cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cross-resistance in M. tuberculosis to kanamycin, capreomycin and viomycin

Drug resistant mutants to streptomycin, kanamycin, viomycin, capreomycin, and rifampicin were isolated from four strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The mutants isolated from each parent were then tested for evidence of development of cross-resistance to other drugs. There was no cross-resistance between either streptomycin or rifampicin and any of the other drugs. Complete cross-resistance between viomycin and capreomycin was found. Cross-resistance between kanamycin and capreomycin, and kanamycin and viomycin was variable. A review of the medical histories of 27 patients with kanamycin-resistant tubercle bacilli indicated that cross-resistance with capreomycin and viomycin occurs, but is unpredictable. Because of this variability in cross-resistance and the fact that kanamycin is a more toxic drug than capreomycin, it is suggested that capreomycin be used in the first retreatment regimen for tuberculosis when streptomycin resistance has been demonstrated.
Resistance of cytolytic lymphocytes to perforin-mediated killing: induction of resistance correlates with increase in cytotoxicity

CTL and NK cells cultured in vitro are known to produce a cytolytic pore-forming protein (PFP, perforin) localized in their cytoplasmic granules. Using purified perforin, we showed here that both cloned CTL and primary killer cell populations, including allospecific CTL, NK/lymphokine-activated killer cells, and MHC-non-restricted CTL, were more resistant to perforin-mediated killing than other lymphocyte populations and cell types. Similar results were obtained with both murine and human cytolytic lymphocyte populations. Resistance of killer cells to perforin correlated in general with their cytolytic capability. Thus, cells that have acquired competence to kill after stimulation with Con A, IL-2, or leukocyte-conditioned medium, were also the more resistant cells. IL-2-independent CTL lines and hybridomas derived in our laboratories could be triggered to become cytotoxic and perforin resistant by short-term stimulation with various cytokines, indicating that the acquisition of resistance to perforin-mediated lysis was independent of cell proliferation. Activation of one IL-2-independent CTL line with IL-2 also resulted in enhanced production of perforin and in enhanced serine esterase activity. The acquisition of cell resistance to perforin by these IL-2-independent cell lines after activation with stimulatory reagents was independent of protein and RNA neosynthesis: emetine, cycloheximide, and actinomycin D, while effectively blocking the incorporation of [35S]methionine into cell proteins, did not affect the induced increase in perforin resistance.
Feeding Behavior of the Russian Wheat Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) on Wheat and Resistant and Susceptible Slender Wheatgrass

Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), poses a serious threat to the yield and quality of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) and barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) production in the United States. Although, Land Grant College and Soil Conservation Service programs advocate the use of many cool- and warm-season forage grasses, many of these grasses serve as alternate hosts to the Russian wheat aphid. One form of cultural control is the development of grass cultivars resistant to Russian wheat aphid for use in such programs, which could eliminate oversummering host plants for the aphid. Prior studies have indicated that slender wheatgrass ( Elymus trachycaulum (Link) Gould ex Shinners), a species commonly found in reclamation areas, offers several potentially resistant plant introductions for use in development of resistant cultivars. The nature of Russian wheat aphid resistance at the behavioral level was studied with four slender wheatgrass entries, ‘Pryor’, PI 387888, PI 440100, and PI 440102 and ‘TAM W-101’ wheat on electronic feeding monitors. Aphids on the resistant plant introductions and, to a lesser degree, on ‘Pryor’ spent more total time engaged in baseline behavior, less time in phloem-ingestion behavior, and more time in nonphloem-ingestion behavior than did aphids on the susceptible entries ‘TAM W-lOl’ wheat and slender wheatgrass PI 387888. These results indicate that PI 440100 and PI 440102 could be used in the development of slender wheatgrass cultivars resistant to Russian wheat aphid.
Two Loop Calculation in $N=2$ Light Cone {Yang-Mills}

Abstract We calculate the two-loop β function in the light-cone form of N = 2 Yang-Mills. The result is zero in agreement with other calculations using regularization by dimensional reduction. All integrals involved are infrared finite. Supersymmetry makes so many graphs finite that only three topologically distinct 2-loop graphs need be computed.
WeaVR: a self-contained and wearable immersive virtual environment simulation system

We describe WeaVR, a computer simulation system that takes virtual reality technology beyond specialized laboratories and research sites and makes it available in any open space, such as a gymnasium or a public park. Novel hardware and software systems enable HMD-based immersive virtual reality simulations to be conducted in any arbitrary location, with no external infrastructure and little-to-no setup or site preparation. The ability of the WeaVR system to provide realistic motion-tracked navigation for users, to improve the study of large-scale navigation, and to generate usable behavioral data is shown in three demonstrations. First, participants navigated through a full-scale virtual grocery store while physically situated in an open grass field. Trajectory data are presented for both normal tracking and for tracking during the use of redirected walking that constrained users to a predefined area. Second, users followed a straight path within a virtual world for distances of up to 2 km while walking naturally and being redirected to stay within the field, demonstrating the ability of the system to study large-scale navigation by simulating virtual worlds that are potentially unlimited in extent. Finally, the portability and pedagogical implications of this system were demonstrated by taking it to a regional high school for live use by a computer science class on their own school campus.
THE ARCTIC CIRCULATION IN SUMMER

Abstract On the basis of a number of synoptic and synoptical-climatological studies, the following picture of the arctic circulation in summer is presented. A secondary baroclinic zone, distinct from the polar front, develops along the northern shores of Siberia, Alaska and Canada. Cyclones which originate in this zone, and to a lesser extent in the polar frontal zones to the south, frequently invade the central Arctic. The stagnation of these lows near the pole leads to a high frequency of occurrence of low pressure centers and a weak area of low pressure in the mean. There is no evidence for the often assumed semi-permanent anticyclone near the pole. Anticyclones are most frequent in the belt between 70N and 75N, favored locations being central Greenland and the area about the Beaufort Sea. The disturbances of the polar region in summer are shown to be similar to typical middle-latitude storm systems. An example of a typical baroclinic wave development is discussed, a cross section through a high-latitu...
Be quick, but don't hurry.

In this issue of Blood , Pabst et al report that granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) “priming” improves event-free and overall survival (EFS and OS) only in those adults less than 60 years old given escalated doses of cytarabine (ara-C) for treatment of newly diagnosed acute myeloid
NF-κB gene signature predicts prostate cancer progression.

In many patients with prostate cancer, the cancer will be recurrent and eventually progress to lethal metastatic disease after primary treatment, such as surgery or radiation therapy. Therefore, it would be beneficial to better predict which patients with early-stage prostate cancer would progress or recur after primary definitive treatment. In addition, many studies indicate that activation of NF-κB signaling correlates with prostate cancer progression; however, the precise underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Our studies show that activation of NF-κB signaling via deletion of one allele of its inhibitor, IκBα, did not induce prostatic tumorigenesis in our mouse model. However, activation of NF-κB signaling did increase the rate of tumor progression in the Hi-Myc mouse prostate cancer model when compared with Hi-Myc alone. Using the nonmalignant NF-κB-activated androgen-depleted mouse prostate, a NF-κB-activated recurrence predictor 21 (NARP21) gene signature was generated. The NARP21 signature successfully predicted disease-specific survival and distant metastases-free survival in patients with prostate cancer. This transgenic mouse model-derived gene signature provides a useful and unique molecular profile for human prostate cancer prognosis, which could be used on a prostatic biopsy to predict indolent versus aggressive behavior of the cancer after surgery.
Methanogenic population dynamics during start-up of anaerobic digesters treating municipal solid waste and biosolids.

An aggressive start-up strategy was used to initiate codigestion in two anaerobic, continuously mixed bench-top reactors at mesophilic (37 degrees C) and thermophilic (55 degrees C) conditions. The digesters were inoculated with mesophilic anaerobic sewage sludge and cattle manure and were fed a mixture of simulated municipal solid waste and biosolids in proportions that reflect U.S. production rates. The design organic loading rate was 3.1 kg volatile solids/m3/day and the retention time was 20 days. Ribosomal RNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes were used to determine the methanogenic community structure in the inocula and the digesters. Chemical analyses were performed to evaluate digester performance. The aggressive start-up strategy was successful for the thermophilic reactor, despite the use of a mesophilic inoculum. After a short start-up period (20 days), stable performance was observed with high gas production rates (1.52 m3/m3/day), high levels of methane in the biogas (59%), and substantial volatile solids (54%) and cellulose (58%) removals. In contrast, the mesophilic digester did not respond favorably to the start-up method. The concentrations of volatile fatty acids increased dramatically and pH control was difficult. After several weeks of operation, the mesophilic digester became more stable, but propionate levels remained very high. Methanogenic population dynamics correlated well with performance measures. Large fluctuations were observed in methanogenic population levels during the start-up period as volatile fatty acids accumulated and were subsequently consumed. Methanosaeta species were the most abundant methanogens in the inoculum, but their levels decreased rapidly as acetate built up. The increase in acetate levels was paralleled by an increase in Methanosarcina species abundance (up to 11.6 and 4.8% of total ribosomal RNA consisted of Methanosarcina species ribosomal RNA in mesophilic and thermophilic digesters, respectively). Methanobacteriaceae were the most abundant hydrogenotrophic methanogens in both digesters, but their levels were higher in the thermophilic digester.
Seislet transform and seislet frame

We introduce a digital waveletlike transform, which is tailored specifically for representing seismic data. The transform provides a multiscale orthogonal basis with basis functions aligned along seismic events in the input data. It is defined with the help of the wavelet-lifting scheme combined with local plane-wave destruction. In the 1D case, the seislet transform is designed to follow locally sinusoidal components. In the 2D case, it is designed to follow local plane-wave components with smoothly variable slopes. If more than one component is present, the transform turns into an overcomplete representation or a tight frame. In these terms, the classic digital wavelet transform is simply a seislet transform for a zero frequency (in one dimension) or zero slope (in two dimensions). The main objective of the new transform is an effective seismic-data compression for designing efficient data-analysis algorithms. Traditional signal-processing tasks such as noise attenuation and trace interpolation become simply defined in the seislet domain. When applied in the offset direction on common-midpoint or common-image-point gathers, the seislet transform finds an additional application in optimal stacking of seismic records.
Dihadron correlations in d+Au collisions from STAR

Abstract Dihadron correlations are reported for peripheral and central d + Au collisions at s NN = 200 GeV from STAR. The ZYAM background-subtracted correlated yields are larger in central than peripheral collisions. The difference is mainly caused by centrality biases to jet-like correlations. Fourier coefficients of the raw dihadron correlations are also reported. It is found that the first harmonic coefficient is approximately inversely proportional to event multiplicity, whereas the second harmonic coefficient is approximately independent of event multiplicity.
Canine root development and morphology in Macaca nemestrina

Recently,Yoshikawa andDeguchi (1992) reported an unusually high frequency (40%) of two-rooted maxillary canines inMacaca fuscata females and a complete absence of this trait in males. In the present study, canine root development and morphology was examined using cephalographs taken on 50 male and 50 femaleMacaca nemestrina, and 20 male and 20 femalePapio cynocephalus for comparison with the Japanese macaque. The results showed no double-rooted canines present in either species in the upper or lower canines. This supports the general rule that, among primates, canines possess a single-root. It was further suggested that the two-rooted canines inM. fuscata may be the result of the founder effect, i.e. that the genes for this trait may have been carried by the initial populations when they arrived on the islands sometime during the middle to late Pleistocene.
Isoenzyme analysis and morphological variation of thirty-two isolates of Protosiphon1

Abstract Enzymes from whole cell acetone powder extracts of 32 axenic isolates of Protosiphon were separated by horizontal starch-gel electrophoresis and assayed for malate dehydrogenase (MDH), alpha-esterases (αEST), and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP). All isolates exhibited MDH and α-EST activity. Only four isolates displayed LAP reaction. The banding patterns were less complex than those of other selected green algae. Enzyme distribution patterns of some Protosiphon isolates correlated with morphological, physiological, and immunological characteristics. In other isolates there was no correlation. Electrophoretic analysis of enzymes appears to be a useful tool in algal systematics.
The effects of afterload reduction on myocardial carbon 11-labeled acetate kinetics and noninvasively estimated mechanical efficiency in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

Methods and Results With echocardiography and dynamic carbon 11-labeled acetate (C-11 acetate) positron emission tomographic imaging, C-11 acetate kinetics and a parameter that estimates mechanical ventricular efficiency (the work metabolic index) were defined in eight patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. The effect of afterload reduction with nitroprusside on these parameters was evaluated in six of these patients. Nitroprusside increased stroke work index but decreased the C-11 clearance rate. The work metabolic index determined noninvasively increased and correlated well with an invasive approach. The work metabolic index was inversely correlated with systemic vascular resistance. Nitroprusside shifted this relationship upward and to the left.
l‐3,4‐Dihydroxyphenylalanine Increases the Quantal Size of Exocytotic Dopamine Release In Vitro

The catecholamine precursor L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) is used to augment striatal dopamine (DA), although its mechanism of altering neurotransmission is not well understood. We observed the effects of L-DOPA on catecholamine release in ventral midbrain neuron and PC12 pheochromocytoma cell line cultures. In ventral midbrain neuron cultures exposed to 40 mM potassium-containing media, L-DOPA (100 microM for 1 h) increased DA release by > 10-fold. The elevated extracellular DA levels were not significantly blocked by the DA/norepinephrine transport inhibitor nomifensine, demonstrating that reverse transport through catecholamine-uptake carriers plays little role in this release. In PC12 cells, where DA release from individual secretory vesicles can be observed, L-DOPA (50 microM for 1 h) elevated DA release in high-potassium media by 370%. Amperometric measurements demonstrated that L-DOPA (50 microM for 40-70 min) did not raise the frequency of vesicular exocytosis but increased the average size of quantal release to at least 250% of control levels. Together, these findings suggest that L-DOPA can increase stimulation-dependent transmitter release from DA cells by augmenting cytosolic neurotransmitter, leading to increased quantal size.
Epitaxial growth, structure, and intermixing at the LaAlO 3 / SrTiO 3 interface as the film stoichiometry is varied

LaAlO3 epitaxial films with La:Al cation ratios ranging from 0.9 to 1.2 were grown on TiO2-terminated SrTiO3 (001) substrates by off-axis pulsed laser deposition. Although all films are epitaxial, rocking curve and Kiessig fringe oscillation measurements show that the crystallographic quality degrades with increasing La:Al ratio. Films with La:Al ratios of 0.9, 1.0, and 1.1 were coherently strained to the substrate. However, the out-of-plane lattice parameter increases over this range, revealing a decrease in film tetragonality. Although all film surfaces exhibit hydroxylation, the extent of hydroxylation is greater for the La-rich films. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry reveals that La from the film diffuses deeply into the SrTiO3 substrate and secondary ion mass spectroscopy shows unambiguous Sr outdiffusion into the films. Intermixing, which is generally not investigated in studies of the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface, may have important implications for the mechanism of electrical conductivity.
McTague resigns from OSTP

John P. McTague resigned from his post as acting director of the White House Office of Science and Techology Policy (OSTP) and acting science advisor to the President on May 23, 1986. Richard G. Johnson, OSTP's assistant director for space science and technology, was designated to fill the posts, also in an “acting” capacity, on May 24.
William Clarke: The Making and Unmaking of a Fabian Socialist

None of the early Fabians remains more obscure today than William Clarke (1852-1901 ). Although his contribution to the Fabian Essays ranks as perhaps the most interesting and perceptive essay in that volume, histories of the Fabian Society pass over Clarke with a line or two of praise. Nevertheless, Clarke's socialism deserves more attention. It is interesting in itself as an early English analysis of monopoly capitalism and as another example of the relationship between the growth of radical politics and the Victorian loss of faith. At the same time, of course, Clarke's intellectual history also contributes to an increased understanding of the early evolution of the Fabian society.At the time Clarke wrote “The Industrial Basis of Socialism” for the Fabian Essays he had been a socialist for only a few years. And in spite of this promising beginning as a socialist theorist, he abandoned socialism in the late 1890's, reverting to a more youthful political individualism. Why Clarke remained a socialist for only a decade is, then, the central question raised by his career. Not surprisingly, the answer is complex, dependent in part on accidental personal factors. Clarke approached socialism from two different directions. Politically, it was a logical extension of his radicalism, a necessary corrective to the limitations placed on political democracy by uncontrolled private wealth. At the same time, Clarke came to see socialism as a kind of religious activity, the means to realize a spiritual ideal. In both cases socialism held out a promise of the imminent realization of these concerns.
Scattering from quasi-homogeneous time fluctuating radiating media

Abstract Conditions are found under which coherent light scattered from a quasi-homogeneous, time fluctuating dielectric scatterer produces a far field which obeys a useful reciprocity theorem. This theorem relates the coherence properties of the field and scatterer to the intensity properties of the scatterer and field, respectively.
The relationship of blue crab abundance to winter mortality of Whooping Cranes

Abstract We sampled blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) numbers in marshes on the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas from 1998–2006, while simultaneously censusing the wintering population of Whooping Cranes (Grus americana) on the refuge and surrounding habitats. This was done to determine whether mortality of wintering Whooping Cranes was related to the availability of this food source. Yearly variation in crab numbers was high, ranging from a low of 0.1 crabs to a high of 3.4 crabs per 100-m transect section. Significant non-linear increases in both juvenile and adult mortality in relation to decreasing crab abundance was observed. Results suggest that some threshold of crab abundance exists in which Whooping Cranes have higher survival on their wintering grounds.
The interaction of wheat germ agglutinin with keratan from cornea and nasal cartilage.

Wheat-germ agglutinin (WGA), a lectin isolated from Trit icum vulgaris, is widely used as a probe for studying carbohydrates found on the surfaces of malignant cells [1,2]. The agglutinin consists of two identical polypeptide chains. Each chain is reported to contain two identical binding sites, which can accomodate a N,N',N"-triacetyl chitotriosyl residue [ 1-7] ; internal (l~4)-N-acetyl-fl-D-glucosaminyl residues as well as terminal non-reducing N-acetyl-/3-D-glucosaminyl groups also interact with WGA [5,8,9]. Keratan sulfate, a connective tissue glycosaminoglycan, is composed of six to nine repeating disaccharide units of 4-O-/3-D-galactopyranosyl-N-acetyl-Dglucosamine [10,I 1]; the disaccharide units are glycosidically linked fl, 1-+3 [ 12,13 ]. Each of the carbohydrate residues contains varying amounts:of O-sulfate ester groups at carbon 6. The carbohydrate-binding specificity of WGA suggested that desulfated keratan sulfate should interact with WGA. The present communication documents the specific precipitation of desulfated keratan sulfate with WGA.
Can Systems Really Be Taught? (A Socratic Dialogue)

The form of this paper comes from a presentation by Ian Mitroff at the 1976 Annual North American Meetings of the Society for General Systems Research. He used a Socratic dialogue to present several points of view regarding a different subject altogether [Mitroff, 1977]. What we have attempted is a Socratic dialogue between a student and a teacher concerning whether or not systems can be taught. We hope that, during the discussion, the answer emerges as well as an understanding of the nature of systems. Parts of the first portion of the dialogue are taken from Plato's Meno, with appropriate words altered to fit the purpose at hand.
Integrity Bases for a Symmetric Tensor and a Vector—The Crystal Classes

Integrity bases are derived for a symmetric second-order tensor and a vector for the transformation groups corresponding to each of the crystal classes. In each case the irreducibility of the integrity basis is proven.
Modulation of virulence gene expression in Staphylococcus aureus by interleukin-1β : Novel implications in bacterial pathogenesis

The effect of IL-1beta on Staphylococcus aureus was investigated in terms of mRNA expression profile of bicomponent leukotoxins (Luk ED, Luk PV, HlgA, and HlgCB) as well as microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMMs). Upon exposure to higher concentrations of IL-1beta, S. aureus expressed significantly higher levels of MSCRAMMs mRNA [fibronectin-binding protein (FnBp), fibrinogen-binding protein or clumping factor (Clf), and collagen-binding protein (Cna)] and had significantly lower expression of mRNAs for bicomponent leukotoxins. Sequential in vitro passing of S. aureus in the absence of rhIL-1beta resulted in reduced binding to rhIL-1beta resulted in lack of significant changes in virulence gene expression upon exposure to low or high concentrations of rhIL-1beta. It is possible that IL-1beta modulates the pathogenic potential of S. aureus by altering its virulence gene expression to adapt to the host's inflammatory micromilieu. The ability to express higher levels of MSCRAMMs and low levels of leukotoxins might contribute towards the successful invasion and persistence of S. aureus in chronic inflammatory conditions. Determination of the mechanisms of IL-1-induced alterations in S. aureus gene expression may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets against this ever-evolving opportunistic pathogen.
Market performance and deviance from industry norms: (Mis)alignment of organizational risk and industry risk

Abstract Much of the attention in the risk literature focuses on organizational risk. This research argues that industry-level risk indirectly influences firm performance in addition to the direct effects of organizational risk. We contend industry-level risk norms influence market performance. Our general hypothesis is that when managers pursue strategies that deviate from industry risk norms, the firm's market performance will decline. We also test for the moderating effects of performance relative to targets and managerial ownership. The general hypothesis was supported for market risk and returns risk, but not for strategic risk. In addition, performance relative to target moderates this deviation-market performance relationship for market and returns risk. These findings have implications for the risk literature, particularly a firm's risk premium, and institutional theory, in terms of the tradeoff related to conformity to norms.
The Antecedents and Performance Implications of Cooperative Exchange Norms

Our study investigates the antecedents and performance implications of cooperative exchange norms. We argue that, in early relationships, the level of expected cooperative norms in an exchange is the result of a calculative process facilitated by transaction attributes: joint transaction-specific investments and observability. The greater the level of these two exchange attributes, the greater the level of cooperative exchange norms, all else being equal. We further argue that the realized level of cooperative exchange norms can deviate from the expected level because the development of such norms is the result of social processes that management cannot directly and fully control. This gap between realized and expected norms affects exchange performance. Performance suffers when the realized level of cooperative exchange norms falls below the expected level, but overshooting expectations lays a critical groundwork for repeat transactions. The analysis of a survey of 182 collaborative R&D alliances provides initial support for our theory.
Contractionary Devaluation in Developing Countries: An Analytical Overview

The growing literature on whether devaluation has contractionary effects on output in developing countries is evaluated. The paper explores links between the exchange rate and real output within a unified, fairly general analytical framework that incorporates several of the developing country features cited in the literature. The analysis suggests that many of the arguments on both sides of the debate about contractionary devaluation require modification, that some potential effects have been ignored, and that the direction of the impact effects of devaluation on real output is ambiguous on analytical grounds.
Resveratrol effects on astrocyte function: relevance to neurodegenerative diseases

Inflammatory molecules have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. Resveratrol is an anti-fungal compound found in the skins of red grapes and other fruits and nuts. We examined the ability of resveratrol to inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of inflammatory molecules from primary mouse astrocytes. Resveratrol inhibited LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO); the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β), and IL-6; and the chemokine monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), which play critical roles in innate immunity, by astrocytes. Resveratrol also suppressed astrocyte production of IL-12p40 and IL-23, which are known to alter the phenotype of T cells involved in adaptive immunity. Finally resveratrol inhibited astrocyte production of C-reactive protein (CRP), which plays a role in a variety of chronic inflammatory disorders. Collectively, these studies suggest that resveratrol may be an effective therapeutic agent in neurodegenerative diseases initiated or maintained by inflammatory processes.
Abstract 2873: Epithelial NF-κB signaling is required for different functions in Kras- and EGFR-mediated lung tumorigenesis.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC The transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a key mediator of the inflammatory response, and its activation correlates with poor prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer patients. Oncogenic KRAS and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations occur frequently in lung adenocarcinoma and are associated with increased NF-κB activation in lung tumors. Recent papers have shown that inhibition of epithelial NF-κB signaling in a mouse model of Kras-mediated lung tumorigenesis decreases tumor formation. However, the mechanisms linking NF-κB signaling to tumor formation remain unclear. We hypothesize that epithelial NF-κB signaling is a common requirement for lung tumorigenesis. For our studies, we used mice that inducibly express oncogenic KrasG12D or EGFRL858R+T790M as well as a dominant negative inhibitor of κB signaling (DN-IκB) in Clara Cell Specific Protein (CCSP)-expressing lung epithelium (designated KrasDN or EGFRDN mice). EGFRDN mice developed smaller and fewer tumors after two months of doxycycline administration compared to mice expressing EGFRL858R+T790M alone, while KrasDN mice did not develop any tumors. In KrasDN mice, loss of Kras transgene expression and increased cell death were observed after one week of doxycycline, suggesting that NF-κB signaling may be required for survival of Kras mutant cells in vivo. In EGFRDN mice, NF-κB inhibition led to a significant reduction in the percentage of BAL neutrophils when compared to mice expressing EGFRL858R+T790M alone. In addition, NF-κB inhibition led to reduced expression of CXCR2 ligands CXCL1 and CXCL2, which are known NF-κB-regulated neutrophil chemoattractants. In vitro inhibition of CXCR2 did not affect proliferation of EGFR-mutant cells, suggesting that the critical function of CXCL1 and CXCL2 may be inflammatory cell recruitment/activation. Future studies will investigate the effects of CXCR2 inhibition and neutrophil depletion on EGFR-mediated tumor formation in vivo. Together, these results suggest that NF-κB signaling is required for both Kras- and EGFR-mediated lung tumorigenesis, but NF-κB's function in a tumor may depend on the driver mutation. From these studies, we hope to identify NF-κB-regulated genes critical for tumor formation as potential targets for the development of better therapeutic strategies for lung cancer patients. Citation Format: Jamie A. Ausborn, Taylor Sherrill, Rinat Zaynagetdinov, Vasiliy Polosukhin, Frank McMahon, Fiona Yull, Timothy Blackwell. Epithelial NF-κB signaling is required for different functions in Kras- and EGFR-mediated lung tumorigenesis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2873. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2873
A Population-Based Perspective of Changes in Health-Related Quality of Life After Myocardial Infarction in Older Men and Women

Abstract This study analyzes changes in health-related quality-of-life (HQL) outcomes following myocardial infraction (MI) from a population-based perspective. Data came from a representative sample of 2812 men and women 65 years and older living in New Haven, CT. All subjects were interviewed at baseline in 1982, and again in 1985 and 1988. HQL outcomes included self-rated health, depressive symptoms, and physical and social functioning. Pooled logistic regression models were used to estimate the risk for decline in HQL outcomes due to MI. Of the 203 MIs during follow-up, 111 (55%) survived until the next interview to provide post-MI data on outcomes. In bivariate analysis, MI patients were more likely than subjects without MI to show a decline in physical functioning (26.4% vs. 11.9%, P = .001) and social functioning (31.4% vs. 20.8%, P = .06). There were no differences in self-rated health (26.3% vs. 26.9%), but MI patients were less likely to show an increase in depression (9.1% vs. 15.8%, P = .08). These associations remained mostly unchanged after adjustment for CHD risk factors. The effect of MI on physical and social functioning was much stronger among patients with a recent MI (
Detection of Post-Drought Environmental-Conditions in the Tombouctou Region

Abstract As a test of the sensitivity of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data to evaluate small-scale environmental change and post-drought recovery, a time series of TM images of the small, well-mapped region around Tombouctou, Mali was analysed for change for the interval 1986-1988. Actual increases in vegetation measured during field work differed for specific landforms, ranging from 5 per cent on floodplain silts to a 40 per cent increase in ephemeral grass cover on stable dunes. This region is part of the Saharan-Sahelian fringe, where severe drought and environmental degradation occurred between 1976 and 1985. Reflectance curves derived from the TM images for six specific landform units between March 1986 and March 1988 show that seasonal reflectance changes are statistically significant, and that overall reflectance decreased over the study interval. Dunes, abandoned wadis and inactive floodplain areas near the Niger river show vegetation regrowth, while active floodplain and densely-vegetated distrib...
A generalized weight-based particle-in-cell simulation scheme

Abstract A generalized weight-based particle simulation scheme suitable for simulating magnetized plasmas, where the zeroth-order inhomogeneity is important, is presented. The scheme is an extension of the perturbative simulation schemes developed earlier for particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. The new scheme is designed to simulate both the perturbed distribution (δf) and the full distribution (full-F) within the same code. The development is based on the concept of multiscale expansion, which separates the scale lengths of the background inhomogeneity from those associated with the perturbed distributions. The potential advantage for such an arrangement is to minimize the particle noise by using δf in the linear stage of the simulation, while retaining the flexibility of a full-F capability in the fully nonlinear stage of the development when signals associated with plasma turbulence are at a much higher level than those from the intrinsic particle noise.
Letter by Knight et al Regarding Article, “Validation of In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability Measurements by Comparison With Gold Standard Histology”

To the Editor: We read with great interest the recent paper by Hoffmann et al1 on the validation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements of blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. The authors reported that they measured changes in BBB permeability in rodent models of focal cerebral ischemia using MRI methods in conjunction with a Gd-based MRI contrast agent; they then validated these measures by comparing them with Cresyl violet histology and Evans Blue extravasation. The MRI-based estimates of vascular leakage were obtained using the Patlak graphical method to calculate the blood-to-brain transfer constant (Ki). In recent years, there has been a great deal of interest in the development of noninvasive imaging techniques capable of accurately measuring changes in acute BBB permeability after stroke to predict probability …
A mobility camouflaging evaluation tool

This paper describes an innovative Mobility Camouflaging Evaluation Tool (MCET) for mobile users traveling on a predefined geo-spatial graph. MCET is a customizable platform for evaluating the effectiveness of Mobility Camouflaging Algorithms (MCAs) and Adversary Observation Algorithms (AOAs). AOAs use observations of mobile user wireless transmissions to trace their movements. MCAs are designed to reduce the ability of AOAs to construct accurate traces. Specifically, MCAs camouflage the mobile user's movements by routing them "together" yet attempting to minimize the overhead of additional travel. The AOSs and MCAs that are developed by users and plugged into MCET produce tabular results for evaluation of mobile user movement logs that are also rendered in Google Earth.
Symmetries of the generalized Toda system

Abstract In the generalized Toda system associated with nonexceptional Lie algebra A n ( B n , C n , and D n ), the Ham iltonian densities obey the Hecke algebra (are expressible by the generators of the q -deformed Brauer algebra). By generalising a Jordan-Wigner transformation, we show that the q -deformation of the universal enveloping algebra (the quantum group) is a symmetry of the system.
Light Scattering by Irregular Randomly Oriented Particles

A method for calculating light scattering by irregular randomly oriented particles yields results that are in good agreement with experimental data. The method is based on the assumption that surface waves are present in scattering by spherical particles, but they are absent in scattering by irregular particles.
Integrated Optoelectronic Devices For High-Speed Ic Interconnects

GaAs is an ideal material for use in Very-High-Speed Integrated Circuits for two fundamental reasons: (1) such circuits have great potential for high-speed performance because of the high intrinsic mobility and saturation velocity of GaAs, and (2) efficient optical devices can be fabricated in this material, providing the potential for optical interconnects. In this paper, the integration of optoelectronic devices utilizing geometries that lend themselves to inter- and intra-chip interconnects will be discussed. Monolithic integration of active devices parallel to the plane of the epitaxial layers will be described, along with recent schemes developed for output couplers transverse to the layers. For the case of monolithic integration within the epitaxial layers, the development of Distributed Feedback and other devices utilizing periodic corrugations will be reviewed briefly. More attention will be devoted to the formation of Fabry-Perot resonators using both wet and dry etching techniques, and the monolithic integration of these devices into optical circuits. Results in both GaAs and InP-based materials will be reported. Attempts to produce ring lasers or other structures utilizing curved waveguides will also be described, along with investigations of techniques to produce optical circuits directly during the crystal-growth procedure by utilizing various types of masks. Output couplers will also be considered in this paper. The use of gratings can result in coherent, parallel output beams that are easily coupled into optical fibers. Recent attempts to fabricate Fabry-Perot resonators in the direction transverse to the epilayers will also be reviewed.
Effect of captopril on the blood pressure response to angiotensin I in turkeys.

AbstractThese studies were designed to determine the presence of an angiotensin-converting enzyme in turkeys. Captopril, a converting enzyme inhibitor, prevented the elevation of diastolic, systolic, and mean blood pressures which occurs characteristically in response to administration of angiotensin I. However, the responsiveness of blood pressure to administration of angiotensin II and norepinephrine was maintained. Thus, the results suggest the presence of an angiotensin-converting enzyme in turkeys.
Role of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Signaling in Dental Fibroblast Apoptosis

Background: Studies have shown that periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLF) and gingival fibroblasts (GF) respond differently to growth factors in the repair and regeneration of periodontal tissues. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling on cell apoptosis in PDLF compared to GF. Methods: The levels of apoptosis were compared between cultured PDLF and GF by DNA fragmentation assay and trypan blue exclusion assay, either in the presence or absence of IGF-1. The transcript level of upstream signaling molecules, such as IGF binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5), IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), was studied using reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, the role of IGFBP-5 in IGF-1 signaling was verified by annexin-V staining using ﬂow cytometric analysis. Results: IGF-1 significantly inhibited the level of DNA fragmentation and decreased trypan blue-positive cells in PDLF compared to GF during serum deprivation. The mRNA expression of IGFBP-5, IGF-1R, and PI3K was constitutively upregulated in PDLF compared to GF. In the presence of exogenous IGFBP-5, the annexin-V–positive cells were significantly decreased in GF after IGF-1 stimulation. Conclusions: The present study provides evidence that IGF-1 reduces apoptosis in cultured PDLF compared to GF. Upregulation of IGF-1R and PI3K in PDLF further suggests the activation of IGF signaling in PDLF. In addition, the anti-apoptotic effect of IGF-1 may be facilitated by the upregulation of IGFBP-5 in PDLF.
Efficient embedding K-ary complete trees into hypercubes

Dilated embedding and precise embedding of K-ary complete trees into hypercubes are studied. For dilated embedding, a nearly optimal algorithm is proposed which embeds a K-ary complete tree of height h, T/sub K/(h), into an (h/spl minus/1)/spl lsqb/logK/spl rsqb/+/spl lsqb/log(K+2)/spl rsqb/ dimensional hypercube with dilation max(2, /spl phi/(K)*), /spl phi/(K+2). For precise embedding, we show a (K/spl minus/1)h+1 dimensional hypercube is large enough to contain T/sub K/(h) as its subgraph for K/spl ges/3. >
Metabolites, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics of tamoxifen in rats and mice compared to the breast cancer patient

The metabolism of tamoxifen was examined in the rat, mouse, and human breast cancer patient. Large oral doses of tamoxifen (200 mg/kg) in the immature ovariectomized rat and mature mouse produced circulating levels of the parent compound, N-desmethyltamoxifen, and 4-hydroxytamoxifen quantifiable by HPLC separation, UV activation, and fluorescence detection. N-Desmethyltamoxifen and 4-hydroxytamoxifen serum levels in the mature ovariectomized mouse paralleled tamoxifen levels throughout a 96-hr time course after a single dose of tamoxifen. On the other hand, N-desmethyltamoxifen was the predominant serum metabolite after an equivalent dose of tamoxifen to the immature rat, but there was little 4-hydroxytamoxifen. Peak levels of tamoxifen occurred 3-6 hr after oral administration of tamoxifen in both species, whereas peak levels of N-desmethyltamoxifen in the immature rat did not occur until 24-48 hr. AUCs for tamoxifen and N-desmethyltamoxifen were approximately 4 times greater in the rat (57.5 and 111 micrograms.hr/ml, respectively) than the mouse (15.9 and 26.3 micrograms.hr/ml, respectively) after equivalent doses of tamoxifen (200 mg/kg). AUC of 4-hydroxytamoxifen for the rat (8.9 micrograms.hr/ml), however, was similar to that for the mouse (13.9 micrograms.hr/ml). The rate of elimination from serum was similar for tamoxifen, N-desmethyltamoxifen, and 4-hydroxytamoxifen in both the rat (t1/2 = 10.3, 12.1, and 17.2 hr, respectively) and the mouse (t1/2 = 11.9, 9.6, and 6 hr, respectively). Administration of large oral doses of tamoxifen (200 mg/kg) every 24 hr to mature ovariectomized mice or immature ovariectomized rats resulted in accumulation for the first 4 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Social Loafing on an Optimizing Task: Cross-Cultural Differences among Chinese and Americans

Research conducted in the United States and in several non-Western societies has found that people exert greater effort when they work individually than when they do so in a group that obscures identifiability of members' individual outputs, a phenomenon termed "social loafing." It was argued that the apparent transcultural generality of social loafing may be limited to tasks that participants perceive as undiagnostic with respect to the competencies that they assume are valued by important referent others in the research setting. It was predicted that on diagnostic tasks members of group-oriented cultures such as the Chinese would be less likely than members of individualistic cultures to exhibit social loafing. Schoolchildren in the sixth and ninth grade in the United States and China (Taiwan) performed an auditory tracking task that required counting tone patterns alone and in pairs. Consistent with our hypotheses, Americans evidenced social loafing on this task, whereas Chinese exhibited the opposite ...
Importance sampling actor-critic algorithms

Importance sampling (IS) and actor-critic are two methods which have been used to reduce the variance of gradient estimates in policy gradient optimization methods. We show how IS can be used with temporal difference methods to estimate a cost function parameter for one policy using the entire history of system interactions incorporating many different policies. The resulting algorithm is then applied to improving gradient estimates in a policy gradient optimization. The empirical results demonstrate a 20-40 /spl times/ reduction in variance over the IS estimator for an example queueing problem, resulting in a similar factor of improvement in convergence for a gradient search.
The Gourmet Guide to Statistics: For an Instructional Strategy That Makes Teaching and Learning Statistics a Piece of Cake

Summary This article draws analogies between the activities of statisticians and of chefs. It suggests how these analogies can be used in teaching, both to help understanding of what statistics is about and to increase motivation to learn the subject.
Variables Associated with Sport Fans' Enjoyment of Athletic Events

The current study examined sport spectators' perceptions of the enjoyment of a spectating environment. Spectators (N=177) attending a college men's basketball game in either an old or a new arena were asked to list the variables related to their enjoyment of attending the sporting event. Analysis indicated that the game-competition, social nature of the event, and exciting plays were the most frequently listed reasons. Fans attending games at the two arenas were not differentially likely to report the arena or atmosphere as contributing to their enjoyment.
Atomic garbage collection: managing a stable heap

Modern database systems use transactions to achieve a high degree of fault-tolerance. Many modern programming languages and systems provide garbage collected heap storage, which frees the programmer from the job of explicitly deallocating storage. In this paper we describe integrated garbage collection and recovery algorithms for managing a stable heap in which accessible objects survive both system crashes and media failures.A garbage collector typically both moves and modifies objects which can lead to problems when the heap is stable because a system crash after the start of collection but before enough of the reorganized heap reaches the disk can leave the disk in an inconsistent state. Furthermore, collection has to be coordinated with the recovery system. We present a collection algorithm and recovery system that solves these problems.