cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sex differences in plasma cocaine levels and subjective effects after acute cocaine administration in human volunteers

Gender differences after acute cocaine administration have received little attention in spite of the fact that males and females respond differently to many drugs. Seven male and seven female occasional cocaine users received both an intranasal dose of cocaine hydrochloride (0.9 mg/kg) and placebo powder in a randomized order and reported subjective effects via an instrumental joystick device and various questionnaires. Blood samples were withdrawn at 5-min intervals to assess pharmacokinetic differences. Male subjects achieved the highest peak plasma cocaine levels (144.4 ± 17.5 ng/ml), detected cocaine effects significantly faster than females and also experienced a greater number of episodes of intense good and bad effects. Women studied during the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle had peak plasma cocaine levels of 73.2 ± 9.9 ng/ml, which was significantly higher than when they were studied during their luteal phase (54.7 ± 8.7 ng/ml), but there were no differences in their subjective reports of cocaine effects. In spite of the different cocaine blood levels and subjective effects, peak heart rate increases did not differ between males and females suggesting that women may be more sensitive than males to the cardiovascular effects of cocaine. These data suggest that there are significant gender and menstrual cycle differences in the response to acute intranasal cocaine administration and these differences may have implications for the differential abuse of this drug.
Device dependent problems in esophageal manometry

The use of catheters in esophageal manometry causes mechanical alterations in the esophagus. There is a linear relation between the outer diameter of the catheter and the measured intraesophageal pressure. in perfusion manometry, the recording fidelity is largely determined by the compliance of the system, and this is predominantly a function of the characteristics of the catheter. In addition, the perfusion rate determines the system's measuring range and frequency response. Since hydrostatic pressure affects the pressure reading in perfusion manometry, a change of body position during the study is not possible. Because of the asymmetry of the esophageal sphincters, the recording sites shold ideally sense in all directions of the circumference. Continuous sphincter recording is possible only with the sleeve catheter, which senses only in one direction. Other sensors cannot be kept constantly in sphincter areas. Specific problems of the microtransducers are their temperature sensitivity, low durability, fixed intertransducer distances, and high cost.
Geometric optimization and the polynomial hierarchy

We illustrate two different techniques of accurately classifying geometric optimization problems in the polynomial hierarchy. We show that if NP≠Co-NP then there are interesting natural geometric optimization problems (location-allocation problems under minsum) in △ 2 P that are in neither NP nor Co-NP. Hence, all these problems are shown to belong properly to △ 2 P , the second level of the polynomial hierarchy. We also show that if NP≠Co-NP then there are again some interesting geometric optimization problems (location-allocation problems under minmax), properly in △ 2 P and furthermore they are complete for a class DP (which is contained in △ 2 P and contains NP Co-NP).
State of the Art of Hurricane Vulnerability Estimation Methods: A Review

AbstractThis paper presents a comprehensive review of methods to assess building vulnerability for hurricane catastrophe models. The review identified five main types of assessment approaches judging by the underlying methodology: past-loss data, enhanced damage data, heuristic, physics, and simulation. The applicability of past-loss data-only vulnerability methods proved insufficient for the diversity of situations insurance companies faced. Therefore, modelers complemented this method with engineering and meteorology expert knowledge; these are the enhanced-data models. Expert opinion and subjective probabilities drive the heuristic models; these were short lived in the United States, but are still used when data are scarce. Component-based methods were developed as a more realistic alternative to enhanced-data models by assessing vulnerability within an engineering framework complemented with expert opinion. Simulation models enhanced the physical models with a probabilistic simulation of the wind-stru...
All roads lead to CARD9

Multiple receptors alert cells to microbial invasion by initiating intracellular signals that modify gene expression. New work provides a more complex view of microbe-induced signaling through the adaptor CARD9.
Exploring the embassy sampling strategy for large-scale cross-national study in replicating the normative theory of global public relations

Abstract This study explored a new sampling strategy of using embassies as cultural enclaves for large-scale cross-national research in testing the generic status of individual excellence principles in the normative theory of global public relations. Based on survey data, the investigation looked at factorial invariance for six organizational process-related excellence principles across two cultural groups of embassies (N = 113) in Washington, D.C.: individualist and collectivist. The findings suggested that the principle of symmetric internal communication may not be generic whereas the others are universal in factor structure and further put into question the generic status of the notion of symmetry so fundamental to symmetric internal communication.
Infusion port dislodgment of bilateral breast tissue expanders after MRI

Tissue expanders are placed routinely for breast reconstruction, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a common diagnostic procedure. Many studies have reported on the safety of MRI in patients with nonferromagnetic implants; however, many tissue expanders contain ferromagnetic components. The authors present a case of bilateral tissue expander infusion port dislodgment after MRI. A 56-year-old woman underwent bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with McGhan BIOSPAN tissue expanders. These implants contain integral nonferromagnetic infusion ports, as well as small, powerful Magna-Site magnets. Several weeks postoperatively the patient underwent MRI of her spine, which was ordered by her primary physician for back pain. Subsequently, the infusion ports could not be located with the finder magnet. A chest radiograph was obtained, which demonstrated bilateral dislodgment of the infusion ports. Surgical removal and replacement of the tissue expanders were required. Safety considerations of MRI have been discussed extensively in the literature, and data on MRI with various implanted devices have been obtained. The potential risks of performing MRI on patients with metallic implants include conduction of electrical currents, heating of the implant, misinterpretation resulting from artifact, and the possibility of movement or dislodgment of the implant. The small magnet integral to many tissue expanders may be overlooked by patients and physicians during pre-MRI screening. All patients undergoing tissue expansion with implants that contain integral ports should be thoroughly warned about the potential hazards of MRI.
Classroom Implementation of Self-Enhancing Education

For three years the Grand Forks, North Dakota School District has been involved in an attempt to implement a self-enhancing education (SEE) program in selected elementary schools. At the beginning of each school year several professional educators had been involved in a week-long workshop. In most cases these were conducted by Norma Randolph, the originator of the process (Randolph & Howe, 1966). In the 3 yr., 110 educators have attended one of these workshops. Participsnts experienced simulated student-teacher encounters in which the goal was to prepare the teacher to be a change-agent with the child, helping the child to eliminate or reduce factors that limit learning. These simulated encounters centered around cypical classroom problem areas such as namecalling, fighting, learning social skills, and avoiding repetitive non-productive behavior. During each school year, in-service workshops were conducted by local personnel. The ultimate goal was to improve learning and self-concepts of students; the intermediate goal was implementation of the process in the classroom by the teacher. To evaluate the effectiveness of the SEE process Ss were randomly chosen from teachers who had attended a week-long workshop and had been involved in one of two project schools for at least 1 yr. (N = 23). A group of teachers were randomly selected from schools not involved in the training but matched with the project schools for control purposes (N = 26). Trained observers used a variant of interaction analysis to measure several classroom variables. The method was adopted by Schilson (1972) to measure specific program objectives. The trained observers were sent to each classroom on a "blind" basis; that is, they were unaware whether the teacher whom they were observing was a member of the control or experimental group. Table 1 contains the means and t values for the SEE teachers and control teachers for the 11 categories of the interaction analysis. From the point of view of implementing the SEE process, categories 1-7 and 9 are viewed as positive; categories 8 and 10 are negative, and category 11 is neutral. Of the 8 positive categories, 7 are in the predicted direction, favoring the SEE teachers, 5 of these differences being significant (p < .05). Of the two negative cate
Improvements In Avalanche-Transistor Sweep Circuitry For Electro-Optic Streak Cameras

We have improved the performance of the avalanche-transistor deflector-driver (sweep) circuitry used in the high-speed, electro-optic streak camera at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. In the previous design for the sweep circuit, trigger-to-output delay time drifted on some cameras. This delay drift is a function of a somewhat randomly unstable breakdown voltage of some avalanche transistors. Both temperature and differences in manufacturing methods for transistors affect this instability. However, a significant improvement in system performance is achieved by long-term burn in and by selection of only the most stable transistors for the sweep circuit. The peak-to-peak sweep voltage has been increased about 80% by increasing the number of avalanche transistors in the string and raising the quality factor (Q) of the resonant circuit. The result is an improvement in sweep uniformity by a factor of approximately 2. Design equations for selecting components are given. Fast-recovery diodes are used to prevent undershoot and to keep the beam out of the intensifier field of view until after the intensifier is gated off. The sweep time range has been extended to over 100 ns.
Developing a quantitative model of antibody effector function

Background While the induction of neutralizing antibodies remains a cornerstone of HIV vaccine development, the success of the Thai trail and evidence from non-human primate (NHP) studies has indicated that non-neutralizing antibodies may provide protection from infection. These nonneutralizing antibodies can act as molecular beacons to recruit innate immune cells to recognize infected CD4T cells or free virus as pathogenic. The ability of an antibody to efficiently recruit innate immune cells depends on complex interactions between the pathogenic target, the antibody, and an effector cell.
Pygo1 and Pygo2 roles in Wnt signaling in mammalian kidney development

The pygopus gene of Drosophila encodes an essential component of the Armadillo (β-catenin) transcription factor complex of canonical Wnt signaling. To better understand the functions of Pygopus-mediated canonical Wnt signaling in kidney development, targeted mutations were made in the two mammalian orthologs, Pygo1 and Pygo2. Each mutation deleted >80% of the coding sequence, including the critical PHD domain, and almost certainly resulted in null function. Pygo2 homozygous mutants, with rare exception, died shortly after birth, with a phenotype including lens agenesis, growth retardation, altered kidney development, and in some cases exencephaly and cleft palate. Pygo1 homozygous mutants, however, were viable and fertile, with no detectable developmental defects. Double Pygo1/Pygo2 homozygous mutants showed no apparent synergy in phenotype severity. The BAT-gal transgene reporter of canonical Wnt signaling showed reduced levels of expression in Pygo1 -/-/Pygo2 -/- mutants, with tissue-specific variation in degree of diminution. The Pygo1 and Pygo2 genes both showed widespread expression in the developing kidney, with raised levels in the stromal cell compartment. Confocal analysis of the double mutant kidneys showed disturbance of both the ureteric bud and metanephric mesenchyme-derived compartments. Branching morphogenesis of the ureteric bud was altered, with expanded tips and reduced tip density, probably contributing to the smaller size of the mutant kidney. In addition, there was an expansion of the zone of condensed mesenchyme capping the ureteric bud. Nephron formation, however, proceeded normally. Microarray analysis showed changed expression of several genes, including Cxcl13, Slc5a2, Klk5, Ren2 and Timeless, which represent candidate Wnt targets in kidney development. The mammalian Pygopus genes are required for normal branching morphogenesis of the ureteric bud during kidney development. Nevertheless, the relatively mild phenotype observed in the kidney, as well as other organ systems, indicates a striking evolutionary divergence of Pygopus function between mammals and Drosophila. In mammals, the Pygo1/Pygo2 genes are not absolutely required for canonical Wnt signaling in most developing systems, but rather function as quantitative transducers, or modulators, of Wnt signal intensity.
Organizational and Activational Effects of Testosterone on Masculinization of Female Physiological and Behavioral Stress Responses

The prevalence of affective disorders is two times greater in women than in men. The onset of anxiety and depression occurs at different ages that may correspond to key developmental periods when the brain is more vulnerable to hormonal and exogenous influences. Because stressful life events can precipitate disease onset, the development of greater stress sensitivity in females may contribute to their increased vulnerability. Gonadal hormone exposure in males during early development and again from puberty onward plays a prominent role in sexually dimorphic brain formation, possibly contributing to sex differences in stress responsivity. Therefore, organizational effects of testosterone propionate (TP) administered postnatally and activational effects of TP administered beginning at puberty on adult female physiological and behavioral stress responses were examined in mice. Although the activational effects of TP in females ameliorated the sex difference in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis stress response, there was no effect of postnatal TP. Similarly, higher immobile time in intact females in the tail suspension test was blunted by activational TP in the absence of postnatal TP. However, in the marble-burying test of anxiety-like behaviors, organizational and activational TP independently resulted in increased burying behaviors. These results show that TP administration has distinct effects on reducing physiological and behavioral stress responsivity in rodent models and suggest that sex differences in these responses may partially result from the absence of testosterone in females.
Restructuring African American Families in the 1990s

Many of today's families are hurting. Here are some reasons why. One reason is divorce. Divorce hurts children in many ways. Children of divorced parents must learn to cope with the loss of one parent, and sometimes they have to move away from friends and family. That's hard. Another reason is economics. Parents who lose their jobs and single mothers who don't make enough money to buy proper food may send their children to school hungry and may risk joining the ranks of the homeless. That's harder. Still another reason is socialization. Children reared in chaotic families develop serious behavior disorders. They lack structure, autonomy, and self-determination. They learn loneliness, rejection, and dysfunctional behavior. That's hardest. —Barker, speech, 1993
Hatching of Echinostoma caproni miracidia from eggs derived from adults grown in hamsters and mice

Echinostoma caproni eggs developed fully formed miracidia from hamster-source eggs in 9 days and from mouse-source eggs in 10 days under either light or dark conditions at 27° C. Incubation of egg cultures under constant light resulted in miracidial hatching from hamster-source eggs in 11 days and from mousesource eggs in 13 days. Exposure to light was essential to trigger hatching, with incandescent light providing more consistent stimulation than fluorescent light. A majority of the miracidia hatched at between 1100 and 1600 hours, indicating a diurnal circadian pattern. Eggs stored in a dark environment for 11 days required 6 days to reach maximal hatching after exposure to light. Eggs stored for 46 and 56 days hatched on the same day of their exposure to light. Miracidia that hatched after 56 days of dark storage exhibited aberrant swimming behavior; those stored in a dark environment for 70 days or longer did not hatch when exposed to light.
Crystal structure of 2,8,14,20-tetranaphthylpyrogallol(4)arene

˚A, α = 94.309(2) ◦ , β = 91.765(2) ◦ , γ = 93.892(2) ◦ , Dcalc = 1.298 g/m 3 for Z = 1. Within the unit cell, six methanol molecules of crystallization plus one molecule of pyrazine were found to accompany the pyrogallol macrocycle. In the solid state, the macrocycle is found to adopt the chair conformation.
It's virtually pedagogical: pedagogical agents in mixed reality learning environments

Pedagogical Embodied Conversational Agents (PECA) that autonomously behave in mixed reality environments, respond to muti-modal input across computer networks, interact with human learners using context aware intelligence, and apply proven pedagogical techniques during instruction have the potential to improve and accelerate human learning performance anytime, anywhere, and at any-pace. This paper discusses the PECA Product Line Architecture (PPLA) model for building interactive pedagogical agent systems and discusses a prototype system from the architecture.
Genital lymphangioma with recurrent cellulitis in men.

Background Lymphangioma circumscriptum rarely occurs on the penis. This report describes a patient observed in private practice who presented with recurrent unexplained cellulitis of the penis for whom this diagnosis was not initially apparent. Methods Diagnosis of lymphangioma in this patient resulted in a retrospective records review of the Mayo Clinic experience with patients who had genital lymphangioma and cellulitis. Results Six other male patients with recurrent cellulitis complicating genital lymphangioma were identified. Five of these six patients were managed with antibiotic prophylaxis. Conclusions Compromised lymphatic drainage should be suspected in male patients with otherwise unexplained penile swelling or cellulitis. These patients usually require long-term antibiotic prophylaxis for recurrent infection.
Correlation of serum androgens with anthropometric and metabolic indices in healthy, nonobese postmenopausal women.

Objective: The role of testosterone in the regulation of metabolic and physiological function in men is well defined, but its role in women remains enigmatic. Thus, the present study sought to assess the contribution of endogenous circulating androgens to the regulation of metabolic function, body morphometry, and physical function in normal naturally postmenopausal women. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, we measured serum androgens in a cohort of 29 naturally postmenopausal women and correlated the results with metabolic, morphometric, and functional outcome parameters. These included insulin sensitivity, whole-body fat and lean body mass, visceral/abdominal fat areasm and aerobic capacity. Results: Higher serum testosterone levels were related to greater maximal aerobic capacity and reduced adiposity. Additionally, higher serum dihydrotestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione, and androstenetriol glucuronidate levels were correlated to greater insulin sensitivity. Conclusion:...
Design and evaluation of a 2-(2,3,6-trifluorophenyl)acetamide derivative as an agonist of the GPR119 receptor

The design and synthesis of a GPR119 agonist bearing a 2-(2,3,6-trifluorophenyl)acetamide group is described. The design capitalized on the conformational restriction found in N-β-fluoroethylamide derivatives to help maintain good levels of potency while driving down both lipophilicity and oxidative metabolism in human liver microsomes. The chemical stability and bioactivation potential are discussed.
Fuel cells—III. The propylene potential in low temperature cells

Abstract From the reproducible propylene potential observed at a platinum catalyst in 30% KOH solution, a potential of 0·465 V (NHE) at 25°C is calculated. The corresponding voltage for a propylene-oxygen cell is 0·838 V. These values in conjunction with the observed temperature coefficient permit speculation regarding possible mechanisms and reactions in low-temperature propylene fuel cells.
Lung Abscess Secondary to Pulmonary Infarction

Abstract Lung abscess following pulmonary embolism has been considered unusual and was believed responsive to antimicrobial therapy in the same manner as most other lung abscesses. In reviewing the hospital charts of 72 patients who underwent inferior vena cava ligation, however, the authors found 10 patients with lung abscess secondary to pulmonary embolism. Six of these 10 patients subsequently died in spite of intensive medical management. The etiology of lung abscesses and the serious complications of sepsis and massive hemoptysis are described. The poor prognosis following inferior vena cava ligation for recurrent pulmonary embolism in the presence of lung abscess is considered, as is the possible place of pulmonary resection in patients who fail to respond to medical treatment. In an era of rapidly increasing lung abuse and contraceptive pharmaceutical agents, lung abscess secondary to pulmonary embolism may become an increasingly frequent menace.
Characterization of (In, Ga, Al)As/GaAs quantum-dot superlattice structures by high-resolution X-ray diffraction

Abstract High-resolution X-ray diffraction measurements have been performed on (In,Ga,Al)As/GaAs quantum-dot superlattice structures. We are able to observe up to 31 satellite peaks from 6 periods of a quantum-dot superlattice. Theoretical simulations of the rocking curves based on the Takagi–Taupin equations of dynamical diffraction theory agree well with the experimental data. It is found, however, that to obtain agreement between theory and experiment, the height of the quantum dot, including the wetting layer under the dot, must be used in the simulations; furthermore, the indium composition is apparently reduced from its nominal value. Our results appear to support the notion that for the (In,Ga,Al)As materials system, the dots play an important role in contributing to the diffraction signature from the superlattice structure.
Diffusion and brownian motion of polymeric liquids

The dynamics of dense model systems of pearl-necklace polymer chains, consisting of up to N = 98 hard spheres each, has been investigated using Monte Carlo methods. Excluded volume conditions as well as entanglement constraints have been taken into account. The time-dependent displacement of a single monomer on the chain follows the classic Rouse equation gr(t) α t1/2 until the monomer equilibrates, whereas the diffusion constant for the center-of-mass motion is in agreement with the reptation law D α N−2±0.2. The equilibration time for conformational fluctuations is given by the Rouse equation Te α N2, whereas the disengagement time, after which the motion of the monomers is dominated by the center-of-mass motion, is given by Td, α N3.4±0.2.
Vitamin D and the immune system: role in protection against bacterial infection.

Purpose of reviewThe role of vitamin D extends well beyond that of regulating calcium homeostasis. One of these areas is immune function. Immunity is both adaptive and innate, and vitamin D signaling is operative in both. This review will examine these actions of vitamin D, in particular the role of
Observation of Gravitationally Induced Quantum Interference

We have used a neutron interferometer to observe the quantum-mechanical phase shift of neutrons caused by their interaction with Earth's gravitational field.
A reinvestigation of the reactions between diazomethane and 1-phenylurazole

Exhaustive methylation of 1-phenylurazole (1), using ethereal diazomethane as the methylating agent, results in the formation of three products: 1-phenyl-3,5-dimethoxy-1,2,4-triazole (2), 1-phenyl-3-methoxy-4-methyl-Δ2-1,2,4-triazolinev5-one (3) and 1-phenyl-2,4-dimethylurazole (4). Based on the amounts of 2–4 isolated, the overall yields in these reactions are typically >90%. When 1 and diazomethane were allowed to react in a fashion that resulted in the formation of monomethylated analogues of 1, 1-phenyl-3-methoxy-Δ2-1,2,4-triazoline-5-one (5) and 1-phenylv2-methylurazole (6) were formed. In separate experiments, the monomethylated species 5 and 6 were allowed to react with diazomethane in efforts to develop a sequence of reactions that reasonably accounts for the formation of 2–4. Whereas N- and O-methylated products were obtained when 5 was treated with ethereal diazomethane, the reaction of 6 and diazomethane produced only the N-alkylated product 1-phenyl–2,4-dimethylurazole (in quantitative yield). The outcomes of these experiments are consistent with a sequence of reactions in which the treatment of 1 with diazomethane results, initially, in the formation of the monomethylated species 5 and 6. In the presence of sufficient diazomethane, 5 and 6 then undergo further mothylation, forming the dimethylated species 2–4.
Feeling the squeeze: a political ecology of race and amenity-based development in coastal Bluffton, South Carolina.

This paper develops theoretical insight from the rapid development of the coastal town of Bluffton, South Carolina. Bluffton has experienced rapid growth and development over the past 15 years, associated with the amenity-based migration of tourists, second homeowners, and retirees. The local management strategies that dominate regional development often project visions of coastal growth around the possibility of healthy environments and strong economies. The debates around these strategies have centred on the sustainability of development and environmental change, and have contributed to the production of amenity-based landscapes. However, I argue that these debates enforce normative ideals for “good” and “bad” development, which materially and discursively reinforce forms of inequality on the landscape. In particular, this paper will show how contrasts between new development projects and existing communities normalise certain city-building strategies that obscure, or even legitimise, race and class ine...
Setting Prices on Priceline

Priceline is best known for its name-your-own-price format, in which consumers bid for services but not for service providers. Because Priceline serves as an opaque selling mechanism, it attracts price-conscious consumers. Sellers also benefit because they can price into multiple market segments without worrying that they are diluting revenue they might receive from customers who are willing to use conventional selling channels and pay more. A firm that releases its inventory to Priceline must manage the trade-off of pricing its inventory too low and forgoing revenue versus pricing it too high and forgoing a sale. In this paper, we outline the mechanism that Priceline uses to determine if customer bids are successful and, given this mechanism, establishes optimal prices and inventory allocations for Kimpton Hotels.
An evaluation of Rohsenow's pool boiling correlation equation

Abstract In this paper it is shown that Rohsenow's pool boiling correlation equation does not agree with many experimental boiling data, including a large fraction of the data upon which the equation was originally founded. Although the equation can be made to correlate certain sets of data by varying a coefficient and two exponents that appear therein, the equation cannot be relied upon to predict boiling heat transfer rates for systems that have not been tested in advance. The severe limitations of this widelly published correlation equation should be recognized, lest it be misapplied.
Binding of Recombinant Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Surface Glycoprotein to Feline Cells: Role of CXCR4, Cell-Surface Heparans, and an Unidentified Non-CXCR4 Receptor

To address the role of CXCR4 in the cell-surface attachment of the feline immunodeficency virus (FIV), a soluble fusion protein, gp95-Fc, consisting of the surface glycoprotein (SU, gp95) of either a primary (PPR) or cell line-adapted (34TF10) FIV strain was fused in frame with the Fc domain of human immunoglobulin G1. The recombinant SU-immunoadhesins were used as probes to investigate the cellular binding of FIV SU. In agreement with the host cell range properties of both viruses, binding of 34TF10 gp95-Fc was observed for all cell lines tested, whereas PPR gp95-Fc bound only to primary feline T cells. 34TF10 gp95-Fc also bound to Jurkat and HeLa cells, consistent with the ability of FIV to use human CXCR4 as a fusion receptor. As expected, 34TF10 gp95-Fc binding to Jurkat cells was blocked by addition of stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α), as was binding to the 3201 feline lymphoma cell line. However, SDF-1α, RANTES, macrophage inflammatory protein 1β, and heparin all failed to inhibit the binding of either gp95-Fc to primary T cells, suggesting that a non-CXCR4 receptor is involved in the binding of FIV SU. In this regard, an unidentified 40-kDa protein species from the surface of primary T cells but not Jurkat and 3201 cells specifically coprecipitated with both gp95-Fc. Yet another type of binding of 34TF10 gp95-Fc to adherent kidney cells was noted. SDF-1α failed to block the binding of 34TF10 gp95-Fc to either HeLa, Crandel feline leukemia, or G355-5 cells. However, binding was severely impaired in the presence of soluble heparin, as well as after enzymatic removal of surface heparans or on cells deficient in heparan expression. These overall findings suggest that in addition to CXCR4, a non-CXCR4 receptor and cell-surface heparans also play an important role in FIV gp95 cell surface interactions on specific target cells.
Facial anatomy of Victoriapithecus and its relevance to the ancestral cranial morphology of Old World monkeys and apes

Recently discovered craniofacial fossils of the middle Miocene cercopithecoid Victoriapithecus are described. The frontal, zygomatic, maxilla, and premaxilla anatomy differ from the previously proposed colobine-like ancestral cercopithecoid morphotype in several significant respects. This morphotype was based on the assumption that features held in common by subordinate hominoid and cercopithecoid morphotypes (Colobinae and Hylobatidae) are primitive for Old World monkeys. Cranial similarities between Victoriapithecus, which represents the sister-group of both colobine and cercopithecine monkeys, and the shorter-snouted Cercopithecinae (Macaca and Cercopithecus) indicate that the last common ancestor of Old World monkeys possessed the following features: a narrow interorbital septum, moderately long snout, moderately long and anteriorly tapering premaxilla, large procumbent upper central incisors set anterior to and with longer roots than lateral incisors, moderately tall face below the orbits, teardrop-shaped nasal aperture of low height and moderate width, and probably long and narrow nasal bones. The Victoriapithecus cranium is also characterized by features not present in modern cercopithecids. These include a deep malar region of the zygomatic and the presence of a frontal trigon due to the occurrence of temporal lines that merge with supraorbital costae close to the midline of each orbit and converge anterior to bregma. These features are interpreted as primitive retentions from the basal catarrhine condition as indicated by the occurrence of these features among primitive catarrhines (Aegyptopithecus) and Miocene hominoids (Afropithecus).
Oxygen Atom Reactions with Circumtrindene and Related Molecules: Analogues for the Oxidation of Nanotube Caps

Circumtrindene, a C 3 6 H 1 2 open geodesic dome with alternating five- and six-membered rings, is of interest as a vesicle for carrying out chemical reactions and also as a model for certain carbon nanotube caps. Here theaddition of an oxygen atom to circumtrindene is examined by means of density functional calculations. O-atom addition to a C-C bond shared between the central and adjacent hexagons gives an epoxide structure while O-atom addition to a C-C bond shared by the central hexagon and an adjacent pentagon results in cleavage of the C-C bond and an R-O-R insertion product. Despite their structural dissimilarity, the two oxidation products are predicted to be of comparable stability (with binding energies of -74.9 and -78.7 kcal/mol, respectively), and to have a large (55.7 kcal/mol) barrier for interconversion.
BayesSDT: Software for Bayesian inference with signal detection theory

This article describes and demonstrates the BayesSDT MATLAB-based software package for performing Bayesian analysis with equal-variance Gaussian signal detection theory (SDT). The software uses WinBUGS to draw samples from the posterior distribution of six SDT parameters: discriminability, hit rate, false alarm rate, criterion, and two alternative measures of bias. The software either provides a simple MATLAB graphical user interface or allows a more general MATLAB function call to produce graphs of the posterior distribution for each parameter of interest for each data set, as well as to return the full set of posterior samples.
Preparing Large Sized Billet of High Strength Aluminum Alloy with the Application of Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field

Grain refinement is quite important for producing 7050 alloy billet especially in large scale. Low frequency electromagnetic casting (LFEC) process was used to make 7050 aluminum alloy Φ500 mm billets and study the effect of electromagnetic field on the microstructure. The sound Φ500 mm billets of 7050 alloys without any grain refiner can be successfully prepared by the LFEC process. The results show that low frequency electromagnetic field has a significant grain refining effect on 7050 alloy and can effectively eliminate feather grain structure. The microstructures of LFEC ingot from the border to the center of the cross section are all equiaxed grains and are finer and more uniform than that of conventional direct chill (DC) cast billets. The LFEC process also shows a strong power to eliminate hot tearing during casting large sized billet of high strength aluminium alloy.
The cardiovascular and endocrine responses to voluntary and forced diving in trained and untrained rats

The mammalian diving response, consisting of apnea, bradycardia, and increased total peripheral resistance, can be modified by conscious awareness, fear, and anticipation. We wondered whether swim and dive training in rats would 1) affect the magnitude of the cardiovascular responses during voluntary and forced diving, and 2) whether this training would reduce or eliminate any stress due to diving. Results indicate Sprague-Dawley rats have a substantial diving response. Immediately upon submersion, heart rate (HR) decreased by 78%, from 453 ± 12 to 101 ± 8 beats per minute (bpm), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) decreased 25%, from 143 ± 1 to 107 ± 5 mmHg. Approximately 4.5 s after submergence, MAP had increased to a maximum 174 ± 3 mmHg. Blood corticosterone levels indicate trained rats find diving no more stressful than being held by a human, while untrained rats find swimming and diving very stressful. Forced diving is stressful to both trained and untrained rats. The magnitude of bradycardia was similar during both voluntary and forced diving, while the increase in MAP was greater during forced diving. The diving response of laboratory rats, therefore, appears to be dissimilar from that of other animals, as most birds and mammals show intensification of diving bradycardia during forced diving compared with voluntary diving. Rats may exhibit an accentuated antagonism between the parasympathetic and sympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system, such that in the autonomic control of HR, parasympathetic activity overpowers sympathetic activity. Additionally, laboratory rats may lack the ability to modify the degree of parasympathetic outflow to the heart during an intense cardiorespiratory response (i.e., the diving response).
10 GHz LC-tuned VCO with coarse and fine frequency control

The authors present a monolithic 10 GHz voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) using an LC resonant circuit for tuning. The basic approach for designing this fully differential VCO will be described, followed by practical modelling considerations, and an explanation of experimental results. Two methods of tuning the resonant frequency will also be addressed with respect to their impact on circuit performance.
Magnetohydrodynamic slow flow past a cylinder

Abstract The slow two dimensional flow of an electrically conducting fluid past an insulating cylinder in the presence of a magnetic field of arbitrary orientation is investigated for R ⪡ M and RM ⪡ M where R, RM and M are the Reynolds, Magnetic Reynolds and Hartmann numbers respectively. For small M, lift and drag coefficients are determined to order M2.
A Novel Electroless Ni-P Deposition on AZ91D Magnesium Alloy

Currently, most of electroless nickel phosphorus plating on magnesium alloys has following disadvantages. First, it has been suffering from corrosion issues caused by acidic electroless bath. Second, in order to increase the strength of Ni-P coatings to the Mg substrate, the pretreatments for electroless Ni-P employ hydrofluoric acid (HF) and hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) which can cause pollution and health problems . In this paper, we developed HF-free and alkaline electroless Ni-P deposition process on AZ91D magnesium alloy which avoids the use of SO42- and Cl- ions in the electroless plating bath, thus leading to good adhesion and corrosion resistance of electroless Ni-P coating on magnesium alloy. XRD, SEM, EDS techniques were used to study the structure, morphology, and chemical compositions of the conversion coating and Ni-P coating, respectively. Polarization measurements indicated that the corrosion rate of Ni-P coated Mg was six times lower than that of bare Mg. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) also showed that the Ni-P coating could effectively protect Mg alloy from corrosion.
Atmospheric pressure MALDI/ion trap mass spectrometry.

A new sample ionization technique, atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (AP MALDI), was coupled with a commercial ion trap mass spectrometer. This configuration enables the application-specific selection of external atmospheric ionization sources: the electrospray/APCI (commercially available) and AP MALDI (built in-house), which can be readily interchanged within minutes. The detection limit of the novel AP MALDI/ion trap is 10−50 fmol of analyte deposited on the target surface for a four-component mixture of peptides with 800−1700 molecular weight. The possibility of peptide structural analysis by MS/MS and MS3 experiments for AP MALDI-generated ions was demonstrated for the first time.
Tissue factor trafficking in fibroblasts: involvement of protease-activated receptor–mediated cell signaling

Tissue factor (TF) is the cellular receptor for clotting factor VIIa (FVIIa), and the formation of TF-FVIIa complexes on cell surfaces triggers the activation of the coagulation cascade and the cell signaling. Our recent studies have shown that a majority of TF resides in various intracellular compartments, predominantly in the Golgi, and that FVIIa binding to cell surface TF induces TF endocytosis and mobilizes the Golgi TF pool to translocate it to the cell surface. This present study is aimed to elucidate the mechanisms involved in TF endocytosis and its mobilization from the Golgi. Activation of protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) and PAR2 by specific peptide agonists and proteases, independent of FVIIa, mobilized TF from the Golgi store and increased the cell surface expression of TF. Blocking PAR2 activation, but not PAR1, with neutralizing antibodies fully attenuated the FVIIa-induced TF mobilization. Consistent with these data, silencing the PAR2 receptor, and not PAR1, abrogated the FVIIa-mediated TF mobilization. In contrast to their effect on TF mobilization, PAR1 and PAR2 activation, in the absence of FVIIa, had no effect on TF endocytosis. However, PAR2 activation is found to be critical for the FVIIa-induced TF endocytosis. Overall the data herein provide novel insights into the role of PARs in regulating cell surface TF expression.
Abstract 1241: Targeting the IL-13 receptor alpha 2 with novel antibody-drug conjugates for the treatment of cancer.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC The IL-13 receptor alpha 2 (IL-13Rα2) is a transmembrane protein that is highly expressed on several cancers including glioblastoma, ovarian, pancreatic cancers. It can internalize after binding to its ligand IL-13 or in response to ligation with an antibody. In addition, we have discovered that IL-13Rα2 is up-regulated in tumor cell lines that are resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs. These properties make IL-13Rα2 an attractive target for antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), an emerging modality of molecularly targeted cancer therapies. A humanized monoclonal antibody, hAB08 with an affinity of 0.17 nM to the soluble recombined hIL-13Rα2, was conjugated with two novel microtubule inhibitors (MTIs), MTI1 and MTI2, developed by Pfizer. In vitro cytotoxicity of the conjugates was tested against IL-13Rα2 positive and negative cell lines. These conjugates were effective against the IL-13Rα2 positive cell lines (PC3MM2 and A375), having an IC50 ranging from 1.1 to 3.8 ng Ab/mL. However, both of the ADCs were not active against the IL-13Rα2 negative H460 cell line. When treating mice with established human PC3MM2 and A375 tumors, these conjugates were efficacious at 3 mg/kg in reducing tumor growth. In the PC3MM2 model, treatment with hAB08-MTI1 and hAB08-MTI2 resulted in 5 out of 8 or 3 out of 8 animals without measurable tumors at Day 76, respectively. In contrast, the vehicle control group and control ADC (hIgG8.8-MTI1 and hIgG8.8-MTI2) groups were terminated at Day 15, 15, 19 due to the large size of tumors, respectively. These in vitro and in vivo results demonstrate potent antitumor activities of hAB08-MTI1 and hAB08-MTI2 against IL-13Rα2 positive tumors. The findings support the development of novel hAB08-MTI1 or hAB08-MTI2 ADCs as a molecularly targeted therapy for cancer patients that are resistant to standard chemotherapy. Citation Format: Dangshe Ma, Haige Zhang, Fang Jin, Manoj Charati, Kiran Khandke, Judy Lucas, Max Follettie, L. Nathan Tumey, Hans-Peter Gerber, Lioudmila Tchistiakova, Puja Sapra. Targeting the IL-13 receptor alpha 2 with novel antibody-drug conjugates for the treatment of cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1241. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1241
Binding of Src to Na+/K+-ATPase forms a functional signaling complex.

We have shown that ouabain activates Src, resulting in subsequent tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple effectors. Here, we tested if the Na+/K+-ATPase and Src can form a functional signaling complex. In LLC-PK1 cells the Na+/K+-ATPase and Src colocalized in the plasma membrane. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis indicated that both proteins were in close proximity, suggesting a direct interaction. GST pulldown assay showed a direct, ouabain-regulated, and multifocal interaction between the α1 subunit of Na+/K+-ATPase and Src. Although the interaction between the Src kinase domain and the third cytosolic domain (CD3) of α1 is regulated by ouabain, the Src SH3SH2 domain binds to the second cytosolic domain constitutively. Functionally, binding of Src to either the Na+/K+-ATPase or GST-CD3 inhibited Src activity. Addition of ouabain, but not vanadate, to the purified Na+/K+-ATPase/Src complex freed the kinase domain and restored the Src activity. Consistently, exposure of intact cells to ouabain apparently increased the distance between the Na+/K+-ATPase and Src. Concomitantly, it also stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the proteins that are associated with the Na+/K+-ATPase. These new findings illustrate a novel molecular mechanism of signal transduction involving the interaction of a P-type ATPase and a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase.
Software routing support for task migration in hypercube multiprocessor systems

The problem of efficient task migration in hypercube multiprocessors is addressed. Task migration is useful for subcube reallocation, dynamic task sizing, load balancing, and support of fault tolerance. Efficient routing algorithms for large messages can increase the benefits obtained from migration. While pipelined communication techniques allow a maximum reduction in communication time, hardware costs for these solutions may be extreme. Current technology limits the extent to which communication links can be used simultaneously, and therefore the architectural support of pipelined communications in hypercubes. The proposed centralized algorithm applies an optimization heuristic in an idealized, static, nonpipelined setting and further uses retrograde motion to maximize the utilization of available bandwidth. The algorithm is applied to a dynamic system, and simulation studies evaluate the actual performance. The results provide a basis for extension and enhancement of the existing algorithm to a distributed routing algorithm. >
Problems with the “omics”

Abstract “omics” studies involve the measurement of large numbers of parameters, typically genes (genomics), proteins (proteomics), lipids (lipidomics) or metabolites (metabolomics). Values associated with each of the measured parameters are searched to find examples that correlate with biological endpoints, often disease or cancer. Although the number of parameters being measured has increased dramatically with “omics” studies, the number of biological and methodological replicates has not. As with comparable classical biomedical studies, there exist limitations arising from whether or not the analytical methods are adequate for making the measurements needed and whether or not the measurements are implemented properly. In addition, because of the large number of measurements and the limited number of test subjects, unique problems arise in “omics” studies involving statistics and bias. Even though improvements in technology may well minimize measurement problems, the inherent difficulties associated with measuring so many parameters from a limited number of test subjects will remain. This review focuses on the four main problems with the “omics”: bias, statistics, methodology, and method misuse. Although we give suggestions to minimize the impacts of these problems, some problems may not be solved unless the number of measurements is more consistent with the number of possible biological replicates.