cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Myeloid-conditioning using Toll-like receptor agonists to restore immune potency against melanoma. (TUM4P.926)

Suppressor cells of myeloid origin contribute to the immune imbalance observed in advanced melanoma. Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) signaling regulates myeloid differentiation and maturation. This study sought to determine the distribution of myeloid suppressor cell subsets in B16F10 melanoma-bearing mice, and modulate their immunosuppressive phenotype by employing a regimen of intracellular TLR agonist(s). Tolerogenic dendritic cells (tDC) and granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (gMDSC) are primarily observed in the periphery (spleen, PBMC, draining lymph node) of B16F10-bearing mice whereas M2 macrophages (M2) are noted to be intratumoral. Toll-Like Receptor-expression analysis by quantitative PCR showed TLR9 was ubiquitously expressed on tDC, gMDSC and M2, while TLR3 was restricted to tDC and M2. Myeloid conditioning regimens employing TLR3 and 9 agonists were tested in vitro on bone marrow-derived tDC (CD11c+, MHCII+, IL-10+) and M2 (F4/80+, CD206+, Arg1+). Combinations of TLR3+9 agonists or Type A+B TLR9 agonists decreased IL-10/Arg1 mRNA expression while triggered IL-12 expression. In vivo, subcutaneous injection of type A+B TLR9 agonists reduced circulating tDC and gMDSC prevalence by 67% and 82% respectively, intratumoral M2 dropped by 35%. In conclusion, we demonstrate combining type A+B TLR9 agonists promoted immune potency by reducing prevalence of peripheral tDC and gMDSC, as well as tumoral M2 in vivo, and triggering IL-12 production by tDC and M2 in vitro.
Normal Optical Flow measurement on a CMOS APS imager

Results from a 2-D dense Normal Optical Flow measurement chip implemented in 0.5 /spl mu/m CMOS process are presented. The chip has a 92/spl times/52 array of APS pixels, occupies an area of 4.5 mm/sup 2/ and consumes 2.6 mW power. To illustrate the operation of the chip, we present the results of individual blocks and then the whole structure. We also demonstrate the feasibility of scaling the chip to higher resolutions without affecting the processing.
Gender Inequality in Educational Attainment

Just a few decades ago in most nations in the world, women completed far less schooling than men. Today, throughout much of the world, the reverse is true, and on average, women complete more years of schooling than men. This essay identifies important cross-national trends in gender inequalities in educational attainment, outlines foundational and cutting-edge research on the topic and suggests directions for future research. We examine US-based explanations for the female-favorable gender gap in educational attainment, and argue that the gender gap must be studied from a comparative and international perspective. While little is known about why women outpace men in education throughout the world, we recommend three potential avenues for future research: (i) the sources of girls' better average academic performance in school, (ii) boys' apparent greater vulnerability to resource deficits within families, and (iii) changing incentives for women and men to complete higher education. We conclude by discussing the potential consequences of the female advantage in educational attainment and the challenges of conducting cross-national educational research. Keywords: gender; inequality; educational attainment; academic performance; higher education; international; cross-national research
Beyond "Sellouts" and "Race Cards": Black Attorneys and the Straitjacket of Legal Practice

For attorneys of color, the concept of "representing race" within the context of everyday legal practice is neither new nor voluntarily learned; at a basic level, it is what we do whenever we enter a courtroom or conference room in the predominantly white legal system of this country. The ineluctable visibility of racial minorities in the legal profession, as well as the often unspoken but nevertheless deeply felt sense of racially hierarchical positioning to which this visibility subjects us, are aptly expressed in the following droll recollection of a 1960s-era Black civil rights lawyer: A favorite story among Southern black attorneys was of the black lawyer who was to argue a case before the Mississippi Supreme Court. He had prepared his briefs with great precision and scholarship, and was quite confident that the law was in favor of his client that is, as confident as a black lawyer can be in a Southern court. However, in his concentration on the law, he had neglected to look up the proper way to address the Supreme Court before beginning his argument. A stylized, formal address is always used in speaking to an appellate court, differing from court to court, but it's usually some variation of "May it please the distinguished Chief Justice and the distinguished Associate Justices of this Honorable Court." Being forced to call upon his instinct for an improvised form of address, he arose, looked up and down the bench, and said, "Good morning, white folks." His brief could not have stated the issue of the case more realistically and precisely than this spontaneous greeting.1 Although it is often assumed that people of color initiate or even "instigate" extemporaneous comments about race in legal pro-
Has Reality Television Come of Age as a Promotional Platform? Modeling the Endorsement Effectiveness of Celebreality and Reality Stars

Reality television programming (RTVP) was once simply an innovative entertainment phenomenon. But RTVP also has recently evolved into a mainstream promotional platform. Two new forms of celebrities arose during this progression: “reality” and “celebreality” stars. This study, which is grounded in connectedness theory, addresses an unresolved issue related to the use of celebrity endorsers, that is, how endorsers’ status as reality or celebreality stars influences viewers’ perceptions of, beliefs about, and purchase intentions toward products they endorse. These relationships were examined through SEM, as were the effects of viewers’ connectedness to RTVP stars and their perceptions regarding whether RTVPs are authentic. Four primary findings emerged. The observation that reality impacted viewer connectedness and that connectedness and authenticity impacted viewers’ purchase intentions (endorsement effectiveness) revealed various practical and theoretical contributions, as did the observation that endorsers’ celebreality or reality star status moderated each of these relationships.
Sliding Friction and Wear Characteristics of Al2O3-Al Nanocomposites

Ceramic particles, such as SiC and Al2 O3 , have been used to reinforce Al alloys to improve their strength and wear-resistance. However, previous studies mainly dealt with either relatively large hard particles (from tens to hundreds of micrometers in diameter) or nanometer-sized particles with low volume fractions (a few percent). In this study, near-fully-dense (97–99%) Al2 O3 -Al nanocomposites with higher particle concentrations (5–15 vol%) were processed using mechanical alloying and hot isostatic pressing. Transmission electron microscopy revealed very high dislocation density in aluminum matrix for these Al2 O3 -Al nanocomposites. High strength (σ0.2% : ∼500 MPa) and encouraging tribological properties have been observed. The Al2 O3 (15 vol%)-Al nanocomposites performed unexpectedly well when sliding against 52100 bearing steel. The friction coefficient of the nanocomposite was 55%, 37%, and 55% lower and the wear-resistance was 1500X, 30X, and 120X higher than those of pure Al, cast Al 319 alloy, and conventional Al2 O3 -Al composites, respectively. Wear scar examination showed severe adhesive wear on the conventional Al alloy and micro-composite surfaces; however, only mild abrasive wear was observed on the nanocomposite surfaces. It was observed that the particle concentration had to exceed a critical level (10–15 vol%) to exhibit superior wear-resistance, even though a lower level (e.g. 5 vol%) resulted in a significantly improved tensile strength.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Cellular Telephones and Social Interactions: Evidence of Interpersonal Surveillance

Changes in technology often affect patterns of social interaction. In the current study, the authors examined how cellular telephones have made it possible for members of romantically involved couples to keep track of each other. The authors surveyed 69 undergraduates on their use of cellular telephones as well as their relationships and their level of sexual jealously. Results find that nearly a quarter of romantically involved cellular telephone users report tracking their significant other, and evidence shows that tracking behavior correlates with jealousy. Furthermore, participants frequently reported using countermeasures such as turning off their cellular telephones in order to avoid being tracked by others. In conclusion, newer communication technologies afford users to act upon protectiveness and jealousy more readily than before these technologies were available to the general public.
Novel alpha-glucosidase inhibitors identified using multiple cyclic peptide combinatorial libraries.

Twenty-six cyclic synthetic peptide combinatorial libraries (disulfides and lactams) of varying size and composition, representing 6.8 × 103 to 4.7 × 107 individual peptides, were synthesized along with their respective linear analogs. One of the hexapeptide lactam libraries (cyclo[xXxXxN]) was found to have significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. This library was carried through an iterative process of synthesis and screening, during which all of the five mixture positions (x and X) were successively defined. As the result of this process, potent and selective a-glucosidase inhibitors were identified.
The engulfment of particles by an electromagnetically stirred melt

Abstract The factors that determine absorption of a particle in a nonwetting or partially wetting fluid which is electromagnetically stirred are considered. This issue is addressed by establishing a balance among the surface forces, the force of gravity, and the drag force exerted by the fluid on the particle. As a result, quantitative criteria are developed for absorption, in terms of surface tension, wetting, density differences, and melt velocities.
Development Rates of Nantucket Pine Tip Moth, Rhyacionia frustrana (Comstock) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Life Stages in Relation to Temperature

Mean development times of the Nantucket pine tip moth, Rhyacionia frustrana (Comstock), eggs and pupae were observed under laboratory conditions at nine constant temperatures (9 to 38°C). The development rate curves for eggs and pupae are the characteristic sigmoid shape of other insect development rate curves. The effect of humidity on the development time was relatively small compared with the effect of temperature. Egg and pupal mortalities were low at most temperatures within the range of development, with greater mortality near the upper and lower threshold temperatures. A larval development rate curve was estimated, using the temperature requirements of the tip moth life cycle under field conditions and the egg and pupal development rate curves.
Non-Nationalists and Other Nationalists

Abstract We have discussed Russian music in terms of its Russianness long enough. A short history and analysis of that discourse, its double standards and its contradictions, is given, focusing on the seminal writings of Vladimir Stasov, and an account of its migration westward, at first through the writings of Rosa Newmarch. The article ends with a call for de-exoticizing Russian music in the discourse of musicology.
Commutator algebra of general-relativistic observables

Although we cannot exhibit nontrivial observables in the general theory of relativity, we exploit the fact that such observables generate invariant canonical mappings of the Einstein field equations to determine the commutator of two such observables. This is accomplished by relating the commutator of two general-relativistic observables to an invariant mapping of a linear field theory obtained by perturbing the Einstein field equations.
A study of the effects of solder volume on the interfacial reactions in solder joints using the differential scanning calorimetry technique

The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique was employed to understand the interfacial reactions during soldering by simulating the soldering process as well as analyzing the interfacial reactions. The measurement of peak temperatures and heat involved provides useful information about the interfacial reactions, such as the amount of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) formed and the amount of Cu dissolved. Tin-plated Cu balls with different Sn thicknesses were used to investigate the solder-volume effect. As the Sn-layer thickness decreases, the amount of the IMC formed during reflow increases in general. This suggests IMC formation depends on the Sn volume. In addition, a Ni layer (electroless and electroplated), introduced as a diffusion barrier between Cu and Sn, was found effective in reducing Cu out diffusion. The results from the DSC study were confirmed by conventional metallography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) techniques.
Fatigue and Residual Strength Degradation for Graphite/Epoxy Composites Under Tension-Compression Cyclic Loadings:

A fatigue residual strength degradation model has been generalized to account for the effect of tension-compression fatigue loading. The model is verified experimentally by use of graphite/epoxy unnotched composite laminates. It is shown that the correlation between the experimental results and the theoretical predictions on both the residual strength degradation and fatigue life is very reasonable.
Endovascular Nonthermal Irreversible Electroporation: A Finite Element Analysis

Tissue ablation finds an increasing use in modern medicine. Nonthermal irreversible electroporation (NTIRE) is a biophysical phenomenon and an emerging novel tissue ablation modality, in which electric fields are applied in a pulsed mode to produce nanoscale defects to the cell membrane phospholipid bilayer, in such a way that Joule heating is minimized and thermal damage to other molecules in the treated volume is reduced while the cells die. Here we present a two-dimensional transient finite element model to simulate the electric field and thermal damage to the arterial wall due to an endovascular NTIRE novel device. The electric field was used to calculate the Joule heating effect, and a transient solution of the temperature is presented using the Pennes bioheat equation. This is followed by a kinetic model of the thermal damage based on the Arrhenius formulation and calculation of the Henriques and Moritz thermal damage integral. The analysis shows that the endovascular application of 90, 100 mus pulses with a potential difference of 600 V can induce electric fields of 1000 V/cm and above across the entire arterial wall, which are sufficient for irreversible electroporation. The temperature in the arterial wall reached a maximum of 66.7 degrees C with a pulse frequency of 4 Hz. Thermal damage integral showed that this protocol will thermally damage less than 2% of the molecules around the electrodes. In conclusion, endovascular NTIRE is possible. Our study sets the theoretical basis for further preclinical and clinical trials with endovascular NTIRE.
A network-based approach to organizational culture and learning in system safety

Abstract While it is now generally agreed that system safety cannot be adequately addressed using technical analysis alone, an approach to modeling the organizational issues associated with safety is still needed. This paper offers an analytical approach to assessing the complex relationships among organizational culture and safety practices and outcomes. The paper argues that, in principle, organizational culture can be represented as a network of shared mental models (SMMs). While it would be impractical to construct a network that fully captures an organization's culture, the approach can be used to model particular dimensions of culture. Thus, a network of SMMs is a meaningful representation of safety culture to the extent that the data effectively capture shared knowledge about system safety. Similarly, organizational learning can be quantified as the evolution of that network's structure over time. The goal of the research is to develop a quantitative methodology for analyzing the relationship of organizational culture and learning to safety performance. The research is built on a collaborative effort between academia and industry focused on improving process safety in the oil and gas industry, but it can be applied to safety-related problems across organizations. The results are expected to have implications for training, professional development, safety protocols, and methods for measuring and managing safety practices in the development and operation of complex engineered systems.
What is more explanatory, processing capacity or processing speed?

Halford et al. have sharpened the concept of processing capacity as applied to various complex tasks. This commentary examines the apparent contradiction between capacity theories and theories in which it is processing speed, rather than capacity, that presumably limits cognitive performance. It explains how capacity and speed often are interrelated and suggests how one might examine whether capacity or speed is the more elementary in processing.
Belief Updating in Sequential Games of Two-Sided Incomplete Information: An Experimental Study of a Crisis Bargaining Model

Belief Updating in Sequential Games of Two-Sided Incomplete Information: An Experimental Study of a Crisis Bargaining Model
Infrared photothermal imaging for standoff detection applications

We are developing a technique for the stand-off detection of trace analytes and residues (explosives, hazardous chemicals, drugs, etc.) using photo-thermal infrared imaging spectroscopy (PT-IRIS). Herein, we refer to this technique as "RED" for "Remote Explosives Detection" or "Resonance Enhanced Detection". This approach leverages recent developments in critical enabling micro and nano-technology components. The first component, a compact IR quantum cascade laser (QCL), is tuned to fundamental absorption bands in the analytes and directed to illuminate a surface of interest. The second component, an IR focal plane array (FPA), is used to image the surface and detect any small increase in the thermal emission upon laser illumination. We have demonstrated the technique at up to 30 meters of stand-off distance indoors and in field tests, while operating the lasers below the eye-safe intensity limit (100 mW/cm 2 ). In this manuscript we detail several recent improvements to the method and system, as well as some recent results for explosives on complex substrates such as car panels and fabrics. We also introduce a computational framework for modeling and simulating the optical and thermal phenomena associated with the photothermal process.
Corporate social responsibility and firm performance in the airline industry: The moderating role of oil prices

Abstract This study, first, proposes corporate social responsibility (CSR) dimensions as associated with operation-relatedness (i.e., operation-related [OR] and non-operation-related [Non-OR] CSR activities), following the Carroll CSR framework. In addition, the study examines and compares the effects of OR and Non-OR CSR dimensions on U.S. airlines' performances, and the final examination concerns the moderating effect of oil prices on the relationship between the OR (Non-OR) CSR dimension and firm performance. Findings of this study support a positive main effect from OR on firm performance. In addition, findings support the positive (negative) moderating effect of oil prices on the relationship between OR (Non-OR) CSR dimension.
Marginal finishing for cast gold restorations: reciprocal-action instrumentation.

Abstract This study compared rotary finishing instruments with a set of reciprocating diamond particle instruments. These reciprocating diamond tips were designed for use in a Dentatus EVA contra angle handpiece to finish cast gold margins. They are also recommended for smoothing amalgam and composite restorations, but this capability was not examined. These small-particle size diamond tips could facilitate finishing techniques of cast gold margins for surfaces inaccessible to rotary instrumentation.
Model Predictive Control of Spacecraft Docking with a Non-Rotating Platform

Abstract A Model Predictive Control (MPC) framework is developed for control of spacecraft rendezvous and docking to a non-rotating/non-tumbling platform. The approach is based on combining conventional linear quadratic MPC with dynamically reconfigurable and changing in real-time constraints, that approximate the original constraints. An explicit solution is constructed in the form of a piecewise affine control law, and its complexity is evaluated.
Studies of carbon monoxide hydrogenation over ruthenium using transient response techniques

Abstract Transient response isotopic tracing was used together with in situ infrared spectroscopy to elucidate the dynamics of several elementary processes believed to occur during CO hydrogenation over ruthenium catalysts. Chemisorbed CO was observed to exchange very rapidly with gas phase CO and under reaction conditions the two species are in equilibrium. A similar conclusion was reached regarding the relationship between gas phase H2 and adsorbed H atoms. The dissociation of molecularly adsorbed CO to form atomic carbon and oxygen was found to require vacant surface sites and to be reversible. It was shown that while CO is the principal adsorbed species present on the catalyst surface under reaction conditions, the catalyst also maintains a significant inventory of nonoxygenated carbon but no chemisorbed oxygen. It was also found that the rate at which nonoxygenated carbon undergoes hydrogenation is faster than the rate at which adsorbed CO is hydrogenated. This observation supports the hypothesis that the nonoxygenated carbon is an intermediate in CO hydrogenation.
Influence of histamine and some other substances on blood-lymph transport of plasma protein and dextran in the dog paw.

Abstract Injection of histamine or bradykinin into the dog's paw increased lymph flow (L) and lymph-plasma concentration ratios of plasma protein (RT) and Dextran-110 (RD). The effects of histamine lasted as long as injection was continued, up to at least 2 hr and ended within 0.5 hr after injection was stopped. Capillary permeability-surface area product for protein (PST) increased up to 10 times the maximum limit of normal variation. For Dextran-110, PS increased up to 30 times the normal limit. Vasodilators or serotonin increased L, but had little effect on RT or RD. PST and PSD were increased but did not exceed the upper limit of the normal range.
bHLH-dependent and -independent modes of Ath5 gene regulation during retinal development.

In a wide range of vertebrate species, the bHLH transcription factor Ath5 is tightly associated with both the initiation of neurogenesis in the retina and the genesis of retinal ganglion cells. Here, we describe at least two modes of regulating the expression of Ath5 during retinal development. We have found that a proximal cis-regulatory region of the Xenopus Ath5 gene ( Xath5 ) is highly conserved across vertebrate species and is sufficient to drive retinal-specific reporter gene expression in transgenic Xenopus embryos. Xath5 proximal transgene expression depended upon two highly conserved bHLH factor binding sites (E-boxes) as well as bHLH factor activity in vivo. However, we found that bHLH activity was not required for expression of a longer Xath5 transgene, suggesting that additional mechanisms contribute to Xath5 expression in vivo. Consistent with this, we showed that a more distal fragment that does not include the conserved proximal region is sufficient to promote transgene expression in the developing retina. In mouse, we found that a longer fragment of the cis-regulatory region of either the mouse or Xenopus Ath5 gene was necessary for transgene expression, and that expression of a mouse Math5 ( Atoh7 ) transgene was not dependent upon autoregulation. Thus, despite extensive conservation in the proximal region, the importance of these elements may be species dependent.
Interdigitated back contact silicon hetero-junction solar cells: The effect of doped layer defect levels and rear surface i-layer band gap on fill factor using two-dimensional simulations

Interdigitated back contact silicon hetero-junction (IBC-SHJ) solar cells using a-Si emitter and contact layers show significant potential advantages over standard hetero-junction devices: higher short-circuit current (J sc ) since there is no grid shading and higher open-circuit voltage (V oc ) due to better surface passivation. However, they often suffer from low fill factor (FF). Using two-dimensional simulations to model IBC-SHJ devices on FZ n-Si, we found that the FF was nearly independent of the defect concentrations in contact and passivating i-layers but strongly dependent on the defects in emitter and the band gap in the rear i-layer. V oc and J sc were nearly independent of defects in either doped layer. In a-Si doped layers it is well known that the number of defects increase with doping. We find that the FF is sensitive to either mid-gap or band tail states and that S-shaped JV curves responsible for low FF can be eliminated by a decrease in p-layer mid-gap or band tail defect levels, or by decreasing the rear i-layer's band gap. The insensitivity of FF to defects in the n-layer or in the i-layer suggests the FF is dominated by minority carrier injection/collection from the p-type emitter layer. The dependence of FF on the rear i-layer band gap suggests that increasing the offset in the valence band impedes minority carrier collection.
Liquid water quantification in the cathode side gas channels of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell through two-phase flow visualization

Abstract Water management is crucial to the performance of PEM fuel cells. Water is generated as part of the electrochemical reaction, and is removed through the reactant channels. This results in two-phase flow in the reactant channels. Increased understanding of the behavior of the liquid water in the channels allows us to devise better strategies for managing the water content inside the fuel cell. Most previous work has been focused on qualitative information regarding flow pattern maps. The current work presents new algorithms developed in MATLAB® to quantify the liquid water and to identify the flow patterns in the cathode side reactant channels. Parallel channels with dimensions matching those of commercial stacks have been used in this study. The liquid water present in the reactant channels is quantified for different temperature, inlet RH and current density conditions, and the results are presented in terms of area coverage ratio. The dominant flow patterns for the different conditions have been mapped, and trends interpreted on the basis of air flow velocities and saturation conditions within the channels.
Local conditions for critical and principal manifolds

Principal manifolds are essential underlying structures that manifest canonical solutions for significant problems such as data de- noising and dimensionality reduction. The traditional definition of self-consistent manifolds rely on a least-squares construction error approach that utilizes semi-global expectations across hyperplanes orthogonal to the solution. This definition creates various practical difficulties for algorithmic solutions to identify such manifolds, besides the theoretical shortcoming that self-intersecting or nonsmooth manifolds are not acceptable in this framework. We present local conditions for critical and principal manifolds by introducing the concept of subspace local maxima. The conditions generalize the two conditions that characterize stationary points of a function to stationary surfaces. The proposed framework yields a unique set of principal points which can be partitioned into principal curves and manifolds of any intrinsic dimensionality. A subspace-constrained fixed-point algorithm is proposed to determine the principal graph.
Polydispersity-Driven Block Copolymer Amphiphile Self-Assembly into Prolate-Spheroid Micelles

The aqueous self-assembly behavior of polydisperse poly(ethylene oxide-b-1,4-butadiene-b-ethylene oxide) (OBO) macromolecular triblock amphiphiles is examined to discern the implications of continuous polydispersity in the hydrophobic block on the resulting aqueous micellar morphologies of otherwise monodisperse polymer surfactants. The chain length polydispersity and implicit composition polydispersity of these samples furnishes a distribution of preferred interfacial curvatures, resulting in dilute aqueous block copolymer dispersions exhibiting coexisting spherical and rod-like micelles with vesicles in a single sample with a O weight fraction, wO, of 0.18. At higher wO = 0.51–0.68, the peak in the interfacial curvature distribution shifts and we observe the formation of only American football-shaped micelles. We rationalize the formation of these anisotropically shaped aggregates based on the intrinsic distribution of preferred curvatures adopted by the polydisperse copolymer amphiphiles and on the rel...
Multi-Surface and Multi-Field Co-Segmentation of 3-D Retinal Optical Coherence Tomography

When segmenting intraretinal layers from multiple optical coherence tomography (OCT) images forming a mosaic or a set of repeated scans, it is attractive to exploit the additional information from the overlapping areas rather than discarding it as redundant, especially in low contrast and noisy images. However, it is currently not clear how to effectively combine the multiple information sources available in the areas of overlap. In this paper, we propose a novel graph-theoretic method for multi-surface multi-field co-segmentation of intraretinal layers, assuring consistent segmentation of the fields across the overlapped areas. After 2-D en-face alignment, all the fields are segmented simultaneously, imposing a priori soft interfield-intrasurface constraints for each pair of overlapping fields. The constraints penalize deviations from the expected surface height differences, taken to be the depth-axis shifts that produce the maximum cross-correlation of pairwise-overlapped areas. The method's accuracy and reproducibility are evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively on 212 OCT images (20 nine-field, 32 single-field acquisitions) from 26 patients with glaucoma. Qualitatively, the obtained thickness maps show no stitching artifacts, compared to pronounced stitches when the fields are segmented independently. Quantitatively, two ophthalmologists manually traced four intraretinal layers on 10 patients, and the average error ( $4.58 \pm 1.46 ~ {\rm \mu m}$ ) was comparable to the average difference between the observers ( $5.86\pm 1.72 ~ {\rm \mu m}$ ). Furthermore, we show the benefit of the proposed approach in co-segmenting longitudinal scans. As opposed to segmenting layers in each of the fields independently, the proposed co-segmentation method obtains consistent segmentations across the overlapped areas, producing accurate, reproducible, and artifact-free results.
α2-Adrenergic regulation of NO production alters postoperative intestinal smooth muscle dysfunction in rodents

α2-Adrenergic receptor activation plays an important role in the development of postoperative ileus. α2-Adrenergic receptors also regulate nitric oxide (NO) production by the mononuclear phagocyte ...
Genomic structure of phage F22, a hybrid between serologically and morphologically unrelated Salmonella typhimurium bacteriophages P22 and Fels 2.

Salmonella typhimurium phage P22 can recombine with a serologically and morphologically unrelated Salmonella phage Fels 2 to yield the hybrid phage F22 at a frequency of about 10 −12 . F22 has inherited the entire late genes (protein coat and tail structural genes) of Fels 2 but carries some P22 early genes. P22 genes in the F22 phage were indentified by marker rescue of various P22 mutants. The F22 genome carries the x-erf-c-18-12 segment of the P22 genome. A number of P22 amber mutants were also tested to support these data. The F22 region homologous to P22 was mapped by scoring the ratio of P22 backcross recombinant types in lysates of F22 lysogens superinfected with P22 c2ts12 . The ratio of the distances between these markers and the ends of the homologous region was determined. Furthermore a new F22 hybrid designated F22 dis , containing both P22 immunity regions ( c and Im ), was isolated at a frequency of about 10 −4 by superinfecting F22 lysogens with P22. F22 dis phage has lost some Fels 2 gene(s) which have been replaced by the P22 segment containing the Im region, resulting in formation of a defective hybrid phage.
Value of measuring muscle performance to assess changes in lean mass with testosterone and growth hormone supplementation

We hypothesized that treatment with testosterone (T) and recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) would increase lean mass (LM) and muscle strength proportionally and an in a linear manner over 16 weeks. This was a multicenter, randomized, controlled, double-masked investigation of T and rhGH supplementation in older (71 ± 4 years) community-dwelling men. Participants received transdermal T at either 5 or 10 g/day as well as rhGH at 0, 3.0 or 5.0 μg/kg/day for 16 weeks. Body composition was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and muscle performance by composite one-repetition maximum (1-RM) strength and strength per unit of lean mass (muscle quality, MQ) for five major muscle groups (upper and lower body) at baseline, week 8 and 17. The average change in total LM at study week 8 compared with baseline was 1.50 ± 1.54 kg (P < 0.0001) in the T only group and 2.64 ± 1.7 (P < 0.0001) in the T + rhGH group and at week 17 was 1.46 ± 1.48 kg (P < 0.0001) in the T only group and 2.14 ± 1.96 kg (P < 0.0001) in the T + rhGH group. 1-RM strength improved modestly in both groups combined (12.0 ± 23.9%, P < 0.0001) at week 8 but at week 17 these changes were twofold greater (24.7 ± 31.0%, P < 0.0001). MQ did not significantly change from baseline to week 8 but increased for the entire cohort, T only, and T + rhGH groups by week 17 (P < 0.001). Despite sizeable increases in LM measurements at week 8, tests of muscle performance did not show substantive improvements at this time point.
Effects of gaseous hydrogen fluoride on the yield of field-grown wheat

Abstract Exposures of wheat Triticum aestivum L. cv. ‘Olaf’ to gaseous hydrogen fluoride (HF) in the field reduced yield but did not cause foliar injury. The effects on yield were modified by the stage of development at the time of exposure. Four-day exposures to 0·9 μg of fluoride per cubic metre at the boot stage of development resulted in reduced yield due to smaller spikes. However, exposure to 2·9 μg of fluoride per cubic metre did not affect yield because the smaller size of spikes was offset by an increase in the number of spikes produced per plant. At anthesis, HF-induced yield reductions were the result of both smaller and fewer spikes per plant. There was no significant difference between the concentration of fluoride in the spikes of treated and control plants, indicating that fluoride accumulated in vegetative tissues during the exposures was not translocated to the developing grains.
Review of the GenusCybisterCurtis, 1827 (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Dytiscinae: Cybistrini) in North America

Abstract The genus Cybister Curtis (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) in the Nearctic region is reviewed including taxonomic history, keys to species, diagnoses, illustrations, distributions, and natural history. Three species are recognized in the genus. Cybister explanatus LeConte, 1852 (= Cybister explanatus laevicollis Zimmermann, 1919; = Cybister explanatus fusculus Zimmermann, 1919) is found from southern Oregon through California and Nevada and through western Mexico to Chiapas. Cybister occidentalis Aube, 1838 is found in Cuba, the Bahamas, and extreme southern Florida. Cybister fimbriolatus (Say, 1823) (= Cybister dissimilis Aube, 1838; = Cybister flavocinctus Aube, 1838 new synonymy; = Cybister ellipticus LeConte, 1852 new synonymy; = Cybister cavicollis Sharp, 1887 new synonymy; = Cybister crotchi Wilke, 1920) is found from southeastern Canada west to Ontario and North Dakota south through eastern North America to Florida and the Bahamas (Bahimi Island), west through the southern United States to Arizona...
The SCF/KIT Pathway Plays a Critical Role in the Control of Normal Human Melanocyte Homeostasis

During development, the interaction of stem cell factor (SCF) with its receptor, KIT, is critical for the survival of melanocytes. Limited in vivo human studies have suggested a possible activating role of SCF on adult human melanocytes. In order to study the impact of this pathway on normal melanocyte homeostasis, human skin xenografts were treated with serial injections of recombinant human SCF or a KIT-inhibitory antibody (K44.2). On histologic evaluation, SCF injection increased, whereas KIT inhibition decreased the number, size, and dendricity of melanocytes. Immunohistochemical expression of melanocyte differentiation antigens, including tyrosinase-relatedprotein-1 and gp100/pmel17, was markedly increased by treatment with SCF, and decreased by K44.2 treatment. The number of Ki67-positive melanocytes was increased in the SCF-treated tissue, suggesting a direct proliferative effect of SCF; conversely, treatment with K44.2 resulted in melanocyte loss, which did not appear reversible with prolonged treatment. These findings demonstrate that the SCF/KIT pathway remains critical in adult human skin, and that pharmacologic modulation of this single pathway can control cutaneous melanocyte homeostasis.
Determination of Rubipium Using Laser Diode Excited Atohic Fluorescence

Abstract The use of laser diodes to excite atomic fluorescence for chemical analysis is investigated. Operating conditions for the laser diode, optical schematic, results, and calibration curve are provided.
Winter wheat genotypes under different levels of nitrogen and water stress: Changes in grain protein composition

Hard white winter wheat with superior and consistent quality is preferable for Asian markets. This study investigated the combined influences of moisture deficit during grain-fill and N management on protein quality, dough rheological properties, and protein molecular weight distributions in soft and hard winter wheats. Genotypes were grown under an irrigation gradient and two N-fertilization levels. Grain polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, SDS sedimentation, and Mixograph analyses were evaluated. Flour protein composition was characterized using SE-HPLC. Moisture stress during grain-fill increased flour protein content. N fertilization increased flour protein content. No significant correlation was found between flour protein and PPO. Changes in protein composition were related to general increases in protein content, regardless if the result of reduced irrigation or increased fertilization rate. The percentage of monomeric proteins increased more than the polymeric proteins as flour protein increased. Similarly, SDS sedimentation volume increased as a function of protein content. As expected, subunit GluD1 5+10 was associated with larger sedimentation volume and higher dough strength in genotypes as compared to those with subunit GluD1 2+12. Biplot analyses showed that genotypes of similar protein quality and composition responded similarly to N and irrigation treatments.
TQ Segment (Baseline) Alternans during PrinzmetaPs Variant Angina

In a study of 93 patients who met criteria for Prinzmetal's angina, alternans of the ST segment was observed in 28 of 93 patients (30%). In 8 of these 28 patients, a hitherto undescribed variant of alternans, namely alternation (larger than or equal to 1 mm shift in 2:1 pattern) in the amplitude of the baseline or TQ segment (TQ Alt) was observed. In all eight patients serious ventricular arrhythmias were noted, namely, ventricular fibrillation in two, ventricular tachycardia in four, and multiform or advanced ventricular ectopic activity in eight. The TQ Alt developed only after ST segment alternans occurred. It is postulated that the alternations of the ST and TQ segments are due to differences in current flows due to inhomogeneity of depolarization and repolarization of the action potential caused by ischemia. Furthermore, the associated arrhythmias observed are related to the inhomogeneous state initiated by the ischemia.
Pharmacogenomic responses of rat liver to methylprednisolone: An approach to mining a rich microarray time series

A data set was generated to examine global changes in gene expression in rat liver over time in response to a single bolus dose of methylprednisolone. Four control animals and 43 drug-treated animals were humanely killed at 16 different time points following drug administration. Total RNA preparation from the livers of these animals were hybridized to 47 individual Affymetrix RU34A gene chips, generating data for 8799 different probe sets for each chip. Data mining techniques that are applicable to gene array time series data sets in order to identify drug-regulated changes in gene expression were applied to this data set. A series of 4 sequentially applied filters were developed that were designed to eliminate probe sets that were not expressed in the tissue, were not regulated by the drug treatment, or did not meet defined quality control standards. These filters eliminated 7287 probe sets of the 8799 total (82%) from further consideration. Application of judiciously chosen filters is an effective tool for data mining of time series data sets. The remaining data can then be further analyzed by clustering and mathematical modeling techniques.
Probability, geometry, and irreversibility in quantum mechanics☆

Abstract The main conclusion of this paper is that the Bell–Wigner–Accardi theory of quantum probabilities in spin systems may be placed within the general operator trigonometry developed independently by this author about 30 years ago. The use of the Grammian from the operator trigonometry simplifies and clarifies the analysis of Wigner. A general triangle inequality from the operator trigonometry clarifies and generalizes the analysis of Accardi. The statistical meaning of the complex numbers in quantum mechanics is seen to be that of the natural geometry of the operator trigonometry. A new connection of the operator trigonometry to CP symmetry violation is established.
K-FILMS IN THE CLASSROOM: EXPLORING NEW MEDIA ETHNOGRAPHY USING THE KORSAKOW SYSTEM

In this paper I look at how new media techniques could contribute to the authoring of ethnographies in anthropology courses. Immersive, navigable ethnographies make new imaginative worlds and political configurations possible. I argue that anthropologists should challenge logocentric discourses not only through our theories and our rhetoric, but also through our modes of representation as well. After briefly reviewing some key aspects and metaphors associated with new media, I offer examples of how we use the Korsakow hypermedia software package in my course on new media ethnography.
Toward dynamical sensor management for reactive wall-following

We propose a new paradigm for reactive wall-following by a planar robot taking the form of an actively steered sensor model that augments the robot's motion dynamics. We postulate a foveated sensor capable of delivering third-order infinitesimal (range, tangent, and curvature) data at a point along a wall (modeled as an unknown smooth plane curve) specified by the angle of the ray from the robot's body that first intersects it. We develop feedback policies for the coupled (point or unicycle) sensorimotor system that drive the sensor's foveal angle as a function of the instantaneous infinitesimal data, in accord with the trade-off between a desired standoff and progress-rate as the wall's curvature varies unpredictably in the manner of an unmodeled noise signal. We prove that in any neighborhood within which the third-order infinitesimal data accurately predicts the local “shape” of the wall, neither robot will ever hit it. We empirically demonstrate with comparative physical studies that the new active sensor management strategy yields superior average tracking performance and avoids catastrophic collisions or wall losses relative to the passive sensor variant.
Expansion of the ‘3 + 1’ concept of oxorhenium-thiolate chemistry to cationic and binuclear complexes

Abstract The reactions of [(n-C4H9)4N] [ReOBr4(OPPh3)] with the appropriate tridentate and monodentate thiolate ligands yield the ‘3 + 1’ oxorhenium(V) complexes [ReO(SCH2CH2OCH2CH2S)(SCH2C6H4-4-OMe)] (1), [ReO(SCH2CH2OCH2CH2S)(SC5H4NH)]Br (2) and [Re2O2(SCH2CH2OCH2CH2S)3] (3). The versatility of this approach for the synthesis of oxorhenium(V) core complexes is manifest in the preparations of the cationic complex of 2 and of the thiolate bridged binuclear complex 3.
The blockade of immune checkpoints in cancer immunotherapy

Immune checkpoints refer to the plethora of inhibitory pathways that are crucial to maintaining self-tolerance. Tumour cells induce immune checkpoints to evade immunosurveillance. This Review discusses the progress in targeting immune checkpoints, the considerations for combinatorial therapy and the potential for additional immune-checkpoint targets.
Sex differences in the development of fearfulness: A replication

Human infants differ in the age at which they first begin to-fear the visually unfamiliar. Among a sample of male infants, a precocious onset of fear was predictive of heightened fearfulness at age 1 year; such developmental continuity was not observed in a comparable female sample. Almost identical patterns were observed in a previous sample; the present replication strengthens the argument for a sex-linked constitutional factor that contributes to the ontogeny of fearfulness.
Negative ions in the mass spectrum of nitromethane

Abstract Negative ions in the mass spectrum of nitromethane have been studied using a Bendix time-of-flight mass spectrometer equipped with a source capable of operating at pressures up to about 5.0 × 10−2 torr. Several ions not previously reported have been observed and in most instances the mechanism for their formation has been established. Four ion—molecule reactions have been identified and the rate constants determined.
The hydrography of the Murderkill estuary. Delaware

The hydrography of the lower Murderkill River, a small, shallow estuary in southeastern Delaware, was studied from July, 1967, through December, 1970. Variations of current velocity, tide stage, salinity, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen were measured at one station in the estuary during periods of mean and high freshwater runoff. The flushing time and mixing characteristics of the estuary during mean runoff were determined using a water-tracer dye. Seasonal and tidal variations of salinity, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and turbidity were measured at seven stations along the estuary from September, 1969 through December, 1970.
The Opposition Front against Compulsory Military Service: The Conscription Debate and Human-Rights Activism in Post-dictatorship Argentina

Compulsory military service (CMS) was in place in Argentina from 1902 to 1995. Although its abolition was directly linked to the murder of soldier Omar Carrasco, the prosecution of this case of violence should not ignore the pre-existing opposition movement that developed toward the end of the last dictatorship (1976–1983). Within the context of a wider debate on the functioning of conscription, in November 1983 a group of human-rights activists launched the Opposition Front against the CMS (FOSMO). This article examines FOSMO's history, which offers insight into the hypothesis that, under certain historical and political circumstances, human-rights activists can not only contribute to debate but challenge and limit state violence through a series of political and legal strategies. The author analyzes the links (people, arguments, disputes) that FOSMO constructed, first, to question a strongly rooted institution in young men's socialization (and highly significant in the building of masculinity); second, ...