cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
759 Development of an implantable artificial lymph node as a therapeutic cancer vaccine

Background Personalized therapeutic cancer vaccines aim to target and reprogram the host immune system to achieve cancer eradication in situ. Cancer vaccines deliver two main components: immunostimulants (iS) and tumor antigens to reduce tumor burden with a robust T cell response; however, none have reached broad clinical success due to difficulty in vaccine administration, ex vivo cellular manipulation, low clinical efficacy and broad administrative barriers. While most efforts to date have focused on repeated bolus administrations, biomaterial-based vaccine strategies have led to promising clinical translation. Methods In light of these challenges, we have designed a clinically-viable platform-based vaccine strategy, termed the NanoLymph, to provide spatiotemporal elution of immunostimulants and tumor antigens locally to recruit and activate antitumor immunity for cancer eradication. Here, we aim to target the release of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and TLR-7/8 agonist Resiquimod (R848) to promote recruitment and activation of dendritic cells (DCs), a key player in antitumor cytotoxicity. Results We demonstrate the NanoLymph as an structurally stable and biocompatible immunostimulatory niche for durable DC-driven tumor specific T-cell mediated cytotoxicity. Additionally, we demonstrate the NanoLymph’s ability to recruit and activate immune cells of interest, activating antitumor immunity against model antigen. Thus, we have provided the framework necessary to develop a personalized therapeutic cancer vaccine for tumor-specific T-cell mediated responses necessary to generate immunological memory. Conclusions Future studies will evaluate immunostimulant and tumor antigen biodistribution in vivo and further apply the NanoLymph in a tumor bearing model to effect antitumor cytotoxicity. Ultimately, we aim to develop a personalized platform applicable for every patient of any cancer type aimed at direct clinical translation. Ethics Approval This study was approved by the Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), according to protocols approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). HMRI’s Animal Welfare Assurance number is A4555-01. HMRI assures strict compliance with all federal regulations and guidelines involving the use of laboratory animals in biomedical research.
Anesthetic Success Using Nitrous Oxide and a Combination of Lidocaine/Clonidine for the Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block and the Effects on Blood Pressure and Pulse in Patients with Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind Study.

Abstract Introduction The pulpal anesthetic success rates for an inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) alone in patients presenting with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis are less than adequate. Nitrous oxide and clonidine have shown increases in IANB success when administered individually, but their success has not been evaluated when used together. The purpose of this prospective, randomized, double-blind study was to determine the effect of nitrous oxide/oxygen plus an IANB using lidocaine/clonidine on the success of the IANB in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis and to evaluate the effect of clonidine on blood pressure and pulse. Methods Sixty-two emergency patients experiencing moderate to severe pain and a diagnosis of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis were enrolled. Subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups and received nitrous oxide/oxygen and an IANB using 2% lidocaine with either 27 μg clonidine or 18 μg epinephrine as vasoconstrictors. Blood pressure and pulse were recorded before and during the emergency endodontic treatment. Anesthetic success was defined as no or mild pain upon access and instrumentation of the canals. Results The pulpal anesthetic success rate in both treatments was 58%, with no significant difference between the groups. There was no statistically significant difference in pulse or systolic blood pressure with the use of clonidine compared with epinephrine. Diastolic blood pressure was significant. Conclusions The use of nitrous/oxide plus the addition of lidocaine/clonidine for the IANB in teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis resulted in no statistically significant difference in anesthetic success of the IANB. There were no statistically significant differences in pulse or systolic blood pressure with the use of clonidine compared with epinephrine; diastolic blood pressure was significant.
Commentary on supporting recovery after adverse events: An essential component of surgeon well-being.

Abstract This is a commentary on the manuscript titled ”Supporting Recovery after Adverse Events: An Essential Component of Surgeon Well-Being” by Berman L, Rialon K, Mueller C, et al.
High-Performance, Transparent and Flexible Antenna Based on Conductive Nanocomposites

Transparent antennas and radio-frequency (RF) components have recently attracted much attention because they can be monolithically integrated with lighting and photodetection devices for creating compact and multi-functional modules. In this work, we theoretically studied and experimentally manufactured high-performance, large-area conductive nanocomposites, which provide the unprecedented optical transparency (~96%) and moderately high electric conductivity (~ 12.5 Ω/sq). We have experimentally demonstrated several transparent antennas working at different frequencies: a flexible printed dipole antenna (2.95 GHz), a high-gain Fabry-Perot (FP) cavity antenna based on the optically-transparent metasurface (8 GHz), and a multifunctional RF -solar energy harvesting platform (~2.4 GHz). Our high-performance transparent antennas may find a broad range of applications in future wearable electronics and internet-of-thing (IoT).
Design optimization of chamber pressure and nozzle area expansion ratio of solid rocket motors

By setting the ratio of total impulse to loaded weight as the objective function, the chamber average pressure and nozzle area expansion ratio of solid rocket motors, which works in certain altitude range, are optimized with a complex optimizing technology. The method is useful in preliminary system concept optimization design of the first stage solid rocket motors.
Coordinated condemnation in women's intrasexual competition

Abstract Here, we identify a novel reason why women are often criticized and condemned for (allegedly) sexually permissive behavior due to their choice of clothing. Combining principles from coordinated condemnation and sexual economics theory, we developed a model of competition that helps explain this behavior. We hypothesized that women collectively condemn other women who appear to be sexually permissive (based on their choice of clothing). Study 1 (N = 712) demonstrated that women perceived a rival with visible cleavage more negatively. These perceptions were ultimately driven by the belief that “provocatively” dressed women are more likely to have one-night stands. Study 2 (N = 341) demonstrated that women criticized provocatively dressed women, even when these women were not direct sexual rivals (e.g., her boyfriend's sister). Our findings suggest that future research should investigate competition outside of mating-relevant domains to understand women's intrasexual competition fully.
Improved slit-shaped microseparator and its integration with a microreactor for modular biomanufacturing

Modular and distributed biomanufacturing requires continuous flow microreactors integrated with efficient separation units operating at comparable time scales: biphasic reactive extraction of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) by fructose dehydration is an excellent example. The liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) and fast reaction kinetics in biphasic microchannels can immensely benefit from a downstream microseparator enabling separation of an HMF-rich organic extract and an aqueous raffinate. Here we demonstrate the successful implementation of an effective slit-shaped microseparator for eleven organic-water biphasic systems. The microseparator successfully separates six of these over reasonable flow rates. The ratio of capillary and hydraulic pressures qualitatively rationalizes the separation performance, while a transition to non-segmented flow patterns correlates with performance deterioration. Acids and salts, integral parts of the chemistry, significantly expand the flow rates for efficient separation enabling a broader slate of organic solvents. For the MIBK/water biphasic system, we demonstrate perfect separation performance over a 16-fold variation in the organic to aqueous flow ratio. Here we also integrate the microseparator and extractive microreactor into a modular system and achieve an HMF yield of up to 93% – the highest reported fractional HMF productivity of 27.9 min−1 – at an ultrashort residence time of 2 s. This unprecedented performance is maintained over a 50-fold fructose concentration range and is stable with time-on-stream. This microseparator exhibits a ten-fold reduction in separation time and substantial energy savings over conventional decanters. As such, it holds promise for continuous process intensification and modular biomanufacturing.
Incidence of hypertension and proteinuria in patients treated with bevacizumab versus bevacizumab biosimilar

83 Background: Biosimilar products are proven to have no clinically meaningful differences in terms of safety and effectiveness with the reference product, however, to our knowledge, there is limit...
Pilot Symbol Aided Channel Estimation for OCDM Transmissions

Pilot-aided channel estimation allows the receiver to acquire channel state information (CSI) for each multicarrier block by multiplexing data and pilot symbols in the same block, as long as they can be decoupled. This work proposes several frequency-domain pilot multiplexing techniques to enable independent channel estimation and detection at the receiver for orthogonal chirp division multiplexing (OCDM) transmissions in frequency-selective channels. Analysis shows that each of the proposed schemes is able to achieve the mean squared error (MSE) lower bound for channel estimation and has greater spectral efficiency than the existing schemes for OCDM and chirp spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM).
Mechanical modeling based on numerical homogenization of an Al2O3/Al composite manufactured via binder jet printing

Abstract The present research work takes advantage of a recently published numerical homogenization implementation in MATLAB to find the elasticity tensor of a ceramic–metallic composite (CMC) system to be compared to an experimental data. Numerical homogenization is an efficient way to determine effective macroscopic properties of a composite material. This technique represents an effective means to model a two-phase composite. In this work, an extension of a previously published numeric homogenization code was investigated in order to model the compressive elastic modulus of the ceramic–metallic composites. The extension to the numerical code makes use of physical micrograph images to accurately describe the phase distribution of the composite. Multiple micrographs were taken from each sample, to subsequently better represent the actual microstructure of the composite as a whole. The composites were created using a binder jet 3D printing technology, where a ceramic precursor material was initially assembled, followed by a molten metal infiltration process. It was found that the studied numerical homogenization yielded an elastic modulus approximately 11.5% lower than the experimental data, suggesting a reliable modeling technique for predicting the elastic tensor of CMCs.
Self-Regulation for Safety and Security: Final Minutes or Finest Hour?

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the accounting and auditing crisis later caused by the Enron and Worldcom scandals of that same year, created a great sense of insecurity in many Americans. In this Article, I analyze the federal government’s response to crisis. I first define what a crisis is: a sudden, existential threat to which the entity has insufficient resources to respond. I then explain how regulation for safety and security is unique in two aspects: perceptions matter, and the assistance of the regulated entities is essential. I proceed by describing and analyzing the regulatory history and crisis responses to these two instances from 2001, then compare them to two notable instances from the early twentieth century: the crises in banking and in meatpacking. From these four examples, I extract a paradigm of crisis response. The government’s initial response to a crisis is to provide a massive new federal presence, which is expected and accepted if for nothing more than its calming effect. Shortly thereafter, however, the government is expected to deliver results that both work and appear to work. In most instances where safety and security is the goal of the regulation, the public relies on the regulated entities to provide much of the guidance. I seek to apply this paradigm to our newest policy arena: homeland security. I conclude that the government has followed the paradigm I have identified and that, although there are significant differences in homeland security from other regulation, these four lessons from the past have a lot to teach us about the future. ∗ Professor of Law, University of Kentucky College of Law. I am grateful for the patient attention and helpful comments from the participants at a faculty workshop at the St. Louis University School of Law in March, 2004. MICHAEL FINAL 5/25/2006 12:18:08 PM 1076 SETON HALL LAW REVIEW [Vol. 36:1075 INTRODUCTION 1076 I. SELF-REGULATORY THEORIES IN AN INSECURE WORLD 1078 A. Perceptions Matter 1078 B. Innovative Regulatory Approaches are Required........1082 II. THE CRISES OF 2001–02 1086 A. Airplane and Airport Security 1086 B. Public Accounting Quality Assurance 1096 III. CRISES PAST 1103 A. Meat and Poultry Processing 1103 B. Financial Institutions 1110 1. The Banking Crisis of 1933 1110 2. The Savings and Loan Crisis of the 1980s 1117 3. Evaluation of Responses to the Bank and Thrift Crises 1119 IV. THE EMERGING REGULATORY PARADIGM AND HOMELAND SECURITY 1121 A. The Crisis and Response 1122 B. Moving from Assurance to Results 1124 1. Effective Reorganization 1124 2. Centralization and Decentralization 1126 3. Establishing Trust 1129 CONCLUSION 1133
Strength of One Dimensionally Consolidated Clays

Ten series of undrained tests, each involving 13 tests with 13 stress paths and seven inclinations of the principal stresses, were conducted on four different one dimensionally consolidated clays. The results lead to the conclusions that there does not exist a unique relationship between water content and effective stress during shear, and that the cross anisotropy resulting from one-dimensional consolidation cannot be overlooked when studying the strength of such clays. The standard Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion is shown to be inadequate in expressing the strength of the tested clays.
Maternal deposition of ApoA-I-mCherry transgene indicates an important role in early zebrafish development (1161.1)

Our goal is to investigate the function of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles of hepatic origin through in vivo visualization in the optically clear larval zebrafish (Danio rerio). We generat...
A unique set of polypeptides is induced by γ interferon in addition to those induced in common with α and β interferons

Human immune interferon (IFN-γ) differs from leukocyte interferon (IFN-α) and fibroblast interferon (IFN-β) in cell origin, inducing agents, physical and biological properties1 and amino acid sequence2. These differences have led to interest in possible differences in the biological properties of IFN-γ compared with IFN-α and IFN-β. IFN-γ has the same broad range of biochemical and biological actions as do IFN-α and IFN-β, although relative potencies vary depending on the cell type and function investigated3. There has so far been no direct evidence that IFN-γ alters normal cell functions differently from other interferons1,3. We report here striking qualitative and quantitative differences in the intracellular response of human fibro-blasts to IFN-γ compared with IFN-α and IFN-β. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis demonstrates, in addition to the induction of a common group of polypeptides, the existence of a set of polypeptides whose synthesis is uniquely induced by IFN-γ.
Distinct Footprints of TCR Engagement with Highly Homologous Ligands

T cell receptor engagement promotes proliferation, differentiation, survival, or death of T lymphocytes. The affinity/avidity of the TCR ligand and the maturational stage of the T cell are thought to be principal determinants of the outcome of TCR engagement. We demonstrate in this study that the same mouse TCR preferentially uses distinct residues of homologous peptides presented by the MHC molecules to promote specific cellular responses. The preference for distinct TCR contacts depends on neither the affinity/avidity of TCR engagement (except in the most extreme ranges), nor the maturity of engaged T cells. Thus, different portions of the TCR ligand appear capable of biasing T cells toward specific biological responses. These findings explain differences in functional versatility of TCR ligands, as well as anomalies in the relationship between affinity/avidity of the TCR for the peptide/MHC and cellular responses of T cells.
Interaction of Sp1 With the Human γ Globin Promoter: Binding and Transactivation of Normal and Mutant Promoters

We have analyzed the binding of Sp1, a ubiquitously expressed transactivator, to the promoter region of the gamma genes. Low-affinity Sp1 sites were found at -50 and -200. A high-affinity site was detected at -140, over the CACCC sequence. To analyze the function of these sites, Drosophila SL-2 cells, which lack Sp1, were cotransfected with an Sp1 expression plasmid and gamma globin promoter-CAT constructs. In these assays, the gamma promoter was significantly stronger in the presence than in the absence of Sp1. Thus, the three Sp1 sites in the gamma promoter allow binding as well as transactivation of the promoter. The majority of this transactivation was due to the strong binding site at -140 because introduction of a point mutation at -144 (CACCC----AACCC) reduced Sp1-dependent promoter strength by 57%. Analysis of the -200 region suggested that in the wild-type promoter, Sp1 binding at this site contributes little to promoter strength. However, a point mutation (-198 T----C) associated with hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) dramatically increased the affinity of this site for Sp1 and significantly increased Sp1 dependent promoter strength in SL-2 cells. Three other point mutations associated with HPFH did not significantly affect the interaction of Sp1 with the - 200 region.
Cross-layer modeling of adaptive wireless links for QoS support in multimedia networks

Wired-wireless multimedia networks require diverse quality-of-service (QoS) support. To this end, it is essential to rely on QoS metrics pertinent to wireless links. In this paper, we develop a cross-layer model for adaptive wireless links, which enables derivation of the desired QoS metrics analytically from the typical wireless parameters across the hardware-radio layer, the physical layer and the data link layer. We illustrate the advantages of our model: generality, simplicity, scalability and backward compatibility. Finally, we outline its applications to power control, TCP, UDP and bandwidth scheduling in wireless networks.
Exact Sampling in Machine Scheduling Problems

Analysis of machine scheduling problem can get very complicated even for simple scheduling policies and simple arrival processes. The problem becomes even harder if the scheduler and the arrival process are complicated, or worse still, given to us as a black box. In such cases it is useful to obtain a typical state of the system which can then be used to deduce information about the performance of the system or to tune the parameters for either the scheduling rule or the arrival process. We consider two general scheduling problems and present an algorithm for extracting an exact sample from the stationary distribution of the system when the system forms an ergodic Markov chain. We assume no knowledge of the internals of the arrival process or the scheduler. Our algorithm assumes that the scheduler has a natural monotonic property, and that the job service times are geometric/exponential. We use the Coupling From The Past paradigm due to Propp and Wilson to obtain our result. In order to apply their general framework to our problems, we perform a careful coupling of the different states of the Markov chain.
SIMULATION OF TRACTOR-SEMITRAILER HANDLING

A COMPUTER MODEL OF A TRACTOR SEMITRAILER IS DEVELOPED WHICH ALLOWS TRANSLATION, YAW, ROLL, AND PITCH OF BOTH TRACTOR AND SEMITRAILER. LATERAL AND FORE-AND-AFT WEIGHT TRANSFER IS DISPLAYED. WHEEL DYNAMICS ARE INCLUDED, AND EFFECTS OF WHEEL SLIP, SLIP ANGLE, VEHICLE SPEED, AND TIRE LOAD ARE USED IN THE CALCULATION OF THE TIRE FORCES. THE VEHILCE IS MANEUVERED BY A SIMULATED DRIVER WHO SPECIFIES THE FRONT-WHEEL STEER ANGLE AND THE BRAKE TORQUES. THE ABILITY OF THE MODEL TO ACCURATELY DESCRIBE A REAL VEHICLE IS STUDIED BY USING THE MODEL TO SIMULATE A FULL SCALE EXPERIMENTAL TEST. THE MODEL IS ALSO USED TO STUDY TWO TYPES OF PROPORTIONAL BRAKING FOR A TRACTOR-SEMITRAILER EXECUTING A LARGE-RADIUS TURN ON A WET ASPHALT TRACK.
Induction of Settling and Metamorphosis of Planktonic Molluscan ( Haliotis ) Larvae. III: Signaling by Metabolites of Intact Algae is Dependent on Contact

Classical models of chemical signaling mechanisms which govern various aspects of the behavior, reproduction and development of animals in aqueous environments have been based largely upon well-characterized systems of chemoreception, chemotaxis and chemosensory behavior in response to concentration gradients of freely diffusible chemical inducers in aqueous or gaseous media (see, for example. Grant and Mackie, 1974; Shorey, 1976). In contrast, we recently have identified a mechanism of chemical signaling and induction governing the behavioral and developmental metamorphosis of certain planktonic molluscan larvae which is mediated, at least in part, by contact-dependent recognition of coval’ently complexed (or sequestered) non-diffusing algal metabolites.
Cost Issues Surrounding the Treatment of Cancer Related Pain

Pain is a common problem for the patient with cancer impacting overall quality of life. Pain is also a clinical problem with important health policy considerations. This paper overviews advances in cancer pain management from the cost perspective. A framework is provided for analyzing cost issues related to cancer pain. Ethical issues including the concepts of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice are viewed from the perspective of cancer pain. Health policy issues for the future are also identified. The problem of cancer pain will continues as a major issue impacting patient comfort as well as the overall cost of cancer treatment. This will become a health policy for the nineties.
Evidence from imaging on the relationship between brain structure and developmental language disorders.

This article discusses findings using various imaging techniques ragarding the neurological underpinnings of developmental language and learning disorders. Evidence from magnetic resonance imaging, functional magnetic resonance imaging, single photon emission spectroscopy, and positron emission tomography inplicates the left perisylvian regions in the processing of phonemes and auditory information, as had been predicted from lesion data and from neurobiological theory. The areas of the planum temporale and angular gyrus have been found to be compromised in children and adults with dyslexia or language impairment. Emerging evidence suggests that these differences are also present in members of familles with a history of developmental language disorders, which provides support for a transmittable, biologifal factor involved in such disorders. Dynamic imaging procedures are beginning to provide an understanding of the ralationship between structure and fuction in normal and abnormal language acquistion.
Role of Mediastinal Staging of Lung Cancer

The Lung Cancer Study Group (LCSG) assured objective surgical/pathologic staging of clinical trial patients by requiring histologic examination of lymph nodes from anatomically identified specific mediastinal locations. Therefore, within the larger population of heterogeneous patients with lung cancer, subsets of more homogeneous patients were identified. The addition of mediastinal exploration and removal of lymph nodes to the intraoperative procedure did not increase patient morbidity or mortality. The clinical trials designed using surgical/pathologic mediastinal lymph node staging provided definitive answers to several important questions relative to adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. The LCSG recommended that objective histopathologic mediastinal lymph node staging be accepted as the standard of care for patients with lung cancer.
TCR-Induced Transmembrane Signaling by Peptide/MHC Class II Via Associated Ig-α/β Dimers

Previous findings suggest that during cognate T cell–B cell interactions, major histocompatability complex (MHC) class II molecules transduce signals, leading to Src-family kinase activation, Ca 2+ mobilization, and proliferation. Here, we show that antigen stimulation of resting B cells induces MHC class II molecules to associate with Immunoglobulin (Ig)-α/Ig-β (CD79a/CD79b) heterodimers, which function as signal transducers upon MHC class II aggregation by the T cell receptor (TCR). The B cell receptor (BCR) and MHC class II/Ig-α/Ig-β are distinct complexes, yet class II–associated Ig-α/β appears to be derived from BCR. Hence, Ig-α/β are used in a sequential fashion for transduction of antigen and cognate T cell help signals.
Experimental Dental Caries in Crossbred Offspring of Two Caries-Susceptible Strains of White Rats

Crossbred matings were made between two strains of caries-susceptible rats. Growth in crossbred populations was equal to or better than that in the rapidly growing purebred strain. Carious lesions in occlusal sulci were similar to lesions in the parent strains. The incidence of lesions on smooth surfaces was similar to the incidence in the less prone of the two parent strains.
Where Is the Real Cheese? Young Children's Ability to Discriminate Between Real and Pretend Acts

This study examined 2- to 3-year-olds' ability to make a pretend–real distinction in the absence of content cues. Children watched two actors side by side. One was really eating, and the other was pretending to eat, but in neither case was information about content available. Following the displays, children were asked to retrieve the real food (Experiment 1) or point to the container with the real food (Experiments 2 and 3). 3- and 2.5-year-olds distinguished between the real and pretend acts based on behavioral cues alone. Two-year-olds chose the containers at random, but their spontaneous reactions suggested that they discriminated the real acts from pretense to some degree. Possible accounts for the discrepancy between the different behavioral measures are discussed.
Manganese blocks intracellular trafficking of Shiga toxin and protects against Shiga toxicosis.

Infections with Shiga toxin (STx)–producing bacteria cause more than a million deaths each year and have no definitive treatment. To exert its cytotoxic effect, STx invades cells through retrograde membrane trafficking, escaping the lysosomal degradative pathway. We found that the widely available metal manganese (Mn2+) blocked endosome-to-Golgi trafficking of STx and caused its degradation in lysosomes. Mn2+ targeted the cycling Golgi protein GPP130, which STx bound in control cells during sorting into Golgi-directed endosomal tubules that bypass lysosomes. In tissue culture cells, treatment with Mn2+ yielded a protection factor of 3800 against STx-induced cell death. Furthermore, mice injected with nontoxic doses of Mn2+ were completely resistant to a lethal STx challenge. Thus, Mn2+ may represent a low-cost therapeutic agent for the treatment of STx infections.
Cost Effective Electrolarynx: A Feasibility Study

Speech is one of the most fundamental forms of self-expression and communication in humans [1]. Voiced speech is produced by fluid-structure interactions that drive vocal fold oscillations, creating a periodic pressure oscillation in the vocal tract. This excitation has a fundamental frequency, typically ranging between 100 and 200 Hz, depending on the individual. Thousands of people lose this ability each year when they are forced to undergo a total laryngectomy, which removes the entire larynx, usually to prevent the spread of cancer. The American Cancer Society predicts there will be about 3,000 laryngectomees in the United States alone during 2013 [2][3].Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Communities, Students, Schools, and School Crime: A Confirmatory Study of Crime in U.S. High Schools

This study investigates how community characteristics, student background, school climate, and zero-tolerance policies interact to affect school crime. The study articulates and fits a school crime model to 712 high schools participating in the 2000 School Survey on Crime and Safety, confirming that school location and student socioeconomic status have moderate effects on school crime. Much of the contextual effects are mediated via school climate. School climate reflected by school size, student mobility, and student misbehavior affect school safety in profound and predicted ways. Larger size and schools with higher student transience and misbehavior predict higher levels of criminal incidents. School security program is correlated with lower school crime; however, the effect is small and nonsignificant. Tough on crime policy is associated with higher level of school crime, controlling for community and school variables. Consequently, a positive school climate in combination with necessary security contr...
Analysis of somatic hypermutation in X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome shows specific deficiencies in mutational targeting.

Subjects with X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome (X-HIgM) have a markedly reduced frequency of CD27+ memory B cells, and their Ig genes have a low level of somatic hypermutation (SHM). To analyze the nature of SHM in X-HIgM, we sequenced 209 nonproductive and 926 productive Ig heavy chain genes. In nonproductive rearrangements that were not subjected to selection, as well as productive rearrangements, most of the mutations were within targeted RGYW, WRCY, WA, or TW motifs (R = purine, Y = pyrimidine, and W = A or T). However, there was significantly decreased targeting of the hypermutable G in RGYW motifs. Moreover, the ratio of transitions to transversions was markedly increased compared with normal. Microarray analysis documented that specific genes involved in SHM, including activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AICDA) and uracil-DNA glycosylase (UNG2), were up-regulated in normal germinal center (GC) B cells, but not induced by CD40 ligation. Similar results were obtained from light chain rearrangements. These results indicate that in the absence of CD40-CD154 interactions, there is a marked reduction in SHM and, specifically, mutations of AICDA-targeted G residues in RGYW motifs along with a decrease in transversions normally related to UNG2 activity.
Some Speculations on U.S. Drug Use

This paper distinguishes three principal purposes of drug use: for social control, for pleasure, and for medical and quasi-medical reasons. The argument is made that a traditional view of the future as a leisure society may lead us to focus disproportionately on forms of drug use that have a pleasure or “mind expansion” motive. While acknowledging the likelihood of more drug use of these kinds, the authors offer a number of reasons why the greatest increase in drug use and the social problems it causes may, in a 20 or 30 year perspective, be in the area of medical prescription and self-doctoring for anxieties and behavioral abnormalities. The overlap of this area with the use of drugs for social control is identified as posing formidable ethical problems. The paper concludes with a speculative description of all the roles of mind-affecting drugs in the U.S. culture in the year 2000.
Two-halide superexchange in [ N H 3 ( C H 2 ) n N H 3 ] Cu Br 4 for n = 3 and 4

High-temperature series expansions were applied to the magnetic susceptibility of the quasilayered "eclipsed" compounds $[\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{H}}_{3}{(\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{H}}_{2})}_{n}\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{H}}_{3}]\mathrm{Cu}{\mathrm{Br}}_{4}$ for $n=3 \mathrm{and} 4$ to determine the interplanar, ${J}_{2h}$, and intraplanar, ${J}_{1h}$, exchange and to test the predictions of the importance of the halide-halide separation in two-halide superexchange. The results are $\frac{{J}_{1h}}{{k}_{B}}=26 \mathrm{and} 29$ K, $\frac{{J}_{2h}}{{k}_{B}}=\ensuremath{-}26 \mathrm{and} \ensuremath{-}5$ K, respectively, while transitions to long-range order are estimated to occur at 40 and 19 K. The strength of the exchange interaction as a function of halide separation through the linear two-bromine bridge between planes is shown to be $J\ensuremath{\propto}{d}^{\ensuremath{-}11\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3}$ which agrees with the earlier results for the isostructural ${\mathrm{Cl}}_{4}$ compounds.
New tools for yield improvement in integrated circuit manufacturing: can they be applied to reliability?

Abstract This paper will start with a discussion of why probe yield (the number of good chips per silicon wafer) is so important to financial success in integrated circuit manufacturing. Actual data will be quoted and a numerical example shown. A simple model will be given to demonstrate the main factors influencing yield and the relationship between yield and reliability of the final product. In the last few years a range of new tools have been deployed in manufacturing, and these have accelerated the pace of yield improvement, thus increasing competitive pressures. These tools will be described, along with examples of their use. Topics will include in-line inspection and control, automatic defect classification and data mining techniques. A proposal is made to extend these tools to the improvement of reliability of products already in manufacturing by maintaining absolute chip identity throughout the entire wafer fabrication, packaging and final testing steps.
Is cyclobutadiene really highly destabilized by antiaromaticity

The high energy of cyclobutadiene (CBD) is not due primarily to “anti-aromaticity,” but rather to angle strain, torsional strain, and Pauli repulsion between the parallel CC bonds. Estimations including block-localized wavefunction (BLW) computations conclude that the enormous ring strain (ca. 60 kcal mol−1) far exceeds its antiaromatic destabilization (only 16.5 kcal mol−1).
Partition chromatography-high-performance liquid chromatography facilitates the organic analysis and biotesting of synfuels

Abstract Partition chromatography (Sephadex LH-20 or C 18 -partition) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography facilitated the organic and mutagenic characterization of synfuel samples. The mutagens in oil shale retort waters were polar, whereas those in a shale oil ranged from moderately polar to polar. In contrast, the mutagens in an solvent refined coal-II (SRC-II) distillate blend were primarily moderately polar. The mutagens in an SRC-I process solvent were both less polar and less heterogeneous than those of an SRC-I solid product. Known mutagens (primary aromatic amines and aza-polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons) were identified in the SRC-I and SRC-II samples but not in the shale oil and retort waters.
Circadian rhythm modulated 5-FUdR infusion with Megace in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.

Thirteen patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma were treated with circadian rhythm modulated infusion of 5-FUdR and Megace. Treatment was initiated at a dose of 0.15 mg/kg/day for 14 days every 28 days and was increased or decreased by 0.025 mg/kg/day with each subsequent cycle until maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was achieved. Megace (200 mg) was administered daily in divided doses. One-third of the patients were able to complete ⩾6 cycles of treatment, one-half could only complete ⩽2 cycles, and the remainder managed 3–4 cycles. No patients had regression of disease, but a small number, who were able to receive 6–7 months of treatment, achieved stable disease in the short term. In conclusion, treatment was fairly well tolerated. However, increased dose intensity by this method did not significantly increase response rate. In only a few patients was disease stabilized for a brief period. Megace did not materially improve nutritional status. CA-19-9 levels did not correlate well with disease activity. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Postnatal function of the somatotrophic axis in pigs born naturally or by Caesarian section.

This study was designed to determine what effects the birth process would have on development of the somatotrophic axis in neonatal pigs. Eight crossbred sows were selected (n = 4 natural birth and n = 4 Caesarian section) for the present study. Blood and tissue samples from 38 pigs were collected at birth. Twenty pigs were maintained with natural birth sows until sacrificed for blood and tissue collection at 2 wk of age. Gestational age at birth did not differ (P > 0.16) between natural birth and C-section pigs. Average daily gain (ADG) from birth until 2 wk of age was reduced (P 0.86) at birth, but was greater (P 0.8) but was greater (P 0.90) between groups regardless of age; however, expression of both mRNAs declined (P < 0.0003) from birth until 2 wk of age. There tended to be a birth type X age interaction (P < 0. 082) for liver IGF-1 mRNA such that C-section pigs had a greater expression at 2 wk of age. Liver IGF-1 mRNA expression increased (P < 0.0001) in both groups from birth to 2 wk of age. Liver expression of GH receptor mRNA was greater in C-section pigs at birth (P < 0. 04) and 2 wk of age (P < 0.03). These data provide evidence that the natural birth process affects postnatal development and/or function of the somatotrophic axis in the neonatal pig.
Construction and stability analysis of transition layer solutions in reaction-diffusion systems

It is the purpose of this paper to present a method to construct solutions with internal transition layers in the context of singular perturbation problems. We also emphasize the stability analysis of the solutions so obtained as above. Our method is slightly different from those in [5], [6], [12], [13] in that existence and stability analysis are carried out simultaneously
XIAP as a ubiquitin ligase in cellular signaling

The ability of the vertebrate X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) protein to directly suppress apoptotic cell death pathways has been the subject of much research. Studies of this broadly expressed protein have largely focused on the unique interactions between XIAP and caspases - proteases that conduct and participate in the ordered disassembly of the cell during apoptosis. However, relatively less attention has been given to the RING domain of XIAP, which functions as an E3 ligase to catalyze the ubiquitination of substrate proteins. Here, we discuss the evidence implicating the RING domain of XIAP in the ubiquitin-mediated regulation of three, somewhat arbitrarily divided, categories of substrate: XIAP itself, XIAP-interacting proteins involved in apoptosis, and other targets whose physiological roles likely extend beyond cell death. Collectively, these multiple activities of XIAP show that this enigmatic protein participates in a range of cellular activities beyond apoptotic suppression.
Paraphrase Assessment in Structured Vector Space: Exploring Parameters and Datasets

The appropriateness of paraphrases for words depends often on context: "grab" can replace "catch" in "catch a ball", but not in "catch a cold". Structured Vector Space (SVS) (Erk and Pado, 2008) is a model that computes word meaning in context in order to assess the appropriateness of such paraphrases. This paper investigates "best-practice" parameter settings for SVS, and it presents a method to obtain large datasets for paraphrase assessment from corpora with WSD annotation.
Competition and selectivity in the reaction of nitriles on Ge(100)-2×1

We have experimentally investigated bonding of the nitrile functional group (R−C⋮N:) on the Ge(100)−2×1 surface with multiple internal reflection infrared spectroscopy. Density functional theory calculations are used to help explain trends in the data. Several probe molecules, including acetonitrile, 2-propenenitrile, 3-butenenitrile, and 4-pentenenitrile, were studied to elucidate the factors controlling selectivity and competition on this surface. It is found that acetonitrile does not react on the Ge(100)−2×1 surface at room temperature, a result that can be understood with thermodynamic and kinetic arguments. A [4+2] cycloaddition product through the conjugated π system and a [2+2] CC cycloaddition product through the alkene are found to be the dominant surface adducts for the multifunctional molecule 2-propenenitrile. These two surface products are evidenced, respectively, by an extremely intense ν(CCN), or ketenimine stretch, at 1954 cm-1 and the ν(C⋮N) stretch near 2210 cm-1. While the non-conjugat...
Modeling inelasticity and failure in gold nanowires

We present numerical simulations of gold nanowires under tensile loading at various strain rates and wire sizes at room temperature. The simulations were performed using molecular dynamics modeling the gold nanowires using various forms of the embedded-atom method, and concentrated on investigating the yield and fracture properties of the nanowires. It is clearly demonstrated that the accurate modeling of stacking fault and surface energies is critical in capturing the fundamental deformation behavior of gold nanowires. By doing so, phenomena which have been observed both experimentally and numerically in first-principles calculations, such as the formation of atom-thick chains (ATCs) prior to fracture, zigzag, helical rotational motion of atoms within the ATCs, structural reorientation of the ATCs to a hexagonal crystal structure, and (111) faceting of the nanowire in the yielded neck region by the ATCs, are accurately captured.
Synthesis and mass spectrometry of halide and oxide halide (F and Cl) vapor species of technetium, tantalum and tungsten

Abstract Transition metal solids have been exposed to fluorine, chlorine trifluoride and/or oxygen at temperatures up to 800 °C, and the volatile reaction products analyzed by mass spectrometry. Reported here are the results of the reactions of the metals (sometimes partially oxidized) technetium, rhenium, tantalum and tungsten. The following vapor species have been identified: TcF 5 , TcO 3 F, TcOF 4 , TcO 2 F 3 , TcO 3 Cl, TcOCl 3 , TcO 2 Cl x ( x = 2 or 3), TcOF 2 Cl, TcOFCl 2 , ReF 6 , ReO 3 F, ReO 2 F 3 , ReOF 4 , WF 6 , WO 2 F 2 , WOF 4 , WO 2 Cl 2 , WF 5 Cl, TaF 5 , TaOF 3 , TaOCl 3 and TaF x Cl 5− x ( x = 1–4). The conditions under which these species were formed and their relevance to conventional condensed phase chemistry are discussed.
Hand preference as a factor in the perception of lines displaced from the vertical

Two experiments were conducted to establish hand preference as a factor in the finding that line orientation influences apparent length of a line. In one experiment, left- and right-handed Ss reproduced by drawing the lengths of stimulus lines displaced from the vertical. In a second experiment, left- and right-handed Ss perceptually compared the displaced lines by the method of adjustment. Data from the second experiment show that hand preference is related to line-length estimation; the first experiment yielded similar conclusions only when interpreted on the basis of motor and cultural phenomena.
Bernardo de Aldrete and the Morisco Problem: A Study in Early Modern Spanish Language Ideology

In 1606, Bernardo Jose de Aldrete,Sometimes spelled “Alderete;” b.1560 Malaga, d.1641 Cordoba. (See Mondejar Cumpian 1974 for discussion of the confusion over these dates and places.) Spanish cleric and humanist antiquarian, published the first history of the Spanish language, On the origin and beginnings of the Castilian language or Romance, which is used in Spain today.Henceforth “Origin.” Translations are my own, unless otherwise noted.Aldrete argued that Castilian—also known at the time as Romance and now commonly known as Spanish—had been derived from Latin over centuries of use, with the Visigoths playing a key role in creating the linguistic change.Throughout this paper, “Castilian” and “Spanish” will be used interchangeably to refer to the language in question.
Prophylactic Intravenous Use of Milrinone After Cardiac Operation in Pediatrics (PRIMACORP) study

Abstract Background Many pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass have a predictable fall in the cardiac index 6 to18 hours after surgery, the so-called low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS). Because patients who have LCOS require more monitoring and support and have a prolonged stay in the intensive care unit, the syndrome is associated with a costly morbidity. Milrinone, a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, improves cardiac muscle contractile force and vascular muscle relaxation through positive inotropic and vasodilatory effects. The purpose of the Prophylactic Intravenous Use of Milrinone After Cardiac Operation in Pediatrics (PRIMACORP) study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the prophylactic use of milrinone in pediatric patients at high risk for development of LCOS after undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods Patients in the multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel treatment study will be randomized to 1 of 3 treatment arms: (1) low-dose milrinone (25 μg/kg intravenous bolus over 60 minutes followed by a 0.25 μg/kg/min infusion for 35 hours), (2) high-dose milrinone (75 μg/kg intravenous bolus over 60 minutes followed by a 0.75 μg/kg/min infusion for 35 hours), or (3) placebo. Results The primary end point for efficacy evaluation will be based on a composite variable consisting of death or development of LCOS requiring additional mechanical or pharmacologic support, up to 36 hours after randomization. A 2-sided test with a 0.025 type I error will be used for the primary end point analysis. The PRIMACORP study will enroll a total of 240 patients. Six additional secondary end points will be analyzed. Conclusions The PRIMACORP study will address several questions regarding the safety and efficacy of prophylactic milrinone use in pediatric patients at high risk for development of LCOS after cardiac surgery. (Am Heart J 2002;143:15-21.)