cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Health Professions and the Law

This chapter reviews the legal obligations health sciences programs have toward disabled students, employees, and other participants. It describes the coverage of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act—the two principal federal disability rights laws—and explains how these statutes apply to health sciences programs. It considers the statutory definition of “disability”—which determines whether an individual is protected by the disability rights laws—as well as the application of the concept of reasonable accommodation to a variety of health sciences settings. It addresses the role of deference to academic decision-makers as well as the lack of any general cost defense to the disability discrimination laws. And it reviews numerous leading decisions from the Supreme Court and other courts.
Spatial and vertical bias in down-looking ship-based acoustic estimates of fish density in Lake Superior: Lessons learned from multi-directional acoustics

Abstract Hydroacoustic surveys using hull-mounted down-looking transducers are useful for estimating pelagic fish densities; however, this method may miss shallow fish owing to the acoustic surface dead zone and vessel avoidance. Our objective was to compare pelagic fish density estimates acquired by a traditional down-looking acoustic survey to estimates obtained by a new multi-directional-towed sled capable of sampling the entire water column using upward-, sideways-, and downward-aimed transducers simultaneously. We deployed both systems concurrently in the western arm of Lake Superior during a period of stable stratification. We found the two survey approaches provided significantly different estimates of fish density in the upper water column layer (~4–9 m below the lake surface) with the sled up-looking transducer providing 56 times higher densities compared to the traditional ship down-looking method. Densities also varied significantly in the 9–14 m layer where densities were 6.2 times higher in the sled survey. Midwater trawl sampling indicated that cisco (Coregonus artedi) and rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) were the predominant species occupying the uppermost 14 m of the water column. The two acoustic approaches provided similar results at water column depths >14 m where rainbow smelt and kiyi (Coregonus kiyi) were predominant. Overall, the sled-based method estimates were, on average, 2.5 times higher for the whole water column. Our findings show that the new sled can reduce bias by better sampling the surface dead zone leading to more accurate estimation of pelagic fish densities for both management and research.
Retinal Detachment and Laser Retinopexy Rates During the COVID-19 Pandemic:

Purpose:At the start of March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic placed an unprecedented burden on the healthcare system. Throughout much of the United States, shelter-in-place orders were imposed to redu...
Use of a convolutional neural network and quantitative ultrasound for diagnosis of fatty liver

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) was used to classify rabbits that were induced to have liver disease by placing them on a fatty diet for a defined duration and/or periodically injecting them with CCl4. The ground truth of the liver state was based on lipid liver percents estimated via the Folch assay and hydroxyproline concentration to quantify fibrosis. Rabbits were scanned ultrasonically in vivo using a SonixOne scanner and an L9-4/38 linear array. Liver fat percentage was classified based on the ultrasonic backscattered radiofrequency (RF) signals from the livers using either QUS or a 1-D convolutional neural network (CNN). Use of QUS parameters with linear regression and canonical correlation analysis demonstrated that the QUS parameters could differentiate between livers with lipid levels above or below 5%. However, the QUS parameters were not sensitive to fibrosis. The CNN was implemented by analyzing raw RF ultrasound signals without using separate reference data. The CNN outputs the classification of liver as either above or below a threshold of 5% fat level in the liver. The CNN outperformed the classification utilizing the QUS parameters combined with a support vector machine in differentiating between low and high lipid liver levels (i.e., accuracies of 74% versus 59% on the testing data). Therefore, although the CNN did not provide a physical interpretation of the tissue properties (e.g., attenuation of the medium or scatterer properties) the CNN had much higher accuracy in predicting fatty liver state and did not require an external reference scan.
Concurrent-flow flame spread over thin discrete fuels in microgravity

Abstract Microgravity experiments are performed to study concurrent-flow flame spread over an array of thin cellulose-based fuel samples, using NASA Glenn Research Center's 5.18 s drop tower. Sample segments are distributed uniformly, separated by air gaps, on a sample holder. The exposed width of each sample segment is 5 cm. Two segment lengths, 0.5 cm and 1 cm, are tested. The gap sizes are varied in different tests, ranging from 0.5 to 5 cm. In all tests, a low-speed air flow (30 cm/s) is imposed and the upstream-most fuel segment is ignited by an electrical ignition wire. Upon ignition, the flame spread is recorded by two video cameras from the front and side-view angles. Spread rates, flame lengths, and burning durations are extracted using a custom video processing code. Similar to continuous fuels, flame spread over discrete fuels is a continual process of ignition. A burning discrete fuel segment, before it is consumed, needs to ignite the subsequent segment in order to have flame propagation across the gap. During this process, larger gaps between samples reduce the effective fuel load, increasing the apparent flame spread rate. However, larger gaps also reduce the heat transfer between adjacent samples, decreasing the sample burning rate. As a result, as the gap size increases, the flame spread rate increases but the burning rate decreases. At the same gap size, the flame spread rate is higher for the shorter tested sample segments. When considering sample configurations of the same fuel ratio (fuel length over the summation of the fuel and gap lengths), the spread rates are similar. This trend remains until a critical gap size is reached and flame fails to propagate across the entire array of samples. The critical gap sizes are similar for the two tested sample segment lengths and are suspected to be determined by the flame length.
Influence of vaccination with a combined chemically altered/inactivated BHV-1/BVD vaccine or a modified- live BHV-1/BVD vaccine on reproductive performance in beef cows and heifers

A field trial was conducted on 10 herds of previously- vaccinated cows and heifers (n=1,567) to evaluate the reproductive effects of prebreeding vaccination with either a modified-live virus (MLV) or a chemically altered/inactivated (CA/IV] BHV-1/BVDV vaccine. Animals received a single (cows) or 2 injections (heifers) of either vaccine, with the final injection between 27 and 89 days before breeding, which consisted of timed AI following a 7-d CO-Synch + CIDR synchronization. Conception rates to AI were greater in the CA/IV vaccine group compared to the MLV vaccine group (P=0.05; 60% vs 52%). Interval from vaccination with either vaccine until AI also influenced conception rates (P=0.02), with animals vaccinated 27 to 29 (52%) days or 30 to 37 (52%) days prebreeding exhibiting decreased conception rates compared to animals vaccinated 46 to 89 days prebreeding (P<0.03; 64%). There was no treatment by interval interaction (P=0.79), effect of treatment (P=0.18), or treatment by interval interaction (P=0.17) on breeding season pregnancy rates. In summary, vaccination of previously vaccinated beef cows and heifers with a MLV vaccine pre-breeding (27 to 89 d) was associated with decreased AI conception rates compared to a CA/IV vaccine.
Do Efl Students Like Graded Readers

Graded readers are widely used in English as a foreign language programs, but we have little information about whether students find them interesting. In this study, 14 to 16 year old students of English as a foreign language in Taiwan were asked to evaluate the readers they had read. Overall, 41% found the books to be interesting, and 24% did not, but only 4% strongly agreed that the books were interesting. This is an encouraging result, but if our goal is to help students find truly compelling reading material, we will have to look elsewhere for additional reading material.
Nonlinear crosstalk suppression in a WDM analog fiber system by complementary modulation of twin carriers

By using complementary modulation of two closely-spaced optical carriers, nonlinear crosstalk on other carriers in WDM analog fiber communication systems can be greatly reduced. We have obtained up to 30 dB reduction at low modulation frequencies, where crosstalk is most severe.
The chain & sum primitive and its applications to MACs and stream ciphers

We present a new scheme called universal block chaining with sum (or chain & sum primitive (C&S) for short), and show its application to the problem of combined encryption and authentication of data. The primitive is a weak CBC-type encryption along with a summing step, and can be used as a front end to stream ciphers to encrypt pages or blocks of data (e.g., in an encrypted file system or in a video stream). Under standard assumptions, the resulting encryption scheme provably acts as a random permutation on the blocks, and has message integrity features of standard CBC encryption. The primitive also yields a very fast message authentication code (MAC), which is a multivariate polynomial evaluation hash. The multivariate feature and the summing aspect are novel parts of the design. Our tests show that the chain & sum primitive adds approximately 20 percent overhead to the fastest stream ciphers.
Integrated hardware-software implementation of silicon photonic interconnected computing system

Silicon photonics interconnect technology can potentially deliver computing systems energy efficient data movement with extreme bandwidth densities. We discuss the first complete experimental silicon photonic interconnected hardware-software implementation that demonstrates the system-level performance benefits.
GDP dissociation inhibitor prevents intrinsic and GTPase activating protein-stimulated GTP hydrolysis by the Rac GTP-binding protein

The majority of the GTP-binding proteins of the Ras superfamily hydrolyze GTP to GDP very slowly. A notable exception to this are the Rac proteins, which have intrinsic GTPase rates at least 50-fold those of Ras or Rho. A protein (or proteins) capable of inhibiting this GTPase activity exists in human neutrophil cytosol. Since Rac appears to exist normally in neutrophils as a cytosolic protein complexed to (Rho)GDI, we examined the ability of (Rho)GDI to inhibit GTP hydrolysis by Rac. (Rho)GDI produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of GTP hydrolysis by Rac1 that paralleled its ability to inhibit GDP dissociation from the Rac protein. Maximal inhibition occurred at or near equimolar concentrations of the GDI and the Rac substrate. The ability of two molecules exhibiting GTPase activating protein (GAP) activity toward Rac to stimulate GTP hydrolysis was also inhibited by the presence of (Rho)GDI. The inhibitory effect of the GDI could be overcome by increasing the GAP concentration to levels equal to that of the GDI. (Rho)GDI weakly, but consistently, inhibited GTP gamma S (guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate) dissociation from Rac1, confirming an interaction of (Rho)GDI with the GTP-bound form of the protein. These data describe an additional activity of (Rho)GDI and suggest a mechanism by which Rac might be maintained in an active form in vivo in the presence of regulatory GAPs.
Neither Out Far Nor in Deep: The Prospects for Utility-Scale Wind Power in the Coastal Zone

Utility-scale winds in shallow offshore areas offer a significant source of clean energy to help meet green power commitments, growing electricity demand, and the heightened challenges of climate change and air pollution. This is particularly true in the Northeastern United States, which has few indigenous energy sources and serious transmission constraints. But the primary regulatory mechanism for mediating among conflicting uses of the coast and coastal ocean-the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972-is highly decentralized and subject to a disorganized array of project veto opportunities. State coastal zone programs may not sufficiently account for wind generation's broad environmental benefits. Thus, regulatory outcomes-fueled by inapt analogies to a history of offshore oil and gas exploitation-will disfavor this clean energy source. Federal and state authorities should better coordinate their coastal management programs to enable responsible siting where near-shore wind power potential is most promising . . . . while we listen to the bellsanywhere, but somewhere else! -Robert Lowell, Waking Early Sunday Morning! There's almost always a better site for anything.
Understanding Social Inequality in the Kidney Transplantation System

The degree of racial inequality in transplantation outcomes is large and surprising in light of the commitment of the administrative institutions to maximizing allocative justice and to providing universal health coverage for those with kidney failure. This article adopts a sociological perspective which situates transplant candidates as participants in an allocative system with clearly defined distributive rules, while recognizing the permeation of other social institutions into this system. Taken together, the medical literature on social disparities in kidney transplantation and the social science literature on relevant processes suggest that social inequalities in kidney transplantation are produced through a combination of preexisting differences in traits made salient for inequality by the rules of the allocation system and group differences in the tendency to maximize their advantages within that system.
Modeling and analysis of an ultra-stable subluminal laser

Abstract We describe a subluminal laser which is extremely stable against perturbations. It makes use of a composite gain spectrum consisting of a broad background along with a narrow peak. The stability of the laser, defined as the change in frequency as a function of a change in the cavity length, is enhanced by a factor given by the group index, which can be as high as 105 for experimentally realizable parameters. We also show that the fundamental linewidth of such a laser is expected to be smaller by the same factor. We first present an analysis where the gain profile is modeled as a superposition of two Lorentzian functions. We then present a numerical study based on a physical scheme for realizing the composite gain profile. In this scheme, the broad gain is produced by a high pressure buffer-gas loaded cell of rubidium vapor. The narrow gain is produced by using a Raman pump in a second rubidium vapor cell, where optical pumping is used to produce a Raman population inversion. We show close agreement between the idealized model and the explicit model. A subluminal laser of this type may prove to be useful for many applications.
Vertex operators and fusion rules in the free field realizations of WZNW models

Abstract We study the representation of chiral vertex operators for sl(N) WZNW models in the free field formalism. Exploiting the underlying quantum group structure of the free field resolution, we reduce the problem of constructing the infinite number of components of a chiral vertex to that of finding a single vector in a finite dimensional irreducible representation of U q ( sl (N)) . In particular this provides a new, purely algebraic, characterization of the fusion rules. We briefly summarize the analogous construction for finite dimensional algebras and use it as a guide. Our discussion is illustrated by explicit examples of vertices in sl(2) and sl(3) WZNW models.
PATELLOFEMORAL ALIGNMENT : RELIABILITY

Clinical assessment of the patellofemoral alignment is frequently performed, yet the repeatability of these measurements has not been previously investigated. This study examined the reliability of measuring patellofemoral alignment. The Q angle, A angle, and patellar orientation (mediolateral tilt, mediolateral position, superoinferior tilt, and rotation) of 27 healthy subjects were measured over three trials using standardized positioning and operationally defined goniometric, pluri-cal caliper, and visual estimation measurement techniques. Intratester and intertester intraclass correlation coefficients of measurements obtained with the pluri-cal caliper and goniometer ranged from .52 to .86 and .003 to .61, respectively. Intratester and intertester standard errors of the instrumented measurements ranged from 1.6 to 3.5° and 3.2 to 6.8° (.28 and .55 cm for mediolateral position), respectively. Intratester kappa's of visually estimating patellar orientation ranged from .40 to .57. Intertester kappa's wer...
Developing a modular hydrogeology ontology by extending the SWEET upper-level ontologies

Upper-level ontologies comprise general concepts and properties which need to be extended to include more diverse and specific domain vocabularies. We present the extension of NASA's Semantic Web for Earth and Environmental Terminology (SWEET) ontologies to include part of the hydrogeology domain. We describe a methodology that can be followed by other allied domain experts who intend to adopt the SWEET ontologies in their own discipline. We have maintained the modular design of the SWEET ontologies for maximum extensibility and reusability of our ontology in other fields, to ensure inter-disciplinary knowledge reuse, management, and discovery. The extension of the SWEET ontologies involved identification of the general SWEET concepts (classes) to serve as the super-class of the domain concepts. This was followed by establishing the special inter-relationships between domain concepts (e.g., equivalence for vadose zone and unsaturated zone), and identifying the dependent concepts such as physical properties and units, and their relationship to external concepts. Ontology editing tools such as SWOOP and Protege were used to analyze and visualize the structure of the existing OWL files. Domain concepts were introduced either as standalone new classes or as subclasses of existing SWEET ontologies. This involved changing the relationships (properties) and/or adding new relationships based on domain theories. In places, in the Owl files, the entire structure of the existing concepts needed to be changed to represent the domain concept more meaningfully. Throughout this process, the orthogonal structure of SWEET ontologies was maintained and the consistency of the concepts was tested using the Racer reasoner. Individuals were added to the new concepts to test the modified ontologies. Our work shows that SWEET ontologies can successfully be extended and reused in any field without losing their modular or reference structure, or disrupting their URI links.
The Retromer Complex Is Required for Rhodopsin Recycling and Its Loss Leads to Photoreceptor Degeneration

Rhodopsin mistrafficking can cause photoreceptor (PR) degeneration. Upon light exposure, activated rhodopsin 1 (Rh1) in Drosophila PRs is internalized via endocytosis and degraded in lysosomes. Whether internalized Rh1 can be recycled is unknown. Here, we show that the retromer complex is expressed in PRs where it is required for recycling endocytosed Rh1 upon light stimulation. In the absence of subunits of the retromer, Rh1 is processed in the endolysosomal pathway, leading to a dramatic increase in late endosomes, lysosomes, and light-dependent PR degeneration. Reducing Rh1 endocytosis or Rh1 levels in retromer mutants alleviates PR degeneration. In addition, increasing retromer abundance suppresses degenerative phenotypes of mutations that affect the endolysosomal system. Finally, expressing human Vps26 suppresses PR degeneration in Vps26 mutant PRs. We propose that the retromer plays a conserved role in recycling rhodopsins to maintain PR function and integrity.
Current State of Clinical Translation of Cardioprotective Agents for Acute Myocardial Infarction

There is continued interest in the concept of limiting myocardial infarct size with adjunctive agents administered along with reperfusion injury; however, there remains considerable controversy in the literature. The purpose of this article is to review the medical literature on clinical trials performed during the past 3 years that have attempted to reduce myocardial infarct size by administration of adjunctive therapies along with reperfusion therapy. A PubMed-driven literature search revealed a host of clinical trials focusing on the following prominent types of therapies: endogenous conditioning (postconditioning and remote ischemic conditioning); rapid cooling; pharmacological therapy (cyclosporine, abciximab, clopidogrel, tirofiban, erythropoietin, thrombus aspiration, adenosine, glucose-insulin-potassium, statins, antidiabetic agents, FX06, iron chelation, and ranolazine). Although there remains some controversy, quite a few of these studies showed that adjunctive therapy further reduced myocardial infarct size when coupled with reperfusion. Antiplatelet agents are emerging as some of the newest agents that seem to have cardioprotective capabilities. Postconditioning has become a bit more controversial in the clinical literature; remote conditioning, early and rapid cooling, adenosine, and ranolazine are intriguing therapies deserving of larger studies. Certain agents and maneuvers, such as erythropoietin, protein kinase C δ inhibitors, iron chelation, and intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, perhaps should be retired. The correct adjunctive therapy administered along with reperfusion has the capability of further reducing myocardial injury during ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction.
Free-standing, stereotactic, microsurgical retraction technique in "key hole" intracranial procedures.

Free-standing, stereotactic, microsurgical retraction technique involves integration of a standard image-guided stereotaxis, an operating microscope and free-standing micro-retractors, data acquisition from computed tomography (CT) images, trajectory determination, and obtaining tumor configuration “in line” with the trajectory using standard CT computer program. The free-standing stereotactic micro-retractors are directed to the lesion using the stereotactic frame. The remainder of the procedure is carried out independent of the stereotactic frame. The technique allows unobstructed access to deep lesions through a “key-hole” opening with excellent visualization of the lesions, and accurate retractor placement. Independent retractor movement also allows visualization of the different corners of the wound. Experience with the first 15 consecutive procedures for stereotactic excision of deep lesions using the Patil frame is reported. Based on this preliminary experience, this technique is free of obstruction, accurate and safe.
Road Stabilization, Reconstruction, and Maintenance with a Combined Mechanically Stabilized Earth and Secant Pile Wall: Zion National Park, Utah

A 1995 landslide diverted the North Fork of the Virgin River in Zion National Park, Utah, causing complete erosion of 180 m (590 ft) of the Valley Floor Highway, the park's main access road. Buried utilities were damaged and 450 people were left stranded. Road reconstruction and maintenance have been ongoing in many phases since 1995 and have proved to be difficult because of environmental and physical constraints imposed by the river and by steep slopes of recent and historic landslide debris on both sides of the valley. In an effort to limit disturbance to the landslide slope while maintaining a two-lane access road adjacent to the river, a compound retaining wall was designed and constructed through the narrow reach of the valley. The lower part of the wall consists of cantilevered secant piles, providing 3.6 m (12 ft) of scour protection, and the upper part of the wall is a mechanically stabilized earth wall. Intermittently spaced foundation piles reduce the lateral loads on the secant piles, making c...
Markal, a linear-programming model for energy systems analysis: Technical description of the bnl version

As part of a project to assess the value of new energy technologies, an international group of researchers created a linear-programming model of national energy systems. This model, MARKAL, is driven by useful energy demands, optimizes over several time periods collectively, and allows multiobjective analyses to be performed quite easily. We describe here the technical structure of the model, defining the functions determined when satisfying the model's relations and the parameters that must be supplied to give the model content.
Venous thromboembolism in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: a case-control study of risk factors.

Introduction Inflammatory bowel disease is a well known risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Existing guidelines for thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized patients do not extend to other clinical scenarios that may also be associated with VTE risk. Our aim was to estimate the fraction of VTE events in IBD patients that could be prevented.
Prophylactic Effect of Low Doses of Human Leukocyte Interferon Against Infection with Rhinovirus

The prophylactic effect of low doses of human leukocyte interferon (HuIFN-alpha) against infection with rhinovirus was measured in double-blind, placebo-controlled studies with volunteer subjects. An antihistamine (chlorpheniramine) was given before administration of single or multiple doses of HuIFN-alpha but saturated cotton pledget or by aerosol; volunteers were then challenged with rhinovirus. When the results for all groups were combined, a lower frequency of respiratory illness was demonstrated in the HuIFN-alpha-treated volunteers (20 of 39 vs. 11 of 38, P less than 0.05). A significant improvement in mean symptom scores was found only in the volunteers who received HuIFN-alpha by cotton pledget. The total numbers of isolates of rhinovirus and seroconversions were similar for HuIFN-alpha-treated and control volunteers. No significant side effects were noted in the HuIFN-alpha-treated volunteers. Higher concentrations or improved methods of delivery of HuIFN-alpha will be necessary for improving the clinical efficacy of HuIFN-alpha against viral infections in the respiratory system.
Binary ABR flow control over ATM networks with uncertainty using discrete-time variable structure controller

A binary available bit rate (ABR) scheme based on discrete-time variable structure control (DVSC) theory is proposed to solve the problem of asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks congestion in this paper. A discrete-time system model with uncertainty is introduced to depict the time-varying ATM networks. Based on the system model, an asymptotically stable sliding surface is designed by linear matrix inequality (LMI). In addition, a novel discrete-time reaching law that can obviously reduce chatter is also put forward. The proposed discrete-time variable structure controller can effectively constrain the oscillation of allowed cell rate (ACR) and the queue length in a router. Moreover, the controller is self-adaptive against the uncertainty in the system. Simulations are done in different scenarios. The results demonstrate that the controller has better stability and robustness than the traditional binary flow controller, so it is good for adequately exerting the simplicity of binary flow control mechanisms.
Does Off-Farm Work Discourage Soil Conservation? Incentives and Disincentives Throughout Two Honduran Hillside Communities

Soil conservation is widely regarded a critical component of sustainable livelihood strategies for the hillsides of Honduras. However, neoliberal polices have reduced economic incentives for agricultural intensification. Recent studies indicate off-farm work opportunities address poverty in a way conservation and development efforts do not. Yet off-farm work may discourage poor farmers from practicing soil conservation. A middle ground is needed. This study indicates micro-credit can substitute for off-farm work and encourage soil conservation practice. Many regions throughout Honduras have had extensive contact with soil conservation programs and would benefit more from credit services than redundant technological extension.
Living Rubber, Dead Land, and Persisting Systems in Borneo: Indigenous Representation of Sustainability

Kantu’ tribesmen in West Kalimantan say that when they plant rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) in their swiddens or swidden fallows, the land thenceforth becomes tanah mati [dead land], in implicit contrast to the remaining ‘living land’ contained in the swidden agricultural cycle. It is argued here that the Kantu’ characterization of rubber lands as ‘dead’ has to do with a pervasive ideology of exchange involving both society and environment. Rubber is not part of this system and, accordingly, it ‘kills’ exchange and thus the land. ‘Exchange’ cannot, however, be equated with ‘sustainability’, nor can we conclude that rubber cultivation is ‘destructive’ -- for in many respects it is just the opposite of this. An exegesis of Kantu’ beliefs about rubber and dead land reveals the inadequacy of existing Western concepts for discussing sustainable environmental relations cross culturally.
Functionally distinct high and low molecular weight species of channel catfish and mouse IL-1

Abstract Culture supernatants from channel catfish monocytes exhibit IL-1-like activity for mouse and catfish T cells. Gel filtration analyses of these supernatants indicated that there were at least two forms of IL-1-like activity, i.e. a high molecular weight form (70 kD) active on channel catfish, but not mouse, T cells and a low molecular weight form (∼15 kD) with activity for mouse, but not catfish, T cells. Both sizes of catfish IL-1 exhibited α and β determinants as shown by Western blot analyses using antisera to human IL-1α and IL-1β. Further evidence for the IL-1 nature of these molecules was obtained by antibody inhibition assays wherein antisera to human IL-1α and IL-1β each neutralized ∼50% of the catfish activities, were additive to some extent, and could be reversed by the addition of the proper human recombinant protein. In culture supernatants of murine P388D1 cells functional activities for catfish and mouse T cells were found only in high and low molecular weight fractions, respectively. Western blots with antiserum to mouse IL-1α revealed IL-1 determinants in both high and low molecular fractions of the mouse cell culture supernatants. These data suggest that catfish and mammalian IL-1 molecules may be quite similar with the caveat being that functional activity for catfish T cells requires a large protein, presented as an aggregate, a polymer, or simply a single chain 70 kD protein. However, only the low molecular weight forms (30 and 15 kD) are active on mouse T cells.
Local symmetry, multi-body correlations and the cancellation effect

Abstract We argue that the integrated intensity of interaction-induced depolarized light scattering is a sensitive indicator of local environmental symmetry and we reach the following conclusions. (1) The “cancellation effect” arising from a cancellation of two-body correlations by three- and four-body correlations can be cast in terms of local environmental symmetry. (2) Interaction-induced depolarized light scattering integrated intensities exhibit appreciable cancellation effects and can serve as a sensitive indicator of local environmental symmetry. (3) The cancellation effect has usually been discussed in terms of density, and a simple relation between density and local environmental symmetry has been assumed; however, in molecular condensed phases small changes in density may be accompanied by large changes in local environmental symmetry. (4) The lattice gas model and the quasi-continuum model are not applicable for dense liquids because they cannot handle the high density packing imperfections which are the dominant factors in determining the interaction-induced scattering integrated intensities for dense liquids. (5) Short-range interactions, such as electron overlap, and orientational averaging for anisotropic molecules lead to contributions which are largely due to one- and two-body correlations and not exhibit appreciable cancellation effects. These contributions reduce the sensitivity of the measured intensities to local environmental symmetry.
Selective attention and cognitive control

Abstract : Studies of selective attention suggest a system which operates across modalities and on many forms of internal representation. Complex analysis, even semantic analysis, of sensory input may occur automatically (without attention), but attention controls the locus of action. Investigation of spatial attention within the visual system provides a means to explore the neural systems involved in the control of attention. (Author)
The acute effects of tourniquet ischemia on tissue and blood gas tensions in the primate limb.

Tourniquet ischemia results in tissue hypoxia which has been measured indirectly by blood gas analysis. The Medspect mass spectrometer allows direct measurement of gas tension in different tissues and may provide more useful information regarding safe tourniquet times. Calibrated Teflon catheters were inserted into the subcutaneous tissue (11 animals), tibial medullary cavities (bone) (nine animals), and tibialis anterior muscles (10 animals) in both lower extremities of anesthetized stumptail monkeys. Tourniquet ischemia was maintained for 1 hour at 400 mm Hg. Tissue and venous blood gas tensions were recorded from both limbs for 1 1/2 hours. Comparisons between gas tensions in each tissue group were made on the basis of their percentage change from control values. In the ischemic limb within 5 minutes muscle Po 2 fell 42 ± 4% (p 2 dropped 25 ±4%(p 2 fell 29 ± 3% and differed onlyfrom that of muscle (p 2 levels has fallen 90 ± 5% (p 2 were less dramatic and did not vary significantly from those recorded in venous blood. After deflation, blood Po 2 exceeded its control by 20 ± 6% (p
Characterization of a cytochrome P450 from the acidothermophilic archaea Sulfolobus solfataricus.

We report the cloning, expression, purification, and molecular characterization of a cytochrome P450 (CYP119) from the thermophilic archaea Sulfolobus solfataricus. This protein displays an absorption spectra in the reduced, oxidized, and carbonyl adduct analogous to those of other P450 enzymes. We demonstrate that P450 (CYP119) exhibits remarkable thermo- and pressure stability, with a melting temperature 40 degrees higher than that of the extensively studied cytochrome P450cam (CYP101) and an optical spectra completely resistant to the formation of the inactive P420 by hydrostatic pressure up to 2 kbar. CO flash photolysis experiments, as well as construction of a CYP119 homology model, suggest an open active site with greater solvent access than P450 (CYP101) and similar to that of P450 (CYP102). This communication represents the first molecular characterization of an extremophilic cytochrome P450.
A parametric contract modeler for DFM analysis

A parametric contract modeler is presented for providing manufacturing cost information to engineering designers during the early conceptual design phase of new product development. Access to manufacturing cost information is particularly important during the early nonlinear and cyclic development of a design. It is during this time that the overall product structure is cast and where a large percentage of the cost is effectively committed. A factorial design approach is described for identifying key cost drivers of a process and for developing practical cost models from contract quotes. These empirical cost models may then be used to make rapid ball-park cost estimates of both recurring and nonrecurring manufacturing costs during the initial design phases, as an integral part of the iterative design-for-manufacture process. Two methods of converting cost data into usable cost information are presented: comparative cost charts and an integrated CAD interface. In the former, cost data are graphed, which is particularly useful for rapid visual cost comparison of manufacturing processes and part features. In the latter, the cost model is embedded in a parametric feature-based CAD solid modeling system, and cost estimates are presented on the computer screen as the design is created.
A finite algorithm to fit geometrically all midrange lines, circles, planes, spheres, hyperplanes, and hyperspheres

The algorithm proved here solves the problem of orthogonal distance regression for the maximum norm with hyperplanes and hyperspheres. For each finite set of points in a Euclidean space of any dimension, the algorithm determines --- through finitely many arithmetic operations --- all the hyperplanes and hyperspheres that minimize the maximum Euclidean distance measured perpendicularly from the data. The algorithm finds all the slabs (bounded by parallel hyperplanes) and all the spherical shells (bounded by concentric hyperspheres) that contain all the data and are "rigidly supported" by the data (for which there does not exist any other pair of parallel hypersurfaces of the same type that intersect the data at the same points.) The computational complexity of the algorithm increases as the number of data points raised to the dimension of the ambient space. The solutions are then the midrange hyperplanes in the thinnest slabs, and the midrange hyperspheres in the thinnest shells. Their sensitivity to perturbations of the data is of the order of a power of the reciprocal of the smallest angle between two median hyperplanes separating two pairs of data points. The methods of proof consist in showing that if a pair of parallel hyperplanes or hyperspheres is not rigidly supported but encompasses all the data, then there exists a projective shift of their common projective center producing a thinner slab or shell that still contains all the data.
Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to myelin basic protein determinants.

A detailed immunochemical examination of monoclonal and polyclonal antibody responses to myelin basic protein (MBce:simple-para) and its peptides has revealed the existence of as many as 27 antigenic determinants, many of them conformational. Topological mapping of the potential antigenic determinants onto a model of MBP secondary structure places these determinants within 11 separate regions of the molecule, including those portions that have been found to be encephalitogenic. MBP and its peptides, therefore, fall under the umbrella of the Multideterminant-Regulatory Model of Benjamin et al. (1984). However, in the case of MBP, multideterminant immunogenicity appears to represent mainly an escape from tight regulation through the avenue of conformational change.
Effect of flutamide (an antiandrogen) and diethylstilbestrol on the reproductive behavior of Japanese quail.

Abstract Three experiments were conducted in order to investigate the role of brain androgen and estrogen receptors in sex hormone activated male reproductive behavior in Japanese quail. In Experiment 1, castrated male quail were injected with oil, testosterone propionate (TP), flutamide (FLUT), an androgen antagonist, or TP+FLUT. Males given TP+FLUT, compared with birds receiving TP alone, strutted much less and had smaller proctodeal (foam) glands. Copulation was reduced by FLUT only on the last test day and only on one measure (number of head grabs + mounts). These results suggest that binding of testosterone or one of its metabolites to an androgen receptor is part of the mechanism of TP activated strutting, and therefore that central nervous system androgen receptors are involved in a male reproductive behavior pattern. In Experiment 2, castrated male quail were injected with oil, with 50 μg estradiol benzoate (EB), or with 25, 50 or 100 μg diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic estrogen that does not bind to androgen receptors. EB but not DES activated copulation to a significant extent. In Experiment 3 male and female quail with photically regressed gonads were given intraperitoneal Silastic implants of DES, estradiol (E) or cholesterol. DES was highly effective at activating male-typical copulation in males and receptivity in both sexes. Thus hormonal interaction with estrogen receptors alone is sufficient for the activation of male-typical as well as female-typical copulatory behavior in this species.
An Adaptive Method for Testing for Change in Digitized Cardiotachometer Data

An adaptive method for detecting change in digitized cardiotachometer recordings has been developed which takes into account the nonstationary statistical structure of the data. The digitized data are smoothed to reduce the variance at high frequencies caused by discontinuities inherent in cardiotachometer output. Based on a first-order autoregression, which has been shown to be appropriate for heart rate data, the adaptive procedure uses estimates of the parameters which are most influenced by the recent observations. Decreasing weight is given to past prestimulus data, and the estimates are updated with each stimulus. A test for change is then applied to the poststimulus regions at each time point, yielding a t statistic. The t 2 's can then be averaged to give a test for change over an interval.
Discovering Business Processes in Legacy Systems Using Business Rules and Log Mining

This paper shows a method to semi-automate the discovery of business processes implemented implicitly in the source code of legacy systems. The method identifies the encoding of the business activities through the business rules implemented in legacy source code. In this paper we propose a tool to executes the source code instrumentation, identifying the business rules implemented in the legacy system and enabling the creation of event logs. This allows using log mining techniques to discover the partial order of execution of the business rules. Thus it is possible to discover business processes implemented implicitly in the source code of legacy systems. This paper also presents a case study conducted in a medical information system.
Assessment of a semi-empirical four parameter general model for sigmoid moisture sorption isotherms

Published sigmoid moisture sorption isotherms (0 1). Not surprisingly, the model had the same or better fit than the GAB model. In contrast with both the BET and GAB models, the proposed model is not based on the assumption that there exists a well-defined monolayer of absorbed water. At aw ∼ 0.55, however, the model produces a practically linear aw/[m(1 – aw)] vs aw plot, of the kind used to calculate the monolayer moisture with the BET model. The proposed model can be a convenient means to catalog both sigmoid and nonsigmoid isotherms, and used to calculate the equilibrium water activity of dry mixtures with equations solving software.
The increased construct validity and clinical utility of assessing relationship quality using separate positive and negative dimensions.

The Positive and Negative Quality in Marriage Scale (F. D. Fincham & K. J. Linfield, 1997) is a self-report measure that separately assesses positive and negative dimensions of relationship quality. Fincham and Linfield found that ratings of positive and negative marital quality accounted for unique variance in maladaptive attributions and self-reports of dyadic behavior beyond that accounted for by the Marital Adjustment Test (H. J. Locke & K. M. Wallace, 1959), a widely used measure of marital quality that combines these dimensions. The current study expanded on these findings using a different measure of relationship quality and observed dyadic behavior with a sample of engaged couples (N = 43). The results indicate that a two-dimensional approach to measuring self-evaluations of relationship quality is more informative than a one-dimensional approach during the engagement period.
Analysis of a Random Sample of 2-Year Carcinogen Bioassays from the NCI Data Base

Abstract We take as our primary goals the introduction of novel, methods of analysis that have the potential to control error rates and reconcile results of multiple studies of the same chemical. We develop a selection rule to pick, for each study, a tumor site/type combination for analysis, and then apply random effects models to these study-specific summaries. These models combine evidence over studies; producing a chemical-specific assessment of carcinogenicity. We declare 14 of the 25 chemicals “carcinogens,” and find that female mice are the most sensitive sex/species combination. We discuss the benefits and drawbacks of our method and outline developments necessary for their incorporation into the risk assessment process.
Electrocardiographic and Electrophysiologic Findings in Ebstein's Anomaly Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management

In 1866, Dr. Wilhelm Ebstein described the postmortem findings of severe malformation of the tricuspid valve and a patent foramen ovale in a patient with a history of cyanosis, dyspnea, and palpitations.’ Since that initial description, the tendency for palpitations, tachycardia, and occasionally sudden death to develop in patients with Ebstein’s anomaly of the tricuspid valve has been recognized.2-10 Furthermore, the important association between preexcitation and Ebstein’s anomaly has been established. Patients with Ebstein’s anomaly are predisposed to arrhythmias because of abnormal cardiac anatomy, and they tend to decompensate hemodynamitally when an arrhythmia occurs. Tachyarrhythmias are poorly tolerated in the setting of right ventricular dysfunction, tricuspid insufficiency, and an atria1 septal defect, resulting in increased right-to-left shunting, hypoxemia, and reduced cardiac output.8u Consequently, anatomic and electrophysiologic abnormalities in Ebstein’s anomaly are interrelated determinants of hemodynamic severity and clinical course. Following is a review of the unique pathologic, electrocardiographic, and electrophysiologic features of Ebstein’s anomaly that predispose patients
Wastewater recycling in anaerobic digestion of beef cattle wastes

Abstract Six bench top mesophilic anaerobic digesters were used to determine the feasibility of recirculating the digester's wastewater effluent during the anaerobic fermentation of beef cattle wastes. The results indicated that wastewater recycling in anaerobic fermentation of beef cattle wastes increased the pH and salinity levels of the digester contents. At high digester loading (>11·6 g Total Solids per litre of digester volume per day) and high rates of wastewater recycling (>80%), there was also significant reduction in the percentage of volatile solid destruction and in gas generation.
Reusable autoclavable silicone rubber dish for insect dissection

During a disease-diagnosis study which involved a large number of gypsy moth larvae, Porthetria dispar (L.),it became necessary to develop a dissecting dish that, while possessing the positive attributes of conventional wax and paraffin dishes, also could be sterilized and reused.