cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 5473: Identification of compensatory pathway for glutamate production upon glutaminase 1 inhibition

Rationale and objectives: A current clinical trial is testing a drug inhibitor for glutaminase 1 (GLS1), the enzyme responsible for glutamine9s conversion into glutamate, for cancer therapy. However, the results indicated that monotherapy is not ideal. While metabolic profiling of tumors after treatment with a GLS1 inhibitor revealed numerous upregulated pathways which could explain the resistance, the specific pathways involved were not identified. In this study, using stable isotope-resolved metabolomics, we aim to detail the specific mechanism by which cancer cells are capable of circumventing GLS1 inhibition and compensating for glutamate production. Measurement and Methods: Patient-derived pancreatic tumors were implanted through orthotopic model in the pancreas of mice. After using our innovative delivery method through nanoparticle encapsulation of a selective GLS1 inhibitor, BPTES, we then injected 13C5, 15N2-glutamine via intraperitoneal administration, 3 times, 15 minutes apart. Tumors were harvested 2 hours post first glutamine injection. Metabolites were then extracted from tumors, and analyzed using Agilent 6520 Q-TOF mass spectrometer and 1H-NMR. Metabolite intensities were later normalized to protein concentration following analysis. Results: Our results showed that total glutamate levels were lower in BPTES-NP treated tumors as compared to vehicle control ones. Interestingly, we found an increase in (m+5) labeled glutamate (mass of the parent ions (m) and 5 more mass units due to 13C415N1-glutamate or 13C5-glutamate labelling) in BPTES-NP treated tumors as compared to the vehicle control tumors. Moreover, we found that (m+5) glutamate is a product of (m+7) glutamine being converted to (m+5) alpha-ketoglutaramate (KGM) via glutamine-pyruvate transaminase and further on into alpha-ketoglutarate (aKG) by omega-amidase, which can finally produce the identified (m+5) glutamate through glutamate dehydrogenase. Further analysis using 1H-NMR detailed a significant increase in overall KGM intermediate intensity in treatment groups compared to the control groups, confirming the upregulation of compensatory pathway (glutamine-KGM- aKG-glutamate) to produce glutamate upon treatment of GLS1 inhibitor. Conclusion: These results explain the reasons behind the limited clinical outcomes for single therapy with a GLS1 inhibitor, and provide potential therapeutic targets: glutamine-pyruvate transaminase, for combination treatments with GLS1 inhibitors to prevent the compensation for glutamate production amid GLS1 inhibition. Citation Format: Karim B. Nabi, Jimmy Kirsch, Tu Nguyen, Addison Quinones, Jessica Tan, Felipe Camelo, Marjorie Antonio, Jin Jung, Anne Le. Identification of compensatory pathway for glutamate production upon glutaminase 1 inhibition [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5473.
A Flexible Approach for Spatio-Temporal Remote Sensing Data Analysis

Capitalizing on the power of five decades of satellite observation, developments in the HDF5 format and growing computational capacities this research presents a software tool and methodological approach for time series data analysis and visualization using an example of a dynamic glacier environment. Changing glacier profiles have been presented. The strength of the software tool lies in extracting time series information from complex multi-source data and presenting it in graphical formats for easy comprehension of change over time. The tool is particularly powerful to support information extraction for resource exploration and management, environmental studies and ecological applications as well as investigating impacts of climate change.
Transgranular amorphous shear band formation in polycrystalline boron carbide

Abstract Intragranular failure plays an important role in the failure process of superhard nanocrystalline ceramics. But the atomistic deformation mechanisms leading to intragranular failure have not been well established. Here we performed large-scale reactive force field (ReaxFF) reactive molecular dynamics (RMD) simulations on the finite shear deformation of nanocrystalline boron carbide (n-B 4 C) with a grain size of 9.74 nm. We find that intragranular amorphization initiates from grain boundaries (GBs) and propagates along the rhombohedral ( 011 ) 2 1 ¯ 1 ¯ > slip system. To illustrate the atomic mechanism of amorphous shear band formation along this slip system, we combined density functional theory (DFT) and RMD simulations on the shear deformation of single crystal B 4 C. These simulations displayed that the dislocation nucleation occurs along this slip system, accompanied with bond breaking of intraicosahedral bonds within B 11 C cage. This leads to the amorphous shear band formation under the applied shear deformation. Our simulations suggest that the coupling of dislocation nucleation and GB sliding leads to the intragranular amorphous shear band formation and may leads to the intragranular failure in n-B 4 C.
With an open hand and a clenched fist: Supervisors’ two-faced response to past abusive behavior

Extant research has highlighted the notion that abusive supervision is a destructive and immoral form of leader behavior. However, research largely ignores how supervisors respond to their own abus...
Group audits: Are audit quality and price associated with the Lead auditor’s decision to accept responsibility?

Abstract Lead auditors frequently rely on work performed by Other auditors, especially when auditing clients with operations in multiple countries. The PCAOB has expressed concern that the quality of such group audits may differ depending on whether the Lead auditor accepts or declines responsibility for work done by Other auditors. The PCAOB also has been concerned with the venue through which Lead auditors and Other auditors disclose their participation in group audits, including disclosure of whether Lead auditors accept or decline responsibility. To investigate these issues, we employ a sample consisting entirely of group audit engagements. We identify Lead auditors taking responsibility from PCAOB Form 2, filed by Other auditors of U.S. registrants for fiscal years 2009 to 2017. We identify Lead auditors not accepting responsibility from audit report disclosures during the same period. The results suggest that Lead auditors accepting responsibility charge higher audit fees but provide audits of no higher quality, and possibly of even lower quality. These results are robust to various additional analyses. Our research contributes to the ongoing debate over how the participation of Other auditors affects audit quality.
Intelligent Routing to Enhance Energy Consumption in Wireless Sensor Network: A Survey

Nowadays, the network and the Internet applications have gained a substantial importance in the digital world, due to the great impact which it provides for health and community services. Among the most important services that have been provided are smart devices and vital factor measurement devices for patients, whether in a hospital or outside the hospital. Furthermore, sensors collect medical data or measurements of temperature and humidity, in various critical environments. The proper types of network that may be used in such difficult environment are wireless sensor networks that used to sense and process data. Additionally, the wireless sensor networks have been used in the environment of Internet of Things and smart cities in the general services and health fields. All these reasons have made researchers focus on wireless sensor networks and addressing the challenges that face them. The most important challenge facing this type of network is energy consumption and increase battery life. This paper discusses the methodologies used in energy conservation in wireless sensor networks, such as data reduction technology, shortest path selection and artificial intelligence algorithms used in smart routing and energy saving. Besides, we have introduced comparisons between the standard algorithms which are suggested by the researchers, to make a clear picture of the energy consumption problem and propose some effective solutions in wireless sensor networks field.
Heterodinuclear catalysts Zn(II)/M and Mg(II)/M, where M = Na(I), Ca(II) or Cd(II), for phthalic anhydride/cyclohexene oxide ring opening copolymerisation

Anhydride and epoxide ring opening copolymerisation is a useful and controlled route to aliphatic, semi-aromatic and functionalised polyesters. Building upon our prior investigations of synergic Zn(II)/Mg(II) and Mg(II)/Co(II) polymerisation catalysts, here, a series of heterodinuclear catalysts for phthalic anhydride/cyclohexene oxide ROCOP are reported. The complexes feature either Zn(II)/M or Mg(II)/M combinations, where M = Na(I), Ca(II) or Cd(II), and are coordinated by an ‘open’ dinucleating ortho-vanillin derived Schiff-base ligand. The ligand features two binding ‘pockets’: 1) a coordination site comprising diphenolate and dimine moieties and 2) a site featuring diphenolate and diether groups. Heterodinuclear complex syntheses are high yielding due in part to the different coordination chemistries of the binding ‘pockets’. All new complexes are fully characterised including by multi-nuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction experiments; several solid state structures are Lewis base adducts with the crystallisation solvents (THF or acetonitrile) and provide insights into the structures of catalytic cycle intermediates. The catalysts show good performances and quantitative formation of ester linkages. They show equivalent activity to the widely investigated [(salen)Cr(III)Cl]/PPNCl systems (TOF = 67 h−1, 0.1 mol%, 100 °C, 17.6 kg mol−1) but lower activity than previously reported Zn(II)/Mg(II) catalysts or than tethered metal-salen catalysts. All the complexes are less active than the Zn(II)/Zn(II) homodinuclear complex proving that catalytic synergy is not provided only by heterodinuclear complexes with different functions; these findings underscore the need for continued exploration of the factors underpinning synergic heterometallic combinations.
Surgical and Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement in Mitral Annular Calcification: A Systematic Review.

Abstract Mitral annular calcification with mitral valve disease is a challenging problem that could necessitate surgical mitral valve replacement (SMVR). Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMV...
Applications of metal-organic frameworks featuring multi-functional sites

Abstract Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of porous materials bring great promise for a diverse array of applications ranging from gas storage and separation to heterogeneous catalysis. The ability to incorporate multiple functional sites into a single system enhances the interest seen in MOFs. The solid, well-defined nature of MOFs allow for the engineering of materials capable of performing multiple functions through multiple independent processes or cooperative and synergetic interactions or pathways. In this review, we aim to encompass and summarize research that introduces techniques and strategies to incorporate multiple functional sites within a single MOF system, highlight exceptional examples of work that exploits MFS–MOFs to perform noteworthy processes, and give direction to further enhance our ability to move MFS–MOFs forward in a way that addresses current problems faced by our society.
Peer Review-Innovations and Ethical Issues

In the previous essay I introduced the topic of peer review, presenting in abbreviated form its history, its enduring virtues, its problematic considerations presently and some implications for its future given the impact of electronic information flows and the consequent emergence of e-journals.
Retention and interference in the beetle

Beetles (Tenebrio molitor) were trained in a T-maze, maintained in a temperature-reduced environment for 1, 2, 3, or 4 days, and retrained in the maze. Ss demonstrated appreciable savings except those experiencing a 2-day delay. These animals showed impaired performance in comparison with original performance. The performance curve is interpreted as an interference function rather than as a retention function.
Murine Models for Reproduction

Recent developments in mouse manipulation techniques have resulted in the generation of various single gene knockout mouse models. It is estimated that approximately 300 novel strains of mice with mutations in loci directly or indirectly affecting reproductive development have already been generated. Furthermore, the ability to spatiotemporally inactivate or activate gene expression in vivo using the “Cre-lox” technology has recently emerged as a powerful approach to understand various developmental processes involved in reproduction in a physiological setting. In parallel with these gene-targeting approaches, large-scale mutagenesis programs have been initiated with the goal of uncovering novel genes important for reproduction. These and other related transgenic approaches are offering unlimited opportunities to systematically analyze the complex process of reproduction. The principles of conventional and conditional gene targeting technologies, the recent advances in functional genomic approaches, and their applications to reproductive biology will be discussed.
Information Technology Investments: Characteristics, Choices, Market Risk and Value

The decisions confronting information technology (IT) managers have changed a great deal since the early 1970s. The key decisions three decades ago were related to the management of application development projects and operations centers. Today, the key decisions are quite different. What level of service should the firm provide end-users? Should IT services, development projects and the ownership and management of operations centers be outsourced? IT investments attempt to satisfy specific needs. Because of environmental differences and differences in the cost structure and benefits of alternative ways in which these needs can be met, the answers to these questions may differ across firms. Modern financial analysis can provide insights to help managers deal with many of the problems they currently face. We use modern financial theory to show how the value of IT investments can be affected by some of the choices made by managers. We show how the market risk of demand and the market risk of costs affect the market risk and value of IT investments. We consider three types of investment decisions: outsourcing versus in-house services; investments in interorganizational systems; and determining the optimal level of IT services that should be provided. Our analysis indicates that: (1) as the market risk of demand for operations decreases, firms are less likely to outsource operationss (2) the value of an investment in an interorganizational system increases as the market risk of costs increasess and (3) the optimal level of user service is inversely related to service demand risk and is directly related to the market risk of service costs.
Resistance to Nucleoside and Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

Long-term virological suppression of HIV replication to restore immune function is the cornerstone of HIV management. Antiretroviral regimens are becoming simpler, more potent, and better tolerated, but the development of drug resistance remains a significant problem. Despite very low rates of virological failure with the current regimens in some of the more recent clinical trials (1, 2, 3, 4), virological failure rates are often higher in clinical practice (5-7), especially in patients who are treatment experienced (7, 8). Virological failure, defined as detectable plasma HIV RNA levels after initial suppression or the inability to suppress HIV RNA to undetectable levels with treatment, is influenced by many factors, including regimen potency, patient adherence, drug pharmacokinetics, and preexisting drug resistance. However, the development of drug resistance in response to treatment is a major cause and consequence of virological failure (9).
Hint-based routing in WSNs using scope decay bloom filters

In existing query-based routing protocols in wireless sensor networks (WSNs), a node either keeps precise route information to desired events, such as in event flooding, or does not keep any route to desired events such as in query flooding. In this paper, we propose a routing protocol, called Hint-based Routing by Scope Decay Bloom Filter (HR-SDBF), that employs probabilistic hints. In HR-SDBF, each node maintains some probabilistic hints about events and utilizes these hints to route queries intelligently. We also put forward a data structure, scope decay bloom filter (SDBF) to encode the probabilistic hints. With SDBF, the amount of information about an event is propagated, without any loss, within the k-hop neighborhood of an event source but decreases outside the k-hop neighborhood as the distance from the event source increases. Compared to existing query-based protocols, HR-SDBF greatly reduces the amortized network traffic without compromising the query success rate and achieves a higher energy efficiency. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first query routing protocol in WSNs that utilizes probabilistic hints encoded in a variant of the bloom filter. Both the analytic and the experimental results support the performance improvement of our protocol.
Investigating Topic-Related Attitude: Effect on Reading and Remembering Text

Abstract This study explored the effect of topic-related attitude on children's learning and remembering from text. The subjects were 58 sixth-grade students randomly assigned to three topic-related attitude treatment groups. A 3 × 2 × 2 (Favorable-, Unfavorable-, and Neutral-Attitude Groups x Positive and Negative Passages x Immediate and Delayed Recall) repeated measures ANCOVA design was used for the study. Teachers were trained to present a social studies unit about a fictitious country, Titubia. Results within the limitations of the study supported the notion that experimentally created topic-related attitudes do not appear to interfere with the immediate recall of text-based information or cause younger subjects to selectively encode that information. Our study showed that experimentally created topic-related attitudes influenced the delayed reconstruction of memories for text but did not exert sufficient influence to interfere with the initial reception of information from text.
Opacity and Ordering

Few notions in phonological theory have received as much attention in the literature as opacity. In the almost 40 years since Kiparsky (1971, 1973a) offered the definition given in (1), the bulk of the attention paid to opacity has been relatively recent and has been fueled by the field’s massive (but incomplete) shift from the rule-based serialism framework of The Sound Pattern of English (Chomsky & Halle 1968) to the constraint-based parallelism framework of Optimality Theory (Prince & Smolensky 1993).
A comparison of the interannual variability in atmospheric angular momentum and length-of-day using multiple reanalysis data sets

[1] This study performs an intercomparison of the interannual variability of atmospheric angular momentum (AAM) in eight reanalysis data sets for the post-1979 era. The AAM data are further cross validated with the independent observation of length-of-day (LOD). The intercomparison reveals a close agreement among almost all reanalysis data sets, except that the AAM computed from the 20th Century Reanalysis (20CR) has a noticeably lower correlation with LOD and with the AAM from other data sets. This reduced correlation is related to the absence of coherent low-frequency variability, notably the Quasi-biennial Oscillation, in the stratospheric zonal wind in 20CR. If the upper-level zonal wind in 20CR is replaced by its counterpart from a different reanalysis data set, a higher value of the correlation is restored. The correlation between the AAM and the Nino3.4 index of tropical Pacific SST is also computed for the reanalysis data sets. In this case, a close agreement is found among all, including 20CR, data sets. This indicates that the upward influence of SST on the tropospheric circulation is well captured by the data assimilation system of 20CR, which only explicitly incorporated the surface observations. This study demonstrates the overall close agreement in the interannual variability of AAM among the reanalysis data sets. This finding also reinforces the view expressed in a recent work by the authors that the most significant discrepancies among the reanalysis data sets are in the long term mean and long-term trend.
Whither After The Hague

The U.N. climate conference in The Hague in November 2000 was adjourned without agreement. In his Policy Forum, [TA¶pfer][1] looks ahead to the forthcoming meeting scheduled from 16th July 2001 in Bonn. To meet the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol, industrialized nations must lead the way. Emission and sequestration policies must be agreed and implemented within a framework of transparent environmental standards that promote long-term benefit. Technology innovation and transfer to developing nations must be complemented by domestic action in the industrialized nations, and adaptation funds for developing countries must be made available. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/291/5511/2095
Distribution of vitamin B6 deficiency in university students.

The basal specific activities (S.A.; μmol of pyruvate/hr/ 108 erythrocytes) and the % deficiencies of activity of the glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase of the erythrocytes (EGOT) of 174 university students was 0.28±0.05 and 33±9%, respectively. There was a negative correlation, r=-0.65 (p<0.001), between the mean basal S. A. and the mean % def. (i.e., the lower the S.A., the higher the % def.). There were students with low basal S.A.'s who showed symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. On the basis of these data, 93% of 174 students had deficiencies of 20% and higher which was potentially correctable by oral pyridoxine; these students had B6-deficient diets. On the basis that a normal basal S. A. may be 0.7, and that the maximum S. A. (0.45) for all 174 students is about 65% of 0.7, all 174 students had varying vitamin B6 deficiency, and their diets provided inadequate amounts of this vitamin.
The Journal of Chemical Education Welcomes Two New Precollege Associate Editors

This News and Announcements piece provides a brief introduction to two new precollege associate editors.
The Relative Neighborhood Graph, with an Application to Minimum Spanning Trees

Le graphe de voisinage relatif (RNG) d'un ensemble V de points dans un espace euclidien est un graphe (V,E) tel que (p,q) appartient a E si et seulement si il n'existe pas de point z de V tel que d(p,z)<d(p,q) et d(q,z)<d(p,q). On montre que: 1) le RNG de n points du plan peut etre trouve en temps O(n log n), lequel est optimal a une constante multiplicative pres; 2) le RNG ainsi que l'arbre minimum, des sommets d'un polygone a n sommets convexe peut etre trouve en un temps O(n); 3) sous l'hypothese que trois points d'entree ne forment pas un triangle isocele, le RNG de n points dans un espace dimension r peut etre trouve en un temps O(n 2 ) pour r≥3
The thermal balance of the atmosphere of Venus

Current knowledge of the temperature structure of the atmosphere of Venus is briefly summarized. The principal features to be explained are the high surface temperature, the small horizontal temperature contrasts near the cloud tops in the presence of strong apparent motions, and the low value of the exospheric temperature. In order to understand the role of radiative and dynamical processes in maintaining the thermal balance of the atmosphere, a great deal of additional data on the global temperature structure, solar and thermal radiation fields, structure and optical properties of the clouds, and circulation of the atmosphere are needed. The ability of the Pioneer Venus Orbiter and Multiprobe Missions to provide these data is indicated.
LAW AND THE POSSIBILITIES FOR A JUST URBAN POLITICAL ECONOMY

: Distributive justice in cities has suffered from the inability of local governments to control productive resources, especially land. Contrary to Paul Peterson's argument, cities are not acting on their “corporate interests” when they favor development because, historically, the legal status of cities has diminished their corporate powers in favor of private property rights. Recent court cases reflect judicial ambivalence about local control of land. While the Supreme Court has criticized far-reaching land regulations, many innovative policies aimed at increasing commercial landowners' obligations to the community have gained doctrinal approval. Local governments may be able to exploit these legal openings to challenge the immutable unitary conception of property that makes cities dependent on private investment decisions. In short, local officials need to argue in court for public property rights. Ultimately, the political process within cities will determine whether localities govern land innovatively and justly, but more just urban political economies are not possible without judicial support.
Roger Williams' Dream for America

Roger Williams'Dream for America deals with Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island. Thoroughly researched, the book examines his obsession to build the Zion that the ancient prophets predicted would flourish in the latterdays. But preventing God from establishing the Holy City, Williams contended, was religious intolerance. The hope of the world was America where the seeds of freedom would be sown, nourished, and disseminated worldwide. Then God would send messengers from heaven who would call living apostles to send missionaries worldwide with their message of salvation. This book explores America's amazing response to Williams' dream that America would be the beacon of freedom and God's center of operations for the redemption of Zion.
On axisymmetric creeping flows involving a hybrid droplet

Abstract The Stokes flow involving a hybrid droplet submerged in an immiscible liquid is considered. The droplet has a two-sphere geometry with the two spherical surfaces intersecting orthogonally. The types of hybrid droplet considered here include (i) vapor–solid; (ii) vapor–vapor; and (iii) vapor–liquid, with the first two being limiting cases of (iii). It is assumed that the surface tension is sufficiently large so that the interfaces have uniform curvature. In a constructive and simple manner, steady state solutions of Stokes equations involving such configurations are constructed. The theory leading to the general expressions for the flow fields under the above-mentioned limitations exploit the inverse transformation, and the reflection and translation properties of the axisymmetric biharmonic function associated with the Stokes flow. These are cast in the form of a theorem followed by a simple proof. The theorem is then applied to construct closed form singularity solutions for several axisymmetric flow fields disturbed by a hybrid droplet. The different primary flow fields considered here include paraboloidal flow, flow due to a, single stokeslet and a pair of stokelets, and flow due to a potential-dipole. The salient features of the image singularities are discussed in each case. In all cases, the drag force is found to vary significantly with respect to the two radii associated with the two-sphere geometry of the droplet, and the viscosity ratio of the two liquids in the continuous and dispersed phases. In the case of singularity driven flows, the drag is influenced by an additional parameter namely, the location of the singularity. The flow streamlines in some cases show interesting flow patterns. In the case of paraboloidal flows, either a single eddy or a pair of eddies is observed depending on the ratio of the two radii. The sizes and shapes of these eddies vary monotonically with viscosity ratio. For flows due to a single and a pair of stokeslets with the same strength, no eddy is noticed. However, a toroidal eddy appears in the case of a pair of stokelets with opposite strengths. The locations of the stokeslets and the viscosity ratio influence the eddy structure significantly.
Effect of interfacial refractive index on optical molecular orientation measurements.

The sensitivity of optical molecular orientation measurements to assumptions regarding thin film refractive index was investigated. Specifically, the influence of the interfacial refractive index on second harmonic generation (SHG) and linear dichroism measurements made in a total internal reflection (TIR) geometry was probed for five distinct molecular systems. The five molecular thin films ranged from weakly adsorbed species in equilibrium with solution to covalently bound molecules. Polarization data from the two techniques were fit using a range of assumed interfacial refractive indices. Surprisingly, a linear relationship between the difference in calculated apparent orientation angle and the difference in solvent−prism refractive index was observed. The trend indicates that for a TIR geometry, the error introduced by the thin film refractive index is negligible when the difference in solvent and prism refractive indices is less than ∼0.08. However, there are clearly cases, such as a glass/air interf...
Malignant conversion of benign right ventricular outflow track ventricular tachycardia 18 years post-ablation

This case report describes the rare phenomenon of malignant conversion of benign right ventricular outflow tract ventricular tachycardia into idiopathic ventricular fibrillation 18 years after successful ablation, in the absence of any type of heart disease. We review the current literature looking at predictors for this event, with the conclusion that there are no reliable risk predictors available. Until clear guidelines exist, we suggest patients be informed and monitored for the possibility of “malignant conversion” following ablation for benign idiopathic outflow tract ventricular tachycardia.
THE RESPONSE OF THE HUMAN FETAL REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF DIETHYLSTILBESTROL AND TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE DURING EARLY PREGNANCY1

Lillie in 1917 described the freemartin and attributed this masculinization of the female twin to the presence of androgenic hormones reachingit from the male twin through the anastomosing circulation in the placenta. Since then numerous investigations have been carried out in an attempt to determine whether or not his conclusions concerning the etiology of the condition were correct. These experiments for the most part were designed to answer the following questions: (1) Do fetal gonads normally produce specific sex hormones? (2) Can the gonads be stimulated to produce such hormones even though they do not do so under normal circumstances? (3) Is it possible for hormones normally present or those resulting from abnormal stimulation of the fetal gonads to affect the development of the reproductive system? (4) Is it possible to alter the development of the reproductive tract by the artificial introduction of hormones into the environment in which development of the fetal gonads is taking place? The last qu...
Performance of NCEP Regional Wave Models in Predicting Peak Sea States during the 2005 North Atlantic Hurricane Season

Abstract Unprecedented numbers of tropical cyclones occurred in the North Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico in 2005. This provides a unique opportunity to evaluate the performance of two operational regional wave forecasting models at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). This study validates model predictions of the tropical cyclone–generated maximum significant wave height, simultaneous spectral peak wave period, and the time of occurrence against available buoy measurements from the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC). The models used are third-generation operational wave models: the Western North Atlantic wave model (WNA) and the North Atlantic Hurricane wave model (NAH). These two models have identical model physics, spatial resolutions, and domains, with the latter model using specialized hurricane wind forcing. Both models provided consistent estimates of the maximum wave height and period, with random errors of typically less than 25%, and timing errors of typically less than ...
What research tells us about the impact of glaucoma on the patient

Understanding the impact of glaucoma on the person is critical for treatment and public policy decisions. The functional domains impacted by glaucoma include mobility, driving, reading, and search-related tasks. A major impact of glaucoma is falls, and a one in three glaucoma patients experiences an injury resulting from a fall in a given year, likely as a result of balance impairment. The result is significantly more fear of falling than normally-sighted individuals, leading to significant restriction of physical activity, walking, and travel outside the home. Individuals with glaucoma are also more likely to stop or restrict their driving resulting in decreased independence, while those who continue to drive have higher rates of motor vehicle accidents. Glaucoma is associated with slower reading speeds, particularly when reading out loud, reading over longer durations, or reading low contrast materials. Finally, glaucoma affects a broad array of other abilities important in daily life including searching for objects, reaching and grasping objects, and recognizing individuals or objects. These impairments decrease quality of life for the individual and confer additional health risks, i.e. from fall or accident-related injury.
Autistic social dysfunction: some limitations of the theory of mind hypothesis.

Abstract— This study examined the extent to which the social disabilities found in autism can be accounted for by the “Theory of Mind” hypothesis. Items related to social development from the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales were administered to 29 CA-, MA-and IQ-matched pairs of young autistic and non-autistic, developmentally disabled children. These items were evaluated in relation to expected ages of acquisition based on the Vineland standardization database. Our results indicate that the social dysfunction in autism affects very basic and early emerging social behaviors which are typically present prior to the time at which even the earliest precursors of a theory of mind apparently emerge.
REEXAMINING THE DEFINITION AND CRITERIA OF DEATH

The whole-brain criterion of death was first formally proposed by the "Ad Hoc Committee of the Harvard Medical School to Examine the Definition of Brain Death" in a "Special Communication" published in JAMA in 1968. Since then, all states in the United States and many western countries have endorsed this definition of death. The strongest defense of the concept of "brain death" was provided by Bernat, Culver, and Gert in a series of papers published in the early 1980s, emphasizing the important distinctions between the definition and the criteria of death and the tests for death. Careful analysis, however, demonstrates that brain-related criteria of death are inconsistent with traditional concepts of death. Thus, although death is properly understood as a biological phenomenon, "brain death" is a social construct created for utilitarian purposes, primarily to permit organ transplantation. The best definition of death is "the event that separates the process of dying from the process of disintegration" and the proper criterion of death in human beings is "the permanent cessation of the circulation of blood." Nevertheless, because brain-related criteria of death have been widely accepted, and because our society has demonstrated a strong commitment to organ transplantation, abandoning the concept of brain death would create serious political problems. Abandoning the "dead donor rule" would solve the problem of obtaining organs for transplantation, but would create different, equally serious, political problems. Preserving the concept of brain death as a social construct, as a "legal definition of death," but distinct from biological death, is also problematic, but may be our most acceptable alternative.
GAMETOGENESIS AND FERTILIZATION IN THE MESOZOAN DICYEMA AEGIRA.

Evidence is presented of a periodicity of oogenesis and spermatogenesis in D. aegira. Pauses in oogenesis were detected between successions of oogonial divisions; in spermatogenesis, the intervals appeared to be longer and the pauses came before division of primary spermatocytes. Regulation of division rates was such that between two and three times as many spermatozoa as oocytes were produced. Observations indicated that spermatozoa emerged from the axial cell soon after their formation and made contact with oocytes early, often before these were fully grown. Properties of the oocyte cell membrane evidently precluded precocious sperm entry and the penetration of more than one spermatozoon. Sincere thanks are due to Dr R. B. Short, who kindly made available all the material, and to Dr S. W. Fox and Dr C. B. Metz for the excellent facilities provided. This work was supported by P. H. S. Research Grant E 4749 (Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) awarded to R. B. Short, and by N.A.S.A. Grant NsG–173–62 and N.S.F. Grant G–9150. Contribution No. 019 of the Institute for Space Biosciences.
Evolving methods of human interactions

Technology provides a way to communicate, and the desire to communicate, both with other humans and with forms of technology itself, is clearly one of the strongest factors in the directions in which devices have been developing. In this paper, we specifically address the interaction technology developed facilitating human-human communication. As we survey this technical field patterns emerge just as devices or technologies were developed, and rejected. The desire to provide similar functionality on the go has led toward a degree of homogeneity of user experiences which just a few years ago were quite different. As we look at this from a complex systems point of view and review what has happened over a larger period of time, we propose that the desire to communicate has always been a main attractor and a driving force of development of technologies as we summarize how sensorial interactions have been added to technology and/or devices. Our analysis shows that rejection of technology is based on how the product is perceived, and that it is not easy to predict as an attractor, as successful products in this case can result in cascading effects and non-linear focus of similar technology.
Studies Of Laser Ranging To The TOPEX Satellite

A collaborative effort of NASA and CNES will lead to the launching of the 'TOPEX' ocean topography experiment satellite in the early 1990s; the satellite will employ two onboard altimeters whose calibration may be accomplished by a worldwide lidar tracking network that is projected to enter into operation in the 1990s. Attention is presently given to a computer model of the use of different ground-based lidar systems, in conjunction with retroreflector array designs, for TOPEX satellite calibration.
Gaussian and other approximations to the first-order density matrix of electronic systems, and the derivation of various local-density-functional theories.

Various approximations and models for Hartree-Fock kinetic energy T and Hartree-Fock exchange energy K are systematically derived with a minimum of assumptions and comparatively studied by testing on atoms. A Gaussian ansatz for the spherical average of the first-order density matrix and the uniform-gas ansatz are shown both to lead to the same formulas for T and K except for the values of certain numerical coefficients. Without any assumption one gets in all cases T=(3/2) F \ensuremath{\rho}(r)[1/\ensuremath{\beta}(r)]dr, where \ensuremath{\beta}(r) is the local temperature parameter of Ghosh, Berkowitz, and Parr [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81, 8028 (1984)]. The Gaussian ansatz gives K=(\ensuremath{\pi}/2) F ${\ensuremath{\rho}}^{2}$(r)\ensuremath{\beta}(r)dr, while the uniform-gas ansatz gives K=(9\ensuremath{\pi}/20) F ${\ensuremath{\rho}}^{2}$(r)\ensuremath{\beta}(r)dr. Assuming further only the existence of a local equation of state of the form \ensuremath{\beta}=\ensuremath{\beta}(\ensuremath{\rho}), one then gets, by imposing the exact normalization condition for the first-order density matrix, from the Gaussian ansatz T=(3\ensuremath{\pi}${/2}^{5/3}$) F ${\ensuremath{\rho}}^{5/3}$(r)dr and K${=2}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1/3}$ F ${\ensuremath{\rho}}^{4/3}$(r)dr, respectively, 3.4% and 7.5% larger than the Thomas-Fermi-Dirac T and K which result from the uniform-gas ansatz. Numerical evidence is presented that shows preference for the Gaussian ansatz. A modified Gaussian ansatz also is examined.
Voice onset time production and perception in apraxic subjects

Abstract This study explored the relationship between the perception and production of voice onset time (VOT) in apraxic subjects. Spectrograms of the words, “bees” and “peas” spoken by apraxic subjects were acoustically analyzed to obtain a measure of VOT. The subjects also identified the initial cognate (“b” or “p”) from synthetically generated speech spanning a voiced to voiceless time continuum. The results suggest that apraxic subjects have production as well as perceptual errors in the voicing feature but no significant relationship was found between the two measures.
Quantification of glistenings in intraocular lenses using a ballistic-photon removing integrating-sphere method

An alternative method for quantification of glistenings in intraocular lenses (IOLs) using an integrating sphere with an adjustable back aperture to remove ballistic photons is presented. Glistenings in soft IOLs have been known for more than a decade; however, their severity and visual impact are still under investigation. A number of studies have been made to quantitatively describe glistenings in IOLs. Quantization and precise grading of IOLs will provide needed information to evaluate the severity and visual impact of glistenings in patients. We investigated the use of a simple modification of an integrating-sphere method to eliminate ballistic photons to quantitatively measure scattered light from glistenings in IOLs. The method described in this paper provides a simple and effective way to quantitatively characterize glistenings in vitro. It may be especially useful to quantify scattering associated with low-grade glistenings where the density of the scattering centers is low. Finally, the modified integrating-sphere method may also be generally applicable to quantitatively characterize scattering from other optical media.
Four-Dimensionalism: An Ontology of Persistence and Time

Introduction 1. The Four-Dimensional Picture 2. Against Presentism 3. Three- and Four-Dimensionalism Stated 4. In Favor of Four-Dimensionalism Part 1 5. In Favor of Four-Dimensionalism Part 2: The Best Unified Theory of the Paradoxes of Coincidence 6. Arguments against Four-Dimensionalism Bibliography, Index
GM-CSF, via PU.1, regulates alveolar macrophage FcγR-mediated phagocytosis and the IL-18/IFN-γ–mediated molecular connection between innate and adaptive immunity in the lung

Severely impaired pulmonary microbial clearance was observed in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)–deficient mice. To determine mechanisms by which GM-CSF mediates lung host defense, FcγR-mediated phagocytosis (opsonophagocytosis) by alveolar macrophages (AMs) was assessed in GM-CSF–sufficient (GM+/+) and –deficient (GM−/−) mice and in GM−/− mice expressing GM-CSF only in the lungs from a surfactant protein C (SPC) promoter (SPC-GM+/+/GM−/−). Opsonophagocytosis by GM−/− AMs was severely impaired and was restored by pulmonary GM-CSF expression in vivo or by PU.1 expression in vitro. Defective opsonophagocytosis by GM−/− AMs was associated with decreased FcγR expression. Because interferon-γ (IFN-γ) augments macrophage FcγR levels, the role of GM-CSF/PU.1 in the regulation of AM FcγR expression by IFN-γ was assessed during adenoviral lung infection. Adenoviral infection stimulated IFN-γ production and augmented FcγR levels on AMs in GM-CSF–expressing but not GM−/− mice. However, IFN-γ exposure ex vivo stimulated FcγR expression on GM−/− AMs. Because interleukin-18 (IL-18) and IL-12 stimulate IFN-γ production during adenoviral infection, their role in GM-CSF/PU.1 regulation of IFN-γ–augmented FcγR expression on AMs was assessed. Adenoviral infection stimulated IL-18 and IL-12 production in GM-CSF–expressing mice, but both were markedly reduced or absent in GM−/−mice. IL-18 expression by GM−/− AMs was severely impaired and was restored by pulmonary GM-CSF expression in vivo or by PU.1 expression in vitro. Pulmonary administration of IL-18 in GM−/− mice stimulated IFN-γ production and restored FcγR expression on AMs. These results show that GM-CSF, via PU.1, regulates constitutive AM FcγR expression and opsonophagocytosis and is required for the IFN-γ–dependent regulation of AM FcγR expression, enabling AMs to release IL-18/IL-12 during lung infection.
Graspable objects grab attention when the potential for action is recognized.

Visually guided grasping movements require a rapid transformation of visual representations into object-specific motor programs. Here we report that graspable objects may facilitate these visuomotor transformations by automatically grabbing visual spatial attention. Human subjects viewed two taskirrelevant objects—one was a ‘tool’, the other a ‘non-tool’—while waiting for a target to be presented in one of the two object locations. Using event-related potentials (ERPs), we found that spatial attention was systematically drawn to tools in the right and lower visual fields, the hemifields that are dominant for visuomotor processing. Using event-related fMRI, we confirmed that tools grabbed spatial attention only when they also activated dorsal regions of premotor and prefrontal cortices, regions associated with visually guided actions and their planning. Although it is widely accepted that visual sensory gain aids perception, our results suggest that it may also have consequences for object-directed actions.
Substrate effects on distribution, biomass allocation, and morphology of forest understory plants

Relationships between rooting substrate and the distribution and performance of forest plants are inadequately understood. We tested whether understory species in a dense coniferous forest were ass...
Stable fraction approach and attitude control of a spinning satellite using a gyrotorquer

Abstract The problem of joint stabilization and tracking of a spinning satellite system in addition to its regulation are considered. The rational fractional approach is used to obtain coprime equations in a multivariate setting for both coupled and decoupled models. Parametrized compensators are obtained for regulation and stabilization with tracking cases. Simulation results are presented to show the accomplishment of attitude control in different settings with simple control inputs.
Source monitoring does not alleviate (and may exacerbate) the occurrence of memory conjunction errors

Four experiments investigated whether memory conjunction errors could be reduced when memories were inspected in a source-monitoring task as opposed to the standard recognition tests that have traditionally been used in this literature. A conjunction stimulus is composed of pieces that have been experienced previously but in different contexts. We found that source monitoring did not generally reduce conjunction errors, but rather increased them in some cases. The data are consistent with theoretical accounts that characterize conjunction materials as evoking high degrees of familiarity. We also present an alternative account in which partial recollective details of context can act as familiarity in order to account for the above-chance source monitoring when pieces of conjunctions were studied in the same context.