cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract A20: Gemcitabine primes the pancreatic tumor microenvironment for second-line immunotherapy

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death with a median survival time of 6-12 months. As most patients present with disseminated disease, the majority are offered palliative chemotherapy. As there are no treatment strategies for patients who progress on chemotherapy, we explored the effects of long-term gemcitabine on the tumor microenvironment in order to identify potential therapeutic options in chemorefractory PDAC. Using a combination of mouse models and human-derived PDAC cell lines, we first evaluated chemotherapy-induced alterations in the tumor secretome and immune surface proteins by high-throughput proteomic arrays. In addition to enhancing antigen presentation and immune checkpoint expression, gemcitabine led to large-scale alterations in the tumor secretome, namely by increasing the synthesis of CCL/CXCL chemokines and TGFβ-associated proteins. These secreted factors altered the composition of the tumor stroma, conferring drug resistance to cancer-associated fibroblasts in vitro. We therefore combined gemcitabine with anti-PD-1 in transgenic models of murine PDAC, which failed to alter disease course unless mice also underwent genetic or pharmacologic ablation of TGFβ signaling. In the setting of TGFβ signal deficiency, gemcitabine and anti-PD-1 led to a robust CD8+ T cell-response and decrease in tumor burden. These results suggest that gemcitabine may prime PDAC tumors for immune checkpoint inhibition by enhancing antigen presentation, but requires the inhibition of a TGFβ cytokine barrier. Given the current lack of third-line treatment options, this approach warrants consideration in the management of gemcitabine-refractory PDAC. Citation Format: Daniel R. Principe, Matthew Narbutis, Sandeep Kumar, Alex Park, Navin Viswakarma, Matthew J. Dorman, Suneel D. Kamath, Hidayatullah G. Munshi, Ajay Rana. Gemcitabine primes the pancreatic tumor microenvironment for second-line immunotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer: Advances in Science and Clinical Care; 2019 Sept 6-9; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(24 Suppl):Abstract nr A20.
Steady incompressible potential flow around lifting bodies immersed in a fluid

The refinement was investigated of a method for evaluating the pressure distribution on a body surface of arbitrary shape in incompressible flow. The solution was obtained in terms of the velocity potential, through numerical approximations which require the use of a high speed digital computer. The box method and the modal method are described in detail, and were applied to a very thin, rectangular wing in incompressible, steady flow. The box method is found to be more practical as it is applicable to more general geometries (the modal method requires a new set of functions for each geometry), and requires less computer time (fifty percent of that required by the modal method for the same problem).
Stock Market Interactions Driven by Large Declines

Abstract:This paper seeks to explore the relationship among the large declines in China’s stock market and stock markets in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Hong Kong, and to forecast future large declines in China’s stock market. We apply mutually exciting marked Hawkes processes—where the occurrences of large declines are regarded as events whose magnitudes follow generalized Pareto distributions—to study the interaction between the different stock markets. We find that these interactions are asymmetric. The occurrences of large declines in the Chinese stock market will stimulate declines in the United States and the United Kingdom, and especially in Japan’s and Hong Kong’s stock markets. However, only large declines in Hong Kong’s market have a substantial influence on the occurrence of big declines in China’s market. Finally, we try to predict the time of occurrence of the next major decline in China’s stock market using information from our empirical results.
Temporal Evolution of Flux Tube Entanglement at the Magnetopause as Observed by the MMS Satellites

Flux transfer events (FTEs), as flux ropes (FRs), are considered key agents for solar wind energy to enter the terrestrial magnetosphere. Recent observations identify entangled flux tubes that coll...
Noninvasive diagnosis of portal hypertension using gadoxetate DCE-MRI of the liver and spleen.

To assess the performance of gadoxetate dynamic contrast–enhanced (DCE) MRI of the liver and spleen for noninvasive diagnosis of portal hypertension (PH). Thirty-five patients (M/F 22/13, mean age 55 years) with chronic liver disease who underwent hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurements were prospectively enrolled in this IRB-approved study. All patients underwent multiparametric MRI including gadoxetate DCE-MRI acquisition. Model-based and model-free DCE-MRI analyses were performed. The correlation between DCE-MRI parameters and HVPG was assessed. ROC analysis was employed to determine the diagnostic performance of DCE-MRI parameters alone and in combination for prediction of PH and clinically significant (CS)PH (HVPG > 5 and ≥ 10 mmHg, respectively). Mean HVPG was 7.0 ± 5.0 mmHg (range 0–18 mmHg). Twenty-one (60%) patients had PH, of whom 9 had CSPH. Modeled liver uptake fraction fi and uptake rate ki and model-free parameters liver upslope and uptake were all significantly negatively correlated with HVPG (r range − 0.490 to − 0.398, p value range 0.003–0.018), while spleen interstitial fraction ve was significantly positively correlated with HVPG (r = 0.336, p = 0.048). For PH diagnosis, liver ki showed the best diagnostic performance with an AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.74 (confidence interval (CI) 0.57–0.91), 71.4%, and 78.6%. The combination of liver ki and spleen ve was selected as the best classifier for diagnosis of CSPH with an AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.87 (CI 0.75–0.99), 100%, and 73.1%. Our results demonstrate the potential utility of hepatocyte uptake parameters and spleen interstitial fraction obtained with gadoxetate DCE-MRI for the diagnosis of PH and CSPH. • Liver uptake and spleen interstitial fraction estimates from gadoxetate DCE-MRI are significantly correlated with portal pressure measurements. • Liver uptake rate shows good diagnostic performance for the diagnosis of portal hypertension. • The combination of liver uptake rate with spleen interstitial fraction exhibits excellent diagnostic performance for the diagnosis of clinically significant portal hypertension.
Prevalence of contraindications to progestin-only contraceptive pills in a multi-institution patient database.

Abstract Objective We calculated the prevalence of contraindications to progestin-only pills (POPs) among reproductive age women to evaluate the safety of over the counter provision. Study Design This descriptive study queried a multi-institution US database to identify women ages 10 to 45 presenting for preventive care, and a subset of this initial cohort also presenting for contraceptive services, to estimate the prevalence of contraindications to POPs using diagnosis and procedure codes. Results Among 813,888 females seeking preventive care between 2009 and 2015, 4.36% had a condition associated with a potential risk or unacceptable risk for initiation of POPs, compared to 2.29% of the 71,216 women seeking both preventive care and contraceptive services. Current breast cancer, the only condition classified as an unacceptable risk for initiation, was listed as a diagnosis for 2.67% and 0.57% in each respective group. Conclusion The prevalence of contraindications to POPs among reproductive age women is low. This finding supports the relative safety of an over the counter progestin-only contraceptive pill. Implications This analysis provides support for the safety of over the counter access to progestin-only contraceptive pills.
Inviting Our Monsters to Tea: Sexual Difference, the Monstrous Feminine, and What Might Become

What do witches, borderline subjects, and transphobic bathroom memes have in common? According to Morris’ new book, Sexual Difference, Abjection, and Liminal Spaces: A Psychoanalytic Approach to th...
Partial Resolution of the Enzymes Catalyzing Oxidative Phosphorylation XXIII. PRESERVATION OF ENERGY COUPLING IN SUBMITOCHONDRIAL PARTICLES LACKING CYTOCHROME OXIDASE

Abstract 1. Treatment with cholate in the presence of salt resolves submitochondrial particles from bovine heart into two fractions: heavy particles, which contain cytochrome oxidase and other members of the respiratory chain except cytochrome c but are devoid of energy coupling, and light particles (E-particles) which contain no cytochrome oxidase but catalyze 32Pi-ATP exchange. The 32Pi-ATP exchange in E-particles is abolished by rutamycin and uncouplers or by the combined action of valinomycin, nigericin, and potassium ions. 2. E-particles contain cytochrome b and cytochrome c1 and catalyze succinate and NADH-dehydrogenase activities. Rates of other electron transport activities are less than 10% of those of the parent particles. The content of phospholipid is 3 times that of the parent particles. 3. Reconstitution of E-particles with purified cytochrome oxidase results in the restoration of succinate-cytochrome c reductase and NADH-cytochrome c reductase activities, and in ATP formation associated with the oxidation of NADH or succinate.
A note on the Gaussian correlation conjecture

We show that a special setting of the well-known Gaussian correlation conjecture, namely for sets of equal measure, can be useful in proving the existence of small ball constants. We hope this sheds light on the conjecture and points out new directions for useful partial results. A simple proof for another useful correlation inequality needed in our argument is also presented.
Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment in Malaysia

Purpose – To examine the determinants that attract foreign direct investments (FDI) in Malaysia.Design/Methodology/Approach – The data is derived from various sources such as electronic sources (Data Stream), journals and articles and internet. Multiple regression analysis assessed the relationship towards the foreign direct investment (FDI) of three key construct of determinants (infrastructure, market size and exchange rate).Findings – The paper found that infrastructure and market size are determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI), where they are significantly related to each other. While exchange rate did not significantly related or statistically influence FDI.Research Limitations/Implications – The paper used data for the period 1983-2012 from Data Stream. However, the findings have highlighted the importance of FDI determinants based on data from an emerging economy (Malaysian economy). Practical Implications – The results suggests that among the variables, financial development and economic growth contribute positively to the inflow of FDI in Malaysia. The establishment of more financial intermediaries with a modern and sophisticated technology in the banking system creates a favourable environment to the foreign investors. The evidence provides strong policy recommendation on sustaining high growth and financial deepening in Malaysia.Originality/Value – This study has identified infrastructure and market size as an independent variables that provides positive relationship with FDI while, exchange is negatively related to FDI. Keywords – Determinants, foreign direct investment (FDI), infrastructure, market size, exchange rate.Paper Type – Research paper.
Mapping modalities of self-awareness in mindfulness practice: a potential mechanism for clarifying habits of mind

To better understand the neurobiological mechanisms by which mindfulness-based practices function in a psychotherapeutic context, this article details the definition, techniques, and purposes ascribed to mindfulness training as described by its Buddhist tradition of origin and by contemporary neurocognitive models. Included is theory of how maladaptive mental processes become habitual and automatic, both from the Buddhist and Western psychological perspective. Specific noting and labeling techniques in open monitoring meditation, described in the Theravada and Western contemporary traditions, are highlighted as providing unique access to multiple modalities of awareness. Potential explicit and implicit mechanisms are discussed by which such techniques can contribute to transforming maladaptive habits of mind and perceptual and cognitive biases, improving efficiency, facilitating integration, and providing the flexibility to switch between systems of self-processing. Finally, a model is provided to describe the timing by which noting and labeling practices have the potential to influence different stages of low- and high-level neural processing. Hypotheses are proposed concerning both levels of processing in relation to the extent of practice. Implications for the nature of subjective experience and self-processing as it relates to one's habits of mind, behavior, and relation to the external world, are also described.
Exploring the Ultrahigh Energy Neutrino Universe

Astronomy at the highest energies observed must be performed by studying neutrinos rather than photons because the universe is opaque to photons of these energies. By making observations of neutrinos with energies above 10 EeV one can deduce information about the distribution and cosmological history of cosmic rays which may have been accelerated to energies above 100 EeV. Very large fluxes of neutrinos at these energies which exhibit a hard spectrum would be evidence of a GUT phase transition or superheavy dark matter particles. Neutrinos at energies around a PeV may be produced in observable quantities in active galaxies from the acceleration and interactions of cosmic rays in the vicinity of massive black holes or in relativistic jets produced by these black holes. Cosmological gamma-ray bursts may also produce PeV neutrinos. Neutrinos at these energies may oscillate into tau neutrinos which can travel through the Earth by the process of regeneration and produce upward moving air-showers. Neutrinos of energies above of 1000 EeV can produce ultrahigh energy cosmic rays thorugh interactions with big-bang neutrinos, producing Z bosons. This "Z-burst" phenomenon can be used to study the mass and distribution of big-bang neutrinos.
The dependence of the strength and thickness of field-aligned currents on solar wind and ionospheric parameters

Sheared plasma flows at the low-latitude boundary layer (LLBL) correlate well with early afternoon auroral arcs and upward field-aligned currents. We present a simple analytic model that relates solar wind and ionospheric parameters to the strength and thickness of field-aligned currents (Λ) in a region of sheared velocity, such as the LLBL. We compare the predictions of the model with DMSP observations and find remarkably good scaling of the upward region 1 currents with solar wind and ionospheric parameters in region located at the boundary layer or open field lines at 1100–1700 magnetic local time. We demonstrate that Λ∼nsw−0.5 and Λ ∼ L when Λ/L < 5 where L is the auroral electrostatic scale length. The sheared boundary layer thickness (Δm) is inferred to be around 3000 km, which appears to have weak dependence on Vsw. J∥ has dependencies on Δm, Σp, nsw, and Vsw. The analytic model provides a simple way to organize data and to infer boundary layer structures from ionospheric data.
Dynamical phase transitions in one-dimensional stochastic cellular automata

We study the influence of dynamic noise and disorder on the evolution of a chaotic cellular automaton model. Three distinct phases are identified corresponding to ordered, random and damage spreading evolution. The time evolution of the associated order parameters is investigated and the critical exponents are calculated close to the phase transition.
Laboratory Control With A Medium-Scale Time-Sharing System.

A multilanguage, general purpose time-sharing system which supports a wide range of computing applications, including the control of an on-line, psychological research library, is described. ETSS (Experimental Time-Sharing System) is based on a medium scale DEC PDP-15.
Variations in network boundary and type: A study of adolescent peer influences

Abstract This study compares variation in network boundary and network type on network indicators such as degree and estimates of social influences on adolescent substance use. We compare associations between individual use and peer use of tobacco and alcohol when network boundary (e.g., classroom, entire grade in school, and community) and relational type (elicited by asking whom students: (a) are friends with, (b) admire, (c) think will succeed, (d) would like to have a romantic relationship with, and (e) think are popular) are varied. Additionally, we estimate Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGMs) for 232 networks to obtain a homophily estimate for smoking and drinking. Data were collected from a cross-sectional sample of 1707 adolescents in five high schools in one school district in Los Angeles, CA. Results of logistic regression models show that associations were strongest when the boundary condition was least constrained and that associations were stronger for friendship networks than for other ones. Additionally, ERGM estimations show that grade-level friendship networks returned significant homophily effects more frequently than the classroom networks. This study validates existing theoretical approaches to the network study of social influence as well as ways to estimate them. We recommend researchers use as broad a boundary as possible when collecting network data, but observe that for some research purposes more narrow boundaries may be preferred.
A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words: Using Collage to Explore Students Beliefs and Feelings about Marketing

This paper describes a simple creative exercise that utilizes collage as a tool for student expression of feelings and impressions as well as reflection and understanding of the question "What is marketing?" This engaging activity can enhance student learning and understanding of the marketing field by identifying and clarifying marketing misunderstandings, encouraging class participation, and building enthusiasm for the principles of marketing course. The project also has the potential to guide pedagogical action. As a learning tool, this imaginative exercise can be applied and adapted to a variety of additional contexts or courses.
Computation of restricted chemical equilibria

Abstract It is shown that the method for computation of simultaneous phase and chemical equilibria proposed by Castillo and Grossman can be extended easily for handling restricted chemical equilibria calculations. Equality and inequality constraints that represent limited experimental information on the chemical reaction are incorporated in the nonlinear programming formulation for minimizing the Gibbs energy. Three numerical examples are presented which illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Estimating acoustic attenuation from reflected ultrasound signals: Comparison of spectral-shift and spectral-difference approaches

The acoustic attenuation coefficient of soft biological tissue has been observed to have an increasing linear-with-frequency attenuation characteristic with a slope, denoted by β, that varies with the disease condition of the liver. Hence, it would be diagnostically useful to estimate the value of β from reflected ultrasound signals. Two approaches for estimating β are examined: the spectral-shift approach, which estimates β from the downward shift experienced by the propagating pulse spectrum with penetration into the liver, and the spectral-difference approach, which estimates β from the slope of the log spectral differences. While the spectral-shift approach requires the propagating pulse to have a Gaussian-shaped spectrum, the spectral-difference method does not require a specific spectral form. A mathematical model is developed to simulate the random ultrasound signals reflected from the liver. The bias and variance properties of the β estimators are determined by using the simulated signals and compared as a function of the data window size. The results indicate that, while the accuracy of both approaches is equivalent for large data windows, the frequency-shift approach is more accurate than the spectral-difference approach for most practical cases.
An intramolecular diels-alder approach to the galanthan ring system

Abstract A novel “phenylbutadiene + Δ 2 -pyrroline” intramolecular cycloaddition has been used to construct a functionalized galanthan.
Hybrid Trust Structure in Self-Organizing Networks

A traditional service provider of telecommunications is recognized as an authority which is trusted by the subscribers and the public. Ad hoc and Peer to Peer (P2P) networks have demonstrated advantages that service provider controlled networks lack, and they also exhibit self-organizing behaviors. A pure self-organizing network does not rely on any hierarchical management. Instead, it utilizes a web of trust for security. Its trust management is complicated and varies from node to node. In this article, we discuss a hybrid trust structure that leverages the involvement of an authority in a self-organizing network to increase trust levels between disconnected small-worlds. The new model will help service providers design more robust and innovative solutions for next generation networks and applications.
Domain Size Control in Self-Assembling Rod−Coil Block Copolymer and Homopolymer Blends

The addition of homopolymers to a self-assembling rod-coil block copolymer is demonstrated to be a flexible route toward domain size control. Molecular weight matched rod-like homopolymers interdigitate with the rod-blocks within their respective lamellae. As a result of the interdigitation, the coil blocks must rearrange to occupy more interfacial area resulting in an unprecedented decrease in domain spacing with increasing rod homopolymers. Conversely coil homopolymers were locally solubilized within the coil microdomain resulting in an increase of domain spacing with increasing coil homopolymers. The mechanisms of homopolymers solubilization are in qualitative agreement with predictions made by self-consistent mean-field theory (SCFT) calculations.
Label-free imaging of human breast tissues using coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy

Breast cancer is a common disease in women. Current imaging and diagnostic methods for breast cancer confront several limitations, like time-consuming, invasive and with a high cost. Alternative strategies are in high demand to alleviate patients' trauma and lower medical expenses. Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) imaging technique offers many advantages, including label-free, sub-wavelength spatial resolution and video-rate imaging speed. Therefore, it has been demonstrated as a powerful tool for various biomedical applications. In this study, we present a label-free fast imaging method to identify breast cancer and its subtypes using CARS microscopy. Human breast tissues, including normal, benign and invasive carcinomas, were imaged ex vivo using a custom-built CARS microscope. Compared with results from corresponding hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stains, the CARS technique has demonstrated its capability in identifying morphological features in a similar way as in H&E stain. These features can be used to distinguish breast cancer from normal and benign tissues, and further separate cancer subtypes from each other. Our pilot study suggests that CARS microscopy could be used as a routine examination tool to characterize breast cancer ex vivo. Moreover, its label-free and fast imaging properties render this technique as a promising approach for in vivo and real-time imaging and diagnosis of breast cancer.
Reactivity of key metabolic sterols in standard colorimetric assays for cholesterol

The reaction of lanosterol, desmosterol and 7-dehydrocholesterol, key intermediates in cholesterol biosynthesis, were-compared with cholesterol in 3 standard colorimetric assays for cholesterol based on formation of chomogens with acetic anhydride, ferric chloride and ferrous sulfate. Marked differences in the reaction of the sterols in the different assays were due both to formation of chomogens with qualitatively similar spectral patterns but with greatly different extinctions and to formation of chromogens with clearly different absorption maxima. For example, in all assays, cholesterol and desmosterol formed chromogens with very similar absorption spectra but with varying extinctions, whereas the lanosterol chromogen in all assays was different from cholesterol's in both absorption maxima and in extinctions. The findings show that attempts to measure tissue sterol levels by colorimetric methods can result in great errors when cholesterol is not the sole sterol. Also, the unique spectral properties of the lanosterol chromogen formed in the Liebermann-Burchard reaction (a sharp absorption peak at 450 nm) suggests the possible use of this method as a qualitative test for lanosterol.
Vaccinomics and a new paradigm for the development of preventive vaccines against viral infections.

In this article we define vaccinomics as the integration of immunogenetics and immunogenomics with systems biology and immune profiling. Vaccinomics is based on the use of cutting edge, high-dimensional (so called “omics”) assays and novel bioinformatics approaches to the development of next-generation vaccines and the expansion of our capabilities in individualized medicine. Vaccinomics will allow us to move beyond the empiric “isolate, inactivate, and inject” approach characterizing past vaccine development efforts, and toward a more detailed molecular and systemic understanding of the carefully choreographed series of biological processes involved in developing viral vaccine-induced “immunity.” This enhanced understanding will then be applied to overcome the obstacles to the creation of effective vaccines to protect against pathogens, particularly hypervariable viruses, with the greatest current impact on public health. Here we provide an overview of how vaccinomics will inform vaccine science, the development of new vaccines and/or clinically relevant biomarkers or surrogates of protection, vaccine response heterogeneity, and our understanding of immunosenescence.
Pityriasis Lichenoides and Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma: An Update on the Diagnosis and Management of the Most Common Benign and Malignant Cutaneous Lymphoproliferative Diseases in Children

Although more common with advanced age, the entire spectrum of benign and malignant cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders can present in the pediatric population. Nevertheless, these conditions are often mistaken for other more common, benign dermatoses, resulting in delayed diagnosis. Standardized management of these conditions is also lacking. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the most common benign and malignant cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders in children: pityriasis lichenoides and mycosis fungoides. The presentation, evaluation and management of each of these conditions are discussed.
Catabolism of N-acylethanolamine phospholipids by dog brain preparations.

N- Acylphosphatidylethanolamine , incubated with dog brain homogenate or microsomes, was hydrolyzed to phosphatidic acid and N-acylethanolamine by a phosphodiesterase of the phospholipase D type. In the absence of F-, phosphatidic acid was further hydrolyzed to diacylglycerol and Pi while N-acylethanolamine was hydrolyzed by an amidase to fatty acid and ethanolamine. The phosphodiesterase showed an alkaline pH optimum and was also active towards N- acetylphosphatidylethanolamine , N-acyl-lysophosphatidylethanolamine, and glycerophospho (N-acyl)ethanolamine but showed little activity toward phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine. Ca2+ stimulated slightly at low concentrations but inhibited at higher concentrations. Triton X-100 stimulated the hydrolysis of N- acylphosphatidylethanolamine , inhibited that of N-acyl-lysophosphatidylethanolamine and glycerophospho (N-acyl)ethanolamine, and had no effect on phosphatidylethanolamine or phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis. The N-acylethanolamine hydrolase (amidase) was also present in the microsomal fraction and exhibited a pH optimum of 10.0. In addition to hydrolysis by the phosphodiesterase, N- acylphosphatidylethanolamine was also catabolized by microsomal phospholipases A1 and/or A2 to N-acyl-lysophosphatidylethanolamine, some of which was further hydrolyzed to glycerophospho (N-acyl)ethanolamine.
Differential effects of injury severity on cognition and cellular pathology after contusive brain trauma in the immature rat.

Abstract Although diffuse brain damage has been suggested to be the predominant predictor of neurological morbidity following closed head injury in infants and children, the presence of contusions also predicts long-term neurobehavioral dysfunction. Contusive brain trauma in the 17-day-old rat resulted in neurodegeneration and caspase activation in the cortex at 1 day, and in the thalamus at 3 days post-injury, and to a greater extent following a deeper impact. Cortical tissue loss in the 4-mm impact group was significantly greater than that in the 3-mm impact group (p < 0.05), and exhibited a time-dependent increase over the first 3 weeks post-injury. Traumatic axonal injury was observed in the white matter tracts below the site of impact at 1 day, and in the corpus callosum at 3 days, to a greater extent following 4-mm impact. In contrast, cellular caspase-3 activation in these white matter tracts was only observed at 24 h post-injury and was not affected by impact depth. Similarly, neurodegeneration an...
Enhancement of endomycorrhizal activity through nitrogen fertilization in cowpea grown in an oxisol subjected to simulated erosion

Abstract The influence of inorganic nitrogen on the development of mycorrhizal symbiosis in Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp cv. California Blackeye No. 5 (cowpea) was studied in a noneroded oxisol and an oxisol subjected to simulated erosion. Plants were grown in pots containing soil inoculated with the vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus Glomus aggregatum and amended with 0–100mg N kg‐1 soil. Vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of roots, shoot P and N status, and shoot, root, and nodule dry weights were significantly stimulated by amendment of the eroded soil with N. However, the response of root colonization, shoot P concentration, and nodule dry weight to N application of the noneroded soil was not significant. The relationship of N with root colonization and shoot P status was described by a linear model while the relationships between N and other variables measured were described by quadratic equations. The results illustrate the potential benefits of starter N in the establishment of...
Rho activation at a glance

Cells receive a multitude of stimuli - chemical (such as cytokines and growth factors) and physical (such as mechanical stresses or adhesion to extracellular matrix or other cells) - that influence cell function by affecting intracellular signaling pathways. Very often these stimuli involve cell
Lattice structure, flux dynamics and intrinsic noise generation in high-temperature superconductors

Abstract We have examined the noise sources associated with the dynamics of motion of the flux bundles and its lattice interactions in YBaCuO high- T c superconductors (HTS). A model is proposed where in the layered structure of the material, the flux bundles or fluxoids exhibit a continuous crossover from a motion over activation barriers to diffusive transfer between pinning sites. For the vortex motion, we define a diffusion coefficient D = L 2 u / d , where L is the average distance between pinning centers, u is the vortex velocity, and d is the thickness of the thin film. It was found that when D =( U o w /∅ 2 (Δζ/ hd ), where U 0 is the height of the potential barrier around a pinning center, w is the width of the film, Δ is the order parameter, and ζ is the coherence length in the CuO planes, the vortex motion has mininum contribution to the noise spectral power. While, the noise characteristics are dominated by the thermal fluctuations and entropy flow which are sufficient to produce the observed 1/f power spectrum.
The similarity theory applied to early-transient gas flow analysis in unconventional reservoirs

Abstract Production data analysis of unconventional gas reservoirs focuses on early transient behavior analysis within these systems which are affected by pressure-dependent rock and fluid properties. However, available analytical solutions for early transient behavior analysis are strictly applicable to liquid systems. For gas systems with pressure-dependent fluid properties, the pseudopressure is known not to fully linearize the associated partial differential equation. Traditional pseudotime used to account for the remaining non-linearity is strictly applicable to late-time boundary-dominated conditions. Attempts have been made at correcting the pseudotime concept to match early-transient data; however, such early transient gas solutions remain dependent on how the region of influence is defined and how average pressure is calculated. In this work, the similarity theory is applied to solve these non-linear diffusivity equations describing early transient behavior for both linear and radial geometries and constant pressure and constant rate specifications. It is shown that the similarity theory is fully able to handle the associated non-linearities and, for each case, transforms the partial differential equation into a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs), which are straightforwardly solved using well-known ODE solvers. Study results demonstrate that the early transient behavior of gas systems, which dominate the behavior of unconventional reservoirs, can be successfully captured through similarity via Runge–Kutta.
PeerTalk: A Push-to-Talk and Instant Messaging Service for Tactical Networks

Mobile multi-service peer-to-peer architectures allow the establishment of multimedia sessions, like Push-to-Talk (PTT), Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) and Instant Messaging (IM), between a group of mobile peers with limited or no use of centralized servers. PTT enables several users on different peers to speak with each other while using a single, half-duplex, communication channel, such that only one user speaks at a time while all other users listen. Enabling PTT on this type of architecture for tactical networks provides reduced transmission delay, increased robustness and higher fault tolerance compared to hybrid and pure client-server architectures. There are many challenges facing the implementation of PTT/IM on tactical networks, given the intrinsic nature of unreliable and transiently connected communications that is typical of these environments. This paper presents a new approach called PeerTalk, a cross-platform service operating on a mobile multi-service peer-to-peer architecture enabling a robust, distributed PTT and IM service. The proposed approach is designed to operate efficiently and resiliently over cellular and Wi-Fi tactical networks.
Bacterial mutation and the synthesis of macromolecules.

An analysis was made of the effect of chloramphenicol on mutation in histidine-starvedE. coli from a histidine-dependent to a histidine-independent condition. Although mutations occurred in the absence of chloramphenicol, none could be found in its presence unless it was accompanied by a mixture of amino acids, excluding histidine. The role played by the amino acids was concluded to be twofold:
Psychology, negotiation, and peace

Abstract For a number of years psychologists and other behavioral scientists have contributed concepts and research methods for investigating the nature of conflict and ways of dealing with conflicts in more constructive and less costly ways. Since the end of World War II and throughout the Cold War, psychologists have focused increasingly on concepts that can be applied to international as well as interpersonal conflicts. Conflicts and decision making have both positive and negative aspects. Conflicts can prove costly, as in destructive wars, even though they sometimes provide social and personal benefits such as inventions and new social structures. In some settings, conflicts grow, sometimes with explosive force. Psychologists have developed tactics and strategies to describe and to deal with the processes involved, the escalation of conflicts into violence, and their deescalation through negotiation and mediation into mutually safisafactory resolution. Negotiation can prove to be an effective way to stop or resolve disputes to the mutual satisfaction of parties by means of discussion and reciprocal concessions between adversaries. Psychologists have studied such concepts as rationality, framing, distrust and trust, all as they relate to negotiation, mediation, and related forms of conflict resolution. Rationality, which can contribute to conflict resolution, comes in different forms, from optimizing to “satisficing.” Framing problems influences decisions. Trust and distrust can be crucial factors in the resolution of conflicts. Effective resolution of conflicts can contribute to the production and maintenance of peace and thus to improved quality of life.
Vestibular-Evoked Myogenic Potentials in Infancy and Early Childhood

Objective: Hearing impairment and the often concurrent loss of vestibular function, which is rarely assessed in infants, can both impair sensory integration critical to the development of normal motor coordination. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that vestibular function in infants can be noninvasively assessed using vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs). Our intentions were to demonstrate that VEMPs can be reliably recorded from neonates and to compare neonatal VEMPs with those obtained from normal adults. Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Myogenic evoked potentials induced by air- and bone-conducted auditory stimuli were recorded from the sternocleidomastoid muscles of 12 normal neonates and 12 neonates with various clinical findings. These included infants with bilateral atresia of the external auditory canals, Treacher-Collins syndrome, and neonates who failed universal neonatal screening. Results: With the exception of one patient with hearing loss, reproducible biphasic VEMPs were recorded from the sternocleidomastoid muscle of all the infants using loud, short tone-burst sounds. Conclusions: The VEMP has characteristics that differentiate it from the postauricular response and the Jaw reflex. The VEMPs were dominant on the side ipsilateral to the stimulated ear. The overall morphology of the neonatal VEMP is quite similar to that of adults. The major neonatal differences are a shorter latency of the n23 peak and higher amplitude variability. Our results suggest that recording of the VEMP in neonates with various audio-vestibular problems provides useful information about vestibular function in this population and may provide information that leads to better care and rehabilitation for neonates at risk of developmental and motor system delay.
The topographical organization and laminar origin of some cortico-amygdaloid connections

Injections of horseradish peroxidase were made into the basolateral nuclei of the amygdaloid complex in cats. It was shown that the periamygdaloid cortex immediately below the rhinal sulcus and extending medially to the amygdaloid fissure projects to the lateral nucleus. The rest of the periamygdaloid cortex medial to the amygdaloid fissure and including the cortical nucleus of the amygdala projects primarily to the basomedial nucleus. These cortico-amygdaloid projections originate in the deeper one-third of the cortex. No projections from the neocortex could be demonstrated.
Arabidopsis Protein Kinases GRIK1 and GRIK2 Specifically Activate SnRK1 by Phosphorylating Its Activation Loop

SNF1-related kinases (SnRK1s) play central roles in coordinating energy balance and nutrient metabolism in plants. SNF1 and AMPK, the SnRK1 homologs in budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and mammals, are activated by phosphorylation of conserved threonine residues in their activation loops. Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) GRIK1 and GRIK2, which were first characterized as geminivirus Rep interacting kinases, are phylogenetically related to SNF1 and AMPK activating kinases. In this study, we used recombinant proteins produced in bacteria to show that both GRIKs specifically bind to the SnRK1 catalytic subunit and phosphorylate the equivalent threonine residue in its activation loop in vitro. GRIK-mediated phosphorylation increased SnRK1 kinase activity in autophosphorylation and peptide substrate assays. These data, together with earlier observations that GRIKs could complement yeast mutants lacking SNF1 activation activities, established that the GRIKs are SnRK1 activating kinases. Given that the GRIK proteins only accumulate in young tissues and geminivirus-infected mature leaves, the GRIK-SnRK1 cascade may function in a developmentally regulated fashion and coordinate the unique metabolic requirements of rapidly growing cells and geminivirus-infected cells that have been induced to reenter the cell cycle.
Primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube in an adolescent

Only three cases of adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tube in an adolescent have been reported previously in the literature, and we report the fourth such case. The main presenting symptom in those patients was lower abdominal pain. Type of therapy and outcome of these four cases is reviewed. The small number of patients precludes definitive conclusion on optimal therapy. For this reason, we urge continued reporting of cases to insure the formation of concrete therapeutic recommendations.
A NOTE ON APPROXIMATION OF FULL INFORMATION MAXIMUM LIKELIHOOD ESTIMATES

Summary The method of scoring introduced by R. A. Fisher and C. R. Rao is useful to find solutions from complicated maximum likelihood equations. The purpose of this note is to indicate the implications of this technique in econometrics. For example the linearized maximum likelihood LML estimates of Rothenberg and Leenders (1) are only special values of Rao's estimates.
Sleep fragmentation in the elderly: Relationship to daytime sleep tendency

Sleep in the elderly is known to be disturbed, and many elderly persons also complain of daytime sleepiness. The present study assessed sleep and waking behavior in 12 male (aged 63 to 86) and 12 female (ages 63 to 82) subjects. Sleep stages, respiration, and movement were recorded at night, and daytime sleep tendency was measured using the Multiple Sleep Latency Test during a single 24-hour period. Daytime sleepiness did not correlate with total sleep time or any sleep stage, but was significantly correlated with measures of sleep fragmentation. The latter included transient arousals, a measure of less than 15-sec awakenings, and sleep-related respiration disturbance. These findings suggest that fragmented nocturnal sleep is a significant cause of reduced daytime well-being in elderly individuals. The continuity of both sleep and wakefulness appears to be disrupted with age. Experimental strategies for achieving a rational sleep hygiene are discussed.
Recognizing ovarian cancer from co-registered ultrasound andphotoacoustic images

Unique features in co-registered ultrasound and photoacoustic images of ex vivo ovarian tissue are introduced, along with the hypotheses of how these features may relate to the physiology of tumors. The images are compressed with wavelet transform, after which the mean Radon transform of the photoacoustic image is computed and fitted with a Gaussian function to find the centroid of the suspicious area for shift-invariant recognition process. In the next step, 24 features are extracted from a training set of images by several methods; including features from the Fourier domain, image statistics, and the outputs of different composite filters constructed from the joint frequency response of different cancerous images. The features were chosen from more than 400 training images obtained from 33 ex vivo ovaries of 24 patients, and used to train a support vector machine (SVM) structure. The SVM classifier was able to exclusively separate the cancerous from the non-cancerous cases with 100% sensitivity and specificity. At the end, the classifier was used to test 95 new images, obtained from 37 ovaries of 20 additional patients. The SVM classifier achieved 76.92% sensitivity and 95.12% specificity. Furthermore, if we assume that recognizing one image as a cancerous case is sufficient to consider the ovary as malignant, then the SVM classifier achieves 100% sensitivity and 87.88% specificity.
Usage of Nutrition Labels by Rural Southern Elderly

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: The purpose of this abstract is to describe the extent of usage of nutrition labels by rural, southern elderly, and the products on which they most often read it. Since toe introduction of the new nutrition label much emphasis has been placed on bringing it to the public's attention. The purpose of this study was to determine whether rural elders in nine southern states were reading nutrition labels and, if so, for which nutrients and products they were most often used. A three-stage, stratified sample design was used to select counties and number of participants in each state. The sample consisted of 1763 independently living elders. The survey instrument used a Likert-type scale to measure the frequency of label usage, and included a demographic questionnaire. Statistics for the variables gender and marital status were computed using SPSS. Sixty-three percent of the respondents said they sometimes, often or always read nutrition labels. Only 19 percent said they never read it, and 4 percent said they have never seen it. The participants always or often looked at the sodium (44%), cholesterol (44%), total fat (42%), sugar (39%), or saturated fat content (38%). They were least concerned about the serving size and the vitamin/mineral content, as indicated by 45 and 42 percent, respectively, saying they rarely or never read that part. Elders reported that they often or always read labels on butter/margarine (40%), cereal (37%), and/or salad dressing (34%). The greatest percentage of respondents said they rarely or never read labels on snack foods, cheese, fresh fruits/vegetables, or dessert items. Some respondents said they have never seen a nutrition label on fresh fruits/vegetables (18%) or raw meat (14%), foods for which it is currently included on a voluntary basis. Many elders (26%) said they never buy frozen dinners, thus never read the label on them. In general, those persons who were married with a spouse in the household read labels more frequently than did those who were living separately, or were widowed or divorced. A significantly greater number of males reported rarely or never reading the nutrition label. If they read it, they most frequently looked at the salt/sodium content. It is evident from this study that, although the majority of southern elderly in rural areas are at least familiar with nutrition labels, they are not using them to their fullest extent. An intensive educational program aimed specifically at their needs is recommended.