cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Financial Asset Management Using Artificial Neural Networks

Investors typically build portfolios for retirement. Investment portfolios are typically based on four asset classes that are commonly managed by large investment firms. The research presented in this article involves the development of an artificial neural network-based methodology that investors can use to support decisions related to determining how assets are allocated within an investment portfolio. The machine learning-based methodology was applied during a time period that included the stock market crash of 2008. Even though this time period was highly volatile, the methodology produced desirable results. Methodologies such as the one presented in this article should be considered by investors because they have produced promising results, especially within unstable markets.
Design and Optimization of Electric Autonomous Vehicles with Renewable Energy Source for Smart Cities

Electric autonomous vehicles provide a promising solution to the traffic congestion and air pollution problems in future smart cities. Considering intensive energy consumption, charging becomes of paramount importance to sustain the operation of these systems. Motivated by the innovations in renewable energy harvesting, we leverage solar energy to power autonomous vehicles via charging stations and solar-harvesting rooftops, and design a framework that optimizes the operation of these systems from end to end. With a fixed budget, our framework first optimizes the locations of charging stations based on historical spatial-temporal solar energy distribution and usage patterns, achieving (2 + ϵ) factor to the optimal. Then a stochastic algorithm is proposed to update the locations online to adapt to any shift in the distribution. Based on the deployment, a strategy is developed to assign energy requests in order to minimize their traveling distance to stations while not depleting their energy storage. Equipped with extra harvesting capability, we also optimize route planning to achieve a reasonable balance between energy consumed and harvested en-route. Our extensive simulations demonstrate the algorithm can approach the optimal solution within 10-15% approximation error, and improve the operating range of vehicles by up to 2-3 times compared to other competitive strategies.
Train Tracks with Gaps: Applying the Probabilistic Method to Trains.

We identify a tradeoff curve between the number of wheels on a train car, and the amount of track that must be installed in order to ensure that the train car is supported by the track at all times. The goal is to build an elevated track that covers some large distance $\ell$, but that consists primarily of gaps, so that the total amount of feet of train track that is actually installed is only a small fraction of $\ell$. In order so that the train track can support the train at all points, the requirement is that as the train drives across the track, at least one set of wheels from the rear quarter and at least one set of wheels from the front quarter of the train must be touching the track at all times. We show that, if a train car has $n$ sets of wheels evenly spaced apart in its rear and $n$ sets of wheels evenly spaced apart in its front, then it is possible to build a train track that supports the train car but uses only $\Theta( \ell / n )$ feet of track. We then consider what happens if the wheels on the train car are not evenly spaced (and may even be configured adversarially). We show that for any configuration of the train car, with $n$ wheels in each of the front and rear quarters of the car, it is possible to build a track that supports the car for distance $\ell$ and uses only $O\left(\frac{\ell \log n}{n}\right)$ feet of track. Additionally, we show that there exist configurations of the train car for which this tradeoff curve is asymptotically optimal. Both the upper and lower bounds are achieved via applications of the probabilistic method.
Antibody Responses in Elderly Residential Care Persons following COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination

ABSTRACT Objective COVID-19 disproportionately impacts older adults residing at long-term care facilities. Data regarding antibody response to COVID-19 vaccines in this population is limited. Our objective was to quantify the presence and magnitude of antibody response in older, vaccinated residents at assisted living, personal care, and independent living facilities. Design A cross-sectional quality improvement study was conducted March 15 – April 1, 2021 in the Pittsburgh region. Setting and Population Participants were volunteers at assisted living, personal care, and independent living facilities, who received mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Conditions that obviate immune responses were exclusionary criteria. Methods Sera were collected to measure IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody level with reflex to total anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin levels. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to evaluate relationships between factors potentially associated with antibody levels. Results All participants (N=70) had received two rounds of vaccination for COVID-19 and were found to have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. There was wide variation in relative levels of antibodies as determined by extinction coefficients. Antibody levels trended lower in male sex, advanced age, steroid medications, and longer length of time from vaccination. Conclusions and Implications Higher functioning long-term care residents mounted detectable antibody responses when vaccinated with COVID-19 mRNA-based vaccines. This study provides preliminary information on level of population risk of assisted living, personal care, and independent living residents which can inform reopening strategies. Data suggests some degree of immunity is present during the immediate period following vaccination. However, protective effects of such vaccination programs remain to be determined in larger studies. Clinical protection is afforded not just by pre-formed antibody levels, but by ongoing adaptive immunity, which is known to be decreased in older individuals. Thus, the implications of these levels of antibodies in preventing COVID-19 disease must be determined by clinical follow-up.
Characteristic Mode Analysis and Optimization of Meandering Probe Fed Patch Antenna for Wide-Bandwidth in UHF Band

Patch antennas operating in ultra-high frequency band (especially between 500 MHz and 1.5 GHz center frequency) have been seldom used in practical applications due to its narrow bandwidth limitations. The goal of this work is to enhance the bandwidth of a conventional patch antenna in the ultra-high frequency band by varying the location of meandering shaped probe. The -10 dB return loss (or S11) impedance bandwidth has been improved from 23.5% (before optimization) to 35.86% (after optimization). Characteristic mode analysis has been used to identify and understand the differences in impedance bandwidth before and after optimization. In addition, a rectangular shaped slot has been introduced to create a low-frequency resonance which expands our future scope for bandwidth improvement.
Seeing Keratinocyte Proteins through the Looking Glass of Intrinsic Disorder

Epidermal keratinocyte proteins include many with an eccentric amino acid content (compositional bias), atypical ultrastructural fate (built-in protease sensitivity), or assembly visible at the light microscope level (cytoplasmic granules). However, when considered through the looking glass of intrinsic disorder (ID), these apparent oddities seem quite expected. Keratinocyte proteins with highly repetitive motifs are of low complexity but high adaptation, providing polymers (e.g., profilaggrin) for proteolysis into bioactive derivatives, or monomers (e.g., loricrin) repeatedly cross-linked to self and other proteins to shield underlying tissue. Keratohyalin granules developing from liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) show that unique biomolecular condensates (BMC) and proteinaceous membraneless organelles (PMLO) occur in these highly customized cells. We conducted bioinformatic and in silico assessments of representative keratinocyte differentiation-dependent proteins. This was conducted in the context of them having demonstrated potential ID with the prospect of that characteristic driving formation of distinctive keratinocyte structures. Intriguingly, while ID is characteristic of many of these proteins, it does not appear to guarantee LLPS, nor is it required for incorporation into certain keratinocyte protein condensates. Further examination of keratinocyte-specific proteins will provide variations in the theme of PMLO, possibly recognizing new BMC for advancements in understanding intrinsically disordered proteins as reflected by keratinocyte biology.
Pharmaceuticals for Oral Mucosal Drug Delivery: Regulatory Considerations

Intraoral drug delivery offers many advantages including ease of accessibility, enhanced permeability, avoidance of first-pass metabolism, improved patient acceptability, and increased systemic absorption. Consequently, the oral cavity has become a very attractive and feasible site for local and systemic drug delivery. Despite industry interests, effective drug delivery through the oral mucosa is complex, and only a few products have achieved commercial success. Over the past few years, oral mucosal drug delivery research has greatly advanced with the advent of new technologies, mucoadhesives, and permeability enhancers. As a result, they also present new opportunities to increase the number of available therapeutics administered through the oral mucosa. Alongside the scientific hurdles, which are often unpredictable, a good understanding of the regulatory requirements for product development is critical for maximizing resources and positive interactions with the regulatory authorities. This chapter provides a general overview of the US Food and Drug Administration’s regulatory considerations for intraoral drug product development and marketing approval. A successful navigation through the regulatory approval process requires an interdisciplinary approach from the legal, clinical, chemistry, clinical pharmacology, nonclinical, and biopharmaceutics perspectives.
Role of Oxygen Radicals in Peroxidation of Docosahexaenoic Acid by Rat Brain Homogenate in vitro

The effect of free radicals, enzyme inhibitors, and free radical scavengers on docosahexaenoic acid (22: 6w3) metabolism by rat brain homogenate was studied in vitro. Rat brain homogenate was incubated with [14C]-22: 6w3 at 37°C for 15 min, and hydroxylated (1–3) 22: 6w3 compounds were separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Radioactivity of the fractions was measured by liquid scintillation counting. Ferrous iron, Fenton’s reagent, and hydrogen peroxide stimulated the formation of 22: 6w3 metabolites. When a boiled homogenate was incubated, the stimulatory effect of Fenton’s reagent on metabolite formation was decreased markedly and that of hydrogen peroxide disappeared completely. Both nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and alpha-tocopherol inhibited the stimulatory effect of ferrous iron, Fenton’s reagent, and hydrogen peroxide. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and indomethacin did not alter the hydrogen peroxide-induced stimulation of metabolite formation; however, mannitol potentiated this stimulation. These observations indicate that the mechanism of stimulation by ferrous iron and Fenton’s reagent is probably mediated by a lipid hydroperoxide. The data also suggest (a) the participation of lipoxygenase in the stimulation of polyunsaturated fatty acid peroxidation by ferrous iron and Fenton’s reagent, and (b) the importance of alpha-tocopherol as an effective antioxidant in the membrane lipid bilayer.
Role of PTEN in basal cell derived lung carcinogenesis

Lung adenocarcinoma (AdC) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the most common non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) subtypes, however, most genetic mouse models of lung cancer produce predominantly, if not exclusively, AdC. Whether this is secondary to targeting mutations to the distal airway cells or to the use of activating Kras mutations that drive AdC formation is unknown. We previously showed that targeting Kras(G12D) activation and transforming growth factor β receptor type II (TGFβRII) deletion to airway basal cells via a keratin promoter induced formation of both lung AdC and SCC. In this study we assessed if targeting phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) deletion to airway basal cells could initiate lung tumor formation or increase lung SCC formation. We found that PTEN deletion is capable of initiating both lung AdC and SCC formation when targeted to basal cells and although PTEN deletion is a weaker tumor initiator than Kras(G12D) with low tumor multiplicity and long latency, tumors initiated by PTEN deletion were larger and displayed more malignant conversion than Kras(G12D) initiated tumors. That PTEN deletion did not increase lung SCC formation compared to Kras(G12D) activation, suggests that the initiating genetic event does not dictate tumor histology when genetic alterations are targeted to a specific cell. These studies also confirm that basal cells of the conducting airway are capable of giving rise to multiple NSCLC tumor types.
Climate Change and the Crystal Ball of Vector-Borne Disease Forecasts

For decades, researchers have endeavored to better predict the incidence of vector-borne disease on a planet with a changing climate. Methods, though imperfect, have advanced considerably and led to the tantalizing prospect of forecasting the emergence of diseases such as malaria and dengue in new locations. This paper presents some of these recent advances and considers them in the context of their prospective aim: to prevent harm from vector-borne disease.
Malignant Lymphoma in Macaques: A Clinicopathologic Study of 45 Cases

Malignant lymphoma was diagnosed in 42 rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) and 3 stumptail macaques (M. arctoides) between February 1969 and December 1977. The distribution of tumor masses in the tissues of individual animals varied widely. Solitary tumor masses were present in 14 animals and multiple masses in the remaining 31 animals. Visceral lymph nodes, gastrointestinal tract, heart, and kidneys were most commonly affected. Peripheral lymph nodes were rarely involved. Most malignant lymphomas were of an undifferentiated cell type, although tumors of histiocytic, lymphocytic, poorly differentiated, and mixed lymphocytic and histiocytic cell types were also observed. Concurrent bacterial and/or viral infections were evident in 30 of the 45 macaques with malignant lymphoma. Amyloidosis was present in 9 animals. This high incidence of malignant lymphoma suggested that their immune responses were abnormal. The development of malignant lymphoma in the macaques may have been secondary to or enhanced by immunodeficiency.
Teacher Layoffs, Teacher Quality, and Student Achievement: Evidence from a Discretionary Layoff Policy.

AbstractMost teacher layoffs during the Great Recession were implemented following inverse-seniority policies. In this paper, I examine the implementation of a discretionary layoff policy in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Administrators did not uniformly lay off the most or least senior teachers but instead selected teachers who were previously retired, late-hired, unlicensed, low-performing, or nontenured. Using quasi-experimental variation within schools across grades, I then estimate the differential effects of teacher layoffs on student achievement based on teacher seniority and effectiveness. Mathematics achievement in grades that lost an effective teacher, as measured by principal evaluations or value-added scores, decreased 0.05 to 0.11 standard deviations more than in grades that lost an ineffective teacher. In contrast, teacher seniority has limited predictive power on the effects of layoffs. Simulation analyses show that the district selected teachers who were, on average, less effective than th...
Bounds on number of hidden neurons of multilayer perceptrons in classification and recognition

The use of multilayer perceptrons (MLP) in the realization of arbitrary functions which map from a finite subset of E/sup n/ into E/sup m/ is investigated. A least upper bound of hidden neurons needed to solve this problem is derived. It is shown that as long as the number of hidden neurons exceeds this bound, an MLP can realize arbitrary switching functions without requiring learning algorithms. In studying classification problems, an upper bound which is tighter than the ones obtained with the common assumption of the general position condition on the input set is derived. In addition, a lower bound is derived in addressing recognition problems. >
Outcomes for cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the elderly

Abstract Background Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has gained acceptance in the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) with reported morbidity and mortality rates of 27–56% and 0–11% respectively. The safety and outcome of such major operation in the elderly remains unclear. We report our experience at a high volume tertiary center. Method A total of 170 consecutive patients underwent CRS-HIPEC for peritoneal carcinomatosis between March 2007 and July 2012. Mitomycin C (88.8%) was administered intraperitoneally at 42 °C for 90 min. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the age at the time of surgery: Group 1 (≤65 years-old) and Group 2 (>65 years-old). Differences between the groups were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify variables associated with major morbidity. Results Of the 170 patients, 35 were older than 65 years. The two most common tumor sites were colorectal and appendiceal cancer. The perioperative morbidity and mortality rates in the elderly were 18.8% and 8.6% respectively. Gender, tumor type, estimated blood loss >400 mL, intraoperative blood transfusion, operative time >6 h, bowel anastomosis, intraoperative PCI >16, and extent of cytoreduction (Δ PCI) were not associated with major morbidity in the older group ( p > 0.05). At a median follow-up of 15.7 months (0.2–53.5 months), recurrence rate for colorectal/appendiceal PC at 1 year was 48.0% in Group 1 and 44.3% in Group 2 ( p = NS). Median survival for the colorectal/appendiceal carcinomatosis patients in Group 1 ( n = 81) was 29.79 (SE 4.7) months and in Group 2 ( n = 20) was 21.2 (SE 3.0) months, ( p = 0.06, NS). Conclusion CRS-HIPEC procedures for peritoneal carcinomatosis in the elderly demonstrate comparable perioperative outcome in well-selected patients. Optimal cytoreduction was achieved in the majority of cases and survival was not significantly different from that of the younger group.
Oral rehydration in infants in developing countries.

Diarrhoeal diseases are the major cause of infant mortality in developing countries. Dehydration is the most common complication of diarrhoea, and severe dehydration causes up to 80% of diarrhoeal fatalities. For more than 100 years, physicians focused the treatment of diarrhoeal diseases on the symptom diarrhoea, and there were many ‘antidiarrhoeal’ drugs, such as water adsorbents (kaolin and pectin) and antiperistaltics (opium, paregoric elixir, diphenoxylate hydrochloride with atropine sulphate and loperamide). This approach focused on a non-dangerous symptom and diverted attention from the real killer, dehydration. A few decades ago, only severely dehydrated patients were treated by intravenous therapy. This treatment was prescribed by a group of professional health workers, administered intravenously by skilled nurses, and reserved for the few patients resident near health facilities.
Cell culture replication of herpes simplex virus and, or human cytomegalovirus is inhibited by 3,7-dialkoxylated, 1-hydroxyacridone derivatives.

Abstract The synthetic acridone compound, 5-chloro-1,3-dihydroxyacridone inhibits herpes simplex virus (HSV) replication by inducing the formation of defective viral (B-type) capsids [Antiviral Res. 53 (2002) 113]. In this report, synthetic elaboration of the 1-hydroxyacridone scaffold coupled with antiviral testing led to the identification of 3,7-dimethoxy-1-hydroxy-acridone ( 2 ) as an inhibitor of low multiplicity human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection (ED 50 value of 1.4 μM (0.5 μg/ml); greater than 35-fold selectivity). Compound 2 was inactive against HSV replication and the efficacy as an anti-HCMV agent at higher viral loads was only apparent if host cells were replicated in the presence of the compound prior to infection. Interestingly, the 3,5-dimethoxy regioisomer inhibited cell replication (mean CC 50 33 μM) and was inactive as a selective anti-herpes agent. A limited parallel synthesis and testing of ten 3,7-dialkoxylated compounds closely related to compound 2 led to the discovery of the 3-ethoxy-, 3-propoxy-, 3-isopropoxy- and 3-allyloxy-derivatives as dual inhibitors of both HSV and HCMV (selectivity of the 3-allyloxy analog was greater than 10- and 36-fold, respectively). The 3-benzyloxy-derivative was active (ED 50 value of 6.9 μM) against HCMV only. Moreover, the corresponding C-7 variable alkoxylated parallel series were either weakly active or inactive antiviral agents suggesting an apparent requirement for a C-7 methoxy substituent in the active structure. Exploratory mode of action studies showed that dual inhibitors were most active against a low multiplicity HSV infection and potent inhibition of viral release likely contributed to this. Furthermore, suppression of late viral protein synthesis by dual inhibitors did not correlate with anti-HSV activity. On the basis of the present findings, the 1-hydroxyacridone scaffold is further expanded as a useful template for the discovery of investigational anti-herpes agents. As a group, the active 3,7-dialkoxylated compounds likely have diverse mechanisms of action, consequently they are of potential medicinal interest.
Inpatient Care in Rural Hospitals at the Beginning of the 21st Century

Context National data documenting the role that rural hospitals play in providing inpatient care to patients both younger than 65 and 65 years and older has previously been unavailable. Purpose To present descriptive nationally representative data on the numbers and types of inpatients, and the care they received, in rural hospitals. Methods This study includes inpatient data from the 2001 National Hospital Discharge Survey, a nationally representative survey of short-stay, nonfederal hospitals in the United States. Inpatients in rural hospitals were compared to those in urban hospitals in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics and patterns of utilization. Among the variables examined were age, number and type of diagnoses, avoidable hospitalizations, comorbidity, procedures received, source of payment, average length of stay, and discharge disposition. Findings Seventeen percent (5.7 million) of hospitalizations were in rural hospitals in 2001 and a similar percent of the US population lived in rural areas. Rural hospitals provided 23 million days of inpatient care and 4.7 million inpatient procedures. Despite the emphasis placed on Medicare's role in supporting rural hospitals, half of rural hospital inpatients were younger than 65 years. Rural hospital inpatients had shorter average stays and received fewer procedures on average. Seven percent of rural hospital inpatients were transferred to other short-stay hospitals. Conclusions National data on the broad scope of patients served and inpatient services provided by rural hospitals illustrate one important role these hospitals play in serving rural communities.
Time-Resolved Photoacoustics Study of the Ruthenium(II) Bis(2,2¿-bipyridine)(4,4¿-dicarboxy-2,2¿-bipyridine) Complex

The formation and the decay of the triplet metal to ligand charge transfer state (3MLCT) of ruthenium(II) bis(2,2‘-bipyridine)(4,4‘-dicarboxy-2,2‘-bipyridine) (Ru(bpy)2(dcbpy)) were characterized using photoacoustic calorimetry. At pH 6 and 2, the 3MLCT state formation leads to a volume change of −8 mL mol-1 and enthalpy changes of 17 kcal mol-1 and 13 kcal mol-1, respectively. We attribute the volume contraction to structural changes and to solvent electrostriction. At pH 4, the photoexcitation of the complex leads to an expansion of 14 mL mol-1 and an enthalpy change of ∼119 kcal mol-1 due to protonation of the carboxyl group in the excited state.
Prioritization and Supply Chain Logistics as a Marketing Function in a Mining Company

This case study illustrates how logistics optimization can reduce the need for marketing in a mining company. Economic pressures have impacted supply chain management because companies are now putting increased emphasis on where to source materials and which methods and routes to use for distribution. In resource-based industries where marketing is overshadowed by distribution logistics, minimizing cost is often the focus rather than maximizing revenue. This article illustrates how client financial risk, exponential forecasting, supply chain costs, and logistics network costs are integrated for decision making in an industry that does not typically have a marketing department.
Interoperability Verification in ISO 18000-7 Active RFID Systems: Experimental Setup and Results

Interoperability in an RFID system conforming to ISO 18000-7 standard is defined as the ability of any commercial interrogator to communicate with any commercial tag. A possibility that conformance verification in the physical communication layer between active tags and interrogators (readers) does not satisfy the interoperability property is established. Challenging the traditional or matrix test to verify interoperability, a novel methodology to verify interoperability for active RFID systems in particular and all communication systems following a command-reply protocol in general is introduced in a prior publication. In this article, the methodology is experimentally implemented using industry standard laboratory equipment and automation tools to develop a fully automated interoperability test suite. The automated test system design considerations, challenges and results are discussed in detail. For a particular equipment, the NI-5671 Radio Frequency Signal generator, the maximum number of samples that can be tested for different parameters of the physical communication layers are provided. The equipment limitations are discussed to provide the reader with guidelines to experiment with, and a reference to evaluate the resolution (one measure of the accuracy of the test) of different equipment. The different parameters considered in the test and their interactions in determining the interoperability property are recorded.
A 1.5-V multi-mode quad-band RF receiver for GSM/EDGE/CDMA2K in 90-nm digital CMOS process

A single chip quad-band multi-mode (GSM900/ DCS1800/PCS1900/CDMA2K) direct-conversion RF receiver with integrated baseband ADCs is presented. The fully integrated RF receiver is implemented in a 90-nm single poly, six level metal, standard digital CMOS process with no additional analog and RF components. The highly digital multi-mode receiver uses minimum analog filtering and AGC stages, digitizing useful signal, dynamic DC offsets and blockers at the mixer output. The direct-conversion GSM front-end utilizes resistive loaded LNAs with only two coupled inductors per LNA. The GSM front-end achieves a 31.5 dB gain and a 2.1 dB integrated noise figure with a 5 dB noise figure under blocking conditions. The CDMA2K front-end utilizes a self-biased common-gate input amplifier followed by passive mixers, achieving wideband input matching from 900 MHz up to 2.1 GHz with an IIP3 of +8 dBm. The GSM receiver consumes 38 mA from a power supply of 1.5 V and CDMA2K receiver consumes 16 mA in the low band and 21 mA in the high band. The multi-mode receiver, including LO buffers and frequency dividers, ADCs, and reference buffers, occupies 2.5 mm/sup 2/.
Diversity of the Pythium community infecting roots of the annual legume Kummerowia stipulacea

Abstract A combination of glasshouse and field surveys was conducted to characterize the diversity of root-colonizing Pythium spp. on Kummerowia stipulacea in one small (ca. 10 m2) restored prairie site, using naturally produced K. stipulacea plants or soil and seeds from the same site. In aggregate, 633 K. stipulacea root systems were completely extracted and examined, yielding 489 Pythium isolates. Of these, 381 isolates (78%) were identified to 15 Pythium species, only three of which were previously associated with K. stipulacea. The observed species richness was greater than that previously reported at spatial scales of 10–100 m2. In contrast to the total species richness, a maximum of three Pythium species was recovered from any single root system. Jaccard's similarity coefficient (SJ=0.33) indicated low similarity between the portions of the complete community detected in the glasshouse vs. the field surveys; 13 and 7 species were recovered in glasshouse and field surveys, respectively. The most common species recovered in both field and glasshouse surveys were Pythium dissotocum and Pythium irregulare. Pythium diclinum was also commonly recovered in the glasshouse surveys. These results strongly suggest the importance of environmental factors for detection of resident root-infecting Pythium species. Morphometric root classification was used to characterize the architectural root order from which each Pythium isolate was derived. P. irregulare was isolated more frequently from higher-order root segments (i.e. those which do not terminate in an apical meristem) than were either P. dissotocum or P. diclinum in glasshouse surveys, though all three species were also common in first-order roots. Two glasshouse infection experiments supported the null hypothesis that when P. dissotocum and P. irregulare are present at the same inoculum concentrations, infection by each is independent of the other. Further, infection by each species alone significantly shifted root system branching ratio (Rb) from a dichotomous branching pattern towards a simpler, monopodial pattern, whereas infection resulting from comparable concentrations of inoculum of both species together did not significantly affect Rb. The low isolation frequency of P. dissotocum and P. irregulare from apparently healthy K. stipulacea root systems at the conclusion of glasshouse infection experiments, despite the significant alteration of Rb by each Pythium species, emphasizes the ephemeral nature of both Pythium infections and infected roots.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite DNA loci in Aquilegia sp.

We obtained a microsatellite-enriched genomic library isolated from the tissue of a single columbine (Aquilegia sp.) plant taken from a southwestern USA natural population. The primers developed for these microsatellite loci performed consistently in polymerase chain reactions and yielded multiallelic genotypes with relatively high observed heterozygosities. We describe polymerase chain reaction primers and conditions to amplify 16 unique, codominant di-, tri- and tetra-nucleotide microsatellite DNA loci so that other population biology researchers using columbine natural populations as a model system may benefit.
Investigation of coupled AB5 type high-power metal hydride reactors

Abstract The objective of this study is to investigate the coupled AB 5 type high-power metal hydride reactors in thermal energy applications. A system to test the reactors was set up coupling two reactors containing either LaNi x Al 5− x or Ca y Mm 1− y Ni 5 alloys, used as low and high pressure metal hydrides, respectively. In order to develop the high-power reactor, the metal hydrides were thinly coated (about 1–2 μm thickness) with copper and compressed to form the Porous Metal Hydrides (PMH) compacts. During the experiments, the dynamic behaviors of the reactive kinetics of the system were monitored. Among the tested systems, the coupling of Ca 0.6 Mm 0.4 Ni 5 and LaNi 4.75 Al 0.25 was the most effective for thermal energy applications. It took the least time to reach the equilibrium state in both hydriding and dehydriding processes (approximately 250 s) and had the highest amount of heat generation/absorption. The smaller the value of y in Ca 1− y Mm y Ni 5 alloys, causing the alloy to contain more calcium, the faster the reaction kinetics. In the case of the LaNi x Al 5− x reactor, the addition of aluminum enhanced the reaction kinetics. Moreover, the reactor with the low pressure metal hydride, LaNi x Al 5− x , took a longer period of time to reach the equilibrium state than when the high pressure metal hydride, Ca 1− y Mm y Ni 5 , was employed.
Simultaneous bilateral carotid stenting for restenosis after endarterectomy

Carotid stenting may offer an alternative to surgery for recurrent carotid artery stenosis following endarterectomy. Five patients successfully underwent percutaneous simultaneous bilateral carotid artery stenting for restenosis after endarterectomy, without complications. Six months of clinical and imaging follow-up showed preserved patency of all vessels treated, with no neurologic events in any of the patients.
Feasibility of remote Raman imaging using tunable filters

We are investigating the use of small, transportable, Raman systems for remote Raman measurements at intermediate ranges. Previous work focused on the use of an imaging spectrograph and a fiber-optic coupled probe for making single point measurements. More recently we have considered the use of tunable filters for remote Raman imaging. For this work, acousto-optical and liquid crystal tunable filters are being used both with, an in place of dispersive spectrometers and fixed filtering devices. In addition, we have improved the system by the use of a modified holographic fiber-optic Raman probe for light and image collection. In these experiments, a 100 micron collection optical fiber is replaced with a small diameter image guide for light collection and imaging. The feasibility of tunable filter technology for remote Raman imagin will be discussed along with the merits of image transfer devices using small- diameter image guides.
A modified procedure for the determination of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the urine and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with hepatic cirrhosis.

Abstract A method has been developed for the separation of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid from substances in urine and cerebrospinal fluid which interfere with its fluorometric determination. This involves the use of anion exchange column chromatography with elution of the 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid by 3 mol/1 formic acid in 60% methanol. The indole acid is then assayed fluorometrically after reaction with o-phtalaldehyde. Urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid values are reported for patients with stable cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy and compared with those found in control subjects without liver disease.
Effect of mechanical constraint on the fracture characteristics of thick-section steel

Abstract Operating limits for commercial reactor pressure vessels are often selected to take advantage of the brittle to ductile fracture toughness transition which has been observed to evolve above the NDT temperature for thin section, low alloy steels. Linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) data obtained with thin sections and extrapolated to project thick section fracture behavior have raised concern that this transition to high ductility may be severely depressed or eliminated near reactor operating temperatures. Research programs at NRL emphasizing thick section dynamic tear (DT) studies and those at Westinghouse relating to thick section LEFM investigations have resolved this issue. These studies have shown that thick section steels of shelf toughness and strength class similar to A533-B continue to exhibit a significant toughness transition within a relatively narrow temperature inverval above NDT. Size-effect studies with the DT test indicate that the mechanical constraint associated with a 12-in thick section elevates the corresponding FTE temperature approximately 70°F (39°C) above that for thin sections. For the steels investigated the DT energy curve may be divided into three toughness regimes, ranging from frangible to ductile, which are shown to indicate similar transition features for specimens of 5 8 in. to 12 in thickness.
Smoke measurements in large-and small-scale fire testing — Part II

A new extinction photometer design has been developed that will provide the stability and accuracy necessary for taking smoke measurements in fire testing.
Pitfalls in pulmonary nodule characterization.

Recent developments in the approach to lung nodule detection and characterization encompass improvements in radiography, new technologies including dual-energy chest radiography, greater dissemination of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) technology, and introduction of integrated positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scanners. MDCT has improved the sensitivity and specificity for detection of pulmonary nodules, given the increased spatial and contrast resolution and decreased misregistration artifacts due to high temporal resolution. PET/CT scanners allow nearsimultaneous acquisition of coregistered functional and anatomical data sets, with subsequent reduction in their misregistration.
Efficiency of Walking and Stepping: Relationship to Body Fatness

Objective: To determine energetic efficiency of walking and stepping in a heterogeneous normal adult population and its association with body fatness and to assess within- and between-individual variations. Research Methods and Procedures: Using a combination of a whole-room indirect calorimeter and a large precision force platform, we simultaneously measured minute-by-minute energy expenditure (EE) and mechanical work during walking and stepping in healthy adult men (n = 60) and women (n = 85). Efficiency was calculated as a ratio (percentage) of mechanical work and EE of activity. Efficiency of walking and stepping performed at various intensities was compared for reproducibility within the same day (morning and afternoon) and correlated with a subject's characteristics. Results: The efficiency of walking was negatively correlated with body fatness in both men and women at 0.9 to 1.2 m/s but positively correlated with body fatness in men and not correlated in women at the slowest speed tested (0.6 m/s). Efficiency of walking and stepping of various intensities was reproducible during the same day. Compared at similar EE levels, walking was more efficient than stepping (26% to 27% vs. 18% to 22%, p < 0.01). Women were significantly (p < 0.01) more efficient than men during stepping. Age, sex, body mass, fat-free mass, fitness (maximal oxygen uptake), height, and speed variations contributed to the between-subject differences in efficiency. Discussion: Obese individuals were less efficient than lean individuals during normal-speed walking. Significant interindividual variations in efficiency of walking and stepping may be attributed to habituation and physical characteristics such as age, sex, and fitness level.
Potential Impacts of Multiple Partners on Mycorrhizal Community Dynamics

The significance of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in terrestrial ecosystems is widely acknowledged, but the causes and consequences of diversity in these fungi are not well understood. A recent frequency-dependent model suggests that dynamics within mycorrhizal mutualisms could promote the coexistence of at least two competing plant species and two competing fungal species within a community. Models are developed here in which simultaneous association with multiple partners may result in elevated or depressed fitness relative to association with either partner alone. This increases the range of conditions under which negative feedback occurs and coexistence of all four species is possible. Differences between plants in the relative proportions of fungi at which maximum fitness occurs may facilitate coexistence, as may differences between fungi in their abilities to establish interplant connections. These models suggest additional mechanisms by which mutualistic interactions could promote local diversity of plants and AM fungi.
A Finite-Size Magnetic Monopole in Double-Potential Formalism

Using the double-potential formalism developed by Zwanziger, it is possible to construct nonsingular four-potentials corresponding to a given distribution of magnetic charge without violating the Bianchi identity. In this letter, we study a ball-like monopole with uniform distribution of magnetic charge. The corresponding four-potentials are found explicitly. We also construct the angular momentum operator of an electron in the field of such a monopole, which can be used to investigate the problem of electron-monopole scattering and to rectify Kazama–Yang–Goldhaber singularity.
Plasmodium Hemozoin Formation Mediated by Histidine-Rich Proteins

The digestive vacuole of Plasmodium falciparum is the site of hemoglobin degradation, heme polymerization into crystalline hemozoin, and antimalarial drug accumulation. Antibodies identified histidine-rich protein II (HRP II) in purified digestive vacuoles. Recombinant or native HRP II promoted the formation of hemozoin, and chloroquine inhibited the reaction. The related HRP III also polymerized heme, and an additional HRP was identified in vacuoles. It is proposed that after secretion by the parasite into the host erythrocyte cytosol, HRPs are brought into the acidic digestive vacuole along with hemoglobin. After hemoglobin proteolysis, HRPs bind the liberated heme and mediate hemozoin formation.
Some notes on Varn coding

A duality between Varn (1971) coding and Tunstall (1968) coding is demonstrated and new bounds on the expected transmission cost per source symbol for Varn codes are established. For binary channels, the superiority of the new upper bound over Krause's (1962) upper bound is proven. >
What and How Preservice Physical Education Teachers Observe during an Early Field Experience

Abstract This study was designed to describe what preservice physical education teachers observe and what perceptual processes they use during an early field experience. The subjects were six junior level physical education majors. The introspective research techniques of thinking aloud and stimulated recall interview were used to collect the data. A modification of the constant comparative analytic strategy was used to analyze the data. The analysis revealed that these preservice teachers made observations about students' movement responses, the nonmovement characteristics of students, and organizational tasks and patterns. Students' movement caught the attention of the observers more than any other lesson facet. There was little attention, however, to the detail of movement. The preservice teachers used the perceptual processes of expectancy set, contrast, and evaluation as they observed. Most evaluative observations were made without the supporting criteria for the evaluation being included. The implic...
Changes in colloid osmotic pressure as a function of anesthesia and surgery in the presence and absence of isotonic fluid administration in dogs

Abstract Objective To determine how a combination of anesthetic drugs; including pre-medication, induction agents and inhalational agents; affect colloid osmotic pressure (COP) in the presence and absence of isotonic fluid administration. Secondarily, to determine if changes in total plasma protein (TPP) correlate with COP in anesthetized patients. Study design Prospective, randomized clinical study. Animals Ten female dogs, 4 months to 4 years of age and >8 kg undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy. Methods All dogs were anesthetized in a similar fashion. After induction, five dogs received lactated ringer's solution (LRS) at 10 mL kg−1 hour−1 and five dogs received no fluid therapy during anesthesia. Blood samples were collected prior to pre-medication, prior to induction, immediately post-induction/prior to the inhalational agent, 30 minutes post-induction, at the time of recovery and 45 minutes post-discontinuation of inhalant. TPP and COP were measured from each sample. Results Administration of fluids resulted in a decrease in COP and TPP over time that did not return to baseline by 45 minutes after recovery. Anesthesia without the administration of fluids also resulted in a significant decrease in COP over time, that was rebounding by recovery (but still significantly less than baseline). TPP had variable correlation with COP at different time points with or without fluid administration. Conclusions and clinical relevance Anesthetic drugs alter COP similarly in the presence and absence of isotonic fluids. These changes in COP did not have a simple relationship to TPP and so the latter could not be used to predict COP in this patient population.
Micro Chemical Vapor Deposition System: Design and Verification

The conventional chemical vapor deposition system has been miniaturized to the micro scale, leading to several potential advantages for the synthesis of nanostructures. First, minute heat capacity leads to fast temperature stabilization. Second, tiny chamber volume helps for rapid gas species exchanges. Third, small Reynolds number ensures laminar flow for better control of deposition sources. Forth, small diffusion length near the chemical reaction surface enhances efficient gas mass transfer. As a demonstration of principle, high-quality single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are synthesized while similar experimental parameters in a large scale system fail to construct good quality SWNTs.
NO “LAND WITHOUT MUSIC” AFTER ALL

No CASUAL epithet has been taken so dismally to heart as a German critic's 1914 characterization of England as "the land without music"(See Schmitz). Just about every one of the books under review here mentions the trope, which has subsequently become irresistible in all discussions of Victorian musical life; it still apparently remains viable in such later histories as Andrew Blake's The Land without Music: Music, Culture and Society in Twentieth-Century Britain (1977). The accusation did not come out of the blue, however: the Victorians themselves had been worrying about it for decades. Michael Allis's discussion (in Dibble and Zo?i 2002) of Hubert Parry's and Robert Bridges's Invocation to Music (1895) quotes an outline of the piece written by Bridges that describes the opening movement as "an invitation to Music to return to England" (299). Partly because of this reputation, and also partly because of musicology 's own history as a discipline, to which I will return shortly, there has traditionally been very little scholarly work done on nineteenth-century British music. In musicology, there are no "Victorianists." Until now, that is: suddenly, Victorian music (although the term is not often used) has become a growth industry. Two of the most important markers of this shift are biennial summer conferences on Music in Nineteenth-Century Britain (Zon 1999 and Dibble and Zon 2002 are collections of the papers delivered at the first two conferences, and the third volume is just off the press as I write) and the establishment by Ashgate Press of its "Music in 19th-century Britain" series. Indeed, Ashgate seems to be wholeheartedly invested in the publication of this burgeoning field as a whole, producing large numbers of volumes both within and outside the series, and while its product is not always editorially what it should be, the fact remains that without the press this particular scholarly renaissance could not be happening. My favorite succinct rebuttal to the popular canard about a music-less England remains Theodore Hoppen's: "the Victorians, it seemed, could do anything with music except compose it. Nineteenth-century Britain was awash with music ..." (394). And therein lay the scholarly problem, at least as far as conventional musicology was concerned: the discipline's almost exclusive focus on composers sometimes limited even further to Great Composers meant that it looked at Victorian Britain and did not see anything of much interest. There has always been a certain antiquarian attention to some exclusively British phenomena like Anglican church music, and local historians have always documented amateur oratorio societies and brass bands, but as far as the mainstream of musicological scholarship was concerned, attention was firmly fixed on the continent.