cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improve Revascularization Outcomes to Restore Renal Function in Swine Atherosclerotic Renal Artery Stenosis†‡§

Reno-protective strategies are needed to improve renal outcomes in patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS). Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can promote renal regeneration, but their potential for attenuating cellular injury and restoring kidney repair in ARAS has not been explored. We hypothesized that replenishment of MSC as an adjunct to percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) would restore renal cellular integrity and improve renal function in ARAS pigs. Four groups of pigs (n = 7 each) were studied after 16 weeks of ARAS, ARAS 4 weeks after PTRA and stenting with or without adjunct intrarenal delivery of MSC (10 × 10(6) cells), and controls. Stenotic kidney blood flow (renal blood flow [RBF]) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured using multidetector computer tomography (CT). Renal microvascular architecture (micro-CT), fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress were evaluated ex vivo. Four weeks after successful PTRA, mean arterial pressure fell to a similar level in all revascularized groups. Stenotic kidney GFR and RBF remained decreased in ARAS (p = .01 and p = .02) and ARAS + PTRA (p = .02 and p = .03) compared with normal but rose to normal levels in ARAS + PTRA + MSC (p = .34 and p = .46 vs. normal). Interstitial fibrosis, inflammation, microvascular rarefaction, and oxidative stress were attenuated only in PTRA + MSC-treated pigs. A single intrarenal delivery of MSC in conjunction with renal revascularization restored renal hemodynamics and function and decreased inflammation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, microvascular loss, and fibrosis. This study suggests a unique and novel therapeutic potential for MSC in restoring renal function when combined with PTRA in chronic experimental renovascular disease.
The impact of home ownership on the social and political involvement of low-income people

Supporters of subsidized home-ownership programs have made claims concerning the benefits of home ownership. Home owners are said to be more involved in social and political affairs, including neighboring and participation in community organizations. The authors test these claims using longitudinal data collected on groups of low-income home buyers and low-income renters in Baltimore. The results indicate that home buyers are less likely to neighbor and are more likely to participate in neighborhood and block associations but not other community organizations. Home buyers who perceived more neighborhood problems or who emphasized economic reasons for buying were no more likely to participate in social and political affairs.
Association of Ophiostoma novo-ulmi with Scolytus schevyrewi (scolytidae) in Colorado

Jacobi, W. R., Koski, R. D., Harrington, T. C., and Witcosky, J. J. 2007. Association of Ophiostoma novo-ulmi with Scolytus schevyrewi (Scolytidae) in Colorado. Plant Dis. 91:245-247. The smaller European elm bark beetle, Scolytus multistriatus, has been the primary vector of the Dutch elm disease fungus, Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, in elm trees in Colorado since 1948. An exotic from Asia, the banded elm bark beetle, Scolytus schevyrewi, was found in Siberian elm, Ulmus pumila, in Colorado in April of 2003; this was the first report of S. schevyrewi in North America. S. schevyrewi is now found throughout much of Colorado and in at least 21 other states. The similarities in breeding and feeding habits between S. schevyrewi and S. multistriatus have raised concerns about the ability of S. schevyrewi to serve as a vector for O. novo-ulmi. The objective of this preliminary study was to determine if O. novo-ulmi could be isolated from adult S. schevyrewi emerging from diseased elm trees. S. schevyrewi and S. multistriatus were allowed to infest diseased stem segments of American elm, Ulmus americana. The infested stem segments were caged and isolations were made from the adult brood that emerged. O. novo-ulmi was isolated from most of the adults of both beetle species, showing that S. schevyrewi could acquire the pathogen as effectively as S. multistriatus. Future studies are needed to determine if S. schevyrewi can effectively transmit the pathogen to healthy trees.
On the relationship of porous silicon and siloxene

Abstract Recently it has been suggested that siloxene is present in porous silicon and that this siloxene is the actual source of the visible luminescence observed in porous silicon. 1 . This claim is based on similarities in the infrared and Raman spectra of these materials. In this paper we review the arguments that led to this claim and show that the properties of porous silicon are inconsistent with that conclusion.
Reorganizing crime: mafia and anti-mafia in post-Soviet Georgia

Thieves-in-law (Russian, vory-v-zakone; Georgian, k'anonieri kurdebi) are professional criminal leaders invested in practising and perpetuating mafia activities according to a code known as ‘the un...
Relay without delay

A relay-without-delay channel in which each transmitted relay symbol can depend on all its past as well as present received symbols is investigated. A general upper bound on the capacity of the channel is established. A lower bound on the capacity for the additive white Gaussian noise relay-without-delay channel is introduced and is shown to coincide with the upper bound for a certain range of parameter values
Would NAFTA have been Approved by the House of Representatives under President Bush? Presidents, Parties, and Trade Policy

This paper examines five trade policy votes in the United States House of Representatives, one during each of the last five presidential terms. The paper investigates the determinants of representative voting and shows that Congress members are more likely to support trade liberalization if the President is a member of their own party. The estimation allows a prediction to be made of the likely House trade votes under alternative presidential election outcomes. The model predicts that the probability of NAFTA being approved would have been greatly reduced by a victory for President Bush (41) in the 1992 election. Neither the trade promotion authority granted to President Bush (43) in 2001 nor the CAFTA signed in 2005 would likely have been approved under Democratic Presidents.
The role of excitatory neurotransmitters in seizure-induced neuronal injury in rats

Prolonged seizures have long been known to be associated with cell injury and cell death in brain. Such seizure-related neuronal injury has been assumed to be mediated by glutamate, the same excitatory amino acid in the central nervous system which propagates the seizure itself. Elevated extracellular concentrations of glutamate have not been demonstrated in brain during seizures in experimental animals. However, these studies have not been performed during status of a duration adequate to induce cell injury, a time when the putative neurotoxins might be demonstrable. We therefore induced status epilepticus (recorded both with conventional surface EEG and with deep electrodes in the area of greatest vulnerability, the piriform cortex) and lengthened the time of status to the point of cell death. Seizures were induced with intravenous kainic acid, and prolonged by injecting the NMDA antagonist AP-7 into the substantia nigra. Microdialysis probes were introduced into the piriform cortex of one hemisphere to assess the presence of extracellular glutamate. In the contralateral hemisphere the degree of neuronal injury was estimated by measurement of heat shock protein (HSP) expression and cell death quantified by acid fuchsin staining. In this model, neuronal injury correlates linearly with seizure duration; however, elevation of glutamate in the extracellular space was not seen even when neuronal injury was profound.
Astrothrombus rugosus clark, new to New Zealand, with notes on ophioceres huttoni (farquhar), hemilepis norae (benham), and ophiuroglypha irrorata (lyman) (echinodermata: Ophiuroidea)

Summary Astrothrombus rugosus (Clark), hitherto known only from eastern Australia, is recorded here from off Kaikoura. Hemilepis abernethyi (Fell) and Ophioceres marginata (Fell) are here regarded as junior subjective synonyms of Hemilepis norae (Benham) and Ophioceres huttoni (Farquhar) respectively. Some New Zealand specimens of the cosmopolitan species Ophiuroglypha irrorata (Lyman) differ in some respects from the “typical” form; they may prove to represent a new species.
Kiviat-graphs as a means for displaying performance data for on-line retrieval systems

In order to monitor the performance of an information system, one must keep track of a large number of interrelated parameters. A Kiviat-graph is a graphical device for plotting a number of parameters on the same axes. An application of this technique to information system performance data is shown.
Raman scattering study of the staging kinetics in the c-face skin of pyrolytic graphite-H2SO4

Raman scattering from the ∼ 1600 cm−1 graphitic phonons is used to study the stage evolution of graphite-H2SO4 in the first ∼ 1000 A of the bulk during electrochemical intercalation. The Raman results are compared to staging kinetics in the deep bulk studied previously by 00/ x-ray diffraction. For low cell currents, which establish quasiequilibrium conditions, the c-face surface of the highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) in contact with the reactant rapidly changes stage index to n − 1 just as the bulk completes stage n. We conclude that the intercalant must cross the c-face plate boundary of the HOPG, probably entering at either grain boundaries, microcracks, or steps in the plate surface. During stage transitions, the Raman lines are observed to remain Lorentzian in shape, with constant width, indicating that an ordered stage n − 1 compound grows at the expense of an ordered stage n compound. In studies of partially submerged HOPG plates, the surface above the acid level is found to stage last, although the plate surface just below the acid level stages first. Lateral diffusion of the sulfate anions from regions below, to regions above the acid level, is apparently impeded for reasons that are not understood. During portions of the electrochemical reaction requiring only hydrogen rearrangement in the intercalate layers (“overcharging”), Raman spectra taken from above and below the acid level are observed to evolve in concert, indicating the protons are not similarly impeded.
Identifying and assessing relational understanding in ordinary differential equations

Is it possible to assess conceptual understanding of ordinary differential equations and their solutions? There is significant tension between students learning mathematics for understanding and students learning to drill a set of algorithms to solve standard ODE exercises. This paper presents the Framework for Relational Understanding of Procedures, a categorization of assessable conceptual knowledge. Example conceptual knowledge we examine in this project include relating a graphical representation of an ODE to a symbolic one, checking a result, and knowing why a particular solution method might be applicable. We applied this framework to three techniques taught in Ordinary Differential Equations: separation of variables, solving a first order linear ordinary differential equation, and Euler's method and developed a set of assessment items. These assessment questions were then transformed into knowledge pieces and moved into an online platform and elaborated. Thus, the assessment can be administered either in traditional pencil-and-paper form or through a learn-as-you-assess online web site.
Settlement and behavior in relation to flow and surface in larval barnacles, Balanus amphitrite Darwin

Abstract Behavior and settlement of laboratory-reared larval barnacles were examined with respect to age of larvae, type of surface (polystyrene and glass), and treatment of surface with settlement factor. Young cyprids were more discriminating in settlement than old cyprids. Young cyprids settled more on glass than on polystyrene. Young cyprids settled in higher percent on either polystyrene or glass in the presence of settlement factor. Settlement factor had no detectable effect on settlement of older cyprids. A rapid (2 to 10 min) quantitative assay for study of larval barnacle responses to surfaces was developed. The assay can be used to investigate molecular modifiers of larval barnacle behavior. Surfaces treated by adsorption of settlement factor from a 2.5 μ/ml solution promoted reversible attachment by cyprids. Cyprids separated on the basis of their behavior were tested in settlement assays. In the absence of settlement factor, there were marked differences in percent settlement between classes. Addition of settlement factor to settlement assays did not affect settlement of certain behavior classes and increased settlement over six-fold in others.
Uranium-uranium monophosphide phase equilibria☆

Abstract The U-UP phase diagram is deduced from X-ray, metallographic, and thermal analyses. The U-UP eutectic occurs at 1131±5°C with the eutectic composition near pure U. No solubility of U in the UP phase was detected metallographically from which the P:U ratio of U-saturated UP is estimated to be not less than 0·997. The highest melting point observed with UP is 2850°C. From analyses of the melted produce, the P:U ratio at the UP congruent melting point is estimated as 1·00.
Rapid tranquilization of the violent patient

Agitated, psychotic patients with the potential for violence pose significant management problems for emergency department staff. With the advent of rapid tranquilization (RT), clinicians were offered a safe, effective method for controlling such patients, eliminating the need for restraints or seclusion rooms. While RT is regarded as a major treatment innovation in psychiatry, nonpsychiatrists are reluctant or unaware of the uses of antipsychotic medication as it pertains to RT. This article provides a brief overview of the pharmacokinetics of antipsychotic medication and reviews the following aspects of RT: route of administration, dosing, time intervals between doses, side effects, and alternative medications for RT. The authors also offer practical guidelines for RT use in the emergency department.
Some thoughts on chemical mass balance models

Abstract It is argued that multivariate chemical mass balance models are, in general, incapable of determining the number and composition of sources of environmental contamination entirely from the data alone; additional identifying information must be obtained from sources external to the data. Determination of the number and composition of sources is possible, however, if a `library' of possible source profiles (or partial source profiles) exists. In such a case, a generalized least squares approach to target transformation factor analysis has been shown in the Ph.D. dissertation of H. Yang to have large-sample performance properties that are robust against violations of distributional assumptions. One can alternatively make use of the popular computer program LISREL to fit chemical mass balance models when partial information from a library of source profiles is available. Using the fitted model, it is shown how to obtain point estimates and credible intervals for source contributions (either in absolute terms, or as proportions of total contributions from all sources).
Necessary and sufficient conditions for complex balancing in chemical kinetics

In a recent publication (Horn & Jackson [1]) it was shown that complex balancing together with mass action type rate laws ensures certain stability properties of a kinetic system, thereby precluding sustained oscillations, bistability and other types of irregular dynamics. In this paper a necessary condition for complex balancing in general kinetics and necessary and sufficient conditions for complex balancing in mass action systems are derived. A theorem is stated which excludes the occurence of equilibria in certain composition regions of general kinetic systems. For mass action systems it is shown that it is sometimes true that the algebraic structure of the reactions suffices to ensure complex balancing, while in other cases complex balancing occurs only if certain relations between the rate constants are satisfied. The number of these relations, called the deficiency of the mass action system is determined by the algebraic structure of the set of reactions underlying that system.
Evidence for a conceptual account of same-different discrimination learning in the pigeon.

We trained pigeons to peck two different buttons in response to 16-iconsame arrays versus 16-icondifferent arrays. In thesame arrays, the icons were all the same as one another, whereas in thedifferent arrays, the icons were all different from one another. In Experiment 1, we upset the spatial regularities of the displays by disarranging the icons—randomly displacing each icon to reduce the degree of perceptual order. The pigeons’ discriminative performance was unaffected by disarranging. In Experiment 2, spatial regularities were disturbed by varying the rotation of the icons within a display. Again, no disruption in discriminative performance was observed. These and other findings suggest that pigeons treat the 16 icons as either the same or different despite changes in the spatial organization or orientation of the icons, thus implicating a conceptual rather than a perceptual process in same—different discrimination.
Intrapartum vibrator acoustic stimulation of the human fetus during episodes of decreased heart rate variability

The effects of intrapartum vibratory acoustic stimulation during periods of decreased fetal heart rate variability were studied in 25 healthy term fetuses. Fetal monitoring and real-time ultrasound scanning were used simultaneously to detect fetal response. Vibratory acoustic stimulation was provided by an artificial larynx generating a signal at 85 dB and 85 Hz. This stimulus was applied for 5 seconds on the maternal abdomen over the fetal head after a 20-minute period of decreased fetal heart rate variability. All fetuses reacted with an immediate fetal heart rate acceleration of at least 10 bpm (range: 10 to 35 bpm, mean ± SD = 18.4 ± 7.0), and 19 fetuses also had sudden fetal body movement. A deceleration of the fetal heart rate after the initial acceleration was observed in nine fetuses (range: 10 to 70 bpm, mean ± SD = 45.5 ± 16.5). The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the possible use of fetal vibratory acoustic stimulation for intrapartum surveillance.
Spatial regulation of antennapedia and bithorax gene expression by the Polycomb locus in Drosophila

Transcripts encoded by six of the homeotic lethal complementation groups within the Antennapedia and bithorax gene complexes (ANT-C and BX-C) accumulate primarily in nonoverlapping regions of the embryonic central nervous system (CNS). It has been previously proposed that the maintenance of these selective patterns of expression involve hierarchical cross-regulatory interactions among ANT-C and BX-C loci. Selective expression of the ANT-C and BX-C also involves regulation by a number of unlinked genetic loci, including the Polycomb (Pc) locus. Here we show that the ANT-C and BX-C transcript distribution patterns are dramatically altered in the CNS of Pc- embryos. We discuss these altered patterns of expression in the context of different models for the spatial regulation of ANT-C and BX-C gene expression.
On the Roles of Calcineurin in Fungal Growth and Pathogenesis

Calcineurin is a calcium-activated phosphatase that controls morphogenesis and stress responses in eukaryotes. Fungal pathogens have adopted the calcineurin pathway to survive and effectively propagate within the host. The difficulty in treating fungal infections stems from similarities between pathogen and host eukaryotic cells. Using calcineurin inhibitors such as cyclosporin A or tacrolimus (FK506) in combination with antifungal drugs, including azoles or echinocandins, renders these drugs fungicidal, even towards drug-resistant species or strains, making calcineurin a promising drug target. This article summarizes the current understanding of the calcineurin pathway and its roles in governing the growth and virulence of pathogenic fungi, and compares and contrasts the roles of calcineurin in fungal pathogens that infect humans (Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans) or plants (Magnaporthe oryzae and Ustilago maydis). Further investigation of calcineurin biology will advance opportunities to develop novel antifungal therapeutic approaches and provide insight into the evolution of virulence.
Polynomial time algorithms for learning neural nets

Abstract: Let N be the class of functions realizable by feedforward linear threshold nets with n input units, two hidden units each of zero threshold, and an output unit. This class is also essentially equivalent to the class of intersections of two open half spaces which are bounded by planes through the origin. We give an algorithm which PAC learns this class from examples and membership queries. The algorithm runs in time polynomial in n , e (the accuracy parameter) and δ (the confidence parameter). If only examples are allowed, but not membership queries, we give an algorithm which learns N in polynomial time provided that the probability distribution D from which examples are chosen satisfies D ( x ) = D ( -x ) ∀ x. The algorithm yields a hypothesis net with two hidden units, one linear threshold and the other quadratic threshold. In the final section a more powerful query learning algorithm is described which is able, for example, to very rapidly learn depth 2 nets having n inputs connected to 4 threshold units connected to one or more outputs, or to learn the intersection of k half spaces in n unknowns.
Release of arachidonic acid metabolites by human monocytes or lymphocytes: effect of treatment with interferon on stimulation by phorbol ester or calcium ionophore.

Abstract The simultaneous production of prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids was studied in human peripheral blood monocytes obtained by countercurrent centrifugal elutriation. Monocytes prelabeled for 4 hr with [3H]arachidonic acid (AA) released label into the surrounding medium in response to treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or calcium ionophore (A23187). High-perfor-mance liquid chromatography of monocyte supernatants demonstrated that labeled compounds included those which eluted with authentic standards for thromboxane B2, 12- l -hydroxy-5,8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid (HHT), 6-keto-prostaglandin Fα, prostaglandin E2, and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE). 5-HETE and leukotriene B4 (LtB4) were detected only in response to ionophore treatment. Highly purified lympho-cytes did not convert AA to autocoids, despite the release of free arachidonate in response to either stimulus. Pretreatment of monocytes with recombinant human interferon (IFN)-γ or IFN-α for 18 hr resulted in enhanced release of labeled arachidonic acid and increased conversion to autocoids after TPA or ionophore stimulation. Absolute amounts of prostaglandin E2 produced in response to TPA or ionophore treatment were increased as well. These results demonstrate the autocoid profile released by stimulated human monocytes and illustrate the effects of IFN treatment on the production of lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid as well as cyclooxygenase products.
Estimating philopatry and natal dispersal of microtine rodents through intensive live-trapping at nests of social groups

Estimates of philopatry and natal dispersal of the prairie vole, Microtus ochrogaster, determined by intensive live-trapping at social group nests were assessed by comparison of estimates when a grid pattern within the area was also trapped, the periphery of the group home ranges was trapped, and when only a few and a large number of nests were being monitored. Several analyses confirmed that the measures of philopatry and natal dispersal were reliable. Although labor intensive, the protocol used is less so than any other system that provides comparable amounts of data, and it does not require expensive equipment.
Flash and continuous photolysis kinetic studies of the iron-iron hydrogenase model (μ-pdt)[Fe(CO)3]2 in different solvents.

Flash and continuous photolysis studies of (μ-pdt)[Fe(CO)3]2 under excess CO were conducted in coordinating and noncoordinating solvents. The back-reaction of CO with the photoproduct showed second-order kinetics with kCO values of 1.0 × 108, 3.4 × 106, 1.2 × 106, and 0.90 M–1 s–1 in hexanes, benzene, toluene, and THF, respectively. These data indicate a solvent-coordinated intermediate as one photoproduct, but other long-lived species were also apparent.
THE Qn,k,m GRAPH: A COMMON GENERALIZATION OF VARIOUS POPULAR INTERCONNECTION NETWORKS

The star graph and the alternating group graph were introduced as competitive alternatives to the hypercube, and they are indeed superior over the hypercube under many measures. However, they do suffer from scaling issues. To address this, different generalizations, namely, the (n,k)-star graph and the arrangement graph were introduced to address this shortcoming. From another direction, the star graph was recognized as a special case of Cayley graphs whose generators can be associated with a tree. Nevertheless, all these networks appear to be very different and yet share many properties. In this paper, we will solve this mystery by providing a common generalization of all these networks. Moreover, we will show that these networks have strong connectivity properties.
Establishment of a persistent baculovirus infection in a lepidopteran cell line

Abstract The paper describes the first overt attempt to establish an insect cell line (Spodoptera frugiperda), persistently infected with its homologous baculovirus. The persistently infected cells were morphologically different and grew to a higher density than the noninfected parent line. The parent line, however, had a shorter doubling time. Persistently infected cells were passaged 40 times over 10 months; they still continued to produce infectious virus and polyhedral inclusion bodies. However, the infectious viral titer was ca. 100 times lower in the persistently infected line than in the parent line; also, the number of inclusion bodies was reduced ca. 98%. Interference with both homologous and heterologous baculoviruses was demonstrated in the persistently infected cell line. Sevently percent of the persistently infected cells contained antigens for S. frugiperda nuclear polyhedrosis virus, ca. 1% of the cells showed infectious viral centers, and ca. 3% of the cells contained inclusion bodies. Although the inclusion bodies from the persistently infected cells were infectious for S. frugiperda larvae, they were about 3 times less infectious than the inclusion bodies produced in the parent line.
COMMUNITIES OF FILAMENTOUS FUNGI AND YEAST IN DECOMPOSING LOGS OF PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII

We investigated the communities of filamentous fungi and yeasts in logs in advanced stages of decay. Decay stages are generally defined from class I-V, with class I being the least decayed and class V being the most decayed. Fungi were isolated from cross-sections approximately 15 cm thick of Pseudotsuga menziesii logs in decay classes III and IV. Cross sections included portions of logs with and without conifer seedlings. Samples were removed from three vertical positions (top, middle, and bottom) of each cross-section. Comparisons of coefficient of community and detrended correspondence analysis ordinations indicated differences in community structure between class III and class IV logs. No community differences were found between samples with and without conifer seedlings. A total of 18 genera and 36 species of fungi were recovered from samples; more than 50% of recovered genera were dematiaceous hyphomycetes.
School desegregation and social science research.

Research on the effects of school desegregation, once quite common in psychology and related fields, has declined considerably since the mid-1980s. Factors contributing to changes in the quantity and focus of such research since the Brown v. Board of Education (1954) decision are discussed, with an emphasis on those related to the decline of this research in the last 2 decades. These factors include the nation's retreat from the policy of school desegregation and the associated decline in research funding. Changing perspectives regarding desegregation, the outcomes of desegregation that merit study, and the desirable composition of research teams studying desegregation have also played a role. Demographic changes in our society and its schools that have made salient other research topics and the development of effective research paradigms for studying intergroup relations in the laboratory have also contributed to this decline. ((c) 2004 APA, all rights reserved).
The Ethical Practice of WebCounseling.

Abstract The emergence of on-line counselling services for addressing problems ranging from poor self-esteem, stressful relationships and addictions raises serious ethical concerns in this new electronic venue. A number of ethical considerations are discussed. The evolution of the National Board of Certified Counselors' Standards for the Ethical Practice of WebCounseling is described.
Generation of Squeezed States by Parametric Down Conversion

Squeezed states of the electromagnetic field are generated by degenerate parametric down conversion in an optical cavity. Noise reductions greater than 50% relative to the vacuum noise level are observed in a balanced homodyne detector. A quantitative comparison with theory suggests that the observed squeezing results from a field that in the absence of linear attenuation would be squeezed by greater then tenfold.
Culpable Control and Counterfactual Reasoning in the Psychology of Blame

Many counterfactual reasoning studies assess how people ascribe blame for harmful actions. By itself, the knowledge that a harmful outcome could easily have been avoided does not predict blame. In three studies, the authors showed that an outcome's mutability influences blame and related judgments when it is coupled with a basis for negative evaluations. Study 1 showed that mutability influenced blame and compensation judgments when a physician was negligent but not when the physician took reasonable precautions to prevent harm. Study 2 showed that this finding was attenuated when the victim contributed to his own demise. In Study 3, whether an actor just missed arriving on time to see his dying mother or had no chance to see her influenced his blameworthiness when his reason for being late provided a basis for negative evaluations but made no difference when there was a positive reason for the delay. These findings clarify the conditions under which an outcome's mutability is likely to influence blame and related attributions.
Extensive Methylation of Chloroplast DNA by a Nuclear Gene Mutation Does Not Affect Chloroplast Gene Transmission in Chlamydomonas

Abstract Based on analysis by high pressure liquid chromatography, greater than 35% of the cytosine residues in chloroplast DNA of vegetative cells were found to be methylated constitutively in the nuclear gene mutation ( me-1 ) of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which has an otherwise wild-type phenotype. Digestion of chloroplast DNA from vegetative cells and gametes of this mutant with restriction endonucleases Hpa II and Msp I reveals that in the 5′CCGG3′ sequence, CpG is methylated extensively, whereas CpC is only methylated occasionally. Hae III (5′GGCC3′) digestion of the mutant chloroplast DNA also shows extensive methylation of the GpC sequence. In contrast to the results of Sager and colleagues, which show a correlation between methylation of chloroplast DNA and transmission of chloroplast genes in crosses, our results with crosses of the me-1 mutant suggest that extensive chloroplast DNA methylation may be insufficient to account for the pattern of inheritance of chloroplast genes in Chlamydomonas.
The atmosphere of Saturn - An infrared perspective

A model of the radiative portion of the equatorial atmosphere of Saturn, constrained by the infrared data of various observers, has been constructed using a technique which includes the variation of thermal flux with depth. The model has a high-altitude temperature inversion due to the absorption of ultraviolet sunlight. The inversion causes the observed infrared emission peaks at 8 microns (methane) and 12 microns (ethane). Mixing ratios of these gases to hydrogen are computed from these emission features. The bottom of the modeled region occurs at the radiative convective boundary. At this level, an opaque cloud consisting of solid ammonia condensation particles is postulated. Above the cloud is a thin haze, also composed of ammonia particles. The haze is required to match infrared observations near 9.5 microns and hydrogen quadrupole equivalent widths near 0.64 micron. Predictions of the model are given for further observational tests.
Calf deep venous thrombosis should be treated with anticoagulation.

Abstract A 50-YEAR-OLD MAN with hypertension presents with a 2-day history of right calf swelling and pain. Venous duplex ultrasound reveals a right soleal vein thrombosis. He denies history of bleeding, renal disease, and symptoms suggestive of pulmonary embolism (PE). Physical examination is unrevealing except for calf tenderness, redness, warmth, and swelling. He is ambulatory. A decision is made to treat the calf deep venous thrombosis (DVT) with anticoagulation.
Biopsy-negative malignant esophageal stricture: diagnosis by endoscopic ultrasound.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) of the esophagus has been used primarily in staging biopsy-proven cancers. Its use as a primary diagnostic modality for esophageal malignancy has not been previously described. We report our recent experience in four patients with dysphagia and endoscopic biopsies negative for malignancy, including one patient with clinical and manometric features suggestive of achalasia. In all cases, EUS revealed a large infiltrating tumor invading through the esophageal wall into the surrounding tissues, and in one case into the aorta. Computed tomography suggested the possibility of a tumor in only one of the cases. Two patients underwent esophagectomy and were found to have adenocarcinoma. Two patients underwent repeat biopsy with alternative aggressive biopsy techniques and were found to have squamous cell carcinoma. We conclude that EUS is useful in the diagnosis of esophageal cancer and should be performed in selected patients with esophageal strictures whose biopsies are negative for malignancy; i.e., those with suspicious endoscopic or radiographic appearance, atypical presentation (e.g., profound weight loss, short duration of symptoms, or advanced age), and failure to respond to treatment.
Treatment of lupus-induced thrombocytopenia with recombinant human interleukin-11

Autoimmune thrombocytopenia can be a serious manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) which necessitates treatment with immunosuppressive agents and platelet transfusions. Interleukin-11 (IL-11) is a unique thrombopoietic growth factor which causes proliferation of megakaryocyte progenitors as well as induces megakaryocytic maturation. To our knowledge, this agent has not been used in the treatment of autoimmune thrombocytopenia, since theoretically there is a danger of IL-11 stimulating the immune system by up-regulating the lymphoid stem cells. We describe a 36-year-old splenectomized woman with known SLE who presented with pulmonary hemorrhage, acute renal failure, change in mental status, and severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count 2,000/mm3). Her pulmonary, renal, and central nervous system complications responded to intensive therapy with intravenous (IV) pulse methylprednisone and cyclophosphamide along with hemodialysis. The thrombocytopenia remained refractory to the above treatment plus daily multiple platelet transfusions and IV immunoglobulin. Treatment with recombinant human IL-11 (25 microg/kg/day subcutaneously) was initiated and continued for 5 days. Her platelet count improved to 25,000/mm3 within 48 hours, and she experienced no adverse effects.
Learning of two-choice, differential reward problems with informational constraints on payoff combinations

Abstract To obtain evidence concerning the dependence of choice probability upon anticipated reward, as opposed to the cumulative effects of previous rewards, college student subjects were run on two successive sets of two-choice, differential reward problems under a noncorrection procedure. Relations between the two sets were such that transfer from first to second set learning could occur only via the learning of probabilistic contingencies between reward values. Significant transfer was observed, and error frequencies on the second problem set were monotonically related to differences in anticipated reward values rather than to differences in reward magnitudes actually received for particular responses. A four-state Markov model, embodying the assumption that reward values affect performance, especially in the intermediate states, but not the rate of associative learning, accounts reasonably well for the observed learning curves and several statistics of error data for the second problem set.
Genetic networks controlling structural outcome of glucosinolate activation across development.

Most phenotypic variation present in natural populations is under polygenic control, largely determined by genetic variation at quantitative trait loci (QTLs). These genetic loci frequently interact with the environment, development, and each other, yet the importance of these interactions on the underlying genetic architecture of quantitative traits is not well characterized. To better study how epistasis and development may influence quantitative traits, we studied genetic variation in Arabidopsis glucosinolate activation using the moderately sized Bayreuth×Shahdara recombinant inbred population, in terms of number of lines. We identified QTLs for glucosinolate activation at three different developmental stages. Numerous QTLs showed developmental dependency, as well as a large epistatic network, centered on the previously cloned large-effect glucosinolate activation QTL, ESP. Analysis of Heterogeneous Inbred Families validated seven loci and all of the QTL×DPG (days post-germination) interactions tested, but was complicated by the extensive epistasis. A comparison of transcript accumulation data within 211 of these RILs showed an extensive overlap of gene expression QTLs for structural specifiers and their homologs with the identified glucosinolate activation loci. Finally, we were able to show that two of the QTLs are the result of whole-genome duplications of a glucosinolate activation gene cluster. These data reveal complex age-dependent regulation of structural outcomes and suggest that transcriptional regulation is associated with a significant portion of the underlying ontogenic variation and epistatic interactions in glucosinolate activation.
New Places and Ethical Spaces: Philosophical Considerations for Health Care Ethics Outside of the Hospital

This paper examines the meaning of space and its relationship to value. In this paper, I draw on Henri Lefebvre to suggest that our ethics produce and are produced by spaces. Space is not simply a passive material container or neutral geographic location. Space includes the ideas on which buildings are modeled, the ordering of objects and movement patterns within the space, and the symbolic meaning of the space and its objects. Although often unrecognized, space itself is value-laden, and its values are suggested as people interact within that space. By reflecting on the spaces of health care, we will see that we not only must attend to the quandaries caused by the delivery of health care in non-acute places, but also to the values that produce and are produced by spaces. These values influence our moral imagination and shape us as people.
Operative management of adrenal metastases from lung carcinoma

Most surgeons consider patients with solitary adrenal metastasis from a primary lung carcinoma incurable and avoid excision of both the adrenal and primary lung tumors. However, several cases of successful surgical management of these patients recently have been reported. We reviewed 12 surgically treated patients with isolated adrenal and lung disease and identified 2 survivors of greater than fifteen years (17%) and 4 additional patients who are still alive following combined resection (34%). This survival rate, albeit in a selected population, represents an improvement over the natural history of nine months' survival. We suggest that if after six to twelve months of following patients with lung cancer and isolated adrenal metastasis no other evidence of spread of disease is evident, the tumor biology may be favorable and resection of both adrenal and lung lesions is reasonable.
Partial characterization of a phenolic pigment from sporocarps of Phellinus igniarius

Abstract A dark brown phenolic polymer, isolated from mature sporocarps of Phellinus igniarius (DC. ex Fr.) Quel., is responsible for the darkening of sporocarp tissue when a drop of base is applied. The pigment is rich in aliphatic as well as phenolic hydroxyl groups, and also contains significant numbers of carboxyls and carbonyls. The presence of 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl moieties was documented by the identification of veratric and metahemipinic acids from oxidative degradation of methylated samples. Despite a 2% methoxyl content, the polymer contains no guaiacyl or syringyl moieties and therefore contains no lignin. It appears to be formed by the oxidative polymerization of a molecule containing a 3,4-dihydroxystyryl moiety. Hispidin was identified as its trimethyl ether in methylated extracts of pigmented mycelial mats of Phellinus igniarius grown in liquid culture.
Sodium borohydride based hybrid power system

Sodium borohydride's properties make it a good source of hydrogen for use with a fuel cell for an on-demand system that is easily controllable and has no idle costs. Previous work, as described in the literature, indicated that ruthenium (Ru) is an efficient catalyst for generating hydrogen from sodium borohydride. Tests were conducted to evaluate catalyst loading with the results of these tests indicating that the hydrolysis rate is affected by the loading of the catalyst. It was also apparent that the substrate surface is not completely occupied by Ru at the lower loadings, and that increased loadings are needed to optimize the reaction rate. A differential rate test with a fixed bed reactor was also conducted. It was observed that temperature has a significant effect on the rate of reaction. Feed rate also affected the rate of reaction with lower feed rates (longer residence time in the reactor) having higher reaction rates. A bench-top hybrid system was also developed and tested. This test bed demonstrated how a system based on a chemically generated hydrogen-fed proton exchange membrane fuel cell could be integrated with batteries to provide a hybrid power system that can meet the demands of a highly varying electrical load up to four times the rated output of the fuel cell.
A novel system for road surface monitoring using an inexpensive infrared laser sensor

In this study, an inexpensive depth sensor is used to identify defects in pavements. This depth sensor consists of an infrared projector and camera. An innovative approach is proposed to interpret the data acquired by this sensor. The proposed system in this study is a breakthrough achievement for autonomous cost-effective condition assessment of roads and transportation systems. Various road conditions including patching, cracks, and potholes can be robustly and autonomously assessed using the proposed approach. Several field experiments have been carried out to evaluate the capabilities of this system. The field tests clearly demonstrate the superior features of the developed system in this study compared to conventional approaches for pavement evaluation.
Analysis of SSC dipole quench behavior as a function of quench protection heater configuration

Analytic modeling tools have been developed to predict the quench behavior of the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) dipole coils for a wide range of quench protection heater designs and configurations. Computer modeling tools have been developed to predict the time between heater firing and the initiation of conductor normal zones, and the maximum heater temperature for parametric variations in the heater strip geometry, resistance, material, protection circuit configuration, and conductor current and temperature. Verification of the modeling results has been accomplished by comparison of analysis results with data obtained from quench heater tests of DCA 311-321. Predictions for effective conductor enthalpy and time to normal zone initiation were found to correlate well with actual test data. Predictions have been made for the performance of heater designs for the GDSS prototype dipole magnets. >
Vascular flora and community assemblages of Evansburg State Park, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania1

Abstract Over the past three centuries successive land-use decisions have led to significant changes in the composition and structure of the floristic resources at Evansburg State Park in southeastern Pennsylvania. A recent survey of the park identified 544 vascular plant species from 116 families and 337 genera across 26 distinct, yet extremely fragmented, plant communities. Slightly less than 66% of the recorded species are native to the eastern United States and only two species of concern were discovered. Forty-six species were added to the flora of Montgomery County. In addition, woody vegetation in seven mature forest types of the 16 naturally occurring community associations were sampled. A histogram of species importance across these sites reveals a trend towards increasing compositional homogeneity in forested areas. The remaining ten communities are anthropogenically influenced habitats which comprise 75% of the park's acreage, are scattered widely throughout the park, and contain a high percent...
Improved liquid cholesterol ester crystal thermography of the breast

The infrated detection apparatus used in breast thermography is relatively costly and therefore is not widely available to less populated areas in the country. The use of liquid cholesterol crystals, applied to the breast (applied over a water-base black dye) has already been described in the literature as an effective substitute for infrared instrument thermography. This method, however, has been hampered by the time and troublesome effort necessary for removal of the substances upon completion of the study. The object of this study was to devise a feasible method of cutaneous breast thermography using liquid cholesterol esters, as in prior studies, but by applying them to an easily removable black base. As a result the length of the examination has been shortened, and patients have found the examination to be aesthetically more acceptable. With this improved method, liquid crystal thermography of the breast (and other areas) should become more widely applicable.
Fighting Attrition: One Freshman Year Program that Targets Academic Progress and Retention for At-Risk Students.

After studying national literature and local needs, Kutztown University created the Student Support Services Freshman Year Program to help at risk freshmen acclimate to the campus environment and succeed in college. This article presents the five-component program that has improved retention at the university and includes evaluative data.