cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of Epidermal Growth Factor on Fetal Rat Lung Development in Vitro

ABSTRACT. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been shown to enhance cell multiplication or differentiation in a number of developing tissues. We have examined the effects of this growth factor on the biochemical development of explants of fetal rat lung, cultured in serum-free medium for 48 h. EGF enhanced the rate of choline incorporation into phosphatidylcholine and disaturated phosphatidylcholine in a dose dependent fashion. Half maximal stimulation occurred at a concentration of 1.0 nM, similar to the Kd for EGF binding to rat lung cell membranes. There was also significant stimulation of acetate incorporation into all phospholipids, particularly phosphatidylglycerol (539%), and increased distribution of radioactivity from acetate in this phospholipid fraction. Exposure to EGF stimulated PC synthesis in 18- and 19-day explants (term is 22 days) whereas maximal enhancement of DNA synthesis occurred after this time. This sequence differs from that observed during early embryonic development when EGF initially enhances cell multiplication. An additive interaction with regard to enhancement of PC synthesis was observed with EGF and thyroid hormone, but not EGF and dexamethasone. EGF had no effect on the activity of the enzymes of the choline incorporation pathway of phosphatidylcholine synthesis or on the activity of enzymes involved with acidic phospholipid synthesis. Fetal lung EGF content and EGF binding capacity were not increased by glucocorticoid treatment and similarly glucocorticoid binding capacity was not increased by EGF. These data indicate that EGF enhances fetal rat lung phospholipid synthesis in a dose-dependent manner and suggest that this is a direct effect on the lung tissue mediated by specific receptors.
Hybrid singular value decomposition: a model of human text classification

This study compared the accuracy of three Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) based models developed for classifying injury narratives. Two SVD-Bayesian models and one SVD-Regression model were developed to classify bodies of free text. Injury narratives and corresponding E-codes assigned by human experts from the 1997 and 1998 US National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were used on all three models. Using the E-code categories assigned by experts as the basis for comparison all methods were compared. Further experiments showed that the performance of the equidistant Bayes model and regression model improved as more SVD vectors were used for the input. The regression model was compared to a fuzzy Bayes model. It was concluded that all three models are capable of learning from human experts to accurately categorize cause-of-injury codes from injury narratives, with the regression-based model being the strongest, while all were dominated by multiple-word fuzzy Bayes model.
Fine root turnover in forest ecosystems in relation to quantity and form of nitrogen availability: a comparison of two methods.

Two methods of estimating fine root production and turnover are compared for 13 forest ecosystems exhibiting a wide range in form (NH4+ vs. NO3-) and quantity of available nitrogen. The two methods are by comparison of seasonal maxima and minima in biomess and by nitrogen budgeting. Both methods give similar results for stands with low rates of nitrification. The budgeting method predicts higher fine root turnover and productivity than the max-min method for systems with significant rates of nitrification.
Integrating seeing measurements into the operations of solar telescopes

The New Solar Telescope (NST) is an innovative 1.6-meter, off-axis, open telescope currently being developed and built at the Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO). The observatory is situated on a small peninsula in Big Bear Lake, a mountain lake at an altitude of about 2100 m in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California. The lake effectively suppresses the boundary layer seeing. Thus, providing consistently very good daytime seeing conditions. BBSO has been identified by the site survey for the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (ATST) as one of the best sites for solar observations. It is uniquely qualified for long-duration observations requiring high-spatial resolution. This type of observations is typically encountered in solar activity monitoring and space weather forecast. The ATST site survey has collected more than two years of data linking seeing conditions to geographical parameters and local climate. We have integrated these data in a MySQL database and we will use this information in connection with a real-time seeing monitor and weather station to predict the seeing conditions at Big Bear such that scheduling and prioritization of observing programs (e.g., synoptic vs. high-resolution modes) becomes possible.
Evidence-based interventions to reduce shunt infections: a systematic review

Purpose Cerebrospinal fluid shunt infection is associated with patient morbidity and high cost. We conducted a systematic review of the current evidence of comprehensive surgical protocols or individual interventions designed to reduce shunt infection incidence.
The convolution powers of the Dickman function

Proprietes analytiques d'une famille de fonctions w α (u), 0<α<∞ liees a la fonction de Dickman ρ(u) par les relations w 1 (u)=exp(−γ)ρ(u), w α (u)×w β (u)=w α+β (u). Formule asymptotique pour w α (u) valable uniformement pour α≥e, u+α→∞
69.4: Novel flexible reflective color media integrated with transparent oxide TFT backplane

A novel architecture and proprietary electrically addressable inks have been developed to provide disruptive, print-like full color reflective digital media solutions based on an electrokinetic technology platform. The thin, flexible, low-power, reflective electronic media is fabricated with a new roll-to-roll manufacturing platform. Here we demonstrate the integration of this media with multi-component oxide (MCO) thin-film transistor (TFT) backplane for an active matrix reflective electronic display.
Knowledge-Sharing Successes in Web 2.0 Communities

Knowledge sharing in contemporary research is seen largely as a particular kind of "social dilemma" the public goods problem. Because people can benefit from public goods whether they contribute to them or not, there will always be the temptation to free-ride off the contributions of others. Knowledge-sharing behavior is scarcer that many would prefer, according to this argument, because of an incentive problem. The incentive problem can be overcome either by increasing the benefits to individual contributors, or by encouraging more pro-social behavior through group identity or other social processes. While most knowledge management research has focused on shared repositories within organizations, a potentially new form of knowledge sharing within, between, and outside of organizations has recently emerged: online content sharing communities using Web 2.0 technologies. How is knowledge sharing in Web 2.0 communities different? Do Web 2.0 communities solve certain classic knowledge management problems, or do they create new barriers to knowledge sharing?
Party Attachments and State Election Laws

This article examines the influence that state party registration laws have on individual-level party attachments. It tests the hypothesis that individuals living in states with party registration laws are more likely than those living in states without such laws to identify themselves as partisans. This occurs primarily because of self-perception processes by which registrants infer their party attitudes from their own behaviors. Using the state-based Senate Election Study data to test this expectation, we find strong evidence for both statistically and substantively significant effects of party registration on individual partisanship. Registered individuals living in states with party registration are, by about ten percentage points, more likely to identify as partisans than those in other states even when controlling for alternative hypotheses dealing with state culture, attitudes toward the parties, retrospective evaluations, interest in politics, and demographic factors. Importantly, the effect is not observed for individuals who are not registered to vote but is for registered nonvoters. However, registration-induced party identification is shallow, as individuals living in registration states are also more likely to vote for candidates from the other party In this article we consider the influence that state party registration laws have on party identification. We argue that the presence of a state party registration law fosters individual-level party attachments. In all conceptions of party identification, whether partisanship is conceived of as exogenous or endogenous, partisan attitudes are thought to drive behavior. In contrast, we demonstrate that in some cases partisan attitudes are actually inferred from behavior-in this case, NOTE: Data are provided by the InterUniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research, which bears no responsibility for the analysis or interpretations here. We thank Tom Nelson, Herb Weisberg, and the editors for helpful comments. The authors contributed equally and are listed alphabetically
Why Archivists Should Be Leaders in Scholarly Communication

Archivists are challenged by many competing demands on their time. The rise of institutional repositories, often located in libraries rather than archives, and the concurrent increase in attention to the changes in scholarly communication may be perceived by archivists as being a demand that is too far from the archives’ core mission to warrant attention. This article argues that archivists have much to gain from involvement in—and leadership of—institutional repositories and scholarly communication work at their institutions.
HIGH RESOLUTION NEUTRON SPECTROSCOPY

Abstract The current state of high resolution spectroscopy with a Van de Graaff accelerator is reviewed. For neutrons in the keV region resolutions of about 3 per cent at 10 keV and 0.7 per cent at 100 keV have been attained. The resolution for 2 MeV protons is about 1.5 × 10 −4 ; very large ion currents are feasible at this resolution.
Surgical treatment of obstructive pancreatitis

Background. Unlike chronic calcific pancreatitis, obstructive pancreatitis occurs as a consequence of an obstruction or stricture in the main pancreatic duct. The purpose of this paper is to identify the best method of surgical treatment for patients with obstructive pancreatitis. Methods. Retrospective analysis of 224 patients surgically treated for chronic pancreatitis during a 7-year period (1988 through 1994) identified 23 patients with obstructive pancreatitis. Patients were classified by surgical treatment into pancreaticoduodenectomy (five patients), side-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy (nine patients), or distal pancreatectomy (nine patients) groups and analyzed. Results. Despite similar demographics, patients treated with distal pancreatectomy had significantly better outcomes (seven of nine) than those treated with either pancreaticoduodenectomy (zero of four) or side-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy (two of eight) at a mean follow-up of 26 months (chi-squared, p=0.009). Multivariate analysis revealed stricture location, cause of pancreatitis, maximal duct dilatation, exocrine insufficiency, or continued alcohol intake had no influence on surgical outcome in this series (p=0.698, logistic regression analysis). Conclusions. At 2 years of follow-up, distal pancreatectomy provided superior relief from pain and recurrent pancreatitis compared with pancreaticoduodenectomy or side-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy. Obstructive pancreatitis is best treated by distal rather than proximal pancreatic resection or drainage.
Selective protein-peptide interactions at surfaces.

Abstract Protein–surface interactions are of critical significance in both biological and man-made systems. While the term “specific binding” is normally reserved for the description of well-structured interactions, it is often the case in biology that there are unstructured interactions that greatly favor some protein interactions over others, a necessity in the highly crowded environment of the cell. In this study, surface-bound peptide arrays were used as a model to explore the range of protein–surface interactions and to better understand the kinds of “nonspecific” or unstructured interactions that take place at chemically complex surfaces. Three samples, β-galactosidase, α1-antitrypsin and a mixture of nine different proteins, were bound to arrays of nearly 5000 different peptides with a wide range of hydrophobicity, charge and peptide length. All three protein samples show higher binding affinity to positively charged peptides. While β-galactosidase binds poorly to very hydrophobic peptides, in terms of either absolute binding or relative to the mixture of proteins, α1-antitrypsin binds with higher affinity to more hydrophobic peptides. More surprising is the observation that β-galactosidase affinity for the surface does not simply increase with the length of the peptide, as one might expect, even when only the best binders are considered. Instead, its affinity (both absolute and relative to the protein mixture) peaks in the four-to-nine amino acid residue range and then decreases substantially by 12 amino acids. In contrast, α1-antitrypsin increases nearly monotonically with peptide length, in terms of both apparent affinity and binding relative to other proteins. Of particular significance in a practical sense, it was possible to obtain quite specific binding; the identity of the 100 peptides that showed the best apparent affinity for each of the three protein samples overlapped very little. Thus, using this approach it would be straightforward to develop surfaces covered with specific short peptide sequences with relatively specific protein interaction profiles.
Expression of CD36 in Macrophages and Atherosclerosis The Role of Lipid Regulation of PPARγ Signaling

Several macrophage scavenger receptors have been identified that bind and internalize modified low-density lipoprotein particles. Although the pathophysiologic roles played by these receptors in human disease are still unproven, data from murine models of atherosclerosis have demonstrated a significant role in atherosclerotic foam cell development and vascular lesion development for two receptors: the type A scavenger receptor (SR-A) and the type B scavenger receptor, CD36. This review addresses the regulation and potential role of CD36 in macrophage foam cell formation and atherosclerosis, with particular emphasis on the mechanisms by which CD36 expression is altered in response to lipid modulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma signaling.
Optimization of non-linear adaptive processes

Abstract A design algorithm for adaptive control of systems described by non-linear integral or differential operator equations is considered. Kulikowski's original technique is extended to include bounded input, functions and the limited range of performance criteria considered previously is similarly extended through the use of non-linear functional analysis. The plant operator is assumed to be only partially known. and the optimization problem is formulated as a conditional-minimization problem. Essential plant characteristics arc identified and the solution is obtained in the form of an iteration. Techniques for the iterative solution of non-linear operator equations are included in the overall implementation scheme. The adaptive control of n continuous stirred tank reactor is presented as an example.
High-pressure phases of III-V zinc-blende semiconductors.

With the use of the pseudopotential total-energy approach, the stability of two likely high-pressure structures, the A5 (\ensuremath{\beta}-Sn) and rocksalt structures, for the III-V compounds AlP, AlAs, AlSb, GaP, GaAs, GaSb, InP, InAs, and InSb are investigated. We present the calculated pressures for the phase transformations and compare them with the experimental values. As previously reported for AlP, there are discrepancies in the transition pressures between theory and experiment for Al compounds and these are discussed. A new high-pressure phase of GaSb analogous to the simple hexagonal structure of Si or Ge is predicted to be stable with a transition from the A5 phase to the hexagonal phase at a pressure of 528 kbar. Using the measured and calculated results for the high-pressure phases of the zinc-blende compounds, we conclude that the rocksalt phase is stabilized relative to the A5 phase by the averaged optical energy gap (both homopolar and heteropolar contributions) of the material.
Epidemiological profiles between equol producers and nonproducers: a genomewide association study of the equol-producing phenotype

Equol is a daidzein (a phytoestrogen isoflavone) metabolite of gut bacteria, and the ability to produce equol varies between individuals and reduces the risks of several diseases. We tested the effects of equol production on health in Koreans and identified the genetic factors that determine the equol-producing phenotype. In 1391 subjects, the equol-producing phenotype was determined, based on measurements of serum equol concentrations. The anthropometric and blood biochemical measurements between equol producers and nonproducers were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Genetic factors were identified in a genomewide association study (GWAS), and the interaction between genetic factors and the equol-producing phenotype was examined. We observed that 70.1 % of the study population produced equol. Blood pressure was significantly lower in equol producers (beta ± SE = -1.35 ± 0.67, p = 0.045). In our genomewide association study, we identified 5 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (p < 1 × 10(-5)) in HACE1. The most significant SNP was rs6927608, and individuals with a minor allele of rs6927608 did not produce equol (odds ratio = 0.57 (95 % CI 0.45-0.72), p value = 2.5 × 10(-6)). Notably, the interaction between equol production and the rs6927608 HACE1 SNP was significantly associated with systolic blood pressure (p value = 1.3 × 10(4)). Equol production is linked to blood pressure, and HACE1, identified in our (GWAS), might be a determinant of the equol-producing phenotype.
Reduction of Radiation Doses in Cardiac Imaging, Part II: New Advances and Techniques in Nuclear Perfusion Imaging and Cardiac CT

Noninvasive cardiac imaging has become a critical pathway for diagnosis and risk assessment in patients with known or suspected ischemic heart disease. Low-level ionizing radiation is used in most of these procedures like radionuclide myocardial imaging and cardiac CT scanning. There is lack of any direct data which indicates the occurrence of any radiation-related adverse events with these diagnostic tests. However, recent concern has been raised due to the cumulative dose of radiation that patients receive during these procedures. Efforts are underway to help reduce the radiation exposure while preserving image quality for accurate interpretation and avoidance of repeat testing. This review will focus on the various advancements and methods to reduce the radiation dose in patients undergoing nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging and cardiac CT scanning.
Malassezia furfur skin colonization of infants hospitalized in intensive care units

We studied the prevalence of Malassezia furfur skin colonization of infants hospitalized in our neonatal and infant cardiac and surgical intensive care units by culturing at monthly intervais. Of 361 infants studied over 1 year, 133 (36.8%) had at least one positive culture for M. furfur . Colonized infants, compared with noncolonized infants, had younger mean gestational age (32.4 vs 35.2 weeks, P M. furfur colonization. Although frequent adult handling may be a source, other aspects of intensive care will require careful scrutiny to define more completely the risk factors leading to M. furfur colonization of ill infants.
The Role of Nuclear Nano-Environment on DNA Dehybridization

Using coarse-grain molecular dynamics simulations and UV spectroscopy, we study the role of the macromolecular crowding on the structure of double stranded DNA. Our results show that crowding has a non-monotonic influence on DNA dehybridization.
Manipulation of Antioxidant Status Fails to Improve Fertility of Lactating Cows or Survival of Heat-Shocked Embryos

Abstract Experiments were conducted to test whether enhancement of antioxidant status could improve fertility and milk yield in dairy cows and resistance of cultured embryos to heat shock. Three experiments in three herds were performed to evaluate the effect of multiple intramuscular injections of 500mg of vitamin E and 50mg of selenium at 8 to 21 d before expected calving and at 30 and 80 d postpartum on reproduction of lactating Holstein cows. Vitamin E and selenium injections did not improve reproductive function or milk yield in any of the studies. The predicted 305-d milk yield (averages of least-squares means across treatments) were: 9478, 7073, and 10,204kg projected 305-d milk for experiments 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Percentages of cows pregnant at first service were 30, 16, and 24% in experiments 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Three studies were performed to test whether vitamin E improved development of cultured bovine embryos exposed to heat shock. Heat shock of 41°C at the two-cell stage reduced development to the blastocyst stage, but culture with 100μ M vitamin E did not reduce effects of heat shock on impaired development. For example, 9h at 41°C reduced blastocyst development from 51.2±3.3% to 3.4±3.3% in the absence of vitamin E and from 54.0±3.3% to 5.2±3.3% in the presence of vitamin E. Development of morulae to the blastocyst stage was not compromised by culture at 41°C for 9h. Additionally, there was no overall effect of vitamin E on morula development. In conclusion, multiple injections of vitamin E and selenium at the administered levels did not improve postpartum fertility nor milk yield of lactating Holstein cows in three different herds, and there was no direct thermoprotective effect of vitamin E for cultured, heat-shocked embryos.
Etiology and Time to Presentation of Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis.

ObjectiveTo determine the etiology, laterality, and time to presentation of unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) at a tertiary care institution over 10 years.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingAcademic medical center.Subjects and MethodsAll patients seen between 2002 and 2012 by the Department of Otolaryngology at the Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM), with a diagnosis of unilateral vocal fold paralysis, were included. Medical records were reviewed for symptom onset date, presentation date(s), and etiology of UVFP.ResultsOf the patients, 938 met inclusion criteria and were included. In total, 522 patients (55.6%) had UVFP due to surgery; 158 (16.8%) were associated with thyroid/parathyroid surgery, while 364 (38.8%) were due to nonthyroid surgery. Of the patients, 416 (44.4%) had nonsurgical etiologies, 124 (13.2%) had idiopathic UVFP, and 621 (66.2%) had left-sided UVFP. The diagnosis was more common on the left side in cases of intrathoracic surgeries and malignancies, as e...
Seismic impedance inversion and interpretation of a gas carbonate reservoir in the Alberta Foothills, western Canada

Acoustic and simultaneous elastic impedance inversions of a 2D land seismic data set are performed to characterize a carbonate reservoir of Mississippian age in the Turner Valley Formation, in the Rocky Mountain foothills of western Canada. The inversions produce P‐wave and S‐wave impedance sections (Ip and Is, respectively), from which Lame parameter × density (λρ and μρ) sections are derived. The Ip data provide a separation between the clastics and carbonates. The μρ data provide an estimate of porosity distribution within the dolomitized limestone target. Deviations from baseline curves for water‐saturated carbonates, of λρ versus porosity, λ/μ versus porosity, and Is versus Ip, are interpreted as indicators of gas potential. These indicators all provide similar spatial patterns of areas of high gas potential and are consistent with the gas occurence observed in a well.
Effects of speech on perceived capability

Domestic robots have an increasing presence in the home each year [10]. For these robots to be accepted, their capabilities must match our expectations [1, 5]. However, there is often a mismatch between a robot’s true capability and its perceivedcapability (i.e. how capable users believe the robot to be) [2, 6].
Parallel agent-based simulation of individual-level spatial interactions within a multicore computing environment

The computational approach of agent-based models ABMs supports the representation of interactions among spatially situated individuals as a decentralized process giving rise to space–time complexity in geographic systems. To cope with the computational complexity of these models, this article proposes a parallel approach that leverages the power of multicore systems, as these architectures have quickly become ubiquitous in high-performance and desktop computing. An ABM of individual-level spatial interaction that simulates information exchange, spatial diffusion of opinion development, and consensus building among decision makers is proposed to demonstrate the advantages of the parallel approach against its sequential counterpart. This study focuses on two key spatial properties of the interaction system of interest, the extent and range of interaction, and examines their influence on the computing performance of the proposed parallel model and the performance scalability of the model as more computing resources are added. Significant influence from these two properties is found and can be attributed to three possible sources of effects, namely the model level, the parallelization level, and the platform level. It is suggested that these effects should be taken into consideration when leveraging multicore computing resources for the development of parallel ABMs.
Automatic range switching equipment for the Grinnell wind-speed recorder

Equipment and methods for automatically changing the wind-speed range of the Grinnell condenser-discharge wind-speed recorder to accord with the prevailing average wind speed are here outlined, with salient empirical theory. One automatic range switch is described in working detail, and two others are briefly outlined. Other applications of the general principles employed are mentioned.
Treatment of perforated appendicitis in children: what is the cost?

Abstract Background/Purpose We compared direct hospital costs and indirect costs to the family associated with immediate appendectomy or initial nonoperative management for perforated appendicitis in children. Methods From June 2009 through May 2010, 61 prospectively identified families completed a cost diary, documenting the numbers of missed school days for the child and missed employment days for the adult caregiver(s) over the treatment course. Hospital costs were obtained from hospital financial databases. Mann-Whitney U tests and Fisher exact tests were used to compare outcome measures for each treatment strategy. Results Patients treated by initial nonoperative management had a significantly longer median length of stay (9 days vs 7 days, P = .02) and a significantly greater median total hospital cost per patient ($31,349 vs $21,323, P = .01) when compared with those treated by immediate appendectomy. There was no significant difference in median number of missed school days (9 days vs 10 days, P = .23) or missed employment days for adult caregiver(s) (5 days vs 7 days, P = .18) between treatment strategies. Conclusions Patients with perforated appendicitis treated by initial nonoperative management had a greater length of stay and a significantly greater total hospital cost but were not burdened by significantly greater indirect costs compared with those treated by immediate appendectomy.
Electrocatalytic reduction of oxo anions by aqueous molybdenum-catechol complexes

The electrocatalytic reduction of nitrite, chlorate and bromate ions by monomeric molybdenum-catechol complexes has been investigated by dc polarography and cyclic voltammetry in pH 8–10 catechol buffers. The Mo(V) and Mo(IV) complexes. MoO(Hcat)(cat)22− and Mo(cat)32−, produced by one- and two-electron reduction of MoO2(cat)22− are catalytically active, but the Mo(III) complex, Mo(cat)33−, is not. This sequence of reactivities among molybdenum oxidation states leads to peak-shaped electrochemical responses characteristic of catalytic chemical reactions coupled between consecutive charge transfers. Apparent second-order rate constants in 1 M KCl, 0.15 M catechol, pH 9.4 are 11.1±0.6, 1.19±0.06 and 460±45 M−1 s−1 for reactions of MoO(Hcat)(cat)22− and 85±10, 30±2 and 2700±300 M−1 s−1 for reactions of Mo(cat)32− with NO2−, ClO3− and BrO3−, respectively. A mechanism is proposed for oxo anion reduction by MoO(Hcat)(cat)22−. Substrate first binds to the Mo(V) center at a coordination site created by dissociation of monodentate catechol (Hcat−). The unshared electron pair on the central atom of the substrate is implicated in this process because anions which lack this structural feature (NO3− and ClO4−) are catalytically inactive. We propose that the N-, Cl- or Br-bonded substrate then rearranges to an O-bonded form which undergoes rapid oxygen atom/electron transfer to produce MoO2(cat)22− and reduced product. Similar mechanistic features are indicated for catalysis by Mo(cat)32−. Mo(cat)33− apparently is a kinetically inert d3 transition metal complex which does not readily undergo the ligand dissociation and substrate coordination reactions that are prerequisite to electron transfer. The significance of these findings is discussed in light of previous observations of Mo-catalyzed oxo anion reductions.
Stability in Natural Bacterial Communities: II. Plant Resource Allocation Effects on Rhizosphere Diazotroph Assemblage Composition.

Plant rhizospheres are dynamic environments in which microbes compete for resources, particularly plant-derived organic carbon/energy sources. Altering plant productivity changes the availability of carbon/energy resources to rhizosphere microbiota. This limitation is expected to intensify competition for the remaining carbon supply and could cause the loss of poor competitors from the assemblage. We clipped or shaded plots of the salt marsh cord grass, Spartina alterniflora, to shift plant carbon resource allocation from the rhizosphere to the aboveground shoots. We then examined key porewater parameters (pH, salinity, H2S, NH+ 4), diazotrophic activity (by acetylene reduction assay), and diazotroph assemblage composition after 2 weeks or 8 weeks of treatment. The diazotroph assemblage composition was monitored via the polymerase chain reaction using nifH specific primers followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis. Porewater parameters and acetylene reduction rates did not differ significantly among treatments. The DGGE profiles also were very similar across the control and experimental treatments, indicating that no detectable diazotroph species were displaced from the assemblage. This implies that rhizosphere diazotrophs are able to compete successfully against nondiazotrophs, in spite of the high energy requirements of nitrogen fixation. These results show that the species composition of the diazotroph assemblage in the S. alterniflora rhizosphere is stable in the face of short-duration but potentially high-impact variations in carbon resource availability.
Coronary endothelial and cardiac protective effects of a monoclonal antibody to intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in myocardial ischemia and reperfusion.

BACKGROUNDIntercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a major ligand on endothelial cells for adherence of activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). The major purpose of this study was to study the effects of RR1/1, a monoclonal antibody against ICAM-1 (i.e., MAb RR1/1), on myocardial injury and endothelial dysfunction associated with myocardial ischemia and reperfusion.METHODS AND RESULTSEither MAb RR1/1 (2 mg/kg, n = 7), an antibody that was found to bind selectively to endothelial cells in the cat, or MAb R3.1 (2 mg/kg, n = 7), a nonbinding control antibody, was given as an intravenous bolus 10 minutes before reperfusion. Two hundred eighty minutes later, hearts were excised. The left ventricle area-at-risk (AAR) was similar in MAb RR1/1 (29 +/- 2%) and MAb R3.1 (30 +/- 3%) groups. In MAb R3.1-treated cats, 90 minutes of myocardial ischemia plus 4.5 hours of reperfusion induced a significant myocardial injury (necrotic tissue/AAR, 28 +/- 2%), high myeloperoxidase activity (0.65 +/- 0.16 units/10...
On the mechanism of amino acid control of ribonucleic acid biosynthesis.

Abstract Using whole cells which have been rendered permeable to phosphorylated substrates, we have examined the amino acid dependence of the incorporation of uracil, UMP and UTP into RNA. In the presence of the four nucleoside triphosphates, the incorporation of labeled UTP into RNA showed only a weak amino acid dependence, which was observed both in polymerase reaction mixtures and in growth medium; a weak amino acid dependence of UTP incorporation was seen furthermore in both stringent and relaxed strains. In contrast, the incorporation of uracil or UMP showed a strong amino acid dependence in identically treated stringent cells, and none in relaxed cells. These results suggest that the major effect of ammo acid control of RNA synthesis is exerted on the formation of UTP, rather than on the RNA polymerase reaction itself.
Using scientifically and statistically sufficient statistics in comparing image segmentations

Automatic computer segmentation in three dimensions creates opportunity to reduce the cost of three-dimensional treatment planning of radiotherapy for cancer treatment. Comparisons between human and computer accuracy in segmenting kidneys in CT scans generate distance values far larger in number than the number of CT scans. Such high dimension, low sample size (HDLSS) data present a grand challenge to statisticians: how do we find good estimates and make credible inference? We recommend discovering and using scientifically and statistically sufficient statistics as an additional strategy for overcoming the curse of dimensionality. First, we reduced the three-dimensional array of distances for each image comparison to a histogram to be modeled individually. Second, we used non-parametric kernel density estimation to explore distributional patterns and assess multi-modality. Third, a systematic exploratory search for parametric distributions and truncated variations led to choosing a Gaussian form as approximating the distribution of a cube root transformation of distance. Fourth, representing each histogram by an individually estimated distribution eliminated the HDLSS problem by reducing on average 26,000 distances per histogram to just 2 parameter estimates. In the fifth and final step we used classical statistical methods to demonstrate that the two human observers disagreed significantly less with each other than with the computer segmentation. Nevertheless, the size of all disagreements was clinically unimportant relative to the size of a kidney. The hierarchal modeling approach to object-oriented data created response variables deemed sufficient by both the scientists and statisticians. We believe the same strategy provides a useful addition to the imaging toolkit and will succeed with many other high throughput technologies in genetics, metabolomics and chemical analysis.
Alteration of Nuclear Waste Glass by Hydration

Aging of simulated nuclear waste glass by contact with a humid atmosphere results in the formation of a double hydration layer penetrating into the glass and in the formation of alteration products on the glass surface. This hydration process has been studied as a function of time, temperature, glass composition and water vapor pressure. A dual stage hydration rate was observed and rate constants were determined at each temperature. An Arrhenius plot for the initial stage alteration rate indicates the reaction mechanism does not change between the temperature limits of the experiment (120 to 240/sup 0/C). This conclusion is supported by the sequence of mineral formation on the surface. This hydration process provides a means of accelerating aging reactions while simulating conditions that may exist in a nuclear waste repository.
Treatment of arrhythmias in myocardial infarction.

Abstract Cardiac arrhythmias occur in at least 50 per cent of patients with myocardial infarction. Sinus bradycardia with sinus arrhythmia and A-V block without Morgagni-Stokes-Adams syndrome do not require therapy. Sinus tachycardia may be dangerous; if caused by an elevated temperature, administration of aminopyrin is recommended. Extrasystoles are common and the ventricular form may lead to sudden death. Preventive therapy with quinidine is advised in every patient with acute myocardial infarction. In atrial flutter and fibrillation as well as in paroxysmal atrial tachycardias not responding to vagal reflexes pure digitalis glycosides or strophanthin should be given intravenously. Paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia is a serious emergency. If quinidine or procaine amide do not terminate the tachycardia, an intravenous injection of digitalis glycosides or strophanthin should be given provided the patient did not receive digitalis before.
Groundwater Flux into a Portion of Eastern Lake Michigan

One of the world's most precious resources is groundwater. Groundwater flow in the Great Lakes region is estimated to be 111.7 million m3 day−1. Not only is groundwater's value in the Great Lakes region attributed to its consumptive quality, but groundwater is also important to the hydrologic cycle in the region. The objective of this study is to quantify the volume of groundwater by applying two methods. In the past, groundwater volumes were quantified by computing the baseflow component of streamflow. This study compares the past method of computing groundwater flow with results obtained from a three-dimensional finite-difference model. A three river basin area on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan was chosen for this comparison. The results showed that traditionally computed groundwater flow (baseflow) is three orders of magnitude smaller than modeled flow.
Taking a Turn Toward the Masculine: The Impact of Mortality Salience on Implicit Leadership Theories

The present research investigates the influence of subtle death-related thoughts (i.e., mortality salience) on people's images of effective leaders (i.e., their implicit leadership theories [ILTs]). We test the prediction that mortality salience will change the content of these implicit theories to be more gender stereotypical such that individuals will conceive of effective leaders in a significantly more masculine, or agentic, manner. To test this prediction, we assessed the communal and agentic components of participants' ILTs after they were presented with a mortality salience or control manipulation. Results show that priming individuals to think about their mortality with two open-ended questions resulted in a significant shift in their ILTs such that an effective leader is described in significantly more agentic terms compared to the control condition. This masculine shift in people's ILTs was demonstrated in both women and men, and mortality salience did not influence perceptions of effective lead...
Cellular and learned tolerances for pentobarbital hypothermia.

Abstract The development of behavioral tolerance to pentobarbital-induced hypothermia, as separable from cellular and metabolic tolerance, was established. Pentobarbital (PB) was administered to 4 groups of rats, 2 groups of which received intermittent (INT) IP PB treatment. One of these groups, INT/EXP, experienced the hypothermic (measured as rectal body temperature) drug effect after PB injection. The other group, INT/NONEXP, was monitored for body temperature functions (room temperature) before receiving PB (vehicle administration) and then prevented from experiencing PB-induced hypothermia by maintenance of body temperature with a towel wrap restraint and a heating lamp. The INT/EXP group also received equivalent exposure to this towel wrap after vehicle administration. Two other groups received chronic PB treatment (IP and in ground chow), one with experience for hypothermia after injections (CHR/EXP) and one prevented from experiencing the hypothermia (CHR/NONEXP). These groups also received equivalent exposure to the body temperature (at room temperature) testing and towel wrap restraint, EXP rats after vehicle injections and NONEXP after drug injections. A postchronic test of all groups compared the extent of PB hypothermia to prechronic test effects to assess the degree of tolerance. The INT/EXP group demonstrated behavioral tolerance for PB-induced hypothermia, as contrasted with the INT/NONEXP group which demonstrated little or no tolerance. Prominent tolerance was noted in both chronic groups for PB hypothermia, without a significant difference between them. After the postchronic test, chronic treatment was discontinued for 9 days (withdrawal) followed by 9 days of extinction training (vehicle behavioral testing). The two intermittent groups demonstrated no change in the hypothermic drug response during the postwithdrawal and postextinction drug test. However, in CHR/EXP rats tolerance to hypothermia was decreased at the postwithdrawal test, with a greater loss at the postextinction test. CHR/NONEXP animals showed a prominent loss of tolerance at the postwithdrawal test only. Brain concentrations of PB in identically treated rats (up to the postchronic test) yielded evidence of metabolic tolerance in the two chronic treatment groups. Evidence for cellular tolerance was also produced in these two groups when the brain concentrations were correlated with the extent of drug-induced hypothermia. Behavioral tolerance to drug effects was expressed in EXP groups after both chronic and intermittent pentobarbital treatment, compared to effects in the NONEXP groups, and existed separate from cellular and metabolic tolerance.
Fostering a Disability-Friendly Institutional Climate

All members of a campus community have a role to play in increasing the academic and social integration of students with disabilities.
The DSP of money

This paper discusses a simple framework that can be used to connect a significant number of the tools and techniques developed in a first course in either discrete-time signals and systems or digital signal processing. While this framework is not revolutionary, it allows for the rapid placement of new material into the course's context. Additionally, a simple model of an unstable financial system allows for a rapid introduction and overview of the course while observably increasing student interest and motivation. In these challenging economic times, it is somewhat reassuring to know that some unstable financial accounts are actually a good thing.
Cortical functional connectivity inference using MEG

A novel technique to explore functional connectivity using magnetoencephalography (MEG) is presented. Source localization is performed prior to connectivity analysis, allowing identification of the cortical regions involved. This technique controls for point-spread in the minimum norm inverse solution by generating a null distribution with noise data. Data from an auditory attention task reveals that in the alpha-frequency range, cortical activity in the auditory cortices is coherent with frontal eye fields, areas known to be engaged during other attention tasks. Maps generated with this technique allow visualization of inter-areal connectivity to pre-defined regions-of-interest.
Reversible Akinetic Mutism Possibly Induced by Baclofen

A 76-year-old man developed akinetic mutism after 3 days of receiving low-dosage baclofen. Electroencephalography showed a diffusely slow background with intermittent generalized sharp wave discharges. The condition resolved after discontinuing baclofen. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of baclofen-induced akinetic mutism in a patient with normal renal function. The pathophysiology of this condition is unknown, but it may result from selective binding of the drug to the gamma-aminobutyric acid-B receptors located in the frontal lobes or thalamic nuclei, interrupting the thalamocortical limbic pathways.
Management of thyroid carcinoma with radioactive 131I.

Abstract Purpose : To evaluate the role of radioactive 131I in the management of patients with well differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid. Methods and Materials : Between 1965 and 1995, a total of 117 patients with well-differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid underwent either lobectomy or thyroidectomy followed by 100–150 mCi of 131I. Results : With a median follow-up of 8 years, only four patients (3%) developed a recurrance of their disease. The 5-year acturial survival was 97% with a 10-year survival of 91%. There were no severe side effects noted after 131I therapy. Conclusions : Radioactive 131I is a safe and effective procedure for the majority of patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. We currently recommend that all patients undergo a subtotal or total thyroidectomy followed by 131I thyroid scanning approxmately 4 weeks after surgery. If the thyroid scan shows no residual uptake and all disease is confined to the thyroid, we recommend following patients with annual thyroid scans and serum thyroglobulin levels. If there is any residual uptake detected in the neck or if the tumor extends beyond the thyroid, we recommend routine thyroid ablation of 100–150 mCi of radioactive 131I.
Regulatory T Cells Enhance Mast Cell Production of IL-6 via Surface-Bound TGF-β

Mast cell degranulation is a hallmark of allergic reactions, but mast cells can also produce many cytokines that modulate immunity. Recently, CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been shown to inhibit mast cell degranulation and anaphylaxis, but their influence on cytokine production remained unknown. In this study, we show that, rather than inhibit, Tregs actually enhance mast cell production of IL-6. We demonstrate that, whereas inhibition of degranulation was OX40/OX40 ligand dependent, enhancement of IL-6 was due to TGF-β. Interestingly, our data demonstrate that the Treg-derived TGF-β was surface-bound, because the interaction was contact dependent, and no TGF-β was detectable in the supernatant. Soluble TGF-β1 alone was sufficient to enhance mast cell IL-6 production, and these supernatants were sufficient to promote Th17 skewing, but those from Treg-mast cell cultures were not, supporting this being surface-bound TGF-β from the Tregs. Interestingly, the augmentation of IL-6 production occurred basally or in response to innate stimuli (LPS or peptidoglycan), adaptive stimuli (IgE cross-linking by specific Ag), and cytokine activation (IL-33). We demonstrate that TGF-β led to enhanced transcription and de novo synthesis of IL-6 upon activation without affecting IL-6 storage or mRNA stability. In vivo, the adoptive transfer of Tregs inhibited mast cell-dependent anaphylaxis in a model of food allergy but promoted intestinal IL-6 and IL-17 production. Consequently, our findings establish that Tregs can exert divergent influences upon mast cells, inhibiting degranulation via OX40/OX40 ligand interactions while promoting IL-6 via TGF-β.