cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Environmental variation shapes genetic variation in Bouteloua gracilis: Implications for restoration management of natural populations and cultivated varieties in the southwestern United States.

With the increasing frequency of large-scale restoration efforts, the need to understand the adaptive genetic structure of natural plant populations and their relation to heavily utilized cultivars is critical. Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama) is a wind-dispersed, perennial grass consisting of several cytotypes (2n = 2×-6×) with a widespread distribution in western North America. The species is locally dominant and used regularly in restoration treatments. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and cpDNA analyses, we assessed the genetic variability and adaptive genetic structure of blue grama within and among 44 sampling sites that are representative of the species' environmental and habitat diversity in the southwestern United States. Five cultivars were also included to investigate genetic diversity and differentiation in natural versus cultivated populations. Three main findings resulted from this study: (a) Ninety-four polymorphic AFLP markers distinguished two population clusters defined largely by samples on and off the Colorado Plateau; (b) substructure of samples on the Colorado Plateau was indicated by genetic divergence between boundary and interior regions, and was supported by cytotype distribution and cpDNA analysis; and (c) six AFLP markers were identified as "outliers," consistent with being under selection. These loci were significantly correlated to mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, precipitation of driest quarter, and precipitation of wettest quarter in natural populations, but not in cultivated samples. Marker × environment relationships were found to be largely influenced by cytotype and cultivar development. Our results demonstrate that blue grama is genetically variable, and exhibits genetic structure, which is shaped, in part, by environmental variability across the Colorado Plateau. Information from our study can be used to guide the selection of seed source populations for commercial development and long-term conservation management of B. gracilis, which could include genetic assessments of diversity and the adaptive potential of both natural and cultivated populations for wildland restoration.
Impact of Training and Development on Knowledge Management

This study aims to explain and empirically test the impact of Training and Development on Knowledge Management (KM) in selected commercial banks in Kandy District. Accordingly, data were collected through open ended questionnaires from 196 employees in 12 Licensed Commercial Banks (LCBs) branches in Kandy District. Hence, quantitative research approach was used in this study. The research method was descriptive correlative type and it was based on the objective of the method applied. The stratified sampling method was used to make the sampling frame work of the study. The data were analysed by using univariate, multivariate analyses to take the descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicated that the levels of Training and Development and KM exist in selected commercial banks in Kandy District was high level and had significant positive impact on KM. The findings of the study provided several important implications for managers and decision makers of the banks. The study was contributed to the body of knowledge by filling the gaps in the management literature and by substantiating the findings of previous research while the study generates considerable theoretical and practical contributions.
Transitioning into the caregiver role following a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related dementia: A scoping review

Abstract Objectives To identify experiences, needs, interventions and outcomes for caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia as they transition into this new role following diagnosis. Design Scoping review of published literature. Data sources A search for published articles was conducted in PsycINFO, Scopus, Ovid and Web of Science databases. Review methods The Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework guided the review. Studies were screened independently for inclusion by two persons. A total of 955 studies, after duplicates removed, were found by the database search. From these, 127 full-text articles were retained through the screening of titles and abstracts by two reviewers. The two reviewers assessed 46 full-text articles for eligibility. The final 29 studies identified caregiver experiences, needs, and interventions during the period following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia in the scoping review. Results Twenty-nine studies were organized around three major categories: i) family caregiver experiences on receiving the diagnosis (n = 23), ii) needs during this time of transition (n = 18), and iii) interventions and outcomes to support their transition into the caregiver role (n = 5). While studies may have addressed more than one topic, 16 studies intersected categories of both caregiver experience and needs, and one study intersected categories of needs and interventions. There were several studies that focused more specifically on the caregiver’s initial reactions to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia (n = 9), the emotional responses to the diagnosis (n = 14), changes in personal relationships and responsibilities with a new role (n = 16). Caregiver needs following the diagnosis included knowledge and information (n = 14), emotional and psychological support (n = 11), and assistance with care planning (n = 7). Five papers examined interventions specifically tailored to caregiver needs at this juncture, which support the transition into the caregiver role. Conclusions The time of receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia is a critical period in the process of transitioning into caregiver role. This period marks a new phase in the process of caring by family caregivers. Thus, it is important to fully understand the experiences and needs of caregivers and effective interventions in order to better support their transition into this new role.
Reflections on Revolutionary Change

Almost thirty years ago, I wrote a paper about a set of ‘revolutionary’ theories that were emerging in disparate fields, challenging the traditional assumption that large scale change occurs gradua...
Biased Receptor Signaling in Drug Discovery

A great deal of experimental evidence suggests that ligands can stabilize different receptor active states that go on to interact with cellular signaling proteins to form a range of different complexes in varying quantities. In pleiotropically linked receptor systems, this leads to selective activation of some signaling pathways at the expense of others (biased signaling). This article summarizes the current knowledge about the complex components of receptor systems, the evidence that biased signaling is used in natural physiology to fine-tune signaling, and the current thoughts on how this mechanism may be applied to the design of better drugs. Although this is a fairly newly discovered phenomenon, theoretical and experimental data suggest that it is a ubiquitous behavior of ligands and receptors and to be expected. Biased signaling is simple to detect in vitro and there are numerous methods to quantify the effect with scales that can be used to optimize this activity in structure-activity medicinal chemistry studies. At present, the major hurdle in the application of this mechanism to therapeutics is the translation of in vitro bias to in vivo effect; this is because of the numerous factors that can modify measures of bias in natural physiologic systems. In spite of this, biased signaling still has the potential to justify revisiting of receptor targets previously thought to be intractable and also furnishes the means to pursue targets previously thought to be forbidden due to deleterious physiology (as these may be eliminated through biased signaling).
Dimenslon Estlmatlon of Equlty Markets

Financial markets are comprised of many instruments, are complex, and are constantly changing. However, it is interesting to consider what, if any, commonalities persist in markets over long time horizons. In particular, one can study financial markets under nominal and stressed market conditions, and attempt to discern which market parameters remain invariant and which market parameters change. Herein, we study financial markets from the perspective of low-dimensional manifolds that capture the inherent characteristics of the high-dimensional data that represent the market performance. Using Russe113000 constituents, we estimate intrinsic dimension of the US equity market over 30 years (1986-2016) and analyze those times where the change in dimension is abnormal. In particular, our focus in on novel applications of nonlinear techniques such as Isomap and autoencoders, as opposed to linear technique such as principal component analysis (PCA). Such ideas have many applications, including portfolio diversification and market crash analysis.
List-Decoded Tail-Biting Convolutional Codes with Distance-Spectrum Optimal CRCS for 5G

This paper uses convolutional codes (CCs) with distance-spectrum optimal (DSO) cyclic redundancy checks (CRCs) and the serial list Viterbi algorithm (S-LVA) to approach the random coding union (RCU) bound with low decoding complexity at the target FER. We show, for example, that a 64-state zero-terminated CC with a DSO CRC can achieve performance within 0.5 dB of the RCU bound for information blocklength k=64 at FER of 10^{-3}. We also show that a tail-biting CC with a DSO CRC can achieve even better performance, within 0.05 dB of the RCU bound at FER of 10^{-4} for a 256-state CC with k=64. This paper provides analysis of decoding complexity, which for S-LVA depends on the expected list size. We show that if the target FER is low enough, the expected list size approaches one so that the average complexity of S-LVA approaches that of standard soft Viterbi on the CC, i.e., with no list decoding. We also provide DSO CRCs for CCs with k=64 and rates of 1/2, 1/3, 1/6 and 1/12 for the 5G new radio control channel and compare their performance with polar codes.
Managing computational complexity using surrogate models: a critical review

In simulation-based realization of complex systems, we are forced to address the issue of computational complexity. One critical issue that must be addressed is the approximation of reality using surrogate models to replace expensive simulation models of engineering problems. In this paper, we critically review over 200 papers. We find that a framework for selecting appropriate surrogate modeling methods for a given function with specific requirements has been lacking. Having such a framework for surrogate model users, specifically practitioners in industry, is very important because there is very limited information about the performance of different models before applying them on the problem. Our contribution in this paper is to address this gap by creating practical guidance based on a trade-off among three main drivers, namely, size (how much information is necessary to compute the surrogate model), accuracy (how accurate the surrogate model must be) and computational time (how much time is required for the surrogate modeling process). Using the proposed guidance a huge amount of time is saved by avoiding time-consuming comparisons before selecting the appropriate surrogate model. To make this contribution, we review the state-of-the-art surrogate modeling literature to answer the following three questions: (1) What are the main classes of the design of experiment (DOE) methods, surrogate modeling methods and model-fitting methods based on the requirements of size, computational time, and accuracy? (2) Which surrogate modeling method is suitable based on the critical characteristics of the requirements of size, computational time and accuracy? (3) Which DOE is suitable based on the critical characteristics of the requirements of size, computational time and accuracy? Based on these three characteristics, we find six different qualitative categories for the surrogate models through a critical evaluation of the literature. These categories provide a framework for selecting an efficient surrogate modeling process to assist those who wish to select more appropriate surrogate modeling techniques for a given function. It is also summarized in Table 4 and Figs. 2, 3. MARS, response surface models, and kriging are more appropriate for large problems, acquiring less computation time and high accuracy, respectively. Also, Latin Hypercube, fractional factorial designs and D-Optimal designs are appropriate experimental designs. Our contribution is to propose a qualitative evaluation and a mental model which is based on quantitative results and findings of authors in the published literature. The value of such a framework is in providing practical guide for researchers and practitioners in industry to choose the most appropriate surrogate model based on incomplete information about an engineering design problem. Another contribution is to use three drivers, namely, computational time, accuracy, and problem size instead of using a single measure that authors generally use in the published literature.
Conception rates after fluoroscopy-guided fallopian tubal cannulation: an alternative to in vitro fertilization for patients with tubal occlusion.

Objective:Previous studies show good technical success rates for fallopian tube recanalization. Scarce literature exists regarding advance techniques currently used by interventional radiologists d...
Global Cooperation, Fiscal, Monetary Policies and the Way Forward: How the Current Pandemic Has Been Impacted by Globalization

Even though it is evident that international and global cooperation will be required to overcome this ongoing pandemic, to what extent will such cooperation feature and be relied upon in future negotiations? Trust and confidence in certain relationships and partnerships may, it could be argued, have contributed to an underestimation and severity of the devastating consequences of recent global developments. After all, if as rightly argued by some, that there had been sufficient time to respond to the current pandemic, why were insufficient safeguards and measures in place – even in the most advanced economies? Why have other major and advanced economies not been impacted in the same manner and extent? Whilst social differences and medical facilities may have played a part, readiness and swiftness in responses have also played their part. Perhaps such economies have learned over the years, that whilst partnerships are important, it is equally important not to under estimate the severity and consequences of impending crisis – particularly where such a crisis had affected or probably originated from another partner. More importantly, however will be the consequences for others in an intricately linked economic bloc, and therefore the need to provide adequate and timely support to mitigate those consequences before they begin to manifest.
Antagonism of prostaglandin EP4 receptor enhances Natural Killer cell activity and inhibits metastasis

632 Breast and other malignancies often have high COX-2 levels, which contribute to malignant behavior. The COX-2 product PGE 2 contributes to the high metastatic capacity of some tumors. Our published data indicates that inhibition of PGE 2 synthesis by the dual COX-1/COX-2 inhibitor, indomethacin, or a selective COX-2 inhibitor prevents metastasis in a preclinical model of metastatic breast cancer. We postulated that tumor-PGE 2 promotes metastasis in an autocrine manner via prostaglandin E (EP) receptor signaling. Murine and human breast cancer cells express all four isoforms of the EP receptors that bind PGE 2 (EP1-4). We now show that pharmacologic antagonism of the EP4 receptor with AH23848 inhibits tumor metastasis to the same degree as indomethacin. The antimetastatic activity of both indomethacin and AH23848 was compromised in mice depleted of functioning Natural Killer cells. Furthermore, AH23848 enhanced NK-mediated tumor cell lysis in vitro. NK cells are activated by recognition of decreased expression of MHC class I on tumor target cells. Preliminary data shows that AH23848 decreased class I expression on murine mammary tumor cells, consistent with the increased sensitivity to NK lysis. These studies support the further investigation of EP receptor antagonists to inhibit metastatic disease and suggest that NK activation may be critical to this therapy.
Harvard Management Company (2010)

In February 2010, Jane Mendillo, CEO of Harvard Management Company, was reflecting on the list of issues facing Harvard University's endowment in preparation for the upcoming board meeting. The recent financial crisis had vividly highlighted several key issues including the adequacy of short-term liquidity, the effectiveness of portfolio risk management, and the balance of internal and external managers.Learning Objective: The case provides the opportunity for students to make a capital asset allocation decision for a large university endowment. The key pedagogical objective is to develop an understanding of the financial objectives and constraints of the University and the central role played by the endowment in managing the University's financial resources.
Platelet inhibiton by sodium nitroprusside, a smooth muscle inhibitor

The effects of sodium nitroprusside (N.P.), a pure smooth muscle inhibitor, on platelet function were studied. Platelet-rich plasmas (PRP) from normal controls and from patients receiving N.P. were studied in vitro for aggregation in response to adenosine diphosphate (ADP), epinephrine, and collagen. Platelet ADP release (release reaction) was also investigated. Normal platelets demonstrated marked inhibition of aggregation when incubated with N.P. for 3 min. Prolonging the incubation was without additional effect. ADP and ATP release from platelets in response to collagen was also inhibited. PRP from patients receiving nitroprusside at concentrations between 25 mug/min an 165 mug/min showed inhibition of aggregation when compared to findings prior to the administration of N.P. N.P. acts by inhibiting contractile proteins and thus platelet ADP release and aggregation may depend on contraction of platelet smooth muscle-like protein, thrombosthenin.
The impact of recovery on concurrency control

It is widely recognized by practitioners that concurrency control and recovery for transaction systems interact in subtle ways. In most theoretical work, however, concurrency control and recovery are treated as separate, largely independent problems. In this paper we investigate the interactions between concurrency control and recovery. We consider two general recovery methods for abstract data types, update-in-place and deferred-update. While each requires operations to conflict if they do not “commute,” the two recovery methods require subtly different notions of commutativity. We give a precise characterization of the conflict relations that work with each recovery method, and show that each permits conflict relations that the other does not. Thus, the two recovery methods place incomparable constraints on concurrency control. Our analysis applies to arbitrary abstract data types, including those with operations that may be partial or non-deterministic.
Nocturnal bruxing events: a report of normative data and cardiovascular response

Twenty subjects referred to a sleep laboratory for evaluation of sleep apnoea and found not to have any sleep disordered breathing problems were evaluated in this study. Bruxing events were recorded for frequency, duration, association with sleep stage and sleep position. The possible association between leg movements and bruxing events was also evaluated, but did not reveal any common mechanism. This study revealed that heart rate during bruxing events increased on average by 16.6%.
Sensitive methods for the determination of ester sulfate in biological systems

Abstract The benzidine and rhodizonate methods for the assay of inorganic sulfate have been modified in order to increase their sensitivity, rapidity, and safety. With these modifications, amounts of inorganic sulfate ranging between 0.15 and 15 μg (1.56 to 156 nmoles) may be conveniently measured. At this level of sensitivity, the methods may be used for the assay of several sulfohydrolases of biological relevance without using 35SO4-labeled substrates.
P2X7 receptor-NADPH oxidase axis mediates protein radical formation and Kupffer cell activation in carbon tetrachloride-mediated steatohepatitis in obese mice

While some studies show that carbon tetrachloride-mediated metabolic oxidative stress exacerbates steatohepatitic-like lesions in obese mice, the redox mechanisms that trigger the innate immune system and accentuate the inflammatory cascade remain unclear. Here we have explored the role of the purinergic receptor P2X7-NADPH oxidase axis as a primary event in recognizing the heightened release of extracellular ATP from CCl(4)-treated hepatocytes and generating redox-mediated Kupffer cell activation in obese mice. We found that an underlying condition of obesity led to the formation of protein radicals and posttranslational nitration, primarily in Kupffer cells, at 24h post-CCl(4) administration. The free radical-mediated oxidation of cellular macromolecules, which was NADPH oxidase and P2X7 receptor-dependent, correlated well with the release of TNF-α and MCP-2 from Kupffer cells. The Kupffer cells in CCl(4)-treated mice exhibited increased expression of MHC Class II proteins and showed an activated phenotype. Increased expression of MHC Class II was inhibited by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin , P2X7 receptor antagonist A438709 hydrochloride, and genetic deletions of the NADPH oxidase p47 phox subunit or the P2X7 receptor. The P2X7 receptor acted upstream of NADPH oxidase activation by up-regulating the expression of the p47 phox subunit and p47 phox binding to the membrane subunit, gp91 phox. We conclude that the P2X7 receptor is a primary mediator of oxidative stress-induced exacerbation of inflammatory liver injury in obese mice via NADPH oxidase-dependent mechanisms.
Attitudinal maintenance of cognitive categorization

Two experiments were performed that investigated attitudinal influences on cognitive categorization. The studies assessed categorization as a dynamic process with a multiple-sort (MS) technique, having Ss recategorize sentences unti! they ran out of meaningful categories. Condition I allowed Ss to use any dimensions they chose, and Condition It imposed the restraint of the “favorable-unfavorable” dimension. No effects of involvement were found when unrestricted sorting was allowed but were found when the evaluative dimension was imposed. There appeared to be a tendency for attitudinal involvement to maintain complexity across sorts. Results were discussed in terms of the influence of dimensions and the possible effects of certain stimulus properties on the maintenance of categorization complexity.
Controlled vaccine release in the gut-associated lymphoid tissues. I. Orally administered biodegradable microspheres target the peyer's patches

Abstract Microspheres prepared from various polymers were evaluated for their usefulness as carriers for the targeted delivery of vaccine antigens to the gut-associated lymphoid tissues. Following oral administration to mice, microspheres consisting of polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(hydroxybutyrate), poly( dl -lactide), poly( l -lactide), and of poly( dl -lactide-co-glycolide) with various ratios of lactide to glycolide were absorbed into the Peyer's patches of the small intestine. In contrast, no or very little uptake was observed with microspheres consisting of ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate hydrogen phthalate or cellulose triacetate. Tissue penetration was specific to the Peyer's patches and was restricted to microspheres ⩽ 10 μm in diameter. Time-course studies on the fate of the poly( dl -lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres within the gut-associated lymphoid tissue showed that the majority of the microspheres dl -lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres containing a toxoid vaccine of staphylococcal enterotoxin B were prepared and characterized for their size distribution, surface morphology and toxoid release kinetics in an aqueous environment. Oral immunization with these microspheres effectively delivered and released the vaccine in the gutassociated lymphoid tissue as determined by their ability to induce a disseminated mucosal IgA anti-toxin antibody response.
Fluid Transport in the Extracellular Matrix:Kinetic Changes Induced by Metabolic Inhibitors

Water and solutes are transported to and from cells across the extracellular matrix by osmo-mechanical forces, the fiber-mesh, glycosaminoglycans, and myofibroblasts in as yet unclear ways. Here, we analyze fluid transfer in/out of the dermal matrix as a function of pressure and time and explore the effects of glucose-metabolism inhibitors. Osmotic-stress techniques were adapted to measure transfer-kinetics in full-thickness dermal cultures at six different polyethylene glycol concentrations adjusted by membrane osmometry (range =3-211 mmHg). Influx/outflux at each pressure was followed over time by precision weighing. Progression curves were modeled using:Volume Transfer = Vmax/[1+(time/T1/2)d] ,where Vmax is total volume transferred; T1/2 is the time at which volume is half-maximal; and d is proportional to the rate at T1/2. Rates and Vmax were found to be proportional to pressures and varied with temperature, as did the pH of cultures, suggesting that flow regulation is energy-dependent. Na Azyde (0.4mg-2.5 mg/ml) increased outflow, while Iodoacetamide (1.8-4.5 mg/ml) decreased it relative to that in explants without inhibitors; at 208 mmHg, Vmax values were 0.438 ± 0.0058 (Na Azyde); 0.284 ± 0.036 (Iodoacetamide); 0.359 ± 0.029 (control) below the initial value. Inflow increased with inhibitors; at 3 mm Hg, Vmax values were 0.392 ± 0.032, 0.463 ± 0.093, and 0.265± 0.012 above the initial volume, respectively. With the caveat that the inhibitors' effects on transfer could be unrelated to changes in the myofibroblasts' glucose metabolism, these differences suggest that energy for flow regulation is derived primarily from anaerobic metabolism during outflow but from aerobic and anaerobic metabolism during inflow. Globally, these observations are consistent with a model where myofibroblasts respond to pressure and oxygenation changes by adjusting fiber tension to control glycosaminoglycans hydration.
Inertia Effects on Non-Parallel Thermal Instability of Natural Convection Flow Over Horizontal and Inclined Plates in Porous Media

Abstract The inertia effect on the onset of thermal instability in natural convection flow over heated horizontal and inclined flat plates embedded in fluid-saturated porous media is analyzed. The linear non-parallel flow model is employed in the instability analysis, which takes into account the streamwise variation as well as the transverse variation of the disturbance amplitude functions. The set of partial differential equations for the disturbance amplitude functions are converted to a system of homogeneous linear ordinary differential equations with homogeneous boundary conditions by the local non-similarity method. The resulting eigenvalue problem is then solved by an implicit finite-difference method. Representative neutral stability curves and critical Rayleigh numbers are presented. It has been found that as the angle of inclination relative to the horizontal increases, the surface heat transfer rate increases, whereas the flow becomes more stable to the vortex mode of instability. Also, as the inertia effect, expressed in terms of Forchheimer number, Fr, increases, the heat transfer rate decreases, but the flow becomes more stable. It is demonstrated that the non-parallel flow model predicts a more stable flow than the parallel flow model.
Estimation of intrinsic kinetic constants for pore diffusion-limited immobilized enzyme reactions

A simple method is presented that establishes intrinsic rate parameters when slow pore diffusion of substrate limits immobilized enzyme reactions that obey Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The Aris-Bischoff modulus is employed. Data at high substrate concentrations, where the enzyme would be saturated in the absence of diffusion limitation, and at low substrate concentrations, where effectiveness factors are inversely proportional to reaction modulus, are used to determine maximum rate and Michaelis constant, respectively. Because Michaelis-Menten and Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics are formally identical, this method may be used to estimate intrinsic rate parameters of many heterogeneous catalysts. The technique is demonstrated using experimental data from the hydrolysis of maize dextrin with diffusion-limited immobilized glucoamylase. This system yields a Michaelis constant of 0.14%, compared to 0.11% for soluble glucoamylase and 0.24% for immobilized glucoamylase free of diffusional effects.
Multilingual group support system comprehension sufficiency

This paper describes a new agent-based group support system for the effective facilitation of multilingual meetings. Designated Polyglot , the system allows group members to exchange typed comments in any of 57 languages with translations supplied automatically via Google Translate within a few seconds. An example of its use by undergraduate students in the USA exchanging comments in English that were automatically translated to German and Korean demonstrates the software’s potential. Two objective evaluators rated the relevant comment comprehension as 93.2% in German and 71.2% in Korean. Based upon an analysis of a back-translated Test of English as a Foreign Language examination, the former accuracy is considered adequate for a college-level group discussion, while the latter is not.
Computer simulation of multifrequency LSA oscillations in GaAs

The use of transmission lines in an equivalent circuit as suggested by Copeland [1] (instead of the usual lumped circuit elements) has resulted in computer simulation of the multiple-frequency operation associated with LSA oscillation in GaAs [2]. This technique is useful in determining design parameters for eliminating the low-frequency subharmonic and/or maximizing efficiency. For mobilities of 6000 cm2/Vċs, efficiencies are generally less than 1 percent if a lower frequency is present, and as high as 8.4 percent when it is absent.
WE-E-304A-04: Local Determination of Tissue Optical Properties: Reconstruction Based On Fiber-Array Reflectance Profiles

Quantitative evaluation of in vivo local tissue optical properties including scattering coefficient (μs), absorption coefficient (μa) and anisotropy (g) is often important in both photodiagnosis and phototherapy. In this study, a reflectance based fast technique was developed to determine the optical properties of turbid media using a linear‐array fiber bundle probe. Five 200 um collection fibers were linearly set along from the 200 um illumination fiber with center‐to‐center separation of 350 um. Spatial reflectance values were sequentially measured by spectrometer connected to a fiber‐switch. A model that relates the reflectance profiles to optical properties of a turbid medium was developed based on Monte Carlo simulations and phantom experiments. Simulation results at wavelength of 633 nm showed that μs′ (2∼40 cm−1) and μa (0∼5 cm−1) can be determined by reflectance spatial profiles. Intralipid and Nigrosin were used to simulate different reduced scattering coefficient (μs′) and absorption coefficient (μa) values within the same range as Monte Carlo simulation. Preliminary results show good correlation between known optical properties in tissue phantom and the measuredoptical properties, the average error for μs′ and μa was 7.8% and 6.6%, respectively. With same reduced scattering coefficient (μs′), changes in the absorption coefficient (μa) could be measured within 0.1 cm−1. Accurate extraction of tissue optical properties from in vivomeasurements could have potential application in noninvasively superficial (pre)cancer detection and phototherapy planning.
Setup adjustment under unknown process parameters and fixed adjustment cost

Consider a machine that can start production off-target where the initial offset is unknown and unobservable. The goal is to determine the optimal series of machine adjustments that minimize the expected value of the sum of quadratic off-target costs and fixed adjustment costs. Apart of the unknown initial offset, the process is supposed to be in a state of statistical control, so the process model is applicable to discrete-part production processes. The process variance is also assumed unknown. We show, using a dynamic programming formulation based on the Bayesian estimation of all unknown process parameters, how the optimal process adjustment policy is of a deadband form where the width of the deadband is time-varying and U-shaped. Computational results and implementation details are presented. The simpler case of a known process variance is also solved using a dynamic programming approach. It is shown that the solution to this case is a good approximation to the first case, when the variance is actually unknown. The unknown process variance solution, however, is the most robust with respect to variation in the process parameters.
Computer applications for industry and the military: a critical review of the last ten years

The utilization of data-processing equipment in the United States over the last ten years has been growing at a phenomenal rate. Digital computing systems are now in use in almost every sector of the economy, and employed in an extremely wide variety of applications. The data processing field has come a long way from the early stages of computer development when systems applications could be divided into the extremely simple classifications of "business" and "scientific" use. When discussing the applications of data-processing equipment in the early 1950's, one had in mind either their utilization for accounting and standard payroll functions, or the processing of complex mathematical formulae which would be too unwieldy and complicated to do by hand. There were a few individuals on the far-out fringe of the field who suggested that electronic data-processing equipment would some day have a profound effect on wholesaling, retailing, the control of complex processes, and the entire middle management field. But, by and large, most people were primarily intrigued by the complexity of the technology rather than the specifics of new application.
Pituitary Corticotroph SOCS-3: Novel Intracellular Regulation of Leukemia-Inhibitory Factor-Mediated Proopiomelanocortin Gene Expression and Adrenocorticotropin Secretion

As pituitary leukemia-inhibitory factor (LIF) mediates neuroimmune signals to the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, we tested the role of intracellular SOCS-3 in corticotroph function. SOCS-3, a cytokine-inducible protein of the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family, is expressed in the murine pituitary in vivo. After ip injection of LIF (5.0 μg/mouse) or interleukin-1β (0.1 μg/mouse) pituitary SOCS-3 mRNA was stimulated 9-fold and 6-fold, respectively. Also, in corticotroph AtT-20 cells LIF and interleukin-1β both potently stimulated SOCS-3 mRNA expression. In AtT-20 cells, stable overexpression of SOCS-3 inhibits basal and LIF-stimulated ACTH secretion in comparison to mock-transfected AtT-20 cells (basal: 4426 ± 118 vs. 4973 ± 138 pg/ml, P < 0.05; LIF-induced: 5511 ± 172 vs. 9308 ± 465 pg/ml, P < 0.001). Stable overexpression of SOCS-3 cDNA in AtT-20 cells also resulted in a significant 50% decrease of LIF-induced POMC mRNA levels (P < 0.05) and POMC promoter activity (P < 0.001), respective...
Atlantic watermass and circulation response to persistent freshwater forcing in two coupled general circulation models

The sensitivity of the Atlantic circulation and watermasses to biases in the convergence of moisture into the basin is examined in this study using two different general circulation models. For a persistent positive moisture flux into the tropical Atlantic, the average salinity and temperature in the basin is reduced, mainly below mid-depths and in high latitudes. A transient reduction in the Atlantic overturning strength occurs in this case, with a recovery timescale of 1–2 centuries. In contrast, a similar amount of freshwater directed into the Subpolar North Atlantic results in a persistent reduction in overturning and an increase in basin heat and salt content. In the unperturbed pre-industrial simulations, the Atlantic is unambiguously warmer and saltier than historical observations below mid-depths and in the Nordic Seas. The models’ tropical freshwater flux sensitivities project strongly onto the spatial pattern of this bias, suggesting a common atmospheric deficiency. The integrated Atlantic plus Arctic surface freshwater flux in these models is between −0.5 and −0.6 Sv, compared with an observational estimate of −0.28 Sv. Our results suggest that shortcomings in the models’ ability to reproduce realistic bulk watermass properties are due to an overestimation of the inter-basin moisture export from the tropical Atlantic.
Discrete time modeling of ecosystems with applications in environmental enrichment

Abstract In this paper the uses of discrete time population models are discussed and a mathematical formulation for simple one species models is introduced. The relationship between the slope of the growth curve and local stability of equilibria is also demonstrated. A graphical technique for determining population trajectories is developed with examples of stable multi-period cycles. This graphical technique is then applied to the problem of determining the effects of environmental enrichment on population stability. It is shown that under different circumstances enrichment can either increase or decrease stability. A similar result is also shown for a predator-prey system.
High School Music Ensemble Students in the United States: A Demographic Profile

The purpose of this study is to construct a national demographic profile of high school band, choir, and orchestra students in the United States using evidence from the 2004 follow-up wave of the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002. Results indicate that 21% of seniors in the United States’ class of 2004 participated in school music ensembles. Significant associations were found between music ensemble participation and variables including gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), native language, parents’ education, standardized test scores, and GPA. Certain groups of students, including those who are male, English language learners, Hispanic, children of parents holding a high school diploma or less, and in the lowest SES quartile, were significantly underrepresented in music programs across the United States. In contrast, white students were significantly overrepresented among music students, as were students from higher SES backgrounds, native English speakers, students in the highest standa...
Measurement of cell migration in response to an evolving radial chemokine gradient triggered by a microvalve

We describe a novel chemotaxis assay based on the microvalve-actuated release of a chemoattractant from a cell-free microchamber into a cell-containing microchamber. The microvalve chemotaxis device (μVCD) was placed on the stage of a conventional inverted microscope to obtain time-lapse micrographs of neutrophils migrating in a radially-symmetric evolving gradient of the chemotactic factor CXCL8/Interleukin-8. A fluorescent tracer was added to the CXCL8 solution to visualize the evolution of the gradient profile, so that at each time point the cell positions could be assigned CXCL8 concentration values. Tracking of individual neutrophils for 90 minutes showed that (a) the neutrophil migratory response is, on average, radially directed towards the CXCL8 source; (b) significant non-radial displacements occur frequently; and (c) there is considerable heterogeneity in the migration speeds and directions amongst the neutrophil population. A custom-made imaging analysis tool was used to extract measurements of migratory behavior such as speed, velocity along the gradient's radial axis, and the cosine of the turning angle as a function of CXCL8 concentration. The μVCD can be easily adapted to study the migratory behavior of cultured cells other than neutrophils.
Diarrhea in a post-renal transplant child: Answers

1. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)-induced enterocolitis is the cause of diarrhea in this patient. MMF is an immunosuppressant frequently prescribed after solid organ transplantation and to treat renal, rheumatological and neurological disorders [1, 2]. Several gastrointestinal sideeffects of MMF, including nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and afebrile diarrhea, are well-recognized [3]. In adults, a rare MMF-induced enterocolitis has also been described that resembles Crohn’s disease and graft-versus-host-disease [4, 5].More recently, MMF-induced enterocolitis has been reported to occur in pediatric patients [6, 7]. The child presented here developed MMF-induced enetercolitis after a renal transplant. 2. MMF-induced enterocolitis is rare, especially in children, and several other entities should be ruled out before making this diagnosis. Infectious causes, idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and other enteropathies, should be considered. The patient presented here had no documented episodes of graft rejection in the post-transplant period and there were no symptoms associated with the transplant kidney. Upper endoscopy and colonoscopy were performed to rule out primary inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease and other enteropathies. A stool work-up was performed and was found to be negative for infectious causes of diarrhea. 3. MMF was tapered over a 1-week period and then discontinued. During the taper period, the patient was started on azathioprine 125 mg daily to prevent allograft rejection. His diarrheal symptoms began to improve by day 4 and were resolved at his follow-up examination 10 days after discharge. His renal function has remained stable. Once identified, patients with MMF-induced enterocolitis may benefit from treatment with alternative immunosuppressant medications to alleviate symptoms and mucosal injury while still preventing transplant rejection, as in the case presented here.
Experimental Biology 1997 Symposium on Neurobiology of Thermoregulation: Role of Stress: EFFECT OF GENDER ON THERMOREGULATION AND SURVIVAL OF HYPOXIC RATS

SUMMARY 1. Hypothermia is a documented response to hypoxia but little is known about possible gender differences. Because female rats have a greater hypoxic ventilatory response than males, we hypothesized that females would be more tolerant of hypoxia. We studied 18 female and 18 male Long-Evans rats. 2. Radiotelemetry transmitters for body temperature (Tb) were implanted under general anaesthesia (90 mg/mL ketamine and 10 mg/mL xylazine; 0.1 mL/100 g body weight, i.p.). 3. Rats were exposed to 21, 16, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4 and 2% O2 (balance N2) for 30 min each in chambers kept at either 31°C (clamped) or 20°C (hypothermic). Survival was defined as ataxic and unresponsive. 4. Females were more hypoxia tolerant than males, often enduring 2% inspired O2 (13 km altitude). 5. This was correlated with a lower Tb in the hypothermic group, but not in the clamped group. 6. Hypothermia increased ‘survival’ of rats independent of gender. 7. When Tb was clamped, female rats showed significantly greater survival than males. 8. Thus, separate mechanisms (hypothermia or ventilation) may be acting to increase tolerance of clamped and hypothermic female rats to severe hypoxia.
Arylazido aminopropionyl ATP, an active site directed photoaffinity reagent for mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatase

The photoaffinity label, arylazido aminopropionyl ATP∗, brings about a photodependent inhibition of mitochondrial F1-ATPase and an associated specific covalent labeling of the soluble enzyme. In addition the ATP analog can act as a substrate when incubated with F1-ATPase in the dark.
Human performance measures for video retrieval

In this paper, we describe the challenges of assessing human performance during video retrieval episodes and describe several measures of human performance that have been used in developing visual surrogates for the Open Video Digital Library (http://www.open-video.org). These include two sets of cognitive performance measures that aim to assess human recognition and inference and a set of attitudinal measures that aim to assess user satisfaction with video surrogates.
Relation of 11-Metre Solar System Phenomena to Solar Disturbances

THREE of the most important solar disturbances observed during 1956 were the great eruptive prominence of February 10 and the large flares of May 17 and August 31. For a week or two after each of these events, a sequence of phenomena involving Venus, the Earth and the Moon were observed with a radio telescope operating on a wave-length of 11 m.1, these events appearing to be related to the preceding solar disturbance. In one case strong signals of apparent Venusian origin were observed a number of days after the solar disturbance, and a few days later a phenomenon was observed which, presumably, was caused by the presence of a large ion cloud near the Moon. Such a sequence of events suggests that a stream of particles ejected by the Sun and travelling earthward first encountered the planet Venus, resulting directly or indirectly in the production of strong 11-m. radio signals from Venus. Drifting farther out, the particles reached the vicinity of the Earth, with some of the particles forming a cloud near the Moon.
Low power-consumption quantum cascade lasers

Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are promising light sources for real time high-sensitivity gas sensing in the mid-infrared region. For the practical use of QCLs as a compact and portable gas sensor, their power-consumption needs to be reduced. We report a successful operation of a low power-consumption distributed feedback (DFB) QCL. For the reduction of power consumption, we introduced a vertical-transition structure in a core region to improve carrier transition efficiency and reduced the core volume. DFB-QCL epitaxial structure was grown by low-pressure OMVPE. The core region consists of AlInAs/GaInAs superlattices lattice-matched to InP. A first-order Bragg-grating was formed near the core region to obtain a large coupling coefficiency. A mesa-strip was formed by reactive ion etching and a buried-heterostructure was fabricated by the regrowth of semi-insulating InP. High-reflective facet coatings were also performed to decrease the mirror loss for the reduction of the threshold current. A device (5x500μm) operated with a single mode in the wavelength region from 7.23μm to 7.27μm. The threshold current and threshold voltage under CW operation at 20 °C were 52mA and 8.4V respectively. A very low threshold power-consumption as low as 0.44 W was achieved, which is among the lowest values at room temperature to our knowledge.
Gifted Students’ Perceptions of the Academic and Social/Emotional Effects of Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Grouping:

This study investigated student perceptions of differences in academic and social effects that occur when gifted and talented youth are grouped homogeneously (i.e., in special classes for gifted students) as contrasted with heterogeneously (i.e., in classes with many ability levels represented). Forty-four students in grades 5-11 completed interviews or questionnaires while attending a summer residential program for gifted and talented students. Questions were designed to clarify the nature of academic and social outcomes under the two grouping conditions. On the whole, the participants perceived homogenous grouping more positively with respect to academic outcomes. They learned more in the more challenging environment provided by homogeneous classes. However, they had mixed feelings about which setting better met their social needs. Participants seemed to value having both similar peers in homogenous classes and the social diversity of heterogeneous classes. A troubling finding that emerged was the prefe...