cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tracing the roots/routes of World Bank power

Most of the literature on the World Bank struggles to understand precisely how effective are the Bank’s projects and policies, emphasizing at the same time as reaffirming certain universal parameters with which to measure the good and the bad. This article, by contrast, argues for a different way of seeing the World Bank, that is, for scholarship that interrogates the political rationalities which underlie these distinctions and categories and which make these parameters and measures viable, necessary, and enduring. Indeed, most writings – including the innumerable self‐evaluations carried out by the Bank – simultaneously note the enormity of the Bank’s past misdeeds as well as its unique position as the only global institution up to the monumental task of translating global truths into global plans of action. Because of its unique role as the global development expert, the Bank is always two steps ahead of the pack, always re‐assessing and re‐tooling for improvement in ways that most national and international institutions cannot. Who else can respond so quickly to catastrophes around the globe – appearing one month in Thailand, the next in Argentina, and, in a bomb’s flash, in Afghanistan and Iraq? In a world in which global crises routinely erupt and “require” global experts of development to resolve them, the Bank and its affiliates in the World Bank Group have no rivals. But, rather than ask why the Bank’s responses are ultimately insufficient or flawed, we must first ask how problems get defined in terms of global crises and their solutions in terms of global development institutions in the first place? How did these ideas and institutions become so influential? What power dynamics do they embody?
Adhesive protein receptors on hematopoietic cells

Abstract Here, Martin Hemler focuses on the emerging field of hematopooetic cell adhesion to extracellular matrix. Analysis of newly discovered receptor structures involved in cell-matrix adhesion suggest that hematopoietic cells have a wealth of new and diverse functions involving interactions with extracellular matrix. These interactions are likely to have an important influence of hematopoietic cells both during precursor maturation (before emigration into the blood), and during migrations through an extravascular tissue-matrix environement (after emigration from the blood).
An improved method for computing the J2 integral

Abstract The J 2 integral, used in conjunction with the well-known J (or J 1 ) integral, can assist the analyst in the prediction of in-plane mixed-mode stress intensity factors via finite element stress analysis. However, direct evaluation of J 2 yields results which are very sensitive to the crack tip modeling employed, thus reducing the efficacy of the J 2 integral. A new technique is proposed to circumvent this problem. This new technique also permits one to easily calculate the non-singular stress component σ x0 which is known to be important in predicting crack kinking angles.
Systems-Centered Training for Therapists: Beyond Stereotyping to Integrating Diversities into the Change Process

This article highlights the systems-centered approach to training therapists and the particular ways a systems-centered approach is relevant in integrating diversities ij a change process. The systems-centered methods are especially useful in moving beyond stereotyping whether related to gender, race or culture; to exploring the real similarities and differences in people in a way that the differences can be integrated as resources. By introducing theory and methods that create the conditions for lowering personalizing and increasing an understanding of context, therapists-in-training learn to see themselves and their client in context, as well as learn how to develop the contexts in which clients can develop by integrating differences in themselves and others.
A Precision Determination of the Viscosity of Air

The rotating cylinder method has been used for making a precise determination of the viscosity of air. The inner cylinder was rotated, which made possible a higher degree of accuracy in the construction of the apparatus and in its adjustment than was possible if the outer cylinder had been rotated. Two rotating cylinders were used, and the error introduced into the viscosity by inaccuracies in machining and measurements was for the best cylinders 2.01\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ percent. Torsion wires were studied in detail and a method of treatment used which removed the defects of zero drift and variability of torsion constant for static and dynamic conditions. A precision telescope and calibrated comparator were used in measuring the angular deflection of the deflecting cylinder. The timing and driving mechanism consisted of a tuning fork controlled d.c. motor whose speed was constant within one part in ${10}^{6}$, as checked by N.A.A. time signals. The viscosity of air at 20.00\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C is (1819.20\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06) ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$ c.g.s. unit.
The Impact of the Birth of a Baby on the Time Structure and Social Mixture of a Couple's Daily Life and Its Consequences for Well-Being1

In order to investigate the temporal disruption and social dislocation resulting from the birth of a child, 37 couples were studied at 4 time points: pre-birth (second trimester), and at 1, 4, and 12 months postpartum. A diary-based instrument (the Social Rhythm Metric-SRM) was used to evaluate the habitual times at which 17 events during the day took place, the proportion of events done alone, as a couple only, and with nonfamily members. Also evaluated were perceptions of the quality of the marriage relationship, feelings of depressive symptoms, and feelings of anger. The baby's birth had a major effect on the timing with which daily events were done, and on differences between mothers' and fathers' habitual times, especially in the morning. There were also dramatic differences (50–80% reductions) in the proportion of events done alone, as a couple only, and with nonfamily members. However, these effects were much more marked in mothers than in fathers and were attenuated when there were prior children. Changes in marital quality and mood were also observed. The birth was associated particularly with a decline in marital quality and in the levels of anger and depressive symptoms felt by parents at 1 month postpartum, although these effects interacted with gender and prior parental experience. Furthermore, the changes in well-being were related to changes in SRM indices, though differentially for mothers and fathers.
Oxidation of SO2 in thin water films containing NH3

Abstract The reaction between NH 3 and SO 2 in thin water films was studied with a focus on the formation of sulfate. The reactions were conducted at 5 and 60% relative humidities or partial pressure of water vapor and at 0.04, 0.16 or 0.20 atm O 2 for temperatures between 20 and 50°C using a flow reactor and static flask reactors. In the presence of water vapor, the oxidation of SO 2 to sulfate was observed only when NH 3 was present. The product was primarily (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 . Conversion of as much as 81% of the SO 2 to sulfate was observed after 10 min of reaction when the initial concentrations of SO 2 and NH 3 were 1 ppm and the relative humidity was 60%. Conversion was only 1–3% when NH 3 and/or water vapor were absent from the system. The surface of the reactor was found to influence the reaction by providing a place for a film of liquid water to form, and for the first several hours of reaction in the film, th e rate of sulfate formation was observed to be faster than oxidation in liquid water. In general, these results suggest that thin water films on environmental surfaces play a greater role in the deposition of atmospheric gases and the accumulation of their reaction products on surfaces than previously considered.
Non-invasive MRI tumor imaging and synergistic anticancer effect of HSP90 inhibitor and glycolysis inhibitor in RIP1-Tag2 transgenic pancreatic tumor model

To utilize non-invasive MRI imaging for real-time testing the synergistic effects of HSP90 inhibitor and glycolysis inhibitor for pancreatic cancer therapy in spontaneous pancreatic cancer mouse model. Transgenic RIP1-Tag2 spontaneous pancreatic cancer mice were treated with geldanamycin (GA, 5 mg/kg) and /or 3-Bromo-pyruvate (3-BrPA, 5 mg/kg) from 8 to 12 weeks of age. Non-invasive MRI imaging measured and calculated the total tumor mass and volumes in real-time and compared to ex vivo tumors size. Serum VEGF levels were measured by ELISA. HSP 90 client protein levels (AKT and VEGF) were measured by western blots. RIP-Tag2 transgenic mice developed pancreatic tumors from 8 to 12 weeks of age. Non-invasive MRI imaging detected primary tumors in pancreas and metastasis in intestine and mesenterium with minimal resolution of 20 mm3. VEGF, AKT, hexokinase II, and Hsp90 were expressed in the pancreatic cancer tissues from RIP1-Tag2 transgenic mice. Combination of GA and 3-BrPA decreased serum VEGF levels by 70% compared to control group. Non-invasive MRI imaging showed that combination of GA and 3-BrPA inhibited pancreatic tumor and metastasis by more than 90% and significantly prolonged life span of RIP1-Tag2 transgenic pancreatic cancer mice. The synergistic effect of geldanamycin and 3-BrPA is through inhibition of two different pathways on HSP90 for its client protein degradation and on HK II for energy metabolism. Non-invasive MRI imaging revealed synergistic effects of Hsp90 inhibitors and glycolysis inhibitors, which may provide a new therapeutic option for pancreatic cancer therapy.
The Influence of Atmospheric Stability on Potential Evaporation

Abstract The Penman relationship for potential evaporation is modified to simply include the influence of atmospheric stability on turbulent transport of water vapor. Explicit expressions for the stability-dependent, surface exchange coefficient developed by Louis are used. The diurnal variation of potential evaporation is computed for the stability-dependent and original Penman relationships using Wangara data. The influence of afternoon instability increases the aerodynamic term of the modified Penman relationship by 50% or more on days with moderate instability. However, the unmodified Penman relationship predicts values of daily potential evaporation close to that of the stability-dependent relationship. This agreement is partly due to compensating overestimation during nighttime hours. Errors due to use of daily-averaged variables are examined in detail by evaluating the nonlinear interactions between the diurnal variation of the variables in the Penman relationship. A simpler method for estimating t...
Hydraulic Characteristics of Fractured and Jointed Rocka

Hydrogeologic studies in foothill watersheds have included diamond-core drilling, installation of observation wells, and pumping tests. Detailed study of recovered cores has provided reasonable estimates of porosity. Pumping tests of the two-inch diameter wells have given estimates of the transmissibilities ranging from 6 to 600 gallons per day per foot. Test data from several wells indicate that the hydraulics of water movement in jointed rock systems is not governed by the usual mathematical models.
Equivalent Performance Testing of Multisection Compressors

Equivalent performance testing of multisection compressors has largely been ignored by the various test codes. Existing code methods have been modified and adapted for testing multisection compressors by the manufacturers and users. The performance testing of two types of multisection units—the externally cooled and the sideload compressor—are discussed here. Each compressor type has had specific test difficulties that require identification and resolution. Prior to the start of testing, an overview of the problems, along with some solutions, is presented.
Aspects of a deformable superconductor model for the vortex mass

A deformable superconductor model for the vortex mass per unit length μd in a type-II superconductor is discussed. A new identity for the inertial vortex mass in this model is presented which holds for an arbitrary quasiparticle fraction when the ionic displacement is irrotational. This result is used to show unphysical behavior in the temperature dependence of the ionic-strain-field vortex mass and is key in resolving this difficulty. A possibility for the experimental observation of the strain field mechanism is discussed.
Quantitation of drug levels and platelet receptor blockade caused by a thromboxane antagonist

Abstract SQ 28,668 is a structural analog of thromboxane A2. It inhibits the effects of thromboxane in vitro. Fifty-six healthy male subjects were given either placebo or three equal daily doses of SQ 28,668 ranging from 25 to 1200 mg. Plasma drug concentrations increased in a dose-dependent manner. The shape of the plasma drug concentration-time curve was consistent with enterohepatic recirculation. The effects of SQ 28,668 on ex vivo platelet aggregation suggested that SQ 28,668 is a specific competitive antagonist of thromboxane A2 with a platelet receptor dissociation constant (estimated by Schild analysis) of about 19 nmol/L. Approximately 94% occupation of thromboxane receptors by SQ 28,668 was required to produce a small but measurable increase of the template bleeding time. Dose-ranging studies of antithrombotic drugs are difficult and expensive. For this reason, a method was developed that allows estimation of the dose of a thromboxane receptor antagonist that would be expected to be therapeutically equivalent to a given dose of aspirin.
The Design and Evaluation of Techniques for Route Diversity in Distributed Hash Tables

We present a replica placement scheme for any distributed hash table that uses a prefix-matching routing scheme and evaluate the number of replicas necessary to produce a desired number of disjoint routes. We show through simulation that this placement can make a significant improvement in routing robustness over other placements. Furthermore, we consider another route diversity mechanism that we call neighbor set routing and show that, when used with our replica placement, it can successfully route messages to a correct replica even with a quarter of the nodes in the system failed at random. Finally, we demonstrate a family of replica query strategies that can trade off response time and system load. We present a hybrid query strategy that keeps response time low without producing too high a load.
THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE GROWTH OF THE OPTICAL STORAGE MARKETPLACE

The growing acceptance of optical storage in the marketplace is intimately tied to the applications that it serves. By exploiting the unique attributes of this technology, the enormous amount of information that is now stored on paper and film can be managed in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Forget me not: the clash of the right to be forgotten and freedom of expression on the Internet

value, it is desirable for users to be able to exercise at least a modicum of control over personal information pertaining to themselves that is publicly available online. It is precisely this idea that underpins the European Commission’s proposed legislative reform to its privacy framework known as ‘right to be forgotten’. 2 In enabling individuals to demand erasure of personal data previously shared online, the European Union seeks to give Internet users legal recourse to force data controllers to ‘forget’ their personal information. The application of this right in the digital world, however, may pose an obstacle to free expression and the public interest in access to information. Thus, while understanding the right to be forgotten as a tool enabling users to better control their image and existence on the Internet, this paper analyses the ways in which this right may also function as a hindrance to freedom of expression. The first part of the paper discusses the privacy framework of the EU and the notion of the right to be forgotten, while the second part examines the shortcomings of the concept. It then turns to the potential impact of the right to be forgotten on freedom of expression and access to information. Lastly, the paper addresses the contrast between the right to be forgotten and important perspectives in US privacy law. Development of the EU Privacy Framework and the right to be forgotten
Linking Phylogeny and Genetics: Zea Mays as a Tool for Phylogenetic Studies

Model organisms provide opportunities to explore the linkages between genetics and phylogenetics. Zea mays ssp. mays is an ideal system for making these links, in part because it is well known genetically and also because it is within the grass family (Gramineae or Poaceae), which is well known phylogenetically. The phylogeny of the genus Zea is reviewed, and clado- grams are presented that locate the genus within the tribe Andropogoneae. Study of the genus and its relatives has been biased toward New World taxa, and thus knowledge of many character systems is incomplete. A number of genes and gene systems have been studied in a comparative context, and all of these could be examined more carefully with an appropriate sample of taxa. Cytogenetics has been extensively explored in some groups, but others are largely unknown. Maps of restriction fragment length polymorphisms are yielding information on the arrangement of the nuclear genome and indicating that significant linkage groups are shared between maize and some of its more distant relatives. The alcohol dehydrogenase genes could provide insights into phenomena of gene duplication and intron loss. The anthocyanin pathway and the C4 photosynthetic pathway are both well understood at the gene level and could provide the basis for comparative studies of patterns of gene expression. Molecular work on developmental mu? tants is still in its infancy, but these genes might provide the most direct connection with known cladistic characters. Geneticists and phylogeneticists appear to be moving toward common ground. (Zea; maize; genetics; phylogeny; grasses; C4 photosynthesis; ADH.)
Effects of photoinduced carrier injection on timedependent dielectric breakdown

Time-dependent dielectric breakdown experiments were performed under broadband UV illumination in order to investigate the effects of increased electron concentration on time to breakdown. Preliminary results show that breakdown can be achieved at shorter time scales and lower fields than in standard reliability tests.
Role of inflammasome cytokines IL-1 and IL-18 during infection with neurotropic mouse hepatitis virus (INC8P.434)

The inflammasome is a cytosolic multiprotein complex that mediates secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1 and IL-18. These cytokines have been found to play a role in restriction of a wide range of pathogens, and to contribute to the pathogenesis of many autoimmune conditions. IL-18 signaling has a known role in promoting production of interferon gamma from T and natural killer cells, while IL-1 polarizes Th17 responses and recruits neutrophils to sites of infection. However, work with influenza A and West Nile virus have shown that IL-1 signaling can also be necessary to promote strong anti-viral T cell responses via activation of dendritic cells. This effect was found to be specific to the site of infection. To further elucidate the roles of these cytokines we have infected mice lacking the IL-1 or IL-18 receptor with a dual neuro- and hepatotropic strain of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV). IL-18 receptor deficient mice succumb to normally non-lethal doses of MHV while IL-1 receptor deficient animals are somewhat protected from lethal infection, suggesting the cytokines play opposite roles to each other. The T cell response is similar in all genotypes, suggesting the cytokines act on innate populations of cells. We are currently investigating the behavior of the neutrophil and natural killer cell populations in inflammasome cytokine deficient mice. This work should elucidate the effect of inflammasome signaling on innate immune responses in differing sites of infections.
Preparation of functionally gradient materials via frontal polymerization

Ascending frontal polymerization in a body with a moving boundary was accomplished experimentally. This process was shown to be a steady-state process within a certain range of the parameters. Temperature profiles of the front were recorded. This new method gives an excellent opportunity to prepare functionally gradient materials because composition of a monomer feedstream can be varied in a programmable manner. Polymer samples with hyperbolic gradients of optical dye concentration were manufactured at ambient pressure and temperature. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 2398–2404, 2000
Improving support for locality and fine-grain sharing in chip multiprocessors

Both commercial and scientific workloads benefit from concurrency and exhibit data sharing across threads/processes. The resulting sharing patterns are often fine-grain, with the modified cache lines still residing in the writer's primary cache when accessed. Chip multiprocessors present an opportunity to optimize for fine-grain sharing using direct access to remote processor components through low-latency on-chip interconnects. In this paper, we present Adaptive Replication, Migration, and producer-Consumer Optimization (ARMCO), a coherence protocol that, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to exploit direct access to the L1 caches of remote processors (rather than via coherence mechanisms) in order to support fine-grain sharing. Our goal is to provide support for tightly coupled sharing by recognizing and adapting to common sharing patterns such as migratory, producer-consumer, multiple-reader, and multiple read-write. The protocol places data close to where it is most needed and leverages direct access when following conventional coherence actions proves wasteful. Via targeted optimizations for each of these access patterns, our proposed protocol is able to reduce the average access latency and increase the effective cache capacity at the L1 level with on-chip storage overhead as low as 0.38%. Full-system simulations of 16-processor CMPs show an average (geometric mean) speedup of 1.13 (ranging from 1.04 to 2.26) for 12 commercial, scientific, and mining workloads, with an average of 1.18 if we include 2 microbenchmarks. ARMCO also reduces the on-chip bandwidth requirements and dynamic energy (power) consumption by an average of 33.3% and 31.2% (20.2%) respectively. By evaluating optimizations at both the L1 and the L2 level, we demonstrate that when considering performance, optimization at the L1 level is more effective at supporting fine-grain sharing than that at the L2 level.
Aliens are us. An innovative course in astrobiology

We live in a scientific world; paradoxically, the scientific literacy of the population is minimal at best. Science is an ongoing process, a human endeavour; paradoxically, students tend to believe that science is a finished enterprise. Many non-science major students are not motivated in science classes; paradoxically, there is a public fascination with the possibility of life in the Universe, which is nowadays a scientific endeavour. An astrobiology course was developed at the Center for Science and Mathematics Education at The University of Texas at Austin to address these paradoxes and includes the following objectives: (a) to improve scientific literacy; (b) to demonstrate that science is a work in progress; (c) to enhance the inherent interdisciplinary aspect of science; (d) to demonstrate that science is embedded in society and relates with several social sciences; (e) to improve the content knowledge about the nature of science; (f) to illustrate how engaging learning science can be; and (g) to draw from the intrinsic motivation already incorporated in the general population. The course has been offered, taught and revised for the past three years. The informal course student feedback has been very positive and encouraging. The purpose of this paper is to provide a general overview of the course. In addition, the course's background, content, themes and mode of delivery are outlined, discussed and analysed in this paper. This paper subscribes to an educational philosophy that focuses on the multidisciplinary nature of science and includes critical thinking-based teaching strategies using the dynamic discipline of astrobiology.
Cu–Ni composition gradient for the catalytic synthesis of vertically aligned carbon nanofibers

The influence of catalyst alloy composition on the growth of vertically aligned carbon nanofibers was studied using Cu-Ni thin films. Metals were co-sputtered onto a substrate to form a thin film alloy with a wide compositional gradient, as determined by Auger analysis. Carbon nanofibers were then grown from the gradient catalyst film by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The alloy composition produced substantial differences in the resulting nanofibers, which varied from branched structures at 81%Ni-19%Cu to high aspect ratio nanocones at 80%Cu-20%Ni. Electron microscopy and spectroscopy techniques also revealed segregation of the initial alloy catalyst particles at certain concentrations.
Stereoselectivity in the Wittig reaction of phenyl 3-pyridyl ketones: Amide substituent effect on the preferential (E)-ollefin formation

Abstract A Wittig reaction of amide substituted phenyl 3-pyridyl ketones with “nonstabilized” phosphorus ylides which contain a carboxyl terminus preferentially forms (E) -olefin. The preference for this stereoselectivity stems from either hydrogen bonding or salt-bridge formation between the amide group and the carboxyl terminus during the oxaphosphetane intermediate formation.
Hospital cost analysis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis correction surgery in 125 consecutive cases.

Background: Although achieving clinical success is the main goal in the surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, it is becoming increasingly important to do so in a cost-effective manner. The goal of the present study was to determine the surgical and hospitalization costs, charges, and reimbursements for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis correction surgery at one institution. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 16,536 individual costs and charges, including overall reimbursements, for 125 consecutive patients who were managed surgically for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis by three different surgeons between 2006 and 2007. Demographic, surgical, and radiographic data were recorded for each patient. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was employed to assess independent correlation with total cost and charge. Nonparametric descriptive statistics were calculated for total cost with use of the Lenke curve-classification system. Results: The mean age of the patients was 15.2 years. The mean main thoracic curve measured 50°, and the thoracolumbar curve measured 41°. The cost varied with Lenke curve type: $29,955 for type 1, $31,414 for type 2, $31,975 for type 3, $60,754 for type 4, $32,652 for type 5, and $33,416 for type 6. Independently significant increases for total cost were found in association with the number of pedicle screws placed, the total number of vertebral levels fused, and the type of surgical approach (R2 = 0.35, p ≤ 0.03). Independently significant increases for reimbursement were found in association with the number of pedicle screws placed and the type of surgical approach (R2 = 0.12, p ≤ 0.02). The hospital was reimbursed 53% of total charges and 120% of total costs. Reimbursement was highly correlated with charge (r = 0.45, p < 0.001). For rehospitalizations, the hospital was reimbursed 65% of charges and 93% of costs. Conclusions: The largest contributors to overall cost were implants (29%), intensive care unit and inpatient room costs (22%), operating room time (9.9%), and bone grafts (6%). There were three significant independent predictors of increased total cost: the surgical approach used, the number of pedicle screws placed, and the number of vertebral levels fused. This study characterizes the relative contributions of factors that contribute to total costs, charges, and reimbursements that can, in time, identify potential areas for cost reduction or redistribution of resources in the surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Effects of Vasodilation on Intrinsic Optical Signals

Using a spectral technique, we showed that during visual stimulation of the cat brain there was an apparent change in water content. We developed a simple model to explain how vasodilation could cause this effect.
Risk Assessment: Perchlorate as a National Security Threat

Sources of drinking water have been contaminated by military-related activity for decades, but such environmental pollution has not been recognized as a security threat in its own right. The case of perchlorate in the United States demonstrates the reflexive nature of environmental security risks, as well as the inconsistent burdens of proof required for responses to uncertain threats. A known endocrine disruptor, perchlorate blocks the uptake of iodide in the thyroid, and poses a differential risk to women, children, and other at-risk groups. Despite a conclusion by the U.S. National Research Council (NRC) that known studies of perchlorate indicate no harm at low levels of ingestion (translated roughly to 27 parts per billion in water), newer research indicates a measure of concern for some tens of millions of residents in the southwestern U.S. In this article, we examine the decision-making process that translated risk assessment studies to regulatory levels, and explore how endocrine disrupting chemicals pose a methodological dilemma for chemical risk assessment policy.
Technical communique: Controller synthesis with guaranteed closed-loop phase constraints

In this paper, we present an analysis and synthesis approach for guaranteeing that the phase of a single-input, single-output closed-loop transfer function is contained in the interval [-@a,@a] for a given @a>0 at all frequencies. Specifically, we first derive a sufficient condition involving a frequency domain inequality for guaranteeing a given phase constraint. Next, we use the Kalman-Yakubovich-Popov theorem to derive an equivalent time domain condition. In the case where @a=@p2, we show that frequency and time domain sufficient conditions specialize to the positivity theorem. Furthermore, using linear matrix inequalities, we develop a controller synthesis approach for guaranteeing a phase constraint on the closed-loop transfer function. Finally, we extend this synthesis approach to address mixed gain and phase constraints on the closed-loop transfer function.
Aplysia seductin is a water-borne protein pheromone that acts in concert with attractin to stimulate mate attraction.

Abstract Mate attraction in Aplysia involves the long-distance water-borne protein pheromones attractin, enticin, and temptin which are released during egg-laying. Other water-borne pheromones are predicted to act in concert with attractin, enticin, and temptin, but their identities were unknown. We recently identified a highly expressed Aplysia californica albumen gland gene ( Alb-23 ) that encoded a novel protein by differential library screening of an albumen gland cDNA library. To determine whether Alb-23 (‘seductin’) was a water-borne pheromone, we employed Western blot analysis, purification and expression of albumen gland proteins, immunolocalization studies, pheromone secretion assays, comparative genomics, and behavioral bioassays. Immunoreactive seductin was detected in eluates of egg cordons, indicating that seductin was secreted onto the cordon during egg laying. Aplysia brasiliana seductin was 94% identical to its A. californica homolog. In T-maze attraction assays, the combination of attractin and seductin was significantly attractive to potential mates, whereas either protein alone was not. Data from this and previous studies support the hypothesis that seductin is a water-borne protein pheromone that acts in concert with attractin, enticin, and temptin to attract Aplysia to form and maintain mating aggregations.
Adaptive book: teaching and learning environment for programming education

In this paper, the authors presented another yet approach to a content-delivery mechanism for designing and teaching programming courses. The approach is based on utilizing the electronic adaptive book that delivers just-in-time interactive learning modules to individual students and thus results in a more efficient teaching process. Initially motivated by merging the process of teaching and learning into one integrated environment, the model presented provides customization (instructor's view) and personalization (student's view) of content. This knowledge-transfer environment is assembled using a repository of learning objects. The adaptive book technology allows utilization of any repository of IMS/SCORM compatible content.
Animal Model Evaluation of Ayrshire Milk Yield with All Lactations, Herd-Sire Interaction, and Groups Based on Unknown Parents

Abstract An animal model was applied to predict genetic merit for Ayrshire milk yield. The model included fixed herd-year-season (32,287) and random herd-sire interaction (32,159), permanent environment, animal, and residual effects. Animals evaluated included 119,541 cows with 301,799 records, 5762 sires, and 11,893 dams without records. Genetic groups (36) were defined for unknown parents and parents not contributing ties or records. Groups were defined by sex of parent and by birth year and sex of animal with unknown parent. Evaluations included combinations of these group effects derived from tracing each path in pedigree back to an unknown parent group. Iteration was by Gauss-Seidel for herd-year-season, permanent environment, and herd-sire interaction effects and by second-order Jacobi for animal and genetic group effects. Iteration was conducted without forming mixed model equations; instead one copy of data sorted by herd and sire was read each round. About 3.5s of central processing unit time on a Cray X-MP/48 was required per round for the complete model; herd-sire interaction contributed .7s and later lactations, 1.6s. Large memory requirements were reduced by evaluating most animals in groups of herds including up to 2500 cows. Information for animals with progeny outside their herd group remained in memory throughout iteration. Genetic evaluations by an animal model that includes factors presently in the national evaluation system can be computed with present computer resources. Application to major dairy cattle breeds appears possible.
Inversion of Polynomial Systems and Separation of Nonlinear Mixtures of Finite-Alphabet Sources

In this contribution, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mixing systems are considered, which are instantaneous and nonlinear but polynomial. We first address the problem of invertibility, searching the inverse in the class of polynomial systems. It is shown that Grobner bases techniques offer an attractive solution for testing the existence of an exact inverse and computing it. By noticing that any nonlinear mapping can be interpolated by a polynomial on a finite set, we tackle the general nonlinear case. Relying on a finite alphabet assumption of the input source signals, theoretical results on polynomials allow us to represent nonlinear systems as linear combinations of a finite set of monomials. We then generalize the first results to give a condition for the existence of an exact nonlinear inverse. The proposed method allows to compute this inverse in polynomial form. In the light of the previous results, we go further to the blind source separation problem. It is shown that for sources in a finite alphabet, the nonlinear problem is tightly connected with both problems of under determination and of dependent sources. We concentrate on the case of two binary sources, for which an easy solution can be found. By simulation, this solution is compared to techniques borrowed from classification methods.
The complexity, relative value, and financial worth of curbside consultations in an academic infectious diseases unit.

Background. Curbside consultations are common in clinical practice. The complexity, relative value, and revenue loss associated with curbside consultations are not well defined. Methods. Curbside consultations performed during a 1-year period were studied. Each curbside consultation was assigned a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code on the basis of the inpatient versus outpatient status of the patient, initial versus subsequent care, and clinical complexity. On the basis of the CPT code, the physician work component of the relative value unit (wRVU) was assigned for each curbside consultation. The 2005 Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services conversion factor of $37.89 per wRVU was used for cost estimates. Comparisons were made with formal consultations performed during the same time period. Results. A total of 1001 curbside consultations were fielded: 66% involved outpatients, and 97% were coded as initial consultations. A total of 78% of curbside consultations were considered complex in nature, being assigned a CPT code of level 4-5, including 84% of the inpatient and 75% of the outpatient curbside consultations. These curbside consultations would have generated 2480 wRVUs. During the same period, formal consultations generated 12,121 wRVUs. Thus, curbside consultations represented 17% (2480/14,601) of the clinical work value of the infectious diseases unit. If the infectious diseases unit had performed these curbside consultations as formal consultations, an additional $93,979 in revenue would have been generated. Conclusions. Curbside consultations are common and complex. The curbside consultation should be incorporated into measures of infectious diseases providers' productivity and compensation.
Believable performance agents for interactive conversations

As computers become more integrated into our everyday lives, they will need to be able to interact with us within the context of our world as well as theirs. While it is unlikely that we will ever want all interactions with a computer to mimic dialogs with other people, it is clear that they will need to be able to engage in coherent, compelling conversations with people who are not thinking of them as machines. Our effort, and the system described below, is aimed at approaching this goal by creating a framework for believable performance agents within the content of interactive theatrical experiences.
Assessing engineering students' abilities to resolve ethical dilemmas

ABET's accreditation criteria provides additional impetus for preparing engineering graduates to act in an ethically responsible manner. However, methods to assess the effectiveness of educational efforts to do this remain primitive at best. We describe the first phase of a joint study at the University of Pittsburgh and the Colorado School of Mines to develop a measurement tool for assessing students' abilities to recognize and resolve ethical dilemmas. Pre- and post-tests at the beginning and end of a semester-long course focusing on engineering ethics are used to assess students' comprehension, analysis, and resolution of ethical dilemmas. Each test consists of two ethical dilemmas addressed through a response essay that is then holistically scored using a rubric that classifies students' level of achievement. Results are analyzed using statistical methods to determine if any "shifts " have occurred to indicate a significant positive change in the cohort's collective ability. A second phase will involve the development of a web-based assessment instrument similar to CSM's Cogito/sup /spl copy// that can be easily used by engineering faculty.
EFFECTS OF ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT ON PARATHYROIDECTOMIZED RATS

The purpose of this paper is to report briefly some experiments on the effect of ultraviolet light upon thyroparathyroidectomized albino rats. Similar experiments have already been done by Swingle and Rhingold (1) upon the dog. The rat is in some ways a more convenient subject, and the general interest at the present time in the therapeutic application of ultraviolet light, as well as the possibility that such work might help to elucidate the physiology of the parathyroids, seemed to justify experiments on another variety of animal. However, the results here reported for the rat will be found to agree in general with those obtained for the dog. In the preliminary experiments, the lack of sensitiveness of the rat to ultraviolet light became apparent. Through the cooperation of Miss Irene Smith of the Physiotherapy Department the author was enabled to use a number of mercuryvapor quartz lamps which are routinely used in the treatment of Dispensary patients.
Balloons, cut-edges, matchings, and total domination in regular graphs of odd degree

A balloon in a graph G is a maximal 2-edge-connected subgraph incident to exactly one cut-edge of G. Let b(G) be the number of balloons, let c(G) be the number of cut-edges, and let α′(G) be the maximum size of a matching. Let \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage[mathscr]{euscript}\footskip=0pc\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\mathcal{F}}_{{{n}},{{r}}}$\end{document} be the family of connected (2r+1)-regular graphs with n vertices, and let \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage[mathscr]{euscript}\footskip=0pc\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${{b}}={{max}}\{{{b}}({{G}}): {{G}}\in {\mathcal{F}}_{{{n}},{{r}}}\}$\end{document}. For \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage[mathscr]{euscript}\footskip=0pc\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${{G}}\in{\mathcal{F}}_{{{n}},{{r}}}$\end{document}, we prove the sharp inequalities c(G)l[r(n-2)-2]-(2r2+2r-1)-1 and α′(G)gn-2-rb-(2r+1). Using bl[(2r-1)n+2]-(4r2+4r-2), we obtain a simple proof of the bound \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage[mathscr]{euscript}\footskip=0pc\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}\begin{eqnarray*}\alpha\prime(G)\ge\frac{n}{2}-\frac{r}{2}\frac{(2r-1)n+2}{(2r+1)(2r^2+2r-1)}\end{eqnarray*}\end{document}proved by Henning and Yeo. For each of these bounds and each r, the approach using balloons allows us to determine the infinite family where equality holds. For the total domination number γt(G) of a cubic graph, we prove γt(G)ln-2-b(G)-2 (except that γt(G) may be n-2-1 when b(G)=3 and the balloons cover all but one vertex). With α′(G)gn-2-b(G)-3 for cubic graphs, this improves the known inequality γt(G)lα′(G). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 64: 116–131, 2010
Blood biomarkers for prostate cancer detection and prognosis

Prostate cancer is the most non-cutaneous malignancy diagnosed in men in the USA. The discovery of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) revolutionized prostate cancer diagnosis and management in the 1990s. Despite its remarkable performance as a marker for prostate cancer, PSA is not prostate cancer specific. PSA can be released by normal as well as hyperplastic prostate cells, which undermines the specificity of PSA for prostate cancer diagnosis. Hence, there is a need for new biomarkers that can detect prostate cancer and, in addition, distinguish indolent from biologically aggressive cancers. Moreover, the emergence of new therapeutic approaches for prostate cancer cannot flourish without a more reliable set of markers to serve as prognosticators, targets and surrogate end points of disease progression and response to treatment. As the most useful clinical biomarkers are likely to be those assayed from blood, there is an increasing interest in profiling blood proteins. With recent advances in biotechnology such as high-throughput molecular analyses, many potential blood biomarkers have been identified and are currently under investigation.
Anästhesie für geburtshilflich-operative Eingriffe

Das American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (1) empfielt eine vagi-bungsperiode bei protrahierter Austreibungsperiode und/oder fetalem Distress abzukurzen. Man unterscheidet Beckenausgangszange, niedrige und mittlere Zangenextration. Im Gegensatz zur niedrigen Zange geht die mittlere Zangenextraktion mit siknifikanter mutterlicher und fetaler Morbiditat und Mortalitat einher (2). Die haufigste vaginale Entbindungsoperation ist die Beckenausgangszange zur Verkurzung der Austreibungsperiode. Falls die Vorbedingungen einer Beckenausgangszange (siehe Tabelle 37) erfullt werden, ist die Prognose mit der einer vaginalen Spontangeburt vergleichbar (3). Fetale Komplikationen sind: Kephalhamatom, Schadelfraktur, intrakranielle Blutungen, Nervenlahmungen im Arm-oder Kopfbereich, Nabelschnurkompression und die neonatale Asphyxie. Mutterliche Komplikationen sind neben Weichteilhamatomen Darm-und Uterusverletzungen. Die Zangengeburt kann bei Kopfoder Beckenendlagen angewandt werden. In den letzten Jahren ist das Interesse an der Vakuumextration groser geworden. Diese Methode stellt eine Alternative zur Zangenextraktion bei protrahierter Austreibungsphase dar. Ob sie der Zangenextraktion bezuglich mutterlichem oder fetalem Risiko uberlegen ist, ist derzeit noch unklar (4). Der Operateur benotigt eine gute Relaxation der Beckenbodenmuskulatur und eine ausreichende Analgesie des Vaginaltraktes und des Perineums. Die Austreibungskrafte der Mutter konnen, wenn sie nicht mit den geburtshilflichen Masnahmen synchronisiert werden, das Operationsrisiko erhohen. Eine ausreichende Episiotomie sollte durchgefuhrt werden.
Human Immune Responses to Giardia lamblia

Epidemiologic, clinical, and experimental observations indicate that man develops an immune response to Giardia lamblia. Studies of several giardiasis outbreaks (Moore et al., 1969; Barbour et al., 1976) show that individuals repeatedly exposed to G. lamblia have a lower incidence of infection and symptoms than newly exposed individuals, suggesting that prior exposure imparts partial resistance to reinfection. Clinical observations (Hughes et al., 1971; Ajdukiewicz et al., 1972; Ament et al., 1973; Brown et al., 1973; Hermans et al., 1976) of hypogammaglobulinemic patients reveal that these individuals have an increased prevalence of giardiasis, emphasizing the potential importance of antibody in the immunity to this parasite. In addition, a high prevalence of G. lamblia infection in homosexual men (Meyers et al., 1977; Hurwitz and Owen, 1978; Schmerin et al., 1978) suggests that cellular immunity may participate in man’s response to Giardia, since many homosexuals have an acquired T-cell defect (Masur et al., 1982; Siegal et al., 1982; Gottlieb et al., 1982). As discussed in Chapter 11, recent investigations (Roberts-Thomson et al., 1976; Stevens et al., 1978; Roberts-Thomson and Mitchell, 1978) in experimental G. muris infection in mice confirm the role of immunity in the murine response to Giardia, Recently, macrophages have also been implicated in immunity to this parasite, since macrophages of both mice (Owen et al., 1981) and rabbits (Radulescu and Meyer, 1981) are capable of phagocytosing Giardia.