cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Islet Allograft Rejection in Nonobese Diabetic Mice Involves the Common γ-Chain and CD28/CD154-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms

Once nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice become diabetic, they are highly resistant to islet transplantation. The precise mechanism of such resistance remains largely unknown. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that islet allograft survival in the diabetic NOD mouse is determined by the interplay of diverse islet-specific T cell subsets whose activation is regulated by CD28/CD154 costimulatory signals and the common γ-chain (γc; a shared signaling element by receptors for IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15, and IL-21). We found that common γc blockade is remarkably effective in blocking the onset and the ongoing autoimmune diabetes, whereas CD28/CD154 blockade has no effect in suppressing the ongoing diabetes. However, CD28/CD154 blockade completely blocks the alloimmune-mediated islet rejection. Also, a subset of memory-like T cells in the NOD mice is resistant to CD28/CD154 blockade, but is sensitive to the common γc blockade. Nonetheless, neither common γc blockade nor CD28/CD154 blockade can prevent islet allograft rejection in diabetic NOD mice. Treatment of diabetic NOD recipients with CD28/CD154 blockade plus γc blockade markedly prolongs islet allograft survival compared with the controls. However, allograft tolerance is not achieved, and all CTLA-4Ig-, anti-CD154-, and anti-γc-treated diabetic NOD mice eventually rejected the islet allografts. We concluded that the effector mechanisms in diabetic NOD hosts are inherently complex, and rejection in this model involves CD28/CD154/γc-dependent and -independent mechanisms.
Attachment to Autoclaved Soil of Bacterial Cells from Pure Cultures of Soil Isolates

Pure cultures of Arthrobacter globiformis and four fresh soil isolates were incubated individually in autoclaved soil, in both the presence and absence of glucose. These bacteria grew in the soil and, except for A. globiformis, eventually attached firmly to the soil solids. Firmly attached cells were defined as those which could not be separated from the soil solids by blending combined with a series of low-speed centrifugal washings. The attachment attained by the soil isolates appeared to duplicate that of the overall bacterial population that resides naturally in unaltered, unamended soil. Cell attachment in the autoclaved-soil system was accelerated slightly by glucose, but, except for one soil isolate, several months of incubation were still required before firm attachment was complete. Electron microscopy indicated that all attached cells produced extracellular polysaccharide slimes in the autoclaved soil and that these materials appeared to connect the cells to surrounding pieces of soil debris. The actual role of polysaccharides in attachment was not clear, however, because at least one of these organisms possessed extracellular slime during the long period in which it had not yet attached to the soil.
Interactive effects of salinity on metabolic rate, activity, growth and osmoregulation in the euryhaline milkfish (Chanos chanos)

The euryhaline milkfish (Chanos chanos) is an excellent subject for studies of the physiological and behavioral processes involved in salinity adaptation. In this study, energy partitioning for metabolism, activity and growth, maximal activity performance and blood osmotic concentrations were assessed at two activity levels in juvenile milkfish fed equal rations and maintained at a relatively constant temperature (262 C) and at salinities (15, 35 and 55 ?) that represented a wide range of osmoregulatory challenges. Changes in the measured parameters were not consistently related to the magnitude of the trans-integumentary osmotic gradients. Routine oxygen consumption rates were high in 35 ? salinity (mean 1 s.e.m. 1678 mg O2 kg-1 h-1) and comparably low in 15 and 55 ? salinity (1336 and 1273 mg O2 kg-1 h-1, respectively). Routine activity levels (relative swimming velocity) were highest in 35 ? salinity (0. 960.04 L s-1), where L is standard length, intermediate in 15 ? salinity (0.770.03 L s-1) and lowest in 55 ? salinity (0.670.03 L s-1). Growth was significantly higher in 55 ? salinity (3.40.2 % increase in wet body mass per day) than in 35 ? salinity (2.40.2 % increase per day) and intermediate in 15 ? salinity (2.90.5 % increase per day). Maximum swimming velocities decreased with increases in salinity, from 9.90.7 L s-1 in 15 ? salinity to 6.60. 5 L s-1 in 55 ? salinity. Sustained swimming activity above routine levels for 2 h resulted in an increase in blood osmotic concentrations in milkfish in 55 ? salinity, but osmoregulation was re-established during the second 2 h of activity. Thus, patterns of variation in metabolic rate and growth were largely parallel to variations in routine activity although, comparing 15 and 55 ? salinity, elevated maintenance costs for osmoregulation at the high salinity were detectable. Reduced osmoregulatory abilities and reductions in maximal swimming performance suggest that high salinity may constrain activity. The results demonstrate that investigations of salinity adaptation in euryhaline fishes should take into account the interactive effects of salinity on physiology and behavior.
Sequential operators in computability logic

Computability logic (CL) is a semantical platform and research program for redeveloping logic as a formal theory of computability, as opposed to the formal theory of truth which it has more traditionally been. Formulas in CL stand for (interactive) computational problems, understood as games between a machine and its environment; logical operators represent operations on such entities; and ''truth'' is understood as existence of an effective solution, i.e., of an algorithmic winning strategy. The formalism of CL is open-ended, and may undergo series of extensions as the study of the subject advances. The main groups of operators on which CL has been focused so far are the parallel, choice, branching, and blind operators, with the logical behaviors of the first three groups resembling those of the multiplicatives, additives and exponentials of linear logic, respectively. The present paper introduces a new important group of operators, called sequential. The latter come in the form of sequential conjunction and disjunction, sequential quantifiers, and sequential recurrences (''exponentials''). As the name may suggest, the algorithmic intuitions associated with this group are those of sequential computations, as opposed to the intuitions of parallel computations associated with the parallel group of operations. Specifically, while playing a parallel combination of games means playing all components of the combination simultaneously, playing a sequential combination means playing the components in a sequential fashion, one after one. The main technical result of the present paper is a sound and complete axiomatization of the propositional fragment of computability logic whose vocabulary, together with negation, includes all three - parallel, choice and sequential - sorts of conjunction and disjunction. An extension of this result to the first-order level is also outlined.
Estradiol supplementation in postmenopausal women attenuates suppression of pulsatile growth hormone secretion by recombinant human insulin-like growth factor type I.

Background: Why pulsatile GH secretion declines in estrogen-deficient postmenopausal individuals remains unknown. One possibility is that estrogen not only enhances stimulation by secretagogues but also attenuates negative feedback by systemic IGF-I. Site: The study took place at an academic medical center. Subjects: Subjects were healthy postmenopausal women (n = 25). Methods: The study included randomized assignment to estradiol (n = 13) or placebo (n = 12) administration for 16 d and randomly ordered administration of 0, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg/m2 recombinant human IGF-I sc on separate days fasting. Analysis: Deconvolution analysis of pulsatile and basal GH secretion and approximate entropy (pattern-regularity) analysis were done to quantify feedback effects of IGF-I. Outcomes: Recombinant human IGF-I injections increased mean and peak serum IGF-I concentrations dose dependently (P < 0.001) and suppressed mean GH concentrations (P < 0.001), pulsatile GH secretion (P = 0.001), and approximate entropy (P < 0.001). Decreased GH secretion was due to reduced secretory-burst mass (P = 0.005) and frequency (P < 0.001) but not basal GH release (P = 0.52). Estradiol supplementation lowered endogenous, but did not alter infused, IGF-I concentrations while elevating mean GH concentrations (P = 0.012) and stimulating pulsatile (P = 0.008) and basal (P < 0.001) GH secretion. Estrogen attenuated IGF-I’s inhibition of pulsatile GH secretion (P = 0.042) but was unable to restore physiological GH pulse frequency or normalize approximate entropy. Conclusion: Short-term estrogen replacement in postmenopausal women selectively mutes IGF-I-mediated feedback on pulsatile GH secretion. Disinhibition of negative feedback thus confers a novel mechanism by which estrogen may obviate hyposomatotropism.
Acculturation and sleep among a multiethnic sample of women: the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN).

STUDY OBJECTIVES Mexican immigrants to the United States report longer sleep duration and fewer sleep complaints than their US-born counterparts. To investigate whether this effect extends to other immigrant groups, we examined whether the prevalence of self-reported sleep complaints is higher among US-born Hispanic/Latina, Chinese, and Japanese immigrant women compared to their first-generation immigrant ethnic counterparts as well as to US-born whites. We examined whether these associations persisted after adjusting for sociodemographic and health characteristics and whether acculturation mediated the effects. DESIGN Cross-sectional observational study. SETTING Multisite study in Oakland, CA; Los Angeles, CA; and Newark, NJ. PARTICIPANTS Hispanic/Latina (n = 196), Chinese (n = 228), Japanese (n = 271) and non-Hispanic white (n = 485) women (mean age = 46 y, range 42-52 y) participating in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN); 410 or 59.0% of the nonwhites were first-generation immigrants. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Questionnaires were used to assess sleep complaints, race/ethnicity, immigrant status, language acculturation (use of English language), and sociodemographic and health variables. Approximately 25% of first-generation immigrant women reported sleep complaints compared to 37% of those who were US-born nonwhites and 42% of US-born whites. Multivariable adjusted logistic regression analyses showed that US-born nonwhites had higher odds of reporting any sleep complaints (odds ratio = 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5-3.0), compared to first-generation immigrants. Women with higher levels of language acculturation had greater odds of reporting any sleep complaint compared to those with less language acculturation. Adjustment for language acculturation mediated 40.4% (95% CI 28.5-69.8) of the association between immigrant status and any sleep complaint. When results were stratified by race/ethnicity, significant mediation effects of acculturation were only found for Hispanic/Latina and Japanese women, but not for Chinese women. CONCLUSION US-born Hispanic/Latina, Chinese, and Japanese immigrants were more likely to report sleep complaints than their first-generation ethnic counterparts, a finding largely explained by language acculturation and unmeasured factors associated with language acculturation.
Biomechanical comparison of first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodeses using triple-threaded headless screws versus partially threaded lag screws

Abstract Background Triple-threaded, cannulated headless screws of varying thread diameters and pitch are designed to maintain thread length across the arthrodesis plane, provide joint compression, and reduce countersinking. This study tested the biomechanical fixation strength of conventional partially threaded lag screws compared to triple-threaded headless screws in first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis. Methods First metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis using a crossed screw technique was performed on 11 paired, preserved cadaver first rays with two 4.0-mm triple-threaded, cannulated headless screws or two 4.0-mm partially threaded, cannulated lag screws. The constructs were tested to failure through dorsally directed cantilever bending. Results The triple-threaded, cannulated headless screws displayed significantly greater bending stiffness ( p =0.017) and failure load ( p =0.040) during load-to-failure testing compared to the partially threaded, cannulated lag screws. Conclusions Triple-threaded, cannulated headless screws may be a viable alternative to partially threaded lag screws in first metatarsophalangeal arthrodesis.
Hormonal Control of Plasminogen Activator Secretion in ZR-75-1 Human Breast Cancer Cells in Culture

Activity of secreted plasminogen activator (PA) by ZR-75-1 human breast cancer cells in culture is shown to be altered by the addition of physiologically relevant concentrations of the hormones 17β-estradiol (E2), insulin, and dexamethasone. After 48 h, E2 stimulated PA activity 6-fold at concentrations as low as 10−12 m. This stimulation was prevented by the addition of actinomycin D and cycloheximide. The antiestrogen tamoxifen reduced estrogen stimulation of PA, but had slight stimulatory effects on PA secretion by itself. Insulin (5 × 10−10 m) induced a 2-fold increase in PA activity. Effects of insulin and E2 were additive, suggesting independent sites of control of PA production. Dexamethasone (10−8 m) decreased PA activity by 20%, but did not inhibit cell growth at the concentration tested. These data suggest that secreted PA activity is differentially regulated by hormones and that effects of PA and growth do not occur in parallel. (Endocrinology 114: 1702, 1984)
Isolation of Tn917 insertional mutants of Bacillus subtilis that are resistant to the protonophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone

Abstract Tn 917 transposition libraries prepared from Bacillus subtilis were screened for mutants that had insertions in the chromosome resulting in resistance to the protonophore carbonylcyanide m -chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP). Five such strains were characterized. Three of these were found to have distinct insertion sites that resulted in changes in the fatty acid composition of the membrane lipids. The lipid changes were qualitatively similar to changes observed earlier in CCCP-resistant strains of B. subtilis that had been isolated after chemical mutagenesis. However, the extent of the changes was more modest, correlating with a lower level of protonophore-resistance. One of these three mutants was disrupted in a gene homologous to the Escherichia coli rho gene, as reported earlier (Quirk et al. (1993) J. Bacteriol. 175, 647–654), one was disrupted in a new member of the two-component signalling systems, and the third was disrupted in a new gene of unknown function that apparently forms an operon with transporter genes. The other two CCCP-resistant mutants were disrupted in genes that are likely to encode membrane transporters; the disruption of these genes may have reduced the transmembrane ion leaks during growth, thus conferring modest protonophore-resistance. In one of these strains, the disrupted gene is part of an apparent operon that is a homologue of iron uptake operons from other prokaryotes.
The Mad, Bad, or God argument explained

According to Stephen Davis's Mad, Bad, or God (MBG) argument, Jesus must be divine since all other leading explanations of his alleged claim to be divine can be ruled out. I criticize Davis's argument and then sketch an ‘inference to best explanation’ MBG argument. I argue that proponents and critics of MBG arguments should focus on mine since it avoids common pitfalls at no cost and it best respects (for better or worse) a massive but too easily ignored body of evidence relevant to its conclusion.
Role of central mineralocorticoid receptors in cardiovascular disease.

Mineralocortiocoids act directly through their receptors in specific centers in the central nervous system, kidneys, heart, and vascular smooth muscle to mediate hemodynamic homeostasis. These steroids also modulate renal and cardiovascular function indirectly through the autonomic nervous system. Complex homeostatic mechanisms under normal hormonal control become pathogenic when there is an excess of regulatory hormone. Experiments in which mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists or antisense oligodeoxynucleotides were administered centrally have clearly shown that centrally mediated effects on salt appetite, baroreceptor function, and autonomic drive to the renal and cardiovascular systems are crucial to the pathogenesis of hypertension and cardiovascular disease of hyperaldosteronism, and certain forms of genetic hypertension.
Correlated-emission laser: Nonlinear theory of the quantum-beat laser

A nonlinear quantum theory of the quantum-beat laser is developed using a ``dressed-atom--dressed-mode'' master-equation approach. The theory is valid under the detuning conditions which led to correlated spontaneous emission in a linear theory. It is shown that the quenching of the quantum noise remains valid in the nonlinear theory and this operation is stable above threshold.
Expansion of the Host Range of Impatiens necrotic spot virus to Peppers

This study reports the occurrence of Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) on pepper under greenhouse conditions. In recent years, INSV has been detected in crops like peanut, tobacco, and potato as well as several weed species. Because INSV is vectored by western flower thrips and tobacco thrips, its expanding host range could make it an economically important problem in agricultural and horticultural crops in the U.S.
Water Temperature Affects a Host–Parasite Interaction: Tubifex tubifex and Myxobolus cerebralis

Abstract The aquatic oligochaete worm Tubifex tubifex is an obligate host of Myxobolus cerebralis, the causative agent of salmonid whirling disease. Tubifex tubifex becomes infected by ingesting M. cerebralis myxospores and releases triactinomyxons (TAMs) into the water that then infect salmonids. In a laboratory experiment, we examined how water temperature influenced changes in oligochaete population size and biomass and the release of TAMs in three genetically identified strains of T. tubifex when exposed and not exposed to M. cerebralis myxospores. Increases in population size and biomass were greatest at 8.0°C for the Gallatin River strain, greatest at 15.0°C for the Madison River strain, and similar at both temperatures for the Mt. Whitney strain. After exposure to M. cerebralis myxospores, Mt. Whitney and Madison River T. tubifex both released TAMs at 15°C beginning on day 88 and at 8.0°C on day 169 (Mt. Whitney strain) and day 182 (Madison River strain); thus, between 1,320 and 1,456 degree-days w...
Expression of NES-hTERT in Cancer Cells Delays Cell Cycle Progression and Increases Sensitivity to Genotoxic Stress

Telomerase is a reverse transcriptase associated with cellular immortality through telomere maintenance. This enzyme is activated in 90% of human cancers, and inhibitors of telomerase are currently in clinical trials to counteract tumor growth. Many aspects of telomerase biology have been investigated for therapy, particularly inhibition of the enzyme, but little was done regarding its subcellular shuttling. We have recently shown that mutations in the nuclear export signal of hTERT, the catalytic component of telomerase, led to a mutant (NES-hTERT) that failed to immortalize cells despite nuclear localization and catalytic activity. Expression of NES-hTERT in primary fibroblast resulted in telomere-based premature senescence and mitochondrial dysfunction. Here we show that expression of NES-hTERT in LNCaP, SQ20B and HeLa cells rapidly and significantly decreases their proliferation rate and ability to form colonies in soft agar while not interfering with endogenous telomerase activity. The cancer cells showed increased DNA damage at telomeric and extra-telomeric sites, and became sensitive to ionizing radiation and hydrogen peroxide exposures. Our data show that expression of NES-hTERT efficiently counteracts cancer cell growth in vitro in at least two different ways, and suggest manipulation with the NES of hTERT or its subcellular shuttling as a new strategy for cancer treatment.
Preparation and gas adsorption studies of three mesh-adjustable molecular sieves with a common structure.

Solvothermal reactions of a predesigned amphiphilic ligand, 4′-tert-butyl-biphenyl-3,5-dicarboxylate (BBPDC), with Zn(NO3)2, Co(NO3)2, and Cu(NO3)2 gave rise to three isostructural mesh-adjustable molecular sieves (MAMSs), MAMS-2, MAMS-3, and MAMS-4, respectively. The three new MAMSs all exhibit temperature-tuned molecular sieving effect. There exists a linear relationship between mesh size and temperature, D = D0 + αT (D, mesh size at temperature T K; D0, mesh size at 0 K; and α, constant). Constants D0 and α are characteristics of a ligand in a certain structure, independent of the choice of metal. As a result, all of the three MAMSs based on the BBPDC ligand have a D0 of 2.83 and an α of 0.0073.
The Effect of Early Reading Failure on Acquisition of Knowledge Among Students with Learning Disabilities

Children with learning disabilities who are handicapped in reading cannot decode the printed word quickly and easily. As a result, word recognition processes drain attentional capacity that might otherwise be allocated to comprehension processes. Comprehension is complicated further by a secondary effect of the basic decoding problem—failure to acquire the information and vocabulary that is normally gained through reading experiences. Because of a limited knowledge base, the learning disabled (LD) student may be unable to demonstrate the higher level thinking abilities involved in reading comprehension despite normal intelligence. In this paper, the ramifications of early reading failure are considered within Chall's (1983) five-stage model of reading development.
Laser-Assisted Processing Of GaAs-AlGaAs Optoelectronic Devices

The fabrication of high performance laser diodes and other optoelectronic devices requires high resolution patterning of the energy bandgap and resistivity of III-V heterostructures. Several forms of laser-assisted processing have been demonstrated and applied to the fabrication of optoelectronic devices such as solar cells, LED's, and lasers. In this paper, we describe in detail two of the most promising approaches to laser-assisted processing, namely laser-assisted disordering (LAD) and laser-controlled generation of defects. Laser-assisted disordering (LAD) is a two step process for patterning impurity induced layer disordering (IILD). The Si impurity is first incorpor-ated into a GaAs-AlGaAs heterostructure by laser doping. Then, a standard thermal anneal is used to drive the Si deeper into the heterostructure to locally intermix the layers by Si-IILD. LAD has been studied using secondary ion mass spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and we have used LAD to fabricate low threshold (Ith<3 mA) buried heterostructure lasers. The second form of direct-write laser-assisted processing uses thermal generation of defects to locally increase the resistivity of the GaAs cap layer. We have used this form to fabricate high-power diode laser arrays. Laser-assisted processing techniques are versatile and effective, and will play a prominent role in the development of high-power solid state sources.
Low-power parallel algorithms for single image based obstacle avoidance in aerial robots

For an aerial robot, perceiving and avoiding obstacles are necessary skills to function autonomously in a cluttered unknown environment. In this work, we use a single image captured from the onboard camera as input, produce obstacle classifications, and use them to select an evasive maneuver. We present a Markov Random Field based approach that models the obstacles as a function of visual features and non-local dependencies in neighboring regions of the image. We perform efficient inference using new low-power parallel neuromorphic hardware, where belief propagation updates are done using leaky integrate and fire neurons in parallel, while consuming less than 1 W of power. In outdoor robotic experiments, our algorithm was able to consistently produce clean, accurate obstacle maps which allowed our robot to avoid a wide variety of obstacles, including trees, poles and fences.
Rheumatoid heart disease

Abstract Rheumatoid heart lesions in several forms are encountered in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The proposed incidence of this kind of heart disease is 27–34% of heart lesions in rheumatoid patients, and the involvement may assume any of the following forms: pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis with valvulitis, and coronary arteritis. Clinical features are nondiagnostic and include the presence of pericardial rub, chest pain, arrhythmias, murmurs, and signs of cardiac enlargement or failure (Table 3). Chest X-ray findings may reveal generalized cardiomegaly or selective unexplained atrial enlargement. Electrocardiographic findings are not specific for this entity and include ventricular enlargement or “strain” patterns and various conduction abnormalities. Proof positive of rheumatoid heart disease is the demonstration of cardiac granuloma histologically resembling a subcutaneous rheumatoid nodule. These granulomata are rare, and the common histologic findings are nonspecific. The clinical diagnosis of rheumatoid heart disease is therefore based on guilt by association and by exclusion of other common forms of heart disease.
Diffusion of 110 Ag in single-crystalline silver in a temperature gradient

The diffusion of $^{110}\mathrm{Ag}$ into the cold end of silver single crystals exposed to a temperature gradient was studied in an effort to determine the steady-state local vacancy concentration in this metal under nonisothermal conditions. The temperature of the hot end of the specimens was 930\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C and the cold-end temperature was varied between 930 and 705\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C for the centimeter-long specimens. The least-squares line of the nonisothermal silver diffusion is described by ${D}_{0}=0.21$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/sec and ${Q}^{\ensuremath{'}}=177.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5.4$ kJ/mol; this may be compared to the isothermal results of Peterson, Rothman, and Robinson who obtain ${D}_{0}=0.67$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/sec and $Q=188.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.8$ kJ/mol. Our further work in terms of isothermal data agrees well with the latter results. The nonisothermal data are interpreted to imply the existence of a slight withdrawal of vacancies from equilibrium due to the temperature gradient. Such an effect was found in aluminum single crystals. Both sets of data are consistent with the vacancy concentration as follows: ${C}_{v}=\mathrm{exp}[\frac{{S}_{v}}{K\ensuremath{-}(1\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma})}\frac{{H}_{v}}{K{T}_{H}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}}\frac{{H}_{v}}{\mathrm{KT}}]$, where $T$ is the local temperature, ${T}_{H}$ is the temperature at the hot end of the crystal, and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ is the nonequilibrium vacancy concentration factor. Herein, an average value for $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ is 0.89 for silver, which may be compared to 0.35 for aluminum.
History and accomplishments of the International Goat Association during the last 20 years

Abstract The International Goat Association (IGA) was organized on 12 January 1982 during the Third International Conference on Goats in Tucson, AZ, USA. Approximately 160 persons from 42 countries attended the organizational meetings. The organization was unanimously approved with Warren C. Foote as interim chairman and subsequently president and Kent Leach as secretary-treasurer. A board of directors was elected consisting of Jean G. Boyazoglu, C. Devendra, Christian Gall, George F.W. Haenlein, Peter Holst, Pierre Morand-Fehr, Maurice Shelton and Clair E. Terrill. IGA has continued to expand its influence and service during its first 20 years. IGA is unique in providing sustained international focus on a single species of animals and promoting its usefulness for the good of humankind. It has succeeded through three primary objectives: (1) fostering the use of goats to provide for the needs of people; (2) encouraging research with and development of goats to increase their productivity and usefulness throughout the world; (3) perpetuating the international conferences on goats. IGA has effectively encouraged and assisted the development of science and technology of goats and their application. IGA’s challenges in the future include to remain focused on its initial objectives; to maintain its place and role in international leadership; and to remain an independent but collaborative force in a world of shifting politics and economies, increasing numbers of GOs and NGOs, and exploding technology—to continue to speak with singleness of purpose and direction.
Nontrivial grating that possesses only specular characteristics: normal incidence: reply to comment

An error made in Eq. (9) of a previous paper [ J. Opt. Soc. Am. A3, 1788 ( 1986)] was found as a result of comments made by Petit and Tayeb [ J. Opt. Soc. Am. A6, 1955 ( 1989)]. This error had propagated into the final equation [Eq. (12c)] and gave rise to inaccurate numerical results. The corrected versions are given here.
A rigorous beam model for static and vibration analysis of generally laminated composite thick beams and shafts

A first order shear deformation model for static and vibration analysis of composite thick beams and shafts is proposed and verified. The model is based on an earlier one proven to be accurate only for cross-ply laminates. The proposed model uses equivalent stiffness parameters that enable it to be accurate for every laminate. A three dimensional (3D) finite element model (FEM) is used to verify the proposed beam model. The results for different approaches for stiffness calculation were compared to the proposed model and those obtained by FEM in order to verify their accuracy. In addition, the model was applied to tubular cross section beams and the results were compared with experimental data and other models existing in the literature. The results of the proposed model were close to the 3D FEM as well as experimental results.
Phase II Trial of Combined Modality Therapy with Myeloid Growth Factor Support in Patients with Locally Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Introduction To evaluate the efficacy and safety of myeloid growth factors in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with combined modality therapy (CMT). Methods Patients with stage IIIA/B non-small cell lung cancer, performance status 0 to 1, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second ≥1.5, received cisplatin 75 mg/m 2 on day 1 + etoposide 80 mg/m 2 on days 1 to 3 every 3 weeks for 2 cycles concurrent with thoracic radiotherapy to 61 Gy. filgrastim 5 mcg/kg/d was administered for 10 days beginning on day 4 of each chemotherapy cycle. Patients without progression received docetaxel 75 mg/m 2 every 21 days for 3 cycles with peg-filgrastim 6 mg on day 2. The primary end point was a 50% reduction in the incidence of grade ¾ neutropenia compared with historical controls. Results A total of 26 eligible patients were enrolled. Median age was 67, 76% were men, and 58% had stage IIIA. Gr3/4 neutropenia during CMT was 19.2% and 3.8%, respectively. There were no episodes of febrile neutropenia. Gr4 thrombocytopenia was 15.4% with 2 patients requiring transfusions. Gr3 esophagitis was noted in 7.7% and Gr ¾ pneumonitis in 21.6% of patients. No patients died of treatment-related toxicities. Dose reductions/delays occurred in 3.8% of patients during CMT. Median progression-free survival and median survival were 10.7 and 27.6 months, respectively. The 1- and 2-year survival rates were 61.5% and 46.2%, respectively. Conclusions Our data suggest that the addition of filgrastim to CMT is safe and effective. The rate of grade ¾ toxicities, including febrile neutropenia, compares favorably to previous trials using a similar regimen. Dose intensity is maintained. This strategy merits further evaluation.
Ecophys.Fish: A Simulation Model of Fish Growth in Time-Varying Environmental Regimes

Ecophys.Fish is a deterministic STELLA® model for simulating rates of fish growth in environmental regimes that have simultaneous temporal variation in food, oxygen, temperature, pH, and salinity. The purpose of this article is to introduce Ecophys.Fish to those who might want to use it as a framework or starting point for applications of their own. We believe our model, although focused in autecology, will prove useful at organizational levels both below and above the individual fish. Ecophys.Fish is a quantitatively explicit interpretation of concepts originally formalized by F.E.J. Fry, almost 60 years ago. Fry's “physiological classification of environment” and his concept of “metabolic scope for activity” were coupled with conventional bioenergetics to provide the model's theoretical basis. The model's inputs are initial size of fish, and time series of temperature, pH, dissolved-oxygen concentration (DO), salinity, and food availability and its energy content. Outputs are food consumption, oxygen co...
Using cross-layer adaptations for dynamic data management in large scale coupled scientific workflows

As system scales and application complexity grow, managing and processing simulation data has become a significant challenge. While recent approaches based on data staging and in-situ/in-transit data processing are promising, dynamic data volumes and distributions, such as those occurring in AMR-based simulations, make the efficient use of these techniques challenging. In this paper we propose cross-layer adaptations that address these challenges and respond at runtime to dynamic data management requirements. Specifically we explore (1) adaptations of the spatial resolution at which the data is processed, (2) dynamic placement and scheduling of data processing kernels, and (3) dynamic allocation of in-transit resources. We also exploit coordinated approaches that dynamically combine these adaptations at the different layers. We evaluate the performance of our adaptive cross-layer management approach on the Intrepid IBM-BlueGene/P and Titan Cray-XK7 systems using Chombo-based AMR applications, and demonstrate its effectiveness in improving overall time-to-solution and increasing resource efficiency.
MAP kinase binds to the NH2‐terminal activation domain of c‐Myc

The transcription factor c-Myc is a substrate for phosphorylation by MAP kinases. Here we demonstrate that MAP kinase binds to c-Myc. The NH2-terminal region (residues 1–100) is necessary and sufficient for this interaction. Binding to c-Myc is not dependent on the state of MAP kinase activation. However, the c-Myc/MAP kinase complex is disrupted by ATP. Together, these observations indicate that substrate binding interactions contribute to the specificity of phosphorylation by MAP kinases.
Ionic regulation of embryonic induction and cell differentiation in Rana pipiens.

Cell aggregates prepared from ectoderm of the Rana pipiens gastrula are induced to differentiate into nerve and pigment cells by brief treatment with sucrose or lithium. The induction is dependent upon the concentration of Na + in the medium into which treated cells are transferred. Induction follows transfer into standard solution with 88 m M (high) Na + but does not occur in 44 m M (low) Na + in standard solution. Induction may be rendered independent of high Na + if Ca 2+ and/or Mg 2+ are added to the inducing solution and the treatment period is extended. Cells treated with 170 m M sucrose in glass-distilled water plus 0.74 m M Ca 2+ for 6 hr form pigment cells when cultured in 44 m M Na + . Cells treated with 170 m M sucrose substituted for Na + in standard solution containing all ions other than Na + become independent of Na + after 8 hr and form pigment cells in 44 m M Na + as well as in 88 m M Na + . Tris HCl can substitute for Na + in standard solution for the post-induction period up to 15 hr, and nerve and pigment cells develop in 44 m M Na + . A general theory is advanced to relate ion regulation of induction during normal gastrulation to the present data.
Urban sustainability: Research, politics, policy and practice

Abstract With the world becoming urban and virtually all population growth over the next three decades expected in cities, it is certain that key pressures of government and governance will be urban in nature. In addition, much of the global wealth and resource consumption is concentrated in urban regions, and particularly in high-income countries. Into the 21st century, these evolving urban socio-ecological conditions and pressures are reflected, in part, in the global interest in urban sustainability. This article explores the evolution of the concepts sustainability and urban sustainability and assesses where we stand now with regard to research, politics, policy and practice. A particular interest in this analysis is placed on what limits our advancement toward the sustainability condition, with a focus placed on the interplay between two variables, the limited understanding of the science behind sustainability or the lack of commitment and apprehension by governments in advancing urban sustainability.
Dynamic Response of Three Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite Bridges

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite bridge decks are gaining the attention of bridge owners because of their light self-weight, corrosion resistance, and ease of installation. Constructed Facilities Center at West Virginia University working with the Federal Highway Administration and West Virginia Department of Transportation has developed three different FRP decking systems and installed several FRP deck bridges in West Virginia. These FRP bridge decks are lighter in weight than comparable concrete systems and therefore their dynamic performance is equally as important as their static performance. In the current study dynamic tests were performed on three FRP deck bridges, namely, Katy Truss Bridge, Market Street Bridge, and Laurel Lick Bridge, in the state of West Virginia. The dynamic response parameters evaluated for the three bridges include dynamic load allowance (DLA) factors, natural frequencies, damping ratios, and deck accelerations caused by moving test trucks. It was found that the DLA f...
Apps for improving knowledge of clinical trials and point-of-care learning

Medical knowledge is developing at an ever-advancing rate. This brief report discusses 1 mobile app designed to help clinicians understand and review pivotal landmark trials and another app that provides point-of-care learning and clinical decision support.
Determination of μ-oxo exchange rates in di-μ-oxo dimanganese complexes by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A time-resolved mass spectrometric technique has been used for the determination of rates of exchange of μ-O atoms with water for the complexes [(mes-terpy)2Mn2III/IV(μ-O)2(H2O)2](NO3)3 (1, mes-terpy = 4‘-mesityl-2,2‘:6‘,2‘ ‘-terpyridine), [(bpy)4Mn2III/IV(μ-O)2](ClO4)3 (2, bpy = 2,2‘-bipyridine), [(phen)4Mn2III/IV(μ-O)2](ClO4)3 (3, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), [(bpea)2Mn2III/IV(μ-O)2(μ-OAc)](ClO4)2 (4, bpea = bis(2-pyridyl)ethylamine), [(bpea)2Mn2IV/IV(μ-O)2(μ-OAc)](ClO4)3 (4ox), [(terpy)4Mn4IV/IV/IV/IV(μ-O)5(H2O)2](ClO4)6 (5, terpy = 2,2‘:6‘,2‘ ‘-terpyridine), and [(tacn)4Mn4IV/IV/IV/IV(μ-O)6]Br3.5(OH)0.5·6H2O (6, tacn = 1,4,7-triazacyclononane). The rate of exchange of μ-OAc bridges with free acetate in solution has been measured for complexes 4 and 4ox. These are the first measurements of rates of ligand exchange on biologically relevant high-valent Mn complexes. The data analysis method developed here is of general utility in the quantitation of isotope exchange processes by mass spectrometry. We fin...
A Multivariable Generalized Self-Tuning Decoupling Controller and Application

This paper presents a new multivariable generalized self-tuning controller which adopts the new structure of decoupling control. The controller proposed not only possesses the major benefits of self-tuning optimal control and pole-zero placement, but also realizes adaptive decoupling control. It specifically handles different time delays between each of the input-output pairs. The effective decoupling adptive algorithm is very simple. The successful application to a double-input-double-output electrically heated furnace and the comparison with a generalized minimu variance self-tuning controller using experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of controller proposed.
Flow‐induced crystallization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) melts in a capillary die: Formation and properties of the crystalline toroid

An unusual crystalline aggregate, which is toroidal in shape, has been formed at the entrance region to capillary dies during the high-pressure extrusion of poly(ethylene terephthalate) melts in an Instron capillary rheometer. The toroidal remnant was discovered in capillary dies removed from the rheometer after the occurrence of oscillating flow. Detailed observations of the rheological factors involved in the formation of the crystalline toroid were made. Examination of recovered entrance plugs disclosed that the crystalline toroid was a hard, stagnant zone which throttled the bulk flow of polymer melt into the capillary during the extrusion experiments. Hot-stage optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and wide-angle x-ray techniques were used to initiate a structural study of the crystalline toroid. The toroid contained clusters of fibrous crystals which persisted to high temperatures. The fibrous clusters were randomly oriented in a matrix polymer which melted normally. Based upon the rheological and structural evidence, a mechanism of crystalline toroid formation is proposed.
Estimation of extreme value distribution of crosswind response of wind-excited flexible structures based on extrapolation of crossing rate

This paper presents an approach based on response crossing rate analysis for estimating extreme value distribution of crosswind response of wind-excited structures with significant nonlinear aeroelastic effect. The crossing rates at various thresholds are calculated from response time histories, and are then curve-fitted by a prescribed parametric model. The influence of narrow band characteristic of response is accounted by using envelope process with two-state description of crossings and a further consideration of mean clump size. The curve-fitting and extrapolation of crossing rate permit estimation of extreme value distribution using Poisson distribution of crossings. The effectiveness and accuracy of the approach are examined using simulated crosswind responses covering a wide range of non-Gaussian characteristics, and also using full-scale vibration measurement data of a wind-excited traffic-signal-support structure. The results illustrated that the approach can produce robust estimations of extreme value distributions of hardening non-Gaussian crosswind responses. The narrow band characteristic of response process has very limited effect on the extremes of hardening non-Gaussian responses. The approach presented is especially effective in practice, where the number of available response time histories is often very limited, and a direct use of extreme samples fails to provide accurate estimation of extreme statistics.
Neighboring spectral content influences vowel identification

Four experiments explored the relative contributions of spectral content and phonetic labeling in effects of context on vowel perception. Two 10-step series of CVC syllables ([bVb] and [dVd]) varying acoustically in F2 midpoint frequency and varying perceptually in vowel height from [ʌ] to [ɛ] were synthesized. In a forced-choice identification task, listeners more often labeled vowels as [ʌ] in [dVd] context than in [bVb] context. To examine whether spectral content predicts this effect, nonspeech–speech hybrid series were created by appending 70-ms sine-wave glides following the trajectory of CVC F2’s to 60-ms members of a steady-state vowel series varying in F2 frequency. In addition, a second hybrid series was created by appending constant-frequency sine-wave tones equivalent in frequency to CVC F2 onset/offset frequencies. Vowels flanked by frequencymodulated glides or steady-state tones modeling [dVd] were more often labeled as [ʌ] than were the same vowels surrounded by nonspeech modeling [bVb]. Th...
Unlocking repression of the human luteinizing hormone receptor gene by trichostatin A-induced cell-specific phosphatase release.

Our previous studies demonstrated that the histone deacetylase inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA), induces derepression of the human luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) gene by de-recruitment of the pRB homologue p107 repressor from the promoter in JAR and MCF-7 cancer cells. TSA initiates a mechanism whereby the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase ζ (PKCζ) cascade phosphorylates Sp1 at Ser-641, which is essential for the release of the repression of LHR transcription. The present studies have revealed that dissociation of serine/threonine protein phosphatases PP2A and PP1 from the LHR promoter mediates TSA-induced activation of LHR gene transcription in a cell-specific manner. Changes in chromatin structure induced by TSA cause the release of PP2A in JAR cells or of PP1 in MCF-7 cells, which is associated with Sp1 directly or through histone deacetylase 1/2, respectively, at the promoter. This favors the phosphorylation of Sp1 mediated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/PKCζ pathway, which in turn causes the release of the p107 inhibitor from Sp1 and marked transcriptional activation of the LHR. These findings reveal the importance of phosphatases in the control of LHR transcription, where the balance between phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/PKCζ and phosphatases could be critical for up- and down-regulation of LHR gene expression in physiological and pathological settings.
Fine structure of solar magnetic fields.

The deduction of magnetic fields from chromospheric structure is extended to active regions and transverse fields. Fields independently predicted by these rules from a high resolution Hα filtergram are compared with a high resolution magnetogram. The Hα method has the advantage over conventional magnetograms that it shows transverse fields and relates the fields to the real Sun. It has the disadvantage that higher spatial resolution is required and that it is difficult and time consuming in very complicated regions. The response of the chromosphere to magnetic fields is most consistent. Vertical field is invariably marked by bright plage, with brightness roughly proportional to the field strength (except for sunspots). All dark fibrils mark transverse fields and are parallel to field lines. All polarity changes are marked by dark fibrils, which may be transverse fibrils perpendicular to the field boundary, or filaments (prominences) which connect more distant points, and in which the field lines run nearly parallel to the boundary. The asymmetry between preceding and following polarity found by Veeder and Zirin (1970) does not exist; it was due to the low resolution of the Mount Wilson magnetograms. The complexity of active region field structure depends on the history of the region; all flux erupts in simple bipolar form, and lines of force remain connected to sibling spots until reconnection takes place. Thus the complex structure only occurs after eruption of several dipoles which reconnect. The phenomenon of ‘inverted polarity’ turns out to be due to the emergence of satellite bipolar fields, where the p spot merges with the rest of the p field and the f spot appears as an included f field. Flares usually occur when the field lines from f spot reconnect from its sibling to the main spot.