cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Organophosphate insecticide use and cancer incidence among spouses of pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study

Objectives Organophosphates (OPs) are among the most commonly used insecticides. OPs have been linked to cancer risk in some epidemiological studies, which have been largely conducted in predominantly male populations. We evaluated personal use of specific OPs and cancer incidence among female spouses of pesticide applicators in the prospective Agricultural Health Study cohort. Methods At enrolment (1993–1997), spouses provided information about ever use of specific pesticides, including 10 OPs, demographic information, reproductive health history and other potential confounders. We used Poisson regression to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs for all cancers diagnosed through 2010 for North Carolina and through 2011 for Iowa. Results Among 30 003 women, 25.9% reported OP use, and 718 OP-exposed women were diagnosed with cancer during the follow-up period. Any OP use was associated with an elevated risk of breast cancer (RR=1.20, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.43). Malathion, the most commonly reported OP, was associated with increased risk of thyroid cancer (RR=2.04, 95% CI 1.14 to 3.63) and decreased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (RR=0.64, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.99). Diazinon use was associated with ovarian cancer (RR=1.87, 95% CI 1.02 to 3.43). Conclusions We observed increased risk with OP use for several hormonally-related cancers, including breast, thyroid and ovary, suggesting potential for hormonally-mediated effects. This study represents the first comprehensive analysis of OP use and cancer risk among women, and thus demonstrates a need for further evaluation.
Prevalence and Correlates of Educational Intervention Utilization Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study examined the prevalence and correlates of educational intervention utilization among U.S. preschool aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prior to recent policy changes. The analysis was based on a nationally representative longitudinal survey of children receiving special education services during the 2003–2004 school year. All children with parent or teacher identified ASD over a 3-year study period were analyzed. Outcomes included utilization of speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavior therapy, and mental health services by service sector. The analysis revealed low rates of behavioral therapy and mental health services. Parents reported that the overwhelming majority of services were received inside school only. This study identified gaps in the provision of services for young children with ASD.
Current risks of transfusion-transmitted agents: a review.

Abstract Context.—Infectious disease testing has dramatically improved the safety of blood for transfusion in the United States, especially since the introduction in 1999 of nucleic acid amplificat...
Posterior fossa problems in hydrocephalic children treated with shunts

Fourteen hydrocephalic children with functioning lateral ventricular shunts developed posterior fossa problems: posterior fossa cyst (7 patients); isolated fourth ventricle (6 patients), and concomitant dilatation of third and fourth ventricles (1 patient). Posterior fossa symptoms were present in only 2 children; 10 had nonspecific symptoms and 2 were asymptomatic. Computed tomography was the most useful investigation for diagnosis and management. Decompression of progressing posterior fossa lesions was attempted in 5 patients: cystoperitoneal shunt (3), marsupialization (1), and aspiration (1). All 5 patients had initial symptomatic relief but symptoms recurred subsequently; 2 eventually died of severe ventriculitis. The remaining 9 did not require posterior fossa surgery.
Is it important to examine gender differences in the epidemiology and outcome of severe heart failure

See related editorials on pages 1245 and 1253. N early 5 million Americans have heart failure (HF) today, with an incidence approaching 10 per 1000 population in persons older than 65 years of age; approximately 50% of these patients are women (Figure 1). In 2000, 62.3% of all HF mortalities occurred among women; 20% of those patients died within 1 year of their diagnosis, and less than 15% of women survive more than 8 to 12 years after diagnosis. These results notwithstanding, the Framingham study recently noted that the age-adjusted rates of HF are higher among men, with no significant change in this rate over a 50-year period. Among women, the incidence of HF has decreased by 31% to 40% in the decades after 1950. HF is the reason for at least 20% of all hospital admissions in persons older than 65 years, and over the past decade, hospitalizations for HF have increased by 159%. Women who have been hospitalized with HF have less improvement in physical health status and perceive their quality of care to be lower than that of their male cohorts. Of the thousands of patients disabled from HF within 6 years of their diagnosis, 46% are adult women compared with only 22% of men. In 1997, an estimated $5501 was spent for every hospital-discharge diagnosis of HF, and another $1742 per month was required to care for each patient after discharge. Gender has been shown to be an important determinant of hospital length of stay, hospital charges, and mortality during hospitalization. The above statistics and countless other graphs, studies, and reports chronicle 2 very important issues: (1) the syndrome of HF has reached epidemic proportions in the United States and throughout the world, and (2) the disease appears to have different characteristics in men and women. It is reasonable to postulate that an elucidation of these sex-specific differences might suggest novel approaches to the prevention of this serious disorder. Moreover, additional insights into genderspecific pathophysiologic mechanisms that lead to HF might be used to develop unique therapies for this relentlessly lethal disease. This review, then, should be regarded as more than a politically expedient exercise but as one part of the larger battle to fight the syndrome of HF in all its forms. We would also like to acknowledge the newer literature on this subject since the outstanding review of Petrie and colleagues was published in 1999.
Human ES cells: Starting Culture from Frozen Cells

Here we demonstrate how our lab begins a HuES human embryonic stem cell line culture from a frozen stock. First, a one to two day old ten cm plate of approximately one (to two) million irradiated mouse embryonic fibroblast feeder cells is rinsed with HuES media to remove residual serum and cell debris, and then HuES media added and left to equilibrate in the cell culture incubator. A frozen vial of cells from long term liquid nitrogen storage or a -80 C freezer is sourced and quickly submerged in a 37 C water bath for quick thawing. Cells in freezing media are then removed from the vial and placed in a large volume of HuES media. The large volume of HuES media facilitates removal of excess serum and DMSO, which can cause HuES human embryonic stem cells to differentiate. Cells are gently spun out of suspension, and then re-suspended in a small volume of fresh HuES media that is then used to seed the MEF plate. It is considered important to seed the MEF plate by gently adding the HuES cells in a drop wise fashion to evenly disperse them throughout the plate. The newly established HuES culture plate is returned to the incubator for 48 hrs before media is replaced, then is fed every 24 hours thereafter.
Pineal and ectopic pineal tumors: the role of radiation therapy.

Seventeen patients with pineal tumors and one ectopic (suprasellar) germinoma were treated with radiation therapy. Surgery was restricted to decompression in 16 patients, and only two patients had resection of the tumor. Thirteen of 18 patients are alive without evidence for disease with a ten-year survival rate of 88%. The tumor dose ranged from 4000 rads to 6000 rads. No age or dose dependence in survival was noted, but patients with whole brain irradiation or generous volume to include ventricular system had better survival. No case of spinal metastasis was noted. The possibility of increased incidence of meningeal seeding following surgical intervention is considered. From their data, the authors feel that radiation therapy with or without surgical decompression should be the primary treatment for pinealoma. Surgery can be used for diagnosis and/or treatment of patients who show delayed response to radiation. Recommendation is made for the use of whole brain irradiation to 4000 rads followed by a boost to the tumor area to 5000 rads.
Local infrasound observations of large ash explosions at Augustine Volcano, Alaska, during January 11-28, 2006

[1] We present and interpret acoustic waveforms associated with a sequence of large explosion events that occurred during the initial stages of the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska. During January 11–28, 2006, 13 large explosion events created ash-rich plumes that reached up to 14 km a.s.l., and generated atmospheric pressure waves that were recorded on scale by a microphone located at a distance of 3.2 km from the active vent. The variety of recorded waveforms included sharp N-shaped waves with durations of a few seconds, impulsive signals followed by complex codas, and extended signals with emergent character and durations up to minutes. Peak amplitudes varied between 14 and 105 Pa; inferred acoustic energies ranged between 2 × 108 and 4 × 109 J. A simple N-shaped short-duration signal recorded on January 11, 2006 was associated with the vent-opening blast that marked the beginning of the explosive eruption sequence. During the following days, waveforms with impulsive onsets and extended codas accompanied the eruptive activity, which was characterized by explosion events that generated large ash clouds and pyroclastic flows along the flanks of the volcano. Continuous acoustic waveforms that lacked a clear onset were more common during this period. On January 28, 2006, the occurrence of four large explosion events marked the end of this explosive eruption phase at Augustine Volcano. After a transitional period of about two days, characterized by many small discrete bursts, the eruption changed into a stage of more sustained and less explosive activity accompanied by the renewed growth of a summit lava dome.
Photoemission spectroscopy of high-Tc superconductors

Abstract High-resolution, angle-resolved photoemission studies of high-temperature superconductors have yielded a great deal of information about the electronic states near the Fermi level. For Bi 2212, a gap (2Δ/ kT c = 7) is seen. The angle dependent studies show the gap to be isotropic in the plane. In the normal state, bands are seen to disperse through the Fermi level, indicating a Fermi surface that is consistent with that obtained in a single particle calculation. The states below the Fermi level, however, are heavier than single particle bands and the lifetime broadening is effectively linear in energy.
Examination of the chin or lower abdomen only for the prediction of hirsutism

Abstract Objective: To test the hypothesis that scoring terminal hair growth on only the chin or abdomen can serve as a reliable predictor for hirsutism. Design: A prospective observational study. Patient(s): Six hundred and ninety-five consecutive hyperandrogenic women seen between June 1987 and December 1997. Main Outcome Measure(s): All hirsutism exams were performed by one examiner. Hirsutism was scored using a modification of the Ferriman-Gallwey (F-G) method. An F-G score of ≥8 defined hirsutism. Result(s): Of the 695 women examined 352 (50.1%) had hirsutism scores of 8. Thirty percent (79 of 344) of women who had an F-G score of Conclusion(s): A hair growth score of ≥2 on the chin or lower abdomen only was found to be a highly sensitive predictor for hirsutism. However, because of its very low PPV, this screening method is virtually useless in populations where the hirsutism frequency is expected to be low, about 5%. However, this screening method for the detection of hirsutism would be useful for the study of high-risk populations with an expected hirsutism prevalence of >20% (e.g., family studies).
Interannual variability in dissolved inorganic nutrients in Northern San Francisco Bay Estuary

Nearly two decades of seasonal dissolved inorganic nutrient-salinity distributions in northern San Francisco Bay estuary (1960–1980) illustrate interannual variations in effects of river flow (a nutrient source) and phytoplankton productivity (a nutrient sink). During winter, nutrient sources dominate the nutrient-salinity distribution patterns (nutrients are at or exceed conservative mixing concentrations). During summer, however, the sources and sinks are in close competition. In summers of wet years, the effects of increased river flow often dominate the nutrient distributions (nutrients are at or less than conservative mixing concentrations), whereas in summers of dry years, phytoplankton productivity dominates (the very dry years 1976–1977 were an exception for reasons not yet clearly known). Such source/ sink effects also vary with chemical species. During summer the control of phytoplankton on nutrient distributions is apparently strongest for ammonium, less so for nitrate and silica, and is the least for phosphate. Furthermore, the strength of the silica sink (diatom productivity) is at a maximum at intermediate river flows. This relation, which is in agreement with other studies based on phytoplankton abundance and enumeration, is significant to the extent that diatoms are an important food source for herbivores.
5-Heteroatom-substituted pyrazoles as canine COX-2 inhibitors: Part 2. Structure–activity relationship studies of 5-alkylethers and 5-thioethers

Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of novel 2-[3-trifluoromethyl-5-alkyl(thio)ether pyrazo-1-yl]-5-methanesulfonyl pyridine derivatives for canine COX enzymes are described. The 4-cyano-5-alkyl ethers were found to have excellent potency and selectivity, whereas the 5-thioethers were potent but less selective than the ether analogs in a canine whole blood (CWB) COX-2 assay.
Modeling the initialization process of a space-launched kinetic energy weapon

A six degree-of-freedom simulation modeling an SDI space-based kinetic energy weapon is examined to analyze the models which represent the interceptor component initialization scheme. The initialization scheme consists of the first downlink of target information from the radar platform to the launch platform, the handing down of launch platform initial parameters to the interceptor, the predicted impact point algorithm and launcher training, and the interceptor on-board Kalman filter and target predictor start-up procedure. These conceptual models are defined and associated error sources are applied. The impact of the initialization errors on the kinetic energy weapon system performance, as dictated by six degree-of-freedom simulation test runs, is discussed.
A stochastic learning model of migration

Abstract It is observed in this paper that although the Harris-Todaro theory is intended to provide insight into rural-urban migration, their formal model describes a theory of equilibrium population densities, and although this can be used for comparative static analyses, it is not immediately applicable to the disequilibrium dynamic process whereby these densities change over time. A very simple stochastic (Markov) choice model found in the psychological adaptive learning literature is applied to the migration problem, and it is found that a dynamic equation similar to that used by Todaro can be obtained explicitly from this model. The possibility that migration rates might accelerate even in the presence of constant urban-rural wage differentials is derived.
Dogmatism, Field Dependence, and Perception of Demand Characteristics in a Verbal Operant Conditioning Experiment.

Using a 2 × 2 analysis of variance design, effects of dogmatism and field dependence on subjects' awareness of demand characteristics in a verbal operant conditioning experiment were investigated. From 103 introductory psychology students who participated in a replication of an earlier verbal conditioning experiment, 92 were randomly selected for final study. It was found that only subjects aware of the purpose of the conditioning study appeared to “condition”. Subject awareness was assessed by a series of converging questions which were independently content analyzed by two judges and coded to yield a total awareness score. Based on earlier research it was expected that dogmatism and field dependence would interact to affect levels of awareness. The two-way interaction was statistically significant (p < .05) as predicted. The results were discussed in terms of speculations regarding the modes of perceptual functioning involved in perceiving demand cues.
Reduction of dangerously aggressive behavior in a severely retarded resident through a combination of positive reinforcement procedures.

A severely retarded resident was released from a timeout chair only occasionally for brief periods of time. Under the timeout contingency alone, the subject made a choke response within minutes of being released. Attention, such as hugs, smiles, and candy was then increased, first by providing it non-contingently and continuously as long as there were no aggressive responses and then, by making it contingent upon incompatible responses. Under conditions of timeout plus increased attention, choking decreased aburptly. Grabbing responses, which increased when choking was reduced, were also reduced under conditions of timeout plus attention. Unrestrained time was gradually increased and all extra attention, i.e., more scheduled attention than provided other residents, was gradually withdrawn. When the resident was unrestrained all day and all extra attention was withdrawn, grabs and, to a lesser extent, chokes increased. Both were again reduced to a manageable level by scheduling several brief periods of attention each day. Hence, the program resulted in quick reductions that endured when the program was largely withdrawn. The changes in aggressive responding as a function of the presence and absence of extra attention suggest the importance of extra “positive reinforcement” in programs based upon positive reinforcement procedures and dealing with retarded residents for whom positive reinforcers may be scarce.
FINITE-ELEMENT AND SIMPLIFIED MODELS OF GFRP CONNECTIONS

Finite-element models of a variety of joints between glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) pultruded members are described that reproduce experimentally measured linear elastic stiffnesses to within 10%. The models were constructed using shell finite elements. The material properties of the pultrusions were measured using a combination of tests and fits to numerical models. This approach produced elastic constants that proved reliable in the subsequent finite-element modeling of the joints. Standard data provided by the manufacturer gave inaccurate predictions of the joint stiffnesses. Two types of simplified models were also considered: simplified beam models and a condensed finite-element model. The simplified beam models replace the joint with an elastic connection region and a torsional spring. The condensed finite-element models use a detailed shell element model of the joint to extract the equivalent stiffnesses of the joint that can be used with a standard frame analysis package. When compared with experimental data, the simplified beam models performed poorly. However, the condensed finite-element models performed almost as well as the detailed finite models.
Flucytosine in urinary candida infections.

Abstract Flucytosine (Ancobon), a chlorinated pyrimidine, was used in the treatment of 30patients with serious Candida infections of the urinary tract. Criteria for treatment included Candida counts greater than 10,000 colonies per milliliter; elevated serum antibody titers against Candida antigen, and lack of response to local antifungal therapy. Twenty-three of 30 patients (77 per cent): responded to treatment. Side effects were few and limited to reversible changes in liver function and bone marrow. Flucytosine given orally provides the physician with a new treatment for significant Candida infections.
Development of risk assessment for nuclear power: insights from history

Nuclear power plays an important role in the global energy economy, but its safety has been a contentious issue for over 50 years. Based on new designs of nuclear power plants, new methods of assessing risks, and calculations of cost efficiency, proponents of nuclear power see it as safe and necessary, but skeptics do not. How can people be so divided on a fundamental issue like safety? Part of the answer lies in the history of risk assessment’s invention, development, and deployment. The US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) developed a form of risk assessment extensively used today: probabilistic risk assessment (PRA). The AEC originally wanted to strategically assure the public of nuclear power’s safety. Controversy greeted PRA’s debut, however, and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, AEC’s successor agency, changed PRA into a tactical tool. Scientific and ethical criticisms, political opposition to nuclear power, and accidents combined to force the transition. In contrast to PRA for nuclear power, other forms of risk assessment successfully entered the regulation of toxic chemicals. The safety of nuclear power still elicits sharp disagreements between opponents and proponents of the technology, which in turn leaves a cloud over the future of the technology.
Stimulation of solavetivone synthesis in free and immobilized cells of Hyoscyamus muticus by Rhizoctonia solani fungal components

Three elicitor fractions including spent culture medium, hydrolyzed mycelial pellet, and hydrolyzed mycelial biomass supernatant were tested for their ability to induce sesquiterpene formation in freely suspended and immobilized cells. Immobilization enhanced the effectiveness of the hydrolysate elicitors, but not that derived from spent culture medium. When effectiveness of the elicitors is compared based on product yield, spent culture medium is shown to be far more effective than hydrolysates as an elicitor.
The non-linear behavior of a gas density detector — a theoretical basis

Abstract A detailed theoretical analysis of the gas density balance detector has been conducted and a general relationship for the detector response (that involves the detector dimensions, molecular weight of the carrier gas and the solute, the reference to carrier gas flow ratio, the mole fraction of the solute in the column effluent as major parameters) has been developed. Consequences of the non-linear terms have been analyzed and the theoretical predictions have been compared with the available experimental data. A new set of criteria for the linear response conditions have also been advanced.
A Monte Carlo Investigation of Unit Root Tests and Long Memory in Detecting Mean Reversion in I(0) Regime Switching, Structural Break, and Nonlinear Data

The potential observational equivalence between various types of nonlinearity and long memory has been recognized by the econometrics community since at least the contribution of Diebold and Inoue (2001). A large literature has developed in an attempt to ascertain whether or not the long memory finding in many economic series is spurious. Yet to date, no study has analyzed the consequences of using long memory methods to test for unit roots when the “truth” derives from regime switching, structural breaks, or other types of mean reverting nonlinearity. In this article, I conduct a comprehensive Monte Carlo analysis to investigate the consequences of using tests designed to have power against fractional integration when the actual data generating process is unknown. I additionally consider the use of tests designed to have power against breaks and threshold nonlinearity. The findings are compelling and demonstrate that the use of long memory as an approximation to nonlinearity yields tests with relatively ...
S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) as an adjunct for resistant major depressive disorder: an open trial following partial or nonresponse to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or venlafaxine.

Background The purpose of this open trial was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of oral S-adenosyl-L-methionine as an antidepressant adjunct among partial and nonresponders to serotonin reuptake inhibitors or venlafaxine. Method Thirty antidepressant-treated adult outpatients with persisting major depressive disorder received 800 to 1600 mg of S-adenosyl-L-methionine tosylate over a 6-week trial. Results Intent-to-treat analyses based on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale revealed a response rate of 50% and a remission rate of 43% following augmentation with S-adenosyl-L-methionine. Gastrointestinal symptoms and headaches were the most common side effects. Conclusion Augmentation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or venlafaxine with S-adenosyl-L-methionine warrants a placebo-controlled trial in resistant depression.
A field investigation into the effects of interspecific competition on the distribution and cover of Ulothrix flacca

Ulothrix flacca is a filamentous green alga found in its greatest abundance in the littoral fringe of the rocky intertidal during the winter months. It is much less abundant below this level. This experiment was undertaken tot determine if the lower abundance below the littoral fringe is due to the effects of interspecific competition or physiological limitations. Clearing experiments were performed on the Coast of Maine, USA to eliminate competition. Belts 10 cm wide that ran from the littoral fringe downward into the eulittoral zone were cleared of all attached organisms down to bare rock. A second condition was set up in which only the brown algal canopy was removed from a 60 cm wide belt. Unaltered belts were designated as controls. Squares 0.25 m2 in area were cleared in the littoral fringe and eulittoral zone. U. flacca was able to colonize the cleared areas of the eulittoral zone and reach abundances equal to those found in the unaltered control areas of the littoral fringe. This indicates that physiological limitations do not restrict the abundance of U. flacca in the eulittoral zone. However, evidence of grazing in cleared areas adjacent to high concentrations of the barnacle Semibalanus balanoides suggest that competition alone is not responsible for the limited abundance of U. flacca in the eulittoral zone. Herbivores associated with the presence of barnacles may also have an impact on the abundance of U. flacca, even during the winter months.
Molecular Transport from an Atomic Force Microscope Tip: A Comparative Study of Dip-Pen Nanolithography

Dip-pen nanolithography (DPN), the direct transport of a “molecular ink” onto a substrate from an AFM tip, is of interest both as a potential industrial patterning tool and as a means to study molecular behavior. We investigated DPN for the patterning of both octadecanethiol (ODT) and mercaptohexadecanoic acid (MHA). The molecular transport of ODT and MHA does not require a water meniscus but takes place because the molecules are individually mobile. The effects of relative humidity and temperature on the patterning of each molecule were investigated. While the molecular transport rate for MHA increases slightly with increased relative humidity, the rate of molecular transport for ODT exhibits no dependence on relative humidity (although relative humidity affects the resulting molecular distribution). The transport rate of both molecules increases exponentially with temperature, consistent with an activation barrier of about 0.75 eV. Although the molecular fluxes of MHA and ODT vary with tip preparation a...
The ages of pedestal craters on Mars: Evidence for a late-Amazonian extended period of episodic emplacement of decameters-thick mid-latitude ice deposits

Abstract There is significant geomorphologic evidence for the past presence of longitudinally widespread, latitudinally zoned deposits composed of ice-rich material at the northern and southern mid latitudes on Mars (lobate debris aprons, lineated valley fill, concentric crater fill, pedestal craters, etc.). Among these features, pedestal craters (Pd) are impact craters interpreted to have produced a protective layer on top of decameters-thick ice deposits now missing in intercrater regions. The time during which these various deposits were present is still highly debated. To address this question we have analyzed the distribution and characteristics of pedestal craters; here, we use a population of 2287 pedestal craters (Pd) to derive a crater retention age for the entire population, obtaining a minimum timescale of formation of ~90 Myr. Given that the ice-rich deposit has not been continuously present for this duration, the timescale of formation is necessarily longer than ~100 Myr. We then compiled impact crater size-frequency distribution dates for 50 individual pedestal craters in both hemispheres to further assess the frequency distribution of individual ages. We calculated pedestal crater ages that ranged from ~1 Myr to ~3.6 Gyr, with a median of ~140 Myr. In addition, 70% of the pedestal ages are less than 250 Myr. During the 150 Myr period between 25 Ma and 175 Ma, we found at least one pedestal age every 15 Myr. This suggests that the ice-rich paleodeposit accumulated frequently during that time period. We then applied these results to the relationship between obliquity and latitudinal ice stability to suggest some constraints on the obliquity history of Mars over the past 200 Myr. Atmospheric general circulation models indicate that ice stability over long periods in the mid latitudes is favored by moderate mean obliquities in the ~35° range. Models of spin-axis/orbital parameter evolution predict that the average obliquity of Mars is ~38°. Our data represent specific observational evidence that ice-rich deposits accumulated frequently during the past 200 Myr, supporting the prediction that Mars was characterized by this obliquity range during an extensive part of that time period. Using these results as a foundation, the dating of other non-polar ice deposits will permit the specific obliquity history to be derived and lead to an assessment of volatile transport paths in the climate history of Mars.
Negative regulation of the Arabidopsis homeotic gene AGAMOUS by the APETALA2 product

We characterized the distribution of AGAMOUS (AG) RNA during early flower development in Arabidopsis. Mutations in this homeotic gene cause the transformation of stamens to petals in floral whorl 3 and of carpels to another ag flower in floral whorl 4. We found that AG RNA is present in the stamen and carpel primordia but is undetectable in sepal and petal primordia throughout early wild-type flower development, consistent with the mutant phenotype. We also analyzed the distribution of AG RNA in apetela2 (ap2) mutant flowers. AP2 is a floral homeotic gene that is necessary for the normal development of sepals and petals in floral whorls 1 and 2. In ap2 mutant flowers, AG RNA is present in the organ primordia of all floral whorls. These observations show that the expression patterns of the Arabidopsis floral homeotic genes are in part established by regulatory interactions between these genes.
γδ T cells: A new frontier for immunotherapy?

Abstract The use of cytolytic effector cells as therapy for malignant disease has been a central focus of basic and clinical research for nearly 2 decades. Since the original descriptions of in vitro lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity against human tumor cells, there have been numerous attempts to exploit such observations for therapeutic use, with decidedly mixed results. Most studies have focused on the role of either natural killer cells or cytotoxic CD8+ αβ T cells as the primary mediators of antitumor cytotoxicity, and until recently little attention has been paid to the role of γδ T cells in this capacity. This is partially due to a lack of understanding of the mechanisms of γδ T-cell immune responses to tumors, as well as the practical problem of obtaining a sufficient number of γδ T cells for clinical-scale administration. In this article, we discuss the biological and clinical rationale for developing γδ T cell-based immunotherapies for the treatment of a variety of malignant conditions. It is our view that infusing supraphysiological numbers of tumor-reactive γδ T cells—either in the autologous or allogeneic setting—might be used to restore or augment innate immune responses against malignancies. Accordingly, we will also discuss how we and others are working to overcome some of the practical limitations that have so far limited the direct clinical delivery of highly purified human γδ T cells for the treatment of both hematologic and solid tumors.
Virtual-Source-Based Self-Consistent Current and Charge FET Models: From Ballistic to Drift-Diffusion Velocity-Saturation Operation

A simple analytical FET channel charge partitioning model valid under ballistic and quasi-ballistic transport conditions is developed. With this model, the virtual-source (VS) based charge-based transport compact model is extended to include self-consistent analytical channel charge partitioning models for quasi- and fully-ballistic conditions, with continuous current and charges and their derivatives. Drift-diffusion with or without velocity-saturation transport conditions are also comprehended with adaptations of existing-literature models, and the resulting terminal charges and capacitances are compared with those assuming ballistic operation. With only a limited number of physically meaningful parameters, the extended VS compact model forms an ideal platform for the exploration of the dynamic behavior of current and future FET devices. The simple model is validated here by comparison with experimental data from a well-characterized industry 45-nm metal/high-k complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor including parasitic elements using a Verilog-A implementation to simulate ring oscillators. It is also validated by comparison with S-parameter-derived capacitances of near-ballistic III-V high-electron mobility transistors. In both cases, the effects of different assumed transport conditions on the dynamic device behavior are explored.
EXISTENCE AND SYMMETRY OF MULTI-BUMP SOLUTIONS FOR NONLINEAR SCHRODINGER EQUATIONS

We study the existence and symmetry property of multi-bump solutions of −Δv+λV(x)v=vp,v>0,inRN. (Pλ) Especially when the potential V is radially symmetric, multi-bump solutions are constructed with bumps concentrating on a single connected component of the set of global minimum points of V. Furthermore, conditions are given to assure that the multi-bump solutions obtained have prescribed subgroups of O(N) as their exact symmetry.
Geometry and aromaticity in highly strained heterocyclic allenes: characterization of a 2,3-didehydro-2H-thiopyran.

The highly strained cyclic allene 2,3-didehydro-2H-thiopyran was generated by irradiation of matrix-isolated 2-benzothienylchlorocarbene and characterized by IR and UV/vis spectroscopy, in situ trapping, and DFT modeling. Calculations indicate that the allenic moiety in this system, although less aromatic in character, is relatively more stable than in the corresponding oxa system. It is suggested that the thio ring system can more readily accommodate the allenic geometry.
Elastic-plastic large deformation analysis of soil slopes

Abstract A complete finite-element stress analysis regarding the static response of a homogeneous vertical slope throughout the entire range of loading up to ultimate load is presented. Soil is modelled as a linear elastic-perfectly plastic material with the Drucker-Prager yield condition and its associated flow rule. Emphasis has been put on the effect of large soil deformation on the solutions. It was found that (1) large deformation analysis is required for any progressive failure solutions of slopes; (2) bulging or progressive loss of ground along the vertical cut is the actual mode of failure for a vertical slope; (3) the velocity field near the limit load shows both “discontinuity” and “slip” along a well defined surface which corresponds to a log-spiral shape; and (4) comparison of properly defined limit or collapse load between finite-element solutions and limit analysis solutions shows an excellent agreement.
Effects of Glycine Administration on Canine Experimental Spinal Spasticity and the Levels of Glycine, Glutamate, and Aspartate in the Lumbar Spinal Cord

Twelve female mongrel dogs were made paraplegic by midthoracic spinal cord transection. Beginning at 9 weeks posttransection, either glycine (50 mg/kg) or saline was injected intramuscularly each day and the signs of spinal spasticity were assessed clinically. After treating the dogs for 3 weeks, we removed the lumbar enlargement of each dog and microdissected it into gray and white areas which we assayed for glycine, glutamate, and aspartate content. Some of the clinical signs of spasticity improved in the animals injected with glycine compared to the saline-injected controls. The content of glycine was significantly elevated in the central gray matter and ventral medial white matter of the glycine-treated dogs. The levels of glutamate were also significantly elevated in the central, lateral ventral, and medial ventral gray matter and in the dorsal lateral and ventral medial white matter of the glycine-treated dogs. The possible role of these segmental putative neurotransmitters in spinal spasticity is discussed.
Predictors of Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation Using Mode Switch Quantification.

Background: The efficacy of mode switching to predict atrial fibrillation has been established in the literature. There have been few studies investigating the incidence and clinical implication of mode switch episodes quantified from implantable cardioverter defibrillator and pacemaker interrogation. We sought to investigate the incidence of mode switch recurrence in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators and permanent pacemakers. Methods: Mode switch was defined as any occurrence documented during device interrogation after the date of implantation. Clinical predictors (age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, syncope, atrial fibrillation (AF)), and medications were analyzed to determine association with single and recurrent mode switch occurrences. Results: There were 21 patients experiencing a mode switch event, identified from a group of 54 patients (42 males; mean age 70 ± 12 years; mean follow-up 29.1 ± 22 months (3.4 - 81.4 months)). All but two patients were receiving medical therapy including beta blockers, statins, ace-inhibitors, and anti-arrhythmics. There were 21 subjects who experienced at least one mode switch during their follow-up and 33 subjects who never experienced a mode switch during their follow-up time. The median time to first mode switch from device implantation was 39.3 months. Risk factors individually associated with any mode switch episode included: diabetes (DM) (P < 0.04) and use of digitalis (P = 0.02). Subjects who had a history of DM were 5 times more likely to have at least one mode switch occurrence. There was a significantly higher rate of mode switch among patients who were diabetic than patients who were not (3.7 per follow-up month ± 5.3 vs. 0.98 per follow-up month ± 2.02; P = 0.02). There was a significantly higher rate of mode switch among patients who were on digitalis than those who were not (3.1 per follow-up month ± 4.3 vs. 0.73 per follow-up month ± 1.9; P = 0.02). Conclusion: The main factors associated with any mode switch are having a history of diabetes and digitalis use. Those patients who are diabetics and those on digitalis may warrant closer observation and management for the development of atrial fibrillation. Cardiol Res. 2013;4(4-5):135-138 doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/cr292w
Crystalline Titanate Ceramic Nuclear Waste Forms: Leaching and Radiation Damage

Leaching in the range 22° to 150°C and pH 2 to 12 was studied to assess the effects of compositional changes and processing variables on the dissolution behavior of titanate ceramic waste forms. Lead-ion implantation was used to simulate long-term a-recoil damage in the crystalline titanate phases. All the titanate phases sustained significant lattice damage at equivalent a-doses of 1 × 1019/cm3; however, Rutherford backscattering and transmission electron microscopy studies showed that the damage did not result in significant enhancement of matrix dissolution during leaching.
TRENDS IN AGGREGATE HOUSEHOLD WEALTH IN THE US., 1900–83

New estimates of aggregate household wealth for the U S. covering selected years in the period from 1900 to 1983 are presented. I find that marketable wealth per capita grew at 1.46 percent per year in real terms over the 1900–83 period, while real wealth per household grew at 0.81 percent per year. However, the growth rate was not uniform over the period, with the rates high during the 1900–29 and the 1949–69 periods, and slow during the other years. Moreover, real per capita wealth actually increased more slowly than real per capita disposable income and real per capita GNP over the century. I also find dramatic changes in the composition of household wealth over the century. In particular, both tangibles and fixed claim assets increased relative to total assets over the period from 1900 to 1983, while equities fell from about half to a quarter. Owner-occupied housing increased only moderately as a proportion of assets, from 17 percent in 1900 to 20 percent in 1983. Unincorporated business equity fell from over a third of total assets to 12 percent. Among financial assets, the biggest relative growth occurred in deposits in financial institutions, which grew from 8 percent in 1900 to 22 percent in 1983. Corporate stock had the most volatile behavior in the household portfolio, growing from 13 percent of total assets in 1900 to 27 percent in 1929, falling to 10 percent in 1949, rising to 22 percent in 1965, and then falling to 11 percent by 1983. Debt as a proportion of total assets rose from 5 percent in 1900 to 16 percent in 1983. Finally, both pension reserves and social security wealth increased relative to marketable assets from virtually zero in 1900 to 12 and 48 percent, respectively.
Language assessment criteria for discrete simulation

Criteria are suggested for use in conducting comparative assessments of languages for use in discrete simulation. The criteria are grouped within the categories of simulation-specific criteria and general criteria. A discussion is provided concerning the significance the various assessment criteria have in modeling and simulation. Suggestions are offered concerning the use of the criteria in a language selection process.
Application of modified differential display technique for cloning and sequencing of the 3′ region from three putative members of wheat HSP70 gene family

We have modified the differential display technique to isolate 3' regions from different members of the wheat HSP70 gene family. An HSP70 gene family-specific degenerate primer was used as a 5' primer in place of the arbitrary primer used in the original technique. We cloned and sequenced three cDNA fragments that were differentially expressed in heat stressed wheat seedlings. Based on the high similarity between predicted translation products of these three sequences and known members of the HSP70 family from plants, these cDNAs were identified as members of the HSP70 gene family. Two of these members appeared distinct in the 3' non-coding region with only 48% identity. Therefore differential display could successfully be used to isolate 3' regions of different members of a multigene family in a relatively short period, even if the members had highly similar protein-coding regions.
Molecular Beacon-Equilibrium Cyclization Detection of DNA-Protein Complexes

Molecular beacon detection of equilibrium cyclization (MBEC) is a novel, high sensitivity technique that can allow DNA-protein complex formation to be studied under diverse conditions in a cost effective and rapid manner that can be adapted to high throughput screening. To demonstrate the ease and utility of applying MBEC to the investigation of the KD values of protein-DNA complexes, the sequence-specific Escherichia coli integration host factor (IHF) protein has been used as a test system. Competition between a labeled MBEC DNA construct and unlabeled duplex DNA for IHF binding allows the determination of KD values as a function of the DNA duplex sequence. This allows sequence specificity to be monitored while using only a single molecular beacon-labeled DNA. The robustness of MBEC for monitoring protein-DNA complex formation has been further demonstrated by determining the KD values as a function of salt concentration to investigate the net number of salt bridges formed in sequence-specific and -nonspecific IHF-DNA complexes. These MBEC results have been compared with those from other approaches.
Measuring the coherence of intracranial electroencephalograms.

Abstract Objective : Previous coherence studies of human intracranial electroencephalograms (EEGs) can be faulted on two methodological issues: (1) coherence estimates in a majority were formed from a very small number of independent sample spectra, and (2) the statistical significance of coherence estimates was either not reported or was poorly evaluated. Coherence estimator performance may be poor when a small number of independent sample spectra are employed, and the coupling of poor estimation and statistical testing can result in inaccuracy in the measurement of coherence. The performance characteristics of the coherence estimator and statistical testing of coherence estimates are described in this manuscript. Methods : The bias, variance, probability density functions, and confidence intervals of the estimate of magnitude squared coherence (MSC); and power analysis for the test of zero MSC were developed from the exact analytic form of the probability density function of the estimate of MSC for Gaussian random processes. The coherence of a single epoch of background EEG, recorded from a patient with intractable seizures, was evaluated with different parameter values to aid in the exposition of the concepts developed here. Results : The statistical characteristics of WOSA coherence estimates are a function of a single estimator parameter, the number of independent sample spectra employed in the estimation. Bias and variance are high, confidence intervals may be large, and the probability of Type II errors is high if a small number of independent sample spectra are employed. A considerable improvement in measurement accuracy is possible with careful selection of estimator parameter values. Conclusions : Coherence measurement accuracy can be improved over previous applications by attention to estimator performance and accurate statistical testing of coherence estimates.
Preliminary Validation of the Paradigm Developmental Model of Treatment Scale

The Paradigm Developmental Model of Treatment (PDMT) is an alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment framework to guide counselor interventions. The purpose of this study was to validate a scale that measures where clients are in the PDMT. The scale, along with the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment (URICA), was completed by 203 multiple driving under the influence (DUI) offenders. Using a rotated component matrix, exploratory factor analysis indicated that the scale had 20 items that measured four factors, including a separate Alcoholics Anonymous participation factor. The scale demonstrated good internal consistency and concurrent validity with the URICA. Implications for use by DUI counselors are discussed.
Constraining bubbling of methane from thermokarst lakes

In northern thermokarst lakes, which form in depressions left as permafrost thaws, methane, a greenhouse gas, can be released from lake sediments to the atmosphere through bubbling, or ebullition. Constraining the amount of methane released through bubbling would help scientists understand the role of thawing permafrost in the carbon cycle and global climate change. However, bubbling is highly variable in both space and time and thus difficult to measure accurately, so there are large uncertainties in estimates of methane emissions from northern ecosystems.