cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using logit models to classify land cover and land-cover change from Landsat Thematic Mapper

In this paper, we use logit models to classify data from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) among 23 land‐cover and land‐cover change classes. The logit model is a simple statistical technique that is designed to analyse categorical data. Diagnostic statistics indicate that the logit model can classify remotely sensed data in a statistically significant fashion. User accuracies for individual land‐cover classes range between 50 and 92%, with an overall accuracy of 79%. To assess these accuracies, we compare them to those generated by a Bayesian maximum likelihood classifier. While the overall accuracies are similar, the accuracies for individual land‐cover categories differ. These differences may be associated with the size of the training data for each land‐cover class. There is some evidence that the logit models generate higher accuracies for land‐cover categories for which relatively few training pixels are available. Finally, a comparison of classification results using a 12‐band composite of the six refle...
Antigen-specific inhibition of the IL-2-driven proliferation of myelin basic protein-reactive, human T cells

This report examines the antigen-specific inhibition of the IL-2-driven proliferation of autoantigen-reactive, human T cells. Human, myelin basic protein (MBP)-reactive CD4+ cell lines and clones were isolated and maintained in culture by use of IL-2 and periodic antigen stimulation. When freshly isolated antigen-presenting cells (APC) were present, MBP induced proliferation of MBP-reactive T cell populations. However, under different culture conditions, MBP reduced the IL-2-driven proliferation of some MBP-reactive T cell populations. The inhibition of IL-2-driven proliferation did not appear to require CD8+ or OKM 1+ cells since these were not detected when inhibition studies were performed at least 9 days after the last restimulation by irradiated APC and MBP. Supraoptimal concentrations of MBP were not required for inhibition of proliferation. Some heterogeneity of response was apparent since MBP inhibited the IL-2-driven proliferation of some T cell clones while for others MBP had either no effect or produced slight enhancement of proliferation. These results demonstrate an antigen-specific, in vitro immune mechanism that reduces the IL-2-dependent proliferation of autoantigen-reactive, human T cells.
Moral Hazard in Federal Farm Lending: Discussion

temptations (incentives) not to try to fulfill the objective an agency is helping him or her achieve. Thus, moral hazard is, in part, defined by the policy objective of the agency. LaDue assumes that the policy objective of FmHA is to serve as a lender of last resort and to encourage entry and continuation of families in farm enterprises. Stated differently, the farm credit policy objective is to save family farms or to extend the margin of opportunity to stay in farming below the line of performance acceptable to commercial credit markets.
CROSS‐NATIONAL VARIATION IN HOMICIDES: IS RACE A FACTOR?

J. P. Rushton has done research indicating that predominantly black nations have higher rates of violent crime than predominantly white nations, which have higher rates than predominantly Asian nations. He attributes these differences to constitutional, inheritable factors on which the races vary. This article discusses the numerous problems with Rushton's use of international crime data and analysis, foremost of which are his use of one-way analysis of variance and lack of consideration of other causes of variation. Regression analysis-including dummy race variables and other relevant explanatory variables-indicates no significant association between race and cross-national homicide rates, the best and probably only valid indicator of cross-national variation in violent crime. This is the case whether reanalyzing Rushton's data or analyzing properly adjusted, inspected, and selected homicide rates. In their influential book Crime and Human Nature, Wilson and Herrnstein (1985) suggest that innate consititional factors conducive to criminality are differentially distributed by race. They suggest blacks are inherently more prone to crime than whites who are more prone to crime than Asians. Acknowledging that empirical evidence for this proposition is limited, they call for "honest, open, scientific inquiry that results in carefully stated findings" (Wilson and Herrnstein, 1985:468). J. P. Rushton, who has conducted substantial research on racial differences in constitutional traits, responded to this call by examining the role of race in explaining cross-national variation in violent crime (1990, 1995a). Rushton divided the nations of the world into those predominantly Asian, black, and white. Using one-way analysis of variance, he then showed that these nations differed significantly on various measures of violent crime-homicide, rape, and serious assault-with black nations having higher rates than white, and white higher than Asian. His two studies are virtually identical, differing only in that the first used International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) International Crime Statistics data for 1983-1984 and 1985-1986 and the second 1989-1990 Interpol data.
Remote sensing-informed variable-rate nitrogen management of wheat and corn : Agronomic and groundwater outcomes

In-season, site-specific, variable-rate (SS) N management based on remote sensing (RS) may reduce N losses to groundwater while maintaining or increasing yield and N fertilizer-use efficiency. We compared in-season, RS-informed N management applied on a uniform, field-average (FA) or SS basis with the current uniform best management practice (BMP) based on "Realistic Yield Expectations" (RYE) in a typical 2-yr southeastern U.S. coastal plain rotation: winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-double-crop soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]-com (Zea mays L.). Compared with the RYE-based BMP, RS-informed SS management achieved: (i) a maximum of 2.3 mg L -1 less groundwater NO 3 -N after 2001 wheat due to 39 kg ha -1 less fertilizer N and a 25% greater harvest N ratio (N in grain or forage/total N applied); (ii) 370 kg ha -1 more 2002 corn grain with 32 kg ha -1 greater N applied, similar harvest N ratio, and 37 kg ha -1 greater surplus N; (iii) 670 kg ha -1 more 2003 wheat grain associated with 14 kg ha -1 greater fertilizer N, 27% greater harvest N ratio, and 9 kg ha -1 less surplus N. Excepting one corn FA treatment that received excessive N, RS-informed management produced equal or greater economic returns to N than RYE, and less surplus N for wheat. Treatments produced enduring effects on groundwater [NO 3 -N] consistent with agronomic results, but small relative to temporal [NO 3 -N] fluctuations that were positively correlated with water table elevation. To assess N management in leaching-prone soils, frequent, periodic groundwater monitoring during and after the cropping season appears essential.
The new corporate social responsibility: a call for sustainability in business education

Researchers have studied the role of social responsibility in organisations for decades. Despite this extensive work, the teaching of corporate social responsibility in the classroom across the business curriculum remains somewhat limited. In order for educators in business to catch up with corporations who are increasingly focusing on issues and stakeholders beyond the bottom line, there must be an increased and integrative focal point on sustainability. This paper makes a call an increased focus on sustainability across business disciplines and makes recommendations on how they can be implemented.
Computation of decision levels from differentiated logistic regression probability curves.

The determination of clinical decision levels (DL) or "cut-offs" for laboratory parameters involves the analysis of sensitivity and specificity at varying levels of the predictor variable (PV). Commonly, receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curves are used for this purpose. However, the association between a binary outcome choice and a continuous PV is often tested for statistical significance by logistic regression (LoRe), which also provides estimates of outcome probability (P) at various levels of the PV. Utilizing a graphical procedure based on the 1st (ƒ'(P)) and 2nd (ƒ"(P)) derivatives of the probability curve, DL were computed for simulated data sets (sims) and for actual data from a case-control study and compared with those obtained from ROC curves. Sims were constructed for 5 sets of two outcomes (n = 50, each outcome) of normally distributed data with progressive overlap and for 2 sets of fewer data (n = 15 and 9 per outcome, respectively). Additionally, data from a study of the relationship between serum Mg +2 concentration and outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were analyzed. DL from LoRe was taken to be the point where ƒ"(P) = 0. For sims, the DL from LoRe correlated well with the optimum DL from ROC analysis (n = 7; r 2 = 0.93; p = 0.0004). DL for Mg +2 in COPD data from LoRe was 0.83 mmol/L compared to mean of 0.82 mmol/L by ROC. These data suggest that, when the strength of association between outcomes and PV is analyzed by LoRe, DL can be determined from the probability curves. Moreover, LoRe may provide a useful method to determine DL with less ambiguity than those obtained from ROC curves, as well as provide measures of dispersion for the DL.
Further characterization of a potent immunogen and the chromosomal gene encoding it in the Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi.

Further characterization of a previously reported 83-kDa antigen of Borrelia burgdorferi and the gene encoding it is reported. The DNA sequence of the gene and the amino acid sequence of the protein were determined. On the basis of the amino acid content, the actual size of the antigen was determined to be 79.8 kDa, rather than 83 kDa as previously reported. The expression of the antigen in several representative North American and European B. burgdorferi isolates was demonstrated. The conservation of the gene within the species was demonstrated by DNA hybridization of a labeled gene probe to several North American and European B. burgdorferi isolates. Of other Borrelia spp. assayed (B. hermsii, B. coriaceae, B. duttonii, and B. anserina), only B. anserina, a poultry pathogen, hybridized to the gene probe and expressed the 79.8-kDa antigen. Images
Three-dimensional turbulent swirling flow in a cylinder: Experiments and computations

Dynamics of the three-dimensional flow in a cyclone with tangential inlet and tangential exit were studied using particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) and a three-dimensional computational model. The PTV technique is described in this paper and appears to be well suited for the current flow situation. The flow was helical in nature and a secondary recirculating flow was observed and well predicted by computations using the RNG k–e turbulence model. The secondary flow was characterized by a single vortex which circulated around the axis and occupied a large fraction of the cylinder diameter. The locus of the vortex center meandered around the cylinder axis, making one complete revolution for a cylinder aspect ratio of 2. Tangential velocities from both experiments and computations were compared and found to be in good agreement. The general structure of the flow does not vary significantly as the Reynolds number is increased. However, slight changes in all components of velocity and pressure were seen as the inlet velocity is increased. By increasing the inlet aspect ratio it was observed that the vortex meandering changed significantly.
Loving yourself more than your neighbor: ERPs reveal online effects of a self-positivity bias

A large body of social psychological research suggests that we think quite positively of ourselves, often unrealistically so. Research on thisself-positivity biashas relied mainly on self-report and behavioral measures, but these can suffer from a number of problems including confounds that arise from the desire to present oneself well. What has not been clearly assessed is whether the self-positivity bias influences the processing of incoming information as it unfolds in real time. In this study, we used event-related potentials to address this question. Participants read two-sentence social vignettes that were either self- or other-relevant. Pleasant words in self-relevant contexts evoked a smaller negativity between 300 and 500 ms (the N400 time window) than the same words in other-relevant contexts, suggesting that comprehenders were more likely to expect positive information when a scenario referred to themselves. This finding indicates that the self-positivity bias is available online, acting as a general schema that directly influences real-time comprehension.
Tumor necrosis factor-α does not modulate ischemia/reperfusion injury in naïve myocardium but is essential for the development of late preconditioning

The role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury remains controversial. We used homozygous TNF-alpha null mice (TNF-alpha(-/-)) to determine whether TNF-alpha modulates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Mice were subjected to a 30-min coronary occlusion followed by 24 h of reperfusion. When wild-type mice were preconditioned with six cycles of 4-min coronary occlusion/4-min reperfusion 24 h before the 30-min occlusion, infarct size was reduced from 58.6 +/- 1.9% of the risk region to 19.3 +/- 3.6%, indicating a late preconditioning (PC) effect. In non-preconditioned TNF-alpha(-/-) mice, infarct size was similar to that observed in wild-type mice (55.5 +/- 3.7%). However, in TNF-alpha(-/-) mice preconditioned with six occlusion/reperfusion cycles 24 h earlier, infarct size was not reduced (55.2 +/- 5.7%), indicating that the late PC protection against infarction was completely abolished. While minimal TNF-alpha immunoreactivity was detected in sham-operated hearts, extensive TNF-alpha expression was noted in the cytoplasm of cardiomyocytes in the ischemic/reperfused region 30 min after the PC ischemia. At 30 min after PC, wild-type mice exhibited increased DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear translocation of p65, c-Jun and c-Fos; all of these changes were absent in TNF-alpha(-/-) mice. These data demonstrate that TNF-alpha does not modulate infarct size in the naive (non-preconditioned) state but is essential for the development of the late phase of ischemic PC, possibly via the activation of NF-kappa B and AP-1 transcription factors.
Fun As Serious Business: Creating A Fun Work Environment As An Effective Business Strategy

This paper discusses the use of fun in the workplace as an effective business strategy for recruiting and retaining talented employees as well as developing their creativity and productivity. The benefits of fun in the workplace are discussed and a few cautions are offered. Suggestions are made on creating a fun working environment using the “Be a Pal” model: Pay for fun, Allocate time for fun, and Lead the way.
Bycatch Control in Multispecies Fisheries: A Quasi-rent Share Approach to the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Midwater Trawl Pollock Fishery

“Optimal” bycatch rules and quota share price estimates are derived from a multispecies production technology model of the factory trawler fleet targeting on midwater pollock in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands region of the North Pacific Ocean. Data routinely collected by federal and state fisheries officials on catch and revenue by species, week, and operation are used to identify the aggregate restricted quasi-rent function for the fishery by estimating the associated system of inverse demands for species quotas. The model is estimated using data for the 1991 and 1992 seasons, and separability and nonjointness of the technology are tested for and rejected.
Functionality Versus “Typical Product” Measures of Technological Progress

Summary Technological progress and adoption are fundamentally interconnected with environmental challenges faced by society. At the product level, researchers often explore the interplay between technological change and the environment by tracking trends in impacts per unit functionality—for example, gasoline consumed per distance traveled by a vehicle. In this article, we explore an alternative measure: “typical product.” A typical product measure accounts for changes in consumers’ demand and use of products as product quality improves—for example, gasoline consumed for a typical driving pattern for a vehicle. We compare and contrast functionality and typical product measures through a case study of electricity use to fabricate Intel desktop microprocessors from 1995 to 2006. The functionality normalization is measured in terms of electricity use per transistor produced. Results show rapid and sustained exponential decrease. The “typical product” measures electricity use per typical desktop microprocessor of a given year (e.g., a Pentium II in 1998, a Pentium IV in 2002). Results show that, despite fluctuations, energy use per typical microprocessor is roughly constant over the 12-year period. The explanation of this result is that although technological progress dramatically reduces the energy needed per transistor, it also induces demand for more powerful chips, which contain many more transistors. The typical product measure has applications in defining functional units in life cycle assessment, characterizing rebound effects, and measuring energy efficiency trends.
Using Analog Network Coding to Improve the RFID Reading Throughput

RFID promises to revolutionize the inventory management in large warehouses, retail stores, hospitals, transportation systems, etc. Periodically reading the IDs of the tags is an important function to guard against administration error, vendor fraud and employee theft. Given the low-speed communication channel in which a RFID system operates, the reading throughput is one of the most important performance metrics. The current protocols have reached the physical throughput limit that can possibly be achieved based on their design methods. To break that limit, we have to apply fundamentally different approaches. This paper investigates how much throughput improvement the analog network coding can bring when it is integrated into the RFID protocols. The idea is to extract useful information from collision slots when multiple tags transmit their IDs simultaneously. Traditionally, those slots are discarded. With analog network coding, we show that a collision slot is almost as useful as a non-collision slot in which exactly one tag transmits. We propose the framed collision-aware tag identification protocol that optimally applies analog network coding to maximize the reading throughput, which is 51.1%~70.6% higher than the best existing protocols.
A Novel Human Cancer Vaccine Elicits Cellular Responses to the Tumor-Associated Antigen, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin β

Purpose: The oncofetal antigen, human chorionic gonadotropin β subunit (hCGβ), is expressed by a number of carcinomas and is a prognostic indicator in renal, colorectal, bladder, and pancreatic cancers. We describe the development of a novel antibody-based dendritic cell (DC)-targeted cancer vaccine capable of eliciting cellular immune responses directed against hCGβ. Experimental Design: The tumor-associated antigen hCGβ was coupled genetically to a human anti-DC antibody (B11). The resulting fusion protein (B11-hCGβ) was evaluated for its ability to promote tumor antigen-specific cellular immune responses in a human in vitro model. Monocyte-derived human DCs from normal donors were exposed to purified B11-hCGβ, activated with CD40 ligand, mixed with autologous lymphocytes, and tested for their ability to promote hCGβ-specific proliferative and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses. Results: B11-hCGβ was found to be a soluble, well-defined, and readily purified product that specifically recognized the human mannose receptor via the B11 antibody portion of the fusion protein. B11-hCGβ functionally promoted the uptake and processing of tumor antigen by DCs, which led to the generation of tumor-specific HLA class I and class II-restricted T-cell responses, including CTLs capable of killing human cancer cell lines expressing hCGβ. Conclusions: Although other hCG vaccines have been shown to be capable of eliciting antibody responses to hCGβ, this is the first time that cellular immune responses to hCGβ have been induced by a vaccine in a human system. This DC-targeted hCGβ vaccine holds promise for the management of a number of cancers and merits additional clinical development.
Preclerkship assessment of clinical skills and clinical reasoning: the longitudinal impact on student performance.

ABSTRACT Purpose: Many medical schools across the United States are undergoing curriculum reform designed, in part, to integrate basic sciences and clinical skills. Evidence has suggested that preclerkship courses in clinical skills and clinical reasoning are predictive of student performance on the clerkship. We hypothesized that a combination of outcome measures from preclerkship clinical skills and clinical reasoning courses (Objective Structured Clinical Examination scores, preceptor evaluations, National Board of Medical Examiners subject examination scores, and small group participation grades) would be correlated to performance in internship (program director [PD] evaluation form at end of first postgraduate year). Methods: Outcome measures from preclerkship clinical skills and clinical reasoning courses and PD evaluation forms from 514 medical students graduating between 2009 and 2011 were analyzed in a multiple linear regression model. Results: Preclerkship clinical skills and clinical reasoning ...
Electron-impact excitation of H-like Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni for applications in modeling X-ray astrophysical sources

Context. Accurate atomic data for the less abundance Fe-peak elements are required for use in X-ray astrophysical studies. Aims. We calculate high quality electron-impact excitation collision strengths and effective collision strengths for hydrogenic Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni. Methods. We use the Dirac R-matrix method, the intermediate coupling frame transformation R-matrix method, the semi-relativistic distorted-wave method and the fully-relativistic distorted-wave method to calculate collision strengths for each of the ions. The ADAS collisional-radiative codes are used to produce photon emissivity coefficients for each ion. Results. Results are presented for atomic energy levels, spontaneous emission coefficients, electron-impact excitation collision strengths and associated effective collision strengths for each of the five species under consideration. We find relativistic effects can contribute an approximate 10% increase to the background cross section in relation to semi-relativistic collision calculations. We also confirm that radiation damping plays a prominent role for certain near threshold resonances. In order check the integration of our results within collisional-radiative modeling codes, we have used the ADAS package for some preliminary modeling of photon emissivities. The atomic data shall be made available online through the OPEN-ADAS site and the CFADC database
Advances in Resuscitation

Studies of sudden cardiac death (SCD) demonstrate overwhelmingly poor outcomes regardless of the population or intervention studied. Although SCD is a complex critical illness that is understood poorly, it is clear that outcomes are influenced by timely provision of high-quality, specific interventions.1,2 However, there is considerable heterogeneity within this group of patients with regard to the cause of SCD, comorbidities, and duration of the cardiac arrest event that can be difficult to identify during the course of resuscitation.3 These variables can have a significant bearing on outcomes and efficacy of treatment. For example, compression-only bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may not be ideal for all subgroups of patients experiencing SCD. In addition, a proportion of SCD patients have a significant coronary artery lesion and benefit from percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Finally, post–ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest patients may respond better to therapeutic hypothermia (TH) than those with other rhythms before the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).4–6 SCD is a dynamic, time-dependent process, as supported by research on CPR technique, early use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and implementation of TH.7–9 Weisfeldt and Becker10 elaborate on this concept in their 3-phase model of resuscitation from ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest, describing progressive disruption of cardiac electrophysiology, circulation, and metabolism. The electric phase lasts from cardiac arrest through ≈4 minutes of resuscitation efforts and is considered the time when defibrillation is most likely to be successful. Herlitz et al11 demonstrated this in a prospective observational study of inpatients with ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest. Those defibrillated within 3 minutes of collapse had significantly improved survival compared with those defibrillated >12 minutes from collapse. Work by Chan et al12 demonstrated similar findings, with a significant outcome benefit for inpatients sustaining ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest …
Moral Credentialing by Association: The Importance of Choice and Relationship Closeness

People express more prejudice if they have established their "moral credentials." Five studies explored the acquisition of moral credentials through associations with racial minorities, particularly close relationships that are personally chosen. Participants choosing to write about a positive experience with a Black person (Study 1) or Hispanic person (Study 2) subsequently expressed more preference for Whites and tolerance of prejudice than did other participants. In Study 3, the credentialing effect of choice was diminished when participants were given an incentive for that choice. Participants in Study 4 who wrote about a Black friend were more credentialed than those who wrote about a Black acquaintance, regardless of whether the experience was positive or negative. Study 5 suggested that participants strategically referred to close associations with minorities when warned of a future situation in which they might appear prejudiced.
Crowdfunding: a resource exchange perspective

Online crowdfunding has gained attention among novice entrepreneurs as an effective platform for funding their ventures. However, a focus on the financial nature of the relationship has obscured the complex interpersonal interactions involving the exchange of non-financial resources. Drawing from resource exchange theory in the marketing literature, we look at the exchange of resources and the mechanisms that facilitate this exchange in online crowdfunding. We analyzed 81 popular online crowdfunding platforms to reveal the exchange of various resources including: money, love, information, status, goods, and services through mediated, unmediated, and hybrid structures. Using resource exchange theory as a lens, we examine crowdfunding as a new type of crowdwork platform and explain how resource exchange theory can help the HCI community understand new, crowdwork platforms.
Synaptic organization of cholinergic amacrine cells in the rhesus monkey retina

In the rhesus monkey retina, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunoreactivity has been used to study the localization and synaptic organization of cholinergic neurons by both light and electron microscopy with peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunohistochemistry. ChAT-containing neurons are a type of amacrine cell with 97.5% of their cell bodies localized to the ganglion cell layer and the remainder in the inner nuclear layer. Their processes arborize in a single narrow band in the inner plexiform layer in a plane dividing the outer two-thirds from the inner one-third of this synaptic region. With electron microscopy, ChAT-immunoreactive amacrine cell processes were observed to be primarily postsynaptic to the diffuse invaginating cone bipolar cells and presynaptic to ganglion cells, although they are both post- and presynaptic to immunohistochemically unlabeled amacrine cell profiles and to ChAT-containing amacrine cell processes as well.
Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction in the Fetus and Neonate

This article summarizes the most recent literature regarding congenital lower urinary tract obstruction in the fetus and newborn. Lower urinary tract obstruction is a heterogeneous group of rare diagnoses that have significant potential for in utero mortality and long-term morbidity in survivors. The diagnosis and management of the most common causes are reviewed. In addition, the current state of prenatal intervention for congenital lower urinary tract obstruction is discussed.
Energy-efficient design for highly associative instruction caches in next-generation embedded processors

This paper proposes a low-energy solution for CAM-based highly associative I-caches using a segmented word-line and a predictor-based instruction fetch mechanism. Not all instructions in a given I-cache fetch are used due to branches. The proposed predictor determines which instructions in a cache access will be used and does not fetch any other instructions. Results show an average I-cache energy savings of 44% over the baseline case and 6% over the segmented case with no negative impact on performance.
Milestones for managing technological innovation

The process of technological innovation must be planned and managed to improve the pay‐off for the firm, and to reduce the relatively high risk of failure—nine out often innovations fail their return on investment test. Technological innovation needs careful management through the four stages of the process, which also includes the successful completion of the three milestones (see Figure 1).
Tumor necrosis factor, tumor necrosis factor inhibition, and cancer risk

AbstractObjective:Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a highly pleiotropic cytokine with multiple activities other than its originally discovered role of tumor necrosis in rodents. TNF is now understood to play a contextual role in driving either tumor elimination or promotion. Using both animal and human data, this review examines the role of TNF in cancer development and the effect of TNF and TNF inhibitors (TNFis) on malignancy risk.Research design:A literature review was performed using relevant search terms for TNF and malignancy.Results:Although administration of TNF can cause tumor regression in specific rodent tumor models, human expression polymorphisms suggest that TNF can be a tumor-promoting cytokine, whereas blocking the TNF pathway in a variety of tumor models inhibits tumor growth. In addition to direct effects of TNF on tumors, TNF can variously affect immunity and the tumor microenvironment. Whereas TNF can promote immune surveillance designed to eliminate tumors, it can also drive chronic inf...
Cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic protein colocalizes with luteinizing hormone-beta protein in mouse anterior pituitary gonadotropes.

The CRES (cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic) protein, a member of the cystatin superfamily of cysteine protease inhibitors, exhibits highly restricted expression in the mouse testis and epididymis, suggesting roles in reproduction. Considering the well-established relationship that exists between the gonads and the neuroendocrine system, the present studies were undertaken to determine whether the CRES messenger RNA and protein are expressed in the anterior pituitary gland and, if so, whether the expression is regulated by hormones. RT-PCR analysis of whole pituitary gland RNA preparations, and Northern blot analyses of pituitary gland cell lines, demonstrated that the CRES gene is expressed in the male and female anterior pituitary gland gonadotropes. Furthermore, Western blot analysis demonstrated that CRES protein was present in whole mouse pituitary glands and was synthesized and secreted by the LβT2 gonadotrope cell line. Interestingly, whereas the predominant CRES proteins present in epididy...
Thyroid Hormone and Growth Hormone Regulation of Broiler Adipocyte Lipolysis

Abstract Broiler adipocytes in culture were utilized 1) to determine acute and chronic effects of triiodothyronine (T3) and growth hormone (GH) on lipolysis; and 2) to determine whether T3 and GH act synergistically to increase lipolysis. Short-term effects of T3 and GH on lipolysis were determined by measuring glycerol release from adipocytes incubated for 1 h with T3 or GH and glucagon (GLU). To investigate long-term effects, adipocytes were cultured for 24 h with T3, GH, or a combination of T3 and GH before removal of hormones by washing and assessment of lipolysis. Basal and GLU-stimulated lipolysis were not altered by short-term (1 h) incubation of adipocytes with T3 or GH. Pretreatment of adipocytes with T3 for 24 h increased (P
Responsive stimulation of motor cortex for medically and surgically refractive epilepsy

Epilepsy is a complex disease that evolves throughout patients’ lives. For many, seizure management requires escalation from single-drug therapy to multi-drug therapy, adjuvant placement of a vagal nerve stimulation (VNS), and ultimately surgical resection or laser-ablation of the epileptic focus [1]. However, if the seizure focus lies within a region of movement or speech eloquence, lesioning or resection may not be possible without causing neurological deficit. Prior resection may create scarring that prohibits subdural electrode placement. We describe placement of an intracortical responsive neurostimulator (RNS) [2] in motor cortex of a patient whose seizures were refractory to multiple concurrent anti-epileptic drugs, VNS, and prior partial seizure focus resection.
A fourth new sauropod dinosaur from the Upper Jurassic pf the Colorado Plateau and sauropod bipedalism

The new sauropod, Cathetosaurus lewisi , is named and assigned to the Camarasauridae; it was collected from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation in western Colorado in 1967. Novel structural features of the skeleton in this genus, particularly in the axial skeleton, enabled it to assume and function to an unknown degree in a bipedal posture. Comparisons are made between C. lewisi and previously described sauropods. The following problems of sauropod locomotion are discussed; (1) sauropods lack two elements, sesamoids and patella, present in titanotheres; (2) sauropod limb and foot musculature, lacking leverage, is very inferior to that of titanotheres; (3) no previously described sauropod displays adequate structural specializations for voluntary bipedalism comparable to that of the new genus Cathetosaurus; (4) great weight and cartilaginous limb and foot joint structure restricted sauropods to a slow tempo of locomotion, suggesting a moderate to low rate of catabolic metabolism. Mammal and sauropod foot bones and their function are compared, and comparisons are made between the weight and structure of modern mobile machines and the locomotion and movement of large sauropods. Occurrence and taphonomy of C. lewisi are discussed.
Constructivism and Realism: Dueling Paradigms

Scholarly disciplines are vibrant when competition exists among individuals and groups holding disparate views. The author’s purpose herein is to review an ongoing dialectical discussion between communities of scholars that hold different views about whether or not knowledge represents reality, the nature of knowledge, and the process of coming to know. Five steps are taken to achieve this purpose. First, knowledge is defined and described. Second, realism, constructivism, and truth are described. Third, points of divergence, convergence, and peaceful coexistence are cited. Fourth, the key issue over which realism and constructivism collide is reviewed from a constructivist perspective. Fifth, a closing thought is offered.
Open Access and the Future of Art Scholarship

There are many arguments for the necessity of open access, scholarship that is freely available online; however, many of these arguments do not apply to art scholarship – is it then still necessary to change the publishing model? I argue that it is; the high price of access to traditional publications closes art scholarship to all but privileged Western academics. Open access is key to creating a globally integrated community of art scholars and reengaging the public in art discourse. Librarians can help facilitate a scholarship that is accessible to all.
Online Social Network Adoption: A Cross-Cultural Study

ABSTRACTThis research explores the extent to which users across cultures adopt the technology of online social networks (OSNs) in order to promote or support a social cause. By surveying graduate-level university students at institutions in the United States, China and India, this research builds on prior work in technology acceptance to model and explain how three elements of the task domain – the cultural aspects of the user, the social nature of the technology, and the social nature of the task – combine to influence the constructs and relationships within a modified Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework as well as the behavior that flows from it. This study contributes to our understanding of technology adoption by showing how OSNs are adopted by users across cultures in promoting and supporting social causes.
Assessing the Keller-Segel Model: How Has It Fared?

Nine years ago, Lee Segel and I (1970) introduced an equation to describe the macroscopic motion of motile, chemotactic organisms, namely: $$ {b_t} = \nabla \cdot \left( {\mu (s)\nabla b} \right) - \nabla \cdot \left( {\chi (s)b\nabla s} \right) $$ where b(x,t) is the density of organisms, s(x,t) of substrate, μ(s) represents the motility and x(s) the chemotactic sensitivity of the organisms. Wishing to apply this equation to the migrating bands of chemotactic bacteria which had been studied by Adler (1966), we added a second equation to describe the diffusion and consumption of substrate (Keller and Segel, 1971): $$ {s_t} = D{\nabla^2}s - k(s)b $$ and looked for a solution to these equations which would mimic the behavior which Adler had observed. Accordingly, we sought one dimensional traveling waves, reducing the equation to a pair of ordinary differential equations: $$ cs' = k(s)b - Ds'',\;and\;cb' = \left( {\chi (s)bs'} \right)' - \left( {\mu (s)b'} \right)' $$ where the prime denotes differentiation with respect to ξ = x - ct, the wave variable. To solve these, a number of important assumptions were made regarding the form of the functions μ(s), x(s), and k(s).
Case Report Candida infection presenting as laryngitis

Three patients with acute leukemia are described who developed hoarseness as an initial presentation of Candida infection. Two of these patients subsequently developed systemic candidiasis. Patients with acute leukemia who develop hoarseness should be investigated for laryngeal candidiasis and considered for systemic antifungal therapy.
Role of Length Scale and Temperature in Nanoscale and Microscale Creep of Si-C-O Ceramics

This investigation presents nanoindentation and microindentation creep analyses on polymer derived Si-C-O ceramic coatings at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 500 degree-C. The properties of focus include elastic modulus, hardness, creep exponent, and creep strain rate. Analyses show that at the nanoscopic length scale the deformation mechanism is dominated by dislocation climb and diffusion. With increase in length scale to microscale the thermal activation volume increases by approximately 10 times. The increase in free volume leads to the deformation mechanism switching to volumetric densification and dislocation pile up. An important physical effect analyzed is the effect of increase in temperature on the observed deformation mechanism. At the nanoscale, with increase in temperature, both hardness and elastic moduli show an increase. At the microscale, however, hardness reduces with increase in temperature. The indentation size effect is observed at both scales. However, at the nanoscale the indentation size is linked with strain hardening. At the microscale, a strain softening behavior is observed.
Low dose preoperative radiation in the treatment of carcinoma of the rectum.

Recent advances in the treatment of cancer of the rectum show a steady improvement in survival. Newer surgical techniques and expanding options for adjunctive therapy appear to have had a significant impact on improving both local control and distant disease. Five-year survival of patients now ranges from 85-90% for stage I cancers and 50-55% for stage III cancers. Local recurrence of disease following curative surgical resections is dependent on the stage of the tumor and for some high-risk patients, stages T3/T4 and N+ disease, has been reported as high as 40-60%. In an attempt to lower the rate of local recurrence and improve survival, several approaches to adjuvant therapy have been utilized. Preoperative radiation was one approach that has been used extensively in the last decades. Recently, the large Swedish randomized studies using a short course (5 Gy x 5) of preoperative radiation have reported a clear improvement in local control and survival of patients. These results were achieved with no downstaging of disease since surgery was perfomed put immediately after irradiation. Therefore it should be presumed that preoperative radiation therapy resulted in the sterilization of tumor cells, which prevented both local and distant dissemination leading to the improved outcome. The question remains, therefore, as to what is the least and/or the most appropriate dose of preoperative irradiation that can achieve the beneficial effect of minimizing tumor cell dissemination at surgery. Low dose preoperative irradiation as a single fraction of 500 cGy appears to have a sound biological basis and in single institutional studies it was shown to be effective but in randomized studies it did not improve results. This is likely to be due to a poor design of trials and/or inapproppriate patient selection for these studies. A well-designed study still remains to be done.
Patients' perspectives : subjective responses in a primary care setting

To determine patients' responses to the evaluation and treatment of primary care outpatient medical complaints, 103 consecutive patient encounters are analyzed. Diagnostic certainty is classified as either high or low and the patients' subjective responses categorized as improved, unchanged, or worse. The overall patient response rates are: 69% improved; 27% unchanged; and 4% worse. Subgroup analysis identify patients with low diagnostic certainty and chronic medical conditions as having reduced subjective improvement rates.
Abstract B5: Development and evaluation of a cancer risk educational tool (CREdIT)

Introduction: Educational and decision tools for cancer risk genetic counseling have typically been developed and studied among educated white populations. The Cancer Risk Educational Intervention Tool (CREdIT) was developed in underserved women at high risk of Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) at San Francisco General Hospital, where BRCA testing, counseling, and follow-up is provided at no cost to underserved women. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of CREdIT on patient understanding of cancer genetics. Methods: CREdIT was shaped into a story that employs simple language, non-scientific images, and analogies comparing genetic information to an instruction book. CREdIT is available as a 15 minute audio-visual powerpoint presentation in English and Spanish. Patient questionnaires before and after CREdIT addressed patient satisfaction, risk perception, anxiety, and knowledge of cancer genetics. Genetic counselor questionnaires before and after CREdIT addressed counselor satisfaction and timeflow. Results: The 38 participants ranged from age 27 to 69 with a mean age of 49 and 29% have high school level of education or below. 89% were English speaking and 50% were non-white. 66% were employed either full time or part-time and 26% have had cancer. Patient responses to CREdIT showed that 100% of the participants responded positively that CREdIT improved understanding of cancer risk. 92% of the participants responded favorably that CREdIT improved understanding of cancer inheritance, while 79% answered that CREdIT did not increased worry about cancer. Genetic counselor reported that following CREdIT, there was an increased level of patient preparedness and increased overall counseling satisfaction with the counseling. Mean genetic counselor time decreased by 5.5 minutes after CREdIT. Conclusions: CREdIT appeared to increase knowledge without increasing patient anxiety or cancer worry among underserved women. Genetic counselors reported increased satisfaction, increased patient preparedness, and decreased counseling time with CREdIT. Further studies should improve interface, tool delivery, and include specific ethnic group.
Blood biomarker for Parkinson disease: peptoids

Parkinson disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Because dopaminergic neuronal loss begins years before motor symptoms appear, a biomarker for the early identification of the disease is critical for the study of putative neuroprotective therapies. Brain imaging of the nigrostriatal dopamine system has been used as a biomarker for early disease along with cerebrospinal fluid analysis of α-synuclein, but a less costly and relatively non-invasive biomarker would be optimal. We sought to identify an antibody biomarker in the blood of PD patients using a combinatorial peptoid library approach. We examined serum samples from 75 PD patients, 25 de novo PD patients, and 104 normal control subjects in the NINDS Parkinson's Disease Biomarker Program. We identified a peptoid, PD2, which binds significantly higher levels of IgG3 antibody in PD versus control subjects (P<0.0001) and is 68% accurate in identifying PD. The PD2 peptoid is 84% accurate in identifying de novo PD. Also, IgG3 levels are significantly higher in PD versus control serum (P<0.001). Finally, PD2 levels are positively correlated with the United Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale score (r = 0.457, P<0001), a marker of disease severity. The PD2 peptoid may be useful for the early-stage identification of PD, and serve as an indicator of disease severity. Additional studies are needed to validate this PD biomarker.
Anaerobic Degradation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Sediments

The conventional approach to bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons is based on aerobic processes. Anaerobic bioremediation has been tested in only a very few cases and is still considered experimental. The currently practiced conventional in situ biorestoration of petroleum-contaminated soils and groundwater relies on the supply of oxygen to the subsurface to enhance natural aerobic processes to remediate the contaminants. However, anaerobic microbial processes can be significant in oxygen-depleted subsurface environments that are contaminated with petroleum-based compounds. The theme of this chapter is the bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons present in contaminated sites under anaerobic conditions. This chapter discusses various indigenous anaerobic microorganisms present in contaminated sites that can degrade many individual organic compounds present in petroleum hydrocarbons. An experimental system to evaluate the ability of microorganisms to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons under a variety of electron acceptor conditions is discussed.
Tile Assembly Simulator: A Software Package for Tile-Based Algorithmic Self-Assembly

Tile Assembly System (TAS) is a free, open-source, and cross-platform application that enables research and education in the field of tile-based algorithmic self-assembly through a full development and simulation environment for the abstract Tile Assembly Model (aTAM), the kinetic Tile Assembly Model (kTAM), and the 2-Handed Assembly Model (2HAM). There is also a developed wiki site page, selfassembly.net, which has information on algorithmic selfassembly as well as tutorials for TAS.