cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New Conceptual Gas Distributor With Mass Transfer Enhancing Function in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

A new conceptual structure of the gas distributors in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC) or proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells is developed in this work. Basically, instead of partitioned channels and non-interrupted walls, the proposed new gas distributors make use of discretized elements as the current collector in the flow fields, which can help to enhance the mass transfer in the gas flow fields while maintaining the function of transmitting current out of the fuel cell. Experimental operation without external humidification of the reactant gases for single PEM fuel cells and cell stacks using conventional and the currently presented gas distributors were conducted for comparison and verification. It was found that the maximum operational cell current, beyond which there is a sharp drop of the cell voltage, could be significantly improved when using the currently proposed gas distributors and the same membrane-electrode-assembly (MEA) sheets. Correspondingly, the output electrical power can have at least 11 percent increment for the operation with free-convective airflow and around 50 percent increment for the operation with forced convective airflow.© 2004 ASME
Effects of spikelet removal and post-heading thinning on distribution of dry matter and N in oats

Abstract Various percentages of spikelets were removed from panicles of six oat ( Avena sativa L.) cultivars shortly after heading to determine effects on weight of the remaining kernels. In a parallel experiment, plots were thinned after heading to enhance light interception by the canopy and thus increase supply of photosynthetic assimilates. Kernel weight increased as the number of remaining spikelets decreased in all cultivars, achieving maximum weight between 40% and 80% spikelet removal, depending on cultivar and year. Grain yield per culm was always decreased by spikelet removal treatments despite increased weight of remaining kernels. Kernel and straw N concentration was increased by spikelet removal. Thinning the stand increased kernel weight, kernel N, and straw N to a lesser extent than did spikelet removal. It is suggested that intra-panicle competition for post-anthesis photosynthetic assimilates is a factor in the failure of oat kernels to achieve their potential weight.
Differential stability of individual differences in state and trait test anxiety

Abstract The differential stability of state and trait test anxiety was investigated in two content areas (Psychology, n = 154; Method, n = 133). The structural model supported the hypothesis regarding differential stability of individual differences for state and trait test anxiety over a three-month interval, with trait test anxiety being more stable than state test anxiety. Contrary to the invariant stability of trait test anxiety across content, the stability of state test anxiety was significantly low in Psychology as compared to that in Method, indicating that more individuals in the Psychology group reported fluctuant state test anxiety over time. Although the stability of individual differences in state test anxiety was low, the factor structures of state test anxiety at two occasions were invariant, supporting the contention that even when the factorial structures are stable over time and the test-retest stability is high, individual state test anxiety may be unstable across time.
Using Evidence in Home Care: The Value of a Librarian-Clinician Collaboration—the Clinician’s Role

Evidence-based practice is a natural process for the inquiring home care nurse who wants to provide the highest quality of care. A critical step in the process is finding the best evidence and empl...
Bifurcation of traveling waves resulting from resonant mode crossings in oceanic currents

Abstract We consider parallel currents in a rotating system. The current has a finite width and is bounded by density fronts on both sides. It has been shown that such flows have instabilities associated with a 1:1 resonance, i.e. the merging of two real wave speeds which then become complex. In this paper, we analyze bifurcations resulting from these instabilities. Two types of bifurcations arise; one is a reversible Hopf bifurcation, and the other is a reversible Hopf bifurcation with O (2)-symmetry.
How good is your glucose control

Background: Glycemic control is fundamental to the management of diabetes and maintenance of health. Popular measures of performance in glycemic control include A1c and self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). As measures of performance, A1c has perspective, but it fails to recognize hypoglycemia, while SMBG lacking overall perspective finds use mainly by patients to simply evaluate their glycemic status and current response to therapy. An additional, preferably visual, measure of performance in diabetes management in general and glycemic control in particular is needed. Methods: To form a visual measure of performance, a graphical method of analysis from the statistician's toolbox (known as the lag plot) was adapted. It can utilize SMBG data sets from any source, including memory meters and registry databases in call centers. Data are retrieved, processed, formatted, and then plotted on a PC screen or printer. The resulting lag plots visually characterize the performance of glucose control achieved over ...
Lower extremity deep vein thrombosis in children

Of 113 leg venograms performed in patients of all ages between 1969 and 1982, 68 were in children 16 years old or less. The patients were all studied on a tilt table (method of Rabinov and Paulin) in a head-up, 40–50° incline without tourniquets, supporting their weight on the unaffected leg. Among the 68 venograms, 12 (18%) were positive for deep vein thrombosis. The clinical settings for thrombosis in children were post-catheterization (two patients), post surgery (two), tumor/tumor therapy (three), drug abuse (one), infection (one), and idiopathic (three). There were no long-term clinical sequelae in five patients. Pulmonary infarction occurred in three, and three patients required either long-term anticoagulation or IVC clipping. Clinical diagnosis is no more accurate for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in children than it is in adults. Venography is the best method for making an accurate diagnosis and directing subsequent therapy.
Intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation are uncoupled after small bowel resection.

Abstract Background/Purpose: Gut barrier failure and bacterial translocation have been proposed to cause infection and sepsis in patients with the short bowel syndrome. This study tested the hypothesis that permeability is increased in the adapting remnant ileum after massive small bowel resection (SBR). Methods: Male ICR mice underwent a 50% proximal SBR or sham operation. At 3, 7, and 14 days, the ileum was mounted in an [Uuml ]ssing chamber. Mucosal-to-serosal flux of low (dextran) and high (horseradish peroxidase; HRP) molecular weight markers was determined. Additionally, bacterial translocation was measured by culturing blood, mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and spleen at 3 and 14 days after SBR or sham operation. Results: Permeability to dextran was reduced immediately after SBR but was no different at later time-points. HRP permeability was no different at any time-point. Translocation of Gram-negative bacteria to the mesenteric lymph nodes and liver was more frequent in the SBR animals 3 and 14 days postoperatively. Conclusions: Intestinal permeability to macromolecules is not increased after massive SBR, but the rate of translocation to the mesenteric lymph nodes and liver is elevated. This suggests that the mechanism for bacterial translocation after SBR does not involve alterations in gut permeability.
Resistance of the surgical wound to antimicrobial prophylaxis and its mechanisms of development.

Summary The effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy in the prevention of wound infection is markedly reduced by postponing antimicrobial treatment and delaying wound closure. In experimental contaminated wounds, immediate treatment with antibiotics was superior to delayed treatment. In addition, the effectiveness of delayed treatment with antibiotics was more apparent in the wound closed immediately after injury than in wounds subjected to delayed closure. These findings suggest that exposure of a wound leads to a sequence of events that limit the therapeutic value of antibiotics. Insight into the dynamics of these events has been derived from histologic, biochemical, and physiologic measurements of the primarily closed wounds and wounds subjected to delayed closure. When a wound is left open, its vessels exhibit a marked increase in vascular permeability. Fluids from the intravascular space extravasate to fill the wound crater. The exudate is rich in a wide variety of blood proteins containing high concentrations of sialic acid and hexosamine. It is our belief that this fibrinous coagulum surrounds the bacteria and protects them from contact with the antibiotic. Application of a proteolytic enzyme to the surface of the contaminated wound disrupts this coagulum, allowing the antibiotic to destroy the bacteria and prevent the development of infection.
Minimum-Zone Circularity Evaluation Using Particle Swarm Optimization

Robust and accurate evaluation of form tolerances is of paramount importance in today’s world of precision engineering. Present-day Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs) operate at high speed and have a high degree of accuracy and repeatability which are capable of meeting the stringent measurement requirements. However, the evaluation algorithms used in conjunction with them are not robust and accurate enough, because of the highly non-linear nature of the minimum-zone circularity formulation. Evolutionary algorithms have proved effective in solving constrained non-linear optimization problems. In this paper, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), which is one of the most recent and popular evolutionary algorithms, is employed to evaluate the minimum-zone circularity. The PSO approach imitates the social behavior of organisms such as bird flocking and fish schooling. It differs from other well-known Evolutionary Algorithms (EA) in that each particle of the population, called the swarm, adjusts its trajectory toward its own previous best position, and toward the previous best position attained by any member of its topological neighborhood. The constrained nonlinear model is rewritten as an unconstrained non-linear model using the penalty-function approach. The methodology is validated by testing on several simulated and experimental datasets and yields better results than other existing minimum-zone algorithms.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Plasmid systems to study RNA function in Escherichia coli.

Determining the functional activity of an essential RNA in vivo presents special challenges. We have devised an in vivo analysis of alternative forms of an essential tRNA gene in Escherichia coli knockout cells using either a plasmid switch or a regulated two-plasmid system. The model system is presented together with a description of the new plasmids and procedures necessary to effect these analyses. The system is readily adaptable to non-essential RNAs.
Three-dimensional temperature structure of a ridge-transform-ridge system

Abstract We have solved the problem of three-dimensional heat transfer by conduction and material transport within a ridge-transform-ridge system. The boundary conditions are those of a finite plate with temperatures fixed at the top and bottom. We do not solve for the pattern of flow, so must arbitrarily describe the material transport. Within triangular regions beneath the spreading centers, flow is assumed to be vertical and at constant velocity, with the volume of upwelling matching the volume of horizontal transport by the plates. The steady state solution is approached by repeated finite steps in time, each involving two stages. First, to represent material transport, temperatures in the grid of points are shifted horizontally and/or vertically to the point at which the associated particle would arrive given the time period and assumed velocity field. Second, a three-dimensional Fourier Transform technique is used to calculate the cooling which would occur in the static case during the same period. We find that the geometry of flow in the upwelling region, here parameterized by velocity of upwelling or width of the upwelling zone, is more important than spreading rate in determining the temperature structure. The results indicate that conductive cooling cannot alone account for deepening of the median valley towards the fracture zone. For a 10 m.y. offset on the transform fault, conductive cooling across the fracture zone to the older lithosphere affects the upwelling material only to a distance of about 10 km from the fault, in contrast to the deepening of the median valley over several tens of kilometers observed on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
The Contribution of the ACCOMPLISH Trial to the Treatment of Stage 2 Hypertension

The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) recommended a thiazide-like diuretic, alone or in combination with other antihypertensive drug classes, as initial therapy for hypertension. JNC 7, however, did not specify preferred combinations. The Avoiding Cardiovascular Events through Combination Therapy in Patients Living with Systolic Hypertension (ACCOMPLISH) trial was completed five years after the JNC 7 and demonstrated a 20 % advantage in cardiovascular risk reduction when blood pressure was lowered using the single-pill combination of benazepril-amlodipine compared to benazepril-hydrochlorothiazide (Jamerson et al. 359(23):2417–28 [1]). This new and significant finding provided compelling evidence that the long-standing preference for diuretics as initial therapy could be refuted, but it may also be relevant to the lower-than-expected reduction in coronary disease related events (compared to stroke) observed for decades prior to the ACCOMPLISH approach to therapy. The JNC 8 panel members recently published their recommendations, and while the group did not recommend benazepril-hydrochlorothiazide over other combinations, they did highlight the findings of ACCOMPLISH, rating the primary ACCOMPLISH paper as “good.” The American Society of Hypertension position paper and the European Hypertension Society guidelines endorse such combinations as a first-line agent for patients with stage 2 hypertension. We review the current position of ACCOMPLISH in the guidelines regarding treatment of stage 2 hypertension.
The Future of Mixed Reality: Issues in Illumination and Shadows

Military training, concept design, and pre-acquisition studies often are carried out in virtual settings in which one can experience that which is, in the real world, too dangerous, too costly, or even beyond current technology. Purely virtual environments, however, have limitations in that they remove the participant from the physical world with its visual, auditory, and tactile complexities. In contrast, mixed reality (MR) seeks to blend the real and synthetic. How well that blending works is critical to the effectiveness of a user’s experience within an MR scenario. The focus of this paper is on the visual aspects of this blending or more specifically on the interactions between the real and virtual in the contexts of proper inter-occlusion, illumination, and inter-shadowing. This means that the virtual objects must react properly to changes in real lighting and that the real must react properly to the insertion of virtual lights (e.g., a virtual flashlight or a simulated change in the time of day). Even more challenging, virtual objects must cast shadows on real objects and vice versa. The proper casting of shadows is critical to military training, in that shadows often provide clues of others’ movements, and of our own to others, long before visual contact is made. Realistic shadows can improve training greatly; their omission or the insertion of physically incorrect shadowing can lead to negative training. To be effective, visual realism requires all such interactions occur at interactive rates (30+ frames per second). Our research focuses on algorithmic development and implementation of these procedures on programmable graphics units (GPUs) found commonly on today’s commodity graphics cards. The algorithms we develop are tailored to take advantage of the parallel pipeline architecture of GPUs. Our primary application is training of dismounted infantry for the complexities of military operations in urban terrain (MOUT).
Effects of age and endogenously secreted human growth hormone on the regulation of gonadotropin secretion in female and male transgenic mice expressing the human growth hormone gene.

In aging rats and humans, GH secretion is reduced. In transgenic mice bearing the human (h) GH gene, hGH is secreted during the entire lifespan. To evaluate the effects of endogenously secreted hGH on age-related changes in hypothalamic-pituitary function, the following two experiments were conducted in young (2.5-4 months of age) and old (11-14 months of age) female and male transgenic mice expressing the hGH gene and their normal siblings. In Exp I, young and old female transgenic mice and their normal siblings were ovariectomized. On days 8 and 9 after ovariectomy, mice were injected (sc) with oil or primed with 0.5 micrograms estradiol benzoate (EB) in oil, 24 h later treated with 10 micrograms EB/100 g BW, and a day later bled for the determination of FSH, LH, PRL, and hGH levels by RIAs. In Exp II, young and old male transgenic mice and their normal littermates were castrated and injected with either peanut oil or testosterone propionate (TP; 1 microgram/g BW) in oil. Blood samples were obtained 18-...
Left main bronchus obstruction after patent ductus arteriosus ligation: An unusual complication

This report discusses a premature complex newborn with persistent pulmonary difficulties following the clipping of the PDA. Bronchoscopy was critical in revealing a metallic clip obstructing the bronchus. Thoracothomy revealed that the clip had been placed across the bronchus. This case illustrates the importance of bronchoscopy in the face of persistent unexplained pulmonary symptoms as well as having clear intraoperative exposure of the anatomy in this region to assure accurate placement of PDA metallic clips.
Effectiveness of measles vaccination and vitamin A treatment

Background The current strategy utilized by WHO/United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to reach the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy 2010 measles reduction goal includes increasing coverage of measles vaccine, vitamin A treatment and supplementation in addition to offering two doses of vaccine to all children. Methods We conducted a systematic review of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental (QE) studies in order to determine effect estimates of measles vaccine and vitamin A treatment for the Lives Saved Tool (LiST). We utilized a standardized abstraction and grading format in order to determine effect estimates for measles mortality employing the standard Child Health Epidemiology Research Group Rules for Evidence Review. Results We identified three measles vaccine RCTs and two QE studies with data on prevention of measles disease. A meta-analysis of these studies found that vaccination was 85% [95% confidence interval (CI) 83-87] effective in preventing measles disease, which will be used as a proxy for measles mortality in LiST for countries vaccinating before one year of age. The literature also suggests that a conservative 95% effect estimate is reasonable to employ when vaccinating at 1 year or later and 98% for two doses of vaccine based on serology reviews. We included six high-quality RCTs in the meta-analysis of vitamin A treatment of measles which found no significant reduction in measles morality. However, when stratifying by vitamin A treatment dose, at least two doses were found to reduce measles mortality by 62% (95% CI 19-82). Conclusion Measles vaccine and vitamin A treatment are effective interventions to prevent measles mortality in children.
Editorial: No David to battle Goliath or analysing accounting for climate change

The world financial and economic crisis is the worse since the Great Depression. But it should not be forgotten that climate change is dangerously and continuously destroying planet earth. This editorial does not deny the importance of the economic mess that bankers and hedge-fund managers have plunged the world economy. While world leaders are focused on the economic crisis, climate change is growing. We have no David to do battle with the environmental Goliath. In this editorial, we provide evidence as to the seriousness of the climate change and explore our responsibilities as academics and professionals.
Current Role of Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Body Anomalies

Fetal MR body applications have become more common in recent years as both in utero therapies, including fetoscopic surgery, and improvements in perinatal care have increased the demand for precise antenatal anatomic detail. This article discusses the variety of fast imaging sequences available to the fetal imager and describes their applications to both common and unusual congenital pathologies, including of the neck, chest, abdomen/pelvis and musculoskeletal systems.
Hemisphere-scale differences in conifer evolutionary dynamics

Fundamental differences in the distribution of oceans and landmasses in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres potentially impact patterns of biological diversity in the two areas. The evolutionary history of conifers provides an opportunity to explore these dynamics, because the majority of extant conifer species belong to lineages that have been broadly confined to the Northern or Southern Hemisphere during the Cenozoic. Incorporating genetic information with a critical review of fossil evidence, we developed an age-calibrated phylogeny sampling ∼80% of living conifer species. Most extant conifer species diverged recently during the Neogene within clades that generally were established during the later Mesozoic, but lineages that diversified mainly in the Southern Hemisphere show a significantly older distribution of divergence ages than their counterparts in the Northern Hemisphere. Our tree topology and divergence times also are best fit by diversification models in which Northern Hemisphere conifer lineages have higher rates of species turnover than Southern Hemisphere lineages. The abundance of recent divergences in northern clades may reflect complex patterns of migration and range shifts during climatic cycles over the later Neogene leading to elevated rates of speciation and extinction, whereas the scattered persistence of mild, wetter habitats in the Southern Hemisphere may have favored the survival of older lineages.
Team Involvement in Assessment-Based Interventions With Problem Behavior: 1997—2002

Descriptive and qualitative analyses were applied to a database of 111 assessment-based studies published between 1997 and 2002 on the problem behavior of school-age individuals with disabilities, to determine how frequently key components of positive behavior support (PBS) were being used. While most of the database reported reductions in problem behavior, only half focused on and reported increases in replacement skills. Interventions frequently reported were positive reinforcement, antecedent-based approaches, and skill training. Interventions using parent/teacher skill training were infrequent, and self-management, peer-mediated intervention, and comprehensive lifestyle change were rare. Involvement of family and educators was reported in one quarter of the database, with the highest involvement of nonresearchers during assessment. Studies using functional assessment alone or in combination with functional analysis and studies conducted in natural settings were more likely to use key features of PBS t...
An analysis framework for information comprehension and access management

Given the uncoordinated proliferation of electronic information available to the public, how can effective access best be facilitated and coordinated among information consumers and information producers? With this paper we identify a new field that deals with the issues of information comprehension and access management (ICAM). We present a two-dimensional framework for considering the representation, extraction and distribution tasks involved in effective information access from technological, managerial and policy points of view. We provide an example and discuss the framework's implications. ICAM's conceptual contribution is that it provides a comprehensive and integrative vantage point for researchers, managers and practitioners to consider access issues as a whole. >
HYALINE CARTILAGE AT PORTA HEPATIS IN EXTRAHEPATIC BILIARY ATRESIA

Hyaline cartilage was found on microscopy of sections of the extrahepatic biliary tree in two infants with extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA). Respiratory epithelium was not present, and the cartilage did not seem to block the bile duct lumen. Hyperbilirubinemia was manifest in one infant on the second postnatal day, but clinical courses were otherwise unremarkable. In neither infant was the ductal plate malformation found on light microscopy of liver biopsy specimens, and in neither infant was visceral topography abnormal. Hyaline cartilage at the porta hepatis appears to be a novel finding in EHBA. Its significance remains to be defined.
Evaluation of intersection collision warning system using an inter-vehicle communication simulator

An inter-vehicle communication (IVC) simulator has been developed to evaluate an intersection collision warning system. Various representative intersection collision scenarios are simulated. The physical and media access control layer of the wireless communication network are modelled in the IVC simulator for transmission of collision warning messages. The results show that such a collision warning strategy is a viable way for reducing the collisions at the intersections.
Life Cycle of Medical Product Rules Issued by the US Food and Drug Administration

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses rulemaking as one of its primary tools to protect the public health and implement laws enacted by Congress and the president. Because of the many effects that these rules have on social welfare and the economy, the FDA and other executive agencies receive input from the executive branch, the public, and in some cases, the courts, during the process of rulemaking. In this article, we examine the life cycle of FDA regulations concerning medical products and review notable features of the rulemaking process. The current system grants substantial opportunities for diverse stakeholders to participate in and influence how rules are written and implemented. However, the duration, complexity, and adversarial qualities of the rulemaking process can hinder the FDA's ability to achieve its policy and public health goals. There is considerable variation in the level of transparency at different stages in the process, ranging from freely accessible public comments to undisclosed internal agency deliberations. In addition, significant medical product rules are associated with lengthy times to finalization, in some cases for unclear reasons. We conclude by identifying potential areas for reform on the basis of transparency and efficiency.
Measuring Outcomes of a One-Minute Preceptor Faculty Development Workshop

BACKGROUND: Measuring outcomes of faculty development programs is difficult and infrequently attempted beyond measuring participant satisfaction with the program. Few studies have validated evaluation tools to assess the effectiveness of faculty development programs, and learners have rarely participated in assessing improvement of faculty who participate in such programs. OBJECTIVE: To develop a questionnaire to measure the effectiveness of an enhanced 1-minute preceptor (OMP) faculty development workshop via faculty self-assessment and resident assessment of faculty, and to use the questionnaire to assess an OMP faculty development workshop. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS: We developed and tested a questionnaire to assess the 5 “microskills” of a OMP faculty development program, and performed faculty self-assessment and resident assessment using the questionnaire 6 to 18 months before and 6 to 18 months after our experiential skills improvement workshop. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-eight internal medicine continuity clinic preceptors (44 control and 24 intervention faculty) at a university, a veteran’s affairs hospital, and 2 community internal medicine training sites. RESULTS: Twenty-two participants (92%) completed pre- and postintervention questionnaires. Residents completed 94 preintervention questionnaires and 58 postintervention questionnaires on participant faculty. Faculty reported improvement in behavior following the intervention. Residents reported no significant improvements in faculty teaching behaviors following the intervention. CONCLUSION: We attempted to rigorously evaluate a faculty development program based on the OMP. Although the intervention did not show statistically significant changes in teaching behavior, we believe that this study is an important step in extending assessment of faculty development to include resident evaluation of participating faculty.
Workshop on standards for photonic streak camera characterization

A summary paper proposing standardization of definitions and parameter measurements related to photonic streak cameras was generated at the 16th International Congress of High Speed Photography and Photonics at Strasborg, France (August 1984). An international committee appointed by the general Workshop on Picosecond Streak Cameras met and discussed the areas appropriate for standardization and proposed specific definitions, measurements and complementary parameter sets to be used in characterizing photonic streak cameras. These proposals were compiled into a summary paper by the committee co-chairmen, Noel Fleurot (CEA-Limeil) and Gary L. Stradling (Los Alamos National Laboratory), with the intent that it be distributed to interested streak camera users and manufacturers and that appropriate improvements and additions be solicited.
Canadian palpebral fissure length growth charts reflect a good fit for two school and FASD clinic-based U.S. populations.

Background Short palpebral fissure lengths (PFL) are one of three facial features that define the unique facial phenotype of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Published PFL growth charts vary greatly in both rate and magnitude of growth, placing their accuracy and validity in question. New PFL growth charts were recently published to reflect a racial/ethnic cross section of Canadian girls and boys 6-16 years of age. PFLs were measured from digital facial photographs using the FAS Facial Photographic Analysis Software. Objectives Assess the goodness of fit of two U.S. populations (healthy children and children with prenatal alcohol exposure) when plotted on the Canadian, Hall, and other published PFL charts. Methods The PFLs of 106 healthy children and 822 children with prenatal alcohol exposure from Washington State were measured from digital facial photographs using the FAS Facial Photographic Analysis Software. Goodness of fit was assessed graphically and by computation of the mean PFL z-score. Results
2004 SIVB congress symposium proceeding : Transgene management via multiple site-specific recombination systems

Current methods for creating transgenic varieties are labor and time intensive, comprised of the generation of hundreds of plants with random DNA insertions, screening for the few individuals with appropriate transgene expression and simple integration structure, and followed by a lengthy breeding process to introgress the engineered trait into cultivated varieties. Various modifications of existing methods have been proposed to speed up the different steps involved in plant transformation, as well as a few add-on technologies that seek to address issues related to biosafety or intellectual property. The problem with an assortment of independently developed improvements is that they do not integrate seamlessly into a single transformation system. This paper presents an integrated strategy for plant transformation, where the introduced DNA will be inserted precisely into the genome, the transgenic locus will be introgressed rapidly into field varieties, the extraneous transgenic DNA will be removed, the transgenic plants will be molecularly tagged, and the transgenic locus may be excised from pollen and/or seed.
Setting the Stage for Success: Developing an Orientation Program for Academic Library Faculty

A multi-faceted orientation program can provide a strong foundation for self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and retention of academic librarians. At many colleges and universities, academic librarians have faculty status. Becoming a member of a faculty involves an extensive process of socialization. This paper examines the literature of higher education and library science on the topic. It identifies the characteristics of effective orientation from that literature. Incorporating an organizational socialization model with the findings from both bodies of literature resulted in a flexible, multi-dimensional model for the orientation of academic library faculty. One university library is an example that can be readily adapted in any academic library.
Targeting The Warburg Effect Via Polyamine Metabolism For Prostate Cancer Treatment And Improved Pet Imaging

Although prostate cancer can be clinically managed in its early phases, the inability to control the more aggressive late-stage disease has prompted the search for novel therapies. We hypothesize that strategies targeting polyamine homeostasis may be effective against prostate cancer. The prostate has the highest level of polyamine biosynthesis of any tissue, and it is the only tissue in which polyamines are purposely synthesized for export. In particular, large amounts of polyamines are excreted by the prostate into semen. Thus, we reasoned that polyamine homeostasis may be altered in the prostate relative to other tissues and that tumors derived from this gland may exhibit atypical regulatory responses in order to synthesize large amounts of polyamines in this tissue. Intracellular levels of polyamines are homeostatically maintained by effector systems controlling the biosynthesis, uptake and export of these molecules. By acetylating polyamines, the enzyme spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) controls polyamine inactivation and export. Specifically, SSAT catalyzes the transfer of acetyl groups from acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) onto intracellular polyamines and thereby marks them for export and/or catabolism, which reduces their positive charge, blocks biological activity, promotes degradation, and facilitates excretion. We showed that in prostate tumors, overexpression of SSAT leads to futile metabolic cycling (polyamine flux). Furthermore, our and others studies have shown that overexpression of SSAT in transgenic mice (SSAT-tg) increased energy expenditure, which produced a polyamine-based cycle, reduced the levels of acetyl-CoA, increased glycolytic enzyme expression and decreased lactate production. These proof of principle studies provided evidence for linking the polyamine flux to the Warburg effect. Additional studies in prostate tumor cell lines have shown that the polyamine flux increases the glucose uptake, thereby creating the possibility of improved positron emission tomography (PET) with 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) because this imaging is not currently possible in prostate cancers. To further study the effect of polyamine flux on tumor growth in vivo, our transgenic mice were crossed with TRAMP mice (TRansgenic Adenocarcinoma of Mouse Prostate) to produce a bigenic mouse line (TRAMP/SSAT). These mice showed an increased in polyamine flux and importantly a reduction in prostate tumor burden. This novel approach for treating cancer by targeting a key regulator of cancer metabolism may provide a better, more efficient treatment for prostate cancer and improved PET imaging.
TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma induce expression of nitric oxide synthase in cultured rat medullary interstitial cells

Cytokines increase the expression of the inducible (type II) nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in macrophages, liver, and renal epithelial cells. Previously, we found that cultured rat medullary interstitial cells (RMIC) contain high levels of soluble guanylyl cyclase. To determine whether these cells can also produce NO, we studied the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on NO production, NOS II mRNA, and NOS II protein expression. Both TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, in the presence of a low concentration of the other cytokine, caused dose-dependent increases in NO production. Exposure to TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma stimulated the production of NOS II mRNA, as determined by Northern blotting. Restriction mapping of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction products indicated that normal cells contained macrophage NOS II, whereas cytokine-stimulated cells contained primarily vascular smooth muscle NOS II and some macrophage NOS II. The appearance of NOS II protein was...
Current Therapies for Advanced Colorectal Cancer

Significant advances have been made in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer over the past 5 years, namely due to the introduction of three novel cytotoxic agents-capecitabine (Xeloda), irinotecan (Camptosar), and oxaliplatin (Eloxatin)-and the recent approval of two biologic agents-bevacizumab (Avastin) and cetuximab (Erbitux). During this time period, the median survival of patients with advanced, metastatic disease has gone from 10 to 12 months to nearly 24 months. Intense efforts have focused on identifying novel targeted therapies that target specific growth factor receptors, critical signal transduction pathways, and/or key pathways that mediate the process of angiogenesis. Recent clinical trial results suggest that the anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab can be safely and effectively used in combination with each of the active anticancer agents used in colorectal cancer. Despite the development of active combination regimens, significant improvements in the actual cure rate have not yet been achieved. Combination regimens with activity in advanced disease are being evaluated in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings. The goal is to integrate these targeted strategies into standard chemotherapy regimens so as to advance the therapeutic options for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. Finally, intense efforts are attempting to identify the critical molecular biomarkers that can be used to predict for either clinical response to chemotherapy and/or targeted therapies and/or the drug-specific side effects. The goal of such studies is to facilitate the evolution of empiric chemotherapy to individually tailored treatments for patients with colorectal cancer.
The prognostic value of cell surface antigens in low grade, non-invasive, transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

AbstractTumors in 23 patients who presented with a low grade, non-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were studied for blood group antigens A, B or O on the cell surface. Of 14 patients without cell surface antigens initially 13 suffered an invasive tumor subsequently and 1 had diffuse carcinoma in situ. Of 9 patients with cell surface antigens initially 8 did not have an invasive recurrence during a 5 or more-year followup and 1 did. The presence or absence of blood group cell surface antigen on a low grade, non-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder would seem to have value in predicting future recurrence with muscle invasion.
Single-mode dreams brought to life

A series of experiments conducted by a group at the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics, Munich, Germany, has culminated in the observation of sub-Poissonian light in a micromaser. These results, reported by G Rempe, F Schmidt-Kaler and H Walther, provide considerable new insight into the fundamental operation of lasers and massers, and elucidate the conditions necessary to generate non-classical radiation (1990 Phys. Rev. Lett. 64 2783).
What to do if the lymph nodes are positive

Lymph node metastases are common in patients with advanced bladder cancer. Survival rates have apparently improved from about 15% to 30% as management evolved from lymphadenectomy plus cystectomy to multimodal therapy, but investigators have not conclusively shown the benefit of adjuvant irradiation and/or chemotherapy. If clinical staging indicates nodal metastases, we recommend primary multiagent chemotherapy with subsequent exploratory laparotomy, lymphadenectomy, and possibly cystectomy for complete responders. Patients without clinical evidence of metastases undergo complete bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy plus cystectomy if nodes are normal, or if grossly abnormal but resectable. Patients with nodal metastases may be candidates for adjuvant chemotherapy.
Improved methodology for calculating interfacial thermal resistance and uncertainty for steady-state TIM testers with embedded probes

Efforts to miniaturize electronic components within the semiconductor industry continue to intensify stresses on the primary thermal pathways that are used for heat dissipation in electronics packaging equipment. This is particularly true for heat flow pathways that traverse interfaces. Consequently, an increasing priority for thermal engineers is to design materials that are capable of reducing the impedance to heat flow acrosss device junctions. However, the equipment most often used to measure the resistance to heat flow across interfaces (ASTM D5470) is becoming increasingly insufficient for the characterization of next-generation thermal interface materials (TIMs), as evidenced by the wide variability in the reported results for current state-of-the-art TIMs. Through the use of statistical analyses, we show that one possible reason for these discrepancies is the method by which the temperature difference across the interface is calculated. Additionally, we find that there exists a lack of consideration for many potential sources of positional uncertainty that exist within the measurement system, including: 1) the thermal conductivity mismatch between the thermal probes, the heat meter bars and any interstitial filler material used to increase contact conductance between them, 2) drill drift during manufacturing, 3) the temperature and positional uncertainties of each probe along the length of the heat meter bars, 4) the tolerance associated with the location of each thermal probe's junction and 5) the number of thermal probes that are used to determine the temperature difference across the interface. We find that these factors result in an unavoidably large uncertainty in the position of the thermal probes, which produces a significant measurement uncertainty when RT is on the order of 1·10−5 m2·K/W or lower, regardless of the temperature measurement accuracy that can be achieved with the probes. Using numerical simulations, we conduct a parametric study to determine the magnitude of these effects on positional uncertainty. Results suggest that the lowest positional uncertainty is achieved when the thermal probe is significantly less thermally conductive than its surrounding filler, and that drill drift and the uncertainty associated with the location of the actual thermal probe junction account for a significant increase in the overall uncertainty of the measurement. It is expected that these results will allow for the development of steady-state TIM characterization instruments with improved measurement resolutions and for greater consistency between the results of different groups that use thermal probe-based TIM testers.
A population-based analysis of race and gender differences in pancreas cancer survival

A15 Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer related mortality in the United States. From 2000-2004, the incidence rate of pancreas cancer among African Americans (15.0 per 100,000) exceeded the rate seen in White Non-Hispanics (11.4 per 100,000). Relative 5-year survival rates vary by both race and gender, with recent data suggesting African American women now have the best survival (5.8%), and African American men have the worst survival (3.2%) for those diagnosed from 1996-2003, according to data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Recent studies have failed to examine the effects of race and gender concurrently on pancreas cancer survival. African American and White Non-Hispanic individuals diagnosed with primary adenocarcinoma of the pancreas from 1973-2004 were identified through 17 registries making up the SEER database. These data were stratified by race, gender, stage and age at diagnosis. Differences in categorical variables were identified through chi-squared tests and differences in continuous variables were identified through t-tests. Preliminary findings from univariate analyses are described below. We will present Cox proportional hazards models to determine if demographic, tumor and treatment variables that predict survival vary by race and gender. Our study population included 48,738 White Non-Hispanic (88.2%) and 6,542 African American (11.8%) individuals with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. The mean age at diagnosis for African American (AA) men was 63.7 (SD=11.0), which was significantly younger than White Non-Hispanic (WNH) men (mean age=66.8 SD=11.2). AA women were also significantly younger at diagnosis with a mean age of 67.0 (SD=10.9) compared to WNH women (mean age=69.8, SD=10.9). Overall, more AA men (66.8%) and women (61.6.0%) were diagnosed at distant stages of disease, compared to their WNH counterparts (64.0% and 60.3%, respectively), these differences were statistically significant (both p=0.01). White Non-Hispanic men and women were significantly more likely to be diagnosed at autopsy or by death certificate only, compared to AAs (both p
Cell-to-Cell Transmission of Dipeptide Repeat Proteins Linked to C9orf72-ALS/FTD.

Aberrant hexanucleotide repeat expansions in C9orf72 are the most common genetic change underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). RNA transcripts containing these expansions undergo repeat-associated non-ATG translation (RAN-T) to form five dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs). DPRs are found as aggregates throughout the CNS of C9orf72-ALS/FTD patients, and some cause degeneration when expressed in vitro in neuronal cultures and in vivo in animal models. The spread of characteristic disease-related proteins drives the progression of pathology in many neurodegenerative diseases. While DPR toxic mechanisms continue to be investigated, the potential for DPRs to spread has yet to be determined. Using different experimental cell culture platforms, including spinal motor neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells from C9orf72-ALS patients, we found evidence for cell-to-cell spreading of DPRs via exosome-dependent and exosome-independent pathways, which may be relevant to disease.
Studying "Friends": The Ethics of Using Social Media as Research Platforms.

Social media is increasingly creating the contours of many Americans’ daily lives as a medium that is simultaneously intimate and powerfully public. Beyond providing tools to communicate with frien...