cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 1911: Bi-directional cross-talk of pancreatic cancer and stellate cells, mediated through CXCR4 and hedgehog pathways, promotes chemoresistance via its effect on gemcitabine metabolism, ROS detoxification and cancer stemness

Mounting evidence suggests that tumor-stromal interactions play a key role in pancreatic cancer (PC) pathogenesis and chemoresistance. We previously demonstrated that CXCL12, a chemokine secreted by activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), promoted PC chemoresistance upon binding to its receptor CXCR4. Furthermore, activation of CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway in PC cells (PCCs) also increased the expression and secretion of sonic hedgehog (SHH), which is a known inducer of PSCs thus establishing a bi-directional tumor-stromal crosstalk. Here we present data to support that dual targeting of CXCL12/CXCR4 and hedgehog pathways is effective in improving therapeutic outcome in PC by diminishing multiple chemoresistance mechanisms. Monoculture of PCCs (MiaPaCa and Colo357) or coculture of PCCs and PSCs were treated with gemcitabine in the presence and absence of CXCR4 antagonist (AMD3100) and hedgehog inhibitor (GDC-0449). The data demonstrated that PCCs in coculture had better survival against gemcitabine treatment as compared to those grown in monoculture and inhibition of CXCL12/CXCR4 and hedgehog pathways abrogated this co-culture-induced chemoresistance. In further mechanistic studies, we identified co-culture-induced changes in gene expression and confirmed their functional significance in chemoresistance. Our data established important roles of genes associated with gemcitabine metabolism, ROS detoxification and stemness in PC chemoresistance. Inhibition of CXCL12/CXCR4 and hedgehog pathways led to increase in gemcitabine-mediated ROS production, enhanced accumulation of active gemcitabine metabolite (gemcitabine tri-phosphate) and reduced stemness in cocultured PCCs. Finally, we examined the efficacy of our dual targeting approach in vivo in an orthotopic mouse model of pancreatic cancer by treating the mice with gemcitabine alone or in combination with AMD3100 and/or GDC-0449. Our data demonstrated that mice treated with gemcitabine along with AMD3100 and/or GDC-0449 had significantly greater reduction in tumor growth as compared to those treated with gemcitabine only. Studies are ongoing in additional pancreatic tumor models. Together, these findings provide strong evidence in support of a novel combination therapy for pancreatic cancer treatment. Citation Format: Mohammad Aslam Khan, Girijesh K. Patel, Sanjeev K. Srivastava, Sumit Arora, Haseeb Zubair, James Elliot Carter, Bin Wang, Seema Singh, Moh’d Khushman, Ajay P. Singh. Bi-directional cross-talk of pancreatic cancer and stellate cells, mediated through CXCR4 and hedgehog pathways, promotes chemoresistance via its effect on gemcitabine metabolism, ROS detoxification and cancer stemness [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1911.
Intimate Partner Violence and Women With Disabilities: The Role of Speech-Language Pathologists.

This article is a call to action for speech-language pathologists to address the overlooked problem of intimate partner violence (IPV) among women with communication disorders (CDs). The article ai...
Study of Calculation Schemes of Currents Induced by Closing-Loop Operations in Medium-Voltage Distribution Grids

To avoid large currents caused by closing-loop operations in medium-voltage distribution grids, it is necessary to develop an effective method for rapid and accurate calculation of the closing-loop currents. In this paper, theoretical analysis is conducted to obtain the typical equivalent circuit for the calculation and analysis of the typical 10kV closing-loop system in Shanghai Grid. Three methods considering both the calculation complexity and the result accuracy, namely detailed power flow analysis method, simplified power flow analysis method and approximate formula method are proposed based on the typical equivalent closing-loop system. In the case study, the closing-loop currents of 10kV distribution grid of Shanghai under various operation scenarios are calculated with the three methods respectively, and the influence of the load levels and transformers’ tap positions on the closing-loop currents are analyzed in accordance with the practical requirements of dispatching. The validity of the three methods is confirmed through comparison of the calculation results with full-network simulation results through BPA software. Furthermore, the convergence, accuracy and practical applicability of the three methods are compared, thus to provide a feasible and reliable decision basis for practical distribution grids dispatching.
Full three-dimensional imaging deep through multicellular thick samples with subcellular resolution by structured illumination microscopy and adaptive optics

Structured Illumination Microscopy enables live imaging with resolutions of ~120 nm. Unfortunately, optical aberrations can lead to loss of resolution and artifacts in Structured Illumination Microscopy rendering the technique unusable in samples thicker than a single cell. Here we report on the combination of Adaptive Optics and Structured Illumination Microscopy enabling imaging with 140 nm lateral and 585 nm axial resolution in tissue culture cells, C. elegans, and rice blast fungus. We demonstrate that AO improves resolution and reduces artifacts, making full 3D SIM possible in thicker samples.
Structural racism and social environmental risk: A case study of adverse pregnancy outcomes in Louisiana

Abstract This chapter examines structural racism as a fundamental cause of health inequities by challenging conventional social determinants of health models. Evidence of structural racism exists in regions where high rates of pregnancy-related Black mortality persist at rates three times higher than rates of non-Hispanic White women in the US. Social environmental conditions experienced in racially segregated Black communities contribute to health disadvantages experienced by Black women. This case study explores the social environmental impact of structural racism and a combination of policy artifacts as the underlying cause of health inequities faced by Black women in Louisiana, by comparing maternal and infant mortality between Black and White women and between Louisiana parishes. We recommend the reconceptualization of public health approaches to health inequities through individual-level efforts made by public health professionals and policymakers to create, support, and engage in mechanisms that improve the social environmental deficits experienced by Black women.
The ‘gift’ of freedom: dissent, decolonisation and afterlives of empire: by Priyamvada Gopal, London, Verso Books, 2019, 624 pp., US $ 39.95 (hardback), ISBN 9781784784126

In 2013, the Bangladesh government amended the country’s Information and Communications Technology Act (ICT). 1 Among offences for which the Bangladeshi police could arrest individuals under Sectio...
Effects of Cover Crops on Population Reduction of Soybean Cyst Nematode (Heterodera glycines).

Microplot experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of cover crops on population reduction of a major soybean pest, soybean cyst nematode (SCN; Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) in 2016 and 20...
Symmetries of Hamiltonians describing systems with arbitrary spins

We consider systems where dynamical variables are the generators of the SU(2) group. A subset of these Hamiltonians is exactly solvable using the Bethe ansatz techniques. We show that Bethe ansatz ...
Potential of using mammography screening appointments to identify high-risk women: cross sectional survey results from the national health interview survey

Mammography screening encounters may represent ideal opportunities to identify high-risk women for risk-based screening. During mammography appointments, radiology practices evaluate breast density and ascertain known breast cancer risk factors. Our purpose was to evaluate the potential for mammographic screening encounters to identify high-risk women by estimating the (1) proportion of high-risk women who report that they have undergone mammographic screening and the (2) proportion of high-risk women who receive recommendations for breast MRI screening. Women ages 30–85 without breast cancer histories were included from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey, a nationally representative cross-sectional household survey (response rate 80%). Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool was used to determine high-risk (lifetime risk>20%). Among high-risk women, primary outcome was proportion reporting mammography screening, secondary outcome was receipt of a breast MRI recommendation after recent mammogram, accounting for complex survey design. 14,958 women were included. 1.0% were high-risk of whom: 91.9% ever had a mammogram, 68.0% had a mammogram within the last year, 81.5% had a mammogram within the last 2 years. 6.4% were recommended to undergo breast MRI. Among high-risk women, women with dense breast tissue were more likely (OR 496.0, 95%CI 52.6,4674.0) and older women were less likely (OR 0.91, 95%CI 0.84,0.99) to receive recommendations for breast MRI. Among high-risk women, 92% reported undergoing at least one mammogram in their lives. 94% did not receive recommendations for breast MRI screening and 32% did not have a mammogram within the last year. To identify high-risk women, breast imaging centers should consider determining lifetime breast cancer risk during mammography screening visits.
Adapting Summer Education Programs for Navajo Students: Resilient Teamwork

In May 2020, the Navajo Native American Research Center for Health Partnership (Navajo NARCH) was scheduled to launch two summer programs: a 10 weeks-long Summer Research Enhancement Program (SREP) for undergraduate students to learn and practice health research methods and participate in a practicum experience, and a week-long Indigenous Summer Enhancement Program (ISEP) for high school students that introduces a range of health professions and develops leadership qualities Students accepted into the programs are predominantly Navajo and live within Navajo Nation (NN) during the summer Due to NN restrictions and CDC guidelines for physically distancing in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Navajo NARCH team organized to offer both programs entirely online via Zoom™ This paper explores the instructional teams’ adaptation process to maintain a commitment to preserve the programs’ supportive environment for exploring and developing strong multicultural approaches in public health and health research In preparation for online instruction, the team developed and offered workshops for staff and instructors to address anticipated challenges The team identified the following challenges: technological difficulties, social disconnectedness, consistent student engagement, and facilitation of a practicum research experience Results showed that program adaptations were successful as the team applied collaborative and holistic approaches, and established social connections remotely with students to offer meaningful research and practicum experiences © Copyright © 2021 Kahn, Dreifuss, Teufel-Shone, Tutt, McCue, Wilson, Waters, Belin and Bauer
Summary and Implications

In previous chapters, we have reviewed existing literatures and presented new evidence in regard to the relationship between environmental stress and cognitive performance, personal control, and health. We have suggested the advantages of viewing this work in the framework of “costs of coping” and “contextual” analyses of stress. Finally, we have presented data from the Los Angeles Noise Project that in many cases helps to exemplify and clarify our views and at the same time raises other questions about the process of coping with stressors in the natural environment. As noted earlier, our theoretical proposals are often not directly tested by the data we present. Instead, they reflect a growth in our conceptualization of the stress and coping process that has occured over the 8 years since we began collecting data for the project. Next we will summarize our major arguments and conclusions and discuss their implications for future research and for public policy.
Covid-19 Vaccine Effectiveness in New York State

Abstract Background Population-based data from the United States on the effectiveness of the three coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines currently authorized by the Food and Drug Administrat...
Trends in inertial sensors and applications

Inertial sensors have now become quite ubiquitous as many devices and systems rely on them to serve a broad variety of applications. Where inertial sensors were once characterized as expensive precision instruments today lower performance inertial sensors are manufactured by the billions of units per year at a cost of a few cents per sensor while higher performance gyros and accelerometers have achieved unprecedented performance and reliability at much reduced prices. This proliferation of inertial sensing has been driven by, and has enabled, advances in sensor technology as well as an interesting diversity of applications. In this paper some observations of the historical trends in inertial sensing and devices will be provided. The significant applications that have stimulated and supported inertial sensor development and manufacturing will also be presented. Extrapolation of these trends into the future will be attempted as a group of promising future inertial sensor technologies and potentially new applications is discussed.
Anti-platelet therapies

Anti-platelet drugs are one of the fundamental therapies for improving cardiovascular outcomes among ACS patients. Medications are used adjunctively along with mechanical or chemical reperfusion. Patients who are not candidates for revascularization may only receive medical treatment for their ACS. Cardiovascular drugs are given with the expectation that they will produce a significant beneficial effect. For some drugs in certain groups of patients, the goal is to improve survival and reduce infarct size, while for other drugs the goal is the amelioration of ischemic symptoms. Drugs, like aspirin, are widely used across the spectrum of ACS, although other agents like fibrinolytics are only used in ST-elevation myocardial infarction. It is also important to understand that each drug comes with the potential for side effects. Accordingly, the risk-benefit profile for each cardiovascular drug should be known, and the side effects minimized where possible. For some patients, the risk of a drug will outweigh its expected benefit, and should therefore not be used. This chapter will review the important anti-platelet cardiovascular drugs across the spectrum of ACS and emphasize the benefits and side effects of each agent.
Dynamic, competitive scheduling of multiple DAGs in a distributed heterogeneous environment

With the advent of large scale heterogeneous environments, there is a need for matching and scheduling algorithms which can allow multiple DAG-structured applications to share the computational resources of the network. The paper presents a matching and scheduling framework where multiple applications compete for the computational resources on the network. In this environment, each application makes its own scheduling decisions. Thus, no centralized scheduling resource is required. Applications do not need direct knowledge of the other applications. The only knowledge of other applications arrives indirectly through load estimates (like queue lengths). The paper also presents algorithms for each portion of this scheduling framework. One of these algorithms is modification of a static scheduling algorithm, the DLS algorithm, first presented by Sih and Lee (1993). Other algorithms attempt to predict the future task arrivals by modeling the task arrivals as Poisson random processes. A series of simulations are presented to examine the performance of these algorithms in this environment. These simulations also compare the performance of this environment to a more conventional, single user environment.
Preparing The National Map for the 3D Elevation Program – products, process and research

The 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) is a collaborative effort among government entities, academia, and the private sector to collect high-resolution 3-dimensional data over the United States. The Unite...
Minimal NF-κB activity in neurons

Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) is a ubiquitous transcription factor that regulates immune and cell-survival signaling pathways. NF-κB has been reported to be present in neurons wherein it reportedly responds to immune and toxic stimuli, glutamate, and synaptic activity. However, because the brain contains many cell types, assays specifically measuring neuronal NF-κB activity are difficult to perform and interpret. To address this, we compared NF-κB activity in cultures of primary neocortical neurons, mixed brain cells, and liver cells, employing Western blot of NF-κB subunits, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) of nuclear κB DNA binding, reporter assay of κB DNA binding, immunofluorescence of the NF-κB subunit protein p65, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of NF-κB-regulated gene expression, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of produced proteins. Assay of p65 showed its constitutive presence in cytoplasm and nucleus of neurons at levels significantly lower than in mixed brain or liver cells. EMSA and reporter assays showed that constitutive NF-κB activity was nearly absent in neurons. Induced activity was minimal--many fold lower than in other cell types, as measured by phosphorylation and degradation of the inhibitor IκBα, nuclear accumulation of p65, binding to κB DNA consensus sites, NF-κB reporting, or induction of NF-κB-responsive genes. The most efficacious activating stimuli for neurons were the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-beta (IL-β). Neuronal NF-κB was not responsive to glutamate in most assays, and it was also unresponsive to hydrogen peroxide, lipopolysaccharide, norepinephrine, ATP, phorbol ester, and nerve growth factor. The chemokine gene transcripts CCL2, CXCL1, and CXCL10 were strongly induced via NF-κB activation by TNFα in neurons, but many candidate responsive genes were not, including the neuroprotective genes SOD2 and Bcl-xL. Importantly, the level of induced neuronal NF-κB activity in response to TNFα or any other stimulus was lower than the level of constitutive activity in non-neuronal cells, calling into question the functional significance of neuronal NF-κB activity.
Study of the morphology and structure of niobia-silica surface oxides using model thin films

Abstract Model thin films of niobia 4, 12, and 50 A thick, corresponding to 1, 3, and 13 monolayers, deposited by RF-sputtering onto silica (Nb 2 O 5 SiO 2 ), were prepared for a study of the interactions between surface and supporting oxides. These samples were treated in air at 773 and 873 K for up to 16 h and then observed by electron microscopy. For reactively sputtered films, Nb 2 O 5 in monolayer and multilayer amounts dewetted the substrate after heating at 773 K, and crystallized to either T- and/or HNb 2 O 5 at 873 K. These observations are different from those found for Nb 2 O 5 SiO 2 high-surface-area samples, prepared by incipient wetness impregnation and similarly treated. In the high-surface-area samples, there is a strong interaction which results in the stabilization of surface-phase Nb 2 O 5 at a monolayer coverage and formation of TNb 2 O 5 at higher loadings. The difference in behavior between the low- and high-surface-area samples can be understood in terms of stabilization of surface niobia due to surface hydroxyl groups in the latter. These results illustrate the applicability of model thin films to the study of surface oxides.
Networks Past: A 1939 Bloomington Neighborhood

One difficulty with couching questions about community in network terms is the dearth of historical data on networks. This research begins to fill the gap by analyzing data collected in 1939 from residents of a square block in Bloomington, Indiana. Relatively weak relationships were more common than closefriendships; residents knew about twothirds of their neighbors by name, and had about 13 friends on the block; the densities of friendship networks in this neighborhood are similar to those reported in recent studies of unbounded networks. Thesefindings cast somne doubt on the presumption that past neighborhood networks were significantly more sociable thian contemzporary networks. The social science literature is replete with studies examining the current state of community, and a central element in many definitions of community is the "concept of a group of people in social interaction having some ties or bonds in common" (Hillery 1955:118; see also Warren 1972). In addition, numerous writers have made use of network imagery (if not network analysis) to portray relations between members of local areas (see Berkowitz 1982:2; Hall & Wellman 1985:33). And Fischer (1988) has recently identified the canon that "individuals' social networks have become decreasingly focussed on the locality" (pp. 11-12) as one of several questionable assumptions common to contemporary discussions of community. These observations underscore the notion that the study of community and social networks is closely intertwined. Despite the development of useful analytic techniques, one difficulty with couching questions about community in network terms is the dearth of data on networks past. Even if we adhere to the conventional emphasis on relations within bounded areas, rather than to Wellman's and Fischer's focus on aspatial networks, we have limited past or present data with which to examine the strength of community as embodied in networks. Numerous studies have
Experimental transmission of VHSV genotype IVb by predation.

Abstract Preliminary surveillance of wild baitfish during the 2006 viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus genotype IVb (VHSV IVb) outbreaks indicated Emerald Shiners Notropis atherinoides and Bluntnose Minnow Pimephales notatus were infected with high levels of VHSV without showing clinical signs of disease. The movement and use of baitfish was recognized as the most probable vector for the introduction of VHSV to inland waters, such as Conesus Lake and Skaneateles Lake in New York, Budd Lake in Michigan, and Little Lake Butte des Morts and Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin. While numerous government agencies implemented restrictions to stop the movement of potentially infected baitfish into new waters and prevent the spread of VHSV IVb, until now, studies to investigate whether these initial introductions were by an oral route of infection have not occurred. Our studies identified infected Fathead Minnow Pimephales promelas as suitable vectors for transmitting VHSV IVb when fed to Tiger Muskellunge ( ♂ Northern Pi...
Molecular mechanisms of T‐cell receptor and costimulatory molecule ligation/blockade in autoimmune disease therapy

Pro-inflammatory CD4+ T cell mediated autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes, are hypothesized to be initiated and maintained by activated antigen presenting cells (APCs) presenting self-antigen to self-reactive interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) producing CD4+ Th1/17 cells. To date, the majority of FDA approved therapies for autoimmune disease primarily focus on the global inhibition of immune inflammatory activity. The goal of ongoing research in this field is to develop both therapies that inhibit/eliminate activated autoreactive cells as well as antigen-specific treatments which allow for the directed blockade of the deleterious effects of self-reactive immune cell function. According to the two-signal hypothesis, activation of a naive antigen-specific CD4+ T cell requires both stimulation of the T cell receptor (TCR) (signal 1), and stimulation of costimulatory molecules (signal 2). There also exists a balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory immune cell activity, which is regulated by the type and strength of the activating signal as well as the local cytokine milieu in which the naive CD4+ T cell is activated. To this end, the majority of ongoing research is focused on the delivery of suboptimal TCR stimulation in the absence of costimulatory molecule stimulation, or potential blockade of stimulatory accessory molecules. Therefore, the signaling pathways involved in the induction of CD4+ T cell anergy, as apposed to activation, are topics of intense interest.
Automated placement of multi-terminal components

An algorithm for placing multi-terminal electronic components in a printed circuit board environment is presented. A heuristic technique of applying vector forces to component models and iteratively relocating these modules has been developed. The methods used to compute these forces are what make this algorithm unique and improve its ability to find solutions that are independent of initial conditions and near optimal. A flexible modeling scheme has been devised to allow for any general class of components to be placed. The algorithm will place modules of arbitrary size with any number of terminals onto boards of irregular shape, including placement on two sides of a board. While most powerful in a printed circuit environment, the algorithm may be used in wire-wrap technologies and hybrid designs as well. The technique has been implemented in a Fortran program and exhibits the high degree of flexibility required in a design automation system. A summary of the results obtained in practical applications at Honeywell is included.
Cloning, Expression, and Properties of the Regulatory Subunit of Bovine Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Phosphatase

cDNA encoding the regulatory subunit of bovine mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase (PDPr) has been cloned. Overlapping cDNA fragments were generated by the polymerase chain reaction from bovine genomic DNA and from cDNA synthesized from bovine poly(A)+ RNA and total RNA. The complete cDNA (2885 base pairs) contains an open reading frame of 2634 nucleotides encoding a putative presequence of 31 amino acid residues and a mature protein of 847 residues with a calculatedM r of 95,656. This value is in agreement with the molecular mass of native PDPr (95,800 ± 200 Da) determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization mass spectrometry. The mature form of PDPr was expressed inEscherichia coli as a maltose-binding protein fusion, and the recombinant protein was purified to near homogeneity. It exhibited properties characteristic of the native PDPr, including recognition by antibodies against native bovine PDPr, ability to decrease the sensitivity of the catalytic subunit to Mg2+, and reversal of this inhibitory effect by the polyamine spermine. A BLAST search of protein data bases revealed that PDPr is distantly related to the mitochondrial flavoprotein dimethylglycine dehydrogenase, which functions in choline degradation.
Temperature sensor based on dielectric optical microresonator

Abstract An optical temperature sensor has been presented based on Whispering Gallery Mode (WGM) dielectric microresonator. The effect of Transverse Electric (TE) wave propagation in dielectric micro-spheres presented has been for optical resonances based on WGM. TE waves are characterized both theoretically and experimentally for large size parameter of the micro-spheres. A theoretical model has been developed based on asymptotic approach. The theoretical development is mathematically robust and significantly less complicated than existing approaches presented in the literature. The quality factor of experimental resonance spectra observed in the laboratory is calculated approximately in the order of 10 4 which is sensitive enough to detect micro or nano level temperature changes in the surrounding medium. The sensitivity of the Morphology Dependent Resonance (MDR) temperature sensor is wavelength change of 10 −9 m for one degree centigrade change in temperature. This sensor could potentially be used for nano technology, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) devices, and biomedical applications.
Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensitivity of Metal Nanostructures : Physical Basis and Universal Scaling in Metal Nanoshells

In this letter, we show using extended Mie theory simulations that the sensitivity of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of a dielectric core-metal nanoshell increases near-exponentially as the ratio of the shell thickness-to-core radius is decreased. The plasmon sensitivity thus shows the same universal scaling behavior established recently for plasmon coupling in metal nanoshells and that in metal nanoparticle pairs. From these observations, we propose that the sensitivity is determined by the ease of surface polarization of the electrons in the nanostructure by the light. This can be used as a generalized physical principle for designing plasmonic nanostructures for effective SPR chemical and biological sensing.
Effects of Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) on Enhancing the Radiation Efficiency of Metal-Surface Mounted Dipole Antenna

Dipole antennas have very low radiation efficiency when they are horizontally placed above flat metal surfaces. Frequency selective surfaces (FSS) possess special electromagnetic band gap (EBG) properties, which could be utilized to improve radiation efficiency of metal-surface mounted dipole antenna. However, complex interactions between a FSS and antenna make a successful design difficult. Previous design approaches are based on the reflection phase property of FSS, which are not accurate since the reflection phase doesn't account for the complex near field interaction. In this paper, a novel design approach based on transmission characteristics of transverse magnetic (TM) and transverse electric (TE) surface wave across the FSS is presented. The new design methods are experimentally verified with a two-port network analyzer.
A novel mechanism of soluble guanylate cyclase stimulation: time-dependent activation by bacterial lipopolysaccharide in rat fetal spleen cells.

Small amounts of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) greatly increase cGMP levels in short term cultures of rat fetal liver and spleen cells in a dose and time dependent manner. To determine the role of guanylate cyclase in this response, a series of experiments was undertaken using either intact or broken fetal spleen cells, the most sensitive tissue evaluated to date. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine, potentiated the LPS-cGMP effect in cultures of these cells even at maximal doses of LPS. Moreover, after incubation of intact cells with LPS for 4 h, soluble guanylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.2) activity was increased 2-fold, whereas particulate activity was unchanged. This increase in soluble activity was proportional to the dose of LPS, was synchronous with the elevation of cGMP levels, and was not associated with any change in cGMP-phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.17) activity. In contrast to intact cells, neither total nor soluble guanylate cyclase activity was increased by the addition of LPS to spleen cell whole sonicate or cytosol for various times from 10 min to 3.5 h. These results suggest that the LPS-cGMP response is due to a persistent indirect stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase activity that is both dose and time dependent.
Inflows and outflows in the dwarf starburst galaxy NGC 5253: High-resolution H i observations

Very Large Array and Parkes 64 m radiotelescope 21 cm observations of the starburst dwarf galaxy NGC 5253 reveal a multi-component non-axisymmetric H I distribution. The component associated with the stellar body shows evidence for a small amount of rotational support aligned with the major axis, in agreement with optically measured kinematics and consistent with the small galactic mass. Approximately 20-30% of the H I emission is associated with a second component, an H I "plume" extending along the optical minor axis to the southeast. We consider outflow, inflow, and tidal origins for this feature. Outflow appears improbable, inflow is a possibility, and tidal debris is most consistent with the observations. Thus, kinematics of the H I that include this feature are not indicative of the dynamical mass or the local velocity dispersion of the cold gas. These H I observations also reveal a filamentary third component that includes an 800 pc diameter H I shell or bubble to the west of the nucleus, coinciding with an Hα shell. The mass of H I in the shell may be as large as ~4 × 106 M ☉. This large mass, coupled with the lack of expansion signatures in the neutral and ionized gas (v < 30 km s−1), suggests that this feature may be an example of a starburst-blown bubble stalled by interaction with a massive neutral envelope. Many other H I kinematic features closely resemble those seen in Hα emission from the ionized gas, supporting the interpretation of neutral and ionized gas outflow at velocities of ~30 km s−1. Comparison between extinction estimates from the Balmer emission-line decrement and the H I column densities suggests a gas-to-dust ratio 2-3 times the Galactic value in this low-metallicity (Z = 1/4Z ☉) galaxy.
Regional chemotherapy for inoperable pancreatic carcinoma.

BACKGROUND. Survival for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic remains unchanged over the last two decades. The majority of patients (85%) are diagnosed with an inoperable tumor. Patterns of failure reveal that pancreatic cancer involves three compartments : the pancreatic bed and regional lymph nodes, the liver and the peritoneal surfaces. Twelve patients with advanced, unresectable pancreatic cancer, Stage II/III, were treated with regional intra-arterial chemotherapy and extracorporeal hemofiltration directed towards the pancreatic tumor-bearing area and the liver. METHODS. Five patients had an arterial catheter/port system placed within the celiac axis ; the rest had an angiographically placed arterial catheter. All patients had a 16 Fr PFM filtration catheter inserted in the vena cava positioning the tip at the level of the diaphragm and then connected to a hemofiltration unit. Mitomycin C was infused over 25 minutes followed by 5-FU over 10 minutes. The hemofiltration was begun before the drug infusion and continued for 70 minutes. The twelve patients underwent 33 cycles of regional chemotherapy plus hemofiltration. RESULTS. Five patients had a partial response (45.5%), five had stable disease (45.5%), and one had progression (9%). Four patients were re-explored with one patient undergoing a curative resection. The average survival for patients with unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma is 13 months. Tumor implantation and progression on the peritoneal surfaces remains the major site of treatment failure. CONCLUSIONS. Regional chemotherapy plus hemofiltration with MMC and 5-FU appears to improve the response of Stage II/III inoperable pancreatic cancer and can convert some patients to resectability without significant complications and with no mortality.
T-HELPER CYTOKINE RESPONSE IN INFANTS WITH EARLY RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS(RSV) INFECTION. ▴ 1104

T-HELPER CYTOKINE RESPONSE IN INFANTS WITH EARLY RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS(RSV) INFECTION. ▴ 1104
Cloned human phenylalanine hydroxylase gene allows prenatal diagnosis and carrier detection of classical phenylketonuria

The human gene for the hepatic enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase has been cloned and used to analyse the phenylalanine hydroxylase locus in the human genome. The detection of polymorphisms in this locus by several restriction enzymes has allowed feasibility studies of prenatal diagnosis of classical phenylketonuria and identification of carriers of the trait. Results indicate that these services could be provided for up to 75% of all families with phenylketonuric children in the general Caucasian population.
Reproductive technologies and the "survival" of the "human subject"*

These two questions could be applied to all human activities. In this paper, I consider these questions within the context of my current research on women's subjective experience of new procreative and reproductive technologies. I do so, in part, in response to what I consider to be an "open invitation" from Wolff when he suggests that we ask and answer the question 'Sociology?' in our own authentic ways; and that we seize the chance of facing it in the unprecedented sense at our turning point in history (p. 10). It is also my intention to join those who are drawing attention to Kurt Wolff's work that: (1) inspires critical thinking about what is valuable in sociology for the human condition; (2) confronts and challenges the taken for-granted reasonableness and rationality of sociology; and (3) provides a
Contemporary Management of Renal Tumors With Venous Tumor Thrombus

Purpose: Renal cell carcinoma with intravenous tumor thrombus remains one of the most intriguing and challenging topics in urological oncology. With better understanding of the biology of intravascular tumor invasion and improvements in overall survival, the surgical and medical treatment of these patients is being completely redefined.Materials and Methods: We performed a MEDLINE® search for relevant articles on renal cell carcinoma with intravenous tumor thrombus.Results: We describe the staging systems, prognostic factors and surgical techniques involved in the management of renal cell carcinoma with intravenous tumor thrombus. We also review long-term survival of local, advanced and metastatic renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus invasion. Finally, we propose a clinical algorithm for the treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma invading the venous system.Conclusions: Management of a kidney cancer tumor invading the venous system should now consider the primary biology and natural behavior o...
Experimental Investigation of Normal Shock Boundary-Layer Interaction with Hybrid Flow Control

Hybrid flow control, a combination of micro-ramps and micro-jets, was experimentally investigated in the 15x15 cm Supersonic Wind Tunnel (SWT) at the NASA Glenn Research Center. Full factorial, a design of experiments (DOE) method, was used to develop a test matrix with variables such as inter-ramp spacing, ramp height and chord length, and micro-jet injection flow ratio. A total of 17 configurations were tested with various parameters to meet the DOE criteria. In addition to boundary-layer measurements, oil flow visualization was used to qualitatively understand shock induced flow separation characteristics. The flow visualization showed the normal shock location, size of the separation, path of the downstream moving counter-rotating vortices, and corner flow effects. The results show that hybrid flow control demonstrates promise in reducing the size of shock boundary-layer interactions and resulting flow separation by means of energizing the boundary layer.
Hemostatic agents of broad applicability produced by selective tuning of factor Xa zymogenicity

There is a clinical need to develop safe therapeutic strategies to mitigate bleeding. Previously, we found that a novel zymogen-like factor Xa variant (FXa-I16L) was effective in correcting the coagulation defect in hemophilic mice. Here we expand the mutational framework to tune the FX(a) zymogen-like state. Alteration of FXa zymogenicity yields variants (V17M, I16L, I16M, V17T, V17S, and I16T) with a wide range (≤1000-fold) of reduced function toward physiologic substrates and inhibitors. The extent of zymogen-like character, including resistance to antithrombin III, correlates well with plasma half-life ( 4 hours). Importantly, biologic function, including that of the most zymogen-like variant (FXa-I16T), was greatly enhanced when bound to FVa membranes. This resulted in improvement of clotting times and thrombin generation in hemophilic plasma. The FXa variants were remarkably effective in mouse injury models. In these systems, the data show that the more active the protease, the more difficult it is to overcome the protective mechanism of circulating inhibitors to achieve a therapeutic benefit. Depending on the treatment situation, the more zymogen-like variants (V17S and I16T) were most useful when given before injury whereas variants exhibiting greater activity but shorter half-lives (I16L and I16M) were most effective when administered after injury. This new class of FXa variants provides a useful and flexible platform for selectively bioengineering biologic function and half-life to target different clinical bleeding scenarios.
The Visual Aural Digit Span Test and Bender Gestalt Test as Predictors of Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised Scores.

Visual Aural Digit Span Test (VADS) scores and Bender Gestalt Test (BG) scores as predictors of Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised (WRAT-R) scores were examined in this study. The sample consisted of 115 children referred for low academic achievement. They were divided into three age groups: (Low) 6–0 to 7–11; (Middle) 8–0 to 9–11; and (High) 10–0 to 11–11. The scores on the 11 VADS measures and BG errors were used to predict the WRAT-R achievement. The VADS Test scores were found to predict Reading and Arithmetic in the Low Group. The BG Test did not correlate with achievement in the Low Group. In the Middle Group, the VADS Test correlated with Reading and Spelling, but not with Arithmetic. The BG correlated with all three achievement measures. In the High Group, neither the VADS Test nor BG correlated with any of the achievement measures. The results suggest that the BG and VADS Test can be used as an effective screening device for young children with potential learning problems.
Precise surface profilometry based on low-coherence interferometry

Low coherence interferometry (LCI) can be used to measure the profile of industrial products, the measured sample being scanned under the LCI probe. Axial distance measurements are made using the light reflected by the surface and collected on the same optical axis used for its illumination. Therefore, when the transverse resolution is not an issue, only a narrow laser beam is required and hard-to-reach surfaces can be probed with axial accuracy in the range of 1μm. With other techniques such as triangulation the surface requires to be visible from another point-of-view and complex shapes often become inaccessible. When the LCI instrument is assembled with optical fibers, delicate instrumentation may be kept away from harsh environments and only a single optical fiber needs to get close to the measurement location. However, optical fibers are particularly sensitive to temperature and a reference is required to compensate for path length drifts. Furthermore, industrial mechanical displacement systems typically induce positioning errors much larger than the LCI instrument accuracy. One approach to circumvent these problems consists in measuring the location of another surface close to the region of interest. Such a reference surface is not always available and typically requires a second probe. We found a more practical approach by using an optical quality window located over the sample surface and moving with the sample. The laser beam from the LCI instruments travels across the window just before it reaches the samples surface. The window surface induces a first reflection (4% of the incident power) and its distance is measured by the LCI as well as the sample surface distance. Since the location of the window is fixed relative to the sample while the entire surface is scanned, out-of-plane movement of the motorized slide is compensated. High-resolution measurements are obtained by simply subtracting the window plane from the sample surface.
Fibronectin adsorption on surface‐activated poly(dimethylsiloxane) and its effect on cellular function

This article reports that surface modification of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) influences fibronectin (Fn) adsorption and enhances cell attachment. Controlled adsorption of Fn on chemically activated polymer substrates is known to influence cellular function. Thin films of PDMS were spun cast on silicon wafers to obtain homogeneous and molecularly smooth surfaces. The films were made hydrophilic by exposure to ultraviolet ozone activation (PDMS*). The films then were characterized by contact angle goniometry, ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy (AFM), Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Contact angle measurements indicated higher hydrophobicity of the nonactivated PDMS substrates than PDMS*. AFM scans of the substrates indicated higher surface roughness of PDMS* (Ra = 0.55 nm) than PDMS (Ra = 0.25 nm). Although Fn surface density (Gamma) was slightly higher on PDMS than on PDMS*, due to hydrophobic interactions between substrate and Fn, cell function was greatly enhanced on the Fn-coated PDMS* (PDMS*-Fn) than on PDMS (PDMS-Fn). Higher attachment of MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells was observed on PDMS*-Fn than on PDMS-Fn. Moreover, cell spreading and cytoskeleton organization after 72 h was clearly favored on the Fn-coated PDMS* surfaces.
Nonsphericity of dust‐like tropospheric aerosols: Implications for aerosol remote sensing and climate modeling

T-matrix computations of light scattering by polydispersions of randomly oriented nonspherical aerosols and Mie computations for equivalent spheres are compared. Findings show that even moderate nonsphericity results in suubstantial errors in the retrieved aerosol optical thickness if satellite reflectance measurements are analyzed using Mie theory. On the other hand, the use of Mie theory for nonspherical aerosols produces negligible errors in the computation of albedo and flux related quantities, provided that the aerosol size distribution and optical thickness are known beforehand. The first result can be explained by large nonspherical-spherical differences in scattering phase function, while the second result follows from small nonspherical-spherical differences in single-scattering albedo and asymmetry parameter. No cancellation of errors occurs if one consistently uses Mie theory in the retrieval algorithm and then in computing the albedo for the retrieved aerosol optical thickness.
Novel electrochromic projection and writing device incorporating an amorphous silicon carbide photodiode

Abstract We describe an electrochromic (EC) device that can be bleached with a light pen, for use in light-on-dark viewgraph projection, signage, and children's toys. Our prototype monolithic, 16 cm 2 , writing device modulates the transmittance by more than 90% over a large portion of the visible spectrum by combining a light-sensitive diode with an EC transmission modulation device. The diode is made of hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC:H). The EC device consists of WO 3 , ion-conducting LiAlF 4 , and a NiW 0.33 O 2 counter-electrode. Working together, WO 3 and NiW 0.33 O 2 produces a grayish colored state and a higher coloration efficiency compared with WO 3 and a V 2 O 5 counter-electrode. Our prototype device has light yellow writing on a black background. Design issues that control the writing speed and image persistency are discussed.