cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neuroscholar 1.00, a neuroinformatics databasing website

Abstract Describing neuroanatomical circuitry at the systems level requires the use of databases to collate published descriptions of neuroanatomical data (Burns, D.Phil. Thesis, Physiology Department, Oxford University, 1997; Felleman and Van Essen, Cerebral Cortex, 1, 1991, 1–47; Scanell et al., J. Neurosci. 15, 1995, 1463–83; Young, Proc. R. Soc. London Ser B, 252, 1993, 13–8). These data are then analyzed with computational techniques. These methods do not address the problem that qualitative neuroanatomical descriptions can be interpreted in different ways, and rely on the collator's skill to produce the correct interpretation. I describe a knowledge-base management system called “NeuroScholar”, designed to store multiple interpretations of neuroanatomical tract-tracing data in a neuroanatomically consistent framework. I illustrate how this system may be used in conjunction with data-mining analyses.
Bioavailability and efficacy of vitamin D2 from UV-irradiated yeast in growing, vitamin D-deficient rats.

New food sources are needed to bridge the gap between vitamin D intake and recommended intake. We assessed the bioavailability and efficacy of vitamin D in an 8 week dose−response study of bread ma...
Comparison of Na-K-Cl Cotransporters NKCC1, NKCC2, AND THE HEK CELL Na-K-Cl COTRANSPORTER

Abstract The Na-K-Cl cotransporter (NKCC) mediates the coupled movement of ions into most animal cells, playing important roles in maintenance of cell volume and in epithelial Cl transport. Two forms of NKCC have been described: NKCC1, the “housekeeping” isoform that is also responsible for Cl accumulation in secretory epithelial cells, and NKCC2, which mediates apical Na+K+Cl entry into renal epithelial cells. Here we examine the kinetic properties of NKCC1, NKCC2, and the endogenous HEK-293 cell cotransporter. Stable expression of rabbit NKCC2A was obtained in HEK-293 cells utilizing a chimera (h1r2A0.7) in which the 5′-untranslated region and cDNA encoding 104 amino acids of the N terminus are replaced by the corresponding sequence of NKCC1. h1r2A0.7 exhibits Na and Cl affinities near those of NKCC1, but it has a 4-fold lower Rb affinity, and a 3-fold higher affinity for the inhibitor bumetanide. The activity of h1r2A0.7 is increased on incubation in low [Cl] media as is NKCC1, but the resting level of activity is higher in h1r2A0.7 and activation is more rapid. h1r2A0.7 exhibits an appropriate volume response, unlike NKCC1 for which concomitant changes in [Cl]i appear to be the overriding factor. These results support a model in which apical NKCC2 activity is matched to basolateral Cl exit through changes in [Cl]i. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction of HEK-293 cell mRNA is positive with NKCC1 primers and negative with NKCC2 primers. Surprisingly, we found that the behavior of the endogenous HEK cell Na-K-Cl cotransporter is unlike either of the two forms which have been described: compared with NKCC1, HEK cell cotransporter has a 2.5-fold lower Na affinity, an 8-fold lower Rb affinity, and a 4-fold higher bumetanide affinity. These results suggest the presence of a novel isoform of NKCC in HEK-293 cells.
Temperature-dependent behavior of conjugated polymers in solution

Abstract We use Monte Carlo simulation to study the effect of temperature on structural and electronic properties of conjugated polymers in solution, using a Hamiltonian which has been designed to describe the complex π-electron dynamics within a simple two-parameter model. The changes in optical absorption spectra as a function of temperature or the length of the side group are quantitatively similar to those observed experimentally. They can be understood in terms of the shift in the energy gap from decreasing π-electron conjugation as rotational fluctuations grow with rising temperature. The values of the model Hamiltonian parameters required to achieve this agreement suggest the importance of both σ-π overlap and steric hindrance. Although conjugation and persistance lengths decrease with growing thermal disorder, the predicted change in the radius of gyration during rod-to-coil transition is neither as abrupt nor as large as those observed in long (2000 monomer) polydiacetylene chains. However, our results on the longest chains practical for the calculation (of length 64) are consistent with the gradual changes observed in chains of comparable length (N ≈ 50).
Dynamics and Control of Electroporation

Electroporation has become an important tool for drug delivery such as gene therapy. The technique uses electric pulses to create transient pores in the cell membrane. To ensure proper uptake of targeted molecules, it is essential to create sufficiently large pores, which remain open long enough. In this work, we explore evolution of the pores using dynamical analysis and control of electroporation based on a simplified two-dimensional model. A detailed bifurcation analysis reveals the existence of saddle-node bifurcations, which induce hysteresis into the system dynamics. The bifurcation analysis also sheds light on the relation between the applied voltage and the pore radius. Based on the dynamics and bifurcation analysis, we design a feedback control algorithm that is able to achieve any desired pore size. Numerical examples demonstrate the control strategy is robust. The control algorithm will improve the operation of electroporation in drug delivery.© 2008 ASME
Trends in merged DRAM-logic computing

Recent trends suggest that the current practice of fabricating DRAM and logic on separate dies and different processes should be reexamined. The gap between processing speed and memory latency is growing at 50% per year, and portable systems, where physical size and weight are critical issues, are becoming more popular. Merged DRAM-logic processes address these issues by combining DRAM and logic on a single die; this technology also promises to offer advantages such as increased memory bandwidth, reduced power consumption, and greater flexibility in memory organization. Merged DRAM-logic chips have already been successfully used in several commercial products. More commercial products are planned, and academic research projects are examining future uses of merged DRAM- logic processing. This paper describes the current state of merged DRAM-logic chips and examines proposed architectures, their performance and applications. Finally, tradeoffs and challenges related to the technology are discussed.
Ototoxicity after radiotherapy for head and neck tumors.

Purpose: To investigate the incidence of radiation-induced ototoxicity according to the total dose delivered to specific parts of the auditory system, fractionation, and chemotherapy. Methods and Materials: Records of 325 patients treated for primary extracranial head and neck tumors with curative intent who received radiotherapy between 1964 and 2000 (median follow-up, 5.4 years) were retrospectively reviewed. Reconstructions of the treatment plans were generated to estimate the doses received by components of the auditory system. Results: Radiotherapy-induced morbidity developed in 41.8% of patients (external ear, 33.2%; middle ear, 28.6%; and inner ear, 26.8%). Univariate/multivariate analyses indicate that total dose received by parts of the auditory system seem to be significant, though fractionation and chemoradiation may contribute to the incidence of ototoxicities. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) was observed in 49 patients (15.1%). Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that age ( p = 0.0177 and p = 0.005) and dose to cochlea ( p p p = 0.0281 and p = 0.006) may increase the incidence of SNHL. Five-year and 10-year actuarial risk of clinically overt SNHL increased to 37% ( p > 0.0001) above doses of 60.5 Gy compared to 3% at doses below 60.5 Gy. For patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, clinically overt SNHL increased to 30% compared to 18% in the no-chemotherapy group at 10 years ( p = 0.0281). Conclusion: Radiotherapy toxicity was observed in all parts of the auditory system with median doses for incidence varying between 60 Gy to 66 Gy. Total dose to organ seems to be a significant factor though fractionation and chemo-radiation may contribute to ototoxicities.
Predicting Gas Chromatographic Separation and Stationary-Phase Selectivity Using Computer Modeling

A computer modeling technique has been developed which allows for the prediction of chromatographic separation and stationary-phase selectivity. This technique enables development of application-specific gas chromatographic columns by allowing for the simultaneous optimization of physical dimensions, flow and temperature programs, and stationary-phase composition. Stationary-phase selectivity is the most powerful tool available to achieve a separation; however most commercially available columns were not designed to have a selectivity specific to the separations for which they are used. The techniques described in this paper were developed to address this need.
Evaluation of a motionless mixer using a radioactive tracer technique

Abstract The efficiency of motionless mixers for mixing free flowing solid particles has been studied by using a radioactive tracer technique. The tracer is produced by irradiating the particles (grains of wheat) with neutrons. Consequently, the surface and physical properties of the tracer particles are identical with those of the other particles. For the operating conditions studied in this work it appears that for a given number of passes there is a number of helices beyond which improved dispersion does not occur. Sampling and analysis of samples was achieved by gamma-ray spectroscopy without any disturbance to the final mixture.
Spin and valence states of iron in (Mg0.8Fe0.2)SiO3 perovskite

[1] The spin and valence states of iron in (Mg0.8Fe0.2)SiO3 perovskite were measured between 0 and 65 GPa using synchrotron Mossbauer spectroscopy. Samples were synthesized in situ in the laser-heated diamond cell under reducing conditions. The dominant spin state of iron in perovskite is high spin at pressures below 50 GPa. Above 50 GPa, the spectra shows severe changes which can be explained by appearance of two distinct iron sites with similar site weightings. One site has Mossbauer parameters consistent with high spin Fe2+, while the other has the parameters previously interpreted as intermediate spin. The latter intermediate-spin assignment is not unique, as similar Mossbauer parameters have been reported for high spin Fe2+ in almandine at ambient pressure. However, our data do not rule out the existence of low-spin iron, which may exist with a smaller fraction and explain the observation of lower spin moments in the X-ray emission spectroscopy of perovskite at high pressure. From these considerations, our preferred interpretation is that iron in perovskite is mixed or high spin to at least 2000 km depths in the mantle, consistent with computational results. Our study also reveals that reducing conditions do not inhibit the formation of Fe3+ in perovskite at deep-mantle pressures.
Candida albicans Als Adhesins Have Conserved Amyloid-Forming Sequences

The cell wall-bound Als adhesins of Candida albicans mediate both yeast-to-host tissue adherence and yeast aggregation. This aggregation is amyloid-like, with self-propagating secondary-structure changes, amyloid-characteristic dye binding, and induced birefringence (J. M. Rauceo, N. K. Gaur, K. G. Lee, J. E. Edwards, S. A. Klotz, and P. N. Lipke, Infect. Immun. 72:4948-4955, 2004). Therefore, we determined whether Als proteins could form amyloid fibers with properties like those in cellular aggregation. The β-aggregation predictor TANGO identified a heptapeptide sequence present in a highly conserved sequence with amyloid-forming potential in Als1p, Als3p, and Als5p. A tridecapeptide containing this sequence formed fibers that bound Congo red and thioflavin T and had characteristic amyloid morphology. Als5p20-431 and Als5p20-664, large fragments of Als5p containing the amyloid sequence, also formed amyloid-like fibers and bound Congo red under native conditions. Ka/Ks analysis showed that the amyloid-forming sequences are highly conserved in Als proteins and evolve more slowly than other regions of the proteins. Therefore, amyloid-forming ability itself is conserved in these proteins.
A multiscale Griffith criterion

In this letter, a compatibility-momentum tensor is proposed based on the strain compatibility condition of continuum mechanics. By rescaling the compatibility-momentum tensor, we construct a so-called multiscale energy-momentum tensor and the corresponding L-integral, which is path-independent if the interior region of the integration contour is dislocation-free. By applying the invariant L-integral to the field of a mode III elastoplastic crack under small-scale yielding condition, we derive a multiscale criterion for macroscopically brittle fractures.
The Future of Batch Manufacture [and Discussion]

Approximately 75 % of all metalworking manufacture in the United States is in small lot batches and that percentage is expected to increase in the future. In the usual batch-type production shop, a typical part in process spends only about 5 % of its time on production machines and of that 5 %, only about 30 % is actually spent as productive time in shaping the part. Obviously, both the rewards and the potential for increased productivity and efficiency of batch manufacture in the future are very great indeed. How are these rewards and this potential to be realized? It is quite evident that application of the digital computer to online automation and optimization of batch manufacture holds great promise for doing this. The reason for such is that the computer provides, for the first time in history, a means for automating the software component of batch manufacture - the automatic handling of the information flow and the moment-by-moment analysis, planning and control of manufacturing operations. It is the lack of this very capability - the dependency on ‘manual’ manipulation of the software component - that accounts for the highly inefficient situation noted above. To realize this potential of the computer requires a wholly new approach to both the software and the hardware components of manufacture - a systems approach, to bring into being what may be called the computer-integrated manufacturing system. Such a new approach to the combined hardware and software of batch manufacture will require the combination and exploitation, on a systems engineering basis, of many currently embryonic new aspects of manufacturing technology, such as direct numerical control, multi-station manufacturing systems, group technology or cellular manufacture and integrated manufacturing software systems. A Delphi-type technological forecast recently completed by the C.I.R.P. throws some light on the likelihood and timing of the realization of the computer-integrated manufacturing system. According to this forecast, the probability of this approach being operational and well along toward general use by the 1980s is very high.
RFID ‘Theatre of the proof’: Product launch and technology demonstration as corporate practices

The paper explores the role of demonstration in the contemporary practices of product ‘launch’ by high-tech corporations. The analysis is based on a lengthy ethnographic field study of one such cor...
Thin-Film High-Rejection Filter Integration in Low-Loss Organic Substrate

This paper presents thin-film high-rejection bandpass filters integrated into organic substrate technology called RXP. A circuit topology based on unique resonator and grounding inductor is proposed. The proposed circuit provides design freedom of locating transmission zeros at lower and upper stopbands relative to the center frequency. About 2.4 GHz narrow band $({ and 5 GHz wide band $({>}{1}~{\rm GHz})$ bandpass filters have been implemented in four-metal layer with 0.191 mm thin RXP substrate. The measured results show good agreement with simulations.
The effect of isopropyl alcohol on the permeation of gloves exposed to antineoplastic agents

Introduction. Two commercially available gloves, one latex and one nitrile, were evaluated for permeation with six antineoplastic agents following exposure to 70% isopropyl alcohol.Materials. Comme...
The differential sensitivity of rat peripheral blood T cells to immunosuppressants: cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone.

AbstractPeripheral blood T cells from rats given a single oral dose of dexamethasone (DMS) or cyclophosphamide (CY) exhibited a differential sensitivity to these compounds as measured by lymphoproliferation in the presence of concanavalin A (Con A) or phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Con A-responsive cells (Tcon A were found to be resistant to the effects of DMS, while the PHA-responsive population (T PHA showed a dose-dependent suppression at dose levels of 0.35 and 1.00 mg/kg. DMS did not alter serum antibody production against sheep erythrocytes at the dosage level which produced a significant depression of the PHA response. Animals treated with CY showed enhanced Con A-mediated lymphoproliferation at a dose of 15 mg/kg and marked suppression at 45 mg/kg. The PHA-mediated response, however, exhibited only a dose-dependent suppression at both dosage levels. CY had no effect on the antibody response at doses that enhance Con A lymphoproliferation. These results suggest that T helper cells and T suppressor cells...
Fractional order intensity measures for probabilistic seismic demand modeling applied to highway bridges

SUMMARY Probabilistic seismic analysis of structures involves the construction of seismic demand models, often stated as probabilistic models of structural response conditioned on a seismic intensity measure. The uncertainty introduced by the model is often a result of the chosen intensity measure. This paper introduces the concept of using fractional order intensity measures (IMs) in probabilistic seismic demand analysis and uses a single frame integral concrete box-girder bridge class and a seismically designed multispan continuous steel girder bridge class as case studies. The fractional order IMs considered include peak ground response and spectral accelerations at 0.2 and 1.0 s considering a single degree of freedom system with fractional damping, Sad−Tnα, as well as a linear single degree of freedom system with fractional response, Sar−Tnα. The study reveals the advantage of fractional order IMs relative to conventional IMs such as peak ground acceleration, peak ground velocity, or spectral acceleration at 0.2 and 1.0 s. Metrics such as efficiency, sufficiency, practicality, and proficiency are measured to assess the optimal nature of fractional order IMs. The results indicate that the proposed fractional order IMs produce significant improvements in efficiency and proficiency, whereas maintaining practicality and sufficiency, and thus providing superior demand models that can be used in probabilistic seismic demand analysis. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The yeast Cbk1 kinase regulates mRNA localization via the mRNA-binding protein Ssd1

The mRNA-binding protein Ssd1 is a substrate for the Saccharomyces cerevisiae LATS/NDR orthologue Cbk1, which controls polarized growth, cell separation, and cell integrity. We discovered that most Ssd1 localizes diffusely within the cytoplasm, but some transiently accumulates at sites of polarized growth. Cbk1 inhibition and cellular stress cause Ssd1 to redistribute to mRNA processing bodies (P-bodies) and stress granules, which are known to repress translation. Ssd1 recruitment to P-bodies is independent of mRNA binding and is promoted by the removal of Cbk1 phosphorylation sites. SSD1 deletion severely impairs the asymmetric localization of the Ssd1-associated mRNA, SRL1. Expression of phosphomimetic Ssd1 promotes polarized localization of SRL1 mRNA, whereas phosphorylation-deficient Ssd1 causes constitutive localization of SRL1 mRNA to P-bodies and causes cellular lysis. These data support the model that Cbk1-mediated phosphorylation of Ssd1 promotes the cortical localization of Ssd1–mRNA complexes, whereas Cbk1 inhibition, cellular stress, and Ssd1 dephosphorylation promote Ssd1–mRNA interactions with P-bodies and stress granules, leading to translational repression.
Topology synthesis of analog circuits based on adaptively generated building blocks

This paper presents an automated analog synthesis tool for topology generation and subsequent circuit sizing. Though sizing is indispensable, the paper mainly concentrates on topology generation. A new kind of GA is developed, where a fraction of the offsprings in each generation is built from building blocks or cells obtained from previous generations. The cells are stored in a hierarchically arranged library that also contains information on the preferred neighborhood of each cell. The adaptively formed cell library starts only with basic elements and gradually includes functionally useful and bigger blocks, pertinent to the design. The techniques have been applied to synthesize an operational amplifier and a ring oscillator design. Results show that with reasonable computational effort, topologies have evolved that are designer understandable.
Sayyid Mumtaz Ali and ‘Huquq un-Niswan’: An Advocate of Women's Rights in Islam in the Late Nineteenth Century

Sometime in the late 1890s, Sayyid Mumtaz Ali visited Aligarh and happened to show Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan the manuscript of his treatise in defense of women's rights in Islamic law, Huquq un-Niswan . As he began to read it, Sir Sayyid looked shocked. He then opened it to a second place and his face turned red. As he read it at a third place, his hands started to tremble. Finally, he tore up the manuscript and threw it into the wastepaper basket. Fortunately, at that moment a servant arrived to announce lunch, and as Sir Sayyid left his office, Mumtaz Ali snatched his mutilated manuscript from the trash. He waited until after Sir Sayyid's death in 1898, however, to publish Huquq un-Niswan .
Ligand directed signaling differences between rodent and human κ-opioid receptors

KOR activation of Gβγ dependent signaling results in analgesia, whereas the dysphoric effects of KOR agonists are mediated by a different pathway involving G protein receptor kinase and non-visual arrestin. Based on this distinction, a partial KOR agonist that does not efficiently activate arrestin-dependent biased signaling may produce analgesia without dysphoria. No KOR-selective partial agonists are currently available, and preclinical assessment is complicated by sequence differences between rodent (r) and human (h) KOR. In this study, we compared the signaling initiated by the available partial agonists. Pentazocine was significantly more potent at activating p38 MAPK in hKOR than rKOR expressed in HEK293 cells but equally potent at arrestin-independent activation of ERK1/2 in hKOR and rKOR. Similarly, butorphanol increased phospho-p38-ir in hKOR-expressing cells but did not activate p38 in rKOR-HEK293. Like pentazocine, butorphanol was equally efficacious at activating ERK1/2 in rKOR and hKOR. In contrast, levorphanol, nalorphine, and U50,488 did not distinguish between hKOR and rKOR in p38 MAPK activation. Consistent with its low potency at p38 activation, pentazocine did not produce conditioned place aversion in mice. hKOR lacks the Ser-369 phosphorylation site in rKOR required for G protein receptor kinase/arrestin-dependent p38 activation, but mutation of the Ser-358 to asparagine in hKOR blocked p38 activation without affecting the acute arrestin-independent activation of ERK1/2. This study shows that hKOR activates p38 MAPK through a phosphorylation and arrestin-dependent mechanism; however, activation differs between hKOR and rKOR for some ligands. These functional selectivity differences have important implications for preclinical screening of partial KOR agonists.
Short and long-term carbon balance of bioenergy electricity production fueled by forest treatments

Forests store large amounts of carbon in forest biomass, and this carbon can be released to the atmosphere following forest disturbance or management. In the western US, forest fuel reduction treatments designed to reduce the risk of high severity wildfire can change forest carbon balance by removing carbon in the form of biomass, and by altering future potential wildfire behavior in the treated stand. Forest treatment carbon balance is further affected by the fate of this biomass removed from the forest, and the occurrence and intensity of a future wildfire in this stand. In this study we investigate the carbon balance of a forest treatment with varying fates of harvested biomass, including use for bioenergy electricity production, and under varying scenarios of future disturbance and regeneration. Bioenergy is a carbon intensive energy source; in our study we find that carbon emissions from bioenergy electricity production are nearly twice that of coal for the same amount of electricity. However, some emissions from bioenergy electricity production are offset by avoided fossil fuel electricity emissions. The carbon benefit achieved by using harvested biomass for bioenergy electricity production may be increased through avoided pyrogenic emissions if the forest treatment can effectively reduce severity. Forest treatments with the use of harvested biomass for electricity generation can reduce carbon emissions to the atmosphere by offsetting fossil fuel electricity generation emissions, and potentially by avoided pyrogenic emissions due to reduced intensity and severity of a future wildfire in the treated stand. However, changes in future wildfire and regeneration regimes may affect forest carbon balance and these climate-induced changes may influence forest carbon balance as much, or more, than bioenergy production.
Study of computational issues in simulation of transient flow in continuous casting

The attachment probability of inclusions on a bubble surface is investigated based on fundamental fluid flow simulations, incorporating the inclusion trajectory and sliding time of each individual inclusion along the bubble surface as a function of particle and bubble size. Then, the turbulent fluid flow in a typical continuous casting mold, trajectories of bubbles and their path length in the mold are calculated. The inclusion removal by bubble transport in the mold is calculated based on the obtained attachment probability of inclusion on bubble and the computed path length of the bubbles. The results are important to estimate the significance of different inclusion removal mechanisms. This work is part of a comprehensive effort to optimize steelmaking and casting operations to lower defects.
A Discourse Analysis of Collaboration between Academic and Student Affairs in Community Colleges.

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to understand the nature of collaboration between academic affairs and student affairs units in the community college context from a qualitative perspective. A discourse analysis study was conducted to explore the ways in which collaborative practice was discussed and understood by chief and midlevel academic and student affairs practitioners in three different community college settings. By using their actual practice and desired practice to understand collaboration in this setting, this article offers a definition for academic and student affairs collaboration that has been absent from most literature on the topic.
Thoracoscopic Atriclip Closure of Left Atrial Appendage After Failed Ligation via LARIAT

A 68-year-old man with atrial fibrillation was evaluated for ligation of the left atrial appendage (LAA) via the LARIAT Suture Delivery Device (SentreHEART, Redwood City, California). The CHA2DS2-VASc score was 4 for hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, and age. He was intolerant of
A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE INDIRECT BASOPHIL DEGRANULATION TEST.

Summary and conclusionsThe “indirect” basophil degranulation technique was evaluated by replicate “blind” analyses of 8 sera. The results indicate that degranulation of basophils was a random phenomenon which was not influenced significantly by the presence or the absence of the antigen in the system or by the presumed presence or absence of antibody in the serum.We would like to thank Dr. Max Samter and his colleagues in the Allergy Clinic, Research and Educational Hospitals, for collecting sera used in this study.
SUBALTERN IMMIGRANTS: Undocumented Workers and National Belonging in the United States

The status of millions of undocumented workers from Mexico and Latin America in the United States poses a serious challenge to the country's founding myth as an immigrant nation. They form an integral part of the US labour force, but exist on the margins of the nation's political and social life. With a view to illuminating one aspect of subalternity and citizenship in the US, this essay examines significant shifts in twentieth century immigration law regarding Mexicans and others from south of the border and the shifting conceptions of American national identity on which these laws were based. Since the beginning of large-scale Mexican immigration to the US, they were positioned as cheap, temporary labour – accepted as hard workers, but not desired as permanent citizens. Mexican and other Latino immigrants have resisted their position as a disposable labour force by establishing families and communities and claiming membership in the places where they have settled. I examine the local struggles over immi...
Armored CAR T-cells: utilizing cytokines and pro-inflammatory ligands to enhance CAR T-cell anti-tumour efficacy

Chimaeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells are T-cells that have been genetically modified to express an artificial construct consisting of a synthetic T-cell receptor (TCR) targeted to a predetermined antigen expressed on a tumour. Coupling the T-cell receptor to a CD3ζ signalling domain paved the way for first generation CAR T-cells that were efficacious against cluster of differentiation (CD)19-expressing B-cell malignancies. Optimization with additional signalling domains such as CD28 or 4-1BB in addition to CD3ζ provided T-cell activation signal 2 and further improved the efficacy and persistence of these second generation CAR T-cells. Third generation CAR T-cells which utilize two tandem costimulatory domains have also been reported. In this review, we discuss a different approach to optimization of CAR T-cells. Through additional genetic modifications, these resultant armored CAR T-cells are typically modified second generation CAR T-cells that have been further optimized to inducibly or constitutively secrete active cytokines or express ligands that further armor CAR T-cells to improve efficacy and persistence. The choice of the ‘armor’ agent is based on knowledge of the tumour microenvironment and the roles of other elements of the innate and adaptive immune system. Although there are several variants of armored CAR T-cells under investigation, here we focus on three unique approaches using interleukin-12 (IL-12), CD40L and 4-1BBL. These agents have been shown to further enhance CAR T-cell efficacy and persistence in the face of a hostile tumour microenvironment via different mechanisms.
Evaluation of True Criterion Validity for Unidimensional Multicomponent Measuring Instruments in Longitudinal Studies

Longitudinal studies offer unique opportunities to identify the specificity variance in the components of a psychometric scale that is administered repeatedly. This article discusses a procedure for evaluation of the relationship between true scale scores and criterion variables uncorrelated with measurement errors in longitudinally presented measures comprising unidimensional multicomponent instruments. The approach provides point and interval estimates of the true scale criterion validity with respect to a criterion that is assessed once or repeatedly, as well as a means for testing temporal stability in this validity. The outlined method is based on an application of the latent variable modeling methodology, is readily applicable with popular software, and is illustrated using empirical data.
Social-based Forwarding of Messages in Sensor Networks

As we adopt the Internet of Things (IoT), the boundaries between sensor and social networks are likely to disappear. However, to this date, the use of social networks in the design of wireless sensor network protocols has not received much attention. In this paper, we focus on the concept of information dissemination in a framework where sensors are carried by people who are part of a social network. We propose two social-based forwarding approaches for what has been called Social Network of Sensors (SNoS). To this end, we exploit two important characteristics of ties in social networks, namely strong ties and weak ties. The former is used to achieve rapid dissemination to nearby sensors while the latter aims at dissemination to faraway sensors.
STUDIES ON PLATELETS: VI. THE ISOLATION OF PLATELETS FROM HUMAN AND DOG BLOOD

1. Two methods for the isolation of platelets are described in detail. Employing both methods, 55 isolations were made from 31 human beings and 20 isolations from 20 dogs. Both methods are based on the principle of using the platelet layer obtained by repeated fractional centrifugation. 2. The Blood Anticoagulant Platelet Isolation (A) differs from the Blood Saline Platelet Isolation (B). In Method A the following anticoagulants were used: sodium heparin, in various concentrations; sodium citrate; sodium oxalate; and magnesium sulfate. In Method B 10 to 15 parts of saline were added to 1 part blood to keep the blood incoagulable. 3. Special Platelet Isolation (P-I) tubes were designed to isolate the platelets in the final steps. 4. In both methods the platelets were washed with chilled 0.9 per cent sodium chloride solution. The final platelet suspension in saline was obtained free from red and white cells and plasma after six to seven centrifugations and washings. 5. Method A has the advantage of being less laborious. Method B may be preferred for studies of platelets obtained without anticoagulants. 6. The approximate platelet yield in each method varied greatly. It was found that high concentrations of heparin did not produce the highest yields of platelets. 7. Decreases of more than 25 per cent of the initial count were considered significant. The platelets isolated from blood containing sodium heparin, sodium citrate, and sodium oxalate did not significantly decrease in number following storage for a fairly long time. However, platelets isolated using magnesium sulfate and saline did decrease significantly after one to three days’ storage at 1 to 4°C. 8. The isolated platelets did not appear to be morphologically altered. The cell outline was regular and the size did not vary extremely. 9. Both methods are recommended for securing pure platelet suspensions. Such suspensions should prove to be very satisfactory for studies of the physiology, the chemical constitution, and the physical properties of the mammalian blood platelet.
Effects of human interleukin-6 on megakaryocyte development and thrombocytopoiesis in primates.

Recombinant human interleukin-6 (IL-6) has previously been shown to increase platelet counts in mice and primates. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, serial analyses were performed on megakaryocytes obtained from rhesus monkeys treated for 8 days with 30 micrograms/kg/d of recombinant human IL-6. Platelet counts increased to a maximum of 7.8 x 10(5)/microL with biphasic peaks on days 7 and 12 without significant changes in platelet volumes. Large increases in DNA content were seen by two-color flow cytometry and digital image analysis. Ploidy distribution underwent a significant shift between study days 3 and 11 (P less than .0001) with large increases in the frequency of 64N and 128N megakaryocytes. The modal ploidy increased from the normal 16N to 64N. Megakaryocyte size, as measured by area, was increased 2- to 2.7-fold. On day 3, multiple megakaryocytes were seen in endomitosis, along with an abundance of young cells with wide, organelle-free peripheral zones. The giant megakaryocytes seen on days 5 to 7 exhibited marked membrane hyperplasia that occupied much of the cell. Emperipolesis occurred frequently, as did megakaryocyte cell death. No giant platelets were seen. We conclude that IL-6 significantly alters the process of megakaryocyte maturation and thrombocytopoiesis, and that these effects, at least in the doses of IL- 6 administered, should not be equated with the physiologic mechanisms operative during accelerated platelet production.
Phase II trial of doxorubicin in bidimensionally measurable prostatic adenocarcinoma.

AbstractIntravenous doxorubicin (30 to 60mg. per m.2 every 3 weeks) was administered to 52 patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate, including 41 with bidimensionally measurable soft tissue lesions. Prior therapy in the measurable disease group included hormonal manipulation in 39 cases, irradiation in 39 and cytotoxic drugs in 19.In 39 of 41 adequately treated patients with soft tissue lesions only 2 (5 per cent, 95 per cent confidence limits 0 to 12 per cent) achieved a partial remission for 12 and 6 months, respectively, 3 had a minor response for 5, 4 and 3 months, respectively, and 1 had stabilization of disease for 4 months. Survival in this group was 16 months versus 5 months for patients with a mixed response and progression of disease. Of 11 patients with evaluable parameters only 1 had stabilization and 5 showed subjective improvement. Recognizing the patient selection bias and treatment schedule in this study, we believe that doxorubicin has marginal activity in soft tissue lesio...
A novel estimation technique based on curve fitting and sigma-point Kalman filtering with time-delayed measurements

In this paper, we present a novel mobile target tracking filter that incorporates delayed measurements captured by a video camera onboard a flying platform, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). A curve-fitting-based technique is developed to characterize the system state information in the past. The coefficients are obtained and updated using an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) based technique, which requires a much smaller amount of storage memory compared to a buffer based method. A filtering technique is then developed based on the EKF-fitted curve and the Sigma Point Kalman Filter (SPKF) technique. The simulations results show that the proposed tracking filter outperforms two other existing tracking filters, out-of-order SPKF and augmented-state SPKF.
A New Theoretical Result for Convex Nonlinear Generalized Disjunctive Programs and its Applications

Abstract This paper deals with the theory of reformulations and numerical solution of GDP problems, which are expressed in terms of Boolean and continuous variables, and involve algebraic constraints, disjunctions and propositional logic statements. We describe a framework to generate alternative mixed-integer nonlinear programming formulations for disjunctive convex programs that lead to stronger relaxations. We extend the concept of “basic steps” defined for disjunctive linear programs to the nonlinear case. A basic step is an operation that takes a disjunctive set to another with fewer number of conjuncts. We show that the strength of the relaxations increases as the number of conjuncts decreases, leading to a hierarchy of relaxations. As the main theoretical result of this paper, we prove that the tightest of these relaxations allows the solution of the disjunctive convex program as a nonlinear programming problem. We also present a methodology to guide the generation of strong relaxations without incurring an exponential increase of the size of the reformulated mixed-integer program. We apply the theory to improve the computational solution efficiency for nonlinear convex generalized disjunctive programs (GDP). Finally, we briefly discuss how the theory of convex GDP can be applied to nonconvex GDPs that involve for instance bilinear, concave and linear fractional terms.
Role of Nitrogen-Doped Graphene for Improved High-Capacity Potassium Ion Battery Anodes.

Potassium is an earth abundant alternative to lithium for rechargeable batteries, but a critical limitation in potassium ion battery anodes is the low capacity of KC8 graphite intercalation compounds in comparison to conventional LiC6. Here we demonstrate that nitrogen doping of few-layered graphene can increase the storage capacity of potassium from a theoretical maximum of 278 mAh/g in graphite to over 350 mAh/g, competitive with anode capacity in commercial lithium ion batteries and the highest reported anode capacity so far for potassium ion batteries. Control studies distinguish the importance of nitrogen dopant sites as opposed to sp3 carbon defect sites to achieve the improved performance, which also enables >6× increase in rate performance of doped vs undoped materials. Finally, in situ Raman spectroscopy studies elucidate the staging sequence for doped and undoped materials and demonstrate the mechanism of the observed capacity enhancement to be correlated with distributed storage at local nitrog...
Clover green manure productivity and weed suppression in an organic grain rotation

Green manure crops must produce high biomass to supply biological N, increase organic matter and control weeds. The objectives of our study were to assess above-ground biomass productivity and weed suppression of clover (Trifolium spp.) green manures in an organic soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]-winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-corn (Zea mays L.) rotation in eastern Nebraska in three cycles (2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14). Treatments were green manure species [red clover (T. pratense L.) and white clover (T. repens L.)] undersown into winter wheat in March and green manure mowing regime (one late summer mowing or no mowing). We measured wheat productivity and grain protein at wheat harvest, and clover and weed above-ground biomass as dry matter (DM) at wheat harvest, 35 days after wheat harvest, in October and in April before clover termination. Winter wheat grain yields and grain protein were not affected by undersown clovers. DM was higher for red than for white clover at most sampling times. Red clover produced between 0.4 and 5.5 Mg ha−1 in the fall and 0.4–5.2 Mg ha−1 in the spring. White clover produced between 0.1 and 2.5 Mg ha−1 in the fall and 0.2–3.1 Mg ha−1 in the spring. Weed DM was lower under red clover than under white clover at most sampling times. In the spring, weed DM ranged from 0.0 to 0.6 Mg ha−1 under red clover and from 0.0 to 3.1 Mg ha−1 under white clover. Mowing did not consistently affect clover or weed DM. For organic growers in eastern Nebraska, red clover undersown into winter wheat can be a productive green manure with good weed suppression potential.
Effects of Land Subsidence in the Greater Houston Area

The greater Houston area, possibly more than any other metropolitan area in the United States, has been adversely affected by land subsidence (Coplin and Galloway, 1999). Extensive subsidence caused mainly by ground-water extraction has increased the frequency of flooding, caused extensive damage to industrial and transportation infrastructure, motivated major investments in levees, reservoirs, and surface-water distribution facilities, and caused substantial loss of wetland habitat in and around Galveston Bay. Subsidence ultimately limited local ground-water development and drove expensive efforts to store and convey surface water to supplant ground-water pumpage. In the eastern part of the greater Houston region, near the coast, subsidence has been controlled. The area of active subsidence has shifted from the low-lying, tidal areas toward higher elevations inland. Total costs of subsidence damage and mitigation are difficult to assess but likely range in the billions of dollars.
Self-catheterization for Decompensated Bladder: A Review of 100 Cases

AbstractThe non-neurogenic decompensated bladder is a poorly defined entity. In an attempt to elucidate this condition 100 consecutive patients with non-neurogenic decompensated bladders were studied, etiology was sought and treatment with intermittent self-catheterization was done. Of the patients 34 per cent were able to resume voiding. Bacteriuria and pyuria were decreased from 90 to 18 per cent. Complications were few and over-all acceptance was excellent. A definition of non-neurogenic decompensated bladder was established.
Counting on carbon quantum dots to clear infection

Carbon quantum dots safely treat corneal bacterial infection using their membrane-disrupting positive charge.
Difatty Acyl-Conjugated Linear and Cyclic Peptides for siRNA Delivery

A number of amphiphilic difatty acyl linear and cyclic R5K2 peptide conjugates were synthesized by solid-phase peptide methods to enhance the interaction with the hydrophobic cellular phospholipid bilayer and to improve siRNA delivery and silencing. Binding to siRNA molecules was significantly less for the cyclic peptide conjugates. A gradual decrease was observed in the particle size of the complexes with increasing peptide/siRNA ratio for most of the synthesized peptides, suggesting the complex formation. Most of the complexes showed a particle size of less than 200 nm, which is considered an appropriate size for in vitro siRNA delivery. A number of fatty acyl-conjugated peptides, such as LP-C16 and LP-C18, displayed near complete protection against serum degradation. Flow cytometry studies demonstrated significantly higher internalization of fluorescence-labeled siRNA (FAM-siRNA) in the presence of LP-C16, LP-C18, and CP-C16 with 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) addition. Confocal m...
Prevalence and Trends in Donor Milk Use in the Well-Baby Nursery: A Survey of Northeast United States Birth Hospitals.

Abstract Background and Objectives: Pasteurized donor human milk (“donor milk”) is an alternative to formula for supplementation of breastfed infants. We conducted a survey to determine (1) prevalence, trends, and hospital-level correlates of donor milk use for healthy newborns in the northeast United States and (2) clinician knowledge and opinions regarding this practice. Methods: We conducted parallel surveys of clinicians (88% nurse and/or lactation consultant) at (1) all birth hospitals in Massachusetts (MA) and (2) all birth hospitals served by a northeast United States milk bank. We asked about hospital use of donor milk for newborns ≥35 weeks' gestation and receiving Level I care in well nursery, hospital-related factors we hypothesized would be associated with this practice, and clinician knowledge and opinions about donor milk use. Results: 35/46 (76%) of MA birth hospitals and 51/69 (74%) of hospitals served by the milk bank responded; 71 unique hospitals were included. Twenty-nine percent of MA...
Family-Centered Care and Positive Developmental Outcomes for Youth With Special Health Care Needs: Variations Across Family Structures.

Drawing on a social determinants of health framework, we evaluated associations between perceived family-centered care (FCC) and positive developmental outcomes for youth with special health care n...
Entrepreneurship: venture creation subprocesses, subdomains, and interfaces

While research interest in entrepreneurship continues to develop, considerable debate transpires on what exactly constitutes entrepreneurship and how to define the field appropriately. Thus, we sought to sort through a wide variety of entrepreneurship research in order to make sense of how various topics examined by scholars syndicate to comprise the field. First, we examine some of the numerous definitions that have been presented in literature thus far and offer our own definition based on a reasonable conclusion encompassing the parallels of thought. We then further comprehend the boundaries of entrepreneurship by examining subprocesses, subdomains, and interfaces. This integrative approach to understanding the field of entrepreneurship will be useful for current and future scholars interested in studying issues related to entrepreneurial phenomena by helping them recognize the multitude of factors that compose entrepreneurship, and thereby improve the quality of empirical and theoretical work in the field. We will conclude with a discussion of implications for entrepreneurial research, practice, and academic career development.