cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 2122: Downregulation of RGS10 induces PI3K/mTOR inhibitor resistance by Ras activation in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common form of malignant brain cancer in adults. The prognosis of affected patients is poor and median survival is only one year. The essential role of PI3K signaling in GBM proliferation, metabolism and differentiation has been highlighted. The major mechanism for the oncogenic activity of PI3K is by preventing apoptosis through the downstream activation of Akt and mTOR. The importance of mTOR in the regulation of cell survival downstream of PI3K signaling provides a strong rationale for the use of dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor. However, the limited effect of dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor used as single agent is most likely due to activation of collateral pathways, suggesting that additional refinement of this overall approach is necessary. We investigated potential bypass mechanisms to PI3K/mTOR inhibition as a single agent and generated three resistant cell lines to PI3K/mTOR inhibitor with 3 to 5-fold increase in IC50 value and with an aim to identify the potential bypass of survival to PI3K/mTOR inhibitor. We show that the IC50 of the resistant cell lines and parental lines is correlated with s6 phosphorylation and the three resistant cell lines express increased level of phosphorylated ERK1/2, p70S6K and p90RSK protein levels. Further investigation show that RGS10, a regulator of G protein signaling, is down regulated in the resistant cell lines. Down regulation of RGS10 increases the GTP-bound Ras, implying that Ras activation defines the acquired resistance by activating the ERK/p90RSK pathway. Knockdown RGS10 in the parental cells induces ERK1/2, p70S6K and p90RSK phosphorylation and the resistance to PI3K/mTOR inhibitor. Raf1 or p90RSK knockdown can re-sensitize resistant cell lines to PI3K/mTOR inhibition. Combination of PI3K/mTOR inhibitor with Raf inhibitor Sorafinib efficiently inhibited the growth of the resistant cell lines showing Ras/Raf activation serves as an escape mechanism to PI3K/mTOR inhibition. These observations suggest that Ras/Raf signaling serves as an survival signal upon PI3K/mTOR inhibition and provides a strong rationale for the combined use of PI3K/mTOR and Raf1 inhibition to induce lethal growth inhibition in human GBM. Citation Format: Xiaolong Li, Shaofang Wu, Dimpy Koul, W.K. Alfred Yung. Downregulation of RGS10 induces PI3K/mTOR inhibitor resistance by Ras activation in glioblastoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2122.
Revisiting Critical Flaws in Cement-Based Composites

AbstractIn this work, X-ray microtomographic images were analyzed to quantify the influence of void spaces in small mortar specimens, with a particular focus on the porosity of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). Specimens were nominally 5-mm-diameter, 4-mm-long cylinders with 0.5-mm-diameter glass bead aggregates. Specimens were scanned via synchrotron-based X-ray microtomography while they were positioned in an in situ loading frame in a split cylinder configuration. Scans of undamaged specimens were evaluated for porosity both in the bulk paste and in the ITZ. Specifically, voids in the paste and porosity in the ITZ were superimposed onto a map of the principal tensile stress in the specimen in an attempt to identify critical flaws and to measure their role in split cylinder strength. Results indicate that a stress intensity factor-type approach can be used to identify critical flaws in cement paste specimens. Similarly, a critical ITZ region can be identified based on local principal stress and loc...
Fast online algorithms for Support Vector Machines

A novel online, i.e. stochastic gradient, learning algorithm in a primal domain is introduced and its performance is compared to the Sequential Minimal Optimization (SMO) based algorithm for training L1 Support Vector Machines (SVMs) implemented within MATLAB's SVM solver fitcsvm. Their performances are compared on both real and artificial datasets, which contain up to 15,000 samples. These datasets belong to the small and medium class of datasets today. We have shown that classic online learning algorithms implemented in the primal domain can be both extremely efficient and faster up to two orders of magnitude in respect to the SMO algorithm. In particular, unlike the SMO algorithm, our simulations show that the CPU time of OL SVM does not depend on SVM design parameters (penalty parameter C and Gaussian kernel shape parameter s or on the order of the polynomial kernel). This property is very beneficial for the SVMs' training faced with large and ultra-large datasets. Paper also compares OL SVM with the established stochastic gradient algorithms, Norma and a novel version of an online SVM training algorithm Pegasos dubbed here Pegaz.
Presidential candidates’ television spots and personal qualities

The functional theory of political campaign discourse (Benoit, 1999) posits that political messages can discuss two topics: policy and character. This essay extends our understanding of presidential candidate character (personality traits) by using grounded theory to develop a typology of four dimensions of personal qualities discussed in political campaign discourse (sincerity, morality, empathy, and drive) and then using computer content analysis to apply that typology to the texts of primary and general presidential spots (1952–2000) to determine the relative frequency of these character traits. Four general dimensions of character emerged: morality, drive, sincerity, and empathy (listed in descending frequency). Empathy was discussed more and morality less in the primary than the general campaign. Republicans stressed sincerity whereas Democrats emphasized empathy. Winners focused on drive and losers more often discussed empathy and morality. This study advances the theoretical understanding of the di...
Detecting Unusually-Routed ASes: Methods and Applications

The routes used in the Internet's interdomain routing system are a rich information source that could be exploited to answer a wide range of questions. However, analyzing routes is difficult, because the fundamental object of study is a set of paths. In this paper we present new analysis tools -- metrics and methods -- for analyzing AS paths, and apply them to study interdomain routing in the Internet over a recent 13-year period. Our goal is to develop a quantitative understanding of changes in Internet routing at the micro level (of individual ASes) as well as at the macro level (of the set of all ASes). To that end we equip an existing metri (Routing State Distance) with a new set of tools for identifying and characterizing unusually-routed ASes. At the micro level, we use our tools to identify clusters of ASes that have the most unusual routing at each time (interestingly, such clusters often correspond to sets of jointly-owned ASes). We also show that analysis of individual ASes can expose busis and engineering strategies of the organizations owning the ASes. These strategies are often related to content delivery or service replication. At the macro level, we show that ASes with the most unusual routing define discernible and interpretable phases of the Internet's evolution. Furthermore, we show that our tools can be used to provide a quantitative measure of the "flattening" of the Internet.
Self‐Aligned Trapping and Detecting Molecules Using a Plasmonic Tweezer with an Integrated Electrostatic Cell

Surface plasmonic tweezers and electrostatic forces can be employed as complementary methods for trapping and detecting molecules with high sensitivity and selectivity. The hotspots—localized regions of highly concentrated electromagnetic fields with large gradients—give rise to both the plasmonic tweezer effect and the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect. So naturally, combining plasmonic tweezers and SERS makes for an ideal label-free method for trapping and detecting molecules. Here, the trapping effect of the plasmonic tweezer is demonstrated by using the unique graphene–Au pyramid hybrid platform. While very powerful, the force associated with plasmonic tweezers is a short-range effect (<50 nm from the spot of peak intensity). The electrostatic force, on the other hand, has long-range interaction extending to beyond micrometers, which can guide molecules toward the hotspots. The authors present experimental evidence showing the combination of plasmonic tweezers and electrostatic forces by using an integrated electrostatic cell. Using the combined platform, trapping of single molecules in dilute solution is observed. These observations indicate a new approach for enhancing SERS sensitivity. It also offers a realistic possibility for precisely positional control of biomolecules, allowing the study of the properties of single biomolecules.
FORTRAN Programming in Nuclear Medicine

This is the second in a series of four Continuing Education articles on computers in nuclear medicine. After studying this article, the reader should be able to: 1) understand the basics of FORTRAN programming as they apply to nuclear medicine; and 2) discuss the meaning of key components in a FORTRAN program.
Implementing A Business Intelligence (BI)/Corporate Performance Management (CPM) Solution: Challenges Faced By A Major National Retailer

Based on actual events, this case is concerned with the practical and managerial challenges associated with analyzing, designing and implementing a Business Intelligence (BI) / Corporate Performance Management (CPM)information technology solution in a large national retailer. Secondary issues examined include strategy, project management and conflict resolution. This case is appropriate for upper-level undergraduate and masters-level graduate courses in information technology, accounting information systems and project management. It is designed to be taught in about one class hour, and requires four to six hours of outside preparation by students.
Racial differences in functional decline in peripheral artery disease and associations with socioeconomic status and education

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to determine whether blacks with lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) have faster functional decline than whites with PAD. Methods Participants with ankle-brachial index Results Of 1162 PAD participants, 305 (26%) were black. Median follow-up was 46.0 months. Among 711 PAD participants who walked 6 minutes continuously at baseline, black participants were more likely to become unable to walk 6 minutes continuously during follow-up (64/171 [37.4%] vs 156/540 [28.9%]; log-rank, P = .006). Black race was associated with becoming unable to walk 6 minutes continuously, adjusting for age, sex, ankle-brachial index, comorbidities, and other confounders (hazard ratio, 1.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.99; P = .022). This association was attenuated after adjustment for income and education ( P = .229). Among 844 participants without baseline mobility impairment, black participants had a higher rate of mobility loss (64/209 [30.6%] vs 164/635 [25.8%]; log-rank, P = .009). Black race was associated with increased mobility loss, adjusting for potential confounders (hazard ratio, 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.94; P = .028). This association was attenuated after additional adjustment for income and education ( P = .392) and physical activity ( P = .113). There were no racial differences in average annual declines in 6-minute walk, usual-paced 4-meter walking velocity, or fast-paced 4-meter walking velocity. Conclusions Black PAD patients have higher rates of mobility loss and becoming unable to walk for 6 minutes continuously. These differences appear related to racial differences in socioeconomic status and physical activity.
Bringing a Resource and Capability Lens to Resource Allocation

This article highlights a perspective that has been underexplored in resource allocation research. By viewing resource allocation through a resource and capability lens, three connections are developed between resource-based theories of strategy and strategy research on resource allocation. First, the lens is applied to frame capital investments as investing in capabilities. This framing provides a theoretical path connecting the strategic purpose of investments, through value creation from resource commitments, to the creation of competitive advantage. Second, resource allocation for the purpose of capability development is related to a resource-based model of asset accumulation. Placing resource allocation decisions in the context of capability development suggests that key features of the asset accumulation process can usefully inform research on the resource allocation process. Last, corporate capital allocation is connected to resource redeployment in multibusiness firms. This connection explicates w...
Evaluation of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) electronics for extreme cold environments

Deep space and Icy Moon missions (Titan, Enceladus, Ceres, Europa, & Ganymede) will need qualified extreme environment capable components for electronic systems located in extremities of their rovers and spacecraft. Commercial off the shelf (COTS) components would be advantageous to use for some aspects of such projects, given that they are easier to procure and offer a broad range of functionalities. Furthermore, theoretical and experimental data suggest that many COTS parts are capable of operation, and not just storage, at temperatures well beyond the manufacturer specified temperature limits. To help address the challenges presented at near cryogenic temperatures, a COTS selection knowledge base is being developed to estimate the performance of COTS components within cold environments. The knowledge base captures queries from a range of information sources such as cold functionality test results for part types and families, theoretical and experimental literature reviews and key findings are summarized here. In addition, a selection of components are planned to be examined for their performance to near cryogenic temperatures to generate a methodology for identification and verification of the COTS candidates. As the qualification of COTS parts for extreme environments can be very costly, this knowledge base can serve to reduce qualification time and cost by pre-selecting and limiting candidates.
Idiopathic segmental fatty tissue necrosis of the ligamentum teres hepatis. Variation on a theme...

Einleitung: Seltene Ursachen fur ein akutes Abdomen sind idiopathische Nekrosen intraabdominal gelegenen peritonealisierten Fettgewebes. Die Diagnose wird kaum je praoperativ gestellt und die Patienten werden meist unter der Verdachtsdiagnose einer Appendicitis oder Cholecystitis operiert. Methoden: Wir berichten uber eine 32 jahrige Patientin, die uns aufgrund von Schmerzen im rechten Oberbauch, welche bereits 2 Tage andauerten, zugewiesen wurde. Die Klinik suggerierte eine akute Cholecystitis, Labor und Ultraschall waren indes unauffallig. Wegen eines deutlich palpablen und stark druckdolenten, epigastrischen Tumors von 2 × 3 × 3 cm Grose wurde eine Computertomographie (CT) durchgefuhrt, die einen gut abgrenzbaren, entzundlich infiltrierten Anteil des auffallig fetthaltigen Lig. teres hepatis nachwies. Mittels Laparoskopie wurde der mit dem Magenantrum verklebte nekrotische Fettzipfel reseziert. Die Patientin war 24 Std. postoperativ nahezu beschwerdefrei und verlies das Spital nach 2 Tagen. Die anschliesend histologisch bestatigte hamorrhagische Fettgewebsnekrose erinnert an die Befunde, wie sie beim segmentalen Netzinfarkt und die Appendicitis epiploica beobachtet werden konnen. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Laparoskopie bietet neben der erweiterten Diagnostik die Moglichkeit zur Therapie. Die Resektion fuhrt zu rascher Beschwerdefreiheit und verhindert Komplikationen wie die bakterielle Superinfektion mit Abscessbildung oder spontane intraabdominelle Blutungen.
Employing a Geographic Information System for Wetlands Management in Nebraska’s Rainwater Basin

Wetlands are critical components of most ecosystems, providing a broad array of services including support for biodiversity, enhancement of water quality and flood abatement. In spite of their ecological importance, wetlands have been degraded and lost at alarming rates. In the Rainwater Basin (RWB) of south-central Nebraska, an internationally significant staging area for migratory water birds, the adoption of geographic information system (GIS) technology has been critical to managing wetlands. Efforts to employ GIS began with assemblage of dozens of geospatial datasets including digital elevation models, soils data, digital orthophotography, historic aerial photography and land ownership data. Land use and land cover data, which did not exist, were developed using satellite remote sensing. Subsequently, the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was implemented via GIS to assess how sediment was impacting wetlands. All geospatial data, RUSLE modeling results, metadata and documentation were made available on a WWW site designed to facilitate both data download and mapping. During the past decade the RWB has developed an independent, robust and forward-looking program to exploit GIS and related technologies. Many new and improved datasets, including LiDAR data, have been developed, and increasingly sophisticated GIS-based models have been implemented for decision support. Examples includes models to establish priorities for wetlands management, to facilitate evaluation of eligibility of candidate sites for enrollment in programs such as the USDA Wetlands Reserve Program, and to assess the RWB landscape’s capacity to provide food energy for migrating waterfowl.
Total Synthesis of Herquline B and C.

The total syntheses of (−)-herquline B (2) and a heretofore-unrecognized congener, (+)-herquline C (3), are described. The syntheses require 14 and 13 steps, respectively, and feature a key oxazoline reduction that sets the stage for piperazine construction.
The Use of AngioVac Thrombectomy in IVC Filter-Associated IVC Thrombosis.

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are the most common cause of congenitally normal IVC thrombosis [(1)][1]. Prior reports have demonstrated the use of AngioVac (AngioDynamics, Latham, New York) thrombectomy in iliocaval and right heart thrombi [(2)][2]. A 61-year-old man with a history of deep vein
Simplified Analysis of Helicopter Fatigue Loading Spectra

In employing the Palmgren-Miner rule for irregular loading spectra applied to notched members, it is necessary to employ rain-flow or an equivalent cycle counting method, and also to consider the accelerated damage at lowstress levels due to the presence of high-level cycles. Additional interactions between high and low stress levels, which are associated with local notch mean stress effects, also occur and can be specifically analyzed using the local strain approach. A simplified application of the local strain approach is described that results in upper and lower bounds on life being calculated. This is applied with reasonable success to the standard helicopter loading spectra Helix and Felix, and a much simplified version of Helix is proposed that consists of repetitions of a single typical flight.
An 879GOPS 243mW 80fps VGA Fully Visual CNN-SLAM Processor for Wide-Range Autonomous Exploration

Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) estimates an agent’s trajectory for all six degrees of freedom (6 DoF) and constructs a 3D map of an unknown surrounding. It is a fundamental kernel that enables head-mounted augmented/virtual reality devices and autonomous navigation of micro aerial vehicles. A noticeable recent trend in visual SLAM is to apply computation- and memory-intensive convolutional neural networks (CNNs) that outperform traditional hand-designed feature-based methods [1]. For each video frame, CNN-extracted features are matched with stored keypoints to estimate the agent’s 6-DoF pose by solving a perspective-n-points (PnP) non-linear optimization problem (Fig. 7.3.1, left). The agent’s long-term trajectory over multiple frames is refined by a bundle adjustment process (BA, Fig. 7.3.1 right), which involves a large-scale ($\sim$120 variables) non-linear optimization. Visual SLAM requires massive computation ($\gt250$ GOP/s) in the CNN-based feature extraction and matching, as well as data-dependent dynamic memory access and control flow with high-precision operations, creating significant low-power design challenges. Software implementations are impractical, resulting in 0.2s runtime with a $\sim$3 GHz CPU + GPU system with $\gt100$ MB memory footprint and $\gt100$ W power consumption. Prior ASICs have implemented either an incomplete SLAM system [2, 3] that lacks estimation of ego-motion or employed a simplified (non-CNN) feature extraction and tracking [2, 4, 5] that limits SLAM quality and range. A recent ASIC [5] augments visual SLAM with an off-chip high-precision inertial measurement unit (IMU), simplifying the computational complexity, but incurring additional power and cost overhead.
Correlation-based flux partitioning of water vapor and carbon dioxide fluxes: Method simplification and estimation of canopy water use efficiency

Abstract The partitioning of water vapor and carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange between vegetation and the atmosphere remains a current research priority. A technique that has been proposed to simultaneously partition these fluxes, based on the correlation between their high-frequency concentration time series, has been the subject of recent empirical evaluations and theoretical advances. The method assumes that flux-variance similarity can be applied separately to stomatal exchange (transpiration for water vapor and net photosynthesis for CO2) and non-stomatal exchange (direct evaporation for water vapor and soil and stem respiration for CO2). Here, we present a mathematical simplification of this approach, from which the partitioned fluxes can be derived from routine eddy covariance measurements. The simplification arises from the fact that the transpiration and net photosynthesis fluxes are linearly related in solution space with respect to variable canopy water use efficiency, W. Conditions that are amenable to successful partitioning can now be determined a priori for a given averaging period. The simplified framework also has the benefit of providing a means for estimating W based on optimization theory. This allow for the estimation of W without any preconceptions of how the intercellular CO2 concentration, ci, varies as a function of ambient conditions. The simplified partitioning framework is applied to eddy covariance measurements collected over a mixed deciduous forests for three growing season. Aside from being more computationally efficient, the partitioned results exhibit less scatter compared with prior implementations.
Influence of simultaneous pressor and vasodilatory agents on the evolution of infarct growth in experimental acute middle cerebral artery occlusion

Background This study sought to test the hypothesis that simultaneous central blood pressure elevation and potent vasodilation can mitigate pial collateral-dependent infarct growth in acute ischemic stroke. Methods Twenty mongrel canines (20–30 kg) underwent permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Eight subjects received continuous infusion of norepinephrine (0.1–1.5200 µg/kg/min; titrated to a median of 34 mmHg above baseline mean arterial pressure) and hydralazine (20 mg) starting 30 min following MCAO. Pial collateral recruitment was scored prior to treatment and used to predict infarct volume based on a previously reported parameterization. Serial diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisitions tracked infarct volumes over a 4-hour time frame. Infarct volumes and infarct volume growth between treatment and control groups were compared with each other and to predicted values. Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MRI, susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI), and necropsy findings were included in the evaluation. Results Differences between treatment and control group varied by pial collateral recruitment based on indicator-variable regression effects analysis with interaction confirmed by regression model fit. Benefit in treatment group was only in subjects with poor collaterals which had 35.7% less infarct volume growth (P=0.0008; ANOVA) relative to controls. Measured infarct growth was significantly lower than predicted by the model (linear regression partial F-test, slope P Conclusion Our results indicate that a combination of norepinephrine and hydralazine administered in the acute phase of ischemic stroke mitigates infarct evolution in subjects with poor but not good collateral recruitment.
ZIF-67 derived nitrogen doped CNTs decorated with sulfur and Ni(OH)2 as potential electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors

Abstract Herein we report the synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NC) based sulfide (S) and nickel hydroxide (NH) supported on nickel foam as a novel electrode material for the supercapacitors (abbreviated as Co/NC/S@NH). A class of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks, ZIF-67 (Co), is initially grown to synthesize nanotubes directly on the nickel foam (NF). The anion exchange reactions are performed for the growth of sulfide and nickel hydroxide on ZIF-67 (Co) derived carbon nanotubes. In the structural analysis, X-ray diffraction confirmed the successful in-situ growth of carbon nanotubes. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to confirm the formation of NC-based sulfide and nickel hydroxide. The Co/NC/S@NH, hierarchical hybrid electrode, exhibited improved capacitance of 1636 F/g at 1 A/g (982 C/g or 273 mA/h) with exceptional cyclic stability. The Co/NC/S@NH showed capacity retention of 94% over 5,000 cycles. The enhanced electrochemical performance of the synthesized electrode is due to the improved redox reactions and direct growth of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes on 3D nickel foam which act as "superhighways" for electron transportation. Moreover, the sulfur ions could hinder the collapse of a structure by the intercalation among layers, whereas the extremely hydroxylated surface of Ni(OH)2 nanosheets could promote accessibility of ions to the electrolyte which decreases the resistance of electrodes which agreed with the finding from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
Changing Audit Risk Characteristics in the Public Client Market

Financial audit services have changed in the US over the last half century, resulting in distinct cyclical patterns of relative audit risk. The purpose of this project is to describe changing patterns in the economic and institutional risk environment over time and investigate differences using empirical surrogates as measures of relative audit risk. Economic, competitive, and regulatory differences are analyzed over the period of study. Particularly important events included the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (likely reducing audit risk), the elimination of rules against advertising and direct solicitation in 1979 (increasing audit risk), the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (increasing risk), and the collapse of Arthur Andersen and Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2001-2002, reducing risk). Empirical models are used to evaluate financial risk (Altman’s Z-score), earnings manipulation risk (Sloan’s measure of accruals), and litigation risk (litigation index). Averages by year suggest cyclical patterns of relative audit risk that parallel regulatory, economic and institutional changes over the period.
Character Education Including an Emphasis on Love and Anger Management

The focus here is that if one wants to reduce school shootings, one has to address the causes of the problem, rather than merely pass laws to keep the causes from spiraling out of control. The shooters are usually people who are known as people who lack love and character. They are individuals who have not learned to control their anger, hold grudges, and have not learned to forgive others. In the weeks and months leading up to the shootings the assailants often display behavior that is threatening and frightening. Often the shooters have experienced a trauma in their lives. Character education is based on the notion that there are certain character qualities that almost every person around the world values such as love, compassion, honesty, sincerity, and respect that can from the foundation of character instruction. One does not have to examine the controversial areas, but rather focus on the common values that virtually every person has. The chapter points out that an emphasis on the primacy of character in schooling has been replaced with an emphasis on standardized tests. This has yielded a population that is reasonably intelligent but often lacks the qualities of love, kindness, and civility that are necessary for society to truly work. A meta-analysis is conducted that helps assess the efficacy of character education programs overall. The results of the meta-analysis indicate that character education was also related to higher levels of expressions of love, integrity, compassion, and self-discipline. Overall, character education had somewhat greater effects for children in high school rather than those who were in elementary school.
Recent Advances in Histochemical Techniques for the Study of Central Cholinergic Mechanisms

Although generally not affording the degree of quantification available with corresponding chemical and biochemical techniques, histochemical methods, as applied to the study of the brain and spinal cord, offer the advantage of preserving intercellular and intracellular geometry in relation to the chemical events that occur in the central nervous system. This absolute requirement of maintaining structural integrity while assaying neurochemical processes introduces into histochemical investigations procedural difficulties not encountered in other types of studies. For example, use of tissue homogenization and centrifugation to facilitate access to subcellular compartments and their contents, because such procedures destroy anatomical relationships, is of little or no value in histochemical experiments. It is not surprising, therefore, that whereas valid and reliable chemical and biochemical techniques currently exist for various neurochemicals having significance for cholinergic function — including prominently A Ch (e.g. Ref. 46), Ch (e.g. Ref. 46), A Ch hydrolase (A ChE, EC 3.1.1.7) (e.g. Ref. 75), and Ch O-acetyltransferase (CAT, EC 2.3.1. 6)(e.g. Ref. 33) — histochemical procedures for these same substances, with the exception of AChE, are either non-existent or are in their infancy.
Immunobiology of Mammalian Reproduction

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the immunobiology of mammalian reproduction. Mechanisms of the type that characterize immunological phenomena have been postulated by several authorities as indispensible components of two key events in the reproductive process: (1) a highly selective antigen–antibody–like stereochemical interaction between highly specific components of the plasma membranes of eggs and sperms which provides a plausible basis for the tissue specificity and species specificity of fertilization and (2) a local inflammatory response with which mononuclear leukocytic cells appear to be intimately associated, if not causally related, in the endometrium, having some features in common with a local delayed hypersensitivity reaction, at the site of implantation and which may be essential for nidation. The fact that spermatozoa have long been shown to possess cytospecific antigens, in addition to their recently established expression of transplantation antigens, suggests one kind of maternal sensitization that might under natural and/ or experimental conditions interfere with the early stage of the reproductive process. Sensitization to various components of seminal plasma has also long been entertained as another possible immunological complication of fertility.
Can Heterogeneity Make Gnutella Scalable

Even though recent research has identified many different uses for peer-to-peer (P2P) architectures, file sharing remains the dominant (by far) P2P application on the Internet. Despite various legal problems, the number of users participating in these file-sharing systems, and number of files transferred, continues to grow at a remarkable pace. Filesharing applications are thus becoming an increasingly important feature of the Internet landscape and, as such, the scalability of these P2P systems is of paramount concern. While the peer-to-peer nature of data storage and data transfer in these systems is inherently scalable, the scalability of file location and query resolution is much more problematic.
Heat shock protein-mediated disassembly of nucleoprotein structures is required for the initiation of bacteriophage lambda DNA replication.

Abstract Three Escherichia coli heat shock proteins, DnaJ, DnaK, and GrpE, are required for replication of the bacteriophage lambda chromosome in vivo. We show that the GrpE heat shock protein is not required for initiation of lambda DNA replication in vitro when the concentration of DnaK is sufficiently high. GrpE does, however, greatly potentiate the action of DnaK in the initiation process when the DnaK concentration is reduced to a subsaturating level. We demonstrate in the accompanying articles (Alfano, C. and McMacken, R. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 10699-10708; Dodson, M., McMacken, R., and Echols, H. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 10719-10725) that DnaJ and DnaK bind to prepriming nucleoprotein structures that are assembled at the lambda replication origin (ori lambda). Binding of DnaJ and DnaK completes the ordered assembly of an ori lambda initiation complex that also contains the lambda O and P initiators and the E. coli DnaB helicase. With the addition of ATP, the DnaJ and DnaK heat shock proteins mediate the partial disassembly of the initiation complex, and the P and DnaJ proteins are largely removed from the template. Concomitantly, on supercoiled ori lambda plasmid templates, the intrinsic helicase activity of DnaB is activated and DnaB initiates localized unwinding of the DNA duplex, thereby preparing the template for priming and DNA chain elongation. We infer from our results that DnaK and DnaJ function in normal E. coli metabolism to promote ATP-dependent protein unfolding and disassembly reactions. We also provide evidence that neither the lambda O and P initiators nor the E. coli DnaJ and DnaK heat shock proteins play a direct role in the propagation of lambda replication forks in vitro.
Cadmium Toxicity in Growing Swine

Cadmium (Cd) as cadmium chloride was added to the basal diet of 8-week-old swine at levels of 0, 50, 150, 450 and 1350 ppm for a 6-week comparison period. Growth rate was decreased as a function of Cd level, having ceased in the 1350 ppm group. Hematocrit values were the most sensitive measurement of toxicity and were decreased in all Cd-fed animals. Serum phosphorus was decreased in animals receiving 450 and 1350 ppm Cd, while serum calcium was not affected by Cd intake. Bone ash content was decreased as a function of Cd intake. Leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) activity was depressed in renal cortex from the groups receiving 150 ppm Cd or more, but serum LAP was unaffected by Cd intake. The kidney, liver, spleen and teeth contained the highest concentrations of Cd. Kidney Cd increased with dietary Cd level but appeared to reach a near maximal level in the 450 and 1350 ppm Cd groups. This renal Cd content was directly related to the level of cadmium-binding protein isolated from kidney cortex by gel filtration chromatography. 30 references, 2 figures, 6 tables.
Neighborhood and family social capital and parent-reported oral health of children in Iowa.

Objectives A growing body of evidence supports the impact of social factors on oral health disparities in children in the United States. The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between two types of social capital—family and neighborhood—and the parent-reported oral health of Iowa's children. Methods We analyzed results from a 2010 cross-sectional statewide health survey. The outcome was parent-reported child oral health status, and the five primary independent variables were neighborhood social capital and four separate indicators of family social capital. Data were analyzed using a mixed-effects linear regression with a random effect for zip code. Results Significant positive associations were found between child oral health status and neighborhood social capital (P = 0.005) and one indicator of family social capital, family frequency of eating meals together (P = 0.02), after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions This study adds to the growing body of literature around the social determinants of oral health. Our findings indicate that the oral health of children may be influenced by broad social factors such as neighborhood and family social capital.
Early Identification and Intervention for Youth with Antisocial and Violent Behavior

This article addresses the growing problem of antisocial behavior in schools and its impact on safety, effectiveness, and ecology. We describe the factors leading to the development of antisocial behavior in children and youth. We explore the relationship between early investment in an antisocial behavior pattern and later negative outcomes including school failure, delinquency, and violence. The article also focuses on best practices in the areas of screening and early intervention for antisocial children and youth and those who are at risk for adopting this behavior pattern. Recommendations are made regarding research-based practices, tools, and approaches in both screening and intervention. A model for integrated approaches to school-based prevention of antisocial behavior is presented and the implications of such a model are discussed.
Role of hemodynamics in pulmonary vascular remodeling: implications for primary pulmonary hypertension.

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a disease characterized clinically by the progressive increase in pulmonary artery impedance, which ultimately produces right ventricular failure and death. At the time most patients with PPH present to clinical attention, pathologic lesions include pulmonary artery medial hypertrophy, adventitial thickening, and neointimal lesions. Neointimal lesions are new vascular structures composed of smooth muscle cells (SMC) and extracellular matrix located on the lumenal side of the inner elastic lamina or, if the vessel is too small to have an inner elastic lamina, between the endothelium and the medial layer of the vessel. The terms “neointima” and “neointimal lesions” are used interchangeably in this review. Nearly all active remodeling (as defined by extracellular matrix gene expression) in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension occurs in the neointima (1‐5). This observation underscores the importance of understanding how pulmonary vascular neointimal lesions develop but the pathogenesis and natural history of neointimal lesion formation in PPH are poorly understood. On the basis of animal studies, and by analogy to systemic arterial disease, it seems likely that endothelial injury is required (6). Whether injury occurs secondary to infection (7), ingestion of toxins (8), or activation of autoimmunity (9) remains speculative. Although vascular injury appears necessary to initiate remodeling, other factors besides injury are likely required before pulmonary vascular neointimal lesions develop since the pulmonary artery histology in traditional animal models, in which remodeling is initiated by monocrotaline or hypoxic injury, does not develop lesions that resemble the neointimal lesions of PPH. Hemodynamic forces and injury-induced biochemical mediators are important components in mechanisms of systemic vascular remodeling, including atherosclerosis, restenosis after angioplasty, and neointimal lesions following vascular bypass surgery. New studies suggest hemodynamic factors may be as important in the pulmonary vasculature as they are in the systemic vasculature.
Determining a Criminal Defendant's Competency to Proceed With an Extradition Hearing

When a criminal defendant flees from one state (often referred to as the requesting state) to another (often referred to as the asylum state), the requesting state can demand that the asylum state return the defendant through a process called extradition. Only a handful of states have considered a fugitive's right to be competent to proceed with an extradition hearing. Those states fall into three categories. Some states apply the same standard as in criminal trial competency cases. Others apply a more limited competency standard. Two have found that a fugitive has no right to be competent to proceed in an extradition hearing. The particular legal test adopted affects the nature and scope of the competency evaluation conducted by the psychiatrist or psychologist in the extradition hearing. In addition, we are not aware of any state that has considered what happens to the fugitive if he is ultimately found not competent to proceed. Legislation, either state by state or through amendments to the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act, can provide the legal and psychiatric communities with guidance in assessing competency initially and in taking appropriate steps if the fugitive is ultimately found not competent.
Zn-Baxter models and quantum symmetric spaces

Abstract The scattering of two excitations (both of the simplest kind) in the magnetic model related to the Z n -Baxter model is naturally described for n →∞ in terms of the Macdonald polynomials for root system A 1 . These polynomials play the role of zonal spherical functions for a two parameter family of quantum symmetric spaces. These spaces “interpolate” between various p -adic and real symmetric spaces.
Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube Films for Photocurrent Generation. A Prompt Response to Visible-Light Irradiation

Electrophoretically deposited single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films on optically transparent electrodes are photoelctrochemically active and generate photocurrent upon visible excitation. A low photon-to-current conversion efficiency of 0.15% suggests that most of the photogenerated charge carriers are lost in the recombination process. Time-resolved transient absorption experiments confirm the charge separation following the laser-pulse excitation of SWCNTs. Relaxation of photogenerated charge carriers in the SWCNT to the lowest energy gap occurs in ∼1 ps.
Stimulated Raman scattering in the visible with a multipass cell

In experimental studies of stimulated Raman scattering in a multipass cell (MPC) with a frequency-doubled single-mode Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm, it is found that only forward Stokes generation is observed and that the growth and saturation of the Stokes beam are in agreement with a simple plane wave, transient theory scaled to account for the focusing, and the multiple passes. The absence of second Stokes generation, backward Stokes generation, and anti-Stoke generation is discussed in terms of the low gain per pass in the MPC. It is concluded that the MPC provides an ideal system for studying stimulated Stokes scattering with visible lasers without the four-wave processes usually seen in a single-focus geometry. >
Hydrothermal Aging of Composite Materials Part 1 : Interfacial Aspects

Abstract A surface energetics theory of bonded interfaces is applied to design graphite-epoxy composites with controlled moisture sensitivity at the fiber-matrix interface. Hydrothermal (100°C in H2O), aging of the composite materials shows an equilibrium degree of degradation in interlaminar shear strength λb which is in reasonable agreement with theoretical expectation. Hydrothermal aging produces changes in composite acoustic response, both sound velocity C2 and attenuation α2, which correlate with changes in λb or reduced aging time t/τ where τ is the relaxation time for hydrothermal degradation. The temperature dependence of λb is also shown to be modified by hydrothermal aging indicating possible changes in the chemical structure and rheology of the cured epoxy matrix phase.
Research publications involving proprietary products : Science, news, or advertising?

Commercial interests in health care have begun to affect the contents of some medical research reports in a way that could interfere with the essential function of medical journals. Recently I was asked to review a manuscript submitted for publication to Pediatrics , investigating the application of a proprietary clinical scoring system in a pediatric population. Basic information was withheld because of its proprietary nature, such as the identification of clinical variables, values of normal age-related ranges, as well as the equations relating patient characteristics to outcome. The missing information made a potentially useful contribution uninterpretable. The difficulties encountered in evaluating this incomplete report typify a problem that journals increasingly will face as they deal with articles having commercial importance. Many journal editors have not yet stated a position on the practice of withholding proprietary information from articles submitted for publication. The fact that commercial interests arise in an article on health services research indicates the economic importance of this growing field. Health services research deals with effectiveness, costs, and efficiency of health care. In order to interpret observations of health outcomes, objective methods are needed to characterize the patient population involved. For example, a clinical scoring system measuring severity of illness might assist in the interpretation of differences in clinical outcomes between two health care organizations. Using clinical scoring systems, the investigator may be able to attribute differing outcomes … Address correspondence to: Robert K. Kanter, MD, Department of Pediatrics, SUNY Health Science Center, 750 East Adams St, Syracuse, NY 13210.
Examination of the covalent cationization method using narrow polydisperse polystyrene

Four bromine- and phosphonium-terminated polystyrenes were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) using covalent cationization. Bromine-terminated polystyrenes were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) giving narrow molar mass (MM) distributions with number-average molar mass ranging from 2 to 40 ku. The resultant bromine end group was converted to a phosphonium ion. Precharging the polymer by covalent cationization is an alternative approach to traditional metal cationization for MALDI−MS polymer analysis. MALDI−MS, gel permeation chromatography, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance analyses confirmed ATRP synthesis and end group modification of the polystyrenes. High performance liquid chromatography at the critical point of adsorption was used to determine a phosphonium salt conversion between 37% and 90%. Similar MMs and MM distributions determined by MALDI−MS analysis were observed for Br-terminated polystyrene ionized using traditio...
A local composition model for the excess Gibbs energy of aqueous electrolyte systems

The electrolyte nonrandom two-liquid (NRTL) model proposed by Chen et al. (1982) is generalized to represent the excess Gibbs energy of aqueous multicomponent electrolyte systems. Using only binary parameters, the model correlates and predicts the deviation from ideality of aqueous multicomponent electrolyte systems over the entire range of temperature and concentration.
Equilibrium hydrogen pressures in the Th-N-H system

Abstract The metal-rich corner of the Th-N-H system was studied by measuring the hydrogen equilibrium pressure at various compositions and at temperatures from 350 to 850 °C. A ternary compound, ThNHx, was found and characterized. ThNHx has an f.c.c. unit cell with a 0 = 5.596 ± 0.008 A . The enthalpy of formation was determined to be −16.3 ±1.5 kcal(mol H2)−1.