cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Congenital parenchymal lung malformations have an estimated incidence at 1:25,000–1:35,000 births. We present a case of this rare congenital abnormality in a 38 year-old male, review the current literature with discussion of proposed causes, malignant potential, and management strategies. A 38-year-old white male presented with a 4-day history of chronic stable hemoptysis. Social history was notable for a 50-pack-year active smoking history and remote heavy alcohol consumption. Physical examination was normal. Chest radiograph revealed an ill defined right lower lobe infiltrate. Chest computed tomography demonstrated an irregular, thin-walled, cystic lesion with adjacent nodularity and calcifications. The patient received a right lower lobectomy. Pathologic specimen demonstrated a 10-cm, mostly thin-walled cyst with features suggestive of a congenital cyst adenomatoid malformation and areas of adenocarcinoma (mixed subtype with acinar and bronchioloalveolar patterns). Congenital cyst adenomatoid malformations have recently been renamed as congenital pulmonary airway malformations and are the most common type of congenital parenchymal lung malformations. Individuals typically present with recurrent pulmonary infections, pneumothorax, or hemoptysis. The development is controversial but believed to be a result of arrested development of the fetal bronchial tree during the sixth and seventh week of fetal development. Defects in thyroid transcription factor 1 have also been proposed. With the increasing use and image resolution of ultrasound in modern obstetric practice, congenital pulmonary airway malformations rarely go undetected into adulthood. Management remains controversial; however, most authors agree with early surgical excision.
Immune Regulatory Mechanisms Influence Early Pathology in Spinal Cord Injury and in Spontaneous Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Injuries to the central nervous system (CNS) trigger an inflammatory reaction with potentially devastating consequences. In this report we compared the characteristics of the inflammatory response on spinal cord injury (SCI) caused by a stab wound between the T7 and T9 vertebrae and spontaneous experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). SCI and EAE were compared in two types of myelin basic protein Ac1-11-specific T-cell receptor transgenic mice: T/R + mice harbor regulatory T cells, and T/R − mice lack regulatory T cells. Our results show that 8 days after SCI, T/R − mice developed a strong T-cell infiltrate in the spinal cord, with remarkable down-modulation of CD4 expression that was accompanied by a local increase in Mac-3 + and F4/80 + reactivity and diffuse local and distal astrogliosis. In contrast, T/R + mice exhibited a modest increase in CD4 + cells localized to the site of injury, without CD4 down-modulation; focal astrogliosis was restricted to the site of the lesion, although Mac-3 + and F4/80 + cells were also present. Similarly to T/R − mice that underwent SCI, T cells displaying down-modulated CD4 expression were found in the CNS of older T/R − mice afflicted by spontaneous EAE. Overall, our results suggest that common mechanisms regulate T-cell accumulation in CNS lesions of different causes, such as mechanic lesion or autoimmune-mediated damage.
Statin use is associated with a reduction in atrial fibrillation after noncardiac thoracic surgery independent of C-reactive protein.

Study objectives: The level of C-reactive protein (CRP) has been shown to be elevated in patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF) unrelated to surgery, and statins are known to lower the CRP level. To determine whether an elevated CRP level predisposes the patient to postoperative AF and whether statin use is associated with a reduced AF incidence, we studied a consecutive group of patients who were at risk for AF after undergoing thoracic surgery (age, ≥ 60 years). Design and setting: A prospective study in a tertiary care cancer center of 131 patients (mean [± SD] age, 73 ± 6 years) who had undergone major lung or esophageal resection. High-sensitivity CRP and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were measured before surgery, on arrival at the postanesthesia care unit, and on the first morning after surgery. Continuous telemetry was used for 72 to 96 h to detect AF. Results: AF occurred in 38 of 131 patients (29%) at a median time after surgery of 3 days. Although CRP and IL-6 levels increased significantly (p Conclusions: The preoperative use of statins was associated with a protective effect against postoperative AF independent of CRP levels. In contrast to AF in the general population, early markers of inflammation did not predict the postoperative occurrence of AF.
Murine keratinocyte cultures grown at the air/medium interface synthesize stratum corneum lipids and "recycle" linoleate during differentiation.

Abstract In a recent investigation we showed that murine keratinocyte cultures grown at the air/medium interface in the presence of dermis exhibit morphologic differentiation comparable to that seen in vivo, including the formation of lamellar granules and stratum corneum intercellular lipid lamellae. In the present study, lifted cultures were found to more closely reproduce the lipid composition of the parent epidermal tissue than submerged cultures grown on plastic. In addition, the specific fatty acid profile of individual lipid classes in lifted cultures was, in general, remarkably well maintained in vitro. Acylceramides, which are highly enriched in linoleic acid in vivo, remained enriched in vitro; however, the linoleic acid content of the cultures was substantially lower than that in vivo, confirming previous reports of the relative essential fatty acid deficiency of standard culture media. As the lifted cultures differentiated over time, the lipid composition changed t9 reflect the formation of a stratum corneum with its different complement of lipids. Label from [U- 14 C]linoleic acid was specifically incorporated into linoleate-containing lipids during short pulses in both submerged and lifted cultures. Changes in label distribution over a long chase period in lifted cultures indicated that linoleate was transferred from phospholipids to ceramides, providing evidence for the "recycling" of essential fatty acids in epidermis.
Visualization of Flow Phenomena Near Enhanced Surfaces

Passive augmentation techniques such as surface disruptions are being increasingly used in heat exchangers. Although many working correlations have been suggested to predict their thermal-hydraulic characteristics, the physical phenomena governing the heat transfer enhancement have not been clearly understood. The paper describes a qualitative study on the flow phenomena near an enchanced surface. Water was used as the working fluid. Experiments were conducted for different coil wire diameters and Reynolds numbers
An examination on the integration of technological and business innovation: cases of Yahoo! and Google

This research aims to examine the integration of different types of innovation in two world leading innovative companies: Yahoo! and Google. Through coding and analysing over two thousand publicly available documents including patents, annual reports, news releases, and search engine watch reports, the two companies' innovation efforts over their entire development history were scrutinised against the background of the search engine and online directory industry. This research finds that there is a common factor contributing to the success of the two giants: they all actively pursue the synergy of product innovation, process innovation, and business innovation ? innovation tripartite. Recognising the integration of the tripartite, on the one hand, offers clues for understanding the best practices of innovation; on the other hand, challenges some traditional concepts on innovation such as the dichotomy structure and the four-stage innovation life cycle.
A FIELD TEST OF FIVE FORMS OF MARGINAL GLOSS STUDY GUIDE: AN ECOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract This paper reports results of a study where marginal gloss was employed as an adjunct comprehension aid in multiple sections of a college introductory education course. An ecological research design was used whereby rigid control over subject behavior and research setting were relinquished in favor of application and testing of the strategy in an ecologically valid environment. Consequently, results are relevant to researchers and practitioners alike.
Optimization of cDNA representational difference analysis for the identification of differentially expressed mRNAs.

Representational difference analysis (RDA) is a powerful and sensitive tool for identification of differentially expressed genes (M. Hubank and D. G. Schatz, 1999, Methods Enzymol. 303, 325-349; 1994, Nucleic Acids Res. 22, 5640-5648) that will identify both up- and downregulated genes differentially expressed between two cDNA populations. This manuscript provides a thorough description of an optimized RDA method. This procedure while still based on the traditional RDA originally developed by Lisitsyn and co-workers(N. A. Lisitsyn, 1995, Trends Genet. 11, 303-307; N. A. Lisitsyn, F. S. Leach, B. Vogelstein, and M. H. Wigler, 1994, Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. BioL 59, 585-587; N. Lisitsyn, N. Lisitsyn, and M. Wigler, 1993, 259, 946-951) and modified by Hubank and Schatz for RNA (1994, Nucleic Acids Res. 22, 5640-5648) is improved and requires less starting material than many existing methods. Several key modifications are included (1). Size-exclusion gel-filtration microspin columns are used throughout the procedure to remove the primers and low molecular weight cDNAs. This results in reducing the number of ethanol precipitations required and in improving the yield of desirable amplification products (2). Elimination of the mung bean nuclease treatment in favor of a simple dilution of PCR serves as a means of markedly reducing the single-stranded cDNAs that can interfere with the amplification of differentially expressed products (3). The use of up to six unique noninteracting primers ensures that no anomalous amplification occurs due to carryover of primers or incomplete digestion from the ends of the cDNAs (4). A set of cDNA standards was developed and various concentrations were used to better characterize the ability of representational difference analysis to identify rare messages in a complex cDNA population (5). Integral to this manuscript, a detailed laboratory protocol is available from the authors (craig.byus@ucr.edu) and provides a step-by-step description of the modified procedure.
The outcomes of operations for 539 patients with Ebstein anomaly

Objective Our objective was to review the long-term outcomes of patients with Ebstein anomaly who underwent cardiac surgery at our institution. Methods Patient records were reviewed, and all patients were mailed a medical questionnaire or contacted by means of telephone. Patients who had pulmonary atresia with an intact ventricular septum, complex conotruncal abnormalities, and atrioventricular discordance with ventriculoarterial discordance were excluded. Results From April 1, 1972, to January 1, 2006, 539 patients with Ebstein anomaly had 604 cardiac operations. The mean age at the time of the initial operation at our institution was 24 years (range, 8 days–79 years). Three hundred seventeen of the patients were female. One hundred forty-three (26.5%) patients had a prior invasive cardiac procedure before coming to Mayo Clinic. At the time of the first operation at Mayo Clinic, 182 patients had tricuspid valve repair, and 337 had tricuspid valve replacement. The 30-day mortality was 5.9% for the entire cohort (2.7% after 2001). Late survival was 84.7% at 10 years and 71.2% at 20 years. In a multivariate analysis of overall mortality for the patients' first operation at Mayo Clinic, increased hematocrit values, pulmonary valve stenosis, tricuspid valve replacement, absence of ablation of an accessory pathway, miscellaneous arrhythmia procedure, branch pulmonary artery enlargement, need for mechanical support postoperatively, emergency chest opening in the intensive care unit, and absence of sinus rhythm at dismissal were all predictive of mortality. When only preoperative characteristics were included, increased hematocrit values, mitral valve regurgitation requiring surgical intervention, prior cardiac procedure, and moderate-to-severe to severe reduction in right ventricular systolic function were associated with mortality. Preoperative sinus rhythm and an accessory pathway were associated with survival. Patients rated their health as excellent or good (New York Heart Association class I or II) in 83% of surveys returned. Conclusion Ebstein anomaly can be surgically treated with low perioperative mortality. Both tricuspid valve repair and tricuspid valve replacement are associated with good long-term survival. Risk factors for poorer outcome included right, and/or left ventricular systolic dysfunction; increased hemoglobin/hematocrit values; male sex; right ventricular outflow tract obstruction; or hypoplastic pulmonary arteries.
An experimental object-based sharing system for networked databases

An approach and mechanism for the transparent sharing of objects in an environment of interconnected (networked), autonomous database systems is presented. An experimental prototype system has been designed and implemented, and an analysis of its performance conducted. Previous approaches to sharing in this environment typically rely on the use of a global, integrated conceptual database schema; users and applications must pose queries at this new level of abstraction to access remote information. By contrast, our approach provides a mechanism that allows users to import remote objects directly into their local database transparently; access to remote objects is virtually the same as access to local objects. The experimental prototype system that has been designed and implemented is based on the Iris and Omega object-based database management systems; this system supports the sharing of data and meta-data objects (information units) as well as units of behavior. The results of experiments conducted to evaluate the performance of our mechanism demonstrate the feasibility of database transparent object sharing in a federated environment, and provide insight into the performance overhead and tradeoffs involved.
Cocaine as a discriminative stimulus for responding maintained by food in squirrel monkeys

Abstract Squirrel monkeys were trained in a choice procedure to discriminate a dose of 100 μg/kg cocaine from saline. Following an injection of cocaine, responding on the right lever was reinforced with food, whereas following an injection of saline, responding on the left lever was reinforced with food. A high degree of stimulus control (100% correct) was established within 20 experimental sessions. The dose-response function of cocaine on lever choice was then determined. When intermediate doses (10, 25 and 50 μg/kg) were administered prior to test sessions, a dose-dependent generalization decrement was seen. One monkey was found to discriminate as low as 25 μg/kg cocaine from saline.
Predicting mask yields through the use of a yield model

Yield models have been successfully employed in wafer fabricators to provide data on yield learning, design for manufacturability, and the estimation of production cost for semiconductors. This paper describes how a yield model can be developed to provide important technical information for mask-making in the semiconductor industry. This information, focusing on manufacturing line loading strategy and customer charges, is different from that provided by wafer fabricators' yield models, however the underlying goal is the same: to estimate accurately the expected yield for a part produced on the manufacturing line. If this estimation is not done accurately, there can be serious cost and serviceability implications. The premise here is to categorize parts based on their expected yield (derived from the yield model) which is, itself, a function of how difficult they are to build. This model was developed using logistic regression analysis on historical data. Logistic regression has been used most commonly and successfully in epidemiological research where, for instance, the risk of an individual developing a certain type of cancer is modeled as a function of personal characteristics. methodological details of yield model development and performance monitoring are presented as well as a specific example.
Young Adult Support for Clean Indoor Air Laws in Restaurants and Bars

This study examined support for clean indoor air (CIA) laws among 2044 young adults in Minnesota during 2006 and 2007. Two-thirds of young adult participants supported restaurant CIA laws and 40% supported bar/club CIA laws. A higher proportion of young adults living with CIA laws supported the laws compared with young adults living without them. Nonsmokers, college students, those with nonsmoking friends, and those living with home smoking bans were consistently more supportive of both CIA laws.
Anatomical study of the rabbit's corneal-VIth nerve reflex: Connections between cornea, trigeminal sensory complex, and the abducens and accessory abducens nuclei

Abstract The corneal-VIth nerve reflex of the rabbit, involving retraction of the eyeball by the retractor bulbi muscle and the correlated extension of the nictitating membrane, has been suggested to be mediated by retractor bulbi motoneurons in the accessory abducens-(ACC) nucleus but not by those in the abducens (ABD) nucleus, and to consist of both a fast, disynaptic, component and a slower component mediated by the reticular formation (RF). We, therefore, employed the anterograde and retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to examine the neural connections between anatomical structures proposed to be involved in the afferent limb of the corneal VIth nerve reflex. The transganglionic transport of HRP from cornea indicated a primary projection to the ventral half of pars oralis of the trigeminal sensory complex. The retrograde transport of HRP infused into ACC resulted in a bilateral labeling of cells in ventral pars oralis with 75% of the labeled cells being ipsilateral to the side of infusion. In contrast, there was no retrograde labeling of cells in the trigeminal sensory complex after HRP infusions into ABD. Infusion of HRP into ACC and ABD also revealed retrogradely labeled cells in the RF caudal to these two nuclei and infusion of HRP into this area of the RF resulted in both the retrograde labeling of cells in ventral pars oralis and anterograde-like labeling in both ACC and ABD. These data provide anatomical support for a direct relationship of the ACC, but not ABD, to the trigeminal sensory system and for the suggested existence of two components of the corneal-VIth nerve reflex: a disynaptic component from cornea to ventral pars oralis which in turn projects only to the ACC nucleus; and a multisynaptic component consisting of projections from the ventral pars oralis to RF cells which, in turn, are pre-motor to the ACC and ABD nuclei.
The winner and loser effect: what fighting behaviours are influenced?

Abstract We examined the effect of prior winning and losing experiences on the initiating and responding strategies of contestants in contests between individuals of Rivulus marmoratus (Cyprinodontidae). Each contestant was given a penultimate and a recent fighting experience approximately 48 and 24 h prior to the dyadic contests, respectively, through randomly selected procedures. Winning and losing experience appeared to influence different types of fighting behaviours. Losing experiences decreased the probability of an individual initiating a confrontation and thus increased its tendency to retreat immediately when challenged. Winning experiences did not affect the probability of initiation, but significantly increased the likelihood of an individual initiating with attacks that effectively deterred its opponents. A substantial proportion (59/153) of individuals retreated immediately when challenged and reduced the number of fights available for examining experience effects on responding strategies at later stages of a contest. None the less, winning experiences consistently increased the likelihood of an individual retaliating by attacking its opponent at various stages of a contest, and eventually increased its probability of escalating a confrontation into physical fights. However, the effects of losing experiences on these responding strategies were undetectable. Recent experiences significantly affected all fighting behaviours examined, but penultimate experiences significantly affected only the tendency to initiate a confrontation with attacks and the likelihood of escalation. These results indicated that prior experiences had the longest lasting effect on the potentially most costly fighting behaviour. Prior experiences influenced the outcome of nonescalated contests as well as the probability of escalation, but did not significantly affect the outcome of escalated contests. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that prior experiences modify the information that an individual has about its fighting ability but do not alter its actual fighting ability and that actual fighting ability becomes the more important influence on outcomes of escalated contests.
Tectonic and magmatic significance of strontium isotopic variations in Cenozoic volcanic rocks from the western United States

More than 800 Sr isotopic analyses of Cenozoic volcanic rocks have been compiled for the western United States and parts of northern Mexico. These data indicate significant variations in 87 Sr/ 86 Sr that reflect changes in tectonic evolution and differences in magmatic style (that is, origin and evolution of igneous rocks) for this region as a function of time and space. Late Cenozic volcanic rocks (mainly basalts) represent magmatism associated with essentially extensional tectonism over much of the western United States. In general, 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios in these basalts are lower than in early Cenozic rocks but display systematic variations in space. For the most part, isotopic compositions of these rocks are considered representative of their respective mantle source regions. If this is the case, the mantle source regions are isotopically heterogeneous and seemingly reflect a compositional provinciality that is correlated with the age of crustal rocks in this region. Specifically, ancient subcontinental lithospheric mantle may be characterized by higher 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios than the mantle beneath younger crustal terranes. Early Cenozoic volcanic rocks (mainly intermediate to silicic calc-alkalic in composition) formed while the western United States was undergoing regional compression associated with subduction along the Pacific margin. Sr isotopic ratios in these rocks are generally higher and more variable than in the younger extensional-regime magmas, and they are highest in areas of the eastern Cordillera where old sialic crust is present. The isotopic data are in accord with the involvement of crustal material in the genesis and evolution of these “calc-alkalic” magmas. Crustal contamination of primitive subduction-related magmas and crustal anatexis due to advective heat transfer associated with their ascent are considered as dominant factors in early Cenozic magmatism. Variables in the subduction process itself, in the nature and age of crust and mantle wall rocks, and in the amount and provenance of subducted sediments likely contribute to the diversity of subduction-related magmatism.
Central venous pulsations associated with a falsely low oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry

Venous pulsations are thought, but to our knowledge have never been demonstrated, to result in underestimation of oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (Spo 2); however, to our knowledge, this has never been demonstrated. A patient with ischemic cardiomyopathy requiring intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABC) had to withstand a temporary cessation of IABC (period I), during which she had marked central venous pulsations and a pulse oximeter bias of −18%. After IABC was reinstituted (period II), the venous pulsations disappeared and the bias was reduced to 0%. Cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, and temperature during both periods were comparable. Pulmonary vascular resistance, however, was much lower during period II. We postulate that the bias was caused by venous pulsations significantly contributing to the AC, or variable component, of light absorption.
Electric Industry Restructuring: An Overview of the Policy Issues

The crisis precipitated by the flawed restructuring of California's electric power industry focused national attention on the questin of whether to allow utility companies-highly regulated by government-to operate in a deregulated energy market. This symposium examines the issues involved in moving from regulation to deregulation of the electric power industry. This introductory paper reviews the deregulation policy issues and discusses California's deregulation experience to put the issue in context.
Epigenetic activation of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 2C in embryonal carcinoma cells is DNA replication-dependent

The epigenetic states of key regulatory genes must be altered to drive cell fate decisions in differentiating cells. This process must be coupled, at least transiently, to the DNA replication machinery. Only a few genes, however, have been shown to require DNA replication for their activation or repression upon induction of differentiation. We have developed a methodology for examining how gene expression is coupled to cell division during the early stages of differentiation of embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells. Using this approach, we find that the expression of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 2C (Htr2c) is strongly increased in the second division after all-trans retinoic acid addition. We propose that the epigenetic activation of Htr2c in EC cells results from a chromatin remodeling process that requires at least two passages through S phase.
ADAPTING COOPERATIVE LEARNING STRUCTURES FOR MAINSTREAMED STUDENTS

Cooperative learning is frequently cited as an instructional strategy that helps students with disabilities succeed academically and socially in the mainstream classroom. Careful planning and systematic instruction based on individual needs must accompany each element of cooperative learning. I describe specific strategies for promoting positive interdependence, individual accountability, and social skills instruction, with a focus on reading and writing instruction.
Boundedness of iterates in Q-Learning

Abstract Reinforcement Learning (RL) is a simulation-based counterpart of stochastic dynamic programming. In recent years, it has been used in solving complex Markov decision problems (MDPs). Watkins’ Q -Learning is by far the most popular RL algorithm used for solving discounted-reward MDPs. The boundedness of the iterates in Q -Learning plays a critical role in its convergence analysis and in making the algorithm stable, which makes it extremely attractive in numerical solutions. Previous results show boundedness asymptotically in an almost sure sense. We present a new result that shows boundedness in an absolute sense under some weaker conditions for the step size. Also, our proof is based on some simple induction arguments.
Effect of Membrane Surface Roughness on Colloid−Membrane DLVO Interactions

Recent experimental investigations suggest that interaction of colloidal particles with polymeric membrane surfaces is influenced by membrane surface morphology (roughness). To better understand the consequences of surface roughness on colloid deposition and fouling, it is imperative that models for predicting the Derjaguin−Landau−Verwey−Overbeek (DLVO) interaction energy between colloidal particles and rough membrane surfaces be developed. We present a technique of reconstructing the mathematical topology of polymeric membrane surfaces using statistical parameters derived from atomic force microscopy roughness analyses. The surface element integration technique is used to calculate the DLVO interactions between spherical colloidal particles and the simulated (reconstructed) membrane surfaces. Predictions show that the repulsive interaction energy barrier between a colloidal particle and a rough membrane is lower than the corresponding barrier for a smooth membrane. The reduction in the energy barrier is ...
The origins and appearance of the Kurds in pre‐Islamic Iran

(1968). The origins and appearance of the Kurds in pre‐Islamic Iran. Iranian Studies: Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 41-51.
Effect of multielement intravascular ultrasound on the anticoagulant potency of Enoxaparin

Two patients, treated with enoxaparin and eptifibatide, developed significant guide catheter-associated thrombus while undergoing intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Using an ex vivo assay, we found that activation of a multielement IVUS catheter resulted in a decrease in anti-Xa activity and a decrease in clot formation time. This effect occurred rapidly and repeatedly after activation of the IVUS catheter.
784 Children with Severe Dehydration Treated in Intensive Care Unit

The object of study was to present children with severe dehydration caused by acute diarrhoea, due to the acute diarrhoea treated in Intensive Care Unit of the Paediatric Clinic. The examinees were infants and preschool age children hospitalized on this ward during 2007. The diagnosis was based on clinical aβeβment and laboratory tests. During 2007, 657 children of different age were treated in Intensive Care Unit. Out of that number 462 (70.3%) cases were infants, whereas only 42 (6,3%) were preschool children. The highest number of them 196 (29.8%) were cases with severe dehydration cased by acute diarrhoea syndrome; in addition to this number there were 187 cases (27.7%) that dehydrated due to decompensate bronchopneumonia, whereas 12 (1.8%) cases were patients with acute intracranial infections. With regard to the types of dehydration, there were 100 (51.0%) cases with isonatremic dehydration, 54 (27.55%) with hyponatremic dehydration and 42 (21.42%) cases with hipernatemic dehydration. The lowest ph level was 6.80, the exceβ of alkali -30 mmol/l, urea up to 18 mmol/L. The rehydration has been administered on the basis of clinical aβeβment of dehydration level, correction of electrolyte disturbances, types of dehydration and correction of the metabolic acidosis and the antidiarrheal diet. Severe dehydration still prevails as urgent condition in the Intensive Care Unit, being a medical and social iβue.
Opportunities and risks for energy suppliers: Market design, government regulation, reliability planning, credit crunch, and peer competition

Declining reserve margins, newly introduced forward capacity markets, federal and state regulations, evolving environmental policies - especially on CO2 emission, establishment of the electric reliability organization, the recent credit market crisis, and fierce peer competition all present both opportunities and risks for energy suppliers. Not meant to be a complete list, highlighted and explained in this paper are some key factors for energy suppliers to consider. IEEE power system planning and implementation committee and its energy supply working group plan to provide a forum for the power industry and invite all interested parties to further study these opportunities and risks and share their views of the world. Through open discussion, maybe we can together improve the markets and policies, understand and mitigate the risks, and take on some calculated opportunities.
The Implications of Respondent Loss in Panel Studies of Deviant Behavior

While the panel design offers many advantages to social scientists, especially those studying deviant behavior, a major source of potential bias and error of this design is the loss of respondents over time. The present investigation draws upon a secondary analysis of data from seven panel studies which followed adolescent populations through time to examine the impact of such attrition on univariate, bivariate, and multivariate estimates obtained from individuals who remain in panels. Those who remain over time in panels are found to provide relatively accurate estimates of bivariate and multivariate relationships. Univariate estimates such as incidence or prevalence measures of deviance are found to be slightly but systematically biased, this tendency being more clear when the panel is constructed from a broadly representative population base.
AN IMPLICIT/EXPLICIT APPROACH TO MULTIOBJECTIVE OPTIMIZATION WITH AN APPLICATION TO FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING*

Implicit utility/value maximization and explicit utility/value maximization are identified as two major classes of multiobjective optimization methods. Explicit methods have the advantage of being able to fully exploit the power of existing mathematical programming algorithms. A disadvantage is the high information burden they place on the decision maker. Implicit (i.e., interactive) methods have complementary strengths and weaknesses: they require less extensive information but do not lend themselves as easily to use with optimizing algorithms. We develop a hybrid implicit/explicit approach that attempts to combine the advantages of both by embedding within the implicit method a procedure that periodically formulates an approximate explicit representation of the multiobjective problem and then solves it optimally without user interaction. Operationally, this requires the frequent solution of two nonlinear programs. We also report on the implementation of this method in a forest management decision support system. This is a completely microcomputer-based implementation currently undergoing field testing for use in planning the timing and intensity of timber harvests on non-industrial forests in the southeastern United States. The system has been selected as a replacement for an earlier multiobjective program (Harrison and Rosenthal [28]) used by over 1,800 landowners.
Classification of 'Anaerocellum thermophilum' strain DSM 6725 as Caldicellulosiruptor bescii sp. nov

The thermophilic, cellulolytic, anaerobic bacterium 'Anaerocellum thermophilum' strain Z-1320 was isolated from a hot spring almost two decades ago and deposited in the German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (DSMZ) as DSM 6725. The organism was classified as representing a new genus, 'Anaerocellum', primarily on its growth physiology, cell-wall type and morphology. The results of recent physiological studies and of phylogenetic and genome sequence analyses of strain DSM 6725 of 'A. thermophilum' obtained from the DSMZ showed that its properties differed from those originally described for strain Z-1320. In particular, when compared with strain Z-1320, strain DSM 6725 grew at higher temperatures and had an expanded range of growth substrates. Moreover, the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain DSM 6725 fell within the Caldicellulosiruptor clade. It is therefore suggested that 'Anaerocellum thermophilum' should be classified as a member of the genus Caldicellulosiruptor, for which the name Caldicellulosiruptor bescii sp. nov. is proposed (type strain DSM 6725(T)=ATCC BAA-1888(T)). C. bescii sp. nov. DSM 6725(T) is the most thermophilic cellulose-degrading organism known. The strain was able to grow up to 90 degrees C (pH 7.2) and degraded crystalline cellulose and xylan as well as untreated plant biomass, including potential bioenergy plants such as poplar and switchgrass.
Clever Hans, Alex the Parrot, and Kanzi: What can Exceptional Animal Learning Teach us About Human Cognitive Evolution?

The development of cognitive capacities depends on environmental conditions, including various forms of scaffolding. As a result, the evolution of cognition depends on the evolution of activities that provide scaffolding for cognitive development. Non-human animals reared and trained in environments heavily scaffolded with human social interaction can acquire non-species-typical knowledge, skills, and capacities. This can potentially shed light on some of the changes that paved the way for the evolution of distinctively human behavioral capacities such as language, advanced social cognition, and elaborate forms of tool craft. In this light, I revisit several widely known—but also widely misunderstood—cases of exceptional animals and argue that each of these cases provides clues about key innovations in our own evolutionary history.
A discussion of past programming errors and their effect on learning assembly language

Abstract This study examines the question of whether it is possible to improve students' programming ability through repeated exposure to common programming errors. More specifically, it catalogs recurring errors in IBM 360/370 assembly language. The authors then use this information to test whether students who receive information and instruction concerning common errors have fewer programming errors than students receiving no such treatment. Results indicate that there is no significant difference between the two groups of students. These results seem to suggest that practice, more than instruction, is important in teaching students to find and correct programming errors.
Promoter methylation regulates cyclooxygenase expression in breast cancer.

Introduction Overexpression of cyclooxygenase (COX-2) is commonly observed in human cancers. In a murine model of metastatic breast cancer, we observed that COX-2 expression and enzyme activity were associated with enhanced tumorigenic and metastatic potential. In contrast to the high COX-2 expression in metastatic tumors, transplantation of poorly tumorigenic tumor cell lines to syngeneic mice results in less COX-2 expression and less COX-2 activity in vivo. Aberrant CpG island methylation, and subsequent silencing of the COX-2 promoter, has been observed in human cancer cell lines and in some human tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.
How Do We Evaluate The Cost Of Healthcare Technology

Five critical questions apply when evaluating the cost of healthcare technology: Who is asking the question (of how to evaluate healthcare costs)? For what purpose? What is the nature of the decision that must be made? At what state of a technology's development and diffusion are the questions being posed? What type of technology is stimulating the questions? A large number of organizations, both national and international, are engaged in technology assessment, and constructive disagreement improves the overall quality of those assessments. Current cost measurement tools such as cost-utility analysis, cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, and outcomes research are weak and ineffective. Recently, pharmaceutical manufacturers have adopted more global cost-effectiveness studies. Technology assessments will ultimately focus on examining the relative cost-effectiveness of alternative technologies for a specific pathology or DRG. In addition to the traditional healthcare facility-hospital, outpatient facility, or group practice, group purchasing organizations are also asking about cost-effectiveness of healthcare. ECRI's SELECT'm process, unlike less effective technology assessments, takes into account real world user experience data and life-cycle cost (LCC) analysis in addition to detailed comparisons of technical features and performance.
InP Photonic Integrated Circuits

InP is an ideal integration platform for optical generation, switching, and detection components operating in the range of 1.3-1.6 m wavelength, which is preferred for data transmission in the most prevalent silica-based optical fiber. We review the current state of the art in advanced InP photonic ICs.
A review of carotid atherosclerosis and vascular cognitive decline: a new understanding of the keys to symptomology.

This review encourages the reader to consider cerebral vascular disease beyond the traditional clinical end points of major motor and speech strokes and to consider the possible impact of embolic cerebral vascular disease on vascular cognitive decline. The paper examines the issue of “silent” strokes in the relationship between the structural stability of atherosclerotic carotid plaque and the development of nonmotor symptomatology, including cognitive decline. It addresses the question of the role of carotid emboli in “silent” stroke and their cognitive sequelae. In a study of endarterectomy patients, we relate plaque elasticity and its development of mechanical strain features and thinning of stabilizing fibrous cap at the point of these mechanical strain features. The possibility that microemboli from such mechanically unstable carotid plaques could contribute to “silent strokes” lead to a study of cognitive function in such patients. A linear relationship between the process of mechanically unstable areas of carotid plaques and cognitive decline suggests a contributory role for such a process in “silent strokes”.
Capital Estimation: Theory and US-Japan Comparative Study

Abstract: Capital stock estimation is a thorny task to deal with. To circumvent the problem, we derive a function which does not contain capital stock, yet whose regression indirectly estimates the production function. Consequently, the estimated production function can generate the capital stocks and depreciation rates. The approach applied to US data resulted in estimates of both production function and capital stock very close to those differently estimated in existing literature. Japan data are then applied as a comparative study.
Drag Reduction of Tractor-Trailers Using Optimized Add-On Devices

Tractor-trailers have a higher drag coefficient than other vehicles due to their bluff-body shape. Numerous add-on devices have been invented to help reduce drag and fuel consumption. The current research extends our previous idea of add-on humps and investigates their effect in conjunction with curved boat-tail flaps. Computational fluid dynamics in the form of unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes and detached-eddy simulations were used to determine viable design strategies. A 3D baseline computational model was constructed using an Ahmed body. Design optimization was applied on the new add-on devices. The results from the optimized design were shown to have a 50.9% reduction in drag coefficient.
Schedule‐Induced Ethanol Self‐Administration in DBA/2J and C57BL/6J Mice

Background: The purpose of these experiments was to provide an initial investigation into ethanol self-administration elicited in the schedule-induced polydipsia (SIP) paradigm. Methods: Mature male mice were food deprived to between 80 and 85% of their baseline weight and received 20 daily 1 hr SIP test sessions in which a food pellet (20 mg) was delivered on a fixed-time 60 sec schedule. In different groups, the acquisition of drinking 5% (v/v) ethanol solution (experiment 1) or water (experiment 2) was recorded along with other behaviors that occurred in the test chambers. Results: Results indicated that C57BL/6J mice drank significantly more ethanol than DBA/2J mice and that C57 mice achieved blood alcohol concentrations as high as 300 mg/dl. Blood alcohol concentrations were consistently correlated with g/kg ethanol intake. The groups did not differ in consumption of water. SIP test sessions using higher concentrations of ethanol (10–20% v/v, experiment 1) or sucrose solutions (0.1–2% w/v, experiment 2) then were performed. Group differences in ethanol consumption were maintained at all ethanol concentrations. Although DBAs drank more of a low concentration of sucrose (0.1%), when expressed as g/kg, sucrose intake was equivalent in the two strains at all concentrations. Analysis of the time course of drinking clearly showed that this behavior was adjunctive in nature. Conclusion: These results demonstrate the effectiveness of this procedure in inducing ethanol self-administration and its utility for investigating the genetic bases of vulnerability toward excessive ethanol consumption.
External branch of the superior laryngeal nerve: applied surgical anatomy and implications in thyroid surgery.

Abstract The external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) is the only motor supply to the cricothyroid muscle and has an important role during phonation in high frequencies. Iatrogenic injury of the EBSLN, most commonly during thyroid surgery, is associated with varying levels of alterations in phonation, which may have an impact on a patient's life, especially when his or her career depends on the full range of voice. EBSLN injury incidence after thyroid surgery ranges widely in the literature (0 to 58%). Despite this wide variation, it appears that EBSLN injury is a not uncommon, and frequently overlooked, complication of thyroid surgery. An in-depth knowledge of the surgical anatomy of the EBSLN is therefore required from the part of the operating surgeon to protect this nerve during thyroid surgery.
Reductions in Basal Metabolic Rate and Physical Activity Contribute to Hypothalamic Obesity

Context: Obesity after hypothalamic damage is often severe and resistant to lifestyle changes. It is postulated that differences in basal metabolic rate (BMR) and physical activity may contribute to hypothalamic obesity (HO). Objective: Our objective was to investigate the role of energy expenditure, BMR, and physical activity in the etiology of hypothalamic obesity. Design: This was a cross-sectional study of three groups of children: those with HO, congenital hypopituitarism (CH), and simple obesity (SO). Results: A total of 47 children (HO = 18, CH = 13, and SO = 16) had BMR measured, using indirect calorimetry (Deltatrac II). A lower BMR was seen in the HO group, which remained even after adjusting for lean mass. Physical activity, assessed using triaxial accelerometry, demonstrated longer activity periods in the HO group, although the degree of activity was reduced. No significant differences were seen in calorie intake. Conclusion: Energy expenditure, rather than energy intake, has a greater role in...
On multiple access and capacity in frequency-selective channels

Investigates the problem of improving communication rates for frequency-selective multi-access channels (MACs). In this context, multi-pulse methods offer a new opportunity to revisit MAC approaches that are aware of and exploit channel characteristics. For the single-link case, multi-pulse methods such as OFDM split the channel into a set of orthogonal subchannels, or dimensions, and enable the use of Shannon's water-filling technique to achieve capacity. This paper proposes MAC approaches based on water-filling for high-speed ad-hoc wireless networks. The basic framework divides time into uniform slots; during each interval, the active links must share the subchannels, with each link defined by its set of per-subchannel SNRs. Using this framework, pragmatic protocols are proposed that balance overall capacity and per-link quality of service. They are based on adaptively allocating slots and subchannels using knowledge of the links.
Automatically generated acceptance test: a software reliability experiment

The author presents results of a software reliability experiment that investigates the feasibility of a new error detection method. The method can be used as an acceptance test and is solely based on empirical data about the behavior of internal states of a program. The experimental design uses the existing environment of a multiversion experiment and used the launch interceptor problem as a model problem. This allows the controlled experimental investigation of versions with well-known single and multiple faults, and the availability of an oracle permits the determination of the error detection performance of the test. Fault-interaction phenomena are observed that have an amplifying effect on the number of error occurrences. Preliminary results indicate that all faults examined so far are detected by the acceptance test. This shows promise for further investigations and for the use of this test method in other applications. >