cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fine and Fee Revenues, Local Courts and Judicial Elections: The Role of Financial and Political Institutions in Extractive Revenue Practices in U.S. Cities

By altering the distribution of fine and fee revenues, municipal courts provide a mechanism through which cash-strapped city governments can increase revenues flowing into city coffers. Using a unique dataset of municipal court systems, combined with city level financial and race information, this paper exploits state-level differences in laws enabling municipal courts combined with variation in the racial composition of cities to explore the effect of financial incentives (municipal courts) on revenue extractive practices in U.S. cities and how those effects are mediated through political institutions (judicial method of selection). Results suggest that only when state law enables municipal courts is there a relationship between per capita fine and fee revenue and the relative size of the minority population; there are positive returns to non-White population share (in the form of fine and fee revenue) at low ( 80 percent) levels of the measure whereas the middle range is characterized by negative returns. Further analysis reveals this relationship to be driven by cities in states mandating judicial elections. Taken together, results suggest that the financial incentive provided by municipal courts engenders efforts to increase monies through local criminal justice systems and this behavior is more pronounced when there is a dominant racial constituency. That these behaviors are more salient when judges are elected, as opposed to appointed, suggests that political competition limits revenue orientated behavior, reliance on fine and fee revenue decreases when officials are forced to consider the ballot box.
Late Breaking Abstract - Economics burden and healthcare utilization in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with or without sepsis

Background: Although sepsis has prognostic implications to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), its economics burden, healthcare utilization remains uncertain. We conducted a population-level study to answer these questions. Methods: We excerpted data relevant to sepsis (ICD-9 coding 995.91, 995.92) from 609,281 patients with COPD (ICD-9 coding 491, 492, 496) and registered by the Taiwan National Health Insurance Administration System between 2010 and 2015. Propensity-score matching was applied to balance the age and gender between patients with or without sepsis. Results: Among them, 13.4%(81,466/609,281) of the COPD patients had been suffered from sepsis. Patients who suffered from sepsis were more likely to have hypertension (64.8% vs. 60.2%, P Conclusions: COPD patients who encountered sepsis were associated with higher economics burden and healthcare utilization.
Disciplinary Permeability, Academic Specializations, and University Presses

University presses select and publish intellectually significant scholarship. As they each occupy disciplinary space, particular to their publishing and editorial missions, university presses consider manuscripts per respective brands and imprimatur. This presentation will examine subject specialization within the larger context of disciplinary formation and disciplinary alignments university presses consider within their purview. To gain a greater appreciation of their missions in subject specialization, a definitional model will animate further discussion of publication trends, and disciplinary nomenclature utilized by university presses to capture their emphases within the constellation of scholarly publishing. Methodology and discussion will focus on data gleaned from the 2018 Directory of Association of American University Presses. Via a bibliometric approach, comparison with earlier Directories will situate discussion within the wider frame of disciplinary specialization growth. Disciplinary subjects and disciplinary nomenclature will constitute the focus of discussion as central to university press monographic publication trends. Special emphasis and illustrations will focus on fragmentation, hyper-specialization, and trends accommodating emerging scholarly domains, especially disciplinary permeability. Further broached vis-a-vis academic publishing and corresponding influence on scholars, especially, humanities scholars, as they navigate the scholarly communication system, exemplified by university presses.
The expanded endonasal approach in pediatric skull base surgery: A review.

Objective Surgery of the pediatric skull base has multiple unique challenges and has seen recent rapid advances. The objective of this review is to assess key issues in pediatric skull base surgery (SBS), including anatomic limitations, surgical approaches, reconstruction techniques, postoperative care, complications, and outcomes. Data sources PubMed literature review. Review methods A review of the literature was conducted to assess the challenges, recent advances, and reported outcomes in pediatric SBS. Results The pediatric skull base presents multiple anatomic challenges, including variable patterns of pneumatization, narrow piriform aperture width, and narrow intercarotid distance at the level of the cavernous sinus but not the superior clivus. These issues may be particularly challenging in patients less than 2 years of age. Endoscopic endonasal approaches in the sagittal and coronal plane have been applied to the pediatric skull base while open approaches may still be necessary in the setting of extensive intracranial or orbital disease, as well as disease lateral to critical neurovascular structures. While the nasoseptal flap was initially called into question for pediatric cases, it has been shown through multiple reports to be a feasible and robust reconstructive option. Complications and outcomes often depend upon the pathology. In children, response to noxious stimuli, ability to avoid Valsalva, and adherence to nasal precautions is variable. The use of lumbar drains is more common in pediatric than adult patients. Conclusion While the pediatric skull base presents unique challenges, outcomes data support that endoscopic endonasal approaches are a pertinent surgical technique in appropriately selected patients. Level of evidence 3a.
Prenatal Maternal Objective and Subjective Stress Exposures and Rapid Infant Weight Gain.

Objectives To evaluate the associations between 3 prenatal stress exposures and rapid infant weight gain. Study design Participants were 162 maternal–child dyads drawn from a nonrandomized controlled trial evaluating a prenatal intervention for reducing women's stress and excessive gestational weight gain and subsequent longitudinal observational study of offspring outcomes. Participants were predominantly low-income and racial or ethnic minorities, and mothers were overweight or obese prepregnancy. Primary exposures were objective stress exposures (number of stressful life events) and subjective distress (maternal perceived stress and depressive symptoms) during pregnancy. The primary outcome was rapid infant weight gain from birth to 6 months, assessed via birth records and in-person anthropometry measurements. Results In total, 28% of the sample (N = 40) met criteria for rapid infant weight gain. In adjusted models, exposure to prenatal stressful life events was associated with increased odds of rapid infant weight gain (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.07-1.83, P = .014). Neither prenatal perceived stress (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.16-1.37, P = .17) nor depressive symptoms (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.76-1.03, P = .13) were significantly associated with rapid infant weight gain. Conclusions Each additional stressful life event a woman experienced during pregnancy was associated with 40% greater odds of rapid infant weight gain. Future research should evaluate whether prenatal interventions that focus on reducing exposure to stressful events prevent rapid infant weight gain.
Return to Golf After Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review.

Background:The number of golfers aged ≥65 years has increased in recent years, and shoulder arthritis is prevalent in this age group. Guidelines for return to golf (RTG) after shoulder arthroplasty...
DomainPKI: Domain Aware Certificate Management

Certificate Authority (CA) is a single point of failure in the trust model of X.509 Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), since CA is the only entity to sign and distribute public key certificates and no one else is involved in certificate verification. In response, recent fixes based on public logs have been successful in making certificate management more transparent and publicly verifiable. However, more recent researches have shown that none of existing solutions is fully satisfactory due to different security flaws and operational challenges. In this study, we propose a domain-aware alternative to mitigate those issues by involving domain owner in digital signature and certificate verification.Our proposal is based on current PKI design and business model with critical extensions of domain awareness. In order to engage domain owner in its certificate verification, we propose that each domain maintains its own certificate logs. A certificate is co-signed by a CA and its domain with a domain master key. To prove the authenticity of a certificate, a client first verifies the CA's digital signature, then the domain signature, and finally sends a query about the certificate status to its domain owner for further confirmation. By engaging domain owner in co-signing and verifying its certificates, we distribute the trust for certificate authenticity between the CA that signed this certificate and its domain owner. With these extensions, it will be extremely hard, if not impossible, for an adversary to make a successful attack to a client, and the damage of a successful attack is limited to this single client only. In this paper, we present a framework of our proposal, analyze its security gains and compare it with existing solutions.
Optimization of in vitro gowth conditions and DNA extraction from Treponema phagedenis isolated from bovine digital dermatitis lesions

Bovine digital dermatitis is a leading cause of lameness in the US dairy industry, and it also represents a significant welfare issue. Our group and others have demonstrated that, along with a number of other organisms, Treponema spp can be cultured from a large percentage of digital dermatitis lesions. As part of our ongoing effort to better understand the role that Treponema spp plays in this disease process, we are using a combination of culture-dependent and independent methods to better understand the physiology and metabolism of these bacteria. Treponema spp are fastidious and their growth in broth media has traditionally been difficult; thus; hindering the ability to grow sufficient organisms for DNA purification to be used in downstream sequencing or genetic modification. This study details the systematic evaluation of different culture conditions on the growth and replication of T. phagedenis isolated from digital dermatitis lesions of cattle.
Hedgehog Signaling in Myeloid Malignancies

Myeloid malignancies arise from normal hematopoiesis and include several individual disorders with a wide range of clinical manifestations, treatment options, and clinical outcomes. The Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway is aberrantly activated in many of these diseases, and glasdegib, a Smoothened (SMO) antagonist and HH pathway inhibitor, has recently been approved for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The efficacy of SMO inhibitors in AML suggests that they may be broadly active, but clinical studies in other myeloid malignancies have been largely inconclusive. We will discuss the biological role of the HH pathway in normal hematopoiesis and myeloid malignancies and review clinical studies targeting HH signaling in these diseases. In addition, we will examine SMO-independent pathway activation and highlight potential strategies that may expand the clinical utility of HH pathway antagonists.
Variable impact of chronic stress on spatial learning and memory in BXD mice.

Abstract The effects of chronic stress on learning are highly variable across individuals. This variability stems from gene–environment interactions. However, the mechanisms by which stress affects genetic predictors of learning are unclear. Thus, we aim to determine whether the genetic pathways that predict spatial memory performance are altered by previous exposure to chronic stress. Sixty-two BXD recombinant inbred strains of mice, as well as parent strains C57BL/6J and DBA/2J, were randomly assigned as behavioral control or to a chronic variable stress paradigm and then underwent behavioral testing to assess spatial memory and learning performance using the Morris water maze. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping was completed for average escape latency times for both control and stress animals. Loci on chromosomes 5 and 10 were found in both control and stress environmental populations; eight additional loci were found to be unique to either the control or stress environment. In sum, results indicate that certain genetic loci predict spatial memory performance regardless of prior stress exposure, while exposure to stress also reveals unique genetic predictors of training during the memory task. Thus, we find that genetic predictors contributing to spatial learning and memory are susceptible to the presence of chronic stress.
Epigenetic Modification of the Cpt1a Gene at Birth by Developmental Bisphenol A (BPA) Exposure May Program Microvesicular Steatosis in Adult Male Rats Consuming a High-fat Diet

Developmental bisphenol A (BPA) exposure causes adulthood hepatic steatosis in rats. To investigate potential epigenetic mechanisms behind developmental BPA-induced hepatic steatosis, pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were dosed with vehicle (oil) or BPA (100 mg/kg/day) from gestational day 6 to postnatal day (PND) 21. After weaning, offspring consumed a control (C) or a high fat (HF) diet until PND110. Both BPA and HF diet increased the fat/lean ratio in adult males. On PND110, Oil-HF, BPA-C and BPA-HF males had higher hepatic lipids than Oil-C; microvesicular steatosis was marked in BPA-HF males, and less severe in Oil-HF males. In females, neither BPA nor a HF diet affected any of the factors above. On PND1, BPA increased hepatic triglycerides and free fatty acids, and modified hepatic fatty acid composition in males, but not females. In PND1 males, BPA increased hepatic Fat/Cd36 expression, and decreased the expression of triglyceride synthesis- and β-oxidation-related genes (Dgat, Agpat6, Cebpa, Cebpb, Pc...
A heuristic routine for solving large loading problems

The loading problem involves the optimal allocation of n objects, each having a specified weight and value, to m boxes, each of specified capacity. While special cases of these problems can be solved with relative ease, the general problem having variable item weights and box sizes can become very difficult to solve. This paper presents a heuristic procedure for solving large loading problems of the more general type. The procedure uses a surrogate procedure for reducing the original problem to a simpler knapsack problem, the solution of which is then employed in searching for feasible solutions to the original problem. The procedure is easy to apply, and is capable of identifying optimal solutions if they are found.
Statistical effects of control parameters on throughput of window-based transport method

In window-based transport methods for stabilizing and/or maximizing the goodput at the destination, it is very important to understand the statistical properties of the transport control and performance response parameters. Based on traffic measurements collected over the Internet during a 6-month period, we formulate and test hypotheses on the main effects of two control parameters on the goodput response and the interaction effects between them. We infer from the statistical analysis that the congestion window and sleep time parameters strongly interact with each other, and they both have significant main effects on the destination goodput. Consequently the underlying randomness in network traffic must be explicitly accounted for in the design of flow control methods.
Decline and rebirth: energy demand in the former USSR

Abstract Using a detailed, bottom up model of the demand for energy in the former USSR, we build scenarios of energy use there in 1995 and 2010. This paper reports on our results for 1995. Assuming 18% decline in the 1995 GDP, compared with 1985, we foresse a decline in final energy use of 22% and that for primary energy consumption of about 20%. From how our individual fuels and end uses are coupled, we suggest that oil demand will fall a greater amount by 1995.
Toxic Asset Subsidies and the Early Redemption of TALF Loans

This paper develops a formula to numerically estimate the unsubsidized, fair-market value of the toxic assets purchased with Federal Reserve loans. It finds that subsidy rates on these loans were on average 33.9 percent at origination. Yet, by the 3rd quarter of the 2010, there was on average no subsidy in TALF loans. The theoretical model is used to predict the early redemption of Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (TALF) loans used to purchase commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS). The predictions of the model are strongly supported by the data. In addition, this paper looks at the determinants of early redemption. CMBS originated inside the peak bubble years of 2005-2007 were much less likely to be redeemed early. The giant investment managers, Blackrock and PIMCO, were much more likely to redeem their TALF loans early than smaller investment managers.
Short-term cover crop decomposition in organic and conventional soils: Soil microbial and nutrient cycling indicator variables associated with different levels of soil suppressiveness to Pythium aphanidermatum

Stages of oat‐vetch cover crop decomposition were characterized over time in terms of carbon and nitrogen cycling, microbial activity and community dynamics in organically and conventionally managed soils in a field experiment and a laboratory incubation experiment. We subsequently determined which variables describing soil microbial community dynamics, C and N cycling could be used as predictors of Pythium aphanidermatumdamping-off incidence and relative growth. Disease incidence and relative growth of P. aphanidermatumwere measured in growth chamber assays and in vitro growth tests. No significant differences were detected between the conventional and organic farming system with respect to either relative growth or disease incidence. Stepwise discriminant analysis on three classes of disease incidence or relative growth led to selection of qualitatively similar variables. Only one soil microbial variable, total biomass of actinomycetes, was selected. Total C and N content of debris extracted from soil as well as NH4-N content of soil were selected most consistently and show promise for assessment of potential damping-off incidence by P. aphanidermatumfor young seedlings.
The Role of the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Clinical Specialist in an Adolescent Coping Skills Group

The psychiatric/mental health nurse clinical specialist is a professional who brings unique skills to the area of mental health prevention. Adolescents are an at-risk population in need of preventive mental health services. This article describes the unique features of a nurse-led adolescent prevention program. A specific Adolescent Coping Skills Group format, which uses the skills of the master's prepared psychiatric nurse, is presented.
Economics of occupational cotton dust control in cottonseed oil mills

An economic analysis of the total cost for various dust control systems for a 500 ton/day model cottonseed oil mill has been performed. All cost data have been adjusted to reflect May 1981 prices. Cost data are presented for the dust collection system, cyclone(s), baghouse(s) and prime air mover(s) for each major processing area at 3 different air-to-cloth ratios. Data were obtained for equipment and installation costs from mills using the various devices and/or complete systems wherever possible. In cases where these data were not available, estimates were obtained from several firms that manufacture and install similar equipment. At the recommended air-to-cloth ratio of 20:1, the initial capital cost was estimated as $707,900, the annual operating expenses as $226,490 and the life cycle cost as $607,510.
AN EVALUATION OF THE FRANK METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PROLAN (GONADOTROPIC PRINCIPLE) IN THE URINE OF NONPREGNANT WOMEN1

For some time we have been seeking a quantitative method for determining prolan in the urine of nonpregnant women when it is present in amounts of less than 66 r.u. per liter. The Aschheim-Zondek alcohol precipitation method (1), which employs 60 cc. of morning urine, does very well when amounts of prolan in the urine are in excess of 66 r.u. We found that many women suffering from vasomotor disturbances of the menopause did not have sufficient prolan in 60 cc. of urine to give a positive test; yet we felt that their urinary prolan must be in excess of normal. It is not so important to have a method for the detection of excess prolan in the urine of women who are able to describe typical vasomotor waves, but in cases of those suffering from some bizarre syndrome or psychosis, or those whose
Metabolic products of Clitocybe diatreta. II. Biochemical variation of cultures; production of diatretyne 3.

Abstract Available cultures of the basidiomycete, Clitocybe diatreta, were found to contain biochemical variants, one of which produced the polyacetylene, diatretyne nitrile, the other a new polyacetylene with a more extensive chromophoric system, “diatretyne 3.” The variants have been isolated and maintained as separate cultures.
Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition in early intent-to-stent treatment of acute coronary syndromes: EPISTENT, ADMIRAL, CADILLAC, and TARGET

The acute coronary syndromes (ACS), with or without ST-segment elevation, share a common pathophysiology of activated platelets and thrombin generation stimulated by plaque erosion and rupture. Both mechanical and pharmacologic treatment strategies have evolved in an attempt to improve reperfusion at the myocardial tissue level. Intracoronary stents have lowered the incidence of abrupt vessel closure and restenosis, while potent platelet inhibition from intravenous glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists has reduced the rate of periprocedural myocardial infarction and late mortality. Abciximab has well-established clinical benefits in percutaneous revascularization trials, and several recent landmark studies have evaluated the efficacy of concomitant abciximab during mechanical reperfusion therapy in the setting of ACS. These trials are reviewed, and an overall perspective is provided.
The Reluctant Economist: Perspectives on Economics, Economic History, and Demography

List of tables and figures Preface Acknowledgements Part I. Economics: 1. The reluctant economist 2. Economics and the use of subjective testimony 3. Is economic growth creating a new postmaterialistic society? Part II. Economic History: 4. Why isn't the whole world developed? 5. Kuznets cycles and modern economic growth 6. Industrial revolution and mortality revolution: two of a kind? 7. How beneficent is the market? A look at the modern history of mortality Part III. Demography: 8. An economic framework for fertility analysis 9. New perspectives on the demographic transition 10. Does human fertility adjust to the environment? Population change and farm settlement in the northern United States 11. America's baby boom and bust, 1940-80: causes and consequences 12. Preferences and prices in choice of career: the switch to business Epilogue Bibliography Index.
CYSTIC FIBROSIS: A DISORDER OFCALCIUM-STIMULATED SECRETION AND TRANSEPITHELIAL SODIUM TRANSPORT?

Abstract Both increased epithelial reabsorption of sodium and raised intracellular calcium have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis. An intracellular calcium-stimulated increase in sodium reabsorption through an amiloride-sensitive pathway and the consequent obligatory reabsorption of water could explain the thick tenacious secretions that characterise the disease. In the pancreatic ducts and airways increased intracellular calcium could exacerbate the problem of hyperviscous blockage by inducing acinar hypersecretion. Hypersecretion by the salivary and sweat glands would lead to excessive release of a factor which blocks sodium reabsorption by the cells in the ducts of these glands; this would lead to raised ion concentrations in sweat and saliva.
Quasi-Static Loading Rate Effect on the Master Curve Reference Temperature of Ferritic Steels and Implications

It has long been recognized that there is a considerable difference between the dynamic and quasi-static fracture toughness reference temperature. However, it has not been clear whether this loading rate effect extends into the quasistatic loading regime. The current fracture toughness reference temperature test standard for ferritic steels (ASTM E1921) specifies an allowable quasi-static loading rate range spanning 100 fold. Recently obtained data from the IAEA JRQ material suggests that the same loading rate effect extends throughout this allowable quasi-static loading rate range. The loading rate effect could amount to a difference in the measured reference temperature of 23°C (41°F) between the extremes of the specified range. This paper presents the data demonstrating this effect, examines different ways of calculating the loading rate, suggests changes to related to the test standard, and discusses the use of applying the loading rate effect on reference temperature.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Evaluation of Several Vacuum Solution Samplers in Sand and Silt Loam at Several Water Potentials

Until recently, there was little information available on the water collection capabilities of pore water samplers. This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of ceramic, fritted-glass, stainless steel, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) porous samplers in sand and silt loam soil columns over a range of soil water potentials. Soil solution intake for samplers was determined by application of constant and falling vacuums. Constant vacuum was applied for a three-day period when soils were at field moisture capacity. The PTFE samplers did not function when tested with a constant or falling vacuum. With a 50-kPa constant vacuum, the ceramic sampler collected the greatest sample volume (average 20 mL) from the sand. With a constant 25-kPa vacuum, the stainless steel sampler collected the greatest sample volume (average 81 mL) from the silt loam soil. Sampler performance with a fixed volume of vacuum was evaluated by applying 100 kPa vacuum to a 1-liter reservoir. With this falling vacuum, samplers were tested until no further solution was collected over a 10-day test period. With a falling vacuum, fritted-glass and stainless steel samplers, with relatively larger pores and greater hydraulic conductance, collected a greater volume of sample and at a faster rate than ceramic samplers in sand soil that was nearly saturated. When the volume was normalized with respect to sampler surface area, for the falling vacuum tests in silt loam soil at field moisture capacity, the volume collected by fritted glass was significantly higher than those from other samplers. In sand at field moisture capacity or silt loam at soil water tensions ≧30 kPa, ceramic samplers maintained vacuums near 70 kPa and collected more sample than the other samplers during the 10-day test period.
Leisure, wine and the internet: exploring the factors that impact the purchase of wine online

Particular industries face greater challenges when transitioning to the digital economy than others. The wine industry is one of those industries experiencing some difficulty, as it contends with the heterogeneous state laws regulating wine shipments: in some states, the practice is allowed, while in others, it is considered a felony. Additional complexities arise when one considers the issues of taxation, age verification and the great diversity of the wine industry. Thus, the online wine consumer faces a bevy of potential problems when attempting to purchase a specific wine, particularly the first-time online wine buyer. This research examines the factors affecting the wine industry as it attempts to gain a greater presence in the online market. In an effort to further understand purchase intentions, we explored the positive and negative utility factors using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), extending it to include the perceptions of risk harm, risk likelihood and trust.
Analysis of a family of two-person bargaining games with incomplete information

This paper computes the Harsanyi-Selten solution for a family of two-person bargaining games with incomplete information where one player hastwo possible types while the other player has onlyone possible type. The actual computation procedure is also outlined.
Capacity planning for maternal-fetal medicine using discrete event simulation.

Background Maternal–fetal medicine is a rapidly growing field requiring collaboration from many subspecialties. We provide an evidence-based estimate of capacity needs for our clinic, as well as demonstrate how simulation can aid in capacity planning in similar environments. Methods A Discrete Event Simulation of the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment and Special Delivery Unit at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was designed and validated. This model was then used to determine the time until demand overwhelms inpatient bed availability under increasing capacity. Findings No significant deviation was found between historical inpatient censuses and simulated censuses for the validation phase (p = 0.889). Prospectively increasing capacity was found to delay time to balk (the inability of the center to provide bed space for a patient in need of admission). With current capacity, the model predicts mean time to balk of 276 days. Adding three beds delays mean time to first balk to 762 days; an additional six beds to 1,335 days. Conclusion Providing sufficient access is a patient safety issue, and good planning is crucial for targeting infrastructure investments appropriately. Computer-simulated analysis can provide an evidence base for both medical and administrative decision making in a complex clinical environment.
Building an institutional base for Computational Neuroscience: the CBI at UTSA/UTHSCSA

In the Spring of 2005, The University of Texas, San Antonio established the Computational Biology Initiative (CBI) as a mechanism to introduce and then support the local use of computational tools for research and education. In 2006, the CBI expanded to include researchers and educators at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio. Built on a novel mechanism of computational liaisons, and with a significant focus on education and user support, the CBI has grown to include over 300 registered users, serving 71 individual research laboratories and multiple undergraduate and graduate courses.
Cellular kinetics of transforming growth factor-beta induced hemoglobin accumulation in the HEL erythroleukemia cell line.

Abstract Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGFβ1) can induce hemoglobin accumulation in a clone of the human HEL erythroleukemia cell line. This clone has previously been designated as HEL-T. The effect of TGFβ1 was reversible and it had to be continuously present for the maximal number of cells to become positive for hemoglobin. The TGFβ1 effect was blocked by phorbol ester and partially blocked by the calmodulin antagonist W-7, but not by dexamethasone. Simultaneous exposure to γ-interferon, IL-1, IL-6, IL-3 and GM-CSF had no significant effect on TGFβ induced hemoglobin accumulation. However, when TGFβ was combined with TNFα, it was observed that there was approximately a 10–15% reduction in benzidine-positive cells. Cell-cycle analysis revealed no significant long-term alterations in any of the compartments. Analysis of the TGFβ1 effect on 10 different HEL-T-derived clones revealed that the number of benzidine-positive cells ranged from 12 to 70% after 5 days of continuous exposure. Cell proliferation was similarly differentially affected. Another HEL cell line, designated as W-HEL, did not accumulate hemoglobin in the presence of TGFβ1, but did have an increase in α-globin RNA expression.
On the mechanisms by which transforming growth factor-beta 2 alters antigen-presenting abilities of macrophages on T cell activation.

Peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) incubated with antigen in the presence of transforming growth factor-(TGF)-beta 2 selectively suppress delayed hypersensitivity and IgG2a antibody production when injected intravenously into naive syngeneic recipients. In this study, we have examined in vitro the effects of TGF-beta 2 on the antigen presenting abilities of PEC to activate DO11.10 T cells that express a transgenic T cell receptor that recognizes ovalbumin peptide fragment 323-339 in the context of I-Ad. PEC were pretreated overnight with TGF-beta 2, washed extensively, then co-cultured with DO11.10 T cells in the presence of native OVA or P323-339. We found that TGF-beta 2-treated PEC induced the production of the T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokine, interleukin-4 (IL-4), but unlike untreated PEC, were unable to stimulate the Th1 cytokines, IL-2 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Furthermore, TGF-beta 2 was produced in an autocrine fashion by TGF-beta 2-treated PEC and was responsible for this shift to a Th2 response. This conclusion was supported by the following results. First, TGF-beta 2-treated PEC were found to express much more TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 mRNA than untreated PEC. Second, TGF-beta 2-treated PEC secreted large amounts of TGF-beta including its mature form. Third, addition of neutralizing anti-TGF-beta 2 antibodies, but not neutralizing anti-TGF-beta 1 antibodies, restored the ability of antigen-pulsed, TGF-beta 2-pretreated PEC to stimulate DO11.10 T cells to secrete IL-2 and IFN-gamma. These results indicate that antigen-presenting cells that encounter antigen in a TGF-beta-enriched environment (e.g., in the eye) shift responding native T cells toward Th2 responses by producing TGF-beta during antigen presentation.
Spontaneous and electrochemically stimulated changes in plasma LH in the female rat following hypothalamic deafferentation.

Plasma LH levels in adult female rats were studied by radioimmunoassay 6 weeks after making frontal cuts (FC) at the optic chiasm with Halasz knives of various sizes. Cuts made with a small knife (radius 1.3 mm) permitted a spontaneous rise in plasma LH during proestrus from a mean of96 ± 25ng/ml at 14:00 h to545 ± 207ng/ml at 18:00 h in 13 rats. Seven of the latter, with a mean plasma LH of967 ± 281ng/ml at 18:00 h exhibited tubal ova at hemicastration (hemi-ovx) the following morning. In a similar experiment 6 FC females lesioned with a 1.5 mm knife had plasma LH levels of53 ± 7ng/ml at 14:00 h, but showed neither detectable changes at 2 h intervals through 20:00 h nor ovulation at hemi-ovx. Similar results were obtained in 13 rats deafferented with a 2.0 mm knife. Nine weeks after FC and 3 weeks following hemi-ovx all animals were given pentobarbital (32 mg/kg i.p.) at 13:30 h and stimulated bilaterally in the medial preoptic area (MPO) passing 20 μA anodalDC× 60sec through concentric bipolar steel electrodes placed 0.8 mm from the midline. All 3 groups of FC animals showed increases in plasma LH to comparable levels (range:197 ± 45 − 357 ± 156ng/ml) 1 h after stimulation. Electrochemical stimulation sites extended lateral to the cut locations on at least one side in all animals. The results of these studies suggest that chronically (9 week) deafferented female rats have the capacity to release pituitary LH in response to MPO electrochemical stimulation in spite of retrochiasmatic deafferentation, but that the ovaries of the persistent estrus rat are unresponsive to these amounts of circulating LH.
Efficient Excitation of Gain-Saturated Sub-9-nm-Wavelength Tabletop Soft-X-Ray Lasers and Lasing Down to 7.36 nm

We have demonstrated the efficient generation of sub-9-nm-wavelength picosecond laser pulses of microjoule energy at 1-Hz repetition rate with a tabletop laser. Gain-saturated lasing was obtained a ...
Stereochemical effects of ion pairing in anionic vinyl oligomerization and related carbanion reactions

Abstract The oligomerization stereochemistry of the products of equation 1 was studied by 1H and 13C NMR. The stereochemistry of methylation and 2-vinylpyridine addition was found to be identical. With Li and Na as counterion both reactions lead to the formation of meso dyads so that the products are predominantly isotactic. The alpha carbon stereochemistry is consistent with a cation side attack of electrophile on carbanion and on the basis of unequal proportions of diastereomeric ion pairs [3] and [4] in which the Li or Na counterion is coordinated with the penultimate 2-pyridine group leading to specific conformations in which [3] is preferred because of steric reasons. With larger or more extensively solvated counterions the interaction of metal ion with penultimate 2-pyridine group is decreased and [3] and [4] become more nearly equal in energy leading to a decrease in stereoselectivity. Beta carbon stereoselectivity of products [2] prepared with beta deuterated vinylpyridines was also investigated. It was shown that this stereoselectivity may be related not only to the mode of presentation of monomer but also to anion geometry. Equilibrium 2 demonstrated by 1H and 13C NMR was shown to be highly cation and solvent dependent the (E)/(Z) ratio decreasing with increasing cation size and cation coordination. It was shown that for the Li and K systems the beta carbon selectivity of the trans addition correlates well with equilibrium 2. Providing that metal ion - 2-vinylpyridine coordination occurs prior to addition this correlation is explained by equation 3. Since alpha carbon stereochemistry of the carbanion and beta carbon stereochemistry of the incoming monomer are simultaneously determined the lower (E)/(Z) ratio found for the K system is expected and found to lead to less selective placement of deuterium.
Asymmetric Reactions to Work Group Sex Diversity Among Men and Women

Attitudes among 178 professional men and women working for a clothing manufacturer and retailer depended on their work groups' sex composition. Findings were consistent with status considerations: ...
30 Human Milk Banking: Neonatolgists' Opinions and Practices.

Objective: The purpose was to describe professional opinions and practices related to human milk banking among neonatologists in order to increase the use of donor breast milk in the neonatal intensive care. Methodology: Approximately 2500 members of the Neonatal Pediatric Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) were contacted by email and invited to complete a brief anonymous online survey. The survey contained closed-end questions on demographic characteristics and practices, as well as open-ended questions related to attitudes. Results: A total of 437 physicians (17%) completed the survey. The majority were males (56%) who had completed medical training at least 16 years earlier (59%). Most physicians worked in neonatal intensive care units (NICU's) with 30–60 beds (57%); approximately 20% were employed by a facility where donor milk from human milk banks was prescribed. Respondents cited a wide range of benefits from using donor milk from a human milk bank; the most common were immunological benefits (43%) and general advantages associated with breast milk (25%). The overwhelming concern with the use of donor milk was transmission of known infectious agents (62%); this was also reflected in suggestions for future research, with the majority of respondents (61%) requesting additional studies on this topic. More than one-half of physicians (55%) indicated they would consider recommending donor milk from a human milk bank for babies under their care. Conclusions: Addressing neonatologists' practices that limit prescription of donor milk from human milk bank is key in promoting its use. Increased knowledge about the methods used to limit the risk of infection transmission through donor milk should increase its usage.
Determination of Fatty Acids of Lower Molecular Weight by Gas Chromatography

ANALYTICAL methods for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of fatty acids have been concerned primarily with the fatty acids of higher molecular weight because of their importance in health and nutrition. Small quantities of fatty acids as the methyl esters can be separated by the gas liquid partition chromatography of James and Martin1,2. The fractionation is based on the length of the carbon chain with the more recent development, including fractionation on the basis of unsaturation3–5. These methods, however, do not provide for the convenient analysis of the acids of lower molecular weight in a mixture of fatty acids. By modification of the method of Craig and Murty5 it is possible to separate and identify the fatty acids of lower molecular weight with the same column as that used for the separation of the acids of higher molecular weight.
Guidelines for document designers

There is no more appealing task for a writer of documents than to examine guidelines that are based on research-maybe they will be able to stop guessing whether their own documents will be understood by their intended users.
A new technique for most-probable-number counts of Rhizobia

MPN (most-probable-number) counts of rhizobia by using legumes grown in plastic pouches were essentially equal to pour-plate counts. By using plastic pouches, 60 growth units could be placed in 684 cm2 of bench space, and only 20 minutes were required to prepare and seed 60 plastic pouches for inoculations.
College Persistence among Single Mothers after Welfare Reform: An Exploratory Study.

This article examines barriers to college persistence for low-income, single mothers at a public university in the Northeast, and the strategies the women used in their efforts to overcome the barriers. Data for the study were drawn from in-depth interviews with 14 current and former university students. The women's strategies and resources for persistence included faith in the benefits of a college education, building of social networks among students, faculty relationships, university services such as child care and financial aid, strategic compliance with TANF requirements, choice of more flexible academic programs, and support from family and community. The article concludes with the recommendations for policies to enhance single parents' college persistence.
Artificial intelligence: Using computers to think about thinking, Part 2: Some practical applications of Al

This is the second of a two-part essay on artificial intelligence (AI). Part 1 (which appeared in COMPUTER COMPACTS, vol.2, no.l) discussed 'knowledge representations'--models of cognition that AI investigators have used in their attempts to build thinking machines. One of the most ambitious goals of AI research is to develop programs which enable machines to perform commonsense reasoning. It will be many years, however, before this goal is achieved. In the meantime, AI research has spawned numerous spin-offs that are just beginning to enter the commercial market. These include programs that enable robots to 'see' and 'feel' and
Estimates of parenchymal, stromal, and lymph node deoxyribonucleic acid in mammary glands of C3H/Crg1/2 mice☆☆☆

Abstract The DNA content of intact and mammary gland (MG)-free segments of #4 pads of virgin and lactating C3H/Crg 1 2 female mice was determined. The DNA of inguinal MG lymph nodes was also estimated. The DNA of the MG-free-pad did not change between the virgin and lactational states; MG-DNA in the intact virgin and lactating fat pads was 23% and 89% of the total DNA, respectively. In lactating mice, MG-DNA increased 27-fold over that present in virgin mice. Inguinal lymph node DNA was 8.5 times greater than the MG-DNA of virgins and about 31% as high as the MG-DNA of the lactating gland.
Device for on-the-water measurement of rowing output

All those who compete in the sport of rowing have used the land rowing machine, Ergometer (commonly called the ‘erg’), manufactured by Concept II (Morrisville, Vermont, USA). Ergon is the Greek word for work, hence the Ergometer measures work. Rowers are commonly ranked according to their ‘erg score.’ The fault in this ranking is that the land Ergometer cannot account for many of the important technical aspects associated with rowing on the water. The goals of this project were to (1) develop a system for on-the-water measurement of work during rowing and then (2) demonstrate the potential of such a system to quantify performance and improve rowing technique. To achieve these goals, force was measured using strain gauges glued to the shaft of the rowing oar and angular displacement was measured using a potentiometer. The force and displacement measurements were sent to a microcontroller, which calculated the total work done in a particular stroke, as well as other parameters, and displayed the values to the rower. The parameters were used to evaluate the performance of three collegiate rowers on the water. The data were also used to plot force profiles, which were reviewed with each rower and the coach to illustrate the rowers’ habits and facilitate improving technique. One rower was ‘tutored’ with the device through five on-the-water practices, after which his force profiles and parameter values demonstrated significant improvement. The device not only provided a standard to which all rowers were compared on the water, but also supplied the rowers with important information on technical aspects of their strokes and pacing themselves.
Infrared spectra of the vapors above rhenium heptoxide and sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium perrhenates: Tetrahedrally coordinated rhenium compounds

Abstract Infrared spectra (4000 to 400 cm −1 ) were measured for the vapors above rhenium heptoxide, Re 2 O 7 (180 to 250°C) and Na, K, Rb, and Cs perrhenates, MReO 4 (800 to 1100°C). Bands for the heptoxide coincide closely with those for ReO 3 Cl and ReO 3 Br and are consistent with a pseudohalide structure O 3 ReOReO 3 . The ReORe stretching modes are assigned to bands at 870 and 690 cm −1 . The ReCl stretch of ReO 3 Cl is reassigned to a band at 434 cm −1 . For all the alkali perrhenates, only one broad band is observed at 900 cm −1 and probably is due to both monomer and dimer. This spectrum is close to that of the ReO 4 − group. The frequencies of gaseous perrhenic acid, HOReO 3 , are discussed.