cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New Non-Invasive Ways to Measure Plaque Size, their Development and Implications

Selective angiographic assessment of arterial lesion size can be the endpoint variable for clinical trials of medical therapy for atherosclerosis. Measurement methods less invasive than selective angiography are under development by several research groups. This paper compares and contrasts the capabilities of selective angiography with two less invasive arterial plaque imaging methods, venous injection angiography and ultrasound carotid artery imaging.
The Role of the 24-Hour Urine Collection in the Prevention of Kidney Stone Recurrence.

Purpose: Kidney stone prevention relies on the 24-hour urine collection to diagnose metabolic abnormalities and direct dietary and pharmacological therapy. While its use is guideline supported for high risk and interested patients, evidence that the test can accurately predict recurrence or treatment response is limited. We sought to critically reassess the role of the 24-hour urine collection in stone prevention.Materials and Methods: In addition to a MEDLINE® search to identify controlled studies of dietary and pharmacological interventions, evidence supporting the AUA (American Urological Association) and EAU (European Association of Urology) guidelines for metabolic stone prevention were evaluated. Additionally, the placebo arms of these studies were examined to assess the stone clinic effect, that is the impact of regular office visits without specific treatment on stone recurrence.Results: The 24-hour urine test has several limitations, including the complexity of interpretation, the need for repeat...
Patterns of habitat use by the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, as influenced by abiotic and biotic growing conditions

The Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) is an economically important pest of citrus throughout Asia and the Americas because it transmits Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), which is the presumed causal agent of citrus greening disease. We investigated whether biotic and abiotic characteristics can be used to predict Diaphorina citri population abundance and assessed whether agricultural intensity explained the distribution of D. citri populations during winter dormant periods (December to March). Over two consecutive winters, we examined the abundance of D. citri in groves throughout Florida in response to four different management regimes, defined as: conventional, intermittent, unmanaged and organic. During both years, the winter abundance of D. citri in groves with intermittent management was greater than in groves with other management regimes. Latitude and row orientation both had a significant effect on psyllid density during winter. Diaphorina citri abundance was higher when more than 20% of the surrounding landscape was urbanized. These findings suggest that only conventional management of groves reduced D. citri populations during winter periods. By contrast, intermittent management was associated with higher D. citri populations. These results might be of some concern in light of the economic and environmental costs of repeated insecticide applications and the dramatic decline of citrus production in the U.S.A.
Green Data Centres

The ever increasing digitisation of modern life has resulted in the increased deployment of data center facilities. Data centers are complex eco-systems that interconnect elements of the ICT, electrical and mechanical fields of engineering and currently represent the fastest growing contributor to the ICT sector CO2 footprint. Green data centers seek to address this burgeoning trend by more effectively incorporating energy-efficient design together with high-efficiency power-delivery, high-efficiency cooling and increased utilisation of renewable-energy-sources. This chapter outlines key sustainability challenges associated with data centers and describes strategies for energy management and consumption mitigation.
Regulation of the Immune Response by TGF-β: From Conception to Autoimmunity and Infection

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in both suppressive and inflammatory immune responses. After 30 years of intense study, we have only begun to elucidate how TGF-β alters immunity under various conditions. Under steady-state conditions, TGF-β regulates thymic T-cell selection and maintains homeostasis of the naive T-cell pool. TGF-β inhibits cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), Th1-, and Th2-cell differentiation while promoting peripheral (p)Treg-, Th17-, Th9-, and Tfh-cell generation, and T-cell tissue residence in response to immune challenges. Similarly, TGF-β controls the proliferation, survival, activation, and differentiation of B cells, as well as the development and functions of innate cells, including natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and granulocytes. Collectively, TGF-β plays a pivotal role in maintaining peripheral tolerance against self- and innocuous antigens, such as food, commensal bacteria, and fetal alloantigens, and in controlling immune responses to pathogens.
Experimentally increasing sedentary behavior results in decreased sleep quality among young adults

Abstract Objective Sleep has been shown to influence cardiometabolic function, and physical activity and sedentary behavior have both been shown to epidemiologically influence sleep. However, no study has experimentally evaluated the effects of sedentary behavior on sleep quality, which was this study's purpose. Methods This study employed a 2-group parallel randomized controlled intervention protocol; young adult (18–35 years old) participants confirmed to be active were randomly assigned into a sedentary behavior intervention group (n = 26) or a control group (n = 13). The intervention group was asked to minimize steps to ≤5000 steps/day for one week whereas the control group was asked to continue normal physical activity levels for one week. Both groups completed the Pittsburgh Quality Sleep Index (PSQI) pre- and post-intervention. The intervention group resumed normal physical activity levels for one week post-intervention. Results A significant group × time interaction effect was observed (F = 4.49, P = 0.04), with contrast tests indicating significant PSQI change score in the intervention group. Specifically, PSQI scores significantly decreased by 3.16 points (representing improved sleep quality) from Visit 2 to Visit 3 ( P Conclusion Active young adults who removed structured exercise and significantly decreased their step counts (e.g., increased their amount of time spent being sedentary) for one week experienced significant decreases in sleep quality. The present findings underscore the importance of maintaining regular physical activity for optimal sleep quality.
Autism and Research Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract This qualitative study explored the experience of participating in a research study using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), typically developing (TYP) children, and their parent. It also assessed the feasibility, efficacy, and acceptability of the Going to MRI for a Research Study © iPad application (app), developed by the primary author, available for use for MRI preparation. The app provides a description of the steps of the MRI procedure, from the child's perspective, outlining expected behaviors and responses. Ten English-speaking parent/child dyads (n = 20) participated in an audiotaped question guide-facilitated telephone interview about their experience in the MRI study. Participants confirmed the iPad app's feasibility, efficacy, and acceptability. ASD child/parent themes differed from TYP child/parent themes. More children with ASD who used the app completed the MRI than without it. The iPad app may help children with ASD complete MRIs in future studies.
A Flexible, Real-Time System for Experimentation in Phased-Array Ultrasound Imaging

An experimental phased-array ultrasound imaging system using C3D electronic lenses is being developed in the CIEM at Stanford. This real-time system is designed to extend the imaging capability of the phased array systems used in modern clinical practice. The general purpose machine uses a modular architecture with a very high degree of computer control of important system variables. The flexibility of this system allows the experimenter great latitude in testing imaging schemes. The machine is comprised of five major computer controlled modules: (1) a 32-element linear and 32-element annular transducer array; (2) a bank of individually gain controlled preamps; (3) a transmitter bank with individual control of power, firing time and transmit waveform; (4) a matrix of C3D electronic lenses; and (5) a display frame memory for raster line interpolation and sidelobe deconvolution. System variables are easily accessible by the researcher through a CRT terminal and disk drive. As a first application, the theoretical predictions that aperture apodization should reduce sidelobe response has been experimentally verified.
Persistent Fetal Ureter

AbstractSix patients have been seen with a peculiar ureteral lesion that has not been described previously. The lesion is characterized by either local segmentation or convolution and may represent either a persistent fetal ureter or a form of ureteral dysgenesis. Proximal dilatation, when present, has been less than the original radiographic appearance of high grade obstruction would lead one to expect. The ureteral lesions have disappeared progressively, suggesting that a period of conservative observation is warranted in similar situations.
Restoration of DNA Repair in UV-Sensitive Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell by the denV Gene from Bacteriophage T4

The denV gene of bacteriophage T4, which is the principal determinant of resistance to ultraviolet light (UV) on the T4 genome,1 codes for endonuclease V, a 16,000 dalton protein possessing two distinct enzymatic activities which can act sequentially to initiate repair of pyrimidine dimers. A pyrimidine dimer-DNA glycosylase activity first cleaves one of the two bonds attaching the pyrimidine dimer to the DNA backbone, leaving an apyrimidinic site, and an AP-endonuclease activity associated with the same polypeptide subsequently introduces a single-strand break at this site.2,3 like the very similar enzyme from Micrococcus luteus, described by R. Grafstrom elsewhere in this volume, endonuclease V leaves residual damage products on both sides of the single-strand break, which presumably must be removed by other enzymes before repair synthesis can take place. The phage T4 and M. luteus enzymes catalyze a base excision process and are in this respect distinguishable from other known pyrimidine dimer repair systems, which proceed via a nucleotide excision repair mechanism. In spite of these differences, experiments with permeabilized cells have shown that endonuclease V is capable of restoring excision repair of UV damage not only in repair-deficient E. coli 4 but also in human fibroblasts from patients with the heritable UV repair disorder xeroderma pigmentosum.5,6 Thus the denV gene is an interesting candidate for genetic correction of UV repair deficiency in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
c-Cbl expression as a novel predictive marker of survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

e15090Background: Aberrant hyperactive Wnt/s-catenin signaling is critical in colorectal cancer (CRC) tumorigenesis. Casitas B-lineage Lymphoma (c-Cbl) is a negative regulator of Wnt signaling, and...
Enhanced Chemical Structure Recognition and Prediction Using Bayesian Fusion

In this paper we present a novel system for chemical symbol recognition capable of recognizing and predicting handwritten chemical structures. While the system is aimed primarily at chemists and search engine developers, it is also intended to be used as a learning tool in chemistry education on a student’s touch screen computer or in classroom using smart boards. As a student draws on a device screen, the system would provide instantaneous feedback concerning possible chemical structures to complete the drawing, providing a continuously updated table of closely matching candidate symbols, and automatically identifying parts of the molecule that may be combined with other chemical structures. Major building blocks of the suggested system are two Bayesian-based image recognizers: one for collecting input images and one for producing the final output. Between input and output sketch classification is done using state of the art methods. By jointly incorporating feature-based and image-based techniques the system is able to recognize messy artifact-infected sketches and to predict possible terminations. Various performance related experiments proved the system to be considerably faster and more accurate especially when compared to neural-network based techniques.
Stretched-Pulse Solitons in Driven Fiber Resonators

Stable broadband solitons are observed in a driven nonlinear resonator consisting of fibers with opposite signs of dispersion. Corresponding numerical simulations reveal periodic temporal stretching of the pulse, characteristic of stretched-pulse solitons in mode-locked lasers.
Assessing the influence of experience in pancreatic surgery: a risk-adjusted analysis using the American College of Surgeons NSQIP database.

Abstract Background The association between higher surgical volume and better perioperative outcomes after pancreatectomy has been extensively demonstrated. However, how different notions of experience impact outcomes of surgeons operating within high-quality scenarios remains unclear. Methods Self-reported experience parameters from ACS-NSQIP HPB-Collaborative surgeons were merged with 2014–2016 ACS-NSQIP clinical data. The association of various experience parameters with outcomes was investigated through uni- and multivariable analyses. Hierarchical regression assessed surgeon performance. Results 111/151 HPB-Collaborative surgeons provided responses (73.5%). Compared to the other 532 ACS-NSQIP surgeons performing pancreatectomy, HPB-Collaborative surgeons performed 7692/16,239 of the overall pancreatectomies (47.3%), with improved outcomes of serious morbidity, pancreatic fistula, reoperation, duration of stay and readmissions. Median age of respondents was 49 years and 92.8% were fellowship-trained. Median career and annual pancreatectomy volume were 400 and 35, respectively; median annual institutional volume was 100 resections. On unadjusted analyses, several aspects of experience were associated with the outcomes studied, especially for pancreatoduodenectomy; however, none remained significant after multivariable adjustment. Surgeons’ profiling showed substantial homogeneity in performance for both pancreatoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy. Conclusions Contemporary data shows that for surgeons operating in high quality settings clinical outcomes are largely independent of indicators of greater experience.
Solar thermal desalination as a nonlinear optical process.

The ever-increasing global need for potable water requires practical, sustainable approaches for purifying abundant alternative sources such as seawater, high-salinity processed water, or underground reservoirs. Evaporation-based solutions are of particular interest for treating high salinity water, since conventional methods such as reverse osmosis have increasing energy requirements for higher concentrations of dissolved minerals. Demonstration of efficient water evaporation with heat localization in nanoparticle solutions under solar illumination has led to the recent rapid development of sustainable, solar-driven distillation methods. Given the amount of solar energy available per square meter at the Earth’s surface, however, it is important to utilize these incident photons as efficiently as possible to maximize clean water output. Here we show that merely focusing incident sunlight into small “hot spots” on a photothermally active desalination membrane dramatically increases––by more than 50%––the flux of distilled water. This large boost in efficiency results from the nearly exponential dependence of water vapor saturation pressure on temperature, and therefore on incident light intensity. Exploiting this inherent but previously unrecognized optical nonlinearity should enable the design of substantially higher-throughput solar thermal desalination methods. This property provides a mechanism capable of enhancing a far wider range of photothermally driven processes with supralinear intensity dependence, such as light-driven chemical reactions and separation methods.
Teaching in the robotic environment: Use of alternative approaches to guide operative instruction.

Abstract Background With the rapid growth of robotic-assisted surgery, surgical educators recognize the need to develop appropriate curriculum for trainees. However, the unique robotic learning environment challenges educators to determine the most appropriate ways to instruct surgical residents. The purpose of this study was to characterize the instructional techniques used in the robotic teaching environment by observing attending surgeon's language and behaviors during resident robotic dissection. Study design Attending robotic surgeons guided senior residents through robotic dissection of live porcine tissue. Three observers documented the language, gestures and behaviors occurring at three different stations, and at a fourth station, they obtained video and audio recordings of the instructional interaction. Afterwards, instructors and residents met in separate focus groups. The authors used qualitative content analysis to summarize the type and frequency of teaching behaviors and focus group information to clarify the analysis. We compared the frequency of the behaviors to an existing taxonomy of 16 operative teaching behaviors in open and laparoscopic surgery. Results Robotic instructors used 11 of the 16 behaviors previously described for surgical instruction. Frequency of use differed in the robotic environment due to relevance and application of new techniques. New, unique robotic teaching behaviors involved disengaging the resident from the operative console for either onscreen direction or for gesturing with verbal instruction. Focus group participants highlighted these behaviors as essential. Conclusion Robotic instruction uses a different set of instructional approaches compared to open and laparoscopic surgery. New teaching behaviors emerged driven by physical separation within the robotic environment. Robotic faculty development should emphasize these unique features.
Comparison measurements of homogenized material properties of underwater acoustic metamaterials

A current area of research interest in acoustic metamaterials is the experimental validation of the effective properties computed using analytical and numerical models. This is generally done through an inverse measurement technique, by measuring the reflective and transmitted wave amplitudes and phases to calculate an effective impedance. When the background fluid used for this measurement is air, either an impedance tube or anechoic chamber can be utilized for these measurements. However, if the application of the metamaterial is for in-water applications, the measurement of these properties becomes much more difficult due to many complicating factors. Therefore, there has been little work obtaining homogenized, anisotropic material properties of underwater acoustic metamaterials. In this work, we present comparison of measurement methods of an acoustic metamaterial in an aqueous environment: a water-filled impedance tube and in a reverberant water tank. The metamaterial response will be predicted, and compared to the measurement in the impedance tube and reverberant tank. Additionally, trade-offs between the two experimental methods will be given.
Direct Optical Link between a mmWave Optical Frequency Comb and a Chip-Scale Mode-Locked Laser

A 10GHz MLL-PIC is synchronized to an optical frequency comb at 120GHz using harmonic injection locking. After injection, the Allan Deviation in the repetition rate of the MLL-PIC is 10−11 at 1s. The mmWave comb features an intracavity high-finesse etalon to enhance its frequency stability.
Outcomes after Cholecystectomy in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: Does Acuity of Presentation Play a Role?

Background Cholecystectomy is the most commonly performed procedure in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients, but outcomes after cholecystectomy have not been well studied. Our aim was to explore the characteristics and outcomes of cholecystectomy in patients with SCD compared with patients without SCD, and assess whether acuity of presentation played a role. Study Design Patients younger than age 35, with the primary diagnosis of gallbladder disease, who underwent cholecystectomy, were identified in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2005 to 2014). Patients were grouped into treatment groups by sickle cell status and acuity of surgery. Patient demographics, length of stay, hospital charges, and complications were evaluated. Descriptive and multivariate regression analyses were performed to compare these groups. Results There were 149,415 patients analyzed; 1,225 (0.82%) had SCD. SCD was associated with higher complication rates (2.69% vs 1.12%), longer lengths of stay (3 days vs 2 days), and higher median hospital charge ($29,170 vs $25,438) (all p Conclusions SCD patients appear to have a longer length of stay, higher hospital spending, and increased complication rates compared with non-SCD patients undergoing cholecystectomy. This difference is pronounced among patients who underwent surgery in the acute setting. The data suggest that planned cholecystectomy may be beneficial in improving postoperative outcomes in SCD patients.
Progress in Materials Development for the Rapid Efficiency Advancement of Perovskite Solar Cells

The efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has undergone rapid advancement due to great progress in materials development over the past decade and is under extensive study. Despite the significant challenges (e.g., recombination and hysteresis), both the single-junction and tandem cells have gradually approached the theoretical efficiency limit. Herein, an overview is given of how passivation and crystallization reduce recombination and thus improve the device performance; how the materials of dominant layers (hole transporting layer (HTL), electron transporting layer (ETL), and absorber layer) affect the quality and optoelectronic properties of single-junction PSCs; and how the materials development contributes to rapid efficiency enhancement of perovskite/Si tandem devices with monolithic and mechanically stacked configurations. The interface optimization, novel materials development, mixture strategy, and bandgap tuning are reviewed and analyzed. This is a review of the major factors determining efficiency, and how further improvements can be made on the performance of PSCs.
Nouvelle technique mini-invasive pour éliminer le contenu de moelle osseuse nécrotique de l'os épiphysaire : étude préliminaire sur l'os cadavérique

Abstract Introduction Legg–Calve–Perthes disease is a juvenile ischemic osteonecrosis which produces extensive necrotic cell debris and release of damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in the femoral head. The necrotic bone environment induces a chronic inflammatory repair response with excessive bone resorption leading to deformity and early osteoarthritis. Currently, there is no minimally invasive method to clear the necrotic materials from the bone to decrease the inflammatory burden of the necrotic environment and to improve the healing process. Hypothesis We hypothesized that a novel minimally invasive two-needle saline washing technique would be effective to remove cell debris, proteins, and fat from the marrow space of porcine cadaveric humeral heads (HHs). Materials and methods Twenty-two HHs were subjected to three freeze-thaw cycles to simulate osteonecrosis prior to the wash procedure which consisted of placement of two 15-gauge intraosseous needles followed by incremental saline wash. After the washout procedure, the solutions were collected for measurements of turbidity, protein concentration, and cell count. The HHs were analyzed by optical scanning and histology. Results The solution collected after each wash showed a significant decrease in the turbidity, cell count, and protein concentration (p Discussion/conclusion The two-needle intraosseous wash technique effectively removed cell debris and proteins from the marrow space. The technique may be used to reduce the necrotic cell debris and DAMPs present in the necrotic bone. Level of evidence III, in vitro comparative study.
Interview 16 Annette P. Lareau

Annette Lareau is currently the Edmund J. and Louise W. Kahn Professor in the Social Sciences in the Department of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania. She received her B.A. in sociology from the University of California at Santa Cruze in 1974, and M.A. as well as Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California at Berkeley in 1978 and 1984 respectively. She started her career at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1986 and then she went to teach in Temple University and the University of Maryland before she joined the University of Pennsylvania in 2008 as the Stanley I. Sheerr Professor. Lareau is a sociologist who studies family life. She is interested how the social position of children and parents has an impact on the quality of their life experiences. She has explored these issues in the arena of family-school relationships, the cultural logic of child rearing, the process through which parents go about deciding where to live and send their children to school. Her works have received numerous awards. Unequal Childhood is one of her masterpieces, which won the C. Wright Mills Award in 2004. She was elected as the President of American Sociological Association in 2013.
Eventually Consistent: Building reliable distributed systems at a worldwide scale demands trade-offs?between consistency and availability.

At the foundation of Amazon’s cloud computing are infrastructure services such as Amazon’s S3 (Simple Storage Service), SimpleDB, and EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) that provide the resources for constructing Internet-scale computing platforms and a great variety of applications. The requirements placed on these infrastructure services are very strict; they need to score high marks in the areas of security, scalability, availability, performance, and cost effectiveness, and they need to meet these requirements while serving millions of customers around the globe, continuously.
Professional Dispositions of Teacher Candidates: Measuring Dispositions at a Large Teacher Preparation University to Meet National Standards

The current study reports the process by which one of the largest teacher preparation institutions in the Western U.S. assesses teacher candidates’ professional dispositions throughout their teache...
Physical Inspection of Printed Circuit Boards

Modern printed circuit boards (PCBs) are complex with densely spaced, widely varying components such as ICs, pins, capacitors, resistors, and more. Due to the shift in supply chain from a vertical to horizontal model, PCBs are vulnerable to various attacks. In response, techniques such as physical inspection-based PCB assurance have been broadened. This technique identifies compromised PCBs and/or compromised on-board components. These verification processes are vital in proving the authenticity of the PCB samples. In general, automated non-destructive physical inspection offers high confidence during the verification process. This technique is complementary to already existing testing approaches like in-circuit testing, JTAG testing, etc. By nature, automated physical inspection relies very little on manual input from subject matter experts during the verification process. Instead, it employs a wide array of emerging imaging modalities, including image processing, computer vision, and machine learning-based algorithms. In this chapter, we discuss the general PCB manufacturing process, the existing testing approaches, security issues involving PCBs, destructive versus non-destructive methods of PCB verification, and automated physical inspection techniques.
Managerial Finance in the Era of Globalization

Managerial finance is the important part of Business finance as no business cannot run with out Managerial finance.
Convergence rates for Metropolis-Hastings algorithms in the Wasserstein distance

We develop necessary conditions for geometrically fast convergence in the Wasserstein distance for Metropolis-Hastings algorithms on $\mathbb{R}^d$ when the metric used is a norm. This is accomplished through a lower bound which is of independent interest. We show exact convergence expressions in more general Wasserstein distances (e.g. total variation) can be achieved for a large class of distributions by centering an independent Gaussian proposal, that is, matching the optimal points of the proposal and target densities. This approach has applications for sampling posteriors of many popular Bayesian generalized linear models. In the case of Bayesian binary response regression, we show when the sample size $n$ and the dimension $d$ grow in such a way that the ratio $d/n \to \gamma \in (0, +\infty)$, the exact convergence rate can be upper bounded asymptotically.
Malignant melanoma. Report of a primary oral lesion.

Abstract An unusual case of malignant melanoma of the lower left gingiva in a 23-year-old white woman has been presented. This tumor is considered one of the most malignant of the primary neoplasms that occur intraorally. The need for early detection and prompt treatment is obvious. In this case the tumor had been evident only 6 weeks prior to surgical intervention and had already metastasized to a regional lymph node.
4Ig-B7H3: A target for monoclonal antibody (MoAb) therapy of human solid tumors

2139 Introduction: MoAb 8H9 specific for cell surface glycoprotein gp58 (Cancer Res 61:4048, 2001) is broadly reactive with human solid tumors, while restricted in its expression in normal tissues. The phase I study of intra-Ommaya 131I-8H9 has shown promise both in its efficacy and tolerability in patients with central nervous system (CNS) relapse (2007 AACR Annual Meeting LB-4). We now describe the biochemical characterization of the gp58 antigen. Methods: gp58 was purified from LAN1 neuroblastoma cell extracts by 8H9-affinity chromatography, prepared using Pierce’s Protein G IgG Plus Orientation Kit. The 8H9 antigen-positive band from SDS-PAGE was analyzed by mass spectrometry. Transcript was measured by quantitative RT-PCR. In vitro binding kinetics was investigated by surface plasmon resonance using Biacore 2000. Protein was studied by Western analysis and immunohistochemistry. Results: Two different peptides from mass spectrometric sequencing (MALDI-TOF-MS/MS) unequivocally identified the 8H9-reactive molecule as 4Ig-B7H3, the long and principal form of B7H3 in human tissues. Both 8H9 and MAB1027 (anti-B7H3 MoAb from RD 4Ig-B7H3 protein is only found in tumors, but not on most normal tissues. Non-specific background staining of normal tissues was much lower for 8H9 compared to MAB1027. By Biacore, association rate (kon) was lower for 8H9 [1.4x104 M-1sec-1] than MAB1027 [1.9x105 M-1sec-1], although both had a very slow and comparable dissociation rate (koff), 5.3x10-4 sec-1 and 2.2x10-4 sec-1 , for 8H9 and MAB1027, respectively. Conclusions: 8H9 targets 4Ig-B7H3, a tumor-associated cell surface antigen which is known to inhibit NK and stimulate T-cells. Initial successes in patient studies support the clinical potential of antibody targeting of 4Ig-B7H3, especially for solid tumors metastatic to the CNS.
Differential distribution of CREB in the mesolimbic dopamine reward pathway

The transcription factor cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) has been implicated in the long-term neuronal plasticity associated with addiction. While CREB is expressed in many cells throughout the brain, very little is known about the relative concentrations of CREB protein in various brain regions. Studies in which CREB levels have been altered, either constitutively throughout the brain via gene targeting or transiently in specific brain regions, demonstrate variable roles for this protein in mediating reinforcing properties of drugs of abuse. To investigate the complex nature of CREB function in addiction, we examined the distribution of CREB protein in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA), two brain regions that are part of the well-defined mesolimbic dopamine pathway involved in reward processing. Our data demonstrate significantly more CRE binding activity and CREB protein in the NAc compared to levels present in the VTA of wild-type mice. Phospho-CREB levels are increased in the NAc of both wild-type and CREBαΔ mutant animals after cocaine. However, morphine-induced increases of phospho-CREB levels are seen in the VTA of wild-type mice but not CREBαΔ mutant mice. Consequently, the 90% reduction of CREB in CREBαΔ mutant mice differentially affects CREB phosphorylation and induction of downstream targets of CREB in the NAc and VTA.
Chapter 11 Subcortical processing of nociceptive information: basal ganglia and amygdala.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the role of the basal ganglia in nociception and pain. It focuses on the amygdala, which has become one of the most systematically studied subcortical structures involved in nociceptive processing and pain modulation. It also discusses other subcortical areas. Subcortical structures involved in pain processing and pain modulation include various brainstem areas, diencephalic structures, basal ganglia, and parts of the limbic system. The hypothalamus, a major component of the central autonomic system, plays a key role in homeostasis through the regulation of autonomic and endocrine functions and, as part of the limbic system, is involved in the autonomic and endocrine components of emotional behavior as well as in nociception and pain. The remaining subcortical structures that have been implicated in nociception and pain are part of the limbic system or closely related to basal ganglia. The chapter concludes that the behavioral consequence of manipulations with known cellular and molecular effects in a particular brain area needs to be studied in models of prolonged and chronic pain. It remains to be seen if nociceptive processing in these subcortical areas contributes to different components of pain or is simply the “byproduct” of the brain's effort to maintain and restore homeostasis.
From pharmacomechanical coupling to G-proteins and myosin phosphatase.

A brief summary of recent studies of pharmacomechanical coupling is presented, with emphasis on the role of GTP-binding proteins and Ca 2+ -independent regulation of contraction (Ca 2+ -sensitization desensitization) through regulatory myosin light chain (MLC 20 ) phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. Pharmacomechanical regulation of cytosolic [Ca 2+ ] is largely, though not solely, controlled by the phosphatidylinositol cascade and Ca 2+ -pumps of the plasma membrane and the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The monomeric GTPase, RhoA, is a major upstream component of Ca 2+ -sensitization. Its crystal structure and apparently obligatory translocation to the plasma membrane for activation of its downstream effectors are described Inhibition of RhoA activity by a membrane-permeant ADP-ribosylating bacterial exoenzyme, DC3B, causes severe depression of the tonic component of agonist-induced contraction, suggesting that this component is largely due to Ca 2+ -sensitization. A relatively specific inhibitor (Y27632) of Rho-kinase, a downstream effector of Ca 2+ -sensitizatior (Uehata et al 1997), also inhibits oxytocin-induced Ca 2+ -sensitization of myometrium. The major mechanism of physiological, G-protein-coupled Ca 2+ -sensitization is through inhibition of smooth muscle myosin phosphatase (SMPP-1M), whereas conventional or novel protein kinase Cs play very little or no role in this process. Mechanisms of Ca 2+ -desensitization include inhibition of myosin light chain kinase and activation of SMPP-1M. Activation of SMPP-1M in phasic smooth muscle can be attributed, at least in part, to the synergistic phosphatase activating activities of a cyclic nucleotide-dependent kinase and its major substrate, telokin.
Proteoglycan synthesis and metabolism by mouse uterine stroma cultured in vitro.

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) and hyaluronate have been identified as the predominant glycoconjugates synthesized and secreted by mouse uterine stromal cells (USC) cultured in vitro. CSPGs in both the cell-associated and secreted fractions have identical characteristics with regard to anion exchange chromatographic behavior, sensitivity of the intact molecules and constituent glycosaminoglycans to a variety of chemical and enzymatic digestions, lack of interaction with hydrophobic affinity resins, and density (greater than 1.46 g/ml). Chase labeling studies indicated a metabolic half-life of cell-associated, [35S]sulfate-labeled macromolecules of 5-6 h. Once secreted, CSPGs did not appear to be degraded or endocytosed to a significant extent. In contrast, a large fraction (50%) of the cell-associated CSPGs were degraded to low Mr (less than 3000) products via a chloroquine-sensitive pathway. Studies of the kinetics of intracellular transport indicated that approximately 30 min were required for CSPG core proteins to move from the rough endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus and 15-20 min to move from the Golgi to the cell surface, i.e. protease-accessible compartment. There was no significant lag period between the time CSPGs first arrived at the cell surface and the time at which they were first detectable in the medium. Examination of CSPG expression during USC differentiation in utero or in vitro demonstrated that these molecules were produced with similar efficiency by USC under both conditions. Collectively, these studies provide the first comprehensive description of proteoglycan production and metabolism in USC, a uterine cell type intimately involved with embryo implantation processes. Potential functions for CSPGs and hyaluronate as modulators of embryo invasive processes and uterine expansion are proposed.
Heat and mass transfer effects in PEM fuel cells

Thermal and water management procedures in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells that influence stack performance are described. The characteristics of ion exchange membranes, mass and heat transfer effects, and thermal effects are discussed. Various design options for successful PEM stack operation are proposed. Humidification strategies result in opportunities both for thermal control and for maintenance of appropriate ionic conductivity throughout active cell areas. Dehydration of anode gases can be altered by two approaches: increased water permeability within the polymer or repeated humidification by the introduction of additional water, perhaps as a supersaturated feed, or as the result of additional sequential humidification along the utilization path. The results predict that high-current-density, stable performance is feasible for a variety of different PEM options including hydrogen-oxygen, hydrogen-air and reformate-air. >
Humidity variations across the edge of trade wind cumuli: Observations and dynamical implications

Abstract Aircraft data are used to analyze the composite horizontal structure of shallow tropical maritime cumulus clouds across the cloud edge into the ambient clear air. The emphasis is on humidity variations, and their implications for cumulus dynamics. The Lyman-α humidity probe has the required fast response and is unaffected by wetting in-cloud. On average the water vapor mixing ratio increases gradually from the clear air towards the cloud edge, and air is often sub-saturated in the outer fringe of the cloud, implying that droplets are evaporating. Similarly, conserved variables such as the total water concentration and the wet equivalent potential temperature gradually transition in the “margin” of cumulus clouds. The gradual change of water vapor mixing ratio and conserved variables across the cloud edge highlights the significance of lateral entrainment and detrainment, and it reveals a characteristic penetration depth of mixing eddies of 10 to 15% of the cloud diameter, or about 50 m. An ∼ 100 m wide region just outside the cloud is generally characterized by negatively buoyant, sinking air. The excess water vapor in this region, also documented in several recent studies, confirms that the negative buoyancy is caused by evaporative cooling in the cloud margin. Although rather weak, this cooling appears strong enough to evoke a dynamical response, even in the relative small trade wind cumuli.
A Method of Assigning Population and a Progress Report on the Use of a Spatial Simulation Model

The population and employment distribution model (PED) of the Office of State Planning, The State of New Jersey, forecasts municipal population by using both mathematical modeling and specific information about available municipal land. The improved methodology now contained in the PED is described. Other improvements to the PED include a more comprehensive plan simulation. Currently, model forecasts are being calibrated with the assistance of county planning staffs to reflect construction since the base year (1990), major zoning changes (both up-zoning and down-zoning: changes that affect municipal capacity), and recent subdivision activity. Past and present uses for the model as well as future model revisions are discussed.
Angular distributions of slow multiply charged ions following capture

Abstract When slow, multiply charged projectiles capture electrons from neutral targets, the angular distributions of the capturing particles are much more sensitive to the potential curves involved than are the total cross sections. We have constructed an apparatus suitable for measuring angular distributions of these capture products. A position sensitive channel plate chevron followed by a resistive anode is used to determine the scattering angle and a simple retarding grid system is used to select the final charge states. Multiply charged projectiles are obtained from recoil ion sources pumped by fast ion beams from the KSU tandem accelerator. Systems studied include Neq+, Cq+ and Arq+, with q lying between 3 and 8, on targets of He, D2 and Ar at accelerating v and 350 V. Selected cases will be presented and discussed.
Barotropic Stability of Westward-Moving Waves in Realistic Stratospheric Zonal Flows

A linearized barotropic model on a sphere is used to study the stability of a basic state composed of a westward-moving wave and a zonal mean jet. It is found that the inclusion of a very weak jet in the basic state dramatically alters the stability of the flow. The alteration of stability characteristics for realistic summer and winter jets is discussed.
Cytoplasmic cleavage in living zoosporangia of Allomyces macrogynus.

We have used the vital fluorescent dye, FM4-64, as a marker of membrane development during zoospore formation in living zoosporangia of Allomyces macrogynus. Membrane development was visualized and documented using standard epifluorescence and laser scanning confocal microscopy. Video-enhanced light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, using cryopreparation methods, were also employed in this study. In the first 10-12 min after the induction of zoospore formation, only the plasma membrane labelled with FM4-64. During this time, nuclei were strictly located in the cortical cytoplasm with their associated centrosomes positioned immediately adjacent to the plasma membrane (Lowry & Roberson, 1997). Between 12 and 20 min post-induction, increased fluorescence appeared along regions of the plasma membrane adjacent to the nuclei. From these sites, membranes (i.e. cleavage elements) extended laterally within the cortex and then, in conjunction with nuclear migration, rapidly elongated into the sporangial cytoplasm. By 25-35 min post-induction, cleavage elements had ramified throughout the cytoplasm forming a complex, interconnected membranous network. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that cleavage elements were paired membrane sheets with a lumen consisting of an electron opaque, granular matrix. Cleavage elements developed into a highly ordered network by 35-40 min post-induction, which fully delimited zoospore initials into polyhedral-shaped cells. Zoospore discharge occurred between 40 and 50 min post-induction. Our results have shown that cleavage elements undergo four stages of development during zoospore formation in A. macrogynus: (i) development of membrane initials, (ii) cortical extension, (iii) cytoplasmic elongation and ramification and (iv) zoospore initial delimitation.
1H NMR Spectral Simplification with Achiral and Chiral Lanthanide Shift Reagents. Paramethadione, 5-Ethyl-3,5-Dimethyl-2,4-Oxazolidinedione

Abstract The 60 MHz 1H NMR spectra of paramethadione, 5-ethyl-3,5-dimethyl-2,4-oxazolidinedione, 1, have been studied at 28° in CDCl3 solution with the achiral reagent tris(6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octanedionato)europium(III), 2, and the chiral reagents tris[3-(trifluoromethylhydroxymethylene)−(+)-camphorato]europium(III), 3, and tris[3−(heptafluoropropylhydroxymethylene)−(+)-camphorato]europium(III), 4.SubstantiaΔδ values and spectral simplification are achieved with 2 or 4. Significant enatiomeric shift differences, ΔΔδ, are observed with 4 that should provide direct optical purity determinations of − 1, using the C(5)CH3 or the NCH, signals with &:Iratios of 1.3–1.5. Valley height for the CCH, resonance as low as 4.8% was achieved, which should allow detection of as little as 3–4% of the minor enantiomer. Results are discussed in terms of the structural features of I and of the LSR. Substantial nb values and spectral simplification
Assessment of recovery following a novel partial nerve lesion in a rat model.

Partial nerve lesions with a varying degree of retained function and often a painful neuroma pose a dilemma for the clinician. Surgical treatment of partial nerve lesion is perilous because of possible damage to intact axons and subsequent loss of retained function. We present a new rat model of a partial nerve lesion, allowing further study to improve treatment for this condition. A partial (50%) lesion of the tibial portion of the rat sciatic nerve was created and compared to standard crush and neurectomy control lesions. The extent of lost function and the progress of postoperative recovery following the three lesions were compared using serial walking track analyses and end-point muscle weight ratios for atrophy as outcome measures. All groups had tibial functional indices (TFI) significantly different from one another after 1 week. TFIs for the crush group returned to normal by 4 weeks, whereas the neurectomy group showed no recovery. The partial lesion group gradually improved, reaching a plateau of 44% by 7 weeks. Gastrocnemius muscle weight ratios for the partial, crush, and neurectomy lesions at 9 weeks were 0.63, 0.87, and 0.32, respectively. There was a strong correlation between the TFI and muscle weight ratios (r2 = 0.89; P < 0.001) suggesting that these outcome measures are highly predictive of function. In conclusion, the partial lesion showed a gradual but incomplete functional recovery with a complementary degree of muscle atrophy. The model may prove useful in the evaluation of proposed treatments for partial nerve lesions and the associated painful state. Muscle Nerve 2004