cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conflicts of interest distort public evaluations: Evidence from NCAA football coaches

Abstract This paper investigates how private incentives distort public evaluations. Exploiting a unique empirical setting, we study the influence of conflicts of interest among NCAA football coaches participating in the USA Today Coaches Poll of the top 25 teams from 2005 to 2010. The research design takes advantage of a situation where many agents are evaluating the same thing, private incentives are clearly defined and measurable, and there exists an alternative source of computer rankings that is bias free. We find evidence that coaches distort their rankings to reflect their own financial and reputational interests. Most importantly, we find that coaches show more favoritism toward their own team when they stand to gain more financially and toward other teams when it generates higher direct financial payoffs for their own university. Additionally, coaches boost the ranking of their own team and teams from their same athletic conference, even after accounting for direct financial incentives. Coaches also rank teams they defeated more favorably, thereby making their own team look better.
Implications for Land Grant Universities of the Changing Political Economy of Agricultural and Rural America: Discussion

Despite the fact that the tones of the two papers are quite different, Jerry Skees and George McDowell have succeeded in massaging most of my biases regarding our problems in the land grant university system. I agree with the thrusts of both papers in so far as they go. There has been a failure of leadership within the research and extension hierarchy, but there has also been a failure of agricultural economists to diagnose and act upon changes in the social environment within which many of us practice our profession.
Autotomy and its Effects on Wolf Spider Foraging Success

Few studies have attempted to determine how physical injury affects predators. One of the ways that physical injury can be expressed is by autotomy or the voluntary loss of a body part. Here, we examined whether the loss of specific legs affects the foraging success of the wolf spider Rabidosa santrita (predator) on another species, Pardosa valens (prey). We also wanted to identify whether the loss of legs in both the predator and prey would impact the outcome of a predation event. Both predator and prey were collected from a creek bed at Portal, AZ, in 2012. Predators were randomly assigned groups where all prey items were intact or all prey had one randomly chosen leg IV removed. Within these groups, predators were organized into a control, leg I autotomy, or leg IV autotomy treatment. All predators had their pre- and post-foraging running speed determined. Predators were introduced into chambers with five prey items and allowed to forage for 1 h. The leg position autotomized or the comparison of pre- and post-foraging trials had no effect on predator running speed. Additionally, there was no significant effect of either predator or prey leg treatment on the total proportion of prey items captured by the end of the foraging trials. Survival analyses indicated that intact prey items tended to have a higher survival rate when predators were missing a leg IV than when predators were intact. When both the predator and prey were missing legs, no significant difference in prey survival rates was detected. We suggest that for predators that inhabit complex, heterogeneous habitats and are classified as ambush predators, the loss of a limb may affect prey capture success, especially when the prey is intact, but that increased sample size is necessary to determine whether this trend is significant.
Total synthesis of FK-506. Part 1: Construction of the C16–C34 fragment☆

Abstract The C23–C27 1,3-diol was constructed via either Brown's crotylation - osmylation or regionand stereoselective opening of an 2,3-anhydro-β-ribofuranoside derived from D-xylofuranose. Lewis acid catalyzed epoxide opening with a protected lithiofurfural alcohol followed by oxidative spiroketalization established the C21–C24 spiroketal as a masked α′-allyl aldol. The C19–C20 tri-substituted olefin was synthesized via zirconium catalyzed carboalumination - in situ transmetalation with a higher order cuprate, followed by stereoselective conjugate addition to a spiroenone. The C27–C28 tri-substituted olefin was formed either via coupling of a methyl cuprate with an enoltriflate, mediated by sonication, or via direct coupling between the C17-aldehyde and the C28-vinyl magnesium bromide.
Introduction: Vocabulary Knowledge: Its Contribution to Reading Growth and Development

Word recognition, comprehension, and vocabulary are the essential components of a balanced reading program. Estimates of children's vocabulary acquisition indicate that they learn approximately 800...
Rule based programming in C

Recently there has been a trend to describe computer functionality using rule based paradigms. This is done to conform to Expert Systems shells and to assist rapid prototyping tools. To facilitate and continue this trend onto platforms that do not as yet have stable expert systems shells (transputers, hypercube, others) it would be useful to have a rule based paradigm that could be compiled and executed using a C compiler.It is possible to develop a small collection of '#define' statements that will look and act much like a ruled based system; yet, be converted to actual C compilable structures. The most useful feature is that both Forward and Backward chaining principles can be combined into the rule descriptions. Much of the functionality of an 'OPS--like' language, and all of the features of a Prolog-like language can be generated in this manner. Additionally, the '#define' statements can be modified to allow for tracing and debugging features without having to change any of the rule base.The present instantiation in C does lack some features; such as, dynamic loading of new rules and the absence of any object--oriented data structures. However, these can be added - to form useful rule based programming in C.
Cervical funneling: sonographic criteria predictive of preterm delivery

Our objective was to establish sonographic criteria that are predictive of preterm delivery in patients with internal os dilatation (funneling). The study population consisted of patients with cervical funneling identified on translabial or transvaginal ultrasound examination. Funnel length, functional length, percentage funneling and funnel width were evaluated for their predictive values for preterm delivery. In the 43 patients who met the study criteria, funneling was detected at a mean gestational age of 21.4 weeks (range 16-28). Twenty-three of 31 patients (74%), manually examined immediately following the ultrasound examination, had a closed cervix. Preterm delivery occurred in 42% of patients. Funnel length of > or = 16 mm, functional length of or = 40% and funnel width of > or = 14 mm correlated significantly with preterm delivery. Patients with funneling of 50% had preterm delivery rates of 17%, 29% and 79%, respectively.
Atomistic modeling of the sputtering of silicon by electrosprayed nanodroplets

The hypervelocity impact of electrosprayed nanodroplets on single-crystal silicon ejects a large number of atoms. Although sputtering by atomic, molecular, and gas cluster ions has been thoroughly studied, the significantly larger size of nanodroplets prevents a straightforward extrapolation of the physics governing the impact of these smaller projectiles. This motivates the present molecular dynamics simulations of nanodroplet impact on silicon, aimed at resolving the mechanisms and the effect of the projectile's size and velocity on sputtering. We find that both collision cascades and thermal sputtering contribute to the overall atom ejection, the former being active during the initial stages of the impact characterized by strong interactions between the molecules of the projectile and the atoms of the target, and the absence of partial thermodynamic equilibrium. In addition, for sufficiently large projectile diameters and impact velocities, conglomerates of atoms are ejected by hydrodynamic forces. The sputtering yield, defined as the average number of target atoms ejected per projectile's molecule, increases monotonically with the kinetic energy of the molecules and, at constant molecular kinetic energy, slightly decreases with projectile diameter as a result of enhanced backscattering of the ejected atoms by the projectile's molecules. For the ionic liquid considered in this study, sputtering is first observed at molecular energies near 12.7 eV and, at the highest energy simulated of 73 eV, the sputtering yield averages to 0.37.
Chemosterilization of House Flies by Treatment in the Pupal Stage

Sterility was induced in house flies, Musca domestica L., by dipping puparia containing pupae of different ages in apholate, tepa, and metepa at concentrations of 2.5% and 5% for 30 to 300 seconds. At all dipping periods and with concentrations at 2.5 and 5% apholate and metepa gave the most consistent sterility in flies emerging from puparia dipped when pupae were 2 days old and tepa in flies emerging from puparia dipped when pupae were 1 day old.
Solutions of drag‐reducing polymers—diameter effect and rheological properties

Solutions (0.5% by weight) of two high molecular weight drag-reducing polymers, a polyethylene oxide and an acrylamide copolymer having anionic functionality, were prepared under low and high shear conditions. Rheological measurements demonstrated that high shear preparation causes a decrease in the size of the polymer units, the effect being markedly greater for the polyethylene oxide. These solutions were diluted to 25 ppm and drag reduction measured in 0.047-in. and 0.93-in. diameter test sections. The method of solution preparation showed no significant effect in the small tube measurements. In the large tube, however, low shear solution preparation led to drag reductions comparable to those found in the small tube, while high shear preparation gave markedly lower drag reductions. These results are discussed in terms of polymer supermolecular structure.
Synthesis and characterization of diphenylglyoximato cobalt(III) complexes. The molecular structures of trans-bis(diphenylglyoximato)(alkyl)(pyridine)cobalt(III), with alkyl=CH2SiMe3, CH2CMe3 and CF3

Abstract A series of Co(III) diphenylglyoximato (dpgh) complexes, pyCo(dpgh)2R, with R=Cl (2a), CH3 (3a), CH2Me (4a), (CH2)2Me (5a), (CH2)3Me (6a), CHMe2 (7a), CH2SiMe3 (8a), CH2CMe3 (9a), CH2CHCH2 (10a), CH2Ph (11a), and CF3 (12a) were prepared, using Co(dpgh)(dpgh2)Cl2 (1a) as an entry to this system. The compounds were thoroughly characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, the spectra of which were compared to the corresponding Co(III) dimethylglyoximato (DH) complexes, pyCo(DH)2R (2b–12b). The NMR results suggest that the dpgh ligand is less electron-donating than DH. X-ray diffraction studies of complexes 8a, 9a and 12a demonstrate that subtle, but detectable structural changes occur upon substitution of dpgh for DH, due to increased interactions of the axial alkyl ligand with the equatorial ligand set.
Novel synthesis of S-nitrosoglutathione and degradation by human neutrophils.

S-nitrosoglutathione (SNO-GSH), a stable derivative of nitric oxide, is an endothelium-derived relaxation factor, which provokes vasodilation, inhibits platelet aggregation, and inhibits neutrophil (PMN) superoxide anion (O2+) generation. We have established a novel method for synthesis of S-nitrosoglutathione using a column containing S-nitrosothiol covalently attached to agarose. S-nitrosoglutathione was a product as assessed after separation using C-18 reverse-phase HPLC and absorption spectroscopy. We examined the stability of SNO-GSH in the presence or absence of PMN. The half-life (mercuric acid diazotization) of SNO-GSH in Hepes was >60 min. The addition of resting PMN did not affect the T12 of SNO-GSH. PMN exposed to N-fMet-Leu-Phe (FMLP, 10−7m) reduced measurable SNO-GSH (15 μm) at 5 min (48 ± 5.0% control, P < 0.05). Incubation (5 min, 37°C) of PMN with 10 μm tenidap (an anti-inflammatory drug which inhibits PMN activation) before addition of FMLP blocked the PMN-dependent degradation of SNO-GSH (42 ± 3 vs 78 ± 1.3% control, P = 0.01). We confirmed the recovery of SNO-GSH through measurements by bioassay (platelet aggregation) and HPLC analysis. The degradation of S-nitrosothiols by activated neutrophils may reverse the inhibitory effect of S-nitrosothiols on PMN functions and contribute to tissue injury at sites of inflammation.
The Dynamics of the Optical Parametric Oscillator Near Resonance Detuning

A quintic, fourth-order evolution equation of the Swift-Hohenberg type is derived for an optical parametric oscillator near the resonance detuning limit which supports the formation of cavity solitons, plane waves, and periodic structures.
Adult Stepchildren’s Obligations to Older Stepparents:

The purpose of this study was to develop a grounded theory of perceived obligations in older stepfamilies. Ten older remarried adults with at least one adult stepchild and 10 adult stepchildren were interviewed about their beliefs about what adult stepchildren should do for stepparents. Grounded theory methods were used to analyze data from interview transcripts. Stepchildren and stepparents agreed that stepchildren have few obligations to assist stepparents. The key in deciding whether a responsibility to assist existed was how the relationship was defined. Other considerations were whether the stepparent had helped raise the stepchild, relationship quality, evaluation of the remarriage (for stepchildren only), unresolved conflicts (stepparents only), and whether the stepparent had helped the stepchild as an adult (stepparents only). Physical realities (proximity, contact) and norms (filial, reciprocity, helping) were contexts within which judgments about helping were made.
GPU Computing for Atmospheric Modeling

Much success has been achieved using GPUs to accelerate existing applications that are highly data parallel, or that are dominated by small, intense computational kernels. What are the prospects for porting existing large scientific models that do not fit this mold? We take an expensive routine from the CAM atmosphere model, and port it to a GPU using CUDA. We use the experience gained as a guide in thinking about porting the full application to an accelerator based system. We consider the best path forward for getting large scientific models running on accelerator based systems, and identify cases where porting may be feasible, and where a complete redesign may be the best option.
Regulation of benzodiazepine receptor binding and GABAA subunit mRNA expression by punishment and acute alprazolam administration

Quantitative autoradiography of benzodiazepine (BZ) receptors and competitive reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction were used to characterize changes in BZ binding and GABAA receptor subunit transcription levels associated with the anxiolytic effects of alprazolam. Effects were assessed on punished and non-suppressed water consumption using a lick suppression (Vogel) paradigm. Alprazolam had no effect on non-suppressed licking, [3H]Ro 15-1788 binding or receptor subunit transcript levels, compared to non-drug controls. When each fifth lick produced a shock (0–0.5 mA), responding was suppressed in an intensity-related manner. The highest intensity significantly decreased licking (85%), [3H]Ro 15-1788 binding (12%) and α1 transcript levels (63%) in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala, and [3H]Ro 15-1788 binding in the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (15%), compared to non-punished controls. Punishment increased the ratio of γ2L/S transcripts in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala. Alprazolam blocked or reversed each of these effects. These results show that punishment has similar effects on BZ binding and GABAA receptor subunit expression and that alprazolam can block or reverse those effects. Such changes may be related to the anxiolytic effects of alprazolam.
Libraries in Cambodia: Rebuilding a Past and a Future:

L'article considere le developpement des collections et des bibliotheques du point de vue d'un observateur consultant etranger efectuant une mission a long terme dans un pays en voie de developpement de l'Asie du Sud-Est. Le Cambodge a souffert des effets des guerres et des boulversements politiques depuis plus de 30 ans. Pour des raisons variees, le developpement des bibliotheques a ete lent. Il y a un risque que le developpement des collections soit oriente par les donateurs. L'histoire de la bibliotheque nationale du Cambodge est un microcosme de cela. L'auteur voit le developpement comme un processus a long terme, aussi bien du point de vue des bibliotheques que de la vie sociale. L'article repose sur onze ans d'experience en bibliotheques et au service du developpement des bibliotheques et de la vie sociale.
Effect of revised IOM weight gain guidelines on perinatal outcomes.

Objective. We sought to examine perinatal outcomes in women with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m2 comparing those whose weight gain met 2009 IOM guidelines to women meeting 1990 IOM guidelines.Methods. This is a retrospective cohort study utilizing birth records linked to hospital discharge data for all term, singleton infants born to overweight, Missouri residents (2000–2006) with a BMI of 25 kg/m2. We excluded congenital anomalies, mothers with diabetes, hypertension, or previous cesarean delivery.Results. Fourteen thousand nine hundred fifty-five women gained 25–35 lbs (1990 guidelines); 1.6% delivered low birth weight (LBW) infants and 1.1% delivered macrosomic infants. Eight thousand three hundred fifty women gained 15–25 lbs (2009 guidelines); 3.4% delivered LBW infants and 0.6% delivered macrosomic infants. Women who gained 15–25 lbs were 1.99 (95% CI 1.67, 2.38) times more likely to have a LBW infant and 0.59 (95% CI 0.40, 0.76) times less likely to deliver a macrosomic infant.Conclusion. Limit...
Task Characteristics, Managerial Socialization, and Media Selection

Why do managers choose one communication medium in preference to another? Early studies relied on rational-choice theories to model how managers select media. Recent research, however, has proposed a role for social factors in media selection. Employing a large sample collected in the field, this study finds strong support for Information Richness Theory, a rational-choice model connecting managers' choice of media to task characteristics such as variety and analyzability. Also tested were variables indexing the rank and functional area of the managers, with the intent of measuring the impact of group socialization on media choice. These rank and functional area variables, although sometimes significant, did not materially expand the explanatory power of a model that also included rational-choice variables.
Salmonella flagellins are potent adjuvants for intranasally administered whole inactivated influenza vaccine

Bacterial flagellins are potent inducers of innate immune responses in the mouse lung because they bind to TLR5 expressed on the apical surfaces of airway epithelial cells. TLR engagement leads to the initiation of a signaling cascade that results in a pro-inflammatory response with subsequent up-regulation of several cytokines and leads to adaptive immune responses. We examined the ability of two soluble flagellins, a monomeric flagellin expressed in Escherichia coli and a highly purified polymeric flagellin directly isolated from Salmonella, to enhance the efficacy of influenza vaccines in mice. Here we demonstrate that both flagellins co-administered intranasally with inactivated A/PR/8/34 (PR8) virus induced robust increases of systemic influenza-specific IgA and IgG titers and resulted in a more comprehensive humoral response as indicated by the increase of IgG2a and IgG2b subclass responses. Groups immunized with the adjuvanted vaccines were fully protected against high dose lethal challenge by homologous virus whereas inactivated PR8 alone conferred only partial protection. Finally we show that shortly after immunization the adjuvanted vaccines induced a dramatic increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines in the lung, resulting in extensive lung infiltration by granulocytes and monocytes/macrophages. Our results reveal a promising perspective for the use of both soluble monomeric and polymeric flagellin as mucosal vaccine adjuvants to improve protection against influenza epidemics as well as a range of other infectious diseases.
Perceptions of technical skills required for successful management in the hospitality industry—An exploratory study using conjoint analysis

Abstract The growth of hospitality programs worldwide has resulted in wide variations in program structures, curricular offerings, and course content, all of which have prompted researchers to examine essential competencies and industry needs to inform programmatic restructuring. This paper explores how important various technical skill sets are perceived to be by students, faculty, and industry professionals today. Building on the extant literature, we identified seven key technical skills: Academic performance (using grade point average as a surrogate), social networking, time management, strategic planning, spreadsheet acumen, written communication, and oral communication. Drawing from a convenience sample, 98 respondents ranked the student characteristics by ranking 18 hypothetical student job candidates, each of which was represented on a card. Developed using an orthogonal array, the hypothetical student/job candidate cards were created by varying the three values of the seven characteristic variables; the ranking responses for the 18 cards were then examined using conjoint analysis. Professionals and faculty disagreed with student respondents with respect to GPA and Spreadsheet Skills, ranking them lower in importance than other characteristics. Faculty should note that even though they do not perceive expert knowledge of spreadsheet skills to be important, professionals do. Additional research is necessary to determine whether faculty should update their perception of the demand for spreadsheet skills on the current market. Faculty also perceived social networking skills to be less important than the other respondent groups did. Finally, while Oral Communication Skills were valued more highly than any other skill set, the rankings yielded a progression of perceptions such that students valued them less highly than professionals did, and professionals valued them less highly than faculty did.
Hypercalcemia in patients with disseminated coccidioidomycosis.

ABSTRACT Objective Granulomatous disorders may be associated with hypercalcemia. In sarcoidosis, the pathogenesis of hypercalcemia has been clarified, whereas in other granulomatous disorders, such as coccidioidomycosis, the mechanism is unclear. We present 13 patients with coccidioidomycosis and hypercalcemia to illustrate the clinical course and the mechanism of hypercalcemia. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all patients admitted to Kern Medical Center, a 270-bed public hospital, from 1990 through 1997 with coccidioidomycosis and a serum calcium level of greater than 10.5 mg/dL on at least 3 occasions. In addition, no other causes for hypercalcemia were identified. Results The mean highest serum calcium level was 12.7 ± 1.8 mg/dL. All patients had disseminated disease. Six patients were nonambulatory and 4 had bone involvement. Of the 9 patients in whom parathyroid hormone was measured, it was normal in 6 and suppressed in 3. Of the 9 patients in whom 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured, it was normal in 6, suppressed in 2, and elevated in 1. Of the 7 patients in whom 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was measured, it was normal in 3 and suppressed in 4. Urinary calcium was elevated in 2 patients, both of whom were ambulatory. Nonambulatory patients had significantly higher serum calcium levels (14.3 ± 1.0 mg/dL) than ambulatory patients (11.3 ± 0.46 mg/dL) ( P Conclusions The mechanism of hypercalcemia in coccidioidomycosis is unrelated to increased production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Nonambulatory status is associated with higher mean serum calcium.
Differences in mood states, health status, and caregiver strain between family caregivers of oncology outpatients with and without cancer-related pain

Abstract The purposes of this study were to determine if there are differences in the mood states, health status, and caregiver strain between family caregivers of oncology outpatients with and without cancer-related pain. A convenience sample of 86 family caregivers of patients with cancer-related pain and 42 caregivers of pain-free patients participated in this study. Family caregivers of patients with cancer-related pain scored significantly higher on the tension and depression subscales of the Profile of Mood States and had a significantly higher total mood disturbance score than did caregivers of pain-free patients. Although family caregivers of patients with pain had lower health status scores and higher caregiver strain scores than caregivers of pain-free patients, these differences were not statistically significant. The results of this study suggest that the presence of pain in a cancer patient adversely affects the mood states of family caregivers, particularly their level of depression and anxiety, and that health care professionals need to assess the psychological needs of family members caring for cancer patients experiencing pain.
Differential effects of forest degradation on primate populations

A population survey of nonhuman primates in an area of northern Colombia was conducted using repeated systematic census techniques as well as exploratory transects. Both remnant forest patches and more extensive forests were examined for comparison. WhereasLagothrix andAteles were most numerous in extensive forests,Lagothrix was virtually absent in remnant forests.Cebus, Alouatta andSaguinus persist in remnant forests, and the last may even find second growth a favorable habitat. These results are in good agreement with independent studies in a second area in the South.
ACID MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDES OF HUMAN AORTIC ADVENTITIA.

THE presence of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphates in the intima-media layers of human aortic tissue was first demonstrated in this department by chemical investigations conducted by Kirk et al.1–3. These observations have been confirmed in subsequent investigations by Kaplan and Meyer4 and by Buddecke5, and the isolation of heparitin sulphate from the human abdominal aorta has been reported by Linker et al.6. Investigations by Sundberg7 have revealed the presence of an appreciable number of mast cells in the adventitia of the human abdominal aorta; but no chemical assays of the mucopolysaccharides in the aortic adventitia have as yet been reported.
Comparison of an immunochromatographic method and the TaqMan E. coli O157:H7 assay for detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in alfalfa sprout spent irrigation water and in sprouts after blanching.

An immunochromatographic-based assay (Quix™ E. coli O157 Sprout Assay) and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay (TaqMan® E. coli O157:H7 Kit) were used to detect Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain 380-94 in spent irrigation water from alfalfa sprouts grown from artificially contaminated seeds. Ten, 25, 60, or 100 seeds contaminated by immersion for 15 min in a suspension of E. coli O157:H7 at concentrations of 106 or 108 cfu/ml were mixed with 20 g of non-inoculated seeds in plastic trays for sprouting. The seeds were sprayed with tap water for 15 s every hour and spent irrigation water was collected at intervals and tested. E. coli O157:H7 was detected in non-enriched water by both the TaqMan® PCR (30 of 30 samples) and the immunoassay (9 of 24 samples) in water collected 30 h from the start of the sprouting process. However, enrichment of the spent irrigation water in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth at 37°C for 20 h permitted detection of E. coli O157:H7 in water collected 8 h from the start of sprouting using both methods, even in trays containing as few as 10 inoculated seeds. The TaqMan® PCR assay was more sensitive (more positive samples were observed earlier in the sprouting process) than the immunoassay; however, the immunoassay was easier to perform and was more rapid. At 72 h after the start of the sprouting process, the sprouts were heated at 100°C for 30 s to determine the effectiveness of blanching for inactivation of E. coli O157:H7. All of the 32 samples tested with the TaqMan® assay and 16 of 32 samples tested with the Quix™ assay gave positive results for E. coli O157:H7 after enrichment of the blanched sprouts at 37°C for 24 h. In addition, the organism was detected on Rainbow® Agar O157 in 9 of 32 samples after 24 h of enrichment of the blanched sprouts. In conclusion, E. coli O157:H7 was detected in spent irrigation water collected from sprouts grown from artificially contaminated seeds by both the TaqMan® and Quix™ assays. The data also revealed that blanching may not be effective to completely inactivate all the E. coli O157:H7 that may be present in sprouts. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2001) 27, 129–134.
Microwave irradiation and brain γ-aminobutyric acid levels in mice

Abstract Microwave irradiation sufficient to raise the core brain temperatures of mice to >60°C is essential to prevent post mortem increases in γ-aminobutyric acid levels. Physiological or drug-induced changes in the body temperatures of mice profoundly effect the final temperatures of the brains after microwave treatment and may lead to spurious values for putative neurotransmitter concentration estimates. This paper points out the importance of certain data each laboratory must establish for itself when applying microwave technique.
Method and apparatus for measuring heat transfer distributions on moving and stationary plates cooled by a planar liquid jet

Abstract An experimental method and apparatus were developed to measure local heat transfer distributions on moving and stationary plates. The apparatus can be used to study the effect of surface motion where a flat plate geometry is important. Such cases arise when different heat transfer regimes, such as single-phase forced convection, nucleate boiling, and film boiling, occur in close proximity on moving strips and plates cooled by planar liquid jets. In these cases, surface motion is either in or opposite to the flow direction. Versatility is an important feature of the apparatus because both moving and stationary plates can be considered. Surface temperatures of a test specimen were measured and used with a numerical solution of the energy equation for the specimen to determine local heat transfer coefficients in the vicinity of a planar jet. Experimentes were performed for plate speeds less than one-half of the impingement velocity. For single phase forced convection, heat transfer coefficients near the stagnation point were not appreciably affected by surface motion. In addition, transition to a turbulent boundary layer was delayed when the surface motion was in the flow direction. In nucleate boiling, the peak heat transfer coefficient was shifted in the direction opposite to the plate motion where surface temperatures were higher.
Efficient integration over polytopes

An exact algorithm for integration over regions bounded by N-dimensional hyperplanes is presented. Integrands include arbitrary multinomials in the N variables xN = (x1,…,xN). Thus the technique can be used to evaluate all integrals of the form IP = ∫RP(xN) dxN where P is a multinomial in xN in EN and R is a convex region bounded by hyperplanes in EN. The algorithm is more efficient than methods that involve the partitioning of the region of integration into simplices. Methods of pruning the combinatorial tree the algorithm produces and extensions to provide approximations to integrals bounded by curved surfaces are provided. An analysis of the complexity of the algorithm and an empiritical comparison of the efficiency of the algorithm with others is presented.
Amphibians acquire resistance to live and dead fungus overcoming fungal immunosuppression.

The fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has been implicated in the decline of a large number of amphibian species; here it is shown that frogs can learn to avoid the pathogen, acquire resistance to it and be immunized against it using dead pathogen, findings that potentially offer a way in which resistant populations could be reintroduced into areas that have seen catastrophic declines. The fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, or Bd, has been implicated in the declines of many amphibian species worldwide. There has been little evidence that amphibians can acquire resistance to this pathogen, but now Jason Rohr and colleagues present experiments on several amphibian species, including the Cuban tree frog Osteopilus septentrionalis, shown here, that demonstrate that frogs can learn to avoid the pathogen, can overcome Bd-induced immunosuppression after repeated exposure, and can be immunized against it using dead pathogen. Conservation projects have removed threatened amphibian species from Bd-positive habitats and are breeding them in captivity. Using vaccines to induce resistance in captive-bred amphibians prior to a return to the wild could make it possible in the future to repopulate areas that have seen catastrophic declines. Emerging fungal pathogens pose a greater threat to biodiversity than any other parasitic group1, causing declines of many taxa, including bats, corals, bees, snakes and amphibians1,2,3,4. Currently, there is little evidence that wild animals can acquire resistance to these pathogens5. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is a pathogenic fungus implicated in the recent global decline of amphibians6. Here we demonstrate that three species of amphibians can acquire behavioural or immunological resistance to B. dendrobatidis. Frogs learned to avoid the fungus after just one B. dendrobatidis exposure and temperature-induced clearance. In subsequent experiments in which B. dendrobatidis avoidance was prevented, the number of previous exposures was a negative predictor of B. dendrobatidis burden on frogs and B. dendrobatidis-induced mortality, and was a positive predictor of lymphocyte abundance and proliferation. These results suggest that amphibians can acquire immunity to B. dendrobatidis that overcomes pathogen-induced immunosuppression7,8,9 and increases their survival. Importantly, exposure to dead fungus induced a similar magnitude of acquired resistance as exposure to live fungus. Exposure of frogs to B. dendrobatidis antigens might offer a practical way to protect pathogen-naive amphibians and facilitate the reintroduction of amphibians to locations in the wild where B. dendrobatidis persists. Moreover, given the conserved nature of vertebrate immune responses to fungi5 and the fact that many animals are capable of learning to avoid natural enemies10, these results offer hope that other wild animal taxa threatened by invasive fungi might be rescued by management approaches based on herd immunity.
The structural relationship of phorbol and cortisol: A possible mechanism for the tumor promoting activity of phorbol

The crucial functional groups of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) are superimposable with those of the glucocorticoid cortisol in a unique manner which suggests a mechanism for PMA activity, i.e. the alkylation of a cortisol ‘receptor’.
Cockarde Nevus: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

: Benign acquired melanocytic nevi usually display an even and uniform architecture and coloration easily recognized by the dermatologist. The cockarde nevus, a variant of the melanocytic nevus, is an exception. It displays a targetlike morphology with histologic characteristics of a compound nevus. We believe because the lesion has been rarely reported in the American literature, it is often mistaken in this country for a dysplastic nevus.
Toxicity of mercuric chloride in cultures of neurons and nonneuronal cells derived from embryonic chick sympathetic ganglia.

Abstract The effects of mercuric chloride were studied in vitro using both mixed and highly purified cultures of neurons and nonneuronal (glial) cells. Cultures were prepared from the sympathetic ganglia of 11-day chick embryos and treated with mercuric chloride (0.1 n m to 100 μ m ) for either 2 or 3 days. Acetyl cholinesterase specific activity, [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation per microgram of protein, and [ 14 C]leucine incorporation per microgram of protein were quantified, and the following results were obtained. First, all three biochemical measures either were stimulated or were unaffected by exposure of mixed ganglion cell cultures to ≤10 μ m mercuric chloride for 2 days. In contrast, exposure to 100 μ m mercuric chloride for 2 days depressed incorporation of both leucine and thymidine, but stimulated acetyl cholinesterase specific activity. Second, incorporation of both leucine and thymidine rapidly returned to control levels following removal of the mercuric chloride from the culture medium after 2 days of exposure. In contrast, acetyl cholinesterase specific activity remained elevated. Third, all biochemical measures were either inhibited or unaffected by a 3-day exposure of mixed ganglion cell cultures to any concentration of mercuric chloride. Fourth, sympathetic neurons appeared to be much more sensitive to mercuric chloride than homologous nonneuronal cells. Fifth, most of the stimulatory and inhibitory effects of mercuric chloride appeared to result from direct action of the heavy metal on either the neurons or nonneuronal cells.
Differential binding of host complement inhibitor factor H by Borrelia burgdorferi Erp surface proteins: a possible mechanism underlying the expansive host range of Lyme disease spirochetes.

The Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, is capable of infecting a wide variety of vertebrates. This broad host range implies that B. burgdorferi possesses the ability to contravene the immune defenses of many potential hosts. B. burgdorferi produces multiple different Erp proteins on its outer membrane during mammalian infection. It was reported previously that one Erp protein can bind human factor H (J. Hellwage, T. Meri, T. Heikkila, A. Alitalo, J. Panelius, P. Lahdenne, I. J. T. Seppala, and S. Meri, J. Biol. Chem. 276:8427-8435, 2001). In this paper we report that the ability to bind the complement inhibitor factor H is a general characteristic of Erp proteins. Furthermore, each Erp protein exhibits different relative affinities for the complement inhibitors of various potential animal hosts. The data suggest that the presence of multiple Erp proteins on the surface can allow a single B. burgdorferi bacterium to resist complement-mediated killing in any of the wide range of potential hosts that it might infect. Thus, Erp proteins likely contribute to the persistence of B. burgdorferi in nature and to the ability of this bacterium to cause Lyme disease in humans and other animals.
Genomic structure and regulation of the rat hepatic CYP4F1 gene by peroxisome proliferators.

Abstract The rat hepatic gene CYP4F1 encodes a fatty acid omega hydroxylase P450 that metabolizes proinflammatory eicosanoids and long-chain fatty acids. We have completely sequenced the CYP4F1 gene (Accession Nos. AF200361 and AF181083 ), identified multiple transcription start sites, and characterized a strong core promoter region, −760/116, induced by retinoic acids and peroxisome proliferators in rat hepatoma McA-RH7777 cells. Three peroxisome proliferator responsive elements (PPRE) bind both PPARα/RXRα and HNF4α. Co-transfection of McA-RH7777 cells with the −760/116 reporter construct and PPARα/RXRα or HNF4α showed that HNF4α activated while PPARα/RXRα inhibited CYP4F1 promoter activity. Treating cells with Wy14,643 reversed all initial effects, indicating co-regulation of CYP4F1 gene transcription by PPARα/RXRα and HNF4α. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis of cells treated with Wy14,643 showed association of PPARα/RXRα with the active transcription of the CYP4F1 gene while in clofibrate treated rats HNF4α binds during gene repression, suggesting differential regulation of the CYP4F1 gene in vivo and in cell lines.
Technical Advice: Essential Elements for Quality Improvement Programs

While quality improvement approach trends come and go, this Q&A explains the essential elements of all successful quality improvement programs.
Microstructural pathways for the sintering of alumina ceramics

This study used surface area density measurements and microstructural paths to show differences in the microstructural evolution of two densifying alumina ceramics. There were significant differences in comparison to previous studies of this nature, which have been conducted mostly on powder metals. The study showed that the alumina ceramic derived from high surface area powders, lost 66% of its solid-vapor interface on heating to 1,000 C at 5 C/min. The results were consistent with pure coarsening in this temperature range. The measurements of surface area density of solid-solid boundaries suggested that most of the solid-solid interface was formed at densities below 70% or during the calcination of the powders. It is apparent that more work is required to determine which microstructure paths are most useful in the study of densifying ceramics.
Survival of kidney transplantation patients in the united states after cardiac valve replacement

Background— Few published studies address the survival of kidney transplantation patients after valve surgery, and none address relative outcomes related to tissue versus nontissue prosthesis. This study aimed to assess survival of US kidney transplantation patients after cardiac valve replacement and to compare associations of valve selection. Methods and Results— Of 1 698 706 patients in the US Renal Data System database, we identified 1335 kidney transplantation patients hospitalized in 1991 to 2004 for cardiac valve replacement. Survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method; independent predictors of death were examined in a comorbidity-adjusted (by Charlson and propensity score) Cox model. Of the cohort, 17% were 0 to 44 years of age, 50% were 45 to 64 years of age, 28% were 65 to 74 years of age, and 5% were ≥75 years of age; 78% were white; 63% were men; and 20% had kidney failure caused by diabetes mellitus. Of 369 patients (28%) who received tissue valves, 75% had aortic valve replacement, 20...
MORPHOGENESIS OF POLLEN CALLUS CULTURES OF HYOSCYAMUS NIGER

Morphogenesis of calluses of single pollen grain origin shed from anthers of Hyoscyamus niger cultured in a liquid medium containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was followed upon their transfer to a solid medium with or without 2,4-D. In a solid medium lacking 2,4-D, small calluses consisting of one to five nodular groups of cells at the time of inoculation differentiated root and shoot systems and formed miniature seedlings. In the same medium large calluses with several nodules initially formed a crop of bipolar somatic embryoids with well-defined root and shoot axes which subsequently differentiated into seedlings. Irrespective of their size at the time of transfer, calluses grown in a solid medium containing 2,4-D continued to proliferate without showing signs of organogenesis or embryogenesis. THE STUDY OF REGENERATION of plants from pollen grains of angiosperms has a relatively recent history dating back to the discovery by Guha and Maheshwari (1964) of the production of embryo-like structures (embryoids) from anthers of Datura innoxia cultured in a complex medium. In subsequent studies, these investigators (Guha and Maheshwari, 1966,
Loss of alpha-fetoprotein in rat hepatoma culture cells.

The production of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) by cultured rat Morris hepatoma 7777 hepatoma cells was studied. Initially, in vitro, rat hepatoma tumor cells synthesized and released AFP into the culture medium. As subculturing progressed, however, their ability to produce AFP diminished. After 8 months of in vitro cultivation, a non-AFP-producing tumor cell line had not lost its tumorigenicity and produced a solid tumor when injected into two groups of Buffalo rats. New tumors derived from tissue culture cells have shown significantly lower levels of serum AFP than the in vivo tumor line. However, another subline of this hepatoma tissue culture (7777 Iowa) did not lose its ability to produce AFP after 1 year of in vitro culture. Electron microscopy demonstrated no morphological change when the two different lines (AFP-producing and non-AFP-producing) were compared. Chromosomal analysis in these cell lines revealed that the non-AFP-producing line (7777 TC) had 42% cells with a diploid or near-diploid complement whereas the AFP-producing (7777 Iowa) line showed a greatly variable aneuploidy number with 45% of the cells near tetraploidy. The reason for the virtual loss of AFP production or the different response of this tumor cell in the rat hepatoma culture remains unknown. Our studies and others indicate that, though AFP is an oncofetal antigen and a gene product of tumor cells, the control mechanism of AFP production could be an epiphenomenon of tumor cell and not related to the control of tumor growth and differentiation.
A further study of the effect of various antacids on the hydrogen-ion concentration of the gastric contents.

The neutralizing influence of five antacids was investigated in a total of 98 experiments performed on nine patients with healing duodenal ulcer. The hydrogen ion concentration of the gastric contents removed hourly was determined by the glass electrode method.
AXL Is a Logical Molecular Target in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) represents the eighth most common malignancy worldwide. Standard of care treatments for HNSCC patients include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Additionally, the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody cetuximab is often used in combination with these treatment modalities. Despite clinical success with these therapeutics, HNSCC remains a difficult to treat malignancy. Thus, identification of new molecular targets is critical. Experimental Design: In the current study, the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL was investigated as a molecular target in HNSCC using established cell lines, HNSCC patient derived xenografts (PDXs), and human tumors. HNSCC dependency on AXL was evaluated with both anti-AXL siRNAs and the small molecule AXL inhibitor R428. Furthermore, AXL inhibition was evaluated with standard of care treatment regimes used in HNSCC. Results: AXL was found to be highly overexpressed in several models of HNSCC, where AXL was significantly associated with higher pathologic grade, presence of distant metastases and shorter relapse free survival in patients with HNSCC. Further investigations indicated that HNSCC cells were reliant on AXL for cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion. Additionally, targeting AXL increased HNSCC cell line sensitivity to chemotherapy, cetuximab, and radiation. Moreover, radiation resistant HNSCC cell line xenografts and PDXs expressed elevated levels of both total and activated AXL, indicating a role for AXL in radiation resistance. Conclusions: Collectively, this study provides evidence for the role of AXL in HNSCC pathogenesis and supports further pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of anti-AXL therapeutics for the treatment of patients with HNSCC.
Tris (2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate: human contact sensitization

Liquid TBP caused delayed hypersensitivity in human subject maximization tests. It showed a dose/response relationship and is judged a weak to mild sensitizer. Patch testing of pre-sensitized subjects using fabrics containing TBP produced responses varying with the availability of the agent at the fiber surface. It appears improbable that treated textiles affording low TBP availability will cause sensitization.