cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Partial response or stable disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer: time for surgery or more chemotherapy?

Objectives: The association between number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) cycles prior to interval tumor reductive surgery (iTRS) and survival is poorly defined. The question of whether to proceed with surgery or more chemotherapy in a patient who does not have a complete response after 3-4 cycles of NACT remains unanswered. We sought to assess survival outcomes stratified by number of chemotherapy cycles and residual disease following iTRS in a population of patients with partial response (PR) or stable disease (SD) following 3-4 cycles of NACT. Methods: We identified a retrospective cohort of patients diagnosed between 2/2013 and 2/2018 who received at least 3 cycles of NACT (based on laparoscopic triage and/or medical and disease criteria) underwent iTRS for advanced ovarian cancer. All patients had a PR or SD following 3-4 NACT cycles based on imaging and CA-125. The population was divided into 4 groups based on number of NACT cycles prior to iTRS and residual disease status after iTRS (R0, no gross residual or R1, any amount of residual disease): (1) 3-4 NACT cycles/R0; (2) 3-4 NACT cycles/R1; (3) >4 cycles/R0; (4) >4 cycles/R1. Overall-survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated using Kaplan and Meier product-limit estimator and modeled via the Cox proportional-hazards model. Results: The cohort consisted of 279 patients with a median age of 64. Most of the cohort was White (86.9%) with high-grade serous histology (90.3%) and stage IV disease (56.0%). The majority of patients received 3-4 cycles (73.8%), had a PR to NACT (92.8% vs 7.2% SD), with an overall R0 rate of 79.3%. For the entire cohort, R0 status was associated with improved OS (median of 43 months vs. 26 months; p 4 cycles with an R0 resection was not associated with worse OS (HR 1.22, 95% CI 0.76-1.95) when compared to those who received 3-4 cycles with an R0 resection after iTRS. In the presence of R1 resection, receipt of 3-4 cycles or >4 cycles was associated with decreased OS (HR 1.89, 95% CI 1.17-3.05; HR 3.00 95% CI 1.65-5.46 respectively) compared to 3-4 cycles with a R0 resection. Only receipt of >4 NACT cycles with a R1 resection was statistically associated with worse PFS (HR 2.21 95% CI 1.38-3.55) compared to receipt of 3-4 cycles with a R0 resection. Download : Download high-res image (91KB) Download : Download full-size image Conclusions: Residual disease is significantly associated with OS regardless of number of NACT cycles in patients with PR or SD to NACT. These data suggest that the ability to achieve R0 should take precedence in decision making regarding timing of surgery in patients who do not have a complete response to NACT for advanced ovarian cancer and that surgery can still benefit patients who require additional chemotherapy in order to be considered resectable.
Biosynthesis of mannosyl- and glucosyl-phosphoryl polyprenols in Mycobacterium smegmatis: Evidence for oligosaccharide-phosphoryl-polyprenols

A particulate enzyme fraction from Mycobacterium smegmatis catalyzed the incorporation of mannose from GDP-[ 14 C]mannose and glucose from UDP-[ 14 C]glucose into endogenous lipid acceptors. The properties of the isolated [ 14 C]glycolipids are similar to those reported for other glycosyl-phosphoryl-polyprenols. Synthesis of the glucolipid from UDP-[ 14 C]glucose was reversed by the addition of UDP whereas synthesis of the mannolipid from GDP-[ 14 C]mannose was reversed by the addition of GDP. In addition, the purified [ 14 C]mannolipid gave rise to GDP-[ 14 C]mannose when incubated with the particulate enzyme in the presence of GDP and Mg 2+ . Formation of both glycolipids required Mg 2+ with the optimum concentration for GDP-[ 14 C]-mannose incorporation being about 10 m m . The K m for GDP-mannose was estimated to be about 5×10 −6 m and the pH optimum was 8.0. The enzyme was depleted of endogenous lipid by treatment with acetone; incorporation of radioactivity from sugar nucleotides into chloroform:methanol with this enzyme preparation was almost totally dependent on the addition of ficaprenyl phosphate. In addition to synthesis of mannosyl-phosphoryl-polyprenols, evidence is presented to show the presence of lipid-linked mannose oligosaccharides in the purified “mannolipid” fraction. Thus, mild acid hydrolysis of purified “mannolipid” gave radioactive compounds which migrated like disaccharides and trisaccharides as well as a radioactive material which remained at the origin of paper chromatograms. The disaccharide was shown to be a mannobiose in which the reducing sugar was not labeled.
Assistive Environments for Individuals with Special Needs

As we age, we experience normal declines in vision, hearing, cognition, and movement. We also accumulate chronic conditions such as arthritis, heart and circulatory disorders, glaucoma, and tinnitus. Quality of life and independence are impacted by disabilities, and our health and caregiver systems will be increasingly stressed as the numbers increase. Hence, there is a significant need today to innovate cost-effective ways to help elders maintain their independence, and at the same time, reduce caregiver burden. The impressive wireless and portable technologies we have today and the emerging mobile computing paradigm offer a unique and real opportunity for us to innovate pervasive applications and environments designed to support the elderly. Such environments will enable cost-effective self-care and will maintain a higher quality of life and independence for our oldest population. In this chapter, we define assistive environments for the elderly, and we follow a scenario-based approach to illustrate the benefits of these environments to the elders. We then present a specific assistive environment, which we prototyped, and which we call the University of Florida Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) Smart House. We present our reference middleware architecture and several applications that we built in that experimental house. Finally, we review research on smart environments for elders with disabilities, and elder health care applications and practices. © 2005 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
High Frequency Acoustic Reflection and Transmission in Ocean Sediments

Abstract : Development of a physical model of high-frequency acoustic interaction with the ocean floor, including penetration through and reflection from smooth and rough water/sediment interfaces, scattering from the interface roughness and volume heterogeneities and propagation within the sediment. The model will aid in the detection and classification of buried mines and improve SONAR performance in shallow water. OBJECTIVES 1) New finite element modeling capability for acoustic sediment interactions. 2) A comparative study of acoustic sediment interaction models including visco-elastic, Biot, BICSQS, and grain shearing and scattering models including perturbation theory, small slope approximation and finite element models through careful comparison with experimental measurements of the bistatic return, for the purpose of defining the best physical model of highfrequency acoustic interaction with the ocean floor. 3) An inversion methodology that can provide input parameters for the resulting physical model from reflection coefficient measurements.
Artificial neural networks as prediction tools in the critically ill

The past 25 years have witnessed the development of improved tools with which to predict short-term and long-term outcomes after critical illness. The general paradigm for constructing the best known tools has been the logistic regression model. Recently, a variety of alternative tools, such as artificial neural networks, have been proposed, with claims of improved performance over more traditional models in particular settings. However, these newer methods have yet to demonstrate their practicality and usefulness within the context of predicting outcomes in the critically ill.
Classroom community at a distance: A comparative analysis of two ALN-based university programs

This study examined sense of community in two university distance-education programs that differed only in the amount of face-to-face contact. The Sense of Classroom Community Index, second edition (SCCI2), was used to measure community in 38 graduate students who were pursuing a doctorate in education. Multivariate analysis of variance and post hoc discriminant analysis procedures showed that community was stronger in the program that provided learners more and diverse opportunities to interact with each other and that the most important community components in which the groups differed were spirit and trust. Research results lend support to Cutler's [(1996). Technologies, relations, and selves. In: L. Strate, R. Jacobson, & S. B. Gibson (Eds.), Communication and cyberspace: social interaction in an electronic environment (pp. 317–333). Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.] hypothesis that socialization can lead to greater feelings of trust and satisfaction which, in turn, lead to a greater sense of community.
Amyloid inhibitors and beta-sheet breakers.

Compelling evidence indicates that a key pathological event in Alzheimer’s disease is the misfolding and aggregation of normal soluble amyloid-β peptide into β-sheet-rich oligomeric structures which have a neurotoxic activity and ability to form insoluble amyloid deposits that accumulate in the brain. β-sheet breakers constitute a new class of drugs that are designed to specifically bind amyloid-β peptide blocking and/or reversing the misfolding process. In this article we review this approach and summarize the data supporting the view that β-sheet breakers could be serious candidates to combat this devastating disease.
A new low voltage detecting method for multi-string LED BLU circuit

This paper proposes a new lowest-voltage detecting circuit for multi-channel LED backlighting units (BLUs) for LCD TVs. The proposed circuit detects the lowest voltage drop among the multi-channel LED strings with reduced number of devices. After detecting such condition the circuit provides a feedback voltage to control the output voltage of the boost converter. Therefore, it can minimize the power losses in LED driving circuit. Experimental results are presented for a 15W boost converter driving 40mA, 8-channel LED strings.
SRAM CP: a charge recycling design schema for SRAM

An adiabatic charge-pump based charge recycling design was proposed in [1]. It was shown to save upto 15% energy on several DSP systems with no performance loss. In this paper, we illustrate new charge source multiplexing techniques that are especially targeted towards SRAM arrays. The trigger control mechanism for charge sharing, additionally, can be derived from the application level characteristics rather than from circuit level attributes. These two methods help minimize the charge sharing energy dissipation. The SPICE level simulation results show that the proposed scheme reduces energy consumption in L2 caches by 24.9% with no performance loss.
Bayesian analysis of single‐molecule experimental data

Summary. Recent advances in experimental technologies allow scientists to follow biochemical processes on a single-molecule basis, which provides much richer information about chemical dynamics than traditional ensemble-averaged experiments but also raises many new statistical challenges. The paper provides the first likelihood-based statistical analysis of the single-molecule fluorescence lifetime experiment designed to probe the conformational dynamics of a single deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hairpin molecule. The conformational change is initially treated as a continuous time two-state Markov chain, which is not observable and must be inferred from changes in photon emissions. This model is further complicated by unobserved molecular Brownian diffusions. Beyond the simple two-state model, a competing model that models the energy barrier between the two states of the DNA hairpin as an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process has been suggested in the literature. We first derive the likelihood function of the simple two-state model and then generalize the method to handle complications such as unobserved molecular diffusions and the fluctuating energy barrier. The data augmentation technique and Markov chain Monte Carlo methods are developed to sample from the posterior distribution desired. The Bayes factor calculation and posterior estimates of relevant parameters indicate that the fluctuating barrier model fits the data better than the simple two-state model.
Resilience and Vulnerability: Adaptation in the Context of Childhood Adversities

1. A resilience framework for research, policy, and practice: contributions from Project Competence Ann S. Masten and Jenifer L. Powell Part I. Familial Adversities: Parental Psychopathology and Family Processes: 2. Young children with mentally ill parents: resilient developmental systems Ronald Seifer 3. Risk and protective factors for children of depressed parents Constance Hammen 4. Resilience and vulnerability among sons of alcoholics: relationship to developmental outcomes between early childhood and adolescence Robert A. Zucker, Maria W. Wong, Leon I. Puttler, and Hiram E. Fitzgerald 5. Maternal drug abuse versus other psychological disturbances: risks and resilience among children Suniya S. Luthar, Karen D'Avanzo and Sarah Hites 6. Resilience to childhood adversity: results of a 21 year study David M. Fergusson and L. John Horwood 7. Sequelae of child maltreatment: vulnerability and resilience Kerry E. Bolger and Charlotte J. Patterson 8. Risk and resilience in children coping with their parents' divorce and remarriage E. Mavis Hetherington and Anne Mitchell Elmore 9. Correlational and experimental study of resilience for children of divorce and parentally bereaved children Irwin Sandler, Sharlene Wolchik, Caroline Davis, Rachel Haine and Tim Ayers Part II. Exosystemic and Sociodemographic Risks: 10. Rethinking resilience: a developmental process perspective Tuppett M. Yates, Byron Egeland and L. Alan Sroufe 11. Poverty and early childhood adjustment Elizabeth B. Owens and Daniel S. Shaw 12. Emerging perspectives on context-specificity of children's adaptation and resilience: evidence from a decade of research with urban children in adversity Peter A. Wyman 13. Holistic, contextual perspectives on risk, protection, and competence among low-income urban adolescents Edward Seidman and Sara Pedersen 14. Overcoming the odds? Adolescent development in the context of urban poverty Ana Mari Cauce, Angela Stewart, Melanie Domenech Rodriguez, Bryan Cochran, and Joshua Ginzler 15. Adaptation among youth facing multiple risks: prospective research findings Arnold Sameroff, Leslie Gutman and Steve C. Peck 16. Positive adaptation among youth exposed to community violence Deborah Gorman-Smith and Patrick H. Tolan 17. Perceived discrimination and resilience Laura A. Szalacha, Sumru Erkut, Cynthia Garcia Coll, Jacqueline P. Fields, Odette Alarcon and Ineke Ceder 18. Promoting resilience through early childhood intervention Arthur J. Reynolds and Suh-Ruu Ou Part III. Commentaries: 19. Toward building a better brain: neurobehavioral outcomes, mechanisms, and processes of environmental enrichment John W. Curtis and Charles A. Nelson 20. Genetic influences on risk and protection: implications for understanding resilience Michael Rutter 21. Resilience and vulnerability: an integrative review Suniya S. Luthar and Laurel Bidwell Zelazo.
Reversible modulation of superconductivity in YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ /polypyrrole sandwich structures

The preparation of a hybrid conducting polymer/high-temperature superconductor device consisting of a polypyrrole coated YBa2Cu3O7-(delta ) microbridge is reported. Electrochemical techniques are exploited to alter the oxidation state of the polymer and, in doing so, it is found that superconductivity can be modulated in a controllable and reproducible fashion by the polymer layer. Whereas the neutral (insulating) polypyrrole only slightly influences the electrical properties of the underlying YBa2Cu3O7-(delta ) film, the oxidized (conductive) polymer depresses Tc by up to 50 K. The observed reversible shifts in Tc are the largest reported to date. In a similar fashion, the oxidation state of the polymer is found to reversibly modulate the magnitude of Jc, the superconducting critical current. Thus, the operation of a molecular/superconductor switch for controlling superconductivity is demonstrated.
Size, CD4 and CD8 marker profiles and functions of lymphocyte subpopulations in mucosal-associated lymph nodes*

We analyzed phenotypic and functional characteristics of T cell populations in mucosal-associated supramammary and mesenteric lymph nodes in goats. Here we demonstrate, by flow cytometry, quantitative differences in CD4 and CD8 T cell subsets among large and small mucosal-associated lymphocyte populations and their differential regulatory activities on resident lymph node B cells stimulated with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I or pokeweed mitogen. The CD4/CD8 T cell ratio was lower in mesenteric lymph nodes (1.46) when compared to that of supramammary lymph nodes (2.18). Analysis of large and small lymphocyte subpopulations from lymph nodes showed nearly 62% of the lymphocytes from mesenteric lymph nodes being of large cell phenotype with CD4/CD8 ratios of 1.34. In contrast, large cell subpopulations in supramammary lymph nodes showed a significantly lower number (50%) with a higher CD4/CD8 ratio of 2.05. Functionally, mesenteric lymph node T cells, isolated by nylon wool, showed heightened suppressive activity in mitogen-driven B cell proliferation responses, whereas T cells from supramammary lymph nodes were stimulatory. These findings clearly demonstrate distinctive functional properties between resident T cell populations of supramammary and mesenteric lymph nodes, suggesting that different proportions of T cell subsets in these nodes are activated and thus regulate regional immune responses via different pathways.
Implementation of a National Monitoring Program

Abstract Timely information on the conditions of the environment is essential if complex environmental issues are to be resolved. Currently, much of the information we have on large-scale environmental conditions is from unrelated local monitoring efforts that must be synthesized to address large-scale issues. The Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) was initiated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to address the need for coherent ecological resources information on a regional and national scale. EMAP began with a design concept or framework that had the goal of providing an integrated family of monitoring designs that could be adapted to sampling any ecological resource. Since EMAP's inception, the design concept has been applied to pilot and demonstration monitoring programs for a variety of ecological resources. This paper discusses some of the rationale behind the conceptual design, describes some of the techniques for applying the general concept to a specific resource, and gives specific applications for several demonstration studies.
Charge trapping and release in electron and gamma irradiated lead silicate glasses

Abstract The thermally stimulated release of charge in electrically polarized and electron and gamma irradiated glasses containing 30 to 50 mol% PbO was investigated between 290 and 450 K. The release of trapped change in irradiated glasses produced a thermally stimulated current peak which had the same activation energy as the depolarization current peak in electrically polarized specimens. The irradiation induced dielectric breakdown of these glasses was correlated with the quantity of trapped charge and the relaxation time for charge release determined from the thermally stimulated depolarization current.
Comparison of TRMM precipitation radar with NEXRAD and in-situ rain gauges in central and south Florida

The purpose of this paper is to use various mathematical methods for processing precipitation data and presenting an independent ground-based measurement of rainfall rate and accumulation for calibration of TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR). Reflectivity data from the Melbourne National Weather Service WSR-88D Next generation Radar (NEXRAD) were collocated in time and space with gauge data located in Central and South Florida. The corresponding NEXRAD reflectivity (Z) and gauge rain states (R) were matched. Different regression methods were tested to find a suitable Z-R relationship for convective and stratiform rainfall for Melbourne NEXRAD. This Z-R relationship was used to produce instantaneous rain rate maps, and monthly rain accumulation maps. This resulted in a large coverage area for comparison with TRMM PR rain products; instantaneous rain rate, and average monthly rain rate. Statistics are presented for three months operations during August and September 1998, and June 1999.
Long-term continuous measurement of near-road air pollution in Las Vegas: seasonal variability in traffic emissions impact on local air quality

Excess air pollution along roadways is an issue of public health concern to Federal, State, and local government environmental agencies and the public. This concern was the motivation for a long-term study to measure levels of air pollutants at various distances from a roadway in Las Vegas, Nevada. This study represents a joint effort between the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. Measurements of air pollutants—including carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NO, NO2, NOX), and black carbon (BC)—were conducted concurrently at four distances from a major interstate (206,000 vehicles per day) for an entire year. With prevailing winds from the west, concentrations of all measured species at 20 m from the highway were significantly higher (non-overlapping 95% confidence intervals) than levels 300 m from the road. In addition, CO, NOX, and BC measured at 100 m from the road on the prevailing downwind side of the road were significantly higher than 100 m on the opposite side of the road. The disproportionate impact of the roadway emissions on the eastern side of the highway points to the importance of local meteorology in determining the extent of near-road impact. When isolating only time periods with winds from due west (±60°), CO, NO2, NOX, and BC levels at 20 m east of the highway were 60%, 46%, 122%, and 127% higher, respectively, than the concurrent measurements at the upwind site. Monthly average traffic volume and frequency of downwind conditions are not enough to explain the trends in monthly average excess CO at 20 m east of the road; average wind speed appears to be an important explanatory factor. The year-long extensive dataset afforded some unique data mining analyses—the maximum near-road impact (top 10% of 20 m east site minus 300 m east site) is associated with winds from the southwest to northwest, higher traffic volumes, and low wind speeds; meanwhile, the apparent maximum spatial extent in near-road impact (top 10% of 300 m east site minus to 100 m west site) occurred during evening to presunrise periods in the winter under conditions of low speed winds from due west, with moderate to low traffic volumes. This research confirms that excess air pollution associated with proximity to roads is significant over a year-long time frame and that local meteorology is a critical factor determining the extent of near-road impact.
Estimating California mussel (Mytilus californianus) size from hinge fragments: a methodological application in historical ecology

Whole shell measurements from archaeological sites increasingly have become an important component of historical ecological research in coastal zones around the world. Size variation in California mussels (Mytilus californianus), one of the dominant taxa in North American Pacific Coast shell midden assemblages, have been used to assess human impacts and natural climate change on intertidal resources over millennia. Archaeological samples are typically limited due to taphonomic processes, however, which can cause fractionation and leave precious few whole shells for measurement. Various methods have been proposed to estimate the total shell length of fragmented California mussels, but these have proved largely unreliable. Using modern samples from southern California, we developed a series of regression formulae to estimate whole California mussel sizes from hinge fragments. This allometric approach proved statistically reliable and can be applied during field or laboratory work. Here, we present our methodology to build regression formulae and our validating tests using modern samples from San Diego, California, and an archaeological sample from San Miguel Island, California.
Comment on heavy baryon weak form factors

Abstract I write in a compact form the results of Isgur and Wise on heavy baryon form factors.
Note: The trace-minimal graph with 2v vertices and regularity v+1

In this paper we find the trace-minimal graph in the class of (v+1)-regular graphs with 2v vertices. It is proved that the join of an empty graph on v-1 vertices and a cycle graph on v+1 vertices is the unique trace-minimal graph in this class. These findings have applications to experimental designs in statistics, and to the geometry of the unit hypercube in higher dimensions. We present these applications.
Mineral Contamination of Feed Samples by Grinding

Abstract Nineteen dried citrus pulp samples were each divided into equal parts and one part of each sample ground through a 2-mm bronze sieve in a standard Wiley mill. Calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, and manganese were then determined on all samples. Grinding had no effect on the amounts of calcium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus, but iron, zinc, copper, manganese and sodium were higher (P
Methods of analysis of protein crystal images

Abstract Several protein crystallization techniques, including the vapor diffusion method, lend themselves well to automation techniques. Up until the present time, automation techniques have been restricted to setting up crystallization experiments, and procedures to monitor and analyze the experiments have not been developed. These procedures require additional hardware for video monitoring of crystallization chambers and automatic recognition of protein crystals. An automated image acquisition and analysis system makes use of both image processing routines and pattern recognition procedures. In order to design and implement such a system, we are presently developing algorithms which can recognize and locate protein crystals in video images of crystallization droplets. Images of crystallization experiments are acquired and digitized, and analyses of the droplet images are conducted on the microcomputer which also acts as a host in our laboratory robotics system. We describe here our current progress in designing the image analysis system, including the development of appropriate pattern recognition methods. In addition, the usefulness of various pattern recognition schemes for monitoring the progress of crystallization is explored.
Near-Earth object deflection using conventional explosives

Abstract Due to the large number and distribution of asteroids and comets in the solar system, there is the distinct possibility of one of them striking Earth just as comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 struck Jupiter. A debate is ongoing in the scientific community as to how best to divert such a threat. In 2005 NASA was directed by Congress to provide a report on the detection of near-Earth objects (NEOs) and their mitigation if determined to be a threat. The report was delivered in March 2007; as input to that report, the work reported here provided information on conventional methods to divert a potentially hazardous object (PHO) including conventional explosives and direct impact with a rocket. Other slow push conventional approaches include propulsion systems attached to the asteroid or comet and the recently proposed gravitational tractor. Advantages of conventional explosives are that they can be delivered in small packages so that the asteroid or comet is in no danger of being broken up and it is possible to accurately compute the momentum transferred to the asteroid or comet through modern validated numerical techniques. This work demonstrates that conventional explosives can be an efficient conventional method to divert an asteroid or comet and computes the amounts of explosives needed.
Flooding outlook: “Year of the Lakes”

Melting snow is likely to cause major flooding in all of the Great Lakes except Lake Ontario and in the Great Salt Lake this spring, the National Weather Service (NWS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced last week. “To some degree, this is the year of the lakes,” said Michael D. Hudlow, director of the NWS Office of Hydrology, at a press briefing on March 10, 1986. Hudlow said that minor to moderate flooding also can be expected in many areas throughout the north central United States, from the Appalachian Mountains to the Rockies (Figure 1). Also, the following river basins are likely to have moderate to major flooding: Wind River and Sweet River (Wyo.), North Platte River (Wyo., Colo., and Nebr.), Boulder, Big Thompson, and Cache La Poudre creeks (Colo.), Moueau River (S. Dak.), and Big Sioux River (Iowa, S. Dak., and Minn.).
Detection of alkaloids in foods with a multi-detector high-performance liquid chromatographic system

A general screening method for alkaloid drugs in foods is described based on high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection at three wavelengths, followed by fluorescence and electrochemical detectors in series. The chromatographic conditions include an ion-pairing reagent, which makes it possible to chromatograph acidic and basic drugs with one screen. Relative response ratios were determined from the peak areas of the alkaloids on the basis of all the detector signals. These ratios were used to create a "fingerprint" of the drugs and to predict the identity of an unknown component in a sample matrix. The fluorescence and electrochemical detectors allowed a detection limit for many of the alkaloids which would not be attainable with the ultraviolet detector alone. Typical detection limits with the electrochemical detector were 5-50 ng/ml and with the fluorescence detector 5-500 ng/ml, while the ultraviolet detector had detection limits of 1-20 micrograms/ml. The spiking concentrations in the relative response ratio experiments were approximately five times above the lowest detection limit. The extraction method investigated for orange juice yielded recoveries for most alkaloids of 80-100%. A stability study of ergot alkaloids in various food matrices demonstrated degradation, depending on the matrix, temperature, and duration of the experiment.
Efficient MaxCount and threshold operators of moving objects

Calculating operators of continuously moving objects presents some unique challenges, especially when the operators involve aggregation or the concept of congestion, which happens when the number of moving objects in a changing or dynamic query space exceeds some threshold value. This paper presents the following six d-dimensional moving object operators: (1) MaxCount (or MinCount), which finds the Maximum (or Minimum) number of moving objects simultaneously present in the dynamic query space at any time during the query time interval. (2) CountRange, which finds a count of point objects whose trajectories intersect the dynamic query space during the query time interval. (3) ThresholdRange, which finds the set of time intervals during which the dynamic query space is congested. (4) ThresholdSum, which finds the total length of all the time intervals during which the dynamic query space is congested. (5) ThresholdCount, which finds the number of disjoint time intervals during which the dynamic query space is congested. And (6) ThresholdAverage, which finds the average length of time of all the time intervals when the dynamic query space is congested. For these operators separate algorithms are given to find only estimate or only precise values. Experimental results from more than 7,500 queries indicate that the estimation algorithms produce fast, efficient results with error under 5%.
Poker Flat Radar data archived

An archive of Poker Flat Mesosphere, Stratosphere and Troposphere (MST) radar observations has recently been completed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Aeronomy Laboratory in Boulder, Colo. The Poker Flat MST radar was one of the first wind-profiling Doppler radars. Construction began in 1978 near Fairbanks, Alaska, with the support of the National Science Foundation, and the radar was in routine operation from early 1979–1985. The archive includes observations of vertical and horizontal velocities, Doppler spectral width of horizontal and vertical motions, and signal strength. The observations are essentially continuous in time and cover an altitude range of about 5–30 km and 55–95 km, depending on season and time of day. In preparing the archive, data were carefully checked for consistency, and a special effort was made to optimize the retrieval of data from altitudes with low signal-to-noise ratio.
Co-transcription of orf25 and coxIII in rice mitochondria.

Southern hybridization analysis using homologous maize probes indicated that orf25 and coxIII are closely linked in the mitochondrial genome of rice (Oryza sativa) cultivar IR36. The two coding regions were found on the same 5.1 kb BamHI fragment, and this fragment was cloned, mapped and partially sequenced. Using probes for each gene derived from the rice clone, a 2.4 kb dicistronic mRNA transcript was found containing both orf25 and coxIII coding regions. Multiple 5′ ends were identified by primer extension analysis and a double stem/loop structure was mapped to the 3′ end. The orf25 coding region shares >85% identity with orf25 sequences from maize, tobacco and wheat, suggesting that orf25 may code for a conserved protein product.
Sex assessment of the femur: A test of a new method

Simple and multiple discriminant functions using mid-shaft femoral circumference for the determination of sex were used to test a sexing method recently proposed by Black. The method was able to correctly assign sex for 82% of the sample, which consisted of 115 North American White femora of verified age and sex. Circumference proved as accurate as any other criteria that have been used in sexing the femur. This suggests a usefulness beyond the limited archaelogical scope originally proposed by Black.
Mandal commission agitations: a comparison of affirmative action programmes of USA and India: a case study

This case study revolves around a teenager, Amit’s involvement in the anti-Mandal movement at Delhi University in 1990. The case study traces, the political scenario in India and at Delhi University campus, the implementation of Mandal Commission Report and its dire consequences raising questions about affirmative action and reverse discrimination.
The Cognitive Pilot Helmet: enabling pilot-aware smart avionics

We hypothesize that human-aware helmet display systems can drastically improve situation awareness (SA), reduce workload, and become the cognitive gateway to two-way human-systems information. We designed a ruggedized prototype helmet liner that was fitted with active electroencephalogram (EEG) electrodes and pulse oxymetry sensor. This liner was integrated into a helmet that was fitted with a binocular SR-100A helmet mounted display. We modified the SR-100A to include dual-eye tracking capability. The resulting system is able to pick up physiological signals from the wearer in real-time for cognitive state characterization by the Cognitive Avionics Tool Set (CATS). We conducted a preliminary test of the cognitive state estimation system in a simulated close-air-support task in the laboratory and found that workload throughout the mission could be gauged using physiological parameters. Cognitively-linked helmet systems can increase situation awareness by metering the amount of information based on available cognitive bandwidth and eventually, we feel that they will be able to provide anticipatory information to the user by means of cognitive intent recognition. Considerable design challenges lie ahead to create robust models of cognitive state characterization and intent recognition. However, the rewards of such efforts could be systems that allow a dramatic increase in human decision making ability and productivity in dynamical complex situations such as air combat or surface warfare.
Viewership of pro-eating disorder websites: association with body image and eating disturbances.

Objective: To evaluate the association between pro-eating disorder website viewership and concurrent levels of body dissatisfaction and eating disturbance. Method: A sample of 1575 women were surveyed for viewership of a variety of websites, including those promoting disordered eating (pro-eating disorder) and those providing information about eating disorders (professional). Results: Individuals who frequented pro-eating disorder sites had higher levels of body dissatisfaction and eating disturbance than a control group. The group who frequented only professional information websites, but not pro-eating disorder websites, differed from controls on only one of the four measures of disturbance. The pro-eating disorder group did not differ from the professional group on any measure. Conclusion: The findings offer moderate evidence indicating that viewers of pro-eating disorder sites have higher levels of disturbance than a control sample of nonviewers, but limited evidence that those who view pro-eating disorder sites differ from individuals who view professional sites offering information regarding eating disorders. The findings are discussed in light of the difficulty determining causality in this area of inquiry and a cautionary note regarding the potential iatrogenic effects of this type of research is offered. © 2007 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2008
Glossary: Intelligent Integration of Information

This glossary and its base vocabulary were initially established during the Intelligent Integration of Information (I 3) Architecture Meeting in Boulder CO, in November 1994, sponsored by ARPA and organized by Roger King and Richard Hull of the University of Colorado. It was subsequently refined during an I 3 architecture meeting held in January 1995, organized by Mike Genesereth of Stanford University. It has received inputs from many members of the community, although closure on the I 3 architecture specification itself has not yet been achieved. The architecture document is currently being maintained at George Mason University, as 〈http://isse.gmu.edu//I3_Arch/index.html〉. Related material on I 3 technology can be found in files of the Stanford Logic Group 〈http://logic.stanford.edu/...〉.
Cardioembolic stroke: practical considerations for patient risk management and secondary prevention.

AbstractCardioembolic (CE) stroke constitutes approximately 20% of all occurrence of ischemic stroke in patients. Atrial fibrillation remains the most common and most studied mechanism underlying CE stroke events. Cardioembolic strokes carry high morbidity and are associated with early recurrence in patients. Our understanding of other patient mechanisms associated with CE stroke, including valvular disease, left ventricular dysfunction, and patent foramen ovale, continues to grow. Our review summarizes the diagnosis and management of patients who have sustained CE stroke as a result of the aforementioned cardiac mechanisms. Advances in primary and secondary risk management for prevention of CE stroke are also highlighted in our article—specifically, emerging data regarding monitoring of patients with atrial fibrillation, new anticoagulation therapy, and management of patients with decreased ejection fraction.
Ecology and management of northern pike in Wisconsin

Northern pike (pike) Esox lucius Linnaeus are broadly distributed across Wisconsin and provide an important sport fishery for anglers. Historical management has included use of angling regulations, stocking, and protection of critical habitat areas. Pike management is often a lower priority in comparison to more intensively managed species such as muskellunge Esox masquinongy Mitchell and walleye Sander vitreous. Pike provide angling opportunities year around, with higher catch rates and live release during open water, and higher harvest rates during winter. While length of pike caught during the two seasons is generally similar, there is some evidence that larger fish are caught during winter months. Results from minimum length limit changes implemented in 1995 have been equivocal and warrant further monitoring using standardized protocol to better determine effects on populations. If natural recruitment is not limited, pike populations can reach high densities and stunting can result. Loss of nearshore habitat has continued at an increased rate as more lake homes are built and shorelines graded, and altered with riprap, sand blankets, or sea walls. If natural recruitment is lacking, fry or fingerling stocking sustains or rehabilitates populations. Most pike stocking occurs in the southeastern portion of the state where habitat loss has been extensive. Stocking in other areas is largely to re-establish populations following a chemical reclamation or from winterkill. Future management needs to establish sampling protocols to ensure comparable data on both a temporal and a spatial scale. Long-term monitoring with these methods is essential to help determine effects of various factors (e.g., regulations, habitat loss) on populations.
The medical approach to anxiety neurosis

Abstract Diagnosis of and treatment for anxiety neurosis often leave both patient and physician dissatisfied. The authors propase that the problem rests largely on the assigning of a “sick” role to these patients. They suggest, instead, using a medical approach based on assignment of an “impaired” role. This would make elear the chronic nature of the illness, lessen unrealistic expectations of recovery, encourage more self-reliance and less dependency, and in general improve satisfaction with the medical care for this illness.
Prompting a consumer behavior for pollution control.

A field application of behavior modification studied the relative effectiveness of different prompting procedures for increasing the probability that customers entering a grocery store would select their soft drinks in returnable rather than nonreturnable containers. Six different 2-hr experimental conditions during which bottle purchases were recorded were (1) No Prompt (i.e., control), (2) one student gave incoming customers a handbill urging the purchase of soft drinks in returnable bottles, (3) distribution of the handbill by one student and public charting of each customer's bottle purchases by another student, (4) handbill distribution and charting by a five-member group, (5) handbills distributed and purchases charted by three females. The variant prompting techniques were equally effective, and in general increased the percentage of returnable-bottle customers by an average of 25%.
Hot Erosion of Glass.

Abstract In this paper the effect of plastic flow on the erosion of soda-lime-silicate glass at elevated temperatures is investigated. Although the erosion of glass at 500°C and 600°C is still basically a brittle process, viscous relaxation of glass during impact reduces the driving force for fracture and thus the size of the chips that are formed during erosion. As a result, the erosion rate of glass at 500°C or 600°C is decreased by a factor of 2 compared to that measured at room temperature. To completely eliminate fracture during erosion, a temperature of ∼800°C is estimated for soda-lime-silicate glass.
PARAMETRIC EXPRESSION FOR p-p OFF-ENERGY-SHELL MATRIX ELEMENTS AND p-p BREMSSTRAHLUNG

An equation is derived which expresses the off-energy-shell matrix elements of the $p\ensuremath{-}p$ interaction in a form analogous to the phase-shift expansion for elastic scattering. "Quasiphase parameters" which play the role of phase shifts in this expression are calculated from phenomenological potentials. $p\ensuremath{-}p$ bremsstrahlung, with gamma rays observed perpendicular to the scattering plane of the incident proton, is discussed as a process which may permit experimental study of these parameters.
IL‐12/23p40‐dependent clearance of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in the murine model of human anaplasmosis

Human anaplasmosis is an emerging infectious disease transmitted by ticks that can be potentially fatal in the immunocompromised and the elderly. The mechanisms of defense against the causative agent, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, are not completely understood; however, interferon (IFN)-γ plays an important role in pathogen clearance. Here, we show that IFN-γ is regulated through an early IL-12/23p40-dependent mechanism. Interleukin (IL)-12/23p40 is regulated in macrophages and dendritic cells after activation by microbial agonists and cytokines and constitutes a subunit of IL-12 and IL-23. IL-12/23p40-deficient mice displayed an increased A. phagocytophilum burden, accelerated thrombocytopenia and increased neutrophil numbers in the spleen at day 6 postinfection. Infection of MyD88- and mitogen-activated kinase kinase 3 (MKK3)-deficient mice suggested that the early susceptibility due to IL-12/23p40 deficiency was not dependent on signaling through MyD88 or MKK3. The lack of IL-12/23p40 reduced IFN-γ production in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells although the effect was more pronounced in CD4+ T cells. Our data suggest that the immune response against A. phagocytophilum is a multifactorial and cooperative process. The IL-12/23p40 subunit drives the CD4+ Th1 immune response in the early phase of infection and IL-12/23p40-independent mechanisms ultimately contribute to pathogen elimination from the host.
Isogeometric enriched field approximations

Abstract Boundaries with specified behavior, phase boundaries, crack surfaces or singular points are, geometrically speaking, lower-dimensional features relative to two- or three-dimensional geometrical domains. Often, the distinguishing characteristics of the behavior at these features are known a priori and may be exploited to enrich isogeometric models. Explicit geometrical representations possess parametrically computable tangents, normals and curvature, while in implicit strategies, the geometric “exactness” of enriching lower-dimensional features is not exploited or retrieved only in the limit of mesh refinement. In the present work, CAD-inspired hierarchical partition of unity field compositions are extended to modeling explicitly defined enrichments within the isogeometric framework. The base approximations are “enriched” isogeometrically on parametrically defined lower-dimensional geometrical features of the base entity and by constructing distance fields from them. The efficiency and robustness of distance computations is significantly improved by composing monotonic distance measures, defined piecewise on the enriching geometric entity, using R-Functions. The procedure allows both the behavioral approximation as well as the material description to be enriched enabling the modeling of material damage (or, alternatively, local stiffening). Further, the enrichments may ensure known function value or its derivative. Function value enrichments are demonstrated to model Dirichlet boundary conditions and propagating cracks. The derivative enrichments are used to model Neumann boundary conditions as well as strain jumps across material interfaces. The material enrichments are demonstrated through the use of a cohesive damage law to model arbitrary crack initiation and propagation within the domain.