cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heritability Estimates for Calving Date in Simmental Cattle1

Variation among sires in daughters' reproductive performance was analyzed using data on 4,300 cows from eight herds obtained from the American Simmental Association. Cows were required to have at least 50% Simmentai breeding, to have calved first at 2 yr of age and to have been born and subsequently calved in the same herd and season. Traits analyzed included first and second calving dates, first calving interval and the percentage of cows that returned to calve in the same season as 3-yr-olds. Data were adjusted for effects of percentage Simmental and first-calf calving ease score. At second calving, purebred Simmentals calved 1.7 + 1.2 d later than 75% Simmental cattle and 5.1 + 1.4 d later than 50% Simmental cattle. When compared with cows that calved without assistance at first calving, cows experiencing easy pulls were 1.7 + 1.4% less likely to calve as 3-yr-olds and had 4.9 + 1.0 d longer calving intervals. Cows with hard pulls were 9.0 + 2.1% less likely to return and had 6.5 + 1.6 d longer calving intervals. Cows requiring cesarean section were 23.1 + 2.5% less likely to return and had 19.6 + 2.4 d longer calving intervals. Heritability estimates were .17 + .04 for first calving date, .07 + .06 for second calving date, .04 + .05 for caivinginterval and .11  .04 for percent return. Calving interval does not appear to be a useful selection criterion to improve reproduction. Phenotypic and genetic correlations of first calving date with calving interval were -.58 and -.83 + .37, respectively. The genetic correlation between first and second calving dates was .66 + .41. Given current data recording procedures, calving date appears to be the most useful
Adjuvant radiotherapy and outcomes of presumed hemorrhagic melanoma brain metastases without malignant cells.

Background Patients with melanoma can present with a hemorrhagic intracranial lesion. Upon resection, pathology reports may not detect any malignant cells. However, the hemorrhage may obscure their presence and so physicians may still decide whether adjuvant radiotherapy should be applied. Here, we report on the outcomes of a series of patients with melanoma with hemorrhagic brain lesions that returned with no tumor cells. Methods All melanoma patients who had craniotomies from 2008 to 2017 at a single institution for hemorrhagic brain lesions were identified through retrospective chart review. Those who had pathology reports with no malignant cells were analyzed. Recurrence at the former site of hemorrhage and resection was the primary outcome. Results Ten patients met inclusion criteria, and the median follow-up time was 8.5 (1.8-27.3) months. At the time of craniotomy, the median number of brain lesions was 3 (1-25). Two patients had prior craniotomies, eight had prior radiation, and six had prior immunotherapy to the lesion of interest. After surgery, one patient received stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) to the resection bed. Only one patient developed subsequent melanoma at the resection site; this patient developed the lesion recurrence once and had not received postoperative SRS. Conclusion Although small foci of metastatic disease as a source of bleeding for some patients cannot be excluded, melanoma patients with a suspected hemorrhagic brain metastasis that shows no tumor cells on pathology may benefit from close observation. The local recurrence risk in such cases appears to be low, even without adjuvant radiation.
What’s Perception Got To Do with It? Re-framing Foundations for Rational Number Concepts

Rational number knowledge is critical for mathematical literacy and academic success. However, despite considerable research efforts, rational numbers present perennial difficulties for a large number of learners. These difficulties have led some to posit that rational numbers are not a natural fit for human cognition. In this chapter, we challenge this assumption, describing recent research into intuitive routes to understanding rational number concepts that diverge from those popular in current curricular recommendations. Namely, we develop the claim that humans are perceptually sensitive to nonsymbolic ratio magnitudes, and that this sensitivity is an early developing, robust and abstract aspect of cognition. We suggest that attending to this perceptually based sensitivity can inform existing theory and help provide a basis for the design of more effective instruction on rational number concepts.
Cystic fibrosis. Infection and immunity to Pseudomonas.

Chronic pulmonary infection withP. aeruginosa in CF may result from: 1. An initial failure of clearance mechanisms (increased adherence) leading to the development of a highly compartmentalized inflammatory reaction; 2. Inhibition of clearing mechanisms for bacteria present in the bronchial lumen; and 3. A largely ineffective, and possibly damaging, hyperactivity of inflammatory cells in the lumen and bronchial wall.
Minimally invasive trans-nasal biopsy of the small intestine (Conference Presentation)

Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) is a pathological condition of the small intestine that is endemic to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). EED is thought to interfere with nutrient absorption and enteropathogen exclusion, resulting in altered immune response, increased infection, and limited neurological and physical development. Biopsy of the small intestine is the current diagnostic gold standard for diagnosis yet is untenable due to lack of availability in these countries. Endoscopic biopsy is further problematic since EED-related stunting can only be reversed if diagnosed in the first two years of life when endoscopy must be conducted under anesthesia in advanced medical care settings. Thus, there is an unmet need for a minimally invasive technology for obtaining small intestinal biopsies in unsedated infants in LMICs. To address this need, we have developed an OCT image-guided trans-nasal cryobiopsy device. The device comprises a dual-lumen 1.2 mm outer diameter (OD) probe, terminated by a metal tip, through which Freon is injected. The device is introduced through the lumen of a novel liquid-metal transnasal imaging tube that passively transits to the small intestine. M-mode OCT image guidance is used to determine when the metal tip is in contact with the mucosa so that cryobiopsies may be efficiently acquired. We have conducted feasibility experiments using this device in 10 swine in vivo, demonstrating residual bleeding that is comparable to conventional excisional biopsy, tissue sampling volumes that are greater than or equal to those of conventional biopsy, and high-quality histopathology. These results suggest that this transnasal cryobiopsy technique may be suitable for infants in low-resource settings where EED is prevalent, due to its simplicity and its ability to be used in unsedated subjects.
Disrupting the link between maltreatment and delinquency: how school, family, and community factors can be protective

Past experiences of childhood maltreatment are common for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. This paper explores potential protective factors at the peer, family, school, and neighborhood levels that disrupt the relationship between maltreatment and later non-violent and violent offending behavior and how these protective effects vary by a number of different sociodemographics. We used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), a nationally representative longitudinal study of adolescents who were in grades 7–12 in the 1994–95 school year. Pulling data from Add Health respondents from ages 13 to 30, we used linear mixed effects modeling to create growth curves of predicted violent and non-violent offending frequency from adolescence into young adulthood, with maltreatment frequency as a predictor. Next, we tested whether potential protective factors including time with friends, a high-quality relationship with a parent figure, school connection, or neighborhood collective efficacy moderated the intercept or slope of the growth curves. Finally, we tested if sex, race/ethnicity, or sexual orientation moderated these protective effects. For violent offending, school connection, high-quality relationships with mother or father figures, and neighborhood collective efficacy were all generally protective, meaning they were associated with lower levels and shallower slopes of predicted violent offending, but they were not more or less protective for those who experienced maltreatment. For non-violent offending, the same was true of school connection, high-quality relationships with a mother figure, and neighborhood collective efficacy, which were all generally protective. We found no evidence of a protective effect for time spent with friends, though this is likely due to measurement constraints, as simply measuring time spent with friends may have heterogeneous effects on delinquent behaviors. We found no evidence that any of these protective effects varied by sociodemographics. This paper identifies factors that teachers, juvenile corrections officers, policymakers and others can intervene on to prevent engagement (or re-engagement) in delinquency and offending among youth and young adults who experienced maltreatment. As they are also protective for youth who have not experienced maltreatment they also inform general delinquency prevention efforts.
The politics of designing with nature: reflections from New Orleans and Dhaka

Over the 50 years since its publication, Ian McHarg’s Design with Nature has been enormously influential in shaping design and planning in cities and regions around the world, including in the flood-prone cities of New Orleans and Dhaka, Bangladesh. This commentary reviews the influence of Design with Nature in key plans and proposals in Dhaka and New Orleans to highlight the potentials and limitations of applying McHarg’s methods. In both cities, McHarg-influenced urban expansion plans of the 1970s and 1980s were largely not implemented because their focus on geophysical landscape processes did not address considerations of power, politics, and property. More recent green infrastructure proposals have threatened to entrench urban inequalities by labeling low-lying low-income settlements as against natural laws of landscape suitability. Drawing on these cases and on critical environmental scholarship produced in the years since Design with Nature, the commentary argues that McHarg’s work is essential for addressing contemporary urbanization challenges, but that it must be amended with a greater recognition of the politics of urbanization and environmental risk. To do so would require (1) expanding and problematizing the idea of nature, challenging the stable nature–society binary, and embracing pluralistic forms of environmental knowledge; (2) shifting from a conceptualization of design as “revelation” by technical experts to methods centered on synthesizing diverse perspectives and enabling democratic deliberation; and (3) recognizing that the shift to designing with nature is a politically fraught process in which adaptation opportunities and constraints are defined by place-specific historical patterns of urbanization.
Is Managerial Myopia a Persistent Governance Problem

Critics of U.S. corporations have long argued that companies are overly focused on short‐term results and, as a consequence, sacrifice their own long‐run value and competitiveness. These criticisms have expanded in recent years to include those from prominent politicians, investors, consultants, and academics. If such criticisms have merit, they would imply a massive governance failure in which there has been decades of underinvestment with little adjustment on the part of managers, boards, or the market for corporate control. This article evaluates the economic underpinnings of these criticisms and analyzes their implications in the context of empirical evidence produced by several decades of research on corporate investment policies, the outcomes of corporate control events, investor horizons, and the market pricing of companies with little if any earnings. In reviewing the findings of these studies, the author finds little evidence to support the view that U.S. companies sacrifice long‐run value and competitiveness by systematically underinvesting. First, although U.S. companies have indeed cut back on tangible investments such as property, plant, and equipment, these cutbacks have been more than offset by the dramatic growth in investment in intangibles, such as spending on developing knowledge capital, brand‐building, and IT infrastructure. Second, when subjected to events that have the effect of reducing managerial control over investment policies and transferring control to outside investors—such as leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations, forced CEO dismissals, and shareholder activist campaigns—companies tend to reduce, not increase, investment spending. In fact, it is difficult to find any corporate control threats that have had the goal or effect of increasing investment. Third, and at the same time, the rising concentration of large institutional investors, including indexers such as BlackRock and Vanguard, suggests that investors have become, if anything, more long‐term oriented over time. Fourth, there is no evidence that the market shuns companies that have yet to report large (or indeed any) earnings. These findings suggest that curbing overinvestment, and not discouraging myopia and underinvestment, may well still be the larger corporate governance challenge facing investors when monitoring and attempting to influence the performance of U.S. companies.
Revealing inconsistencies in X-ray width methods for nanomaterials

Since the landmark development of the Scherrer method a century ago, multiple generations of width methods for X-ray diffraction originated to non-invasively and rapidly characterize the property-controlling sizes of nanoparticles, nanowires, and nanocrystalline materials. However, the predictive power of this approach suffers from inconsistencies among numerous methods and from misinterpretations of the results. Therefore, we systematically evaluated twenty-two width methods on a representative nanomaterial subjected to thermal and mechanical loads. To bypass experimental complications and enable a 1 : 1 comparison between ground truths and the results of width methods, we produced virtual X-ray diffractograms from atomistic simulations. These simulations realistically captured the trends that we observed in experimental synchrotron diffraction. To comprehensively survey the width methods and to guide future investigations, we introduced a consistent, descriptive nomenclature. Alarmingly, our results demonstrated that popular width methods, especially the Williamson–Hall methods, can produce dramatically incorrect trends. We also showed that the simple Scherrer methods and the rare Energy methods can well characterize unloaded and loaded states, respectively. Overall, this work improved the utility of X-ray diffraction in experimentally evaluating a variety of nanomaterials by guiding the selection and interpretation of width methods.
Metabolic evaluation and medical management of staghorn calculi

Staghorn renal calculi are large renal calculi that occupy nearly the entirety of the renal collecting system. They may be composed of metabolic or infection stone types. They are often associated with specific metabolic defects. Infection stones are associated with urease-producing bacterial urinary tract infections. The ideal treatment for staghorn calculi is maximal surgical removal. However, some patients are either unwilling or unable to proceed with that modality of treatment, and therefore other management must be used. One such technique is the metabolic evaluation with directed medical management. Based on contemporary evidence that the majority of staghorn stones are metabolic in etiology, and furthermore that even infection stones are usually associated with metabolic abnormalities, metabolic evaluation with directed medical management is recommended for all staghorn stone formers. The scientific basis of this recommendation is reviewed in the present work.
A Unified Power System Model to Analyze the Benefits of Electric Vehicles in Power Grid

Electric vehicles (EVs) can serve as generators, supplying power during blackouts to mitigate potential damage and losses. However, current power system models prevent a comprehensive analysis of EVs' role in power grid operations since EVs are located at the residential level, and large-scale power system studies use separate models for generation, transmission, and distribution. To analyze how EVs can improve the power grid operations under contingencies, it is necessary to construct the power grid model considering three aspects. This paper presents an undergraduate senior design study that introduces an end-to-end model of the electric grid that includes generation, transmission, distribution and customer. Based on the proposed model, the authors build a synthetic grid for Bryan/College Station (BCS) area to analyze the benefits of EVs in power grids. The proposed model not only presents a more complete model of EVs and distributed generation but also provides different scenarios for EVs' benefits studies.
The Hierarchical Decomposition Approach to High Dimension Multi-Objective Programming Problems

This chapter provides an overview of the hierarchical decomposition approach to high-dimension multi-objective programming problems. T. I. Korotkova of the Moscow Aviation Institute developed the theoretical foundations for a method applicable to high-dimension multi-objective programming problems. Drawing on the theory of hierarchical systems developed in Mesarovic, Macko, Takahara 1970, Korotkova proposes conceptualizing complex multi-objective problems as hierarchical, multilevel systems and then finding a solution to the original problem by solving a series of computationally manageable subproblems associated with the various subsystems in the hierarchy. By allowing the original large-scale problem to be decomposed into a series of smaller-scale problems, the hierarchical decomposition formulation renders solvable otherwise intractable problems. The hierarchical decomposition approach has been frequently employed in practice by those responsible for designing and/or operating large-scale systems with multiple objectives. However, such methods have been based simply on the intuition and experience of the operators and have never been analytically substantiated.
Abstract 4475: Site-specific profiling of TCR signaling

Background: T cell exhaustion is a hyporesponsive state commonly found in cancer and is characterized by overexpression of inhibitory receptors and secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) target inhibitory receptors such as PD-1 and CTLA-4 to reinvigorate exhausted T cells and promote anti-tumor responses. While ICIs have improved clinical outcomes, no biomarker to date reliably determines the extent of T cell exhaustion. Since robust T cell receptor (TCR) signaling is critical for effective antitumor immunity, we hypothesized that interrogating the phospho-signaling states within the T cells along with their functional states will enhance our understanding of T cell exhaustion and yield potential biomarkers. Methods: In this study, we developed a validated mass cytometry panel of 24 markers to quantify phosphorylation states of 8 intracellular kinases involved in the TCR signaling within multiple CD8+ T cell subtypes. To identify potential differences between the local and peripheral immunological responses, we profiled CD8+ T cells derived from four sites (tumor, tumor draining lymph node, spleen and peripheral blood) in mice bearing MC38-induced flank tumors. We performed a clustering analysis of the dataset in aggregate using FlowSOM and visualized the results with UMAP, a dimensionality reduction algorithm, to compare the phospho-profiles of CD8+ T cell subtypes in all four sites. Results: Bulk analysis of CD8+ T cells demonstrates site-specific concordance between phosphoprotein markers and T cell functional markers (i.e. Ki67 and Granzyme B) with the highest expression in tumor followed by tumor draining lymph node, spleen and peripheral blood. Based on the results from the clustering analysis, site-specific breakdown of CD8+ T cells revealed high prevalence of effector, memory, and exhausted memory T cells in tumors compared to other sites where naive T cells predominated. Despite these variations in CD8+ T cell immunophenotypic distribution, TCR signaling profiles correlated strongly with specific T cell subtypes across all sites. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that subtype-specific TCR signaling is preserved systemically and that phospho-immune subtyping of CD8+ T cells in the peripheral blood may be used to identify T cell exhaustion states that are found in the tumor microenvironment. Further studies will be conducted to investigate the changes in the TCR phospho-profiles in response to ICI treatment and their associated functions. Citation Format: Zaw Phyo, Rohan Verma, Won J. Ho, Elizabeth M. Jaffee. Site-specific profiling of TCR signaling [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 4475.
Breakups on Social Media: Social Behaviors and Dilemmas

In this paper, we explore "apart" behaviors, which are conducted to disconnect with ex-partners using various technological affordances on social media, to extend CSCW/HCI knowledge of how social media supports disconnections in post-breakups. 174 posts and comments from Reddit, Quora, and Facebook, along with sixteen online articles, were qualitatively analyzed. Our findings show how users conduct apart behaviors using technological affordances and their expectations of features to facilitate apart behaviors. We also present two social dilemmas in experiencing apart behaviors on social media.
Phantom Tumor Tracking in Dual-Energy Fluoroscopy using a Kalman Filter

Radiation therapy (RT) of lung tumors requires an accurate and real-time localization of the tumor while the patient is being treated. Tumor motion caused by breathing can impact dose delivery in patients with lung cancer, leading to poor disease management and damage to surrounding normal tissues. A major challenge in tumor tracking using fluoroscopic imaging is to track the tumor while it is occluded by the overlapping bones (ribs and spine). In this work, we propose a series of three modeling strategies combining template matching for initial probability estimation and Kalman filter for sequential measurement updates. The images were acquired using a fast-kV switching real-time fluoroscope utilizing a dynamic thorax motion phantom. We utilized three distinct physics-based state representations to predict the motion of the tumor: Velocity, Acceleration, and Spring Motion. The Kalman filter with Spring Motion physics performed best with the average RMSE rates of 0.44 mm improving template matching alone with RMSE 1.81 cm. Additionally, occlusion and noise were simulated with general improvements from the Spring Motion Kalman filter. The proposed method will enable more accurate and precise lung radiotherapy using existing hardware and workflow. Our future work is focused on the clinical implementation of this method.
Measuring calcium activity within individual neurons within the rat thalamus.

Abstract Detailed methods for imaging calcium activity in single cells within the ventral posteromedial thalamic nucleus of the rat was completed for the first time in these studies. These methods also detail the procedure to image calcium activity in individual GABAergic neurons within the reticular thalamic nucleus using GAD1-Cre rats. This activity was measured in freely behaving rats allowing for recording of activity from GABA neurons during behavioral testing. Key methods for imaging success are: • Calcium activity in the lateral thalamic region is inhibited by isoflurane anesthesia and GCAMP florescent cells are often not observed when mounting the baseplate. • If no cells are observed when mounting the baseplate then place the lens at 300 micrometers or focus on a blood vessel if present. • Depending on the virus, a one microliter infusion could be needed to produce a one millimeter field of GCAMP positive cells for imaging with a lens having a one millimeter diameter.
Novel fusion genes in spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma: The spectrum broadens.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) encompasses a heterogeneous group of tumors with striated muscle differentiation. RMSs are classified as alveolar, embryonal, spindle cell /sclerosing and pleomorphic types and molecular analysis of these tumors has identified aberrations that are useful in their further subclassification. Spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma (SpRMS) is uncommon and has been described with VGLL2 fusions, EWSR1/FUS-TFCP2 rearrangements, and myoD1 mutations - the mutations are associated with significantly different prognoses. Also, the NCOA2-MEIS1 fusion gene was recently described in two primary intraosseous RMS that contained spindle cell components. Herein, we report three cases of SpRMS harboring different novel fusion genes, one possessing EP300-VGLL3, a second with NCOA2-MEIS1 and CAV1-MET, and the third case had HMGA2-NEGR1 and multiple amplified genes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Speaking for Animals : Animal Autobiographical Writing

Introduction Part I: (Mis) Representing Animals: The Limits and Possibilities of Representation 1. What Do We Want from Talking Animals? Reflections on Literary Representations of Animal Voices and Minds Karla Armbruster 2. Our Animals, Ourselves: Representing Animal Minds in Timothy and The White Bone Ryan Hediger 3. Investigations of a Dog, by a Dog: Between Anthropocentrism and Canine-Centrism Naama Harel Part II: Animals in Human Traditions 4. With Dogs and Lions as Witnesses: Speaking Animals in the History of Christianity Laura Hobgood-Oster 5. The Speaking Animal: Non-Human Voices in Comics Lisa Brown 6. Who'll Let the Dogs In? Animals, Authorship, and the Library Catalog Nancy Babb Part III: Animal Self, Human Self 7. Mistresses as Masters: Voicing Female Power Through the Subject Animal in Two Nineteenth-Century Animal Autobiographies Monica Flegel 8. Catster.com: Creating Feline Identities Online Jennifer L. Schally and Stephen R. Couch 9. Identity, Community and Grief: The Role of Bunspace in Human and Rabbit Lives Margo DeMello Part IV: Interspecies Communication and Connection 10. Talking Dogs, Companion Capital, and the Limits of Bio-Political Fitness Merit Anglin 11. If We Could Talk to the Animals: On Changing the (Post) Human Subject Kathy Rudy Part V: Speaking and Knowing: Accessing Animal Subjectivity 13. The Power of Testimony: The Speaking Animal's Plea for Understanding in a Selection of Eighteenth-Century British Poetry Anne Milne 14. "Straight from the Horse's Mouth": Equine Memoirs and Autobiographies Marion Copeland 14. First Friend, First Words: Speaking of/to Talking Dogs Jill Morstad Part VI: The Ethics and Value of Speaking for Animals 15. Horse Talk: Horses and Human(e) Discourses Natalie Corinne Hansen 16. Speaking For Dogs: The Role of Dog Biographies in Improving Canine Welfare in Bangkok, Thailand Nikki Savvides 17. The Elephant Letters: The Story of Billy and Kani G.A. Bradshaw
Rostral brain regions contributing to respiratory control.

Publisher Summary Respiratory muscles are used for a variety of behaviors in addition to the primary function of air exchange. These behaviors require input from a number of brain structures onto motorneuron pools for muscles mediating respiration, and include descending influences from limbic, periaqueductal grey, and cortical regions. Respiratory output neurons are also influenced by blood pressure variations; cardiovascular activity is, in turn, mediated by descending limbic projections, as well as by local activity on the ventral medullary surface. The rostral ventral medullary surface shows a marked regional activation to blood pressure lowering, and a profound decline in activity with blood pressure elevation over widespread areas, suggesting local influences on enhanced breathing during depressor challenges and suppressed breathing during pressor stimuli. The influence of limbic projections on breathing patterns may be especially pronounced during transient events, such as startle or affective activities. Dorsal hippocampal regions show pronounced regional activation changes during momentary respiratory events, such as sighs and apnea, with onset of activity preceding resumption of breathing.
Direct detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum by polymerase chain reaction and DNA hybridization

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the rapid diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis was developed by using oligonucleotide primers to amplify a fragment of IS6110, an insertion sequence repeated multiple times in the chromosome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Sediment obtained from sputa processed by the N-acetyl-L-cysteine-NaOH method was suspended in a simple lysis buffer and was heated at 100 degrees C for 30 min prior to amplification. A dUTP-uracil N-glycosylase PCR protocol was used to prevent false-positive test results because of the carryover of products from previous amplification reactions. The 317-bp amplicon was detected by direct gel analysis and Southern blotting and then hybridization with a biotin-labeled internal probe. Hybrid molecules were detected by using a commercially available avidin-alkaline phosphatase-chemiluminescent substrate system (Tropix, Inc., Bedford, Mass.). The analytical sensitivity of the assay was 10 fg of purified mycobacterial DNA. The limits of detection by culture (Middlebrook 7H11 agar and Lowenstein-Jensen medium) and by PCR were equivalent in terminal dilution experiments for organism suspensions and positive sputa. An internal control was used to detect the presence of amplification inhibitors in each negative reaction mixture. DNA was purified from inhibitory specimens by phenol-chloroform extraction and ethanol precipitation. PCR results were compared with results of microscopy and conventional culture for the detection of M. tuberculosis in 313 sputum specimens. There were 124 specimens that were positive for M. tuberculosis by conventional methods and 113 (91%) that were positive by PCR. PCR detected 105 of 110 (95%) of the smear-positive and 8 of 14 (57%) of the smear-negative specimens. There were no false-positive results by PCR (specificity, 100%). This PCR assay innovations that make application of this new technology feasible in clinical microbiology laboratories.
Targeting AIDS-Kaposi's sarcoma.

A new in vivo study shows that an interleukin-4–Pseudomonas aeruginosa hybrid immunotoxin efficiently eradicates AIDS-KS xenografts in nude mice and prevents tumor-associated symptoms (pages 817–822).
LIGAND-INDUCED PROSTAGLANDIN SYNTHESIS REQUIRES EXPRESSION OF THE TIS10/PGS-2 PROSTAGLANDIN SYNTHASE GENE IN MURINE FIBROBLASTS AND MACROPHAGES

Phospholipase activation has been considered rate-limiting for ligand-stimulated prostaglandin (PG) synthesis. Constitutive prostaglandin synthase EC 1.14.99.1 (PGS-1) has been thought to convert arachidonate released following ligand stimulation to PGH2. However, a second prostaglandin synthase, TIS10/PGS-2, is inducible in many cell types, including fibroblasts and macrophages. We have used antisense oligonucleotide inhibition of TIS10/PGS-2 induction to investigate the role of this enzyme in ligand-induced prostaglandin production in fibroblasts and macrophages. Antisense TIS10/PGS-2 oligonucleotides block mitogen-induced prostaglandin production and TIS10/PGS-2 protein synthesis in both Swiss 3T3 cells and murine embryo fibroblast cultures, without inhibiting either constitutive PGS-1 activity or mitogen-stimulated arachidonic acid release. TIS10/PGS-2 antisense oligonucleotides also block production of PGE2 from endogenous arachidonate following endotoxin stimulation of both RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and murine peritoneal macrophages. In contrast, the constitutive prostaglandin synthase present in macrophages is unable to convert arachidonate released following endotoxin stimulation into prostaglandin. TIS10/PGS-2 expression is necessary for both mitogen-induced prostaglandin production in murine fibroblasts and endotoxin-induced prostaglandin synthesis in macrophages. PGS-1 present in these cells cannot utilize arachidonic acid released in response to mitogen or endotoxin stimulation.
Temporal investment strategy to enable JPL future space missions

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) formulates and conducts deep space missions for NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration). The chief technologist of JPL has the responsibility for strategic planning of the laboratory's advanced technology program to assure that the required technological capabilities to enable future JPL deep space missions are ready as needed; as such he is responsible for the development of a Strategic Plan. As part of the planning effort, he has supported the development of a structured approach to technology prioritization based upon the work of the START (Strategic Assessment of Risk and Technology) team. A major innovation reported here is the addition of a temporal model that supports scheduling of technology development as a function of time. The JPL Strategic Technology Plan divides the required capabilities into 13 strategic themes. The results reported here represent the analysis of an initial seven.
The Metallicity of Hot DA White Dwarfs as Inferred from EUV Photometry

Photometric EUV observations have shown that the hotter DA white dwarfs tend to show significant excess opacity relative to hydrogen. EUV and high-resolution FUV spectroscopy have conclusively demonstrated that the excess opacity is due to the presence of trace heavy elements in the white dwarf photospheres. In the past, the general abundance distribution in hot DA has been studied as a function of temperature, assuming that He was the trace absorber. We present here the first determination of the variation of relative total heavy element abundances in DA as a function of both temperature and gravity using realistic models that include metals. We compare the observational results with theoretical calculations of equilibrium abundances due to radiative acceleration.
Stimulation of Cl permeability in colonic crypts of Lieberkühn measured with a fluorescent indicator.

Crypts of Lieberkuhn were isolated from rabbit distal colon and the halide-sensitive dye 6-methoxy-N-[3-sulfopropyl]quinolinium was used to monitor changes in cell Cl by fluorescence microscopy. Distal colon from rabbits actively secretes Cl and K when stimulated with prostaglandin (PG) E2 but secretes only K in response to epinephrine. The secretagogues PGE2 and epinephrine each produced transient decreases of the apparent cell Cl concentration in about one-half of the crypt cells. Permeability to Cl was assessed by brief substitutions with gluconate or Br in the bath. After stimulation of secretion by PGE2 or epinephrine, Cl efflux and Br influx were increased but only in the cells that exhibited the decrease in cell Cl at the onset of stimulation. Although Cl efflux during gluconate substitution was stimulated similarly with either PGE2 or epinephrine, epinephrine stimulation led to a lower apparent Cl concentration after 2 min of gluconate substitution. Together these results support the concept that a particular epithelial cell type in the crypts responds to secretagogues and that the Cl permeability pathways differ between the secretory states induced by PGE2 and epinephrine.
The Importance of Defining ‘Forest’: Tropical Forest Degradation, Deforestation, Long‐term Phase Shifts, and Further Transitions

While research continues on the causes, consequences, and rates of deforestation and forest degradation in the tropics, there is little agreement about what exactly is being lost, what we want back, and to whom the ‘we’ refers. Particularly unsettling is that many analyses and well-intended actions are implemented in fogs of ambiguity surrounding definitions of the term ‘forest’—a problem that is not solely semantic; with development of markets for biomass carbon, vegetation classification exercises take on new relevance. For example, according to the basic implementation guidelines of the Kyoto Protocol, closed canopy natural forest could be replaced by monoclonal plantations of genetically engineered exotic tree species and no deforestation would have occurred. Following these same guidelines, carbon credits for afforestation could be available for planting trees in species-rich savannas; these new plantations would count towards a country moving towards the ‘forest transition,’ the point at which there is no net ‘forest’ loss. Such obvious conflicts between biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration might be avoided if ‘forest’ was clearly defined and if other vegetation types and other ecosystem values were explicitly recognized. While acknowledging that no one approach to vegetation classification is likely to satisfy all users at all scales, we present an approach that recognizes the importance of species composition, reflects the utility of land-cover characteristics that are identifiable via remote sensing, and acknowledges that many sorts of forest degradation do not reduce carbon stocks (e.g., defaunation) or canopy cover (e.g., over-harvesting of understory nontimber forest products).
Beta-delayed fission and neutron emission calculations for the actinide cosmochronometers.

The Gamow-Teller beta-strength distributions for 19 neutron-rich nuclei, including ten of interest for the production of the actinide cosmochronometers, are computed microscopically with a code that treats nuclear deformation explicitly. The strength distributions are then used to calculate the beta-delayed fission, neutron emission, and gamma deexcitation probabilities for these nuclei. Fission is treated both in the complete damping and WKB approximations for penetrabilities through the nuclear potential-energy surface. The resulting fission probabilities differ by factors of 2 to 3 or more from the results of previous calculations using microscopically computed beta-strength distributions around the region of greatest interest for production of the cosmochronometers. The indications are that a consistent treatment of nuclear deformation, fission barriers, and beta-strength functions is important in the calculation of delayed fission probabilities and the production of the actinide cosmochronometers. Since we show that the results are very sensitive to relatively small changes in model assumptions, large chronometric ages for the Galaxy based upon high beta-delayed fission probabilities derived from an inconsistent set of nuclear data calculations must be considered quite uncertain.
Developing and Implementing an Interprofessional Course and Identifying Its Strengths and Challenges

An interprofessional course (IPC) was developed to provide basic guidance in developing essential knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values in order to function effectively in an interprofessional healthcare community. A total of 357 first-year students from seven professional programs: Dental Health Science, Masters of Healthcare Administration, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, Pharmacy, and Professional Psychology, were enrolled in the IPC. Sixteen faculty members from the above programs participated to deliver four didactic topics: teambuilding and communication, diversity, professionalism, and community resources. A fifth topic was assigned to summarize didactic and experiential experiences. Pre and post surveys were implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of the entire IPC. Our results indicated that students appreciated the value of an IPC for developing interprofessional skills and that an interprofessional course is a meaningful curricular activity to be offered to students. Steps taken to establish and implement the IPC and identify strengths and challenges are discussed.
Quench circuit for electronic instruments used with superconducting magnets

Abstract A multifunction circuit is described that protects instruments connected or coupled to a superconducting magnet in the event of a quench.
Porous Fiber Metal Thermal Barrier Materials

Fiber metal thermal barriers are used where low thermal conductivity and mechanical integrity are required. Fiber metal materials have good insulating characteristics at low densities; product thermal conductivity is influenced more by numerous air filled pores than by heat flow through the metal fiber skeleton. Fiber metal thermal barriers are produced as randomly oriented fiber sheets in both sintered and unsintered form. Product properties are controlled by choice of alloy, fiber diameter, and porosity (or density). Fiber metal thermal barriers combine insulating properties, mechanical strength and elasticity, oxidation resistance, and temperature capability to 2000°F. Applications include ceramic coating substrates, insulating abradable seals, space shuttle fuel lines and engine components.Copyright © 1982 by ASME
Rogue wave occurrence and dynamics by direct simulations of nonlinear wave-field evolution

We study the occurrence and dynamics of rogue waves in three-dimensional deep water using phase-resolved numerical simulations based on a high-order spectral (HOS) method. We obtain a large ensemble of nonlinear wave-field simulations ( in HOS method), initialized by spectral parameters over a broad range, from which nonlinear wave statistics and rogue wave occurrence are investigated. The HOS results are compared to those from the broad-band modified nonlinear Schrodinger (BMNLS) equations. Our results show that for (initially) narrow-band and narrow directional spreading wave fields, modulational instability develops, resulting in non-Gaussian statistics and a probability of rogue wave occurrence that is an order of magnitude higher than linear theory prediction. For longer times, the evolution becomes quasi-stationary with non-Gaussian statistics, a result not predicted by the BMNLS equations (without consideration of dissipation). When waves spread broadly in frequency and direction, the modulational instability effect is reduced, and the statistics and rogue wave probability are qualitatively similar to those from linear theory. To account for the effects of directional spreading on modulational instability, we propose a new modified Benjamin–Feir index for effectively predicting rogue wave occurrence in directional seas. For short-crested seas, the probability of rogue waves based on number frequency is imprecise and problematic. We introduce an area-based probability, which is well defined and convergent for all directional spreading. Based on a large catalogue of simulated rogue wave events, we analyse their geometry using proper orthogonal decomposition (POD). We find that rogue wave profiles containing a single wave can generally be described by a small number of POD modes.
Cripping Heterosexuality, Queering Able-Bodiedness: Murderball, Brokeback Mountain and the Contested Masculine Body

Extending recent scholarship on the intersections between disability studies and queer theory, this article engages in a comparative reading of the films Murderball (dir. Henry Alex Rubin and Dana Adam Shapiro) and Brokeback Mountain (dir. Ang Lee), both released in 2005. The popularity of these two particular films, the author suggests, demonstrates a powerful cultural backlash against those representational histories that have conflated feminization, male homosexuality, and disability. Both films successfully remasculinize their subjects, celebrating queerness and disability as the inevitable product of the hypermasculine body. But, ironically, the rhetoric of masculinity that these narratives share is also the source of their antagonism. The author argues that Murderball's `crip' critique of able-bodiedness relies on repeated heteromasculine performances, while Brokeback Mountain's queer hypermasculinity is deeply invested in an ethic of able-bodiedness. Thus a close reading of both films exposes mascu...
Socio- Economics Revisited

Parsons' Marshall Lectures were an important and still are a relevant contribution to the critique of the utilitarian, rationalist, radically individualist paradigm which still dominates scholarship, especially economics, today. Parsons advised economists to stop ignoring the broader societal context of which the economy is only a sub-system; economic actors are not impersonal, fully independent individuals but should be viewed as people with internalized moral and social values, values which cannot be accounted for as mere external, environmental constraints. Parsons, however, paid little attention to the role of power in the market. Socio-economics incorporates issues addressed in the Marshall Lectures, treats the leverage of interventionist power (large corporations and labor unions) as significant, and seeks to grow as a coherent alternative to the neoclassical paradigm. Parsons' Marshall Lectures raise an important issue in the sociology of knowledge, specifically, the conditions under which knowledge accumulates and paradigms shift (from one to another) or are transformed (change significantly). In these lectures, Parsons tries yet again to reason with rationalistutilitarian economists. The core issues he addresses were raised more than three generations earlier by Emile Durkheim; Parsons himself has raised them before, as have Smelser and numerous others. And yet, in 1990, utilitarian, rationalist, radically individualistic-in short, neoclassical-scholarship continues to enjoy broad, even increasing influence, while the genus of views championed by Parsons and others, this author included, have ebbed and risen (they are on the rise again now), neither replacing nor even deeply affecting the neoclassical paradigm. It might be said that the knowledge content of paradigms does not yield to the type of theoretical scholarship Parsons crafted. However, mountains of robust empirical evidence have been accumulated, for instance, by the Prospect school of psychology, showing that neoclassical explanations are at best inadequate, and yet, this work, too, has made little dent. Neoclassicists largely continue to ignore such material, as they did the efforts of Noble Laureate in economics Herbert Simon. A few economists have attempted to integrate the findings of Simon and others into the neoclassical paradigm, but their efforts as well are passed over by most neoclassicists. Why?