cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Delayed effects of chronic cortisol treatment on brain and plasma concentrations of corticotropin (ACTH) and β-endorphin

The effects of 2-day and 7-day cortisol treatment on immunoreactive corticotropin (ACTH) and beta-endorphin concentrations were measured in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and cerebellum in male rats. Plasma ACTH, beta-endorphin, corticosterone, and cortisol levels were also measured in parallel. Cortisol administration by osmotic minipumps (25 mg/kg/day) maintained a constant, moderately high concentration (23.0 +/- 2.7 micrograms/100 ml) of this glucocorticoid in plasma. Two-day cortisol treatment suppressed the plasma concentration of ACTH and corticosterone, and also decreased, to a lesser degree, concentrations of beta-endorphin. ACTH and beta-endorphin levels in the brain remained unchanged after 2 days of cortisol treatment. After 7-day treatment, however, plasma concentrations of ACTH and beta-endorphin further decreased, while ACTH and beta-endorphin concentrations in the cortex and beta-endorphin concentrations in the cerebellum were also significantly decreased. Peptide concentrations in other brain areas did not change significantly with either 2-day or 7-day cortisol treatment. These data suggest that there are delayed effects of glucocorticoids on pro-opiomelanocortin peptide secretion and/or metabolism in the central nervous system. These findings are consistent with the impaired cognitive functions of patients with diseases, such as Cushing's syndrome and depression, that have long-lasting elevated cortisol secretion.
Control of the alternative sigma factor σE in Escherichia coli

Signal transduction pathways that communicate information from the cell envelope to the cytoplasm of bacteria are crucial to maintain cell envelope homeostasis. In Escherichia coli, one of the key pathways that ensures the integrity of the cell envelope during stress and normal growth is controlled by the alternative sigma factor sigmaE. Recent studies have elucidated the signal transduction pathway that activates sigmaE in response to misfolded outer membrane porins. Unfolded porins trigger the degradation of the sigmaE-specific antisigma factor RseA by the sequential action of two inner membrane proteases, leading to release of sigmaE from RseA, and induction of the stress response. This mechanism of signal transduction, regulated intramembrane proteolysis, is used in transmembrane signaling pathways from bacteria to humans.
Building a “Library in a Box” with an out of the box solution: creating a prototype engineering library using XTF

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of selecting and customizing XTF open source digital library software for a unique application. The paper describes how Rutgers University Libraries, in collaboration with the University of Liberia, and with grants from the Engineering Information Foundation (EIF), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and with contributions from the International Society of Electrical Engineers (IEEE), have created The EAKO System – Engineering Access to Knowledge Offline, a prototype “Library in a Box” for engineering information at the University of Liberia. The product runs on the open source platform XTF, created by California Digital Library, and is based on TEEAL, The Essential Electronic Agricultural Library, developed by Cornell University. Because internet access is extremely limited in Liberia, The EAKO System, like TEEAL, will work entirely offline.Design/methodology/approach – Over 20 open source software programs were co...
A model for combining human behavior and disease ecology to assess disease hazard in a community: rural Ethiopia as a model.

Abstract A method is presented for assessing communicable diseases hazardous to a given population. The method combines knowledge of disease agents present, life cycles and modes of transmission of these agents, and normative cultural behavior of the human population at risk. A study of a rural village in highland Ethiopia is used as an example. In contrast to studies using hospital records or those which use an epidemiologic team. this approach emphasizes the people at risk instead of the diseases. It is proposed that this methodology can be used on any scale, from one individual to a whole society. Resulting policy suggestions can be implemented as preventive measures against disease hazards. Diseases are considered as hazard systems rather than as individual and isolated medical problems. Researchers, including local people outside the traditional medical disciplines. can be used for the gathering and initial assessment of hazard-related data.
A proposed mechanism for the thermal reactions in solid complexes

Abstract A general mechanism is proposed for solid state reactions of coordination compounds in which the generations of a point defect is considered as the formation of the transition state. Three types of defects are considered which may apply in different types of reactions. The types of point defects considered are analogous to the Schottky, Frenkel, and substituted ion types occurring in simple crystals. Intramolecular racemization of (+)—[Co(en) 3 ]X 3 (X = Cl, Br, SCN, or I) is shown to be consistent with the substituted ion type of defect, while dehydration of [Cr(NH 3 ) 5 H 2 O]X 3 complexes is consistent with the formation of a Frenkel type of defect. Energy of the formation of the transition state is discussed in terms of lattice energy and ionic radii.
The effects of urbanization on Lepomis macrochirus using the comet assay

Urbanization has been linked to increased concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in natural waterways. This study was designed to examine the impact of urbanization and a wastewater treatment plant by investigating the impact on field-collected bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus). Results show a significant increase in DNA strand breaks in blood cells (comet assay) linked to urbanization and a reduction in DNA strand breaks downstream of the WWTP, likely the result of dilution. A laboratory study exposing L. macrochirus to the known mutagen, methyl methanesulfonate, was performed to validate the comet assay endpoints in this species. Results of the laboratory study showed that the comet assay endpoints of tail length and tail extent moment responded in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Habitat quality assessments, along with chemical concentrations of polycyclic hydrocarbons in sediments showed that habitat quality between all sites were similar and that hydrocarbons likely contributed to the DNA strand breaks observed.
Isolation of Human Breast Cancer Cells by Metastatic Stage Using Contactless Dielectrophoresis

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) has become a promising technique to separate and identify cells and microparticles suspended in a medium based on their physical and electrical properties. DEP is the motion of a particle in a suspending medium due to the presence of a nonuniform electric field [1]. We have recently developed a robust, simple, and inexpensive technique, contactless dielectrophoresis (cDEP), to provide non uniform electric fields in microfluidic channels required for DEP cell manipulation without direct contact between the electrodes and the sample [2]. In this method, an electric field is created in the sample microchannel using electrodes inserted into two conductive microchambers, which are separated from the sample channel by thin insulating barriers. These insulating barriers exhibit a capacitive behaviour and therefore an electric field can be produced in the main channel by applying an AC field across the barriers [2]. The absence of contact between electrodes and the sample fluid inside the channel prevents bubble formation and avoids any contaminating effects the electrodes may have on the sample. Furthermore, reduced joule heating and a simplified inexpensive fabrication process are the other noticeable advantages of this new technique.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
NASA SCATTEROMETER EXPERIMENT

Abstract Satellite scatterometers are microwave radars capable of measuring near-surface vector winds (both speed and direction) over the oceans under all weather conditions. The data generated from these instruments are used in scientific studies of upper ocean circulation, tropospheric dynamics, air–sea interaction and climate change; in operational meteorology as a means to increase numerical weather forecast skill and the accuracy of storm warning predictions; and in commercial applications such as ship routing. The scatterometer wind measurement technique was demonstrated with the flight of the Seasat Scatterometer in 1978. This paper summarizes the scatterometry measurement technique, describes the design of the NASA Scatterometer (NSCAT) instrument recently launched aboard the National Space Development Agency of Japan's (NASDA) Advanced Earth Observing Satellite (ADEOS), presents first results from the NSCAT instrument, and describes the future U.S. program for measuring surface marine wind vectors.
Predicting Wood Duck Harvest Rates in Eastern North America

Abstract We developed a method for predicting wood duck (Aix sponsa) harvest rates in eastern North America using waterfowl banding and recovery data, annual indices of hunter numbers, and harvest survey data from the United States and Canada. We predicted that under the current season length (60 days), if hunter numbers remain unchanged, increasing the wood duck bag limit from 2 to 3 would increase harvest of adult male wood ducks in the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways by 12.3%, causing an increase in harvest rate of 7.1% from 0.087 to 0.093. The Flyway Councils and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service can consider this information to predict the impacts of regulatory changes.
Families with Adolescents: Escaping Problem Lifestyles†

Using the concepts of "restraints" and reciprocal patterns, a specific approach for understanding and working with families of adolescents is offered. The organizing idea is the "restraint" that revolves around a difficulty both parents and youngsters have in making a distinction between what parents want for their youngsters and what the young person might want. This difficulty may come from the parents' ideas and beliefs about parenting and from their own growing-up experience, from the adolescent's "not completely storied" lives, and/or from societal discourse about adolescence. Restraint of ideas can be constructed as reciprocal patterns and located in dominant narratives that families may have about themselves. A restorying process allows families to separate from the problem pattern and focus on the youngsters' willingness to have ideas for themselves.
Avoidance of counter-example to non-abelian Bloch-Nordsieck conjecture by using coherent state approach

It is shown that the counter-example to the non-abelian Bloch-Nordsieck conjecture in “q + q → γ∗ + soft gluons” to order αs2 is avoided at the cross section level if the initial st prepared according to the coherent state approach for treatment of the infrared region of non-abelian gauge theories.
LASNEX simulations of the classical and laser-driven Rayleigh-Taylor instability

We present the results of two-dimensional LASNEX simulations of the classical and laser-driven Rayleigh-Taylor instability. Our growth rates and eigenmodes for classical two- and three-fluid problems agree closely with the exact analytic expressions. We illustrate in several examples how perturbations feed through from one interface to another. For targets driven by a 1/4-{mu}m laser at {ital I}=2{times}10{sup 14} W/cm{sup 2} our growth rates are 40--80 % of the classical case rates for wavelengths between 5 and 100 {mu}m. We find that radiation transport has a stabilizing effect on the Rayleigh-Taylor instability, particularly at high intensities. A brief comparison with a laser-driven experiment is also presented.
An old dog with new tricks: An automated, dry‐deposition Tauber trap

Establishing a modern pollen analogue for remote, high‐deposition environments (e.g. ice caps) presents a unique problem that is difficult to address with current technology. Collecting modern pollen with traditional Tauber traps in these locations (at sub‐annual resolution) is nearly impossible due to the time and costs involved in frequent, long‐distance or remote travel. Presented in this paper is an automated, dry‐deposition Tauber trap with the ability to open and close on a timer, which allows for pollen collection at programmable intervals. This new trap (along with three traditional Tauber traps) was field tested in the summer of 2005 at the University of Colorado's Niwot Ridge Long‐Term Ecological Research Station (LTER) located in the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies. During the research, one of the traditional traps became damaged and was subsequently discarded from the study. Significant variability in pollen concentrations and percentages was found in the remaining traps. Statistical tests...
Cytokeratin 20 expression identifies a subtype of pancreatic adenocarcinoma with decreased overall survival

BACKGROUND Cytokeratins are markers of epithelial cell differentiation useful in determining histogenesis for malignancies with an unknown primary. Application of this principle to a single malignancy may identify cancer subtypes with altered developmental programs. Herein, we investigate the relevance of two widely used cytokeratins (CKs), 7 and 20, to subtype pancreas cancer and identify associations with clinical features. METHODS A tissue microarray was constructed using tumor specimens from 103 patients who underwent resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma with curative intent. A subset of resection specimens was evaluated for pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) lesions. Tissues were immunostained by using specific anticytokeratin 7 and 20 monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS CK 7 and 20 expression was present in 96% and 63% cases of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, respectively. Ubiquitous CK 7 expression precluded further analysis. Tumoral CK 20 expression was not associated with any histopathologic parameter but correlated with worse prognosis when considered as either a dichotomous (P = 0.0098) or continuous (P = 0.007) variable. In a multivariate model, tumoral CK 20 expression remained a significant independent prognosticator. CK 20 expression was absent in all PanIN lesions from eight resection specimens in which the tumor component was negative for CK 20. In contrast, presence of tumoral CK 20 was highly concordant with its expression in corresponding PanINs. CONCLUSIONS CK 20 expression defines a subtype of pancreas cancer with important biologic properties. When present, CK 20 expression is an early event in pancreatic carcinogenesis identifiable in precursor lesions. Further studies to identify the underlying genetic changes associated with this altered developmental pathway are warranted. Cancer 2006. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Severe Transportation Accidents: Impacts of Severe Fires on Radioactive Material Transportation

In 2007, a severe transportation accident occurred in Oakland, California in what is commonly known as the “MacArthur Maze” section of Interstate 580 (I-580). The accident involved a tractor trailer carrying gasoline that impacted an overpass support column and burst into flames. The subsequent fire burned for over 2 hours and led to the collapse of the overpass due to the loss of strength in the structural steel that supported the overpass. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) studied this accident to examine any potential regulatory implications related to the safe transport of radioactive materials, including spent nuclear fuel. This paper will discuss the details of the NRC’s MacArthur Maze fire investigation.
Searching for Targets of Nonuniform Size Using Mixing Transformations: Constructive Upper Bounds and Limit Laws

We investigate searching for closed balls $$B$$ in the $$n$$ -dimensional torus $${\mathbb {T}}^n$$ , where the ball’s center is located uniformly at random in $${\mathbb {T}}^n$$ and its volume is uniformly distributed in $$(\delta , V], 0<\delta \ll V \ll 1$$ . For exponentially mixing maps and multi-valued maps, it is shown that hitting time of a small ball and the expected hitting time are of $${\fancyscript{O}}(1/\hbox {vol}(B))$$ and $${\fancyscript{O}}(-\ln \delta )$$ , respectively, for every ball center and almost every initial condition. Along the way, an ergodic theory framework is developed for $${\mathfrak {B}}$$ -regular, multi-valued maps. Finally, discrete-time maps are used to generate continuous-time dynamics on $${\mathbb {T}}^n$$ , and it is shown that the asymptotic behavior for the continuous case is the same as the discrete case.
Dust Production from the Hypervelocity Impact Disruption of Hydrated Targets

More than half of the C-type asteroids, which are the dominant type of asteroid in the outer half of the main belt, show evidence of hydration in their reflectance spectra. In order to understand the collisional evolution of asteroids, the production of interplanetary dust, and to model the infrared signature of small particles in the Solar System it is important to characterize the dust production from primary impact disruption events, and compare the disruption of hydrous and anhydrous targets. We performed impact disruption experiments of three “greenstone” targets, a hydrothermally metamorphosed basalt, and compared the results of these disruptions to our previous disruption experiments on porous, anhydrous basalt targets and to literature data on the disruption of non-porous, anhydrous basalt targets. The greenstone targets were selected because their major hydrous alteration phase is serpentine, the same hydrous alteration phase found in hydrous CM meteorites, like Murchison. The porous, anhydrous basalt targets were selected because their structure, consisting of millimeter-size olivine phenocrysts in a more porous, anhydrous matrix is similar to the structure of anhydrous chondritic meteorites, which consist of millimeter-size olivine chondrules embedded in a more porous, anhydrous matrix. The disruption measurements indicate the threshold collisional specific energy, QD*, is 570 J/kg for the greenstone, which is lower than the literature values for non-porous basalt targets, and significantly lower than the value of 2500 J/kg that we have measured for porous anhydrous basalt targets. We determined the mass-frequency distribution of the debris from the disruption of the greenstone targets, which ranged in mass from 80 to 280 g, over a nine order-of-magnitude mass range, from ~10−9 g to the mass of the largest fragment. The cumulative mass-frequency distribution from the greenstone targets is fit by two power–law segments, one for masses >10−2 g, which is significantly steeper than the corresponding segment from the disruption of similar-sized anhydrous basalt, and one in the range from 10−9 to 10−2 g, which is significantly flatter than the corresponding segment from the disruption of similar size anhydrous basalt. These hydrous greenstone targets overproduce small fragments (10−4 to 100 g) compared to anhydrous basalt targets, but underproduce dust-size grains (10−9 to 10−4 g) compared to anhydrous basalt targets.
A History of the Future

Does history have to be only about the past? “History” refers to both a subject matter and a thought process. That thought process involves raising questions, marshalling evidence, discerning patterns in the evidence, writing narratives, and critiquing the narratives written by others. Whatever subject matter they study, all historians employ the thought process of historical thinking. What if historians were to extend the process of historical thinking into the subject matter domain of the future? Historians would breach one of our profession’s most rigid disciplinary barriers. Very few historians venture predictions about the future, and those who do are viewed with skepticism by the profession at large. On methodological grounds, most historians reject as either impractical, quixotic, hubristic, or dangerous any effort to examine the past as a way to make predictions about the future. However, where at one time thinking about the future did mean making a scientifically–based prediction, futurists today are just as likely to think in terms of scenarios. Where a prediction is a definitive statement about what will be, scenarios are heuristic narratives that explore alternative plausibilities of what might be. Scenario writers, like historians, understand that surprise, contingency, and deviations from the trend line are the rule, not the exception; among scenario writers, context matters. The thought process of the scenario method shares many features with historical thinking. With only minimal intellectual adjustment, then, most professionally trained historians possess the necessary skills to write methodologically rigorous “histories of the future.”
Can animals detect differences in vocalizations adjusted for anthropogenic noise

Most animals use vocalizations to attract mates and defend territories. Many species alter these signals in the presence of anthropogenic noise, such as rush-hour traffic. Yet, little is known about how intended receivers (territorial rivals, potential mates) respond to these altered signals. Here we investigated responses of free-living male northern cardinals, Cardinalis cardinalis, to computer-generated songs that mimicked (1) the population's average minimum-frequency song (‘average frequency’ song) and (2) songs that had been shifted to have a higher minimum frequency (‘shifted-frequency’ song), as occurs in the presence of loud anthropogenic noise. Males gave stronger responses to songs of average frequency than to songs with a shifted frequency. At low levels of background noise, differences in responses to two song types were greatest, but as the amplitude of anthropogenic noise increased, differences in responses to the two song types diminished, and at the highest amplitudes, males had almost equal responses to the two song types. Since the shifted-frequency songs received weaker responses than the average-frequency songs, the shifted-frequency songs do not seem advantageous in terms of communication efficacy, especially at low levels of background noise. Songs with a higher minimum frequency are not necessarily beneficial for signal efficiency and might not be adaptive despite potential benefits of masking avoidance, which could have important consequences for mate selection and resource defence among populations in urban areas.
Liquid-crystals-plasmonics for ultrafast broadband all-optical switching

We present the results and critical analyses of recent studies of ultrafast optical nonlinearities of liquid crystals in the isotropic and ordered phases for time scales spanning femtoseconds – microseconds. Pure undoped liquid crystals as well as liquid crystals containing plasmonic nano-particles have been investigated. Individual molecular electronic optical nonlinearities are found to be useful for femtoseconds – nanoseconds nonlinear transmission clamping applications. On the other hand, laser induced order parameter and birefringence modification in aligned nematic cells allow very rapid transmission switching of visible as well as near infrared lasers with response times in the sub-microseconds - few nanoseconds regime.
Studies on the inhibitory effect of Graptopetalum paraguayense E. Walther extracts on mushroom tyrosinase

Abstract This study was aimed to evaluate the kinetic properties and capacities of 95% ethanolic (GE95), 50% ethanolic (GE50) and water (GWE) extracts from Graptopetalum paraguayense for their potential to inhibit mushroom tyrosinase activity. The results showed that GE95, GE50 and GWE showed potent inhibitory effects on l -3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine ( l -Dopa) oxidation catalyzed by tyrosinase. It was found that the tyrosinase inhibitory activities of all the extracts increased with the increase of their concentrations. The inhibition kinetics, analyzed by Lineweaver–Burk plots, revealed that G. paraguayense extracts showed a mixed-type inhibition for mushroom tyrosinase when l -Dopa was used as substrate. A comparison of the IC 50 and K i values showed that GE95 exhibited the most effective inhibition of tyrosinase among the extracts.
Speakers' attitudes in language change, contact-language genesis and language preservation

Many contact situations around the world show that speakers can, and sometimes do, make deliberate changes in their languages. Although deliberate changes are likely to affect entire languages only in small speech communities, most –or perhaps all– pidgin and creole languages developed, at least at first, within relatively small groups of speakers. In several cases, documentary evidence indicates that speakers´ attitudes significantly affected the process of pidgin / creole genesis, and they may have done so in many more instances as well. Moreover, many or most of the world´s living pidgins and creoles are spoken by so few people that the languages are gravely endangered, and the attitudes of an endangered language´s speakers are the most important factor in determining the success of efforts to preserve the language. The future of Chabacano seems bright precisely because so many of its speakers are eager to engage in preservation activities.
From international open government dataset search to discovery: a semantic web service approach

In this poster, we will present the International Open Government Dataset Search (IOGDS). IOGDS is a faceted browsing interface for searching over more than one million open government datasets from around the world. We will present ongoing research and development towards the improved discovery and access to open government data. IOGDS has been designed around S2S, a framework for constructing user interfaces over Semantic Web services. We will discuss how the Web service abstraction layer in the S2S framework can be extended to support the use of external vocabularies to aid in the discovery of open government datasets. We will also discuss how the S2S framework can provide localization and context for non-expert users to improve the accessibility of open government data.
Age and evolution of the southern part of the Arabian Shield

Rb–Sr studies of Precambrian volcanic and plutonic rocks of the Arabian Shield document an early development of continental lithosphere in the Arabian Peninsula between 900 and 680 Ma ago. Geologic studies indicate an intraoceanic island-arc environment characterized by andesitic (dioritic) magmas, volcaniclastic sedimentation, rapid deposition, and contemporaneous deformation along north- or N.W.-trending axes. The earliest plutonic units are diorite to trondhjemite batholiths ranging from 900 to 800 Ma in age that occur in the western and southwestern parts of Saudi Arabia. Younger units, ranging from 750 to 680 Ma in age, vary in composition from quartz diorite to granodiorite and become more abundant in the south-central and eastern parts of the Arabian Shield.
On the Stability of Near-Equidiffusional Strained Premixed Flames

Abstract In this paper we examine the effect of stretch on the stability of premixed flames. The stability problem is posed within the asymptotic limits of large activation energy and of disturbances of wavelength much larger than the flame thickness. Only disturbances that are independent of the direction of flow divergence are considered here. It is shown that stretch stabilizes the long wavelength disturbances which are otherwise unstable as a result of the Darrieus-Landau instability. On the other hand it is known that diffusion may have a stabilizing influence on the short wavelength disturbances. Thus, for a sufficiently large strain rate, a flame may become absolutely stable even in the absence of gravity or other stabilizing effects. We identify here the critical value of the strain rate above which stability may be attained and determine the stability boundaries in terms of a scaled Lewis number and of stretch, for representative values of thermal expansion.
A case of multiple personality: diagnosis and therapy

Abstract A case of multiple (4) personality is presented and described. A detailed examination of psychological tests of ability, memory, and personality is undertaken. These data lead to a discussion of the practical and theoretical problems of diagnosis. It is the contention of this paper that dual or multiple personalities should be considered a unique category apart from the traditional concepts of hysteria or schizophrenia. A therapeutic “fusion” is described and evaluated. Der Fall einer multiplen Personlichkeit: Diagnose und Therapie Jeffrey M. Brandsma und Arnold M. Ludwig
Distribution of cholinergic neurotransmitter enzymes in the hippocampus and the dentate gyrus of the adult and the developing mouse

Abstract The distribution of the cholinergic neutrotransmitter enzyme, acetylcholinesterase, in the hippocampus and the dentate gyrus of the adult and the developing mouse was examined using a histochemical procedure. The pattern of acetylcholinesterase staining in the hippocampal region of the adult mouse closely resembled that reported for the rat by other investigators. Enzyme activity was present predominantly in the neuropil, where it was concentrated in the supra- and the infrapyramidal zones of the hippocampus as well as in the supragranular region and the hilus of the dentate gyrus. In contrast to the adult pattern, during the first week of postnatal development acetyleholinesterase activity appeared to be largely intracellular. Strong staining was observed in the cytoplasm of scattered neurons throughout the neuropil laminae, particularly in the hilus of the dentate gyrus. During the succeeding weeks, the characteristic neuropil reaction developed in a slow and progressive manner. reaching the adult pattern by the end of the third postnatal week. Between the third and the fifth weeks, there was a substantial increase in the staining intensity of the enzyme. As a result of the increased neuropil reaction, acetylcholinesterase-positive cells became less conspicuous after the second postnatal week. The progressive acquisition of staining for acetylcholinesterase in the neuropil of the hippocampus and the dentate gyrus of the mouse during the early postnatal period compared well with the proposed model of development of septohippocampal connections in the rat. The histochemical distribution of choline acetyltransferase in the hippocampus and the dentate gyrus of the adult mouse was also examined. The reaction was largely intracellular, in the cytoplasm of the pyramidal and the granule cells. Neuropil staining was confined to the mossy fibers and their terminals. This distribution profile is in conflict with the localization of this enzyme in the hippocampal region established by other investigators on the basis of microdissection and assay. The significance of the results of choline acetyltransferase histochemistry in relation to methodological problems is discussed.
Humoral immune responses in humanized BLT mice immunized with West Nile virus and HIV-1 envelope proteins are largely mediated via human CD5+ B cells.

BLT mice, constructed by surgical implantation of human fetal thymus-liver tissues and intravenous delivery of autologous CD34+ haematopoietic stem cells into adult non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency mice, were evaluated for vaccine-induced humoral immune responses. Following engraftment, these mice developed a human lymphoid system; however, the majority of the peripheral human B lymphocytes displayed an immature phenotype as evidenced by surface CD10 expression. Over 50% of the human B cells in the periphery but not in the bone marrow also expressed the CD5 antigen, which is found only infrequently on mature follicular B cells in humans. A single intramuscular immunization with recombinant viral envelope antigens, e.g., HIVgp140 and West Nile Virus envelope proteins, together with the immune stimulatory KLK/ODN1a composition) [corrected] adjuvant resulted in seroconversion characterized by antigen-specific human antibodies predominantly of the IgM isotype. However, repeated booster immunizations did not induce secondary immune responses as evidenced by the lack of class switching and specific IgM levels remaining relatively unchanged. Interestingly, the peripheral CD19+ CD5+ but not the CD19+ CD5- human B lymphocytes displayed a late developing CD27+ IgM+ memory phenotype, suggesting that the CD5+ B-cell subset, previously implicated in 'natural antibody' production, may play a role in the vaccine-induced antibody response. Furthermore, human T lymphocytes from these mice demonstrated suboptimal proliferative responses and loss of co-stimulatory surface proteins ex vivo that could be partially reversed with human interleukin-2 and interleukin-7. Therefore, vaccine-induced immune responses in BLT mice resemble a T-cell-independent pathway that can potentially be modulated in vivo by the exogenous delivery of human cytokines/growth factors.
The Impact of Expert Systems in Accounting: System Characteristics, Productivity and Work Unit Effects

Using a framework derived from Perrow, we have investigated the impact of expert systems in accounting at the work unit level. The results of a survey are presented. Information on 36 implemented systems was collected from participants at two recent workshops on artificial intelligence in accounting and business. A number of commonly suggested advantages of expert systems are observed. We find some significant differences between variables for the two major application areas in accounting, namely tax and auditing. This suggests that where benefits arise from differs depending upon the underlying task domain.
Visceral nociceptive input to the area of the medullary lateral reticular nucleus ascends in the lateral spinal cord

In halothane-anesthetized rats, neurons stereotaxically located in the region of the medullary lateral reticular nucleus (LRN) and responsive to urinary bladder distension (UBD) were characterized using extracellular electrodes. Most neurons excited by UBD were also excited by noxious stimuli applied to bilateral receptive fields comprising at least half of the body surface. These bilateral nociceptive specific (bNS) neurons exhibited graded responses to graded intensities of UBD. Neuronal responses to noxious UBD were highly positively correlated with responses to noxious colorectal distension, suggesting a convergence of visceral sensory information in the area of LRN. Bilateral lateral mid-cervical spinal cord lesions virtually abolished activity of bNS neurons evoked by noxious UBD, while dorsal midline lesions had no significant effect. These data support a role for neurons in the region of the LRN in visceral nociception and implicate traditional lateral spinal cord pain pathways in the transmission of visceral information to caudal ventrolateral medullary structures.
Effects of pyruvate on the growth of normal and transformed hamster embryo fibroblasts

The growth of NIL and NILpy hamster embryo fibroblasts was determined in the presence and absence of pyruvate as a component of the growth medium. It was demonstrated that NIL cells respond to the presence of pyruvate by decreasing cell doubling time, glucose utilization, glutamine utilization, and increasing lactate production with the effects being more pronounced at low inoculum densities. Polyoma-virus transformed NIL cells (NILpy) demonstrate none of the above effects upon pyruvate addition regardless of initial cell inoculum density.
Bipartite graphs containing every possible pair of cycles

Abstract Let G=(V 1 ,V 2 ;E) be a bipartite graph with |V 1 |=|V 2 |=n⩾4 . Suppose that d(x)+d(y)⩾n+2 for all x∈V 1 and y∈V 2 . Then G contains two vertex-disjoint cycles of lengths 2s and 2t , respectively, for any two positive integers s and t with s⩾2 , t⩾2 and s+t⩽n . We also propose a conjecture.
A Stable, High-Intensity Vacuum Ultraviolet Source

A stable, high-intensity resonance lamp operated by a 2450 Mc/sec microwave power source has been developed which is of sufficient intensity and stability to be useful for the kinetic study of photochemical reactions. This light source has maintained a constant output (approximately 2 × 1017 quanta/sec for krypton) for times ranging from 80 h to 120 h. The optimum pressure of krypton in the lamp is 0.28 torr.
Teaching empirical skills and concepts in computer science using random walks

An argument is made for integrating the study of empirical skills and concepts into the computer science curriculum. With reference to past work an incremental approach is advocated for the study of these skills and concepts. A unique assignment that exemplifies the advocated approach is presented. This assignment, based on the study of random walks, is intended to introduce empirical investigation as early as is possible, during the first week of the first course. Two extensions to this assignment, one for the first course and one for a programming languages course, are discussed and used to illustrate the advocated incremental approach.
The 7Be electron capture rate in the sun

For solar conditions, we numerically integrate the density matrix equation for a thermal electron in the field of a7Be ion and other plasma ions and smeared-out electrons. With this technique, we can calculate the capture rate without either assuming the existence of bound states or requiring fluctuations to be spherical. Our results are in agreement with previous calculations that are based on a different physical picture, a picture that postulates the existence of distinct continuum and bound-state orbits for electrons. The density matrix calculation of the electron capture rate is independent of the nature of electron states in the solar plasma. To within 1% accuracy, the effects of screening can be described at high temperatures by a Salpeter-like factor of exp (-Ze2/kTRD), which can be derived from the density matrix equation. We show that nonspherical fluctuations change the reaction rate by less than 1%. The total theoretical uncertainty in the electron capture rate is about ±2%.
Osmoregulatory ability of the rock crab, Cancer irroratus, under osmotic stress

Abstract 1. 1. Measurements were made of heart rate, hemolymph sodium content and osmolality of Cancer irroratus at various salinities. 2. 2. The measurements of heart rate in reduced salinities suggest that they are not a reliable indicator of the physiological state of these crabs under osmotic stress. 3. 3. Crabs transferred directly from 100 to 75% sea water maintained hemolymph isosmotic to the medium. 4. 4. The death of crabs transferred directly to 60 or 50% sea water may reflect the inability of osmoregulatory mechanisms to compensate over a short period of time to sudden osmotic stress. 5. 5. Crabs transferred to 50% sea water after acclimation to 75% sea water maintained hemolymph sodium and osmolality hyperosmotic to the medium. 6. 6. Results suggest that Cancer irroratus is an osmoconformer in 75% sea water and above and a hyperosmotic regulator below 75% sea water.
Does the 3-gene diagnostic assay accurately distinguish benign from malignant thyroid neoplasms?

BACKGROUND. A 3-gene (PCSK2, PLAB, CCND2) assay has been reported to have high accuracy for distinguishing benign from malignant thyroid tumors that are often indeterminate on fine–needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. The aim of the current study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the 3-gene assay in thyroid tissue and in FNA biopsy for distinguishing benign from malignant thyroid neoplasms. METHODS. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression level of 3 genes (PCSK2, PLAB, CCND2) was analyzed by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction in 261 frozen thyroid tissue samples (138 benign and 123 malignant), and prospectively, in 144 clinical thyroid FNA samples. To determine the diagnostic accuracy of the 3-gene assay, the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve for each gene individually and in combination was determined. RESULTS. PCSK2 and CCND2 mRNA expression levels were found to be significantly different between benign and malignant thyroid tissue samples (P < .0001 and P = .0007, respectively), but PLAB mRNA expression level was not (P = .099). In the thyroid tissue samples, the AUC was 0.67 for PCSK2 and 0.62 for CCND2. In the thyroid FNA samples, PCSK2 and CCND2 were significantly differentially expressed between benign and malignant samples (P = .039 and P = .023, respectively). The AUC was 0.59 for PCSK2 and 0.61 for CCND2. CONCLUSIONS. Although PCSK2 and CCND2 were significantly differentially expressed between benign and malignant thyroid tumors both in tissue and in FNA samples, the diagnostic accuracy of the 3-gene assay was low. These findings demonstrate that it is essential for studies to validate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of emerging candidate diagnostic thyroid cancer markers if they are to be translated into clinically useful markers for making patient care decisions. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Temporal variation of the tropospheric cloud and haze in the jovian equatorial zone

Abstract We analyze the temporal variation of the tropospheric cloud and haze in the jovian equatorial zone. In order to investigate the time evolution of the haze, we utilize a comprehensive set of archival WFPC2 images in the 953 and 893-nm wavelengths spanning over a decade of HST observations of Jupiter. We find that the latitude of the peak haze reflectivity experienced a southerly shift in between late-1998 and early-2001 (not to be confused with southerly bulk transport of haze particles themselves); before this shift, the latitude of peak reflectivity had remained relatively stable at +7° (planetographic latitude). We examine the average haze reflectivity at three equatorial latitudes (−5°, 0°, +5°) and find variability of amplitude ±20%. Equatorial clouds, which lie deeper than the haze, showed zonal mean variability with an amplitude of about 5% except during the global upheaval of 2006–2007 in which cloud reflectivity dropped up to 16% depending on latitude. An analysis of temporal correlation between zonally averaged cloud reflectivity and zonally averaged haze reflectivity indicates a time-lag of about 1200 days (with a lower limit of 800 days) between changes in cloud reflectivity and later changes in haze reflectivity, but limitations in the temporal coverage of even this extensive dataset make it impossible to rule out even longer time-lags.
Photosynthetic changes in soybean with and without nitrogen and increased carbon dioxide

Abstract An experiment was conducted to measure changes in the rate of photosynthesis (PN), chlorophylls a and b (Ch-a, Ch-b) and biomass on exposure of soybean ( Glycine max L. Merrill) to carbon dioxide (Co 2 , 350, 400, 450 μl/l) with and without the use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer. Plants were exposed to CO 2 in open-top field chambers at the flowering stage for 12 h/day for 5 days. The increase in CO 2 levels, with or without N-fertilizer had no impact on PN. Chlorophyll content increased (by 28%) on exposure to 450 μl/l CO 2 in the absence of the N-fertilizer. Ratio of Ch-a/Ch-b was higher in plants treated with N-fertilizer. The total biomass increased (by 18%) on treatment with 450 μl/l CO 2 ; the root/shoot ratio increased significantly on the addition of the N-fertilizer.
THE TERMINAL VELOCITY AND DISPERSAL OF SPINNING SAMARAS

Strobe photographs were taken of over 200 spinning samaras from seven species of trees. These were used to measure the rate of descent, angular velocity, orientation, and other parameters of the samaras as they fell. These data were then used to compare the aerodynamic behavior of samaras, helicopters, and theoretical ideal rotors. Plotting morphological data for each samara against its rate of descent showed that this rate was highly correlated with the square root of the samara's wing loading (samara weight divided by wing-surface area). This plot demonstrated the existence of two distinct groups of samaras, distinguished by their morphology, spinning motion, and rate of descent. These results are of greatest use in characterizing local dispersal
Experimental mouse ocular hypertension: establishment of the model.

PURPOSE To establish an experimental model of ocular hypertension in the mouse. METHODS Twenty-two black Swiss mice were used. After anesthesia and pupil dilation, the anterior chamber was flattened by the aspiration of aqueous humor. Laser photocoagulation (532-nm wavelength, 200-mW power, 0.05-second duration, 200- micro m spot size) then was performed at the limbus. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured weekly for 4 weeks and biweekly for 12 weeks, by a microneedle method. Slit lamp biomicroscopy was performed throughout the period and the structural changes were assessed histologically. A treatment response was considered to be a success if either the mean of IOP measurements collected during the first 4 weeks was increased by 30% or more, or the mean of all measurements collected during the 12 week study period was increased by 30% or more. RESULTS Laser-treated eyes showed significantly higher IOP than control eyes from 1 to 6 weeks (P < 0.001). The average IOP in treated eyes during the first 4 and 12 weeks was significantly higher than the control IOP (P < 0.001). These IOP increases were 7.1 and 3.8 mm Hg, respectively. During the first 4 weeks, sustained elevation of IOP was obtained in 64% (14/22) of the treated eyes. During the entire 12-week study, increased IOP was successfully maintained in 37% (7/19) of the treated eyes. After 6 weeks, elevated IOP often returned to normal or several mm Hg below normal. Histologic analysis at the end of the 12-week study showed no inflammatory cells in the anterior segment and confirmed that the angle was closed by the laser photocoagulation treatment. CONCLUSIONS This method produces persistent IOP elevation in mouse eyes and may be a promising experimental model for the investigation of the biological mechanisms of glaucomatous optic neuropathy.