cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Host immunity to mycoplasma antigens introduced into B16 melanoma cells: effect on tumor growth rate and metastasis.

Immunization of syngeneic C57BL/6 mice with X-irradiated Bl6 melanoma cells was previously shown to elicit antibodies specific to viral antigens on the melanoma cells. When immunized mice were challenged with viable subcutaneous transplants of B16 melanoma cells that formed non-metastatic tumors in normal mice, tumors failed to develop in some mice, but there was a high incidence of lung metastasis in mice with progressively growing tumors. To determine whether protective immunity and/or enhanced metastasis were the consequences of immune responses specific for inherent tumor-associated viral antigens, non-metastatic B16 melanoma cells were deliberately infected withMycoplasma arginini. The result was incorporation of perpetuating antigens that elicited, in mycoplasma-immunized mice, humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to infected (B16-M+) but not uninfected (B16-M−) cells. When mycoplasma-immunized mice were challenged with B16-M+ and B-16M− subcutaneous transplants, only B16-M+ tumors were rendered slower-growing and appreciably more metastatic. By contrast, in mice immunized against uninfected B16 melanoma cells, both B16-M+ and B16-M− tumors grew more slowly, and metastasized to a greater extent, than corresponding tumors in unimmunized mice. Enhanced metastasis was not experimentally separable from reduced tumor growth rate and was not simply the consequence of a longer period of tumor growth. Evidence suggests that host immunity does not directly promote metastasis, but that reduced tumor growth rates resulting from protective immunity are more conducive to successful dissemination of metastases.
192Ir concentration in the eluate of the 191Os191mIr generator

Abstract The presence of 192 Ir as a contaminant in the eluate of the 191 Os 191 m Ir generator has been investigated. The results of these measurements show that appropriate washing of the loaded generator is sufficient to reduce 192 Ir contamination to reasonable ( μ Ci/mL) levels.
779. Genetic Delivery of an Anti-RSV Antibody Protects Against Pulmonary Infection with RSV in Mice

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of severe viral respiratory disease in infants and children. The morbidity is greatest in young infants, children with underlying risk factors such as prematurity and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and the elderly. A safe and efficient active vaccine is not available. Passive immunization with the monoclonal antibody palivizumab, a humanized murine IgG1 antibody targeted against a neutralizing epitope of the F glycoprotein of RSV, diminishes disease severity in high risk populations and is routinely used to protect premature infants during the RSV season. Because palivzumab offers only short-term protection and must be administered every 30 days, we hypothesized that genetic delivery of palivizumab with gene therapy vectors could be a means to achieve long term protection against RSV infection. To test the hypothesis, we designed a murine version of the palivizumab antibody by replacing the human sequences with the sequence from the constant region of a murine antibody, while preserving the complementarity-determining region. As a proof-of- principle to test the validity of the strategy, an adenovirus (Ad) vector was used, and to achieve long term protection, an adenoassociate virus (AAV) was used. Using an Ad vector expressing genes for the light and heavy chains of the modified palivizumab antibody separated by an internal ribosome entry site (Adanti-RSV) was constructed. The light and heavy chains were detected by Western analysis in the supernatant of 293 cells infected with Adanti- RSV, but not in cells infected with the control Ad vector AdNull, and the antibody secreted by the 293 cells bound RSV as analyzed by SDS gel electrophoresis. To determine if Adanti-RSV would mediate generation of anti-RSV antibodies in vivo, 5x1010 particle units of Adanti-RSV or AdNull., was administered to BALB/c mice intravenously. After 4 days, RSV neutralizing titers (1:160) were detected in mice receiving Adanti-RSV but not in AdNull infected or naive mice. Four days following vector administration, the mice were challenged by intranasal administration of RSV virus strain A2 (106 pfu) and the lung homogenates analyzed for RSV titers 4 days later. The mice that had received Adanti-RSV had 2.5-fold lower titers of RSV in the lung following challenge compared to the AdNull or naive group (p<0.05). To evaluate long term protection, the anti- RSV antibody construct was expressed in an serotype rh10 AAV vector. Six weeks following intrapleural administration 5x1010 genome copies, of AAVrh10.anti-RSV or the control AAVrh10.|[alpha]|1AT to BALB/c mice, the mice were challenged with RSV. Mice that had received AAVrh10. anti-RSV showed lower 2.5-fold RSV titers in the lung compared to the AAVrh10.|[alpha]|1AT group (p<0.05). Together these data demonstrate that a gene transfer strategy for delivery of an anti-RSV antibody can generate protective immunity in mice against RSV infection to the respiratory tract and may provide an alternative to the administration of the antibody itself.
Favorable prognosis of vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting ganglioneuroblastoma

We report a 2.5-year-old girl with ganglioneuroblastoma, whose presentation was the watery diarrheal syndrome due to secretion of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) by the tumor. The diarrhea subsided after resection of the tumor in two stages; the child is a long-term survivor. A review of the literature disclosed survival of 36/41 (88%) children with neural tumors that secreted VIP, including 22/26 (85%) with neuroblastoma or ganglioneuroblastoma. Thirty-five of 36 children who had resection of the tumor survived (97%), although resection was sometimes incomplete. VIP may be a marker predicting maturation of ganglioneuroblastoma and a favorable outcome. Aggressive surgery is warranted for control of the watery-diarrhea syndrome.
L-trans-2,3-epoxysuccinate. A new substrate for fumarase.

Abstract Fumarase (fimLarate hydratase, EC 4.2.1.2) has been found to catalyze the stereospecific hydration of the L -isaner of trans -2,3-epoxysuccinate to yield meso -tartrate. The product was- characterized by various forms of chromatography and by combined gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Attempts to dissociate the fiunarate-hydrating activity of the enzyme from the epoxide-hydrating activity were unsuccessful.
Errors Caused by Non-Work- Conjugate Stress and Strain Measures and Necessary Corrections in Finite Element Programs

Many finite element programs including standard commercial software such as ABAQUS use an incremental finite strain formulation that is not fully work-conjugate, i.e., the work of stress increments on the strain increments does not give a second-order accurate expression for work. In particular, the stress increments based on the Jaumann rate of Kirchhoff stress are work-conjugate with the increments of the Hencky (logarithmic) strain tensor but are paired in many finite element programs with the increments of Green’s Lagrangian strain tensor. Although this problem was pointed out as early 1971, a demonstration of its significance in realistic situations has been lacking. Here it is shown that, in buckling of compressed highly orthotropic columns or sandwich columns that are very “soft” in shear, the use of such nonconjugate stress and strain increments can cause large errors, as high as 100% of the critical load, even if the strains are small. A similar situation may arise when severe damage such as distributed cracking leads to a highly anisotropic tangential stiffness matrix, or when axial cracks between fibers severely weaken a uniaxial fiber composite or wood. A revision of these finite element programs is advisable, and will in fact be easy—it will suffice to replace the Jaumann rate with the Truesdell rate. Alternatively, the Green’s Lagrangian strain could be replaced with the Hencky strain.
Did the Competitive Regime Switch in the 1980s

performance. Two books that epitomize confidence in such findings for the food manufacturing and grocery distribution industries are Connor et al. and Marion et al. Surveying the academic literature published up to the early 1980s (and employing data sets that spanned the 1950s to 1970s), these authors judged that large company market shares; economies of scale, size, and scope; and product differentiation, whether rooted in the structures of markets or endogenously spawned rivalry; had significant and nontransitory negative effects on competitive performance. Mergers, technical barriers to entry, and effective product differentiation in turn fed back on markets to raise con-
The Survival Value of Its Jumping Cocoons to Bathyplectes anurus, a Parasite of the Alfalfa Weevil

The jumping activity of cocoons of Batyplectes anurus (Thomson) increased about 3-fold when they were exposed to light and/or heat (43°C). When equal numbers of cocoons of B. anurus and B. curculionis (Thomson) (the latter species cannot jump) were exposed to the hyper parasite Dibrachs cavus (Walker) in the laboratory, 5 times more B. curculionis were attacked. These results suggest that this unusual behavioral characteristic increases the survival of diapausing B. anurus larvae in cocoons by enabling many to escape hyperparasites and unfavorable micro climates in alfalfa fields.
Droplet dynamics in vertical gas‐liquid annular flow

Data for the two-dimensional velocity and size of entrained drops carried by the gas core during upward annular gas liquid flow are presented. The measurements of velocity and size were made simultaneously using a new experimental technique. Information on the variation of the drop velocity with flow rates, radial position in the core, and drop size are presented and analyzed. Droplet velocity is shown to increase with size, counter to intuitive expectation. This is explained in terms of highly modified drag-Reynolds number relationships caused by the high turbulence level in the core.
Assessment of Left Ventricular Filling Pressures by Doppler in the Presence of Atrial Fibrillation

Background Although Doppler echocardiography can be used to estimate left ventricular filling pressures (LVFPs) in patients in sinus rhythm, its utility in atrial fibrillation is unknown. Methods and Results An initial training population of 30 patients (17 men, 13 women; mean age, 69±9 years; range, 48 to 87 years) was studied. Measurements of LVFP were obtained simultaneously with pulsed Doppler recordings of mitral and pulmonary venous flow velocities and color M-mode recording of the flow propagation velocity of the mitral inflow. Measurements were averaged over 10 cardiac cycles. In addition, left atrial volume was derived from the apical four-chamber view. Significant relations were observed between LVFP and several parameters derived from the transmitral and pulmonary venous velocity and left atrial volume. The best relations were observed with the peak acceleration (PkAcc) of the mitral velocity (r=.84), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) (r=−.76), mean early (E) velocity (r=.6), and the ratio of p...
Instruments and controls in livestock and poultry production

Progress in automating and controlling poultry and livestock production is discussed. Environmental control and mechanization of various operations previously performed manually are described in detail, in both livestock and poultry applications. Environmental control systems are included. Economic considerations for converting farm capital to labor are mentioned, and industrial instrumentation availability and reliability are analyzed as factors in conversion to the new processes of control.
Converging measures of speech segmentation in preverbal infants

Abstract Two studies using novel extensions of the conditioned head-turning method examined contributions of rhythmic and distributional properties of syllable strings to 8-month-old infants' speech segmentation. The two techniques introduced exploit fundamental, but complementary, properties of representational units. The first involved assessment of discriminative response maintenance when simple training stimuli were embedded in more complex speech contexts; the second involved measurement of infants' latencies in detecting extraneous signals superimposed on speech stimuli. A complex pattern of results is predicted if infants succeed in grouping syllables into higher-order units. Across the two studies, the predicted pattern of results emerged, indicating that rhythmic properties of speech play an important role in guiding infants toward potential linguistically relevant units and simultaneously demonstrating that the techniques proposed here provide valid, converging measures of infants' auditory representational units.
Climate, soil and crop yield relationships in Cascade County, Montana

Abstract The Productivity Index (PI) model estimates the productivity effects of erosion by the simulated removal of surface soil and consideration of available water-holding capacity, bulk density and pH. Although it has performed well in the US Corn Belt and elsewhere, further testing is required to demonstrate its applicability in other semi-arid environments. Evaluation of model performance in four fields in Hill and Jefferson counties, Montana, revealed a weak relationship between PI and small grain yield, possibly due to local conditions. Therefore, soils and crop data were extracted from the USDA-SCS SOILS-5 and Montana Agricultural Potentials System (MAPS) databases, as well as the county soil survey, to evaluate PI model performance and indicate appropriate changes in its design in Cascade County, Montana. Results indicate that model performance can be improved with the addition of factors to account for water balance, slope, growing degree days and calcium carbonate content. Regression of barley, spring wheat and winter wheat yield data against PI values from the original model accounted for 34, 31 and 31 per cent of the variability in yields of these three crops, respectively. R 2 increased an average of 77 per cent and accounted for 54, 59 and 58 per cent of the variations in yields when the four new factors were added to the model. These results have encouraged further efforts to develop a modified version of the PI model that uses computerized databases for county-scale assessments of semi-arid environments.
Toward a multidisciplinary entrepreneurship education: a case study of the community entrepreneurship program at the University of Vermont

Community entrepreneurship (CENT) is increasingly seen as an avenue for community members, entrepreneurs and policymakers to facilitate regional and local development. As such, there is a growing demand for CENT education programs, especially degree programs at colleges and universities, and, concomitantly, information and lessons from institutions and organisations that have engaged in CENT education. This paper reviews the development of an entrepreneurship program at the University of Vermont, from a concentration in small business to a major in CENT. It identifies the factors that have contributed to the growth of the program, evaluates its multidisciplinary curriculum, which focuses on experiential and service learning, summarises feedbacks from students, and provides recommendations for educational institutions and other stakeholders that are interested in developing or contributing to the development of CENT education programs. This study suggests that a multidisciplinary curriculum coupled with experiential learning as well as close collaboration with communities are key factors in a successful CENT program.
Gold modified cadmium sulfide aerogels

Monolithic aerogels composed of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles partially modified with metallic gold (CdS-Au) are reported. The semiconductor–metal nanoparticles are synthesized using an inverse micelle media of Bis-(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate sodium salt (AOT) in heptane, followed by capping with 4-fluorothiophenol and precipitation with triethylamine. The nanoparticles are then dispersed in acetone and gel formation is achieved using nanoparticle condensation strategy. The resultant CdS-Au aerogel materials are mesoporous, with an interconnected network of semiconductor–metal nanoparticles. A detailed microstructure analysis of the semiconductor–metal aerogels via transmission electron microscopy indicates that the final gold concentration significantly impacts the semiconductor–metal aerogel morphology and porosity.
Development of an autonomous ATV for real-life surveillance operations

Mobile robots are becoming an essential participant in perimeter security, reconnaissance missions and search & rescue operations. Most mobile robots available for the surveillance are not designed for outdoor use and have limited payload capability. In this paper, the Zoiros-kinito-Mati (smart-mobile-eye/ZKM-1) using off the shelf components with high load capability and off-road navigation is introduced. ZKM-1 is built on a modified ATV platform and is capable of autonomous as well as remote controlled operations. ZKM-1 is built for outdoor demonstration purposes. A sub-meter GPS receiver is used for position updates and an electronic magnetic compass used for obtaining heading information. ZKM-1 has an onboard network for connecting different modules. This network can be connected wirelessly to other networks or computers. A network camera mounted on a pantilt platform with a built-in microphone is installed on the ATV for video and audio feedback. ZKM-1 can also be remotely operated using a regular gaming joystick over the network. In this paper, design, development and deployment of the ZKM-1 are presented in details.
Land Tenure, Land Use, and Land Degradation: A Case for Sustainable Development in Pakistan

Prevalent approaches to land degradation tend to recognize linkages between land use behavior and land degradation. They, however, do not sufficiently account for land tenure's causality to land degradation. This article argues that land tenure, land use, and land degradation are interlinked in Pakistan, where uneven access to the land engenders intensification of its use by large and small holders, contributing to land degradation. Large landholders tend to overirrigate cash crops, which causes land degradation from waterlogging and salinity. Similarly, small holders and tenant farmers intensively use their small holdings to pay for self-subsistence, cost of production, and rent on the land (latter in tenants' case). Waterlogging and salinity, in turn, diminish farm productivity, especially productivity of the cotton crop that forms the spine of Pakistan's economy. This article makes a case for land reforms to widen the access of land-strapped rural residents to land resources, and sustainable developmen...
Performance of FDDI under overload

The performance of the Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) under overload is studied. It is well known that, under overload, FDDI can settle into one of many recurrent sets of states. The idea of desirable and undesirable states is introduced. A desirable state is one where users share the capacity more or less equally in each token rotation. It is shown that the response times of interactive users are adversely affected if the system operates in an undesirable set of states. The waiting time of heavy users can be reduced by forcing the system to settle into the desirable states. Simple control mechanisms are proposed to ensure that the system settle into the desirable states. >
THE POTENTIAL INDICATOR VALUE OF RARE TAXA RICHNESS IN DIATOM-BASED STREAM BIOASSESSMENT 1 .

Despite their recognized contribution to species richness, the importance of rare taxa richness in bioassessment is unclear. This study aimed to characterize the environmental factors affecting the number of rare diatom taxa in western U.S. streams and rivers, and to evaluate whether this number can be used to differentiate streams with contrasting human disturbance. Three different categories of rare taxa were used: satellite (taxa with low occurrence and low abundance), rural (taxa with high occurrence and low abundance), and urban (taxa with low occurrence and high abundance). Common taxa were included as a separate category of core taxa (taxa with high occurrence and high abundance). We analyzed 987 diatom samples collected over the period of 5 years (2000-2004) for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Western Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (WEMAP). The results showed that rural taxa richness (number of rural taxa per site) increased along a longitudinal gradient from mountainous, fast-flowing oligotrophic streams with fewer fine substrates to large, slow-moving, nutrient-rich rivers with abundance of fine substrates. Rural taxa richness was the only rarity metric that distinguished least disturbed (reference) sites from the most disturbed (impacted) sites, but it was significantly different only in the mountains ecoregion. Core taxa richness distinguished reference from impacted sites in the West and in each one of the three ecoregions (mountains, plains, and xeric). Our findings revealed that rural taxa richness can be used as an indicator of human disturbance in streams/rivers, especially in the mountains ecoregion, and that rarity definition is important in bioassessment.
Rod, M‐cone and M/S‐cone inputs to hyperpolarizing bipolar cells in the mouse retina

Bipolar cells are the central neurons of the retina that convey visual signals from rod and cone photoreceptors in the outer retina to higher-order neurons in the inner retina and the brain. Early anatomical studies have suggested that there are four types of cone hyperpolarizing (OFF) bipolar cells (HBCs) in the mouse retina, but no light responses have been systematically examined. By analysing light-evoked cation and chloride currents (I(C) and I(Cl)) from over 50 morphologically identified HBCs in the dark-adapted wildtype and connexin36 knockout (Cx36(-/-)) mouse retinas, we identified three types of HBCs, each with distinct light responses and morphological characteristics. The HBC(R/MC)s with axon terminals ramifying between 0% and 30% of the inner plexiform layer (IPL) receive mixed inputs from rods and M-cones, the HBC(MC)s with axon terminals ramifying between 10% and 50% of the IPL receive inputs primarily from M-cones, and the HBC(M/SC)s with axon terminals ramifying between 25% and 50% of IPL receive inputs primarily from cones with mixed M- and S-cone pigments. Moreover, we found that HBC(R/MC)s in the Cx36(-/-) mice exhibit light responses very similar to the wildtype HBC(R/MC)s, suggesting that the mixed rod-cone inputs are not mediated by connexin36-dependent rod-cone coupling, but rather by direct synaptic contacts from rods and M-cones. This study constitutes the first systematic investigation that correlates light response characteristics and axonal morphology of HBCs in dark-adapted mouse retina, and contributes to recently emerging evidence that revises the traditional view that mammalian HBCs only contact cone photoreceptors.
Pseudomyxoma extraperitonei occurring 35 years after appendicectomy: a case report and review of literature

Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a rare condition consisting of mucinous ascites, most commonly arising from mucinous tumors of the appendix and occasionally from the ovary. Very rarely mucinous implants arise in the retroperitoneum without any intra-peritoneal involvement. This has been termed as pseudomyxoma extraperitonei. We report a case of a 57 year old man who developed pseudomyxoma extraperitonei, 35 years after undergoing an appendicectomy for a perforated appendix. Pseudomyxoma extraperitonei has been previously reported, however we report the longest incubation period of 35 years for this condition.
The effect of the embryo axis and exogenous sucrose on lipolysis and glyoxysomal enzyme development in Ricinus communis (castor bean) endosperm and cotyledons

Post-germinative growth in castor bean (Ricinus communis L. cv. Hale) seedlings was investigated to determine whether lipolytic enzyme synthesis and lipid breakdown was a function of the embryo axis or simply based on a source-sink mechanism connected with sucrose produced during mobilization of storage lipid. Endosperm and cotyledons were excised from the embryo axis at 24 h intervals and were then incubated in Petri dishes containing water or 0.1 M sucrose for 24 h. Excised endosperm showed similar or higher malate synthase (MS, EC 4.1.3.2) and isocitrate lyase (ICL, EC 4.1.3.1) activities and increased lipolysis when compared with endosperm obtained from similarly intact seedlings of the same age. In contrast, cotyledonary ICL and MS activity was up to 50% lower and lipolysis was only slightly affected in excised material when compared with cotyledons obtained from intact seedlings. Incubating endosperm in sucrose had no effect on the development of the above enzyme activities or lipid content, when compared with material incubated in water only. In contrast, cotyledonary MS and ICL activities were up to 70% lower in sucrose and lipolysis substantially inhibited. Lipid breakdown and the development of lipolytic enzyme activity in cotyledons seem to be dependent on the presence of the endosperm. It is concluded that enzyme regulation in castor bean seedlings cannot entirely be explained by axis control or source-sink relationships.
Traveling to Rome: QoS Specifications for Automated Storage System Management

The design and operation of very large-scale storage systems is an area ripe for application of automated design and management techniques - and at the heart of such techniques is the need to represent storage system QoS in many guises: the goals (service level requirements) for the storage system, predictions for the design that results, enforcement constraints for the runtime system to guarantee, and observations made of the system as it runs. Rome is the information model that the Storage Systems Program at HP Laboratories has developed to address these needs. We use it as an "information bus" to tie together our storage system design, configuration, and monitoring tools. In 5 years of development, Rome is now on its third iteration; this paper describes its information model, with emphasis on the QoS-related components, and presents some of the lessons we have learned over the years in using it.
Genetic variation at 8q24 as a susceptibility factor for prostate cancer: definitive results from epidemiologic studies?

In this issue of Cancer Research , two epidemiologic studies investigating the association between genetic variants on chromosome 8q24 and prostate cancer are published. The purpose of this editorial is to comment on the importance and implications of these findings and to explain the rationale of
The Caring Occupational Therapist: Scope of Professional Roles and Boundaries

Objective. This aTtide links two dimensions ofoccupa­ tional therapy lUithin the context ofprofessionalism: the role ofcaring and the implications of occupation­ al therapy being a predominantlv female profession. Method. Seven occupationaltherap/sts represent­ ing various levels ofprofessional e.,-perience were in­ tel;viewed to determine (a) how female occupational therapists perceive caring and (b) the implications of this peTception for professional role definitions Results Participants' dai~)) professional work role lUas determined l~J' three factors the intelpretation of holistic philosophy in their everyday activities as occu­ pational therapists, the ir~t7uence oftbeir caring atti­ tude in hroadening their responsibilities beyond the occupational therapists' role definition, and the mga­ nizational settings in which their work took place Conclusion. The seven participants had a broad definition 0/ the scope 0/ their profeSSional responsibil­ ities and experienced difficulty defining the limits of their role. Caring is a central part of the occupational therapists' role, therefore, perceptions about caring are central to the role definition ojoccupational therapists.
The component synthesis algorithm: technology mapping for register transfer descriptions

In functional modeling, one or more micro-architecture components are described as separate concurrent blocks. An algorithm, called the component synthesis algorithm, is presented that automatically synthesizes micro-architecture components for a functional description. Experimental results show that the automated functional synthesis is comparable to the performance of human designers. >
Marrow-Derived CD40-Positive Cells Are Required for Mice To Clear Cryptosporidium parvum Infection

To clear a Cryptosporidium parvum infection, mice need CD4+ T cells, major histocompatibility complex class II, and an intact CD40-CD154 signaling pathway. CD40 is constitutively expressed on marrow-derived cells such as dendritic cells and B lymphocytes and is induced by gamma interferon (IFN-γ) on most somatic cells. To determine whether the CD40 needed to clear a C. parvum infection has to be on marrow-derived mononuclear cells or on the epithelial cells that normally harbor the parasite, we transplanted CD40−/− mice with CD40+/− bone marrow and then infected them with C. parvum. These chimeras cleared the C. parvum infection, while CD40+/− controls transplanted with CD40−/− marrow cells remained infected. CD40 expression on marrow-derived cells therefore suffices for a C. parvum infection to be cleared, while CD40 expression on intestinal epithelial cells is not sufficient. There was no difference between the acquisition of CD69 and CD154 by mesenteric lymph node T cells of C. parvum-infected animals with intact or disrupted CD40-CD154 pathways. CD4 T cells entered the intestinal laminae propriae of C. parvum-infected animals whether or not the CD40 genes of these recipients were intact. These results suggest that, for a C. parvum infection to be cleared, CD40 is not necessary for T-cell activation but may instead contribute to an effector pathway of marrow-derived cells.
Why is Trade Reform so Popular in Latin America?: A Consumption-Based Theory of Trade Policy Preferences

Despite wavy national economies and a perception among observers that economic globalization is growing increasingly unpopular, aggregate support for free trade remains quite high across Latin America. This finding is robust to the wording of survey questions and has been quite resilient through time, even in the face of economic stagnation. Current theories of trade preferences, including the widely applied Heckscher-Ohlin model, do not explain this trend. Instead, the author proposes a theory of trade preferences based not on what citizens produce but on what they consume. Statistical analyses of different surveys, including one conducted in fourteen Latin American countries, demonstrate that a consumption-based approach best accounts for trade preferences across individuals and countries. Moreover, the theory provides an explanation for the overall popularity of free trade in Latin America: citizens recognize and appreciate the lower price, increased variety, and higher quality of goods that have come in the wake of trade liberalization.
Spatial and polarization correlations in nonstationary array processing

Bilinear synthesis of nonstationary signals impinging on a multi-antenna receiver has been recently introduced. The distinction in the spatial signatures of the sources provides a vehicle to reduce noise and source signal interactions in the time-frequency domain, and hence improves signal synthesis. In addition to the spatial domain information, we utilize polarization diversity for enhanced source time-frequency signal representations. It is shown that dual-polarization antennas call be used to mitigate cross-terms via combined spatial and polarization averaging. Significant reduction in cross-terms can be realized by providing large spatial diversity, large polarization diversity, or combined moderate values of the respective spatial and polarization correlations.
Fabrication and Characterization of Beryllium Rayleigh-Taylor Targets for OMEGA Experiments

Rayleigh-Taylor experiments have been designed for the OMEGA laser facility at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) of the University of Rochester to explore perturbations during implosion of this ablator. For the experiment to be relevant, the beryllium copper flat used as the target must be similar in chemical makeup and morphology to the NIF ignition target. To visualize the perturbation growth, the flats were fabricated with sinusoidal perturbations on one side of a wavelength of 50 μm and amplitude of 0.25 μm. The flats were doped with more copper than required in the NIF ablator specification to increase the x-ray optical depth during burn through. These flats were successfully fabricated using a mold technique. This technique, as well as the characterization techniques used to verify the chemical makeup and thicknesses, will be described in this paper.
Mode of stimulation of gallbladder contraction by substance K

Substance K (SK) contracted the guinea pig gallbladder in vitro by predominantly acting on the neurokinin (NK2) receptors localized on the smooth muscle. A comparison of the 50% effective dose among the tachykinins showed that SK is 20 and 176 times more active than neurokinin B (NKB) and substance P (SP), respectively. Senktide, a synthetic NKB agonist with presumably a specificity for only NK3 receptor subtype, was completely inactive even when tested at 6 x 10(-6) M. Studies on both atropine-treated tissues and [3H]acetylcholine release from myenteric plexus have revealed a minor action of SK by way of a stimulation on the intramural cholinergic neurons. There was still a residual 77.4% SK-evoked contraction that was not blocked by atropine. However, the SK-induced contraction was completely abolished in the presence of 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-piperazine, a direct protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor. This latter observation suggests a link in the PKC-specific pathway of intracellular signal transduction initiated by NK2 receptor activation on the gallbladder musculature. The preponderance of NK2 receptor subtype further implies a unique functional role it may play in gallbladder contractility.
Thermal Potentiation of Mammalian Cell Killing: Clues for Understanding and Potential for Tumor Therapy

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the thermal potentiation of mammalian cell killing, which may provide clues for understanding and potential for tumor therapy. Thermal potentiation of lethality due to damage of DNA has been demonstrated for several types of cultured cells and for cells in vivo. It is a general effect that has been demonstrated for several agents or treatments, including x-rays, UV light, alkylating agents, radioactive suicide, and heating at ordinarily nonlethal temperatures following a heat shock at higher temperatures. Potentiation can occur by heating before, during, or after irradiation, although the details of the time dependence are far from complete. There is a minimum time of heating needed to express potentiation in the case of preheating. The synergism between mildly elevated temperature treatments and x-irradiation is dose-rate dependent and is illustrated best at low x-ray doses. It is discussed that there can be benefits in terms of application of the thermal-response properties of cells in designing better systems for treating tumors. The effects of heating or any other tumor treatment become terribly complex when interaction with the various physiological systems must be considered.
SEPTICEMIA IN CHILDREN WITH LEUKEMIA: A TEN-YEAR SURVEY

One hundred ninety episodes of septicemia were surveyed from 1973 to 1983 in chlldrens treated for leukemia at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. The mean number of episodes documented each year was 18 ± 5 (range 10-29) and significant changes in the type of organisms involved were observed, with an increased incidence of Candida (from 0 to 9%) and gram positive septicemia over the last 5 years. Gram positive sepsis had a low mortality rate (8%) compared with gram negative sepsis (54%) or septicemia caused by multiple organisms (72%). Factors of risk included (1) absolute granulocyte count less than 500 (78%), (2) presence of relapse (62%), and (3) prolonged previous administration of broad spectrum antibiotics (35%). Over the last 3 years an increased incidence of gram positive septicemia in non-neutropenic patient was observed. 9 staphylococcus epidermidis septicemia were seen in the last 2 years compared to none in the 8 previous years. 3 of those 9 patients had a central venous line. These data have provided helpful informations in our therapeutic approach of febrile episodes in neutropenic patients.
Association of prenatal and early life exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE) with polycystic ovary syndrome and other reproductive disorders in the cape cod health study: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) is an organic lipophilic solvent with possible neuroendocrine toxicity. The objective of this study was to determine the association of prenatal and early childhood exposure to PCE-contaminated drinking water and development of adult-onset Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, difficulty conceiving and miscarriage. Methods Five-hundred exposed and 331 unexposed female participants born between 1969 and 1983 completed questionnaires on demographic and lifestyle characteristics, and reproductive disorders. Residential locations from the prenatal period through five years of age were used to estimate early life PCE exposure with water modeling software. Results For any early life exposure to PCE, the adjusted risk ratio for PCOS was 0.9 (95% CI: 0.5-1.6). No statistically significant associations were observed for increasing levels of exposure with PCOS or the other reproductive disorders. Conclusion No meaningful associations were found among adult women with early life exposure to PCE-contaminated drinking water and adult-onset reproductive disorders.
Responsivity calibration of the LoWEUS spectrometer

We performed an in situ calibration of the relative responsivity function of the Long-Wavelength Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer (LoWEUS), while operating on the Lithium Tokamak Experiment (LTX) at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. The calibration was accomplished by measuring oxygen lines, which are typically present in LTX plasmas. The measured spectral line intensities of each oxygen charge state were then compared to the calculated emission strengths given in the CHIANTI atomic database. Normalizing the strongest line in each charge state to the CHIANTI predictions, we obtained the differences between the measured and predicted values for the relative strengths of the other lines of a given charge state. We find that a 3rd degree polynomial function provides a good fit to the data points. Our measurements show that the responsivity between about 120 and 300 A varies by factor of ∼30.
n-Dimensional Display Interface

The n-Dimensional Display Interface is a display abstraction conceived from first principles with the intention of replacing the framebuffer as a new "narrow waist" for modern display pipelines.
Problematizing vocabulary in the second language classroom: Unilateral and bilateral approaches

Research on vocabulary-learning and teaching has predominantly relied on experimental designs and interviews, in which learning is largely treated as an individual rather than a social process, and factors such as repeated exposure and strategy teaching are highlighted, with a focus on planned vocabulary instruction. Relatively less information exists with regard to how vocabulary, let alone unplanned vocabulary, is taught and learned during naturally occurring classroom interaction. Using data from 28 hours of videotaped interaction from 14 different adult English as a Second Language (ESL) classrooms, this conversation analytic study explores how unplanned issues of vocabulary get problematized in situ either unilaterally or bilaterally. While the unilateral approach involves the teacher problematizing an item without any observable evidence of trouble in prior interaction, such evidence is integral to the bilateral approach. Findings of this study may constitute a useful resource for strengthening the professional practice of systematically handling unplanned vocabulary instruction in the language classroom.
What's a Brand Worth? Trademark Protection, Profits and Product Quality

We study the effects of brand protection on firm profits and strategy through a new dataset of all U.S. trademarks registered since 1870. We exploit the 1996 Federal Trademark Dilution Act (FTDA) and show that trademarks and the brands they protect are of first-order importance for firm profits and strategy. The FTDA raised operating profits by 1.8% and firm value by 15% on average for treated firms. Firms responded strategically to the shock, lowering product quality and innovation but extending their brands into new goods and services markets.
Radioimmunoassay for Clostridium perfringens Enterotoxin and Its Use in Screening Isolates Implicated in Food-Poisoning Outbreaks

Fourteen isolates of Clostridium perfringens obtained from food-poisoning outbreaks were screened for enterotoxigenicity using a radioimmunoassay (RIA) that detects 1.0 ng of enterotoxin/ml. Only four of the isolates produced enterotoxin in concentrations too low to be detected by counterimmunoelectrophoresis when grown in Duncan-Strong sporulation (D-S) medium. Substitution of raffinose for soluble starch or addition of theobromine to the medium stimulated enterotoxin production by three of the four enterotoxin-positive isolates. Raffinose and theobromine did not stimulate enterotoxin production by isolates that were enterotoxin-negative in D-S medium. Enterotoxin production by the RIA-positive strains correlated with the numbers of heat-resistant spores they produced. The RIA-negative isolates produced approximately the same numbers of spores/ml as the high enterotoxin producers, and more spores/ml than strain H8 produced under optimum conditions. Therefore, inability to sporulate is not the cause for failure of these isolates to produce enterotoxin. Rabbit ileal loop assays showed that the two isolates that were lowest enterotoxin producers in vitro were highly active in vivo.
Review of “Can Library Use Enhance Intercultural Education?”

Globalization has infiltrated conversations in practically every corner of academia; education is no exception as the classroom has become increasingly globalized as a result of several factors, such as immigration and distance learning. Educating every child is an ever-changing and ever-growing endeavor. This paper places the library in the spotlight—in a discipline that remarkably does not consider often the library as a piece of the puzzle—as a potential resource to address the challenging issue of providing a quality education for students regardless of social, linguistic and cultural background.
Law Firms’ Organizational Impression Management Strategies on Twitter:

This study examined the organizational impression management (OIM) strategies adopted by the US law firms on Twitter. The Diction software package for textual analysis of nearly 10,000 tweets, coup...
Metastasectomy in older adults with urothelial carcinoma: Population-based analysis of use and outcomes

Abstract Background Metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, ureter, or renal pelvis is a highly aggressive disease with poor outcomes. Even with platinum-based chemotherapy, the median overall survival is 15 months and the 5-year survival is only 15%. The role of metastasectomy in urothelial carcinoma is currently undefined. Objective To examine the use and outcomes of metastasectomy in older patients with urothelial carcinoma in a large population-based dataset. Design, setting, and participants We conducted a SEER-Medicare study, and from 70,648 urothelial carcinoma patients who met inclusion criteria, we identified 497 patients who had at least 1 metastasectomy during a median follow-up of 40 months. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis The primary study endpoints were metastasectomy use, the length of stay for metastasectomy, complications, and overall survival following metastasectomy. Secondary outcomes included 30-day mortality and readmission rate following metastasectomy. Results and limitations We identified 497 patients meeting inclusion criteria who had at least 1 metastasectomy during the study period including 24 patients who had more than 1 procedure resulting in a total of 523 metastasectomies. The median overall survival after the first metastasectomy was 19 months (95% CI: 15–23; interquartile range: 4–74). In this selected patient population, over a third of patients were alive at 3 years. In the 476 patients who had evaluable discharge dates, the median length of stay after metastasectomy was 7 days (IQR: 4–12), and 10% of patients had at least 1 complication within 30 days of discharge. Thirty-day mortality after metastasectomy was 10% (n = 53/523) and was largely driven by the mortality associated with resections of urothelial cancer brain metastases. Conclusions In well-selected patients with urothelial carcinoma with a reasonable life expectancy, resection of metastatic lesions is safe and is associated with long-term survival and potential cures.
Experience Using Kaolin-Impregnated Sponge to Minimize Perioperative Bleeding in Norwood Operation:

Purpose:A kaolin-impregnated hemostatic sponge (QuikClot) is reported to reduce intraoperative blood loss in trauma and noncardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess if this sponge wa...
Mid-infrared electro-optic modulation in few-layer black phosphorus (Conference Presentation)

Black phosphorus stands out from the family of two-dimensional materials as a semiconductor with a direct, layer-dependent bandgap in energy corresponding to the spectral range from the visible to the mid-infrared (mid-IR), as well as many other attractive optoelectronic attributes. It is, therefore, a very promising material for various optoelectronic applications, particularly in the important mid-IR range. While mid-IR technology has been advancing rapidly, both photodetection and electro-optic modulation in the mid-IR rely on narrow-band compound semiconductors, which are difficult and expensive to integrate with the ubiquitous silicon photonics. For mid-IR photodetection, black phosphorus has been proven to be a viable alternative. Here, we demonstrate electro-optic modulation of mid-IR absorption in few-layer black phosphorus under field applied by an electrostatic gate. Our experimental and theoretical results find that, within the doping range obtainable in our samples, the quantum confined Franz-Keldysh effect is the dominant mechanism of electro-optic modulation. Spectroscopic study on samples with varying thickness reveals strong layer-dependence in the inter-band transition between different sub-bands. Our results show black phosphorus is a very promising material to realizing efficient mid-IR modulators.
Analyzing the Audience, Purpose, and Occasion

On the morning of January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger took off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. On board were seven astronauts, including the first civilian in space: the middle school teacher Christa McAuliffe. Because this launch included the first teacher in space, many school children across the country watched on television.
Molecular Biological Approaches to the Study of Memory

We have seen accumulate in recent time an impressive and ever-increasing body of information which indicates that learning and memory are associated with increases in RNA and protein content on the part of those neurons involved. If this association is in fact real, the next question will be: “What is the nature of the association and how might we imagine this synthesis in the neurons of RNA and of protein to be associated with the process of memory?” It is with this question that the present chapter is concerned.
Climate Science, Waves and PDEs for the Tropics

A reader’s guide to recent applied mathematics development in multi-scale modeling in the tropics is provided here including the mathematical theory of precipitation fronts as well as singular limits with variable coefficients in the fast variables.