cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Population genetic analysis reveals a predominantly selfing mating system and strong genetic structuring in a naturally fragmented, threatened plant

Conservation genetics studies not only provide information about genetic diversity and genetic structure to inform conservation strategies, they can also help infer life history characteristics such as mating system, pollinator, and seed dispersal strategy of a plant species. Here, we investigated Geocarpon (Mononeuria minima; Caryophyllaceae), an extremely diminutive, poorly known plant species from the south-central U.S. that is threatened due to high habitat specificity and habitat loss. The goals of this study were to use genetic data to help understand the basic attributes of the biology of Geocarpon, including mating system and the spatial extent of gene flow, how genetic variation is partitioned within and among populations and across the landscape, and how to protect that genetic variation. Most Geocarpon populations are highly homozygous and genetically homogenous, indicating a predominantly selfing mating system. Although the species maintains some allelic diversity, the majority of genetic variation was partitioned among populations, even in groups separated by small geographic distances (≥ 0.5 km), indicating very localized seed dispersal (gravity or water). Because genetic variation is structured at a fine scale, to conserve the full range of genetic diversity it is necessary to protect a large proportion of the populations of the species; we recommend protection of as many currently unprotected sites as possible, particularly in areas of the geographic range where few populations are protected, combined with ex situ conservation seed banking in sites that cannot be protected. This study illustrates how life history characteristics, particularly mating system, strongly influence patterns of genetic structure and can have major effects on the strategy to conserve genetic variation in an endangered species.
Women Are at Higher Risk for Concussions Due to Ball or Equipment Contact in Soccer and Lacrosse.

BACKGROUND There is ample evidence to suggest sex- and gender-based differences in the incidence of sports-related concussions. The mechanisms of concussion may vary between male and female athletes and contribute to this observed difference. Understanding the underlying etiology by pooling data from primary studies across different settings and sport types will inform interventions that can reduce concussion rates. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES Specifically, we asked: (1) In which sports are female athletes less likely to experience concussions from player contact? (2) In which sports are female athletes more likely to experience concussions because of ball or equipment contact? METHODS PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify articles published from January 2000 to December 2018. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, which were studies that reported concussion incidence by mechanism for both male and female athletes. Exclusion criteria included non-English studies, conference abstracts, and studies on non-sports related concussions. The sports represented by the 10 studies included ice hockey (n = 4), soccer (n = 5), basketball (n = 4), baseball/softball (n = 4), and lacrosse (n = 5). The rate ratio was calculated as the incidence rate in female athletes/male athletes for each concussion mechanism or activity. Data were pooled using the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model. Study quality was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS Female athletes were at lower risk of player-contact-induced concussions in lacrosse (pooled rate ratio 0.33 [95% CI 0.25 to 0.43]; p < 0.001), basketball (pooled rate ratio 0.86 [95% CI 0.76 to 0.97]; p = 0.01), ice hockey (pooled rate ratio 0.64 [95% CI 0.56 to 0.73]; p < 0.001), soccer (pooled rate ratio 0.70 [95% CI 0.66 to 0.75]; p < 0.001), and soccer heading (pooled rate ratio 0.80 [95% CI 0.72 to 0.90]; p < 0.001); in these sports, men were at higher risk of concussions from player contact. Female athletes were more likely to experience concussions because of ball or equipment contact in lacrosse (pooled rate ratio 3.24 [95% CI 2.10 to 4.99]; p < 0.001), soccer (pooled rate ratio 2.04 [95% CI 1.67 to 2.49]; p < 0.001), and soccer heading (pooled rate ratio 2.63 [95% CI 1.84 to 3.77]; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The mechanism or activity underlying concussions differs between male and female athletes across different sports. This finding remains the same regardless of whether there are rule differences between the men's and women's games. The implementation of other interventions are required to further ensure player safety, including protective head equipment, concussion prevention training, or rules limiting player contact in the men's game. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III, retrospective study.
What if a college major isn’t enough? Cognitive skills and the relationship between US college majors and earnings

Policy discussions in the United States on the link between college majors and earnings have under-appreciated the role of cognitive skills. This study uses the Programme for the International Asse...
Systemic Review: Is an Intradiscal Injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Lumbar Disc Degeneration Effective?

Current studies evaluating the outcomes of intradiscal platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections in degenerative disc disease (DDD) are limited. The purpose of this review was to determine if an intradiscal injection of PRP for degenerative discs results in a statistically significant improvement in clinical outcomes. A systematic review was performed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Level I-IV investigations of intradiscal PRP injections in DDD were sought in multiple databases. The Modified Coleman Methodology Score (MCMS) was used to analyze the methodological quality of the study. Only the outcome measurements used by more than 50% of the studies were included in the data analysis. The study heterogeneity and nature of evidence (mostly retrospective, non-comparative) precluded meta-analysis. Pre and post-injection pain visual analog scales (VAS) were compared using two sample Z-tests. Five articles (90 subjects, mean age 43.6 ± 7.7 years, mean follow-up 8.0 ± 3.6 months) were analyzed. Four articles were level IV evidence and one article was level II. Mean MCMS was 56.0 ± 10.3. There were 43 males and 37 females (10 unidentified). Pain VAS significantly improved following lumbar intradiscal PRP injection (69.7 mm to 43.3 mm; p<0.01). Two patients (2.2%) experienced lower extremity paresthesia after treatment. One patient (1.1%) underwent re-injection. No other complications were reported. In conclusion, intradiscal injection of PRP for degenerative discs resulted in statistically significant improvement in VAS with low re-injection and complication rates in this systematic review. It is unclear whether the improvements were clinically significant given the available evidence. The low level of evidence available (level IV) does not allow for valid conclusions regarding efficacy; however, the positive results suggest that further higher-quality studies might be of value.
Peritonsillar Abscess Size as a Predictor of Medical Therapy Success.

Objective:To evaluate the success of sole medical therapy (MT) versus surgical therapy (ST) in patients with both clinically and radiographically confirmed peritonsillar abscess (PTA). To also dete...
The Vocational Rhetoric of George W. Bush: A Cluster Analysis

George W. Bush has cited biblical references more than any other president before him and has alluded to his personal faith more than any other president, including notable chief executives such as Abraham Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson. Bush’s detractors accuse him of using code-speak to woo the conservative voter while his proponents say he is simply being himself, a genuine man of faith. And, others find his use of faith based rhetoric dangerous because they interpret his remarks of divine call synonymous with intolerant imperialism. The purpose of the study is to determine if President George W. Bush believes in his self-described call; it is not an endorsement or criticism of his claim. This cluster analysis shows that Bush exhibits vocational rhetoric, or the expression of a call to service, and that his vocational call to the presidency influences the performance of his duties as president.
Assessing the impacts of forests on human welfare : Preliminary results from the mid-Atlantic integrated assessment

This paper presents results from the first phase of the socio-economic assessment of forest ecosystems in the Mid-Atlantic Integrated Assessment (MAIA). First, we present results of the analysis of changes in the distribution of human population and forest land use in the region. Then, trends in wood products employment and income between 1975–95 are used to examine the economic contributions of forest-based industries in the Mid-Atlantic region. Between 1970–90 the population of the MAIA region increased by 14% (4.3 million people) resulting in the average population density increasing by 25 people per square mile from 179 to 204 people per square mile. Nevertheless, population density was lower in large parts of the region in 1990 than in 1950. Although forests dominate the MAIA landscape, the trend is toward more people owning smaller forest land holdings, with developed lands increasing by 21% and rural lands decreasing by 2.64% between 1982–94. All of this suggests increasing forest fragmentation in all states of the region except New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Forest industry has been an important contributor to the economy of the MAIA region, producing an average of a quarter million jobs (2.03% of all wage employment) and generating $4.5 billion in wages and salaries each year between 1975–95. If recent trends continue, forest industry will continue to be an important source of employment and income for parts of some states in the MAIA region; however, the forest industry's importance relative to the entire mid-Atlantic economy will likely continue to decline in the 21st century.
The effect of dopamine on glomerular filtration rate in normotensive, oliguric premature neonates.

We examined the effect of dopamine on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at infusion rates of 0.5, 2.5, and 7.5 µg/kg per min in 15 premature neonates. Study infants (mean gestational age 34±2 weeks, mean birth weight 2.43±0.6 kg) had respiratory distress, were normotensive, and had a low urine output (0.9±0.1 ml/kg per hour). GFR was determined by the plasma clearance of inulin after a single bolus injection (200 mg/kg). Four hours after inulin administration, dopamine infusion was begun and continued over 6 h. GFR was estimated before and after beginning the dopamine infusions from the slope of the log of plasma inulin concentration versus time. Gestational age, weight, and baseline GFR were similar in all three groups. With a dopamine infusion rate of 0.5 µg/kg per min there were no changes in GFR, urine output, heart rate, or blood pressure. At an infusion rate of 7.5 µg/kg per min there was no change in GFR, although urine output, heart rate, and blood pressure all increased. At 2.5 µg/kg per min there were significant increases in GFR and urine output, with no changes in blood pressure or heart rate. In oliguric, non-hypotensive neonates, GFR increased significantly at 2.5 µg/kg per min of dopamine. This probably reflects the effects of afferent vasodilatation and may be important clinically when enhancement of GFR is the major treatment objective.
Sodium-23 Magnetic Resonance of Human Subjects

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 Biophysics of 23Na NMR 3 Imaging Techniques 4 Biological Applications 5 Biographical Sketch Related Articles
6 Three sources for non-chemical management of plant disease: Towards an ecological framework

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a conceptual framework that identifies three different lines of research that can contribute to non-chemical approaches to disease management. These are traditional farming practices, biotechnology, and biological control. In addition, a revised definition of biological control is presented. Comparing and contrasting these three categories will be useful for both analyzing existing practices and identifying fertile territory for future research directions in plant disease management. The chapter aims to establish ways to discover and understand how to make disease management in agriculture more environmentally sustainable. The principles of sustainability in agriculture are taken from the principles of applied ecology and agroecology. In addition to environmental sustainability, this chapter recognizes the related issues of economic sustainability that usually top the lists of features of sustainable agriculture.
START-UP AND RAMP-UP OF THE PLT TOKAMAK BY LOWER HYBRID WAVES.

In a tokamak fusion reactor, as in all tokamaks, the confinement of the reacting plasma will be provided by two orthogonal magnetic fields, the toroidal and poloidal fields. The toroidal field is generated by a system of coils external to the plasma. Whereas in most present day tokamaks these coils are resistive, in a reactor they will presumably be superconducting. For present devices, the duration of the toroidal field, at least at the highest fields these machines can produce, is limited by coil heating; for the reactor, on the other hand, the field will be on for unlimited duration. Because of the pulsed nature of the toroidal field, among other reasons, present tokamaks are pulsed devices, and thus rapid start-up is a necessary part of their operation.
Effects of energy deprivation on sex hormone patterns in healthy menstruating women

To determine whether short-term energy deprivation affects sex hormone patterns, six healthy women were studied for two menstrual cycles. Two diets containing recommended levels of all nutrients and differing substantially only with respect to energy content were provided in sequence. During the first cycle, energy intake was 40 +/- 2 kcal/kg body weight, and weight was essentially constant. For the second cycle, energy intake was reduced to 41% of the original intake, averaging 17 +/- 1 kcal/kg initial body weight. During the low-energy diet, weight loss ranged from 3.2 to 6.7 kg. The two leanest women, who also lost the most weight, became anovulatory and amenorrheic in the low-energy period. Within a specific phase of cycle, however, the diet did not affect concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, or follicle-stimulating hormone. Testosterone and androstenedione levels peaked midcycle normally and were decreased with the low-energy diet, while levels of sex hormone-binding globulin increased and those of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate did not change. These results demonstrate short-term dietary and body composition effects on the menstrual cycle and serum androgens.
Controllability and observability of a class of linear, time-invariant systems with interval plants

We establish necessary and sufficient conditions for the controllability of single input/multi output linear time-invariant systems with interval plants, and for the observability of multi input/single output linear time-invariant systems with interval plants. In arriving at our results, we determine allowable plant uncertainty bounds for controllability and observability. To demonstrate the applicability of our results, two specific examples are considered. >
Clinical, demographic, and laboratory characteristics of children with nephrolithiasis

While the incidence of pediatric kidney stones appears to be increasing, little is known about the demographic, clinical, laboratory, imaging, and management variables in this patient population. We sought to describe various characteristics of our stone-forming pediatric population. To that end, we retrospectively reviewed the charts of pediatric patients with nephrolithiasis confirmed by imaging. Data were collected on multiple variables from each patient and analyzed for trends. For body mass index (BMI) controls, data from the general pediatrics population similar to our nephrolithiasis population were used. Data on 155 pediatric nephrolithiasis patients were analyzed. Of the 54 calculi available for analysis, 98 % were calcium based. Low urine volume, elevated supersaturation of calcium phosphate, elevated supersaturation of calcium oxalate, and hypercalciuria were the most commonly identified abnormalities on analysis of 24-h urine collections. Our stone-forming population did not have a higher BMI than our general pediatrics population, making it unlikely that obesity is a risk factor for nephrolithiasis in children. More girls presented with their first stone during adolescence, suggesting a role for reproductive hormones contributing to stone risk, while boys tended to present more commonly at a younger age, though this did not reach statistical significance. These intriguing findings warrant further investigation.
All-glass system for preparative gas chromatography using capillary columns

A zero dead-volume all-glass-lined stainless-steel effluent splitter with a modified thermal gradient collector was designed for preparative gas chromatography using glass capillary columns. This system gives efficient collection of extremely pure samples of the 1-ng to 10-μg range for spectral analysis and biological testing.
Regulation of Growth Hormone Receptor Gene Expression

Pituitary growth hormone (GH) is essential for postnatal growth in animals. GH exerts its actions by direct effect on target organs and by stimulating the production of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). At the tissue level, the pleiotropic actions of GH result from the interaction of GH with a specific cell surface receptor, the GH receptor (GHR). The GHR belongs to the hematopoietic receptor superfamily. The human GHR is the product of a single gene located on chromosome 5p13.1-p12 and spans at least 87 kb. Transcripts from this gene are characterized by the presence of disparate 5' untranslated exons. In the liver at least eight different GHR 5' untranslated regions (UTRs) have been described. This heterogeneity in the 5' UTR most likely results from the splicing of the various exon 1 fragments to a common splice site located 11 bp upstream of the initiating ATG. Heterogeneity in the 5' UTR sequences of the GHR transcripts indicates that transcriptional control of the locus is complex. GHR gene expression is minimal to absent in the fetus, with the postnatal increase in expression in the liver being maximal during pregnancy. GHR gene expression is also regulated by factors such as nutritional intake, GH, steroid hormones, and diabetes mellitus. Available information about the molecular mechanisms regulating expression of the GHR gene is discussed. Thus the GHR gene presents a picture of multiple 5' untranslated exons under the control of multiple promoters. The use of alternate promoters for initiation of transcription in conjunction with differential splicing allows for exquisite regulation of gene expression. This schema is appropriate for a protein that is essential to many of the physiological processes that are crucial for the survival and well-being of the organism.
Ceptometer Deployment Method Affects Measurement of Fraction of Intercepted Photosynthetically Active Radiation

The fraction ofphotosynthetically active radiation a canopy intercepts (fiPAR) drives canopy level photosynthesis. There is currently no universal, repeatable fiPAR sensor deployment method. We show variability of fiPAR measurements by three sensor deployment methods, including two 1 by 1 m and one 3 by 1 m method. The deployment method biased measurements (P = 0.005) under buffel-grass (Pennisetum ciliare L) canopies. These effects were less evident in 'Alamo' switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L) and miscanthus (Miscanthus xgiganteus). Canopies of these two species showed deployment method x nutrient addition interaction effects (P = 0.02), apparently driven by nutrient effects on leaf area index (LAI). We highlight potential implications of using the different deployment methods via an exercise in the application of Beer's law. As actual LAI increased, effect of deployment method on fiPAR measurements tended to diminish, suggesting in high LAI systems a universal deployment method is not as critical as it is in low LAI systems.
Hydrodynamic and diffusion effects on the stability of spherically expanding flames

We examine the stability of an outwardly propagating spherical flame accounting for both hydrodynamic and thermodiffusive effects. For Lewis numbers less than a critical value Le∗ Le∗, the flame, which is stable to thermodiffusive effects, becomes unstable only after a critical size is reached. This instability is hydrodynamic in nature and is caused by the thermal expansion of the gas. In this study we provide an expression for the determination of the critical size, or a critical Peclet number, which depends on the thermal expansion coefficient and on the Lewis number. The explicit dependence on all the relevant physicochemical parameters enables us to compare our results with experimental data.
A maxillary impression technic.

Many technics have been developed that use plaster as a denture impression material. This new procedure is a modification of a technic already developed that provides a highly accurate, negative pressure impression. Chair time is reduced, and there is no need for an acrylic resin tray.
Binding of Hydrophobic Peptides to Several Non-catalytic Sites Promotes Peptide Hydrolysis by All Active Sites of 20 S Proteasomes EVIDENCE FOR PEPTIDE-INDUCED CHANNEL OPENING IN THE α-RINGS

The eukaryotic 20 S proteasome contains the following 6 active sites: 2 chymotrypsin-like, 2 trypsin-like, and 2 caspase-like. We previously showed that hydrophobic peptide substrates of the chymotrypsin-like sites allosterically stimulate peptide hydrolysis by the caspase-like sites and their own cleavage. More thorough analysis revealed that these peptides also stimulate peptide hydrolysis by the trypsin-like site. This general activation by hydrophobic peptides occurred even if the chymotrypsin-like sites were occupied by a covalent inhibitor and was highly cooperative, with an average Hill coefficient of 7. Therefore, this stimulation of peptide hydrolysis at all active sites occurs upon binding of hydrophobic peptides to several non-catalytic sites. The stimulation by hydrophobic peptides was not observed in the yeast ΔNα3 mutant 20 S proteasomes, in 20 S-PA26 complexes, or SDS-activated proteasomes and was significantly lower in 26 S proteasomes, all of which appear to have the gated channel in the α-rings in an open conformation and hydrolyze peptides at much faster rates than 20 S proteasomes. Also the hydrophobic peptides alteredK m , V max of active sites in a similar fashion as PA26 and the ΔNα3 mutation. The activation by hydrophobic peptides was decreased in K+-containing buffer, which favors the closed state of the channels. Therefore, hydrophobic peptides stimulate peptide hydrolysis most likely by promoting the opening of the channels in the α-rings. During protein breakdown, this peptide-induced channel opening may function to facilitate the release of products from the proteasome.
A simple and inexpensive method of hydrogen isotope and water analyses of minerals and rocks based on zinc reagent

Vennemann, T.W. and O'Neil, J.R., 1993. A simple and inexpensive method of hydrogen isotope and water analyses of minerals and rocks based on zinc reagent. Chem. Geol. (Isot. Geosci. Sect. ), 103: 227-234. A new method based on Zn reagent for the quantitative conversion H20 to H 2 for the hydrogen isotope analysis of hydrous minerals and whole rocks has been developed. Analyses by this method are of comparable accuracy and precision ( ~ 1%0; ~< 0.1 wt% error for determination of HzO) to those of conventional extraction methods based on uranium reagent and is significantly simpler, faster and less expensive.
Directional Wind-Wave Coupling in Fully Coupled Atmosphere-Wave-Ocean Models: Results from CBLAST-Hurricane

AbstractThe extreme high winds, intense rainfall, large ocean waves, and copious sea spray in hurricanes push the surface-exchange parameters for temperature, water vapor, and momentum into untested regimes. The Coupled Boundary Layer Air–Sea Transfer (CBLAST)-Hurricane program is aimed at developing improved coupling parameterizations (using the observations collected during the CBLAST-Hurricane field program) for the next-generation hurricane research prediction models. Hurricane-induced surface waves that determine the surface stress are highly asymmetric, which can affect storm structure and intensity significantly. Much of the stress is supported by waves in the wavelength range of 0.1–10 m, which is the unresolved “spectral tail” in present wave models. A directional wind–wave coupling method is developed to include effects of directionality of the wind and waves in hurricanes. The surface stress vector is calculated using the two-dimensional wave spectra from a wave model with an added short-wave s...
8 Inhibitors in congenital haemophilia

Inhibitor formation is a serious complication, occurring in 24-52% of patients with haemophilia A and in 1.5-3% of patients with haemophilia B. Low-titre inhibitors can easily be overcome and do not represent a treatment challenge. They are treated with increased doses of factor concentrate. However, high-titre inhibitors may still cause death from haemorrhage in this population. Optimal treatment of acute, life-threatening haemorrhage in patients with factor VIII inhibitors includes either porcine factor VIII or human factor VIII in high doses since, with both modalities, circulating factor levels are achievable. If the inhibitor titres are too high, plasmapheresis may be warranted. For routine joint bleeds, PCC or aPCC can be administered at home with variable success. For patients with factor IX inhibitors treatment options are more limited. If the haemorrhage is life-threatening, plasmapheresis should be done to decrease the inhibitor and high doses of pure factor IX administered either by continuous infusion or bolus. Attainment of levels of > 20% should be attempted. New clinical options, such as rFVIIa, may emerge. For both groups of patients, IT should be started as soon as the inhibitor is discovered and its behaviour characterized. Unfortunately, no standard regimen for IT exists and the treater will have to choose whichever schedule he/she feels is the most appropriate.
Bilateral Subclavian Steal Syndrome

Bilateral subclavian steal syndrome is a rare condition. It is usually due to reversal of vertebral blood flow in the setting of bilateral proximal subclavian or left subclavian plus innominate artery severe stenosis or occlusion. This finding may cause cerebral ischemia related to upper extremities exercise. We report a case of bilateral subclavian steal secondary to total occlusion of the innominate and left subclavian arteries in a patient who presented with cardiomyopathy and flow reversal in the right carotid and bilateral vertebral arteries.
Empirical study of novice programming with plans and objects

Empirical studies conducted at two colleges (traditional and online) indicate that students have difficulty with plan integration, understanding of the object-oriented paradigm, and incorporating OOP concepts into problem solving. When novices are taught OOP at an early stage, they tend to spend more time trying to understand objects and less time on problem solving. Currently, OOP compounds the problems novices face when learning programming. To reinforce more effectively OOP concepts, plans, and problem solving for novices, we propose a Plan-Object Paradigm and design of WPOL.
Frequency-dependent seismic attenuation in the inner core. 2. A scattering and fabric interpretation

[1] Broadband velocity waveforms of PKIKP in the distance range 150–180° are inverted for a model of inner core attenuation due to forward scattering by a three-dimensional heterogeneous fabric. A mean velocity perturbation of 8.4 ± 1.8% and a scale length of heterogeneity of 9.8 ± 2.4 km are determined from 262 available PKIKP ray paths. The velocity perturbations are larger for polar than for equatorial paths, decrease with depth, and show anisotropy in both global and regional data. For paths beneath North America, the smallest scale lengths (1–5 km) tend to lie in either the upper 200 km of the inner core or along paths close to the rotational axis. The depth dependence of attenuation is roughly similar to that obtained assuming a viscoelastic origin, except a more abrupt transition is seen between higher attenuation in the upper inner core and lower attenuation in the lower inner core. This transition may be sharp enough to produce either a first- or second-order discontinuity with depth in the long-wavelength (composite) elastic moduli. A fabric that satisfies the observed depth dependence and anisotropy of attenuation requires solidification of iron crystals having high (>10%) intrinsic anisotropy, which are preferentially aligned in time and depth. Since weak velocity dispersion, elastic anisotropy, attenuation anisotropy, and their depth dependence agree with that predicted by such a fabric, we suggest that scattering attenuation is not a small fraction but, rather, the predominant mechanism of attenuation in the inner core in the 0.02–2-Hz frequency band.
MDC-L, a Novel Metalloprotease Disintegrin Cysteine-rich Protein Family Member Expressed by Human Lymphocytes

The metalloprotease disintegrin cysteine-rich (MDC) proteins are a recently identified family of transmembrane proteins that function in proteolytic processing of cell surface molecules and in cell adhesion. Since lymphocytes must interact with a constantly changing environment, we hypothesized that lymphocytes would express unique MDC proteins. To identify MDC proteins expressed in human lymph node, a polymerase chain reaction-based strategy combined with degenerate oligonucleotide primers was employed. We report here the identification of MDC-L (ADAM 23), a novel member of the MDC protein family. The results obtained from cDNA cloning and Northern blot analysis of mRNA isolated from various lymphoid tissues indicate that a 2.8-kilobase mRNA encoding a transmembrane form, MDC-Lm, and a 2.2-kilobase mRNA encoding a secreted form, MDC-Ls, are expressed in a tissue-specific manner. MDC-L mRNA was shown to be predominantly expressed in secondary lymphoid tissues, such as lymph node, spleen, small intestine, stomach, colon, appendix, and trachea. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining with an anti-MDC-L antibody demonstrated that cells with typical lymphocyte morphology are responsible for expression of the MDC-L antigen in these lymphoid tissues. MDC-Lm was found to be expressed on the surface of human peripheral blood lymphocytes and transformed B- and T-lymphocyte cell lines as an 87-kDa protein. Thus, we have identified a novel lymphocyte-expressed MDC protein family member.
Changing Meat Demand Structure in the United States: Evidence from a Price Flexibility Analysis

A flexibility system for beef, pork, and chicken is estimated in accordance with a theoretical, income-constrained utility maximization model of consumer behavior subject to fixed quantities. The cumulative sum of squares technique is generalized for equation systems and used to detect structural change in retail meat demands. The findings suggest, (1) red meat demands have become more variable, and (2) cross-price flexibilities for beef, pork and chicken have increased in absolute value which supports the hypothesis that chicken has become a closer substitute for beef and pork in the post-1973 period.
Evaluation of alternative oil spill cleanup techniques in a Spartina alterniflora salt marsh

Three oil spill situations which cause long-term impact were simulated in 1 m(2) salt marsh plots to evaluate the effectiveness of alternative cleanup techniques at removing oil and reducing damage to Spartina alterniflora. Cleanup techniques, implemented 18-24 h after oiling, were not effective at removing oil after sediment penetration. When oil remained on the sediment surface, flushing techniques were most effective at removal, reducing levels of added oil by 73% to 83%. The addition of dispersant to the flushing stream only slightly enhanced oil removal. Clipping of vegetation followed by sorbent pad application to sediment was moderately effective, reducing added oil by 36% to 44%. In contrast to flushing and clipping, burning increased the amount of oil in sediment by 27% to 72%. Although flushing and clipping were effective at oil removal, neither technique reduced initial damage to plants or enhanced long-term recovery. While flushed plots sustained no additional plant damage due to cleanup, clipped and burned plots sustained additional initial plant damage. Based on these results, first considerations should be given to natural tidal flushing as the means to remove oil, especially in salt marshes subject to ample tidal inundation. Although our results do not support cleanup in salt marshes with ample tidal inundation, low pressure flushing may be warranted when fuel oils or large quantities of crude oil impact salt marshes subject to reduced tidal flushing. Flushing, when warranted, should be initiated prior to oil penetration into the substrate. Clipping may be considered as a cleanup response only when heavy oil cannot be effectively removed from vegetation by flushing. Burning is not recommended because it enhances oil penetration into sediment and causes substantial initial plant damage.
Integrating traditional and agile processes in the classroom

Teaching software engineering is difficult because the true benefits of a disciplined software process and the production of significant artifacts are most meaningful when programming-in-the-large, with varying levels of team experience in the context of a professional organization. Using the same techniques when programming-in-the-small can often lead to the students feeling that it is better to not use any process because the effort and tedium of producing artifacts is so great compared with the relatively simple task of writing the code for the target solution. This paper describes our solution, a curriculum that exposes the students to both lightweight traditional and lightweight agile processes. We describe two offerings of the class and conclude from the positive student feedback that we have found the correct balance.
Fluorescence photon antibunching from single molecules on a surface

Abstract Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy of individual Rhodamine 6G (R6G) molecules immobilized on a silica surface is performed in air at room temperature using confocal laser scanning optical microscopy (CLSM). The high excitation irradiance in CLSM is used to saturate single R6G molecules, and to observe fluorescence photon antibunching. An experimental arrangement is described that improves the overall coincidence counting efficiency at high irradiance. Photophysical parameters obtained from the saturation data are used to model the antibunching behavior. This is the first reported example of photon antibunching from individual quantum systems on a surface.
Botulinum toxin for spastic gastrointestinal disorders

Botulinum toxin (BTX) is one of the most potent inhibitors of acetylcholine from nerve endings, and this accounts for its toxic properties as well as its therapeutic application in a variety of neuromuscular syndromes. This review focuses on the growing use of BTX in the so-called 'spastic' disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. These include achalasia, for which the short-term efficacy of the intrasphincteric injection of BTX has been well established. However, because of the chronicity of this condition, repeated injections of the toxin may be required at regular intervals. In contrast, the relatively short duration of action may be an advantage in disorders such as chronic anal fissure, where the benefit of this therapy has now been demonstrated in hundreds of patients. There are many other sphincteric and non-sphincteric syndromes in the gut for which the efficacy of this agent is being actively tested. These include non-cardiac chest pain, post-operative pylorospasm and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Skeletal muscle sphincters, such as the upper oesophageal sphincter or the external anal sphincter/puborectalis muscle, may also be targeted, with good effect. In some of these conditions, the local injection of BTX may serve as a useful therapeutic trial, facilitating the decision to institute more invasive forms of therapy. The cumulative short-term experience with BTX in the gut to date suggests that it is a relatively simple and safe therapy. The use of BTX represents a novel approach for gastrointestinal motility disorders, and the rapidly expanding list of successful applications holds promise for a more widespread use of similar agents in the future. Additional studies on long-term outcome are eagerly awaited.
Using flowcharts to teach audit reports: an update

Abstract In the August 1991 issue of the Journal of Accounting Education , Groomer and Heintz (1991) presented an overview and detailed flowcharts for use in teaching audit reports. This article updates those flowcharts to reflect the reporting requirements of SAS No. 79 and SAS No. 82 ( AICPA, 1997 ), improve pedagogy, and provide a more efficient presentation. The utilization of flowcharts is a particularly effective way to communicate to the auditing student the operative logic of determining audit report types and format for GAAP-based financial statements.
Involvement in linguistic practice: An ethnographic appraisal

Abstract This paper is a critical examination of ‘involvement’ as an analytic category in sociolinguistics and discourse analysis. The discussion first identifies a variety of conceptual problems associated with the nature and locus of involvement. Then a number of ethnographic studies focusing on the relationship between language use, emotionally, society, and culture are described, and the usefulness of involvement as a descriptive and theoretical tool is evaluated. This paper shows that involvement, a notion which assumes Western views of interaction, emotionality, and personhood, does not adequately capture the essence of the interactional dynamics described in these ethnographic reports. An alternative agenda is outlined, in which the relationship between emotionality and linguistic practices is solidly grounded in a critical examination of the cultural and social dynamics in which it is embedded.
Membership and Engagement at Middle College High School

Expanded teacher role; collaborative, relevant learning; and cooperation between school and college: a recipe for success.
Interstitial radiogold implantation for the treatment of recurrent high-grade gliomas.

Thirty-three patients were treated at the Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine (Houston) between 1983 and 1987, for high-grade gliomas which had recurred after conventional external-beam radiation therapy. The mean dose to the tumor volume from the external-beam therapy was 5800 cGy. Thirteen patients had recurrent astrocytoma Grade 4 (glioblastoma), whereas 20 had recurrent astrocytoma Grade 3 (anaplastic astrocytoma). All patients were treated for their recurrence by the combination of reexcision of as much of the tumor mass as was technically feasible and intraoperative radiogold (198Au) seed implantation of the residual tumor and/or tumor bed. The mean dose to the tumor volume from the implant was 4000 cGy. For the 13 patients treated for recurrent glioblastoma the 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival rates were 46%, 15%, and 8%, respectively. For the 20 patients treated for recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma the 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival rates were 75%, 50%, and 15%, respectively. Survival was measured from the time of implant. The median survival for patients with glioblastoma was 9 months. The median survival for patients with anaplastic astrocytoma was 17 months. One patient died in the immediate postoperative period from a gastrointestinal bleed. No patient required reoperation for radiation necrosis. Themore » authors believe that this technique is an effective treatment for patients with high-grade gliomas recurring after external-beam radiation therapy, and are now including interstitial irradiation in the initial management of selected patients with high-grade gliomas.« less
A Novel Link between Ran Signal Transduction and Nuclear Envelope Proteins in Plants

A novel protein domain has been identified that is shared between putative plant Ran GTPase-activating protein (RanGAP) and a plant protein (MAF1) previously identified to be associated with the nuclear envelope. This domain is not present in RanGAPs from animals and yeast, suggesting that plant-
MOLYBDENUM(II) TRIFLUORO ACETATE DIMER

Abstract Molybdenum(II) trifluoroacetate dimer, Mo2(O2CCF3)4, has been prepared by reaction of Mo2(O2CCH3)4 with a 10:1 mixture of CF3COOH and (CF3CO)2O under nitrogen. An X-ray structure determination shows that the compound has the dinuclear, carboxylate-bridged configuration of essentially D4h symmetry previously established for a number of other transition metal carboxylates. The Mo-Mo and average Mo-O distances of 2.090(4) and 2.06 (2) A are not significantly different from those found in molybdenum(II) acetate dimer [2.11(1) and 2.10(2) A]. The Mo-Mo stretching frequencies in the Raman spectrum are also similar for the two compounds: 406 cm−1 for the acetate and 393 cm−1 (389 in Et2O soln.) for the trifluoroacetate. The mass spectrum of the trifluoroacetate shows a strong molecular-ion peak, and a fragmentation pattern characterized by successive net loss of CF2CO2 units. The infrared, Raman, electronic and mass spectra are discussed. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with un...
Role of monocytes in pokeweed mitogen-induced differentiation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Abstract Separate stimulation (“pulsing”) method of different cell populations with pokeweed mitogen (PWM) was used to study the regulatory role of monocytes in the PWM-induced plaque-forming cell response of human peripheral blood lymphocytes. T cells, B cells, and monocytes were separated, pulse-stimulated with PWM, extensively washed, and cocultured with unstimulated cell populations without additional PWM. Pulse-stimulated T cells helped unstimulated B cells to differentiate into immunoglobulin-secreting cells. This generation of helper T cells by PWM-pulsing was enhanced by monocytes in the presence of free PWM, as well as by PWM-pulsed monocytes in the absence of free PWM. A coculture of pulse-stimulated B cells and unstimulated T cells produced more substantial B-cell differentiation than the coculture of stimulated T cells and unstimulated B cells. Further enhancement of the latter response was obtained when B cells were pulse-stimulated in the presence of monocytes. However, pulse-stimulated B cells did not differentiate in the absence of T cells, and monocytes were unable to replace this T-cell function. It appears that there are several pathways by which PWM induces B-cell differentiation and in each, monocytes play an enhancing role.
What cognitive science tells us about the design of reports for consumers.

The health services literature contains many articles related to expanding and refining quality measures. But the rich body of empirical research on how people process information has rarely been applied to the challenge of presenting complex information about health care in ways that facilitate its comprehension and use. In this article, the authors review key findings from this research. Based on their review, the authors develop some general principles for presenting information and demonstrate their utility by assessing three Web sites that report performance data.
The finite temperature behaviour of lattice QCD with moderate to large quark masses

Abstract Simulations of lattice QCD with 4 flavours of staggered quarks were performed using the Hybrid algorithm on a 123 × 4 lattice. For quark masses ≥.1 (lattice units) the finite temperature transition did not appear to be first order.
Adapting and Evaluating Commercial Workflow Engines for e-Science

Numerous Grid workflow engines exist, each generally specialized for a single application domain such as protein folding. Although the underlying purpose and functionality of the Grid workflow engines are similar, and they make use of a common set of Grid protocols, the implementations vary vastly, making interoperation among them nearly impossible. On the other hand, the concept of workflows of Web services is very popular in the enterprise domain and many engines exist for business workflows. These mostly revolve around the Business Process Execution Language (BPEL), an emerging standard for Web services workflow description. We study three different business workflow engines - Microsoft's BizTalk Server, Microsoft's Windows Workflow Foundation and Oracle's Business Process Manager and analyze how each of these engines can be adapted to e-science and the Grid environment. We have implemented widely-used grid workflows on each of these engines and show quantitatively and qualitatively that each business engine has positive and negative aspects for large-scale e-science.
Elements of quantitative finance: a response to Jeff Holman’s review of Antifragile

While the review of Antifragile by Mr Holman (4 December 2013) is replete with factual, logical and analytical errors, we will list here only the ones of general interest to the student of quantita...
Instructive role of the vascular niche in promoting tumour growth and tissue repair by angiocrine factors

The precise mechanisms whereby anti-angiogenesis therapy blocks tumour growth or causes vascular toxicity are unknown. We propose that endothelial cells establish a vascular niche that promotes tumour growth and tissue repair not only by delivering nutrients and O2 but also through an 'angiocrine' mechanism by producing stem and progenitor cell-active trophogens. Identification of endothelial-derived instructive angiocrine factors will allow direct tumour targeting, while diminishing the unwanted side effects associated with the use of anti-angiogenic agents.
How tidal heating in Io drives the galilean orbital resonance locks

The mechanisms by which orbital resonance locks are maintained among Io, Europa and Ganymede are analyzed, and the effects of the dissipative tides in Jupiter and Io on their establishment and evolution are considered. According to the proposed model, initially all three satellites are in orbits far from the 2:1 commensurabilities or the three body lock. The tide raised on Io damps down the free eccentricity; only modest tidal heating occurs. Subsequently the dissipative tide raised on Jupiter by Io causes Io's orbit to spiral outwards; Io approaches the 2:1 commensurability with Europa. Io's forced eccentricity increases rapidly to a critical value, and thereafter the resonant interaction causes Europa's orbit to expand at half that of Io's orbit. A fluid core is probably formed as the result of tidal heating. Finally Europa approaches the 2:1 commensurability, angular momentum is transferred from Europa's orbit to Ganymede's, and a steady state is attained. On the basis of the observed three-body resonance amplitude (0.066 deg), it is concluded that three-body resonance may have formed less than 500 million years ago; a measurement of the rate of tidal heating in Io may determine the Q value of both Io and Jupiter. Upper and lower limits for the Jovian Q value of 2 million and 20,000 are suggested.