cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Principles and pitfalls in the analysis of prenatal treatment effects in multiparous species.

Abstract Developmental studies often assess the effect of treatment of the pregnant mother on offspring. The use of multiparous species such as rats and mice in such studies creates a special set of design and analysis problems. These arise for two reasons. First, the availability of many offspring per litter tempts the experimenter to inflate sample size by treating scores from several pups per litter as independent observations. Second, large litter size seldom makes it practical to measure exposure effects in all offspring of an exposed dam. Such studies commonly involve two-stage sampling: Drawing a random sample of dams for treatment, then drawing a second sample of pups per dam for neurobehavioral measurements. In this article, such sampling was modeled by two different simulations. The first, a standard Monte-Carlo approach , sampled from random-normal distributions for litter mean and within-litter variability. The second simulation sampled without replacement from actual data on weight of all pups in a series of 39 nontreated rat litters. These mutually-supportive approaches demonstrate that litter effects, even over as few as three litters, are generally large and statistically meaningful. Consequently, statistical significance tests are sensitive to litter effects. Inflation of sample size by treating as few as 2 pups per litter as independent measurements can almost triple the nominal 0.05 alpha level. Furthermore, two-stage sampling increases the within-treatment error term and correspondingly reduces statistical power relative to one-stage sampling. Calculating litter means from measurements of as few as 2 pups per litter can increase power but never to the degree obtained by holding number of pups/treatment constant, measuring just one pup/litter and correspondingly increasing the number of litters per treatment.
pH of mucus in rabbit trachea: cholinergic stimulation and block.

The pH of tracheal mucus was measured in rabbits in vivo. Control readings averaged 7.70±0.02 (SD) pH units with little variation in each rabbit. Injections of pilocarpine were followed by a decrease in pH of 0.15±0.05 (SD) units that was susceptible to block by atropine. Atropine block was temporary and lasted longer with larger dosages. Sensitivity to atropine was not affected since repeat doses of atropine returned pH to control levels. The decline in pH that followed cholinergic stimulation was interpreted as evidence of a potential autonomic modulation of mucociliary function through modification of the surface secretion of the respiratory airways.
Suppression of Dewetting in Nanoparticle-Filled Polymer Films

The perturbing influence of nanosize filler particles on the dewetting of spun-cast polymer films is investigated. Previous studies have shown that spun-cast films of unentangled polystyrene (PS) and polybutadiene (PB) dewet acid-cleaned silicon wafers when the films are annealed above their bulk glass transition temperature Tg. It is also known that “impurity” particles tend to promote dewetting in thin polymer films. Here we demonstrate that the addition of a small amount of C60 fullerene nanoparticles to the spin-casting polymer solution leads to an inhibition of dewetting in thin (L < 100 nm) PS and PB films cast on both acid-cleaned and carbon-coated silicon wafer substrates. Neutron reflection measurements indicate that this effect is associated with the formation of a diffuse fullerene layer near the solid substrate. Evidently, the immobilized fullerene particles form an enrichment layer at the solid boundary and “pin” the contact line of the growing dewetted (“dry”) regions so that hole growth in ...
Microwave Drying of Food and Agricultural Materials: Basics and Heat and Mass Transfer Modeling

Microwave drying is based on a unique volumetric heating mode facilitated by electromagnetic radiation at 915 or 2,450 MHz. The responses of a lossy food product to dielectric heating result in rapid energy coupling into the moisture and lead to fast heating and drying. A significant reduction in drying time in microwave drying is often accompanied by an improvement in product quality, making it a promising food dehydration technology. The need for improvement in engineering design and process optimization for microwave drying has stimulated the development of computer simulation techniques to predict temperature and moisture history and distribution in the product to be dried. In this article, we present the basics of dielectric heating and drying, examine the heat and mass transfer models developed for the simulation of microwave drying processes, and discuss dielectric properties of selected food products as influenced by moisture, temperature, and porosity. In addition, we analyze nonuniform heating caused by the geometry and composition of the product, as well as by the nonuniform distribution of electromagnetic field in a microwave cavity, followed by a discussion on how to improve the microwave heating uniformity. We focus the discussion on heat and mass transfer models developed over the years to simulate microwave drying, including simplified ones, those based on diffusion theory, and coupled heat and mass transfer analysis with the Philip and de Vries theory, Luikov scheme, Whitaker method, and two-region model. In the end, the determination of the heat source term in the energy equation, numerical schemes used to solve the partial differential equations, and the model validation are also discussed.
Size and base composition of RNA segments in complementary strands of supercoiled plasmid ColEl DNA

Abstract Preparations of ColEl plasmid DNA synthesized in the presence of chloramphenicol were separated into samples having gaps resulting from removal of ribonucleotides in one or the other of the complementary DNA strands. These samples were used as templates for repair resynthesis reactions using DNA polymerase of Rous sarcoma virus and α- 32 P-labeled deoxyribonucleoside 5′-triphosphates. Reactions involved the incorporation of each labeled nucleotide in the presence of three unlabeled nucleotides, and also the incorporation of all four labeled nucleotides followed by complete digestion and electrophoretic separation of the products. By these two methods the RNA integrated in the light strand of ColEl DNA was found to comprise an average of 38 ribonucleotides with a base composition of 17G, 5A, 8C, and 8U. The RNA segment in the heavy strand consists of an average of 15 ribonucleotides with a base composition of 5G, 2A, 4C, and 4U.
A generalized kaplan-meier estimator for heterogenous populations

Carrent methods for adjusting estimated survival curves for the effects of important prognostic factors are reviewed. These methods often are not useful because of the censoring pattern or because the underlying assumptions are not met. A new method, which is a generalization of the product-limit estimator, is proposed and its properties are considered. It also has limitations, but is useful in several cases where the existing methods are not suitable.
Effects of chronic gamma irradiation on the anatomy of vegetative tissues of pinus rigida mill

Abstract The growth habit and tissues of Pinus rigida trees, exposed to chronic gamma irradiation for seventeen years, were examined in detail. Macroscopic effects of gamma irradiation include premature leaf fall, stunting of needles and necrosis of terminal buds. Microscopic examination revealed disorganization of active shoot apical meristems, reduced activity of the vascular cambium, and delay in lignification of xylem elements. The influence of gamma irradiation on the vascular cambium initials was evident from the irregular pattern assumed by derivative cells differentiating centripetally in the xylem and from the relatively narrow annual rings. Furthermore, the transition from early wood to late wood was less evident in irradiated trees because of more uniform cell wall thickness. Shoot apical meristems of irradiated trees exhibited a flattened dome shape with the terminal, superficial cells showing the greatest degree of sensitivity.
A large-sample QTL study in mice: II. Body composition

Using lines of mice having undergone long-term selection for high and low growth, a large-sample (n = ~1,000 F2) experiment was conducted to gain further understanding of the genetic architecture of complex polygenic traits. Composite interval mapping on data from male F2 mice (n = 552) detected 50 QTL on 15 chromosomes impacting weights of various organ and adipose subcomponents of growth, including heart, liver, kidney, spleen, testis, and subcutaneous and epididymal fat depots. Nearly all aggregate growth QTL could be interpreted in terms of the organ and fat subcomponents measured. More than 25% of QTL detected map to MMU2, accentuating the relevance of this chromosome to growth and fatness in the context of this cross. Regions of MMU7, 15, and 17 also emerged as important obesity “hot-spots.” Average degrees of directional dominance are close to additivity, matching expectations for body composition traits. A strong QTL congruency is evident among heart, liver, kidney, and spleen weights. Liver and testis are organs whose genetic architectures are, respectively, most and least aligned with that for aggregate body weight. In this study, growth and body weight are interpreted in terms of organ subcomponents underlying the macro aggregate traits, and anchored on the corresponding genomic locations.
Interaction of aggressive and sexual behavior in male mice

I. Eleven albino males (ST/J) and eleven black-agouti males (CBA/J) were fought interstrain, in round-robin fashion, once a week for eleven weeks in the presence of an estrus induced albino female (ST/J). 2. The CBA males were superior in both fighting ability and mating success. 3. A comparison of the present results with those of our previous fighting experiments conducted without females present, shows that the presence of an estrus female significantly reduced the aggressiveness of the CBA males while affecting the ST males only by increasing their attack latency. 4. A comparison of the present results with those of our previous mating experiments conducted when the two types of males are housed together permanently and given natural estrus ST females, shows that mating success varies with experimental conditions, for in the earlier experiment the ST males were superior in mating. 5. The influence of hereditary background on the behavior of mice and the dependency of fighting ability and mating success upon the situation in which these behaviors are elicited are discussed.
Pre-pubertal growth in the hyperprostaglandin E syndrome

Pre-pubertal body growth was followed in eight children with the hyperprostaglandin E syndrome (neonatal Bartter syndrome) treated with indomethacin over a period of 5–12 years. When corrected for prematurity, the general growth pattern was normal, with the exception of a child with delayed therapy. From the first observation (usually at birth) to the start of indomethacin, the mean height standard deviation score (SDS) corrected for prematurity changed from −0.2 to −2.8. During the first 2 years of therapy rapid catch-up growth occurred, followed by a slow adaptation of the growth pattern to that of healthy children born at term. At last observation the mean corrected height SDS was −0.5 range −1.9 to +0.9) and the mean target height −0.9 SDS (range −1.8 to +0.1). Weight, body mass index and bone maturation also reached the normal range. No correlation was found between height SDS per year and serum potassium levels or calcium excretion. We conclude that under indomethacin treatment long-term skeletal growth of children with the hyperprostaglandin E syndrome is similar to that of other preterm children.
Influence of Chiral Maltose on the Mesomorphic Properties of Main-Chain Liquid-Crystalline Polymers

A series of main-chain liquid-crystalline polymers containing maltose were synthesized by interfacial condensation reactions of sebacyl chloride, 4,4’-Dihydroxy-2,2’-dimethyl Benzalazine(DDBA), and 1-O-[4´-O-(α-D-glucopyranosyl)-s-D-glucopyranosyl]-methanol(MM). The effects of MM on characteristics of liquid-crystalline properties were studied. P1- P3 exhibited nematic mesophase on heating and cooling cycle, while P4- P7 exhibited both chiral smectic A and nematic mesophases on heating cycle and nematic mesophase on cooling cycle. P8 did not exhibit any mesophase on heating and cooling cycle. The glass-transition temperature decreased with increasing concentration of MM.
Gabapentin and vigabatrin increase GABA in the human neocortical slice

The effects of antiepileptic drugs, gabapentin and vigabatrin, on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations were studied in human (n=14) and rat (n=6) neocortical slice preparations. In this study, neocortical slices were incubated with gabapentin, vigabatrin or no drugs for 3 h in an oxygenated environment. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of perchloric acid (PCA) extracts was used to measure GABA concentrations. Vigabatrin increased cellular GABA concentrations in both human and rat neocortical slices by 62% (P<0.001) and 88% (P<0.03), respectively. Gabapentin significantly increased GABA concentrations by 13% (P<0.02) in human neocortical slices made from tissue resected during epilepsy surgery. However, in the rat neocortical slice exposed to the same conditions as the human tissue, gabapentin did not increase GABA significantly. These results confirm our MRS studies in vivo that gabapentin increases GABA levels in epileptic patients, but has minimal or no effect in a healthy rodent model. Caution must be used in extrapolating negative results obtained in rodent models to the human condition.
TH‐C‐342‐04: An Update On Computer‐Aided Diagnosis (CAD): What's Next?

Computer‐aided diagnosis(CAD) has been developed over the last few decades as a tool to improve diagnostic performance. Computer‐aided detection (CADe) promises to help radiologists detect some of the subtle cancers that radiologists tend to miss. After CADe systems are introduced into clinical practice, many clinical studies have been conducted to assess the clinical effect of CADe. Like laboratory observer studies, many of these clinical studies show that CADe helps radiologists detect more cancers. However, all clinical studies do not agree. Controversies have recently arisen that question whether CADe helps radiologists detect more cancers or does more harm by increasing the number of false positives. While laboratory observer studies are very good at controlling biases, potential biases in clinical studies are far less understood and could fundamentally influence the clinical evaluation of CADe. In this presentation, we will review the concept of CAD and summarize laboratory and clinical studies of CADe. We will discuss the pros and cons of various types of clinical studies and discuss their limitations. We will identify some pitfalls that must be overcome to determine the true clinical effect of CAD. Educational Objectives: 1. Understand the basic concept of CAD. 2. Understand the common types of laboratory and clinical studies of CADe. 3. Understand the limitations of current clinical studies. Conflict of Interest Statement: Y Jiang receives research funding from Hologic (Bedford, MA).
Polymicrobial infective endocarditis: An increasing clinical entity☆

Abstract Polymicrobial endocarditis was very uncommon until ten years ago. However, since that time, at least 21 cases were reported, and 10 patients with this mixed infection were seen at our hospital. All, except one of these infections, occurred in patients who had undergone heart surgery or abused intravenous drugs. Although, generally clinically indistinguishable from monomicrobial endocarditis, these mixed infections carried a very high mortality rate (> 30 per cent), and an unusually large number of the patients (> 50 per cent) needed heart surgery either to control the infection or to repair cardiac defects resulting from the infection. The prognosis depended on the species rather than the number of organisms isolated and on aggressive antimicrobial and surgical therapy.
APOE genotype in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in patients with cognitive impairment.

Background:Although an association between the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ∊4 allele and increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is established, the utility of APOE genotyping in the clinical diagnosis of AD is still under investigation.Methods:Medical records of 89 patients with cognitive impairment and APOE genotype data underwent a retrospective review.Results:Comparison of age, age at onset, education, Mini-Mental State Examination, months of follow-up, and family history of dementia did not reveal statistical difference among the patients with different APOE genotypes. The APOE ∊4 carriers had a higher percentage of AD diagnoses after a median 16 months follow-up than non-APOE ∊4 carriers. The APOE ∊4 designation had a high sensitivity and high positive predictive value for the diagnosis of AD but a low negative predictive value and specificity.Conclusions:The APOE genotyping may be helpful in diagnosing AD especially in patients presenting with atypical features or early age of onset of dementia.
Activation Patterns to Aversive Stimulation in Man: Passive Exposure Versus Effort to Control

The present study contrasted physiological response patterns occurring when subjects coped passively and actively with aversive stimuli. In one condition, 29 healthy young men were exposed to unpredictable noise (115BA) and shock (3.5 mA) with no means of control, and in the other they attempted to avoid the noise and shock with rapid keypresses. Both tasks were characterized by maximal uncertainty as to locus of presentation, chance of occurrence, and type of stimulus to occur next in sequence. Dependent variables included: reports of moods, reaction times, muscle tension, plasma concentrations of free fatty acids, cortisol and catecholamines, heart rate, blood pressures, systolic time intervals, cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, and an index of myocardial contractility. Both experimental conditions produced significant neuroendocrine, lipid, and cardiovascular changes from baseline. The active avoidance procedure produced further increases in cardiac function which were related to control efforts as indexed by muscle tension and task performance. The results point toward the effects of effort in the face of uncertainty in determining the patterns of response to aversive stimulation.
The impact of consortial guidelines on the cataloging of Internet resources

This paper reports the results of a study conducted in the Illinois ILCSO consortium about the impact of consortial guidelines for cataloging remote access computer files on the quantity, quality and nature of bibliographic records for Internet resources found in the consortium online catalog, ILLINET Online (IO). A pre-test sample was gathered in March 2000, while a post-test sample was harvested in April 2001 approximately a year following introduction of the guidelines. The study shows that while the presence of consortial guidelines for cataloging Internet resources may have impacted the quantity of bibliographic records for Internet resources in IO, the guidelines had only a small effect on the quality and nature of Internet computer file records found in IO.
Probable strain differences of rats in susceptibilities and cardiopulmonary responses to chronic hypoxia.

Abstract Susceptibility to chronic hypoxia in the form of siimulated high altitude (HA) have been compared in the adult male Hilltop (H) and Madison (M) Sprague-Dawley rats in terms of their metabolic, hematological and cardiopulmonary responses. Following exposure to either 18 000 or 20 000 ft for 30–40 days, 60–70% of the H rats died or became obviously morbid in contrast to a total absence of morbidity or mortality in the M rats. Autopsy of dead and morbid H rats revealed abdominal and pleural effusions. Oxygen consumption remained normal in both H and M rats. Hematocrits were slightly higher in the H rats than in the M rats. The lungs of both strains were hypertrophied but they showed no evidence of edema or gross lesions. The peak right ventricular pressures of the H and M strains were 73.6 ± 7.4 and 49.5 ± 6.5 mm Hg (mean ± SD), respectively. The percent increase in total ventricular, right and left ventricular weights per 100 g body weights in the H rats were 80, 300 and 30, respectively, as compared to 20, 200 and 0 in the M rats. These changes suggest that the greater susceptability to chronic HA exposure observed in the H rats is related to a more severe right ventricular overloading and perhaps failure, secondary to a more extreme pulmonary hypertension.
Integrin-Blocking Antibodies Delay Keratinocyte Re-Epithelialization in a Human Three-Dimensional Wound Healing Model

The alpha6beta4 integrin plays a significant role in tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis through modulation of growth factor signaling, and is a potentially important therapeutic target. However, alpha6beta4-mediated cell-matrix adhesion is critical in normal keratinocyte attachment, signaling and anchorage to the basement membrane through its interaction with laminin-5, raising potential risks for targeted therapy. Bioengineered Human Skin Equivalent (HSE), which have been shown to mimic their normal and wounded counterparts, have been used here to investigate the consequences of targeting beta4 to establish toxic effects on normal tissue homeostasis and epithelial wound repair. We tested two antibodies directed to different beta4 epitopes, one adhesion-blocking (ASC-8) and one non-adhesion blocking (ASC-3), and determined that these antibodies were appropriately localized to the basal surface of keratinocytes at the basement membrane interface where beta4 is expressed. While normal tissue architecture was not altered, ASC-8 induced a sub-basal split at the basement membrane in non-wounded tissue. In addition, wound closure was significantly inhibited by ASC-8, but not by ASC-3, as the epithelial tongue only covered 40 percent of the wound area at 120 hours post-wounding. These results demonstrate beta4 adhesion-blocking antibodies may have adverse effects on normal tissue, whereas antibodies directed to other epitopes may provide safer alternatives for therapy. Taken together, we conclude that these three-dimensional tissue models provide a biologically relevant platform to identify toxic effects induced by candidate therapeutics, which will allow generation of findings that are more predictive of in vivo responses early in the drug development process.
Densely Packed Arrays of Ultra-High-Aspect-Ratio Silicon Nanowires Fabricated using Block-Copolymer Lithography and Metal-Assisted Etching

Metal-assisted etching is used in conjunction with block-copolymer lithography to create ordered and densely-packed arrays of high-aspect-ratio single-crystal silicon nanowires with uniform crystallographic orientations. Nanowires with diameters and spacings down to 19 nm and 10 nm, respectively, are created as either continuous carpets or as carpets within trenches. Wires with aspect ratios up to 220 are fabricated, and capillary-induced clustering of wires is eliminated through post-etching critical point drying. The wires are single crystals with 〈100〉 axis directions. The distribution of wire diameters is narrow and closely follows the size distribution of the block copolymer, with a standard deviation of 3.12 nm for wires of mean diameters 22.06 nm. Wire arrays formed in carpets and in channels have hexagonal order with good fidelity to the block copolymer pattern. Fabrication of wires in topographic features demonstrates the ability to accurately control wire placement. Wire arrays made using this new process will have applications in the creation of arrays of photonic and sensing devices.
SU‐FF‐T‐482: Extension of An Informatics Architecture to Compare and Analyze 3D Dosimetric Data

Purpose: Novel 3D dosimetry techniques illustrate the urgent clinical need for tools for the comparison and visualization of dose data from various dosimeters. We present results from a collaborative effort to develop clinically useful methods to view, compare, and analyzedose data from a variety of dosimeters.Method and Materials: The development of a high‐resolution 3D dosimetry system (PRESAGE™ and optical‐CT) has motivated the re‐tooling of a previously existing informatics system — the Computational Environment for Radiotherapy Research (CERR) — to enable it to compare 3D dose data. Three different types of clinical dose distributions measured/calculated in PRESAGE dosimeters, EBT Gaf‐Chromic films and the Eclipse Treatment Planning System were used in this investigation. An intuitive and clinically relevant process for the comparison of these dose distributions has been developed. All volumetric (PRESAGE and Eclipse) and planar (EBT film) dose data was linked to the DICOM data and metadata of the irradiation. This allowed all doses to be registered to the relevant CT scan and viewed in 3D in standard, easily navigable, anatomic orientations. Results: Gamma analyses, line profiles, and dose‐difference plots were generated using the CERR platform. Relevant discrepancies amongst measured and calculated doses from different dosimeters were assessed and addressed from a single open‐source software platform. Conclusions: A comprehensive and flexible tool for 3D dosimetry, plan specific QA, and research is needed. CERR, with appropriate extensions, was found to be valuable as a tool for the comparison of doses measured using various techniques. Newer developments being implemented involve the integration of more advanced film calibration functionality, the ability to calculate 3D gamma volumes, and the ability to produce a dosimetry report including relevant information for patient specific plan evaluation.
Characterization of two microparticle types for delivery of food to altricial fish larvae

The characteristics of two microparticulate types were determined for delivery of nutrients to fish larvae. A yeast-based commercial diet for larval fish (Microfeast Plus L-10, Salt Creek, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, USA) was encapsulated within cross-linked protein-walled capsules (CLPWC) or gelatin-alginate beads (GAB). Microparticle stability was determined by encapsulating a nontoxic red dye (Poly R 478) within CLPWC or GAB. The stabilities of both particle types suggested that high molecular weight, water-soluble nutrients could be delivered to freshwater fish larvae without major losses from leaching. Acceptability experiments included determination of gut fullness and feeding incidence of zebrafish Brachydanio rerio larvae fed on the two particle types. Acceptability of GAB by first-feeding zebrafish larvae was significantly greater than that for CLPWC. Acceptability of CLPWC increased in larger larvae and was similar to that for GAB. Both particle types were broken down by first-feeding zebrafish larvae. Growth experiments with CLPWC showed that up to 40% substitution of Artemia nauplii could be accomplished without reduced growth and survival of zebrafish larvae after a feeding period of 8 days. Twenty per cent substitution of Artemia nauplii could be achieved with GAB without reduced growth and survival.
Infliximab (Remicade) in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis

Elucidation of the cellular immunopathology and cytokine profile of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a chronic inflammatory disease associated with psoriasis, has resulted in the development of a number of novel biologic therapies. Among these biologics, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors have been used successfully to treat patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis. The pivotal role of TNF-alpha in the pathogenesis and progression of PsA suggested that anti-TNF-alpha agents could be effective in controlling PsA. The results from two large, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in patients with moderate to severe PsA indicated that the anti-TNF-inhibitor, infliximab, can control both the joint and skin manifestations of the disease. This review focuses on the clinical development of infliximab as a treatment for PsA. The development of other anti-TNF-alpha biologics is also discussed.
Yin and Yang in the health-related food practices of three Chinese groups

For over 3,000 years, the Chinese have used health foods and herb tonics to prevent and remedy illness. These treatments originated in ancient legend and have been woven into philosophy, religion, and folklore (1). Diet therapy was an important part of Chinese traditional medicine, and as such was integrated with other forms of healing including meditation, acupuncture, moxibustion, and martial arts (2) . Today, in the practice of Chinese medicine, there are three schools of thought: "traditional," following many of the ancient concepts; "modern," imported mostly from the West; and "folk," used by laymen. Food and herb treatments remain an important aspect of both traditional and folk medicine in modern China (3,4). These time-tested practices are of interest to Western cultures because increasingly, our medical community recognizes the role of food in preventive health care. This is also a time in which the Chinese population of the United States is increasing (5). Thus, we need to learn about the continuation of such health-related food treatments in order to reinforce positive practices and discourage potentially negative ones. Our ability to design nutrition education programs and to c;lirect nutrition therapy for this population will be greatly enhanced if we understand the influence that cultural heritage has on diet. This report examines the extent to which modern Chinese groups in three parts of the world incorporate one of the ancient Chinese philosophies the concept of yin and yang into their beliefs about diet in the treatment of certain health conditions.
A trimeric anti-HER2/neu ScFv and tumor necrosis factor-alpha fusion protein induces HER2/neu signaling and facilitates repair of injured epithelia.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α genetically fused to the carboxyl terminus of a single-chain Fv (ScFv) antibody specific for the human HER2/ neu (anti-HER2/ neu ScFv-TNF-α) forms a homotrimeric structure that retains both TNF-α activity and the ability to bind HER2/ neu . In contrast to anti-HER2/ neu IgG3, anti-HER2/ neu ScFv-TNF-α induces potent HER2/ neu signaling, activating the downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Akt pathways in SKBR3 cells. Activation of MAPK and Akt by anti-HER2/ neu ScFv-TNF-α inhibited the apoptosis of SKBR3 cells induced by actinomycin D. Remarkably, anti-HER2/ neu ScFv-TNF-α facilitated the repair of injured epithelia. Accelerated wound healing required binding to HER2/ neu but not TNF-α activity since anti-HER2/ neu ScFv-TNF-α (S147Y), containing a mutant TNF-α with significantly decreased biological activity, demonstrated equivalent ability to facilitate wound healing and soluble HER2/ neu inhibited the effect. These results suggest that trimeric anti-HER2/ neu ScFv has the potential to facilitate wound healing. In addition, fusion with TNF-α provides a novel approach to producing polymeric antibodies.
The Design of Optimal Convolutional Filters via Linear Programming

Computational algorithms are given for the design of optimal, finite-length, convolutional filters with finite-length input sequences. Design techniques are developed for minimum-weighted-mean-square-error filters (MWMSE), for minimum-weighted-absolute-error filters (MWAE), and for filters which minimize the maximum output error (minimax). It is shown that the coefficients of the MWAE and minimax filters can be obtained by using standard linear programming methods. Next, the problem of developing a filter whose function is to "sharpen" a particular input waveform is considered. The filter input sequence is assumed to be derived from a Ricker wavelet of the velocity type and the desired output is the Dirac delta function. Convolutional filters are developed for this problem using each of the three performance criteria described above. The output sequences of each of the three optimal filters are discussed. It is shown that the minimax filter gives significantly better discrimination than can be obtained from either the MWAE or MWMSE filters.
Recurrent pneumonia and colobronchial fistula from Crohn's disease: Infliximab alters and simplifies surgical management

We report a rare case of right-sided colobronchial fistula in a 47-year-old, severely malnourished male with a history of regional enteritis and recurrent right lower and middle lobe pneumonias medically managed with the addition of the immunomodulator infliximab prior to surgery. On admission, evaluation of sputum cultures and chest radiograph pattern of pneumonia led to the suspicion of colobronchial fistula. This diagnosis was confirmed by abdominal CT enteroclysis. This patient’s pneumonia was initially treated with empiric antibiotics, then focused antibiotics based on culture results. The treatment for the regional enteritis and the secondary colobronchial fistula consisted of immunosuppression with infliximab, bowel rest, and total parenteral nutrition. The patient was discharged on a limited course of prednisone and received maintenance therapy with 3mg/kg IV infliximab infusions for four additional treatments with dramatic improvement in his clinical condition. Surgical therapy consisted of only bowel resection; no thoracic surgery or lung resection was necessary. The patient has had a dramatic improvement in his clinical condition and is currently disease-free on no maintenance therapy. The use of TNF-blocking agents such as infliximab may simplify the surgical approach in patients with complicated fistulous Crohn’s disease.
Recasting Our Understanding of Gender and Work During Global Restructuring

The authors propose a broad analytic framework for understanding the relationships between globalization, gender and work. They argue that the way researchers, government officials and development practitioners think about globalization's effects on the gendered division of labor is the basis upon which to develop effective strategies to reduce gender inequalities. The authors outline the major trends of the recent period of globalization and their effects on the gendered division of labor, including more macro- effects of trade, production and finance on women's roles. They investigate micro-impacts through four growing gendered production networks: export production, sex work, domestic service and microfinance income generation. They also examine the role of governments and find that, to satisfy demands of international institutions and address some citizens' needs, many governments have been pushed into fostering these types of work. The authors argue that these gendered global production networks have grown substantially as a result of globalization processes and that there are systemic linkages between the global expansion of production, trade and finance and the increase of women in these networks. This broader understanding of the forces that shape women's lives is necessary to develop strategies that counter globalization's adverse impacts.
Evidence of talker-independent information for vowels.

The vowel information present in initial and final regions of /b/—vowel—/b/ syllables was examined in this study. Vowels were identified for unedited syllables spoken by a man and a woman, for the ...
Origin of Human Bone Marrow Fibroblasts

Summary. We investigated the origin of bone marrow fibroblasts in three bone marrow transplant recipients with aplastic anaemia and leukaemia who received grafts from HLA-identical siblings of opposite sex. The patients were conditioned for transplantation with high doses of cytotoxic drugs and 300–1000 rads total body irradiation. After transplantation, bone marrow cells wrere cultured in T flasks for 3 weeks and the adherent cells were then trypsinized and passaged weekly. After several passages the cells had the typical morphology and growth pattern of fibroblasts. Metaphases from these cells were all of recipient sex type. In contrast, haematopoietic cells and lymphocytes obtained at the same time were of donor sex type. Our findings indicate that the human bone marrow fibroblast is not derived from a precursor common to haematopoietic cells or lymphocytes. The bone marrow fibroblast appears to be a mesenchymal cell, unrelated to haematopoietic stem cells, which is capable of in vitro proliferation after as much as 1000 rads of total body irradiation.
Evidence of atmospheric gravity waves during the 2008 eruption of Okmok volcano from seismic and remote sensing observations

[1] Okmok volcano erupted on July 12, 2008, following an 11-year hiatus. Detailed inspection of the syn-eruptive seismograms revealed the presence of an ultra long-period mode at a frequency of 1.7 mHz, which is not a characteristic of the background seismic noise at Okmok. Data collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) and National Aeronautical and Space Administration Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensors displayed the propagation of a vigorous ash-and-steam plume up to about 17 km above sea level. We suggest that the observed ultra long-period signals represent the response of the seismometer to changes in gravity associated with buoyancy oscillations set off in the lower atmosphere above Okmok by the emplacement of the eruption column. Calculations based on simple modeling of these effects allowed estimation of peak atmospheric pressure perturbations associated with the eruption of less than 1 mbar.
A Model of Web Site Browsing Behavior Estimated on Clickstream Data

Abstract Using the clickstream data recorded in Web server log files, the authors develop and estimate a model of the browsing behavior of visitors to a Web site. Two basic aspects of browsing behavior are examined: (1) the visitor’s decisions to continue browsing (by submitting an additional page request) or to exit the site and (2) the length of time spent viewing each page. The authors propose a type II tobit model that captures both aspects of browsing behavior and handles the limitations of server log-file data. The authors fit the model to the individual-level browsing decisions of a random sample of 5000 visitors to the Web site of an Internet automotive company. Empirical results show that visitors’ propensity to continue browsing changes dynamically as a function of the depth of a given site visit and the number of repeat visits to the site. The dynamics are consistent both with “within-site lock-in” or site “stickiness” and with learning that carries over repeat visits. In particular, repeat vis...
Ron Chenail: The Future Is Here; It Is Just Not Widely Distributed Yet"—Adapted from William Gibson

CHENAIL und LICHTMAN setzen sich mit der Entwicklung der qualitativen Forschung in den USA seit Beginn der 1990er Jahre auseinander. CHENAIL beschreibt sich dabei eher als Forscher, der sich grundsatzlich qualitativer Methodologie verpflichtet fuhlt ("generic qualitative researcher") denn als Forscher, der einer bestimmten Schule oder einem bestimmten Forschungsstil folgt ("designer qualitative researcher"). Das vorliegende Interview lasst die Entwicklung qualitativer Forschung hin zu einer akzeptierten und leitenden Forschungsmethodologie in vielen Disziplinen – auch im Bereich der Familientherapie und Erziehung, der Krankenpflege und in der Wirtschaft – Revue passieren. Dabei bezieht CHENAIL sich auch auf verschiedene methodische Innovationen wie etwa ZALTMANs "metaphor elicitation technique" (ZMET), MISHELERs "exemplars" und auf einen Industrie-Freizeit-Forschungspark. Die Beitrage von CHENAIL als Herausgeber und treibende Kraft des "Qualitative Report" sind beachtlich und weitreichend. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0403113
Induced halogenation of alkyl cyclohexenyl ketones involving metal halides, hydrohalogenic acids, and hydrogen peroxide

The induced halogenation and hydroxyhalogenation of alkyl cyclohexenyl ketones in a system [MHlg + HHlg or HHlg]-H2O2 or in NaOCl was performed and optimum reaction conditions were established. Under mild conditions the electrophilic addition of the halogen or the acid occurred at the multiple bond of the ring with the formation of the corresponding dihalo or hydroxyhalo derivatives of cycloaliphatic ketones. From the compounds obtained epoxy- and dioxyketones of aliphatic series were prepared. Chloro(bromo)hydrins of ketones from the alkylcyclohexane series and oxiranes based thereon are reactive compounds and can be employed as synthons in the organic synthesis.
Animating operating systems algorithms with XTANGO

In operating systems courses, students study the major algorithms used in operating systems to manage the various objects and resources in a computing system: processes, files, buffer space, processors, messages, main memory, semaphores, and disk storage. Various classical synchronization problems such as the dining philosophers, the readers and writers, and the producers and consumers with bounded buffer are also analyzed. Even though the computing systems being studied are getting more and more powerful, these algorithms and classical problems are usually analyzed using blackboard, chalk, pencil, and paper. This paper describes an X-windows based package called xtango that was used to animate some of the algorithms and classical problems studied in operating systems. One animation typical of those that have been developed is presented. Students can use these animations during study outside the classroom for a better understanding of the algorithms. Instructors can use the animations to facilitate the presentation of the algorithms in the classroom.
Organizational Participation and Public Policy

The role in public policy of organizations—broadly defined to include bureaucratic and corporatist, as well as autonomous, organized interests—merits attention as a form of political participation characteristic of a wide variety of societies. Various forms of corporatism have emerged in recent years to play an increasingly important role in most West European societies. In Japan and the United States, organized interests are still mediated primarily by the political parties, but in these countries also there is an increasing reliance on organizational participation. Organized interests play an important role in contemporary authoritarian states, and provide a common denominator for comparisons with other political systems. Special cases of organizational participation that have received considerable attention include the role of the military as a form of bureaucratic politics in many countries, and the decision-making function of organizations in the international system. A better understanding of organizational participation as the most appropriate basis for the comparative study of contemporary political systems calls for further research along several lines: for example, the direct influence of organized interests on governments; the interaction of corporatist and autonomous organizations with bureaucracies; comparisons of organizational participation in societies with differing institutional heritages; and the role of organizations in the international system.
Allergy: Status and perspective

A L L lg R G Y iS o n e of the m o s t c o m m o n clinical problems facing the medical practitioner, and unfortunately it is also one of the least understood conditions in contemporary medicine. When the major clinical manifestations of the allergic state, asthma, hay fever, and eczema are viewed in their totality, they present extremely formidable problems to unravel. The apparent complexity of the allergic state is probably due to the many variables that contribute to the final symptoms. These variables range across a broad area of biology and include a genetic predisposition, immunologic reactions, poorly understood pathophysiologic mechanisms such as histamine release and vascular permeability, triggering events such as exposure to antigens and emotional stress, temperature and barometric pressure changes, and other intrinsic and extrinsic factors capable of modifying the final clinical picture. The medical specialty of allergology has developed as a result of the collective frustrations of those physicians choosing to deal exclusively with these diseases, and although allergists have developed techniques for partially coping with the various manifestations of allergy, they are the first to admit that the basic problem is unsolved: No one really understands the
Mining Heterogeneous ADS-B Data Sets for Probabilistic Models of Pilot Behavior

The University of North Dakota is developing airspace within the state where Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) can be flown without an onboard sense and avoid system or Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs). With funding from the U.S. Air Force, a mobile ground-based radar system capable of detecting aircraft operating in Class E airspace and the software to display such information to UAS operators is being developed. The current system uses an Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) transceiver to detect any ADS-B-equipped aircraft within the vicinity, and a Ground Control Station (GCS) to detect and control the UAS. Once one or more ground-based radars are integrated into the system, it will also be capable of detecting non-cooperative aircraft (i.e. aircraft that aren’t equipped with ADS-B transceivers) operating within the vicinity. The current system uses a portable, high-availability architecture. Since the system is intended to detect potential airspace conflicts from the ground, greater computational power is available to it than to onboard sense and avoid systems. The probability of a midair collision is dependent on the proximity of aircraft to each other, the performance characteristics of the aircraft, and the probabilities of pilots performing basic maneuvers with the aircraft. In this paper the authors present the results of data mining an ADS-B data set from 11 days in early 2010. Probabilistic models of pilot behavior were automatically extracted from the data using a genetic algorithm for cluster analysis.
Characterizing the regularity of tetrahedral packing motifs in protein tertiary structure

Motivation: While protein secondary structure is well understood, representing the repetitive nature of tertiary packing in proteins remains difficult. We have developed a construct called the relative packing group (RPG) that applies the clique concept from graph theory as a natural basis for defining the packing motifs in proteins. An RPG is defined as a clique of residues, where every member contacts all others as determined by the Delaunay tessellation. Geometrically similar RPGs define a regular element of tertiary structure or tertiary motif (TerMo). This intuitive construct provides a simple approach to characterize general repetitive elements of tertiary structure. Results: A dataset of over 4 million tetrahedral RPGs was clustered using different criteria to characterize the various aspects of regular tertiary structure in TerMos. Grouping this data within the SCOP classification levels of Family, Superfamily, Fold, Class and PDB showed that similar packing is shared across different folds. Classification of RPGs based on residue sequence locality reveals topological preferences according to protein sizes and secondary structure. We find that larger proteins favor RPGs with three local residues packed against a non-local residue. Classifying by secondary structure, helices prefer mostly local residues, sheets favor at least two local residues, while turns and coil populate with more local residues. To depict these TerMos, we have developed 2 complementary and intuitive representations: (i) Dirichlet process mixture density estimation of the torsion angle distributions and (ii) kernel density estimation of the Cartesian coordinate distribution. The TerMo library and representations software are available upon request. Contact: [email protected] Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.