients evaluated for TAVR underwent single phase, prospective ECG gated CCTA with contrast to evaluate the aortic valve anatomy. Measurements of annular, coronary height, left ventricular outflow tract diameters and areas were performed. Findings were ...
Finding the smallest gap between sums of square roots

Let k and n be positive integers, n>k. Define r(n,k) to be the minimum positive value of$$ |\sqrt{a_1} + \cdots + \sqrt{a_k} - \sqrt{b_1} - \cdots -\sqrt{b_k} | $$ where a1, a2,⋯, ak, b1, b2,⋯, bk are positive integers no larger than n. It is important to find a tight bound for r(n,k), in connection to the sum-of-square-roots problem, a famous open problem in computational geometry. The current best lower bound and upper bound are far apart. In this paper, we present an algorithm to find r(n,k) exactly in nk+o(k) time and in n⌈k/2 ⌉+o(k) space. As an example, we are able to compute r(100,7) exactly in a few hours on one PC. The numerical data indicate that the known upper bound seems closer to the truth value of r(n,k).
Oxidation in Different Food Matrices: How Physical Structure Impacts Lipid Oxidation in Oil-in-Water Emulsions and Bulk Oils

Publisher Summary Lipid oxidation is one of the major causes of quality deterioration in natural and processed foods. Oxidative deterioration is a large economic concern in the food industry because it affects many quality characteristics, such as flavor (rancidity), color, texture, and the nutritive value of foods, and produces potentially toxic compounds. Several antioxidant technologies have the potential to stabilize foods prone to oxidative rancidity. These technologies include controlling reactive oxygen species and pro-oxidant metals and reducing the damaging effects of free radicals via free-radical scavengers. The approved antioxidant ingredients available to solve oxidative rancidity problems in foods must be used more efficiently. One way to increase the efficiency of antioxidant ingredients is to deliver them to the site of the oxidative reactions or to use them in combination with other technologies that can reduce oxidation rates. However, the mechanisms of lipid oxidation reactions in the food must be thoroughly understood to be able to develop technologies that utilize antioxidant ingredients to their full potential. Lipid oxidation mechanisms are different in bulk fats than in water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions. Understanding these different oxidation pathways will help to develop antioxidant technologies that work in emulsions. This chapter provides a brief background of the physical properties of food emulsions and the ways in which these properties impact lipid oxidation pathways.
Event-triggered data and knowledge sharing among collaborating government organizations

Solving complex global problems such as illegal immigration, border control, and terrorism requires government organizations at all levels to share not only data but, more importantly, knowledge pertinent to decision support, problem solving and activity coordination. Responding to an emergency often requires organizational and inter-organizational policies and complex operating procedures to be followed. In this work, we focus on the sharing of data associated with events of interest to collaborating organizations. Condition-action-alternative-action rules, logic/derivation rules, and constraint rules are used to define organizational and inter-organizational policies, regulations, and data and security constraints. Structures of these heterogeneous rules are used to capture organizational processes and operating procedures. A distributed event-triggered knowledge sharing system enables the interoperation of distributed, heterogeneous rules and rule structures on the data associated with each event occurrence so that all data pertinent to the event occurrence can be generated and delivered to relevant organizations. Presented in this paper are: 1) the system architecture and the distributed event and rule processing strategy, 2) algorithms used for the translation of heterogeneous rules and rule structures into web services for their uniform and efficient processing in a web service infrastructure and 3) issues and solutions related to event data aggregation, conflicting rules, and cyclic rules. The developed user interface tool and system are for deployment in the USDA's National Plant Diagnostics Network to strengthen the homeland security protection of this nation's food and agriculture.
Influence of Molasses Lignin-Hemicellulose Fractions in Rat Nutrition

Previous reports have shown that fractionation of the non-sugar, non-dialyzable components of cane molasses yielded a fraction designated as a black phenolic-carbohydrate complex. Incorporation of 0.03% of this complex into diets fed weanling male rats significantly increased the growth rate above that of rats fed the basal diet alone. This study was conducted to determine the chemical nature and growth stimulating action of the black phenol-carbohydrate complex. Alkaline cleavage under nitrogen yielded a mixture of phenols and a carbohydrate fraction which was recovered by precipitation at pH 6 in four volumes of ethanol. The alkaline cleaved, free hemicellulose was non-diayzable and stimulated growth when incorporated into rat diets at the 0.03% levels. Acid hydrolysis of the complex yielded an insoluble product identified as lignin and found to represent 18% to 20% of the entire complex. The chemical nature of this ligninhemicellulose fraction and the previously reported growth-enhancing acid resistant hemicellulose fraction isolated from various plant sources were found to be similar.
The Hygiene and Sanitation of Summer Camps

(1918). The Hygiene and Sanitation of Summer Camps. American Physical Education Review: Vol. 23, No. 5, pp. 293-300.
Cultural studies: a Latin American narrative:

This commentary attempts to build up a narrative about Latin American cultural studies from a particular point of view which sees the mass media as a fragment within the broad scope proposed by the project of cultural studies. The main focus is to identify the emergence of this field, its position in relation to other academic disciplines, and its objects of study, mainly the reception studies. Although there are features of Latin American cultural studies that are unique to this region, the author concludes that the present situation reveals that Latin American cultural studies is tied to the broad current movement of this field of study.
The analysis of a liquid metal reactor fuel

A procedure was developed for the analysis of a uraniummolten bismuth fuel containing 1400 ppm of U/sup 235/, 350 ppm of magnesium, and 250 ppm of zirconium. Analyses were performed for the above elements and for the corrosion products, iron, nickel, chromium, and manganese. The activity of the bismuth is approximately 0.2 r hr/sup -/s g/sup -/s at 1 ft and contains an approximate alpha activity of 10/sup 9/ d min/sup -/s g/sup -/s in the form of Po/sup 210/. The sample was dissolved in 50% nitric acid, whereupon zirconium and iron could be extracted directly by 0.5M 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone in xylene. The absorbance due to the iron complex was measured directly on the organic phase. The zirconium was stripped into a fluoride solution and determined spectrographically. For magnesium and the remaining corrosion products, an aliquot of the original solution was diluted tenfold. The polonium along with the bismuth was extracted by a 0.5M solution of the acid chloride form of tri-iso- octylamine in methyl isobutyl ketone. Three contacts were sufficient to reduce a solution originally containing alpha activity of 10/sup 7/ to less than 10/sup 2/ d min/sup -/s ml/sup -/s. To decontaminate the aqueous solution from rare- earth elements,more » a praseodymium fluoride precipitation was used. Finally, to decontaminate from the alkali and alkaline earth elements, bismuth hydroxide was used to coprecipitate the magnesium and corrosion products. This precipitate was then dissolved in such a way that the usual matrix for spectrographic analysis was obtained. Uranium was determined in a separate aliquot by a modified dibenzoyl methane method; 1,2-diaminocyclohexanetetra-acetic acid was used to chelate the bismuth and other interfering materials. After adjustment of the pH to between 6 and 7, the uranium dibenzoyl methane complex was extracted into amyl acetate. An adequate decontamination was thus obtained. (auth)« less
Improved Immunogenicity and Efficacy of the Recombinant 19-Kilodalton Merozoite Surface Protein 1 by the Addition of Oligodeoxynucleotide and Aluminum Hydroxide Gel in a Murine Malaria Vaccine Model

Vaccination of mice with yeast-secreted Plasmodium yoelii-derived 19-kilodalton merozoite surface protein 1 (yMSP119) has been shown to afford protection from challenge with a lethal strain of P. yoelii. Sterile immunity can be achieved when MSP119 is emulsified in Freund adjuvant but not when it is adsorbed to aluminum hydroxide gel (alum). Because complete Freund adjuvant is not an acceptable adjuvant for use in humans, alternative adjuvants must be identified for formulating MSP119 as a vaccine for use in humans. To determine whether oligodeoxynucleotides with CpG motifs (ODN), reported to be a powerful new class of adjuvants, could enhance the immunogenicity of yMSP119, C57BL/6 mice were vaccinated either with yMSP119 formulated with Freund adjuvant, with alum, or with ODN plus alum and challenged intravenously with P. yoelii 17XL asexual blood-stage parasites. Adsorption of immunogen and adjuvant to alum was optimized by adjusting buffer (phosphate versus acetate) and pH. We found that the adjuvant combination of ODN plus alum with yMSP119, injected intraperitoneally (i.p.), increased immunoglobulin G (IgG) yMSP119-specific antibody production 12-fold over Freund adjuvant given i.p., 3-fold over Freund adjuvant given subcutaneously (s.c.), 300-fold over alum given i.p., and 48-fold over alum given s.c. The predominant antibody isotype in the group receiving alum-ODN-yMSP119 was IgG1. Increased antibody levels correlated to protection from a challenge with P. yoelii 17XL. Supernatant cytokine levels of gamma interferon in yMSP119-stimulated splenocytes were dramatically elevated in the alum-ODN-yMSP119 group. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were also elevated; however, no IL-5 was detected. The cytokine profile, as well as the predominant IgG1 antibody isotype, suggests the protective immune response was a mixed Th1/Th2 response.
The Value of Marriage in the Era of the Glorified Self

Among nonhuman animals, selfhood is rudimentary: perhaps a sense of bodily integrity, a bit of competitiveness, simple decision making, membership in some group, and perhaps quasi-ownership of some...
Immunologic aspects of surface infections in the lung

The hallmark of cystic fibrosis is progressive bronchopulmonary damage associated with chronic infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, leading to respiratory failure and, ultimately, death. P. aeruginosa is an essentially nonvirulent organism in an immunocompetent host, but it has been shown to colonize the respiratory tract progressively in more than 80% of patients with CF. Patients with CF do not exhibit any evidence of immunologic compromise, and the infection is limited to the mucosal surfaces of the respiratory tract. Thus, P. aeruginosa in bronchopulmonary disease is a unique chronic mucosal infection resulting in a progressive pathologic process. It is therefore conceivable that locally induced alteration in the pulmonary mucosal defense is a major mechanism underlying the development of lung disease in patients with CF. An understanding of immunologic homeostasis in the mucous membranes and in the bronchopulmonary epithelium should provide a better perspective on the factors contributing to the acquisition and chronicity of P. aeruginosa infection in the lower respiratory tract and the development of progressive pulmonary damage unique to CF.
Quickest search for a rare distribution

We consider the problem of finding one sequence of independent random variables following a rare atypical distribution, P 1 , amongst a large number of sequences following some null distribution, P 0 . We quantify the number of samples needed to correctly identify one atypical sequence as the atypical sequences become increasingly rare. We show that the known optimal procedure, which consists of a series of sequential probability ratio tests, succeeds with high probability provided the number of samples grows at a rate equal to a constant times π−1 D(P 1 ∥P 0 )−1, where π is the prior probability of a sequence being atypical, and D(P 1 ∥P 0 ) is the Kullback-Leibler divergence. Using techniques from sequential analysis, we show that if the number of samples grow at a rate equal to π−1 D(P 1 ∥P 0 )−1, any procedure fails. This is then compared to sequential thresholding [1], a simple procedure which can be implemented without exact knowledge of distribution P 1 . We also show that the SPRT and sequential thresholding are fairly robust to our knowledge of π. Lastly, a lower bound for non-sequential procedures is derived for comparison.
Generalization of auditory intensity as a function of small amounts of discrimination training

Rats were trained on a two-valued auditory-intensity discrimination for 5, 2, 1 or 0 days. Then, the bar-press response rate was sampled in the presence of seven added discrimination stimuli (generalization) for seven days. Daily training sessions were 4 hr in length throughout the experiment. Only the five-day group exhibited a marked superiority on the multi-valued discrimination when contrasted with the group having had no prior simple discrimination training.
Moored observations of upper-ocean response to the monsoons in the Arabian Sea during 1994-1995

The role of surface forcing in the semiannual evolution of the upper-ocean temperature, salinity, and velocity fields in the Arabian Sea is examined. To do so, variability in the upper ocean in the central Arabian Sea was observed from an array of moorings deployed from October 1994 to October 1995. The Northeast (NE) Monsoon was characterized by moderate winds, clear skies, and dry air; sea-surface temperature (SST) dropped by 31C; the ocean lost an average of 19.7 W m � 2 and the mixed layer deepened by 100 m in response. The Southwest (SW) Monsoon was accompanied by strong winds, cloudy skies, and moist air; the ocean gained an average of 89.5 W m � 2 but SST dropped by 5.51C and the mixed layer deepened to almost 80 m. The response to the NE Monsoon included daily cycling in the depth of the mixed layer in response to the diurnal cycle in the buoyancy forcing and a weak local, wind-driven response. Stronger windforcing during the SW Monsoon dramatically reduced diurnal restratification, and a clearer signal of local, wind-driven flow in the upper ocean was found. The strongest velocity signal in the upper ocean, however, was the flow associated with mesoscale geostrophic features that passed slowly through the moored array, dominating the current meter records in the first part of the NE Monsoon and again in the latter part of the SW Monsoon. One-dimensional heat and freshwater balances, which held at other times through the year, broke down during the passage of these features. r 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
Host plant constituents as oviposition stimulants for a generalist herbivore: European corn borer

Oviposition response of the polyphagous European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), to chemical constituents in host plants was investigated in the laboratory using two-choice bioassays. Foliar extracts of corn (Zea mays L.), pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) were prepared using the solvents pentane, acetone and methanol. In all three host plants, chemicals soluble in pentane stimulated oviposition. In potato, chemicals extractable in acetone also elicited a positive oviposition response. When presented with a choice between pentane extracts of corn and pepper, females preferred corn. No preferences were exhibited between pentane extracts of corn and potato or pepper and potato. Pentane extracts of corn husks, tassels, silk, and corn leaves from plants at early whorl and tassel (pre-pollen shed) stages of development also stimulated oviposition. Similar extracts from plants at 2-leaf and blister (when kernels resemble blisters) stages were not stimulatory. This indicates that plant phenology affects chemically mediated oviposition response in European corn borer. The potential use of plant chemicals for management of O. nubilalis in the field is suggested.
The properties of high-dimensional data spaces: implications for exploring gene and protein expression data

High-throughput genomic and proteomic technologies are widely used in cancer research to build better predictive models of diagnosis, prognosis and therapy, to identify and characterize key signalling networks and to find new targets for drug development. These technologies present investigators with the task of extracting meaningful statistical and biological information from high-dimensional data spaces, wherein each sample is defined by hundreds or thousands of measurements, usually concurrently obtained. The properties of high dimensionality are often poorly understood or overlooked in data modelling and analysis. From the perspective of translational science, this Review discusses the properties of high-dimensional data spaces that arise in genomic and proteomic studies and the challenges they can pose for data analysis and interpretation.
A new perspective on the classical microcode compaction problem

Some comments are made concerning the generality and complexity of the classical microcode compaction problem. A trivial example is given that no classical compaction algorithm would compact optimally, because the computation of data precedence relations is dependent on the order of the source code. It is further argued that the classical compaction problem can be solved optimally in polynomial time, where the degree of the polynomial is dependent only on the micromachine architecture. We conclude that the most difficult portion of the microcode compaction problem is that of initially ordering the source code.
Using neurotechnologies to develop virtues: a Buddhist approach to cognitive enhancement.

Recently, Fenton (2009) has argued that Buddhist ethics can accommodate the use of attention-enhancing drugs, and Walker (2006, 2009) has argued that future neurotechnologies may be used to enhance...
Size-resolved sea spray aerosol particles studied by vibrational sum frequency generation.

We present vibrational sum frequency generation (SFG) spectra of the external surfaces and the internal interfaces of size-selected sea spray aerosol (SSA) particles generated at the wave flume of the Scripps Hydraulics Laboratory. Our findings support SSA particle models that invoke the presence of surfactants in the topmost particle layer and indicate that the alkyl chains of surfactant-rich SSA particles are likely to be disordered. Specifically, the SFG spectra suggest that across the range of sizes studied, surfactant-rich SSA particles contain CH oscillators that are subject to molecular orientation distributions that are broader than the narrow molecular distribution functions associated with well-ordered and well-aligned alkyl chains. This result is consistent with the interpretation that the permeability of organic layers at SSA particle surfaces to small reactive and nonreactive molecules may be substantial, allowing for much more exchange between reactive and nonreactive species in the gas or t...
The association of copper, mercury and lead with surface-active organic matter in coastal seawater

Abstract Significant fractions of copper (6–30%), lead (3–12%) and mercury (4–50%) were associated with surface-active dissolved or colloidal organic matter isolated from the water column of a controlled experimental ecosystem. Changes in the concentration of surface-active forms of these metals were attributed to release of surface-active metal-binding organic matter during the collapse of a phytoplankton bloom and early diagenesis of settled detritus. Naturally occurring surface-active organic matter can be expected to significantly influence the chemical speciation and transfer of metals across air-water and solid-water interfaces in the marine environment.
Peer Contagion in Interventions for Children and Adolescents: Moving Towards an Understanding of the Ecology and Dynamics of Change

The influence of deviant peers on youth behavior is of growing concern, both in naturally occurring peer interactions and in interventions that might inadvertently exacerbate deviant development. The focus of this special issue is on understanding the moderating and mediating variables that account for peer contagion effects in interventions for youth. This set of nine innovative papers moves the field forward on three fronts: (1) Broadening the empirical basis for understanding the conditions under which peer contagion is more or less likely (that is, moderators of effects); (2) Identifying mechanisms that might account for peer contagion effects (mediators); and (3) Forging the methodological rigor that is needed to study peer contagion effects within the context of intervention trials. We propose an ecological framework for disentangling the effects of individuals, group interactions, and program contexts in understanding peer contagion effects. Finally, we suggest methodological enhancements to study peer contagion in intervention trials.
Harmonic saturated spectroscopy applied to molecular photoacoustic detection.

The feasibility of the application of harmonic saturated spectroscopy to molecular detection in the infrared regime was investigated. Experimental measurements using SF6 as a model gas were performed with a CO2 laser photoacoustic molecular vapor detector operating in the 9–11-μm portion of the infrared regime. These experiments demonstrated the negligible loss of absolute sensitivity, the maintenance of a characteristic readily identifiable absorption profile, and the ability to scale with laser intensity in the proper conditions. Our work demonstrates the importance of a laser modulation waveform that is completely devoid of spatial asymmetries for the realization of the full potential of this method.
Respiratory and circulatory responses of the blue crab to naphthalene and the effect of acclimation salinity

Abstract Adult intermolt blue crabs ( Callinectes sapidus Rathbun) were stepwise acclimated to salinity at 22–25°C. Responses were monitored during 24-h exposure to water-soluble naphthalene at 0, 37.5 and 75% of the 24-h TL m in a flow-through system at 10 and 30‰ S . No salinity related difference existed in the resistance of crabs to naphthalene. The pooled salinity 24-h and 48-h TL m values were 2.4 and 2.3 mg/l, respectively. The response of the oxygen transport system to naphthalene differed with salinity. Crabs at 10‰ S (hyperosmotic to medium) responded with increased ventilation in 37.5 and 75% TL m , but suffered increased tissue hydration in 75% TL m . Crabs at 30‰ S (isosmotic to medium) increased gill ventilation and perfusion, while experiencing dose-dependent hemolymph alkalosis. In vitro hemocyanin oxygen affinity was increased in 37.5 and 75% TL m at 30‰ S and 37.5% TL m at 10‰ S . Naphthalene appears to exert sublethal effects on gill epithelia by disrupting ion exchange. Ramifications observed were osmotic and related to acid-base imbalance. Oxygen transport is directly affected by such changes. Compensation is a complex process and occurs via increased ventilation and blood flow. Temporal change in oxygen delivery is consistent with previous reports of the time required to reach an equilibrium between hydrocarbon uptake and excretion.
On the mechanism of transport of proline in the ciliary body, optic nerve and choroid plexus

An analysis of available data on proline transport in several tissues indicates that a single saturable active transport mechanism, together with a passive process, is not able to account for the data available. Introduction of a parallel transport mechanism which is not saturated below 50 mM, makes it possible to give a reasonably satisfactory account of the available data, from the three tissues, on (1) initial rate of uptake as a function of external concentration and (2) the uptake as a function of time. If the two transport mechanisms occur in two different types of cells, it is possible not only to account for the above two sets of data, but also to account reasonably well for the efflux data. While the model predicts more rapid efflux of tracer into a higher external concentration as found experimentally, an attempt was not made to account quantitatively for all four sets of experiments simultaneously.
Does Your Religion Make a Difference in Your Business Ethics? The Case of Consolidated Foods*

While the literature in business ethics abounds with philosophical analyses, perspectives from religious thinkers are curiously underrepresented. What religious analysis has occured has often been moralistic in tone, more fit to the pulpit than the classroom or the boardroom. In the three essays that follow, presented originally at a panel at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion in 1989, ethicists from the Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Jewish traditions analyze a case study familiar to many who teach and research in business ethics — the Consolidated Foods Case. Each author shows how a particular religious tradition might react to the case. The authors show how insights from their traditions would affect corporation's moral deliberations about policy. Specific policy recommendations are offered to CEO John Bryan.
Signal stabilization of a control system with random inputs

NOISE AND ITS EFFECT on system performance now can be predetermined by a designer if he uses the theory advanced herein. An external signal is introduced to stabilize a nonlinear feedback system in a state of self-sustained oscillation, but the introduction should be made at a sufficiently high frequency and at a convenient point in the loop. This phenomenon, first introduced by R. Olden-burger, one of the authors, was termed ?signal stabilization.?1
The effect of arterial pressure alterations during halothane anesthesia on residual flow and infarct size with transient regional ischemia of the dog.

The present study was designed to determine if infarct size under halothane anesthesia could be reduced by increasing the pressure gradient across the collateral vascular bed, thereby increasing flow within the occluded vascular bed. Forty-nine mongrel dogs were anesthetized with halothane under identical physiologic conditions with the exception of systemic arterial blood pressure. The control group of 18 animals anesthetized with halothane was compared to two experimental groups. In one group of 15 dogs, the mean systemic pressure was raised 25% above control with phenylephrine (BP25). In the second group of 15 dogs, systemic pressure was raised 50% above control (BP50). Adjacent marginal branches of the left circumflex coronary artery were ligated for 90 minutes followed by 90 minutes of reflow. The area of the occluded vascular bed was similar in all groups, but the area of infarction as a percentage of the occluded vascular bed was reduced from 47.7 +/- 4.7% to 25.4 +/- 4.3% in the BP25 group (P < or = .05 v control) and to 33.1 +/- 5.0% in the BP50 group. Flow measurements using microspheres showed a larger zone of ischemic tissue receiving adequate residual flow in the BP25 and BP50 groups compared to the control. It is concluded that infarct size during halothane anesthesia in the dog can be reduced by increasing systemic blood pressure with phenylephrine.
Studies of nucleotide sequence homology between naphthalene-utilizing strains of bacteria

The ability of P.putida, strain NCIB 9816, to grow with naphthalene (Nah+) and salicylate (Sal+) is correlated with the presence of an 83 kilobase (kb) conjugative plasmid (pDTG1). The genes encoding the upper pathway (Nah->Sal) for naphthalene degradation are located on a 15 kb EcoRI fragment which was cloned into pKT230. The resulting recombinant, pDTG113, was nick-translated and used as a radioactive probe to investigate nucleotide sequence homology between the naphthalene-utilizing organisms, P.putida G7, P.putida NP, and strain PL6. Each of these bacterial strains were isolated from different locations at different times. The results show that all of these organisms contain closely related genes that are involved in naphthalene metabolism.
The numerical evaluation of a class of logarithmically singular integral transforms

Abstract We consider the numerical evaluation of several logarithmically singular integral transforms which occur in the numerical solution of various types of integral equations with logarithmically singular kernels. When the equations involve Cauchy singular kernels as well, the method is a substantial improvement in speed, accuracy, and ease of programming over the method introduced by Fromme, Golberg, and Werth [5]. Convergence of the rule is proved under suitable differentiability conditions on the “smooth” part of the kernel, and numerical results are presented substantiating this result.