cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Machine-learning-aided cognitive reconfiguration for flexible-bandwidth HPC and data center networks [Invited]

This paper proposes a machine-learning (ML)-aided cognitive approach for effective bandwidth reconfiguration in optically interconnected datacenter/high-performance computing (HPC) systems. The proposed approach relies on a Hyper-X-like architecture augmented with flexible-bandwidth photonic interconnections at large scales using a hierarchical intra/inter-POD photonic switching layout. We first formulate the problem of the connectivity graph and routing scheme optimization as a mixed-integer linear programming model. A two-phase heuristic algorithm and a joint optimization approach are devised to solve the problem with low time complexity. Then, we propose an ML-based end-to-end performance estimator design to assist the network control plane with intelligent decision making for bandwidth reconfiguration. Numerical simulations using traffic distribution profiles extracted from HPC applications traces as well as random traffic matrices verify the accuracy performance of the ML design estimator (${\lt}9\%$<9% error) and demonstrate up to $5 \times$5× throughput gain from the proposed approach compared with the baseline Hyper-X network using fixed all-to-all intra/inter-portable data center interconnects.
Tecnología e impacto social en la enseñanza de español

The presence of 1256 language learning startups on Crunchbase and the existence of an application with more than 300 million users are a solid indicator of both an interest in language in the society and a desire to make this sociocognitive appetite profitable. However, few of these products meet the social needs of language learners (Heil, Wu, Lee and Schmidt, 2016; Dubreil & Thorne, 2017; Sawin & Guillen, 2017; Sykes, 2018). This article explores the discourse, learning experience, and social impact of three popular platforms for learning Spanish, in the context of what seems to be a bonanza for language learning and technology products.
Leaning Against the Wind: A Cost-Benefit Analysis for an Integrated Policy Framework

This paper takes a new approach to assess the costs and benefits of using different policy tools-macroprudential, monetary, foreign exchange interventions, and capital flow management-in response to changes in financial conditions. The approach evaluates net benefits of policies using quadratic loss functions, estimating policy effects on the full distribution of future output growth and inflation with quantile regressions. Tightening macroprudential policy dampens downside risks to growth stemming from loose financial conditions, and is beneficial in net terms. By contrast, tightening monetary policy entails net losses, calling for caution in the use of monetary policy to 'lean against the wind.' These findings hold when policies are used in response to easing global financial conditions. Buying foreign-exchange or tightening capital controls has small net benefits.
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park: an ecological pearl amidst the urban sea of southeast Florida

Since planting roots in southeast Florida, I hunt for pockets of natural coastline interspersed throughout the urban-dominated landscape. One such place is situated near the northern tip of the regional conurbation. A swim, paddle, or stroll about the grounds of John D. MacArthur Beach State Park – located on an almost unspoiled slice of coast in northern Palm Beach County – offers glimpses of what southeast Florida’s tropical coastal habitat resembled prior to the arrival of Spanish ships in the sixteenth century when Jeaga Indians paddled local waters using dugout canoes. In the concrete jungle that is present-day southeast Florida, this protected area is bursting with vegetation and wildlife.
Menggapai Pengetahuan, Memperoleh Spiritualitas: Urgensi Dwi-Konsep Pengetahuan-Spiritualitas dalam Pendidikan Agama Kristen

Pendidikan Agama Kristen dianggap sebagai mata pelajaran yang mudah untuk ditaklukkan. Praanggapan ini berangkat dari guru yang dengan mudah memberikan nilai besar kepada siswa tanpa melalui proses panjang pendidikan. Pemberian ini dikarenakan hanya melihat aspek pengetahuan sebagai acuan penilaian. Tentu hal ini tidak dapat terus dipertahankan dalam PAK. Sebab pendidikan yang berbasis agama, sudah semestinya bukan hanya menilai dari pengetahuan, melainkan spiritualitas dari naradidiknya. Artikel ini bertujuan memadukan dwi-konsep pengetahuan dan spiritualitas dalam PAK. Metode yang digunakan adalah kualitatif deskriptif dengan memadukan antara ortodoksi, ortopraksi, dan ortopietas. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa untuk tercapainya dwi-konsep pengetahuan dan spiritualitas, maka pendidik harus menilai aspek spiritualitas dengan melihat perubahan sikap dan karakter dari peserta didiknya. Guru PAK dapat menggunakan Asesmen Kompetensi Minimum (AKM) dan Survei karakter dalam Asesmen Nasional yang dikeluarkan oleh Pemerintah Indonesia pengganti Ujian Nasional sebagai panduannya. Memang menjadi persoalan hingga saat ini adalah terkait membuat rubrik penilaian PAK yang belum ada kata sepakat dari para akademisi dan praktisi PAK.
THE STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF A SCIENTIFIC PAPER

We analyze the structural elements which comprise a standard scientific paper. Previous analysis generally has focused on one element of a paper at a time. However, the title, author list, affiliation, abstract, text, tables, graphs, charts, photographs and references all represent possible data resources for investigation. After specifying those elements, we focus successively on the history, normative tradition, and sociological analysis of a selection of those elements.
On-bead antibody-small molecule conjugation using high-capacity magnetic beads

Antibodies labeled with small molecules such as fluorophore, biotin or drugs play an important role in various areas of biological research, drug discovery and diagnostics. However, the majority of current methods for labeling antibodies is solution-based and has several limitations including the need for purified antibodies at high concentrations and multiple buffer exchange steps. In this study, a method (on-bead conjugation) is described that addresses these limitations by combining antibody purification and conjugation in a single workflow. This method uses high capacity-magnetic Protein A or Protein G beads to capture antibodies directly from cell media followed by conjugation with small molecules and elution of conjugated antibodies from the beads. High-capacity magnetic antibody capture beads are key to this method and were developed by combining porous and hydrophilic cellulose beads with oriented immobilization of Protein A and Protein G using HaloTag technology. With a variety of fluorophores it is shown that the on-bead conjugation method is compatible with both thiol- and amine-based chemistry. This method enables simple and rapid processing of multiple samples in parallel with high-efficiency antibody recovery. It is further shown that recovered antibodies are functional and compatible with downstream applications.
Interactive Modeling for Batch Simulation of Engineering Systems: A Constraint Satisfaction Problem

We have presented here an algorithm CPRAO for doing constraint processing using relational algebraic operators. Van Beek and others have investigated such constraint processing in the relational algebraic framework, for quite some time, producing some unique results. Apart from providing new theoretical angles, the framework also provides the opportunity to use the existing efficient implementations of relational database management systems as the underlying data structures for any relevant algorithm. Our algorithm here enhances that framework. The algorithm is quite general in its current form. Weak heuristics (like forward checking) developed within the CSP area could be plugged in this algorithm. The algorithm is developed here is targeted toward a component-oriented modeling problem that we are currently working on, namely, the problem of interactive modeling for batch-simulation of engineering systems (IMBSES). However, it could be adopted for many other CSP problems as well. The article here discusses the algorithm and many aspects of the problem we are addressing.
Advertising comedy in electronic drama: The construct, theory and taxonomy

Defines the construct of “comedy” in electronic advertisements, using drama theory to derive a taxonomy of comedic types. Summarizes the controversies that form the background of humour research and proposes a revision in terminology that distinguishes the stimulus (called “comedy”) from the response (called “laughter”). Goes on to discuss the fundamental attributes of comedy from a drama perspective and uses Bergson’s theory of laughter as the cornerstone of two continua mapping four comic types: verbal/physical and romantic/satiric. Uses examples from television and radio commercials to illustrate the way that the classification scheme works in the media context. Discusses each comedic type in terms of associated audience responses relevant to consumer audiences. Concludes with comments on the social function of advertising comedy.
Random graph dynamics

1. Overview 2. Erdos-Renyi random graphs 3. Fixed degree distributions 4. Power laws 5. Small worlds 6. Random walks 7. CHKNS model.
PHONEY: mimicking user response to detect phishing attacks

Phishing scams pose a serious threat to end-users and commercial institutions alike. Email continues to be the favorite vehicle to perpetrate such scams mainly due to its widespread use combined with the ability to easily spoof them. Several approaches, both generic and specialized, have been proposed to address this problem. However, phishing techniques, growing in ingenuity as well as sophistication, render these solutions weak. In this paper we propose a novel approach to detect phishing attacks using fake responses which mimic real users, essentially, reversing the role of the victim and the adversary. Our prototype implementation called PHONEY, sits between a user's mail transfer agent (MTA) and mail user agent (MUA) and processes each arriving email for phishing attacks. Using live email data collected over a period of eight months we demonstrate data that our approach is able to detect a wider range of phishing attacks than existing schemes. Also, the performance analysis study shows that the implementation overhead introduced by our tool is very negligible.
Middleware and web services for the collaborative information portal of NASA's Mars exploration rovers mission

We describe the design and deployment of the middleware for the Collaborative Information Portal (CIP), a mission critical J2EE application developed for NASA's 2003 Mars Exploration Rover mission. CIP enabled mission personnel to access data and images sent back from Mars, staff and event schedules, broadcast messages and clocks displaying various Earth and Mars time zones. We developed the CIP middleware in less than two years time using cutting-edge technologies, including EJBs, servlets, JDBC, JNDI and JMS. The middleware was designed and implemented as a collection of independent, hot-deployable web services, providing secure access to back end file systems and databases. This service-oriented approach to developing an integrated system is an example of cutting edge middleware design. Throughout the middleware we enabled crosscutting capabilities such as runtime service configuration, security, logging and remote monitoring. This paper presents our approach to mitigating the challenges we faced, concluding with a short review of the lessons we learned from this project and noting some of the things we would do differently and why.
Intelligibility in world Englishes. Theory and application, by Nelson, C. L.

Cecil Nelson's Intelligibility in World Englishes is a timely and much needed addition to the field of world Englishes. The author discusses the principal notions that constitute intelligibility in...
The Neuroethics and Neurolaw of Brain Injury

Neuroethics and neurolaw are fields of study that involve the interface of neuroscience with clinical and legal decision-making. The past two decades have seen increasing attention being paid to both fields, in large part because of the advances in neuroimaging techniques and improved ability to visualize and measure brain structure and function. Traumatic brain injury (TBI), along with its acute and chronic sequelae, has emerged as a focus of neuroethical issues, such as informed consent for treatment and research, diagnostic and prognostic uncertainties, and the subjectivity of interpretation of data. The law has also more frequently considered TBI in criminal settings for exculpation, mitigation and sentencing purposes and in tort and administrative law for personal injury, disability and worker's compensation cases. This article provides an overview of these topics with an emphasis on the current challenges that the neuroscience of TBI faces in the medicolegal arena. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Macrocyclic rhodium(III) hydrides and a monomeric rhodium(II) complex

Several mononuclear N{sub 4}-macrocyclic Rh(III) hydrides were prepared and characterized in the solid state and in solution. H NMR, IR, and UV data are reported. The complex [trans-(Cl)([14]aneN{sub 4})RhH]{sub 2}(ZnCl{sub 4}){center_dot}dmso(1{center_dot}dmso) crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1, in a unit cell of dimension a = 10.680 {Angstrom}, b = 13.460 {Angstrom}, c= 14.277 {Angstrom}, {alpha} = 86.49{degrees}, {beta} = 83.18{degrees}, {gamma} = 66.64{degrees}. The data refined to a final value of R=0.070 and R{sub w} = 0.13 based on 2687 observed reflections. UV photolysis of chloride-free (H{sub 2}O)L{sup 1}RhH{sup 2+} results in homolytic Rh-H bond cleavage. The rhodium(II) product, L{sup 1}Rh(H{sub 2}O){sup 2+}, was characterized by ESR and UV spectroscopies. This species survives in acidic aqueous solution for over half an hour at room temperature. The photolysis of (H{sub 2}O)L{sup 1}RhH{sup 2+} in the presence of O{sub 2} produces the superoxorhodium(III) ion, trans-L {sup 1}RhOO{sup 2+}.
The Consensus Conference and Combined‐Integrated model of doctoral training in professional psychology—Overview of Part 2: Broader implications and potential applications of the Combined‐Integrated model

This special series of articles on the Consensus Conference and Combined-Integrated (C-I) model of doctoral training in professional psychology consists of 13 articles in two successive issues of the Journal of Clinical Psychology. Six articles were presented in Part 1 (Vol. 60, Issue 9), which collectively described the “nature and scope” of the C-I model (e.g., historic and definitional issues; the potential advantages of this model; implications for the profession). In Part 2 of this special series (Vol. 60, Issue 10), articles 7 through 12 address the broader implications and potential applications of the C-I model within a range of professional and societal contexts (e.g., for interprofessional collaboration; the health care field; development of a global curriculum; the unified psychology movement; issues of assessment and professional identity; and higher education); article 13 provides a summary of the series as well as a discussion of future directions. As an overview, this paper reviews the articles in Part 1 and describes the various topics of the articles in Part 2. Taken together, the articles in this special series are designed to provide a coherent account of how and why the C-I model is timely and relevant, and therefore warrants serious consideration by the larger education and training community in professional psychology. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol.
A study of the excited states of 11C up to 8.43 MeV and of the 5.03 and 6.81 MeV levels of 11B by a particle-gamma correlation technique

Particle-gamma coincidence measurements have been used to study the energy levels of 11C up to 8.43 MeV excited by the 12C(3He, α)11C reactionand the levels in 11B at 5.03 and 6.81 MeV excited by the 9Be(3He, p)11B reaction. Branching ratios were obtained for the two 11B levels and the bound levels in 11C. The ratios of radiative width to total width for the unbound 8.10 and 8.43 MeV 11C levels were determined as Γγ/Γ < 0.04 and 0.2±0.1, respectively. The correlation technique of Litherland and Ferguson was used to determine the spins of the bound levels in 11C and the multipole mixing ratios for many of the transitions. Spin assignments of 12, 5/2, 3/2, 1/2, 7/2, 5/2and32 have been made to the levels at 2.00, 4.32, 4.81, 6.35, 6.49, 6.90 and 7.50 MeV. Probable spins of 32and12 have been assigned to the 5.03 and 6.81 MeV levels in 11B. The results are compared with previous work and with theoretical predictions.
Fetal plasma levels of cellular fibronectin as a measure of fetal endothelial involvement in preeclampsia

Objective To determine the degree of fetal endothelial involvement in preeclampsia by measuring fetal plasma concentrations of cellular fibronectin. Methods In a prospective cohort study, fetal plasma was collected at delivery from the chorionic plate arteries and veins in a convenience sample of 28 pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia and in 28 normal pregnancies. Stored plasma was assayed for cellular fibronectin using a sensitive and specific enzyme immunoassay. On the basis of a desired power of 0.8, α of.05, and expected fetal plasma cellular fibronectin values of 4 ± 2 μ g/mL, 26 women were required in each group to detect a 40% difference between the groups. Results were compared using the unpaired Student t test, χ 2 analysis with Yates correction, and linear regression. Results There was no statistically significant difference in fetal plasma concentrations of cellular fibronectin in women with preeclampsia compared with normal pregnant women, either in arteries (3.2 ± 1.1 and 2.9 ± 1.5 μg/mL; P =.33) or veins (3.3 ± 1.5 and 2.8 ± 1.6 μ g/mL; P =.18). Plasma cellular fibronectin concentrations in fetal arteries correlated significantly with those in fetal veins ( r = 0.45, P r = 0.15, P =.27). Conclusion Fetal plasma cellular fibronectin concentrations are similar in preeclamptic and normal pregnancies. We found no evidence that factors responsible for maternal endothelial involvement in preeclampsia are operative in the fetal circulation.
An improved AC loss model for the optimization of planar-coil inductors

This paper presents a computationally efficient method for calculating ac winding losses in planar-coil inductors. This loss model is employed in a multi-objective optimization algorithm to determine inductor designs which minimize power loss while maximizing power density. The ac winding losses in the optimized inductor designs are compared to finite-element simulations - as well as to estimates from other loss model approaches - and exhibit less than 7% error across the tested optimized designs. The loss model additionally provides the designer with an understanding of how to reduce ac conduction losses by balancing the current distribution in each turn of a winding.
Studying short-term storage of expectancies with reaction time

On each of 198 choice reaction time (RT) trials, subjects verbally predicted which of two possible stimuli would occur and then waited 3, 7, or 11 sec before receiving a ready signal and the stimulus presentation. Four groups of 20 subjects each were defined by the nature of the distractor task interpolating the time between a prediction and the ready signal. These conditions were as follows: (1) No distraction task was required, (2) the subject vocally repeated the prediction until the ready signal sounded, (3) the subject counted backward by threes until the signal occurred, and (4) the subject repeated the nonpredicted stimulus until the signal occurred. Whereas RT to incorrectly predicted stimuli did not change as a function of retention interval for any group, RT to correctly predicted stimuli increased significantly as the interval increased for the count-backward and repeat-prediction groups. For the repeat-nonprediction group RT to correct predictions varied inversely with the retention interval. These results were interpreted with reference to a two-process expectancy model, short-term expectancy decay vs. interference, and negative recency effects.
Pregnancy rates in cows and heifers inseminated at predetermined times using progesterone-releasing intravaginal devices

Abstract The time of estrus and ovulation were controlled using a proges-terone-releasing intravaginal device constructed from silicone rubber. Pregnancy rates were determined in beef cows and heifers inseminated with frozen semen at predetermined times after removal of the device. Two experiments were conducted using two types of devices. In experiment I, a sleeve-covered device was inserted into the vagina and left for 21 days. Thirty-six hours after the devices were removed each animal received 100 μg of synthetic GnRH intramuscularly and was inseminatec 48 hours after coil removal. Five percent of the heifers lost coils during the 21-day treatment period compared to 25% of mature cows. First service pregnancy rate was 26%. In experiment II, a PRID ® was used for a 14-day treatment period. Animals were not treated with GnRH as in experiment I and were inseminated from 56 to 68 hours after PRID removal. Only 3.5% of the coils were lost during the 14 days. Pregnancy rates ranged from 13 to 60%.
DAILY RHYTHMS IN PER1 WITHIN AND BEYOND THE SUPRACHIASMATIC NUCLEUS OF FEMALE GRASS RATS (ARVICANTHIS NILOTICUS)

Although circadian rhythms of males and females are different in a variety of ways in many species, their mechanisms have been primarily studied in males. Furthermore, rhythms are dramatically different in diurnal and nocturnal animals but have been studied predominantly in nocturnal ones. In the present study, we examined rhythms in one element of the circadian oscillator, the PER1 protein, in a variety of cell populations in brains of diurnal female grass rats. Every 4 h five adult female grass rats kept on a 12-h light/dark (LD) cycle were perfused and their brains were processed for immunohistochemical detection of PER1. Numbers of PER1-labeled cells were rhythmic not only within the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the locus of the primary circadian clock in mammals, but also in the peri-suprachiasmatic region, the oval nucleus of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the central amygdala, and the nucleus accumbens. In addition, rhythms were detected within populations of neuroendocrine cells that contain tyrosine hydroxylase. The phase of the rhythm within the SCN was advanced compared with that seen previously in male grass rats. Rhythms beyond the SCN were varied and different from those seen in most nocturnal species, suggesting that signals originating in the SCN are modified by its direct and/or indirect targets in different ways in nocturnal and diurnal species.
Learning outcomes and the development of expertise

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the visibility of learning outcomes within an academic institution permits the re‐imagining of general education as the conscious development in students of expertise that is more general than and perhaps more important than the specific outcomes of any major.Design/methodology/approach – The study of expertise shows that it is a dynamic state; in any field of endeavor, experts learn differently than non‐experts. Likewise the study of students shows similar differences. Consciously developing the ability to learn well contributes greatly to becoming an expert in a specialized field.Findings – The paper finds that explicitly attending to the progressive development of students' abilities to learn, and the application of those abilities in majors, creates a different model for general education.Originality/value – Enabling explicit institutional attention to learning outcomes changes the assumed context for general education and opens up new possibil...
Endpoint security: managing USB-based removable devices with the advent of portable applications

Endpoint security is a major concern of IT management staff as the cost of data loss is high in monetary value and consumer confidence. Sensitive data, traditionally, has been threatened by physical theft of hardcopy or a device containing sensitive data. Recently, with the advent of USB-based applications, the threats presented towards sensitive data have increased dramatically. IT managers should employ a layered defense-in-depth strategy to mitigate the risks posed by these devices. The strategy should include hardware and software based mitigation techniques, an acceptable use policy, and a security education program to maintain vigilance in security practices.
High–Level Expression and Efficient Assembly of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in the Methylotrophic Yeast, Pichia Pastoris

The methylotrophic industrial yeast, Pi–chia pastoris, has been developed as a host system for the large–scale production of heterologous proteins. As an example of the systems, the synthesis of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is described. Expression of the HBsAg gene is controlled by a methanol–regulated promoter derived from the primary alcohol oxidase gene, AOX1, of P. pastoris. The highest level of HBsAg is observed in a novel mutant strain of P. pastoris in which the AOX1 structural gene is deleted and replaced by a construction composed of the AOX1 promoter–HBsAg gene expression cassette. When grown on methanol, 2–3% of the soluble protein in this strain is HBsAg. Characterization of the recombinant HBsAg indicates that virtually all of the P. pastoris–synthesized HBsAg exists in a form which is similar to human serum–derived HBsAg 22 nm particles. Scale–up of the HBsAg production process from shake–flask to high cell–density fermentor cultures is described as well. A single culture of the P. pastoris HBsAg expression strain in a volume of 240 liters and at a density of 60 grams/liter dry weight of cells produced 0.4 grams/liter, or a total of 90 grams of HBsAg 22 nm particles, an amount sufficient for approximately 9 million doses of vaccine.
Assigning semantics to partial tree-pattern queries

The wide adoption of XML has increased the interest on data models that are based on tree-structured data. Querying capabilities are provided through tree-pattern queries (TPQs). The need for querying tree-structured data sources when their structure is not fully known, and the need to integrate multiple data sources with different tree structures have driven, recently, the suggestion of query languages that relax the complete specification of a tree pattern. Assigning semantics to the queries of these languages so that they return meaningful answers is a challenging issue. In this paper, we introduce a query language which allows the specification of partial tree-pattern queries (PTPQs). The structure in a PTPQ can be flexibly specified fully, partially or not at all. We define index graphs which summarize the structural information of data trees. Using index graphs, we show that PTPQs can be evaluated through the generation of an equivalent set of ''complete'' TPQs. We suggest an original approach that exploits the set of complete TPQs of a PTPQ to assign meaningful semantics to the PTPQ language. In contrast to previous approaches that operate locally on the data to compute meaningful answers (usually by computing lowest common ancestors), our approach operates globally on index graphs to detect meaningful complete TPQs. We implemented and experimentally evaluated our approach on DBLP-based data sets with irregularities. Its comparison to previous ones shows that it succeeds in finding all the meaningful answers when the others fail (perfect recall). Further, it outperforms approaches with similar recall in excluding meaningless answers (better precision). Finally, it is superior to and scales better than the only previous approach that allows for structural constraints in the queries. Our approach generates TPQs and therefore, it can be easily implemented on top of an XQuery engine.
Numerical Relationship between Strains in Frozen Concentrates of Lactic Streptococcal Starter Cultures

Abstract Strain dominance was revealed in two multiple strain lactic streptococcal starter concentrates by addition of phages specific for the component strains. Both strains showed clear dominance when tested 3 to 4 wk after freezing and storage at −20C. In one starter, dominance persisted throughout 10 mo of storage. In the second starter, dominance decreased over 8 mo of storage, and the lag phase increased from 1 to 4h. Plate counts showed only a two-fold difference in cell numbers between uninfected and phage-infected dominant strain cultures. Differential survival and recovery from freezing are suggested as factors in production and alteration of the dominance pattern.
Extrusion of Cross‐Linked Hydroxypropylated Corn Starches I. Pasting Properties

ABSTRACT A series of cross-linked (0, 0.014, 0.018, 0.024, and 0.028% POCl3, dry starch basis) hydroxypropylated (8%) corn starches were extruded using a Leistritz micro-18 co-rotating extruder. Process variables included moisture, barrel temperature, and screw design. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction studies showed the level of starch crystallinity decreased with increasing severity of extrusion conditions. Pasting properties of the extruded starches were examined using a Rapid Visco Analyser. Pasting profiles of starches extruded at different conditions displayed different hot paste viscosity and final viscosity. Increasing starch moisture content during extrusion and level of cross-linking increased starch viscosity (P < 0.0001), whereas increasing extrusion temperature and shear decreased starch viscosity (P < 0.0001). Interactions were found between level of cross-linking and screw design and between extrusion temperature and starch moisture content (P < 0.0001).
Aging and Retrieval of Words in Semantic Memory

Twenty-four young and 24 old adults participated in a lexical decision task (Study 1) in which they judged whether letter strings were words. No age differences were found in either accuracy or response latency. In Study 2 18 young and 18 old adults participated in a word retrieval study in which the stimulus was the definition of a target word and the task was to name the word that was defined. Younger adults were superior in word retrieval as measured by both number of successful retrievals and response latency. The discrepancy between the two sets of results is attributed to differences in retrieval requirements, which are interpreted within the framework of a two-component model of semantic memory. It is suggested that older adults have a specific deficit in accessing word-name information in an orthographically organized lexical network given stimulus information that is conceptual rather than orthographic.
Phospholipid content of human and guinea pig muscle: post-mortem changes and variations with muscle composition.

The phospholipid composition of human and guinea pig skeletal muscle was determined. Virtually no autolytic changes occurred in the first half hour post-mortem and after 12 hr only very small changes were detected. There were significant differences in the phospholipid composition of red and white muscle, especially in the diphosphatidyl glycerol (DPG) content,red muscle having over 50% more DPG than white muscle.
Weight loss in obese Mexican Americans treated for 1-year with orlistat and lifestyle modification.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally appropriate lifestyle intervention combined with orlistat in producing weight loss with obese Mexican-American women. SUBJECTS: Mexican-American women (N=108), aged 21–65 y, with a body mass index (BMI) ≥27 kg/m2 were randomized to 1 y of treatment with orlistat and a culturally tailored lifestyle modification intervention (OLM; n=56) or a wait-list control group (WLC; n=52). DESIGN: A randomized, controlled, open-label 12-month study. Orlistat was dosed at 120 mg, three times per day. The OLM intervention included behavior modification, a low-fat (≤30% of total daily calories) diet, and moderate physical activity (≥150 min/week). MEASUREMENT: Primary outcomes included changes in body weight (kg), BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose, and lipids. RESULTS: A total of 72 (37 OLM, 35 WLC) and 66 participants (32 OLM, 34 WLC) completed the 6- and 12-month follow-ups, respectively. Repeated-measures ANOVA demonstrated a significant time × treatment interaction (Wilks' λ=12.61; P<0.001), indicating that OLM-treated patients achieved significant weight loss relative to the WLC group during the study (mean percentage weight loss±s.e.m.; −8.1%±1.2 vs −1.6%±0.7 at 6 months and −8.8%±1.5 vs −0.2%±1.0 at 12 months, respectively). OLM-treated patients also experienced significant reductions in waist circumference, low-density-lipoprotein, and total cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of an intervention combining orlistat and lifestyle modification with Mexican-American women, a population with substantial risk for obesity.
Emergence of Salmonella serotype Enteritidis phage type 4 in Hawaii traced to locally-produced eggs

Summary Objectives: In August 1998, the Hawaii Department of Health observed a nine-fold increase in human Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) infections. Isolates were phage type 4 (PT4). An investigation was initiated to determine the source of the outbreak. Methods: A matched case-control study enrolled 38 cases. Cases were Hawaii residents with diarrhea and a stool culture yielding SE. Results: Eating eggs was associated with SE illness; 28 cases (74%) ate eggs in the three days before illness compared to 34 (45%) of 76 controls (MOR=3.0, 95% CI=1.4–7.4). Eighteen (47%) of 38 case patients ate eggs from Farm A compared to 11 (14%) of 76 controls (MOR=12.0, 95% CI=3.1–78.0); the eggs were not properly handled or refrigerated. Cultures from Farm A yielded SE. Human illness subsided following selective flock depopulation. Conclusions: This outbreak highlights the importance of proper handling and refrigeration of eggs. The egg industry must implement quality assurance programs to prevent the spread of SE PT4 and human SE illness.
Impact of Internet-based distributed monitoring systems on offshore sourcing of services

The use of Internet-based distributed monitoring systems has allowed firms to source services globally that were hitherto thought of as being too risky or complex to execute offshore. These systems enable buyers of such services (clients) to monitor the execution of processes in real-time and exert a degree of managerial control over information workers of another firm located in a distant region. Our research shows that process codifiability plays a key role in determining output quality. Further, we show that the efforts made by the client and the provider in monitoring work via Internet-based monitoring mechanisms have a significant impact on output quality. Finally, we show that these monitoring mechanisms enable clients and providers of services to focus on those processes that are best managed by each entity. This scheme of optimal allocation of monitoring effort is termed by us as the efficient monitoring frontier.
A survey and evaluation of methods for determination of combinatorial equivalence of factorial designs

Equivalent factorial designs have identical statistical properties for estimation of factorial contrasts and for model fitting. Non-equivalent designs, however, may have the same statistical properties under one particular model but different properties under a different model. In this paper, we describe known methods for the determination of equivalence or non-equivalence of two-level factorial designs, whether they be regular factorial designs, non-regular orthogonal arrays, or have no particular structure. In addition, we evaluate a number of potential fast screening methods for detecting non-equivalence of designs. Although the paper concentrates mainly on symmetric designs with factors at two levels, we also evaluate methods of determining combinatorial equivalence and non-equivalence of three-level designs and indicate extensions to larger numbers of levels and to asymmetric designs.
Two rat homologs of clathrin-associated adaptor proteins

Abstract A cDNA clone predicted to encode a 46 757-Da protein was isolated from a library derived from the electric lobe of the ray Discopyge ommata. Two rat homologs, p47A and p47B, were subsequently isolated. These three proteins share approx. 80% amino acid (aa) identity to each other and have 27–30% aa identity to rat AP50 and mouse AP47, the medium-chain subunits of adaptor complexes associated with clathrin-coated vesicles. These complexes are involved in receptor-mediated pathways of intracellular transport. Rat p47A mRNA is expressed in all tissues examined, including brain, heart, kidney, liver, lung, muscle and spinal cord. Rat p47B mRNA is detected exclusively in brain and spinal cord, and may participate in nervous system-specific functions such as biogenesis or recycling of synaptic vesicles.
Evolutionary Diversity of Protein Nanodomains within Mammalian Sperm

Mammalian sperm motility and fertility potential are regulated by ion homeostasis which is controlled by a suite of ion permeable channels and transporters working in concert. While all mammalian sperm share in their goal to navigate the female reproductive tract in search of an egg, the molecular regulation of this process is extremely diverse and differs dramatically among species. Here we report that electrophysiological recordings from sperm cells of different species illustrate marked differences between rodent, human and ruminant sperm on the basis of their ion channel make-up and regulation. Furthermore, localization patterning of ion channels along the length of sperm flagella show species specific configuration. It is from these observed differences that we can now begin to explain the disparity in motility parameters among species as well as determine the effect proper spatiotemporal regulation of ion concentrations have on proper sperm motility.
The throughput, reliability, availability, maintainability (TRAM) methodology for predicting chemical plant production

Fault tree analysis is a method for evaluating reliability and availability in terms of equipment system “states”, but this method does not lend itself easily to the evaluation of eq uipment interactions through time. This makes fault trees difficult to use for the analysis of systems whose reliability and availability depend on complex interactions between its subsystems. This difficulty is overcome by combining fault trees with discrete event simulation methods. The new TRAM methodology combines models and techniques for the analysis of throughput, availability, reliability, and maintainability into a single approach. This paper describes the TRAM methodology and illustrates it with an application to a chemical processing plant. TRAM combines fault tree analysis at a low level of the system description and discrete event simulation at a higher level to create a new method for analyzing the availability and throughput capacity of material processing plants. Failure and repair data is modeled stochastically by a very flexible type of finite mixture distribution that allows the analyst to separate the effects of different repair strategies, such as the reliance on procurement of off-site (vs. on-site) spare parts. An important application of the TRAM method is to facilitate the design of a plant that tolerates outages of its subsystems in the most efficient way possible. Mitigation strategies including in-process storage, alternate work-flows, availability of spare parts, and design for over-production: all of these can be assessed using the TRAM approach, and it thereby facilitates the design of more robust manufacturing systems. The TRAM methodology enables sophisticated “what-if” analyses of alternative designs, e.g. equipment sets, capacities (tanks sizes), shift schedules, spare parts, etc. to optimize plant design and operation. It is a stochastic, time dependent process that provides probabilities of success (or failure) and confidence bounds on availability and throughput. Finally, the TRAM methodology can help plant managers and owners to focus on the plant production metrics by which they are compensated, and not solely on abstract metrics such as availability. Accordingly, TRAM is potentially a more influential tool in the industry than conventional RAM methods. The TRAM method is based on the discrete event formalism developed by Zeigler et al. [1], and explained further in [2]. In TRAM the plant model is completely separated from the simulation engine and can be specified by input data contained in an XML file. Alternatively, the user can construct connections between subsystem components using a graphical user interface. The GUI is very useful in supporting the verification of the correct mass balance in the model.
Prevalence and Causes of Undernutrition in Medical Outpatients

Abstract Purpose: To assess the prevalence, common causes, and frequency of recognition and treatment of undernutrition in older and younger medical outpatients using a cross-sectional survey design with 2-year follow-up of undernourished subjects. Patients and Methods: Charts of 1017 adult patients attending a hospital outpatient department were reviewed for the presence of undernutrition, and 85 patients meeting inclusion criteria for undernutrition were evaluated and followed for 2 years. An initial evaluation focused on nutritional, cognitive, and affective status and on nutritional attitudes using two subscales of the EAT-26 eating disorder inventory. After 2 years, initial data plus outpatient records were evaluated by 2 independent reviewers to determine a primary cause of undernutrition and to assess the recognition and treatment of undernutrition by the primary physician. Results: Undernutrition was identified in 46 (11%) and 44 (7%) of older and younger subjects respectively; odds ratio (OR) (95% [confidence interval (CI)]) for older versus younger=1.65 (1.06 to 2.51). The primary cause of undernutrition differed between age groups but was deemed treatable in nearly 90% of all subjects. Undernutrition was recognized in 19 (43%) older subjects and 5 (12%) younger subjects (OR = 5.47 [1.87 to 16.0]), and appropriate intervention(s) were instituted in 6 (14%) and 2 (5%) of older and younger subjects, respectively (OR = 3.08 [0.668 to 14.2]). Older subjects scored higher on the EAT-26 oral control subscale than did younger subjects (4.7 versus 2.5, P = 0.004) but similarly on the EAT-26 dieting subscale (5.2 versus 6.3, P = 0.332); these relationships did not change with control for potentially confounding variables. Conclusions: In this study, undernutrition was relatively common, usually amenable to treatment, but frequently undetected and undertreated in both older and younger medical outpatients. Older undernourished subjects exhibited higher oral control needs than younger persons, which may have implications for the pathophysiology and treatment of their malnutrition. Further improvement in detection and intervention is warranted in both younger and older age groups.
On the function of half-site reactivity: intersubunit NAD+-dependent activation of acyl-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase reduction by NADH.

Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase extracted from sturgeon muscle, exhibits half-site reactivity in its reaction with the pseudo-substrate β -(2-furyl) acryloyl phosphate ( Malhotra & Bernhard, 1968 ). The product is the difurylacryloyl thiol ester enzyme tetramer formed from the active site cysteinyl residue. The electronic spectrum of the furylacryloyl thiol ester linkage is perturbed upon binding of oxidized coenzyme (NAD + ) at the acyl site ( Malhotra & Bernhard, 1973 ). Likewise, we now report the perturbation in electronic spectrum of this furylacryloyl thiol ester upon interaction with NADH at the acyl site. The spectral perturbation accompanying NADH binding is large and in the opposite direction from that due to the binding of NAD + . The “color” of the chromophoretic acyl-enzyme linkage is a reflection of its chemical properties: furylacryloyl-enzyme-NAD complex is “red-shifter” (λ max =360 nm), and reacts uniquely with inorganic phosphate to yield the corresponding acyl phosphate. Furylacryloyl-enzyme-NADH complex is “blue-shifter” (λ max =330 nm) and is uniquely capable of reduction by NADH. Despite the presence of a ubiquitous NADH-induced color change, NADH reduction occurs only when NAD is bound to the remaining two non-acylated subunits. Hence, these results provide a direct example of allosteric regulation of enzyme function by ligand interaction at an adjacent subunit site. This site is known to be at least 17 A removed from the site of reduction ( Buehner et al. , 1974 ). Carboxymethylation of the two remaining (active) thiol groups of the diacyl-enzyme tetramer, a process which modifies the affinity for NAD at this site to only a small extent, does not affect the NAD-dependent activation of the acyl-NADH site for reduction. Qualitative transient kinetic evidence suggests that NAD binding to the non-acylated sites favors a slow conformational change leading to reducibility at acyl sites. The affinity of the various sites, acylated and non-acylated, for coenzyme ligands varies with the extent of acylation and the extent and nature of the ligand occupancies at adjacent subunits. Since the molar concentration of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase sites in muscle sarcoplasmic fluid is high (of the order of 1 pm), these results suggest that the “enzyme” functions as a regulatory warehouse for energy via acyl-enzyme-ATP interconversion and NADH/NAD redox potential regulation.
Flies kNOw how to signal

A recent study has discovered a surprising role for nitric oxide in the Drosophila immune response. NO-mediated signaling was implicated in the communication between the site of a localized infection and the major immune organ of the fly, the fat body.
Quantitative evaluation of lexical status, word frequency, and neighborhood density as context effects in spoken word recognition

Listeners identified a phonetically balanced set of consonant–vowel–consonant (CVC) words and nonsense syllables in noise at four signal-to-noise ratios. The identification scores for phonemes and syllables were analyzed using the j-factor model [Boothroyd and Nittrouer, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 84, 101–114 (1988)], which measures the perceptual independence of the parts of a whole. Results indicate that nonsense CVC syllables are perceived as having three independent phonemes, while words show j=2.34 independent units. Among the words, high-frequency words are perceived as having significantly fewer independent units than low-frequency words. Words with dense phonetic neighborhoods are perceived as having 0.5 more independent units than words with sparse neighborhoods. The neighborhood effect in these data is due almost entirely to density as determined by the initial consonant and vowel, demonstrated in analyses by subjects and items, and correlation analyses of syllable recognition with the neighborhood activation model [Luce and Pisoni, Ear Hear. 19, 1–36 (1998)]. The j factors are interpreted as measuring increased efficiency of the perception of word-final consonants of words in sparse neighborhoods during spoken word recognition.
Microsatellite DNA markers for American shad (Alosa sapidissima) and cross‐species amplification within the family Clupeidae

Sixteen microsatellite loci were identified and characterized for American shad (Alosa sapidissima). The number of alleles per locus observed ranged from eight to 32 and averaged 15.4 alleles. Average observed heterozygosity was 81.1%. The markers were screened using four other species from the family Clupeidae. Amplification success among Alosa species was 79.2% with 81.6% polymorphism among those markers that amplified successfully. Amplification success was poor in Dorosoma (31.3%). Due to allelic diversity and estimates of heterozygosity, these markers can be useful in A. sapidissima for population level analyses, parentage assignment and broodstock management.