cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3607: Modulation of neuroblastoma metabolism by an extracellular chaperone SPARC

Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine (SPARC) is an extracellular matrix protein with diverse biologic functions. We have shown that SPARC is a scavenger chaperone that regulates matrix degradation, remodeling, and repair. We have also demonstrated that SPARC blocks angiogenesis and inhibits the growth of several cancers, including neuroblastoma. In this study we examined how extracellular chaperone SPARC affects neuroblastoma tumor progression. The chaperone properties of SPARC were characterized with cell biology methods and Surface Plasmon Resonance. Neuroblastoma cell lines derived from the high-risk tumors were treated with SPARC. The effect of SPARC on cancer cell metabolism was characterized using the Seahorse analyzer with and without inhibitors of glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidation. Standard cell culture techniques were used to assess the effect of SPARC-induced metabolic changes on neuroblastoma cell proliferation and survival. We demonstrate that SPARC functions as a chaperone, shuttling extracellular ligands between cellular and extracellular tissue compartments. We characterize physical and biological properties of SPARC-mediated ligand transport, and further demonstrate that as a chaperone, SPARC can significantly affect tissue physiology, to the degree of altering cell metabolism. We show that in addition to inhibition of neuroblastoma progression in vivo, SPARC-induced changes in cellular metabolism severely impair neuroblastoma growth and survival in vitro. This novel mechanism of metabolism regulation by an extracellular chaperone SPARC may lead to additional insights into the therapy of neuroblastoma. Citation Format: Alexandre Chlenski, Marija Dobratic, Helen R. Salwen, Mark Applebaum, Susan L. Cohn. Modulation of neuroblastoma metabolism by an extracellular chaperone SPARC. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3607. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3607
A method of evaluating multi-vessel surface effect ship motion prediction codes

The use of seabasing has become a necessary logistics option for the US Navy. These seabases may be formed as far as 150 nautical miles offshore where large seaways can be encountered. These seaways can induce ship motions which may restrict the ability to transfer cargo. Numerical simulations of the seabase in a range of seaways, ship speeds and headings can be used to predict the maximum seaway in which the seabase could safely operate. To support the US Navy's T-Craft Innovative Naval Prototype program, five simulation codes were chosen for evaluation. The code evaluation process was conducted in two parts. First, a matrix of required capabilities of the simulation codes is defined. Each code will then be evaluated against the capability matrix to determine the extent the code can be used to support the seabase from a motions standpoint. The second part of the evaluation was to correlate the output from each code against a set of model test results of two ships at various speeds and ship-to-wave headings. This code evaluation procedure can aid in determining the "accuracy" of the motions predictions from each program and the conditions under which each program can be used.
Thirteen definitions of a stable model

Stable models of logic programs have been studied by many researchers, mainly because of their role in the foundations of answer set programming. This is a review of some of the definitions of the concept of a stable model that have been proposed in the literature. These definitions are equivalent to each other, at least when applied to traditional Prolog-style programs, but there are reasons why each of them is valuable and interesting. A new characterization of stable models can suggest an alternative picture of the intuitive meaning of logic programs; or it can lead to new algorithms for generating stable models; or it can work better than others when we turn to generalizations of the traditional syntax that are important from the perspective of answer set programming; or it can be more convenient for use in proofs; or it can be interesting simply because it demonstrates a relationship between seemingly unrelated ideas.
Magnetocaloric properties of metallic nanostructures

AbstractA compilation of magnetocaloric properties of metallic nanostructures with Curie temperature (TC) between 260 and 340 K has been tabulated. The tabulated data show that nanostructure plays an important role in enhancing the magnetocaloric properties of a material, namely by reducing the peak of magnetic entropy, but broadening of the magnetocaloric effect curve with an average of 10 K sliding window for Curie temperature. A second table lists all bulk metallic and intermetallic materials, in which there is no nanostructural data, with an entropy change of at least 20 J/kg K and a Curie temperature between 260 and 340 K. We propose that further experiments should be made on the nanostructured form of these materials.
Synthesis of 4-Mercuri-17β-estradiol and Study of Its Reaction with Sulfhydryl Compounds and Proteins

Abstract Because enzyme-active sites have been identified by covalent bonding of substrate derivatives, we presumed that a similar approach might be used to characterize macromolecular steroid-binding sites. Accordingly, 4-mercuri-17β-estradiol was synthesized and the structure was determined by analysis of nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. Elemental analysis was compatible with monosubstitution of mercury. Under physiological conditions, 4-mercuri-17β-estradiol reacts with cysteine, 2-mercaptoethanol, and reduced glutathione giving a spectral shift with maximal increase in absorbance at 305 mµ. For the reduced glutathione-4-mercuri-17β-estradiol mercaptide, Δe = 3.4 x 103 m-1 cm-1. One mole of egg albumin reacts with 3 moles of 4-mercuri-17β-estradiol, indicating three reactive sulfhydryl groups in the native protein. The reaction follows second order kinetics: k = 13.5 m-1 sec-1. When 4-mercuri-17β-estradiol reacts with glutathione or egg albumin in aqueous solution, 33 µm 17β-estradiol has no effect on the rate of mercaptide formation. Under generally similar conditions, the rates of mercaptide formation with glutamate dehydrogenase and pyruvate kinase (which have allosteric binding sites for 17β-estradiol) are significantly decreased by 33 µm 17β-estradiol. Similar concentrations of cortisol and estriol (studied with pyruvate kinase) have no effect. Further, mercaptide formation between p-chloromercuribenzoate and pyruvate kinase is not inhibited by 33 µm 17β-estradiol. These observations are compatible with a mechanism in which the steroid moiety of 4-mercuri-17β-estradiol delivers mercury to the allosteric binding site for 17β-estradiol. The resulting increase in local concentration favors mercaptide formation with a reactive residue at or near the binding site. Inhibition of mercaptide formation by 17β-estradiol occurs because it can occupy the binding site and thus exclude 4-mercuri-17β-estradiol. These observations indicate that it may be possible to use 4-mercuri-17β-estradiol for identification of amino acid residues at the steroid-binding sites of high affinity present in steroid-converting enzymes and in receptor proteins of target organs.
Zebrafish: a model system to examine the neurodevelopmental basis of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a devastating disorder caused by both genetic and environmental factors that disrupt brain development and function. It is distinguished as a neurodevelopmental disorder in part due to early cognitive impairments, behavioral dysfunction in childhood and adolescence, and abnormalities in central nervous system development. Zebrafish are recognized as an important vertebrate model for human development and disease. There are many advantages of using zebrafish as a model, such as low cost to maintain, rapid life cycle, optical clarity and rapid external embryonic development. Furthermore, multiple molecular genetic techniques have been developed to readily study gene function during development. In this review, we will discuss the advantages of using the zebrafish model system to study schizophrenia.
Fda New Drug Approval Times, Prescription Drug User Fees, and R&D Spending

FDA-approval times have declined significantly since the enactment of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) in 1992. As a result, present value expected returns to pharmaceutical RD thus, the social benefits of PDUFA (over and above the benefits of more rapid consumer access) are likely to be substantial.
The Unified Core: A “Major” Learning Community Model in Action

The Unified Core is an innovative approach to higher education that blends content through linked courses within a major to create a community of learners. This article offers the theoretical backg...
Estrogen Treatment Down-Regulates TNF-α Production and Reduces the Severity of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Cytokine Knockout Mice

A shift toward Th2 cytokine production has been demonstrated during pregnancy and high dose estrogen therapy and is thought to be the primary mechanism by which estrogen suppresses the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. However, low dose estrogen treatment is equally protective in the absence of a significant shift in cytokine production. In this study cytokine-deficient mice were treated with estrogen to determine whether a shift in Th2 cytokine production was required for the protective effects of hormone therapy. Estrogen effectively suppressed the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in IL-4 and IL-10 knockout mice and in wild type littermate mice with a similar potency of protection. Significant disease suppression was also seen in IFN-γ-deficient mice. The decrease in disease severity was accompanied by a concomitant reduction in the number of proinflammatory cytokine- and chemokine-producing cells in the CNS. Although there was no apparent increase in compensatory Th2 cytokine production in cytokine-deficient mice, there was a profound decrease in the frequency of TNF-α-producing cells in the CNS and the periphery. Therefore, we propose that one mechanism by which estrogen protects females from the development of cell-mediated autoimmunity is through a hormone-dependent regulation of TNF-α production.
Rapid culture and quantitation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 from patient cells without the use of mitogen-stimulated donor cells.

We report the development of a rapid, sensitive virus culture method for direct quantitation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). This new method involves culturing 10(7) PBMCs from HIV-seropositive persons in 10 ml of medium containing phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and interleukin-2. Both agents stimulate cell activation and hence viral replication. Cell-associated virus and free virus are quantitated by a commercially available HIV p24 antigen capture enzyme immunoassay. Detection of cell-associated p24 antigen by flow cytometry was less sensitive than by the enzyme immunoassay. In this preliminary study, HIV was detected in 20 of 23 HIV-seropositive patients and in none of the 11 HIV seronegative low-risk individuals. One HIV-seronegative person with Guillain-Barre syndrome following high-risk activity was found to be rapid-HIV-culture positive. The overall sensitivity and specificity were 87 and 100%, respectively. By comparing the quantity of virus produced in infected cells with the amount of virus produced in chronically infected U1 monocytes and ACH-2 lymphocytes stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and interleukin-2, the approximate number of infected cells per sample is calculated. In the same patient specimens, quantitation of the number of HIV infected cells by the HIV rapid-culture method correlated with the results of the 21-day cell dilution coculture assay (correlation coefficient r = 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.07 to 0.77). Advantages of the rapid HIV culture include no requirement for donor PBMCs or change of media, shortened culture time, and the ability to detect p24 viral antigen from cell-associated virus for quantitation of viral load.
Metabolic fate of ethynodiol diacetate in the baboon.

Abstract The enterohepatic circulation and metabolism of ethynodiol diacetate (3β,17β-diacetoxy-17α-ethynyl-estr-4-ene) in baboons were studied following the intravenous injection of this contraceptive steroid labeled with 14 C (4-position) and with 3 H (in either the 3- or 17-acetoxy moieties). Bile and urine from four baboons with biliary fistulas and urine from four intact baboons were collected for 7 hours. On the average, 40% and 44% of the injected dose were excreted in the bile and urine, respectively. Only 48% was recovered in the urine of intact baboons. Analysis of these excretion rates indicates an insignificant enterohepatic circulation of this compound. The steroid was excreted mostly (over 80%) as a glucosiduronate in urine and bile. Very little excretion of the 3-acetoxy compound was detected in the urine or bile at any time interval. 17-Monoacetoxy compounds, however, were detected both in urine and bile, suggesting a difference in the rate of in vivo hydrolysis of the 17β- vs. the 3β-acetate.
On the compensation of bound and scattering state contributions to the partition function

Abstract The well-known compensation between bound and scattering state contributions to the hydrogenic partition function is studied for general potential forms, in the WKB approximation.
Playing with evidence: Using video games in the courtroom

Abstract Courtroom environments, which have been one of the last bastions of the oral tradition, are slowly morphing into cinematic display environments [1] . The persuasive oral rhetoric of lawyers is increasingly being replaced by compelling visual media displays presenting a range of digital evidence in a convincing and credible manner [2] , [3] . There are a number of fundamental implications inherent in the shift from oral to visual mediation and a number of facets of this modern evidence presentation technology need to be investigated and analysed. Recently, a number of courtrooms around the world have seen the presentation of forensic evidence within reconstructed virtual environments powered by real-time game engines. At first glance, these graphical reconstructions may be seen as potentially useful in many courtroom situations, and they are often treated like any other form of digital evidence regarding their admissibility [4] . However, perhaps this specific form of digital media warrants special care and attention due to its inherently persuasive nature, and the undue reliance that the viewer may place on the evidence presented through a visualisation medium [5] , [6] . This paper describes a range of examples of where evidence has been presented in courtrooms using video games technology (particularly forensic animation and virtual crime scene reconstructions) (The author acted as an expert witness in all of the cases discussed, responsible for the preparation of the virtual reconstructions used as case studies in this paper. Most of the work was undertaken through the author’s own company in the UK, Aims Solutions Ltd., www.aims-solutions.co.uk >). The paper then describes experiments undertaken to assess the impact of the technology on jurors and describes some of the issues raised by the results. The paper concludes with a discussion of the potential benefits and problems of implementing this technology in courtroom settings.
Evaluation of Kojic Acid for Determining Heme and Nonheme Haloperoxidase Activities Spectrofluorometrically

Abstract Heme‐containing haloperoxidases (heme haloperoxidases) catalyze peroxide‐dependent oxidation of halide ions to hypohalite ions. Nonheme haloperoxidases catalyze peroxidation of alkyl acids to peroxyacids that subsequently oxidize halide ions to hypohalite ions. Hypohalite ions react with kojic acid spontaneously with concomitant production of fluorescence. This reaction was examined for suitability in assaying heme and nonheme haloperoxidase activities spectrofluorometrically. Heme haloperoxidases were assayed directly from hypohalite generation whereas nonheme enzymes were assayed by coupling peroxyacid formation to bromide ion oxidation. Peroxidation of kojic acid by chloroperoxidase and myeloperoxidase did not require halide ions and was not increased upon their addition, demonstrating that haloperoxidase activity was not distinguished from the classical peroxidase‐like activity of these enzymes. Addition of bromide ions to specimens of nonheme haloperoxidase, however, resulted in increased ra...
Isolation of bacteriophage λ containing yeast ribosomal RNA genes: Screening by in situ RNA hybridization to plaques

We have developed an in situ hybridization technique which can be used to screen large numbers of hybrid bacteriophage for the presence of a particular inserted DNA sequence. Plaques of hybrid phage are formed on E. coli lawns on nitrocellulose filters, and their DNA is released, denatured, and fixed directly on the filters for hybridization to radioactive RNA probes. We have used this technique to isolate a number of hybrid bacteriophage lambda which contain EcoRl restriction fragments of the ribosomal RNA genes from yeast, and have examined the DNA from several of these phage.
Community Attitudes and the Urban University.

This study looks at the relationships between a number of personal and social characteristics of a random sample of 254 urban citizens from the Twin Cities and their satisfaction with a University. Most of the urban citizens had considerable university related experiences, and they believed that faculty and students are sincere and hardworking. Most were satisfied with different facets of University life, endorsed the broad principle of campus freedom of expression, but were generally opposed to the goals of students when they used more active methods of dissent. Citizens' satisfaction with the University was heavily related to their perception of campus life as it related to the ideological criteria of “Work Ethic” and “Americanism.”
Steroids and the practical aspects of performing binding studies.

Abstract Many cellular regulatory processes are described by ligand interactions with macromolecules. Steroid complexing with specific cytoplasmic receptor proteins and the subsequent binding of these complexes to nuclear constituents are two such processes which are fundamental to the understanding of steroid hormone action. These reactions are characterized by the binding parameters k, the equilibrium association constant, and M0, the binding site molarity. The current methods used to determine these two parameters are discussed in relation to the general theory of binding parameter measurement. A number of practical aspects of binding parameter measurement are considered. These include problems encountered by working at dilute non-uniform protein concentrations, non-specific binding, and the limitations of all such experimental systems. An exact solution to the non-linear Scatchard plot is presented for the case when only two non-interacting classes of binding sites need be considered. Finally, a set of specific conclusions is offered which should enable investigators to obtain the most accurate information possible whenever carrying out steroid hormone or receptor binding studies.
RNA Crosslinking and Click Chemistry with Platinum Compounds

Methods to assess three-dimensional RNA structure inside and outside of the cell are of great importance. Crosslinking reagents that report on tertiary interactions in RNA are of particular interest as constraints for structure models and as reporters for RNA dynamics. Small, square-planar Pt(II) compounds such as cisplatin are well-known anticancer therapeutics that bind purine nucleobases. While well-studied in DNA, the interaction properties of these compounds with complex RNA structures are less understood. Here we present studies exploring Pt(II) crosslinking in structured RNAs, including a ribozyme and a ribosomal subdomain. In order to isolate and label Pt-bound RNAs, we have developed azide-modified Pt(II) compounds that undergo ‘click’ chemistry with functionalized fluorophores, biotin, and other reagents. Mapping sites following in vivo exposure demonstrates that Pt(II) preferentially targets purine-rich loops, and fluorescence labeling demonstrates broad binding of these reagents to different cellular RNAs. Taken together, Pt(II) reagents present new opportunities for RNA structure analysis both in vitro and in vivo.
Examination of procedures for acute toxicity tests with the fathead minnow and coal synfuel blends.

Static and flow-through procedures were examined for conducting acute toxicity tests with the fathead minnow,Pimephales promelas Raf., and water-soluble fractions of a liquid synfuel blend derived from coal. Static conditions were characterized by declines in levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) and total dye-complexable phenolics over the 96-hr test period. Renewal of exposure solutions each 12 or 24 hr retarded, but did not prevent, dissolved oxygen and phenolic declines and periodic disturbance of fish caused stress. Flow-through test conditions, particularly 9.0 volumetric turnovers daily, provided suitably stable levels of DO and phenolics. Mortality reached or exceeded 50% when fish were exposed to about 8.6–8.9 mg 1−1 total phenolics during static or renewal tests, but was less than 25% under flow-through conditions. Microorganism development in static solutions was primarily responsible for declines in DO and phenolic levels. Differences in fish mortality between static and flow-through tests suggested the latter was most useful for evaluating toxicity of aqueous extracts from liquified coals. Results of laboratory tests, however, may not accurately portray field conditions where biodegradation or other environmental interactions occur.
Human rights as conflict management: The unionist use of human rights language in Northern Ireland

Instruments for protecting human rights can help to channel tensions and manage intense communal conflicts. This understanding was reflected in the Good Friday Agreement acceded to in April 1998 in Northern Ireland. The utilization of human rights language by the Unionists under pressure illustrates the important role that third parties and non‐governmental actors can play in facilitating ethnic conflict management, yet the ‘ethnic’ use of this language calls for cautious endorsement. Because human rights are often seen as the property of one particular community, human rights may make a limited contribution to building peaceful political institutions in situations of intense communal conflict.
A 320 Mbps flexible image data compressor for space applications

A 320 Mbps radiation-tolerant image data compression application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip set has been developed. 12The ASIC chip set implements the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) recommendation for Image Data Compression. It is applicable to both near-Earth push-broom3 sensors as well as frame sensors used in exploration and deep space applications. The compressor can process sensor data in both lossless and lossy compression modes.
Primary Pulmonary Hypertension in a Child Response to Pharmacologic Agents

Clinical, pharmacologic, and pathologic findings presented are those in a 12-year-old boy with primary pulmonary hypertension associated with medial hypertrophy of the pulmonary muscular arteries and arterioles. Intrapulmonary arterial administration of acetylcholine, tolazoline (Priscoline), or isoproterenol resulted in a fall in pulmonary vascular resistance and pressure. Perforation of the right ventricle by an indwelling catheter terminated studies on the results of long-term intrapulmonary arterial administration of drugs shown to be effective.
Interspecific analysis of covariance structure in the masticatory apparatus of galagos.

The primate masticatory apparatus (MA) is a functionally integrated set of features, each of which performs important functions in biting, ingestive, and chewing behaviors. A comparison of morphological covariance structure among species for these MA features will help us to further understand the evolutionary history of this region. In this exploratory analysis, the covariance structure of the MA is compared across seven galago species to investigate 1) whether there are differences in covariance structure in this region, and 2) if so, how has this covariation changed with respect to size, MA form, diet, and/or phylogeny? Ten measurements of the MA functionally related to bite force production and load resistance were obtained from 218 adults of seven galago species. Correlation matrices were generated for these 10 dimensions and compared among species via matrix correlations and Mantel tests. Subsequently, pairwise covariance disparity in the MA was estimated as a measure of difference in covariance structure between species. Covariance disparity estimates were correlated with pairwise distances related to differences in body size, MA size and shape, genetic distance (based on cytochrome-b sequences) and percentage of dietary foods to determine whether one or more of these factors is linked to differences in covariance structure. Galagos differ in MA covariance structure. Body size appears to be a major factor correlated with differences in covariance structure among galagos. The largest galago species, Otolemur crassicaudatus, exhibits large differences in body mass and covariance structure relative to other galagos, and thus plays a primary role in creating this association. MA size and shape do not correlate with covariance structure when body mass is held constant. Diet also shows no association. Genetic distance is significantly negatively correlated with covariance disparity when body mass is held constant, but this correlation appears to be a function of the small body size and large genetic distance for Galagoides demidoff. These exploratory results indicate that changing body size may have been a key factor in the evolution of the galago MA. Am. J. Primatol. 69:46–58, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Ti plasmid type affects T-DNA processing in Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Agrobacterium tumefaciens can transfer the T-DNA region of a Ti plasmid to a recipient plant cell. An accepted model that describes the T-DNA transfer mechanism proposes that single-stranded T-complexes are transferred to a recipient plant via a conjugation-like mechanism. This model has been based on examination of a limited number of Ti plasmids. In this study, the type of processed T-DNA molecule created from multiple Ti plasmids was determined. The form of the processed T-DNA was found to vary and was correlated with whether the T-DNA region was organized as a single continuous region or two adjacent regions.
Population trends in resource-dependent counties.

Resource-dependent communities in the United States have a history of economic instability andpopulation decline. In this article, national county-level data were used to compare population trendsduring the 1980s of resource-dependent counties with counties economically dependent on othersustenance activities. It was found that resource-dependent counties were significantly more likelyto experience population declines during the 1980s than other types of counties. This relationshipremained significant even when the effects of several variables were statistically controlled.
OnabotulinumtoxinA office treatment for neurogenic bladder incontinence in Parkinson's disease.

Objective To evaluate safety and effectiveness of low-dose (100 U) onabotulinumtoxinA (onabotA) bladder injections as an office procedure with topical anesthesia only for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and incontinence. Methods Qualified patients who failed oral antimuscarinic agents participated in an open-label study. They discontinued antimuscarinics, provided a King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ), voiding symptom score, and 3-day voiding diary. Free uroflowmetry with post-void ultrasounds and cystometrogram pressure/flow studies were performed. Patients underwent flexible cystoscopy and injections of onabotA 100 U (10 U/mL) dispersed into 10-20 submucosal/detrusor sites of the bladder, including the trigone. Voiding diaries, questionnaires, and free uroflowmetry with post-void ultrasound residual urine measurements were repeated after 1, 3, and 6 months. Results Twelve men and 8 women were treated: mean age, 70.4 years; duration of disease, 10.6 years; median bladder contraction volume, 115 mL; maximum bladder pressure, 62 cm; and post-void volume, 9 mL. Moderate to marked symptom relief at 3 months and a 50% incontinence decrease over 6 months relative to pretreatment was reported in 59% patients ( P ≤.02); 5 patients failed to complete the 6-month endpoint. No urinary retention required catheterization. Conclusion Office cystoscopy with low-dose onabotA injection treatment is a potential long-term management strategy for patients with PD and urinary incontinence who fail oral antimuscarinic agents. The treatment seems to be safely utilized for older men with BPH as well as women with potential hypoactive detrusor function.
Position paper on networks with aggregate quality of service

As the Internet continues to expand into new application domains, there is growing demand for differentiated services that provide varying degrees of Quality of Service (QoS). Until recently, the approach for service differentiation in the Internet has focused on providing QoS guarantees to individual traffic flows. This per-flow model has not been widely embraced, largely due to the vast amount of state information that needs to be maintained in the network. As a consequence, the network community is currently redefining the notion of QoS for the Internet, leading to a new service model where guarantees are made to aggregate flows, rather than to individual flows. The notions of aggregate QoS which are being defined, e.g., by the Differentiated Services (DiffServ) working group in the IETF, are very different from traditional networking concepts and require novel algorithms for traffic control and provisioning. In our work in this area we seek to derive fundamental insights into the nature and delivery of QoS to traffic aggregates, i.e. aggregate QoS. A central feature of service models for aggregate QoS is that there is no requirement for users to specify the composition or the destination of traffic. This significantly complicates the provisioning of network resources and suggests that new, feedback-intensive traffic control algorithms must be developed to mitigate uncertainty about network loading. At present there is little or no theory available to guide the development of such algorithms. In this paper we lay out a research agenda for illuminating the fundamental issues associated with QoS for aggregate traffic. By providing a theoretical reference frame for aggregate QoS, one which provides tools and techniques for congestion control, capacity provisioning, and admission control, we complement ongoing standardization efforts for differentiated services in the Internet.
Do we need a new developmental paradigm

Abstract Many question the applicability of past developmental approaches or paradigms to the current issues of agricultural development and suggest that new paradigms are required. In this paper we characterize the common agricultural science-led development paradigm of the past and a newly emerging approach that we have titled the socio-ecological paradigm. We examine the assumptions, successes and failures of these paradigms and propose changes in approach that seem appropriate to address current developmental issues. These changes include a move towards systems based research and development and greater involvement of rural people who are the targets of developmental efforts. A systems protocol is proposed that attempts to reconcile the appropriate interface between systems and component based research and development.
Infective organisms in the cytoplasm of Amoeba proteus.

Evidence from electron and phase microscopy is given which shows that infective organisms are present in the cytoplasm of Amoeba proteus. Vesicles containing living organisms have been observed after repeated washing and starvation of the amebae for a period of 2 weeks. Exposure to γ-radiation in conjunction with starvation, repeated washing, isolation of single amebae, refeeding with contaminant-free Tetrahymena, and clone selection has produced clones with reduced cytoplasmic infection. These findings are discussed in regard to the autoradiographic studies of other investigators on Amoeba proteus. The controversies over whether DNA and RNA are synthesized in the cytoplasm may be resolved by the finding of cytoplasmic infection.
Critique of test methods for lifetime predictions.

Abstract Failure predictions for ceramics depend on the experimental parameters that measure the strength distribution (m and σ0) and the time-dependency of strength (n). These parameters can be determined by measuring strength as a function of stressing rate in a test environment that simulates the service environment. To minimize the uncertainty in these experimental parameters, at least 30 samples per stressing rate should be tested over a stressing rate range of at least 3 orders of magnitude. The uncertainty in these experimental parameters can be taken into account in design calculations by the use of appropriate safety factors. Thus, through well designed experiments coupled with a reliability analysis, rational design decisions can be made that ensure the successful use of ceramics in demanding structural applications.
Environmental strategies for portion control in children

Evidence from laboratory and field studies indicates that large portions lead to greater food and energy intake relative to small portions. However, most children and adults demonstrate limited abilities to estimate and control the amounts of food they serve and consume. Five potential environmental strategies appear promising for improving portion control in children: (1) using tall, thin, and small volume glasses and mugs, (2) using smaller diameter and volume plates, bowls and serving utensils, (3) using plates with rims, (4) reducing total television and other screen watching and (5) reducing or eliminating eating while watching television and/or other screens. Further experimental research in real world settings is needed to test these interventions as strategies for portion control and their roles in prevention and treatment of obesity.
Scepticism Reconsidered: A Reply to Meynell

In'Scepticism Reconsidered' (Philosophy, 59, No. 230 (October 1984), 431-442), Hugo Meynell argues that it is important to refute radical scepticism and that, while my way of doing it in A Justification of Rationality, (Albany: SUNY Press, 1976) is unsuccessful, there is a more promising strategy which leads to a decisive refutation. I agree with Meynell that the issue is important, but I do not agree that adopting his strategy would help, and I continue to regard the approach I have proposed as unimpaired by the criticism Meynell endorses. Meynell begins by usefully distinguishing between eight kinds of scepticism. His interest rightly centres on radical scepticism: interpreted as 'there are no means which can be justified of attaining knowledge in the ordinary sense' (43 1). Since 'knowledge in the ordinary sense' means roughly 'true belief backed up by evidence' (432), it follows from radical scepticism that knowledge in the ordinary sense (knowledge, for short, from now on) is impossible. The reason why there are no justifiable means of attaining knowledge is that the legitimate backing of belief by evidence is lacking. Radical scepticism is the strongest kind of scepticism, for its targets are the standards by which we evaluate knowledge-claims. How could these standards be justified? Meynell writes: 'To appeal to the standards themselves is to beg the question; to appeal to other standards is to be ensnared into a vicious regress, since these standards would require support by appeal to other standards still, and so on ad infinitum' (434). The force of radical scepticism is that, as the considerations just presented show, we cannot counter it by appealing to such customary standards as logic, science, or common sense, because it is the justifiability of these, and indeed all other, standards which is at issue. We ought to take radical scepticism seriously, because if it is correct, 'we will either be left in a chaos of conflicting and arbitrary opinion, since on this account all opinions are equally wellor illfounded; or we will have to resort to propaganda, coercion or whatever to secure agreement' (434). As Meynell correctly notes, all this is common between his position and mine.
New Spectrometer Slit Mechanism

A new type of slit mechanism is described which operates on the principle of the proving ring or loading ring. The load applied to distort a steel ring is the means by which the slit openings are varied and the opening determined. Very simple devices are described in which straight slit jaws are connected to opposite sides of a flexible ring and known weights are applied to the ring to obtain the desired slit opening. The mechanism has been used to provide very long dual curved slits for Ebert type monochromators, in which the proving ring itself acts as one jaw of the curved slits. The dual slits have been actuated by hydraulic pressure for vacuum operation.
Comparative Analysis of Posterior Approaches to the Medial Temporal Region: Supracerebellar Transtentorial Versus Occipital Transtentorial

OBJECTIVE: Cortical and subcortical lesions in the posterior portion of the medial temporal region (MTR) are routinely resected through the supracerebellar transtentorial (SCTT) or occipital transtentorial (OCTT) route. We compared the exposures provided by these 2 approaches to this region. METHODS: Eight sides of injected cadaver heads were dissected using both approaches. Identical deep target points were collected for SCTT and OCTT routes while accepting variations in initial exposures. Data gathered with the P2-P3 junction as an apex created 2 adjoining triangles (anterior and posterior) in the middle and posterior MTR. Real, projected, and freedom areas were calculated for comparison. RESULTS: The approach-related differences for the real and projected areas were expressed in relative values. There were no differences in the percentage of projected area between the 2 approaches (e.g., working in the middle of the opening, anterior triangle: SCTT, 5.2 +/- 4.1%; OCTT, 8.4 +/- 5.6%; P = 0.313; posterior triangle: SCTT, 8.6 +/- 3.8%; OCTT, 8.8 +/- 6.3%; P = 0.937). Freedom areas for the SCTT approach were smaller than those for the OCTT approach at many deep points (P < 0.05), except in the posterior margin of the MTR (P = 0.21). CONCLUSION: The SCTT and OCTT approaches provided no differences in surgical views to the MTR. However, the OCTT approach provides a wider corridor for surgical manipulation compared with the SCTT approach in most parts of the MTR. These data may help neurosurgeons to select a favorable approach to specific lesions of the MTR.
Assessment and clinical interpretation of reduced IgG values

Patients are often referred to immunologists for the evaluation of reduced serum IgG levels. Because antibody deficiencies are the most common of the primary immune defects, examination of humoral immunity in these patients is valuable.1,2 This article is the first in a series dealing with the diagnosis of immunodeficiency disorders, with focus on the interpretation of reduced IgG values. The information presented should be interpreted in the clinical context of each patient along with other evaluation measures, such as IgM and IgA levels and functional humoral immunity, discussed in subsequent articles.
Measurement of the endocardial distribution of left ventricular coronary blood flow by rb86 chloride

Abstract A difference in uptake and clearance of intravenously infused Rb 86 Cl between the endocardial and epicardial halves of the normally beating left ventricle of the dog has been shown. The higher endocardial clearance was due to the uptake of isotope directly from the left ventricular cavity rather than to increased forward coronary flow to the endocardium. When the ventricular source of isotope was eliminated, the uptake of Rb 86 by the endocardium was less than that by the epicardium, and was consistent with decreased forward coronary flow in the inner layers of the left ventricular myocardium under normal pressure-flow conditions.
Sarah Siddons and Her Place in Rhetorical History

Abstract Actors, who deliver the words of playwrights rather than their own, have largely been disregarded by rhetorical scholars despite the fact that the theatrical stage was one of the first arenas in which women struggled to gain public acceptance. A noteworthy public woman in this regard was Sarah Siddons, the late-eighteenth-century actor whose talent and influence led to her recognition as an exemplar of delivery in such rhetorical manuals as Gilbert Austin9s Chironomia (1806) and Henry Siddons9s Practical Illustrations of Rhetorical Gesture and Action (1807). This article recovers Siddon9s rhetorical legacy by examining her distinctive delivery style, emotional powers, and maternal performance in public spaces.
Sucrose leakage from the maize scutellum: Evidence for the participation of the phloem

Abstract Sucrose leaked from maize scutellum slices when they were incubated in fructose. The rate of leakage declined with time, but the initial rate could be maintained in the presence of HCl, ATP or certain buffers. The leakage process was a labile one and the ability of cells to leak (but not produce) sucrose declined during incubation of the slices in water at 30°. The leakage process was protected, however, during incubation in ice water. Sucrose leakage from whole scutella had properties similar to leakage from slices but had only about one-third the rate. The whole scutellum leaked appreciable sucrose only after the root—shoot axis was removed. The compounds which increased leakage also have the ability to displace or to form complexes with cations, and it appears that their effect on leakage is due to the removal of Mg 2+ (and possibly Ca 2+ ) from the slices. Evidence is presented that there is a pool of leakable sucrose which, when the leakage process is functioning, can be emptied into the bathing solution. The pool level is maintained, however, when fructose is present as a source of sucrose. The results presented are consistent with the idea that sucrose leakage originates in the sieve tubes of the phloem and is the end result of a series of events which includes intercellular sucrose transport, vein loading and phloem transport.
Special issue on river flow hydrodynamics: Physical and ecological aspects

As part of the celebration in Minneapolis on May 19–21, 2008, of the 70th year since the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory was first dedicated on November 17, 1938, a minisymposium on the topic of stream restoration fluid mechanics was organized within the inaugural conference of ASCE’s Engineering Mechanics Institute. Ten papers are included in this special issue representing contributions that were made to this minisymposium as well as manuscripts that were solicited from other authors in an effort to expand coverage of the subject. This issue provides the opportunity to review the progress that has been made in some areas of modeling river flow hydrodynamics, with emphasis on physical and ecological aspects. The issue begins with two papers dealing with in-stream structures, including those used for flow training and those that serve as bridge foundations, and their potential effects on river behavior. The first paper, “River Training and Ecological Enhancement Potential Using In-Stream Structures” by Radspinner et al., provides a review of the available literature and engineering design experience. Cross vanes, J-hook vanes, rock vanes, W-weirs, submerged vanes, stream barbs, bendway weirs, spurs, and constructed riffles, which represent the most commonly used instream flow control structures, are considered. Survey results obtained from federal and state agency personnel indicate that in terms of cost, performance, maintenance, and environmental enhancement, in-stream structures are preferable to riprap revetment, dredging, and concrete. Results from case studies and discussions with practitioners highlight the need for better-defined guidelines for the design of these structures. In their paper “Coherent Structure Dynamics in Turbulent Flows Past In-Stream Structures: Some Insights Gained via Numerical Simulation,” Paik et al. review the latest developments in the use of hybrid unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes/large-eddy simulation URANS/LES modeling strategies for simulating turbulent flows around in-stream structures. These computational fluid dynamics CFD techniques are capable of resolving coherent structures, such as the turbulent horseshoe vortex past bed-mounted piers, for a wide range of Reynolds number flows and thus of capturing some intricate aspects of the flow field and associated scour in the vicinity of hydraulic structures. Furthermore, the capability of modeling such structures at ecologically relevant scales is crucial for the development of improved stream restoration designs. The issue continues with a group of three papers that focus on the flow through vegetation hydrodynamics and nutrient uptake in streams. The first of these papers, “Effects of Added Vegetation on Sand Bar Stability and Stream Hydrodynamics” by Rominger
Urban Tree Canopy Prioritization (UTC): Experience from Baltimore

The recently emerging shift in urban land management to an “all lands, all people” approach to achieve critical urban sustainability goals created the need to 1) characterize landcover at the unit of individual property units: i.e. property parcels, and 2) integrate social and ecological data corresponding to diverse, sustainability goals so that all neighborhoods and parcels can be prioritized. Currently, there are two types of UTC tools: 1) UTC Assessment and Monitoring tools are used to assess existing and potential urban tree canopy at a parcel level (2’ resolution) and regional extent; and 2) UTC Prioritization tools are used to identify where to increase urban tree canopy at watershed, neighborhood, and parcel levels based upon diverse stakeholders’ goals and preferences among goals. These goals may be ecological, social, and/or economic.In this presentation, we report on advances in our development of UTC Prioritization tools and their application in Baltimore, Maryland.
Let us go forth and safely multiply

Synthetic biology, which involves the engineering of new biological components and organisms and the redesign of existing ones, will require community discipline and openness if it is to flourish safely, says George Church. ‘Synthetic biology’ is a rapidly growing field, and this week's Nature reflects that growth. Biologists use it to test models of natural systems, as discussed by David Sprinzak and Michael B. Elowitz. Drew Endy takes the engineer's approach, seeing it as an extension of technologies such as genetic engineering and biotechnology. Examples of what synthetic biology can do were on view at the first international Inter collegiate Genetically Engineered Machine competition. Synthetic biology promises much but there are risks too. In a Commentary, George Church urges the synthetic biology community to learn from mistakes made by nuclear physicists and geneticists, and to act now to develop safeguards that satisfy public concerns. The cover features frames from ‘ ’, accessible on the Nature website.