cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunoglobulin levels in tears and aqueous humor of horses before and after diethylcarbamazine (DEC) therapy.

Abstract A quantitative investigation of equine tear and aqueous humor immunoglobulins was done using normal horses and ponies as well as horses and ponies infected with Onchocerca cervicalis . The equine immunoglobulin isotypes IgG a , IgM, IgA and IgG(T) were quantitated by either single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) or radioimmunoassay (RIA). Tear immunoglobulin levels for IgG a (128 ± 151 μ g/ml), IgA (1,664 ± 1,038 μ g/ml) and IgM (106 ± 74 μ g/ml) were measured, while IgG(T) was not detectable. In horses with ocular inflammation the IgG a was 18-fold higher in the tears, 2,269 ± 3,077 μ g/ml. Aqueous humor obtained by paracentesis of the normal equine eye under anaesthesia, resulted in values for IgG a (45.2 ± 20.0 μ g/ml), IgG(T) (5.2 ± 2.0 μ g/ml), IgM (1.3 ± 4.8 μ g/ml) and IgA (0.8 ± 1.0 μ g/ml). A pooled sample of normal aqueous fluid obtained from over 100 horses at an equine abbatoir in Indiana gave values of 1,150 μg/ml for IgG a , 65 μg/ml for IgG(T), 2.5 μg/ml for IgA and 3.0 μg/ml for IgM. In animals infected with O. cervicalis and treated with Diethylcarbamazine (DEC), there was a marked elevation of IgG a and IgG(T) in the tears and aqueous humor while IgA and IgG(T) were also elevated slightly in the aqueous. The findings of elevated immunoglobulin isotypes in the aqueous humor may not be related to the DEC treatment and O. cervicalis infections but rather to repeated paracentesis and the development of acute inflammation of the equine eye as a result of the trauma of paracentesis. The elevations in equine immunoglobulin isotypes in the tears after DEC treatment are not subject to the same caveat. The preferential elevation in IgG a and IgG(T) in the tears precedes the development of corneal opacities observed in the same horses. The concentration of specific antimicrofilarial antibody in these tears remains to be determined but may well account for a major share of the total immunoglobulins detected.
A COMBINED MAGNETO-OPTIC-MAGNETIC FORCE MICROSCOPE STUDY OF AMORPHOUS AND MULTILAYER FILMS

We have combined a Magnetic Force/Atomic Force Microscope (MFM/AFM) with a Magneto-optic (MO) microscope. This instrument combines the high spatial resolution of the MFM/AFM and its capability to correlate magnetic structure with the structure of the sample surface with the real-time imaging capability and large field of view of the MO microscope. Using this instrument, we studied nucleation and displacement of domain walls (DW) in amorphous TbFe alloy films and Co/Pd multilayer films. We found that in Co/Pd multilayer film with 20 Co/Pd layer pairs and 16 nm total thickness, nucleation of domains during sample remagnetizations occurs repeatedly in the same points, and that displacement of domain walls is unidirectional. The high topographic resolution of the AFM allowed us to show that domains nucleate at small defects (1-2 nm in depth) on the sample surface. The unidirectional displacement of the domain walls was found to correlate with the anisotropic structure of the sample surface. We observed reversible bending of domain wall segments pinned to defects and irreversible, jump-like displacement of domain wall segments in an applied magnetic field. The maximum reversible displacement of domain walls was 50-100 nm and the length of the segments which reversibly curved in the field was about 150 nm. Measurement of the change in radius of curvature of a DW segment in response to an applied field allowed estimation of the DW energy density and local self-demagnetizing field of the film acting on the DW. The irreversible displacement of a DW was not a continuous process. The 200 - 400 nm long DW segments exhibited jump-like motion over distances of 100-150 nm.
A Biosynthetic Approach to Studying Multiple Motor Complexes

Collective motor dynamics drives important cellular processes ranging from muscle contraction to spindle organization to vesicle trafficking. Although the biomechanical and biochemical properties of individual motors have been widely studied, how motors coordinate their motility when attached to the same cargo is largely unknown. We are developing a biosynthetic approach to generate multi-motor assemblies whose biological properties can be examined in vitro and in cells. To do this, we have assembled a “toolbox” of protein components consisting of scaffolds and linkers. We have characterized scaffold proteins of different lengths that allow for specific separation distances between the components. We have characterized four different linker systems that enable constitutive or regulated attachment of individual motors to scaffolds. Thus, our biosynthetic approach can be used to generate multiple motor complexes with absolute control over motor type, separation, and number. The motility properties of these complexes can then be studied in vitro and in live cells to determine the structural and mechanical features that enable kinesin-1 motors to work collectively. This approach is applicable to other biological questions such as the generation of complex signaling networks as well as the assembly of artificial biological systems for engineering applications.
Effects of anticholinergic drugs on DRL performance of rhesus monkeys.

Abstract Four adult rhesus monkeys were trained to stable performance baselines on a differential reinforcement of low rates (DRL) 28 sec schedule for food pellet presentation. The effects of graded doses of atropine SO 4 , benactyzine HCl, and scopolamine HBr on performance were studied. All three anticholinergic compounds produced dose-related decreases in the number of food pellets earned. The number of responses was decreased only by the highest scopolamine dose. The unimodal peak of interresponse times (IRTs) was flattened under drug conditions such that there were roughly equal frequencies of responding in all IRT intervals. Drug potencies for producing these effects were: scopolamine > atropine > benactyzine.
Contingency Simulation Using Single Phase Quadratized Power Flow

Contingency simulation is an essential but computationally demanding procedure for power system security assessment, reliability evaluation, and real time operation. Simulation methods based on the traditional power flow (TPF) model usually suffer from lack of the realistic system model and slow convergence. To solve such problems, this paper proposes a contingency simulation methodology based on a single phase quadratized power flow (SPQPF) model that integrates the compensation method and sparsity techniques. Two major advantages of the SPQPF model exist in its ability to model realistic system component characteristics and its superior performance in achieving faster convergence, which are important to simulate contingencies realistically and efficiently. In the proposed framework, a hybrid contingency selection technique is applied first to categorize system contingencies into two classes: (1) contingencies that cause system linear changes and (2) contingencies that cause system nonlinear changes or discontinuities. The first class constitutes the majority of contingencies while the second class includes only a small portion of contingencies. For contingencies in class 1, the very first iteration of SPQPF can provide satisfactory solutions due to its faster convergence feature, compared to the several iterations generally required by TPF. To further reduce the computational effort, a sparse oriented compensation method that performs the first iteration is developed based on the SPQPF model. For the second class of contingencies, a quasi compensation iterative method is developed to analyze contingencies with high efficiency and acceptable accuracy. The proposed methodology is able to simulate the post contingency situation efficiently in a realistic manner and provide a good balance between efficiency and accuracy in the procedure of contingency simulation. Its performance is demonstrated with IEEE reliability test systems
Democratizing and reforming the United Nations

(1996). Democratizing and reforming the United Nations. Democratization: Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 328-342.
Rational approach to improving reductive catalysis by cytochrome P450cam

Although halogenated hydrocarbons are noted for low chemical reactivity, small amounts are toxic to humans. Cytochromes P450 have been implicated in transforming these compounds to more reactive species, under anaerobic conditions, through reduction at the heme. A significant amount of effort has been directed toward turning this catalytic ability to our advantage by engineering P450 variants than can efficiently remediate these compounds in situ, before they come in contact with the human population. We have taken a 'rational' approach to this problem, in which a combination of theory and molecular modeling is applied to identify which properties of the enzyme have the greatest influence over reductive dehalogenation. Recent progress in this area is briefly reviewed. Two novel mutants, incorporating tryptophan (positions 87 and 396) and histidine (position 96, neutral and protonated) amino acid substitutions in the active site, are proposed and evaluated using molecular dynamics simulations. The upper bound on rate enhancement relative to wild-type is estimated in each mutant using electron transfer theory. The most significant rate enhancement is predicted for the His 96 mutant in the protonated state; while some His residues of certain proteins exhibit a pKa high enough to support a large protonated population, such information is not presently available for this proposed mutant.
Acid rain control and United States energy policy

Abstract The U.S. Congress is currently considering whether to legislate a control program to reduce the perceived effects of acid rain. The effects of such a program would be costly, wide-ranging and would have important implications for the development of U.S. energy policy over the next several decades. The proposals call for reductions of between 30 and 50% in emissions of SO 2 in the eastern U.S. Costs of achieving these reductions are estimated to be in the range of $4–12 billion annually over the next 20 yr or so. In addition to the obvious economic impacts, there will be major energy implications, arising from shifts in the patterns of U.S. coal production and consumption; coal resource, transportation and employment effects; electricity price increases; changes in electric utility system mix; effects on manufacturing industries; and penetration of innovative energy technology. The anticipated effects of acid rain control programs in these areas are discussed, together with creative new ways to address the acid rain issue, including targeted control strategies, emissions bubbling and early retirement.
Undergraduate computational science and engineering education: A SIAM Working Group Report

Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) is a rapidly growing multidisciplinary area with connections ot the sciences, engineering, mathematics and computer science. CSE is a legitimate and important academic enterprise, even if it is yet to be formally recognized by a number of institutions. The undergraduate arena is the most important segment of the educational pipeline, since it prepares teachers for the high school environment, invigorates students to pursue graduate studies in cutting edgetechnical fields, and produces a vast number of future employees for industry and the “knowledge-based” economy. Thus it is critical that CSE curricula and programs are a viable option for every undergraduate student. This presentation introduces the SIAM Working Group report on undergraduate CSE education. The particular focus here is on background and the varying nature of programs. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
General Theory of Competitive Coexistence in Spatially-Varying Environments

A general model of competitive and apparent competitive interactions in a spatially-variable environment is developed and analyzed to extend findings on coexistence in a temporally-variable environment to the spatial case and to elucidate new principles. In particular, coexistence mechanisms are divided into variation-dependent and variation-independent mechanisms with variation-dependent mechanisms including spatial generalizations of relative nonlinearity and the storage effect. Although directly analogous to the corresponding temporal mechanisms, these spatial mechanisms involve different life history traits which suggest that the spatial storage effect should arise more commonly than the temporal storage effect and spatial relative nonlinearity should arise less commonly than temporal relative nonlinearity. Additional mechanisms occur in the spatial case due to spatial covariance between the finite rate of increase of a local population and its local abundance, which has no clear temporal analogue. A limited analysis of these additional mechanisms shows that they have similar properties to the storage effect and relative nonlinearity and potentially may be considered as enlargements of the earlier mechanisms. The rate of increase of a species perturbed to low density is used to quantify coexistence. A general quadratic approximation, which is exact in some important cases, divides this rate of increase into contributions from the various mechanisms above and admits no other mechanisms, suggesting that opportunities for coexistence in a spatially-variable environment are fully characterized by these mechanisms within this general model. Three spatially-implicit models are analyzed as illustrations of the general findings and of techniques using small variance approximations. The contributions to coexistence of the various mechanisms are expressed in terms of simple interpretable formulae. These spatially-implicit models include a model of an annual plant community, a spatial multispecies version of the lottery model, and a multispecies model of an insect community competing for spatially-patchy and ephemeral food.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in small cell urothelial cancer improves pathologic downstaging and long-term outcomes: results from a retrospective study at the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Background Small cell urothelial carcinoma (SCUC) is a rare, aggressive malignancy with a propensity for early microscopic metastases. Data suggest that neoadjuvant chemotherapy may lead to improved survival compared with initial surgery.
Comparison of tools for nutritional assessment and screening at hospital admission: a population study.

Summary Introduction This population study aimed to test the sensitivity and specificity of nutritional risk index (NRI), malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST) and nutritional risk screening tool 2002 (NRS-2002) compared to subjective global assessment (SGA) and to evaluate the association between nutritional risk determined by these screening tools and length of hospital stay (LOS). Methods Patients ( n =995) were assessed at hospital admission by four screening tools (SGA, NRI, MUST and NRS-2002). Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were calculated to evaluate NRI, MUST and NRS-2002 compared to SGA. Multiple logistic regressions, adjusted for age, were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and confidence interval (CI) for medium and high, compared to low risk in patients hospitalized >11, compared to 1–10 days LOS. Results The sensitivity was 62%, 61% and 43% and specificity was 93%, 76% and 89% with the NRS-2002, MUST and NRI, respectively. NRS-2002 had higher positive (85%) and negative predictive values (79%) than the MUST (65% and 76%) or NRI (76% and 66%, respectively). Patients who were severely malnourished or at high nutritional risk by SGA (OR 2.4, CI 1.5–3.9), MUST (OR 3.1, CI 2.1–4.7) and NRS-2002 (OR 2.9, CI 1.7–4.9) were significantly more likely to be hospitalized >11 days, compared to 1–10 days, than patients assessed as low risk. Conclusion NRS-2002 had higher sensitivity and specificity than the MUST and NRI, compared to SGA. There was a significant association between LOS and nutritional status and risk by SGA, NRS-2002, MUST and NRI. Nutritional status and risk can be assessed by SGA, NRS-2002 and MUST in patients at hospital admission.
Quantitative effects of leaf area removal on indirect defense of lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) in nature.

Plants employ a diverse array of defensive traits against multiple enemies. While many plant defenses are well-studied, quantitative feedback effects of leaf area loss on the expression of defensive traits remain little understood. Extrafloral nectar (EFN; an indirect defense acting via the attraction of carnivorous arthropods) is generally considered ‘cheap’ as it is composed mainly of photosynthates. However, to what extent EFN secretion is related to the amount of intact photosynthetic leaf area is unknown. In this study, we measured the production of EFN, ant attraction, and herbivore damage in response to a gradient of leaf area removal in wild lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) under natural conditions in southern Mexico. EFN production and ant recruitment were significantly decreased with increasing leaf area removal. Consequently, EFN production was inversely correlated with leaf area loss, which suggests that EFN is metabolically more expensive than previously thought. Further, we found increased herbivory in plants with reduced EFN secretion indicating additive negative feedback effects of leaf area loss. Our study is one of the first showing a quantitative negative impact of leaf damage on EFN secretion—one of the most widely distributed defensive traits in the plant kingdom.
The National Football League Wagering Market Simple Strategies and Bye Week–Related Inefficiencies

This investigation tests the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) in the National Football League (NFL) wagering market from 2002 to 2009. The current study examines simple betting strategies tested previously in the NFL and other sports leagues as well as whether there is a bias in games after a team’s bye week. The findings suggest that favorites and especially road team favorites following a bye week won statistically more bets than their opponents. Although the majority of our analysis supported the EMH, the exceptions provide evidence of inefficiencies in the NFL betting market.
Evidence that the human cutaneous venoarteriolar response is not mediated by adrenergic mechanisms

The venoarteriolar response causes vasoconstriction to skin and muscle via local mechanisms secondary to venous congestion. The purpose of this project was to investigate whether this response occurs through alpha-adrenergic mechanisms. In supine individuals, forearm skin blood flow was monitored via laser-Doppler flowmetry over sites following local administration of terazosin (alpha(1)-antagonist), yohimbine (alpha(2)-antagonist), phentolamine (non-selective alpha-antagonist) and bretylium tosylate (inhibits neurotransmission of adrenergic nerves) via intradermal microdialysis or intradermal injection. In addition, skin blood flow was monitored over an area of forearm skin that was locally anaesthetized via application of EMLA (2.5 % lidocaine (lignocaine) and 2.5 % prilocaine) cream. Skin blood flow was also monitored over adjacent sites that received the vehicle for the specified drug. Each trial was performed on a minimum of seven subjects and on separate days. The venoarteriolar response was engaged by lowering the subject's arm from heart level such that the sites of skin blood flow measurement were 34 +/- 1 cm below the heart. The arm remained in this position for 2 min. Selective and non-selective alpha-adrenoceptor antagonism and presynaptic inhibition of adrenergic neurotransmission did not abolish the venoarteriolar response. However, local anaesthesia blocked the venoarteriolar response without altering alpha-adrenergic mediated vasoconstriction. These data suggest that the venoarteriolar response does not occur through adrenergic mechanisms as previously reported. Rather, the venoarteriolar response may due to myogenic mechanisms associated with changes in vascular pressure or is mediated by a non-adrenergic, but neurally mediated, local mechanism.
Two‐sided comb poly(amic ester)–poly(propylene oxide) graft copolymers as porous polyimide precursors

New step-growth graft block copolymers were synthesized. These two-sided comb copolymers consisted of a poly(amic ester) (PAE) backbone and pendant poly(pro- pylene oxide) (PPO) grafts. The copolymers were made via a macromonomer approach, in which the 4,6-bischlorocarbonyl isophthalic acid bis(poly(propylene oxide)) ester mac- romonomer was synthesized through the reaction of hydroxyl-terminated PPO oligomers with pyromellitic dianhydride and oxalyl chloride. This macromonomer was subsequently used in step-growth polymerization with comonomers 4,6-bischlorocarbonyl isophthalic acid diethyl ester, 2,5-bischlorocarbonyl terephthalic acid diethyl ester, and 2,2-bis(4- (4-aminophenoxy)phenyl) hexafluoropropane, and this yielded PPO-co-PAE graft copoly- mers. Accordingly, we report the synthesis and characterization of the PPO oligomer, the PPO macromonomer, and their corresponding PPO-co-PAE graft copolymers. Graft copol- ymers with PPO concentrations of 3-26 wt % were synthesized. These polymers were thermally cured to produce polyimide/PPO composites. The thermolysis of these polyimide/ PPO composites yielded porous polyimide films with porosities ranging of 4 -22.5%. © 2005
Collective phenomena and non-finite state computation in a human social system.

We investigate the computational structure of a paradigmatic example of distributed social interaction: that of the open-source Wikipedia community. We examine the statistical properties of its cooperative behavior, and perform model selection to determine whether this aspect of the system can be described by a finite-state process, or whether reference to an effectively unbounded resource allows for a more parsimonious description. We find strong evidence, in a majority of the most-edited pages, in favor of a collective-state model, where the probability of a “revert” action declines as the square root of the number of non-revert actions seen since the last revert. We provide evidence that the emergence of this social counter is driven by collective interaction effects, rather than properties of individual users.
Some data on the distance-neighbour function for relative diffusion

Repeated observations of dye plumes on Lake Huron are interpreted according to the theoretical proposals of Richardson (1926) and Batchelor (1952) about the characteristics of a dispersing cloud of marked fluid within a field of homogeneous turbulence. The results show the average of several instantaneous concentration distributions about their centre of gravity to be approximately Gaussian and the distance-neighbour function to be of approximately Gaussian form. The data are consistent with the theoretical description given by Batchelor, namely, \[ q(y,t) = (2\pi\overline{y^2})^{-\frac{1}{2}}\exp (-y^2/2\overline{y^2}),\quad (\overline{y^2} = (\frac{2}{3}\alpha t)^3), \] where q(y, t) is the distance-neighbour function and α is the constant of the ‘4/3-power law’. The average value of α is estimated to be 0·12 cm^(2/3) sec^−1. The rate of turbulent energy dissipation in the near-surface currents of Lake Huron is estimated as e ~2·1 × 10^−3 cm^2sec^−3.
Temperature compensation in hybrid magnets with application to the Fermilab stacker and recycler ring dipole design

Design theory of hybrid (permanent magnet plus iron) accelerator magnets with application to the proposed permanent magnet recycler and stacker rings at the Fermi National Laboratory is presented. Field stability in such devices requires that changes in the strength of the permanent magnet material with temperature be compensated. Field tuning techniques, including those employing variable capacitance between energized pole and magnet yoke and those employing variable energization of magnet pole pieces, are described. Mechanical configurations capable of achieving temperature compensation passively, including use of expanding liquids/gases and bimetallic springs are outlined. Active configurations, relying on a actuator, in addition to temperature compensation, have the additional benefit of enabling magnet tuning about a nominal operating field level.
Reproductive physiology studies in zoological species: Concerns and strategies

A sophisticated understanding of reproductive physiology of domestic animals has evolved over only the past several decades. Related technical advances in this field have permitted propagation through artificial insemination and/or embryo transfer using fresh or frozen-thawed gametic or embryonic material. More recent studies in genetic engineering and embryo micromanipulation have generated additional potential for improved reproductive efficiency in the farm-animal industry. Although these procedures provide incentive for solving management problems and improving the endangered status of many zoological species, achieving these objectives will be neither simple nor immediate. Major obstacles to confront include the poor image of research, unavailability of research stocks, lack of financial support, scarcity of trained personnel, and the idea that new reproductive techniques offer a “quick fix” to the problem of inadequate reproduction in an endangered species. Zoological researchers should now concentrate on establishing basic reproductive relationships in species of interest. Comparative studies in domesticated animals will accelerate progress. The immediate goal should be the production of sound scientific data of publishable quality. Only then can artificial propagation be considered as a viable alternative to preserving wildlife species.
Identification and Characterization of Genes Required for Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Filamentous Fungus Aspergillus nidulans

In the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, germination of an asexual conidiospore results in the formation of a hyphal cell. A key feature of spore germination is the switch from isotropic spore expansion to polarized apical growth. Here, temperature-sensitive mutations are used to characterize the roles of five genes (sepA, hypA, podB-podD) in the establishment and maintenance of hyphal polarity. Evidence that suggests that the hypA, podB, and sepA genes are required for multiple aspects of hyphal morphogenesis is presented. Notably, podB and sepA are needed for organization of the cytoskeleton at sites of polarized growth. In contrast, podC and podD encode proteins that appear to be specifically required for the establishment of hyphal polarity during spore germination. The role of sepA and the pod genes in controlling the spatial pattern of polarized morphogenesis in germinating spores is also described. Results obtained from these experiments indicate that the normal pattern of germ-tube emergence is dependent upon the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton.
Inversion-based detection of bed boundaries for petrophysical evaluation with well logs: Applications to carbonate and organic-shale formations

AbstractPetrophysical interpretation of well logs acquired in organic shales and carbonates is challenging because of the presence of thin beds and spatially complex lithology; conventional interpretation techniques often fail in such cases. Recently introduced methods for thin-bed interpretation enable corrections for shoulder-bed effects on well logs but remain sensitive to incorrectly picked bed boundaries. We introduce a new inversion-based method to detect bed boundaries and to estimate petrophysical and compositional properties of multilayer formations from conventional well logs in the presence of thin beds, complex lithology/fluids, and kerogen. Bed boundaries and bed properties are updated in two serial inversion loops. Numerical simulation of well logs within both inversion loops explicitly takes into account differences in the volume of investigation of all well logs involved in the estimation, thereby enabling corrections for shoulder-bed effects. The successful application of the new interpre...
Scalar imaging condition for elastic reverse time migration

ABSTRACTPolarity changes in converted-wave images constructed by elastic reverse time migration cause destructive interference after stacking over the experiments of a seismic survey. This polarity reversal is due to PS and SP reflectivities reversing sign at certain incidence angles, e.g., at normal incidence in isotropic media. Many of the available polarity correction methods are complex and require costly transformations, e.g., to the angle domain. We derive a simple imaging condition for converted waves to correct the image polarity and reveal the conversion strength from one wave mode to another. Our imaging condition exploits pure P- and S-modes obtained by Helmholtz decomposition. Instead of correlating Cartesian components of the vector S-mode with the P-mode, we exploit all three components of the S wavefield at once to produce a unique image. We generate PS and SP images using geometric relationships among the propagation directions for the P- and S-wavefields, the reflector orientation, and th...
Clinical review 58: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in recipients of pituitary hormones

B Y NOW the story is familiar to many. In the spring of 1984 a 20-yr-old man being cared for at Stanford University (Stanford, CA), who had been treated with pituitary GH between ages 3 and 17 yr, died after a 6-month illness characterized by ataxia followed by rapidly progressive neurological deterioration. Autopsy showed the classic changes of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), an extremely unusual diagnosis in a person under the age of 55. In March 1985 these events were reported to the NIH, The National Pituitary Agency, and the Food and Drug Administration. Over the next month, two additional patients who died of CJD, a 32yr-old man in Dallas and a 22-yr-old man in Buffalo, were reported to the NIH. These reports, as well as that of a 22yr-old woman described in the United Kingdom, served to catalyze the withdrawal of pituitary GH, both that made available through government programs and that from commercial sources, from distribution in the United States and many other countries. During the next 3 yr very few additional patients with iatrogenic CJD were described and a sense of optimism began to be felt among physicians caring for patients who had been treated with pituitary-derived hormones. This optimism has proven to be premature and it is now an appropriate time to review this subject.
UAV Swarm Control: Calculating Digital Pheromone Fields with the GPU:

Our future military force will be complex: a highly in tegrated mix of manned and unmanned units. These unmanned units could function individually or within a swarm. The readiness of future warfighters to work alongside and utilize these new forces depends on the creation of usable interfaces and training simulators. The difficulty is that current UAV control interfaces require too much operator attention and common swarm control methods require expensive computational power. This paper begins with a discussion on how to improve upon current user interfaces and then reviews a swarm control method, the digital pheromone field. This method uses digital pheromones to bias the movements of individual units within a swarm toward areas that are attractive and away from areas that are dangerous or unattractive. Next, a more efficient method for performing pheromone field calculations is introduced, one that harnesses the power of the GPU (graphics processing unit) in today's graphics cards by reshaping the ADAPTIV swarm control algorithm into a form acceptable to the GPU's pipeline (Parunak et al, 2002). The GPU ADAPTIV implementation is tested in scenarios that involve up to 50,000 virtual UAVs. When compared to its counterpart CPU implementation, the GPU version performed over 30 times faster than the CPU version. This gain translates directly into lower costs for training the future warfighter today and fielding the swarms of tomorrow. Finally, this paper presents a vision of how to combine these new interface ideas and performance enhancements into an effective swarm control interface and training simulator.
The Drake Health Registry Study: Cause‐specific mortality experience of workers potentially exposed to beta‐naphthylamine

Objective To examine the cause-specific mortality experience of an occupational cohort with probable past exposure to beta-naphythylamine (BNA). Methods Subjects were 374 male and 26 female workers employed at a Pennsylvania chemical plant that produced or used beta-naphthylamine (BNA) between 1940 and 1981. Vital status through 1998 was determined for 97.5% of the cohort and cause of death for 100% of 79 deaths. Limited industrial hygiene data and reports from former employees were used to categorize workers as high, medium, or low risk for BNA exposure. Statistical analyses included US and local county-based standardized mortality ratios (SMRs). Results We observed statistically significantly elevated county rate-based SMRs for all causes combined (SMR = 1.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.56–2.49), all malignant neoplasms combined (28 deaths, SMR = 3.08, 95% CI = 2.05–4.46), respiratory system cancer (12 deaths, SMR = 3.91, 95% CI = 2.02–6.83), and bladder cancer (four deaths, SMR = 16.83, 95% CI = 4.59–43.1). Three bladder cancer cases were classified as high risk (SMR = 26.79, 95% CI = 5.53–78.29). Mortality risks were also elevated for most other malignant and non-malignant cause of death categories examined. Conclusions Bladder cancer risk remains highly elevated among Drake/Kilsdonk workers and appears to be causally related to past BNA exposure. While lifestyle and behavioral risk factors may explain some of the mortality excesses for non-urological cancers, the possibility remains that BNA exposure may have also played a role in these and other observed cancer excesses. Am. J. Ind. Med. 44:282–290, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Systematics of Pilidiostigma (Myrtaceae)

Abstract A systematic treatment is presented for the six species of Pilidiostigma (Myrtaceae), one newly described. Pilidiostigma is distinguished from other fleshy-fruited genera of Myrtaceae by the combination of its elliptic anthers, capitate to peltate stigma, testa usually chartaceous-membranous and covered with numerous large yellow or white oil glands (except for P. tetramerum), 1–3 locular ovary, and globular embryo in which the cotyledons and hypocotyl often are not, or only slightly, differentiated. The genus occurs predominantly in eastern Australia in wet forests east of the Great Dividing Range from near sea level to 1300 meters, although P. papuanum also extends into New Guinea. The new species Pilidiostigma sessile is described from northeastern Queensland and is diagnosed by its sessile or nearly sessile, basally rounded to cordate leaves. Lectotypes are designated for P. rhytispermum and P. glabrum. Detailed descriptions are provided for each species, along with a key, and profiles of ess...
Effect of Commercial Bird Washers on Broiler Carcass Microbiological Characteristics

SUMMARY A study was conducted to determine the effects of commercial bird washers on broiler carcass microbiological characteristics. Broiler carcasses were removed from the processing line in 3 different commercial facilities immediately before and after the inside-outside bird washer (IOBW). Whole carcass rinses were analyzed for coliforms, Escherichia coli, and total aerobic bacteria. Coliform, E. coli, and total aerobic bacteria counts on carcasses varied among the processing plants evaluated (P < 0.05); however, no difference was found for carcass coliform or E. coli counts due to washing in the IOBW. Total aerobic bacteria decreased significantly on carcasses from plant 3 (4.4 log10 versus 3.8 log10) after washing in the IOBW, but this trend did not occur at all of the plants evaluated. These data show that use of the IOBW may not significantly reduce carcass coliform or E. coli counts.
Hydrologic and topographic controls on storm‐event exports of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrate across catchment scales

[1] Patterns of DOC and nitrate (NO3−) concentrations and fluxes were studied for six storm events across four forested, glaciated, subcatchments (1.6 to 696 ha) in western New York, USA. End-member mixing analysis (EMMA) showed that catchment runoff was composed of shallow groundwater (SGW) discharged at seeps and throughfall (THF) on the rising limb and THF and riparian water (RW) on the recession limb. High THF NO3− contributions produced a pronounced rise and maximum in streamflow NO3−, while low THF concentrations resulted in a dilution trajectory. We did not find any evidence for NO3− flushing by a rising water table. We propose an alternate model for NO3− where the occurrence of seeps and steep slope gradients are the primary determinants of NO3− generation and delivery, and VSAs or saturated areas have a secondary role as loci for interception of NO3− contributions from throughfall. Exports of DOC from the catchments were attributed to THF contributions and the flushing of riparian and hillslope-bench saturated areas. Concentrations of DOC increased with increasing catchment size and percent-saturated area whereas NO3− values showed an opposite trend. Concentrations of DOC from a wetland catchment were consistently high, but higher percent increases in event DOC concentration were observed for those catchments with riparian and hillslope-bench saturated areas. Catchments dominated by riparian zones and catchments with discrete, distal wetlands may have substantial untapped stores of DOC, which become mobilized during high moisture conditions. Thus wetlands in steeply incised valleys may not be effective in buffering hillslope solute loadings.
Self-organization of Very Large Sensor Networks Based on Small-worlds Principles

We study networks consisting of a very large number of tiny and inexpensive sensors and introduce SWAS (Small-Worlds of Anonymous Sensors), an algorithm combining self-organization based upon smallworlds principles and Medium Access Control based upon a stack protocol for VLSNs and we report on a preliminary study of the algorithm. The nodes of Very Large Sensor Networks (VLSN) have limited resources; to reduce the power consumption the processor is less powerful and the amount of storage available is smaller than those of traditional sensor networks. Moreover, the nodes are indistinguishable from one another; they do not have a physical address, as required by the traditional communication protocols. VLSNs mimic biological systems where individual cells of the same type are indistinguishable. Small-worlds networks [11] combine two desirable features of networks namely high clustering and small path length. I. INTRODUCT
Retrograde signaling in the formation and maintenance of the neuromuscular junction

The neuromuscular junction is characterized by precise alignment between the nerve terminal an the postsynaptic apparatus formed by the muscle fiber. Organization of the neuromuscular junction during embryonic development, growth, and maintenance is coordinated by signals exchanged between motor neurons and their target muscel fibers. Identification of proteins such as agrin, likely to represent neuronal agents that direct the organization of the postsynaptic apparatus, has focused attention on characterization of proteins that mediate retrograde signals that regualte the organization and function of the nerve terminal. The results of these studies implicate a role for both adhesive and diffusible signal in coordinating the development, maturation, and maintenance of the motor nerve terminal. The diversity of molecules identified to date that appear to play a role in these processes implies a considerable level of redundancy in the transduction pathway. However, studies of early nerve-muscle interactions suggest that a common feature of many of these retrograde agents is activation of a protein kinase coupled with and increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. While the molecular signals that regulate growth and maintenance of neuromuscular junctions are less well understood it seems likely that similar adhesive and diffusible factor will be involved. 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Temperature Structure of NGC 7027

Radio maps of the free-free radio continuum flux (angular resolution ≅ 1.3 arcseconds) from NGC 7027 were made with the VLA operating at 20-cm, 6-cm, and 2-cm wavelengths which are near and straddle unit optical depth. Mean line-of-sight electron temperature and emission measure distributions were calculated by pairing the 2-cm and 6-cm maps, and the electron temperature distribution on the near side of the nebula was then obtained from the 20-cm map. The results suggest that the energy balance is complex in this planetary. For example, mean line-of-sight temperatures are higher than average in the direction of one of the bright lobes but not in the direction of the other. Especially noteworthy is an apparent “hot spot” on the near side of the nebula which has no apparent relation to either of the bright lobes, but it is approximately coincident with the brightest portion of the optical image.
Does school Matter? Learning outcomes of Indonesian children after dropping out of school

Indonesia has made significant progress in increasing educational attainment. Whether more years of schooling result in more learning, however, is uncertain and may often depend on long-run factors such as child ability and parental background. In this paper, I use data from the period around the Indonesian economic crisis of late 1990s to analyze how learning is affected by school dropout due to short-run budget constraints. I estimate a value-added model, taking advantage of the availability of test scores before and after dropout, in order to account for children selecting out of school based on ability. I further estimate an instrumental variables regression model to identify children who drop out because of resource constraints that bind during the crisis. The study finds economically and statistically significant negative effects of school dropout on mathematics scores (obtained through formal training) and a smaller effect on Raven’s scores (a general measure of cognition). These findings show the importance of insuring Indonesian children against income volatility because more schooling is associated with more learning even for these marginal children who drop out during a period of binding resource constraints.
Numerical Studies and Potential Applications of the Vertical Array-Differential Target Antenna Coupling (DTAC) Method for Rapid Sensing and Imaging of Subsurface Targets

A new electromagnetic geophysical system has been developed that significantly improves target sensing and imaging capabilities compared to conventional measurements. The Differential Target Antenna Coupling (DTAC) method uses at least two frequencies. One frequency is used as a reference signal to establish the null direction in the magnetic field at that frequency, and then a different frequency is used to measure the change in the null at the new frequency. We can also use an arbitrary number of frequencies with just one reference frequency for wide-bandwidth spectral measurements. Using numerical simulations, we have demonstrated six key aspects of the vertical arrayDTAC method: 1) Errors in the receiver coil orientation have little effect on the measurements; 2) anomalies caused by variations in the background resistivity have little effect on the measurements; 3) surface interference, e.g., fences, buildings, and vehicles, have little effect on the measurements; 4) high resolution mapping of targets has been demonstrated through a series of model simulations; 5) frequency-domain measurements, or off-time transient measurements, can be used to provide the required information. Current airborne electromagnetic (AEM) technology can be adapted to this method; and 6) the method can be adapted to a variety of rapidly moving survey applications, including near-surface targets (civil engineering, water resource, and environmental restoration) as well as deep targets (mining and other naturalresource exploration).
Ceylon's Government, Old and New 1

The government of Ceylon presents several points of interest to the student of political institutions. The island is the most important of the British crown colonies, and has been governed in recent years under a dual system, with an appointed executive and a legislative council, a majority of which is elected. A new constitution, which will go into effect during the present year, provides for a novel system with a very large measure of responsible government, on the basis of universal suffrage, for a population overwhelmingly Asiatic, but of several stocks, and with a small European element. This experiment should throw light on the larger problem of the government of India. Some data—geographical, historical, economic, and social—seem essential to an understanding of the political situation. Ceylon is an island of 25,000 square miles (about half the size of the state of Illinois), lying south of India and just north of the equator. The largest element in the population is the Sinhalese, descendants of an Aryan race that came from North India about the sixth century B.C., became Buddhists in the third century B.C., and retain that religion. Later came other peoples (Tamils) from South India, Hindu in religion, who occupied the northern part of the island. In the sixteenth century, the Portugese gained control of the coasts; and in the seventeenth, the Dutch conquered the Portugese districts. In 1796, during the Napoleonic wars, the Dutch sections were conquered by the British; and after a brief period under Madras they became a separate colony in 1802. After a war with the Sinhalese in the interior hill country, the whole island came under British control.
Antibody Development Against Northern Fowl Mites (Acari: Macronyssidae) in Chickens

This study reports the development of an antibody against protein(s) from the tissue of the northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Canestrini & Fanzago). Northern fowl mite proteins were obtained by affinity chromatography and used for immunization. Western blot analysis identified proteins that were reactive with sera from birds immunized with the antigen; this indicated that serum antibodies against the northern fowl mite had been produced. Chickens that had been immunized or infested, or both, with the northern fowl mite produced sera that were reactive with a 100 kilodalton (kD) protein. The response was greater if the chicken had been immunized with the antigen and infested with the northern fowl mite. Experimentally immunized and infested chickens experienced limited decreases in the levels of northern fowl mite infestation. Survival of bloodfed mites after ingestion of the immune chicken blood was assessed in an in vitro feeding study using blood-filled parafilm sacs; minor differences in northern fowl mite feeding tendencies were noted. The chickens developed antibodies to the northern fowl mite proteins, but this immunity did not decrease the infestation level or in vitro feeding.
Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the prostate gland

Small cell prostate carcinoma (SCPC) has a clinical course and prognosis that is markedly different from that of common adenocarcinoma of the prostate. The patient in this case presented with fever of unknown origin, dyspnea, and near spinal cord compression. He was subsequently found to have widely metastatic high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of prostatic origin. This case emphasizes that despite the commonality of prostate cancer, there are rare presentations of this common disease.