cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
T-Cell Function Is Critical for Murine Cholesterol Gallstone Formation

Background & Aims: The formation of cholesterol gallstones is a complex process involving contributions from genes and environmental factors. Although gallbladder inflammation is believed to be common during cholelithogenesis, the role of immunologic factors is unknown. Methods: The role of adaptive immunity in cholesterol cholelithogenesis was analyzed utilizing immunocompetent Helicobacter spp.-infected and -uninfected BALB/c and congenic immunodeficient Rag2 −/− (Rag) mice. Lymphocyte transfer studies were performed to determine which cellular subset was responsible for cholesterol gallstone formation. Also, gallbladder inflammation was quantified to determine the nature of the inflammatory response associated with cholelilithogenesis. Results: When fed a lithogenic diet for 8 weeks, wild-type mice developed significantly more cholesterol gallstones (27%–80% prevalence) than Rag mice (∼5%, P Helicobacter spp.-infected BALB/cJ mice displayed statistically significant increases in cholesterol gallstone prevalence compared with uninfected mice (81% vs. 39%; P Rag2 −/− mice increased stone prevalence markedly (26% and 40% respectively; P Muc genes and accumulation of mucin gel. In addition, T cells and cholesterol monohydrate crystals induced proinflammatory gene expression in the gallbladder, which likely contributes to gallbladder dysfunction. Conclusions: These studies indicate that T cells are critical in murine cholesterol cholelithogenesis. Furthermore, cholesterol monohydrate crystals induce expression of proinflammatory cytokines in a T-cell–dependent fashion. Acquired immunity and inflammation are likely to be crucial factors in cholesterol gallstone pathogenesis, rather then merely the result of cholelithogenesis.
Creep in nickel bombarded with 17 MEV deuterons

Irradiation creep data have been obtained with an apparatus designed to measure the irradiation creep of material subjected to light ion bombardment. The experimental apparatus has the capability to remotely set and control ion flux, stress and temperature for the creep test. Creep data have been obtained from nickel, 152 μm thick, bombarded with 17 MeV D+ ions at 473 K. It is shown that this choice of ion energy and specimen thickness results in minimal error induced by the stress gradient effect. Results to date indicate a nonlinear stress dependence of the creep rate with a stress exponent ≈2.5. This result is in substantial agreement with that found by other investigators using light ion irradiations. Results also suggest that in the temperature and stress range being studied, a climb-glide creep mechanism is operative.
The 8th I. E. Melhus Graduate Student Symposium: Forty-Five Years After Van der Plank, New Visions for the Future of Plant Disease Epidemiology

One of the most prestigious events held during each Annual Meeting of the American Phytopathological Society (APS) is the Irving E. Melhus Graduate Student Symposium. This symposium features gradua...
A concurrent explicit-implicit algorithm in structural dynamics

Abstract A concurrent explicit-implicit algorithm for time integration of the differential equations arising from a finite element discretization is described. The first step of the method consists of partitioning the finite element mesh into subdomains. As a consequence of this partition, the nodes in the resulting mesh form two distinct sets: interior nodes and interface nodes. Once these sets of nodes are identified, the method proceeds by integrating the interface nodes explicitly, and the interior nodes implicitly. Since the interior nodes in a specific subdomain are not shared by any other subdomain, they can be integrated independently. As a direct consequence, concurrency is introduced. Thus, this method is very well suited for implementation in parallel computers. In addition to this feature, the concurrent explicit-implicit algorithm is also expected to speed up computations, even on a sequential computer, by reducing the equation solving effort. Some considerations on the conversion of an originally sequential finite element analysis program to implement this method is given. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the method.
ACTH-induced prostaglandin biosynthesis from 3H-arachidonic acid by adrenocortical cells

Prostaglandins biosynthesized from 3H-arachidonic acid by trypsin-dispersed cat adrenocortical cells were isolated by silicic acid and thin layer chromatography. PGE, PGF, and a third component with mobility properties indistinguishable from either PGA or PGB were identified both in cortical cell homogenates and incubation medium. Concentrations of ACTH (125–250 μU) which stimulate steroidogenesis enhanced the conversion of labeled precursor to all three of these prostaglandins. These findings provide further evidence for the proposal that prostaglandins function as a critical link in ACTH-induced steroidogenesis.
Treatment-Related Changes in Behavioral Outcomes of Psychopathy Facets in Adolescent Offenders

This study examines the association between the facets of psychopathy embedded in the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV; Forth et al., Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version, 2003), and changes in institutional behavior and post-treatment violent and general offending in a sample of juvenile delinquent males treated in the Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center (MJTC), an intensive treatment program. Affective, Interpersonal, Behavioral and Antisocial facet scale scores were calculated from items of the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV; Forth et al., 2003). Data on daily institutional behavior were collected from treatment records. In order to analyze re-offense patterns, the number and type of new criminal charges were collected over a mean follow-up of 54 months (range = 24–79 months), after the youth was released from custody. The Interpersonal facet of the PCL:YV was significantly related to admission behavior problems, while other facet scores were not. Youth with elevated Interpersonal facet scores showed the greatest improvement in institutional behavior during treatment. Treatment was also associated with a significant decrease in general and violent offending for each facet. The Interpersonal facet of the PCL:YV was found to play a key role in institutional and community violence in this study. Treatment appeared to disrupt the link between institutional and community violence and psychopathy features in this population.
Numerical simulation of viscoelastic flow past a cylinder

Abstract The flow of an upper-convected Maxwell fluid past a circular cylinder is simulated numerically using the algorithn SIMPLER, which is based on a finite volume discretization on a staggered grid of the governing equations and an iterative solution to the nonlinearly coupled equations. The effect of the viscoelasticity of the fluid on the flow is examined. The drag force on the cylinder and the heat transfer from the cylinder to the surrounding fluid are calculated and compared with those obtained in experiments. One feature seen in the experiments is the existence of a critical velocity across which the variation of the drag and heat transfer changes from a characteristic Newtonian variation to a flat response. This feature is interpreted as a change of type when the critical speed Uc of flow becomes greater than the material wave speed c = . The numerical computation is completely consistent with this interpretation. Using an Einstein-type formula for the relaxation and λ = Ao with A independent of o we find that the experiments follow a scaling law Uco 1 2 =constant, where o is the mass fraction of polymers in water in the regime of extreme dilution, the drag reduction range, consistent with the interpretation that Uc = c.
Mathematical biology of division of labor between two individuals or two social groups

The concept of the satisfaction function is applied to the situation in which two individuals may each produce two needed objects of satisfaction, or may each produce only one of the objects and then make a partial exchange. It is shown that with a logarithmic satisfaction function there is no advantage in a division of labor, unless such a division materially increases the purely physical efficiency of production. This result appears to be connected with the particular choice of the form of satisfaction function (logarithmic). While the problem has not been solved for other forms, it is made plausible that satisfaction functions which have an asymptote will lead to a different result.
Are the Oral-Facial-Digital Syndromes Ciliopathies?

The first oral-facial-digital syndrome was described in 1941 by Mohr, followed by a report by Papillon-Leage and Psaume [Papillon-Leage and Psaume (1954); Rev Stomatol (Paris) 55:209-227]. Ironically, these became known as oral-facial-digital syndrome (OFDS) II and I, respectively. Since then, numerous other examples of OFDS have been published, and current classification systems include up to 13 different types of OFDS. Other than for OFDS I, the causative gene defects for these conditions are unknown. Recently however the finding that primary ciliary defects can cause multiple anomaly syndromes that phenotypically overlap with the OFDS suggests that many, if not all of the OFDS could be caused by mutations in ciliary proteins. This review presents the evidence for suggesting that the search for causative genes should focus on those that are related to ciliary structure and function.
Characterization of a Macaque Recombinant Monoclonal Antibody That Binds to a CD4-Induced Epitope and Neutralizes Simian Immunodeficiency Virus

A potent neutralizing Fab fragment from a long-term survivor of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVsm) infection was used to construct a recombinant macaque immunoglobulin G1κ (IgG1κ) molecule, designated IgG1-201. A Chinese hamster ovary cell line expressing IgG1-201 was derived by stable transfection and optimized for antibody secretion by methotrexate selection and dihydrofolate reductase gene amplification. IgG1-201 effectively neutralized the homologous, molecularly cloned SIVsmH4 virus but had no activity against the heterologous SIVmac251/BK28 virus. The previously characterized, neutralization-resistant SIVsmE543-3 virus was also not neutralized by IgG1-201. Binding to SIVsmH4 gp120 was enhanced in the presence of recombinant soluble CD4, suggesting that IgG1-201 bound a CD4-induced epitope. IgG1-201 immunoprecipitated the SIVsmH4 but not the SIVsmE543-3 envelope despite a close relationship between these two clones. Immunoprecipitation of a panel of SIVsmH4/SIVsmE543-3 chimeric viruses tentatively assigned the neutralization epitope to the third constant domain, immediately C terminal to the V3 loop. These findings suggest the presence of at least one CD4-induced neutralization epitope on SIV, as is the case with human immunodeficiency virus type 1.
Acceptor state instabilities in ZnSe under hydrostatic pressure

Abstract Photoluminescence experiments on ZnSe doped with P and As have been conducted at high pressure and low temperature. We find evidence that deep states arising from these impurities become unstable between 15 and 25 kbar. Although our results are not yet definitive, some interesting implications for current models are discussed.
Surgery: how safe is bariatric surgery?

The use of bariatric surgery for the treatment of morbid obesity has increased dramatically over the past decade, which has raised concerns about safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness. A new study by the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery consortium has assessed the safety of these increasingly frequent procedures.
RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION AND THE INFLUENCE OF INSPECTIONS ON CYCLE TIME

A key component of the homebuilding process is inspection of construction by the building permitting agency within the jurisdiction where the work is performed. Several inspections are made throughout the construction process, but four of the inspections, pre-slab, framing, drywall, and final, lie on the work schedule critical path. This research focuses upon these particular inspections to determine if the inspection failures influence construction cycle time. Inspections of production homes are examined to determine how often these critical path inspections do not pass the first time, and how many reinspections are required. The number of days utilized to pass those inspections and reinspections is also measured and reported. The research finds that, on average, 12 days are required, to pass these critical path inspections, thus adding 8 days to the construction cycle time. When these inspections do not pass the first time the inspection is made, rework and reinspections must be completed before construction can proceed. The results show that this process may occur within the same day as the original inspection, and the subsequent inspection takes place the next day. More research is necessary to determine precisely wh y these inspection failures occur, what cost is incurred because of such failures, and in turn, what opportunities are lost.
Reply to the comment of Lovera et al. (2015) on “Systematic variations of argon diffusion in feldspars and implications for thermochronometry” by Cassata and Renne

Abstract In this reply we address remarks from Lovera et al. (2015) regarding experiments that we conducted on K-feldspar from Madagascar and their previously published diffusion experiments. Observations of curvature on Arrhenius plots obtained from multiple-domain K-feldspars, as discussed by Lovera et al. (2015), are consistent with the general conclusion of our paper that both sub-grain domains and structural modifications associated with laboratory heating cause deviations from linearity on Arrhenius plots. We review observations of non-linearity that are inconsistent with multiple-domain theory (e.g., upward curvature on plagioclase Arrhenius plots) to support our contention that structural transitions are an important consideration.
Bunker view: limited-range head-motion-parallax visualization for complex data sets

This work presents a head-motion-parallax visualization system for arbitrarily complex computer graphics databases (such as biomedical data sets) using precomputed images. It features a large rear-projection screen and a blind restricting the range of possible vantage points. We describe implementation details for the high-resolution low-lag prototype system and relate first reactions from users.
Kinetic Monte Carlo Simulation of AC Impedance on the Cathode Side of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

A kinetic Monte Carlo model is developed to simulate the oxygen reduction reaction and frequency response at the cathode of a 9 mol % yttria-stabilized zirconia fuel cell, using an asymmetrical cell scheme. To investigate the frequency-response characteristics, ac electrochemical impedance spectra have been studied with respect to variations of different electrolyte thicknesses, temperature, oxygen partial pressure, and relative permittivity of the electrolyte. Within a wide frequency range ( 1 0 3-1 0 9 Hz), our results show that both electrolyte and reaction resistances are strongly temperature-dependent, with the former linearly proportional to the thickness of the electrolyte, as expected. Among the physical parameters that we studied, the temperature and the thickness of the electrolyte have the most profound influence on both the ionic current density and the ac impedance spectra of the fuel cell. The oxygen partial pressure and the relative permittivity of the electrolyte have a smaller influence on the impedance within the frequency range of this study.
A mathematical model for suspension bridge vibration

A new mathematical model for forced oscillations in suspension bridges is proposed. The model is based on the classical Deflection Theory model for suspension bridges, but incorporates new ideas recently proposed in the McKenna model. Two numerical methods are presented for the approximation of the equation, and numerical experiments indicate that the new model exhibits ''large amplitude oscillations'' often found in suspension bridges subjected to periodic input.
Diagnostic approaches to acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is a challenging medical condition, with the potential for high mortality and comorbidity in companion animal patients. The anatomic position and relationships of the pancreas make direct observation of pancreatic pathology difficult, so the diagnosis of pancreatic disease is typically based on the measurement of biochemical markers in serum and imaging studies of the abdomen. The digestive enzymes typically used in the diagnosis of pancreatitis, amylase and lipase, have poor sensitivity and specificity. Recently, pancreas specific lipases have been purified from dogs and cats, leading to the availability of specific immunoassays for these proteins that show great promise in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. After the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is established, there is a need to assess the severity of the disease to give an accurate prognosis for the patient. This article will review currently available methods used to diagnose acute pancreatitis and the ability of these methods to assess accurately the severity of the disease.
The effect of the beta-adrenoreceptor antagonist Ro03-7894 on rat atrial tension development and (-)-[3H]dihydroalprenolol binding to cardiac and lung membranes.

Abstract The ability of 1-(5-chloracetylaminobenzfuran-2-yl)-2-isopropylaminoethanol (Ro03-7894) to irreversibly inactivate beta-adrenoreceptors was studied. In isolated rat atria Ro03-7894 (500 μM) depressed and shifted the tension development curve for isoproterenol to the right. After a 2 hour washout period the dose response curve for isoproterenol was further depressed. At a lower dose of Ro03-7894 (50 μM), the isoproterenol dose response curve was also depressed and shifted to the right although after a 2 hour washout, the sensitivity to isoproterenol was restored but the maximum response was still depressed. Ro03-7894 (50 μM) also depressed the tension development response to increasing concentrations of external calcium. The concentration of Ro03-7894 that inhibited (−)-[3H]dihydroalprenolol (DHA) binding by 50% in cardiac and lung membranes was 20 μM. Incubation of rat ventricular or lung membranes for 1 hour with 100 μM Ro03-7894 followed by washing did not change the concentration of beta-adrenoreceptors or the KD values for [3H]DHA binding. Furthermore, neither the concentration of beta-adrenoreceptors nor the KD for [3H]DHA binding was changed in cardiac and lung membranes at 4 or 24 hours after an i.p. injection of 20 mg/kg of Ro03-7894. The results suggested that Ro03-7894 was a relatively weak beta-adrenoreceptor antagonist which under the conditions used did not irreversibly inactivate the receptor but probably depressed tension development in intact atria nonspecifically.
Fecundity differences between mating pairs for a single autosomal locus, sex differences in viability and nonoverlapping generations.

Abstract Recurrence equations are derived for the change in genotype frequencies for general fecundity functions. Statistical models that will result in fecundity functions factorable into male and female contributions are developed. Some attention is given to the genetic structure and equilibrium behavior of single-locus genetic systems with additive fecundities.
The effect of personalized guideline-concordant treatment on quality of life and functional impairment in bipolar disorder

Objectives The aims of this study were to evaluate correlates and predictors of life functioning and quality of life in bipolar disorder during a comparative effectiveness trial of moderate doses of lithium.
Introduction to Leonard pairs

In this survey paper we give an elementary introduction to the theory of Leonard pairs. A Leonard pair is defined as follows. Let K denote a field and let V denote a vector space over K with finite positive dimension. By a Leonard pair on V we mean an ordered pair of linear transformations A : V → V and B : V → V that satisfy conditions (i), (ii) below. (i) There exists a basis for V with respect to which the matrix representing A is irreducible tridiagonal and the matrix representing B is diagonal. (ii)There exists a basis for V with respect to which the matrix representing A is diagonal and the matrix representing B is irreducible tridiagonal. We give several examples of Leonard pairs. Using these we illustrate how Leonard pairs arise in representation theory, combinatorics, and the theory of orthogonal polynomials.
Quaternary foraminifera from the walls of Wilmington, South Wilmington, and North Heyes canyons, U.S. east coast; implications for continental slope and rise evolution

The age, origin, and geologic development of outcropping sedimentary units of the continental slope and rise of the Wilmington Canyon region are assessed from analysis of foraminifera. DSRV Alvin was used to core outcrops and subcrops of strata in the walls and floors of Wilmington, South Wilmington, and North Heyes Canyons. Planktonic and benthic foraminifera were identified and counted in 34 samples and analyzed using Q-mode cluster analysis. Planktonic foraminifera were used to determine age of outcropping strata and surficial watermass conditions at the time of deposition
Changes in optical properties of rat skin during thermal coagulation

Thomsen, M. D., Helene Vijverberg, Ruiping Huang, Ph. D. andJon Schwartz, M.E.ELaser Biology Research LaboratoryUniversity ofTexas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center1515 HolcombeHouston, Texas 77030ABSTRACTThermal coagulation of albino rat skin heated in vitro results in prominent changes of lightscattering but relatively little in light absorption based on measurements using an integrating spherespectrometer. The reduced scattering coefficients, p(1-g), gradually increase as temperaturesincrease from room temperature to 55° C then rapidly decrease to plateau after 70°C is reached.The differences among the .t5(1-g) values for the different wavelengths were greater at the lowertemperatures than at higher temperatures. The absorption coefficient, changed very little overthe test temperature range (room temperature to 90°C) and then only at higher temperatures and forlonger wavelengths. The optical property changes were associated with thermally induced lightmicroscopic and ultrastructural changes in the dermal collagen, a major tissue component of skin.INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUNDMany types of tissues and biological materials are visibly altered when heated tocoagulation temperatures. The opacification and whitening of cooked egg white and thetransformation of raw red beef steak to brown meat when grilled are familiar examples toeveryone. Thermal coagulation of tissues during laser irradiation results in many morphologicalchanges that could relate to changes in optical properties of those tissues both during and afterirradiation. 1,2We tested the hypotheses that the optical properties of albino rat skin will be altered as aresult of heating and that the optical property changes could be related to morphological changes ofthermally coagulated dermal collagen. 3MATERIALS AND METHODSOur experimental rationale included the following considerations: 1) the optical propertychanges would be compared to temperature with the heating time held constant 2) the opticalproperty changes would be reflected by measuring p.5(1-g) and p.: 3) albino rat skin wouldeliminate the absorption problems introduced with pigmented skin; 4) the dermal skeletal musclelayer would be dissected away to eliminate the influence of myoglobin and 5) the epidermis anddermis of rat skin would be measured with the light directed to the epitheial surface. 4Fresh pieces of albino rat skin were removed from male Sprague-Dawley rats (285-350gms) and cut into 3 x 3 cm squares. These were wrapped in water-tight aluminum foil packets andsubmerged in an equilibrated water bath: the packets were weighted to prevent their floating on thesurface. The packets were heated for 20 minutes at the following temperatures, 37, 50, 55, 60,65,70 and 90° C. The packets were placed on wet ice immediately after heating then allowed to
Vickers microhardness evaluation of multilayer platings for electrical contacts

A test procedure is described which utilizes the composite microhardness rendered by a superficial Vickers test. At moderate loads (typically P=100 and 200 g) the superficial hardness reading yields information on the concerted influences (thicknesses and hardnesses) of all the films deposited over the substrate. From the Vickers microhardness measurement one can determine the properties (thickness and intrinsic hardness) of the surface film. Experimental data and the computational procedure are described for relatively thin platings, i.e. t/d values not exceeding 0.2. The role of the properties for each layer in a composite is investigated. An error analysis is given for evaluating the potential accuracy inherent in practical measurements. >
Comparing digital-light-processing (DLP) and liquid-crystal-on-silicon (LCoS) technologies for high-quality 3D shape measurement

This paper presents a thorough comparison between the digital-light-processing (DLP) technology and liquid-crystal-onsilicon (LCoS) technology on high-quality 3D shape measurement. Specifically, we will study not only each individual color, but also the combination of different color (i.e., white light). The binary defocusing and focused sinusoidal fringe projection methods will be evaluated under all these scenarios. Experimental data demonstrated that for slow speed measurements, DLP has better fringe contrast and thus higher signal to noise ratio (SNR) for better quality 3D shape measurement when the binary defocusing method is employed, or when proper synchronization is present when the focus sinusoidal method is used; and LCoS provides more flexibility for system development when the focus sinusoidal method is employed.
Papa and peers: A biosocial approach to conduct disorder

The authors seek to advance the profession's understanding of conduct disorders by illustrating that (a) inappropriate research design frequently results in faulty conclusions regarding etiology, (b) a biosocial approach is most helpful in identifying key interactive variables that place children/adolescents at risk, and (c) future treatment efficacy studies should focus on mitigating these primary risk factors as well as investigating separate intervention models for the two qualitatively distinct categories of delinquents (i.e., chronic vs. transient participation).
Megavoltage Computed Tomography Image-based Low-dose Rate Intracavitary Brachytherapy Planning for Cervical Carcinoma

Initial results of megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT) brachytherapy treatment planning are presented, using a commercially available helical tomotherapy treatment unit and standard low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy applicators used for treatment of cervical carcinoma. The accuracy of MVCT imaging techniques, and dosimetric accuracy of the CT based plans were tested with in-house and commercially-available phantoms. Three dimensional (3D) dose distributions were computed and compared to the two dimensional (2D) dosimetry results. Minimal doses received by the 2 cm3 of bladder and rectum receiving the highest doses (D(B2cc) and D(R2cc), respectively) were computed from dose-volume histograms and compared to the doses computed for the standard ICRU bladder and rectal reference dose points. Phantom test objects in MVCT image sets were localized with sub-millimetric accuracy, and the accuracy of the MVCT-based dose calculation was verified. Fifteen brachytherapy insertions were also analyzed. The ICRU rectal point dose did not differ significantly from D(R2cc) (p=0.749, mean difference was 24 cGy +/- 283 cGy). The ICRU bladder point dose was significantly lower than the D(B2cc) (p=0.024, mean difference was 291 cGy +/- 444 cGy). The median volumes of bladder and rectum receiving at least the corresponding ICRU reference point dose were 6.1 cm(3) and 2.0 cm(3), respectively. Our initial experience in using MVCT imaging for clinical LDR gynecological brachytherapy indicates that the MVCT images are of sufficient quality for use in 3D, MVCT-based dose planning.
A CMV vaccine: TREATing despite the TRICKs.

“HCMV can be extremely problematic in people with compromised or underdeveloped immunity, highlighted by it being the number one infectious cause of congenital birth defects and a major complication in transplant settings.”
Humantenna: using the body as an antenna for real-time whole-body interaction

Computer vision and inertial measurement have made it possible for people to interact with computers using whole-body gestures. Although there has been rapid growth in the uses and applications of these systems, their ubiquity has been limited by the high cost of heavily instrumenting either the environment or the user. In this paper, we use the human body as an antenna for sensing whole-body gestures. Such an approach requires no instrumentation to the environment, and only minimal instrumentation to the user, and thus enables truly mobile applications. We show robust gesture recognition with an average accuracy of 93% across 12 whole-body gestures, and promising results for robust location classification within a building. In addition, we demonstrate a real-time interactive system which allows a user to interact with a computer using whole-body gestures
Are Teacher Absences Worth Worrying About in the United States

Abstract Using detailed data from North Carolina, we examine the frequency, incidence, and consequences of teacher absences in public schools as well as the impact of a policy designed to reduce absences. The incidence of teacher absences is regressive: when schools are ranked by the fraction of students receiving free or reduced price lunches, teachers in the lowest income quartile average almost one extra sick day per school year than teachers in the highest income quartile, and schools with persistently high rates of teacher absence were much more likely to serve low-income than high-income students. In regression models incorporating teacher fixed effects, absences are associated with lower student achievement in elementary grades. Finally, we present evidence that the demand for discretionary absences is price elastic. Our estimates suggest that a policy intervention that simultaneously raises teacher base salaries and broadens financial penalties for absences could both raise teachers' expected inco...
Inhaled nitric oxide alleviates hyperoxia suppressed phosphatidylcholine synthesis in endotoxin-induced injury in mature rat lungs

We investigated efficacy of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) in modulation of metabolism of phosphatidylcholine (PC) of pulmonary surfactant and in anti-inflammatory mechanism of mature lungs with inflammatory injury. Healthy adult rats were divided into a group of lung inflammation induced by i.v. lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or a normal control (C) for 24 h, and then exposed to: room air (Air), 95% oxygen (O), NO (20 parts per million, NO), both O and NO (ONO) as subgroups, whereas [3H]-choline was injected i.v. for incorporation into PC of the lungs which were processed subsequently at 10 min, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h, respectively, for measurement of PC synthesis and proinflammatory cytokine production. LPS-NO subgroup had the lowest level of labeled PC in total phospholipids and disaturated PC in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue (decreased by 46–59%), along with the lowest activity of cytidine triphosphate: phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (-14–18%) in the lungs, compared to all other subgroups at 4 h (p < 0.01), but not at 8 and 12 h. After 24-h, all LPS-subgroups had lower labeled PC than the corresponding C-subgroups (p < 0.05). LPS-ONO had higher labeled PC in total phospholipids and disaturated PC, activity of cytidylyltransferase, and lower activity of nuclear transcription factor-κB and expression of proinflammatory cytokine mRNA, than that in the LPS-O subgroup (p < 0.05). In LPS-induced lung inflammation in association with hyperoxia, depressed PC synthesis and enhanced proinflammatory cytokine production may be alleviated by iNO. NO alone only transiently suppressed the PC synthesis as a result of lower activity of cytidylyltransferase.
Nicky and Adam go on holiday: an approach to cancer education

Describes the development of Nicky and Adam Go on Holiday, a teaching pack commissioned by the Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority and created while the author was on a one‐day‐a‐week secondment to the advisory team for personal and social education (health). The pack deals with cancer education and is designed to be used with secondary pupils as a term’s module. It focuses, in a covert manner, on skin, breast, cervical and testicular cancer, and the information is presented in the style of a romantic teenage story. Summarizes the research and final materials and explains the aims and rationale of the pack. The pack utilizes a range of active learning techniques based on the fictitious activities and needs of the four young protagonists. It was piloted in two Southampton secondary schools, which reported positive responses from pupils and staff and it is now available on request.
Engraftment of NOD/SCID mice with human CD34(+) cells transduced by concentrated oncoretroviral vector particles pseudotyped with the feline endogenous retrovirus (RD114) envelope protein.

Oncoretrovirus vectors pseudotyped with the feline endogenous retrovirus (RD114) envelope protein produced by the FLYRD18 packaging cell line have previously been shown to transduce human hematopoietic progenitor cells with a greater efficiency than similar amphotropic envelope-pseudotyped vectors. In this report, we describe the production and efficient concentration of RD114-pseudotyped murine leukemia virus (MLV)-based vectors. Following a single round of centrifugation, vector supernatants were concentrated approximately 200-fold with a 50 to 70% yield. Concentrated vector stocks transduced prestimulated human CD34+ (hCD34+) cells with approximately 69% efficiency (n = 7, standard deviation = 4.4%) using a single addition of vector at a low multiplicity of infection (MOI = 5). Introduction of transduced hCD34+ cells into irradiated NOD/SCID recipients resulted in multilineage engraftment with long-term transgene expression. These data demonstrate that RD114-pseudotyped MLV-based vectors can be efficiently concentrated to high titers and that hCD34+ cells transduced with concentrated vector stocks retain in vivo repopulating potential. These results highlight the potential of RD114-pseudotyped oncoretrovirus vectors for future clinical implementation in hematopoietic stem cell gene transfer.
Male infertility, impaired spermatogenesis, and azoospermia in mice deficient for the pseudophosphatase Sbf1

Pseudophosphatases display extensive sequence similarities to phosphatases but harbor amino acid alterations in their active-site consensus motifs that render them catalytically inactive. A potential role in substrate trapping or docking has been proposed, but the specific requirements for pseudophosphatases during development and differentiation are unknown. We demonstrate here that Sbf1, a pseudophosphatase of the myotubularin family, is expressed at high levels in seminiferous tubules of the testis, specifically in Sertoli’s cells, spermatogonia, and pachytene spermatocytes, but not in postmeiotic round spermatids. Mice that are nullizygous for Sbf1 exhibit male infertility characterized by azoospermia. The onset of the spermatogenic defect occurs in the first wave of spermatogenesis at 17 days after birth during the synchronized progression of pachytene spermatocytes to haploid spermatids. Vacuolation of the Sertoli’s cells is the earliest observed phenotype and is followed by reduced formation of spermatids and eventual depletion of the germ cell compartment in older mice. The nullizygous phenotype in conjunction with high-level expression of Sbf1 in premeiotic germ cells and Sertoli’s cells is consistent with a crucial role for Sbf1 in transition from diploid to haploid spermatocytes. These studies demonstrate an essential role for a pseudophosphatase and implicate signaling pathways regulated by myotubularin family proteins in spermatogenesis and germ cell differentiation.
Live Theater on a Virtual Stage: Incorporating Soft Skills and Teamwork in Computer Graphics Education

Industry has increasingly emphasized the need for "soft" or interpersonal skills development and team-building experience in the college curriculum. Here, we discuss our experiences with providing such opportunities via a collaborative project called the Virtual Theater. In this joint project between the Rochester Institute of Technology's School of Design and Department of Computer Science, the goal is to enable live performance in a virtual space with participants in different physical locales. Students work in teams, collaborating with other students in and out of their disciplines.
Gender differences in use of stress testing and coronary heart disease mortality: a population-based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota.

Abstract Objectives. We sought to examine the utilization of exercise stress testing in relation to age and gender in a population-based setting. Background. The utilization of noninvasive procedures has been shown to be associated with the subsequent use of invasive procedures. Yet, there are no population-based data on the utilization of stress testing; in particular, although gender differences in the use of invasive procedures have been reported, the use of noninvasive procedures has not been examined in relation to gender. Methods. In Olmsted County, Minnesota, passive surveillance of the medical care of the community is provided through the Rochester Epidemiology Project. A population-based cohort of Olmsted County residents undergoing exercise tests was identified. The medical records of residents with prevalent and incident exercise tests in 1987 and 1988 were reviewed. For persons with an initial test (incidence cohort), data on clinical presentation, test indications and results were abstracted. Stress test utilization rates were calculated, and crude rates were directly adjusted to the age distribution of the 1980 U.S. population. To help interpret patterns of use at the population level, coronary heart disease mortality rates (International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, codes 410 to 414) were calculated (crude and directly adjusted to the overall age distribution of the 1980 U.S. population) and used as an indicator of coronary disease burden. Results. A total of 2,624 tests were performed. The crude utilization rate (per 100,000) was 1,888 for men and 703 for women (rate ratio for men over women 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.5 to 2.9); it remained significantly higher in men across all age strata. The crude incidence rate (per 100,000) of initial stress tests was 1,112 for men and 517 for women (rate ratio 2.2, 95% CI 1.9 to 2.4). For both men and women, the incidence increased with age; however, incidence remained lower in women in all age strata. At the time that they underwent an initial test, women were more symptomatic and had poorer exercise performance than men. The rate ratio of men over women for coronary heart disease mortality was 1.1 (95% CI 0.9 to 1.2). The age-adjusted rate ratios for stress test utilization were 2.8 (95% CI 2.5 to 3.0), and that for coronary heart disease mortality was 1.9 (95% CI 1.7 to 2.2). Conclusions. These population-based data show that during the study period, the utilization of stress testing in Olmsted County was lower in women than in men. Women in the incidence cohort were older and more symptomatic and had poorer exercise performance than men. Such differences should be considered when examining the utilization of subsequent invasive procedures according to gender.
Inhibition of adrenergic outflow to peripheral blood vessels by vagal afferents from the cardiopulmonary region in the dog.

In closed-chest atropinized dogs anesthetized with chloralose and ventilated artificially, the aortic nerves were cut beneath the nodose ganglion, and the carotid sinuses were either denervated or vascularly isolated and maintained at a pressure of 40 mm Hg. Denervation was established by the failure of the pressoreceptor systems to respond to mechanical stimulation. Cold block or section of the cervical vagi resulted in statistically significant increases in arterial blood pressure (18%), heart rate (3%), central venous pressure (13%), hind-limb perfusion pressure (12%), pressure within the occluded spleen (18%), and efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity (28%). There was no change in saphenous vein perfusion pressure. The vascular responses were abolished by a-receptor blockade and were not affected by section of the vagi at the diaphragm. When the pressure in the vascularly isolated innervated carotid sinuses was varied from 40 to 220 mm Hg, the vascular responses to vagal block decreased steeply between 100 and 160 mm Hg and were absent at 200 mm Hg. Thus, receptors in the cardiopulmonary region with afferent vagal fibers exert a continuous restraint on the sympathetic adrenergic outflow to resistance and capacitance vessels, especially when the input from the carotid baroreceptors is decreased.
Paleobiological Perspectives on Early Eukaryotic Evolution

Eukaryotic organisms radiated in Proterozoic oceans with oxygenated surface waters, but, commonly, anoxia at depth. Exceptionally preserved fossils of red algae favor crown group emergence more than 1200 million years ago, but older (up to 1600–1800 million years) microfossils could record stem group eukaryotes. Major eukaryotic diversification 800 million years ago is documented by the increase in the taxonomic richness of complex, organic-walled microfossils, including simple coenocytic and multicellular forms, as well as widespread tests comparable to those of extant testate amoebae and simple foraminiferans and diverse scales comparable to organic and siliceous scales formed today by protists in several clades. Mid-Neoproterozoic establishment or expansion of eukaryophagy provides a possible mechanism for accelerating eukaryotic diversification long after the origin of the domain. Protists continued to diversify along with animals in the more pervasively oxygenated oceans of the Phanerozoic Eon.
Long-rotation sugarcane in Hawaii sustains high carbon accumulation and radiation use efficiency in 2nd year of growth

Abstract Sugarcane has been a major agronomic crop in Hawaii with an unique, high-yield, two-year production system. However, parameters relevant to advanced, cellulosic biofuel production, such as net ecosystem productivity (NEP) and radiation use efficiency (RUE), have not been evaluated in Hawaii under commercial production. Recent demand potential has rekindled interest in Hawaiian grown biofuels; as such, there is a need to understand productivity under changing climate and agronomic practices. To this end, we established two eddy covariance towers in commercial sugarcane fields in Maui, Hawaii to evaluate the carbon balance and RUE of sugarcane under contrasting elevations and soil types. We combined the tower observations with biometric and satellite data to assess RUE in terms of net biomass accumulation and daily gross primary production. High, sustained net NEP was found in both fields (cumulative NEP 4.23–5.37 × 10 3 g C m −2 over the course of the measurement period). Biomass RUE was statistically similar for both fields (1.15–1.24 g above ground biomass per MJ intercepted solar irradiance). Carbon accumulated in both fields at nearly the same rate with differences in cumulative biomass due to differing crop cycle lengths; cumulative gross primary productivity and ecosystem respiration were higher in the lower elevation field. Contrary to previous studies in Hawaiian sugarcane, we did not see a large decrease in NEP or increase in ecosystem respiration in the 2nd year, which we attributed to suppressed decomposition of dead cane stalks and leaves due to drip irrigation and drought. Biomass RUE also showed little decline in the 2nd year. The results show that Hawaiian sugarcane has a higher productivity than sugarcane grown in other regions of the world and also suggests that a longer (>12 months) growing cycle may be optimal for biomass production.
NetMedia: synchronized streaming of multimedia presentations in distributed environments

We present the design strategies of a client-server distributed multimedia presentation system that can flexibly support streaming continuous media data, in real-time, across the Internet. In particular, we focus on the real-time buffer management and end-to-end data transmission. We present an effective and practical buffer management technique to address network delays and misordering of arriving data at the client side. We also develop a novel end-to-end transmission control protocol which can guarantee the availability and timeliness of data as demanded.
Algorithmic analogue-to-quaternary convertor circuit using current-mode CMOS

A new current-mode CMOS algorithmic analogue-to-quaternary data convertor circuit has been realised in a standard polysilicon-gate CMOS technology. This circuit accepts an analogue current input and develops a set of quaternary, base-four, output currents. A single type of convertor cell may be cascaded to the desired number of quaternary output digits. The reference current that defines the full scale input range may be set externally. This circuit is input-output compatible with other previously described VLSI-compatible current-mode CMOS quaternary threshold logic and memory circuits.
Ultrastructural Lesions in Testes from Hyperprolactinemic Men

Testicular tissue from eight men with prolactinomas and elevated serum prolactin were evaluated by light (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A semiquantitative assessment of testicular morphology was employed to provide a morphology index for each tissue specimen. Although in each biopsy specimen germ cell exfoliation was evident, as was abnormal structural change in the seminiferous epithelium, there was no apparent correlation with the overall degree of tissue pathology (morphology index) and the serum level of prolactin. All of the tissue displayed variably thickened seminiferous tubule walls which, when viewed by TEM, were composed of thickened laminae propriae and redundant and involuted basal laminae. Likewise, all tubules contained Sertoli cells with overt cytoplasmic degeneration, principally in the apical (adluminal) region of the cell. This was visualized, in part, as a retraction of the apical cytoplasm from periluminal spermatids and degeneration or absence of Sertoli-germ cell junctional specializations. Sertoli-Sertoli cell junctional complexes appeared structurally intact. Leydig cell ultrastructure was typical of normal cells and contained a variable amount of lipid and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. This also was without positive correlation with the overall degree of tissue pathology or level of serum prolactin. Our results demonstrate the variable degree of testicular pathology associated with hyperprolactinemia in man, and suggest that abnormal tubule walls and altered Sertoli cell ultrastructure are consistent findings in this abnormal endocrine condition.