cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of Resistance to Insect Herbivores in Isolated Breeding Lineages of Cucurbita pepo

Although crop wild ancestors are often reservoirs of resistance traits lost during domestication, examining diverse cultivated germplasm may also reveal novel resistance traits due to distinct breeding histories. Using ten cultivars from two independent domestication events of Cucurbita pepo (ssp. pepo and texana), we identified divergences in constitutive and induced resistance measured by growth of generalist caterpillars and leaf traits. C. p. texana cultivars were consistently more resistant to Trichoplusia ni and Spodoptera exigua, and this was not due to expected mechanisms including cucurbitacins, nitrogen, sticky phloem sap, or toxicity. Although more susceptible on average, C. p. pepo cultivars showed stronger induced resistance, suggesting a trade-off between constitutive and induced resistance. To test the hypothesis that leaf volatiles accounted for differences in resistance to caterpillars, we devised a novel method to evaluate resistance on artificial diet while larvae are exposed to leaf volatiles. In both subspecies, cultivar-specific induced volatiles that reduced T. ni growth were present in highly inducible cultivars, but absent in those that showed no induction. These results have important agricultural implications as cultivar-specific resistance to caterpillars mirrored that of specialist beetles from field trials. Overall, the eponymous cucurbitacin defenses of the Cucurbitaceae are not the mechanistic basis of differences in constitutive or induced resistance between C. pepo subspecies or cultivars. Instead, deterrent cultivar-specific volatiles appear to provide general resistance to insect herbivores. Divergence during breeding history within and between subspecies revealed this pattern and novel resistance mechanism, defining new targets for plant breeding.
The second pugilist’s plight: Why people believe they are above average but are not especially happy about it.

People's tendency to rate themselves as above average is often taken as evidence of undue self-regard. Yet, everyday experience is occasioned with feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. How can these 2 experiences be reconciled? Across 12 studies (N = 2,474; including 4 preregistered studies) we argue that although people do indeed believe that they are above average they also hold themselves to standards of comparison that are well above average. Across a host of domains, we find that people's typical standards of comparison are significantly above the level of the "average" person (Studies 1A, 1B, 2A, and 3). We further show that people's tendency to measure themselves against above-average others is due to the increased mental availability of such high-performing standards of comparison (Studies 4A and 4B). Finally, we present evidence that this is not simply the result of self-enhancement by showing that people measure themselves against above-average others even when they feel subjectively inadequate (Study 5A), receive objective information about their poor performance (Study 5B), or evaluate themselves on domains in which they chronically underperform (Study 5C). Even in domains where being above average is undesirable (e.g., rudeness), people bring to mind and compare themselves with above average targets (Studies 2B and 2C). We discuss the implications for self-enhancement research and the importance of examining who people compare themselves to in addition to how people believe they compare with others. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Better Schools Through Better Knowledge? New Understanding, New Uncertainty

As I pointed out in the first edition of this handbook, theories of knowledge utilization and educational improvement have been closely linked since Havelock’s (1969) classic literature review. This connection is also apparent in practice. On the one hand, school improvement depends on the implementation of new ideas – in the form of both programs and policies – about school organization and instruction; on the other, the refinement of theories about knowledge use depends on having schools that serve as natural loci of experimentation and change. Over the past several decades, explicit attention to dissemination and knowledge utilization have dropped from the agenda of most scholars interested in school reform and have been replaced with related but new concerns, ranging from the spread of comprehensive models to organizational learning. The purpose of this chapter is to review theories that may help to connect research on knowledge utilization with research on educational improvement. The analysis presented here assumes that the reader is familiar with the broad outlines of both school improvement and school effectiveness research (Hopkins, 2001; Sammons, 1999; Schmoker, 1999; Teddlie & Reynolds, 2000), but less familiar with research traditions related to knowledge utilization.
Plasma cysteine/cystine and glutathione/glutathione disulfide redox potentials in HIV and COPD patients.

Abstract Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is prevalent in patients infected with HIV. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that systemic oxidation correlates with loss of lung function in subjects with COPD, and that HIV infection can contribute to creating such an environment. Subjects were recruited at the University of Louisville in the following groups: HIV-infected (n = 36), COPD (n = 32), HIV and COPD (n = 28), and uninfected controls with normal lung function (n = 34). HIV infection was assessed by viral load and CD4 cell counts. Pulmonary function was determined by spirometry, and plasma was collected for measurement of cysteine (Cys), cystine (CySS), glutathione (GSH) and GSH disulfide (GSSG) by HPLC followed by estimation of redox potentials (Eh) using the Nernst equation. Results showed that patients with COPD had more oxidized plasma Eh Cys/CySS than patients with normal lung function, but plasma Eh GSH/GSSG was unaltered. In addition, there was a correlation between the extent of plasma Eh Cys/CySS oxidation and loss of lung function, and this correlation remained even after correcting for age, sex, race and body mass index. HIV infection per se was not associated with increased oxidation of plasma Eh Cys/CySS, but plasma Eh Cys/CySS was more oxidized in patients with lower CD4-positve T cell counts. In patients with both HIV infection and COPD, there was a significant correlation between CD4 cell counts and lung function. Thus, systemic oxidation correlated with decreased lung function in subjects with COPD and decreased CD4 counts in subjects infected with HIV. Thus, factors contributing to plasma Eh Cys/CySS may represent novel mechanisms underlying the increased prevalence of COPD in people living with HIV.
A prototype mobile application to improve communication about symptom management.

27Background: Cancer patients report many physical and emotional symptoms which can go unreported and underestimated resulting in unmet needs. Research suggests systematic collection of symptom dat...
Normal CT Anatomy of the Lungs

As with the chest x-ray, examining a CT of the chest should be based on a systematic search pattern. As with any type of medical exam, knowledge of the fundamentals, as in the this case with knoweledge of basic chest anatomy, is crucial for understanding whether a finding is true or a “figment of your imagination”.
Natural Language QA Approaches using Reasoning with External Knowledge.

Question answering (QA) in natural language (NL) has been an important aspect of AI from its early days. Winograd's ``councilmen'' example in his 1972 paper and McCarthy's Mr. Hug example of 1976 highlights the role of external knowledge in NL understanding. While Machine Learning has been the go-to approach in NL processing as well as NL question answering (NLQA) for the last 30 years, recently there has been an increasingly emphasized thread on NLQA where external knowledge plays an important role. The challenges inspired by Winograd's councilmen example, and recent developments such as the Rebooting AI book, various NLQA datasets, research on knowledge acquisition in the NLQA context, and their use in various NLQA models have brought the issue of NLQA using ``reasoning'' with external knowledge to the forefront. In this paper, we present a survey of the recent work on them. We believe our survey will help establish a bridge between multiple fields of AI, especially between (a) the traditional fields of knowledge representation and reasoning and (b) the field of NL understanding and NLQA.
The role of EGFR mutations in predicting recurrence in early and locally advanced lung adenocarcinoma following definitive therapy.

Introduction Roughly one third of new non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is diagnosed at early stages. While lobectomy can improve mortality in this group, about 30-55% of patients will experience disease recurrence. Increased investigation into the factors affecting recurrence, particularly tumor molecular genetics such as EGFR mutations, is needed. Materials and methods We conducted a single-center retrospective study of 282 patients with early or locally advanced lung adenocarcinoma, with or without EGFR mutations, who underwent definitive therapy. We then assessed recurrence, stage at recurrence, time to recurrence and progression-free survival (PFS). Results We identified 142 patients with EGFR-mutated and 140 EGFR-wildtype lung adenocarcinoma. Overall progression between groups was equivalent at ~40% at 5 years; no difference in PFS was observed at any time-point. However, among those who recurred, EGFR-mutated lung cancer had increased rates of metastatic recurrence compared to EGFR-wildtype disease (97% vs 68%, p = 0.007). Conclusions EGFR-mutated disease may be associated with a higher risk of metastatic recurrence. Molecular testing may be a promising tool for risk stratification and surveillance following definitive management for early stage disease. Future prospective, multi-center cohort studies are needed to confirm these findings and improve our understanding of how EGFR mutation contributes to prognosis and clinical outcomes.
Formal Humor Logic Beyond Second-Most Plausible Reasoning

Humor employs an essential false logic which masks the incongruity of two central meanings that are brought into overlap. Formalizing this false logic—if it exists, exists intersubjectively, and is indeed essential for humor—to a degree that is sufficient for computational detection and generation of humor has been a vexing problem for computational humor research. This paper will outline several such logics, in addition to the default of reasoning in a way that is one degree more implausibly than the most common-sense logic that can connect two meanings. The results are not least influenced by a pilot study asking participants to explain different types of jokes.
Assessment of a tomography-informed polyhedral discrete element modelling approach for complex-shaped granular woody biomass in stress consolidation

The design of handling equipment for granular biomass primarily requires experiments. Discrete element models (DEM) can provide designers with detailed insight into the behaviour of granular materials. However, granular biomass comprising complex-shaped particles is difficult to model with DEM. A tomography-informed DEM approach and an exhaustive assessment of the ability of the approach to predict the bulk behaviour of milled pines using experimental data is presented. Nano-CT scan was conducted to obtain 3D particle surface geometries as the basis for particle shape approximation by a polyhedral model and a sphero-polyhedral model. These models were applied in the simulation of a compressibility test. Our parametric study showed that particle Young's modulus and restitution coefficient are the two main properties influencing the simulated bulk behaviour of the DEM particles and that the level of approximating DEM particle shape for real particles is critical for accurately replicating the bulk behaviour of milled pines. The polyhedral model demonstrated better suitability than its sphero-polyhedral counterpart for modelling pine particles. The polyhedral model calibrated in a compressibility test was then applied in the simulations of a friction test without additional parameter tuning. Interlocking was dominant in the shear of bulk pine particles. Remarkably, the polyhedral model predicted the frictional behaviour of the pine particles when compared to the experimental results. The limitations of the model, as well as possible ways for enhancement, are discussed. This work provided novel insights into the suitability of complex-shaped DEM models for granular woody biomass.
Lunar Flashlight: Illuminating the Lunar South Pole

Water ice and other volatile compounds may be present on the Moon's surface within permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) near the lunar poles. Understanding the composition, quantity, distribution, and form of water and other volatiles associated with lunar PSRs is identified as a Strategic Knowledge Gap (SKG) for NASA's human exploration program, projected to visit the lunar south pole in the next decade. These polar volatile deposits are also scientifically interesting, having potential to reveal important information about the delivery of water to the Earth-Moon system.
The Impact of a Mobile Phone Application for Retention of Bleeding Control Skills.

ABSTRACT Background The American College of Surgeons Bleeding Control Course (B-Con) empowers bystanders with hemorrhage control skills to manage prehospital emergencies, but demonstrates poor skill retention. The point of care use of a free Stop the Bleed mobile phone application on the retention of hemorrhage control skills from the B-Con Course was explored. Methods Convenience sample of college students previously trained in B-Con were randomized into mobile application (MA) or control groups. The use of a mobile application during a simulated emergency scenario with tourniquet and situational awareness skills was assessed. Wound packing skill retention without intervention was also assessed. Survey data allowed for comparison of participant perceptions of skills with actual performances. Results MA (n = 30) was superior to control (n = 32) in correct tourniquet application (62.5% versus 30.0%; P = 0.01) with longer placement times (163 sec versus 95 sec; P Conclusions Mobile apps improve tourniquet and situational awareness skills and may serve as potential aids to improve bystander hemorrhage control skills in real-time, but require further prospective investigation into its use.
Polar Shaping Codes for Costly Noiseless and Noisy Channels

We propose a shaping code based on polar codes. For a costly noiseless channel, we show that the total cost of the proposed polar shaping code approaches the optimal total cost as block length grows. We also consider shaping for costly noisy discrete memoryless channels (DMCs). We first give an upper bound on the rate that can be achieved with a specified symbol occurrence probability distribution over a DMC. Then we formulate an optimization problem whose solution gives a lower bound on the optimal total cost for a costly noisy DMC. We compute the lower bound for the costly $M$ -ary erasure channel. Finally, we propose polar shaping codes for costly noisy channels that achieve the lower bound by adapting polar codes for asymmetric channels proposed by Honda and Yamamoto.
Current State of Deployment

In this chapter, we survey the extent of deployment of the major technologies impacting the retail electricity sector. Interval metering is the crucial enabling technology surveyed. Distributed solar is the major disruptive technology to the existing electricity retailing business model. Dynamic pricing is enabled by the deployment of interval metering, so we survey the current penetration of dynamic pricing plans, as well as other approaches to active demand-side participation in the wholesale market. Finally, we survey the current state of regulatory rules that allow third-party access to the distribution network.
Remote Multisensing of Biological Systems

The promise and potential of biotechnology rests, ultimately, on our understanding of biological processes at a molecular level. Such understanding allows manipulation and modulation of complex biochemical, metabolic and genetic processes in microorganisms, plants, animals and humans. The vast beneficial potential in manipulating biological processes and systems derives from the diversity of biological organisms and their inherent versatility and adaptability, as reflected in their validation of Darwinian paradigms concerning evolution and natural selection. Within living systems, the obviously chaotic nature of diversity based biological environments is transformed into complex and intricate physiological structures and biochemical pathways based on spatial and temporal organization of an organism’s biochemical components. Utilizing structures and pathways, the myriad possible chemical consequences inherent in a collection of molecules in living systems reduces to organized metabolic processes. This ordered biochemical architecture in living systems is based almost entirely on molecular recognition and biospecificity. It is, therefore, through intervention of selective effectors, inhibitors, substrates, hormones and other pairs of transmitter and receptor molecules that living organisms maintain control over the course of chemical change within their systems. Examples of such control range from control of gene expression to self/non self discrimination via the immune system. Biotechnology, in essence, attempts to exploit the known factors affecting the flow of chemical information in biological systems for human use.
Genome-Wide Analysis of Yeast Aging

In the past several decades the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has emerged as a prominent model for aging research. The creation of a single-gene deletion collection covering the majority of open reading frames in the yeast genome and advances in genomic technologies have opened yeast research to genome-scale screens for a variety of phenotypes. A number of screens have been performed looking for genes that modify secondary age-associated phenotypes such as stress resistance or growth rate. More recently, moderate-throughput methods for measuring replicative life span and high-throughput methods for measuring chronological life span have allowed for the first unbiased screens aimed at directly identifying genes involved in determining yeast longevity. In this chapter we discuss large-scale life span studies performed in yeast and their implications for research related to the basic biology of aging.
Identification of phosphorylation sites in rat liver CTP: phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase.

Abstract CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (CT) is an important regulatory enzyme in phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis. The enzyme exists as a soluble, inactive form that is highly phosphorylated; activation of the enzyme is accompanied by dephosphorylation and translocation to the membrane. We have used a recombinant baculovirus clone to obtain CT labeled in vivo with 32PO4. The tryptic phosphopeptide pattern of the baculovirus-expressed CT was the same as for CT expressed in mammalian cells, indicating that insect cells modify the same phosphorylation sites as do mammalian cells. 32PO4-labeled, baculovirus-expressed CT was digested with trypsin and the peptides purified by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Phosphoamino acid analysis of the complete protein as well as individual peptides revealed that only serine residues were phosphorylated. Sequence analysis of purified radioactive peptides revealed that phosphorylation of CT was confined to the carboxyl-terminal region and that all or nearly all Ser residues from Ser315 to the carboxyl terminus were labeled. Ser315, Ser319, Ser329, Ser323, Ser331, Ser343, and Ser347 all reside in potential sites for proline-directed kinases. Two other phosphorylated serine residues, Ser315 and Ser333, are found within protein kinase C consensus phosphorylation sites. Ser321, Ser322, Ser333, Ser345, Ser346, Ser350, Ser352, and Ser362 were also found to be phosphorylated. Serine362 resides within a putative casein kinase II phosphorylation site, and there are five potential sites for phosphorylation by glycogen synthase kinase 3. Identification of these sites will allow investigations that focus on the establishment of the physiological function of phosphorylation at each site.
Atomic Layer Deposition of Noble Metals – New Developments in Nanostructured Catalysts

This chapter will review recent progress in the use of atomic layer deposition (ALD) to prepare noble metal nanoparticle catalysts in which the nanoparticle size, composition, and local environment can be tailored on the atomic scale to tune the reactivity, selectivity, and thermal stability of the catalysts. ALD is a thin film growth technique that uses alternating cycles of self-limiting chemical reactions between gaseous precursors and a solid surface to deposit material in an atomic layer-by-layer fashion1. By combining ALD processes for metal oxides, noble metals, and other materials relevant to catalysis, it is possible to engineer nanostructured catalysts with unique properties by depositing a sequence of discrete layers or particles which each perform a specific function. Although the idea of using ALD to prepare catalysts is not new2, recent advances in ALD technology, coupled with innovative ideas for nanofabrication, have rekindled this field and now offer potential solutions to long-standing problems in catalyst synthesis.
The appearance of print in eighteenth-century fiction

Part I. Author, Book, Reader: 1. Preface: prose fiction and print culture in eighteenth-century Britain 2. Pre-scripts: the contexts of literary production 3. Post scripts: the fate of the page in Charles Gildon's epistolary fiction Part II. Reader, Book, Author: 4. In other words: printers' ornaments and the substitutions of text 5. Inanimate fiction: circulating stories in object narratives 6. Only a female pen: women writers and fictions of the page 7. After words Notes Bibliography Index.
Valmet: A New Validation Tool for Assessing and Improving 3D Object Segmentation

Extracting 3D structures from volumetric images like MRI or CT is becoming a routine process for diagnosis based on quantitation, for radiotherapy planning, for surgical planning and image-guided intervention, for studying neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative aspects of brain diseases, and for clinical drug trials. Key issues for segmenting anatomical objects from 3D medical images are validity and reliability. We have developed VALMET, a new tool for validation and comparison of object segmentation. New features not available in commercial and public-domain image processing packages are the choice between different metrics to describe differences between segmentations and the use of graphical overlay and 3D display for visual assessment of the locality and magnitude of segmentation variability. Input to the tool are an original 3D image (MRI, CT, ultrasound), and a series of segmentations either generated by several human raters and/or by automatic methods (machine). Quantitative evaluation includes intra-class correlation of resulting volumes and four different shape distance metrics, a) percentage overlap of segmented structures (R intersect S)/(R union S), b) probabilistic overlap measure for non-binary segmentations, c) mean/median absolute distances between object surfaces, and maximum (Hausdorff) distance. All these measures are calculated for arbitrarily selected 2D cross-sections and full 3D segmentations. Segmentation results are overlaid onto the original image data for visual comparison. A 3D graphical display of the segmented organ is color-coded depending on the selected metric for measuring segmentation difference. The new tool is in routine use for intra- and inter-rater reliability studies and for testing novel automatic machine-segmentation versus a gold standard established by human experts. Preliminary studies showed that the new tool could significantly improve intra- and inter-rater reliability of hippocampus segmentation to achieve intra-class correlation coefficients significantly higher than published elsewhere.
Hepatic vascular exclusion for hepatic resection

The scope of blood loss and replacement with liver surgery is important in the final results of such surgery. Although intraoperative death from bleeding was once a significant consideration with liver resections, it is now an uncommon cause of death for elective liver operations. Nevertheless, control of blood loss remains an important issue. There is a strong correlation between blood loss in excess of 4–5 liters and postoperative complications and hospital mortality in patients undergoing liver resection [1,2]. Significant intraoperative bleeding obscures the operative field such that accidental injury to biliary structures is more likely to occur and location and control of bleeding vessels are more difficult. Large transfusion requirements frequently result in coagulopathies with additional bleeding. Hypotension and hypoperfusion associated with blood loss have negative physiologic consequences for many organ systems. There is a risk of serious viral infection correlating with the amount of blood products administered. Finally, for patients in whom liver resection is for treatment of malignancy, evidence is mounting that there is an increased rate of recurrence of malignancy when substantial blood transfusions are given in the perioperative period [3,4].
Concentrations of Lead in Capillary Blood of Newborns

Lead concentrations in whole blood have been determined for a random sampling of newborns (age 1-8 days) with the use of a microtechnique involving carbon rod atomization and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean lead concentration of the newborns (13.8 ± 4.5 µg/100 ml of whole blood) significantly differed from that of pediatric populations at low (22.6 ± 6.1) and high lead (32.1 ± 10.4) risk. The concentration of lead in amniotic fluid was less than 20 ng/100 ml of fluid. The significance of the newborn lead values and their role in fetal development remains to be determined.
Ordering problem subgoals

Most past research work on problem subgoal ordering are of a heuristic nature and very little attempt has been made to reveal the inherent relationship between subgoal ordering constraints and problem operator schemata. As a result, subgoal ordering strategies which have been developed tend to be either overly committed, imposing ordering on subgoals subjectively or randomly, or overly restricted, ordering subgoals only after a violation of ordering constraints becomes explicit during the development of a problem solution or plan. This paper proposes a new approach characterized by a formal representation of subgoal ordering constraints which makes explicit the relationship between the constraints and the problem operator schemata. Following this approach, it becomes straightforward to categorize various types of subgoal ordering constraints, to manipulate or extend the relational representation of the constraints, to systematically detect important subgoal ordering constraints from problem specifications, and to apply the detected constraints to multiple problem instances.
Hardware impacts to software development strategies - The history of the development of the Mars Observer Payload Data Subsystem embedded real-time software

Ways in which parallel hardware development and high level requirements changes have influenced Mars Observer Payload Data Subsystem (PDS) flight software development are discussed. Particular attention is given to ways in which the evolving hardware product and changing requirements have led to repeated modification to software requirements, design, code, and test tools and a delay in the closure of corresponding phases of the software development life cycle. Design and implementation problems which were encountered during the PDS software development effort are described.
Measurement of the barrier height of the reflective W {110} plane boundaries in surface diffusion of single atoms

Abstract Plane boundaries are in general reflective to diffusing atoms. From about 2000 heating periods of direct field ion microscope observations we have studied adatom plane edge interaction and determined the barrier heights of the W {110} plane boundaries in single atom diffusion of W, Re, and Ir. Using equations we have derived recently, the barrier heights Δ E b are found to be about 200 meV for these adatoms.
SOCIAL BACKGROUND AND THE SENTENCING BEHAVIOR OF JUDGES

This paper explores the extent to which the social background of judges affects their sentencing behavior. An analysis of data on felons convicted in Georgia suggests that background has little direct bearing on sentencing outcomes. Instead, it conditions the weight judges attach to legally relevant and social background factors. Expectations about the role of the judge's age, religion, prior prosecutorial experience, and local background received mixed support. Older judges were selectively more punitive than their younger colleagues, but they did not direct this punitiveness toward disadvantaged offenders. Nor was there evidence that male judges were paternalistic toward female offenders. Baptist and Fundamentalist judges also sentenced more punitively, but they were not more likely than other judges to discriminate against black or disadvantaged offenders. Rather, they appeared to hold white and older offenders to a higher standard of behavior. Former prosecutors were selectively punitive and applied the law more uniformly than nonprosecutors. Local judges appeared to be more responsive to public demands for incarceration and sentenced more particularistically. These results illustrate the importance of considering judicial background in conjunction with case attributes, and they underscore the need for research that increases our understanding of judicial background as a conditioner of differential treatment during sentencing.
Treating tumor-bearing mice with vitamin D3 diminishes tumor-induced myelopoiesis and associated immunosuppression, and reduces tumor metastasis and recurrence

Metastatic Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC-LN7) tumors that secrete granulocyte/macrophage-colonystimulating factor (GM-CSF) stimulate myelopoiesis and induce bone marrow-derived immunosuppressor cells that are homologous to granulocyte/macrophage progenitor cells. In vitro treatment of the LLC-LN7 cells with 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 reduced tumor cell production of suppressor-inducing activity, although suppressor-inducing activity could be restored by reconstituting the tumor supernatants with recombinant GM-CSF. Treatment of mice having LLC-LN7 tumors with vitamin D3 reduced tumor production of GM-CSF and the frequency of myeloid progenitor cells. This was associated with a reduction in immunosuppressor activity and an increase in T cell function. Vitamin D3 treatment of mice having palpable tumors transiently retarded tumor growth, but caused a prominent reduction in tumor metastasis. Treating mice with vitamin D3 after tumor excision resulted in a reduction in the tumor-induced myelopoietic stimulation and associated immunosuppressive activity, and enhanced T cell function. These mice had a markedly reduced incidence of tumor recurrence. The results of this study suggest that vitamin D3 treatment of mice with GM-CSF-secreting tumors can interrupt the myelopoiesis-associated immunosuppressor cascade and, in turn, reduce tumor metastasis and recurrence.
Adrenalectomy of Rats Results in Hypomyelination of the Central Nervous System

: The effect of adrenalectomy on CNS myelin accumulation was investigated to determine whether glucocorticoids play a role in regulating myelination. When 14-day-old rats were adrenalectomized and sacrificed 7–8 days later, the amount of bulk-isolated myelin in whole brain, as expressed per gram wet weight of brain or per milligram DNA-phosphate, was reduced to about 75% that of sham-operated controls. Both brain weight and DNA content were unchanged by adrenalectomy. Examination of individual brain regions also revealed decreased amounts of myelin in adrenalectomized animals. Brain glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase specific activity was reduced in adrenalectomized animals to 40–60% that of controls, and serum corticosterone levels were less than 0.6% of control levels. The amount of cerebral myelin in animals adrenalectomized on day 21 and sacrificed 9 days later was not significantly reduced. This suggests a possible role of glucocorticoids during the early period of rapid myelination.
An isolate of Aspergillus flavus used to reduce aflatoxin contamination in cottonseed has a defective polyketide synthase gene

Contamination of certain foods and feeds with the highly toxic and carcinogenic family of Aspergillus mycotoxins, the aflatoxins, can place a severe economic burden on farmers. As one strategy to reduce aflatoxin contamination, the non-aflatoxin-producing A. flavus isolate AF36 is currently being applied to agricultural fields to competitively exclude aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus species. We now show that the polyketide synthase gene (pksA) required for aflatoxin biosynthesis in AF36, and in other members of the same vegetative compatibility group, possesses a nucleotide polymorphism near the beginning of the coding sequence. This nucleotide change introduces a premature stop codon into the coding sequence, thereby preventing enzyme production and aflatoxin accumulation.
Uptake of α-aminoisobutyric acid in pig spleen lymphocytes stimulated by sodium periodate

Abstract The effect of sodium periodate on the ability of pig spleen lymphocytes to transport the nonmetabolizable amino acid, α-aminoisobutyric acid, was studied. NaIO 4 -treated cells exhibited a lowered rate of uptake of α-aminoisobutyric acid in contrast to phytohemagglutinin- and concanavalin A-treated cells. However, when periodate-treated cells were preincubated with untreated cells for 2 h, the mixed cells exhibited twofold stimulation in the uptake of α-aminoisobutyric acid as compared to untreated cells. The increased uptake of α-aminoisobutyric acid in mixed cells was due to a change in the V but not in the K m . The observed increased uptake of α-aminoisobutyric acid in mixed cells was inhibited (24%) by ouabain, although the level of uptake in untreated and NaIO 4 -treated cells was not affected. Na + ,K + -ATPase activity in mixed cells, which was ouabain sensitive, was stimulated 56%. Studies also showed that there was a decrease in the fluorescence polarization ( P value) of diphenyl hexatriene in mixed cells ( P = 0.21) as compared to untreated cells ( P = 0.24). These results demonstrate that NaIO 4 treatment induces a change in the lymphocyte cell membrane and transport of α-aminoisobutyric acid. Incubation of NaIO 4 -treated cells with untreated cells is required for the stimulatory effect in the uptake of α-aminoisobutyric acid, and the stimulation appears to be due to changes in Na + ,K + -ATPase activity and membrane fluidity.
Meniscus Status at Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Associated with Radiographic Signs of Osteoarthritis at 5- to 10-Year Follow-Up –A Systematic Review

The development of premature osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a significant cause of morbidity in young, active individuals. Meniscal injuries are frequently noted at the time of reconstruction, and the critical role of an intact meniscus in the prevention of osteoarthritis has been well documented. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the effects of meniscal status at ACL reconstruction on the subsequent development of osteoarthritis. A systematic review of the literature identified 11 studies with > or = 2 years of follow-up that compared patients' radiographic outcomes based on meniscus status at the time of ACL reconstruction. Patients undergoing partial meniscectomy at the time of ACL reconstruction were significantly more likely to develop radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis than those with normal menisci. Meniscal repair resulted in inconsistent findings. Virtually all patients who underwent complete meniscectomy at the time of ACL reconstruction had radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis at follow-up.
A structured literature review to determine the use of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology consensus definition of biochemical failure.

Abstract Objectives The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology consensus definition (ACD) of biochemical failure after radiotherapy for prostate cancer requires three consecutive prostate-specific antigen increases from a nadir value. The members of the Consensus Panel recognized that the timing and frequency of prostate-specific antigen determinations could affect the comparability among different reports if this definition was used. For this reason, the Consensus Panel members recommended three guidelines for studies presented for publication (publication guidelines [PGs]). The present analysis examined the extent to which the ACD has been used in the peer-reviewed published literature and how frequently the PGs have been followed. Methods A structured literature review of 10 relevant journals was done. The inclusion criteria for the literature review required publication in calendar year 1999 or 2000; treatment with external beam radiotherapy and/or brachytherapy for previously untreated, nonmetastatic prostate cancer; and the use of a prostate-specific antigen–defined disease-free endpoint. A standardized checklist was created and completed by both of the authors. We independently reviewed each publication to determine whether the ACD of biochemical failure was used and whether the PGs were followed. Discrepancies between us were resolved by joint review of each publication in question to achieve a consensus. Results Fifty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria. The median number of patients in the articles reviewed was 302 (range 22 to 2222). The ACD was followed in 37 (64.9%) of 57 articles. None of the reviewed articles followed all three PGs. In five articles (8.7%), two of the three PGs were followed. The vast majority of the articles reviewed (52 of 57, 91.3%) followed one or none of the PGs recommended by the Consensus Panel. Conclusions The ACD was used in two thirds of peer-reviewed published articles. The PGs were followed much less frequently. Consistent standards of reporting have not been uniformly applied to peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Human wound fluid from acute wounds stimulates fibroblast and endothelial cell growth

One proposed mechanism for the beneficial effect of occlusive dressings on healing is the maintenance of contact between the wound bed and accumulated wound fluid, which is thought to contain growth stimulatory substances. We have examined the effect of human wound fluid on the in vitro growth of human dermal fibroblasts and umbilical vein endothelial cells. Acute wound fluid was collected from six patients undergoing split-thickness skin grafting. The acute wound fluid was sterilely collected daily from underneath a vapor-permeable membrane applied to the donor site and changed every 24 hours for 3 days postoperatively. After seeding in optimal growth media (control) on day 0, cultures of human dermal fibroblasts and umbilical vein endothelial cells were supplemented with or without acute wound fluid on the next day (day 1) and on day 3. As determined by cell counts, 2% acute wound fluid stimulated the growth of human dermal fibroblasts (p less than 0.05) and umbilical vein endothelial cells (p less than 0.01) when these cells were cultured in 2% fetal bovine serum and endothelial growth medium, respectively. Wound fluid from postoperative days 1 or 3 caused the same level of stimulation. The addition of an anti-platelet-derived growth factor antibody to wound fluid resulted in a 45% mean reduction in its stimulatory effect on fibroblast growth (p less than 0.02), suggesting that platelet-derived growth factor contributes to the observed effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
EVALUATION FOR PDA IN PRETERM INFANTS UTILIZING 7.5 MEGAHERTZ 2-D BCHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Evaluation for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) by both Doppler examination and direct two-dimensional (2-D) echocardiographic visualization has been reported in term infants and children. However, visualization of a PDA in preterm infants with lung disease has been more difficult. Utilizing a recently developed 7.5 MHz mechanical scanner with interfaced 2-D directed pulsed Doppler we evaluated our initial experience in 14 premature infants with lung disease. Doppler sampling was performed at the pulmonary end of the ductus arteriosus from a suprasternal approach. Patients ranged in age from 1 day to 30 days (mean 11 days) and from 510 to 2300 grams in weight (mean 1015 grams). Imaging of the ductus arteriosus was successful in 13/14 (93%). Doppler evaluation of flow in the main pulmonary artery and descending aorta was successful in all. In 8 infants the DA was closed by both 2-D echo and Doppler exam (excluded by retrograde aortography in 2). In 5 infants a PDA was present by both methods. In 1 infant the DA was patent by Doppler exam but could not be imaged adequately by 2-D echo. This markedly improved imaging capability should allow longitudinal noninvasive studies of PDA morphology in premature infants with lung disease.
IRSS Psychology Theory: Telling Experiences Among Underrepresented IS Doctorates

With the changing demographics of the American workforce, the National Science Foundation, along with the U.S. Department of Commerce, has highlighted the shortage of minorities in information technology (IT) careers (http://www.ta.doc.gov/Reports/itsw/itsw.pdf). Using data from a 6-year period and the psychology Involvement-Regimen-Self Management-Social (IRSS) network theory as defined by Boice (1992), we discuss lessons learned from mentoring a group of Information Systems doctoral students who are members of a pipeline that can potentially increase the number of underrepresented faculty in business schools and who made conscious decisions to renounce the IT corporate domain. While our lessons speak to the need for more diversity awareness, we conclude that effective mentoring for underrepresented groups can and should include faculty of color (though limited in numbers) as well as majority faculty who are receptive to the needs and cultural differences of these student groups. Lastly, we draw on the work of Ethnic America to provide additional insight into our findings that are not offered by IRSS network theory.
The Effects of Relative Humidity on Some Physical Properties of Modern Vellum: Implications for the Optimum Relative Humidity for the Display and Storage of Parchment

AbstractThe effects of different relative humidities on some physical properties of three types of calfskin parchment (vellum) were investigated. Standard samples were subjected to (1) tensile fracture, and (2) measurement of the force that developed when the restrained samples were subjected to step decreases in relative humidity in the region between 60% and 11%. The results indicate that although no particular level of relative humidity can be excluded in general from consideration as a storage or display cohdition on the basis of tensile testing data alone, at 11% RH there is an adverse effect on some individual tensile properties. Relative humidities above 40% increase gelation and opportunities for biological growth. About 25% RH is the lowest level that can be tolerated without inducing large stresses in the material. Onfull consideration of these results, the physical chemistry and chemical reactivity of collagen, and the results of a recent study of the biodeterioration of parchment, a relative h...
Ranges of fission fragments in gases—I: Ranges in air of fragments from spontaneous fission of 252Cf☆

Abstract Differential ranges in air have been measured for nineteen fission products of known mass resulting from the spontaneous fission of 252 Cf. A comparison is made with the measured fission fragment ranges from 239 Pu and a kinetic energy-range correlation obtained.
Plastic deformation kinetics of electrodeposited Cu foil at low and intermediate homologous temperatures

The plastic deformation kinetics of electrodeposited (EP) Cu foil (grain size d=0.6 µm) were determined at 296–448 K and compared with those for vapor-deposited (VP) foil (d=0.5 µm) tested at 77–473 K. The apparent activation volume v=kT ∂ ln \({{\dot \varepsilon } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\dot \varepsilon } {\partial \sigma }}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {\partial \sigma }}\) for both materials exhibited a minimum at ∼350 K, and at this temperature, there occurred a marked increase in the temperature dependence of the flow stress σ. The rate-controlling mechanism in both materials at T<373 K appears to be grain boundary shear induced by dislocation pileups at the grain boundaries. The results at T=373–473 K suggest that the dislocation pileups are relieved or prevented and that either cross slip or intersection of dislocations is rate controlling with stronger support for the latter. The determination of the rate-controlling mechanism at the higher temperatures is complicated by possible changes in defect structure due to thermal annealing, and therefore, the operative mechanism corresponds to a structure that may differ from the initial, as-deposited condition.
Principles and applications of fluorescence techniques in biophysical chemistry.

— Fluorescence is widely used as a probe of the properties of ligand-biopolymer complexes or adducts, proteins, nucleic acids and membranes. The principles and techniques utilized in characterizing the basic fluorescence properties of a system of fluorophore-biopolymer complexes are outlined. The different approaches utilized include a correlation of fluorescence decay profiles obtained by time-correlated single photon counting techniques with (1)steady-state fluorescence excitation and emission spectra, (2)relative fluorescence quantum yields, (3)fluorophore-accessibilities investigated by quenching techniques, and (4)ligand-macromolecule binding equilibria.
Auger-electron emission resulting from the annihilation of core electrons with low-energy positrons.

We report the first demonstration of positron-induced Auger-electron spectroscopy. A beam of low-energy (${10}^{1}$ eV) positrons was used to create core holes at the surface of Ni and Cu by matterantimatter annihilation. Estimates are developed for the probability of positrons annihilating with a $3p$ electron found to be as high as 3.7(7)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ in Ni. The implications of the extremely high signal to background are discussed and several important advantages of this process for surface analysis are suggested.
Evanescent-wave fiber optic biosensor: challenges for real-world sensing

We have developed an evanescent wave fiber optic biosensor which uses long fibers to facilitate the analysis of environmental and clinical samples for hazardous materials. The use of antibody/antigen binding with fluorescence-based sensing in the evanescent wave yields a sensor that is unique, adaptable, and sensitive. The variety of substances that could be detected is limited only by their antigenicity. Sensing in the real world poses several challenges that must be met. We have focused on the development of several aspects of the sensing system to transition this sensor into a field deployable device. Recent developments presented here include optimized fiber optic probe tapering, a flow chamber to facilitate sampling, and probe regeneration for repetitive analysis. Preliminary experiments assessing the potential to detect analytes in biological and environmental fluids are also presented.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.