cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preclinical Evaluation of an Engineered Single-Chain Fragment Variable-Fragment Crystallizable Targeting Human CD44

Glycoprotein CD44 and alternative splice variants are overexpressed in many cancers and cancer stem cells. Binding of hyaluronic acid to CD44 activates cell signaling pathways, inducing cell proliferation, cell survival, and invasion. As such, CD44 is regarded as an excellent target for cancer therapy when this interaction can be blocked. In this study, we developed a CD44-specific antibody fragment and evaluated it for imaging CD44-positive cancers using PET. Methods: A human single-chain fragment variable (scFv) was generated by phage display, using the extracellular domain of recombinant human CD44. The specificity and affinity of the scFv-CD44 were evaluated using recombinant and tumor cell-expressed CD44. Epitope mapping of the putative CD44 binding site was performed via overlapping peptide microarray. The scFv-CD44 was reformatted into a bivalent scFv-Fc-CD44, based on human IgG1-fragment crystallizable (Fc). The scFv-Fc-CD44 was radiolabeled with 64Cu and 89Zr. The purified reagents were injected into athymic nude mice bearing CD44-positive human tumors (MDA-MB-231, breast cancer, triple-negative). Biodistribution studies were performed at different times after injection of [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-scFv-Fc-CD44 or [89Zr]Zr-DFO-scFv-Fc-CD44. PET/CT imaging was conducted with [89Zr]Zr-DFO-scFv-Fc-CD44 on days 1 and 7 after injection and compared with a scFv-Fc control antibody construct targeting glycophorin A. Results: Epitope mapping of the scFv binding site revealed a linear epitope within the extracellular domain of human CD44, capable of blocking binding to native hyaluronic acid. Switching from a monovalent scFv to a bivalent scFv-Fc format improved its binding affinity toward native CD44 on human breast cancer cells by nearly 200-fold. In vivo biodistribution data showed the highest tumor uptake and tumor-to-blood ratios for [89Zr]Zr-DFO-scFv-Fc-CD44 between days 5 and 7. PET imaging confirmed excellent tumor specificity for [89Zr]Zr-DFO-scFv-Fc-CD44 when compared with the control scFv-Fc. Conclusion: We developed a CD44-specific scFv-Fc construct that binds with nanomolar affinity to human CD44. When radiolabeled with 64Cu or 89Zr, it demonstrated specific uptake in CD44-expressing MDA-MB-231 tumors. The high tumor uptake (∼56% injected dose/g) warrants clinical investigation of [89Zr]Zr-DFO-scFv-Fc-CD44 as a versatile PET imaging agent for patients with CD44-positive tumors.
Robin: A Voice Controlled Virtual Teammate for Software Developers and Teams

Software developers typically collaborate while relying on source code management tools and platforms such as Git and GitHub, which involve process workflow and issue-tracking, for development and maintenance of software-intensive solutions. Developers may lose concentration and productivity when having to navigate through numerous screens to perform daily tasks, which are oftentimes too repetitive, such as applying labels and assigning members to issues, finding who has open pull requests (and how many), closing issues/branches/pull requests, finding open issues, to name a few. Therefore, we hypothesize that current tools need to be improved to increase the developer and team experience and productivity in software projects. Consequently, we have developed Robin, a voice-controlled virtual teammate, to assist developers and teams on projects that strongly rely on source code control and issue tracking. In this short paper, we provide an overview of related work, some design decisions we have made, and insights for the road ahead.
The physics of gamma-ray bursts & relativistic jets

Abstract We provide a comprehensive review of major developments in our understanding of gamma-ray bursts, with particular focus on the discoveries made within the last fifteen years when their true nature was uncovered. We describe the observational properties of photons from the radio to 100s GeV bands, both in the prompt emission and the afterglow phases. Mechanisms for the generation of these photons in GRBs are discussed and confronted with observations to shed light on the physical properties of these explosions, their progenitor stars and the surrounding medium. After presenting observational evidence that a powerful, collimated, jet moving at close to the speed of light is produced in these explosions, we describe our current understanding regarding the generation, acceleration, and dissipation of the jet. We discuss mounting observational evidence that long duration GRBs are produced when massive stars die, and that at least some short duration bursts are associated with old, roughly solar mass, compact stars. The question of whether a black-hole or a strongly magnetized, rapidly rotating neutron star is produced in these explosions is also discussed. We provide a brief summary of what we have learned about relativistic collisionless shocks and particle acceleration from GRB afterglow studies, and discuss the current understanding of radiation mechanism during the prompt emission phase. We discuss theoretical predictions of possible high-energy neutrino emission from GRBs and the current observational constraints. Finally, we discuss how these explosions may be used to study cosmology, e.g. star formation, metal enrichment, reionization history, as well as the formation of first stars and galaxies in the universe.
A Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy: Integrating Attachment And Personality Theory as Interchangeable Structural Components: (597522009-004)

Copyright © 2009 Stan Tatkin, Psy.D. 1 of 34 Tatkin, S. (2009). A Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy: Integrating Attachment and Personality Theory as Interchangeable Structural Components. Psychologist-Psychoanalyst: Division 39 of the American Psychological Association, in preparation. A PSYCHOBIOLOGICAL APPROACH TO COUPLE THERAPY: INTEGRATING ATTACHMENT AND PERSONALITY THEORY AS INTERCHANGEABLE STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS Stan Tatkin, Psy.D. Assistant Clinical Professor Department of Family Medicine University of California at Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine 4505 Las Virgenes Rd, Suite 217 Calabasas, CA 91302-1956 (818) 880-1107 ofc (805) 499-6171 ofc (805) 435-1482 fax Email: Tatkin@ucla.edu Website: www.ahealthymind.org CONTENTS
Nitric Oxide and S-Nitrosylation in Cardiac Regulation: G Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase-2 and β-Arrestins as Targets

Cardiac diseases including heart failure (HF), are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Among the prominent characteristics of HF is the loss of β-adrenoceptor (AR)-mediated inotropic reserve. This is primarily due to the derangements in myocardial regulatory signaling proteins, G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) kinases (GRKs) and β-arrestins (β-Arr) that modulate β-AR signal termination via receptor desensitization and downregulation. GRK2 and β-Arr2 activities are elevated in the heart after injury/stress and participate in HF through receptor inactivation. These GPCR regulators are modulated profoundly by nitric oxide (NO) produced by NO synthase (NOS) enzymes through S-nitrosylation due to receptor-coupled NO generation. S-nitrosylation, which is NO-mediated modification of protein cysteine residues to generate an S-nitrosothiol (SNO), mediates many effects of NO independently from its canonical guanylyl cyclase/cGMP/protein kinase G signaling. Herein, we review the knowledge on the NO system in the heart and S-nitrosylation-dependent modifications of myocardial GPCR signaling components GRKs and β-Arrs.
Humor in multimodal language use: Students’ Response to a dialogic, social-networking online assignment

Abstract The focus of this study was on how students created and shared humor in an online multimodal learning environment. Across two semesters of a graduate course on psycholinguistics in education, 28 students posted 1006 pins on a social-networking webpage (Pinterest) that were subjected to a multimodal content analysis. The Pinterest boards provided a dialogic space for students to engage in on-going collaborative exploration of notable ways of using language in authentic sociocultural spaces. Many examples of humorous uses of language attested to students’ playful and creative application of course concepts. Through participants’ comments on pins and multimodal aspects of pins that transformed the nature of student-shared examples, some pins, originally not intended to be funny, came to represent examples of humor. Students took risks in pinning what they envisioned as possibly misconceived or even provocative content in pursuit of refining their understanding of psycholinguistic concepts.
Impact of Government Grants on Venture Capital Funding of Deep Technology University Spinoffs

Because both scientific research and startups contribute strongly to major economic outcomes, university spinoffs (USOs) have been the subject of great interest and new policies. Unfortunately, prior research on early steps as firms coalesce and make their first decisions has been sparse, in part because of the difficulty of identifying USOs at the time that the firm launches. We use a dataset of participating academic entrepreneurs identified through the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (``I-Corps'') program to study newly formed USOs. We find a firm formation rate of roughly 60\%; of those, roughly 2/3 apply for an SBIR award. We find that few of these firms migrate from the region of their home universities, negating the idea of a ``brain drain'' following experiential entrepreneurship training, and those that do move do not experience greater success in raising venture capital (VC). While a single SBIR award does not predict VC success, two or more SBIR awards generate an average marginal effect of approximately 30\% on the likelihood of raising venture capital.
N-acylsphingosine amidohydrolase 1 promotes melanoma growth and metastasis by suppressing peroxisome biogenesis-induced ROS production

Objective Metabolic deregulation is a key hallmark of cancer cells and has been shown to drive cancer growth and metastasis. However, not all metabolic drivers of melanoma are known. Based on our finding that N-acylsphingosine amidohydrolase 1 (ASAH1) is overexpressed in melanoma, the objective of these studies was to establish its role in melanoma tumor growth and metastasis, understand its mechanism of action, and evaluate ASAH1 targeting for melanoma therapy. Methods We used publicly available melanoma datasets and patient-derived samples of melanoma and normal skin tissue and analyzed them for ASAH1 mRNA expression and ASAH1 protein expression using immunohistochemistry. ASAH1 was knocked down using short-hairpin RNAs in multiple melanoma cell lines that were tested in a series of cell culture-based assays and mouse-based melanoma xenograft assays to monitor the effect of ASAH1 knockdown on melanoma tumor growth and metastasis. Unbiased metabolomics analysis was performed to identify the mechanism of ASAH1 action. Based on the findings of the metabolomics, the role of peroxisome-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was explored in regard to mediating the effect of ASAH1. Finally, the ASAH1 inhibitor was used alone or in combination with a BRAFV600E inhibitor to evaluate the therapeutic value of ASAH1 targeting for melanoma therapy. Results We determined that ASAH1 was overexpressed in a large percentage of melanoma cells and regulated by transcription factor E2F1 in a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway-dependent manner. ASAH1 expression was necessary to maintain melanoma tumor growth and metastatic attributes both in cell culture and in mouse models of melanoma tumor growth and metastasis. To identify the mechanism by which ASAH1 facilitates melanoma tumor growth and metastasis, we performed a large-scale and unbiased metabolomics analysis of melanoma cells expressing ASAH1 short-hairpin RNAs (shRNAs). We found that ASAH1 inhibition increased peroxisome biogenesis through ceramide-mediated PPARγ activation. ASAH1 loss increased ceramide and peroxisome-derived ROS, which in turn inhibited melanoma growth. Pharmacological inhibition of ASAH1 also attenuated melanoma growth and enhanced the effectiveness of BRAF kinase inhibitor in cell culture and in mice. Conclusions Collectively, these results demonstrate that ASAH1 is a druggable driver of melanoma tumor growth and metastasis that functions by suppressing peroxisome biogenesis and thereby inhibiting peroxisome-derived ROS production. These studies also highlight the therapeutic utility of ASAH1 inhibitors for melanoma therapy.
Role of Platelets in Adaptive Changes to Anti-Angiogenesis Therapy

Abstract While anti-angiogenesis therapies have shown remarkable activity in ovarian and other cancers, adaptive resistance can develop within weeks to months. Moreover, concerns have been raised about the potential for more aggressive tumor growth following withdrawal of anti-angiogenesis drugs. Here, we will discuss the role of platelets, specifically platelet extravasation into the tumor microenvironment in stimulating tumor growth. Among the various factors regulating this process, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) expression in platelets plays an important role in their migration into the tumor microenvironment. Mice with FAK-deficient platelets do not exhibit rebound tumor growth following exposure to anti-angiogenesis drugs. Combination therapy with a FAK inhibitor and anti-angiogenic agents reduced tumor growth and inhibited the negative effects following withdrawal of anti-angiogenic therapy. These biological findings, other emerging mechanisms and clinical implications will be discussed. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Technical Note: A Low-Cost Research Platform for Brain-Computer-Interface Applications in Mixed Reality

Many brain-computer-interface (BCI) approaches, such as the steady-state-visually-evoked-potential (SSVEP) and BCI speller paradigms, rely on evoking neural signals using presentation of audiovisual stimuli. These exogenous BCIs typically involve the user staring at a physical stimulus presentation apparatus resulting in prolonged system setup and degraded portability. We present a research platform for BCI implementations in mixed reality (XR) environments, enabling less-invasive holographic stimulus presentation and greatly enhanced portability at low-cost. The platform consists of a 3D-printable electroencephalography (EEG) attachment for the Microsoft HoloLens, firmware for the OpenBCI Cyton EEG amplifier evaluation kit, and Unity software supporting direct Bluetooth low-energy communication between the EEG device and the HoloLens. The platform allows researchers and hobbyists to prototype BCIs with an easy to don/doff EEG attachment for the HoloLens that is capable of recording high-quality EEG using dry electrodes in an untethered XR environment without the need for external compute resources.
Building "Bridges" to Equity

Beyond the tremendous grief and psychological toll, the loss of a parent often reduces income for the family;loss of a maternal parent in particular is associated with increases in malnutrition and death in sub-Saharan Africa 1,2 Orphaned children are at increased risk of loss of education 3 HIV is still a highly stigmatized condition in many places, and the loss of a parent combined with this stigmatization can lead to mental health issues such as depression Safety net policies, designed to prevent households from falling below a minimum threshold of poverty or health, could be deployed;indeed, decoupling health access from the abilityto pay through Universal Health Care Coverage policies is one of the most prominent of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (https://sdgs un org/goals) A 2014 observational study in South Africa found that "cash plus care" (microtransfer plus "care" in the form of positive parenting and teacher-mentor support) was the most effective measure at reducing HIV risk behavior in adolescent girls, and the only effective measure in adolescent boys
Introduction: Building an “Empire of Reason” on Stolen Land

What does the story of European domination of the land and peoples of the “new world” tell us about the ideals and the realities of American political development? A republic founded on the high ideals of equality, fairness, and liberty was also a nation build on violence and racism. How did these “two countries” manage to coexist? And how could men (this is mostly a story of men) who fought for such high ideals, abandon them so easily when confronted with the indigenous peoples who occupied the land they coveted?
Voices of a People: The Story of Yiddish Folksong

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Ruth Rubin Year: 2000 Pages: 558 Publisher: University of Illinois Press Prices: $32.95 US(soft cover).
Principles and Practice of Group Work in Addictions, by Robert Hill and Jennifer Harris (Eds.)

Group work continues to be the first line of psychosocial treatment for individuals with substance use disorders in the United States and, although a promising strategy, the quality of implementati...
Earnings Precision and the Relations between Earnings and Returns

Formal and heuristic valuation models suggest that changes in firm value associated with a revision in expected earnings should be a multiple on the order of typical earnings capitalization factors between 10 and 30. However, empirical estimates of the earnings response coefficient (ERC) have usually been in a range an order of magnitude lower, between 1 and 3 (Kothari 2001). This paper uses a simple Bayesian model to integrate previous theoretical and empirical results and bridge this large gap. In the Bayesian model, low precision implies a low weight on new earnings information. As a result, the observable earnings surprise is much larger than the unobservable earnings revision, which in turn implies a smaller coefficient on earnings surprise than on the revision in expected earnings. Although the model uses statistical measures, the Bayesian concept of precision closely parallels the accounting concept of earnings quality, i.e., the extent to which current earnings is informative about expected future earnings. Precision summarizes the effects of multiple determinants of earnings quality.Consistent with the model, two proxies for precision, forecast dispersion and absolute magnitude of earnings surprise, explain a broad empirical range of coefficients on earnings surprise ranging from near 0 up to 30. We reconcile the surprisingly large proportion of observations falling in the upper end of the range with the surprisingly low estimated ERCs typically reported in previous research. Finally, we demonstrate in the appendix how the precision proxies can be used to design tests that focus on the majority of observations with larger surprise coefficients and thereby allow researchers to detect the effect of determinants of surprise coefficients that would otherwise be empirically undetectable.
The role of predator removal, density-dependence, and environmental factors on mallard duckling survival in North Dakota

ABSTRACT Duckling survival is an important component of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) recruitment and population growth, yet many factors regulating duckling survival are poorly understood. We investigated factors affecting mallard duckling survival in the drift prairie of northeastern North Dakota, 2006–2007. Mammalian meso-predators were removed by trapping on 4 92.3 km2 study sites and another 4 study sites served as controls. We monitored 169 broods using telemetry and periodic resighting, and we modeled cumulative survival to 30 days of age (Ŝ30d) using the nest survival module in Program MARK. Duckling survival was not affected by predator removal (Ŝ30d-Control = 0.208, 85% CI: 0.182–0.234; Ŝ30d-Trapped = 0.183, 85% CI: 0.155–0.211) and was only weakly negatively correlated with duckling density. Duckling survival was higher in 2007 (Ŝ30d-2007 = 0.264, 85% CI: 0.193–0.355) than 2006 (Ŝ30d-2006 = 0.157, 85% CI: 0.084–0.252) and increased with total seasonal and semipermanent wetland area and declined ...
Biodiversity Conservation in Local Planning

Local land-use policy is increasingly being recognized as fundamental to biodiversity conservation in the United States. Many planners and conservation scientists have called for broader use of planning and regulatory tools to support the conservation of biodiversity at local scales. Yet little is known about the pervasiveness of these practices. We conducted an on-line survey of county, municipal, and tribal planning directors (n =116) in 3 geographic regions of the United States: metropolitan Seattle, Washington; metropolitan Des Moines, Iowa; and the Research Triangle, North Carolina. Our objectives were to gauge the extent to which local planning departments address biodiversity conservation and to identify factors that facilitate or hinder conservation actions in local planning. We found that biodiversity conservation was seldom a major consideration in these departments. Staff time was mainly devoted to development mandates and little time was spent on biodiversity conservation. Regulations requiring conservation actions that might benefit biodiversity were uncommon, with the exception of rules governing water quality in all 3 regions and the protection of threatened and endangered species in the Seattle region. Planning tools that could enhance habitat conservation were used infrequently. Collaboration across jurisdictions was widespread, but rarely focused on conservation. Departments with a conservation specialist on staff tended to be associated with higher levels of conservation actions. Jurisdictions in the Seattle region also reported higher levels of conservation action, largely driven by state and federal mandates. Increased funding was most frequently cited as a factor that would facilitate greater consideration of biodiversity in local planning. There are numerous opportunities for conservation biologists to play a role in improving conservation planning at local scales.
Soil photolysis of herbicides in a moisture- and temperature-controlled environment

The problem of maintaining the moisture content of samples throughout the course of a soil photolysis study is addressed. The photolytic degradations of asulam, triclopyr, acifluorfen, and atrazine were independently compared in air-dried soils and in moist (75% field moisture capacity at 0.33 bar) soils maintained at initial conditions through the use of a specially designed soil photolysis apparatus. Each pesticide was applied at 5 μg/g. The exposure phase extended from 144 to 360 h, depending on the half-life of the compound. A dark control study, also using moist and air-dried soils, was performed concurrently at 25 °C. The results showed significant differences in half-life. The dissipations generally demonstrated a strong dependence on moisture. In most cases, photolytic degradation on air-dried soil was longer than in the moist dark control soils. Half-lives in dry soil were 2−7 times longer, and in the case of atrazine, the absence of moisture precluded significant degradation. Moist soil experime...
Phosphoproteome analysis of HeLa cells using stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)

Identification of phosphorylated proteins remains a difficult task despite technological advances in protein purification methods and mass spectrometry. Here, we report identification of tyrosine-p...
A theory of dynamic polyionic potentials across membranes of idesl ionic selectivity

Abstract 1. Polyionic membrane systems with membranes of ideal ionic selectivity are defined according to the following scheme which omits the impermeable “noncritical” ions: a J (1) , a K (1) , a L (1) , etc . Membrane of ideal ionic selectivity a J (2) , a K (2) , a L (2) , etc . where the a(1) and a(2) terms designate the activities of permeable “critical” ions J, K, L, etc. of the same sign of charge in solution I and 2. 2. A kinetic theory of the dynamic potentials arising in such polyionic systems is developed on the basis of assumptions which are idealizations of the known properties of ion-exchange membranes of extreme ionic selectivity: the membrane is of ideal ionic selectivity, its charged groups are all functionally equivalent, and it contains no non-exchange electrolyte; the critical ions are univalent, the ratios of their mobilities within the membrane are constant; the ratio τJ/τK of the transference numbers of any two species of critical ions J and K within the membrane of any polyionic system is proportional to the ratio aJ/aK of teir “total” activities in the two solutions aj = aj(1) + aj(2), aK(1) + aK(2)), independent of the presence of other species of critical ions. 3. An equation for the potential difference arising in any polyionic system with an ion-exchange membrane of ideal ionic selectivity is derived in terms of the standard transference numbers τ ∗ ' s of the critical ions within the membrane and of the activities a's of the critical ions in the two solutions. The τ ∗ ' s are defined as the transference numbers in the reference m-ionic system with the same membrane and the same species of critical ions where aJ = aK = aL = … These τ ∗ ' s can be calculated from the standard transferencenumbers τ0's in m- I appropriate bi-ionic systems. The τ0's in turn are determined on the basis of potentiometric measurements in two-ionic systems of the type aJ1 ‖ aK2, aJ1 ‖ aL2, aJ1 ‖ aM2, etc. where the activities of the critical ions are known. Since the derived equation correlates the potentials in all possible polyionic systems having the same membrane and the same species of critical ions, its significance for the calculation of the potential across ion-exchange membranes of ideal ionic selectivity becomes analogous to that of the Planck and Henderson equations for liquid junction potentials. 4. The assumptions upon which the theory of dynamic polyionic potentials is based may also be used in the treatment of certain aspects of the kinetics of the exchange of ions across membranes of ideal ionic selectivity of polyionic systems. Explicit expressions for the exchange kinetics in some of the simplest types of polyionic systems are presented.
Welcome to AI Matters Issue 2

Welcome to the second issue of AI Matters, the quarterly newsletter for SIGAI, the ACM Special Interest Group on Artificial Intelligence. This newsletter features ideas and announcements of interest to the AI community.
Colours, colour relationalism and the deliverances of introspection

Let colour relationalism be that form of colour realism according to which colours are constituted (partly) in terms of relations to subjects (possibly inter alia). Colour relationalism can be usefully contrasted with non-relationalist views according to which colours are, say, non-relational physical properties of objects (Byrne and Hilbert 2003; Tye 2000). One (historically important) way to bring out the conflict between these two sorts of views is to ask whether, in cases where subjects appear to disagree in the colours they ascribe to a common object, it must be the case that at most one of the ascriptions can be veridical. For example, suppose that you look at a ripe tomato, that it appears to be red and that you report as much when asked; and now suppose that an alien being, with very different perceptual apparatus, views the same ripe tomato, but that it appears to her to be green, and that she reports as much when asked. Would one of the two reports of the ripe tomato’s colour have to be mistaken, or is it possible that both of them could be correct? Anti-relationalist views about colour predict that, in such cases of perceptual variation with respect to colour, just as in the case where you and I disagree in (say) the shape we ascribe to an object, at most one report
Nasal tip graft sizing and securing

Techniques to select the size of a tip graft and secure it are discussed for both the open and closed rhinoplasty approaches. In the open approach, silicone nasal tip sizers are used to select the graft size. Only the posterior aspect of the tip graft is sutured. Support grafts deep to the tip graft secure it and allow for adjustment of the columella-lobular angle. In the closed approach, silicone sizers and support grafts are also used but without suturing of the tip graft.
The ultimate loss: Rape and suicide in Qing China, 1744 – 1903

By examining 1841 rape cases in late Qing China, this paper studies the significance of suicide among rape victims. More than 40 percent of all rape victims committed suicide; the figure was much higher among those victims of rape, attempted rape, and acquaintance rape. On the one hand, Qing rape laws reflected Confucian traditions which controlled women's sexuality and demanded their chastity. If a woman was sexually assaulted and survived the ordeal, the stringent rape laws made it very difficult for her to proclaim her innocence. Let alone for those victims of acquaintance rape to accuse their perpetrators. Only serious injury and death of the victim could convince the court to convict the perpetrator. On the other hand, the Qing government awarded those victims who resisted rape, and who were either killed by their perpetrators or took their lives afterwards. When laws were not favorable to their plight, victims of sexual offenses saw no other alternative but to use suicide to implicate and avenge the...
A Prospective Pilot Study of 89Zr-J591/Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography in Men with Localized Prostate Cancer Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy

Purpose: In this pilot study we explored the feasibility of 89Zr labeled J591 monoclonal antibody positron emission tomography of localized prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: Before scheduled radical prostatectomy 11 patients were injected intravenously with 89Zr-J591, followed 6 days later by whole body positron emission tomography. Patients underwent surgery the day after imaging. Specimens were imaged by ex vivo micro positron emission tomography and a custom 3 Tesla magnetic resonance scanner coil. Positron emission tomography images and histopathology were correlated.Results: Median patient age was 61 years (range 47 to 68), median prostate specific antigen was 5.2 ng/ml (range 3.5 to 12.0) and median biopsy Gleason score of the 11 index lesions was 7 (range 7 to 9). On histopathology 22 lesions were identified. Median lesion size was 5.5 mm (range 2 to 21) and median Gleason score after radical prostatectomy was 7 (range 6 to 9). Eight of 11 index lesions (72.7%) were identified by in vivo posit...
Effect of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone in 4-Day-Old Rats.

SummaryThe response of 4-day-old rats to various anterior pituitary extracts has been described. It was noted that 4-day-old rats responded with adrenal hypertrophy and thymic atrophy to much smaller amounts of A-C-T than 21-23-day-old rats. Mammotropic and growth preparations did not cause adrenal hypertrophy and thymic atrophy. It is concluded that the 4-day-old rats will be a more sensitive test animal for A-C-T preparations.
Thermodynamic properties of triglycine fluoberyllate (TGFB)

Susceptibility and low frequency spontaneous polarization measurements have been made on TGFB. While our susceptibility data are in agreement with those recently reported by Mercado and Gonzalo, our spontaneous polarization values are considerably higher. These new data, in combination with the specific heat measurements of Strukov, Taraskin, and Kopstik, indicate that the calculations of Larkin and Khmel'nitskii provide a better description of the thermodynamic behavior of TGFB below Tc than docs classical Mean Field Theory.
Coded Imaging Of Relativistic Electron Beam Targets

Fresnel zone plate apertures have been used for coded imaging of x-rays generated by relativistic electron beams striking metallic targets. Calculations are presented which specify the design of the imaging system for 100 μm resolution. Results are given both for d.c. tests with a several μA, 0.75 MeV beam and for the 300 kA, 1 MeV Hydra machine which pulses for 80 nsec. An improvement in resolution compared to pinhole techniques is seen in the decoded images.© (1977) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Competitive Model of Customization with Lead-Time Effects

In this article, we study the competitive interactions between a firm producing standard products and a firm producing custom products. Consumers with heterogeneous preferences choose between n standard products, which may not meet their preferences exactly but are available immediately, and a custom product, available only after a certain lead time l. Standard products incur a variety cost that increases with n and custom products incur a lead time cost that is decreasing in the lead time l. We consider a two-stage game wherein at stage 1, the standard product firm chooses the variety and the custom firm chooses the lead time and then both firms set prices simultaneously. We characterize the subgame-perfect Nash equilibrium of the game. We find that both firms can coexist in equilibrium, either sharing the market as local monopolists or in a price-competitive mode. The standard product firm may offer significant or minimal variety depending on the equilibrium outcome. We provide several interesting insights on the variety, lead time, and prices of the products offered and on the impact of problem parameters on the equilibrium outcomes. For instance, we show that the profit margin and price of the custom product are likely to be higher than that of standard products in equilibrium under certain conditions. Also, custom firms are more likely to survive and succeed in product markets with larger potential market sizes. Another interesting insight is that increased consumer sensitivity to product fit may result in lower lead time for the custom product.
Yield of Endomyocardial Biopsy in Patients with Biventricular Failure: Comparison of Patients with Normal vs Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Twenty five patients with biventricular failure underwent endomyocardial biopsy procedures. Twelve of these 25 patients had normal left ventricular ejection fraction. Endomyocardial biopsy sampling was useful in eight of 12 patients (67 percent) with biventricular failure and normal left ventricular ejection fraction. Biopsy specimens in five of these 12 patients demonstrated endocardial or infiltrative heart disease and excluded these diseases in three other patients with constrictive pericarditis. This study suggests that the clinical presentation of biventricular failure, combined with the noninvasive determination of a normal left ventricular ejection fraction, is helpful in selecting patients for endomyocardial biopsy study. Patients with biventricular failure and normal left ventricular ejection fractions have a high probability of having pericardial or infiltrative heart disease, conditions that often can be differentiated only by analysis of myocardial tissue. Hemodynamic assessment of patients without infiltrative processes further allows one to eliminate those patients with a high likelihood of having constrictive pericardial disease.
Waiting for Peace: Perspectives from Action‐oriented Research on the Humanitarian Impasse in the Caucasus

Cease-fires in the Caucasus during the past five years have prevented large-scale life-threatening emergencies and created space for peace negotiations. Yet genuine conflict resolution and normalisation have proven elusive, frustrating the return of uprooted populations and constraining reconstruction. This paper reviews a series of seven strategy sessions held in Moscow and the Caucasus in late 1998 to reflect upon the performance of humanitarian agencies and stimulate greater synergies with diplomatic actors. An experiment in promoting discussion of recently conducted independent policy research throughout the north and south Caucasus, the series resulted in a fresh look at the issues in the region and at agency headquarters. The generic nature of the policy challenges gives the experience potential relevance well beyond the region.
Morphea, Diabetes Mellitus Type I, and Celiac Disease: Case Report and Review of the Literature

An 11-year-old girl with a history of diabetes mellitus type I and celiac disease presented with multiple, depressed patches of purple-brown skin on the right lower extremity and central back, with histopathologic features of early morphea. Though morphea may coexist with other autoimmune diseases, its presentation with both diabetes mellitus type I and celiac disease has not yet been described.
Rule for truncating Landau expansions

Abstract For an n -component order parameter it is shown how the order of the transition from the disordered phase is related to the degree at which the associated free energy is stopped. A rule is proposed to determine the degree at which the Landau expansion should be truncated. Examples are given.
411: Women are at higher risk for recurrence of cardiomyopathy

Purpose: Among patients (pts) with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), there is a population that has apparent resolution of LV dysfunction and normalization of EF. The natural history of these pts after normalization of EF has not been described. We studied a cohort of such pts to determine their natural history and risk of recurrence over time. Methods and Materials: Pts were identified from a clinical database. All pts had an EF 40% and a diagnosis DCM by usual criteria. Pts with peripartum cardiomyopathy or myocarditis, as well as pts who received biventricular pacing were excluded. To qualify for further analysis, pts must have had a subsequent echocardiogram demonstrating an EF 40% and be followed for at least one year following this determination. The latest available echocardiogram and clinic visit were used to determine current status and pts were contacted for follow-up to determine vital status if necessary. Data collection at each time point (diagnosis (D), resolution (R) and final (F)) included EF, medication use and vital status. Results: Sixty pts met the above criteria. The average EF at D was 20% ( /7.7%), at R 49.5% ( /5.8%, p 0.001) and at F visit 48% ( /12%, p NS vs. R). Time between D and R was 2.3 /1.9 years and between R and F 3.9 /2.4 years. Among variables collected, only sex differentiated the likelihood of a recurrent drop in EF at F with 27% of women and 4% of men recurring (p 0.0375, Fisher exact test). No significant differences were noted in medication use and too few pts discontinued medications to analyze. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that the risk of recurrence of LV dysfunction among pts with apparently resolved DCM is 18% with a much higher risk of recurrence in women vs. men. These data suggest 1) further study is warranted to understand the natural history of pts whose DCM appears to resolve; 2) that women, in particular, need continued careful follow up after apparent resolution and 3) that there may be a fundamental biologic difference between women and men that place women at a higher risk for a recurrence of LV dysfunction.
Principal Components Analysis as an Alternative to Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance, W1:

Spearman's rho is a special case of the product-moment r. As such, a principal components analysis of inter-rater rhos among k raters on n cases may be performed. The size of the first principal component is proportional to the amount of inter-rater agreement and can be equated to Kendall's W. The principal components procedure can also reveal the presence of differing rating policies and can isolate subgroups of raters.
Regional sensitivity to verapamil in ventricular myocardium.

Abstract The effects of verapamil (0.1–4.0 μg/ml) on transmembrane action potential configuration was examined in various regions of the normal cat left ventricular endocardium. Surface electrograms showed that the sequence of activation of anterior papillary muscle fibers was from the base of the muscle to its apex, while overlying Purkinje fibers were activated in the opposite direction. Action potential duration in basal muscle fibers was relatively unaffected by verapamil, while cells at the tip of the papillary muscle showed increased slope in phase 2 and a more rapid rate of early repolarization. Regional sensitivity to verapamil may reflect disparate patterns of endocardial activation, and could influence the effectiveness of the drug against ventricular arrhythmias.
Characterization of polysorbate 85, a nonionic surfactant, by liquid chromatography vs. ion mobility separation coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.

Liquid chromatography (LC) and ion mobility (IM) separation have been coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS2) to characterize a commercially important nonionic surfactant, polysorbate 85. The constituents of this amphiphilic blend contained a sorbitan or isosorbide core that was chain extended with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and partially esterified at the PEO termini with oleic acid or, to a lesser extent, other fatty acids. Using interactive LC in reverse-phase mode, the oligomers of the surfactant were separated according to their hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity balance. On the other hand, IM spectrometry dispersed the surfactant oligomers by their charge and collision cross section (i.e. size/shape). With either separation method, an increased number of fatty ester groups and/or lack of the polar sorbitan (or isosorbide) core led to higher retention/drift times, enabling the separation of isobaric species or species with superimposed isotope patterns, so that their ester content could be conclusively identified by MS2. LC–MS and IM–MS permitted the detection of several byproducts besides the major PEO-sorbitan oleate oligomers. LC–MS provides the separation resolution needed for quantitative determination of the degree of esterification. IM–MS, which minimizes analysis time and solvent use, is ideally suitable for a fast, qualitative survey of samples differing in their minor constituents or impurities.
LASER COOLED, STORED ION EXPERIMENTS AT NBS AND POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS TO MICROWAVE AND OPTICAL FREQUENCY STANDARDS

Research on stored ion frequency standards at the United States National Bureau of Standards is brief 1 y discussed. We summarize past work and indicate directions of future research. Introduction. - The purpose of this paper is to briefly summarize the work at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) which has been directed towards realizing a frequency standard based on stored ions. The similar work of other groups (I) is not discussed here. This summary briefly describes past work and indicates future directions of research at NBS. The stored ion work at NBS was initiated in the Fall of 1977. The goal of this work has been to devise a technique for realizing a frequency standard whose accuracy would be significantly better than that of the Cs atomic beam frequency standard. With this in mind, the ion storage method (2) was pursued because it can provide long confinement times without the usual perturbations associated with confinement (e.g., the wall shift in the H-maser). The initial work was directed toward realizing laser c ooling of ions 131, since this would provide a way to substantially suppress the frequency shift due to the second-order Doppler or time-di lation effect. For these initial experi- ments, Mg+ ions were stored in a Penning trap. Mg+ ions were chosen, since the electronic s tructure is fairly simple (i.e., like that of neutral alkali atoms) and required a laser source at 280 nm. The Penning trap was chosen because the residual h eating mechanisms (at least for a cloud of ions) are l ess than for the
Number of source populations as a potential driver of pine invasions in Brazil

To understand current patterns of Pinus invasion in an Araucaria forest in southern Brazil, we quantified invasion at the local scale and compared it with habitat characteristics, propagule size, and number of source populations, using generalized linear models. We also compared observed and expected invasive species status based on a previously developed model (Z scores) using Chi square and correlation tests to evaluate the predictability of species status based on their traits. Of the 16 Pinus species currently present in the site, three are invasive (P. elliottii, P. glabra, and P. taeda), three are naturalized (P. clausa, P. oocarpa, and P. pseudostrobus), and ten are present only as the originally planted individuals. While P. taeda spread the farthest, P. glabra had greater overall density, but none of the invasive species has spread more than 250 m in 45 years. Invasive Pinus plants were found where forest tree density was below 805 trees ha−1, and invasive Pinus density decreased log-linearly with an increase in native tree density. Number of individuals introduced and number of source populations were strong predictors of naturalization, thus both propagule size and propagule diversity can potentially be driving invasion success. Z scores based on species traits did not predict which species would invade in Rio Negro. Our findings suggest that Araucaria forests might not resist invasion by Pinus as recently suggested and support the hypothesis that propagule pressure is a fundamental driver of invasions with propagule diversity being a possible component of this mechanism.
Business model for science data centers

Conventionally, science data centers are supply driven - what they do and how they do it are determined entirely by what data sets they hold. The DAAC was no different. Between 1994 and 1997, the DAAC reinvented itself by re-examining its customers, changing the focus from supply driven to demand driven and achieved breakthrough results. This is the 'business model' for science data centers. This article describes the DAAC's business model and the supply-driven data management practices.
Shocked Silences: Alfred Andersch, Walter Benjamin, Ludwig Wittgenstein

In all his works, though especially in Die Kirschen der Freiheit, Alfred Andersch explores the difference between rhetorical power in the public and the private domain. In that early work, he describes how he retreated from the public sphere in order to generate a fragment of language that signals a moment of individual spontaneity, a momentary passage of freedom. In identifying the quality of such an instant and the form of expression that articulates it, he also generates the basis of a resistance to all the forms of discourse that endeavor to enthrall their speakers by inscribing them within an ultimate enclosure of meaning. That resistance applies initially, of course, to the depredations of political seduction, but its incisive critical line also exposes common weaknesses drawn on the horizon of rhetorical power in the otherwise so different, though equally attractive and impressive, intellectual achievements of Walter Benjamin and Ludwig Wittgenstein. (MB)
On counting triangulations in d dimensions

Abstract Given a set of n labeled points on S d , how many combinatorially different geometric triangulations for this point set are there? We show that the logarithm of this number is at most some positive constant times n ⌊ d /2⌋+1 . Evidence is provided that for even dimensions d the bound can be improved to some constant times n d /2 .