cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical-scale production of cGMP compliant CD3/CD19 cell-depleted NK cells in the evolution of NK cell immunotherapy at a single institution.

Background Allogeneic natural killer (NK) cell adoptive immunotherapy is a growing therapeutic option for patients. Clinical-scale production of NK cells using immunomagnetic selection complies with current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs) and allows for closed-system, automated purification. We report our experience with CD3/CD19 cell-depleted (CD3/CD19dep ) NK cell production and compare to previous methods of CD3 cell depletion and CD3 cell depletion/CD56 cell enrichment. Study design and methods Nonmobilized mononuclear cells collected by apheresis were incubated with anti-CD3/anti-CD19 microbeads and depleted in an automated cell selection system (CliniMACS, Miltenyi). The NK cell-enriched products were incubated overnight in interleukin (IL)-2 or IL-15, washed, and resuspended prior to lot release testing and infusion. Results Since 2010, 94 freshly infusible CD3/CD19dep NK cell products were manufactured in support of eight clinical trials. Sixty-six products were incubated in IL-2 and 28 products in IL-15. Processing resulted in a mean NK cell recovery of 74% and viability of 95.8%; NK cells, T cells, B cells, and monocytes accounted for 47%, 0.2%, 0.08%, and 49% of the final products, respectively. Seven products required dose adjustments to meet lot release. The specification for purity changed throughout the evolution of manufacturing. IL-2 or IL-15 activation enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity compared to preactivated cells. There was no difference in final product composition or cytotoxicity between cytokine cohorts. Conclusion Clinical-scale/cGMP production of NK cells using CD3/CD19 cell-depletion effectively minimized T-cell and B-cell contamination in a single manipulation without compromise to NK-cell recovery. Cytokine activation increased in vitro cytotoxicity compared to column-depleted, preactivated NK cells.
ADH1B promotes mesothelial clearance and ovarian cancer infiltration

Primary debulking surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy is the standard treatment for ovarian cancer. Residual disease after primary surgery is associated with poor patient outcome. Previously, we discovered ADH1B to be a molecular biomarker of residual disease. In the current study, we investigated the functional role of ADH1B in promoting ovarian cancer cell invasiveness and contributing to residual disease. We discovered that ADH1B overexpression leads to a more infiltrative cancer cell phenotype, promotes metastasis, increases the adhesion of cancer cells to mesothelial cells, and increases extracellular matrix degradation. Live cell imaging revealed that ADH1B-overexpressing cancer cells efficiently cleared the mesothelial cell layer compared to control cells. Moreover, gene array analysis revealed that ADH1B affects several pathways related to the migration and invasion of cancer cells. We also discovered that hypoxia increases ADH1B expression in ovarian cancer cells. Collectively, these findings indicate that ADH1B plays an important role in the pathways that promote ovarian cancer cell infiltration and may increase the likelihood of residual disease following surgery.
Turbulent Flame Speeds of Premixed Supersonic Flame Kernels

It is unclear whether turbulent flame speed scalings established in low speed regimes are applicable to supersonic flames. To investigate this question, the canonical flame kernel is investigated in a scramjet-like channel having a one degree wall divergence. The growth, shape and internal kernel dynamics are investigated. Results are presented for three Mach numbers, four equivalence ratios, and three turbulence generators. Schlieren photography provides flame images for growth rate statistics and particle image velocimetry (PIV) provides turbulence statistics and investigation of internal kernel dynamics. Supersonic flame kernels are self-propagating and respond to the equivalence ratio in a fashion that is similar to low speed flames. However, supersonic flame kernels have features that are not present in subsonic flame kernels. Baroclinicity, resulting from pressure-density misalignment, creates a reacting vortex ring structure. Further, the mean kernel shape has a Mach number dependence and the vortex ring enhances the turbulent flame speed through entrainment of reactants and augmented flame surface growth. Hence, the previously established (low speed) flame speed scalings are inappropriate for supersonic flame kernels. Drawing motivation from vortex ring literature, the ring propagation velocity is used as the characteristic velocity and a new flame speed scaling is proposed.
Women's Perspectives of Personal Trainers: A Qualitative Study

Personal trainers play an integral role in the day-to-day operation of the facilities in which they work. Research has identified a number of qualities and competencies necessary to be an effective exercise leader, but there is little scholarly work addressing clients' attitudes related to the performance of personal trainers. Utilizing focus group methodology, female clients of personal trainers were recruited to provide viewpoints related to the desirable qualities of personal trainers, as well as opinions regarding trainer certification and academic preparation. Responses of the participants were transcribed, coded, and analyzed for themes. Four global themes emerged: Selection Rationale, Personal Trainer Rationale, Loyalty Rationale and Negative Characteristics. Selection Rationale consisted of qualities that influence a client's decision to hire a particular trainer (e.g., physique, results observed in other clients, social skills). Personal Trainer Rationale referred to the clients' reasons (e.g., frustration with current fitness level) for hiring a specific trainer. Loyalty Rationale referred to the credentials of a personal trainer that solidify the client/trainer relationship and Negative Characteristics referred to qualities considered unethical or unprofessional. The results suggest that undergraduate exercise science programs should devote additional time toward the development of future fitness trainers' affective qualities and that clients' would benefit from information about the credentials of personal trainers.
Midcourse and Gravity Assist Manoeuvres

After completion of the launch phase a spacecraft will be either in an Earth satellite orbit, or in a hyperbolic orbit that will result in escape from the Earth’s sphere of influence prior to a deep space mission. We are concerned in this chapter only with the latter type of mission.
Carotid Cavernous Fistulas

All durai arteriovenous malformations near the cavernous sinus are classified by some authors under the general category of carotid cavernous fistulas. Within this generalization, readers will sometimes be referred to the Barrow’ classification: Type A—direct shunts from the internal carotid artery to the cavernous sinus. Type B—fistulas between the meningeal branches of the internal carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. Type C—durai shunts between the meningeal branches of the external carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. Type D—fistulas between the meningeal branches of both the internal carotid artery and the external carotid artery to the cavernous sinus.
Response to perturbations of a neural network model of locomotor control in the lamprey

In several vertebrates, stable rhythmic locomotor activity can be obtained from neural networks in the spinal cord without external periodic forcing. In an active animal, the spinal central pattern generator (CPG) is dynamically affected by descending input from the brain as well as afferent sensory inputs.1 While certain aspects of spinal CPG mechanisms for locomotor control have been well investigated, 3,8 the interactions of the CPG with the descending supraspinal inputs and sensory inputs are not well understood. Changes in the topology of the system caused by modifying the supraspinal-spinal CPG interactions are likely to influence the response of the system to external perturbations.
Effects of Parenting Programs on Latina Mothers’ Parental Stress and Their Children’s Internalizing Behavioral Problems

This pilot study examined the comparative effects of two empirically supported, manualized parenting programs, Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) and Systematic Training for Effective Parenti...
Discussing the symmetry principle: towards a realist dialogue inside global STS theory

Globally, STS is intrinsically associated with David Bloor’s symmetry principle (1976). As we know, symmetry is a geometry idealization. Applied to linguistic issues, symmetry could mean that when ...
Low-temperature synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Titan's surface ices and on airless bodies.

Titan’s equatorial dunes represent the most monumental surface structures in our Solar System, but the chemical composition of their dark organics remains a fundamental, unsolved enigma, with solid acetylene detected near the dunes implicated as a key feedstock. Here, we reveal in laboratory simulation experiments that aromatics such as benzene, naphthalene, and phenanthrene—prospective building blocks of the organic dune material—can be efficiently synthesized via galactic cosmic ray exposure of low-temperature acetylene ices on Titan’s surface, hence challenging conventional wisdom that aromatic hydrocarbons are formed solely in Titan’s atmosphere. These processes are also of critical importance in unraveling the origin and chemical composition of the dark surfaces of airless bodies in the outer Solar System, where hydrocarbon precipitation from the atmosphere cannot occur. This finding notably advances our understanding of the distribution of carbon throughout our Solar System such as on Kuiper belt objects like Makemake.
Congenital Unilateral Hypertrophy of the Foot Intrinsics: A Rare Case and Review of Literature.

Introduction Congenital hypertrophy of the intrinsic muscles of the foot is a rare disorder of unknown incidence characterized by unilateral muscular hypertrophy of one or more of the intrinsic muscles. Few cases have been reported in literature, many presenting with hypertrophy of a single muscle. Case report A 12-year-oldCaucasian female with hypertrophy of all intrinsic muscles of the right foot present since birth presented with muscle imbalance resulting in hammer toe deformities of the second and third toes with the second toe crossing over the hallux. Our treatment consisted of the correction of the toe deformities without muscle debulking or excision. Conclusions Isolated congenital hypertrophy of muscles poses a unique challenge, particularly involving musculature of the foot. Indications for intervention include pain or functional impairment. Specific treatments should aim to address patient complaints with the understanding that debulking procedures carry the risk of abundant scar formation, neurovascular injury, and functional deficits.
High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin for children with severe H1N1 influenza infection

Objective To explore the clinic value of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin for children with severe H1N1 influenza infection.Methods The data on 50 children with confirmed diagnosis who had been hospitalized during June to December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed.The children were divided equally into the high-dose group and the control group based on the dosage of immunoglobulin use.The clinical improvement was analyzed chi-square test and then compared with the reference of existing literatures.Results The baseline clinical features did not differ significantly between the two groups; however,there were significant differences in the improvement of symptoms,signs,and chest radiographic appearance between the high-dose group and the control group.Conclusions High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin is effective in improving the clinical symptoms and signs in children with severe H1N1 influenza infection. Key words: H1N1 influenza infection; Intravenous immunoglobulin; Therapy; Children
Enabling conditions for community-based comanagement of marine protected areas in the United States

Abstract Comanagement is recognized, practiced, and recommended as an effective, equitable approach to place-based protection of marine resources. Despite acknowledged benefits and its potential for improved management outcomes, in the U.S., comanagement of marine protected areas (MPAs) is a relatively new approach, with limited applications. This paper reveals social, ecological and institutional conditions that enabled, or hindered, development of comanagement as an outcome of collaborative processes undertaken by community-based actors and state-based resource managers in three U.S. MPA case studies. A mixed method design, consisting of a literature review, in-depth interviews and document analysis was used to analyze MPAs in Hawai‘i, California and Florida where: (1) comanagement systems have developed between state government and community-based partners, (2) protected area boundaries and objectives are clearly defined, and, (3) marine habitat protection is a primary management objective. Eight enabling conditions were present in all three cases. Four of these conditions were consistent with preconditions identified in a published conceptual framework for comanagement arrangements synthesized from the literature and direct observations – an opportunity for negotiation, a legally mandated or brokered incentive, a willingness by local users to contribute, and leadership. Four more enabling conditions emerged from this study – connection to place, a capacity crisis, government willingness to partner, and a clear and just process. As managers strive to protect marine ecosystem function in the face of chronic environmental stressors and limited government support for environmental protection, applying these findings to leverage conditions that enable comanagement can help build community-based capacity to effectively manage MPAs.
A dozen colliding wind X-ray binaries in the star cluster R136 in the 30Doradus region

We analyzed archival Chandra X-ray observations of the central portion of the 30 Doradus region in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The image contains 20 X-ray point sources with luminosities between $5 \times 10^{32}$ and $2 \times 10^{35}$ erg s$^{-1}$ (0.2 -- 3.5 keV). A dozen sources have bright WN Wolf-Rayet or spectral type O stars as optical counterparts. Nine of these are within $\sim 3.4$pc of R136, the central star cluster of NGC2070. We derive an empirical relation between the X-ray luminosity and the parameters for the stellar wind of the optical counterpart. The relation gives good agreement for known colliding wind binaries in the Milky Way Galaxy and for the identified X-ray sources in NGC2070. We conclude that probably all identified X-ray sources in NGC2070 are colliding wind binaries and that they are not associated with compact objects. This conclusion contradicts Wang (1995) who argued, using ROSAT data, that two earlier discovered X-ray sources are accreting black-hole binaries. Five of the eighteen brightest stars in R136 are not visible in our X-ray observations. These stars are either single, have low mass companions or very wide orbits. The resulting binary fraction among early type stars is then unusually high (at least 70%).
Array of Fundamental Torsional Mode EMATs and Experiment in Thick-wall Pipe with Small Diameter

Pipe inspection is an important issue from the perspective of power plant thermal equipment safety. It is difficult to inspect pipe with the conventional non-destructive methods, because of a high temperature and a limited accessibility in the region. The fundamental torsional guided wave is very effective for long range crack of pipe inspection, because of its non-dispersive characteristics. In order to generate non-contact T(0,1) mode, array of fundamental torsional mode electromagnetic acoustic transducers(EMATs) is designed and developed. Using the transducer, T(0,1) mode is generated and detected in the thick-wall pipe with small diameter. By optimizing the element connections of array of EMATs, when the elements are connected in parallel, the generated signal energy not only can be improved, but also other modes can be inhibited. Meanwhile, the frequency response characteristic is tested and the artificial defect along the circumferential direction of the sample pipe is detected. The transducer can achieve identification and accurate location of crack in the circumferential direction of the sample pipe. This proposed method provides a certain foundation for generation and detection T(0,1) mode and non-contact detection of cracks in the pipe.
Peters plus syndrome mutations affect the function and stability of human β1,3-glucosyltransferase.

Peters Plus Syndrome (PTRPLS OMIM #261540) is a severe congenital disorder of glycosylation where patients have multiple structural anomalies, including Peters anomaly of the eye (anterior segment dysgenesis), disproportionate short stature, brachydactyly, dysmorphic facial features, developmental delay, and variable additional abnormalities. PTRPLS patients and some Peters Plus-like (PTRPLS-like) patients (who only have a subset of PTRPLS phenotypes) have mutations in the gene encoding β1,3-glucosyltransferase (B3GLCT). B3GLCT catalyzes the transfer of glucose to O-linked fucose on thrombospondin type-1 repeats. Most B3GLCT substrate proteins belong to the ADAMTS superfamily and play critical roles in extracellular matrix. We sought to determine whether the PTRPLS or PTRPLS-like mutations abrogated B3GLCT activity. B3GLCT has two putative active sites, one in the N-terminal region and the other in the C-terminal glycosyltransferase domain. Using sequence analysis and in vitro activity assays, we demonstrated that the C-terminal domain catalyzes transfer of glucose to O-linked fucose. We also generated a homology model of B3GLCT and identified D421 as the catalytic base. PTRPLS and PTRPLS-like mutations were individually introduced into B3GLCT, and the mutated enzymes were evaluated using in vitro enzyme assays and cell-based functional assays. Our results demonstrated that PTRPLS mutations caused loss of B3GLCT enzymatic activity and/or significantly reduced protein stability. In contrast, B3GLCT with PTRPLS-like mutations retained enzymatic activity, although some showed a minor destabilizing effect. Overall, our data supports the hypothesis that loss of glucose from B3GLCT substrate proteins is responsible for the defects observed in PTRPLS patients, but not for those observed in PTRPLS-like patients.
Dasyurops maculatus (Spotted-tailed Australian native cat)

Skin biopsies of one male and two females were kindly provided by Dr. C. Gray, National Zoological Park, Washington, D.C., USA. All gave similar results that confirm the descriptions in the literature.
Fast molecular processes in energetic materials

ABSTRACT This chapter describes experimental and theoretical approaches for understanding shock compression, low velocity initiation, hot spot formation, shock initiation and detonation of energetic materials and nanotechnology energetic materials on the femtosecond time scale and at the level of individual molecules. Particular attention is paid to models that combine chemistry, mechanics and quantum behavior. Suggestions are made for future work in key areas.
Emissions of Trace Products of Incomplete Combustion from a Pilot-Scale Incinerator Secondary Combustion Chamber

Abstract Experiments were performed on a 73 kW rotary kiln incinerator simulator equipped with a 73 kW secondary combustion chamber (SCC) to examine emissions of products of incomplete combustion (PICs) resulting from incineration of carbon tetrachloride (CC14) and dichloromethane (CH2C12). Species were measured using an on-line gas chromatograph (GC) system capable of measuring concentrations of eight species of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a near-realtime fashion. Samples were taken at several points within the SCC, to generate species profiles with respect to system residence time. For the experiments, the afterburner on the SCC was operated at conditions ranging from fuel-rich to fuellean, while the kiln was operated at a constant set of conditions. Results indicate that combustion of CH2C12 produces higher levels of measured PICs than combustion of CC14, particularly 1, 2 dichlorobenzene, and to a lesser extent, monochlorobenzene. Benzene emissions were predominantly affected by the afterburn...
Role of Runx2 in crosstalk between Mek/Erk and PI3K/Akt signaling in MCF-10A cells.

Crosstalk among mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidyl inositol 3′ kinase (PI3K) signaling pathways integrates extracellular cues to regulate mammary epithelial cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and survival. The runt-related transcription factor, Runx2, is expressed in normal mammary epithelium and promotes differentiation, however, its function in regulation of the MAPK and PI3K signaling crosstalk is not known. We determined the function of Runx2 expression in growth factor-mediated phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and Akt, key downstream kinases in MAPK and PI3K pathway crosstalk in MCF-10A mammary epithelial cells. The Runx2-mediated alterations in cell signaling and associated changes in phenotype were determined by real-time quantitative PCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry approaches. The results revealed that ectopic Runx2 expression differentially downregulates the growth factor (EGF vs. IGF or insulin)-induced pErk1/2 and pAkt levels. Additionally, the ectopic Runx2 expression increases FOXO1 levels, cell cycle G1 stage and promotes survival of MCF-10A cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Runx2 expression increases EGF-induced phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (pEGFR) and relieves Mek/Erk-mediated negative regulation of pEGFR and pAkt levels. Altogether, our results identify functions of Runx2 in MAPK and PI3K signaling crosstalk in MCF-10A cells that could be critical in understanding the mammary epithelial cell growth and survival. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 2208–2217, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Glycemic load, exercise, and monitoring blood glucose (GEM): A paradigm shift in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract Aims This preliminary RCT investigated whether an integrated lifestyle modification program that focuses on reducing postprandial blood glucose through replacing high with low glycemic load foods and increasing routine physical activities guided by systematic self-monitoring of blood glucose (GEM) could improve metabolic control of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, without compromising other physiological parameters. Methods Forty-seven adults (mean age 55.3 years) who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus for less than 5 years (mean 2.1 years), had HbA1c ≥7% (mean 8.4%) and were not taking blood glucose lowering medications, were randomized to routine care or five 1-h instructional sessions of GEM. Assessments at baseline and 6 months included a physical exam, metabolic and lipid panels, and psychological questionnaires. Results The GEM intervention led to significant improvements in HbA1c (decreasing from 8.4 to 7.4% [69–57mmol/mol] compared with 8.3 to 8.3% [68–68mmol/mol] for routine care; Interaction p Conclusions Consistent with a patient-centered approach, GEM appears to be an effective lifestyle modification option for adults recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Measuring Individualized Parent Advocate Services in Children’s Mental Health: A Contextualized Theoretical Application

Scant research literature exists documenting the details of services rendered by peer support providers and their relative impact on children and families. The specific services delivered by peer providers, how the provision of such services are determined and tailored to the needs of individual families, and the tools used to gather services information are largely unknown. We examined how “parent advocates” in the state of Ohio conducted their work with families served through publicly funded children’s mental health services. In partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Ohio, we qualitatively explored the services provided by parent advocates to families with children experiencing emotional and behavioral health challenges. We conducted semi-structured focus groups and individual interviews with 11 adult parent advocates operating in two metropolitan counties of Ohio. The findings include an account of the specific service activities in which the advocates engage with families, a description of how advocates plan and provide individualized and culturally responsive care to families, and advocates’ definitions of success. The study further resulted in the development of the Family Advocate Services Checklist (FASC), a tool to assist NAMI Ohio in gathering advocate services data. We discuss the findings with regard to grounding peer support provider approaches in theory (social support and empowerment), the juxtaposition of individualized and culturally responsive care for children and families through peer support providers, and how the FASC can be used to document advocate services and tie them to child and family outcomes in future studies.
Piperazine as a Linker for Incorporating the Nitric Oxide-Releasing Diazeniumdiolate Group into Other Biomedically Relevant Functional Molecules

Synthetic procedures have been devised to exploit the bifunctional amine piperazine (pip) as a linker capable of attaching the nitric oxide (NO)-releasing diazeniumdiolate functional group [N(O)NO]- to a diverse selection of biomedically useful molecules. One of the amino groups bears the diazeniumdiolate, which may be substituted on oxygen as necessary to control its dissociation to NO, while the other is used to provide a site suitable for covalent bonding to the molecule requiring NO donor capability. N,N‘-Disubstituted piperazines of the structure R-pip-N(O)NOE were prepared either by using the nucleophilic character of the amino group or by converting it into an electrophilic moiety for reaction with nucleophilic centers in the molecules to be derivatized. Examples are reported in which E = CH3 and the R groups are bound to the N‘-nitrogen: via amide linkages to the carboxyl groups of the drug ibuprofen and the amino acid derivative N-acetylmethionine; through a urea grouping to the e-amino group of...
Support for Balanced Juvenile Justice: Assessing Views About Youth, Rehabilitation, and Punishment

The juvenile court was envisioned as a system of justice that would rehabilitate and punish young offenders. However, studies have not directly measured or examined support for “balanced” juvenile justice—that is, support for simultaneously employing juvenile rehabilitation and punishment to sanction youth—or how beliefs central to the creation of the court influence support for balanced justice. Drawing on scholarship on juvenile justice and theoretical accounts of views about sanctioning, the study tests hypotheses about such support. The study employs multinomial logistic regression, using data from 866 college students enrolled in criminology and criminal justice classes, to examine support for different approaches to sanctioning violent juvenile offenders. Analyses indicate that a majority of respondents supported balanced justice for violent delinquents, approximately one-third supported a primarily rehabilitation-focused approach to sanctioning, and the remainder supported a primarily punishment-oriented approach. Individuals who believed that youth could be reformed and deserved treatment were more likely to support balanced justice or a primarily rehabilitation-oriented approach to sanctioning youth. The findings underscore the nuanced nature of public views about sanctioning youth, the salience of philosophical beliefs to support different sanctioning approaches, and the importance of research that accounts for beliefs central to the juvenile court’s mission.
The occurrence and dominant controls on arsenic in the Newark and Gettysburg Basins

Abstract Elevated arsenic (As) concentrations in groundwater and rocks have been found in crystalline and sedimentary aquifers from New England to Pennsylvania, USA. The arsenic geochemistry and water–rock interactions of the Northern Appalachian Mountains and the Newark Basin have been researched at length, however, little is known about arsenic in the Gettysburg Basin. Both the Newark and Gettysburg Basins were formed during the breakup of Pangea, sediment deposition occurred during the Triassic and lithologies are of similar depositional environment. We compile and review the work done in the Newark Basin and collect new samples in the Gettysburg Basin for comparison. The Gettysburg Basin has 18%–39% of rock samples with arsenic concentrations greater than the crustal average of 2 mg/kg, while the Newark Basin has 73% to 95% of rock samples above the crustal average. The strongest controls on arsenic in rocks of the Gettysburg Basin are the relationship between arsenic and iron and silicon concentrations while the strongest controls in the Newark Basin are the relationship between arsenic and iron and organic carbon concentrations. The groundwater arsenic concentrations follow similarly with 8–39% of water samples from the Gettysburg Basin above 10 μg/L and 24–54% of water samples from the Newark Basin above 10 μg/L. The strongest controls on arsenic in water of the Gettysburg Basin are pH, alkalinity and silicon, while the strongest controls in the Newark Basin are pH and alkalinity.
A CCD-based area detector for X-ray crystallography using synchrotron and laboratory sources

Abstract The design and characteristics of a CCD-based area detector suitable for X-ray crystallographic studies using both synchrotron and laboratory sources are described. The active area is 75 mm in diameter, the FWHM of the point response function is 0.20 mm, and for Bragg peaks the dynamic range is 900 and the DQE ∼ 0.3. The 1320 × 1035-pixel Kodak CCD is read out into an 8 Mbyte memory system in 0.14 s and digitized to 12 bits. X-ray crystallographic data collected at the NSLS synchrotron from cubic insulin crystals are presented.
Numerical and experimental analysis of inflating a circular hyperelastic membrane over a rigid and elastic foundation

Abstract This work investigates the numerical and experimental behaviour of a flat, circular membrane inflated by an incompressible fluid over rigid and elastic foundations. The membrane is assumed to be homogeneous, elastic, and isotropic. The friction between the silicone bag used to fill the membrane with liquid, the membrane, and the foundation are not considered, although there is contact over the entire area of the membrane. The membrane was modelled as neo-Hookean to describe the membrane used in the experimental analysis. The Runge-Kutta and the Shooting methods are used to solve the well-known equilibrium differential equations for hyperelastic membranes under finite deformations. The numerical and experimental results of the expanded membrane were in good agreement. The results showed that for the same amount of liquid inserted, there is considerably less pressure inside the membrane over the elastic foundation and a smaller superficial area for the expanded membrane. This work focused on applying structural knowledge to Biomechanical Engineering and was motivated by the puzzling results obtained during the surgical procedure of skin expansion realized on some patients.
Plasma esterases, their definitions and status as isozymes in the house sparrow

Abstract 1. 1. Plasma esterases of the house sparrow are separable into a total of 22 electrophoretic bands that form 10 groups based on substrate reactions. 2. 2. These esterases are determined by neither less than 4 nor more than 22 loci, most likely 10. 3. 3. Identical specificity for esterases of certain groups suggests the possibility of isozymes, but the complement does not form one isozymic series. 4. 4. The classification of these enzymes remains uncertain because of previous incongruities in the definition of other vertebrate esterases using similar techniques, substrates, and modifiers.
Relation of Gregarines to Growth and Longevity in the Mealworm Tenebrio Molitor L.

Although gregarines are known to occur in the digestive tract of a number of different kinds of insects, apparently little is known concerning the significance of such infestations. Portier (1919) reared larvae on sterilized media and holds that microorganisms are not essential for growth in Tenebrio molitor , whereas, the writer (1933) found that gregarines were necessary for normal growth and longevity in this mealworm.
Expected stock returns, risk premiums and volatilities of economic factors

Abstract This paper conducts tests of a multifactor asset pricing model in which time-varying risk premiums are related to the conditional volatilities of the market return and economic state variables. I provide new evidence on the relationships between the conditional volatility of the stock market, the volatilities of economic variables and business conditions. Tests reject the joint hypothesis that the model explains both the cross-sectional and intertemporal variation of expected returns on size or industry portfolios. Further tests suggest that the rejection is mostly attributed to the inability of the model to explain the dynamic behavior of expected returns on different size portfolios or on cyclical and noncyclical industry portfolios.
The Thymic Suppressor Cell II. Metabolic Requirements of Suppressor Activity

The specific suppressor activity of washed thymocytes from rats given a large dose of BGG was abolished by cycloheximide. This result was consistent with possible suppressor mechanisms involving synthesis of specific surface receptors, “lymphokine”-like mediators, or secreted immunoglobulin by the transferred cells following challenge of the recipient. Suppressor activity was also abolished by antimycin A, which may have acted like cycloheximide to inhibit protein synthesis or may have served as a general metabolic poison. Mitomycin C, at a level which completely prevented DNA synthesis, did not inhibit suppression. Actinomycin D, at a level which abolished most macromolecular synthesis, also failed to inhibit suppression.
Effect of Kinetic and Design Parameters on Ternary Reactive Distillation Columns

Many types of reactive distillation columns have been studied in the literature. Ideal hypothetical and real chemical systems have been investigated from the standpoint of steady-state design, bifu...
Investigation of proximity effect correction in electron projection lithography (EPL)

An electron projection lithography (EPL) system which projects reticle patterns onto a wafer will be applied to sub 100 nm lithography. Requirements for line width accuracy are very strict as feature sizes are less than 100 nm. For electron beam lithography, proximity effect corrections have always been an important issue for accurate feature width control. In this paper characteristics of several correction methods are examined, and appropriate correction methods for 100 kV EPL are introduced. Employing the shape correction method burdens the reticle pattern preparation system much more than other methods. Therefore a calculation method suitable for 100 kV EPL where the backscatter radius is very wide ((beta) b approximately equals 30 micrometer) and the forward scatter radius is narrow ((beta) f approximately equals 7 nm) has been developed. The calculation of deposition energy by the backscattered electron beam is carried out with a coarse grid but wide range. The calculation of the combined effect of the electron scattering blurs from the features is carried out only within a narrow range. The correction calculation is carried out using both of these results. Using this method, accurate and fast calculations can be achieved. Employing the GHOST correction method increases total exposure cost. The practical GHOST correction methods may also be improved. An additional correction method named shape correction with GHOST is also shown.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Photothermal nanopositioners based on graphene nanocomposites

By dispersing graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) within a polydimethylsiloxane matrix, we show that light absorption by GNPs and subsequent energy transduction to the polymeric chains can be used to controllably produce significant amounts of motion through entropic elasticity of the pre-strained composite. Using dual actuators, a twoaxis sub-micron resolution stage was developed, and allowed for two-axis photo-thermal positioning (~100 μm per axis) with 120 nm resolution (feedback sensor limitation), and ~5 μm s -1 actuation speeds. A PID control loop automatically stabilizes the stage against thermal drift, as well as random thermal-induced position fluctuations (up to the bandwidth of the feedback and position sensor).
Clostridium scindens baiCD and baiH genes encode stereo-specific 7α/7β-hydroxy-3-oxo-Δ4-cholenoic acid oxidoreductases

Abstract Secondary bile acids, formed by intestinal bacteria, are suggested to play a significant role in cancers of the gastrointestinal tract in humans. Bile acid 7α/β-dehydroxylation is carried out by a few species of intestinal clostridia which harbor a multi-gene bile acid inducible (bai) operon. Several genes encoding enzymes in this pathway have been cloned and characterized. However, no gene product(s) has yet been assigned to the production of 3-oxo-Δ4-cholenoic acid intermediates of cholic acid (CA), chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) or ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). We previously reported that the baiH gene encodes an NADH:flavin oxidoreductase (NADH:FOR); however, the role of this protein in bile acid 7-dehydroxylation is unclear. Homology searches and secondary structural alignments suggest this protein to be similar to flavoproteins which reduce α/β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The baiH gene product was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and discovered to be a stereo-specific NAD(H)-dependent 7β-hydroxy-3-oxo-Δ4-cholenoic acid oxidoreductase. Additionally, high sequence similarity between the baiH and baiCD gene products suggests the baiCD gene may encode a 3-oxo-Δ4-cholenoic acid oxidoreductase specific for CDCA and CA. We tested this hypothesis using cell extracts prepared from E. coli overexpressing the baiCD gene and discovered that it encodes a stereo-specific NAD(H)-dependent 7α-hydroxy-3-oxo-Δ4-cholenoic acid oxidoreductase.
Tautness and Lie Sphere Geometry

An immersion f of a smooth compact connected manifold M into Euclidean space E" is said to be taut if every Morse function of the form Lp(x)= Ip--f(x)l 2, p ~ lR", has the minimum number of critical points required by the Morse inequalities on M. Carter and West [3] showed that tautness is invariant under Moebius (conformal) transformations of IR" and under stereographic projection from IR" into the unit sphere S" in IR" + 1. They showed further that a taut immersion must, in fact, be an embedding. Pinkall [13] showed that for the theory of taut embeddings, it is sufficient to study hypersurfaces in the following sense. Let M (11" (or S") be a compact submanifold of codimension greater than one, and let M s be a tube of sufficiently small radius ~. about M so that M~ is an embedded hypersurface. Then M is taut if and only if M s is taut. Cecil and Ryan [6] showed that any isoparametric hypersurface in S" is taut, and recently, Hsiang, Palais and Terng 1-8] have proven that any isoparametric submanifold of any codimension is taut. The main result of this paper is that within the class of immersions, tautness is invariant under the group of Lie sphere transformations. This group is considerably larger than the group of Moebius transformations, as we will now explain. In his work on contact transformations, Lie 1-9] developed his geometry of oriented spheres (see also Blaschke [2]). Lie established a bijective correspondence between the set of all oriented hyperspheres and point spheres in S" and the points on the quadric hypersurface Q,+I in real projective space pn+2 given by the equation (x, x ) = 0, where ( , ) is an indefinite metric with signature (n + 1,2) on N "+3. Q"+~ contains projective lines but no linear subspaces of pn+2 of higher dimension. The 1-parameter family of oriented spheres, called a parabolic pencil, corresponding to the points of a projective line lying on Q,+l consists of all oriented hyperspheres which are in oriented contact at a certain contact element on S". In this way, Lie established a diffeomorphism between the manifold of contact elements on S" and the space A 2"1 of projective lines which lie on Q"+ 1. A
The significance of metre-scale allocycles in the quest for a fundamental stratigraphic unit

The major ‘transgressive’ sequence in the lower Helderberg Group (Devonian) of New York State and a ‘regressive’ sequence of similar scale in the first Courceyan mesothem (Carboniferous) of South Wales are entirely divisible into metre-scale allocycles. The boundaries of these cycles are produced by non-sedimentological processes: larger-scale stratigraphic events associated with relative sea-level fluctuations. The existence of these boundaries as basin-wide discontinuities precludes the application of Walther’s Law except within cycles. Thus palaeogeographic reconstructions based on the assumption of contemporaneity of large-scale fades tracts (formations and members) must be abandoned. Instead stratigraphic interpretation requires the recognition and application of a genetic unit of analysis consistent with the actual internal allogenic fabric of such sequences. Application of the metre-scale allocycle, the smallest allogenic unit of stratigraphic accumulation, results in fundamentally different interpretations of the Helderberg and Courceyan sequences. Rather than being continuously and unidirectionally ‘transgressive’ or ‘regressive’, both sequences were discontinuously generated by episodes of rapid deepening and gradual shallowing at more than one scale.
Discovery of mosquito saliva microRNAs during CHIKV infection.

Mosquito borne pathogens are transmitted to humans via saliva during blood feeding. Mosquito saliva is a complex concoction of many secretory factors that modulate the feeding foci to enhance pathogen infection and establishment. Multiple salivary proteins/factors have been identified/characterized that enhance pathogen infection. Here, we describe, for the first time, the identification of exogenous microRNAs from mosquito saliva. MicroRNAs are short, 18–24 nucleotide, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression, and are generally intracellular. However, circulating miRNAs have been described from serum and saliva of humans. Exogenous miRNAs have not been reported from hematophagous arthropod saliva. We sought to identify miRNAs in the mosquito saliva and their role in Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection. Next generation sequencing was utilized to identify 103 exogenous miRNAs in mosquito saliva of which 31 miRNAs were previously unidentified and were designated novel. Several miRNAs that we have identified are expressed only in the CHIKV infected mosquitoes. Five of the saliva miRNAs were tested for their potential to regulated CHIKV infection, and our results demonstrate their functional role in the transmission and establishment of infection during blood feeding on the host.
DOES IT PAY TO BE GREEN? AN EMPIRICAL EXAMINATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMISSION REDUCTION AND FIRM PERFORMANCE

Evidence can be marshalled to support either the view that pollution abatement is a cost burden on firms and is detrimental to competitiveness, or that reducing emissions increases efficiency and saves money, giving firms a cost advantage. In an effort to resolve this seeming paradox, the relationship between emissions reduction and firm performance is examined empirically for a sample of S&P 500 firms using data drawn from the Investor Responsibility Research Center's Corporate Environmental Profile and Compustat. The results indicate that efforts to prevent pollution and reduce emissions drop to the ‘bottom line’ within one to two years of initiation and that those firms with the highest emission levels stand the most to gain.
Human skeletal remains from the southern Cape Province and their bearing on the stone age prehistory of South Africa

Abstract Substantial numbers of human skeletons have been recovered from caves and shelters of the southern Cape Province, South Africa, and these constitute a valuable source of information about evolutionary change and population movement during Upper Pleistocene and Holocene times. A few fragments from Klasies River Mouth and Die Kelders are firmly associated with Middle Stone Age cultural assemblages, but most of the material is probably linked with the Later Stone Age Albany and Wilton industries. Unfortunately the largest collections of relatively well-preserved remains have come from earlier excavations (Matjes River Shelter, Oakhurst), and the stratigraphic provenance of these burials is frequently in doubt. Other skeletal samples are small, and paleodemographic approaches are diffcult to apply. However, Bushman- or Hottentot-like individuals can certainly be identified, and this is important to the questions of Bushman antiquity or origins. Other problems concerning early Cape populations can also be examined, and this work on the human skeletons should complement ongoing cave sediment and other geological studies, faunal and plant analyses, and archaeological investigations of associated cultural remains.
Gender and Job Performance: Evidence from Wall Street

We study the relation between gender and job performance among brokerage firm equity analysts. Women's representation in analyst positions drops from 16% in 1995 to 13% in 2005. We find women cover roughly 9 stocks on average compared to 10 for men. Women's earnings estimates tend to be less accurate. After controlling for forecast characteristics, the difference in accuracy is roughly equivalent to four years of experience. Despite reduced coverage and lower forecast accuracy, we find women are significantly more likely to be designated as All-Stars, which suggests they outperform at other aspects of the job such as client service.
Personalization of the Outside Envelope in Mail Surveys

DILLMAN and his collaborators (1972; 1974) have proposed a method for eliciting high response rates in mail surveys. They attribute their success to personalization, which involves a number of different procedures.1 Which combination of these procedures (and others) is necessary to achieve optimal personalization and thereby to elicit high response rates, or whether all are necessary in combination, is as yet not clearly established. The experiments reported here tested whether increased postage and individually addressed letters are necessary components of personalization when the other aspects of personalization are present.
A Monte Carlo simulation of an actual segmented calorimeter: A study of calorimeter performance at high energies

Abstract The program CALOR simulated the performance of a real segmented Fe-liquid argon calorimeter at energies ranging from 10 GeV to 250 GeV. The energy resolution, angular resolution and energy deposition of these Monte Carlo results are in accord with the experimental results available at 10–38 GeV. σ(E)/E = (33.4/√E + 5.07)% and σθ(E) = 15.7 + 458/E mrad describe the resolutions.