cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genome-Guided Discovery of Natural Products through Multiplexed Low-Coverage Whole-Genome Sequencing of Soil Actinomycetes on Oxford Nanopore Flongle.

Genome mining is an important tool for discovery of new natural products; however, the number of publicly available genomes for natural product-rich microbes such as actinomycetes, relative to human pathogens with smaller genomes, is small. To obtain contiguous DNA assemblies and identify large (ca. 10 to greater than 100 kb) biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) with high GC (>70%) and high-repeat content, it is necessary to use long-read sequencing methods when sequencing actinomycete genomes. One of the hurdles to long-read sequencing is the higher cost. In the current study, we assessed Flongle, a recently launched platform by Oxford Nanopore Technologies, as a low-cost DNA sequencing option to obtain contiguous DNA assemblies and analyze BGCs. To make the workflow more cost-effective, we multiplexed up to four samples in a single Flongle sequencing experiment while expecting low-sequencing coverage per sample. We hypothesized that contiguous DNA assemblies might enable analysis of BGCs even at low sequencing depth. To assess the value of these assemblies, we collected high-resolution mass spectrometry data and conducted a multi-omics analysis to connect BGCs to secondary metabolites. In total, we assembled genomes for 20 distinct strains across seven sequencing experiments. In each experiment, 50% of the bases were in reads longer than 10 kb, which facilitated the assembly of reads into contigs with an average N50 value of 3.5 Mb. The programs antiSMASH and PRISM predicted 629 and 295 BGCs, respectively. We connected BGCs to metabolites for N,N-dimethyl cyclic-di-tryptophan, two novel lasso peptides, and three known actinomycete-associated siderophores, namely, mirubactin, heterobactin, and salinichelin. IMPORTANCE Short-read sequencing of GC-rich genomes such as those from actinomycetes results in a fragmented genome assembly and truncated biosynthetic gene clusters (often 10 to >100 kb long), which hinders our ability to understand the biosynthetic potential of a given strain and predict the molecules that can be produced. The current study demonstrates that contiguous DNA assemblies, suitable for analysis of BGCs, can be obtained through low-coverage, multiplexed sequencing on Flongle, which provides a new low-cost workflow ($30 to 40 per strain) for sequencing actinomycete strain libraries.
Empirical Verification of Car-Following Parameters Using Naturalistic Driving Data on Freeway Segments

AbstractMicroscopic traffic simulation is a well-established tool for the analysis of transportation systems, with a wide variety of applications in operations, safety, and planning. An essential c...
Forced imbibition in stratified porous media: Fluid dynamics and breakthrough saturation

Imbibition, the displacement of a nonwetting fluid by a wetting fluid, plays a central role in diverse energy, environmental, and industrial processes. While this process is typically studied in homogeneous porous media with uniform permeabilities, in many cases, the media have multiple parallel strata of different permeabilities. How such stratification impacts the fluid dynamics of imbibition, as well as the fluid saturation after the wetting fluid breaks through to the end of a given medium, is poorly understood. We address this gap in knowledge by developing an analytical model of imbibition in a porous medium with two parallel strata, combined with a pore network model that explicitly describes fluid crossflow between the strata. By numerically solving these models, we examine the fluid dynamics and fluid saturation left after breakthrough. We find that the breakthrough saturation of nonwetting fluid is minimized when the imposed capillary number Ca is tuned to a value Ca$^*$ that depends on both the structure of the medium and the viscosity ratio between the two fluids. Our results thus provide quantitative guidelines for predicting and controlling flow in stratified porous media, with implications for water remediation, oil/gas recovery, and applications requiring moisture management in diverse materials.
Fuel and Additive Characterization for HCCI Combustion

This paper shows a numerical evaluation of fuels and additives for HCCl combustion. First, a long list of candidate HCCl fuels is selected. For all the fuels in the list, operating conditions (compression ratio, equivalence ratio and intake temperature) are determined that result in optimum performance under typical operation for a heavy-duty engine. Fuels are also characterized by presenting Log(p)-Log(T) maps for multiple fuels under HCCl conditions. Log(p)-Log(T) maps illustrate important processes during HCCl engine operation, including compression, low temperature heat release and ignition. Log(p)-Log(T) diagrams can be used for visualizing these processes and can be used as a tool for detailed analysis of HCCl combustion. The paper also includes a ranking of many potential additives. Experiments and analyses have indicated that small amounts (a few parts per million) of secondary fuels (additives) may considerably affect HCCl combustion and may play a significant role in controlling HCCl combustion. Additives are ranked according to their capability to advance HCCl ignition. The best additives are listed and an explanation of their effect on HCCl combustion is included.
Opportunities for Foundry Energy Conservation Based on Selected Case Studies

ABSTRACT Foundry energy conservation has become a focal point for reducing harmful emissions and energy throughput. Industrial Assessment Centers located at universities across the United States are charged with aiding the Department of Energy and Industries of the Future (IOF) to reduce energy consumption with minimal equipment changes. A case study of energy uses and potential areas for savings within foundry operations is presented in this article. Five metal casting manufactures utilizing equipment and technologies where significant energy reductions can be realized are discussed. In each plant, two or more technically feasible recommendations were identified for substantial reduction in energy use.
Effects of television utilization procedures on learning

During the past decade, discussion of TV utilization in education journals has revealed a prevailing confusion between "utilization" as method effectiveness and extent of use (Twyford & Doherty, 1961). In fact, all data on utilization prior to 1960 concentrated solely on TV sets in classrooms. More recently, attention has been given to methodological implications of instructional TV (Guba & Snyder, 1965). Researchers have indicated that the systematic use of television requires some relinquishment of the teacher's curriculum autonomy and a redefinition of her instructional role to "manager of learning situations" and/or "counselor of individual learners" (Tyler, 1962). In recognition of the need for some form of inservice training in TV utilization, and as part of their evaluation of the first year of Peace Corps ETV in Colombia, Maccoby and Comstock (1965) designed an experiment which dealt with the kind of in-class methods the teacher should be encouraged to use with television. Peace Corps volunteers trained teachers in two types of preparation and follow-up for classroom television programs: Socratic and Teacher-Tell. The Socratic method involved question and answer discussions with the students; students were given immediate knowledge of cor-
Perceptions of Support Systems for Tenure-Track Librarians

Hiring and retaining talent in academic libraries marks a significant investment of time and capital for colleges and universities. This is particularly true for tenure-track academic librarians. Successful attainment of tenure is in the interests of both librarians and administrators, and many institutions offer tenure support systems to assist librarians in this regard. A forty-four question survey assessed tenure-track librarians' perceptions and satisfaction of whether tenure requirements are adequately supported in their critical partnership with library administrators. While most respondents expressed somewhat moderate satisfaction with provided support measures, support type and quantity varied significantly. A recommendation for creating a comprehensive program of support is discussed.
The People's Car: A Global History of the Volkswagen Beetle. By Bernhard Rieger. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2013. Pp. x, 416. $28.95.)

In this fascinating study, the author analyzes the construction of an international icon comparable to Coca‐Cola or McDonald's. Yet in the case of the Volkswagen Beetle, consumers in Germany, the U...
The influence of atmospheric tide and planetary wave variability during sudden stratosphere warmings on the low latitude ionosphere

[1] Numerical simulations are performed for a sudden stratosphere warming (SSW) under different atmospheric tide and planetary wave forcing conditions to investigate the tidal variability in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT). The influence of variability of different tides in the MLT on generating perturbations to the low latitude ionosphere is also investigated. Significant changes are found to occur in the migrating semidiurnal solar (SW2) and lunar (M2) tides as well as in the westward propagating nonmigrating semidiurnal tide with zonal wave number 1 (SW1). The changes in the zonal mean atmosphere that occur during SSWs lead to an enhancement in the SW2 and M2 tides. The vertical wavelength of the SW2 is also changed, resulting in phase variability in the SW2 at a constant altitude. Significant enhancements in the SW1 are found to occur only in the presence of additional planetary wave forcing, and this demonstrates that nonlinear planetary wave‒tide interactions lead to the enhanced SW1 during SSWs. The amplitude and phase variability of the SW2 is found to be capable of producing temporal variability in the vertical plasma drift velocity that is similar to the observed variability. Changes in the M2 during SSWs can contribute up to an additional ∼30% of the total ionosphere variability; however, the overall influence of the lunar tide is found to be dependent upon the phase of the moon relative to the timing of the SSW. Although the influence is relatively minor, the SW1 also contributes to the low latitude ionosphere variability during SSWs. The simulation results for the vertical plasma drift velocity and total electron content (TEC) further illustrate that significant longitude variability occurs in the ionosphere response to SSWs.
Preoperative breast magnetic resonance imaging in early breast cancer: implications for partial breast irradiation.

BACKGROUND: Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) of patients with early breast cancer is being investigated on a multi-institutional protocol National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) B-39/RTOG 0413. Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is more sensitive than mammography (MG) and may aid in selection of patients appropriate for PBI. METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) routinely undergo contrast-enhanced, bilateral breast MRI at the Cleveland Clinic. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all early-stage breast cancer patients who had a breast MRI, MG, and surgical pathology data at our institution between June of 2005 and December of 2006. Any suspicious lesions identified on MRI were further evaluated by targeted ultrasound ± biopsy. RESULTS: A total of 260 patients met eligibility criteria for NSABP B-39/RTOG 0413 by MG, physical exam, and surgical pathology. The median age was 57 years. DCIS was present in 63 patients, and invasive breast cancer was found in 197 patients. MRI identified suspicious lesions in 35 ipsilateral breasts (13%) and in 16 contralateral breasts (6%). Mammographically occult, synchronous ipsilateral foci were found by MRI in 11 patients (4.2%), and in the contralateral breast in 4 patients (1.5%). By univariate analysis, lobular histology (infiltrating lobular carcinoma [ILC]), pathologic T2, and American Joint Committee on Cancer stage II were significantly associated with additional ipsilateral disease. Of patients with ILC histology, 18% had ipsilateral secondary cancers or DCIS, compared with 3% in the remainder of histologic subtypes (P = .004). No patient older than 70 years had synchronous cancers or DCIS detected by MRI. CONCLUSIONS: Breast MRI identified synchronous mammographically occult foci in 5.8% of early breast cancer patients who would otherwise be candidates for APBI. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
De Caesare in scholis Latinis provectioribus destinatis modo activo proponendo

On the Active Use of Caesar in Latin Classes for Advanced Students. Methods for active teaching of the Latin language are usually considered to be best suited for the curriculum of beginners’ classes. Such methods can, however, be used quite efficiently even when teaching advanced students either at High School or University level. Nor does it seem to be necessary to restrict the active use of Latinity to simple conversations only or to avoid using the texts of the classic Roman authors, which students of Latin need to understand well. In short, there is nothing preventing students from becoming familiar with the rules of grammar by means of active exercises. Such familiary furnishes the student with shortcuts to a better understanding of the language itself. This may in turn lead to that very ability to read ancient texts which is, after all, the main object of Latin teaching. The present contribution deals with the use of active methods in the curriculum for Advanced Placement (AP) High School pupils who are taking courses that provide them with academic credits for university qualification in the USA. Examples are taken from Caesar’s Commentarii de bello Gallico , a fundamental text in the AP curriculum as far as prose is concerned. The article deals first with how to explain a text in various ways by means of the Latin language alone, without having recourse to the vernacular. Asking questions, making paraphrases, adding titles, or providing a summary are all alternatives here. Furthermore, dictation is elucidated, and how it can offer a bridge to explaining the text in Latin; so is an active method to explain various grammatical constructions. There then follows the active treatment of grammatical as well as rhetorical figures. Finally, questions of how to compose dialogues, and even how to edit plays for the stage, are addressed. At the end of the essay, the author discusses how to combine textual work with exercises involving describing images in Latin.
AMPHIBOLE AND HERCYNITE SPINEL IN SHERGOTTY AND ZAGAMI: MAGMATIC WATER, DEPTH OF CRYSTALLIZATION, AND METASOMATISM

Amphibole and spinel occur in the Shergotty and Zagami meteorites only in magmatic inclusions in pigeonite. The trapped magma is essentially identical to the parental magmas for Shergotty and Zagami. The amphibole is a kaersutite with minimal halogen content; by inference, it must have been hydrous. If so, the Shergotty and Zagami melts contained at least 0.2 wt pct H2O and were probably H2O-undersaturated. Pressures in excess of 1 kilobar seem necessary for the formation of amphibole. Spinel replaces magnetite in the inclusions, and olivine replaces magnetite elsewhere in the meteorites. To stabilize spinel, the melt in the inclusions must have become enriched in Al during fractionation, possibly because the small volume of the inclusions made nucleation of plagioclase unlikely. Pervasive replacement of magnetite through reduction reactions suggests that Shergotty and Zagami interacted with hydrogen-rich fluids during their cooling.
Positive definite constrained least-squares estimation of matrices

Abstract This paper presents a method for positive definite constrained least-squares estimation of matrices. The approach is to transform the problem into an equivalent convex quadratic program with infinitely many linear constraints and solve the latter by generating and solving a sequence of ordinary convex quadratic programs.
Implications of OKN suppression by smooth pursuit for induced motion

Induced motion refers to the illusory movement of a stationary stimulus that results from the opposite movement of other stimuli in the visual field (for a historical review, see Duncker, 1929). A familiar example is provided by the apparent motion of the moon viewed through a surround of moving clouds. Although the moon is objectively stationary, it appears to move opposite to the cloud motion. A variety of explanations have been offered to account for induced motion. Duncker (1929) proposed that changes in the apparent location of a stimulus relative to its surround produced the illusory movement. Specifically, movement of the surround was presumed to result in the perception of changed relative locations of the induced motion stimuli, which in tum would give rise to perceived movement. More recently, Brosgole (1968) and Bridgeman and Klassen (1983) suggested that induced motion resulted from changes in the perceived direction of the fixated stimulus relative to the observer. Specifically, the motion of the inducing stimulus was assumed to alter the direction of the apparent straight-ahead, which in tum would alter the perceived direction of the stationery stimulus. Changes in perceived direction are, in tum, inferred as movement of the fixated stimulus. These two accounts are similar in that the induced movement percept is mediated indirectly, that is, the illusory movement results from changes in perceived location or perceived direction. To date, the possibility that oculomotor mechanisms contribute to induced motion has been rejected on the basis of experiments in which eye movements were measured during observation of the illusory movement. These studies (Mack, 1970; Brosgole, Cristal, & Carpenter, 1968; Bassili& Farber, 1977) consistently found that there was no significant amount of eye movement during fixation of induced motion stimuli. The absence of significant retinal image motion eliminates the possibility that
A Model Death

To many health professionals, the ideal patient just lies there quietly and cooperatively, watching television between occasional bouts of meaningful interaction with his family. Bob didn't measure...
Tillage and water conservation: experience in the Pacific Northwest

. Tillage practices for water conservation in the Pacific Northwest, USA, wheat region emphasize the infiltration and retention of winter rain and snow and suppression of evaporation and transpiration by weeds. The wheat-fallow system dominates in the semi-arid areas and winter wheat-spring crop rotations are most common in the sub-humid areas. The main features of water conservation during the fallow season include chisel ploughing in the autumn to reduce winter runoff, and spring and summer tillage to kill weeds, minimize evaporation, and conserve seed-zone water. Water in the seed zone is conserved by establishing a soil mulch having properties that thermally insulate the seed zone while at the same time restricting upward liquid and water vapour flow. Water conservation in the more humid zones involves chisel ploughing in autumn, uphill ploughing, and stubble retention to reduce winter runoff. New practices include minimum tillage and no-till planting methods which maintain surface residues. However, heavy equipment associated with current trends in no-till is causing soil compaction which may decrease infiltration rates. Methods under experimentation to improve infiltration with conservation tillage systems include slot mulching, paraplowing, and the use of basin pitters.
Advances in GPCR Modeling Evaluated by the GPCR Dock 2013 Assessment: Meeting New Challenges

Despite tremendous successes of GPCR crystallography, the receptors with available structures represent only a small fraction of human GPCRs. An important role of the modeling community is to maximize structural insights for the remaining receptors and complexes. The community-wide GPCR Dock assessment was established to stimulate and monitor the progress in molecular modeling and ligand docking for GPCRs. The four targets in the present third assessment round presented new and diverse challenges for modelers, including prediction of allosteric ligand interaction and activation states in 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors 1B and 2B, and modeling by extremely distant homology for smoothened receptor. Forty-four modeling groups participated in the assessment. State-of-the-art modeling approaches achieved close-to-experimental accuracy for small rigid orthosteric ligands and models built by close homology, and they correctly predicted protein fold for distant homology targets. Predictions of long loops and GPCR activation states remain unsolved problems.
Effects of compressive load excursions on fatigue crack growth

Abstract The variable-amplitude loading encountered in service often includes compressive excursions. It has been a common practice to ignore these excursions for fatigue crack growth analyses. Recently, experimental data on both smooth bars and cracked specimens with intermittent negative R ratio loadings have indicated that the effects of compressive excursions are not negligible.
Vitamin C status of institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly in Central Kentucky.

A survey of 139 elderly volunteers between 60 and 90 years of age was conducted to determine their vitamin C status and to investigate possible relationships between the plasma vitamin C level, the participant's age, sex, and institutionalization status. When the participants' vitamin C levels were compared by age groups (60–70, 71–80, 81–90) and sex, no significant differences were found. Higher (P <0.01) mean total and reduced plasma vitamin C levels were found in those subjects living on their own, when compared to nursing home residents. No vitamin C deficiency levels were found in the elderly population studied, although several were considered borderline.
Prototype commercial Orbitron Maser

The gas filled Orbitron Maser has been fitted with a titanium sputter pump. Thus, the gas pressure can be kept at the optimum value without a portable mechanical pump.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Uncut recombinant plasmids bearing nested cauliflower mosaic virus genomes infect plants by intragenomic recombination.

Experiments are described which show that recombinant plasmids bearing cauliflower mosaic virus genomes flanked by homologous viral DNA arms (‘nested’ viral genomes) can infect plants without prior excision of the CaMV genome. Infectious viral genomes are excised from such recombinant plasmids within the plant by a process of intramolecular recombination. The frequency of infection, and presumably recombination increase with the length of the homologous DNA flanking the CaMV genome. This mechanism affords us the opportunity to transfer directly the CaMV genome from bacteria to plants.
The effect of acetic acid on gastric secretion stimulated by endogenous gastrin in vagally denervated canine fundic pouches

The gastric secretory responses of vagally denervated canine fundic pouches stimulated by endogenous gastrin have been defined following exposure to acetic acid. In order to compare the secretory changes induced by exposing both the resting and the actively secreting mucosa to acetic acid, the organic acid was placed in the pouches either before or 1–1/4 hours after stimulation by a standard meat meal. Exposure to acetic acid caused inhibition of secretion, which was more pronounced when the organic acid was placed in the resting pouches. The organic acid also caused enhanced exchange-diffusion which was reflected by increased exsorption of Na+. The outputs of Na+ were higher when acetic acid was placed in the actively secreting as opposed to the resting pouches; this was probably a reflection of differences in availability of H+. The electrolytic interrelationships in the gastric juice were not altered by exposure of the pouches to acetic acid.
Linear Spatial Interpolation and Analysis of Annual Average Daily Traffic Data

AbstractTransportation planning requires the use of accurate traffic data to produce estimates of traffic volume predictions over time and space. The annual average daily traffic (AADT) data is an important component of transportation design, operation, policy analysis, and planning. The use of traffic volume forecasting models for the characterization, analysis, and estimation of transportation data has proven to be a useful method for reducing high costs, overcoming spatial constraints, and limiting the errors associated with data collection and analysis in transportation planning. The geostatistical kriging technique is a viable method for modeling and forecasting AADT. The degree to which the technique of kriging can be useful in forecasting AADT depends highly on an understanding of the decision-making variables, the relationship between the variables, and the practical limitations of the various kriging techniques and variogram models. This paper applied three different linear kriging techniques [si...
Neurological Injuries Associated With Regional Anesthesia

A peripheral nerve or spinal cord injury is a rare but significant complication of regional anesthesia. Evaluation of acute nerve injury includes a focused history and examination to localize the lesion. Confirmatory testing should include electromyography and appropriate imaging. In most cases magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is preferred to computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound given the better resolution of the nerves and soft tissue. Most cases of peripheral nerve injury will improve and resolve without deficit. In mild cases reassurance and observation is all that is necessary. In more severe cases, if the deficit is progressive or complete, surgical exploration should be considered. If there is no recovery by 2 to 5 months then referral to a peripheral nerve surgeon should be considered. The prognosis for cauda equina or spinal cord lesions is more guarded. Recovery from these is commonly incomplete. Early diagnosis and intervention is the key to preventing catastrophic neurological outcomes.
Geophysical Variables and Behavior: XVII. Mental Retardation and Seasonality of Birth: A Racial Analysis:

The records of 1174 mentally retarded people were analyzed with regard to patterns of seasonality of birth. A population model was derived from birth records of the general population born during the same time period as the mentally retarded people. Log-linear analyses uncovered no significant differences between the seasons of birth for the mentally retarded and those in the general population. There were also no significant relationships when the data were analyzed by race and sex. Given the sample size and the sophistication of the analytic model, these results have important implications for an unresolved literature.
Improved outcomes associated with early resuscitation in septic shock: do we need to resuscitate the patient or the physician?

It is clear that early aggressive fluid resuscitation in children with septic shock results in improved survival. Children who receive larger volumes of intravenous isotonic fluid in the initial hour after presentation in septic shock have lower mortality, and children who receive >40 mL/kg of fluid do even better in terms of survival.1 Furthermore, when groups receiving smaller versus larger volumes of intravenous fluids are compared, there is no increase in acute respiratory distress syndrome or noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, 2 significant potential complications of overly-aggressive volume expansion.1 Similar findings are reported by investigators in London from their experiences with a specific type of septic shock, meningiococemia. They also report improved survival when increased fluid resuscitation was instituted as part of early resuscitation therapy.2 In the study reported by Han et al3 in this month’s issue of Pediatrics , investigators now turn their attention to evaluate how well community practitioners have adhered to recently published resuscitation guidelines for the treatment of septic shock in children.4,5 The American College of Critical Care Medicine (ACCM) recently published the Clinical Practice Parameters for Hemodynamic Support of Pediatric and Neonatal Patients in Septic Shock, 4 which have been incorporated into the most recent Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) manual.5 The ACCM-PALS …
Addressing Practical Challenges of Low Friction Coefficient Measurements

A friction coefficient is defined as the ratio of the friction force to the applied normal force. Despite the disarming simplicity of its calculation, there are practical challenges that make low values of friction coefficient difficult to accurately quantify. The connections of imperfect parts in friction measurement devices (called tribometers) produce small misalignments between the transducer and counterface axes. According to Schmitz et al. (J Tribol Trans ASME 127:673–678, 2005), “…the measurement of friction coefficient is extremely sensitive to misalignments” and “for materials with friction coefficients below 0.05 the alignment becomes hopelessly difficult if the goal is to have uncertainties below 1%.” This method article reviews the challenges of low friction measurements and presents a robust reversal technique that eliminates misalignment bias. Experiments with controlled misalignment angles demonstrate the bias sensitivity and validate its elimination using a low uncertainty tribometer in conjunction with the described reversal technique.
Abstract 3310: N-cadherin promotes docetaxel resistance through upregulated TLR4 signaling in castration resistant prostate cancers

Introduction: Docetaxel is a common therapeutic agent given to men with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, a number of patients show poor response or eventually develop resistance. Previously, different groups have suggested an association between chemoresistance and epithelial to mesenchimal transition (EMT) in certain advanced cancers. N-cadherin, a calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion surface protein associated with EMT, is implicated in castration resistance and metastasis in prostate cancer. We have shown in previous studies that monoclonal antibodies raised against the extracellular domain of N-cadherin have potential therapeutic effects in castration-resistant tumor growth and metastasis. In this study, our objective is to determine the role of N-cadherin expression in chemoresistance and whether treatment with monoclonal antibodies restores chemosensitivity. Methods: Tissue microarrays of CRPC and high grade prostate cancer clinical samples were stained for TLR4. N-cadherin positive and negative cell lines were evaluated for sensitivity against docetaxel. N-cadherin and TLR4 were ectopically expressed in N-cadherin negative prostate cancer cells (LNCaP, VCaP). Docetaxel resistant cell lines (LNCaP-DocR and VCaP-DocR) were established through prolonged exposure to 10-20uM Docetaxel. For in vitro experiments, these models were used to evaluate cytotoxicity and apoptosis in the presence of docetaxel. N-cadherin expressing cell lines were treated with 2A9 monoclonal antibody (mAb), which was raised against the extracellular domain of N-cadherin, and by N-cadherin siRNA knockdown. For in vivo studies, N-cadherin positive xenografts were treated with 2A9 mAb and docetaxel, and tumor growth monitored over time. Results: Tissue microarray results showed significant TLR4 expression in CRPC samples (p Conclusions: These studies suggest that N-cadherin promotes TLR4-dependent docetaxel resistance in CRPC. Although further investigation will be needed, therapeutic targeting of N-cadherin with monoclonal antibodies in combination with therapeutic agents such as docetaxel may have significant clinical benefit. Citation Format: Tatsuya Shimomura, Evelyn Kono, Chau P. Tran, Joyce Yamashiro, Shu Lin, Sean Hyung-Kwon Lee, Zev A. Wainberg, Robert E. Reiter. N-cadherin promotes docetaxel resistance through upregulated TLR4 signaling in castration resistant prostate cancers. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3310. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3310
The effect of septal injury on inhibition produced by nonreinforcement and quinine.

Abstract Operant responding for water under a differential reinforcement of low rates (DRL) 22-sec schedule of reinforcement and intake of a 0.015% quinine solution were measured in rats with septal lesions and intact rats. A strong positive correlation between operant performance and intake of the quinine solution was obtained for the group sustaining septal injury. These results were interpreted as being consistent with the inhibitory function proposed for the septum.
A compact diode-pumped passively Q-switched mid-IR fiber laser

A compact cladding-pumped Er:ZBLAN mid-infrared pulsed fiber laser using a liquefying gallium mirror as a saturable absorber is demonstrated for the first time. Preliminary results give pulse widths of 7 µs and energies of 38 nJ.
Structural frameworks for considering microbial protein- and nucleic acid-dependent motor ATPases

Many fundamental cellular processes depend on enzymes that utilize chemical energy to catalyse unfavourable reactions. Certain classes of ATPases provide a particularly vivid example of the process of energy conversion, employing cycles of nucleotide turnover to move and/or rearrange biological polymers such as proteins and nucleic acids. Four well-characterized classes of ATP-dependent protein/nucleic acid translocases and remodelling factors are found in all three domains of life (bacteria, archaea and eukarya): additional strand catalytic 'E' (ASCE) P-loop NTPases, GHL proteins, actin-fold enzymes and chaperonins. These unrelated protein superfamilies have each evolved the ability to couple ATP binding and hydrolysis to the generation of motion and force along or within their substrates. The past several years have witnessed the emergence of a wealth of structural data that help explain how such molecular engines link nucleotide turnover to conformational change. In this review, we highlight several recent advances to illustrate some of the mechanisms by which each family of ATP-dependent motors facilitates the rearrangement and movement of proteins, protein complexes and nucleic acids.
Development of Strategic Norms in Groups

In his classic norm formation research, Sherif (1935) demonstrated convergence in group members' judgments of ambiguous perceptual stimuli. In the present study, we investigated convergence in group members' strategic orientations for solving problems, specifically riskiness and conservatism. According to Regulatory Focus Theory (Higgins, 1998), people in a “promotion focus” (who are sensitive to the presence and absence of positive outcomes and who desire accomplishments) adopt risky strategies for solving problems, whereas people in a “prevention focus” (who are sensitive to the absence and presence of negative outcomes and who desire security) adopt conservative strategies. Using a modified version of Sherif's classic paradigm, we introduced a subtle manipulation to induce promotion vs prevention focus in three-person groups working on a multitrial recognition memory task. We found evidence that group members' responses converged and that this convergence was associated with a directional bias in strategic orientation (i.e., promotion groups were riskier than prevention groups). Implications of these results for understanding shared reality in groups were discussed.
Laser induced fluorescence and ultraviolet absorption spectra and the ring-puckering potential function of 1,4-dihydronaphthalene in its ground and S1(π, π∗) electronic states

Abstract The fluorescence excitation spectra, single vibrational level fluorescence spectra, and ultraviolet absorption spectra of 1,4-dihydronaphthalene have been analyzed. The first four quantum energy spacings for the ring-puckering vibration were determined for the S 0 and S 1 (π, π ∗ ) electronic states, and the potential energy functions were also determined. In the ground state the single-minimum function is dominated by the quartic term, but in the excited state the function becomes nearly harmonic. The S 0 function is less rigid than that for 1,4-cyclohexadiene but the S 1 (π, π ∗ ) function becomes much more rigid. Earlier work on this molecule had erroneously postulated barriers in both electronic states.
Comparison of gene expression in cell culture to that in the intact animal: relevance to drugs and environmental toxicants. Focus on "development of a transactivator in hepatoma cells that allows expression of phase I, phase II, and chemical defense genes".

to study the effects of drugs and other environmental toxicants on the liver, many believe that the use of hepatocyte-derived cultures offers advantages over studies in the liver of intact animals. Cell cultures can be manipulated more easily, and they are far less expensive to maintain than a
FAST: a folded astronomical space telescope

A Folded Astronomical Space Telescope (FAST) is a 2.4-m Hubble Space Telescope (HST) class of telescope that can be packaged in a 1.5-m diameter cylinder through use of a single ring of eight deployable segments. Because it has less mass and uses a much smaller booster to inject it into orbit, the cost is greatly reduced.
Summary of recent volcanic activity

During late 2002 and early 2003, scientists at Llaima (central Chile) documented increases in seismicity, fumarolic output, a minor eruption, and pronounced glacial disruption. By 8 January 2003, the ice and snow formerly capping the N and S craters had completely melted. During January 2002–April 2003 eruptions remained comparatively modest. Larger eruptions began in April 2003, depositing pyroclastic material, dispersing numerous ballistic blocks, and creating substantial plumes. Llaima’s cover of ice and snow was more complete in October 2002 than in October 1998, so, by comparison, visible signs of thermal activity had diminished significantly. In contrast, seismicity in September 2002 was notably greater than in January 2002. Seismicity continued to increase from December 2002 to mid January 2003 before stabilizing for about 2 months. A flight on 8 January 2003 revealed dense fumarolic emissions from the main crater, no remaining ice or snow on the main crater’s internal walls, exposed rock at both the summit and Pichillaima (the smaller SE-flank cone), and numerous new crevasses in the cone’s glaciers. Although the melting came at the time of the annual thaw, the absence of ice and snow cover on both the shaded and unshaded sides of Llaima was cited as evidence indicating elevated rock temperatures. On the afternoon of 10 April, several ash explosions originated from the main crater. Strong and continuous explosions about 8–9 hours later caused ashfall in the Nslope sector of Captr n. The explosions became more sporadic, and continued into the morning of 11 April, when a column of volcanic gases fed a horizontal lenticular cloud ~ 30 km in diameter, the top of which rose to about 3,900 m altitude. This activity resulted in a thin layer of pyroclastic material spread widely across the flank glaciers, visible from the air out to distances of ~ 4 km. Impact craters in the ice testified to numerous bouncing and rolling projectiles. The crater floor contained a 50-m-diameter vent emitting gases. When photographed on 11 April, the ice and snow at Pichillaima had receded by 1–1.5 km from its topographic high. Many regions of the ice appeared to be in motion and undergoing acute mechanical failure, and numerous crevasses had developed. On 12–13 April, the main crater showed intense pulsing fumarolic degassing, mass wasting, and ballistic discharges. Eruptions began to contain significant tephra. On 16 April, gaseous emissions escaping from the crater reached 200 m above the crater rim. Emissions also came from Pichillaima. During 17 April, scientists witnessed gas emissions to the NE that ascended to 200 m above the crater rim and spawned a plume visible for ~10 km.
Ab Initio Study of the Thio-Ene Reaction. 1. The Enophile Substituent Effect.

The ene reaction between propene and various enophiles (ethene, methanal, methanethial, ethanethial, and cyanomethanethial) were examined at the MP4/6-31G*//MP2/6-31G* level. The transition structures are all cyclic and concerted. The activation barriers for the thiocarbonyls are significantly lower (ranging from 16.0 to 25.0 kcal mol-1) than for ethene (36.3 kcal mol-1) or methanal 31.1 kcal mol-1). This trend, along with the trend in activation energies among the substituted thials, is completely consistent with FMO arguments. Comparison with experiment, particularly the thiol vs sulfide production, is also in complete agreement.
G-matrix Fourier transform NOESY-based protocol for high-quality protein structure determination.

A protocol for high-quality structure determination based on G-matrix Fourier transform (GFT) NMR is presented. Five through-bond chemical shift correlation experiments providing 4D and 5D spectral information at high digital resolution are performed for resonance assignment. These are combined with a newly implemented (4,3)D GFT NOESY experiment which encodes information of 4D 15N/15N-, 13Calipahtic/15N-, and 13Caliphatic/13Caliphatic-resolved [1H,1H]-NOESY in two subspectra, each containing one component of chemical shift doublets arising from 4D → 3D projection at ω1:Ω(1H) ± Ω(X) [X = 15N,13Caliphatic]. The peaks located at the centers of the doublets are obtained from simultaneous 3D 15N/13Caliphatic/ 13Caromatic-resolved [1H,1H]-NOESY, wherein NOEs detected on aromatic protons are also obtained. The protocol was applied for determining a high-quality structure of the 14 kDa Northeast Structural Genomics consortium target protein, YqfB (PDB ID 1TE7). Through-bond correlation and NOESY spectra were acq...
Finite nets of dimension d

Abstract This paper introduces the concept of a finite net of dimension d . This is a generalization of the finite net of dimension three, due to Laskar and the finite net (of dimension two) due to Bruck. An association scheme is defined on this system which is then shown to form a partially balanced incomplete block design on an association scheme with d associate classes.
Government Technology Acquisition Policy: The Case of Proprietary versus Open Source Software.

This article begins by explaining the concepts of proprietary and open source software technology, which are now competing in the marketplace. A review of recent individual and cooperative technology development and public policy advocacy efforts, by both proponents of open source software and advocates of proprietary software, subsequently follows, with supporting positions articulated. This is followed by an analysis of the results of a recent draft of a Center for Strategic & International Studies global study of government initiatives to incorporate open source software as an option in their institutional operations. The article concludes with analysis and recommendations on public policies for appropriate software technology assessment policy. For governments, the encouragement of neutral standards (i.e., not favoring one software business model), open competition for research funding of software development, and nondiscrimination in computer software procurement policies will result in the most effe...
Beyond quenching for degenerate singular semilinear parabolic equations

Let q be a nonzero real constant greater than -1, D=(0,a), @W=Dx(0,~), [email protected]? and @[email protected]? be their respective closures, Lu=x^qu"t-u"x"x, [email protected]"[email protected]?S,[email protected]?Sbe the characteristic function of the set S. Beyond quenching is studied for the problem,Lu=f(u)@g"{"u"<"c"}[email protected],u(x,0)=u"0(x)[email protected]?,u(0,t)=0=u(a,t)for0
Spectral line parameters including temperature dependences of air-broadening for the 2 ← 0 bands of 13C16O and 12C18O at 2.3 μm

Abstract The first air broadening line shape parameters were determined for the 2 ← 0 bands of 13C16O near 4166.8 cm−1 and 12C18O near 4159.0 cm−1. Air-broadened Lorentz half-width coefficients, their temperature dependence exponents; air-induced pressure shift coefficients, their temperature dependences; and air line mixing coefficients were measured. Additionally, speed-dependent line shapes with line mixing employing the off-diagonal relaxation matrix element coefficients were applied to minimize the fit residuals. Finally, individual line positions and line intensities of the two isotopologues were constrained to the well-known theoretical quantum mechanical expressions in order to obtain the rovibrational (G, B, D and H) and band intensity parameters (including Herman–Wallis coefficients). For this, laboratory spectra were recorded at 0.005 cm−1 resolution using a temperature-controlled coolable absorption cell configured inside a Bruker IFS 125HR Fourier transform spectrometer. Gas temperatures and pressures for the spectra varied from 150 to 298 K and 20 to 700 Torr, respectively. Results were obtained from broad-band multispectrum least-squares fitting of the 4000–4360 cm−1 spectral region. Four isotope-enriched pure sample spectra and twelve spectra with air + CO samples (13C16O or 12C18O, as appropriate) were fitted simultaneously. The results obtained for 13C16O and 12C18O are compared and discussed.
Polyamines enhance readthrough of the UGA termination codon in a mammalian messenger RNA.

The polyamines spermidine and spermine stimulate the readthrough of the UGA termination codon of rabbit β-globin mRNA when it is translated in a rabbit reticulocyte cell-free system. The other major polyamine, putrescine, does not show this effect. The polyamine induced readthrough is specific for UGA as the UAA termination codon of α-globin mRNA is not read through and general translational misreading errors are not occurring in the presence of spermidine or spermine. The probable mechanism of this effect and some possible regulatory implications are discussed.
Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine cell proliferations

Abstract The gastrointestinal neuroendocrine cell proliferations are comprised of a few hyperplasias and various neoplasias. The better characterized hyperplasias include G-cell hyperplasia, either primary or secondary, enterochromaffin-like (ECL)-cell hyperplasias, generally secondary to hypergastrinemia, and EC-cell hyperplasias. The neoplasias include carcinoid tumors, demonstrating low malignancy and divided into foregut, midgut, and hindgut varieties, poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas resembling their pulmonary counterparts the “oat cell” carcinomas both in histological pattern and in their highly malignant behavior mixed endo-exocrine tumors, which in turn can be divided into composite tumors formed by a population of endocrine cells and a population of exocrine cells, and amphicrine tumors formed by a uniform population of cells with a mixture of endocrine and exocrine phenotypic traits. Although some of these mixed tumors show a degree of malignancy intermediate between the classical carcinoid and an adenocarcinoma, more information must be gathered to establish firm prognostic parameters for these relatively new entities.
Spatiotemporal femtosecond pulse shaping using a MEMS-based micromirror SLM

2D pulse shaping with a MEMS micromirror SLM allows IR-UV operation at kHz repetition rates. Diffraction-mode phase and amplitude shaping are possible at wavelengths longer than the maximum optical delay of the device.