cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Circulating tumour cells: insights into tumour heterogeneity

Tumour heterogeneity is a major barrier to cure breast cancer. It can exist between patients with different intrinsic subtypes of breast cancer or within an individual patient with breast cancer. In the latter case, heterogeneity has been observed between different metastatic sites, between metastatic sites and the original primary tumour, and even within a single tumour at either a metastatic or a primary site. Tumour heterogeneity is a function of two separate, although linked, processes. First, genetic instability is a hallmark of malignancy, and results in ‘fixed’ genetic changes that are almost certainly carried forward through progression of the cancer over time, with increasingly complex additional genetic changes in new metastases as they arise. The second type of heterogeneity is due to differential but ‘plastic’ expression of various genes important in the biology and response to various therapies. Together, these processes result in highly variable cancers with differential response, and resistance, to both targeted (e.g. endocrine or anti-human epithelial growth receptor type 2 (HER2) agents) and nontargeted therapies (e.g. chemotherapy). Ideally, tumour heterogeneity would be monitored over time, especially in relation to therapeutic strategies. However, biopsies of metastases require invasive and costly procedures, and biopsies of multiple metastases, or serially over time, are impractical. Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) represent a potential surrogate for tissue-based cancer and therefore might provide the opportunity to monitor serial changes in tumour biology. Recent advances have enabled accurate and reliable quantification and molecular characterization of CTCs with regard to a number of important biomarkers including oestrogen receptor alpha and HER2. Preliminary data have demonstrated that expression of these markers between CTCs in individual patients with metastatic breast cancer reflects the heterogeneity of the underlying tumours. Future studies are designed to determine the clinical utility of these novel technologies in either research or routine clinical settings.
Robust estimation with faulty measurements using recursive-RANSAC

Many autonomous platforms, such as micro air-vehicles, are increasingly relying on cheap, lightweight sensors to improve the low-level state estimation for navigation and control. Unfortunately, these and all sensors have a finite probability of returning spurious measurements that do not follow the classical zero-mean Gaussian models of measurement noise. A classical heuristic used to mitigate the effects of sensor faults is the gated-Kalman filter. We show that the gated- Kalman filter estimate diverges from the true states when the probability of detection is low or when the measurement noise standard deviation increases above the expected value. The main contribution of this paper is to utilize the recently developed recursive-RANSAC algorithm in a feedback loop to robustly estimate the true states when the probability of a sensor fault is high, when the measurement noise characteristics abruptly change, and during brief occlusions of the true signal, while maintaining real-time performance.
Origins of upper Paleozoic quartzose sandstones, American southwest

Abstract In the latter half of the Paleozoic, all margins of the North American craton were orogenic highlands except for the Cordilleran miogeocline. Rivers that drained cratonic areas northwest of the Transcontinental arch probably flowed to the topographically low Cordilleran miogeocline, but little direct sedimentary record of these ancient fluvial systems remains. The voluminous upper Paleozoic quartzose sandstone deposits of the American west are indirect evidence for these systems. Northern and central portions of the miogeocline were flooded with quartzose sand in the Pennsylvanian, and by mid-Early Permian, littoral and wind processes were transporting large volumes of quartzose sand southward, along the miogeoclinal/cratonic hingeline. Winds drove some of these sands inland, onto the disrupted western end of the Transcontinental arch, where they mixed with locally derived detritus and collected in great ergs. Calcareous siltstones that were deposited downwind of major ergs probably represent desert loess accumulations. Some eolian sands spilled across the Transcontinental arch to interfinger with carbonate and evaporite deposits in basins of the southwestern United States. Most sandstones deposited by these ancient littoral and eolian systems are fine- to very fine-grained, potash-feldspar subarkoses. Bimodal sandstones are common. The distribution, composition and volume of these sandstones suggest that the northern craton was the major source area and cratonic uplifts of the Ancestral Rockies were a secondary source. The fine grain size, high degree of sorting, and grain-size bimodality suggest that these sands were the most mobile sediments in littoral and eolian settings. A perplexing aspect of these deposits is the lack of compositionally unstable silicates, such as plagioclase, and the lack of phyllosilicate clays. Possibly this reflects great amounts of physical abrasion and sediment winnowing during protracted transport in littoral and eolian systems, and it may partially reflect weathering processes in arid coastal settings. The petrology therefore reinforces the model of a northern cratonic source and protracted southerly transport, but the degree to which the petrology reflects provenance and various physico-chemical processes remains unresolved.
Autoionization dynamics and Feshbach resonances: Femtosecond EUV study of O2 excitation and dissociation

In this work, we present a time-domain study of the complex, multi-step, evolution of highly excited states of oxygen (O2) that result from EUV photoionization. By monitoring the dissociation of molecular oxygen ions, we show that autoionization cannot occur until the internuclear separation is 30 A or greater. As the ion and excited neutral atom separate, we directly observe the transformation of electronically bound states of the molecular ion into Feshbach resonances of the neutral oxygen atom. We achieve this by using laser high-harmonics in a femtosecond EUV-IR pump-probe scheme, combined with a triple coincidence reaction microscope measurement. Finally, we show control of the dissociation pathway through IR pulse induced ionization.
Recurrent chyloperitoneum—a rare complication of peritoneal dialysis

We report the spontaneous development of recurrent chyloperitoneum as a complication of peritoneal dialysis in a toddler. An 18-month-old boy with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis developed spontaneous chyloperitoneum. He was treated conservatively, with a low-fat diet supplemented with medium-chain triglycerides. The chyloperitoneum resolved within 2 days of his being on the low-fat diet, but it recurred after re-institution of regular feeds on four occasions. After 3 months, the chyle leak finally resolved after an extended period of low-fat feeds. Chyloperitoneum is a rare complication of peritoneal dialysis that can be confused with signs of peritonitis, and it is important to differentiate between the two so that appropriate management can be undertaken. This paper discusses the possible causes, management and complications of recurrent chyloperitoneum.
The narrow lower esophageal ring: Pathogenesis and physiology

In 8 cases of narrow lower esophageal ring, which occurs chiefly in men between 50 and 60 years old, the cardinal symptom was dysphagia. Reflux was uncommon and weight loss absent.
Aerosol characterization studies at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, summer 2006

[1] A study was conducted during summer 2006 at Great Smoky Mountains (GRSM) National Park (NP), TN, to address issues related to estimating aerosol light extinction in the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) network. The revised IMPROVE equation calculates PM2.5 light scattering (Bsp) from ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, organic carbon mass, and fine soil concentrations; dry scattering efficiencies; and factors that account for hygroscopic growth. Organics are assumed to be nonhygroscopic. The organic compound mass (OCM)/organic carbon (OC) ratio is assumed to be 1.8. Experiments involving in situ and laboratory measurements were conducted to address issues related to (1) concentration-varying scattering efficiencies; (2) aerosol hydration state; (3) the OCM/OC ratio; and (4) the organic hygroscopicity. Filter-based measurements indicated that sulfate was acidic, with an average NH4+/SO4= molar ratio of 1.16. Ambient State Hygroscopic Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer measurements of the ambient hydration state rarely indicated deliquescence. The frequency of hysteresis ranged from 29% to 46% for 0.05 and 0.2 μm particles, respectively. There was a clear relationship between dry particle mean diameter and volume at GRSM, supporting the assumption that an increase in particle size during transport increases both the scattering efficiency and concentration. Water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) was isolated from water extracts of high-volume filter samples using XAD solid-phase absorbents. The average ratios of OCM measured gravimetrically to OC measured by thermal optical reflectance in residues of isolated WSOC and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts were 2.4 ± 0.3 and 1.9 ± 0.2, respectively. Hygroscopic growth factors (GF) of aerosols generated from WSOC extracts averaged 1.10 ± 0.02, 1.13 ± 0.03, and 1.19 ± 0.04 at 80%, 85%, and 90% RH, respectively. These results indicate that, at GRSM during summer, at least some of the organic aerosol was hygroscopic.
Transforming growth factor-beta 1 reduces infarct size after experimental cerebral ischemia in a rabbit model.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of transforming growth factor-beta 1, a cytokine shown to amelioriate cardiac ischemia, in a rabbit model of thromboembolic stroke.An autologous clot embolus was introduced intracranially through the right internal carotid artery in 21 New Zealand White rabbits, with seven in each group receiving either vehicle control (albumin) or 10 or 50 micrograms transforming growth factor-beta 1 administered as an intracarotid bolus immediately before autologous clot embolization. Multiple physiological parameters were monitored, including regional cerebral blood flow, arterial blood gases, hematocrit, glucose, core temperature, and mean arterial pressure. The brain was harvested 4 hours after embolization, and infarct size was determined planimetrically as a percentage of the entire hemisphere.Brain infarct size was reduced in both the 10-microgram (16.7 +/- 4.0% [mean +/- SEM], p < 0.05) and 50-microgram (21.7 +/- 4.5%) transforming growth factor-beta 1-treated group...
Diagnostic yield of malignancy during EUS-guided FNA of solid lesions with and without a stylet: a prospective, single blind, randomized, controlled trial

Background Use of a stylet during EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) is believed to improve the quality and diagnostic yield of specimens. Objective To compare samples obtained by EUS-FNA with (S+) and without (S−) a stylet for diagnostic yield of malignancy and cytological characteristics. Design Randomized, controlled trial. Setting Tertiary referral center. Patients Consecutive patients referred for EUS-FNA of solid lesions. Intervention EUS-FNA; the number of passes was determined by lesion site (6 pancreas/others and 4 lymph nodes). Main Outcome Measurements Diagnostic yield of malignancy and degree of cellularity, specimen adequacy, contamination, and amount of blood. Results One hundred patients were prospectively enrolled in this randomized, controlled trial and the sites of EUS-FNA were the pancreas, 58; lymph node, 25; and other, 17. The overall diagnosis was malignancy in 56, benign in 30, suspicious/atypical in 7, and inadequate specimen in 7 lesions. There were 550 passes made (275 with a stylet and 275 without a stylet). Interim analysis demonstrated no difference in the diagnostic yield of malignancy (94 passes with a stylet [34.2%] vs 110 without a stylet [40%], P = .2) and in the proportion of inadequate specimens (57 with a stylet [20.7%] vs 64 without a stylet [23.3%], P = .2). There was no difference with regard to cellularity ( P = .83), contamination ( P = .31), number of cells ( P = .25), and amount of blood ( P = .6). Similar results were noted in a subgroup analysis based on lesion site. Applying the rules of futility, the study was terminated. Limitations Subjectivity in cytopathologists' assessment, endosonographer not blinded. Conclusions There was no difference in the diagnostic yield of malignancy or proportion of inadequate specimens between passes with and without a stylet. These results suggest that the use of a stylet does not confer any advantage during EUS-FNA. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT01316614.)
Butyrate and phenylacetate as differentiating agents: Practical problems and opportunities

Differentiating agents, including butyrate, phenylacetate and several other agents, have long been known to alter abnormal or transformed cell lines in vitro to a more normal state including phenotype and function. The effect depends on prolonged exposure to a minimum concentration of the agent. In vivo studies of butyrate and analogues have been limited, largely due to rapid in vivo metabolism. A butyrate prodrug, the triglyceride tributyrin, shows great promise in achieving effective and prolonged serum levels when given orally to mice and rats, and has been recommended for human trial. In vitro, butyrate and its mono- and triglyceride have shown potent synergy with retinoic acid, suggesting a ten-fold reduction in serum level requirements. Other butyrate prodrugs have been prepared and studied; several sugar esters of butyrate show promise. Phenylacetate, a normal mammalian metabolite, is also a potent differentiating agent, but its clinical use is limited by its objectionable odor per se and in treated subjects. Phenylbutyrate, a prodrug of phenylacetate, is more acceptable and may have greater promise. The availability of effective prodrugs of effective differentiating agents, such as tributyrin and phenylbutyrate, creates many opportunities for possible therapeutic and chemopreventive applications, especially if synergy in vivo can be demonstrated with retinoids (e.g., retinoic acid) or deltanoids (e.g., active vitamin D analogues), confirming in vitro studies. Particular disease targets would include certain leukemias, thalassemia, and sickle cell anemia.
Planar optofluidic chip for single particle detection, manipulation, and analysis

We present a fully planar integrated optofluidic platform that permits single particle detection, manipulation and analysis on a chip. Liquid-core optical waveguides guide both light and fluids in the same volume. They are integrated with fluidic reservoirs and solid-core optical waveguides to define sub-picoliter excitation volumes and collect the optical signal, resulting in fully planar beam geometries. Single fluorescently labeled liposomes are used to demonstrate the capabilities of the optofluidic chip. Liposome motion is controlled electrically, and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is used to determine concentration and dynamic properties such as diffusion coefficient and velocity. This demonstration of fully planar particle analysis on a semiconductor chip may lead to a new class of planar optofluidics-based instruments.
Desmosome-like junctions between Sertoli and germ cells in the rat testis.

Desmosome-like junctions between Sertoli cells and germ cells (spermatogonia, spermatocytes and non-elongate spermatids) were observed in the adult rat testis. At all levels, certain features were characteristic of this relationship, the most prominent being a densification of the subsurface aspect of the plasma membranes of each cell. The Sertoli cell counterpart demonstrated an abundance of cytoplasmic fibrils which converged on the density, but no such feature was evident in the germ cell counterpart. The width of the intercellular space was variable, ranging in some regions from approximately 3–5 nm, to other regions of approximately 14–18 nm, the latter being representative of most areas of contact. A poorly represented, and often discontinous, intermediate dense line was observed in the intercellular space. Hypertonic fixative solutions containing dextrose were utilized to provoke tissue shrinkage and exaggeration of the intercellular space within the basal compartment of the testis. Cell separation was evident over most regions of the cells, except where desmosome-like contacts were present. Forces transmitted from one cell to another at desmosome-like contacts resulted in tearing of cellular fragments, while junctional regions of both cells remained intact. These observations indicate that desmosome-like junctions are strong adhesive sites between germ cells and Sertoli cells.
Lack of T-cell immune abnormalities in peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with Graves' disease or hypothyroidism.

Lymphocytes capable of forming nonimmune (E) and immune (EAC) rosettes with sheep erythrocytes and lymphocyte reactivity to phytohemagglutinin were determined in normal subjects, in patients with hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease and in patients with hypothyroidism with and without goiter. Neither patient group differed from the normal subjects either in regard to lymphocyte count, the proportion of thymus dependent (t) lymphocytes forming nonimmune or bone marrow-dependent (B) lymphocytes forming immune rosettes or lymphocyte reactivity to phytohemagglutinin. These results fail to provide evidence that these disorders are associated with an immune abnormality with increased or abnormal T cells in peripheral blood.
The Impact of Different Absolute Solar Irradiance Values on Current Climate Model Simulations

Simulations of the preindustrial and doubled CO2 climates are made with the GISS Global Climate Middle Atmosphere Model 3 using two different estimates of the absolute solar irradiance value: a higher value measured by solar radiometers in the 1990s and a lower value measured recently by the Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment. Each of the model simulations is adjusted to achieve global energy balance; without this adjustment the difference in irradiance produces a global temperature change of 0.48C, comparable to the cooling estimated for the Maunder Minimum. The results indicate that by altering cloud cover the model properly compensates for the different absolute solar irradiance values on a global level when simulating both preindustrial and doubled CO2 climates. On a regional level, the preindustrial climate simulations and the patterns of change with doubled CO2 concentrations are again remarkably similar, but there are some differences. Using a higher absolute solar irradiance value and the requisite cloud cover affects the model's depictions of high-latitude surface air temperature, sea level pressure, and stratospheric ozone, as well as tropical precipitation. In the climate change experiments it leads to an underestimation of North Atlantic warming, reduced precipitation in the tropical western Pacific, and smaller total ozone growth at high northern latitudes. Although significant, these differences are typically modest compared with the magnitude of the regional changes expected for doubled greenhouse gas concentrations. Nevertheless, the model simulations demonstrate that achieving the highest possible fidelity when simulating regional climate change requires that climate models use as input the most accurate (lower) solar irradiance value.
Effects of zeranol upon bovine testicular function

Abstract Effects of zeranol upon testicular function in bulls were studied. In Experiment I, young bulls (104±1.7 days of age) were either implanted with 36 mg zeranol or served as controls with reimplantation on days 56 and 112 after first implant. After a 168-day treatment period, half the bulls were orchidectomized with the remaining bulls assigned to a 168-day recovery period, after which they were also orchidectomized. Zeranol inhibited testicular development during the treatment period. Testosterone (T) concentrations were lower (P 0.10) between bulls previously treated with zeranol and controls. Implantation of older bulls with either 36 mg (267±3.4 days of age: Experiment II) or 72 mg (16 months of age: Experiment III) of zeranol had no effect (P>0.10) upon spermatogenesis or T production over a 168-day treatment period. The results indicate that the inhibitory effects of zeranol upon bovine testicular function are age-dependent and suggest that there may be an increased sensitivity of the hypothalmic-pituitary-testicular axis to zeranol in the prepuberal bull.
Protein and fat dynamics in fish: A bioenergetic model applied to aquaculture

Abstract A bioenergetic fish growth model was developed. It simulates protein and fat dynamics as affected by temperature, body weight, ration size, and diet quality. Parameter values were estimated for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Sensitivity analysis indicated that the model is especially sensitive to parameters related to appetite, temperature, and their interaction. Simulation results agreed quantitatively and and qualitatively with reports in the literature. The model was used to explore the effects of environmental factors on the rates of body protein and fat accumulation.
Cisplatin in the treatment of metastatic breast carcinoma: A prospective randomized trial of two dosage schedules.

THIRTY-SEVEN PATIENTS with metastatic breast carcinoma were treated in a randomized study with cisplatin 60 mg/m2 or 120 mg/m2 I.V. q3 weeks. Most patients were heavily pretreated, having received an average of four prior cytotoxic agents. Partial responses were seen in 4/19 patients initially receiving cisplatin 120 mg/m2 and 0/18 receiving 60 mg/m2. One of five patients responded when crossed over from cisplatin 60 mg/m2 to cisplatin 120 mg/m2. Average duration of response was 3 months and responses were seen in soft tissue and lung metastases. Toxicity in the form of nausea, vomiting, and inanition significantly limited the use of cisplatin in this patient population. We conclude that cisplatin is active in breast carcinoma and that a cisplatin at 120 mg/m2 may be more effective than at 60 mg/m2. However the study stopped short of statistical significance due to the toxicities of nausea, vomiting, and inanition.
Prostaglandins Protect Against Murine Hair Injury Produced by Ionizing Radiation or Doxorubicin

Several years ago we showed that prostaglandins (PGs) are potent radioprotective agents. To investigate further the potential use of these compounds we employed quantitative measures of murine hair loss and regrowth to assess the effects of PG administration before multi-dose fractionated radiation exposures. We compared these results with findings utilizing the thiol compounds WR-2721 or WR-1065, the "gold standard" laboratory radioprotectors. Three weeks after systemic administration of 16-16 dm PGE2 (Upjohn Company) or WR-2721, given 1 h before each dose of 2-4.5 Gy per fraction for 10-15 fractions, regrowing hair counts increased up to 100% compared to irradiated-only skin sites. The thiol compound effects were slightly superior to the PG effects in these studies. Local applications of 16-16 dm PGE2 or WR-1065 given 15 min before each radiation fraction also enhanced post-radiation hair regrowth, although systemic administration of either agent was more effective than the topical route. We also evaluated possible protective effects of PGs given before doxorubicin, measuring murine hair loss 1 week after parenteral injections of the drug. Five daily doses of doxorubicin, 0.1 mg/25 g animal, reduced the number of hairs in a 4.42 mm2 area of skin from 241 +/- 5 (controls) to 144 +/- 3. Misoprostol (G.D. Searle & Co.), 25 micrograms/mouse, applied locally 2 h before each dose of doxorubicin, resulted in 213 +/- 8 residual hairs. We conclude that clinical use of these compounds may provide significant protection of hair follicles and possibly other normal tissues (skin; oral, rectal, and bladder mucosa) lying within a radiation field or in patients treated with chemotherapeutic agents. Further assessment of possible tumor protection effects are needed, however.
Stimulation of dopamine synthesis and release by morphine and D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin in the mouse striatum in vivo

Abstract The effects of opiates on dopamine (DA) release and synthesis were assessed in the mouse striatum in vivo by simultaneously measuring 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) levels after inhibition of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase. This method was developed to assess stimulus-coupled changes in DA synthesis and release. Peripheral injections of morphine and intraventrcular injections of D-Ala2-Leu5-enkephalin elevated DOPAC levels, indicating that “opiates” stimulated DA release. Concomitantly, the rate of DA synthesis was increased. The effects were dose-dependent, saturable and antagonized by naloxone. When morphine and the enkephalin analog were given together in saturating doses, the effects of the two agents were not additive. Thus, the involvement of different receptors in the mediation of the effects of morphine and enkephalins could not be demonstrated.
Remembering ads: The effects of encoding strategies, retrieval cues, and emotional response

Abstract This study uses the encoding specificity principle ( Tulving & Thomson, 1973 ) and the distinction between episodic and semantic knowledge to test predictions about the effects of processing goals and retrieval cues on memory for emotional and neutral TV commercials. Subjects viewed five emotional and five neutral ads embedded in programming. Encoding instructions asked subjects to either (a) evaluate each product or (b) “just watch” as they viewed the ads. Retrieval cues were either the opening scene of each ad (executional cue) or the product category (categorical cue). Both recall and response-time measures were used to index ad memory-trace accessibility. The results showed that when encoding and retrieval conditions were compatible (evaluation instructions with categorical cue, and just-watch instructions with executional cue) ad memory traces were retrieved more rapidly than when encoding and retrieval conditions were incompatible. In addition, subjects who “just watched” emotional ads were able to retrieve those ad memory traces more rapidly when given an executional cue compared to a categorical cue, whereas subjects who evaluated neutral ads at encoding recalled more ads, and retrieved them more rapidly, when given a categorical cue compared to an executional cue. Finally, we show that searching memory first with an executional cue and then with a product-category cue leads to an increase in ad recall for both emotional and neutral ads, whereas searching first with a categorical cue and then with an executional cue leads to a decrease in ad recall for neutral ads.
Non-Arrhenius behavior for oxidative degradation of chlorosulfonated polyethylene materials

Abstract We have carried out oven aging studies on eight different commercial chlorosulfonated polyethylene cable jacket materials at temperatures ranging from 80 °C to 150 °C utilizing ultimate tensile elongation as the degradation parameter. For each material, the elongation results were time–temperature superposed at the lowest aging temperature. When the resulting empirical shift factors were tested for Arrhenius behavior, it was found that the eight materials were Arrhenius at ∼100 °C and higher with very similar activation energies averaging ∼107 kJ/mol. Longer-term aging results at temperatures lower than 100 °C for three of the materials provided evidence for curvature to lower activation energies. For one of these materials, we conducted oxidation rate measurements at six temperatures ranging from 37 °C to 108 °C. The results offered further evidence for a small drop in activation energy below 100 °C. Chemical evidence supporting this change in activation energy was derived from analysis of the production rates of CO2 during oxidation. As the temperature was lowered, the amount of CO2 produced relative to the O2 consumed dropped substantially, implying that the chemistry leading to CO2 becomes less important at lower temperatures.
Transformative educational technologies: An interview with Chris Dede

More than 100 years ago, John Dewey, a major influence in American education, argued for the need to “stimulate the spirit of inquiry into actual fact” (Dewey, 2002, p. 118). The debate among politicians and educators about the structure, purpose, and goals of education and inquiry continues. Yet the world has changed, largely because of widely accessible and versatile technologies. We are unclear how Dewey's spirit of inquiry will grow, die, or reinvent itself through boundaryless tools of inquiry such as the Internet, but the technology is here and will not disappear while educators debate best methods. Twenty-first-century society demands new ways to learn and understand, and these new ways of learning require new ways of teaching (McPheeters, 2009/2010). For many students, especially the younger generations, technology intertwines with almost all daily activities, including social contact. Many educators lag behind the technological curve and express frustration at the challenge to shift their educational paradigms toward increasingly technological means of communication and interaction, or entertain “virtual realities” as legitimate educational forums. The purpose of this symposium is to examine the role of technology in transforming higher education. The goal is to seek best methods of using technology more effectively to educate learners for the 21st century. The shifts in society's focus and the characteristics of learners going into the future are also critical, and part of this discussion.
Fungi and the food of the gods

Plants protect themselves against attacks by microorganisms in various ways. In some circumstances at least, it turns out that they enlist the help of mutualistic fungi in defence of the home front.
The value chain revisited

The value chain concept was introduced by Michael Porter in 1985. It marked a breakthrough in management thinking about how to create and sustain competitive advantage. Unfortunately, it has not been revised to reflect changes in the business environment since its introduction almost a quarter century ago. We propose a contemporary value chain model that reflects the elements that Porter's model did not. Those elements include leadership, corporate culture and the discipline of supply chain management. The supply chain, an important component of the value chain but not synonymous with it, includes all the primary activities of the Porter model. Consolidating those activities into the supply chain component of the contemporary model provides an opportunity to include other elements that are fundamental to value chain success.
Cardiovascular applications of the ALOPEX optimization technique

Abstract ALOPEX is a general optimization process incorporating a cost function containing a large number of parameters which may be simultaneously adjusted until the cost function reaches an optimum (maximum or minimum); local extremes are avoided by introducing random noise into the procedure. In this paper, ALOPEX is incorporated into a simple haemodynamic study in which an electric analogue model of the left ventricle is used to develop equations of myocardial stroke work. Pilot experiments were undertaken in rabbits ( n = 5) to gauge the effectiveness of this optimizing technique. In the control state, calculated stroke work for the rabbit was determined to be 50 ± 7 mmHg ml, while ALOPEX predicted a stroke work of 51 ± 7 mmHg ml. ALOPEX is capable of following changing cardiovascular states when pharmacological agents are introduced. For example, after nitroprusside treatment, stroke work was reduced by 38 ± 6% ( P P E max ) and left ventricular end diastolic volume ( EDV ) were also predicted correctly by ALOPEX. We have found that the ALOPEX optimization technique is useful in predicting components of multi-parametric functions. In particular, we have shown it to be adaptable to a simple haemodynamic model.
Right, but not left, bundle branch block is associated with large anteroseptal scar.

Objectives This study sought to test the hypothesis that right bundle branch block (RBBB) patients have larger scar size than left bundle branch block (LBBB) patients do. Background A proximal septal perforating branch of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery most commonly perfuses the right bundle branch and left anterior fascicle, but not the left posterior fascicle. Thus, proximal LAD occlusions should cause RBBB, not LBBB. Methods We performed electrocardiograms and magnetic resonance imaging for scar quantification in 233 patients with left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction ≤35% who were receiving primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD cohort). Scar size and location were compared among patients with RBBB, LBBB, nonspecific LV conduction delay, and QRS Results In the ICD cohort, LV ejection fraction was similar between RBBB and LBBB patients (24.9% vs. 25.0%; p = 0.98); however, RBBB patients had significantly larger scar size (24.0% vs. 6.5%; p Conclusions In patients with LV ejection fraction ≤35%, RBBB is associated with significantly larger scar size than LBBB is, and occlusion of a proximal LAD septal perforator causes RBBB. In contrast, LBBB is most commonly caused by nonischemic pathologies.
Notes: Lymphocystis in a Walleye Population

Abstract Lymphocystis disease occurs commonly in populations of walleye Stizostedion vitreum; however, it has not been considered fatal to infected fish. From 1980 to 1985. adult walleyes with and without lymphocystis were marked during the spawning period and monitored for return rates to the St. Louis River, Wisconsin, the next year. Lymphocystis virus infected 18% of 12,918 walleyes marked during spring spawning. Return rates at spawning 1 year later were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) for walleyes not infected at time of tagging than for fish infected when tagged. Lymphocystis may cause mortality in this walleye population.
Elastic plastic deformation

The equilibrium configuration of an elastic perfectly plastic body may be described by its stress or its strain. By use of a first variation formula, a description of the strain tensor, not necessarily unique, is obtained from the stress, which is unique.
Expression of t-DARPP mediates trastuzumab resistance in breast cancer cells.

Purpose: We have investigated the role of t-DARPP in trastuzumab resistance in ERBB2-amplified and overexpressed breast cancer cell lines. Experimental Design: We have used the HR-5 and HR-6 trastuzumab-resistant cells that were established from tumors that recurred in the presence of trastuzumab therapy following xenografts of BT-474 cells in nude mice. In addition, SKBR-3 cells, engineered for stable expression of t-DARPP, and HCC-1569 cells, which have constitutive expression of t-DARPP and are de novo resistant to trastuzumab, were used. Results: We reported ≥15-fold up-regulation of mRNA and protein levels of t-DARPP in HR-5 and HR-6 cells compared with their progenitor BT-474 trastuzumab-sensitive cells. The t-DARPP expression was not regulated by changes in its promoter DNA methylation levels. The SKBR-3 cells stably expressing t-DARPP developed resistance to trastuzumab compared with their parental cells and empty vector controls ( P 473 ) and BCL2 protein levels. The small interfering RNA knockdown of t-DARPP in all trastuzumab-resistant cells led to a significant reduction in ERBB2, pAKT (Ser 473 ), and BCL2 protein levels with a significant decrease in cell viability ( P ≤ 0.001) and an increase in cleaved caspase-3 levels, indicating the progression of these cells toward apoptosis. The t-DARPP protein was associated with both heat shock protein 90 and ERBB2 forming a potential protein complex. This association may play a role in regulating ERBB2 protein in trastuzumab-resistant cells. Conclusion: We conclude that t-DARPP is a novel molecular target that can mediate the therapeutic resistance to trastuzumab in breast cancer cells.
Evaluating the Fire Response of Concrete Beams Strengthened with Near-Surface-Mounted FRP Reinforcement

This paper presents an approach for evaluating the fire response of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with near-surface-mounted (NSM) fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement. The model is based on a macroscopic finite-element approach and is capable of tracing the response of NSM FRP-strengthened RC beam from the preloading stage to collapse under a specified fire exposure and loading conditions. The model accounts for high-temperature properties of constitutive materials, realistic load and boundary conditions, and temperature-induced bond degradation at the FRP-concrete interface. The validity of the model is established by comparing predictions from the model with measured data from tests at both ambient and fire conditions. The validated model was applied to carry out numerical studies to compare the fire response of concrete beams with different types of strengthening systems and insulation layouts. Results from numerical studies indicate that a concrete beam strengthened with NSM FRP reinforcement yields slightly lower fire resistance as compared to a conventional RC beam but achieves higher fire resistance than that of externally bonded FRP. It is also shown that appropriate location of a NSM FRP reinforcement and insulation scheme can increase the fire resistance of concrete beams strengthened with NSM FRP reinforcement.
Message from the incoming Editor-in-Chief

The author states that it is his great honor to follow in the footsteps of Professor Un-Ku Moon as the new Editor-in-Chief (EiC) of the IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits. Professor Moon has done an outstanding job managing the Journal over the past three years. Not only is the JSSC the top journal in its field, but it is also one of the best managed and best run IEEE journals. This is a testament to the work, selfless dedication, and organization of Professor Moon and his predecessors.
EFFECTS OF PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES ON THE FUNCTIONALITY OF CHICKEN EGG ALBUMEN

Albumen from eggs of a strain of White Leghorn hens was treated with various proteolytic enzymes (papain, ficin, protease, bromelin and trypsin) for 18 hr at 34°C. Following enzyme treatment the nonprotein nitrogen, measured as moles of tyrosine released per minute, was found to range from 1.1 × to 10-3 4.8 × 10-3. All treatments were found to cause some changes in the electrophoretic behavior of albumen. The pH of enzyme-treated albumen ranged from 6.2 (protease) to 8.4 (trypsin). Enzymatic treatment of albumen, with the exception of papain, improved angel food cake volumes from 3 .9%). In gcneral, enzyme-treated albumen showed a 6–16% increase in foam volume; however, the foam stability was inferior compared to the control.
Lightning strike forecasts

A new Global Positioning System Lightning Index could provide a better lightning forecast for the launches of the NASA Shuttle and other commercial and military launches from the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, which are in a high lightning-flashdensity region. The index measures the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere, which can help to create the positive and negative charges in a thundercloud.
Airborne litterfall as a source of organic matter in lakes1

An evaluation of the importance of airborne litterfall as a source of organic matter in lakes is suggested, based on the input of the airborne litterfall relative to the contribution from autochthonous primary production and the ratio of the shoreline to the lake area. The results suggest that airborne litterfall could be important (at least 10 percent of phytoplankton production) in oligotrophic and very small eutrophic lakes. This evaluation may be useful in studies of organic matter budgets of aquatic systems to indicate whether airborne litterfall may be potentially important as source of carbon and should be directly measured.
Dasatinib-induced restoration of donor chimerism in BCR-ABL1-positive ALL after failure of imatinib therapy and allo-SCT

Dasatinib-induced restoration of donor chimerism in BCR-ABL1-positive ALL after failure of imatinib therapy and allo-SCT
Low Dose Alcohol Contracts the Human Umbilical Artery in Vitro

Beginning at very low concentrations (0.001 g/100 ml), alcohol elicited dose-dependent contractions of the human umbilical artery in vitro. Additionally, 16 of the 108 arteries tested had a 5-10-min spasm in response to alcohol. Alcohol (0.2 91100 ml) also increased tension developed in response to all angiotensin II doses, but had no effect on serotonin-induced contractions. These results suggest that alcohol may increase umbilicoplacental resistance in vivo, thus decreasing fetal-placental blood flow.
Single-particle potential in dense nuclear matter.

The single-particle potential in nuclear matter is calculated microscopically for several Hamiltonians for densities ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 ${\mathrm{fm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$. These Hamiltonians include nucleon-nucleon potentials fit to scattering data and three-nucleon potentials fit to the binding energies of few-body nuclei and saturation properties of nuclear matter. The single-particle potential is a key ingredient in Boltzmann-Uehling-Uhlenbeck simulations of heavy-ion collisions. Parametrizations of the density and momentum dependence of the single-particle potential that may be useful in such simulations are discussed and compared to phenomenological prescriptions currently in use.
PEL-adaptive model-based interpolation of spatially subsampled images

The authors propose a scheme for interpolation of spatially subsampled images. The theoretical formulation is based on the fundamental assumption that luminance remains constant along the generalized path motion of a pixel in the image plane. This constant luminance model (CLM) of the intensity function in turn leads to a constraint equation, the solution to which is used to compute the unknown intensities. Due to the generalized nature of the algorithm, the most highly visible artifact associated with previously developed methods is significantly suppressed, thereby resulting in noticeably enhanced reconstructed images. >
Safety challenges in using AR.Drone to collaborate with humans in indoor environments

This paper presents an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), based on the AR.Drone platform, which can perform an autonomous navigation in indoor (e.g. corridor, hallway) and industrial environments (e.g. production line). It also has the ability to avoid pedestrians while they are working or walking in the vicinity of the robot. The only sensor in our system is the front camera. For the navigation part our system rely on the vanishing point algorithm, the Hough transform for the wall detection and avoidance, and the HOG descriptors for pedestrian detection using SVM classifier. Our experiments show that our vision navigation procedures are reliable and enable the aerial vehicle to fly without humans intervention and coordinate together in the same workspace. We are able to detect human motion with high confidence of 85% in a corridor and to confirm our algorithm in 80% successful flight experiments.
Cargo transport by cytoplasmic Dynein can center embryonic centrosomes.

To complete meiosis II in animal cells, the male DNA material needs to meet the female DNA material contained in the female pronucleus at the egg center, but it is not known how the male pronucleus, deposited by the sperm at the periphery of the cell, finds the cell center in large eggs. Pronucleus centering is an active process that appears to involve microtubules and molecular motors. For small and medium-sized cells, the force required to move the centrosome can arise from either microtubule pushing on the cortex, or cortically-attached dynein pulling on microtubules. However, in large cells, such as the fertilized Xenopus laevis embryo, where microtubules are too long to support pushing forces or they do not reach all boundaries before centrosome centering begins, a different force generating mechanism must exist. Here, we present a centrosome positioning model in which the cytosolic drag experienced by cargoes hauled by cytoplasmic dynein on the sperm aster microtubules can move the centrosome towards the cell’s center. We find that small, fast cargoes (diameter ,100 nm, cargo velocity ,2 mm/s) are sufficient to move the centrosome in the geometry of the Xenopus laevis embryo within the experimentally observed length and time scales.
The Effect of Thiamin Feeding upon Milk and Fat Production

Summary By means of a double reversal trial, with periods of five weeks duration, and using four cows of medium production, the effect of thiamin supplement, when added to a low-fat diet, was studied. Thiamin was supplied at the rate of 300 micrograms per pound of total digestible nutrients ingested. No effect upon the production of milk or fat was observed.
Simulating Liquid GeTe

One of the most difficult problems in condensed matter physics is to describe the microscopic liquid state. Owing to the dynamical nature of the liquid state, it is not possible to discuss specific microscopic structures, only ensemble averages can be specified. Such averages can be performed via molecular dynamics simulations. A problematic issue in performing such simulations is computing accurate interatomic forces. Although classical many-body potentials can be use for simulations of covalent materials, one must effectively map quantum phenomena such as hybridization onto such potentials. This mapping is complex and lacking a well-defined prescription. This step can be avoided by employing quantum forces from the pseudopotential-density functional method. Using molecular dynamics with quantum forces, we examine the local atomic order as well as some dynamic and electronic properties of the semiconducting liquid GeTe. Near the melting temperature, the Peierls distortion responsible for the lower temperature crystal phase of GeTe is shown to manifest itself within the liquid structure. At higher temperatures in the liquid, increasing disorder leads to an eventual semiconductor-metal transition. The calculated kinematic viscosity of the liquid is found to agree with the experimental value and is shown to arise from the small diffusion coefficient of the Te atoms. Using an ensemble average, we predict the dc conductivity of the melt to be consistent with recent measurements.
Disfigured anatomies and imperfect analogies: body integrity identity disorder and the supposed right to self-demanded amputation of healthy body parts

Patients with the controversial diagnosis of body integrity identity disorder (BIID) report an emotional discomfort with having a body part (usually a limb) that they feel should not be there. This discomfort is so strong that it interferes with routine functioning and, in a majority of cases, BIID patients are motivated to seek amputation of the limb. Although patient requests to receive the best available treatment are generally respected, BIID demands for amputation, at present, are not. However, what little has been said in the ethics literature on the subject tends to favour doing so in cases of BIID. The general argument is that BIID demands should be respected, first, because of the importance that is already placed on respecting autonomy in medical decision-making contexts and second, because of the potential harm of not providing amputation coupled with the fact that no alternative means of relieving suffering exists. The defence of the right to self-demanded amputation is thus typically supported by the use of analogies with other unproblematical cases in order to show that the denial of BIID patient demands is inconsistent with conventional medical norms and practices. This paper criticises the appropriateness of the particular analogies that are thought to shed light on the allegedly unproblematical nature of BIID demands and argues that a proper understanding of the respect for autonomy in the medical decision-making context prohibits agreeing to BIID demands for amputation.