cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In-Situ Tem Observations of Electron Beam-Stimulated Reactions in NiO Under Oxidizing and Reducing Atmospheres

ABSTRACT:L: NiO surfaces have been the subject of numerous investigations using a wide variety of techniques, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The findings, however, remain inconclusive regarding the relative contributions of irradiation effects such as ballistic erosion, electron-stimulated desorption (ESD) and electron-stimulated reaction (ESR), especially at incident electron energies exceeding 100 keV. In earlier studies it was suggested that the surface environment played a significant role in the radiation damage process. In this study, the effect of the surface environment is further illustrated by in-situ experiments in controlled sample environments. NiO surfaces were irradiated with electrons, ranging in energy from 3 keV to 300 keV, and examined in-situ under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions (10-10 Torr), as well as in controlled oxidizing (oxygen) and reducing (CO) atmospheres. The nature of the surface reactions and their contribution to the overall radiation damage process in the various energy regimes is examined.
Pathways for repairing and tolerating the spectrum of oxidative DNA lesions

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) arise from both endogenous and exogenous sources. These reactive molecules possess the ability to damage both the DNA nucleobases and the sugar phosphate backbone, leading to a wide spectrum of lesions, including non-bulky (8-oxoguanine and formamidopyrimidine) and bulky (cyclopurine and etheno adducts) base modifications, abasic sites, non-conventional single-strand breaks, protein-DNA adducts, and intra/interstrand DNA crosslinks. Unrepaired oxidative DNA damage can result in bypass mutagenesis during genome copying or gene expression, or blockage of the essential cellular processes of DNA replication or transcription. Such outcomes underlie numerous pathologies, including, but not limited to, carcinogenesis and neurodegeneration, as well as the aging process. Cells have adapted and evolved defense systems against the deleterious effects of ROS, and specifically devote a number of cellular DNA repair and tolerance pathways to combat oxidative DNA damage. Defects in these protective pathways trigger hereditary human diseases that exhibit increased cancer incidence, developmental defects, neurological abnormalities, and/or premature aging. We review herein classic and atypical oxidative DNA lesions, outcomes of encountering these damages during DNA replication and transcription, and the consequences of losing the ability to repair the different forms of oxidative DNA damage. We particularly focus on the hereditary human diseases Xeroderma Pigmentosum, Cockayne Syndrome and Fanconi Anemia, which may involve defects in the efficient repair of oxidative modifications to chromosomal DNA.
Bryostatin 1 modulates β-catenin subcellular localization and transcription activity through protein kinase D1 activation

In recent years, the use of natural products for cancer prevention and treatment has received considerable attention. Bryostatin 1 is a natural macrocyclic lactone and a protein kinase D (PKD) modulator with potent antineoplastic properties that has been used to treat human cancers in clinical trials with limited success. Further understanding the mechanistic basis of Bryostatin 1 action may provide opportunities to improve clinical results of treatment with Bryostatin 1. We identified that PKD1, founding member of PKD family of serine/threonine kinases, modulates E-cadherin/β-catenin activity, which plays an important role in cell integrity, polarity, growth, and morphogenesis. An aberrant expression and localization of E-cadherin/β-catenin has been strongly associated with cancer progression and metastasis. In this study, we examined the effect of Bryostatin 1 treatment on PKD1 activation, β-catenin translocation and transcription activity, and malignant phenotype of prostate cancer cells. Initial activation of PKD1 with Bryostatin 1 leads to colocalization of the cytoplasmic pool of β-catenin with PKD1, trans-Golgi network markers, and proteins involved in vesicular trafficking. Activation of PKD1 by Bryostatin 1 decreases nuclear β-catenin expression and β-catenin/TCF transcription activity. Activation of PKD1 alters cellular aggregation and proliferation in prostate cancer cells associated with subcellular redistribution of E-cadherin and β-catenin. For the first time, we have identified that Bryostatin 1 modulates β-catenin signaling through PKD1, which identifies a novel mechanism to improve efficacy of Bryostatin 1 in clinical settings. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(9):2703–12]
High Flux FRC Facility for Stability and Confinement Studies

To provide a path for advancing the FRC concept into a more fusion-like regime, the existing TCSU facility will be modified to take advantage of the new FRC formation method of dynamic formation and merging of FRCs. Results from recent experiments have shown that this methodology provides appreciable increases in the key parameters of ion temperature, poloidal flux and FRC lifetime. FRC stability has been found in numerical calculations where a subpopulation of high energy particles is present in sufficient numbers. A critical goal of the high flux FRC facility will be to form FRCs with poloidal fluxes sufficiently large to fully confine high energy ion orbits introduced from neutralized ion beams injected during FRC formation. A key aspect of the experiments will be to validate theoretical models and simulation codes, such as the 3D extended-MHD code NIMROD, in a in a high beta regime with large two-fluid effects, plasma flows, and an energetic minority species.
A conserved MutS homolog connector domain interface interacts with MutL homologs

Escherichia coli MutS forms a mispair-dependent ternary complex with MutL that is essential for initiating mismatch repair (MMR) but is structurally uncharacterized, in part owing to its dynamic nature. Here, we used hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry and other methods to identify a region in the connector domain (domain II) of MutS that binds MutL and is required for mispair-dependent ternary complex formation and MMR. A structurally conserved region in Msh2, the eukaryotic homolog, was required for formation of a mispair-dependent Msh2–Msh6–Mlh1–Pms1 ternary complex. These data indicate that the connector domain of MutS and Msh2 contains the interface for binding MutL and Mlh1–Pms1, respectively, and support a mechanism whereby mispair and ATP binding induces a conformational change that allows the MutS and Msh2 interfaces to interact with their partners.
Texture Features for Antitank Landmine Detection Using Ground Penetrating Radar

In this paper, we consider the application of texture features for antitank landmine detection in ground- penetrating-radar data in the difficult scenario of very high clutter environments. In particular, we develop a technique for 3-D texture feature extraction, and we compare the results for landmine/clutter discrimination using classifiers that are built on 3-D as well as on 2-D texture feature sets. Our results indicate performance improvements across several different challenging testing scenarios when using the relevance-vector-machine classifiers that are trained on our 3-D feature sets as compared to the performance using the 2-D texture feature sets.
A Review On Evaluation And Benefits Of Decision Support Systems

This review paper identifies benefits from various Decision Support Systems (DSSs) and introduces a range of examples from the literature. Those examples are organized according to the driving technological architecture of the DSS. Benefits may impact a decision or the decision-making process. Some techniques for assessing the benefits of a particular DSS were also surveyed.
High performance InAs quantum dot lasers on silicon substrates by low temperature Pd-GaAs wafer bonding

InAs quantum dot (QD) laser heterostructures have been grown by molecular beam epitaxy system on GaAs substrates, and then transferred to silicon substrates by a low temperature (250 °C) Pd-mediated wafer bonding process. A low interfacial resistivity of only 0.2 Ω cm2 formed during the bonding process is characterized by the current-voltage measurements. The InAs QD lasers on Si exhibit comparable characteristics to state-of-the-art QD lasers on silicon substrates, where the threshold current density Jth and differential quantum efficiency ηd of 240 A/cm2 and 23.9%, respectively, at room temperature are obtained with laser bars of cavity length and waveguide ridge of 1.5 mm and 5 μm, respectively. The InAs QD lasers also show operation up to 100 °C with a threshold current density Jth and differential quantum efficiency ηd of 950 A/cm2 and 9.3%, respectively. The temperature coefficient T0 of 69 K from 60 to 100 °C is characterized from the temperature dependent Jth measurements.
Effect of different total suspended solids concentrations on the growth performance of Litopenaeus vannamei in a BFT system

Abstract Decreased Litopenaeus vannamei performance resulting from excess total suspended solids (TSS) has been highlighted in previous studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different TSS concentrations on the L. vannamei growth performance in a BFT system for 42 days. Five TSS concentrations were used—250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 mg L −1 —in three replicates identified as T250, T500, T1000, T2000, and T4000, respectively, in 200 L-tanks each. Dissolved oxygen concentration (DO) was maintained above 5 mg L −1 . Shrimp with an initial average weight of 4.57 ± 1.07 g were stocked at a density of 277 shrimp m −2 . The physical and chemical parameters were monitored. Water quality parameters and animal performance were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA − one way). The physical and chemical parameters were within the recommended range for L. vannamei . Weekly weight gain, feed conversion rate, survival, and productivity showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). The high TSS concentrations did not seem to affect the performance of this species when DO concentrations were maintained above 5 mg L −1 .
Alkaloid studies–XIX: Alkaloids of some Hawaiian Rauwolfia species: The structure of sandwicine and its interconversion with ajmaline and ajmalidine

Abstract The alkaloid composition of the following three Hawaiian Rauwolfia species– R. sandwicensis A.DC., R. degeneri Sherff and R. mauiensis Sheriff–was determined. Aside from the known aklakoids serpentinine, ajmaline, tetraphylline and tetraphyllicine there were encountered trace amounts of two new dihydroindole alkaloids, mauiensine and sandwicensine as well as larger quantities of an isomer of ajmaline, which was named sandwicine (C 20 H 26 N 2 O 2 ). Since sandwicine and ajmaline yield different dihydro derivatives which are convertible by lead tetra-acetate oxidation to a common indole hemi-acetal, sandwicine represents the C-17 epimer of ajmaline. Dihydrosandwicine was found to be identical with tetrahydroajmalidine, the sodium borohydride reduction product of ajmalidine, thereby proving that ajmalidine is 17-dehydroajmaline.
Defects in Motion Picture Projection and their Correction

The defects in projection caused by oil and dirt on the film are discussed at considerable length, with respect to the appearance of the screen images of the following groups of prints: (1) toned print; (2) light or high-key prints; (3) color-film; (4) very dark prints. The seriousness of the defects caused by oil in the four groups is in this order. — The causes of oil on film are discussed in considerable detail, and suggestions are made for alleviating this situation.
Reverse Flipping Technique: An Alternate Approach to Tie Reversing Half-Hitches on Alternating Posts

Arthroscopic knot tying requires practice and attention to detail, especially tying the 3 reversing half-hitches on alternating posts (RHAPs) in a knot. Mistakes can occur that result in an unintentional tension (>10 N) applied to the wrapping suture limb, and by placing tension in the wrong limb, the previously "flipped" half-hitch is converted from a series of RHAPs into a series of identical half-hitches on the same post, thereby producing insecure knots or suture loops. This was hypothesized to be a source of knot failure by knot slippage. This error can be avoided by using a technique we describe as "reverse flipping," which purposely "flips" the half-hitch down at the main knot while tying the 3 RHAPs in a knot, and then the half-hitch is retightened using either a past-pointing or over-pointing technique. This way the surgeon can be absolutely sure that the half-hitch is tightened in the direction that it was intended to be placed, and can also prevent the unintentional tension applied to the wrapping suture limb that causes the half-hitch to "flip." However, caution should be used when tensioning the half-hitches; overtensioning (>40 N) during past-pointing or over-pointing could also potentially "flip" the previous half-hitch that has already been tightened and cause potential knot failure.
A practical guide to the diagnosis of congenital infections in the newborn infant

Every attempt should be made to identify an etiologic agent in infants with suspected congenital infection. Some of the infections are treatable, such as herpes simplex, syphilis, and toxoplasmosis. For other infectious agents (i.e., CMV and rubella), close follow-up will enable early detection of hearing impairment and permit early educational intervention. In addition, appropriate isolation measures will reduce the risk of nosocomial infections due to herpes simplex, rubella, hepatitis B, and CMV. Rational use of the available diagnostic tools will enable detection of most symptomatic congenitally infected neonates at a reasonable cost.
Institutional Dynamics and Policymaking Efficiency

The locus of studies on French cohabitation is naturally on the relationship between the president and the prime minister. After all, the combination of the political antagonism between the two heads of the executive branch and the vagueness of their respective institutional prerogatives make for appealing storylines in political conflict. This book does not differ from other studies in that regard. However, it does stand apart from other accounts of cohabitation by highlighting that a true understanding of intra-executive relations and of the policy options available to the president and prime minister necessitates recognition that these relations are connected to the relationship between the prime minister and his legislative majority. In fact, these two levels of interactions are interwoven in complex ways, with regular feedback effects from one to the other.
Advanced vehicle technologies modeling, simulation, and demonstration

The Advanced Vehicle Technologies is the ground vehicle focus of the Department of Defense Land Combat strategy. The objective is to demonstrate the feasibility and potential of lighter, more lethal and survivable ground combat vehicles. Seven individual programs supported by parallel system effectiveness simulations make up the AVT program. Four types of modeling and simulation will be employed in support of the AVT program: engineering models, constructive simulation, distributed simulation, and virtual reality prototyping. A combat simulation analysis is being conducted to explore new concepts. The AVT program supports the Force XXI efforts by participating in the Louisiana Maneuvers, Battle Lab experiments, Horizontal Technology Integration programs, and Synthetic Theater of War programs.
MPEG Media Transport technologies and its application to immersive media communication services

MPEG Media Transport (MMT) is a next generation media transport standard developed as a part of ISO/IEC 23008. MMT standard specifies technologies for the delivery of coded media data for multimedia services over concatenated heterogeneous packet-based networks including bidirectional IP networks and unidirectional digital broadcasting networks. MMT also supports an Application Layer Forward Error Correction (AL-FEC) codes for reliable delivery in IP network environments. In this paper, we introduce an MMT standard mainly focus on our proposed MMT FireFort-LDGM codes and as its application to immersive media communication.
Ultra-Sensitive HIV-1 Latency Viral Outgrowth Assays Using Humanized Mice.

In the current quest for a complete cure for HIV/AIDS, highly sensitive HIV latency detection methods are critical to verify full viral eradication. Until now, the in vitro quantitative viral out growth assays (qVOA) have been the gold standard for assessing latent HIV-1 viral burden. However, these assays have been inadequate in detecting the presence of ultra-low levels of latent virus in a number of patients who were initially thought to have been cured but eventually showed viral rebound. In this context, new approaches utilizing in vivo mouse-based VOAs are promising. In the murine VOA (mVOA), large numbers of CD4+ T cells or PBMC from aviremic subjects are xenografted into immunodeficient NSG mice whereas in the humanized mouse VOA (hmVOA) assay, patient CD4+ T cell samples are injected into BLT or hu-HSC humanized mice. While latent virus could be recovered in both of these systems, the hmVOA provides higher sensitivity than the mVOA using fewer number of input cells. In contrast to the mVOA, the hmVOA provides a broader spectrum of highly susceptible HIV-1 target cells and enables newly engrafted cells to home into preformed human lymphoid organs where they can infect cells in situ after viral activation. Hu-mice also allow for both xenograft and allograft driven cell expansion with less severe GvH providing a longer time frame for potential viral outgrowth from cells with a delayed latent viral activation. Based on these advantages, the hmVOA has great potential in playing an important role in HIV latency and cure research.
The Threshold of Victory: Theodicy and Relief in the Theology of John Paul II

The Twentieth Century provided the religious and irreligious alike with tremendous challenges in regards to belief. Evil and carnage were pervasive and the Church was in decline. In that cultural moment rose an interpreter of that challenge who theodicy was clear and efficient in answering the complex challenge of evil in the modern world. John Paul II, more than almost any other figure of the age, addressed the vexing issue of evil in the modern world. In the corpus of his writing mankind comes to know evil through an act of memory, remembering from where evil sprang, and what evil has done in man to separate him from his creator. And mankind comes to terms with identity of evil as seen and experienced through the act of suffering. Through processing memory, and examining identity, mankind can discover how Jesus Christ’s work on Calvary places us at the threshold of victory.
UNIT 18.5 Detection of Phosphorylation by Enzymatic Techniques

Reversible protein phosphorylation is an important mechanism for regulating physiological processes in both plant and animal cells. There are a number of techniques to demonstrate the presence of covalently bound phosphate in proteins. The general strategy of the protocols in this unit is to first examine the functional effects elicited by nonspecific acid or alkaline phosphatases that dephosphorylate many phosphoproteins in vitro. Protein phosphatases that selectively hydrolyze phosphoserine and phosphothreonine or phosphotyrosine residues can then be used to identify a functionally important covalent modification. Additional protocols describe digestion of phosphoproteins with a protein serine/threonine phosphatase and protein tyrosine phosphatase. A support protocol has been included to identify the radiolabel as 32Pi based on its ability to form a complex with ammonium molybdate.
Crystal structures of a series of 6-aryl-1,3-diphenyl-fulvenes.

The synthesis and crystal structures of a series of 6-aryl­fuvlenes (fulvene is 5-methyl­idene­cyclo­penta-1,3-diene) with varying methyl­ation patterns on the 6-phenyl substituent are reported, namely 6-(3-methyl­phen­yl)-1,3-di­phenyl­fulvene (C25H20), 6-(4-methyl­phen­yl)-1,3-di­phenyl­fulvene (C25H20), 6-mesityl-3-di­phenyl­fulvene (C27H24) and 6-(2,3,4,5,6-penta­methyl­phen­yl)-1,3-di­phenyl­fulvene (C29H28). The bond lengths are typical of those observed in related fulvenes. A network of C—H⋯π ring inter­actions consolidates the packing in each structure.
Eagle Shoal: A new designed modular tactile sensing dexterous hand for domestic service robots

This paper introduces a new designed modular tactile sensing dexterous hand for domestic service robots. This fully-actuated hand consists of 1 palm and 3 fingers, with embedded tactile sensors, motors and control boards. The palm and each finger have 2 degrees of freedom (DOFs). The modular design makes it easy to attach and detach the hand, even by inexperienced users. The tactile sensor unit with new structure can help to decrease sensor number and keep a good sensing ability. A series of experiments to test the sensor unit and evaluated the hand performance with an object set was performed in this paper. The results show that the sensor unit can provide precise sensing result and perceive continuous vibration data, and the hand has excellent grasp ability. In addition to its good performance, the hand features a cost of $500 USD with a scale of one hundred sets. This hand is affordable for researchers and for domestic service robots in the consumer market. In future research, this hand will be used to promote the robotic manipulation research based on visual and tactile data.
Expanding the Noonan spectrum/RASopathy NGS panel: Benefits of adding NF1 and SPRED1

Background RASopathies are a group of disorders caused by disruptions to the RAS-MAPK pathway. Despite being in the same pathway, Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) and Legius syndrome (LS) typically present with phenotypes distinct from Noonan spectrum disorders (NSDs). However, some NF1/LS individuals also exhibit NSD phenotypes, often referred to as Neurofibromatosis-Noonan syndrome (NFNS), and may be mistakenly evaluated for NSDs, delaying diagnosis, and affecting patient management. Methods A derivation cohort of 28 patients with a prior negative NSD panel and either NFNS or a suspicion of NSD and cafe-au-lait spots underwent NF1 and SPRED1 sequencing. To further determine the utility and burden of adding these genes, a validation cohort of 505 patients with a suspected RASopathy were tested on a 14-gene RASopathy-associated panel. Results In the derivation cohort, six (21%) patients had disease-causing NF1 or SPRED1 variants. In the validation cohort, 11 (2%) patients had disease-causing variants and 15 (3%) had variants of uncertain significance in NF1 or SPRED1. Of those with disease-causing variants, 5/17 only had an NSD diagnosis. Conclusions Adding NF1 and SPRED1 to RASopathy panels can speed diagnosis and improve patient management, without significantly increasing the burden of inconclusive results.
Resection of a complete uterine and cervical septum

Video abstract summary The background, clinical presentation and relevant pre-operative planning regarding complete uterine septums are reviewed. This is followed by an illustration of the surgical steps taken to correct such anomalies, preserving the cervical component of the septum. This is done with vaginal surgery followed by hysteroscopy with laparoscopic guidance. The technique demonstrated uses a Foley catheter balloon in one of the uterine cavities to delineate the septum, aiding in the resection of the septum in the ideal location. Technical tips are provided for additional surgical guidance. Finally, the post-operative considerations and long-term outcomes following surgical correction are discussed.
Scalable High-Accuracy Ranging and Wireless Frequency Synchronization for Open-Loop Distributed Phased Arrays

We present a scalable approach to joint high-accuracy inter-node ranging and wireless frequency synchronization in distributed antenna arrays. Wireless coordination of the phases of separate wireless nodes enables distributed phase-coherent beamforming, however such coordination necessitates ranging at a fraction of the beamforming wavelength and stable frequency alignment. The authors previously demonstrated separate approaches to scalable high-accuracy ranging and wireless frequency synchronization using spectrally-sparse waveforms. In this work, we introduce a combined approach to ranging and frequency synchronization using a scalable, spectrally-sparse waveform.
Offshore Asset Protection Trusts: Having Your Cake and Eating it Too

This article seeks to compare U.S. and offshore trusts systems to identify and discuss ways in which Offshore Asset Protection Trusts undermine U.S. trust policies. Part II of this article lays the foundation for this comparison by setting out conventional U.S. trust law from the standpoint of creditor access to assets held in U.S. trusts. Part III maps out the structure of Offshore Asset Protection Trusts and examines how they offer creditor protection. Part IV sets forth a methodology by which to compare the two systems. It examines ethical and policy considerations raised by the greater protection, flexibility, and control offered Offshore Asset Protection Trust settlors versus settlors of domestic trusts. Part V concludes that in substance, if not in form, some Offshore Asset Protection trusts defeat well-settled U.S. trust doctrine.
Phyllodes diversipalpus resurrected from taxonomic extinction (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)

Morphological evidence supporting the validity of Phyllodes diversipalpus sp. rev. from New Guinea is provided. This species is only superficially similar to P. eyndhovii and P. staudingeri and, having been associated with either of the two, was eventually wrongly subsumed under the latter.
Tool Evaluates Control Measures for Airborne Infectious Agents

The purpose of the new online tool Fate and Transport of Indoor Microbiological Aerosols (FaTIMA) is to model the fate of infectious aerosols (e g , those associated with SARS-CoV-2) generated within the built environment and the potential impact of various control measures Pathogen-containing aerosols can be generated by an infected person through breathing and other activities involving the respiratory system, such as coughing Larger emitted droplets fall rather quickly to the ground due to gravitational settling;these can impact various surfaces or ballistically enter the respiratory tract of another, nearby occupant Smaller droplet nuclei can remain airborne for longer periods, and these aerosolized particles are the focus of FaTIMA
Adaptive restarts for stochastic synthesis

We consider the problem of program synthesis from input-output examples via stochastic search. We identify a robust feature of stochastic synthesis: The search often progresses through a series of discrete plateaus. We observe that the distribution of synthesis times is often heavy-tailed and analyze how these distributions arise. Based on these insights, we present an algorithm that speeds up synthesis by an order of magnitude over the naive algorithm currently used in practice. Our experimental results are obtained in part using a new program synthesis benchmark for superoptimization distilled from widely used production code.
PITTRIGID ME: Simplified Mechanistic-Empirical Design Tool for Pennsylvania Rigid Pavements Design and Analysis

AbstractTo accelerate the implementation of the AASHTO Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) in Pennsylvania and take advantage of locally calibrated mechanistic-empirical models for ...
Epidermal Lipids and the Intercellular Pathway

The epidermis is the keratinizing epithelium covering the skin. The basal layer of the epidermis includes the replicative cells as well as cells that serve to anchor the epidermis to the underlying tissue. Immediately above the basal layer are the spinous cells, characterized by their numerous desmosomal connections. Above this are the multiple layers of granular cells, characterized by their proteinaceous keratohyalin granules. The outermost portion of the epidermis is the stratum corneum, which consists of flattened, keratin cells embedded in a lipid matrix. In the cells of the stratum corneum, the cell plasma membrane, present in the lower strata, has become replaced by a thick band of cross-linked protein with a covalently bound layer of lipid on the outer surface. As cells differentiate in the epidermis, they accumulate keratins and other proteins as well as lipids as they move out toward the skin surface. Much of the lipid that accumulates with increasing differentiation is packaged into small organelles known as lamellar granules. At the boundary between the uppermost granular cells and the bottom of the stratum corneum, lipids are extruded from the lamellar granules into the intercellular space. As these lipids pass into the stratum corneum, they are acted upon by a battery of hydrolytic enzymes to produce a mixture of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids that fill the intercellular spaces of the stratum corneum. Under conditions of passive diffusion, molecules penetrating into the skin pass through the intercellular spaces of the stratum corneum. The intercellular lipids provide the primary permeability barrier of the skin.
Risikomanagement im Business Development

Gerade bei den schwer vorhersehbaren Entwicklungen im Business Development ist sowohl das Selbstverstandnis als auch die Fahigkeit, adaquat mit Risiken umzugehen, von zentraler Bedeutung.
Interleukin-21: A Pleiotropic Mediator of Immunity and Inflammation with Broad Therapeutic Potential

Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is a member of the family of cytokines that share the common cytokine receptor γ-chain, γc. IL-21 plays critical roles in the differentiation and function of multiple lymphoid and myeloid lineages. In this chapter, we review the inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities of this cytokine and the specific mechanisms by which this cytokine regulates both the innate and adaptive immune responses. Despite the fact that IL-21 and its receptor were only identified in 2000, a tremendous amount has been learned already, leading to the development of potential therapeutic approaches to cancer as well as potentially allowing for the specific manipulation of IL-21 effects in a spectrum of autoimmune diseases, allergic responses, and viral infections.
Comparative Risk Assessment

Comparative risk assessment is an analytic process of evaluating and ranking the different factors that contribute to a particular outcome, such as human disease. The term comparative risk assessment is most frequently used in the context of environmental risk, but the principles and methodology are applicable in other contexts. Comparative risk assessment is both a scientific and political process. Scientific methods are used to gather data, classify the type and severity of risks, and identify and verify relationships between outcomes and risk factors. As it is a guide to decision making, comparative risk assessment also involves the political functions of defining the scope of the assessment, involving stakeholders in the process, and putting the results into a context that can be used to develop consensus concerning appropriate action. This article reviews the history of comparative risk assessment for environmental risk, discusses methods of risk ranking used in environmental risk, reviews methods of communicating risk, considers a few examples of comparative risk assessment in nonenvironmental areas, and touches on United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and other regulations as they relate to comparative risk assessment. Keywords: comparative risk assessment; risk ranking; environmental risk
Thalamic hyperdensity: a previously unreported sign of Sandhoff disease.

We describe a 1-year-old infant with biochemically proved disease who had increased density in the thalami on unenhanced CT scans
Geometric concepts and methods in nonlinear elliptic Euler-Lagrange Equations

This paper is concerned with global connections between the integrand F(x, u, p) of n-multiple integrals $$ I(u) = \int\limits_B {F\left( {x,u,Du(x)} \right)} \;dx $$ and a priori estimates for solutions of the corresponding elliptic Euler-Lagrange equations, whose gradients satisfy some prescribed limitations. Such problems arise in the calculus of variations, differential geometry and continuum mechanics. Typical examples of these problems are presented in Section 3.
Mass dependence of slopes in multiparticle production

The multiple-scattering theory is extended to investigate multiparticle production from complex targets. It is found that the slopes for resonant and nonresonant multiparticle production from protons (treated as composite systems) are very nearly equal, in agreement with experimental findings, and predictions about possible variations of the slopes as a function of mass are made.
Ischemic pre‐conditioning alters cerebral microRNAs that are upstream to neuroprotective signaling pathways

J. Neurochem. (2010) 113, 1685–1691. Abstract Cerebral gene expression is known to be significantly influenced by a sublethal ischemic event (pre-conditioning; PC) that induces tolerance to future damaging ischemic events. Small non-coding RNAs known as microRNAs (miRNAs) were recently shown to control the mRNA translation. We currently profiled cerebral miRNAs in the cerebral cortex of rats subjected to PC. The miRNAome reacted quickly and by 6 h following PC, levels of 51 miRNAs were altered (26 up- and 25 down-regulated; > 1.5-fold change). Twenty of these stayed at the altered level even at 3 days after PC. At least nine miRNAs showed > 5-fold change at one or more time points between 6 h to 3 days after PC compared with sham. Bioinformatics analysis showed 2007 common targets of the miRNAs that were up-regulated and 459 common targets of the miRNAs that were down-regulated after PC. Pathways analysis showed that MAP-kinase and Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling are the top two Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways targeted by the up-regulated miRNAs, and Wnt and GnRH signaling are the top two Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways targeted by the down-regulated miRNAs after PC. We hypothesize that alterations in miRNAs and their down-stream mRNAs of signaling pathways might play a role in the induction of ischemic tolerance.
Spacecraft Cryocooler System Integration Trades and Optimization

Recent progress in the development of cryocoolers for spaceborne operation provide the payload and spacecraft integrator with a number of options for cooling in the 20 K to 150 K cryogenic temperature range. These options are explored from the standpoint of both domestic and foreign cryocooler availability. The main integration issues concerning cryocooler performance including capacity at desired temperature, power, mass, life, reliability, maturity, vibration, temperature stability and mechanical integratability are discussed in context with the more general criteria involving system penalty. The total spacecraft penalties for the integration of a cryocooler are evaluated through historical and empirical data.
Surveillance for colonic carcinoma in ulcerative colitis

To evaluate the efficacy of surveillance colonoscopy with biopsy for the detection of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or colonic carcinoma in patients with chronic ulcerative colitis, we undertook a retrospective review of 248 patients who underwent 370 examinations (mean duration of disease 12 yr). High-grade dysplasia or carcinoma was found in 24 examinations in 16 patients, with a mean duration of disease of 16 yr. There were 15 patients with HGD. Nine patients had HGD alone, 6 had HGD and carcinoma, and 1 had carcinoma without HGD. The overall incidence of HGD was 6%. Dysplasia-associated lesions or mass were the most consistent indicators of carcinoma, the combination being present in four instances. Of the 7 patients with cancer, 6 were recognized by colonoscopy, and 1 patient with negative visual endoscopic findings was discovered using surveillance biopsies. The conclusions of this study are that dysplasia is a reliable histopathologic marker and correlates with the presence of cancer in chronic ulcerative colitis; the absence of dysplasia correlates with the absence of cancer. The presence of dysplasia-associated lesions or mass with HGD is the strongest indication for operation. This study supports the use of surveillance colonoscopy in managing high-risk ulcerative colitis patients.
Simple measurement of laser diode spectral linewidth using modulation sidebands

Laser diode spectral linewidth is measured by mixing the carrier and direct-modulation sidebands in an all-fibre delayed self-homodyne scheme. The detected signal contains the laser spectral noise at the modulation frequency, thereby obviating the need for optical modulators or large-index direct modulation in other frequency-shifting techniques.
NV-CMOS HD camera for day/night imaging

SRI International (SRI) has developed a new multi-purpose day/night video camera with low-light imaging performance comparable to an image intensifier, while offering the size, weight, ruggedness, and cost advantages enabled by the use of SRI’s NV-CMOS HD digital image sensor chip. The digital video output is ideal for image enhancement, sharing with others through networking, video capture for data analysis, or fusion with thermal cameras. The camera provides Camera Link output with HD/WUXGA resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels operating at 60 Hz. Windowing to smaller sizes enables operation at higher frame rates. High sensitivity is achieved through use of backside illumination, providing high Quantum Efficiency (QE) across the visible and near infrared (NIR) bands (peak QE <90%), as well as projected low noise (<2h+) readout. Power consumption is minimized in the camera, which operates from a single 5V supply. The NVCMOS HD camera provides a substantial reduction in size, weight, and power (SWaP) , ideal for SWaP-constrained day/night imaging platforms such as UAVs, ground vehicles, fixed mount surveillance, and may be reconfigured for mobile soldier operations such as night vision goggles and weapon sights. In addition the camera with the NV-CMOS HD imager is suitable for high performance digital cinematography/broadcast systems, biofluorescence/microscopy imaging, day/night security and surveillance, and other high-end applications which require HD video imaging with high sensitivity and wide dynamic range. The camera comes with an array of lens mounts including C-mount and F-mount. The latest test data from the NV-CMOS HD camera will be presented.
A high-affinity zinc-binding plasma protein in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus).

Abstract 1. Channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) have a remarkably high concentration of zinc (Zn) in their blood serum, about 20 μg/ml. However, compared to mammals, the concentrations of Zn in their tissues are not remarkable. The serum Zn is dialyzable against a solution containing 1 mM EDTA. 2. Following separation of serum proteins by gel-filtration most of the Zn was recovered in a fraction with the same peak volume of elution for the Zn and protein concentrations and having a molecular weight similar to bovine serum albumin. 3. Binding of Zn to such sites was not changed by Cu 2+ , Cd 2+ , Ca 2+ , or La 3+ . N -ethylemaleimide (NEM) appeared to decrease binding slightly. 4. Equilibrium dialysis with a Scatchard plot analysis of these data suggested that a single set of binding sites was present on the protein(s) with K d of 2 × 10 −5 M. There were binding sites for 35 × 10 −8 M Zn/mg protein. 5. Parallel equilibrium dialysis measurements using human, rabbit and chicken albumins indicated that the catfish serum protein(s) had a much higher affinity and binding capacity for Zn than the albumins in these species. 6. The catfish Zn serum-binding protein may be an albumin. The possible physiological significance of such a serum protein in freshwater fish is discussed.
Salutary actions of nimodipine in traumatic shock

Abstract Nimodipine, a new calcium channel blocker, was found to prolong survival in a severely lethal form of traumatic shock in rats. Nimodipine, at infusion rates of 50 μg/kg/h also significantly limited the increase in circulating myocardial depressant factor (MDF) without significantly preventing the accumulation of the lysosomal protease, cathepsin D in the blood. Lower infusion rates were ineffective. Nimodipine did not stabilize lysosomal membranes directly in liver lysosomal suspensions, but was effective in preventing proteolysis in pancreatic homogenates. Nimodipine potentially prevents MDF formation by inhibiting proteases and probably by splanchnic vasodilation. Calcium channel blockers may be useful agents in the therapeutics of traumatic shock if given soon after the onset of the trauma.
Does Gibberellic Acid Stimulate Seed Germination via Amylase Synthesis

Gibberellic acid is known to break dormancy of several types of seeds: (a) light-promoted seeds, such as Grand Rapids lettuce seed (Lactuca sativa L. var. Grand Rapids); (b) lightinhibited seeds, such as the seed of the honey-bee plant (Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth; (c) seeds requiring stratification (storage at low temperatures in a moist condition), such as the hazel nut (Corylus avellana L.); (d) seeds requiring after-ripening (storage at room temperature in dry condition), such as the wild oat (Avena fatua L.). Recent findings indicate that when dormant hazel nut seeds are soaked at 5 C for 28 days, which is a natural means of breaking dormancy, the gibbereilin-synthesizing mechanism is activated and that actual synthesis of gibberellins takes place when the seeds are transferred to a suitably higher temperature. Accumulation of GA results in germination (10). It has also been suggested that in the phytochrome-controlled germination of Grand Rapids lettuce seeds, the role of Pfr is to activate GA biosynthesis (8). One biochemical reaction known to be enhanced by GA is the synthesis of hydrolases (especially a-amylase) in the endosperm of cereal grains, such as barley (2, 9, 13). Since starch is a major food reserve in the cereal grains, its breakdown is generally assumed to be an essential process of germination. Many writers have implied that GA stimulates seed germination via amylase synthesis (1, 7, 12). Drennan and Berrie (5) compared the time course of amylase development in dormant and nondormant wild oats (Avena spp.). Their results indicated that both types of seeds contained traces of amylases. When dormant seeds were soaked, there was neither germination nor a change in the level of amylases. When nondormant seeds were soaked (in water), they germinated in 4 days and from the 6th day, amylase activity increased. Thus, they concluded that buildup of amylases is a postgermination phenomenon, and a lack of amylase synthesis must be eliminated as a possible cause of dormancy. We have investigated the time course relationship of GAinduced germination and amylase development in an attempt to find out if GA-induced germination is mediated by amylase production. The seeds of Avena fatua L. (wild oat) type Montana were obtained from Dr. G. M. Simpson of the University of Saskatchewan. These seeds were field-harvested in 1968 and stored at -15 C prior to use. Dry storage at low temperatures
Electrophysiological Findings in Adolescents With Atrial Fibrillation Who Have Structurally Normal Hearts

Background— Atrial fibrillation (AF) is uncommon in children, and its mechanisms are unknown. This study describes the electrophysiological findings in children and adolescents with AF and the outcome of catheter ablation. Methods and Results— Nine adolescents with symptomatic, lone AF who failed antiarrhythmic drug therapy were evaluated. All patients had ECG-documented AF and underwent invasive electrophysiological testing. Intracardiac mapping was performed to determine the site of spontaneous onset of AF and rapidly firing atrial foci. Only the triggering focus was targeted for ablation or isolation. The patients’ mean age was 15.9±3.3 (range, 8 to 19 years). The most common finding was rapid, irregular atrial tachycardias in the region of the pulmonary veins (n=5), left atrium (n=2), or crista terminalis (n=3). One patient had foci in both the pulmonary veins and crista terminalis. The cycle lengths ranged from 108 to 280 ms. Catheter ablation was acutely successful in 8 patients (88.9%), whereas 1 p...
INSULIN EFFECT ON GLUCOSE-C14 INCORPORATION INTO RAT LIVER AND ADIPOSE TISSUE IN VIVO.

Abstract Blood, liver and adipose tissue were analyzed 15 and 60 minutes after I.V. injection of glucose-C 14 with or without insulin in fed, fasted and refed rats. In fed rats, insulin decreased specific activity of blood glucose, liver glycogen and liver triglyceride-glycerol and increased the incorporation of label into adipose glycogen, fatty acids and glyceride-glycerol and into liver fatty acids in both triglyceride and phospholipid fractions. Fasting the rats for 48 hours eliminated all insulin effects except on blood glucose, liver glycogen and adipose glyceride-glycerol. Refeeding over-corrected this unresponsiveness induced by fasting. Refeeding, with or without insulin, markedly increased incorporation of label into liver glycogen, phospholipid and triglyceride fatty acids and triglyceride glycerol.
Focused neutron beam dose deposition profiles in tissue equivalent materials: a pilot study for BNCT

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) has been limited by the inability to direct neutrons toward the therapeutic target and away from sensitive normal tissues. The recently developed Kumakhov lens has focused a broad incident low energy neutron beam in air to a sub-mm spot. This study examines the radiation does distribution of a converging beam passing through tissue equivalent materials. A neutron beam exiting a focusing lens is directed toward a stack of thin radiochromic media sandwiched between plastic sheets. The depth dose and beam profile within the tissue equivalent materials are determined by optical scanning and image processing of the individual radiochromic media sheets, a polymer based dosimetry medium which darkens upon exposure to ionizing radiation. The alpha particle emission from boron is examined by substituting a plastic sheet with a 6Li enriched lithium carbonate sheet positioned at the focal plane. The information will help determine the feasibility of applying the focused neutron beam to BNCT for therapy.
Intravenous methylprednisolone in adults in status asthmaticus. Comparison of two dosages.

Ten adult patients in status asthmaticus were randomized to a controlled, double-blind, prospective trial of 20 mg vs 125 mg of methylprednisolone sodium succinate given intravenously every six hours for seven days. Individual responses were variable, but the magnitude and pattern of mean spirometric improvement in both groups were not significantly different The study revealed no apparent advantage in using the higher dosage.
Inhibition by warfarin enantiomers of prothrombin synthesis, protein carboxylation, and the regeneration of vitamin K from vitamin K epoxide

Abstract S (−)-Warfarin was about twice as effective as R (+)-warfarin at inhibiting the vitamin K 1 stimulated synthesis of prothrombin in vitamin K deficient rats. It has been proposed [R.G. Bell, Fedn Proc. 37 , 2599 (1978)] that warfarin blocks prothrombin synthesis by inhibiting the regeneration of vitamin K from its chief metabolite, vitamin K epoxide. Consistent with this idea, S -warfarin was more effective than R -warfarin at inhibiting the epoxide to vitamin K conversion in vivo with an anticoagulant dose of 50 μg/100g body wt. S -Warfarin was 1.9 to 3.5 times more effective than R -warfarin at inhibiting the epoxide to K 1 conversion in hepatic microsomal and post-mitochondrial supernatant fractions. Similarly, S -warfarin was 1.9 to 3.3 times more effective at inhibiting epoxide-dependent carboxylation in these preparations. S -Warfarin was 1.4 to 3.0 times more effective than the R -enantiomer at inhibiting vitamin K dependent carboxylation in post-mitochondrial supernatant fractions. We have concluded that the greater anticoagulant potency of S -warfarin was due to two factors of almost equal importance: the slower turnover and the higher intrinsic activity of the S -enantiomer in inhibiting the regeneration of vitamin K from the epoxide.