cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic algorithms and the corridor location problem: multiple objectives and alternative solutions

Corridor planning problems are challenging because their solution often requires the participation of multiple stakeholders with different interests and emphases. Though such problems fall into the domain of multiobjective evaluation, existing corridor location models often search for a single global optimum by collapsing multiple objectives into a single one using a weighting method. In multiobjective problems with competing objectives, however, optimality will often have different interpretations among decision makers, and, as a consequence, no single optimal solution will satisfy all participants. This paper describes the design and implementation of a multiobjective genetic algorithm for corridor selection problems (MOGADOR). This new approach generates a large set of Pareto-optimal and near-optimal solutions that can be evaluated with respect to the untargeted or imprecisely modeled characteristics of ill-structured corridor location problems. Experimental results suggest that the MOGADOR approach ou...
Changes in Residents' Attitudes toward Tourism over Time: A Cohort Analytical Approach

Tourism development in a community must acknowledge residents' attitudes toward and support for tourism as residents are often the business owners, service providers, or workers, and vote on tax millage funding infrastructure investments. Few studies have examined longitudinal changes in hosts' attitudes to tourism. Using a 7-year period and employing a cohort analytical method, residents' attitudes and time-related effects (i.e., age, period, and birth cohort) were studied in an Alaskan island dependent on fishing-related industries with an emerging tourism industry from small cruise ships and outdoor recreation. Constrained multiple regression analyses identified age effect as the dominant variable explaining changes in residents'attitudes toward economic impacts. Successive young adult cohorts were more likely to have favorable attitudes toward tourism's economic impacts. Residents'perceptions of the leading industry (tourism or seafood) in the community, socioeconomic factors, and the effects of age a...
Theory of lipid bilayer phase transitions as detected by fluorescent probes

We present a quantitative theory that relates the fluorescence intensityvs. temperature (I vs. T) profile of a fluorescent-labeled two-component lipid bilayer to the phase diagram of the bilayer and the partition coefficientK of the fluorophore between fluid and solid phases of the bilayer. We show how the theory can be used to evaluateK from experimentalI vs. T profiles and the appropriate phase diagrams as well as to understand the different shapes ofI vs. T profiles obtained with particular fluorophores and phase diagrams. Using calculatedI vs. T graphs, we discuss the meaning of parameters, such as midpoint of the phase transition and onset and termination of a transition, which are often used to characterize phase transitions on the basis of fluorescence intensityvs. temperature profiles.
Combination Chemotherapy and Photodynamic Therapy with Fab′ Fragment Targeted HPMA Copolymer Conjugates in Human Ovarian Carcinoma Cells

The biological activities of sequential combinations of anticancer drugs, SOS thiophene (SOS) and mesochlorin e 6 monoethylenediamine (Mce 6), in the form of free drugs, nontargeted N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer-drug conjugates, P-GFLG-Mce 6 and P-GFLG-SOS (P is the HPMA copolymer backbone and GFLG is the glycylphenylalanylleucylglycine spacer), and Fab'-targeted HPMA copolymer-drug conjugates, P-(GFLG-Mce 6)-Fab' and P-(GFLG-SOS)-Fab' (Fab' from OV-TL16 antibodies complementary to CD47), were evaluated against human ovarian carcinoma OVCAR-3 cells. Mce 6, SOS, P-GFLG-Mce 6, P-GFLG-SOS, P-(GFLG-Mce 6)-Fab', and P-(GFLG-SOS)-Fab', when used as single agents or in binary combination, exhibited cytotoxic activities against OVCAR-3 cells, as determined using a modified MTT assay. The binding and internalization of P-(GFLG-Mce 6)-Fab' and P-(GFLG-SOS)-Fab' by OVCAR-3 cells were visualized by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. The results confirmed an enhanced biorecognition by OVCAR-3 cells of Fab'-targeted HPMA copolymer conjugates over nontargeted conjugates. The median-effect analysis and the determination of the combination index (CI) were used to describe the drug interaction and quantify the synergism, antagonism, or additivity in anticancer effects. The sequential combinations of SOS+Mce 6 and P-GFLG-SOS+P-GFLG-Mce 6 displayed very strong synergism to synergism in the entire range of cell inhibition levels ( f a = 0.5 - 0.95). The P-(GFLG-SOS)-Fab'+P-(GFLG-Mce 6)-Fab' exhibited a strong synergism for f a values up to about 0.85, but showed synergistic effect and nearly additive effect at f a = 0.9 and 0.95, respectively. These observations support the continuation of in vivo investigations of these conjugates for the treatment of ovarian cancer.
Toward a Prototype of Expertise in Teaching: A Descriptive Case Study.

This study used a prototype view of teaching as a theoretical framework to interpret, analyze, and describe the behaviors and verbal responses of three expert teachers and to determine the degree to which these three teachers share a “family resemblance” to one another. A case study that provides descriptions of what expert teachers do and say contributes to our understanding of the complexity of expertise in teaching. Analysis of data collected for this study reveals six central tendencies of the three participants. The rich descriptions and summary representations provide specific and complex profiles to inform teacher educators and professional development providers in their efforts to improve professional practice among teachers.
Isotopic Analysis of Polonium-208-209 Mixtures

Isotopic ratios of polonium, produced by proton bombardment of Bi209, were determined from electrodeless discharge tubes by spectrographic methods. The ratios of polonium-209 to polonium-208 were calculated from intensity ratios of the band heads due to the two molecules, (Po208)2 and (Po208Po209). It was found that a result with a probable error of ±6% could be obtained from a single spectrogram. Comparison of spectrographic analysis with proton energy-yield data indicated agreement of the order of ±20%.
Predictive medicine: severe trauma and burns.

Severe trauma and burn injury are often associated with a life-threatening systemic inflammatory response, only to be followed by severe infections. Although many parameters of the immune system are depressed or altered, only the innate immune system has been directly correlated with infections in these patients. The innate immune system plays an important role in both the inflammatory response and defense against infections. These types of sequelae suggest that at any particular point in time, depending upon the patient status, either a hyperactive or suppressed polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) response may be detected. In fact, this dichotomy has been shown to occur in numerous published studies.
Magnetohydrodynamics Computations with Lattice Gas Automata

Lattice gas automata have received considerable interest for the last several years and possibly may become a powerful numerical method for solving various partial differential equations and modeling different physical phenomena, because of their discrete and parallel nature and the capability of handling complicated boundaries. In this paper, we present recent studies on the lattice gas model for magnetohydrodynamics. The FHP-type lattice gas model has been extended to include a bidirectional random walk process, which allows well-defined statistical quantities, such as velocity and magnetic field, to be computed from the microscopic particle representation. The model incorporates a new sequential particle collision method to increase the range of useful Reynolds numbers in the model, an improvement that may also be of use in other lattice gas models. In the context of a Chapman-Enskog expansion, the model approximates the incompressible magnetic hydrodynamic equations in the limit of low Mach number and highβ. Simulation results presented here demonstrate the validity of the model for several basic problems, including sound wave and Alfven wave propagation, and diffusive Kolmogoroff-type flows.
Mesothelioma in household members of asbestos-exposed workers: 32 United States cases since 1990.

Background Mesothelioma is significant as an indicator of asbestos exposure, as a continuing major cause of death in those exposed, and as a risk following lesser exposures. One such exposure is living in the household of an asbestos worker, and coming into contact with fibers brought home on his/her body, clothing, etc. Methods Law firms throughout the US known for their pursuit of asbestos claims were polled for mesothelioma claims brought on behalf of family members of identifiable asbestos-exposed workers. Cases with any occupational, environmental, or other possible exposure were not included. Results This study reports 32 household-exposure mesothelioma cases, diagnosed since 1990. Relationships were wife (15), daughter (11), son (3), sister-in law (1), niece (1), and boarder (1). Occupations of the workers included shipyard (13), insulator (7), and other (12). Of the 27 pleural cases, 13 were epithelial, 5 fibrous, 3 biphasic, and 6 not specified; of the 5 peritoneal cases, 4 were epithelial and 1 fibrous. Latency was greater than 40 years in 27 cases; 6 cases were 40–49 years of age and 17 were 60 or older. Conclusions Records from law firms were a useful source of information. Mesothelioma resulting from household exposure is a continuing problem. It is more likely to present in the elderly, after latencies of >40 years. Am. J. Ind. Med. 47:458–462, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Interleukin-1β induces posttranslational carboxymethylation and alterations in subnuclear distribution of lamin B in insulin-secreting RINm5F cells

We examined the effects of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) treatment on the distribution and degradation of lamin B in the nuclear fraction from insulin-secreting RINm5F cells. Western blot analysis indicat...
Castleman's disease.

Objective To describe the two variants of Castleman's disease—the hyaline-vascular type and the plasma-cell type—and discuss the associated histologic features. Design We present a case of the hyaline-vascular type and review the literature. Results Castleman's disease was once thought to be localized and self-limited, but in recent years, reports have described a multicentric variety with severe systemic manifestations and, at times, an inexorable clinical course. Unlike the localized type for which surgical excision is curative regardless of the histologic type, multicentric disease often necessitates aggressive systemic therapy and portends a poor outcome. Little is known about the cause of this disorder, but the bulk of evidence points toward faulty immunoregulation that results in excessive proliferation of B lymphocytes and plasma cells in lymphoid organs. Conclusion Castleman's disease is rare and poorly understood. The diagnosis is "contextual" and must be considered in the appropriate clinical setting and only after all other causes of lymphadenopathy have been investigated and excluded. The optimal therapeutic regimen is unknown.
The functional importance of co-ordination

Resume Parmi les fonctions devolues aux infirmieres, la co-ordination est une fonction principale selon l' American Nurses' Association's Position Paper , qui la definit comme "le processus par lequel chacun est informe du comportement des autres". L'infirmiere est profondement impliquee dans deux modes essentiels de co-ordination du fait qu'elle s'occupe des patients et de leurs familles. La premiere de ces fonctions en est une d' intra -co-ordination, la seconde en etant une d' inter -co-ordination. Les fonctions d' intra -co-ordination se rapportent a toutes les activites qui consistent a informer chaque membre de l'equipe infirmiere des tâches prevues et attendues de lui, de sorte qu'un but commun d'amelioration de la sante puisse etre atteint par les beneficiaires des soins. Les fonctions d' inter -co-ordination depassent le cadre de l'equipe infirmiere pour atteindre les professionnels paramedicaux du meme etablissement ou pour co-ordonner l'action de differents etablissements sanitaires ou de differentes organizations sanitaires d'une communaute. L'infirmiere etant le seul element professionnel constant dans la plupart des situations creees par des problemes sanitaires, elle peut etre consideree comme la personne la mieux indiquee pour informer chaque membre de l'equipe infirmiere ou sanitaire de l'activite fixee aux autres. Elle est la co-ordinatrice naturelle. Medecins, infirmieres, personnel paramedical et autres professionnels du service de sante voient dans des soins intelligents le but qu'il faut s'appliquer a atteindre. Il ne peut y avoir de soins intelligents sans co-ordination. Il est donc propose de considerer serieusement les soins co-ordonnes comme une responsabilite et une fonction naturelles et principales des infirmieres professionnelles.
Below ground measurements with a single supply delta-sigma A/D converter

Temperature, the most commonly measured physical property, is usually measured with ground based thermocouples that produce signals both above and below ground. This high accuracy, single-supply, converter introduces a synchronized substrate pumping technique which enables the measurement of below ground signals without corruption by substrate noise. Using a 4th order delta-sigma (DS) modulator, this 20 bit converter delivers an SNR of 108.67 dB and S/D of 110.19 dB, while consuming only 7.194 mW. An integrated instrumentation amplifier is used to get the signal to a level acceptable by the DS. A digital filter is used to eliminate the DS quantization noise. The whole chip is controlled via a 3 wire serial interface.
Parents' “Hard” Knowledge of Admission Criteria and Acceptance in Philadelphia's High School Choice Process

We examine parents' knowledge of discrete, verifiable facts—what we call “hard knowledge”—in a high school application process. Using parent survey data (n = 658) from the School District of Philadelphia, this study examines whether parents knew the admission criteria and acceptance rate at the high school they most wanted their child to attend. We argue that these two facts are critical to making strategic application decisions. We find that hard knowledge is low overall but varies by parent education, and that all parents are more likely to have information if it is provided directly to them by the district.
Biosynthesis and shedding of murine lymphoma gangliosides

Ganglioside biosynthesis and subsequent shedding are a potential mechanism contributing to tumor cell escape from the host immune response. As a first step in identifying active molecular species, structural characterization and quantification of the purified individual cellular and shed gangliosides of YAC-1 murine lymphoma cells were undertaken. These studies uncovered three striking changes in ganglioside metabolism in cells passaged in vivo, compared with cells cultured in vitro. (i) Marked inhibition of GalNAcGM1b synthesis: GM1b was present in an equal proportion to its biosynthetic product GalNAcGM1b in vitro, but was present in a 6-fold higher concentration in vivo. (ii) Marked inhibition of NeuGc synthesis: NeuGc, present in vitro in an up to 7-fold higher concentration than its biosynthetic precursor NeuAc, was decreased in relative concentration in vivo (1:1). (iii) Selectivity of shedding: ganglioside shedding in vitro was generalized with respect to both carbohydrate structure and ceramide structure (mainly d18:1-C24:1 and d18:1-C16:0), while in vivo, there was selective shedding of gangliosides containing NeuGc and the shorter chain fatty acid. The reduced synthesis of NeuGc and of GalNAcGM1b in vivo, and the selective shedding of more polar ganglioside species, also in vivo, show that the extracellular environment can markedly affect cellular ganglioside metabolism.
A Macro-Stochastic Model for Improving the Accuracy of Department of Defense Life Cycle Cost Estimates

The authors present a prognostic cost model that is shown to provide significantly more accurate estimates of life cycle costs for Department of Defense programs. Unlike current cost estimation approaches, this model does not rely on the assumption of a fixed program baseline. Instead, the model presented here adopts a stochastic approach to program uncertainty, seeking to identify and incorporate top-level (i.e., “macro”) drivers of estimating error to produce a cost estimate that is likely to be more accurate in the real world of shifting program baselines. The predicted improvement in estimating accuracy provided by this macro-stochastic cost model translates to hundreds of billions of dollars across the Department of Defense portfolio. Furthermore, improved cost estimate accuracy could reduce actual life cycle costs and/or allow defense acquisition officials the ability to make better decisions on the basis of more accurate assessments of value and affordability.
THE PHOTOPHYSICS OF p‐AMINOBENZOIC ACID

— The lowest-lying allowed UV transition in p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) is assigned Γ1La based on quantitative absorption and fluorescence studies, as well as semiempirical PM3 multielec-tron configuration interaction calculations. The oscillator strengths, fluorescence quantum efficiencies and lifetimes are reported for PABA in several polar, nonpolar, protic and aprotic solvents (aerated) at 296 K. Reasonable agreement is found between the observed radiative rate constant and that calculated from the absorption and fluorescence spectra. Shifts in the absorption and fluorescence spectra in aprotic solvents are analyzed in terms of the Onsager reaction field model; results are consistent with an increase in dipole moment of ca 4 D between the relaxed S0 and S1, states. No evidence is found for the emission from the amino-twisted form of PABA in all solvents studied although calculations show that the amino-twisted S, state is highly polar, but higher in energy by ca 35 kJ/mol (in vacuo). The fluorescence efficiency is excitation wavelength independent in both methylcyclohexane and water. The temperature dependence of the nonradiative rate constant (from S1) was studied in several solvents. Nonradiative decay may be due to intersystem crossing, which would be fast enough to compete with thermally activated intramolecular NH2 twisting. The phosphorescence spectrum and lifetime obtained in an EPA glass at 77 K are reported, and the triplet energy of PABA is estimated.
Activity-dependent expression of calbindin in rabbit floccular Purkinje cells modulated by optokinetic stimulation

Optokinetic stimulation activates visual climbing fiber pathways that synapse upon contralateral floccular Purkinje cells. Long-term horizontal optokinetic stimulation causes a progressive decrease in gain of the optokinetic reflex and leads to the subsequent genesis of a prolonged negative optokinetic afternystagmus. Since the flocculus is involved in adaptation to optokinetic stimulation, we used the technique of differential display reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to explore transcriptional changes in the flocculus evoked by long-term optokinetically evoked climbing fiber discharge. Several differentially transcribed gene products were isolated and sequenced. One of these, calbindin mRNA, was expressed in relatively decreased abundance in the flocculus that received increased climbing fiber input. Decreased transcription of calbindin mRNA was confirmed by northern blots. Hybridization histochemistry was used to localize calbindin mRNA to Purkinje cells and confirmed decreased transcription of calbindin mRNA in Purkinje cells located in folium 1 of the flocculus. Western blots and immunohistochemistry localized the climbing fiber-evoked decreased expression of calbindin to Purkinje cells in folia 1 of the flocculus. The expression of four other calcium-binding proteins in the flocculus was not influenced by optokinetic stimulation. Changes in expression of calbindin could be evoked by decreases in intracellular calcium associated with climbing fiber-evoked decreases in Purkinje cell simple spike activity.The application of differential display reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction has provided a positive screen for several molecules in addition to calbindin whose expression is affected by naturally evoked activity in a major synaptic pathway to the cerebellum. Further experiments will be required to specify the functional role of each of these molecules.
AGROBACTERIUM-MEDIATED TRANSFORMATION OF PEACH (PRUNUS PERSICA L. BATSCH) LEAF SEGMENTS, IMMATURE EMBRYOS, AND LONG-TERM EMBRYOGENIC CALLUS

Peach leaf segments, immature embryos, and long-term embryogenic calli have been transformedin vitro with the engineeredAgrobacterium tumefaciens strain A281 containing pGA472. All three tissue sources proliferated callus which grew on a medium containing 100–200 mg/l kanamycin or 10–20 mg/l G-418 as selective agents. These calli were shown to produce neomycin phosphotransferase. The results of Southern analyses were consistent with the incorporation of foreign DNA into the genome of leaf, embryo and embryogenic peach callus.
Snowfield mapping with K-band radar

Snow field mapping with K band radar imagery determining signal return difference with surrounding terrain, noting role of volume scattering and old snow structure
Plasma-polymerized thin coatings from methyl-methacrylate, styrene and tetrafluoroethylene

Abstract Methylmethacrylate (MMA), styrene and tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) were reacted in the vapor phase in an inductively coupled glow discharge to deposit ultrathin polymeric coatings directly onto plasma-cleansed substrates. Fourier transform IR spectroscopy and UV spectroscopy as well as contact angle measurements of the surface wettability were used to characterize the polymers. Plasma-polymerized MMA and TFE formed films with surface properties very similar to their conventionally formed linear counterparts, although both showed evidence of cross-linking and branching. Plasma-polymerized styrene exhibited surface properties differing from those of conventional polystyrene; this was shown by spectroscopic studies to be due to a loss of side group structure with the resultant polymers having surfaces more like polyesters. All three materials showed promise fo use as ultrathin antireflective coatings on germanium and as protective slip-release coatings on polyacetylene and graphite substrates.
Running m(o)TOR with the brakes on leads to catastrophe at mitosis.

Two parallel and concordant activities characterize cell cycle progression. One is associated with preparation for and execution of DNA replication followed by mitosis (“cell cycle”). Cyclins are the motors of the cell cycle, as they activate the respective CDKs and thereby drive the cell through the sequential phases of the cycle. Their antagonists are CKis, which inhibit the CDKs stalling the cycle progression. The second type of activities involves anabolic processes that contribute to growth in cell size and mass (“cellular growth”). Constitutive signaling along the mTOR/S6K pathways is the key factor mediating these anabolic processes. 1 During unperturbed and balanced growth these two activities are flawlessly coordinated. This synchronization ensures that the cell size, as well the ratio of protein or RNA content to DNA, remains invariable for cells in particular phases of the cycle or for particular cell type. However, during arrest in cell cycle progression, for example, when induced by inhibitors of DNA replication, these activities become uncoupled. The cell growth continues, resulting in an “unbalanced growth” pheno type when the ratio of cell protein/mass to DNA content is greatly augmented. While this phenomenon was initially observed nearly five decades ago, 2 recent evidence underscores its importance and links it mechanistically with senescence and aging. 3-5 Specifically, it has been postulated that cell cycle arrest when is concurrent with the ongoing or intensified mTOR/S6K signaling (growth cycle) results in induction of the unbalanced growth phenotype (cell hypertrophy), which is a characteristic feature of cell senescence as well as considered to be the primary cause of organismal aging. 3-5
Urologic complications of renal transplantation

Abstract The early experience of the University of Miami School of Medicine, Transplant Teanz is presented. Four urologic complications occurring in the first 66 transplants performed are presented in detail, and the method of ureteroneocystostomy is described. A review of the techniques of restoring urinary continuity and their complications is presented. The diagnosis and management of these urologic complications are discussed.
A tridiagonal system solver for distributed memory parallel processors with vector nodes

Abstract A variant of the odd-even cyclic reduction algorithm for solving tridiagonal linear systems is presented. Of particular interest is the case where the number of equations is much larger than the number of processors. The target architecture for this scheme is a distributed-memory parallel computer with nodes which are vector processors. The partitioning of the matrix system is governed by a parameter which determines the amount of redundancy in computations and the amount of communication. One feature of the method is that computations are well balanced, as each processor executes an identical algebraic routine. A brief description of the standard cyclic reduction algorithm is given. Then a divide and conquer strategy is presented along with some estimates of speedup and efficiency. Finally, FORTRAN programs for this algorithm which run on the Intel iPSC/2-VX and Floating Point Systems FPS T-20 computer are discussed along with experimental results. Of particular interest is the performance evaluation of this algorithm according to Gustafson's concept of scaled speedup.
Probing local and long-range structure simultaneously: An in situ study of the high-temperature phase transition of α-AlF3

We show in this Communication that the combination of Rietveld and pair distribution function (PDF) analyses allows unique insight into the nature and driving force of the phase transition of α-AlF3, which was not available from conventional structural analysis methods alone. The use of image plate technology allows structural changes to be followed in “real time” and reduces the time required to collect high-resolution PDF data from hours (with a conventional solid state detector) to seconds. This methodology produces raw data that can simultaneously be analyzed by both Rietveld and PDF analysis.
Temporal integration and instrumental conditioned reinforcement

Stimuli associated with primary reinforcement for instrumental behavior are widely believed to acquire the capacity to function as conditioned reinforcers via Pavlovian conditioning. Some Pavlovian conditioning studies suggest that animals learn the important temporal relations between stimuli and integrate such temporal information over separate experiences to form a temporal map. The present experiment examined whether Pavlovian conditioning can establish a positive instrumental conditioned reinforcer through such temporal integration. Two groups of rats received either delay or trace appetitive conditioning in which a neutral stimulus predicted response-independent food deliveries (CS1→US). Both groups then experienced one session of backward second-order conditioning of the training CS1 and a novel CS2 (CS1–CS2 pairing). Finally, the ability of CS2 to function as a conditioned reinforcer for a new instrumental response (leverpressing) was assessed. Consistent with the previous demonstrations of temporal integration in fear conditioning, a CS2 previously trained in a trace-conditioning protocol served as a better instrumental conditioned reinforcer after backward second-order conditioning than did a CS2 previously trained in a delay protocol. These results suggest that an instrumental conditioned reinforcer can be established via temporal integration and raise challenges for existing quantitative accounts of instrumental conditioned reinforcement.
Model for end stage liver disease score predicts mortality across a broad spectrum of liver disease.

Abstract Background/Aims The utility of the model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score in non-transplant patients, particularly in those with less severe chronic liver disease remains uncertain. We studied and compared the predictive abilities of the MELD score and the Child–Turcotte–Pugh (CTP) score for intermediate (1-year) and long-term (5-year) mortality. Methods One thousand six hundred and eleven patients with chronic liver disease were studied. Observed and predicted survival curves were plotted to evaluate the predictive ability of the MELD score for survival. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves was used to compare the MELD and CTP score. A multivariable model was constructed to examine predictors of mortality. Results The MELD score was a good predictor of 1-year mortality in chronic liver disease (c-statistics for all subgroups ≥0.75) and of 3- and 6-month mortality in alcoholic hepatitis (c-statistic ≥0.83). The CTP score had similar predictive abilities as the MELD. Hepatic encephalopathy was a strong independent predictor of death (Hazard ratio—2.8, P Conclusions The MELD score is a valid prognostic score for intermediate term mortality in a heterogeneous population with chronic liver disease although the CTP score is equivalent in predicting survival. Inclusion of hepatic encephalopathy adds additional prognostic value to the MELD score.
Effects of triethyl tin on pain reactivity and neuromotor function of rats.

Male Fischer‐344 rats were given 14 closes of triethyl tin (TET) sc over a period of 3 wk. Responsiveness to painful stimulation and muscular strength were measured at the end of dosing and after 2 wk of recovery. Responsiveness to painful stimuli was elevated by TET in tests requiring a relatively large motor response (tail flick, hot plate) and was associated with concurrent decreases in hindlimb grip strength. Reactivity, as measured by an operant titration procedure requiring a nose poke response, was not affected by TET. All neurotoxic effects of TET were reversible by 2 wk after cessation of dosing. These data suggest that TET does not affect reactivity to pain when TET‐induced neuromotor deficits are taken into account.
The rank product method with two samples

Breitling et al. (2004) introduced a statistical technique, the rank product method, for detecting differentially regulated genes in replicated microarray experiments. The technique has achieved widespread acceptance and is now used more broadly, in such diverse fields as RNAi analysis, proteomics, and machine learning. In this note, we extend the rank product method to the two sample setting, provide distribution theory attending the rank product method in this setting, and give numerical details for implementing the method.
Determination of effective water vapor diffusion coefficient in pemfc gas diffusion layers

Abstract The primary removal of product water in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells is through the cathode gas diffusion layer (GDL) which necessitates the understanding of vapor and liquid transport of water through porous media. In this investigation, the effect of microporous layer (MPL) coatings, GDL thickness, and polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) loading on the effective water vapor diffusion coefficient is studied. MRC Grafil, SGL Sigracet, and Toray TGP-H GDL samples are tested experimentally with and without MPL coatings and varying PTFE loadings. A dynamic diffusion test cell is developed to produce a water vapor concentration gradient across the GDL and induce diffusion mass transfer. Tests are conducted at ambient temperature and flow rates of 500, 625, and 750 sccm. MPL coatings and increasing levels of PTFE content introduce significant resistance to diffusion while thickness has negligible effects.
Sensor-independent stimulus representations

This paper shows how time-dependent sensory data from an evolving stimulus can be blindly rescaled in a nonlinear time-dependent fashion to create a time series of stimulus representations that are invariant under any unknown invertible transformation of the sensory data. These representations are invariant, because they encode “inner” properties of the time series of stimulus configurations themselves. This means that any two devices, possibly equipped with significantly different sensors, will create the same rescaled representation of an evolving stimulus, as long as they are sensitive to the same internal degrees of freedom of the stimulus. Such sensor-independent stimulus representations will also be unaffected by a wide variety of processes that invertibly remap sensor states, including: (i) altered performance of a device's detector; (ii) changes in the observational environment external to the sensory device and the stimulus; and (iii) certain modifications of the presentation of the stimuli themselves. In an intelligent sensory device, this kind of representation “engine” could function as a “front end” that passes rescaled sensor state representations to the device's pattern analysis module. Because the effects of many extraneous observational conditions have been “filtered out” of these representations, it would not be necessary to recalibrate the device's detectors or to retrain its pattern analysis module in order to account for these factors.
A Plastic Encapsulated MIC 17 GHz Mixer

This paper describes some work on MIC plastic encapsulation using transfer moulding techniques. After the establishment of a suitable coaxial to microstrip transition the studies progressed through the encapsulation of a series of hybrid microstrip circuits for use at J(Ku) band frequencies. The final result was the realisation of a balanced mixer for use at about 17 GHz in an encapsulation of injection moulded plastic, comparable in microwave performance to its more conventionally metal encapsulated counterparts.
Study of the surface properties of thermally oxidized silicon using surface acoustic wave attenuation

Abstract In the separate media space charged coupled convolver, the interaction of a surface acoustic wave (SAW) with the free carriers in an adjacent semiconductor results in attenuation of the acoustic wave. The magnitude of the attenuation is dependent on the concentration of the free carriers near the surface. An externally applied d.c. voltage changes the surface carrier concentration and this change is reflected in SAW attenuation. Analysis of the SAW attenuation caused by a continuous d.c. field gives an estimate of the surface state density. The time required for the SAW attenuation to reach steady state after the semiconductor is driven into deep depletion is an indication of the rate of carrier generation in the depletion region. Transient effects have also been observed using a synchronously applied d.c. pulse.
Selective approaches to basic neurobehavioral testing of children in environmental health studies.

Abstract To identify neurotoxic effects in children living near hazardous waste sites, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has designed a basic Pediatric Environmental Neurobehavioral Test Battery (PENTB) for children 1 through 16 years of age. It emphasizes tests appropriate to the stages of a child's development. These stages were fundamental factors in selecting tests for the PENTB, which includes both informant- and performance-based assessment procedures. Assessment of children under 4 years of age is restricted to four informant-based instruments, to evaluate as many functions as possible while minimizing testing time and the professional expertise needed in the test setting. The assessment of children 4 through 16 years of age includes 10 performance-based tests to evaluate key functions within the cognitive, motor and sensory domains analogous to functions affected by neurotoxic chemicals in adults. In all age groups, it is crucial to also assess family, cultural, economic and other potentially confounding variables.
Hematologic and blood chemistry data for the prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus)

1. The prairie dog has been used extensively for the study of gallstone genesis and gallstone dissolution therapies, and has recently been implicated in an effort to prevent total parenteral nutrition-associated cholelithiasis with intravenous chenodeoxycholate. 2. Towards this effort, it is important that a range of normal blood chemistry values be reported for the prairie dog. This paper reports the mean values for a complete blood cell count, electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, liver enzymes, total bilirubin, protein, albumin, cholesterol, triglycerides and lipids for 45 adult prairie dogs. 3. The prairie dog has normochromic, microcytic blood with an increased number of red blood cells. The prairie dog also has a high concentration of small platelets. 4. The prairie dog has a higher CO2 concentration with a slightly increased potassium concentration than is found in man. The anion gap is 12 with a calculated serum osmolality of 316. The BUN concentration is elevated with a 3-fold increase in the AST concentration. 5. The prairie dog has lower serum values for cholesterol, VLDL and LDL cholesterol than man. In the prairie dog, HDL cholesterol consists of 67% of the total cholesterol concentration and the LDL and HDL ratio is 0.3.
Cost-effectiveness of multifaceted evidence implementation programs for the prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis

Summary Using a computer simulation model, we determined that an intervention aimed at improving the management of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis is likely to be cost-effective to third-party health insurers only if it focuses on individuals with very high fracture risk and the proportion of prescriptions for generic bisphosphonates increases substantially.
Persistent organic pollutants in food supplies

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in various food supplies have important health impacts, but are not as devastating as malnutrition and, perhaps, obesity. POPs should be controlled and the Stockholm Convention is having an accelerating effect on the global decline of POP manufacture and use. Reservoirs from previous misuses are much larger than current manufacture and efforts should be directed at containing these reservoirs, tackling food shortages, and continuing to educate toward following advisories and maintaining a varied diet and food sources.
Genetic Structure of Chimpanzee Populations

Little is known about the history and population structure of our closest living relatives, the chimpanzees, in part because of an extremely poor fossil record. To address this, we report the largest genetic study of the chimpanzees to date, examining 310 microsatellites in 84 common chimpanzees and bonobos. We infer three common chimpanzee populations, which correspond to the previously defined labels of “western,” “central,” and “eastern,” and find little evidence of gene flow between them. There is tentative evidence for structure within western chimpanzees, but we do not detect distinct additional populations. The data also provide historical insights, demonstrating that the western chimpanzee population diverged first, and that the eastern and central populations are more closely related in time.
On the optical activity of α,β-unsaturated ketones

Abstract The ORD curves of several α,β-unsaturated ketones are compared with those of structurally related dienes and the similarities and differences discussed. A determination of the CD curves of a number of α,β-unsaturated ketones revealed the presence of a new very strong optically active transition close to that of the π → π* transition. The sign of the Cotton effect associated with the π → π* transition as determined by ORD measurements is sometimes obscured by the overlapping new transition. The CD curves of a number of α,β-unsaturated ketones were determined in a study of the effect of ring size on the sign and magnitude of the optical activity of these transitions.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering interaction of p-aminobenzoic acid on a silver-coated alumina substrate

Abstract The adsorption behavior of p -aminobenzoic acid (PABA) molecules on a silver-coated alumina surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate was investigated. For spotted PABA and PABA in non-polar solvents, the PABA molecule is adsorbed flat on the surface of the SERS substrate. In this orientation, the benzene ring is π-bonded to the substrate, and the molecule is further anchored to the substrate by the binding of the lone pairs of NH 2 and COO − groups onto the metal surface. On the other hand, the adsorption behavior of PABA in a polar solvent is greatly influenced by the hydrogen bonding of the amine group with the polar solvent. In this orientation, the molecule is preferentially adsorbed through the COO ± and assumes a non-flat orientation on the metal surface.
Modelling ‘contracts’ between a terrorist group and a government in a sequential game

In this paper, we apply a sequential game to study the possibility of ‘contracts’ (or at least mutually beneficial arrangements) between a government and a terrorist group. We find equilibrium solutions for complete and incomplete information models, where the government defends and/or provides positive rent, and the terrorist group attacks. We also study the sensitivities of equilibria as a function of both players’ target valuations and preferences for rent. The contract option, if successful, may achieve (partial) attack deterrence, and significantly increase the payoffs not only for the government, but also for some types of terrorist groups. Our work thus provides some novel insights in combating terrorism.
Factors Associated with Variation in Milk Fat Depression Resulting from High Grain Diets Fed to Dairy Cows

Abstract Thirty lactating Holstein cows were used in a crossover design with 4-wk periods to establish the relationship between chewing activity, molar proportions of ruminal volatile fatty acids, and milk fat depression resulting from feeding high grain-low forage diets. Milk production and dry matter intake were not affected by treatment. When cows were fed the high grain-low forage diet, milk fat decreased from 3.39 to 2.87%, ruminal acetate plus butyrate:propionate ratio decreased from 2.7 to 2.0, and total chewing time decreased from 659 min/24 h to 472 min/24 h. Percentage change in milk fat test between treatments was correlated to percentage change in the ruminal molar proportion of acetate, propionate, acetate plus butyrate:propionate ratio, and percentage change in total chewing time per kilogram neutral detergent fiber intake (n = 30, r = .38, −.50, .53, and −.30, respectively). More correlation coefficients were significant and correlations were higher if only cows that proceeded from control to high grain-low forage treatment were considered. As milk fat depression was increased by high grain feeding, magnitude of depression in chewing activity was decreased. Within treatment, time spent chewing increased as milk fat percentage decreased.
CONCEPTUAL DEFICITS AND AGING: THE CATEGORY TEST

Ssmma7y.-Category Test performance of 41 bright aged normals was compared with the performance of 40 young normals and a group of 43 patients with suspected neurological dysfunction. The aged normals were not only as deficient as the neurologic patients but showed a similar pattern of deficits on Category subtests. The extreme difficulty experienced by aged normals and patients on Subtests 111 and IV was explained as a function of task complexity rather than of conceptual difficulty. Further investigation of the relationship between the relative difficulty of conceptual principles and task complexity in a variety of impaired groups was suggested. The extent and frequency of conceptual deficits among normal individuals of advanced age are not dearly established. While some reports suggest aged subjects may experience extreme difficulty with conceptual tasks (Arenberg, 1968; Thaler, 1956), other studies of elderly individuals of above average ability have reported little loss of conceptual ability (Craik, 1968; Schaie & Strother, 1968; Thaler, 1956). Category Test errors have been shown to be correlated with age in both brain-damaged and control patients (Vega & Parsons, 1967), and studies of normal subjects above age 50 reported mean scores approximately equal to those of younger brain-damaged groups (Reitan, 1962; Reed & Reitan, 1963). Age-related deficits on the Category Test have exceeded those on either the Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale or the other tests of the Halstead neuropsychological test battery (Reed & Reitan, 1963; Vega & Parsons, 1967; Prigatan0 & Parsons, 1976). Studies have included few subjects above age 60, however, and no groups of above average ability have been studied, so that the complete picture of the relationship between the Category Test and aging is not known. Furthermore only total test scores have been published, although Subtests 111, IV, and V involve different conceptual principles and might show differential patterns of deficit in various subject groups, while Subtest VI continues the principle of V, affording a measure of concept learning with extended trials. The present study compared the Category Test performance of subjects over age 60 of above average intelligence with that of younger normals and of patients with suspected neurological dysfunction. The relative difficulty level of the various subtests was also investigated.
Hybrid Control of the Berkeley Lower Extremity Exoskeleton (BLEEX)

The Berkeley Lower Extremity Exoskeleton is the first functional energetically autonomous load carrying human exoskeleton and was demonstrated at U.C. Berkeley, walking at the average speed of 0.9 m/s (2 mph) while carrying a 34 kg (75 lb) payload. The original published controller, called the BLEEX Sensitivity Amplification Controller, was based on positive feedback and was designed to increase the closed loop system sensitivity to its wearer's forces and torques without any direct measurement from the wearer. This controller was successful at allowing natural and unobstructed load support for the pilot. This article presents an improved control scheme we call "hybrid" BLEEX control that adds robustness to changing BLEEX backpack payload. The walking gait cycle is divided into stance control and swing control phases. Position control is used for the BLEEX stance leg (including the torso and backpack) and a sensitivity amplification controller is used for the swing leg. The controller is also designed to smoothly transition between these two schemes as the pilot walks. With hybrid control, the controller does not require a good model of the BLEEX torso and payload, which is difficult to obtain and subject to change as payload is added and removed. As a tradeoff, the position control used in this method requires the human to wear seven inclinometers to measure human limb and torso angles. These additional sensors require careful design to securely fasten them to the human and increase the time to don and doff BLEEX.
MicroFootPrinter: a tool for phylogenetic footprinting in prokaryotic genomes

Phylogenetic footprinting is a method for the discovery of regulatory elements in a set of homologous regulatory regions, usually collected from multiple species. It does so by identifying the most conserved motifs in those homologous regions. This note describes web software that has been designed specifically for this purpose in prokaryotic genomes, making use of the phylogenetic relationships among the homologous sequences in order to make more accurate predictions. The software is called MicroFootPrinter and is available at http://bio.cs.washington.edu/software.html.