cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immune thrombocytopenia resulting from sensitivity to metabolites of naproxen and acetaminophen.

In patients suspected of having drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia, antibodies reactive with normal platelets in the presence of the suspect drug can sometimes be identified, but negative results are often obtained. One reason for this is that drug metabolites, formed in vivo, can be the sensitizing agents, but very little is known about the specific metabolites that can cause this complication. Five patients were studied who developed thrombocytopenia after taking the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug naproxen (3 cases) or acetaminophen (2 cases) but in whom drug-dependent antibodies could not be detected by means of the unmodified drugs. In each case, antibodies that reacted with normal target platelets in the presence of a known drug metabolite (naproxen glucuronide or acetaminophen sulfate) were identified. Four of the antibodies were specific for the glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa complex, but one acetaminophen sulfate–dependent antibody reacted preferentially with GPIb/IX/V. In patients with a clinical picture suggestive of drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia, tests for metabolite-dependent antibodies can be helpful in identifying the responsible agent.
Grape polyphenols inhibit chronic ethanol-induced COX-2 mRNA expression in rat brain.

Background: Chronic ethanol has been shown to increase oxidative stress leading to neurodegenerative changes in the brain. Oxidative stress may up-regulate extracellular signal regulated kinases (ERK1/2) and, subsequently, the arachidonic acid cascade mediated by phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2). Our earlier study showed that grape polyphenols (GP) could ameliorate oxidative damage to synaptic membrane proteins due to chronic ethanol treatment. This study was aimed at examining the effects of GP on mRNA expression of ERK1/2, cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2), and COX-2 in different brain regions after chronic ethanol treatment. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet with ethanol or isocaloric amount of maltose, with or without GP for 2 months. In situ hybridization was carried out using coronal brain sections through the hippocampus. Results: Quantitative in situ hybridization showed no changes in ERK1 and cPLA2 mRNA levels in cortical areas and hippocampus after ethanol and/or GP administration. However, a decrease in ERK2 and an increase in COX-2 mRNA level was found in the hippocampus of ethanol-treated animals. GP completely inhibited the increase in COX-2 due to ethanol treatment. Conclusion: Increase in COX-2 expression may be an underlying mechanism for the increase in oxidative stress induced by chronic ethanol administration. Dietary supplementation of GP may have a beneficial role in inhibiting certain alcohol effects.
AMSA toxicity in patients with abnormal liver function

Abstract 4′-(9 -Acridinylamino) methanesulfon- m -anisidide AMSA) is a new anti-tumor drug effective in the treatment of acute leukemia and some solid tumors. Phase I and II studies showed myelosuppression to be its major toxicity. Preliminary pharmacological studies with AMSA revealed prolongation of half-life and delayed clearance in patients with compromised liver function. In this study, we have correlated pretreatment liver function abnormalities with myelosuppressive toxicity of AMSA in patients with leukemia and a variety of solid tumors. In patients with solid tumors and elevated serum bilirubin levels, the degree of myelosuppression was unpredictable. Since some patients experienced excessive toxicity it is advisable to begin therapy with a 25–30% reduction in the starting dose of AMSA for patients with elevated bilirubin values. In leukemia patients with a serum bilirubin level up to 3 mg/dl dose reduction is not indicated, but longer duration of hypoplasia may occur. It may, however, be advisable to start at a 25% lower dose, especially if the bilirubin level is greater than 3 mg/dl. Additional pharmacokinetic studies are necessary to clarify the relationship between liver dysfunction, plasma clearance of AMSA and the degree of myelosuppression.
EFFECTS OF AUTONOMY OF IMAGERY AND TIME PRESS ON PRODUCTION OF VERBAL ORIGINALITY

Sirmmary.-51 boys and 63 girls in junior high school (Grades 7 through 9) were classified as imagers high (low controlled), moderate (moderately controlled), and low in autonomy (high controlled) according to Lane's Questionnaire on Imagery Control. The subjects were then randomly assigned to one of two time-press conditions (fixed or variable). Moderately autonomous imagers produced significantly more verbal originality than imagers high and low in autonomy as measured by Sounds and Images. Time press had no significant effect on production of verbal originality. At least from the time of Fechner, the dimension of controllability has had a place in the discussion of mental imagery (Richardson, 1972). But Gordon (1949) in her empirical investigation of control of imagery, as related to the formation of ethnic stereotypes, developed and applied the dichotomy of controlled/autonomous to imagery more systematically. Most of the researchers in this area focused on the relationship between control of imagery and personality patterns which indicated that "autonomous" (uncontrolled) imagery is associated with neuroticism (Costello, 1957; Richardson, 1972; Stricklin & Penk, 1980), decrease of voluntary control over perceptual tasks (Costello, 1956; Gordon, 1950; Orr, 1970), and the formation of national stereotypic images (Gordon, 1949). However, some psychologists believe in the potential creative power of autonomous imagery. For instance, McKellar (1957) in a discussion of imaginative imagery indicated that autonomy of imagery is "a fundamental and central attribute of hypnagogic imagery" (p. 50) where images tend to run their own course independent of the experiencers will and often are highly creative. He also pointed out that there are many instances in which autonomous imagery, seemingly coming from outside, has played a major role in the literary creative process (McKellar, 1977, 1979). However, the empirical verification of the relationship between autonomous imagery and creative imagination has been slight. Khatena (1975) in his study of autonomous imagery as related to self-perceptions found that college adults who perceive themselves as highly creative are more likely to have greater autonomous imagery. The findings of another study (Khatena, 1976) showed that moderately autonomous imagers produced significantly more original verbal images than less autonomous and nonautonomous imagers.
Stress-Induced Intracellular Trafficking of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptors in Rat Locus Coeruleus Neurons

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) activates locus coeruleus (LC)-norepinephrine neurons during stress. Previous stress or CRF administration attenuates the magnitude of this response by decreasing postsynaptic sensitivity to CRF. Here we describe the fate of CRF receptors (CRFr) in LC neurons after stress. Rats were exposed to swim stress or handling and perfused 1 or 24 h later. Sections through the LC were processed for immunogold-silver labeling of CRFr. CRFr in LC dendrites was present on the plasma membrane and within the cytoplasm. In control rats, the ratio of cytoplasmic to total dendritic labeling was 0.55 +/- 0.01. Swim stress increased this ratio to 0.77 +/- 0.01 and 0.80 +/- 0.02 at 1 and 24 h after stress, respectively. Internalized CRFr was associated with different organelles at different times after stress. At 1 h after stress, CRFr was often associated with early endosomes in dendrites and perikarya. By 24 h, more CRFr was associated with multivesicular bodies, suggesting that some of the internalized receptor is targeted for degradation. In perikarya, more internalized CRFr was associated with Golgi apparatus 24 vs. 1 h after stress. This is suggestive of changes in CRFr synthesis. Alternatively, this may indicate communication between multivesicular bodies and Golgi apparatus in the process of recycling. Administration of the selective CRF(1) antagonist, antalarmin, before swim stress attenuated CRFr internalization. The present demonstration of stress-induced internalization of CRFr in LC neurons provides evidence that CRF is released in the LC during swim stress to activate this system and initiate cellular trafficking of the receptor that determines subsequent sensitivity of LC neurons to CRF.
The morphology and hydrology of small spring-dominated channels

Abstract Small, low order channels located in wet meadows along the Mogollon Rim of northern Arizona that receive the bulk of their flow from spring discharge exhibit a morphology that differs markedly from channels that receive the bulk of their flow from runoff. These small, spring-dominated channels generally have dense vegetation cover, vertical (or near vertical) banks with flat channel beds that are armored with clasts up to 60 mm. Clasts armoring the spring-dominated channels become mobile at 45 to 85% of the bankfull depth. The lack of fine-grained material in the bed of the spring-dominated channels reflects the small drainage size, lack of fine grain input from the spring, and winnowing affect of the consistent discharge. Minor amounts of large woody debris were present in some of the spring-dominated channels, however, unlike previous studies it does not appear to play a role in the spring-dominated channel morphology. Sinuosity values for spring-dominated channels averaged 1.19, while the average sinuosity values for the runoff-dominated channels, 1.08, were significantly lower. Measured width-to-depth ratios averaged 2.4 in the spring-dominated channels, much lower than the average ratio of 11.6 found for the runoff-dominated channels. The standard deviation of width-to-depth ratios was higher for runoff-dominated channels, reflecting a more variable channel profile. A third channel type, here referred to as hybrid channels, receive significant flow from both springs and runoff. These channels have characteristics that fall between spring-dominated and runoff-dominated channels. Elevation, gradient, organic matter content, and sediment grain size distribution of the wet meadows in which the channels are formed do not exhibit significant differences between channel types, suggesting that these factors are not responsible for the observed differences in channel morphologies. The major differences in controls on the channel morphology found between the spring-dominated and runoff-dominated channels are the discharge regime and the sediment input. The hydrology unique to the spring-dominated channels and the lack of fine-grained sediment input combine to create the observed differences.
Acetylcholinesterase provides deeper insights into Alzheimer's disease

This article reviews the considerable evidence which rejects the cholinergic hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and proposes that it is the AChE system of which the lightly stained neurons are located in the entorhinal cortex, the CA1/subiculum of the hippocampus and the amygdala which are the most vulnerable and are the earliest affected in the pathological processes of AD. Changes then spread out to the intermediately stained neurons of the association cortex, until they affect the heavily stained cells of the motor cortex. In general, senile plaque, a hallmark of AD, may be formed from the terminals of AChE-containing neurons. Neurofibrillary tangle, another hallmark of AD, may be formed in the perikarya of AChE-containing cells and bring about the demise of the neuron, thus leading to dementia.
The Spectrum of Gnathic Osteosarcoma: Caveats for the Clinician and the Pathologist

Seven expansile jaw lesions in patients ranging from 7 to 63 years are presented to illustrate diagnostic and management issues pertaining to cases ultimately proven to be gnathic osteosarcoma (GO). Six of the cases in our series were low-grade osteoblastic and one high-grade chondroblastic. None of our cases exhibited the characteristic “sunburst” radiopaque appearance described for GO. All of our cases displayed cortical expansion and one showed development of diastema. Two occurred in the maxilla and five in the mandible. Two of the patients with mandibular lesions presented initially with pain; all other patients were asymptomatic. Lack of pain resulted in a delay in diagnosis due to postponement of consultation or biopsy. Two cases underwent initial shallow non-representative biopsies, requiring a second biopsy for definitive diagnosis, further delaying treatment. Those biopsies were initially interpreted as pyogenic granuloma and peripheral ossifying fibroma, respectively. GO should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of expansile jaw lesions. Bone biopsies of lesions exhibiting pain and expansion of cortical plates should include medullary bone in order to minimize sampling error. In addition, all rapidly growing or painful exophytic bone lesions, and presumed soft tissue lesions that may involve underlying bone, should be examined histopathologically, and receive clinical and radiographic follow-up until complete resolution or healing is evident, regardless of the diagnosis. Based on the positive outcomes of the patients in our series, the prognosis of GO appears to be relatively favorable when compared to other sarcomas and osteosarcomas of long bones.
Research on a typology of business ethics operation across the Taiwan strait

The practice of business ethics is a constant concern for both business and academics. Thus this study attempts both to explore the effective performance of business ethics and to provide a learned reference. The researcher has gathered relevant literature, developed a notion of “business ethics operation” which have been put to the test within four selected enterprises across the Taiwan Strait. The findings reveal that different types of “ethical leadership” and “catalytic mechanism” precipitated four operations and a swathe of different approaches to business ethics. The study has, it is hoped, justified academic interest in business ethics by obtaining experimental results which demonstrate the merits of promoting their practice.
Temperature dependence of attenuation of coplanar waveguide on semi-insulating 4H-SiC through 540°C

For the first time, the temperature and frequency dependence of the attenuation of a coplanar waveguide on semi-insulating 4H-SiC substrate is reported. At 500/spl deg/C, the attenuation increases by 2 dB/ cm at 1 GHz and by 3.25 dB/cm at 50 GHz. This appears to be mainly due to a decrease in the SiC resistivity as the temperature increases.
Scale and conformal transformations in galilean-covariant field theory

It is demonstrated that there exists the possibility of defining scale and conformal transformations in such a way that these constitute exact invariance operations of the Schr\"odinger equation. Unlike the relativistic case there is only a single conformal transformation and the usual eleven-parameter extended Galilei group is consequently enlarged to a thirteen-parameter group. The generalization to the case of fields of arbitrary spin is carried out within the framework of minimal-component theories whose interactions respect scale and conformal invariance. One finds that the bare-internal-energy term can be used to break these additional invariance operations in much the same way as the mass term in special relativity. The generators and conservation laws associated with all space-time symmetries of minimal-component Galilean-invariant field theories are derived, it being shown that, in analogy to the relativistic case, the operators which appear in these equations can be redefined so as to allow the formulation of scale and conformal invariance entirely in terms of those operator densities relevant to the transformations of the Galilei group.
Field and laboratory studies on the timing of oviposition and hatching of the western black-legged tick, Ixodes pacificus (Acari: Ixodidae)

The timing of oviposition and hatching of Ixodes pacificus was investigated in the field and at constant temperatures in the laboratory. Replete females held at temperatures between 9 and 29°C began depositing eggs a mean of 9–70 days after drop off. Egg masses held between 12 and 25°C commenced hatching 25–178 days after the onset of oviposition. Eggs held at 9 or 29°C did not hatch. The lower temperature thresholds for development (LTD) for oviposition and hatching were 6.5 and 9°C, respectively. The number of degree days required for oviposition and hatching was 173 and 588, respectively. Replete females placed in the field on 2 December through to 8 March deposited eggs from 2 February through to 24 April; the eggs commenced hatching between 2 July and 21 August. Unfed larvae from two of 20 egg masses survived through the winter and fed readily when exposed to deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) on 22 April. Replete larvae were returned to the field and moulted between 9 and 21 August. Larvae exposed to deer mice in August, 4 weeks after hatching, also fed readily. Although further studies are needed to clarify the timing of nymphal development, the present study suggests that I. pacificus requires more than 1 year to complete its life cycle.
Creating the educated surgeon in the 21st century

In this J. Roland Folse Invited Lecture in Surgical Education, given before the Association for Surgical Education, a resident considers two challenges for surgery and surgical training: the increasing importance of less invasive technologies, and the growing awareness of the importance of "systems" in care. As less invasive technologies evolve, the role of surgeons is being fundamentally challenged. Two alternative models of adaptation to technological change exist: the breast surgery model, in which surgeons restrict their role to providing open operative interventions, versus the neurosurgery model, in which surgeons adopt even noninvasive technologies in order to continue to manage diseases that might need open intervention. The neurosurgery model appears preferable but poses difficulties for the existing structure of surgical training. Evidence that surgical outcomes are critically dependent on entire teams of personnel, and not merely individual surgeons, may require changes in surgical training, as well.
Net sediment N2 fluxes in a southern New England estuary: variations in space and time

Over the past three decades, Narragansett Bay has undergone various ecological changes, including significant decreases in water column chlorophyll a concentrations, benthic oxygen uptake, and benthic nutrient regeneration rates. To add to this portrait of change, we measured the net flux of N2 across the sediment–water interface over an annual cycle using the N2/Ar technique at seven sites in the bay for comparison with measurements made decades ago. Net denitrification rates ranged from about 10–90 μmol N2–N m−2 h−1 over the year. Denitrification rates were not significantly different among sites and had no clear correlation with temperature. Net nitrogen fixation (−5 to −650 μmol N2–N m−2 h−1) was measured at three sites and only observed in summer (June–August). Neither denitrification nor nitrogen fixation exhibited a consistent relationship with sediment oxygen demand or with fluxes of nitrite, nitrate, ammonium, total dissolved inorganic nitrogen, or dissolved inorganic phosphate across all stations. In contrast to the mid-bay historical site where denitrification rates have declined, denitrification rates in the Providence River Estuary have not changed significantly over the past 30 years.
Organizational adoptions of the Internet and the clustering of innovations

Abstract The role played by innovation clusters in the adoption of innovations by organizations was studied with a sample of 233 businesses from a midwestern state. The innovation studied was the Internet and its adoption was examined in relation to clusters of telecommunications and computer innovations and with respect to conventional measures of innovation attributes and organizational characteristics. The study found that Internet adoption by organizations was related to the adoption of related clusters of innovations and that innovation clusters were superior predictors of adoption compared to organizational innovativeness, other organizational characteristics, and conventional measures of innovation attributes.
Formal numerical characteristics of closed constrained incremental successive substitution algorithms

Abstract This paper establishes the formal numerical characteristics of closed constrained incremental successive substitution algorithms. The overall formalism gives detailed consideration to such items as the determination of: safety zones wherein the algorithm possesses inherently stable convergence characteristics; existence, uniqueness and convergence properties; formal limitations on the class of functions to which the scheme applies and lastly, establishes self-adaptive attributes. To simplify the presentation, the operators employed are cast in the functional format associated with nonlinear heat conduction.
An Unstable Nonlinear Circuit

An instability curve of series impedance versus voltage common to the parallel branch of the circuit as in figure 1 can be calculated approximately. If this curve contains maximum and minimum points the circuit will have two states of stability with an intermediate unstable range. Some practical use of this phenomenon has been suggested for circuit control and energy conversion. The circuit which produces reciprocating motion has not been completely analyzed, hence the optimum operating conditions cannot be stated until further knowledge is obtained.
What drives consumers to pass along marketer-generated eWOM in social network games? social and game factors in play

Social network games (SNGs) are part of the highly evolving marketing and e-commerce channel of social network sites (SNSs). Marketers in SNGs offer economic incentives of game currency or virtual goods in exchange for consumer interactions with ads, often encouraging consumers to forward marketer-generated messages broadly to social networks. This study investigates factors that lead consumers to engage in these marketer-generated electronic word of mouth (eWOM) behaviors. Social factors, and game factors with intrinsic and extrinsic benefits, are studied within extensions of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Survey data from 158 participants who play games on Facebook were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Normative influence positively impacted eWOM behaviors of opinion passing, or forwarding the message, and opinion giving, which is a persuasion attempt. Game enjoyment negatively influenced opinion passing, and economic incentive positively impacted both eWOM behaviors. Opinion passing significantly enhanced attitudes toward advertising, which in turn, positively influenced brand attitudes. Outcomes suggest marketers may increase brand awareness among eWOM senders through campaigns in SNGs, resulting from enhanced positive attitudes toward SNG advertising. However, applicable to SNGs and other games with advertising, marketers must balance appeal of economic incentives with low disruption to play experiences.
Tumor necrosis factor receptor subfamily 9 (Tnfrsf9) gene is expressed in distinct cell populations in mouse uterus and conceptus during implantation period of pregnancy

Tumor necrosis factor receptor subfamily 9 (TNFRSF9) plays a potentially important general role in immune function. Tnfrsf9 gene expression has previously been characterized in late pregnant mouse uterus and placenta. However, little is known about its expression in the uterus during the implantation phase of early pregnancy. We have assessed the levels and localization of Tnfrsf9 expression in the mouse uterus and conceptus during implantation. Relative Tnfrsf9 mRNA levels were significantly higher in implantation than in non-implantation site tissue on days 6.5-8.5 of pregnancy. This increase did not depend on the presence of the conceptus, as mRNA levels were not significantly different between pregnant implantation sites and artificially induced deciduomas. Localization by in situ hybridization revealed a subpopulation of endothelial and uterine natural killer cells expressing Tnfrsf9 in the endometrium during implantation. In the developing conceptus, primary trophoblast giant and ectoplacental cells expressed Tnfrsf9 on days 6.5-8.5, followed by expression in the trophoblast giant cell layers surrounding the conceptus on day 9.5 of pregnancy. Two main splice forms of Tnfrsf9 mRNA exist and encode proteins with distinct biological functions; both mRNA splice forms were present in uterine and conceptus tissues as determined by reverse transcription with the polymerase chain reaction. Thus, both membrane and soluble forms of Tnfrsf9 are expressed in specific cell types of the uterus and conceptus during the progression of implantation in mice and possibly have an important function in this process.
Structural and magnetic properties of Al/Fe multilayers deposited by ion beam sputtering

Abstract Al/Fe multilayers were deposited using an ion-assisted ion-beam sputtering technique. X-ray diffraction at high angles showed peaks corresponding to the aluminum f.c.c. phase with a lattice parameter equal to that of bulk aluminum. Peaks from the iron b.c.c. phase were observed and the lattice parameter based on these peaks was calculated to be 2.94 A. The absence of satellite peaks is attributed to the small grain size. The low angle diffraction pattern showed three orders of peaks. Investigation of the magnetic properties using a vibrating sample magnetometer and ferromagnetic resonance showed a moderately reduced moment for iron when compared with bulk iron.
Freshman Withdrawal from College: An Empirical Examination of the Usefulness of “Autopsy Studies”:

Summary.~"Autopsy studies" are investigations in which students are asked at their time of withdrawal from college why they are leaving. Some authors (2, 4) have questioned the usefulness of these studies, noting that withdrawing students may tend to downplay their true problems and overemphasize more socially desirable reasons for leaving. Moreover, previous "autopsy studies" have not used any comparison groups to check to see whether continuing students had the same difficulties as withdrawers but chose to remain in college. The present study rectifies these two major problems of "autopsy studies" by interviewing withdrawers at least several months after withdrawal and by comparing their responses on a follow-up questionnaire with the responses of a random sample of continuers. The results do, indeed, indicate that continuers have significantly more problems in a number of areas than do the withdrawers but choose not to withdraw despite these problems. "Autopsy studies" involve asking students who withdraw from college why they are leaving. These investigations have rightly been criticized on the grounds that students may tend to play down their true problems in these "exit interviews" and overemphasize more socially desirable reasons for leaving (2,4). Moreover, the autopsy studies which have been reported to date neglected to interview continuing students in order to learn whether they were having the same problems as the withdrawers but chose not to withdraw in spite of these problems. The present study was designed to examine whether or not continuers have as many of the same problems as withdrawers but, nonetheless, choose not to withdraw. METHOD A number of the most commonly given reasons for withdrawing from college were compiled into a "Reasons for Withdrawal List." A random sample of 435 freshmen were selected to participate in this study upon their entrance into a selected university. Of these 435 students 25 of the men and 52 of the women withdrew either during or at the end of the freshman year. Academic records were examined to learn which students left with a grade point average of 2.00 or higher, assuring they withdrew voluntarily rather than being dismissed for academic reasons. Several months following their withdrawal, these men and women were asked in telephone follow-up interviews to indicate which reasons from the "Reasons for Withdrawal List" played a part in their decision to leave. A random sample of 62 continuers were also asked which of these commonly given "Reasons for Withdrawal" had been major problems for them during their freshman year. If subjects responded that the item was a problem, they were
Materials for superconducting electronics: In situ growth of PrGaO3 thin films by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

Phase‐pure thin films of the YBCO, BSCCO, TBCCO lattice‐matched and low dielectric‐loss perovskite insulator PrGaO3 have been grown in situ on single‐crystal (110) LaAlO3 , (001) SrTiO3 , and (001) MgO substrates by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Films were grown at temperatures between 750 and 800 °C using the volatile metalorganic β‐diketonate precursors M(dpm)3 (M=Pr, Ga, and dpm=dipivaloylmethanate). As assessed by x‐ray diffraction, the films grow epitaxially on LaAlO3 and SrTiO3 substrates with a high degree of (001) and/or (110) plane orientation parallel to the substrate surface. The films grown on MgO substrates are polycrystalline. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that the MOCVD‐derived PrGaO3 films have smooth, featureless surfaces on all three kinds of substrates.
Prevalence of defective DNA mismatch repair and MSH6 mutation in an unselected series of endometrial cancers

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy in the United States and the most frequent extracolonic tumor in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). HNPCC patients have inherited defects in DNA mismatch repair and the microsatellite instability (MSI) tumor phenotype. Sporadic endometrial cancers also exhibit MSI, usually associated with methylation of the MLH1 promoter. Germ-line MSH6 mutations, which are rare in HNPCC, have been reported in several families with multiple members affected with endometrial carcinoma. We reasoned that MSH6 mutation might account for loss of mismatch repair in MSI-positive endometrial cancers in which the cause of MSI is unknown. We therefore investigated MSI and MLH1 promoter methylation in 441 endometrial cancer patients unselected for age or personal and family history of cancers. MSI and MLH1 promoter methylation status were associated with age of onset and tumor histology. One hundred cases (23% of the entire series) were evaluated for MSH6 defects. Inactivating germ-line MSH6 mutations were identified in seven women with MSI-positive, MLH1 promoter unmethylated cancers. Most of the MSI in these cases was seen with mononucleotide repeat markers. The MSH6 mutation carriers were significantly younger than the rest of the population (mean age 54.8 versus 64.6, P = 0.04). Somatic mutations were seen in 17 tumors, all of which had MSI. Our data suggest that inherited defects in MSH6 in women with endometrial cancer are relatively common. The minimum estimate of the prevalence of inherited MSH6 mutation in endometrial cancer is 1.6% (7 of 441), comparable with the predicted prevalence for patients with colorectal cancer.
The Effects of Water Scarcity and Natural Resources on Refugee Migration

We test the effect of water and natural resources on refugee migration. We show that water abundance decreases the number of refugees migrating out of a country and increases the number of refugees migrating into a county, all else equal. A large resource sector increases the likelihood of out-migration and decreases the likelihood of in-migration, giving support to a resource–conflict link. Opportunities in the resource sector lead to pooling of migrants into resource-dependent countries that are not at war. Expected migration is highest when the destination country has abundant water and a small resource sector. Expected migration is lowest when the source country has abundant water and a large resource sector. Characteristics of the destination country have larger impacts than characteristics of the source country, suggesting decisions are more about what the destination country has to offer than what the source country lacks.
Alpha Radioactivity of the Lunar Surface at the Landing Sites of Surveyors 5,6, and 7

Evidence has been obtained for a radioactive deposit on the lunar surface at Mare Tranquillitatis with a total intensity of 0.09 ± 0.03 alpha disintegration per second per square centimeter. The presence of polonium-210 in amounts that are close to equilibrium indicates a continuous turnover rate of lunar material at this site of less than 0.1 micrometer per year. The lack of such a deposit at two other lunar sites suggests lower local concentrations of uranium there.
Possible ice-margin fluctuations in the Dwyka series in Rhodesia

Abstract The succession of Lower Karroo rocks in a horehole in the mid-Zambezi valley in Rhodesia is described. The Dwyka Series is 334 ft. thick and contains three cycles of coarse to fine sediments. These are interpreted as being controlled by the periodic advance and retreat of mountain glaciers situated on the east side of a fresh water lake. Each cycle consists of a coarse lower part, comprising tillites and/or fluvioglacial outwash gravels, followed by fine limnoglacial shales. The limnoglacial varvites give an indication of the length of time between a glacial retreat and readvance, which amounts to 15,000–20,000 years. It is considered that these intervals are too short for a tectonic control of sedimentation and that periodic advances and retreats of ice margins account better for the observed changes in the grade of the sediments. This fresh water Upper Carboniferous lake was marginally situated in relation to the main glaciated region of this part of Gondwanaland.
Use of the Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery in Complex Aortic Arch Reconstruction

An aberrant right subclavian artery can be used in a variety of ways in complex aortic arch reconstructions. Four patients (3 with interrupted aortic arch and 1 with coarctation) in whom this technique was used are presented.
Delay-Dependent H~~ Filtering for a Class of Time-Delayed LPV Systems

In this paper, we examine the problem of designing parameter-dependent Hinfin filters for the output estimation in an LPV plant that includes a constant state delay. The state-space data are assumed to depend on parameters that are measurable in real-time. We develop LMI-based delay-dependent conditions to guarantee both asymptotic stability and an L2 norm bound performance, and we provide an explicit solution for the filters' state-space matrices in terms of LMI solutions. By taking the estimation error into account as the Hinfin criterion output, the designed filters have the capability of tracking the desired outputs of the plant in the presence of external disturbances. Our technique is shown to be reduced to delay-independent analysis conditions by relaxing some of the LMI decision variables, and some previous results are also shown to be particular cases of the current work. We examine both memoryless and state delayed filters that include delay terms to reduce conservatism in the design. Illustrative examples are used to demonstrate the proposed methodology for filter design and show the superiority of using the proposed delayed configuration for Hinfin filters compared to the memoryless filters
Predicting space climate change

Galactic cosmic rays and solar energetic particles can be hazardous to humans in space, damage spacecraft and satellites, pose threats to aircraft electronics, and expose aircrew and passengers to radiation. A new study shows that these threats are likely to increase in coming years as the Sun approaches the end of the period of high solar activity known as “grand solar maximum,” which has persisted through the past several decades. High solar activity can help protect the Earth by repelling incoming galactic cosmic rays. Understanding the past record can help scientists predict future conditions.Barnard et al. analyzed a 9300-year record of galactic cosmic ray and solar activity based on cosmogenic isotopes in ice cores as well as on neutron monitor data. They used this to predict future variations in galactic cosmic ray flux, near-Earth interplanetary magnetic field, sunspot number, and probability of large solar energetic particle events. The researchers found that the risk of space weather radiation events will likely increase noticeably over the next century compared with recent decades and that lower solar activity will lead to increased galactic cosmic ray levels. (Geophysical Research Letters, doi:10.1029/2011GL048489, 2011)
Characterization of a Highly Pathogenic Molecular Clone of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Clade C

We have derived and characterized a highly pathogenic molecular isolate of feline immunodeficiency virus subtype C (FIV-C) CABCpady00C. Clone FIV-C36 was obtained by lambda cloning from cats that developed severe immunodeficiency disease when infected with CABCpady00C (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada). Clone FIV-C36 Env is 96% identical to the noninfectious FIV-C isolate sequence deposited in GenBank (FIV-Cgb; GenBank accession number AF474246) (A. Harmache et al.) but is much more divergent in Env when compared to the subgroup A clones Petaluma (34TF10) and FIV-PPR (76 and 78% divergence, respectively). Clone FIV-C36 was able to infect freshly isolated feline peripheral blood mononuclear cells and primary T-cell lines but failed to productively infect CrFK cells, as is typical of FIV field isolates. Two-week-old specific-pathogen-free cats infected with FIV-C36 tissue culture supernatant became PCR positive and developed severe acute immunodeficiency disease similar to that caused by the uncloned CABCpady00C parent. At 4 to 5 weeks postinfection (PI), 3 of 4 animals developed CD4 + -T-cell depletion, fever, weight loss, diarrhea, and opportunistic infections, including ulcerative stomatitis and tonsillitis associated with abundant bacterial growth, pneumonia, and pyelonephritis, requiring euthanasia. Histopathology confirmed severe thymic and systemic lymphoid depletion. Interestingly, the dam also became infected with a high viral load at 5 weeks PI of the kittens and developed a similar disease syndrome, requiring euthanasia at 11 weeks PI of the kittens. This constitutes the first report of a replication-competent, infectious, and pathogenic molecular clone of FIV-C. Clone FIV-C36 will facilitate dissection of the pathogenic determinants of FIV.
3D Visualization of Partially Occluded Objects Using Axially Distributed Sensing

We present experiments on 3D visualization of partially occluded objects using axially distributed sensing. The axially distributed sensing method provides collection of 3D information for a partially occluded object and the 3D images are visualized using the modified digital reconstruction algorithm based on inverse ray projection model. We apply this method to a camouflage setting where the object is partially occluded by a camouflage net. The optical experiments are performed to capture longitudinal elemental images of a partially camouflaged object and to visualize the 3D images with digital reconstruction. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to apply the axially distributed sensing method to visualizing occluded objects.
The thermoconvective instability of plane poiseuille flow heated from below: A proposed benchmark solution for open boundary flows

The transient two-dimensional Navier-Stokes and energy equations have been solved numerically for flow in a horizontal channel heated from below in the Boussinesq limit. For the set of dimensionless parameters chosen, the flow consists of periodic transverse travelling waves resulting from a convective instability. The solution is proposed as a benchmark for the application of outflow boundary conditions (OBC) in time-dependent flows with strong buoyancy effects. Richardson extrapolation in both time and space is used in obtaining the solution. Field plots and profiles of velocity, temperature, vorticity and streamfunction at selected axial positions and times are also presented from the finest grid and smallest time step calculation. The calculations have been made on an extended domain so that the effects of OBC used in the present study would be negligible in the test region.
Common Receptor-Complement Feature Among Some Antileukemic Compounds

A common structural feature was found among some nonalkylating antileukemic agents such as aminopterin, anthramycin, 5-azacytidine, bisketopiperazines, camptothecin, cytosine arabinoside, daunomycin, demecolcine, emetine, glutarimide antibiotics, harringtonine, 6-mercaptopurine riboside, methotrexate, sangivamycin, streptonigrin, tylocrebrine, tylophorine, vinblastine, and vincristine. This structural feature consists of a triangulation composed of one nitrogen and two oxygen atoms with rather definite interatomic distances. This structural characteristic may contribute to the in vivo binding to one of the pertinent receptor sites involved in leukemia geneses.
Electrostatic effects on funneled landscapes and structural diversity in denatured protein ensembles

The denatured state of proteins is heterogeneous and susceptible to general hydrophobic and electrostatic forces, but to what extent does the funneled nature of protein energy landscapes play a role in the unfolded ensemble? We simulate the denatured ensemble of cytochrome c using a series of models. The models pinpoint the efficacy of incorporating energetic funnels toward the native state in contrast with models having no native structure-seeking tendency. These models also contain varying strengths of electrostatic effects and hydrophobic collapse. The simulations based on these models are compared with experimental distributions for the distances between a fluorescent donor and the heme acceptor that were extracted from time-resolved fluorescence energy transfer experiments on cytochrome c. Comparing simulations to detailed experimental data on several labeling sites allows us to quantify the dominant forces in denatured protein ensembles.
Perturbation analysis of stochastic flow systems with multiplicative feedback

This paper uses stochastic flow models (SFMs) for control and optimization (rather than performance analysis) of queueing systems with multiplicative feedback. Unlike earlier work based on additive feedback, the multiplicative feedback scheme considered here requires minimal state information and bypasses the problem of delayed state information. Using infinitesimal perturbation analysis (IPA), we derive gradient estimators for loss and workload related performance metrics with respect to a feedback gain parameter, in contrast to previous work where threshold parameters were considered. The unbiasedness of these estimators is also established.
When alphabets collide: Alphabetic first-language speakers’ approach to speech production in an alphabetic second language

This study analysed the extent to which literate native speakers of a language with a phonemic alphabetic orthography rely on their first language (L1) orthography during second language (L2) speec...
A visual neural classifier

A new neural classifier allows visualization of the training set and decision regions, providing benefits for both the designer and the user. We demonstrate the visualization capabilities of this visual neural classifier using synthetic data, and compare the visualization performance to Kohunen's self-organizing map. We show in applications to image segmentation and medical diagnosis that visualization enables a designer to refine the classifier to achieve low error rates and enhances a user's ability to make classifier-assisted decisions.
Jan Gehl and Birgitte Svarre, How to Study Public Life (Washington, DC: Island Press, 2013).Ali Madanipour, Sabine Knierbein, and Aglaee Degros (Eds.), Public Space and the Challenges of Urban Transformation in Europe (New York: Routledge, 2014).

Jan Gehl is a familiar name in public space studies. He has been a tireless advocate for public spaces since the 1960s. As an academic and practitioner, he has studied “public life,” which he defin...
Field evidence of a negative correlation between saturated hydraulic conductivity and soil carbon in a sandy soil

] This study was performed as a part of the GrasslandDestabilization Experiment at the University of Nebraska’sBarta Brothers Ranch site (BBRS) in the eastern NSH(Figure 1), which investigates the ecological and geomor-phic stability of the NSH from an interdisciplinary perspec-tive and focuses on atmosphere–land surface–groundwaterinteractions [Wang et al., 2008]. The Nebraska Sand Hills isthe largest native grassland–stabilized sand dune area inthe Western Hemisphere and an important groundwaterrecharge source for the High Plains aquifer [Loope andSwinehart, 2000]. Mean annual temperature at the site is8.1 C and mean annual precipitation is 576 mm. About90% of the landscape at the site is composed by uplanddunes and dry interdunal areas covered by native warm-season grasslands, while the remaining 10% consists of wetmeadows and wetlands. Holocene dune sands overlie Qua-ternary and/or Pliocene alluvial sand and silt with low SOMcontent throughout the NSH.[
The Nature of the Negative Resistance in Bimolecular Lipid Membranes Containing Excitability-Inducing Material

When sufficiently small amounts of excitability-inducing material (EIM) are added to a bimolecular lipid membrane, the conductance is limited to a few discrete levels and changes abruptly from one level to another. From our study of these fluctuations, we have concluded that the EIM-doped bilayer contains ion-conducting channels capable of undergoing transitions between two states of different conductance. The difference in current between the "open" and "closed" states is directly proportional to the applied membrane potential, and corresponds to a conductance of about 3 x 10-10 ohm-1. The fraction of the total number of channels that is open varies from unity to zero as a function of potential. The voltage-dependent opening and closing of channels explains the negative resistance observed for bimolecular lipid membranes treated with greater amounts of EIM.
Aβ42 neurotoxicity in primary co-cultures: Effect of apoE isoform and Aβ conformation

Autosomal dominant mutations that increase amyloid-beta(1-42) (Abeta42) cause familial Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the most common genetic risk factor for AD is the presence of the epsilon4 allele of apolipoprotein E (apoE). Previously, we characterized stable preparations of Abeta42 oligomers and fibrils and reported that oligomers induced a 10-fold greater increase in neurotoxicity than fibrils in Neuro-2A cells. To determine the effects of apoE genotype on Abeta42 oligomer- and fibril-induced neurotoxicity in vitro, we co-cultured wild type (WT) neurons with glia from WT, apoE-knockout (apoE-KO), and human apoE2-, E3-, and E4-targeted replacement (TR) mice. Dose-dependent neurotoxicity was induced by oligomeric Abeta42 with a ranking order of apoE4-TR>KO=apoE2-TR=apoE3-TR>WT. Neurotoxicity induced by staurosporine or glutamate were not affected by apoE genotype, indicating specificity for oligomeric Abeta42-induced neurotoxicity. These in vitro data demonstrate a gain of negative function for apoE4, synergistic with oligomeric Abeta42, in mediating neurotoxicity.