cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancing direct cytotoxicity and response to immune checkpoint blockade following ionizing radiation with Wee1 kinase inhibition

Tumor cells activate the G2/M cell cycle checkpoint in response to ionizing radiation (IR) and effector immune cell-derived granzyme B to facilitate repair and survival. Wee1 kinase inhibition reverses the ability of tumor cells to pause at G2/M. Here, we hypothesized that AZD1775, a small molecule inhibitor of Wee1 kinase, could sensitize tumor cells to IR and T-lymphocyte killing and improve responses to combination IR and programmed death (PD)-axis immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Multiple models of head and neck carcinoma, lung carcinoma and melanoma were used in vitro and in vivo to explore this hypothesis. AZD1775 reversed G2/M cell cycle checkpoint activation following IR, inducing cell death. Combination IR and AZD1775 induced accumulation of DNA damage in M-phase cells and was rescued with nucleoside supplementation, indicating mitotic catastrophe. Combination treatment enhanced control of syngeneic MOC1 tumors in vivo, and on-target effects of systemic AZD1775 could be localized with targeted IR. Combination treatment enhanced granzyme B-dependent T-lymphocyte killing through reversal of additive G2/M cell cycle block induced by IR and granzyme B. Combination IR and AZ1775-enhanced CD8+ cell-dependent MOC1 tumor growth control and rate of complete rejection of established tumors in the setting of PD-axis ICB. Functional assays demonstrated increased tumor antigen-specific immune responses in sorted T-lymphocytes. The combination of IR and AZD1775 not only lead to enhanced tumor-specific cytotoxicity, it also enhanced susceptibility to T-lymphocyte killing and responses to PD-axis ICB. These data provide the pre-clinical rationale for the combination of these therapies in the clinical trial setting.
High/low dose dexamethasone with physical activity for cancer-related fatigue in patients with advanced cancer: A phase II randomized double blind study.

110Background: Cancer-related-fatigue (CRF) is the most debilitating symptom in patients with advanced cancer. Physical activity (PA) improves CRF with lower adherence in advanced cancer. Dexametha...
A just transition for whom? Politics, contestation, and social identity in the disruption of coal in the Powder River Basin

Abstract Substantially decreasing carbon emissions is both necessary to stave off the worst impacts of climate change and also certain to result in a loss of jobs and revenue for fossil fuel communities and workers. Just transition policies aim to mitigate these losses and provide an equitable transition away from fossil fuel extraction and use. Yet, just transition is often contested in the regions the policies are meant to aid. This paper presents a case study of the Powder River Basin, Wyoming, the largest coal mining region in the U.S where the energy transition is deeply contested. In the summer of 2019, two large coal mines suddenly and unexpectedly shut down. The research conducted explored whether this sudden change in conditions changed perceptions toward the energy transition or just transition polices based on interviews with decision makers, environmental advocates, coal industry officials, and union officials. I find that the energy transition and just transition remains deeply contested and opposed, even after the sudden closure of the mines, indicating that transition may always be contested due to the long-standing role coal has played in the region. Despite opposition and efforts to prolong the life of the coal industry, an energy transition is occurring and a government-led managed decline with just transition policies is the best way to prevent severe economic distress in the region.
Utilization of renal mass biopsy in patients with localized renal cell carcinoma: A population-based study utilizing the National Cancer Database.

Abstract Objective To evaluate trends and factors predicting use of renal mass biopsy (RMB) for localized Renal Cell Carcinoma in the United States (US) in the context of current guidelines recommendations. Methods We queried the National Cancer Database for cT1-cT3N0M0 Renal Cell Carcinoma diagnosed between 2004 and 2015. Temporal trends of RMB were characterized based on tumor size, treatment (partial nephrectomy [PN], radical nephrectomy [RN], ablation, and no treatment), age and Charlson Comorbidity Index with slopes compared using analysis of variance. Multivariable analysis was used to determine factors associated with use of RMB. Results Of 338,252 patients analyzed, 11.9% (40,276) underwent RMB. Use of RMB increased throughout the study period from 1,586 (7.6%) in 2004 to 5,629 (16.2%) in 2015 (P 7 cm (OR = 1.05; P = 0.03) were associated with higher rates of RMB. Compared to RN, PN was not associated with increased RMB (OR = 1.00; P = 0.92), while ablation (OR = 10.90; P Conclusion RMB utilization increased overall, with largest increase associated with ablation. Nonetheless, only two-thirds of patients underwent RMB with ablation, suggesting persistent underutilization. Rates of RMB for tumors ≤2 cm and in those undergoing no treatment increased less, suggesting less utilization for surveillance. However, rates for tumors >2–4 cm increased more, suggesting selective utilization of RMB to guide decision-making and risk stratification in small renal masses.
Pannexin 1 channels control the hemodynamic response to hypoxia by regulating O2-sensitive extracellular ATP in blood

Export of vasodilator ATP from red blood cells requires pannexin 1. Blood plasma ATP elevations in response to hypoxia in mice require pannexin 1. Hemodynamic responses to hypoxia are accompanied b...
Modeling Degradation for Second-life Battery: Preliminary Results.

This paper presents a novel battery modeling framework based on the enhanced single particle model (ESPM) to account for degradation mechanisms of second-life batteries. While accounting for the transport and electrochemical phenomena in the battery solid and electrolyte phases, the dominant anode-related aging mechanisms, namely, solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer growth and lithium plating, are modeled. For the first time, the loss of active material (LAM), which describes the tendency of anode and cathode, over time, to reduce the electrode material available for intercalation and deintercalation, is introduced in the ESPM. Moreover, the coupling of the aging modes with the LAM dynamics provides a comprehensive framework that can be employed for the prediction of both linear and non-linear capacity fade crucial to assess second-life battery. Thus, relying on data borrowed from [18], a model parameter identification and a comprehensive sensitivity analysis are performed to prove the effectiveness of the modeling approach.
Mining Potentially Unreported Effects from Twitter Posts through Relational Similarity: A Case for Opioids

Growing uses of opioids for pain management have led to a crisis of addiction and thousands of deaths in the United States. Although many of the opioid effects have been observed and reported, experience directly from the opioid users may help provide additional information in identifying any potentially unreported effects. In this study, we developed a neural embedding-based method to discover potential opioid-effect relations through similar relations of known medication effects. Using a corpus of 3.6 million clean unannotated tweets, a vector space model was learned with word2vec, and the model was used to identify potential opioid effects. The inferred results were further verified against 5 authoritative sources of medication effects. Seven of inferred effects were identified as potentially unreported, demonstrating the power and utility of our method. It is conceivable that our approach can be applied to discovery of potentially unreported effects of other medications.
Citation Diversity Statement in BMES Journals.

Author(s): Duma, Stefan M; Rowson, Bethany; King, Michael R; Efimov, Igor; Saterbak, Ann; Chesler, Naomi C
Examining differences in suicidality between and within mental health disorders and sexual identity among adults in the United States.

Background Suicide is a leading but preventable cause of death and is preceded by domains of thoughts, plans, and attempts. We assessed the prevalence of suicidality domains and determined the association of suicidality domains with sexual identity, mental health disorder symptoms, and sociodemographic characteristics. Methods We used the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data to perform weighted multivariable logistic regression and margins analyses to examine between and within-group differences in suicidality by sexual identity among adults aged ≥ 18 years. Results About 4.89%, 1.37%, and 0.56% of the population experienced suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts, respectively. Those aged 18-25 years old had a higher odds of suicidality compared to those aged 26 years or older. Compared to those who reported having no alcohol use dependence, illicit drug use dependence, and major depressive episodes (MDEs), those who reported alcohol use dependence, illicit drug use dependence, and MDE had higher odds of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts. Between all sexual identity groups, bisexuals who experienced MDEs had the highest probability of having suicidal thoughts while lesbians and gays who experienced MDE showed a higher probability of suicidal plans and attempts compared to heterosexuals. Within each sexual identity group, the probability of having suicidal thoughts, suicidal plans, and suicidal attempts was higher for those who had experienced MDEs compared to those who had not experienced MDEs. Conclusion Substance use disorder and MDE symptoms were associated with increased suicidality, especially among young adults and sexual minority people. This disparity underscores the need for tailored interventions and policies to enhance the provision of prompt mental health screening, diagnosis, and linkage to care for mental health services, particularly among the most vulnerable in the population.
Aeroelastic and Aeroservoelastic Models

Consider the generalized equation of motion that relates the structural dynamics and unsteady aerodynamics [56]. $$ M\ddot \eta + C\eta + K\eta + \bar qQ\left( s \right)\eta =0 $$ (5.1)
Towards real-time methane (CH 4 ) capture and detection by nanoparticle-enhanced silicon carbide trampoline oscillators

This digest paper describes the initial efforts on real-time methane (CH 4 ) capture and detection, by using silicon carbide (SiC) resonant microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) coated with SnO 2 nanoparticles (NPs). The coating greatly boosts the active adsorption area, toward enhancing the capture. SiC tethered square trampoline devices coated with ultrathin SnO 2 layers exhibit robust resonances in both vacuum and air, featuring large capturing area. Closed-loop oscillators with embedded SiC resonators enable fast, real-time readout of device responses upon exposure to CH 4 . An established electrochemical sensor is employed to verify the signature of CH 4 . SiC trampoline resonators are tested upon controlled CH 4 flux in vacuum, and in atmospheric pressure with N 2 carrier, demonstrating clear responses to CH 4 .
Searching for Equality: Narratives of Diversity from Louisiana

A brief survey of diversity in education introduces a symposium that explores issues of equality and diversity, with a focus on recent cases in Louisiana.
On the fringes.

The expanded training pharmacists now receive in human pharmacotherapy has led to their increased participation in direct patient care. These activities may be global or specific, and can include drug therapy consultation, pharmacokinetic-based dosing recommendations, drug-use review, participation in nutritional support, and clinical pharmacology research. Such a listing of relatively sophisticated roles makes today's pharmacy practitioners almost unidentifiable with their counterparts of 20 years ago. This rapid transition makes pharmacy somewhat different in the health professions, since in comparison, medicine and nursing have been more stable. Despite these hard-fought advancements, there is a disturbing discrepancy between standards of care in pharmacy and the legal definition of pharmacy practice. Continued and future advancements are tenuous secondary to fear generated from noncompliance with state regulations. The entire profession should strive to develop updated pharmacy acts to prevent individuals from practicing "on the fringes."
Second-order conditions for optimal control problems with mixed state-control constraints

Presents second-order conditions for the optimal control problem with mixed state-control constraints. First, the conjugate point theory is developed and a necessary condition in terms of the corresponding Riccati equation is obtained. Sufficiency criteria are given in terms of strengthened necessary conditions including the Riccati equation. The author's results are for the essentially bounded controls and hence, they generalize the known ones in the literature. >
Purification of a Complex of Alkaline Fructose 1, 6-Bisphosphatase and Phosphoribulokinase from Rhodospirillum rubrum

Abstract Two enzymes of the reductive pentose phosphate cycle, alkaline fructose 1, 6-bisphosphatase and phosphoribulokinase, have been isolated and purified as a single complex from Rhodospirillum rubrum. During purification procedures involving ammonium sulfate precipitation and column chromatography with both DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex, the ratios of activity of one enzyme to that of the other remained approximately the same. The pure complex appeared as a single band on polyacrylamide gels, and the activities of the two enzymes showed the same profiles on an isoelectric focusing column. No other enzyme of the reductive pentose phosphate cycle could be detected in the complex. The complex was unstable, so that after 48 hours the activity of phosphoribulokinase was reduced by 80% and that of fructose 1, 6-bisphosphatase by 50%. This loss of activity was accompanied by the appearance of two bands on the polyacrylamide gels.
Entropy reduction via communications in cyber physical systems: How to feed maxwell's demon?

In order to understand how to operate the physical dynamics of cyber physical systems (CPSs), we study the control of entropy (or equivalently uncertainty) via communications in CPSs. We consider the controller as the Maxwell's demon that decimates the system entropy. Due to the second law of thermodynamics, the system entropy cannot be spontaneously decreased. Therefore, to reduce the system entropy, the controller needs external information communicated from sensors. For a finite state physical system in CPS, we derive upper and lower bounds for the communication requirements. The optimal designs of message mechanism and control policy are proposed.
Normal food intake and growth in hyperprolactinemic rats

Normal lactation, a state of chronic hyperprolactinemia, is often accompanied by increased food intake. Two recent reports suggested that, in rats, prolactin (PRL) administration or chronic endogenous PRL excess led to increased food intake and growth. Similar methods of achieving augmented circulating levels of PRL in rats have been employed in our laboratory. Rats with extra anterior pituitary (AP) grafts under the kidney capsule have chronically elevated circulating PRL levels. However, in several experiments, weight gain, food intake, and fecal weight were the same in AP-grafted rats and in control muscle-grafted rats. In addition, the AP-grafted rat model was modified to demonstrate that PRL-induced increases in adrenal glucocorticoids and decreases in estrogens did not provoke alterations in eating behavior. Injection of homologous PRL for 8 days did not increase weight gain in normal or hypophysectomized rats. These data suggest that neither the chronic PRL excess caused by AP grafts nor the acute PRL excess caused by rat PRL injections increases food intake or weight gain.
Withdrawing from Customary International Law: Some Lessons from History

This paper responds to Curtis A. Bradley & Mitu Gulati, Withdrawing from International Custom, 120 Yale L.J. 202 (2010). Bradley and Gulati argue against a "andatory view” "of customary international law that binds all nations irrespective of individual consent and argue in favor of a "default view" under which nations may withdraw from at least some rules of customary international law. This paper argues that Bradley and Gulati have misread history in three ways. First, they overstate the importance of the default view during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. As this paper shows, the default view was never the predominant understanding of customary international law. Second, Bradley and Gulati assert that the mandatory view developed to bind non-Western states to Western rules, when, in fact, nineteenth century advocates of the mandatory view stated expressly that non-Western nations could not be bound without their consent. Third, while arguing for greater flexibility in international rules, Bradley and Gulati ignore comity doctrines that have historically allowed precisely the kind of discretion they seek.
Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1, ephrins, and ephrin kinases as suspected therapeutic targets in arthritis: exposed by "criminal profiling".

Feeding information obtained in one criminal case into the profile of another crime often helps to solve the latter. The literature on two different "crimes," namely, acute systemic inflammation and arthritis (including osteoarthritis [OA] and rheumatoid arthritis [RA] deals largely with the same "gang" of inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandin (PG) E 2 . Early investigations suggested that microsomal PGE synthase-1 (mPGES-1; a terminal PGE 2 -synthesizing enzyme) plays a pivotal role in bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced systemic inflammation, but overlooked the possibility that the same enzyme could be involved in OA or RA. Later studies showed that mPGES-1 is indeed a key perpetrator in arthritic diseases, a fact that could have been predicted earlier by pooling the new knowledge about mPGES-1 into the profile of arthritic diseases. In this review, we analyze our recent study on the expression of erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular (Eph) receptor kinases and their ligands, ephrins, in LPS-induced systemic inflammation. By pooling these results together with literature data into the profile of RA, we conclude that Eph kinases and ephrins are prime suspects for being involved in the pathogenesis of RA. We further conjecture that the involvement of Eph kinases and ephrins may be realized via the induction of angiogenesis in the inflamed joint, promotion of leukocyte infiltration, and activation of the infiltrated cells. Studies to test this new hypothesis seem warranted, and our prediction is that the "smoking gun" will be found.
Assessing the Impact of a Media‐based Intervention to Prevent Intergroup Violence and Promote Positive Intergroup Relations in Burundi

The present study (N = 1074) examined the impact of a theory-driven media intervention aimed at violence prevention and intergroup reconciliation in Burundi. We used a novel methodology utilizing audio-based surveys to assess attitudes related to intergroup conflict and reconciliation among community members. We conducted a propensity score analysis to estimate the causal effects of the intervention by examining differences between listeners and non-listeners of the radio dramas. The results indicated a positive effect of the intervention on several social psychological outcomes (tolerance, in-group superiority, social distance, intergroup trust, responsibility attributions, trauma disclosure and competitive victimhood). However, listeners and non-listeners did not differ in obedience toward leaders or historical perspective taking; and the results for active bystandership, one of the main foci of the intervention, were mixed. Furthermore, the results show that the impact of the intervention sometimes depends on listeners' personal experiences of victimization. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differential item functioning impact in a modified version of the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire

To evaluate a modified version of the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire for differential item functioning (DIF) related to several covariates. DIF occurs in an item when, after controlling for the underlying trait measured by the test, the probability of endorsing the item varies across groups. Secondary data analysis of two studies of participants with back pain (total n = 875). We used a hybrid item response theory/ logistic regression approach for detecting DIF. We obtained scores that accounted for DIF. We evaluated the impact of DIF on individual and group scores, and compared scores that ignored or accounted for DIF in terms of the strength of association with SF-36 subscale scores. DIF was found in 18/23 items. Salient scale-level differential functioning was found related to age, education, and employment. Overall 24 participants (3%) had salient scale-level differential functioning. Mean scores across demographic groups differed minimally when accounting for DIF. The strength of association of scores with SF-36 scores was similar for scores that ignored and scores that accounted for DIF. The modified version of the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire appears to have largely negligible DIF related to the covariates assessed here.
Electrophysiological properties of chick embryonic hearts grafted and organ cultured in vitro.

Abstract Because young (2- to 3-days-old) embryonic chick hearts organ cultured in vitro for 1 to 2 weeks do not gain the fast Na + channels that they normally would during in situ development, instead retaining their high density of tetrodoxin (TTX)-insensitive slow Na + channels, we tested whether revascularization and blood perfusion allow membrane differentiation to proceed. Young hearts (3-day-old) (ventricular portion) and old hearts (16-day) (small pieces of about 1 mm 3 ) were grafted on to the chorioallantoic membrane of a host chick (6-day-old) where they were revascularized by the host circulation; for comparison, hearts were also placed into test-tube organ culture. After periods of 1 week (grafts) and 2 weeks (test-tube cultures), the tissues were removed for intracellular microelectrode recordings. The young hearts had electrical activity similar to fresh non-cultured 3-day-old hearts, i.e., the cells failed to further differentiate in culture. The cells had low resting potentials and slowly-rising (5–10 V/s) TTX-insensitive action potentials. There was no difference in results between the two culture methods. The old hearts cultured by either method had electrical activity similar to fresh non-cultured 16-day-old hearts, i.e., the cells retained their highly differentiated state. They had high resting potentials and fast-rising action potentials which were completely abolished by TTX. The action potential duration was longer in the grafted hearts (young and old) than in the test-tube hearts. Hence, young or old myocardial cells tend to retain the membrane cation channels that they originally possessed when placed into culture, and the young grafted hearts fail to gain TTX-sensitive fast Na + channels, even though blood perfused.
SU‐DD‐A3‐01: Swallowing‐Induced Target Motion and Dosimetric Impact for Head and Neck Cancer Radiotherapy as Assessed by Dynamic MRI

Purpose: Deglutition (i.e., swallowing) results in dynamic changes in the geometry of aerodigestive tract anatomy, which may affect the doses delivered to targets and critical structures in head and neck cancerradiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to determine (1) whether MRI could be used to capture the motion of swallowing, (2) the geometrical variation induced by deglutition, and (3) the dosimetric impact of deglutition on head and neck cancerradiotherapy.Method and Materials: Five patients with aerodigestive tract cancer were imaged in treatment position on a 3.0T Siemens Verio scanner. Two time series of single‐slice sagittal images were acquired using a 2D FLASH sequence (6.667 frames/sec with and 3.257 frames/sec without parallel imaging). Swallowing frequency and duration were determined from time series data and motion was assessed using contours of gross tumor volumes (GTV) drawn during one swallowing event. Using each patient's IMRT plan and swallowing frequency and duration results, dosimetric impact was assessed by worst‐case scenario of the GTV moving completely out of the treatment field during deglutition. Results: Deglutition was non‐periodic, with frequency and duration ranging from 2.89–24.18 mHz and 3.86–6.10 sec. Dynamic changes in GTV position, size, and shape resulted from deglutition, ranging from 0–28.36mm and 0–60% change in area of GTV projection. Deglutition resulted in a 1.4–14.3% reduction in dose delivered to GTV. Conclusion:MRI is able to capture the motion of swallowing with or without the use of parallel imaging. Deglutition is non‐periodic, and results in dynamic changes in GTV position, size, and shape. The overall impact of deglutition on dose delivery for head and neck cancer, although generally insignificant, can be non‐negligible for patients with extremely high swallowing frequency and long duration. Conflict of Interest: Partially supported by Siemens Healthcare and the MCW Cancer Center Meinerz Fellowship.
Wavelet-based processing of neuronal spike trains prior to discriminant analysis.

Abstract Investigations of neural coding in many brain systems have focused on the role of spike rate and timing as two means of encoding information within a spike train. Recently, statistical pattern recognition methods, such as linear discriminant analysis (LDA), have emerged as a standard approach for examining neural codes. These methods work well when data sets are over-determined (i.e., there are more observations than predictor variables). But this is not always the case in many experimental data sets. One way to reduce the number of predictor variables is to preprocess data prior to classification. Here, a wavelet-based method is described for preprocessing spike trains. The method is based on the discriminant pursuit (DP) algorithm of Buckheit and Donoho [Proc. SPIE 2569 (1995) 540–51]. DP extracts a reduced set of features that are well localized in the time and frequency domains and that can be subsequently analyzed with statistical classifiers. DP is illustrated using neuronal spike trains recorded in the motor cortex of an awake, behaving rat [Laubach et al. Nature 405 (2000) 567–71]. In addition, simulated spike trains that differed only in the timing of spikes are used to show that DP outperforms another method for preprocessing spike trains, principal component analysis (PCA) [Richmond and Optican J. Neurophysiol. 57 (1987) 147–61].
High-Density Targeting of a Viral Multifunctional Nanoplatform to a Pathogenic, Biofilm-Forming Bacterium

Nanomedicine directed at diagnosis and treatment of infections can benefit from innovations that have substantially increased the variety of available multifunctional nanoplatforms. Here, we targeted a spherical, icosahedral viral nanoplatform to a pathogenic, biofilm-forming bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus. Density of binding mediated through specific protein-ligand interactions exceeded the density expected for a planar, hexagonally close-packed array. A multifunctionalized viral protein cage was used to load imaging agents (fluorophore and MRI contrast agent) onto cells. The fluorescence-imaging capability allowed for direct observation of penetration of the nanoplatform into an S. aureus biofilm. These results demonstrate that multifunctional nanoplatforms based on protein cage architectures have significant potential as tools for both diagnosis and targeted treatment of recalcitrant bacterial infections.
Walter Lippmann: Odyssey of a Liberal

While several books have been written about the life and views of Walter Lippmann, this volume is unique in its emphasis on Lippmann's relationship to American liberalism. Riccio examines Lippmann's political thought as evidenced in both his "scholarly" and journalistic work. He observes that although Lippmann started out as a socialist and ended up as something of a conservative, he usually backed liberal public policies and often explored liberalism's philosophical underpinnings. "Walter Lippmann"--"Odyssey of a Liberal "describes Lippmann's attraction to, involvement in, and disillusionment with American socialism prior to the First World War. It chronicles his brief career as a progressive reformer, and his subsequent disenchantment with that movement. Riccio also examines Lippmann's views on foreign affairs. Lippmann's relationships with conservatives and their influence on his views are also explored. Riccio articulates Lippmann's vision of liberalism as being at odds with much of the liberal mentality of his tune. In particular, he contrasts the pundit's views on politics, economics, public opinion, and moral authority with those of John Dewey.
Glucocorticoid receptor α expression in the intrahepatic biliary epithelium and adjuvant steroid therapy in infants with biliary atresia

Abstract Background/Purpose In patients with cirrhosis, proinflammatory cytokines increase progressively in relation to the severity of liver dysfunction. Proinflammatory cytokines regulate the expression of glucocorticoid receptors (GcRs). On the other hand, GcRs mediate the effects of glucocorticoid steroids on bile excretion in the biliary epithelium. Glucocorticoid receptors have 2 isoforms: a cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptor α (GcR α ) mediates thier physiological effects, whereas a nuclear localized glucocorticoid receptor β (GcR β ) acts as a dominant negative inhibitor of GcR α activity. We examined the histology features of liver biopsy and the expression of GcR α in the intrahepatic biliary epithelium in infants with biliary atresia. Patients/Methods The patients were divided into 2 groups: patients in group 1 (n = 17) had a total bilirubin level below 1.0 mg/dL at least once after surgery, whereas patients in group 2 (n = 14) has never had bilirubin level below 1.0 mg/dL postoperatively. Liver biopsies taken from 31 infants with biliary atresia at the time of hepatic portoenterostomy between 1988 and 2002 were examined for immunohistochemistry and histology with HE r = 0.429). In group 1, there was a significant positive correlation between the GcR α expression scores and the total dose of prednisolone administered ( P = .0063; r = 0.767). Conclusions The increase and degree of GcR α expression were associated with the severity of liver injury and may correlate with the dose of prednisolone required to sustain bile flow after successful hepatic portoenterostomy.
The efficacy of some auditory-vocal subsidiary tasks as measures of the mental load on male and female drivers.

Eight male and eight female drivers took part in a study to assess the efficacy of a number of auditory-vocal subsidiary tasks as measures of the mental load imposed by driving under standardized conditions. Performing the subsidiary tasks appeared to interfere with female driving ability, but not with that of males. Some differences in subsidiary task performance were found between driving and non-driving conditions for both males and females. However, no one task appeared outstanding as a measure of mental load, and the performance decrements may have been due as much to auditory masking by the car noise as to competition for information-processing resources. The validity of dual-task methods is discussed, and it is argued that the use of common sensory or response modes cannot be avoided, but may in some cases be used to advantage. (Author/TRRL)
Coincidence in time-of-flight aerosol spectrometers : phantom particle creation

When using time-of-flight aerosol spectrometers, particle size measurement is based upon a particle's transit time between two laser beams. The particle's transit time is assumed to be the time difference between the two pulses of light that are produced as the particle passes through the two laser beams. Particle coincidence, which occurs when a second particle crosses the first laser beam before the first particle crosses the second laser beam, has a complex effect upon the measured size distribution. As a result of coincidence, time-of-flight aerosol spectrometers can replace real particles of one size with spurious, or phantom, particles of a different size in the measured distribution. When partial detection of a particle occurs, i.e., only one pulse from a particle is detected, another particle producing a pulse that occurs while the timer is open can cause the recording of a randomly sized phantom particle. The creation of these phantom particles, which we termed “open-timer” phantom particles, has...
Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Analysis of Health Watch Data With a Subset of Perimenopausal Women and Matched Controls

HEALTH WATCH is a longitudinal, prospective study of healthy aging. This study began in 1970. It characterizes the biochemical, hematological, immunological, and physiological data of 2200 healthy men and women between the ages of 20 and 80. Well-being, stress, and sleep data are obtained annually as a self-administered HEALTH WATCH questionnaire. A subset of women from the HEALTH WATCH cohort who were actively followed in the 1970s and had perimenopausal years available was selected. This subset allows observation of the normal female aging related to the significant marker, cessation of menses. Critical selection criterion included a natural menopause and the absence of hormonal intervention. Computer selection identified 19 subjects. Three sets of matched, age-defined controls were selected. This study investigates changes of data from healthy women related to menopause status. Changes unique to perimenopause status include sleep, sex difficulties, alkaline phosphatase, phosphorous, and thyroxine.
Interference competition and species coexistence.

Interference competition is ubiquitous in nature. Yet its effects on resource exploitation remain largely unexplored for species that compete for dynamic resources. Here, I present a model of exploitative and interference competition with explicit resource dynamics. The model incorporates both biotic and abiotic resources. It considers interference competition both in the classical sense (i.e. each species suffers a net reduction in per capita growth rate via interference from, and interference on, the other species) and in the broad sense (i.e. each species suffers a net reduction in per capita growth rate via interference from, but can experience an increase in growth rate via interference on, the other species). Coexistence cannot occur under classical interference competition even when the species inferior at resource exploitation is superior at interference. Such a trade-off can, however, change the mechanism of competitive exclusion from dominance by the superior resource exploiter to a priority effect. Now the inferior resource exploiter can exclude the superior resource exploiter provided it has a higher initial abundance. By contrast, when interference is beneficial to the interacting species, coexistence is possible via a trade-off between exploitation and interference. These results hold regardless of whether the resource is biotic or abiotic, indicating that the outcome of exploitative and interference competition does not depend on the exact nature of resource dynamics. The model makes two key predictions. First, species that engage in costly interference mechanisms (e.g. territoriality, overgrowth or undercutting, allelopathy and other forms of chemical competition) should not be able to coexist unless they also engage in beneficial interference mechanisms (e.g. predation or parasitism). Second, exotic invasive species that displace native biota should be superior resource exploiters that have strong interference effects on native species with little or negative cost. The first prediction provides a potential explanation for patterns observed in several natural systems, including plants, aquatic invertebrates and insects. The second prediction is supported by data on invasive plants and vertebrates.
Anger and Aggression Management Techniques through the Think First Curriculum

An anger-aggression management curriculum utilizing cognitive-behavioral principles and techniques was evaluated for its effects on a classroom of urban, at risk middle school students. The 10-session curriculum was taught over a 5-week period to a racially integrated classroom of 22 males and females. Heavy use of video symbolic modeling was integrated with techniques of self-instruction, problem solving and self-monitoring. Significant differences between treatment and placebo-contol groups were noted at follow-up in numbers of misconduct referrals. Results are discussed in terms of the use of school-based curriculum in the prevention and intervention of juvenile delinquency.
Hemopoietic stem cell growth on a capillary stage

A hollow fibre capillary stage was used for the maintenance and renewal of hemopoietic stem cells in extra corporeal conditions. The partial success of this technique is due to the preservation of cell-cell contacts and interactions within the tissue sections.
Localized current field heating as an adjunct to radiation therapy.

The purpose of this paper is to report the results of a pilot study usinghyperthermia as an adjunct toradiation therapy in the treatment of malignant disease, spontaneously occurring in domestic animals. Localized current fields (LCF) have been used to produce the hyperthermia. The aim of the pilot study was to establish a reasonable dose regime for testing in a randomized trial. The doses tested ranged from an equivalent 3,000 rads in 3 weeks to 6,000 rads in 6 weeks for the radiation treatments and 43° C for 30 min to 45° C for 30 min for the hyperthermia treatments. To date, there have been either complete or partial (over 50% tumor regression) responses in 82.9% of the animals and complete regression in 54.3% of the tumors. The details of the randomized trial are described.
Site-Specific Gene Modification by PNAs Conjugated to Psoralen

DNA-binding molecules, including triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) and peptide nucleic acids (PNAs), can be utilized to introduce site-specific mutations or to promote recombination at selected genomic sites. To further evaluate the utility of PNAs for site-specific gene modification, we tested dimeric bis-PNAs conjugated to psoralen. These PNAs are designed to form a triplex-invasion complex within the supF reporter gene in an episomal shuttle vector and to direct site-specific photoadduct formation by the conjugated psoralen. The psoralen-bis-PNA conjugate was found to direct photoadduct formation to the intended 5'-TpA base step next to the PNA-binding site, and the photoadduct formation efficiency displayed both concentration and UVA irradiation dependence. The effect of PNA-targeted photoadducts in a mammalian system was tested by SV40-based shuttle vector assay. After in vitro binding, we found that photoadducts directed by PNAs conjugated to psoralen-induced mutations at frequencies in the range of 0.46%, 6.5-fold above the background. In a protocol for intracellular gene targeting in the episomal shuttle vector, the psoralen-PNA-induced mutation frequency was 0.13%, 3.5-fold higher than the background. Most of the induced mutations were deletions and single-base-pair substitutions at or adjacent to the targeted PNA-binding and photoadduct-formation sites. When the results are taken together, they demonstrate the ability of bis-PNAs conjugated with psoralen to mediate site-specific gene modification, and they further support the development of PNAs as tools for gene-targeting applications.
Polychlorinated Biphenyl: An Environmental Contaminant Acts as an Insecticide Synergist

Bioassay experiments with the house fly, Musca domestica L., demonstrated that the polychlorinated biphenyl preparation Arochlor 1254® is a powerful syngergist for the carbamate insecticide carbaryl. The degree of synergism was approximately equal to that obtained with the standard insecticide synergist piperonyl butoxide. Other experiments demonstrated that Arochlor 1254® is an inducer of aldrin and heptachlor epoxidases in the house fly.
Metal Abundances of KISS Galaxies. IV. Galaxian Luminosity-Metallicity Relations in the Optical and Near-Infrared

We explore the galaxian luminosity-metallicity (L-Z) relationship in both the optical and the near-infrared (NIR) using a combination of optical photometric and spectroscopic observations from the Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) International Spectroscopic Survey (KISS) and NIR photometry from the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS). We supplement the 2MASS data with our own NIR photometry for a small number of lower luminosity emission-line galaxies (ELGs) that are underrepresented in the 2MASS database. Our B-band L-Z relationship includes 765 star-forming KISS galaxies with coarse abundance estimates from our follow-up spectra, while the correlation with KISS and 2MASS yields a total of 420 galaxies in our J-band L-Z relationship. We explore the effect that changing the correlation between the strong-line abundance diagnostic R23 and metallicity has on the derived L-Z relation. We find that the slope of the L-Z relationship decreases as the wavelength of the luminosity bandpass increases. We interpret this as being, at least in part, an effect of internal absorption in the host galaxy. Furthermore, the dispersion in the L-Z relation decreases for the NIR bands, suggesting that variations in internal absorption contribute significantly to the observed scatter. We propose that our NIR L-Z relations are more fundamental than the B-band relation, since they are largely free of absorption effects and the NIR luminosities are more directly related to the stellar mass of the galaxy than are the optical luminosities.
Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) has erythroid-potentiating activity

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) was purified and molecularly cloned on the basis of its erythroid-potentiating activity (EPA). TIMP/EPA appears to be a bifunctional molecule with both growth factor and anti-enzymatic activity. Recently, a second TIMP-related molecule was identified and we have investigated its possible erythroid-potentiating activity. Native, purified human TIMP-2 was assayed for erythroid-potentiating activity using an in vitro erythroid burst formation assay and was compared with that of previously characterized recombinant EPA/TIMP-1. The results demonstrate that both members of the tissue inhibitor or metalloproteinase family, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, possessed erythroid potentiating activity which was inhibited by antibodies developed to neutralize EPA. These results suggest that TIMP-2 shares a common structural domain with EPA/TIMP- I that is responsible for the erythroid-potentiating activity of these inhibitors. Therefore, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, with both anti-protease activity and growth factor activity, join a family of bifunctional molecules such as Fibroblast growth factor and thrombin which have both enzymatic and growth factor activity.
Agronomic and chemical evaluation of smooth sumac, Rhus glabra

Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is a potential whole-plant source of polyphenol and oil. In a 2-yr evaluation of progenies from 14 Maryland, 1 northern Virginia, and 2 Georgia populations, highly significant variation (1% level) in vigor, number of plants surviving the seeding year, dry matter yield the seeding year, and number of tillers produced the second year was observed. In 15 entries, highly significant variation (1% level) in polyphenol+oil and in gallotannins was observed. Dry matter yields, extrapolated to Mg har-1, ranged from 0.02 to 1.4 (for a single harvest), % polyphenol+oil from 19.4-31.1, and % gallotannins (a class of polyphenols) from 9.8 to 15.7. It is suggested that significantly improved lines could be developed through breeding. Based on estimated ratios of σ2Entries/σ2Entries+σ2, genetic variation for most agronomic traits could be estimated with fair precision whereas variation for chemical traits could be affected substantially by nongenetic factors. Factor analysis indicated plants that would perform reasonably well over a 2-yr period could be selected on the basis of early seeding-year vigor scores. Selection for high amounts of polyphenol+oil and gallotannins would have to be done independently of agronomic selection. Cutting frequencies should not exceed 2×yr-1 or serious stand loss would occur.
RECOLONIZATION OF SMALL DISTURBANCE PATCHES IN A NEW ENGLAND SALT MARSH

Availability of colonizers and edaphic conditions were tested in relation to rates of recolonization of open patches in salt marsh vegetation. The density of buried viable seeds was estimated by counting seedlings in undisturbed vegetation and germinating seeds in the laboratory. A low density of viable seeds (< 50 per m2) found in these salt marsh soils indicated the absence of an important viable seed bank in this system. Rates of recolonization in natural open patches were monitored for three years. Vegetative expansion of Spartina alterniflora, at approximately 12 cm per year, accounted for most ofthe recolonization of open patches, although some colonization of annual Salicornia spp. occurred from seeds. Salinity and sulfide and ammonium concentrations were measured in pore water samples from depths of 2-7 cm and 10-15 cm of soil. Comparison of the concentrations from disturbed and undisturbed plots in the marsh did not show significant differences, indicating that none of the edaphic conditions measured would be more inhibitory to plant growth in the disturbed than the undisturbed plots. Therefore, the rate at which small open patches become recolonized is primarily controlled by proximity of Spartina alterniflora and its capacity for vegetative expansion. SEVERAL NATURAL PROCESSES create open patches in salt marsh vegetation. Among these are: high salinity, coverage by wrack, build up of hydrogen sulfide, lack of iron, oxygen deficiency in the rhizosphere, change in tidal re
Rape and the prevalence of hybrids in broadly sympatric species: a case study using albatrosses

Conspecific rape often increases male reproductive success. However, the haste and aggression of forced copulations suggests that males may sometimes rape heterospecific females, thus making rape a likely, but undocumented, source of hybrids between broadly sympatric species. We present evidence that heterospecific rape may be the source of hybrids between Black-footed and Laysan Albatrosses (Phoebastria nigripes, and P. immutabilis, respectively). Extensive field studies have shown that paired (but not unpaired) males of both of these albatross species use rape as a supplemental reproductive strategy. Between species differences in size, timing of laying, and aggressiveness suggest that Black-footed Albatrosses should be more successful than Laysan Albatrosses in heteropspecific rape attempts, and male Black-footed Albatrosses have been observed attempting to force copulations on female Laysan Albatrosses. Nuclear markers showed that the six hybrids we studied were F1s and mitochondrial markers showed that male Black-footed Albatrosses sired all six hybrids. Long-term gene exchange between these species has been from Black-footed Albatrosses into Laysan Albatrosses, suggesting that the siring asymmetry found in our hybrids has long persisted. If hybrids are sired in heterospecific rapes, they presumably would be raised and sexually imprinted on Laysan Albatrosses, and two unmated hybrids in a previous study courted only Laysan Albatrosses.