cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Species‐specific responses of plant communities to altered carbon and nutrient availability

In a field microcosm experiment, species-specific responses of aboveground biomass of two California annual grassland communities to elevated CO2 and nutrient availability were investigated. One community grows on shallow, nutrient-poor serpentinederived soil whereas the other occurs on deeper, modestly fertile sandstone/greenstone-derived substrate. In most species, CO2 effects did not appear until late in the growing season, probably because the elevated CO2 increased water-use-efficiency easing, the onset of the summer drought. Responses of aboveground biomass to elevated CO2 differed depending on nutrient availability. Similarly, biomass responses to nutrient treatments differed depending on the CO2 status. For the majority of the species, production increased most under elevated CO2 with added nutrients (N,P,K, and micro nutrients). Some species were losers under conditions that increased overall community production, including Bromus hordeaceus in the serpentine community (negative biomass response under elevated CO2) and Lotus wrangelianus in both communities (negative biomass response with added nitrogen). Treatment and competitive effects on species-specific biomass varied in both magnitude and direction, especially in the serpentine community, significantly affecting community structure. Individual resource environments are likely to be affected by neighbouring plants, and these competitive interactions complicate predictions of species’ responses to elevated CO2.
Corpus luteal insufficiency

The corpus luteum is controlled by luteinizing hormone (LH) and intra-ovarian morphofunctional specialization and autocrine/paracrine mechanisms. Corpus luteal insufficiency produces luteal phase defects (LPD). The poor precision and validation of endometrial histologic dating and single or random multiple serum progesterone measurements produce widely variable diagnoses. The true prevalence rate of LPD may be only 3–5% similar to that due to chance. The role of LPD in causing infertility can be challenged because the diagnosis is not predictive of recurrence in subsequent cycles, and other causes of infertility are not controlled for. Intraobserver and interobserver variability, uterine site of biopsy, luteal phase length, time of ovulation, and luteal phase timing of biopsy have been examined and have confirmed the imprecision of dating as a sensitive and reliable assessment of luteal insufficiency. There is support for either early or late luteal phase biopsy. Endometrial dating using LH timing as a reference point is relatively more reliable. Integrated luteal progesterone is the only currently accurate assessment of luteal sufficiency. Clomiphene does not increase LPD but increases serum progesterone, integrated progesterone, corpus luteum LH/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptors, all of which promote increased progesterone production and do not affect endometrial estrogen and progesterone receptors. hCG is more likely to stimulate progesterone production if given at the mid rather than early luteal phase corresponding to the phase with highest total and available (unoccupied) corpus luteal LH receptors. Careful analysis of published studies on treatment of LPD revealed only one randomized controlled study, and, statistically, all studies revealed no better outcome with progesterone treatment.
Safety Assurance in Obstetrical Ultrasound

Safety assurance for diagnostic ultrasound in obstetrics began with a tacit assumption of safety allowed by a federal law enacted in 1976 for then-existing medical ultrasound equipment. The implementation of the 510(k) pre-market-approval process for diagnostic ultrasound resulted in the establishment of guideline upper limits for several examination categories in 1985. The obstetrical category has undergone substantial evolution from initial limits (ie, 46 mW/cm 2 spatial peak temporal average [SPTA] intensity) set in 1985. Thermal and mechanical exposure indices, which are displayed onscreen according to an Output Display Standard, were developed for safety assurance with relaxed upper limits. In 1992, with the adoption of the Output Display Standard, the allowable output for obstetrical ultrasound was increased in terms of both the average exposure (eg, to a possible 720 mW/cm 2 SPTA intensity) and the peak exposure (via the Mechanical Index). There has been little or no subsequent research with the modern obstetrical ultrasound machines to systematically assess potential risks to the fetus using either relevant animal models of obstetrical exposure or human epidemiology studies. The assurance of safety for obstetrical ultrasound therefore is supported by three ongoing means: (1) review of a substantial but uncoordinated bioeffect research literature; (2) the theoretical evaluation of diagnostic ultrasound exposure in terms of thermal and nonthermal mechanisms for bioeffects; and (3) the skill and knowledge of professional sonographers. At this time, there is no specific reason to suspect that there is any significant health risk to the fetus or mother from exposure to diagnostic ultrasound in obstetrics. This assurance of safety supports the prudent use of diagnostic ultrasound in obstetrics by trained professionals for any medically indicated examination.
What Reviewers Should Expect from Authors Regarding Common Method Bias in Organizational Research

We believe that journal reviewers (as well as editors and dissertation or thesis committee members) have to some extent perpetuated misconceptions about common method bias in self-report measures, including (a) that relationships between self-reported variables are necessarily and routinely upwardly biased, (b) other-reports (or other methods) are superior to self-reports, and (c) rating sources (e.g., self, other) constitute measurement methods. We argue against these misconceptions and make recommendations for what reviewers (and others) should reasonably expect from authors regarding common method bias. We believe it is reasonable to expect (a) an argument for why self-reports are appropriate, (b) construct validity evidence, (c) lack of overlap in items for different constructs, and (d) evidence that authors took proactive design steps to mitigate threats of method effects. We specifically do not recommend post hoc statistical control strategies; while some statistical strategies are promising, all have significant drawbacks and some have shown poor empirical results.
Instrumental variables estimators of nonparametric models with discrete endogenous regressors

This paper discusses estimation of nonparametric models whose regressor vectors consist of a vector of exogenous variables and a univariate discrete endogenous regressor with finite support. Both identification and estimators are derived from a transform of the model that evaluates the nonparametric structural function via indicator functions in the support of the discrete regressor. A two-step estimator is proposed where the first step constitutes nonparametric estimation of the instrument and the second step is a nonparametric version of two-stage least squares. Linear functionals of the model are shown to be asymptotically normal, and a consistent estimator of the asymptotic covariance matrix is described. For the binary endogenous regressor case, it is shown that one functional of the model is a conditional (on covariates) local average treatment effect, that permits both unobservable and observable heterogeneity in treatments. Finite sample properties of the estimators from a Monte Carlo simulation study illustrate the practicability of the proposed estimators.
Reprogramming EF-hands for design of catalytically amplified lanthanide sensors

We recently reported that a computationally designed catalyst nicknamed AlleyCat facilitates C–H proton abstraction in Kemp elimination at neutral pH in a selective and calcium-dependent fashion by a factor of approximately 100,000 (Korendovych et al. in Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 108:6823, 2011). Kemp elimination produced a colored product that can be easily read out, thus making AlleyCat a catalytically amplified metal sensor for calcium. Here we report that metal-binding EF-hand motifs in AlleyCat could be redesigned to incorporate trivalent metal ions without significant loss of catalytic activity. Mutation of a single neutral residue at position 9 of each of the EF-hands to glutamate results in almost a two orders of magnitude improvement of selectivity for trivalent metal ions over calcium. Development of this new lanthanide-dependent switchable Kemp eliminase, named CuSeCat EE, provides the foundation for further selectivity improvement and broadening the scope of the repertoire of metals for sensing. A concerted effort in the design of switchable enzymes has many environmental, sensing, and metal ion tracking applications.
THE EFFECT OF HEAT UPON THE MYCELIUM OF CERTAIN STRUCTURAL-TIMBER-DESTROYING FUNGI WITHIN WOOD

The possible use of heat for checking decay in buildings has been suggested by various European writers, but little has been done either in an experimental or in a practical way to test its efficacy. Falck (i, p. I97; 2, PP. 338-340) made some tests upon the effect of heat upon the mycelium of some wood-destroying fungi in agar and in wood. The tests were not run in a systematic series, and Falck's only conclusion was that, whereas heat may be applicable for the checking of Merulius kacrymans within structures, it is not feasible in the case of Lenzites sepiaria, for heat is necessary for long periods and at high temperatures to kill this fungus. Hoxie (3, pp. 38-40) reports an experiment carried out in a mill infected with Merulius lacrymans and Coniophora cerebella, in which encouraging results were obtained by heating the building by means of its own heating system four times from Saturday noon to Monday morning to about II5? F. (46? C.). The present paper gives the results of a series of tests upon the resistance to heat of the mycelium of certain wood-destroying fungi within wood and a discussion of the application of these results to the heat treatment of decayed timber in buildings, and to the kiln-drying and preservation of wood. The fungi are five found to be of importance in the decay of mill.timbers, viz., Lenzites sepiaria, L. trabea, Trametes serialis, T. carneea, and Lentinus lepideus (6). METHODS
Boundary Conformed Toolpath Generation via Laplace Based Parametric Redistribution Method

A new approach for boundary conformed toolpath generation is presented in this paper. The approach combines the numerical Laplace solution for initial parametrization and a parametric redistribution algorithm for improved toolpath generation. The Laplace parametrization can be applied to any 2D surface domain without anomalies. Our parametric redistribution algorithm can then be used to reduce the unevenness that usually occurs in Laplace parametrization. The adequacy of computational robustness and efficiency of the parametric redistribution method are tested in this paper. By applying the parametric redistribution method, both the machining efficiency and uniformity of the resultant tool-paths can be improved. The advantages of this boundary conformed toolpath generation approach are successfully demonstrated on several typical examples.
DISSOCIATION BETWEEN GASTRIC SECRETION AND MOTILITY.

Simultaneous gastric secretory and motor studies on 19 subjects stimulated with Histalog, 5% alcohol, and reserpine revealed an increase in the gastric secretory volume and free acid but no hypermotility of the stomach. In 10 studies the gastric motility and tonus were unaltered, and in 9 studies there was a slight decrease in amplitude of gastric contractions and tonus. There were no observable differences in motor response between patients with duodenal ulcer and those subjects with no gastro-intestinal disorder.
The Raf‐1 Protein Mediates Insulin‐Like Growth Factor‐Induced Proliferation of Erythroid Progenitor Cells

Previous studies from this and other laboratories have shown that insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-II) support erythroid colony formation in cultures supplemented with serum substitute and recombinant erythropoietin. Subpopulations of IGF-I- and IGF-II-dependent, erythropoietin-independent colony-forming unit-erythroid (CFU-E)-derived colonies and BFU-E-derived colonies were identified under serum-substituted conditions for adult bone-marrow-derived erythroid progenitors which proliferate in the absence and presence of exogenous anti-erythropoietin receptor monoclonal antibody and in serum-substituted medium that was preadsorbed with anti-erythropoietin IgG. To assess whether Raf-1 is required for the formation of IGF-dependent, erythropoietin-independent human erythroid colonies, 5-15 microM sense or antisense oligomer to raf-1 were added to serum-substituted cultures containing either 2 U/ml recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) alone or 0-1,000 ng/ml IGF-I or IGF-II with/without 2 U/ml rHuEpo. Both erythropoietin-induced and IGF-induced erythroid colony formation were completely blocked by antisense (but not sense) oligomers to raf-1. Purified human CFU-Es were examined for Raf-1 message and protein. Total RNA was extracted, and raf-1 mRNA was detected on Northern blots. Furthermore, a 74 kD protein, corresponding to Raf-1, was also detected in CFU-Es purified from human adult sources. Together, these studies support the hypothesis that the Raf-1 protein mediates both erythropoietin-induced and IGF-induced signal transduction in human erythroid progenitor cells.
Decentralized Control of Large-Scale Storage-Based Renewable Energy Systems

Intermittent nature of renewable energies and random nature of moving loads negatively influence the power system transient stability. Energy storage can enhance the system response by providing short-term energy sources. However, fast dynamic storage systems require advanced controllers to stabilize the transients. This paper introduces the application of a decentralized overlapping decomposition controller in transient stability of renewable energy penetrated storage-based power systems. In a battery-based power system there exists strongly coupled state variables shared among areas. Large-scale controllers can decouple the system state variables and stabilize the oscillations. Here, the model of battery storage is obtained considering the battery's state of charge and the droop in power electronic interfaces. The overlapping decomposition decentralized controller demonstrates an enhanced transient stability performance under variable state of charge in various capacity of storage devices.
A critique of silvicultural approaches to managing defoliating insects in North America

1 A variety of silvicultural techniques have been suggested for managing forest defoliating insects. The objectives focus on minimizing defoliation or minimizing damage from defoliation. 2 The theoretical foundations of many approaches have been built upon observation and correlation, and very little reliable empirical evidence exists to support the objectives of silvicultural manipulations. Existing experimental data have yielded inconsistent results. 3 We review the conceptual framework and underlying assumptions of the major silvicultural approaches recommended or in use in North America. 4 Well-designed, long-term studies are needed to clarify the effect of silviculture on defoliators and their effect on forests.
Quantifying amount of adsorption of levothyroxine by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes.

Background: It has been the authors' clinical experience that hypothyroid patients who achieve a euthyroid state on a steady dose of oral levothyroxine often become hypothyroid over time if the medication is given via a feeding tube. The authors hypothesize that the tubing and enteral feeds may adsorb a significant percentage of the levothyroxine and thereby reduce its bioavailability. To the authors' knowledge, no previous research has been reported on this subject. They therefore performed an in vitro assessment of the degree of levothyroxine adsorption to quantify the amount of drug adsorbed to the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube and how enteral tube feeds mitigate or exacerbate this adsorption. Methods: Using levothyroxine radiolabeled with an I125 tracer, a known dose of levothyroxine was passed through 60 new PEG tubes. One-half of the tubes were pretreated with Jevity feeds, and the other half were not. The authors measured the activity of the radiolabeled levothyroxine before and af...
Geographic variation in the growth rates of Littorina littorea and L. saxatilis

The two intertidal grazers Littorina littorea and L. saxatilis occupy extensively overlapping distributions on both sides of the Atlantic. Morphological, electrophoretic and physiological evidence suggests that the direct developer L. saxatilis is more geographically differentiated than the planktonic developer L. littorea. This hypothesis was tested by collecting both species in 1980 and 1981 from three geographically separated beaches in Massachusetts, USA, marking them, and releasing them in two of the sites. Individuals from all three L. littorea populations, grown at a common site, tended to grow at similar rates, while L. saxatilis exhibited consistent population differences in individual growth. This study supports the view that L. saxatilis achieves its broad geographic distribution via locally adapted ecotypes, while L. littorea achieves its distribution by individual physiological plasticity.
Remarks on the freezing of a binary solution

Abstract Comments are made on the recent successful solution of Braga and Viskanta [1] on the freezing of an ideal eutectic solution, initially at a temperature above the freezing temperature and situated above a surface that at and after zero time is at a temperature above the eutectic temperature but below the freezing temperature. These remarks include a brief review of the solution method for the case in which the cold surface is at a temperature below the eutectic temperature. The case of [1] is then a specialization of this more general one. An approximate solution is also introduced and this simpler solution is shown to be acceptable for examples which include most the experimental conditions of [1].
Polarized light camera to guide surgical excision of skin cancers

A polarized light camera (polCAM) is being used to guide surgical excision of skin cancers. Preliminary results of a clinical pilot study are presented. The polCAM uses linearly polarized light and acquires parallel- and cross-polarized images, then the difference image (par - cross) subtracts the background diffusely scattered light and yields an image the unveils the fabric of the skin. Cancer disrupts the complex pattern of this fabric, revealing the cancer margin.
Development of Spontaneous Seizures after Experimental Status Epilepticus: Implications for Understanding Epileptogenesis

This report examines several concepts concerning the latent period to the first convulsive seizure, subsequent increases in seizure frequency, and possible mechanisms of epileptogenesis after kainate-induced status epilepticus. Previous data concerning the latent period and seizure progression from intermittent and continuous behavioral monitoring are compared, and hypothetical mechanisms of acquired epilepsy are discussed. Data involving electrographic recordings with tethered animals or with radiotelemetry are assessed in terms of their potential for addressing different hypotheses concerning the latent period and progressive changes in seizure frequency. Experimental analyses of the time course of occurrence of spontaneous seizures are interpreted in terms of possible cellular mechanisms underlying epileptogenesis.
Effects of nucleoside antivirals and their metabolites on the corneal endothelium

The endothelial surface of rabbit corneas were perfused in vitro with bicarbonate Ringer's containing 5 mM glucose, 0.3 mM reduced glutathione, and various concentrations of nucleoside antivirals or their metabolites. During three hour perfusions, the swelling rates of corneas perfused with buffer containing either antivirals or metabolites were not significantly different from controls. Scanning electron microscopy of the endothelial cell layer revealed no structural abnormalities in any treatment group. One metabolite, fluoride ion, reduced endothelial glucose oxidation by about 60 percent when incubated with corneal tissue in vitro. The inhibition of glucose metabolism by fluoride ions was observed only at concentrations at least sixty times greater than would be anticipated in the anterior chamber of patients receiving topical F3TdR therapy. These studies indicate that 5-trifluoromethyl-2'-deoxyuridine, 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine, 9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)-guanine, and their metabolites do not alter endothelial function when studied at physiological concentrations over a short term of exposure.
Upper bounds for growth in the Ryll-Nardzewski function of anω-categorical,ω-stable theory

We establish a sharp upper bound for growth in the sequences k (T):=the number ofk-types consistent withT, forT ω-categorical andω-stable.
Insulinoma-associated 1a (Insm1a) is required for photoreceptor differentiation in the zebrafish retina

The zinc-finger transcription factor insulinoma-associated 1 (Insm1, previously IA-1) is expressed in the developing nervous and neuroendocrine systems, and is required for cell type specific differentiation. Expression of Insm1 is largely absent in the adult, although it is present in neurogenic regions of the adult brain and zebrafish retina. While expression of Insm1 has also been observed in the embryonic retina of numerous vertebrate species, its function during retinal development has remained unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that in the developing zebrafish retina, insm1a is required for photoreceptor differentiation. Insm1a-deficient embryos were microphthalmic and displayed defects in rod and cone photoreceptor differentiation. Rod photoreceptor cells were more sensitive to loss of insm1a expression than were cone photoreceptor cells. Additionally, we provide evidence that insm1a regulates cell cycle progression of retinoblasts, and functions upstream of the bHLH transcription factors ath5/atoh7 and neurod, and the photoreceptor specification genes crx and nr2e3. Finally, we show that insm1a is negatively regulated by Notch-Delta signaling. Taken together, our data demonstrate that Insm1 influences neuronal subtype differentiation during retinal development.
Occurrence of the entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin in different tillage regimes and in Zea mays L. and virulence towards Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner)

Abstract The entomopathogen, Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, is an important component in the corn (Zea mays L.) agroecosystem; this pathogen was found in soil, living corn plants, and field corn residue. Beauveria bassiana occurs naturally in the soil within different tillage systems (plow, chisel, no-tillage), with an average of 51–74 colony forming units g−1 of soil. The natural inoculum was present in the crop residue from the different tillage systems, killing up to 84% of European corn borer larvae (Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) overwintering in the no-tillage regime. Of the larvae collected from the corn late in the season, 100% of those killed by Beauveria bassiana were from plants colonized by Beauveria bassiana applied foliarly at the whorl-stage (χ2 = 19.1, P
Low-loss high-impedance integrated fiber-optic tap

There are many applications in which small amounts of light need to be tapped from an optical fiber, such as broadcasting to a large number of nodes, including optical clock distribution in synchronous optical LANs and VLSI multiprocessor systems. Often the utility of such a light tap is measured by its excess loss and tapping ratio, as these parameters determine the maximum number of nodes that can be accommodated on a repeaterless bus.
A sufficient condition for subellipticity of the ∂¯-Neumann operator

Abstract We give a sufficient condition for subelliptic estimates for the ∂ ¯ -Neumann operator on smoothly bounded, pseudoconvex domains in C n . This condition is a quantified version of McNeal's condition ( P ˜ ) for compactness of the ∂ ¯ -Neumann operator, and it extends Catlin's sufficiency condition for subellipticity as it is less stringent.
Wess-Zumino-Witten model based on a nonsemisimple group.

We present a conformal field theory which describes a homogeneous four dimensional Lorentz-signature space-time. The model is an ungauged Wess-Zumino-Witten model based on a central extension of the Poincar\'e algebra. The central charge of this theory is exactly four, just like four dimensional Minkowski space. The model can be interpreted as a four dimensional monochromatic plane wave. As there are three commuting isometries, other interesting geometries are expected to emerge via O(3,3) duality.
Shutoff and Agonist-Triggered Internalization of Protease-Activated Receptor 1 Can Be Separated by Mutation of Putative Phosphorylation Sites in the Cytoplasmic Tail†

The thrombin receptor PAR1 becomes rapidly phosphorylated upon activation by either thrombin or exogenous SFLLRN agonist peptide. Substitution of alanine for all serine and threonine residues in the receptor's cytoplasmic carboxyl-terminal tail ablated phosphorylation and yielded a receptor defective in both shutoff and agonist-triggered internalization. These observations suggested that activation-dependent phosphorylation of PAR1's cytoplasmic tail is required for both shutoff and agonist-triggered internalization. To identify the phosphorylation site(s) that are necessary for these functions, we generated three mutant receptors in which alanine was substituted for serine and threonine residues in the amino-terminal, middle, and carboxyl-terminal thirds of PAR1's cytoplasmic tail. When stably expressed in fibroblasts, all three mutated receptors were rapidly phosphorylated in response to agonist, while a mutant in which all serines and threonines in the cytoplasmic tail were converted to alanines was not. This result suggests that phosphorylation can occur at multiple sites in PAR1's cytoplasmic tail. Alanine substitutions in the N-terminal and C-terminal portions of the tail had no effect on either receptor shutoff or agonist-triggered internalization. By contrast, alanine substitutions in the "middle" serine cluster between Ser(391) and Ser(406) yielded a receptor with considerably slower shutoff of signaling after thrombin activation than the wild type. Surprisingly, this same mutant was indistinguishable from the wild type in agonist-triggered internalization and degradation. Overexpression of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) and GRK3 "suppressed" the shutoff defect of the S --> A (391-406) mutant, consistent with this defect being due to altered receptor phosphorylation. These results suggest that specific phosphorylation sites are required for rapid receptor shutoff, but phosphorylation at multiple alternative sites is sufficient for agonist-triggered internalization. The observation that internalization and acute shutoff were dissociated by mutation of PAR1 suggests that there are quantitative or qualitative differences in the requirements or mechanisms for these two processes.
Perioperative Nutritional Management in Congenital Perineal and Vestibular Fistulas: A Systematic Review.

Background Surgical advancements have led to improved outcomes for children with congenital anorectal malformations with vestibular and perineal fistulas. However, the effect of perioperative nutritional management is debated and guidelines have not yet been established. Objective The study aims to give an overview of available published evidence, regarding the impact of different perioperative nutritional management protocols on surgical outcome. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases. All original articles concerning perioperative nutrition in children with vestibular and perineal fistulas were included. Methodological quality was assessed with the Rangel score. Included studies were subdivided into two groups: early enteral nutrition and prolonged fasting with or without parenteral nutrition. Results The database search resulted in 768 publications. Nine studies were eligible for inclusion. Wound complications were present in 56 of the 1,557 patients (4%) in whom this was assessed, and were more frequently seen in the prolonged fasting group (2 vs. 10%, p < 0.0001). Regarding the long-term outcome, constipation (grade II-III) was seen in 4% of the early feeding group, compared with 13% in the prolonged fasting group (p < 0.0001). Conclusion This systematic review presents an overview of studies reporting on perioperative nutritional management in children with perineal and vestibular fistulas. Although study quality is low and study heterogeneity may also influence our results, early enteral feeding seems to be the preferable postoperative feeding strategy. Both early wound complications as well as long-term complications, in terms of clinically relevant constipation, seem to be lower in the early enteral feeding group. However, a prospective randomized, multicentered trial should be initiated to draw definitive conclusions regarding this matter.
bFGF Stimulates U937 Cell Adhesion to Fibronectin and Secretion of Gelatinase B

Abstract U937 cells are an immature monocytic cell line which has been used to study monocyte differentiation. For example, phorbol ester differentiation of U937 cells results in both an increase in adhesion to fibronectin through α5β1 integrin and the ability to degrade extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins through the secretion of gelatinase B (1, 2). The ability of monocytes to adhere to and degrade ECM molecules is fundamental to their localization at sites of inflammation and tissue damage. Here we find that bFGF treatment of U937 cells results in a six-fold increased adhesion to fibronectin. Further, monoclonal antibodies to α5 or β1 integrin block the bFGF induced adhesion to fibronectin. bFGF also stimulated U937 cell secretion of a 92 kDa gelatinase which was identified by immunoblot to be gelatinase B. These data are the first to suggest a role for bFGF as an immunomodulatory factor during the early stages of inflammation.
Dual private pension households and the distribution of wealth in the United States

Using data from the 1998 Survey of Consumer Finances, this paper examines the impact of dual private pension households on the distribution of household wealth in the United States. This paper builds on three lines of previous research: inquiries into ‘assortative mating’, i.e., the tendency for people with similar characteristics to marry; studies emphasizing the importance of pensions as a component of household wealth; and recent research examining how wives' earnings alter the distribution of household income. Evidence of ‘assortative private pensions’, i.e., the tendency for people with private pensions to be married to people with private pensions, is presented. Estimates of the expected value of private pension and social security wealth are added to measures of household non-retirement net worth to obtain the value household wealth. These data indicate that wives' private pensions in dual private pension households contribute marginally to greater equality in the wealth distribution.
Epithelial Na channels and short-term renal response to salt deprivation

To test the role of epithelial Na channels in the day-to-day regulation of renal Na excretion, rats were infused via osmotic minipumps with the Na channel blocker amiloride at rates that achieved d...
Electrocardiographic patterns of superior right ventricular outflow tract tachycardias: distinguishing septal and free-wall sites of origin.

ECG Patterns of RVOT Tachycardias. Introduction: The superior right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) septum and free wall are common locations of origin for outflow tract ventricular tachycardias (VT). We hypothesized that (1) unique ECG morphologies of pace maps from septal and free-wall sites in the superior RVOT could be identified using magnetic electroanatomic mapping for accurate anatomical localization; and (2) this ECG information could help facilitate pace mapping and accurate VT localization. Methods and Results: In 14 patients with structurally normal hearts who were undergoing ablation for outflow tract VT, a detailed magnetic electroanatomic map of RVOT was constructed in sinus rhythm, then pace mapping was performed from anterior, mid, and posterior sites along the septum and free wall of the superior RVOT. Pace maps were analyzed for ECG morphologies in limb leads and transition patterns in precordial leads. Monophasic R waves in inferior leads for septal sites were taller (1.7 ± 0.4 mVvs1.1 ± 0.3 mV; P < 0.01) and narrower (158 ± 21 msecvs168 ± 15 msec; P < 0.01) compared with free-wall sites; lacked “notching” (28.6% vs 95.2%;P < 0.05); and showed early precordial transition (by lead V4; 78.6% vs 4.8%;P < 0.05). A positive R wave in lead I also distinguished posterior from anterior septal and free-wall sites. Based on QRS morphology in limb leads and precordial transition pattern (early vs late), in a retrospective analysis, a blinded reviewer was able to accurately localize the site of origin of clinical arrhythmia (the successful ablation site on the magnetic electroanatomic map) in 25 of 28 patients (90%) with superior RVOT VT. Conclusion: Pace maps in the superior RVOT region manifest site-dependent ECG morphologies that can help in differentiating free-wall from septal locations and posterior from anterior locations. Despite overlap in QRS amplitude and duration, in the majority of patients a combination of ECG features can serve as a useful template in predicting accurately the site of origin of clinical arrhythmias arising from this region.
Moving Forward in the Era of Quantitative QCD: Transversity 2014 Closing Remarks

After the development of QCD in the last quarter of the 20th century, we are now in the early years of an exciting new era in which much more quantitative QCD calculations can be tested against increasingly sophisticated experimental measurements. While there is more than one way to keep pushing forward our understanding, the proton, as a fundamental bound state of QCD, can serve as an excellent laboratory in which to probe the complexities of the strong force as we learn more about the very matter of which we ourselves are made.
The frequency and quantity of Alaskan groundfish catcher-vessel landings made with and without an observer

The North Pacific Groundfish Observer Programme (NPGOP) is one of the largest on-board fishery-monitoring programmes in the world, and the data are used extensively for both inand post-season management of fisheries. Within certain limits, Alaskan fishers determine when and where to carry observers. There may be an incentive to fish differently during observed trips because (i) observed trips carry higher costs than unobserved trips, and (ii) bycatch quanta for quota deduction are estimated by applying bycatch rates from observed trips to retained catches on unobserved trips. Such differences may be manifest through the skewed deployment of observers among fisheries, i.e. a deployment effect, and through unrepresentative activities by fishers when an observer is on board, i.e. an observer effect. Despite long-standing concerns expressed over the NPGOP’s 40-year history, evidence of deployment and observer effects have been based largely on anecdotal information. In 2008, database changes allowed a comparison of industry landing reports for trips with and without an observer. A deployment effect was evidenced by significant deviations from the expected landing ratios between observed and unobserved trips, and linear mixed-effect models revealed differences in the landed weight and evidence for an observer effect within two of five fisheries examined.
Identification and Evaluation of Twin-Arginine Translocase Inhibitors

The twin-arginine translocase (TAT) in some bacterial pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia pseudomallei, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, contributes to pathogenesis by translocating extracellular virulence determinants across the inner membrane into the periplasm, thereby allowing access to the Xcp (type II) secretory system for further export in Gram-negative organisms, or directly to the outside surface of the cell, as in M. tuberculosis. TAT-mediated secretion appreciably contributes to virulence in both animal and plant models of bacterial infection. Consequently, TAT function is an attractive target for small-molecular-weight compounds that alone or in conjunction with extant antimicrobial agents could become novel therapeutics. The TAT-transported hemolytic phospholipase C (PlcH) of P. aeruginosa and its multiple orthologs produced by the above pathogens can be detected by an accurate and reproducible colorimetric assay using a synthetic substrate that detects phospholipase C activity. Such an assay could be an effective indicator of TAT function. Using carefully constructed recombinant strains to precisely control the expression of PlcH, we developed a high-throughput screening (HTS) assay to evaluate, in duplicate, >80,000 small-molecular-weight compounds as possible TAT inhibitors. Based on additional TAT-related functional assays, purified PlcH protein inhibition experiments, and repeat experiments of the initial screening assay, 39 compounds were selected from the 122 initial hits. Finally, to evaluate candidate inhibitors for TAT specificity, we developed a TAT titration assay that determines whether inhibition of TAT-mediated secretion can be overcome by increasing the levels of TAT expression. The compounds N-phenyl maleimide and Bay 11-7082 appear to directly affect TAT function based on this approach.
Recombinant canine B-domain-deleted FVIII exhibits high specific activity and is safe in the canine hemophilia A model.

Production of recombinant B-domain–deleted canine factor VIII (cFVIII-BDD) unexpectedly revealed superior protein yields with 3-fold increased specific activity relative to human FVIII-BDD (hFVIII-BDD). We also determined that activated cFVIII-BDD is more stable than activated hFVIII-BDD. Furthermore, cFVIII-BDD is efficient at inducing hemostasis in human plasma containing FVIII inhibitors. Infusion of cFVIII-BDD in hemophilia A dogs resulted in correction of the disease phenotype with a pharmacokinetic profile similar to clinical experience with hFVIII-BDD. Notably, immune tolerance challenges with cFVIII-BDD in young and adult hemophilia A dogs did not induce the formation of neutralizing or nonneutralizing antibodies to cFVIII. These data establish the framework to quantitatively investigate the efficacy and safety in preclinical studies of novel therapies for hemophilia A.
Assessment of Juniper Encroachment With The Use of Satellite Imagery and Geospatial Data

Juniper encroachment into otherwise treeless shrub lands and grasslands is one of the most pronounced environmental changes observed in rangelands of western North America in recent decades. Most studies on juniper change are conducted over small areas, although encroachment is occurring throughout regions. Whether changes in juniper cover can be assessed over large areas with the use of long-term satellite data is an important methodological question. A fundamental challenge in using satellite imagery to determine tree abundance in rangelands is that a mix of trees, sagebrush, and herbaceous cover types can occur within a given image pixel. Our objective was to determine if spectral mixture analysis could be used to estimate changes in Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum Sarg) and Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma [Torr.] Little) cover over 20 yr and 20 000 ha in southeast Idaho with the use of Landsat imagery. We also examined the spatial patterns and variation of encroachment within our study area using Geographic Information Systems–based data sets of grazing use, land-cover types, and topography. Juniper cover determined from 15-cm-resolution digital aerial orthophotography was used to train and validate juniper presence/absence classification in 1985 and 2005 Landsat images. The two classified images were then compared to detect changes in juniper cover. The estimated rate of juniper encroachment over our study area was 22–30% between 1985 and 2005, consistent with previous ground-based studies. Moran’s I analysis indicated that juniper encroachment pattern was spatially random rather than clustered or uniform. Juniper encroachment was significantly greater in grazed areas (P 5 0.02), and in particular in grazed shrub land cover type (P 5 0.06), compared to ungrazed areas. Juniper encroachment was also greater on intermediate slopes (10–35% slopes) compared to steeper or flatter terrain, and encroachment was somewhat less on north-facing (P 5 0.03) and more on west-facing (P 5 0.02) slopes compared to other aspects.
Active Probing Approach for Fault Localization in Computer Networks

Active probing is an active network monitoring technique that has potential for developing effective solutions for fault localization. In this paper we use active probing to present an approach to develop tools for performing fault localization. We discuss various design issues involved and propose architecture for building such a tool. We describe an algorithm for probe set selection for problem detection and present simulation results to show its effectiveness. We demonstrate through analysis and experiments that active probing has the potential to greatly reduce the probe traffic and the fault diagnosis time.
Of Course They Want Us at the Curriculum Internationalization Table

The article offers the author's opinions on curricular internationalization regarding second language acquisition for students in U.S. higher education. Several suggestions to language departments and faculty who would like to ensure their relevance about how the curriculum should be globalized are given by the author. It is suggested that faculty should prove to be indispensable participants on events that involve people from across the campus. Another suggestion is to become instrumental to your institution's achieving its published mission statement.
Verbal memory and brain aging: an exploratory analysis of the role of error responses in the Framingham Study.

Objective:Analysis sought to determine whether Wechsler Memory Scale-Logical Memory (LM)-correct responses and errors were related to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain volume measurements.Meth...
CHILDREN'S KNOWLEDGE AND USE OF ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNS OF PROSE IN RECALLING WHAT THEY READ

This investigation focused on what sixth graders know about organiza- tional features of prose and whether use of specific organizational patterns (top-level structures) facilitates written recall of expository prose. Students were given one of two versions of a well-organized passage of expository text; one version was written with an adversative top-level structure, the other with an attribution top-level struc- ture. Students who read the adversative version recalled slightly more of the passage than students who read and recalled the attribution version. This difference in recall for the two versions was not statistically significant. What was important and also contributed to significantly greater recall was the students use of the top-level struc- tures to organize their written recall. Students' knowledge and intentional use of organizational features of prose as mnemonic strategies are discussed. Learning and memory are affected by the organization of a learning task. Organization as a principle in governing learning and memory has played a central role in Gestalt psychology (Katona, 1940; Wertheimer, 1938) and cognitive science (Rumelhart & Ortony, 1977). Recently researchers have applied principles of organization to memory for both expository and narrative prose (Bartlett, 1978; Brandt, 1978; Brown, Smiley, & Lawton, 1978; Mandler & Johnson, 1977; Meyer, 1975; van Dijk & Kintsch, 1977). These researchers have attempted to bring the in- sights gained in laboratory studies to bear on school learning materials, thus pro- viding more direct application to education. Although reading was an essential activity in the present investigation, the primary interest was in what students think and do before and after reading prose. Specifically, this investigation focused on what sixth graders know about organiza- tional features of prose and whether use of specific organizational patterns i.e., top- level structures) facilitates written recall of expository prose. The results presented in this report were part of a larger investigation on children's memory and metacognition (Elliott, 1980).
A Second Visually Impaired, Mentally Retarded Male with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Tourette Disorder and Ganser's Syndrome: Diagnostic Classification and Treatment:

The authors report a second visually impaired, mentally retarded male who presents with symptoms consistent with atypical pervasive developmental disorder, Tourette disorder, and a syndrome of approximate answers (Ganser's syndrome). Both this case and an earlier reported case are significant in that they identify two children with strikingly similar long-standing symptoms and developmental histories. Since these findings may have broader relevance to children with multiple coexisting disorders, diagnostic and intervention strategies in this population are reviewed.
Gender difference in rheological properties of blood and risk of cardiovascular diseases. Mathematical modeling and experimental study

We hypothesized that due to monthly bloodloss, the mechanical properties of blood of premenopausal women are superior to men, and place them at less risk for cardiovascular diseases than men in any age group. This hypothesis was validated theoretically and experimentally. It was found that male blood possesses an increased viscosity, RBC aggregability and RBC rigidity due to higher level of RBC concentration and significant difference in RBC age distribution in male blood compared to premenopausal female blood. Decreased deformability and increased aggregability of RBCs along with increased blood viscosity are known as risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, this difference in mechanical properties of female and male blood may be the reason for the increased risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases of men as compared to women of reproductive age.
Atomic Layer Deposition of Ultrathin Copper Metal Films from a Liquid Copper(I) Amidinate Precursor

We report a method for producing thin, completely continuous and highly conductive copper films conformally inside very narrow holes with aspect ratios over 35:1 by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Pure copper thin films were grown from a novel copper(I) amidinate precursor, copper(I) N,N'-di-sec-butylacetamidinate, and molecular hydrogen gas as the reducing agent. This copper precursor is a liquid during vaporization because its melting point (77°C) is lower than its vaporization temperature (90-120°C). Thus, the transport of the precursor vapor is very reproducible and controllable. Carbon and oxygen impurities were below 1 atom %. The growth per cycle varied from 1.5-2 A/cycle on SiO 2 or Si 3 N 4 surfaces but was only 0.1-0.5 A/cycle on metallic Ru, Cu, and Co surfaces. On oxide surfaces, copper atoms form isolated copper crystallites that merge into rough polycrystalline films after more deposition cycles. On Ru and Co metal surfaces ALD Cu nucleates densely, forming smooth and strongly adherent films that are continuous even for films as thin as 4 atomic layers. With 4 nm Cu deposited on 2 nm Ru substrates, the sheet resistance is below 50 Ω/□, which is low enough for making seed layers for electroplating Cu interconnect wires.