cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The evolving role of immune oncology in colorectal cancer

Metastatic colorectal cancer still remains an essentially non curable disease. However, with advances in chemotherapeutic and personalizing therapeutic approaches with the incorporation of targeted therapy such as anti-EGFR and anti-VEGF agents survival associated with metastatic colorectal cancer has certainly improved over the last two decades. Patients who are not amenable to surgery median survival remain approximately 2 to 3 years. In an attempt to improve prognostic outcome over the last decade research has focused on therapeutic options geared towards harnessing the immune system with success observed with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the realm of a number of solid tumors including lung and renal cancer. The use of immunomodulatory therapeutic approaches for the management of unselected advanced colorectal cancer has not seen the same success with low response rates reported. The turning point was our recent understanding that efficacy of immunotherapy was limited to a subset of patients with hyper mutated microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) tumors. This review will focus on summarizing available knowledge on the immunological and molecular landscape of colorectal cancer that can help determine subsets of immunogenic CRC, determine potential predictive markers to help select patients for immunotherapeutic approaches as well looking at the existing evidence of incorporating immune checkpoint inhibitors to the therapeutic management of patients with mCRC.
A Note on the Information Perspective and the Conceptual Framework

The FASB and IASB are reexamining and revising their existing conceptual frameworks. A conceptual framework consists of (1) objectives and (2) concepts that follow logically from those objectives. Most attention is being paid to the concepts, seemingly accepting the objective of wealth measurement. This paper suggests reconsideration of wealth measurement as the objective. Christensen and Demski (2003) suggest two views of accounting objectives: (1) the “value school” based on wealth measurement and (2) the “information content school” based on measuring and disclosing informative events. They make a case for the latter as the most logical objective of accounting. If one accepts the information-content approach to accounting, quite different concepts may arise. For example, the FASB and IASB are on record favoring the balance sheet approach over the revenue and expense approach. This is logical if wealth measurement is an appropriate objective. However, under the information content approach, the revenue/ expense approach, essentially focusing on the flows, which more directly reflect the events affecting an entity, may more logically follow. The revenue/expense approach seems to better align with the disclosure of information events and states.
Acquisition of Commonsense Knowledge

We discuss systems and methods for acquiring the knowledge necessary for commonsense reasoning. First, we discuss the manual acquisition of commonsense knowledge in Cyc, WordNet, and ThoughtTreasure. We then describe systems for crowdsourcing commonsense knowledge, including Open Mind Common Sense and Learner. Next, we review games for acquiring commonsense knowledge, including Verbosity and Common Consensus. We then present methods for mining relation instances and implicit knowledge from natural language text. After that, we describe how to perform reasoning in the event calculus using knowledge acquired through crowdsourcing. Next, we compare the systems and methods for acquiring commonsense knowledge. Finally, we review estimates of the size of human commonsense knowledge.
HOMO-LUMO energy splitting in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives

Abstract The HOMO-LUMO gap of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with and without functional group substitutions was computed using the B3LYP methods with the 6-311 + + G(d,p) basis set. The functional groups considered are ethyl (C2H5), phenyl (C6H5), hydroxyl (OH), vinyl (C2H3), carboxyl (COOH) and formyl (CHO). The purpose was to explore the impact of substitution on the electronic structure of PAHs and provide a rational explanation for the optical band gap values measured for nascent soot particles formed in flames. Results suggest a high sensitivity of the HOMO-LUMO gap on the type and number of functional groups in a PAH molecule. It was found that single -OH, -COOH and -CHO groups on PAHs can reduce the HOMO-LUMO gap by 0.2, 0.4 and 0.5 eV, respectively. Further functionalization of PAH by several CHO groups could reduce the HOMO-LUMO gap by as much as 0.7 eV. It is concluded that the impact of functional groups in PAHs cannot be neglected while interpreting the optical band gap measured for nascent soot particles.
Lines in the sand

Now is a fantastic time for children to create artwork inspired by the seaside. Judith Harries suggests resources and ideas that will set children on an imaginative quest to model their favourite seaside objects.
Passing Go: Utilizing Gamification to Introduce New Students to the Libraries

Abstract Academic libraries can be incredibly overwhelming and confusing for many first-year and new students. Librarians might struggle to present orientation information in a way that engages students in the learning process. From a programmatic perspective, it can also be difficult to maintain a sustainable workload when relying on volunteers. To help students learn about the physical spaces, resources, and services available to them, Kansas State University (K-State) Libraries created an interactive and gamified orientation. K-State librarians draw on four years of experience to share best practices and lessons learned. This chapter covers topics such as game design, marketing, and volunteer burnout.
Soft-donor dipicolinamide derivatives for selective actinide(III)/lanthanide(III) separation: the role of S- vs. O-donor sites

Selectivity for An(III) vs. Ln(III) binding and extraction using dipicolinamide analogs containing the CO vs. CS groups was investigated in solution and the gas-phase, and by DFT calculations. The results show higher selectivity for complex formation and extraction for Am(III) vs. Eu(III) for the softer dithioamide vs. the diamide ligand, while in CH3CN the diamide binds more strongly than the thioamide to several Ln(III), forming 1 : 1 complexes.
Mapping Three-dimensional Dissolution Rates of Calcite Microcrystals: Effects of Surface Curvature and Dissolved Metal Ions

The morphological evolution of micron-sized calcite crystals dissolved in static acidic solutions, with and without dissolved Pb2+ ions, was imaged using transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM). The ar...
Cost-effectiveness of HIV care coordination scale-up among persons at high risk for sub-optimal HIV care outcomes.

Background A study of a comprehensive HIV Care Coordination Program (CCP) showed effectiveness in increasing viral load suppression (VLS) among PLWH in New York City (NYC). We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of a scale-up of the CCP in NYC. Methods We incorporated observed effects and costs of the CCP into a computer simulation of HIV in NYC, comparing strategy scale-up with no implementation. The simulation combined a deterministic compartmental model of HIV transmission with a stochastic microsimulation of HIV progression, and was calibrated to NYC HIV epidemiological data from 1997 to 2009. We assessed incremental cost-effectiveness from a health sector perspective using 2017 $US, a 20-year time horizon, and a 3% annual discount rate. We explored two scenarios: (1) two-year average enrollment and (2) continuous enrollment. Results In scenario 1, scale-up resulted in a cost-per-infection-averted of $898,104 and a cost-per-QALY-gained of $423,721. In sensitivity analyses, scale-up achieved cost-effectiveness if effectiveness increased from RR1.11 to RR1.37 or costs decreased by 41.7%. Limiting the intervention to persons with unsuppressed viral load prior to enrollment (RR1.32) attenuated the cost reduction necessary to 11.5%. In scenario 2, scale-up resulted in a cost-per-infection-averted of $705,171 and cost-per-QALY-gained of $720,970. In sensitivity analyses, scale-up achieved cost-effectiveness if effectiveness increased from RR1.11 to RR1.46 or program costs decreased by 71.3%. Limiting the intervention to persons with unsuppressed viral load attenuated the cost reduction necessary to 38.7%. Conclusion Cost-effective CCP scale-up would require reduced costs and/or focused enrollment within NYC, but may be more readily achieved in cities with lower background VLS levels.
Guest Editor's Introduction: Rapid System Prototyping

Integrating formal assertions into the modeling, implementation, and testing of statechart-based designs can enhance a system's robustness by providing runtime monitoring and recovery from assertion failures.
Blocking the transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 does not reduce the exercise pressor reflex in healthy rats.

Controversy exists regarding the role played by transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) in evoking the exercise pressor reflex. Here, we determine the role played by TRPV1 in evoking this ...
How Should a Physician Respond to a Patient’s Pain When New Opioid Prescribing Laws Limit Shared Decision Making?

This commentary responds to a case and examines pragmatic concerns about operating a busy outpatient practice in compliance with new laws that regulate opioid prescribing. Specifically
URMILA: Dynamically trading-off fog and edge resources for performance and mobility-aware IoT services

Abstract The fog/edge computing paradigm is increasingly being adopted to support a range of latency-sensitive IoT services due to its ability to assure the latency requirements of these services while supporting the elastic properties of cloud computing. IoT services that cater to user mobility, however, face a number of challenges in this context. First, since user mobility can incur wireless connectivity issues, executing these services entirely on edge resources, such as smartphones, will result in a rapid drain in the battery charge. In contrast, executing these services entirely on fog resources, such as cloudlets or micro data centers, will incur higher communication costs and increased latencies in the face of fluctuating wireless connectivity and signal strength. Second, a high degree of multi-tenancy on fog resources involving different IoT services can lead to performance interference issues due to resource contention. In order to address these challenges, this paper describes URMILA, which makes dynamic resource management decisions to achieve effective trade-offs between using the fog and edge resources yet ensuring that the latency requirements of the IoT services are met. We evaluate URMILA’s capabilities in the context of a real-world use case on an emulated but realistic IoT testbed.
Oxidation of an indole substrate by porphyrin iron(III) superoxide: relevance to indoleamine and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenases

Reaction of FeIII(O2˙-)(TPP) with 2,3-dimethylindole at -40 °C gives the ring-opened, dioxygenated N-(2-acetyl-phenyl)-acetamide product. The reaction was monitored in situ by low-temperature UV-vis and 1H NMR spectroscopies. This work demonstrates that a discrete iron(iii)(superoxo) porphyrin is competent to carry out indole oxidation, as proposed for the tryptophan and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenases.
The most efficient metazoan swimmer creates a ‘virtual wall’ to enhance performance

Abstract It has been well documented that animals (and machines) swimming or flying near a solid boundary get a boost in performance1-6. This ground effect is often modeled as an interaction between a mirrored pair of vortices represented by a true vortex and an opposite sign ‘virtual vortex’ on the other side of the wall7. However, most animals do not swim near solid surfaces and thus near body vortex-vortex interactions in open-water swimmers have been poorly investigated. In this study we examine the most energetically efficient metazoan swimmer known to date, the jellyfish Aurelia aurita, to elucidate the role that vortex interactions can play in animals that swim away from solid boundaries. We used high speed video tracking, laser-based digital particle image velocimetry (dPIV) and an algorithm for extracting pressure fields from flow velocity vectors to quantify swimming performance and the effect of near body vortex-vortex interactions. Here we show that a vortex ring (stopping vortex), created underneath the animal during the previous swim cycle, is critical for increasing propulsive performance. This well positioned stopping vortex acts in the same way as a virtual vortex during wall-effect performance enhancement, by helping converge fluid at the underside of the propulsive surface and generating significantly higher pressures which result in greater thrust. These findings advocate that jellyfish can generate a wall-effect boost in open water by creating what amounts to a ‘virtual wall’ between two real, opposite sign vortex rings. This explains the significant propulsive advantage jellyfish possess over other metazoans and represents important implications for bio-engineered propulsion systems.
Social Network Cohesion among Veterans Living in Recovery Homes

Recovery homes for individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) called Oxford House (OH) have been shown to improve the prospects of a successful recovery across different sub-populations, and these homes may be particularly beneficial for veterans in recovery. An estimated 18% of OH residents are veterans; however, not much is known about their experiences living in these homes. Participants included 85 veterans and non-veterans living in 13 OHs located in different regions of the United States. Using social network analysis and multi-level modeling, we investigated whether the social networks of veterans residing with other veterans were more cohesive compared to veterans living with only non-veterans. Results indicated that veterans residing with other veterans had stronger relationships with other OH residents compared to veterans that reside with all non-veterans. The implications for theory and practice are discussed. Further research is needed to determine if greater social network cohesion leads to better recovery outcomes for veterans.
Examining International Students' Attitudinal Learning in a Higher Education Course on Cultural and Language Learning.

This study examined students’ perceptions of attitudinal learning outcomes and instructional activities within a language and cultural exchange (LACE) course at a midwestern U.S. university and explored whether perceptions differed based on students’ prior knowledge, major, and/or demographics. We utilized a mixed-methods approach to gather quantitative data from a survey sent out in Weeks 5 and 15 to 137 international students enrolled in multiple sections of a LACE course that gathered perceptions on attitudinal learning and the most impactful aspects of the course design. Follow-up structured interviews were conducted with 37 students. Results indicated students saw growth in their attitudinal learning, with the highest perceived gains regarding cognitive and then behavioral components. Data from student interviews provided specific examples of how student attitudes were changed in each of these four areas of learning. Limitations and future research are discussed.
Properties of Quantum Hall Skyrmions from Anomalies

It is well known that the Fractional Quantum Hall Effect (FQHE) may be effectively represented by a Chern-Simons theory. In order to incorporate QH Skyrmions, we couple this theory to the topological spin current, and include the Hopf term. The cancellation of anomalies for chiral edge states, and the proviso that Skyrmions may be created and destroyed at the edge, fixes the coefficients of these new terms. Consequently, the charge and the spin of the Skyrmion are uniquely determined. For those two quantities we find the values $e\nu N_{Sky}$ and $\nu N_{Sky}/2$, respectively, where $e$ is electron charge, $\nu$ is the filling fraction and $N_{Sky}$ is the Skyrmion winding number. We also add terms to the action so that the classical spin fluctuations in the bulk satisfy the standard equations of a ferromagnet, with spin waves that propagate with the classical drift velocity of the electron.
On the Wings of the Gallic Cockerel: Ahmed Benyahia and the Provenance of an Algerian Public Sculpture

The term “statuomania” was coined to reflect the vast number of statues, war memorials, and monuments erected in the newly colonized spaces of French Algeria beginning in 1830. After Algerian independence in 1962, the postcolonial afterlives of monuments inscribe a historical, geopolitical, and affective provenance between Algeria and France. This essay follows the history of the 1972 statue to the Algerian war hero and martyr Youcef Zighoud (1921–1956). Sculpted by artist Ahmed Benyahia for Algeria’s third largest city of Constantine, the statue’s creation, emplacement, disappearance, and reappearance recount post-independent Algeria’s efforts to decolonize public space.
Neurosurgical Spine Fellowships: The Phoenix Model

Typically, a fellowship in the United States is defined as 1 to 2 years of extra training in a special interest area after a residency has been completed. The fellowship should not fulfill an area of training that was not covered in the residency. Rather, it expands upon the experience obtained in the residency and develops a specialist and/or leader in the particular area of interest. Historically, as medicine has become more complicated and sophisticated, almost by definition, it has become increasingly specialized. Therefore, the natural evolution has been toward subspecialty fellowships. With that in mind, spine fellowships in neurosurgery have been developed throughout the United States over the last several years.
Are Historic Districts A Backdoor for Segregation? Yes and No

Historic districts preserve the heritage of designated areas and tend to attract tourism income. However, these districts also come with specific restrictions and increased housing prices that could result in segregation. We study how two historic district programs impact residential segregation in Denver. We find that home buyers are more likely to be White within historic districts, but that the official designation has no effect on this probability. Similarly, when examining seller-to-buyer housing transactions, we find that most transactions flow from White sellers to White buyers, regardless of the official designation. Thus, while historic districts tend to be more segregated than their surrounding areas, the legal restrictions and housing premium that come with historic designations do not seem to amplify this existing problem.
A prospective study to compare serial changes in pain scores for patients with and without a history of frequent ED utilization.

Background In the face of the opiate addiction epidemic, there is a paucity of research that evaluates limitations for our current pain rating methodologies for patient populations at risk for drug seeking behavior. Objective We hypothesized that VAS scores would be higher and show less serial improvement for patients with a history of frequent ED use. Methods This was a prospective, observational cohort study of a convenience sample of adult ED patients with chief complaint of pain. Initial VAS scores were recorded. Pain scores were subsequently updated 30-45 min after pain medication administration. ED frequenter defined as having >4 ED visits over a 1-year time period. Categorical data analyzed by chi-square; continuous data analyzed by t-tests. A multiple linear regression performed to control for confounding. Results 125 patients were enrolled; 51% ED frequenters. ED frequenters were similar to non-ED frequenters with respect to gender, mean age, Hispanic race, educational level, chief complaint type, and initial pain medication narcotic. ED frequenters more likely to have higher initial VAS score (9.17+/-1.25 vs. 8.51+/-1.68; p = 0.01) and higher second VAS scores (7.48+/-2.56 vs. 5.00+/-3.28; p <0.001) and significantly lower mean change in first to second VAS scores (1.69+/-2.17 vs. 3.51+/-3.25; p <0.001). Within our multiple linear regression model, only ED frequenter group (p < 0.001) and private insurance status (0.04) were associated with differences in mean reduction in pain scores. Conclusion We found that ED frequenters had significantly less improvement between first and second VAS measurements.
Adopted children who kill their adoptive parents: An examination through the lens of attachment theory.

Adoptive parricide, the killing of adoptive parents by their adoptive children, is a phenomenon that garners much media attention but remains elusive in the extant literature. Previous studies on adoptive parricide have largely consisted of clinical case studies with limited theoretical explanations. The current study uses Bowlby's attachment theory as a theoretical framework to explore adoptive parricide. A content analysis was conducted of news sources to obtain data on adoptive parricide cases. Hypotheses were generated per attachment theory in the context of Heide's (2013b) parricide offender typology. Early adoptees (n = 27) were compared to late adoptees (n = 29) using Fisher's exact tests. Early adoptees were more likely to kill multiple victims, kill for selfish motives, be overindulged by adoptive parents, and not have limits set and enforced by adoptive parents. Late adoptees were more likely to report having been abused by their adoptive parents. The results were not consistent with attachment theory. Implications for the adoption process and adoptive parenting practices are presented.
Infant Mortality, State Capacity, Rents, and Civil War

This chapter shows how empirically informed covariate selection can help us choose treatments that may be more meaningful than the immediate predictors of conflict. Thus, our algorithmic approach allows interpretation and moves machine learning away from its “black-box” reputation. Further, we suggest that traditional parametric empirical techniques can be misleading and have dangerous policy implications. To be precise, we show that increased government consumption expenditures can increase conflict in some variable ranges, even if the average effect is to reduce conflict.
Basic investment theory explained

The S&P 500 Index dropped more than 40 percent between March 2000 and March 2003, and almost anyone who entrusted their retirement savings to the bull market of the late 1990s saw their portfolio shrink, often in dramatic fashion. Now that the stock market is regaining some of its lost value, should people return to their bull market strategies for double-digit annual returns on their retirement savings? In spite of the large fluctuations in the market, most investment advisors still offer the same guidance: consider both risk and return, determine one's tolerance for risk and reassess this tolerance periodically, and diversify the share of funds allocated to risky investments. These rules of thumb are effective because they are based on widely-accepted results of economic and financial theory. In fact, theory emphasizes that the typical investor should focus primarily on one decision: how much to invest in risky assets. This brief explains why.
In vivo inactivation of lysozyme by ozone.

Bronchial mucus contains large quantities of the antibacterial enzyme lysozyme. Acutely exposing mice or rabbits to ozone reduced the amount of active lysozyme obtainable by bronchopulmonary lavage. The effect was proportional to ozone concentration, as well as to duration of exposure. Enzyme activity returned to normal levels during the 12 hr following exposure. Ozone (5 μliters/liter; 5 parts per million) for 3 hr reduced lysozyme levels approximately 30%. Studies of the release of lysozyme by alveolar cells support the theory that loss of activity is due to in vivo oxidation of lysozyme.
Physical parameter analysis of an intense, compact subflare.

Results of analysis of Skylab X-ray proportional counter data (10-s averages) and X-ray telescope filtergrams for the August 9, 1973 (SN/M2) subflare from McMath 12474 (NOAA AR 185) are presented. The event flux profiles and profiles of temperature, volume emission-measure, and a quantity equivalent to thermal energy content are shown. Using the proportional counter data, a peak temperature in excess of 20,000,000 K at 1552:05 UT, a peak volume emission measure of 7 x 10 to the 48th per cu cm at 1553:25 UT, and a peak value of thermal energy content of 2 x 10 to the 16th evgs/cm to the 3/2 power at 1552:45 UT were derived. Based on the analysis of spatially-resolved X-ray images during the period near flare-peak through flare-decay, the flare is observed to be both intense and compact and to consist of at least two identifiable loops whose volumes remained essentially unchanged throughout the event.
On the Word Problem and T-Fourth-Groups

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses a word problem and T-fourth groups. The chapter also discusses one-fourth condition, triangle condition, and preliminary lemmas and presents main results. The chapter describes a theorem where K is the free product of T-fourth groups with an infinite cyclic group amalgamated. K has a solvable word problem.
Optical Transmission through Whole Blood Illuminated with Highly Collimated Light

The fundamental parameters necessary for describing the optical behavior of nonhemolyzed blood by means of diffusion equations for photons are presented. The methods and results of experimental work to determine the single-scattering parameters for dilute milk and nonhemolyzed blood are explained. The single-scattering properties of nonhemolyzed blood can significantly increase the diffculty of obtaining those optical absorption characteristics necessary for the determination of the relative O2 saturation of the hemoglobin. A diffusion theory for photons was applied to the system used to measure transmittance of dilute milk and nonhemolyzed blood samples. The agreement between the experimental and theoretical results is good, especially considering the wide range of transmittance over which the results extend. The significance of the results to problems in oximetry is stated.
Concurrent hierarchical reinforcement learning

We consider applying hierarchical reinforcement learning techniques to problems in which an agent has several effectors to control simultaneously. We argue that the kind of prior knowledge one typically has about such problems is best expressed using a multithreaded partial program, and present concurrent ALisp, a language for specifying such partial programs. We describe algorithms for learning and acting with concurrent ALisp that can be efficient even when there are exponentially many joint choices at each decision point. Finally, we show results of applying these methods to a complex computer game domain.
Sodium Benzoate, a Metabolite of Cinnamon and a Food Additive, Upregulates Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor in Astrocytes and Oligodendrocytes

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a promyelinating trophic factor that plays an important role in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, mechanisms by which CNTF expression could be increased in the brain are poorly understood. Recently we have discovered anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of sodium benzoate (NaB), a metabolite of cinnamon and a widely-used food additive. Here, we delineate that NaB is also capable of increasing the mRNA and protein expression of CNTF in primary mouse astrocytes and oligodendrocytes and primary human astrocytes. Accordingly, oral administration of NaB and cinnamon led to the upregulation of astroglial and oligodendroglial CNTF in vivo in mouse brain. Induction of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, an animal model of MS, reduced the level of CNTF in the brain, which was restored by oral administration of cinnamon. While investigating underlying mechanisms, we observed that NaB induced the activation of protein kinase A (PKA) and H-89, an inhibitor of PKA, abrogated NaB-induced expression of CNTF. The activation of cAMP response element binding (CREB) protein by NaB, the recruitment of CREB and CREB-binding protein to the CNTF promoter by NaB and the abrogation of NaB-induced expression of CNTF in astrocytes by siRNA knockdown of CREB suggest that NaB increases the expression of CNTF via the activation of CREB. These results highlight a novel myelinogenic property of NaB and cinnamon, which may be of benefit for MS and other demyelinating disorders.
NATURAL SELECTION ON A POLYMORPHIC DISEASE‐RESISTANCE LOCUS IN IPOMOEA PURPUREA

Although disease-resistance polymorphisms are common in natural plant populations, the mechanisms responsible for this variation are not well understood. Theoretical models predict that balancing selection can maintain polymorphism within a population if the fitness effects of a resistance allele vary from a net cost to a net benefit, depending upon the extent of pathogen damage. However, there have been a few attempts to determine how commonly this mechanism operates in natural plant–pathogen interactions. Ipomoea purpurea populations are often polymorphic for resistance and susceptibility alleles at a locus that influences resistance to the fungal pathogen, Coleosporium ipomoeae. We measured the fitness effects of resistance over three consecutive years at natural and manipulated levels of damage to characterize the type of selection acting on this locus. Costs of resistance varied in magnitude from undetectable to 15.5%, whereas benefits of resistance sometimes equaled, but never exceeded, these costs. In the absence of net benefits of resistance at natural or elevated levels of disease, we conclude that selection within individual populations of I. purpurea probably does not account completely for maintenance of this polymorphism. Rather, the persistence of this polymorphism is probably best explained by a combination of variable selection and meta-population processes.
Effects of choice, goal difficulty, and need achievement on performance

Investigated the parameters in which choice of goals–a component of the self-reinforcement process–is motivating. The effects of goal conditions–choice vs. experimenter imposition, level of goal difficulty, and need achievement–were assessed. College students (N = 188) performed a wheel-turning task in which easy, moderately difficult, or very difficult goals were self-selected, experimenter imposed, or not present. Choice was motivating for low need achievers, who selected a very difficult goal. However, experimenter imposition was motivating for low need achievers with easy goals. No differential effects were found for low need achievers who worked toward chosen or imposed goals of moderate difficulty. No significant effects were found for high need achievers. Presence of goals was motivating for Ss except low need achievers, who chose an easy goal. Thus, it has been demonstrated that performance varies as an interactive function of goal difficulty, need achievement, and goal conditions–choice vs. experimenter imposition.
Noninvasive identification of left main and triple vessel coronary artery disease: improved accuracy using quantitative analysis of regional myocardial stress distribution and washout of thallium-201

The capabilities of visual and quantitative analysis of stress redistribution thallium-201 scintigrams, exercise electrocardiography and exercise blood pressure response were compared for correct identification of extensive coronary disease, defined as left main or triple vessel coronary artery disease, or both (50% or more luminal diameter coronary narrowing), in 105 consecutive patients with suspected coronary artery disease. Extensive disease was present in 56 patients and the remaining 49 had either less extensive coronary artery disease (n = 34) or normal coronary arteriograms (n = 15). Although exercise blood pressure response, exercise electrocardiography and visual thallium-201 analysis were highly specific (98, 88 and 96%, respectively), they were insensitive for identification of patients with extensive disease (14, 45 and 16%, respectively). Quantitative thallium-201 analysis significantly improved the sensitivity of visual thallium-201 analysis for identification of patients with extensive disease (from 16 to 63%, p In conclusion, the quantitative analysis of myocardial thallium-201 stress distribution and washout markedly increases the suboptimal sensitivity of visual thallium201 analysis for correct identification of patients with triple vessel or left main coronary disease, or both. Such identification is enhanced by combining the results of quantitative thallium-201 analysis with those of blood pressure and electrocardiographic response to exercise.
Clear‐cell adenocarcinoma (“mesonephroma”) of the vagina. Three cases associated with maternal synthetic nonsteroid estrogen therapy

Three cases of clear-cell adenocarcinom of the vagina occurring in adolescence are reported. During embryonic development of all these patients, their mothers were treated with synthetic nonsteroid estrogen. This hormonal therapy during pregnancy should be considered potentially carcinogenic to the embryo and avoided whenever possible. Two of our 3 patients died 28 months and 13 months after primary surgical treatment and combined ionizing radiation therapy and chemotherapy, respectively. It is important to include malignancy in the differential diagnosis of vaginal bleeding in teenagers.
Novel soluble, high-affinity gastrin-releasing peptide binding proteins in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts

Abstract Swiss 3T3 cells contained substantial amounts of soluble and specific [ 125 I]GRP binders. Like the membrane-associated GRP receptor, they were of high affinity, saturable, bound to GRP(14–27) affinity gels, and exhibited specificity for GRP(14–27) binding. They differed in that acid or freezing destroyed specific binding, specific binding exhibited different time and temperature effects, no detergent was required for their solubilization, ammonium sulfate fractionation yielded different profiles, the M r s were lower, GRP(1–16) also blocked binding, and a polyclonal anti-GRP receptor antiserum did not bind on Western blots. The isolated, soluble GRP binding protein(s) rapidly degraded [ 125 I]GRP. These soluble GRP binding proteins may play a role in the regulation of the mitogenic effects of GRP on these cells.
The Frontal Systems Behavior Scale discriminates frontotemporal dementia from Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is characterized by pronounced changes in affect, self-regulation, and social conduct. These behaviors can predate significant cognitive changes and can be the most disabling aspect of FTD, yet there are few scales designed to assess such changes. The Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe) is a 46-item behavior rating scale that is intended to measure behavior associated with damage to the frontal systems of the brain, with subscales measuring Apathy, Disinhibition, and Executive Dysfunction. Thirty-four FTD patients and 34 matched patients with dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT) were compared on the FrSBe in the present study. Both groups displayed increases in apathy and dysexecutive behaviors after the onset of dementia, but the FTD group exhibited significantly greater change in disinhibition. A discriminant analysis with just two scores from the FrSBe and a memory test correctly classified 81% of the patients into diagnostic group.
Efficient and accurate crosstalk prediction via neural net-based topological decomposition of 3-D interconnect

Crosstalk-related issues have become increasingly important with deep submicron downscaling of ICs and wafer scale integration. In today's systems-on-a-chip, the delay through a wire is often greater than the delay through the gate driving it. Furthermore, because of significant parasitic effects, crosstalk between signals on wires can cause major problems. Improved management of the EMI problem is made possible via EDA tools which have the capability of accurately and efficiently modeling electromagnetic interference effects in nanoscale VLSI. However, existing tools are computationally expensive and do not have broad application. The novel methodology proposed in this paper involves topological decomposition of small portions of interconnect (referred to as wirecells) at an extreme level of detail and the creation of parameterized models of these primitive interconnect structures using modular artificial neural networks (MANNs). The technique uses a finite element method program coupled with a circuit simulator and a neural network multi-paradigm prototyping system to produce a library of standard MANN-based wirecell models. It is especially attractive because none of the existing approaches is capable of fully modeling the simultaneous effect on delay and crosstalk of several uncorrelated variables such as interconnect length, width, thickness, separation, metal and insulating medium conductivity and relative permittivity for multiple systems of conductors. The library models derived are used to predict delay noise and crosstalk resulting from interconnect structures embedded in actual analog and digital circuitry.
Drag and heat transfer relations for the planetary boundary layer

A theory is offered for the drag and heat transfer relations in the statistically steady, horizontally homogeneous, diabatic, barotropic planetary boundary layer. The boundary layer is divided into three regionsR1,R2, andR3, in which the heights are of the order of magnitude ofz0,L, andh, respectively, wherez0 is the roughness length for either momentum or temperature,L is the Obukhov length, andh is the height of the planetary boundary layer. A matching procedure is used in the overlap zones of regionsR1 andR2 and of regionsR2 andR3, assuming thatz0 ≪L ≪h. The analysis yields the three similarity functionsA(μ),B(μ), andC(μ) of the stability parameter, μ = ϰu*/fL, where ϰ is von Karman's constant,u* is the friction velocity at the ground andf is the Coriolis parameter. The results are in agreement with those previously found by Zilitinkevich (1975) for the unstable case, and differ from his results only by the addition of a universal constant for the stable case. Some recent data from atmospheric measurements lend support to the theory and permit the approximate evaluation of universal constants.
Creation and Destruction of Morphotropic Phase Boundaries through Electrical Poling: A Case Study of Lead-Free (Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3-BaTiO3 Piezoelectrics

We report the first direct evidence that the morphotropic phase boundary in ferroelectric materials, along with the associated strong piezoelectricity, can be created, destroyed, or even replaced by another morphotropic phase boundary through phase transitions during electrical poling. The real-time evolution of crystal structure and domain morphology during the poling-induced phase transitions in (Bi(1/2)Na(1/2))TiO3}BaTiO3 is observed with in situ transmission electron microscopy. These observations elucidate the microstructural origin of the macroscopic piezoelectricity's dependence on the poling field and previously unexplained strain behaviors. This study demonstrates that the ferroelectric-to-ferroelectric transitions during the poling process can completely alter the morphotropic phase boundaries and, hence, must be comprehensively investigated when interpreting the microscopic mechanism of macroscopic piezoelectric behaviors.
Evidence for an endogenous parathyroid hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase activator.

The middle medullary membrane of canine renal tissue was completely insensitive to parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulation in the absence of GTP or tissue supernatant. In contrast, removal of endogenous GTP did not eliminate the PTH stimulation of cAMP formation in the renal cortical membrane preparation (P3). Addition of boiled cortical P3 to native cortical P3 enhanced PTH stimulation in a dose-dependent manner. The boiled cortical P3 was not active in middle medullary tissue. The minimum concentration of GTP which was required to cause stimulation in both cortical and middle medullary preparations was similar. The results suggest that (1) there are two classes of PTH-sensitive adenylate cyclase; one class is GTP dependent, while the other is GTP independent. (2) A new factor, as yet unidentified, in addition to GTP, is important in the regulation of adenylate cyclase by PTH in the renal cortex.
Bureaucracy and the divisibility of local public output

The empirical results of this paper are derived from a monopoly view of local government decisionmaking in contrast to the competitive view offered by earlier researchers. That our results are similar to earlier findings lends additional support to the conclusion that local output is largely private in nature. Other than park and recreation services, there appear to be no economies in consumption for local services, nor any economies of density. Larger cities do not appear to be more efficient than smaller cities.10 Of course, this result holds only for the sample of cities used here and does not rule out scale economies for communities smaller than those in our sample (i.e., below 25,000 population). The pure public goods case is frequently cited as a justification for the provision of many services by local government, and for increasing the size and reducing the number of local jurisdictions. Therefore, it is noteworthy that empirical tests derived from models that have employed differing assumptions about the monopoly power of local government have found little evidence to support these arguments for consolidating local government.
Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies on [(CH3)nNH4–n]3[Sb2Cl9] (n=2, 3) chloroantimonates(III) in their low-temperature ferroelectric phases—structures and phase transitions

Abstract The structures of two ferroic chloroantimonates(III): [(CH3)2NH2]3[Sb2Cl9] (DMACA) and [(CH3)3NH]3[Sb2Cl9] (TMACA) were determined in their low-temperature phases. The structure of DMACA was investigated at 100 and 15 K, and TMACA at 15 K. The structures consist of two-dimensional inorganic layers and organic cations bound together by the N(C)–H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds. All of the organic cations in both compounds at all studied temperatures are ordered. There is no indication of the structural phase transition in the structure of DMACA below 242 K. The geometry and distortions of the [SbCl6]3– octahedra in both compounds is discussed. The monoclinic Pc space group was found for both compounds: DMACA a = 9.3590 ( 5 ) , b = 9.0097 ( 4 ) , c = 14.1308 ( 7 ) A , β = 95.229 ( 4 ) ° , R 1 = 0.0240 , w R 2 = 0.0491 and a = 9.3132 ( 4 ) , b = 9.0008 ( 3 ) , c = 14.1088 ( 5 ) A , β = 95.010 ( 3 ) ° , R 1 = 0.0230 , w R 2 = 0.0482 at 100 and 15 K, respectively; TMACA a = 9.8652 ( 5 ) , b = 9.1129 ( 4 ) , c = 15.0964 ( 7 ) A , β = 89.988 ( 4 ) ° , R 1 = 0.0239 , w R 2 = 0.0611 at 15 K.
Developmental Patterns of Larval Scaphognathites: An Aid to the Classification of Anomuran and Brachyuran Crustacea

ABSTRACT Analysis of 340 published descriptions of larval development in the Anomura and Brachyura reveals that the maxillary scaphognathite of the first zoeal stage can be classified into one of eight types. In addition, there are five sequences by which the diverse zoeal scaphognathites develop into the typical postlarval form. These features appear to be valuable taxonomic characters and provide relevant larval evidence concerning the lower limits of the Brachyura and affinities within the Anomura.
D-1 dopamine receptor stimulation potentiates neurophysiological effects of bromocriptine in rats with lesions of the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway.

Abstract Neurophysiological techniques were used to examine the possibility that the effects of bromocriptine, a direct acting dopamine agonist, can be potentiated by D-1 receptor stimulation in an animal model of parkinsonism. Single unit activity of substantia nigra pars reticulata neurons was recorded in rats with 6-hydroxydopamine induced lesions of the nigrostriatal pathway. The results showed that the coadministration of bromocriptine with the selective D-1 agonist SKF 38393 greatly attenuated pars reticulata neuronal activity at doses that did not produce significant effects when administered alone. Thus, processes elicited by D-1 receptor stimulation and bromocriptine exert synergistic effects in these 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned rats. This observation may be relevant to the mechanism underlying I-DOPA's ability to potentiate the therapeutic effects of bromocriptine in parkinsonian patients.
Identification and properties of an atypical catalytic subunit (p34PSK-J3/cdk4) for mammalian D type G1 cyclins

Abstract Murine D type cyclins associate with a catalytic subunit (p34 PSK-J3 ) with properties distinct from known cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks). Mouse p34 PSK-J3 shows less than 50% amino acid identity to p34 cdc2 , p33 cdk2 , and p36 cdk3 , lacks a PSTAIRE motif, and does not bind to p13 suc1 . Cyclin D1-p34 PSK-J3 complexes accumulate in macrophages during G1 and decline in S phase, whereas complexes involving cyclins D2 and D3 form in proliferating T cells. Although histone H1 kinase activity is not detected in cyclin D or PSK-J3 immunoprecipitates, cyclin D-p34 PSK-J3 complexes assembled in vitro stably bind and phosphorylate the retinoblastoma gene product (pRb) and an Rb-like protein (p 107) but do not interact with pRb mutants that are functionally inactive. Thus, p34 PSK-J3 is a cyclin D-regulated catalytic subunit that acts as an Rb (but not H1) kinase.
Temporal relationship between single unit activity in superior olivary complex and scalp-derived auditory brainstem response in guinea pig

Single unit activities in the region of the superior olivary complex were recorded from 8 guinea pigs concurrently with the recording of auditory brainstem potentials from the scalp. At any one anatomical site, be it a fiber tract (e.g. trapezoid body) or a nucleus (e.g. medial nucleus of the trapezoid body), the modal latency of the onset discharge of the units encountered corresponded in time with the latencies of several different waves (waves P2-P5) of the auditory brainstem response (ABR). Moreover, at the time of occurrence of just one of the ABR waves, single units in several diverse anatomical sites in and around the superior olive were found with modal latencies of onset discharge at that same time period. The slopes of the latency/intensity functions for both the peaks of the ABR and the modal latency of the onset discharge for most of the single units studied in the superior olive and its adjacent fiber tracts were remarkably similar. These data support the hypothesis of multiple rather than single generator site(s) for components of the ABR, at least, for waves P2-P5 in the guinea pig. These data do not distinguish whether the ABR are generated in part by travelling nerve action potentials or graded synaptic events.
Insect parasites and predators of Phyllophaga anxia (LeConte) (Col., Scarabaeidae) in Quebec, Canada

Phyllophaga anxia (LeConte), is the most common and destructive species of June beetle in the province of Quebec, Canada. In the course of a systematic 4-year survey in southern Quebec, 29 species (belonging to 13 families in 3 orders) of parasitic and predaceous insects were found associated with the pest. Tachinid flies and tiphiid wasps were the most common parasites. The roles of the parasites and predators of P. anxia are reviewed. The survey showed that these natural enemies had low impact on field populations of the June beetle. Zusammenfassung Parasitoide und rauberische Insekten als Feinde von Phyllophaga anxia (LeConte) (Col., Scarabaeidae) in Quebec, Kanada Phyllophaga anxia ist der haufigste und gefahrlichste Schadling unter den Junikafern in der kanadi-schen Provinz Quebec. Im Verlauf einer 4jahrigen Untersuchung im sudlichen Quebec wurden 29 Arten (aus 13 Familien und 3 Ordnungen) parasitoider und rauberischer Insekten gefunden, die mit dem Schadling assoziiert waren. Davon waren die Tachiniden und Tiphiiden die haufigsten Parasitoiden. Die Rolle der Parasitoiden und Pradatoren bei P. anxia wird zusammenfassend dargestellt. Die Ubersicht zeigt, das diese naturlichen Feinde bei der Regulation der Junikafer-Population nur eine geringe Rolle spielen.