cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Scalable Technique for Large Scale, Real-Time Range Monitoring of Heterogeneous Clients

Range monitoring is the continuous query on location data of mobile, real-world objects in real-time. Such real world objects are typically wireless, low capability clients. Therefore, tracking techniques must limit client computation and memory overhead, allow for client/server heterogeneity, and most importantly, minimize wireless transmissions. This paper presents a technique for range monitoring based on multi-level spatial hashing. The technique addresses: (1) real-time queries on mobile object locations, (2) real-time query on the proximity of mobile objects in relation to each other, (3) user defined special query areas, and (4) allows for variable levels of mobile client capability (heterogeneity). The spatial hashing-based method presented here provides a level of scalability similar to the best existing methods for client processing requirements, transmission si/.e, and transmission frequency. Additionally, it provides the flexibility of multiple tracking modes, proximity queries, and support for multiple server base stations which other methods may not. The results of a simulation that computes total transmission overhead and data server requirements based on mobile object characteristics are presented.
Unusual ambulacral branching pattern in a new Ordovician giant edrioasteroid, Bizarroglobus

An unusual, new, giant edrioasteroid Bizarroglobus medusae n. gen. n. sp. is described from the Middle Ordovician Kanosh Shale of west-central Utah. This species has a pattern of ambulacral branching with side ambulacra arising alternately from a main ambulacral trunk, previously undocumented in edrioasteroids. This pattern is interpreted as a strategy for allometrically increasing the feeding surface during ontogeny. Bizarroglobus further differs from other isorophid edrioasteroids in the plating of the peripheral rim, and the presence of pores in the interambulacral plates primarily along the edges of the ambulacra.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FRACTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND ALGEBRAIC REASONING: THE CASE OF WILLA

To investigate relationships between students’ quantitative reasoning with fractions and their algebraic reasoning, a clinical interview study was conducted with 18 middle and high school students. The students were interviewed twice, once to explore their quantitative reasoning with fractions and once to explore their solutions of problems that required explicit use of unknowns to write equations. As a part of the larger study, the first author conducted a case study of a seventh grade student, Willa. Willa’s fractional knowledge—specifically her reversible iterative fraction scheme and use of fractions as multipliers—influenced how she wrote equations to represent multiplicative relationships between two unknown quantities. The finding indicates that implicit use of powerful fractional knowledge can lead to more explicit use of structures and relationships in algebraic situations. Curricular and instructional implications are explored.
Mindfulness Training for Teachers: A Pilot Program:

This article discusses the results of three elementary school teachers’ feedback from a mindfulness-training program. Mindfulness is the ability to pay attention to what’s happening now without judgment. The training consisted of breathwork, bodyscan, movement, and sensorimotor activities. Results of interviews with the teachers revealed that teachers used the mindfulness skills to (a) aid in curriculum development and implementation, (b) deal with conflict and anxiety, (c) improve the quality of their personal lives, and (d) facilitate positive changes in the classroom.
Relationship between renal pathology and the size of circulating immune complexes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Sera from 35 patients with biopsy-proven diffuse proliferative (WHO class IV) or membranous (WHO class V) lupus nephritis were analyzed for the presence and size of circulating immune complexes. Elevations of the C1q solid-phase assay (C1qSP) for immune complexes were found in sera from all patients with diffuse proliferative nephritis, with a mean +/- 1 SEM of 166.8 +/- 42.0 micrograms/AHG-equivalents/ml serum, and in 71.4% of the patients with membranous nephritis (83.1 +/- 26.7, p = 0.06). Using the WHO criteria for subclasses of membranous lupus nephritis, we also designated renal biopsies as nonproliferative (WHO classes Va and Vb) or proliferative (WHO classes IV and Vc). Employing the latter groupings, we observed significant differences between C1qSP results of patients with nonproliferative (30.3 +/- 8.8) and proliferative (172.8 +/- 36.8, p less than 0.001) lupus nephritis. These data suggest that the presence of C1q-binding material in serum is pathophysiologically related to proliferative glomerular lesions, and that levels of C1qSP binding reflect renal lesions in SLE patients. Sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation was performed on each serum, and gradient fractions analyzed for C1qSP-binding and total IgG, using techniques to minimize losses of immune complexes. The predominant peak of C1qSP activity sedimented with themore » 6.6S monomeric IgG. The 6.6S C1q-binding IgG was increased only in 1 of 10 patients with membranous lupus nephritis without proliferative changes, and was elevated in 16 of 25 patients with proliferative lesions (WHO classes IV and Vc).« less
The benefit of the Hemonetics cell saver apparatus during cardiac surgery.

This retrospective chart review of 155 patients having coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) over a two-month period determined whether the use of a cell saver apparatus (CSA) (1) reduced or increased the requirements for homologous blood; (2) increased the incidence of postsurgical bleeding; (3) was costeffective. Two groups of patients were identified. Group 1 (n = 99) received both CSA processed red blood cells and homologous blood components. Requirement for homologous blood products was reduced in the first 24 hr after surgery (0.5 ± 1.0 vs 1.3 ± 1.8 units; P < 0.05) when compared with Group 2 (n = 56) in whom only homologous blood products were utilized. More patients in Group 1 had no transfusion requirements (45 vs 8; P < 0.05) and there was no increased risk of major haemorrhage. When the capital costs are included, utilization of the CSA was not costeffective. We conclude that utilisation of a CSA was safe, with no increased risk of bleeding, reduced requirements for homologous blood transfusions, but added to the cost of the procedure.
A model of peptide triazole entry inhibitor binding to HIV-1 gp120 and the mechanism of bridging sheet disruption.

Peptide triazole (PT) entry inhibitors prevent HIV-1 infection by blocking the binding of viral gp120 to both the HIV-1 receptor and the coreceptor on target cells. Here, we used all-atom explicit solvent molecular dynamics (MD) to propose a model for the encounter complex of the peptide triazoles with gp120. Saturation transfer difference nuclear magnetic resonance (STD NMR) and single-site mutagenesis experiments were performed to test the simulation results. We found that docking of the peptide to a conserved patch of residues lining the “F43 pocket” of gp120 in a bridging sheet naive gp120 conformation of the glycoprotein led to a stable complex. This pose prevents formation of the bridging sheet minidomain, which is required for receptor–coreceptor binding, providing a mechanistic basis for dual-site antagonism of this class of inhibitors. Burial of the peptide triazole at the gp120 inner domain–outer domain interface significantly contributed to complex stability and rationalizes the significant con...
Estimation of dynamic parameters from NMR relaxation data using the Lipari-Szabo model-free approach and Bayesian statistical methods.

Abstract In order to analyze NMR relaxation data in terms of parameters which describe internal motion, one must first obtain a description of the overall tumbling of the macromolecule in solution. Methods currently used to estimate these global parameters may not always provide reliable estimates of their values and uncertainties. In this paper, we present a general data analysis formalism based on products of Bayesian marginal probability densities which can be used to efficiently combine the information content from multiple experiments, such as R1, R2, and NOE data collected at multiple magnetic field strengths, or data from cross-correlation or rotating frame relaxation dispersion experiments. Our approach allows the estimation of global tumbling and internal dynamical parameters and their uncertainties without some of the assumptions which are made in the commonly-used methods for model-selection and global parameter estimation. Compared to an equivalent classical statistical approach, the Bayesian method not only is more computationally efficient, but also provides greater insight into the information content of the data. We demonstrate that this approach can be used to estimate both the isotropic rotational correlation time in the context of the original and “extended” Lipari–Szabo formalisms [Lipari & Szabo, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1982, 104, 4546; Clore et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1990, 112, 4989], as well as the rotational diffusion coefficients for axially symmetric anisotropic tumbling.
A New Frontier For Women’s Sports (Beyond Title IX)

This study examines and evaluates the problems associated with the current Title IX regulations. It examines and gives examples of many inequities with the current three part test utilized by the Department of Education to determine compliance. A major reform in the Title IX regulations is advocated in order to establish a new era of equity and fairness for female athletes in intercollegiate sports. These new regulations involve not only participation, but also scholarships, operating budgets, recruiting budgets, and coaching salaries.
Mechanical and microstructural characterization of boron nitride nanotubes-reinforced SOFC seal glass composite

Abstract Barium calcium aluminosilicate G18 glass composite reinforced with 4 wt% of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT) were fabricated via hot pressing. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the microstructural features of the G18 glass–BNNT composite. Flexure strength, fracture toughness, elastic modulus, and microhardness of the composite were determined at ambient temperature. The strength of the G18 glass–BNNT composite was greater by as much as 90% and fracture toughness by as much as 35% than those of the unreinforced G18 glass. Microscopic examination of the composite fracture surfaces revealed pullout of the BNNTs. Density, elastic modulus, and Vickers microhardness of the composite were a little lower than those of the unreinforced glass.
Is the skin barrier abnormal in dogs with atopic dermatitis

In mammalian skin, the stratum corneum exerts a barrier function that protects from transepidermal water loss and the penetration of exogenous molecules, such as allergens, from the environment. Recently, skin barrier defects have been shown to be of prime importance in the pathogenesis of human atopic dermatitis. In this review, we summarize the latest research data pertinent to the stratum corneum and barrier function of dogs with atopic dermatitis. At the time of this writing, there is increasing evidence that a skin barrier defect likely exists in dogs with atopic dermatitis. This barrier dysfunction is characterized by abnormal intercellular stratum corneum lipid lamellae, abnormal stratum corneum morphology, reduced and abnormal ceramide content and, in some but not all dogs, abnormal filaggrin expression. In association with these changes, there is higher transepidermal water loss in atopic than in normal canine skin. Furthermore, atopic inflammation appears to worsen transepidermal water loss and filaggrin expression. It remains unknown, however, if the changes observed are primary (i.e. of genetic origin) or secondary to atopic inflammation that also exists even in clinically normal skin. Finally, whether or not a therapeutic intervention aimed at restoring a dysfunctional skin barrier is of any clinical benefit to atopic dogs has not yet been proven unequivocally.
Protecting Rough Rice Stored in Metal Farm Bins from Insect Attack

U.S. No. 1 grade rough rice was stored in galvanized metal bins and monitored for 12 months to determine insect infestation and quality factors. Six treatments—malathion, aeration, a combination of malathion and aeration, pirimiphos methyl, chlorpyrifos methyl, and controls—were tested. After 6-months storage, dichlorvos strips were compared to phosphine fumigation for moth control in selected bins. Heavy infestations of Angoumois grain moths, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and lesser grain borers, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) developed in all untreated rice and in all rice treated with malathion. One replicate treated with pirimiphos methyl became infested with lesser grain borers. Two replicates treated with pirimiphos methyl and all replicates treated with chlorpyrifos methyl remained free from infestation for 12 months. Fumigation with phosphine reduced an infestation of Angoumois grain moths ca. 99% but the population began to recover immediately after treatment. A dichlorvos strip suspended in the overspace reduced the infestation ca. 99% within six weeks and eliminated it by 12 weeks. Infestations that were not controlled resulted in severe quality damage. In some cases, the rice quality was reduced to U.S. sample grade in 12 months.
A. C. Ewing—A Critical Survey of Ewing's Recent Work

Is the existence of God a reasonable metaphysical hypothesis? So asks A. C. Ewing in his important posthumous work, Value and Reality.1 Thus the topic of the book is theistic religion, not in its entirety, but rather merely in its intellectual part. That it does have such a part, and further that it makes claims 'to objective truth in the field of metaphysics' (p. 24), is defended on the grounds (a) that a fictional 'story' about God has what religious or ethical impact it may have because, or at least mainly because, it is taken precisely not as fictional, but as expressing an objective theological truth; and (b) that a story, or an account, can constitute a good reason for one's acting in a certain way only if the account is, in fact, objectively true. Bearing on both points is Ewing's observation that 'emotion, at least except in pathological cases, requires some objective belief about the real, true or false, to support it for long, and if it exists without knowledge or rationally founded belief with which it is in agreement, it is to be condemned as irrational or unfitting, as it would be unfitting to rejoice at something disastrous or be angry with an inanimate thing' (p. 27). The claim is not, we are told, that religious statements are literal as distinguished from symbolic. The door would seem to be left open, in fact, to their all being symbolic. What is essential is that some of them symbolise distinctively metaphysical truths, or truths 'going beyond the realm of science' and 'throwing some light on the general nature of the real' (p. 30). We should indeed distinguish, Ewing notes, 'belief in' from 'belief that'. Yet the former is not possible without the latter. 'Unless I believe that God exists I cannot believe in God' (p. 28). So in Ewing's opinion, statements of metaphysics-if not concerning God, then at least concerning certain general aspects of reality-are most important for religion as a whole, and are, in being true, conceptually necessary to its validity, or to its 'fittingness'. But is a cognitively meaningful metaphysic so much as a possibility? Recent charges that it is not have been based commonly, Ewing asserts, on one or the other or both of two principles: the principle of verification and the principle that 'all a priori propositions and inferences are analytic'
First-class user-level threads

It is often desirable, for reasons of clarity, portability, and efficiency, to write parallel programs in which the number of processes is independent of the number of available processors. Several modern operating systems support more than one process in an address space, but the overhead of creating and synchronizing kernel processes can be high. Many runtime environments implement lightweight processes (threads) in user space, but this approach usually results in second-class status for threads, making it difficult or impossible to perform scheduling operations at appropriate times (e.g. when the current thread blocks in the kernel). In addition, a lack of common assumptions may also make it difficult for parallel programs or library routines that use dissimilar thread packages to communicate with each other, or to synchronize access to shared data.We describe a set of kernel mechanisms and conventions designed to accord first-class status to user-level threads, allowing them to be used in any reasonable way that traditional kernel-provided processes can be used, while leaving the details of their implementation to user-level code. The key features of our approach are (1) shared memory for asynchronous communication between the kernel and the user, (2) software interrupts for events that might require action on the part of a user-level scheduler, and (3) a scheduler interface convention that facilitates interactions in user space between dissimilar kinds of threads. We have incorporated these mechanisms in the Psyche parallel operating system, and have used them to implement several different kinds of user-level threads. We argue for our approach in terms of both flexibility and performance.
Hydrocarbons Emitted by Waggle-Dancing Honey Bees Increase Forager Recruitment by Stimulating Dancing

Hydrocarbons emitted by waggle-dancing honey bees are known to reactivate experienced foragers to visit known food sources. This study investigates whether these hydrocarbons also increase waggle-dance recruitment by observing recruitment and dancing behavior when the dance compounds are introduced into the hive. If the hydrocarbons emitted by waggle-dancing bees affect the recruitment of foragers to a food source, then the number of recruits arriving at a food source should be greater after introduction of dance compounds versus a pure-solvent control. This prediction was supported by the results of experiments in which recruits were captured at a feeder following introduction of dance-compounds into a hive. This study also tested two nonexclusive behavioral mechanism(s) by which the compounds might stimulate recruitment; 1) increased recruitment could occur by means of increasing the recruitment effectiveness of each dance and/or 2) increased recruitment could occur by increasing the intensity of waggle-dancing. These hypotheses were tested by examining video records of the dancing and recruitment behavior of individually marked bees following dance-compound introduction. Comparisons of numbers of dance followers and numbers of recruits per dance and waggle run showed no significant differences between dance-compound and solvent-control introduction, thus providing no support for the first hypothesis. Comparison of the number of waggle-dance bouts and the number of waggle runs revealed significantly more dancing during morning dance-compound introduction than morning solvent-control introduction, supporting the second hypothesis. These results suggest that the waggle-dance hydrocarbons play an important role in honey bee foraging recruitment by stimulating foragers to perform waggle dances following periods of inactivity.
The diffusivity of hydrogen in Nb stabilized stainless steel

The evolution of hydrogen from 347 stainless steel has been studied by using a real time dynamic technique under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. Auger electron spectroscopy was used to determine the surface composition as a function of time and temperature. The surface film on the electropolished samples was found to be approximately 15 A thick and consisted of a carbon-oxygen complex and a metal oxide(Fex0y . Upon heating to 400 °C, the carbon-oxygen complex desorbed as CO and the remaining oxygen and carbon began to incorporate. Also at this temperature sulfur began to diffuse out of the bulk to the surface and at approximately 800 °C formed a complete monolayer. At 900 °C, carbon and oxygen virtually disappeared, leaving the monolayer of sulfur as the only surface contaminant. The hydrogen diffusivity was found to follow closely the equationD = 7.01 × 10-7 exp[-48.0/RT] m2 per second over the entire temperature range studied, thus indicating that hydrogen evolution is not significantly affected by the changing surface composition. The somewhat higher value of the diffusivity obtained in this work compared to past measurements in austenitic stainless steels may indicate the importance of sample preprocessing and ultrahigh vacuum conditions in minimizing the effects of surface layers.
Real-time pattern recognition using a modified liquid crystal television in a coherent optical correlator.

La television a cristal liquide est utilisee comme modulateur spatial dans un correlateur optique
The mirror of modernity and spiritual resources for the global community

La possibilite d'une ethique radicalement differente et independante de la mentalite issue du Siecle des Lumieres n'est ni realiste ni authentique. Cette possibilite apparaitrait cynique et meme hypercritique. Pour l'A., il est necessaire d'elargir le champ du projet des Lumieres en explorant les ressources spirituelles qui pourraient y aider. Il faudrait selon lui approfondir la morale et si necessaire, transformer ses contraintes genetiques afin que la mentalite des Lumieres realise pleinement sa capacite de conception du monde pour l'ensemble de la communaute des hommes
Regulation of protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocyte lysates: effect of of Ca2+, Mg2+, and Mn2+ on self-phosphorylation and heterophosphorylation catalyzed by the heme-regulated and double-stranded-RNA-activated protein kinases.

The influence of divalent cations Mg2+, Mn2+, and Ca2+ on the cyclic-AMP-independent protein kinases of the heine-regulated and double-stranded-RNA-activated translational inhibitory protein kinases on self-phosphorylation and heterophosphorylation of the substrate (the 38 000-dalton subunit of initiation factor eIF-2) has been examined, Results show that Mg2+, Mn2+, and Ca2+ affect the activities of these enzymes in the following fashion. Mg2+ supports both self-phosphorylation and heterophosphorylation efficiently. Mn2+ on the other hand supports self-phosphorylation but to a lesser degree the heterophosphorylation, Ca2+ promotes neither self-phosphorylation nor hetero-phosphorylation.
Voriconazole-induced blistering in the setting of graft versus host disease: A report of 2 patients.

Voriconazole is a newer triazole antifungal agent with a wide spectrum of activity against yeast, fungi and molds including many Candida, Aspergillus , and Fusarium species. Its use continues to increase, particularly in immunocompromised patients, owing to its broad coverage, availability in both intravenous and oral preparations, and safety profile. The detection of adverse events in these patients may be complicated by their preexisting comorbidities and polypharmacy. We describe 2 patients with hematologic malignancies status post allogeneic bone marrow transplantation who developed blistering eruptions on the extremities related to voriconazole use. A history of graft versus host disease in each patient confounded and delayed the diagnosis. It is imperative to recognize voriconazole-induced blistering as a separate and distinct entity in such patients with a history of graft versus host disease, since delayed withdrawal of voriconazole use could result in unnecessary and potentially dangerous increases in immunosuppressive therapy.
Nitric Oxide Signaling Is Recruited As a Compensatory Mechanism for Sustaining Synaptic Plasticity in Alzheimer's Disease Mice

Synaptic plasticity deficits are increasingly recognized as causing the memory impairments which define Alzheimer's disease (AD). In AD mouse models, evidence of abnormal synaptic function is present before the onset of cognitive deficits, and presents as increased synaptic depression revealed only when synaptic homeostasis is challenged, such as with suppression of ryanodine receptor (RyR)-evoked calcium signaling. Otherwise, at early disease stages, the synaptic physiology phenotype appears normal. This suggests compensatory mechanisms are recruited to maintain a functionally normal net output of the hippocampal circuit. A candidate calcium-regulated synaptic modulator is nitric oxide (NO), which acts presynaptically to boost vesicle release and glutamatergic transmission. Here we tested whether there is a feedforward cycle between the increased RyR calcium release seen in presymptomatic AD mice and aberrant NO signaling which augments synaptic plasticity. Using a combination of electrophysiological approaches, two-photon calcium imaging, and protein biochemistry in hippocampal tissue from presymptomatic 3xTg-AD and NonTg mice, we show that blocking NO synthesis results in markedly augmented synaptic depression mediated through presynaptic mechanisms in 3xTg-AD mice. Additionally, blocking NO reduces the augmented synaptically evoked dendritic calcium release mediated by enhanced RyR calcium release. This is accompanied by increased nNOS levels in the AD mice and is reversed upon normalization of RyR-evoked calcium release with chronic dantrolene treatment. Thus, recruitment of NO is serving a compensatory role to boost synaptic transmission and plasticity during early AD stages. However, NO's dual role in neuroprotection and neurodegeneration may convert to maladaptive functions as the disease progresses.
Effects of gamma irradiation on the insulated-gate bipolar transistor

Abstract The effects of gamma irradiation on the International Rectifier IRGBC20 insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) was investigated. These devices were found to be sensitive to gamma irradiation due to their metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistor (MOSFET) input drive. Total doses as small as 50 Krads(Si) increased the saturated collector current (Ic) by an order of magnitude when the irradiation was performed with zero gate bias. For a constant (Vg − Vth) of 0.5 V, Ic decreased to about half its pre-irradiation value after irradiation to 40 Krads(Si). The threshold voltage of the MOSFET shifted in the negative direction with the largest and smallest shifts occurring for a positive and negative gate bias applied during the irradiation, respectively. The shift in threshold voltage saturated at the cut-in voltage of the P-i-N diode portion of the device, indicating that gamma irradiation does not affect the P-i-N diode. The reverse blocking leakage current of the device is not very sensitive to radiation below a total dose of 400 Krads(Si), but increases sharply for larger doses. All of these radiation-degraded characteristics of the IGBT are primarily the result of increasing interface-state and oxide-trapped charge densities with total radiation dose, which decreases the carrier channel mobility by increased carrier scattering. Both room temperature and 150°C annealing were observed to partially recover all of the device characteristics by reducing the radiation-induced oxide-trapped charges.
Synergistic effects of carbon fillers on shielding effectiveness in conductive nylon 6,6‐ and polycarbonate‐based resins

Electrically conductive resins can be made by adding electrically conductive fillers to typically insulating polymers. Resins with an electrical resistivity of approximately 100 Ω cm or less can be used for electromagnetic and radio frequency interference shielding applications. This research focused on performing compounding runs followed by injection molding and shielding effectiveness (SE) testing of carbon filled nylon 6,6- and polycarbonate-based resins. The three carbon fillers investigated included an electrically conductive carbon black, synthetic graphite particles, and a milled pitch-based carbon fiber. For each polymer, conductive resins were produced and tested that contained varying amounts of these single carbon fillers. In addition, combinations of fillers were investigated by conducting a full 23 factorial design and a complete replicate in each polymer. The objective of this study was to determine the effects and interactions of each filler on the SE properties of the conductive resins. Carbon black caused the largest increase in SE. Also, each single filler and each two filler interaction caused a statistically significant increase in SE. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 22: 96–111, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.10040
The stimulation of rat brain monoamine oxidase by dietary lithium chloride

Lithium chloride administered to rats in drinking water for 30 days caused an increase of whole brain monoamine oxidase specific activity to approximately 140% of control. Carboxylesterase and formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase activities were not affected by Li+ either in vivo or in vitro.
Fast axoplasmic transport of acetylcholinesterase in mammalian nerve fibres.

— Acetylcholinesterase (acetylcholine acetyl-hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.7) is carried down mammalian nerve fibres by the fast axoplasmic transport system. This conclusion was derived from experiments involving the ligation of cat sciatic nerves at two sites placed 83.5 mm apart. The enzyme accumulated in segments of nerve proximal to the upper ligation in a linear fashion over a period of at least 20 h. At approximately 5 h the accumulation of enzyme ceased in the nerve segment proximal to the distal ligation within the isolated length of nerve, an observation indicating that the portion of AChE free to move within the isolated nerve had been depleted during this period of time. The freely moving fraction of AChE was estimated to be 15% of the total enzyme activity present in the nerve (10% in the proximo-distal direction and 5% in the retrograde direction). The rate of AChE downflow (as estimated from the intercept of the curve plotting accumulation with the line denoting when depletion started) was 431 mm/day within a 95% confidence interval of 357–543 mm/day. In view of the variability, our results demonstrated that AChE was being carried by the fast axoplasmic transport system, which in earlier studies was estimated to have a characteristic rate close to 410 mm/day. An accumulation of AChE was also found on the distal side of the ligations that represented a movement of AChE in the distal-proximal direction in the fibres. This retrograde transport was smaller in amount (about one-half) than the proximo-distal rate of transport, or close to 220 mm/day. The rate of AChE transport was discussed in relation to the ‘transport filament’ hypothesis of fast axoplasmic transport.
Improved contrast by modal illumination in scanning reflectance confocal microscopy

ABSTRACT Scanning reflectance confocal microscopy (SRCM) is a flexible technology that provides cellular resolution images of tissue morphology with tailored resolutions and fields of view. However, how accurately an object is represented, in other words its fidelity , is critical in medical imaging and is not represented simply by optical resolution. In this work we characterize the SRCMs fidelity of images derived within turbid media. We present theoretical and experimental results showing the improved fidelity when using modal illumination. We investigated the use of TEM 10 illumination and a novel implementation of Nomarski differential-interference-contrast (DIC). Using a repeatable, stable turbid phantom the system fidelity was characterized. Keywords: Microscopy, turbid, speckle, confocal, NRDIC, pupil engineering, phantom 1. INTRODUCTION Scanning reflectance confocal microscopy (SRCM) is a popular tool in biomedical imaging. It allows a user to visualize sectioned en-face planes of tissue, with resolution comparable to gold-standard histology
The pore-filling model for a macroporous catalyst pellet with three different types of fouling mechanisms

Abstract The macropore-filling model is used to evaluate the deactivation characteristics for macroporous catalyst systems. Three different types of fooling mechanisms are considered: (1) inactive fouling—fouling involving only physical deposition on the catalyst; (2) active fouling—fouling in which new active sites are created by the deposit; and (3) hard-shell fouling—active fouling in which reaction is limited to the surface of the deposit only. For each of the fouling mechanisms, the model gives a simple anayltical expression for average pellet activity. These expressions utilize Thiele-type parameters, with no more than three parameters appearing in any one mechanism. The model is verified by comparison to published experimental data. Activity vs foulant weight data are compared to model predictions for both inactive and active fouling. In addition, predicted reactor time-temperature profiles are compared with experimental data for the active fouling case.
Positioning laboratory automation for today's dynamic climate

Laboratory automation has existed and matured at Eli Lilly and Company for well over a decade. The author's section serves as a developer of laboratory automation systems for customers within Lilly and embodies ‘robotic friendly’ laboratories with highly technical and experienced personnel. With several systems showing signs of age, second generation ‘smart systems’ have been developed and delivered during the last three years. These systems were built with an ideology different from previous systems. Upon their delivery, the ‘smart systems’ met the customer's functional requirements but the overall acceptance of this ideology is still being debated due to the perception of failure. Much of this perception can be attributed to the delivery of a system heavily dependent on system maintenance, something totally unexpected by the customer. This paper discusses the ideology of a‘smart systems’ and the results following implementation. The events that led to the review and subsequent departure of the ‘smart systems’ ideology are also described.
Erectile tissue in an invertebrate animal: the Octopus copulatory organ

The most familiar examples of erectile tissue are the genitalia of mammals, notably the penis and clitoris. Among the soft-bodied invertebrates, erectile tissue is virtually unknown, even in sex organs. Here we report that the ligula, the copulatory organ that is a modification of an arm tip of male octopuses, is erectile in Octopus bimaculoides. The normally minute ligula was observed during an unsuccessful mating attempt to be engorged. Histological sections of the ligula reveal striking structural convergences with mammalian erectile tissue: large, well-vascularized internal cavities subdivided by networks of collagen fibres and enclosed by an array of collagen fibres. This internal structure differs markedly from the dense, three-dimensional array of muscles and connective tissues seen in the other octopodid ligulae examined. Erectile tissue may represent an evolutionary compromise between opposing selective forces. Small ligulae may be advantageous because O. bimaculoides hunts in daylight and the white-faced ligula may be conspicuous to predators. Large ligulae, however, may be advantageous if the intense sexual selection thought to occur among octopodids selects for large ligulae, which can transfer larger spermatophores that carry more sperm. An erectile ligula may minimize the impact of these opposing selective forces.
Sample-size requirements for developing strategies, based on the pupal/demographic survey, for the targeted control of dengue.

AbstractSeveral methods to determine the sample size required for a reliable and practical assessment of the number of Aedes aegypti pupae in a community in Puerto Rico have been explored. Because the pupae were highly aggregated, the data were fitted to a negative binomial distribution. Classical statistical-inference methods for sample-size determination demanded the sampling of >3000 premises for a reliable estimation of the mean number of pupae/person (with a 15% error). This number was reduced to 1000–1200 premises after applying a finite-population correction. Database sub-sampling simulations, with increasing sample sizes, showed that the variability in the mean relative abundance of container types and in the mean number of pupae/container substantially decreased after sampling 186 and 310 premises, respectively. Sequential sampling was applied to test the hypotheses that the number of female pupae/person was at least 0.19 (considered the dengue epidemic threshold) or no greater than 0.10 (arbitra...
Analysis of a Monte Carlo boundary propagation method

Abstract A modified Monte Carlo technique, first developed in estimating a solution to Poisson's equation, is described and estimates of its computational complexities are derived. The method yields better estimates than the standard Monte Carlo approach by incorporating boundary information more efficiently and by the implicit reuse of random walk information gathered throughout the course of the computation. The new approach reduces the computational complexity of the length of a random walk by one order of magnitude as compared to a standard method described in many text books. Also, the number of walks necessary to achieve a desired accuracy is reduced.
Measurements of the auto-ignition of n-heptane/toluene mixtures using a rapid compression machine

Abstract Ignition delay times of undiluted stoichiometric n -heptane/toluene mixtures have been measured in a rapid compression machine (RCM) for pure n -heptane and for an increasing concentration of toluene by liquid volume (25–100%) in the mixture, mainly at two different molar densities (150 and 180 mol/m 3 ). Initial pressures and temperatures were varied respectively in the 0226–0298 bar range and in the 299–352 K range, in order to allow compressed pressures and temperatures respectively in the 7.95–10.38 bar range and in the 710–814 K range. No ignition was observed for pure toluene due most probably to the variation of the final temperature and pressure in the combustion chamber during the very long ignition times of pure toluene at the experimental conditions considered in this work. The ignition delay variation at fixed temperature and the relative variation of the two-stage ignition times are reported. It is shown how the mixture behavior seems to be governed by the n -heptane chemistry for low toluene amount, while an increase of toluene concentration causes longer ignition delay times. Numerical modeling of the experiments with a recent Lawrence Livermore chemical mechanism for surrogate fuels shows that the results agree fairly well in the case of low and mid proportion of toluene by liquid volume. The single-zone model has allowed to extend the temperature range of investigation, showing that the low temperature range is the most influenced by the presence of toluene.
Chemical strategies for the global analysis of protein function: Profiling hydrolytic enzymes in cancer

The molecular features specific to metastatic carcinomas that support their invasive behavior are complex and ill defined. Although one generally accepted notion assigns hydrolytic enzymes a central role in promoting the aggressive properties of metastatic tumors, the actual functions played by individual proteases and esterases in cancer remain elusive. To understand better how hydrolases and their endogenous inhibitors affect cancer, we are using a new chemical strategy, activity-based protein profiling. This method allows us to monitor simultaneously and directly the catalytic activities of numerous serine hydrolases from whole-cell, tissue and fluid samples. We have initiated a program to compare the serine hydrolase activity profiles of estrogen-receptor-positive and -negative human breast cancer cell lines. In breast carcinomas, a strong inverse correlation exists between estrogen receptor expression and several metastatic phenotypes, including cell invasiveness and motility. When this finding is coupled with the observation that serine protease inhibitors suppress estrogen-receptor-negative tumor cell migration and invasion, an intriguing model emerges in which serine hydrolases play a central role in mediating the aggressive behavior of these cells. Nonetheless, the identities of the participating enzymes remain unknown. Using activity-based protein profiling, we have identified several serine hydrolase activities that vary dramatically among these breast cancer lines. We anticipate that such studies will identify functional changes in key serine hydrolases involved in promoting or retarding tumorigenesis. These enzymes should in turn serve as both markers for cancer progression and targets for pharmaceutical efforts aimed at treating this disease.
Nursing home price and quality responses to publicly reported quality information.

Public quality reporting for health care providers has become widespread in the United States. The increased transparency resulting from report cards is expected to motivate providers to improve quality either to capture consumer demand or to enhance provider reputation (Berwick, James, and Coye 2003; Stevenson 2006). Report cards may also help to align provider prices with the quality of their services through value-based pricing and to facilitate value-based purchasing by consumers. However, both price and quality information must be available to purchasers in advance of receiving care for this kind of provider and consumer behavior to occur. For most health care services in the United States, individual consumers lack relevant quality and price data. Thus, there is little incentive for providers to adjust their prices and quality to better align with each other. In particular, for many insured services, consumers only know what their copayments and deductibles will be and do not have information on provider prices net of allowable discounts. Consequently, even if some quality data are available, there is insufficient information on what consumers should expect to pay. This likely inhibits both value-based pricing and purchasing. Conditions in the market for private (self) pay long-term care (LTC) nursing home services are different, however. Individual consumers or their family members can obtain the actual per diem nursing home price they will be billed in advance from a telephone call or meeting with an admissions staff member. Quality information for nursing homes became available in November 2002 when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began posting six long and four short-stay quality measures (QMs) on the Nursing Home Compare (NHC) website (http://www.medicare.gov/NHCompare).1 CMS introduced this effort with a media campaign to inform consumers. We take advantage of the availability of price information and the introduction of quality data in the private nursing home market to assess whether nursing homes adjusted prices after the release of the NHC data; we also examine quality adjustments. Ours is the first research to examine both nursing home prices and quality after NHC. Although Medicaid is the dominant payer for nursing homes, there is substantial self-pay volume—33 percent of nursing home care expenditures in 2005 (Catlin et al. 2007). Since there is very little LTC insurance in the United States and the market penetration of LTC insurers is too low to negotiate prices or select providers, consumers act largely as individual purchasers in using price information (Coronel 2003). Self-pay per diem prices are available from state, but not national, databases. Consequently, we examine data for Wisconsin nursing homes for a period spanning 2 years prior and 1 year after the introduction of the NHC QMs, 2001–2003. Wisconsin nursing homes had a substantial percentage of self-pay residents (23 percent) during this period.
Appraisal components, core relational themes, and the emotions

Abstract This study experimentally tests the contributions of specific appraisals, considered at both molecular (appraisal components) and molar (core relational themes) levels of analysis, to the experience of four emotions (anger, guilt, fear/anxiety, and sadness) using a two-stage directed imagery task. In Stage 1, subjects imagined themselves in scenarios designed to evoke appraisals hypothesised to produce either anger or sadness. In Stage 2, the scenarios unfolded in time to produce a second manipulation designed to systematically evoke the appraisals hypothesised to produce each of the four emotions under study. The results provided substantial support for the theoretically specified appraisal-emotion relationships for anger, guilt, and fear/ anxiety. However, support for the predictions for sadness was weaker, partially due to ineffective manipulation of the relevant appraisals. Implications for the further development and testing of emotion theory are discussed.
Assessing reliability of categorical substance use measures with latent class analysis.

Abstract This article illustrates the use of the latent class model to identify classes of individuals and to assess the psychometric reliability of categorical items. The latent class model is a categorical latent variable model used to identify homogeneous classes of respondents such that class membership accounts for item responses. The assessment of measurement reliability comes directly from the estimates of the model. Although not based on classical test theory, the reliability assessment procedures described here answer the same question—that is, how consistent or dependable is measurement? The goal is to identify reliable indicators of a characteristic by examining measurement error and the inter-relatedness of the items. Methods for estimating the reliability of individual items as well as sets of items are presented. These methods are illustrated with data on cigarette smoking from a national sample of adolescents. By using the procedures described here, researchers are able to determine: (1) which classes of people are measured well and which are not; (2) which items perform well and which do not; and (3) whether items need to be altered or added in order to measure and identify particular classes better.
Could contrast-enhanced cardiovascular MRI potentially be used to screen pediatric cardiac transplant patients for transplant coronary artery disease?

“…recent studies suggest that contrast-enhanced cardiovascular MRI techniques can provide a noninvasive means to image and quantify the effects of increased angiogenesis and inflammation in coronar...
The cytoplasmic fragment of the aspartate receptor displays globally dynamic behavior.

A number of cloned soluble fragments of the bacterial chemotaxis transmembrane receptors retain partial function. Prior studies of a fragment corresponding to the cytoplasmic domain (c-fragment) of...
Space-Time Symmetries of Noncommutative Spaces

We define a noncommutative Lorentz symmetry for canonical noncommutative spaces. The noncommutative vector fields and the derivatives transform under a deformed Lorentz transformation. We show that the star product is invariant under noncommutative Lorentz transformations. We then apply our idea to the case of actions obtained by expanding the star product and the fields taken in the enveloping algebra via the Seiberg-Witten maps and verify that these actions are invariant under these new noncommutative Lorentz transformations. We finally consider general coordinate transformations and show that the metric is undeformed.