cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Focus Issue—Tailoring the Immune Response

Recent advances have led to increasing sophistication in our ability to manipulate the immune response to prevent or treat disease. Monoclonal antibodies have emerged as a viable therapeutic approach against both cancer and autoimmune disease. Rituximab, the first monoclonal antibody approved by the FDA for cancer therapy, appears to achieve its therapeutic effects through a combination of mechanisms that may include antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, complement-mediated cell lysis, and the direct stimulation of apoptotic signaling pathways in target cells. Moreover, an increased understanding of the factors that govern immune tolerance has poised us on the brink of further breakthroughs in the immunotherapy of cancer and autoimmune disease. Manipulation of the signaling pathways that lead to T cell anergy may allow us to promote or overcome tolerance as appropriate in the therapy of autimmune disease and cancer. Activation of toll-like receptor pathways in dendritic cells is one approach that may help break tumor tolerance and thereby enhance the efficacy of anti-cancer dendritic cell vaccines.
Detached eddy simulation of flow and heat transfer in fully developed rotating internal cooling channel with normal ribs

Abstract Numerical predictions of a hydrodynamic and thermally developed turbulent flow are presented for a rotating duct with square ribs aligned normal to the main flow direction. Three rotation numbers Ro = 0.18, 0.35 and 0.67 are investigated. The rib height to channel hydraulic diameter ( e / D h ) is 0.1, the rib pitch to rib height ( P / e ) is 10 and the calculations have been carried out for a bulk Reynolds number of 20,000. The capability of the detached eddy simulation (DES) in predicting the turbulent flow field and the heat transfer under the effects of rotation has been evaluated against unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes (URANS), large-eddy simulations (LES), and experimental data. It is shown that DES by capturing a large portion of the turbulent energy in the resolved scales is much more capable than URANS in transcending the underlying shortcomings of the RANS model. DES shows much better fidelity in calculating critical components of the turbulent flow field and heat transfer than URANS.
Apoptosis induced by DNA uptake limits transfection efficiency.

Electrotransfection is an effective method for transfecting lymphoid cells. However, the transfection efficiency of certain lymphoid cells is low. L1210 subclones and NFS-70 pro-B cells, which are highly refractory to various transfection methods, were used to identify the limiting factors. Cells were electrotransfected with plasmids coding for green fluorescence protein or luciferase. The luciferase expression of L1210 subclone 3-3 was found to increase 6-12 h after electroporation, but decreased significantly from 12 to 48 h. The lower level of luciferase activity at later time periods correlated with decreases in cell viability, which was shown to be due to apoptosis, as determined by propidium iodide/acrindine orange staining, DNA laddering, and prevention of cell death by addition of caspase inhibitors. Similar results were observed with NFS-70 pro-B cells and select L1210 subclones. In contrast, L1210 parental and L1210 subclone 7-15.6 cells undergo only low levels of apoptosis (< or = 5%). Apoptosis occurred only when DNA (plasmids or salmon sperm DNA) was present during electroporation, but was not dependent on the conformation of the DNA used or the expression of transgenes. Cells pulsed in the presence of dextran sulfate (MW 500,000) did not apoptose. Similar results were observed when L1210 subclone 3-3 was transfected using the cationic lipid 1, 2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane, although the transfection efficiency and corresponding rate of apoptosis were significantly lower. Applying the caspase inhibitor fluoromethyl ketone (Boc-ASP-FMK) dramatically improved cell viability and transgene expression of select L1210 subclones and NFS-70 pro-B cells.
An Electrophoretic Key for Distinguishing Species of the Genus Rhagoletis (Diptera: Tephritidae) as Larvae, Pupae, or Adults

An electrophoretic key is described which permits individual larvae, pupae and adults of 9 species of Rhagoletis Loew to be distinguished. The key is based on the mobilities of 6 enzymes, separated by gel electrophoresis. Individuals of 4 of the 5 species which infest cherries can be distinguished, as can the 3 sympatric eastern U.S. species of the R. pomonella sibling species complex.
20 Abnormal Uterine Gene Expression During Pregnancy in a Mouse Model of Delayed Parturition.

Purpose of Study: Preterm birth/ low birthweight is the second leading cause of infant mortality. In 2004, 12.5% of all births in the US were preterm. Up to 50% of all preterm births are idiopathic. The incidence of idiopathic preterm labor has not decreased in the last 40 years because the mechanisms that initiate normal labor are poorly understood. In order to understand which myometrial genes are important in labor we compared the genes expressed in the gravid uterus of wildtype mice to the cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) knockout mouse, a model of delayed labor. Methods Used: Mating of estrous wildtype (=4) and COX-1 knockout (=4) females to stud males was confirmed by detection of a copulation plug, designated day 0.5. Plugged females were removed from the male cage to ensure accurate gestational timing. In order to identify genes that are important in parturition, we isolated gravid day 18.0 uterine RNA using Trizol followed by RNeasy. Gene expression levels were compared using the Affymetrix 430 2.0 GeneChip. We have confirmed expression of some of these genes by Northern analysis. We have also localized these genes in the gravid uterus by in situ hybridization. Summary of Results: We identified 347 genes that were up- or down-regulated at least 1.5-fold in the knockout mice. Of these genes 11 had previously been identified as changing at least 2-fold in the normal gravid mouse uterus between days 13.5 and 16.5 or 19.0. Expression of 4 of these genes affects the immune cascade and expression of 3 other genes affects muscle contractions. In the normal mouse Tnfrsf9 decreases between gestational day 13.5 and 19.0 by 2.6-fold and Tnni 2 decreases 5.9- fold. On gestational day 18.0 Tnfrsf9 is up-regulated 1.5-fold and 2.7- fold and Tnni2 is down-regulated 1.6-fold and 1.7-fold in the knockout mouse by microarray and Northern analysis, respectively. In situ hybridization showed no difference in location of expression between the control and knockout mice. Tnfrsf9 was expressed in immune cells in the decidua. Tnni2 was expressed in the circular layer of the myometrium. Conclusions: Of the 346 uterine genes we identified as differing between the gravid normal and COX-1 knockout mouse, only 11 genes were also identified as changing after day 13.5 in the normal mouse gravid uterus. The majority of these genes are involved in the immune response or muscle contraction suggesting that both processes are important in the normal timing of parturition.
PLC-based interlock system for superconducting magnets

The development of an electrical hazard interlock system based on dual redundant programmable logic controllers (PLCs) is described. Sensitive I/O is implemented and processed in a redundant fashion. The PLCs make sure that terminal covers cannot be opened while dangerous currents are flowing, and they redundantly shut off the power supplies if any interlock violations, faults in the I/O circuits, or problems in the PLC system itself are detected. A first version of the software running on a single CPU has been developed and is being adapted and finalized for installation in the final PLC systems. A description is given of the application, the PLC system, the software architecture, and the hardware and software redundancy schemes. >
Frequency of Maladaptive Behavior in Foster Children.

(1988). Frequency of Maladaptive Behavior in Foster Children. Early Child Development and Care: Vol. 30, No. 1-4, pp. 133-139.
Unique inter-brand effects of price on brand choice

Abstract How do price changes by one brand affect the choice of competing brands? Such inter-brand effects may depend on the specific strategy followed by a firm. For example, a firm may target a particular brand to exploit its vulnerability or to avoid direct competition with other brands. Or a firm may design its pricing strategy aimed at reducing cannibalization of its own brands. Previous studies have utilized standard logit models to investigate inter-brand effects. However, these models impose constraints on price elasticities as a consequence of independence of irrelevant alternatives (IIA) assumptions. As a result, estimated own- and cross-elasticities reflect the restrictive assumptions of the model and may not provide an accurate description of the kinds of asymmetric competition among brands noted previously. Though existing market share models at the aggregate level do capture such competitive asymmetries, most disaggregate level logit choice models do not capture such asymmetries in a satisfactory manner. In this article a generalized logit (or mother logit) model is used to estimate unique interbrand response parameters to capture asymmetry. This methodology, drawn from the econometrics literature, overcomes the necessity of making a priori assumptions of competitive patterns and instead can be used to identify competitive patterns as they exist in the market place. In analyzing brand choice data from three product classes, IIA is violated in all three cases to varying degrees. The cross-price elasticities are used to draw managerial implications for brand and product line management.
Glaciers in west Antarctic retreating rapidly

As a glacier slides slowly into the sea, buoyancy eventually trumps gravity, and the sheet of ice floats. The place where the ice starts leaving the ground is called the grounding line, and this line can shift as the mass of the glacier shifts with precipitation or climate. Studying the movement of the grounding line through time helps scientists determine the stability of the glacier and its mass budget—the balance of how much mass the glacier is gaining or losing.
THE CRISIS IN SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS TEACHING

Who is going to teach science and mathematics in our high schools in the years just ahead? That should be the number one question in the minds of all thoughtful citizens. We will no doubt manage to get persons labeled emergency teachers into most science classrooms as caretakers of our youngsters. But what about the poor quality of teaching? That is the alarming threat to the welfare of our children, to the strength of this nation, and to the future of the world. There is no need to recite in detail the facts picturing the drastic shortage of teachers in all fields of the high school. They have been recently hammered home in official government statistical reports, and in a dozen popular magazines, as for example, Good Housekeeping. The public at long last is alarmed. Politicians, ever quick to gear their speeches to popular thinking, do not make many speeches these days without a plea for a square deal for teachers. It is significant that Harold E. Stassen, when announcing his candidacy for the presidency, outlined a brief platform of four planks, of which one is to increase the salaries of white collar workersespecially teachers. Even the top flight radio comedians, as for example, Parkyakarkus, Fred Alien and Bob Hope seem to be alarmed about our vanishing teachers. Now that the salary of the school teacher is a grim joke we may be able to do something about it. What’s happening to. our teachers? Many teachers of experience are leaving their classrooms. We are told that New York City alone lost 1000 during the last 12 months. In.the war years competent teachersespecially science and mathematics were useful in many branches of the Armed Forces. They learned that they were good at other jobs offering larger salaries, lighter work and greater freedom. It is bad enough to have so many experienced teachers quitting but there is a far more disturbing fact: young persons are rejecting teaching in the lower schools as a career. This year nearly all colleges and universities are overflowing, but only a few per hundred are planning to teach. Last semester there were about
Nativity and Duration of Time in the United States: Differences in Fruit and Vegetable Intake Among Low-Income Postpartum Women

Limited research has examined the association of diet with immigrant status, adjusting for multiple socio-demographic and contextual influences. Among 662 WIC-eligible postpartum women, those who were foreign-born and had lived in the United States for 4 or fewer years consumed 2.5 more fruit and vegetable servings daily than native-born women; this difference diminished with longer US residence. White women consumed 1 serving less than Latinas, and those speaking both English and Spanish at home consumed 1.4 servings more than English-only speakers after adjusting for other covariates.
Comparative genome analysis of 19 Ureaplasma urealyticum and Ureaplasma parvum strains

Ureaplasma urealyticum (UUR) and Ureaplasma parvum (UPA) are sexually transmitted bacteria among humans implicated in a variety of disease states including but not limited to: nongonococcal urethritis, infertility, adverse pregnancy outcomes, chorioamnionitis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in neonates. There are 10 distinct serotypes of UUR and 4 of UPA. Efforts to determine whether difference in pathogenic potential exists at the ureaplasma serovar level have been hampered by limitations of antibody-based typing methods, multiple cross-reactions and poor discriminating capacity in clinical samples containing two or more serovars. We determined the genome sequences of the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) type strains of all UUR and UPA serovars as well as four clinical isolates of UUR for which we were not able to determine serovar designation. UPA serovars had 0.75−0.78 Mbp genomes and UUR serovars were 0.84−0.95 Mbp. The original classification of ureaplasma isolates into distinct serovars was largely based on differences in the major ureaplasma surface antigen called the multiple banded antigen (MBA) and reactions of human and animal sera to the organisms. Whole genome analysis of the 14 serovars and the 4 clinical isolates showed the mba gene was part of a large superfamily, which is a phase variable gene system, and that some serovars have identical sets of mba genes. Most of the differences among serovars are hypothetical genes, and in general the two species and 14 serovars are extremely similar at the genome level. Comparative genome analysis suggests UUR is more capable of acquiring genes horizontally, which may contribute to its greater virulence for some conditions. The overwhelming evidence of extensive horizontal gene transfer among these organisms from our previous studies combined with our comparative analysis indicates that ureaplasmas exist as quasi-species rather than as stable serovars in their native environment. Therefore, differential pathogenicity and clinical outcome of a ureaplasmal infection is most likely not on the serovar level, but rather may be due to the presence or absence of potential pathogenicity factors in an individual ureaplasma clinical isolate and/or patient to patient differences in terms of autoimmunity and microbiome.
The use of integral operators in number theory

It is known that all of the non-real zeros of the Riemann zeta-function lie in the critical strip L={s=σ+it: O<σ<1} and important arithmetic consequences would follow from the assertion that all such zeros, in fact, lie on the line σ = 12. This assertion, known as the Riemann Hypothesis, is not yet established. In the present article, it is shown that the knowledge of the spectrum of any member of a certain class of self-adjoint, integral operators yields an explicit region of l devoid of zeros of the Riemann zeta-function. Moreover, if a certain non-linear functional, Φ, is unbounded, then the Riemann hypothesis would follow.
Left and right ventricular pressures in the normal and the cardiomyopathic syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).

SummaryBy means of a high fidelity fiberoptic manometer system, right and left ventricular pressures and their first derivatives have been measured at thoracotomy in 9 anesthetized and artificially ventilated golden Syrian hamsters, and are reported along with normal values for pH, pCO2, and pO2.Nineteen Syrian hamsters of the BIO 14.6 strain, with hereditary cardiomyopathy and clinical signs of congestive heart failure were studied in similar manner. At mean arterial pH of 7.45, significant hypoxemia was demonstrated, associated with hemodynamic evidence of depressed left and right ventricular function. Biventricular heart failure was characterized by significant bradycardia, elevation of left and right ventricular filling pressures, decrease in left ventricular systolic and maintenance of right ventricular systolic pressure.
NEON: the first continental-scale ecological observatory with airborne remote sensing of vegetation canopy biochemistry and structure

The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is an ecological observation platform for discovering, understanding and forecasting the impacts of climate change, land use change, and invasive species on continental-scale ecology. NEON will operate for 30 years and gather long-term data on ecological response changes and on feedbacks with the geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Local ecological measurements at sites distributed within 20 ecoclimatic domains across the contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico will be coordinated with high resolution, regional airborne remote sensing observations. The Airborne Observation Platform (AOP) is an aircraft platform carrying remote sensing instrumentation designed to achieve sub-meter to meter scale ground resolution, bridging scales from organisms and individual stands to satellite- based remote sensing. AOP instrumentation consists of a VIS/SWIR imaging spectrometer, a scanning small-footprint waveform LiDAR for 3-D canopy structure measurements and a high resolution airborne digital camera. AOP data will be openly available to scientists and will provide quantitative information on land use change and changes in ecological structure and chemistry including the presence and effects of invasive species. AOP science objectives, key mission requirements, and development status are presented including an overview of near-term risk-reduction and prototyping activities.
Thermal History of the Abee Enstatite Chondrite II; Thermal Measurements and Heat Flow Calculations

Specimens from the center and the outer surface of Abee exhibit identical microstructures within their metal phase—platelets of an iron carbide. Thus the entire body must have cooled at a nearly uniform rate. The density, heat capacity, and thermal conductivity have been measured and used in a theoretical heat flow analysis. From these calculations and observations it is concluded that Abee cooled from 700 °C to 200 °C in about two hours.
Cellular and subcellular distribution of HNK‐1 immunoreactivity in the neural tube of Xenopus

The HNK-1 antigen, a carbohydrate moiety bound to many cell adhesion and recognition molecules, is implicated in cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions during neural development. HNK-1 immunoreactivity (HNK1-IR) appears on neurons of the Xenopus neural tube very early in their development (Nordlander, Devel. Brain Res., 50:147-153, 1989). The distribution and onset of expression of the HNK-1 epitope on and within individual neurons is examined in this study. HNK-1 labels developing neurons and their processes, and focal areas of other structures which are directly contacted by neurons, such as neuroepithelial cell surfaces, basal lamina, and culture surfaces. HNK1-IR first appears in the Golgi apparatus and subsequently on the cell surface and in streams of punctate material directed toward the site of axon initiation and into the developing axon and its growth cone. The entire neuron is coated with a thin (20-30 nm) surface layer of HNK1-IR. In addition, the surface is dotted with small (100-250 nm) boluses of HNK1-IR material. Such boluses also occur within cytoplasmic vesicles, and extracellularly on basal lamina and culture substrata in proximity to neurons or their processes. The subcellar distribution of HNK1-IR in this tissue is compatible with a role for the HNK-1 epitope in axonal outgrowth and guidance.
Who should treat stroke

There is no question that acute stroke is a major health problem, with about 800 000 strokes per year in the USA alone. Most stroke victims do not have a good recovery. US stroke healthcare costs are $41 billion a year.1 Dollar amounts do not capture the suffering of the patient, family and friends for the death, disability and loss of independence caused by strokes. There is again no question that strokes are best prevented, but 800 000 strokes a year creates a huge need for emergency stroke treatment, including by endovascular means. Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator improves outcomes but the improvement is slight for those with large vessel occlusion (internal carotid, middle cerebral and vertebrobasilar) as documented by non-invasive vascular imaging or by the presence of the hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign on non-contrast head CT.2–7 Intra-arterial (IA) catheter directed techniques are more effective in restoring flow in patients with large vessel occlusions,8 9 and randomized trials have confirmed improved outcomes.10–13 Furthermore, newer methods of treatment such as mechanical revascularization devices now allow rapid successful revascularization14–16 and possibly open the door to additional patients with better clinical results. Hospitals want interventional stroke services to be available in their community both as a critical patient service and also to avoid patient harm from a delay in care caused by a transfer of patients to other centers. Hospitals also have an economic incentive to treat patients locally. Intracranial endovascular procedures are typically performed by physicians who have trained in endovascular surgical neuroradiology (ESNR) fellowships. However, with the increasing demand to provide stroke rescue services quickly and locally, other endovascular trained interventional specialists such as interventional radiologists (IR) and interventional cardiologists (IC) are also providing this care. Is this right? Is it reasonable? Is it good care? Or is …
Why isn't bariatric surgery for adolescents catching on?

Objectives: To determine the current rate of inpatient bariatric surgical procedures among adolescents and to analyze national trends of use from 2000 to 2009. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Setting: Discharge data obtained from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database, 2000 through 2009. Participants: Adolescents (defined herein as individuals aged 10-19 years) undergoing inpatient bariatric procedures. Intervention: Inpatient bariatric surgery. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measure was the national population-based bariatric procedure rate. The secondary outcome measures were trends in procedure rates and type, demographics, complication rate, length of stay, and hospital charges from 2000 through 2009. Results: The inpatient bariatric procedure rate increased from 0.8 per 100 000 in 2000 to 2.3 per 100 000 in 2003 (328 vs 987 procedures) but did not change significantly in 2006 (2.2 per 100 000) or 2009 (2.4 per 100 000), with 925 vs 1009 procedures. The use of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding approached one-third (32.1%) of all procedures by 2009. The cohort was predominantly female and older than 17 years. The prevalence of comorbidities increased from 2003 (49.3%) to 2009 (58.6%) (P = .002), while the complication rate remained low and the in-hospital length of stay decreased by approximately 1 day (P Conclusions: Despite the worsening childhood obesity epidemic, the rate of inpatient bariatric procedures among adolescents has plateaued since 2003. The predominant procedure type has changed to minimally invasive techniques, including laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Trends show low complication rates and decreasing length of stay, despite increasing comorbid conditions among patients.
A stochastic and dynamic routing policy using branching processes with state dependent immigration

Abstract A stochastic and dynamic vehicle routing problem called the Dynamic Traveling Repairman Problem (DTRP) was introduced by Bertsimas and van Ryzin. Several routing policies were analyzed in light traffic and in heavy traffic conditions. But, the good light traffic policies become very quickly unstable with increasing traffic intensity, and the good heavy traffic policies are inefficient in light traffic conditions. In this paper, a new routing policy is defined and analyzed, using results from branching processes with state dependent immigration. This policy not only performs optimally in light traffic, but also performs very well in heavy traffic. This is important to the designer of a service system because the traffic conditions may be variable and/or be unpredictable, and having to switch routing policies could prove to be costly and difficult to implement.
Toroidal charge exchange recombination spectroscopy measurements on MST.

Charge exchange recombination spectroscopy measurements of the poloidal component of the C+6 temperature and flow in the Madison Symmetric Torus have been vital in advancing the understanding of the ion dynamics in the reversed field pinch. Recent work has expanded the diagnostic capability to include toroidal measurements. A new toroidal view overcomes a small signal-to-background ratio (5%–15%) to make the first localized measurements of the parallel component of the impurity ion temperature in the core of the reversed field pinch. The measurement is made possible through maximal light collection in the optical design and extensive atomic modeling in the fitting routine. An absolute calibration of the system allowed the effect of Poisson noise in the signal on line fitting to be quantified. The measurement is made by stimulating emission with a recently upgraded 50 keV hydrogen diagnostic neutral beam. Radial localization is ∼4 cm2, and good temporal resolution (100 μs) is achieved by making simultaneou...
The consultation conference: a new model of collaboration for child psychiatry and primary care.

Because of the relative shortage of available child psychiatrists, primary-care providers are increasingly expanding their role in the provision of mental health care. Accordingly, there is an increased need to develop a standardized approach to teaching specialized skills to these providers. One method of doing so is to expand the child psychiatrist’s consultative role to include the structured discussion of patient cases. By emphasizing the reasoning behind treatment recommendations, the psychiatrist can assist the primary-care provider in applying this knowledge to other patients in his or her practice. A group setting, or “consultation conference,” can be used to involve more providers—who, in turn, become resources for each other. This model of a group conference adapts principles of adult learning (1–5) to facilitate the dual consultative and educational goals. Providers who care for patients in the same (or similar) setting come together as a group to share their experience and knowledge. The psychiatrist assists in that group setting, functioning both as expert resource and facilitator. Participants discuss problem cases, thus learning in their own context while receiving assistance in the understanding and management of actual patients (indirect consultation).
The J-curve: evidence from commodity trade between UK and China

China is often accused of manipulating its currency to gain international competitiveness. Previous studies have tried to address this issue by investigating the impact of yuan depreciation on China’s trade balance. Not only have they failed to establish the link between the Chinese exchange rate and its trade balance with the rest of the world but also between China and her major trading partners. In this article, we consider the China–UK trade balance and disaggregate their trade flows by commodity. Out of the 47 industries considered, we show that the real depreciation has favourable short-run effects in most industries. However, the short-run effects last into the long run only in seven cases.
Boron neutron capture therapy: a mechanism for achieving a concomitant tumor boost in fast neutron radiotherapy.

Abstract Purpose : For many years neutron radiation has been used to treat malignant disease both as fast neutron radiotherapy and as thermal neutron induced boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). To date, these two approaches have been used independently of one another due to the large difference in neutron energies each employs. In this paper we discuss the potential application of BNCT to enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of a fast neutron radiotherapy beam. Methods and Materials : Measurements are presented for the thermal neutron component that is spontaneously developed as the University of Washington fast neutron radiotherapy beam penetrates a water phantom. The biological effect of this thermalized component on cells “tagged” with boron-10 (10B) is modeled mathematically and the expected change in cell survival calculated. The model is then extended to estimate the effect this enhanced cell killing would have for increased tumor control. Results : The basic predictions of the model on changes in cell survival are verified with in vitro measurements using the V-79 cell line. An additional factor of 10–100 in tumor cell killing appears achievable with currently available 10B carriers using our present neutron beam. A Poisson model is then used to estimate the change in tumor control this enhanced cell killing would produce in various clinical situations and the effect is sufficiently large so as to be clinically relevant. It is also demonstrated that the magnitude of the thermalized component can be increased by a factor of 2–3 with relatively simple changes in the beam generating conditions. Conclusion : BNCT may provide a means of enhancing the therapeutic effectiveness of fast neutron radiothearapy in a wide variety of clinical situations and is an area of research that should be aggressively pursued.
A computer simulation of the static magnetic field distribution in the human head.

Distortion of the static magnetic field inside the human head is dependent on regional tissue susceptibility variations and geometrical shape. These effects result in resonance line broadening and frequency shifts and consequently, intensity and spatial errors in both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy. To calculate the field distortion due to the susceptibility's geometry, two dimensional (2D) finite element analysis was applied to simulate the field distribution in a 2D model of the human head, placed in a uniform magnetic field. The model contains air-filled cavities and sinuses, and the remainder is treated as water. The magnetic field deviation was evaluated using gray scale plots and histograms of the magnetic field. The shifts in parts/ million and broadening of the histograms correspond to the NMR of the sampled region. The field distribution of the human head was also experimentally mapped using the DANTE tagging sequence. The calculated and experimental field maps are in good agreement. Thus, geometric considerations with uniform susceptibilities are sufficient to explain most of the static magnetic field distribution in the human head.
Quantum-cascade laser integrated with a metal–dielectric–metal-based plasmonic antenna

Optical nanoantennas are capable of enhancing the near-field intensity and confining optical energy within a small spot size. We report a novel metal–dielectric–metal coupled-nanorods antenna integrated on the facet of a quantum-cascade laser. Finite-difference time-domain simulations showed that, for dielectric thicknesses in the range from 10 to 30nm, peak optical intensity at the top of the antenna gap is 4000 times greater than the incident field intensity. This is 4 times higher enhancement compared to a coupled metal antenna. The antenna is fabricated using focused ion-beam milling and measured using modified scanning probe microscopy. Such a device has potential applications in building mid-IR biosensors.
Global Considerations for Utilization of Real-Time Channel Evaluation Systems in HF Spectrum Management

Real-Time Channel Evaluation (RTCE) devices are coming into increased use in modern management of HF communications systems. The earliest techniques used in channel evaluation exploited vertical incidence pulse sounders (VIS) and these devices are still being used for some applications. An oblique incidence sounding technology has also been developed employing both pulse and chirp waveform approaches. There are a variety of RTCE devices which are identified in the paper but the major emphasis is placed on the OIS chirp sounder. Using this device as a canonical channel evaluator, the implications for global, theater, and local HF resource management may be addressed. As one might suspect, there are both advantages and disadvantages which may accrue from construction of a sounder network. Issues include: data applicability, data collection and dissemination, network size and cost, network ECM vulnerabilities, optimum network architecture, and system component reliabilities to name a few. These issues are outlined in the paper.
The rise of cyberinfrastructure and grand challenges for eCommerce

Advances in ICT have enabled the transformation of commerce into eCommerce. The eCommerce revolution is well under way, but what grand challenges are on the horizon? This paper extrapolates from the past to understand the forces that shape the future. It focuses on cyberinfrastructure growing out of the Cold War and highlights the role of government, Big Science and of the National Science Foundation in that story. Big Science and eCommerce will continue to shape Web activities and to react to advances in ICT. Both are involved in the co-evolution of physical, social, organizational, economic and legal factors and face analogous issues arising from similarly disruptive transformations, though the manifestations of these transformations differ in their surface features. Each may lead in addressing a particular issue at a given time, but can learn from the other. Finally, this paper identifies three Extreme Grand Challenges for Big Science and eCommerce that represent important steps toward an even brighter future for both.
Intraperitoneal free fatty acids induce severe hypocalcemia in rats: A model for the hypocalcemia of pancreatitis

Indirect evidence suggests a causative role for intraperitoneal free fatty acids (FFA) in hypocalcemia associated with pancreatitis. We examined the effects of intraperitoneal injection of four naturally occurring FFAs on serum calcium in rats. Two saturated FFAs, stearate and palmitate, induced little or no hypocalcemia. Two unsaturated FFAs, oleate and linoleate, caused dramatic hypocalcemia in treated versus control rats (6.3 +/- 1.4 and 5.3 +/- 0.7 mg/dl, respectively, versus 10.1 +/- 0.6). Dose-response studies demonstrated that minute quantities of oleate (100 microliters per 250 g rat) caused marked hypocalcemia (7.2 +/- 0.3 mg/dl). Treated versus control rats also revealed a decrease in ionized calcium (3.15 +/- 0.2 versus 5.6 +/- 0.05 mg/dl) and magnesium (1.4 +/- 0.15 versus 2.0 +/- 0.10), an appropriate increase in PTH levels (1670 +/- 451 versus 396 +/- 235 pg/ml), and a fall in calcitonin levels (70.4 +/- 21.3 versus 47.5 +/- 16.4 pg/ml) but no change in albumin or phosphate levels. In vitro, the Ksp of calcium dioleate was shown to be 5.3 x 10(-8) m3/liter3; thus under physiologic conditions 100 microliters oleate binds 7.2 mg calcium, or approximately twice the total ECF ionized calcium in the rat. The amounts of intraperitoneal FFA that can easily be achieved in pancreatitis complex pathophysiologically significant amounts of calcium and may lead to severe hypocalcemia.
Random model of evaporation of oil at sea

Abstract When oil is spilled at sea, a portion of it evaporates. The amount depends upon the oil's physical properties and environmental conditions. This paper explores the effect of a random environment on the evaporation process. A random model is developed to predict the residual volume of oil as a function of elapsed time, initial oil volume and its physical properties, and random environmental factors (wind speed and ambient temperature). A simple example illustrates application of the model. Also, a simulation illustrates the effects of random wind speeds on the residual volume and area of the oil slick as a function of time.
Near-infrared transillumination of the maxillary sinuses: overview of methods and preliminary clinical results

Though sinusitis is a significant health problem, it remains a challenging diagnosis for many physicians mainly because of its vague, non-specific symptomology. As such, physicians must often rely on x-rays and CT, which are not only costly but also expose the patient to ionizing radiation. As an alternative to these methods of diagnosis, our laboratory constructed a near infrared (NIR) transillumination system to image the paranasal maxillary sinuses. In contrast to the more conventional form of transillumination, which uses visible light, NIR transillumination uses light with a longer wavelength which is less attenuated by soft tissues, allowing increased signal intensity and tissue penetration. Our NIR transillumination system is low-cost, consisting of a light source containing two series of light emitting diodes, which give off light at wavelengths of 810 nm and 850 nm, and a charge coupled device (CCD) camera sensitive to NIR light. The light source is simply placed in the patient’s mouth and the resultant image created by the transmittance of NIR light is captured with the CCD camera via notebook PC. Using this NIR transillumination system, we imaged the paranasal maxillary sinuses of both healthy patients (n=5) and patients with sinus disease (n=12) and compared the resultant findings with conventional CT scans. We found that air and fluid/tissue-filled spaces can be reasonably distinguished by their differing NIR opacities. Based on these findings, we believe NIR transillumination of the paranasal sinuses may provide a simple, safe, and cost effective modality in the diagnosis and management of sinus disease.
Why travel to the FIFA World Cup? Effects of motives, background, interest, and constraints

Abstract Events have become a significant component of destination marketing. Previous work suggests that event interest, risk constraint, and financial constraint will affect potential attendees’ desire to attend and their sense that it is feasible to attend. For large sport events, interest in the event and perceived constraints should derive from the level of fan motives, travel motivations, and the potential attendee's background. These expectations are tested in a survey of 556 members of American soccer clubs prior to the FIFA World Cup. Results were generally consistent with expectations, although some motives had both positive and negative effects. Event interest and constraints fully mediated the effects of motives and background on respondents’ sense that it was feasible for them to attend. Financial constraint did not affect desire to attend. The desire to learn about the host country had direct effects on interest in the event and the desire to attend the event. Results suggest the value of segmented sport event marketing that appeals to both travel and fan motives.
Relationship Between Birth Weight and Exposure to Airborne Fine Particulate Potassium and Titanium During Gestation

Airborne particles are linked to numerous health impacts, including adverse pregnancy outcomes. Most studies of particles examined total mass, although the chemical structure of particles varies widely. We investigated whether mother's exposure to potassium (K) and titanium (Ti) components of airborne fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) during pregnancy was associated with birth weight or risk of low birth weight (<2500 g) for term infants. The study population was 76,788 infants born in four counties in Connecticut and Massachusetts, US, for August 2000-February 2004. Both K and Ti were associated with birth weight. An interquartile range (IQR) increase K was associated with an 8.75% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.24-16.8%) increase in risk of low birth weight. An IQR increase in Ti was associated with a 12.1% (95% CI: 3.55-21.4%) increase in risk of low birth weight, with an estimate of 6.41% (95% CI: -5.80-20.2%) for males and 16.4% (95% CI: 5.13-28.9%) for females. Results were robust to sensitivity analysis of first births only, but not adjustment by co-pollutants. Disentangling the effects of various chemical components is challenging because of the covariance among some components due to similar sources. Central effect estimates for infants of African-American mothers were higher than those of white mothers, although the confidence intervals overlapped. Our results indicate that exposure to airborne potassium and titanium during pregnancy is associated with lower birth weight. Associations may relate to chemical components of sources producing K and Ti.
Adenosine-dependent formation of cyclic AMP in brain slices.

Methylxanthines, adenosine analogs, phosphodiesterase inhibitors and adenosine deaminase have been used to assess the role of adenosine in stimulation of radioactive cyclic AMP formation by ATP, cyclic AMP, glutamate, veratridine, ouabain, histamine and histamine-norepinephrine combination in [14C]adenine-labeled guinea pig cerebral cortical slices. Theophylline and isobutylmethylxanthine effectively antagonized the response to adenosine, ATP, cyclic AMP, an adenosine-histamine combination, glutamate and veratridine, had lesser effects on the response to ouabain and the histamine-norepinephrine combination and had no significant antagonistic effect on the histamine response. 2′-Deoxyadenosine had a similar profile of antagonistic effects with the exception of the glutamate response where it had no antagonistic action. Adenine xylofuranoside was an effective antagonist of responses to all agents, a result suggestive of a non-specific blockade of adenylate cyclases. Adenosine deaminase was an effective antagonist of the response to adenosine, ATP, cyclic AMP, an adenosine-histamine combination, veratridine and glutamate, but also partially antagonized the response to histamine and the histamine-norepinephrine combination. The phosphodiesterase inhibitors, papaverine, RO 20–1724 and diazepam, potentiated the response to amines. The latter two compounds also potentiated the response to adenosine and glutamate. The results suggest a role for adenosine in responses to most agents in brain slices and indicate that 2′-deoxyadenosine may be a more specific adenosine antagonist than either methylxanthines or adenosine deaminase.
Experimental studies of the attachment of the parasitic angiosperm Agalinis purpurea to a host

Agalinis purpurea (L.) Raf. (Scrophulariaceae) is a facultative rootparasite. Haustoria, the organs specialized for host attachment and penetration, develop rapidly after exposure of the parasite's roots to host root exudate or specific haustoria-inducing molecules. Haustoria are competent to attach as early as 6–12 hours post-induction and reach a maximal level of attachment by 36 hours. Developing haustoria which have not contacted a host by 60–72 hours of development fail to attach when contact is established. However, this time course of attachment competency is extended for haustoria which have previously been attached to a host. Attachment is a nondiscriminatory event and induced haustoria will adhere to a variety of biological and non-biological substrates. Adhesion is mediated through specialized haustorial hairs whose surface is covered with a papillate network. The papillae represent the cement which attaches the haustorium to its host. The proportion of papillate hairs on haustoria parallels the attachment competency.
Two Concepts of Liberty: U.S. Cold War Grand Strategies and the Liberal Tradition

Contrary to conventional accounts, the United States did not immediately adopt a set of sweeping commitments to Europe after World War II. Instead, it pursued a buck-passing strategy until the early 1960s that sought to craft Western Europe into an independent pole of power capable of balancing the Soviet Union largely without the assistance of the United States, thereby facilitating the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the continent. Only under President John F. Kennedy did the United States adopt a balancing strategy, making permanent forward commitments to the defense of Europe. A new theory of liberal ideas and foreign policy explains this shift. “Negative liberals,” who see freedom in terms of opportunity and minimal state intervention, adopted a buck-passing strategy to pass the costs of foreign policy to other actors and minimize state intrusion at home. “Positive liberals,” who see freedom as the exercise of capabilities and often welcome state intervention, had no such compunctions. Starting with K...
Music in 2nd (Slavonic) Enoch

During his sky journeys as reported in 2nd (Slavonic) Enoch, he hears the “indescribable singing of the army of cherubim.” This article seeks to investigate the nature of the singing the author mig...
Cell-to-cell scanning in capillary electrophoresis

A widespread limitation in using cell-based biosensors for repetitive chemical analysis is loss of agonist-induced response caused by receptor desensitization. We overcome this problem by scanning an array of immobilized cells underneath a capillary electrophoresis column outlet. In this way, electrophoretically fractionated components that exit the separation capillary are always directed onto cells previously unexposed to receptor agonists. To demonstrate this concept of response recovery using a scanning format, we have chosen the bradykinin B2 receptor system in the NG108-15 cell line, which is known to undergo desensitization. Whereas four subsequent injections of 250 microM bradykinin separated by 120 s are found to reduce the NG108-15 cell response markedly, scanning to new cells can fully restore the response during the separation. Furthermore, by pretesting individual NG108-15 cells for an agonist response and then later scanning back to the same cell, we achieved a 100% success rate in detecting bradykinin in subsequent electrophoretic separations.
Vortices in Attractive Bose-Einstein Condensates in Two Dimensions

The form and stability of quantum vortices in Bose-Einstein condensates with attractive atomic interactions is elucidated. They appear as ring bright solitons, and are a generalization of the Townes soliton to nonzero winding number m. An infinite sequence of radially excited stationary states appear for each value of m, which are characterized by concentric matter-wave rings separated by nodes, in contrast to repulsive condensates, where no such set of states exists. It is shown that robustly stable as well as unstable regimes may be achieved in confined geometries, thereby suggesting that vortices and their radial excited states can be observed in experiments on attractive condensates in two dimensions.