cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HoxD transcription factors define monosynaptic sensory-motor specificity in the developing spinal cord.

The specificity of monosynaptic connections between proprioceptive sensory neurons and their recipient spinal motor neurons depends on multiple factors, including motor neuron positioning and dendrite morphology, axon projection patterns of proprioceptive sensory neurons in the spinal cord, and the ligand-receptor molecules involved in cell-to-cell recognition. However, with few exceptions, the transcription factors engaged in this process are poorly characterized. We show here, that members of the HoxD family of transcription factors play a critical role in the specificity of monosynaptic sensory-motor connections. Mice lacking Hoxd9, Hoxd10, and Hoxd11 exhibit defects in locomotion but have no obvious defects in motor neuron positioning or dendrite morphology through the medio-lateral and rostro-caudal axes. However, we found that quadriceps motor neurons in these mice show aberrant axon development and receive inappropriate inputs from proprioceptive sensory axons innervating the obturator muscle. These genetic studies demonstrate that the HoxD transcription factors play an integral role in the synaptic specificity of monosynaptic sensory-motor connections in the developing spinal cord.
Utility and acceptability of the EXCEEDS algorithm for oncology stakeholders: Results of a Delphi study.

e13538Background: The Exercise in Cancer Decision Support (EXCEEDS) algorithm is an evidence-based, risk stratified framework. This framework allows for enhanced decision making for exercise pre-pa...
Personalized delirium sedation goal (PDSG): Balancing comfort and communication in the last days of life.

12033Background: Management of patients with agitated terminal delirium is challenging as clinicians try to find a balance between adequate sedation to maximize comfort while retaining communicatio...
Tightly-coupled camera/LiDAR integration for point cloud generation from GNSS/INS-assisted UAV mapping systems

Abstract Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with integrated global navigation satellite systems/inertial navigation systems (GNSS/INS) together with cameras and/or LiDAR sensors are being widely used for topographic mapping in a variety of applications such as precision agriculture, coastal monitoring, and archaeological documentation. Integration of image-based and LiDAR point clouds can provide a comprehensive 3D model of the area of interest. For such integration, ensuring a good alignment between data from the different sources is critical. Although many works have been conducted on this topic, there is still a need for a rigorous integration approach that minimizes the discrepancy between camera and LiDAR data caused by inaccurate system calibration parameters and/or trajectory artifacts. This study proposes an automated tightly-coupled camera/LiDAR integration workflow for GNSS/INS-assisted UAV systems. The proposed strategy is conducted in three main steps. First, an image-based point cloud is generated using a LiDAR/GNSS/INS-assisted structure from motion (SfM) strategy. Then, feature correspondences between image-based and LiDAR point clouds are automatically identified. Finally, an integrated-bundle adjustment procedure including image points, LiDAR raw measurements, and GNSS/INS information is conducted to minimize the discrepancy between point clouds from different sensors while estimating system calibration parameters and refining the trajectory information. The proposed SfM strategy and integration framework are evaluated using five datasets. The SfM results show that using LiDAR data can facilitate feature matching and further increase the number of reconstructed 3D points. The experimental results also illustrate that the developed automated camera/LiDAR integration strategy is capable of accurately estimating system calibration parameters to achieve good alignment among camera/LiDAR data from single/multiple systems. An absolute accuracy in the range of 3–5 cm is achieved for the image/LiDAR point clouds after the integration process.
A Critique of the NCAA – A Comparative Analysis of US Federal Law and California State Law in Criticism of NCAA Rules

In a day and age where the social influence of sports is extremely high, the payment and salary of employed, professional athletes is a complex process. in essence, these athletes as individuals are attracting and building business and revenue for not only their respective sports organizations or franchises but the secondary institutions, businesses, and companies that sponsor the team, as well. When calculating the total gross revenue that these athletes influence, it is quite understandable as to why such athletes, especially in sports leagues such as the NFL, NBA, MLS, NHL, MLB and various European soccer leagues, get paid an exuberant amount of money. Yet, in the world of sports and payment of high-level athletes in positions of entertainment and revenue, there lays a discrepancy in a certain realm of athletes, who are being exploited: collegiate athletes. To dissect this discrepancy of exploitation it is imperative to define and analyze United States federal law on antitrust law and labor law. Comparatively, it is equally important to analyze the body of law that upholds the National Collegiate Athletic Association, in terms of compensation of players or lack thereof and why that is so. Through such comparison the breach of federal and the issue of gross exploitation will be exposed. The point of this comparative argumentative analysis is not to invoke a debate on philosophical understandings behind the division or separation of college sports from professional sports. Yet it is to enlighten the discrepancy on an array of athletes who are being stripped of their ability to economically benefit from both their own personal actions and the usage of their names, likeness, and image to accrue a revenue for their respective sports programs and universities.
Climate change and influenza: A scoping review

Abstract Increasing evidence suggests that climate change affects the incidence of influenza, however, no reviews have evaluated this evidence across the entire transmission cycle of the disease. To bolster medical and public health systems preparedness for future annual and pandemic influenza, an understanding of how climate affects this transmission cycle is necessary. This scoping review searched the literature examining the effect of climate change on influenza until August 2020. Included articles covered research on climate effects across four thematic areas: 1) viral biology, 2) animal hosts, 3) human epidemiology, and the 4) impact of other planetary health factors on influenza (e.g., urbanization, water scarcity). The database search yielded 19,549 texts, of which 341 full texts were analyzed and 173 included. This review highlights the need to expand the geographical context and methods of research spanning the influenza transmission cycle to help determine which climatological factors affect influenza transmission and prepare for future influenza scenarios.
Applying to residency: survey of neurosurgical residency applicants on virtual recruitment during COVID-19

Objective The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant disruption to residency recruitment, including a sudden, comprehensive transition to virtual interviews. The authors sought to characterize applicant experiences and perceptions concerning the change in the application, interview, and match process for neurological surgery residency during the 2020-2021 recruitment cycle. Methods A national survey of neurosurgical residency applicants from the 2020-2021 application cycle was performed. This survey was developed in cooperation with the Society of Neurological Surgeons (SNS) and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons Young Neurosurgeons Committee (YNC) and sent to all applicants (n = 280) who included academic video submissions to the SNS repository as part of their application package. These 280 applicants accounted for 69.6% of the total 402 neurosurgical applicants this year. Results Nearly half of the applicants responded to the survey (44.3%, 124 of 280). Applicants favored additional reform of the interview scheduling process, including a centralized scheduling method, a set of standardized release dates for interview invitations, and interview caps for applicants. Less than 8% of students desired a virtual-only platform in the future, though the majority of applicants supported incorporating virtual interviews as part of the process to contain applicant costs and combining them with traditional in-person interview opportunities. Program culture and fit, as well as clinical and research opportunities in subspecialty areas, were the most important factors applicants used to rank programs. However, subjective program "fit" was deemed challenging to assess during virtual-only interviews. Conclusions Neurosurgery resident applicants identified standardized interview invitation release dates, centralized interview scheduling methods, caps on the number of interviews available to each candidate, and regulated opportunities for both virtual and in-person recruitment as measures that could significantly improve the applicant experience during and effectiveness of future neurosurgery residency application cycles. Applicants prioritized program culture and "fit" during recruitment, and a majority were open to incorporating virtual elements into future cycles to reduce costs while retaining in-person opportunities to gauge programs and their locations.
Comparative in vitro activity of cefpirome (HR 810) against gram-positive isolates from cancer patients

The activity of cefpirome against gram-positive isolates from cancer patients was compared to that of currently available extended-spectrum cephalosporins. Cefpirome was active against methicillin-susceptible, coagulase-positive, and coagulase-negative staphylococci. It was the most active agent against streptococci belonging to Lancefield groups A, B and G andStreptococcus pneumoniae. 76% of enterococcal isolates were susceptible to cefpirome — far more than any of the other agents tested.
Finding Association Rules Using Fast Bit Computation: Machine-Oriented Modeling

This paper continue the study of machine oriented models initiated by the second author. An attribute value is regarded as a name of the collection (called granule) of the entities that have the same property (specified by the attribute value). The relational model uses these granules (e.g., bit representation of subsets) as attribute values is called machine oriented data model. The model transforms data mining, particularly finding association rules, into Boolean operations. This paper show that this approach speed up data mining process tremendously; in the experiments, it is approximately 50 times faster, the pre-processing time was included).
Keynes’ Business Cycle: Animal Spirits and Crisis

Today, we are in the midst of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Recovery has not been swift, and policymakers and citizens throughout the globe have turned to economists for answers. While in the mainstream, the general opinion is that the collapse was unpredictable and caused by exogenous events (i.e., poor policy decisions), those in the Post-Keynesian school not only raised voices of concern well before the crisis struck, but they have argued consistently that the problems we face are systemic. They base this conclusion on theories developed by John Maynard Keynes. This paper attempts to determine the primary factors creating instability by building and then analyzing a system dynamics model of Keynes’ explanation of the business cycle. It shows that the financial sector is key and that while, of course, exogenous factors can play critical roles, they are unnecessary: cycles are generated endogenously.
Explaining Race and Ethnic Disparities in Birthweight in Chicago Neighborhoods

This paper examines the contribution of neighborhood and maternal characteristics to birthweight differentials among infants born to non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white, and Mexican-origin Hispanic mothers (of any race). Linear regression models with neighborhood fixed effects were estimated using birth certificate records for all births in Chicago from 1990. About 30 percent of the black/white disparity and about 14 percent of the black/Mexican-origin Hispanic disparity were due to neighborhood conditions. Adjusting for neighborhood and maternal characteristics accounted for 64 percent of the black/white differential and 57 percent of the black/Mexican-origin Hispanic differential. Around half of the black/white differential and the black/Mexican-origin Hispanic differential in birthweight were due to differences, across racial/ethnic groups, in the relationship between measured characteristics and birthweight. Efforts to close the birthweight gap between non-Hispanic black and other infants must go beyond programs aimed solely at reducing the level of risk factors among African-American women. Future interventions also need to address the causes of differences in the effects of key risk factors across racial and ethnic groups.
Information at your Fingertips: Only a dream for enterprises?

We review how the state of information technology has evolved for consumers vs. enterprises. We discuss some of the key challenges in enterprise search over structured data and suggest a few promising directions for the research community.
Understanding the biology and use of anti-TNF agents in JIA – interim results

Purpose Current treatment for children with polyarticular forms of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (Poly JIA) results in approximately 50% of the patients demonstrating clinically inactive disease (CID) (Wallace C, et al. J Rheumatol 2004;31:2290-4) while on treatment. Over 40% of the children with Poly JIA are treated with a TNF antagonist biologic often started ≤ 6 months (mos) of disease onset. Currently we are unable to accurately predict which children demonstrating CID while on an anti-TNF therapy will or will not have a flare of the JIA upon discontinuation of the anti-TNF agent. Anti-TNF therapy has known shortand medium-term toxicities in children with JIA; the long-term toxicities are unknown and the treatment is expensive. The ultimate goal of this project is to validate biomarkers that are predictive. These interim results demonstrate clinical aspects of assessing CID and stopping anti-TNF therapy.
State level point-of-sale policy priority as a result of the FSPTCA

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (FSPTCA) give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unprecedented power to regulate tobacco products. One of the most significant provisions of the law allows state and local governments to adopt and enforce tobacco control legislation restricting the time, place, and manner (but not the content) of tobacco advertising. However, there is still reluctance among states and localities for mass adoption of laws due to challenges associated with legal feasibility and lack of U.S.-based evidence in effectiveness. The Center for Public Health Systems Science conducted interviews with key tobacco control contacts in 48 states at two time points (2012 and 2014) since the passage of the FSPTCA to assess the influence of the law on point-of-sale policy development in their state tobacco programs. Logistic regression results show that point-of-sale policy importance is growing post-FSPTCA, and that key influencers of this importance are states' tobacco control histories and environments, including that related to excise taxes and smoke free air policies. The adoption of smokefree and tax policies has become commonplace across the U.S., and the quality and extent of these laws and prevailing political will increasingly impact the ability of states to work in emerging tobacco control policy areas including those directed at the point of sale.
Numerical simulations of catastrophic disruption: Recent results

Numerical simulations have been used to study high velocity two-body impacts. In this paper, a two-dimensional Largrangian finite difference hydro-code and a three-dimensional smooth particle hydro-code (SPH) are described and initial results reported. These codes can be, and have been, used to make specific predictions about particular objects in our solar system. But more significantly, they allow us to explore a broad range of collisional events. Certain parameters (size, time) can be studied only over a very restricted range within the laboratory; other parameters (initial spin, low gravity, exotic structure or composition) are difficult to study at all experimentally. The outcomes of numerical simulations lead to a more general and accurate understanding of impacts in their many forms.
An Updated, Automated Commercial Swather for Harvesting Forage Plots

Harvesting forage plots can be tedious, time consuming, and labor intensive without the proper plot equipment. Various forage plot harvesters have been developed over the years and were designed primarily to decrease the amount of hand labor needed for plot harvest, increase the ease of plot harvest, and do it at an affordable cost while maintaining or improving data integrity. Automated, commercially built, forage plot harvesters cost $50,000 to $80,000 USD or more. This article describes an automated forage plot harvesting system that has an electronic data collection system, harvests plots quickly and efficiently, and can be used for both plot harvest and commercial-scale fields. The automated harvesting system consists of three major components-a weighing platform, a discharge platform, and an electronic data collection system. Only one person is needed to operate the automated forage harvester and collect yield data. The average time required for harvesting a 3.0 by 4.6 m (10 by 15 ft) alfalfa (Medicago sativa subsp. sativa) plot is =40 s and can handle plot samples weighing as much as 54 kg (120 lb). The forage plot harvester can be switched from harvesting research plots and made ready to harvest commercial fields or vice versa in approximately 30 min. Our automated forage harvester performed exceptionally well during its first year of operation in 2006. The cost of the materials for the automated weighing system was slightly less than $6000.
Reprise on Manhart

In early 1979 I expressed the view that the Supreme Court, in City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power v. Manhart,' erred in a fundamental way and that if the decision continued to stand, it should at least be confined as narrowly as possible to minimize the damage it did.' Subsequently, four of my University of Chicago colleagues have taken me to task, alleging error in my interpretation of the governing statutes and failure to give adequate consideration to the accumulating demographic learning relevant to the subject matter.3 I remain unpersuaded. With slight modifications induced by their discussion of the demographic literature, I continue to stand on my original analysis. But their statement was careful and ambitious and deserves the compliment of an explicit effort to refute at least its major points.
Development of new markers for hypoxic cells: 131I]Iodomisonidazole and [131I]Iodoerythronitroimidazole

This study was aimed at developing ligands to evaluate tumor hypoxia by planar scintigraphy. Two 2-nitroimidazole analogues were developed as precursor compounds to image hypoxic tumors. Both tosylmisonidazole (Ts MISO) and tosylerythronitroimidazole (Ts ETNIM) were labeled with 131I. The biodistribution and autoradiographic evaluations by planar scintigraphy of 131I-IMISO and 131I-IETNIM were conducted at 1, 2 and 4 hours after administration to rats bearing 13762 breast tumors. Biodistribution of 131I-IMISO was also evaluated in Madison lung tumor-bearing mice. Intratumoral oxygen tension was measured by the Eppendorf system. Biodistribution showed similar tumor/blood and tumor/muscle count density ratios for both compounds. The thyroid uptake of both analogues was increased with time, suggesting in vivo deiodination probably occurred. Autoradiographs of 131I-IMISO and 131I-IETNIM revealed good visualization of the neoplasms. The tumor oxygen tension was 3-6 mmHg as compared to the normal tissue oxygenation of 30-40 mmHg. The findings indicate that these analogues can localize in the hypoxic region of solid tumors and may assist with quantitation of the hypoxic fraction of tumor for proper selection and evaluation of appropriate radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Self-Report versus State Records for Identifying Crashes Among Older Drivers

BACKGROUND: There is growing concern about the potential safety implications of the increasing number of older drivers. A primary consideration in determining risk is the method of outcome ascertainment. In the case of motor vehicle crashes, the two most common methods are self-report and state records of events. METHODS: The self-report of motor vehicle crashes was compared to state records among all active drivers (n = 358) in a representative cohort of community-living individuals age 72 years and older in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1989. In the baseline interview, participants who reported driving were asked if they had had any crashes in the previous year. This was compared to state-recorded crashes over the same period. RESULTS: Of the 358 drivers, 33 either reported or had a state record of a crash in the previous year. Of the 33, 20 were identified by self-report only, 9 by both self-report and state records, and 4 by state records only. In the two cases where license reexamination was requested by the officer at the scene, both drivers reported the event in the interview. CONCLUSIONS: Self-report and state records provide complementary information for the ascertainment of crashes among older drivers, although in this sample self-report yielded more events. Language: en
Pituitary cytology of rats with Leydig-cell tumors induced by low-level testicular irradiation.

SummaryThe pituitary gland cytology of rats subjected to local testicular irradiation was studied. Although rats treated with 500 R X-rays had a high incidence of testicular atrophy, interstitial-cell hyperplasia, and Leydig-cell tumors, increased incidences of gonadotropic hyperplasia and adenomas were not found. We could find no statistical relationship between degenerative, hyperplastic, and neoplastic lesions of the testes and pituitary gonadotropic hyperplasia and adenomas.
Contribution of dietary lipid change to falling serum cholesterol levels between 1980 to 1982 and 1985 to 1987 in an urban population The Minnesota heart survey

Abstract We assessed dietary intake and serum total cholesterol trends during the 1980s, in the Minneapolis-St. Paul (Twin Cities) metropolitan area. Twin Cities residents 25 to 74 years old participated in independent, cross-sectional, population-based surveys of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in 1980 to 1982 (n = 1611) and 1985 to 1987 (n = 2231). Age-adjusted total energy intake was similar in 1980 to 1982 and 1985 to 1987: 2528 kcal (10.6 MJ) versus 2574 kcal (10.8 MJ) for men and 1683 kcal (7.1 MJ) versus 1689 kcal (7.1 MJ) for women. However, significant changes were observed in macronutrient intake. The percent of energy from total fat intake decreased from 39.3 to 38.1 % in men and 38.9 to 36.6% in women (both P These data suggest that members of this community are on average modifying their fat consumption and that these dietary changes are resulting in more favorable serum total cholesterol levels.
An Antibiotic (Anii-Smegmatis Factor) Produced by an Actinomycete, Specifically Inhibiting Species of Mycobacterium.

SummaryAn actinomycete (A-82) forms an antibiotic which when tested against more than 60 species, including more than 20 genera of bacteria inhibited only M. smegmatis, M. phlei, and a nonpathogenic, rapidly growing strain of M. tuberculosis, variety hominis No. 607. A pathogenic M. tuberculosis, variety bovis, was not inhibited. The specificity of this antibiotic, referred to as the antismegmatis factor (because of the sensitivity of Mycobacterium smegmatis), for the genus Mycobacterium is discussed. Methods for producing the crude anti-smegmatis factor are outlined. The antibiotic is thermostable, and is more active in alkaline media than in acid media, No chemical purification of the antismegmatis factor was done.
Deletion of Von Hippel-Lindau in Glomerular Podocytes Results in Glomerular Basement Membrane Thickening, Ectopic Subepithelial Deposition of Collagen α1α2α1(IV), Expression of Neuroglobin, and Proteinuria

Vascular endothelial growth factor, which is critical for blood vessel formation, is regulated by hypoxia inducible transcription factors (HIFs). A component of the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) facilitates oxygen-dependent polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of HIFα subunits. Hypothesizing that deletion of podocyte VHL would result in HIFα hyperstabilization, we crossed podocin promoter-Cre transgenic mice, which express Cre recombinase in podocytes beginning at the capillary loop stage of glomerular development, with floxed VHL mice. Vascular patterning and glomerular development appeared unaltered in progeny lacking podocyte VHL. However, urinalysis showed increased albumin excretion by 4 weeks when compared with wild-type littermates with several sever cases (>1000 μg/ml). Many glomerular ultrastructural changes were seen in mutants, including focal subendothelial delamination and widespread podocyte foot process broadening, and glomerular basement membranes (GBMs) were significantly thicker in 16-week-old mutants compared with controls. Moreover, immunoelectron microscopy showed ectopic deposition of collagen α1α2α1(IV) in GBM humps beneath podocytes. Significant increases in the number of Ki-67-positive mesangial cells were also found, but glomerular WT1 expression was significantly decreased, signifying podocyte death and/or de-differentiation. Indeed, expression profiling of mutant glomeruli suggested a negative regulatory feedback loop involving the HIFα prolyl hydroxylase, Egln3. In addition, the brain oxygen-binding protein, Neuroglobin, was induced in mutant podocytes. We conclude that podocyte VHL is required for normal maintenance of podocytes, GBM composition and ultrastructure, and glomerular barrier properties.
Hybrid technique for dynamic imaging.

A number of data acquisition strategies have been introduced to speed up the image acquisition in dynamic settings. One such technique is the keyhole approach, which is based on reducing k-space coverage, and consequently the spatial resolution, of the dynamic information. Another is based on reducing the field of view of the dynamic information. These two techniques are complementary in that one reduces the field of view in k-space and the other does so in the spatial domain. A hybrid approach which combines the two is described in this study. In numerical simulations and experimental studies, this hybrid approach more accurately depicts the signal changes, outperforming the two techniques from which it is derived. Magn Reson Med 44:51-55, 2000.
Antithyrotropin antibodies in the sera of Graves' disease patients

To determine the presence and potential importance of antiidiotypic antibodies (anti-id) in the immune regulation of Graves’ disease, sera from 57 patients with Graves’ disease were screened before or during antithyroid therapy by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) for presumptive anti-id, as defined by the presence of immunoglobulins (Igs) directed against TSH. The mean optical density, indicating the presence of TSH-binding antibodies, was 0.34 ± 0.28 (±SD) in the sera of Graves’ disease patients and 0.19 ± 0.12 in the sera of 24 normal subjects (P < 0.004). Control antigens (hCG and albumin) did not bind significant amounts of serum Igs. In 8 Graves’ patients whose sera bound TSH, 40-80% inhibition was obtained with the addition of TSH receptor-purified IgG (′1 Mg/ml) derived from a single Graves’ patient’s serum; no inhibition was found with normal IgG (′10 μg/ml). Presumptive anti-id was isolated from sera of 6 Graves’ patients by affinity purification with a TSH affinity column; the resulta...
On mimo optimal preview tracking control for known trajectory models

A class of discrete time feedforward tracking controllers is presented for linear multivariable plants subjected to time-varying exogenous inputs with known models. The controller design is based on linear quadratic optimization techniques and the augmented system approach. The optimal controllers use state feedback for regulation purposes. For the tracking objective the future set-points along the reference trajectory vector are used. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of an optimal feedforward solution are presented in terms of the relationships between the eigenvalues of the closed-loop system and those of the trajectory models. For illustration a numerical example is included which is based on a dual-stage positioning carriage modelled as a linear multivariable plant.
Electron band structure in a two-dimensional periodic magnetic field

In this paper we study the energy spectrum of a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in a two-dimensional periodic magnetic field. Both a square magnetic lattice and a triangular one are considered. We consider the general case where the magnetic field in a cell can be of any shape. A general feature of the band structure is bandwidth oscillation as a function of the Landau index. A triangular magnetic lattice on a 2DEG can be realized by the vortex lattice of a superconductor film coated on top of a heterojunction. Our calculation indicates a way of relating the energy spectrum of the 2DEG to the vortex structure. We have also derived conditions under which the effects of a weak magnetic modulation, periodic or not, may be reproduced by an electric potential modulation, and vice versa.
The Rule of Law and Poverty Eradication in Africa

Africa’s struggle against mass poverty and deprivation is examined using a constitutional political economy approach. It is argued that the failure of many African countries to deal effectively with poverty is due to the fact that since independence, these countries have not been able to engage in democratic constitution making to provide themselves with institutional arrangements that guarantee the rule of law. Such institutions must adequately constrain civil servants and political elites, enhance peaceful coexistence, and provide an enabling environment for the creation of wealth. The process to reconstruct and reconstitute African states has been on going since decolonization. The Arab awakening, which began in North Africa, and the pro-democracy demonstrations of the mid-1980s and early-1990s, are a continuation of this effort to secure the laws and institutions that enhance the creation of wealth and provide an enabling environment for the eventual eradication of poverty. Unless the African countries provide themselves with institutional arrangements that guarantee the rule of law, poverty will remain pervasive.
DNA Polymerases of Myeloma: Template and Primer Specificities of Two Enzymes

INTEREST in the viral RNA-dependent DNA polymerases1,2 has led to an examination of mammalian DNA polymerases and to the characterization in certain systems of DNA polymerases which can transcribe ribopolymer chains of appropriate ribopolymer-oligodeoxyribopolymer hybrids3,4. The nature of these enzymes and their function in cells are unclear. We have reported the separation, by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, of the DNA polymerases of the murine myeloma tumour into two separate fractions which we have designated as fractions D-I and D-II (ref. 5). Each of these fractions contains an activity capable of utilizing activated DNA and of transcribing the ribopolymer strand of poly rA oligo dT. We describe here the separation of two DNA polymerase enzymes in fraction D-I.
Delegation-Based I/O Mechanism for High Performance Computing Systems

Massively parallel applications often require periodic data checkpointing for program restart and post-run data analysis. Although high performance computing systems provide massive parallelism and computing power to fulfill the crucial requirements of the scientific applications, the I/O tasks of high-end applications do not scale. Strict data consistency semantics adopted from traditional file systems are inadequate for homogeneous parallel computing platforms. For high performance parallel applications independent I/O is critical, particularly if checkpointing data are dynamically created or irregularly partitioned. In particular, parallel programs generating a large number of unrelated I/O accesses on large-scale systems often face serious I/O serializations introduced by lock contention and conflicts at file system layer. As these applications may not be able to utilize the I/O optimizations requiring process synchronization, they pose a great challenge for parallel I/O architecture and software designs. We propose an I/O mechanism to bridge the gap between scientific applications and parallel storage systems. A static file domain partitioning method is developed to align the I/O requests and produce a client-server mapping that minimizes the file lock acquisition costs and eliminates the lock contention. Our performance evaluations of production application I/O kernels demonstrate scalable performance and achieve high I/O bandwidths.
Formation of single-phase BaO nanoclusters

Combined analysis employing in-situ X-rays photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and ex-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) has demonstrated the feasibility to deposit single-phase barium oxide overlayers by a direct sublimation of BaO material from an effusion cell. Furthermore, in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) has confirmed that the BaO grows as nanoclusters with dimensions down to ~2 nm.
The future of B-cell lymphoma therapy: the B-cell receptor and its downstream pathways.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that tonic signaling through the B cell receptor provides a growth and survival signal in many types of B cell lymphomas, and that disruption of B cell receptor signaling can be lethal to malignant B cells. Several small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which block signaling pathways downstream from the B cell receptor, are in active clinical development. Preliminary data suggests impressive activity in relapsed and refractory B cell lymphomas. Among the kinases which have been targeted are Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), the Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). This article discusses the rationale for targeting these pathways and summarizes the current clinical trial data for agents targeting Syk, BTK, and PI3K.
Antithrombotic therapies in cerebrovascular disease: what should we use as secondary prevention in patients with carotid artery disease?

The optimal strategy for primary and secondary prevention of ischemic events in patients with carotid artery disease has been well studied in recent years. Currently, aspirin is generally prescribed for the primary prevention of stroke despite a number of trial results on effectiveness proving inconclusive. However, many agents have been investigated for the secondary prevention of carotid artery disease, including antiplatelet agents such as aspirin, dipyridamole, ticlopidine, and clopidogrel. Although large randomized controlled trials have been reported, the optimal antiplatelet agent or combination of antiplatelet agents has yet to be clearly defined. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Performance of Annual and Perennial Biofuel Crops: Yield during the First Two Years

Increasing demand for renewable fuel sources has stimulated the need for alternative biomass crops. A study was conducted to determine grain, stover, total biomass, and estimated ethanol yields of annual and perennial crops at two locations in Kansas in 2007 and 2008. This study included corn (Zea mays L.) grown continuously and rotated with soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]; five sorghum cultivars, brown midrib (bmr), photoperiod sensitive, sweet, and two dual-purpose forage varieties; and three perennial warm-season grasses, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), big bluestem (Andropogongerardii Vitman), and Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus). Corn and sorghum plants were harvested for grain and biomass and sweet sorghum stalks were pressed to extract juices. Perennial grasses were harvested for biomass. Highest grain yields were achieved with corn across both years and locations with yields averaging 10.1 Mg ha -1 . Total biomass yields were greatest for sweet sorghum (32.6 and 28.2 Mg ha -1 in 2007 and 2008, respectively) and photoperiod-sensitive sorghum (26.8 Mg ha -1 in 2007). Sweet sorghum extracted fermentable carbohydrate yields averaged 4.8 Mg ha -1 . Perennial grass biomass yields ranged from 7.7 to 12.8 Mg ha -1 in 2008, the second year after establishment. Highest average estimated ethanol yields were achieved with sweet sorghum (9920 L ha -1 ). These results indicate that the highest total biomass and estimated ethanol yields for renewable fuel production can be achieved from sweet sorghum and that perennial grasses were as productive as annual crops at producing biomass in the first 2 yr after planting.
NRF2 deficiency reduces life span of mice administered thoracic irradiation

Subsets of cancer survivors who have been subjected to thoracic irradiation face the prospect of developing pulmonary injury. Radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis is an insidious injury that presents 6 to 24 months after irradiation and continues to progress over a period of years. TGF-β and reactive oxygen species contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of this injury. The transcription factor NRF2 controls antioxidant gene expression and therefore regulates the cellular oxidant burden. This work demonstrates an additional paradigm for NRF2: suppression of TGF-β-mediated signaling, assessed by measuring expression of a surrogate TGF-β1 target gene (PAI-1) in lung fibroblasts. Thoracic irradiation of Nfe2l2(-/-) mice resulted in rapid expression of PAI-1 and FSP-1 compared to irradiated wild-type mice. Examination of lung tissue 16 weeks after thoracic irradiation of Nfe2l2(-/-) mice revealed the presence of distended alveoli and decreased numbers of alveoli compared to wild-type mice. Suppression of NRF2 expression shortened life span in mice administered 16 Gy to the thorax. Nfe2l2(+/-) and Nfe2l2(-/-) mice exhibited a mean life span of 176 days compared to wild-type mice, which lived an average of 212 days. These novel results identify NRF2 as a susceptibility factor for the development of late tissue injury.
An update of portal systemic shunting and its complications

A clinical retrospective review of 66 patients with portal hypertension who were surgically treated with portal systemic shunting, during a 6-year period, is presented. Some broad comparisons can be made with a similar review undertaken in 1970. Portal systemic shunting is currently being performed with less frequency, enjoys less popularity as a primary form of therapy, and is reserved for patients in an advanced stage of the disease. The operative mortality rate has understandably risen to over 30% as a result of the shift toward treating surgically only severely ill patients. The degree of liver function impairment is the most important factor for survival; shunt type plays but a minor role. Portal systemic encephalopathy is probably present in all patients and its severity is determined by numerous variables.
Designing the future: the culture of new trends in science and technology

Abstract In order to influence major trends in research and development, interested groups use technical arguments, among other means, to promote shared models of the future. This article proposes that two specific forms of argument are endemic to trend-promotion in science and technology: intended self-fulfilling prophecy and emotional rhetoric. It is illustrated with a close reading of a document by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency concerning a field of information technology.
Testing Hypotheses on Behavioral Preferences of University Women and Men with Multiple Linear Regression

Summary.-Responses from 789 students on the Self-report Inventory at a large midwestern university (representing many states and foreign countries) showed no significant differences between the sexes on the Educabilirg dimension of the Activities Index. The Emotional Expression and Dependency Needs of the women were significantly greater than those of the men, while the men were significantly higher on Achievement Orientation. More significant differences in Educability were found for men studying in the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Undecideds than for women in these fields of study. Variations in behavioral decision patterns occurred for women and men with regard to how they allocated their time for school and nonschool activities. Women srudents were significantly higher than the men on high school and college grade point averages but significantly lower in representation for achiwing advanced degrees. Impulse control was definitely related to how students allocated their time, but total anxiety was not so related except that the anxiety associated with fear of taking tests was positively related to number of hours spent for study purposes. Women were also significantly underrepresented in school-sponsored activities.
Human Corneal Studies with a Vitrification Solution Containing Dimethyl Sulfoxide, Formamide, and 1,2-Propanediol

We tested the tolerance of human corneas to a vitrification solution, modified VS41A, containing 3.1 M dimethyl sulfoxide, 3.1 M formamide, and 2.2 M 1,2-propanediol in a carrier solution consisting of the corneal storage medium CPTES with 2.5% w/v chondroitin sulfate. Seven human corneas were exposed for l0 min each to graded concentrations of the solution at 0°C, remaining in the full-strength solution for 10 min. The corneas bad significantly more endothelial cell damage (P < 0.05) than seven mated control corneas, but it was minimal (4.3% cell loss). Attempts at vitrification and rewarming of three corneas exposed to the solution by this protocol, however, resulted in ice formation in the peripheral corneal stroma and severe endothelial damage. Presumably, equilibration with the cryoprotectant in the thicker periphery of the human cornea had not occurred. Ice did not form on the center of one cornea, and substantial numbers of central endothelial cells survived after vitrification in this case. Immersion of the human corneas for 25 min in each of the four graded solutions at 0°C was required for sufficient penetration of the cryoprotectant to allow total corneal vitrification and rewarming without ice formation. This prolonged exposure to modified VS41A caused unacceptable damage to the corneal endothelium, however. Successful vitrification of human corneas with this solution will require a safe method for obtaining corneal equilibration with the cryoprotectant.
THE USE OF A COMMERCIAL Pediococcus cerevisiae STARTER CULTURE IN THE PRODUCTION OF COUNTRY‐STYLE HAMS

Hams were inoculated with Pediococcus cerevisiue cells to determine effects of a lactic acid starter culture on country-style ham quality. Treatments consisted of two different cure mix levels, three aging times and five inoculum levels. Hams were subjected to taste panel, physical, chemical, and microbial analyses. Acidity and white film formation on cut surfaces were higher for inoculated hams although taste panel analyses indicated little difference from control hams. Increased aged flavor and nuttiness flavor were noted at the higher NaCl level. Inoculated hams decreased in pH during the initial days of aging but increased later in the aging period. Increases in pH and the concomitant development of aged flavor confirmed previous work done on flavor at this station that at least 80 days processing time must elapse when using our processing conditions before aged flavor becomes acceptable. The total time required to produce aged hams may be shortened by inoculating hams with P. cerevisiae.
Metaplastic effects of subanesthetic ketamine on CA1 hippocampal function

Abstract Ketamine is a non-competitive N-methyl- d -aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist of interest in neuropsychiatry. In the present studies, we examined the effects of subanesthetic, low micromolar ketamine on excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs), population spikes (PSs) and synaptic plasticity in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices. Ketamine acutely inhibited NMDAR-mediated synaptic responses with half-maximal effects near 10 μM. When administered for 15–30 min at 1–10 μM, ketamine had no effect on baseline dendritic AMPA receptor-mediated EPSPs, but persistently enhanced somatic EPSPs in the pyramidal cell body layer and augmented PS firing. Acute low micromolar ketamine also had no effect on the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) but blocked long-term depression (LTD). Following 30 min administration of 1–10 μM ketamine, however, a slowly developing and persistent form of LTP inhibition was observed that took two hours following ketamine washout to become manifest. This LTP inhibition did not result from prolonged or enhanced NMDAR inhibition during drug washout. Effects of low ketamine on somatic EPSPs and LTP were not mimicked by a high ketamine concentration that completely inhibited NMDARs, and both of these effects were blocked by co-administration of low ketamine with a low concentration of the competitive NMDAR antagonist, 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate or inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase. These results indicate that concentrations of ketamine relevant to psychotropic and psychotomimetic effects have complex metaplastic effects on hippocampal function that involve activation of unblocked NMDARs during ketamine exposure.
In vitro methods for the study of plaque formation and carious lesions

Abstract Streptococci known to be caries-conducive in experimental animals formed heavy bacterial plaques on extracted teeth, artificial teeth, stainless-steel wires and other objects. This was accomplished by cyclic exposures to a growth medium for 3 hr, 5% sucrose solution for 1 hr, and synthetic saliva for 3 hr in that order, for a total of 2 weeks. Streptococci known to be caries-inactive in animal tests did not form plaque under these conditions. Sucrose was required for plaque production and could not be replaced by glucose, fructose, galactose, lactose, sorbitol, or a mixture of glucose and fructose. The mucin in the synthetic saliva was found to be essential for plaque production in this test system. Filament-forming actinomycetes isolated from animal periodontal disease also formed a heavy plaque. Plaques were grown on a glass probe electrode using the above mentioned methods in order to obtain an estimate of acidity levels which develop under such deposits. In 5% sucrose the pH dropped to a range where enamel would be decalcified (4.5–5.0). The low pH values persisted under the plaque for 3 hr after the electrode had been subsequently transferred to synthetic saliva. Extracted human teeth were placed in an apparatus in which the various media described above could be automatically metered to an incubation chamber in preselected sequences for varying the time periods. Extensive plaque formation and incipient carious lesions developed within a 3-week period.