cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring costs in cost-utility analyses. Variations in the literature.

Objectives Although cost-utility analysis (CUA) has been recommended by some experts as the preferred technique for economic evaluation, there is controversy regarding what costs should be included and how they should be measured. The purpose of this study was to: a) identify the cost components that have been included in published CUAs; b) catalogue the sources of valuation used; c) examine the methods employed for estimating costs; and d) explore whether methods have changed over time. Methods We conducted a comprehensive search of the published literature and systematically collected data on the cost estimation of CUAs. We audited the cost estimates in 228 CUAs. Results In most studies (99%), analysts included some direct healthcare costs. However, the inclusion of direct non-healthcare and time costs (17%) was generally lacking, as was productivity costs (8%). Only 6% of studies considered future costs in added life-years. In general, we found little evidence of change in methods over time. The most frequently used source for valuation of healthcare services was published estimates (73%). Few studies obtained utilization data from RCTs (10%) or relied on other primary data (23%). About two-thirds of studies conducted sensitivity analyses on cost estimates. Conclusions We found wide variations in the estimation of costs in published CUAs. The study underscores the need for more uniformity and transparency in the field, and continued vigilance over cost estimates in CUAs on the part of analysts, reviewers, and journal editors.
Rat ovary glucocorticoid receptor: Identification and characterization

Abstract A soluble, thermolabile protein with characteristics typical of glucocorticoid receptors has been identified in the ovaries of estrogenstimulated hypophysectomized immature rats. After the incubation of 3H-dexamethasone with ovarian cytosol, fractionation on a Sephadex G-200 column reveals a peak of radioactivity which elutes at the void volume. This peak, which represents saturable 3H-dexamethasone binding, disappears following heating (4 ° C × 15 min) or treatment of the cytosol with pronase. Scatchard analysis of the 3H-dexamethasone binding to cytosol shows it to be high affinity (Kd=5.1 nM) and saturable, with 327 fmol binding sites/mg cytosol protein. Binding site number rises linearly with increasing cytosol protein concentrations. The relative abilities of various steroids to inhibit 3H-dexamethasone binding are: triamcinolone acetonide ≥ dexamethasone > cortisol = progesterone > dihydrotestosterone > estradiol. This binding protein sediments at 9 S on a sucrose gradient, has a mean Stokes radius of 105 A on gel exclusion chromatography, and has a calculated molecular weight of 388, 000 daltons and a frictional ratio of 2.1. 3H-Dexamethasone is not metabolized and does not bind specifically to serum. We have identified a protein in the rat ovary with characteristics of a glucocorticoid receptor and propose that this protein may be responsible for mediating direct effects of glucocorticoids on the ovary.
Response of Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) to disturbance in laboratory arenas at different temperatures and soldier proportions.

This study examined the evacuation response of groups of Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) workers after disturbance in laboratory arenas across a range of temperatures (16, 21, and 27°C) and soldier proportions (1, 3, and 5%). Groups of workers and soldiers were disturbed in a central chamber and then monitored during a 5-d period to examine the percentage that initially evacuated, percentage of evacuees that returned, time to evacuate, time to return, and rates (percentage per hour) of evacuation and return between different temperatures and between soldier levels. Disturbance response patterns were observed that generally consisted of partial evacuation followed by movement back into disturbed areas. General alarm responses were observed and initiated specific alarm responses that resulted in more termites eventually returning to disturbed areas than originally evacuated. The typical evacuation response was not observed in groups with 5% soldiers. Instead, clustering in disturbed areas replaced evacuation. Regression revealed significant correlations between temperature and evacuation time, return time, evacuation rate, and return rate, indicating that R. flavipes alarm behaviors are influenced by temperature. There was a significant correlation between soldier proportions and the percentage of evacuees returning to disturbed areas. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences between temperatures in the time to evacuate, evacuation rate, time to return, and return rate. ANOVA also showed significant differences between soldier proportions in the mean percentage of evacuees from and the rate of return to disturbed areas. Our results demonstrate that temperature influences the rate, but not the magnitude, of alarm response, whereas the influence of soldiers may not be as important in the context of general alarm as specific alarm.
Aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AAAD) inhibitors as carcinoid tumor-imaging agents: synthesis of 18F-labeled α-fluoromethyl-6-fluoro-m-tyrosine (FM-6-FmT)

The aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AAAD) enzyme is significantly upregulated in neuroendocrine tumors and, thus, would be a good target for PET imaging agents. Alpha-fluoromethyl-DOPA (FMDOPA) is one of the most potent irreversible AAAD inhibitor and its non-catechol derivative, alpha-fluoromethyl-m-tyrosine (FMmT), is a promising AAAD imaging agent. We synthesized FMmT and its direct electrophilic fluorination provided a mixture of products identified by NMR analysis after HPLC purification as 6-fluoro-, 2-fluoro- and 2,6-difluoro-derivatives of FMmT. Using rat striatal homogenates, alpha-fluoromethyl-6-fluoro-m-tyrosine (FM-6-FmT) was found to have AAAD inhibitory activity comparable to that of FMDOPA. Electrophilic radiofluorination of FMmT using [18F]AcOF gave 18F labeled 6-fluoro-, 2-fluoro- and 2,6-difluoro-FMmT derivatives in 22.0%, 21.9% and 8.5% radiochemical yields, respectively. Based on its proposed mechanism of inhibition, FM-6-[18F]FmT is expected to irreversibly bind to AAAD and, hence, could be used as a PET agent to image tumors of endocrine origin containing high concentrations of AAAD. Since FM-6-FmT lacks the catechol moiety, it is expected to be better than FMDOPA since it is not a substrate for catechol-O-methyltransferase.
The motion of a fluid in a cylindrical container with a free surface following vertical impact

The effect of a sudden change in vertical velocity of a vessel partially filled with fluid is considered. It is shown that very small free surface disturbances can be amplified so strongly by a velocity change that instability can occur. This instability frequently causes a jet to emanate from the free surface. Conditions causing free surface disturbances in a vessel in free fall are considered and it is shown that a contact angle between the fluid and the wall of the vessel different from ½π radians can distort the surface in such a way that the amplification and instability upon vertical impact results in a central jet. The results of experiments of this effect are shown. The generation of waves due to transient side wall motions, such as those that might result from fluid pressure at impact, are considered in the appendix. It is shown that such waves would have a different form than those observed in the experiments.
Regional planning in the US coastal zone: a comparative analysis of 15 special area plans

Abstract This article explores the concept of regional planning for US coastal programs by comparing the approaches and contents of 15 ‘regional coastal plans.’ The selected regional plans varied widely in scope and content, and utilized few available land use planning tools and techniques to influence regional development patterns. The differing approaches to regional planning in part reflected the varying institutional arrangements adopted by state coastal programs. It is argued that regional planning should play a more central role in coastal management, and that federal guidelines for the preparation of Special Area Management Plans should be developed to support enhanced regional planning through the Coastal Zone Management Act.
Does it matter who answers the race question? Racial classification and income inequality in Brazil

Previous studies ofracial inequality have relied on official statistics that presumably use self-classification of race. Using novel data from a 1995 national survey in Brazil, we find that the estimates of racial income inequality based on self-classification are lower than those based on interviewer classification. After human capital and labor market controls, whites earn 26% more than browns with interviewer classification but earn only 17% more than browns with self-classification. Black-brown differences hardly change: Blacks earn 13% and 12% less than browns with interviewer classification and self-classification, respectively. We contend that interviewer classification of race is more appropriate because analysts of racial inequality are interested in the effects of racial discrimination, which depends on how others classify one's race.
Abnormal heart rate regulation in GIRK4 knockout mice

Acetylcholine (ACh) released from the stimulated vagus nerve decreases heart rate via modulation of several types of ion channels expressed in cardiac pacemaker cells. Although the muscarinic-gated potassium channel I(KACh) has been implicated in vagally mediated heart rate regulation, questions concerning the extent of its contribution have remained unanswered. To assess the role of I(KACh) in heart rate regulation in vivo, we generated a mouse line deficient in I(KACh) by targeted disruption of the gene coding for GIRK4, one of the channel subunits. We analyzed heart rate and heart rate variability at rest and after pharmacological manipulation in unrestrained conscious mice using electrocardiogram (ECG) telemetry. We found that I(KACh) mediated approximately half of the negative chronotropic effects of vagal stimulation and adenosine on heart rate. In addition, this study indicates that I(KACh) is necessary for the fast fluctuations in heart rate responsible for beat-to-beat control of heart activity, both at rest and after vagal stimulation. Interestingly, noncholinergic systems also appear to modulate heart activity through I(KACh). Thus, I(KACh) is critical for effective heart rate regulation in mice.
Excess trace metal effects on calcium distribution in plants

Abstract One of the most important roles of Ca in plants is that of protecting against toxicities of trace metals. Even though this is a function of Ca, at least some of the trace metals in excess do inhibit uptake and/or translocation of Ca. Managanese, when supplid at a very high level to bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cultivar Improved Tender‐green) in solution culture, decreased Ca concentration in leaves, stems, and roots. The inhibition was pronounced for 10(E‐3) and 10(E‐2) M Mn. The decrease for the latter was 76% for leaves, 61% for stems, and 49% for roots. Molybdenum at 10(E‐3) M decreased bush bean leaf, stem, and root concentrations of Ca by 38%, 24%, and 16%, respectively. Vanadate at 10(E‐5) M decreased bush bean concentrations of Ca in leaves, stems, and roots by 37%, 50%, and 11%, respectively. Silver at 10(E‐5) M decreased Ca in leaves by 67%. Cadmium at 10(E‐4) M decreased leaf, stem, and root Ca by 76%, 28%, and 61%, respectively. Lithium at 50 ppm in soil decreased yields of bush b...
MO-E-330A-01: Joint Estimation of Motion and Activity Concentration for 4D Gated PET Studies

Purpose: Gated PET acquisition has been traditionally used to address the respiratory/cardiac motion induced artifacts. However, gated PETimages usually have poor image quality due to insufficient photon counts. In this regard, various efforts have been made to estimate the motion information from the gated PETimages first, and then use this information to produce motion‐free, high quality images. The purpose of this study is to combine the two inter‐related tasks—motion estimation and image reconstruction, into one single process. A potential advantage of such an approach is a more accurate estimation of the motion information, as well as a better quality of the reconstructed image.Method and Materials:Motion estimation and image reconstruction are jointly performed by maximizing a modified likelihood function that incorporates motion information. A computer simulation was performed on a 2D digital phantom placed in a simulated PET scanner to test the feasibility of this approach. The digital phantom consisted of a hot sphere moving sinusoidally within a warm background. The motion of the sphere was discretized into 10 steps. This simulated a tumor in the patient body influenced by the respiratory motion during a gated data acquisition using 10 time frames. The simulated PET scanner consisted of two parallel gamma cameras each having 140 detectors, and could rotate in 280 angular steps. Projection data were modeled to follow a Poisson statistics, with 20% of random counts. Results: The jointly estimated image recovered the shape of the moving object while still preserved a good image quality. Quantification error was reduced by 21.2% when compared to the static reconstruction, and SNR was improved by 185% when compared to the gated image.Conclusion: The joint estimation approach we have proposed has a good potential in motion artifacts correction for 4D PETimages.
Analysis of cancer signaling networks by systems biology to develop therapies

Cancer is a complex and heterogeneous disease, demonstrating variations with respect to tumor types and between individual tumors. This heterogeneity has complicated the search for 'magic bullets'-individual genes or pathways that could be targeted and have beneficial effects for large numbers of patients. Instead, recent studies suggest that cancer can be more effectively analyzed through the use of systems biology techniques that examine multiple pathways and account for interactions between these pathways. In this review, we outline the various ways in which systems biology can be utilized to translate high-throughput data into a signaling network and then computationally analyze how cells make decisions based on the information flow through this network. We then discuss recent studies utilizing network-level analysis to reveal therapeutic targets, predict which tumors will be sensitive to existing drugs, and develop combinatorial therapies that target multiple pathways, demonstrating the potential for systems biology to revolutionize cancer therapy.
Abstract B26: Reelin signaling in tumor microenvironment is required for metastasis of mammary carcinoma cells.

We have investigated the role of reelin signaling in the microenvironment of breast cancer and found that reelin is essential for progression of mammary tumors to metastasis. Reelin signaling serves to position neurons in the developing central nervous system, but functions of this signaling pathway in other tissues have not been studied until recently. Our laboratory discovered that the reelin pathway is an important regulator of mammary gland development. We showed that reelin and Dab1, the intracellular adaptor protein for reelin, are required for timely development and proper morphology of the mammary gland. We also found that normal mammary epithelial cells (MECs) can respond to exogenous reelin by slowing their migration rate, while mouse mammary carcinoma 4T1 cells lose this response, likely through downregulation of Dab1 mRNA. Orthotopic injections of 4T1 cells into wild type Balb/C mice resulted in aggressive tumors that produced numerous metastases in the lungs by 4 weeks post-injection. However, when these cells were injected into mice that lack reelin or Dab1 (reeler and Dab1 mutant mice), we saw a dramatic reduction in lung metastases despite the presence of primary tumors comparable in size to the tumors formed in wild type mice. We show that this phenotype is dependent upon loss of reelin in the host environment, since tumor cells isolated from reeler mutant mice produce primary tumors and lung metastases when injected into Balb/C mice. Using soft agar colony assays and Western blotting, we show that the inability of 4T1 cells to metastasize in mutant animals might be due to a reduced capacity of mammary carcinoma cells to undergo epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in an environment deficient for reelin signaling. In addition, tumors from reeler and Dab1 mutant mice appear to have more differentiated cells as shown by anti-α smooth muscle Actin and anti-K14 immunostaining. Ki-67 staining showed no differences in proliferation between tumors from wild type, reeler or Dab1 mutant mice. Finally, tail vein injections of 4T1 cells into reeler mutant mice also fail to produce metastases, indicating that reelin signaling in the host environment might have important functions at several steps of the metastatic process. Our results implicate reelin signaling as an essential component of transition from the primary tumor to a metastatic carcinoma. Citation Format: Elvira Khialeeva, Joan W. Chou, Ellen M. Carpenter. Reelin signaling in tumor microenvironment is required for metastasis of mammary carcinoma cells.. [abstract]. In: Abstracts: AACR Special Conference on Cellular Heterogeneity in the Tumor Microenvironment; 2014 Feb 26-Mar 1; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B26. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.CHTME14-B26
Minimizing job shop inventory with on-time delivery guarantees

In this paper, we introduce a new job shop model that minimizes a well-motivated inventory measure while assuring on-time job deliveries. For this new problem, we introduce precise notation and formalization. A decomposition scheme is discussed in detail, which is subsequently utilized in a new shifting bottleneck procedure (SBP) for the problem. In addition to SBP, we propose another heuristic method based on successive insertion of operations. Algorithms are fine tuned through experimentation. Moreover, the two heuristic procedures are compared in terms of computation time and solution quality, using disguised actual factory data.
Unplanned Pregnancy Following Norplant Removal in Adolescents and Adults

Background Norplant is a user-independent subdennal contraceptive composed of six silastic, levonorgestrel containing capsules. Previously reported data demonstrated that the majority of women in our population chose Norplant within one year of a pregnancy (89% of adolescents and 69% of adults); 65% of these women initially became pregnant while using oral contraceptives. The purpose of this study is to prospectively compare the length of time between Norplant removal and unplanned pregnancy in adolescent ( Methods Women using Norplant are prospectively followed from device insertion through removal and subsequent annual examinations as part of an ongoing study. Patient data is collected by personal interview and chart review and entered into a computer database. Data is evaluated for significance by chi-square analysis where p Results Post-removal follow-up data for between 11 and 62 months is currently available for 367 Norplant removals (125 adolescents, 212 adults, and 30 individuals with incomplete data). The average length of follow-up is 24.8 months with a standard deviation of 9.9 months. There have been 41 pregnaneies to date following Norplant removal (18 adolescents and 23 adults). Thirty six (88%) of these pregnancies were unplanned (15 adolescents and 21 adults). The average length of time from device removal to unplanned pregnancy was 4.7 months in adolescents and 5.3 months in adults. Eighty seven percent of adolescent and 57% of adult unplanned pregnancies occurred following device removal despite placement on oral contraceptives. Conclusions Adolescent women discontinuing Norplant use are no more likely to experience unplanned pregnancy than adults. Women experiencing oral contraceptive failure are likely to experience repeat oral contraceptive failure. In this population, user dependent contraceptive methods are less reliable than user independent contraceptive methods.
The green tea catechins, (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and (−)-Epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), inhibit HGF/Met signaling in immortalized and tumorigenic breast epithelial cells

The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor, Met, is a strong prognostic indicator of breast cancer patient outcome and survival, suggesting that therapies targeting Met may have beneficial outcomes in the clinic. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a catechin found in green tea, has been recognized as a potential therapeutic agent. We assessed the ability of EGCG to inhibit HGF signaling in the immortalized, nontumorigenic breast cell line, MCF10A, and the invasive breast carcinoma cell line, MDA-MB-231. HGF treatment in both cell lines induced rapid, sustained activation of Met, ERK and AKT. Pretreatment of cells with concentrations of EGCG as low as 0.3 microM inhibited HGF-induced Met phosphorylation and downstream activation of AKT and ERK. Treatment with 5.0 microM EGCG blocked the ability of HGF to induce cell motility and invasion. We assessed the ability of alternative green tea catechins to inhibit HGF-induced signaling and motility. (-)-Epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG) functioned similar to EGCG by completely blocking HGF-induced signaling as low as 0.6 microM and motility at 5 microM in MCF10A cells; whereas, (-)-epicatechin (EC) was unable to inhibit HGF-induced events at any concentration tested. (-)-Epigallocatechin (EGC), however, completely repressed HGF-induced AKT and ERK phosphorylation at concentrations of 10 and 20 microM, but was incapable of blocking Met activation. Despite these observations, EGC did inhibit HGF-induced motility in MCF10A cells at 10 microM. These observations suggest that the R1 galloyl and the R2 hydroxyl groups are important in mediating the green tea catechins' inhibitory effect towards HGF/Met signaling. These combined in vitro studies reveal the possible benefits of green tea polyphenols as cancer therapeutic agents to inhibit Met signaling and potentially block invasive cancer growth.
The catalyzed o-pH2 conversion and magnetocatalytic effects on EuO and CrO2

Abstract Catalyzed ortho-parahydrogen conversion rates have been measured on both insulating and conducting types of europium monoxide over the temperature range 65–400 K. There was no rate anomaly in the neighborhood of the ferromagnetic-paramagnetic phase transition. A positive extrinsic field magnetocatalytic effect was observed in the paramagnetic phase but little effect was found below the Curie point. Chromium dioxide proved to be too reactive for measurements to be made near the Curie point. Catalytic activity was found, but no extrinsic field effect at room temperature. The theoretical implications of these results are discussed.
Cytological Studies on Experimental Rat Tumors

ConclusionsStudy of experimental tumors produced by ultraviolet rays in the albino rat revealed low average values for the nuclear-nucleolar ratio of groups of 100 cells. The nucleolus from experimentally produced malignant tumor cells was found to vary greatly in size and number as it does in malignant cells from human lesions.
Theory of DNA translocation through narrow ion channels and nanopores with charged walls

Translocation of a single-stranded DNA molecule through genetically engineered $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-hemolysin channels with positively charged walls is studied. It is predicted that transport properties of such channels are dramatically different from neutral wild-type $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-hemolysin channels. We assume that the wall charges compensate a fraction $x$ of the bare charge ${q}_{b}$ of the DNA piece residing in the channel. Our predictions are as follows. (i) At small concentration of salt the blocked ion current decreases with $x$. (ii) The effective charge ${q}_{s}$ of the DNA piece, which is very small at $x=0$ (neutral channel) grows with $x$ and at $x=1$ reaches ${q}_{b}$. (iii) The rate of DNA capture by the channel grows exponentially with $x$. Our theory is also applicable to translocation of a double-stranded DNA molecular in narrow solid state nanopores with positively charged walls.
Watch Out! That Could Be Dangerous: Valence-Arousal Interactions in Evaluative Processing

Seven studies involving 146 undergraduates examined the effects of stimulus valence and arousal on direct and indirect measures of evaluative processing. Stimuli were emotional slides (Studies 1 to 6) or words (Study 7) that systematically varied in valence and arousal. Evaluative categorization was measured by reaction times to evaluate the stimuli (Studies 2, 3, and 7), latencies related to emotional feelings (Study 3), and incidental effects on motor performance (Studies 4 and 5). A consistent interaction was observed such that evaluation latencies were faster if a negative stimulus was high in arousal or if a positive stimulus was low in arousal. Studies 1, 6, and 7 establish that the findings are not due to stimulus identification processes. The findings therefore suggest that people make evaluative inferences on the basis of stimulus arousal.
Simulation of the impacts of land-use change on surface runoff of Lai Nullah Basin in Islamabad, Pakistan

Land use change has significant impact on the hydrologic and ecological processes of a watershed. This study combines an empirical land use change model and an event scale, rainfall-runoff model to quantify the impacts of potential land use change on the storm-runoff generation in the Lai Nullah Basin. The HEC-HMS rainfall-runoff model was calibrated and validated for 5 storm events in the study area, and the results showed good consistency between the simulated and measured hydrographs at the outlet (Katarian Bridge) of the basin with Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency ranging from 76 to 98%. The future land use scenario was forecasted based on Islamabad Master Plan and growth pattern. The calibrated HEC-HMS model was applied for these future land use scenarios to assess the potential land use impacts on the storm-runoff generation. The results indicated that the future land use as envisaged in the master plan is projected to increase the total runoff between 51.6 and 100.0% as well as the peak discharge between 45.4 and 83.3%, and that the magnitude of peak discharge increment relates to the expansion rate of built-up area. The results provide useful information for land use planning and management and the methods applied can serve as a useful tool for future land use impact studies.
The ins and outs in membrane dynamics: tubulation and vesiculation

Living cells constantly adjust the composition and size of their membrane systems to accommodate the demands for the housekeeping activities, to expand and reduce cell size, and to commit the cell for division. Although it is well known that vesicles are the vehicles to deliver and retrieve lipids and proteins to and from the membranes, the mechanisms allowing vesicles to pinch off from membranes or fuse into a flat lipid bilayer have been poorly understood, particularly in plants. Recent studies on dynamins and dynamin-related proteins in animals and plants now allow new concepts in membrane dynamics to be considered.
DF-2 bacteremia following cat bites: Report of two cases

DF-2 is a recently described gram-negative bacillus known to be part of the normal flora of dogs. A variety of serious infections (bacteremia, endocarditis, meningitis, cellulitis) caused by DF-2 have occurred following dog bites. Asplenic patients appear to be especially susceptible to DF-2 infection. Two cases of DF-2 bacteremia occurring after domestic cat bites are reported. Sepsis and meningitis developed in an asplenic patient, and an immunocompetent patient presented with primary cellulitis. Both patients responded promptly to parenteral antibiotic therapy. DF-2 must now be considered along with Pasteurella multocida in the differential of cellulitis or sepsis following bites or scratches from domestic cats.
Design fragments make using frameworks easier

Object oriented frameworks impose additional burdens on programmers that libraries did not, such as requiring the programmer to understand the method callback sequence, respecting behavior constraints within these methods, and devising solutions within a constrained solution space. To overcome these burdens, we express the repeated patterns of engagement with the framework as a design fragment. We analyzed the 20 demo applets provided by Sun and created a representative catalog of design fragments of conventional best practice. By evaluating 36 applets pulled from the internet we show that these design fragments are common, many applets copied the structure of the Sun demos, and that creation of a catalog of design fragments is practical. Design fragments give programmers immediate benefit through tool-based conformance assurance and long-term benefit through expression of design intent.
Underlayer-induced perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in ultrathin Co/Au/Cu(111) films: A spin-wave Brillouin-scattering study

We have used spin-wave Brillouin scattering to study the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of ultrathin Co/Au/Cu(111) films with various thicknesses of Au underlayer. From the field dependence of the spin-wave frequency we find that the second-order (fourth power) uniaxial perpendicular anisotropy increases monotonically with increasing Au-underlayer thickness ranging from 0 to 5 monolayers (ML), while the first-order (second power) anisotropy shows a nonmonotonic increase with a minimum at 1 ML Au. The ratio of the second-order anisotropy constant to the first one also increases with increasing Au thickness, from 0.01 to 0.07. We observe saturation for both the perpendicular anisotropy constants for a 5 ML Au underlayer, which coincides with saturation of expansion of the in-plane Co lattice due to the coherent growth of Co at the interface between the Co and Au underlayer. When the thickness of Au is further increased beyond 5 ML, we find an anisotropy-independent increase in coercivity on the polar-Kerr hysteresis curves. We also have observed a field-dependent broadening of the spin-wave Brillouin spectrum around a critical field between out-of-plane and in-plane magnetizations, which we explain by assuming a distribution of the first-order perpendicular anisotropy. As the result, the normalized distribution of the first-order anisotropy is shown to have a minimum at 1 ML Au thickness. We believe the observed Au-thickness dependences of the perpendicular anisotropy and of the distribution are characteristic behaviors due to an atomic-scale transition of the underlayer materials from Cu to Au.
Life satisfaction among San Francisco Chinese-Americans

This study investigates variables that predict life satisfaction in a group of 142 San Francisco Chinese-Americans by utilizing Campbell, Converse and Rodgers' model (1976) of life quality. While objective demographic variables failed to make a significant contribution, satisfaction level with life domains examined (i.e., work, health, marriage/singlehood, friendship and biculturality) accounted for 37% of the variance in life satisfaction, with all but the combined work domain satisfaction score emerging as significant predictors of overall life satisfaction. Subgroup analyses reveal biculturality satisfaction as the most powerful predictor of life satisfaction in immigrants, but not in American-borns, for whom level of friendship satisfaction is most predictive of life quality. These findings and their implications are discussed.
The flavonoid quercetin transiently inhibits the activity of taxol and nocodazole through interference with the cell cycle

Quercetin is a flavonoid with anticancer properties. In this study, we examined the effects of quercetin on cell cycle, viability, and proliferation of cancer cells, either singly or in combination with the microtubule-targeting drugs taxol and nocodazole. Although quercetin induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner, 12.5-50 μM quercetin inhibited the activity of both taxol and nocodazole to induce G2/M arrest in various cell lines. Quercetin also partially restored drug-induced loss in viability of treated cells for up to 72 h. This antagonism of microtubule-targeting drugs was accompanied by a delay in cell cycle progression and inhibition of the buildup of cyclin-B1 at the microtubule organizing center of treated cells. However, quercetin did not inhibit the microtubule targeting of taxol or nocodazole. Despite the short-term protection of cells by quercetin, colony formation and clonogenicity of HCT116 cells were still suppressed by quercetin or quercetin-taxol combination. The status of cell adherence to growth matrix was critical in determining the sensitivity of HCT116 cells to quercetin. We conclude that although long-term exposure of cancer cells to quercetin may prevent cell proliferation and survival, the interference of quercetin with cell cycle progression diminishes the efficacy of microtubule-targeting drugs to arrest cells at G2/M.
Induction of calcium-dependent, localized cortical granule breakdown in sea-urchin eggs by voltage pulsation.

Abstract A technique that employs a high-voltage pulses to produce pores in cell membranes (Kinosita and Tsong (1977) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74, 1923) has been used to investigate the role of Ca2+ in the early events of activation of sea-urchin eggs. Exposure of eggs to a voltage pulse of 1 kV/cm for 100 μs resulted in localized exocytosis of the contents of cortical granules and development of a partial fertilization envelope. This effect was triggered by entrance of Ca2+ through the voltage-induced pores. In a medium containing 100 μM Ca2+ and 45Ca2+ tracer, the voltage-treated eggs admitted 3.6±0.3 fmol Ca2+/egg within a few seconds. Untreated eggs took up only 1.0±0.2 fmol/egg after minutes of incubation. Furthermore, depletion of Ca2+ or the presence of EGTA in the external medium prevented elevation of the fertilization envelope by the voltage pulsation. Delay in Ca2+ addition after the voltage pulsation reduced the fraction of eggs that developed partial fertilization envelope. Loss of essential cytoplasmic components during the delay period is judged unlikely, since these eggs were viable, could form partial fertilization envelopes if re-pulsed in the presence of Ca2+, and could develop to normal blastula stage embryos upon fertilization with sperm. Thus, we interpret this effect as due to a resealing of pores; the half-life of pores being 20 s. The elevation of partial fertilization envelopes occured only at the loci facing the anode, and multiple pulses with mixing resulted in the formation of multiple fertilization envelopes. These envelopes were stable for up to several hours; further propagation (wave spreading) was not observed. The above results indicate that a primary reaction in the sequence of steps in fertilization envelope formation involves Ca2+ to trigger cortical granule breakdown and formation of the fertilization envelope.
Heavy/Light Chain Assay for Monitoring IgA Multiple Myeloma: Digging Out the IgA from the β Region

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant disorder in which plasma cells of a single clone proliferate and accumulate in the bone marrow, leading to bone destruction and bone marrow failure. These abnormal plasma cells secrete monoclonal Ig. It is estimated that 24050 new MM cases will occur in the US in 2014 (1.4% of all new cancer cases), with a median age at diagnosis of 69 years (1). The diagnosis of MM is based on the presence of monoclonal plasma cells, monoclonal Ig, and myeloma-related organ and tissue impairment including bone lesions. Aside from the standard laboratory testing, identification of monoclonal Ig (paraprotein) by serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) and immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) are the current gold standards supported by the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) for diagnosis and monitoring therapy (2). SPEP is a simple laboratory technique established in the 1950s, in which serum is applied to a support medium and exposed to an electric current, and the different serum fractions separate into 5 bands: albumin, α1, α2, β, and γ globulin fractions (3). Special attention is given to the γ region, which is mainly composed of IgG. IFE testing, introduced in the 1980s, uses the same protein separation principle as SPEP but also identifies the abnormal Ig present with isotype- and …
Sequence effects among crops on alluvial-derived soil compared with those on glacial till-derived soil in the northern Great Plains, USA

Abstract The dynamic cropping systems concept proposes a long-term strategy of crop sequencing to achieve production, economic and soil care goals through sound ecological management. This requires that agriculturalists have comprehensive information about how crop species affect following years’ crops. Little research exists about how differences in soil type and properties change crop sequence effects. Sandy loam, alluvial-derived soil in south central North Dakota, USA (400 mm/yr precipitation) was the site of a crop sequence experiment in which four species – maize (Zea mays L.), dry pea (Pisum sativum L.), spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) – were grown in strips one year and in perpendicular strips the following, with spring wheat planted a third year. No-till management was used with three replications in land and two in time. Results were compared with those from two 10 × 10 sequence experiments on silt loam, glacial till-derived soil. Soil water depletion (SWD) and root growth were deeper in sandy loam soil than in silt loam. During a year of above average precipitation, prior year soybean enhanced spring wheat yield on sandy loam soil by 14% above average, but prior year spring wheat reduced it by 14%. During a year of deficient precipitation, prior crop effects on spring wheat yield ranked in order of expected springtime soil water storage: dry pea, 11%; spring wheat, 4%; soybean, −5%; maize, −10%. Prior crops’ SWD largely determined spring soil water, with maize having greatest depletion. Excluding results from a year of low precipitation, prior crops’ effects on spring wheat yield on sandy loam soil were similar to results found at two sequence experiments on silt loam soil: dry pea – generally positive effect (N-production, water conservation); spring wheat – negative (disease); soybean – positive (N-production); maize – generally negative (heavier water use). Same year comparison of three crops (nine sequences) on sandy loam soil vs. silt loam showed average dry pea and spring wheat yields being equivalent (P
Growth of young Pinus ponderosa and Pinus contorta on compacted soil in central Washington.

Abstract Growth in height, diameter, and volume was measured on 9- to 18-year-old ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa ) and 10- to 13-year-old lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta ) trees growing on or near compacted skid trails in the Yakima Indian Reservation in south-central Washington. Soil bulk density of the 0- to 30.5-cm deep layer was measured with a single-probe nuclear densimeter on two sides of each sample tree and in adjacent undisturbed soil. On three ponderos pine sites logged 23 years before the study, average bulk density on skid trails was 15% greater than on adjacent undisturbed soil. On a lodgepole pine site logged 14 years before the study, soil on skid trails averaged 28% greater bulk density than undisturbed soil. Total growth of ponderosa pine and the last 5 years of growth were significantly related ( P = 0.07) by regression analysis to age of trees, site index, basal area of the adjacent overstory, and the percentage of increase in soil bulk density. At the mean increase in soil bulk density, total height, diameter, and volume growth were reduced 5%, 8%, and 20%, respectively. Total growth of lodgepole pine and the last 5 years of height, diameter, and volume growth were significantly related to tree age and the percentage of soil organic matter. Increase in soil bulk density was not significantly related to growth of this species.
Heterotopic Dissonance in the Museum Representation of Pacific Island Cultures

Two exhibits, the Margaret Mead Hall of Pacific Peoples at the American Museum of Natural History (1971) and Traveling the Pacific at the Field Museum of Natural History (1989), are compared. Foucault's concept of heterotopia is used to examine why, in spite of major recent changes in museum philosophy and technology, the subtexts of the two exhibits remain remarkably similar. Both confuse spatial distance with temporal flow, creating an incoherent framework of disjunctive orders.
Vector tensor algorithm for optimization of hologram images in photorefractive gyroanisotropic media

Given is a tensor-vector generalization for anisotropic crystal of nonlinear optic interaction in arbitrary incidence of two plane waves transmitting regular nonhomogeneous nonlinear gyroanisotropic media. The solution is represented for arbitrary polarization of interacting waves, taking into account the real parameter of media: bipolar conductivity, natural and induced anisotropy by electric, optics, etc. external fields. A compact matrix-vector algorithm is demonstrated for a fast estimation 3D space evolution of the optic fields in arbitrary crystal symmetries and is usable to optimization the experimental condition and crystal parameters measurement.
cad salary and employment study

Abstract This paper presents the results of a survey of cad users and is designed to determine employment characteristics in the cad workforce. Engineers, architects, designers, drafters, and various classifications of managers were surveyed to determine age, gender, experience, education, and other characteristics and their relationship to the salary received. Also, types and sources of cad training were determined.
Identification of a clinical isolate of HIV-1 with an isoleucine at position 82 of the protease which retains susceptibility to protease inhibitors

The HIV-1 protease (PR) is essential for the production of mature virions. As such, it has become a target for the development of anti-HIV chemotherapeutics. Multiple passages of virus in cell culture in the presence of PR inhibitors have resulted in the selection of variants with decreased sensitivity to inhibitors of the PR. The most common alteration observed is a single amino acid change at position 82. This particular position has been well characterized by several laboratories as being important for the susceptibility of the virus to inhibitors of PR function. Mutations which result in the substitution of the wild-type valine with alanine, phenylalanine, threonine or isoleucine at position 82 of the PR have been associated with decreased sensitivity to several PR inhibitors. We describe here a clinical strain of HIV-1 that contains an isoleucine at position 82 of the PR instead of the usual valine. This strain is unique in that it was isolated from a patient that was anti-retroviral naive, and in the past, variants at position 82 of the PR have only been found after treatment of patients or cell culture with PR inhibitors. Moreover, this virus remains sensitive to PR inhibitors of the cyclic urea and C-2 symmetrical diol classes.
A new method of investigation of the DNA melting process - the thermal conductivity method

Abstract In this paper, a new method of investigation of the conformational changes of macromolecules in solutions is presented. This method, based on thermal conductivity measurements, has been employed in the study of thermally induced conformational changes in the NaDNA macromolecule. The results are presented in the form of temperature dependences of the thermal conductivity coefficient of NaDNA solutions in 0.01 M NaCl and in 0.005 M MgCl 2 aqueous solution. On the basis of the performed measurements, the melting temperatures T M and the width of the helix-coil transition Δ T M were determined.
A tesla discharge detector for gas chromatography

Abstract Two new detectors for gas chromatography, based on properties of the Tesla discharge, have been developed. Their simplicity and economy of construction suggests their use in lecture demonstrations, undergraduate laboratory instruction, and in monitoring preparative column work at the laboratory bench. The possibility of use of air as the carrier gas opens up interesting applications of the detector, with or without a column, in measurement of humidity, vapor pressures above solvents or solutions, molecular weight determinations, and observation of various atmospheric contaminants. The visible discharge can be monitored spectroscopically to obtain some information on the nature of the components.
Variation in soil salinity associated with expansion of Phragmites australis in salt marshes

Salinity is a well-known stressor of Phragmites australis (common reed), leading to reduced success in brackish and salt marshes. Although saline, many remaining salt marshes in New England are changing in structure and function due to tidal restrictions and rapid proliferation of P. australis. The poor reputation of this native plant (its dominance is used as an indicator of marsh degradation) has stimulated management and research using natural stressors for control. Our field study associated natural variability in soil salinity levels over time and space with vigor and spread rates of P. australis. Over 2 years, salinity was measured 15 times from three depth intervals (5–20, 35–50, and 65–80 cm) at five stations established in six colonies of P. australis. Our results indicated that salinity in tidal marshes varied temporally due to the extent of tidal flooding (salinity was greater during spring tides compared with neap tides) and regional freshwater runoff (salinity was lower in the spring). If the growing season is split into early (May–July) and late (August–October) periods, interesting patterns emerged (salinity increased with depth early, but decreased with depth late). Shoot height, cover, and expansion rate of the six colonies were measured twice over 3 years. In general, the stands of P. australis were expanding into salt marsh at 0.35 m per year, and increasing in cover (8% per year), even though the canopy height decreased at all but two of the sites over the study period. Salinity was lower in marshes where tides were artificially restricted (11–16 ppt compared with 19–24 ppt for the natural marshes), and one of these sites exhibited rapid P. australis expansion. At sites with natural hydrology, P. australis appeared to be expanding more slowly, shading out marsh species, and perhaps avoiding salinity stress by accessing natural sources of fresher water at different soil depths during different seasons.
Percutaneous occlusion of ureteral leaks and fistulae using nondetachable balloons

High-output ureteral fistulae were managed percutaneously in 3 patients with pelvic malignancies. Urine flow was diverted by combining percutaneous nephrostomy catheter drainage with transrenal balloon occlusion of the affected ureter proximal to the site of extravasation. This technique can be used either alone as the definitive method of treatment or as the initial procedure to preserve renal function and reverse the inflammatory reaction prior to subsequent surgical repair; its primary application is in patients in whom antegrade or retrograde ureteral stenting is not feasible or possible.