cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU‐GG‐I‐90: A Surface Reconstruction and Smoothing‐Based Re‐Contouring Algorithm for Target Volumes in Radiotherapy Treatment Planning

Purpose: To develop an automatic re‐contouring approach for tumor volumes via surface reconstruction and smoothing. The method overcomes the limitations of traditional methods used in 3D volume reconstruction which can be quite irregular, leading to non‐physical beam intensities during inverse‐planning. Method and Materials: Stacks of contours are extracted from DICOM RS files which are exported from the treatment planning system. Surface models are generated from the contours via a surface reconstruction algorithm. The surface reconstruction algorithm contains two steps. First, contours are triangulated and medial axes are computed. Then, contours on adjacent cross sections are joined to create a surface. Gaussian and other surface smoothing operators are applied to the surface models. The smoothed models are re‐sliced with CT planes to produce new contours. Results: The Gaussian surface smoothing operator is an excellent smoothing tool but suffers from the volume shrinkage problem. To circumvent this problem, a volume‐preserving surface smoothing operation is implemented (Taubin's surface smoothing algorithm), which uses a non‐shrinking variant of the Gaussian smoothing algorithm. As noted in the figures, the method, applied to prostate volumes, shows good correspondence between the smoothed and original volumes. The mean 3D vector distance between the smoothed and original surfaces was 0.6 mm (RMS = 0.8 mm) for an example case. Conclusion: The proposed surface‐based reconstruction algorithm produces more physically realistic, smooth target volumes in 3D while maintaining the overall structure of the original volume. Future work will include the implementation and evaluation of other surface smoothing operators as well the incorporation of the smoothed 3D volumes into treatment planning to assess the impact on inverse‐planned fluence maps and IMRT dose distributions.
Role of EP2 receptors and cAMP in prostaglandin E2 regulated expression of type I collagen α1, lysyl oxidase, and cyclooxygenase‐1 genes in human embryo lung fibroblasts

In a recent communication, we demonstrated that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) lowers basal while it ablates interleukin-1β( (IL-1β) and transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) upregulated lysyl oxidase (LO) mRNA levels. Correspondingly, PGE2 increases cyclooxygenase-1 (COX1) mRNA in diploid, human embryo lung fibroblasts (IMR90) [Roy et al., 1996]. We now report that these actions by PGE2 are routed through cAMP via the PGE2, EP2 receptor. Among the PGE2 receptor types, the IMR90 predominantly express the EP2 mRNA. These cells also express EP3 and EP4 mRNA at comparatively low levels. Northern blot analyses show that 11-deoxy PGE1, an EP2/EP4 agonist, emulates the action of PGE2. In a similar manner to PGE2, 11-deoxy PGE1 decreases basal and TGF-β induced type I collagen α1 (COL) mRNA, basal and IL-1β induced LO mRNA while it increases COX1 mRNA. Sulprostone, an EP3/EP1 agonist, has no effect on the expression of these three genes. Forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator, acts in a very similar manner to PGE2or 11-deoxy PGE1. It suppresses both basal and TGF-β induced COL mRNA levels. Both PGE2 and 11-deoxy PGE1 increase cAMP to a level comparable with forskolin. The role of the EP2 receptor in controlling collagen production is further underscored in the immortalized Rat-1 fibroblasts, derived from Fischer rat embryos, which do not express detectable EP2 mRNA. In these cells, PGE2 has little effect on COL mRNA level, whereas forskolin increases it. Furthermore, forskolin increases cAMP level in Rat-1 cells, whereas PGE2 does not. Overall, these results illustrate that much of the PGE2 action on the expression of COL, LO, and COX1 genes is mediated through the EP2 receptor and a subsequent increase in intracellular cAMP. J. Cell. Biochem. 71:254–263, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
ARP1 interacts with the 5' flanking region of the coagulation factor VII gene.

Summary. Factor (F)VII plays a critical role in initiation of coagulation. Several segments within the 5′ flanking region of the FVII gene were previously demonstrated to recognize hepatic nuclear proteins, but few have been identified. To identify a regulatory protein binding the nuclear hormone response region (−237 to −200) of the FVII 5′ flanking region and demonstrate that the interaction is functional. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and mutation analysis showed that ARP1, an orphan nuclear hormone receptor, interacted with two regions of the FVII 5′ flanking region, the hepatic nuclear factor 4 binding region (−77 to −47) and the nuclear hormone response region (−237 to −200). Transfection experiments demonstrated that reporter gene expression was decreased from vectors including the nuclear hormone response segment compared with that containing only the minimal promoter between positions −109 and +1, and that ARP1 also repressed expression through an interaction with the minimal promoter. These data indicate a role for ARP1 in transcriptional modulation of the FVII gene.
In the Absence of Frazzled Over-Expression of Abelson Tyrosine Kinase Disrupts Commissure Formation and Causes Axons to Leave the Embryonic CNS

Background In the Drosophila embryonic nerve cord, the formation of commissures require both the chemoattractive Netrin receptor Frazzled (Fra) and the Abelson (Abl) cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase. Abl binds to the cytoplasmic domain of Fra and loss-of-function mutations in abl enhance fra-dependent commissural defects. To further test Abl's role in attractive signaling, we over-expressed Abl in Fra mutants anticipating rescue of commissures. Methodology/Principal Findings The Gal4-UAS system was used to pan-neurally over-express Abl in homozygous fra embryos. Surprisingly, this led to a significant decrease in both posterior and anterior commissure formation and induced some commissural and longitudinal axons to project beyond the CNS/PNS border. Re-expressing wild-type Fra, or Fra mutants with a P-motif deleted, revert both commissural and exiting phenotypes, indicating that Fra is required but not a specific P-motif. This is supported by S2 cell experiments demonstrating that Abl binds to Fra independent of any specific P-motif and that Fra continues to be phosphorylated when individual P-motifs are removed. Decreasing midline repulsion by reducing Robo signaling had no effect on the Abl phenotype and the phenotypes still occur in a Netrin mutant. Pan-neural over-expression of activated Rac or Cdc42 in a fra mutant also induced a significant loss in commissures, but axons did not exit the CNS. Conclusion/Significance Taken together, these data suggest that Fra activity is required to correctly regulate Abl-dependent cytoskeletal dynamics underlying commissure formation. In the absence of Fra, increased Abl activity appears to be incorrectly utilized downstream of other guidance receptors resulting in a loss of commissures and the abnormal projections of some axons beyond the CNS/PNS border.
Geographic Information Science and Mountain Geomorphology

Mountain areas are among the most threatened environments worldwide.These sensitive systems suffer from human encroachment, resource extraction, and subsequent environmental degradation. Mountain ecosystems are also extremely sensitive to climate variability with impacts on snow and ice cover, hydrologic response, and sediment yield. From this perspective, mountain environments can be viewed as one of the “canaries in the coal mine” for the entire global environmental system.
Optical resonators: Microphotonic thermal imaging

High-performance thermal imaging technology typically involves using cryogenically cooled devices. In the future, detectors based on arrays of tiny optical resonators could lead to sensitive, rapid, thermal imaging at room temperature.
GCUNC45 Is the First Hsp90 Co-chaperone to Show α/β Isoform Specificity *

Hsp90 is an essential molecular chaperone required for the normal functioning of many key regulatory proteins in eukaryotic cells. Vertebrates have two closely related isoforms of cytosolic Hsp90 (Hsp90α and Hsp90β). However, specific functions for each isoform are largely unknown, and no Hsp90 co-chaperone has been reported to distinguish between the two isoforms. In this study, we show that the Hsp90 co-chaperone GCUNC45 bound preferentially to the β isoform of Hsp90 in vitro. GCUNC45 efficiently blocked the progression of progesterone receptor chaperoning in an in vitro functional system when Hsp90β was used, but did so with much less efficacy when Hsp90α was used. Knockdown experiments in HeLa cells showed that GCUNC45 is required for the normal cellular distribution of Hsp90β, but not Hsp90α. This is the first example of a co-chaperone with isoform selectivity, and this approach may open novel avenues to understanding the functional differences between Hsp90 isoforms.
Small-scale soft x-ray laser development at Princeton

A program aimed at the development of a table-top soft X-ray laser on the CVI 18.22 nm transition is reported. A gain-length product of GL = 2.5-3.5 has been observed for a variety of target geometries using a 3-ns 6-15 J Nd:glass driving laser emitting at 1.05 micron. Plans for future experiments are outlined.
Expression Patterns and Function of Chromatin Protein HMGB2 during Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation

The superficial zone (SZ) of articular cartilage is critical in maintaining tissue function and homeostasis and represents the site of the earliest changes in osteoarthritis (OA). The expression of chromatin protein HMGB2 is restricted to the SZ, which contains cells expressing mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) markers. Age-related loss of HMGB2 and gene deletion are associated with reduced SZ cellularity and early onset OA. This study addressed HMGB2 expression patterns in MSC and its role during differentiation. HMGB2 was detected at higher levels in human MSC as compared with human articular chondrocytes, and its expression declined during chondrogenic differentiation of MSC. Lentiviral HMGB2 transduction of MSC suppressed chondrogenesis as reflected by an inhibition of Col2a1 and Col10a1 expression. Conversely, in bone marrow MSC from Hmgb2−/− mice, Col10a1 was more strongly expressed than in wild-type MSC. This is consistent with in vivo results from mouse growth plates showing that Hmgb2 is expressed in proliferating and prehypertrophic zones but not in hypertrophic cartilage where Col10a1 is strongly expressed. Osteogenesis was also accelerated in Hmgb2−/− MSC. The expression of Runx2, which plays a major role in late stage chondrocyte differentiation, was enhanced in Hmgb2−/− MSC, and HMGB2 negatively regulated the stimulatory effect of Wnt/β-catenin signaling on the Runx2 proximal promoter. These results demonstrate that HMGB2 expression is inversely correlated with the differentiation status of MSC and that HMGB2 suppresses chondrogenic differentiation. The age-related loss of HMGB2 in articular cartilage may represent a mechanism responsible for the decline in adult cartilage stem cell populations.
Supervenience arguments under relaxed assumptions

When it comes to evaluating reductive hypotheses in metaphysics, supervenience arguments are the tools of the trade. Jaegwon Kim and Frank Jackson have argued, respectively, that strong and global supervenience are sufficient for reduction, and others have argued that supervenience theses stand in need of the kind of explanation that reductive hypotheses are particularly suited to provide. Simon Blackburn’s arguments about what he claims are the specifically problematic features of the supervenience of the moral on the natural have also been influential. But most discussions of these arguments have proceeded under the strong and restrictive assumptions of the S5 modal logic. In this paper we aim to remedy that defect, by illustrating in an accessible way what happens to these arguments under relaxed assumptions and why. The occasion is recent work by Ralph Wedgwood, who seeks to defend non-reductive accounts of moral and mental properties together with strong supervenience, but to evade both the arguments of Kim and Jackson and the explanatory challenge by accepting only the weaker, B, modal logic. In addition to drawing general lessons about what happens to supervenience arguments under relaxed assumptions, our goal is therefore to shed some light on both the virtues and costs of Wedgwood’s proposal.
Proton-inclusive cross sections from 600 MeV proton-nucleus reactions

Abstract Proton-inclusive cross sections were measured for 600 MeV proton bombardment of 27Al and 181Ta targets using the SREL synchrocyclotron. Proton energies were measured with a plastic scintillator time-of-flight system, and a 10.2 cm thick NaI detector was used for particle identification. The results of classical many-body and knock-on calculations are compared with the data.
Development of a silicon-based yttria-stabilized-zirconia (YSZ), amperometric oxygen sensor

Abstract A silicon-based yttria-stabilized-zirconia (YSZ) amperometric oxygen sensor with a cross-bridge structure has been developed. It is a planar type sensor with interdigitated electrodes and integrated with thermal elements. Its sensing area of 380 μm ×240 μm is a substantial reduction in size from current sensors. Its thermal shock resistance is maximised by selecting an appropriate thickness of the sandwich structure and a minimum local annealing temperature. The sensor response to oxygen begins from 450 °C and reaches its operation range between 560 and 611 °C. Annealing at a temperature approximately 10% higher than the maximum operation temperature appears to enhance the thermal stability of the sensor.
PUVA-treated pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA) showing atypical clinical features

We report a patient with pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA) with atypical clinical features, which was treated successfully with PUVA therapy. A 23-year-old man had discrete multiple erythematous scaly papules and patches on the trunk and extremities. New lesions developed abruptly within 1 month, forming generalized annular erythematous plaques with yellowish scales on the border. Skin biopsy specimens showed the typical histopathological findings of PLEVA. The skin lesions completely resolved with 8 months of PUVA therapy.
Physics with Taus at CDF

In this contribution, we describe the hadronic tau reconstruction and identification procedures adopted by the CDF experiment at Fermilab and present an overview of physics studies using tau leptons that are underway at CDF. Recent results using data obtained from Run II of the Tevatron are presented and include precision electroweak measurements as well as studies aimed at beyond Standard Model searches for new particles and interactions.
SU‐FF‐T‐133: Commissioning Electron Beams with Monte Carlo Simulation Based On Large Field Measurements

Purpose: To commission electron beams using measurements made with the jaws wide open (with no applicator) along with state‐of‐the‐art Monte Carlo simulation.Method and Materials: Central axis depth dose curves and dose profiles of 6–21 MeV Primus electron beams were measured for the 40×40 cm field and a comprehensive set of field sizes for all square applicators. Monte Carlo treatment head and water phantom simulations were done with the EGSnrc system using the BEAM and MCRTP user codes, respectively. The measured data for the 40×40 cm field was used to estimate the source and geometry parameters used in the smaller‐field simulations. Calculated output and dose distributions were compared to measurement. Results: Dose distributions calculated with this large‐field commissioning approach generally compared to 2%/2 mm or better with diode measurement. Relative output factors compared to 2% for the largest field available for each applicator. Output with cut‐outs, relative to the field with no cutout, also agreed within 2%. Conclusion: EGSnrc is sufficiently accurate for commissioning electron beams, given a good match to a few carefully done measurements for the 40×40 cm field with no applicator. This demonstrates the use of Monte Carlo simulation to commission electron beams, with only a few measurements. Measurements needed include the 40×40 cm central axis depth dose curve and cross‐plane and in‐plane profiles at dmax, and the ROF for the largest field of each applicator for all beam energies. Output and dose distributions for small and large fields for each applicator should be measured to verify the accuracy of the simulation.
Online Education and the Working Professional: A University's Responsibility?

ABSTRACT The character of universities is under rapid change. Traditional academic institutions are now becoming adept at using new tools of communication technology to reach a growing audience for scholarly consumption. Especially within criminal justice, changes in educational requirements and a focus on national security are forcing an expansion of returning nontraditional students. Changes in student demographics now include more working professionals who desire a median of utilizing technology to earn their degree in a manner that will allow them to maintain employment and family commitments. This article discusses online education for criminal justice working professionals and questions what obligations today's university has to nontraditional students. Exploratory data analysis used for this article consists of contrasting surveys completed by students enrolled in an Internet Master's degree program (IMP) specializing in security administration. Strategies that can help alleviate problems in the ap...
Phase diagram of the t-J model: A semiclassical calculation

The results of a semiclassical variational calculation of the t-J model are presented. The generalized staggered flux phases are introduced. It is found that these flux phases are stable for a large parameter range of the phase diagram. An interesting feature of these flux phases is that for small doping they have the best potential energy and for larger doping they have the best kinetic energy. It is also found that only those flux phases that do not break the local time reversal and parity symmetries are energetically favored. For sufficiently small J/t and doping the spiral phase is stable.
Rapid turnover of principal phospholipids in BHK-21 cells

When BHK-21 cells are pulse-labeled with (2-3H)-glycerol for 1 hr, followed by chase periods of 0–22 hrs, rapid turnover of the newly synthesized major phospholipids is observed 2–6 hrs after termination of the pulse, indicating a half-life of 2.0–2.5 hrs. These lipids are also labeled to equilibrium rapidly, within 8 hrs, indicating that the bulk of these lipids participates in this rapid turnover.
Foreign-Gas Broadening of Nitrous Oxide Absorption Lines

We have measured the foreign-gas broadening coefficients for collisional broadening of lines in the nu-3 fundamental of N2O by He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, H2, D2, and CH4. These coefficients, which give the ratio of the line-broadening ability of these gases to the line-broadening ability of N2, can be used with recent measurements and calculations of N2 broadening to obtain optical collision cross sections.
Link and energy adaptive UWB-based embedded sensing with renewable energy

A new link and energy adaptive UWB-based sensing system is proposed to maximize the detection time coverage of UWB-based pulse radar in embedded sensing applications powered by renewable energy. By jointly considering the link information between the transmitter and receiver of the UWB radar as well as the non-deterministic characteristics of the renewable energy, the proposed system dynamically adjusts the pulse repetition frequency of the UWB radar to enhance the energy efficiency. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed system can significantly improve the average detection time coverage as compared with the conventional system. The proposed technique is also insensitive to battery issues such as limited battery capacity.
Treatment of the blastic phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia with mitoxantrone and high-dose cytosine arabinoside.

Twenty-seven patients in the blastic phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia received combination chemotherapy with mitoxantrone 5 mg/m2 intravenously daily for 5 days, and cytosine arabinoside 3 g/m2 intravenously over 2 hours every 12 hours for six doses. The patients' median age was 42 years (range, 19-61 years), and 26 of them had Philadelphia chromosome-positive disease. Overall, seven patients (26%) achieved complete remission, and one (4%) had a partial remission for an overall response rate of 30%. Eight patients died during remission induction, and 11 had resistant disease. The median survival was 14 weeks for the total population, and 24 weeks for patients achieving a complete remission. The nonmyelosuppressive toxicity of the combination was acceptable; serious neurologic and pulmonary toxicities were uncommon. Significant marrow hypoplasia was observed resulting in a high incidence of febrile episodes (85% of patients). The combination of mitoxantrone and high-dose cytosine arabinoside did not significantly improve overall prognosis. Since chemotherapy continues to produce disappointing results, other innovative approaches need to be explored. Cancer 623672476, 1988. HE CLINICAL COURSE of chronic myelogenous leuT kemia (CML) is biphasic with a chronic and blastic phase.'V2 Chronic phase CML usually lasts for 3 to 4 years and is easily controlled with chemotherapy.'g2 In the majority of patients, the disease evolves subsequently into blastic cri~is.~-~ Although CML resembles acute leukemia morphologically, the blastic phase of CML is an acute leukemic transformation of the earliest progenitor stem cell, explaining the wide spectrum of possible morphologic transformations' and its resistant nat~re.~-~ The CML blast crisis is the most malignant of all acute leukemias with a complete remission (CR) rate of less than 30% with intensive chemotherapy, and a median survival of 3 to 6 month^.^-^ This highlights the urgent need for new agents or approaches to improve the prognosis of these patients.
Variations in Sediment Accumulation Rates and the Flux of Labile Organic Matter in Eastern Lake Superior Basins

Abstract Benthic environments in Lake Superior are variable and dynamic. The complex topography and morphology of eastern Lake Superior results in a variety of depositional environments, from shallow coastal bays to deep profundal basins. Direct observations of bottom types and collection of sediments across the gradient in environments reveal benthic systems that range in sediment accumulation rates from ∼1.7 mm per year to virtually zero net long-term accumulation. Diagenetic modeling of organic carbon and nitrogen under steady state conditions indicate that 15% to 40% of the organic carbon and nitrogen deposited is recycled into the overlying water. This “metabolizable” fraction has a residence time in the sediment column estimated to be 30 to 60 years for organic carbon and 15 to 30 years for nitrogen. Concentration gradients of total dissolved inorganic carbon, ammonium, and oxygen in sediment pore waters yield fluxes of remineralized carbon and nitrogen across the sediment-water interface consistent with diagenetically modeled fluxes. Spatial variability in sediment accumulation patterns, however, is great, particularly in the deep, steep relief basins in the open lake. Here, distances of a few kilometers can radically alter deposition patterns. Evidence of aperiodic bottom currents were observed in the deepest charted basin of the lake as extensive fields of sediment ripples over hard, compacted relict silt and clays. While no currents were observed in these summertime dives, it is assumed that storms during isothermal conditions generate suffficient bottom currents at depth to very effectively scour the bottom. Differences in sediment metabolism appear to be determined by the flux of labile organic matter to the bottom coupled to the physical processes of sedimentation, resuspension, and horizontal transport.
Development of Ca Alternans in Atrial Myocytes is Modulated by Action Potential Morphology

Cardiac alternans is defined as cyclic, beat-to-beat variations in contraction force, action potential duration (APD) and cytosolic Ca transient (CaT) amplitude at constant stimulation rate.The bidirectional coupling of beat-to-beat regulation of cytosolic [Ca]i and membrane voltage (Vm) is a key causative factor for the development of alternans. The majority of previous studies have emphasized the role of [Ca]i→Vm coupling and disturbances in [Ca]i regulation as the primary cause of APD alternans. In this study we investigated how alternation in AP morphology feeds back on intracellular Ca handling (Vm→[Ca]i coupling) in single rabbit atrial myocytes. From AP recordings during pacing induced simultaneous CaT and APD alternans two AP waveforms were selected that represent a typical short and long AP of APD alternans. These AP waveforms were used as command voltages in subsequent voltage clamp experiments (AP voltage clamp). At pacing frequencies below alternans induction, using a series of short or long APs voltage clamp pulses, APD affected CaT amplitude where short APs caused slightly smaller amplitude CaTs. At higher frequencies CaT alternans could be induced with AP voltage clamp protocols in the absence of APD alternans, however the pacing frequency threshold where CaT alternans could be induced decreased with increasing APD, i.e. a long APD was capable of triggering CaT alternans at lower frequencies than a short AP. When cells were stimulated with an APD alternans protocol (APs of alternating duration as command voltage) the CaT alternans threshold was significantly lower. The data identify a contribution of Vm→[Ca]i coupling to the development and severity of CaT alternans and demonstrate that Vm→[Ca]i coupling affects Ca handling through changes in diastolic SR Ca load and voltage-dependent regulation of L-type Ca channels and Na/Ca exchange.
The algorithms for studying the trade-offs between H∞ attenuation and uncertainty tolerance

Uncertainty tolerance and H∞ attenuations are two important concerns in feedback control design. It is therefore important to develop effective methods to compute the trade-off between these two objectives. Using a quasiconvex optimization approach, this paper develops algorithms for two problems in this regard: (1) given the uncertainty size of the system, compute the minimum H∞ norm bound of the closed loop system reachable by state feedback control; and (2) given the required maximum acceptable H∞ norm bound of the closed loop system, compute the maximum uncertainty size which can be tolerated when state feedback control is applied. A numerical example is included to show the trade-off between uncertainty tolerance and H∞ attenuations, and the effectiveness of the algorithms.
Excessive toxicity of the high dose thiotepa and etoposide regimen when combined with radiation: Long-term autologous transplantation experience in follicular and mantle cell lymphoma

We recently described a novel thiotepa plus etoposide high-dose therapy (HDT) conditioning regimen for aggressive histology non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) that had low regimen-related toxicity (RRT) and an efficacy rate comparable to other NHL HDT regimens. In this report, we describe the UW experience with the addition of total body irradiation (TBI) and pre-transplant involved-field radiation (IFRT) to the thiotepa + etoposide HDT regimen. Between 1992 and 1999, 28 patients with indolent or mantle cell lymphoma were treated on this protocol. With a median follow-up of 64 mo, the median event-free survival (EFS) was 24 months, and the median overall survival (OS) had not been reached. The median number of grade 3 - 4 non-hematologic toxicities was five. There were five deaths (18%) in the first three months after HDT due to RRT. In contrast, the thiotepa + etoposide conditioning regimen (without TBI or IFRT) given to 65 intermediate grade NHL patients resulted in only one treatment-related death and considerably fewer grade 3 - 4 toxicities. Given the relatively short EFS in this cohort of indolent NHL patients, we conclude that the combination of IFRT and TBI plus thiotepa and etoposide resulted in a HDT regimen with excessive toxicity and this protocol was closed at our institution.
B cell activation potential of insulin-reactive T cells in H-2b mice.

The murine T cell response to heterologous insulins provides a good model system for studying the mechanism of immune response (Ir)-gene function, since insulin is a small, chemically well-defined molecule. H-2b mice respond predominantly to A chain loop determinants of beef insulin, presented by the I-A epitope Ia.W39. However, using a library of insulin-specific T cell hybridomas (THy), we previously found that immunization of H-2b mice with beef insulin activates a much wider population of T cells than are detected in T cell proliferation assays. Using such cloned THy we were able to study Ir-gene control at the level of antigen presentation. We compared the ability of the various THy to induce differentiation in I-A-matched B cells in response to antigen. Although both A and B chain-reactive clones respond with interleukin 2 production, they differ markedly in their potential to activate B cells in that only the former are able to induce B cell differentiation in the presence of the intact beef insulin molecule. The latter, however, can serve as helper cells in the presence of isolated B chain, and can synergize with a suboptimal concentration of A chain-reactive THy to induce an optimal B cell response. These results suggest that the insulin molecule is presented by I-Ab antigen-presenting cells in a very specific configuration that allows more effective T cell recognition of the A chain loop than the B chain determinants. To explain the discrepancy between the interleukin 2 assay and the induction of polyclonal activation, it can be assumed that in the former assay antigen is presented by macrophages, while presentation by B cells is necessary for induction of polyclonal activation. Macrophages are able to process the intact beef insulin molecule and, therefore, present B chain determinants, while nonimmune B cells may be unable to process antigen and could present B chain determinants only when the isolated B chain is given as antigen.
Vitamin E deficiency in the monkey. X. Protoporphyrin and haeme synthesis by peripheral blood and bone marrow.

In vitro studies of porphyrin and haeme synthesis by bone marrow cells from vitamin E-deficient monkeys indicate that vitamin E is required for the normal synthesis of these compounds. The defect in porphyrin synthesis apparently results from abnormal delta-aminolaevulinic acid synthesis. This defect was not found in the reticulocytes of peripheral blood. The administration of vitamin E corrected the abnormality in porphyrin synthesis, but the addition of vitamin E in vitro did not. Coenzyme Q10 administration also resulted in increased porphyrin synthesis by the bone marrow cells of vitamin E-deficient monkeys.
Fuel treatment effectiveness in California yellow pine and mixed conifer forests

Abstract We assessed the effectiveness of forest fuel thinning projects that explicitly removed surface and ladder fuels (all but one were combined mechanical and prescribed fire/pile burn prescriptions) in reducing fire severity and tree mortality in 12 forest fires that burned in eastern and southern California between 2005 and 2011. All treatments and fires occurred in yellow pine or mixed conifer forests, in a variety of landscape conditions. Most fires burned under warm, dry conditions, with moderate to high winds. With few exceptions, fire severity measures (bole char height, scorch and torch height, scorch and torch percentage) and tree mortality were much lower in forest stands treated for fuels than in neighboring untreated stands. Fire-tolerant species like Pinus jeffreyi and Pinus ponderosa exhibited much higher postfire survivorship than fire-intolerant species like Abies concolor. Among variables related to fire weather, fuel loading, and treatment age, ten-hour fuel moisture was found to be a better predictor of tree survival in untreated stands than in treated stands, while fuel loading was a better predictor of survival in treated stands. We did not find an effect of treatment age, but our oldest treatments (nine years when burned) were below the mean pre-Euroamerican settlement fire return interval for these forest types. Within treatments, fire severity decreased with distance from the treatment boundary, and canopy fires were almost always reduced to surface fires within 70 m of entering the treatment. In California yellow pine and mixed conifer forests, treatment prescriptions should allow for levels of fire-driven canopy tree mortality (c. 5–15%) that better mimic natural fires. Our results add significantly to the growing evidence that fuel treatments that include removal of surface and ladder fuels in these forest types are highly effective management tools for reducing fire severity and canopy tree mortality. In our opinion, quantitative assessments of fuel treatment effects on fire severity in frequent-fire forest types hardly merit further effort. Rather, we suggest that future work focus on documenting and comparing other ecological outcomes of fuel treatments in burned and unburned forest, such as effects on plant and animal diversity, soil conditions, and habitat heterogeneity.
The classification of social stimuli: “Social” and “non-social” distraction in the albino rat☆

Abstract Rats were trained on a vertical vs. horizontal stripe discrimination with hunger drive and food reward. After a very stable level of performance was reached, both stimulus doors were unlocked and various distracting stimuli were introduced in the vicinity of the previously incorrect doorway. Three distracting stimuli were used: (a) a stationery white cardboard rat, (b) a small toy dog moving through the incorrect doorway, and (c) a live rat moving through the incorrect doorway. All three distracting stimuli increased errors. The distracting effects were monotonically related to the complexity of the distracting stimuli, increasing in effectiveness from the cardboard rat, to the toy dog, to the live rat. The results are interpreted in terms of the increasing complexity of the distracting stimuli. Two dimensions making up this gradient of complexity are suggested; the amount of stimulus movement and the number of activated sense modalities. Krech & Crutchfield's suggestions that a continuum of social stimulation should vary in mobility, capriciousness, and unpredictability are also applied in discussing the results.
Lymphokine-activated killer cytotoxicity in neonatal mononuclear cells: in vitro responses to tumor cell lines from pediatric solid tumors.

ABSTRACT: The presence of neonatal (cord) lymphokineactivated killer (LAK) cell activity toward natural killer cell resistant Raji and Daudi cell lines has recently been reported from our laboratory. We investigated the future therapeutic use of LAK adoptive immunotherapy by examining LAK in vitro cytotoxicity from both neonatal and adult mononuclear cells against solid tumor cell lines of relevance to pediatric oncology: SH-SY5Y (neuroblastoma), SK-NM-C (neuroblastoma-neuroepithelioma), NEP-1 (Wilms' tumor), SK-ES-1 (Ewing's sarcoma), and A-204 (rhabdomyosarcoma). Cord and adult mononuclear cells were activated by recombinant IL-2 (100 µ/ml) for 5- 7 days and added in an effector:target ratio of 40:1 to 51Crlabeled target cells. Specific cell lysis was determined after a 4-h incubation. There was a significantly high level of cord and adult LAK cytotoxicity against Wilms' (76.4 ± 9.8 versus 77.3 ± 6.8%) and Ewing's (84.2 ± 5.5 versus 71.1 ± 6.5%) cell lines and significant but moderate LAK activity against neuroepithelioma (52.0 ± 6.6 versus 55.4 ± 4.5%) and rhabdomyosarcoma (46.6 ± 5.7 versus 43.9 ± 5.2%) cell lines. There was no difference between cord and adult LAK activity toward these targets. However, a differential response toward the more classical neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y, was noted with significantly more LAK cytotoxicity from cord mononuclear cells than adult mononuclear cells (51.2 ± 6.9 versus 28.5 ± 8.2%) (p<0.01). These in vitro results suggest that pediatric tumors such as neuroblastoma, Wilms', Ewing's, and possibly rhabdomyosarcoma and neuroblastoma-neuroepithelioma may be good candidates for future LAK adoptive immunotherapy and that a possible cellular immune mechanism may account for the improved prognosis of advanced neuroblastoma in the neonatal period.
Technical Note: Stress Corrosion Cracking of X-52 Carbon Steel in Dilute Aqueous Solutions

Abstract Slow strain rate tests of cold-worked X-52 carbon (C) steel showed stress corrosion cracking (SCC) could be induced in dilute aqueous sulfate solutions at 50°C. The crack growth rate was of the same order of magnitude reported previously for carbonated solutions. Cracking susceptibility increased for potentials more anodic and more cathodic than the corrosion potential (Ecorr) measured in deaerated solution. Transgranular cracking was observed in pH 6.2 solutions and at Ecorr in pH 8 solutions.
The ontogeny of GAP-43 (neuromodulin) mRNA in postnatal rat brain: evidence for a sex dimorphism.

GAP-43 is a membrane-bound protein selectively concentrated in axonal growth cones during brain development and implicated in axonal outgrowth and elongation. A sex dimorphism in the number of synapses in certain regions of the adult rat brain has been attributed to differences in gonadal steroid hormone action during early postnatal life. The results of recent studies have demonstrated that gonadal steroids modulate GAP-43 mRNA in regions of the postnatal and adult brain where steroid hormone receptors are concentrated. Since gonadal steroids influence the development of the sexually undifferentiated brain during the first few weeks of postnatal life, the present study investigated the ontogeny of GAP-43 mRNA in the male and female rat brain between postnatal days 1 and 25. On postnatal days 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 25, brains were collected from male and female postnates and frozen, and 16 μm cryostat sections were processed and hybridized with a 35S-labeled antisense riboprobe complementary to GAP-43 mRNA. Evaluation of film autoradiograms demonstrated a widespread distribution of GAP-43 mRNA in postnatal brain regions, including the cerebral cortex; bed nucleus of the stria terminalis; and medial preoptic area, ventromedial nucleus, and arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Densitometric measurements revealed that GAP-43 mRNA was transiently elevated during early postnatal life, with a subsequent decrease during brain maturation, although the pattern of change varied among the brain regions investigated. In addition, the level of GAP-43 hybridization signal was significantly higher in the male cortex, bed nucleus, and medial preoptic nucleus, but not the ventromedial and arcuate nuclei, than in postnatal females. Analysis of slide autoradiograms demonstrated that the change in GAP-43 mRNA during postnatal development was due to changes at the cellular level. The present results indicate that expression of GAP-43 mRNA is transiently elevated and sexually dimorphic in certain regions of the early postnatal rat brain. The results further suggest that the differential expression of GAP-43 in the male and female postnatal brain may be related to sex differences in neuronal outgrowth and connectivity resulting in a dimorphism in the pattern of adult neuronal circuitry. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Testamentary cases in fifteenth-century Chancery

The church courts in England traditionally had jurisdiction over testaments and the litigation arising from testaments. In the fifteenth century, however, Chancery also took jurisdiction over testamentary cases. This article surveys the testamentary litigation in fifteenth-century English Chancery.
Model reduction with balanced realizations: An error bound and a frequency weighted generalization

An error bound for reduced order models obtained from internally balanced realizations is derived. The bound is that the infinity norm of the frequency response of the difference between the full and reduced order models is bounded by twice the sum of the balanced grammian's singular values that correspond to the truncated states of the balanced realization. The importance of a frequency weighted model reduction and the infinity norm for control system applications is discussed. A frequency weighted balanced realization which depends on specified input and output model reduction weightings is defined. Results for an example are compared using the weighted and unweighted balancing model reduction techniques.
Infinite-dilution activity coefficients for systems with α- and β-pinene

Abstract Proust, P., Meyer, E. and Jaque, Z., 1992. Infinite-dilution activity coefficients for systems with α- and β-pinene. Fluid Phase Equilibria , 73: 139-146. Infinite-dilution activity coefficients for binary systems with α- or β-pinene and several organic solvents have been determined by means of the differential ebulliometry technique. The following solvents were included: cyclohexane, cyclohexene, n -heptane, 1-octene, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, 1-butanol and anisole. Experiments were performed at temperature levels of 65 ° C and 80 ° C, and 80 ° C and 100 ° C, respectively, depending on the nature of the solvent and solute, using modified Swietoslawski ebulliometers. Except for the systems of both pinene isomers with 1-butanol or anisole, small positive deviations from ideal-solution behaviour were observed.
Efficacy of anterior gastric fundoplication in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux in infants and children

Abstract Anterior gastric fundoplication (AGF) has been performed at the University of Michigan since 1988. To objectively evaluate the long-term efficacy of the AGF, the authors performed a study of children who had undergone AGF between June 1988 and June 1990 (n = 46). Six of them died of unrelated causes. Twenty-two consented to follow-up evaluation that included parental interview, physical examination, upper gastrointestinal series (UGI), 24-hour esophageal pH probe monitoring (EpH), and a liquid-phase gastric emptying study. Twenty patients (74%) remained asymptomatic, patients exhibited gastroesophageal reflux (GER) by UGI, and three others by EpH. Three children were noted to have delayed gastric emptying. These results compare favorably with data previously reported from this institution of a 5-year follow-up of children after Nissen fundoplication. There is a trend toward improved efficacy (87% v 74%; P = .12), decreased reoperation rate (4% v 14%; P = .11), and less severe complications. The present study shows that AGF is effective treatment for GER when evaluated by objective studies and is comparable in therapeutic efficacy and safety to the Nissen fundoplication.
Impact of the new ATS/ERS pulmonary function test interpretation guidelines.

Summary Rationale In November 2005, the American Thoracic and European Respiratory Societies jointly published a statement proposing a new interpretation scheme for pulmonary function tests. The practical effect of adoption of these new guidelines has not yet been studied. The purpose of the current study was to address the effects of the new interpretation strategy on the relative distribution of obstructive and restrictive diagnoses in patients evaluated at a single academic medical center laboratory. Patients/Methods Pulmonary functions tests from 319 patients were analyzed according to four different interpretation schemes. The number of patients classified according to each as obstructed, restricted, neither, or both were compared, and factors associated with a change in classification using the different approaches were examined. Results Although similar proportions of patients were identified as restricted using either the "GOLD" scheme (23%) or new approaches (22%), significantly more ( P Conclusions The new interpretation scheme leads to a diagnosis of obstruction in a greater proportion of patients undergoing pulmonary function testing. The clinical significance of this finding has not yet been validated, and its economic impact remains to be assessed.
Novel phenomena in Lorentz lattice gases

Abstract In Lorentz Lattice Gases a point particle moves along the bonds of a lattice, whose lattice sites are occupied by randomly placed scatterers, which scatter the particle according to certain a priori given scattering rules. We consider here mainly the simplest case of a square lattice fully or partly covered with two kinds of scatterers, which scatter the particle to its right or its left, respectively, either according to probabilistic or strictly deterministic scattering rules. Although the global probability of the particle to be scattered to its right or left is equal for the two scattering rules, the local probability is very different, leading to a completely different diffusive behavior for the two cases. While the probabilistic scattering rules lead to Gaussian diffusion, the deterministic rules lead either to anomalous or no-diffusion, depending on the concentrations of the scatterers on the lattice. In the first case the mean square displacement is still proportional to the time, so that a diffusion coefficient can be defined, but the diffusion is non-Gaussian, while in the second case the mean square displacement is bounded and all particles are trapped in a finite time. In both cases this behavior is due to the existence of closed (periodic) orbits, which in the first case can be of infinite extent (extended closed orbits), while in the second case they can only be of finite extent. The lengths of the extended closed orbits show, for a lattice fully occupied equally by right and left scatterers, a scaling behavior identical to that of percolation clusters at the bond percolation threshold of a related bond percolation problem. For special concentrations on a not fully occupied lattice the same scaling behavior is found, leading to two critical lines, but no known related percolation-like problem exists in this case. This critical behavior of the closed orbits in anomalous diffusion appears to obtain for all two dimensional lattices studied so far. A number of extensions of the above results are indicated.
The 2012 agricultural drought assessment in Nebraska using MODIS satellite data

Among many human-related sectors, agriculture is often the first and most vulnerable sector to be affected by drought events. In 2012, nearly two-thirds of the contiguous U.S. had been hit by severe drought. The Great Plains had most severe drought conditions, with states such as Nebraska suffering successive and widespread exceptional drought. In Nebraska, where grain and soybean account for nearly 90 percent of agricultural output, the 2012 exceptional drought profoundly and distinctly affected local agricultural productivity. In this study, MODIS-based Vegetation Health Index (VHI) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were used to monitor agricultural drought in Nebraska during the corn-growing season of 2012. The temporal variations and spatial features of drought captured by both of indices were analyzed. Results showed that both VHI and NDVI Anomaly could capture drought development quite well, and spatial similarities were found between VHI and NDVI Anomaly drought maps for most agricultural areas.
Application of pneumatic techniques to surface tension determinations. The surfactometer.

Abstract A variable surface-area, surface-tension, pneumatic recording instrument, with modified Wilhelmy balance capability, is described. Advantages include a rugged servo stylus drive, linear coordinates and amplification, reduction in cost and size, and the use of only simple low-voltage electromagnetics.