cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular genotyping of G6PD mutations for neonates in Ningbo area.

The aim of this study is to determine the cut-off value of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity and the mutation spectrum of G6PD gene in neonates with G6PD deficiency at Ningbo. Around 82233 neonatal blood samples were measured to determine G6PD activity. The positive samples were further detected with gene analysis. A total of 445 neonates were confirmed as G6PD deficiency, and the incidence in Ningbo was 1/185. 17 types of G6PD gene mutations were found, including 11 single-site mutations and 6 double-site mutations. Considering the significant differences in G6PD activity, the cut-off value was detected to be 2.35 and 3.65 U/gHb for males and females, respectively. Significant differences in G6PD activities were noted and found to be varied from 4.61 to 6.02 U/gHb in different seasons (p < 0.0001). G6PD deficiency screening is a significant detection test for neonatal G6PD deficiency prevention. Our study highlights that the screening should be done using different cut-off values according to the sexes in different seasons.
Likelihood-based inference for singly and multiply imputed synthetic data under a normal model

Abstract Likelihood-based inference for both singly and multiply imputed synthetic data is developed in this paper under a univariate normal model and two distinct data generation scenarios, namely, posterior predictive sampling and plug-in sampling. We show that valid and exact inference can be drawn in both scenarios. Some theoretical issues of multiply imputed datasets under posterior predictive sampling are also pointed out.
An online monogenic diabetes discussion group: supporting families and fueling new research.

Many online support groups are available for patients with rare disorders, but scant evidence is available on how effectively such groups provide useful information or valuable psychosocial support to their participants. It is also unclear to what extent physicians and researchers may learn more about these disorders by participating in such groups. To formally assess the utility of the Kovler Monogenic Diabetes Registry online discussion group for patients and families affected by K ATP channel–related monogenic neonatal diabetes in providing psychosocial and informational support and in identifying concerns unique to patients with this rare form of diabetes. We qualitatively analyzed all 1,410 messages from the online group that consisted of 64 participants affected by K ATP channel monogenic diabetes and 11 researchers. We utilized the Social Behavior Support Code to assign each message to a support category and deductive thematic analysis to identify discussion topics addressed by each message. 44% of messages provided/requested informational support, whereas 31.4% of the messages contained psychosocial/emotional support. The most popular topics of postings to the forums were diabetes treatment (503 messages) and neurodevelopmental concerns (472 messages). Participation in the discussion led researchers to modify survey instruments and design new studies focusing on specific topics of concern, such as sleep. We demonstrate that an online support group for a monogenic form of diabetes is an effective informational tool that also provides psychosocial support. Participation by researchers and care providers can inform future research directions and highlight issues of patient concern.
Water Management, Infrastructure, Negotiations and Cooperation: Use of the WAS Model

Joint efforts of Israeli, Jordanian, Palestinian, Dutch, and American experts have produced an optimizing model for water management, infrastructure analysis, and conflict resolution. That model — ‘WAS’, for ‘Water Allocation System’ — applies economic analysis, broadly defined, to the solution of water problems. It provides a systematic and system-wide method for analyzing water policies, infrastructure, negotiations, and conflict resolution. Infrastructure questions investigated include the necessity of desalination on the Mediterranean Coast and — for Jordan — the somewhat complicated interrelations of the various projects being considered to alleviate the coming water crisis in Amman (including the Disi fossil aquifer and the oft-discussed Red Sea-Dead Sea Canal.) It is shown how the WAS model can assist negotiations. Estimates of the effects of the water loss to Israel in the event of a return of the Golan to Syria or the pumping of the Hasbani by Lebanon show the effects to be small. The possible effects of Israeli-Palestinian cooperation in water are evaluated and shown to be a win-win situation for both parties.
Vaccinations and Public Concern in History: Legend, Rumor, and Risk Perception

1. Introduction 2. Genres and Communicative Forms 3. Folkloric Content in Vaccine Narratives 4. Medical and Ethical Issues as Perceived by the Medical Community 5. Notions of Risk
Bacteriophage T4 Virion Baseplate Thymidylate Synthetase and Dihydrofolate Reductase

Abstract Additional evidence is presented that both the phage T4D-induced thymidylate synthetase (gp td) and the T4D-induced dihydrofolate reductase (gp frd) are baseplate structural components. With regard to phage td it has been found that: (i) low levels of thymidylate synthetase activity were present in highly purified preparations of T4D ghost particles produced after infection with td+, whereas particles produced after infection with td− had no measurable enzymatic activity; (ii) a mutation of the T4D td gene from tdts to td+ simultaneously produced a heat-stable thymidylate synthetase enzyme and heat-stable phage particles (it should be noted that the phage baseplate structure determines heat lability); (iii) a recombinant of two T4D mutants constructed containing both tdts and frdts genes produced particles whose physical properties indicate that these two molecules physically interact in the baseplate. With regard to phage frd it has been found that two spontaneous revertants each of two different T4D frdts mutants to frd+ not only produced altered dihydrofolate reductases but also formed phage particles with heat sensitivities different from their parents. Properties of T4D particles produced after infection with parental T4D mutants presumed to have a deletion of the td gene and/or the frd gene indicate that these particles still retain some characteristics associated with the presence of both the td and the frd molecules. Furthermore, the particles produced by the deletion mutants have been found to be physically different from the parent particles.
Sorting out of coaggregated brain cell types mediated by specific cell recognition factors in vitro. II. Kinetic and metabolic parameters.

Abstract The time course of cerebrum cell association promoted by CRF (a cerebrum-specific cell recognition factor recovered from supernatant media of embryonic cerebrum cell cultures) was determined with respect to (a) the increase in size of aggregates formed from dissociated cerebrum cells and (b) the sorting out of cerebrum cells from heterotypic cells within coaggregates. Both events were initiated approximately 5 hr after the single-cell suspensions were placed in culture. While the size of aggregates formed by cerebrum cells in response to CRF continued to increase throughout the remainder of the 24-hr culture period, the sorting out of cerebrum cells within cerebrum-tectum cell coaggregates was completed between the fifth and sixth hour of culture. In the absence of exogenously administered CRF, approximately 3 days was required for cerebrum and tectum cells to sort out within coaggregate cultures. Studies at low temperature or in the presence of sodium azide and 2-deoxyglucose indicated that cell sorting was an energy-dependent process. Although protein synthesis was required during the initial 1–2 hr of culture for coaggregation to proceed, the cell sorting process mediated by CRF did not require concomitant protein synthesis. The participation of microtubule and microfilament systems in the cell sorting events was examined by the use of the fibrillar inhibitors, colchicine and cytochalasin B. These studies demonstrated that sorting out occurred in the presence of colchicine, but was highly sensitive to cytochalasin B.
Microphysical simulations of large volcanic eruptions: Pinatubo and Toba

[1] Simulations of stratospheric clouds from eruptions ranging in size from the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo to that of Toba 74,000 years ago have been completed using a 3D microphysical sectional aerosol model advectively coupled to a general circulation model with prognostic chemistry (Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model/Community Aerosol and Radiation Model for Atmospheres). For Pinatubo, properties of the aerosol cloud peak within the ranges derived from observations in the Northern Hemisphere, but reduce faster than observed, and a general low bias is found in the Southern Hemisphere. These biases could be reduced by adding aerosol radiative coupling, a quasi-biennial oscillation, and the Cerro Hudson eruption to the model. Simulations of eruptions 10 times and 100 times larger than Pinatubo suggest burdens and Aerosol Optical Depth increase less than linearly (a 100-fold injection increase produces a 20-fold AOD increase) due to particle growth and sedimentation, consistent with previous work that also found the radiative forcings from large eruptions to be self-limiting. Global-averaged AOD remains elevated for 1, 2, and 4 years, respectively, for the three simulated eruptions. The inclusion of van der Waals forces in our coagulation scheme increases peak effective radius and reduces peak AOD by about 10–20%, with bigger effects for larger eruptions. Our simulations find peak mode size to vary by up to an order of magnitude and mode width to vary by up to 50%, suggesting that two-moment modal models may not accurately capture the evolving size distribution. These simulations suggest the value of including van der Waals forces in the coagulation scheme and sectional size distributions in climate models.
Low temperature grown AlGaAs passivation in GaAs power MESFET

We report on the device performance of a GaAs power MESFET with Low-Temperature-Grown (LTG) Al/sub 0.3/Ga/sub 0.7/As passivation. By combining two technologies, LTG passivation and MOCVD selectively regrown contacts, we were able to fabricate a record performance GaAs power MESFET. On-wafer power measurement of a device yielded a maximum output power of 1 W/mm at 30% power-added-efficiency and a linear gain of 11.5 dB. We have also looked at the current transport across LTG-Al/sub 0.3/Ga/sub 0.7/As as a function of the temperatures to gain insight into its properties.
Chernoff-Savage Theorem†

The Chernoff-Savage Theorem, in the setting of two independent samples, exploits the basic asymptotic properties of the two sample (empirical) distributions in a novel approach to the study of asymptotic normality of a general class of two-sample linear rank statistics. Prior to the evolution of weak convergence of probability measures and contiguity of probability measures, both taking place in the 1960’s, this Theorem provided a completely new avenue of research in asymptotics in rank tests in a far more general set-up comprising general linear models, time-series, and multivariate as well as sequential models Keywords: asymptotics; central limit theorems; contiguity of probability measures; distribution theory; empirical distributions; linear rank statistics; nonparametrics; permutational distibution; power of rank tests; statistical functional; U-statistics; weak convergence
Molecular requirements for transformation of fallopian tube epithelial cells into serous carcinoma

Although controversial, recent studies suggest that serous ovarian carcinomas may arise from fallopian tube fimbria rather than ovarian surface epithelium. We developed an in vitro model for serous carcinogenesis in which primary human fallopian tube epithelial cells (FTECs) were exposed to potentially oncogenic molecular alterations delivered by retroviral vectors. To more closely mirror in vivo conditions, transformation of FTECs was driven by the positive selection of growth-promoting alterations rather antibiotic selection. Injection of the transformed FTEC lines in SCID mice resulted in xenografts with histologic and immunohistochemical features indistinguishable from poorly differentiated serous carcinomas. Transcriptional profiling revealed high similarity among the transformed and control FTEC lines and patient-derived serous ovarian carcinoma cells and was used to define a malignancy-related transcriptional signature. Oncogene-treated FTEC lines were serially analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot analysis to identify oncogenes whose expression was subject to positive selection. The combination of p53 and Rb inactivation (mediated by SV40 T antigen), hTERT expression, and oncogenic C-MYC and HRAS accumulation showed positive selection during transformation. Knockdown of each of these selected components resulted in significant growth inhibition of the transformed cell lines that correlated with p27 accumulation. The combination of SV40 T antigen and hTERT expression resulted in immortalized cells that were nontumorigenic in mice, whereas forced expression of a dominant-negative p53 isoform (p53DD) and hTERT resulted in senescence. Thus, our investigation supports the tubal origin of serous carcinoma and provides a dynamic model for studying early molecular alterations in serous carcinogenesis.
Resilience of a novel ecosystem after the loss of a keystone species: plague epizootics and urban prairie dog management

In a complex urban-impacted landscape, native black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) amplify the trajectory at which grassland plant communities deviate from historical configurations. Prairie dog removal has been proposed as an intervention method based upon the premise that removing a major directional driver of change will initiate the recovery of historically common plant communities. However, in a heavily anthropogenically influenced landscape with a matrix containing only small fragmented areas of native vegetation, the recolonization speed and success of native plant species may not match those observed in less anthropogenically influenced landscapes. This study examined the effect of urban prairie dog removal by using remote sensing to observe the response of plant communities near Boulder, Colorado, USA to plague epizootics. We used Mann-Whitney U tests to compare the soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) values from colonies recently extirpated by plague to both areas unoccupied by prairie dogs and to plague-absent colonies. Analysis of 67 Landsat images in three growing season subsets suggested that prairie dog removal alone does not return colony plant communities to compositions representative of grassland areas unoccupied by prairie dogs. The absence of SAVI value changes in the mid- and late-growing seasons suggested that novel vegetation communities on urban prairie dog colonies were highly resilient systems, and prairie dog removal alone was insufficient for restoration. Furthermore, increased early season SAVI values on extirpated colonies could indicate a proliferation of introduced winter active species and exotic forbs, not the desired reemergence of native species, but rather species expected given current climatic changes. Intensive management efforts appear necessary for overcoming the thresholds required to restore urban prairie dog colonies to their historical compositions, an effort made increasingly more difficult with the ongoing effects of other global change drivers.
Synthesis of Hydroxylamines

1 Introduction 2 Hydroxylamines through Hydrolysis of Hydroxamic Acids, Oximes and Nitrones 3 Synthesis of Hydroxylamines through Alkylation and Arylation of other Hydroxylamines 4 Hydroxylamines through Reduction Reactions 5 Hydroxylamines through Addition to the CN Double Bond of Oximes, Oxime Ethers and Nitrones 6 Hydroxylamines through Addition to the NO Double Bond of Nitroso and Nitro Compounds 7 Hydroxylamines through Oxidation of Amines 8 Hydroxylamines through Cycloaddition Reactions Keywords: synthesis of hydroxylamines; hydroxylamines through hydrolysis of hydroxamic acids, oximes and nitrones; hydroxylamines and related hydroxamic acids-polyfunctional organic molecules possessing distinctive chemical properties; hydrolysis of nitrones, oximes and hydroxamic acids-as a final step in preparation of substituted hydroxylamines; synthesis of hydroxylamines through alkylation and arylation of other hydroxylamines; hydroxylamines through reduction reactions; hydroxylamines through addition to CN double bond of oximes, oxime ethers and nitrones; hydroxylamines through amine oxidation
Analytical study of a three dimensional imaging system using both single and coincident pair photons (tomography)

An analytical study of a three-dimensional positron-emission imaging system using both coincident pair-photon and noncoincident single-photon events is presented. The utilization of the noncoincident single-photon events at 511 keV to supplement the coincident pair-photon measurements for three-dimensional image reconstruction is described. Detector efficiency and resolution of this imaging system are calculated. Computer simulation and calculation of sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio, noise background, and contrast are carried out for a cylindrical water phantom. Comparisons of these four factors between this imaging system and the conventional positron-emission imaging system are given. >
Immunocytochemical evidence for an actin-myosin system in lens epithelial cells.

Abstract Since filamentous actin had been shown earlier to exist in lens epithelial and fiber cells, we inquired whether this could represent a contractile system with myosin and other actin-associated proteins. We resolved this question in freshly removed or organ-cultured rabbit and squirrel lens epithelial whole mounts using immunocytochemical techniques and by immunoblots of extracts separated by electrophoresis. In the former, methods were developed using long fixation times and long incubation in primary antibodies and biotinylated second antibodies visualized by streptavidin immunofluorescence and by diaminobenzidine peroxidase. Myosin was found to be localized along the filamentous rays and at central vertices of polygonal arrays situated at the apices of epithelial cells. It was not clear whether myosin and actin occurred together along the same or adjacent filaments in a bundle. Tubulin and vimentin were found deeper in the cells and were not aligned with actin and myosin filaments. Control lens epithelia treated similarly except for deletion of the primary antibodies showed no staining. As positive controls, pieces of glycerinated sartorius muscle exhibited characteristic cross-banded patterns of actin and myosin when incubated with the same reagents used on the lens epithelium. Denatured extracts of rabbit lens epithelium and of cortical fiber cells separated by electrophoresis and transferred to nitrocellulose paper, stained specifically with the same myosin and tubulin antibodies used in the immunocytochemistry experiments. The molecular weight profile of the myosin polypeptide indicated that lens tissue has myosin II. We conclude that a contractile system exists in lens epithelial and cortical fiber cells, although the function is not understood at this time. We conjecture that the system may act to stabilize lens shape by providing contractile tone.
A Wind Power Forecasting System to Optimize Power Integration

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has developed a wind prediction system for Xcel Energy, the power company with the largest wind capacity in the United States. The wind power forecasting system includes advanced modeling capabilities, data assimilation, nowcasting, and statistical post-processing technologies. The system ingests both external model data and observations. NCAR produces a deterministic mesoscale wind forecast of hub height winds on a very fine resolution grid using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, run using the Real Time Four Dimensional Data Assimilation (RTFDDA) system. In addition, a 30 member ensemble system is run to both improve forecast accuracy and provide an indication of forecast uncertainty. The deterministic and ensemble model output plus data from various global and regional models are ingested by NCAR’s Dynamic, Integrated, Forecast System (DICast® ), a statistical learning algorithm. DICast® produces forecasts of wind speed for each wind turbine. These wind forecasts are then fed into a power conversion algorithm that has been empirically derived for each Xcel power connection node. In addition, a ramp forecasting technology fine-tunes the capability to accurately predict the time, magnitude, and duration of a ramping event. This basic system has consistently improved Xcel’s ability to optimize the economics of incorporating wind energy into their power system.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Applications of the s-channel theory to the μsR and Hall number experiments on high Tc superconductors

Abstract The s -channel theory of high T c superconductivity is applied to the μsR and Hall number experiments. The results lend support to Bose-Einstein condensation as the underlying phase-transition mechanism. The relation between Bose-Einstein condensation and high T c is discussed.
On an operator theory of linear systems with pure and distributed delays

A representation theory based on convolution operations is developed for a large class of linear systems containing pure and distributed delays in state and control. In terms of this framework a necessary and sufficient condition and a sufficient condition are given for functional (null) controllability. The conditions involve the generation of modules defined over a convolution ring of functions.
Exploring the virtual toy box: virtual worlds and young children

Virtual Worlds such as Club Penguin and Poptropica attract millions of children ages 6-14. This ethnographic-based study examines the foundation for children's interest in virtual worlds and how choices about using the spaces are influenced by the interfaces. Significantly, children engage in activities of their own choosing, sometimes sidestepping the expectations of the virtual worlds. Initial observations suggest that the age range of users suggested by the respective games/websites do not necessarily match the competence and cognitive levels of the younger children, causing their play to lack direction and fail to take advantage of many of the features of the virtual worlds. However, this exploration may help to prepare them for more sophisticated virtual activities.
Effects of Bicarbonate-based Dental Powder, Fluoride, and Saccharin on Dental Caries and on Streptococcus sobrinus Recoveries in Rats

The effects of NaHCO 3-based dental powder containing NaF and sodium saccharin on dental caries and Streptococcus sobrinus recoveries in rats were studied. Weanling specific-pathogen-free Osborne-Mendel (SPFOM) rats were inoculated with S. sobrinus 6715-13WT. One of six infected groups was topically treated with either demineralized water (DW), a dental powder suspended such that there was 1 part solid per 2 parts DW, 0.073% NaF, 0.5% Na-saccharin (Nas), or a combination of NaF and Nas at the same concentrations. NaF-supplemented DW (at 10 ppm F-) was provided to the 6th group of infected rats as a positive treatment control, but this group was otherwise untreated. A seventh but uninfected group was topically treated with DW. All topical treatments were given once for one min daily per rat, for five days per week. Animals' teeth were swabbed for recovery of 6715-13WT and total recoverable flora. At 37 days after start of treatment, S. sobrinus recoveries were lower only for those rats topically treated wi...
Toward sensitive information redaction in a collaborative, multilevel security environment

Wikis have proven to be an invaluable tool for collaboration. The most prominent is, of course, Wikipedia. Its open nature is not suitable for all environments; in corporate, government, and research environments it is often necessary to control access to some or all of the information due to confidentially, privacy, or security concerns. This paper proposes a method by which information classified at multiple sensitivity levels can be securely stored and made accessible via the wiki only to authenticated and authorized users. The model allows for each page to be viewed at appropriate levels of classification transparently included or excluded based on the user's access level.
Early-life stress restricts the capacity of adult progenitor cells to differentiate into neurons.

Exposure to childhood abuse or neglect is associated with abnormal hippocampal function in adulthood. The molecular mechanisms by which early adversity modifies hippocampal function in adulthood are currently poorly understood in humans. However, similar findings in rodents and nonhuman primates suggest that animal models may provide important insights into this issue (1). One of the main challenges of studying hippocampal tissue in animal models has been the cellular heterogeneity of the hippocampus, where different cell types (e.g., stem cells, pyramidal cells, granule cells, interneurons, astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes) respond differently to stress, yet they are closely packed and interact with one another. The challenge has been to figure out how to harvest and study the effects of early-life stress in a homogeneous cell population in a manner that recapitulates the cellular response in the intact hippocampus. In this issue of Biological Psychiatry, Boku et al. (2) used an in vitro system to show that exposure to stress early in life restricts the capacity of adult progenitor cells to differentiate into neurons. This is an important first step in studying the effects of early adversity using a homogeneous cell population harvested from the hippocampus, and it demonstrates the advantages and the pitfalls of this reductionistic approach.
Do-it-yourself electronic products and the people who make them

This paper describes my doctoral research into the possibilities that digital fabrication offers for the individual design and production of electronic devices. Research questions relate to the possibilities for the devices themselves and their relationship to people's skills interests. The paper discusses four overall approaches: product design explorations, do-it-yourself activities, custom software tools, and studying communities. Three completed case studies -- a radio, speakers, and a mouse -- provide insight into the design possibilities and their implications for various groups. Future work will explore further aspects of this ecosystem, including more complex devices, more in-depth investigation of people, and community surveys.
Air Pollution Caused by Scented Candles

The effects of candles with respect to indoor air quality are more serious than most would first think. Candles can emit such toxins as soot and lead. The levels of soot present are very high when there are multiple carbon-carbon bonds. These levels can even be high enough to cause soot deposits throughout a house within four months. The levels of lead are high enough to cause major lead poisoning in children and can be between 10 and 36 times the allowable level permitted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Our recommendations would be for better labeling and a ban on metallic cores with greater than 0.01% lead present. Certainly when such products are exported overseas, or imported from abroad, candles with metallic cores containing more than 0.01% lead should not be allowed, and the labels should clearly state their contents. Management of technology means not importing or exporting environmental problems in the present context.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Optimal replacement strategies for repairable systems

This paper considers repair-replacement models introduced by Lam Yeh [6] and [7], and Stadje and Zuckerman [9]. Without imposing ‘reliability theory’ conditions on the repair and operating distributions, the optimal replacement problem is first solved in a finite horizon setting and then extensions are given to the infinite horizon case.
Parametric analysis of technology and policy tradeoffs for conventional and electric light-duty vehicles

Abstract A parametric analysis is used to examine the supply demand interactions between the US light-duty vehicle (LDV) fleet, its fuels, and the corresponding primary energy sources through 2050. The analysis emphasizes competition between conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, including hybrids, and electric vehicles (EVs), represented by both plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles. We find that EV market penetration could double relative to our baseline case with policies to extend consumers' effective payback period to 7 years. EVs can also reduce per vehicle petroleum consumption by up to 5% with opportunities to increase that fraction at higher adoption rates. However, EVs have limited ability to reduce LDV greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with the current energy source mix. Alone, EVs cannot drive compliance with the most aggressive GHG emission reduction targets, even if the electricity grid shifts towards natural gas powered sources. Since ICEs will dominate the LDV fleet for up to 40 years, conventional vehicle efficiency improvements have the greatest potential for reductions in LDV GHG emissions and petroleum consumption over this time. Specifically, achieving fleet average efficiencies of 72 mpg or greater can reduce average GHG emissions by 70% and average petroleum consumption by 81%.
Environmental exposure to bacteria and viruses may provide oncolytic protection against cancers, and declining exposure to infections may contribute to a rising incidence of cancer

Over the past century, the incidence of cancer rose markedly in developed countries. Many underlying factors are known, but not all of them. Over the same century, advances in public health and hygiene practically eradicated many infectious illnesses, and exposure to some untargeted infectious agents has also declined. There are reasons to suspect that these two trends are linked. Although some viruses and one bacterium are known to be oncogenic, a high percentage of infectious agents, 71% of viruses tested in one study, have shown oncolytic properties. Some of these agents have minimal or no clinical consequences, and some are - or were - quite ubiquitous. Many types of cancer are unusually susceptible to several different agents, sometimes 10-1000 times more susceptible than normal cells. When wild-type or attenuated viruses are used to treat cancer, they are often more effective with smaller tumors, and it may be that nascent, undetectable cancers are especially vulnerable. Environmental exposure to bacteria and viruses may provide natural protection from cancer by attacking it at this stage, or inducing the body to do so. Immunity to an infectious agent can attenuate its oncolytic effect, but generally does not stop it, so both initial and repeated exposures may be protective. As more direct evidence, treatment of animals with selected live virus vaccines has provided protection from cancer, and in humans, exposure to two specific infectious agents is known to correlate with a reduced risk of cancer. The significant decline in exposure to infectious agents over the past century may have inadvertently weakened this naturally protective mechanism, driving cancer rates up. There is considerable research on the impact of oncogenic agents, but surprisingly little regarding the impact of oncolytic agents on cancer rates. An understanding of the relationship between natural infections and the suppression of cancer may lead to prophylactic measures against cancer, improved public health policies regarding vaccination programs and hygiene, and greater insight into cancer treatment as well.
In situ immunoradiographic method for quantification of specific proteins in normal and ischemic brain regions

Abstract This study tested the application of an immunoisotopic assay for immunohistochemical localization and quantification of proteins in brain sections from rats without or with transient focal ischemia. We assessed the hypothesis that measurements of protein levels in injured brain determined by an isotopic assay using [125I]–protein A have greater reliability than those made by conventional immunoperoxidase labeling using diaminobenzidine. Quantification of immunoreactivities for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) and heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70) was determined by optical density signal in the immunoisotopic and immunoperoxidase assays. In ischemic brain, the immunoisotopic assay detected protein increases (cortical penumbra HSP-70, 151 ± 6%), protein decreases (cortical ischemic core GLT-1, 61 ± 6%) and no changes in GFAP levels compared to controls animals. These results differed from the protein levels found by the immunoperoxidase assay, which showed elevated HSP-70, GLT-1 and GFAP in all ischemic regions. We conclude that nonspecific immunosignal confounds assessments of protein expression in injured brain and that the immunoisotopic method is a valid approach to regionally localize and quantify proteins after brain injury. The disadvantage of the falsely positive overestimation of protein immunoreactivity after stroke with the immunoperoxidase method has to be weighted with the advantage of the cellular resolution.
A Patient Centric Commercial Model for Cancer Care

Cancer is one of the most challenging diseases of all - not only in terms of the clinical barriers to offering its sufferers respite from devastating consequences, but also to manufacturers and marketers of treatments that attempt to control its impact. Products developed and manufactured through biotechnology dominate the commercial landscape for treating a variety of cancer types. The recent spate of new biologic launches for treating cancer delivered through injections, infusions and orally will only increase in the next five years. The task of developing a viable commercial model for the effective delivery of cancer treatments to its customers lies at the center of ensuring that advances in cancer care are harnessed for their full potential. Both by definition and due to the reality of the cancer landscape, such a model is best conceptualized with the patient at its center. This article describes elements of a patient centric commercial model for cancer care, after recognizing the challenges and opportunities inherent in its commercialization and marketing. The impact of such a model resides in its ability to offer tangible benefits to patients by improving access to leading edge treatments, energizing communication at the point of care, and adequately harnessing the emerging promise of new technology - rather than an emphasis on share-of-voice based selling. By viewing the patient at the center of a commercial model, manufacturers and marketers of cancer care treatments can offer products that provide ongoing care for the cancer patient from initiation through palliation, thereby building loyalty and realizing the full potential inherent in such treatments.
Microscopical examination of particles on smoked cigarette filters

Cigarette butts collected from crime scenes can play an important role in forensic investigations by providing a DNA link to a victim or suspect. Microscopic particles can frequently be seen on smoked cigarette filters with stereomicroscopy. The authors are not aware of previous published attempts to identify this material. These particles were examined with transmission and scanning electron microscopy and were found to consist of two types of superficial epithelial tissue, consistent with two areas of the lip surface. The particles were often composed of several layers of non-nucleated and nucleated epithelium with the former being the most common. It was further determined that both of these cell types are easily transferred from the lip. The results of this study indicate that the most visible source of DNA obtained from cigarette butts and other objects in contact with the lip may be lip epithelial tissue.
Determining the Length of the Right-Turn Lane at a Signalized Intersection

This paper develops the analytical and computational processes for determining the length of the right-turn lane at a signalized intersection. It examines the factors that influence the length, reviews the available literature and practices, derives the recommended length analytically, develops a set of tables of the recommended lane lengths as a function of the approach volumes (right-turn, through-traffic, and cross-traffic volumes) and signal timing, and discusses the results. The analysis is done for two cases: when right-turn-on-red (RTOR) is not permitted and when it is permitted. The probabilities of the following events are computed: the right-turn vehicles do not overflow to the through lane and block the movement of through vehicles, and the queued through vehicles do not block the entrance of the right-turn lane. The lengths are derived to keep these probabilities greater than a threshold value. The recommended length is shown in the number of vehicle spaces, and a procedure that converts this ...
Critical properties of the spin-1 Heisenberg chain with uniaxial anisotropy

We use finite-size scaling to determine the critical properties of spin-1 chains with uniaxial single-ion anisotropy $D$. A phase diagram is obtained in the ($D$, $\ensuremath{\Delta}$) plane, where $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ is the strength of the interaction in the direction of the single-ion anisotropy. Critical exponents are estimated.
Dilute scintillators for large volume tracking detectors

Abstract Dilute scintillation mixtures emit isotropic light for both fast and slow particles, but retain the Cherenkov light cone from fast particles. Large volume detectors using photomultipliers to reconstruct relativistic tracks will also be sensitive to slow particles if they are filled with these mixtures. Our data show that 0.03 g/l of b-PBD in mineral oil has a 2.4:1 ratio (in the first 12 ns) of isotropic light to Cherenkov light for positron tracks. The light attenuation length is greater than 15 m for wavelength above 400 nm, and the scintillation decay time is about 2 ns for the fast component. There is also a slow isotropic light component that is larger (relative to the fast component) for protons than for electrons. This effect allows particle identification by a technique similar to pulse shape discrimination. These features will be utilized in LSND, a neutrino detector at LAMPF.
What Horwich's minimal theory of truth does not explain

Paul Horwich a developpe une theorie minimaliste a propos de la verite : elle consiste en la verification logique de propositions donnees. L'A. cherche a montrer en quoi cette theorie est reductrice et limitee : il conteste surtout l'idee que le role theorique et conceptuel de la verite puisse etre entierement explique sur la base de cette seule theorie. Il commence par mettre en lumiere les raisons pour lesquelles la theorie minimaliste ne peut expliquer pourquoi une croyance vraie non rationnelle reussit aussi en science. Puis il parvient a rendre compte de ce phenomene en abandonnant la theorie minimaliste
Counseling Latina Battered Women: A Qualitative Study of the Latina Perspective

This qualitative study examined the experience of Latina survivors of domestic violence for information that might help counselors become more attuned to the needs of Latina women. The results highlight the importance of particular cultural variables, including gender socialization and familism. Implications and recommendations for counselors are also discussed. Esta investigacion cualitativa estudio las experiencias de Latinas sobrevivientes del maltrato domestico, buscando informacion que pudiera ayudar a los consejeros a concientizarse mas a las necesidades de las mujeres latinas. En los resultados resalta la importancia de los variables culturales particulares, que incluyen la socialization de genero y el familismo. Tambien se subrayan recomendaciones para consejeros/as.
Single input state, single–mode fiber–based polarization sensitive optical frequency domain imaging by eigenpolarization referencing

Fiber-based polarization-sensitive optical frequency domain imaging is more challenging than free-space implementations. Using multiple input states, fiber-based systems provide sample birefringence information with the benefit of a flexible sample arm but come at the cost of increased system and acquisition complexity, and either reduce acquisition speed or require increased acquisition bandwidth. Here we show that with the calibration of a single polarization state, fiber-based configurations can approach the conceptual simplicity of traditional free-space configurations. We remotely control the polarization state of the light incident at the sample using the eigenpolarization states of a wave plate as a reference, and determine the Jones matrix of the output fiber. We demonstrate this method for polarization-sensitive imaging of biological samples.
Measuring and modelling safety communication in small work crews in the US using social network analysis

Effective safety communication between all parties in a construction project is essential for optimal safety performance. Literature suggests that open safety communication across all levels of the organization enhances safety success. Previous studies have found that open communication and frequent interaction between employees and supervisors differentiate construction companies that have low accident rates from companies that have high rates. Through interviews with construction crew members on active construction projects in the Rocky Mountain region of the US, the patterns of safety communication were identified, modelled, and quantified. Social network analysis (SNA) was utilized to obtain measures of safety communication such as centrality, density, and betweenness within small crews and to generate sociograms that visually depicted communication patterns within effective and ineffective safety networks. A cross-case comparison revealed that the frequency and method of communication are important d...
Critical role for STAT3 in murine pituitary adrenocorticotropin hormone leukemia inhibitory factor signaling.

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pleiotropic neuroimmune cytokine that promotes corticotroph cell differentiation and induces proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA expression and adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) secretion. However, molecular mechanisms for this induction remain elusive. We therefore developed ACTH-secreting AtT20 transformants for wild-type or mutated STAT3, a cytokine signaling molecule, to address whether STAT3 is a determinant of LIF-mediated ACTH regulation. We show that these mutants act in a dominant negative manner by blocking endogenous STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation or STAT3 DNA binding. Attenuation of STAT3 activity in the dominant negative AtT20 clones prevented LIF from promoting transcriptional activation of the POMC promoter (2.1-fold), whereas this LIF action was enhanced (7.7-fold; p
Cu−TiO2/Ti Dual Rotating Disk Photocatalytic (PC) Reactor: Dual Electrode Degradation Facilitated by Spontaneous Electron Transfer

A Cu-TiO2/Ti dual rotating disk photocatalytic (PC) reactor has been developed based on our single rotating disk photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) reactor (Y. Xu, et. al, Environ. Sci. Technol. 2008, 42, 2612−2617), and successfully applied to the treatment of laboratory and industrial dye wastewater. Round TiO2/Ti and Cu disks of the same size are connected by a Cu wire and fixed parallel on an axis continually rotating at 90 rpm. High treatment efficiency is obtained due to direct photooxidation on the TiO2/Ti photoanode as well as additional degradation on the Cu cathode, which is speculated via indirect hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) oxidation and direct electro-reduction of dye on cathode. The mechanism of the Cu-TiO2/Ti dual rotating disk PC reactor was investigated. In a 20 mg L−1 Rhodamine B (RB) solution, approximately 100 mV of potential and 10 μA of current were measured between the Cu and TiO2/Ti electrode during PC treatment. Such phenomenon was explained by spontaneous electron transfer based on the sam...
Being Careful with PASCO's Kinetic Friction Experiment: Uncovering Pre-sliding Displacement?

The widely used PASCO laboratory equipment is an excellent way to introduce students to many topics in physics. In one case, PASCO's equipment may be too good! Various experiments exist for calculating the kinetic coefficient of friction by measuring the acceleration of a sliding object under some constant force. With ever more accurate equipment, such as electronic motion sensors, students are capable of measuring motion over quite small time intervals. In measuring motion including friction, PASCO equipment can record more complicated aspects of friction associated with the transition between static friction and kinetic friction. This serves as an excellent exercise to introduce some fine details of friction not typically discussed in an introductory physics course. In fact, if one does not consider these fine details (or at least does not omit them) the “canned” PASCO friction lab will yield wildly spurious results. The erroneous results obtained are due to a nonconstant “recoil” acceleration during th...
QUEST camera I: a 67-megapixel CCD camera optimized for a driftscan quasar search

The Quasar Equatorial Survey Team (QUEST) collaboration has built and commissioned a large CCD-based astronomical camera covering most of the focal pale of the 1 meter Schmidt telescope at the Llano del Hato National Observatory (ONLH) in Venezuela. The camera consists of a 4 X 4 mosaic of CCDs. The CCDs are a standard astronomical design with front- illuminated (coated) 2048 X 2048 15 micrometer pixels. Using a novel position adjustment technique and precision CCD alignment, we are able to driftscan within 6 degrees of the celestial equator. Using a combination of UBV filters and an objective prism, we expect to discover quasars in unprecedented numbers and with well understood, quantifiable systematic effects. Such a quasar sample can be used to study cosmological questions -- large-scale structure of the universe, distribution of dark matter via gravitational lensing and Hubble's constant via gravitational lensing time delays -- as well as many other topics. Preliminary commissioning results will be presented along with preliminary quasar identification results. A second-generation camera (403 Mpixels, back-illuminated 4 X 24 mosaic with 1024 X 4096 7.5 micrometer pixel CCDs) is being designed.
Transcriptional Switches: Chemical Approaches to Gene Regulation

Given the role of transcriptional misregulation in the pathogenesis of human disease, there is enormous interest in the development of molecules that exogenously control transcription in a defined manner. The past decade has seen many exciting advancements in the identification of molecules that mimic or inhibit the interactions between natural transcriptional activators and their binding partners. In this minireview, we focus on four activator·target protein complexes, highlighting recent advances as well as challenges in the field.