cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Local Control of Melanoma Brain Metastases by Metastatic Lesion

Materials/Methods: We retrospectively identified 652 metastases (596 intact tumors and 56 resection cavities) in 95 patients treated with 2 or more courses of SRS and no WBRT for brain metastases from 2004 to 2013. Kaplan-Meier rates of overall survival (OS) and the cumulative incidence, with death as a competing risk, of local failure (LF), distant intra-cranial failure (DF), and leptomeningeal disease (LMD), were estimated. Cox methodology analyzed factors predictive (p < 0.05) for OS. Variables analyzed included: histology, GPA score updated at the time of each SRS course, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), age, primary tumor control, and total sums of the number and of the volume of tumors treated. Results: The median clinical follow-up was 15 months (range: 3 98 months). Data from 273 SRS courses in 95 patients were compiled. A median of 2 courses (range: 2 14) of SRS per patient treated a median of 2 metastases (range: 1 14) per course of SRS. A median total of 5 (range: 2 30) brain metastases per patient was treated. The median interval between courses of SRS was 4 months (range: 228 months). Median OS from the time of the first course of SRS was 18 months (range: 4 98) and 11 months (range: 1 90) from the second course. Eighteen (24%) of 75 deaths were from neurologic causes. Nineteen (20%) patients were eventually treated with WBRT. On univariate analysis, histology (breast, melanoma, or other), age, extracranial primary control, GPA, volume (but not number) of tumors treated, and KPS significantly correlated with OS. On multivariate analysis, age was excluded with the remaining predictors significant. The 2-year rates were 7% for LF, (6% for intact tumors and 10% for cavities), 75% for DF, and 7% for LMD. Fifteen tumor sites (2%), from 5 cavity boosts and 10 intact lesions, in 13 patients (14%) developed radiation necrosis; 8 of the 13 patients were symptomatic. Five, two, and one patients developed CTCAE v4.0 Grade 2, 3, and 4 CNS necrosis, respectively. Conclusions: This largest reported series of patients treated with multiple courses of SRS for new brain metastases, omitting WBRT, reveals this approach to be safe and effective. The accumulated sum of tumor volume and GPA, at each course of treatment, are independent predictors of survival and may help select patients in whom the deferral of WBRT may be most beneficial. Author Disclosure: D.B. Shultz: None. L.A. Modlin: None. P. Jayachandran: None. R. Von Eiben: None. I.C. Gibbs: None. S.D. Chang: None. G.R. Harsh: None. G. Li: None. J.R. Adler: None. J.R. Adler: None. S.L. Hancock: None. S.G. Soltys: None.
Regional left ventricular deafferentation increases baroreflex sensitivity following myocardial infarction

Objective: Depressed baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) has been observed following MI and has adverse prognostic implications. The mechanism for this finding is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that depressed BRS following myocardial infarction (MI) is related to augmented input from afferent receptors in the left ventricle. Methods: Conscious, chronically-instrumented dogs were trained to undergo BRS testing. This testing was performed before and 4 weeks after creation of experimental anterior MI. Animals were then randomized to undergo regional deafferentation or sham thoracotomy. One week later, BRS testing was repeated. Results: Animals with reduced BRS post-MI showed slight increases in sensitivity values after regional deafferentation. Following sham thoracotomy, animals with reduced BRS post-MI exhibited further decreases in sensitivity values. The differences in mean BRS values measured after regional or sham deafferentation were significant (17.4±2.0 ms/mmHg vs. 11.7±1.4 ms/mmHg; P <0.05). Conclusions: In animals with reduced BRS post-MI, deafferentation of the infarcted region prevented the progressive decline in sensitivity values that was noted in the control group. These data suggest that depressed BRS following MI is related to augmented afferent input from left ventricular receptors.
Measurements of Diffusion in Velocity Space from Ion-Ion Collisions

Diffusion of particles in velocity space due to ion-ion collisions is measured experimentally using the spatial ion-wave echo as a diagnostic technique. The experiment was performed in a highly ionized plasma. The ion-ion collisions are described by a Fokker-Planck term in the ion kinetic equation. The good agreement between the measurement of the echo position, phase velocity, and amplitude with the theoretical predictions verifies that the diffusion term of the Fokker-Planck equation is appropriate for describing the effect of small-angle Coulomb collisions. The magnitude of the second-order coupling coefficient relating the amplitudes of the excited waves to the echo amplitude was also measured. The agreement with theory indicates the validity of the second-order expansion of the linearized Vlasov equation.
Bryophyte photosynthesis in sunflecks: greater relative induction rate than in tracheophytes

AbstractPhotosynthetic kinetics in changing light intensity is considered pivotal for the survival of understorey tracheophytes; however, it is virtually unknown for bryophytes because bryophytes and tracheophytes have contrasting physio-ecological strategies. Anatomy suggests that relative rate of photosynthetic induction is faster in bryophyte gametophytes due to the absence of stomata, whose slow response may limit photosynthesis of tracheophyte leaves in changing light intensity. We measured steady-state and dynamic CO2 exchange in 10 bryophyte species. We performed an in-depth survey of the moss Hypnum cupressiforme sampled from sun and shade sites. Our key results are: (1) Bryophyte photosynthesis after dark acclimatisation induced much faster than in tracheophytes, reaching 50% of maximum gross photosynthesis (Agross) in about 90 s. Such rapid induction is comparable only to tracheophytes whose stomata do not limit CO2 uptake. Times to reach 90% of Agross were also substantially shorter in bryophyt...
Power in the classroom VI: Verbal control strategies, nonverbal immediacy and affective learning

This investigation is the sixth in a series of projects designed to programmatically examine teacher power in the classroom. Recognizing that nonverbal behaviors typically provide the framework for interpreting verbal messages, this project proposed and sequentially tested a heuristic model of student affective learning as a function of behavior alteration techniques and teacher nonverbal immediacy. Employing a two‐study correlational design, the model was tested in five stages across secondary and college students. Results supported the proposed positive relationships among teachers’ use of. behavior alteration techniques, immediacy and student affect for both studies. Teachers’ selective use of verbal control strategies in the classroom was shown to be indirectly related to affective learning as a function of students’ perceptions of teacher immediacy. Interpretations focus on the model, previous power in the classroom studies, and the design of future studies in this program.
Research issues on the use of ERPS in interorganizational relationships

Abstract The use of enterprise resource planning systems (ERPS) is a critical component of a firm's strategy for the proper management and control of inter-organizational relationships. This research note utilizes recent research findings that bear on the effectiveness of the implementation and use of ERPS in business organizations and extends these findings in the inter-organizational context. The major purpose of this essay is to present theoretical bases on which future research could justify theoretical models and present theoretically-sound arguments for the examination of the use of ERPS in the management and control of inter-organizational relationships. The implications of a number of theories are examined, including: (a) the theory of co-opetition from organizational strategy, as it relates to the necessity for carrying out simultaneous activities in inter-organizational cooperation and competition, (b) the economic theory of complementarity, as it emphasizes interactions in different elements of organizational design and explains how different elements of organizational strategy and management process relate to one another, and (c) the real options theory from finance as it relates to the degree of managerial flexibility in making infrastructure investment decisions. Each of these theories offers important implications for the examination of use of ERPS in inter-organizational relationships. This essay develops a number of research propositions in order to motivate research in this area. Future research not only could benefit from these theoretical bases but also could make contributions for the extension of these theories in the use of ERPS for the management and control of inter-organizational relationships.
Heparin-polypeptide interactions in aqueous solution

Abstract Circular dichroism spectroscopy has been used to study the interactions between heparin and cationic polypeptides in dilute aqueous solution at neutral pH. The results indicate that poly( l -lysine), poly( l -arginine), and poly( l -ornithine) adopt the α-helical conformation in the presence of heparin, rather than the “charged coil” form observed for the polypeptide alone under the same conditions. Maximum interaction for the poly( l -lysine) and poly( l -ornithine) systems occur at an amino acid: disaccharide residue ratio of 2.3 ± 0.1:1, which correlates with the analytical data of 2.3 sulfates per heparin disaccharide. For poly( l -arginine), maximum interaction occurs at a residue ratio of 3.3 ± 0.1:1, and indicates that all the anionic groups (sulfate and carboxyl) of the heparin are involved in this case. The interactions of heparin are analogous to those observed previously for six connective tissue mucopolysaccharides, except that none of the latter had any effect on the conformation of poly( l -ornithine). The poly( l -ornithine)-heparin system shows a thermal “melting” transition at Tm = 56.0 ± 1.0 °C, at which point the polypeptide reverts to the “charged coil” form; the interactions with poly( l -lysine) and poly( l -arginine) are stable up to temperatures > 90 °C. The high thermal stability of these conformation-directing effects indicate a stronger interaction for heparin than the other mucopolysaccharides, which is probably due to the high sulfate content.
The Evolving State-of-the-Art in Technology Transfer Research: Revisiting the Contingent Effectiveness Model

The purpose of our study is to review and synthesize the rapidly evolving literature on technology transfer effectiveness. Our paper provides a lens into relatively recent work, focusing particularly on empirical studies of US technology transfer conducted within the last 15 years. In doing so, we update and extend the Contingent Effectiveness Model of Technology Transfer developed by Bozeman (2000). Specifically, we include the growing interest in social and public value oriented technology transfer and, thus, the contingent effectiveness model is expanded to consider this literature. We categorize studies according their approaches to measuring effectiveness, draw conclusions regarding the current state of technology transfer evaluation, and offer recommendations for future studies.
Occurrence of three electrophoretic components with melanocyte-stimulating activity in extracts of single pituitary glands from ungulates.

An in vitro method in which the skin of a single test animal (Anolis carolinensis) is used, and which can be used to determine the melanocyte-stimulating activity of a large number of samples, is described. The electrophoretic behavior of the melanocyte-stimulating components present in the pituitary glands of different species of Ungulata was studied. It was found that single beef, pig and sheep pituitaries contain three melanocyte-stimulating components, which behaved in electrophoresis like β-glutamyl-MSH, β-seryl-MSH and a-MSH respectively. These MSH components were present in each single pituitary gland in a ratio which appeared to be more or less constant within a species and which was characteristic for that species.
Antisense masking reveals contributions of mRNA-rRNA base pairing to translation of Gtx and FGF2 mRNAs.

We previously showed that a 9-nucleotide sequence from the 5′ leader of the Gtx homeodomain mRNA facilitates translation initiation by base pairing to 18S rRNA. These earlier studies tested the Gtx element in isolation; we now assess the physiological relevance of this element in the context of two natural mRNAs that contain this sequence in their 5′ leaders, Gtx itself and FGF2 (fibroblast growth factor 2). 2′-O-Methyl-modified RNA oligonucleotides were employed to block mRNA-rRNA base pairing by targeting either the Gtx-binding site in 18S rRNA or Gtx elements in recombinant mRNAs containing the Gtx or FGF2 5′ leaders linked to a reporter cistron. Studies in cell-free lysates and transfected COS-7 cells showed that translation of mRNAs containing the Gtx or FGF2 5′ leaders was decreased by >50% when oligonucleotides targeting either the rRNA or mRNA were used. Specificity was demonstrated by showing that translation of the recombinant mRNAs was unaffected by control oligonucleotides. In addition, the specific oligonucleotides did not affect the translation of recombinant mRNAs in which the Gtx elements were mutated. Experiments performed using constructs containing Gtx and FGF2 5′ leader and coding sequences ruled out possible effects of the reporter cistron. Furthermore, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed that the oligonucleotides used in this study had little overall effect on the proteomes of cells transfected with these oligonucleotides. This study demonstrates that mRNA-rRNA base pairing affects the expression of two cellular mRNAs and describes a new approach for investigating putative mRNA-rRNA base pairing interactions in mammalian cells.
III-V Nitride based triangular microcantilever heater for selective detection of organic vapors at low temperatures

Detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are widely used in industrial processes and household products, is very important due to significant health hazards associated with them. 1 The common techniques used for detecting VOCs often suffer from one or more of the following issues - high power consumption, limited selectivity, complicated functionalization technique and expensive characterization tools. 2-7 In this work, we present an unfunctionalized AlGaN/GaN heterostructure based triangular microcantilever heater (TMH) sensor, which has been utilized to perform selective detection of a wide range of diluted VOCs below their auto-ignition temperature based on responses that are strongly correlated with their latent heat and dipole moment.
Surface chemistry models of carbon monoxide oxidation on supported platinum catalysts

Rates of CO oxidation on noble metal catalysts are often represented by a Langmuir-Hinshelwood rate expression that assumes the competitive equilibrium adsorption of CO and O2 on the active metal surface. Surface chemistry studies reported in the literature have shown, however, that this assumption cannot be justified under all conditions. As a result, the usual Langmuir-Hinshelwood rate expression is unable to explain the data of several reported studies of CO oxidation on Pt catalysts. In this report we develop two reaction models which include separate adsorption, desorption, and surface reaction steps, and which do not assume adsorption equilibrium. The ability of each model to fit CO oxidation rate data taken with an alumina-supported Pt catalyst is compared with that of the usual Langmuir-Hinshelwood rate expression. Unlike the usual rate expression, the surface chemistry models successfully simulate the abrupt transition in steady-state rate that occurs between the CO inhibition regime and the first-order regime. The parameter values used to fit the supported Pt data are similar to those determined with Pt crystals. However, they indicate that CO may be adsorbed less strongly on the supported Pt and that most of the surface Pt atoms in the supported catalyst were deactivated by an oxidizing pretreatment.
Spirituality, Religion, and Progressive Social Movements: Resources and Motivation for Social Change

Social movement theory and research has paid little attention to the role of spirituality and religion in social movement mobilization. This article reviews the existing literature on the role of spirituality and religion in progressive social movements, with emphasis on movements developed in the United Sates. The analysis is framed by three strains of contemporary theorizing about social movements: the political opportunities perspective, the mobilizing structures perspective, and the cultural framing perspectives. The article also examines recent suggestions that the emotional and spiritual dimensions are left out of these three perspectives. The analysis suggests that religious institutions provide rich resources for progressive movement mobilization, and that both religious and nonreligious spirituality can provide motivation for progressive movement involvement.
Designing computer networks to avoid partitioning

Abstract It is shown that a network can be constructed on a given set of host computers such that the possibility of a network partition resulting from network node and link failure can be ruled out with an arbitrarily high degree of confidence. More precisely, a class of networks is exhibited on any given number of host nodes so that the probability of a network partition decreases exponentially with only a linear increase in connectivity cost. It has long been a folk theorem in network theory that as one increases the budget for the number of links of a network, the reliability of the network can be increased by a judicious choice of network topology. This paper makes this intuitive statement precise and analyzes one class of networks to illustrate it: bipartite networks where host nodes are connected to each of a set of hub nodes. The result has significant implications for availability of distributed databases and feasibility of the three-phase commit protocol which guarantees crash recovery in distributed transactions.
Shoulder arthroplasty in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1976-2000: a population-based study.

Because little information is currently available on the epidemiology of shoulder arthroplasty, this study was designed to evaluate the characteristics of patients undergoing this procedure and changes in practice patterns. Residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, who underwent shoulder arthroplasty between 1976 and 2000 were identified (98 residents, 112 procedures). A relatively lower initial rate of shoulder arthroplasty was followed by a statistically significant steady increase ( P
Dynamics of inner- and outer-sphere electron transfer in a polar solvent

Abstract In this paper, inner-sphere electron transfer reactions in a solvent are studied in the framework of multidimensional transition state theory. It is demonstrated that the preexponential factor essentially depends upon the interaction with the inner-sphere vibrational mode, increasing the rate of electron transfer as much as one order of magnitude. The prefactor is shown to be strongly dependent on the frequency of this vibration. At high frequencies the rate constant increases with the reorganization energy of this inner-sphere mode while at small frequencies, electron transfer is inhibited. Estimations of inner mode reorganization energies have been performed for system where it is necessary to account nonequilibrium solvent relaxation. Finally it is shown that the equilibrium approximation fails when the reaction is close to an activationless regime.
Bioavailability of genotoxic compounds in soils.

Measurements were made of the bioavailability of mutagens with a bacterial genotoxicity assay specifically designed for use with the solid phase of soil. Short-term sorption of benzo(a)pyrene, 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene, 9-phenylanthracene, captan, and aldicarb by six markedly different soils resulted in a 28.2 to >99% decline in availability for genotoxicity. This reduced bioavailability varied markedly with the soil and the compound. The reduced genotoxicity was not a result of the destruction of the compounds since, with few exceptions, >90% of each compound was recovered by Soxhlet extraction. The bioavailability of captan was correlated with surface area and organic C content, but the availability of the other mutagens was not correlated with other properties of the six soils. However, if soils with <0.7% organic matter were not considered, correlations were evident between organic C content and the bioavailability of the three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (r values of 0.90 or higher) and ald...
The influence of nanoadhesives on the tensile properties and Mode-I fracture toughness of bonded joints

Nanoadhesives of epoxy resin are synthesized and evaluated. They are organically modified by multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) (1% by weight) as reinforcement. Tensile tests are conducted on multiple identical unnotched and notched specimens to evaluate the overloading and fracture behavior of the nanoadhesives and are compared with the neat epoxy resin. In comparison with the neat epoxy, it is found that the 1% MWCNT reinforcement increased the ultimate and residual strength by about 29% and 56%, respectively. In comparison with the neat resin, there is a 265% increase in the fracture toughness of the MWCNT adhesive. Fracture surface analysis revealed the various mechanisms by which the MWCNT adhesives acquire their superior strength and toughness in comparison with the neat resin.
Radiolabeled somatostatin analogs in prostate cancer

Vapreotide (RC-160), a somatostatin analog, was labeled with 99mTC by a direct method and also by using CPTA [1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane] as a bifunctional chelating agent. The labeled compounds were evaluated in nude mice bearing experimental human prostate cancers. In these studies, 111In-DTPA-D-Phe-Octreotide (111In-DTPA-octreotide) served as a standard and 99mTc-oxytocin as a receptor-non-specific control. 99mTc-octreotide was also used. The 24 htumor uptake of 99mTc-RC-160 was nearly 400% higher, (p < 0.05), than that of 111In-DTPA-octreotide and diminished upon receptor blocking. In all tissues except the kidneys, the uptake of 99mTc-RC-160 was also higher than that of 111In-DTPA-octreotide. The uptake of 99mTc-RC-160 was influenced by the amount of peptide injected and the best tumor/muscle and tumor/blood ratios were obtained when only one micrograms of the peptide (200 Ci/mmol) was administered.
Exact Integrations of Polynomials and Symmetric Quadrature Formulas over Arbitrary Polyhedral Grids

This paper is concerned with two important elements in the high-order accurate spatial discretization of finite-volume equations over arbitrary grids. One element is the integration of basis functions over arbitrary domains, which is used in expressing various spatial integrals in terms of discrete unknowns. The other consists of quadrature approximations to those integrals. Only polynomial basis functions applied to polyhedral and polygonal grids are treated here. Nontriangular polygonal faces are subdivided into a union of planar triangular facets, and the resulting triangulated polyhedron is subdivided into a union of tetrahedra. The straight line segment, triangle, and tetrahedron are thus the fundamental shapes that are the building blocks for all integrations and quadrature approximations. Integrals of products up to the fifth order are derived in a unified manner for the three fundamental shapes in terms of the position vectors of vertices. Results are given both in terms of tensor products and products of Cartesian coordinates. The exact polynomial integrals are used to obtain symmetric quadrature approximations of any degree of precision up to five for arbitrary integrals over the three fundamental domains. Using a coordinate-free formulation, simple and rational procedures are developed to derive virtually all quadrature formulas, including some previously unpublished. Four symmetry groups of quadrature points are introduced to derive Gauss formulas, while their limiting forms are used to derive Lobatto formulas. Representative Gauss and Lobatto formulas are tabulated. The relative efficiency of their application to polyhedral and polygonal grids is detailed. The extension to higher degrees of precision is discussed.
RELIABILITY-BASED PERFORMANCE MODEL FOR LARGE BRIDGE COMPONENT SYSTEMS

A method for modeling the performance of large bridge components subjected to normal loading and deterioration effects using reliability engineering techniques is presented. Development of the method was motivated by the need to advance a practical performance model for large bridge rehabilitation decision analysis. The modeling scope includes three basic elements: performance assessment, system modeling, and failure rate analysis. Two fundamental assumptions of the developed performance model are that (a) bridge components are systems of independent critical elements and (b) each element's failure rate is constant throughout its functional service life. The model is used to qualitatively assess the performance of bridge components with respect to reliability and enables the estimation of two important rehabilitation planning indices, functional service life and expected damage. An application of the model is illustrated in an example involving a comparative evaluation of the performance of two large brid...
Innovation in the food sector: Regional networks and internationalisation

This paper focuses on the role of regional networks in processes of innovation, in relation to internationalisation. The findings are drawn from a survey conducted in the food sector in the region of Meetjesland, Belgium. The initial aim was to find out which regional characteristics are strongly related to the innovation competence of the food sector, by applying discriminant analysis. The results pointed to two factors as being the most significant: firms are classified as having a stronger innovation competence when networking within the region, and when oriented towards the international market. This finding contains an apparent paradox, which is related to contemporary research pointing at the importance of the regional business environment for the firm's performance, but also at the benefit of internationalisation. In this paper it is argued that these theories are not contradictory, and that firms gain innovation competence by searching for external knowledge on different geographical scales. The r...
Angiogenesis and plasticity: role of erythropoietin in vascular systems.

One of the principal functions of erythropoietin (EPO) is to stimulate the maturation of erythroid precursors. Yet EPO has recently been shown to modulate a host of cellular signal transduction pathways in pluripotent stem cells to perform multiple functions other than erythropoiesis. The production of EPO is tightly modulated by the loss of oxygen and the hypoxia-inducible factor 1. Once generated, EPO becomes a robust stimulus which regulates endothelial cell proliferation and migration as well as erythropoiesis and vascular resistance. Further downstream in the signal transduction cascade, EPO engages diverse cellular pathways—such as those involving Janus kinase 2, signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), Bcl-xL, protein kinase B, protein kinase C, and cysteine proteases—to provide "plasticity" to vascular systems through highly conserved mechanisms. EPO also has recently been demonstrated to inhibit the induction of apoptosis through two d...
An experimental study of the effect of polymer molecular weight upon reaction rates in emulsion polymerization

Abstract Seed latices of poly(methyl methacrylate) of varying molecular weights, but of equivalent particle sizes, have been used to investigate the dependency of the reaction rate upon the polymer molecular weight. It was found that the molecular weight of the seed polymer and that of the polymer formed in the subsequent reaction both affected the reaction rate, with the latter effect more significant than the former. Reaction rates were found to decrease substantially as the polymer viscosity average molecular weight decreased from 5.8 to 0.4 million. These results are discussed in terms of the differences in the degree of entanglements of the various lengths of the polymer chains.
Update on stroke management

Stroke affects nearly 800,000 people in the United States and is a leading cause of disability and mortality. Increasing age is one of the most significant risk factors for stroke, and as our population continues to age, stroke is expected to become more prevalent. Strokes are categorized either by an ischemic event that impedes oxygen delivery to brain tissue or an intracranial hemorrhage. They present with similar symptoms, but must be correctly differentiated, as they are treated differently. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to a successful patient prognosis. With an ischemic stroke, thrombolytics can reperfuse the affected tissue while it still remains viable. Likewise, early blood pressure management in a hemorrhagic stroke may decrease hematoma expansion and improve quality of life. Early management, along with secondary prevention of recurrent stroke and early physical therapy, can safely lead to decreased neurologic deficit and better functionality for patients.
Multiple-phonon resonant Raman scattering theory☆

Abstract Multiple-phonon Raman scattering in CdS is explained by a model in which resonant absorption occurs for electronically and vibrationally excited localized states. The radius of the localized state is estimated to be about 20 A.
Silencing of Nicotiana benthamiana Xrn4p exoribonuclease promotes tombusvirus RNA accumulation and recombination

The cytosolic 5'-to-3' exoribonuclease Xrn1p plays a major role in recombination and degradation of Tomato bushy stunt tombusvirus (TBSV) replicon (rep)RNA in yeast, a model host (Serviene, E., Shapka, N., Cheng, C.P., Panavas, T., Phuangrat, B., Baker, J., and Nagy, P.D., 2005. Genome-wide screen identifies host genes affecting viral RNA recombination. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 102(30), 10545-10550.). To test if the plant cytosolic 5'-to-3' exoribonuclease Xrn4p, similar to the yeast Xrn1p, could also affect TBSV recombination, in this paper, we silenced XRN4 in Nicotiana benthamiana, an experimental host. The accumulation of tombusvirus genomic RNA and repRNA increased by 50% and 220%, respectively, in XRN4-silenced N. benthamiana. We also observed up to 125-fold increase in the emergence of new recombinants and partly degraded viral RNAs in the silenced plants. Using a cell-free assay based on a yeast extract, which supports authentic replication and recombination of TBSV, we demonstrate that the purified recombinant Xrn1p efficiently inhibited the accumulation of recombinants and partly degraded viral RNAs. Altogether, the data from a plant host and cell-free system confirm a central role for the plant cytosolic 5'-to-3' exoribonuclease in TBSV replication, recombination and viral RNA degradation.
Epidermal growth factor stimulates prostaglandin biosynthesis by canine kidney (MDCK) cells.

Abstract Serum and/or arachidonic acid stimulated prostaglandin production by dog kidney (MDCK) cells. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) at concentrations of 10−9 to 10−10 M stimulated the biosynthesis of prostaglandins by MDCK cells but not that by human fibroblasts (D-550), mouse fibroblasts (3T3), transformed mouse fibroblasts (MC5-5), and rabbit aorta endothelial cells (CLO). EGF also stimulated the release of radioactivity from MDCK cells radioactively labelled with [3H]arachidonic acid.
Application of quartz crystal microbalance to study the impact of pH and ionic strength on protein-silicone oil interactions.

Abstract In this study, we have used quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to quantitate the adsorption of a protein on silicone oil coated surfaces as a function of protein concentration, pH and ionic strength using a 5 MHz quartz crystal. Protein adsorption isotherms were generated at different solution pH and ionic strengths. Surface saturation concentrations were selected from adsorption isotherms and used to generate adsorption profiles from pH 3.0 to 9.0, and at ionic strengths of 10 mM and 150 mM. At low ionic strength (10 mM) and pH 5.0 (close to the isoelectric point of the protein), maximum adsorption of protein to the silicone oil surface was observed. At higher ionic strength (150 mM), no significant pH influence on adsorption was observed. QCM could be used as a reliable technique to study the binding of proteins to silicone oil coated surfaces.
A Control Structure for a Variable Number of Nested Loops

A new program control structure is proposed in this paper which is suitable for expressing a variable number of nested loops. This control structure is useful in combinatorial problems and in problems requiring backtracking. Implementation details are discussed and some illustrative examples are given which employ this new program control structure. The incorporation of this control structure in contemporary programming languages will considerably enhance them, particularly languages like FORTRAN, BASIC, and assembly.
Immune stimulation in scleroderma patients treated with thalidomide.

Abstract Scleroderma (SSc) is a fibrosing connective tissue disease that is poorly responsive to any treatment, including immune suppression. SSc shares many characteristics with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Because the immunomodulatory drug thalidomide has proven beneficial in chronic GVHD, we studied the immune response and clinical effects of thalidomide in SSc patients. We treated 11 SSc patients with thalidomide in an open label, dose escalating, 12 week study. Histologic comparison of skin biopsies showed changes in skin fibrosis and an increase in epidermal and dermal infiltrating CD8 + T cells with thalidomide treatment. In thalidomide-treated SSc patients, plasma levels of IL-12 and TNF-α increased, while plasma IL-5 and IL-10 levels remained unchanged. These changes were associated with clinical effects, including dry skin, dermal edema, transient rashes, decreased gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, and healing of digital ulcers. When SSc PBMCs activated by anti-CD3 mAb were exposed to thalidomide, increases in both production of IL-2, IL-3, GM-CSF, and IFN-γ and T cell expression of CD40L were observed. Thalidomide therefore appears to induce immune stimulation in SSc patients in association with clinical changes. However, it remains to be shown whether long-term enhancement of immune responses in SSc patients is clinically beneficial.
Effect of DC Bias on Microwave Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition Synthesis of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

The physical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) make them outstanding candidates for introduction into technologies ranging from high resolution flat panel displays to nanoscale transistors. Integration of carbon nanotubes into devices, however, requires precise control over the manufacturing processes used during their synthesis. To meet the specific requirements of a given application, alignment, diameter, length and chirality of carbon nanotubes must be strictly addressed. This work demonstrates the controlled synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with low amount of undesired carbonaceous species using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). This report elucidates the role of DC bias applied to the growth substrate during synthesis, including the field-enhanced alignment of SWCNTs, selectivity in the diameter distribution and selectivity of semiconducting versus metallic nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes are characterized using Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Women as leaders: Performance evaluation as a function of method of leader selection

Abstract In an experiment exploring the relationship between equity and evaluation of female leaders, male subjects and female confederates worked on a task in which the confederate was appointed leader over the subject. The confederate was made leader either arbitrarily (by virtue of her sex), by chance, or by her superior performance on a pre-task. It was arranged for half the dyads to succeed at the task and for the other half to fail. It was found that the more equitable the method of leader selection, the more favorably the confederate's performance was evaluated, regardless of whether the dyad succeeded or failed, and the more credit (less blame) she received when the dyad succeeded (failed). Parallels to organizational settings and affirmative action programs are discussed.
Inhibition of Fas‐mediated apoptosis by the B cell antigen receptor through c‐FLIP

Cross-linking of the B cell antigen receptor (BCR) induces resistance to Fas (APO-1 / CD95)-dependent apoptosis and thereby regulates one mechanism of B cell selection during antigen stimulation. To investigate the molecular mechanism by which BCR signaling regulates the Fas pathway, we examined the expression of constituents of the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC), including Fas, FADD, caspase-8 and cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP). No significant changes in the cellular levels of Fas, FADD or caspase-8 were observed after BCR cross-linking. By contrast, the long isoform of c-FLIP (c-FLIP(L)) was significantly up-regulated by BCR cross-linking in primary B cells and in two B cell lines, A20 and WEHI-279. Moreover, transfection of c-FLIP(L) into A20 cells inhibited Fas-dependent apoptosis and suppressed recruitment of caspase-8 to the DISC. BCR cross-linking or FLIP overexpression also protects B cells from TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Thus, BCR signaling up-regulates c-FLIP(L) and suppresses the Fas- and TRAIL-receptor apoptosis pathways which could be important for tolerance and selection of antigen-specific B cells.
New Sponge Liner Coring System Records Step-Change Improvement in Core Acquisition and Accurate Fluid Recovery

New sponge coring service and technology have been introduced to the oil and gas industry. Admittedly sponge coring has been an industry offering in some form for over twenty years but until now it has been plagued by chronic problems. The objective of sponge coring was to determine separate in-situ oil and water saturations of the formation materials. The problem with conventional coring has always been that the fluids would be expelled and lost from the core by the expanding gas while bringing it to the surface. The long-time solution was to surround the core with a special oil-absorptive (oleophilic) sponge material that would capture the expelled oil and hold it in place for laboratory analysis. The challenge was to fit the sponge tightly enough around the core to prevent fluid migration and mud contamination in the sponge-core clearance annulus, and yet avoid core jamming and sponge damage. This new, more accurate sponge liner coring service is now in place, showing excellent results. A balance seems to have been achieved between smooth core entry and a properly fitting, pre-saturated sponge with virtually no fluid migration. This new service cuts and provides oil-absorptive sponge-encased 3½-in. diameter core in 30 ft lengths with a maximum downhole temperature and pressure of 195oF (90o C) and 15,000 psi (1,034 bar) respectively. Special vacuum pump service equipment and sealing system are utilized to pre-saturate the sponge liner with brine. In late 2012 a major operator utilized this new and previously unproven system to core nearly 300 ft of sponge core in New Mexico, USA. The coring program used a special low-invasion coring fluid with a low spurt loss and a staged trip-out-ofthe- hole schedule to minimize gas expansion/oil movement. The precision core bit that cut a tight-clearance core provided exceptional results with an average rate of penetration (ROP) of 10.4 ft/hr, with 97% core recovery and observable oil saturation in the sponge, indicating the system worked as designed. This case study will be described in detail within this paper.
Visualizing lymphocyte recognition.

Studies of T cell recognition have entered new territory now that some of the basic issues of genetics, biochemistry and structure have been addressed, at least in outline form. In the present work, the focus is on a new aspect of T cell recognition that goes beyond classical biochemistry to ask, 'how do TCR and other cell surface molecules cooperate to initiate and control recognition?'
Mechanisms Linking Work and Family: Clarifying the Relationship Between Work and Family Constructs

Work-family research emphasizes the importance of mechanisms that link work and family. However, these mechanisms typically are described in metaphoric terms poorly suited to rigorous research. In this article we translate work-family linking mechanisms into causal relationships between work and family constructs. For each relationship we explain its sign and causal structure and how it is influenced by personal intent. We show how these respecified linking mechanisms constitute theoretical building blocks for developing comprehensive models of the work-family interface.
Relationship Between Conformational Changes in Pol λ’s Active Site Upon Binding Incorrect Nucleotides and Mismatch Incorporation Rates

The correct replication and repair of DNA is critical for a cell’s survival. Here, we investigate the fidelity of mammalian DNA polymerase λ (pol λ) utilizing dynamics simulation of the enzyme bound to incorrect incoming nucleotides including A:C, A:G, A(syn):G, A:A, A(syn):A, and T:G, all of which exhibit differing incorporation rates for pol λ as compared to A:T bound to pol λ. The wide range of DNA motion and protein residue side-chain motions observed in the mismatched systems demonstrates distinct differences when compared to the reference (correct base pair) system. Notably, Arg517’s interactions with the DNA template strand bases in the active site are more limited, and Arg517 displays increased interactions with the incorrect dNTPs. This effect suggests that Arg517 helps provide a base-checking mechanism to discriminate correct from incorrect dNTPs. In addition, we find Tyr505 and Phe506 also play key roles in this base checking. A survey of the electrostatic potential landscape of the active site...
Electron Beam Induced Current Imaging of Dislocations in Cd 0.9 Zn 0.1 Te Crystal

Abstract Electron beam induced current (EBIC) imaging of semi-insulating nuclear radiation detector grade cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) crystal is reported in this paper. The correlation of the EBIC results with the results of defect delineating chemical etching suggests that the irregular shaped pattern in the EBIC image is due to agglomerates of dislocations in CZT crystal.
High performance liquid chromatographic analysis and preclinical pharmacokinetics of the heteroarotinoid antitumor agent, SHetA2.

Background: SHetA2 {[(4-nitrophenyl)amino][2,2,4,4-tetramethylthiochroman-6-yl)amino]methane-thione], NSC 726189} is a sulfur-containing heteroarotinoid, which selectively inhibits cancer cell growth and induces apoptosis without activation of nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RARs). The objective was to develop and validate a HPLC/UV method for the determination of SHetA2, and study the pharmacokinetics of SHetA2 in the mouse. Methods: SHetA2 and the internal standard, methylated XK469 (MeXK469) were isolated from 0.2 ml of mouse plasma by solid phase extraction. The analytes were separated on a narrow-bore C18 column, with the mobile phase consisting of 60% acetonitrile in water at a flow rate of 0.2 ml/min. UV detection was set at 341 nm. Pharmacokinetic studies of SHetA2 were carried out in mice following i.v. bolus dose at 20 mg/kg and oral administrations at 20 and 60 mg/kg. Results: The standard curves were linear between 25 and 2,500 nM and the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 25 nM. The within-run coefficients of variation (CVs) were 11.1% at 10, 9.4% at 100, and 5.2% at 2,500 nM and the respective between-run CVs were 10.9, 3.1, and 1.5% (all n=5). The recovery was 85.8% for SHetA2 and 80.6% for MeXK469. Following i.v. bolus dose, plasma concentrations of ~10 μM were achieved at 5 min in mice and declined biexponentially with detectable levels at 60 h. The data were fitted with a two-compartment model, which gave a mean initial t 1/2 of 40 min and terminal t 1/2 of 11.4 h (n=6). The total body clearance was ~1.81 l/h/kg. The volume of distribution at steady state (V dss) was 20.8 l/kg. Plasma protein binding was found to be 99.3–99.5% at low micromolar concentrations. Plasma concentration data for the i.v. and p.o. doses were also fitted interactively to a two-compartment deconvolution model. From this result, oral bioavailability values of 15% at 20 mg/kg and 19% at 60 mg/kg were obtained. Conclusions: A highly sensitive HPLC/UV method for the quantification of SHetA2 in plasma has been developed to support pharmacokinetics of SHetA2 in the mouse. Pharmacokinetic behaviors of this drug appear to be favorable for future development.
Biological applications of X-ray microprobes.

Purpose: To present an overview of the workshop on X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM).Results: Talks presented at the workshop and the associated works are highlighted.Conclusions: Use of XFM in biomedical sciences is growing and may be advanced even further by adding (i) high resolution microprobes, and (ii) high throughput approaches to the XFM toolbox.
Causes of death in cancer patients

The records of 816 cancer patients who had a complete postmortem examination during a 3-year period were reviewed. Death resulted from infection in 47% of the patients, from organ failure in 25%, and from infarction, hemorrhage, and carcinomatosis in 11%, 7%, and 10%, respectively. The most common fatal infections were pneumonia, septicemia, and peritonitis. The majority of infections were caused by gram-negative bacilli, mainly E. coli, Pseudomonas spp., and Klebsiella spp. In 71% of the 816 patients, the underlying tumor precipitated the cause of death. Consequently, better modalities of cancer therapy and supportive therapy are needed.
Slab dehydration and basalt petrogenesis in subduction systems involving very young oceanic lithosphere

Abstract Compositions of post-Miocene basalts erupted in the Garibaldi and Central America volcanic arcs exhibit significant correlations with the age of the subducted plate. In general, SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , CaO, V, and (Sr/P) N decrease and FeO, MgO, TiO 2 and Na 2 O increase as the age of the subducted plate decreases. Variations in CaO/Al 2 O 3 , SiO 2 , (Sr/P) N , and Ba are compatible with lesser slab input, and hence less hydrous melting conditions in the mantle wedge in segments of the arcs overlying the youngest oceanic lithosphere. This interpretation is supported by comparison with peridotite melting experiments, which suggest higher melt pressures and temperatures in the mantle wedge above very young oceanic lithosphere. These observations point to a model in which dehydration of the downgoing slab occurs at shallow depths in subduction systems involving oceanic lithosphere younger than about 20 Ma. Because young oceanic lithosphere is relatively warm, little post-subduction heating is required to produce metamorphic reactions that release slab volatiles. Geodynamic models indicate most volatile-liberating reactions will occur within the seismogenic zone in oceanic lithosphere younger than 20 Ma, thus limiting the volatile flux beneath the arc and encouraging drier, higher temperature and higher pressure melting conditions in the mantle wedge in comparison to typical arc systems. Liberation of volatiles in the downgoing plate is strongly dependant on the shear stress on the fault, but is predicted to occur within the seismogenic zone for shear stresses greater than ∼33 MPa. Similarly, early loss of volatiles is predicted over a wide range of convergence rates, plate dips, and convergence angles. These results are shown to be robust for realistic ranges of slab dip, convergence angle, and shear stress, suggesting that volatile-poor melt generation is a characteristic of modern and ancient arc systems that involve subduction of young oceanic lithosphere.