cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decoding visual information from high-density diffuse optical tomography neuroimaging data.

Abstract Background Neural decoding could be useful in many ways, from serving as a neuroscience research tool to providing a means of augmented communication for patients with neurological conditions. However, applications of decoding are currently constrained by the limitations of traditional neuroimaging modalities. Electrocorticography requires invasive neurosurgery, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is too cumbersome for uses like daily communication, and alternatives like functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) offer poor image quality. High-density diffuse optical tomography (HD-DOT) is an emerging modality that uses denser optode arrays than fNIRS to combine logistical advantages of optical neuroimaging with enhanced image quality. Despite the resulting promise of HD-DOT for facilitating field applications of neuroimaging, decoding of brain activity as measured by HD-DOT has yet to be evaluated. Objective To assess the feasibility and performance of decoding with HD-DOT in visual cortex. Methods and Results To establish the feasibility of decoding at the single-trial level with HD-DOT, a template matching strategy was used to decode visual stimulus position. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to quantify the sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility of binary visual decoding. Mean areas under the curve (AUCs) greater than 0.97 across 10 imaging sessions in a highly sampled participant were observed. ROC analyses of decoding across 5 participants established both reproducibility in multiple individuals and the feasibility of inter-individual decoding (mean AUCs > 0.7), although decoding performance varied between individuals. Phase-encoded checkerboard stimuli were used to assess more complex, non-binary decoding with HD-DOT. Across 3 highly sampled participants, the phase of a 60° wide checkerboard wedge rotating 10° per second through 360° was decoded with a within-participant error of 25.8±24.7°. Decoding between participants was also feasible based on permutation-based significance testing. Conclusions Visual stimulus information can be decoded accurately, reproducibly, and across a range of detail (for both binary and non-binary outcomes) at the single-trial level (without needing to block-average test data) using HD-DOT data. These results lay the foundation for future studies of more complex decoding with HD-DOT and applications in clinical populations.
Teaching Board Game Play to Young Children With Disabilities

We examined the use of an intervention package consisting of the system of least prompts (SLP), visual schedules, peer models, and contingent reinforcement to teach four children with disabilities ...
Route Optimization Tool (RoOT) for distribution of vaccines and health products

Delivery of health products from provinces or districts to health facilities, including temperature-sensitive vaccines, is one of the most effective interventions to ensure availability of supplies and save lives in low- and middle-income countries. Currently, routes are hand drawn by logisticians that are adjusted based on vehicle availability and quantity of products. Easy-to-use supply chain tools are needed that planners can use in real-time to create or adjust routes for available vehicles and road conditions. Efficient and optimized distribution is even more critical with the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. We develop a Route Optimization Tool (RoOT) using a variant of a Vehicle Routing and Scheduling Algorithm (VeRSA) that is coded in Python, but reads and writes Excel files to make data input and using outputs easier. The tool takes into account cold chain distribution, is easy-to-use, and provides routes quickly within two minutes. RoOT can be used for routine operations or in emergency situations, such as delivery of new COVID-19 vaccine. The tool has a user-centric design with easy dropdown menus and the ability to optimize on time, risk, or combination of both. Training of logisticians in Mozambique indicate that RoOT is easy to use and provides a tool to improve planning and efficient distribution of health products, especially vaccines. We illustrate using RoOT in an emergency situation, such as a cyclone. RoOT is an open-source tool for optimal routing of health products. It provides optimized routes faster than most commercial software, and is tailored to meet the needs of government stakeholders. Currently, RoOT does not allow multi-day routes, and is designed for trips that can be completed within twenty-four hours. Areas for future development include multi-day routing and integration with mapping software to facilitate distance calculations and visualization of routes.
Cross-Cultural Comparisons of Review Aspect Importance

Previous text mining studies identified key common aspects in online restaurant reviews. However, it is not clear how important these aspects are for consumers. In this exploratory study, we used Yelp restaurant reviews on an ethnic food item, ramen noodles, and assessed the importance of each aspect to both U.S. and Japanese consumers. The results show that food and atmosphere are far more important than the other common aspects in both the U.S. and Japan. However, we found noticeable differences between consumers in the two countries regarding how the food aspect plays a role on star ratings. Both implications and a future research agenda are discussed.
Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthaceae) and At-Plant Insecticide Impacts on Tarnished Plant Bug (Hemiptera: Miridae) and Injury to Seedling Cotton Terminals

The direct effect of Palmer amaranth, Amaranthus palmeri Watson, on cotton growth and development is well documented, but its indirect effect through harboring feeding insects is less understood. Palmer amaranth emerged with cotton and remaining in the field for 30 days increased tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), populations compared with a weed-free system. Weedy systems noted up to 49% more damaged terminals than weed-free systems, with cotton yield decreasing as damaged terminals increased at one of two locations. Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) populations were effectively controlled with Aeris® (Bayer, St. Louis, MO) seed treatment (imidacloprid + thiodicarb at 0.375 mg active ingredient per seed), but there was no correlation between thrips infestations and increasing damaged cotton terminals. However, Aeris seed treatment significantly reduced the occurrence of damaged cotton terminals. In a second experiment, Palmer amaranth infesting an area adjacent to a weed-free cotton field had maximum damaged terminals of 51% on the cotton row proximal to the weedy area, with the distal cotton row (44 m away) having 8% terminal damage. Cotton yield significantly decreased as damaged terminals increased. A final bioassay experiment further evaluated the influence of seed treatment on tarnished plant bug feeding impacting cotton seedlings. With Aeris seed treatment, tarnished plant bug mortality was 97%, compared with 37% for nontreated seed. Results suggest tarnished plant bug infestations increased where Palmer amaranth was present in cotton fields. Additionally, greater Palmer amaranth infestations led to an increase in damaged cotton terminals and lower yields.
Between Politics and Ethics: Toward a Vocative History of English Studies, James N. Comas: Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 2006. ix–xiv + 180 pages. $55.00 hardcover

This is a provocative book in which James Comas gives serious attention to the importance of ethics and politics in the formation of our disciplinary identities. The book challenges English studies...
Visual Pattern Recognition

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Fundamentals Statistical Pattern Classification Techniques Tutorial 19.1: Pattern Classification Problems ]]>
Stimulation of erythropoiesis by in vivo gene therapy: physiologic consequences of transfer of the human erythropoietin gene to experimental animals using an adenovirus vector

Erythropoietin (Epo), a 30.4-kD glycoprotein, is the principal regulator of erythropoiesis. To evaluate the concept that in vivo gene transfer might be used as an alternative to recombinant human Epo (rhEpo) in applications requiring a 1- to 3-week stimulation of erythropoiesis, the replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus AdMLP.Epo was constructed by deleting the majority of E1 from adenovirus type 5, and replacing E1 with an expression cassette containing the adenovirus type 5 major late promoter (MLP) and the human Epo gene, including the 32 cis-acting hypoxia response element. In vitro studies showed that infection of the human hepatocyte cell line Hep3B with AdMLP.Epo resulted in a 15-fold increase in Epo production in 24 hours that was enhanced to 116-fold in the presence of a hypoxic stimulus. One-time in vivo administration of AdMLP.Epo (7 x 10(9) plaque-forming units/kg) to the peritoneum of cotton rats caused a marked increase in red blood cell production, with a 2.6-fold increase in bone marrow erythroid precursors by day 4, and sevenfold increase in reticulocyte count by day 7. The hematocrit increased gradually, with a maximum of 64% +/- 4% at day 14 (compared with an untreated baseline of 46% +/- 2%), and a level of 55% +/- 1% at day 24. Furthermore, one-time subcutaneous administration of AdMLP.Epo caused an increase in hematocrit that peaked at 14 days (57% +/- 2%) and was still elevated at day 42. Hematocrit level in animals receiving subcutaneous administration of AdMLP.Epo sustained a long-term increase compared with animals receiving intraperitoneal administration. In the context of these observations, gene therapy with a single administration of an adenovirus vector containing the human EPO gene may provide a means of significantly augmenting the circulating red blood cell mass over the 1- to 3-week period necessary for many clinical applications.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Comorbid With Psychiatric and Medical Conditions: A Meta-analysis

Importance Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the most prominent nonpharmacologic treatment for insomnia disorders. Although meta-analyses have examined primary insomnia, less is known about the comparative efficacy of CBT-I on comorbid insomnia. Objective To examine the efficacy of CBT-I for insomnia comorbid with psychiatric and/or medical conditions for (1) remission from insomnia; (2) self-reported sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset, total sleep time, and subjective sleep quality; and (3) comorbid symptoms. Data Sources A systematic search was conducted on June 2, 2014, through PubMed, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library, and manual searches. Search terms included (1) CBT-I or CBT or cognitive behavioral [and its variations] or behavioral therapy [and its variations] or behavioral sleep medicine or stimulus control or sleep restriction or relaxation therapy or relaxation training or progressive muscle relaxation or paradoxical intention ; and (2) insomnia or sleep disturbance. Study Selection Studies were included if they were randomized clinical trials with at least one CBT-I arm and had an adult population meeting diagnostic criteria for insomnia as well as a concomitant condition. Inclusion in final analyses (37 studies) was based on consensus between 3 authors’ independent screenings. Data Extraction and Synthesis Data were independently extracted by 2 authors and pooled using a random-effects model. Study quality was independently evaluated by 2 authors using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Main Outcomes and Measures A priori main outcomes (ie, clinical sleep and comorbid outcomes) were derived from sleep diary and other self-report measures. Results At posttreatment evaluation, 36.0% of patients who received CBT-I were in remission from insomnia compared with 16.9% of those in control or comparison conditions (pooled odds ratio, 3.28; 95% CI, 2.30-4.68; P g = 0.91 [95% CI, 0.74 to 1.08]; sleep onset latency: Hedges g = 0.80 [95% CI, 0.60 to 1.00]; wake after sleep onset: Hedges g = 0.68; sleep quality: Hedges g = 0.84; all P g = 0.39 [95% CI, 0.60-0.98]; P g = 0.20 [95% CI, 0.09-0.30]; χ 2 test for interaction = 12.30; P Conclusions and Relevance Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is efficacious for improving insomnia symptoms and sleep parameters for patients with comorbid insomnia. A small to medium positive effect was found across comorbid outcomes, with larger effects on psychiatric conditions compared with medical conditions. Large-scale studies with more rigorous designs to reduce detection and performance bias are needed to improve the quality of the evidence.
Effects of wortmannin and latrunculin A on slow endocytosis at the frog neuromuscular junction.

Phosphoinositides are key regulators of synaptic vesicle cycling and endocytic traffic; the actin cytoskeleton also seems to be involved in modulating these processes. We investigated the effects of perturbing phosphoinositide signalling and actin dynamics on vesicle cycling in frog motor nerve terminals, using fluorescence and electron microscopy, and electrophysiology. Antibody staining for β-actin revealed that actin surrounds but does not overlap with synaptic vesicle clusters. Latrunculin A, which disrupts actin filaments by binding actin monomers, and wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidyl inositol-3-kinase (PI3-kinase), each disrupted the pattern of presynaptic actin staining, but not vesicle clusters in resting terminals. Latrunculin A, but not wortmannin, also reduced vesicle mobilization and exocytosis. Both drugs inhibited the stimulation-induced uptake of the styryl dye FM1-43 and blocked vesicle reformation from internalized membrane objects after tetanic stimulation. These results are consistent with a role of PI3-kinase and the actin cytoskeleton in the slow pathway of vesicle endocytosis, used primarily by reserve pool vesicles.
A Multiple-View Meta-modeling Approach for Variability Management in Software Product Lines

This paper describes a multiple-view meta-modeling approach for managing variability in software product lines using the Unified Modeling Language notation (UML). A multiple-view meta-model for software product lines describes how each view relates semantically to other views. The meta-model depicts life cycle phases, views within each phase, and meta-classes within each view. The relationships between the meta-classes in the different views are described. Consistency checking rules are defined based on the relationships among the meta-classes in the meta-model. This paper briefly describes multiple-view modeling of software product lines before describing the multiple-view meta-modeling approach for software product lines and an approach for consistency checking between meta-model views. The paper then provides a detailed description of the tool support for product line multiple-view meta-modeling, meta-model consistency checking, and product line member configuration from the product line architecture.
Dynamic cross correlation studies of wave particle interactions in ULF phenomena

Magnetic field observations made by satellites in the earth's magnetic field reveal a wide variety of ULF waves. These waves interact with the ambient particle populations in complex ways, causing modulation of the observed particle fluxes. This modulation is found to be a function of species, pitch angle, energy and time. The characteristics of this modulation provide information concerning the wave mode and interaction process. One important characteristic of wave-particle interactions is the phase of the particle flux modulation relative to the magnetic field variations. To display this phase as a function of time a dynamic cross spectrum program has been developed. The program produces contour maps in the frequency time plane of the cross correlation coefficient between any particle flux time series and the magnetic field vector. This program has been utilized in several studies of ULF wave-particle interactions at synchronous orbit.
Diagnostic Opportunities Using Rasch Measurement in the Context of a Misconceptions-Based Physical Science Assessment

Multiple-choice (MC) items that are constructed such that distractors target known misconceptions for a particular domain provide useful diagnostic information about student misconceptions (Herrmann-Abell & DeBoer, 2011, 2014; Sadler, 1998). Item response theory models can be used to examine misconceptions distractor-driven multiple-choice (MDDMC) items as a method for examining patterns of student answer choices given their achievement level. Furthermore, changes in response patterns over time can yield useful information about changes in student understanding following instruction. Because it meets the requirements for invariant measurement, the Rasch model is a promising tool for examining the diagnostic properties of MDDMC items within a coherent measurement framework; however, this application of the dichotomous Rasch model in conjunction with MDDMC items is relatively unexplored (Herrmann-Abell, 2011, 2014). The purpose of this study is to explore the diagnostic information about student understanding of physical science concepts provided by a Rasch-based analysis of MDDMC items. This study examines the relationship between misconceptions and a measure of student achievement as a method for targeting curriculum development and professional development within the framework of design-based implementation research (Penuel & Fishman, 2012). Implications for research, theory, and practice are discussed.
Applications of semiconductor test economics, and multisite testing to lower cost of test

This paper develops a Semiconductor Test Economic Model that can easily be applied to lowering overall cost of test and improving throughput. The "Model", designed to take the complexity out of Test Economics, describes all the variables that make up cost per unit, and using managerial economic concepts, illustrates how they interact with each other, as well as the overall production goal of minimizing costs while maximizing throughput. This paper is written for Test Managers, Test Engineers, Product Engineers, and ATE Capital Equipment Buyers for the purpose of gaining insight analyzing test economics, in order to make better decisions on everyday Manufacturing issues related to: test time reduction, multisite testing, yield, handler index time, ATE utilization, and ATE purchasing.
Effect of Ultrasound and Strain Rate on Tensile Behavior of Neat Thermoplastic Polyurethane Thin Films

Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) thin films have many applications in engineering and biomedical fields. Examples include moisture sensors, load cells, optical element and biocompatible stens. The TPU is a block copolymer naturally phase segregates into thermodynamically incompatible hard- and soft-segments. The size of the segments and their spatial distribution can significantly affect the microstructure and mechanical properties of the TPU. In this paper, we propose to investigate the effect of ultrasound energy on mechanical properties of TPU thin films fabricated via a solution route utilizing Tetra Hydro Furan (THF) as a solvent. The times of sonication was fixed at 60 minutes whilst all films were fabricated at average thickness of 20+/-5 um. The primary objective of the study was to understand the influence of ultrasound and strain rates on the material microstructure and the resulting mechanical properties. Mechanical tests have been conducted at two different displacement rates, namely 5 and 10 mm/min. Our preliminary results indicate that ultrasound improves the strength of the neat TPU films. We also see that strain hardening is displacement or strain rate dependent. We attribute these results to changes in the hard (H) and soft (S) domain structure. To further understand these microstructural variations, we propose to conduct Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The data has been interpreted in conjunction with our mechanical test data.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Characterization of a high-Q in-liquid longitudinal-mode film bulk acoustic resonator for real-time in-situ monitoring of competitive protein adsorption

We report the characterization results of in-liquid longitudinal-mode FBAR (L-FBAR) for real-time in-situ monitoring of the Vroman effect, a competitive adsorption and exchange of proteins on a surface. The change of resonant frequency of the L-FBAR, ∼1.55 GHz, is a direct function of the proteins' molecular weight, and thus we monitor the resonant frequency shifts to estimate the adsorption and exchange behavior. A low molecular weight (LMW) protein, albumin, initially covers the surface and is displaced by a high molecular weight (HMW) protein, IgG; sequentially, the highest molecular weight protein, fibrinogen displaces IgG. However, the reverse sequence does not occur.
Integrated shipboard power and automation control challenge problem

Control system requirements for highly automated and survivable future electric warships are presented herein to stimulate and unify interdisciplinary research conducted under the joint NSF/ONR Electric Power Networks Efficiency and Security (EPNES) initiative. This ONR challenge problem focuses on continuity of control for interdependent shipboard engineering and damage control systems under hostile conditions. The mission statement for these Hull, Mechanical, Electrical & Damage Control (HME&DC) systems may be summarized as: Provide continuous mobility, power, and thermal management for shipboard combat systems despite major disruptions involving cascading failures. This challenge problem is prototypical of analogous complex, interdependent systems including the national power grid, military and civilian infrastructure, and transport systems. These nonlinear, distributed, heterogeneous, variable structure systems contain dynamically interdependent subsystems. Mission/life critical system integrity and fault tolerance requirements demand dependable continuity of service. Innovative, dependable, and affordable control system architectures, strategies, algorithms, methods and tools are sought. After a brief problem statement and discussion of shipboard control systems, the ONR control challenge problem and reference system are presented.
Effects of Temporary Drainage on Selected Life History Stages of the Rice Water Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in California

Adults, eggs, first instars, and root-feeding larvae of the rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel, were experimentally confined to rice, Oryza sativa L., plants in flooded and drained fields during experiments conducted in 1989-1990. In both years, oviposition was significantly greater under flooded conditions (5.8-32 mean number of eggs per plant) than under drained conditions (0-1 mean number of eggs per plant). Scars from leaf-feeding by adults were more abundant on plants in flooded plots in both years. Lengths of feeding scars were greater on plants from the flooded plot in 1989, but scar lengths did not differ between treatments in 1990. In 1989, survival of eggs exposed to drained conditions for 7 d was greater than for eggs exposed to flooded conditions for the same period. Survival of weevil eggs in 1990 did not differ among flooded and drained treatments. In 1989, fewer larvae established on plants when drainage occurred 1 dafter transplanting than on plants that were transplanted at the same time but remained under flooded conditions. In 1990, water management, block, and the interaction (water management and block) influenced larval establishment. Survival of root-feeding larvae did not differ between flooded and drained treatments in 1989, whereas in 1990, survival declined with an increasing duration of drainage. Draining rice fields may be effective in controlling rice water weevil infestations, particularly when targeted against adults. However, earlyseason drainage conflicts with other management practices and appears to be more costly, and appropriate timing of this practice may be difficult to establish.
Cognitive complexity and social perspective‐taking

The relationship between an individual's social perspective‐taking capacity and the complexity of that individual's dimensions for construing the behavior and character of others was examined within a general constructivist framework. A significant correlation was found supporting the hypothesis that the more differentiated the construction system of the individual the better he/she should be able to construe the perspectives of others in social situations. Evidence is also offered demonstrating the validity and reliability of the Social Perspective Task as a research instrument for examining the mode of construal of the individual.
Apolipoprotein E isoforms and regulation of the innate immune response in brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease

The largest genetic risk for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) resides at the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) locus, which has three common alleles (ɛ2, ɛ3, ɛ4) that encode three isoforms (apoE2, apoE3, apoE4). The very strong association of the APOE ɛ4 allele with AD risk and its role in the accumulation of amyloid β in brains of people and animal models solidify the biological relevance of apoE isoforms but do not provide mechanistic insight. The innate immune response is consistently observed in AD and is a likely contributor to neuronal injury and response to injury. Here we review emerging data showing that apoE isoform regulation of multiple facets of the innate immune response in the brain may alter AD not only through amyloid β-dependent mechanisms, but also through other, amyloid β-independent mechanisms.
QUANTIFICATION OF THE FULL LENGTH LEPTIN RECEPTOR (OB-Rb) IN HUMAN BROWN AND WHITE ADIPOSE TISSUE

Abstract Levels of expression of the leptin receptor (OB-R) splice variants have been studied in human omental white and perirenal brown adipose tissues by reverse transcription-PCR. The level of mRNA expression of the full length form (OB-Rb) was approximately 15% of that of the sum of all splice variants in white or brown adipose tissue. In an attempt to quantify the gene expression of OB-Rb in human white adipose tissue, a quantitative competitive PCR technique was developed, using oligonucleotide primers designed for OB-Rb and an internal standard for a “MIMIC” competition strategy. The levels of expression of OB-Rb mRNA in the omental fat of lean and obese patients were compared and no difference could be observed between the two groups. The quantitative RT-PCR technique allows for a fast and accurate measurement of the expression of the OB-Rb mRNA in small tissue samples.
The isomorphism problem for abelian projective planes

We settle the isomorphism problem for finite cyclic projective planes by proving the following analogue of the Bays–Lambossy theorem: two cyclic projective planes of order n are isomorphic if and only if they are multiplier equivalent, that is, if and only if the associated difference sets in $${\mathbb{Z}_{n^2+n+1}}$$ are equivalent. In fact, we establish a more general result for abelian groups, where multipliers are replaced by group automorphisms.
The Electrodeposition of Silver Alloys from Aqueous Solutions

This paper is presented as a survey of experiments on the electro‐ deposition of silver alloys. Nickel, cobalt, cadmium, copper, iron, zinc, and lead were codeposited with silver from aqueous solutions. The best operating conditions were studied and the properties of the deposited alloys determined. The baths were usually composed of solutions of complex salts, because of the proximity in them of the decomposition potentials of the various metals to that of silver.
Total serum glycoprotein levels in normal New Zealand white rabbits.

SummaryThe normal serum levels of glycoproteins in 19 New Zealand white rabbits are reported. It was shown that there was no significant difference between the sexes and essentially little effect on total serum glycoprotein concentration when the rabbits were bled weekly in the quantity reported over an 11 week period.
Index of refraction of high-index lithographic immersion fluids and its variability

We have developed a number of second-generation high- index candidate immersion fluids that exceed the 1.6 refractive index requirement for immersion lithography at 193 nm to replace the water used in first-generation immersion systems. To understand the behavior and performance of different fluid classes, we use spectral index mea- surements, based on the prism minimum deviation method, to charac- terize the index dispersion. In addition to fluid absorbance and index requirements, the temperature coefficient of the refractive index is a key parameter. We have used a laser-based Hilger-Chance refractometer system to determine the thermo-optic coefficient dn/dT by measuring the index change versus temperature at two different laser wavelengths, 632.8 and 193.4 nm. Also, we determined the batch-to-batch within a 6-month period, before and after irradiation at 193.4 nm, before and after air exposure, and before and after resist exposure image printing test variations of index and n/. The optical properties of these second-generation immersion fluids mostly compare favorably to water; the ratio of index of refraction at 193.4 nm is 1.644/1.437, the dispersion from d-line n193-d is 0.160 versus 0.103 and dn/dT at 193.4 is 55010 6 /K vs. 9310 6 /K, respectively. © 2009 Society of Photo-Optical
Cecal ligation and puncture is associated with pulmonary injury in the rat: role of cyclooxygenase pathway products.

The present studies evaluated the role cyclooxygenase products play in bacterial sepsis induced pulmonary injury in the rat. Lung injury was assessed by determining the pulmonary capillary filtration coefficient (Kf) and the lung lavage protein concentration four and 18 hours after cecal ligation and puncture. Four hours after cecal ligation, the Kf was unchanged from control, however, by 18 hours, the Kf was increased 171% (p < .05). Similarly, lung lavage protein levels were unchanged four hours after cecal ligation but were significantly (p < .05) elevated at 18 hours. On the other hand, pulmonary lavage immunoreactive thromboxane B2 (iTXB2) levels were increased both four and 18 hours after the initiation of sepsis. In order to determine if cyclooxygenase products played a role in the sepsis associated lung injury, ibuprofen was administered prior to cecal ligation. Ibuprofen pretreatment prevented the sepsis associated increase in both Kf and lung lavage protein concentration. These studies suggest that bacterial sepsis in the rat is associated with pulmonary injury and that early administration of ibuprofen ameliorates this damage.
Evaluation of the effect of agar on the results obtained in the L5178Y mouse lymphoma assay.

The L5178Y TK+/− mouse lymphoma assay is widely used in mutagenicity testing. Trifluorothymidine-resistant (TFTr) mutants are quantitated following growth in agar-supplemented cloning medium. In an attempt to evaluate the effect of agar on plating efficiency, we have tested several lots of Difco Noble agar (cat. No. 0142-01-8; normally used in this assay) and compared it with Baltimore Biological Laboratory (BBL) agar (cat No. 11849). We find that BBL agar gives a higher and less variable plating efficiency than any of the Noble lots tested. Colonies plated in BBL agar tend to appear significantly earlier on the plates than those cloned in Noble agar. The absolute mutant number and the induced mutant frequency quantitated from a treated culture is generally higher in BBL compared to Noble agar. To determine if this higher frequency is due to increased mutant recovery rather than “sneak through” of nonmutant cells, we isolated 97 mutants from treated cultures (44 large colonies and 53 small colonies) and 69 mutants from untreated cultures (24 large colonies and 45 small colonies) and tested them for TFT resistance. All but one (a large colony from an untreated culture) were found to be TFTr, indicating that the mutant frequency is due to an increased mutant recovery. The spontaneous mutant frequency was quantitated for 122 untreated cultures. Showing little variation within and between experiments, the spontaneous mutant frequency yielded a mean of 57.7, with a standard deviation of 14.4. Under our laboratory conditions, BBL agar gave reliable results, and we prefer it for use in cloning L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells.
The Industrial Revolution Reconsidered

Economic history, as a subject of separate study, is now nearly a hundred years old. No other idea which has emerged from it has gained a tithe of the attention that scholars, teachers, and the general public have focused on the “industrial revolution.” Yet there is scarcely a conception in economic history more misleading than one which relates all the important problems of our modern civilization to economic changes that are represented as taking place in England between 1760 and 1832. There is scarcely a conception that rests on less secure foundations than one which finds the key to an understanding of the modern industrialized world in these seventy-two years of English economic history.
Expressive genetic programming

The language in which evolving programs are expressed can have significant impacts on the problem-solving capabilities of a genetic programming system. These impacts stem both from the absolute computational power of the languages that are used, as elucidated by formal language theory, and from the ease with which various computational structures can be produced by random code generation and by the action of genetic operators. Highly expressive languages can facilitate the evolution of programs for any computable function using, when appropriate, multiple data types, evolved subroutines, evolved control structures, evolved data structures, and evolved modular program and data architectures. In some cases expressive languages can even support the evolution of programs that express methods for their own reproduction and variation (and hence for the evolution of their offspring). This tutorial will begin with a comparative survey of approaches to the evolution of programs in expressive programming languages ranging from machine code to graphical and grammatical representations. Within this context it will then provide a detailed introduction to the Push programming language, which was designed specifically for expressiveness and specifically for use in genetic programming systems. Push programs are syntactically unconstrained but can nonetheless make use of multiple data types and express arbitrary control structures, supporting the evolution of complex, modular programs in a particularly simple and flexible way. The Push language will be described and demonstrated, and ten years of Push-based research, including the production of human-competitive results, will be briefly surveyed. The tutorial will conclude with a discussion of recent enhancements to Push that are intended to support the evolution of complex and robust software systems.
Inhibition of certain mitochondrial oxidative enzymes by porphyrins and metalloporphyrins.

Abstract Liver mitochondria of mice administered hematoporphyrin parenterally showed inhibition of succinate-cytochrome c reductase, primary succinate dehydrogenase, iso citrate dehydrogenase, l -glutamate dehydrogenase and DPNH-cytochrome c reductase. Cytochrome oxidase was not inhibited. Porphyrin compounds in amounts in excess of those in the control animals were found in these mouse liver mitochondria and similar amounts of hematoporphyrin, as well as protoporphyrin and metalloporphyrins, were incorporated into mouse liver mitochondria in vitro. iso Citrate dehydrogenase, primary succinate dehydrogenase and DPNH-cytochrome c reductase were inhibited to a degree similar to that observed with the in vivo -administration of the inhibitor. Similar inhibitions also were observed with iso citrate and primary succinate dehydrogenases solubilized from the acetone powders. Highly purified preparations of enolase, aldolase and lactate dehydrogenase were not inhibited. The enzyme inhibitions noted, as well as others which may be present, appear to explain, at least in part, the toxicity of these compounds, and offer a possible mechanism for a biochemical pathogenesis of the loss of cellular function noted in some of the porphyrias.
Mechanical properties of polymer-derived ceramic composite coatings on steel

Abstract Polymer-derived ceramics have shown promise as a novel way to process low-dimensional ceramics such as fibers and coatings. A polymer-derived ceramic composite coating on steel as a barrier to oxidation and carburization has been developed using poly(hydridomethylsiloxane) as the matrix and titanium disilicide as the filler. Processing parameters have been optimized and coatings of ∼18 μm thick and a density of 2.57 g/cm 3 have been produced. This paper presents the results of mechanical testing of the coating and the coating–steel interface. The hardness of the coating after pyrolysis to 800 °C was determined to be 4.8 ± 1.0 GPa and the modulus in the range of 49–54 GPa. The tensile strength of the coating was 1.9 GPa and the ultimate shear strength of the interface was found to be 2.35 GPa.
Norm Approximation Problems and Norm Statistics

This paper explores a relation between various approximation problems (arising from fitting linear models to data) and corresponding statistical measures (norm statistics). It is established that for any optimal solution to an approximation problem defined with respect to a norm, the resulting residuals have zero as their norm statistic. This result holds whenever the underlying design matrix has a column of ones. An extension to the case of arbitrary design matrices is also considered.
The Effect of Client - Consultant Coordination on is Project Performance: An Agency Theory Perspective

Increasingly, consulting firms are employed by client organizations to participate in the implementation of enterprise systems projects. Such consultant-assisted IS projects differ from internal and outsourced IS projects in two important respects. First, the joint project team consists of members from client and consulting organizations that may have conflicting goals and incompatible work practices. Second, close collaboration between the client and consulting organizations is required throughout the course of the project. Consequently, coordination is more complex for consultant- assisted projects and is critical for project success. Drawing from coordination and agency theories, we developed a research model to investigate how client-consultant coordination can help build relationships based on trust and goal congruence and achieve higher project performance. Hypotheses derived from the model were tested using data collected from 324 projects. The results provide strong support for the model. Client-consultant coordination was found to have the largest overall significant effect on performance. However, its effect was achieved indirectly by building trust and goal congruence and reducing requirements uncertainty. The positive effects of trust and goal congruence on project performance demonstrate the importance of managing the client-consultant relationship in such projects. Project uncertainty, including both technical and requirements uncertainty, was found to negatively affect project performance, as expected. This study represents a step towards the development of a new theory on the role of interorganizational coordination.
VEGF and IHH rescue definitive hematopoiesis in Gata-4 and Gata-6–deficient murine embryoid bodies

Objective Murine embryonic stem cells can be differentiated into embryoid bodies (EBs), which serve as an in vitro model recapitulating many aspects of embryonic yolk sac hematopoiesis. Differentiation of embryonic stem cells deficient in either Gata-4 or Gata-6 results in EBs with disrupted visceral endoderm (VE). While lack of VE has detrimental effects on hematopoiesis in vivo, it is unclear whether lack of VE affects hematopoiesis in EBs. Therefore, we compared Gata-4 null (G4N) and Gata-6 null (G6N) EBs with wild-type EBs to assess their ability to commit to hematopoietic cells. Materials and Methods EB VE formation was examined using cell-sorting techniques and analysis visceral endoderm gene expression. Hematopoietic progenitor potential of EBs cultured under various conditions was assessed using colony-forming assays. Results Definitive erythroid, granulocyte-macrophage, and mixed colonies were significantly reduced in G4N and G6N EBs compared to wild-type EBs. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and secretion were also reduced in both G4N and G6N EBs, consistent with VE serving as a site of VEGF production. Addition of exogenous VEGF 165 , to EB cultures completely rescued definitive colony-forming cells in G4N and G6N EBs. This rescue response could be blocked by addition of soluble Flk-1 Fc to EB cultures. Similarly, addition of exogenous Indian hedgehog to EB cultures also recovers the diminishment in definitive hematopoiesis in a reversible manner. Conclusion These results suggest that the absence of VE in G4N and G6N EBs does not prevent emergence of definitive progenitors from EBs. However, the decreased level of VEGF and Indian hedgehog production in VE devoid G4N and G6N EBs attenuates definitive hematopoietic progenitor cell expansion.
Subculture of Violence: Youth Offender Value Systems.

This study examined value differences of violent and nonviolent youthful offenders committed to the California Youth Authority's Northern California Reception Center in Sacramento. Previous research indicated that high rates of violent crime were related to the subculture of violence hypothesis, i.e., violent offenders exhibited a different value orientation than nonviolent offenders. The Rokeach Value Survey was used to measure the values of violent and nonviolent youthful offenders. The data suggested that value systems of violent and nonviolent youthful offenders were basically the same. Six of the 36 values differed significantly. This finding was consistent with the recent studies of Ball-Rokeach.
Supermode Interference in Multicore Fiber Optimized for use in Sensing Applications

A multicore fiber has been optimized for use in sensing applications. Supermode interference was investigated through simulation and experiment, enabling sharp spectral features and high transmission necessary for sensor multiplexing.
Sequence, structure and energetic determinants of phosphopeptide selectivity of SH2 domains.

Abstract Here, we present an approach for the prediction of binding preferences of members of a large protein family for which structural information for a number of family members bound to a substrate is available. The approach involves a number of steps. First, an accurate multiple alignment of sequences of all members of a protein family is constructed on the basis of a multiple structural superposition of family members with known structure. Second, the methods of continuum electrostatics are used to characterize the energetic contribution of each residue in a protein to the binding of its substrate. Residues that make a significant contribution are mapped onto the protein sequence and are used to define a “binding site signature” for the complex being considered. Third, sequences whose structures have not been determined are checked to see if they have binding-site signatures similar to one of the known complexes. Predictions of binding affinity to a given substrate are based on similarities in binding-site signature. An important component of the approach is the introduction of a context-specific substitution matrix suitable for comparison of binding-site residues. The methods are applied to the prediction of phosphopeptide selectivity of SH2 domains. To this end, the energetic roles of all protein residues in 17 different complexes of SH2 domains with their cognate targets are analyzed. The total number of residues that make significant contributions to binding is found to vary from nine to 19 in different complexes. These energetically important residues are found to contribute to binding through a variety of mechanisms, involving both electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. Binding-site signatures are found to involve residues in different positions in SH2 sequences, some of them as far as 9 A away from a bound peptide. Surprisingly, similarities in the signatures of different domains do not correlate with whole-domain sequence identities unless the latter is greater than 50%. An extensive comparison with the optimal binding motifs determined by peptide library experiments, as well as other experimental data indicate that the similarity in binding preferences of different SH2 domains can be deduced on the basis of their binding-site signatures. The analysis provides a rationale for the empirically derived classification of SH2 domains described by Songyang & Cantley, in that proteins in the same group are found to have similar residues at positions important for binding. Confident predictions of binding preference can be made for about 85% of SH2 domain sequences found in SWISSPROT. The approach described in this work is quite general and can, in principle, be used to analyze binding preferences of members of large protein families for which structural information for a number of family members is available. It also offers a strategy for predicting cross-reactivity of compounds designed to bind to a particular target, for example in structure-based drug design.
Management of Type 2 Diabetes — Polling Results

Large-scale genomic deletions, duplications, and inversions represent a major source of variation among persons; thus, new approaches to probing disease susceptibility are warranted.
Enzymatic degradation and assimilation of condensed phosphates by green algae

Abstract The rates of hydrolysis of three condensed phosphates by the enzymatic activities of pure cultures of green algae have been studied. Also, the hydrolysis rates of the phosphates in domestic sewage were determined. Two types of experiments were carried out: static runs involving a month's duration each and column flow-through studies involving 1.5 days each. The results show that of the two types of algal culture runs, generally the flow-through system achieves faster hydrolysis and greater quantities of phosphorus extraction than the static situation. Chlorella pyrenoidosa, C. vulgaris, Scenedesmus obliquus, S. quadricauda, and Ulothrix funbriata were the green algae used and sodium tripolyphosphate, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, and sodium hexametaphosphate were the test phosphate compounds.
Adjunctive Hyperbaric Oxygen in the Treatment of Bilateral Cerebro-rhino-orbital Mucormycosis

Survival is uncommon in bilateral cerebrorhino-orbital mucormycosis treated surgically and medically. A 66-year-old man in previously good health had bilateral cerebrorhino-orbital mucormycosis and newly diagnosed nonketotic diabetes mellitus at initial examination. Total loss of vision, proptosis, and ophthalmoplegia of both eyes were present. The patient was treated with aggressive surgical and medical therapies that included bilateral orbital exenteration, intravenous and local amphotericin B, hyperbaric oxygen, and control of the diabetes mellitus. One and one-half years after onset of the illness, the patient is alert and clinically stable. The importance of prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment of this disease is emphasized by this case. Additionally, we suggest that adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen is a reasonable modality in the treatment of this often fatal disease.
WEBVIEW: an SQL extension for joining corporate data to data derived from the web

Using SQL and database technology to seamlessly retrieve information from any corporate or external Web site.