cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Shareholder Primacy Norm

Corporate directors have a fiduciary duty to make decisions in the best interests of the shareholders. This aspect of fiduciary duty is often called the shareholder primacy norm. Legal scholars generally assume that the shareholder primacy norm is a major factor considered by boards of directors of publicly traded corporations in making ordinary business decisions and that changing the shareholder primacy norm would have an effect on the substance of those decisions. This Article challenges this view and argues that the shareholder primacy norm was never equipped to mediate conflicts between shareholders and nonshareholder constituencies of a corporation. The origins and development of the shareholder primacy norm suggest that it was introduced into corporate law to perform a much different and somewhat surprising function: the shareholder primacy norm was first used by courts to resolve disputes among majority and minority shareholders, and over time this use of the shareholder primacy norm evolved into the modern doctrine of minority oppression. This application of the shareholder primacy norm seems incongruous today because minority oppression cases involve conflicts among shareholders, not conflicts between shareholders and nonshareholders. Nevertheless, when early courts employed rules requiring directors to act in the interests of all shareholders (not just the majority shareholders), they were creating the shareholder primacy norm. Once used to resolve minority oppression cases, the shareholder primacy norm easily found its way into cases involving publicly traded corporations because courts did not routinely distinguish closely held corporations from publicly traded corporations until the middle of this century. But the application of the shareholder primacy norm to the ordinary business decisions of publicly traded corporations is muted by the business judgment rule. As a result, even though the shareholder primacy norm is closely associated with debates about the social responsibility of publicly traded corporations, it's impact on the ordinary business decisions of such corporations is extremely limited.
Practice, Participatory Research and Creative Research Designs: The Evolution of Ethical Guidelines for Research

In this chapter we discuss dilemmas we have experienced as researchers within communities of action. We summarize briefly the guidelines and ethical standards for research with human subjects,1 standards that formed the core of our socialization into the ethics of behavioral research. Until recently, these ethical standards and guidelines have evolved among various occupational groups with relatively little attention to the intersection of research methodology and ethical considerations. We describe how federal guidelines on research with human subjects have evolved and some of the effects these guidelines have had on research within the professions. Our personal experiences with ethical issues in research beyond university walls provide examples for discussing some of the inevitable dilemmas encountered in participatory and action-oriented research for change. Specifically, we explore the meanings of informed consent when one is engaged with communities in struggles for justice and/or in challenges to injustice within dominant institutions on behalf of those who are not being well-served by these institutions. Our experiences suggest limitations in applying abstract ethical guidelines and standards to such cases. We elaborate several dilemmas raised by creative research designs characteristic of much outreach scholarship for ethical standards and guidelines of selected occupational groups. Also, in an appendix we provide a summary of additional resources, both in print and on the World Wide Web, regarding ethical issues on social research.
Treatment Choices in a Managed Care Environment: A Multi-Disciplinary Exploration

This article reports the results of an exploratory study to determine how managed care is influencing mental health practice from an inter-disciplinary perspective. Using two case vignettes, respondents were asked about how they would classify presenting problems and treatment strategies within the context of two scenarios: (1) managed care and its limitations, and (2) fee-for-service/private pay. Findings suggest that managed care has a significant influence on case assessment and treatment planning across the mental health disciplines. Although respondents did not favor adjusting treatment approaches to meet managed care expectations, they nevertheless did so. Findings also substantiate managed care's negative impact on earnings and job satisfaction. These preliminary results begin to address discipline-related cost effectiveness from the perspective of practitioner treatment choices and preferences and highlight the perceived incompatibility between preferred practice and the dictates of managed care.
The Peace Canal Project: A Multiple Conflict Resolution Perspective for the Middle East

A new Middle East peace plan based on a water project, designed to deliver 1.1 billion cubic meter of water a year from Ataturk Baraji lake (or from the Ceyhan and Seyhan rivers) in southeast Turkey to be distributed equally (275 MCM/yr each) between Syria, Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians. The paper describes the Peace Canal Project and its possible implications for Middle East water scarcity, competition and conflicts, and to security concerns of the parties to the Arab-Israeli conflict. The paper details the benefits to each participant and the possible contribution of the Peace Canal Project for the peace process.
Periodontal cell mechanotransduction

The periodontium is a structurally and functionally complex tissue that facilitates the anchorage of teeth in jaws. The periodontium consists of various cell types including stem cells, fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Cells of the periodontium are constantly exposed to mechanical stresses generated by biological processes such as the chewing motions of teeth, by flows generated by tongue motions and by forces generated by implants. Mechanical stresses modulate the function of cells in the periodontium, and may play a significant role in the development of periodontal disease. Here, we review the literature on the effect of mechanical forces on periodontal cells in health and disease with an emphasis on molecular and cellular mechanisms.
Effect of patent ductus arteriosus on the heart in preterm infants

There continues to be controversy on the long-term effects of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and its management. However, the hemodynamic effects of a large PDA in a preterm infant are well known. This article aims to provide insight into the adaptive changes and remodeling effects of a PDA on the myocardium in preterm infants.
Effect of Acute Aerobic Exercise and Rapamycin Treatment on Autophagy in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Adults With Prediabetes.

Abstract Objectives Recently, a malfunction of the autophagic pathway has been implicated with impaired glucose metabolism and progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of exercise and rapamycin (RAPA) treatment on the autophagic process in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from people with prediabetes compared with control subjects. Methods Two groups matched for age and sex served as participants and included 6 participants with prediabetes (42.4±11.7 years) and 6 control subjects (44.4±11.9 years). Participants exercised at 50% of maximal oxygen consumption for 60 min with 5 min of rest interspersed every 20 min. PBMCs were isolated pre-exercise, immediately postexercise and 4 h after exercise recovery. Additional PBMCs were incubated for 24 h and either exposed to bafilomycin, rapamycin with bafilomycin (RAPA), or no treatment with vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide). Proteins and mRNA were analyzed via western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results Exercise increased autophagy immediately postexercise and recovered 4 h after exercise in control participants but not in participants with prediabetes. Autophagy increased in PBMCs from people with prediabetes and control participants after RAPA treatment; however, a significantly impaired autophagic response was observed in people with prediabetes when compared with control subjects. Conclusions Our results indicate an impairment in autophagic flux in PBMCs from people with prediabetes when compared with control subjects in response to both exercise and RAPA treatment. Future methods of autophagic upregulation should be investigated to spare malfunctions in autophagy in people with prediabetes.
Contemporary Society and the Phenomenon of School Rampage Shootings in the United States: A Theoretical Approach to Understanding

In this chapter, the author explores what is currently known about the history and prevalence of school rampage shootings, its putative causes, and implications for social and educational policy as well as future research. Because of the limited and contradictory findings contained in empirical research studies, the author also draws upon published works that offer philosophical, theoretical, and literary explorations of the causes and implications of school rampage shootings. While not intending to diminish or negate the existence and outcomes of other forms of violence in schools and communities, this chapter focuses on rampage shootings, which have primarily taken place in predominantly White, suburban, and rural schools.
GGTase3 is a Newly Identified Geranylgeranyltransferase Targeting a Ubiquitin Ligase

Protein prenylation is believed to be catalyzed by three heterodimeric enzymes: FTase, GGTase1 and GGTase2. Here we report the identification of a previously unknown human prenyltransferase complex consisting of an orphan prenyltransferase α-subunit, PTAR1, and the catalytic β-subunit of GGTase2, RabGGTB. This enzyme, which we named GGTase3, geranylgeranylates FBXL2 to allow its localization at cell membranes, where this ubiquitin ligase mediates the polyubiquitylation of membrane-anchored proteins. In cells, FBXL2 is specifically recognized by GGTase3 despite having a typical carboxy-terminal CaaX prenylation motif that is predicted to be recognized by GGTase1. Our crystal structure analysis of the full-length GGTase3-FBXL2-SKP1 complex reveals an extensive multivalent interface specifically formed between the leucine-rich repeat domain of FBXL2 and PTAR1, which unmasks the structural basis of the substrate-enzyme specificity. By uncovering a missing prenyltransferase and its unique mode of substrate recognition, our findings call for a revision of the 'prenylation code'.
Ischemic stroke alters immune cell niche and chemokine profile in mice independent of spontaneous bacterial infection

Introduction Stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) is a major cause of mortality in patients who have suffered from severe ischemic stroke. Although multifactorial in nature, stroke-induced immunosuppression plays a key role in the development of SAP. Previous studies using a murine model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) have shown that focal ischemic stroke induction results in functional defects of lymphocytes in the spleen, thymus, and peripheral blood, leading to spontaneous bacterial infection in the lungs without inoculation. However, how ischemic stroke alters immune cell niche and the expression of cytokines and chemokines in the lungs has not been fully characterized. Methods Ischemic stroke was induced in mice by tMCAO. Immune cell profiles in the brain and the lungs at 24- and 72-hour time points were compared by flow cytometric analysis. Cytokine and chemokine expression in the lungs were determined by multiplex bead arrays. Tissue damage and bacterial burden in the lungs following tMCAO were evaluated. Results Ischemic stroke increases the percentage of alveolar macrophages, neutrophils, and CD11b+ dendritic cells, but reduces the percentage of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells, natural killer cells, and eosinophils in the lungs. The alteration of immune cell niche in the lungs coincides with a significant reduction in the levels of multiple chemokines in the lungs, including CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL17, CCL20, CCL22, CXCL5, CXCL9, and CXCL10. Spontaneous bacterial infection and tissue damage following tMCAO, however, were not observed. Conclusion This is the first report to demonstrate a significant reduction of lymphocytes and multiple proinflammatory chemokines in the lungs following ischemic stroke in mice. These findings suggest that ischemic stroke directly impacts pulmonary immunity.
Noninvasive imaging of Hypoxia-inducible Factor 1α (HIF-1α) level during radiation therapy of cancer

5267 Background and Rationale - Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) is a transcription factor involved in tumor angiogenesis, metastasis, and tumor resistance to therapy. More particularly, HIF-1α activation has been shown to participate in tumor regrowth after radiotherapy. The level of HIF-1α is regulated in an oxygen-dependent manner, i.e., the protein is stabilized under hypoxia. There is a strong interest in understanding the regulation of HIF-1α in tumor cells for understanding cancer biology and tumor response to treatment. A non-invasive approach to observe the level of HIF-1α in vivo would be especially desirable since it would allow the investigation of its regulation during tumor growth and under various treatment conditions. Experimental Approach - To image the level of HIF-1α, we took advantage of the fact that the oxygen-dependent regulation of HIF-1α is exclusively mediated by its oxygen dependent domain (ODD). We engineered a novel ODD-luciferase gene in which the ODD domain was fused with a firefly luciferase reporter gene. We reasoned that the level of the fusion protein and its luminescence would be regulated by the oxygen tension in host cells and could thus be imaged non-invasively as a HIF-1α and oxygen reporter. Results - The oxygen-dependent status of ODD-luciferase was first evaluated in tissue culture experiments. In 4T1 tumor cells stably transfected with the fusion reporter gene, we observed no background level of luminescence. However, when the cells were exposed to hypoxia, hypoxia-mimic CoCl2, or proteasome inhibitor LLnV, the luciferase activity increased by about 4, 44 and 28-fold respectively. We then inoculated the cells subcutaneously in nude mice, and clearly observed ODD-luciferase activity when the tumors reached 3-5 mm in diameter. ODD-luciferase activity was also visible in metastatic tumors arising from intravenous tumor cell injection. After the demonstration of the sensitivity of our model to image tumor hypoxia, we further analyzed the changes in ODD-luciferase activity in tumors treated with clinically-relevant doses of ionizing radiations. We observed a significant increase in the level of ODD-luciferase activity starting from 3 days after irradiation. In contrast, irradiated tumors expressing a control CMV-luciferase construct showed no change in luciferase activity. Together, these results have clear implications for radiation treatment (oxygen sensor) and tumor angiogenic response (HIF-1α reporter). Conclusions - Our ODD-luciferase fusion reporter gene model provides a useful tool to non-invasively image HIF-1α protein levels and/or tumor hypoxia in vivo. It may constitute an easy-to-use and highly sensitive approach to study how tumors respond to treatments and for evaluating novel anti-HIF1-α therapeutics.
Teachers as Innovators

The study of innovation has a history extending back to Plato: I notice endless innovation, constant change, inspired not by the laws but by a sort of unregulated taste which is so far from being fixed and permanent, that it never shows any constancy. (Laws: 2.660b).
Bee community response to local and landscape factors along an urban-rural gradient

Over a third of the world’s crops require insect pollination, and reliance on pollination services for food continues to rise as human populations increase. Furthermore, as interest in urban agriculture has grown, so has a need for studies of urban pollinator ecology and pollination. Analyzing pollinator assemblages along a rural-urban gradient provides powerful mechanistic insight into how urbanization impacts pollinators. Yet, studies examining pollinators along urban-rural gradients are limited and results vary. Since pollinators vary tremendously in life history characteristics and respond to urbanization differently, studies from different regions would improve our understanding of pollinator response to urbanization. This study documents different bee assemblages along a high-plains semi-arid urban-rural gradient in Denver, Colorado, USA. Percent impervious surface was used to define the extent of urbanization at 12 sites and local and landscape characteristics were estimated using field assessments and geospatial analysis. Wild bees were collected and the relationships between urbanization and bee communities were explored using linear modeling. Overall, bee abundance and diversity decreased with increasing urbanization, suggesting that urban areas negatively impact bee communities. However, all bee guilds responded positively to local floral richness and negatively to the degree of landscape urbanization, suggesting that different types of bees responded similarly to urbanization. These findings suggest that providing a greater diversity of floral resources is key to mitigating the negative impacts of urbanization on pollinator communities.
Segmental reorganization of the leg primary motor area

Abstract Reorganization of eloquent cortex due to neighboring stressors, like tumors and epilepsy, has been previously documented. Here we report reorganization of a subregion of the primary motor cortex due to a slow-growing primary brain tumor. We report the case of a 22-year-old, right-handed male with long-standing focal partial epilepsy involving the right leg who, on imaging, had a small contrast enhancing lesion within the left leg primary motor area. He underwent resective surgery with awake motor mapping. During mapping, a specific subregion of the primary leg motor area subserving proximal leg muscles was found on a gyrus posterior to the precentral gyrus. In addition, the foot/toe area had relocated supero-medially, but remained within the pre-central gyrus. The remainder of the motor homunculus was appropriately mapped on the same gyrus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of segmental reorganization of primary motor cortex subserving an isolated muscle group. Pre-operative functional imaging does not substitute for intra-operative real-time mapping with direct electrical stimulation. This case highlights the importance of careful mapping in order to achieve gross total resection of tumors within the primary motor cortex.
Exploring reflective journaling as a learning tool: An interdisciplinary approach

This paper describes an innovative teaching strategy and opportunity to foster student resilience and enhance interprofessional collaboration among nursing and social work students, during a Study Abroad Interprofessional Education (IPE) Experience, using a reflective practice framework. This Study Abroad IPE Experience was an opportunity to capitalize on IPE teamwork, communication, and collaboration with the incorporation of reflective journaling as both an evaluative tool for students and faculty and as a mechanism for promoting self-awareness and enhanced mental wellbeing.
Remote, but Connected: How #TidyTuesday Provides an Online Community of Practice for Data Scientists.

Data science practitioners face the challenge of continually honing their skills such as data wrangling and visualization. As data scientists seek online spaces to network, learn and share resources with one another, each individual has to employ their own ad-hoc strategy to practice their data science skills. Given these disjointed efforts, it is crucial to ask: how can we build an inclusive, welcoming online community of practice that unites data scientists in their collective efforts to become experts? Daily hashtags on Twitter are used on specific days and have shown promise in forming a community of practice (CoP) in social networking sites like Twitter, but how do they benefit the community and its members? To understand how daily hashtags benefit data scientists and form an online CoP, we conducted a qualitative study on #TidyTuesday---a daily hashtag project for data scientists using R---using the framework of CoP as a lens for analysis. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 26 participants and uncovered motivations behind their participation in #TidyTuesday, how the project benefited them, and how it cultivated an online CoP. Our findings contribute to the CSCW research on community of practices by providing design trade-offs of using daily hashtags on Twitter, and guidelines on growing and sustaining an online community of practice for data scientists.
Combination of ebselen and hydrocortisone substantially reduces nitrogen mustard-induced cutaneous injury.

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to investigate the vesicant countermeasure effects of hydrocortisone (HC) and ebselen (EB-1), administered as monotherapy or as a combination treatment. The mouse ear vesicant model (MEVM) was utilized and test doses of HC (0.016, 0.023, 0.031, 0.047, 0.063, 0.125 or 0.250 mg/ear), EB-1 (0.125, 0.187, 0.250, 0.375 or 0.500 mg/ear) or the combination of HC + EB-1 were topically applied at 15 min, 4 h and 8 h after nitrogen mustard exposure. Ear punch biopsies were obtained 24 h after mechlorethamine (HN2) exposure. Compared to control ears, ear tissues exposed topically to HN2 (0.500 µmol/ear) presented with an increase in ear thickness, vesication, TUNEL fluorescence and expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In contrast, HN2 exposed ears treated topically with EB-1 showed a significant decrease in morphometric thickness and vesication vs. HN2 alone. Ear tissues exposed to HN2 and then treated with HC also demonstrated reductions in morphometric thickness and vesication. Combination treatment of HC + EB-1 was found to be the most effective at reducing HN2-induced ear edema and vesication. The combination also dramatically decreased HN2-mediated cutaneous expression of iNOS and MMP-9 and decreased HN2-induced TUNEL staining. Taken together, our study demonstrates that the combination of HC + EB-1 is an efficacious countermeasure to HN2.
Predicting the Clinical Gains Associated With Further Reduction of Normal Tissue Dose Constraints in Oropharynx Cancer Radiotherapy.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Toxicity mitigation is a salient focus in the treatment of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer. As the standard of care evolves, toxicity mitigation can be facilitated by adopting more stringent normal tissue constraints. We hypothesize that further reduction in currently accepted constraints leads to reductions in normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCP) without compromising disease outcomes. MATERIALS/METHODS This was a retrospective, single-institution study of patients with oropharynx cancer treated with adjuvant volumetric modulated arc therapy to standard doses (60-66 Gy) and volumes (i.e., bilateral neck) from 2015-2018. Doses delivered to organs at risk were compared to recommended dose acceptance criteria from a recent, cooperative trial of RT to 60 Gy (NRG HN002). We applied validated, published NTCP models for xerostomia, dysphagia, dysgeusia, oral mucositis and esophagitis relevant to oropharyngeal cancer. RESULTS 92 patients were identified. Median follow-up was 2.2 years. The doses achieved and corresponding estimates of NTCP are shown in Table 1, as compared to a nationally recognized standard (NRG HN002). Notable NTCP reductions were observed for salivary flow, dysphagia, dysgeusia, mucositis, and esophagitis. The use of more stringent constraints did not impact disease outcome, with only a total of 3 patients having experienced locoregional recurrence (1 local, 2 regional), for an overall locoregional control of 96.7%. CONCLUSION Improved normal tissue sparing compared to current dose constraint standards is achievable with contemporary RT planning techniques. These improved constraints may lead to decreased toxicity, while preserving excellent disease outcomes. Our constraints can easily be adopted as standard of care and used in conjunction with other efforts to mitigate toxicity.
Leveraging RF signals for human sensing: Fall detection and localization in human-machine shared workspaces

Safe human-machine interactions promote high flexibility in collaborative workspaces. Fall detection and localization of the operator are major issues in ensuring a safe working environment. However, many proposed solutions are not applicable for deployment in industrial environments due to their performance limitations in practical contexts. In this paper, we propose an integrated framework for both localization and fall detection of operators inside a shared workspace that employs radio-frequency (RF) signal analysis in real-time. Multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) scattering that affect RF signal propagation can be leveraged for human sensing in complex workspaces: the proposed system continuously monitors the fluctuations of the RF field across the space by a dense network of WiFi compliant radio devices operating at 2.4GHz. To increase the accuracy of the localization system, a sensor fusion algorithm using Extended Kalman Filter techniques is employed. The proposed method may be used for integrating measurements from both RF nodes and an additional image-based system. For fall detection, a Hidden Markov Model is applied to discern different postures of the operator and to detect a fall event by tracking the fluctuations of the wireless signal quality. Fall detector performances are validated through experimental measurements. The preliminary results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach for different body configurations and pre-impact postures to correctly detect a fall event. Finally, some results about sensor fusion for improved operator localization are presented.
Visualization and planning of neurosurgical interventions with straight access

Image-guided neurosurgical interventional procedures utilize medical imaging techniques to identify the most appropriate path for accessing a targeted structure. Often, preoperative planning entails the use of multi-contrast or multi-modal imaging for assessing different aspects of patient's pathophysiology related to the procedure. Comprehensive visualization and manipulation of such large volume of three-dimensional anatomical information is a major challenge. In this work we propose a technique for simple and efficient visualization of the region of intervention for neurosurgical procedures. It is done through the generation of access maps on the surface of the patient's skin, which assists a neurosurgeon in selecting the most appropriate path of access by avoiding vital structures and minimizing potential trauma to healthy tissue. Our preliminary evaluation showed that this technique is effective as well as easy to use for planning neurosurgical interventions such as biopsies, deep brain stimulation, ablation of brain lesions.
A 28mW Spectrum-Sensing Reconfigurable 20MHz 72dB-SNR 70dB-SNDR DT ΔΣ ADC for 802.11n/WiMAX Receivers

A reconfigurable power-adaptive DT DeltaSigma ADC for intelligent 802.11n/WiMAX receivers (20 to 2.5MHz per I/Q) is presented. The intent is to replace complex analog baseband circuits with a combination of tunable one-pole filter, anti-alias filter and coarse VGA in Paramesh, J. et al (2006). Blocker filtering, fine variable-gain amplification and variable-BW channel selection are moved to the digital baseband. The SNR is optimized as a function of signal and out-of-band blocker power in Behbahani, F. et al, (2001) by reconfiguring the modulator order into one of 4 modes at constant fs, thereby keeping anti-aliasing unchanged. A 5b flash ADC integrated in the converter is the front end of a simple spectrum analyzer (SSA). Spectrum sensing and reconfigurability are accomplished without compromising ADC performance.
Biology of reproduction in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus): III. Ultrastructure of the endometrial glandular cell during estrogen and progesterone feeding

Electron microscopic study of the endometrial glandular epithelium of the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) revealed the following three types of cells (1) principal, (2) mucus, and (3) ciliated cells. We further observed that these cells undergo morphologic changes in response to estrogen and progesterone feeding. The morphologic changes observed in the principal and mucus cells represent phases in the transformation of relatively poorly differentiated cells into mature functioning cells. The mucus cells elicit an accelerated maturative and functional change. The morphologic changes of the ciliated cells were least obvious.
Rapid resolution of topiramate-induced angle-closure glaucoma with methylprednisolone and mannitol.

Purpose Topiramate-induced angle-closure glaucoma (TiACG) is believed to be related to its sulfonamide moiety. Although the exact mechanism is unknown, the time course and constellation of symptoms are consistent with a possible inflammatory pathophysiologic condition. Design Interventional case report. Methods We report the clinical outcome of a case of TiACG that was associated with an extreme intraocular pressure elevation of >60 mm Hg that was treated with the combination of systemic mannitol and methylprednisolone. Results The combination of the two systemic medications resulted in the resolution of the attack with a much more rapid time course than is seen typically for extreme cases of TiACG. Mannitol treatment alone did not lower the intraocular pressure after 90 minutes, although improvement was noted four hours after methylprednisolone. Conclusion For severe cases of TiACG that are associated with very high intraocular pressures, the combination of mannitol and methylprednisolone can induce a rapid improvement. Inflammation may be a component of TiACG.
Temporal modulation sensitivity of the cat. II. Evoked potential estimates.

Abstract Averaged evoked potentials were recorded from the cortical surface (area 17) of anesthetized cats in response to a light whose intensity was modulated sinusoidally in time. For each frequency of temporal modulation producing a response, the amplitude of the averaged response was found to be a linear function of the logarithm of the modulation amplitude of the stimulus. Determination of the intercept of the baseline noise by extrapolation of the response amplitude-modulation depth functions yielded an estimate of threshold modulation depth for each frequency. A plot of the threshold modulation depth vs frequency produced a modulation sensitivity function. While there were variations in the shapes of these functions between preparations, they all showed a peak between 10 and 20 Hz and a high frequency rolloff. Comparison with behaviorally determined sensitivity functions of the cat shows good agreement except that the high frequency thresholds as determined by evoked potentials are often overestimated when compared to the behavioral measures.
Level of corticosterone replacement determines body weight gain in adrenalectomized rats with VMH lesions.

Abstract Adrenalectomized female rats with lesions of the ventromedial hypothalamus or sham lesions were given SC implants of wax pellets or a fused mixture of corticosterone-cholesterol (40, 75, or 130% by weight). In animals with sham lesions, high dosages of corticosterone proved to be catabolic ( r = −0.61 between plasma corticosterone and weight change). In marked contrast, animals with VMH lesions displayed substantial weight gains at all circulating levels of corticosterone, with a significant positive correlation ( r = +0.48) between these two variables. It is concluded that: a) damage to the basomedial hypothalamus alters an organism's response to corticosterone at both ends of the dose-response curve, and b) both Type I and Type II corticosterone receptors in the brain play a role in hypothalamic obesity.
Optical turbulence measurements at a mountain ridge

The optical turbulence conditions at a mountain ridge (North Oscura Peak, White Sands Missile Range, NM) were determined from observations of fine wire sensors and a sodar (sonic detection and ranging). Both instruments provided the temperature structure parameter (C2T) from which the refractive index structure parameter (C2n) was calculated using local measurements of temperature and pressure. The fine wire measurements were used to calibrate the sodar. Atmospheric measurements shown include wind speed and direction, temperature, and solar radiation sensed horizontally as well as parallel to the west-facing slope. Of particular emphasis is the relationship of the sodar observations to solar radiation and wind speed and direction. The results are explained in terms of the geometry of the site and the mountain-valley wind regime. Results are shown as average range profiles of C2n sensed at various zenith angles at different times of the day and as contours of C2n in a vertical plane oriented normal to the west-facing slope.
Dynamic target board for ABL-ACT performance characterization

We have constructed a target-board platform to provide adaptive-optics and tracking performance characterization for the Airborne Laser Advanced Concepts Testbed program. The target board comprises 1536 discrete sensors distributed over a 1-meter by 2.5-meter array mounted to the side of a specially modified Cessna Caravan aircraft. The aircraft platform includes multiple beacon sources for adaptive- optics and tracking, a large-capacity data-recording system and a real-time telemetry ground-link for data display. In this paper we provide an overview of the target-board platform. We discuss the results of requirements analysis for target-board detector configuration, and describe the detailed design and capabilities of the various sub-systems.
The Celestial Sphere, the Wheel of Fortune, and Fate in the Gazels of Nâʾilî and Bâkî

The poet known as Bâki (d. 1600), the “King of Poets” of Sultan Suleiman I (1520–66), is generally acknowledged as the leading figure of the so-called “classical age” of Ottoman poetry (roughly from the mid-15th to the beginning of the 17th century), while the poet known as Nâʾili (d. 1666) was a pivotal figure in the break between this classical age and the “post-classical age,” roughly the early modern era extending from 1600 to 1800. On the broadest level this break was signaled by a change in the use of metaphorical language. This paper will contrast the treatment of one series of metaphors common in the lyric gazels within the divâns of both poets, although further examples could be found within other poetic genres, especially the panegyric kaside. It will also attempt to interpret the significance of these metaphors in Nâʾili's poetry and to demonstrate their distance from the usage of the classical Ottoman period, exemplified by Bâki.
Primary adenocarcinoma of female urethra associated with diverticula

Three cases of primary adenocarcinoma of the female urethra associated with diverticula are presented. Although the apparent risk of malignant change in urethral diverticula is low, such lesions are usually adenocarcinomas and may arise from urethritis glandularis, mesonephric rests, periurethral glands, or cloacogenic rests.
Ecdysterone and heat shock induction of transfecting and endogenous heat shock genes in cultured Drosophila cells

Various combinations of the heat shock genes of Drosophila melanogaster are transcribed in response to elevated temperature and also during normal development and in certain ecdysterone-treated Drosophila cell lines. Here I describe an homologous transient expression system using Schneider 3 cells, a Drosophila line responsive to ecdysterone. I compare the constitutive, ecdysterone and heat shock-induced accumulation of transcripts of five transfecting heat shock genes (hsp82, hsp70, hsp28, hsp26 and hsp23) to the accumulation of transcripts of their endogenous counterparts. The pattern of expression of the transfecting genes under these various conditions is generally similar to that of the endogenous genes.
Quantitative lipid metabolomic changes in alcoholic micropigs with fatty liver disease.

Background: Chronic ethanol consumption coupled with folate deficiency leads to rapid liver fat accumulation and progression to alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH). However, the specific effects of alcohol on key liver lipid metabolic pathways involved in fat accumulation are unknown. It is unclear whether lipid synthesis, lipid export, or a combination of both is contributing to hepatic steatosis in ASH. Methods: In this study we estimated the flux of fatty acids (FA) through the stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), phosphatidylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PEMT), and FA elongation pathways in relation to liver triacylglycerol (TG) content in Yucatan micropigs fed a 40% ethanol folate-deficient diet with or without supplementation with S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) compared with controls. Flux through the SCD and PEMT pathways was used to assess the contribution of lipid synthesis and lipid export respectively on the accumulation of fat in the liver. Liver FA composition within TG, cholesterol ester (CE), phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylcholine classes was quantified by gas chromatography. Results: Alcoholic pigs had increased liver TG content relative to controls, accompanied by increased flux through the SCD pathway as indicated by increases in the ratios of 16:1n7 to 16:0 and 18:1n9 to 18:0. Conversely, flux through the elongation and PEMT pathways was suppressed by alcohol, as indicated by multiple metabolite ratios. SAM supplementation attenuated the TG accumulation associated with alcohol. Conclusions: These data provide an in vivo examination of liver lipid metabolic pathways confirming that both increased de novo lipogenesis (e.g., lipid synthesis) and altered phospholipid metabolism (e.g., lipid export) contribute to the excessive accumulation of lipids in liver affected by ASH.
Mouse liver protein database: A catalog of proteins detected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

Alterations in the abundance or structure of mouse liver proteins are being studied using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) to build a database of protein changes correlating with exposure to ionizing radiation or toxic chemicals. Thus far, studies have included the analysis of proteins from the offspring of exposed parents or from the exposed individuals themselves. In order to characterize and identify proteins found altered by such exposures, sex- and strain-related differences in protein patterns have been analyzed, and the subcellular locations of a large portion of the mapped proteins have been determined. As part of these studies, data are collected and stored using a variety of computer hardware and software tools that allow the accumulation of information on the origin of samples, gel identification, experiment description, and protein similarities and differences. This accumulation of information constitutes the mouse liver protein database. Relational database software is used to tie the different facets of the database together so that the results of a variety of experiments can be compared and interrelated. The database optimizes the information obtained from 2-DE gel sets by allowing use of the data for many purposes, including monitoring of gel resolution to ensure the collection of high quality data and correlation of protein effects induced by different agents. This first edition of the Argonne National Laboratory mouse liver protein database lays the foundation for future work and communication that should elucidate the significance of observed protein effects as possible markers of exposure to toxic agents.
High-resolution transmission electron microscopy study of electrically-driven reversible phase change in ge2sb2te5 nanowires.

By combining high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) characterization and electrical measurements on a unique device platform, we study the reversible electrically-driven phase-cha...
Sox5 and Sox6 are required for notochord extracellular matrix sheath formation, notochord cell survival and development of the nucleus pulposus of intervertebral discs

The notochord has major roles in vertebral column formation: indirectly by inducing sclerotome cell differentiation; and directly by forming the nucleus pulposus of intervertebral discs. Sox5 and Sox6 encode Sry-related HMG box transcription factors that act redundantly to promote chondroblast differentiation in all cartilages of the mouse embryo. We show that Sox5 and Sox6 are expressed in the notochord cell lineage and required for notochord late development. In Sox5(-/-)/Sox6(-/-) embryos, the notochord formed a typical rod-like structure. It fulfilled its inductive functions, as indicated by expression of sonic hedgehog and sclerotome specification. However, the notochord failed to become surrounded with an extracellular matrix sheath. This phenotype was associated with a downregulation of extracellular matrix genes, including the genes for collagen 2, aggrecan and perlecan in both notochord cells and surrounding chondrocytic cells of presumptive inner annuli and vertebral bodies. The mutant notochord then underwent an aberrant, fatal dismantling after sclerotome cell migration. Its cells became removed first from intervertebral spaces and then from vertebral bodies, and it progressively underwent apoptosis. Meanwhile, the development of inner annuli and vertebral bodies was dramatically impaired. Consequently, the vertebral column of Sox5(-/-)/Sox6(-/-) fetuses consisted of a very deficient cartilage and was devoid of nuclei pulposi. In Sox5(-/-)/Sox6(+/-) and more severely in Sox5(+/-)/Sox6(-/-) embryos, the notochord sheath was thinner, but cells survived. By birth, nuclei pulposi were rudimentary, and its cells poorly swelled and still expressing sonic hedgehog. Hence, Sox5 and Sox6 are required for notochord extracellular matrix sheath formation, notochord cell survival and formation of nuclei pulposi. Through these roles and essential roles in cartilage formation, they are central transcriptional regulators of vertebral column development.
Hyperplasia precedes increased glomerular filtration rate in rat remnant kidney.

Hyperplasia precedes increased glomerular filtration rate in rat remnant kidney. Using 3 H-thymidine ( 3 H-T), we examined DNA synthesis in rats subjected to either uninephrectomy (UNI), five-sixths nephrectomy (R) or sham (S) surgery. Twenty-four, 48, or 72 hours later, animals were infused with 14 C-inulin, PAH and 3 H-T and clearances obtained. Prior to sacrifice, India ink was injected for glomerular counting. By 24 hours, glomerular filtration rate per nephron was significantly increased in UNI. However, in R, glomerular filtration rate per nephron was significantly lower than S until 72 hours. Total µg DNA per nephron was unchanged in UNI but significantly increased in R compared to S at all times. 3 H-T incorporation into DNA was twice as great in UNI as in S and was over five-fold greater at 24 hours in R than in S; this marked increase persisted in R at 48 and 72 hours. Autoradiographs confirmed that DNA was synthesized predominantly by renal tubular cells and not infiltrating cells. These results indicate that hyperplasia in compensatory renal growth is related to the quantity of tissue removed and that, in the remnant kidney, DNA synthesis precedes the compensatory increase in glomerular filtration rate per nephron.
Fluid flow at the toe of convergent margins: interpretation of sharp pore-water geochemical gradients

Abstract Fluid expulsion greatly impacts chemical and mass budgets at subduction zones, particularly if it is focused along faults and stratigraphic conduits. Geochemical anomalies centered at decollement zones, such as pore-water freshening and the presence of thermogenic hydrocarbons, indicate long-distance, focused flow of deeply sourced fluids. The sharp gradient of these anomalies below the decollement zone has been interpreted as evidence for recent pulses of fluid flow, initiating a few to tens of ka. However, this interpretation does not consider that underthrust sediments are moving arcward beneath the decollement zone. In addition, upward flow from the compacting underthrust sediments can modify chemical profiles. Here, we use a simple model that couples fluid flow and solute transport to evaluate these sharp chemical gradients. We find that observed geochemical anomalies at the Northern Barbados and Costa Rican subduction zones can be explained either by recent pulses of flow, or by sustained flow along the decollement zone coupled with modest vertical fluid expulsion from consolidating underthrust sediments. The latter interpretation is consistent with estimates of upward flow rate at Costa Rica based on estimated pore pressure gradients and measured permeabilities within the underthrust sediments. One important implication is that recent pulses of flow along fault conduits may not be required to explain the geochemical anomalies. Furthermore, mixing of locally derived fluids flowing upward from the underthrust sediments and deeply sourced fluids flowing along the decollement zone provides an explanation for the observed changes in pore-water freshening along the decollement at Costa Rica.
Steady-state calculation of the risk of HIV infection from transfusion of screened blood from repeat donors

All blood donations in the United States are screened for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS; in spite of this, potentially infectious donations are still made by donors who are infectious but have not yet developed detectable HIV antibodies. A steady-state model for blood donations is used to calculate the expected number of potentially infectious blood donations made by repeat blood donors in a specified time interval. The expected number of potentially infectious donations made by each infectious blood donor who subsequently becomes HIV positive is calculated, and estimators of this quantity are presented. The relative risks due to donations from repeat and first-time donors is discussed. Estimates of the proportion of all blood donations made at 19 American Red Cross regional blood centers that are potentially infectious are presented.
Effects of Emulsifiers on Pita Bread Quality

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of emulsifiers [sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (SSL), glycerol mono stearate (GMS-90), di-acetyl tartaric acid esters of monoglycerides (DATEM), S-570, S-1170, S-1670, P-1670] on pita bread quality. Three flour types (soft wheat flour with 10·0% protein, hard red winter wheat flour with 11·6% protein, and hard red spring wheat flour with 14·4% protein) and three emulsifier concentrations (0·25%, 0·50%, 0·75%, flour basis) were used. Pita breads were baked in an air impingement oven. Loaves were scored on the first and second days, and the influence of the more effective emulsifiers on shelf life stability were investigated after 5 days. Analysis of variance indicated that the flour of moderate protein content (11·6%) resulted in the best overall product quality. The high protein flour (14·4%) gave a dough with high water absorption and bread loaves with dark crust color. On the other hand, the low protein flour (10·0%) had low water absorption. The loaves were uniform in texture and thickness for top and bottom layers, and had a light crust color. All emulsifiers improved the tearing quality of the product. The low concentration (0·25%) of SSL, S-1170, S-1670, and S-570 with flour of moderate protein content (11·6% protein) resulted in a good quality pita bread. No significant differences occurred amongst breads containing those emulsifiers for ability to roll and fold and tearing quality after 5 days of storage at room temperature.