cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of preoperative endoscopic ultrasound on non-small cell lung cancer staging.

Aim To determine if the addition of preoperative endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) to non-small cell lung cancer staging can reduce the proportion of patients in whom malignant mediastinal lymph nodes (inoperable disease) are discovered at surgery. Methods All patients with lung cancer who underwent mediastinoscopy or thoracotomy for cancer diagnosis, staging, or treatment from 1999 to 2005 were identified. Patients who had undergone preoperative EUS were designated as the EUS group . The control group was composed of similar patients who had not undergone preoperative EUS, and were frequency matched to those in the EUS group in a 3:1 ratio by preoperative cancer stage. The proportion of patients in whom malignant mediastinal lymph nodes were diagnosed at surgery was the primary outcome. Results Forty-four patients (average age, 67.8 years) met criteria for the EUS group, and 132 patients (average age, 67.4 years) were selected as control subjects. Overall, in the EUS group, 3 of 44 patients (6.8%) were found to have malignant mediastinal lymph nodes at surgery, compared with 41 of 132 patients (31.1%) in the control group (p = 0.003). In patients undergoing thoracotomy for cancer resection, 3% in the EUS group, compared with 20% in the control group, were found to have malignant mediastinal lymph nodes at surgery (p = 0.01). There was also a trend toward lower yield of mediastinoscopy done for cancer diagnosis or staging in the EUS group (p = 0.08). Conclusions Preoperative EUS in lung cancer patients may reduce unnecessary surgery at which advanced inoperable disease is discovered.
Visual Changes among Older Workers: Implications for Workstation Design

Older workers consist of those who have experienced age related changes in vision or visual impairment. Age related visual changes may be compensated for largely through modifications of workstation lighting. Visual impairment requires much more extensive and individual redesign based on a careful task evaluation. The role of visual assessment is discussed.
A polycystic kidney-disease gene homologue required for male mating behaviour in C. elegans

The stereotyped mating behaviour of the Caenorhabditis elegans male is made up of several substeps: response, backing, turning, vulva location, spicule insertion and sperm transfer. The complexity of this behaviour is reflected in the sexually dimorphic anatomy and nervous system. Behavioural functions have been assigned to most of the male-specific sensory neurons by means of cell ablations; for example, the hook sensory neurons HOA and HOB are specifically required for vulva location. We have investigated how sensory perception of the hermaphrodite by the C. elegans male controls mating behaviours. Here we identify a gene, lov-1 (for location of vulva), that is required for two male sensory behaviours: response and vulva location. lov-1 encodes a putative membrane protein with a mucin-like, serine–threonine-rich amino terminus followed by two blocks of homology to human polycystins, products of the autosomal dominant polycystic kidney-disease loci PKD1 and PKD2 (ref 4). LOV-1 is the closest C. elegans homologue of PKD1. lov-1 is expressed in adult males in sensory neurons of the rays, hook and head, which mediate response, vulva location, and potentially chemotaxis to hermaphrodites, respectively. PKD-2, the C. elegans homologue of PKD2, is localized to the same neurons as LOV-1, suggesting that they function in the same pathway.
THE MAINTENANCE OF SEX BY GROUP SELECTION.

The traditional group-selection model for the maintenance of sex is based upon the assumption that the long-term evolutionary benefits of sexual reproduction result in asexual lineages having a higher extinction rate than sexual species. This model is reexamined, as is a related model that incorporates the possibility that sexual and asexual lines differ in their speciation rates. In these models, the long-term advantage of sex is opposed by a strong short-term disadvantage arising from the twofold reproductive cost of producing males. It is shown that once some sexual lines become established, then group selection can act to maintain sex despite its short-term disadvantage. The short-term disadvantage is included in the model by assuming that, if asexual individuals arise by mutation within a previously completely sexual species, then the asexuals quickly displace their sexual conspecifics and the species is transformed to asexuality. The probability of this event is given by the transition rate, us . If the value of us varies between lineages, then one of the effects of group selection is to favor groups (i.e., species) with the lowest values of us . This occurs because lines that do convert to asexuality (because of a high us ) are doomed to a high rate of extinction, and in the long term only those that do not convert to asexuality (because of a low us ) survive. The net result of group selection is that sex is maintained because of its lower extinction rate (or higher speciation rate) and because asexual mutants only rarely arise.
Using existing knowledge sources (cases) to build an expert system

: A case study-based approach was used to develop the knowledge base of an expert system for marketing media class selection. Cases, in the context of business learning, are detailed, written descriptions of business problems and their resolution. An expert system rule set was developed for media class selection using standardised business case studies. The system developed was validated using another set of case studies. Using case studies has two knowledge elicitation advantages: (1) the knowledge source is standardised and relatively unambiguous and (2) less domain expert involvement is required.
SIGMA DECAY MODES OF PION-HYPERON RESONANCES

A total of 249 three-body reactions of the type K/sup -/ + P yields #SS/ sup +/ pi /sup -/ + pi /sup 0/ and K/sup -/ + P yields SIGMA /sup -/ + pi / sup +/ + pi /sup 0/ a t incident K/sup -/ moments of 760 and 850 Mev/c were analyzed during a study of K/sup -/ -- P interactions in the LRL 15-in. hydrogen bubble chamber. The resonant pion-hyperon state Y, exists in these reactions and influences reactions such as K/sup -/ + P yields LAMBDA + pi /sup +/ + pi / sup -/. (P.C.H.)
Excited singlet-state absorption in laser dyes at the XeCl wavelength

The transmission properties of the laser dyes BBQ, PBD, BPBD, α-NPO,p-Quarterphenyl and PPO have been measured using a XeCl (308 nm) excimer laser. A model for the dye saturation which incorporates excited-state absorption was used to estimate the lifetime and the absorption cross section of the first excited singlet-state for each dye.
Feline Gingivitis-Stomatitis-Pharyngitis

Inflammatory conditions of the feline mouth are commonly encountered in small animal practice. Although the majority can be attributed to dental disease and a small percentage are due to autoimmune diseases, the eosinophilic granuloma complex, neoplasia, and other miscellaneous syndromes, many cases appear to be due to a gingivitis-stomatitis-pharyngitis complex, which is likely multifactorial in origin. Viruses, bacterial infection, diet, dental disease, oral conformation, genetic predisposition, hypersensitivities, immunoinsufficiencies, and other defects in oral defense mechanisms may all be contributory. The complexities of this syndrome have made it one of the most challenging diagnostic and therapeutic problems in feline medicine.
Variability of Marker-Based Rectal Dose Evaluation in HDR Cervical Brachytherapy

In film-based intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical cancer, position of the rectal markers may not accurately represent the anterior rectal wall. This study was aimed at analyzing the variability of rectal dose estimation as a result of interfractional variation of marker placement. A cohort of five patients treated with multiple-fraction tandem and ovoid high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy was studied. The cervical os point and the orientation of the applicators were matched among all fractional plans for each patient. Rectal points obtained from all fractions were then input into each clinical treated plan. New fractional rectal doses were obtained and a new cumulative rectal dose for each patient was calculated. The maximum interfractional variation of distances between rectal dose points and the closest source positions was 1.1 cm. The corresponding maximum variability of fractional rectal dose was 65.5%. The percentage difference in cumulative rectal dose estimation for each patient was 5.4%, 19.6%, 34.6%, 23.4%, and 13.9%, respectively. In conclusion, care should be taken when using rectal markers as reference points for estimating rectal dose in HDR cervical brachytherapy. The best estimate of true rectal dose for each fraction should be determined by the most anterior point among all fractions.
Implanted microvessels progress through distinct neovascularization phenotypes

We have previously demonstrated that implanted microvessels form a new microcirculation with minimal host-derived vessel investment. Our objective was to define the vascular phenotypes present during neovascularization in these implants and identify post-angiogenesis events. Morphological, functional and transcriptional assessments identified three distinct vascular phenotypes in the implants: sprouting angiogenesis, neovascular remodeling, and network maturation. A sprouting angiogenic phenotype appeared first, characterized by high proliferation and low mural cell coverage. This was followed by a neovascular remodeling phenotype characterized by a perfused, poorly organized neovascular network, reduced proliferation, and re-associated mural cells. The last phenotype included a vascular network organized into a stereotypical tree structure containing vessels with normal perivascular cell associations. In addition, proliferation was low and was restricted to the walls of larger microvessels. The transition from angiogenesis to neovascular remodeling coincided with the appearance of blood flow in the implant neovasculature. Analysis of vascular-specific and global gene expression indicates that the intermediate, neovascular remodeling phenotype is transcriptionally distinct from the other two phenotypes. Therefore, this vascular phenotype likely is not simply a transitional phenotype but a distinct vascular phenotype involving unique cellular and vascular processes. Furthermore, this neovascular remodeling phase may be a normal aspect of the general neovascularization process. Given that this phenotype is arguably dysfunctional, many of the microvasculatures present within compromised or diseased tissues may not represent a failure to progress appropriately through a normally occurring neovascularization phenotype.
On control and cyber-physical systems: Challenges and opportunities for discrete event and hybrid systems

Summary form only given. Networked digital devices interacting with physical and engineered systems are becoming ubiquitous and will be more so in the future. A deep understanding of the interactions between the cyber and physical worlds is essential in being able to build robust and safe systems, and this issue is receiving increased attention in the US by the networking and information technology community. Stronger cross-fertilization of ideas between control systems, networking and computer science is needed in both research and education to build these systems. In this talk, the main issues in cyber-physical systems will be discussed first in detail. A brief overview of a supervisory control approach in discrete event systems using Petri nets will be given with connections to computer science problems and a promising approach to design cyber-physical systems using passivity that include human interaction will be outlined.
The "Skill Bureaucracy" and Intraorganizational Control: The Case of the Data Processing Unit

The incompatability of a bureaucratic organization and its professional occupational groups has attracted considerable attention. This article examines the orientation and behavior of one such prof...
The influence of prey identity and size on selection of prey by two marine fishes

Abstract Laboratory experiments were conducted with two predatory fishes, Lagodon rhomboides (Linnaeus) and Syngnathus floridae (Jordan & Gilbert), to determine if prey selection was a result of predator preference or prey accessibility. Prey consisted of two species of caridean shrimp, Tozeuma carolinense (Kingsley) and Hippolyte zostericola (Smith), that commonly inhabit seagrass meadows. Natural diets of both predators revealed that selection ofTozeuma and Hippolyte was not related to their field densities. My experiments demonstrated that natural prey selection was a consequence of prey accessibility, not predator preference. Experiments examining the role of prey size in predator preference revealed that large individuals were significantly preferred over small individuals. Observations of prey behavior indicated that prey motion affected predator choice. These results suggest that predator preference was primarily determined by prey visibility and that the combined effects of prey size and motion contributed to the visibility of these prey.
Differential roles for β2 integrins in experimental autoimmune bullous pemphigoid

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune disease associated with autoantibodies directed against the hemidesmosomal antigens anti-BP230 and anti-B180. Neonatal mice injected with rabbit anti-mouse BP180 (mBP10) IgG develop a BP-like disease. Complement, immune complexes, mast cells, and neutrophils play a key role in subepidermal blistering in this animal model. In this study we investigated the role of β2 integrins in experimental BP. Wild-type (WT) mice pretreated with neutralizing antibody against CD11a (LFA-1), CD11b (Mac-1), CD11a plus CD11b, or CD18 alone failed to develop BP when injected with pathogenic anti-mBP180 IgG. This was associated with a significant reduction in neutrophil accumulation in neutralizing antibody-treated mice. Mac-1-deficient (Mac-1 knockout [KO]) mice were resistant to experimental BP despite normal complement deposition and mast cell and neutrophil degranulation. Neutrophil infiltration in Mac-1 KO mice was severely impaired at 24 hours. However, more neutrophils accumulated in the skin of Mac-1 KO mice compared with WT mice at early time points (2-4 hours), which was associated with an increase in their survival as determined by apoptosis markers. These data suggest that β2 integrins play differential roles in experimental BP: LFA-1 is required for neutrophil recruitment, while Mac-1 mediates late neutrophil accumulation and apoptosis of infiltrating neutrophils.
Moderating Local Capacity: Exploring EO 12372's Intergovernmental Review Effects on Federal Grant Awards

This article asks whether the Reagan Executive Order (EO) 12372 matters for intergovernmental fiscal relations today. To address this question, federal grant receipts from programs that are, and programs that are not, covered by EO 12372 are compared by examining the differential effects of political and local administrative capacity on each. Grant receipts are examined by coding federal grant award data from 1993 to 2003 using Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance reference numbers. In the case state, Kentucky, Area Development Districts are the regional functionaries for the state single point of contact clearinghouse, by virtue of which status they review proposals for federal funding originating in, or affecting, their districts. Since federal award decisions take clearinghouse information into account on grant programs covered by EO 12372, differences in the effects of local capacity on receipt of grants covered and not covered by the EO are expected. Methodology used in this post-only analysis is pooled cross-sectional time series analysis with panel corrected standard errors. Results focus attention on the differential effects of government administrative and political capacity as they apply to federal grants covered, and not covered, by the EO.
Determination of the True Young's Modulus of Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 Films by Nanoindentation: Effects of Film Orientation and Substrate

PZT films were deposited by the sol-gel method on platinized silicon substrates with silicon nitride and silicon oxide structural layer materials. The crystalline orientations of the PZT films were controlled by both a chelating agent and pyrolysis temperature. A nanoindentation CSM (continuous stiffness measurement) technique was utilized to characterize the Young's moduli of these PZT films. It was found that the measured moduli of PZT films on the two types of substrates showed similar orientation dependence (E001 > E111>E(110,111)) but distinct values, which indicated a clear substrate effect. By using a new model of film indentation, we were able to decouple the effects of film orientation and structural layer type on the Young's modulus.
The Association of Sexual Experience with Attitudes, Beliefs, and Risk Behaviors of Inner‐City Adolescents

We compared knowledge, attitudes, and demographic characteristics of 630 sexually experienced and 422 inexperienced inner-city adolescents aged 14–17 years. Sexual experience was associated with indicators of risk previously reported in the literature: male gender, older age, single-family home, smoking, drinking, and poorer academic performance. We found lower HIV knowledge in sexually inexperienced youth, which suggested an area of vulnerability compared with sexually active teens. However, most inexperienced adolescents intended to remain virgins for the next 6 months, most had peer groups they also perceived to be virgins, and they were more positive and confident about remaining abstinent. Differences between the groups suggest there may be benefits to developing intervention programs targeted to their different strengths and weaknesses.
Mineralogic domains in very low grade pelitic rocks

Carbonaceous pelites from northeastern Pennsylvania that have undergone very low grade metamorphism during the Allegheny orogeny contain domains (approximately 20 × 500 µm) in which one of two mineral assemblages, kaolinite + quartz or pyrophyllite + quartz, occur. These phases are related by the reaction kaolinite + quartz = pyrophyllite + H 2 O. The bulk mineralogy determined by X-ray diffraction incorrectly suggests that the phases kaolinite, pyrophyllite, and quartz coexist. The occurrence of these phases in rocks metamorphosed under different P - T conditions does not result from internal buffering of µH 2 O or from the metastable persistence of kaolinite or pyrophyllite due to slow reaction rates. Rather, equilibrium among these minerals and accompanying fluid within the domains was apparently approached, while disequilibrium reigned between domains. It is not at present possible to determine the process by which the domains formed or were maintained. Regions of inferred high permeability (consisting dominantly of quartz grains) do not coincide with the mineralogic domains, suggesting that µH 2 O was not controlled by the passage of fluid through the rock. Immiscibility between CH 4 (provided by coaly matter) and H 2 O (provided from prograde mineral reactions) is likely to have occurred and may have led to the initial segregation of fluids into discrete domains.
Airglow events visible to the naked eye

During IR photographic airglow observations covering several years, three naked-eye events have been recorded. Two of these are moving luminous acoustic-gravity-wave groups of some 10-15-km wavelength, which occur near high lunar tide in the atmosphere. The events appear quickly, endure 0.5-1 h, then fade. Visible photos of two events appear enhanced, while little enhancement is present in the IR photos, although the structures are well correlated. If these events are due to OH, it is suggested that some unrecognized mechanism, perhaps a gravity wave interaction, enhances the visible transitions of the OH over the IR transitions. If the events are due to an unrecognized continuum emitter, perhaps NO, its emission must occur at the same height as the OH. Spectra seem to be the only reasonable approach to solving this problem.
Minorities Representation in Prime Time: 2000 to 2008

A content analysis of eight week-long samples of network prime time programs broadcast between 2000 and 2008 found a significant decreasing linear trend in the proportion of Black characters, due primarily to the decrease in the number of situation comedies broadcast at the end of the decade. There was a corresponding, significant increasing linear trend in the proportion of White characters. Other minority groups and Hispanics appeared very infrequently. Although Blacks, in the middle of the decade reached a level of parity with their numbers in the U.S. population, it was a representation of segregation and isolation, particularly for Black women. Overall, messages about diversity and tolerance on prime time television are almost nonexistent, fostering a continued sense that minorities and Whites have little in common. Prime time network broadcast programs at the end of this decade were less racially representative of the U.S. population than they were at the beginning of the decade.
Science fiction as a source of forecast material

Abstract As the only branch of literature that has taken within its scope an exploration of the varied possible futures open to mankind, science fiction would seem to be a logical source of material for those concerned with the future. They may use it to stimulate their thoughts to corroborate forecasts they have worked out, and to generally provide multiple simulations of the futures occupying their research. This article presents a sample of significant material from past and present science fiction, and an evaluation of possible criteria for judging the worth of science fiction's extrapolations.
Application of the fast Fourier transform to computation of Fourier integrals, Fourier series, and convolution integrals

The fast Fourier transform is a computational procedure for calculating the finite Fourier transform of a time series. In this paper, the properties of the finite Fourier transform are related to commonly used integral transforms including the Fourier transform and convolution integrals. The relationship between the finite Fourier transform and Fourier series is also discussed.
Reification and Theoreticism in the Study of Globalisation, Imperialism and Hegemony: Response to Kiely, Pozo-Martin and Valladão∗

This commentary critiques the nation-state framework of analysis that informs papers published by Ray Kiely, Gonzalo Pozo-Martin and Alfredo Valladao in a section appearing in the Cambridge Review of International Affairs, 19:2 (2006), on the theme of globalisation, imperialism and hegemony. Kiely, Pozo-Martin and Valladao reify the state and the inter-state system by giving them an agency independent of historical social forces. They fail to put forward a conception of agency and institutions that could address the central problematic of the political management, or rule, of global capitalism. They presuppose a state-based understanding of global politics that ignores the reality of transnational capital and transnational social forces and that reduces global capitalism to international capitalism. We should focus not on states as fictitious macro-agents but on historically changing constellations of social forces operating through multiple institutions, including state apparatuses that are themselves in...
Neural Adaptive Control for Positioning Fabric on a Frictional Surface

This research focuses on real-time position control for draping fabric sliding on a high friction surface. Although fabrics are usually positioned on smooth surfaces with fixed fabric guides to simplify automated handling, a high friction work surface holds the fabric in place after positioning, allowing accurate assembly of multiple fabric parts without specialized jigs or fixtures. A neural adaptive controller with feedforward friction compensation provides asymptotic tracking for a spring mass model with friction. A test stand and an optical sensor are designed to facilitate real time position measurement and control. The neural adaptive controller demonstrates good position tracking and robustness to fabric property variations relative to open loop or PID control.
ATP facilitates glutamatergic neurotransmission to cardiac vagal neurons in the nucleus ambiguus.

Abstract Recent work has shown that adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) plays an important role in modulating the activity of parasympathetic cardiac vagal neurons that dominate the neural control of heart rate. This study examined the mechanisms by which activation of ATP receptors modulates excitatory neurotransmission to cardiac vagal neurons. Glutamatergic activity to cardiac vagal neurons was isolated and examined using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in an in vitro brain slice preparation in rats. ATP (100 µM) evoked increases in the frequency of glutamatergic miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in cardiac vagal neurons which were blocked by the broad P2 receptor antagonist pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulphonic acid (PPADS, 100 µM). Application of the selective P2X receptor agonist, α, β-methylene ATP (100 µM), also increased glutamatergic mEPSCs neurotransmission to cardiac vagal neurons indicating P2X receptors enhance glutamatergic release to cardiac vagal neurons. The evoked increase in glutamatergic mEPSC was unaltered by the voltage-gated calcium channel blocker cadmium, and was abolished by the selective P2X receptor antagonist 2',3'-O-(2,4,6-Trinitrophenyl) adenosine 5'-triphosphate, TNP-ATP (100 µM). This work demonstrates that the ATP evoked facilitation of excitatory neurotransmission to cardiac vagal neurons is dependent upon activation of P2X receptors on glutamatergic presynaptic terminals.
Prevalence of traumatic stressors in patients with temporomandibular disorders

Purpose The aim of the present study was to identify the prevalence of significant traumatic stressor(s) reported by chronic temporomandibular disorder patients, and to describe the nature of these stressors. A second aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the behavioral and psychological domains of patients who reported 1 or more significant traumatic stressors to those who did not. Patients and methods Twelve hundred twenty-one patients with chronic temporomandibular disorder pain completed a battery of psychometric measures including the Symptom Check List-90-Revised, Multidimensional Pain Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and a check list of major traumatic stressors. Results The prevalence of major traumatic stressors among our chronic pain patients was high (49.8%). Traumatic stressors were related to increased pain severity, affective distress, and disability among patients with chronic pain. Patients admitting to major traumatic stressors also scored higher on most psychometric measures and more often had pain from myogenous origin. It is argued that possible significant contributors to chronic orofacial pain may be anxiety, depression, and dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Conclusion Prevalence of major traumatic stressors in chronic temporomandibular disorder patients is high. The greater distress on all psychological domains in patients endorsing major traumatic events may be a reflection of inadequate coping skills in these individuals. Therapy should be oriented toward the resolution of accompanying stressors such as depression, anxiety, and dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Age-related synaptic loss of the medial olivocochlear efferent innervation

Age-related functional decline of the nervous system is consistently observed, though cellular and molecular events responsible for this decline remain largely unknown. One of the most prevalent age-related functional declines is age-related hearing loss (presbycusis), a major cause of which is the loss of outer hair cells (OHCs) and spiral ganglion neurons. Previous studies have also identified an age-related functional decline in the medial olivocochlear (MOC) efferent system prior to age-related loss of OHCs. The present study evaluated the hypothesis that this functional decline of the MOC efferent system is due to age-related synaptic loss of the efferent innervation of the OHCs. To this end, we used a recently-identified transgenic mouse line in which the expression of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), under the control of neuron-specific elements from the thy1 gene, permits the visualization of the synaptic connections between MOC efferent fibers and OHCs. In this model, there was a dramatic synaptic loss between the MOC efferent fibers and the OHCs in older mice. However, age-related loss of efferent synapses was independent of OHC status. These data demonstrate for the first time that age-related loss of efferent synapses may contribute to the functional decline of the MOC efferent system and that this synaptic loss is not necessary for age-related loss of OHCs.
Interpretation of Magnetotelluric Results Using Laboratory Measurements

Magnetotelluric (MT) surveying is a remote sensing technique of the crust and mantle based on electrical conductivity that provides constraints to our knowledge of the structure and composition of the Earth’s interior. This paper presents a review of electrical measurements in the laboratory applied to the understanding of MT profiles. In particular, the purpose of such a review is to make the laboratory technique accessible to geophysicists by pointing out the main caveats regarding a careful use of laboratory data to interpret electromagnetic profiles. First, this paper addresses the main issues of cross-spatial-scale comparisons. For brevity, these issues are restricted to reproducing in the laboratory the texture, structure of the sample as well as conditions prevailing in the Earth’s interior (pressure, temperature, redox conditions, time). Second, some critical scientific questions that have motivated laboratory-based interpretation of electromagnetic profiles are presented. This section will focus on the characterization of the presence and distribution of hydrogen in the Earth’s crust and mantle, the investigation of electrical anisotropy in the asthenosphere and the interpretation of highly conductive field anomalies. In a last section, the current and future challenges to improve quantitative interpretation of MT profiles are discussed. These challenges correspond to technical improvements in the laboratory and the field as well as the integration of other disciplines, such as petrology, rheology and seismology.
Quantitative immunoassay of human deoxycytidine kinase in malignant cells

Deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) is necessary for the activity of several nucleosides used for the chemotherapy of cancer and AIDS. However, the measurement of dCK catalytic activity in crude cell extracts may be imprecise, due to the presence of phosphatases and nucleotidases that degrade the enzyme products. We describe a simple immunoassay for dCK that can measure accurately as little as 5 ng enzyme protein in crude tissue extracts. The assay enabled us to show (i) that mutant cells deficient in dCK activity lack immunoreactive dCK protein, (ii) that dCK catalytic activity and immunoreactivity correlate closely in human tumors, and (iii) that immunoreactive dCK is particularly high in lymphocytes and lymphoid malignancies, although certain solid tumors may also contain the enzyme. The immunoassay of dCK could prove useful in the selection and monitoring of patients who are being treated with nucleosides that are activated by this enzyme.
Transmembrane Helical Interactions and the Assembly of the T Cell Receptor Complex

Studies of the subunit interactions of the multicomponent T cell antigen receptor (TCR) revealed that specific pairs of chains have the ability to assemble after transfection into fibroblasts. For one such pair, TCR-alpha and CD3-delta, their ability to assemble was encoded by their transmembrane domains. The specificity of this interaction suggests that well-defined helical interactions in the membrane can explain the assembly of some multichain membrane complexes.
Polymorphic microsatellite loci from the West Nile virus vector Culex tarsalis

Since its introduction in 1999, West Nile virus (WNV) has spread across North America. Culex tarsalis is a highly efficient WNV vector species. Many traits such as virus susceptibility, autogeny and host preference vary geographically and temporally in C. tarsalis. Culex tarsalis genomic libraries were developed and were highly enriched for microsatellite inserts (42–96%). We identified 12 loci that were polymorphic in wild C. tarsalis populations. These microsatellites are the first DNA-based genetic markers developed for C. tarsalis and will be useful for investigating population structure and constructing genetic maps in this mosquito.
Iterative Transform Phase Diversity: An object and wavefront recovery algorithm

Presented is a solution for recovering the wavefront and an extended object. It builds upon the HDA VSM architecture and deconvolution algorithms. Simulations are shown for recovering the wavefront and extended object for noisy data.
Assessment and clinical interpretation of polysaccharide antibody responses

This second article in the miniseries Practical Aspects of Ambulatory Diagnosis and Management of Immunodeficiency Disorders' extends the discussion on evaluation of individuals with suspected humoral immunodeficiency by reviewing the logistics and interpretation of the patient's ability to produce antibodies to polysaccharide antigens, specifically pneumococcal surface polysaccharides. The response to these polysaccharides is important in the evaluation of patients with documented immune abnormalities and those individuals who have normal total immunoglobulin levels. Although profound immune deficiencies, such as X-linked agammaglobulinemia and severe combined immunodeficiency, are always associated with a defect in specific antibody production, some immune disorders may have variable responses, whereas others with persistent IgG or IgG subclass deficiencies may have normal or clearly abnormal antipolysaccharide antibodies. Measurement of the response to pneumococcal polysaccharides is preferred because of the availability of a pure polysaccharide vaccine for antigen challenge and standardized techniques to measure specific antibody responses.
Potassium Radical Anion Salts of 2,3-Bis(2-Pyridyl)quinoxaline

Alkali metal radical anion salts in which the cations are coordinated directly by the radical anions have been studied extensively in solution, but relatively little in the solid state. We have prepared and characterized two such salts from 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)quinoxaline (dpq) and potassium metal at −60 °C and 10-5 Torr. Crystals from THF show a zig-zag contact ion pair chain structure whereas a dimeric structure is obtained from methylamine. In both systems, the potassium ions occupy sites consisting of four quinoxaline nitrogens and solvent molecules. These salts have been further characterized by thin-film and solution optical spectroscopy, solution EPR and ENDOR spectroscopies, magnetic susceptibility, and cyclic voltammetry measurements.
Reduction in photosynthesis of tomato leaflets caused by tomato russet mite (Acari: Eriophyidae)

The reduction in net photosynthesis caused by tomato russet mite (TRM), Aculops lycopersici (Massee), feeding was measured. A significant relationship between net photosynthesis and mite-days per cm2 of leaflet was observed. Photosynthesis of healthy tomato leaflets did not increase to compensate for photosynthesis reduction in damaged leaflets. Studies suggest that destruction of guard cells and subsequent reduction of leaf gas exchange were responsible for photosynthesis reduction, and that no photosynthesis-reducing phytotoxin is present in TRM saliva.
Conditioning copulatory behavior to an artificial object: Efficacy of stimulus fading

Copulatory behavior rarely occurs in response to an arbitrary inanimate object. However, such behavior can provide important information about the stimulus control of copulatory behavior. In the present study, male Japanese quail were administered 15–20 conditioning trials that included exposure to an inanimate object and an opportunity to copulate with a live female quail. For some subjects, the stimulus object was always entirely covered with terrycloth. For other birds, the stimulus object contained a taxidermically prepared head and neck of a quail hen. Fading consisted of gradually covering up the neck and then the head portions of the stimulus object over successive trials. After conditioning, all subjects were tested with the entirely covered object. The fading procedure facilitated the conditioning of copulatory behavior to the entirely artificial object. In subjects that received the fading procedure, learning did not depend on pairings of the stimulus object with copulatory opportunity. The results are discussed with respect to an associative mediation mechanism.
Infrared Radiations from Small Particles

It has been shown that crystals whose particle-size is small in comparison with the wave-length absorb but do not reflect within the region of selective absorption. It is suggested that within this region a powder ought to reveal an emission maximum. This suggestion is put to experimental test which shows that powder-films of quartz, barium sulphate and potassium carbonate show pronounced emission maxima. The behavior of quartz-powder is shown to be quite the inverse of that of a polished quartz plate.
Degenerative changes in the developing nervous system as a result of in utero exposure to methylmercury

Abstract Tissue samples from the cerebral and cerebellar cortex of neonatal rats which had been prenatally exposed to low doses of methylmercury were examined by electron microscopy. Although all these neonates appeared to be physically normal, ultrastructural examination revealed various degenerative changes in their nervous systems. The most prominent pathological findings, including disruption and myelin-figure formation of the nuclear membranes and large areas of focal degradation and endothelial damage, were found in both the cerebellum and cerebral cortex of the animals. The present study provides evidence that minute amounts of methylmercury, which by itself may produce no significant injury to the maternal tissues nor any observable gross teratology of the neonate, may still be hazardous to the developing nervous system.
Teaching and learning with Asian American and Pacific Islander students

The White/Other binary serve as normative racialized discourses in US society and educational research and practice. In this article, I discuss the implications of this binary on teaching Asian American and Pacific Islander students by first examining the positioning and representations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the US racial order. I then argue that all teachers need to critically reflect on their own positionality within the system of Whiteness and how their cultural lenses affect their pedagogy. In the final section, I present anti‐oppressive pedagogical approaches for teaching and learning with Asian American and Pacific Islander students and discuss how they can challenge the hegemonic racialization and inequities within the US education system.
Using a pattern metric-based analysis to examine the success of forest policy implementation in Southwest China

Context The National Forest Protection Program (NFPP) and sloping land conversion program (SLCP) were introduced in 1998 and 2000, respectively, with the shared goal of increasing forest cover and decreasing forest loss across China. The NFPP banned commercial logging and funded tree planting efforts while the SLCP subsidized tree planting on steeply sloping and otherwise disused lands. Objective This study quantifies the patterns of forest loss and gain before and during policy implementation to gauge implementation effectiveness. By measuring patterns associated with spatially explicit processes linking land managers and forest resources, this study improves upon overly simplified assessments of implementation effectiveness that only consider the area of forest cover change. Methods The shifting patterns of short- and longterm forest cover change in Diqing Prefecture, southwest China, are measured between 1990 and 2009. Eleven pattern metrics quantify the area, topography, and landscape feature proximity of forest loss or gain patches based on Landsat imagery-derived forest cover changes. Results Trends generally conformed to those expected under successful policy implementation: the proportion and fragmentation of forest loss declined, loss patches were found closer to villages and at lower elevations, and forest gain increased in proportion and median patch area. However, median loss patch area increased, suggesting greater localized harvesting intensity, and loss sites occupied steeper slopes contrary to SLCP goals. Conclusions Forest cover change patterns did not wholly align with those expected of successful implementation but rather deviated due to the influences of regional tourism development and village- and household-level forest resource scarcity.
Eyewitness memory: Balancing the accuracy, precision and quantity of information through metacognitive monitoring and control

Summary: Although memory deteriorates over time, people may be able to maintain high accuracy by metacognitively monitoring the quality of their memories and strategically controlling their memory reports. We test two mechanisms of metacognitive control: Exercising a report option (withholding uncertain responses) and adjusting response precision (providing imprecise, but likely accurate, responses). Participants observed a mock crime and were interviewed after 10 minutes or 1 week. Interviews consisted of answerable questions in one of three formats (free narrative, cued recall, yes/no), allowing participants to exert more or less control over their answers. Participants’ reports showed tradeoffs between accuracy, quantity and precision of information. Depending on the question format, participants maintained high accuracy even at the delayed report either by opting not to answer (yes/no or cued recall) or by providing imprecise answers (cued recall or free narrative). We discuss implications for experimental research, metacognitive theory and the criminal justice system. Copyright # 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Imagine Ms. Jones, an eyewitness to a crime being crossexamined by a defense attorney. Adhering to a courtroom strategy intended to show that witness memory is unreliable (Grenek vs. Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, 2005; Mauet, 1980), the defense attorney forces Ms. Jones to testify that (a) the crime occurred long ago, and (b) she cannot remember some details (e.g. model of the car). This study examines the validity of the two assumptions underlying these tactics: (a) Memory accuracy decreases with time, and (b) ‘I don’t know’ responses are signs of a poor memory.
Process-Induced Passivation And Stability For High Yield Y:Ba:Cu:O Superconductors

In Y-Ba-Cu-O systems high yield superconducting devices can be made from the top-quality bulk materials. We report here the stability of bulk oxide compounds in order to search a unique method to produce high Tc and hopefully shorten the period of processing. Systematic measurements of resistivity, magnetization, composition, and X-ray diffraction have been made on samples that have the same chemical prescription (pre-heating)but different heat processing. The processing was varied to find the optimum combination of the calcining time, sintering time, and annealing time at 650 C. We have found that the Tc is stable if the dominant phase remains. A ratio of Meissner: Shielding magnetizations of 61:100 was found under optimum conditions. The intensity and position of the X-ray diffraction peak for (103) was independent of elapsed time but strongly dependent on processing. Long-time annealing should not improve the properties of superconductors if either calcining or sintering time is not long enough. In some cases, it will not enhance the superconducting phase and the stability shows no further improvement. The magnetizations due to Shielding and Meissner effects definitely change with aging time but their ratio remains the same. A correlation between the peak intensity at (103) with the value of FC (Field-Cooling)/ZFC (Zero-Field-Cooling) has been found and corroborates the commonly held view in the significance of the amount of superconducting phases on superconductivity. Based on this study, the stability and degradation of superconducting devices associated with bulk materials will be further investigated.
AT1-receptor antagonism reverses the blood pressure elevation associated with diet-induced obesity

Previous studies in our laboratory demonstrated that rats exhibiting obesity in response to a moderately high-fat (MHF) diet developed hypertension associated with activation of the local and syste...
Campaign contributions from corporate PACs

This paper provides a theoretical model of the optimal level of campaign contributions by business firms. The model shows that market structure variables are key determinants of the level of campaign contributions.
Attention To Black People's P.O.W.E.R. in the Major Metropolitan Press:

The role of mass communication as an agent of socialization often has generated empirical research regarding the effects of audiences' media use. The potential influence of press coverage on the unmediated social relations between audience members is fundamental to a number of theoretical approaches to media effects, including social learning, cultivation, and mainstreaming. These research traditions, among others, provide the bases for identifying the news media as powerful "participants" in determining relations between and among Americans. Such theoretical issues are of particular concern when one considers press coverage of peoples of color. In fact, the Report of the National Commission on CivilDisorders (Kerner Commission, 1968) indicated that not only did the absence of African-Americans from centers of control of the institutions that affected their lives contribute to the urban unrest of the 1960s, but the news media were among those institutions over which Blacks generally had no control. Further, the Kerner Commission stated:
Rat B2 Sequences Are Induced in the Hippocampal CA1 Region After Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia

Global brain ischemia causes cell death in the CA1 region of the hippocampus 3–5 days after reperfusion. The biological pathway leading to such delayed neuronal damage has not been established. By using differential display analysis, we examined expression levels of poly(A) RNAs isolated from hippocampal extracts prepared from rats exposed to global ischemia and found an up-regulated transcript, clone 17a. Northern blot analysis of clone 17a showed an approximately 35-fold increase in the ischemic brain at 24 h after four-vessel occlusion. Rapid amplification of cDNA ends of clone 17a revealed a family of genes (160–540 base pairs) that had the characteristics of rodent B2 sequences. In situ hybridization demonstrated that the elevated expression of this gene was localized predominantly in the CA1 pyramidal neurons. The level of expression in the CA1 region decreased dramatically between 24 and 72 h after ischemia. The elevated expression of clone 17a was not observed in four-vessel occlusion rats treated with the compound LY231617, an antioxidant known to exert neuroprotection in rats subjected to global ischemia. Since delayed neuronal death has the characteristics of apoptosis, we speculate that clone 17a may be involved in apoptosis. We examined the expression level of clone 17a inin vitro models of apoptosis using cerebellar granule neurons that were subjected to potassium removal, glutamate toxicity, or 6-hydroxydopamine treatment and found that clone 17a transcripts were induced in cerebellar granule neurons by glutamate or 6-hydroxydopamine stimulation but not potassium withdrawal.