cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The variable phenotype and low-risk nature of RAS -positive thyroid nodules

Oncogenic mutations are common in thyroid cancers. While the frequently detected RAS-oncogene mutations have been studied for diagnostic use in cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules, no investigation has studied such mutations in an unselected population of thyroid nodules. No long-term study of RAS-positive thyroid nodules has been performed. We performed a prospective, blinded cohort study in 362 consecutive patients presenting with clinically relevant (>1 cm) thyroid nodules. Fine needle aspiration cytology and mutational testing were obtained for all nodules. Post-operative histopathology was obtained for malignant or indeterminate nodules, and benign nodules were sonographically followed. Histopathological features were compared between RAS- and BRAF-positive malignancies. RAS-positive benign nodules were analyzed for growth or cellular change from prior aspirations. Overall, 17 of 362 nodules were RAS-positive. Nine separate nodules were BRAF-positive, of which eight underwent surgery and all proved malignant (100 %). Out of the 17 RAS-positive nodules, ten underwent surgery, of which eight proved malignant (47 %). All RAS-positive malignancies were low risk – all follicular variants of papillary carcinoma, without extrathyroidal extension, metastases, or lymphovascular invasion. RAS-positivity was associated with malignancy in younger patients (P = 0.028). Of the nine RAS-positive benign nodules, five had long-term prospective sonographic follow-up (mean 8.3 years) showing no growth or signs of malignancy. Four of these nodules also had previous aspirations (mean 5.8 years prior), all with similar benign results. While RAS-oncogene mutations increase malignancy risk, these data demonstrate a low-risk phenotype for most RAS-positive cancers. Furthermore, cytologically benign, yet RAS-positive nodules behave in an indolent fashion over years. RAS-positivity alone should therefore not dictate clinical decisions.
Expert Judgment versus Market Accounting in an Industrial Research Lab

Accounts of change in contemporary research in industry and the academy often note the increasing coexistence of market and academic norms and practices. This article suggests that, at least in ind...
College Athletes and NCAA Violations

Sports are used frequently as a window to examine society. Because of unique data sets, sports allow researchers to test human behavior, and in recent years, sports have been used to show when discrimination, collusion, and cheating are likely to occur. Cullen, Latessa, and Jonson (2012, this issue) use data on National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) infractions to investigate how often and why college athletes break NCAA rules. Cullen et al. categorize these infractions as infractions while they were being recruited by the university and infractions that were committed after they enrolled in college. They find that whereas major NCAA infractions are rare, minor infractions happen somewhat frequently. Their results provide valuable insights into the causes of rule infractions, and the results may be useful in designing policies in a broader context. The data used in the study enable the researchers to test the frequency as well as possible causes of athlete infractions. Weak evidence exists in favor of a variety of existing theories, but some consistent results are found. If athletes clearly can gain from committing an infraction, if their friends are getting away with committing infractions, and if the moral costs are perceived as being inconsequential, then athletes are more likely to break the rules. In other words, if the benefits clearly outweigh the costs, then the main barrier that stops infractions is the athlete’s own moral compass. Furthermore, many athletes do not feel a moral obligation to follow all the rules, and some feel entitled to benefits that are prohibited. Therefore, athletes in large revenue-generating sports, such as football and men’s basketball, commit minor infractions regularly. A somewhat unique aspect of NCAA rules is why they exist. Even the casual observer of college sports knows that college sports have become big business and that revenues have been increasing at a rapid rate over the past couple of decades. Yet, any financial benefits to the athletes are restricted. The NCAA claims that their rules are in place to keep athletes amateurs and that these rules are in the best interest of the athletes. However, as Humphreys (2012, this issue) says, this seems peculiar because these rules prohibit monetary transfers
Nuclear receptor-mediated repression of human cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase gene transcription by bile acids

Hydrophobic bile acids strongly repressed transcription of the human cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase gene (CYP7A1) in the bile acid biosynthetic pathway in the liver. Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) repressed CYP7A1/Luc reporter activity in a transfection assay in human liver-derived HepG2 cells, but not in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. FXR-binding activity was required for bile acid repression of CYP7A1 transcription despite the fact that FXR did not bind to the CYP7A1 promoter. FXR-induced liver-specific factors must be required for mediating bile acid repression. Bile acids and FXR repressed endogenous CYP7A1 but stimulated alpha-fetoprotein transcription factor (FTF) and small heterodimer partner (SHP) mRNA expression in HepG2 cells. Feeding of rats with chenodeoxycholic acid repressed CYP7A1, induced FTF, but had no effect on SHP mRNA expression in the liver. FTF strongly repressed CYP7A1 transcription in a dose-dependent manner, and SHP further inhibited CYP7A1 in HepG2 cells, but not in HEK 293 cells. FXR only moderately stimulated SHP transcription, whereas FTF strongly inhibited SHP transcription in HepG2 cells. Results revealed that FTF was a dominant negative factor that was induced by bile acid-activated FXR to inhibit both CYP7A1 and SHP transcription. Differential regulation of FTF and SHP expression by bile acids may explain the wide variation in CYP7A1 expression and the rate of bile acid synthesis and regulation in different species.
Localized alterations of dopamine receptor binding in rat brain by repeated electroconvulsive shock: an autoradiographic study.

The effects of repeated electroconvulsive shock (ECS) on binding parameters of D1 and D2 type dopamine (DA) receptors were investigated in different brain regions of male rats using quantitative autoradiography. D1 binding was studied with [3H]SCH 23390 as the ligand and D2 binding with [3H]spiroperidol. The distribution patterns of both D1and D2 receptor sites were in good agreement with previously published reports. Repeated ECS induced upregulation of D1 receptors in the olfactory tubercle, the endopiriform nucleus and the substantia nigra without appreciably affecting D1 binding sites in the striatum, n. accumbens or in other brain regions containing D1 binding sites. Upregulation of D2 binding sites, after ECS, was seen in the accumbens, the olfactory tubercle, the amygdaloid nuclei, the claustrum and the endopiriform nucleus, but not in the caudate-putamen or in other brain regions containing D2 binding sites. The present finding that repeated ECS can selectively upregulate DA receptor binding sites in discrete brain areas, including limbic structures, renders important support to a large number of previous studies that demonstrated effects of repeated ECS on DA receptor function in behavioral models.
Metaphors of blood in American English and Hungarian: A cross-linguistic corpus investigation

Abstract This study investigates the metaphorical uses of blood in American English and Hungarian, using large corpora. The study aims at identifying the target themes of metaphorical expressions containing blood in the two languages as well as unearthing details of patterns of usage in a case-study analysis of four selected expressions. Findings show that the two languages mostly share the range of phenomena that their extensive metaphorical uses of blood depict. At the same time, the case studies reveal a remarkable difference in the frequency, connotation, and usage patterns of the expressions that underwent a detailed analysis. The expressions also display substantial within-language variation in their connotations. The findings provide support for the usage of mixed corpora, and imply a vital need to investigate the context of metaphorical expressions in order to bring to light the conceptualizations inherent in them.
Assessing levels of consciousness with symbolic analysis.

‘Covert consciousness’ is a state in which consciousness is present without the capacity for behavioural response, and it can occur in patients with intraoperative awareness or unresponsive wakefulness syndrome. To detect and prevent this undesirable state, it is critical to develop a reliable neurobiological assessment of an individual's level of consciousness that is independent of behaviour. One such approach that shows potential is measuring surrogates of cortical communication in the brain using electroencephalography (EEG). EEG is practicable in clinical application, but involves many fundamental signal processing problems, including signal-to-noise ratio and high dimensional complexity. Symbolic analysis of EEG can mitigate these problems, improving the measurement of brain connectivity and the ability to successfully assess levels of consciousness. In this article, we review the problem of covert consciousness, basic neurobiological principles of consciousness, current methods of measuring brain connectivity and the advantages of symbolic processing, with a focus on symbolic transfer entropy (STE). Finally, we discuss recent advances and clinical applications of STE and other symbolic analyses to assess levels of consciousness.
Persistence and distribution of azinphos-methyl following application to littoral enclosure mesocosms.

Abstract The organophosphorus insecticide azinphos-methyl was applied once to the surface of 12 of 18 littoral enclosure mesocosms (5×10 m) constructed in a 2-ha pond near Duluth, Minnesota. Water, sediment, macrophytes, and adult fathead minnows were analyzed for residue to determine the persistence, distribution, and mass balance of azinphos-methyl. Nominal treatment concentrations were 0, 0.2, 1, 4, and 20 μg/liter active ingredient. The maximum residue concentration in the water was measured 1h after treatment. The half-life in the water column ranged from 1.2 to 2 days and 95% of the residue dissipated in 5.4 to 10.2 days. Measurable residues were found in the sediment, macrophytes, and fish. Maximum residues in these media were measured at 4, 1, and 0.12 days. respectively. The water and sediment were the most important sorptive compartments for azinphos-methyl residue. The macrophytes and fish were of minor importance, containing only trace amounts of the mass applied.
Management effects on the incidence of jointed goatgrass inhibitory rhizobacteria

Jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica Host., JGG), a winter annual grass weed, is a major threat to small grain production in the United States. It infests an estimated 2 million hectares in the US and causes annual losses of $145 million in crop yield and quality. Selective herbicides are available only for certain herbicide-resistant crop varieties and alternative management practices are tillage, burning, or rotation to less profitable crops. We evaluated bacteria that were isolated from winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L., WW), downy brome (Bromus tectorum L., DB), and JGG roots to determine their potential as biological control agents for JGG. The bacteria were sequentially screened in laboratory bioassay, growth chamber and field studies for their effect on JGG and WW root growth. In laboratory studies, 1236 isolates (50%) of the 2450 naturally occurring soil bacteria tested were inhibitory to JGG seedling growth. Only 76 isolates (3.1%) inhibited JGG, but not WW in the in vitro bioassays. In the growth chamber, only 7 (0.3%) of the isolates inhibited JGG growth and not WW. In field studies, 4 of the 7 isolates selected after bioassay and growth chamber tests inhibited JGG more than 30%. Conventional tillage systems maintained higher populations of inhibitory bacteria than no-tillage systems. The number of bacteria inhibitory to JGG was greater in the spring sampling and at the highest level of nitrogen fertilization. Crop rotation had little effect on the incidence of jointed goatgrass inhibitory bacteria. Different JGG accessions from the western US were diverse in their response to inhibitory bacteria. Weed-suppressive bacteria isolated from plant roots and soil have the potential to be used as biological control agents for JGG.
Dural Repair Using Acellular Human Dermis: Experience with 200 Cases: Technique Assessment

Objective Many craniotomies require a watertight dural closure. When primary dural repair is not possible, a graft is necessary. Autograft material is not always easily accessible or available, necessitating the use of other material. We performed 200 craniotomies using an acellular human dermal graft (AlloDerm; LifeCell Corp., The Woodlands, TX) to determine its suitability as a dural substitute. Methods From June 1996 through March 1998, all patients at Allegheny General Hospital who required a dural substitute graft and in whom autograft harvest was impractical or impossible received the acellular dermal autograft. The running suture technique was used to form a watertight seal. Results After follow-up for a minimum of 1 year, seven patients have required subsequent surgery. Three patients developed cerebrospinal fluid leaks that were repaired without removing the dermal graft. Four patients developed wound infections that required debridement. In each patient, the graft seemed to be uninvolved in the infectious process and was left in place. The patients were administered antibiotics postoperatively, and there have been no recurrent infections. No adhesion formation or scarring was noted around or underneath the graft in any patient. Conclusion AlloDerm is a reasonable alternative to the available dural graft materials. Its handling characteristics are similar to those of dura, it is biologically inert, and it does not produce adhesion formation.
Pulmonary resection in metastatic uterine and cervical malignancies.

Objective. Although thoracotomy for removal of pulmonary metastasis is well documented in a wide variety of solid tumors, data are sparse regarding management of patients with gynecologic malignancies metastatic to the lung. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the Roswell Park Cancer Institute experience between 1982 and 1999. Of 82 eligible patients with gynecologic tumors metastatic and confined to the lung, 25 underwent pulmonary resection. Results. There were 60 uterine and 22 cervix cancer patients with pulmonary metastases. Among patients with uterine cancer primaries undergoing pulmonary resection (n 5 19) median survival was 26 months. Uterine cancer patients who underwent surgical resection for leiomyosarcomas (n 5 11) had a median survival of 25 months compared to 46 months in patients with adenocarcinoma (n 5 6, P 5 0.02). Median survival in cervix cancer patients undergoing resection for pulmonary metastases (n 5 6) was 36 months. Conclusions. Pulmonary resection may provide a survival advantage for selected patients with uterine and cervical malignancies with metastases isolated to the lung. © 2001 Academic Press
Contrast from large prismatic dislocation loops

Geometrical analysis of prismatic dislocation loops enables their diffraction contrast to be predicted and the Burgers vector to be determined without necessitating g.b=0 tilting experiments. For l...
Partitioning of samarium and nickel between olivine, orthopyroxene, and liquid; preliminary data at 20 kbar and 1025°C

Olivine (ol) and aluminous enstatite (opx) coexist with a hydrous liquid (liq) of haplobasaltic composition in the system FoAn50Ab50SiO2H2O at 20 kbar and 1025°C. Concentrations of Ni and Sm in these three phases have been determined by mapping β tracks in nuclear emulsions using63Ni and151Sm as sources of β particles. Partition coefficients defined as Kiα−β = Ciα/Ciβ (concentrations in ppm of i =Ni or Sm in phases α and β) have been determined for total Sm content of the system (ΣSm) ranging from 1.27 to about 100 ppm and for total Ni content (ΣNi) ranging from 10 to 3000 ppm. The KSmol-liq ranges from 0.027 ± 0.002 at ΣSm = 1.27 ppm (∼0.8 ppm Sm in ol) to 0.024 ± 0.001 at ΣSm = 20 ppm. At higher samarium concentrations, KSmol-liq decreases to about 0.016 ± 0.001atΣSm ≥ 100 ppm. The KSmopx-liq equals 0.056 ± 0.002 at ΣSm ≤ 20 ppm. The partition coefficient decreases rapid to less than 0.020 at higher samarium contents. The KNiol-liq equals about 19 at ΣNi ≤ 200 ppm (≲1000 ppm in olivine) and then decreases to less than 5 at higher nickel contents of the system. The KNiopx-liq behaves similarly, equaling ∼1.3 in the low-Ni range and 0.6 in the high-Ni range. The data demonstrate that the concentration range over which the partition coefficient is constant is wider for nickel than for samarium. Furthermore, for nickel the range is wider for the ol-liq pair than for the opx-liq pair. With samarium as the trace element, the range of the constant partition coefficient is approximately the same for both the ol-liq and the opx-liq pairs.
Travel time reliability versus safety: A stochastic risk-based acceleration modeling approach

This paper presents a modeling approach to linking stochastic acceleration behavior to travel time reliability on congested freeways. Individual driving behavior is represented by a prospect theory based model that takes into account uncertainty and risk-based evaluation of the gains and losses while following a lead vehicle. Given a set of stimuli (i.e. headways, relative speeds, etc.), the stochastic acceleration model generates acceleration probability distribution functions rather than simple acceleration deterministic values. Such distribution functions may be integrated across the link and across the vehicles at different time steps. Numerical results from a Monte Carlo simulation demonstrate that the proposed microscopic stochastic modeling approach produces a realistic macroscopic traffic flow pattern and can be used to generate travel time distributions. With proper experimental set-up and sensitivity analysis, the travel time distributions may be linked to the drivers' safety-based parameters.
Blackness and Whiteness as Historical Forces in the 20th Century United States

At the core of the epistemology of black identity in the 20th century United States is the assertion that freedom is a human right, not a privilege to be earned. By the late 19th century, an ideolo...
On How Hot Towers Fuel the Hadley Cell: An Observational and Modeling Study of Line-Organized Convection in the Equatorial Trough from TOGA COARE

Abstract An airflow trajectory analysis was carried out based on an idealized numerical simulation of the nocturnal 9 February 1993 equatorial oceanic squall line observed over the Tropical Ocean and Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Response Experiment (TOGA COARE) ship array. This simulation employed a nonhydrostatic numerical cloud model, which features a sophisticated 12-class bulk microphysics scheme. A second convective system that developed immediately south of the ship array a few hours later under similar environmental conditions was the subject of intensive airborne quad-Doppler radar observations, allowing observed airflow trajectories to be meaningfully compared to those from the model simulation. The results serve to refine the so-called hot tower hypothesis, which postulated the notion of undiluted ascent of boundary layer air to the high troposphere, which has for the first time been tested through coordinated comparisons with both model output and detailed observations. For parcel...
The expert assistance system: one approach towards people-oriented systems

The Network Access Machine, developed at the National Bureau of Standards, is directed towards the objective of people-oriented systems. I will begin by providing some background information concerning what stimulated our work, highlight very briefly some of the capabilities of the Network Access Machine, and then review the current extension to this Network Access Machine which in effect reflects our continuing interest in people-oriented systems.
Polyol-Mediated Solvothermal Synthesis and Electrochemical Performance of Nanostructured V2O5 Hollow Microspheres

Hollow vanadyl glycolate nanostructured microspheres were synthesized via a highly scalable and template-free polyol-induced solvothermal process. Subsequent calcination transformed the precursor material into vanadium pentoxide, a well-studied transition metal oxide. The vanadyl glycolate nanoparticles were synthesized through a self-seeding process and then aggregated around N2 microbubbles formed during the reaction that acted as “quasi-micelles” due to the large polarization discrepancy between nitrogen and water. The proposed formation mechanism provides a firm understanding of the processes leading to the observed hollow microsphere morphology. The thermally treated material was tested as a cathode for lithium-ion battery and showed excellent cycle stability and high rate performance. The exceptional electrochemical performance was attributed to the relatively thin-walled structure that ensured fast phase penetration between the electrolyte and active material and shortened lithium-ion migration dis...
Tyrosine kinase phosphorylation of GABAA receptor subunits following chronic ethanol exposure of cultured cortical neurons of mice

Abstract Previous studies from our laboratory revealed that acute ethanol exposure inhibits phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) in mice. In the present study, we have further investigated effect of chronic administration of ethanol on tyrosine kinase phosphorylation of GABA A receptor subunits in the mouse cultured cortical neurons. We observed that there was an up-regulation in tyrosine kinase phosphorylation of the GABA A receptor β 2 and γ 2 subunits following chronic ethanol exposure, whereas there was no effect on α 1 subunit of the GABA A receptor in the cultured cortical neurons of mice as determined by Western blotting. These results suggest a potential role for tyrosine kinase phosphorylation of some of the GABA A receptor subunits in chronic ethanol-induced tolerance and dependence.
Cortical Models Onto CMOL and CMOS— Architectures and Performance/Price

Here we introduce a highly simplified model of the neocortex based on spiking neurons, and then investigate various mappings of this model to the CMOL CrossNet nanogrid nanoarchitecture. The performance/price is estimated for several architectural configurations both with and without nanoscale circuits. In this analysis we explore the time multiplexing of computational hardware for a pulse-based variation of the model. Our analysis demonstrates that the mixed-signal CMOL implementation has the best performance/price in both nonspiking and spiking neural models. However, these circuits also have serious power density issues when interfacing the nanowire crossbars to analog CMOS circuits. Although the results presented here are based on biologically based computation, the use of pulse-based data representation for nanoscale circuits has much potential as a general architectural technique for a range of nanocircuit implementation.
Mathematics of non-steady state uptake and release of Na in a frog skin epidermis model.

Abstract This study concerns itself with computation of non-steady state flow of tracer Na ∗ ions into and out of a multicompartment model membrane. Loading of the membrane from one side (outside) to steady state levels is followed by washout in the opposite (inside) direction. The structure of the model resembles frog skin epidermis which is frequently used in the laboratory to study the flow of Na ∗ across a complex biological tissue membrane. The computations yield complete kinetic equations for loading and washout in all individual compartments as well as in the total of membrane compartments. The results are used to critically evaluate the conclusions drawn from laboratory work in regard to the number of compartments, and the pathways of flows of Na + involved in skin epidermis.
Knockdown of Bardet-Biedl Syndrome Gene BBS9/PTHB1 Leads to Cilia Defects

Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS, MIM#209900) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder with pleiotropic phenotypes that include retinopathy, mental retardation, obesity and renal abnormalities. Of the 15 genes identified so far, seven encode core proteins that form a stable complex called BBSome, which is implicated in trafficking of proteins to cilia. Though BBS9 (also known as PTHB1) is reportedly a component of BBSome, its direct function has not yet been elucidated. Using zebrafish as a model, we show that knockdown of bbs9 with specific antisense morpholinos leads to developmental abnormalities in retina and brain including hydrocephaly that are consistent with the core phenotypes observed in syndromic ciliopathies. Knockdown of bbs9 also causes reduced number and length of cilia in Kupffer's vesicle. We also demonstrate that an orthologous human BBS9 mRNA, but not one carrying a missense mutation identified in BBS patients, can rescue the bbs9 morphant phenotype. Consistent with these findings, knockdown of Bbs9 in mouse IMCD3 cells results in the absence of cilia. Our studies suggest a key conserved role of BBS9 in biogenesis and/or function of cilia in zebrafish and mammals.
NBC television's ‘Operation Frontal Lobes’: cultural hegemony and fifties' program planning

(1995). NBC television's ‘Operation Frontal Lobes’: cultural hegemony and fifties' program planning. Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television: Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 83-104.
Automatic Detection and Tracking of Coronal Mass Ejections in Coronagraph Time Series

We present the current capabilities of a software tool to automatically detect coronal mass ejections (CMEs) based on time series of coronagraph images: the solar eruptive event detection system (SEEDS). The software developed consists of several modules: preprocessing, detection, tracking, and event cataloging. The detection algorithm is based on a 2D to 1D projection method, where CMEs are assumed to be bright regions moving radially outward as observed in a running-difference time series. The height, velocity, and acceleration of the CME are automatically determined. A threshold-segmentation technique is applied to the individual detections to automatically extract an approximate shape of the CME leading edge. We have applied this method to a 12-month period of continuous coronagraph images sequence taken at a 20-minute cadence by the Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) instrument (using the C2 instrument only) onboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft. Our automated method, with a high computational efficiency, successfully detected about 75% of the CMEs listed in the CDAW CME catalog, which was created by using human visual inspection. Furthermore, the tool picked up about 100% more small-size or anomalous transient coronagraph events that were ignored by human visual inspection. The output of the software is made available online at http://spaceweather.gmu.edu/seeds/. The parameters of scientific importance extracted by the software package are the position angle, angular width, velocity, peak, and average brightness. Other parameters could easily be added if needed. The identification of CMEs is known to be somewhat subjective. As our system is further developed, we expect to make the process significantly more objective.
Monte Carlo simulation of temperature fluctuations in interstellar iron grains

The Monte Carlo technique is used to simulate the temperature fluctuations in interstellar iron grains exposed to a particular radiation field. It is found that iron grains attain time-averaged temperatures almost an order of magnitude greater than dielectrics and that their temperatures may fluctuate by as much as 100 K. The effect that this will have on the catalytic formation of molecular hydrogen is examined. It is also found that small metallic grains are unlikely candidates for explaining the extended red emission observed in many reflection nebulae.
Pooling, lattice square, and union jack designs

Simplified pooling designs employ rows, columns, and principal diagonals from square and rectangular plates. The requirement that every two samples be tested together in exactly one pool leads to a novel combinatorial configuration: The union jack design. Existence of union jack designs is settled affirmatively whenever the ordern is a prime andn≡3 (mod 4).
A radiology reporting system based on most likely diagnoses

Abstract A system has been developed to allow radiological findings to be entered into a computerized clinical data base. The system is convenient for the radiologist to use and is based upon a patient-specific list of the most likely findings for each examination. To obtain this list, conditional probabilities are calculated using information about the patient which is contained in the data base as well as the reason given for ordering the procedure. The radiologist then reports salient information by selecting appropriate findings from the individualized list and checking a box.
Interaction of Early‐Season Herbicide Injury, Tobacco Thrips Injury, and Cultivar on Peanut

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) can tolerate severe early-season injury by tobacco thrips [Frankliniella fusca (Hinds)], and controlling populations usually is not recommended the southeastern USA. Field observations, however, indicated that injury from early-season thrips infestation may exacerbate thatinjury caused to peanut by early postemergence herbicide application. Studies were conducted near Jay and Marianna, FL, during 1989 and 1990 to evaluate the interaction between peanut cultivar, preplant incorporated application of vernolate (S-propyl dipropylcabamothioate), postmergence application of alachlor [2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-N-(methoxymethyl)acetamide] plus paraquat(1,l'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium oin) and thrips suppression with foliar application of acephate (O,S-dimethyl acetylphosphoroamidothioate). ‘Southern Runner’ was more susceptible than ‘Florunner’ to early-season stress from insect and herbicide injury. Injury from preplant incorporated herbicide alone, postemergence herbicide alone, or thrips alone usually was not sufficient to cause long-term damage to peanut growth or to adversely affect peanut maturity or yield.When two or all of these factors impacted peanut simultaneously, however, delays in crop maturity and reduced yields (up to 11%) were often observed. Early-season suppression of tobacco thrips often alleviated the detrimental effects to peanut. Suppression of thrips populations should receive greater consideration in future integrated pest management programs of peanut to avoid interactions with early-season herbicide stress, especially when growing Southern Runner. Florida Agric. Exp. Stn. J. Ser. no. R-04539.
Central δ-opioid receptor interactions and the inhibition of reflex urinary bladder contractions in the rat

The in vivo effects of a number of opioid agonists and antagonists were studied on the spontaneous reflex contractions of the urinary bladder recorded isometrically in the rat anesthetized with urethane. All substances were administered into the central nervous system by the intracereboventricular (i.c.v.) or spinal intrathecal (i.t.) route. The conformationally restricted enkephalin analogues [2-D-penicillamine, 5-L-cysteine] enkephalin (DPLCE), [2-D-penicillamine, 5-L-penicillamine] enkephalin (DPLPE) and [2-D-penicillamine, 5-D-penicillamine] enkephalin (DPDPE) produced dose-related inhibition of reflex bladder contractions when administered by the i.c.v. or i.t. route. Both the novel delta-opioid receptor antagonist ICI 154,129 (200-600 micrograms) [N,N-bisallyl-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Psi-(CH2S)-Phe-Leu-OH) and ICI 174,864 (1-3 micrograms) [N,N-dially-Tyr-Aib-Aib-Phe-Leu-OH: Aib = alpha-aminoisobutyric acid] attenuated or abolished the effects of DPLCE, DPLPE and DPDPE when administered by the i.c.v. or i.t. route. The antagonism observed was selective since the equipotent inhibition produced by the mu-opioid receptor agonist [D-Ala2, Me-Phe4, Gly(ol)5] enkephalin (DAGO) was unaffected. Overall, ICI 154,129 was considerably weaker than ICI 174,864 and both antagonists inhibited bladder activity at doses higher than those required to demonstrate delta-receptor antagonism. Further studies of the agonistic effect of ICI 174,864 showed that it was insensitive to low doses of naloxone (2 micrograms, i.c.v. or i.t.) but could be abolished by higher (10-15 micrograms) doses of naloxone. These observations suggested that the agonistic effect of ICI 174,864 was not mediated by mu-opioid receptor. beta-Endorphin (0.2-1.0 micrograms, i.c.v.) inhibited bladder contractions but following recovery from this effect, appeared to prevent the expression of delta-receptor antagonism by ICI 174,864. In addition a previously subthreshold dose of ICI 174,864 now exhibited marked agonistic activity. The inhibitory effect of a submaximal dose of DPDPE was also potentiated by beta-endorphin under these circumstances. These observations suggest that supra-spinal and spinal delta-opioid receptors are involved in the opioid-mediated inhibition of reflex bladder contractions in the rat. Moreover beta-endorphin may be important in regulating central delta-opioid receptors.
SYNAPSINS AS REGULATORS OF NEUROTRANSMITTER RELEASE

One of the crucial issues in understanding neuronal transmission is to define the role(s) of the numerous proteins that are localized within presynaptic terminals and are thought to participate in the regulation of the synaptic vesicle life cycle. Synapsins are a multigene family of neuron-specific phosphoproteins and are the most abundant proteins on synaptic vesicles. Synapsins are able to interact in vitro with lipid and protein components of synaptic vesicles and with various cytoskeletal proteins, including actin. These and other studies have led to a model in which synapsins, by tethering synaptic vesicles to each other and to an actin-based cytoskeletal meshwork, maintain a reserve pool of vesicles in the vicinity of the active zone. Perturbation of synapsin function in a variety of preparations led to a selective disruption of this reserve pool and to an increase in synaptic depression, suggesting that the synapsin-dependent cluster of vesicles is required to sustain release of neurotransmitter in response to high levels of neuronal activity. In a recent study performed at the squid giant synapse, perturbation of synapsin function resulted in a selective disruption of the reserve pool of vesicles and in addition, led to an inhibition and slowing of the kinetics of neurotransmitter release, indicating a second role for synapsins downstream from vesicle docking. These data suggest that synapsins are involved in two distinct reactions which are crucial for exocytosis in presynaptic nerve terminals. This review describes our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which synapsins modulate synaptic transmission, while the increasingly well-documented role of the synapsins in synapse formation and stabilization lies beyond the scope of this review.
Entrepreneurial signaling to attract resources: the case of franchising

Why firms and individuals reveal information is the subject of considerable theoretical research, but little empirical work has been possible due to a lack of suitable data. In this paper we examine why entrepreneurs selling business opportunities (franchisors) reveal information regarding potential profits (termed earnings claims). Empirical analysis shows that: first, contrary to theory, only a small percentage of franchisors claim; and, second, the franchisors that do claim have lower costs or are responding to competition. In particular, the prediction of theoretical models from economics that resource providers will not transact if information is not disclosed is not supported; resource providers can and do make significant investments even when entrepreneurs refuse to disclose information. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determinants of corporate pension funding strategy

Abstract Several hypotheses concerning pension funding strategy are tested in a cross-sectional regression model on a sample of 255 firms. Results are consistent with the following explanations: (1) finance incentives (tax benefits and financial slack) for high-level funding, (2) labor incentives for low-level funding, and (3) financial statement incentives relating to political costs for high-level funding and debt contracting costs for low-level funding. Pension funding strategy appears to be complex, involving tradeoffs between funding incentives. The nature of these interactions and tradeoffs remains to be clarified through future research.
Solar feasibility- Can solar energy compete economically?

Solar technology is in a state of constant progress, driven on the active side by progressive improvements diode technology and on the passive side by the adoption of ever-larger capture arrays. However, there are still some lingering questions as to the actual economic feasibility of adopting solar power on a large scale. This paper attempts to analyze solar technologies, determine which technologies have the most potential to impact the energy scene, and assess their potential as a large-scale alternative energy supply. Additionally this paper examines the implementation of a large scale solar installation in Ivanpah, California.
Consumer Demand for Election News: The Horserace Sells

Reports on the state of the horserace and analysis of the candidates' strategies are pervasive themes in news coverage of campaigns. Various explanations have been suggested for the dominance of strategy-oriented news over hard news. The most frequently identified factors are the length of the modern campaign, the built-in conflict between journalists and campaign operatives, and the pressures of the marketplace. This article provides a test of the market hypothesis. Given access to a wide variety of news reports about the presidential campaign during the weeks immediately preceding the 2000 election, we find that voters were drawn to reports on the horserace and strategy. Strategy reports proved especially popular among readers with higher levels of political engagement. In closing, we consider what journalists might do to make stories about the issues more relevant and marketable.
Postrelease Hooking Mortality of Rainbow Trout Caught on Scented Artificial Baits

Abstract The postrelease mortality of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss caught on scented artificial baits was compared with postrelease mortalities of rainbow trout caught on traditional artificial flies. In all, 457 fish were captured on flies, 505 on artificial baits fished actively (ABA), and 511 on artificial baits fished passively (ABP) in five replicate experiments. Water temperature, fish length, time played, time out of water, hook location, leader treatment, and bleeding intensity were recorded for each fish captured. Mortalities were recorded daily over a 3-week holding period. Overall mortalities were 3.9% for fly-caught fish, 21.6% for fish caught on ABA, and 32.1 % for fish caught on ABP Differential mortality among gear types resulted largely from differences in the number of fish hooked in the gill arches or deep in the esophagus (critically hooked) in each group. Overall, critical bookings were 3.9% for the fly-caught group, 45.7% for the ABA group, and 78.3% for the ABP group. The Akaike...
A Conductivity Concentration Profiler for Sheet Flow Sediment Transport

A new sensor for measuring sediment concentration under sheet flow conditions is presented. Electrical conductivity, measured using a four-electrode method, is used as a proxy for sediment concentration. The relationship between conductivity and sediment concentration was calibrated using known masses of neutrally suspended sediment in a heavy liquid and agrees well with existing linear and power-law relationships (r2 >; 0.98). A 29-point conductivity profile at 1-mm resolution is generated by multiplexing through a vertical array of 32 plate electrodes. Numerical simulations of the voltage field around the sensor indicate that the horizontal extent of measurement volume is 1.5 times the sensor width. The finite extent of the measurement volume leads to smoothing of the vertical concentration profile. The sensor resolves sheet flow layers with a thickness greater than 3.5 mm, and a correction formula is introduced to correct the measured sheet thickness for the smoothing effect. Initial field results in the swash zone of a natural beach quantify sheet flow processes with unprecedented detail. Short-lived sheet flow with a maximum thickness of 19 mm was observed during the uprush, and a longer duration sheet flow with a maximum thickness of 8 mm was observed during the backwash.
Gender differences in host defense mechanisms

Extensive studies in both humans and animals have shown that females express enhanced levels of immunoreactivity compared to males. Whereas this provides females with increased resistance to many types of infection, it also makes them more susceptible to autoimmune diseases. This review will focus on gender-related differences in non-specific host defense mechanisms with a particular emphasis on monocyte/macrophage function and a primary product of monocytes: interleukin-1 (IL-1). Immunomodulatory cytokines such as IL-1 are influenced by gender-sensitive hormones, and reciprocally, these cytokines influence gender-specific hormones and tissues. Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are predominantly women, therefore it may be useful to look toward gender-specific differences in immune function to find a key for this poorly understood syndrome.
An Analytical Solution to Saturated Flow in a Finite Stratified Aquifera

An analytical solution for the flow of water in a saturated-stratified aquitard-aquifer-aquitard system of finite length is presented. The analytical solution assumes one-dimensional horizontal flow in the aquifer and two-dimensional flow in the aquitards. Several examples are given which describe the use of the analytical solution. The horizontal flow assumption in the aquifer appears to be approximately valid when the hydraulic conductivity of the aquitards is less than or equal to about 10 percent of the aquifer value. A comparison is made between the analytical solution and a saturated-unsaturated finite-element solution for a situation where the upper layer is both saturated and unsaturated. For the situation investigated, the comparison indicates that the analytical solution provides an alternative to numerical models even when the upper layer is partially saturated.
Federal reserve independence

Abstract The Federal Reserve is always called an independent agency. The term “independent” is rarely defined. The only attempt in the literature and internal records is based on Chairman Martin’s statement that “the Federal Reserve is independent with the government, not independent of the government.” Martin explained several times that independence within government meant that the Federal Reserve helped to finance government budget because they were approved by Congress and signed by the president. Financing budget deficits is the very opposite of the principle adopted when Congress approved the Federal Reserve Act in 1913. In fact, the Federal Reserve has supported Treasury operations many times. I conclude that it is far more important to have an enforceable policy rule such as the Taylor rule, but any rule must have a provision that permits the rule to be set aside.
Production of non-pathogenic human monoclonal antibodies to desmoglein 3 from pemphigus vulgaris patient.

Pemphigus vulgaris is a potentially fatal autoimmune mucocutaneous disease associated with production of IgG autoantibodies to desmoglein 3, a 130 kDa epidermal protein. To further characterize the epitope(s) of pemphigus vulgaris antigen we established two human-human hybridoma by fusion of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells with a human and mouse heterohybridoma. These hybridomas designated as MAb Dsg-3: 06 and MAb Dsg-3: 10 and stable in culture and demonstrated yield of monoclonal antibodies specific for pemphigus vulgaris. Immunofluorescence, immunoblot, ELISA assays demonstrated that both the monoclonal antibodies bind to the intercellular cement substance and to 130 kDa protein present in the skin and specifically binds to recombinant desmoglein 3 protein, but not to desmoglein 1 protein. The IgG subclass distribution study demonstrated that both the antibodies are of IgG1 subclass in nature. Both the antibodies were non-pathogenic as demonstrated in vitro by their inability to produce acanthol...
A multifactor approach to selecting computer generated electronics assembly facility layouts

Abstract This research proposes a method for comparing computer generated electronics assembly facility layouts. CRAFT, ALDEP, and CORELAP outputs are disccused in terms of quantitative measures such as flow inefficiency, distance between functional areas and growth capacity. Flow linearity, access to functional areas, and maintenance of critical relationships between functional areas are examined for qualitative layout comparison. Although 3 software packages' output were compared, the approach could easily be applied to comparing the outputs dervied from one layout software package. Results taken from the implementation of the comparison method at a Fortune 500 electronics manufacturing firm are presented. An algorithmic method is presented which has not been developed into software and in which the authors have no commercial interest. Use of the method, MASL, Multifactor Approach for Selecting Layouts, enhanced the utility and performance measurement of the computer generated layouts for the electronics assembly area of the plant.
Training and Career Development in Palliative Care and End-of-Life Research: Opportunities for Development in the U.S.

There has been a dramatic increase in attention to the field of palliative care and end-of-life (PCEOL) research over the past 20 years. This increase is particularly notable in the development of palliative care clinical and educational programs. However, there remain important shortcomings in the evidence base to ensure access to and delivery of effective palliative care for patients with life-limiting illness and their families. Development of this evidence base will require that we train the next generation of researchers to focus on issues in PCEOL. The purpose of this article was to explore the current status of the recruitment, training, and retention of future investigators in PCEOL research in the U.S. and propose recommendations to move us forward. Some key contextual issues for developing and supporting this research workforce are articulated, along with timely and important research areas that will need to be addressed during research training and career development. We provide targeted key recommendations to facilitate the nurturing and support of the future research workforce that is needed to ensure the development and implementation of the science necessary for providing high-quality, evidence-based palliative care to all who need and desire it.
The stability of the reagin-neutralizing substance in ragweed pollen at various hydrogenion concentrations

Abstract The effect of pH on the inactivation of ragweed pollen extracts at 37° C. has been determined. After four hours, more than 75 per cent of the activity is destroyed in solutions the pH of which lies outside the approximate limits of 4.5 and 7.5. The pH region of maximum stability has been found to be approximately 5.5 to 6.5. It is tentatively suggested that the inactivation may be due to the denaturation of an active protein component of ragweed pollen.