cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Microscope, Spectra, and Automated Analysis

Fluorescence spectroscopy (FS) and optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) have been added to the capabilities of the microscope. With them, as with conventional spectroscopy, a single component can be detected, even when in a mixture. This ability is enhanced by use of certain fluorescent dyes or "molecular probes" such as acridine orange (AO). Molecular complexes between dye and substrate may have characteristic physical-optical and physical-chemical properties. The microscope used for FS and ORD studies can produce fluorescence- and ORD-spectra from selected portions of unfixed cells and tissues and from extremely small amorphous samples. Characteristic spectra can be obtained from as little as 10-17 moles of sample. It is possible to obtain cytochemical data that closely resembles, both spectroscopically and numerically, data obtained from solution studies on in vitro model systems, and consequently it is possible to predict quantitatively the results of interaction of cells with dye. Previous work in cytochemistry cannot produce such correlations, nor is it useful for quantitative prediction. Data so obtained with the microscope and corrected for instrumental parameters, can be used in design of automated analytical systems capable of detecting and quantitating particular biopolymers even in an intact unfixed cell. When a particular biopolymer can serve (qualitatively or quantitatively) to characterize a cell type, automated identification, counting, and separation can readily be devised from predetermined optical properties. The fluorescence and ORD spectra of the microscopic samples determine the complexity of the automated systems. Not only can relatively simple instruments sometimes serve, but automation of an analysis that cannot be definitive can be avoided.
Coupled Dynamical Models of Ecological Drivers of Poverty and Economic Growth

Understanding the causes of the persistence of extreme poverty continues to challenge policy and research in the biological, social and mathemat- ical sciences. Generally, the extremely poor depend on their immediate environment and natural resource base for subsistence and suffer high morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases. In pursuit of general integrated mathematical frameworks for the ecology of poverty, we present a road map for modeling how ecological drivers of poverty such as infectious diseases, renewable resources, population growth, etc., interact with economic dynamics to cause persistent poverty or “poverty traps”. The nonlinearities associated with these interactions can give rise to multiple stable equilibria such that there are tipping points or thresholds that determine whether populations experience virtuous versus vicious cycles in ecological-economic space. Our analysis indicates that 13-30% of the ecological-economic feasible parameter space result in bistability, and hence poverty traps. We also find out that the existence of bistability depends on both key ecological and economic parameters including the background disease transmission and recovery rates, the number of pathogens in the system and the investment rate in human capital. In particular, the number of pathogens in the system increases the intensity of ecological-economic feedback, making poverty traps inevitable at sufficiently high numbers of pathogens that pre- vent the acquisition of human capital. Our framework provides a general approach for theoretically and empirically exploring the dynamics of cou- pled ecological-economic systems, equally reliant on existing paradigms in the social, biological and mathematical sciences. More specifically, it offers a model on the relationship between human health, renewable resources and economic growth. This is a new multidisciplinary research area with significant implications for both policy and research in the biological, social and mathematical sciences.
Heme oxygenase-1-mediated autophagy protects against pulmonary endothelial cell death and development of emphysema in cadmium-treated mice

Pulmonary exposure to cadmium, a major component of cigarette smoke, has a dramatic impact on lung function and the development of emphysema. Cigarette smoke exposure induces heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1...
The AACRs and Serials Cataloging

A review from a serials cataloger's viewpoint of how the AACRs have affected the practice of serials cataloging for the past ten years, 1975-1984. Emphasis is on AACR2 with relevant comparisons to AACRl in the revision, planning and implementation years. A future AACR is also discussed.
Amplitude of the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response: The Effect of Interstimulus Interval

Brain electrical responses to auditory stimulation occur within 10 msec of stimulus presentation and are thought to represent the sequential activation of brainstem nuclei in the auditory pathway. These responses have been shown to be of diagnostic significance in detecting pathology within the brainstem. There is evidence that changing the interstimulus interval (i.e., rate of stimulation) may increase the sensitivity of the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) in the detection of brainstem disorders. The effect of changing the interstimulus interval from 100 to 10 msec upon the amplitude of the BAER was assessed in 11 young adults. BAER was found to be directly related to interstimulus interval (ISI) with the amplitude of waves I, II, and III decreasing with each decrease in ISI. Wave V amplitude initially increased and then decreased at the shortest ISIs.
A review paper on preserving privacy in mobile environments

Technology is improving day-by-day and so is the usage of mobile devices. Every activity that would involve manual and paper transactions can now be completed in seconds using your fingertips. On one hand, life has become fairly convenient with the help of mobile devices, whereas on the other hand security of the data and the transactions occurring in the process have been under continuous threat. This paper, re-evaluates the different policies and procedures used for preserving the privacy of sensitive data and device location. Policy languages have been very vital in the mobile environments as they can be extended/used significantly for sending/receiving any data. In the mobile environment users always go to service providers to access various services. Hence, communications between the service providers and mobile handsets needs to be secured. Also, the data access control needs to be in place. A section of this paper will review the communication paths and channels and their related access criteria. This paper is a contribution to the mobile domain, showing the possible attacks related to privacy and the various mechanisms used to preserve the end-user privacy. In addition, it also gives a comparison of the different privacy preserving methods in mobile environments to provide guidance to the readers. Finally, the paper summarizes future research challenges in the area of privacy preservation. This paper examines the 'where' problem and in particular, examines tradeoffs between enforcing location security at a device vs. enforcing location security at an edge location server. This paper also sketches an implementation of location security solution at both the device and the edge location server and presents detailed experiments using real mobility and user profile data sets collected from multiple data sources (taxicabs, Smartphones).
Phase stability and the fermi surface of alloys

Abstract The Ising formulation was applied by Clapp and Moss [Phys. Rev. 171, 754 (1968)] to determine the relative values of pair potentials for which various ordered phases are stable. In particular, the Fourier transform of the pair potential, V(k), was examined, but the extrema of the transform were not taken into account. This is done in this study. Regions of stability are given for ordered phases which are at absolute minima of V(k), for structures based on both f.c.c. and b.c.c. lattices. A new method for obtaining the Fermi surface of alloys is proposed, based on a symmetry relationship between V(k) and the Fermi surface. The surface calculated in this way for disordered Cu3Au is similar to that of Cu, except for shrinkage along the 〈100〉 directions.
Unusual transient properties of a wide silicon p-i-n diode

Wide p-i-n silicon diodes exhibit time delays in transmitting current when voltage pulses or sine waves are applied. In explanation, it is assumed that appreciable conduction will not occur until neutral plasma completely fills the i layer, and that observed time delays are related to injected carrier drift times across the i layer.
Empirical estimate of detonation parameters in condensed explosives

Abstract Based on the available data base on the detonation parameters of existing explosives, an observation was made that by proper normalization with the dynamic pressure - ρoD2 the Chapman-Jouguet states of all explosives converge to a single generic point in the pressure-specific volume plane. With the exception of very few explosives, this point in P-V plane has a variance of less than 1 %. The pressure-particle velocity (P-Up) plot of all Chapman-Jouguet states revealed a simple quadratic relationship between P and Up which, together with the nondimensional identities of the generic point, led to a simple relationship between the initial density (ρo) of an explosive and its detonation velocity (D). Thus, having the values of ρo and D of any explosive, one can easily estimate all of its detonation parameters (PCJ, UCJ, VCJ, and ΓCJ) with an accuracy of less than 3%. However, if the detonation velocity is also not known, it too can be estimated quite accurately, increasing the margin of uncertainty t...
Segmented polyurethane: a new elastomer for biomedical applications

A segmented polyurethane elastomer, originally developed for elastic thread, is now being used for molded prostheses. Performance of this material when used for components of a heart-assist system warrants a thorough investigation of its effectiveness in a variety of biomedical devices.
MLSE for an unknown channel. II. Tracking performance

For pt. I see ibid., vol.44, no.7, p.836, 1996. The channel-tracking mode performance of the front-end (FE) processors is determined through approximate analysis and computer simulation. A general model for the FE processing, which encompasses these representative FEs, is assumed. Previous analysis techniques are extended to include the effects of FE processing. The specific system analyzed consists of a Rayleigh-fading, diffuse multipath channel, with several data pulse shapes considered. An adaptive maximum likelihood sequence estimation (MLSE) algorithm based on the per-survivor processing (PSP) technique is analyzed and compared to an algorithm based on correct symbol feedback. The results show that significant performance degradation is suffered when suboptimal FE processing is used. Some of the issues which may complicate matters in practice are examined with an emphasis on application in packet mobile radio systems. The limitations of the results and the models used are discussed.
Nitrogen isotopic evidence for micronutrient control of fractional NO3− utilization in the equatorial Pacific

During the U.S. JGOFS EqPac program, variations in nitrogen isotopic ratio (d15N) and their control by relative NO3− drawdown were examined in detail. Near-surface d15N data clearly conform to Rayleigh isotopic fractionation during phytoplankton utilization of NO , with a fractionation factor of about 5‰. This isotopic signal both propagates into particulate nitrogen pools and is a persistent, large-scale characteristic of the system. Decreasing near-surface [NO3−] with distance from the equator strongly correlates with increasing d15N in euphotic zone particulate organic matter (POM) as well as sinking particles during both Surveys 1 (El Nino) and 2 (non-El Nino) cruises. Despite a doubling of [NO3−] accompanying relaxation of El Nino conditions, d15N values in near-surface POM and deeply sinking particles as a function of latitude were similar for the two periods. Since d15N varies with relative nutrient drawdown and not its concentration, this parameter appears to not have varied significantly. In both cases, about 50% of upwelled NO3− was consumed in the immediate vicinity of the equator, as estimated from the d15N data. The moored sediment trap time series provided a more highly resolved temporal view of the 15N dynamics of this system. At the equator and to the south, there is little temporal variation in d15N and, hence, in relative NO3− utilization over the 1-yr duration of the program. At 28 and 58°N, there is a large 5‰ decrease in d15N during the transition to non-El Nino conditions in response to the northward movement of NO3− -rich waters, which probably reflects the intensification of the north equatorial current. Overall, % NO3− utilization at the equator remained between 40 and 60% over the observation period, despite large hydrographic and dynamical changes. This observation implies a tight control of relative NO3− utilization, consistent with iron (Fe) limitation. Since Fe is supplied in this region by upwelling, relative NO3− utilization is likely determined by the product of the ratio of Fe to NO3− in upwelled waters and the NO3− : Fe utilization ratio. Given no change in the chemistry of source waters, increases in upwelling, as observed during the transition away from El Nino, will affect surface [NO3−] new and export production, but it will not affect relative NO3− utilization. In this light, downcore d15N records in the equatorial Pacific should reflect past changes in the limitation of NO3− drawdown by Fe, perhaps through changes in equatorial undercurrent chemistry.
Understanding the unique mechanism of L-FMAU (clevudine) against hepatitis B virus: Molecular dynamics studies

The molecular dynamics simulation of HBV-polymerase.DNA.L-FMAU-TP complex demonstrated that L-FMAU-TP may not serve as a substrate for HBV polymerase because the appropriate binding of L-FMAU-TP to the active site of HBV polymerase may not take place without the unfavorable conformational adjustment, which prevents L-FMAU-TP from being incorporated into the growing viral DNA chain.
Mohs micrographic excision of melanoma using immunostains.

Background. Mohs excision of melanoma remains controversial, in part because of concerns regarding evaluation of frozen section margins. Several immunohistochemical stains are available for melanoma that can be used on frozen sections. Objective. To review our experience with Mohs micrographic excision of melanoma using immunostains. Methods. Sixty-eight patients were treated, including 46 with melanoma in situ and 22 with invasive melanoma, 62 of which were on the head or neck. HMB-45, MEL-5, Melan-A (A-103), and S-100 stains were employed. Results. Sixty-seven of 68 tumors were excised to clear margins, requiring an average of 2.0 layers. Immunostains greatly enhanced detection of melanoma on frozen sections. The average margin required for clearance of in situ melanoma was 8.3 mm and of invasive melanoma was 11.1 mm. Only 23 of 46 (50%) in situ melanomas were clear with ≤6 mm margins; 15 mm margins were required to clear 96% of the tumors. Eleven of 22 (50%) invasive melanomas were clear with ≤6 mm margins; 26 mm margins were required to clear 95% of the tumors. Melan-A (A-103) was the most consistently crisp and easily interpreted immunostain. Conclusions. Mohs excision of melanoma using immunostains can be useful, especially for tumors on the head and neck. For routine excision, margins wider than those currently recommended may be required to ensure tumor clearance. We recommend that (1) biopsies be stained preoperatively for Melan-A and/or HMB-45, (2) a debulking layer be obtained for permanent sections prior to Mohs layers, and positive and negative control specimens from the tumor and distant skin should be employed for comparison of staining patterns. Large-scale prospective studies of in situ and invasive melanoma on the head and neck are necessary.
History of the Federal-State Cooperative Water Resources Research Institute Program

: This paper presents a condensed history of the State Water Resources Research Institute Program, which evolved from the Water Resources Research Act of 1964, as amended, the Water Research and Development Act of 1978, Public Law (P.L.) 96–457, and the Water Research and Development Act of 1984. These laws authorized the following components of the Institute Program: (1) the annual allotment and matching grants program for the Institutes, and (2) the additional and saline water research programs for organizations in addition to the State Water Resources Research Institutes. The paper covers the legislative history of the Institute Program and reviews authorized and appropriated funds for the program from fiscal year 1965 to fiscal year 1986. It also discusses the Institutes’role in conducting and sponsoring water-resources research and development, training of scientists and engineers, and coordinating, disseminating, and transferring water-research results. The State Water Resources Research Program has been administered by the Office of Water Resources Research (OWRR) (1964–1974), the Office of Water Research and Technology (OWRT) (1974–1982), the Office of Water Policy (OWP) (1982–1983), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) (1983-present).
Can developing countries both decentralize and depoliticize urban water services? Evaluating the legacy of the 1990s reform wave

Over the past three decades, decentralization and reforms designed to insulate service providers from interference by elected officials ("insulating reforms"), such as corporatization and privatization, swept through the urban water and sanitation sector in developing countries. We argue that their rationales were contradictory; decentralization was intended to increase citizen participation and influence, whereas corporatization and privatization were intended to depoliticize management. We document the widespread promotion and adoption of these reforms, and conclude that decentralization made it difficult to insulate service provision in practice. We argue that studying how institutional reforms interact with one another can help explain reform consequences. © 2014 The Authors.
Flip Chip and Backside Techniques

State-of-the-art techniques for failure localization and design modification through bulk silicon are essential for multi-level metallization and new, flip chip packaging methods. The tutorial reviews the transmission of light through silicon, sample preparation, and backside defect localization techniques that are both currently available and under development. The techniques covered include emission microscopy, scanning laser microscope based techniques (electrooptic techniques, LIVA and its derivatives), and other non-IR based tools (FIB, e-beam techniques, etc.).
Synthesis and Study of 5,5′-Bibenzimidazolylidenes and Their Bimetallic Complexes

A new, high-yielding synthesis of 3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl was developed, facilitating access to a new family of fluorescent 5,5′-bibenzimidazolium salts bearing phenyl or bulky tertiary alkyl N-substituents. Deprotonation of these salts afforded the respective 5,5′-bibenzimidazolylidenes in excellent isolated yields (≥86 %), which were characterized in the solid state and solution. Treatment of these ditopic ligands with [Rh(COD)Cl]2 (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) afforded bimetallic complexes composed of two Rh atoms connected through a bis(carbene) linker. Electrochemical analyses of these complexes revealed single, quasi-reversible oxidations at E1/2 = +0.54 to +0.59 V (vs. SCE) arising from the RhI/II redox couples. A bimetallic Rh carbonyl complex bearing a 5,5′-bibenzimidazolylidene was also synthesized and found to exhibit νCO signals similar to a monotopic analogue. Collectively, these results suggested that the two metal centers in the aforementioned bimetallic complexes were electronically decoupled. These observations were supported by the crystal structures of one of the 5,5′-bibenzimidazolium salts and its bis(carbene) derivative, which revealed relatively large dihedral angles of 51.2° and 47.8°, respectively, between the two aryl systems. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
The use of large administrative data sets in nursing research.

A NALYSIS OF large administrative data sets has been a method used primarily by health services researchers to examine issues such as access, regional differences in care, and health outcomes. Most administrative data sets were first developed in the 1970s for the collection of data regarding health plans, health system utilization, and claims data. Although they were not originally intended for conducting research, administrative data sets were found to be an attractive avenue for health services research studies. Technologic advances in personal computers, modern statistical analysis software, and uniform International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision nomenclature have widened the horizons for researchers. In the past, investigations using national or state data sets required access to mainframe computer resources, but today, analyses of this type may be conducted using one’s personal computer. The purpose of this article is to discuss the use of large administrative data sets as a tool in nursing research. As early as 1985, the limited use of secondary data analysis in nursing research was noted (McArt & McDougal, 1985). Jacobson et al.,1993 conducted a Medline search (1986-1992) for nursing citations using the key words secondary data analysis and identified 11 citations, 3 of which appeared in nursing journals. We conducted a similar literature search (1997-2003) using PUBMED with the key words secondary data analysis and nursing and identified 82 nursing studies using secondary data analysis. Of those, only 15 used existing administrative data sets. Fourteen of the 15 were published in nursing journals. Although the use of secondary analysis as a research method has increased in nursing, the use of administrative data sets has not kept equal tempo. Large administrative data sets embody information about groups of people and often describe entire populations at either state and/or national levels, thus enhancing generalizability of research findings. The data are representative of care delivered in many settings and can be useful to examine patterns of health service and resource utilization. Longitudinal administrative data sets, which collect person-level information, can be used to track subjects both over time and across settings of care. Finally, these data sets already exist, can be obtained inexpensively, and are easily adapted for use with analytical software. Various types of administrative data sets are available. Thirty-six states presently are legislatively mandated as part of public health law to collect discharge information on all hospitalized patients. Patient identifiers are removed from the data to protect patient confidentiality, and most state hospital inpatient data sets lack identifiers to track recurrent hospitalizations. Two examples of state data sets are the New York State Department
Reinforcement Survey Schedules: Scoring, Administration, and Completed Research

Cautela has developed since 1977 a variety of reinforcement survey schedules to aid in the identification of reinforcing consequences. The history of the development of these scales, as well as directions for administration and scoring are presented. Suggestions for clinical use include developing rapport, shaping behavior during therapeutic sessions, devising specific treatment plans, and assessing treatment goals, among others. These suggestions concerning the application of the scales are categorized as private practice, institutional settings, and research strategies. A review of the studies which pertain to reinforcement survey schedules is included.
Grain–boundary interactions and orientation effects on crack behavior in polycrystalline aggregates

Abstract A dislocation-density grain–boundary interaction scheme has been developed to account for the interrelated dislocation-density interactions of emission, absorption and transmission in GB regions. The GB scheme is based on slip-system compatibility, local resolved shear stresses, and immobile and mobile dislocation-density accumulation at critical GB locations. To accurately represent dislocation-density evolution, a conservation law for dislocation-densities is used to balance dislocation-density absorption, transmission and emission from the GB. The behavior of f.c.c. polycrystalline copper, with different random low and high angle GBs, are investigated for different crack lengths. For aggregates with random low angle GBs, dislocation-density transmission dominates at the GBs, which can indicate that the low angle GB will not significantly change crack growth directions. For aggregates with random high angle GBs, extensive dislocation-density absorption and pile-ups occur. The high stresses associated with this behavior, along the GBs, can result in intergranular crack growth due to potential crack nucleation sites in the GB.
Evolving Patterns of Lymphopoiesis from Embryogenesis through Senescence

Lymphopoiesis occurs throughout adult life, but the number of lymphocytes produced is substantially reduced in old individuals. This commentary will highlight observations suggesting that common mechanisms underlie declines in both B and T cell production and that reductions in lymphopoiesis are initiated much earlier than has generally been appreciated.
Interaction of the T cell receptor with bacterial superantigens

Abstract Bacterial toxin superantigens bind to MHC class II molecules and activate a large proportion of T cells through a direct interaction with the T cell receptor (TCR). The toxin: TCR interaction involves specific recognition between the β-chain variable region and the toxin. Although a complete αβ T cell receptor is required for activation of T cells, studies using purified soluble T cell receptor β-chain have shown that it alone is sufficient for binding the toxin: class II complex. The regions of Vβ and enterotoxin involved in the recognition have been determined.
Recent trends in job security and stability

In recent years, the popular press has led us to believe that downsizing and mergers are throwing unprecedented numbers of Americans out of secure jobs. In this paper, we survey current research that addresses these concerns, reconciling the sometimes disparate results of papers examining job tenure and separations, exploring the consequences of involuntary job loss, and reviewing research on trends in part-time, temporary, and contingent employment. There is no evidence of a dramatic change in job security over the last two decades. The various studies do not point to consistent losses in job security for any particular demographic group.
Adjuvant effects of β-adrenergic drugs on indomethacin treatment of newborn canine endotoxic shock

Abstract Newborns are susceptible to gram-negative sepsis/septic shock, but there is no established method of its treatment. This study was performed to evaluate the adjuvant effects of dopamine and dobutamine in the indomethacin treatment of newborn endotoxic shock. Endotoxic shock was induced in newborn dogs (2 to 10 days old; 300 to 800 g) by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1.5 mg/kg, intravenously [IV]). Indomethacin (1.5 mg/kg, IV) was injected 5 minutes after LPS injection. Dopamine (5 μg/kg/min) or dobutamine (5 μg/mg/min) infusion started 5 minutes after LPS injection immediately following indomethacin injection. Hemodynamic parameters were monitored serially for 120 minutes. LPS induced bradycardia and hypotension, decreased the cardiac output and cardiac performance, and increased the total vascular resistance. When dopamine, dobutamine, or indomethacin were used alone, they attenuated the hemodynamic deterioration by LPS. Dopamine infusion following indomethacin administration improved the hemodynamics further, although dobutamine infusion did not. Therefore, we conclude that the adjuvant therapy of dopamine in the indomethacin treatment of newborn endotoxic shock is beneficial.
Associations between dimensions of security in romantic relationships and interpersonal competence among dating and non-dating high school adolescents

The current study investigated the association between dimensions of security in romantic relationships, anxiety and avoidance, and general interpersonal competence among two groups of high school-aged adolescents: one currently in a dating relationship (daters) and one not currently involved (non-daters). Our findings show that daters were less anxious, less avoidant, and more competent than non-daters. A moderate negative association was found between avoidance and interpersonal competence for both daters and non-daters. A small positive association was found for anxiety and competence, but only for non-daters. More variance in interpersonal competence was explained in the model for daters than non-daters. The differences observed between the groups appeared to reflect the effects of current experience on self-assessed anxiety, avoidance, and interpersonal competence.
The validity of the Social Avoidance and distress Scale and the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale with social phobic patients

Turner, McCanna and Beidel's (1987) recent evaluation of the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SADS) and the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (FNE) with anxiety disordered patients concluded that the SADS and FNE lacked discriminant validity and may be inappropriate for subject selection or outcome evaluation in studies of social phobia. This paper raises some concerns with the interpretation of the data presented by Turneret at. (1987) and presents additional data from studies in our laboratories that may qualify their conclusions. It is asserted that (a) the SADS and FNE are not appropriate for diagnostic screening of social phobic patients, (b) Turner et al.'s findings may have been the result of clinically meaningful social anxiety in several of the anxiety disorders, (c) significant differences among the anxiety disorders may have been hidden by heterogeneity among patients who receive the diagnosis of social phobia, and (d) the distribution of FNE scores in Turner et al.'s sample may have been unusually depressed.
The optimal income tax rate and exchange rate in a small open economy

Abstract This paper analyzes a small open economy whose labor market clears in an auction manner. What differentiates this model from similar models in the literature is that the authorities employ a marginal income tax rate, in addition to exchange rate policy, to stabilize the economy. The marginal income tax rate in this auction model substitutes for the wage indexation coefficient in contract labor market models of the optimal exchange rate policy. I find that in the face of all domestic and foreign shocks, the variance of output around full-information output can be stabilized by a fixed exchange rate and a regressive marginal income tax. This result differs from most of the stabilization literature which finds only a limited use for a fixed exchange rate.
Development of a genetically-modified novel T-cell receptor for adoptive cell transfer against renal cell carcinoma

A novel α/β T-cell clone with broad reactivity against human clear cell renal cell carcinomas (RCC) was generated from a patient with renal cancer. The T-cell receptor (TCR) from this clone recognizes soluble TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand bound to death receptor 4, a complex found on the surface of nearly all RCC. In this study, we modified this novel TCR by introducing amino acid (AA) substitutions in its complementarity determining region 2 (CDR2) and CDR3 regions of both chains, to increase its activity. We demonstrated that tumor recognition by PBL, retrovirally-transduced with these TCRs, was decreased or unchanged by substitutions in the TCR beta chain, and in the CDR2α region. Yet some AA substitutions in the CDR3α region at positions 109 and 112 could augment tumor recognition. Specifically, substituting phenylalanine for tyrosine at AA109 (109Y-F) and alanine or lysine for serine at AA112 (112S-K or 112 S-A) augmented tumor recognition. Increased benefit was seen on combining both AA substitutions and a retrovirus encoding the modified TCR 109Y-F/112S-K conferred the best tumor recognition to transduced PBL. This modified TCR retained the recognition pattern of parental clone HC/2G-1 against RCC lines, other tumors and normal tissues. These results document that CDR3α plays an important role in the interaction of the HC/2G-1 TCR and its novel ligand. A phase I/II clinical trial, adoptively transferring autologous PBL transduced with this modified TCR has just begun in patients with metastatic RCC.
Proton damage in X-ray CCDs for space applications: ground evaluation techniques and effects on flight performance

Abstract We report measurements of effects of 2.1 and 40 MeV protons on charge coupled device X-ray detectors of a type soon to be launched on several astronomical research satellites. We discuss ground performance characterization techniques and compare our measurements to simple models of the detector damage mechanism. We predict detector performance degradation rates in low-earth orbit. We plan to compare these predictions to early flight data obtained from the solid state imaging spectrometer (SIS) focal plane instrument mounted on the Japan/US X-ray astronomy satellite Asuka launched on February 20, 1993.
Maximum Likelihood and Optimized Coherent Heterodyne Receivers for Strongly Scattered Gaussian Fields

The maximum likelihood receiver (MLR) to detect a pulsed signal propagated through a turbulent medium is found under assumptions that approximate optical propagation over a long path through the atmosphere. Limiting cases of the MLR are the coherent heterodyne receiver (CHR) and the total-energy-measuring receiver. With an additional assumption, the probability of error of the MLR is approximated. The CHR, even with an optimally chosen aperture weighting function, can be markedly inferior to the MLR. Unlike the optimized CHR, the MLR can effectively use arbitrarily large apertures. A coherent optical system is given that, in principle, realizes the MLR.
Improving Tuberculosis Care for Children in High-Burden Settings

* Abbreviations: TB — : tuberculosis WHO — : World Health Organization Why are we still struggling to control the devastating effects of childhood tuberculosis? This disease has been with us since ancient times and yet, even with known effective prevention and treatment strategies, much of the world has unacceptable levels of childhood morbidity and mortality due to tuberculosis. As expected, progress in identification and treatment has occurred primarily in high-income countries. Dr Starke’s column captures the current state of affairs and highlights the needed actions that would make a difference for millions of children’s lives.Jay E. BerkelhamerColumn editor Despite the availability of inexpensive diagnostic tests, curative and preventive therapies, and the widespread use of the BCG vaccines, tuberculosis (TB) remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality, and its lack of control is one of our biggest public health failures. Childhood TB has been a troublesome and largely neglected subject for organizations dedicated to TB or child health. A clinical diagnosis usually can be established by using epidemiology (especially recent contact with a case subject) and clinical findings such as symptoms, radiography, and a test for TB infection. However, because of its paucibacillary nature, TB is difficult to confirm microbiologically with sputum smear or culture specimens. Given the reliance on sputum microscopy for diagnosis and reporting cases in most high-burden countries, the majority of childhood TB cases are not diagnosed; for most of those cases that are diagnosed clinically, the World Health Organization (WHO) is not notified. Over the last 20 years, there has been a veritable explosion of research on childhood TB. Although microbiologic confirmation of childhood TB remains elusive, we have effective and safe regimens for treating TB disease and infection, and we know that early intervention via contact tracing and treatment can prevent many cases of childhood TB. The goal is for no child to die … Address correspondence to: Jeffrey R. Starke, MD, Texas Children’s Hospital, MC 3-2371, 1102 Bates St, Houston, TX 77030. E-mail: jrstarke{at}texaschildrens.org
Ecological growth strategies in the seaweeds Gracilaria foliifera (Rhodophyceae) and Ulva sp. (Chlorophyceae): Soluble nitrogen and reserve carbohydrates

The seaweeds Gracilaria foliifera (Rhodophyceae) and Ulva sp. (Chlorophyceae) were grown in an outdoor continuous-flow system at both ambient incident light (I0) and 0.13 I0. During the winter, both species accumulated substantial soluble nitrogen reserves (up to 1020 μg-at N·g dry wt-1 in G. foliifera and 630 μg-at N·g dry wt-1 in Ulva sp.). The rate at which these N reserves were depleted was proportional to the growth rate. Seaweeds grown at 0.13 I0 had lower growth rates and higher levels of soluble tissue N than plants grown at I0. During the spring-summer growing season, peaks in tissue N followed nutrient peaks in the ambient seawater. Ulva sp. had higher nutrient uptake and growth rates than G. foliifera and showed greater fluctuations in soluble tissue N. This may characterize opportunistic seaweed species with high biomass turnover rates. At I0, the levels of starch (up to 340 mg·g dry wt-1 in G. foliifera and 170 mg·g dry wt-1 in Ulva sp.) were highest during the spring and summer. During this period, fluctuations in starch content were inversely related to growth rate and soluble tissue N. Seaweeds grown at 0.13 I0 did not accumulate starch. Neither species was found to overwinter with starch reserves.
A multi-cast communication scheme using weak electrical current for intra-body networks

Implantable medical devices have paved the way for realizing intra-body networks (IBNs) that are capable of communicating information from within the body. Traditional forms of RF-based based communication face drawbacks in terms of high absorption within tissues and can potentially result in security and privacy issues, owing to the omnidirectional radiation. Instead, we propose the use of weak electrical current as a means of intra-body communication for implants within the human body and to a relay and gateway node located on the surface of the skin that facilitates remote patient monitoring. The main contributions of this paper are: (i) signal reflection and refraction analysis of electromagnetic waves through human tissue boundaries, and (ii) the design of a combined multi-hop and multi-cast communication scheme for communication between implants. Our results reveal that a multi-cast communication scheme can be achieved for IBNs with the appropriate selection of transmission parameters.
Mourning response and intervention in stillbirth: An alternative genetic counseling approach

Abstract Stillbirth is a frequently occurring tragedy that causes intense problems for parents experiencing it. A review of the literature suggests that the grief response of parents to stillbirth or neonatal death may present more problems than do other types of bereavement. An assessment of these problems suggests that a successful plan for management requires intervention as soon as possible after the death occurs. A protocol for such intervention is presented. It is suggested that such intervention is the proper domain of genetic counselors and represents an expanded approach to genetic counseling, particularly in the light of the recent movement toward a more psychologically oriented paradigm of genetic counseling.
Visualization of Two-dimensional Flows by a Liquid (Soap) Film Tunnel

Experimentally produced two-dimensional flows have become possible in recent years due to the invention of Liquid Film Tunnel (LFT) in 1987 by Gharib and Derango. This simple, inexpensive, yet powerful device, which we have improved extensively over the last decade, can generate a variety of flows. Liquid (soap) films can be visualized through light interference effects produced by small variations in the film thickness. Flow-disturbing objects such as cylinders, wedges, and air bubbles create these variations. Monochromatic visualization of these thickness variations will render phenomenally accurate graphic information about the flow patterns thus produced. Under a polychromatic light, these interference effects can be spectacular, due to reflection of different colors by different isothickness regions.
Drosophila RNA Polymerase II Mutants That Affect Transcription Elongation

We have examined the properties of two Drosophila RNA polymerase II mutants, C4 and S1, during elongation, pyrophosphorolysis, and DmS-II-stimulated transcript cleavage. The C4 and S1 mutants contain a single amino acid substitution in the largest and second largest subunits, respectively. Compared with wild type, C4 had a lower elongation rate and was less efficient at reading through intrinsic elongation blocks. S1 had a higher elongation rate than wild type and was more efficient at reading through the same blocks. During elongation, C4 and wild type responded similarly to DmS-II and NH4+, whereas the S1 mutant was less responsive to both. Differences between the two mutants also appeared during DmS-II-mediated transcript cleavage and pyrophosphorolysis. During extended pyrophosphorolysis, S1 polymerase was fastest and C4 polymerase was slowest at generating the final pattern of shortened transcripts. S1 and wild type were equal in the rate of extended DmS-II-mediated transcript cleavage, and C4 was slower. Our results suggest that the S1 mutation increases the time spent by the polymerase in elongation competent mode and that the C4 mutation may affect the movement of the polymerase.
Obesity is not associated with aggressive pathologic features or biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

Objective To determine whether obesity is associated with adverse pathologic characteristics, positive surgical margins, greater biochemical recurrence rates, and interval to death after primary treatment with radical prostatectomy (RP). Materials and Methods A 12-year, retrospective, single-institution analysis of patients treated with RP was performed. Patients were categorized by their body mass index (BMI) as normal weight (n = 533), overweight (n = 1342), obese (n = 603), and morbidly obese (n = 22). The associations among the BMI, clinicopathologic characteristics, and biochemical recurrence rates were assessed. Results After adjusting for multiple clinical preoperative characteristics, the BMI category was not associated with positive surgical margins ( P = .66), organ-confined disease ( P = .10), Gleason score ( P = .22), extracapsular extension ( P = .09), seminal vesicle invasion ( P = .15), percentage of cancer in the prostate gland ( P = .67), largest tumor nodule ( P = .13), or lymph node metastasis ( P = .39). Gleason score 4+3 ( P P P P = .87). Conclusion In men undergoing RP for clinically localized prostate adenocarcinoma, obesity was not associated with adverse pathologic features, positive surgical margins, or biochemical recurrence. These data provide evidence that obese men undergoing RP are not more likely to have aggressive prostate cancer.
Intelligent task scheduling, planning and control for manufacturing work-cells

This paper presents a novel approach for solving the challenging problem in intelligent control of manufacturing systems, i.e. the integration of low-level system sensing and simple control with high-level system behavior and perception. The proposed Max-Plus Algebra model combined with event-based planning and control provides a mechanism to efficiently integrate task scheduling, sensing, planning and real-time execution so that task scheduling, which usually deals with discrete types of events, as well as action planning, which usually deals with continuous events, can be treated systematically in a unified analytical model. More importantly, the unique feature of this approach is that interactions between discrete and continuous events can be considered in a unified framework. This feature allows the manufacturing system to intelligently cope with unexpected events and uncertainties so that the efficiency and reliability of the task schedule and action plan can increase significantly. A robotic manufacturing system is used to illustrate the proposed approach. The experimental results clearly demonstrate the advantages of the proposed approach.
Hydrogen monitoring for power plant applications using SiC sensors

Abstract We have developed a high-temperature gas sensing system for the detection of combustion products under harsh conditions, such as an energy plant. The sensor, based on the wide band gap semiconductor silicon carbide (SiC), is a catalytic gate field-effect device (Pt–SiO 2 –SiC) that can detect hydrogen-containing species in chemically reactive, high-temperature environments. The hydrogen response of the device in an industrially robust module was determined under both laboratory and industrial conditions (1000 sccm of 350 °C gas) from 52 ppm to 50% H 2 , with the sensor held at 620 °C. From our data we find that the hydrogen adsorption kinetics at the catalyst–oxide interface are well fitted by the linearized Langmuir adsorption isotherm. For hydrogen monitoring in a coal gasification application, we investigated the effect of common interferants on the device response to a 20% H 2 gas stream. Within our signal to noise ratio, 40% CO and 5% CH 4 had no measurable effect and a 2000 ppm pulse of H 2 S did not poison the Pt sensing film. We have demonstrated the long-term reliability of our SiC sensor and the robustness of the sensor packaging techniques, as all the data are from a single device, obtained during 5 days of industrial measurements in addition to ∼480 continuous hours of operation under laboratory conditions.
Assessing and using seismic amplitude and acoustic impedance uncertainty in Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, seismic data have played an indispensable role in exploration and production. The most significant impact has been structure mapping via traveltime information. However, there has also been successful exploitation of amplitude information; e.g., determination of lithology, fractures, and porosity. A desirable goal is to make more use of all of the seismic information, realizing that this goal is complicated by the fact that the seismic data and reservoirs in Saudi Arabia are primarily in challenging land environments.
Interactive effects of light and nutrients on phytoplankton stoichiometry

The stoichiometric composition of autotrophs can vary greatly in response to variation in light and nutrient availability, and can mediate ecological processes such as C sequestration, growth of herbivores, and nutrient cycling. We investigated light and nutrient effects on phytoplankton stoichiometry, employing five experiments on intact phytoplankton assemblages from three lakes varying in productivity and species composition. Each experiment employed two nutrient and eight irradiance levels in a fully factorial design. Light and nutrients interactively affected phytoplankton stoichiometry. Thus, phytoplankton C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios increased with irradiance, and slopes of the stoichiometric ratio versus irradiance relationships were steeper with ambient nutrients than with nutrients added. Our results support the light–nutrient hypothesis, which predicts that phytoplankton C:nutrient ratios are functions of the ratio of available light and nutrients; however, we observed considerable variation among lakes in the expression of this relationship. Phytoplankton species diversity was positively correlated with the slopes of the C:N and C:P versus irradiance relationships, suggesting that diverse assemblages may exhibit greater flexibility in the response of phytoplankton nutrient stoichiometry to light and nutrients. The interactive nature of light and nutrient effects may render it difficult to generate predictive models of stoichiometric responses to these two factors. Our results point to the need for future studies that examine stoichiometric responses across a wide range of phytoplankton communities.