cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Stock Market Response to CEO Changes: Does Gender Matter?

During the past 40 years, women’s participation in the workforce has increased dramatically. However females have not made any recognizable gains when it comes to appointments as Chief Executive Officers (CEOs). In fact, the proportion of female CEOs heading publicly traded firms has stagnated at only 1.4%. This study analyzes the stock market response to both announcements and terminations of female CEOs. Most previous studies have been limited to the analysis of appointments only. Our results suggest that investor response to both appointments and terminations of female CEOs is not significantly different from that of male CEOs. The continued low proportion of female CEOs remains an enigma, and research investigating on other possible explanations for this phenomenon will have to be conducted. The cultural composition of the business landscape in the United States continues to evolve. We’ve moved toward parity among the sexes in many areas. However the participation rate of females at the top level of business organizations remains low. Studies show that as few as 1.4% of CEO’s in the Fortune 500 are females and a mere 13% of corporate board members are women (Laff, 2007). This disparity also exists globally, as only 29 of the Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women in the World are CEOs (Atal, Perlroth, Vardi, & Forbes, 2011). Shareholders seek to maximize their wealth. The theoretical underpinnings of finance suggest that boards of directors and investors should be rational in their decision-making in order to provide the highest possible success for the firm. Females comprise as much as 50% of the modern-day U.S. workforce. Thus, one might think that the proportion of female CEOs and Board members would be closer to 50%. Surprisingly very few studies examine investor perceptions of CEO gender. Those that do analyze CEO appointments only and not terminations of CEOs (for example, Lee & James, 2007; Martin, Nishikawa, & Williams, 2009). In addition, findings from a variety of studies (reviewed in the next section) suggest that females may possess traits that make them better CEOs. Yet, the proportion of female CEOs and board members continues to lag.
Polygonal surface mesh optimization

A procedure has been developed to improve polygonal surface mesh quality while maintaining the essential characteristics of the discrete surface. The surface characteristics are preserved by repositioning mesh vertices so that they remain on the original discrete surface. The repositioning is performed in a series of triangular-facet-based local parametric spaces. The movement of the mesh vertices is driven by a nonlinear numerical optimization process. Two optimization approaches are described, one which improves the quality of elements as much as possible and the other which improves element quality but also keeps the new mesh as close as possible to the original mesh.
Emotions involved in college students' sexual encounters.

The number of sexually transmitted infections continues to rise among late adolescents and young adults. One possible explanation is that an important variable, emotion, is missing from theories an...
Overview of the Data Acquisition Electronics System Design for the SLAC Linear Collider Detector (SLD)

The SLD Detector will contain five major electronics subsystems: Vertex, Drift, Liquid Argon Calorimeter, Cerenkov Ring Imaging, and Warm Iron Calorimeter. To implement the approximately 170,000 channels of electronics, extensive miniaturization and heavy use of multiplexing techniques are required. Design criteria for each subsystem, overall system architecture, and the R & D program are described.
Measurement of Ethnic Identity: Recurrent and Emergent Issues

Recent years have witnessed a proliferation of research on ethnic identity. To date, this research has been dominated by individual differences methods. Both Gaines, Bunce, Robertson, Wright, Goossens, Heer, et al. (this issue) and Juang and Nguyen's (this issue) examination of the psychometric properties of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM; Phinney, 1992) demonstrate the promise of such methods. In this commentary, we briefly consider the measurement issues raised by Gaines et al. (this issue) and Juang and Nguyen (this issue). We then highlight the importance of taking a process approach to understanding ethnic identity. Our goal is to highlight new developments and unanswered questions. In so doing, we hope to detail the ways in which ethnic identity research has evolved over the past two decades and provide an impetus for the empirical investigation of unresolved issues.
Sources of Diversity in Bactobolin Biosynthesis by Burkholderia thailandensis E264

A series of deletion mutants in the recently identified bactobolin biosynthetic pathway defined the roles of several key biosynthetic enzymes and showed how promiscuity in three enzyme systems allows this cluster to produce multiple products. Studies on the deletion mutants also led to four new bactobolin analogs that provide additional structure-activity relationships for this interesting antibiotic family.
Abstract 2140: Regulator of G-protein signaling 2 blunts cellular viability mediated by a stabilized lysophosphatidic acid analogue (2S-OMPT) in the presence of chemotherapy in an ovarian cancer cell model of chemoresistance

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) enhances growth, survival, viability and proliferation in numerous models. Thus, the receptors for LPA are also implicated in oncogenic signaling and represent a group of “druggable” therapeutic targets in cancer. Regulator of G protein Signaling 2 (RGS2) is a GTPase activating protein (GAP) that deactivates the G alpha subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins, turning off G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. In our previous studies examining computational bioinformatics, we demonstrated that reduced RGS gene expression develops with the occurrence of drug resistance in ovarian cancer cell lines. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether the LPA receptors are also involved in mediating viability as a result of enhanced GPCR signaling due to reduced RGS proteins in this chemoresistance model. This is important since RGS proteins can deactivate G alpha subunits of many different GPCRs, and are not specific to merely the LPA receptors. If a “druggable” GPCR is mediating viability in chemoresistance, it is critical to identify which ones are responsible. To test this idea we used the metabolically stabilized LPA analogue L-sn-1-O-oleoyl-2-O-methylglyceryl-3-phosphothionate (2S-OMPT) as a potent non-hydrolyzable agonist for LPA receptors at a concentration (10 µM) sufficient to activate multiple LPA receptors. We hypothesized that if LPA signaling was not involved, then OMPT would override any contribution of RGS2 on modulating the viability response in the presence of chemotherapy. Using a tet-off promoter system, we generated an inducible stable model of RGS2-expressing HeyA8-MDR cells, which we have previously confirmed are resistant to taxanes. After 48 h OMPT pre-treatment, HeyA8-MDR-RGS2-inducible cells were exposed to cisplatin for 24 h and evaluated for viability. IC 50 values for cisplatin were lower in the RGS2-induced HeyA8-MDR cells that were not pretreated with OMPT, a demonstration of enhanced sensitivity to cisplatin in the presence of RGS2. All conditions pre-treated with OMPT demonstrated enhanced viability even in the presence of chemotherapy; however, ovarian cancer cells that were pretreated with OMPT and cultured in tet-free medium to induce RGS2 expression showed a significant blunting of viability. This supports the interaction between LPA receptors and RGS2 in the control of drug sensitivity in ovarian cancer chemoresistance and provides a mechanism for our current and previous observations. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2140. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2140
PeptiSite: A structural database of peptide binding sites in 4D

We developed PeptiSite, a comprehensive and reliable database of biologically and structurally characterized peptide-binding sites, in which each site is represented by an ensemble of its complexes with protein, peptide and small molecule partners. The unique features of the database include: (1) the ensemble site representation that provides a fourth dimension to the otherwise three dimensional data, (2) comprehensive characterization of the binding site architecture that may consist of a multimeric protein assembly with cofactors and metal ions and (3) analysis of consensus interaction motifs within the ensembles and identification of conserved determinants of these interactions. Currently the database contains 585 proteins with 650 peptide-binding sites. http://peptisite.ucsd.edu/ link allows searching for the sites of interest and interactive visualization of the ensembles using the ActiveICM web-browser plugin. This structural database for protein-peptide interactions enables understanding of structural principles of these interactions and may assist the development of an efficient peptide docking benchmark.
Currents, Water Masses, Eddies and Jets in the Mediterranean Levantine Basin

Abstract Hydrographic measurements in the southeastern Levantine basin are analyzed, and the climatological water masses of the region and their seasonal variations are identified. We observe the formation of the salty and warm Levantine Surface Water Layer (LSW); we characterize the subsurface Atlantic Water Layer (AW); and we describe the properties of the thermocline waters, called Levantine Intermediate Waters (LIW). The baroclinic dynamical modes are computed for the climatological stratification parameters. The empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of the vertical shear profiles shows that considerable energy is contained in the second EOF at the thermocline and deep levels. Maps of the baroclinic streamfunction field referred to 700 meters are displayed: 16 instantaneous flow field realizations show an intense mesoscale eddy file never revealed before in the region. The space scales of the eddies are about 100 km and a smaller scale (60–70 km) variability is also evident. The eddies are pres...
Self-Perceived Age Changes in Sex Role Self Concept

A prospective/retrospective study of sex role self concept was conducted in order to explore the hypothesis that adult men and women experience a convergence of sex roles in later life. Young (age seventeen to twenty-nine), middle aged (age thirty to fifty-nine), and older (age sixty to eighty-five) adults (twenty-one male, forty-one female in each group) rated themselves on Bern Sex Role Inventory items, first describing themselves at age twenty, next at age forty-five, and finally at age seventy. Self-perceived age changes in sex role self concept reported by these three groups of adults produced strikingly similar patterns. In each case, both men and women evidenced high masculine self descriptions related to middle age (projected age forty-five) followed by decreases in masculinity in later life (projected age seventy). Only the projections of middle aged respondents displayed even marginally significant evidence in favor of sex role convergence.
Under the Shadow of Napoleon: French Influence on the American Way of Warfare from the War of 1812 to the Outbreak of WWII. By Michael A. Bonura. (New York, NY: New York University Press, 2012. Pp. xi, 306. $55.00.)

In this work, the author, an active‐duty army officer, has produced a wonderfully detailed intellectual history of the US Army from 1812 to 1940. He argues that throughout the period covered in the...
Sodium channel blockade reduces hypoxic sodium loading and sodium-dependent calcium loading.

BACKGROUNDStudies have shown that the rise in intracellular ionized calcium, [Ca2+]i, in hypoxic myocardium is driven by an increase in sodium, [Na+]i, but the source of Na+ is not known.METHODS AND RESULTSInhibitors of the voltage-gated Na+ channel were used to investigate the effect of Na+ channel blockade on hypoxic Na+ loading, Na(+)-dependent Ca2+ loading, and reoxygenation hypercontracture in isolated adult rat cardiac myocytes. Single electrically stimulated (0.2 Hz) cells were loaded with either SBFI (to index [Na+]i) or indo-1 (to index [Ca2+]i) and exposed to glucose-free hypoxia (PO2 < 0.02 mm Hg). Both [Na+]i and [Ca2+]i increased during hypoxia when cells became inexcitable following ATP-depletion contracture. The hypoxic rise in [Na+]i and [Ca2+]i was significantly attenuated by 1 mumol/L R 56865. Tetrodotoxin (60 mumol/L), a selective Na(+)-channel blocker, also markedly reduced the rise in [Ca2+]i during hypoxia and reoxygenation. Reoxygenation-induced cellular hypercontracture was reduced...
Preprocessing: A Key To The Distributed Processing Of Digital Meteorological Images

Preprocessing: a key to the distributed processing of digital meteorological imagesTed A. Barton, Eric W. Suomi, Joseph P. RuedenUniversity of Wisconsin, Space Science and Engineering Center1225 West Dayton Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706ABSTRACTIn recent years, the volume of data generated by meteorological sensing platforms hasincreased dramatically. Conventional approaches to processing these data streams lead toboth rapid overload of system resources and staggering costs. A distributed processingapproach can substantially reduce these costs while maintaining the data's accuracy andtimeliness. SSEC's preprocessors for the GOES signal are used as examples to support this
Automatic evaluation and selection of problem-solving methods: theory and experiments

Choosing the right problem-solving method from available methods is a crucial skill for experts in many areas. We present a technique for automatic selection among methods based on analysis of their past performances. We formalize the statistical problem involved in choosing an efficient method, derive a solution to this problem, and describe a selection algorithm. The algorithm not only chooses among available methods, but also decides when to abandon the chosen method if it takes too much time.
Satisfaction of women urologists with maternity leave and childbirth timing.

Purpose: Women physicians must consider many conflicting issues when timing childbirth. We characterized maternity leave, breast-feeding practices and satisfaction associated with pregnancy timing in women urologists.Materials and Methods: A 114-item anonymous survey including questions on maternity leave duration for firstborn children, workplace policies, attitudes and satisfaction was mailed to all 365 American board certified women urologists in May and July 2007. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with greater satisfaction.Results: A total of 243 women urologists (69%) responded, of whom 158 had at least 1 biological child. Average maternal age at first birth was 32.6 years. Of the children 10%, 32% and 52% were born before, during and after residency, respectively. Only 42% of women reported the existence of a formal maternity leave policy. Of the women 70% took 8 weeks or less of leave. Those with 9 weeks or greater were 3.8 times more likely to report satisfaction (p = 0.0...
P3-S1.18 Side effects of doxycycline in adolescents treated for pelvic inflammatory disease

Background Our purpose was to assess adverse reactions to doxycline in adolescents under treatment for PID. Methods At the Harris County (Houston), Texas, USA Juvenile Detention Center from May 2008 through January 2010, we evaluated adolescents in whom we diagnosed PID. We used the diagnostic criteria and outpatient antibiotic regimen for PID recommended by the CDC. We gave 250 mg ceftriaxone intramuscularly once, and, if they were not pregnant, vomiting, or ill enough to also require metronidazole, we prescribed doxycline, 100 mg twice a day for 14 days. The doxycycline was given before, during, or after breakfast, and approximately 2 h after supper. With the medicine, patients were routinely given a packet of two crackers. We re-assessed these patients at 48–72 h and again at least at 7 and 14 days. At each follow-up, we discussed side effects of doxycycline. Results We evaluated 141 consecutive patients in whom we made the diagnosis of mild to moderate PID: 55% were black, 31% Hispanic, and 15% white. The mean age (SD) was 15.4 (1.2) years. Of the 141 patients, 86 (61%) had no problems when the doxycline was given with two crackers. Forty-five (32%) required more substantial food to avoid nausea and/or vomiting: the medication was given immediately after breakfast or with a sandwich after supper. Those who had side effects in the morning had usually skipped breakfast. Ten (7%) complained of significant gastrointestinal side effects that were not relieved by the simultaneous ingestion of food, and we gave a dose of promethezine 1 h before the doxycycline. Conclusion 39% of our patients required more than a small amount of food (two crackers) to avoid gastrointestinal side effects from doxycline. Our results suggest that clinicians should advise adolescents to take this antibiotic after eating a greater amount of food if a small snack does not prevent this problem. Because some patients (7%) did not tolerate doxycline even after they ate a meal or a sandwich, we also recommend early contact with patients who have PID to assess the need to change medications or to add an anti-emetic.
Discrimination learning by Macaca mulatta with option to switch between S+ and S-.

Three rhesus monkeys were trained to press either of two response keys. A response on the reinforcement key during presentation of the reinforced stimulus produced a sucrose pellet followed by an intertrial interval, but during presentation of the unreinforced stimulus produced only the intertrial interval. A response on the switching key changed the discriminative stimulus from reinforced to unreinforced or from unreinforced to reinforced. The reinforced stimulus was presented automatically on half the trials, but could be produced only by a switching response on the other half. Switching tended to occur in three distinct stages during acquisition of discriminative behavior. The first stage was identified as “nondiscriminative switching”; the second as “nonswitching”; and the third as “discriminative switching”.
DEVELOPMENT OF CALCIUM TRANSPORT IN THE JEJUNUM + ILEUM OF RATS

The greater intestinal absorption of calcium (Ca) in younger than in older rats could be associated with increased lumen-to-mucosa(LM) and/or decreased mucosa-to-lumen(ML) flux of Ca. We determined net absorption (NA) of Ca in the intestine of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 week old rats. The jejunum + ileum was perfused in situ with a solution containing per liter 3.4 mmole of 40Ca, 145 mmole of NaCl, and 20 mg of Phenol Red. Tracer 45Ca was added to determine LM flux. ML flux was calculated as the difference between LM flux and NA. As expected NA of Ca (μmoles/g dry weight/hr) was greater in suckling than in older rats (Mean±SE; 1wk, 18±4; 3wk, 16±3; 6wk, 3±2). LM flux was around twice NA and greater in the suckling rats (1wk, 45±5; 3wk, 28±3; 6wk, 8±1). ML flux was also greater in the suckling rats (1wk, 27±3; 3wk, 12±2; 6wk, 5±2). Thus the increased net Ca absorption in the suckling than in the older rats seemed to be the result of markedly enhanced unidirectional fluxes of Ca across the intestinal mucosa. These findings could be explained on the basis of greater permeability of the intestinal mucosa to Ca in suckling than in older rats. However, it is possible that the activity of the mechanisms involved in transport of Ca decreases with age in rats.
Alanine scanning mutagenesis identifies an asparagine-arginine-lysine triad essential to assembly of the shell of the pdu microcompartment.

Bacterial microcompartments (MCPs) are the simplest organelles known. They function to enhance metabolic pathways by confining several related enzymes inside an all-protein envelope called the shell. In this study, we investigated the factors that govern MCP assembly by performing scanning mutagenesis on the surface residues of PduA, a major shell protein of the MCP used for 1,2-propanediol degradation. Biochemical, genetic, and structural analysis of 20 mutants allowed us to determine that PduA K26, N29, and R79 are crucial residues that stabilize the shell of the 1,2-propanediol MCP. In addition, we identify two PduA mutants (K37A and K55A) that impair MCP function most likely by altering the permeability of its protein shell. These are the first studies to examine the phenotypic effects of shell protein structural mutations in an MCP system. The findings reported here may be applicable to engineering protein containers with improved stability for biotechnology applications.
A MACROSCOPIC THEORY OF MICROCRACK GROWTH IN BRITTLE MATERIALS

This paper is concerned with the development of a macroscopic theory of crack growth in fairly brittle materials. Average characteristics of the cracks are described in terms of an additional vector-valued variable in the macroscopic theory, which is determined by an additional momentum-like balance law associated with the rate of increase of the area of the cracks and includes the effects of forces maintaining the crack growth and the inertia of microscopic particles surrounding the cracks. The basic developments represent an idealized characterization of inelastic behaviour in the presence of crack growth, which accounts for energy dissipation without explicit use of macroscopic plasticity effects. A physically plausible constraint on the rate of crack growth is adopted to simplify the theory. To ensure that the results of the theory are physically reasonable, the constitutive response of the dependent variables are significantly restricted by consideration both of the energetic effects and of the microscopic processes that give rise to crack growth. These constitutive developments are in conformity with many of the standard results and observations reported in the literature on fracture mechanics. The predictive nature of the theory is illustrated with reference to two simple examples concerning uniform extensive and compressive straining.
Spectroscopic measurements of plasma flow in the SOL in C-Mod

Abstract We evaluate the limits of the spectroscopic measurement of scrape-off layer flows utilizing HeII excitation emission (486.6 nm) in the inboard, high-field, scrape-off region. Velocities are inferred from the Doppler shift of the HeII emission line for lower and upper single-null discharges, exhibiting differences of up to 20 km/s between the two. Unfortunately at high temperatures (>30 eV), the short ionization time, compared to momentum transfer times, makes the interpretation difficult for those plasma regimes. The inferred variations of plasma flows near the inner wall correlates with Langmuir Mach probe measurements in its dependence on magnetic topology. However the flow magnitudes are different. The discrepancy between probe and spectroscopic measurements is likely due a combination of two effects: the magnitude of gas injection needed to achieve a reasonable signal is found to be too perturbative and loss of high-energy He ions from the viewing volume.
Religious Diversity Across the North American Urban System

This study addresses the spatiality of religious diversity in both the United States and Canada. First, it summarizes the pertinent theoretical issues regarding the conceptualization of religious diversity, particularly its connections to religiosity, a topic that has been extensively debated in sociology. Second, it summarizes the major dimensions of religious diversity in North America, the causes and implications, situating Canada, which is relatively moderate in terms of its religiosity, between the conceptual poles of a relatively secular Europe and a relatively more religious United States. Third, it lays out the data and methods, which involve three different quantitative measures of diversity at the county or census division level in both countries. Fourth, it presents the results, using both cartographic displays as well as a statistical analysis of religious diversity across the urban hierarchy. It affirms that religious diversity increases steadily with city size. The conclusions point to the i...
The Role of the Police in the Co-production of Art Security in London

Art’s current popularity in London is unprecedented. With three of the five most visited art spaces in the world, London has eight galleries and museums with more than a million annual visitors.1 In the UK, there are 28.6 million visits every year to locations run by the National Trust, English Heritage and the Historic House Association. Furthermore, with 18% of the global auction house market in 2012 (Artprice.com), London is a crucial hub along with New York, Paris, Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong in the global art market. Following on from the fundamental question of “Who should the police be?”2 this chapter examines the role of the public police in the securitization and policing of art in London.
Preparing Principals for Leadership in Special Education

E ducational leadership is ranked as the number one key variable associated with effective schools (Algozzine, Ysseldyke, & Campbell, 1994; Kirner, Vautour, & Vautour, 1993), and the principal is the instructional leader for all programs within the school, including special education services (Van Horn, Burrello, & DeClue, 1992). The principal established the overall climate and influences instructional practices,in fact, the key predictor of a program's success is the principal's attitude toward it (Kirner et al., 1993). This is particularly true in the administration of special programs. The principal's attitude toward special education and the concern expressed for the needs of children with disabilities influence the success of special programs (Burrello, Schrup, a Barnett, 1992; Liebfried, 1984). Generally, principals who value diversity in the student population support programs that meet individual needs. These programs provide unique opportunities for all teachers and students to reach new understandings and learn valuable skills
SECONDARY FETAL HYPERINSULINEMIA(SFH) IN RAT: NEONATAL GLUCOSE HOMEOSTASIS AND SUBSEQUENT GROWTH

Neonatal raacrosomia(NM) in rat induced by primary fetal hyperinsulinemia (PFH) is associated with abnormal cral glucose tolerance and accelerated growth. However, SFH and not PFH is the usual hormonal abnormality in human fetus of diabetic mother. Mild maternal hyperglycemia by streptozotocin (STZ) treatment has been associated with fetal hyperinsulinemia (Cuezva J., et al, Fed Res 16:632, 1982). The aim of this study is to produce SFH by STZ treatment of pregnant rats inducing mild maternal hyperglycemia and examine the glucose and insulin relationship in the first 2 hours and growth rate in the first 4 weeks. 12 STZ treated, 11 controls (C) pregnant rats were studied. Neonatal hyperglycemia of pups was induced by IP injection of glucose in 25 pups at 60 min. of age. At 30 min. post I.P. glucose and with similar plasma glucose levels G/I is 3.7±2.1 vs 8.9±4.5, mean ±S.D., for STZ vs C groups respectively (p 1.7 S.D. of the control) was higher in the first 4 weeks than the C. At 30 days, female NM rats were 113±9 vs. 105±6 g for C and male NM rats 139±11 vs. 114±6 g for C (both p<.05). We conclude that SFH in the rat is associated with abnormal glucose/insulin metabolism in the neonatal period. The macrosomic pups also exhibited accelerated growth during early life that may persist into adulthood as we have demonstrated in those with PFH.
Race-Based Peremptory Challenges: An Empirical Analysis of Litigation from the U.S. Court of Appeals, 2002–2006

This paper examines race-based peremptory challenges. Such challenges occur during the voir dire jury selection process. The process allows both the defense and the prosecution to strike jurors who they believe will not decide cases fairly. However, in the case of Batson v. Kentucky 476 U.S. 79 (1986), the Supreme Court ruled that race could not be used as a factor in eliminating prospective jurors. This paper examines federal litigation for five years in which it was alleged that race was used as a factor in removing a juror. An examination of the cases revealed that most of the cases involved sole male litigants who allege that there were multiple race-based peremptory challenges used in their cases. Moreover, most of the cases that led to the allegations involved violent offenses. Other case characteristics are noted, but of most significance was the finding that most appellants lost their cases. As such, the courts felt that most of the challenges were, in fact, race neutral. The implications of this research are discussed.
Low frequency noise in GaAs heterodimensional junction field effect transistors

An investigation is presented into the low frequency noise in GaAs heterodimensional junction field effect transistors (HD JFETs) at room and elevated temperatures. The Hooge parameter at zero gate bias was calculated to be 2/spl times/10/sup -3/ for the devices. The temperature dependence of the noise was used to determine the trap level with an activation energy of 0.7 eV.
Thymic Malignancies: From Clinical Management to Targeted Therapies

Purpose A key challenge in the treatment of thymoma and thymic carcinoma (TC) is in improving our understanding of the molecular biology of these relatively rare tumors. In recent years, significant efforts have been made to dissect the molecular pathways involved in their carcinogenesis. Here we discuss the results of large-scale genomic analyses conducted to date and review the most active chemotherapies and targeted treatments. Methods We reviewed the literature for chemotherapeutic trials in the last 20 years and trials involving targeted therapies between 1999 and 2010. The search was supplemented by a review of abstracts presented at the annual meetings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (from 1999 to 2010), at the first International Conference on Thymic Malignancies in 2009, and at a follow-up meeting of the newly formed International Thymic Malignancies Interest Group in 2010. Results Surgery remains the treatment of choice for operable tumors, whereas chemotherapy is standard in locall...
Chronic expression of PPAR‐δ by oligodendrocyte lineage cells in the injured rat spinal cord

The transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-delta promotes oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelin formation in vitro and is prevalent throughout the brain and spinal cord. Its expression after injury, however, has not been examined. Thus, we used a spinal contusion model to examine the spatiotemporal expression of PPAR-delta in naive and injured spinal cords from adult rats. As previously reported, PPAR-delta was expressed by neurons and oligodendrocytes in uninjured spinal cords; PPAR-delta was also detected in NG2 cells (potential oligodendrocyte progenitors) within the white matter and gray matter. After spinal cord injury (SCI), PPAR-delta mRNA and protein were present early and increased over time. Overall PPAR-delta+ cell numbers declined at 1 day post injury (dpi), likely reflecting neuron loss, and then rose through 14 dpi. A large proportion of NG2 cells expressed PPAR-delta after SCI, especially along lesion borders. PPAR-delta+ NG2 cell numbers were significantly higher than naive by 7 dpi and remained elevated through at least 28 dpi. PPAR-delta+ oligodendrocyte numbers declined at 1 dpi and then increased over time such that >20% of oligodendrocytes expressed PPAR-delta after SCI compared with approximately 10% in uninjured tissue. The most prominent increase in PPAR-delta+ oligodendrocytes was along lesion borders where at least a portion of newly generated oligodendrocytes (bromodeoxyuridine+) were PPAR-delta+. Consistent with its role in cellular differentiation, the early rise in PPAR-delta+ NG2 cells followed by an increase in new PPAR-delta+ oligodendrocytes suggests that this transcription factor may be involved in the robust oligodendrogenesis detected previously along SCI lesion borders.
Internal model control design for linear parameter varying systems

In this paper, we address the design of internal model controllers (IMC) for linear parameter varying (LPV) systems. The design method presented here integrates the IMC and low-pass filter design problems. To this purpose, we formulate the design problem as a linear matrix inequality (LMI) optimization problem by imposing a constraint on the structure of the Lyapunov matrices involved to guarantee robust stability and performance of the closed-loop system. The LMI-based design procedure eventually provides the parameter-dependent state-space matrices corresponding to the IMC controller. Finally, simulation results obtained from a nonlinear system modeled in LPV framework demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design method, where we illustrate the improvements achieved by using the LMI-based IMC design over baseline IMC controllers amended with low-pass filters of different bandwidths.
The early UL3 gene of equine herpesvirus-1 encodes a tegument protein not essential for replication or virulence in the mouse.

Abstract The UL3 gene of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is retained in the genome of defective interfering particles and encodes a ~ 33 kDa myristylated protein. Further characterization showed that the UL3 gene is trans -activated only by the sole immediate early (IE) protein and encodes an early protein that is dispensable for EHV-1 replication and localizes in the tegument of purified virions. UL3-deleted EHV-1 (vL11ΔUL3) exhibits properties of host cell tropism, plaque size, and growth kinetics similar to those of the parental virus. Expression levels of EHV-1 proteins representative of all three gene classes in vL11ΔUL3-infected cells were identical to those in cells infected with parental virus. Mice intranasally infected with vL11ΔUL3 and parental virus showed no significant difference in mortality or virus lung titers. These findings suggest that the UL3 protein does not play a major role in the biology of EHV-1 in cell culture or virulence in the mouse.
Mucin secretion and PKC isoforms in SPOC1 goblet cells: differential activation by purinergic agonist and PMA

SPOC1 cells, which are a mucin-secreting model of rat airway goblet cells, possess a luminal P2Y2 purinoceptor through which UTP, ATP, and ATPγS stimulate secretion with EC50 values of ∼3 μM. PMA e...
A Selective Fluorescent Sensor for Detecting Lead in Living Cells

We present the synthesis, properties, and biological applications of Leadfluor-1 (LF1), a new water-soluble, turn-on fluorescent sensor that is capable of selectively imaging Pb2+ in aqueous solution and in living cells. LF1 combines a fluorescein chromophore and a pseudocrown receptor to provide good selectivity for Pb2+ over a range of biologically and environmentally relevant metal ions in aqueous solution, with sensitivity to parts per billion EPA limits for allowable lead in drinking water. In addition to these attributes, imaging experiments further show that LF1 is the first small-molecule reagent that can be delivered into living cells and report changes in intracellular Pb2+ levels.
NS-2 based wireless vehicular network performance study with high speed urban mobile relays

Wireless networks using mobile relays are widely used by urban vehicles, where throughputs and transmission delays are critically performance metrics. Even though there are several wireless routing protocols, the proper data forwarding algorithm should be carefully selected based on their characteristic in various situations. This paper provides extensive NS-2 based performance evaluation of three essential wireless data forwarding algorithms used in popular Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANET): Ad hoc on Demand Distance Vector (AODV), Destination-Sequenced Distance Vector (DSDV), and Dynamic Source Routing (DSR). We investigate throughputs, packet drop rate, and transmission delay with various numbers of mobile nodes and realistic mobility models, and provide a useful reference guideline to determine the best wireless data forwarding protocol for vehicles in urban areas. According to our performance study, AODV is the most effective algorithm in terms of throughput and data transmission delay for mobile environments.
Acetyl-CoA carboxylase regulates global histone acetylation

Histone acetylation depends on intermediary metabolism for supplying acetyl-CoA in the nucleocytosolic compartment. However, because nucleocytosolic acetyl-CoA is also used for de novo synthesis of fatty acids, histone acetylation and synthesis of fatty acids compete for the same acetyl-CoA pool. The first and rate-limiting reaction in de novo synthesis of fatty acids is carboxylation of acetyl-CoA to form malonyl-CoA, catalyzed by acetyl-CoA carboxylase. In yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, acetyl-CoA carboxylase is encoded by the ACC1 gene. In this study, we show that attenuated expression of ACC1 results in increased acetylation of bulk histones, globally increased acetylation of chromatin histones, and altered transcriptional regulation. Together, our data indicate that Acc1p activity regulates the availability of acetyl-CoA for histone acetyltransferases, thus representing a link between intermediary metabolism and epigenetic mechanisms of transcriptional regulation.
Analysis and implementation of a 6 DOF Stewart Platform-based robotic wrist

Abstract In this paper, we present the kinematic analysis and implementation of a 6 DOF robotic wrist which is mounted to a general open-kinematic chain manipulator to serve as a testbed for studying precision robotic assembly in space. The wrist design is based on the Stewart-Platform mechanism and consists mainly of two platforms and six linear actuators driven by d.c. motors. Position feedback is achieved by linear displacement transducers mounted along the actuators and force feedback is obtained by a 6 DOF force sensor mounted between the gripper and the payload platform. The robot wrist inverse kinematics which computes the required actuator lengths corresponding to Cartesian variables has a closed-form solution. The forward kinematics is solved iteratively using the Newton-Raphson method which simultaneously provides a modified Jacobian matrix which relates length velocities to Cartesian translational velocities and time rates of change of roll-pitch-yaw angles. Results of computer simulation conducted to evaluate the efficiency of the forward kinematics and modified Jacobian matrix are presented and discussed.
On the Need for a Consortium of Capability Centers

Users of high-performance computing systems face many challenges, particularly as they design and develop their software to run at multiple facilities. This can lead to a âgreatest common denominatorâ strategy that slows innovation and the adoption of newer techniques. In addition, these systems typically push the limits â leading to problems with reliability and functionality of the system and software. We propose a consortium of HPC centers to collaborate on raising both the capability and the quality of the software for HPC systems.
Success Breeds Success? War Outcomes, Domestic Opposition, and Elections:

War outcomes are unlikely to effect elections if the major parties did not disagree over the war. Leaders who enter into wars are more likely to be punished for defeat or rewarded for victory if the opposition did not support the government during the war. Employing original data on legislative opposition during interstate wars, this paper examines all elections since WWII in the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, and India. The results confirm that leaders are far more likely to be punished (rewarded) for bad (good) outcomes if the opposition did not support the war. Further, there is no direct effect of either war outcomes or the position of the opposition. It is only when considered in conjunction with the opposition's behavior that the important link between war outcomes and elections is revealed.
Two bacterial mixed culture systems suitable for degrading terephthalate in wastewater.

Two different mixed cultures, which degrade terephthalate at 50°C and pH 8, were isolated from a wastewater treatment plant. These were useful for the treatment of wastewater containing a high concentration of terephthalic acid (TPA). Each mixed culture included a TPA-degrading bacterium, strain K1 or Pseudomonas sp. C4S, and another bacterium unable to degrade TPA, the as-yet unclassified strain K3 or Bacillus sp. C4B. In axenic culture, K1 and C4S showed poor growth even in a medium supplemented with yeast extract and tryptone. On the other hand, when co-cultured with the co-isolate from the mixed culture which is unable to degrade TPA, the growth was enhanced. Moreover, several bacterial strains in our stock culture collection showed the ability to improve the growth of both TPA-degrading bacteria. A mixed culture of strains K1 and K3 exhibited rapid growth and TPA degradation in a chemically defined medium, suggesting that the mixed culture system would be applicable to the treatment of wastewater containing TPA.
Weld Metal Grain Structure and Mechanical Properties of a Th-Doped Ir-0.3 Pct W Alloy (DOP-26)

Weld metal grain structure and mechanical properties of the Ir-0.3 pct W alloy (DOP-26) doped with 60 ppm Th and 50 ppm Al have been investigated by use of a gas tungsten arc (GTA) welding process. The fusion zone grain structure is strongly influenced by heat input and puddle shape and therefore by the bead width. With increasing bead width from 2.5 to 3.7 mm, the grains in the fusion zone show a sharp change in growth direction near the centerline region and develop a fine columnar structure with grains growing parallel to the welding direction. Mechanical properties of the welds and base metal were characterized by tensile and impact tests from 650 to 1150 °C. The ductility and fracture behavior of DOP-26 welds are sensitive to weld bead width, postweld heat treatment, and weld-test orientation. The ductility of the welded specimens increases with increasing test temperature and decreasing weld bead width. The transverse weld specimen with a wide-bead width (3.7 mm) has the lowest impact ductility, and the longitudinal weld with a narrow-bead width (2.5 mm) has the highest elongation at all the test temperatures. The impact ductility of the transverse weld specimen with the narrow-bead width falls between the limits. All the results are discussed in terms of the fusion zone grain structure and fracture path of the welds.
Genetic modification of the schisis phenotype in a mouse model of X-linked retinoschisis.

X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS) is an inherited form of macular degeneration that is caused by mutations in the retinoschisin (RS1) gene. In addition to macular degeneration, other major characteristics of XLRS include splitting of the retina (schisis) and impaired synaptic transmission as indicated by a reduction in the electroretinogram b-wave. It has been known that patients carrying RS1 mutations show a broad range of phenotypic variability. Interestingly, phenotypic variation is observed even among family members with the same RS1 mutation, suggesting the existence of genetic or environmental factors that contribute to the severity of XLRS. However, in the human population, the cause of phenotypic variability and the contribution of genetic modifiers for this relatively rare disease are difficult to study and poorly understood. In this study, using a mouse model for XLRS, we show that genetic factors can contribute to the severity of the retinoschisis phenotype. We report evidence of a major genetic modifier of Rs1, which affects the disease severity in these animals. A quantitative trait locus (QTL), named modifier of Rs1 1 (Mor1), is mapped on chromosome (Chr) 7. When homozygous, the Mor1 allele from the inbred mouse strain AKR/J diminishes the severity of the schisis phenotype in Rs1tmgc1/Y male and Rs1tmgc1/Rs1tmgc1 female mice. We also show that the penetrance of the disease phenotype is affected by additional genetic factor(s). Our study suggests that multiple genetic modifiers could potentially be responsible for the phenotypic variation in human XLRS.
Adrenocortical (interrenal) responses to hypophysectomy and adenohypophysial hormones in the teleost Poecilia latipinna.

Abstract This work investigates the effects of hypophysectomy and replacement treatment with mammalian pituitary preparations (ACTH, TSH, prolactin, growth hormone, alpha-MSH) and cortisol and thyroxine, on the structure and function of the interrenal in the teleost Poecilia latipinna. In long-term (3–4 weeks) experiments, histological studies showed that hypophysectomy induced involution of the interrenal, which was prevented by treatment with ACTH. TSH also opposed this interrenal involution, but it was not as strongly mitogenic as ACTH. MSH, prolactin, growth hormone, and thyroxine had no effect on the involuted interrenal of hypophysectomized fish. Hypophysectomy also resulted in hypertrophy of the liver, elevated hepatic glycogen concentrations, and a reduced number of circulating leucocytes. All these changes were prevented by ACTH and cortisol, both of which also exacerbated the weight loss that followed pituitary ablation. MSH was not tested on leucocyte count, but it had no effect on liver weight, liver glycogen, and body weight loss. Both TSH and thyroxine increased the leucocyte count, and in addition thyroxine reduced liver weight and exacerbated body weight loss. Prolactin at high dose reduced liver weight, but did not affect liver glycogen and the leucocyte count, while at the highest dose it ameliorated body weight loss. Growth hormone at high dose reduced liver weight, but had no action on liver glycogen, leucocyte count, and body weight loss. Thus, only TSH seems able to mimic the effects of ACTH on interrenal structure. Its stimulatory effect on circulating leucocytes could be thyroid-mediated, since thyroxine has the same effect in the absence of any action on interrenal morphology. The actions of growth hormone and prolactin on liver weight would appear to be direct. In short-term (30 min) tests on hypophysectomized fish, ACTH, prolactin, TSH, growth hormone (porcine and human), and alpha-MSH all elevated plasma cortisol levels, reduced to near-zero by hypophysectomy 48 hr previously. Bovine serum albumin did not elevate plasma cortisol levels. The data are discussed bearing in mind the possibility of other pituitary hormones mimicking the actions of teleostean ACTH, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the possibility of minute contamination of the hormone preparations with ACTH. This second possibility cannot be discounted in considering the cortisol-elevating properties of all the hormone preparations used in the short-term tests, but there are no compelling reasons for accepting it as explanation of the ability of TSH preparations to maintain interrenal morphology. The findings emphasize the difficulties inherent in using mammalian hormone preparations to deputise for fish pituitary hormones.
The use of zeta-potential measurements in organic solvents to determine the donor-acceptor properties of solid surfaces

Abstract We have measured the zeta-potentials, v z , for particles of several solids in each of a series of organic liquids. The liquids were chosen to cover a wide range of electron donor properties, as specified by the donicity, D N . The solids represent several common bonding types, including metallic, covalent, ionic, and intermediate. For most of the solids, v z , changes sign for some value, D No , of the liquid donicity. This is similar to the zero-charge point in colloid chemistry. We interpret D No as a measure of the electron donor properties of the solid surface. By using gold particles as a reference material, we are able to establish a common energy scale for thermodynamic data on donor-acceptor reactions and the energy band diagrams used for solids. We discuss the relation between chemical and triboelectric properties.
Theoretical considerations for standardization of 125I by the coincidence method

Abstract The decay scheme of 125 I is analyzed. The probabilities of emission are calculated for each of the several pathways of 125 I decay. The equation for calculation of the source decay rate by the coincidence method is derived from these probabilities.