cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling the Impact of Design Rework on Transportation Infrastructure Construction Project Performance

Rework in construction development projects can significantly degrade project cost and schedule performance. Previous research has shown that in a typical construction development project, rework in the construction phase could increase construction cost by up to 12.4% of the contract price. In large, complex projects, undiscovered rework in the design phase can induce rework in the construction phase, thus increasing project cost. The time when rework is discovered during the project development process affects the magnitude of the impact of rework on overall project performance. However, available knowledge is not always successful in improving project managers’ understanding of the feedback mechanisms that drive undiscovered rework impacts on project performance, specifically the interaction between different phases during the developing process. The current work uses a system dynamics model of a two-phase project development cycle to identify high leverage points for minimizing the impacts of rework and ripple effects on project development performance. The work contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing a structured feedback description of how design undiscovered rework combines with ripple effects to impact project performance in both the design and construction phases, as well as evaluating possible solutions to the problem. Model analysis suggests that failing to discover rework near its creation in the project development process can magnify the impact of rework on project performance.
BETA SPECTRUM OF RADIUM E

The beta spectrum of RaE has been remeasured with improved techniques. The distribution is fitted by a shape factor appropriate to a once forbidden transition with a spin change, $\ensuremath{\Delta}J=1$ involving interference between the $S$ and $T$ couplings. The experimental measurement is used to set limits on the ratio of the beta moments which are treated as parameters.
An Empirical Test of Factor Structure Stability in Attitude Measurement

The stability of the factor structure of a survey instrument designed to provide a baseline measure of managerial attitudes towards blacks in the working environment was investigated. Results of independent factor analyses of the same questionnaire administered to three different samples of managers from the same company at three different time periods were compared using Tucker's method of factor comparison. Results indicated that the factor structure of the instrument did not remain invariant over a two-year time period. T-tests of mean differences in attitudinal intensities showed no pervasive changes over time, but there were significant differences in biographical characteristics across time periods. The implications for the psychological measurement of attitudes are discussed.
Progressive Failure Analysis of Laminated Composite Beams

A progressive failure model for laminated composite beams is formulated using a beam finite element with layer-wise constant shear (BLCS), which permits accurate computation of stresses on each layer. This is the first study to incorporate the stress-prediction accuracy of a layer-wise element for failure prediction of laminates under bending loads. In the present formulation, based on material degradation factors and existing failure criteria, a linear elastic behavior is assumed, and a damaged layer in an element is substituted by a degraded homogeneous layer. Maximum Stress and Tsai-Wu failure criteria are used to assess failure at the Gauss points. The effect of damage accumulation is accounted for by degrading the stiffness properties of failed element-layers in the equilibrium iterations. After equilibrium is satisfied, the load is increased by a constant percentage of first-play-failure load in a load-controlled failure prediction. A displacement-controlled scheme is also implemented. The predictio...
Cranial vena caval syndrome secondary to central venous obstruction associated with a pacemaker lead in a dog

This report describes the case of an 11-year-old castrated male Shih Tzu who developed chylothorax three years following implantation of a transvenous pacemaker. Imaging demonstrated one definitive obstruction in the cranial vena cava and 3 additional suspected filling abnormalities within both external jugular veins, brachiocephalic veins and cranial vena cava. A thrombus was visualized in the cranial vena cava via transesophageal echocardiography. Thoracic duct ligation and cisterna chyli ablation were performed, with a resultant change in the nature of the fluid from chylous to a modified transudate. Repeat angiography and computed tomography three months later demonstrated a stenosis within the cranial vena cava. Balloon angioplasty was attempted, however it was unsuccessful in decreasing pleural effusion. Palliative thoracocentesis was continued until the patient developed a lung lobe torsion, at which time euthanasia was elected. Necropsy confirmed cranial vena caval syndrome secondary to transvenous pacemaker implantation induced fibrous proliferation within the vessel lumen.
The Excited‐State Lifetimes in a G⋅C DNA Duplex are Nearly Independent of Helix Conformation and Base‐Pairing Motif

DNA photophysics: Femtosecond transient absorption experiments reveal that excited states produced by UV light in a duplex DNA oligonucleotide decay at essentially the same rate in B and Z helix conformers (see figure).
The type II secretion system: biogenesis, molecular architecture and mechanism.

Many Gram-negative bacteria use type II secretion systems (T2SSs) to translocate a range of proteins across the outer membrane from the periplasm. In this Review, Hol and colleagues describe how recent structural and biochemical studies have provided insights into the biogenesis and architecture of T2SSs and the mechanism by which they function.
Certain convexity questions in stochastic optimization

Using recent results on the strong solvability of stochastic differential equations, we discuss certain convexity properties of the value function for stochastic control problems. In particular, we generalize and exend earlier results of benel along the same lines, without making use of his rather deep topological and algebraic methods.
Allelic Differences in the Serotonin Transporter-Linked Polymorphic Region in Geriatric Depression

Previous studies have examined the role of genetic variations in the serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5HTTLPR) in affective disorders. The authors studied 182 older depressed subjects and 107 elderly control subjects and obtained DNA for genotyping at the 5HTTLPR. There were no significant differences in allele frequencies generally or for number of short alleles for the group as a whole, but interesting gender effects emerged. Among men, 23% of depressed men had two short alleles, compared with only 5% of control subjects. Among women, 67% of depressed women with more than one episode had at least one short allele, compared with 41% of single-episode female patients. Also, 74% of women with a positive family history of psychiatric illness in any female relative had at least one short allele, whereas 53% had at least one short allele who did not have such a family history. Our results add to the literature linking this gene to affective illness. The negative association of allele frequency and depression may be related to the relatively small sample size. The findings raise the possibility that this genetic locus may exert differential effects based on gender, increasing risk in men, and increasing risk of recurrence in women.
Efficient methods for the allocation of resources in project networks

The paper surveys available algorithms for resource allocation in project networks that appear computationally efficient. Three cases of resource allocation are considered: time-cost tradeoff, leveling of resources, and constrained resources. Practical analytical methods that guarantee optimal solutions exist only for the time-cost tradeoff problem. Heuristic procedures for problems with constraints on resources do not guarantee but come close to optimal solutions. Relative advantages of heuristic algorithms cannot be assessed in the absence of large scale empirical comparisons.
Status of computational fluid dynamics in the United States

CFD-related progress in U.S. aerospace industries and research institutions is evaluated with respect to methods employed, their applications, and the computer technologies employed in their implementation. Goals for subsonic CFD are primarily aimed at greater fuel efficiency; those of supersonic CFD involve the achievement of high sustained cruise efficiency. Transatmospheric/hypersonic vehicles are noted to have recently become important concerns for CFD efforts. Attention is given to aspects of discretization, Euler and Navier-Stokes general purpose codes, zonal equation methods, internal and external flows, and the impact of supercomputers and their networks in advancing the state-of-the-art.
Minimizing problems in placement of immediate dentures.

Abstract The bony undercuts that may cause problems with the placement of immediate dentures were described. General principles regarding surgical treatment of the ridges and alterations of the denture flanges were presented. The use of the surveyor in locating problem areas and in altering the flanges of the finished dentures is essential. Specific treatment procedures were recommended for specific undercut situations. Responsibility for proper and comfortable placement of immediate dentures rests with the person who has undertaken the construction of the dentures. This responsibility should neither be delegated to the dental laboratory technician nor abdicated to the oral surgeon.
Presence of adrenal medullary chromaffin cells in primary adrenal dispersions and their persistence in long-term culture

Cell suspensions prepared by enzymatic dispersion of whole rat adrenal glands for the purpose of studying adrenocortical cells were found to contain chromaffin cells even though they are commonly thought to not survive in such preparations. These cells fluoresced when treated with methods specific for catecholamines. The fluorescent cells persisted in the cultures of “cortical” cells, took on the morphology of neurons in the cultures, maintained their specific catecholamine fluorescence in long-term cultures, and ultrastructurally were identical to chromaffin cells.
The evolution of extracranial approaches to the pituitary and anterior skull base

The development of extracranial approaches to the anterior skull base has been a process in development for over a 100 years. Many neurosurgical (and non-neurosurgical) pioneers have contributed to its evolution. In this paper, we will review the major contributors and contributions to this evolving field.
Myiasis in a pregnant woman and an effective, sterile method of surgical extraction

Background.Cutaneous myiasis caused by Dermatobia hominis involves the infestation of tissue with dipterous fly larvae and is common in many tropical and subtropical areas. We describe a patient in her sixth month of pregnancy who returned from Belize with myiasis detected in the right popliteal fos
Determination of an optimal dosing regimen for aspirin chemoprevention of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon tumours in rats.

In order to establish an optimal timing and duration of aspirin treatment in the chemoprevention of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon cancer in rats, colon tumours were induced using an established protocol and aspirin was given in the diet at 500 p.p.m. during various stages of colon carcinogenesis. Results indicate that only aspirin treatment throughout the entire carcinogenic period significantly reduced tumour incidence and volume whereas intermittent aspirin dosing increased tumour number and/or volume, suggesting that aspirin must be used for an extended period in order to gain any chemopreventive benefit.
Watershed geochemistry: The control of aqueous solutions by soil materials in a small watershed

Laboratory and field data indicate that the aqueous geochemistry of a small watershed in siliceous materials is largely determined by reactions between soil and water. For dissolved SiO2, Ca+2, K+, Na+, a reversible steady state is achieved in the soil within hours. The solute concentrations are in equilibrium with kaolinite, the end-product in the local weathering sequence. The processes occur in a drainage basin in which solution activities are the predominant form of erosion.
Retardation of grain growth and cavitation by an electric field during superplastic deformation of ultrafine-grained 3Y-TZP at 1,450–1,600 °C

The influence of a continuous dc electric field applied orthogonal to the tensile direction on the flow stress, grain growth, and cavitation during superplastic deformation (SPD) of ultrafine-grained 3Y-TZP at 1,450–1,600 °C was determined. The field gave a significant reduction in the level of the stress-strain curve, and reduced grain growth and cavitation. The decrease in flow stress by the field was attributed mainly to the retardation of grain growth. The decrease in cavitation correlated with the retardation of grain growth and was attributed largely to the reduction in flow stress by the field.
An application of job vacancy chain model to a civil service internal labor market

This paper has three primary foci—a conceptualization of occupational mobility having system boundary properties and interrelated moves, tests of the job vacancy chain model to determine its predictive power for a civil service internal labor market, and additional use of the theory of absorbing Markov chains to gain further insight into the dynamics of job vacancies. The modes by which job vacancy chains entered the system by stratum are also examined for a twenty‐one year period. The job system analyzed is the police internal labor market of the Michigan State Police. The data are continuous for a forty‐three year period (1927–1970). Since, a reasonable degree of stationarity was not reached until 1949, the model was tested from 1949–1970. The model is viewed as having considerable predictive power. Moreover, when viewed as a system model rather than a formal organizational model, it can be used for internal labor markets and more general systems which link internal labor markets. It appears much less l...
Platelet Factor 4 Inhibits Thrombomodulin-dependent Activation of Thrombin-activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor (TAFI) by Thrombin

Thrombomodulin (TM) is a cofactor for thrombin-mediated activation of protein C and thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) and thereby helps coordinate coagulation, anticoagulation, fibrinolysis, and inflammation. Platelet factor 4 (PF4), a platelet α-granule protein and a soluble cofactor for TM-dependent protein C activation, stimulates protein C activation in vitro and in vivo. In contrast to stimulation of protein C activation, PF4 is shown here to inhibit activation of TAFI by thrombin-TM. Consequences of inhibition of TAFI activation by PF4 included loss of TM-dependent prolongation of clot lysis times in hemophilia A plasma and loss of TM-stimulated conversion of bradykinin (BK) to des-Arg9-BK by TAFIa in normal plasma. Thus, PF4 modulates the substrate specificity of the thrombin-TM complex by selectively enhancing protein C activation while inhibiting TAFI activation, thereby preventing the generation of the antifibrinolytic and anti-inflammatory activities of TAFIa. To block the inhibitory effects of PF4 on TAFI activation, heparin derivatives were tested for their ability to retain high affinity binding to PF4 despite having greatly diminished anticoagulant activity. N-acetylated heparin (NAc-Hep) lacked detectable anticoagulant activity in activated partial thromboplastin time clotting assays but retained high affinity binding to PF4 and effectively reversed PF4 binding to immobilized TM. NAc-Hep permitted BK conversion to des-Arg9-BK by TAFIa in the presence of PF4. In a clot lysis assay on TM-expressing cells using hemophilia A plasma, NAc-Hep prevented PF4-mediated inhibition of TAFI activation and the antifibrinolytic functions of TAFIa. Accordingly, NAc-Hep or similar heparin derivatives might provide therapeutic benefits by diminishing bleeding complications in hemophilia A via restoration of TAFIa-mediated protection of clots against premature lysis.
Constrained extremum seeking in 1 dimension

In this paper we present a novel approach for applying extremum seeking optimization to systems with input constraints. We use an unknown quadratic objective function and provide that the 1-dimensional sinusoidal extremum seeking scheme is domain-limited semi-globally practically asymptotically stable about the constrained minimum. The incorporation of an orthogonal projection operator prohibits the estimate system from leaving the constraint set and the perturbed system from leaving the constraint set dilated by the perturbation amplitude.
Surgical management and case-fatality rates of intracerebral hemorrhage in 1988 and 2005.

Objective To compare surgical management and case-fatality rates of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in 1988 and 2005.
Comparison of Symptoms in Head-and-Neck Cancer Patients With and Without Lymphedema: A Pilot Data Analysis

between elevated and low expression for each stain was chosen based on frequency analysis. The percentiles of elevated and low expression levels for each protein biomarker, using cutoffs chosen from the continuously variable image analysis values used here, closely mirrored the percentiles in the TAX324 population, where a discontinuous intensity score was analyzed. Results: In univariate analyses, HPV16 positive patients (n Z 65) had an improved median survival compared to HPV16 negative (n Z 103) (96.95 vs 16.49 months respectively, p < 0.0001). Elevated B-tubulin (17.94 vs 31.08 months, p Z 0.005) and elevated p53 (17.94 vs 33.51 months, p Z 0.0002) were significant poor prognostic indicators; decreased Bcl2 (22.14 vs 46.98 months, p Z 0.162) showed a trend toward poor prognosis and GSTpi was not predictive. When HPV16 negative patients were risk stratified into high risk (elevated BT-II or elevated p53 and low Bcl2) and moderate risk groups (all others), there was a strong trend towards worse survival in the high risk group (median 10.36 vs 19.02 months respectively, p Z 0.055) Conclusions: Similar to our analysis of patients on the TAX 324 trial, HPV16 negative OPSCC patients treated at our institution can be risk stratified based on levels of expression of BT-II, p53, and Bcl2. Continued evaluation of this biomarker model for prognostic risk stratification of OPSCC patients is warranted. Author Disclosure: S.Z. Liu: None. D.P. Zandberg: None. J.E. Heath: None. L.M. Schumaker: None. K.J. Cullen: None.
Beneficial effect of a short-acting NO donor for the prevention of neointimal hyperplasia.

Abstract Nitric oxide (NO)-based therapies effectively inhibit neointimal hyperplasia in animal models of arterial injury and bypass grafting, but are not available clinically. We created a simple, effective, locally applied NO-eluting therapy to prevent restenosis after vascular procedures. We investigated the efficacy of perivascular delivery of two distinctly different diazeniumdiolate NO donors, 1-[2-(carboxylato)pyrrolidin-1-yl]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (PROLI/NO) (short half-life) and diazeniumdiolated poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN/NO) (long half-life), in powder or gel form (30% poloxamer 407), at inhibiting neointimal hyperplasia using the rat carotid artery injury model. Two weeks postinjury, all of the NO-eluting therapies successfully reduced neointimal hyperplasia. However, most dramatically, PROLI/NO powder reduced intimal area by 91.2% (p
Noise in the quantum efficiency η of p+−n diodes due to fluctuation in the surface generation-recombination of carriers

Etude du bruit dans le rendement quantique (η) des photodiodes, cause par la variation dans la surface de generation-recombinaison des porteurs. Dans les photodiodes modernes p + -i-n, la recombinaison-generation se passe generalement dans le volume
Serials Usage Statistics in a Small Academic Library

This article describes the collection and purpose of usage statistics for print serials in one small academic library. The strengths and weaknesses of the method are discussed, as well as ways to improve the validity and reliability of the statistics and the ways the data, once gathered, can be used in making decisions regarding collection development. Other factors in collection development decisions are also discussed.
Caspase-1-mediated regulation of fibrogenesis in diet-induced steatohepatitis

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is typically associated with pro-apoptotic caspase activation. A potential role for pro-inflammatory caspases remains incompletely understood. Our aims were to examine a potential role of caspase-1 in the development of liver damage and fibrosis in NASH. C57BL/6 wild type (WT) developed marked steatohepatitis, activation, fibrosis and increased hepatic caspase-1 and interleukin-1β expression when placed on the methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) diet. Marked caspase-1 activation was detected in the liver of MCD-fed mice. Hepatocyte and non-parenchymal fractionation of the livers further demonstrated that caspase-1 activation after MCD feeding was mainly localized to non-parenchymal cells. Caspase-1-knockout (Casp1(-/-)) mice on the MCD diet showed marked reduction in mRNA expression of genes involved in inflammation and fibrogenesis (tumor necrosis factor-α was 7.6-fold greater in WT vs Casp1(-/-) MCD-fed mice; F4/80 was 1.5-fold greater in WT vs Casp1(-/-) MCD-fed mice; α-smooth muscle actin was 3.2-fold greater in WT vs Casp1(-/-) MCD-fed mice; collagen 1-α was 7.6-fold greater in WT vs Casp1(-/-) MCD-fed mice; transforming growth factor-β was 2.4-fold greater in WT vs Casp1(-/-) MCD-fed mice; cysteine- and glycine-rich protein 2 was 3.2-fold greater in WT vs Casp1(-/-) MCD-fed mice). Furthermore, Sirius red staining for hepatic collagen deposition was significantly reduced in Casp1(-/-) MCD-fed mice compared with WT MCD-fed animals. However, serum alanine aminotransferase levels, caspase-3 activity and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells were similar in Casp1(-/-) and WT mice on the MCD diet. Selective Kupffer cell depletion by clodronate injection markedly suppressed MCD-induced caspase-1 activation and protected mice from fibrogenesis and fibrosis associated with this diet. The conclusion of this study is that it uncovers a novel role for caspase-1 in inflammation and fibrosis during NASH development.
The isolation of chrondroitinsulfuric acid from normal human plasma

Abstract Two uronic acid-containing components have been demonstrated in a globulin fractional of normal human plasma by zone electrophoresis. The slower migrating fraction appears to be a mixture containing uronic acid, hexosamines and ester sulfate. The faster migrating fraction behavces in all respects like the chondroitsinsulfuric acid-A isolated from cartilage.
Traffic placement policies for multi-band network

Recently protocols have been introduced that enable the integration of synchronous traffic (voice or video) and asynchronous traffic (data) and extend the size of local area networks without loss in speed or capacity. One of these is DRAMA, a multiband protocol based on broadband technology. It provides dynamic allocation of bandwidth among clusters of nodes in the total network. In this paper, we propose and evaluate a number of traffic placement policies for such networks. Metrics used for performance evaluation include average network access delay, degree of fairness of access among the nodes, and network throughput. The feasibility of the DRAMA protocol is established through simulation studies. DRAMA provides effective integration of synchronous and asynchronous traffic due to its ability to separate traffic types. Under the suggested traffic placement policies, the DRAMA protocol is shown to handle diverse loads, mixes of traffic types, and numbers of nodes, as well as modifications to the network structure and momentary traffic overloads.
Label-free protein recognition two-dimensional array using nanomechanical sensors.

We demonstrate two-dimensional multiplexed real-time, label-free antibody−antigen binding assays by optically detecting nanoscale motions of two-dimensional arrays of microcantilever beams. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) was assayed using antibodies covalently bound to one surface of the cantilevers by two different surface chemistries, while the nonreaction surfaces were passivated by poly(ethylene glycol)-silane. PSA as low as 1 ng/mL was detected while 2 mg/μl of bovine serum albumin induced only negligible deflection on the cantilevers.
Physical and chemical properties of bovine milk and colostrum whey M-1 glycoproteins.

Abstract The M-1 acidic glycoprotein fractions isolated from individual samples of bovine colostrum and milk whey, although homogeneous by ultracentrifugal and boundary electrophoresis criteria, contained several N-terminal amino acids and, in some instances, several bands on gel electropherograms and, thus, probably consisted of a series of closely related molecular species. Their average molecular weights were near 10,000, with high β -values and negative specific rotations, indicating highly disorganized structures. Amino acid analysis showed high percentages of glutamic acid, proline, threonine, and isoleucine, and unusually low amounts of basic amino acids. Monosaccharides in the colostrum M-1 glycoprotein fractions were galactose, glucosamine, galactosamine, and sialic acid, the latter being easily removable by viral neuraminidase. The only hexose detected in the milk M-1 glycoprotein fraction was galactose.
Improvement of Corrosion Resistance on a Low Carbon Steel 1018 in 3.5% NaCl Solution by Electrolytic-Plasma-Process (EPP)

In this paper, a cathodic electrolytic plasma process (EPP) is introduced as a new corrosion prevention method. It is a green and cost-effective method of metal surface treatment. The EPP procedure and the EPP-treated 1018 steel are described in detail. On EPP treated surfaces, a spontaneous pattern due to localized melting and quenching could be obtained. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to characterize the special surface morphology and chemical patterns on EPP resultant features. Standard corrosion tests were conducted in EPP-treated samples. The corrosion analysis indicates that the EPP treatment could effectively improve the uniform corrosion of 1018 steel in 3.5% NaCl solution. With longer time of EPP treatment (15 minutes), the passivation was significantly extended and hence the localized corrosion resistance is improved. Also, the higher corrosion resistance was found to be sustainable (in 48 hours corrosion test, NaCl solution) on all the EPP treated samples.© 2012 ASME
Tetany in newborn infants

Summary A physiologic hypoparathyroidism occurs in newborn infants analogous to physiologic dehydration and physiological jaundice. That the tetany of newborn infants results from hypoparathyroidism is indicated by (1) the abrupt fall in serum calcium within twenty-four hours after birth, (2) the low urinary phosphorus content, and (3) the marked response to phosphate ingestion. That tetany in the newborn is not related to vitamin D deficiency is indicated by (1) the failure of large doses of vitamin D to influence the fall in serum calcium following phosphate ingestion and (2) the prompt cure with calcium salts. A second mechanism leading to tetany of the newborn is phosphate either released endogenously during the physiologic starvation, or, what is probably more likely, ingested from without in cow's milk.
Relative Effectiveness of Four Modes of Dissemination of Curriculum Materials

ABSTRACT:An evaluation of four different dissemination modes distributing activities developed through a teaching materials development program was performed. The activities, developed for use in middle schools, focused on Great Lakes topics in science, history, and social studies. It was found that short intensive workshops were more effective than longer workshops both in participant use of materials and in transmission of the materials to other potential users. The difference in usage seems to be related to differences in the professional orientation of teachers attracted into the two different types of workshops. Simply giving activities to prospective users resulted in no usage. Those individuals who took the trouble to mail order the materials used them but at a somewhat lower frequency than those who participated in a workshop. It is concluded that short intensive workshops are the most cost-effective way of ensuring usage of the type of curriculum materials disseminated in this program.
Subjective effects to cannabis are associated with use, abuse and dependence after adjusting for genetic and environmental influences.

Background Previous reports in adults have suggested that the effects experienced after cannabis use can be described in terms of positive and negative subtypes that are heritable and are associated with abuse and dependence. This study extends existing research by inclusion of adolescents and young adults in an offspring of twins design which makes it possible to take into account genetic and environmental risks for substance use disorder.
The importance of playa wetlands to biodiversity of the Southern High Plains

Abstract We describe the landscape of the Southern High Plains, including the important remaining native feature of the area; playa wetlands. Playas are ephemeral wetlands on the prairie occupying approximately 2% of the landscape. Playas re-charge the Ogallala aquifer, are incorporated in farming irrigation systems, and represent the predominant wildlife habitat of the area. The importance of playas to mammalian, avian, other vertebrate, and floral biodiversity is detailed. Potential threats to playas are described and include chemical contamination, physical modication, and grazing. Recommended avenues for conservation of playas include nationwide recognition of the importance of playas, increased emphasis on basic research, and development of management plans for landscape biodiversity.
Optimization of an Instrumentation Tool for Stripped Win32/X86 Binaries

Many software security, instruction set architecture virtualization and performance enhancement techniques require instrumentation of application program binaries either to add run-time checks or to perform dynamic analysis and transformation. Unfortunately, commercially distributed application binaries on the Win32 platform are often stripped of their symbol table, and therefore cannot be easily disassembled, let alone correctly instrumented. BIRD is an instrumentation tool that applies an IA-32 disassembler both statically and dynamically, and successfully guarantees that no instruction in an input binary can be executed without being examined first. Unfortunately, the first version of BIRD has several performance problems. This paper describes our experiences of optimizing the first BIRD prototype to remove these problems. In particular, we develop a novel speculative disassembly technique that successfully reaps most of the performance benefits of static disassembly while ensuring the same level of correctness as dynamic disassembly, a bitmap-based target address check algorithm that reduces the fixed performance overhead associated with every instrumentation, and a comprehensive in-place instrumentation technique that relies mostly on instruction substitution and drastically cuts down the number of debug exceptions (int 3) invoked at run time. Together these performance optimizations reduce the average performance overhead of a set of batch Win32 programs from 23.6% to 8.8%.
The Development of Depression Project.

The John F. Kennedy Center has grown and changed over the past 30 years, although many of its original research initiatives and fundamental goals continue today. A central part of the Kennedy Center mission has been to conduct and support research aimed at the understanding of human development and preventing and solving developmental problems. The research program described in this article fits within this mission and particularly follows the tradition set forth by the work of Nicholas Hobbs. Hobbs's (1967,1975) research was concerned with the welfare of children and families and improving the human condition. He emphasized the role of the family and the larger ecosystem in the development of children. Guided by a model provided by education, Hobbs developed Project Re-Ed for working with behaviorally and emotionally disturbed children. The Re-Ed project emphasized health rather than illness, teaching rather than treatment, learning rather than personality reorganization, the present and future rather than the past, and the total social system rather than intrap-
Effects of Communication Expectancies, Actual Communication, and Expectancy Disconfirmation on Evaluations of Communicators and Their Communication Behavior

The current investigation addressed (a) the perseverance of preinteraction expectancies in the face of actual communication behavior, (b) the separate effects of personal attribute and communication expectancies, and (c) the role of expectancy confirmation or disconfirmation on postinteraction evaluations. Participant perceivers were induced to hold positive or negative expectancies regarding a target partner's general personal attributes and specific communication behavior prior to a problem-solving discussion. They then interacted with a confederate target who communicated in a pleasant, involved fashion or its opposite, after which perceivers evaluated target personal attributes and communication behavior. All three hypotheses received at least partial support. Preinteractional expectancies, especially personal attribute ones, caused perceivers to evaluate targets and their communication behavior differently, with negatively valenced expectancies serving as negative violations. Relative to a pleasant, involved communication style, unpleasant, uninvolved communication was less expected and evaluated negatively, thus functioning as a negative violation; it also reduced credibility, attraction, and perceived rewardingness of the target. Finally, disconfirmatory communication altered target evaluations relative to confirmatory communication, especially for high-valence targets. These results lend support to the premises and predictions of expectancy violations theory.
Neo–Psychoanalysis: A Paradigm for the 21st Century

Freud's metapsychological assumption, splitting mind from brain, created two major and unsolved problems: the relation of the mind with the brain and with outer reality. Recently neuroscientists have focused on the first problem, often basing their work on a category error (mereological fallacy). The second problem may be avoided by considering the coevolution of mind/brain, and by recognizing a non-dualistic symbiosis. Psychodynamic science, built largely on a century of psychoanalytic progress, is proposed as a coequal partner with traditional science in the effort to better understand the theory of knowledge, a central problem of both disciplines. Group selection and downward causation contribute to the recognition of neo-psychoanalysis, a new paradigm to complement the traditional viewpoint. The new view will permit a reunion between traditional and psychodynamic science. Recent fMRI and other data are presented in support of this view.
Stimulated secretion of pro-opiomelanocortin-related peptides in hypothalamic cells.

Abstract Although it has been suggested pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) related peptides in brain may be neurotransmitters or neuromodulators, little is known about their secretion from neurons because it is difficult to study neurosecretion with an in vivo model. To demonstrate the possibility that POMC peptides may be neuroregulators which can be secreted in response to specific stimuli, we studied the secretion of immunoreactive (IR-) adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and IR-β-endorphin from dissociated hypothalamic cells during potassium-induced depolarization. Significant increments ( p
Identification of breast cancer patients with high risk of early recurrence after radical mastectomy. II. Clinical and pathological correlations

A prospective study of factors that might be helpful in predicting recurrence of breast cancer during the 2 years after radical mastectomy has been completed in 381 women by the Cooperative Breast Cancer Group (National Cancer Institute). Identification of clinical factors which might be associated with such recurrence has been achieved. A multivariate analysis of the data was oriented toward the identification of clinical factors other than lymph node status that might be simultaneously used to predict recurrence because of the current trend of cancer therapy toward more limited surgery. Degree of differentiation of the tumor, blood vessel invasion, patient age and tumor size were identified as important predictors of recurrence for premenopausal patients and tumor size was identified as important for postmenopausal patients. The addition of axillary lymph node status to these factors, however, made a significant improvement in the prediction equation for both pre- and postmenopausal patients. Studies of this type are of particular value to understand further the biology of breast cancer which is necessary to develop rational primary and adjuvant treatment strategies. Cancer 42:2809–2826, 1978.
Endocrine influences on implantation and deciduoma formation.

It has been well established (Rothchild and Meyer, 1942) that deciduoma formation is dependent on adequate amounts of progestational hormone and that estrogenic substances, even in minute amounts, will inhibit the reaction if present just prior to the eliciting stimulus. It is also well known (Allen, 1931; Selye and McKeown, 1935; Peckham and Greene, 1947) that the deciduomal reaction in the rat can be elicited through the 7th day of pregnancy but not thereafter. Two explanations have been offered for the loss of endometrial reactivity after the 7th day: (a) Reduction in progesterone secretion below levels necessary for reactivity, (b) Appearance of inhibitory agents. The first of these possibilities is eliminated by the finding (Peckham and Greene, 1949) that reactivity of the endometrium cannot be restored by the administration of even large amounts of progesterone. In order to investigate the possible role of inhibitory factors, the effect of removal of various structures which might be sources of inhi...
Interaction of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Ligand 6-Methyl-1,3,8-trichlorodibenzofuran with Estrogen Receptor α

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon 6-methyl-1,3,8-trichlorodibenzofuran (MCDF) is related to the industrial byproduct dioxin and is a weak agonist and partial antagonist at the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Tamoxifen is used for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer and interferes with the interaction of estrogen with estrogen receptor α (ER). The combination of MCDF and tamoxifen lowered the effective dose of both drugs required to inhibit 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumor growth in rats and protected against the estrogenic effects of tamoxifen on the uterus in rats (A. McDougal et al., Cancer Res 2001;61:3902–7), pointing to the potential use of MCDF in breast cancer treatment. Potential AhR-ER cross-talk is evidenced by the antiestrogenic activity of MCDF and the degradative effect of MCDF on ER protein levels. Our studies confirmed that MCDF degraded the ER. MCDF displayed antiestrogenic activity at higher concentrations in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, but MCDF alone (10−6m) stimulated the growth of MCF-7 cells. MCDF also activated an estrogen response element (ERE)-luciferase reporter and increased mRNA levels of the estrogen-responsive gene transforming growth factor (TGF)-α. The estrogenic effects of MCDF are ER dependent because they were blocked by the pure antiestrogen ICI 182,780. MCDF induced ER-coactivator interaction in glutathione S-transferase pull-down assays and the formation of an ER·ERE complex in gel mobility shift assays, further indicating that the estrogenic actions of MCDF are mediated by the ER. In addition, knockdown of the AhR with small interfering RNA did not affect MCDF-induced ERE-luciferase activity. Overall, these data support the conclusion that MCDF is a partial agonist at the ER. This study provides the first evidence for the direct interaction of the ER with MCDF and challenges the view that MCDF is simply an AhR-specific ligand.
Electrical impedance modeling of ionic polymer transducers

Ionic polymer transducers are a class of active material that exhibit interesting chemoelectromechanical coupling capabilities. Initially recognized for their chemoelectric properties, these materials have begun to receive notice as electromechanical transducers. This electromechanical coupling provides the fundamental mechanism for both actuator and sensor applications. Under relatively low electric stimuli (1-10kV/m) these materials are capable of achieving large bending strains (1-5%). Similarly these transducers provide effective sensing capabilities when subject to an applied external load or deformation. Recent studies indicate that the transducer's performance can be directly related to changes in the polymer's electrical impedance. An analytical model is proposed based upon these findings. The basic tenet of this model is that ion motion is induced as an electric field is applied across the polymer membrane. Transport theory is employed to model this ion motion through an electrostatics approach. This method yields a series of analytical expressions for charge density, electric field and electric potential across the polymer's thickness. The solution of the charge density profile is then used to calculate the isothermal transient ionic current (ITIC). Corresponding to the measured current, this ITIC expression is related to the applied voltage to yield a relationship between the applied voltage and the resultant current.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Targeted Gelatin-Based Engineered Nanocarriers for DNA Delivery and Transfection in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Type B gelatin-based engineered nanocarrier systems (GENS) have been used over the last several years as a non-condensing systemic and oral DNA delivery system. In this study, we have modified the surface of GENS with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeting peptide for gene delivery and transfection in pancreatic cancer cell lines. GENS were prepared by the solvent displacement method and the EGFR-targeting peptide was grafted on the surface using a hetero-bifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) spacer. Plasmid DNA, encoding for enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP), was efficiently encapsulated and protected from degrading enzymes in the control and surface-modified GENS. Upon incubation with EGFR over-expressing Panc-1 human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells, the peptide-modified nanoparticles were found to be internalized efficiently by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Both quantitative and qualitative transgene expression efficiencies were significantly enhanced when plasmid DNA was administered with EGFR-targeted GENS relative to the control-unmodified gelatin or PEG-modified gelatin nanoparticle systems. Based on these preliminary results, EGFR-targeted GENS show tremendous promise as a safe and effective gene delivery vector with the potential to treat pancreatic cancer.
Retrospective review of 733 clinical MEG studies

Abstract A retrospective review of MEG test results from patients undergoing auditory, motor, somatosensory, visual, and epileptic testing were performed to determine the utility of MEG. This review investigated 733 studies on 525 patients (Male: 1–83 years, Female: 2–72 years) undergoing MEG scans between January 1999 and January 2006 recorded by 148-channel neuromagnetometer. Auditory cortices were mapped using 1000 Hz tone bursts with durations of 250 ms presented 150 times. Motor cortices were mapped by having subjects use their index fingers to press a button on a response pad on command 100 times. Somatosensory cortices were mapped by applying 512 pressure pulses to index or middle fingers using a bladder inflated for 30 ms. Visual cortices were mapped using hemifield black and white checkerboard patterns reversing 200 times at 1 Hz. Epilepsy studies consisted of spontaneously activity recorded for 30 min or more in epochs lasting up to 15 min. Waveforms were visually inspected for interictal epileptic activity. Single ECD fits was performed using 38–45 channels to localize the underlying source for the peak of the interictal spike of interest. Language areas (Wernicke's and Broca's) were mapped using Picture Naming and Verb Generation. More than 80 epochs were averaged together and analyzed by MR-FOCUSS. Of 17 auditory studies, 14 (82%) had localizable responses. Two were unreadable due to artifact. Of 27 motor studies, 16 (59%) showed responses. The remaining 11 could not be read due to artifact. Of 142 somatosensory studies, 131 (92%) showed responses. The remaining 11 could not be used due to artifact. Of 48 visual studies, 41(85%) had localizable responses; one did not have a response and 6 were unreadable due to artifact. Of 460 epilepsy studies, 273 showed localizable abnormal activity, 28 could not be used due to magnetic noise or some type of artifact in the data. This indicates a 63% success rate for detecting interictal spikes from clean data. Of 39 language studies, 32 (82%) showed responses. The remaining 7 could not be read due to artifact. These results show MEG is a useful technique for localizing normal and abnormal cortical activity.
The Tiled Bitmap Forensic Analysis Algorithm

Tampering of a database can be detected through the use of cryptographically strong hash functions. Subsequently, applied forensic analysis algorithms can help determine when, what, and perhaps ultimately who and why. This paper presents a novel forensic analysis algorithm, the tiled Bitmap algorithm, which is more efficient than prior forensic analysis algorithms. It introduces the notion of a candidate set (all possible locations of detected tampering(s)) and provides a complete characterization of the candidate set and its cardinality. An optimal algorithm for computing the candidate set is also presented. Finally, the implementation of the tiled Bitmap algorithm is discussed, along with a comparison to other forensic algorithms in terms of space/time complexity and cost. An example of candidate set generation and proofs of the theorems and lemmata and of algorithm correctness can be found in the appendix, which can be found on the Computer Society Digital Library at http://doi.ieeecomputersociety.org/10.1109/TKDE.2009.121.
Marriage and the Parenting Alliance: Longitudinal Prediction of Change in Parenting Perceptions and Behaviors

The study evaluates how marriage and the parenting alliance affect parenting experiences over time. Couples (N = 79) with school-age children who have mental retardation completed self-report and observational measures of marriage, the parenting alliance, and parenting attitudes and behaviors at 2 periods, 18-24 months apart. Longitudinal structural equation modeling demonstrated significant effects of marital quality on changes over time in self-reports of perceived parenting competence for both the mothers and the fathers, and in observed negative mother-child interactions. Also, in all cases, the parenting alliance mediated the effects of marriage on parenting experiences. There was little evidence of reciprocal causation in which parenting variables predicted change in the quality of marriage and the parenting alliance. Interactions involving child age suggested that teenagers as opposed to younger children were more reactive to negative features of their parents' marital functioning and parenting alliance. Implications are discussed regarding stable but negative marital functioning and regarding possible differences in mothers' and fathers' parenting in the context of marital distress.