cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tax Reform Impacts on Agriculture: Discussion

purposes. Authors of the two papers in this session describe the separate tax law changes in the TRA which will have an impact on farm firms; and they provide estimates, within a static framework, of the magnitude of taxes paid by selected farming operations before and after the act. They provide only a partial answer, however, to the question of how the TRA will impact agriculture. We still do not know how sharp rate reductions, modification of investment incentives, and broadening the tax base will interact to affect the flow of investment dollars into various sectors of the economy and into agricultural enterprises. Our research task for the next several years is to sort out the nature of these impacts and determine their structural implications. Impacts of changes in individual tax provisions on tax liabilities are discussed in both papers. Hanson and Bertelsen utilize a multiperiod approach to derive rental costs for capital inputs. Based on changes in rental costs, they conclude that the TRA is likely to shift farm investors' interests relatively more to land investment and away from machinery investment. This is in line with our results for similar Treasury tax proposals (Hardesty and Carman). Hanson and Bertelsen also found that the TRA tends to increase relative input costs most for the largest farms and concluded that this would likely lessen tax-motivated incentives for farm growth. Lins, Offutt, and Richardson seem to have conflicting views on farm growth based on simulation analysis results. They indicate that analysis using the FLIPSIM model found that TRA would likely decrease tax liabilities for large-scale farms and increase taxes for small-scale farms, suggesting TRA-induced shifts from smaller to larger scale operations. This is a point worthy of further discussion.
Unsteady potential flow past a group of spheres

Abstract The problem of an unsteady potential flow past a group of stationary spheres is considered using the methods of images. The problem is formulated so that the number and location of the spheres is arbitrary so long as there is no overlap between adjacent spheres. Inertial and lift coefficients are determined for several different sphere arrangements. The inertial coefficient for a sphere can vary in either direction from its isolated-sphere value of 1·5. The controlling factors on this variation are the relative geometric position of the sphere within the group and its distance from its neighbors. These same factors determine, as is expected, the lift-coefficient values. In some example configurations, there is even a drag-type force generated on an individual sphere in the potential flow.
Impaired second phase insulin response of diabetes-prone C57BL/6J mouse islets

The C57BL/6J mouse develops obesity and diabetes in response to a high-fat, high-simple carbohydrate diet. To determine the dynamics of glucose-induced insulin release in this animal model of NIDDM, we studied the acute insulin response to glucose of perifused islets in C57BL/6J (diabetes-prone) and A/J (diabetes-resistant) mice fed a normal control diet and of others fed a diabetogenic diet. The insulin response of normal C57BL/6J islets was almost monophasic, with a deficiency in the second phase during high glucose stimulation when compared to that of A/J control islets. The defect in C57BL/6J mice was exaggerated in animals fed a diabetogenic diet. It is suggested that a latent deficiency of second phase insulin release may contribute to the development of the diet-induced syndrome in this model.
Antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity in chemical-induced rat pancreas and colon cancer.

Abstract Antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) was measured in rats having 1,2-dimenthylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced pancreas adenocarcinomas. The ADCC assay consisted of determining the levels of cytotoxicity induced in noncommitted peripheral blood lymphoid cells (PBLC) by the serum of its components as measured by the increased release of radioiodinated peripheral and integral membrane proteins from injured and killed X-ray-induced rat small bowel adenocarcinoma target cells. The serum component responsible for the ADCC appeared to be an immunoglobulin of the IgG class based upon solubility in ammonium sulfate, molecular weight, inactivation by pepsin and reactivity with Protein A. These immune responses were specific for entodermal tissue since serum obtained from those rats having ectodermal (spontaneous-occurring mammary and transplanted prostate) as well as mesodermal (asbestos-induced) lesions did not demonstrate ADCC in the assay. This serum which was lytic in the presence of the PBLC obtained from the rats having the chemically induced lesions was found not to be cytotoxic in itself to the cultured cells of these tumors or in the presence of PBLC to normal kidney epithelial or skin fibroblast cells. The findings suggest that identical or common antigens do exist in cancer cells arising in entodermally derived tissue that are induced by ionizing radiation, and aliphatic and polyaromatic carcinogens which can then stimulate a common antitumor immunity. These results support the concept that measurement of such immune responsiveness will permit sensitive and specific in vivo determination of those environmental substances which induce cancer cells.
Phototropic Dosage-Response Curves for Oat Coleoptiles.

In 1934, Du Buy and Nuernbergk (9) compiled from a number of sources the first extensive phototropic dosage-response curve for oat coleoptiles. The various features of this curve, first positive curvature, first negative curvature, and second and third positive curvature, are now well known. The early dlosage-response work in Avena was not done under controlled condition of light intensity, spectral purity of the light source, temperature, humidity, and growth regime. Hence many conflicting results were published. Intensities were usually measured in ft-candles or similar units, rather than in absolute units such as quanta per cm2 per second at a particular wavelength. Combinations of intensity and length of exposure used to achieve a particular light dosage have rarely been reported. The importance of precise knowledge of light exposure conditions in interpreting dosage-response curves has been emphasized elsewhere (4) and will be considered in detail in the discussion. Only very recently has the profound effect of red light on the phototropic response been appreciated (1, 3, 5, 7, 8). But here too the picture was confused. Some authors reported an increase in phototropic sensitivity (1, 3, 5) while others reported a decrease following exposure to red light (1, 7, 8). The manner in which red light was administered varied widely from one study to the next and it is therefore very difficult to evaluate these results or draw any valid conclusions from them. The dosage-response work of Curry (7) is the first that may be considered reliable. The plants in his experiments were all given red light prior to phototropic induction with light of wavelength 4358 A. In general, however, Curry worked with high intensities and short exposure times, without specifying them in every case, so that in spite of his use of a calibrated monochromatic source, the picture he obtained was incomplete. Under these conditions, first positive and first negative curvatures were obtained as well as an additional positive component occurring at very high dosages. Curry, however, designated the latter as base curvature. Thus, it is not clear that this can be equated with the second positive curvature of the present study which is strictly a tip response. Thimann and Curry (11) have extracted approximate dosage-response curves at various intensities from the data of many workers. Thus they have clarified the confusing dosage-response picture somewhat, and have drawn attention to the fact that it is not simply the total amount of light received by the plant that is important, but the manner in whiclh it is a(lministered as well The present paper has three objectives. The first is to obtain a series of dosage-response curves for phototropic tip curvature with several intensities of monochromatic light and exactly defined conditioiis. The second is to clarify the effect of red light on phototropic sensitivity under a wide range of defined conditions of phototropic induction. The third is to provide the basis for a detailed kinetic analysis of phototropism of oat coleoptiles (13).
Identification of the major constituents of the crystalline powder covering the larval cuticle of Samia cynthia ricini (Jones)

Abstract A white crystalline powder was observed to accumulate superficially on the larval cuticle of Samia cynthia ricini (Jones). Most of this powder (92·6 per cent) was shown to be a mixture of two straight chain saturated alcohols, 99·4% n -triacontanol (C 30 H 62 O) and 0·6% n -octacosanol (C 28 H 58 O). Larval synthesis of these alcohols was demonstrated by radioactive tracer studies.
Timeframe capacity factor reliability model for isolated microgrids with renewable energy resources

In recent decades, the integration of renewable energy resources in the power system has grown rapidly around the globe. Using renewable energy resources in microgrids is appropriate, especially where access to public power energy is impossible or costly. This paper presents a novel method for assessing the reliability of microgrids, taking into account the probabilistic behavior of solar and wind power. In this model, the study period is divided into different Timeframes (TFs), and for each TF, the timeframe capacity factor (TFCF) is considered for each renewable energy resource. To assess the microgrid's reliability, the Loss of Load Expectation (LOLP) and Expected Energy Not Supplied (EENS) are calculated. Compared to existing probabilistic models, the prerequisites data and running time for reliability assessment is significantly reduced when using the proposed method. These two virtues suit the model well for optimization-based planning problems.
The low temperature enhancement of the critical field for a Nb3Sn superconducting magnet

Abstract The maximum quenching field for a Nb 3 Sn superconducting magnet was increased from 137 kG to above 150 kG by cooling the magnet from 4.2 K to 1.9 K. A method of magnetic field calibration was employed using the Raman spin-flip signal in ZnSe:In.
Carotenoid dehydrates in recent marine sediments. The structure and synthesis of fucoxanthin dehydrate

Abstract Fucoxanthin dehydrates are common constitutents of anoxic marine sediments representing important intermediates in the early diagenesis of major phytoplankton pigments. We report here the full structure and synthesis of fucoxanthin 5′-dehydrate and fucoxanthinol 5′-dehydrate isolated from Buzzards Bay (Massachusetts) and Peru surface sediments. Our analyses demonstrate that only the 9′-cis acetylenic isomer of each dehydration product accumulates in sediments, a result consistent with a metabolic origin for these transformation products.
Laboratory transmission of Wisconsin isolates of a Cache Valley-like virus by mosquitoes.

Two Wisconsin isolates, W-523 and W-993, of a Cache Valley-like virus were infective to mosquitoes when mixed with normal defibrinated guinea pig blood and ingested through a membrane. Only W-993, however, was transmitted to suckling mice. Both infection and transmission rates varied with mosquito species and the number of mouse brain passages of the ingested virus. Infectivity of W-523-P4 (passage number 4) was high (100%) for Anopheles qiiadrimaculatus when a dosage of 104.8 ICLD50/0.03 ml of blood and moderate for Aedes vexans (43%) and Aedes sticticus (40%) at dosages of 105.5 and 104.8 ICLD50/0.03 ml, respectively. Infectivity of the 10th passage of this virus was much lower. W-993, at low passages, was transmitted by A. quadrimaculatus, Anopheles punctipennis A. vexans. A. quadrimaculatus showed the greatest transmission efficiency, averaging 47% and 37%, respectively, when the mosquitoes ingested a W-993-P4 dosage of 105.5 or 105.6 ICLD60/0.03 ml. Transmission efficiency was much lower with the 7th and subsequent passages. W-993, 4th passage, exhibited a normal replication pattern in A. quadrimaculatus while high passages failed to multiply in the mosquitoes. Aedes vexans was a less efficient transmitter than either Anopheles species. The latter appeared capable of being biological vectors of Cache Valley virus in nature.
Search for parity nonconservation in atomic dysprosium

Results of a search for parity nonconservation (PNC) in a pair of nearly degenerate opposite-parity states in atomic dysprosium are reported. The sensitivity to PNC mixing is enhanced in this system by the small energy separation between these levels, which can be crossed by applying an external magnetic field. The metastable odd-parity sublevel of the nearly crossed pair is first populated. A rapidly oscillating electric field is applied to mix this level with its even-parity partner. By observing time-resolved quantum beats between these sublevels, we look for interference between the Stark-induced mixing and the much smaller PNC mixing. To guard against possible systematic effects, reversals of the signs of the electric field, the magnetic field, and the decrossing of the sublevels are employed. We report a value of $|{H}_{w}|=|2.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.9$ (statistical)\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.7(systematic)| Hz for the magnitude of the weak-interaction matrix element. A detailed discussion is given of the apparatus, data analysis, and systematic effects.
Selective hydrogenation of soybean oil: IX. Effect of pressure in copper catalysis

Selective hydrogenation of soybean oil with copper catalyst at 50 psig or less is characterized as a relatively slow reaction requiring higher catalyst concentrations than the less selective but rapid nickel-catalyzed reactions used in most commercial practice. Hydrogenations of soybean oil have been performed which included a high-pressure scan (500, 1000, and 3000 psig), at selected temperatures (110, 130, 150, and 170 C), and at specific catalyst concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4% copper). Selectivities, relative reaction rates, and geometric and positional isomerization have been determined as an evaluation of the effects of high pressure on the kinetics of the reaction. The experimental results indicate that an appropriate selection of pressure, temperature, and catalyst concentration can permit: (a) a significant increase in the rate of reaction while retaining the high linolenic acid selectivity of copper catalysts, (b) use of lower concentrations of copper catalyst while maintaining the higher reaction rate, and (c) elimination of conjugated diene as a measureable product in the hydrogenated oil.
Yield stress for initial firmness determination on yogurt

Abstract Yield stress and apparent residual stress were measured in laboratory-made yogurts containing different gum concentrations and in seven retail yogurts. Yield stress exhibited significant correlation (p 0.97) yogurts. Apparent residual stress was significantly correlated with sensory viscosity for retail yogurts (r > 0.90). The yield stress had more power to detect differences in initial firmness (lower CV(%)), thus requiring fewer samples and was considered a good predictor of the sensory initial firmness perceived by panelists. The use of yield stress also avoids the need for training panelists and conducting sensory panels, and facilitates data analysis by eluding relative scales and lack of homogeneous variances associated with sensory panelists. Additionally, the determination of the yield stress and residual stress offer the potential to manufacture yogurts with targeted yield stress (Pa) and viscosity properties as identified by consumer panels.
Islam and Democracy: Comparing Post-9/11 Representations in the U.S. Prestige Press in the Turkish, Iraqi, and Iranian Contexts

Comparison of post-9/11 representations of Islam and democracy in the U.S. prestige press shows that despite differences in coverage in the Turkish, Iraqi, and Iranian contexts, fear of political Islam persisted in all three discursive environments. While a political role for Islam was regarded as a threat to democracy, the U.S. prestige press emphasized the need to secularize and modernize Islam according to Western standards to render it compatible with democracy. It highlighted human rights abuses in Iran and expressed concerns about the possibility of Iraq becoming another “Iran” if the power of religious parties went unchecked. Dominant discourses in the U.S. prestige press often assumed that any visibility of religious commitment in the public and political sphere automatically implied a lack of commitment to democracy, human rights, and women's rights. Discourses that contested dominant perspectives on Islam and democracy by questioning Western hegemonic definitions were limited.
Robust Supervisory Control for Product Routings With Multiple Unreliable Resources

Manufacturing systems are often subject to resource failure. In past work, we developed ldquorobustrdquo supervisory controllers for the single-unit resource allocation model. These guarantee that if any subset of resources fail, parts in the system requiring failed resources do not block the production of parts not requiring failed resources. To establish supervisor correctness, we assumed that each part type required at most one unreliable resource in its route. We now relax this assumption using a central buffer and present supervisors that guarantee robust operation without assumptions on route structure.
Altered Responsiveness of Murine Lymphoid Cells Treated with Cryptococcal Capsular Polysaccharide

AbstractPurified capsular polysaccharide derived from Cryptococcal neoformans was studied in terms of effects on immune responsiveness of mouse spleen cells to sheep red blood cells in vivo and in vitro. Injection of mice with small doses of polysaccharide enhanced the primary IgM antibody response, whereas larger doses suppressed the response. The polysaccharide also modulated the in vitro immune response of normal mouse spleen cells immunized with sheep erythrocytes. The blastogenic responsiveness of murine spleen cells to Con A and pokeweed mitogens were markedly suppressed by the highest dose of cryptococcal polysaccharide tested, i.e., 100 μg/ml. These results demonstrate that the purified polysaccharides of an opportunistic fungus can significantly modulate both antibody and mitogenic responses in the murine system, and suggest that this material may have a wider role in affecting host immune response mechanisms.
Fabrication and investigation of photonic crystal device with MEMS activated defects insertion

A GaAs/AlGaAs-based photonic-crystal device with MEMS activated insertion/removal of defect posts into/from sub-micron photonic-crystal holes has been fabricated and investigated. This allows the device to actively create/remove point resonators or waveguides in the photonic-crystal membrane.
Differences in Level of Care at the End of Life According to Race

BACKGROUND Tailoring care for patients and their families at the end of life is important. PURPOSE To examine factors associated with patients' choices for level of care at the end of life. METHODS Data on demographics and level of care (full code, do not resuscitate, or withdrawal of life support) were collected on 1072 patients who died between January 1998 and June 2006 on a cardiac care unit. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with level of care. RESULTS Median (interquartile range) age of blacks was 64 (50-74) years and of whites was 70 (62-78) years. At the time of death, the level of care differed significantly between blacks and whites: 41.8% (n = 112) of blacks versus 26.7% (n = 194) of whites chose full code (P <.001), 37.3% (n = 96) of blacks versus 43.9% (n = 317) of whites chose do not resuscitate (P = .03), and 20.9% (n = 54) of blacks versus 29.3% (n = 210) of whites chose withdrawal of life support (P = .005). After age, sex, diagnosis, and lengths of stay in intensive care unit and hospital were controlled for, blacks were more likely than whites to choose full code status at the time of death (odds ratio 1.91 [95% confidence interval, 2.63-1.39], P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Blacks are 1.9 times as likely as others to choose full code at time of death. Cultural differences should be acknowledged when providing end-of-life care.
The influence of physical activity in the relation between neighborhood safety and depressive symptoms among school-age children

Children living in unsafe neighborhoods are at risk of developing depressive symptoms. Therefore, it is important to examine factors that may buffer this relation in order to inform interventions for children residing in unsafe neighborhoods. This study examined the moderating role of physical activity in the relation between neighborhood safety and child depressive symptoms in a sample of 89 children (N = 50 males) ages 9 to 12 years old (M = 10.44; SD = 1.14). Data on depressive symptoms, physical activity, and neighborhood safety were gathered from caregiver and child reports. A significant interaction was found between physical activity and neighborhood safety, indicating that depressive symptoms were highest for those children who resided in less safe neighborhoods and did not participate in physical activity. Implications for future intervention are discussed.
Accuracy of electronic digital calipers compared with quantitative angiography in measuring coronary arterial diameter.

BACKGROUNDQuantitative angiography is the accepted method for measuring coronary luminal diameter. Electronic digital calipers have been used to assess arterial diameters in vasomotor function studies and after interventional procedures. However, careful validation of calipers against quantitative angiography has not been described.METHODS AND RESULTSWe used digital calipers and quantitative angiography to measure 517 arterial diameters (88 nonstenotic segments) in 24 transplant patients undergoing vasomotor function studies with acetylcholine and nitroglycerin, 20 stenoses in 14 patients with coronary artery disease, and 15 stenoses in 15 patients before and after excimer laser-facilitated coronary angioplasty and at 6 months' follow-up. In nonstenotic arterial segments ranging in size from 0.6 to 3.5 mm, calipers overestimated diameters measured by quantitative angiography by 0.29 +/- 0.21 mm (mean +/- SD) (limits of agreement, -0.13 to 0.71 mm). However, when the vasomotor responses were expressed as p...
The influence of a structured telephone call on orthodontic pain and anxiety.

Introduction: This purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a structured telephone call after orthodontic appliance placement on self-reported pain and anxiety. Methods: One hundred-fifty orthodontic patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups and matched for age, sex, and ethnicity. The subjects completed baseline questionnaires to assess their levels of pain (on a 100-mm visual analog scale) and anxiety (Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) before orthodontic treatment. After the initial archwires were placed, all subjects completed the pain questionnaire and state-anxiety inventory at the same time daily for 1 week. One group also received a structured telephone call demonstrating care and reassurance; the second group received an attention-only telephone call, thanking them for participating in the study; the third group served as a control. Results: Although both telephone groups reported significantly less pain ( P = .005) and state-anxiety ( P = .033) than the control group, there was no difference between the 2 telephone groups ( P > .12 for pain; P > .81 for state-anxiety). Conclusions: A telephone call from a health-care provider reduced patients’ self-reported pain and anxiety; the content of the telephone call was not important.
The role of angiogenesis in the pathogenesis of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a multifactorial skin disorder with known systemic consequences. While most recent studies point to a predominantly Th17-driven process, psoriasis also lies at the crossroads linking the pathways of angiogenesis and inflammation. Mediators such as VEGF and angiopoietin-2 play significant roles in the pathophysiology and may even account for the maintenance of the chronic inflammatory state. Targets in this shared pathway may offer alternative avenues for therapy.
Multiple targets geolocation using SIFT and stereo vision on airborne video sequences

We propose a robust and accurate method for multi-target geo-localization from airborne video. The difference between our approach and other approaches in the literature is fourfold: 1) it does not require gimbal control of the camera or any particular path planning control for the UAV; 2) it can instantaneously geolocate multiple targets even if they were not previously observed by the camera; 3) it does not require a geo-referenced terrain database nor an altimeter for estimating the UAV's and the target's altitudes; and 4) it requires only one camera, but it employs a multi-stereo technique using the image sequence for increased accuracy in target geo-location. The only requirements for our approach are: that the intrinsic parameters of the camera be known; that the on board camera be equipped with global positioning system (GPS) and inertial measurement unit (IMU); and that enough feature points can be extracted from the surroundings of the target. Since the first two constraints are easily satisfied, the only real requirement is regarding the feature points. However, as we explain later, this last constraint can also be alleviated if the ground is approximately planar. The result is a method that can reach a few meters of accuracy for an UAV flying at a few hundred meters above the ground. Such performance is demonstrated by computer simulation, in-scale data using a model city, and real airborne video with ground truth.
Intrathyroidal thyrocalcitonin levels in neonatal and adult rats.

Intrathyroidal thyrocalcitonin levels were determined by bioassay in Sprague-Dawley rats 5, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 360 days of age. The thyrocalcitonin concentration, expressed as a per cent of the 60-day-old controls, was 11 % in the 5-day-old rat and 38 % at 15 days. The other age groups had intrathyroidal thyro-calcitonin concentrations that did not differ significantly from the 60-day-old animals. Fifteen-day-old rats, injected with 25,000 USP U of vitamin (D3 4 days previously, had a plasma calcium of 15.6 mg/100 ml and the thyroidal thyrocalcitonin level was only 19% of the vehicle-injected control. When 15-day-old rats were injected every 2 hr with 450 MRC mU of thyro-calcitonin for an 8-hr period, the plasma calcium level dropped to 6.1 mg/100 ml and the thyroidal thyrocalcitonin level increased slightly. Since the thyroidal content of thyrocalcitonin is reported to be inversely related to the rate of thyrocalcitonin secretion, these experiments would indicate that despite the low thyroidal thyrocalc...
Metabolic response of Platynota stultana pupae to controlled atmospheres and its relation to insect mortality response.

The metabolic responses of Platynota stultana pupae to reduced O2, elevated CO2, and their combinations were investigated using microcalorimetry, and mortality of pupae under elevated CO2 atmospheres was correlated with metabolic responses. The metabolic heat rate decreased slightly with decreasing O2 concentration until a critical O 2 concentration (Pc) below which the heat rate decreased rapidly. The Pc increased with temperature. The percentage decreases of metabolic heat rate were comparable to the percentage decreases of O2 consumption rate (RO2) at 10, 8, 6, and 4% O2, but were smaller at 2 and 1% O2. The metabolic heat rate decreased rapidly at 20% CO2 relative to 0% CO2, with little to no further decrease between 20 and 79% CO2. The percentage decreases of RO2 under 20 and 79% CO2 at 20°C were comparable to the percentage decreases of metabolic heat rates. The additive effects of subatmospheric O2 and elevated CO2 levels on reducing metabolic heat rate were generally fully realized at combinations of #5% CO2 and $4% O2, but became increasingly overlapped as the O2 concentration decreased and the CO2 concentration increased. The high susceptibility of pupae to elevated CO2 at high temperature was correlated with high metabolic heat rate. The metabolic responses of pupae to reduced O2 concentrations included metabolic arrest and anaerobic metabolism. The net effect of elevated CO2 on the pupal respiratory metabolism was similar to that of reduced O2; however, mechanisms other than the decrease of metabolism were also contributing to the toxicity of CO2. © 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Hydrogen exchange mass spectrometry for the analysis of protein dynamics.

Hydrogen exchange coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) has become a valuable analytical tool for the study of protein dynamics. By combining information about protein dynamics with more classical functional data, a more thorough understanding of protein function can be obtained. In many cases, protein dynamics are directly related to specific protein functions such as conformational changes during enzyme activation or protein movements during binding. The method is made possible because labile backbone hydrogens in a protein will exchange with deuterium atoms when the protein is placed in a D2O solution. The subsequent increase in protein mass over time is measured with high-resolution MS. The location of the deuterium incorporation is determined by monitoring deuterium incorporation in peptic fragments that are produced after the labeling reaction. In this review, we will summarize the general principles of the method, discuss the latest variations on the experimental protocol that probe different types of protein movements, and review other recent work and improvements in the field. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetics of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer kills almost 30,000 Americans each year [[1]]. Only a tiny fraction of those affected will be cured. What do we know about the genetics of this highly lethal disease? An early pat...
Using Neural Networks to Improve Cochlear Implant Speech Perception

An increasing number of profoundly deaf patients suffering from sensorineural deafness are using cochlear implants as prostheses. After the implant, sound can be detected through the electrical stimulation of the remaining peripheral auditory nervous system. Although great progress has been achieved in this area, no useful speech recognition has been attained with either single or multiple channel cochlear implants. Coding evidence suggests that it is necessary for any implant which would effectively couple with the natural speech perception system to simulate the temporal dispersion and other phenomena found in the natural receptors, and currently not implemented in any cochlear implants. To this end, it is presented here a computational model using artificial neural networks (ANN) to incorporate the natural phenomena in the artificial cochlear. The ANN model presents a series of advantages to the implementation of such systems. First, the hardware requirements, with constraints on power, size, and processing speeds, can be taken into account together with the development of the underlining software, before the actual neural structures are totally defined. Second, the ANN model, since it is an abstraction of natural neurons, carries the necessary ingredients and is a close mapping for implementing the necessary functions. Third, some of the processing, like sorting and majority functions, could be implemented more efficiently, requiring only local decisions. Fourth, the ANN model allows function modifications through parametric modification (no software recoding), which permits a variety of fine-tuning experiments, with the opinion of the patients, to be conceived. Some of those will permit the user some freedom in system modification at real-time, allowing finer and more subjective adjustments to fit differences on the condition and operation of individual's remaining peripheral auditory system.
Perturbations of nonlinear systems of differential equations, IV

Abstract Several perturbation theorems are proved for nonlinear ordinary differential systems x′ = f(t, x) for which the zero solution is uniformly stable in variation. This type of stability is, in general, more restrictive than uniform stability but is equivalent to it in the linear case. Under various growth conditions on g(t, x), the behavior of solutions of x′ = f(t, x) + g(t, x) is studied.
Osborn waves of hypothermia.

A12-lead ECG was obtained from a 72-year-old man with a core body temperature of 85°F (Figure 1⇓). The ECG shows severe sinus bradycardia with prolonged PR, prolonged QRS complex, prolonged QT interval, and an extra deflection at the end of the QRS complex (Osborn waves) (arrows). A second 12-lead ECG obtained 24 hours later, after the patient had been rewarmed to 98°F, was normal (Figure …
On the rational design of microwave-actuated organic reactions

Microwave-actuated organic reactions are defined herein as chemical reaction systems for which microwave irradiation provides a clear benefit over conventional heating to the same temperature. This study is focused on a rationally designed, microwave-actuated reaction (thermal Friedel–Crafts benzylation), in which a microwave-absorbing ionic solute reacts in a non-polar and largely microwave-transparent solvent. Steady-state microwave irradiation (ssMWi) induces observed levels of reactivity from the solute that cannot be duplicated by conventional heating of the homogeneous solution to similar temperatures. This observation is qualitatively consistent with the Arrhenius [k = Ae(−Ea/RT)] relationship between rate and molecular collisions (k ∝ A at constant T). A new paradigm for designing microwave-actuated organic reactions for microwave-assisted organic synthesis emerges from this study.
Resource Inequalities and Regional Variation in Litigation Outcomes in the Philippine Supreme Court, 1961-1986

Research on litigation outcomes suggests that success is related to the level of resources available to the parties in conflict. For more developed socie ties, the "haves" appear to win more often. Research on the Philippine Supreme Court finds that the "have nots" appear to have a significant advantage, particularly for some issue areas. While these studies find inter national variations in the effects of resources on litigation outcomes, in tranational variation has not been explored. This analysis investigates the relationship between regional bias, resource inequalities, and litigation outcomes before the Philippine Supreme Court for certain economic is sues. The results indicate that there is a greater likelihood of success for individuals who challenge corporations or the government, and reside in the least developed region of the country.
Post-Traumatic Bilateral Abducens Nerve Palsy and Unilateral Facial Nerve Palsy: A Case Report

Abducens nerve palsy is an unusual sequela of maxillofacial trauma. Unilateral palsy of the abducens has been reported to occur in 1% to 2.7% of all head trauma causes. 1-3 Bilateral abducens nerve palsy is rare and is often associated with intracranial or cervical spine injury. Palsy of the facial nerve in the maxillofacial trauma patient is often seen in association with temporal bone fracture or crush injuries. 4 We describe a case of bilateral abducens nerve palsy and unilateral facial nerve palsy in a maxillofacial trauma patient with a concomitant basilar skull fracture and multiple facial fractures.
Resonance in orbits of plane partitions and increasing tableaux

Abstract We introduce a new concept of resonance on discrete dynamical systems. This concept formalizes the observation that, in various combinatorially-natural cyclic group actions, orbit cardinalities are all multiples of divisors of a fundamental frequency. Our main result is an equivariant bijection between plane partitions in a box (or order ideals in the product of three chains) under rowmotion and increasing tableaux under K -promotion. Both of these actions were observed to have orbit sizes that were small multiples of divisors of an expected orbit size, and we show this is an instance of resonance, as K -promotion cyclically rotates the set of labels appearing in the increasing tableaux. We extract a number of corollaries from this equivariant bijection, including a strengthening of a theorem of Cameron and Fon-der-Flaass (1995) [9] and several new results on the order of K -promotion. Along the way, we adapt the proof of the conjugacy of promotion and rowmotion from Striker and Williams (2012) [38] to give a generalization in the setting of n -dimensional lattice projections. Finally we discuss known and conjectured examples of resonance relating to alternating sign matrices and fully-packed loop configurations.
Influence of hemlock woolly adelgid infestation on the physiological and reflectance characteristics of eastern hemlock

The hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) (Adelges tsugae Annand) is an invasive insect in the eastern United States. Since its initial detection in Richmond, Virginia, in 1951, HWA has spread to half of the eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.) natural range. Detection of early infestation symptoms via remote sensing requires the knowledge of the changes in reflectance resulting from physiological changes in the host as inflicted by the insect and the selection of equipment with the appropriate sensor characteristics. Laboratory-based reflectance measurements of infested and non-infested hemlock foliage collected from four sites in southern New Hampshire and Maine occurred biweekly over 6 months in 2012 and weekly over 5 weeks in 2013. Vegetation indices (red edge inflection point (REIP), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), moisture stress index (MSI), and near infrared (NIR) 3/1 ratio) were associated with concurrent chlorophyll and moisture content data. Infested first-year foliage contained ...
On Homology of Arthropod Compound Eyes

Eyes serve as models to understand the evolution of complex traits, with broad implications for the origins of evolutionary novelty. Discussions of eye evolution are relevant at many taxonomic levels, especially within arthropods where compound eye distribution is perplexing. Either compound eyes were lost numerous times or very similar eyes evolved separately in multiple lineages. Arthropod compound eye homology is possible, especially between crustaceans and hexapods, which have very similar eye facets and may be sister taxa. However, judging homology only on similarity requires subjective decisions. Regardless of whether compound eyes were present in a common ancestor of arthropods or crustaceans + hexapods, recent phylogenetic evidence suggests that the compound eyes, today present in myodocopid ostracods (Crustacea), may have been absent in ostracod ancestors. This pattern is inconsistent with phylogenetic homology. Multiple losses of ostracod eyes are an alternative hypothesis that is statistically improbable and without clear cause. One possible evolutionary process to explain the lack of phylogenetic homology of ostracod compound eyes is that eyes may evolve by switchback evolution, where genes for lost structures remain dormant and are re-expressed much later in evolution.
Integrating Hybrid Life Cycle Assessment with Multiobjective Optimization: A Modeling Framework.

By combining life cycle assessment (LCA) with multiobjective optimization (MOO), the life cycle optimization (LCO) framework holds the promise not only to evaluate the environmental impacts for a given product but also to compare different alternatives and identify both ecologically and economically better decisions. Despite the recent methodological developments in LCA, most LCO applications are developed upon process-based LCA, which results in system boundary truncation and underestimation of the true impact. In this study, we propose a comprehensive LCO framework that seamlessly integrates MOO with integrated hybrid LCA. It quantifies both direct and indirect environmental impacts and incorporates them into the decision making process in addition to the more traditional economic criteria. The proposed LCO framework is demonstrated through an application on sustainable design of a potential bioethanol supply chain in the UK. Results indicate that the proposed hybrid LCO framework identifies a considera...
Cadaveric gait simulation reproduces foot and ankle kinematics from population‐specific inputs

Cadaveric gait simulation allows researchers to directly investigate biomechanical consequences of surgeries using invasive measurement techniques. However, it is unclear if foot and ankle kinematics that are population-specific are reproduced using these devices. Therefore, we assessed foot and ankle kinematics produced in a cadaveric gait simulator during the stance phase of gait in a set of five cadaveric feet. Tibial motions and ground reaction forces previously collected in vivo in a group of healthy adults were applied as inputs parameters. In vitro foot and ankle kinematics were acquired and directly compared to population-specific in vivo kinematics of the same healthy adults from which input parameters were acquired. Analyses were completed using cross correlation to determine the similarities in kinematic profiles and joint ranges of motion were calculated to determine absolute differences in kinematics. Ankle, subtalar, and talonavicular in vitro joint kinematics were positively correlated to in vivo joint kinematics (rxy = 0.57-0.87). Further, in vivo and in vitro foot and ankle kinematics demonstrated similar amounts of within-group variability (rxy = 0.50-0.85 and rxy = 0.72-0.76, respectively). Our findings demonstrate that cadaveric gait simulation techniques reproduce population-specific foot and ankle kinematics, providing a valuable research tool for testing surgical treatments of foot and ankle maladies. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1663-1668, 2016.
A direct boosting approach for semi-supervised classification

We introduce a semi-supervised boosting approach (SSDBoost), which directly minimizes the classification errors and maximizes the margins on both labeled and unlabeled samples, without resorting to any upper bounds or approximations. A two-step algorithm based on coordinate descent/ascent is proposed to implement SSDBoost. Experiments on a number of UCI datasets and synthetic data show that SSDBoost gives competitive or superior results over the state-of-the-art supervised and semi-supervised boosting algorithms in the cases that the labeled data is limited, and it is very robust in noisy cases.
Climbing Behavior of Peromyscus Floridanus and Peromyscus Gossypinus

Field observations and a laboratory test indicate that Peromyscus gossypinus is a more active climber than P. floridanus. Subjects conceived and raised in the laboratory tended to perform more poorly on the climbing test than did wild-caught animals. The greater arboreal tendency of gossypinus may contribute to its wider distribution and broader habitat tolerance, as compared to floridanus, by allowing it to exploit more effectively the resources of the environment. Difference in three-dimensional space utilization of the two species also may serve to reduce competition between them in areas of sympatry. The interspecific variation in climbing activity appears to involve both psychological and morphological adaptations, with the former being of relatively greater importance. Tail length is not correlated with climbing ability in these species. The principal morphological adaptation for climbing appears to be relative development of the plantar tubercles. Two isolated populations of floridanus from different habitat types showed greater divergence in climbing activity than gossypinus stocks from the same localities and habitats. The difference in climbing tendency of the two floridanus populations is believed to be related to the accessibility and general abundance of acorns in their respective habitats.
Notes on Boletes. XV

Notes are presented concerning the relocation, extended distribution, host-association, etc., as the case may be, of the following species: Boletellus projectellus, B. Russellii, Gyroporus purpurin...
Abstract 1061: Glutathione S-transferase P1 is required for growth and survival of human glioma cells

Overexpression of glutathione S-transferase p1 (GSTP1), a protein involved in Phase II metabolism and cell signaling, is a hallmark of diverse human malignancies, including gliomas, and is associated with resistance to therapy, aggressive tumor growth and poor patient survival. Although, the function of GSTP1 in drug metabolism and detoxification is well documented, its role in regulating tumor cell growth remains unclear. Here, we report that in human glioma characterized by high GSTP1 expression, GSTP1 is obligately required for the growth and survival of the tumor cells. For this, we stably infected cells of the MGR3 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cell line that expresses high de novo levels of GSTP1, with a lentiviral vector that either expresses a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) specifically targeting to GSTP1 or a control shRNA. We isolated two clones, 1 and 2 and showed by western blotting that the GSTP1 specific shRNA mediated decreases in GSTP1 expression of 92% and 100%, respectively, relative to controls while infected with eGFP shRNA. Growth kinetic analysis showed the in vitro growth rates of both clones 1 and 2 to be significantly lower than that of the parental or control clone, with population doubling times of 108.9 ± 17.6 hr for clone 1 and 94.8 ± 4.3 hr for clone 2, compared with 40.6 ± 2.6 hr for the parental cells and 44.7 ± 2.0 hr for the control transfected cells. Cell cycle analysis showed that the GSTP1 knockdown induced a significant almost 2-fold increase in the sub-G1 (apoptotic) population that correlated with an increase in caspase 3/7 activation. Western blotting showed no significant changes in total protein levels of ERK, JNK and p38 MAPK following GSTP1 knockdown, however, phosphorylation levels of both ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 increased significantly, while phospho- p38 MAPK levels did not change. JNK downstream signaling, viz., phosphorylation of c-Jun, increased dramatically in cells of the two clones. These alterations in MAPK signaling in the tumor cells associated with GSTP1 silencing correlated with the decreased survival and growth kinetics and corresponding changes in apoptosis/survival signals, including, decreased bcl2 and increased bax levels in the tumors. Our results show that GSTP1 is required for cell survival and growth of human GBM cells that naturally over-express high GSTP1 levels. This is consistent with the aggressive tumor growth and poor survival of patients whose tumors contain high levels of GSTP1 and provide a rationale for targeting GSTP1 as a potential therapeutic strategy for malignant gliomas. Supported by grants RO1CA112519, RO1CA127872, RO1CA91438, P30CA114236 and P5OCA108786 from the National Institutes of Health (USA). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1061.