cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Smad4 overexpression causes germ cell ablation and leydig cell hyperplasia in transgenic mice.

Members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily play a variety of important roles in testicular development and function. The tumor suppressor gene, Smad4, is a common mediator of TGF-β, activin, and bone morphogenetic protein-mediated signaling pathways. To investigate the role of the Smad4 gene during testicular development and function, transgenic mice were generated using a Flag-tagged Smad4 gene driven by 180-bp fragment of the Mullerian inhibiting substance upstream promoter sequence. Three Smad4 transgenic founders (A, B, and G) were detected by Southern blot analysis; line B showed the highest expression of the Smad4 transgene and was further studied. The fertility in F1 generation (B) and F2 generation (BB) of the Smad4 transgenic mice was not impaired. However, in the F3 generation (B2x) all animals were impacted by the overexpression of the Smad4 transgene and two kinds of phenotypes were observed. In one group animals were completely infertile, while in the other group animals were fertile and sired the normal number of pups/litter. These groups are designated as infertile and fertile in the text. Histological evaluation of the testes from the infertile group showed variable degrees of Leydig cell hyperplasia, apoptosis of germ cells, spermatogenic arrest, seminiferous tubule degeneration, and infertility. In the fertile group, there was no apparent change in the histology of the testis except for a slight increase in the number of Leydig cells. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels in the adult animals of both groups of Smad4 transgenic male mice were not significantly different from normal littermates; however, testosterone levels in both groups were significantly (P < 0.05) increased. These results suggest that overexpression of Smad4 leads to testicular abnormalities and infertility supporting the hypothesis that the TGF-β signaling pathways are carefully orchestrated during testicular development. In the absence of normal levels of Smad4 testicular function is compromised.
Image‐Guided Surgery in a New Magnetic Resonance Suite: Preclinical Considerations

Surgical procedures require correct identification of exposed anatomy with concomitant localization amidst contiguous structures. In endoscopic procedures the surgeon is provided a real-time endoscopic view and is prepared with radiologic images. Here we present an overview of a methodology of localization using intraoperatively acquired magnetic resonance (MR) images in preparation for magnetic resonance imaging-guided endoscopic sinus surgery. The methodology centers around a unique prototype imaging device and operating environment. An open 0.5 Tesla MR unit has been created that allows complete access to the patient's head and neck while concomitant images are obtained. Illustrative examples of the localization technique from cadaver experiments are presented, as well as insights into the host of concerns for anesthesia, equipment, surgical instrumentation, communications, and documentation.
Why Constructive Relativity Fails

Constructivists, such as Harvey Brown, urge that the geometry of Newtonian and special relativistic spacetimes results from the properties of matter. Whatever this may mean, it commits constructivists to the claim that these spacetime geometries can be inferred from the properties of matter without recourse to spatiotemporal presumptions or with few of them. I argue that the construction project only succeeds if constructivists antecedently presume the essential commitments of a realist conception of spacetime. These commitments can be avoided only by adopting an extreme form of operationalism.
‘They are just like any of us’: improving teaching students' understanding of marginalized urban pupils through the use of contextualized literature:

In this article, I describe the use of ethnic autobiographies along with extended immersion in an urban diverse community in the education of teaching students to enhance their understanding of pupils from such backgrounds. The strategy is also acquiescent to professional development in schools where the staff' social markers manifestly differ from those of the pupils. For this teacher research case study, the setting is a small urban enclave inhabited by various Latino groups in the north-eastern part of the United States. The ethnic literary works implicated are meant to raise awareness and promote understanding of the populations they symbolize in terms of their cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic markers. The outcomes of this study suggest that ethnic autobiographies can help teaching students identify their pupils' prior knowledge, beliefs and values, and thus design consequential curriculum and instruction that incorporate their pupils' lived experiences.
Requirement for Ku80 in growth and immunoglobulin V(D)J recombination

The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is a mammalian serine/threonine kinase that is implicated in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks, DNA replication, transcription, and V(D)J recombination. To determine the role of the DNA-binding subunit of DNA-PK in vivo, we targeted Ku80 in mice. In mutant mice, T and B lymphocyte development is arrested at early progenitor stages and there is a profound deficiency in V(D)J rearrangement. Although Ku80-/- mice are viable and reproduce, they are 40-60% of the size of littermate controls. Consistent with this growth defect, fibroblasts derived from Ku80-/- embryos showed an early loss of proliferating cells, a prolonged doubling time, and intact cell-cycle checkpoints that prevented cells with damaged DNA from entering the cell-cycle. The unexpected growth phenotype suggests a new and important link between Ku80 and growth control.
Effects of negatively sloped keyboard wedges on risk factors for upper extremity work-related musculoskeletal disorders and user performance

Several changes to computer peripherals have been developed to reduce exposure to identified risk factors for musculoskeletal injury, notably in keyboard designs. Negative keyboard angles and their resulting effects on objective physiological measures, subjective measures and performance have been studied, although few angles have been investigated despite the benefits associated with their use. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of negative keyboard angles on forearm muscle activity, wrist posture, key strike force, perceived discomfort and performance and to identify a negative keyboard angle or range of keyboard angles that minimizes exposure to risk factors for hand/wrist injuries. Ten experienced typists (four males and six females) participated in a laboratory study to compare keyboard angles ranging from 0° to −30°, at 10° increments, and a keyboard with a 7° slope, using a wedge designed for use with standard QWERTY keyboards. Repeatability of exposures was examined by requiri...
Tau binding to microtubules does not directly affect microtubule-based vesicle motility.

Tau protein is a major microtubule (MT)-associated brain protein enriched in axons. Multiple functional roles are proposed for tau protein, including MT stabilization, generation of cell processes, and targeting of phosphotransferases to MTs. Recently, experiments involving exogenous tau expression in cultured cells suggested a role for tau as a regulator of kinesin-1-based motility. Tau was proposed to inhibit attachment of kinesin-1 to MTs by competing for the kinesin-1 binding site. In this work, we evaluated effects of tau on fast axonal transport (FAT) by using vesicle motility assays in isolated squid axoplasm. Effects of recombinant tau constructs on both kinesin-1 and cytoplasmic dynein-dependent FAT rates were evaluated by video microscopy. Exogenous tau binding to endogenous squid MTs was evidenced by a dramatic change in individual MT morphologies. However, perfusion of tau at concentrations ∼20-fold higher than physiological levels showed no effect on FAT. In contrast, perfusion of a cytoplasmic dynein-derived peptide that competes with kinesin-1 and cytoplasmic dynein binding to MTs in vitro rapidly inhibited FAT in both directions. Taken together, our results indicate that binding of tau to MTs does not directly affect kinesin-1- or cytoplasmic dynein-based motilities. In contrast, our results provide further evidence indicating that the functional binding sites for kinesin-1 and cytoplasmic dynein on MTs overlap. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Mechanics of solid tissue invasion by the mammalian pathogen Pythium insidiosum.

Abstract The relative significance of mechanical penetration versus the action of substrate-degrading enzymes during solid tissue invasion has not been established for any fungal disease. Pythium insidiosum is an oomycete fungus (or stramenopile) that causes a rare, but potentially lethal infection in humans and other mammalian hosts. Experiments with miniature strain gauges showed that single hyphal apices of this pathogen exert forces of up to 6.9 μN, corresponding to maximum pressures of 0.3 μN μm−2 or MPa. Samples of cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue from fresh human cadavers displayed a mean strength (resistance to needle puncture) of 24 μN μm−2, and a mean pressure of 30 μN μm−2 was necessary to penetrate skin strips from slaughtered horses. These experiments demonstrate that P. insidiosum does not exert sufficient pressure to penetrate undamaged skin by mechanics alone, but must effect a decisive reduction in tissue strength by proteinase secretion.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Static Analysis Programs Versus Manual Inspection in the Detection of Natural Spreadsheet Errors

Spreadsheets are widely used in the business, public, and private sectors. However, research and practice has generally shown that spreadsheets frequently contain errors. Several researchers and vendors have proposed the use of spreadsheet static analysis programs SAPs as a means to augment or potentially replace the manual inspection of spreadsheets for errors. SAPs automatically search spreadsheets for indications of certain types of errors and present these indications to the inspector. Despite the potential importance of SAPs, their effectiveness has not been examined. This study explores the effectiveness of two widely fielded SAPs in comparison to manual human inspection on a set of naturally generated quantitative errors in a simple, yet realistic, spreadsheet model. The results showed that while manual human inspection results for this study were consistent with previous research in the field, the performance of the static analysis programs at detecting natural errors was very poor for every category of spreadsheet errors.
LATE MIDLIFE EMPLOYMENT, GENDER ROLES AND MARITAL QUALITY: HIS AND HER PERSPECTIVES*

Abstract Studies of work and family conflict often overlook the late midlife stage and often do not consider the relationship between past employment and the current marital strain of both spouses. In this paper, we employ a life course perspective to examine the conjoint influences of each spouse's past and present work experiences on the marital quality of both spouses in late midlife, considering spouses' gender role ideologies as possible moderators of the relationship between employment and marital quality. Interviews and life histories with a total sample of 456 retirees and their spouses, ages 50–72, conducted in 1994–95, reveal that husbands' higher marital strain is predicted by current work conditions in the household: when either spouse is the only one employed in late midlife, husbands experience less marital strain, but when both are employed, husbands report higher marital strain. Husbands' egalitarian gender role ideology, coupled with their having had a professional/managerial career, is a...
Are trade secrets delaying biosimilars

On 6 March 2015, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, under the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA), a biosimilar of filgrastim (Neupogen), for treating chemotherapy-caused neutropenia ( 1 ). Although this action represents a step toward cheaper medical treatments, it masks systemic problems. Not only has it taken 5 years since the BPCIA's passage ( 2 ), but economists estimate that even by 2020, biosimilar competition will reduce consumer prices only modestly ( 3 ). Why will price competition be so lacking? One key reason is the barrier to competitive entry created by trade secrecy in biologics manufacturing.
Cell Membrane Potentials Induced During Exposure to EMP Fields

Internal current densities and electric fields induced in the human body during exposure to electromagnetic pulsed (EMP) fields are reviewed and used to predict resulting cell membrane potentials. Using several different approaches with a spherical cell model, membrane potentials of about 100 mV are predicted. These values are comparable to the static membrane potentials maintained by cells as a part of normal physiological function, but the EMP-induced potentials persist for only about 10 ns. Possible biological implications of EMP-induced membrane potentials include conformational changes and electroporation.
Enzymes involved in the anaerobic oxidation of n-alkanes: from methane to long-chain paraffins

Anaerobic microorganisms play key roles in the biogeochemical cycling of methane and non-methane alkanes. To date, there appear to be at least three proposed mechanisms of anaerobic methane oxidation (AOM). The first pathway is mediated by consortia of archaeal anaerobic methane oxidizers and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) via "reverse methanogenesis" and is catalyzed by a homolog of methyl-coenzyme M reductase. The second pathway is also mediated by anaerobic methane oxidizers and SRB, wherein the archaeal members catalyze both methane oxidation and sulfate reduction and zero-valent sulfur is a key intermediate. The third AOM mechanism is a nitrite-dependent, "intra-aerobic" pathway described for the denitrifying bacterium, 'Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera.' It is hypothesized that AOM proceeds via reduction of nitrite to nitric oxide, followed by the conversion of two nitric oxide molecules to dinitrogen and molecular oxygen. The latter can be used to functionalize the methane via a particulate methane monooxygenase. With respect to non-methane alkanes, there also appear to be novel mechanisms of activation. The most well-described pathway is the addition of non-methane alkanes across the double bond of fumarate to form alkyl-substituted succinates via the putative glycyl radical enzyme, alkylsuccinate synthase (also known as methylalkylsuccinate synthase). Other proposed mechanisms include anaerobic hydroxylation via ethylbenzene dehydrogenase-like enzymes and an "intra-aerobic" denitrification pathway similar to that described for 'Methylomirabilis oxyfera.'
Continuity amidst change: undocumented Mexican migration to Arizona.

This study examines geographic patterns of undocumented Mexican migration to Arizona, utilizing Immigration and Naturalization Service records of deportable Mexican aliens. The analysis uses a comparison with known patterns for other destination states, as well as with historical information on Mexican migration to Arizona. The results reveal the importance of Arizona's unique historical connections with Mexico in formulating networks, which build on regional ties with Sonora and the greater Mexican northwest. Results also support the emergence of new migration systems, particularly the link with internal migration within Mexico through redistributor cities and migrant origins from outside of traditional sending areas.
Interactions Between B Lymphocytes and the Osteoblast Lineage in Bone Marrow

The regulatory effects of the immune system on the skeleton during homeostasis and activation have been appreciated for years. In the past decade it has become evident that bone tissue can also regulate immune cell development. In the bone marrow, the differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors requires specific microenvironments, called "niches," provided by various subsets of stromal cells, many of which are of mesenchymal origin. Among these stromal cell populations, cells of the osteoblast lineage serve a supportive function in the maintenance of normal hematopoiesis, and B lymphopoiesis in particular. Within the osteoblast lineage, distinct differentiation stages exert differential regulatory effects on hematopoietic development. In this review we will highlight the critical role of osteoblast progenitors in the perivascular B lymphocyte niche.
Femtosecond Pulses, Nonlinear X-Waves, and Interpretation of Their Far-Field Spectra.

We show how the dynamics of high-power femtosecond pulses can be understood in terms of three-wave mixing, with nonlinear medium excitations connecting the optical in- and out-waves. This approach allows one to extract information about the pulse dynamics from spectrally resolved far-field measurements.
The potent, selective mGlu2/3 receptor agonist LY379268 increases extracellular levels of dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid, and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid in the medial prefrontal cortex of the freely moving rat.

Previous work has shown that the potent, selective metabotropic glutamate mGlu2/3 receptor agonist LY379268 acts like the atypical antipsychotic clozapine in behavioral assays. To investigate further the potential antipsychotic actions of this agent, we examined the effects of LY379268 using microdialysis in awake, freely moving rats, on extracellular levels of dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) in rat medial prefrontal cortex. Systemic LY379268 increased extracellular levels of dopamine, DOPAC, HVA, and 5-HIAA in a dose-dependent, somewhat delayed manner. LY379268 (3 mg/kg s.c.) increased levels of dopamine, DOPAC, HVA, and 5-HIAA to 168, 170, 169, and 151% of basal, respectively. Clozapine (10 mg/kg) also increased dopamine, DOPAC, and HVA levels, with increases of 255, 262, and 173%, respectively, but was without effect on extracellular 5-HIAA levels. The increases in DOPAC, HVA, and 5-HIAA levels by 3 mg/kg LY379268 were reversed by the selective mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist LY341495 (1 mg/kg). Furthermore, LY379268 (3 mg/kg)-evoked increases in DOPAC and HVA were partially blocked and the increase in 5-HIAA was completely blocked by local application of 3 μM tetrodotoxin. Therefore, we have demonstrated that mGlu2/3 receptor agonists activate dopaminergic and serotonergic brain pathways previously associated with the action of atypical antipsychotics such as clozapine and other psychiatric agents.
Photoemission spectra and thermal desorption characteristics of two states of oxygen on Pd

Abstract Two states of oxygen have been observed on Pd (111). The first is adsorbed on the surface and causes strong changes in the Pd d-band photoemission energy distribution curves (EDCs) at hv = 21.2 eV but no oxygen resonance below the d-bands. The second is identified with oxygen beneath the surface (in accord with the thermal desorption studies of Conrad et al.); it has little effect on the Pd d-band emission but produces a resonance at lower energy (∼5 eV below E f ). Evidence is presented indicating that the case with which oxygen can go beneath the Pd surface depends on the surface perfection of the crystal.
Neurosteroid pregnenolone sulfate antagonizes electrophysiological responses to GABA in neurons.

Abstract Our earlier biochemical studies suggested that the neurosteroid pregnenolone sulfate (PS) may reduce γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) action at the Cl− channel associated with GABAA receptors. In the present electrophysiological study the interaction of PS with the GABAA receptor was tested, using whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings from isolated cerebral cortical neurons of neonatal rats. At micromolar concentrations PS reversibly inhibited GABA-induced current, behaving as an allosteric receptor antagonist.
Cycloaddition reactions of N-p-toluenesulfonylimino derivatives of quinoline and isoquinoline. A route to pyrazolo[1,5-a]quinolines and pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinolines

N-p-Toluenesulfonylimino ylides of quinoline and isoquinoline give cycloadducts with electrophilic acetylenes at 105°. The adducts are spontaneously aromatized under the conditions of their formation by elimination of p-toluenesulfmic acid to give pyrazolo[1,5-a]quinolines and pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinolines, respectively. The orientation of cycloaddition is the same as for N-amino ylides for acetylenic esters. The ad-ducts from p-nitrophenylacetylene are formed by addition of the imino nitrogen to the unsubstituted acetylenic carbon. The orientation and unreactivity of phenylacetylene indicate that the cycloaddition is controlled by dipole HOMO-dipolarophile LUMO interactions.
Properties of hadrons in lattice quantum chromodynamics with dynamical Wilson fermions

New results of a large-scale simulation of lattice quantum chromodynamics with three (u,d,s) dynamical Wilson fermions on a 10 x 10 x 10 x 30 space-time lattice are presented. The computations presented here confirm earlier results that indicated the presence of substantial effects due to fermion vacuum-polarization loops. As a check on the results two values for the gauge coupling constant are considered and some degree of scaling is observed. The quark mass dependence of the physical pseudoscalar-meson mass is explicitly determined both in the case of equal-mass and unequal- (heavy-light) mass systems, as well as in the case of light sea quarks versus heavy valence quarks, with the latter situation being relevant for heavy-quark bound states. Further results include estimates for other lowest-lying hadron masses, for the (current-algebra) quark masses (m/sub u/, m/sub d/, m/sub s/, and m/sub c/), and for the pseudoscalar-meson decay constants (f/sub ..pi../, f/sub K/, f/sub D/, f/sub eta//sub >//sub c//sub =/, and f/sub B/). An estimate of the strangeness content of the proton is given. Relatively small mass values are found for the light quarks (u,d,s). In the case of the decay constants the full lattice QCD estimates could give new predictions, since somemore » of the experimental values are not known yet.« less
The theory of random propositions

The theory of random propositions is a theory of confirmation that contains the Bayesian and Shafer—Dempster theories as special cases, while extending both in ways that resolve many of their outstanding problems. The theory resolves the Bayesian “problem of the priors” and provides an extension of Dempster's rule of combination for partially dependent evidence. The standard probability calculus can be generated from the calculus of frequencies among infinite sequences of outcomes. The theory of random propositions is generated analogously from the calculus of frequencies among pairs of infinite sequences of suitably generalized outcomes and in a way that precludes the inclusion of contrived orad hoc elements. The theory is also formulated as an uninterpreted calculus.
Vitamin K Contents of Grains, Cereals, Fast‐Food Breakfasts, and Baked Goods

Accurate dietary assessment of vitamin K requires representative food composition data for specific geographical regions. The purpose of this study was to determine the contents of 3 different forms of vitamin K (phylloquinone [K1], 2′,3′-dihydrophylloquinone [dK], and menaquinone-4 [MK-4]) in representative grains, cereals, and baked goods, including breakfast foods, in the U.S. food supply. Samples were obtained as part of USDA's Natl. Food and Nutrient Analysis Program and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Overall, breads, grains, and breakfast cereals were limited sources of K1 (range: nondetectable [ND] to 11.2 μg/100 g), with a wide range in dK (range: ND to 47.0 μg/100 g). In contrast, processed foods, such as fast-food breakfast sandwiches and baked goods, contain wide ranges of K1 (0.9 to 39.3 μg/100 g) and dK (ND to 72.2 μg/100 g). For any given food, K1 concentrations clustered within a narrow range, whereas dK concentrations had a wide range for a given food, suggestive of divergent use of hydrogenated oils in the manufacturing process. Low MK-4 concentrations (1.8 to 4.0 μg/100 g) were detected in meat- and cheese-containing breakfast foods and certain pie crusts. These data suggest that processed foods that contain K1-rich plant oils are a source of K1 and dK in the U.S. food supply.
Effect of Row Width and Nitrogen on Cotton Morphology and Canopy Microclimate

Canopy structure is a function of cultural practices, genetics, and environment; specifically, practices affecting plant row width and soil fertility can change canopy structure. Canopy structure affects canopy microclimate. Canopy microclimate determines the rate of fruit development, pest pressure, and crop response to ambient conditions. The rank growth associated with excess N in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is associated with delay in fruit development and increased boll rot. This study was conducted to determine the effect of ultra narrow row (UNR) planting on canopy microclimate in cotton. Canopy microclimate in UNR cotton (18- to 25-cm row width) and conventional (76- to 91-cm row width) plantings with low N (16.8 kg ha -1 at planting only) or high N (16.8 kg ha -1 at planting and 202 kg ha -1 3 wk after bloom) fertilizer was quantified by monitoring the plant canopy temperature, relative humidity (RH), and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) every 15 min during the growing season. The study was conducted at Quincy, FL, on a Dothan sandy loam soil (fine loamy siliceous, thermic Plinthic Kandiudult) in 2000 and 2001. Plant height and nodes per plant were determined 60, 90, and 120 d after planting (DAP). A split-plot design was used with row width as the main effect and N rate as subplot. During the hours from 0700 to 1900, temperature was 1 to 2°C higher and RH 3 to 7% lower in the conventional vs. the UNR plantings. In general, N and row width effects did not have as great an impact on canopy microclimate as did plant height. In 2001, when correlations were significant, as plant height increased to 1 m, canopy temperature during the hours of 0700 to 1900 on average decreased from 33 to 25°C, RH increased from 55 to 85%, and VPD decreased from 0.16 kPa to less than 0.08 kPa. In 2002, plants grew much faster and correlations of microclimate and plant height were not observed. Plant height under typical production conditions had more of an effect on canopy microclimate than did plant density or N treatment.
Idempotent relations and the conjecture of Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer

this is a special case of the Main Theorem. From this (1) follows immediately by using the results of Milne [9]. A secondary aim of this paper is to introduce twisted idempotent relations which generalize the idempotent relations of Kani [5] and Kani-Rosen [6]. We show how to use such relations to obtain similar results involving twists of abelian varieties (cf. Main Theorem), which enable us to give some interesting applications (cf. Theorem 11 and Corollaries 12 – 14).
Intellectual Assessment of Hispanic Children.

This review examines the issue of whether individual intelligence tests such as the WISC-R are biased against Hispanic school-aged children. Three common but faulty notions of test bias are discussed, and a psychometric definition of bias is advanced. Evidence regarding external and internal validity is analyzed. Guidelines for the intellectual assessment of bilingual students are presented, following a discussion of possible language bias.
HOBBES' SHORTSIGHTEDNESS ACCOUNT OF CONFLICT

Dans le contexte du debat sur le caractere de l'Etat de nature de Hobbes, trois conceptions de la cause de guerre ont ete proposees: rationalite, passions et myopie
Unsupervised decoder initialization for brain-machine interfaces using neural state space dynamics

One of the key elements in the design of neuro-motor Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMIs) is the neural decoder design. In a biomimetic approach, the decoder is typically trained from concurrent recordings of neural and kinematic or motor imagery data. The non-availability of the latter data imposes a practical problem for patients with lost motor functions. An alternative approach is a biofeedback approach in which subjects are encouraged to `learn' an arbitrary mapping between neural activity and the external end effector. In this work, we propose an unsupervised decoder initialization scheme to be used in the biofeedback approach that alleviates the need for synchronized kinematic or motor imagery data for decoder training. The approach is totally unsupervised in that the recorded neural activity is directly used as training data for a decoder designed to provide `desirable' features in the decoded control signal. The decoder is trained from `spontaneous' neural data when the BMI subject is not engaged in any behavioral task, and we demonstrate its ability to generalize to neural data collected when the subject is in a different behavioral state.
Simulation of the time-space evolution of an extratropical cyclonic precipitation field over USA

The time-space evolution of an extratropical cyclonic precipitation field over U S A is simulated in a stochastic setting as outlined in Kavvas et al. (1988). The birth of a cyclonic storm is characterized by the simultaneous birth of a cyclone center and births of subsynoptic precipitation areas (SPA) at preferred locations around the cyclone center. The precipitation cores and cells which are used as the fundamental building blocks of the SPAs are approximated by circular precipitation areas (CPA) of different sizes. The time space evolution of the precipitation field after the birth is governed by (1) the movement of the synoptic cyclone described by the cyclone center trajectory, (2) independent nonidentically distributed random velocities of the individual CPAs relative to the cyclone center, (3) the births of new CPAs in time and space relative to the cyclone center, (4) the independent evolution in time of the individual spatially uniform intensities of the existing CPAs, (5) the expansion and shrinkage of the existing CPAs in the course of movement and (6) the dissipation (death) of a random number of existing CPAs within the cyclonic system. The computer simulation, the results of which are presented in this paper, successfully reproduced the general mesoscale and synoptic scale features of the radar detected cyclonic rain fields as observed by Austin and Houze (1972), Houze et al. (1976), Hobbs (1978), Hobbs and Locatelli (1978), Houze (1981), Houze and Hobbs (1982) and others.
Role of Combined-Modality Therapy in the Management of Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

Abstract The majority of patients with nonmetastatic rectal cancer are candidates for an aggressive multimodality approach with curative intent. Preoperative staging is critical in determining which patients should be offered neoadjuvant therapy. Available staging tools include digital rectal examination, transrectal ultrasound, computed tomography, positron-emission tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging scans. Magnetic resonance imaging has emerged as the most accurate staging modality in experienced centers. Multidisciplinary preoperative patient evaluation, better staging techniques, neoadjuvant chemoradiation, acceptance of shorter distal rectal margins, and transanal excision of T1 N0 rectal tumors in close proximity to the anal sphincter have resulted in decreased rates of abdominoperineal resections. Total mesorectal excision has been adopted as the standard surgical approach because of a reduction in rates of pelvic relapse. Preoperative and postoperative radiation therapy was shown to decrease the local recurrence rate, but not overall survival, in patients with resectable rectal cancer. The addition of chemotherapy to radiation was consistently shown to improve local control, and in some trials, improved overall survival. Neoadjuvant combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy are superior to adjuvant combined-modality therapy because of higher rates of sphincter preservation, less toxicity, and lower local recurrence rates. For patients with stage II or III disease, neoadjuvant continuous-infusion 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), concurrently with pelvic radiation, followed by postoperative 5-FU–based chemotherapy, remains the standard multimodality approach. Ongoing trials are testing the integration of newer cytotoxic agents such as capecitabine, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and biologic agents such as cetuximab and bevacizumab to chemoradiation.
Individualization of gasoline samples by covariance mapping and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

A set of 10 fresh (unevaporated) gasoline samples from a single metropolitan area were differentiated based on a covariance mapping method combined with a t-test statistic. The covariance matrix for each sample was calculated from the retention time−ion abundance data set obtained by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. Distance metrics were calculated between the covariance matrices from replicate analyses of the same sample and between the replicate analyses of different samples. The distance metric for the same-sample comparisons were shown to constitute a population significantly different from the distance metric for the different-sample comparisons. A power analysis was performed to estimate the number of analyses needed to discriminate between two samples while maintaining a probability of type II error, β, below 1%, e.g., a test power greater than 99%. Triplicate analyses of two gasoline samples was shown to be sufficient to discriminate between the two using a t-test, while keeping β < ...
Availability of sorbed toluene in soils for biodegradation by acclimated bacteria

Abstract Batch soil microcosms were used to evaluate the sorption and bioavailability of toluene in an organic soil containing acclimated bacteria. Most toluene sorption occurs rapidly but a small fraction ( Measurement of both sorbed and solution phase toluene concentrations indicate that acclimated bacteria quickly utilize toluene under aerobic conditions. Within 2 days total toluene was reduced below measurable levels. Desorption of most toluene from soil is rapid, thereby becoming available to acclimated bacteria in the aqueous phase. However, a small quantity of toluene desorbs very slowly and becomes available for biodegradation at a rate limited by desorption.
Linear IgA dermatosis with IgA and IgG autoantibodies to the 180 kDa bullous pemphigoid antigen (BP180): evidence for a distinct subtype

Background Autoantibodies in linear immunoglobulin A (IgA) disease (LAD) are reported to be of IgA class and directed against a 97-120 kDa epidermal antigen. Methods We report a 39-year-old woman with clinical features of LAD and with circulating IgA and IgG autoantibodies to the 180 kDa bullous pemphigoid antigen (BP180). Results Histopathology of lesional skin revealed a subepidermal blister with mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate. Direct immunofluorescence of perilesional skin showed linear deposits of IgA along the dermal-epidermal junction. The antigen specificity of the patient's circulating antibodies was determined by Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) using various antigen sources, including cultured human keratinocytes, dermal protein lysates, and purified laminin-5, as well as proteins corresponding to BP180, the 230 kDa bullous pemphigoid antigen (BP230), laminin-5 subunits, and collagen IV alpha1-alpha6 chains. IgA and IgG antibodies in the patient's serum were directed against BP180, and no IgA or IgG reactivity was found against the other skin antigens. Conclusions These data provide evidence for the presence of a subtype of LAD with dual IgA and IgG autoimmune response to BP180.
The Incidence of Salmonella in Random-Source Cats Purchased for Use in Research

In research facilities, cats are routinely ignored as a potential source of salmonella infection. Over a period of 18 months, 142 cats received from commercial vendors for use in research were screened for enteric Salmonella. Salmonella was isolated from 15 animals, an incidence of 10.6%. Five (29%) of the 17 shipments contained animals that were positive for Salmonella. The serotypes isolated were Salmonella derby, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella anatum, Salmonella enteritidis, and Salmonella bredeney.
The association between treatment-specific optimism and depressive symptomatology in patients enrolled in a Phase I cancer clinical trial

BACKGROUND Previous research has found that cancer patients often overestimate the likelihood that they will achieve a positive response in Phase I trials. However, maintaining optimistic expectations may help patients cope with a poor prognosis and uncertain outcome. The authors prospectively examined the association between treatment-specific optimism and mental health among patients participating in a Phase I/b trial. METHODS Twenty-four patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and 22 patients with metastatic melanoma completed an assessment battery at the beginning of treatment and 3 weeks later, on the final day of treatment. Patients completed measures of treatment-specific optimism (e.g., beliefs regarding the treatment working), depressive symptomatology, mood disturbance, and overall distress. RESULTS The majority of patients believed that the treatment would either cure them (87%) or stop cancer progression (85%). Regression analyses revealed that the level of treatment-specific optimism (e.g., “The treatment I am receiving may cure me”) was associated negatively with baseline measures of depressive symptoms (P < 0.006), mood disturbance (P < 0.001), and symptoms of distress (P < 0.0001) after controlling for age, number of metastases, and time since diagnosis. Patients with symptoms of clinical depression at baseline reported significantly lower levels of treatment-specific optimism than patients without symptoms (P < 0.03). Treatment-specific optimism also was associated negatively with symptoms of depression at the end of treatment (P < 0.003), controlling for symptoms of depression at the beginning of treatment. CONCLUSIONS The results of the current study suggest that high levels of treatment-specific optimism are associated with better mental health outcomes at both the beginning and end of treatment. Cancer 2001;91:1949–55. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
Emerging modes of timeline data collection: Event history calendar time diary and methods

Social scientists are often interested in measuring time devoted to different activities over some reference period?such as weeks worked for pay in a year, or hours per day spent in housework or childcare. Besides the elapsed time in a certain domain, they may also want some characterization of the activity, such as attributes of a spell of time or information on the timing of external events or transitions from one activity or state to another. The purpose of such measures is to construct variables which capture the level of designated time allocations and responses for the purpose of understanding behavior in the context of a model. In turn, the model portrays the choices of individuals with respect to a type of behavior, ranging from work, leisure, health states and investment (Juster 1985; Juster & Stafford 1991; Gershuny 2000) to episodes of violence or periods in various affective states. In such analyses a goal can be to understand factors shaping well-being. The extent and nature of the economic model is a major issue. Economists likely have a contribution to make through the use of models of choice and market implications of time allocation both in the market for work and within the family for home production. A nice range of models can and has been applied and illustrated in the preceding article by Dan Hamermesh. There is also a value to working backwards from the data itself. For example, we see papers written by economists on leisure and work. But the nature of leisure has been shaped in a dramatic way by communication technology, and the nature of children's time has been shaped radically by information technology. So, I believe time diary data can give rise to synergistic models using economics and other disciplines. Television came from almost nowhere as a time use to absorb a major share of "passive" leisure. Here I think economists can benefit from interdisciplinary work to understand television in a more nuanced way than as simply a (big!) component of "passive leisure" induced by technical change! Moreover, work by biom?dical researchers can help us understand the implications of the declining active leisure of children, and how early childhood obesity settles in to be more stable inter-temporally as children become teenagers. Here some general economic modeling elements may play a role, but characterizing the obesity patterns as primarily a process of constrained optimization is likely to fail.
Recovery of white blood cells from dried blood spots on Guthrie cards

Abstract White blood cells (WBC) were recovered from dried blood spots on Guthrie cards by a simple and efficient prototypic method. The mummified formed elements of dried blood on filter paper are first fixed, then the red blood cells laked in situ. Last, the paper matrix is itself digested away with cellulase in acid buffer, releasing the partially rehydrated, mummified WBC and other cellular materials into suspension for collection and examination. These results represent a first step toward development of diagnostic tests on WBC recovered from dried blood, from basic WBC counts to more complex molecular analyses.
Role of chemokines in fungal infections

The production of chemokines at the site of a fungal infection is critical for effective recruitment of leukocytes to that site. Over 40 chemokines and 20 chemokine receptors have been identified. The most intriguing biological property of chemokines is that they often play non-redundant roles in vivo even though they are highly related, have multiple activities and bind multiple chemokine receptors. Almost all of the chemokine studies to date have concentrated on responses to Cryptococcus, Candida, Aspergillus or Pneumocystis. The role of chemokines in infections caused by fungi such as Histoplasma, Blastomyces, Coccidioides and Paracoccidioides remains to be explored. In this review we have summarized what is currently known about the role of chemokines during fungal infection, including the influence of these signaling proteins on effector cell recruitment and development of cell-mediated immunity.
Demand management as an element of transportation policy: using carrots and sticks to influence travel behavior

Abstract This paper describes the characteristics of transportation demand management. The origin of transportation demand management (TDM) as it has evolved in the US is related to federal policy initiatives that first focused on improving the efficiency of the urban transportation system through operational improvements, and then incorporated concerns such as air quality and energy conservation into the transportation planning process. The paper then examines the effectiveness of TDM actions, and concludes that those actions most likely to increase the “price” of travel for single occupant vehicle use will be most effective. The paper identifies several strategies for improving the effectiveness of TDM actions in the context of regional transportation planning, including: incorporating TDM as part of the solutions for regional transportation planning, linking TDM to land use decisions, making the costs of travel more apparent to the user, and making TDM implementation more palatable to the general public.
The perfect B -splines and a time-optimal control problem

Letx v =cos (πν/n) (v=0, 1, …,n). It is shown that theB-splineM(x)=M(x; x 0 ,x 1 ,…, x n ) is such thatM n (n) (x) has a constant absolute value (=2 n−2 (n−1)!) in [−1, 1]. Its integralf 0(x)=∫ −1 M(t)dt is shown to have an optimal property that allows to solveexplicitly a certain time-optimal control problem.
Modeling thermomechanical fatigue behavior of Sn-Ag solder joints

Stresses that develop because of the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between solder and substrate/components contribute to thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) of the solder joints. However, the relative importance of several processes that contribute to damage accumulation and its role in affecting the reliability of the solder joints are far from being understood. Aging, creep/stress relaxation, and stress/strain reversals are some of the important processes. These processes are affected by service conditions, such as the temperature extremes experienced, rates of heating and cooling, dwell times at the extreme temperatures, and so on. In addition, the elastic and plastic anisotropy of tin could also contribute to the damage accumulation during TMF of Sn-based solders. This preliminary effort to model TMF in Sn-Ag solder joints will consider the role of each of these parameters, with significant emphasis on the anisotropic-elastic behavior of Sn grains.
Prolactin-secreting adenomas in women. VII. Dopamine regulation of prolactin secretion.

Abstract Previous studies demonstrated that high doses of dopamine administered as a constant infusion were capable of suppressing PRL secretion in both normal and hyperprolactinemic individuals. The present study was designed to examine the dose-response relationship of PRL suppression to low doses of dopamine (between 0.06 and 4 μg/kg·min) infused in a stepwise fashion. Ten hyperprolactinemic patients with PRL-secreting pituitary adenomas and 10 normally menstruating women in the early follicular phase of a cycle were studied. For hyperprolactinemic women, the mean (±SD) serum PRL level (by RIA) was 112 ± 101 ng/ml, with a range of 26-386 ng/ml, the mean estradiol level (by RIA) was 28 ± 8 pg/ml, and the mean baseline dopamine level by carboxy-o-methyl transferase assay (COMT) was 357 ± 237 pg/ml (2.33 ± 1.54 × 10−9 M). The normal women had a mean PRL of 8.1 ± 3.5 ng/ml, a mean estradiol level of 42 ± 12 pg/ml, and a mean baseline dopamine level of 317 ± 223 pg/ml (2.07 ± 1.45 × 10−9 M). Concentrations ...
Effect of gel-point versus conversion on the real-time dynamics of holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) formation

We present data that indicates much more uniform reflection grating notches are formed when using thiol-ene photopolymerization as compared to the typical multifunctional acrylate photopolymerization. The scaling behavior of both diffraction efficiency and notch bandwidth versus thickness is presented for both acrylate and thiol-ene-based polymer hosts. The latter follows predicted behavior over a much larger range of thickness than the former. We attribute these differences to a delay in the gel-point with respect to the reaction start. Since the bulk of shrinkage occurs before gelation, detrimental effects caused by anisotropic stress build-up and subsequent relaxation is minimized. Using real-time monitoring techniques, we monitor the blue shift of the notch wavelength and the bandwidth development as a function of time for both chemistries. We demonstrate that thicker samples with appreciable diffraction efficiency and narrow bandwidths can be obtained.
Benchmarking thrift and mortgage finance companies

This study uses data envelopment analysis DEA approach to benchmark the performance of 13 thrifts and mortgage finance companies against one another for the period 2008 to 2011. We cover the period of start of the economic crisis and the consequent passing of new law to regulate the financial services industry. We find that, at the height of the economic crisis in 2008, only five companies out of 13 thrifts and mortgage finance companies were efficient and in 2010, the number of efficient companies actually declined to four. In 2011, the number of efficient companies increased to eleven. We illustrate the use of data envelopment analysis DEA, an operations research technique, to evaluate the relative financial strength of 13 thrift and mortgage firms by benchmarking them against their peers on the basis of four variables. DEA clearly brings out the firms that are operating more efficiently in comparison to other firms in the industry, and points out the areas in which poorly performing firms need to improve.