cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
False Discovery in A/B Testing

We investigate what fraction of all significant results in website A/B testing are actually null effects, i.e., the false discovery rate (FDR). Our data consists of 4,964 effects from 2,766 experiments conducted on a commercial A/B testing platform. Using three different methods, we find that the FDR ranges between 28% and 37% for tests conducted at 10% significance, and between 18% and 25% for tests at 5% significance (two-sided). These high FDRs stem mostly from the high fraction of true-null effects, about 70%, rather than from low power. Using our estimates we also assess the potential of various A/B test designs to reduce the FDR. The two main implications are that decision makers should expect 1 in 5 interventions achieving significance at 5% confidence to be ineffective when deployed in the field, and that analysts should consider using two-stage designs with multiple variations rather than basic A/B tests.
Clonal propagation of palms

Palm products, historically and currently, are important sources of economic revenues for sub-tropical and tropical countries (e.g. palm oil accounts for 15% of the world’s total vegetable oil) [20]. The only means of vegetative propagation in palms, being monocotyledons, is restricted to vegetative lateral bud outgrowths (offshoots) which are produced during the juvenile phase of their life-cycle (e.g. Phoenix dactylifera L., date palm). Only a limited number of vegetative lateral bud outgrowths are produced in the life of a tree. When the palm tree reaches the adult phase of their life-cycle, lateral buds become entirely reproductive in nature (i.e. inflorescences). Several economically important palms (e.g. coconut palm, Cocos nucifera L. and oil palm, Elaeis guineensis L.) do not produce any offshoots during their juvenility. Micropropagation of palms appears to provide an ideal method to obtain numerous clonal palms. Production of desirable clonal palms through tissue culture has been suggested as a means to substantially increase fruit product yields/tree [1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 13, 15, 17, 24, 29, 31].
Optimal Design of Queueing Systems

This book explores how to set the parameters of a queueing system, before putting it into operation. It considers various optimality criteria, including individual, social, class, and facility optimal solutions. The book first covers the optimal arrival rate model for a single-facility, single-class queue as well as dynamic algorithms for finding individually or socially optimal arrival rates and prices. It then examines several special cases of multiclass queues, presents models in which the service rate is a decision variable, and extends models and techniques to multifacility queueing systems. Focusing on networks of queues, the final chapters emphasize the qualitative properties of optimal solutions.
Enlightenment and Action from Descartes to Kant: Passionate Thought

Kant believed that true enlightenment is the use of reason freely in public. This book systematicaaly traces the philosophical origins and development of the idea that the improvement of human understanding requires public activity. Michael Losonsky focuses on seventeenth-century discussions of the problem of irresolution and the closely connected theme of the role of volition in human belief formation. This involves a discussion of the work of Descartes, Hobbes, Locke, Spinoza and Leibniz. Challenging the traditional views of seventeenth-century philosophy and written in a lucid, non-technical language, this book will be eagerly sought out by historians of philosophy and students of the history of ideas.
Biosynthesis of ubiquinones in animals.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the biosynthesis of ubiquinones in animals. The biosynthesis of ubiquinones or coenzyme Q in animal tissues is a multienzymatic process involving the assembly of portions of the molecule derived from various precursors that may be demonstrated in whole animals and tissue slices. The aromatic ring system is derived from phenylalanine or tyrosine. This pathway involves the transamination of the aromatic amino acid, reduction to a lactate derivative, dehydration, and β -oxidation to benzoate or p -hydroxybenzoate. The preferred pathway in rat liver is by tyrosine and p -hydroxybenzoate, although benzoate is also a good source of ring fragment in rat liver. In vitamin A deficiency in the rat, the metabolism of isoprenoid compounds appears to be directed toward squalene and long-chain isoprenylated compounds, such as coenzyme Q and coenzyme Q–chromenol (its cyclic isomer), and away from sterol synthesis.
Bifurcations and bursting of streaks in the turbulent wall layer

The dynamics of infinitely long steamwise rolls in the wall region of a turbulent boundary layer have been described by a ten dimensional representation of Aubry et al. (1988). In this model, the rolls undergo intermittent cross stream dynamics which qualitatively resemble the cyclic bursting event experimentally observed. The explosion phenomenon in this model is due to the presence of a heteroclinic cycle in the phase space, a connection between saddle points, where each saddle represents streamwise rolls. We demonstrate here that the dynamics of streamwise rolls of finite length is also strongly intermittent. This intermittency is still of the heteroclinic type. Streamwise modes, absent in Aubry et al.’s model and included in the present study, participate to the explosion events, corresponding to a streamwise burst in the physical space. A stability analysis of the systems linearized at the fixed points which represent steady rolls is presented in dynamical systems of dimensions as high as 32 and 54 so that bifurcations to intermittency are clearly identified. We show that all non zero streamwise Fourier modes eventually burst, resulting in a streamwise energy cascade during the bursts. Although the explosion of the zero and first non zero streamwise Fourier modes occur through bifurcations of the system linearized about the fixed points (i.e. the rolls), the activation of all higher modes is a result of non linear phenomena.
The Promise and Peril of Protesting in the Internet Era

This essay briefly examines the impact of Internet technologies on protestors and their First Amendment freedoms. The essay first surveys the existing legal and administrative framework that courts apply to assess the constitutionality of restrictions on protestors, which currently results in significant regulation of their activities. It then examines how Internet technologies allow protestors to maintain their protest activities in the face of repressive police tactics or inhospitable legal rules. Finally, it acknowledges that while Internet technologies can aid protestors’ expressive freedoms, it can also aid in their repression by giving government officials control over access to the Internet or surveillance of protest activities.
Client‐Centered Therapy

Developed in the 1940s by the American psychologist Carl Rogers (1902–87), client-centered psychotherapy is focused on the client taking responsibility for discoveries and decisions in psychotherapy while the therapist creates an optimal growth environment through genuineness, empathy, and unconditional positive regard. Client-centered theory posits that each individual's experience is divided into a conscious self-concept and an organismic self, or who one believes one should be and who one truly is, respectively. In an optimal change environment, clients find congruency between these two and shift from being guided by external frameworks to being guided by inner experiences. Client-centered psychotherapy is supported by research as efficacious and has been provided to children and adults for a broad range of problems and diagnoses. Keywords: psychotherapies; Rogers, Carl; empathy; humanistic psychology; therapy
Methods and algorithms of data assimilation and its application in agriculture

Data assimilation is an advanced and innovative set of techniques for variable estimation, especially in agriculture research in recent years, which integrates not only remote sensing data products, other measurements, but also land dynamic models. It can provide more abundant and precise data set, and extend data's spatiotemporal scale. In this paper, firstly composition and assimilation methods of land data assimilation were briefly introduced, secondly two main data assimilation algorithms such as sequential based and cost function based were mainly described, thirdly some cases of data assimilation applications in agriculture were listed. And fourthly, the limits of data assimilation in agriculture were analyzed, for instance, parameters and driven data setting, algorithm optimization, crop model perfection and remote sensing quantification. These questions may be resolved with more sources of remote sensing data, assimilation theory, crop model and development of quantitative remote sensing. Finally, the prospects of assimilation application in agriculture were analyzed.
A preliminary computational investigation of a macro-model for vuggy porous media

A vug is a relatively large void region or cavity in a rock. A vuggy porous medium has many vugs scattered throughout its extent; moreover, these vugs may be interconnected. A Darcy-Stokes system of equations is needed to describe the flow on the micro-scale. Recently a macro-model of flow was derived by mathematical homogenization that provides the effective permeability of a vuggy medium. In this paper we present two computational studies to illustrate and verify this macro-model. In the first study, we illuminate the nature of the effective permeability itself by considering vuggy media with (i) layered vugs (ii) meandering vug channels, (iii) constricted vug channels, and (iv) disconnected vugs. We find that vug connectivity is the most critical variable in predicting macroscopic properties. In the second study, we consider the macro-model. We compare fluid flow in a vuggy medium on the micro-scale to that on the macro-scale. We find support for the macro-model, and again find that vug interconnectivity is the critical variable to preserve in the upscaling process.
Kinetic Instabilities in a Thin Current Sheet

A thin current sheet with thickness comparable to the ion inertial length gives rise to decoupling of ions from electrons. This situation is favorable for a number of dynamic processes leading to particle acceleration and plasma turbulence. In this article, we investigate the cross-field current instability that can be excited in a thin current sheet with a non-zero magnetic field component normal to the current sheet surface. There is strong observational evidence for this instability and substantial theoretical work on it. We first discuss briefly the observational basis, followed by a brief overview of theoretical predictions. We then present particle simulation of this instability for a thin current sheet using a two-dimensional fully electromagnetic particle-in- cell code. The instability is found to develop rapidly, resulting in particle acceleration, current filamentation, current density reduction at the sheet center, current sheet broadening, and undulations of the current sheet profile. These features revealed from simulation are quite similar to those observed for current disruption.
Mifepristone Utilization in Cushing’s From Large Bilateral Adrenal Adenoma Prior to Surgery

Utilization of mifepristone was described to mitigate hypercortisolism from bilateral adrenal Cushing’s syndrome. A 47-year-old female on abdominal pain evaluation with CT was found to have a 5.4 × 1.7 × 4.9 cm right adrenal nodule and a 4.3 × 2.9 × 3.3 cm left adrenal nodule with calcification on CT scan with each having density of -3 Housefield units. She had hypercortisolism with testing revealing high urine free cortisol, unsuppressed cortisol on 1 mg and 8 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression testing, high 11 pm salivary cortisol × 2 along with elevated random cortisol and undetectable ACTH. Her DHEA-S, plasma metanephrine, and rostenedione, renin and aldosterone levels were normal. Adrenal venous sampling for lateralization of hypercortisolism source using dexamethasone 2 mg PO Q 6 hours × 1 day, showed adrenal vein epinephrine levels step up > 100 pg/mL, indicating successful catheterization. Each side adrenal vein to vena caval cortisol ratio > 4 was consistent with autonomous cortisol secretion and left to right adrenal cortisol ratio 50 lbs weight loss, improved blood pressure, complete healing of chronic lower extremity cellulitis and independent ambulation within 4 months. Initially right adrenal adenoma and then left adrenal adenoma were resected in two separate surgeries and pathology showed bilateral enlarged adrenal glands with multiple adrenocortical nodules without adrenal carcinoma. Mifepristone, FDA approved for inoperable Cushing’s, facilitated pre-surgery optimization by effectively mitigating hypercortisolism. Mifepristone was utilized as a bridge for Cushing’s medical management prior to surgery. J Endocrinol Metab. 2015;5(3):226-228 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jem288w
Failure Mechanisms of Woven Carbon and Glass Composites

Stress-strain responses in tension, compression, and shear of a five-harness satin-weave carbon/epoxy composite and a four-harness satin-weave glass/epoxy composite have been examined. Damage progression under tension was examined by optical microscopic inspection of the polished edges of the specimens. Models for elastic property and failure predictions of woven-fabric composites were examined and correlated with the experimental data. Damage inspection of the carbon/epoxy composite under tension revealed that the initial failure was cracking of pure matrix regions followed by transverse bundle cracking. Fill/weft debonding and longitudinal splits of the fill bundles occurred close to ultimate failure of the composite. The glass/epoxy composite displayed damage in the form of fill/weft debonding and longitudinal splits, but no transverse yarn cracking. The damage observed in both composites was confined to the region where ultimate failure occurred. Elastic properties of the composites were overall in good agreement with micromechanical predictions based on uniform strain, but failure stress predictions were less accurate.
The Effective Utilization of Intellectual Abilities and Job-relevant Knowledge in Group Performance: Cognitive Resource Theory and an Agenda for the Future

La theorie des ressources cognitives cherche a rendre compte du role que jouent les aptitudes intellectuelles, les connaissances techniques et l'experience professionnelle dans le leadership et la performance de groupe. L'article resume les hypotheses de la theorie des ressources cognitives concernant l'exploitation efficace par le leader de son intelligence et de son experience et propose de nouvelles perspectives pour des recherches a venir. Cognitive resource theory seeks to explain the role which intellectual abilities, technical knowledge and job-relevant experience play in determining leadership and group performance. This paper summarises the hypotheses of cognitive resource theory as they relate to the effective utilisation of leader intelligence and experience, and proposes new directions for further research.
K vitamins, PTP antagonism, and cell growth arrest

The main function of K vitamins is to act as co-factors for gamma-glutamyl carboxylase. However, they have also recently been shown to inhibit cell growth. We have chemically synthesized a series of K vitamin analogs with various side chains at the 2 or 3 position of the core naphthoquinone structure. The analogs with short thio-ethanol side chains are found to be more potent growth inhibitors in vitro of various tumor cell lines. Cpd 5 or [2-(2-mercaptoethanol)-3-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone] is one of the most potent. The anti-proliferation activity of these compounds is antagonized by exogenous thiols but not by non-thiol antioxidants. This suggests that the growth inhibition is mediated by sulfhydryl arylation of cellular glutathione and cysteine-containing proteins and not by oxidative stress. The protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP) are an important group of proteins that contain cysteine at their catalytic site. PTPs regulate mitogenic signal transduction and cell cycle progression. PTP inhibition by Cpd 5 results in prolonged tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of several kinases and transcription factors including EGFR, ERK1/2, and Elk1. Cpd 5 could activate ERK1/2 either by signaling from an activated EGFR, which is upstream in the signaling cascade, or by direct inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphatase(s). Prolonged ERK1/2 phosphorylation strongly correlates with Cpd 5-mediated growth inhibition. Cpd 5 can also bind to and inhibit the Cdc25 family of dual specific phosphatases. As a result, several Cdc25 substrates (Cdk1, Cdk2, Cdk4) involved in cell cycle progression are tyrosine phosphorylated and thereby inhibited by its action. Cpd 5 could also inhibit both normal liver regeneration and hepatoma growth in vivo. DNA synthesis during rat liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy, transplantable rat hepatoma cell growth, and glutathione-S-transferase-pi expressing hepatocytes after administration of the chemical carcinogen diethylnitrosamine, are all inhibited by Cpd 5 administration. The growth inhibitory effect during liver regeneration and transplantable tumor growth is also correlated with ERK1/2 phosphorylation induced by Cpd 5. Thus, Cpd 5-mediated inhibition of PTPs, such as Cdc25 leads to cell growth arrest due to altered activity of key cellular kinases involved in signal transduction and cell cycle progression. This prototype K vitamin analog represents a novel class of growth inhibitor based upon its action as a selective PTP antagonist. It is clearly associated with prolonged ERK1/2 phosphorylation, which is in contrast with the transient ERK1/2 phosphorylation induced by growth stimulatory mitogens.
Ligand-Activated Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor β/δ Modulates Human Endometrial Cancer Cell Survival

Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common malignancy among women and is a major cause of morbidity contributing to approximately 8,200 annual deaths in the USA. Despite advances to the understanding of endometrial cancer, novel interventions for the disease are necessary given that many tumors become refractory to therapy. As a strategy to identify novel therapies for endometrial carcinoma, in this study, we examined the contribution of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β/δ (PPARβ/δ) to endometrial cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis. We found that when activated with the highly selective PPARβ/δ agonists, GW0742 and GW501516, PPARβ/δ inhibited the proliferation and markedly induced the apoptosis of three endometrial cancer cell lines. The specificity of the PPARβ/δ-induced effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis was demonstrated using PPARβ/δ-selective antagonists and PPARβ/δ small interfering RNA in combination with PPARβ/δ-selective agonists. Furthermore, we showed that PPARβ/δ activation increased phosphatase and tensin homolog expression, which led to protein kinase B (AKT) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) dephosphorylation, and increased β-catenin phosphorylation associated with its degradation. Overall, our data suggest that the antitumorigenic effect of PPARβ/δ activation in endometrial cancer is mediated through the negative regulation of the AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway. These findings warrant further investigation of PPARβ/δ as a therapeutic target in endometrial cancer.
Using neural networks to assess flight deck human-automation interaction

Abstract The increased complexity and interconnectivity of flight deck automation has made the prediction of human–automation interaction (HAI) difficult and has resulted in a number of accidents and incidents. There is a need to develop objective and robust methods by which the changes in HAI brought about by the introduction of new automation into the flight deck could be predicted and assessed prior to implementation and without use of extensive simulation. This paper presents a method to model a parametrization of flight deck automation known as HART and link it to HAI consequences using a backpropagation neural network approach. The transformation of the HART into a computational model suitable for modeling as a neural network is described. To test and train the network data were collected from 40 airline pilots for six HAI consequences based on one scenario family consisting of a baseline and four variants. For a binary classification of HAI consequences, the neural network successfully classified 62–78.5% depending on the consequence. The results were verified using a decision tree analysis.
Effects of Receptor Binding Specificity of Avian Influenza Virus on the Human Innate Immune Response

Humans infected by the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) present unusually high concentrations in serum of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which are believed to contribute to the high pathogenicity of these viruses. The hemagglutinins (HAs) of avian influenza viruses preferentially bind to sialic acids attached through α2,3 linkages (SAα2,3) to the terminal galactose of carbohydrates on the host cell surface, while the HAs from human strains bind to α2,6-linked SA (SAα2,6). To evaluate the role of the viral receptor specificity in promoting innate immune responses in humans, we generated recombinant influenza viruses, one bearing the HA and neuraminidase (NA) genes from the A/Vietnam/1203/2004 H5N1 HPAIV in an influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (A/PR/8/34) backbone with specificity for SAα2,3 and the other a mutant virus (with Q226L and G228S in the HA) with preferential receptor specificity for SAα2,6. Viruses with preferential affinity for SAα2,3 induced higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines and interferon (IFN)-inducible genes in primary human dendritic cells (DCs) than viruses with SAα2,6 binding specificity, and these differences were independent of viral replication, as shown by infections with UV-inactivated viruses. Moreover, human primary macrophages and respiratory epithelial cells showed higher expression of proinflammatory genes after infection with the virus with SAα2,3 affinity than after infection with the virus with SAα2,6 affinity. These data indicate that binding to SAα2,3 by H5N1 HPAIV may be sensed by human cells differently than binding to SAα2,6, inducing an exacerbated innate proinflammatory response in infected individuals.
The effect of dietary salt ingestion on blood pressure of old-old subjects. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

To study the effect of dietary salt restriction and supplementation on blood pressure of elderly subjects, we performed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial. Seven healthy subjects living in a long-term care facility, with a mean age of 85 and normal to borderline-hypertensive blood pressures, completed a 16-week protocol. During the double-blind cycles, subjects consumed either a low sodium (43 mmol/day) or a high sodium diet (175 mmol/day) for four weeks supplemented with placebo or salt capsules, with crossover to the other diet. Sitting diastolic blood pressure was significantly lower during the low sodium diet (69.86 mmHg +/- 3.80 vs 78.71 mmHg +/- 3.99, P less than .01), with all subjects showing decreases. Supine plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone were significantly lower during the high sodium diet. Both low and high sodium diets were well-tolerated by subjects. Symptomatic postural hypotension and hyponatremia were not observed. We conclude that old-old subjects with borderline hypertension demonstrate salt-dependent increases in blood pressure. Without additional supportive studies, however, these results should not be generalized to any specific cohort of elderly individuals.
829 DISACCHARIDASE LEVELS IN THE INTESTINE OF IRON DEFICIENT INFANTS AND RESPONSE TO IRON TREATMENT

During the course of an investigation into gut function in severe iron deficient anemia, we observed impairment of lactose tolerance and a deficiency in small intestinal disaccharidase activity. Of 10 subjects with severe iron deficiency anemia (mean hemoglobin level 6.4 gm/dl, range 5.2-7.1 gm/dl) 6 had evidence of abnormal lactose tolerance tests (mean maximum blood glucose rise before iron therapy after lactose load was 19.0 mg/dl, range 5-28 mg/dl compared to 58.3 mg/dl, range 38-86 mg/dl post iron therapy). Of the 6 who had abnormal lactose tolerance tests 5 had intestinal biopsies. All of these showed reduced disaccharidase activities (lactase, sucrase, maltase) both quantitatively and qualitatively and reduction in cytochrome oxidase and succinic dehydrogenase. Light and electron microscopy were normal in all these patients. Following oral iron therapy, the abnormal lactose tolerance tests returned to normal in all the patients and the one patient in whom an intestinal biopsy was carried out following iron therapy there was a quantitative increase in the disaccharidase activity. Although abnormalities of gut function are well known to occur in iron deficiency anemia, impairment of small intestinal disaccharidase activity has not previously been described in human iron deficiency. This impairment of lactose tolerance is transient and responds to oral iron therapy.
A novel technique for analysis of accuracy of magnetic tracking systems used in image guided surgery

With the increased use and development of image-guided surgical applications, there is a need for methods of analysis of the accuracy and precision of the components which compose these systems. One primary component of an image-guided surgery system is the position tracking system which allows for the localization of a tool within the surgical field and provides information which is translated back to the images. Previously much work has been done in characterizing these systems for spatial accuracy and precision. Much of this previous work examines single tracking systems or modalities. We have devised a method which allows for the characterization of a novel tracking system independent of modality and location. We describe the development of a phantom system which allows for rapid design and creation of surfaces with different geometries. We have also demonstrated a method of analysis of the data generated by this phantom system, and used it to compare Biosense-Webster's CartoXP TM , and Northern Digital's Aurora TM magnetic trackers. We have determined that the accuracy and precision of the CartoXP was best, followed closely by the Aurora's dome volume, then the Aurora's cube volume. The mean accuracy for all systems was better than 3mm and decays with distance from the field generator.
Membrane-proximal calcium transients in stimulated neutrophils detected by total internal reflection fluorescence.

A novel fluorescence microscope/laser optical system was developed to measure fast transients of membrane-proximal versus bulk cytoplasmic intracellular calcium levels in cells labeled with a fluorescent calcium indicator. The method is based on the rapid chopping of illumination of the cells between optical configurations for epifluorescence, which excites predominantly the bulk intracellular region, and total internal reflection fluorescence, which excites only the region within approximately 100 nm of the cell-substrate contact. This method was applied to Fluo-3-loaded neutrophils that were activated by the chemoattractant N-formyl-met-leu-phe. Chemoattractant-activated cells showed 1) transient increases in both membrane-proximal and bulk cytosolic Ca2+ that peaked simultaneously; 2) a larger fractional change (20–60%) in membrane-proximal Ca2+ relative to bulk cytosolic Ca2+ that peaked at a time when the main Ca2+ transient was decreasing in both regions and that persisted well after the main transient was over. This method should be applicable to a wide variety of cell types and fluorescent ion indicators in which membrane-proximal ionic transients may be different from those deeper within the cytosol.
Neurogenesis Continues in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy and Is Suppressed by Premature Birth

Premature infants exhibit neurodevelopmental delay and reduced growth of the cerebral cortex. However, the underlying mechanisms have remained elusive. Therefore, we hypothesized that neurogenesis in the ventricular and subventricular zones of the cerebral cortex would continue in the third trimester of pregnancy and that preterm birth would suppress neurogenesis. To test our hypotheses, we evaluated autopsy materials from human fetuses and preterm infants of 16-35 gestational weeks (gw). We noted that both cycling and noncycling Sox2(+) radial glial cells and Tbr2(+) intermediate progenitors were abundant in human preterm infants until 28 gw. However, their densities consistently decreased from 16 through 28 gw. To determine the effect of premature birth on neurogenesis, we used a rabbit model and compared preterm [embryonic day 29 (E29), 3 d old] and term (E32, <2 h old) pups at an equivalent postconceptional age. Glutamatergic neurogenesis was suppressed in preterm rabbits, as indicated by the reduced number of Tbr2(+) intermediate progenitors and the increased number of Sox2(+) radial glia. Additionally, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor, and erythropoietin were higher in term than preterm pups, reflecting the hypoxic intrauterine environment of just-born term pups. Proneural genes, including Pax6 and Neurogenin-1 and -2, were higher in preterm rabbit pups compared with term pups. Importantly, neurogenesis and associated factors were restored in preterm pups by treatment with dimethyloxallyl glycine, a hypoxia mimetic agent. Hence, glutamatergic neurogenesis continues in the premature infants, preterm birth suppresses neurogenesis, and hypoxia-mimetic agents might restore neurogenesis, enhance cortical growth, and improve neurodevelopmental outcome of premature infants.
Microcomputer monitoring of circadian rhythms.

Abstract A method is described for conducting and evaluating circadian rhythm experiments. This procedure utilizes and Apple II + microcomputer which is configured to monitor multiple digital and analog data channels, and also to control environmental lighting schedules. This microcomputer system can also be used to analyze and plot the time series data.
PROBLEM SOLVING AND METACOGNITION

Summary.-The problem-solving abilities and metacognitive functions of two types of creative individuals were examined using 19 English and 19 Mathematics and Computer Science majors from a private midwestern university. Analyses of scores on 9 dependent variables, while not providing evidence of statistically significant differences between the two groups, suggested a closer examination of the possible group distinctions. Ghiselin (1952) has collected a number of essays concerning the uniform manner in which creative people solve problems and describe mental processes. The reports are characterized by the insistence that (1) the influential stimuli are usually completely obscure (the individual has no idea what factors promoted the solution) and (2) even the fact that a process is taking place is sometimes unknown to the individual prior to a solution appearing in consciousness. Contrary to Ghiselin's findings that creative people approach problem solving and higher mental processes in a uniform manner, this study investigated the possibility that differences exist among various types of creative individuals. This study's aim was to solicit a college student population which closely mirrored the occupations represented in the Ghiselin study. English majors were chosen as substitutes for the writers found in Ghiselin's study, while Mathematics and Computer Science majors were chosen as substitutes for the mathematicians. Two research questions were raised to test the earlier findings. First, do the problem-solving abilities of English and Mathematics and Computer Science majors differ? Second, in solving problems do the latter use different metacognitive functions than the former? Subjects were upperclass undergraduates, 19 English majors and 19 Mathematics and Computer Science majors, from a private midwestern university. Subjects received verbal instructions highlighting the importance of thinking aloud and describing their thought processes during completion of the task, the Tower of Hanoi ~roblem. The investigator directly observed the subjects while they were audiotaped and monitored their time to complete the task, steps taken to complete the problem, errors, and other pertinent information. Upon completion of the problem, a series of follow-up questions were asked and subjects' responses were recorded. Finally, subjects completed a paper-and-pencil instrument of five choice-confined questions concerning various metacognitive functions.
PH-20: a novel tumor marker for laryngeal cancer

Objective To determine whether levels of PH-20, a hyaluronidase similar to that found in human sperm, are elevated in laryngeal cancer tissue. Design In this case-control study, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to measure levels of PH-20 messenger RNA in tissue taken from laryngectomy specimens. Setting A university medical center. Patients We compared tissue samples taken from 11 patients with laryngeal cancer, and from 2 metastatic lymph nodes, with samples of normal, healthy laryngeal tissue and prostate cancer tissue (positive control). Main Outcome Measure PH-20 complementary DNA expression as quantified by densitometric analysis. Results Expression of PH-20 was significantly higher in nonirradiated laryngeal cancer specimens than in normal laryngeal tissue ( P P = .11) and normal laryngeal tissue ( P Conclusions We report the first data on PH-20 expression in laryngeal cancer tissue. PH-20 expression is significantly elevated in primary laryngeal cancer tissue and seems to be even higher in metastatic lesions compared with normal laryngeal tissue. PH-20 may be a useful tumor marker and prognostic tool for laryngeal cancer.
Fungus found in galls of Adelges abietis (L.) (Homoptera: Adelgidae): identification, within-tree distribution, and possible impact on insect survival.

A fungus found in galls of the eastern spruce gall adelgid, Adelges abietis (L.), was identified as Chladysporium sphaerospermum Penzig (Class: Fungi Imperfecti). Infested galls were distributed evenly within individual trees but varied in numbers among trees and sampling periods. Within infested galls, the number of infested chambers was not correlated (r = 0.20) with total number of chambers. Although infested chambers contained significantly fewer (α = 0.05) live insects than did noninfested chambers, evidence is insufficient to suggest direct entomopathogenic activity by C. sphaerospermum . An orbatid mite was found feeding on fungal material within infested galls; however, no evidence was found which would indicate that the mite was vectoring the fungus.
Marx, Weber, and development sociology: Beyond the impasse

Abstract This paper follows from David Booth's (1985) article in World Development in which he identifies underlying metatheoretical problems in Marxist-influenced development sociology which have led to the current impasse in the field. These problems include a commitment to demonstrating the “necessity” of economic and social patterns, system teleology, and functionalism. We suggest that the impasse in development sociology can be overcome through the incorporation of the Weberian tradition. It is important, however, that the version of Weber which is to be appropriated in a restructuring of development theory is not the orthodox tradition, which has the same metatheoretical problems as those of Marxist-influenced development sociology. We argue that the literature in political sociology referred to as the “neo-Weberian” (and sometimes as the “left-Weberian”) tradition—which includes a diversity of work by Karl Polanyi, Barrington Moore and, more recently, Charles Tilly, Anthony Giddens, John Gaventa, Claus Offe, Pierre Bourdieu, Paul Willis and others—is particularly relevant to the impasse in development sociology. These theorists overcome the problems of reifying “ideal types” and formal theorizing by using theory in dialogue with empirical evidence. Finally, we suggest that sociological development theory has lagged in incorporating the Weberian tradition because of a perceived lack of praxis in this approach. We argue instead that the neo-Weberian approach, because it deals with power relations in the context of class, the state, cultural interpretation, and so on, can lead to realistic strategies for the empowerment of the less powerful.
Metrological challenges introduced by new tolerancing standards

The recent release of ISO 14405-1 has provided designers with a richer set of specification tools for the size of part features, so that various functional requirements can be captured with greater fidelity. However, these tools also bring new challenges and pitfalls to an inspector using a coordinate metrology system. A sampling strategy that might have worked well in the past could lead to erroneous results that go undetected when used to evaluate these new specifications. In this paper we investigate how measurement strategies for sampled coordinate metrology systems influence different algorithms for the evaluation of these new specifications. Of particular interest are those specifications where the order statistics of feature cross-sections are required. Here the inspector must decide not only how many points are required for an individual cross-section, but the number and spacing of cross-sections measured on the feature. The results of these decisions are compared with an analytic estimate of the ?true value? of the measurand specified using this new standard.
New effect at superconducting contacts

Abstract When two oxidized superconductors are in pressure contact, a current in excess of the normal single-particle tunnel current is obtained over a range of biases extending more than a decade beyond 2Δ.
Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy of Electrode/Electrolyte Interfaces

Surface phenomena define and control the performance of Li-based battery systems hence direct chemical analysis of electrode/electrolyte interfaces can provide critical information for battery scientists and engineers. Recently introduced femtosecond laser induced breakdown spectroscopy has been employed in this work to probe ex situ compositional variations within the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer. Nanoscale depth-profiling was achieved for atomic and molecular species formed on graphite upon reduction in standard, carbonate-based Li-ion electrolyte. We demonstrate unique capabilities of this laser-based technique that allow for straightforward chemical analysis of interphases in air sensitive samples.
Immunotherapy for allergic fungal sinusitis: The second year

Abstract Since August 1994 we have followed a protocol of treating patients with histologically proven allergic fungal sinusitis with surgical extirpation of the involved sinuses, followed by immunotherapy using both fungal and nonfungal antigens to which hypersensitivity is demonstrated by in vitro and skin testing methods. Despite predictions to the contrary, we have encountered no evidence that these injections have worsened the condition of any patients. Rather, we have noted a marked decrease in nasal crusting in all patients, with a minimum amount of recurrent polypoid mucosa and a lessened or absent requirement for corticosteroids (systemic or topical). Two patients treated with immunotherapy required systemic corticosteroids and subsequent revision surgery for residual disease that was present before the start of immunotherapy, and they have done well since. Our experience indicates that the triad of adequate surgery, frequent follow-up and medical management, and immunotherapy with relevant fungal and nonfungal antigens represents an effective means of treating patients with allergic fungal sinusitis. Nevertheless, an even longer period of study will be necessary to provide the final answer regarding the role of immunotherapy in the treatment of allergic fungal sinusitis. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1997;117:367-71.)
THE VICTIM IDEOLOGY OF WHITE SUPREMACISTS AND WHITE SEPARATISTS IN THE UNITED STATES

Abstract In this paper, I examine the ideology of white supremacists and separatists, which portrays Whites as “victims.” I first review several convergences in the recent literature on white supremacist discourse. I argue that the “victim ideology” has been discussed frequently, but generally only in passing, and in the service of other arguments. Following the approach to victimology suggested by Holstein and Miller (1990) I present an empirical constructionist analysis of these “victim claims,” breaking them down into five themes — (1) discrimination, (2) rights abrogations, (3) stigmatization and the denial of pride, (4) loss of self-esteem, and (5) racial elimination. I conclude with some comments on the theoretical and social role of this ideology, and its use as a recruiting tool for the contemporary white supremacist and separatist movement.
Resource scheduling through resource-aware simulation of emergency departments

This paper proposes using resource-aware, discrete-event simulation to measure the effects of resource scheduling in hospital emergency departments. Determining staffing and resource allocation is a complex constraint-optimization problem that has significant impact on hospital costs and patient care quality. We developed detailed models of the emergency department process of caring for patients, the resources available to support that process, and the scheduling constraints on the deployment of those resources. We then ran a battery of discrete-event simulations of this process, varying details of process, resource mixes, and scheduling constraints, to analyze the effects of resource availability (e.g., staffing patterns) on patient length of stay. Our simulation approach proved to be particularly adept at supporting the systematic investigation of two issues of particular interest to domain experts: (1) an excessive focus on minimizing the average length of stay (the objective most typically used for optimizing emergency department staffing) can have undesirable, previously unappreciated effects, (2) too strong a focus on one particular kind of resource as the preferred vehicle for decreasing patient length of stay can tend to obscure the value of considering other kinds of resources. The unexpected nature of some of our results raises open questions about how to validate the results of complex simulations.
Optimal conditions for uptake of exogenous DNA by Chinese hamster lung cells deficient in hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase.

Abstract Conditions were characterized for maximizing the uptake of exogenous mammalian cell DNA by hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase-deficient Chinese hamster lung cells. Recipient cell cultures in an exponential growth phase were found to be more competent in taking up DNA than stationary cultures. Polyornithine enhanced the uptake of exogenous DNA more reproducibly and to a greater extent than did any of the other facilitators tested (DEAE-dextran, CaCl 2 , latex spheres, spermine, polylysine and polyarginine). Maximal DNA incorporation occurred when polyornithine and DNA were mixed together prior to inoculation. About 25–30% of the DNA inoculum became deoxyribonuclease-resistant in a typical experiment utilizing polyornithine as the facilitator. Both homologous and heterologous exogenous DNAs rapidly became associated with recipient cell nuclei: approximately 95% of the deoxyribonuclease-resistant donor DNA was nuclear-associated 15 min after inoculation.
Race, poverty, and urban sprawl: Access to opportunities through regional strategies

This article attempts to demonstrate the need for social justice and urban civil rights advocates to focus on sprawl as well as concentrated poverty. The article posits that these are as much civil rights issues as environmental or land use issues and that sprawl has frustrated civil rights efforts. Indeed, there is strong evidence that racialized concentrated poverty is both a cause and product of sprawl and that, due to this interrelationship, concentrated poverty cannot be addressed without addressing sprawl. To examine this relationship, the author explores how the phenomena of gentrification and cities. Finally, the author argues that concentrated poverty and sprawl are regional issues that can only be addressed on a regional level; therefore, it is a mistake for social justice and urban civil rights advocates to leave the regional discussion to environmentalists and land use planners.
Analysis of fiducials implanted during EUS for patients with localized rectal cancer receiving high-dose rate endorectal brachytherapy.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy and the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, with more than 40,000 rectal cancer cases diagnosed each year.1 Standard treatment for localized (ie, resectable) rectal cancer includes 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemoradiation therapy followed by surgery. Improved radiation technology including image-guided radiation therapy (RT) and brachytherapy (contact therapy) can allow for the delivery of higher doses of RT to the rectal tumor over a shorter time period. These treatments may result in improved outcomes; however, they require fiducial markers to allow better localization and targeting of the rectal tumor. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the role of gold fiducial markers in patients receiving neoadjuvant endorectal brachytherapy in patients with localized rectal tumors.
Macrocrack-dislocation pile-up interactions

Abstract In this paper the elastic interaction between a macrocrack and an excess double-ended pile-up under general loading is developed. The quantitative prediction of local stress intensity factors at the macrocrack tip and the blocked leading dislocations and the forces on each singularity are derived. These physical quantities are shown as functions of the dislocation-free zone, the pile-up size, the number and the sign of excess dislocations in the pile-up and the applied stress intensity factors. Results are presented which show that Newton's third law is satisfied between the macrocrack tip and blocked leading dislocations. It is found that a macrocrack tip is always antishielded by a pure double-ended pile-up. However, if excess positive dislocations exist in the pile-up, the fracture toughness of the macrocrack can be increased. It is shown that, when a pile-up possesses a critical number of positive dislocation, a microcrack can be nucleated at dislocation barriers before the macrocrack tip extends. The elastic interaction developed in this paper is very general and four important pile-up limits are treated in this paper.
New Mechanisms for Chemistry at Surfaces

It is becoming increasingly apparent that chemistry at surfaces, whether it be heterogeneous catalysis, semiconductors etching, or chemical vapor deposition, is controlled by much more than the nature and structure of the surface. Recent experiments that principally make use of molecular beam techniques have revealed that the energy at which an incident molecule collides with a surface can be the key factor in determining its reactivity with or on the surface. In addition, the collision energy of an incident particle has proven essential to the finding of new mechanisms for reaction or desorption of molecules at surfaces, collision-induced activation and collision-induced desorption. These phenomena are often responsible for the different surface chemistry observed under conditions of high reactant pressure, such as those present during a heterogeneous catalytic reaction, and of low pressure of reactants (