cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 742: Mechanisms of resistance to small molecule inhibition of anaplastic lymphoma kinase in human neuroblastoma

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL The purpose of this study was to identify therapeutically targetable mechanisms of resistance to anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibition in neuroblastoma. ALK is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) frequently activated in neuroblastoma, a malignancy of the autonomic nervous system representing almost 10% of pediatric cancers. ALK aberrations, including mutation and amplification, lead to increased autophosphorylation and activation in neuroblastoma. PF-02341066, an orally available small-molecule inhibitor of the ALK tyrosine kinase, has shown dramatic activity in non-small lung cancers harboring an ALK translocation, and is currently in phase 1 trials in pediatrics. Although pharmacological inhibition of kinases in diseases such as chronic myelogenous leukemia has significantly improved survival, resistance inevitably develops. Mechanisms of resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors have included mutation of the targeted receptor as well as up-regulation and dependence switch to other RTKs. We hypothesize that patients with neuroblastoma who successfully respond to ALK inhibition will eventually relapse and that in vitro models can be used to predict the underlying mechanisms of resistance. To mimic the development of resistance, we treated ALK-expressing human neuroblastoma-derived cell lines in vitro with PF-02341066 for several months. Once resistance was established, serial dilutions were used to generate clonal populations of PF-02341066-resistant cells. Western blotting was used to confirm inhibition of phospho-ALK and rule out drug efflux as a resistance mechanism. DNA analysis revealed no additional PF-02341066-induced mutations or copy number variations within ALK. We next used Western blot and phoshpho-array technology to evaluate changes in the activation state of a panel of RTKs as well as their downstream signaling molecules. Interestingly, in comparison to the untreated parental line, PF-02341066-resistant cells had up-regulated activated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as well as other downstream signaling molecules. Dependence of the PF-02341066-resistant cells on these pathways was verified by showing increased sensitivity of the resistant versus parental cell lines to inhibition of these up-regulated pathways. Taken together, these data suggest that ALK inhibition in neuroblastoma leads to a dependence switch to EGFR and implies the need to develop therapeutic strategies to target this receptor when ALK inhibition is used clinically. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 742. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-742
Modeling the ductile fracture behavior of an aluminum alloy 5083-H116 including the residual stress effect

Abstract In this work, the plasticity and ductile fracture behaviors of an aluminum alloy 5083-H116 are studied through a series of experiments and finite element analyses. A recently developed stress state dependent plasticity model, the I1–J2–J3 plasticity model, is implemented to describe the plastic response of this material. Furthermore, a ductile failure criterion based on a damage parameter defined in terms of the accumulative plastic strain as a function of the stress triaxiality and the Lode angle is established. The calibrated I1–J2–J3 plasticity model and ductile failure model are utilized to study the residual stress effect on ductile fracture resistance. A local out-of-plane compression approach is employed to generate residual stress fields in the compact tension specimens. Fracture tests of C(T) specimens having zero, positive and negative residual stresses are conducted. The numerical results, such as load–displacement curves and crack front profiles, are compared with experimental measurements and good agreements are observed. Both experimental and finite element results show significant effect of residual stress on ductile fracture resistance.
Acute exacerbation and reactivation of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in cancer patients

Background & Aims Data on acute exacerbation and reactivation of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection following chemotherapy are very limited. We sought to characterize the episodes of acute exacerbation and viral reactivation of HCV infection in cancer patients. Methods The medical records of HCV-infected patients seen at our institution (2008–2009) were analyzed retrospectively. Acute exacerbation was defined as greater than 3-fold increase in serum level of alanine aminotransferase, and viral reactivation as ⩾1log 10 IU/ml increase of HCV viral load following chemotherapy. Results Acute exacerbation occurred in 33 (11%) of 308 patients with proven HCV infection. Patients with acute exacerbation more often had underlying hematological malignancies (73% vs. 29%; p 0.001) and lymphopenia (6% vs. 0%; p = 0.01) than patients without it. In multivariate analysis, underlying hematological malignancies ( p= 0.02; odds ratio, 3.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–8.7) and use of rituximab ( p = 0.004; odds ratio, 4.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.6–10.9) were associated with acute exacerbation. Patients with acute exacerbation received higher median cumulative dose of rituximab than those without exacerbation. Discontinuation of chemotherapy due to liver dysfunction was more common in patients with acute exacerbation than in patients without it (45% vs. 11%; p 0.001). Eight (36%) of 22 patients with known pre- and post-chemotherapy viral load had viral reactivation. Conclusions Acute exacerbation and reactivation of chronic HCV infection occur often after chemotherapy. Liver dysfunction can lead to discontinuation of potentially life-saving chemotherapy in nearly one-half of the patients with exacerbation of HCV infection.
The effects of acute exercise on CO2 challenge reactivity

Abstract The present study examined the effects of acute exercise on anxiogenic responding to 65% O 2 /35% CO 2 challenge. Participants ( N = 92) were 51 female and 41 male volunteers ranging in age from 17 to 24 ( M = 19.43, SD = 1.31). Participants had no history of panic attacks and were randomized to moderate treadmill exercise (i.e., 70% of HR max ) or quiet rest prior to taking a single vital capacity inhalation of 35% CO 2 /65% O 2 . Gender and measures of negative affectivity and anxiety sensitivity were included in the design as control variables. Results indicated participants who exercised prior to challenge showed significantly reduced reactivity compared to their counterparts who rested prior to challenge. Importantly, the effect sizes for the advantage of exercise over rest remained in the medium to large range (i.e., partial η 2 > .07) after controlling for the effects of gender, anxiety sensitivity, and negative affectivity. These findings are the first to demonstrate that the anti-panic effects of exercise are unique from, and cannot be better explained by, established risk factors of CO 2 challenge reactivity.
Computational procedures for deriving sampling distributions of attribute-contaminated random variables

Abstract Statistical distributions generated from any J- or U-shaped random variables are cumbersome to derive if not completely indefinable and thus are unavailable analytically because of the singularities at the tails of the basic random variable. This paper presents a computational method for providing a numerical convolution derived from a basic U-shaped random variable composed of a continuous part mixed with (or contaminated by) a discrete part at the tails. The J-shaped sampling distribution case is implied as a special case. Though the computations are based on a background Normal Distribution, it can be generalized on any other distribution. Such distributions will open up an area of sampling distributions of mixed random variables that are not elaborately covered in textbooks dealing with the theory of distributions.
Neighborhood immigrant concentration, acculturation, and cultural alienation in former Soviet immigrant women.

Several acculturation theories note the importance of surrounding context, but few studies describe neighborhood influences on immigrant adaptation. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships among neighborhood immigrant concentration, acculturation, and alienation for 151 women aged 44–80 from the former Soviet Union who lived in the US fewer than 13 years. Participants resided in 65 census tracts in the Chicago area with varying concentrations of Russian-speaking and diverse immigrants. Results from self-report questionnaires suggest that the effect of acculturation on alienation varies depending on neighborhood characteristics. The study also demonstrates the complexity of individual and contextual influences on immigrant adoption. Understanding these relationships is important for developing community-based and neighborhood-level interventions to enhance the mental health of immigrants.
Crystal size distributions in continuous crystallizers when growth rate is size dependent

Empirical size-dependent growth rate models are studied for their effect on the population density distributions from a continuous, mixed suspension, mixed product removal (CMSMPR) crystallizer. The growth rate models and/or their corresponding population density distributions are examined for continuity, convergence of moments, versatility, and their ability to fit experimental data. A new empirical size-dependent growth rate model is proposed which has properties superior to those of previous models. Experimental steady state data are presented to illustrate the application of the model to actual CMSMPR crystallization systems.
Ultraviolet irradiation of Rana pipiens embryos delays the migration of primordial germ cells into the genital ridges

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of the vegetal pole of anuran embryos at the two-cell stage has been reported to cause aberrant cleavage as well as a subsequent reduction in germ cell numbers. In this study, we find no correlation between UV-induced cleavage abnormalities and the absence of primordial germ cells in Rana pipiens tadpoles examined at stage 25. On the other hand, some tadpoles from a population which was lacking primordial germ cells at stage 25 subsequently contained germ cells. These late-appearing germs cells exhibited damaged mitochondria, autophagosomes, and secondary lysosomes, while surrounding somatic cells were morphologically normal. We suggest that these cytoplasmic abnormalities resulted from an effect of the initial UV irradiation of germ plasm. We conclude that one effect of UV irradiation of germ plasm is to delay or inhibit the migration of primordial germ cells into the genital ridges.
Polyamines with N-(3-phenylpropyl) substituents are effective competitive inhibitors of trypanothione reductase and trypanocidal agents.

Several N-(3-phenylpropyl)-substituted spermidine and spermine derivatives were prepared and found to be potent competitive inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi trypanothione reductase (seven compounds with Ki values <5 μM are described). The most effective inhibitor studied was compound 12 with a Ki value of 0.151 μM. Six of the compounds described are also effective trypanocides with IC50 values <1 μM.
Reclaiming the ancestral waters of indigenous peoples in the Philippines: The Tagbanua experience with fishing rights and indigenous rights

Abstract This paper discusses the impact of local and national policies in the Philippines on the participation of indigenous peoples in relation to fisheries management. Specifically, this research focuses on the Tagbanua, an indigenous group in Coron Island, Palawan, on the western side of the Philippines. The struggle of the Tagbanua in reclaiming their ancestral title to the land and sea reflects broader moves toward self-determination, which is critical not only to their ancestral lands and waters, but also to their survival. Indigenous rights are essential in addressing social justice and in giving a greater voice that encourages indigenous peoples towards self-governing institutions and common management of resources. Significantly, the fundamental development of indigenous peoples lies in the recognition of their rights in their ancestral domain and the preservation of their culture, tradition, system, practices and their natural resources. This paper examines the Tagbanua experience, through a critical exploration of institutions and property rights, with attention to corresponding effects in reducing conflict with other stakeholders in the area, and in affecting the sustainability of fishery resources.
United States crustal thickness

The thickness of the crust, the thickness of the basal (intermediate or lower) crustal layer, and the average velocity at the top of the mantle have been mapped using all available deep-penetrating seismic-refraction profiles in the conterminous United States and surrounding border areas. These profiles are indexed to their literature data sources. The more significant long wavelength anomalies on the three maps are briefly discussed and analyzed. An attempt to use Bouguer gravity to validate mantle structure was inconclusive.
Heat and moisture transfer and hygrostress crack formation and propagation in cylindrical, elastoplastic food

Abstract A finite element based method was developed to simulate hygrostress multiple crack formation and propagation in a cylindrical, elastoplastic food undergoing a simultaneous heat and moisture transfer process. Heat and moisture transfer was simulated using a model developed previously in the authors' laboratory, and hygrostress formation using a virtual work principle-based, incremental method. Criteria of critical, normal tensile stress and of crack-tip-opening angle were used to simulate hygrostress crack formation and propagation, respectively. The developed method was validated experimentally. Simulation results show temperature and moisture distributions were perturbed by multiple hygrostress crack formation and propagation.
Families and Social Development

Abstract Only rarely have families and their well-being served as a cornerstone for stcial develompent policies and practices. Supportive and effective social development for families will build upon their identifiable nedds, challenges, strengths, and capacities, involving them as partners. Once the ftxus is upon families, social development initiatives aimed at full, rewarding employment; the reduction and eradication of poverty; and, the support of caregivers must become integrated. Families may guide and deliver services and supports, playing key roles in mutual aid networks. In substitution for categorical policies and practices, a relational, family-centered approach promotes family well-being at the same time it facilitates social development.
Advances and Controversies in the Management of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare form of stroke found most often in young women of reproductive age, often associated with oral contraceptive use, genetic or acquired thrombophilia, pregnancy, dehydration, or infection. CVT should be considered in any young patient who presents with an unexplained headache in combination with known hypercoagulable state, focal neurologic deficits, seizure, lobar hemorrhage, or bilateral thalamic or basal ganglionic edema. Acute treatment is with unfractionated heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin. It is important to provide supportive treatment. Outcomes are good compared with other types of stroke. Pediatric patients, excluding neonates, have similar presentation, treatment, and outcomes as adults.
Electromyogram-triggered inspiratory event detection algorithm

Algorithms capable of accurately detecting inspiratory activity in respiratory muscles may serve to time the triggering of implantable pacemakers or mechanical ventilators, and thus, may improve the quality of life for many individuals requiring assisted ventilation by matching ventilation to physiological demands while minimizing interference with other behaviors (e.g., talking or swallowing). We are developing an algorithm to detect the timing (onset and duration) of inspiratory events from the electromyogram (EMG) signal. Even following paralysis of the phrenic nerves and diaphragm muscle, more upstream sites still contain neural activity that reflects the intrinsic inspiratory drive from the brain. Using these signals to control the onset of assisted inspirations would help match ventilation to physiological drive. As a platform to develop inspiration detection algorithms for testing of this concept, EMG signals of the diaphragm of rats during natural cycles of inspirations were analyzed. A state-machine was utilized for classification. Inspirations were detected with ∼98% accuracy in anesthetized and awake rats. Following detection of inspiratory events by the algorithm, ∼80% of the inspiratory burst durations still remained, allowing for treatments, such as functional electrical stimulation (FES), to induce muscle contractions for inspiration. Application of this algorithm with EMG signals of more upstream inspiratory muscles may prove useful in cases of bilateral diaphragm paralysis as a result of phrenic nerve injury or tetraplegia.
The Role of Carbon Deposition from CO Dissociation on Platinum Crystal Surfaces during Catalytic CO Oxidation: Effects on Turnover Rate, Ignition Temperature, and Vibrational Spectra

Experiments were performed to understand the process of ignition during platinum catalyzed CO oxidation using sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), gas chromatography (GC), and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). Both CO dissociation and CO oxidation ignition studies on the (100), stepped (557), and (111) surfaces of platinum are presented. Rapid CO dissociation on the Pt(100), Pt(557), and Pt(111) occurred in narrow temperature ranges (±10 K) at 500, 548, and 673 K, respectively. The CO ignition temperature at a pressure of 40 Torr of CO and 100 Torr of O2 is lower on Pt(100) than on Pt(111) and Pt(557). Thus, both CO dissociation and the ignition of CO oxidation are structure sensitive. An in depth study of CO oxidation on Pt(557) was performed on both initially clean and initially carbon covered platinum surfaces to investigate the role of carbon obtained from CO dissociation in CO oxidation. Under excess O2 and excess CO conditions, a clean pl...
Caught between a Rock and a Hard Place: How Limelight Compounds the Challenges Facing Biotechnology Innovators after Mayo and Myriad

The Supreme Court’s decision in Limelight Networks v. Akamai Technologies limiting the ability of patentees to establish liability in cases of divided infringement effectively undermines the value of method claims. The combined impact of Limelight and the Court’s previous patent eligibility decisions in Mayo and Myriad will be particularly felt in the area of personalized medicine and diagnostics, but could also threaten a broad swath of other important innovations in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Some of the potentially dire consequences of Limelight for some patentees, particularly in the biotechnology and pharma sectors, are reviewed in this article. But there could be a light at the end of the tunnel. While Limelight appears to have shut the door to using 35 USC 271(b) to hold a divided infringer liable under a theory of inducement, the Supreme Court explicitly pointed out that its decision did not necessarily preclude the Federal Circuit from revisiting its decision in Muniauction and to reinterpret 271(a) in a manner that would allow a patent owner to hold at least certain parties liable for active participation in a concerted act of divided infringement. Limelight appears to have closed the door with respect to liability for divided infringement under 271(b), but it seems safe to assume that in the future litigants will urge the Federal Circuit to expand 271(a) in a manner that would hold at least some divided infringer’s liable.
Ultrastructure of Ampullar Dark Cells in the Absence of Circulating Adrenocorticosteroid Hormones

The morphology of rat ampullar dark cells was studied in the absence of circulating adrenal hormones at two time intervals of 8-14 and 22-28 days. Five morphological parameters of dark cells were quantitatively determined: cell area per baseline length, basolateral membrane surface density, basolateral membrane length per baseline length, volume density of intercellular space and volume density of vacuoles. Significant statisical reduction of basolateral membrane length per baseline length was observed after an absence of circulating adrenal hormones for 8-14 days and 22-28 days compared to sham operated animals that served as control. The basolateral membrane surface density decreased significantly in the animals sacrificed 22-28 days following adrenalectomy compared to sham operated animals. Cell area per baseline length decreased and volume density of vacuoles increased at both time intervals following adrenalectomy; however, these differences were statistically insignificant. The volume density of int...
Trends in Counseling: A Delphi Study

Counselor preparation faculty used a Delphi procedure to forecast 48 possible trends in the areas of preparation, licensure, funding, professionalism, organizational bases and counseling procedures.
Mex3c regulates insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) expression and promotes postnatal growth

Mex3c is highly expressed in the testis, brain, and developing bone. Mex3c mutation causes postnatal growth retardation and background-dependent perinatal lethality, possibly through impairing the ...
Mechanism of binding of soluble immune complexes to lymphocytes

Abstract Soluble immune complexes prepared with either (a) 125 I BSA and mouse antiserum to BSA in the presence of fresh mouse serum (AgAbC) or with (b) 125 I BSA and a 7S fraction of the mouse antiserum to BSA (AgAb) bind to a certain proportion of mouse lymph node and spleen lymphocytes (but not to thymocytes). The efficiency of binding is greater when complexes are prepared at defined antigen/antibody ratios and when the incubation with lymphocytes is performed at 37 °C. However, a significant degree of binding occurs at lower temperatures and even at 0 °C. Cells which bind soluble complexes overlap extensively with complement receptor lymphocytes (CRL) (B lymphocytes) since the specific elimination of CRL also depletes the population of cells which can bind soluble complexes. Two types of interactions are involved in the binding: one mediated by antibody which has been aggregated by antigen and another by complement (probably C3). They can be operationally distinguished because (1) after treatment of the lymphocytes with trypsin, the binding of AgAbC (but not of AgAb) is strongly inhibited; (2) the binding of AgAb (but not of AgAbC) is inhibited by heat-aggregated Ig; (3) the binding of AgAbC (but not of AgAb) to lymphocytes inhibits their subsequent interaction and rosette formation with erythrocytes sensitized by antibody and complement components; and (4) cobra venom factor markedly alters the binding of AgAbC to lymphocytes.
Strict practical stability of delay differential equation

In this paper, we develop the concepts of strict practical stability to the delay differential equations and then give some sufficient conditions for such concepts to hold.
Metastability of atomic phases of nitrogen.

The metastability of a recently proposed candidate for a polymeric structure for nitrogen is examined using linear response theory to calculate the phonon dispersion throughout the Brillouin zone. It is found that the structure is mechanically stable at pressures below 360 GPa. In contrast, nitrogen in the simple-cubic structure is found to be unstable over the same pressure range. Calculations of Raman- and infrared-active phonon frequencies are presented for the metastable phase.
Intrinsic Value and Moral Obligation

Soulevant la question de la relation de la valeur a la rectitude et a l'obligation morales, l'A. etudie la base normative independante de l'action que constitue la valeur intrinseque considere comme comprenant une valeur morale. S'inscrivant dans le cadre de la conception pluraliste et cognitiviste de la valeur intrinseque developpee par W. K. Frankena, l'A. esquisse une epistemologie de la valeur fondee sur l'experimentalisme axiologique et sur la distinction entre l'axiologique et le deontique
Partial characterization of a barbiturate-induced cytochrome P-450-dependent fatty acid monooxygenase from Bacillusmegaterium

Summary A soluble cytochrome P-450-dependent fatty acid monooxygenase activity obtained from Bacillus megaterium ATCC 14581 can be induced by at least 13 different barbiturates. In general, the potency of these compounds as inducers increases with their increasing lipophilicity. We have now shown that at least 4 of these barbiturates (phenobarbital, secobarbital, pentobarbital and methohexital) seem to induce the same active cytochrome P-450-containing enzyme by a non-substrate type mechanism. The partially purified enzymes obtained from cultures induced with each of the 4 barbiturates tested were all of similar molecular size (M r = 130,000 ± 10,000) and had similar turnover numbers (1400–1800 ± 300) with either palmitoleate or myristate as substrates. None of the tested barbiturates served as substrates, activators or inhibitors of any of the monooxygenase preparations, nor did they appear to interact in any way with the monooxygenase enzyme or the P-450 component.
Stochastic Comparison of Age-Dependent Block Replacement Policies

The age-dependent block replacement policy is a modified block replacement policy with an age limit for preventive replacements. Under this policy, any failed component is repaired, but only the components whose ages exceed a fixed age limit are replaced preventively at the scheduled maintenance times. Using the compensator method, we compare stochastically the failure counting processes of the age-dependent block replacement policies with different parameters, and show that the age-dependent block replacement policy, although cost effective, leads to more failures than the age and block replacement policies.
Localization of mRNAs in mouse testes by in situ hybridization: Distribution of α-tubulin and developmental stage specificity of pro-opiomelanocortin transcripts

Abstract Gene expression of mouse testicular germ cells and surrounding somatic cells during spermatogenesis was examined by RNA:cDNA hybridization in situ and concomitant Northern and dot blot analysis. Particular attention was paid to obtaining fixation and hybridization procedures for use with mouse testes to accomplish sensitive and precise localization with the in situ technique. α-Tubulin mRNAs were localized in virtually all testis cell types. In elongating spermatids, a unique labeling pattern was visualized; possibly corresponding to the position of the asymmetrically displaced cytoplasm. Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) transcripts in the adult mouse testis detected by Northern blot analysis were shown to be of a smaller size (∼600–800 nt) than the pituitary POMC transcripts, similar to what has been reported recently for POMC expression in the rat testis and mouse Leydig cell lines. Localization of POMC mRNAs by in situ hybridization was primarily to Leydig cells, although some labeling of spermatogonia and spermatocytes within the seminiferous epithelium was detected. A cellular or developmental specificity of the pattern of POMC localization was observed: obvious labeling of Leydig cells was limited to interstitial regions which were surrounded completely or in part by tubules in stages IX to XII of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium.
Accurate virial coefficients from P, V, T data

A method is described for the determination of virial coefficients from P, V, T data by extrapolating the experimental information to zero density along paths on which temperature is linear in density, and the quantity K = (Z−1)d is nearly constant. The procedure is simple and avoids the most serious difficulties of previous methods. Application to the highly precise experimental measurement of Douslin, Harrison, Moore, and McCullough for methane demonstrates that the method provides values of B and C with an accuracy limited primarily by the accuracy of the measurement and not by the process of extracting the coefficients.
ESTIMATION OF AIS3+ THORACIC INJURY RISKS OF BELTED DRIVERS IN NASS FRONTAL CRASHES

AbstractReal-world field data from the 1988-2001 National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) — Crashworthiness Data System of the United States were examined. The abbreviated injury scale (AIS) was used to relate the injuries. Specifically, the AIS3 + thoracic injury rates of belted drivers in real-world frontal crashes in the United States were investigated. The research consisted of five steps. Firstly, aggregate NASS data (i.e. the total number of AIS3 + injured drivers across the entire crash speed domain) were collected for numerous frontal crash categories. These categories included: primary direction of force (11 o'clock, 12 o'clock and 1 o'clock), crash severity (barrier-like and not barrier-like), gender (men and women), age groups (13–49 and 50–97 years) and level of restraint (belt-only and belt + airbag). Secondly, to control for the effect of these categories and to introduce the effect of crash speed change (V), a statistical model was constructed to fit the field data. The outcome variable w...
Effect of Delayed Inferior Vena Cava Filter Retrieval After Early Initiation of Anticoagulation

Retrievable inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) were designed to provide temporary protection from pulmonary embolism in high-risk situations. However, little is known about their effectiveness, and many remain permanently implanted, leading to potential complications. The aim of this study was to determine patient characteristics, indications for IVCF placement, retrieval rates, complications, and post-IVCF anticoagulation (AC) practices in patients who have received IVCFs. A retrospective review of IVCF use by 3 specialty groups from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2011, was conducted at a tertiary referral center. Indications for IVCF, procedural success and complications, post-IVCF AC practices, and patient outcomes were assessed. Seven hundred fifty-eight IVCFs were placed. Follow-up was available for 688 patients (90.7%) at a median of 342.0 days (interquartile range 81.5 to 758.0). Indications for IVCF placement included contraindication to AC in the presence of acute venous thromboembolism (n = 287 [41.7%]) and prophylaxis (n = 235 [34.2%]). Insertion-related complications occurred in 28 patients (4.1%). After IVCF placement, adequate AC was initiated in 454 patients (66.0%)
Innate defense of the ocular surface.

Purpose. The mucosal surface of the eye interfaces with the environment and can detect the presence of pathogens and irritants. The mucosal cells respond by up-regulating genes whose products either directly attack the contaminant or recruit leukocytes through the release of cytokines. Mucin, an epithelial glycoprotein, traps contaminants and aids in their removal through normal tear clearance mechanisms. Methods and Results. Using Northern analysis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, we have found that MUC1, a membrane-bound ocular surface mucin, is up-regulated following exposure to the products of both bacteria and activated lymphocytes. Consistent with this, MUC1 gene expression is also up-regulated in corneal epithelial cells exposed to precorneal tear film collected from two rigid contact lens wearers. Conclusion. The changes in MUC1 gene expression during exposure to potential ocular irritants suggest that analysis of the molecular mechanisms mediating these changes may reveal control points amenable to drug therapy.
Surface oxide softening of niobium single crystals

Abstract The effect of thin (〈 160 nm) anodic oxide films on the mechanical behavior of single crystals of niobium was investigated. At 295 K, oxide films cause hardening. At lower temperatures, the oxide films reduce the critical resolved shear stress and cause serrated flow. When oxide-coated niobium is prestrained into stage I at 295 K, the flow stress at lower temperatures is further reduced, the ductility is increased, the serrations disappear, and three-stage work hardening is observed. A model involving preferential generation and motion of edge dislocations from the oxide-metal interface is used to explain the results. Supporting evidence obtained from slip trace analysis, transmission electron microscopy of dislocation substructures, and etch pitting of near-surface dislocations is presented.
THE RELATION OF THE INTERNAL SECRETIONS TO TUMOR METABOLISM

Various glands of internal secretion exert a profound influence upon the growth and metabolism of the normal intact organism. Their possible influence upon the growth of abnormal tissue structures, such as tumors, has been receiving increasing attention while their possible influence upon tumor metabolism has been largely ignored. This subject offers interesting possibilities because transplanted tumors are essentially parasitic tissue, connected with the host practically only by blood supply. They have no function, essential to the host, which might be stimulated. They consist of constant cell structure which does not mutate, and have a relatively constant and characteristic metabolism. Transplanted tumors, therefore, offer interesting opportunities for metabolic investigations, particularly in the study of isolated tissues. The measurement of the effect of various endocrines upon isolated tissues has been made by Foster (1), Dresel (2), Anselmino, Eichler and Schlossman (3), McEachern and Andrus (4), Ho...
Climate and the food habits of ungulates on Galana Ranch

Summary Vegetation communities and the climate during the study are described for the ranch. From 1970 to 1972 feeding observations were made during 21 months on semi-domesticated buffalo, eland and oryx and on cattle using the feeding minutes technique. The animals were observed in three plant communities as follows: (1) riverine vegetation with eroded slopes; (2) a catena of dry grassland and bushed woodland on grey and red soils; (3) moist coastal bush with grassland patches. Observations included periods of high and low rainfall in each community although these were irregular. Plant samples from the more common species were collected at intervals for chemical analysis. Early in the plant growth period all species graze within the grass/herb layer. As the grass matures eland gradually concentrate on browse plants while the other species continue to graze and to browse a little. When deciduous browse plants lose their leaves eland rely on evergreen shrubs. Annual and drought-tolerant perennial grasses form the main diet of oryx while buffalo and cattle both eat bulky perennial grasses. Analyses of browse leaves show that during dry periods they are comparatively rich in protein when compared with grasses. The requirements of eland for protein rich food explain why they migrate over the ranch and do not do well when restricted. The possible influence of irregular rainfall on the eland population is discussed. The oryx is the smallest of the three grazers and therefore able to be more selective. The annuals which they eat form standing hay which is fairly nutritious, while their small mouths permit selection of protein-rich parts of perennial grasses. Cattle and buffalo require large quantities of feed which may be of poor quality. Their large mouths are unable to select the protein-rich parts of perennial grasses and this puts them at a disadvantage during a prolonged drought.
Optical imaging for cervical cancer detection: solutions for a continuing global problem

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for women in developing countries. Optical technologies can improve the accuracy and availability of cervical cancer screening. For example, battery-powered digital cameras can obtain multi-spectral images of the entire cervix, highlighting suspicious areas, and high-resolution optical technologies can further interrogate such areas, providing in vivo diagnosis with high sensitivity and specificity. In addition, targeted contrast agents can highlight changes in biomarkers of cervical neoplasia. Such advances should provide a much needed global approach to cervical cancer prevention.
Chemical evolution of seawater during the Phanerozoic: Implications from the record of marine evaporites

The chemical evolution of seawater during the Phanerozoic is still a matter of debate. We have assembled and critically analyzed the available data for the composition of fluid inclusions in marine halite and for the mineralogy of marine evaporites. The composition of fluid inclusions in primary marine halite reveals two major long-term cycles in the chemistry of seawater during the past 600 myr. The concentration of Mg2+, Ca2+, and SO42− has varied quite dramatically. The Mg2+ concentration in seawater during most of the early Paleozoic and Jurassic to Cretaceous was as low as 30 to 40 mmol/kg H2O; it reached maximum values ≥50 mmol/kg H2O during the Late Neoproterozoic and Permian. The Ca2+ concentration in seawater during the Phanerozoic has reached maximum values two to three times greater than the concentration in seawater today (10.6 mmol/kg H2O), whereas SO42− concentrations may have been as low as 5 to 10 mmol/kg H2O (a third to a fifth of the modern value) during the Jurassic and Early Paleozoic. The Mg2+/Ca2+ ratio in seawater ranged from 1 to 1.5 during the early to middle Paleozoic and Jurassic-Cretaceous to a near-modern value of 5.2 during the Late Neoproterozoic and Permian. This change in seawater Mg2+/Ca2+ ratio is consistent with the notion of alternating “calcite-aragonite seas” recorded in oolites and marine carbonate cements. Several models have been proposed to explain the chemical evolution of seawater. These have invoked significant changes in one or more of the major geochemical processes that control the composition of seawater. The pattern and magnitude of the variations in the composition of seawater proposed in this study are similar to those proposed elsewhere that suggest that seawater fluxes through midocean ridges have played a major role in the evolution of seawater during the past 600 myr. Two Phanerozoic supercycles of the Earth’s exogenic processes were recognized in the literature that are caused by mantle convection and plate activity. The composition of seawater has apparently undergone dramatic secular changes in phase with these supercycles and as a consequence of biological evolution. Analyses of fluid inclusions containing unevaporated seawater and a better understanding of the processes that affect the composition of seawater are needed to refine our understanding of the history of Phanerozoic seawater.
Implications of shock effects in iron meteorites

Shock loading history effect on solid state response of iron meteorites to annealing at moderate temperatures permits deductions about thermal history
Astronomy: hot pursuit of missing matter.

Astronomers are going to extraordinary lengths in the quest to tot up the 'ordinary' matter in the Universe. The latest initiative has probed hot gas in intergalactic space by means of an X-ray lighthouse.
Kinetic study of DNA binding of cisplatin and of a bicycloalkyl-substituted (ethylenediamine)dichloroplatinum(II) complex

Salmon sperm DNA platination has been conducted under strictly pseudo-first-order conditions with cisplatin (1) and rac-{(1S,2S,4S)-exo-2-(aminomethyl)-2-amino-7-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane}dichloroplatinum(II) (2). An aquation step first occurs for both complexes, with the rate constants k1 = 1.12(0.02)×10–4 s–1 and 1.47(0.02)×10–4 s–1 respectively for 1 and 2 at 37 °C, values in agreement with those previously reported. It is followed by the actual platination step whose second-order rate constant has been determined for the first time by physicochemical techniques. The values for 1 and 2 respectively are: k2 = 2.08(0.07) M–1 s–1 and 3.9(0.4) M–1 s–1. These kinetic data are discussed in the context of a comparison of several biological properties of the two complexes.
On the calculation of classical time-correlation functions: Diagonalization of the ``liouville matrix''

Abstract An approximate expression for classical time-correlation functions of the form CAB(t) = A(t)B* [where A and B are a
Studies of the human factor VIII/von Willebrand's factor protein I. Comparison of the protein found in normal, von Willebrand's disease and hemophilia A.

Abstract Human factor VIII/von Willebrand's factor (f.VIII/vWf) was prepared from normal, hemophilic and von Willebrand's disease cryoprecipitates by digestion with alpha-chymotrypsin and gel filtration on Sepharose 4B. The f.VIII/vWf protein from normal and hemophilic cryoprecipitate appeared at the void volume. After reduction of this protein and electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels, a major subunit with a molecular weight of 235,000 was found for both the hemophilic and normal f.VIII/vWf protein. In vWd two patterns were observed: (1) a severe deficiency of the protein and absence of the 235,000 molecular weight subunit in any column fraction, (2) elution of the protein in fractions after the void volume. In those fractions which contained the f.VIII/vWf protein immunologically the 235,000 molecular weight subunit was present. One vW patient was restudied when his plasma factor VIII level was normal: protien and procoagulant patterns were similar to normal. The defect responsible for the loss of procoagulant activity in hemophilia A cannot be identified with these techniques. In addition to absent or reduced levels of the f.VIII/vWf protein in vWd, an altered structure or a less aggregated form of the protein was found in two vW patients.
Properties of housefly microsomal cytochromes in relation to sex, strain, substrate specificity, and apparent inhibition and induction by synergist and insecticide chemicals

Abstract The cytochrome P-450 content of the microsomal fraction prepared from housefly abdomens differs with sex and strain, being generally higher in females and in insecticide-resistant strains. The mixed-function oxidase systems of two resistant strains (Fc and R-Baygon) differ in the spectral properties of cytochrome P-450 using ethyl isocyanide as the ligand, and in substrate specificity, enzyme preparations from the R-Baygon strain metabolize p-nitroanisole much more rapidly than DDT whereas with the Fc strain the reverse is true. An increased P-450 level is evident 24 hours after topical treatment of another resistant strain, Orlando-DDT, with dieldrin; ethyl isocyanide reveals spectral differences between the normal and induced cytochrome P-450 with females of this strain. Piperonyl butoxide treatment of flies results in some reduction in apparent P-450 level within 3 hours but a more pronounced effect is the increase in apparent b 5 level, possibly resulting from an action at the link between the interconnected P-450 and b 5 electron-transport chains.
A Neural Network Model for Prediction of Pile Setup

The time-dependent increase in pile capacity after its driving may be significant. A reliable prediction of this increase (setup) may lead to a significant saving in pile design. A neural network model to predict pile setup was developed. A database derived from field tests reported in the literature showing setup of driven piles was compiled, with six variables selected as input parameters: soil type, pile type, pile diameter, pile length, time after pile installation, and initial effective stress at tip. Ultimate pile capacity at beginning of restrike (QBOR) is the sum of pile capacity (QEOD) at end of drive and increased in capacity (δQBOR) caused by setup, which in this study is predicted by a backpropagation neural network. The results demonstrate that the neural network model provides a better prediction than predictions by the available empirical methods. A neural network model can serve as a reliable tool for the prediction of pile setup, and further training with additional data will lead to addi...
Preacademic and Vocational Assessment: The Key to Effective Educational Programming for Students with Autism.

Effective educational programs for students with autism include developmentally appropriate learning activities targeting emerging skills. The best way to identify emerging skills is the use of developmental assessment instruments created specifically for students with autism. This article describes two developmental assessment instruments commonly used by teachers who work with students with autism: The Psychoeducational Profile-Revised (PEP-R) and the Adolescent and Adult Psychoeducational Profile (AAPEP).
Undamped short period oscillations of flavin in respiring non-growing bacteria.

Abstract Samples of Klebsiella aerogenes harvested from a continous culture showed sustained oscillations in light absorption when allowed to respire in a non-growing state in a system open to oxygen. The amplitude of the oscillation was measured at different wavelengths. The resulting spectrum resembles the redox difference spectrum of flavin compounds. No oscillation in cytochromes or respiration rate was detected. At a wavelength where NADH is measured there was a very faint oscillation. For this reason and because the oscillation does not require a glycolytic substrate it seems that the mechanism of the oscillation is different from that of glycolytic oscillations observed in yeast.
Esophageal Perforation: A Rare Complication of Transesophageal Echocardiography in a Patient with Asymptomatic Esophagitis

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a commonly used procedure in patients with suspected endocarditis. A rare but dreadful complication of this procedure is perforation of the esophagus. We report the case of an elderly female with multiple comorbidities, who presented with polyarticular septic arthritis. TEE was performed to rule out endocarditis. Though the standard procedure protocol was followed, she developed esophageal perforation. It was managed with esophageal stenting but she developed multiorgan failure and did not survive. This case highlights the potential of severe morbidity and mortality associated with TEE. Appropriate screening must be done and high-risk individuals must be identified before such procedures are attempted.
Performance Data for a Double-Threshold Detection Radar

A problem f requently encountered by radar systems analysts is the evaluation of the "double-threshold" or M out of N detection process. Detection probabilities of this process are binomially distributed, making it difficult to obtain exact results for large values of the number of samples and for low probabilities of false alarm. In this paper, the M out of N detection algorithm is defined and detection performance is calculated for the special cases of the nonfluctuating target and Swerling cases I and 11 for false alarm probabilities of 106, 10-8 and 10-10.
Gender Discrimination and Prediction on the Basis of Facial Metric Information

Abstract Horizontal and vertical facial measurements are statistically independent. Discriminant analysis shows that five of such normalized distances explain over 95% of the gender differences of “training” samples and predict the gender of 90% novel test faces exhibiting various facial expressions. The robustness of the method and its results are assessed. It is argued that these distances (termed fiducial) are compatible with those found experimentally by psychophysical and neurophysiological studies. In consequence, partial explanations for the effects observed in these experiments can be found in the intrinsic statistical nature of the facial stimuli used.