cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Generating Highway Travel Times with a Large-Scale, Asymmetric User Equilibrium Assignment Model

An asymmetric, static user-equilibrium traffic assignment model with traffic-engineering based turning-specific link travel time functions is used to generate highway travel time functions for an 800 square km network. Specialized link delay functions for all intersection and roadway types occurring in the study network are adapted from the literature or developed. Conditions for the existence and uniqueness of the solution based on the theory of variational inequalities are checked. The network coding process and the implementation of the model are described. Results are presented and discussed. The model is found to converge to a stable solution and the solution obtained is close to the observed traffic conditions.
Authoritarian Resilience Revisited: Joseph Fewsmith with Response from Andrew J. Nathan

The conventional wisdom in the period following Tiananmen was that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) would fall victim to domestic pressures and international economic forces and follow the Soviet ...
Redox correlation in muscle lengthening and immune response in eccentric exercise.

This study was designed to examine the potential involvement of reactive oxygen species in skeletal muscle dysfunction linked with stretching in a mouse model and to explore the effects of combined antioxidant intake on peripheral leukocyte apoptosis following eccentrically-biased downhill runs in human subjects. In the mouse model, diaphragmatic muscle was stretched by 30% of its optimal length, followed by 5-min contraction. Muscle function and extracellular reactive oxygen species release was measured ex vivo. In human models, participants performed two trials of downhill running either with or without antioxidant supplementation, followed by apoptotic assay of inflammatory cells in the blood. The results showed that stretch led to decreased muscle function and prominent ROS increase during muscle contraction. In human models, we observed an elevation in circulating leukocyte apoptosis 24–48 hours following acute downhill runs. However, there is an attenuated leukocyte apoptosis following the second bout of downhill run. Interestingly, the combination of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and α-tocopherol (vitamin E) supplementation attenuated the decrease in B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) at 24 hours following acute downhill running. These data collectively suggest that significant ROS formation can be induced by muscle-lengthening associated with eccentric exercise, which is accompanied by compromised muscle function. The combination of antioxidants supplementation appears to have a protective role via the attenuation of decrease in anti-apoptotic protein.
Patterns of Placental Injury in Congenital Anomalies in Second Half of Pregnancy

BackgroundPlacental pathology in fetal congenital anomalies in second half of pregnancy is largely unknown.MethodsTwenty-six clinical and 45 independent placental phenotypes from pregnancies ≥20 we...
The JAK/STAT pathway is activated in systemic sclerosis and is effectively targeted by tofacitinib:

Rationale:Fibrosis leads to failure of the skin, lungs, and other organs in systemic sclerosis; accounts for substantial morbidity and mortality; and lacks effective therapy. Myofibroblast activati...
Public Perceptions of Moral Insanity in the 19th Century

The diagnosis of moral insanity was primarily used through the best part of the 19th century to define and justify the psychiatric treatment of a particular type of conduct in which the patient seemed otherwise rational but displayed certain inexplicable and undesirable behaviors deemed socially perverse or "unfit." This article traces the history of this highly contested concept, which mirrors a historical arc in which psychiatry emerges as a discipline and stakes territorial claims on defining and regulating moral behavior. As illustration, I focus on the Hinchman Conspiracy Trial of 1849 as a less known case of wrongful confinement that hinged on proving the diagnosis of moral insanity in court. Moral insanity is a case study of the efforts to medicalize human ethical conduct, an effort starkly resisted by both the courts and the public. Some of the legacies of the term are the contemporary use of insanity as a legal defense, and the ability of patients to dispute psychiatric ward confinement orders in court.
Characterization of human cancer xenografts in humanized mice.

Background Preclinical evaluation of drugs targeting the human immune system has posed challenges for oncology researchers. Since the commercial introduction of humanized mice, antitumor efficacy and pharmacodynamic studies can now be performed with human cancer cells within mice bearing components of a human immune system. However, development and characterization of these models is necessary to understand which model may be best suited for different agents. Methods We characterized A375, A549, Caki-1, H1299, H1975, HCC827, HCT116, KU-19–19, MDA-MB-231, and RKO human cancer cell xenografts in CD34+ humanized non-obese diabetic-scid gamma mice for tumor growth rate, immune cell profiling, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and response to anti-PD-L1 therapy. Immune cell profiling was performed using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Antitumor response of humanized xenograft models to PD-L1 therapy was performed using atezolizumab. Results We found that CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell composition in both the spleen and tumor varied among models, with A375, Caki-1, MDA-MB-231, and HCC827 containing higher intratumoral frequencies of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells of CD45+ cells compared with other models. We demonstrate that levels of immune cell infiltrate within each model are strongly influenced by the tumor and not the stem cell donor. Many of the tumor models showed an abundance of myeloid cells, B cells and dendritic cells. RKO and MDA-MB-231 tumors contained the highest expression of PD-L1+ tumor cells. The antitumor response of the models to atezolizumab was positively associated with the level of CD4+ and CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Conclusions These data demonstrate that there are tumor-intrinsic factors that influence the immune cell repertoire within tumors and spleen, and that TIL frequencies are a key factor in determining response to anti-PD-L1 in tumor xenografts in humanized mice. These data may also aid in the selection of tumor models to test antitumor activity of novel immuno-oncology or tumor-directed agents.
“She’s My Partner in Crime”: Informal Collaboration and Beginning Special Educator Induction

The shortage of special education teachers is a growing threat to the quality of education received by students with disabilities in the United States. The shortage is exacerbated by high rates of ...
Copyrighting God: Ownership of the Sacred in American Religion

This is a review of Andrew Ventimiglia. Copyrighting God: Ownership of the Sacred in American Religion. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2019), vii + 247pp. $115 hardcover; $34.99 softcover. ISBN: 9781108420518 (hardcover); 9781108430371 (softcover).
Land-Use Regulations and Urban Growth of African Americans:

Land-use regulations can restrict urban growth by increasing housing costs. This article investigates the heterogeneous effects of land-use regulations among different racial groups. It uses U.S. C...
An Examaination of Radio Telescope Parameters and their Significance

The study of celestial objects through radio astronomy has enhanced our understanding of a gamut of astronomical phenomena that are often invisible or faintly observable in other portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. A number of new sources of radio emission have been identified that include radio galaxies, quasars, pulsars, masers etc. Radio astronomy uses either single telescope or a number of telescopes that are linked together and utilizes the techniques of radio interferometry. Typically, the signals encountered in radio astronomy have very low signal-noise ratio, and hence radio telescopes usually tend to be very sensitive and large. As a result, they also have high angular resolution. The mechanical constraints of building even larger telescopes led to the use of radio interferometer to achieve higher resolution that can be achieved through a single telescope. Radio astronomy receivers use cryogenically cooled low-noise amplifiers and low-loss components in the RF path. High gain, low spillover, low crosspolarization, low far-out sidelobes, etc. are important features of a radio telescope.
Business Ethics in Public Accounting: Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Today’s Public Accountants and Its Implication to Accounting Education

This paper focuses on the critical topic of ethics in public accounting. This paper draws on several important concepts related to ethical reasoning contained in existing research on ethics in the public accounting field. To obtain insights from the ethical dilemmas faced by accountants, a survey was sent to accountants who currently work in a public accounting capacity. The paper attempts to connect some of the existing ethics and moral reasoning literature to actual ethical dilemmas that professionals in the public accounting field experience today. Finally, the paper expands the discussion to explore the implications to ethics education in accounting.
Multiple sclerosis: a two-stage disease

The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis consists of an inflammatory and neurodegnerative phase. Better understanding of these stages has aided the development of specific therapeutic targets.
The Evolution of Carnot’s Principle

We trace the development of the technical ideas showing that the Second Law of Thermodynamics became, over a Century ago, a general principle of reasoning, applicable to scientific inference in other fields than thermodynamics. Both the logic and the procedure of our present maximum entropy applications are easily recognized in the methods for predicting equilibrium conditions introduced by Gibbs in 1875. Chemical thermodynamics has been based on them ever since. What is new in this field is not the method, but the recognition of its generality.
A finite difference treatment of differential equation systems with widely differing time constants

A consistent method of solving systems of coupled time-dependent differential equations with vastly divergent time constants has been developed. This method is directly applicable to finite difference techniques of solutions using matrix algebra. Application to systems of isotope burnup and buildup equations with time constants ranging from minutes to millions of years demonstrates the utility of the method. Similarity to the prompt jump method of reactor kinetics indicates applicability to a wider range of positive as well as negative time constant systems.
The "conflict volcano": methodological proposition for conflict analysis

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to suggest to the conflict study scholars a new instrument – the “conflict volcano” that could be an effective and appropriate tool for conflict analysis. Design/methodology/approach – The “conflict volcano” model was designed as a qualitative method for conflict analysis with a focus on cause analysis. It was developed on the basis of “conflict tree” which underwent modifications. Findings – The benefit of the “conflict volcano” is that it covers all aspects of conflict starting from root cause to catalysts and can reveal a wide range of causes: material, immaterial, institutional. It clearly frames factors; this helps practitioners to determine what should be considered as causes and effects. Moreover, the “conflict volcano” reflects major theoretical representations of the conflict and its aspects. While the “conflict volcano” model can study conflict phases from latent until open violence, it cannot reflect the dynamic of conflict and cannot demonstrate its evolu...
Pilot study of computer-based urban traffic management

Abstract The objectives of urban traffic management are to make more efficient use of existing transportation resources and provide for the movement of people in an efficient manner through the development of low-cost short-range management strategies. Implementation of such strategies can provide for reduced travel costs, savings of energy, reduced air pollution, and improved safety and convenience for the users of the facilities. It can also help to reduce necessary capital expenditure for new facilities to accommodate urban travel demands in the longer range. This paper presents a modelling framework for multimodal urban traffic management, explicitly modelling the divergent objectives of traffic managers and trip-makers. Facilities analyzed are arterial streets and freeways with their associated access and egress links. Modes considered are private automobiles, carpools, trucks, and buses. Decision parameters may include signal controls, ramp metering rates, priority lane assignments, variable-message signs, etc. Effects of modal performance on mode choice are also included in the analysis. Computational results are reported of a pilot application of the framework using heuristic solution techniques.
Not Either/or But Both/and in Paul's Areopagus Speech

Paul's Areopagus speech has long fascinated New Testament readers. Historical-critical issues have received the most attention as scholars focused on "the question whether the Paul who speaks here is the Paul of the letters." Investigations of narrational and rhetorical techniques have played a subservient role. This essay eclectically combines ancient and modern literary-critical methods in order to lift narrational and rhetorical matters out of their role of subserviency. A literary-critical investigation of the narrative of Paul in Athens allows us to appreciate better its subtlety and sophistication and suggests that historical and theological arguments both for and against the essential authenticity of the speech are based on inadequate reading strategies. Specifically, historical-critical scholars have failed to occupy the position of the implied reader when interpreting the Areopagus speech, a position that distinguishes between the oratees of the speech-a group of philosophically inclined pagans who are uninformed outsiders in relation to Christianity-and the narratee-Theophilus-who is an informed insider on the basis of his reading of Luke/Acts to this point. We often speak of the omniscient narrator, but in this case we would do well to speak of the omniscient narratee. This sets up a situation which the narrator fully exploits to create a highly entertaining reading experience. Much of that entertainment is derived from the deliberate use of double entendre, words and phrases which have one set of associations for insiders in the Christian movement, such as the orator, and another for outsiders, such as the oratees of the speech.
FPGA implementation of robust Capon beamformer

The Capon Beamforming algorithm is an optimal spatial filtering algorithm used in various signal processing applications where excellent interference rejection performance is required, such as Radar and Sonar systems, Smart Antenna systems for wireless communications. Its lack of robustness, however, means that it is vulnerable to array calibration errors and other model errors. To overcome this problem, numerous robust Capon Beamforming algorithms have been proposed, which are much more promising for practical applications. In this paper, an FPGA implementation of a robust Capon Beamforming algorithm is investigated and presented. This realization takes an array output with 4 channels, computes the complex-valued adaptive weight vectors for beamforming with an 18 bit fixed-point representation and runs at a 100 MHz clock on Xilinx V4 FPGA. This work will be applied in our medical imaging project for breast cancer detection.
Electrochemical Studies of Surface-Modified Glass Bead/Nafion Composites

In the past decade, electrochemists have begun modifying electrode surfaces with polymer composites. Each of those composites had advantages over the standard polymer modified electrode. Usually, the major advantage is increased sensitivity. However, years of chromatographic research have proven that tailoring the surface of glass beads can increase the selectivity of a system. The same principle should be applicable to polymer film composites. This research is based upon making glass bead/ion exchange polymer composites with unique interfaces that alter the selectivity of redox species on the basis of physical and chemical characteristics. This is accomplished by modifying the surface of glass beads with organosilanes of varying chain lengths and functional groups. The significance of this research lies in its ability to alter the selectivity of polymer modified electrodes. A surface-modified glass bead/Nafion composite was designed that excludes Ru(bpy)32+ from the film. The surface-modified glass bead/...
Evaluating drought response of Southern Cape Indigenous Forests, South Africa, using MODIS data

Indigenous forests in South Africa cover less than 0.5% of the total land area but are a valued resource under threat from fragmentation, fires, exploitation, and climate change. The largest indigenous forest complex is located along the southern coast of the Western Cape Province. This complex is made up of sub-forests distinguished by different structural and edaphoclimatic attributes. It has been hypothesized that these sub-forests exhibit different resistance to stressors, such as drought. A time series of MODIS 250 m enhanced vegetation index (EVI) data were used to characterize the foliage condition of the three distinctive sub-forests before, during, and after a severe drought in 2009. The goal was to determine how these sub-forests responded to this disturbance. EVI anomalies for the drought and post-drought periods were calculated using annual median EVI values, since removal of outliers based on quality control flags that accompany the MODIS products or noise-filtering techniques proved to be in...
Reliability of gastric access closure with the self-approximating transluminal access technique (STAT) for NOTES

STAT, or the self-approximating transluminal access technique, has been previously described and involves the dissection of a submucosal tunnel for peritoneal or mediastinal access from the esophagus and stomach. The objective of this study was to assess the safety and reliability of gastric access and closure in a porcine experience using STAT for natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). A review of the experience using STAT access tunnels for intraperitoneal access was performed in 39 female pigs at a university animal lab. All animals underwent a predetermined NOTES surgical procedure using a STAT transgastric access tunnel based on a specific protocol. Details of the procedure, complications, and clinical course were documented. Necropsy was performed at 2 weeks. The main outcome measurements were clinical or necropsy evidence of gastrostomy site leak or inadequate access site closure. STAT was successful in providing safe peritoneal access in all animals. The width of the tunnel ranged from 1.5 to 5.5 cm and the length was up to 27 cm. There was no evidence of gastrostomy site leak in any animals. One animal required a single laparoscopic suture to help with tunnel closure. STAT provides safe transgastric access and allows secure closure of the gastrotomy site.
EUS-guided photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for ablation of normal pancreatic tissue: a pilot study in a porcine model (with video)

Background EUS-guided photodynamic therapy (PDT) with the photosensitizing agent porfimer sodium has been shown to be effective in ablation of pancreatic tissue. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of EUS PDT with verteporfin, a photosensitizer associated with less photosensitivity. Design Prospective investigation of 6 swine that received an IV injection of 6 mg/m2 of verteporfin before EUS. Setting Hospital animal laboratory. Interventions The tail of the pancreas was located with EUS and was used to guide the placement of a light catheter. The pancreatic tail was exposed to 10, 15, or 20 minutes of laser light (689 nm). Main Outcome Measurements Follow-up abdominal CT, liver and renal function tests, and serum pancreatic enzymes levels were performed. Histology of the pancreas was obtained 7 days after the procedure on necropsy. Results Localized tissue necrosis within the pancreatic tail (range 6.6-30.5 mm in diameter) was seen in all animals. The diameter of the necrotic tissue was directly related to the dose of light. No post-procedural complications were observed. Limitations Normal animal model (lack of malignant tissue). Conclusions EUS-guided PDT of porcine pancreas with verteporfin achieved localized pancreatic tissue ablation in a dose-related fashion.
Recovery of Liquid CO2 from Cleaning Solutions Without Phase Change Using Ultrafiltration and Microfiltration Membranes

Recovery of liquid and supercritical fluid (SCF) CO2 in the application of CO2 as processing solvent in extraction, chemical, and biochemical reactions is an important issue. Membrane-based separation may provide an option in recovering CO2 in liquid and/or SCF phase without expensive, energy intensive recompression. The potential application of microporous inorganic membranes in separating liquid CO2 without phase change was investigated. A high-pressure membrane filtration unit was designed, built, and tested. Microporous stainless steel (0.2 μm) and ceramic (0.02 μm, and 1000 Dalton) tubular elements were retrofitted into in-house designed, high-pressure housings to test the functionality of the system using Triton X-100 solute in liquid CO2 as feed. In-house designed fiberoptic cells coupled with a UV–VIS spectrophotometer was used for on-line measurement of solute Triton X-100 in the feed and permeate streams. The fiberoptic cell coupled with UV–VIS spectrophotometer was capable of providing on-line ...
Verification of theoretically computed spectra for a point rotating in a vertical plane

Abstract The ability to generate a model tubulent wind as it is seen by a rotating blade, independent of measurement, is important in wind turbine design and testing. A theoretical model of the spectrum of rotationally sampled wind speed developed at the Pacific Northwest Laboratory is tested against corresponding measured wind spectra. The measured spectra were selected from a number of cases measured with a vertical plane array of anemometers. The array was set up to correspond to the tip circle of a nearby MOD-OA wind turbine rotor blade. For purposes of testing and of illuminating the process, the turbulence and mean wind shear were treated separately. In each case the test was based on two criteria, each involving comparison of results from the theoretical model and results from real data analysis. These criteria were the rotational spectra and the integration of the spectra within each harmonic band into energy. Particularly the latter criterion was used. The measured spectra were selected to represent different atmospheric stability conditions. The theory is shown to achieve respectable accuracy readily except when applied to the stable atmosphere case. Recommendations are made for selection of the values of atmospheric parameters to be used for computing the theoretical result. The importance of the length of time of a measured turbulence record that is to be used in estimating several parameters for input to the theoretical model applied to real wind conditions at a selected turbine site is discussed. The VAX 11/780 computer time required to generate a model spectrum is usually less than one minute.
Lateral force microscope calibration using a modified atomic force microscope cantilever

A proof-of-concept study is presented for a prototype atomic force microscope (AFM) cantilever and associated calibration procedure that provide a path for quantitative friction measurement using a lateral force microscope (LFM). The calibration procedure is based on the method proposed by Feiler et al. [Rev. Sci. Instrum. 71, 2746 (2000)] but allows for calibration and friction measurements to be carried out in situ and with greater precision. The modified AFM cantilever is equipped with lateral lever arms that facilitate the application of normal and lateral forces, comparable to those acting in a typical LFM friction experiment. The technique allows the user to select acceptable precision via a potentially unlimited number of calibration measurements across the full working range of the LFM photodetector. A microfabricated version of the cantilever would be compatible with typical commercial AFM instrumentation and allow for common AFM techniques such as topography imaging and other surface force measurements to be performed.
Money, Marriage, and Children: Testing the Financial Expectations and Family Formation Theory

Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Survey (N = 2,954), a birth cohort study, this work examines how gains in earnings and income are associated with marriage and subsequent childbearing for low-income couples. Using change models, results indicate that positive changes in earnings, controlling for baseline levels of earnings, were associated with greater odds of marriage. Cohabiting couples who became poor were associated with a 37% decrease in marriage likelihood. Neither earnings nor income was affiliated with additional fertility. Results are consistent with the Financial Expectations and Family Formation theory, which posits that positive economic circumstances are necessary for marriage, but are not associated with subsequent childbearing.
Thiamine deficiency in patients admitted to a palliative care unit

This study looks at the clinical and thiamine status of 50 terminally ill patients who were admitted to a palliative care unit. Thiamine levels were found to be abnormally low in 28% of the patients and borderline in a further 36%. Cognitive impairment, as measured by the mini-metal state examination (MMSE) of Folstein, Folstein and McHugh, was present in 68% of those tested and a significant correlation was found between the MMSE status and thiamine levels.
Assessment of morphometric measurements of prostate carcinoma volume

BACKGROUND The authors have shown that the primary determinants of prostate carcinoma progression are tumor volume and the percent of the tumor comprised of Gleason Grade 4/5 cells. In the current study the authors evaluated six different techniques for the morphometric measurements of prostate carcinoma volume. METHODS A computer-assisted image analysis (NIH Image, developed and maintained by the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD) was used to analyze all 108 step-sectioned prostate specimens obtained between January 1 and December 31, 1997. The authors used the Stanford technique of 0.3-cm step-sections, measuring the volume of the tumor at both 0.3-cm and 0.6-cm intervals. The other 4 methods included the authors' previous method based on an earlier image program, the ellipsoidal method (π ÷ 6 × width × height × length), an estimation of the square area of the largest tumor, and the maximum tumor dimension (MTD). RESULTS The authors first checked the accuracy of NIH Image analysis by measuring 24 circles of widely different sizes. The mean coefficient of variation was 1.7% and the correlation between the mean circle areas measured by the NIH Image software and true circle area essentially was perfect (correlation coefficient [r] = 1 and r2 = 0.999; P < 0.0001). In comparison with the authors' original computer image program using 0.3-cm step-sections measured by a different observer, r2 with the NIH Image analysis was 0.93. Using NIH Image only, the 0.6-cm step-section method missed measurable cancers in 16.7% of 108 radical prostatectomies in comparison with the 0.3-cm step-method. The mean tumor volume with the 0.6-cm section method (P < 0.0001) and the ellipsoidal method (P < 0.05) were significantly higher than with the 0.3-cm section method. r2 from linear regressions using the 0.3-cm step section method as the standard versus the ellipsoidal method was 0.594, and was 0.89 versus the 0.6-cm step-section method, 0.652 versus the square area estimation, and 0.527 versus the MTD method. CONCLUSIONS The results of the current study support NIH Image as a powerful software program for the morphometric measurement of prostate carcinoma volume. Pathologic processing with 0.3-cm section slices was found to be more accurate for tumor volume than the 0.6-cm section slices. The ellipsoidal method, the square area of the largest tumor, and the MTD all were found to be inferior to computer-assisted image analysis measurements. In certain clinical situations in which only estimates of tumor volume are required, the square area of the largest tumor appears to be the best choice (r2 0.652). Cancer 2000;89:1056–64. © 2000 American Cancer Society.
Computer-Assisted Rubric Evaluation: Enhancing Outcomes and Assessment Quality

This case study examines the use of computer-assisted grading rubrics using Blackboard’s ™ Rubric Evaluation Report to compare expected performance for each criterion of an assignment to the students’ level of achievement. Several studies have reported on the innovative and effective delivery of how learning management systems (LMS) can deliver real-time (immediate data delivery) antecedents that inform students of performance requirements (Atkinson & Lim, 2013; Goomas, in press). The impetus, then, is to perform an analysis on each criterion of the assignment in order to determine how closely student performance matched the requirements of the rubric. Used as an analytical tool, the instructor was able to direct students to particular learning activities and to adjust teaching tactics in order to meet or exceed the rubric requirements.
Rate modification in the heartbeat central pattern generator of the medicinal leech

1. Intracellular recordings from neurons in partially dissected leeches and isolated nerve cords were used to study the effects of temperature, sensory stimulation and locomotory activity on the output of the central pattern generator that drives heartbeat. 2. The rate of motor burst production by the heartbeat oscillator changes on gradual heating or cooling with a Q10 averaging around 2.4. Abrupt cooling of isolated nerve cords can induce additional changes in heart rate that are associated with ‘paradoxical’ firing of motor neurons. 3. Heart rate was accelerated when mechanical stimuli were applied to the body wall of partially dissected preparations or when restrained preparations spontaneously initiated movements. For instance, marked acceleration of heart rate occurred when preparations exhibited body movements and motor neuron activity characteristic of swimming in intact animals. Activation of the motor program for swimming in isolated nerve cords led to acceleration of heartbeat oscillator cycling. Accelerations of heart rate associated with swimming are therefore mediated at least partially through central interactions. 4. Individual identified neurons were tested for their influence on the cycle rate of the heartbeat oscillator in isolated nerve cords. Activity of individual mechanosensory neurons was found to accelerate heart rate. Touch mechanosensory neurons were also found to influence the heartbeat oscillator through a rapidly adapting inhibitory pathway. Activity of individual motorneurons generally did not affect heart rate. Some interneurons and neuroeffector cells known to cause motor activation (e.g. swim initiating interneurons, serotonergic Retzius cells) can also produce acceleration of heart rate.
The role of VAM fungi in nitrogen dynamics in maize-bean intercrops

Nitrogen (N) transfer from N-fixing legumes via vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi to associated non-fixing plants has been demonstrated in greenhouse experiments. To date, this transfer has been shown only where mineral N is applied shortly before harvest, and hence is readily available. We have yet to demonstrate VAM-mediated N transfer where soil-N is limiting, a condition under which most traditional legume-nonlegume intercrops are grown. In this study, 15N-enriched soil (with 0.28%N) was used to distinguish between the uptake of soil- and atmospherically-derived N in maize grown with beans in the presence or absence of VAM fungi. VAM infection did not result in transfer of fixed N or soil N from bean to maize, despite a VAM-stimulated increase in N fixation in bean. In fact, beans were more competitive for soil N when mycorrhizal. N content in beans increased by 75% with a concomitant 22% decrease in mg N per maize plant. The competitive effect may have resulted from a VAM-mediated shift in carbon allocation in beans (but not maize) from shoots to roots.
Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Advances in Science, Techniques, and Outcomes

More than 25% of children survive to hospital discharge after in-hospital cardiac arrests, and 5% to 10% survive after out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. This review of pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation addresses the epidemiology of pediatric cardiac arrests, mechanisms of coronary blood flow during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the 4 phases of cardiac arrest resuscitation, appropriate interventions during each phase, special resuscitation circumstances, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The key elements of pathophysiology that impact and match the timing, intensity, duration, and variability of the hypoxic-ischemic insult to evidence-based interventions are reviewed. Exciting discoveries in basic and applied-science laboratories are now relevant for specific subpopulations of pediatric cardiac arrest victims and circumstances (eg, ventricular fibrillation, neonates, congenital heart disease, extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Improving the quality of interventions is increasingly recognized as a key factor for improving outcomes. Evolving training strategies include simulation training, just-in-time and just-in-place training, and crisis-team training. The difficult issue of when to discontinue resuscitative efforts is addressed. Outcomes from pediatric cardiac arrests are improving. Advances in resuscitation science and state-of-the-art implementation techniques provide the opportunity for further improvement in outcomes among children after cardiac arrest.
GSK-3β Protein Phosphorylates and Stabilizes HLXB9 Protein in Insulinoma Cells to Form a Targetable Mechanism of Controlling Insulinoma Cell Proliferation

Insulinomas (pancreatic islet β cell tumors) are the most common type of functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors that occur sporadically or as a part of the MEN1 syndrome that is caused by germ line mutations in MEN1. Tissue-specific tumor predisposition from germ line mutations in ubiquitously expressed genes such as MEN1 could occur because of functional consequences on tissue-specific factors. We previously reported the proapoptotic β cell differentiation factor HLXB9 as a downstream target of menin (encoded by MEN1). Here we show that GSK-3β inactivates the proapoptotic activity of HLXB9 by phosphorylating HLXB9 at Ser-78/Ser-80 (pHLXB9). Although HLXB9 is found in the nucleus and cytoplasm, pHLXB9 is predominantly nuclear. Both pHLXB9 and active GSK-3β are elevated in β cells with menin knockdown, in MEN1-associated β cell tumors (insulinomas), and also in human sporadic insulinomas. Pharmacologic inhibition of GSK-3β blocked cell proliferation in three different rodent insulinoma cell lines by arresting the cells in G2/M phase and caused apoptosis. Taken together, these data suggest that the combination of GSK-3β and pHLXB9 forms a therapeutically targetable mechanism of insulinoma pathogenesis. Our results reveal that GSK-3β and pHLXB9 can serve as novel targets for insulinoma treatment and have implications for understanding the pathways associated with β cell proliferation.
Iron Requirement of Chicks Fed a Semipurified Diet Based on Casein and Soy Protein Concentrate

An Fe depletion and repletion study was conducted to determine the Fe requirement of chicks fed a casein-dextrose diet containing soy protein concentrate. Weight gain, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and serum total Fe showed marked increases when graded levels (0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg/kg) of Fe from analytical grade FeSO4.7H2O were added to an Fe-deficient basal diet containing 46.5 mg Fe/kg. Subjecting the hemoglobin data to broken-line analysis indicated that the Fe requirement was 38.5 mg/kg of supplemental Fe (i.e., total dietary Fe of 85 mg/kg). Heart hypertrophy was observed in Fe-deficient chicks, but Fe supplementation (more than 20 mg/kg) alleviated the problem.
Stochastic nonparametric models of uncertain hysteretic oscillators

A study is presented of the significant issues encountered in the modeling and characterization of uncertainties in the parameters of hysteretic nonlinear systems that are subjected to deterministic excitations. A single-degree-of-freedom system, with bilinear hysteretic characteristics, is employed to investigate the propagation of uncertainties in the dominant parameters that control the idealized restoring force associated with such a system. Random variations are introduced in the nominal value of each of the dominant parameters. Monte Carlo simulation approaches are used to generate a large, statistically significant, ensemble of time history records that are subsequently used to determine the distribution of the corresponding transient response and establish the probabilistic bounds on the response time history. The restoring force method is used to determine the power-series coefficients that define an approximating surface that characterizes the system behavior. The statistics of the identified coefficients are determined and shown to provide a powerful tool for quantifying the level and features of the uncertainty in the nonlinear system. Furthermore, it is shown that the general methodology presented allows the estimation through analytical procedures of the uncertain system's response bounds when it is excited by a different dynamic load than the one used to identify it.
Peripheral Regulation of the Growth Hormone-Insulin-Like Growth Factor System in Fish and Other Vertebrates

The growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system plays a major role in coordinating the growth of vertebrates including fish. Considerable research on the regulation of growth has focused on the production and secretion of GH from the pituitary. This review will synthesize recent work on regulating extrapituitary aspects of the GH–IGF system, which includes GH binding proteins (GHBP), GH receptors (GHR), IGF binding protein (IGFBP), and IGF receptors (IGFR). These components are widely distributed and they interact to coordinate growth as well as a host of other biological processes such as metabolism, osmoregulation, reproduction, behavior, and immunity. The GH–IGF system of fish is particularly interesting and complex because it consists of multiple subtypes of GHRs, IGFRs, and IGFBPs that arose through gene duplication events associated with the evolution of the teleost lineage. Peripheral regulation of the GH–IGF system results from adjusting peripheral sensitivity to GH and IGFs as well as from modulating the bioavailability and actions of GH and IGFs in target cells. Numerous chemicals, including hormones such as growth hormone, insulin, somatostatin, and sex steroids as well as a variety of transcription factors, proteases, and phosphatases, regulate the synthesis and activity of GHRs, GHBPs, IGFRs, and IGFBPs as well as the synthesis, secretion, and bioavailability of IGFs. In addition, numerous environmental factors such as nutritional state, photoperiod, stress, and temperature have dramatic effects on the expression and activity of peripheral components of the GH/IGF system. The complex regulation of these system components appears to be both organism- and tissue-specific.
Variation between two switchgrass cultivars for components of vegetative and seed biomass.

Biomass production potential in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) populations is inversely related to latitude of origin. However, phenological adaptation limits the latitudinal range from which to select populations for breeding for biomass in the northern Great Plains. Objectives of this study were to compare patterns of biomass partitioning, determine importance of tiller density and size, and identify morphological traits as potential selection criteria for two cultivars, Summer (origin 40° 42' N, 95° 52' W) and Sunburst (origin 42° 42' N, 96° 41' W), of comparable phenology. Summer (12.6 Mg ha -1 ) produced 20% more vegetative biomass than Sunburst and had higher percent reproductive tillers (62% vs. 40%) and more phytomers tiller1 (7.9 vs. 6.4). Sunburst had more tillers m-2 (677 vs. 530). Cultivars did not differ for seed biomass (311 kg ha -1 ), but seeds of Sunburst (1.8 mg seed -1 ) were 90% heavier than seeds of Summer. Vegetative biomass decreased acropetally among phytomers. Reproductive tillers per m2 and seed mass per panicle were accurate predictors of vegetative and seed biomass, respectively. Frequency of reproductive tillers, number of phytomers per tiller, and rate of phytomer development morphologically differentiated Summer and Sunburst and were potential selection criteria for improving biomass yield within a maturity class of switchgrass adapted to the northern Great Plains.
Emittance correction of photocathode gun

The standard emittance calculation removes linear correlations between transverse displacement r and the divergence r{prime}. Higher order correlations remain and they are responsible for a substantial area in phase space which corresponds to the calculated emittance. Time dependent correlations are identified and different procedures (transverse and longitudinal laser shaping, rf quadrulope) are proposed to remove them. The Brookhaven National Laboratory rf gun has been studied; however, in order to more clearly demonstrate the desired effects, the accelerating field and bunch length have been assumed to be more optimistic than the present operating values. This approach reduces the realizable emittance by a factor of 5 with respect to the value before the correction. 9 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab
Design and use of interference passband filters with wide-angle lenses for multispectral photography.

Interference passband filters with wide angle lenses for multispectral photography, discussing design and applications
Regulation of transcription of the murine γ-glutamyl hydrolase gene. Delineation of core promoter A and the role of LYF-1, E2F and ETS-1 in determining tumor-specific expression

Abstract Our earlier studies (Gene 268 (2001) 183) showed that transcription of the mouse γ-glutamyl hydrolase (γGH) gene is under the control of two separate promoters widely distributed within the genome. We now report on further studies examining the functional characteristics of the more efficient promoter (promoter A) which is contiguous with an exon 1 (exon A1a) alternate within the main body of the gene. Functional deletion analysis of promoter A in pGL3 transfected in NIH3T3 cells defined a 189 bp region of sequence 26 bp upstream of exon A1a as mediating core promoter transcriptional activity. Further functional deletion analysis and site-directed mutagenesis attributed the activity of this core region to the presence of five SP1 sites within the most upstream 130 bp of sequence and the presence of three cis -active elements, Ets-1, Lyf-1 and E2F in the remaining downstream 59 bp of sequence. Electrophoretic gel-mobility shift assays showed that differences in the binding of trans- acting factors to these three elements accounts for the tumor-specific expression of this gene. Finally, analysis by fluorescent in situ hybridization revealed that promoter A and the main body of the mouse γGH gene are located between A3 and A5 on chromosome 4. This is an interesting finding in light of our earlier results which located promoter B and two associated alternates of exon 1 of this gene on chromosome 17.
Coexpression of FGF-5 and bFGF by the retinal pigment epithelium in vitro

Members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) gene family have been proposed to play critical roles in the biology of the outer retina. In this study, in vitro cultures of human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells were surveyed for the expression of FGF gene family members. Northern analysis provided evidence for the expression of the previously reported 7.0 and 3.7 kb basic FGF (bFGF) transcripts and for the 4.0 and 2.1 kb FGF-5 transcripts. Western analysis demonstrated the presence of three bFGF proteins ranging in size from 18 to 26 kDa and three FGF-5 proteins of molecular weights 28.5, 34, and 36 kDa. We were particularly interested in cellular mechanisms which might regulate the steady-state mRNA levels of these genes. It was determined that bFGF message levels decreased with increasing culture density, increased upon serum stimulation and when placed in contact with matrix components found in the extracellular matrix of RPE cells in vivo. In a similar fashion, the steady state mRNA levels for FGF-5 decreased with increasing culture density, increased upon serum stimulation, but appeared to be unaffected by matrix contact.
Intermolecular polaron and bipolaron tunneling in C60.

Intermolecular tunneling of polarons and bipolarons is studied in ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ in the limit of weak electron-electron interactions. It is shown that the effective mass of the polaron is renormalized only weakly by intramolecular electron-phonon interactions. However, using the adiabatic approximation, it is found that the Franck-Condon effect would essentially localize the bipolaron on a single molecule in the limit of narrow conduction bandwidth. Indeed, the effective mass of the bipolaron would be increased by more than a factor of ${10}^{3}$. Combined with the observed metallic behavior of doped ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$, this suggests that either the electronic correlation effects are important or that the conduction band is not too narrow in order to suppress the artificially large mass renormalization or to inhibit the bipolaron formation altogether.
Evaluation of Dairy–Yeast Prebiotic Supplementation in the Diet of Juvenile Goldfish in the Presence or Absence of Phytoplankton and Zooplankton

Abstract Prebiotics recently have been shown to increase immune responses and disease resistance in certain fish species; therefore, the current study was conducted to evaluate the commercially available dairy–yeast prebiotic, GroBiotic-A, for use with juvenile goldfish Carassius auratus. The study consisted of two 10-week feeding trials in which juvenile goldfish were fed practical diets that were either unsupplemented or supplemented with the dairy–yeast prebiotic at 2% by dry weight. Juvenile fish were sorted by size and stocked into 12 units within each of two culture systems: one indoor system supplied with recirculated well water and one system located outdoors with a continuous flow of pond water to provide a source of phytoplankton and zooplankton. Both diets were fed to fish in six units within each system at the same fixed percentage of body weight twice daily. Culture system (i.e., presence or absence of phytoplankton and zooplankton) was the primary factor influencing (P < 0.0001) percent weig...
Improving patients' experiences with cancer treatment

Outcomes research in oncology is a relatively young field, but its potential for expanding our understanding of patients' experiences with cancer gives it increasing relevance to clinical oncology research. We provide a brief overview of the growing prevalence of oncology outcomes research, and we discuss some of the key areas of inquiry currently engaging outcomes researchers. In doing so, we introduce the articles in this supplemental section, which address some of the unique concerns of outcomes researchers and outline the most important challenges confronting this research community.