cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract A94: Imatinib modulates CD4+ T cells in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).

Introduction: Imatinib mesylate partially exerts its antitumor effects in GIST by inhibiting tumor production of the immunosuppressive enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (Ido), thereby activating antitumor CD8+ T cells. The role of conventional CD4+ T cells (CD4+FoxP3-) in imatinib therapy is unknown. We examined the effects of imatinib on CD4+ T cells in GIST. Methods: We injected imatinib or saline intraperitoneally for one week to KitV558-/+ mice that develop spontaneous GISTs. 1-methyl-D-tryptophan (D-1MT), an Ido inhibitor was given via oral gavage. We assessed treatment response by tumor weight and immune cells by flow cytometry. Regulatory T cells (Treg) were defined as CD4+FoxP3+. Matched blood and tumor specimens from GIST patients were freshly analyzed for immune composition. Tumors were classified as untreated, sensitive, or resistant to imatinib based on radiologic assessment just before the time of surgery. Results: Imatinib increased CD4+ number, activation, and degranulation in the draining lymph node (DLN) but not the spleen of GIST mice (p<0.05). In the tumor, imatinib increased CD4+ number, activation, proliferation, and the intratumoral CD4+/Treg ratio (p<0.05). Conversely, Ido inhibition did not alter CD4+ number, activation, proliferation, or the CD4+/Treg ratio in the DLN or tumor. In untreated human GISTs (n=14), CD4+ T cells demonstrated greater activation and memory phenotype compared to autologous blood CD4+ T cells, but secreted Th2 cytokines on in vitro restimulation (p<0.05). Imatinib treatment altered the intratumoral CD4+/Treg ratio, with a higher ratio in sensitive tumors (n=17) compared to resistant tumors (n=12; p<0.05). Conclusion: In mouse GIST, imatinib activates CD4+ T cells independently of Ido and increases the intratumoral CD4+/Treg ratio, a hallmark of immunologic outcome. Similarly, imatinib sensitive human GISTs have a higher CD4+/Treg ratio than resistant tumors. Hence, CD4+ T cells may contribute to the antitumor effects of imatinib in GIST. Combination immunotherapy with imatinib and CD4+ T cell modulating agents may be a promising therapy for GIST. Citation Format: Vinod P. Balachandran, Michael Cavnar, Shan Zeng, Zubin Bamboat, Lee Ocuin, Hebroon Obaid, Eric Sorenson, Teresa Kim, Rachel Popow, Ronald P. DeMatteo. Imatinib modulates CD4+ T cells in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology: Multidisciplinary Science Driving Basic and Clinical Advances; Dec 2-5, 2012; Miami, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A94.
Duality in Perspective

Electric and magnetic fields are related by a property known as duality symmetry. Likewise, in superconductors, the electron pairs that give rise to electric current without resistance are related to objects known as vortices by a dual symmetry. In his Perspective, Girvin discusses results reported by Shahar et al . (p. 589) that show evidence for this dual symmetry in superconducting films. The experimental demonstration of this symmetry provides fundamental insights at the critical point where an insulator switches to a superconductor.
Tetanus in a serum-sensitive patient successfully treated with a new despeciated antiserum

Abstract The successful treatment of tetanus is reported in a patient who was markedly sensitive to the regular commercial tetanus antitoxin. The treatment was accomplished with a new equine tetanus antitoxin, despeciated by partial digestion with taka diastase. The mild degree of allergic reaction is especially noteworthy.
High-order finite element methods for moving boundary problems with prescribed boundary evolution

Abstract We introduce a framework for the design of finite element methods for two-dimensional moving boundary problems with prescribed boundary evolution that have arbitrarily high order of accuracy, both in space and in time. At the core of our approach is the use of a universal mesh: a stationary background mesh containing the domain of interest for all times that adapts to the geometry of the immersed domain by adjusting a small number of mesh elements in the neighborhood of the moving boundary. The resulting method maintains an exact representation of the (prescribed) moving boundary at the discrete level, or an approximation of the appropriate order, yet is immune to large distortions of the mesh under large deformations of the domain. The framework is general, making it possible to achieve any desired order of accuracy in space and time by selecting a preferred and suitable finite-element space on the universal mesh for the problem at hand, and a preferred and suitable time integrator for ordinary differential equations. We illustrate our approach by constructing a particular class of methods, and apply them to a prescribed-boundary variant of the Stefan problem. We present numerical evidence for the order of accuracy of our schemes in one and two dimensions.
Stochastic analysis of steady‐state unsaturated flow in heterogeneous media: Comparison of the Brooks‐Corey and Gardner‐Russo Models

Existing stochastic models of unsaturated flow and transport are usually developed using the simple Gardner-Russo constitutive relationship though it is generally accepted that the more complex van Genuchten and Brooks-Corey relationships may perform better in describing experimental data. In this paper, we develop first-order stochastic models for gravity-dominated flow in second-order stationary media with both the Brooks-Corey and the Gardner-Russo constitutive relationships. These models also account for the spatial variability in effective water content, while the spatial variability is generally neglected in most existing stochastic models. Analytical solutions are obtained for the case of one-dimensional gravity-dominated flow. On the basis of the solutions, we illustrate the differences between results from these two constitutive models through some one-dimensional examples. It is found that the impacts of the constitutive models on the statistical moments of suction head, effective water content, unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, and velocity depend on the saturation ranges. For example, the mean head and the mean effective water content for the Brooks-Corey model differ in a great manner with their counterparts for the Gardner-Russo model near the dry and wet limits while the differences are small at the intermediate range of saturation. This finding is confirmed with some two-dimensional examples. It is also found that the Brook-Corey model has certain advantages over the Gardner-Russo model in analyzing unsaturated flow in heterogeneous media. For example, the stochastic model developed based on the Brooks-Corey function requires the coefficient of variation of head and soil parameter “αBC” to be small (≪1), whereas that based on the Gardner-Russo function assumes the one-point cross covariance of head and OLGR to be small (≪1). Illustrative examples reveal that the latter condition may be violated because the one-point covariance is found to increase rapidly to beyond unity as the soil becomes dry, whereas the former may be readily satisfied.
Foreign bodies of the ears and nose in childhood.

The epidemiology and management aspects of 212 consecutive cases of foreign bodies of the ears and nose in children presenting to an urban pediatric walk-in and emergency care facility were retrospectively reviewed. The items most commonly removed from children's external auditory canals were roache
Effects of red blood cell injections on diet-induced atrial thrombosis in Swiss mice.

Female Taconic Swiss mice were fed a high-fat (28%), low-protein (8%), hypolipotropic diet. Some of the animals received intraperitoneal injections of washed, packed red blood cells or physiological saline while receiveing the diet. Mice that received only the experimental diet for ten weeks developed a high incidence of atrial thrombosis (84%) concurrently with severe anemia (hematocrit 6.7). Saline injections did not alter these changes significantly. Atrial thrombosis was prevented in mice maintained at a normal or slightly subnormal hematocrit level with injections of washed, packed erythrocytes.
DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF CERVICAL INTRAEPITHELIAL NEOPLASIA

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from malignancies arising in the female genital tract. More women die from ovarian cancer than cervical and endometrial cancer combined. All clinicians should understand the concepts of ovarian cancer biology and management. Approximately 90% of all ovarian cancers are epithelial in origin, and such cancers are the focus points of this article.
Weakening of tropical Pacific atmospheric circulation due to anthropogenic forcing

Since the mid-nineteenth century the Earth's surface has warmed, and models indicate that human activities have caused part of the warming by altering the radiative balance of the atmosphere. Simple theories suggest that global warming will reduce the strength of the mean tropical atmospheric circulation. An important aspect of this tropical circulation is a large-scale zonal (east-west) overturning of air across the equatorial Pacific Ocean--driven by convection to the west and subsidence to the east--known as the Walker circulation. Here we explore changes in tropical Pacific circulation since the mid-nineteenth century using observations and a suite of global climate model experiments. Observed Indo-Pacific sea level pressure reveals a weakening of the Walker circulation. The size of this trend is consistent with theoretical predictions, is accurately reproduced by climate model simulations and, within the climate models, is largely due to anthropogenic forcing. The climate model indicates that the weakened surface winds have altered the thermal structure and circulation of the tropical Pacific Ocean. These results support model projections of further weakening of tropical atmospheric circulation during the twenty-first century.
Morbidity of modified pelvic lymphadenectomy and radiotherapy for prostatic cancer

The records of 63 patients treated by pelvic lymphadenectomy and radiotherapy at the University of Tennessee, Memphis, Baptist Memorial Hospital of Memphis, and the Memphis Veterans Affairs Hospital were reviewed. Of those patients, 45 received external beam radiation therapy to the prostate while 16 were treated by Iodine-125 implantation. Two patients had only staging lymphadenectomy. The incidence of postoperative and late complications were analyzed.
Tolerance and cross-tolerance to head twitch behavior elicited by phenethylamine- and tryptamine-derived hallucinogens in mice

The serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A (5-HT2A) receptor is a potential therapeutic target to a host of neuropsychiatric conditions, but agonist actions at this site are linked to abuse-related hallucinogenic effects that may limit therapeutic efficacy of chronic drug administration. Tolerance to some effects of hallucinogens has been observed in humans and laboratory animals, but the understanding of tolerance and cross-tolerance between distinct structural classes of hallucinogens is limited. Here, we used the drug-elicited head twitch response (HTR) in mice to assess the development of tolerance and cross-tolerance with two phenethylamine-derived [DOI (2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine) and 2C-T-7 (2,5-dimethoxy-4-propylthiophenethylamine)] and two tryptamine-derived [DPT (N,N-dipropyltryptamine) and DIPT (N,N-diisopropyltryptamine)] drugs with agonist affinity for 5-HT2A receptors. Tolerance developed to HTR elicited by daily DOI or 2C-T-7, but not to HTR elicited by DPT or DIPT. DOI-elicited tolerance was not surmountable with dose, and a similar insurmountable cross-tolerance was evident when DOI-tolerant mice were tested with various doses of 2C-T-7 or DPT. These studies suggest that the use of phenethylamine-derived hallucinogens as therapeutic agents may be limited not only by their abuse potential, but also by the rapid development of tolerance that would likely be maintained even if a patient were switched to a different 5-HT2A agonist medication from a distinct structural class. However, these experiments also imply that tryptamine-derived hallucinogens might have a reduced potential for tolerance development, compared with phenethylamine-derived 5-HT2A agonists, and might therefore be more suitable for chronic administration in a therapeutic context.
SU‐E‐T‐750: Interfacing the Pencil Beam Redefinition Algorithm with a Commercial Treatment Planning System

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to interface the pencil beam redefinition algorithm (PBRA) dose engine with the Pinnacle treatment planning system (TPS) for use in bolus electron conformal therapy (ECT) dose planning. Currently Pinnacle TPS uses the Hogstrom pencil beam algorithm (PBA). Methods: A C program that calculates electron dose using the PBRA has been developed. This program inputs the Pinnacle files for the CT data, the user‐generated plan data, and the PBA beam data. The 3D calculated dose outputs a binary file that is uploaded into Pinnacle. This method allows the Pinnacle TPS to be used for plan analysis, e.g. dose display and dose volume histograms of the planning target volume and normal tissues Results: To date our program has been validated by demonstrating, for each beam energy, that agreements of PBRA calculated with measured dose distributions in a water phantom, as a function of field size and SSD, are consistent with previously published results. Also, the accuracy of the PBRA in heterogeneous phantoms agrees with previously published geometric phantom measurements and with patient based phantoms measurements (subject of companion paper). The PBRA is advantageous because it requires no additional beam commissioning data and its accuracy in patients is comparable to Monte Carlo. Calculation times in water for 4×4cm and 20×20cm fields for the 9 MeV beam are 5sec and 120sec respectively on a 2.93Ghz processor using a non‐optimized code. Using the 20 MeV beam these times are 14sec and 290sec, respectively. Conclusion: Our stand alone C program demonstrates a reasonable way to perform patient dose calculations using the PBRA with the Pinnacle TPS. Use of the PBRA might be beneficial for some sites when planning bolus ECT. This work was supported in part by a research agreement with .decimal Inc.
Modeling sublimation of ice exposed by new impacts in the martian mid-latitudes

Abstract New impacts in the martian mid-latitudes have exposed near-surface ice. This ice is observed to slowly fade over timescales of months. In the present martian climate, exposed surface ice is unstable during summer months in the mid-latitudes and will sublimate. We model the sublimation of ice at five new impact sites and examine the implications of its persistence. Even with generally conservative assumptions, for most reasonable choices of parameters it is likely that over a millimeter of sublimation occurred in the period during which the ice was observed to fade. The persistence of visible ice through such sublimation suggests that the ice is relatively pure rather than pore-filling. Such ice could be analogous to the nearly pure ice observed by the Phoenix Lander in the “Dodo-Goldilocks” trench and suggests that the high ice contents reported by the Mars Odyssey Gamma Ray Spectrometer at high latitudes extend to the mid-latitudes. Our observations are consistent with a model of the martian ice table in which a layer with high volumetric ice content overlies pore-filling ice, although other structures are possible.
The day of the week effect in IPO initial returns

Abstract Monday IPOs occur infrequently and have higher mean initial returns than those issued on other days. The latter result is not a product of outliers or penny stocks and remains after controlling for factors related to IPO underpricing. The Monday effect is generally robust across time, but during 1995–2003 is present only in IPOs with their first reported trade on their offer date. Volume patterns suggest Monday IPOs come to market later in the day, which has been linked to higher initial returns. We argue that the observed patterns are consistent with the incentives of underwriters and investors.
The isotopic composition of the nitrogen in natural gases and associated crude oils

Abstract Measurement of the 15 N 14 N ratio of the nitrogen from a number of samples of natural gas and crude oil show that wide variations exist. A systematic variation in the 16 N 14 N ratio exists across a natural gas field. Experiments on the flow of nitrogen through porous sandstone indicate that two processes could account for the fractionation of the nitrogen isotopes in natural gas, namely effusive flow and surface diffusion.
The Green Index: A Metric for Evaluating System-Wide Energy Efficiency in HPC Systems

In recent years, the high-performance computing (HPC) community has recognized the need to design energy-efficient HPC systems. The main focus, however, has been on improving the energy efficiency of computation, resulting in an oversight on the energy efficiencies of other aspects of the system such as memory or disks. Furthermore, the energy consumption of the non-computational parts of a HPC system continues to consume an increasing percentage of the overall energy consumption. Therefore, to capture a more accurate picture of the energy efficiency of a HPC system, we seek to create a benchmark suite and associated methodology to stress different components of a HPC system, such as the processor, memory, and disk. Doing so, however, results in a potpourri of benchmark numbers that make it difficult to "rank" the energy efficiency of HPC systems. This leads to the following question: What metric, if any, can capture the energy efficiency of a HPC system with a single number? To address the above, we propose The Green Index (TGI), a metric to capture the system-wide energy efficiency of a HPC system as a single number. Then, in turn, we present (1) a methodology to compute TGI, (2) an evaluation of system-wide energy efficiency using TGI, and (3) a preliminary comparison of TGI to the traditional performance-to-power metric, i.e., floating-point operations per second (FLOPS) per watt.
Oxygen deficiency in perovskite‐type compounds of calcium

Replacement of tetravalent manganese in calcium metamanganate (CaMnO3) by trivalent iron, and of tetravalent titanium in calcium titanate (CaTiO2) by trivalent iron and aluminium has been made. In each case it was found possible to obtain continuous replacement up to a limit of 50%. The pseudo-cubic perovskite cells of CaMnO2 and CaTiO3 became genuinely cubic for greater than 25% replacement, and the cubic lattice parameters were measured at 50% replacement. Oxygen deficiencies of about one in twelve must exist in the 50% replacement compounds to maintain the ionic charge balance.
Biomass Fly Ash as Foliar Fertilizer for Hybrid Aspen Trees: Nutrient Uptake, Growth Response, and Compatibility with Nitrogen Fertilizer

Biomass ash is an important and potentially useful by-product of the bioenergy industry. As a “proof of concept” for using biomass fly ash as a foliar fertilizer, we tested (i) whether the nutrients in the ash were absorbed by hybrid aspen trees, (ii) whether the ash affected tree growth, and (iii) whether the ash was compatible with nitrogen foliar fertilizer. Four foliar treatments (water [control], ash suspended in water, nitrogen fertilizer solution, and ash suspended in nitrogen fertilizer solution) were evaluated. Several nutrients in the fly ash were absorbed by hybrid aspen both in the greenhouse and in the field; however, this absorption did not significantly affect tree growth in either setting. Nitrogen fertilization was associated with significantly higher tree growth in the greenhouse; inclusion of the fly ash with the nitrogen fertilizer solution did not significantly alter this growth response.
Combining Process Dynamics and Tool Wear in the Milling Super Diagram

This paper describes the milling “super diagram” that incorporates limitations to milling productivity and part quality imposed by stability, surface location error (part errors due to forced vibrations), and tool wear. Combinations of axial depth of cut and spindle speed that offer stable cutting conditions with an acceptable, user-defined surface location error level are identified by a gray-scale color coding scheme. The effect of tool wear is included through the force model coefficients (that relate the cutting force to the chip area) used for process dynamics prediction. Because the force model coefficients vary as a function of the volume of material removed, a unique super diagram is constructed for any user-defined volume of material removed with the selected cutter. For example, preferred operating conditions for a new tool can be compared to those for a worn tool. Additionally, user beliefs about data and model accuracy are applied to identify safety margins relative to the deterministic boundaries in the diagrams. Experimental results are provided for an inserted (carbide) cutter used to machine 1018 steel. The wear behavior is characterized as changes in the force model coefficients as a function of the volume of material removed. The flank wear is also measured using an on-machine microscope (to avoid tool removal from the spindle) and correlated to the force model coefficients. Stability diagrams are developed that correspond to the new and worn tool performance and experimental results are provided to verify changes in the process stability due to tool wear.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Form 4 Electronic Submissions and the Thomson Reuters Insider Filing Data Feed: Discrepancies and Their Impact on Research

ABSTRACT: This paper examines discrepancies between the electronic Form 4 and Thomson Reuters' Insider Filing Data Feed. The analysis shows differences in a small number of trades. The transaction code is the item frequently found to differ. Results also show that Thomson Reuters fails to follow its data codification policies. Users of Form 4 should expect discrepancies in trade and firm characteristics. Inferences about the market reaction to insider filings and trades, the association between aggregate insider trading and market returns, and cross-sectional variation in profitability of insider transactions do not appear to be significantly affected by these discrepancies. Overall, the evidence suggests that discrepancies between the electronic Form 4 and Thomson Reuters' Insider Filing Data Feed do not materially impact research. The results are consistent with observations made by the SEC suggesting that electronic filings facilitate research and data analysis and that the need for information interm...
Are Undergraduate Engineering Students at Greater Risk for Heart Disease than Other Undergraduate Students

Sixty Rowan University undergraduate engineering students completed a screening for serum cholesterol and blood pressure and a written survey of their health habits, depression and stress levels. These data were compared to a similar study conducted at Rowan University of 226 undergraduate students from all majors. Engineering students demonstrated slightly higher risk levels in cholesterol and lower levels in blood pressure, compared to the general student population. Among the engineering students, thirty six percent had elevated cholesterol levels (above 200 mg/dL) and 16 percent had elevated systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure levels (above 140/90). Incidence of Type A personality traits (a measure of stress) was found in 21 percent of the population. Women reported having more stress than did men. Students majoring in electrical and computer engineering reported having the highest stress levels when compared to other engineering majors. A regression analysis identified depression, cigarette smoking, diet, stress, Type A personality and a heredity of high blood pressure as the best predictors of high serum cholesterol among subjects. Engineering educators are encouraged to address these prevalent and potentially performance-impairing health risks among their students.
Fast neutron radiation therapy.

Fast neutron radiation therapy was first used as a cancer treatment tool by Robert Stone at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory in 1938 [l]. Using the Berkeley cyclotron, Dr. Stone treated a series of patients with advanced malignancies in various locations to high doses. Almost all of the long-term survivors from that clinical trial had severe radiation sequelae in their normal tissues. This result was initially thought to be due to an increased relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of neutrons for late effects, and deterred further clinical investigation of fast neutrons for approximately 20 years. Later experiments, however, showed that the
Clinical Efficacy of Verapamil Alone and Combined With Propranolol in Treating Patients With Chronic Stable Angina Pectoris

Abstract To determine the effectiveness of oral verapamil alone and combined with propranolol in patients with chronic angina pectoris, upright bicycle exercise testing was performed in 11 patients in an inpatient single blind crossover study. Compared with placebo, which resulted in an exercise time of 5.1 ± 0.7 minutes (mean ± standard error of the mean), verapamil (480 mg/day) improved exercise time in all patients (mean increment 3.4 ± 0.7 minutes, p
Shaping human behavior by observing mobility gestures

We present a method for testing shaping-based training of human behavior in a repetitive memory drill. Our work is focused on Socially Assistive Robotics (SAR), a field formed by the intersection of Socially Interactive Robotics (SIR, robots whose goal is to socially interact with human users) and Assistive Robotics (AR, robots whose goal is to assist those in need, typically through physical contact). SAR focuses on providing assistance through non-contact social interaction [3], with a broad spectrum of applications in education. Our goal is to show that a robot can behave expressively in order to shape and enhance a user’s learning experience. This work, as part of our general SAR research, is aimed at applications in health care and special education, where our interviews with teachers have shown a desire for robots that can engage one or a group of students in learning activities.
32-bit architectures for embedded systems

The variety of 32-bit architectures found in embedded applications today has made the selection of a new microcontroller a daunting task. The advantages of one architecture over another architecture can be a mine $eld of choices, that might come back to haunt the design team later in the design cycle. Knowing how to ask the critical questions is harder than just knowing what the questions are. The H/W and S/W teams must work together to ask the right questions correctly to get the highest quality answers j?om the microprocessor supplier.
GrammR: graphical representation and modeling of count data with application in metagenomics.

Motivation: Microbiota compositions have great implications in human health, such as obesity and other conditions. As such, it is of great importance to cluster samples or taxa to visualize and discover community substructures. Graphical representation of metagenomic count data relies on two aspects, measure of dissimilarity between samples/taxa and algorithm used to estimate coordinates to study microbiota communities. UniFrac is a dissimilarity measure commonly used in metagenomic research, but it requires a phylogenetic tree. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) is a popular algorithm for estimating two-dimensional (2D) coordinates for graphical representation, although alternative and higher-dimensional representations may reveal underlying community substructures invisible in 2D representations. Results: We adapt a new measure of dissimilarity, penalized Kendall’s s-distance, which does not depend on a phylogenetic tree, and hence more readily applicable to a wider class of problems. Further, we propose to use metric multidimensional scaling (MDS) as an alternative to PCoA for graphical representation. We then devise a novel procedure for determining the number of clusters in conjunction with PAM (mPAM). We show superior performances with higher-dimensional representations. We further demonstrate the utility of mPAM for accurate clustering analysis, especially with higher-dimensional MDS models. Applications to two human microbiota datasets illustrate greater insights into the subcommunity structure with a higher-dimensional analysis. Availability and implementation: GrammR is implemented as an R-package available at http:// www.stat.osu.edu/� statgen/SOFTWARE/GrammR/. It may also be downloaded from http://cran. rproject.org/web/packages/GrammR/.
Police Accountability and Early Warning Systems: Developing Policies and Programs

The identification of police officers who have potential problems has emerged as a popular approach for curbing police misconduct and achieving accountability. Early warning (EW) systems are data-d...
Paramagnetoelectric Effects in NiS O 4 ·6 H 2 O

Piezoelectric paramagnetic crystals can show a linear dependence of the paramagnetic susceptibility on an applied electric field. This effect has been detected in NiS${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}6${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O at low temperatures. The thermodynamic inverse effect, the creation of an electric polarization by applied magnetic fields, has also been observed. Both effects are derived from a free energy which for the tetragonal 422 symmetry takes the form $\ensuremath{\xi}({H}_{a}{E}_{b}\ensuremath{-}{H}_{b}{E}_{a}){H}_{c}$, where $c$ denotes the tetragonal axis. The quantity $\ensuremath{\xi}$ has been measured as a function of temperature. It has a pronounced maximum at 3\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, where $\ensuremath{\xi}=2.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}9}$ esu. It passes through zero at 1.38\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. Between 10 and 70\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K it decreases approximately as ${T}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. These features are explained by a microscopic theory which considers the linear variation in an applied electric field of all parameters in the spin Hamiltonian of the four ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{++}$ ions in the unit cell. The dominant contribution comes from the change in the crystal-field splitting $D$.
Near-optimum incentive policies in stochastic team problems with discrepancies in goal perceptions

In this paper, we consider a two-agent stochastic team decision problem with a hierarchical decision structure in a general Hilbert space setting. One of the agents has a different perception of the common team objective functional, as quantified in terms of a finite dimensional parameter vector. The other hierarchically superior agent, uninformed about this discrepancy, but endowed with a suitable information structure, designs a near-optimal incentive policy so that the incurred value of the original team functional is arbitrarily close to its global optimum, in spite of the existing discrepancy. The general solution is determined by some orthogonality relations in some appropriately constructed probability measure spaces.
A Community-Wide Intervention to Improve Pedestrian Safety Guidelines for Institutionalizing Large-Scale Behavior Change

An A-B-A reversal design with a long-term follow-up evaluated a community-wide commitment and incentive program to improve pedestrian safety. The campaign encouraged residents of a college community to sign promise cards to use crosswalks when crossing campus roads and to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks when driving. Crosswalk use increased during a 6-week intervention period to 68% (n = 1,718) from a baseline mean of 58% (n = 2,038). Driver-yielding behavior significantly increased throughout the study, from a baseline mean of 23% (n = 979) to a mean of 44% (n = 272) for 2 weeks after the removal of intervention materials and termination of publicity. Observations of crosswalk use and yielding behavior 1 year after the intervention revealed that crosswalk use returned to near baseline levels (61%, n = 1,954), but driver-yielding behavior (53%, n = 602) remained high, substantially above the baseline. Recommendations for institutionalizing pedestrian safety campaigns are offered.
Soil solution nitrogen concentrations and leaching rates as influenced by organic matter retention on a highly productive Douglas-fir site

Abstract Forest harvesting and organic matter management practices may affect the cycling of nutrients, particularly nitrogen (N), through the removal of different organic matter components (e.g. branches, foliage, coarse woody debris) from a site, and the associated changes in carbon-source quantity and quality. This study examined the influence of intensive harvesting and organic matter retention practices on soil N dynamics on a highly productive (site index I–II+) coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) site in southwestern Washington, while controlling for all competing vegetation. The specific focus of this investigation was to determine the effects of bole-only (BO) harvesting and total-tree harvesting plus coarse woody debris removal (TP) on soil solution N concentrations and leaching rates (to a depth of 1.0 m) during the third through fifth years following harvest. Additional comparisons were made between the harvested treatments and adjacent non-harvested portions of the same forest stand (FS). Soil solution monitoring over 3 years indicated that the increased organic matter retention associated with BO harvesting increased the total N concentrations and leaching flux to a depth of 1.0 m by roughly three times relative to TP harvest treatments. Nitrate comprised a majority of the 75, 29 and 4.5 kg ha−1 yr−1 of total N leached in the BO, TP and FS observations, respectively. The cumulative quantity of N leached to a depth of 1.0 m over 3 years was a small percentage (BO = 1.5%, TP = 0.6% and FS
On Generating Data in Communication Research1

Communication research requires data that are rich enough to contain explicit evidence about processes of communication. The paper formally distinguishes among and discusses three kinds of data: aggregational data (such as accumulated in much of psychological inquiries, small group experiments and survey research) and network data (representing observable patterns of interest to relational biology and sociology, for example) are found to be not rich enough to qualify as communication data proper. The paper describes an elementary form of communication data that would contain explicit evidence about the process in question. It exposes some conceptual degenerations in communication research as a consequence of heavy reliance on inadequate data. Pointing to the fact that the advancement of knowledge is critically linked to the ability to process a certain kind of data, the paper concludes that communication research must develop new analytical techniques that are compatible with its most basic concept: communication.
Ouabain is a potent promoter of growth and activator of ERK1/2 in ouabain-resistant rat renal epithelial cells.

Abstract Endogenous cardiotonic steroids (ECS) are putative ligands of the inhibitory binding site of the membrane sodium pump (Na+, K+-ATPase). There is growing evidence that cardiotonic steroids may promote the growth of cardiac and vascular myocytes, including evidence indicating growth stimulation at concentrations in the same range as circulating ECS concentrations. We investigated four parameters to determine whether ouabain, a proposed ECS, promotes growth of immortalized rat proximal tubule epithelial cells: cell count by hemocytometer; metabolic activity as reflected in the mitochondrial conversion of the tetrazolium salt, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, to its formazan product (MA); DNA synthesis reflected as bromodeoxyuridine incorporation (DNA); and mitosis reflected as histone phosphorylation state detected using anti-phosphohistone 3 antibody (HP). Maximum stimulatory responses were observed at 1 nm ouabain (MA, 20.3% increase, p < 0.01; DNA, 28.4% increase, p < 0.001; HP, maximum response at 0.5 h, 50% increase, p < 0.001). We observed that growth stimulation was associated with stimulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation (ERK-P), and both growth and ERK-P could be blocked by the MEK inhibitor (U0126, 100 nm). Western blot analysis revealed that the only α isoform of Na+, K+-ATPase that could be detected in these cultures was the highly ouabain-resistant α1 isoform. Measurement of ouabain inhibition of ion transport in these cultures using 86Rb+ uptake revealed the predominance of the expected ouabain-resistant isoform (IC50 = 24 μm) and an additional minor (∼15%) ouabain-sensitive inhibition with IC50 ∼30 pm. Similar bimodal transport inhibition curves were obtained in freshly dissected rat proximal tubules. These results indicate that renal epithelial cells may be a sensitive target of the ERK1/2-activating and growth-promoting effects of ouabain even in the presence of ouabain-resistant Na+, K+-ATPase.
Relationship between Size and Time of Entry into the Sea and Gill (Na+K)-ATPase Activity for Juvenile Spring Chinook Salmon

Abstract The time and size at which wild juvenile spring chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha enter the sea has been estimated by analysis of scales from returning adult spring chinook salmon. Most juveniles entered the sea in September and October at a size of about 10 cm. Peak activity of gill (Na+K)-ATPase (adenosine triphosphatase) in wild spring chinook salmon juveniles held in captivity occurred in mid-September or October. Maximum changes in activity from September to October occurred in fish 10–12 cm fork length. The correlation between the timing of peaks in gill (Na+K)-ATPase activity and that of entry into the ocean suggests that wild juveniles enter the ocean when their osmoregulatory abilities are at a maximum.
X‐ray bursts associated with leader steps in cloud‐to‐ground lightning

[1] X-ray and electric field measurements were made during five nearby negative natural lightning strikes in north central Florida during the summer of 2004. The observed X-ray emission typically was detected ∼1 ms before the first return stroke, during the stepped-leader phase, and had energies extending up to a few hundred keV. The X rays were produced in discrete, intense bursts emitted in coincidence with the formation of the leader steps, demonstrating unambiguously that the source of lightning X rays is closely related to the stepping process. The X-ray emission from lightning stepped leaders is found to be remarkably similar to that from lightning dart leaders, suggesting that these different types of leaders share a common mechanism. The reported observations have important implications for understanding how runaway breakdown occurs and how lightning leaders propagate.
Using flexible points in a developing simulation of selective dissolution in alloys

Coercion is a semi-automated simulation adaptation technology that uses subject-matter expert insight about model abstraction alternatives, called flexible points, to change the behavior of a simulation. Coercion has been successfully applied to legacy simulations, but never before to a simulation under development. In this paper, we describe coercion of a developing simulation and compare it with our experience coercing legacy simulations. Using a simulation of selective dissolution in alloys as a case study, we observe that applying coercion early in the development process can be very beneficial, aiding subject matter experts in formalizing assumptions and discovering unexpected interactions. We also discuss the development of new coercion tools and a new language (Flex ML) for working with flexible points.
Influence of Late Season Harvesting, Fall Grazing, and Fungicide Treatment on Verticillium Wilt Incidence, Plant Density, and Forage Yield of Alfalfa

ABSTRACT Studies were conducted in the presence of Verticillium wilt (Verticillium albo-atrum) to determine the effect of fall harvesting and grazing over time on plant stand and forage yield of alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Resistant and susceptible cultivars were tested on established and newly seeded fields. In the fall (experiments 1 and 2), cultivars were either: (i) cut (third time); (ii) grazed; (iii) cut and grazed; or (iv) left uncut and ungrazed. Although Verticillium was present, test sites for experiments 2 and 3 were sprayed with a spore suspension of V. albo-atrum immediately following the first cutting of each experiment to standardize disease pressure. In experiment 1, the moderately resistant cultivar Apollo II, harvested twice without a late third cutting or fall grazing, produced the highest forage yield the following year. Fall grazing reduced subsequent yields in both the 2- and 3-cut treatments. In experiment 2, a third cutting decreased plant density and forage yield in both resistant ...
Enhanced vascular function after acute fat-rich snacking in healthy males

Diets high in fat are associated with vascular dysfunction. Frequent snacking may exacerbate this problem by extending the postprandial state. We hypothesized that repeated fat-rich mixed snacks would impair peripheral endothelial function and increase oxidative stress, a purported causal factor. Second, we hypothesized that feeding a quantity of snack based on the subject's body size would not cause different effects from feeding a fixed or constant size snack. A crossover design was used where 10 healthy males followed 2 repeated-snack regimens (fixed and variable based on body surface area), 1 week apart. Each regimen consisted of 2 snacks, fed 4 hours apart (0 and 4 hours). Markers of vascular function (reactive hyperemia index [RHI]), oxidative stress, and antioxidant capacity were measured before and after each snack. Peripheral vascular function improved from fasting to 2 hours after snack 1 (RHI(2h-0h), P = .010), but the change before and after snack 2, RHI(6h-4h), was negative (P = .026), indicating reduced endothelial function after repeated snacking. The oxidative stress marker changed over time (P = .043), increasing after snack 1 and decreasing before snack 2, with no change after snack 2. The antioxidant marker increased 2 hours after each snack (P = .003). Responses to fixed snacks over time were not different from variable snacks, although power was low; the effect size was large for antioxidant capacity, medium for oxidative stress, and small for RHI. Snacking after fasting resulted in a transiently improved peripheral vascular response that disappeared with a second snack. Antioxidant capacity appeared to help limit oxidative stress from repeated snacking in these healthy male subjects.
3,3‐Dimethyl‐2‐benzenesulfonyl oxaziridine

(3,3-Dimethyl-2-benzenesulfonyl oxaziridine) [1261240-90-7] C9H11NO3S (MW: 213.25) InChI = 1S/C9H11NO3S/c1-9(2)10(13-9)14(11,12)8-6-4-3-5-7-8/h3-7H,1-2H3 InChIKey = QUFHTCYKCVJFKE-UHFFFAOYSA-N (3,3-Dimethyl-2-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]oxaziridine) [118616-87-8] C10H13NO3S (MW: 227.28) InChI = 1S/C10H13NO3S/c1-8-4-6-9(7-5-8)15(12,13)11-10(2,3)14-11/h4-7H,1-3H3 InChIKey = ZHYXDWDENHARLM-UHFFFAOYSA-N (3,3-Dimethyl-2-[(4-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl]oxaziridine) [1162661-83-7] C9H10N2O5S (MW: 258.25) InChI = 1S/C9H10N2O5S/c1-9(2)11(16-9)17(14,15)8-5-3-7(4-6-8)10(12)13/h3-6H,1-2H3 InChIKey = MGALDMWDZLAMCG-UHFFFAOYSA-N [3-(1,1-Dimethylethyl)-3-methyl-2-(phenylsulfonyl)oxaziridine] (±)-[199001-53-1] C12H17NO3S (MW: 255.33) (S)-[1016243-76-7] (R)-[929877-50-9] InChI = 1S/C12H17NO3S/c1-11(2,3)12(4)13(16-12)17(14,15)10-8-6-5-7-9-10/h5-9H,1-4H3 InChIKey = WLAAJVMPTICBJF-UHFFFAOYSA-N InChI = 1S/C12H17NO3S/c1-11(2,3)12(4)13(16-12)17(14,15)10-8-6-5-7-9-10/h5-9H,1-4H3/t12-,13?/m0/s1 InChIKey = WLAAJVMPTICBJF-UEWDXFNNSA-N InChI = 1S/C12H17NO3S/c1-11(2,3)12(4)13(16-12)17(14,15)10-8-6-5-7-9-10/h5-9H,1-4H3/t12-,13?/m1/s1 InChIKey = WLAAJVMPTICBJF-PZORYLMUSA-N Analysis of Reagent Purity: 1H NMR. Handling, Storage, and Precaution: stable for extended periods when stored in refrigerator; prolonged heating leads to decomposition. Preparative Methods: compound 1a can be prepared in a two-step sequence. Reaction of acetone oxime, benzenesulfinyl chloride, and triethylamine generates an O-sulfinyl oxime that spontaneously rearranges to the corresponding N-sulfonyl imine. Oxidation of this intermediate with 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid or potassium monoperoxysulfate yields oxaziridine 1a. The analogous toluenesulfonyl oxaziridines and 4-nitrobenzenesulfonyl oxaziridines 1b and 1c have also been prepared by utilizing similar protocols.1–3 The related oxaziridine 2 can be accessed in a two-step sequence from pinacolone. Heating equimolar amounts of pinacolone, benzenesulfonamide, and titanium tetrachloride affords the corresponding N-sulfonyl imine, which can be oxidized with 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid4 or 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid/KF5 to yield oxaziridine 2. Purification: flash column chromatography and recrystallization. Related Reagents: 2-(benzenesulfonyl)-3-phenyloxaziridine (Davis' oxaziridine). Solubility: soluble in CH2Cl2, CHCl3, THF, acetone, acetonitrile, and ethyl acetate; insoluble in hexane, pentane, and water.
Monte Carlo modeling of light-tissue interactions in narrow band imaging

Light-tissue interactions that influence vascular contrast enhancement in narrow band imaging (NBI) have not been the subject of extensive theoretical study. In order to elucidate relevant mechanisms in a systematic and quantitative manner we have developed and validated a Monte Carlo model of NBI and used it to study the effect of device and tissue parameters, specifically, imaging wavelength (415 versus 540 nm) and vessel diameter and depth. Simulations provided quantitative predictions of contrast-including up to 125% improvement in small, superficial vessel contrast for 415 over 540 nm. Our findings indicated that absorption rather than scattering-the mechanism often cited in prior studies-was the dominant factor behind spectral variations in vessel depth-selectivity. Narrow-band images of a tissue-simulating phantom showed good agreement in terms of trends and quantitative values. Numerical modeling represents a powerful tool for elucidating the factors that affect the performance of spectral imaging approaches such as NBI.
Contributions of [4Fe-4S]-FNR and Integration Host Factor to fnr Transcriptional Regulation

Maintaining appropriate levels of the global regulator FNR is critical to its function as an O2 sensor. In this study, we examined the mechanisms that control transcription of fnr to increase our understanding of how FNR protein levels are regulated. Under anaerobic conditions, one mechanism that controls fnr expression is negative autoregulation by the active [4Fe-4S] form of FNR. Through DNase I footprinting and in vitro transcription experiments, we observed that direct binding of [4Fe-4S]-FNR to the predicted downstream FNR binding site is sufficient for repression of the fnr promoter in vitro. In addition, the downstream FNR binding site was required for repression of transcription from fnr′-lacZ fusions in vivo. No repression of fnr was observed in vivo or in vitro with the apoprotein form of FNR, indicating that repression requires the dimeric, Fe-S cluster-containing protein. Furthermore, our in vitro and in vivo data suggest that [4Fe-4S]-FNR does not bind to the predicted upstream FNR binding site within the fnr promoter. Rather, we provide evidence that integration host factor binds to this upstream region and increases in vivo expression of Pfnr under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.
"We Pray at the Church in the Day and Visit the Sangomas at Night": Health Discourses and Traditional Medicine in Rural South Africa

Research within geography and cognate disciplines has worked to demonstrate the significant impacts of human disease on social and ecological systems. Although human disease fundamentally reshapes ...