cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of awareness in reducing nail-biting behavior

To determine the role of nonspecific awareness factors in self-monitoring of nail-biting and incentives, 40 subjects were randomly divided into five treatment groups: self-monitoring, positive incentive, negative incentive, nail measure alone, and minimal contact. Subjects were seen individually for 6 weeks and records of nail length and self-monitored biting responses were kept. While all treatments resulted in a decrease in biting frequency and an increase in nail length, subjects in the minimal contact control group experienced the smallest changes. There were no differences between basic self-monitoring and self-monitoring plus incentive subjects. At follow-up, there were no group differences in nail length, and subjects reported increased awareness of biting compared to pretreatment. These results suggested that a treatment package consisting of self-monitoring plus regularly scheduled nail measurements is effective in increasing awareness for control of nail-biting.
Low-cost, fused millimeter-wave and 3D point cloud imaging for concealed threat detection

The growing need to detect non-metallic, concealed threats at venues ranging from airports to sports arenas has created a demand for low-cost, close-range whole-body imaging systems. The adaptation of low-cost wireless communication hardware for millimeter-wave imaging has made possible to design a system that satisfies this demand. The integration of 3D point cloud data has created a multi-modal, fused system that leverages both imaging technologies.
The view from America: comments on Banton

This article reflects on Michael Banton's thought-provoking essay on the state of ethnic studies, both in terms of teaching and conducting research. By focusing on the US in contrast to Banton's British emphasis, it offers a comparative reference for exploring the central points Banton makes about the need for conceptual clarification, the challenges posed by fusing scholarship and partisanship, and the desirability of expanding cross-national comparative research.
Quantitative defense theory and patterns of feeding by oak insects.

Patterns of herbivory over a two year period on Quercus emoryi (Fagaceae) were correlated with seasonal and yearly changes in tannin and protein content. Quantitative defense theory predicts that tannin and protein content in apparent plants should be negatively and positively correlated, respectively, with degree of herbivory. Most herbivory occurred early in the growing season, but the pattern varied between the two years. Tannin and protein content sometimes varied negatively and sometimes positively with degree of herbivory; they did not consistently covary with herbivory. Protein content was positively correlated with herbivory in 1981–1982 but not in 1982–1983. Condensed tannin content was negatively correlated with herbivory in 1981–1982 but not in 1982–1983. Hydrolysable tannin content was positively correlated with herbivory activity. Multiple regression analyses indicated these phytochemical variables explained either no significant variation in herbivory (1982–1983) or did so in a fashion opposite (1981–1982) to the predictions of the theory of quantitative defense. Feeding by oak insects was not solely a function of seasonal changes in quantitative defenses and nutrients. Obviously, population dynamics of the insects are sensitive to factors other than phytochemistry of the trees and I discuss other factors that can influence patterns of herbivory.
Autocrine effect of androgen on proliferation of an androgen responsive prostatic carcinoma cell line, LNCAP: role of interleukin-6.

LNCaP is an androgen-responsive prostatic carcinoma cell line that exhibits a bell-shaped growth response curve to increasing doses of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in culture. Although the precise mechanism responsible for this unique growth response to androgen stimulation remains unclear, many studies have suggested that androgen modulates the level of various growth factors. In an early study, we demonstrated that LNCaP proliferation was stimulated by interleukin (IL)-6 in a paracrine manner, because these cells did not express a significant amount of IL-6. In the present study, the role of IL-6 in mediating androgen regulated proliferation in LNCaP cells was investigated. DHT, at increasing doses up to 10−8 M, resulted in a release of IL-6 from LNCaP cells. This dose-dependent effect of DHT on LNCaP proliferation could be partially inhibited by the addition of antibody against IL-6 into the culture medium. These results indicate that the DHT-induced expression of IL-6 stimulates proliferation of LNCaP ce...
Ordinary Versus Super‐Omniscient Interpreters

The sceptic argues that we have little, if any, empirical knowledge. Recently Davidson offered a solution to this challenge by introducing his famous omniscient interpreter argument. Many of Davidson‘s critics claim that his solution is obviously flawed, since there is an unbridgeable gap between its premises. But I argue that even if his answer is formally acceptable, it is still problematic because circular. I focus on its modal character. Accordingly, a super-omniscient interpreter is introduced, who can beat Davidson’s ordinary omniscient interpreter. This demonstrates that Davidson’s semantic theory is not adequate for rebutting external-world scepticism; his argument is either circular or incorrigibly inconclusive.
The sticky business of histone H2AX in V(D)J recombination, maintenance of genomic stability, and suppression of lymphoma

DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) induced during cellular metabolism, DNA replication, and genomic rearrangement events lead to phosphorylation of the H2AX core histone variant in surrounding chromatin. H2AX is essential for normal DSB repair, maintenance of genomic stability, and suppression of lymphomas with clonal translocations and intra-chromosomal deletions. One current focus of our lab is to elucidate mechanisms through which H2AX functions in the cellular DNA damage response using V(D)J recombination as a model system. A number of potential H2AX functions can be readily tested using novel experimental approaches developed in our lab. These putative functions include: (1) modulation of chromatin accessibility to facilitate kinetics of DSB repair, (2) stabilization of broken DNA strands to maintain ends in close proximity, and (3) amplification of DNA damage signals. Here, we summarize our recent efforts in elucidating mechanisms by which H2AX functions during V(D)J recombination to coordinate DSB repair with cellular proliferation and survival to prevent translocations and suppress lymphomagenesis.
Enhancement of the plasma density and deposition rate in rf discharges

The peak and time averaged electron density in rf excited silane‐helium mixtures increased significantly above the cw value by square wave modulating the source. The deposition rate of amorphous hydrogenated silicon films is also enhanced and apparently follows the electron density. Attachment to the discharge products appears to be responsible.
Increased in vitro activity of ceftriaxone by addition of tazobactam against clinical isolates of anaerobes

Abstract A total of 461 clinical strains of anaerobes were tested using a broth microdilution test to determine the activity of the combination of ceftriaxone and tazobactam and other antimicrobials against these isolates. Ceftriaxone was combined with tazobactam in ratios of 1:1, 2:1, 4:1, and 8:1 and twofold dilutions of ceftriaxone in constant concentrations of tazobactam of 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 μg/ml. Against β-lactamase-producing strains of the Bacteroides fragilis group, B. capillosus , and Prevotella species all combinations of ceftriaxone and tazobactam showed enhanced in vitro activity and were eight- to 2048-fold more active than ceftriaxone alone. By comparison ceftriaxone and tazobactam showed superior or equal activity to ampicillin and sulbactam, piperacillin and tazobactam, amoxicillin and clavulanate, ticarcillin and clavulanate, and metronidazole against these same strains. Against β-lactamase nonproducing strains of Porphyromonas, Fusobacterium, Clostridium, Eubacterium, Peptostreptococcus , and Veillonella parvula the addition of tazobactam produced no appreciable enhanced ceftriaxone activity. Fixed concentrations of tazobactam at 2 and 4 μg/ml appear to be most suitable for susceptibility testing and are within the pharmacologic profile of this inhibitor. Pharmacologic and toxicity studies will be needed to define the role of ceftriaxone and tazobactam in infectious diseases.
Postanoxic recovery of spontaneously beating isolated atria: pH related role of adenylate kinase.

Abstract The functional activity, adenine nucleotides, and creatine phosphate content of spontaneously beating isolated rabbit atria were measured prior to anoxia, after 1 hr anoxia, and at the end of 1 hr reoxygenation at pH 6.7 and 7.2 During anoxia at pH 7.2 there was 13.3% loss of adenine nucleotides pool, 35.2% loss of ATP, 36.2% increase in ADP, 200% increase in AMP, and a decrease to 8.8% of CP assayed to the beating atria in oxygen. At pH 6.7 there was almost the same decrease in CP, about 10% decrease in ATP, no change in total adenine nucleotides, no change in AMP and a higher increase in ADP (88.7%). The postanoxic recovery was much more complete when the pH was 6.7 during anoxia, and the first 40 min of reoxygenation. The extent of recovery of functional activity correlated well with the level of ATP in all cases not CP. Since the adenylate kinase and ATPase activity both decrease at acidic pH, their combined diminution would tend to preserve the adenine nucleotide pool and thus the better recovery at pH 6.7, because of a decrease in energy demand and unavailability of AMP for the degradation process. This study also supports the notion of compartmented adenine nucleotides connected by the creatine phosphate-creatine energy shuttle.
Synthesis and characterization of organic/inorganic hybrid nanoparticles: Kinetics of surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization and morphology of hybrid nanoparticle ultrathin films

The synthesis of hybrid nanoparticles was conducted by the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene and (meth)acrylates from colloidal surfaces. Colloidal initiators were prepared by the functionalization of silica colloids with 2-bromoisobutyrate groups. ATRP from colloidal surfaces was then performed to attach well-defined homopolymers and block copolymers to an inorganic core. Kinetics of the ATRP of styrene (Sty), n-butyl acrylate (BA), and methyl methacrylate (MMA) under identical reaction conditions were investigated. Hybrid nanoparticles containing block copolymers of pSty-b-pBA (Mn = 22 300; Mw/Mn = 1.20), pMMA-b-pBA (Mn = 29 400; Mw/Mn = 1.28), and pBA-b-pMMA (Mn = 17 300; Mw/Mn = 1.28) were prepared, and hydrolysis of silica cores by hydrofluoric acid treatment enabled characterization of cleaved copolymers using size exclusion chromatography and 1H NMR. Ultrathin films of hybrid nanoparticles were examined using transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy.
Use of Meta-Analysis in Social Work and Allied Disciplines

Meta-analysis is rapidly becoming the gold-standard for conducting integrative literature reviews. To better understand the role of meta-analysis scholarship in social work, we analyzed publication patterns of meta-analysis across five disciplines: family studies, nursing, psychology, psychiatry, and social work. The frequency and proportion of published meta-analytic studies, critiques of particular meta-analytic studies, and articles discussing meta-analysis methodology were calculated by coding articles from the 10 highest impact journals within each discipline across a 24-year period. All disciplines are increasingly publishing meta-analysis scholarship, though social work lags behind in publishing and commenting on published meta-analyses. Implications are discussed for promoting and strengthening social work's ability to effectively produce and benefit from meta-analytic research.
Hydroxyl-sulfate exchange stoichiometry on γ-Al2O3 and kaolinite

There is a release of OH - from soil colloids with the addition of SO 4 2- . The ratio of moles of OH - released per mole of SO 4 2- adsorbed is referred to as the OH/SO 4 exchange stoichiometry. The OH/SO 4 stoichiometry not only provides an important constraint on surface complexation models but also is a critical area of research to explain the effects on soil pH from the application of SO 4 2- amendments such as gypsum. The OH/SO 4 stoichiometry on γ-Al 2 O 3 and kaolinite was determined by a back titration method with a pH-stat autotitrator as well as calculated from SO 4 2- adsorption edges at various SO 4 2- concentrations by the thermodynamic approach. The stoichiometry increased with increasing solution pH and SO 4 2- adsorption density. At a low pH, the stoichiometry was low and was similar for γ-Al 2 O 3 and kaolinite. At higher pH levels, it was higher for γ-Al 2 O 3 than for kaolinite. The average values of the stoichiometry calculated by the thermodynamic approach were in agreement with those measured by back titration for both γ-Al 2 O 3 and kaolinite. The thermodynamic approach provides an easier experimental method to evaluate the OH/anion stoichiometry as a function of pH and adsorption density. It also indicated that at low pH levels (<5), the stoichiometry might be overestimated due to dissolution of adsorbents, whereas at higher pH levels (5-8), it might be underestimated because of precipitation of Al hydroxy sulfates and gibbsite.
Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND)

Pelvic and paraaortic lymph nodes are common sites of metastases from gynecologic malignancies and may act as a sanctuary of chemoresistant tumor cells in some patients. There is no doubt that the evaluation of the regional lymph nodes provides important prognostic information for patients with gynecologic malignancies. The rationale is a more accurate assessment of the extent of disease, allowing for better individualization of adjuvant therapy. Nonetheless, the therapeutic role of systematic lymphadenectomy in patients with gynecologic malignancies is still under debate. The retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) has been shown to prolong survival for patients with chemorefractory ovarian immature teratoma. Furthermore, RPLND is an important aspect of post-chemotherapy debulking surgery for nonseminomatous germ cell tumors, which is the counterpart of the ovarian immature teratoma. Therefore, the ability to perform an extensive RPLND is an important skill in the surgical armamentarium of the gynecologic oncologist. In the following article we outline the surgical anatomy and describe the essential steps of the RPLND.
Effects of Wolbachia infection and ovarian tumor mutations on Sex-lethal germline functioning in Drosophila.

Wolbachia is a ubiquitous intracellular endosymbiont of invertebrates. Surprisingly, infection of Drosophila melanogaster by this maternally inherited bacterium restores fertility to females carrying ovarian tumor (cystocyte overproliferation) mutant alleles of the Drosophila master sex-determination gene, Sex-lethal (Sxl). We scanned the Drosophila genome for effects of infection on transcript levels in wild-type previtellogenic ovaries that might be relevant to this suppression of female-sterile Sxl mutants by Wolbachia. Yolk protein gene transcript levels were most affected, being reduced by infection, but no genes showed significantly more than a twofold difference. The yolk gene effect likely signals a small, infection-induced delay in egg chamber maturation unrelated to suppression. In a genetic study of the Wolbachia–Sxl interaction, we established that germline Sxl controls meiotic recombination as well as cystocyte proliferation, but Wolbachia only influences the cystocyte function. In contrast, we found that mutations in ovarian tumor (otu) interfere with both Sxl germline functions. We were led to otu through characterization of a spontaneous dominant suppressor of the Wolbachia–Sxl interaction, which proved to be an otu mutation. Clearly Sxl and otu work together in the female germline. These studies of meiosis in Sxl mutant females revealed that X chromosome recombination is considerably more sensitive than autosomal recombination to reduced Sxl activity.
Management Development in the Global Village: Beyond Culture – a Microworld Approach

Examines the global organization and its particular management development needs. It proposes that implicit in the idea of global stategy is a model of management based on efficiency. Efficiency is created by a uniformity of approach across national and cultural boundaries. Global managers must also be able to create effective microcultures of unified action worldwide. Describes a management development programme which uses simulation to provide managers with a practice field for creating a unifying cultural framework which can cohere diverse interests around organizational strategy.
A borehole-to-surface electromagnetic survey

The results of a limited field trial confirm the usefulness of borehole‐to‐surface electromagnetic (EM) measurements for monitoring fluid extraction. A vertical EM profiling experiment was done at the University of California Richmond Field Station, where we simulated a brine spill plume by creating a saline water injection zone at the depth of 30 m. The data acquisition mode was analogous to the reverse vertical seismic profiling (VSP) configuration used for seismic measurements in that the EM transmitter traversed the PVC-cased borehole used for fluid injection and extraction while the receivers were deployed on the surface. The EM measurements were made at 9.6 kHz with an accuracy of 1% in signal amplitude and 1° in signal phase. Observations were taken at 5-m intervals along two intersecting profiles that were centered on the injection well and extended for 60 m on either side of it. The presence of the injected salt water, at the expected 30 m depth, was indicated clearly by differences between the p...
Discrepancies between the medical record and the reports of patients with acute coronary syndrome regarding important aspects of the medical history

Many critical treatment decisions are based on the medical history of patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Discrepancies between the medical history documented by a health professional and the patient's own report may therefore have important health consequences. Medical histories of 117 patients with an ACS were documented. A questionnaire assessing the patient's health history was then completed by 62 eligible patients. Information about 13 health conditions with relevance to ACS management was obtained from the questionnaire and the medical record. Concordance between these two sources and reasons for discordance were identified. There was significant variation in agreement, from very poor in angina (kappa < 0) to almost perfect in diabetes (kappa = 0.94). Agreement was substantial in cerebrovascular accident (kappa = 0.76) and hypertension (kappa = 0.73); moderate in cocaine use (kappa = 0.54), smoking (kappa = 0.46), kidney disease (kappa = 0.52) and congestive heart failure (kappa = 0.54); and fair in arrhythmia (kappa = 0.37), myocardial infarction (kappa = 0.31), other cardiovascular diseases (kappa = 0.37) and bronchitis/pneumonia (kappa = 0.31). The odds of agreement was 42% higher among individuals with at least some college education (OR = 1.42; 95% CI, 1.00 - 2.01, p = 0.053). Listing of a condition in medical record but not in the questionnaire was a common cause of discordance. Discrepancies in aspects of the medical history may have important effects on the care of ACS patients. Future research focused on identifying the most effective and efficient means to obtain accurate health information may improve ACS patient care quality and safety.
The Congress for Cultural Freedom, Minerva, and the Quest for Instituting ''Science Studies'' in the Age of Cold War

The Congress for Cultural Freedom is remembered as a paramount example of the ''cultural cold wars.'' In this paper, I discuss the ways in which this powerful transnational organization sought to promote ''science studies'' as a dis- tinct - and politically relevant - area of expertise, and part of the CCF broader agenda to offer a renewed framework for liberalism. By means of its Study Groups, international conferences and its periodicals, such as Minerva, the Congress developed into an influential forum for examining the ways Big Science impacted the relations between science, society, and politics, thus constituting a semi-insti- tutional niche for Science Studies before its professionalization within academia during the 1970s. I argue that the Congress contributed to the construction of public space in which the relations between science, society and politics were debated, and science was reconceptualized as a social activity. The vision of ''science studies'' the CCF-associated intellectuals promulgated was different from the science studies we know today. Yet, this alternative vision, in which the issues of science politics appeared inseparable from those of science policy, science organization, and science governance, constituted the ''pre-history'' of science studies today.
Ventriclar Arrhythmias in Patients with Myocardial Infarction and Ischaemia The Role of Serum Potassium

An association between low serum potassium concentrations and ventricular arrhythmias has been observed by a number of investigators in patients with both acute myocardial infarction and symptomatic angina. The increased frequency of ventricular fibrillation in patients with low serum potassium concentrations has not been attributable to differences in the size or location of the infarct or concomitant digitalis administration. Although prior diuretic usage is frequently associated with a low serum potassium concentration, diuretic usage in the absence of significant changes in serum electrolytes is not associated with an increase in malignant ventricular arrhythmias. It is not clear whether the alterations in serum potassium are important in the pathogenesis of the arrhythmias or merely a marker for other arrhythmogenic factors. To the extent that changes in serum potassium contribute to the production of serious ventricular arrhythmias, efforts should be directed at the correction of such electrolyte disturbances. Attempts to increase the serum potassium in acute cases do not appear to be successful in preventing ventricular arrhythmias in this setting. Primary prevention of electrolyte disturbances would seem to offer more effective protection against serious arrhythmias. Long term studies with β-blockers support this premise.
Cystic neuroblastoma in a newborn

A neuroblastoma that presented as an adrenal cyst in a newborn infant is described. This is an extremely unusual presentation for neuroblastoma; it emphasizes the need for a high degree of suspicion when evaluating any abdominal mass in the newborn.
A transformational analysis of form recognition under plane isometries

Abstract Several theorems on transformation theory were developed. These theorems establish a chain of plane isometric subgroups, three series of plane isometric normal subgroups, and a technique for characterizing a geometric element by the minimal number of its invariant points under an isometry. An experiment in form recognition was designed and conducted to test the theorems. The experimental results agree with the theoretical models. An order (from best to worst) of recognition of the transformed images is constructed under the identity, transiation, rotation, and reflection or glide reflection. This order is quantified by a scale of related invariant points −1, 0, 1, 2 under the respective isometries. For the rotated images, the larger the angular departure from the upward vertical ray through the centroid of a form, the less probable is the correct recognition of its image. The reflected and glide reflected images show the oblique effect. Hence the importance of directionality in form recognition is demonstrated. The results also show that in a chain or a series, the smaller an isometric subgroups, the easier the recognition of its images. Thus the chain and the series with their invariants serve as models for a principle of simplicity in form recognition.
Lipoxin A4 Stable Analogs Are Potent Mimetics That Stimulate Human Monocytes and THP-1 Cells via a G-protein-linked Lipoxin A4 Receptor

Abstract Lipoxins (LX) are bioactive eicosanoids that activate human monocytes and inhibit neutrophils. LXA4 is rapidly converted by monocytes to inactive products, and to resist metabolism, synthetic analogs of LXA4 were designed. Here, we examined the bioactivity of several LXA4 analogs in monocytes and found, for chemotaxis, 15(R/S)-methyl-LXA4 and 15-epi-LXA4 were equal in activity, and 16-phenoxy-LXA4 was more potent than native LXA4. Both 15(R/S)-methyl-LXA4 and 16-phenoxy-LXA4 were ∼1 log molar more potent than LXA4 in stimulating THP-1 cell adherence (EC50 ≈ 1 × 10−10 M). Dimethylamide derivatives of the LXA4 analogs also possessed agonist rather than antagonist properties for monocytes. Neither LXA4 nor 16-phenoxy-LXA4 affected monocyte-mediated cytotoxicity. We cloned an LXA4 receptor from THP-1 cells identical to that found in PMN. Evidence of receptor-mediated function of LXA4 and the stable analogs in monocytes included desensitization of intracellular calcium mobilization to a second challenge by equimolar concentrations of these analogs, but not to LTB4. Increases in [Ca2+]i by LXA4 and the analogs were specifically inhibited by an antipeptide antibody to the LXA4 receptor; and both LXA4- and analog-induced adherence and increments in Ca2+ were sensitive to pertussis toxin. Together, these results indicate that the LXA4 stable analogs are potent monocyte chemoattractants and are more potent than native LXA4 in stimulating THP-1 cell adherence, at subnanomolar concentrations. Moreover, they provide additional evidence that the LXA4 stable analogs retain selective bioactivity in monocytes and are valuable instruments for examining the functions and modes of action of LXA4.
Detomidine: A preliminary analysis of its duration of action in the horse by variable interval responding

Summary Variable interval (VI) reinforcement scheduling is a specific type of operant conditioning that is sensitive to drug effects even when overt clinical signs of the drug have diminished. Six horses were conditioned to break a light beam with a head-bobbing movement and this behaviour was reinforced with a reward of clean oats (approximately 30 mg/reinforcement). Initial training procedures included familiarisation with the behavioural equipment and fixed-ratio reinforced scheduling. To establish baseline rates of behaviour, the horses were converted to a variable interval (60 sees) reinforcement schedule and kept on this schedule for the remainder of the study. A within subjects cross-over design was used with three treatments counterbalanced with the six horses. Detomidine (40 μg kg body weight, xylazine (1.1 mg/kg bodyweight) and saline (10 ml) were administered intravenously on Monday mornings with VI responding rates measured during a routine 30 min session each day from Monday to Friday. Responses and reinforcements were recorded and dispensed by use of an electromechanical relay system wired to an electric eye, an automatic feeder and a programming and recording system. Xylazine produced a small decrease in responding rates at 1 h post dose, while detomidine treated horses showed a dramatic decrease in responding rates after 1 h and a lingering effect at 24 h. No long range effects were seen with either treatment and all horses returned to baseline responding rates by 48 h post dose.
Divalent cations modulate the integrin-mediated malignant phenotype in pancreatic cancer cells.

We have previously demonstrated that pathophysiological shifts in the concentrations of extracellular Mg2+ and Ca2+ activate the α2β1 integrin-mediated malignant phenotype on type I collagen in pancreatic cancer cells, as evidenced by increased adhesion, migration and proliferation. In the present study, we examined the integrin and divalent cation specificity of pancreatic cancer cell interactions with other physiologically relevant extracellular matrix proteins, including fibronectin, type IV collagen, laminin and vitronectin. Our results indicate that, like α2β1 integrin-mediated interactions with type I collagen, β1 integrin-mediated adhesion to fibronectin, type IV collagen and laminin are promoted by Mg2+ but not by Ca2+. On vitronectin, cells attach via αvβ5 and β1 integrins, and in the presence of either divalent cation. We also demonstrate that, like type I collagen, pancreatic cancer cell migration and proliferation on fibronectin, laminin and type IV collagen is maximal when Mg2+ is present at concentrations that promote optimal adhesion and Ca2+ is present at concentrations less than Mg2+. On vitronectin, Panc-1 cell migration is maximal with decreased Mg2+ and increased Ca2+, but the reverse is true for BxPC-3 cells. Both cell lines exhibited maximal proliferation with increased Mg2+ and decreased Ca2+, however. Together with evidence indicating that the in vivo local tumor microenvironment contains increased Mg2+ and decreased Ca2+, our studies demonstrate that such divalent cation shifts could activate the integrin-mediated malignant phenotype in pancreatic cancer. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 1553–1563)
Bandgap formation and selective suppression of Bloch states in birefringent gyrotropic Bragg waveguides

Birefringent magnetophotonic crystals are found to exhibit degeneracy breaking for asymmetric contradirectional coupling in planar waveguides. Fundamental to high-order local normal mode coupling leads to partially overlapping gyrotropic bandgaps inside the Brillouin zone and partial suppression of Bloch mode propagation. A large magneto-optically active reorientation in polarization state is found for allowed Bloch modes at bandgap edges.
Studies on transplantation antigen extracts in Syrian hamsters.

A polyoma virus-induced CB strain hamster tumour has been defined with regard to its immunogenetic specificity (§ 3.1) and evaluated as a convenient source of cells from which a crude but biologically active, strain-specific 9transplantation antigen’ can easily be pre­pared. This antigen is resistant to repeated freezing and thawing, lyophilization and sub­sequent storage at 5°C (§ 3.3). Although the extracted antigen elicited ‘ direct hypersensitivity ’ reactions when inoculated intracutaneously into MHA strain hamsters specifically presensitized against CB tissue antigens by means of skin homografts or lymphoid cellular inocula, it was incapable of inciting transplantation immunity in normal MHA hosts. However, when emulsified in complete Freund’s adjuvant and injected into the footpads of MHA recipients, the material was immunogenic as evidenced by ( a ) their accelerated rejection of subsequent test tumour or skin homografts, ( b ) their prompt rejection of skin homografts hitherto sustained in a privileged site, and ( c ) their capacity to give direct reactions when challenged intracutaneously with cells or antigen extract from CB strain donors (§ 3.4). Exposure of normal MHA lymphoid cells to CB antigen in vitro altered their behaviour in such a way as to suggest a prompt transformation to an ‘immune’ or specifically activated status—such cells, after careful washing, were capable of inciting ‘immune lymphocyte transfer’ reactions in the skins of MHA and (MHA x CB) F 1 hosts. However, various findings leave open the possibility that the sensitization actually took place in the skin of the host animal into which the cells were transferred after their exposure to the antigen in vitro (§ 3.7). Chronic treatment, over a 90-day period, of adult MHA hamsters with CB antigenic material administered intracutaneously and intraperitoneally, without adjuvant, induced a high degree of tolerance in respect of subsequent homografts of CB skin (§ 3.8).
Constitutive expression of c-jun and jun-B in cell lines infected with human T-lymphotropic virus types I and II

To better understand the transcriptional regulation of human T-lymphotropic viruses, expression of the nuclear proto-oncogenes, jun-B and c-jun were examined in cell lines infected with HTLV-I/II. Constitutive high levels of jun-B and c-jun expression were observed in HTLV-I (MT-2, Hut-102, IR, FS, SP) and HTLV-II infected cell lines (Mo-T, PAN). In contrast, the uninfected cell lines (Jurkat, Hut-78) expressed only basal levels of jun. This expression of jun was not dependent upon IL-2, as both IL-2 dependent (IR, FS, SP, and Pan) and IL-2 independent (MT-2, Hut-102, Mo-T) cell lines constitutively expressed transcripts for jun-B and c-jun. These data demonstrate that deregulated expression of nuclear protooncogenes such as jun may lead to cellular proliferation and the protein products of these nuclear oncogenes may potentially serve as transcriptional activators of HTLV-LTR by complexing with other nuclear proteins.
Towards autonomic performance management of large scale data centers using interaction balance principle

In this paper, an autonomic performance management approach is introduced that can be applied to a general class of web services deployed in large scale distributed environment. The proposed approach utilizes traditional large scale control-based algorithms by using interaction balance approach in web service environment for managing the response time and the system level power consumption. This approach is developed in a generic fashion that makes it suitable for web service deployments, where web service performance can be adjusted by using a finite set of control inputs. This approach maintains the service level agreements, maximizes the revenue, and minimizes the infrastructure operating cost. Additionally, the proposed approach is fault-tolerant with respect to the failures of the computing nodes inside the distributed deployment. Moreover, the computational overhead of the proposed approach can also be managed by using appropriate value of configuration parameters during its deployment.
The 1988 earthquake in Soviet Armenia: implications for earthquake preparedness

An earthquake registering 6.9 on the Richter scale hit the northern part of the Armenian Republic of the Soviet Union on 7 December 1988, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries. The majority of these resulted from the collapse of inadequately designed and constructed buildings. Analysis of the effects of the Armenian earthquake on the population, as well as of the rescue and medical response, has strong implications for earthquake preparedness and response in other seismically vulnerable parts of the world. Specifically, this paper will recommend a number of important endeavours deemed necessary to improve medical planning, preparedness and response to earthquakes. Strengthening the self-reliance of the community in disaster preparedness is suggested as the best way to improve the effectiveness of relief operations. In earthquake-prone areas, training and education in basic first aid and methods of rescue should be an integral part of any community preparedness programme.
Memory for negatively arousing and neutral pictorial stimuli using a repeated testing paradigm

The relationship between negatively arousing pictorial stimuli and memory was investigated using a repeated testing paradigm. Based on the previous literature, it was assumed that the superior memory for negatively arousing material was due to elaboration. Therefore, we hypothesised that negatively arousing material would produce more hypermnesia than neutral material because of the increased elaboration associated with negatively arousing stimuli. A total of 160 participants viewed negatively arousing or neutral slides for either 1 second or 5 seconds and completed three free recall tests. During the inter-test intervals, participants worked on a filler task or sat quietly. The results showed superior memory for negatively arousing slides over neutral slides, and an increase in memory across tests for the arousal condition but not for the neutral condition. The results did not provide strong support for the elaboration hypothesis.
Thermal stability of nanocrystalline Fe–Zr alloys

Abstract Fe–Zr nanocrystalline alloys with an as-milled grain size less than 10 nm were synthesized by ball milling. The microstructure changes due to annealing were characterized using X-ray line broadening, microhardness, focused ion beam channeling contrast imaging, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Additions of 1/3 to 4 at.% Zr stabilized nanocrystalline grain sizes at elevated annealing temperatures compared to pure Fe. With 4 at.% Zr, a fully nanocrystalline microstructure with a TEM grain size of 52 nm was retained at temperatures in excess of 900 °C. Alloys with lower Zr contents showed less stability, but still significant compared to pure Fe. Bimodal nano–micro grain size microstructures were also observed.
A simple and inexpensive metabolic cage for mice

Abstract An inexpensive and easily constructed metabolic cage for mice is presented. This apparatus can reliably monitor food and fluid consumption, as well as urine and fecal output, in a relatively non-intrusive manner.
Level crossings, adiabatic approximation, and beyond.

We present an analysis of the phenomena occurring whenever a level crossing is encountered. Besides Landau-Zener transitions and the quantum nonintegrable phase, fractionalization of quantum numbers and chaotic behavior emerge as intrinsically intertwined phenomena
Cyclic loading and fatigue in ice

Abstract Isotropic polycrystalline ice was subjected to cyclic loading in uniaxial compression at −5°C, with stress limits 0–2 and 0–3 MPa, and frequencies in the range 0.043 to 0.5 Hz. Stress-strain records showed hysteresis loops progressing along the strain axis at non-uniform rates. The effective secant modulus, which was about half the true Young's modulus, decreased during the course of a test. The elastic strain amplitude and the energy dissipated during a loading cycle both increased with increase of time and plastic strain. Strain-time records gave mean curves which were identical in form to classical constant-stress creep curves, with a small cyclic alternation of recoverable strain about the mean curve. The inflection point of the “creep curve”, marking the transition from strain hardening to strain softening, occurred at a plastic strain of 1% (±0.1%), which is about the same as the “ductile failure strain” found in constant stress creep tests and in constant strain-rate tests on ice of the same type at the same temperature. The dissipation of strain energy up to this “failure point” was much higher for the cyclic tests than for corresponding quasi-static tests − 100 to 600 kPa (or kN-m/m3) in comparison to about 30 kPa. The number of cycles taken to reach the “failure point” was of no direct significance, varying greatly with stress amplitude and with frequency. The results of the tests suggest that maximum resistance under compressive cyclic loading occurs at an axial plastic strain of about 1%, which is essentially the same as the failure strain for ductile yielding under constant stress and under constant strain-rate.
Photophysics of Tungsten and Molybdenum Arylcarbyne Complexes. Observation of the Lowest Excited State by Laser Flash Photolysis

The photophysics of the series of tungsten and molybdenum arylcarbyne complexes Cp(CO){P(OMe)3}M⋮CAr (1a, M = W, Ar = phenyl; 1b, M = Mo, Ar = phenyl; 1c, M = W, Ar = o-tolyl; 1d, M = W, Ar = 2-nap...
AP-2alpha transcription factor is required for early morphogenesis of the lens vesicle.

AP-2 transcription factors are a family of retinoic acid-responsive genes, which are involved in complex morphogenetic processes. In the current study, we determine the requirement for AP-2alpha in early morphogenesis of the eye by examining the nature of the ocular defects in AP-2alpha null and chimeric mice. AP-2alpha null embryos exhibited ocular phenotypes ranging from a complete lack of eyes (anophthalmia) to defects in the developing lens involving a persistent adhesion of the lens to the overlying surface ectoderm. Two genes involved in lens development and differentiation, Pax6 and MIP26 were also misexpressed. AP-2alpha mutants also exhibited defects in the optic cup consisting of transdifferentiation of the dorsal retinal pigmented epithelium into neural retina and the absence of a defined ganglion cell layer. Newly generated chimeric embryos consisting of a population of AP-2alpha-/- and AP-2alpha+/+ cells exhibit ocular defects similar to those seen in the knockout embryos. Immunolocalization of AP-2 proteins (alpha, beta, and gamma) to the normal developing eye revealed both unique and overlapping expression patterns, with AP-2alpha expressed in a number of the ocular tissues that exhibited defects in the mutants, including the developing lens where AP-2alpha is uniquely expressed. Together these findings demonstrate a requirement for AP-2alpha in early morphogenesis of the eye.
Electromagnetic Properties of the Nucleon Resonance N' (1470)

By applying the sidewise dispersion relation to the electromagnetic, $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}N$, and gravitational vertex functions of the nucleon and ${N}^{\ensuremath{'}}(1470)$ while dominating the intermediate states by one-particle states, we show that the magnetic form factor of ${N}^{\ensuremath{'}}(1470)$ and the magnetic transition form factor between ${N}^{\ensuremath{'}}(1470)$ and the nucleon are proportional to the magnetic form factor of the nucleon with known proportionality constants. We also show that the electromagnetic mass difference of ${N}^{\ensuremath{'}}(1470)$ is proportional to the $p\ensuremath{-}n$ mass difference with the same proportionality constant.
Training Verbal-Nonverbal Correspondence

This study assessed the influence of strengthening a verbal self-referent statement on later corresponding nonverbal behavior performed outside the treatment setting. Seventeen preschool children were randomly assigned to two groups: (1) Experimental group, in which subjects were reinforced for repeating anti-litter statements; (2) control group in which subjects merely repeated statements unrelated to littering. Subsequent paper-picking behavior in the lavatory was counted. The results suggest that verbal, training can strongly augment the control function of self-repeated instructions in preschool children despite a time lapse between training and opportunity to perform the behavior, and a difference between the training and the performance settings.
Intravenous immunoglobulins: clinical experience and viral safety.

Objectives To discuss the current procedures and processes by which viral safety is ensured for intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs), to place in context the current increase in clinical indications for IVIGs, and to describe the safety issues that have led to product shortages. Data Sources Articles on viral safety retrieved from MEDLINE using the search terms gamma globulin, Intravenous, adverse reaction, and Infection and information from the manufacturers’ literature and Food and Drug Administration package inserts. Study Selection and Data Extraction Studies that specifically addressed the areas of major concern or advancement in viral safety of IVIGs, including donor selection, plasma screening, and other quality control procedures to ensure safety of source plasma; detection of viruses that may have escaped antibody screening tests through the use of polymerase chain reaction-based assays, which are capable of detecting small amounts of viral genomic material (e.g., hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, and human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]) in small plasma pools; and industrial-scale, validated viral inactivation methods, such as pasteurization and solvent/detergent treatment, that have been incorporated into the manufacturing processes of immunoglobulins to further minimize the risk of viral transmission. Data Synthesis In addition to the treatment of primary immunodeficiency disorders, the clinical uses of IVIGs have expanded to include treatment of Kawasaki's syndrome, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, infection following bone marrow transplantation, secondary immunologic disorders (e.g., pediatric HIV infection), hematologic disorders (e.g., chronic lymphocytic leukemia), and neurologic indications (e.g., Guillain-Barre syndrome). Although IVIG preparations are derived from human plasma, they have a long safety record and a low risk for transmitting viral infections. Conclusion Viral validation studies demonstrated that the processes discussed herein differ in their capabilities to inactivate lipid-enveloped and nonlipid-enveloped viruses.
Inductive machine learning for improved estimation of catchment-scale snow water equivalent

Summary Infrastructure for the automatic collection of single-point measurements of snow water equivalent (SWE) is well-established. However, because SWE varies significantly over space, the estimation of SWE at the catchment scale based on a single-point measurement is error-prone. We propose low-cost, lightweight methods for near-real-time estimation of mean catchment-wide SWE using existing infrastructure, wireless sensor networks, and machine learning algorithms. Because snowpack distribution is highly nonlinear, we focus on Genetic Programming (GP), a nonlinear, white-box, inductive machine learning algorithm. Because we did not have access to near-real-time catchment-scale SWE data, we used available data as ground truth for machine learning in a set of experiments that are successive approximations of our goal of catchment-wide SWE estimation. First, we used a history of maritime snowpack data collected by manual snow courses. Second, we used distributed snow depth (HS) data collected automatically by wireless sensor networks. We compared the performance of GP against linear regression (LR), binary regression trees (BT), and a widely used basic method (BM) that naively assumes non-variable snowpack. In the first experiment set, GP and LR models predicted SWE with lower error than BM. In the second experiment set, GP had lower error than LR, but outperformed BT only when we applied a technique that specifically mitigated the possibility of over-fitting.
Caenorhabditis elegans Body Mechanics Are Regulated by Body Wall Muscle Tone

Body mechanics in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans are central to both mechanosensation and locomotion. Previous work revealed that the mechanics of the outer shell, rather than internal hydrostatic pressure, dominates stiffness. This shell is comprised of the cuticle and the body wall muscles, either of which could contribute to the body mechanics. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the muscles are an important contributor by modulating muscle tone using optogenetic and pharmacological tools, and measuring animal stiffness using piezoresistive microcantilevers. As a proxy for muscle tone, we measured changes in animal length under the same treatments. We found that treatments that induce muscle contraction generally resulted in body shortening and stiffening. Conversely, methods to relax the muscles more modestly increased length and decreased stiffness. The results support the idea that body wall muscle activation contributes significantly to and can modulate C. elegans body mechanics. Modulation of body stiffness would enable nematodes to tune locomotion or swimming gaits and may have implications in touch sensation.
A global analysis of a non-linear system under parametric excitation

Abstract A strongly non-linear mechanical system consisting of a rigid damped bar subjected to a periodic parametric excitation is treated here in an exact manner. The emphasis is on the global behavior of this system which is carried out by using the point mapping and the cell-to-cell mapping methods. Even though the mechanical system is a simple one, yet it has a very complex global behavior. It is shown here that the newly developed theory of cell-to-cell mappings offers a tremendous advantage in obtaining the global domains of attraction of strongly non-linear dynamical systems.