cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cancer statistics for African Americans, 2019

In the United States, African American/black individuals bear a disproportionate share of the cancer burden, having the highest death rate and the lowest survival rate of any racial or ethnic group for most cancers. To monitor progress in reducing these inequalities, every 3 years the American Cancer Society provides the estimated number of new cancer cases and deaths for blacks in the United States and the most recent data on cancer incidence, mortality, survival, screening, and risk factors using data from the National Cancer Institute, the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, and the National Center for Health Statistics. In 2019, approximately 202,260 new cases of cancer and 73,030 cancer deaths are expected to occur among blacks in the United States. During 2006 through 2015, the overall cancer incidence rate decreased faster in black men than in white men (2.4% vs 1.7% per year), largely due to the more rapid decline in lung cancer. In contrast, the overall cancer incidence rate was stable in black women (compared with a slight increase in white women), reflecting increasing rates for cancers of the breast, uterine corpus, and pancreas juxtaposed with declining trends for cancers of the lung and colorectum. Overall cancer death rates declined faster in blacks than whites among both males (2.6% vs 1.6% per year) and females (1.5% vs 1.3% per year), largely driven by greater declines for cancers of the lung, colorectum, and prostate. Consequently, the excess risk of overall cancer death in blacks compared with whites dropped from 47% in 1990 to 19% in 2016 in men and from 19% in 1990 to 13% in 2016 in women. Moreover, the black-white cancer disparity has been nearly eliminated in men <50 years and women ≥70 years. Twenty-five years of continuous declines in the cancer death rate among black individuals translates to more than 462,000 fewer cancer deaths. Continued progress in reducing disparities will require expanding access to high-quality prevention, early detection, and treatment for all Americans.
Synthesis and Characterization of the Platinum-Substituted Keggin Anion α-H2SiPtW11O404-.

Acidification of an aqueous solution of K8SiW11O39 and K2Pt(OH)6 to pH 4 followed by addition of excess Me4NCl yields a solid mixture of Me4N+ (TBA) salts of H2SiPtW11O404- (I) and SiW12O404- (II).
A dynamic view of the proteomic landscape during differentiation of ReNcell VM cells, an immortalized human neural progenitor line

The immortalized human ReNcell VM cell line represents a reproducible and easy-to-propagate cell culture system for studying the differentiation of neural progenitors. To better characterize the starting line and its subsequent differentiation, we assessed protein and phospho-protein levels and cell morphology over a 15-day period during which ReNcell progenitors differentiated into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Five of the resulting datasets measured protein levels or states of phosphorylation based on tandem-mass-tag (TMT) mass spectrometry and four datasets characterized cellular phenotypes using high-content microscopy. Proteomic analysis revealed reproducible changes in pathways responsible for cytoskeletal rearrangement, cell phase transitions, neuronal migration, glial differentiation, neurotrophic signalling and extracellular matrix regulation. Proteomic and imaging data revealed accelerated differentiation in cells treated with the poly-selective CDK and GSK3 inhibitor kenpaullone or the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor mevastatin, both of which have previously been reported to promote neural differentiation. These data provide in-depth information on the ReNcell progenitor state and on neural differentiation in the presence and absence of drugs, setting the stage for functional studies.
New Music System Reveals Spectral Contribution to Statistical Learning

Knowledge of language and music depends upon the ability to perceive relationships between sounds in order to form a stable mental representation of grammatical structure. Although abundant evidence exists for the learning of statistical structure (specifically event probability structure) from units of sounds, little research has explored what constitutes a distinct unit of sound. Here we show that spectral content is an important cue within sound units for acquiring a stable mental representation of sound structure. Tone sequences in a novel scale were constructed and presented to participants on three different timbres with spectral cues that were either congruent with the scale structure, incongruent with the scale structure, or did not contain spectral cues (neutral). Participants completed probe tone ratings before and after a half-hour period of exposure to melodies in the artificial grammar, using timbres that were either congruent, incongruent, or neutral. Learning outcome was assessed by correlating pre/post-exposure ratings and the statistical structure of tones within the exposure period. Participants did best at learning with congruent timbres, and worst with incongruent timbres. Results show that spectral content is a useful cue for statistical learning, and suggest that the frequency structure of sounds might be acquired through exposure to spectral distribution in natural sounds.
Performance Impact of Coexistence Groups in a GAA-GAA Coexistence Scheme in the CBRS Band

The General Authorized Access (GAA) users in the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) band are the lowest priority users. They must make sure that they do not cause harmful interference to the higher tier users while cooperating with each other to minimize potential interference among themselves. Thus, efficient GAA coexistence scheme is essential for the operation of GAA users and to obtain high spectrum utilization. Towards this goal, the Wireless Innovation Forum (WInnForum) has recommended three schemes to facilitate GAA-GAA coexistence. We had reported a performance study of one of these schemes (called Approach 1), but that study did not have any Coexistence Group (CxG). A CxG is responsible for managing interference among its CBRS devices (CBSDs). In this paper, we study the performance of Approach 1 without CxGs as well as with different number of CxGs, in various configurations. We conduct our study around two locations in the USA using actual terrain and land cover data of the continental USA. We evaluate performance of the scheme at different deployment densities, using different propagation models at those two locations with different number of CxGs. We provide some interesting insights into the costs and benefits of having CxGs in the deployment.
Treatment Outcomes in Septic Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle in People Who Inject Drugs

Background:Although injection drug use (IDU) is a known risk factor for septic arthritis (SA) of the foot and ankle (F&A), disease and hospitalization outcomes are poorly characterized. We evaluate...
Glycemic variability is associated with poor outcomes in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients

Background Among pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients, abnormal glycemic control is shown to be associated with increased risk of transplant-related mortality, death from any cause, risk of infection, increased hospitalized, and intensive care days. Independent effects of higher glycemic variability, a component of glycemic control, have not been described. This study aimed to characterize risk factors for, and consequences of, higher glycemic variability in HSCT patients. Procedure Medical records for a cohort of 344 patients, age 0-30 years, who underwent first HSCT from 2007 to 2016 at Children's Hospital Colorado were retrospectively reviewed. Glucose coefficients of variation (CV) were analyzed for HSCT days -14 to 0 and 0-30, and patients were assessed for potential risk factors and outcomes. Results Roughly one-third of patients had pre-HSCT and day 0-30 glucose CV above the reported healthy adult range. Independent of HSCT type, doubling of pre-HSCT glucose CV was associated with a 4.91-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40-17.24) increased hazard of infection, as well as increased risk for intensive care hospitalization for allogenic HSCT patients. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that allogeneic HSCT patients had a 1.40- and 1.38-fold (95% CI, 0.98-1.99 and 1.00-1.91) increased hazard of death for every doubling of pre-HSCT and day 0-30 glucose CV, respectively. Conclusions Just as with higher mean glucose, higher glycemic variability in the pediatric HSCT population is independently associated with significantly increased morbidity. Additional research is required to evaluate the utility of glucose control to mitigate these relationships and improve HSCT outcomes.
A systematic feature extraction and selection framework for data-driven whole-building automated fault detection and diagnostics in commercial buildings

Abstract In data-driven automated fault detection and diagnostics (AFDD) modeling for building energy systems, feature engineering is a critical process of extracting information from high-dimensional and noisy sensor measurement and turning it into informative and representative inputs or features for data-driven modeling. However, few studies specifically discuss the feature engineering, especially the interactions between feature extraction and feature selection in whole-building AFDD. We developed a systematic feature extraction and selection framework for whole-building AFDD. In this framework, features are aggressively extracted from raw sensor data using statistical feature extraction techniques with various window sizes and statistics. With many features extracted, a hybrid feature selection algorithm that combines the filter and wrapper method then selects the best feature set. The framework considers diversity in the duration of fault behavior among fault types in whole-building AFDD, thus achieving high model generalization. We implemented our developed framework in a virtual testbed calibrated with measured data from Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Flexible Research Platform designed to mimic the operation of a typical small commercial building. The AFDD model is trained by the simulation data generated from the virtual testbed. The results show that (1) the developed framework improves the generalization of the AFDD model by 10.7% compared with literature-reported feature extraction and selection methods and (2) features with diverse window sizes and statistics are selected, providing insight into physical systems beyond the current understanding of buildings and faults and improving the detection and diagnostics of multiple fault types.
A Museum of Stem Cells Points to Muse Cells as Robust Transplantable Cells for Stroke: Review

Stem cell-based therapy stands as a robust experimental treatment for ischemic stroke. Stem cells derived from fetal, embryonic, and adult tissues serve as potential sources for transplantable cells in the setting of ischemic stroke. However, the search continues for finding an optimal cell line for clinical use. Muse cells, a distinct subset of mesenchymal stem cells found sporadically in the connective tissue of nearly every organ, may be a suitable candidate due to its safety and accessibility. These cells have been investigated for therapeutic usage in chronic kidney disease, liver disease, acute myocardial infarction, and stroke. Muse cells display the ability to engraft and differentiate into the host neural network unlike many other cell lines which only display bystander immunomodulating effects. Taking advantage of this unique engraftment and differentiation mechanism behind Muse cells' therapeutic effects on the central nervous system, as well as other organ systems, will undoubtedly advance the cells' utility for cell-based regenerative medicine in stroke.
Ricci-flat Kähler metrics on crepant resolutions of Kähler cones

We prove that a crepant resolution π : Y → X of a Ricci-flat Kahler cone X admits a complete Ricci-flat Kahler metric asymptotic to the cone metric in every Kahler class in $${H^2_c(Y,\mathbb{R})}$$ . A Kahler cone $${(X,\bar{g})}$$ is a metric cone over a Sasaki manifold (S, g), i.e. $${X=C(S):=S\times\mathbb{R}_{ >0 }}$$ with $${\bar{g}=dr^2 +r^2 g}$$ , and $${(X,\bar{g})}$$ is Ricci-flat precisely when (S, g) Einstein of positive scalar curvature. This result contains as a subset the existence of ALE Ricci-flat Kahler metrics on crepant resolutions $${\pi:Y\rightarrow X=\mathbb{C}^n /\Gamma}$$ , with $${\Gamma\subset SL(n,\mathbb{C})}$$ , due to P. Kronheimer (n = 2) and D. Joyce (n > 2). We then consider the case when X = C(S) is toric. It is a result of A. Futaki, H. Ono, and G. Wang that any Gorenstein toric Kahler cone admits a Ricci-flat Kahler cone metric. It follows that if a toric Kahler cone X = C(S) admits a crepant resolution π : Y → X, then Y admits a T n -invariant Ricci-flat Kahler metric asymptotic to the cone metric $${(X,\bar{g})}$$ in every Kahler class in $${H^2_c(Y,\mathbb{R})}$$ . A crepant resolution, in this context, is a simplicial fan refining the convex polyhedral cone defining X. We then list some examples which are easy to construct using toric geometry.
Putin and the West: The Politics of Eurasianism

Russia's 2014 military interventions in Ukraine have been economically costly, leading many Western journalists and scholars to conclude, hastily, that Vladimir Putin is an irrational actor. In response, this essay explores political and ideological reasons that might account for Putin's decisions. It focuses on the idea of Eurasianism, especially as formulated by the anti-liberal, anti-modern political theorist Aleksandr Dugin. Dugin's high public profile and government connections have led to speculations that Putin is directly influenced by his thought, which draws freely on twentieth-century communist and fascist ideology. Like Dugin, Putin hopes for the reunification of Greater Russia in the form of the Eurasian Union. However, Putin's words as well as his actions suggest that his Eurasianism is political, not ideological; his use of force in Ukraine was the result of pragmatic calculation, not principled anti-Western sentiment.
Isolated ovarian vein thrombosis in COVID-19 infection

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease-19) is associated with an increased risk for thrombosis due to endothelial dysfunction and hyperactivation of the immune system induced by the virus. Most cases of venous thromboembolism associated with COVID-19 are either pulmonary emboli or deep vein thromboses. Ovarian vein thrombosis is a rare condition most commonly seen in the postpartum period. This report describes a case of COVID-19-associated ovarian vein thrombosis in a nonpregnant woman with no evidence of underlying inherited coagulopathy.
Fluid-filled breast: A unique clinical presentation of invasive micropapillary carcinoma.

Abstract Invasive micropapillary carcinoma is a rare variant of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. This variant has been described as clinically aggressive due to its high frequency of lymphovascular invasion, axillary nodal metastases, and a greater degree of loco-regional recurrence. Invasive micropapillary carcinoma can have a variety of imaging presentations, typically presenting as an irregular mass. This case report describes a unique presentation of invasive micropapillary carcinoma and illustrates the propensity of invasive micropapillary carcinoma to secrete fluid and have a lack of regional lymphadenopathy. The challenges of the accompanying diagnostic imaging-work up are discussed.
Using Scientific Visualization to Enhance the Teaching and Learning of Core Concepts

Scientific visualization is a particular type of information representation that involves the use of static and dynamic visual and graphical media. To develop fluency with scientific visualization, one needs to develop the ability to interpret, analyze, and construct meaning from appropriate visual representations. Results from the cognitive sciences and discipline-based education research indicate that visual images help us learn and reason. We present vignettes from a variety of higher education perspectives in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines that illustrate the use of scientific visualizations in different settings. In particular, the cases illustrate how faculty recognized that a lack of media literacy was impairing student success and then responded by embedding the teaching of those skills into course content. In this chapter, we move from basic interpretation of x–y line graphs in mathematics, physics, and chemistry courses to learning biology from animated simulations and student-generated digital videos to explain neuroscience concepts. Practitioners reading this chapter will gain instructional insight into the challenges students encounter when learning and strategies that faculty can employ to overcome those challenges.
DOCSCOLLAB : UMA FERRAMENTA DE AUXÍLIO À EDIÇÃO COLABORATIVA

Ferramentas de suporte a edicao colaborativa visam contribuir para o desenvolvimento da expressao escrita, habilidade tao necessaria em todas as disciplinas e niveis educacionais. Este artigo propoe um estudo sobre editores colaborativos e apresenta uma ferramenta web simples que adiciona novas funcionalidades de coordenacao, cooperacao e comunicacao ao Google Docs. A ferramenta desenvolvida possibilita a criacao de um forum de discussao cujos topicos estejam vinculados a documentos em processo de edicao. Alem disso, ela permite a criacao de uma arvore de alocacao de tarefas que auxilia no gerenciamento das atividades do grupo envolvido na edicao colaborativa de documentos. A ferramenta e operacional e esta disponivel para usuarios atraves de sua instalacao em servidor local.
Improved performance of a temperature compensated LN/sub 2/ cooled sapphire oscillator

We report on improved stability in a whispering gallery sapphire resonator for which the dominant WGH/sub nll/ microwave mode family shows frequency-stable, compensated operation for temperatures above 77 K. Several modifications during the past year have led to significant improvements in performance. Current tests with improved thermal stability provide Allan Deviation of frequency of 2.6-4/spl middot/10/sup -13/ for measurement times of 1/spl les//spl tau//spl les/100 seconds. We project a frequency stability of 10/sup -14/ for this resonator with stabilized housing temperature and with a mode Q of 10/sup 7/.
Spectra of Individual Symbiotic Stars

In connection with the discussion of the individual symbiotic stars, we present low resolution, flux calibrated spectra and high resolution H α profiles for each of 12 objects.
Focal adhesion kinase can play unique and opposing roles in regulating the morphology of differentiating oligodendrocytes

During development cells of the oligodendrocyte lineage undergo significant changes in morphology when they differentiate from migratory oligodendrocyte progenitors, which are mostly bipolar, into post-migratory pre-myelinating oligodendrocytes, which extend complex and expanded process networks, and then finally into mature oligodendrocytes, which generate myelin sheaths required for efficient signal propagation within the nervous system. This extensive morphological remodeling occurs in the context of a complex extracellular environment and requires significant rearrangement of the cell's cytoskeleton. The molecular mechanisms underlying this intricate integration of signals, however, remain poorly understood. A key regulator of extracellular matrix to cytoskeleton signaling is the non-receptor tyrosine kinase FAK (focal adhesion kinase). Here, we report that FAK can regulate the morphology of differentiating post-migratory pre-myelinating oligodendrocytes in a unique and opposing fashion that is dependent on the nature of the extracellular matrix and mediated largely by FAK's catalytic activity. More specifically, FAK was found to restrict process network expansion in the presence of fibronectin but to promote morphological maturation in the presence of laminin-2. In addition, FAK's restraining role predominated for postnatal day 3-derived cells, while its maturation promoting role prevailed for postnatal day 5-derived cells. Taken together, our findings reveal a complex role of FAK in regulating the morphology of post-migratory pre-myelinating oligodendrocytes.
The specific alkylation by iodoacetamide of histidine-12 in the active site of ribonuclease.

Alkylation of ribonuclease A by iodoacetamide at pH 5.5 yields two products: inactive 3-carboxamidomethylhistidine-12-ribonuclease and fully active S-carboxamidomethyl-methionine ribonuclease. No derivative substituted at histidine-119 was detected. This is in marked contrast to the products obtained on alkylation by iodoacetate at pH 5.5. The rate of alkylation of histidine in ribonuclease by iodoacetamide is about 1% that of iodoacetate, but the reaction is nevertheless facilitated since it is 10 to 100 times greater than the rate of alkylation of free histidine. The rate of alkylation of histidine-12 by iodoacetamide reaches a maximum at pH 5 to 5.5 and then decreases as the pH is increased. The rate is depressed by the presence of sodium chloride below about pH 5.5 but is unaffected above this pH. The dependence upon pH of this rate of alkylation of histidine-12 indicated that groups ionizing with apparent pK values of 3.5 to 4.3 and 6.2 ± 0.2 are involved in maintaining the reactive form of the enzyme. One explanation of the facilitated reaction is an interaction between the dipole of the amide group of the reagent and a dipole on the protein surface. This explanation is supported by the observation that acetamide inhibits the alkylation of histidine-12 by iodoacetamide. It is consistent with previous interpretations of the facilitated reactions of halo acids at either histidine-12 or at histidine-119 to suggest that it is a dipolar orientation of iodoacetamide by histidine-119 and an adjacent carboxyl group which is responsible for the unexpected specificity of iodoacetamide for histidine-12. The rate of alkylation of methionine in ribonuclease by iodoacetamide at 24° was found to be approximately constant between pH 2.3 and 7.0, and independent of sodium chloride and acetamide concentrations. This fact indicates that only minor or very localized conformational changes can be occurring in the region of the methionine residue that has undergone alkylation.
Manufacturing equipment control using extended regulator theory for discrete event systems

The regulator theory for finite automata was established by Gatto and Guardabusi using primarily graph-theoretic arguments. The authors have developed an algebraic extension to Gatto and Guardabusi's results using a partial difference equation (PDE) model. Algebraic procedures have been established to determine the controllability as well as to find an optimal control sequence. A feedback control law can be obtained under the assumption of a full state observation. The conditions for the existence of a linear control law have been developed. This paper presents how these concepts can be applied to control manufacturing equipment. In this case, the system, including the plant, the control console and the controller, is modeled by finite state machines. An optimal homing sequence under an emergency stop is found. A nonlinear feedback control law is given as well. >
Interactions between stochastic and deterministic processes in stream fish community assembly

Numerous studies have attempted to determine whether stream fish communities are structured primarily by deterministic or stochastic processes. Previous work has assumed that stream fish communities will show either persistence about an equilibrium because of strong density-dependent processes or random variation in structure as a result of environmental stochasticity. In a 10-year study of a California stream, fish community structure changed under the influence of storm-induced high discharge events that impacted recruitment. Species' relative abundances were altered as pre-recruitment stream discharges differentially influenced year-class strength among species with contrasting life histories. Simulation of stream fish community assembly under flow-driven recruitment variation indicates that community structure will vary depending on how particular high-flow events affect species' relative abundances and ongoing density-dependent processes, including competition and predation. Results suggest that stream fish communities are likely to show alternate states rather than a single persistent equilibrium. However, community assembly will not be random but will depend on situation-specific interactions between density-independent and density-dependent processes.
On the analysis of unrestricted mixed cultures in determining the fitness of microbial mutants

Equations describing the growth of two microbial strains in unrestricted mixed culture are developed and their use described. With this treatment, mixed cultures maintained in growth by periodic dilution or by use of a turbidostat may be used to obtain a quantitative measure of the adaptive or maladaptive effects of specific mutant alleles.
Expanding the recommendations for annual influenza vaccination to school-age children in the United States.

BACKGROUND Despite long-standing recommendations to vaccinate children who have underlying chronic medical conditions or who are contacts of high-risk persons, vaccination coverage among school-age children remains low. Community studies have indicated that school-age children have the highest incidence of influenza and are an important source of amplifying and sustaining community transmission that affects all age groups. METHODS A consultation to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a universal recommendation for annual influenza vaccination of all children age ≥6 months was held in Atlanta, Georgia, in September 2007. Consultants provided summaries of current data on vaccine effectiveness, safety, supply, successful program implementation, and economics studies and discussed challenges associated with continuing a risk- and contact-based vaccination strategy compared with a universal vaccination recommendation. RESULTS Consultants noted that school-age children had a substantial illness burden caused by influenza, that vaccine was safe and effective for children aged 6 months through 18 years, and that evidence suggested that vaccinating school-age children would provide benefits to both the vaccinated children and their unvaccinated household and community contacts. However, implementation of an annual recommendation for all school-age children would pose major challenges to parents, medical providers and health care systems. Alternative vaccination venues were needed, and of these school-located vaccination programs might offer the most promise as an alternative vaccination site for school-age children. CONCLUSIONS Expansion of recommendations to include all school-age children will require additional development of an infrastructure to support implementation and methods to adequately evaluate impact.
Differential interactions of nitric oxide donors with rat oxyhemoglobin.

To estimate the reaction of two primary redox-related species of nitric oxide (i.e. NO+ vs NO*) from a variety of NO donors, we employed the differential interactions of these NO forms with oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb) as a chemical assay. NO+ formation was estimated by the S-nitrosation reaction with oxyHb, and NO* formation via its reaction with the oxygen-heme complex of oxyHb. Under the conditions employed, all NO donors caused concentration-dependent formation of methemoglobin, indicative of NO* liberation. However, the extent of S-nitrosation was substantially different among the NO donors studied. A representative S-nitrosothiol, S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine, caused significantly more S-nitrosation than nitroglycerin, isobutyl nitrite, sodium nitroprusside, and 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (ANOVA, P < 0.05). These results indicated that NO donors can differ in their interactions with oxyHb, and possibly with other target proteins, in part because they liberate or transfer different ratios of NO redox forms. This difference may contribute, in part, to the diversity of pharmacological effects elicited by NO donors.
Outsourcing relationships between American and Chinese companies

Outsourcing relationships between American and Chinese companies were studied using interviews and surveys. The data showed that American companies focus on labor costs and quality when making a decision to outsource production to a Chinese firm. Chinese firms secure American business by offering the lowest price possible. American firms were found to be generally pleased with cost performance of their outsourcing relationships, but less pleased with lead times of outsourced products. In addition, communication between the American and Chinese firms and employee training at Chinese firms are viewed as needing improvement.
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Does not Improve Preoperative Prostate Cancer Staging: A Clinicopathological Molecular Analysis of 121 Patients

AbstractPurpose: To improve on current staging and monitoring methods for prostate cancer, we applied the technique of quantitative polymerase chain reaction to measure the degree of tumor burden in the circulation and correlate this with pathological tumor stage. A reproducible, highly sensitive and specific, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction amplification technique to quantify prostate specific antigen (PSA) and prostate specific membrane antigen gene expression in the peripheral circulation was developed. Using a32 phosphorus-gamma-adenosine triphosphate-5'PSA and prostate specific membrane antigen primer incorporation assay, the ribonucleic acid signal extracted from a single neoplastic cell (LNCaP) premixed in 10 cc normal whole blood could be amplified. PSA and prostate specific membrane antigen polymerase chain reaction indexes have been created for clinical application.Materials and Methods: From September 1994 through July 1995 specimens from 121 patients were prospectively analyzed...
Tunneling estimates of paramagnon suppression of superconductivity in transition metals

Abstract New experimental estimates are given of the separate electron-phonon (λ ph ) and paramagnon (λ S ) contributions to mass renormalization for the transition metals Nb and V, from recent tunneling results. Our analysis, which is the first of its kind, is based on the recent demonstration of Daams, Mitrovic, and Carbotte of a simple rescaling of the Eliashberg equations using an effective coupling parameter λ ph (1+λ S ) . The results provide a consistent picture of superconductivity in these transition elements from tunneling, in substantially improved agreement with other measurements. We conclude that spin fluctuations reduce the electron-phonon T c values in Nb and V by 25% and 45%, respectively.
Polymorphonuclear leukocyte function during cytomegalovirus mononucleosis

Abstract Peripheral blood leukocytes from three patients with cytomegalovirus (CMV) mononucleosis were examined for their functional capacity in vitro . Cells from the three patients functioned within the expected normal range as measured by phagocytosis, reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium, and chemotaxis. CMV was isolated from the polymorphonuclear-rich cell fraction of the blood of two of the three CMV mononucleosis patients. Thus, CMV mononucleosis does not appear to lead to an inhibition of polymorphonuclear leukocyte function as measured by these standard criteria.
The chain of scientific discovery: the critical role of the physician-scientist.

Welcome, and thank you for joining us for the 2001 Scientific Sessions. It is a pleasure and a privilege for me to stand before you today, an honor for which I am indeed grateful. For many years, pioneers of scientific achievement and distinguished colleagues have gathered in this forum to share knowledge, discoveries, and insights. As a result, the Scientific Sessions have grown to be the largest gatherings of cardiovascular scientists and healthcare professionals in the world. Joining together here, we are of one mind in our mission; though perhaps differing in some areas, we share a strong mutual respect. This professionalism, dedication, and tireless work ethic ultimately bring about extraordinary outcomes. As healers, scientists, and practitioners of medicine, we are challenged with fighting disease, curing illness, and bettering the human condition. However, as you are all too painfully aware, since September 11th, we have been in the midst of a crisis that plagues our world. It is an environment that makes it difficult to fully focus our attentions on fighting heart disease and stroke, jobs that are certainly daunting enough. It is my fervent desire that our shared value of human life will one day be shared throughout the world. I am frequently reminded of John Lennon’s famous song “Imagine,” where he says, “Imagine all the people, sharing all the world.” His lyrics remind us of our purpose this week, which is the free and open sharing of research and discoveries, asking of questions, and seeking of answers, all with the goal of making our world a better place. In our profession, we are sometimes called to be teachers and sometimes to be students. In some cases, we may have the answers that others seek; at other times, we seek answers from those who may be wiser or more …
Computational Redesign of the SHV-1 β-Lactamase/ β-Lactamase Inhibitor Protein Interface

Beta-lactamases are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of beta-lactam antibiotics. beta-lactamase/beta-lactamase inhibitor protein (BLIP) complexes are emerging as a well characterized experimental model system for studying protein-protein interactions. BLIP is a 165 amino acid protein that inhibits several class A beta-lactamases with a wide range of affinities: picomolar affinity for K1; nanomolar affinity for TEM-1, SME-1, and BlaI; but only micromolar affinity for SHV-1 beta-lactamase. The large differences in affinity coupled with the availability of extensive mutagenesis data and high-resolution crystal structures for the TEM-1/BLIP and SHV-1/BLIP complexes make them attractive systems for the further development of computational design methodology. We used EGAD, a physics-based computational design program, to redesign BLIP in an attempt to increase affinity for SHV-1. Characterization of several of designs and point mutants revealed that in all cases, the mutations stabilize the interface by 10- to 1000-fold relative to wild type BLIP. The calculated changes in binding affinity for the mutants were within a mean absolute error of 0.87 kcal/mol from the experimental values, and comparison of the calculated and experimental values for a set of 30 SHV-1/BLIP complexes yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.77. Structures of the two complexes with the highest affinity, SHV-1/BLIP (E73M) and SHV-1/BLIP (E73M, S130K, S146M), are presented at 1.7 A resolution. While the predicted structures have much in common with the experimentally determined structures, they do not coincide perfectly; in particular a salt bridge between SHV-1 D104 and BLIP K74 is observed in the experimental structures, but not in the predicted design conformations. This discrepancy highlights the difficulty of modeling salt bridge interactions with a protein design algorithm that approximates side chains as discrete rotamers. Nevertheless, while local structural features of the interface were sometimes miscalculated, EGAD is globally successful in designing complexes with increased affinity.
Fatigue Crack Identification in Tensile-Shear Spot Welded Joints by Dynamic Response Characteristics

A theoretical model for the estimation of fatigue crack length of tensile-shear spot welded specimen is developed which incorporates the natural frequency and mode variation. The model is based on the concept that the propagation of cracks causes a release of strain energy, which is related to the structural modal shape. The effect of the structural mode shape and crack location is also explained. The model, experimental, and finite element results indicate that the existence of cracks cause the reduction of natural frequencies and change of natural modes, and that the mode shape of the structure and crack location will affect the magnitude of the change of these dynamic variables. The predictions of the model are compared with the experimental data and finite element analysis results and agreement is found to be consistent.
A study of decision error in selective game tree search

Abstract In this paper, we study decision errors caused by the omission of part of the legal candidate moves and the inaccuracy of static evaluation in a selective minimax game tree search. Error upper bounds are presented in Section 2. A simple game tree model, which captures some basic characteristics of the Go game tree, is introduced in Section 3 for a decision error simulation study. Section 4 presents the result of this simulation study, which shows that a global selective search can be effective for game trees similar to this model. The result also reveals the existence of pathology in selective minimax game tree search.
The nutrient supply of the chick visual system: responses to form and light deprivation.

Abstract Blood flow and uptake of two nutrient analogues have been studied in the neural retina, pigment epithelium and optic lobes of 5–7-day-old chicks after systemic administration of isotopically labeled compounds. The pigment epithelium accumulated the inert amino acid, α-aminoisobutyric acid, 6 times as effectively on a wet weight basis than did the neural retina or optic lobes. However, the neural retina was over 3 times as active in transport of deoxyglucose as was either the pigment epithelium or optic lobe. These differences could not be attributed to variations in blood flow since the penetrance of the freely diffusible antipyrine was low in the neural retina and roughly equal in the vascularized epithelium and optic lobes. Two days of unilateral eyelid suture significantly depressed blood flow and deoxyglucose uptake in the optic lobe innervated by the occluded eye. The neural retina of the eye receiving reduced light input also had a reduced level of deoxyglucose accumulation but the capacity to concentrate α-aminoisobutyrate was increased. The corresponding dark-adapted pigment epithelium had a major (48%) increase in the uptake of this inert amino acid. The data show that regional glucose utilization may not be directly proportional to blood flow or glucose diffusion rates. The non-vascularized neural retina possesses an unusually powerful glucose transport mechanism while the pigment epithelium has a high capacity for amino acid accumulation.
The effect of surfactants on the breakup of cylinders and jets

Abstract The effect of an insoluble surfactant on the breakup rate of cylinders and jets is analyzed theoretically. It is found that the surfactant generally slows down the breakup. For the case of a very viscous fluid, the effect of a compressible surface film is to fractionally decrease the breakup rate by an amount equal to the ratio of the surface pressure II to the mean surface tension σ; whereas if the film is incompressible, there is a much larger, first order effect. For low viscosity fluids, surfactants decrease the breakup rate only to a minor degree.
The impact of US-EU "Open Skies" agreement on airline market structures and airline networks.

Abstract The gradual liberalization of international air transport has largely benefited the traveling public. Progress since the development of concepts such as “Open Skies” in the late 1970s as an alternative to the restrictive bilateral air service agreements that had effectively controlled most international air transport since the mid-1940s has been uneven and spasmodic. The recent move to open the North Atlantic more fully to competition has proved a particularly challenging task, and the agreement between the US and the European Union is still both partial and conditional. This paper offers an overview of the economics of the situation and provides insights into the reasons why it has developed in the way it has, the outcomes that we may expect from it, and some consideration of the wider, non-commercial, impacts that it may have.
LOCALIZATION OF DEHYDROGENASE AND ACID PHOSPHATASE IN THE ABSCISSION ZONE OF BEAN LEAVES

A B S T R A C T Leaf abscission in Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. 'Contender' is associated with enzymatic changes during and prior to separation. Deblading resulted in a localized increase in dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase in the abscission zone. Increased enzyme activities were observed 24-48 hr after deblading. In debladed plants separation was complete in 6-8 days. At separation, dehydrogenase activity appeared to decrease and localization was specific to the protective layer, while the petiole side had no activity. In contrast, acid phosphatase activity was observed in some layers of cells on the petiole side after separation. Ethylene treatment promoted abscission and separation occurred in 24-48 hr in both debladed and intact plants. No protective layer was formed during ethylene-induced abscission. Enzymatic changes similar to those observed in debladed control plants were observed with ethylene treatment. Ethylene induced an additional abscission layer between the pulvinus and petiole, where an abscission layer normally does not form. In this ethylene-induced abscission layer, similar enzyme activities were detected. ABSCISSION involves orderly changes that are unique to the area where separation occurs. Various lines of evidence suggest that abscission may involve precise regulation of cellular senescence. This applies to the timing of the senescent event and to the precise location of the line of cells through which separation will occur (Leopold, 1967, 1971; de' la Fuente and Leopold, 1968; Webster, 1970). Although abscission has been recognized as an oxidative process (Molisch, 1886; Sampson, 1918), respiration was not implicated until the work of Carns (1951) and Leinweber and Hall (1959). Now, with the general acceptance of the view that enzyme synthesis is needed for the initiation of abscission (Osborne, 1958; Horton and
Auditors' usage of unaudited book values when making presampling audit value estimates*

. An important issue in audit judgment research concerns auditors' use of unaudited book values when making judgments in the presampling phase of the audit. This paper presents a rudimentary model of the auditor's belief revision process with respect to unaudited book values from an audit value estimation perspective. An experiment testing some implications of the model is also presented. The model proposes that the auditor should judge the validity of unaudited book values in the circumstances and use them accordingly when making presampling audit value estimates. The experimental results indicated that the subjects (auditors) used available unaudited book values and that the extent of usage varied over accounts. However, the results also indicated some inaccurate presampling validity judgments which led to overweighting of unaudited book values. Resume. Une question importante qui preoccupe les chercheurs dans le domaine de la formulation de jugements en verification a trait a l'utilisation par les verificateurs de valeurs comptables non verifiees dans la formulation de jugements au cours de la phase de la verification precedant l'echantillonnage. Les auteurs presentent un modele rudimentaire du processus de revision des convictions du verificateur en ce qui a trait aux valeurs comptables non verifiees dans une perspective d'estimation de la valeur de verification. Ils font egalement etat d'une experience destinee a verifier certaines des consequences du modele. Selon le modele, le verificateur devrait juger de la validite des valeurs comptables non verifiees dans les circonstances et les utiliser en consequence dans la formation d'estimations de la valeur de verification avant echantillonnage. Les resultats de l'experience revelent que les sujets (verificateurs) utilisent les valeurs comptables non verifiees disponibles et que l'etendue de cette utilisation varie avec les comptes. Toutefois, les resultats revelent aussi l'inexactitude de certains jugements relatifs a la validite anterieure a l'echantillonnage, a la suite desquels une importance trop grande a ete accordee aux valeurs comptables non verifiees.
Differential response in alveolar bone osteoclasts residing at two different bone sites

Using a histochemical method for demonstrating acid phosphatase activity, we have studied osteoclasts residing at two different bone sites in rat incisor alveolar bone, one at the endosteum and the other at the tooth socket, and compared the response of these osteoclasts to systemic changes. After 12 days of calcium (0%) or phosphorus (0.2%) deprivation, the number of osteoclasts/cross section at the endosteum increased 463% (P<0.001) and 103% (P<0.002), respectively. After 10 days of calcium or phosphorus replenishment, the number of osteoclasts at this bone site decreased to levels not significantly different from those in the control. In contrast, the number of osteoclasts at the incisor socket remained insignificantly changed throughout the experimental period. A similar osteoclast differential response was also observed in the alveolar bone surrounding the first molar tooth. After 12 days of calcium deprivation, the number of osteoclasts/mm bone surface increased 371% (P<0.001) at the endosteum but remained insignificantly changed at the first molar socket. These results suggest that an osteoclast differential response exists in alveolar bone and that the response may be of significance inasmuch as the major function of alveolar bone is to support the teeth. The work described here supports the concept of local as well as systemic regulation of bone metabolism to simultaneously perform the dual functions of mineral homeostasis and mechanical support.
Effects of Bovine Somatotropin on Uterine Genes Related to the Prostaglandin Cascade in Lactating Dairy Cows

Abstract Multiparous Holstein cows, averaging 80 d in milk, were used to examine the effect of exogenous bovine somatotropin (bST) on uterine expression of estrogen receptor α (ER α ), prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-2 (PGHS-2), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ). About 12h before expected ovulation in a synchronization protocol, cows were assigned to receive bST (500mg, n=11) or serve as untreated controls (n = 10). Cows that ovulated (n = 9 bST, 8 control) were divided within treatment to be killed on d 3 or 7 postovulation. Samples of intercaruncular endometrial tissue from uterine horns ipsilateral to the corpus luteum were collected and stored at −80°C for subsequent mRNA analyses. Endometrial concentrations of ER α and PGHS-2 mRNA transcripts were greater on d 7 than on d 3 of the estrous cycle, but did not differ between treatments. Compared with untreated cows, short-term bST treatment decreased PGHS-2 protein expression at d 7 of the estrous cycle. Concentration of PPARδ mRNA transcript in the uterus decreased between d 3 and 7 of the estrous cycle and was negatively correlated with ER α and PGHS-2 mRNA concentrations. Short-term administration of bST to lactating dairy cows had minimal effects on uterine genes encoding ER α , PGHS-2, and PPARδ at d 3 and 7 of the estrous cycle but there may be an inverse relationship between PPARδ and uterine expression of ER α and PGHS-2 genes.