cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SIGACT News Complexity Theory Column 98

This Issue Warmest thanks to David and Josh for starting all of our summers with their fascinating column, \Beyond number of bit erasures: New complexity questions raised by recently discovered thermodynamic costs of computation." Future Issues Please stay tuned for the coming issues' articles in the Complexity Theory Column, namely, Lane A. Hemaspaandra and Holger Spakowski (tentative topic: team diagonalization), William Gasarch (not-at-all-tentative topic: the third P versus NP poll), (again!) William Gasarch (tentative topic: the muffin problem), and Emanuele Viola (topic: TBD).
Electrophilic Sulfuric Acid Ester Metabolites as Ultimate Carcinogens

It is a great privilege to be the honorees of the Third International Symposium on Biological Reactive Intermediates. We wish to thank the Cochairmen and the Organizing Committee for this signal honor and for the opportunity to contribute to this Symposium.
Advanced Imaging Applications

Since the advent of computed tomography (CT), the physical limitations of gantry angle and patient positioning have restricted the temporal bone imaging plane of section to standard axial and coronal projections. Most anatomical structures of the middle and inner ear are not optimally profiled in these planes. In the days of temporal bone polytomography complex oblique projections were often employed to show certain anatomical structures of the middle and inner ear to better effect. Recent advances in multidetector CT (MDCT) technology and high resolution 3D MR pulse sequences allow for the acquisition of volumetric data with isotropic voxel size permitting reconstructions in any plane of section. These postprocessing techniques have proven to be of benefit in the evaluation of both middle and inner ear pathological conditions [1–8].
Blood Selenium Concentrations in Cows and Heifers on 253 Cow-Calf Operations in 18 States

This study was conducted to determine the geographic distribution of selenium deficiency among beef cows and heifers in selected states. Whole blood selenium concentrations were determined for cows and heifers on 253 cow-calf operations in 18 states. Overall, 7.8% of the samples were severely deficient, and another 10.4% of the samples were considered marginally deficient for selenium. Blood selenium concentrations varied by geographic region. Cattle from the southeastern states were more commonly considered severely or marginally deficient (18.6% and 23.8%, respectively) than cattle from other regions. Herds from the southeastern states were also more commonly considered severely or marginally deficient (14.9% and 20.9%, respectively) than herds from other regions. Blood selenium concentration also varied by whether selenium had been supplemented to the herd. We conclude that blood selenium levels for cattle vary by geographic region and selenium supplementation of the herd.
Learning Stable Nonlinear Dynamical Systems with External Inputs using Gaussian Mixture Models

Learning nonlinear dynamics from data is particularly useful in control design for complex systems since developing analytical models might be intractable. This paper presents an algorithm to learn a class of stable nonlinear dynamical systems from data. To accommodate for the variability in data, Gaussian mixture models (GMM) are used to represent the nonlinear dynamics in the state space. The algorithm can learn dynamical systems with time-varying external inputs and multiple equilibria. To ensure that the trajectories generated by the learned model converge to the desired equilibrium point, the parameters of the GMMs are learned subject to the constraints derived from partial contraction analysis. Given the initial conditions and the steady-state inputs, a separate GMM is trained to predict the equilibrium point at which the trajectories converge. Experimental results illustrate the proposed algorithm's ability to accurately learn the nonlinear dynamics of a counter-flow heat exchanger model.
A Quasi-Atomic Analysis of Three-Center Two-Electron Zr-H-Si Interactions.

A comprehensive analysis of the bonding structure of the disilyl zirconocene amide cation {Cp2Zr[N(SiHMe2)2]}+ is conducted by application of an intrinsic orbital localization method that yields qu...
Building Bridges to Consumer Remedies in International eConflicts

Consumer purchases over the Internet (“ePurchases”) are on the rise, thereby causing an increase in conflicts regarding these purchases (“eConflicts”). Furthermore, these conflicts are increasingly international as consumers purchase goods over the Internet not knowing or caring where the seller is physically located. The problem is that if the purchase goes awry, consumers are often left without recourse due to the futility of pursing international litigation and the textured law and policy regarding enforcement of private dispute resolution procedures, namely arbitration. The United States strictly enforces arbitration contracts in business-to-consumer (“B2C”) relationships, while other countries have refused or limited enforcement of arbitration in these relationships. Furthermore, some businesses have used their power to impose onerous arbitration regimes in their international B2C online contracts (“eContracts”). Consumers subject to these contracts have been left confused whether they must abide by these regimes, and uncertain where to turn in seeking remedies on their eContract claims. This essay addresses the lack of consumer remedy mechanisms, and seeks to spark consideration of expanded use of online processes for resolving B2C eConflicts.
Conniving Queen, Frivolous Wife, or Romantic Heroine? The Afterlife of Queen Henrietta Maria

In this chapter, I consider Henrietta Maria as she appears in academic studies, as well as in two works of historical fiction: Myself, My Enemy by Jean Plaidy, and Cavalier Queen by Fiona Mountain. These novels present the queen’s transgressive behavior—advocating for her Catholic faith, advising her husband, and leading the Royalist army into battle—in ways that contain the threat of the powerful woman. In addition, the reductive way these texts represent Henrietta Maria raises the question of how much license fiction writers should take with history, particularly in the case of historical figures such as queens consort whose life stories may be unknown to the majority of readers.
Pilot plant reliability metrics for grinding and fast pyrolysis of woody residues

Here, we report on the effects of loblolly pine residue variability on material throughput, pilot plant uptime, operator intervention, product yield, and product quality for grinding, fast pyrolysi...
Abstraction Through Multiple Representations in an Integrated Computational Thinking Environment

We present reflections based on qualitative analysis of data from the CHEM+C Project which promotes computational thinking (CT) in classrooms through integration with science classes. The curriculum utilizes multiple representations, requiring students to work with physical phenomena, chemical equations, digital simulations, and modifiable code-based representations. Much CT focus on abstraction naturally emphasizes (1) extraction of a set of features from an object or process, and (2) finding commonality between objects and processes. But Rosen encourages us to think about abstraction as also including the production of new concepts or actions. Integrating CT into science offers the possibility of enhancing this aspect of abstraction. Changing the representational affordances available to the students allows them to take their CT thinking beyond learning-to-abstract towards learning-through-abstraction. This perspective moves computation from an internally focused exercise into the expression of valued ideas in a computational medium.
Transcatheter mitral valve replacement: latest advances and future directions

Mitral regurgitation remains the most common form of valve disease worldwide and given an aging population with a significant proportion of secondary mitral regurgitation, a transcatheter approach to mitral valve replacement has become a major goal of the transcatheter therapeutics field. Mitral regurgitation can be caused by disease of the leaflets (primary) or by diseases of the left atrium or left ventricle (LV) (secondary or functional), and may involve overlap of the two (mixed disease). The location of the mitral valve (and large size), the approach to anchoring a valve replacement, and concerns about left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction are all issues that have made the transcatheter delivery of a valve replacement challenging. Despite these challenges, both transapical and transseptal devices are currently being developed, with several in early feasibility trials and several entering pivotal trials. As the field of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) improves and develops, a critical part of evaluating patients with mitral valve disease will be utilizing the heart team approach to identify and individualize the most appropriate treatment for each patient.
Cell tracking in time-lapse microscopy image sequences

Abstract While automated microscopy acquires thousands of images over a matter of hours, there is a gap in discovery tools to support advanced measurements and decisions. The main challenge is the conversion of “big visual data” into interpretable information and hence discoveries and decisions. Visual analysis of large-scale microscopy data is a daunting task, especially in time-lapse sequences. Cells need to be located and tracked throughout the image sequence before their phenotype can be characterized and analyzed. One of the key advantages of computer vision-based cell tracking is that computers perform analysis more reproducibly and less subjectively than human annotators. Furthermore, high-throughput microscopy experiments call for effective and efficient cell tracking techniques, as there are not enough human resources to advance science by human annotation over hundreds to thousands of cells through extended time periods. There is a strong need for research and development on this topic. In this chapter, we introduce the research problem of cell tracking in time-lapse microscopy images and its unique challenges compared to general object tracking. We also review the representative traditional approaches for cell tracking, then discuss the prototypical deep learning-based object tracking techniques that have been a focal point of computer vision in recent years, before presenting recent works employing deep learning for cell tracking. We also examine the metrics for the quantitative evaluation and comparison of cell tracking algorithms, and for completeness, briefly survey the latest developments in particle tracking, which is a different but related topic. We conclude with suggestions for future directions for deep learning-based cell tracking with the aim to create effective and user-friendly systems that will advance biomedical studies that have the potential to improve the quality of life.
Specific HLA alleles, paired with TCR V- and J-gene segment usage, link to distinct multiple myeloma survival rates.

Multiple myeloma (MM) immunogenomics studies related to T-cell characterizations and involving large patient sets have been lacking, particularly in comparison to solid tumor types. Thus, we evalua...
Intergenerational Support and Life Satisfaction of Older Parents in China: A Rural–Urban Divide

In the past few decades, Chinese families have experienced unprecedented economic growth. In addition to growth, public policies have changed and developed, internal migration has rapidly increased, and social conditions have generally evolved. Living arrangements in particular have transformed, which likely affects the expectations and preferences of older parents to rely on their children. We use the first two waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a nationally representative sample of older adults in China, to examine the relationship between intergenerational support and life satisfaction in both rural and urban China. In rural villages, we find that living with grandchildren is associated with a higher level of life satisfaction; this is true even in households without parents (i.e., skip-generation households). Higher life satisfaction is also attributable to receiving instrumental support (i.e., help with self-care and household tasks) from children and exchanging financial and emotional support with them. In urban neighborhoods, in contrast, living in a skip-generation household is associated with a lower level of life satisfaction, and only one type of functional support from children is beneficial for older parents’ life satisfaction—instrumental support. Our findings indicate that there is a rural–urban divide in the relationships between life satisfaction and intergenerational support in contemporary China and suggest that development has weakened historical relationships in both rural and urban areas.
Differential Effect of Proinflammatory Cytokines on Corneal and Conjunctival Epithelial Cell Mucins and Glycocalyx.

Purpose Ocular surface mucins and glycocalyx are critical for providing ocular hydration as well lubrication and repelling pathogens or allergens. Elevated levels of tear proinflammatory cytokines in dry eye may have detrimental effect on mucins and glycocalyx. The present study tested the effect of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ on membrane-tethered mucins expression, glycocalyx, and viability of ocular surface epithelial cells. Methods Stratified cultures of human corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells were exposed to different concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ for 24 hours. The mucins gene and protein expressions were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The glycocalyx was imaged using confocal microscopy after staining with Alexa 488-conjugated wheat germ agglutinin lectin. Apoptotic and necrotic cell death was quantified using flow cytometry. Results IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ treatment resulted in a significant increase in mucins (MUC)1 and MUC4 gene and protein expression in human corneal epithelial cells but caused no significant changes in the levels of these mucins in conjunctival epithelial cells. Further, these cytokines decreased MUC16 expression in both corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells. Moreover, no notable change in glycocalyx or apoptotic cell death in corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells was noted with any of the tested cytokines, but IL-6 and TNF-α exposure increased necrotic cell death in corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells, respectively. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that proinflammatory cytokines have differential effects on human corneal and conjunctival epithelial cell mucins expression, but do not cause any damage to ocular surface epithelial cell glycocalyx.
Intimate alienation: street photography as a mediation of distance

Street photography, in the last few years, has seen a resurgence of popular interest. Digital cameras, online tutorials, and social media platforms like Instagram and Flickr have introduced the qua...
The Fourth Industrial Revolution Will Not Bring the Future We Want

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is a vision of a future in which emerging technologies change “the very essence of our human experience” [1] . It was initially introduced in a book of the same name authored by the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) founder Klaus Schwab and launched at the WEF’s 2016 Davos conference. The idea has since been used to promote a wide range of emerging technologies and has informed discussion in many forums, including within IEEE publications.
PowerSynth Integrated CAD flow for High Density Power Modules

In the last few years, design automation for multi-chip power modules (MCPMs) has become a trending research topic in the power electronics community. Many different re-search efforts have demonstrated the advantages of bringing Computer-Aided Design (CAD) flow into MCPMs design and optimization. Among these works, PowerSynth has shown to have the most complete and mature CAD design flow for MCPMs. This paper will go through some of the recent research and development in PowerSynth. Modeling and layout generation algorithm will be discussed in the paper. The most recent results for 3D layout generation and optimization are also discussed and demonstrated.
Dose-Response Relationships in Growth Hormone Therapy

Although human growth hormone (hGH) has been administered to GH-deficient patients for 25 years(1) there are few published data on the relationship of dose to response. This chapter will review the dose-response information that is available and will attempt to make recommendations regarding the dosage and dose schedule of hGH to be used during an initial year of treatment in GH-deficient patients.
An abdominal pregnancy near term, with successful termination, retained placenta, and observations on the postpartum excretion of prolan

Abstract This case is reported because: 1. 1. An abdominal pregnancy near term with delivery of a normal living child is rare. 2. 2. No attempt was made to separate or remove the placenta. 3. 3. Abserption or partial absorption of the placenta without septic temperature or drainage proves the advisability of leaving the placenta in these cases, where removal would be conducive to shock. 4. 4. Drainage is unnecessary in clean cases. 5. 5. Absence of engorgement of the mother's breasts, or other evidence of lactation may have been due to the presence of placental hormones. 6. 6. The postpartum excretion of prolan in the patient's urine was followed with the rabbit ovulation test. Positive results were obtained for thirty-six days following delivery. This finding is discussed in relation to the question of secretion of hormones by placental tissue. Results of the rabbit ovulation test in two cases of intraligamentous pregnancy are mentioned.
ELECTROKINETICS AND CELL PHYSIOLOGY I. Experimental Basis for Electrokinetic Cell Studies

Jensen, Roy A. (The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston) and Felix L. Haas. Electrokinetics and cell physiology. I. Experimental basis for electrokinetic cell studies. J. Bacteriol. 86:73-78. 1963.-The stable and regular electrokinetic pattern displayed by Bacillus subtilis cell populations was presented as the basis for precisely controlled experimental procedures. The course of electrokinetic behavior characteristic of a cell population was one which paralleled the overall physiology of the culture. The prospects of capitalizing upon this biological feature of the cell were considered in cases where portions of a cell population were separable with respect to some distinct physiological criterion. Such cell fractions may be associated with a discrete and detectable difference in the net charge residing upon the bacterial cell surface. Within a limited pore-size range, membrane filters lost or retained cells, depending upon the electrostatic interaction between cell and filter disc. Fractionation on membrane filters proved to be adjustable and could be controlled by selecting the proper ionic strength in the culture medium. Procedures of this kind have potential for the development of preparative techniques or, alternatively, as experimental vehicles for kinetic analysis.
Authoring multimedia clinical problem-solving exercises with CaseBase.

The use of problem-solving exercises is of particular interest in medical education. These exercises introduce the students to the same situations faced by clinicians and illustrate how to handle them. The students are given realistic data-preferably in the same form seen and heard by clinicians-and learn basic medical knowledge in the context of simulated clinical practice. One of the problems faced by medical educators is how to present this information in a way that enables the student to see the relationships among the vast amounts of knowledge. CaseBase is a system that presents to the student a case study with realistic multimedia renditions of clinical images, sounds, and other data and provides access to related medical knowledge-based findings [1]. CaseBase was introduced one year ago and has been used at more than a dozen institutions around the world. The topics covered by the cases range from cardiovascular pathophysiology to embryology to neurology.
A methodology for timing and structural communication refinement in DSP systems

Modern systems become more and more complex and tendency turn to the integration on one single chip: system on chip (SoC). SystemC is proposed as a standardized modeling language intended to enable system level design at multiple abstraction levels for hardware/software systems. This paper describes a method of stepwise communication refinement with SystemC, starting from an algorithmic description and progressively adding implementation details for both data type and timing constraints. We show the effectiveness of our approach with an experiment based on a discrete cosine transform DCT algorithm.
Immunohistochemistry for BRAF V600E in the Differential Diagnosis of Hairy Cell Leukemia vs Other Splenic B-Cell Lymphomas

Objectives: Recent reports have used immunohistochemistry (IHC) with a mutation-specific antibody to detect the BRAF V600E mutation, which is found in nearly all cases of hairy cell leukemia (HCL). To date, however, only a small number of non-HCL, splenic B-cell lymphomas have been examined by IHC. Methods: We analyzed 121 cases, including 26 HCLs, 52 non-HCL splenic lymphomas, 22 chronic lymphocytic leukemias/small lymphocytic lymphomas (CLLs/SLLs), and 21 plasma cell neoplasms (PCNs) for BRAF V600E expression by IHC. Molecular testing for BRAF V600E was performed in a subset of cases, using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction and/or Sanger sequencing. Results: Twenty-six (100%) of 26 HCL cases were positive by IHC vs one (1%) of 95 non-HCL cases. Positive staining was identified in one (2%) of 44 splenic marginal zone lymphomas (SMZLs), while each of 22 CLLs/SLLs, 21 PCNs, six unclassifiable splenic lymphomas, and two HCL variants were negative. IHC and molecular results were concordant in all cases examined (21 HCLs and 21 non-HCLs, including the BRAF+ SMZLs). Conclusions: The detection of BRAF V600E by IHC is useful in the distinction of HCLs from other splenic-based lymphomas, although the identification of at least rare SMZLs containing this abnormality illustrates the continuing need for a multiparameter approach to diagnosis.
Plasma pyridoxal phosphate in anxiety disorders

One hundred and eighty-nine subjects with either generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder were evaluated for plasma pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) levels and compared with normal controls. There was no difference in plasma PLP levels between the anxiety disorder groups and normal controls. Low levels of plasma PLP were found in 42% of the controls. Our results suggest that previous reports of low PLP levels in psychiatric patients are unlikely to be significant in the etiology of the psychiatric disorders.
A comment on “normalization in point estimation”

Abstract A proper Bayesian analysis is invariant to changes in normalization, contrary to the impression left by ‘Normalization in Point Estimation’.
Ion channel gene expression in the inner ear

The ion channel genome is still being defined despite numerous publications on the subject. The ion channel transcriptome is even more difficult to assess. Using high-throughput computational tools, we surveyed all available inner ear cDNA libraries to identify genes coding for ion channels. We mapped over 100,000 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) derived from human cochlea, mouse organ of Corti, mouse and zebrafish inner ear, and rat vestibular end organs to Homo sapiens, Mus musculus, Danio rerio, and Rattus norvegicus genomes. A survey of EST data alone reveals that at least a third of the ion channel genome is expressed in the inner ear, with highest expression occurring in hair cell-enriched mouse organ of Corti and rat vestibule. Our data and comparisons with other experimental techniques that measure gene expression show that every method has its limitations and does not per se provide a complete coverage of the inner ear ion channelome. In addition, the data show that most genes produce alternative transcripts with the same spectrum across multiple organisms, no ion channel gene variants are unique to the inner ear, and many splice variants have yet to be annotated. Our high-throughput approach offers a qualitative computational and experimental analysis of ion channel genes in inner ear cDNA collections. A lack of data and incomplete gene annotations prevent both rigorous statistical analyses and comparisons of entire ion channelomes derived from different tissues and organisms.
Policy analysis and knowledge use

Public policy analysis is a major link in the network of knowledge use. Without analysts’ intermediary role, research would be used less for policy choice and relatively more for predecision enlightenment. However, the knowledge use network may not give enough incentives for researchers to supply needed knowledge or for analysts to seek it. Though Washington, D.C., analysts can seek help from personal networks and from agencies such as the Congressional Research Service, those farther from Washington may use research less effectively. Both groups may also fail to provide incentives for its production (i.e., to overcome academic researchers’ interests in promoting disciplinary theory over practical application). An efficient indexing system for policy-related research might serve as an incentive, if it could help producers of knowledge to be rewarded for its use.
Stress: Is it a Major Problem for Urban School Principals?

H as job-related stress and its negative side effects become a major problem for today's urban school principal? The answer is yes, according to a growing body of organizational literature which suggests that increasingly principals, like their industry counterparts, are concerning themselves with finding ways of managing the stress that is ever present in their work environment. (3) The focus in much of this literature is on investigating the relationship between role conflict and stress in complex organizations. (7) (1) Findings from these research studies have shown that role conflict is positively correlated with selfreport measures of job stress. Further, and perhaps more important, the results suggest that it is the middle management roles that are subjected to the greatest amount of tension. The writings of Kahn and French (7) provide additional support for the notion that it is the mid-management jobs that are the most stressful. They maintain that the "maximum of conflict and conflict experience" is associated with roles which demand a high degree of creative problem solving and decision making. It can be argued that the views of Kahn and French are an apt description of the school principalship in general and the urban school principalship in particular. Indeed, there are some observers who feel that it is urban
A Possible Mechanism for Boundary Layer Mixing and Layer Formation in a Stratified Fluid

Abstract A plate tilted at 42° from the horizontal is oscillated along its length with frequency ω and amplitude a in a linearly stratified fluid (salt water) of kinematic viscosity ν. If the Reynolds number Rc = a(ω/ν)½ is small, a parallel oscillating boundary layer is set up. As Re is increased from zero the parallel flow becomes unstable. If ω2≲N2 (where N is a transverse Brunt-Vaisala frequency), the motion appears to be a convective overturning associated with periodic reversals of the density gradient. If ω2≪N2, these plumes just mix up the fluid next to the plate. If, however, ω2≈N2 and Re is not too large, then the plumes interact with the oscillating shear flow and mix in such a way as to set up layers which extend into the interior of the fluid. It is suggested that these effects might also be present when internal waves propagate over a slope.
Health Effects of Biological Agents: The Role of Endotoxins

Abstract Gram-negative bacteria and their endotoxins are commonly found in agricultural settings, yet they can be quantified also in environmental/occupational situations that are considered traditionally to be nondusty, such as office buildings or libraries. Endotoxins are biologically active agents that can induce respiratory and systemic reactivity after inhalation of airborne dusts which contain relatively small quantities of the toxin. Research studies with strong and compelling results are needed to lead to the prevention of lung disease caused by the inhalation of endotoxins. Olenchock, S.A.: Health Effects of Biological Agents: The Role of Endotoxins. Appl. Occup. Environ. Hyg. 9(1):62–64; 1994.
CD39: Interface Between Vascular Thrombosis and Inflammation

Extracellular nucleotides play a critical role in vascular thrombosis and inflammation. Alterations in purinergic extracellular nucleotide concentrations activate pathways that result in platelet degranulation and aggregation, and endothelial and leukocyte activation and recruitment. CD39, the dominant vascular nucleotidase, hydrolyzes ATP and ADP to provide the substrate for generation of the anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic mediator adenosine. The purinergic signaling system, with CD39 at its center, plays an important role in modulating vascular homeostasis and the response to vascular injury, as seen in clinically relevant diseases such as stroke, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and pulmonary hypertension. A growing body of knowledge of the purinergic signaling pathway implicates CD39 as a critical modulator of vascular thrombosis and inflammation. Therapeutic strategies targeting CD39 offer promising opportunities in the management of vascular thromboinflammatory diseases.
Epidermal growth factor induces matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) expression and invasion in glioma cell lines via the MAPK pathway

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive cancer with a poor survival rate. A key component that contributes to the poor prognosis is the capacity of glioma cells to invade local brain tissue in a diffuse manner. Among various proteases that aid in the process of invasion, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) has been identified as an important contributory factor in various cancers. Apart from its traditional role in cleaving its primary extracellular matrix (ECM) substrates, and like other members of the matrix metalloproteinase family, MMP-1 can activate latent forms of bio-active molecules initiating downstream pro-invasive and pro-oncogenic signaling mechanisms. MMP-1 expression is regulated by several growth factors including epidermal growth factor (EGF). Due to the fact that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is aberrantly overexpressed in GBM, we wanted to examine in greater detail the signaling mechanisms by which MMP-1 expression and invasion is driven by EGF in GBM cells. T98G cells treated with EGF resulted in an induction of MMP-1 expression following EGFR activation. Inhibition of EGFR by both pharmacologic and genetic approaches abrogated this induction. Repression of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling led to the inhibition of EGF-induced MMP-1 whereas the PI3-kinase/AKT signaling was not associated with EGFR-mediated MMP-1 induction. Inhibition of EGFR signaling also led to a decrease in T98G invasion. These data suggest that EGFR mediated MMP-1 regulation is mainly via the MAPK pathway in T98G cells and inhibition of EGFR and MMP-1 results in a decrease in T98G cell invasion.
Quantitative and qualitative sensing techniques for biogenic volatile organic compounds and their oxidation products

The physiological production mechanisms of some of the organics in plants, commonly known as biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), have been known for more than a century. Some BVOCs are emitted to the atmosphere and play a significant role in tropospheric photochemistry especially in ozone and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) productions as a result of interplays between BVOCs and atmospheric radicals such as hydroxyl radical (OH), ozone (O3) and NOX (NO + NO2). These findings have been drawn from comprehensive analysis of numerous field and laboratory studies that have characterized the ambient distribution of BVOCs and their oxidation products, and reaction kinetics between BVOCs and atmospheric oxidants. These investigations are limited by the capacity for identifying and quantifying these compounds. This review highlights the major analytical techniques that have been used to observe BVOCs and their oxidation products such as gas chromatography, mass spectrometry with hard and soft ionization methods, and optical techniques from laser induced fluorescence (LIF) to remote sensing. In addition, we discuss how new analytical techniques can advance our understanding of BVOC photochemical processes. The principles, advantages, and drawbacks of the analytical techniques are discussed along with specific examples of how the techniques were applied in field and laboratory measurements. Since a number of thorough review papers for each specific analytical technique are available, readers are referred to these publications rather than providing thorough descriptions of each technique. Therefore, the aim of this review is for readers to grasp the advantages and disadvantages of various sensing techniques for BVOCs and their oxidation products and to provide guidance for choosing the optimal technique for a specific research task.
Soft Lithographic Approach to the Fabrication of Highly Ordered 2D Arrays of Magnetic Nanoparticles on the Surfaces of Silicon Substrates

This paper describes a simple and convenient method that uses patterned monolayers as templates to fabricate highly ordered 2D arrays of magnetic particles (Co, Ni, or α-Fe, and ferrites such as MgFe2O4 or NiFe2O4) with lateral dimensions in the range of 70−460 nm. In this method, the hydrophilic, hydroxyl-terminated surface of a Si/SiO2 wafer was patterned with a hydrophobic monolayer of octadecyltrichlorosilane using microcontact printing with an elastomeric stamp and subsequently used as template to define and deposit a regular 2D array of 2-propanol droplets that contained inorganic salts such as Co(NO3)2, Ni(NO3)2, and Fe(NO3)3, or a combination of these compounds. Evaporation of the solvent led to the formation of a 2D array of nitrate nanoparticles on the hydrophilic, bare regions of Si/SiO2. Each nanoparticle could be well-positioned within the hydrophilic region by withdrawing the substrate from the nitrate solution and by letting the solvent evaporate with the wafer being held at a specified ori...
Myeloma of bone treated with sodium fluoride.

Five patients with advanced bone destruction due to plasma cell myeloma, but apparently not in a progressive phase of the disease, were treated with sodium fluoride on daily doses of 40–60 mg. No additional calcium or steroids were given, but their other therapy was continued. Follow-up radiographs were taken at 3 to 6 monthly intervals. One patient died before any radiographic change occurred. The other 4 patients rapidly developed bone fluorosis. Such changes are best seen in the axial skeleton. The changes of fluorosis are superimposed on those caused by myelomatosis. Rims of the myeloma deposits and residual bony trabeculae become dense and thickened. In the authors' series the myeloma deposits did not increase in size over a period of 3 years. However, new deposits appeared while the patients received fluoride treatment. The authors review the radiographic appearances of myeloma and of fluorosis and provide a full account of the existing knowledge of the mechanism by which fluorides are incorporated into bone.
Expression of the head gene Lox22-Otx in the leech Helobdella and the origin of the bilaterian body plan.

The orthodenticle orthologue Lox22-Otx was isolated from an annelid worm, the leech Helobdella triserialis. In situ hybridization reveals that embryonic expression of Lox22-Otx RNA is primarily restricted to an unsegmented head domain, including tissues in the foregut, surface ectoderm, and the head ganglion of the central nervous system. The patterns of head expression form concentric rings about the stomadeum and mark tissue domains that exhibit discrete behaviors during later morphogenesis and differentiation. Expression was also observed in one to two bilateral pairs of neurons in each segmental ganglion or neuromere of the body trunk. The largely head-specific expression of Lox22-Otx in this annelid species supports data from two other bilaterian phyla in suggesting the existence of a genetically defined head/trunk distinction. We suggest here that this head/trunk distinction is a synapomorphy of the Bilateria as a whole, and that it reflects the body plan of an early bilaterian ancestor. In addition, we discuss the possibility that the radial organization of gene expression and cell lineages in the leech's head domain may reflect the symmetry properties of a prebilaterian ancestor that had a radially symmetric body plan.
Matrix microstructure effect on the abrasion wear resistance of high-chromium white cast iron

The two-body abrasion resistance of high-chromium white cast iron was investigated as a function of cast iron microstructure. Different microstructures were obtained by means of heat treatment. The chromium and carbon content were chosen in order to have different matrix microstructures (austenitic, martensitic and ferritic) with the same amount of eutectic carbide (M7C3). The results show that the cast iron with an austenitic matrix has the best wear resistance. The good wear resistance of this material is due to strong work hardening of the austenitic matrix resulting in a hardness which exceeds that of other structures. The effect of abrasive paper deterioration on abrasion has also been investigated.
The impact of foreign participation on stock prices in the United States

Using a standard demand–supply model, this study investigates the relationship between foreign participation in the equity market and stock prices, incorporating the effects of inflation and the demographic structure. The results show that while foreign participation in the equity market and the proportion of population in their prime earning age have a positive impact, inflation has a negative impact on stock prices.
Phosphorus and cation dynamics of components and processes in conventional and no-tillage soybean agroecosystems

Abstract Phosphorus (P) and cation (K, Ca and Mg) dynamics in conventionally (moldboard) plowed and no-tillage soybean agricultural systems are compared on the Georgia Piedmont. Data are presented on crop and weed biomass and elemental content in these components over a 2-year period as well as seasonal dynamics of elemental concentrations in litter, soil, throughfall and soil water. Final accumulation of above-ground soybean biomass was greater in conventionally plowed treatments. Grain yields were significantly greater in the no-tillage treatments during 1 year of the study. Soybean root biomass was greater under conventional tillage management. Weed biomass was consistently higher with the no-tillage practice. In both tillage treatments, weed tissue had higher elemental concentrations than did soybean tissue. With P, Ca and Mg, there was a trend toward higher concentrations of these elements in no-tillage than conventional tillage litter. In the upper soil stratum (0–10 cm), K, more than the other three elements, varied the most markedly with tillage treatment. In the lower soil stratum (30–40 cm), P concentrations were consistently higher in the conventionally tilled soil. Concentrations of elements in soil water collected with porous-cup lysimeters indicated higher amounts of Ca, K and Mg in samples from the conventionally tilled systems, indicating that the no-tillage system was more conservative of these nutrients than the plowed system.
DETECTING SIGNALS OF BOTTLENECK ACTIVATION FOR FREEWAY OPERATIONS AND CONTROL

The techniques used to manage freeway traffic, including any application of intelligent transportation systems, can be improved by better understanding of the formation and dissipation of queues at active freeway bottlenecks. This paper contributes to this understanding. It is shown that freeway bottlenecks' activations can be diagnosed definitively using archived induction loop detector data (measured at 20- or 30-sec intervals) from two sites in Toronto. Once the bottlenecks' locations and times of activation were determined, potential signals of their activations were explored. Findings show that certain potential signals were evident immediately before upstream queue formation, and that these were reproducible from day to day (over three or four days examined) at the two sites studied. These signals could be used for systematic investigation of bottleneck behavior in either real time or in retrospect as part of a real-time ITS control system. Limitations of the study and directions for future research are discussed.
Epidemiology and risk profile of heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is a major public health issue, with a prevalence of over 5.8 million in the USA, and over 23 million worldwide, and rising. The lifetime risk of developing HF is one in five. Although promising evidence shows that the age-adjusted incidence of HF may have plateaued, HF still carries substantial morbidity and mortality, with 5-year mortality that rival those of many cancers. HF represents a considerable burden to the health-care system, responsible for costs of more than $39 billion annually in the USA alone, and high rates of hospitalizations, readmissions, and outpatient visits. HF is not a single entity, but a clinical syndrome that may have different characteristics depending on age, sex, race or ethnicity, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) status, and HF etiology. Furthermore, pathophysiological differences are observed among patients diagnosed with HF and reduced LVEF compared with HF and preserved LVEF, which are beginning to be better appreciated in epidemiological studies. A number of risk factors, such as ischemic heart disease, hypertension, smoking, obesity, and diabetes, among others, have been identified that both predict the incidence of HF as well as its severity. In this Review, we discuss key features of the epidemiology and risk profile of HF.
Prevalence of Neozygites fresenii (Entomophthorales: Neozygitaceae) on Cotton Aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) in Arkansas Cotton

This is the first area–wide multiyear survey for prevalence rates of Nezygites fresenii (Nowakowski) Batko, an important natural enemy of the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover. In both 1992 and 1993, N. fresenii occurred throughout a wide geographical area in Arkansas and along the Mississippi River flood plain and showed a significant trend for a decrease in prevalence rates from south to north in both years. In 1992, N. fresenii was present in A. gossypii populations in 87.5% (n = 24) of aphid–infested commercial cotton fields. Prevalence rates in 1992 (sampled on 2.3 and 29 July) ranged from 0 to 100% with a mean prevalance rate of 50.1 %. In 1993 (sampled on 7 and 8 July), N. fresenii was present in 77.8% (n = 18) of aphid–infested Commercial cotton fields and prevalence rates ranged from 0 to 57% with a mean of 13.7%. Prevalence of N. fresenii was periodically determined to study the development of epizootics in 1991 (one research field), 1992 (three commercial cotton fields and one research field), and 1993 (four commercial cotton fields and one research field) in Arkansas. Epizootics occurred in all 10 fields and generally caused A. gossypii populations to decline rapidly. N. fresenii infected alatae were observed =2 wk earlier than the first infected apterae. Migrating infected alatae may be a mechanism by which N. fresenii is spread within and between fields and may also serve as an early indication of impending epizootics. Infected apterae may also be useful indicators of imminent epizootics because A. gossypii populations generally declined 1–3 wks after N. fresenii was first detected in apterae.
Influence of Forest Cover on Snowpack and Ground‐Water Rechargea

Measurements of ground-water recharge in sand drift aquifers in northern lower Michigan show that winter and spring precipitation provides a major portion of the annual water yield. In general, the accumulation of snow beneath forest canopies varied inversely with crown density during the winters of 1962 and 1963. Pine plantations with crown densities of over 80 percent in winter had 1.8 inches less water in the snowpack than neighboring deciduous forests, at the time of maximum accumulation. Ground-water recharge during the melt period was proportionally lower beneath the pine forests where snow accumulation was least. The difference in snowmelt recharge was a major factor in the smaller annual water yields measured under these pine forests.
The ionic dependence of black widow spider venom action at the stretch receptor neuron and neuromuscular junction of crustaceans

The effects of black widow spider venom (BWSV) on the crayfish stretch receptor and the lobster neuromuscular junction were examined. In crayfish stretch receptor neurons, BWSV caused a slight hyperpolarization followed by a large depolarization. The venom-induced depolarization of the stretch receptor was caused by an increase in membrane conductance to Na+ and Ca2+. Black widow spider venom also caused an increase in the frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic potentials recorded in the stretch receptor. The ability of BWSV to increase the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic potentials (MEPSPs) at the lobster neuromuscular junction was dependent on the divalent cation composition of the bathing medium. Ringer solutions containing Ca2+ supported the greatest venom-induced increase in MEPSP frequency, Mg2+ and Mn2+ supported a moderate increase in MEPSP frequency, while Co2+ and Zn2+ blocked this venom effect entirely. Black widow spider venom did not block axonal conduction in lobster walking leg axons or in the axon of the crayfish stretch receptor. The results suggest that in crustaceans, BWSV interacts specifically with membrane of the soma-dendritic region of the stretch receptor and with nerve terminal membrane, causing an increase in Na+ and Ca2+ conductance.
Isolation and Characterization of Two Novel Forms of the Human Prolactin Receptor Generated by Alternative Splicing of a Newly Identified Exon 11

We have identified a novel exon 11 of the human prolactin receptor (hPRLR) gene that is distinct from its rodent counterparts and have demonstrated the presence of two novel short forms of the hPRLR (S1a and S1b), which are derived from alternative splicing of exons 10 and 11. S1a encodes 376 amino acids (aa) that contain partial exon 10 and a unique 39-aa C-terminal region encoded by exon 11. S1b encodes 288 aa that lack the entire exon 10 and contains 3 amino acids at the C terminus derived from exon 11 using a shifted reading frame. These short forms, which were found in several normal tissues and in breast cancer cell lines, were expressed as cell surface receptors and possessed binding affinities comparable with the long form. Unlike the long form, neither short form was able to mediate the activation of the β-casein gene promoter induced by prolactin. Instead they acted as dominant negative forms when co-expressed with the long form in transfected cells. Due to a marked difference in the cellular levels between the two short forms in transfected cells, S1b was more effective in inhibiting the prolactin-induced activation of the β-casein gene promoter mediated by the long form of the receptor. The low cellular level of S1a was due to its more rapid turnover than the S1b protein. This is attributable to specific residues within the C-terminal unique 39 amino acids of the S1a form and may represent a new mechanism by which the hPRLR is modulated at the post-translational level. Since both short forms contain abbreviated cytoplasmic domains with unique C termini, they may also exhibit distinct signaling pathways in addition to modulating the signaling from the long form of the receptor. These receptors may therefore play important roles in the diversified actions of prolactin in human tissues.