cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Hartmann test.

The dynamic Hartmann test was developed to monitor precisely the alignment and optical figure of a complete telescope system such as the Large Space Telescope by using a real star source. The test was chosen for its large range of operation, sensitivity, and relative simplicity. The dynamic Hartmann test configuration is discussed and analyzed, and the construction of an experimental test instrument is described. A wavefront error simulator is used to determine experimentally the capability of the Hartmann test instrument in detecting low-order aberrations under laboratory conditions. It is found that sensitivities in the λ/50 to λ/100 range can be realized.
Assessing the sources and magnitude of diurnal nitrate variability in the San Joaquin River (California) with an in situ optical nitrate sensor and dual nitrate isotopes

We investigated diurnal nitrate (NO3-) concentration variability in the San Joaquin River using an in situ optical NO3- sensor and discrete sampling during a 5-day summer period characterized by high algal productivity. Dual NO3- isotopes (delta N-15(NO3) and delta O-18(NO3)) and dissolved oxygen isotopes (delta O-18(DO)) were measured over 2 days to assess NO3- sources and biogeochemical controls over diurnal time-scales. Concerted temporal patterns of dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations and delta O-18(DO) were consistent with photosynthesis, respiration and atmospheric O-2 exchange, providing evidence of diurnal biological processes independent of river discharge. Surface water NO3- concentrations varied by up to 22% over a single diurnal cycle and up to 31% over the 5-day study, but did not reveal concerted diurnal patterns at a frequency comparable to DO concentrations. The decoupling of delta N-15(NO3) and delta O-18(NO3) isotopes suggests that algal assimilation and denitrification are not major processes controlling diurnal NO3- variability in the San Joaquin River during the study. The lack of a clear explanation for NO3- variability likely reflects a combination of riverine biological processes and time-varying physical transport of NO3- from upstream agricultural drains to the mainstem San Joaquin River. The application of an in situ optical NO3- sensor along with discrete samples provides a view into the fine temporal structure of hydrochemical data and may allow for greater accuracy in pollution assessment.
Surface composition of ternary cu-ag-au alloys: part i. experimental results

The enthalpies and entropies of segregation for silver and gold, along with equilibrium surface composition measurements on three Cu-Ag-Au ternary specimens, are reported and discussed. The experimentally studied compositions were Cu-0.3 at. pct Ag-2.1 at. pct Au, Cu-0.55 at. pct Ag-6.5 at. pct Au, and Cu-1.09 at. pct Ag-6.9 at. pct Au. The experimental enthalpies of segregation, entropies of segregation, and surface compositions are compared with those of binary alloys having nearly identical bulk solute contents in order to isolate ternary effects on surface segregation. The results indicate that the equilibrium surface composition of the ternary alloys is dominated by site competition with respect to the more weakly segregating species (gold). The surface composition of the more strongly surface-active species (silver) is largely unaffected by ternary bulk gold additions of up to 7 at. pct.
Nongenomic inhibition of coronary constriction by 17β-estradiol, 2- hydroxyestradiol, and 2-methoxyestradiol

The cardioprotective effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) in women are hypothesized to be partially mediated by the E2 metabolites 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-HOE) and 2-methoxyestradiol (2-MeOH). Therefore, the purpose of our study was to determine the acute effects of E2, 2-HOE, and 2-MeOH on inhibition of coronary arterial constriction. Right coronary arteries obtained from breeding sows were cut into 4 mm rings and suspended in organ baths. Incubation of the rings with E2, 2-HOE, and 2-MeOH (10 µmol/L) for 60 min attenuated a subsequent KCl-induced contraction by approximately 50%. The protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide and the estrogen receptor antagonists ICI 182780 and tamoxifen did not affect the attenuation. Moreover, E2, 2-HOE, and 2-MeOH antagonized the contraction induced by the vasospasm agonist endothelin-1 (0.1 µmol/L) by approximately 36%. When the L-type Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine was added at the conclusion of the experiment, no additional contractile attenuation was present. Our results ...
Phylogeny and recombination history of gallid herpesvirus 2 (Marek's disease virus) genomes

Phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated amino acid sequences from orthologous loci from eight genomes of alpha herpesviruses infecting birds provided strong support for the following hypotheses: (1) gallid HV3 is a sister taxon to gallid HV2 but gallid HV1 is not closely related to the other two chicken herpesviruses; (2) meleagrid HV1 is closer to both gallid HV2 and gallid HV3 than is gallid HV1; (3) within gallid HV2, the virulent GA genome forms an outgroup to both the avirulent CVI988 genome and the highly virulent Md5 and Md11 genomes. Analysis of the pattern of synonymous nucleotide substitution between orthologous genes shared by four complete genomes of gallid HV2 showed strong evidence of past events of homologous recombination that homogenized certain loci between genomes. Eight of these loci represented cases of loci homogenized between the CVI988, on the one hand, and the Md5 and Md11 genomes, on the other hand. Two others represented loci where the GA genome was homogenized with those of Md5 and Md11. The two loci (UL49.5 and RLORF12) that were homogenized among the virulent genomes GA, Md5, and Md11 are candidates for contributing to viral virulence.
New concerns raised about thinning glaciers

Several large glaciers in the West Antarctic are thinning at a dramatic rate and one of them could disappear in as little as 150 years if the current trend continues, according to new findings announced at a briefing at the AGU Fall Meeting in December in San Francisco. California Using satellite radar altimetry and satellite radar interferometry, Andrew Shepherd, a research fellow at the Centre for Polar Observation and Modeling at University College London, studied the Pine Island,Thwaites, and Smith glaciers, which are the principal ice drainage channels for the Amundsen Sea sector of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.
Effects of ß-carboline on fear-related behavioral and neurohormonal responses in infant rhesus monkeys

We examined the effects of the inverse benzodiazepine agonist ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (beta-CCE) on behavioral, hormonal, and neurochemical responses in infant rhesus monkeys exposed to fearful situations. Our paradigm elicits three distinct adaptive patterns of defensive behavior. From previous work, we hypothesized that behaviors induced by attachment bond disruption are predominantly mediated by opiate systems, whereas behaviors induced by the threat of attack are mediated by benzodiazepine systems. When beta-CCE (0, 125, 250, and 500 micrograms/kg) was administered immediately after maternal separation, the 500 micrograms/kg dose increased freezing and the 250 and 500 micrograms/kg doses reduced environmental exploration. Test conditions produced increased plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations and increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of MHPG and DOPAC; beta-CCE did not further affect these metabolites. A dose of 1000 micrograms/kg of beta-CCE increased CSF concentrations of DOPAC and MHPG in infants left with their mothers. During test conditions, it further increased CSF MHPG (but not DOPAC) concentrations, and reduced cooing while increasing freezing and barking and other hostile behaviors. Our results thus confirm that benzodiazepine systems mediate threat-related behaviors and suggest that coos, which were thought to predominantly reflect the degree of distress during separation, can be modulated by the infant's level of fear. beta-CCE also activated stress-related pituitary-adrenal hormonal systems and brain norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) systems. These effects occurred when animals remained undisturbed in their home cages with their mothers, suggesting that benzodiazepine receptors directly modulate brain NE and DA systems.
Spectrophotometric cerimetric titration of iron(II) with ferroin as indicator

Abstract Using ferroin as indicator, concentrations of ferrous iron greater than 10−5M can be determined rapidly by amperometric1 or spectrophotometric titration with ceric cerium at a temperature of 0–5 °C. with an accuracy and precision better than 1%. The indicator blank is zero at this low temperature.
Returns to Education During Economic Boom and Recession: Mexico 1984, 1989 and 1992

This paper uses data from three household surveys in 1984, 1989 and 1992 to investigate the relationship between earnings and education in Mexico. The time series feature of the data allows us to assess how the returns to education behave in a country that experiences macro-economic ups and downs. The results indicate that the returns to an investment in education are depressed during an economic recession and rise again as economic growth resumes. Also, the returns to education remain high, even after a significant expansion of the educational system. In terms of investment priorities at the margin, secondary education exhibits the highest profitability. This is natural, given the near-universal coverage of basic education in Mexico.
Induction of hsp 70 in HepG2 cells in response to hepatotoxicants.

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine if a variety ofhepatotoxicants could induce the level of heat shock protein 701, and whether or not elevated levels of heat shock proteins (hsp's) could provide cytoprotection from those hepatotoxicants. Exposure of HepG2 cells to cytotoxic concentrations of bromobenzene, cadmium, cyclophosphamide, or diethylnitrosamine increased the level of hsp 70I protein and mRNA, while carbon tetrachloride and cocaine had no effect on hsp 70I or mRNA levels. To determine if induction of hsp 70I might afford protection against cytotoxicity, HepG2 cells were given a prior sublethal heat shock (sub-LHS) (43†C for 1 hr) to induce hsp's and then challenged 24 hr later with the hepatotoxicants. Sub-LHS pretreatment diminished toxicity from bromobenzene, cadmium, cyclophosphamide, or diethylnitrosamine, but not carbon tetrachloride or cocaine. In cells treated with [14C]carbon tetrachloride or [3H]cocaine, no detectable covalent biinding to proteins was observed; whereas, [14C]-bromobenzene treatment resulted in substantial covalent binding to cellular protein. The apparent absence of formation of reactive metabolite adducted proteins from cocaine and carbon tetrachloride may explaiin why no hsp 70I induction was observed with these agents. The correlation between hepatotoxicant induction of hsp 70I and cytoprotection afforded by sub-LHS pretreatment suggests that hsp 70I induction may represent an important cellular defense mechanism in the liver.
Digital Humanities Development without Developers: Bulgarian Dialectology as Living Tradition

In this paper, we use Bulgarian Dialectology as Living Tradition as a case study in a low-cost approach to digital humanities project development that can provide a highly customized data model and fairly flexible, intuitive user interface, without any custom programming. The infrastructure for this project consists exclusively of general-purpose, open source code (modules) written by an international community of developers for the Drupal content management system. Using this approach, individuals with domain knowledge can develop the data models that underpin the project and configure the system themselves, exclusively by means of Drupal's administrative graphical user interface. This approach is applicable to projects that focus on the curation and presentation of data (i.e. where the technical needs of the research project have close analogs outside the academy). A major barrier to the adoption of this method of developing projects is the widespread belief that the uniqueness of each scholarly research project extends beyond the subject matter to include the project's technical needs as well. This may be the case for research that relies heavily on algorithm-driven analysis, but data curation and presentation are essential in contexts ranging from businesses, government, non-profits, and cultural institutions. The diverse requirements of Drupal's large user base means that Drupal modules are more likely to have been written with an eye towards accessibility, UI/UX design, and mobile optimization than is code written specifically for a scholarly project, where these factors are often deprioritized due to limited resources. Recognizing the inevitable limitations that reliance on pre-built components places on a project, we discuss a number of challenges we encountered. We then compare the basic Drupal content management system to platforms that are scholar-oriented -- both those based on Drupal and those using a different code base. Finally we delineate the circumstances under which this development approach is most valuable, and some considerations for adopting it.
Functionalized Nanostructures with Liquid‐Like Behavior: Expanding the Gallery of Available Nanostructures

Recently, we have developed a novel family of functionalized nanostructures that exhibit liquid-like behavior in the absence of solvents and preserve their nanostructure in the liquid state. The gallery of nanostructures developed so far includes functionalized silica and magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, layer-like organosilicate nanoparticles, polyoxometalate clusters, and organic-inorganic hybrid networks. In an effort to demonstrate the wider applicability of this concept and to provide a deeper insight into this class of materials, the present work cites additional paradigms of functionalized nanostructures with similar behavior as above. In one case, surface functionalization of anatase nanoparticles (TiO 2 , an inorganic nanostructure) with a quaternary ammonium organosilane leads to ionically modified nanoparticles that, when electrostatically combined with a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-tailed sulfonate anion, exhibit liquid-like behavior in the absence of solvents. In a different but quite interesting case of a bionanostructure, ion-exchange functionalization of a DNA oligonucleotide with a PEG-tailed quaternary ammonium cation leads to an easily separable liquid derivative with attractive features. These examples show the versatility of this concept over a range of nanostructures.
Instabilities and Chaotic Behavior of Stock Prices in International Capital Markets

In this paper chaos is viewed as an alternative approach to modeling complex and random appearing behavior. The spatial (static) characteristics of weekly returns and price levels for eleven International Indices are quantified. We find evidence that all countries exhibit similar static characteristics. Evidence presented supports the examination of price series instead of returns.
Mass spectrometry of tryptamines and acetylated tryptamine derivatives.

Abstract Eleven mass spectra of biologically important tryptamines and their acetylated derivatives are recorded in this paper. For diagnostic purposes, the N -acetyltryptamines are preferred over other derivatives because they undergo the fewest significant rearrangements upon electron impact. Two prominent modes of decomposition are noted for the tryptamines: (1) loss of CHNR 2 and H or CH 2 NR 2 by the molecular ion to give the [MCH 2 NR 2 ] ion which further fragments as a quinolinium ion and (2) formation of the CH 2 NR 2 ion. The N -acetyltryptamines are characterized by intense [MC 3 H 6 NO] ions, arising via a variety of different pathways. These ions correspond to the [MCH 2 NR 2 ] ions of the parent compounds and fragment similarly. 1-Acetyl- N,N -dimethyltryptamines give intense [CH 2 NR 2 , RCH 3 ] ions and weak m e 43 (COCH 3 ) ions. All other ions have less than 5% relative intensity.
Electroflotation for groundwater decontamination

Abstract An electroflotation device was built using a platinum-clad columbium screen as anode, and a stainless steel screen as cathode. A rock salt solution was used as the electrolyte, generating hypochlorite to oxidize cyanide, and hydroxides to form metal hydroxide precipitates which were carried to the top of the electroflotation device by the rising gas bubbles. The device was used successfully to remove Ni, Zn, Pb, Cu CN in a polluted groundwater obtained from directly under a contaminated site, meeting the pretreatment standards of the pollutants for the local POWT sewer system. The cost of an electroflotation device plus a sand filter compares favorably with a conventional treatment system using cyanide oxidation/alkaline precipitation/ polymeraided clarification.
Superior sagittal sinus infection with Petriellidium boydii: case report.

Abstract A case of infection of the superior sagittal sinus with Petriellidium boydii is reported. This relatively common fungal pathogen rarely invades the central nervous system. Immunological compromise and poor personal hygiene seem to be common attributes shared by this patient and the 4 previous patients reported to have suffered invasion of the central nervous system by this organism. This report is unique in that it is the first demonstrating apparent hematogenous dissemination of this organism to the central nervous system.
Fiber-to-waveguide coupler based on the parabolic reflector

We present a fiber-to-waveguide coupling structure, the so-called vertical J coupler, based on the parabolic reflector. The device addresses the multiple objectives of high coupling efficiency, large bandwidth operation, polarization insensitivity, and compact footprint. The optical mode emanating from a fiber arranged normal to the plane of the substrate is incident underneath the parabolic reflector, turned through 90 degrees and focused into a dielectric waveguide. The viability of the coupler is demonstrated by finite-difference time-domain electromagnetic simulation as well as preliminary fabrication and optical testing of the device.
Conditions under which thurstone case III representations for binary choice probabilities are also Fechnerian

Abstract By a Thurstone Case III representation for binary symmetric choice probabilities Px,y we mean that there exist functions F, μ, σ > 0 such that P x,y = F[ (μ(x) − μ(y)) (σ 2 (x) + σ 2 (y)) 1 2 ] . We show that the constraint σ = constant, or μ = ασ + β, α ≠ 0, is both necessary and sufficient for a Thurstone Case III representation to be Fechnerian, i.e., to be reexpressable as as Px,y = G(u(x) − u(y)) for some suitably chosen functions G, u.
Physiological Sensations of Initial Smoking in the Development of Regular Smoking Behavior

This study examined the relationships between adolescents' physiological sensations of smoking during initiation and early experience. For a national sample of a birth cohort of 2,043 adolescents, ages 15 to 22 years at the follow-up, variables of interest included measures of smoking behavior and physiological sensations reported from the initial smoking experience. Analysis showed that adolescents experimenting with smoking were more likely to become regular smokers over three years if they indicated that they felt relaxed, felt dizzy, did not feel sick, and did not cough during the initial smoking experience. Antismoking interventions may impede the transition to regular smoking by helping adolescents interpret the physiological sensations as negative and unhealthy.
Glutamate antagonist MK-801 attenuates incomplete but not complete infarction in thrombotic distal middle cerebral artery occlusion in Wistar rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a non-competitive N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonist, MK-801, on incomplete infarction (selective neuronal necrosis), a zone of which had been found previously in a thrombotic distal middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion model in Wistar rats. Male Wistar rats were treated with 1 mg/kg of MK-801 or saline 30 min before MCA occlusion. Laser irradiation with intravenous administration of Rose Bengal dye was used to cause thrombotic distal MCA occlusion. The ipsilateral common carotid artery was occluded permanently and the contralateral carotid artery for 60 min. Head temperature was controlled at 36°C. Cerebral blood fow (CBF) was determined with laser-Doppler flowmetry. Three days after the ischemic insult, brains were perfusion-fixed and volumes of cortical (complete and incomplete) infarction were determined. There were no significant differences in physiological variables or CBF between the two groups. Volumes of complete infarction were equivalent between the two groups (94.9 ± 15.6 mm 3and91.6 ± 14.0 mm 3 in the control and MK-801 treated groups, respectively). In MK-801 treated group, the volume of incomplete infarction was reduced by 44% (6.4 ± 1.7 mm 3vs3.6 ± 2.1 mm 3 in control and MK-801 treated groups, respectively, P < 0.05). Although the zone responsive to MK-801 was small in this thrombotic MCA occlusion model, our present study revealed that MK-801 has a beneficial effect on the tissue zone containing selective neuronal alterations (incomplete infarction). Our results support the concept that this drug is effective in the area of less severe ischemia.
Pathological endoplasmic reticulum stress mediated by the IRE1 pathway contributes to pre-insulitic beta cell apoptosis in a virus-induced rat model of type 1 diabetes

We hypothesised that pathological endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress contributes to beta cell death during development of type 1 diabetes. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of beta cell ER stress and the signalling pathways involved during discrete stages of autoimmune diabetes progression. The virus-inducible BBDR rat model was used to systematically interrogate the three main ER stress signalling pathways (IRE1 [inositol-requiring protein-1], PERK [double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR)-like ER kinase] and ATF6 [activating transcription factor 6]) in pancreatic beta cells during type 1 diabetes development. ER stress and apoptotic markers were assessed by immunoblot analyses of isolated pancreatic islets and immunofluorescence staining of pancreas sections from control and virus-induced rats. Various time points were analysed: (1) early stages preceding the development of insulitis and (2) a late stage during onset and progression of insulitis, which precedes overt hyperglycaemia. The IRE1 pathway, including its downstream component X-box-binding protein 1, was specifically activated in pancreatic beta cells of virus-induced rats at early stages preceding the development of insulitis. Furthermore, ER stress-specific pro-apoptotic caspase 12 and effector caspase 3 were also activated at this stage. Activation of PERK and its downstream effector pro-apoptotic CHOP (CCAAT/-enhancer-binding-protein homologous protein), only occurred during late stages of diabetes induction concurrent with insulitis, whereas ATF6 activation in pancreatic beta cells was similar in control and virus-induced rats. Activation of the IRE1 pathway and ER stress-specific pro-apoptotic caspase 12, before the development of insulitis, are indicative of ER stress-mediated beta cell damage. The early occurrence of pathological ER stress and death in pancreatic beta cells may contribute to the initiation and/or progression of virus-induced autoimmune diabetes.
Molecular modeling of the membrane targeting of phospholipase C pleckstrin homology domains.

Phospholipases C (PLCs) reversibly associate with membranes to hydrolyze phosphatidylinositol-4, 5-bisphosphate (PI[4,5]P2) and comprise four main classes: β, γ, δ, and ɛ. Most eukaryotic PLCs contain a single, N-terminal pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, which is thought to play an important role in membrane targeting. The structure of a single PLC PH domain, that from PLCδ1, has been determined; this PH domain binds PI(4,5)P2 with high affinity and stereospecificity and has served as a paradigm for PH domain functionality. However, experimental studies demonstrate that PH domains from different PLC classes exhibit diverse modes of membrane interaction, reflecting the dissimilarity in their amino acid sequences. To elucidate the structural basis for their differential membrane-binding specificities, we modeled the three-dimensional structures of all mammalian PLC PH domains by using bioinformatic tools and calculated their biophysical properties by using continuum electrostatic approaches. Our computational analysis accounts for a large body of experimental data, provides predictions for those PH domains with unknown functions, and indicates functional roles for regions other than the canonical lipid-binding site identified in the PLCδ1-PH structure. In particular, our calculations predict that (1) members from each of the four PLC classes exhibit strikingly different electrostatic profiles than those ordinarily observed for PH domains in general, (2) nonspecific electrostatic interactions contribute to the membrane localization of PLCδ-, PLCγ-, and PLCβ-PH domains, and (3) phosphorylation regulates the interaction of PLCβ-PH with its effectors through electrostatic repulsion. Our molecular models for PH domains from all of the PLC classes clearly demonstrate how a common structural fold can serve as a scaffold for a wide range of surface features and biophysical properties that support distinctive functional roles.
Common generic block: Mass customization for shipbuilding:

Productive shipbuilders provide customized or made-to-order products to customers. To date, most of these ‘world class’ companies have succeeded by developing a series of repeatable type blocks which may be chosen and combined to form products that respond to customer needs. Type blocks have been developed as a result of long experience in customizing ships to specific needs while maintaining a repeatable build strategy. These are therefore empirically based. This paper reports on the early stages of work to develop a theory and methodology for developing type blocks for shipyards that do not currently have them in place and/or lack the historical base from which to extract common blocks. The concept of the common generic block (CGB) builds these using the principles of mass customization, a block complexity matrix, grouping using clustering techniques based on production attributes and applying a threshold value as a stopping criterion for the clustering.
The influence of story context on a working memory span task

The purpose of the present study was to examine factors that could influence whether recall performance in the reading span task (Daneman & Carpenter, 1980) would benefit from the contextual information from the sentences in the processing component of the task. More specifically, we investigated whether people would benefit from sentence sets that formed short stories or when the entire span task was one continuous story. Overall, there was a clear benefit for contextually related sentence sets (i.e., the story span tasks) compared to the traditional reading span task. However, the benefit was eliminated when the entire set formed one continuous story. These results support the recall reconstruction hypothesis for working memory (Towse, Cowan, Hitch, & Horton, 2008), which suggests that people may strategically use the content of the sentences from the processing component of the reading span task as memorial cues to reconstruct the target words of the storage component. However, this benefit is constrai...
Abstract C13: Phase I trial of anti-PSMA designer T cells in advanced prostate cancer

Introduction: We created chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) specific for prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA). When expressed in patient T cells, these “designer T cells” (dTc) specifically kill prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo in animal models (Ma et al. Prostate 2004:61:12-25). A Phase I clinical trial was approved by the FDA under BB-IND 12084. With the recent publicity surrounding use of this technology to suppress and potentially cure CLL [Porter et al. NEJM 2011:365:725-33], the current aim to apply dTc in metastatic HRPC gains a heightened impetus and significance. Methods: Patient T cells are retrovirally transduced and expanded ex vivo to span the dose range of 10⁁9 to 10⁁11 T cells. Patients undergo prior non-myeloablative (NMA) conditioning to create a “hematologic space” into which dTc are infused for stable engraftment and improved in vivo efficacy. Patients are co-administered continuous infusion IL2. Patients are monitored for safety and response. Outcomes include Phase Ia goals of safety and toxicity and Phase Ib goals of establishing an optimal biologic dose in terms of dTc engraftment and tumor response. Results: To date five subjects have been treated, three at the 10⁁9 cell dose and two at the 10⁁10 cell dose. Excellent T cell modifications of 30-60% were obtained. After NMA conditioning, T cells were infused and stable engraft—ments of 1-20% were observed one-month post recovery, thus affirming one of the study end-points, even at the lowest 10⁁9 dose level, reflecting near 100-fold expansions of dTc in vivo. Two of five patients (40%) had PSA reductions of 50 and 70% in the two months following treatment, whereas four patients (80%) had delays in PSA progression of 2-5 months. Patients experienced neutropenia and lymphopenia after conditioning, but no designer T cell related toxicities. Patient treatments will continue under the dose escalation plan. Conclusion: A new approach to adoptive immune therapy in metastatic prostate cancer has been devised with exciting early results. We postulate that the greater potency of higher dTc doses under adequate IL2 support will induce PSA reductions of 100%, potentially with durable remissions of metastatic prostate cancer that is refractory to all other treatments. Patients are being actively recruited. For referrals, contact by phone: (401) 456-2507 or email: RDavies{at}rwmc.org. This clinical trial received partial funding from US Army/DOD. Preclinical work was supported by the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: Richard P. Junghans, Qiangzhong Ma, Ritesh Rathore, Robin Davies, Anthony Bais, Erica Gomes, Ryan Harvey, Steven I. Cohen. Phase I trial of anti-PSMA designer T cells in advanced prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research; 2012 Feb 6-9; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(4 Suppl):Abstract nr C13.
Development of network-based pathway definitions: the need to analyze real metabolic networks.

13 Mahmoud, S.S. and Croteau, R.B. (2002) Strategies for transgenicmanipulationofmonoterpene biosynthesisinplants. Trends PlantSci.7, 366–37314 Stanilaus, M.A. and Cheng, C-L. (2002) Genetically engineered self-destruction: an alternative to herbicides for cover crop systems. WeedSci. 50, 794–80115 Gressel, J. (2001) Potential failsafe mechanisms against the spreadand introgression of transgenic hypervirulent biocontrol fungi. TrendsBiotechnol. 19, 149–15416 Daniell, H. (2002) Molecular strategies for gene containment intransgenic crops. Nat. Biotechnol. 20, 581–586
Who is an American Indian

Abstract Who is an American Indian? This study draws on complexity theory and Deloria’s concept of spatial thinking to suggest that practical and conceptually useful qualitative differences in Indianness can be expressed by understanding tribes as complex adaptive systems (CAS). This understanding supports a model of American Indian identity that more fully reflects the diversity of Indian identities that exist and continue to evolve in the larger context of American society. American Indian identities can be placed on a continuum. At one end lies a spatially defined Indian identity fundamentally shaped and literally “grounded” in specific, geographically identifiable places. At the other end lies an aspatial Indian identity that is essentially disconnected from a geographically identifiable place and formed in the dominant American society.
Does breastfeeding prevent nocturnal enuresis

To the Editor .— In a recent article, Barone et al1 suggested that breastfeeding may prevent bedwetting in the 6 million American children who suffer with this condition annually. The study consisted of 55 children with nocturnal enuresis from a continence center and 117 matched controls from a general pediatric practice. The authors noted that 81.2% of the controls and 45.5% of the study subjects, respectively, were breastfed. The authors concluded that their case-control study supports the hypothesis that breastfeeding protects against the development of bedwetting. Although it is an interesting …
The Role of Hypnotizability in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy

Pregnant women with symptoms of nausea and vomiting were interviewed and tested for hypnotizability with the Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale. Those women (n = 17) with symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization were significantly more hypnotizable than those with mild symptoms (n = 13). We hypothesize that the hypnotizability may play a role in the genesis of severe hyperemesis in pregnancy. Hypnotherapy is a readily available, safe, non-pharmacologic treatment and is a useful adjunct to basic psychologic support given for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.
Diet and the Tiruray Shift from Swidden to Plow Farming

The Tiruray are a Philippine tribe traditionally adapted to forested mountains. In recent years the forests are being destroyed by outside influences and their economy is rapidly being transformed from a forest swidden regime to a plow‐farming one on cleared land. Hunting, fishing, and gathering of wild resources have virtually disappeared. This paper reports a study done in two Tiruray communities at opposite poles of this shift in the subsistence system. Diet data were recorded over a full year on the food consumed by a typical male in each community. The nutritional value of the diet of the traditional Tiruray and that of the peasant Tiruray are compared, and both are evaluated in relation to Philippine recommended dietary standards. The data reveal clearly the major shifts in ecological setting, the diminished significance of wild resources, and the vastly increased dependence on market foods. The Tiruray view that the shift has resulted in an impoverished diet is not substantiated. Finally, the study...
Performance evaluation of virtual concatenation (VCAT) enabled optical circuits provisioning in multi-domain layer 1 VPN

Layer 1 Virtual Private Networks (L1VPN) is a type of VPN that utilizes optical networks to implement VPN technologies and has the potential to deliver optical services at reduced cost. Network providers and content providers will be able to deploy applications that contain materials such as high definition video, audio, and high quality graphics for which high bandwidth is required directly into the layer 1 network. Next generation SONET utilizes virtual concatenation (VCAT) to split a circuit into multiple smaller circuits and is expected to improve network utilization. However, there is a time delay limit that VCAT requires for it to split and combine the circuits without jeopardizing the content of the stream. We associate this time limit as the quality of service (QoS) the L1VPN network needs to meet in implementing VCAT in multi-domain environment. In this paper, QoS implementation is taken into consideration in order to achieve optimal network utilization when network performance is measured. The results show that VCAT implementation in multidomain environment with QoS consideration improve the network performance.
Glycerol kinase activity and glycerol metabolism of rat granular pneumocytes in primary culture.

Glycerol kinase activity and glycerol utilization by rat granular pneumocytes were determined in order to investigate the rate-limiting step for glycerol incorporation into lung lipids. Granular pneumocytes were isolated in primary culture following trypsinization of rat lungs. Glycerol kinase activity was 8.2 nmol/h per 106 cells. Incorporation of [1,3-14C]glycerol into total cell lipids was 0.29 nmol/h per 106 cells. In the presence of saturating glycerol concentrations, production of 3H2O from [2-3H]glycerol was 13 times greater than incorporation of [14C]glycerol into lipids. Glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase activity in isolated cells was approximately 10 times glycerol kinase activity. In the presence of 5.6 mM glucose, glycerol incorporation into lipids was decreased 79% and detritiation of glycerol was decreased 34%. This effect of glucose was due to a 25% increase in cell glycerol 3-phosphate content, resulting in dilution of the precursor pool and possible inhibition of glycerol phosphorylation. These results indicate that the relatively limited incorporation of glycerol into surfactant phospholipids by lung epithelial cells reflects the relatively high rate of glycerol 3-phosphate oxidation.
Culture and Class in Papua New Guinea

Mangrove Man: Dialogics of Culture in the Sepik Estuary. David Lipset. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1997. 335 pp. Emerging Class in Papua New Guinea: The Telling of Difference. Deborah B. Gewertz and Frederick K. Errington. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1999. 179 pp.
Mycobacterial Components Responsible for the Induction of a Chronic Immunological Inflammatory Response in Rabbit Lungs

Fractions of the tubercle bacillus were examined for their capacity to produce an allergic pulmonary granulomatous response in rabbits. We found that emulsions containing old tuberculin and even old tuberculin alone in an emulsion could induce a pulmonary inflammatory reaction comparable in intensity to that produced with killed BCG. Emulsions lacking old tuberculin failed to produce an allergic pulmonary inflammatory response. The significance of these results in relation to immunological and nonimmunological chronic inflammation is discussed.
Acculturation and drinking patterns among U.S. Anglos, blacks, and Mexican Americans.

The relationship between acculturation, generational status/nativity and drinking patterns is examined using data from a 1988 community survey of 1286 adult regular drinkers (at least two drinks/month) in San Antonio, Texas. This sample includes 412 Anglo, 239 Black, and 635 Mexican American respondents, with Mexican Americans further classified into high, medium, and low acculturation groups using a language-use-based acculturation measure. This data set allows comparisons between racial/ethnic majority and minority groups with further comparisons between Black and Mexican American subgroups. These racial/ethnic and acculturation level comparisons highlight the effects of minority status and cultural differences between groups with regard to drinking patterns. Overall, the analyses indicate little evidence to support an 'acculturation stress' model of alcohol use, wherein the stresses of acculturation produce higher levels of alcohol consumption among moderately or higher acculturation groups. Generally, in our data, quantity and frequency consumption was somewhat higher among the least acculturated males and moderately acculturated females. Further analyses by generational status indicate heavier consumption patterns among second-generation individuals, especially among the less acculturated, though those differences were eliminated by controls. The findings highlight inadequacies of using generational status/nativity measures alone to assess acculturation level. Further, joint effects of acculturation level and generational status suggest the viability of a cultural marginality model of acculturation, though many of the effects of acculturation and generational status are explained by demographic and psychosocial factors.
Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Blood by Use of the Xpert MTB/RIF Assay

We have developed a novel blood lysis-centrifugation approach for highly sensitive Mycobacterium tuberculosis detection in large volumes of blood with the Xpert MTB/RIF assay. One through 20 ml of blood was spiked with 0.25 to 10 CFU/ml of the M. tuberculosis surrogate M. bovis BCG. Multiple replicates of each sample were processed by a new lysis-centrifugation method and tested with the Xpert MTB/RIF assay. The assay was very sensitive with increased blood volumes. In the 20-ml samples, BCG was detected in blood spiked with 10, 5, 1, and 0.25 CFU/ml 100, 100, 83, and 57% of the time, respectively, compared to 100, 66, 18, and 18%, of the time, respectively, in 1-ml blood samples. Assay sensitivity was influenced by the type of anticoagulant used, with acid-citrate-dextrose solution B (ACD-B) providing the best results. A limit of detection of 10 CFU/ml was established with BCG spiked into ACD-B-treated blood, and 92, 36, and 33% of the samples with 5, 1, and 0.5 CFU/ml, respectively, were assay positive. The lysis buffer was stable both at room temperature and at 4°C for 2 months. The assay was tested with blood stored for 8 days without a change in sensitivity as measured by cycle threshold. This new assay format extends the capability of the Xpert MTB/RIF test, enabling up to 20 ml of blood to be tested rapidly for the presence of M. tuberculosis. This approach may be a useful method to detect extrapulmonary tuberculosis and the risk of death in immunocompromised patients.
Middleware Architectures for Distributed Embedded Systems

A wide range of high-performance distributed embedded systems have been designed and deployed. Physically distributed embedded systems are used for manufacturing and control, traffic analysis, and other problems. Interestingly, today's systems-on-chips are sufficiently complex that they must be treated as distributed embedded systems. At all scales of physical extent, middleware is required to manage the computations. This paper looks at distributed embedded systems at several physical scales and considers the types of middleware that are needed to operate these systems.
Effect of Sodium Salts and Added Water on Physical, Chemical and Sensory Properties of Dark Turkey Meat Subjected to Long-term Frozen Storage

Patties from a Control (100% meat), Treatment I (meat, 1.1% water, 1.0% NaCl and 0.5% STP) and Treatment II (meat, 11.1% water, 1.0% NaCl and 0.5% STP) were frozen for 0 to 52 wk, broiled, and analyzed. Yield, moisture, expressible moisture, tenderness, and juiciness of both Treatments were improved compared to the Control. TBA values of Treatment II were greater than that of the Control. The force needed to penetrate top surface of patties (FI) from Control and Treatment I was similar and greater than that of patties from Treatment II. The force needed to penetrate bottom surfaces of patties (F2) differed across formulation. Storage adversely affected moisture content of Control along with F2 and TBA values of all formulations. Juiciness was negatively correlated with moisture.
LDV control over compact riemannian manifolds

Linear Dynamically Varying (LDV) systems are a subset of Linear Parameter Varying (LPV) systems characterized by parameters that are dynamically modeled. An LDV system is, in most cases of practical interest, a family of linearized approximations of a nonlinear dynamical system indexed by the point around which the system is linearized. LDV systems emerge quite naturally in a generic trajectory tracking problem in which the tracking error is modeled as an LDV system and the tracking controller is tuned so as to minimize an LQ performance. This paper focuses on tracking a natural trajectory of a nonlinear dynamical system running over a Riemannian manifold. The associated LDV tracking error system runs over the tangent bundle and LQ minimization secures asymptotic tracking of the nonlinear trajectory. The LDV tracking controller is provided by the solution to a partial differential Riccati equation (PDRE), itself related to a linear partial differential Hamiltonian operator. The index of the latter operator reveals some ergodic properties of the reference flow.
Combustion characteristics of fuel droplets with addition of nano and micron-sized aluminum particles

The burning characteristics of fuel droplets containing nano and micron-sized aluminum particles were investigated. Particle size, surfactant concentration, and the type of base fluid were varied. In general, nanosuspensions can last much longer than micron suspensions, and ethanol-based fuels were found to achieve much better suspension than n-decane-based fuels. Five distinctive stages (preheating and ignition, classical combustion, microexplosion, surfactant flame, and aluminum droplet flame) were identified for an n-decane/nano-Al droplet, while only the first three stages occurred for an n-decane/micron-Al droplet. For the same solid loading rate and surfactant concentration, the disruption and microexplosion behavior of the micron suspension occurred later with much stronger intensity. The intense droplet fragmentation was accompanied by shell rupture, which caused a massive explosion of particles, and most of them were burned during this event. On the contrary, for the nanosuspension, combustion of the large agglomerate at the later stage requires a longer time and is less complete because of formation of an oxide shell on the surface. This difference is mainly due to the different structure and characteristics of particle agglomerates formed during the early stage, which is a spherical, porous, and more-uniformly distributed aggregate for the nanosuspension, but it is a densely packedmore » and impermeable shell for the micron suspension. A theoretical analysis was then conducted to understand the effect of particle size on particle collision mechanism and aggregation rate. The results show that for nanosuspensions, particle collision and aggregation are dominated by the random Brownian motion. For micron suspensions, however, they are dominated by fluid motion such as droplet surface regression, droplet expansion resulting from bubble formation, and internal circulation. And the Brownian motion is the least important. This theoretical analysis explains the different characteristics of the particle agglomerates, which are responsible for the different microexplosion behaviors that were observed in the experiments. (author)« less
The clock gene, brain and muscle Arnt-like 1, regulates adipogenesis via Wnt signaling pathway

Circadian clocks in adipose tissue are known to regulate adipocyte biology. Although circadian dysregulation is associated with development of obesity, the underlying mechanism has not been established. Here we report that disruption of the clock gene, brain and muscle Arnt-like 1 (Bmal1), in mice led to increased adipogenesis, adipocyte hypertrophy, and obesity, compared to wild-type (WT) mice. This is due to its cell-autonomous effect, as Bmal1 deficiency in embryonic fibroblasts, as well as stable shRNA knockdown (KD) in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte and C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells, promoted adipogenic differentiation. We demonstrate that attenuation of Bmal1 function resulted in down-regulation of genes in the canonical Wnt pathway, known to suppress adipogenesis. Promoters of these genes (Wnt10a, β-catenin, Dishevelled2, TCF3) displayed Bmal1 occupancy, indicating direct circadian regulation by Bmal1. As a result, Wnt signaling activity was attenuated by Bmal1 KD and augmented by its overexpression. Furthermore, stabilizing β-catenin through Wnt ligand or GSK-3β inhibition achieved partial restoration of blunted Wnt activity and suppression of increased adipogenesis induced by Bmal1 KD. Taken together, our study demonstrates that Bmal1 is a critical negative regulator of adipocyte development through transcriptional control of components of the canonical Wnt signaling cascade, and provides a mechanistic link between circadian disruption and obesity.