cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Akt phosphorylates and activates HSF-1 independent of heat shock, leading to Slug overexpression and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential step for tumor progression, although the mechanisms driving EMT are still not fully understood. In an effort to investigate these mechanisms, we observed that heregulin (HRG)-mediated activation of HER2, or HER2 overexpression, resulted in EMT, which is accompanied with increased expression of a known EMT regulator Slug, but not TWIST or Snail. We then investigated how HER2 induced Slug expression and found, for the first time, that there are four consensus HSF sequence-binding elements (HSEs), the binding sites for heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1), located in the Slug promoter. HSF-1 bound to and transactivated the Slug promoter independent of heat shock, leading to Slug expression in breast cancer cells. Mutation of the putative HSEs ablated Slug transcriptional activation induced by HRG or HSF-1 overexpression. Knockdown of HSF-1 expression by siRNA reduced Slug expression and HRG-induced EMT. The positive association between HSF-1 and Slug was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining of a cohort of 100 invasive breast carcinoma specimens. While investigating how HER2 activated HSF-1 independent of heat shock, we observed that HER2 activation resulted in concurrent phosphorylation of Akt and HSF-1. We then observed, also for the first time, that Akt directly interacted with HSF-1 and phosphorylated HSF-1 at S326. Inhibition of Akt using siRNA, dominant-negative Akt mutant, or small molecule inhibitors prevented HRG-induced HSF-1 activation and Slug expression. Conversely, constitutively active Akt induced HSF-1 phosphorylation and Slug expression. HSF-1 knockdown reduced the ability of Akt to induce Slug expression, indicating an essential role that HSF-1 plays in Akt-induced Slug upregulation. Altogether, our study uncovered the existence of a novel Akt-HSF-1 signaling axis that leads to Slug upregulation and EMT, and potentially contributes to progression of HER2-positive breast cancer.
Recent advances in molecular simulation

There have been tremendous advances in Molecular Simulation in recent years, following the implementation of machine learning approaches and data science techniques, the improvement of ab initio me...
Single crystal growth and characterization of SrAlF5 and Sr1−xEu2+xAlF5

Single crystals of pure and Eu2+-doped strontium aluminum fluoride (SrAlF5) have been grown by slow cooling, Bridgman, and Czochralski methods. The Bridgman method is preferred since evaporative losses of AlF3 can be minimized, and growth times can be longer. Incorporation of oxygen into such crystals, and its quantitative measurement are discussed, along with techniques designed to eliminate it. Absorption, emission, and excitation spectra of selected single crystals are presented and discussed, and results compared with those obtained from powder specimens.
Test-retest reliability of self-reported HIV/STD-related measures among African-American adolescents in four U.S. cities.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the test–retest reliability of self-reported sexuality-related data in a sample of African American adolescents residing in four U.S. cities. Methods Using audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI), 156 African American teens (mean age=15.5 years) provided data on lifetime and recent sexual behavior, HIV/sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing, and theoretical antecedents of sexual risk behavior on two occasions separated by 2 weeks. Results Most self-reports of lifetime sexual behavior and STD/HIV testing were stable across the two assessment points. Test–retest agreement was substantial for dichotomous indices of lifetime sexual behaviors and STD testing (kappas ranging from .61–.87), and for 3-month recall of vaginal sex (kappa = .72) and number of sexual partners (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = .68). Lower reliability estimates emerged for count data of unprotected vaginal sex occasions (ICC = .44). Test–retest reliability estimates for antecedents of sexual risk behavior were highest for a validated measure of HIV-related knowledge (r = .73), but somewhat lower for peer norms (r = .58) and condom use self-efficacy (r = .50). Conclusions Although variability in the stability of self-report data was observed, findings confirm that most sexual behavior, STD and HIV testing history, and psychosocial measures can be assessed reliably among adolescents. Research should continue to identify strategies to enhance the reliability of self-report sexual behavior data from youth at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
Two Effects of Sodium Chloride Causing Softening of the Texture of Canned Snap Beans

The effect of NaCl on the texture of canned snap beans was studied with leached and nonleached pods. Pectin and Ca solubilization were also measured. NaCl promoted softening both during cooking and apart from cooking. The cooking effect was accompanied by increased pectin solubility. The noncooking effect was accompanied by increased Ca solubility.
Intact Pericellular Matrix of Articular Cartilage Is Required for Unactivated Discoidin Domain Receptor 2 in the Mouse Model

Increased expression of the discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) results from its interaction with collagen type II. This induces expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13, leading to osteoarthritis (OA). To investigate the impact of the pericellular matrix of chondrocytes on DDR2, we generated a mouse model with inducible overexpression of DDR2 in cartilage. Conditional overexpression of DDR2 in mature mouse articular cartilage was controlled via the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein promoter using the Tet-Off-inducible system. Doxycycline was withdrawn at 1 month of age, and knee joints were examined at 2, 3, and 4 months of age. Microsurgery was performed on 3-month-old transgenic mice overexpressing DDR2 to destabilize the medial meniscus, and serial paraffin sections were examined at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery. DDR2 expression increased in the knee joints of transgenic mice. However, the increased DDR2 did not induce MMP-13 expression. No OA-like changes were observed in the transgenic mice at the age of 4 months. When transgenic mice were subjected to destabilizing of the medial meniscus, we observed accelerated progression to OA, which was associated with DDR2 activation. Therefore, conditionally overexpressing DDR2 in the mature articular cartilage of mouse knee joints requires activation to induce OA, and altered biomechanical stress can accelerate the onset of cartilage loss and progression to OA in transgenic mice.
Pazopanib and HDAC inhibitors interact to kill sarcoma cells

The present studies were to determine whether the multi-kinase inhibitor pazopanib interacted with histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACI: valproate, vorinostat) to kill sarcoma cells. In multiple sarcoma cell lines, at clinically achievable doses, pazopanib and HDACI interacted in an additive to greater than additive fashion to cause tumor cell death. The drug combination increased the numbers of LC3-GFP and LC3-RFP vesicles. Knockdown of Beclin1 or ATG5 significantly suppressed drug combination lethality. Expression of c-FLIP-s, and to a lesser extent BCL-XL or dominant negative caspase 9 reduced drug combination toxicity; knock down of FADD or CD95 was protective. Expression of both activated AKT and activated MEK1 was required to strongly suppress drug combination lethality. The drug combination inactivated mTOR and expression of activated mTOR strongly suppressed drug combination lethality. Treatment of animals carrying sarcoma tumors with pazopanib and valproate resulted in a greater than additive reduction in tumor volume compared with either drug individually. As both pazopanib and HDACIs are FDA-approved agents, our data argue for further determination as to whether this drug combination is a useful sarcoma therapy in the clinic.
An evaluation of passive properties of spastic muscles in hemiparetic stroke survivors

We have reported earlier [1] a new method for estimating reflex threshold in spastic muscles of stroke survivors, using controlled amplitude taps superimposed on progressive and controlled muscle indentation of the bicipital tendon in the bicipital fossa. This muscle indentation is done with a linear actuator positioned over the biceps muscle tendon at the elbow. In the course of testing for increased stretch reflex responses, (a cardinal feature of spasticity), we have also observed that the intrinsic or passive stiffness of the muscle is often increased. This assessment is derived from recordings of the force generated by the tendon during progressive loading, and by the instantaneous force response to the tendon tap. Thus, it appears that passive properties of muscle are often also changed in parallel with the reflex abnormalities. While some of these mechanical features have been described in earlier studies of torque-angle relations of spastic joints, it appears that these features can also be recognized readily using a small actuator that loads the tendon progressively. These findings may help clinicians recognize early changes in muscle mechanical properties, and may help them prevent large-scale adverse changes in muscle function.
Learning, Transfer, and Retention of Errorless Fading versus Trial-and-Error Teaching:

Although several investigators have used prompting and fading techniques to teach tasks with few or no errors, there has been disagreement about subsequent transfer and retention as compared with trial-and-error learning. Fourth grade students in an errorless fading condition learned a symbol discrimination task by a prompting and fading program in which relevant characteristics of the line drawings were emphasized. Another group learned the same discrimination by trial-and-error with right-and-wrong feedback. Findings indicated that percentage of errors was less for errorless fading than trial-and-error in initial learning but did not differ during transfer or retention. However, in terms of time, a history of prompting-fading learning did not transfer to trial-and-error learning as well as one of trial-and-error learning.
Absolute Motion of the Eurasian Plate: A Problem in Vector Geometry

Many workers have encountered difficulties with determination of the absolute motion of the Eurasian plate. The problem is accident of vector geometry caused by addition by two angular velocity vectors about 180° from each other and of similar length. Twp-proposed systems of absolute motion yield Eurasian plate motions at right angles to each other while the motions of most other plates vary little from system to system. The phenomenon is associated with slow-moving plates. To resolve this problem, much more precise relative and absolute motion idata will be needed. This kind of geometrical Accident could affect both relative and absolute plate reconstructions as they are extended back in time and might explain some of the apparent motion between hot spots suggested by other workers.
Building addressable libraries: a site-selective allyl alkylation reaction

Abstract A Pd(0) catalyst has been used to effect allyl alkylation reactions at pre-selected locations on an addressable microelectrode array. The reactions provide a new approach to site-selective carbon–carbon bond formation and a new method for placing substrates on the surface of a microelectrode array.
Animal and Vegetation Response to Modified Intensive–Early Stocking on Shortgrass Rangeland

Abstract A comparison of animal gains and vegetation trends was made from 2002–2008 between a continuous season-long stocking (SLS) system and a modified intensive–early stocking system (IES) with late-season grazing (IES 1.6× + 1; 1.6 times the number of animals of the SLS system from May 1 to July 15, and 1 times the number of animals of SLS from July 15 to October 1) on shortgrass native rangeland of western Kansas. The continuous season-long stocked system placed animals at a density of 1.37 ha · steer −1 from May through October, or 2.63 animal unit months (AUM) · ha −1 , whereas the intensive–early stocked system with late-season grazing (3.33 AUM · ha −1 ) stocked pastures at 0.85 ha · steer −1 from May through the middle of July, and then stocked pastures at 1.37 ha · steer −1 for the remainder of the grazing season by removing the heaviest animals mid-July each yr. Average daily gains (0.78 vs. 0.70 kg · d −1 , P = 0.039) and total animal gain (58 vs. 52 kg, P = 0.042) were different between the continuous season-long stocked and the intensive–early stocked animals during the first half of the grazing season. No difference was found between average daily gain (0.61 vs. 0.62 kg · d −1 , P = 0.726) and total animal gain (48 vs. 49 kg, P = 0.711) for the continuous season-long stocked and intensive–early stocked with late-season grazing animals during the last half of the season. Total individual animal gain (106 vs. 101 kg, P = 0.154) and average daily gain (0.70 vs. 0.66 kg · d −1 , P = 0.152) was not different between the continuous season-long stocked and the intensive–early stocked system animals that were on pasture the entire grazing season. Total beef gain on a land-area basis (96 vs. 77 kg · ha −1 , P = 0.008) was greater for the modified intensive–early stocked system with late-season grazing with greater animal densities. Changes in residual biomass and most key vegetation components at the end of the grazing season were not different between the two systems.
A consistent approach to modeling MHD-driven cylindrical damage experiments

Well-characterized experimental data is essential for development of models describing complex material processes such as damage and failure. There is currently a dearth of experimental data capturing material behavior for the processes of non-uniaxial loading to failure and void closure after damage. LANL and VNIIEF recently completed a series of ten helical-generator-driven cylindrical damage experiments using high-precision diagnostics to measure the drive conditions and the material response. These experiments produced a well-characterized damage data set ranging from void initiation to complete failure and recollection for a well-studied material, aluminum. Combining magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD) and material modeling capabilities in a Lagrangian hydrocode allows for self-consistent end-to-end simulations of MHD-driven material property experiments. Simulation results for the damage experiments compared to experimental data will be presented.
Game2Learn: improving the motivation of CS1 students

Games are increasingly being used for education and training in a variety of areas. We are developing a game to teach introductory computer science concepts, called Game2Learn, to increase student motivation and engagement in learning CS1, which are critical for recruiting students into computer science. We evaluated student feedback and performance of initial prototypes to examine the Game2Learn concept and provide design guidelines for ongoing game development. In this paper, we present the results of this study, which demonstrate that students can have fun programming within a game, and that in-game rewards and punishments are vital to the motivation and potential learning of students.
A probe for the high temperature deformation of thermal barrier oxides

A probe for measuring the plastic deformation of porous thermal barrier oxides at high temperature has been designed, described and demonstrated for columnar microstructures grown by electron beam evaporation. The method involves deposition of the coating onto an alumina substrate (which is rigid at the test temperature) and impressing with a sapphire sphere, while simultaneously measuring the loads and displacements. A simulation allows de-convolution of the yield strength, as well as the inter-columnar friction. The measurements performed between 937 and 1137 °C revealed substantial differences between two grades of yttria-stabilized zirconia (7 and 20 wt%) as well as between them and Gd2Zr2O7. The anisotropy of the columnar microstructure causes the deformation to be heterogeneous, manifest as shear bands emanating from the contact zone. The exception is 7 wt% YSZ tested at 1137 °C, which exhibits a zone of homogeneous densification. The shear bands weaken the material and provide planes for preferential material removal during foreign object damage and erosion.
On buoyancy transfer across an entrainment interface

A striking feature observed during the turbulent entrainment across a density interface at moderately-large Richardson numbers is the presence of an intermediate layer sandwiched between the well-mixed and interfacial layers. In this note, a possible mechanism for its origin, and its role in buoyancy transfer during the entrainment is discussed. Estimates are made for the thickness of the intermediate layer and are compared with experimental results.
Free and Cued Selective Reminding Identifies Very Mild Dementia in Primary Care

The Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) is used widely to identify very mild dementia; 3 alternative scoring procedures have been proposed based on free recall, total recall, and cue efficiency. We compared the predictive validity of these scoring procedures for the identification of very mild prevalent dementia (CDR=0.5), of incident dementia, and for distinguishing Alzheimer Disease (AD) and nonAD dementias. We tested 244 elderly African American and White primary care patients at 18 month intervals using a screening neuropsychologic battery that included the FCSRT and a comprehensive diagnostic neuropsychologic battery. Median follow-up was 2.6 years. Dementia diagnoses were assigned using standard criteria without access to the results of the screening battery. There were 50 prevalent and 28 incident dementia cases. At scores selected to provide specificities of 90%, free recall was more sensitive to incident and prevalent dementia than the other 2 measures. Patients with impaired free recall were 15 times more likely to have a prevalent dementia and their risk of future dementia was 4 times higher than patients with intact free recall. Neither race nor education affected prediction although older patients were at increased risk of future dementia. Total recall was more impaired in AD dementia than in nonAD dementias. The results indicate that using the FCSRT, free recall is the best measure for detecting prevalent dementia and predicting future dementia. Total recall impairment supports the diagnosis of AD rather than nonAD dementia.
Retrospective: Radiation damage and its associated “Information Limitations”

The fact that radiation damage would limit the usefulness of electron microscopy with biological specimens was a concern in the earliest days of the field. Good estimates of what that limitation must be can be made by using Rose's empirical relationship between the inherent image contrast, the exposure used to record an image, and the smallest feature size that is detectable. Such estimates show that it is necessary to average many images in order to obtain statistically well-defined data at high resolution. Structures are now routinely obtained by averaging large numbers of shot-noise limited images, and some of these extend to atomic resolution. The signal level in current images is nevertheless far below what physics would allow it to be. A possible explanation is that beam-induced movement limits the quality of images recorded by electron microscopy. For specimens embedded in vitreous ice, beam-induced movement can even be severe enough to limit the resolution achieved during tomographic reconstruction. The fact that very high-quality images can nevertheless be obtained, although only unpredictably, suggests that it may be possible to devise new techniques of specimen preparation and/or data collection that at least partially overcome beam-induced movement. If so, the need for image averaging would be correspondingly reduced.
Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage simulating acute myocardial inferction

Abstract That spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage causing electrocardiographic changes may be confused with acute myocardial infarction is illustrated by a case with some clinical features suggestive of myocardial infarction and without certain of the usual signs and symptoms of subarachnoid bleeding.
Nickel-DNA Complexes: Bioelectrocatalysis or Not?

Alkaline fuel cells (AFC) are low temperature, quick-to-start devices that can achieve 50% operating efficiency. Low cost alternatives to platinum group electrocatalysts, which allow for direct reformation are desired. Nickel electrocatalysts are highly active in alkaline for the oxidation of fuels. However, these are ‘low-density’ catalysts, and in order to improve loading, complexing agents (e.g., citrate) and are utilized. Recently, much attention has been given to electrodeposited Ni-DNA complexes that give increased catalytic activity compared to their metal film counterparts, however, the mechanism is poorly understood. That is, are these complexes achieving this activity through physical or chemical mechanisms imparted by the DNA (bioelectrocatalysis) or merely the chemical constituents of DNA? Here, we set out to analyze these systems, focusing primarily on the effect of phosphate on nickel species, given the high concentration of phosphate groups within DNA. © 2013 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/2.064308jes] All rights reserved.
Seasonal monoamine changes in the central nervous system ofMytilus edulis (Bivalvia)

The levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine exhibit seasonal changes in the central nervous system of Mytilus edulis. These monoamines were higher during the summer and lower during the winter.
Robotic hand biomimicry: Lateral finger joint force and position feedback during contour interaction

The joint motion profiles of 10 human test subjects were recorded as they ran their hands over a flat surface and a convex surface. From this data, three controllers for a dexterous robotic hand were developed to mimic this behavior. Specifically, this work examines the role of finger abduction force and position feedback to motors that control finger extension. Experimental results show the biomimetic controller that uses both abduction force and position feedback within the controllers for finger extension successfully approximates human motion. Further, this controller reduces joint torques and oscillations that occur during contour interaction.
The marriage checkup: An indicated preventive intervention for treatment-avoidant couples at risk for marital deterioration

Abstract Prior to dissolution, it is likely that couples that become severely distressed first pass through an at-risk stage in which they experience early symptoms of marital deterioration but have not yet suffered irreversible damage to their marriage. It is during this “at-risk” stage when couples might benefit most from early intervention. In response to this need we have developed an indicated intervention program called the Marriage Checkup (MC) based on the principles of motivational interviewing. The current randomized study provides preliminary evidence for the attractiveness, tolerability, efficacy, and mechanisms of change of the MC.
1985 Recent references (Cumulation)

A reaction index and bibliography is given for all literature received by the National Nuclear Data Center or assigned key numbers between September aand December, 1985. (AIP)
Association of hyponatremia with increased renin activity in chronic congestive heart failure: impact of diuretic therapy

A correlation between hyponatremia and increased plasma renin activity (PRA) has been reported in patients with severe congestive heart failure (CHF), implying both clinical and pathophysiologic significance. To determine the impact of diuretic therapy on this relation, we evaluated the correlation of serum sodium, prerenal azotemia (blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio [BUN/Cr] ), and PRA in 44 patients with severe CHF who were maintained on diuretic therapy. Serum sodium level was inversely related to PRA (r = -0.389, p less than 0.02). However, a significant correlation also existed between the BUN/Cr ratio and PRA (r = 0.365, p less than 0.025) and an inverse correlation between serum sodium level and the BUN/Cr ratio (r = 0.332, p less than 0.025). Multiple regression analysis of the 3 variables yielded significant interdependence (p less than 0.01). To evaluate the effect of diuretic therapy, 12 patients with severe CHF discontinued diuretic therapy and received, for 1 week each, 10 and 100 mEq sodium diets in balance studies. PRA ranged from 0.14 to 16 ng/ml/h. Despite this range, there was no significant correlation between either serum sodium or BUN/Cr ratio and PRA. It is concluded that the presence of marked hyponatremia and prerenal azotemia in patients with diuretic-treated CHF may suggest increased PRA. However, substantial patient-to-patient variability limits the predictive value of these correlations. Although some clinical value may be derived from such correlations, they should not be used to draw major inferences regarding the severity of CHF or the pathophysiology of water balance in CHF.
Polycrystalline silicon film and solar cells by FBR-CVD

Solar industry growth and a silicon feedstock shortage have spurred interest in thin silicon film photovoltaic (PV) technology. To reduce PV panel and electricity cost, technologies are needed with high deposition rates of high-quality Si film, scalability to large areas and integrated cell and panel fabrication. A new SRI International deposition technology based on fluidized bed reactor-chemical vapor deposition (FBR-CVD) takes advantage of the high heat and mass transfer in a FBR, and combines it with subhalide CVD chemistry with highly reactive species created in the reactor. The SRI's FRB design minimizes boundary layer thickness to achieve deposition rates as high as several microns per minute and good coating uniformity. The resulting silicon films are highly crystalline with 10–100 µm grain sizes over 5 cm2; with in-depth homogeneous resistivity, typically 0.1–5 Ω·cm, but up to 1000 Ω·cm obtained under some deposition conditions; and with bulk diffusion length >200 µm. The reactor configuration can be used for continuous and integrated cell/panel fabrication.
On An Error in Measurements of Equivalent Widths

In the spectrophotometry of absorption lines, and especially in stellar spectroscopy, the derived equivalent widths are shown to increase with the width of the analyzing slit. This effect may contribute toward the well-known general tendency for measured equivalent widths to increase as the linear dispersion decreases.
The Making of National Money: Territorial Currencies in Historical Perspective. By Eric Helleiner

(2004). The Making of National Money: Territorial Currencies in Historical Perspective by Eric Helleiner. Economic Geography: Vol. 80, No. 3, pp. 315-318.
Light pulse propagation and charge carrier scattering in semiconductor amplifiers

We present theoretical results on light pulse propagation in inverted semiconductors and semiconductor laser diodes. The theory is based on the semiconductor Maxwell Bloch equations and includes incoherent phenomena due to charge-carrier scattering based on the solution of the appropriate Boltzman equation.
Identification of amino acids in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist binding site and ion channel photolabeled by 4-[(3-trifluoromethyl)-3H-diazirin-3-yl]benzoylcholine, a novel photoaffinity antagonist.

[3H]4-[(3-trifluoromethyl)-3H-diazirin-3-yl]benzoylcholine (TDBzcholine) was synthesized and used as a photoaffinity probe to map the orientation of an aromatic choline ester within the agonist binding sites of the Torpedo nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). TDBzcholine acts as a nAChR competitive antagonist that binds at equilibrium with equal affinity to both agonist sites (KD ∼ 10 μM). Upon UV irradiation (350 nm), nAChR-rich membranes equilibrated with [3H]TDBzcholine incorporate 3H into the α, γ, and δ subunits in an agonist-inhibitable manner. The specific residues labeled by [3H]TDBzcholine were determined by N-terminal sequence analysis of subunit fragments produced by enzymatic cleavage and purified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and/or reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. For the α subunit, [3H]TDBzcholine photoincorporated into αCys-192, αCys-193, and αPro-194. For the γ and δ subunits, [3H]TDBzcholine incorporated into homologous leucine re...
Efficient Meshfree Formulation for Metal Forming Simulations

A stabilized conforming (SC) nodal integration method is developed for elastoplastic contact analysis of metal forming processes. In this approach, strain smoothing stabilization is introduced to eliminate spatial instability in collocation meshfree methods. The gradient matrix associated with strain smoothing satisfies the integration constraint (IC) of linear exactness in the Galerkin approximation. Strain smoothing formulation and numerical procedures for history-dependent problems are introduced. Applications to metal forming analysis are presented, with the results demonstrating a significant improvement in computational efficiency without loss of accuracy.
Adaptive control of odor-guided locomotion: behavioral flexibility as an antidote to environmental unpredictability

Many animals find distant unseen resources by guiding their locomotion through fluid media, using olfactory information acquired from plumes of odorant molecules issuing from the resource of interest. This behavior occurs in birds and fish, but much of our knowledge of it derives from flying insects, especially moths. It is a highly integrative behavior, requiring not only the integration of olfactory information with a behavioral strategy to maintain contact with the odor plume, but also an ability to detect the direction of fluid flow that is carrying the odor cue. The temporal-spatial structure of the odor plume is determined by the fluid dynamics of the environment, and it profoundly affects the behavior. Thus, the success of animals (or artificial agents) is determined by an interaction between sensory input and internally generated behaviors. We have implemented behavioral-level simulations of odor-modulated moth flight to understand how the properties of the odor stimulus and the behavioral system ...
Minimum Requirements for Taxicab Security Cameras.

Problem: The homicide rate of taxicab-industry is 20 times greater than that of all workers. A NIOSH study showed that cities with taxicab-security cameras experienced significant reduction in taxicab driver homicides. Methods: Minimum technical requirements and a standard test protocol for taxicab-security cameras for effective taxicab-facial identification were determined. The study took more than 10,000 photographs of human-face charts in a simulated-taxicab with various photographic resolutions, dynamic ranges, lens-distortions, and motion-blurs in various light and cab-seat conditions. Thirteen volunteer photograph-evaluators evaluated these face photographs and voted for the minimum technical requirements for taxicab-security cameras. Results: Five worst-case scenario photographic image quality thresholds were suggested: the resolution of XGA-format, highlight-dynamic-range of 1 EV, twilight-dynamic-range of 3.3 EV, lens-distortion of 30%, and shutter-speed of 1/30 second. Practical Applications: These minimum requirements will help taxicab regulators and fleets to identify effective taxicab-security cameras, and help taxicabsecurity camera manufacturers to improve the camera facial identification capability.
Application of diffusion-edited NMR spectroscopy for the structural characterization of drug metabolites in mixtures

Abstract Diffusion-edited NMR spectroscopy is used to enable the structural characterization of low level metabolites in the presence of endogenous compounds, and organic solvents. We compared data from standard one-dimensional (1D) 1 H, 1D NOESY-presaturation, and 1D diffusion-edited experiments run on 20 μg and 100 μg samples of ethacrynic acid glutathione thioether (EASG) and a previously unreported metabolite of mefenamic acid, mefenamic acid glutathione thioester (MSG). The 1D NOESY-presaturation technique gave spectra with the best signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio, approximately three times that observed with the standard 1 H experiment, with respect to the metabolite signals. However, it was not selective for solvent signals as overlapping metabolite signals were also suppressed by this technique. In some cases, these signals were key to determining the site of glutathione attachment on the parent molecule. 1D NOESY-presaturation spectra also produced baseline distortions and inconsistent integration values. By comparison, 1D diffusion-edited experiments were found to selectively and simultaneously remove multiple solvent signals, resolve overlapping metabolite signals, and provide more uniform integration for metabolite signals overlapping with or proximal to solvent peaks, without producing baseline distortions. However, the diffusion-edited experiments caused significant signal attenuation of the metabolite signals when compared with a standard 1 H spectrum. Partially purified metabolites isolated from biological matrices were also characterized by using two-dimensional diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY). DOSY spectra acquired on a sample of EASG purified from rat bile proved useful in ‘separating’ the signals of EASG, from those of a co-eluting bile acid and parent drug ethacrynic acid (EA) in the diffusion-dimension in regions where there was no spectral overlap. In the low-field regions of high overlap, the DOSY experiment did not effectively separate the signals from the individual components. Diffusion based experiments provide a way to determine the total number of components that are present in a metabolite sample as well as an ability to identify them based on the chemical shift information, without the need for laborious chromatography on small samples.
Three-year outcome of a nonthoracotomy approach to cardioverter-defibrillator implantation in 189 consecutive patients

Abstract To date, no long-term clinical data have been published in patients undergoing a nonthoracotomy approach to cardioverter-defibrillator system implantation. In the present report, 189 consecutive patients prospectively underwent a standardized approach to cardioverter-defibrillator system implantation in which the nonthoracotomy configurations were tested first. If satisfactory defibrillation thresholds were not obtained, thoracotomy was performed during the same intraoperative session. A nonthoracotomy system was successfully implanted in 149 of 189 patients (79%), with a higher success rate (90%) observed in patients who had more recent implantations. The overall rate of complications associated with these systems was low (11%). Over a mean follow-up of 12.5 ± 9.3 months, 17 patients (9%) died. Three-year total, cardiac, and sudden death-free actuarial survival for all patients was 83 ± 11%, 88 ± 7%, and 94 ± 2%, respectively. Three-year sudden death-free actuarial survival was higher in the nonthoracotomy than in the thoracotomy patients (97 ± 2% vs 87 ± 6%, p = 0.047), although total survival was similar (77 ± 11% vs 83 ± 7%, p = 0.77). These data suggest that a majority of patients (>80%) requiring a cardioverter-defibrillator system can undergo implantation using a nonthoracotomy approach. Patients receiving nonthoracotomy systems have 3-year outcomes comparable to those implanted via thoracotomy. If these results are maintained, a nonthoracotomy approach will supplant thoracotomy-implanted systems as the preferred method because of the simpler implant procedure and lower overall cost involved.
Dendritic cells improve the generation of Epstein-Barr virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes for the treatment of posttransplantation lymphoma.

Background: The use of immunosuppressive therapies after solid organ transplantation has been shown to increase a patient's risk for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)–associated lymphoma. A potential therapy for this disorder is the adoptive transfer of EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). We proposed that dendritic cells (DCs) could be loaded with EBV antigens and be used to improve the in vitro generation of EBV-specific CTLs. Methods: Autologous EBV-transformed B-lymphoblastoid cell lines (BLCLs) were generated from normal donors, and CTLs were initiated by culturing peripheral blood mononuclear cells with DCs alone, disrupted BLCLs alone, intact, irradiated BLCLs alone, and DCs loaded with disrupted BLCLs. Lytic activities were determined with a 4-hour chromium-release assay against autologous BLCLs, and statistical calculations were performed by a Student t test assuming equal variance. Results: The lytic activity of CTLs generated with DCs loaded with disrupted BLCLs reached 78% and was statistically significant (P < .01) at all effector/target ratios compared with CTLs generated with DCs alone, disrupted BLCLs alone, or intact BLCLs alone. Total numbers of CTLs were also greater than those of control groups for DCs loaded with disrupted BLCLs. Conclusions: DCs improved the in vitro generation of EBV-specific CTLs as evidenced by this group's significantly increased lytic activity over that of the control group. The improved lytic activity of DC-generated EBV-CTLs suggests that adoptive transfer of these cells could lead to a more effective immunotherapeutic response against posttransplantation EBV-associated lymphoma. (Surgery 1998;124:171-6.)
What Additional Traits Need to Be Considered in Measuring Dairy Cattle Utility in the Future

The first prerequisite for improving the total efficiency of the dairy cow is a definition of total efficiency. I f the term can be accurately and adequately defined, the problem of determining the traits that need consideration should be greatly simplified. Efficiency can be defined as the ratio of output to input. Utilizing this definition and attempting to visualize all outputs and inputs in economic terms provides the following as one means of defining total efficiency:
The Effects of Self-Talk and Augmented Feedback on Learning the Tennis Forehand

This study compared the effects of self-talk strategy (ST) and knowledge of performance (KP) feedback on learning the forehand tennis groundstroke. Three experimental groups met during their regular tennis class for seven days to examine the interactions between ST and feedback (FB). The instructors (N = 3) taught three groups of eight randomly assigned participants using scripted lessons, one group under each condition (ST with KP, ST without KP, and KP only). Four dependent measures: (a) outcome scores, (b) movement sequence scores, (c) percentage of correct trials, and (d) feedback statement analyses were examined separately. The movement sequence scores of the participants using ST strategy significantly exceeded those of the FB group. An examination of the percentage of correct trials during acquisition revealed the positive impact of ST early in the learning process, and displayed reasons for the marked differences in KP provided to each group. The findings indicate that ST can enhance learning the ...
An Assessment of the Suitability of Mohs Micrographic Surgery in Patients Aged 90 years and Older

BACKGROUND One option for the treatment of cutaneous tumors in the vent elderly has been simple observation. However, the combination of an increasing elderly population and a concomitant high incidence of skin cancer will make this problem more common. OBJECTIVE To assess the suitability of Mohs micrographic surgery as a treatment modality for skin cancer in the 90 years and older age group. METHODS A group of patients who underwent Mohs surgery from January 1988 to August 1996 aged 90 years and older was identified, and tumor type, site, comorbid medical conditions, medications, and surgical complications were recorded. RESULTS A total of106 basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), 33 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) six melanomas, and one basosquamous carcinoma were resected from 115 patients with an average age of 92.4 years. The overall ratio of BCC/SCC was 3.2 BCCs occurred most commonly on the face; SCCs were found more frequently on the cheeks. Patients had an average of 1.9 comorbid medical conditions and took an average of 2.3 regular medications. One complication occurred. CONCLUSION . Mohs surgery is a safe and effective therapy for those over 90 years of age.
Parameter estimation for stiff deterministic dynamical systems via ensemble Kalman filter

A commonly encountered problem in numerous areas of applications is to estimate the unknown coefficients of a dynamical system from direct or indirect observations at discrete times of some of the components of the state vector. A related problem is to estimate unobserved components of the state. An egregious example of such a problem is provided by metabolic models, in which the numerous model parameters and the concentrations of the metabolites in tissue are to be estimated from concentration data in the blood. A popular method for addressing similar questions in stochastic and turbulent dynamics is the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF), a particle-based filtering method that generalizes classical Kalman filtering. In this work, we adapt the EnKF algorithm for deterministic systems in which the numerical approximation error is interpreted as a stochastic drift with variance based on classical error estimates of numerical integrators. This approach, which is particularly suitable for stiff systems where the stiffness may depend on the parameters, allows us to effectively exploit the parallel nature of particle methods. Moreover, we demonstrate how spatial prior information about the state vector, which helps the stability of the computed solution, can be incorporated into the filter. The viability of the approach is shown by computed examples, including a metabolic system modeling an ischemic episode in skeletal muscle, with a high number of unknown parameters.
Developmental profiles of protective mechanisms of heart against peroxidative injury.

The developmental profiles of the protective mechanisms of heart against peroxidative injury during neonatal growth was examined in the pigs of three different age groups. Lipid peroxidation expressed in terms of malonaldehyde formation was considerably higher in the pig hearts of the 8–10 day age group compared to that either by newborn or adult age groups. The four principal antioxidative enzymes, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), were enhanced during early neonatal growth and, with the exception of G6PD, all other enzymes were further enhanced during further growth to adulthood. G6PD activity dropped significantly in adult heart. The phospholipid contents of myocardial membrane between newborn and week-old pigs did not vary significantly. Total phospholipids and phosphatidylcholine contents were significantly higher in adult heart compared to those in neonatal heart. The enzymes of phospholipid synthesis and degradation, fatty acyl CoA synthetase (FACS), phospholipase A2 (PLA2), lysophospholipase (LPL), and lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT) increased during carly neonatal growth. During further growth to adulthood, FACS decreased, PLA2 did not change, whereas both LPL and LPCAT increased significantly. Analysis of free fatty acids showed that palmitic and stearic acids decreased during the first week of growth, but increased during further growth to adulthood. Oleic acid did not change with aging, but arachidonic acid dropped in adult heart compared to that in neonatal heart. Linoleic, palmitoleic and free fatty acids increased dramatically during the first week of neonatal growth, but dropped thereafter. These results suggest that the unusual peroxidative status of the week-old pig heart is related to the presence of high concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the membrane phospholipids and not with the antioxidative defense system.
Calculated prostate cancer volume: The optimal predictor of actual cancer volume and pathologic stage

Abstract Objectives A new clinical pretreatment quantity called the calculated prostate cancer volume has been defined. The correlation between the calculated parameter and the actual prostate cancer volume, and its ability to predict for pathologic Stage T3 disease in patients with clinically localized disease, is tested. Methods Prostate cancer volume measurements were obtained using a 3-dimensional computerized morphometric reconstruction technique on 104 whole-mounted radical prostatectomy specimens. The calculated prostate cancer volume was determined based on pretreatment clinical parameters (prostate-specific antigen [PSA], biopsy Gleason score, and prostate ultrasound volume). Linear regression was used to determine the Pearson correlation coefficients (r) between the PSA, the calculated prostate cancer volume, and the measured prostate cancer volume. Logistic regression multivariable analysis evaluating the predictive value of the pretreatment PSA, biopsy Gleason score, clinical stage, and calculated prostate cancer volume in predicting pathologic Stage T3 disease in patients with clinically organ-confined disease was performed. Results The calculated prostate cancer volume (r 0.71 to 0.96) was superior to PSA (r 0.12 to 0.67) in predicting the measured prostate cancer volume over a wide range (0.02 to 9.5 cm3) of cancer volumes. The calculated prostate cancer volume was the only significant predictor (P=0.02) of pathologic Stage T3 disease in patients with clinical Stage T1 to T2 disease on multivariable analysis. Conclusions The calculated volume of prostate cancer is superior to PSA in predicting both the pathologic prostate cancer volume and pathologic Stage T3 disease in patients with clinical Stage T1 and T2 disease. Therefore, it may be useful in determining the optimal candidates for radical prostatectomy.
Idiopathic REM sleep behaviour disorder in the development of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with Lewy body disease pathology in central and peripheral nervous system structures. Although the cause of Parkinson's disease is not fully understood, clinicopathological analyses have led to the development of a staging system for Lewy body disease-associated pathological changes. This system posits a predictable topography of progression of Lewy body disease in the CNS, beginning in olfactory structures and the medulla, then progressing rostrally from the medulla to the pons, then to midbrain and substantia nigra, limbic structures, and neocortical structures. If this topography and temporal evolution of Lewy body disease does occur, other manifestations of the disease as a result of degeneration of olfactory and pontomedullary structures could theoretically begin many years before the development of prominent nigral degeneration and the associated parkinsonian features of Parkinson's disease. One such manifestation of prodromal Parkinson's disease is rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder, which is a parasomnia manifested by vivid dreams associated with dream enactment behaviour during REM sleep. Findings from animal and human studies have suggested that lesions or dysfunction in REM sleep and motor control circuitry in the pontomedullary structures cause REM sleep behaviour disorder phenomenology, and degeneration of these structures might explain the presence of REM sleep behaviour disorder years or decades before the onset of parkinsonism in people who develop Parkinson's disease.