cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immuno-Electronmicroscopic Studies of Surface Antigens of Blood Elements I. Autoantibody on Erythrocytes in Acute Hemolytic Anemia

Tagging, by means of the immunoferritin technic, of autoantibody on the erythrocytes of a patient with autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and on cells from a panel of blood of normal individuals of blood group O which have been incubated either with the patient’s serum or eluate from his cells, is described. It was found that: 1) Ferritin-labeled antibody to human IgG was localized on the surface of the patient’s erythrocytes at fairly even intervals. 2) Ferritin-labeled antibody to human IgM, β1C, rat globulin or pure ferritin alone was not bound to the patient’s cells. 3) None of the ferritin-conjugates mentioned in 1) or 2) or pure ferritin was bound to red cells from normal individuals represented in the panel. 4) Only ferritin-conjugated antibody to human IgG was localized, in a similar pattern, on the surface of the normal red cells which had been incubated either with the patient’s serum or the eluate from his cells, whereas none of the conjugates in 2) or pure ferritin was bound to these treated cells.
Combining Knowledge Discovery and Knowledge Engineering to Build IDSs.

We have been developing a data mining (i.e., knowledge discovery) framework, MADAM ID, for Mining Audit Data for Automated Models for Intrusion Detection [LSM98, LSM99b, LSM99a]. The 1998 DARPA Intrusion Detection Evaluation showed that the models produced by MADAM ID performed comparably well with the best purely knowledge-engineered systems. Although our data mining techniques have shown great potentials, it is important recognize the critical roles that domain knowledge, and thus knowledge engineering, play in the process of building ID models. In this paper, we examine why domain knowledge is required in the data mining process, and suggest how to combine knowledge discovery and knowledge engineering to build IDSs. We first briefly review the main ideas behind MADAM ID. The main components of MADAM ID are classification and meta-classification [CS93] programs, association rules [AIS93] and frequent episodes [MTV95] programs, a feature construction system, and a conversion system that translates off-line learned rules into real-time modules. The end products are concise and intuitive rules that can detect intrusions. Inductively (and automatically) learned classification rules are more “general” than the manually encoded rules, because classification programs can analyze a large amount of audit data and extract the most general descriptions about an intrusion, whereas a human expert tends to produce very specific rules because he or she can only examine a limited amount of data. As a result, classification rules are often more accurate in detecting not only instances of the “known” intrusions (used in training the rules), but also “new” intrusions that are slight variations of the “known” ones. A critical requirement for the classification rules to be effective is that an appropriate set of features need to be first constructed and included in the audit records. A focus of our research is thus in automatic “feature construction”. Using MADAM ID, raw audit data is first preprocessed into records with a set of “intrinsic” (i.e., general purposes) features, e.g., duration, source and destination hosts and ports, number of bytes transmitted, etc. Data mining algorithms are then applied to compute the frequent activity patterns, This research is supported in part by grants from DARPA (F30602-96-1-0311) and NSF (IRI-96-32225 and CDA-96-25374).
ADAPT: A Predictive Cognitive Model of User Visual Attention and Action Planning

We present a computational cognitive model of novice and expert aviation pilot action planning called ADAPT that models performance in a dynamically changing simulated flight environment. We perform rigorous tests of ADAPT's predictive validity by comparing the performance of individual human pilots to that of their respective models. Individual pilots were asked to execute a series of flight maneuvers using a flight simulator, and their eye fixations and control movements were recorded in a time-synched database. Computational models of each of the 25 individual pilots were constructed, and the individual models simulated execution of the same flight maneuvers performed by the human pilots. The time-synched eye fixations and control movements of individual pilots and their respective models were compared, and rigorous tests of ADAPT's predictive validity were performed. The model explains and predicts a significant portion of pilot visual attention and control movements during flight as a function of piloting expertise. Implications for adaptive training systems are discussed.
Conversational IT Service Management

Conversational AI permeates our daily lives through chatbots such as Alexa, Siri, Google etc. We can ask questions about weather, music, shop for flowers or control various home electronics devices in a conversational manner. We believe that conversational interaction will dominate the next generation of interactions even in IT Service Management world. To that effect, in this chapter we describe an AI infused conversational self-service system that enables a user to get precise answers to various domain specific questions in a natural conversational manner. These questions span the gamut of 5 W + H (What, Where, Which, Who, Why, How) queries in an increasingly refined conversational context including some that may require performing transactions on behalf of the user – such as adding memory to a virtual machine or starting/stopping a database.
Using Electroencephalography (EEG) to Understand and Compare Students' Mental Effort as they Learn to Program Using Block-Based and Hybrid Programming Environments

In recent years, the US has begun scaling up efforts to increase access to CS in K-12 classrooms and many teachers are turning to block-based programming environments to minimize the syntax and conceptual challenges students encounter in text-based languages. Block-based programming environments, such as Scratch and App Inventor, are currently being used by millions of students in and outside of classroom. We know that when novice programmers are learning to program in block-based programming environments, they need to understand the components of these environments, how to apply programming concepts, and how to create artifacts. However, we still do not know how are students' learning these components or what learning challenges they face that hinder their future participation in CS. In addition, the mental effort/cognitive workload students bear while learning programming constructs is still an open question. The goal of my dissertation research is to leverage advances in Electroencephalography (EEG) research to explore how students learn CS concepts, write programs, and complete programming tasks in block-based and hybrid programming environments and understand the relationship between cognitive load and their learning.
Overview of the cholinergic contribution to gait, balance and falls in Parkinson's disease.

Abstract Mobility deficits, including gait disturbance, balance impairments and falls, are common features of Parkinson's disease (PD) that negatively impact quality of life. Mobility deficits respond poorly to dopaminergic medications, indicating a role for additional neurotransmitters. Due to the critical role of cortical input to gait and balance, acetylcholine—an essential neurotransmitter system for attention—has become an area of interest for mobility. This review aimed to identify the role of cholinergic function on gait, balance, and falls in PD using three techniques; pharmacological, imaging, and electrophysiological. Studies supported the role of the cholinergic system for mobility in PD, with the most promising evidence indicating a role in falls. Imaging studies demonstrated involvement of anterior cholinergic (basal forebrain) systems in gait, and posterior (brainstem) systems in balance. However, this review identified a small number of studies which used varying protocols, making comparisons difficult. Further studies are warranted, measuring comprehensive gait and balance characteristics as well as gold standard falls detection to further quantify the relationship between ACh and mobility in PD.
Self-reported affective biases, but not all affective performance biases, are present in depression remission.

Objective Individuals with active major depressive disorder (MDD) have shown affective biases in cognitive flexibility and memory, particularly for negatively valenced stimuli. We evaluated whether impairments in affective flexibility would remain even during remission (rMDD), potentially representing trait- or scar-like effects of illness. Method Participants completed the Emotion Card Sort Test (ECST), a measure of cognitive flexibility containing emotionally valenced stimuli, and the Emotion Word Stimulus Test (EWST), a measure of affective biases in delayed recall and recognition memory, and several self-report measures. Results Healthy controls (HCs; n = 35) and individuals with rMDD (n = 93) did not differ on performance for any of the three word types on the ECST or EWT. However, individuals with rMDD demonstrated greater negative bias on EWT recognition trials relative to HCs (d = .36). On self-report measures, individuals with rMDD exhibited greater levels of neuroticism, problems with attentional control, pessimistic attributional style, and negative automatic thoughts compared to HCs. Conclusions These results provide initial evidence that some performance, but not self-reported, indices of affective bias may improve during remission from MDD. Results of this study could suggest that some components of affective bias may represent state feature of illness and others trait-like risk or scar features. Practitioner points This study suggests that self-reported affective biases may persist in remission of major depressive disorder (rMDD). Affective attentional biases and affective memory biases were not demonstrated in individuals with rMDD, with the exception of a bias for recognizing negatively versus neutrally valenced stimuli. Cautions or limitations A limitation of this study was its cross-sectional design. Under ideal conditions, the same individuals would be studied in both the active and remitted phases of illness. Another limitation of this study was the smaller number of healthy controls relative to individuals with rMDD.
Surgical Management of Achalasia: Recurrent Dysphagia

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy with partial fundoplication is the procedure of choice for patients with achalasia. Persistent or recurrent dysphagia can develop over time secondary to several factors primarily related to surgical technique. A systematic and thorough approach is necessary for the diagnostic evaluation of these patients to help determine the most appropriate treatment modality. Endoscopic therapy and revisional surgery are the cornerstones of treatment, and newer endoscopic therapies may provide a more minimally invasive approach to the management of this disease. Esophagectomy remains a surgical option in cases that are refractory to these less invasive treatment therapies. This chapter will focus on the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to patients with persistent or recurrent dysphagia following a Heller myotomy.
Using Drosophila as a platform for drug discovery from natural products in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder with no cure. Despite intensive research, most of the currently available therapies are only effective in alleviating symptoms with no effect on disease progression. There is an urgent need for new therapeutics to impede disease progression. Natural products are valuable sources of bioactive compounds that can be exploited for novel therapeutic potential in PD pathogenesis. However, rapid screening of plant-derived natural products and characterization of bioactive compounds is costly and challenging. Drosophila melanogaster, commonly known as the fruit fly, has recently emerged as an excellent model for human neurodegenerative diseases, including PD. The high degree of conserved molecular pathways with mammalian models make Drosophila PD models an inexpensive solution to preliminary phases of target validation in the drug discovery pipeline. The present review provides an overview of drug discovery from natural extracts using Drosophila as a screening platform to evaluate the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals against PD.
Readers and Authors of Educational Research: A Study of Research Output on K-12 Education Policy:

The purpose of this study was to characterize a representative body of research to demonstrate the advantage of disseminating educational research in ways that reach the broadest audience. Using th...
Hydrogen Storage in Graphite Nanofibers

Graphite nanofibers are a novel material that is produced from the dissociation of carbon-containing gases over selected metal surfaces. The solid consists of very small graphite platelets, 30−500 ...
IDF Diabetes Atlas: Diabetes and oral health – A two-way relationship of clinical importance

The current scientific evidence for the bi-directional associations between oral health and diabetes is summarized. The universal biologic mechanisms and demographic and behavioral risk drivers underlying these associations in both directions are also described. Dysglycemia, even slightly elevated blood sugar levels, adversely affects oral health, manifesting itself in several oral diseases and conditions. In the opposite direction, any oral infection with its subsequent local and systemic inflammatory responses adversely affects blood glucose levels. Moreover, painful, mobile, or missing teeth may lead to intake of soft food items representing a sub-optimal diet and hence poor nutrition, and thereby contribute to incident type 2 diabetes or to poorer glucose control in existing diabetes. Treatment of inflammation related oral conditions, such as non-surgical periodontal treatment and extraction of infected teeth, can lead to a clinically significant decrease in blood glucose levels. Attention to infectious oral diseases and referral to dental care professionals for treatment can therefore be an important novel tool for medical care professionals in preventing and managing diabetes mellitus. Dental professionals can detect unrecognized potential dysglycemia and refer for medical examination. Such interprofessional, patient centered care may contribute to improved health, wellbeing, and quality of life in people with diabetes.
Quantifying the future lethality of terror organizations.

As terror groups proliferate and grow in sophistication, a major international concern is the development of scientific methods that explain and predict insurgent violence. Approaches to estimating a group’s future lethality often require data on the group’s capabilities and resources, but by the nature of the phenomenon, these data are intentionally concealed by the organizations themselves via encryption, the dark web, back-channel financing, and misinformation. Here, we present a statistical model for estimating a terror group’s future lethality using latent-variable modeling techniques to infer a group’s intrinsic capabilities and resources for inflicting harm. The analysis introduces 2 explanatory variables that are strong predictors of lethality and raise the overall explained variance when added to existing models. The explanatory variables generate a unique early-warning signal of an individual group’s future lethality based on just a few of its first attacks. Relying on the first 10 to 20 attacks or the first 10 to 20% of a group’s lifetime behavior, our model explains about 60% of the variance in a group’s future lethality as would be explained by a group’s complete lifetime data. The model’s robustness is evaluated with out-of-sample testing and simulations. The findings’ theoretical and pragmatic implications for the science of human conflict are discussed.
Purification of Ciliary Tubulin from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Cilia and flagella play essential roles in environmental sensing, cell locomotion, and development. These organelles possess a central microtubule-based structure known as the axoneme, which serves as a scaffold and is crucial for the function of cilia. Despite their key roles, the biochemical and biophysical properties of the ciliary proteins are poorly understood. To address this issue, we have developed a novel method to purify functional tubulins from different parts of the axoneme, namely the central pair and B-tubule. We use the biflagellate green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a model organism for studying cilia due to the conserved structure of this organelle, availability of genetic tools and a large collection of mutant strains. Our method yields highly purified functional axonemal tubulins in sufficient quantities to be used for in vitro biochemical and biophysical studies, such as microtubule dynamic assays. It takes 7 to 8 days to grow enough cells; the isolation of the flagella and the purification of the axonemal tubulins require an additional two full days.© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Growth and harvest of large volume of cell culture Support Protocol: Assembly of homemade concentration apparatus Basic Protocol 2: Isolation of flagella Basic Protocol 3: Tubulin extraction and purification.
Variation and variability in Drosophila grooming behavior

Behavioral differences can be observed between species or populations (variation) or between individuals in a genetically similar population (variability). Here, we investigate genetic differences as a possible source of variation and variability in Drosophila grooming. Drosophila grooming behavior confers survival and social benefits. Although the leg movements that constitute the grooming sequence are stereotyped, their order is not fixed. Grooming features of five drosophilid species exposed to a dust irritant were analyzed. Components of grooming behavior were conserved between and within species. However, significant differences in grooming syntax were identified, corresponding both to anterior and posterior grooming actions. Genetic heterogeneity was not found to be related to grooming variability, as melanogaster flies bred to increase genetic het-erogeneity did not exhibit increased variability in grooming syntax. Likewise, no relationship between decreased heterogeneity and variability was identified. Finally, individual melanogaster flies were observed on consecutive days to determine the degree of variability of grooming behavior within an individual over time. Individual flies were not found to possess strong, stable grooming traits over several recordings. Additionally, standardization of sensory input using optogenetics did not eliminate grooming variability. In aggregate, these data suggest the importance of sensory inputs and other factors such as life history in grooming variability. Significance Statement Broadly speaking, genes influence behavior, but genes also play a role in determining the natural range of behavioral variability. Here, we show that Drosophila species exhibit differences in grooming behavior both between and within species. In particular, we demonstrate that transitions between grooming actions differ significantly between drosophilid species and common melanogaster stock lines, suggesting that these actions are under partial genetic control. Within melanogaster, however, genotype had no observable effect on the range of grooming behavior. This work establishes similarities in grooming behavior between drosophilids while also highlighting important differences, providing targets for future explorations of genetic, sensory, and developmental contributions to behavior.
Intravenous haloperidol: A systematic review of side effects and recommendations for clinical use

Abstract Introduction Though not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, intravenous haloperidol (IVH) is widely used off-label to manage agitation and psychosis in patients with delirium in the hospital setting. Over the years, concerns have emerged regarding side effects of IVH, particularly its potential to cause QT prolongation, torsades de pointes (TdP), extrapyramidal symptoms and catatonia. Methods We conducted a systematic review of literature of published literature related to side effects of IVH in PubMed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Results 77 of 196 identified manuscripts met inclusion criteria, including 34 clinical trials and 34 case reports or series. Discussion Extrapyramidal symptoms, catatonia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome appears to be relatively rare with IVH. In most prospective studies, IVH did not cause greater QT prolongation than placebo, and rates of TdP with IVH appear to be low. There is not clear evidence to suggest that IVH carries greater risk for QT prolongation or TdP than other antipsychotics. Conclusions Based on the available literature, we provide modified evidence-based monitoring recommendations for clinicians prescribing IVH in hospital settings. Specifically, we recommend electrocardiogram monitoring only when using doses >5 mg of IVH and telemetry only for high-risk patients receiving cumulative doses of at least 100 mg or with accurately corrected QTc >500 ms.
The United Nations: Managing Unrealistic Expectations

Born out of the ashes of two destructive world wars, the nascent United Nations (UN) survived the bitter Cold War era, briefly thrived in the post-Cold War period, and—despite the advent of new challenges, actors, and institutions in the post-9/11 age—remains primus inter pares among international organizations. Indeed, in spite of threats from within and without in the twenty-first century, the UN—as arena, agent, and actor—continues to contribute to the global discourse on peace and security, development, and human rights. The adoption of Security Council resolution 1540 on non-proliferation and non-state actors, the successful negotiation of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the Sustainable Development Goals, the climate change agreements, the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council, as well as the special procedures and investigations on human rights are indicative of this trend. However, the implementation of these norms and agreements remain uneven at best and non-existent at worst. Moreover, the trend of countries pursuing “nation first” policies that threaten multilateralism and global governance is likely to further impair the UN’s operational role. This chapter examines the UN’s efforts in ensuring its continued relevance by managing global discontinuities, disruptions, and preventing its own destruction.
Adaptation of the Winkie Drill for subglacial bedrock sampling

The Winkie Drill is an agile, commercially available rock coring system. The U.S. Ice Drilling Program has modified a Winkie Drill for subglacial rock and ice/rock interface coring, as well as drilling and coring access holes through ice. The original gasoline engine was replaced with an electric motor though the two-speed gear reducer and Unipress hand feed system were maintained. Using standard aluminum AW34 drill rod (for 33.5 mm diameter core), the system has a depth capability of 120 m. The drill uses forward fluid circulation in a closed loop system. The drilling fluid is Isopar K, selected for favorable properties in polar environment. When firn or snow is present at the drill site, casing with an inflatable packer can be deployed to contain the drill fluid. The Winkie Drill will operate from sea level to high altitudes and operation results in minimal environmental impact. The drill can be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled in the field by two people. All components can be transported by Twin Otter or helicopter to the field site.
Input model uncertainty: why do we care and what should we do about it?

An input model is a collection of distributions together with any associated parameters that are used as primitive inputs in a simulation model. Input model uncertainty arises when one is not completely certain what distributions and/or parameters to use. This tutorial attempts to provide a sense of why one should consider input uncertainty and what methods can be used to deal with it.
A workercentric view of COVID-19

At least 100,000 residents and workers have died (data are not disaggregated for workers versus residents) at nursing homes and long-term care facilities (The New York Times, 2020) With regard to the gig or contract workforce, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigations show some employers use temps to avoid meeting safety obligations Without these guideposts, newly remote workers have to create new strategies for maintaining boundaries [ ]blurring may be intensified for those who are also sharing their “place of work” with nonwork role members (i e , partners, children) rather than with coworkers, requiring additional negotiation and strategic management Loneliness is associated with a myriad of health concerns (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020b), and teleworking can result in professional isolation consequences such as reduced wage growth, interpersonal networking, informal learning, and mentoring (e g , Golden & Eddleston, 2020) [ ]a study of over 500 remote workers found that these employees often reported feeling mistreated and ostracized, with little ability to handle workplace politics and resolve conflicts in a
Study on Eco Friendly, Economically Viable Plant Protection Products

Beans are one of the world's most consumed and widely grown vegetable crops, but their yield is hampered by a variety of diseases caused by whiteflies and other insects.Whiteflies can also spread a variety of viral diseases to beans. Bean Common Mosaic Virus (BCMV), Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus (BYMV), Bean Golden Mosaic Virus (BGMV) etc. A variety of synthetic pesticides have been used in agriculture to control insects, which damage the plant and have a negative impact on the environment; however, their negative impact on the environment necessitates the use of more environmentally friendly methods for pest management. This paper discusses the synthesis, physicochemical characterization, and application of a mixture of potassium palmitate and pyrethroids; pyrethroids, and potassium stearate as non- persistent insecticides against whiteflies found on bean plants, as well as the use of the T-test to compare the efficacy of prepared insecticidal formulations.
Public acceptance of electric roadways: The case of Los Angeles, California

Dynamic charging has the potential to overcome the barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption by converting road segments into powered lanes (electric roadways or ERs). This paper focuses on examin...
ALU design using reconfigurable CMOS logic

In designing ALUs, many techniques have been followed. The functional units of an ALU have been realized using conventional transistors and pass transistor gates. In this paper, we present the design of a 4 bit ALU using multi-input floating gate (MIFG) CMOS reconfigurable logic. It has been designed in a 1.5 /spl mu/m technology for 3 V operation. The ALU can perform four arithmetic and four logical operations. The core of the ALU, which is a full adder circuit, has been realized using MIFG transistors. Additional logic gates have also been built using MIFG transistors. The design we present is simple in structure with significantly lesser number of transistors and interconnections when compared to earlier designs.
Diabetes and Disease Surveillance

Where should the line be drawn between good public health practice and government intrusion?
Nonlocal Shear Viscosity and Order-Parameter Dynamics near the Critical Point of Fluids

We derive and solve numerically the self-consistent set of equations for the nonlocal shear viscosity and the order-parameter decay rate near the critical point of fluids. This removes the ambiguity associated with the so-called "high frequency" shear viscosity entering the theoretical expressions for the Rayleigh linewidth, and improves the agreement with the measured linewidth of Chang et al.
Prospective evaluation of the clinical utility of 18-fluorodeoxyglucose PET CT scanning in patients with von hippel-lindau-associated pancreatic lesions.

Background The natural history of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNENs) in patients with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is poorly defined. Management of patients with PNENs is challenging because there are no reliable preoperative criteria to detect malignant lesions, and the majority of resected tumors are found to be benign. The aim of this study was to determine whether 18-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography ( 18 FDG-PET) uptake predicts growth and detects malignant VHL-associated PNENs. Study Design We performed a prospective study of 197 patients with VHL-associated pancreatic lesions. Clinical and imaging characteristics were analyzed to study the associations between FDG-PET uptake, tumor growth, and the development of metastatic disease. Results One hundred nine of 197 patients had solid pancreatic lesions and underwent both CT and 18 FDG-PET scanning, which identified 165 and 144 lesions, respectively. Metastatic disease was detected by 18 FDG-PET in 3 patients in whom it was not detected by CT scan and suggested non-neoplastic disease in 3 patients. Maximum standardized uptake values (SUV) on 18 FDG-PET correlated with tumor size on CT (r = 0.47, p max was associated with tumor growth (r = 0.36, p = 0.0062). No association was seen between 18 FDG-PET uptake and age, VHL genotype, or serum chromogranin A levels. Conclusions Scanning with FDG-PET identifies metastatic disease not detected by CT scan and avoids resection of non-PNEN lesions that have no malignant potential in patients with VHL-associated PNENs. It should be considered as a valuable functional imaging modality in the clinical management of patients with VHL-associated PNENs.
A Parameter Identification Method for the Rotordynamic Coefficients of a High Reynolds Number Hydrostatic Bearing

In identifying the rotordynamic coefficients of a high-Reynolds-number hydrostatic bearing, fluid-flow induced forces present a unique problem, in that they provide an unmeasureable and uncontrollable excitation to the bearing. An analysis method is developed that effectively eliminates the effects of fluid-flow induced excitation on the estimation of the bearing rotordynamic coefficients, by using power spectral densities. In addition to the theoretical development, the method is verified experimentally by single-frequency testing, and repeatability tests. Results obtained for a bearing are the twelve rotordynamic coefficients (stiffness, damping, and inertia coefficients) as functions of eccentricity ratio, speed, and supply pressure.
Treatment of Complicated Migraine with Sublingual Nifedipine.

SYNOPSIS The term complicated migraine is used when the neurologic deficits in classic migraine are intense or alarmingly prolonged. Its manifestations are felt secondary to a vasoregulatory disorder of cerebral vessels. The calcium channel antagonists have been found efficacious in blocking cerebral vasospasm. A young girl presented with severe headache, aphasia and clinical symptoms suggesting complicated migraine. Her neurologic deficit cleared immediately after the administration of sublingual nifedipine. Nifedipine may prove useful in treatment of complicated migraine.
On-Line Learning Nonlinear Direct Neurocontrollers for Restructurable Control Systems

This paper describes an innovative approach to the problem of the on-line determination of a control law in order to achieve a dynamic reconfiguration of an aircraft that has sustained extensive damage to a vital control surface. The approach consists of the use of on-line learning neural network controllers that have the capability of bringing an aircraft, whose dynamics can become unstable after a substantial damage, back to an equilibrium condition. This goal has been achieved through the use of a specific training algorithm, the extended back-propagation algorithm (EBPA), and proper selection of the architectures for the neural network controllers. The EBPA has recently shown remarkable improvements over the back-propagation algorithm in terms of convergence time and local minimum problems. The methodology is illustrated through a nonlinear dynamic simulation of a typical combat maneuver for a high-performance aircraft.
Spectral estimation using an improved comb filter method

The comb filter is used with some improvement in energy compensation, segmenting-overlapping-averaging, and lag weighting with symmetrization, so that the resultant spectrum is closer to the true spectrum than that when using the general comb filter method. The measurement of power spectrum in a short duration of the features of a designed bandpass filter by using a white noise excitation. Two important parameters, D and R80, are used to compare the results derived from power spectral methods. D is the deviation of the estimated spectrum from the true spectrum, and R80 is the spectrum range in which 80% points fall. Some of numerical values of these two parameters obtained from experiment are listed. It appears from comparison that the improved comb filter method is more accurate than the general comb filter method. A plot of power spectrum estimated by the improved comb filter shows that it is a quite satisfactory approach to power spectral estimation. >
Farnesylthiosalicylic acid induces caspase activation and apoptosis in glioblastoma cells

Top of pageAbstract Primary glioblastomas (GBMs) commonly overexpress the oncogene epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which leads to increased Ras activity. FTA, a novel Ras inhibitor, produced both time- and dose-dependent caspase-mediated apoptosis in GBM cell lines. EGFR-mediated increase in 3H-thymidine uptake was inhibited by FTA. FACS analysis was performed to determine the percent of apoptotic cells. The sub-Go population of GBM cells was increased from 4.5 to 13.8% (control) to over 45–53.6% in FTA-treated cells within 24 h. Furthermore, FTA also increased the activities of both caspase-3 and -9, and PARP cleavage. Treatment of GBMs with FTA before or after EGF addition to the cultures blocked phosphorylation of Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). FTA also significantly reduced the amount of EGF-induced Ras-GTP as reflected by a decrease in the level of Ras bound to Raf-RBD-GST. This study demonstrates that inhibition of Ras methylation may provide a therapeutic target for the treatment of GBMs overexpressing EGFR. Keywords: glioblastoma, farnesylthiosalicylic acid, apoptosis, epidermal growth factor receptor, Ras, caspase Abbreviations: GBM, Glioblastoma; FTA, Farnesylthiosalicylic acid; EGFR, Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor; MAPK, Mitogen-activated protein kinase
Interface shape and thermally-driven convection in vertical bridgman growth of gallium selenide: A semiconductor with anisotropic solid-phase thermal conductivity

For vertical Bridgman growth of thermally anisotropic semiconductors, we present a detailed model accounting for heat transfer, flow driven by thermal buoyancy and solidification shrinkage, and interface deformation. The model allows for anisotropic solid-phase thermal conductivity, characteristic of nonlinear optical materials, as well as conduction in the ampoule wall, and conduction and convection in the liquid. The interface shape is determined as part of the solution of a moving boundary problem. For the nonlinear optical material gallium selenide and a range of growth conditions of practical interest, we present steady axisymmetric computations of the isotherms, flow, and interface shape. For ampoule-wall temperature profiles typical of three-zone Bridgman furnaces, the strength of the flow and deflection of the interface increase considerably with increasing growth rate, while the temperature distribution is relatively insensitive, except near the interface
Ontogenetic alterations in molecular and structural correlates of dendritic growth after developmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls.

ObjectivePerinatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is associated with decreased IQ scores, impaired learning and memory, psychomotor difficulties, and attentional deficits in children....
Bombesin reduces food intake of normal and hypothalamically obese rats and lowers body weight when given chronically

Bombesin is a peptide hormone reported to reduce meal size when administered in rats. In the first experiment, synthetic bombesin was injected subcutaneously into normal rats and obese rats with lesions of the ventromedial hypothalamus just prior to the presentation of food. A dose-dependent suppression of meal size occurred for both groups, showing that the peptide has this action in obese as well as normal animals. In a second experiment, a conditioned taste aversion was not formed with a dose of bombesin which suppressed meal size by approximately 50% while the animals did develop an aversion with a dose of LiCl reported to reduce meal size equivalently. In a third experiment, rats were placed on a feeding schedule where they received three 30-min meals each day. After weights had stabilized under this paradigm, bombesin was administered just prior to each meal for six days. The bombesin caused a consistent suppression of meal size when the animals were allowed 30-min meals such that the rats lost weight over the six-day period. When this experiment was repeated with 60-min meals apparent tolerance developed to these actions of bombesin.
Gene-specific characterization of human histone H2B by electron capture dissociation

The basis set of protein forms expressed by human cells from the H2B gene family was determined by Top Down Mass Spectrometry. Using Electron Capture Dissociation for MS/MS of H2B isoforms, direct evidence for the expression of unmodified H2B.Q, H2B.A, H2B.K/T, H2B.J, H2B.E, H2B.B, H2B.F, and monoacetylated H2B.A was obtained from asynchronous HeLa cells. H2B.A was the most abundant form, with the overall expression profile not changing significantly in cells arrested in mitosis by colchicine or during mid-S, mid-G2, G2/M, and mid-G1 phases of the cell cycle. Modest hyperacetylation of H2B family members was observed after sodium butyrate treatment. Keywords: histone • chromatin • post-translational modifications • top down mass spectrometry • electron capture dissociation
Phase I evaluation of divided-dose vinblastine sulfate

The known pharmacokinetics of vinblastine sulfate given by intermittent bolus dictate alternate dose schedules for prolonging the therapeutic levels. Herein, we have tested a divided dose schedule which shows out-patient feasibility, manageable toxicity, and encouraging responses.
Effect of sustained hypernatraemia on the renin-aldosterone system in the dog.

SUMMARY 1. To determine if increases in plasma sodium concentration P[Na] have any sustained effects of the renin-aldosterone system, P[Na] was increased in a group of six dogs over a period of 6 days by increasing sodium intake from 10 to 200 mmol per day while a fixed 700 ml per day water intake was maintained along with a continuous i.v. infusion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) at a rate of 2.4 units per day. 2. P[Na] rose from 137.3 ± 2.0 to 153.6 ± 6.5 mmol/1 during the high intake period. Plasma potassium concentration, 22Na space, and mean arterial pressure all remained near control levels in response to Na loading. 3. Plasma renin activity (PRA) averaged 1.0 ± 0.1 ngAI/ml per hour on the final low Na day and fell transiently to 0.6 ± 0.2 ngAI/ml per hour on the first day of sodium loading. For the duration of the study it remained at the control level. Plasma aldosterone concentration fell from the low Na level of 15.4 ± 2.4 ng/100 ml to 10.5 ± 1.5 ng/100 ml on the final day of high Na intake. 4. We conclude that increases in P[Na] in the absence of concomitant changes in P[K], 22Na space and MAP do not have a sustained effect on control of renin release but may exert a negative effect on aldosterone secretion.
Individual differences in stages 3 and 4 sleep

Individual differences in stages 3 and 4 sleep are usually unrecognized., although several reports have mentioned large inter-individual variation of the stages within a restricted age range. This study investigated individual differences and nightly reliability in stages 3 and 4 sleep in a homogeneous sample of 34 young adult males. Sleep was analyzed from the final two of three consecutive lab nights. Results indicated that stage 4 steep was an exceedingly prominent individual difference. Stage 4 occupied 7.9 to 50.0 percent of the first 3 hrs after sleep onset and was highly reliable across nights (.78). Individual differences were less pronounced in the second 3 hrs after sleep onset. Stage 3 and stage 4 were reliably distinguished. Persons high in one of these stages had relatively little of the other. Combining stage 3 and stage 4 may be a reasonable strategy if visually scored delta activity per se is of interest, bat it may obscure potentially meaningful individual differences in which state is characteristically achieved.
A RECORD OF PAULOWNIA IN THE TERTIARY OF NORTH AMERICA

SMILEY, CHARLES J. CMacalester Coll., St. Paul, Minn.) A record of Paulownia in the Tertiary of North America. Amer. Jour. Bot. 48(2): 175-179. Illus. 1961.-Paulownia, an eastern Asiatic genus in the family Scrophulariaceae, has been identified from fossil leaves in the Ellensburg flora of Washington. Age of these fossils is late Miocene (Barstovian) to early Pliocene (Clarendonian). They are nearly identical to leaves of the living P. tomentosa (Thunberg) Steudel, a deciduous tree now growing in temperate parts of China and one that has escaped from cultivation in eastern United States. Identification is based on comparative leaf morphology. Modern and fossil Paulownia leaves may be distinguished from those of such other genera as Buettneria, Catalpa, and Cercis by secondary and tertiary venation. Central Washington environment during this time was well suited to the growth and reproduction of Paulownia, judging from such fossil associates as Liquidambar, Nyssa, Passiflora, Persea, Rhododendron, Ulmus, and Zelkova. Deciduous habit, present temperate environment, possible early Tertiary record in Alaska, later Tertiary records in middle latitudes of North America and Europe, and present occurrence in China indicate that Paulownia was once widely distributed over the northern hemisphere. Secular climatic trends toward cooler conditions since the Eocene appear to have resulted in the southward migration of Paulownia as a member of the Arcto-Tertiary Geoflora. Subsequent extinctions in Europe and North America may have resulted from Pleistocene glacial climates, and from barriers to further
Herbage Nitrogen Recovery in a Meadow and Loblolly Pine Alley

Herbage in conventional pasture and agroforestry systems is managed for microclimate and spatial differences inherent to these systems, but managers have scarce data on which to base their decisions. Our objective was to measure herbage N fertilizer recovery at two sites, an unshaded meadow and a shaded alley in 10-yr-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). The test was conducted on a Leadvale silt loam soil (fine-silty, siliceous, semiactive, thermic Typic Fragiudult) near Booneville, AR, in 2002 and 2003, with tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) the predominant herbage species. Fertilizer N was broadcast as split-applications at six rates (100 kg ha -1 increments from 0 to 500 kg ha -1 yr -1 ). The meadow and pine alleys had sufficient herbage yield for rotational livestock production. Cumulative herbage yield (CHY) in the meadow was much more responsive to added N than pine alley herbage, but average cumulative fertilizer N (CFN) recoveries were only 38% and 12%, respectively. A shallow fragipan, low available soil P (≤ 6 μg g -1 ), depletion of soil water in July to September (both sites), and low solar irradiance (pine alley) were likely contributors to low fertilizer N recovery and herbage productivity. Because of poor herbage yield response and substantial accumulation of soil mineral N (62 to 237 kg ha -1 ) in pine alleys fertilized with ≥200 kg N ha -1 yr -1 , only maintenance levels of fertilizer N ( ≤ 100 kg ha -1 ) should be applied to similar sites. For these same reasons, yearly applications of fertilizer N > 300 kg ha -1 yr -1 are not recommended for meadows similar to the study site.
Depth-dependent proton magnetization transfer in articular cartilage.

Purpose To measure the proton magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) maps in control and collagen-depleted bovine patellar cartilage specimens as a function of cartilage depth during mechanical compression. Materials and Methods One-dimensional proton projection MR images employing a spin-echo imaging sequence were obtained on a custom-built NMR spectrometer interfaced to an Oxford magnet operating at 2T. The mechanical compressions were performed with a custom-built MR-compatible pressure cell and evaluated dynamically via one-dimensional projection. High-spatial-resolution two-dimensional MT images were obtained using a fast spin-echo (FSE) sequence on a 4T whole-body GE Signa scanner (GEMS, Milwaukee, WI, USA) to quantify the MTR maps of normal and collagen-depleted bovine patellae. Results All of the cartilage plugs from the bovine patellae showed that the MTR value increases continuously as a function of cartilage depth. Although the overall MTR trend as a function of depth is the same in both control and collagen-depleted cartilage, the magnitude of the MTR value differs between the two. The MTR value is decreased with collagen depletion and increased with mechanical compression. The increase in MTR value during compression may be due to a decrease in free water content and volume, resulting in an increase in collagen concentration. Conclusion We demonstrated that the MTR in bovine patellar cartilage is depth-dependent and is relatively higher in the radial zone compared to the superficial zone. The high MTR in the radial zone not only depends on collagen content, it may also reflect a number of other parameters, such as the arrangement of macromolecules, high solid content, bound water fraction attached to macromolecules, radial orientation, etc. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2005;22:318–323. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A quantitative assay for neomycin phosphotransferase activity in plants

A sensitive, simple, and quantitative assay for determining neomycin phosphotransferase (NPT) activity in plant cell extracts is described. The procedure retains the simplicity of previously published methods, yet offers up to a 140-fold increase in sensitivity. This increase is due to (1) the addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to the assay mixture, (2) desalting of crude maize extracts to remove a low-molecular-weight inhibitor of the enzyme, and (3) use of a different extraction buffer and an improved extraction procedure to liberate more enzyme from the cells. This method has been used successfully to detect and quantitate both stable and transient expression of NPT in transgenic tobacco and maize tissue.