cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunologic investigations of T-cell regulation of human IgE antibody secretion and allergic responses.

Abstract The pathophysiology of allergic disease is multifactorial, involving an intricate network of interactions among cells, mediators, and cytokines. Substantial progress has been made in defining the role of antigen-specific T cells and cytokines in the regulation of immunoglobulin E (IgE) synthesis and the atopic diseases. The development of antigen-specific T-cell lines and clones has facilitated efforts to characterize human T-cell subsets and their cytokine repertoires. Molecular methods currently available include techniques for the quantitative analysis of cytokine gene expression and secretion from activated T cells ex vivo as well as in tissues. The availability of these newly developed techniques has become essential to the investigation of the pharmacologic regulation of T cells and cytokines both in vitro and in vivo. Future investigations will contribute to our understanding of the differential regulation of T-cell subsets and their relationships to allergic diseases, ultimately leading to a better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of allergic diseases and the design of more effective therapeutic interventions.
Radio frequency identification (RFID) implementation in the service sector: A customer-facing diffusion model

Abstract Cost-conscious businesses traditionally have focused on using radio frequency identification (RFID) systems to enhance the efficiency in the supply management/logistics process. These firms go through an implementation process that focuses on the supplier-facing, back-office operations. Drawing from observations from three case studies in the service sector, we develop a complimentary customer-facing model, which focuses the diffusion of RFID as originating from those activities associated with the delivery of the actual service offering. Our diffusion model contrasts the potential impact on organizational performance from both a supplier-facing and a customer-facing perspective. By focusing a firm's RFID strategy on customer-facing activities, a firm can use the technology to change its basis of competition from an efficiency-oriented strategy to one where RFID has more strategic implications such as providing the foundation for new products or services or by providing the infrastructure to enhance customers’ value perceptions in order to strengthen customer loyalty.
Work system design to improve the economic performance of the firm

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to look at job design, motivation and teamwork. As the market gets more competitive, companies must change their plan of attack on almost a daily basis. They need to answer the question: what is the best way to do business? As employers look at job design they will find that it is not the only factor that indicates how productive employees are in the workplace. Motivation also determines how much energy employees will expend, as well as what tasks will be accomplished, and in what amount of time it will be completed.Design/methodology/approach – Increasing productivity among employees is the key to a successful work group and firm. This paper will look at job design, motivation in the workplace and teamwork as they continue to be the major factors that determine the amount of work an individual does within a firm. Job design includes three main categories: job enlargement, job rotation, and job enrichment. The job characteristics model, a more recent approach to job ...
Changing trends in the American diet and the rising prevalence of kidney stones.

Objective To evaluate the trends in the American diet over the last 40 years (1974-2010), during which time the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data set has documented an increase in stone prevalence from 3.8% to 8.8%. Materials and Methods We used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reported rates for stone disease (1974-2010) to compare the United States Department of Agriculture's food distribution data during the same period. Three data points for prevalence were used from the literature. We correlated these to changing lithogenic food distributions using linear models to interpolate annual changes in prevalence. Spearman correlations were performed ( P ≤.05) using SAS 9.2 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Results Increased total daily calories (rho, 0.96; P P P P = .01), and vegetables (rho, 0.73; P P = .31). Protein, fruits and vegetables, and added sugars actually decreased in proportion to daily caloric per capita increases. Conclusion Increases in caloric intake and several lithogenic foods correlate temporally with increasing stone prevalence. The nature of this relationship is difficult to determine from this data; although, clearly, American diets have changed over the last 4 decades.
Dimeric Complexes of CoIII(cyclam) with a Polyynediyl Bridge

Described in this work are the preparation and characterization of a family of polyynediyl-bridged (μ-C2n) dimers of CoIII(cyclam)Cl (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacycloctetradecane) for n = 2–4. The complexes are robust to ambient conditions and are prepared under mild conditions without requiring anaerobic or anhydrous environments. Voltammetric analysis revealed weak Co–Co interaction through the bridge, which is attenuated by polyyne length. The orbital origin of the Co–Co interaction has been rationalized through DFT analysis.
Policy Goals of the “Swedish Alternative”

In the following remarks, I shall try to outline: (a) where the Swedish approach fits in a theoretical scheme of accident law, and (b) some things that can be said in favor and against that fit. Because it is my own, and because I find it difficult to think about accident law differently, I shall use a variant of the outline of accident law goals which I originally presented many years ago in The Costs of Accidents.' I shall quickly describe these, and then see how, and how well or on what bases, the Swedish approach attempts to meet these goals. The goals of accident law in this schema are the following five: (1) A deterrence or safety goal-the object of which is to reduce the sum of accident costs and safety costs, or, in other words, to achieve the optimum level of safety. This goal assumes that some accidents, some injuries, some harms are not under existing technology worth avoiding. It also does not necessarily measure costs in a strictly economic way, and indeed, when I apply that goal, I certainly do not so measure them. (So a particularly painful or offensive injury may be worth avoiding even though the safety costs are significant, while another injury which has the same economic consequences to the injured party may not be worth avoiding because it entails lower "moral" or "non-economic" costs.) (2) A spreading or compensation goal. The object of this goal is to see to it that no individual or company is so crushed by having to bear accident costs (or for that matter safety-that is, accident avoidance-costs) as to result in significant additional harm to himself or the society. It is also to see to it that safety and accident costs do not alter the economic status of injurer or victim dramaticallyfor such dramatic changes in wealth themselves are costly. (3) A moral-distributional goal. The object of this goal is to put the burden of accident costs and of safety costs (accident avoidance costs) on those who by reason of their behavior, or their relationship to the injurer or victim, ought (other things being equal) to bear them. This goal not only raises fault issues, but also raises issues of the desirability of individual responsibility between a given
A comparison of severity of illness scoring systems for elderly patients with severe pneumonia

Objective: To evaluate the predictive ability of three severity of illness scoring systems in elderly patients with severe pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation compared to a younger age group. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Two university-affiliated tertiary care hospitals. Patients and participants: One hundred four patients 75 years of age and older and 253 patients younger than 75 years of age enrolled from medical intensive care units. Measurements and results: Probabilities of hospital death for patients were estimated by the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, the Mortality Probability Model (MPM) II and the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II. Predicted risks of hospital death were compared with observed outcomes using three methods of assessing the overall goodness of fit. The actual mortality of the elderly group was 54.87% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 45.2–64.4%) compared to 28.9% (95% CI, 23.3–34.4%) in the younger age group. There was a significant difference in the predictive accuracy of the scoring systems as assessed by the c-index, which is equivalent to the area under the receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve, between the two groups, but not within individual groups. Calibration was insufficient for APACHE II and SAPS II in the elderly cohort as in-hospital mortality was lower than the predicted mortality for both models. Conclusions: Although the three severity of illness scoring systems (APACHE II, MPM II and SAPS II) demonstrated average discrimination when applied to estimate hospital mortality in the elderly patients with severe pneumonia, MPM II had the closest fit to our database. Alternative modeling approaches might be needed to customize the model coefficients to the elderly population for more accurate probabilities or to develop specialized models targeted to the designed population.
Legal considerations in challenging external threats to Glacier National Park, Montana, USA

External threats to the environmental integrity of Glacier National Park, Montana, USA, fit into three categories: adverse land use practices adjacent to the Park, air pollution, and water pollution. This article identifies and evaluates the laws that Glacier National Park officials might rely upon to protect the Park against these external threats. The article also assesses the available scientific information relating to external threats, and it identifies additional information needed to establish a legal basis for challenging the threats.
Preoperative Chemotherapy in Esophageal Carcinoma

Preoperative chemotherapy for localized esophageal cancer is an area of increasing interest because neither surgery nor radiation has had a major impact on disease-free or overall survival. This is probably because, as several autopsy series have demonstrated, esophageal cancer is a systemic disease. Preoperative chemotherapy thus, in theory, allows a simultaneous attack on both the primary and metastatic disease. A number of single-arm, Phase II, multimodality trials have been completed. Toxicities of chemotherapy, while substantial, have been tolerable. With careful attention to detail, operative morbidity and mortality have not been increased. Although the theory is attractive, large-scale randomized trials are now needed to evaluate the impact of this technique on disease-free and overall survival before recommending it for general use.
Thrust Optimization of a Flux-Switching Linear Synchronous Machine With Yokeless Translator

Linear permanent magnet machines have been increasingly used in several applications that require high reliability and good dynamic characteristics. In this paper, a novel double-sided design of a 3φ permanent magnet flux-switching linear synchronous machine (FSLSM) with a yokeless translator is proposed. It is found that the proposed design can achieve more than 50% higher thrust than a conventional FSLSM and excellent linearity even under high excitation currents. Optimization of the proposed machine is performed using individual parameter optimization and is compared with results from global optimization using genetic algorithm (GA). Force analysis of the proposed design is performed to establish the mechanical integrity of the design. The proposed FSLSM is most suitable for long-stroke applications and intermittent oscillatory type applications.
Focus Issue: Cell Signaling—Making New Connections

The 2004 annual Cell Signaling issue in Science and Science9s STKE brings new pathways to the Connections Maps cell signaling database, as well as highlights updates to pathways featured previously. The new pathways reveal core signaling modules common to yeast, plants, and animals. Opportunities for using the Connections Maps database expand with the availability of an XML-formatted version of the data and the addition of The Blueprint Initiative as a new technical provider for the cell signaling database.
Chemical Aspects of General Anesthesia: Part II. Current Practices.

Contemporary anesthetists have access to a broad spectrum of medicinals for use during presurgery, intraoperational events, and postoperative recovery. With the basic elements of balanced general anesthesia in place by the 1950s, the focus turned to developing safer and more effective agents and to improving procedures. During the last half-century a new generation of intravenous induction anesthetics, inhalational anesthetics, and muscle relaxants has emerged. Details of their syntheses are included along with structure–activity correlations.
Observation of Feeding in the Diagnosis of Posttraumatic Feeding Disorder of Infancy

ABSTRACT Objectives To delineate diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic feeding disorder (PTFD) of infancy and to differentiate PTFD from infantile anorexia (IA) via observation of feeding interactions. Method Three groups of infants (aged 6–32 months) participated: PTFD ( n = 30), IA ( n = 30), and healthy eater controls ( n = 30). The three groups were matched with regard to age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Child psychiatrists used infants' medical and feeding histories and observed 20-minute mother–infant feeding interactions to determine diagnoses and group placement. Feeding interactions were also videotaped, and two raters assessed infants' resistance to feeding situations and to swallowing, as well as specific qualities of mother–infant feeding interactions. Results Overall, the clinical groups (PTFD and IA) demonstrated more problematic feeding interactions than did the control group. However, the PTFD group exhibited more resistance during feeding interactions than did the other two groups. In particular, the PTFD group displayed the most resistance to swallowing food. Conclusions Infants' medical and feeding histories, as well as observations of feeding, are important to making the diagnosis of PTFD and differentiating it from other feeding disorders. Implications for treatment of PTFD are discussed.
High-Current 10 kV SiC JBS Rectifier Performance

Forward and reverse bias performance of 10kV, 10A and 20A junction barrier-controlled Schottky 4H silicon carbide rectifiers are presented. Over a temperature range of 30 to 200°C, the forward current-voltage curves show a normal Schottky rectifier relationship and the reverse current-voltage curves show typical PiN blocking. When operated in reverse-blocking at 125°C and 8kV, the 10A JBS rectifiers are notably stable at less than 5μA of leakage current, despite the large active area of the devices.
Carrier lifetime and recombination in 1.3 μm P-doped InAs qauntum dot lasers

In this paper we report on carrier lifetime measurements performed on 1.3 μm p-doped InAs quantum-dot lasers. The carrier lifetimes were determined by fitting the measured sub-threshold optical modulation response to a single pole response function, and then correcting this time constant for the diode junction capacitance to obtain the carrier lifetime. The sub-threshold frequency response curves did indeed show a single pole behavior at all the bias currents and, as expected, the extracted carrier lifetimes monotonically decrease with increasing bias currents. The differential carrier lifetime versus bias current data was then fitted, using a simple single carrier level rate equation analysis, to determine the recombination coefficients. Using this simplified analysis, the values of the recombination coefficients are found to be: A = 1.0 x 10 7 /s, B = 2.5 x 10 -11 cm 3 /s, and C = 1.1 x 10 -29 cm 6 /s at room temperature. Since, the carriers are distributed among the dots in a complicated manner that depends on bias, the lifetimes and recombination coefficients extracted using the single carrier level analysis are the effective or average values. Thus we have also built a multi-level rate equation model including the capture and escape times between various QD and wetting layer states. The multi-level rate equation model yields intrinsic recombination coefficients of A QD = 5.5 x 10 7 /s, B QD = 6.5 x 10 -11 cm 3 /s, C QD = 5.6 x 10 -29 cm 6 /s. Regardless of the model used the dominant contribution to the threshold current is found to be Auger recombination which accounts for approximately 80 % of the threshold current in our 1.3 μm p-doped QD lasers.
Master and Munshī: A Brahman secretary's guide to Mughal governance

This article aims to contribute to a growing body of scholarship on the cultural world of the early modern Indo-Persian state secretary, or munshī. Our guide will be the celebrated Mughal munshī, C...
Signal space alignment and degrees of freedom for the two-cluster multi-way relay channel

This paper investigates the degrees of freedom (DoF) of the multi-way relay channel. Specifically, the focus is on the case when there are two clusters and each cluster has two users that wish to exchange messages within the cluster with the help of the relay. It is assumed that the relay has N antennas and each of the users has M antennas. A DoF outerbound is derived and it is shown that for several scenarios of interests the DoF outerbound can be achieved. Specifically, when N ≤ M, a network coding based two-way relaying approach with time division multiplex access (TDMA) is sufficient to achieve the DoF outerbound. When M < N ≤ 4/3M, the signal space alignment with multiple access and broadcast transmission between the clusters can achieve the DoF outerbound. It is also show that when N ≥ 4M, the DoF outerbound can be achieved by just using multiple access and broadcast transmission between the users.
The Stability of Child Study Team Classification Over Four Years.

Forty-nine learning disabled (LD), 30 emotionally disturbed(ED), and 44 unclassified (UC) boys originally sampled by Brooks (Note 1) and Jackson (Note 4) when they were 6 to 11 years of age, were relocated in 1979, and their current classification determined. Lambda, an index of predictive association, showed that a 53% improvement in the accuracy of prediction of 1979 classification was obtained when 1975 classification was given. The ED classification was the least stable, with 60% of the children originally classified ED changing their classification over four years, though only 19% of the originally LD and ED children were unclassified four years later.
Polarization of ooplasmic segregation and dorsal-ventral axis determination in ascidian embryos

During ooplasmic segregation in ascidians, the myoplasm moves from its original location in the periphery of the unfertilized egg to the vegetal pole of the zygote. The vegetal cap of myoplasm marks the future site of gastrulation and the dorsal side of the embryo. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the mechanism for polarizing the myoplasm during ooplasmic segregation. To test the possibility that the myoplasm moves toward the sperm and that the vegetal pole is the exclusive site of sperm entry, we examined fertilization in egg fragments of the ascidians Styela plicata and Ciona savignyi. Similar frequencies of fertilization were exhibited by various egg fragments, including animal and vegetal fragments or multiple fragments prepared from the same egg. These results indicate that sperm do not enter the egg exclusively at the vegetal pole. Experiments with egg fragments and constricted eggs, combined with chalk marking of the animal pole, demonstrated that after fertilization the myoplasm segregates parallel to the animal-vegetal axis, usually toward the vegetal end of the cell. Activation of primary oocytes with the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 caused the myoplasm to segregate independently of the animal-vegetal axis. This confirms previous experiments in which eggs aligned along a glass fiber coated with A23187 segregated their myoplasm toward the fiber (W.R. Jeffery, 1982, Science 216, 545-547) and suggests that the intrinsic cue for polarization is a release of sequestered Ca2+ at fertilization. Therefore, it appears that ooplasmic segregation and the dorsal-ventral axis are polarized by maternal factors distributed in a concentration gradient along the animal-vegetal axis of the ascidian egg.
Loop Models of Solar Flares - Revisions and Comparisons

Due to developments in solar flare observations which appear to show that a particular class of solar flares result from instabilities occurring in magnetic loops we re-examine the Alfven-Carlqvist flare model to show that it is workable and we update the Spicer loop model of a flare. It is noted that the Alfven-Carlqvist model of necessity requires an external current driver which must maintain the current driven instability at marginal stability during the duration of the flare. In addition, it is argued that if the Alfven-Carlqvist model is to work the current density must rise in a time shorter than an MHD or resistive tearing mode time scale. Otherwise, the dominant flare mechanism must be an ideal MHD or tearing type instability. Further, the distinctions between the two models are highlighted and a new hybrid model of the Alfven-Carlqvist and Spicer models is introduced.
Spatial clustering of multiple hyperplastic, adenomatous, and malignant colonic polyps in individual patients

Analysis of relative polyp locations in 426 consecutive patients with multiple colonic polyps found on colonoscopy showed novel findings. First, synchronous and metachronous neoplastic polyps showed spatial clustering in individual patients. For example, patients with their largest neoplasm in the cecum or proximal ascending colon, had 34.3 percent±4.6 percent (standard error) of their other colonic neoplasms in the same location. Second, hyperplastic polyps showed spatial clustering in individuals that was statistically significantly greater than expected from the increased hyperplastic polyp concentration in the rectum and sigmoid. Third, hyperplastic polyps showed spatial clustering with neoplastic polyps; this clustering was similar in magnitude to clustering for exclusively hyperplastic or neoplastic polyps. In contrast, lipomas were not spatially clustered with hyperplastic and neoplastic polyps. The magnitude of clustering between hyperplas and neoplasia showed a closer association between these histologic types than previously appreciated. Because of clustering, regions with prior polyps appear to merit closer surveillance. These findings suggest clinical study, using a randomized controlled clinical trial, of whether a patient who had only rectal and sigmoid adenomas on initial and follow-up colonoscopy should have surveillance with flexible sigmoidoscopy alternating annually with colonoscopy. A patient with a prior cecal adenoma should have surveillance only with a complete colonoscopy or adequate cecal views on barium enema.
Vortex organization in the outer region of the turbulent boundary layer

The structure of energy-containing turbulence in the outer region of a zero-pressure- gradient boundary layer has been studied using particle image velocimetry (PIV) to measure the instantaneous velocity fields in a streamwise-wall-normal plane. Experiments performed at three Reynolds numbers in the range 930 0) that occur on a locus inclined at 30–60° to the wall.In the outer layer, hairpin vortices occur in streamwise-aligned packets that propagate with small velocity dispersion. Packets that begin in or slightly above the buffer layer are very similar to the packets created by the autogeneration mechanism (Zhou, Adrian & Balachandar 1996). Individual packets grow upwards in the streamwise direction at a mean angle of approximately 12°, and the hairpins in packets are typically spaced several hundred viscous lengthscales apart in the streamwise direction. Within the interior of the envelope the spatial coherence between the velocity fields induced by the individual vortices leads to strongly retarded streamwise momentum, explaining the zones of uniform momentum observed by Meinhart & Adrian (1995). The packets are an important type of organized structure in the wall layer in which relatively small structural units in the form of three-dimensional vortical structures are arranged coherently, i.e. with correlated spatial relationships, to form much longer structures. The formation of packets explains the occurrence of multiple VITA events in turbulent ‘bursts’, and the creation of Townsend's (1958) large-scale inactive motions. These packets share many features of the hairpin models proposed by Smith (1984) and co-workers for the near-wall layer, and by Bandyopadhyay (1980), but they are shown to occur in a hierarchy of scales across most of the boundary layer.In the logarithmic layer, the coherent vortex packets that originate close to the wall frequently occur within larger, faster moving zones of uniform momentum, which may extend up to the middle of the boundary layer. These larger zones are the induced interior flow of older packets of coherent hairpin vortices that originate upstream and over-run the younger, more recently generated packets. The occurence of small hairpin packets in the environment of larger hairpin packets is a prominent feature of the logarithmic layer. With increasing Reynolds number, the number of hairpins in a packet increases.
Polarization of Recoil Protons from the Photoproduction of π 0 Mesons from Hydrogen

S>The polarization of the proton recoils was measured at photon energies of 550 and 700 Mev at a center-ofmass angle of 90 by allowing the protons to be incident upon a carbon scatterer and observing the left-right asymmetry in the scattering. the photon beam of the Cornell elctron synchrotron incident uypon a vaccuum liquid-hydrogen target was used in the experiment. (W.D.M.)
The Army Training Mix Model

We describe a model for making decisions concerning the proper mix of TADSS (training aids, devices, simulators and simulations) and conventional training resources, and the best modes of using them to maintain soldier and unit proficiency. Given the proficiency standards, the model determines the resources needed, the training methods for using them, and the frequency with which each method needs to be repeated, in order to maintain the standards at minimum cost (sum of equipment procurement costs and operational costs). The model is illustrated with an example problem dealing with the analysis of training systems in a battalion training strategy. Our model has much wider applicability: it can be used for evaluating and determining minimum cost training strategies for other combined arms elements, higher level units and other training scenarios under a variety of circumstances.
Automated dental implantation using image-guided robotics: registration results.

One of the most important factors affecting the outcome of dental implantation is the accurate insertion of the implant into the patient’s jaw bone, which requires a high degree of anatomical accuracy. With the accuracy and stability of robots, image-guided robotics is expected to provide more reliable and successful outcomes for dental implantation. Here, we proposed the use of a robot for drilling the implant site in preparation for the insertion of the implant. An image-guided robotic system for automated dental implantation is described in this paper. Patient-specific 3D models are reconstructed from preoperative Cone-beam CT images, and implantation planning is performed with these virtual models. A two-step registration procedure is applied to transform the preoperative plan of the implant insertion into intra-operative operations of the robot with the help of a Coordinate Measurement Machine (CMM). Experiments are carried out with a phantom that is generated from the patient-specific 3D model. Fiducial Registration Error (FRE) and Target Registration Error (TRE) values are calculated to evaluate the accuracy of the registration procedure. FRE values are less than 0.30 mm. Final TRE values after the two-step registration are 1.42 ± 0.70 mm (N = 5). The registration results of an automated dental implantation system using image-guided robotics are reported in this paper. Phantom experiments show that the practice of robot in the dental implantation is feasible and the system accuracy is comparable to other similar systems for dental implantation.
Aspects of the Zel'dovich-Sunyaev mechanism.

In this paper we treat aspects of the Compton distortion of the cosmic background radiation (CBR)---what is known as the Zel'dovich-Sunyaev mechanism---which do not appear to have been fully explored in the literature. These include a novel solution to the so-called Kompaneets equation, a treatment of the simultaneous heating and cooling of free electrons, a discussion of electron-proton "recombination," and a demonstration of the ingredients necessary for efficient energy transfer. These matters are illustrated in a scenario in which the excess CBR energy observed by Matsumoto et al. is supplied by a radiatively decaying heavy lepton, so we also provide a careful analytic treatment of the photon spectrum produced by a heavy particle decaying in the early Universe.
Investigation of gated cone-beam CT to reduce respiratory motion blurring.

Methods of reducing respiratory motion blurring in cone-beam CT (CBCT) have beenlimited to lung where soft tissue contrast is large. Respiration-correlated cone-beam CT uses slowcontinuous gantry rotation but image quality is limited by uneven projection spacing. This studyinvestigates the efﬁcacy of a novel gated CBCT technique.
Cognitive processing deficits in reading disabilities: A prefrontal cortical hypothesis

Much research investigating the neuropsychological underpinnings of reading disabilities has emphasized posterior brain regions. However, recent evidence indicates that prefrontal cortex may also play a role. This study investigated cognitive processes that are associated with prefrontal and posterior brain functions. Subjects were 12-year-old reading disabled and nondisabled boys. Discriminant analysis procedures indicated that measures of prefrontal functions distinguished between the two groups better than measures of posterior functions. The results suggest that reading disabled boys have difficulty with cognitive processes involving selective and sustained attention, inhibition of routinized responses, set maintenance, flexibility in generating and testing alternative hypotheses, and phonemically based language production.
K-means reclustering: An alternative approach to automatic target cueing in hyperspectral images

An approach to automatic target cueing (ATC) in hyperspectral images, referred to as K-means reclustering, is introduced. The objective is to extract spatial clusters of spectrally related pixels having specified and distinctive spatial characteristics. K-means reclustering has three steps: spectral cluster initialization, spectral clustering and spatial re-clustering, plus an optional dimensionality reduction step. It provides an alternative to classical ATC algorithms based on anomaly detection, in which pixels are classified as type anomaly or background clutter. K-means reclustering is used to cue targets of various sizes in AVIRIS imagery. Statistical performance and computational complexity are evaluated experimentally as a function of the designated number of spectral classes (K) and the initially specified spectral cluster centers.
Dreams, Telepathy, and Various States of Consciousness

We are pleased to present this special edition on Dreams, Telepathy, and Various States of Consciousness. This edition includes a broad array of articles from well-known authors in the field that address topics such as anomalous experiences of mediums and advanced meditators, shamanic experiences, near-death experiences, experiences related to dreams and body wisdom, and the various ways that anomalous experiences can be conceptualized and categorized.
The emerging case-control study : Lung cancer in relation to tobacco smoking

Two influential case-control studies that clearly implicated cigarette smoking as a cause of lung cancer are reviewed in terms of their respective strengths and weaknesses. The findings from a U.S. study reported in 1950 by Wynder and Graham were strikingly similar to those arising from a U.K. study reported later that year by Doll and Hill. The methodological rigor of these investigations effectively ruled out alternatives to smoking as plausible explanations for the increased risk, although additional investigations in animals and man were needed to buttress the original results. The exceptionally high relative risk of lung cancer that was found has had far-reaching medical, social, and economic consequences.
A Classification Theorem for Essentially Binormal Operators

An essentially binormal operator on Hilbert space is an operator which is unitarily equivalent to a 2 × 2 matrix of essentially commuting, essentially normal operators. A natural invariant of essentially binormal operators up to unitary equivalence in the Calkin Algebra is the reducing essential 2 × 2 matricial spectrum. A nonempty compact subset X of the set of 2 × 2 matrices is called hypoconvex, if it is the reducing essential 2 × 2 matricial spectrum of an operator on Hilbert space. The set EN2(X) is then defined to be the set of all equivalence classes (up to unitary equivalence in the Calkin algebra) of essentially binormal operators whose reducing essential 2 × 2 matricial spectrum coincides with X. The aim of this paper is to prove a result that enables one to compute EN2(X) in terms of the topological structure of the space X of unitary orbits of X. Indeed, it is shown that for every hypoconvex subset X of the set of 2 × 2 matrices, there exists a natural homomorphism from Ext(X) onto EN2(X). Also, a six term cyclic exact sequence is obtained, which produces a characterization of the kernel of the above-mentioned homomorphism.
Errorless Learning: Reinforcement Contingencies and Stimulus Control Transfer in Delayed Prompting.

Delayed prompting can produce errorless discrimination learning. There is inherent in the procedure a disparity in reinforcement density which favors unprompted over prompted responses. We used three schedules of reinforcement to investigate the impact of reinforcement probability on transfer of stimulus control. One schedule of reinforcement was equal prior to and following a prompt (CRF/CRF), the second favored unprompted responses (CRF/FR3), and the third favored responses following the prompt (FR3/CRF). Experimental questions concerned the probability of errors, the probability of transfer, and the rate of transfer in the context of delayed prompting. Transfer was accelerated when reinforcement probability favored anticipatory responding. The schedule that favored prompted responses did not prevent a shift to unprompted responding. Errors were infrequent across procedures. Reinforcement probability contributes to but does not entirely determine transfer of stimulus control from a delayed prompt.
Replacement of Fish Meal with Soybean Meal in the Production Diets of Juvenile Red Snapper, Lutjanus campechanus

The replacement of fish meal with soybean meal in fish diets has met with varying degrees of success. Quite often, poor responses to high soybean meal diets are either due to shifts in the nutrient profile or a reduced palatability of the diet when fish meal is removed. The present research was designed to evaluate the replacement of menhaden fish meal with solvent-extracted soybean meal in practical diets containing 10% poultry by-product meal and formulated to contain 40% protein, 8% lipid, and a total sulfur amino acid content of > 3.0% of the protein. The response of red snapper (mean initial weight 10.9 g) to diets containing graded levels of fish meal (30,20, 10, 0%) as well as the response to a low fish meal diet (10%) without poultry by-product meal were evaluated over a 6-wk growth period. Significant (P± 0.05) differences in final mean weight, percent weight gain, and feed conversion were observed. Final weights (percent gain) ranged from 30.9 g (185.5%) for fish offered diets with 30% fish meal to 12.6 g (16.3%) for fish offered diets with 0% fish meal. Corresponding feed conversion efficiencies ranged from 60.1% to 7.7%. No significant differences were observed for survival between treatment means. Although there was a clear reduction in performance as the fish meal was replaced with soybean meal, the use of 10% poultry by-product meal or 10% fish meal resulted in similar performance of the fish. This is a good indication that poultry by-product meal does not have palatability problems and could be used as a substitute. The present findings suggest that replacing fish meal with high levels of soybean meal appears to reduce the palatability of the diet. While the cost reducing benefit, with respect to the replacement of fish meal, has been shown with other species, before high levels of inclusion can be efficiently utilized further research is needed to address the palatability problems observed with red snapper.
The effects of nitrogen partial pressure on the properties of the TaNx films deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering

This paper concentrates on the mechanical, the electrical, and the acoustical properties of the Ta–N films deposited by radio frequency (rf) magnetron reactive sputtering in Ar/N2 gas mixtures. As the nitrogen partial pressure increased, a microstructure transformation of the films from columnar polycrystalline to amorphous was observed, and the differences on the acoustic properties were measured by the picosecond ultrasonic technique. We also found that the electrical resistivities of TaNx films rose steeply by six orders of magnitude owing to the lack of extra nitrogen as the donors, and excess electron scattering caused by the porous structure.
Metallic-tilted woodpile photonic crystals in the midinfrared

We demonstrate a large area production of 3-D woodpile metallic photonic crystals using deep x-ray lithography and subsequent electroforming. These structures represent the 110 orientation of the 001 woodpile structures most commonly presented in the literature. This approach requires no alignment and is capable of generating a 3 unit cell thick photonic crystal in a simple three step process flow. Tilted woodpiles demonstrate band characteristics very similar to those observed from [001] woodpiles. Reflectivity tests show a band edge around 4 µm and good comparison well with numerical simulations.
Solubility of Phosphates in Relation to Hydrogen Ion Concentration

WITHIN the last few years statements have appeared in various journals giving the PH values at which certain salts yield precipitates upon being rendered less acid. Some of these also record the lower limit of acidity at which precipitation is said to be complete. It accordingly appeared to be of interest to determine the form of the solubility curve. This was done for certain phosphates, using samples purchased as pure and washed with distilled water repeatedly to remove traces of more soluble phosphates, etc. The determinations were made at air temperature, about 10–12° C, upon solutions cleared by the centrifuge, using the curuleo-molybdate reaction of Deniges. Nine determinations were made upon a sample of tricalcic phosphate (B.P), between PH7.0 and PH5.1, hydrochloric acid being used to increase the acidity.
Accurate master casts obtained rapidly

Abstract Because of the time involved, the procedure of ☐ing an impression often is eliminated by dentists or dental laboratory technicians. The procedure described in this article has the advantage of conserving on time and expensive materials. The technique can be easily taught and delegated to auxiliary personnel. It insures that the desired qualities of a master cast are obtained from the impression.
Serum Insulin-like Growth Factors and Insulin-like Growth Factor-binding Proteins: Clinical Implications

The last decade has been characterized by a major investigative thrust into the physiology of two unique but ubiquitous peptides, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-II. The regulatory systems that control the tissue bioactivity of the IGFs have been delineated, and subcellular signaling mechanisms have been clarified. Clearly, both tissue and circulating growth factor concentrations are important in defining the relationship between IGF-I and cell activity. Bone, liver, and circulatory IGF-I have received the most attention by investigators, in part because of the ease of measurement and the interaction with disease states such as osteoporosis. More recently, attention has focused on the role IGF-I plays in neoplastic transformation and growth. Two large prospective observational studies have demonstrated greater risk for prostate and breast cancer associated with high circulating concentrations of IGF-I. Animal models and in vitro studies confirm that there is a close, albeit complex, interaction between IGF-I signaling and bone turnover. This report will focus on: (a) IGF physiology, including IGF ligands, binding proteins, and proteases; (b) the relationship between IGF-I and bone mass in respect to risk for osteoporosis; (c) the heritable regulation of the IGF-I phenotype; and (d) the association between serum IGF-I and cancer risk. The IGFs remain a major area for basic and clinical investigations; future studies may define both diagnostic and therapeutic roles for these peptides or their related proteins in several disease states.
Geometrical and mechanical aspects of fabric bonding and pullout in cement composites

Fabric reinforced cement composites are a new class of cementitious materials with enhanced tensile strength and ductility. The reinforcing mechanisms of 2-D fabric structures in cement matrix are studied using a fabric pullout model based on nonlinear finite difference method. Three main aspects of the composite are evaluated: nonlinear bond slip characteristic at interface; slack in longitudinal warp yarns, and mechanical anchorage provided by cross yarn junctions. Parametric studies of these key parameters indicate that an increase in the interfacial bond strength directly increases the pullout strength. Grid structures offering mechanical anchorage at cross yarn junctions can substantially increase the pullout resistance. Presence of slack in the yarn geometry causes an apparently weaker and more compliant pullout response. The model was calibrated using a variety of test data on the experimental pullout response of AR-Glass specimens, manufactured by different techniques to investigate the relative force contribution from bond at interface and from cross yarn junctions of alkaline resistant glass fabric reinforced cement composites.
Boltzmann equation and force–force correlation function for electrical resistivity

The frequency-dependent electrical resistivity is investigated through the Boltzmann equation and the Kubo formalism in the low-frequency weak-scattering regime where the Boltzmann equation is known to be valid. A commonly used force-force correlation-function formula for dc resistivity is shown to be derivable from the Boltzmann equation as well as from the Kubo formalism. The derivation assumes that expansions used in the ωτ ≫ I regime for the “memory function” or for the inverse of the relaxation time τ are valid in the limit as the frequency ω goes to zero. This procedure and the correlation-function formula are shown to give incorrect results even for the zero-temperature case if the scattering is anisotropic, i.e., if τ varies over the Fermi surface. Thus the previous criticism of the force-force correlation function is extended to the anisotropic scattering regime, and the direct connection between this function and the Boltzmann equation is shown. Der frequenzabhangige elektrische Widerstand wird mittels der Boltzmanngleichung und des Kuboformalismus im niederfrequenten Bereich der schwachen Streuung untersucht, wo bekannt ist, das die Boltzmanngleichung gultig ist. Eine ublicherweise benutzte Kraft-Kraft-Korrelations- funktionsformel fur den Gleichstromwiderstand ist sowohl aus der Boltzmanngleichung als auch aus dem Kuboformalismus ableitbar. Die Ableitung nimmt an, das die Entwicklungen, die im ωτ ≫ 1 -Bereich benutzt werden fur die „Gedachtnisfunktion” oder fur die inverse Relaxationszeit gultig sind im Grenzfall der gegen Null gehenden Frequenz ω. Dieses Verfahren und die Korrelationsfunktionsformel ergeben inkorrekte Ergebnisse auch fur den Fall der Nullpunktstemperatur, wenn die Streuung anisotrop ist, d. h. wenn τ uber die Fermiflache variiert. Die fruheren kritischen Betrachtungen der Kraft-Kraft-Korrelationsfunktion werden auf den anisotropen Streubereich ausgedehnt, und es wird die direkte Verbindung zwischen dieser Funktion und der Boltzmanngleichung gezeigt.
The role of residues outside the active site: structural basis for function of C191 mutants of Escherichia coli aspartate aminotransferase.

In previous kinetic studies of Escherichia coli aspartate aminotransferase, it was determined that some substitutions of conserved cysteine 191, which is located outside of the active site, altered the kinetic parameters of the enzyme (Gloss,L.M., Spencer,D. E. and Kirsch,J.F., 1996, Protein Struct. Funct. Genet., 24, 195-208). The mutations resulted in an alkaline shift of 0.6-0.8 pH units for the pK(a) of the internal aldimine between the PLP cofactor and Lys258. The change in the pK(a) affected the pH dependence of the k(cat)/K(m) (aspartate) values for the mutant enzymes. To help to understand these observations, crystal structures of five mutant forms of E.coli aspartate aminotransferase (the maleate complexes of C191S, C191F, C191Y and C191W, and C191S without maleate) were determined at about 2 A resolution in the presence of the pyridoxal phosphate cofactor. The overall three-dimensional fold of each mutant enzyme is the same as that of the wild-type protein, but there is a rotation of the mutated side chain around its C(alpha)-C(beta) bond. This side chain rotation results in a change in the pattern of hydrogen bonding connecting the mutant residue and the protonated Schiff base of the cofactor, which could account for the altered pK(a) of the Schiff base imine nitrogen that was reported previously. These results demonstrate how residues outside the active site can be important in helping determine the subtleties of the active site amino acid geometries and interactions and how mutations outside the active site can have effects on catalysis. In addition, these results help explain the surprising result previously reported that, for some mutant proteins, replacement of a buried cysteine with an aromatic side chain did not destabilize the protein fold. Instead, rotation around the C(alpha)-C(beta) bond allowed each large aromatic side chain to become buried in a nearby pocket without large changes in the enzyme's backbone geometry.