cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPN7 is a negative regulator of ERK activation and thromboxane generation in platelets

Protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 7 (PTPN7), also called hematopoietic protein tyrosine phosphatase, controls extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in T lymphocytes. Because ERK1/2 plays an important role in regulating thromboxane A2 (TXA2) generation in platelets, we investigated the function of PTPN7 in these cells. Using immunoblot analysis, we detected PTPN7 in both human and mouse platelets but not in PTPN7-null mice. PTPN7 KO mouse platelets exhibited increased platelet functional responses, including aggregation, dense granule secretion, and TXA2 generation, compared with platelets from WT littermates, upon stimulation with both G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) and glycoprotein VI (GPVI) agonists. Using the GPCR agonist AYPGKF in the presence of the COX inhibitor indomethacin, we found that PTPN7 KO mouse platelets aggregated and secreted to the same extent as WT platelets, suggesting that elevated TXA2 is responsible for the potentiation of platelet functional responses in PTPN7-KO platelets. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was also elevated in PTPN7 KO platelets. Stimulation of platelets with the GPVI agonist collagen-related peptide along with the COX inhibitor indomethacin did not result in phosphorylation of ERK1/2, indicating that GPVI-mediated ERK phosphorylation occurs through TXA2. Although bleeding times did not significantly differ between PTPN7-null and WT mice, time to death was significantly faster in PTPN7-null mice than in WT mice in a pulmonary thromboembolism model. We conclude that PTPN7 regulates platelet functional responses downstream of GPCR agonists, but not GPVI agonists, through inhibition of ERK activation and thromboxane generation.
Denying Citizenship: Immigration Enforcement and Citizenship Rights in the United States

In the current era of intensified immigration enforcement and heightened risks of deportation even for long-term lawful permanent residents, citizenship has taken on a new meaning and greater importance. There is also growing evidence that citizenship denials in their various forms have become inextricably linked to immigration enforcement. Who is denied citizenship, why, and under what circumstances? This chapter begins to address these questions by developing a typology of citizenship denials and providing an empirical overview of each type of citizenship denial. Taken together, the typology of citizenship denials and the accompanying empirical overview illustrate the close connection between immigration enforcement and citizenship rights in the United States.
Normal and difficult airways in children: “What’s New”—Current evidence

Background Pediatric difficult airway is one of the most challenging clinical situations. We will review new concepts and evidence in pediatric normal and difficult airway management in the operating room, intensive care unit, Emergency Department, and neonatal intensive care unit. Methods Expert review of the recent literature. Results Cognitive factors, teamwork, and communication play a major role in managing pediatric difficult airway. Earlier studies evaluated videolaryngoscopes in a monolithic way yielding inconclusive results regarding their effectiveness. There are, however, substantial differences among videolaryngoscopes particularly angulated vs. nonangulated blades which have different learning and use characteristics. Each airway device has strengths and weaknesses, and combining these devices to leverage both strengths will likely yield success. In the pediatric intensive care unit, emergency department and neonatal intensive care units, adverse tracheal intubation-associated events and hypoxemia are commonly reported. Specific patient, clinician, and practice factors are associated with these occurrences. In both the operating room and other clinical areas, use of passive oxygenation will provide additional laryngoscopy time. The use of neuromuscular blockade was thought to be contraindicated in difficult airway patients. Newer evidence from observational studies showed that controlled ventilation with or without neuromuscular blockade is associated with fewer adverse events in the operating room. Similarly, a multicenter neonatal intensive care unit study showed fewer adverse events in infants who received neuromuscular blockade. Neuromuscular blockade should be avoided in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis, head and neck radiation, airway masses, and external airway compression for anticipated worsening airway collapse with neuromuscular blocker administration. Conclusion Clinicians caring for children with difficult airways should consider new cognitive paradigms and concepts, leverage the strengths of multiple devices, and consider the role of alternate anesthetic approaches such as controlled ventilation and use of neuromuscular blocking drugs in select situations. Anesthesiologists can partner with intensive care and emergency department and neonatology clinicians to improve the safety of airway management in all clinical settings.
Angiotensin II and pro-inflammatory cytokines synergistically increased COX-2 mRNA and protein expression in lung fibroblasts.

583 Angiotensin II (Ang II) is the key effecter of the renin-angiotensin system. Although Ang II receptor blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are potential candidates for cancer chemoprevention, the precise mechanism(s) by which Ang II induces tumorigenesis are not yet clear. Since our previous study revealed that Ang II stimulates Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in cardiovascular tissues and intestinal epithelial cells and COX-2 expression is shown to be associated with carcinogenesis, we further investigated a mechanism by which Ang II stimulates COX-2 expression. Although an increased COX-2 expression has been observed in a variety of cancer cells including colon, prostate and lung, high levels of COX-2 expression were also detected in tumor stroma. Since tumor stroma play important roles in tumorigenesis and tumor development, the aim of this study was to investigate whether synergistic induction of COX-2 occurs by Ang II and pro-inflammatory cytokines in primary cultured lung fibroblasts. Ang II induced COX-2 expression in lung fibroblasts with a dose-dependent manner (10 -9 to 10-7M). This stimulation was completely blocked by 1 µM Ang II subtype 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist losartan but not by AT2 receptor antagonist PD123319 implying that Ang II stimulates COX-2 induction through the AT1 receptor. Ang II synergistically enhanced induction of COX-2 by pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The increase in the pro-inflammatory cytokine-induced COX-2 expression with Ang II was over 2-fold as compared to the expression induced by cytokine alone. In addition, the duration of COX-2 expression by IL-1β or TNF-α was significantly prolonged by co-stimulation of Ang II. The Ang II-induced COX-2 expression was markedly attenuated by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor, whereas pro-inflammatory cytokine- induced COX-2 expression was attenuated by both p38 MAPK and p44/42 MAPK inhibitors. In contrast, A549, human lung adenocarcinoma cell line or BEAS-2B, human bronchial epithelial cell did not show the induction of COX-2 by Ang II despite that these cell lines express the AT1 receptor. These results clearly suggest that Ang II has pro-tumorigenic effects by stimulating COX-2 expression in lung stromal fibroblasts synergistically with pro-inflammatory cytokines. These results indicate that the AT1 receptor in fibroblasts is a potentially important target for lung cancer chemoprevention. This work was supported by KSU Terry C. Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research, KSU Provost’s fund, KSU CVM Dean’s fund.
Teaching COVID-19 Topics in a Geographic Framework

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, many students are struggling to make sense of it. Geography—straddling the intersection of physical and cultural processes and with its strong interest in patterns...
Sustainable disturbance crosstalk mitigation in deeply scaled phase-change memory

Abstract While phase change memory (PCM) is gaining popularity in next generation systems compared to conventional DRAM and Flash, write disturbance due to crosstalk remains a significant challenge to PCM performance and reliability. To address this concern we propose a multi-tiered compression (MTC) technique combined with novel encoding that can decrease the probability of write disturbance. MTC compresses a high proportion (>94%) of cachelines by a small predictable amount (e.g., 40- or 56-bits of a 512-bit block) while maintaining data similarity vital for optimizing PCM writes. By detecting data patterns prone to crosstalk, we use encoding, correction pointers, and a hybrid approach to reduce the instances of write disturbance. We use MTC reclaimed bits to store the encoding. Thus, our approach requires only five additional auxiliary bits per 512-bit cacheline, minimizing the embodied energy (fabrication) overhead to mitigate write disturbance. Additionally, through a multi-objective our optimization dramatic endurance improvements are possible while maintaining nearly all write disturbance improvement. Our technique improves performance, endurance and write energy by 47%, 42% and 36% versus the state-of-the-art with nominal (circa 1%) increases to embodied energy. When considering the full life-cycle impact, the additional area of our MTC with encoding approach is mitigated by the use-phase benefits within 60 days for a high performance system and in less than four years of use for a Desktop system. In nearly all studied scenarios, the improved lifetime provided by our MTC and encoding approach easily recoups the required additional upfront manufacturing energy.
Complete mitochondrial genomes provide current refined phylogenomic hypotheses for relationships among ten Hirundo species.

Hirundo is the most species-rich genus of the passerine swallow family (Hirundinidae) and has a cosmopolitan distribution. Here we report the complete, annotated mitochondrial genomes for 25 indivi...
Implications of KORUS on US beef in South Korea

We examined the competitiveness of US beef in South Korea and assessed how the US-Korea free trade agreement (KORUS) impacted preferences for imported beef products by exporting source (USA, Australia, and the rest of world). Since KORUS entered into force in 2012, US beef exports to Korea have increased 87% and the US is now the leading beef exporter to Korea. Overall, results indicated limited competition across exporting countries as evidenced by the insignificant cross-price estimates. However, we did find evidence of habit formation for US beef which indicates the success of KORUS for the US beef industry and underscores the critical desire to maintain this agreement. When examining how habit formation changed after the implementation of KORUS, we find clear evidence of an increase in preferences for US chilled beef in the South Korean market.
Treating depressive symptoms among veterans in primary care: A multi-site RCT of brief behavioral activation.

Abstract Background Behavioral activation is ideal for embedded behavioral health providers (BHPs) working in primary care settings treating patients reporting a range of depressive symptoms. The current study tested whether a brief version of Behavioral Activation (two 30-minute appointments, 2 boosters) designed for primary care (BA-PC) was more effective than primary care behavioral health treatment-as-usual (TAU) in reducing depressive symptoms and improving quality of life and functioning. Methods Parallel-arm, multi-site randomized controlled trial. 140 Veterans were randomized to BA-PC or TAU and completed assessments at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. Results Reductions in depressive symptoms were observed in both groups between baseline and 3-weeks prior to any treatment, with continued reductions among those in the BA-PC condition through 12-weeks. However, there was no significant condition X time interaction at 12-weeks. Quality of life and mental health functioning were significantly improved for those in the BA-PC condition, compared to TAU, at 12 weeks. Limitations Generalizability to a broader population may be limited as this sample consisted of veterans. Although engagement in TAU matched other prior work, it was lower than engagement in BA-PC, which also may compromise results. Conclusions Although this study found that both TAU and BA-PC participants showed a decline in depressive symptoms, improvements in functioning and quality of life within those assigned to BA-PC, strong treatment retention and feasibility of BA-PC, and significant reductions in depressive symptoms among those with more severe baseline depressive symptoms are encouraging and support continued research on BA-PC. This trial was registered in clinicaltrials.gov as Improving Mood in Veterans in Primary Care (NCT02276807).
Activation of metabolic and stress responses during subtoxic expression of the type I toxin hok in Erwinia amylovora

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems, abundant in prokaryotes, are composed of a toxin gene and its cognate antitoxin. Several toxins are implied to affect the physiological state and stress tolerance of bacteria in a population. We previously identified a chromosomally encoded hok-sok type I TA system in Erwinia amylovora, the causative agent of fire blight disease on pome fruit trees. A high-level induction of the hok gene was lethal to E. amylovora cells through unknown mechanisms. The molecular targets or regulatory roles of Hok were unknown. Here, we examined the physiological and transcriptomic changes of Erwinia amylovora cells expressing hok at subtoxic levels that were confirmed to confer no cell death, and at toxic levels that resulted in killing of cells. In both conditions, hok caused membrane rupture and collapse of the proton motive force in a subpopulation of E. amylovora cells. We demonstrated that induction of hok resulted in upregulation of ATP biosynthesis genes, and caused leakage of ATP from cells only at toxic levels. We showed that overexpression of the phage shock protein gene pspA largely reversed the cell death phenotype caused by high levels of hok induction. We also showed that induction of hok at a subtoxic level rendered a greater proportion of stationary phase E. amylovora cells tolerant to the antibiotic streptomycin. We characterized the molecular mechanism of toxicity by high-level of hok induction and demonstrated that low-level expression of hok primes the stress responses of E. amylovora against further membrane and antibiotic stressors.
Projected Reduction of Submillimeter Wave Mixer Noise at 77 K by the use of InSb Schottky Barrier Diodes

Because of its low effective mass, InSb exhibits a high electron mobility. Since a high conductivity would reduce the parasitic losses, this material has been proposed for Schottky-barrier mixer diodes in the submillimeter region. Progress in ultra-high-vacuum deposition techniques makes the construction of a rectifying barrier on N-type InSb now appear feasible. However, the expenditure that will be required to solve the interface problem makes a serious evaluation of the benefits of InSb over GaAs necessary.
The EMS System

This chapter discusses the scope of practice and role of a basic life support (BLS) provider, the chain of survival, and the critical role of medical direction.
The “Normalized Quiet of Unseen Power”: Recognizing the Structural Violence of Deindustrialization as Loss

This article explores the structural violence of deindustrialization and the urban losses that result. It is a global story of mass displacement and dispossession but also an intensely local one th...
The Form of Truth: Hegel’s Philosophical Logic

In The Form of Truth: Hegel’s Philosophical Logic, Elena Ficara offers a reappraisal of G.W.F. Hegel’s logic within the history of logic and in relation to the logics of today. She brings together ...
Where to Publish: helping health sciences professionals find journals for publication quickly and safely

Weaver discusses the Where to Publish, a website that takes a user's keyword search and returns data to address several concerns. WTForms, a Python module for generating and validating form input in web platforms, receives the user's search terms. The site's core script uses the Biopython module, which includes the National Library of Medicine's Entrez application programming interface, to return journals ranked by the number of times the journal has published papers that fit the search criteria. Where to Publish uses Clarivate Analytics' journal impact factor (JIF) as an indicator of journal quality in two respects. First, JIF is used by Cleveland Clinic in physicians' annual performance reviews. Second, by providing a list of journals with JIFs, Where to Publish ensures that authors will avoid low-quality journals due to Clarivate's rigorous journal selection criteria, especially as predatory journals have been getting their papers into PubMed via PubMed Central.
Computational and Biochemical Discovery of RSK2 as a Novel Target for Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG)

The most active anticancer component in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Protein interaction with EGCG is a critical step for mediating the effects of EGCG on the regulation of various key molecules involved in signal transduction. By using computational docking screening methods for protein identification, we identified a serine/threonine kinase, 90-kDa ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK2), as a novel molecular target of EGCG. RSK2 includes two kinase catalytic domains in the N-terminal (NTD) and the C-terminal (CTD) and RSK2 full activation requires phosphorylation of both terminals. The computer prediction was confirmed by an in vitro kinase assay in which EGCG inhibited RSK2 activity in a dose-dependent manner. Pull-down assay results showed that EGCG could bind with RSK2 at both kinase catalytic domains in vitro and ex vivo. Furthermore, results of an ATP competition assay and a computer-docking model showed that EGCG binds with RSK2 in an ATP-dependent manner. In RSK2+/+ and RSK2-/- murine embryonic fibroblasts, EGCG decreased viability only in the presence of RSK2. EGCG also suppressed epidermal growth factor-induced neoplastic cell transformation by inhibiting phosphorylation of histone H3 at Ser10. Overall, these results indicate that RSK2 is a novel molecular target of EGCG.
The use of chemotherapy for localized large cell lymphoma. Results from the University of Arizona

Historically radiotherapy (XRT) alone has been used to treat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) of limited extent [1]. The rationale for this approach has included the ability to eradicate tumor in a treatment field and the apparent success of this approach in limited stage Hodgkin’s disease (HD). However, it has become clear that the NHL are a diverse group of lymphoid neoplasms clearly distinguishable from HD. The prototype curable NHL is the large cell or ‘histiocytic’ lymphoma. This differs from HD in that it occurs in older patients, has a high growth fraction with a propensity for rapid hematogenous dissemination, and fails to exhibit the classic radiation dose-response curve [2]. Thus, it is not surprising that many, if not the majority of patients with large cell lymphoma, fail to be cured with radiotherapy alone [1].
Pes varus correction in Dachshunds using a hybrid external fixator

Objective To describe surgical correction of pes varus deformity in Dachshunds by acute medial opening wedge osteotomy of the distal aspect of the tibia stabilized with a hybrid external skeletal fixator (HESF), and report clinical and radiographic outcomes. Study design Multicenter, retrospective clinical study. Animals Immature Dachshunds (n=13) with pes varus deformity. Methods Limb function and lameness scores were assigned before and after surgery, and correction was determined visually at surgery. Tibiotarsal joint orientation (TTJO) and medial and lateral tibial cortex lengths, measured on radiographs of deformed and normal (when available) limbs, were compared before correction and after fixator removal. Results Pes varus deformities (n=14) were corrected; 93% had good to excellent clinical outcome. None of the dogs had a normal preoperative gait. Mean TTJO of abnormal and normal tibiae before surgery were 29 degrees varus (median, 28 degrees), and 12 degrees valgus (median, 12 degrees). Angular correction ranged from 20 degrees to 51 degrees (mean, 36+/-8 degrees; median, 36 degrees). Mean TTJO after fixator removal was 7 degrees valgus (median, 7 degrees). Two dogs had minor transient postoperative complications whereas 3 had major complications; only 1 of which was resolved. Conclusions Pes varus deformity in Dachshunds can be corrected by acute medial opening wedge osteotomy of the distal aspect of the tibia stabilized by HESF. Technique modifications are needed to improve correction precision. Clinical relevance Visual inspection of limb alignment during surgery resulted in good to excellent clinical outcomes; however, 91% of tibiae were under- or overcorrected (mean, 6 degrees; median, 5 degrees). Limb alignment should be based on evaluation of immediate postoperative TTJO measurements, not solely on intraoperative visual assessment.
Hormonal Influences on Avian Aggressive Behavior

Aggressive behavior in birds involves a variety of complex visual and vocal displays, most of which appear to be under hormonal control. Singing is a good example of a complex vocal display used in aggressive interactions, and singing behavior is controlled by a series of recently evolved distinct neural nuclei, several of which are hormone sensitive. Visual displays are enhanced by various morphological adaptations such as striking plumage patterns; brightly colored bills, eye rings, and legs; or specialized wattles and combs. These, too, are often under hormonal control. Overall, much less is known about the relationship between hormones and aggressive behavior in birds than in mammals. In part, this may reflect the difficulty of manipulating the avian endocrine system. In general, removal of the avian gonads is much more difficult than gonadectomy in mammals, and other manipulations such as adrenalectomy or hypophysectomy are rarely attempted. The lack of data is certainly not due to any dearth of aggressive behavior among bird species. Bennett (1939), in summarizing her observations on the aggressive behavior of doves, noted that the high frequency of aggressive contacts and the violence of many encounters “tend to discredit the expression ‘gentle as a dove’ and to raise a question of the suitability of the dove as an emblem of peace” (p. 356).
Strategic Drivers of International Low-Carbon Technology Transfer

Transfer of low-carbon technologies (LCTs) to developing countries has been recognized as important in global efforts to limit climate change. Yet the mechanics of international technology transfer, especially around intellectual property (IP) rights, have remained a controversial issue in international negotiations. Using a new dataset on international partnerships in China and India in three key LCTs — solar photovoltaics, electric vehicles, and coal gasification/IGCC — and complementary expert interviews we study the dynamics of the transfer of IP and the underlying drivers that guide the development of business strategies and partnerships in the context of transitioning IP regimes in emerging markets. We find that weak IP regimes are indeed a hindrance to the diffusion of certain classes of LCTs: (i) for cutting-edge technologies, (ii) for fully-embodied (explicitly codified) technologies, and (iii) for LCTs from small firms. However, we also find that IP issues do not represent a barrier to the diffusion of the relatively mature and low to medium cost LCTs that are materially (at scale) most important for CO2 emissions reduction in the short to medium term. Competitive technology supply, shifting market dynamics, and increasingly vigorous domestic innovation (in emerging markets) coupled with mechanisms and opportunities to structure credible IP deals allow for the diffusion of key LCTs to occur within the context of existing business, political, and institutional structures.
Novel strategy for generation of mucosal immune responses against HIV-1 following systemic vaccination

A significant hurdle in effective vaccine design for infectious pathogens is the ability to mount immune responses at the portal of entry, namely mucosal sites. The development of a systemic-delivered vaccine approach driving secretory IgA and mucosal T cell immune responses against pathogens would fundamentally change many vaccine strategies. Using mucosal pathogens HIV-1 and Influenza A as models, we demonstrate that a novel systemic administered DNA vaccination strategy utilizing co-delivery of specific mucosal-derived chemokine adjuvants, can produce distal mucosal immune responses. This strategy resulted in redirection of a4b7 and CCR9 or CCR10 positive immune cells to the site of immunization with mucosal retrafficking phenotype. The immune phenotype included enhanced cytokine and cytolytic markers expressed by antigen-specific T cells from the spleen, lung and lamina propria, as well as elevated IgG and secretory IgA responses in secondary lymphoid organs, B cells from the gut, peripheral blood and fecal extracts. Systemic immunization controls, as expected, failed to induce mucosal immunity. These studies have great significance for basic understanding of gut lymphocyte homing, mucosal phenotype commitment and development of vaccine strategies for mucosal pathogens. This work is supported by F32AI054152 to MAK, and N01-A1-15429, NIAID-HVDDT to DBW.
Expressing and Enforcing Timing Constraints in a DynamicReal-Time CORBA System

Distributed real-time applications have presented the need to extend the Object Management Group‘s Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) standard to support real-time. This paper describes a Dynamic Real-Time CORBA system, which supports the expression and enforcement of end-to-end timing constraints as an extension to a commercial CORBA system. The paper also describes performance tests that demonstrate the system‘s ability to enforce expressed timing constraints.
Double Monopoly Markup

When manufacturing and distribution are undertaken by two successive monopolies, each firm, in its attempt to maximize its own profits, charges a price that contains a monopoly markup over its own marginal cost. This gives rise to the problem of double monopoly markup (also known as double marginalization). The overall result is higher prices for consumers, lower quantity sold, and lower consumer surplus for consumers. Further, the joint profit of the two successive monopoly firms is also less than what it would have been if the two firms were vertically integrated. Hence, there is a deadweight loss due to the double monopoly markup. Keywords: double marginalization; deadweight loss; distribution; two-part pricing; vertical integration
Energy spectrum of direct excitons in wurtzite-type semiconductors

We investigate the energy levels of direct excitons in wurtzite-type materials taking into full account the anisotropy and the degeneracy of the valence bands together with the anisotropy of the dielectric tensor. We show that, after a proper similarity transformation of the exciton Hamiltonian, the problem can be solved by means of a method introduced for the case of direct and indirect excitons in cubic (diamond and zincblende) semiconductors. The binding energies of the 1s and 2s exciton states originating from the γ9,gG7, gG7 valence subbands are given by analytical expressions. Results are presented for CdS and CdSe and the agreement with available experimental data is good.
Commercial Diets in Phase I Palmetto Bass, Morone saxatilis × Morone chrysops, Production in Plastic‐lined Ponds: Fertilizer or Feed?

The role of offering a commercial pelleted diet has been characterized as both an expensive organic fertilizer and as a selected food item for larval hybrid striped bass (palmetto), Morone saxatilis × Morone chrysops, culture operations. In this study, we examined the effects of providing a commercial diet on fish production and zooplankton dynamics during phase I culture in plastic-lined ponds. We also sought to estimate relative dietary contribution of a commercial fish feed relative to natural pond biota using stable isotope tissue analysis. Palmetto bass were stocked into six 0.04-ha plastic-lined ponds at a rate of 125,000/ha. During the 31-d culture period, ponds were fertilized with alfalfa pellets at a rate of 112 kg/ha/wk. At 14 d post-stock (dps), Silver Cup Trout Fry diet was offered at a rate of 13.6 kg/ha/d and fertilization was discontinued in three ponds. Although mean final fish length was significantly greater within the fed treatment, no other production parameters were found to be different (P < 0.1). Following feed application, copepod concentrations within the fed ponds were greater in magnitude by 24 dps. Through stable isotope tissue analysis, we found a significant enrichment in both 13C and 15ν of fish, zooplankton, and Chironomidae larvae within the fed ponds (P < 0.10). Using a three-source mixing model, the mean (±SE) percent composition of feed in the fish's isotopic signature increased from 5% ±2 to 20% ±6 within 16 d. Although fish production was not greatly affected through the addition of a commercial fish feed, enriched 13C and 15ν of fish tissue indicate that palmetto bass fingerlings increasingly utilized the prepared diets over time. However, based on the isotopic values of fish and potential food sources, it can be estimated that natural pond biota likely accounted for up to 80% of nutrient assimilation in the hybrid striped bass.
Detecting trends in landscape pattern metrics over a 20-year period using a sampling-based monitoring programme

Temporal trends in landscape pattern metrics describing texture, patch shape and patch size were evaluated in the US Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Ecoregion. The landscape pattern metrics were calculated for a sample of land use/cover data obtained for four points in time from 1973-1992. The multiple sampling dates permit evaluation of trend, whereas availability of only two sampling dates allows only evaluation of change. Observed statistically significant trends in the landscape pattern metrics demonstrated that the sampling-based monitoring protocol was able to detect a trend toward a more fine-grained landscape in this ecoregion. This sampling and analysis protocol is being extended spatially to the remaining 83 ecoregions in the US and temporally to the year 2000 to provide a national and regional synthesis of the temporal and spatial dynamics of landscape pattern covering the period 1973-2000.
Beyond the slogan of South-South co-operation

Abstract Greater South-South co-operation requires a major political initiative rather than technocratic blueprints. Its ultimate success depends on a fundamental internal restructuring of Third-World societies, including their intellectual emancipation, education of their masses and adoption of alternative development strategies to meet the basic needs of their people. Such co-operation may first emerge between a few Southern nations, rather than on a global basis, and it may follow a period of intensive South-South dialogue through a Third-World Secretariat. The real potential for co-operation is large, both in expanding South-South trade and in organizing meaningful countervailing power to negotiate a new international economic order.
On the location of the second Jπ = 0+, T = 1 state in 26Al

Abstract Gamma-ray branching ratios have been measured for several states near E x = 3.7 MeV in 26 A1 with the 24 Mg(τ, pγ), 25 Mg(τ, dγ) and 27 Al(τ, αγ) reactions. Reaction particles were detected at 0° in coincidence with de-excitation γ-rays. Proton angular distributions were measured at E τ = 11 MeV for the 24 Mg(τ, p) 26 Al reaction to the 3.72 and 3.75 MeV levels. The results yield an assignment of J π = 1 + , T = 0 for the 3.72 MeV state, in disagreement with a recent J π = 0 + , T = 1 assignment, but in agreement with an earlier assignment of J = 1. The 3.75 MeV level is observed to be a close doublet. One member of this doublet is preferentially excited in the 25 Mg(τ, dγ) and 27 Al(τ, αγ) reactions and is associated with a previous assignment of J π = 2 + or 3 + . The second member of the 3.75 MeV doublet is preferentially excited in the 24 Mg(τ, pγ) reaction and is identified as the second 0 + , T = 1 state in 26 A1. Branching ratio results for the 3.68 MeV level establish that this level is also a close doublet. Results for the 3.59 MeV state are in agreement with previous work.
A comparison of the lympholytic effects of corticosterone and testosterone propionate in immature cockerels.

SummaryIntact cockerels were injected with selected levels of corticosterone or testosterone propionate (TP) for 2 weeks. At 5 weeks of age, (immediately after hormone treatment), and at 7 weeks (2 weeks after hormone withdrawal), the weights, histology, and tissue oxygen consumptions of the bursa Fabricii, thymi, and spleens were determined. TP caused a greater involution of lymphoid organs than corticosterone, but tissue sensitivity to corticosterone was greater. Tissue size and tissue oxygen consumption were not directly correlated immediately after hormone treatment. Two weeks after hormone withdrawal the weights and oxygen consumptions of lymphoid organs in corticosterone-treated birds were increased and those in TP-treated birds decreased. This result suggests that lymphoid organs are less impaired by elevated corticosteroid levels during early developmental stages, than by elevated TP levels. For the bursa the data suggest that the mechanisms by which the two steroid hormones cause their lympholyti...
An exploration of the robustness of alternative laboratory methodologies: Matching funds and the provision of public goods

Abstract The voluntary provision of a pure public good is studied in the presence of an anonymous external donor. New data generated using experimental procedures employing both extra-credit and cash incentives, as well as asynchronous access to real-time decision rounds lasting several days, are compared to previous data generated using traditional cash-only, synchronous-access laboratory procedures. The effect on resource allocations to the public good of introducing external matching funds is examined in two different settings, lump-sum matching and one-to-one matching. The new data confirm the robustness of results previously reported in Baker et al. (2009) to the change in laboratory procedures and incentives. The new data are then used to extend the parameter space in which the two matching mechanisms are studied, including: varying within-round information regarding the current level of public-good allocations and varying group size from four to twenty group members. Allocations in lump-sum matching are no worse, and sometimes better, than one-to-one matching in these new treatments.
Subclass-based Multi-task Learning for Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis

In this work, we propose a novel subclass-based multi-task learning method for feature selection in computer-aided Alzheimer's Disease (AD) or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) diagnosis. Unlike the previous methods that often assumed a unimodal data distribution, we take into account the underlying multipeak distribution of classes. The rationale for our approach is that it is highly likely for neuroimaging data to have multiple peaks or modes in distribution, e.g., mixture of Gaussians, due to the inter-subject variability. In this regard, we use a clustering method to discover the multipeak distributional characteristics and define subclasses based on the clustering results, in which each cluster covers a peak in the underlying multipeak distribution. Specifically, after performing clustering for each class, we encode the respective subclasses, i.e., clusters, with their unique codes. In encoding, we impose the subclasses of the same original class close to each other and those of different original classes distinct from each other. By setting the codes as new label vectors of our training samples, we formulate a multi-task learning problem in a l21-penalized regression framework, through which we finally select features for classification. In our experimental results on the ADNI dataset, we validated the effectiveness of the proposed method by improving the classification accuracies by 1% (AD/Normal Control: NC), 3.25% (MCI/NC), 5.34% (AD/MCI), and 7.4% (MCI Converter: MCI-C/MCI Non-Converter: MCI-NC) compared to the competing single-task learning method. It is remarkable for the performance improvement in MCI-C/MCI-NC classification, which is the most important for early diagnosis and treatment. It is also noteworthy that with the strategy of modality-adaptive weights by means of a multi-kernel support vector machine, we maximally achieved the classification accuracies of 96.18% (AD/NC), 81.45% (MCI/NC), 73.21% (AD/MCI), and 74.04% (MCI-C/MCI-NC), respectively.
Wrestling with intellectual diversity in public administration: Avoiding disconnectedness and fragmentation while seeking rigor, depth, and relevance

Public Administration (PA) is a field characterized by great diversity in theoretical approaches and methodological tactics. This wide scope lends itself to potential epistemological and methodological fragmentation, which prevents scholars from adequately appreciating and building on each other's work. Although many scholars value PA's theoretical and methodological diversity, this intellectual diversity brings some important trade-offs that must be acknowledged. We see three future challenges for the field as (1) supporting the application of diverse and rigorous methodological approaches, (2) continuing to encourage theoretical diversity and theoretical depth, and (3) promoting relevance without compromising methodological rigor and theoretical depth. We believe that a self-conscious, deliberate focus on balancing these goals will strengthen and connect public administration. In this article, we suggest several practical strategies for accomplishing this, such as embracing the public focus of our research, working in interdisciplinary teams, and being more explicit about methodological assumptions and approaches in our writing.
Production of L-serine from Glycine by Corynebacterium glycinophilum and Properties of Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase, a Key Enzyme in L-Serine Production

Abstract Fermentative production of l -serine from glycine by Corynebacterium glycinophilum AJ-3413, an auxotrophic mutant of Leu and Met with increased productivity of l -serine using a one liter jar fermentor was carried out and the properties of serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT), a key enzyme in l -serine synthesis, of the parental strain AJ-3170 were investigated. SHMT was effectively induced by the addition of glycine to the medium at an early stage of cultivation. Under optimal conditions, AJ-3413 produced 16.0 g/ l of l -serine from 30 g/ l of glycine with a molar yield of 38%. The partially purified SHMT catalyzed the l - allo -threonine degradation in addition to l -serine degradation, but could not catalyze l -threonine degradation. This enzyme showed an absolute tetrahydrofolic acid requirement for l -serine degradation to glycine and formaldehyde, but not for l - allo -threonine degradation. Pyridoxal 5′-phosphate appeared to be required for enzyme activity. The K m values for glycine and formaldehyde in l -serine synthesis, and for l -serine in l -serine degradation were 1.85, 0.29 and 1.64 mM, respectively.
Successful lysis of an aortic prosthetic valve thrombosis with a dosing regimen for peripheral artery and bypass graft occlusions.

with recurrent CCF. TTE then revealed shunt reversal, explaining the onset of cyanosis. One possible cause of shunt reversal was that the severe TR was directing the flow into the ASP, causing shunting to the left atrium as the severity increased. Another possibility was the change in the pressure gradient between the left and right atria: the pressure in the right atrium was 5 mm Hg higher than the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure at the time of the right heart study. This might be due to the combination of worsening pulmonary hypertension and TR. A reversal of shunt needs to be considered when there is a sudden onset of cyanosis during the follow-up after PTMC for MS. In such cases surgical correction should be considered in the treatment options, especially in the setting of significant valve disease.
Eastern equine encephalitis leading to multi-organ failure and sepsis.

Eastern equine encephalitis leading to multi-organ failure and sepsis Anita J. Reddy a,∗, Christopher W. Woods b, Karen E. Welty-Wolf a,b a Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Durham Veterans Administration and Duke University Medical Centers, Durham, NC 27710, United States b Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Durham Veterans Administration and Duke University Medical Centers, Durham, NC 27710, United States
Measuring spirituality, religiosity, and denial in individuals working in funeral service to predict death anxiety.

The aim of the present study was to examine predictors of death anxiety in U.S. funeral directors/embalmers who were part of a larger study (n = 234). Backward stepwise multiple regression was cond...
Don’t go V-ing in Cypriot Greek: Semantic, pragmatic, and prosodic aspects of a prohibitive construction

This article deals with the expression oi na+V realizing mild prohibitions in Cypriot Greek. Drawing on spoken corpus and experimental results, I propose that oi na+V simultaneously expresses two speech acts: (1) a prohibition against some act; (2) the assumption that this act is likely. In this way, the speaker appears to be adopting the hearer’s perspective, advising him accordingly. The resulting account of oi na+V as a neg-raising construction motivated by positive face in contemporary Cypriot society is supported by prosodic and psycholinguistic evidence, and has implications for the contribution of prosody to constructional meaning, the relationship between arbitrariness and generativity in language, and the importance of face in the emergence of constructions.
Is it ethical to conduct placebo-controlled clinical trials in the development of new agents for osteoporosis? An industry perspective.

To represent industry on the topic of this conference, position papers were obtained from six pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Despite their holding a wide range of positions in the market with regard to prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, all companies were unanimous in their concerns about the ability to conduct randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials (PCTs) in the future. The clinical research environment contains conflicting directives. Regulatory agencies strongly prefer (even insist on) PCTs as a requirement for drug approval, while many physicians, human studies institutional review boards, and informed patients believe that it is no longer ethical to place osteoporotic patients on placebo because effective therapies are now available. PCTs offer the best means of calibrating the absolute efficacy of a new agent and identifying its side effects against a “neutral” background. Are comparison-controlled clinical trials (CCTs) using an approved drug the answer? No. Examples are given that illustrate that such trials require very large numbers of patients to show “non-inferiority” (approximately 15,000-20,000) or “superiority” (approximately 30,000) compared with an existing approved therapy. Such studies are not only impractical, but also accumulate a greater number of fractures during the course of clinical research in both the new treatment and control (active comparator) groups than would occur in PCTs. Total adverse experiences and exposure of patients to investigational agents is considerably greater when CCTs rather than PCTs are used. Based on this analysis, industry recommends that regulatory approval of new agents for osteoporosis be based on (1) conduct of PCTs in patients at low risk for fracture (e.g., T-score < −2.5 and no previous osteoporotic fracture); (2) use of bone mineral density as an end-point for the indication “to preserve or improve bone mass”; (3) a 2-year, rather than 3-year, trial period; (4) demonstration of no adverse effect on bone quality preclinically; (5) extrapolation of clinical trial results to higher risk patients; (6) an option for the sponsor to perform additional fracture end-point studies postapproval to obtain an indication for “treatment to reduce the risk of fractures specifically in the spine, hip, or both”; and (7) the option to file for a “prevention” claim before a “treatment” claim.
Lead-207 NMR Spectroscopic Study of Lead-Based Electronic Materials and Related Lead Oxides

Static and MAS 207Pb NMR spectra of a series of lead oxides, including the electronic materials PbTiO3 (PT), PbZrO3, Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3, Pb(Mg0.33Nb0.67)O3 (PMN), and 0.66PMN/0.34PT, have been measured. The chemical shift parameters (δiso, δaniso, and η) and the spin−lattice relaxation times have been determined for most of these compounds. The symmetry of the local environment of the lead(II) site and the covalency of the Pb−O bonds are determined to be the best indicators of the 207Pb chemical shift parameters. Ionic compounds (e.g., PbSO4 and Pb(NO3)2) have isotropic chemical shifts from −3600 to −2500 ppm and small absolute anisotropic chemical shifts (<500 ppm); while covalent lead oxides (e.g., PbO and Pb3O4) have isotropic chemical shifts from 800 to 1900 ppm and large absolute anisotropic chemical shifts (1900 to 2600 ppm). PbTiO3 and PbZrO3 have intermediate isotropic (−1419 to −1017 ppm) and anisotropic chemical shifts (−838 to −546 ppm) consistent with an intermediate degree of covalent bonding...
INFRA‐RED SPECTRA AND DIFFERENTIAL THERMOGRAMS OF LIGNINS AND SOIL HUMIC MATERIALS SATURATED WITH DIFFERENT CATIONS

Summary Comparison of infra-red spectra of lignins and humic materials obtained before and after saturation with Cu showed that Cu saturation induced changes in the shape of the OH absorption bands and pronounced shifts in the C=O (1700 cm-1) bands to lower frequencies. Differential thermograms indicated that Cu and Ca saturation reduced the thermal stabilities of lignins and humic materials. There was more reduction in stability with Cu than with Ca saturation and with lignins than with humic materials.
Comment on "analytic structure of one-dimensional localization theory: reexamining Mott's law".

The low-frequency conductivity of a disordered Fermi gas in one spatial dimension is governed by the Mott-Berezinskii law $\sigma(\omega) \propto \omega^2 \ln \omega^2$. In a recent Letter [Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 1760 (2000)] A. O. Gogolin claimed that this law is invalid, challenging our basic understanding of disordered systems and a massive amount of previous theoretical work. We point out two calculational errors in Gogolin's paper. Once we correct them, the Mott-Berezinskii formula is fully recovered. We also present numerical results supporting the Mott-Berezinskii formula but ruling out that of Gogolin.