cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Non-specific suppression of antigen-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis in Onchocerca volvulus infection in man

Lymphocyte blastogenic responses to O. volvulus antigen (Oncho Ag), SKSD, and the mitogen PHA were tested in three groups of persons: light to moderately infected persons (INF); previously exposed but uninfected persons (EXP) and normal controls (NC). The exposed group showed significant responsiveness to Oncho Ag (delta ct/min = 6,002 +/- 1,375), while the infected (delta ct/min = 943 +/- 418) and normal control (delta ct/min = 428 +/- 418) groups did not. The mean blastogenic response to SKSD were EXP, 8,644 +/- 5,249; NC 6,039 +/- 2,880; INF, 2,619 +/- 1,012. The reduced reactivity in the INF group to Oncho Ag showed a significant correlation with reactivity to SKSD (P less than 0.05). To elucidate the mechanism of hyporesponsiveness in the infected group rigorous adherent cell depletion, by adherence to plastic followed by a nylon wool column, was utilized. When 20% plastic adherent cells were added back to the T cells prepared in this fashion, the mean blastogenic response to SKSD was significantly augmented (P less than 0.01). In contrast, the responsiveness to Oncho Ag was not significantly altered. The addition of indomethacin (1 microgram/ml) or autologous plasma had no significant effect on reactivity to either SKSD or Oncho Ag. There were no significant differences in the mean reactivity of the three groups to PHA-M (delta ct/min EXP 78,514 +/- 12,564; INF 62,393 +/- 14,447; NC 61,423 +/- 4,465). These results suggest that O. volvulus infection is associated with decreased lymphocyte reactivity to both parasite related and unrelated antigens, and imply that the mechanism for the two types of hyporesponsiveness may be distinct. While a weakly adherent suppressor cell may account for non-specific hyporesponsiveness, the mechanism of parasite specific decreased reactivity remains unknown.
The Design of Empirical Studies

Simple extensions of the results of the preceding chapters are relevant to the design of empirical studies. In this chapter we consider only a few fundamental issues. They include a comparison of the powers of observational and experimental designs, some implications for sampling and variable selection, and some considerations regarding ethical experimental design. We conclude with a reconsideration from the present perspective of the famous dispute over the causal conclusions that could legitimately be drawn from epidemiological studies of smoking and health.
Interdisciplinarity in Data Science Pedagogy: A Foundational Design

Data science is an interdisciplinary field that generates insights in data to aid decision-making. Recognizing that data scientists must be interdisciplinary, agile, and able to adapt to data analy...
Lung epithelial specific heme oxygenase-1 deletion does not worsen hyperoxic lung injury in adult mice

Thioredoxin reductase-1 (TXNRD1) inhibition activates nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2(Nrf2) responses and prevents acute lung injury (ALI). Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction following TXNRD1 inhibition is Nrf2-dependent in airway epithelial (club) cells in vitro. To evaluate the contribution of HO-1 toward the protective effects of TXNRD1 inhibitors in vivo, a club cell specific HO-1 knockout (KO) mouse is needed. The present studies characterized the effects of hyperoxia on club cell specific HO-1 KO mice that were generated by crossing HO-1 floxed mice with transgenic mice expressing cre recombinase under control of a club cell specific promoter. Twelve-week old wildtype (WT) and KO mice were continuously exposed to >95% hyperoxia (HYP) or room air (RA) for 72h. Following exposure, mice were sacrificed and weighed. The left lung was inflation fixed and the right lung was collected and weighed. Injury was quantitatively assessed by calculating right lung/body weight ratios (g/kg) and qualitatively assessed in HE features that appeared to be more prominent in KO/HYP mice. In conclusion, lung epithelial cell HO-1 deletion does not alter hyperoxic lung injury in adult mice. Future studies will utilize this unique transgenic model to evaluate the contribution HO-1 toward the protective effects of TXNRD1 inhibitors in vivo.
Future evolution: Multiscale modeling framework to develop a physically based nonlocal plasticity model for crystalline materials

Abstract In the previous chapters, the study of size effects have been elaborated at different length scales from the nonlocal continuum models to the atomistic simulation. Each of these methods can handle certain ranges of time scale and length scale. Accordingly, each method can capture specific characteristics of the problem. The idea of multiscale modeling is to bridge the gap between different length scales to benefit the advantages of various length scales without paying the price of substantial simulations. In this chapter, a novel idea of multiscale framework is presented to develop a physically based nonlocal plasticity model to capture size and rate effects in micron-sized crystalline samples assisted by experiments and atomistic simulation. The results of the current framework can shed light on the role of dislocations at the smaller length scales for crystalline metals. This chapter presents a new framework to develop a new physically based nonlocal continuum plasticity model for crystalline metals, which is able to capture different mechanisms of strain rate and size effects using both experiments and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The model incorporates various features of length scale, strain rate, grain size, and dislocation density. The results obtained from the conducted indentation and microbending tests and large scale MD simulations of nanoindentation and micropillar compression tests can be incorporated to develop the model. Furthermore, the presented framework can stretch the current experimental knowledge of plasticity in metallic samples of confined volumes by conducting indentation and microbending tests and monitoring the evolution of dislocations. Finally, valuable information on the strain rate and size effects can be provided from a systematic parametric study using large scale MD for samples with various sizes, materials, grain sizes, crystal structures, and crystallographic orientations subjected to different strain rates.
Parental active tracking measures and health behaviors during high school and college

Objective: This study developed and tested new measures of youth perceptions of parental active efforts to track their activities during adolescence and college. Participants and Methods: Between March and October 2016, a sample of 314 college students aged 18-25 completed a survey including their perceptions of their parent's active tracking efforts during high school and college. Items were then analyzed, and internally consistent measures were derived. Results: The new measures demonstrated significant convergent validity with the three sources of parental knowledge constructs (parental solicitation, parental control, and youth disclosure). Greater perceived parental active tracking efforts during adolescence and in college were associated with better health behaviors in both time periods. Conclusions: The newly derived measures represent appropriate and predictive indices of parental tracking behaviors during adolescence and college, designed specifically with these populations in mind, to be used in pre-intervention and intervention work with parents.
Factors Influencing Family Burden in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Encounters.

Purpose Caring for a child with cancer or hematologic disease places unique stress on a family unit. Families' subjective experience of this care-related burden mediates the relationship between cost and health-related outcomes. While financial costs are well described for families of pediatric hematology/oncology patients, it is unclear how cost and other factors each contribute to families' overall experience of care-related burden. This study identifies and groups the challenges that families report and describes their association with overall reported burden. Methods This mixed-methods analysis of a cross-sectional single-center study was conducted via structured, self-administered questionnaire provided to inpatient and outpatient caregivers of pediatric hematology/oncology patients. Respondents rated their perception of burden associated with that day's medical encounter on a 5-point Likert scale. The questionnaire included an open-ended prompt for caregivers about areas they deemed most burdensome. Primary themes were extracted and categorized. Results A total of 278 outpatient and 42 inpatient caregivers participated. Six thematic categories emerged: logistics, life disruption, care delivery system, parking, financial burden, and emotional burden. Outpatient caregivers reported more burden than inpatient caregivers for the first three categories, while inpatient caregivers reported more burden for the last three. Salient subthemes associated with higher and lower overall burden were identified in each theme category. Conclusions These data establish theme categories for future study of caregiver-perceived burden in pediatric hematologic/oncologic encounters, demonstrate that certain components of cost contribute disproportionately to caregivers' overall sense of care-related burden, and identify areas within each of the 6 burden categories that can be best targeted to alleviate caregiver burden.
Abstract 35: Estimated Impact of Achieving Optimal Cardiovascular Health in the US Adult Population on Cardiovascular Disease Events

Introduction: Quantifying the potential impact of achieving optimal cardiovascular health (CVH) in US adults could aid researchers, clinicians, and policymakers in developing and implementing strat...
WavBox 4: A Software Toolbox for Wavelet Transforms and Adaptive Wavelet Packet Decompositions

WavBox provides both a function library and a computing environment for wavelet transforms and adaptive wavelet packet decompositions. WavBox contains a collection of these transforms, decompositions, and related functions that perform multiresolution analyses of 1-D multichannel signals and 2-D images. The current version 4.1c includes overscaled pyramid transforms, discrete wavelet transforms, and adaptive wavelet and cosine packet decompositions by best level, best basis, and matching pursuit as described by Mallat, Coifman, Wickerhauser, and other authors. WavBox also implements Taswell’s new search algorithms with decision criteria, called near-best basis and non-additive information costs respectively, for selecting bases in wavelet packet transforms, as well as Donoho and Johnstone’s wavelet shrinkage denoising methods. Various choices of filter classes (orthogonal, biorthogonal, etc), filter families (Daubechies, Vetterli, etc), and convolution versions (interval, circular, extended, etc) exist for each transform and decomposition. The software has been designed for efficient automated computation, interactive exploratory data analysis, and pedagogy. Essential features of the design include: perfect reconstruction for multiresolution decomposition of data of arbitrary size not restricted to powers of 2; both command line and graphical user interfaces with a comprehensive set of plots and visual displays; an object property expert system with artificial intelligence for configuring valid property combinations; heirarchical modules and switch-driven function suites; vector-filter and matrix-operator implementations of convolutions; extensibility for the inclusion of other wavelet filters, convolution versions, and transforms; optional arguments with built-in defaults for most m-files; and extensive on-line help and self-running tutorial demos.
Web Interactive Animation and Information for Electrodialysis to Desalinate Water

Access to safe drinking water has progressively declined. Methods of purifying saltwater include reverse osmosis and distillation, but require cost and energy that may not be accessible to many. Another method for desalination is electrodialysis that imposes a voltage field to induce net movement of chlorine and sodium ions through two semipermeable membranes, resulting in water having a lower salt concentration. Electrodialysis has lower financial cost and energy requirements, showing promise as a potential method that may be more accessible in developing regions. To encourage education and exploration of this method for desalination, this project is developing an educational web-based informational site and interactive graphical program. Users can interact and visualize net movement of charged ions within voltage fields, and in the presence of semipermeable membranes. As these educational webbased tools would be available globally to anyone with a web assessible device, many people may be able to access and become knowledgeable about and interested in the potential of electrodialysis.
Collection to Creation: Playfully Interpreting the Classics with Contemporary Tools

This paper details an experimental project developed in an academic and pedagogical environment, aiming to bring together visual arts and computer science coursework in the creation of an interactive installation for a live event at The J. Paul Getty Museum. The result incorporates interactive visuals based on the user’s movements and facial expressions, accompanied by synthetic texts generated using machine learning algorithms trained on the museum’s art collection. Special focus is paid to how advances in computing such as Deep Learning and Natural Language Processing can contribute to deeper engagement with users and add new layers of interactivity.
Improving Governance in Developing Countries, Especially in Fragile States

The world is increasingly aware that climate change could eventually destroy the earth as we know it – but over decades if not centuries. Fragile states – the poorest and weakest developing countries – should be of the same order of concern to the international community as global warming, and their downside is likely to be much more immediate. Fragility cost the world more than USD 13 trillion in 2015 [1], and research suggests that fragility is predicted to get worse in the coming decade (op. cit.), underscoring that the international development community needs to rethink the way it works in fragile states. This paper contributes to this rethinking by analyzing why the international community performs badly in fragile states and showing how it could do better through two case studies. The paper is in two parts. It begins with an overview of fragility, its causes and consequences, and why the international community has a poor track record in reducing fragility. In the second part, the paper turns to two case studies, of East Timor and of Afghanistan, to show how the principles set out in the first section can be applied on the ground and in detail.
Use of percutaneous microwave ablation in the treatment of retroperitoneal neoplasia in three dogs.

CASE DESCRIPTION 3 dogs with retroperitoneal masses (2 renal and 1 located near the diaphragm) were treated by percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA). CLINICAL FINDINGS Dogs between 11 and 13 years of age weighing between 13.7 and 43.8 kg had either a renal mass (n = 2) or a mass located in the caudodorsal aspect of the retroperitoneal space near the right side of the diaphragm (1). Cytology revealed that one of the renal masses and the mass located near the diaphragm were malignant neoplasias. Findings on cytologic evaluation of a sample of the other renal mass was nondiagnostic. Maximum mass diameters ranged between 1.4 and 2.5 cm. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME All dogs were treated by percutaneous MWA. Probes were directed into tumors by use of ultrasound and CT guidance, and microwave energy was applied to each mass. Findings on imaging of each mass following MWA was consistent with successful treatment. No intraprocedural or major postprocedural complications occurred, and all dogs were discharged from the hospital within 3 days of treatment. Two dogs died at 3 and 21 months after MWA with no known local recurrence; 1 dog was still alive 64 months after treatment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Although the indications for MWA in the treatment of neoplasia in companion animals are limited, the outcomes of dogs in the present report provided preliminary evidence that percutaneous MWA can be safely used to effectively treat retroperitoneal neoplasia. This procedure was successfully performed with image guidance in all 3 dogs.
Alexander the Great: The Story of an Ancient Life

Everything we know about Alexander comes from ancient sources, which agree unanimously that he was extraordinary and greater than everyday mortals. From his birth into a hypercompetitive world of royal women through his training under the eyes and fists of stern soldiers and the piercing intellect of Aristotle; through friendships, rivalries, conquests and negotiations; through acts of generosity and acts of murder, this book explains who Alexander was, what motivated him, where he succeeded (in his own eyes) and where he failed, and how he believed that he earned a new 'mixed' nature combining the human and the divine. This book explains what made Alexander 'Great' according to the people and expectations of his time and place and rejects modern judgments asserted on the basis of an implicit moral superiority to antiquity.
Safety Assessment of the ARIES Compact Stellarator Design

ARIES-CS is a 1000 MW(electric) compact stellarator conceptual fusion power plant design. This power plant design contains many innovative features to improve the physics, engineering, and safety performance of the stellarator concept. ARIES-CS utilizes a dualcooled lead lithium blanket that employs low-activation ferritic steel as a structural material, with the first wall cooled by helium and the breeding zone self-cooled by flowing lead lithium. In this paper we examine the safety and environmental performance of ARIES-CS by reporting radiological inventories, decay heat, and radioactive waste management options and by examining the response of ARIES-CS to accident conditions. These accidents include conventional loss of coolant and loss of flow events, an ex-vessel loss of coolant event, and an in-vessel loss of coolant with bypass event that mobilizes in-vessel radioactive inventories (e.g., tritium and erosion dust from plasma-facing components). Our analyses demonstrate that the decay heat can be safely removed fromARIES-CSandthefacilitycanmeettheno-evacuation requirement.
Fabrication and characterization of large-area 3D photonic crystals

Full bandgap (3D) photonic crystal materials offer a means to precisely engineer the electromagnetic reflection, transmission, and emission properties of surfaces over wide angular and spectral ranges. However, very few 3D photonic crystals have been successfully demonstrated with areas larger than 1 cm/sup 2/. Large sheets of photonic bandgap (PBG) structures would be useful, for example, as hot or cold mirrors for passively controlling the temperature of satellites. For example, an omni-directional 3D PBG structure emitting only at wavelengths shorter than 8 microns radiates only 7% of what a black body would at 200/spl deg/K while radiating more than 40% at 400/spl deg/K. 3D PBG materials may also find application in thermophotovoltaic energy generation and scavenging, as well as in wide field of view spectral filtering. Sandia National Laboratory is investigating a variety of methods for the design, fabrication, and characterization of PBG materials, and three methods are being pursued to fabricate large areas of PBG material. These methods typically fabricate a mold and then fill it with metal to provide a high refractive index contrast, enabling a full 3D bandgap to be formed. The most mature scheme uses silicon MEMS lithographic fabrication means to create a mold which if filled by a novel tungsten deposition method. A second method uses LIGA to create a mold in PMMA, which is filled by electro-deposition of gold, copper, or other materials. A third approach uses nano-imprinting to define the mold, which is filled using evaporative deposition or atomic layer deposition of metals or other materials. Details of the design and fabrication processes and experimental measurements of the structures are presented at the conference.
Premature death with bladder outlet obstruction and hyperprolactinemia in new zealand black × new zealand white mice treated with ethinyl estradiol and 17 beta—estradiol

Objective. To determine causes of death, estrogen toxicity, and hyperprolactinemia in a murine model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods. Female New Zealand Black × New Zealand White (NZB × NZW) mice were implanted with ethinyl estradiol, 17 beta—estradiol, or empty capsules (controls). Results. Estrogen-treated mice developed striking hyperprolactinemia and died prematurely with genitourinary complications. Conclusion. Implanted estrogens, including 17 beta—estradiol in a dose reported previously to stimulate SLE, contribute to premature death in NZB × NZW mice, through toxic effects. Estrogen therapy increases the level of prolactin, an immunostimulatory hormone.
Thermal Factors in Respiratory Mechanics

The sections in this article are: 1 Direct Thermal Effects on Smooth Muscle in Vitro 1.1 Airway Smooth Muscle 1.2 Vascular Smooth Muscle 2 Indirect Thermal Effects on Smooth Muscle in Vitro 2.1 Temperature-Dependent Alterations in Adrenergic Receptor Function 3 Thermal Effects on Respiratory Mechanics in Vivo 3.1 Alterations in Airway Function via Temperature-Sensitive Neural Receptors 3.2 Temperature-Dependent Alterations in Airway Function 3.3 Airway-Cooling Mechanisms That Produce Bronchoconstriction 4 Summary
Functional Changes in the Regulatory Subunit of the Type II Cyclic Adenosine 3′:5′-Monophosphate-dependent Protein Kinase Isozyme during Normal and Neoplastic Lung Development

The abilities of cyclic adenosine 3′:5′-monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic 8-azidoadenosine 3′:5′-[32P]monophosphate (8-N3-[32P]cAMP) to bind to the regulatory subunit (RII) of the type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase isozyme and to cause subsequent dissociation of the holoenzyme were compared in extracts from adult and neonatal mouse lung and lung adenoma. RII in extracts from adult lung exhibits equal numbers of high- (K d 15 nm) and low- (K d 230 nm) affinity 8-N3-[32P]cAMP binding sites. In the neonate, the proportion of high-affinity sites is reduced to 20% while, in lung adenoma, only low-affinity RII binding is observed. Low-affinity RII binding is correlated with an inability of cAMP to dissociate the type II holoenzyme completely. Sucrose gradient sedimentation of adult lung cytosol in the presence of cAMP shows complete dissociation of the type I isozyme, while only some of the type II holoenzyme is dissociated. This is in contrast to the case with lung tumor cytosol, in which only low-affinity binding is observed and no apparent dissociation of the type II isozyme occurs. cAMP does promote RII dephosphorylation within the holoenzyme, however, suggesting that cAMP can bind to RII without dissociating the tetramer. Consistent with this interpretation, photoincorporation of 8-N3-[32P]-cAMP prior to sucrose gradient sedimentation results in the formation of a photolabeled RII complex which sediments at the same rate as does the holoenzyme. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of RII photolabeled at low and high concentrations of 8-N3-[32P]cAMP suggests that these altered binding and dissociation characteristics of the type II isozyme are not due to the presence of a structurally altered RII molecule. After DEAE-cellulose chromatography of lung cytosol, only high-affinity RII binding is observed, and all of the RII can now be dissociated with cAMP. Low-affinity binding may thus reflect either an altered conformational state of RII or the interaction of the type II kinase with other cytosolic molecules which can affect RII binding and dissociation without altering the functional properties of the type I isozyme.
Transparent and flexible performance monitoring using amplitude histogram method

The optical performance monitoring method using asynchronous amplitude histograms was introduced. Its capability to monitor both SNR and waveform distortion due to chromatic dispersion was experimentally confirmed using a 10 Gbit/s optical NRZ signal, and bit-rate flexibility from 10 to 160 Gbit/s optical RZ signal was also discussed. This method is intrinsically flexible with respect to the signal format and modulation format, and is a useful candidate for optical signal quality monitoring in optical networks in the future.
Has support for Social Security declined? Attitudes toward the public pension scheme in the USA, 2000 and 2010

Quadagno J, Pederson J. Has support for Social Security declined? Attitudes toward the public pension scheme in the USA, 2000 and 2010 Given rising public budgets and population aging, many nations have made significant changes to their public pensions. Between 2000 and 2010, the USA experienced an economic crisis as deep as the Great Depression of the 1930s. Yet despite charges that Social Security, the public pension benefit, was responsible for the federal deficit, no reforms were enacted during this period. This study used the General Social Survey for 2000 and 2010 to determine whether public support for Social Security has declined and whether attitudes have changed among some groups more than others. Between 2000 and 2010, attitudes have shifted somewhat toward the view that too much is being spent on Social Security. The shift is greatest among the young and those who believe in less government. Despite this shift, the vast majority of citizens still believe that the government is spending too little or just the right amount.
High-frequency sensorineural hearing loss in children

Objectives/Hypothesis Determine the prevalence of high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss (HFSNHL) in our hearing loss population and a diagnostic algorithm for these patients. Study Design Retrospective case series. Methods We identified patients diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) at our pediatric tertiary care institution from 1981 to 2010. Based on audiometric profiles, these patients were subdivided into those with a flat SNHL configuration and those with HFSNHL. Imaging and genetic testing data and data regarding age at diagnosis, laterality, and risk factors were obtained for both groups. Comparisons were then made between the two groups. Results Of 2,867 patients included in the study, 7.6% had HFSNHL. Age at diagnosis was significantly higher in HFSNHL patients (8.3 years vs. 6.1 years; P < .0001). These patients also had a significantly higher proportion of unilateral versus bilateral loss (49.1% vs. 26.1%; P < .0001); unilateral losses were also less severe. Genetic testing showed no significant difference between groups in the proportion of patients tested or in those who tested positive. Similarly, imaging data revealed no difference in the proportion of patients tested in the two groups; however, overall diagnostic yield was significantly higher in flat SNHL patients (29.5% vs.17.3; P = .02). Conclusions The positive predictive value of simple genetic testing is similar to that of imaging studies. However, given cost differences between genetic testing and imaging, it is prudent to perform genetic testing as the initial diagnostic test. Determination of whether high-throughput, multigene diagnostic platforms offer an added benefit in the evaluation of children requires further study. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 126:1236–1240, 2016
Remote Sensing Proxies for Deforestation and Soil Degradation in Landslide Mapping: A Review

Landslide studies are now heavily reliant upon geotechnical tools to detect and map, develop hazard zonation, monitor, and predict landslides. The use of remote sensing tools makes up a considerable portion of the inputs of these studies and often requires the selection of proper proxies to represent static variables in landslide dynamics. This article surveys a sampling of landslide studies to determine common practices in representing and measuring two static variables — soil properties and vegetative cover — in determining slope stability. It was determined that there exists a lack of remotely sensed datasets used to measure various soil properties in landslide studies. Findings also indicate that remotely sensed inputs measuring vegetative cover, which contributes to slope stability, are focused on the normalized difference vegetation index and/or land-use/land-cover classifications. Other, perhaps better-suited, options do exist to apply remote sensing techniques to represent and measure the influence of soil properties and vegetative cover upon slope stability. New tools are needed in applying remote sensing techniques for the measurement of soil degradation in landslide-prone areas, and modifications to existing vegetation-mapping methods must be made to improve the quality of landslide studies going forward.
Mortality differentials within large American cities in 1890.

This article presents a multiple regression analysis of demographic and social data for 335 wards in 17 American cities in 1890. The most important findings are: (1) Density effects on mortality were uniformly positive and statistically significant; the magnitude of these effects was much greater for child mortality than for adult mortality; and child mortality was more sensitive to persons per dwelling than to persons per acre. (2) Unsanitary conditions, as measured by the city-specific typhoid fever death rate, significantly increased mortality and child mortality was much more sensitive in this respect than adult mortality. (3) Given the same age composition and population density, foreign-born whites, native-born whites, and the colored population had about the same adult death rate.
Interactive effects of light and temperature on sporophyte production in the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera

Laboratory experiments were conducted in 1984 to test for an interaction between irradiance and temperature in controlling sporophyte production in the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera. Gametophytes from plants in the San Onofre kelp forest were cultured under a combination of seven irradiance (2.9 to 30 μE m-2 s-1) and ten temperature (11° to 20°C) levels. The minimum daily quantum dose for fertility of female gametophytes during the 42 d culture-period was 0.25 E m-2 d-1. The saturation quantum dose was approximately 0.60 E m-2 d-1. Temperatures between 11° and 20°C had little effect on the fertilityirradiance relationship, except at irradiations near the threshold and saturation levels. Cultures at 0.60 E m-2 d-1 had significantly lower fertility after 6 wk at 20°C than at the lower temperatures and there was a trend toward lower fertility at temperatures greater than 15°C in cultures at 0.25 E m-2 d-1. These differences were also reflected in the development time for female gametophytes. The 11°C cultures reached 50% fertility slightly faster and the 20°C cultures slower than cultures at intermediate temperatures.
Natural Toxins as Tools in Neurophysiology

Snake venoms (bungarotoxin, cobratoxin), frog poisons (histrionicotoxin, batrachotoxin and atelopidtoxin), and fish toxins (tetrodotoxin, saxitoxin) permit selective inhibition of receptors and ion transport mechanisms in electrogenic membranes. Selective ion binding mechanisms are exemplified by the sodium and lithium complexes of antamanide, the naturally occurring cyclic decapeptide from the mushroom Amanita phalloides.
Layer-by-layer nanoencapsulation of camptothecin with improved activity.

Abstract 160 nm nanocapsules containing up to 60% of camptothecin in the core and 7–8 polyelectrolyte bilayers in the shell were produced by washless layer-by-layer assembly of heparin and block-copolymer of poly- l -lysine and polyethylene glycol. The outer surface of the nanocapsules was additionally modified with polyethylene glycol of 5 kDa or 20 kDa molecular weight to attain protein resistant properties, colloidal stability in serum and prolonged release of the drug from the capsules. An advantage of the LbL coated capsules is the preservation of camptothecin lactone form with the shell assembly starting at acidic pH and improved chemical stability of encapsulated drug at neutral and basic pH, especially in the presence of albumin that makes such formulation more active than free camptothecin. LbL nanocapsules preserve the camptothecin lactone form at pH 7.4 resulting in triple activity of the drug toward CRL2303 glioblastoma cell.
Mammalian epidermal growth factor promotes plant growth

Abstract Application of mouse submaxillary gland epidermal growth factor to young sorghum seedlings at low concentrations (≈0.4-4 μM) increased shoot growth significantly over 3- and 6-day periods. The effects were dose dependent.
Beneficial effects of propranolol and digitalis on contraction and S-T segment elevation after acute coronary occlusion

Propranolol and digitalis each have limltations in acute myocardial infarction, the former because of negative inotropic effects and the latter because of increased ischemia. To evaluate their combined effects, ouabain (in a priming dose of 7.5 μg/kg body weight followed by 2 to 3 μg/kg per min intravenous infusion) and propranolol (1 mg/kg intravenously) were administered randomly in 22 open chest dogs after acute coronary occlusion, and changes were observed in epicardial S-T segment (10 to 14 sites) and local tension (strain gauge measurements). Heart rate was controlled by atrial pacing. After acute coronary occlusion, tension in the nonischemic zone decreased to 92.8 ± 3.4 percent of control level. Propranolol reduced It further to 67.3 ± 4.9 percent (P < 0.005), but ouabain increased it to 92.9 ± 4.9 percent (P < 0.005). Tension in the border zone decreased to 84.9 ± 4.11 percent (P < 0.005) after acute occlusion and to 54.5 ± 5.5 percent (P < 0.001) with propranolol but increased to 73.6 ± 5.1 percent (P < 0.005) with ouabain. Tension in the ischemic zone decreased from 59.3 ± 5.5 percent to 45.8 ± 5.0 percent (P < 0.001) with propranolol but was unaffected by ouabain. The sum of S-T elevation, which increased from 27.8 ± 5.3 to 72.1 ± 10.8 mv after occlusion, decreased to 62.8 ± 11.8 mv (P < 0.05) with propranolol and further to 53.0 ± 10.4 mv (P < 0.005) with ouabain. The pattern of changes in average S-T elevation was similar. When propranolol administration followed ouabain infusion, essentially similar effects on tension and the sum of S-T and average S-T elevation were observed. In summary, the combination of propranolol and digitalls favorably affects both tension and S-T segment abnormalities after acute coronary occlusion.
The role of estrogens in seizures and epilepsy: the bad guys or the good guys?

Abstract Estrogens influence neuronal activity and are important for normal brain functions. Effects of estrogens on seizures are contradictory. It is commonly accepted that estrogens may increase neuronal excitability and thus mediate proconvulsant effects. However, clinical and animal data show that estrogen may also have no effect or anticonvulsant effects. The action of estrogens on seizures depends on various factors, such as treatment duration and latency prior to the seizure testing, estrogen dose, hormonal status (naive vs gonadectomized animals), estrogenic substance, the region/neurotransmitter system involved, the seizure type/model used, and sex. Besides the effects on seizure susceptibility, estrogens may also play an important role in seizure-induced damage. Pretreatment with β-estradiol in ovariectomized female rats has neuroprotective effects on status epilepticus-induced hippocampal damage and prevents the loss of inhibition in the dentate gyrus during the early post-status epilepticus period determined by the in vitro paired pulse paradigm. Several signaling pathways may be involved in the neuroprotective effects of β-estradiol on status epilepticus-induced hippocampal damage but at least one of these pathways involves interactions with neuropeptide Y.
Use of fascia lata in revision of filtration surgery.

PURPOSE To report on a successful use of fascia lata patch graft in revision of trabeculectomy for management of severe chronic discomfort associated with an exuberant conjunctival filtering bleb over a very nasal filtering site. METHODS After dissecting a conjunctival flap over the area of the trabeculectomy at the nasal quadrant, fascia lata patch graft was sutured in place over the filtering site when primary suture closure was found ineffective. A new trabeculectomy was performed temporal and superior to the old site, and the conjunctival wound closed watertight. RESULTS The fascia lata patch graft was effective in closing the filtration over the old trabeculectomy site at the nasal quadrant, and a new filtering bleb developed superiorly over the new trabeculectomy site, resulting in sustained IOP control. CONCLUSION Fascia lata patch graft was effective in revision of trabeculectomy.
Two-craft tether formation relative equilibria about circular orbits and libration points

Abstract The relative equilibria of a two spacecraft tether formation connected by line-of-sight elastic forces moving in the context of a restricted two-body system and a circularly restricted three-body system are investigated. For a two spacecraft formation moving in a central gravitational field, a common assumption is that the center of the circular orbit is located at the primary mass and the center of mass of the formation orbits around the primary in a great-circle orbit. The relative equilibrium is called great-circle if the center of mass of the formation moves on the plane with the center of the gravitational field residing on it; otherwise, it is called a nongreat-circle orbit. Previous research shows that nongreat-circle equilibria in low Earth orbits exhibit a deflection of about a degree from the great-circle equilibria when spacecraft with unequal masses are separated by 350 km. This paper studies these equilibria (radial, along-track and orbit-normal in circular Earth orbit and Earth–Moon Libration points) for a range of inter-craft distances and semi-major axes of the formation center of mass. In the context of a two-spacecraft Coulomb formation with separation distances on the order of dozens of meters, this paper shows that the equilibria deflections are negligible (less than 10−6°) even for very heterogeneous mass distributions. Furthermore, the nongreat-circle equilibria conditions for a two spacecraft tether structure at the Lagrangian libration points are developed.
Why Does Everyone Use the .05 Significance Level

Abstract Responses invited. While the issues raised in the following paper by Franks and Huck are not new ones, reminding readers to consider these points is important. Exactly how a scholar handles these issues depends on the questions asked, the resources available, as well as other considerations. I invite reaction to this paper. If some are received, I will offer Franks and Huck the opportunity to respond and publish the set together in a subsequent issue under “Dialogue.”
Scalp cyst with heterotopic brain tissue

A multilocular scalp lesion was noticed at birth in a female infant. There was no underlying skull defect. Histological examination revealed neural tissue staining with S-100 and GFAP, but not with a neurofilament stain, which is in keeping with a glial cell origin. Heterotopic brain tissue is a rare developmental abnormality, which usually has no effect on neurological development. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of scalp lesions in neonates
THE STABILITY OF LOW INDEX METAL SURFACES TO TOPOLOGICAL DEFECTS

The study of defect formation at metal surfaces is a fundamental problem in surface physics. An understanding of defect formation is pertinent to growth and diffusion mechanisms. In addition, surface roughening, faceting, and surface melting are all defect mediated phase transitions involving the formation of different topological defects. While the importance of defects at surfaces is well recognized, the study of surface defects has been hampered by the lack of sufficiently accurate experimental techniques. In fact, it is only in the past 6 years that experiments on the thermal generation of defects on metal surfaces have been performed. This review attempts to outline both the theoretical and experimental work on surface defect formation on metal systems.
Cholesterol and serotonin: Seeking a possible link between blood cholesterol and CSF 5-HIAA

The parallel findings relating impulsive/violent behavior to decreases in plasma cholesterol and CNS serotonin led us to perform two retrospective analyses of a possible 5-HIAA-cholesterol relationship in partially overlapping samples of men who were psychiatric inpatients and community volunteers
Renovascular hypertension: surgical treatment.

Renovascular occlusive disease is a common form of surgically remediable secondary hypertension. Operative options include: Bypass grafts, ex vivo reconstructions, endarterectomy, and transluminal dilation. Primary nephrectomy is undertaken only for irreparably diseased ischemic kidneys. Excellent results of surgical treatment reflect accurate identification of operative candidates and performance of appropriate operative procedures. Surgical benefits are more likely in pediatric patients and adults with fibrodysplastic or focal arteriosclerotic renovascular disease than in patients with clinically overt generalized arteriosclerosis. A review of 1631 renovascular hypertensive patients treated operatively documented a salutary outcome in 85–90% of patients.
A simple algorithm for predominantly plastic flows with free surfaces

Abstract The upper bound method provides a convenient tool for evaluating the rates of work and sometimes the global forces in plastic deformation processes. Its application is restricted, however, in that plastic flows in domains with free surfaces, and also local stresses cannot be determined. We suggest a procedure which is free of these constraints. It is demonstrated on the example of a rigid tool penetrating a perfectly plastic body, including experimental comparisons.
Purification of P-TEFb, a Transcription Factor Required for the Transition into Productive Elongation

Production of full-length runoff transcripts in vitro and functional mRNA in vivo is sensitive to the drug 5,6-dichloro-1-β-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB). We previously proposed the existence of an activity, P-TEF (positive transcription elongation factor) that functions in a DRB-sensitive manner to allow RNA polymerase II elongation complexes to efficiently synthesize long transcripts (Marshall, N. F. and Price, D. H.(1992) Mol. Cell. Biol. 12, 2078-2090). We have fractionated nuclear extracts of Drosophila melanogaster Kc cells and identified three activities, P-TEFa, factor 2, and P-TEFb, that are directly involved in reconstructing DRB-sensitive transcription. P-TEFb is essential for the production of DRB-sensitive long transcripts in vitro, while P-TEFa and factor 2 are stimulatory. P-TEFb activity is associated with a protein comprising two polypeptide subunits with apparent molecular masses of 124 and 43 kDa. Using a P-TEFb-dependent transcription system, we show that P-TEFb acts after initiation and is the limiting factor in the production of long runoff transcripts.
Knowledge-based product development using XML and KCs

Abstract As we enter the new millennium, our approach to product development is evolving rapidly. Companies are in the process of creating a distributed design and manufacturing environment that enables integrated product, processes, and protocols development (IP3D). Certain strategies and some specific technologies are required to create such an environment. For instance, effective reuse of enterprise knowledge is a key strategic component of IP3D. To reuse the knowledge, however, we must first capture and maintain it in a persistent manner and then disseminate and share it in a practical manner throughout the development cycle. To do this task efficiently, we need technologies and protocols to define a communication dictionary and implement a user-friendly access interface. In part one [Rezayat M., Computer Aided Design 2000;32:85–96], we showed that such technologies and protocols must be Web-based because of its open standards, ease of use, and ubiquity. In this paper, we review one IP3D strategy referred to as Knowledge-Based Product Development (KBPD) and then take a close look at one Web-based technology, the eXtensible Markup Language (XML), for defining the required interfaces. We also propose use of Key Characteristics (KCs) as a main enabler for defining the ontology. Some examples and scenarios demonstrate the use of KCs and XML as key components for implementation of a KBPD system.
The Effects of Social Class on Voluntary Association Membership among Urban Afro-Americans

Abstract A model composed of social class variables is offered to explain voluntary association membership patterns as a manifestation of vertical differentiation in the Afro-American social structure. Previous empirical studies comparing black to white social participation are critically assessed The analysis of empirical data collected by telephone interviews (N=321) in a southwest Chicago community revealed that education most accurately predicts membership across associations but that occupation is important to consider also. The analysis showed that members of church groups and civil rights groups are likely to be women from the rural South with at least 12 years of education and frequently employed in white collar occupations. These findings suggest that vertical differentiation is an issue which must be considered in explanations of Afro-American life in the post-civil rights era.
On-line system identification and control design of an extrusion cooking process: Part II. Model predictive and inferential control design

Abstract A non-linear model-based predictive control law to regulate specific mechanical energy (SME) using screw speed is developed. Operating variable setpoints are determined using an inferential model that correlates SME with product density and melt moisture content. Additionally, a ratio control strategy is used to regulate melt moisture content and an output noise filter is added to attenuate sensor noise. When combined with an on-line system identification procedure, the resulting system provides good servo and regulatory control response that is robust to modeling errors and disturbances. This paper represents the second of two papers that describe our investigation into the use of on-line system identification for automatic tuning and adaptive control of high-shear twin-screw extrusion processes. The resulting control design addresses the need for a comprehensive system that can be used to regulate extrudate density in extrusion cooking and puffing processes.
Creases in soft tissues generated by growth

Soft tissues growing under constraint often form creases. We adopt the model of growth that factors the deformation gradient into a growth tensor and an elastic deformation tensor, and show that the critical conditions for the onset of creases take a remarkably simple form. The critical conditions are illustrated with tubes of tissues growing either inside a rigid shell or outside a rigid core. By comparing the critical conditions for the onset of wrinkles, we show that the creases are the preferred type of instability. Furthermore, deep creases in a tube are simulated by using the finite-element method, and the number of creases in the tube is estimated by minimizing the free energy.