cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A phase Ib trial of neoadjuvant/adjuvant durvalumab +/- tremelimumab in locally advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

5021Background: Effective neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies are lacking in locally advanced RCC. Given robust activity of checkpoint inhibitors in mRCC, a phase Ib trial of perioperative Durvaluma...
Focused Ultrasound for Noninvasive, Focal Pharmacologic Neurointervention

A long-standing goal of translational neuroscience is the ability to noninvasively deliver therapeutic agents to specific brain regions with high spatiotemporal resolution. Focused ultrasound (FUS) is an emerging technology that can noninvasively deliver energy up the order of 1 kW/cm2 with millimeter and millisecond resolution to any point in the human brain with Food and Drug Administration-approved hardware. Although FUS is clinically utilized primarily for focal ablation in conditions such as essential tremor, recent breakthroughs have enabled the use of FUS for drug delivery at lower intensities (i.e., tens of watts per square centimeter) without ablation of the tissue. In this review, we present strategies for image-guided FUS-mediated pharmacologic neurointerventions. First, we discuss blood-brain barrier opening to deliver therapeutic agents of a variety of sizes to the central nervous system. We then describe the use of ultrasound-sensitive nanoparticles to noninvasively deliver small molecules to millimeter-sized structures including superficial cortical regions and deep gray matter regions within the brain without the need for blood-brain barrier opening. We also consider the safety and potential complications of these techniques, with attention to temporal acuity. Finally, we close with a discussion of different methods for mapping the ultrasound field within the brain and describe future avenues of research in ultrasound-targeted drug therapies.
What does FRB light-curve variability tell us about the emission mechanism?

A few fast radio bursts' (FRBs) light-curves have exhibited large intrinsic modulations of their flux on extremely short (t_r ∼ 10μs) time scales, compared to pulse durations (t_(FRB) ∼ 1ms). Light-curve variability timescales, the small ratio of rise time of the flux to pulse duration, and the spectro-temporal correlations in the data constrain the compactness of the source and the mechanism responsible for the powerful radio emission. The constraints are strongest when radiation is produced far (≳ 10¹⁰cm) from the compact object. We describe different physical set-ups that can account for the observed t_r/t_(FRB) ≪ 1 despite having large emission radii. The result is either a significant reduction in the radio production efficiency or distinct light-curves features that could be searched for in observed data. For the same class of models, we also show that due to high-latitude emission, if a flux f₁ (ν₁) is observed at t₁ then at a lower frequency ν₂ < ν₁ the flux should be at least (ν₂/ν₁)²f₁ at a slightly later time (t₂ = t₁ν₁/ν₂) independent of the duration and spectrum of the emission in the comoving frame. These features can be tested, once light-curve modulations due to scintillation are accounted for. We provide the timescales and coherence bandwidths of the latter for a range of possibilities regarding the physical screens and the scintillation regime. Finally, if future highly resolved FRB light-curves are shown to have intrinsic variability extending down to ∼μs timescales, this will provide strong evidence in favor of magnetospheric models.
Low birth weight and prematurity as predictors of children’s receiving special education services

Low birth weight (LBW) and prematurity have been identified as health risks associated with adverse developmental and educational outcomes. This study examined whether such risks affected children’...
Efficiency limits of evaporative fabric drying methods

Cloth drying is a major consumer of energy, and most drying is conducted by evaporative methods. The evaporative drying energy efficiency limit is commonly assumed to be 100%: one unit of latent he...
Emotion Sharing in Preadolescent Children: Divergence From Friendships and Relation to Prosocial Behavior in the Peer Group:

We examined the extent to which children’s emotion-sharing relationships were unique from friendships. We also examined the association between emotional experience and emotion sharing as well as t...
CISH attenuates homeostatic cytokine signaling to promote lung-specific macrophage programming and function.

Tissue-specific cytokine stimuli orchestrate specialized homeostatic functions of resident macrophages. In the lung, steady-state signaling by the cytokine GM-CSF is critical for alveolar macrophag...
Neutrinos and large-scale structure

I review the use of cosmological large-scale structure to measure properties of neutrinos and other relic populations of light relativistic particles. With experiments to measure the anisotropies of the cosmic microwave anisotropies and the clustering of matter at low redshift, we now have securely measured a relativistic background with density appropriate to the cosmic neutrino background. Our limits on the mass of the neutrino continue to shrink. Experiments coming in the next decade will greatly improve the available precision on searches for the energy density of novel relativistic backgrounds and the mass of neutrinos.
Consumer Logistics: The Transportation Subsystem

This study provides an introductory view of the structure and process of the transportation subsystem of the consumer logistics system. It draws upon research findings in a number of disciplines to formulate a model that comprises five segments: Environment; Household Characteristics; Traffic Management; Transport Operations Decision; and Transport Operations Implementation. The model forms a conceptual scheme for integrating otherwise isolated research findings related to this area of consumer behavior.
Electronic and optical properties of novel carbazole-based donor-acceptor compounds for applications in blue-emitting organic light-emitting diodes

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have received a significant attention over the past decade due to their energy-saving potential. We have recently synthesized two novel carbazole-based donor-acceptor compounds and analyzed their optical properties to determine their suitability for use as blue emitters in OLEDs. These compounds show remarkable photo-stability and high quantum yields in the blue region of the spectrum. In addition, they have highly solvatochromic emission. In non-polar solvents, bright, blue-shifted (λmax ≈ 398 nm), and highly structured emission is seen. With increasing solvent dielectric constant, the emission becomes weaker, red-shifted (λmax ≈ 507 nm), and broad. We aim to determine the underlying cause of these changes. Electronic structure calculations indicate the presence of multiple excited states with comparable oscillator strength. These states are of interest because there are several with charge-transfer (CT) character, and others centered on the donor moiety. We theorize that CT states play a role in the observed changes in emission lineshape and may promote charge mobility for electrofluorescence in OLEDs. In the future, we plan to use Stark spectroscopy to analyze the polarity of excited states and transient absorption spectroscopy to observe the dynamics in the excited state.
Indices of Skeletal Muscle Growth in Lean and Obese Zucker Rats

Skeletal muscle growth was studied in gastrocnemius muscle of lean and obese ad libitum or pair-fed Zucker rats. Skeletal muscle cellularity was determined by DNA, RNA and protein analysis. The length and weight of the tibia and femur were determined. All rats were killed at 15 weeks of age. Lean rats had heavier gastrocnemius, total DNA and total protein than either the ad libitum (ALO) or pair-fed (PFO) obese rats. Lean rats had longer and heavier tibias. Femur length was greater in lean animals while femur weight did not differ between lean and ALO groups. Both had heavier femur than the PFO rats. Comparison of the obese rats revealed that the ALO rats had greater gastrocnemius weight, total DNA and total protein than the PFO group. Total RNA was not different between the lean and ALO group. Comparison of tibias and femurs showed the ALO rats to have longer and heavier bones than the PFO rats. In summary, there are marked differences in the bones of the hindlimb and the cellularity of the gastrocnemius muscle between lean and obese Zucker rats. The differences were accentuated by pair feeding the obese rat.
Pregnancy complicated by diabetes

u u RI N G the past 3 decades increased knowledge in the management of pregnancy complicated by diabetes has all but eliminated the associated infertility, the increased frequency of early abortion, and the high maternal mortality rate. Interest now is focused primarily upon reducing the perinatal loss of viable infants born of diabetic mothers. According to Jackson1 the diabetogenic action of the increased levels of circulating adrenal corticosteroids provides additional stress to the pancreatic islet cells during pregnancy. In the potential diabetic this may give evidence of disease long before clinical diabetes would have become recognizable in the nonpregnant state. The obstetrician, therefore, is afforded an unparalleled opportunity to detect diabetes in its earliest sta,ges.
Characterization of the Interaction of Aminoacyltransferase II with Ribosomes BINDING OF TRANSFERASE II AND TRANSLOCATION OF PEPTIDYL TRANSFER RIBONUCLEIC ACID

Abstract When ribosomes are incubated with transferase II, guanosine triphosphate, and a sulfhydryl compound, ribosomes can be isolated which carry out aminoacyl transfer in the presence of transferase I, 14C-aminoacyl transfer ribonucleic acid, and GTP, but in the absence of added transferase II. The initial rate of aminoacyl transfer with isolated ribosome-transferase II complex is markedly stimulated compared to that with nonpreincubated ribosomes. Binding of transferase II to ribosomes can be obtained with GTP at 4°, or with 5'-guanylyl methylenediphosphonate or GDP at 37°; however, under these conditions, the initial rates of aminoacyl transfer with isolated ribosome-transferase II complex are not stimulated unless the complex is incubated briefly with GTP prior to the aminoacyl transfer reaction. The kinetics exhibited by the ribosome-transferase II complex formed in the presence of GTP at 37° appears to be due to the priming of ribosomes for the rapid acceptance of the incoming aminoacyl-tRNA; this process could reflect translocation of endogenous peptidyl-tRNA from the aminoacyl to the peptidyl site, making additional sites available for the binding and incorporation of aminoacyl-tRNA. Binding of transferase II to ribosomes and the translocation reaction are two distinct steps that can be dissociated from each other. The formation of ribosome-transferase II complex can be obtained in the absence of translocation. If translocation is allowed to occur, an aminoacyl-tRNA can be bound in the presence of transferase I, and a peptide bond can be formed, even after removal of the bound transferase II from the ribosome.
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in the cat: 18 cases (2000–2010)

There is little information regarding the presentation, biologic behaviour, treatment and prognosis in cats with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), and further investigation is needed to characterize this disease in cats. The goal of this study was to describe the clinical presentation, response to treatment and prognosis of feline CLL. A multi-institutional retrospective study of 18 cats diagnosed with CLL between 2000 and 2010 was performed. CLL was defined as the presence of a mature lymphocytosis (>9000 lymphocytes µL(-1) ) and confirmation of an immunophenotypically monomorphic or clonal lymphoid population. Each patient was required to also have at least one of the two following criteria: (1) concurrent cytopenia of at least one cell line and/or (2) >15% mature lymphocytes in the bone marrow. Data on signalment, history, clinical signs, clinicopathologic features and response to treatment were reviewed. Median age of the cats at initial presentation was 12.5 years (range: 5-20 years). The most common presenting complaint was chronic weight loss, which was present in 8/18 (44%) cats. Sixteen of 18 (89%) cats were treated with chlorambucil and prednisolone; four of these cats also received vincristine. Two (11%) cats were treated with multi-agent injectable chemotherapy (L-CHOP, l-asparaginase, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone). Eighty-eight percent of cats evaluable for response achieved a complete (nine cats) or partial (six cats) remission. Median overall remission was 15.7 months (range: 1.3-22.8 months). The median overall survival in the 17 cats with follow-up data was 14.4 months (range: 0.9-25.3 months). Results of this study suggest that CLL affects older-aged cats and responds favourably to treatment with oral chlorambucil and prednisolone.
Fast Computation of the Multivariable Stability Margin for Real Interrelated Uncertain Parameters

A new algorithm for computing the Miutivariable Stability Margin for checking the robust stability of feedback systems with real parametric uncertainty is proposed. This method eliminates the need for the frequency search involved in the algorithm of [1,2,3] by reducing it to checking a finite number of conditions. These conditions have a special structure, which allows a significant improvement on the speed of computations.
Examples of Root Systems

It may be easiest to read the next chapter with examples in mind. In this chapter we will describe various root systems and in particular we will illustrate the rank 2 root systems. Since the purpose of this chapter is to give examples, we will state various facts here without proof. The proofs will come in later chapters.
Investigation into the Hydrologic Separation of Bound and Mobile Water in Forest SoilUsing Isotopic Analysis

approved: ______________________________________________________ Kate Lajtha How water moves through soils is of importance to studies of stream hydrology and biogeochemistry. Although translatory flow, which states how soil water is displaced by additional precipitation into streams, is a widely accepted model, Brooks et al. (2010) found evidence that challenged this model. They suggested that there are two “water worlds” in forest soils in Mediterranean climates that rarely interact: tightly bound water in very small pores that comes from initial rain after a dry summer, and more mobile water in larger pores that moves freely and is displaced by precipitation into streams. This project tests this hypothesis by using a centrifuge paired with a ceramic rod to separate soil water samples into mobile and immobile portions for isotopic analysis to detect differences. Soil cores were taken at six points throughout the year at five depths. Results indicate a critical error during storage causing significant evaporation of the data making comparison of the water pools ineffective. However, the temporal and depth trends are consistent with Brooks’ et al. (2010) conclusions. Characterization of the separation method shows the importance of choosing rods with air­ entry values higher than the desired extraction pressure. This project recommends study repetition with improved methods.
Quantitative High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy of III-V Semiconductor Interfaces by Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Exit-Plane Wave Function Images

The application of exit-plane wave function (EPWF) images for an atomic-scale compositional mapping of interfaces in the GaAs-AlAs system is investigated. Image simulations based on the multislice algorithm were performed to obtain EPWF images over a wide range of compositions and specimen thicknesses. The EPWF-amplitude images were further analyzed by the method of factorial analysis of correspondence. A simultaneous analysis of the effects both thickness and composition on image contrast yielded two eigenvectors representing the individual contributions from the two effects. This separation was however not complete, leaving a residual contribution from thickness on the composition-sensitive eigenvector and vice versa. Extraction of the chemical content from the composition-sensitive eigenvector is still possible by a parameterization of the residual thickness contribution. A simpler procedure for quantifying the composition across an interface is proposed based on the analysis of images of AlxGa(1-x)As with different Al/Ga composition but same specimen thickness.
Profits, Losses and the Non-Linear Pricing of Internet Stocks

This paper sheds light on the economics of Internet firms by extracting information on major value-drivers from their stock prices. Contrary to conventional Wall Street wisdom that there is little or no method in the pricing of Net stocks, I find that basic accounting data are highly value-relevant in a simple nonlinear manner. Using log-linear regression on quarterly data for 167 Net firms over the period 1997:Q1?1999:Q2, I show that Net firms' market values are linear and increasing in book equity, but concave and increasing (decreasing) in positive (negative) net income. When Net firms' earnings are decomposed into revenues and expenses, revenues are found to be weakly positively priced. In contrast, and consistent with the argument that very large marketing costs are intangible assets, not period expenses, Net firms' market values are reliably positive and concave in selling and marketing expenses when net income is negative, particularly during the first two fiscal quarters after the IPO. R&D expenditures are priced in a similarly concave manner, although more durably beyond the IPO than are marketing costs. The concavity in the pricing of core net income, R&D costs, and selling and marketing expenses runs counter to the notion that Net firms are expected to benefit from extraordinary profitability stemming from large strategic operating options, or increasing returns-to-scale.
Physical characterization of incense aerosols

Experiments were performed to study the physical characteristics of smoke aerosols generated by burning three types of stick incense in a 4 m3 clean room. Sidestream cigarette smoke was also examined under the same conditions to provide a comparison. Among the parameters measured were (a) masses of aerosol, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides generated by burning the incense or cigarettes, (b) rates of decay of the particles from the air, and (c) estimates of count median particle size during a 7 h period post-burning. There was variability among the types of incense studied with respect to many of the parameters. Also, as a general trend, the greater the initial particulate mass concentration, the more rapid the rate of decay of the smoke. In relation to the quantity of particulate generated, cigarette smoke was found to produce proportionally larger quantities of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides than did incense. Due to the fact that burning incense was found to generate large quantities of particulate (an average of greater than 45 mg/g burned, as opposed to about 10 mg/g burned for the cigarettes), it is likely, in cases in which incense is habitually burned in indoor settings, that such a practice would produce substantial airborne particulate concentrations.
Outcome of lung transplantation for patients requiring concomitant cardiac surgery

Background The clinical results of lung transplantation and concomitant cardiac surgery are unclear. The effect of cardiopulmonary bypass on the pulmonary allograft is controversial, and the effect of cardiac arrest and cardiac surgery in this setting is unknown. Our aim was to review the operative results and long-term survival in this group of patients. Methods A retrospective review of all lung transplantations between 1988 and 2003 was performed. Patients who had concomitant cardiac surgery during lung transplantation were compared with those who underwent lung transplantation alone. The variables analyzed included allograft ischemic times, use of cardiopulmonary bypass, early graft dysfunction, postoperative morbidity, survival, length of mechanical ventilation, length of stay in the intensive care unit, and overall hospital stay. Results During this period, 35 of 700 lung transplant recipients (15 single and 20 bilateral transplantations) underwent concomitant cardiac surgery. The cardiac procedures were for patent foramen ovale (n = 18), atrial septal defect (n = 9), ventricular septal defect (n = 2), coronary bypass (n = 4), and "other" (n = 2). Allograft ischemic time, use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, length of hospital stay, operative mortality, and survival were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Ventilator time and intensive care unit stay were longer in the cardiac surgery group. Conclusions Cardiac surgery at the time of lung transplantation can be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality. The immediate and long-term survival in these patients is similar to that of other lung transplant recipients. Lung transplantation should continue to be offered to patients with normal ventricular function who require concomitant limited cardiac surgery.
A Life-Cycle Model of the Linear Income Tax

Although an income tax is often a government's most important instrument for raising revenue and redistributing income, its potential usefulness for either of these purposes is limited by its negative impact on work incentives. The implications of the incentive effect have been studied by examining optimal tax structures under a variety of assumptions about preferences, the distribution of wage rates, and the form of the social welfare function. Much of this work has been done using models that include interpersonal variation in " ability" (wage rates), but in which no saving or dissaving occurs, i.e. in which the consumption of each individual is exactly equal to his labour income net of taxes within the time period (Mirrlees (1971), Sheshinski (1972a), (1972b), Atkinson (1973a), (1973b), Phelps (1973), Cooter and Helpman (1974), Itsumi (1974), Sadka (1976)). While the latter assumption might be innocuous if wage rates were approximately constant over an individual's lifetime, so that there was little incentive to borrow or save, or if capital markets were non-existent, so that borrowing and saving were impossible, wage profiles are in fact quite steep and most individuals make use of (admittedly imperfect) capital markets. Multiperiod models incorporating consumption-saving decisions have been used to study the effects on capital accumulation of wage, interest, capital gains, and other taxes, but even those models that include variation in " ability" have in general assumed that labour is supplied at a constant rate over the individual's working years (Ordover and Phelps (1975), Sheshinski (1976), Feldstein (1974)). A life-cycle model of individual behaviour that includes both labour supply and consumption decisions is used below. Although a general equilibrium framework is used, for simplicity real capital is ignored; labour is the only factor of production and government debt is the only asset available to savers. Only steady states and only linear tax schedules are considered, and the utilitarian social welfare function is used throughout. First, the conditions under which the life-cycle model reduces to the one-period case are derived, as well as the conditions under which the first-best tax policies for the two are identical. Next it is shown that if all individuals are identical, the optimal policy consists of lump-sum taxes together with an interest rate equal to the rate of pure time preference. The non-optimality of the " biological interest rate " proposed by Samuelson (1958) in his " Exact Consumption-Loan Model " is discussed. Finally, an upper bound on the optimal marginal tax rate is derived. This bound depends on the elasticity of total labour supply and on the elasticity of demand for debt.
Factors affecting performance of usual activities during radiation therapy.

Purpose/objectives To examine factors that might affect patients' ability to perform their usual activities during radiation therapy. Design Prospective, longitudinal design. Setting A community hospital radiation oncology department. Sample 77 patients receiving radiation therapy for curative or adjuvant intent. Methods The role function mode of the Roy Adaptation Model guided the study. Participants rated the extent to which they were performing their usual activities on a scale of 0 (not at all) to 10 (all the time). Data were collected at baseline prior to starting radiation, weekly during treatment, and one month post-treatment. Cross-sectional and longitudinal regression analyses were used to capture changes in performance of usual activities over time. Main research variables Performance of usual activities, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), fatigue, and side effects. Findings Participants maintained relatively high performance status throughout the course of treatment. The ability to perform usual activities decreased significantly from baseline to the end of treatment. Ability to perform usual activities was highly negatively correlated with fatigue and side effects. Work, sick-leave benefits, living situation, fatigue, KPS, and comorbidities were associated with ability to perform usual activities along the trajectory of radiation therapy. Conclusions Fatigue and side effects of treatment negatively affected patients' ability to carry out their usual activities during radiation therapy. Implications for nursing Management of side effects of treatment, including fatigue, and supporting patients' need to work or not work during treatment may help patients continue to perform activities that are important to them during radiation therapy.
Quantum and classical Fokker-Planck equations for a Gaussian-Markovian noise bath.

The quantum Fokker-Planck equation for a Gaussian-Markovian bath is deduced by applying a method proposed by Tanimura and Kubo [J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 58, 101 (1989)]. The results are expressed in the form of simultaneous differential equations in terms of density operators and can treat strong system-bath interactions where the correlated effects of the noise play an important role. The classical Fokker-Planck equation for a Gaussian-Markovian noise is obtained by performing the Wigner transformation, and its equilibrium state is shown to be the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. The method is convenient for numerical studies. Calculations for quantum-system harmonic oscillators and the double-well potential problems are demonstrated for cases of Gaussian-white noise and Gaussian-Markovian noise.
Optical anisotropy relevant to rotating-compensator polarimeters: application to the monoplate retarder

We analyze the optical properties of the monoplate compensator under misalignment conditions. The coupling between the boundary conditions and the secular equation in the crystal frame leads to a quartic secular equation, and certain representations of the mode vectors vanish for particular combinations of parameters. Misalignment affects mainly odd harmonics in the transmitted intensity. The even harmonics, which carry sample information, are affected only to second order. Results are in good agreement with experiment.
Epitaxial growth and processing of Si 1-x Ge x /Si for heterojunction bipolar transistors using rapid thermal techniques

Processing and materials issues for the fabrication of Si/Sii_Ge/Si heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) are discussed, particularly as they relate to the use of rapid thermal processing techniques. The addition of Ge to the base of the bipolar transistor provides the ability to tailor the bandgap throughout the device for optimum performance. However, these devices pose several challenging process integration issues. The sensitivity of device performance to temperature-time exposure originates from fundamental processes such as islanding during growth and annealing, impurity incorporation in Sii_Ge, dopant diffusion in and from Sii_Ge layers, and the formation of misfit dislocations. Each of these issues sets constraints on processing variables such as temperature, time, and ambient purity, and on device design parameters such as Ge and dopant depth profiles. Rapid thermal processing techniques may offer advantages in several of these areas.
Release of LH by LRF Injected into the CSF: A Transport Role for the Median Eminence

At time zero, 0.15M NaCl (2 μl) was injected into the third ventricle of anesthetized male rats. LH release was unaffected by such treatment as judged by the constancy of the concentration of this hormone in the plasma of these rats during the succeeding 2 hr. In contrast to 0.15M NaCl, synthetic LRF (1, 10, or 100 ng in 2 μl 0.1 5M NaCl) when injected into the third ventricle, caused significant increases in the plasma concentration of LH indicating increased LH release. The increased release was evident 10 min after the injection of LRF. One or 10 ng LRF injected into the cisterna magna had no effect on LH release during the first hour after the injection. However, 90 and 120 min after 10 ng LRF was administered via the cisterna magna, the plasma LH level rose slightly. When 100 ng LRF was given by way of the cisterna magna, LH release was stimulated markedly. However, the interval between the time of injection of LRF into the cisterna magna and the release of LH was prolonged when compared to that seen...
Effects of rationing on the consumption behavior of Chinese urban households during 1981–1987

Abstract This paper investigates the impacts of housing, fuel, and food grain rationing on consumption behavior of Chinese urban households. Four versions of the Almost Ideal Demand System with different rationed goods were estimated using pooled time series for 1981–1987 and cross sectional data by income group from household expenditure surveys. The results show that rationing on housing and grain have had significant impacts on the demand for unrationed goods. If the current rationing system remains unchanged, Chinese urban households would continue to increase their demand for nonstaple food. This would yield a considerable pressure on food supply. Moreover, a reform in housing allocation and grain rationing would significantly reduce the distortion of consumer behavior in China.
Characterization of the NICMOS flight detectors and their capabilities

The near infrared camera and multi-object spectrometer (NICMOS) is a new instrument for the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). NICMOS provides opportunities for near infrared astrophysical investigations with HST in the 0.8 - 2.5 micrometers spectral region with 256 X 256 array detectors of HgCdTe manufactured by the Rockwell International Electro-Optical Center. This manuscript describes the characteristics and capabilities of the flight focal plane assemblies (FPAs) for all three NICMOS cameras as well as the three flight spares and three continuous evaluation FPAs. All of the FPAs exceed the original specifications by a significant amount and represent the first scientific space flight of infrared arrays for this wavelength region.
Neuropeptide regulation of microglial function

Activated microglia are major producers of cytokines and chemokines in the injured or diseased brain. Neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and the related pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) have potent anti-inflammatory actions on peripheral immune cells. Microglia, too, have receptors for these peptides. When ligated, they inhibit the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α at both the protein and mRNA levels. VIP/PACAP also down-regulate the expression of microglial- derived chemokines MIP-2, KC, MIP-1, MCP-1 and RANTES. Inhibition of chemokine gene expression correlates with an inhibitory effect on NFkB binding, is mediated through the VPAC1 receptor, and involves a cAMP-dependent pathway. VIP/PACAP also decrease expression of costimulatory molecules CD40 and B7-2 on stimulated microglia. The inclusion of an anti-IL-10 antibody completely abrogates PACAP inhibition of LPS-induced CD40 expression, suggesting that PACAP inhibition is at least partly mediated by IL-10. Indeed, PACAP enhances LPS-induced IL-10 mRNA and protein levels suggesting that neuropeptides, through an increase in IL-10 protein, down-regulate costimulatory molecule expression on microglia. Another neuropeptide, galanin, also down-regulates TNF-α, but only at the protein level. Analyses of poly(A) acquisition and mRNA degradation suggest that galanin inhibits TNF-α protein by preventing the addition of the poly(A) tail and/or by destabilization of the mRNA. These data taken together suggest that neuropeptides potently influence microglial activity. Acknowledgements: Supported by PHS AI 041786, Charles and Johanna Busch Foundation, and Johnson & Johnson.
Acute Activation of Circulating Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils Following In Vivo Administration of Cocaine: A Potential Etiology for Pulmonary Injury

Crack cocaine has become a major drug of abuse in the United States and its use is associated with a broad spectrum of pulmonary complications. The present study was conducted to determine whether controlled in vivo administration of cocaine (inhaled or IV) alters the function of circulating inflammatory cells in a manner capable of contributing to acute lung injury. Subjects who regularly smoked crack cocaine were asked to abstain from illicit drug use for at least 8 h, and were then administered one of the following treatments on each of 4 study days: inhaled cocaine base (45 mg), inhaled placebo (4.5 mg cocaine base, a subphysiologic dose), IV cocaine HCl (0.35 to 0.50 mg/kg), or IV placebo (saline solution). Samples of blood were obtained from a peripheral venous catheter and blood cells were isolated before and 10 to 45 min after treatment. The administration of either cocaine base or cocaine HCl, but not their corresponding placebos, resulted in the activation of circulating polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). Exposure to cocaine in vivo enhanced the antibacterial activity of PMNs, as measured by their ability to kill Staphylococcus aureus. Antitumor activity, as measured in an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity assay, also increased following short-term administration of cocaine. Finally, short-term exposure to cocaine enhanced production of interleukin 8, a potent PMN chemoattractant and neutrophil-activating factor associated with both acute and chronic lung injury. These studies demonstrate that short-term in vivo exposure to cocaine activates the effector function and cytokine production of circulating PMNs. Therefore, it is possible that bursts of acute inflammatory activity resulting from crack use could contribute to lung injury.
Agricultural technology and its societal implications

Abstract Although the refinement of laboresque technologies that save farm labor continues, its boom (in terms of sheer number of machines) passed during the quarter-century lifetime of Technology in Society . Instead, landesque technology, which spares land, holds the spotlight. Landesque is exemplified by high-yielding varieties, the Green Revolution, and genetically modified organisms. The contribution of landesque technologies to national performance can be charted on a plane with the dual dimensions of sustainability: 1) present need and 2) environmental impact. In the dimension of need, national crop production has increased. In the dimension of environmental impact, landesque technology plus consumption that increases more slowly than income has countered population and wealth to steer national journeys toward sustainability. On the sustainability plane, the genius to discover new landesque technology and the courage to apply it can steer nations toward still greater production without veering toward higher impact.
Studies on the transfer of subviral infectivity from SV40-induced hamster tumor cells to indicator cells.

Some of the factors involved in the interaction between SV40-induced, virogenic hamster tumor cells and indicator cells were investigated. The number of detectable virogenic tumor cells was found to depend on their plating efficiency. Demonstration of virogenicity required viability of the tumor cells as well as direct contact with the indicator cells. This interaction could be enhanced by the presence of ultraviolet-irradiated Sendai virus. The tumor cells retained their virogenic character following prolonged passage in the presence of 10μg/ml of cytosine arabinoside.
Broadband square-pulse operation of a passively mode-locked fiber laser for fiber Bragg grating interrogation

A long-cavity, passively mode-locked erbium fiber laser operated in the square-pulse regime is demonstrated as a useful light source for interrogating fiber Bragg grating arrays. Output pulses with 4-W peak-power, 10-ns pulse widths, and bandwidths greater than 60nm were used successfully to interrogate 2% fiber Bragg gratings.
Mutations in a C. elegans Gqα Gene Disrupt Movement, Egg Laying, and Viability

We find that C. elegans egl-30 encodes a heterotrimeric G protein α subunit more than 80% identical to mammalian Gqα family proteins, and which can function as a Gqα subunit in COS-7 cells. We have identified new egl-30 alleles in a selection for genes involved in the C. elegans acetylcholine response. Two egl-30 alleles specify premature termination of Gqα and are essentially lethal in homozygotes. Animals homozygous for six other egl-30 alleles are viable and fertile, but exhibit delayed egg laying and leave flattened tracks. Overexpression of the wild-type egl-30 gene produces the opposite behavior. Analysis of these mutants suggest that their phenotypes reflect defects in the muscle or neuromuscular junction.
A Limited Microbial Consortium Is Responsible for Extended Bioreduction of Uranium in a Contaminated Aquifer

Subsurface amendments of slow-release substrates (e.g., emulsified vegetable oil [EVO]) are thought to be a pragmatic alternative to using short-lived, labile substrates for sustained uranium bioimmobilization within contaminated groundwater systems. Spatial and temporal dynamics of subsurface microbial communities during EVO amendment are unknown and likely differ significantly from those of populations stimulated by soluble substrates, such as ethanol and acetate. In this study, a one-time EVO injection resulted in decreased groundwater U concentrations that remained below initial levels for approximately 4 months. Pyrosequencing and quantitative PCR of 16S rRNA from monitoring well samples revealed a rapid decline in groundwater bacterial community richness and diversity after EVO injection, concurrent with increased 16S rRNA copy levels, indicating the selection of a narrow group of taxa rather than a broad community stimulation. Members of the Firmicutes family Veillonellaceae dominated after injection and most likely catalyzed the initial oil decomposition. Sulfate-reducing bacteria from the genus Desulforegula, known for long-chain fatty acid oxidation to acetate, also dominated after EVO amendment. Acetate and H(2) production during EVO degradation appeared to stimulate NO(3)(-), Fe(III), U(VI), and SO(4)(2-) reduction by members of the Comamonadaceae, Geobacteriaceae, and Desulfobacterales. Methanogenic archaea flourished late to comprise over 25% of the total microbial community. Bacterial diversity rebounded after 9 months, although community compositions remained distinct from the preamendment conditions. These results demonstrated that a one-time EVO amendment served as an effective electron donor source for in situ U(VI) bioreduction and that subsurface EVO degradation and metal reduction were likely mediated by successive identifiable guilds of organisms.
Development of Velar Consonants among Normal Two-Year-Olds

This study examined the frequency of occurrence of velar deviations in spontaneous single-word utterances over a 6-month period for 40 children who ranged in age from 1:11 (years:months) to 3:1 at the first observation. The productions of a subset of 14 children whose percentage of occurrence of velar deviations was greater than the mean of the total group were examined further to describe the types of velar deviations and the effects of word position and phonetic context. Results indicated that velars presented difficulty for less than half of the children. In the subgroup the type of deviation and the percentage of correct velars appeared to vary with the position in the word, the vowel environment, and the velar's function as a singleton or as one segment of a cluster.
Comparative pharmacokinetics of coumarin anticoagulants. V. Kinetics of warfarin elimination in the rat, dog, and rhesus monkey compared to man.

Small (1–4 mg./kg.) and large (10–12.5 mg./kg.) doses of sodium warfarin were administered intravenously to rats (Sprague-Dawley, male), dogs (mongrel, male), and monkeys (rhesus, male). Warfarin concentrations in the plasma declined exponentially with time in each species. The plasma half-life of warfarin was independent of dose in the dog, appears to decline slightly with increasing dose in the rat, and increases markedly with increasing dose in the monkey. Apparent volumes of distribution (dose/ C p 0 ) increased slightly with increasing dose in most of the animals. The half-life of warfarin, as observed in this study, increases in the order: rat
Abstract 1286: Pharmacodynamics of oral curcumin in plasma and rectal mucosa in a Phase IIa trial

Background: Curcumin, a dietary polyphenol derivative of turmeric, has potent cancer reductive activity in in vivo colon carcinogenesis models. We administered curcumin at doses of 2 g or 4 g to separate groups of 20 healthy human smokers with > 8 aberrant crypt foci (ACF). The 2 g dose showed no ACF reduction while the 4 g dose showed a 46% reduction (p Methods: Curcuminoid products were extracted from homogenized biopsy tissue and ultacentrifuged plasma and evaporated under argon. The separation was performed on a Symmetry ® C 18 column. The mobile phase used under gradient conditions was 25% acetonitrile with 74.9% containing 0.1% acetic acid (25:74.9:0.1; v/v/v; A) and 100% acetonitrile containing 0.1% acetic acid (99.9:0.1; v/v; B) The flow rate was 0.3 mL/min and injection volume for all samples was 10 µL. The lower limit of detection for curcumin from human plasma was 5 ng/mL and from human colonic mucosa was 50 ng/5mg tissue. Results: See Table below (summarized by pre and post treatment dose for plasma and mucosal concentrations) Conclusions: Native curcumin is not detectable in the majority of biopsy and plasma samples. Conjugated curcumin is detectable in all plasma samples and the majority of mucosal biopsies with a significant increase in plasma concentrations at 4g. We postulate the conjugates detected in the rectal mucosa are delivered systemically from absorption and conjugation higher in the gastrointestinal tract and may have biologic activity. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1286. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1286
The stability of a bis-pyramidal D4h structure for the fulvalene dication

Abstract STO-3G calculations show that the D 2h structure of the fulvalene dication 4 is an energy minimum with respect to this constraint lying some 21 kcal/mole above the singlet D 2h (3) structure with both being less stable than triplet D 2h (3). Analogies are drawn with organometallics.
Theoretical Investigation of Colored Lenses for Snow Goggles

Safe driving or skiing in the “arctic whiteout” depends frequently upon the early detection of crevasses, fissures, ditches, or other sudden changes of elevation in the snow field. It has been believed that there might exist a certain colored glass for snow goggles which would provide a better perception of dangerous spots in snow. However, no definite answer was available as to what color the lenses ought to be.The purpose of this paper is to investigate this problem from the theoretical point of view. It is found that compared with an essentially neutral glass none of the colored glasses ordinarily used in snow goggles improves the ability of the eye to detect sudden changes of elevation in a snow field. Even red glasses of extreme purity—which according to the present theory would be expected to give a maximum of improvement, are not significantly more effective than neutral glasses.
LEWICE/E: An Euler based ice accretion code

A new version of the LEWICE ice accretion computer code was developed which calculates the ice growth on two dimensional surfaces, incorporating the effects of compressibility through the solution of the Euler equations. The code is modular and contains separate stand-alone program elements that create a grid, calculate the flow field parameters, calculate the droplet trajectory paths, determine the amount of ice growth, and plot results. This code increases the applicability of ice accretion predictions by allowing calculations at higher Mach numbers. The new elements of the code are described. Calculated results are compared to experiment for several cases, including a LEWICE example case and a thin airfoil section at a Mach number of 0.58.
Identification of conserved and variable structures in the human immunodeficiency virus gp120 glycoprotein of importance for CXCR4 binding.

CD4 and the chemokine receptors, CXCR4 and CCR5, serve as receptors for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Binding of the HIV-1 gp120 envelope glycoprotein to the chemokine receptors normally requires prior interaction with CD4. Mapping the determinants on gp120 for the low-affinity interaction with CXCR4 has been difficult due to the nonspecific binding of this viral glycoprotein to cell surfaces. Here we examine the binding of a panel of gp120 mutants to paramagnetic proteoliposomes displaying CXCR4 on their surfaces. We show that the gp120 β19 strand and third variable (V3) loop contain residues important for CXCR4 interaction. Basic residues from both elements, as well as a conserved hydrophobic residue at the V3 tip, contribute to CXCR4 binding. Removal of the gp120 V1/V2 variable loops allows the envelope glycoprotein to bind CXCR4 in a CD4-independent manner. These results indicate that although some variable gp120 residues contribute to the specific binding to CCR5 or CXCR4, gp120 elements common to CXCR4- or CCR5-using strains are involved in the interaction with both coreceptors.
To Forgive and Discredit: Bipolar Identities and Medicated Selves Among Female Youth in Residential Treatment

Based on 11 months of ethnographic fieldwork at a residential treatment center in the United States, this article explores the varied meanings that female youth attribute to behavior and the strategic (mis)use of knowledge about psychiatric diagnosis and medication at a time when the scope of behaviors pathologized in young people continues to expand. Drawing upon psychological and critically applied medical anthropology, as well as contributions from philosophy on how classifications of people come into being and circulate, attention is paid to the multiple contradictions at work in diagnosing young people with mental disorders. A detailed examination of an exchange that occurred during one particular group therapy session is presented to demonstrate how psychiatric selves emerge in this environment when conventional labeling practices no longer suffice as an explanation of behavior. This turn to psychiatry reveals both the salience of and confusion around mental health treatment and diagnosis among adolescents, opens up the distinctions young people make between "real selves" and "medicated selves," and invokes the possibility of psychiatric disorder as a means to both forgive and discredit.