cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aberrant production of IL-13 by T cells promotes exocrinopathy in Id3 knockout mice (BA14P.206)

Elevated cytokine IL-13 in serum has been associated with several autoimmune diseases, including Sjogren’s Syndrome. However, whether IL-13 plays an early and causative role in disease development is not known and cannot be easily studied in humans. Our previous work has shown that levels of the IL-13 are elevated in Id3 knockout mice, which has been established as a model for primary Sjogren’s Syndrome. Here, we utilized an IL-13 reporter to determine the source of the elevated IL-13 levels observed in Id3 knockout mice and assess its contribution to SS symptoms. Our results indicate that T cells, primarily CD4+ αβ T cells and γδ T cells, in Id3 knockout mice produce IL-13 at an elevated frequency well before disease symptoms become apparent. We also show that T cells developing early in life are more predisposed to produce IL-13. Finally, analysis of Id3 and IL-13 double deficient mice demonstrated that IL-13 plays an essential role in the deterioration of gland function. Our study indicates that enhanced IL-13 production by T cells is capable of inducing exocrinopathy in animal models.
What could turn out, actually speaking

In this paper I distinguish three senses of could turn out/couldhave turned out in an attempt to elucidate how each is connected tothe notion of discovery and how each determines that a statement ofthe form `X could turn out P' (`X could have turned out P') is true.I argue that the actuality-oriented sense of could turn outbest captures what we ordinarily mean when we use could turnout or could have turned out in a nonevidential sense.
Sheet Orientation Effects on the Formability Limits of the AZ31B Magnesium Alloy at SPF Conditions

The formability curves of the AZ31B magnesium alloy were constructed by following a novel approach that best resembles the conditions of actual Superplastic Forming (SPF) operations. Sheet samples were formed at 400 °C and a constant strain rate of 1×10−3 s−1 , by free pneumatic bulging into a set of progressive elliptical die inserts. By doing so, the material in each of the formed domes was forced to undergo biaxial stretching at a distinct strain ratio, which is simply controlled by the geometry (aspect ratio) of the selected die insert. Material deformation was quantified using circle grid analysis (CGA), and the recorded planar strains were used to construct the forming limit diagram (FLD) of the material. The aforementioned was carried out with the sheet oriented either along or across the direction of major strains, in order to establish the relationship between the material’s rolling direction and the corresponding limiting strains. Great deviations between the two sets of formability curves are realised, hence a compound forming limit diagram is constructed as an improved way for characterising the material behaviour. The presented pneumatic stretching approach is shown to produce accurate friction-independent formability diagrams, with clear distinction between the safe and unsafe deformation zones, even though the developed diagrams are confined to the biaxial strain region (right side quadrant of an FLD). Moreover, the approach proves to be a viable means for providing formability maps under conditions where traditional mechanical stretching techniques (Nakajima and Marciniak tests) are limited.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Application of the Chew-Low formalism of multi-channel reactions

The Low equation for a non-relativistic scattering process is investigated, using a model in which the scattering source can exist in more than one state, and the «average» interaction between the source and the particle is factorizable. The branching ratio theorem and the optical theorem are derived directly from the Low equation. The Low equation is solved by the method of Castellejo, Dalitz and Dyson, and the unique solution is determined by investigating the spectrum of the unperturbed Hamiltonian. The resonance phenomena are studied and the Breit-Wigner resonance formula is derived utilizing the properties of the generalizedR-function. The more general applicability of the method is indicated.
Blunt Traumatic Rupture of the Diaphragm

Blunt traumatic rupture of the diaphragm must be suspected in all patients with massive trauma and especially in those whose chest roentgenogram reveals an abnormal or obscured diaphragmatic shadow. Regular reevaluation is most important. A diagnostic pneumoperitoneum is the most accurate preoperative test available. Transthoracic approach is the operation of choice.
A background rejection efficiency calculation for a proposed gaseous xenon TPC in a double beta decay experiment

Abstract A detailed calculation of the double beta (ββ) decay distribution and probability are presented, together with the results of a Monte Carlo simulation. The expected background rejection efficiency and achievable neutrinoless ββ decay half-life for a proposed high pressure (5–10 atm) gaseous xenon time projection chamber are calculated. The half-life is comparable to or longer than the present limit (∼ 10 23 yr). It is found that ∼ 4 π sr active shielding with NaI scintillator is effective in rejecting e - e + events when the energy resolution is 2% or better at 2.5 MeV. Monte Carlo calculations of electron tracks from neutrinoless ββ decay events show that a magnetic field can be used to distinguish ββ decay events from e - e + events when the energy resolution is ≥ 2%.
Evaluation of Information Infrastructures and Social Development Among the Visegrad-Four Countries of Central Europe

The paper examines the developmental status of four of the next candidate countriesâ€™ information infrastructures for accession into the European Union (EU). It develops significant relationships between nationsâ€™ levels of information infrastructure development and their economic and social developments, and applies these relationships to evaluate investment needs for a select group of accession countries called the Visegrad Four. Using cross-country analysis the candidate countries were compared to other countries and were classified into like groups using cluster analysis while their relative developments were evaluated using regression modeling. Developmental requirements and capital needs to promote growth in their information and communications industries were then identified. It is hoped that the paper will offer a comparative glimpse of the information and communications infrastructures of some Central and East European countries as compared to other nations.
Wildflowers as Nectar Sources for Diadegma insulare (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), a Parasitoid of Diamondback Moth (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae)

The effects of wildflowers on the longevity and fecundity of Diadegma insulare (Cresson), one of the major parasitoids of diamond back moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), in North America, were studied in the field. Wildflowers provided nectar sources for D. insulare . Longevity and fecundity of the parasitoid female varied with wildflower species and the morphological characteristics of the flower. Several flowers. including Brassica kaber (D.C.) Wheeler, Barbarea vulgaris R. Br., and Daucus carota L., supplied nectar and resulted in D. insulare longevity and fecundity equal to when honey–water was supplied as food. Others, including Erysimum cheiranthoides L. and Thlaspi arvense L. , were not significantly better than no food at all. Chenopodium album L. and Sonchus arvensis L. did not provide available nectar, however, adult parasitoids fed on honeydew excreted by Aphis fabae (Scopli)feeding on the plants. Fecundity of D. insulare generally peaked 6–15 d after adult emergence. An increase in longevity and fecundity was correlated with flower corolla opening diameter. Shading also increased longevity and fecundity of D. insulare . The oviposition behavior within 1 min of exposure to diamond back moth larvae was highly correlated with longevity and fecundity of D. insulare , whichwe considered indices of food quality. Seasonal manipulation of the diversity and distribution of wildflowers in the cabbage field and adjacent habitats, as well as providing shade for D. insulare , could increase D. insulare effectiveness in management of diamondback moth.
Stacked Neural Networks Must Emulate Evolution's Hierarchical Complexity

The missing ingredients in efforts to develop neural networks and artificial intelligence (AI) that can emulate human intelligence have been the evolutionary processes of performing tasks at increased orders of hierarchical complexity. Stacked neural networks based on the Model of Hierarchical Complexity could emulate evolution's actual learning processes and behavioral reinforcement. Theoretically, this should result in stability and reduce certain programming demands. The eventual success of such methods begs questions of humans' survival in the face of androids of superior intelligence and physical composition. These raise future moral questions worthy of speculation.
QUANTITATION OF LASER IRRADIATION BY-PRODUCTS

In-vivo laser irradiation can create hazardous by-products. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the nature of the debris, and quantitate them. Segments of fresh porcine myocardium and vascular wall were irradiated in sodium phosphate buffer, with Argon laser. The amounts of tissue vaporized and accumulation of tissue debris were measured, and analyzed with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Gasseous & thrombi by-products & temperature changes were measured in an artificial circulation using a centrifugal pump (Bio-medicus 520D). Blood was hepar-inized (5000 u) and circulated @ 21/min. Contlnous laser irradiation of the blood was done @ 6 1/2 watts with 400 micron regular quartz or hot-tip fiber, for 10 minutes. Vascular walls and myocardial debris formed at a rate of 227 and 61.5 mg respectively per 1,000 mg tissue lased, showing charred fragmented tissue segments on SEM with sizes ranging up to 3 mm. Fragments of cell wall, and intracellular membranes were also identified. 23.5 and 15.5 ml of gas were formed by both fiberoptic and hot-tip irradiation respectively. Temperature elevations were between 1 and 3.9°C in lasing chamber and 1 and 2°C in downstream chamber. 15×5 and 6×4 mm charred thrombi formed at catheter tip respectively, regardless of anticoagulant used. In conclusion: very significant amounts of gas, tissue debris and charred thrombi were formed during continuous lasing process to the extent that' modifications in laser techniques and application must be developed before laser therapy can be applied in clinical settings.
Analysis of the latency-associated transcript/UL1-3.5 gene cluster promoter complex of pseudorabies virus.

During latency, pseudorabies virus (PRV) DNA is preferentially retained in the neurons of the trigeminal ganglion and a spliced 8.5-kilobase poly-A RNA, designated large latency transcript (LLT), is synthesized. Because LLT is the only transcript made during the latent phase, the LLT promoter may be unique among all other PRV promoters that are active in productive infections. Organization of the PRV LLT promoter is quite complex because it coincides with the UL1-3.5 gene cluster promoter, but in the opposite orientation. By conventional designation, LLT is transcribed in the rightward direction while the UL1-3.5 gene cluster is transcribed in the leftward orientation. In this work, activities of the LLT promoter and the UL1-3.5 gene cluster promoter were investigated by transient reporter gene expression assay in cells of neuronal and non-neuronal origins. There are two TATA boxes in this region. We examined the promoter activities of the first TATA box with its 5′ sequence (LAP1) and the second TATA box with its 5′ sequence (LAP2). The UL1-3.5 promoter driven constructs gave no reporter gene activity in any of the experiments. Reporter gene activity was detected with LAP2 gene constructs, but not with LAP1 constructs, in both neuronal and non-neuronal cells. This is surprising because transcription of PRV LLT in vivo has been attributed to LAP1 and the initiation site was mapped downstream of the LAP1 TATA box and upstream of the LAP2 TATA box. Although LAP1 was not active in these experiments, there was a 3- to 10-fold enhancement of activity when LAP1 and LAP2 were placed in tandem.
Nanostructuring titania by embossing with polymer molds made from anodic alumina templates.

We demonstrate a method for embossing titania sol−gel precursor with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) molds to make thin films of titania that have dense arrays of 35−65 nm diameter pores, whose features are 1 order of magnitude smaller than those previously demonstrated for sol−gel molding. We show that the high modulus of PMMA is necessary to preserve small features with high aspect ratios on the mold for nanopatterning. The molds are prepared by thermally infiltrating PMMA into anodic alumina templates, whose pore dimensions and depths are adjustable by varying anodization conditions. The difficulties associated with mold release from a master are avoided by wet etching the template. These titania films, and others made with other semiconductors, could be useful for photovoltaic, photocatalytic, and sensing applications where nanostructuring of surfaces with controlled dimensions are essential.
The Rh antigen specificity of erythrocyte proteolipid

A proteolipid was purified from erythrocytes by chloroform-methanol extraction and reconstituted into lipid micelles. This purified micellar proteolipid was used to demonstrate that different Rh antigens reside on the same protein molecule.
On Work and Authority: Issues in Job Enlargement, Job Enrichment, Worker Participation and Shared Authority

. Continued debate over the nature of work is adding to an existing vast literature in labor economics, business and personnel administration, industrial sociology and social psychology. Both theory and experience indicate that the authoritarian workplace results in social costs through reduced labor productivity and increased worker dissatisfaction. But progress toward shared authority and worker participation in the administration of the production process promises to be slow. Management generally preserves a legitimized authority, defending it with the misplaced rationale of elitism, i.e., the presumed functional superiority of managers. Unions will not press for shared authority, for to do so would undermine their basic and formal function of organizational restraint of managerial authority. Thus, while management and union logically protect their traditional roles, the worker and society are denied the potential benefits of basic changes in work and authority.
A nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, attenuates lipoprivic feeding in mice

Possible involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in lipoprivic feeding was investigated in nondeprived male ICR mice adapted to a high-fat diet in a within-subjects design. Lipoprivation was induced by blocking fatty acid oxidation with Na-mercaptoacetate (MA), which produces a short-term increase in feeding in mice and rats. Food intake, measured at 1, 2, and 4 h following injection of 70 mg/kg of MA, was attenuated in a dose related manner with increasing pretreatment dose (1,10, 25 and 50 mg/kg sc) of the NO-synthase (NOS) inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), reaching statistical significance at 10 mg/kg of L-NAME at h1 when compared to vehicle control condition. The inactive isomer, D-NAME, was ineffective, thereby supporting stereospecific drug action and directly implicating NO. A control experiment measured general locomotor activity (grid crossings and rears) in an open arena under 10-50 mg/kg of L-NAME in the same mice; both measures were significantly different from vehicle condition only at the highest dose. These findings support involvement of NO in lipoprivic hyperphagia; they are consistent with and extend research linking NO and ingestive behaviors through use of NOS inhibitors. Possible influences of confounds were discussed.
Visualizing tmRNA after its accommodation in the Ribosome

In eubacteria, translation of an mRNA that lacks a stop codon produces defective polypeptide that stalls on the ribosome. Transfer-messenger RNA (tmRNA), a molecule in eubacteria that possesses functions of both mRNA and tRNA, rescues the stalled ribosome by “trans-translation,” a process by which the tmRNA is recruited to the ribosome with the help of EF-Tu and small protein B (smpB). Tanslation is resumed on the open reading frame of the mRNA-like domain (MLD) of the tmRNA. Several structures of tmRNA in complex with ribosome, in the accommodating and the accommodated states, have been studied by cryo-EM single-particle reconstruction (Gillet et al., 2007; Kaur et al., 2006; Valle et al., 2003). However, the structures of the complex in the subsequent stages of trans-translation remain unknown. Here, using mutagenesis, we have been able to trap the complex in different stages of trans-translation by substituting one of the sense codons of the MLD open reading frame with a stop codon. Structures of these complexes were obtained by the cryo-EM single particle reconstruction technique. To address the sample heterogeneity, we used the maximum-liklihood classification method (Scheres et al., 2007). The resulting density maps were analyzed by rigid body fitting in combination with biochemical data. We discovered that part of the tmRNA molecule maintains a relative defined structure during tran-translation. Also, we identified several possible binding sites of the tRNA like domain (TLD) of tmRNA and smpB on the ribosome.Gillet et al. (2007) J. Biol. Chem. 282: 6356-6363.Kaur S. et al. (2006) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 103:16484-16489.Scheres S. et al. (2007) Nature Methods 4: 27-29.Valle M. et al. (2003) Science 300: 127-130.
Extensive Corporeal Fibrosis After Penile Irradiation

ABSTRACTA potent man with early signs and symptoms of Peyronie's disease 3 months in duration received 1,200 rad of external beam radiation to the penis and presented 5 months later with impotence. Physical examination revealed diffusely woody indurated corporeal tissue. Nocturnal penile tumescence testing was abnormal and pharmaco-cavernosometry demonstrated diffuse corporeal veno-occlusive dysfunction. Treatment by penile injections was unsuccessful. During penile prosthesis implantation bilateral rubbery erectile tissue was encountered, requiring extensive bilateral corporotomy and sharp corporeal tissue excision for prosthesis insertion. Histological analysis of excised corporeal tissue demonstrated extensive corporeal fibrosis and arterial vasculopathy. Computer assisted color histomorphometry revealed that the mean percentage of trabecular smooth muscle area to total erectile tissue area was 26.5 +-/15.8 (normal 40 to 52%). Immunohistochemical staining with desmin confirmed extensive fibrosis. The m...
The formation of homosexual identities.

This paper uses sociological theory to develop an ideal-typical model of homosexual identity formation. The four-stage model outlined here represents a synthesis and an elaboration on previous research and theorizing on homosexual identity development. The model describes how committed homosexuals, lesbians, and gay males who see themselves as homosexual and adopt corresponding lifestyles, recall having acquired their homosexual identities. Often repeated themes in the life histories of gay males and lesbians, clustered according to life stages, provide the content and characteristics of each stage.
Computed tomography videography: an electrooptical system for video-rate image reconstruction

A system for reconstruction of computed tomography (CT) images in a video frame time (1/30 sec) is described. The system implements the filtered backprojection algorithm using an electrooptic filtering technique, an optical backprojection, and a video detector. When coupled to a real-time system for acquiring projection data, the combined system realizes what we term CT videography.
The Impact of Organizational and Environmental Variables on Strategic Market Orientation: An Empirical Investigation

Market orientation is increasingly viewed by companies as a source of competitive advantage which is reflected in improved company performance (Deshpande, Farley and Webster 1993). Consequently, some studies have explored the construct of market orientation per se, while several others have extended the focus to the link between orientation and performance (Ruekert, 1992; Jaworski and Kohli, 1993; Siguaw, Brown and Wilding, 1994). In contrast, there is a dearth of research on market orientation from a strategic perspective, i.e., how market orientation is shaped by corporate attitudes and strategic intent.
A study of electroencephalographic descriptors and end-tidal concentration in estimating depth of anesthesia.

Objective. To study the usefulness of three electroencephalographic descriptors, the average median frequency, the average 90% spectral edge frequency, and a bispectral variable were used with the anesthetic concentrations in estimating the depth of anesthesia.Methods. Four channels of raw EEG data were collected from seven mongrel dogs in nine separate experiments under different levels of halothane anesthesia and nitrous oxide in oxygen. A tail clamp was used as the stimulus and the dog was labeled as a non-responder or responder based on its response. A bispectral variable of the EEG (just before a tail clamp) and the estimated MAC level of halothane and nitrous oxide combined were the two features used to characterize a single data point. A neural network analysis was done on 48 such data points. A second neural network analysis was done on 47 data points using average 90% spectral edge frequency and the estimated MAC level. The average median frequency of EEG was also evaluated, although a neural network analysis was not done.Results. The first neural network needed nine weights in order to train and correctly classify all of the 12 points in the training set under a training tolerance of 0.2. It could correctly classify all of the remaining 36 data points as either belonging to responders or non-responders. A cross-validation procedure, which estimated the overall performance of the network against future data points, showed that the network misclassified two out of the 48 data points. The second neural network needed 25 weights in order to train and classify correctly all of the 26 points in the training set under a tolerance of 0.2. It was later able to classify all of the 21 points of the test group correctly.Conclusions. The bispectral variable seems to reduce the nonlinearity in the boundary separating the class of non-responders from the class of responders. Consequently, the neural network based on the bispectral variable is less complex than the neural network that uses a power spectral variable as one of its inputs.
Glutathione and Cyst(e)ine Profiles of Vegetables Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Dual Electrochemical Detection

Abstract Glutathione (GSH) is a key antioxidant of cells with many essential metabolic functions. Our research in humans led to the conclusion that high GSH levels are related to longevity and health. Enhanced tissue levels resulting from dietary GSH and its precursors suggested its role as a nutrient. Thus, the present objective was to determine in vegetables the concentration profiles of GSH and cyst(e)ine (Cys), its primary amino acid precursor. Thirty-two vegetables were commercially obtained and analyzed using HPLC with dual electrochemical detection for the simultaneous determination of GSH, Cys, and their oxidized forms. The results indicated that brussel sprouts had the highest concentrations of total GSH with 112 μmol/100 g fresh weight, followed by asparagus top, broccoli flower, cabbage core, and asparagus bottom. On a dry weight basis, the highest levels were found in broccoli stem and flower, asparagus bottom, brussel sprouts, and cabbage core. Total Cys levels were highest in brussel sprouts, kale, cauliflower, cabbage core, and green pepper. However, GSH was undetected in iceberg lettuce, and Cys in celery. Contrary to an assumption that GSH would be increased with high Cys levels, GSH and Cys in the vegetables were not correlated based on either fresh weight ( r 2 = 0.334) or dry weight ( r 2 = 0.037).
MITOSIS, CYTOKINESIS, AND COLONY FORMATION IN THE GREEN ALGA SORASTRUM1

SUMMARY Synchronous mitotic divisions produce multi-nucleate cells of Sorastrum. Perinuclear envelopes of endoplasmic reticulum and a virtually intact nuclear envelope enclose mitotic nuclei. Cytoplasmic cleavage, which shirts before the last round of Synchronous mitoses, gives rise to uninucleate fragments which differentiate to form zoospores. These zoospores are released into a spherical vesicle, presumably derived from the inner layer of the parental cell wall, in which they swarm actively before aggregating as a spherical colony. The roughly conical shaped zoospores apparently adhere laterally before withdrawing their flagella and extending horns and a stipe, which, following wall deposition, interconnects the cells at the center of the colony. The probable role of the microtubules, which underlie the plasmalemma of aggregating cells, in determining the shape of both the cells and the colony itself is discussed.
Modeling Heavy Metal Uptake by Sludge Particulates in the Presence of Dissolved Organic Matter

The uptake of the seven heavy metal ions Cd(II), Co(II), Cr(III), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) by sludge particulates in single-metal systems was investigated. Results showed that under acidic and neutral pH conditions, the uptake of all heavy metals by sludge particulates increases with the increase of pH. However, in the alkaline pH region, the uptake of Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II) decreases with the increase of pH, primarily due to the high dissolved organic matter (DOM) concentration in high pH conditions. Based on chemical reactions among heavy metal, sludge solids, and DOM, a mathematical model describing metal uptake as functions of DOM and pH was developed. The stability constants of metal-sludge and metal-DOM complexes can be determined using this model in conjunction with experimental metal uptake data. Results showed that, for the secondary sludge sample collected from Baltimore Back River Wastewater Treatment plant on March 1997, the stability constants of Cu(II)-sludge complex (log K(S)) and Cu(II)-DOM complex (log K(L)) are 5.3+/-0.2 and 4.7+/-0.3, respectively; for Ni(II), they are 4.0+/-0.2 and 3.9+/-0.2, respectively. Results also showed that under neutral and low pH conditions (pH<8), the DOM effects on metal uptake for all heavy metals are insignificant. Therefore, the DOM term in the model can be ignored. Results showed that, for the secondary sludge sample collected from Baltimore Back River Wastewater Treatment plant on December 1996, the estimated log K(S) values of metal-sludge complexes for Cd(II), Co(II), Cr(III), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) are, respectively, 3.6+/-0.2, 3.0+/-0.1, 5.5+/-0.1, 4.8+/-0.1, 3.1+/-0.1, 5.1+/-0.1, and 4.4+/-0.3.
International patent protection: 1960–2005

Abstract This note provides an update to the index of patent protection published in this journal in 1997. The original paper presented the index for 1960–1990 for 110 countries. The index has now been updated to 2005 and extended to 122 countries. The adoption of stronger patent laws and the composition of patent rights vary across countries by level of economic development.
Cutting-plane training of structural SVMs

Discriminative training approaches like structural SVMs have shown much promise for building highly complex and accurate models in areas like natural language processing, protein structure prediction, and information retrieval. However, current training algorithms are computationally expensive or intractable on large datasets. To overcome this bottleneck, this paper explores how cutting-plane methods can provide fast training not only for classification SVMs, but also for structural SVMs. We show that for an equivalent "1-slack" reformulation of the linear SVM training problem, our cutting-plane method has time complexity linear in the number of training examples. In particular, the number of iterations does not depend on the number of training examples, and it is linear in the desired precision and the regularization parameter. Furthermore, we present an extensive empirical evaluation of the method applied to binary classification, multi-class classification, HMM sequence tagging, and CFG parsing. The experiments show that the cutting-plane algorithm is broadly applicable and fast in practice. On large datasets, it is typically several orders of magnitude faster than conventional training methods derived from decomposition methods like SVM-light, or conventional cutting-plane methods. Implementations of our methods are available at www.joachims.org .
Federalizing energy? Agenda change and the politics of fracking

This paper focuses on agenda change affecting the politics of “fracking operations” in the US, a process of extracting natural gas from underground shale formations. We examine how the movement of this policy issue between the state and federal levels of government has become increasingly contentious because of rising public concern about pollution impacts. Using information obtained from documentary sources and media content analysis, we found that the natural gas policy coalition has largely focused on a political strategy based on maintaining fracking regulatory controls at the state level, while the environmental policy coalition has pushed for increased regulation of drilling practices in general, including a larger policy and oversight role for federal agencies such as EPA.
Perspective on Susceptibility Testing of Anaerobic Bacteria

Physicians must use empirical treatment initially for anaerobic infections. However, such treatment can be targeted if clinicians establish the nature of the infection and know the usual infecting flora of that type of infection and how the flora may have been modified by the use of antimicrobials. Physicians must also be aware of the usual susceptibility patterns of various anaerobes and nonanaerobes in the hospitals in which they work. Despite cost containment, it is still important to isolate all anaerobes present, to provide at least general identification (and specific identification of key organisms such as the Bacteroides fragilis group), and to keep the organisms alive so that they may be referred elsewhere for definitive identification and susceptibility testing, if indicated. Because resistance is increasing among anaerobes, susceptibility testing is very important. Susceptibility testing should be done when patients are seriously ill, when patients do not respond to therapy or relapse, when there are few data available on a species, when the organisms isolated are frequently resistant, and when patients require prolonged therapy. Periodic surveys of susceptibility patterns should be done on isolates from individual hospitals. Tests most useful for individual patient isolates are the Etest (AB BIODISK, Solna, Sweden), an expensive test, and the microbroth dilution test. Testing should be done on organisms that are the most virulent and most resistant to antimicrobial agents. Anaerobic infections are commonly caused by a mixed flora that includes several anaerobes and nonanaerobes. Accordingly, it may take considerable time to isolate the various components in pure culture and to identify them and determine their susceptibilities to antimicrobial agents. Therefore, it is necessary that physicians treat anaerobic infections empirically until laboratory data become available. Such treatment should be based on knowledge of the nature of the infectious process, the usual microorganisms encountered in this type of infection, and the usual susceptibility patterns of these organisms in the setting in which the physician practices. Data on the usual bacteriology of the most common types of anaerobic infections encountered (pleuropulmonary, intraabdominal, female genital, and skin and soft-tissue infections) are presented in tables 26 of a recent publication [1]. Susceptibility patterns of the most commonly encountered anaerobes at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center West Los Angeles (Los Angeles) are provided in table 7 of that paper [1]. Prior antimicrobial use or pathophysiological states that might lead to an altered flora in anaerobic infections must also be taken into account. Data from gram
Improved Model of Long-Term Gain Increases in Traveling-Wave Tubes

An improved model to predict the gain increases in traveling-wave tubes (TWTs) during long-term operation is presented. The conventional gain growth model describes the pressure variation in a TWT over its life using an exponential decrease from the initial outgassing level to a constant base pressure. This model often shows an inability to capture the gain change behavior of many tubes during the transition between early life burn-in and long-term operation, leading to a significant underprediction of long-term gain increases. The model is improved here first through the introduction of another pressure-related term associated with desorption of gas from the tube’s inner surfaces that exhibits a $t^{\mathrm {\mathbf {-1/2}}}$ time dependence. This new pressure dependence is governed by the behavior of a Langmuirian adsorption isotherm. Second, the exponential pressure decay term is separated into two terms associated with early life and long-term operation with different outgassing time constants. The improved model shows a significantly better matching of long-term TWT gain growth data compared to the conventional model. In addition, the improved model predicts a more physical pressure behavior in the TWT with time.
Effects of genotype and transpiration rate on the uptake and accumulation of perchlorate (ClO4-) in lettuce.

Although evidence of perchlorate accumulation in plants exists, there is a scarcity of information concerning the key factors and mechanisms involved. To ascertain whether genotypic variation in perchlorate accumulation occurs within lettuce, hydroponic plant uptake experiments were conducted with five types of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), which were grown to market size at three perchlorate (ClO4-) concentrations (1, 5, or 10 μg/L). Perchlorate accumulated in the leafy tissues to varying amounts, ranging from 4 to 192 μg/kg fresh weight (FW), and the ranking of perchlorate accumulation was crisphead > butter head > romaine > red leaf > green leaf. The effect of transpiration rate on perchlorate accumulation was further examined using crisphead, butter head, and green leaf lettuce. By growing lettuce in controlled-environment chambers with two climatic regimes, “cloudy, humid, cool” (80% RH, 18/15 °C, 250 μmol/m2s photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD)) and “sunny, dry, warm” (∼50% RH, 28/18 °C, 500 μm...
Systematic artifacts in metagenomes from complex microbial communities

Metagenomics is providing an unprecedented view of the taxonomic diversity, metabolic potential and ecological role of microbial communities in biomes as diverse as the mammalian gastrointestinal tract, the marine water column and soils. However, we have found a systematic error in metagenomes generated by 454-based pyrosequencing that leads to an overestimation of gene and taxon abundance; between 11% and 35% of sequences in a typical metagenome are artificial replicates. Here we document the error in several published and original datasets and offer a web-based solution (http://microbiomes.msu.edu/replicates) for identifying and removing these artifacts.
AN EXPERIMENTAL COMPARISON OF STATISTICAL AND LINEAR PROGRAMMING APPROACHES TO THE DISCRIMINANT PROBLEM

This paper reports the results of an experimental comparison of three linear programming approaches and the Fisher procedure for the discriminant problem. The linear programming approaches include two formulations proposed by Freed and Glover and a newly proposed mixed-integer, linear goal programming formulation. Ten test problems were generated for each of the 36 cells in the three-factor, full-factorial experimental design. Each test problem consisted of a 30-case estimation sample and a 1,000-case holdout sample. Experimental results indicate that each of the four approaches was statistically preferable in certain cells of the experimental design. Sample-based rules are suggested for selecting an approach based on Hotelling's T2 and Box's M statistics. Subject Areas: Statistical Techniques, Linear Statistical Models, and Linear Programming.
Spin-polarized peroxyl radical adducts formed from the addition of oxygen to amino acid radicals.

Peroxyl radicals formed from the addition of oxygen to carbon radicals of N-acetyl glycine, serine, and diglycine are directly observed at room temperature via time-resolved EPR spectroscopy. Isotopic labeling confirms the identity of the N-acetyl glycine and diglycine peroxyl analogues. The peroxyl radicals show unusually strong chemically induced electron spin polarization which is discussed in terms of the radical pair mechanism and spin polarization transfer processes.
Classification of Landsat remote sensing images by a fuzzy unsupervised clustering algorithm

Abstract The classification of each pixel in a Landsat image to one of the land cover types by conventional clustering techniques is highly inappropriate due to the low resolution of Landsat images and the multiplicity of terrain. The concept of fuzzy logic provides a flexible solution to this problem. This paper presents a new two-pass unsupervised clustering algorithm incorporated the fuzzy theory. In the first pass the mean vectors of different land cover types representing their geographic attributes are derived. In the second pass the membership grade of a pixel belonging to different land cover types is computed based on the distance between its gray-value vector and the mean vector of each type. Experimental results show that the developed fuzzy clustering algorithm produces more reasonable phenomenon interpretation than the traditional hard partition techniques.
Kinetics of methyl mercury in blood and brain during chronic exposure in the monkey Macaca fascicularis.

The disposition parameters derived from a compartmental model kinetic analysis of blood Hg levels in nonpregnant, adult female Macaca fascicularis given daily doses of MeHg did not vary with either dosage level (50, 70 or 90 micrograms MeHg/kg b.wt.day) or duration of exposure (up to 507 day). In contrast, blood clearance of Hg in pregnant females was dose-dependent; it being higher at the 90 micrograms MeHg/kg b.wt.day than at the lower dosage levels. Hg levels in the brain of adult fascicularis relative to blood Hg also increased at the highest level of exposure. Blood Hg half-life in neonate fascicularis was similar to half-life in their mothers (adults). Finally, the regional distribution of mercury in the brains of adult and neonate fascicularis exposed to low and intermediate levels of MeHg resembles the reported distribution of mercury in the brains of adult and neonate humans environmentally exposed to MeHg. Consequently, M. fascicularis may be an especially appropriate animal model for studying the neurotoxic mechanisms of chronic methyl mercury exposure.
Piperonylic acid conjugates with alanine, glutamate, glutamine, glycine, and serine in living houseflies.

Abstract Following their injection into adult female houseflies, Musca domestica L., each of piperonal, piperonyl alcohol, safrole, and tropital synergist (piperonal bis-[2-(2- n -butoxyethoxy)ethyl]-acetal) oxidizes to piperonylic acid, which converts into five N -piperonyl conjugates involving the following amino acids: alanine, glutamate, glutamine, glycine, and serine. The ratio of these piperonylic acid conjugates formed and excreted by flies depends upon the administered precursor for piperonylic acid. Results obtained in a subsequent study in which each of these five amino acids, labelled with radiocarbon, was injected along with unlabelled piperonal into flies confirm the characterization of the piperonylic acid conjugates and give some information on the metabolism and biosynthesis of these amino acids in living flies. Glutamine and glutamate convert from one to the other at the free amino acid level, and one or both of them serve as precursors for each of the amino acids utilized in forming conjugates with piperonylic acid. There is evidence that the conversion of glycine to serine in living flies occurs by a reversible reaction at the free amino acid level; also, there is reason to believe that the biosynthetic conversion of glycine to serine to alanine takes place in flies. Although N -piperonylglutamate, -glycine, and -serine do not metabolize on injection into flies, N -piperonylalanine yields N -piperonylserine, and N -piperonylglutamine gives N -piperonylglutamate. Certain other conjugates of piperonylic acid also form in trace levels but N α -piperonylornithine is not one of them.
Limiting ischemic myocardial damage using glucose-insulin-potassium solutions.

Background. This experimental study sought to determine whether the infusion of glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) solutions to ischemic myocardium during revascularization would decrease myocardial damage. Methods. In 40 pigs, the second and third diagonal vessels were occluded with snares for 90 minutes followed by 30 minutes of cardioplegic arrest and 180 minutes of reperfusion. During the periods of coronary occlusion and reperfusion, 10 pigs received GIK (glucose = 300 g/L, insulin=50 U/L, K + = 80 mEq/L) through the jugular vein at 1 mL · kg −1 · h −1 (GIK-IV group); 10 pigs received GIK through the coronary sinus (GIK-CS group); 5 pigs received GIK through the jugular vein during reperfusion only (GIK-R group); 5 pigs received GIK through the jugular vein 2 hours prior to coronary occlusion and then during the periods of coronary occlusion and reperfusion (GIK-Pre group); and 10 pigs received no GIK (Unmodified group). Ischemic damage was assessed by wall motion scores using two-dimensional echocardiography, changes in myocardial tissue pH, and the area of necrosis in the area of risk. Results. Hearts treated with GIK had significantly less tissue acidosis, higher wall motion scores, and the least tissue necrosis (14% ± 2% GIK-Pre versus 12% ± 2% GIK-CS versus 16% ± 2% GIK-IV versus 25% ± 2% GIK-R versus 73% ± 4% Unmodified; all, p Conclusions. We conclude that a glucose-insulin-potassium solution reduces ischemic myocardial damage during coronary revascularization.
Mode-locking schemes for fiber lasers using auxiliary cavities

We explore the effect of auxiliary cavities on various schemes used in modeling fiber laser systems having a main cavity and an auxiliary. These include the effects of incorporating a) passive elements and b) active elements in the auxiliary cavity for actively modelocked, passively modelocked, as well as Raman fiber lasers. The focus is on the enhancement of laser performance including stability, pulse compression and pulse repetition rate. The study shows that incorporating external cavity greatly enhances the operating range as well as performance of fiber laser systems. Pulse widths ranging from femtosecond to picoseconds (20fs to 20ps) have been reported, pulse repetition rates from kilohertz to gigahertz (40KHz to 40GHz), and noise reduction and instability reduction (30 to 140 dBc/Hz) have been reported. In addition incorporating auxiliary cavity allows for design flexibility using cavity dynamics, parametric control, nonlinear effects, pulse shaping, gain switching, and noise dynamics.
Surface chemical composition of chromatographically fractionated graphite nanofiber-derived carbon dots

Abstract Carbon dots (C-dots) were synthesized from graphite nanofiber starting material by oxidizing in strong acid (i.e., top-down synthesis). The resulting product was heterogeneous with regard to size and surface functionality. After separating the mixture into fractions by means of anion-exchange (AE) high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), fractions with unique photoluminescent properties were selected. We examined the surface of these unique C-dot fractions by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy and identified the surface functional groups on the C-dot fractions that exhibited higher photoluminescence. Although some surface functionalities were common to all fractions (e.g., carboxylic groups), others were different (e.g., aliphatic C H bonding). Among the luminescent nanoparticles examined, those with the higher luminescence showed less oxygen content. This strongly suggests that in the mixture of the as-synthesized C-dots, all nanoparticles did not have identical surface functionality, and they contributed differently to the observed photoluminescence.
Scientific methods in finance

Abstract Computer software can easily produce many financial models with technical skill, but investigators need to interpret and adapt computer output. Such analysis requires a deep knowledge of scientific fundamentals. We argue that an evidential perspective is more appropriate than a decision framework for model selection. We discuss four necessary conditions for any scientific investigation: observables, interpretables, replicables, and robustness in the context of examples familiar to finance professionals. Carefully planning the design of an experiment is the best way to address many econometric maladies. Furthermore, we emphasize the need for more sensitivity testing and for independent replication of empirical results within the finance profession.
Fundamental matrix and planar homographies in stereo vision

ABSTRACT We describe the epipolar constraint that specifies the geometry of stereo vision. We consider the 3D structure reconstruction from multiple views through the new perspective of basing the reconstruction from directly estimated planar homographies instead of using techniques that are based on matched point pairs. Planar homography parameters can more accurately extract scene planar surfaces and directly solve for the 3D structure and camera motion parameters. The new method has the advantage that it integrates larger amount of information because the homography parameters are estimated directly from the intensities and not from an abst racted descriptor of the ne ighborhood. Because it does not rely on a transformation of an entire image region, the method is efficient. Keywords: Machine vision, stereo vision, image surveillance, robotic navigation, 3D reconstruction. 1. INTRODUCTION Recovering the three-dimensional information of a scene from two-dimensional image or video projections has applications in surveillance and robotic navigation. A thr ee-dimensional scene structure can be reconstructed from two views as follows.
Numerical simulation of plasma transport driven by the Io torus

The Rice convection model (RCM) has been modified to a form suitable for Jupiter (RCM-J) to study plasma interchange motion in and near the Io plasma torus. The net result of the interchange is that flux tubes, heavily loaded with torus plasma, are transported outward, to be replaced by tubes containing little low-energy (less than 1 keV) plasma. The process is numerically simulated in terms of time evolution from an initial torus that is longitudinally asymmetric and with gradually decreasing density outward from Io's orbit. In the simulations, the nonlinear stage of the instability characteristically exhibits outreaching fingers of heavily-loaded flux tubes that lengthen at an accelerating rate. The principal finding is that the primary geometrical form of outward transport of torus plasma in Jupiter's magnetosphere is through long, outward-moving fingers of plasma. In the simulations, the fingers mainly form in the active sector of the Io torus (the heavier side of the asymmetric torus), and they are spaced longitudinally roughly 20 deg apart.
Representation of singularities with isoparametric finite elements

The development of a generalized quadrilateral finite element that includes a singular point at a corner node is presented. Inter-element conformability is maintained so that monotone convergence is preserved. The global-local concept of finite elements is used to formulate the complete set of equations. Examples of crack tip singularities are given.