cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Osteoblast-derived inflammatory cytokines are produced in response to human metastatic breast cancer cells

579 Breast cancer frequently metastasizes to bone. Although the precise mechanism underlying this preferential metastasis is unknown, bone likely provides a hospitable environment that attracts breast cancer cells and allows them to colonize and grow. Metastatic breast cancer cells induce osteoclast bone resorption, halt osteoblast bone deposition, and profoundly alter osteoblast properties. Current models suggest that chemokines and cytokines produced by breast cancer cells are key to understanding breast cancer metastasis. While cancer-derived cytokines may play an important role, we have evidence that osteoblasts can be directed by metastatic breast cancer cells to produce inflammatory cytokines that may be chemoattractants for both osteoclasts and cancer cells, as well as growth or maintenance factors for the cancer cells. MC3T3-E1 murine osteoblasts (OB) were grown to different stages of differentiation (growth: 4 days, early differentiation: 10 days, and late differentiation: 20 days) and were treated for 24 hours with conditioned media (CM) from human metastatic breast cancer (BC) MDA-MB-231 cell variants (parental MDA-MB-231W, parental MDA-MB-231PY, bone-seeking MDA-MB-231BO, or brain-seeking MDA-MB-231BR). OB media was replaced with BC CM at 0, 10, 25, or 50%. Twenty-four hrs later, the culture media was collected and subjected to RayBio® mouse cytokine arrays and species-specific ELISAs to quantify OB-derived cytokines produced in response to human BC cells. A RayBio® cytokine antibody array showed that BC CM treatment increased OB-derived inflammatory cytokine secretion. The increase in IL-6 levels was particularly notable. As quantitated by ELISAs, OB-derived IL-6 at day 4 doubled from control values when OBs were treated with MDA-MB-231BR CM. For days 10 and 20, OB-derived IL-6 was increased at least 10 fold over control values. Noteworthy increases in OB-derived IL-6 included greater than 80 fold increases from control values with the addition of 50% MDA-MB-231BR CM on day 10 and 50% MDA-MB-231PY CM on day 20. In summary, OB-derived IL-6 production increased in a dose-dependent manner with the addition of all types of BC CM at all points. Maximum induction of OB-derived IL-6 secretion occurred in more differentiated cells. Literature suggests that IL-6 has numerous functions that could contribute to BC cell metastases to bone. These functions include effects on OBs, osteoclasts (OC), and BC cells. This study implicates OBs as an important source of IL-6 in the vicious cycle of BC bone metastasis. Comprehensive treatment of bone metastases must consider OBs, OCs, and BC cells in order to restore bone matrix deposition and limit osteolysis. Supported by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (W81XWH-06-1-0363, W81XWH-06-1-0432), Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation (BCTR0601044), and National Foundation for Cancer Research, Center for Metastasis Research.
Melphalan Dose Intensity for Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT) in Multiple Myeloma

Background High-dose melphalan 200 mg/m2 (Mel200) is the standard preparative regimen for multiple myeloma (MM). Reduced-dose melphalan 140 mg/m2 (Mel140) is frequently used as an alternative for older patients (pts), or those at higher risk of toxicity. There is conflicting data regarding the efficacy of Mel140 compared to Mel200. A recent report by EBMT suggested no survival advantage for Mel200 vs Mel140 except for a subset of pts with pretransplant suboptimal response to induction therapy. Objectives To assess treatment outcomes for MM pts who underwent ASCT by Mel200 vs Mel140. Methods Patients with newly diagnosed MM who underwent frontline ASCT using single agent melphalan conditioning regimen were included. To correct for potential bias in the melphalan dose comparisons, propensity score analysis was used for matching (by age, ISS, cytogenetic risk status, serum creatinine, induction and maintenance therapy), within response to induction at ASCT (PR or less vs VGPR or better). Primary endpoints were PFS and OS. Secondary endpoints included cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) and nonrelapse mortality (NRM). Results A total of 1628 consecutive pts were identified during study period; 1525 (94%) received Mel200 and 103 (6%) received Mel140. Propensity score matching resulted in 3:1 matches for a total of 312 pts (234 in the Mel200 group and 78 in the Mel140 group). The majority of pts were older with a median age of 69.6 (range: 43.3 – 80.6) years. For all matched pts, there was a statistically significant OS advantage for Mel200 with a HR of 0.46 (95% CI: 0.26, 0.80; P=0.006), but no significant differences in PFS (HR 0.87; 95% CI: 0.58, 1.31; P=0.51), CIR (HR 0.96; 95% CI: 0.66, 1.39; P=0.83) or NRM (HR 0.57; 95% CI: 0.22, 1.49; P=0.25). In pts with VGPR or better, PFS, OS, CIR, and NRM were not significantly different between the Mel200 (n=111) and Mel140 (n=37) groups. However, for pts with PR or less, there was significantly better OS for Mel200 (n=123) compared to Mel140 (n=41) (HR 0.39; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.82; P=0.013), but no significant differences in PFS, CIR, or NRM. The adjusted 3-year PFS with Mel200 and Mel140 for the matched pts were 13% and 14% (P=0.25), respectively, and adjusted 3-year OS were 67% and 46% (P=0.007). Additionally, multivariable regression models were fit using all the data adjusting the models with the same measures that were used in the matching. The results and conclusions between the two methods were consistent. Conclusion Mel200 remains standard of care with superior survival in patients with PR or worse, however Mel140 is a suitable alternative for patients in VGPR or better. Depth of response prior to transplantation is a strong predictor for selecting melphalan dose intensity and treatment outcomes. Our findings highlight the importance of improving remission status prior to transplant. Prospective randomized trials are needed to define the optimal melphalan dose.
Coronary and Structural Heart Disease Interventions During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Road Map for Clinicians and Health Care Delivery Systems.

Abstract Background Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, cath labs have had to modify their workflow for elective and urgent patients. Methods We surveyed 16 physicians across 3 hospitals in our healthcare system to address COVID-19 related concerns in the management of interventional and structural heart disease patients, and to formulate system wide criteria for deferring cases till after the pandemic. Results Our survey yielded common concerns centered on the need to protect patients, cath lab staff and physicians from unnecessary exposure to COVID-19; for COVID-19 testing prior to arrival to the cath lab; for clear communication between the referring physician and the interventionalist; but there was initial uncertainty among physicians regarding the optimal management of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI; percutaneous coronary intervention versus thrombolytics). Patients with stable angina and hemodynamically stable acute coronary syndromes were deemed suitable for initial medical management, except when they had large ischemic burden. Most transcatheter aortic valve implantations (TAVI) were felt appropriate for postponement except in symptomatic patients with aortic valve area Conclusion Our survey of an experienced team of clinicians yielded concise guidelines to direct the management of CAD and structural heart disease patients during the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rapid cooling during late-stage orogenesis and implications for the collapse of the Scandian retrowedge, northern Scotland

New 40Ar/39Ar thermochronological and deformation temperature analyses in the Scandian (c. 435–420 Ma) orogenic retrowedge of northern Scotland demonstrate accelerated cooling during late syn- to post-orogenic exhumation of the high-grade orogenic core. Initial cooling rates of 10–30°C myr−1 immediately following peak orogenesis transitioned to rapid rates of 45–90°C myr−1 during final exhumation of the Naver thrust sheet in the orogenic core. The flanking ductile thrust sheets exhibit a similar, albeit less pronounced, acceleration of cooling, with rates increasing by c. 150–300% following peak orogenesis. Closer to the foreland, the Moine thrust sheet did not experience increased cooling rates. Calculated unroofing rates of 3.75 mm a−1 in the high-grade Naver thrust sheet suggest increasing, rapid exhumation in the orogenic core during a presumed collapse phase of orogenesis. This is contrary to the expectation of decreasing erosional efficiency as topography is diminished and is interpreted to suggest that unroofing of the Scottish Caledonides may have been partially enhanced by upper crustal extensional deformation during ductile flow of the infrastructure of the orogenic core. Similar processes have been interpreted in the East Greenland Caledonides, which form the northern extension of the Scandian retrowedge. Supplementary material:40Ar/39Ar analytical data for muscovite (Supplementary Data Table 1), 40Ar/39Ar analytical data for amphibole (Supplementary Data Table 2), and electron microprobe analytical data for amphibole samples (Supplementary Data Table 3) is available at: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5087057
The Proportion of Women Authors and the Inclusion of Sex and Gender Content Among the American College of Cardiology Clinical Practice Guidelines, 2008-2018.

Background: Sex and gender, two important factors affecting health care, should be routinely taken into consideration in clinical practice. Members of the Sex and Gender Health Collaborative Scholarship Committee reviewed clinical guidelines published by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) from 2008 to 2018 to determine if the number of women authors on the writing committee influenced the presence of sex- and gender-specific content and recommendations in each guideline. Methods: We reviewed 33 ACC clinical guidelines from 2008 to 2018 and determined the number of women authors on the writing committee for each guideline. We then reviewed each guideline to identify specific content on sex and/or gender differences as it pertained to the guideline's subject cardiac condition. Results: The median proportion of women authors among the 33 ACC guidelines was 22.2% (interquartile range 4.4-81.1). Only two guidelines (6%) had writing committees with >50% women authors. Overall, 25 of 33 guidelines (75.8%) contained sex and gender content; however, the depth and detail of the sex and gender content varied widely among guidelines. The proportion of women authors was not associated with the presence of sex- and gender-specific content. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate continued gender disparities in authorship, and changes should be made to increase the inclusion of women in clinical practice guideline writing committees. We propose selecting a sex and gender champion for guideline writing committees and/or including a specific section on sex- and gender-related content in each guideline to ensure inclusion of sex- and gender-specific recommendations in clinical guidelines.
Venous thromboembolism: risk factors in the sleeve gastrectomy era.

Abstract Background Of complications after bariatric surgery, venous thromboembolism (VTE) has the greatest impact on mortality. Objectives To examine risk factors for postoperative VTE and identify high-risk patients who may benefit from prolonged prophylaxis. Setting National Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) database Methods Patients who underwent primary, laparoscopic bariatric surgery 2015–2019 were identified. Risk factors were sex, age, body mass index (BMI), history of VTE, immobility, venous stasis disease, operative time greater >3 hours, and procedure type. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations between factors and the outcome of postoperative VTE. We examined contributions of each factor through average marginal effects and E-values. We added Black versus White race to the same regression model to understand whether race acted as a moderating factor. Results In our study, 1677 of 605,782 (.28%) patients experienced postoperative VTE. On multivariable analysis, previous history of VTE had the greatest association, increasing risk of postoperative VTE by +.90% points (95% CI [confidence interval] +.73% to +1.07%). Lower-95% CI E-value bounds were 1.43 for men, 1.11 preoperative BMI, 7.38 history of VTE, and 2.15 operative length >3 hours. Black patients had an additional +.18% (95% CI +.14 to +.22%) risk of postoperative VTE, corresponding to a lower E-value bound of 2.50. Conclusion In this study using recent years’ national bariatric surgery data, we find history of VTE is the greatest driver of postoperative VTE. Most importantly, Black patients are more likely to suffer postoperative VTE. Now is the time to use the power of quality improvement programs to ensure health equity for all our patients.
Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software, Phenomenology, and Colaizzi’s Method:

Technology is widely used to support qualitative research. Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) encompasses complementary technologies to support qualitative analysis. Adva...
The Title IX Movement Against Campus Sexual Harassment: How a Civil Rights Law and a Feminist Movement Inspired Each Other

If the inauguration of our first Black president made 2009 a “big” (if complicated) year for progress on racial equality, 2009 also witnessed a significant marker for gender equality, as hundreds of thousands of students and their allies began to mobilize against campus sexual assault, organizing around the groundbreaking civil rights statute, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972. Moving from the Title IX movement’s genesis during the Obama administration to the movement’s direct-action protests and litigation challenging regulations issued in May 2020 by then-Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, this chapter tells the story of how Title IX and the student movement interacted from 2009 to 2020. During these years, the movement not only weathered backlash against it but also influenced both later feminist movements such as #MeToo and non-feminists’ understandings of sexual harassment, demonstrating the continued power and promise of both feminist law and feminist organizing.
Studies on lysozyme as an etiologic agent in ulcerative colitis.

Summary Three dogs in which isolated loops of colon had been prepared in the manner of a colostomy were given daily instillations of lysozyme crystals dissolved in saline and direct observations made on the mucous membrane. Two other animals similarly prepared were given daily instillations of lysozyme plus human ileostomy drainage from a patient with active ulcerative colitis. In neither set of animals were persistent ulcerations observed. Inflammation and superficial erosions were noted in both sets, but these findings were transient and disappeared despite repeated instillations thereafter.
Solving Word Problems in Free Algebras Using Complexity Functions

We present a new method for solving word problems using complexity functions. Complexity functions are used to compute normal forms. Given a set of (conditional) equations E, complexity functions are used to convert these equations into reductions (rewrite rules decreasing the complexity of terms). Using the top-down reduction extension Rep induced by a set of equations E and a compIexity function, we investigate properties which guarantee that any two (ground) terms t1 and t2 are congruent modulo the congruence ≌E if and only if Rep(t1)=Rep ( t2). Our method actually consists in computing Rep incrementally, as the composition of a sequence of top-down reduction extensions induced by possibly different complexity functions. This method relaxes some of the restrictions imposed by the Cburch-Rosser property.
SGER: computer-assisted interpretation of citizen input in rebuilding lower Manhattan

Computer-mediated communication, specifically facilitated by the Internet, offers new channels for citizens to express their views to elected officials, government agencies, and civic associations. Individuals have embraced email, mailing lists, and web-based forms as a method of registering their opinions, frequently resulting in tens of thousands of comments addressed to a given entity. The resulting deluge poses a technical and political challenge: how can official recipients, who have invited citizen input, make sense of commentary received on such a massive scale? How can meaningful patterns be efficiently and effectively identified? We propose the use of computer-assisted interpretation and dynamic visualization complemented by human analysis as one means of addressing these challenges.
Toxicological evaluation of constructed wetland habitat sediments utilizing Hyalella azteca 10-day sediment toxicity test and bacterial bioluminescence

A toxicological evaluation was conducted on wetland habitats created as a result of run-off from agricultural areas. These temporary wetlands were created by using drop pipes as a means of reducing erosional cutting in agricultural fields. Toxicity bioassays utilizing bacterial bioluminescence and Hyalella azteca were used to assess sediment pore water and whole sediment, respectively. Inhibition of bacterial bioluminescence was initially used to determine relative toxicities of pore water from ten wetland sites. Constructed wetland sites were compared to the University of Mississippi Biological Field Station, a relatively pristine reference site. The H. azteca ten day sediment toxicity test was utilized to assess sediment from four selected sites using survival and growth as toxicological endpoints. Results from the toxicological evaluation, along with extensive ecological evaluations, were used to assess the best approach for implementation of temporary wetland habitats with existing agricultural practices.
A Review of “Kamikazes, Corsairs, and Picket Ships: Okinawa, 1945”: Rielly, Robin L. Havertown, PA: Casemate 449 pp., $34.95, ISBN 9781932033861 Publication Date: September 2008

This book is about the United States military's harrowing, successful defense against a fanatical suicide campaign during the closing months of World War II in the Pacific, in the seas around Okina...
The Canine Orthopedic Index. Step 3: Responsiveness testing.

Objective To determine whether the Canine Orthopedic Index (COI) can detect changes in dogs with osteoarthritis (OA) treated with either non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) or placebo. Study Design Double blind randomized placebo controlled trial. Animals Dogs (n = 80) with OA. Methods Owners completed the COI on Day 0. Dogs were administered either carprofen or placebo on days 1 through 14. Owners completed the COI again on Day 14. The change in total instrument, stiffness, gait, function, and quality of life scores were assessed between groups. Results Dogs administered carprofen had significant decreases in the total instrument score (P = .002) as well as 3 of the 4 factor scores compared to dogs treated with placebo (stiffness score P = .015; gait score P = .001; and function score = 0.008). The change in quality of life score was not significantly different between carprofen and placebo treated dogs (P = .124). Conclusions The COI delivered the decreases in total instrument, stiffness, gait, and function scores that one would expect in dogs with OA treated with an NSAID compared with placebo administration. In this cohort of dogs, the quality of life score was not sensitive to the changes associated with NSAID administration.
A numerical study of the vertical transport of momentum in a tropical rainband

The vertical transport of horizontal momentum in a convective tropical rainband is studied using a two-dimensional cloud ensemble model. Twelve simulations are made under the same large-scale conditions. The vertical transports of v momentum (parallel to the rainband) are essentially the same in all of the simulations, even though the structure of the clouds is different in each of the runs. The magnitude of the v-momentum transport by clouds is fairly large. It takes only half of a day to smooth out the tropical low-level easterly jet parallel to the rainband if no other processes are operating. The vertical transports of u momentum (perpendicular to the rainband) are quite different in all of the simulations. This difference can be explained by the dissimilarities in the distributions of horizontal momentum associated with various cloud configurations. The simulated vertical transports of horizontal momentum are compared with those computed with the Schneider and Lindzen scheme. The results suggest that their scheme is basically correct and usable if some improvements are made.
The composition of beeswax and other waxes secreted by insects

This review deals, with waxes of members of two quite different groups of insects, the bees and the scale insects, which secrete large amounts of wax. The former use was as a structural material and the latter as a protective material. The compositions of waxes from some of these insects are described and particular attention is paid to the compositions of the unhydrolyzed waxes and to the presence of hydroxy acids. New analyses of beeswax and of wax of a species of bumble bee are reported. The structures of the diesters, hydroxyesters and diols of beeswax are elucidated. The bumble bee wax contains major proportions of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, and of long chain saturated, mono- and diunsaturated esters. The relationship between structure and function of the waxes is discussed.
Continuous image and electrophysiological recording with real-time processing and control.

Collecting continuous video together with multichannel electrophysiological data and other experimental modalities requires high bandwidth and storage capacities, as well as accurate synchronization to detect correlations between different recorded events. Often, experiments are highly complex, with many variables requiring immediate analysis and feedback during the course of the experiment. In addition, output channels require real-time control with high time resolution. We have explored several approaches to a system that can perform the above functions. The design of our system considered a number of issues, including time intervals between control and acquisition events, longest continuous recording period, data transfer bottleneck considerations, file archiving and format, and real-time display and processing. To demonstrate the system, we describe an experiment for characterizing rapid evoked scattered light changes in neural tissue, in vivo, using simultaneous electronic image acquisition and electrophysiological recording.
The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Mood Across the Perinatal Period: A Review of Naturalistic and Clinical Research to Guide Future Investigation of Physical Activity–Based Interventions for Perinatal Depression

Perinatal depression affects 10–20% of women and has wide-ranging consequences for the mothers and their families. Although antidepressant medications are widely used to treat depression, many perinatal women express interest in alternative treatment options. Physical activity interventions may be particularly useful in perinatal populations given high rates of physical inactivity and the potential benefits associated with physical activity. We review research addressing the relationship between physical activity and mood across the perinatal period, with an emphasis on both naturalistic and intervention research. Evidence indicates that physical activity interventions may be an effective intervention for perinatal depression, but rigorous randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the efficacy of these interventions. We conclude with recommendations for future research in this area.
Renormalization of initial conditions and the trans-Planckian problem of inflation

Understanding how a field theory propagates the information contained in a given initial state is essential for quantifying the sensitivity of the cosmic microwave background to physics above the Hubble scale during inflation. Here we examine the renormalization of a scalar theory with nontrivial initial conditions in the simpler setting of flat space. The renormalization of the bulk theory proceeds exactly as for the standard vacuum state. However, the short distance features of the initial conditions can introduce new divergences which are confined to the surface on which the initial conditions are imposed. We show how the addition of boundary counterterms removes these divergences and induces a renormalization group flow that depends on the initial conditions.
AN IN-DEPTH STUDY OF VORTEX SHEDDING, ACOUSTIC RESONANCE AND TURBULENT FORCES IN NORMAL TRIANGLE TUBE ARRAYS

Abstract Three normal triangle tube arrays have been tested to investigate the phenomenon of vortex shedding, its relation to the occurrence of acoustic resonance and the dynamic fluid forces exerted on the tubes. The tests include velocity, pressure and force measurements, as well as extensive visualization of the flow structure at resonant and nonresonant conditions. Three vorticity-shedding components have been observed: a high-frequency component,fv2, associated with alternating vortex shedding from the front rows; a low-frequency component,fv1, due to alternating vortex shedding from the rear rows; and a third component,fvd, resulting from the nonlinear interaction betweenfv1andfv2. For small spacing arrays, thefv1at the rear rows is hardly discernible. When the spacing is increased, it gains strength continuously until it dominates the whole array at large spacing ratios, where the high-frequency componentfv2subsides. The study focuses upon the effects of the Reynolds number and the location within the array on the vorticity-shedding components and their relative importance with respect to the excitation of acoustic resonance. Data of the dynamic lift coefficient and bound spectra of turbulent fluid forces are also provided.
The Effect of Immigration on Women's Roles in Various Countries

The contribution of immigrants in general to the labour force of the receiving country and the ramifications (positive and negative) of this contribution have received a fair amount of attention, in the past, since many immigrant policies are formulated after considering the potential contribution or damage immigrants can make to the economic development of the country and selectively regulating the type of immigrants allowed to enter accordingly. Most of this attention has been given to immigrants in general, although subgroups of immigrants differ greatly in their own particular needs.
Instructions influence UR magnitude and conditioned alpha blocking

This study tried to assess the effects of instructions on conditioned alpha blocking. To do this, an equal number of college students were first assigned to an informed group (IG) or an uninformed group (UIG) and administered the same number and sequence of pseudoconditioning, conditioning, and extinction trials, using one of three different light intensities. The reinforcing property of a light US was also assessed by measuring UR magnitude in pseudoconditioning for individual subjects; the college students were later grouped with respect to the presence of low or high URs. It was found that UR magnitude, not US intensity, was predictive of conditioned alpha blocking. Nonetheless, conditioned alpha blocking occurred only for the subjects in the UIG who had low URs. For this group, conditioned alpha blocking was manifested as an increased effectiveness of the CS in blocking the alpha rhythm following a series of paired CS-US trials, and longer latencies of the alpha CR in conditioning and extinction as compared with the OR-produced responses in pseudoconditioning. The use of UR magnitude as a measure of the effectiveness of the US in producing conditioned alpha blocking and the effects of instructions on the conditionability of the EEG response system are discussed.
Palaeoceanography: No signs of Southern Ocean CO 2

The rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels at the end of the last glacial period has been attributed to a release of carbon from the abyssal ocean. Radiocarbon analyses from the Chilean margin have failed to find evidence that supports this hypothesis.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Accessibility of Risk Factor Information at Newborn Hospital Discharge in Cook County, Illinois by Level of Care 613

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Accessibility of Risk Factor Information at Newborn Hospital Discharge in Cook County, Illinois by Level of Care 613
Analysis of laser fabricated microjoint performance in cerebrospinal fluid using a computational approach.

Assessment of neural biocompatibility requires that materials be tested with exposure in neural fluids. We have studied the mechanical performance of laser bonded microjoints between titanium foil and polyimide film (TiPI) in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The samples were exposed in CSF for two, four and twelve weeks at 37 °C. The laser microbonds showed initial degradation up to four weeks which then stabilized afterwards and retained similar strength until twelve weeks. To understand this bond degradation mechanism better, a finite element modeling approach was adopted. From the finite element results, it was revealed that bond degradation was not due to the hygroscopic expansion of polyimide. Rather, relaxation of the process induced residual stresses may have resulted in weakening of the bond strength as observed from experimental measurements.
Vegetation canopy reflectance

Abstract Possible cause-effect relationships in producing vegetation canopy reflectance are discussed. Hemispherical reflectance and even bidirectional reflectance measurements are shown to be inadequate to predict or understand vegetation canopy reflectance in many situations. Among the additional important parameters necessary for prediction and understanding of vegetation canopy reflectance are leaf hemispherical transmittance, leaf area and orientation, characteristics of other components of the vegetation canopy (stalks, trunks, limbs), soil reflectance, solar zenith angle, look angle, and azimuth angle. The effects of these parameters on vegetation canopy bidirectional spectral reflectance are described.
The electrochemical reduction of pertechnetate at carbon electrodes in aqueous non-complexing acid media

Abstract The electrochemical reduction of pertechnetate (TcO − 4 ) in aqueous non-complexing acid media at carbon electrodes with the reoxidation of deposited technetium oxide films was studied via cyclic voltammetry, thin layer anodic stripping coulometry, and secondary ion mass spectrometry. The primary reduction of pertechnetate in non-complexing acid media was found to occur by way of a pH-dependent, activation-controlled, three-electron transfer from Tc(VII) to Tc(IV), with the deposition of [TcO 2 ·XH 2 O] n onto the carbon electrode surfaces. Subsequent reoxidation of the technetium(IV) oxide film to Tc(VII) leads to the reformation of pertechnetate and/or suspected formation of technetium oxychloro species in the presence of chloride.
The credit view, financial announcements and interesr rate responses☆

Abstract Proponents of the credit view have argued that aggregate commercial bank lending decisions have strong macro-economic effects. This view is in contrast to the monetarist view that it is sufficient to consider the liability side of the banking sector's balance sheet in analyzing the economic outlook. In this paper we examine whether or not financial markets reacted to unexpected changes in aggregate commercial bank lending during much of the 1980s. In contrast to the implications of the credit view, no evidence of a significant reaction to such shocks is uncovered. However, there is evidence to suggest that unexpected commercial paper activity is important to financial markets, but the sign of the association is the opposite of that predicted by the credit view.
Online Business Reporting: A Signaling Theory Perspective

ABSTRACT: The reporting of business information on websites, hereafter referred to as electronic business reporting (e-BR), continues to gain widespread acceptance as the Internet provides an inexpensive channel for delivering timely financial and nonfinancial information to investors. The online environment facilitates both the delivery of traditional text-based reporting content and the use of enhanced multimedia for displaying nonfinancial content, including elements such as images, presentations, video, and social media features. Signaling theory and research on trust was applied to develop a signaling research model and investigate how the reporting of nonfinancial content in e-BR can serve as a signal, specifically with nonprofessional investors. An experimental study was conducted in which the quality of e-BR and company performance was varied to investigate how e-BR influences perceptions of investment quality and intentions. The findings suggest that the nonfinancial content in e-BR influences pe...
Probabilistic radiative transfer

Abstract A linear integral equation is formulated for the probability distribution with frequency and angle of the escape of photons from an atmosphere in which the radiation is generated internally and scattered noncoherently. This probability function is simply related to a similar distribution function when the radiation is generated externally. Numerical solutions are obtained for an isothermal atmosphere and their physical meaning is discussed.
Neutron Stars and Black Holes

WHAT characteristics of an object undergoing gravitational collapse determine whether its end result is a neutron star or a black hole is a matter of considerable interest. Although similarity with the arguments based on the Chandrasekhar limit suggests that mass is the main factor, evidence that is admittedly preliminary points to the contrary. For example, it has been shown1 that supernova events eject shells having masses in excess of 5 M⊙ and possibly as large as 40 M⊙. The mass of the collapsed object associated with the binary system e Aurigae has been estimated at only about 12 M⊙ (ref. 2) and that suggested for β Lyrae at ≤20 M⊙ (ref. 3).
Bacteriophytochromes: new tools for understanding phytochrome signal transduction.

The recent discovery of phytochrome-like photoreceptors, collectively called bacteriophytochromes, in a number of bacteria has greatly expanded our understanding of the origins and modes of action of phytochromes in higher plants. These primitive receptors contain an N-terminal domain homologous to the chromophore-binding pocket of phytochromes, and like phytochromes, they bind a variety of bilins to generate photochromic holoproteins. Following the chromophore pocket is a domain similar to two-component histidine kinases, suggesting that these bacterial photoreceptors function in phosphorelay cascades that respond to the light environment. Their organization and distribution support the views that higher-plant phytochromes evolved from a cyanobacterial precursor and that they act as light-regulated kinases. With the ability to exploit bacterial genetics, these bacteriophytochromes now offer simple models to help unravel the biochemical and biophysical events that initiate phytochrome signal transmission.
Inferior olive mirrors joint dynamics to implement an inverse controller

To produce smooth and coordinated motion, our nervous systems need to generate precisely timed muscle activation patterns that, due to axonal conduction delay, must be generated in a predictive and feedforward manner. Kawato proposed that the cerebellum accomplishes this by acting as an inverse controller that modulates descending motor commands to predictively drive the spinal cord such that the musculoskeletal dynamics are canceled out. This and other cerebellar theories do not, however, account for the rich biophysical properties expressed by the olivocerebellar complex's various cell types, making these theories difficult to verify experimentally. Here we propose that a multizonal microcomplex's (MZMC) inferior olivary neurons use their subthreshold oscillations to mirror a musculoskeletal joint's underdamped dynamics, thereby achieving inverse control. We used control theory to map a joint's inverse model onto an MZMC's biophysics, and we used biophysical modeling to confirm that inferior olivary neurons can express the dynamics required to mirror biomechanical joints. We then combined both techniques to predict how experimentally injecting current into the inferior olive would affect overall motor output performance. We found that this experimental manipulation unmasked a joint's natural dynamics, as observed by motor output ringing at the joint's natural frequency, with amplitude proportional to the amount of current. These results support the proposal that the cerebellum--in particular an MZMC--is an inverse controller; the results also provide a biophysical implementation for this controller and allow one to make an experimentally testable prediction.
The mass spectra of some chlorinated pesticidal compounds

The mass spectra of nine bridged polycyclic chlorinated pesticidal compounds have been investigated, and fragmentation modes to account for the more abundant ions are postulated. The principal features of the spectra are ions corresponding to a set of retro-Diels-Alder decompositions, ions resulting from successive losses of Cl, HCl, or both, ions produced by combinations of a retro-Diels-Alder process with a preliminary or subsequent loss of Cl or HCl, and ions whose processes of formation more specifically involve the epoxide group.
TGF-β in kidney fibrosis: A target for gene therapy

Fibrosis is a pathological process that results from some form of injury and can occur in any organ. When fibrosis develops it typically causes tissue dysfunction and organ failure. The biological cause of fibrosis is the accumulation of excessive amounts of extracellular matrix within a tissue. Fibrosis within glomeruli (glomerulosclerosis) and between tubules (tubulointerstitial fibrosis) causes the progressive loss of renal function that leads to end-stage renal disease in humans with diabetes, glomerulonephritis or hypertension. It is now widely believed that fibrosis represents an excess of the normal repair process that follows tissue injury and, accordingly, fibrosis has been termed the "dark side" of tissue repair [1]. The idea that normal tissue repair and fibrogenesis are closely related is based on the overwhelming evidence that both involve similar biological processes that are regulated by the same group of molecules [2]. A prime example of this is the role of transforming growth factor-n (TGF-p). TGF-13 is a cytokine or signaling molecule whose potent fibrogenic properties are derived from its multiple actions in tissue repair [3, 4]. TGF-f3 is unique in its ability to stimulate strongly the deposition of extracellular matrix by four separate, simultaneous effects, as depicted in Figure 1. TGF-p acts directly to stimulate the synthesis of most matrix molecules including fibronectin, collagens and proteoglycans. At the same time, TGF-f3 blocks the degradation of matrix by inhibiting the secretion of proteases and inducing the production of protease inhibitors. TGF-f3 also modulates the expression of integrin matrix receptors on cells in a manner that facilitates cell-matrix adhesion and matrix deposition. Finally, TGF-/3 autoinduces its own production, which greatly amplifies its biological actions. These four fibrogenic effects of TGF-13 have been demonstrated independently in several types of cultured cells. However, in a model of acute glomerulonephritis, we have shown these TGF-13 effects as the cause of the rapid deposition of matrix in the injured glomeruli.
Controlling cell adhesion on human tissue by soft lithography

Soft lithographic techniques are widely used for fundamental biological applications. This study investigates the extension of soft lithography for use on human tissue to create a biological implant by systematically studying the effect of pattern size on cellular morphology. We focus on mimicking a key layer of the physiological retina with an organized monolayer of epithelial cells to act as a new treatment for age-related macular degeneration. We show that epithelial cells can be confined to cytophilic islands defined on lens capsule by the inhibitory polymer poly(vinyl alcohol). In addition, as the size of the cytophilic islands grows, both the fraction of islands with cells attached and the number of cells adhered to each island increase. High densities of cell adhesion and single cell attachment per island were achieved with a 25 microm pattern size. Over time, the cells spread over the 5 microm wide barriers to form a confluent monolayer that may eventually serve as a functional retinal implant. With the ability to apply soft lithography to tissue samples, human tissue may become a universal membrane substrate for other ocular diseases or in tissue engineering applications elsewhere in the body.
Modeling unemployment as an inventory: A multicointegration approach

Abstract We examine the dynamic phenomenon of unemployment as a constantly changing inventory of unemployed individuals. We focus on the possibility raised by Elsby et al. (2009) of an innate “inseparability” between the flows into and out of unemployment. Multicointegration, introduced by Granger and Lee (1989) , offers a natural way to model the level of unemployment as an inventory. We find that there is multicointegration between inflows into and outflows from unemployment and the level of unemployment itself. By identifying this multicointegrating relationship, we are able to specify an error correction model for unemployment, improving forecasting ability.
Reinventing Residential Childcare: An Agenda for Research and Practice

SUMMARY Until recently, “residential childcare” in North America was, for a variety of reasons, more likely to be seen as part of the “problem” as opposed to the “solution” for most child and family problems. Thus, the development of residential care theory, innovative practices and research all languished as the spotlight of interest focused on such “newer” service developments as “intensive family preservation services,” “treatment foster care,” and “wrap-around services.” As Corbillon (1993) notes, the neglect, in particular, of an integrated set of research priorities for residential childcare is a problem for at least some European countries (France) as well. Recently, the spectre of children orphaned by AIDS, the somewhat disappointing research results from family based service initiatives and the challenges posed by children and youth who present multiple problems including serious emotional disturbance, substance abuse, and a history of violence have worked to stimulate a renewed interest in resid...
Post-Cold War Effects on the Non-proliferation Regime

As the world's only superpower, the United States may have unintentionally contributed to the resurfacing of nuclear proliferation as an international security problem since the end of the cold war.
The Impact of NCLB and Accountability on Social Studies: Teacher Experiences and Perceptions about Teaching Social Studies

This article illustrates the challenges of teaching curriculum within the guidelines of No Child Left Behind. Nine school teachers write and speak about their experiences, what influences their curriculum choices, and how they attempt to incorporate social studies in the elementary classroom. The teachers completed a background survey, wrote about their experiences, and talked about what they went through during a focus group discussion. Teachers believed that accountability measures taken at their schools had affected the amount of instructional time dedicated to social studies and that students’ access to civic knowledge and participatory education have been diminished along with the resources and professional development necessary to teach the subject competently.
Enterprise Resource Planning Implementation in an Institution of Higher Learning: A Case Study of Drummond University

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software systems are implemented in major corporations because of their unique design which enables the integration of information across the functional areas of a business. Implementations of ERP software, such as SAP or Oracle, are most commonly documented in the manufacturing sector. This case study, however, describes the implementation of ERP in an institution of higher learning. In particular, issues pertaining to implementing SAP in a university structure, measuring the return on an ERP investment in an educational institution, and managing organizational change are discussed.
Tracking indoor location and motion for navigational assistance

Visually impaired people have a harder time remembering their way around complex unfamiliar buildings, whilst obtaining the help of a sighted guide is not always possible or desirable. By sensing the users location and motion, however, mobile phone software can provide navigational assistance in such situations, obviating the need of human guides. We present a simple to operate and highly usable mobile navigational guide that uses Wi-Fi and accelerometer sensors to help the user repeat paths that were already walked once.
Idiopathic infantile nystagmus: Diagnosis and treatment

Current concepts of idiopathic infantile nystagmus are summarized, with special attention to treatment and differential diagnosis of this condition. Advantages of the Anderson procedure over the Kestenbaum procedure are suggested for head turn associated with this condition, and the need for further studies is acknowledged. The importance of the extended slow phase in understanding the waveforms of infantile nystagmus is stressed. Our studies reinforce what I believe to be the natural history of infantile nystagmus, as well as the history of periodic alternating nystagmus. The critical delineation of diagnosing periodic alternating nystagmus is emphasized with respect to the type of operation to avoid overcorrection of head turns in patients with nystagmus. Continued searches for manifest latent nystagmus are important, because that condition is currently the only truly treatable nystagmus. I thank the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus for the privilege and honor of presenting the 1997 Costenbader Lecture.
The history of cancer epigenetics.

Since its discovery in 1983, the epigenetics of human cancer has been in the shadows of human cancer genetics. But this area has become increasingly visible with a growing understanding of specific epigenetic mechanisms and their role in cancer, including hypomethylation, hypermethylation, loss of imprinting and chromatin modification. This timeline traces the field from its conception to the present day. It also addresses the genetic basis of epigenetic changes — an emerging area that promises to unite cancer genetics and epigenetics, and might serve as a model for understanding the epigenetic basis of human disease more generally.