cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Annual and spatial variation in composition and activity of terrestrial mammals on two replicate plots in lowland forest of eastern Ecuador

Terrestrial mammals are important components of lowland forests in Amazonia (as seed dispersal agents, herbivores, predators) but there are relatively few detailed studies from areas that have not been affected by human activities (e.g., hunting, logging). Yet, such information is needed to evaluate effects of humans elsewhere. We used camera traps to sample medium to large-sized terrestrial mammals at a site in lowland forests of eastern Ecuador, one of the most biologically rich areas in the world. We deployed cameras on two study plots in terra firme forest at Tiputini Biodiversity Station. Sixteen cameras were arranged 200 m apart in a 4 × 4 grid on each plot. Cameras were operated for 60 days in January-March, 2014-2017, for a total of 3,707 and 3,482 trap-days on the two plots (Harpia, Puma). A total of 28 species were recorded; 26 on Harpia and 25 on Puma. Number of species recorded each year was slightly greater on Harpia whereas overall capture rates (images/100 trap-days) were higher on Puma. Although most species were recorded on each plot, differences in capture rates meant that yearly samples on a given plot were more similar to each other than to samples on the other plot. Images of most species showed a clumped distribution pattern on each plot; Panthera onca was the only species that did not show a clumped distribution on either plot. Images at a given camera location showed no evidence of autocorrelation with numbers of images at nearby camera locations, suggesting that species were responding to small-scale differences in habitat conditions. A redundancy analysis showed that environmental features within 50 or 100 m of camera locations (e.g., elevation, variation in elevation, slope, distance to streams) accounted for significant amounts of variation in distribution patterns of species. Composition and relative importance based on capture rates were very similar to results from cameras located along trails at the same site; similarities decreased at increasing spatial scales based on comparisons with results from other sites in Ecuador and Peru.
In Praise of Numberlessness

One of the more frustrating things about being a mathematician is that almost no one other than professional scientists has the faintest idea what the subject is about or what it is we do. Ask a person chosen at random what the central concept of mathematics is and the answer will probably be numbers. Now, I don’t know myself what mathematics is about (more on this later), but I’m quite sure that the central concept is not numbers. Still, there is a central concept. It is proof. The examples to follow are intended to illustrate how sometimes the reflex action of trying to use numbers makes proofs more difficult.
Specific Heat, Optical, and Transport Properties of Hexagonal Tungsten Bronzes

The tungsten bronzes are a series of nonstoichimetric compounds of the general formula M x WO3, where M is usually an alkali metal atom. In this paper the cubic and hexagonal crystal structures are compared. Each structure is composed of linked WO6 octahedra, with M atoms filling the available cavities. In the cubic structure the WO6 matrix has rectangular channels in which the M atom is located. The cubic structure has all M sites full when x = 1. The hexagonal structure is composed of three- and six-member rings of WO6 octahedra. The M-atom sites are located in the hexagonal channels, with x = 1/3 corresponding to all sites full. The radii of the inscribed spheres of the cavities available for occupation by the M atoms are 0.96 A and 2 A in the cubic and hexagonal structures, respectively. The smaller M ions such as Na+ (0.95 A) adopt the cubic structure for 0.5 ≲ x ≲ 1, whereas K+ (1.33 A) and Rb+ (1.47 A) form hexagonal bronzes.
Vitamin D Metabolism and its Relationship to Pathologies of Calcium Metabolism

It is common belief among scientists, clinical scientists and practicing physicians that a deficiency of vitamin D brings about either the disease osteomalacia or the disease rickets, both of which are characterized by failure of mineralization of organic matrix of newly synthesized bone. Although correct, this concept is too narrow to encompass the pathological states which are known in experimental animals suffering vitamin D deficiency. The best example is the experimental rat which, when placed on a low calcium diet in the absence of vitamin D, does not develop the classical signs of rickets or even osteomalacia, but rather develops hypocalcemic tetany and a disease more like osteoporosis (1). On the other hand, if the same animals are placed on a low phosphorus diet in the absence of vitamin D, the classical symptoms of rickets develop (1).
The Current Generation of Constitutional Law

In this piece reviewing Mark Tushnet's "The New Constitutional Order," David Fontana argues that Tushnet's admirably comprehensive book faces some of the same problems that many other pieces of popular constitutionalism scholarship do: He discusses the Constitution outside of the courts without examining the actual behavior of the Constitution outside of the courts. As it turns out, Tushnet is mostly right that there has not been a major constitutional revolution in the past generation. Still, by understudying the behavior of institutions besides courts, the book does not focus enough on the extent to which the entire political dynamic has moved to the right in the past generation, so no matter what that dynamic produces, it is bound to be farther to the right than the policies of a generation ago.
Measurement of improvement of left ventricular function after reperfusion using left ventricular angiography

The efficacy of thrombolytic therapy has been primarily evaluated from the reperfusion rate achieved by the various agents, or from the mortality rate. Since the presumed mechanism by which mortality is reduced by reperfusion is salvage of ventricular function, our studies have measured ventricular function as their endpoint. The studies described in this report were performed in collaboration with Drs. Detlef G. Mathey and Joachim Schofer at Eppendorf University Hospital in Hamburg, West Germany, and Dr. Andras Szente at the Hungarian Institute of Cardiology in Budapest.
The Selection of Actual Preparedness Strategies for Dealing with Climate as Adopted in Forestry

Forestry preparedness strategies for climate change are challenging. Governments are now developing plans to mitigate climate change by various schemes for regulating the emissions of green house gases, primarily in the form of limited emissions of carbon dioxide. This issue has become so politically divisive that actions to prepare for a changing climate are in danger to get lost in the emissions debate. Preparedness decisions in forest meteorology universally call for making predictions concerning future weather and climate states (see Box III.4.3).
Combined Wind-Wave-Surge Hurricane-Induced Damage Prediction for Buildings

AbstractCoastal structures are subjected to multihazard events such as hurricanes which consist of hurricane-induced surge and waves as well as winds. Hurricanes are a common natural hazard in the ...
Chronic Inhibition of Mitochondrial Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase (DLDH) as an Approach to Managing Diabetic Oxidative Stress

Mitochondrial dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLDH) is a redox enzyme involved in decarboxylation of pyruvate to form acetyl-CoA during the cascade of glucose metabolism and mitochondrial adenine triphosphate (ATP) production. Depending on physiological or pathophysiological conditions, DLDH can either enhance or attenuate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species. Recent research in our laboratory has demonstrated that inhibition of DLDH induced antioxidative responses and could serve as a protective approach against oxidative stress in stroke injury. In this perspective article, we postulated that chronic inhibition of DLDH could also attenuate oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes. We discussed DLDH-involving mitochondrial metabolic pathways and metabolic intermediates that could accumulate upon DLDH inhibition and their corresponding roles in abrogating oxidative stress in diabetes. We also discussed a couple of DLDH inhibitors that could be tested in animal models of type 2 diabetes. It is our belief that DLDH inhibition could be a novel approach to fighting type 2 diabetes.
Should executives go to jail over cybersecurity breaches

ABSTRACTThe Consumer Data Protection Act, a new bill introduced by Senator Ron Wyden, is proposing “jail time of up to 20 years for executives who knowingly sign off on incorrect or inaccurate annu...
‘Wargaming with the chiefs’: A novel pre-mortem exercise to enhance communication and well-being among ‘top gun’ chief residents

Pilots who complete the 'TOPGUN' program return to their squadrons as elite leaders and instructors. Physicians from all specialties who are selected to become Chief residents can also be viewed as 'Top Guns', as they are the 'cream of the crop'; having been chosen to be the leaders and role-models for all the other residents in their programs. Yet, unlike Top Gun pilots, Chief residents are arguably only minimally prepared for this new role. Wargaming involves generating every possible bad outcome and brainstorming contingencies for these possible outcomes. We developed an exercise for the incoming Chiefs (ICs) and outgoing Chiefs (OCs) in four specialties: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurosurgery, and Neurology. Following this exercise, 100% of the Chiefs in all four programs indicated that this activity was beneficial and the majority agreed that wargaming improved communication and their own feelings of well-being. Based on our trainees' feedback, it appears that wargaming is a simple, fun, and highly-interactive exercise which increases perceived control among ICs and allows OCs the chance to reflect and share their knowledge and experience with the new Chiefs. This activity also seems to enhance communication and feelings of well-being among both incoming and outgoing Chief residents.
Alkylation, metalation and ring contraction of tropiporphyrin

Tropiporphyrins are an intriguing class of carbaporphyrinoids that incorporate a cycloheptatriene subunit. Previous investigations have shown that this system acts as a trianionic ligand that can f...
Tool for Surveillance or Spotlight on Inequality? Big Data and the Law

The rise of big data and machine learning is a polarizing force among those studying inequality and the law. Big data and tools like predictive modeling may amplify inequalities in the law, subject...
Editing and Interleaving

A learning technique known as “interleaving” has helpfully started to make its way into the study tips that law students receive. This essay, however, suggests that interleaving has an additional application as well. Just as the technique can make study sessions more productive, it can also make editing sessions more productive.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, coronavirus disease 2019, and abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Abstract Objective Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiologic agent of the current, world-wide coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the SARS-CoV-2 host entry receptor for cellular inoculation and target organ injury. We reviewed ACE2 expression and the role of ACE2-angiotensin 1-7-Mas receptor axis activity in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) pathogenesis to identify potential COVID-19 influences on AAA disease pathogenesis. Methods A comprehensive literature search was performed on PubMed, National Library of Medicine. Key words included COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, AAA, ACE2, ACE or angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor inhibitor, angiotensin 1-7, Mas receptor, age, gender, respiratory diseases, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases. Key publications on the epidemiology and pathogenesis of COVID-19 and AAAs were identified and reviewed. Results All vascular structural cells, including endothelial and smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, and pericytes express ACE2. Cigarette smoking, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lupus, certain types of malignancies, and viral infection promote ACE2 expression and activity, with the magnitude of response varying by sex and age. Genetic deficiency of AT1 receptor, or pharmacologic ACE or AT1 inhibition also increases ACE2 and its catalytic product angiotensin 1-7. Genetic ablation or pharmacologic inhibition of ACE2 or Mas receptor augments, whereas ACE2 activation or angiotensin 1-7 treatment attenuates, progression of experimental AAAs. The potential influences of SARS-CoV-2 on AAA pathogenesis include augmented ACE-angiotensin II-AT1 receptor activity resulting from decreased reciprocal ACE2-angiotensin 1-7-Mas activation; increased production of proaneurysmal mediators stimulated by viral spike proteins in ACE2-negative myeloid cells or by ACE2-expressing vascular structural cells; augmented local or systemic cross-talk between viral targeted nonvascular, nonleukocytic ACE2-expressing cells via ligand recognition of their cognate leukocyte receptors; and hypoxemia and increased systemic inflammatory tone experienced during severe COVID-19 illness. Conclusions COVID-19 may theoretically influence AAA disease through multiple SARS-CoV-2-induced mechanisms. Further investigation and clinical follow-up will be necessary to determine whether and to what extent the COVID-19 pandemic will influence the prevalence, progression, and lethality of AAA disease in the coming decade.
Revealing quantum effects in highly conductive δ-layer systems

Thin, high-density layers of dopants in semiconductors, known as δ-layer systems, have recently attracted attention as a platform for exploration of the future quantum and classical computing when patterned in plane with atomic precision. However, there are many aspects of the conductive properties of these systems that are still unknown. Here we present an open-system quantum transport treatment to investigate the local density of electron states and the conductive properties of the δ-layer systems. A successful application of this treatment to phosphorous δ-layer in silicon both explains the origin of recently-observed shallow sub-bands and reproduces the sheet resistance values measured by different experimental groups. Further analysis reveals two main quantum-mechanical effects: 1) the existence of spatially distinct layers of free electrons with different average energies; 2) significant dependence of sheet resistance on the δ-layer thickness for a fixed sheet charge density. A solution to performance related challenges posed by nanoscale field effect transistors is to consider atomically thin impurity layers in Si-based devices however there are many aspects of the conductive properties that are still unknown. Here, the authors develop an open system quantum transport method to investigate the local density electronic states of P-doped Si revealing the role of scattering, thickness and doping density.
The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Concussion Recovery: A Pilot Clinical Trial.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to pilot safety and tolerability of a 1-week aerobic exercise program during the post-acute phase of concussion (14–25 days post-injury) by examining adherence, symptom response, and key functional outcomes (e.g., cognition, mood, sleep, postural stability, and neurocognitive performance) in young adults. Method: A randomized, non-blinded pilot clinical trial was performed to compare the effects of aerobic versus non-aerobic exercise (placebo) in concussion patients. The study enrolled three groups: 1) patients with concussion/mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) randomized to an aerobic exercise intervention performed daily for 1-week, 2) patients with concussion/mTBI randomized to a non-aerobic (stretching and calisthenics) exercise program performed daily for 1-week, and 3) non-injured, no intervention reference group. Results: Mixed-model analysis of variance results indicated a significant decrease in symptom severity scores from pre- to post-intervention (mean difference = −7.44, 95% CI [−12.37, −2.20]) for both concussion groups. However, the pre- to post-change was not different between groups. Secondary outcomes all showed improvements by post-intervention, but no differences in trajectory between the groups. By three months post-injury, all outcomes in the concussion groups were within ranges of the non-injured reference group. Conclusions: Results from this study indicate that the feasibility and tolerability of administering aerobic exercise via stationary cycling in the post-acute time frame following post-concussion (14–25 days) period are tentatively favorable. Aerobic exercise does not appear to negatively impact recovery trajectories of neurobehavioral outcomes; however, tolerability may be poorer for patients with high symptom burden.
The moral parody argument against panpsychism

I exploit parallel considerations in the philosophy of mind and metaethics to argue that the reasoning employed in an important argument for panpsychism overgeneralizes to support an analogous position in metaethics: panmoralism. Next, I raise a number of problems for panmoralism and thereby build a case for taking the metaethical parallel to be a reductio ad absurdum of the argument for panpsychism. Finally, I contrast panmoralism with a position recently defended by Einar Duenger Bohn and argue that the two suffer from similar problems. I conclude by drawing some general lessons for panpsychism.
Monstrosity, Masculinity and Medicine: Re-Examining ‘the Elephant Man’

ABSTRACTWhile scholars have often assumed that the Victorian freak show was merely exploitative, the life of Joseph Merrick suggests its importance to deformed members of the working poor. Reading the memoirs of Merrick's manager Tom Norman against those of the surgeon Frederick Treves suggests that it was in fact the hospital, rather than the freak show, that compromised Merrick's agency by forcing him to relinquish all control over his bodily display. In contrast, by performing as ‘the Elephant Man’ Merrick was able to maintain his independence and in the process to assert his masculinity.
Investigating feedbacks in human–landscape systems: Lessons following a wildfire in Colorado, USA

Abstract As human interactions with Earth systems continue to intensify, understanding the complex relationships among human activity, landscape change, and societal responses to those changes becomes increasingly important. Interdisciplinary research centered on the theme of “feedbacks” in human–landscape systems serves as a promising focus for unraveling these interactions. This paper examines the specific case of the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire of Colorado, where human responses after the fire to perceived threats of hydro-geomorphological hazards included construction of tall fences at the base of a burned watershed. These actions prompted feedbacks that promoted further landscape change that ultimately increased those hazards, rather than dampening the hydro-geomorphological effects of fire. Geomorphic analysis showed that the fences trapped particles that would naturally move through the system by flows with recurrence intervals greater than 3.3 years. With the particles blocked by the fences, the channel downstream became erosive, because it was devoid of large particles that produce substantial hydraulic resistance. Channel incision prompted a second human response to pave the eroding channel, which led to further incision downstream. This cycle of positive feedbacks between human decision-making and landscape change eventually led to a complete channelization of the stream channel downstream of the fences. The explanation for the transformation of the post-fire landscape therefore lies in the interacting human impacts and feedbacks, rather than the expected post-fire hydro-geomorphological adjustments. An initial agent-based model, capable of integrating social and hydro-geomorphological data, simulates these interacting impacts and feedbacks. Further refinement with more complete data input, especially pertaining to human decision making at individual or local levels, is required to fully demonstrate the utility and promise of this tool for application to geomorphic analysis.
Transforming Growth Factor-β Inhibits the LH-Induced Maturation of Rat Oocytes

Recent studies demonstrated the expression of the transforming factor- β (TGF β) gene in the rat ovary (1). In addition, the production of TGF β by theca and granulosa cells was detected by radioreceptor- and radioimmunoassays (2).
Using Dynamic Mediation to Integrate COTS Entities in a Ubiquitous Computing Environment

The original vision of ubiquitous computing [14] is about enabling people to more easily accomplish tasks through the seamless interworking of the physical environment and a computing infrastructure. A major challenge to the practical realization of this vision involves the integration of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software components: consider the awkwardness of such a mundane task as exporting a textual memo written on a Palm Pilot to a Microsoft Word document.It is not enough to overcome the protocol and data format mismatches that currently impede the interoperation of these entities: for the user experience to be truly seamless, we must provide a framework for the dynamic connection of such endpoints on demand, to support the ad-hoc interactions that are an integral part of ubiquitous computing. To this end, we offer a dynamic mediation framework called Paths. A Path consists of dynamically instantiated, automatically composable operators that bridge datatype and protocol mismatches between components wishing to communicate.Because operator composability is inferred from the type system, adding support for a new type of endpoint requires only incremental work; because the control and data flow for Paths are largely decoupled from the communicating endpoints, it is easy to connect COTS or legacy components. We describe the Paths architecture, our prototype implementation, and our experience and lessons based on several production applications built with the framework, and outline some continuing work on Paths in the context of the Stanford Interactive Workspaces project.
User-Experience for Personal Sustainability Software: Determining Design Philosophy and Principles

Business developers worldwide seek to develop sustainability software with a user experience that provides usability, usefulness, and appeal. This paper describes the research and analysis that led to a design philosophy and a set of principles that were then “tested out” in a series of short prototype applications intended to make more compelling and engaging business applications incorporating sustainability and taking advantage of people’s interests, expertise, and experience with sustainability.
Evaluation of the biochemical targets of genistein in tumor cells.

Although data from epidemiological studies and cancer models suggest that genistein plays an important role in cancer prevention, the biochemical target(s) of genistein action is (are) not known. Genistein is a potent in vitro inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activity, especially that of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R), having little effect on serine/threonine kinases. This led to the suggestion that genistein might exert its anti-cancer effects through inhibiting the activity of EGF-R PTK, or other crucial PTK's, in vivo. Subsequent studies on intact tumor cell lines demonstrated that EGF-R and other growth factor receptors are able to transmit mitogenic signals in the presence of genistein. In fact, it is difficult to detect decreases in the tyrosine phosphorylation of discrete proteins after genistein treatment. Other mechanisms for the effect of genistein have been suggested from in vitro and cell culture data. Genistein not only inhibits the activity of purified topoisomerase II in vitro, but also leads to the accumulation of protein-associated single strand breaks in whole cells. Genistein also inhibits the production of reactive oxygen species which may lead to tissue damage and DNA modification. Additionally, genistein acts as a weak estrogen, modifies cellular differentiation programs, inhibits angiogenesis, modulates cell cycle events and may precipitate apoptosis. However, few of the above mechanisms in tumor cells are sensitive to the physiological serum concentrations of genistein (<18.5 μmol/L, or <5 μg/mL). Primary, nontransformed human mammary epithelial cells, which have a much greater sensitivity to genistein, would be a better system for the study of these mechanisms
Assessment of regional climate model simulation estimates over the northeast United States

[1] Given the coarse scales of coupled atmosphere-ocean global climate models, regional climate models (RCMs) are increasingly relied upon for studies at scales appropriate for many impacts studies. We use outputs from an ensemble of RCMs participating in the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCAP) to investigate potential changes in seasonal air temperature and precipitation between present (1971–2000) and future (2041–2070) time periods across the northeast United States. The models show a consistent modest cold bias each season and are wetter than observations in winter, spring, and summer. Agreement in spatial variability and pattern correlation is good for air temperature and marginal for precipitation. Two methods were used to evaluate robustness of the mid 21st century change projections; one which estimates model reliability to generate multimodel means and assess uncertainty and a second which depicts multimodel projections by separating lack of climate change signal from lack of model agreement. For air temperature we find changes of 2–3°C are outside the level of internal natural variability and significant at all northeast grid cells. Signals of precipitation increases in winter are significant region wide. Regionally averaged precipitation changes for spring, summer, and autumn are within the level of natural variability. This study raises confidence in mid 21st century temperature projections across the northeast United States and illustrates the value in comprehensive assessments of regional climate model projections over time and space scales where natural variability may obscure signals of anthropogenically forced changes.
The interaction potential and diffusion coefficients of sodium in neon

Abstract We have calculated the ground state potential energy curve of the Na-Ne interaction using the method of Tang and Toennies. It is the sum of the SCF repulsion and the properly damped dispersion energies. The spectroscopically determined well location is used to select the leading dispersion coefficients between its upper and lower bounds. The resulting potential is compared with previous experimental and theoretical potentials. Diffusion coefficients are calculated from the present as well as previous potentials. Compared with experiment, results from the present potential are in best agreement.
Could the United States have had a better central bank? An historical counterfactual speculation

Abstract This article argues that two alternative hypothetical central bank scenarios could have improved upon the Federal Reserve’s track record with respect to financial stability and possibly overall macroeconomic performance in its first century. The first scenario is to assume that the charter of the Second Bank of the United States had not been revoked by Andrew Jackson in 1836 and the Second Bank survived. The second scenario takes as given that the Second bank did not survive and history evolved as it did , but considers the situation in which the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 was closer to the original plan for a central bank proposed by Paul Warburg in 1910.
Synthetic peptides homologous to HIV transmembrane glycoprotein suppress normal human lymphocyte blastogenic response.

Abstract Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope glycoprotein is synthesized as a polyprotein precursor of 160 kDa (gp 160) and is subsequently cleaved into an amino terminus subunit, gp 120, and a carboxyl terminus transmembrane subunit, gp 41. Two synthetic peptides corresponding to amino acid sequences 735–752 and 846–860, respectively, as deduced from the nucleotide sequence of HTLV-III B gp 160 were synthesized and used to assess their effects on normal human lymphocyte blastogenesis. Peptides 735–752 and 846–860 conjugated to protein carriers, but not free peptides, exerted a pronounced suppression of the normal human lymphocyte proliferative response to concanavalin A (Con A), phytohemagglutinin (PHA), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), and alloantigens. A synthetic peptide homologous to a 17 amino acid sequence of the gene product of HIV trans -acting transcriptional (TAT III) gene had no suppressive effects. Peptides 735–752 and 846–860 also inhibited the IL-2-dependent proliferation of the murine CTLL-2 cell line and the PHA-induced proliferation of normal mouse spleen cells. HIV peptide-induced suppression of human blastogenesis required a 2- to 3-day incubation of responder cells with peptides, suggesting that binding of peptides to the cell membrane was not sufficient for suppression. These results suggest that, in addition to the selective cytopathic effects of HIV, the etiological agent of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), on the T-helper/inducer lymphocyte subset, viral peptide-mediated immunosuppression may also play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Moreover, these data clearly indicate the need to address the potential immunosuppressive property of HIV antigens in the effort to select and develop effective prophylactic means against AIDS.
Ultrastructural studies on the external surface coat of epidermal cells: alcian blue-lanthanum nitrate staining during wound healing.

The external surface coat on mouse epidermal cells has been studied during epidermal wound healing in suction-inducedintact subepidermal blisters. By sequentially incorporating the cationic dye Alcian blue and the electron opaque tracer lanthanum nitrate into the primary and secondary fixatives for electron microscopy (AB/LN staining), we have demonstrated a selective staining of the epidermal surface coat. At 12 and 24 h after wounding, AB/LN staining always occurred on opposing cell membranes of adjacent epidermal cells. No staining was seen along epidermal cell plasmalemmas exposed to the blister cavity or opposite the basal lamina. The full significance of this differential AB/LN staining during wound healing is not presently known. It is suggested that the presumed anionic sites that are binding the AB/LN stain may play a role in maintaining epidermal integrity during wound healing.
Dorsal interacting protein 3 potentiates activation by Drosophila Rel-homology domain proteins

Dorsal interacting protein 3 (Dip3) contains a MADF DNA-binding domain and a BESS protein interaction domain. The Dip3 BESS domain was previously shown to bind to the Dorsal Rel homology domain. We show here that Dip3 also binds to the Relish Rel homology domain and enhances Rel family transcription factor function in both dorsoventral patterning and the immune response. While Dip3 is not essential, Dip3 mutations enhance the embryonic patterning defects that result from dorsal haplo-insufficiency, indicating that Dip3 may render dorsoventral patterning more robust. Dip3 is also required for optimal resistance to immune challenge since Dip3 mutant adults and larvae infected with bacteria have shortened lifetimes relative to infected wild-type flies. Furthermore, the mutant larvae exhibit significantly reduced expression of antimicrobial defense genes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments in S2 cells indicate the presence of Dip3 at the promoters of these genes, and this binding requires the presence of Rel proteins at these promoters.
Assessment of Antioxidant Reserves and Oxidative Stress in Cerebrospinal Fluid after Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Infants and Children

Studies in experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI) support a key role for oxidative stress. The degree of oxidative injury in clinical TBI, however, remains to be defined. We assessed antioxidant defenses and oxidative stress in pediatric TBI by applying a comprehensive battery of assays to cerebrospinal fluid samples. Using a protocol approved by our institutional review board, 87 cerebrospinal fluid samples from 11 infants and children with severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤8) and 8 controls were studied. Cerebrospinal fluid was drained as standard care after TBI. CSF was assessed on d 1, 2, and 5–7 after ventricular drain placement. Biochemical markers of oxidative stress included F2-isoprostane and protein sulfhydryl (detected by ELISA and fluorescence assay, respectively). Antioxidant defenses were measured by determination of total antioxidant reserve (via chemiluminescence assay), and ascorbate (via HPLC) and glutathione (via fluorescence assay) concentrations. Free radical production (ascorbate radical) was assessed by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. F2-isoprostane was markedly increased versus control, maximal on d 1 (93.8 ± 30.8 pg/mL versus 7.6 ± 5.1 pg/mL, p < 0.05). Total antioxidant reserve was reduced versus control. Reduction was maximal on d 5–7 (81.8 ± 3.7 μM versus 178.9 ± 2.2 μM, p < 0.05). Ascorbate was remarkably reduced (53.8 ± 8 μM versus 163.8 ± 21 μM on d 1, p < 0.05). Ascorbate depletion was likely associated with its free radical oxidation, as evidenced by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Glutathione levels increased on d 1, then decreased versus control (0.19 ± 0.05 μM versus 1.2 ± 0.16 μM, p < 0.05). This is the first comprehensive study of antioxidant reserve and oxidative injury in clinical TBI. Progressive compromise of antioxidant defenses and evidence of free radical–mediated lipid peroxidation are noted. These markers could be used to monitor antioxidant strategies in clinical trials.
The Several Meanings of “Positive”

Abstract Wiegand and Geller propose that the salient role of positive reinforcement in behavior analysis should enable a melding of behavior analysis with developments and concepts that have appeared under the banner of “positive psychology.” However, as is true of many words, the term positive has more than one meaning, and the positive of positive reinforcement is not the same as the positive of “positive psychology.” The latter is parasitic upon the vernacular, as “nice” or “desirable,” whereas the former is analogous to the algebraic “add” as when an action produces the appearance (as contrasted with the removal) of some event. The distinct meanings become clear with recognition that addictive and criminal behavior often are maintained through positive reinforcement, and that negative reinforcement of behavior often is benign and beneficial to the persons involved. In addition, most of the phenomena identified with positive psychology that Wiegand and Geller propose to embrace entail more subtle and c...
PRECLINICAL AND CLINICAL MODELS OF LUNG CANCER CHEMOPREVENTION

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women in the western countries, including North America. 5 Epidemiologic and laboratory animal model studies have demonstrated that smoking and environmental exposure to carcinogens are closely linked to increased lung cancer risk. 16,24,101,102 Tobacco exposure has been implicated in 90% of lung carcinomas, and smokers have a 20-fold greater risk of developing lung cancer when compared with persons who have never smoked. 79 As many as 50% of all lung cancer cases occur in former smokers and lung cancer is positively correlated with pack-years smoked. 13,58 The percentage of the US adult population that smokes peaked at almost 50% in the late 1960s, and is currently about 26%. 64 Although about half of all people who have ever smoked are now former smokers, the others are unable or are unwilling to stop smoking. For these reasons, a potentially important approach to reducing the large number of tobacco-caused cancer deaths is chemoprevention. Chemoprevention is the use of pharmacologic or natural agents to inhibit the development of cancer. A primary mode of chemoprevention action includes reversing the progression of premalignant cells by stimulation of the cell to repair DNA or other cell damage that initiates carcinogenesis. Numerous studies 29 have found that chemoprevention methods can prevent or improve the outcome of a wide variety of cancers. This approach is especially useful in targeting persons who are at high risk for developing cancer, such as patients who have a genetic predisposition to cancer, or patients who are at high risk of developing secondary primary tumors after surgical removal of a tumor. 29 The targets for pharmacologic intervention are the various stages of preneoplastic development including hyperplasia and dysplasia. There are two major classes of cancer chemopreventive agents: blocking agents and suppressing agents. 35 Blocking agents prevent metabolic activation of carcinogens to reduce the likelihood of DNA damage. Suppressing agents block expansion of carcinogen-initiated cells by suppressing cell replication or by causing apoptosis of precancerous or cancerous cells. Promising work also has been completed on reversing abnormal differentiation with hormone-like agents and various other chemopreventive agents that are largely noncytotoxic. 34 Smoking cessation and consumption of fruits and vegetables containing chemopreventive agents are associated with reduced risk for development of lung cancer according to several epidemiologic studies. 100 Screening of potential chemopreventive agents using animal lung models has revealed that many chemicals possess inhibitory effects and may reduce the risk of human lung cancer. 24 Therefore, identification and evaluation of minor constituents of foods, their synthetic analogues, and other agents that have chemopreventive properties should produce new chemoprevention strategies for lung cancer. This review provides an overview of recent progress in the development of chemopreventive agents against human lung cancer.
Boiling water reactor with innovative safety concept: The Generation III+ SWR-1000

Abstract AREVA NP has developed an innovative boiling water reactor (BWR) SWR-1000 in close cooperation with German nuclear utilities and with support from various European partners. This Generation III+ reactor design marks a new era in the successful tradition of BWR and, with a net electrical output of approximately 1250 MWe, is aimed at ensuring competitive power generating costs compared to gas and coal fired stations. It is particularly suitable for countries whose power networks cannot facilitate large power plants. At the same time, the SWR-1000 meets the highest safety standards, including control of core melt accidents. These objectives are met by supplementing active safety systems with passive safety equipment of various designs for accident detection and control and by simplifying systems needed for normal plant operation on the basis of past operating experience. The plant is also protected against airplane crash loads. The functional capabilities and capacities of all new systems and components were successfully tested under realistic and conservative boundary conditions in large-scale test facilities in Finland, Switzerland and Germany. In general, the SWR-1000 design is based on well-proven analytical codes and design tools validated for BWR applications through recalculation of relevant experiments and independent licensing activities performed by authorities or their experts. The overview of used analytical codes and design tools as well as performed experimental validation programs is presented. Effective implementation of passive safety systems is demonstrated through the numerical simulation of transients and loss of coolant accidents (LOCAs) as well as through analytical simulation of a severe accident associated with the core melt. In the LOCA simulation presented the existing active core flooding systems were not used for emergency control: only passive systems were relevant for the analyses. Despite this – no core heat-up occurred. In the case of reactor core melting numerically is demonstrated that the molten core debris would be retained inside the reactor vessel due to the effective passive external water cooling of the vessel, keeping it completely intact. A short construction period of just 48 months from first concrete to provisional take over, flexible fuel cycle lengths of between 12 and 24 months and a high fuel discharge burn-up all contribute towards meeting economic goals. Realistic average availability for a plant lifetime of 60 years and 12 months cycle is 94.5%. Systems and plant design were reviewed by expert groups of European utilities. With the SWR-1000, AREVA NP has developed a design concept for a BWR plant that is now ready for commercial deployment and which fully meets the most stringent international requirements in terms of nuclear safety and nuclear regulatory.
Some experiments with peltier effect

The Peltier effect has long been neglected by electrical engineers. Lately, however, experiments have been made on new alloys to determine the practicability of using the Peltier effect in a thermoelectric power generator.
A Line Survey of Orion KL from 325 to 360 GHz

We present a high-sensitivity spectral line survey of the high-mass star-forming region Orion KL in the 325-360 GHz frequency band. The survey was conducted at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. The sensitivity achieved is typically 0.1-0.5 K and is limited mostly by the sideband separation method utilized. We find 717 resolvable features consisting of 1004 lines, among which 60 are unidentified. The identified lines are due to 34 species and various isotopomers. Most of the unidentified lines are weak, and many of them most likely due to isotopomers or vibrationally or torsionally excited states of known species with unknown line frequencies, but a few reach the 2-5 K level. No new species have been identified, but we were able to strengthen evidence for the identification of ethanol in Orion and found the first nitrogen sulfide line in this source. The molecule dominating the integrated line emission is SO_2, which emits twice the intensity of CO, followed by SO, which is only slightly stronger than CO. In contrast, the largest number of lines is emitted from heavy organic rotors like HCOOCH_3, CH_3CH_2CN, and CH_3OCH_3, but their contribution to the total flux is unimportant. CH_3OH is also very prominent, both in the number of lines and in integrated flux. An interesting detail of this survey is the first detection of vibrationally excited HCN in the v_2 = 2 state, 2000 K above ground. Clearly this is a glimpse into the very inner part of the Orion hot core.
Inheritance of resistance to Xanthomonas campestris pv. translucens in triticale.

Three triticale lines, Siskiyou, M2A-Beagle, and OK 77842 have been reported to possess resistance to bacterial leaf streak caused by Xanthomonas campestris, pv. translucens (Xct.). The three resistant lines were crossed to susceptible lines and crossed with each other. F2, BC1-F1, BC2-F1 plants were inoculated with a mixture of two Xct strains. The segregation data indicate the presence of a single dominant gene in each of the three resistant lines to bacterial leaf streak. These three genes are either the same or closely linked herein designated as Xct1.
Study of Optical-Feedback Using an Integrated Laser-Modulator/Amplifier Device

We study optical-feedback effects using an integrated laser-modulator/amplifier. Our experiment and theory are agree well and provide interesting results of feedback effects on optical spectrum, spatial-hole burning, the photon density profile, and the microwave modulation.
The burden of pneumococcal disease: the role of conjugate vaccines

The pneumococcus remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in both underdeveloped and developed countries. Although there are licensed, safe vaccines against invasive pneumococcal disease currently available in the US and Europe, several major dilemmas are apparent. First, the efficacy of these vaccines in high risk immunocompetent adults is only moderate, with limited or no immunogenicity in very high risk, immunocompromised adults. Secondly, efficacy of the vaccine against pneumococcal pneumonia in adults is controversial. Thirdly, the current vaccines are not efficacious in children < 2 years of age, which is problematic given the high rate of invasive disease among this age group. The solution to these dilemmas may lie in the development of protein conjugate-polysaccharide vaccines. This paper briefly reviews the role of conjugate pneumococcal vaccines.
Some inferences of the generalized extreme value distribution based on record values

Several distributional properties of the record values from the generalized extreme value distribution are discussed. Some recurrence relations of the moments are given. The problem of the estimation of the location and scale parameter is studied. Several estimators of the shape parameter are also discussed. Predictors of the sth record value based on the first m (m<s) record values are derived.
SEROLOGICAL DEMONSTRATION OF ANTIGENIC HETEROGENEITY OF INDIVIDUAL HUMAN GAMMA-1-MACROGLOBULINS.

DIFFERENCES in the serum proteins of humans ascribed to a genetic basis have been well established for γ2-globulins1,2, transferrins and haptoglobins3, β1-lipoproteins4, an α2-globulin referred to as the Gc system5, and choline esterases6. It appears that all the serum proteins will eventually be found to show genetic variations. So far no such differences among individuals appears to have been noted which are unique to the γ1-A or the γ1-macroglobulins (γ1-M), the other antibody active proteins of serum.
Spinal origin of sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the rat.

Abstract The segmental distribution of sympathetic preganglionic neurons (SPNs) and dorsal root ganglion cells (DRGs) was studied after Fluoro-gold injections into the major sympathetic ganglia and adrenal gland in rats. A quantitative assessment of the segmental and nuclear locations was made. Four general patterns of innervation were apparent: (1) a large number of SPNs (1000–2000/ganglion) innervate the sympathetic ganglia which control head or thoracic organs and a relatively small number of SPNs (100–400/ganglion) innervate the sympathetic ganglia controlling the gut, kidney, and pelvic organs; this difference in density of innervation probably relates to the level of fine control that can occur in these end organs by the SPNs; (2) the reverse pattern is seen in the DRG labeling where a large number of DRGs were labeled after Fluoro-gold injections into the preaortic ganglia (celiac, superior, and inferior mesenteric) and a small number were labeled after injections into the cervical sympathetic ganglia; (3) the intermediolateral cell column is the main source of SPNs except for the inferior mesenteric ganglion which is innervated predominantly by SPNs originating in the central autonomic nucleus (75%); the lateral funiculus is a source of SPNs mainly for the cervical sympathetic ganglia; and (4) each sympathetic ganglion and the adrenal gland receives a multisegmental SPN and DRG input with one segment being the predominant source of the innervation. The adrenal gland shows an intermediate position in terms of the density of SPN input (∼800 cells) and dorsal root input (∼300 cells); it has a widespread segmental input (T 4 -T 12 ) with the T 8 segment being the major source.
Technological change and the ‘self‐acting’ mule : A study of skill and the sexual division of labour∗

(1986). Technological change and the ‘self‐acting’ mule : A study of skill and the sexual division of labour. Social History: Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 319-343.