cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytogenetics of inherited partial sterility in three generations of the large milkweed bug as related to holokinetic chromosomes

AdultOncopeltus fasciatus males were irradiated with 9000 R of X-rays, and crossed to untreated females. Fertility was reduced to 4.1%. F1 males and F2 and F3 males and females were outcrossed to untreated partners. All F1 males were partially or totally sterile and a significant number of F2 and F3 males and females had reduced fertility. The fertility of each generation was higher than the preceding one, even though the progeny studied in the 3rd generation were selected mostly from low-fertility lines. Cytogenetic studies showed that complex chromosome rearrangements and fragments were transmitted to each generation and were severe enough to account for reduced fertility. — The transmission of complex chromosome rearrangements and fragments for 3 generations of outcrossing correlates with the persistence of sterility in this species possessing holokinetic chromosomes. — Over half the inviable embryos derived from irradiated sperm from P1 males died in the early stages of development. The inviable embryos produced in later generations died in much later stages of development. — A stable rearrangement of a Y-chromosome fragment translocated to an autosome was isolated from a single F1 male. This rearrangement was transmitted to all F2 and F3 sons. Fertility of the males of this line was reduced to about 75–80%.
Platelet activation in patients with sickle disease, hemolysis-associated pulmonary hypertension, and nitric oxide scavenging by cell-free hemoglobin

Increased platelet activation is recognized in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), but its pathogenesis and clinical relevance remain uncertain. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), an important complication of SCD, is characterized by a proliferative pulmonary vasculopathy, in situ thrombosis, and vascular dysfunction related to scavenging of nitric oxide (NO) by hemoglobin released into blood plasma during intravascular hemolysis. We investigated links between platelet activation, PAH and NO scavenging in patients with SCD. Platelet activation marked by activated fibrinogen receptor correlated to the severity of PAH (r = 0.58, P < .001) and to laboratory markers of intravascular hemolysis, such as reticulocyte count (r = 0.44, P = .02). In vitro exposure of platelets to pathologically relevant concentrations of cell-free hemoglobin promoted basal- and agonist-stimulated activation and blocked the inhibitory effects on platelet activation by an NO donor. In patients with SCD, administration of sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor that potentiates NO-dependent signaling, reduced platelet activation (P = .01). These findings suggest a possible interaction between hemolysis, decreased NO bioavailability, and pathologic platelet activation that might contribute to thrombosis and pulmonary hypertension in SCD, and potentially other disorders of intravascular hemolysis. This supports a role for NO-based therapeutics for SCD vasculopathy. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as no. NCT00352430.
High-dose therapy and immunomodulatory drugs in multiple myeloma.

The principle of alkylating agent dose intensity, especially with melphalan-based tandem autotransplants, has been effective in increasing the rate of complete remission beyond 40% and effecting 10-year survivorship in about 40% of the three fourths of patients presenting without cytogenetic abnormalities (Total Therapy I). Further dose escalation and post-transplant consolidation therapy, as practiced with Total Therapy II, seems to further improve results in these patients, but not in those with chromosome 13 abnormalities or lactate dehydrogenase elevation. Phase III trials for post-transplant relapse indicate higher complete remission and near-complete remission rates among patients randomized to thalidomide added to dexamethasone versus dexamethasone alone. In a phase I/II study, thalidomide derivative CC-5013, with less sedative and neurotoxic effects, promoted responses in eight of 15 patients with post-transplant relapse, refractory to other salvage therapies, at dose levels of > or = 25 mg daily. Based on a profound graft-vs-myeloma effect with allografts, mini-allotransplants were evaluated in 31 high-risk patients with cytogenetic abnormalities and prior autotransplants; all nine with responsive disease and only one prior autotransplant remain disease-free and alive. Such mini-allotransplants are now offered as consolidation after one standard autotransplant to patients with cytogenetic abnormalities. The systematic application of gene expression profiling attempts to classify multiple myeloma (MM) patients according to molecular features and to dissect the genetic basis for drug sensitivity or resistance. Given the availability of an expanding treatment armamentarium (eg, thalidomide, CC-5013, the proteasome inhibitor PS-341, farnesyltransferase inhibitors, IL-6 receptor antibody, endothelial receptor inhibitor), gene expression profiling is anticipated to help in the selection of agents with the greatest probability of activity toward individualized treatment. Careful scrutiny of gene expression will also help in the identification of unrecognized targets for therapeutic intervention.
Sense of control and diabetes mellitus among U.S. adults: A cross-sectional analysis

Little is known about the influence of psychosocial factors on diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to improve understanding of the association between two psychosocial factors- sense of control and social support- and diabetes mellitus. The authors analyzed data from 2,592 U.S. households in the 1995 survey of the Aging, Status, and the Sense of Control study. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine whether sense of personal control and social support were associated with DM and whether gender, race, and Hispanic ethnicity modified these associations. After adjusting for age, obesity, and socioeconomic position, a one point increase in sense of control (i.e., a stronger sense of control) was associated a significant reduction in risk of diabetes mellitus (odds ratio = 0.67, 95% confidence interval: 0.47, 0.95). A weak social support system was associated with a non-significant risk of diabetes (odds ratio = 1.32, 95% confidence interval: 0.93, 1.89). No effect modification was detected. Sense of control deserves greater attention as a predictor of diabetes mellitus. Further studies of the contribution of psychosocial factors to diabetes mellitus should assess the temporal nature of this relationship.
Effect of explicit visual feedback distortion on human gait

Gait rehabilitation often utilizes correction of stepping movements, and visual feedback is one of the interactive forms that can be used for rehabilitation. We presented a paradigm called visual feedback distortion in which we manipulated the visual representation of step length. Our previous work showed that an implicit distortion of visual feedback of step length entails unintentional modulations in the subjects’ gait spatial pattern. Even in the presence of cognitive load through a distraction task, distortion of visual feedback still induced modulation of gait step length. In the current study, subjects were aware of the imposed distortion of visual feedback and they were instructed to maintain their natural gait symmetric pattern during trials. We then studied whether such an explicit “visual feedback distortion” would still influence gait spatial pattern. Nine healthy subjects participated in the treadmill walking trial. The step length was defined as the distance between each foot. The on-line visual feedback showing right and left step length information as bar graphs was displayed on a computer screen. When distorting the visual feedback, the height of the bar for only one side was manipulated, so that subjects perceived their step length as being asymmetric. Actual step lengths were measured during trial and analyzed to see the effects of visual feedback distortion. Our results showed that a gradual distortion of visual feedback systematically modulated gait step length away from symmetry even at the expense of an opposing apparent task goal. It was also observed that the amount of induced gait modulation was reduced during the explicit condition compared to the implicit condition where subjects were not aware of distortion. Our study demonstrated that although the visual feedback display used in this study did not alter visual space or evoke illusions of motion, perturbation of visual information about subjects’ movement can cause unintentional motor functions. This suggests that the effect of visual feedback distortion is spontaneous and a gait training involving the visual distortion paradigm may provide an effective way to help subjects correct gait patterns by driving implicit motor functions, thereby bringing benefits to rehabilitation.
Object play and exploration of handicapped and nonhandicapped infants

Abstract During the first year of life, normally developing infants progress from single to multiple object play, from indiscriminate to discriminate use of objects, and from nonsymbolic to symbolic play. The object play behaviors which define this developmental progression were examined in 20 handicapped infants (mean CA = 11 months; mean DA = 7.7 months) and in 20 nonhandicapped infants. The nonhandicapped infants were seen twice—once when the mean developmental age matched that of the handicapped group, and once when the mean chronological age matched that of the handicapped group. The infants were videotaped during 20 minutes of play with their mothers in a controlled environment. Infant play was coded with a modified version of the coding scheme employed by Belsky and Most (1981) who reported that the categories defined a developmental sequence of play. Results revealed that the types and levels of object exploration and play which have been observed in nonhandicapped infants in this and other studies were observed in the handicapped infants at comparable developmental ages. The amount of time spent in object play, however, was less for the handicapped group than for the nonhandicapped group when the groups were of the same mean developmental age and of the same mean chronological age. Play level was positively related to developmental age for each group of infants at each assessment.
Relationships of gender, sex hormone use, and age with lipoprotein cholesterol/triglyceride ratios in an adult population. The Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company health survey.

Abstract Effects of gender, sex hormone use, and age on lipoprotein composition have been evaluated in 603 Caucasian subjects, ages 20–59, randomly selected from employees participating in the Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company Health Survey. Lipoprotein composition in this analysis is defined as the cholesterol to triglyceride (C/TG) ratio in each lipoprotein fraction. The lipoprotein C/TG ratio is inversely related to the lipoprotein triglyceride concentrations in VLDL, LDL and HDL; the ratio falling in each instance as lipoprotein triglyceride concentration increases. Plots of this relationship are virtually superimposable among women hormone users and nonusers and men in VLDL and HDL and between men and nonhormone taking women in LDL. A consistently lower C/TG ratio is observed in LDL for hormone-treated women compared to the other 2 groups. Age in these analyses is without effect. Conclusions: We hypothesize that a lower LDL (C/TG) ratio in hormone-treated women may render the lipoprotein less crystalline or smectic and potentially less atherogenic. No such difference exists in the lipoprotein C/TG ratio between men and nonhormone-treated women and therefore cannot explain the observed difference in atherosclerosis risk. Nonetheless, the C/TG ratios may predict atherosclerosis if the ratio is high in VLDL or in LDL. However, the significance of the HDL (C/TG) ratio remains to be established.
Quasicrystals and mathematics

Abstract Quasicrystals, and more generally aperiodic crystals, generate fundamental mathematical problems in diffraction theory and the theory of aperiodic tilings. Their solution requires a reformulation of the basic concepts of mathematical crystallography.
Developing Telehealth in Rural America: The Wyoming Network for Telehealth

The Wyoming Network for Telehealth (WyNETTE) is a statewide network providing the infrastructure to support the delivery of health care to rural/frontier, underserved communities in the US state of Wyoming. The network connects 40 sites in the state through an ATM cloud to a collection point that connects the network to Internet 2. The primary focus of the network development is the delivery of behavioral health, although other applications are supported.
Comparing and Combining Effort and Catch Estimates from Aerial-Access Designs as Applied to a Large-Scale Angler Survey in the Delaware River

Abstract We used probability-based aerial−access surveys to estimate effort, catch, and harvest of American shad Alosa sapidissima and striped bass Morone saxatilis by recreational anglers in the Delaware River and upper estuary in 2002. Sampling of anglers at access points and flights over the river were conducted weekly from mid-March through October. Daily flight times were randomly selected; probabilities were proportional to the observed distribution of daily angler effort in a prior aerial−access survey (random count). Additional experimental flights were scheduled to occur at the time of day with expected peak effort (maximum count). Effort estimates derived from these maximum counts were more precise than estimates derived from the random flights, but the maximum-count observations caused bias except when the daily count expansions were based on effort distributions from the concurrent access survey. The aerial and access surveys produced similar estimates of boat angler effort and little evidence...
A PROBABILISTIC EVALUATION OF INSTABILITY IN HYPEREUTROPHIC SYSTEMS

ABSTRACT Water quality data on six hypereutrophic urban lakes in Baton Rouge, La., have been collected on a regular basis over a 4-year period as part of a cooperative restoration effort by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the city/parish of East Baton Rouge through the Clean Lakes Program. Thirteen water quality parameters were measured during most of the sampling events, including total phosphorus (TP) and dissolved oxygen (DO). Concentrations for TP and DO during the pre-restoration period ranged from 0.136 mg/I to 1.340 mg/I and 0.40 mg/I to 25.30 mg/I, respectively. This observed variability during pre-restoration illustrates the instability present with these systems. Inherent with this instability is the occurrence of water quality problems, such as summer fishkills. A probabilistic approach was developed to describe the inherent variability typical of these systems. The use of a probability density function to estimate overall summer kill risk is also discussed. This technique was appl...
Results of alternating chemotherapy and hyperfractionated radiation therapy in childhood rhabdomyosarcoma.

Background A regimen of multi-drug chemotherapy alternating with split course hyperfractionated radiation therapy (HFRT) was adopted for the treatment of patients with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). The purpose of this treatment regimen was to allow for the timely delivery of radiation and chemotherapy, reduce treatment-related toxicity, and improve compliance. Procedure. Forty-four patients with stages II-IV RMS were treated with HFRT and received 5,400 cGy. The treatment was administered in two courses (3,000 and 2,400 cGy) and separated by a 4-week interval. HFRT consisted of 150 cGy delivered twice a day, 5 days a week with an interfraction interval of 4–6 hours. A limited comparison was made between the HFRT patients and 42 historical patients with comparable clinical characteristics who were treated with similar chemotherapy and conventionally fractionated radiation therapy (CFRT) (median 4,800 cGy, range 4,000–5,680 cGy). Results. HFRT patients completed radiation therapy in 59.1 ± 9.4 days (mean ± SD) and CFRT patients completed treatment in 56.6 ± 10.5 days compared to an expected 52 and 40 days, respectively. With a median follow-up of 55 months for the HFRT patients and 104 months for the CFRT patients, no differences in local control or survival were noted. Nine of 44 (21%) HFRT and 8/42 (19%) CFRT patients experienced local failure. The median time to local failure was 15 months for patients in the HFRT group and 11 months for patients in the CFRT group. Conclusions. The results of the HFRT regimen were acceptable in terms of toxicity and compliance. No improvement in local control was obtained by alternating radiation and chemotherapy. The lack of difference between patients treated with HFRT and CFRT may be related to the lengthened treatment time of the split course regimen, the small difference in total dose, and tumor repopulation. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 30:332–338, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effect of deformation-dependent material parameters on forming limits of thin sheets

Material properties are deformation history dependent. To take this fact into consideration in forming limit analysis, the material parameters are defined as functions of strain using the Voce equation. These history-dependent material parameters are incorporated in the M–K analysis based on Hill's 1993 yield criterion in which all material parameters are independent, so that the effect of each of these history-dependent parameters on forming limits can be investigated individually. The analysis shows that history-dependent material properties have a significant influence on forming limits. An increasing r-value will increase the limit strain under plane strain (FLD0), which is different from the traditional M–K analysis. Comparison of predicted results with experimental data illustrates that the consideration of history-dependent material properties can improve forming limit predictions considerably.
Clergy Perceptions of Their Preparation for Counseling Older Adults

This study uses mental health literacy as a model for analysis of survey data from clergy (N = 503) to examine clergy members' perceptions of how prepared they feel to counsel older people. Logistic regression results indicate that more training specific to older adults and to mental illness, better relationships with mental health professionals, and more knowledge of resources were associated with increased feelings of preparedness for counseling. Discussion includes recommendations for training to help increase clergy members' abilities to recognize issues needing referral, improvement of relationships between clergy and mental health professionals, and increasing clergy knowledge of available resources.
Fractal image coding using rate-distortion optimized matching pursuit

Matching pursuit is a general and flexible method for solving an optimization problem that is of interest in signal analysis, coding, control theory and statistics. In this paper, principles of rate-distortion optimal coding are used in combination with matching pursuit algorithm to obtain an enhanced fractal image coding method. The advantages of using such a method over traditional fractal image coders are described and compression results are presented.
How Academics and Practitioners Evaluate Technical Texts A Focus Group Study

In this study, six focus groups comprising technical communicators and technical communication instructors evaluated and discussed two versions of an instructional manual and two versions of a memo...
A scientific basis for regulation of indirect food additives from packaging materials.

The existence of nonlinear desorption isotherms of the Freundlich type have been demonstrated for very low concentrations of the monomers acrylonitrile and vinylchloride in their polymers. Furthermore, it is postulated and experimentally shown that for a finite time period, desorption ceases to be measurable since the free energy input requirement becomes too high for formation of a freely diffusable species. Thus, a thermo-dynamically and kinetically “effective zero” migration state can be reached at finite but very low concentrations. This state results when the enthalpy for desorption is so high that the back reaction rate becomes too slow for measurement in real time. Thus, a definition of essentially zero migration can be made on a theoretical model supported by experimental evidence obtained at very low solute concentrations (below 1 ppm in polymer).
Human Responses to Simulated Motorized Noise in National Parks

Natural sounds contribute to high-quality experiences for visitors to protected areas. This study investigated the effects of three common sources of recreational motorized noise on laboratory participants’ evaluations of landscape scenes. Seventy-five study participants completed landscape assessments along eight aesthetic and experiential dimensions while listening to audio clips of natural sounds, propeller planes, motorcycles, and snowmobiles. The change from the natural sound baseline for each motorized source of noise was calculated. Results indicated that all motorized sources of noise had detrimental impacts on evaluations of landscape quality compared with natural sounds. Motorcycle noise was demonstrated to have the largest negative impact on landscape assessments. In addition to confirming that noise from motorized recreation has significant impacts on the experiences of potential park visitors, this simulation suggests that the specific source of the noise is an important factor in determining...
A New Understanding of Oral and Dental Disorders of the Equine Incisor and Canine Teeth

This article discusses the classification systems for dental fractures and how the assessment affects treatment options. Diagonal incisor malocclusion is discussed in relation to skull asymmetry and how this commonly relates to premolar and molar occlusion. Oral and radiographic assessment of incisive bone fracture and incisor avulsion is reviewed for determining treatment options. A summary of incisor and canine resorption and hypercementosis is presented. Clinical presentations, staging, and classifications of tooth resorption as well as canine odontoplasty are discussed. Excessive plaque and calculus formation on lower canines leading to periodontal disease and abscess is examined.
A Mathematical Model for Diagnosis and Prediction of Surface Winds in Mountainous Terrain.

Abstract Many mechanisms and factors are responsible for winds in mountainous areas. A mathematical model was developed on the premise that mountain winds are the result of vector addition of wind components generated and modified by these influences. The functions and techniques used in the model were formulated to define and integrate such components of the resultant wind in mountainous areas as valley-mountain wind, slope wind, sea breeze and land breeze, larger scale wind systems, and sheltering and diverting effect of topography. The model is designed primarily for use in estimating wildland fire danger and computing fire spread in southern California. Data were obtained mainly from the San Bernardino Mountains of southern California. Model winds were computed and compared with available observed winds at four research sites in the San Bernardino Mountains. The model output compared well with observed wind velocities.
On the electrical conductivity of the mid‐mantle‐I. Calculation of equivalent scalar magnetotelluric response functions

Summary The problem of global conductivity sounding has been re-posed in order to investigate the possible existence of large-scale lateral heterogeneities in mid-mantle conductivity. A response function (Z/H) is robustly estimated and scaled into an equivalent scalar magnetotelluric impedance by assuming the geomagnetic field spatial variations are adequately described by a P10 spherical harmonic. Data found to be inconsistent with this representation in either the time, frequency or spatial domain are excluded from the analysis. Making use of this relationship, robust statistical techniques and careful data handling procedures have been applied to a new global magnetic database containing well in excess of 106 daily mean values (1358 observatory-years spanning the period 1883-1980). A set of spatially distributed scalar frequency domain impedance functions for a variety of tectonic provinces result from this analysis. Response functions consistent with both the P10 assumption and local 1-D earth structure were found for 22 of the 79 observatories examined. The set of acceptable response functions is presented, along with a summary of data quality for the observatories represented in the database.
A rapid and efficient assay for extracting DNA from fungi

Aims: A method for the rapid extraction of fungal DNA from small quantities of tissue in a batch-processing format was investigated. Methods and Results: Tissue (< 3·0 mg) was scraped from freshly-grown fungal isolates. The tissue was suspended in buffer AP1 and subjected to seven rounds of freeze/thaw using a crushed dry ice/ethanol bath and a boiling water bath. After a 30 min boiling step, the tissue was quickly ground against the wall of the microfuge tube using a sterile pipette tip. The Qiagen DNeasy Plant Tissue Kit protocol was then used to purify the DNA for PCR/sequencing applications. Conclusions: The method allowed batch DNA extraction from multiple fungal isolates using a simple yet rapid and reliable assay. Significance and Impact of the Study: Use of this assay will allow researchers to obtain DNA from fungi quickly for use in molecular assays that previously required specialized instrumentation, was time-consuming or was not conducive to batch processing.
OKT6 is not superior to HLA-DR or ATPase as a marker for Langerhans' cells in normal human epidermis.

Summary Previous studies have suggested that HLA-DR+/OKT6+ (DR+T6+) and DR−T6+ subsets of Langerhans' cells exist in normal epidermis. Using parallel double-staining techniques on epidermal sheets as well as on frozen sections as a control, we have been able to demonstrate that 97–100% of T6+ dendritic cells are DR+. This finding suggests that DR T6+ and DR−T6+ subsets of Langerhans' cells do not exist. In contrast to T6 monoclonal antibody (mAb) directly labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate, DR mAb indirectly labelled with rhodamine usually stained Langerhans' cells unevenly in the human epidermal sheets (because Langerhans' cells localize throughout the epidermis); however, this effect became much less conspicuous on 4-μm frozen vertical sections and on thinner epidermal sheets. DR antigen density appears to be similar among Langerhans' cells. The even staining with T6 antibody suggests that ii may have a higher affinity for the T6 antigen than DR antibody has for the DR antigen. In normal skin, no significant difference was found among the three different surface markers of Langerhans' cells. ATPase staining on the epidermal sheet, already used for the double staining, significantly underestimated the presence of Langerhans' cells. Previous studies (Muhlbauer et al., 1982; Harrist et al., 1983) have suggested that not all epidermal Langerhans' cells and indeterminate cells are HLA-DR+ and that HLA-DR+ OKT6+ (DR+ T6+ and DR−T6+ subsets exist. With a four-step peroxidase-antiperoxidase method using either anti-T6 or anti-DR on separate frozen sections, the ratio of DR+ to T6+ Langerhans' cells varied from 16% to 60% (Muhlbauer et al., 1982; Harrist et al., 1983). In contrast, by the method of double labelling of epidermal cells with DR and T6, Fithian and colleagues (1981) demonstrated that these two antibodies stained identical cells in tissue section. Vertically sectioned Epon-embedded specimens, however, may not be suitable for the enumeration of Langerhans' cells in skin specimens (Horton, Allen & MacDonald, 1983). Recently, Dezutter-Dambuyant et al, (1984b) reported that about 97% of the labelled dendritic epidermal cells in dispersed human epidermal cell suspensions were DR+ T6+, but Berman and colleagues (1985) found that only approximately 50% of T6+ Langerhans' cells were This discrepancy may be due to the fact that, in the absence of dermis, Langerhans' cells rapidly lose the ability to produce the DR antigen (Czernielewski, Demarchez & Prunieras, 1984; Hefton et al., 1984), and the cell membrane of Langerhans' cells could be damaged by the disaggregating effect of trypsin. Because of these disadvantages, we used parallel double-labelling experiments to enumerate Langerhans' cells on the epidermal sheet. To compare with the above two surface markers of Langerhans' cells, a modified ATPase staining technique was used on the sheet with preceding double stains or on a separate epidermal sheet.
3D toroidal physics: Testing the boundaries of symmetry breakinga)

Toroidal symmetry is an important concept for plasma confinement; it allows the existence of nested flux surface MHD equilibria and conserved invariants for particle motion. However, perfect symmetry is unachievable in realistic toroidal plasma devices. For example, tokamaks have toroidal ripple due to discrete field coils, optimized stellarators do not achieve exact quasi-symmetry, the plasma itself continually seeks lower energy states through helical 3D deformations, and reactors will likely have non-uniform distributions of ferritic steel near the plasma. Also, some level of designed-in 3D magnetic field structure is now anticipated for most concepts in order to provide the plasma control needed for a stable, steady-state fusion reactor. Such planned 3D field structures can take many forms, ranging from tokamaks with weak 3D edge localized mode suppression fields to stellarators with more dominant 3D field structures. This motivates the development of physics models that are applicable across the full range of 3D devices. Ultimately, the questions of how much symmetry breaking can be tolerated and how to optimize its design must be addressed for all fusion concepts. A closely coupled program of simulation, experimental validation, and design optimization is required to determine what forms and amplitudes of 3D shaping and symmetry breaking will be compatible with the requirements of future fusion reactors.
Regulatory B cells limit CNS inflammation and neurologic deficits in murine experimental stroke

Evaluation of infarct volumes and infiltrating immune cell populations in mice after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) strongly implicates a mixture of both pathogenic and regulatory immune cell subsets in stroke pathogenesis and recovery. Our goal was to evaluate the contribution of B cells to the development of MCAO by comparing infarct volumes and functional outcomes in wild-type (WT) versus B-cell-deficient μMT(-/-) mice. The results clearly demonstrate larger infarct volumes, higher mortality, more severe functional deficits, and increased numbers of activated T cells, macrophages, microglial cells, and neutrophils in the affected brain hemisphere of MCAO-treated μMT(-/-) versus WT mice. These MCAO-induced changes were completely prevented in B-cell-restored μMT(-/-) mice after transfer of highly purified WT GFP(+) B cells that were detected in the periphery, but not the CNS. In contrast, transfer of B cells from IL-10(-/-) mice had no effect on infarct volume when transferred into μMT(-/-) mice. These findings strongly support a previously unrecognized activity of IL-10-secreting WT B cells to limit infarct volume, mortality rate, recruitment of inflammatory cells, and functional neurological deficits 48 h after MCAO. Our novel observations are the first to implicate IL-10-secreting B cells as a major regulatory cell type in stroke and suggest that enhancement of regulatory B cells might have application as a novel therapy for this devastating neurologic condition.
Cartels, competition and regulation in the property-liability insurance industry

This paper provides a detailed study of the structure, behavior, and performance of the property and liability insurance industry in the United States. The property insurance industry is shown to possess all of the structural characteristics normally associated with competitive markets. Despite a competitive market structure, however, the property-liability insurance industry has traditionally set prices through cartel-like rating bureaus and has been subjected to pervasive state rate regulation. The study concludes that the combination of state regulation, cartel pricing, and other legal peculiarities has resulted in the use of an inefficient sales technique, supply shortages, and overcapitalization. Free entry, however, tends to drive profits toward the cost of capital. Based on recent experience in states where the competitive market is used to determine insurance rates, the study suggests a movement away from rate regulation and cartel pricing to open competition, as a means of eliminating prevailing performance problems.
In situ simulation in pediatrics

The increasing speed of medicine updating required a change in the training system: the classic teaching mode "see one-do one" is increasingly called into question for ethical reasons in order to protect patients from possible damages deriving from health personnel education [1]. This concept finds its implication in pediatric patients, where any unnecessary suffering must be avoided: for this reason new methodologies based on simulation have been introduced to prevent this type of problem. Simulation is a technique that allows replacing or amplifying real experiences with guided experiences, artificially designed, which evoke or replicate substantial aspects of the real world in an entirely interactive situation. The growing interest in this approach is due to three main factors: the development of simulator technologies, the evolution of medical education understood as a set of competences in the field of knowledge, skills and behavior and finally the increasing attention to limit errors in team work. Simulation in medicine is not only a training tool, but also a way of reducing clinical risk and of improving patient safety. Pediatric emergencies are an example of how simulation can actually be a tool for health workers to achieve a performance improvement in medical assistance [2]. Pediatric emergency events are clinically rare, high-risk, and frequently involve the simultaneous presence of several subjects: pediatricians, nurses, specialists and the patient’s family. In situ simulation is a particular form of simulation, distinct from simulation conducted in a simulation center: it may be defined as, “Simulations that occur in the actual clinical environment and whose participants are on-duty clinical providers during their actual workday.” The required materials can either be used specifically for simulation and taken each time to the site of the scenario, or they can be routinely available. In situ simulation training offers many advantages: it gives the opportunity to test systems, to reinforce training in authentic ways, and also to identify hazards and deficiencies in the clinical systems, in the environment and in the provider team [3].
Sociocultural factors in MI recovery: an exploratory study.

The reported study examines the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) and ethnicity in coping with a first acute myocardial infarction (MI). The study employed a panel design in which seventy-five patients were interviewed during acute hospitalization and six months later, and sixty of those were interviewed again at one year post-MI. Using the analysis of variance test, gradients in anxiety, functional status, and self-reported health status were found among lower SES Blacks, Hispanics, Anglos and upper SES Anglos as well as statistically significant differences in personal sense of control, beliefs about recovery, coping responses, and social support systems. More important, analysis of covariance documents that associations between coping variables and post-MI recovery outcomes vary among the different socioculturel groups.
Trinexapac-ethyl affects kentucky bluegrass root architecture

Trinexapac-ethyl (TE) (4-(cyclopropyl-a-hydroxy-methylene)-3,5-dioxocyclo- hexanecarboxylic acid ethyl ester) effects on turfgrass root architecture are not known. It has been postulated that PGR application could cause photoassimilate that is normally used for shoot growth to be funneled to root growth. This study evaluated the effects of a single TE application on kentucky bluegrass (KBG) root and shoot growth for seven weeks. Individual KBG plants were grown in a hydroponic system and harvested weekly. At each harvest, tiller height, tiller number, and color ratings were recorded. Estimates of total root length (TRL), root surface area (SA), and average root diameter were mea- sured using the WinRhizo system. Trinexapac-ethyl reduced plant height for 4 weeks followed by a period of postinhibition growth enhancement. Trinexapac-ethyl increased tiller number over the course of the study and slightly enhanced plant color. Trinexapac- ethyl reduced TRL and SA 48% and 46% at 1 week after treatment (WAT) followed by an accelerated growth rate 1 to 4 WAT. Trinexapac-ethyl had no effect on root diameter. On a tiller basis, TE initially reduced TRL and SA 30% and 31%, respectively. Total root length per tiller and root surface area per tiller were reduced by TE treatment, but by 7 WAT, those differences were no longer signifi cant. Initial reductions in TRL and SA per tiller may reduce tiller competitiveness for water and nutrients. Based on data for TRL and SA per tiller, shoot and root growth must be considered in total to fully understand TE effects on plant growth. Field research is needed to corroborate results from hydro- ponic-studies and examine the effect of various TE rates and multiple applications on turfgrass root and shoot growth. Exogenously applied plant growth regula- tors (PGRs) such as trinexapac-ethyl (TE) are widely used in highly maintained turfgrass areas (Watschke et al., 1992). Trinexapac-ethyl, a late stage gibberellin inhibitor (Adams et al., 1992), has been shown to reduce clipping production for both warm and cool-season turfgrasses (Fagerness and Yelverton, 2000; Lickfeldt et al., 2001). Because PGRs reduce vertical shoot growth, it has been theorized that root growth may be enhanced through basal photoassimilate transport (Kaufmann et al., 1983). Studies concerning PGR effects on turfgrass root growth have reported confl icting results (Ervin and Koski, 2001a; Fagerness and Yelver- ton, 2001; Marcum and Jiang, 1997). In a study by Ervin and Koski (2001a), no changes were found in root mass for TE-treated kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) in combination with nitrogen and wear treatments. Fagerness and Yelverton (2001) reported similar results with sequential applications of TE at various rates on Penncross creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.); however, they reported reduc- tions in root mass from paclobutrazol applied at
Vanadium Oxide Nanofibers and Vanadium Oxide Polyaniline Nanocomposite: Preparation, Characterization and Electrochemical Behavior

The sol gel reaction of NH4VO3 and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) template followed by hydrothermal treatment formed (NH4)xV2O5-Δ.nH2O rods. TGA, SEM, XRD and FTIR characterized this compound. Heating (NH4)xV2O5-Δ.nH2O in oxygen and nitrogen at 250 °C and 300 °C respectively resulted in the formation of vanadium oxides nanofibers of V3O7 and V2O5. Performance of these compounds as cathode in rechargeable lithium battery was investigated in a LiPF6/mixed carbonate electrolyte. The materials show good cycling with capacity greater than 130mAh/g, which translates to the insertion of 0.5 moles of Li+ per vanadium of the active material.
Toward natural language computation

A computer programming system called the "Natural Language Computer" (NLC) is described which allows a user to type English commands while watching them executed on sample data appearing on a display screen. Direct visual feedback enables the user to detect most misinterpretation errors as they are made so that incorrect or ambiguous commands can be retyped or clarified immediately. A sequence of correctly executed commands may be given a name and used as a subroutine, thus extending the set of available operations and allowing larger English-language programs to be constructed hierarchically. In addition to discussing the transition network syntax and procedural semantics of the system, special attention is devoted to the following topics: the nature of imperative sentences in the matrix domain; the processing of non-trivial noun phrases; conjunction; pronominals; and programming constructs such as "if", "repeat", and procedure definition.
SAW OFC strain sensor

This paper presents results for a 250MHZ orthogonal frequency coded (OFC) surface acoustic wave (SAW) cantilever device on YZ LiNbO 3 . A 1-D model is presented which predicts the variation in the wave velocity with applied strain. A FEM analysis is conducted which verifies the strain on the cantilever and supports the 1-D model predictions. Predicted results from the FEM model are presented and are in good agreement with the measured SAW OFC cantilever delay line results. Initial results on a diaphragm micro-ablated cavity are also presented.
Effects of geometric and material nonlinearities on tunable band gaps and low-frequency directionality of phononic crystals

We investigate the effects of geometric and material nonlinearities introduced by deformation on the linear dynamic response of two-dimensional phononic crystals. Our analysis not only shows that deformation can be effectively used to tune the band gaps and the directionality of the propagating waves, but also reveals how geometric and material nonlinearities contribute to the tunable response of phononic crystals. Our numerical study provides a better understanding of the tunable response of phononic crystals and opens avenues for the design of systems with optimized properties and enhanced tunability.
A general weight matrix formulation using optimal control

Classical methods from optimal control theory are used in deriving general forms for neural network weights. The network learning or application task is encoded in a performance index of a general structure. Consequently, different instances of this performance index lead to special cases of weight rules, including some well-known forms. Comparisons are made with the outer product rule, spectral methods, and recurrent back-propagation. Simulation results and comparisons are presented. >
Completing the iron period: double-resonance, fluorescence-dip Rydberg spectroscopy and ionization potentials of titanium, vanadium, iron, cobalt, and nickel

We have used the fluorescence-dip technique to obtain double-resonance spectra of transition-metal atoms produced in a rf glow-discharge sputtering machine. Rydberg spectra of the neutral elements Ti, V, Fe, Co, and Ni have been analyzed to yield ionization potentials accurate to 1 cm−1, completing the table of values for the iron period (K through Zn). The 63 737-cm−1 value obtained for Fe agrees with a recently reported result, and new ionization potentials for Ti, V, Co, and Ni are 55 073, 54 413, 63 565 and 61 619 cm−1, respectively. Quantum defects for nd and ns series were obtained. Series converging to some excited ion core levels do not show detectable s–d mixing, which would provide a direct ionization channel and lead to the asymmetric line shapes that are characteristic of autoionization. Fano q parameters were determined for states autoionizing without a change in core configuration. Resolved spectra of low-lying Rydberg states display a complicated level structure not observed in studies of alkali or rare-gas atoms.
Using Decision Procedures to Accelerate Domain-Specific Deductive Synthesis Systems

This paper describes a class of decision procedures that we have found useful for efficient, domain-specific deductive synthesis, and a method for integrating this type of procedure into a general-purpose refutation-based theorem prover. We suggest that this is a large and interesting class of procedures and show how to integrate these procedures to accelerate a general-purpose theorem prover doing deductive synthesis. While much existing research on decision procedures has been either in isolation or in the context of interfacing procedures to non-refutation-based theorem provers, this appears to be the first reported work on decision procedures in the context of refutation-based deductive synthesis where witnesses must be found.
Nonlinear analyses of storage ring lattices using one-turn maps

Using normalized one-turn resonance-basis Lie generators in conjunction with an action-angle tracking algorithm (nPB tracking), we have been able to better understand the relationship between the dynamic aperture and lattice nonlinearities. Tunes, tune shifts with amplitude and/or energy, and resonance strengths may be freely changed to probe their individual impact on the dynamic aperture. Fast beam-beam simulations can be performed with the inclusion of nonlinear lattice effects. Examples from studies of the PEP-II lattices are given.
Comparison of monovalent and trivalent live attenuated influenza vaccines in young children.

Fifty children, 6 months to 2 years of age, were vaccinated intranasally with a trivalent preparation containing 10(6) TCID50 each of H1N1 and H3N2 and 10(4) (n = 14) or 10(6) (n = 36) TCID50 of B live, attenuated, cold-adapted (ca) influenza strains. The same doses were administered as monovalent vaccines to 69 comparably aged children. Forty-five controls were given placebo. No clinically significant adverse reactions to vaccines were observed. Of children seronegative to H1N1 or H3N2, > or = 90% were infected by these vaccine strains. Trivalent vaccine containing 10(4) TCID50 of B infected only 27% of children seronegative to B (3/11), which was markedly reduced from the 88% infection rate (7/8) following monovalent B vaccine of the same dose (P = .02); increasing the B dose to 10(6) TCID50 increased the infection rate to 81% (21/26). Replication of ca influenza viruses in tissue culture matched vaccine responses. Trivalent ca influenza vaccines can be formulated that are safe and immunogenic in young children.
P450 catalysed S-oxidation of dibenzothiophene by Cunninghamella elegans

1. Approximately 98% of dibenzothiophene (DBT) was converted to DBT sulphoxide (86% of total metabolites) and DBT sulphone (14% of total metabolites) after a 24-h incubation with the filamentous fungus Cunninghamella elegans (ATCC-36112).2. DBT sulphoxidation was significantly decreased in incubations with the concomitant additions of metyrapone, piperonyl butoxide and 1-aminobenzotriazole indicating a P450 monooxygenase-catalysed reaction.3. DBT sulphoxidation was also significantly decreased by methimazole, but only slightly decreased with a thiourea addition, suggesting a possible role of a flavin-containing, monooxygenase-catalysed activity.4. The extracellular filtrate of C. elegans failed to show measurable DBT oxidation, showing that biotransformation is intracellular and is not catalysed by an extracellular process.
Experimental Evidence on the Role of Tax Complexity in Investment Decisions

Past behavioral research has demonstrated that complexity in determining one's marginal tax rate can produce systematic decision errors in single‐person investment settings in which individuals must choose between investments with different after‐tax returns. In this paper, we examine the degree to which such a phenomenon exists when investments are made in competitive markets. More specifically, we conduct a series of oral double‐auctions in which buyer profits are taxed and in which we manipulate the complexity required for buyers to arrive at their marginal tax rates. Our two main results are as follows. First, tax complexity leads to systematically (and inefficiently) high trading prices and quantities in these markets, which jointly limits the amount of wealth created, and leads to systematic wealth transfers between market participants and to the taxing authority. Second, these effects generally diminish over the course of the experiment, but do not disappear entirely. The latter result suggests tha...