cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contributions of Robert (Bob) J. O’Neil to the field of predaceous Heteroptera

Abstract Predaceous Heteroptera are important components of natural and managed habitats. The extent of predatory habits among taxa ranges from those that are totally (or nearly totally) predaceous to those that are nearly totally phytophagous, but occasionally feed on arthropod prey. Because of that variability in predatory habit, the contributions of heteropteran taxa to management of pest species will vary greatly. The late Robert (Bob) J. O’Neil (1955–2008) added significantly to understanding the roles of and benefits from facultatively predaceous Heteroptera. His focus on behavioral and physiological attributes that permitted facultatively predaceous species to persist in agricultural habitats demonstrated that facultative predators could help prevent pest outbreaks, but were less effective at reducing numbers of species already considered above economic thresholds.
Gender differences in protection from EAE induced by oral tolerance with a peptide analogue of MBP-Ac1-11.

Mechanisms that contribute to increased female susceptibility to multiple sclerosis can be studied in the murine model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In this report, we compared oral tolerance induction in male and female B10.PL mice using fed myelin basic protein (MBP) Ac1–11 peptide or a high-affinity analogue, Ac1–11[4Y]. We found that fed Ac1–11[4Y] peptide, but not native Ac1–11, could limit cellular infiltration into the central nervous system (CNS) and protect male mice from EAE, an effect that was completely obviated by castration. In contrast, female mice could not be orally tolerized or protected from EAE with either peptide. Tolerance induction in males was reflected by the appearance of Ac1–11[4Y]-reactive splenocytes that produced a sharply increased ratio of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β:interleukin (IL)-2 and induced bystander suppression. These data directly demonstrate gender differences in regulatory T cells, and support the concept that androgens are involved in governing oral tolerance to EAE. J. Neurosci. Res. 55:432–440, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
New Vocationalism in the United States: Potential Problems and Outlook.

Abstract This paper was written in 1992, while Benson was Director of NCRVE. It sets forth a vision of a “new vocationalism” that integrates academic and occupational curriculum, combines classroom instruction with work-based learning, and connects secondary with post-secondary education. The paper explains the rationale, summarizes existing evidence, analyzes obstacles, and discusses the prospects for these changes. (Ed. note: The ideas presented here were subsequently embodied in the federal School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994.)
Target Localization and Tracking in Noisy Binary Sensor Networks with Known Spatial Topology

Target localization and tracking are two of the critical tasks of sensor networks in many applications. Conventional localization and tracking techniques developed for wireless systems that rely on direction-of-arrival or time-of-arrival information, are not suitable for low-power sensors with limited computation and communication capabilities. In this paper, we propose a low complexity and energy efficient localization and tracking method for binary sensor networks in noisy environments, where the sensors can only perform binary detection, and the physical links are characterized by additive white Gaussian noise channels. The proposed method is based on known spatial topology. An efficient wake-up strategy is used to activate a particular group of sensors for cooperative localization and tracking. We analyze the localization error probability and tracking miss probability in the presence of prediction errors. Simulation results validate the theoretic analysis and demonstrate the effectiveness of the localization and tracking mechanism.
Performance properties of large scale parallel systems

Abstract There are several metrics that characterize the performance of a parallel system, such as parallel execution time, speedup, and efficiency. A number of properties of these metrics have been studied. For example, it is a well known fact that given a parallel architecture and a problem of a fixed size, the speedup of a parallel algorithm does not continue to increase with increasing number of processors. It usually tends to saturate or peak at a certain limit. Thus, it may not be useful to employ more than an optimal number of processors for solving a problem on a parallel computer. This optimal number of processors depends on the problem size, the parallel algorithm, and the parallel architecture. In this paper we study the impact of parallel processing overheads and the degree of concurrency of a parallel algorithm on the optimal number of processors to be used when the criterion for optimality is minimization of the parallel execution time. We then study a more general criterion of optimality and show how operating at the optimal point is equivalent to operating at a unique value of efficiency that is characteristic of the criterion of optimality and the properties of the parallel system under study. We put the technical results derived in this paper in perspective with similar results that have appeared in the literature before and show how this paper generalizes and/or extends these earlier results.
Insights into foraminiferal influences on microfabrics of microbialites at Highborne Cay, Bahamas.

Microbialites, which are organosedimentary structures formed by microbial communities through binding and trapping and/or in situ precipitation, have a wide array of distinctive morphologies and long geologic record. The origin of morphological variability is hotly debated; elucidating the cause or causes of microfabric differences could provide insights into ecosystem functioning and biogeochemistry during much of Earth’s history. Although rare today, morphologically distinct, co-occurring extant microbialites provide the opportunity to examine and compare microbial communities that may be responsible for establishing and modifying microbialite microfabrics. Highborne Cay, Bahamas, has extant laminated (i.e., stromatolites) and clotted (i.e., thrombolites) marine microbialites in close proximity, allowing focused questions about how community composition relates to physical attributes. Considerable knowledge exists about prokaryotic composition of microbialite mats (i.e., stromatolitic and thrombolitic mats), but little is known about their eukaryotic communities, especially regarding heterotrophic taxa. Thus, the heterotrophic eukaryotic communities of Highborne stromatolites and thrombolites were studied. Here, we show that diverse foraminiferal communities inhabit microbialite mat surfaces and subsurfaces; thecate foraminifera are relatively abundant in all microbialite types, especially thrombolitic mats; foraminifera stabilize grains in mats; and thecate reticulopod activities can impact stromatolitic mat lamination. Accordingly, and in light of foraminiferal impacts on modern microbialites, our results indicate that the microbialite fossil record may reflect the impact of the radiation of these protists.
Endothelial and Smooth Muscle-derived Neuropilin-like Protein Regulates Platelet-derived Growth Factor Signaling in Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells by Modulating Receptor Ubiquitination

Endothelial and smooth muscle cell-derived neuropilin-like protein (ESDN) is up-regulated in the neointima of remodeling arteries and modulates vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is the prototypic growth factor for VSMCs and plays a key role in vascular remodeling. Here, we sought to further define ESDN function in primary human VSMCs. ESDN down-regulation by RNA interference significantly enhanced PDGF-induced VSMC DNA synthesis and migration. This was associated with increased ERK1/2, Src, and PDGF receptor (PDGFR)β phosphorylation, without altering total PDGFRβ expression levels. In binding assays, ESDN down-regulation significantly increased 125I-PDGF maximum binding (Bmax) to PDGF receptors on VSMCs without altering the binding constant (Kd), raising the possibility that ESDN regulates PDGFR processing. ESDN down-regulation significantly reduced ligand-induced PDGFRβ ubiquitination. This was associated with a significant reduction in the expression level of c-Cbl, an E3 ubiquitin ligase that ubiquitinylates PDGFRβ. Thus, ESDN modulates PDGF signaling in VSMCs via regulation of PDGFR surface levels. The ESDN effect is mediated, at least in part, through effects on PDGFRβ ubiquitination. ESDN may serve as a target for regulating PDGFRβ signaling in VSMCs.
Muscle abnormalities associated with radial aplasia

The purpose of this paper was to report the muscle variations in eleven cases of radial aplasia and to extract information relative to normal and abnormal limb muscle development. The cases all involved other defects ranging from acardia to "thrombocytopenia-absent radius" (TAR) and included several multiple malformations. The muscle patterns did not seem to depend upon the etiology of the radial aplasia but appeared to be more dependent upon late embryonic or early fetal muscular repositioning.
Recurrent anorectal abscesses

A prospective study of 100 recurrent anorectal abscesses in 97 patients was carried out to elucidate the cause of recurrence. Sixty-four patients had had one, 12 had had two, and the rest had had more than two prior abscesses. In 32 patients, the previous diagnosis was erroneous; the patients had hidradenitis suppurativa which was excised. In 68 patients, the cause of recurrence was insufficient prior treatment. Thirty-one patients (45 per cent) had fistulous abscesses requiring fistulotomy. Twenty-two patients (32 per cent) had large abscesses associated with fistula necessitating unroofing of the abscess along with fistulotomy. In 15 patients (22 per cent), no associated fistula was detected, but they were found to have missed components (i.e., ischiorectal, supralevator, postanal abscesses) and were successfully treated with drainage of the missed abscess component. All recurrent abscesses must be examined carefully under anesthesia to identify associated fistulas or missed components, or to exclude hidradenitis suppurativa.
Applications of small molecule BMP inhibitors in physiology and disease.

Abstract Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) provide critical signals for determining cell fate, specifying gastrulation, embryonic patterning, organogenesis, and the remodeling of diverse tissues. Recent work has suggested that in addition to coordinating pivotal events in development, BMPs may also regulate certain homeostatic physiological processes independently of effects on cell growth or differentiation. We recently described the identification of dorsomorphin, a small molecule inhibitor of BMP type I receptors which inhibits BMP signaling in preference to TGF-β, Activin, and other ligands of the TGF-β family. We describe a number of strategies using dorsomorphin and its derivatives as probes to assess the physiologic roles of BMP signaling. We also discuss several potential applications for small molecule BMP inhibitors, including stem cell manipulation, and the therapeutic modification of bone remodeling, heterotopic ossification, and iron homeostasis.
Modulation of substrate-specific glutathione S-transferase activity in daphnia magna with concomitant effects on toxicity tolerance

Abstract Gluthathione S-transferase (GST) activity was measured in Daphnia magna and Ceriodaphnia reticulata using 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and ethacrynic acid (EA) as conjugation substrates. Levels of GST activity were comparable between species with CDNB; however, D. magna had nearly twice the GST activity with EA as compared to C. reticulata. GST activity with CDNB was elevated from exposure of daphnids to either CDNB or sodium pentachlorophenate (PCP), but not from exposure to EA. GST activity with EA could not be modulated from exposure to CDNB or EA. GST activity towards CDNB and EA was biochemically separated into different protein fractions suggesting the existence of two distinct isozymes. Preexposure of daphnids to CDNB or PCP increased the organisms' tolerance to the toxic effects of PCP, but not CDNB.
Current practices in sensory motor programming with developmentally delayed infants and young children.

Summary This study examined the current practices of sensory motor programming with developmentally delayed infants and young children. A survey was conducted of facilities listed as serving this population group. There were 625 facilities which responded (response rate 84%). The responses of these facilities showed that each modal facility served between 21–50 children in day settings, and that 95% of the facilities offered individualized sensory motor programmes. Responses indicated that the way sensory motor programming was developed, the activities used, and the expected benefits had a high degree of similarity. Differences, however, were reported in the professional background of the programme directors, in their theoretical orientation, and in the assessment instruments used for developing and evaluating sensory motor programmes. There are implications for future study.
Repeated immobilization stress increases total cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor in rat liver.

Abstract Glucocorticoids are well-known mediators of stress-related endocrine, autonomic, and behavioral responses in mammals and human beings. However, our understanding of the mechanisms of glucocorticoid action in response to stress remains elusive. Therefore, in the present study, an effort has been made to systematically examine glucocorticoid action during acute (2 h) and repeated (2 h daily for 7, 15, and 30 days) immobilization stress in male Sprague–Dawley rats. Prolonged 30-day stress resulted in reduced total body weight gain. There was a dramatic 3- to 4-fold increase in plasma corticosterone levels after single acute stress paradigm, which remained augmented 2- to 3-fold higher than basal control levels during the repeated 30-day immobilization conditions. There was good relationship between increased plasma corticosterone levels and elevation of tyrosine aminotransferase activity in the liver during 30 days of stress. Because repeated immobilization stress animals showed increased levels of both plasma corticosterone and tyrosine aminotransferase activity, the regulation of cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in rat liver, a major target tissue for glucocorticoid, was carried out during repeated stress by using GR binding assay, exchange assay, and Western blotting techniques. Exposure of animals to acute and repeated stress resulted in decreased free cytosolic GR. Interestingly, the bound cytosolic GR increased remarkably in liver during prolonged stress of 7–30 days. Overall, results obtained by using both binding assays and Western blotting for the first time showed that repeated stress animals had higher levels of total hepatic cytosolic GR as compared to control animals. These novel results suggest that repeated stress influences the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in rats by elevating both the level of plasma corticosterone and total hepatic cytosolic GR.
Role of Movement in the Response of Natural Enemies to Agroecosystem Diversification: A Theoretical Evaluation

Studies of the response of natural enemies to vegetational diversity suggest that movement behavior plays an important role in determining natural enemy abundance in diversified agroecosystems. A simple mathematical model for the response of natural enemies to interplanted strip vegetation is developed based on the assumption that natural enemy movement can be represented as a diffusion process. Attractiveness of interplanted strips, resulting from strip vegetation having an abundance of resources, is represented by natural enemies having lower diffusion rates in the strips. Results of simulations with the model suggest that interplanted vegetation acts as a source of natural enemies when natural enemies colonize strip vegetation before crop germination, but acts as a sink when crop and interplanted vegetation germinate simulataneously. The magnitude of this effect varies with natural enemy mobility. Spatial patterns exhibited by natural enemies will be influenced by mobility and do not reliably indicate whether or not augmentation is occurring. There is a strong interaction between natural enemy mobility and experimental design, suggesting that the results of small-scale studies with agroecosystem diversification must be interpreted with caution. The ability of our model to account for much of the variability in natural enemy responses to diversification suggests that this variability may be caused by an interaction between natural enemy movement and system design rather than by fundamental differences in natural enemy behavior.
Infrared intensities of the nitrite ion in solid solution in potassium bromide

Abstract Studies have been made of the integrated infrared intensities of 14 N and 15 N NO 2 − in solution in KBr by means of the pressed pellet sampling technique. Dispersions of NaNO 2 in KBr gave highly irreproducible results as can be expected for quantitative measurements using this technique. The resulting intensities are interpreted in terms of localized and delocalized contributions. The delocalized contributions were about the same for both 14 N and 15 N nitrites as expected.
A new specimen of Torvosaurus tanneri originally collected by Elmer Riggs

A new specimen of the theropod dinosaur Torvosaurus tanneri discovered by Elmer Riggs in 1899 in the Freezeout Hills of Wyoming and held in the Field Museum of Natural History is described. This specimen demonstrates that unreported material of this species has been present in museum collections 80 years prior to the species' scientific description and it likely represents the first non-dental material of this species to be collected. This material comprises parts of the left foot and right hand, including phalanges which were previously unknown for Torvosaurus, and substantiates the possibility that other Torvosaurus material may be undiscovered in museum collections. Its occurrence in a multitaxon quarry is consistent with other skeletal finds of Torvosaurus, all or most of which occur in association with other, more common Morrison dinosaur taxa.
Prospects and Time Frame for Inertial Fusion Energy

I report on the recently released National Academy study on Inertial Fusion Energy and on the recent progress toward demonstration of inertial fusion in the laboratory, a prerequisite for the development of IFE. Article not available.
Reversal of asymmetry in human perceptual performance as a function of labeling, mode of response, and familiarity.

Summary.-It has previously been demonstrated that certain characteristics of the stimulus, specifically visual complexity and verbal association value, as well as mnemonic factors are important in producing the usually obtained asymmetry in human perceptual performance, and thus presumably, hemispheric asymmetry of function. The present research demonstrated that the usual superiority of the left visual field for high-complexity, low-associationvalue visual forms can be reversed by the acquisition and use of verbal labels for such stimuli but is only attenuated when the labels are not used to respond to the stimuli. Simple familiarity with the visual stimuli attenuated the difference between the fields, but here there was no reversal. Implications of these results for hemispheric processing are discussed. The present series of experiments represents an attempt to determine some parameters underlying asymmetry in human perceptual performance, and to relate these to asymmetry in human cerebral functioning. Perceptual asymmetries have been investigated for more than two and a half decades by examining differences in the accuracy of ennumeration, identification, recall, and recognition of stimuli presented to the lateral visual half fields. Kimura (1966) first suggested that perceptual asymmetry, observed under these special conditions, reflects the known asymmetry of function of the human brain with respect to the processing of verbal and nonverbal material, i.e., a superiority of the right field for verbal stimuli is a function of the fact that input from this field is more directly transmitted to the right hemisphere which contributes more to the perception of certain nonverbal stimuli. Early experiments did not confirm the hypothesis regarding the processing
Postmortem changes and viability of retinal vessels after cold storage. A differential susceptibility of endothelial cells and pericytes

Abstract Postmortem changes occurring in the retinal vascular complex of cadaver rabbits which had been stored in a domestic refrigerator at +4°C for up to three weeks, were sequentially analysed by light and electron microscopy. Five stages in the degradation of the cells are identified with stage 1 representing the normal in vivo situation of subcellular morphology. Stage 2 shows dilated cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum, blebs and irregularities in the plasma membranes, and early margination of nuclear chromatin. Stage 3 is characterized by further changes such as mitochondrial pyknosis, early nuclear pyknosis and cytoplasmic hydrolysis. Stage 4, in addition to the preceding alterations, shows variable mitochondrial swelling and marked clumping of nuclear chromatin. In stage 5 there is generalized and marked mitochondrial swelling with membrane dissolution, advanced cytoplasmic hydrolysis, disappearance of lysosomes and polysomes, formation of membranous bodies, nuclear karyolysis and breaks and interruptions in the limiting cell membrane. To evaluate the viability of the cells, one half of the retinal vascular complexes from the same eye, as above, was incubated in a tissue culture environment. A correlation of results revealed that the morphological changes in the initial explant designated as stages 2 and 3 would seem to be compatible with reversibility of the cellular changes and hence cell survival. Although it was difficult to define precisely the moment of cell death, no growth would be expected once the alterations had progressed to stages 4 and 5 and hence are considered as consistent with irreversible cell damage or necrosis. The vulnerability of the pericytes, in comparison to the endothelial cells, to postmortem damage and ischaemia, is described and discussed. It is suggested that potentially useful diseased tissue should not be discarded altogether on the grounds of postmortem change, for at times it can reveal information of crucial diagnostic significance provided one is aware of the possible artefacts.
Teratogenic effects of carotid ligation on the developing dentition of the Rhesus monkey.

The common carotid arteries and jugular veins were bilaterally ligated in three rhesus monkey fetuses, each of 65 days gestational age, which were then restored to the uterus and allowed to reach full term. At birth the animals were killed and the tooth crowns were extracted. There were numerous morphological abnormalities of the crown and in many instances the crowns were markedly smaller than those of a nonligated series of full term offspring. Several types of the abnormalities were similar to those observed in human subjects afflicted with cleft lip and/or palate, Down syndrome (“Mongolism”), and rubella syndrome. Since rhesus monkey and human dental crowns have many developmental and morphological traits in common the use of this animal as an experimental model in the investigation of normal and abnormal crown development is indicated.
Conscription, peace‐keeping, and foreign assistance: NATO burden sharing in the post‐cold war era

This article examines burden‐sharing behavior from the mid‐1970s to 1994 using conscription‐adjusted data. Except for the Reagan defense build‐up in the early 1980s, actual defense burdens are not significantly different than average derived defense burdens. There is little sign of the exploitation hypothesis during this flexible‐response era. In the 1990s, peace‐keeping missions perform more like a pure public good and display some evidence of the exploitation of the large ally by the small. NATO foreign assistance abides by the joint product model and does not imply exploitation. Dramatic changes in the 1990s appear to reinforce the tendency towards equitable burden sharing, experienced from the start of the flexible‐response era.
Method for the generation of a band of discrete, harmonically related frequencies

The problem of generating a periodic voltage signal whose Fourier-series representation is given by a band of essentially uniform-amplitude frequency components is examined in this paper. A mathematical background is first established for the purpose of comparing various techniques. Three separate methods of generating the periodic voltage signal are then presented and discussed.
Electrolytic synthesis of aqueous aluminum nanoclusters and in situ characterization by femtosecond Raman spectroscopy and computations

The selective synthesis and in situ characterization of aqueous Al-containing clusters is a long-standing challenge. We report a newly developed integrated platform that combines (i) a selective, atom-economical, step-economical, scalable synthesis of Al-containing nanoclusters in water via precision electrolysis with strict pH control and (ii) an improved femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopic method covering a broad spectral range of ca. 350–1,400 cm−1 with high sensitivity, aided by ab initio computations, to elucidate Al aqueous cluster structures and formation mechanisms in real time. Using this platform, a unique view of flat [Al13(μ3-OH)6(μ2-OH)18(H2O)24](NO3)15 nanocluster formation is observed in water, in which three distinct reaction stages are identified. The initial stage involves the formation of an [Al7(μ3-OH)6(μ2-OH)6(H2O)12]9+ cluster core as an important intermediate toward the flat Al13 aqueous cluster.
Mathematical modeling of planar mechanisms with compliant joints

In this work we demonstrate that the state space equations formulation for a planar mechanism with compliant joints can be directly obtained from the adjacency condition of a graphical model of the mechanism. The graphical model used used is a canonical form of the bond graph model, namely the gyrobondgraph. The procedure presented here can be easily automated to produce the state space formulation in symbolic form. We demonstrate the procedure by obtaining the bond graph model of a four bar mechanism. The model is then transformed to the canonical gyrobondgraph form. From the adjacency condition of the gyrobondgraph a set of first order differential equations that describes the state space representation are directly obtained. The procedure is applied to the more complex five bar mechanism with compliant joints. It is demonstrated that the increase in the complexity of the mechanism does not affect the simplicity of the procedure.
Is incidental recovery of yeast from enteric pathogen stool cultures obtained from hospitalized patients clinically significant

A matched case-control study was conducted to investigate gastrointestinal colonization with yeast as a predictor of invasive candidiasis (IC) in patients who underwent an enteric pathogen test. No significant association was detected between gastrointestinal colonization and IC. However, gastrointestinal colonization with yeast was associated with increased antimicrobial exposure and median length of hospitalization.
Image sensing system for navigating visually impaired people

About 285 million people are visually impaired around the world. In the United States, this number is over 1.3 million, which represents 0.4% of the population. However, the cost is about 4 billion dollars a year to build infrastructures and provide proper health care to meet the needs of these people. This paper proposes a system that would help the visually impaired adapt to the environment rather than trying to adapt the environment to them. The development of this system will enable the visually impaired to maintain efficient daily activities in many different environments. This system uses multiple sensors and analyzes the information acquired in real-time. In this paper, we particularly emphasize image processing to provide effective obstacle avoidance, object recognition and 3D reconstruction of the environment.
Numerical Simulation of Conjugate Transport from a Continuous Moving Plate in Materials Processing

The conjugate mixed convection and conduction transport that arises due to the continuous movement of a heated plate has been numerically investigated. The temperature distribution in the solid, as well as in the flow, along with Ike associated velocity field, need to be studied in detail. A numerical study is carried out, assuming a two-dimensional, transient circumstance. The governing elliptic equations are solved, employing finite difference techniques. The transient effects in heat transfer from the plate are studied for the heated plate moving horizontally as well as vertically. The steady state results are obtained for various values of the governing dimensionless parameters, such as the ratio of the thermal conductivity of the fluid Kr to that of the material Ks the Peclet number Pe, Prandtl number Pr, Grashof number Gr, and Reynolds number Re.
Electronic Effects of (N2S2)M(NO) Complexes (M = Fe, Co) as Metallodithiolate Ligands

Heterobimetallic complexes comprised of W(CO)4 adducts of (N2S2)M(NO) have been isolated and characterized by ν(CO) and ν(NO) IR spectroscopies and X-ray diffraction. The molecular structures of (N2S2)M(NO) compounds (bme-dach)Co(NO), [(bme-dach)Co(NO)]W(CO)4, and [(bme-dach)Fe(NO)]W(CO)4 [bme-dach = N,N′-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-1,4-diazacycloheptane)] find the square-pyramidal (bme-dach)M(NO) unit to serve as a bidentate ligand via the cis-dithiolato sulfurs, with a hinge angle of the butterfly bimetallic structures of ca. 130°. The W(CO)4 moiety is used as a probe of the electron-donor ability of the nitrosyl complexes through CO stretching frequencies that display a minor increase as compared to analogous [(N2S2)Ni]W(CO)4 complexes. These findings are consistent with the electron-withdrawing influence of the {Co(NO)}8 and {Fe(NO)}7 units on the bridging thiolate sulfurs relative to Ni2+. Also sensitive to derivatization by W(CO)4 is the NO stretch, which blue shifts by ca. 30 and 50 cm−1 for the Co and Fe...
Moving toward molecular classification of diffuse gliomas in adults

Diffuse gliomas are a heterogenous group of neoplasms traditionally classified as grades II to IV based on histologic features, and with prognosis determined mainly by histologic grade and pretreatment clinical factors. Our understanding of the molecular basis of glioma initiation, tumor progression, and treatment failure is rapidly evolving. A molecular profile of diffuse gliomas is emerging. Studies evaluating gene expression and DNA methylation profile have found multiple glioma subtypes and an association between subtype and survival. The recent discovery of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1 and IDH2) mutations in glioma has provided reproducible prognostic biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets. Glioblastomas that exhibit CpG island hypermethylator phenotype, proneural gene expression, or IDH1 mutation identify a subset of patients with markedly improved prognosis. Accumulated evidence supports the stratification of both low-grade and anaplastic diffuse gliomas into prognostic groups using 1p/19q codeletion and IDH mutation status. A classification scheme incorporating clinical, pathologic, and molecular information may facilitate improved prognostication for patients treated in the clinic, the development of more effective clinical trials, and rational testing of targeted therapeutics.
Cerebral potentials evoked by rectal distention in humans

Abstract The afferent pathways from the rectum can be stimulated and studied after mechanical distention of the rectum. We studied the rectum-brain axis in 24 healthy young adults. The rectum was stimulated with a rectal balloon using inflation volumes of 10 ml and 30 ml air at a stimulation frequency of 0.167 Hz. Additional studies were carried out with 20 ml distention volumes, random stimulation frequency, and stimulation rates of 0.08 Hz and 0.017 Hz. We found two different cortical EPs. An early onset EP was present in 21 of the 24 subjects. P1 latency shortened significantly with increasing distention volumes, but peak amplitudes did not change significantly with larger distention volumes. A late onset EP was present in all subjects with NI latency of 210 ± 15 msec, PI latency of 316 ± 24 msec, and NII latency of 444 ± 34 msec. The different EPs could be due to stimulation of two different visceral afferent pathways which are present in the same individual, due to stimulation of two different fiber populations or due to simultaneous stimulation of afferents in surrounding structures. EP recording after rectal stimulation might be useful in future studies of patients with abnormal rectal sensation.
Radiographic and clinical sequelae of the duodenocolic anatomic relationship: two cases of Crohn's disease with fistulization to the duodenum.

The posterior surface of the proximal transverse colon and the anterior surface of the descending duodenum are intimately related. The clinical importance of this apposition is re-emphasized with presentation of two cases which had the uncommon phenomenon of benign duodenocolic fistula. These two rare cases of duodenocolic fistulas secondary to Crohn's disease are added to the literature. It is also suggested that in some cases, duodenal mucosal alterations with adjacent Crohn's disease of the colon might be the result of reactive inflammatory changes, and do not necessarily indicate contiguous extension of the granulomatous disease.
Grading Residents' Clinical Performance: Unique Opportunities and Challenges

The American healthcare system is being criticized for inconsistent quality, high rates of harm, and backbreaking costs. While tremendous attention has been placed on practicing physicians and healthcare organizations, there is increasing interest in how graduate medical education (GME) contributes to these problems. Seen in this light, the “product” of GME should be physicians that produce high-value care, and today’s GME must adapt to meet this emerging objective. In response to calls for reform, national organizations have identified “practice-based learning and improvement,” “systems-based practice,” and, more recently, “high value, cost-conscious care” as competencies that trainees should master. Residency programs are responding with new safety, quality, and cost curricula, and growing numbers of trainees report interests in these areas. To promote these changes, programs must create reliable ways to help trainees and teams capture and process information about their performance in quality, safety, patient experience, and value. Compared to practicing physicians, housestaff frequently lack information about quality and outcomes that they can use to consistently improve their clinical practice. Moreover, most do not learn the essential competency of reviewing and acting on performance-related data during their training. In this article, we describe some unique challenges associated with providing resident physicians systematic feedback about clinical performance. We also review key elements of successful implementation and ways to overcome these challenges before discussing important tensions to consider going forward. UNIQUE IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES
Curricular implications of trends in RF and microwave industry

All microwave educators I know want to serve the students as well as the industry for which they prepare the students, and all agree that the curriculum should be modern and in step with the technology. However, since educators have different industries to serve in their neighborhood, different perspectives on significant technological trends in industry, and different views on what education is required to serve the needs of the industry, we end up with a variety of types of educational offerings around the globe in the same discipline of RF and microwave engineering. This engenders concerns about the adequacy of existing syllabi for serving the present and future needs of the industry that are further heightened by the rapid changes in technological knowledge base.
Electromagnetic scattering by oscillating rain drops of asymmetric shapes

Computational electromagnetic analysis of scatting by oscillating rain drops with asymmetric shapes is presented. Mixed-mode oscillations of drops are attributed to sustained drop collisions in events having a highly organized line convection embedded within a larger rain system. The scattering matrix and differential reflectivity of drops are dependent on the particular oscillation modes and different time instants within the oscillation cycle. The results also demonstrate the superiority of the higher order method of moments over the conventional discrete dipole approximation method in oscillating rain drop analysis.
The use of biplane angiocardiography for the measurement of left ventricular volume in man

Abstract 1. 1. A method for correcting distortion due to nonparallel x-rays, as applied to biplane angiocardiography, is described. 2. 2. Five methods for calculating left ventricular chamber volumes from biplane x-rays are described and evaluated by clay models and observations on 9 postmortem hearts in which the left ventricular chambers were distended with known volumes of contrast material. 3. 3. The relation of calculated to known left ventricular chamber volumes for these five methods is presented. 4. 4. These methods provide a basis for calculating the volume of the opacified left ventricular chamber as visualized by biplane angiocardiography.
A NINE‐DAY ACCELERATED RADIATION PROTOCOL FOR FELINE SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Nine cats with oral squamous cell carcinoma were treated with an accelerated radiation protocol (14 fractions of 3.5 Gy in 9 days). Radiation was administered twice daily with a 6hour break between treatments. Median overall survival was 86 +/- 110 days. Median survival for cats with a partial response (n=6) was 60 +/- 7 days, while median survival for cats with a complete response (n=3) was 298 +/- 187 days (P = 0.0639). The accelerated protocol was well tolerated and toxicity in the early and late period was manageable in all cats. Further modification of the protocol is warranted to extend survival.
Effects of Different N-Fertilizers and Concentrations on Adelges cooleyi Populations

Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco. seedlings treated with 56–112 kg/ha of N-fertilizers had significantly fewer Cooley spruce gall aphids than trees with higher treatments; (NH4)2 SO4 treatments had less aphids than other N-forms, and controls.
Nitrogen mineralization from sewage sludge

Abstract A laboratory experiment compared the rates of nitrogen mineralization from two sludges with varying characteristics. The sludges were mixed with soil at rates of 150, 300 and 600 ppm organic‐N and the mixtures incubated for 13 weeks. The sludge produced by aerobic digestion (Richmond) had mineralization rates of from 36.1 to 60.8% of the organic‐N while the sludge produced by anaerobic digestion, lime addition, and de‐watering (Burlington) had mineralization rates of from 13.7 to 25.2%. The amount of N mineralized from sludge treatments as well as the soil check treatment were well correlated with an autoclaving test for N availability.
Frequency, size, and localization of bacterial aggregates on bean leaf surfaces.

Using epifluorescence microscopy and image analysis, we have quantitatively described the frequency, size, and spatial distribution of bacterial aggregates on leaf surfaces of greenhouse-grown bean plants inoculated with the plant-pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae strain B728a. Bacterial cells were not randomly distributed on the leaf surface but occurred in a wide range of cluster sizes, ranging from single cells to over 104 cells per aggregate. The average cluster size increased through time, and aggregates were more numerous and larger when plants were maintained under conditions of high relative humidity levels than under dry conditions. The large majority of aggregates observed were small (less than 100 cells), and aggregate sizes exhibited a strong right-hand-skewed frequency distribution. While large aggregates are not frequent on a given leaf, they often accounted for the majority of cells present. We observed that up to 50% of cells present on a leaf were located in aggregates containing 103 cells or more. Aggregates were associated with several different anatomical features of the leaf surface but not with stomates. Aggregates were preferentially associated with glandular trichomes and veins. The biological and ecological significance of aggregate formation by epiphytic bacteria is discussed.
Efficient portfolio choice with differential taxation of dividends and capital gains

Abstract A simple, necessary and sufficient condition is derived under which portfolios that are mean-variance efficient on a before-tax basis are also efficient on an after-tax basis and vice-versa. Under this condition and the hypothesis that investors demand after-tax efficient portfolios, the ‘no-tax’ form of the Capital Asset Pricing Model provides an accurate description of equilibrium asset returns even though investors in the economy may be subject to a wide variety of tax rates on dividends and capital gains. Evidence reported by Black and Scholes (1974), however, makes the condition for equivalence of before and after-tax efficiency empirically implausible. The paper thus concludes with a characterization of some essential differences between before and after-tax efficient portfolios and of the after-tax efficiency losses associated with before-tax efficient portfolios. The relation of these results to the issue of corporate dividend policy choices is also discussed.
The half-life of 150Eu

Abstract We report the half-life of 150 Eu as 36.9 ± 0.9 years. This value was determined by following the decay of a mass-separated source over an 18-year period using a NaI(Tl) scintillation counter. We confirmed the stability of the counting system by measurement of 152 Eu, 154 Eu and 155 Eu half-lives during the same period.
Time-course relationships between serum LH, serum progesterone and urinary pregnanediol concentrations in normal women

Abstract A specific and sensitive gas Chromatographic method was used to investigate the concentration of pregnanediol glucuronide in urine in relation to the time of ovulation. Serum LH and progesterone concentrations in the same subjects were used as evidence for the occurrence of ovulation. The urinary concentration of pregnanediol glucuronide in 24-hour collections and in overnight specimens increased 2-fold or more from the day of the midcycle LH peak to the time of predicted ovulation (24–48 hour after the LH peak) in parallel with the rise in serum progesterone concentration.
Gravity, Tides, and Topography on Small Satellites and Asteroids: Application to Surface Features of the Martian Satellites

Abstract The influence of gravitational potential on the disposition of loose material on the surfaces of small satellites is investigated using the martian satellites as examples. "Gravity" on small satellites can depend strongly on tidal and rotational effects, especially for objects of low mean density, such as Phobos. Numerical shape models of Phobos and Deimos allow the mapping of the relative gravitational positions of surface features. Dynamic height, derived from measures of potential energy, is a convenient approximation to heights above a reference equipotential surface for these irregular bodies. Deimos shows a strong correlation of indicators of global downslope movement with dynamic height. For Phobos, the distribution of dynamic heights across its surface has changed substantially over time due to its tidally evolving orbit that has induced changes in the rotational and tidal components of surface accelerations. Areas of minimum and maximum regolith thickness correlate better with high and low regions of dynamic height under conditions of rapid but synchronous rotation than with dynamic heights that occurred at more distant orbits less influenced by tides and rotation. However, some model-dependent measures of regolith depth, such as pit spacing in grooves, show little correlation with dynamic height at any orbit radius. The rougher surface of Phobos does not provide satellitewide pathways for near-surface downslope transport of material as does the surface of Deimos. Although the total amount of regolith on Phobos greatly exceeds that which can be attributed to the visible cratering record, the smoother surface of Deimos probably results from an even greater covering by debris from nearly catastrophic impacts. The Phobos and Deimos examples suggest that asteroids have global redistribution of ejecta only if debris from nearly catastrophic impacts provides smooth surfaces for long-distance downslope motion driven by small impact gardening, seismic effects of larger impacts, and thermal cycling.
The vector laws of physics

The standard vector laws of physics are critiqued and a proposed reformulation suggested in order to eliminate some of the arbitrariness implicit in standard theory.
Response of fire ants (Formicidae: Solenopsis invicta and S.gerninata) to artificial nectars with amino acids

. 1 The role that amino acids in extrafloral nectars play in attracting ants to plants was investigated. Workers from laboratory colonies of Solenopsis invicta Buren and S.geminafa (F). (Formicidae) fed from artificial nectaries containing mimics of the extrafloral nectar of Passiflora menispermifoh and P.caerulea; P.menispermifoh nectar contains higher levels of amino acids (1347.3 pdml) than does the nectar of P.currulea (125.2 μm/ml). 2 When sugar-only and sugar—amino acid nectar mimics were presented simultaneously, more S.invicta workers were counted at sugar—amino acid nectar mimics than at sugar-only nectars. S.geminatu did not discriminate between the two nectars. 3 When the two Pamiflora L. nectar mimics were presented simultaneously, S.invicta and S.geminata workers were more abundant at the nectaries containing high levels of amino acids (P.menispermifolia HBK mimic) than at the nectaries containing low levels of amino acids (P.cuerulea L. mimic). 4 The behaviour shown by S.invicta and S.gerninata suggests that plants with high levels of amino acids in their extrafloral nectars attract more ant protectors and might suffer less herbivory than plants producing nectars with low levels of amino acids. If so, ants may favour, over evolutionary time, plants that produce nectars with high levels of amino acids. 5 Day-to-day variability in ant behaviour was considerable even among laboratory colonies maintained on the same diet in similar environmental conditions. This variability will reduce the selective impact that ants have on plants and may help to explain why most ant-plant interactions are facultative.
Perspectives on artificial intelligence programming

Programs are judged not only by whether they faithfully carry out the intended processing but also by whether they are understandable and easily changed. Programming systems for artificial intelligence applications use specialized languages, environments, and knowledge-based tools to reduce the complexity of the programming task. Language styles based on procedures, objects, logic, rules, and constraints reflect different models for organizing programs and facilitate program evolution and understandability. To make programming easier, multiple styles can be integrated as sublanguages in a programming environment. Programming environments provide tools that analyze programs and create informative displays of their structure. Programs can be modified by direct interaction with these displays. These tools and languages are helping computer scientists to regain a sense of control over systems that have become increasingly complex.