cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An effort bias for sampling-based motion planning

Recent advances in sampling-based motion planning have exploited concepts similar to those used in the heuristic graph search community, such as computing heuristic cost-to-go estimates and using state-space abstractions to derive them. Following this trend, we explore how the concept of search effort can be exploited to find plans quickly. Most previous work in motion planning attempts to find plans quickly by preferring states with low cost-to-go. Recent work in graph search suggests that following search effort-to-go estimates can yield faster planning. In this paper, we demonstrate how this idea can be adapted to the context of kinodynamic motion planning. Our planner, BEAST, uses estimates of effort that are learned on-line to guide the expansion of a motion tree toward states through which a plan is estimated to be easy to find. We present results with four different simulated vehicles (car, hovercraft, blimp and quadrotor) in six different environments indicating that BEAST is able to find solutions much more quickly and has a higher success rate than previous methods. We see this work as further strengthening the algorithmic connections between motion planning and heuristic graph search.
Immunotherapy in Older Adults With Advanced Cancers: Implications for Clinical Decision-Making and Future Research

Immunotherapy has expanded the therapeutic landscape for advanced cancers, including solid tumors and lymphomas. For many patients with cancer, these agents have been shown to have substantial efficacy and favorable toxicity compared with cytotoxic agents, particularly in the second-line setting. With the advent of anti–PD-1 and anti–PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors, combination immunotherapy- and chemoimmunotherapy-based strategies have emerged as promising novel regimens to improve cancer-related outcomes. Older adults age 65 or older represent the growing majority of patients diagnosed with cancer. However, older adults are under-represented in clinical trials in general, as well as in the landmark studies that led to approval of these immunotherapy agents. Because of increasing age and attendant multimorbidity and impaired functional status, many of these patients seen in the community-based oncology practices would not have been considered eligible for such studies. Thus, the results of these studies are ...
Online Prelaboratory Videos Improve Student Performance in the General Chemistry Laboratory

This paper examines the effectiveness of adding an online component to the general chemistry laboratory in which students view prelaboratory instructional materials through online videos prior to completing general chemistry laboratory activities. Using a quasi-experimental design, we compared the performance of 1089 general chemistry students who viewed online prelaboratory videos for two laboratory activities and attended face-to-face prelaboratory lectures for two additional laboratory activities. Students were assessed on their understanding of the rationale for specific laboratory procedures, their efficiency at completing each activity in the allotted time, and their help-seeking behavior during laboratory sessions. Students were more efficient and demonstrated a greater understanding of the rationale for procedures for the two laboratory activities that used online prelaboratory videos than those that used prelaboratory lectures. No differences were observed in help-seeking behavior between the two...
The Philosophical Foundations

We are now ready to reconstruct the philosophical foundations of entomology since 1945. Of particular importance are the presuppositions and concepts that were fundamental components of each of the major paradigms: Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Total Population Management (TPM), and chemical control.
Back from the Grave: Recurring Controversies over Defining and Diagnosing Death in History

On December 2, 1967, a car accident in Cape Town, South Africa, destroyed the brain of a young woman named Denise Ann Darvall. Dr. Christiaan Barnard and his colleagues implanted her heart in Louis Washkansky, a victim of terminal heart failure, thus making him the world’s first successful heart transplant recipient. In reporting the dramatic event, both the professional and popular press immediately focussed on the question asked by the headline in Newsweek Magazine’s coverage of the story: “When Are You Really Dead?” ([245], [242], [243], [184], p. 59).
Assessing Retirement Maturity

This article reviews the instruments available for measuring an individual's level of preparation for retirement and discusses the development of the Retirement Maturity Index (RMI).
Children's Conceptions of Ownership for Self and Other: Categorical Ownership Versus Strength of Claim.

Children are capable of viewing object ownership as categorical and exclusive, but ownership claims can also vary by degree. This study investigated how children use these different conceptions of ownership in a giving and a taking task. In two studies, 4- to 7-year olds (N = 105) could give and take craft objects that they or another child had found (weaker claim) and made (stronger claim). In Study 1, no additional ownership information was given, and in Study 2 categorical ownership was stated ("these belong to you"). The results showed that children used categorical ownership for their own objects but used ownership strength for the other child's objects, taking more of the found items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Science in ‘the storm’: Reflections on politics and plant sciences today

What constitutes science? What is the relation between scientific practice and capitalist modernity? What are the responsibilities of scientists in the face of our planetary crisis? In 2016 the Zap...
Coal Waste Streams

Abstract This chapter considers the challenges for managers and engineers in addressing the wastes generated from coal-fired power plants. The wastes are produced at every stage, from mining and burning the coal, to dealing with ash and other wastes generated by these processes. The chapter describes coal combustion, coal combustion residuals (CCRs) storage and handling, and mining wastes according to the environmental and public health insults expected from each phase.
Crystal structure of hy­droxy scandium nitrate chloride

Each Sc3+ ion in the title salt, di-μ-hydroxido-bis­[tri­aqua­(nitrato-κ2O,O′)scandium(III)] dichloride, [Sc2(NO3)2(OH)2(H2O)6]Cl2, is coordinated by a nitrate anion, two hydroxide ions and three water mol­ecules to generate a distorted penta­gonal–bipyramidal ScO7 coordination polyhedron. The complete {[(NO3)(μ-OH)Sc(H2O)3]2}2+ ion is generated by crystallographic inversion symmetry. The nitrate anion binds in a bidentate fashion whereas the hydroxide ions are bridged between two Sc centers. Two charge-balancing Cl− ions are located in the outer sphere. In the extended structure, O—H⋯O and O—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds connect the components into a three-dimensional network.
Experimental investigation of in-tube condensation of low GWP refrigerant R450A using a fiber optic distributed temperature sensor

Abstract Heat transfer coefficients and frictional pressure drop values are experimentally measured during condensation of R134a and its proposed low global warming potential (GWP) replacement, R450A. R450A is a non-flammable zeotropic mixture of R134a and R1234ze (42/58% by mass). Experiments were conducted in a horizontal tube (ID = 4.7 mm) for a range of mass fluxes (100 kg m − 2 s − 1 to 550 kg m − 2 s − 1 ) and saturation conditions (45 ∘C and 55 ∘C). The measured pressure drop values and heat transfer coefficients were compared with established literature correlations. Good agreement indicates that existing correlations can be used for design of condensers with R450A as the working fluid. Additionally, this study evaluates the viability of using distributed fiber optic temperature sensors during refrigerant condensation experiments. The fiber sensor is installed in the annulus of a tube-in-tube heat exchanger and is used to obtain the axial temperature profile of the cooling water. The measurements from the distributed temperature sensors are compared with conventional RTD measurements co-located within the test section. The results (Average Deviation = ±0.26 ∘C, Maximum Deviation = ±1.11 ∘C) suggest that fiber optic measurement techniques can provide temperature data with accuracy and high spatial resolution (equal to 0.65 mm).
Veil-of-ignorance reasoning favors the greater good

The "veil of ignorance" is a moral reasoning device designed to promote impartial decision making by denying decision makers access to potentially biasing information about who will benefit most or least from the available options. Veil-of-ignorance reasoning was originally applied by philosophers and economists to foundational questions concerning the overall organization of society. Here, we apply veil-of-ignorance reasoning in a more focused way to specific moral dilemmas, all of which involve a tension between the greater good and competing moral concerns. Across 7 experiments (n = 6,261), 4 preregistered, we find that veil-of-ignorance reasoning favors the greater good. Participants first engaged in veil-of-ignorance reasoning about a specific dilemma, asking themselves what they would want if they did not know who among those affected they would be. Participants then responded to a more conventional version of the same dilemma with a moral judgment, a policy preference, or an economic choice. Participants who first engaged in veil-of-ignorance reasoning subsequently made more utilitarian choices in response to a classic philosophical dilemma, a medical dilemma, a real donation decision between a more vs. less effective charity, and a policy decision concerning the social dilemma of autonomous vehicles. These effects depend on the impartial thinking induced by veil-of-ignorance reasoning and cannot be explained by anchoring, probabilistic reasoning, or generic perspective taking. These studies indicate that veil-of-ignorance reasoning may be a useful tool for decision makers who wish to make more impartial and/or socially beneficial choices.
FIP1L1 Regulates Alternative Polyadenylation of Leukemia-Associated Genes in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Abstract Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is a prevalent mechanism of post-transcriptional gene regulation. APA can impact the protein coding portion of a gene or the length of the 3' untranslated region (UTR), a crucial mRNA region mediating stability, localization, and translation efficiency. Global shifts in APA usage have been reported during development and in cancer transformation; however, the impact of APA in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is currently unexplored. Therefore, we sought to address whether global shifts in APA patterns can be seen in leukemic blasts and if APA changes contribute to leukemogenesis. Here we report that leukemic blasts exhibit global transcript shortening that contributes to the upregulation of leukemia-associated genes: NRAS, BAALC, and MAPKAPK3. We also implicate FIP1L1 as an important mediator of APA alterations in AML. To identify whether global trends of APA are seen in leukemia patients, we performed a 3'RNA sequencing experiment comparing healthy CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) with CD34+ enriched leukemic blasts from primary patient samples. We observed a trend in whole transcript shortening, with an emphasis on 3'UTR shortening of affected genes. Importantly, genes with altered APA were among pathways associated with oncogenic transformation and specifically AML. We selected three genes for further functional validation (NRAS, BAALC, and MAPKAPK3) that exhibited a correlation of shortened 3'UTRs with higher mRNA expression. Using mRNA stability assays and luciferase assays, we confirmed that 3'UTR shortening contributes to the upregulation of these leukemia-associated genes in blood cells. To probe upstream regulators of APA alterations in leukemia, we performed overexpression and knockdown studies of APA machinery members that have altered expression in leukemia patients. We identified FIP1L1 as a novel regulator of APA in AML. Overexpression of FIP1L1 resulted in 3'UTR lengthening and downregulation of our three selected genes. Conversely, knockdown led to 3' UTR shortening and upregulation. Interestingly, altering FIP1L1 expression (both up and downregulation) is detrimental to leukemia cell lines, suggesting that modest changes in gene expression can have a dramatic impact on hematopoietic cell fitness. We conclude that APA changes represent another dysregulated layer of gene expression that can contribute to AML development. Current studies aimed at identifying the role of FIP1L1 in healthy HSPCs will elucidate the feasibility of FIP1L1 as a novel therapeutic target in AML. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Potential Roles for PD-1 Inhibition and Cabozantinib in Patients with Metastatic Non-Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.

This commentary discusses studies in metastatic non‐clear cell renal cell carcinoma and provides suggestions for choosing between treatment with nivolumab and treatment with cabozantinib.
Adaptation, Translation, and Philosophical Investigation in Adaptation

This chapter investigates the content of the concept of adaptation, as it is seen on analogy to linguistic translation and as it is seen as itself a representation of the process of human self-definition and self-composition. Word-to-word translation is uncovered as a misleading analogy, but larger frames of translation are shown to be illuminating. Quine’s work on the indeterminacy of translation is intertwined with Charlie Kaufman’s script for his film Adaptation, and the simple notion of the matching of the adaptation to the original is called into question—as is the very idea of a static original against which the verisimilitude of an adaptation would be measured. The chapter concludes with an inventory of the elements that fill the creative space that is opened between an originating text and its adaptation.
Maximum Information Bounds for Planning Active Sensing Trajectories

This paper considers the problem of planning trajectories for robots equipped with sensors whose task is to track an evolving target process in the world. We focus on processes which can be represented by a Gaussian random variable, which is known to reduce the general stochastic information acquisition problem to a deterministic problem, which is much simpler to solve. Previous work on solving the resulting deterministic problem focuses on computing a search tree by Forward Value Iteration and pruning uninformative nodes early on in the search via a domination criteria. In this work we formulate the Active Information Acquisition problem as a deterministic planning problem where algorithms like Dijkstra and $\mathrm{A}^{*}$ can produce optimal solutions. To use $\mathrm{A}^{*}$ effectively in long planning horizons we derive a consistent and admissible heuristic as a function of the sensor model which can be used in information acquisition tasks such as actively mapping static and moving targets in an environment with obstacles. We validate the results in several simulations indicating that the resulting heuristic informed algorithm can recover optimal solutions faster than existing search-based methods.
Subclinical hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity in recurrent pregnancy loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To determine whether overt/subclinical hypothyroidism and/or thyroid autoimmunity is associated with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and whether treatment improves outcomes. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Setting University obstetrics and gynecology departments. Patient(s) Women with RPL and overt/subclinical hypothyroidism, and/or thyroid autoimmunity. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Associations between RPL and overt/subclinical hypothyroidism and/or thyroid autoimmunity and any effects of treatment. Result(s) After our review of articles from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CENTRAL, we found two interventional studies in which levothyroxine did not improve the subsequent live-birth rate in women with subclinical hypothyroidism with or without thyroid antibodies. A meta-analysis of five studies revealed the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in RPL to be 12.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0%–35.2%). A meta-analysis of 17 studies revealed a statistically significant association between RPL and thyroid autoimmunity (odds ratio 1.94; 95% CI, 1.43–2.64). However, a randomized study suggested that levothyroxine does not benefit euthyroid women with thyroid autoimmunity. Conclusion(s) Based on the limited observational studies available, no association exists between RPL and subclinical hypothyroidism, nor does levothyroxine improve subsequent pregnancy outcomes. An association exists between RPL and thyroid autoimmunity, but levothyroxine does not improve subsequent pregnancy outcomes. Women with RPL should be screened/treated for overt thyroid disease but not thyroid autoimmunity. Thyroid antibody screening is not supported by the published studies, and further randomized studies are needed. No recommendation regarding the treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism can be made at this time; prospective and randomized studies are urgently needed.
New Life for Archaeological Collections

There are books that are timely in their appearance, and Rebecca Allen and Ben Ford’s New Life for Archaeological Collections is among them. In fact, a book like this is long overdue. For some time...
Who Are We Talking To? Situating Construction Engineering and Management Knowledge

AbstractGathering knowledge from expert practitioners is a hallmark of construction engineering and management research. However, the knowledge gathered is dependent on the knowledge of the people ...
Complications after fibula intramedullary nail fixation of pilon versus ankle fractures.

Abstract Background Intramedullary nail (IMN) fixation of the fibula in malleolar ankle fractures has been shown to result in less wound complications then plate fixation. Therefore, IMN fibula fixation may also be associated with lower rates of wound complications when used for higher-risk pilon fractures. The purpose of this study was to compare complications of fibula IMN fixation in pilon versus malleolar ankle fractures. Methods A retrospective cohort comparison was performed at an urban level one trauma center involving fibula fractures in 47 patients with AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) type 43 fractures and 48 patients with AO/OTA type 44 fractures being treated with fibula IMN fixation. Complications, fibula-specific complications, revision surgeries, and implant removals were reviewed. Results There was no detectable difference in complications (27% vs. 23%, 95% confidence interval of the odds ratio (CIOR) 0.5 to 3.2), fibular-specific complications (6% vs. 10%, CIOR 0.1 to 3.5), revision surgeries (4% vs. 4%, CIOR 0.1 to 7.5), or symptomatic fibula implant removals (13% vs. 21%, CIOR 0.1 to 1.6) between pilon and ankle fracture groups, respectively. There was one (2%) fibular nonunion and one wound complication (2%) in each of the fracture groups. Conclusion Fibula IMN fixation of pilon versus ankle fractures resulted in a similar number of complications. Comparative studies of fibula IMN and plate fixation are necessary to determine if the benefits of fibula IMN in ankle fractures extends to pilon fractures. Level of evidence Level III, retrospective cohort.
Influence of virtual reality on student learning in undergraduate construction education

Virtual Reality (VR) allows for an active learning environment that can enhance a student’s comprehension of material. This research explores the actual and perceived benefit of introducing a VR si...
The Role of Justice Judgments in Explaining the Relationship between Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment

The organizational literature includes a number of studies examining the relationship between satisfaction and commitment. In all, the discrepant findings characteristic of this research seem to be...
Cosmological particle production: a review.

This article will review quantum particle creation in expanding universes. The emphasis will be on the basic physical principles and on selected applications to cosmological models. The needed formalism of quantum field theory in curved spacetime will be summarized, and applied to the example of scalar particle creation in a spatially flat universe. Estimates for the creation rate will be given and applied to inflationary cosmology models. Analog models which illustrate the same physical principles and may be experimentally realizable are also discussed.
Marta Osuchowska, La evolución de la posición jurídica de la Iglesia católica en Argentina. Oficyna Wydawnicza ATUT - Wrocławskie Wydawnictwo Oświatowe, Wrocław 2019, pp. 270, ISBN 978-83-7977-413-5

Professor Marta Osuchowska is a recognized representative of the young generation of Latin Americanists in Poland. In 2007, she received a master’s degree in law and canon law, and in 2013, she was awarded a doctoral degree based on her dissertation entitled “Legal Protection of Religious Freedom in Colombia” (Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw). In 2011, she completed her postgraduate studies on Latin America at the Centre for Latin-American Studies at the University of Warsaw. Since 2008, she has worked as an academic teacher and researcher at Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University. Her main area of interest is religious law in Latin America.
How knowledge and uncertainty affect strategic international business investment decisions: Implications for cross-border mergers and acquisitions

Abstract Changes in country-level and global economic conditions create numerous challenges for firms expanding internationally. Country-level changes such as volatility in GDP growth, increasing regulations, and/or inflation may influence temporal periods of static or declining markets and often drive an inward contraction of focus. Conversely, global-level changes such as expanding markets often drive an outward expansion of focus as firms adjust to opportunities created by changing conditions. However, given increasing technological interconnectedness and global economic interdependencies, firms may better leverage their knowledge of such factors to improve international business investment decisions. We hypothesize how firms seeking international expansion adjust based on changes in their environment through both the frequency and value of their cross-border M&A (CB M&A) activity. Our findings from a sample of pre- and post-CB M&A activity using data on the 2008–2009 financial crisis outline how firms’ strategic international business decisions incorporate knowledge and uncertainty regarding country and global economic fluctuations.
A MULTI-THEORETICAL STUDY ON SOCIAL NETWORKING TOURISM

In this paper, we study factors that may influence users’ continued use intentions of social networking tourism sites. We develop and test a multi-theoretical model based on the theory of planned behavior, self-determination theory, and social capital theory. The study combines qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative method is being used through interviews to explore the factors that motivate continued use intention, followed by the use of quantitative method through survey-based empirical analysis to evaluate the proposed multi-theoretical research model. This research in progress paper reports results from the qualitative study and preliminary findings of the quantitative study. The final reports will be presented at the PACIS conference.
Deflections of Multiple-Panel Reinforced Concrete Floor Slabs

An approximate method is developed to calculate the short-time deflections of multiple-panel reinforced concrete floor slabs. The results of the method are compared with those of exact solutions and tests on five multiple-panel reinforced concrete test structures. The short-time deflections of reinforced concrete slabs under existing working loads are predicted better on the basis of the uncracked sections because a large part of the slab area is uncracked. Slab construction may owe its successful behavior under working loads primarily to the tensile strength of the concrete.
A Religion for the New Materialism

The religiously inclined have always rejected materialism. The thesis of this study is that there may have been good reason for them to do so until comparatively recent times but that the same reason no longer exists. Our knowledge of matter not only has increased, it has been altered so completely that there is no ore justification for disapproving of materialism on religious grounds.
The volume-preserving motion by mean curvature as an asymptotic limit of reaction-diffusion equations

We study the asymptotic limit of the reaction-diffusion equation E , E 1 r/ EX 1 / E. * e ut = Au 2 / ( u ) + g ( u ) \ t as £ tends to zero in a radially symmetric domain in R subject to the constraint J h(u) dx = const. The energy estimates and the signed distance function approach Q are used to show that a limiting solution can be characterized by moving interfaces . The interfaces evolve by nonlocal (volume preserving) mean curvature flow. Possible interactions between the interfaces are discussed as well.
Depth bounded explicit-state model checking

We present algorithms to efficiently bound the depth of the state spaces explored by explicit-state model checkers. Given a parameter k, our algorithms guarantee finding any violation of an invariant that is witnessed using a counterexample of length k or less from the initial state. Though depth bounding is natural with breadth-first search, explicit-state model checkers are unable to use breadth first search due to prohibitive space requirements, and use depth-first search to explore large state spaces. Thus, we explore efficient ways to perform depth bounding with depth-first search. We prove our algorithms sound (in the sense that they explore exactly all the states reachable within a depth bound), and show their effectiveness on large real-life models from Microsoft's product groups.
The Elements of Artificial Intelligence Using Common Lisp

From the Publisher: You can learn how to bring the principles and programming techniques of contemporary artificial intelligence to life with Steven Tanimoto's masterful introductory text.
Purification and Analysis of Thrombospondin‐1

Thromboapondin 1 (TSP-1) is a trimeric matricellular protein that is expressed by many cells. It contains several different domains that allow it to participate in cell adhesion, cell migration, and cell signaling. Recently TSP-1 has been shown to activate transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) and to inhibit both angiogenesis and tumor growth. This unit contains protocols for the purification of TSP-1 from platelet-rich plasma and the purification of TSP-1 proteolytic fragments.
Constituents of cannabis sativa L. XII—mass spectral fragmentation patterns for some. Cannabinoid acid as their TMS derivatives

Fragmentation schemes for a number of TMS derivatized cannabinoid acids are described. Specific fragmentation pathways and rearrangement mechanisms were determined based on the ion composition of deuterium labeled derivatives. Significant differences in the mode of fragmentation of the two isomeric Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acids are described. These results are based on information obtained from deuterium labeling and high resolution data or by the extension of previously reported mechanisms for neutral cannabinoids. Comparisons of the fragmentation schemes between the neutral and acidic cannabinoids are used to confirm many of the fragmentation mechanisms.
A Framework for Discourse Analysis

The purpose of this chapter is to make explicit some background assumptions which have been implicit in the previous chapters, by presenting tagmemics as a framework for discourse analysis. Central to this presentation is an exposition of the notion of grammatical hierarchy, i. e., the belief that the grammatical constituents of a language are hierarchically ordered from discourse, paragraph, and sentence down through lower levels of the morphosyntax.
Reverse Left Ventricular Remodeling After Kidney Transplantation: Unraveling the Complex Autointoxication of Uremia.

“Uremia is a complex auto-intoxication, the variegated clinical picture being the summation of the effects of retention of various urinary constituents.”— Dr. Arthur Maurice Fishberg, in Hypertension and Nephritis , 1940 [(1)][1] Uremia has long been recognized to disrupt the normal
Fuel Cells and Precious-Metal Catalysts

The news article by Robert F. Service about fuel cells (“Energy,” 30 July, p. [682][1]) does not address an important problem associated with their mass use. Fuel cells require precious-metal (usually platinum) catalysts to operate at reasonable temperatures. But how much platinum—in great demand as an industrial catalyst—would be required for a world fleet of fuel cell-powered cars? Platinum has a crustal abundance of only 37 parts per billion ([1][2]), and total annual production of virgin platinum is less than 100 metric tons ([2][3]). If each fuel cell-powered car required only a gram of platinum (which, I think, is a low estimate), it would take 200 metric tons of platinum to power the U.S. fleet of cars alone. Although platinum can be recycled, world-scale fuel cell production for automotive and home use would probably require more than the entire annual production of virgin platinum. Because this metal is also an important industrial catalyst, demand would send the price of platinum through the roof. This would destroy any cost savings obtained from mass production of fuel cells and bring us right back where we are now—with fuel cells that are too expensive to be competitive in the mass market. 1. [↵][4]1. M. Winter , WebElements, available at [www.shef.ac.uk/chemistry/web-elements][5]. 2. [↵][6]1. N. N. Greenwood, 2. A. Earnshaw , Chemistry of the Elements (Pergamon, Oxford, 1984), ed. 1. p. 1328, 1331. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.285.5428.682 [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1 in text" [5]: http://www.shef.ac.uk/chemistry/web-elements [6]: #xref-ref-2-1 "View reference 2 in text"
Thyroid hormone and the D-type cyclins interact in regulating enterocyte gene transcription

Thyroid hormone (T3) is an important regulator of gut mucosal development and differentiation, inducing intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) and repressing lactase gene transcription. In contrast, cyclin D1 (CD1) appears to be a growth promoter in the gut, functioning to maintain the undifferentiated state. The present studies were designed to examine the effects of CD1 on T3 action within intestinal epithelia. Caco-2 cells were maintained in hypothyroid medium and transiently transfected with either rat lactase (3.0 kb) or human IAP (2.4 kb) luciferase (Luc) reporter plasmids. Cotransfections were carried out using two T3 receptor (TR) isoforms, TR"-1 and TR$-1, as well as plasmids expressing CD1, CD3, CA, or CB1. Cells were then treated +/- 10 nmol/L T3 for 24 hours and luciferase activity was determined. With T3 treatment, IAP-Luc activity was induced (TR"-1 = eightfold, TR$-1 = ninefold), but these effects were dramatically inhibited (> 50%) by CD1 and CD3. In contrast, CA and CB1 did not alter T3-mediated IAP gene activation. The ability of CD1 and CD3 to inhibit T3 action was also tested in the context of the lactase gene, which is negatively regulated by T3. As expected, lactase reporter gene activity was repressed by T3 treatment in the case of both receptor isoforms, TR"-1 = 30% and TR$-1 = 40%. In contrast to its effects on the IAP gene, CD1 did not inhibit T3-mediated changes in lactase reporter gene activity. The D-type cyclins (CD1 and CD3), but not CA or CB1, specifically inhibit T3-mediated activation of the IAP gene. In contrast, the D-type cyclins do not inhibit T3-mediated repression of the lactase gene. These studies have identified a novel molecular interaction that exists between the pathways of growth and differentiation within intestinal epithelia.
LOSS OF MYOCARDIAL CONTRACTILITY INDUCED IN ISOLATED MAMMALIAN HEARTS BY STREPTOLYSIN O

When solutions containing minute quantities of streptolysin O, previously activated with cysteine, were added to a salt and glucose medium that was being perfused by way of the coronary arteries through the vigorously beating isolated hearts of guinea pigs, rabbits, and rats, the amplitude of myocardial contraction decreased abruptly, often to zero. The effect was usually accompanied by a diminution in the flow of perfusion fluid, probably owing to spasm of the coronary arteries. The diminution in coronary flow was transitory, however, lasting as a rule only 2 or 3 minutes, while the loss of myocardial contractile power was permanent and irreversible. No decrease in myocardial contractility was obtained when the streptolysin O was not previously activated with cysteine, or when the streptolysin O was inhibited by cholesterol or by specific antibody, the findings pointing to streptolysin O as the active cardiotoxic agent.
Effects of deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin) on in utero development in rats.

Abstract Deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin), is one of the most common contaminants of cereal grains world-wide. The effects of DON on fetal development were assessed in Charles River Sprague–Dawley rats. Pregnant female rats were gavaged once daily with DON at doses of 0, 0.5, 1, 2.5, or 5 mg/kg body weight on gestation days (GD) 6–19. At cesarean section on GD 20, reproductive and developmental parameters were measured. All females survived to cesarean section. DON caused a dose-related increase in excessive salivation by the pregnant females, a reaction probably linked to the lack of emetic reflex in rats. At 5 mg/kg, feed consumption and mean body weight gain were significantly decreased throughout gestation, mean weight gain (carcass weight), and gravid uterine weight were significantly reduced, 52% of litters (12/23) were totally resorbed, the average number of early and late deaths per litter was significantly increased, average fetal body weight and crown-rump length were significantly decreased, the incidence of runts was significantly increased, and the ossification of fetal sternebrae, centra, dorsal arches, vertebrae, metatarsals, and metacarpals was significantly decreased. At 2.5 mg/kg, DON significantly decreased average fetal body weight, crown-rump length, and vertebral ossification. These effects may be secondary to maternal toxicity and the reduced size of the fetuses. The incidence of misaligned and fused sternebrae was significantly increased at 5.0 mg/kg. No adverse developmental effects were observed at 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg. Dose-related increases in maternal liver weight-to-body weight ratios were observed in all treated groups (significant at 1, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg). The weight changes were correlated with dose-related cytoplasmic alterations of hepatocytes. The NOEL for maternal toxicity for this study is 0.5 mg/kg based on the dose-related increase in liver-body weight ratio at 1 mg/kg. The NOEL for fetal toxicity is 1 mg/kg based on the general reduction in fetal development at 2.5 and 5 mg/kg. DON is considered a teratogen at 5 mg/kg day in Sprague–Dawley rats based on the anomalous development of the sternebrae.
Can semantic constraint reduce the role of word frequency during spoken-word recognition?

There is increasing evidence that the properties of a spoken word such as its length or its phonotactic configuration interact with the preceding semantic context during word recognition: the more constraining the context, the less important the role of the word properties. The gating paradigm (Grosjean, 1980) was used to show that the impact of the frequency of occurrence of a word can also be reduced by the semantic context preceding that word. A 66-msec difference between the time it takes to isolate low- and high-frequency words in a low-constraint condition was reduced to a 4-msec difference in a high-constraint condition. The theoretical implications for this significant interaction are discussed briefly.
Regeneration of adrenergic axons in rat sciatic nerve: effect of a conditioning lesion.

Abstract The rat sciatic nerve was crushed at the level of the mid-thigh (testing lesion), and the rate of outgrowth of the regenerating adrenergic axons was examined in the nerve. Two methods were used: (1) counts of axons containing norepinephrine demonstrable by histofluorescence; (2) measurement of the specific uptake of [3H] d,l -norepinephrine in vitro. In order to determine whether a prior nerve lesion had any effect on the outgrowth rate, all of the animals were subjected, two weeks prior to the testing lesion, to either a transection of the tibial branch of the sciatic nerve at the level of the ankle (conditioning lesion) or a sham operation. Counts of fluorescent axons made 3 days after the testing lesion showed that at 1.40 mm proximal to the lesion, the numbers of axons in both the conditioning-lesion group and the sham-operated group were not significantly different from non-lesioned animals. At a level 0.35 mm proximal to the testing lesion, counts in both groups were about 75% greater than at 1.40 mm, indicating that axonal sprouting had occurred. At 1.40 mm distal to the testing lesion, the numbers of axons had decreased by 9% in the sham-operated group, and by 24% in the group that had been subjected to a conditioning lesion (P The specific uptake of [3H] d,l -norepinephrine was measured 3 and 7 days after the testing lesion. The axonal component of uptake showed an approximately exponential decay with distance from the testing lesion; the leading edge of axonal uptake advanced at a rate of 3.9 ± 0.5 mm/day (S.E.) in the sham-operated group compared to 1.8 ± 0.6 mm/day (S.E.) in the conditioning-lesion group (P
Reflections on Parsons' "1974 Retrospective Perspective" on Alfred Schutz

Schutz's essay on Parsons' Theory of Social Action, written in 1940 but put aside after a prolonged and mutually frustrating exchange between the two authors, has finally been published. The volume, in addition to the essay, contains the correspondence and a 10-page comment by Parsons, written in 1974.
Effect of forage-to-concentrate ratio in complete feeds and feed intake on digestion of starch by dairy cows.

In digestion trials, 16 Holstein cows were fed complete mixed feeds of (a) 75:25, (b) 60:40, (c) 45:55, and (d) 30:70 ratios of forage to concentrate on a dry basis. At an intake of feed for maintenance, digestibility of starch ranged from 96.2 to 96.8%. During the lactation phase when intakes of feed were 2.5 to 3.2 times maintenance, digestibility of starch ranged from 84.7 to 88.1%. Starch in feces represented 2.9, 3.7, 5.5, and 5.9% of the intake of dry matter during the lactation phase, and .6, 1.0, 1.3, and 1.6% of intake at maintenance for the respective rations. At high intakes of concentrate, substantial amounts of dietary starch escaped degradation in the rumen and small intestine and were lost in the feces.
Threshold perimetry of each eye with both eyes open in patients with monocular functional (nonorganic) and organic vision loss

Abstract Purpose: To report a novel binocular perimetry test to identify monocular functional vision loss. Methods: In a prospective study, 10 patients with monocular functional vision loss, 10 patients with monocular organic vision loss, and 10 normal subjects were tested using a Humphrey automated perimeter attachment that performs central threshold perimetry of both eyes in a single test. First, patients were tested after being told their “good” (unaffected) eye was being tested; this was followed by a second identical test said to be on the “bad” (affected) eye. Two measurements were calculated for each subject: the functional component (ΔF), defined as the difference (in dB) between the mean threshold of the first and second tests, and the organic component (ΔO), the difference (in dB) between the mean threshold of the unaffected and affected eyes. Results: Patients with monocular functional vision loss produced lower thresholds when they thought their affected eye alone was being tested but little intereye difference (mean ΔF ± SD = 17.35 ± 7.50 dB; mean ΔO = 0.01 ± 1.40 dB). Patients with monocular organic vision loss had little difference between tests and lower thresholds in their affected eye (mean ΔF = 0.84 ± 1.15 dB; mean ΔO = 9.01 ± 4.71 dB). Normal subjects demonstrated little intertest or intereye differences (mean ΔF = −0.15 ± 0.78 dB; mean ΔO = −0.05 ± 0.51 dB). Conclusion: This perimetry method effectively distinguished between normal subjects, patients with monocular functional vision loss, and patients with monocular organic vision loss.
Unique solvent properties of straight-chain carboxylic acids for electron-transfer photoreactions

Abstract We have studied the electron-transfer fluorescence quenching of pyrene by diphenyliodonium cation in a series of straight-chain carboxylic acid solvents. Use of the Py-scale of solvent polarity suggests specific solvation of the pyrene by the polar head groups of the acid solvents. We hypothesize involvement of hydrogen bonding between the carboxyl functions and the π-electron cloud of pyrene. Electron-transfer quenching of pyrene fluorescence by diphenyliodonium cation is, surprisingly, not diffusion controlled. From experimental data we have estimated values for the bimolecular reaction rate constant, k r , in each solvent over the temperature range 20–60°C, and calculated, therefrom, reorganization energies. We find that λ is more-or-less independent of acid chain length. We, therefore, infer that the head groups or the carboxylic acids are principally involved in solvent relaxation, and propose that a relaxation mechanism involving rupture (or formation) of hydrogen bonds is most likely.
Challenges for Perceptual Computer Applications and How They Were Overcome

Perceptual Computing is a methodology of Computing with Words (CWW) to assist humans in making subjective judgments. This article introduces the Perceptual Computer (Per-C), our instantiation of Perceptual Computing. Per-C consists of three components: encoder, CWW engine and decoder. Perceptionswordsactivate the Per-C and are the Per-C output (along with data); so, it is possible for a human to interact with the Per-C using just a vocabulary. The encoder transforms words into fuzzy sets and leads to a codebookwords with their associated fuzzy set models. The outputs of the encoder activate a CWW engine whose output is one or more other fuzzy sets, which are then mapped by the decoder into a recommendation (subjective judgment) with supporting data. The recommendation may be in the form of a word, group of similar words, rank or class. When the Per-C was applied to actual applications, challenges occurred that had to be overcome. In this article we describe three applications (investment decision making, social judgment making, and distributed decision making), the challenges encountered and how they were overcome.
Helping Children Cope with Stress in the Classroom Setting.

(2001). Helping Children Cope with Stress in the Classroom Setting. Childhood Education: Vol. 78, No. 1, pp. 17-24.
Architecture of the space shuttle primary avionics software system

PASS, perhaps the most complex flight computer program ever developed, epitomizes the benefits to be gained by establishing a well-structured system architecture at the front end of the development process
Response to carbon dioxide by the infective larvae of three species of parasitic nematodes.

Abstract The response of infective third-stage larvae (L3) of three species of parasitic nematodes, Ancylostoma caninum, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Haemonchus contortus to carbon dioxide (CO2) at physiological concentrations was investigated. L3 of the skin-penetrating species, A. caninum and S. stercoralis, were stimulated by CO2 at the concentration found in human breath (3.3–4%); these larvae responded by crawling actively, but not directionally. Crawling was not stimulated by breath passed through a CO2-removing ‘scrubber’ or by ‘bench air’. Both A. caninum and S. stercoralis L3 stopped crawling when exposed to 5% CO2 for 1 min. L3 of A. caninum became active 9–14 min after exposure to 5% CO2 ended, but activity resumed more rapidly (10–15 s) if larvae were subsequently exposed to breath or breath through the scrubber. L3 of S. stercoralis resumed crawling 30–35 s after exposure to 5% CO2, but resumed crawling within a very few seconds when exposed to breath or breath through the scrubber. Thus, while 5% CO2 was inhibitory, lower concentrations of this gas stimulated L3 of both species. Apparently, exposing immobilized larvae to breath or breath through the scrubber causes the environmental CO2 concentration to drop to a level that is stimulatory. The L3 of H. contortus ceased crawling and coiled when exposed to human breath or to 1% CO2, but continued to move within the coil in both cases. The crawling response of the L3 of the two skin-penetrating species, A. caninum and S. stercoralis, to stimulation by CO2 probably relates to their active host-finding behavior, while the cessation response elicited by CO2 in H. contortus larvae may relate to the fact that they rely on passive ingestion by a ruminant host.
A review of techniques for naturalistic language training

Recently, a number of language training procedures have been developed to teach language to handicapped children in everyday settings. This paper describes the language training strategies of mand-model, time-delay, and incidental teaching. The current research that has been conducted to validate these procedures is discussed. Additionally, research describing naturalistic language training procedures that contain components of these techniques is discussed, and the author calls for an integration of these procedures. Directions for future research in this burgeoning field are suggested.
Memory Under Conditions of Stimulated Recall

(1954). Memory Under Conditions of Stimulated Recall. The Journal of General Psychology: Vol. 50, No. 1, pp. 147-153.
Internal CO2 Concentration as a Selection Criterion for Storage Respiration Rate in Sugarbeet

Respiration is responsible for much of the sucrose loss that occurs during sugarbeet (Beta vulgans L.) storage. Genotypes with reduced storage respiration rates would provide an efficient method for reducing sucrose losses. However, the current techniques for measuring storage respiration are not adapted easily to breeding programs. Internal CO2 concentration has been recommended as an efficient method for measuring the respiration rate of individual sugar-beet roots in storage. This study examined the effectiveness of internal CO2 concentration as a selection criterion for reducing respiration rate of sugarbeet during storage. Lines resulting from four cycles of divergent selection for internal CO2 concentration were evaluated along with commercial hybrids and low internal CO2 germplasm lines. Selection was effective in shifting internal CO2 concentration. Relative differences in internal CO2 concentration were consistent throughout the 3-year study. Neither the fourth-cycle selections for low nor the fourth-cycle selections for high internal CO2 concentration were significantly different from the original population for evolved CO2. This lack of a close relationship between internal and evolved CO2 indicated that internal CO2 concentration is not an effective selection criterion in a breeding program.