cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Treatments to Attain Isotopic Equilibration of Plutonium Preceding the Resin Bead Technique for Mass Spectrometric Assay Analysis of Spent Reactor Fuel

Ten chemical treatments are evaluated for the attainment of isotopic equilibration of plutonium prior to its sorption on resin beads for assay of dissolved reactor fuel by isotope-dilution mass spectrometry. The one consistently reliable treatment is reduction to Pu(III) with heated ferrous sulfamate followed by oxidation to Pu(IV) with heated sodium nitrite.
Urban bioacoustics: it's not just noise

The acoustic environment has a major influence in shaping animal communication systems. Humans, particularly in cities, profoundly alter the acoustic structure of their environment. Recent articles have identified effects of noise on animal communication and behaviour. These studies, however, serve to highlight the surprising dearth of research on the behavioural responses of animals to altered acoustic environments. We argue that noise is not the only aspect of urban bioacoustics that researchers should explore. In addition to elevated noise levels, urban areas are characterized by a spatial heterogeneity in noise levels, predictable diurnal variation in noise levels and the existence of many vertical reflective surfaces. All of these characteristics have parallels in natural environments. We suggest that cities are a fruitful area for future research on the evolution of animal communication systems, with more general implications for conservation in human-altered environments.
Timing in cyber-physical systems: The last inch problem

Distributed cyber-physical systems (CPS) are increasingly provided with an accurate and precise common sense of time using a variety of well established time distribution methods such as GNSS, IEEE 1588 and others. Less attention has been paid to the effective use of time in CPS and techniques and components to support such use. This paper reviews these topics and discusses critical components that are needed. If this infrastructure is properly realized recent work suggests that subject to well defined constraints, it will be possible to design CPS where timing is correct-by-construction.
Oxo-bridged Ta(+3) dimers, (TaCl2L2)2(μ-O)(μ-SR2), revisited. Structural differences between isoelectronic μ-O and μ-OH complexes

Abstract The compounds Ta2Cl4(dmpe)2(μ-Me2S)(μ-O) (1) and Ta2Cl4(py)4(μ-THT)(μ-O) (2) where dmpe = Me2PCH2CH2PMe2 and THT = tetrahydrothiophene, have been prepared and structurally characterized. They are authentic examples of μ-O bridged TaIIITaIII edge-sharing bioctahedral complexes. Their structures are virtually identical with respect to all of the bonds that they have in common. However, the structure of 1 differs significantly in its TaTa, TaO and one type of TaCl distance from the previously reported Ta2Cl4(dmpe)2(μ-Me2S)(μ-O)·HCl (3). These differences show that in 3 there is a μ-OH group hydrogen bonded to a Cl− ion. The structural differences attendant upon the μ-OH ⇌ μ-O change are of general interest and are discussed. The crystallographic data for the new compounds are as follows: 1: monoclinic (P21/c) with a = 10.412(2), b = 14.749(2), c = 22.177(3) A, β = 99.25(1)°, V = 3361(1) A3 and Z = 4. 2: monoclinic (P21/a) with a = 18.238(4), b = 10.402(3), c = 19.070(2) A, β = 95.37(2), V = 3602(2) A3 and Z = 4.
Multiple myeloma patients receiving large volume leukapheresis efficiently yield enough CD34+ cells to allow double transplants

Current protocols for myeloma patients require more than one autologous transplant. We performed a retrospective study to determine the cost-effectiveness of large volume leukapheresis (LVL) compared with standard volume leukapheresis (SVL) collection when two transplants are required. We evaluated 87 patients who underwent a cumulative total of 260 LVL and SVL collections. The median product volume per collection was 356 ml for LVL, and this was significantly higher than the median product volume per collection for SVL (median 149.5 ml, P < 0.001). The median total CD34+ cell yield/kg was 6.4 × 106 for LVL and 5.2 × 106 for SVL. This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.005). Because the target CD34+ cell dose for a single transplant was 3 × 106/kg at our institution, overall the LVL yields enough CD34+ cells that could allow for two transplants. Therefore, more patients in the LVL group were able to undergo a potential second transplant. Because of the reserved cells for a second transplant, LVL patients received significantly less CD34+ cell/kg per transplant than the patients in SVL group (P = <0.001). As a result, LVL group had statistically significant but clinically insignificant delay in neutrophil (P = <0.001) and platelet (P = 0.02) engraftments. Additionally, using LVL instead of SVL to collect ≥6 × 106/kg CD34+ cells may potentially save $7,497 per patient. We therefore conclude that LVL is the method of choice for collection of multiple myeloma patients when two transplants are anticipated. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A 2D FDTD Algorithm for Whole-Hemisphere Incidence on Periodic Media

We present a modified version of the 2D split-field finite difference time domain (FDTD) method which enables efficient simulation of periodic structures. Our algorithm allows for broadband, whole-hemisphere oblique incidence sources with structures that are inhomogeneous in permittivity, conductivity, and permeability. The structures considered are of finite extent in one dimension, periodic in a second orthogonal dimension, and uniform (or homogeneous) in a third dimension. With prior FDTD methods, this required a full 3D simulation space. In this work, we reduce the modeling space from a 3D grid to a 2D grid, while still allowing incident waves to be oblique with respect to that dimension. We derive this new algorithm beginning with a complete source definition that allows for arbitrary polarization and incidence direction. The key update equations are found, and we also give a method for finding the full vectorial far-field orders from the simulation output. We validate the method by simulating an etalon, a Bragg grating, and a photonic band gap structure.
3-Hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) Reductase Inhibitor (Statin)-induced 28-kDa Interleukin-1β Interferes with Mature IL-1β Signaling

Multiple clinical trials have shown that the 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors known as statins have anti-inflammatory effects. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is synthesized as a non-active precursor. The 31-kDa pro-IL-1β is processed into the 17-kDa active form by caspase-1-activating inflammasomes. Here, we report a novel signaling pathway induced by statins, which leads to processing of pro-IL-1β into an intermediate 28-kDa form. This statin-induced IL-1β processing is independent of caspase-1- activating inflammasomes. The 28-kDa form of IL-1β cannot activate interleukin-1 receptor-1 (IL1R1) to signal inflammatory responses. Instead, it interferes with mature IL-1β signaling through IL-1R1 and therefore may dampen inflammatory responses initiated by mature IL-1β. These results may provide new clues to explain the anti-inflammatory effects of statins.
Predicting the virial coefficients and thermodynamic properties of a multicomponent mixture with application to the ternary mixture of CH2F2 + CF3CHF2 + CF3CH2F

A model for estimating second and third virial coefficients, which has been used successfully to represent the behavior of pure gases and binary mixtures, was applied to a ternary mixture. An estimate for the ternary third virial coefficient.C 123, was added to the model. Three experimentally determined binary interaction parameters were also used. The model has been applied to the ternary mixture CH2F2+CF3CHF2+CF3CH2F (R32+R125+R134a). The results are useful for calculating gas-phase densities, thermodynamic properties, and fugacities for phase equilibrium calculations. The use of such models leads to a considerable economy of effort in the case of multicomponent mixtures. Examples of the thermodynamic properties are given for the equimolar ternary mixture in the range from the dew-point temperature to 400 K at pressures of 0.5, 1, and 2 MPa. Calculated densities and speeds of sound are compared with new experimental values for a near-equimolar composition.
Libert-E Motor

Kei Yun Wong has big dreams. She has been entrusted with the United States launch of Libert-E Motor, a new line of Chinese-manufactured electric scooters. With only $750,000 of her original budget of $3 million left, she needs to make sure that the launch succeeds, as it represents the initial step in her desire to create the first Chinese global brand. The case is effective in allowing students to perform a macroenvironmental and opportunity analysis to determine the factors that result in a successful launch and implementation of marketing strategy.
Group-Based Dominance and Opposition to Equality Correspond to Different Psychological Motives

Social Dominance Orientation, one of the most popular individual differences measures in the study of generalized prejudice, can be understood as having two components: Opposition to Equality (OEQ) and support for Group-Based Dominance (GBD). We consider these components in terms of system justification theory and social identity theory. We find that each component best explains different kinds of political views, consistent with the theory that they arise from different motivations. OEQ reflects system justification motives. It better predicts attitudes towards redistributive social policy, political conservatism, and a lack of humanitarian compassion for the disadvantaged. GBD reflects social identity motives. It is more associated with hostility toward outgroups and concerns about intergroup competition. GBD and OEQ have different personality and demographic correlates, exhibit distinctive relations with explicit and implicit attitudinal preferences, and differentially predict a variety of policy attitudes. Use of GBD and OEQ as separate constructs enriches the understanding of prejudice, policy attitudes, and political ideology.
Affiliative and aggressive dimensions of dominance and possible functions during early adolescence

In this paper, the role of aggression and affiliation in the development and possible functions of dominance during early adolescence is reviewed. It is suggested that both aggression and affiliation relate to dominance at different phases in the formation of new group structures. This conclusion is based on ethological theory and data from human and nonhuman primates. In terms of function, it was noted that dominance should be considered in relation to some outcome, not as an end in its own right. Further, there are probably different goals in different developmental periods. Heterosexual relationships seem to be an important resource for the period of adolescence. Consistent with theory, both affiliative and aggressive dimensions of dominance predict boys' heterosexual relationships. Suggestions for future research are made.
Surfactant Quantity and Composition during Recovery from Hyaline Membrane Disease

ABSTRACT. The appearance of phosphatidylglycerol in the tracheal wash of infants with hyaline membrane disease (HMD) has been reported to be associated with clinical signs of recovery. We analyzed lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage surfactant in an animal model of HMD to determine whether phosphatidylglycerol or some other component is necessary for recovery. The amount and composition of phospholipid (PL) was determined in the premature Macaca nemestrina monkey (140 days' gestation) during an acute stage of HMD, and in two stages of recovery. These changes were compared to observations made in healthy premature controls (140 days), gestational age-matched fetuses (140 days), and fetuses of 150 days' gestation (term=168 days). The amount of PL and its surfactant composition in lung homogenates of the right lower lobe and in lavage of the excised left lung was determined. Compared to 140-day fetuses, the healthy controls had a several-fold increase in lavage PL and disaturated phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) during the first few days of life (p<0.05). Prior to recovery, animals with HMD had no such increase in lavage PL or DSPC and demonstrated poor deflation stability. Recovery was associated with increased tissue and lavage PL (p<0.05) and increased fractions of phosphatidylinositol and DSPC (p<0.05), but not phosphatidylglycerol. The tissue compositional changes observed during recovery reflected maturational changes observed in the fetal animals studied at 10 days' greater gestational age. Increases in lavage DSPC beyond 2 mg/g dry lung were not associated with further increases in deflation stability. We conclude that increases in DSPC and phosphatidylinositol are associated with recovery from HMD but phosphatidylglycerol does not appear necessary for either improved deflation stability or clinical recovery.
Hybrid digital/analog retinal-tracking system

A system for robotically assisted retinal surgery has been developed to rapidly and safely place lesions on the retina for photocoagulation therapy. This system provides real- time, motion stabilized lesion placement for typical irradiation times of 100 ms. The system consists of three main subsystems: a global, digital-based tracking subsystem; a fast, local analog tracking subsystem in previous SPIE presentations. This paper concentrates on the development of the confocal reflectance subsystem and its integration into the overall photocoagulation system. Specifically, our goal was to use measurable lesion reflectance growth curve parameters to develop a noninvasive method to infer lesion depth. This method will allow dynamic control of laser dosimetry to provide similar lesions across the non-uniform retinal surface.
2D electron systems viewed through an RF spectrometer

Abstract Electrons trapped at the liquid helium-vacuum interface are an almost ideal realizatioon of a 2D electron system. I will describe experiments probing the in-plane as well as the out-of-plane motion of the electrons. The former have emphasized the dynamics and thermodynamics of the electronic motion within the plane to understand the nature of the liquid-solid transition and to outline its phase boundary. The latter have studied the escape out of the] electron layer and provided an opportunity to observe tunneling in a clean and well-characterized system as well as to measure the effects of correlations on the tunneling process. More recently experiments in the presence of a magnetic field transverse to the direction of tunneling have revealed several novel phenomena associated with the magnetic coupling between the in-plane and the out-of-plane electronic motions. Together, these experiments helped uncover the multi-faceted physics that can be found in this system.
WE-E-BRE-08: Impact of IUdR in Rat 9L Glioma Cell Survival for 25–35 KeV Photo-Activated Auger Electron Therapy

Purpose: To determine the biological effect from Auger electrons with 9% and 18% iododeoxyuridine (IUdR) incorporated into the DNA of rat 9L glioma cells at photon energies above and below the K-edge of iodine (33.2 keV). Methods: Rat 9L glioma cell survival versus dose curves with 0%, 9%, and 18% thymidine replacement with IUdR were measured using four irradiation energies (4 MV x-rays; monochromatic 35, 30, and 25 keV synchrotron photons). For each of 11 conditions (Energy, %IUdR) survival curves were fit to the data (826 cell cultures) using the linear-quadratic model. The ratio of doses resulting in 10% survival gave sensitization enhancement ratios (SER10) from which contributions due to linear-energy transfer (LET), radiosensitization (RS), and Auger effect (AE) were extracted. Results: At 35, 30, and 25 keV, SER10,LET values were 1.08±0.03, 1.22±0.02, and 1.37±0.02, respectively. At 4 MV SER10,RS values for 9% and 18% IUdR were 1.28±0.02 and 1.40±0.02, respectively. Assuming LET effects are independent of %IUdR and radiosensitization effects are independent of energy, SER10,AE values for 18% IUdR at 35, 30, and 25 keV were 1.35±0.05, 1.06±0.03, and 0.98±0.03, respectively; values for 9% IUdR at 35 and 25 keV were 1.01±0.04 and 0.82±0.02, respectively. Conclusion: For 18% IUdR the radiosensitization effect of 1.40 and the Auger effect of 1.35 at 35 keV are equally important to the combined effect of 1.90. No measureable Auger effect was observed for energies below the K-edge at 20 and 25 keV, as expected. The insignificant Auger effect at 9% IUdR was not expected. Additional data (40–70 keV) and radiobiological modeling are being acquired to better understand the energy dependence of Auger electron therapy with IUdR. Funding support in part by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program and in part by Contract No. W81XWH-10-1-0005 awarded by the U.S. Army Research Acquisition Activity. This paper does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Government, and no official endorsement should be inferred.
Protein Expression Profiles Characterize Distinct Features of Mouse Cerebral Cortices at Different Developmental Stages

The proper development of the mammalian cerebral cortex requires precise protein synthesis and accurate regulation of protein expression levels. To reveal signatures of protein expression in developing mouse cortices, we here generate proteomic profiles of cortices at embryonic and postnatal stages using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). We found that protein expression profiles are mostly consistent with biological features of the developing cortex. Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analyses demonstrate conserved molecules that maintain cortical development such as proteins involved in metabolism. GO and KEGG pathway analyses further identify differentially expressed proteins that function at specific stages, for example proteins regulating the cell cycle in the embryonic cortex, and proteins controlling axon guidance in the postnatal cortex, suggesting that distinct protein expression profiles determine biological events in the developing cortex. Furthermore, the STRING network analysis has revealed that many proteins control a single biological event, such as the cell cycle regulation, through cohesive interactions, indicating a complex network regulation in the cortex. Our study has identified protein networks that control the cortical development and has provided a protein reference for further investigation of protein interactions in the cortex.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is a Risk Factor for Barrett's Esophagus

Background & Aims Common risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and Barrett's esophagus (BE) include obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aims of this study were to assess the association between OSA and BE and to determine whether the association is independent of GERD and body mass index (BMI). Methods Patients who had undergone a diagnostic polysomnogram and esophagogastroduodenoscopy were identified by using Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota) databases from January 2000–November 2011. They were randomly matched for age, sex, and BMI at time of polysomnogram into the following groups: BE but no OSA (n = 36), OSA but no BE (n = 78), both (n = 74), or neither (n = 74). Clinical and demographic variables were abstracted from medical records. The association between OSA and BE was assessed by using a multiple variable logistic model that incorporated age, sex, BMI, clinical diagnosis of GERD, and smoking history. Results Subjects with OSA had an 80% increased risk for BE compared with subjects without OSA (odds ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–3.2; P = .03). These findings were independent of age, sex, BMI, GERD, and smoking history. Increasing severity of OSA, measured by using the apnea-hypopnea index, was associated with an increased risk of BE (odds ratio, 1.2 per 10-unit increase in apnea-hypopnea index; 95% confidence interval, 1.0–1.3; P = .03). Conclusions In this case-control study, OSA was associated with an increased risk of BE, potentially through BMI and GERD independent mechanisms. Patients with OSA may benefit from evaluation for BE.
Foliar reaction to Phytophthora infestans in inoculated potato field trials in Michigan.

Late blight, caused byPhytophthora infestans, is the most important disease of potato worldwide and foliar resistance is an important component of managing late blight in the field. The objective of this research was to identify germplasm for use in breeding cultivars with foliar resistance toP. infestans. More than 500 clones were tested from 1997 to 2002 in inoculated (US8 genotype) field experiments conducted at the Michigan State University Muck Soils Research Farm in Bath, Michigan. All of the current commercial cultivars tested were classified as susceptible toP. infestans. The most resistant clones were A90586-11, AWN86514-2, B0718-3, Jacqueline Lee (MSG274-3), MSI152-A, MSJ307-2, MSJ317-1, MSJ453-4Y, MSJ456-2, MSJ456-4, MSJ461-1, MSK101-2, MSK128-1, NY121, LBR8, LBR9, Tollocan, and Torridon. Some of these resistant selections were from crosses with B0718-3, Jacqueline Lee, and Tollocan suggesting that the resistance toP. infestans was transmissible. These resistant clones will provide the opportunity to breed late-blight-resistant cultivars from a diverse pool of cultivated germplasm. Consistent foliar reaction toP. infestans over years suggested that the Michigan State University Muck Soils Research Farm is a valuable location for North American breeders to assess the reaction of potato germplasm to the US8 genotype of late blight.
Ethnicities: Children of migrants in America

Alejandro Portes discusses the complex social, economic and cultural determinants of today's second generation of immigrants to the United States of America. He warns that unless changes are made there is a strong likelihood that members of today's second generation will join those at the bottom of society forming a new ‘rainbow underclass’.
The role of US defense exports in Asia Pacific regionalism

Abstract Despite the emergence of a regional economic space, political integration in the form of institutional building has yet to take shape in the Asia Pacific. On the one hand, the area is constructed as part of a localized space articulated in terms of relatively self-contained regional economic networks. On the other hand, Asia Pacific remains fractured in geopolitical structures, relying heavily on the US to organize the region, particularly in the post-war period. This paper focuses on the nature of lagging regional political integration and examines the role that US defense trade (1989–2004), and to a lesser extent military presence, plays in this. Specifically, it shows that US geopolitical strategy, influenced heavily by a realist framework, displays a pattern of bilateral courtship where its defense trade is positively related to allies in Asia. This relationship results in stronger trans-Pacific than regional linkages, inserting an otherwise localized Asian economic space into the more diffused global US-centered geopolitical space.
Gender differences in factors associated with hypoactive sexual desire

Several factors have been identified as playing an etiological role in hypoactive sexual desire. It has been assumed that these factors appear equally among men and women, however, there is little empirical validation for this. An investigation of 69 men and women was undertaken to explore whether certain medical, psychological, sexual, and/or interpersonal factors were more likely to present in men versus women. Significant differences were found with regard to age, psychological distress, relationship satisfaction, level of stress, and the duration of another sexual dysfunction. Implications for a refined understanding of hypoactive sexual desire and for treatment are discussed.
Constrictive Pericarditis Due to Infection with Nocardia Asteroides

A case of constrictive pericarditis caused by Nocardia asteroides is reported. Pericardiectomy, combined with proper chemotherapy, gave excellent results in the treatment of the patient herein reported. Even though this case represents a primary infection by Nocardia asteroides, this fungus is known for its opportunistic characteristic, which frequently complicates debilitating diseases of variable etiology.
Rationale for a tissue-based selenium criterion for aquatic life

This paper proposes a national tissue-based criterion for the protection of aquatic life in the United States based on the growing body of selenium literature, but may be of international importance due to the raising global awareness of selenium contamination. A recent peer consultation workshop was undertaken by the US Environmental Protection Agency to address the technical issues underlying the freshwater aquatic life chronic criterion for selenium. The workshop participants discussed concerns associated with three possibilities for a new criterion: a water-based criterion, a tissue-based criterion, and a sediment-based criterion. Since the current national water quality criterion was established in 1987, several publications have reported adverse effects in fish from dietary selenium exposure with waterborne concentrations below the current criterion of 5 μg/l. Based on this literature, a water-based criterion seems unsuitable because of the propensity for selenium to bioaccumulate through the food chain to toxic dietary concentrations. There is little information to support a sediment-based criterion. A tissue-based criterion accounts for selenium's biogeochemical pathways because it integrates the route, duration, and magnitude of exposure, chemical form, metabolic transformations, and modifying biotic and abiotic factors. The convergence of laboratory and field data shows 4 μg/g to be a conservative value for a national tissue-based criterion for selenium.
AHNP-streptavidin: a tetrameric bacterially produced antibody surrogate fusion protein against p185her2/neu.

The anti-p185her2/neu peptidomimetic (AHNP) is a small exo-cyclic peptide derived from the anti-p185her2/neu rhumAb 4D5 (h4D5). AHNP mimics many but not all of the antitumor characteristics exhibited by h4D5. However, the pharmacokinetic profiles of AHNP are less than optimal for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. To improve the binding affinity to p185her2/neu and the antitumor efficacy, we have engineered a fusion protein containing AHNP and a nonimmunoglobulin protein scaffold, streptavidin (SA). The recombinant protein, AHNP-SA (ASA) bound to p185her2/neu with high affinity, inhibited the proliferation of p185her2/neu-overexpressing cells, and reduced tumor growth induced by p185her2/neu-transformed cells. These data suggest that the bacterially produced tetrameric ASA can be used as an antibody-surrogate molecule. This class of molecule will play a role in the diagnosis and treatment of p185her2/neu-related tumors. Our studies establish a general principle by which a small biologically active synthetic exo-cyclic peptide can be engineered to enhance functional aspects by structured oligomerization and can be produced recombinantly using bacterial expression.
Effect of prostaglandin synthesis inhibition on human corpus luteum function.

Abstract The hypothesis that human luteolysis is mediated by prostaglandin F2α was initially tested through placebo-controlled observations of the effect of a single dose of ibuprofen on progesterone and luteinizing hormone levels late in the luteal phase in normal human subjects. Falling levels of progesterone at rest, not significantly attenuated by ibuprofen, did not support, and falling progesterone/luteinizing hormone ratios at rest, significantly attenuated by ibuprofen, did support this hypothesis. The pulsatile nature of progesterone levels in the human was confirmed in this study.
Dynamic screening in solar and stellar nuclear reactions

In the hot, dense plasma of solar and stellar interiors, Coulomb potentials are screened, resulting in increased nuclear reaction rates. Although Salpeter's approximation for static screening is widely accepted and used in stellar modeling, the question of screening in nuclear reactions was revisited in the 1990s. In particular the issue of dynamic effects was raised by Shaviv and Shaviv, who applied the techniques of molecular dynamics to the conditions in the Sun's core in order to numerically determine the effect of screening. By directly calculating the motion of ions and electrons due to Coulomb interactions, the simulations are used to compute the effect of screening without the mean-field assumption inherent in Salpeter's approximation. In the last few years, the USC group has first reproduced Shaviv and Shaviv's numerical analysis of the screening energy, showing an effect of dynamic screening. When the consequence for the reaction-rate was computed, a rather surprising resulted, which is contrary to that from static screening theory. Our calculations showed that dynamic screening does not significantly change the reaction rate from that of the bare Coulomb potential. If this can be independently confirmed, then the effects of dynamic screening are highly relevant and should be included in stellar nuclear reaction rates (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Redescription of Sudanonautes Orthostylis Bott, 1955, a Freshwater Crab From Nigeria, Cameroon and Ghana With Notes On Its Ecology (Decapoda, Potamonautidae)

Sudanonautes orthostylis (Bott, 1955) est decrit d'apres un specimen trouve dans les collines Oban (Oban Hills), Etat de Cross River, Nigeria, dans un tributaire du fleuve Kwa, en foret humide. D'autre specimens d'origines camerounienne et ghaneenne [examines au British Museum (Natural History), Londres] sont compares avec les exemplaires nigeriens. Sudanonautes orthostylis est le quatrieme espece connue du genre Sudanonautes Bott, 1955, les autres ayant ete trouvees en Afrique occidentale et Centrale. Sudanonautes orthostylis differe des autres especes du genre par les caracteristiques suivantes: Le segment terminal du gonopode 1 est large; le penultieme segment du gonopode 1 est elance, et la pince droite est plus allongee et renflee. Sudanonautes orthostylis est un hote intermediaire du parasite Paragonimus, source de la paragonimose chez l'homme.
An Improved Synthesis of la, 3 p-Dihydroxycholesta- 5,7-Diene

Abstract The chemically synthesized la-hydroxyvitamin D la-OH-D3, is an extremely active analog of lα dihydroxyvitamin D3(1,25-(OH)2-D3 la)2,3,4,0,5,0,6,7,8 the hormonally active form of vitamin D3, lc. A key The chemically synthesized la-hydroxyvitamin kQ),intermediate in the synthesis of la-OH-D is the provitamin diacetate z. thetic studies it was necessary to develop a more efficient synthesis of the provitamin diol 4b. from which lb. can be rapidly obtained by means of photolysis and thermolysis.
DEspR Roles in Tumor Vasculo-Angiogenesis, Invasiveness, CSC-Survival and Anoikis Resistance: A ‘Common Receptor Coordinator’ Paradigm

A priori, a common receptor induced in tumor microvessels, cancer cells and cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) that is involved in tumor angiogenesis, invasiveness, and CSC anoikis resistance and survival, could underlie contemporaneous coordination of these events rather than assume stochasticity. Here we show that functional analysis of the dual endothelin1/VEGFsignal peptide receptor, DEspR, (formerly named Dear, Chr.4q31.2) supports the putative common receptor paradigm in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and glioblastoma (GBM) selected for their invasiveness, CD133+CSCs, and polar angiogenic features. Unlike normal tissue, DEspR is detected in PDAC and GBM microvessels, tumor cells, and CSCs isolated from PDAC-Panc1 and GBM-U87 cells. DEspR-inhibition decreased angiogenesis, invasiveness, CSC-survival and anoikis resistance in vitro, and decreased Panc1-CSC and U87-CSC xenograft tumor growth, vasculo-angiogenesis and invasiveness in nudenu/nu rats, suggesting that DEspR activation would coordinate these tumor progression events. As an accessible, cell-surface ‘common receptor coordinator’, DEspR-inhibition defines a novel targeted-therapy paradigm for pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma.
Variations on a Theme: Crispr Models for 15q11-Q13 Disorders and Beyond

Objective: Genetic disorders involving the 15q11-q13 region in humans are complex and often exhibit a variety of mutation types that can affect multiple genes in the region. Angelman syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome are neurodevelopmental disorders that are caused by mutations in this region. A variety of mutations, from point to large deletions are exhibited in the patient population. Although the mutations that cause several of these disorders are well understood and characterized the availability of in-vivo models that accurately reflect the high variation of mutations in individual patients has not been feasible. This review examines how applying CRISPR technology can result in more accurate models of 15q11-q13 disorders and other multiple gene disorders, including autism spectrum disorders. Background: Previous methods of creating disease models have been cost and labor intensive making it impossible to accurately represent the variation in complex genetic disorders. The advancement of CRISPR technology has drastically changed the ease of producing in-vivo models for diseases where the mutation varies in individuals. Methods: A review of relevant literature on Angelman syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and CRISPR technology, and the implications of applying CRISPR technology to the autism field. Results: CRISPR technology has the potential to drastically impact the 15q11-q13 disorders and autism field in the creation of more varied and accurate in-vivo models, which will advance our understanding of these diseases and potentially lead to better treatments.
A phase I trial of an antisense inhibitor of hepatitis C virus (ISIS 14803), administered to chronic hepatitis C patients.

Background/Aims ISIS 14803 is a 20-unit antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide that binds to hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA at the translation initiation region of the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and inhibits protein expression in cell culture and mouse models. This Phase I, open-label, dose-escalation trial of ISIS 14803 was performed in chronic HCV patients. Methods At least 7 days after receiving an initial single dose, twenty-eight patients received 0.5–3mg/kg ISIS 14803 thrice weekly for 4 weeks by intravenous infusion or subcutaneous injection. Results In most patients, the 4-week treatment did not reduce plasma HCV RNA. However, 3 patients receiving ≥2mg/kg had transient HCV reductions of 1.2–1.7log 10 that persisted ≤32 days. These reductions were accompanied by asymptomatic, self-resolving elevations in serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels to >10× the upper limit of normal. Two other patients had ALT flares without plasma HCV reduction. No clinical signs, symptoms of hepatic dysfunction, or laboratory changes in albumin or prothrombin time accompanied ALT elevations. Conclusions ISIS 14803 treatment was associated with HCV reductions in only 3/28 patients. ALT flares in 5 patients also occurred. Further studies to evaluate ISIS 14803 treatment and the mechanisms of the ALT flares are now required.
Model Based Design for Power Systems Protection Relays, Using Matlab & Simulink

In the world of power system relays, there have been significant changes in the technology used to implement the protection; electro-mechanical relays, static relays, digital relays and numerical relays have all been developed to provide the required protection and control. However, the development process for these has by and large remained a manual, document led process. This inevitably leads to delays, interpretation errors and omissions which are often not identified until late in the process - when it is time consuming and expensive to change the design. Furthermore, the design has to be verified and validated from requirements through to the final implementation. Manual processes make this a laborious and thankless task. By utilising the powerful and flexible model based design process allowed by MATLABreg & Simulinkreg, this paper will show how complex and innovative new working methods can be developed to improve the design cycle. These will allow rapid modeling and testing of algorithms, before committing to the expense of development for the final hardware platform, and the resulting cost benefits achieved by avoiding late changes to the design. Meanwhile, consistent behaviour can be confirmed and demonstrated at all stages.
Chemical analyses of commercial shell egg wash water

SUMMARY Wash water was collected from the first (W1) and second (W2) egg washers in series in 3 different commercial facilities (plants X, Y, and Z) and evaluated for temperature, pH, chlorine, soluble iron (ferrous), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Temperature of W1 and W2 ranged from 39.7 to 44.1°C and was generally consistent within plants Y and Z. The pH of W1 and W2 varied from 10.0 to 11.4. Chlorine levels in wash water differed by 3- (W2) and 5-fold (W1) between the facilities. Average values of soluble iron W1 and W2 ranged from 0.3 to 1.6 mg/L. Highest values for TDS and TSS occurred in W1 (8,231 and 796 mg/L, respectively) as compared with W2 (3,564 and 429 mg/L, respectively). The TKN values for the wash water ranged from 81 to 302 mg/L, whereas COD values ranged from 1,765 to 7,300 mg/L. Data provided by the present study may be useful for identifying process deficiencies and minimizing organic and inorganic discharge loads in the waste stream.
Explaining Differences between Qualitative and Quantitative Data: A Study of Chemoprophylaxis during Pregnancy

Experts acknowledge that communication projects would benefit from the use of open-ended interviews, focus groups, surveys, trials of behaviors, observation, and other research techniques to identify community and individual knowledge, beliefs, preferences, actual behavior, as well as a host of sociodemographic and economic characteristics necessary for planning and implementation. Communication planners often rely exclu sively on survey research for program planning, claiming ease of administration and reliability of results. Reliance on this single research method often results in less appro priate interventions than could be developed with multiple research methods. This article reports the use of multiple methods to examine the cultural and behavioral factors which influence the use of antimalarial chemoprophylaxis during pregnancy in Malawi, Central Africa. This article will demonstrate how quantitative techniques such as cross sectional interviews and chemical tests as well as qualitative ethnograph...
Small‐scale structure of the Kane oceanic core complex, Mid‐Atlantic Ridge 23°30′N, from waveform tomography of multichannel seismic data

[1] Frequency-domain waveform tomography applied to deep-sea multichannel seismic data collected across the Kane oceanic core complex (OCC) reveals the small-scale structure of this section of oceanic lithosphere formed at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge 3.3–2.1 Myr ago that has been uplifted and exhumed at the seafloor along an oceanic detachment fault. Geological and geophysical studies indicate that the central-eastern area of the Kane OCC is formed by a large gabbroic intrusion. The new high-resolution seismic velocity models show that this gabbroic core is 1,000–1,350 m thick and it is underlain by a ∼300-m-thick layer of low-velocity material interpreted as serpentinized peridotite. The models also reveal the presence of a deeper, 200-m-thick by 1,700-m-long high-velocity body interpreted as a small gabbroic sill embedded in serpentinzed peridotite.
DAEDALUS for Agents with Obstructed Perception

Traditional approaches to designing multi-agent systems are offline (in simulation), and assume the presence of a global observer. In the online (real world), there may be no global observer, performance feedback may be delayed or perturbed by noise, agents may only interact with their local neighbors, and only a subset of agents may experience any form of performance feedback. Under these circumstances, it is much more difficult to design multi-agent systems. DAEDALUS is designed to address these issues, by mimicking more closely the actual dynamics of populations of agents moving and interacting in a task environment. This paper addresses the feasibility of DAEDALUS for agents moving towards a goal through an obstacle field, where the obstacles can obstruct perception.
Efficient generation of retinal progenitor cells from human embryonic stem cells

The retina is subject to degenerative conditions, leading to blindness. Although retinal regeneration is robust in lower vertebrates, regeneration does not occur in the adult mammalian retina. Thus, we have developed efficient methods for deriving retinal neurons from human embryonic stem (hES) cells. Under appropriate culture conditions, up to 80% of the H1 line can be directed to the retinal progenitor fate, and express a gene expression profile similar to progenitors derived from human fetal retina. The hES cell-derived progenitors differentiate primarily into inner retinal neurons (ganglion and amacrine cells), with functional glutamate receptors. Upon coculture with retinas derived from a mouse model of retinal degeneration, the hES cell derived retinal progenitors integrate with the degenerated mouse retina and increase in their expression of photoreceptor-specific markers. These results demonstrate that human ES cells can be selectively directed to a neural retinal cell fate and thus may be useful in the treatment of retinal degenerations.
Constructivism and the Future Anterior of Radical Politics

This article argues that radical theory in general, and post-anarchism specifically has spent so much effort deconstructing and analyzing power that it has largely overlooked the important task of examining the constructive and prefigurative dimensions of the political alternatives coming to the fore. Drawing on the post-anarchist thought of Deleuze, Guattari, and the Zapatistas this article offers the beginnings of a corrective to this trend by outlining three strategic contributions located in their political theory and practice: (1) a multi-centered strategy of political diagnosis, (2) a prefigurative strategy of political transformation, and (3) a participatory strategy of organizing institutions. It is in concrete social fields, at specific moments, that the comparative movements of deterritorialization, the continuums of intensity and the combinations of flux that they form must be studied — Deleuze, Dialogues
State Capacity and Economic Crises

This paper develops an argument about state capacity and the impact of state capacity on the ability of the state to negotiate effectively with market actors and to restore market confidence. It uses illustrative examples from the Korean and Argentina experiences in the 1990s as plausibility probes to demonstrate the viability of this argument. It then concludes with implications of this argument for economic policy and international relations theory.
Interconnected riverine–lacustrine systems as sedimentary repositories: Case study in southeast Michigan using 210Pb and 137Cs-based sediment accumulation and mixing models

Abstract Particle-reactive nuclides, such as 210 Pb and 137 Cs, serve as powerful chronometric tools in the investigations and reconstruction of historical contamination in coastal marine and lacustrine systems. Towards the first systematic establishment of sediment chronologies of river channel sediments, a set of seven sediment cores from Clinton River and Lake St. Clair riverine–lacustrine system were collected and analyzed for 210 Pb, 226 Ra, and 137 Cs activities. Measured inventories of 210 Pb xs and 137 Cs were ~ 2 and ~ 9 times higher than that expected from atmospheric fallout. From the measured 210 Pb xs / 137 Cs inventory ratios, erosional input of 137 Cs was found to be significantly higher than that of 210 Pb indicating that anthropogenic watershed disturbances have resulted in accelerated sediment erosion. Good agreement between accumulation rates using 210 Pb xs and 137 Cs using four different age models were obtained for four of the seven cores in the riverine–lacustrine environment. Average sediment mass accumulation rates, based on the 210 Pb xs CFCS model, in the lower Clinton River (mean: 0.91 g cm −2 yr −1 ) were generally higher than those in Lake St. Clair (mean: 0.55 g cm −2 yr −1 ) due to a higher sediment flux and the unique riverine system characteristics. Sediment mixing coefficients, based on a 210 Pb xs mixing model, were much higher in the river (mean: 64.9 cm 2 yr −1 ) compared to the lake (mean: 4.7 cm 2 yr −1 ), as was expected due to the frequency of perturbation and resuspension. Net accumulation of datable sediments in the Clinton River indicates that similar river channel deposits may act as repositories for the reconstruction of historical contamination and environmental changes.
Involvement of HGF/SF–Met Signaling in Prostate Adenocarcinoma Cells: Evidence for Alternative Mechanisms Leading to a Metastatic Phenotype in Pr-14c

BACKGROUND Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) facilitates intercellular communication between the epithelial carcinoma and its surrounding stromal tissue during metastatic invasion through interaction with its proto-oncogenic receptor, Met, found on carcinoma cells. This study utilizes the C3(1)/Tag transgenic mouse prostate cancer cell line model in an attempt to characterize the interaction between HGF/SF and Met on the metastatic potential of prostate cancer. METHODS Exogenous HGF was supplied to the prostate adenocarcinoma cell line (Pr-14) and metastatic cell line (Pr-14c) to evaluate mitogenicity by proliferation assays, morphological characteristics on an extracellular matrix substrate, and motogenic properties using the scatter assay, invasion chambers, and zymogram studies to analyze secretory enzymes produced by the cell lines. RESULTS RNA and protein analyses show that the cell lines express similar amounts of Met. Pr-14 cells have an increased growth rate following HGF/SF treatment, whereas the metastatic Pr-14c cells show little change. Morphological studies of Pr-14c cells on extracellular matrix demonstrate negligible changes when compared to the tubular formation of Pr-14 cells after HGF/SF stimulation. Motility studies of the metastatic cells following HGF/SF treatment reveal a potentially faulty signaling pathway downstream of Met activation in the metastatic prostate cells. CONCLUSIONS Our studies suggest that proliferation, invasion, and cell morphological characteristics may be induced independently from the HGF/SF-Met pathway in C3(1)/Tag metastatic prostate cancer cells. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.