cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Medfly eradication in California: impact of malathion-bait sprays on an endemic gall midge and its parasitoids.

Abstract The impact of malathion-bait sprays (directed against medfly, Ceratitis capitata [Wiedemann]) on an endemic gall midge (Rhopalomyia californica Felt) and its parasitoids was investigated during 1982–83 in the south San Francisco Bay area of northern California. In a heavily sprayed area (Woodside), a population explosion of the midge was detected following 24 applications of malathion bait. The midge population reached levels ca. 90× greater than those observed in an adjacent unsprayed area (Jasper Ridge). In a moderately sprayed area (Portola Valley), the midge population increased as much as 5× that observed in the adjacent unsprayed area (Jasper Ridge), following 12 applications of malathion bait. In laboratory tests, the malathion bait was toxic to both the midge and its parasitoids. The major parasitoids were Torymus koebelei (Huber), Zatropis capitis Burks, Platygaster californica (Ashmead) and Mesopolobus sp. Population increases of the midge following malathion-bait sprays were attributed to destruction of parasitoids and other natural enemies of the midge. If the environmental impact of malathion-bait sprays is related to the number of applications (as suggested in this study), then it would be worthwhile to determine the appropriate bait-spray strategy for a given situation, so as to minimize adverse effects on nontarget species, yet insure suppression or eradication of medfly. RESUME Eradication de Ceratitis capitata en Californie: impact des pieges traites au malathion sur Rhopalomyia californica Felt et ses parasitoides L'impact des pieges traties au malathion (destines a Ceratitis capitata Wiedem) sur Rhopalomyia californica Felt et ses parasitoides a ete examine en 1982–1983 dans le sud de la zone de la baie de San Francisco en Californie. Dans une zone fortement traitee (Woodside), une explosion de population a ete decelee apres 24 traitements. La population de R. californica a atteint des niveaux 90 fois superieurs a ceux observes dans une zone contigue non traitee (Jasper Ridge). Dans une zone moderement traitee (Portola Valley), avec 12 traitements, la population de R. californica a atteint jusqu'a 5 fois celle de Jasper Ridge. Au laboratoire, le piege a malathion a ete toxique tant pour R. californica que pour ses parasitoides, dont les principaux etaient: Torymus koebelei (Huber), Zatropis capitis Burks, Platygaster californica (Ashmead) et Mesopolobus sp. L'accroissement de la population de C. capitata apres traitement a ete attribue a la destruction de parasitoides et d'autres ennemis naturels. Si l'effet su l'environnement du traitement est lie au nombre d'interventions (comme le suggere cette etude), alors cela vaudrait la peine de definir une strategie de traitement appropriee a une situation donnee, de facon a minimiser les effets negatifs sur des especes non visees, tout en assurant la suppression ou l'eradication de C. capitata.
Coronary CTA using scout-based automated tube potential and current selection algorithm, with breast displacement results in lower radiation exposure in females compared to males

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of automatic tube potential selection and automatic exposure control combined with female breast displacement during coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) on radiation exposure in women versus men of the same body size. Materials and methods: Consecutive clinical exams between January 2012 and July 2013 at an academic medical center were retrospectively analyzed. All examinations were performed using ECG-gating, automated tube potential, and tube current selection algorithm (APS-AEC) with breast displacement in females. Cohorts were stratified by sex and standard World Health Organization body mass index (BMI) ranges. CT dose index volume (CTDI vol ), dose length product (DLP) median effective dose (ED), and size specific dose estimate (SSDE) were recorded. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of gender on radiation exposure per BMI. Results: A total of 726 exams were included, 343 (47%) were females; mean BMI was similar by gender (28.6±6.9 kg/m 2 females vs . 29.2±6.3 kg/m 2 males; P=0.168). Median ED was 2.3 mSv (1.4-5.2) for females and 3.6 (2.5-5.9) for males (P<0.001). Females were exposed to less radiation by a difference in median ED of –1.3 mSv, CTDI vol –4.1 mGy, and SSDE –6.8 mGy (all P<0.001). After adjusting for BMI, patient characteristics, and gating mode, females exposure was lower by a median ED of –0.7 mSv, CTDI vol –2.3 mGy, and SSDE –3.15 mGy, respectively (all P<0.01). Results: Conclusions: We observed a difference in radiation exposure to patients undergoing CCTA with the combined use of AEC-APS and breast displacement in female patients as compared to their BMI-matched male counterparts, with female patients receiving one third less exposure.
Psychobiography in psychology: Past, present, and future

The present article reviews the history and emerging trends in the field of psychobiography. Five historical periods are highlighted: hagiography and pre-19th century study of lives; Freud and applied psychoanalysis; psychodynamic extensions and personology; modern multi-theoretical models; and psychobiography as interdisciplinary science. The author advocates for a science of psychobiography manifested in expanded and empirically validated theoretical models anchoring research. Further, attention is drawn to the need for more rigorous historiographic research methods weighting first-person sources and incorporating mixed methods designs. Increased attention to ethical and legal issues in the conduct and reporting of psychobiographical studies is also highlighted. Finally, emerging trends in psychobiography related to research production, academic training, and organisational initiatives are presented.
The Renegotiation of PPP Contracts: An Overview of its Recent Evolution in Latin America

This paper analyses the experience, high incidence, lesson learned and reflections on the issue renegotiations in Latin America, based in the evolution of PPP contracts through the last 25 years. The paper also shows how countries via new PPP laws, regulations, norms and specific platforms can reduce the incidence and the incentives to renegotiate contracts. Based in experience in the last two decades, many countries in the region have improved renegotiation practices and regulations/framework through their PPP legislation and associated regulations, such as Peru (2008), Chile (2010), Colombia (2011) or Mexico (2012.) The preliminary findings show advances in the implementation of platforms to address renegotiations and new trends in the renegotiations of contracts particularly in complex projects and where governments are providing financial or credit enhancement, such as sharing risk or co-financing.
Preventing the Misuse of Biology: Lessons from the Oversight of Smallpox Virus Research

Certain basic research findings in the life sciences have the potential for misuse by states or sophisticated terrorist organizations seeking to develop more lethal or effective biological weapons. The recognition of this problem has led to proposals for new systems of governance, including the international review and oversight of “dual-use” research. The case of the World Health Organization's Advisory Committee on Variola Virus Research (VAC), which oversees all research with the live smallpox virus, offers some useful lessons for assess- ing these proposals. This article examines how the VAC has dealt with conten- tious policy issues, describes the strengths and weaknesses of the oversight process, and discusses the implications for the international governance of dual-use research.
The planning process in the US and Germany : A comparative analysis

Abstract This paper compares the planning process in Germany and the United States. We note fundamental institutional and structural differences between the two countries and discuss recent trends and patterns. Contrary to the US, planning in Germany is mediated through a vertically integrated and consensus-oriented institutional framework. In response to the socio-economic consequences of unification and European integration, German planning has experimented with new regional associations. In the US, concerns over sprawl have led to increased state-level planning and intervention. We conclude that these trends are in response to different circumstances and are subject to different institutional constraints.
Hardware and software support for fine-grained memory access control and encapsulation in C++

Object-oriented programming (OOP) encapsulates object implementations with access specifiers like public and private. Compilers can verify that code adheres to specifiers, but verification can be broken in languages like C++ by unchecked pointers. Thus, C++ programmers are taught that "private is not secure." The lack of isolation between objects frustrates memory protection in OOP code. We propose hardware and software support to confine memory accesses in fine-grained memory regions that isolate within and between objects so that C++ programs can enforce encapsulation and prevent pointer-based exploits. Such support makes private secure. Although we target C++, our approach handles generic techniques like inheritance, polymorphism, dynamic dispatch, dynamic binding, and encapsulation.
Factor VIIa interaction with endothelial cells and endothelial cell protein C receptor

Plasma coagulation factor VIIa (FVIIa) initiates the coagulation cascade by binding to its cofactor, tissue factor (TF) on cell surfaces, which eventually leads to fibrin deposition and platelet activation. Recent studies showed that FVIIa also binds to endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR), a known cellular receptor for anticoagulant protein C\activated protein C, on the endothelium. The present article reviews our current knowledge of FVIIa interaction with EPCR and discusses the potential significance of this interaction in hemostasis, treatment of bleeding disorders with pharmacological doses of FVIIa and FVIIa clearance.
Limitations on electronic mechanisms for high temperature superconducting oxides

Abstract The effects of electronic mechanisms for electron pairing in high temperature superconducting oxides on both the transition temperature T c and the isotope effect parameter α are considered. It is shown that for the higher T c oxides, measured values of T c and α together with estimates of the phonon contributions are not consistent with high-frequency electronic mechanisms. Limitations of the theory and some constraints on low-frequency electronic mechanisms are also discussed.
Nitric Oxide Increases p21Waf1/Cip1 Expression by a cGMP-dependent Pathway That Includes Activation of Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase and p70 S6k

Nitric oxide (NO) regulates the expression of p21(Waf1/Cip1) in several cell types. The present study examined the role of both the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p70 S6 kinase (p70(S6k)) in the NO-induced increase in p21 expression that occurred in adventitial fibroblasts during the cell cycle. Both ERK and p70(S6k) were phosphorylated in response to the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) and the activation was rapid, transient, and preceded increased p21 expresion under defined conditions where serum was present. Addition of a selective inhibitor of ERK phosphorylation (PD98059) prevented the subsequent phosphorylation of p70(S6k) and the increase in p21 protein. Both cGMP and cAMP activated both ERK and p70(S6k), whereas only selective inhibitors of protein kinase G prevented the activation of the kinases by SNAP. A complex between ERK and p70(S6k) was documented by immunoprecipitation procedures. Rapamycin blocked p70(S6k) phosphorylation induced by NO and also inhibited p53 phosphorylation and p21 expression whereas PD98059 only prevented the NO-induced increase in p21 protein without influencing either p53 activation or p21 mRNA expression. The studies show a unique relationship between NO, ERK, and p70(S6k) and also provide evidence for a novel role of p70(S6k) in the activation of p53.
Extrema of functions of eigenvalues

Abstract We consider the question of finding an extreme value for some function of the eigenvalues of the differential equation y ″ + λφ ( x ) y = 0, y (0) = y (1) = 0, as φ ( x ) varies over a region in a function space. A characterization of the φ ( x ) at which the function of the eigenvalues achieves its extremum is derived.
Tighter bounds for random projections of manifolds

The Johnson-Lindenstrauss random projection lemma gives a simple way to reduce the dimensionality of a set of points while approximately preserving their pairwise distances. The most direct application of the lemma applies to a finite set of points, but recent work has extended the technique to affine subspaces, curves, and general smooth manifolds. Here the case of random projection of smooth manifolds is considered, and a previous analysis is sharpened, reducing the dependence on such properties as the manifold's maximum curvature.
Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine

Infections caused by penicillin- and cephalosporin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae are becoming important clinical problems in a number of areas of the country and of the world. [See also Infectious Diseases.—Ed.] A study of invasive pneumococcal infections in children with sickle cell disease in Memphis, Tenn, 1 described 6 children who were infected with multiply-resistant pneumococcus. Two of these children died. A review of the experience in this sickle cell disease treatment center showed that 15% of the strains that caused pneumococcal sepsis during a 4½-year period were resistant to penicillin. Vancomycin hydrochloride remains uniformly effective against pneumococcus, and the authors suggest that vancomycin be added to cefotaxime sodium in children with sickle cell disease who have meningitis or another "potentially serious focus of infection such as pneumonia," evidence of overwhelming infection, or a history of sepsis. Penicillin-resistant pneumococci are generally susceptible to the serum concentrations that can be achieved with
Diasporic Communication: Cultural Deviance and Accommodation Among Tibetan Exiles in India

Diasporic communities around the world regularly encounter challenges of preserving their identities and communication practices while adapting to their host social-cultural environment. Grounded in communication accommodation theory (CAT) and informed by recent research on deviance, this study investigated the relationships between Tibetan identity, language, and communication accommodation in the Indian diaspora. It was found that a pro-normative speaker was more likely to be accommodated to than normative and anti-normative speakers, but no interaction was found between raters’ ingroup identification and perceived normativeness of the speakers, as was predicted. In addition, perceptions of identity support and social evaluation together proved to be a much stronger predictor of reported communication accommodation to the speakers than the extent of raters’ ingroup identification. The findings are discussed in terms of their importance for CAT and intragroup cultural communication.
Remote measurements of supercooled integrated liquid water during WISP/FAA aircraft icing program

During February and March 1990, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Wave Propagation Laboratory, and NOAA Forecast Systems Laboratory conducted the Winter Icing and Storms Project (WISP). Arrays of microwave radiometers, infrared radiometers, lidar ceilometers, radio acoustic sounding systems, and wind profilers were used to determine spatial and temporal distribution of supercooled liquid water. Results are presented from three representative cases to demonstrate that the integrated system that comprises a microwave water substance radiometer, a radio acoustic sounding system, and a ceilometer can identify supercooled liquid water, and that the integrated system that comprises the high resolution wind profiler and the radio acoustic sounding system can identify the distribution of turbulent air pockets within the aircraft icing cloud.
Pigmentation Potency of Xanthophyll Sources

Abstract INTRODUCTION ALFALFA meal, yellow corn meal and corn gluten meal provide the main pigmenting sources for broilers and eggs. With the advent of linear programming for least cost feed formulations it becomes especially important that the chemical analytical xanthophyll values for these three feed ingredients predict the relative pigmentation produced. Unfortunately the literature on broiler pigmentation shows considerable variation regarding the relative pigmentation potencies of alfalfa, yellow corn and corn gluten meals (Heiman, 1966). Broiler data showing that the potency of alfalfa meal varies from 30.7 to 75% of that of yellow corn meal have been reported based on xanthophyll analyses of the two types of products (Day and Williams, 1958; Ratcliff et al., 1959). Similar results have been obtained on egg yolk pigmentation (Sunde, 1962; Bartov and Bornstein, 1966). Among several possible reasons, the procedures used for the determination of xanthophylls are certainly an important factor contributing to this . . .
South Carolina Guidelines for Diabetes Care 2013

Abstract Background There is a huge economic burden of diabetes in South Carolina. Methods The South Carolina Guidelines for Diabetes Care were based on the 2013 Standards of Medical Care from the American Diabetes Association. Results From a review of the Diabetes Quality Indicators in South Carolina 2007, Medicare claims data show: 65% of South Carolinians with diabetes insured by Medicare received 2 A1C test per year, 54% received an eye examination and 78% received a lipid panel. Only 42% of these individuals with diabetes had all 3 tests in the same year. In addition, only 50% of individuals with diabetes in South Carolina attended a diabetes self-management class. To improve the statistics and outcomes, the Diabetes Advisory Council provided the evidence-based South Carolina Guidelines for Diabetes Care. They are based on the 2013 Standards of Medical Care from the American Diabetes Association. These guidelines have been promoted at the continuing education programs sponsored by the Diabetes Initiative of South Carolina and the South Carolina Division of Diabetes Prevention and Control and distributed in the community sites by the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health coalition. Conclusions The South Carolina Guidelines for Diabetes will provide evidence-based therapy and monitoring to minimize complications from diabetes and promote a higher quality of life for those with diabetes.
The relationship of sex role to self-concept.

Investigated the relationship of sex role in 136 Ss as measured by the Bem Sex Role Inventory to measures of self-concept and overt anxiety. Persons who rated themselves low in both masculine and feminine attributes were found to have significantly poorer self-concepts than both androgynous and masculine Ss, which suggests that this group should be distinguished from high-high scorers labeled as androgynous. There was no significant difference in self-concept between masculine and androgynous Ss, and the masculine group reported significantly lower levels of anxiety. These findings support a previous contention that it is the presence of masculine attributes rather than a balance of masculinity and femininity that is crucial to personal adjustment.
Bacterial Growth and Division: Theory

Minimal models reveal principles behind cellular functions, such as, what biophysical rules underlie growth limits? how ribosomes and metabolic proteins compete for energy resources? how are efficiency of conversion of energy to mass compete with growth rate following economic principles? To address these questions we develop a reaction based minimal model of the exponentially growing E. coli in a glucose medium.
Closed-cycle, solar, hot-air engines Part 2—A -Hp, pressurized engine

Abstract This paper discusses the latest closed-cycle engine in the development of small solar engines being carried out at the Solar Energy Laboratory of the University of Florida. It describes the design and construction of the engine, gives the performance efficiency of the engine and demonstrates how pressurization improves the power output of the engine.
Neurologic outcome and blood glucose levels during out‐of‐hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation

We examined the interrelations of outcome, time elapsed during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and blood glucose levels drawn from 83 patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Levels rose significantly during CPR. Although slope and intercept of regression lines differed for those dying in the field and those admitted, regression lines were similar for those who awoke and never awoke after admission. These results suggest that the previously reported association between poor neurologic recovery and high blood glucose level on admission after cardiac arrest is best explained by prolonged CPR, leading to both higher rise of blood glucose and worse neurologic outcome.
Endocarditis-associated paravalvular abscesses. Do clinical parameters predict the presence of abscess?

Study objective To determine whether standard clinical and transthoracic echocardiographic criteria considered to be suggestive of the presence of endocarditis-associated paravalvular abscess are predictive of which patients would benefit from reliable but invasive transesophageal echocardiographic investigations for abscess. Design Retrospective chart review. Setting A 630-bed university hospital. Patients Forty-eight patients with 51 episodes of definite endocarditis and 24 paravalvular abscesses. Measurements and results A comparison of abscess and nonabscess populations revealed that clinical parameters (patient demographics, valvular involvement, presence of a prosthesis, infection with a virulent organism, pericarditis, persistent fever, persistent bacteremia, congestive heart failure, history of intravenous drug use, embolization) and transthoracic echocardiographic parameters were insensitive predictors of the presence of abscess. The only statistically significant correlate was the presence of previously undetected atrioventricular or bundle branch block. Paravalvular abscesses were common in our population and were associated with increased mortality. Improved survival correlated with the absence of mitral valve involvement and the absence of moderate-to-severe congestive heart failure. Conclusions Given the accuracy and safety of transesophageal echocardiography and the unreliability of clinical and transthoracic echocardiographic criteria, we recommend that transesophageal echocardiography be considered in all endocarditis patients with previously unrecognized conduction disturbances, aortic or prosthetic valve involvement, or both, or indications for valve replacement, or all of the foregoing.
LOWER BACK DISABILITY IN OCCUPATIONAL SETTINGS: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE FROM A HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT VIEW

Lower back disability (LBD) is a widespread phenomenon that has dramatic impacts on individuals' lives, as well as employers' costs. Despite this fact, specialists in the area of human resources have paid little attention to this critical, work-related outcome. The need for human resource professionals to learn more about LBD has become even more urgent due to the recent passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Although the treatment of lower back pain falls within the domain of physicians, this paper adopts a bio-psycho-social approach and reviews the existing empirical literature on variables related to LBD at the preventative and rehabilitation stages. We identify five avenues (job design, selection, training, compensation, and organizational climate) through which human resource researchers and practitioners can influence lower back disability.
Analysis of cord-rubber composite laminates under combined tension and torsion loading

A three-dimensional (3D) beam finite element model was used to investigate the mechanical behavior of two-ply cord-rubber composite laminates under combined tension and torsional loading. The present 3D beam element takes into account the coupled extension, bending and twisting deformations characteristic of the complex behavior of cord-rubber composite structures. The extension-twisting coupling as a consequence of the twisted nature of the cords was also considered in the finite element model. The results of coupled stiffness obtained from the finite element analysis for a two-ply steel cord-rubber composite under torsional loading are compared with experimental data available in the literature. The effects of cord orientation, anisotropy and volume fraction on the relative deformation/stiffness are presented and discussed.
On the Ethical Group Psychotherapist

(2007). On the Ethical Group Psychotherapist. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy: Vol. 57, No. 1, pp. 49-60.
Location Properties of Point Estimators in Linear Instrumental Variables and Related Models

We examine statistical models, including the workhorse linear instrumental variables model, in which the mapping from the reduced form distribution to the structural parameters of interest is singular. The singularity of this mapping implies certain fundamental restrictions on the finite sample properties of point estimators: they cannot be unbiased, quantile-unbiased, or translation equivariant. The nonexistence of unbiased estimators does not rule out bias reduction of standard estimators, but implies that the bias-variance tradeoff cannot be avoided and needs to be considered carefully. The results can also be extended to weak instrument asymptotics by using the limits of experiments framework.
The relationship between gene positive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients and presence of scar on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Background Genetic testing is commonly used in the management of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Some studies suggest patients who test positive for known markers have a greater risk for adverse outcomes. In addition, the presence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac MRI (cMRI) has also been associated with poorer outcomes and prognosis. Whether positive genetic testing is a predictor of LGE on cMRI is unknown.
Impact of Fed Tapering Announcements on Emerging Markets

This paper analyzes market reactions to the 2013–14 Fed announcements relating to tapering of asset purchases and their relationship to macroeconomic fundamentals and country economic and financial structures. The study uses daily data on exchange rates, government bond yields, and stock prices for 21 emerging markets. It finds evidence of markets differentiating across countries around volatile episodes. Countries with stronger macroeconomic fundamentals, deeper financial markets, and a tighter macroprudential policy stance in the run-up to the tapering announcements experienced smaller currency depreciations and smaller increases in government bond yields. At the same time, there was less differentiation in the behavior of stock prices based on fundamentals.
Hypnotherapeutic Crisis Intervention in Multiple Personality

Abstract The psychopathology of multiple personality disorder involves phenomena which are characteristic of altered states of consciousness. When these patients encounter crises, the clinician familiar with hypnosis is in an advantageous position both to assess their circumstances and to use his expertise to mitigate or resolve their difficulties. This paper describes the particular vulnerabilities of this group of patients, and reviews information pertaining to crises in a cohort of 62 cases. Experiences are summarized in which effective crisis interventions often involved hypnotherapeutic methods. These experiences indicate that the inclusion of hypnosis among the armamentarium of techniques available for crisis intervention in this group of patients is constructive and rarely has adverse effects. Note is made that the patients should be well-prepared for these procedures, which, optimally, should be done in a protected setting. Those with generalized severe ego weakness and/or strong masochistic trait...
Excited state absorption properties of Pt(II) terpyridyl complexes bearing π-conjugated arylacetylides.

The synthesis, photophysics, and excited state absorption properties of three platinum(II) terpyridyl acetylide charge transfer (CT) complexes possessing a lone ancillary ligand systematically varied in phenylacetylide (PA) π-conjugation length, [Pt(tBu3tpy)([C≡C−C6H4]n−H)]ClO4 (n = 1, 2, 3), are described. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations performed on the ground states of complexes 1, 2, and 3 reveal that their HOMOs reside mainly on the ancillary π-conjugated PA moiety, ranging from 86 to 97%, with LUMOs predominantly centered on the terpyridyl acceptor ligand (91−92%). This electronic structure leads to the production of a triplet ligand-to-ligand CT (3LLCT) excited state upon visible light excitation with minor contributions from the corresponding triplet metal-to-ligand CT (3MLCT) excited state. Unusually strong red-to-near-IR transient absorptions are produced in the excited states of these molecules following selective long wavelength visible excitation of the low energy CT bands that d...
Correlations for Absorption by Methane and Carbon Dioxide Gases

Correlations of band absorption based on the Goody model for average spectral absorptivity and an arbitrary band structure model are presented for the 7.6-μ and 3.3-μ methane bands and the 15-μ, 4.3-μ, and 2.7-μ carbon dioxide bands. The correlation gives band absorption as a smooth function of path length, pressure, and temperature. Correlation parameters were obtained from data at temperatures of 300°K, 555°K, and 833°K in the case of CH4 and 300°K, 555°K, 833°K, 1110°K, and 1390°K in the case of CO2. Comparisons of the correlations with data of various investigators are presented.
Modification of hematopoietic stem cell fate by 5aza 2'deoxycytidine and trichostatin A

Efforts to change the fate of human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and progenitor cells (HPCs) in vitro have met with limited success. We hypothesized that previously utilized in vitro conditions might result in silencing of genes required for the maintenance of primitive HSCs/HPCs. DNA methylation and histone deacetylation are components of an epigenetic program that regulates gene expression. Using pharmacologic agents in vitro that might possibly interfere with DNA methylation and histone deacetylation, we attempted to maintain and expand cells with phenotypic and functional characteristics of primitive HSCs/HPCs. Human marrow CD34(+) cells were exposed to a cytokine cocktail favoring differentiation in combination with 5aza 2'deoxycytidine (5azaD) and trichostatin A (TSA), resulting in a significant expansion of a subset of CD34(+) cells that possessed phenotypic properties as well as the proliferative potential characteristic of primitive HSCs/HPCs. In addition, 5azaD- and TSA-pretreated cells but not the CD34(+) cells exposed to cytokines alone retained the ability to repopulate immunodeficient mice. Our findings demonstrate that 5azaD and TSA can be used to alter the fate of primitive HSCs/HPCs during in vitro culture.
Walter Burley's Physics Commentaries and the Mathematics of Alteration

In a long question, "Whether there is motion to quality," (Utrum ad qualitatem sit motus) which became part of his Oxford Expositio omnium librorum Physicorum cum questionibus optime disputatis, composed before 1310, Walter Burley supported the succession-of-forms theory of qualitative change. After commenting on Peter Lombard's Sentences at Paris, Burley took part in disputations on controversial questions in the early 1320s, resulting in his De primo et ultimo instanti and his Tractatus Primus and Tractatus Secundus de intensione et remissione formarum. In these independent controversial works, Burley advanced and defended the succession-of-forms theory with greater detail and precision. This paper examines the treatment of the mathematics of alteration in Burley's final Parisian Expositio in libros octo de physico auditu in light of this earlier controversial work.
Thermophysical properties of high porosity metal foams

Abstract In this paper, we present a comprehensive analytical and experimental investigation for the determination of the effective thermal conductivity (ke), permeability (K) and inertial coefficient (f) of high porosity metal foams. In the first part of the study, we provide an analysis for estimating the effective thermal conductivity (ke). Commercially available metal foams form a complex array of interconnected fibers with an irregular lump of metal at the intersection of two fibers. In our theoretical model, we represent this structure by a model consisting of a two-dimensional array of hexagonal cells where the fibers form the sides of the hexagons. The lump is taken into account by considering a circular blob of metal at the intersection. The analysis shows that ke depends strongly on the porosity and the ratio of the cross-sections of the fiber and the intersection. However, it has no systematic dependence on pore density. Experimental data with aluminum and reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) foams, using air and water as fluid media are used to validate the analytical predictions. The second part of our paper involves the determination of the permeability (K) and inertial coefficient (f) of these high porosity metal foams. Fluid flow experiments were conducted on a number of metal foam samples covering a wide range of porosities and pore densities in our in-house wind tunnel. The results show that K increases with pore diameter and porosity of the medium. The inertial coefficient, f, on the other hand, depends only on porosity. An analytical model is proposed to predict f based on the theory of flow over bluff bodies, and is found to be in excellent agreement with the experimental data. A modified permeability model is also presented in terms of the porosity, pore diameter and tortuosity of our metal foam samples, and is shown to be in reasonable agreement with measured data.
Effects of endosulfan on brain acetylcholinesterase activity in juvenile bluegill sunfish

The effects of endosulfan upon brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were measured in juvenile bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus). Based on exposure durations of 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96h and 1 week at 1.0 microg/L (just below the LC50 of 1.2 microg/L for this species), step-wise decreases in AChE activity were noted, corresponding to 0%, 3.57%, 12.65%, 14.23%, 16.31%, and 23.11% inhibition, respectively. Total brain protein concentrations were measured to test the accuracy of the AChE data with no significant anomalies. The duration of exposure was related to the reduction in the AChE activities which reflected the biotoxicity of endosulfan. The changes in the AChE activities will certainly affect the normal behavior of the juvenile bluegill which is detrimental to their very existence in the natural habitat.
Learning How to Run a Lab: Interviews with Principal Investigators

Science could benefit from adopting management approaches, techniques, and expertise created in other fields of professional teamwork. The closest field to science is possibly software engineering and development. In its structure and spirit, a small software company very much resembles a scientific lab: It is a small motivated group of highly-educated professionals creating nonmaterial products with teamwork centered around collaboration between individuals. Science could benefit from using frameworks for project management, process control, issue tracking, and time management, which have been undergoing development in IT for decades, such as modern approaches of agile software development describing collaboration of self-organizing cross-functional teams. For a young PI at the beginning of his or
Reduced Expression of the Insulin Receptor in Mouse Insulinoma (MIN6) Cells Reveals Multiple Roles of Insulin Signaling in Gene Expression, Proliferation, Insulin Content, and Secretion

The role of insulin signaling in pancreatic beta cells has become increasingly apparent. Stably transformed insulinoma cell lines (MIN6) were created with small interfering RNA resulting in the reduction of insulin receptor (IR) expression up to 80% (insulin receptor knockdown, IRKDDelta80). Functionally perturbed IR signaling was confirmed with the absence of insulin-stimulated insulin receptor substrate 1 tyrosine phosphorylation. Additionally, Akt phosphorylation was reduced and responded poorly to glucose stimulation. Gene expression profiling revealed that reduced IR expression was associated with alterations in expression of >1,500 genes with diverse functions. IRKD cells exhibited low rate of proliferation due to delay in transition from G0/G1 to S phase, whereas susceptibility to apoptosis did not differ from that of control cells. Insulin content was reduced in proportion to the reduction of IR. IRKD cells maintained glucose responsiveness as measured by NADPH generation, whereas Ca2+ responses and insulin secretion were enhanced. IRKDDelta80 and control cells were treated with glucose (25 mm) or insulin (100 nm) for 45 min, and gene expression profiles were assessed. Transcriptional activation of several hundred early response genes common to both glucose and insulin stimulation was observed in control cells. In IRKDDelta80 cells, insulin failed to activate any genes as anticipated. Importantly, glucose stimulation of gene expression in IRKDDelta80 cells showed that most genes previously activated by glucose were no longer activated, suggesting a major autocrine/paracrine effect of insulin on glucose-regulated gene expression. On the other hand, there were a number of glucose-regulated genes in the IRKDDelta80 cells that were not previously observed in control cells, suggesting a feedback regulation of insulin signaling on glucose-regulated gene expression. These results demonstrate important roles of the insulin receptor in islet beta cell gene expression and function and may serve to elucidate molecular defects in animal models with diminished beta cell insulin signaling.
Stria Terminalis Lesions Attenuate Memory Enhancement Produced by Intracaudate Nucleus Injections of Oxotremorine

Abstract The present study examined the role of the stria terminalis in modulating the memory enhancement produced by posttraining intracaudate nucleus injection of oxotremorine. Male Sprague–Dawley rats with either sham operations or bilateral lesions of the stria terminalis (ST) were trained on a one-trial inhibitory-avoidance task and received a unilateral posttraining intracaudate injection of either a buffer vehicle or the cholinergic agonist oxotremorine (0.3 μg/0.5 μl) into a medial region of the caudate nucleus innervated by the ST. Intracaudate injection of oxotremorine improved memory in sham-operated rats. Although ST lesions did not affect retention in rats given intracaudate injections of the buffer vehicle, ST lesions attenuated the memory enhancement produced by posttraining intracaudate injection of oxotremorine. In view of anatomical evidence indicating that amygdalostriatal projections are nonreciprocol, the present findings suggest that amygdala output via the ST is essential for memory enhancement produced by intracaudate injection of oxotremorine.
Atrial fibrillation associated with acute myocardial infarction: a study of 34 cases.

mhe advent of continuous electrocar1. diographic monitoring systems and coronary care units has made it possible to observe closely and evaluate the electrocardiogram (ECG) changes associated with acute myocardial infarctions. These innovations were originally used to evaluate life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, but with the added interest in newer cardiac drugs, cardiac pacemakers, and cardioversion, they have been extensively used to study the less serious arrhythmias which often develop into major arrhythmias or else can cause hemodynamic abnormalities. Excluding premature beats, atria1 fibrillation has been found to be a common postinfarction arrhythmia. It has been the subject of many studies both before and after the institution of coronary care units. Most studies have been concerned primarily with the incidence of atria1 fibrillation and the mortality it produces. We have evaluated the characteristics of myocardial infarction-induced atria1 fibrillation with regard to incidence, mortality rate, previous cardiovascular disease, location of infarction, mode of onset and duration of the arrhythmia, effects of medications, and associated complications. The prognostic significance of atria1 fibrillation is also discussed.
Efficient Rostering of Mobile Nodes in Intermittently Connected Passive RFID Networks

This paper focuses on the problem of rostering in intermittently connected passive RFID networks. It aims to report a list of tagged mobile nodes that appear in given interested area(s) and time interval(s). Such rostering faces several unique challenges. First, the network consists of two dramatically different types of nodes: powerful static readers and extremely resource-constrained mobile tags. Communication can be established from a reader to a tag only, but not tags to tags or readers to readers. Therefore, the connectivity is very low and intermittent. Besides connectivity, the tag's computation power is also intermittent. It is available only for a short interval when the tag is powered up by a nearby reader, rendering any continuous functions impossible. Moreover, the capacity of tags is so limited that it becomes the critical network resource and communication bottleneck. To address the above challenges, we propose a rostering algorithm that employs a dynamic space-efficient coding scheme to construct hypothetic packet candidates, appraises their values according to information redundancy and tag mobility, and establishes a 0-1 Knapsack model to choose the best set of packets, which together maximize their total (redundancy-excluded) value, but do not exceed the capacity of a tag. We carry out experiments that involve 38 volunteers for nine days and perform large-scale simulations to evaluate the proposed rostering scheme.
DISTRIBUTION OF CHOLINESTERASE IN NORMAL HUMAN MUSCLE.

The intracellular distribution of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase in biopsied human rectus abdominis and quadriceps femoris muscles was investigated. Differential ultracentrifugal fr...
A pressure transducer for determining atmospheric pressure and evapotranspiration with a hydraulic weighing lysimeter

The construction and recording of pressure transducers for measuring atmospheric pressure and total pressure, i.e. a hydraulic weighing lysimeter, is described. The principle of operation consists of a variable concentric capacitor to control the frequency of oscillation of a free-running multivibrator. The sensitivity of the transducers was 84 Pa Hz−1 and 8 mm H2O Hz−1. Techniques which would increase the resolution of atmospheric pressure to 0.7 Pa and of a standpipe to 0.06 mm H2O are discussed. The temperature coefficient of the transducers is about 0.5 Hz°C−1.
Cotargeting tumor and tumor endothelium effectively inhibits the growth of human prostate cancer in adenovirus-mediated antiangiogenesis and oncolysis combination therapy

Tumor-endothelial interaction contributes to local prostate tumor growth and distant metastasis. In this communication, we designed a novel approach to target both cancer cells and their "crosstalk" with surrounding microvascular endothelium in an experimental hormone refractory human prostate cancer model. We evaluated the in vitro and in vivo synergistic and/or additive effects of a combination of conditional oncolytic adenovirus plus an adenoviral-mediated antiangiogenic therapy. In the in vitro study, we demonstrated that human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human C4-2 androgen-independent (AI) prostate cancer cells, when infected with an antiangiogenic adenoviral (Ad)-Flk1-Fc vector secreting a soluble form of Flk1, showed dramatically inhibited proliferation, migration and tubular formation of HUVEC endothelial cells. C4-2 cells showed maximal growth inhibition when coinfected with Ad-Flk1-Fc and Ad-hOC-E1, a conditional replication-competent Ad vector with viral replication driven by a human osteocalcin (hOC) promoter targeting both prostate cancer epithelial and stromal cells. Using a three-dimensional (3D) coculture model, we found that targeting C4-2 cells with Ad-hOC-E1 markedly decreased tubular formation in HUVEC, as visualized by confocal microscopy. In a subcutaneous C4-2 tumor xenograft model, tumor volume was decreased by 40-60% in animals treated with Ad-Flk1-Fc or Ad-hOC-E1 plus vitamin D3 alone and by 90% in a combined treatment group, compared to untreated animals in an 8-week treatment period. Moreover, three of 10 (30%) pre-established tumors completely regressed when animals received combination therapy. Cotargeting tumor and tumor endothelium could be a promising gene therapy strategy for the treatment of both localized and metastatic human prostate cancer.
Caveolin-Na/K-ATPase interactions: role of transmembrane topology in non-genomic steroid signal transduction.

Abstract Progesterone and its polar metabolite(s) trigger the meiotic divisions in the amphibian oocyte through a non-genomic signaling system at the plasma membrane. Published site-directed mutagenesis studies of ouabain binding and progesterone–ouabain competition studies indicate that progesterone binds to a 23 amino acid extracellular loop of the plasma membrane α-subunit of Na/K-ATPase. Integral membrane proteins such as caveolins are reported to form Na/K-ATPase–peptide complexes essential for signal transduction. We have characterized the progesterone-induced Na/K-ATPase–caveolin (CAV-1)–steroid 5α-reductase interactions initiating the meiotic divisions. Peptide sequence analysis algorithms indicate that CAV-1 contains two plasma membrane spanning helices, separated by as few as 1–2 amino acid residues at the cell surface. The CAV-1 scaffolding domain, reported to interact with CAV-1 binding (CB) motifs in signaling proteins, overlaps transmembrane (TM) helix 1. The α-subunit of Na/K-ATPase (10 TM helices) contains double CB motifs within TM-1 and TM-10. Steroid 5α-reductase (6 TM helices), an initial step in polar steroid formation, contains CB motifs overlapping TM-1 and TM-6. Computer analysis predicts that interaction between antipathic strands may bring CB motifs and scaffolding domains into close proximity, initiating allostearic changes. Progesterone binding to the α-subunit may thus facilitate CB motif:CAV-1 interaction, which in turn induces helix–helix interaction and generates both a signaling cascade and formation of polar steroids.