cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Breast Cancer: Emerging New Data

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting women in the United States. Triple-negative breast cancer remains the most aggressive molecular subtype secondary to a lack of therapeutic targets. The search for a target has led us to investigate immunotherapeutic agents. Immunotherapy has recently demonstrated significant breakthroughs in various types of cancers that are refractory to traditional therapies including melanoma and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Breast cancer however remains one of the tumors that was initially least investigated because of being considered to have a low immunogenic potential and a low mutational load. Over the past few years, antiPD1/PDL1 drugs have started to make progress in the triple-negative subtype with more promising outcomes. In this report, we review the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer and specifically shed light on advances in immunotherapy and newly approved drugs in this challenging disease.
Autotaxin inhibition reduces cardiac inflammation and mitigates adverse cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction

Abstract Objective Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) initiates pathological inflammation which aggravates tissue damage and causes heart failure. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), produced by autotaxin (ATX), promotes inflammation and the development of atherosclerosis. The role of ATX/LPA signaling nexus in cardiac inflammation and resulting adverse cardiac remodeling is poorly understood. Approach and results We assessed autotaxin activity and LPA levels in relation to cardiac and systemic inflammation in AMI patients and C57BL/6 (WT) mice. Human and murine peripheral blood and cardiac tissue samples showed elevated levels of ATX activity, LPA, and inflammatory cells following AMI and there was strong correlation between LPA levels and circulating inflammatory cells. In a gain of function model, lipid phosphate phosphatase-3 (LPP3) specific inducible knock out (Mx1-Plpp3Δ) showed higher systemic and cardiac inflammation after AMI compared to littermate controls (Mx1-Plpp3fl/fl); and a corresponding increase in bone marrow progenitor cell count and proliferation. Moreover, in Mx1- Plpp3Δ mice, cardiac functional recovery was reduced with corresponding increases in adverse cardiac remodeling and scar size (as assessed by echocardiography and Masson's Trichrome staining). To examine the effect of ATX/LPA nexus inhibition, we treated WT mice with the specific pharmacological inhibitor, PF8380, twice a day for 7 days post AMI. Inhibition of the ATX/LPA signaling nexus resulted in significant reduction in post-AMI inflammatory response, leading to favorable cardiac functional recovery, reduced scar size and enhanced angiogenesis. Conclusion ATX/LPA signaling nexus plays an important role in modulating inflammation after AMI and targeting this mechanism represents a novel therapeutic target for patients presenting with acute myocardial injury.
Multidimensional Almost-Periodic Schrödinger Operators with Cantor Spectrum

We construct multidimensional almost-periodic Schrodinger operators whose spectrum has zero lower box-counting dimension. In particular, the spectrum in these cases is a generalized Cantor set of zero Lebesgue measure.
Cloprostenol and Dinoprost Tromethamine in Experimental and Field Trials Treating Unobserved Estrus in Dairy Cows

There was little difference in the luteolytic activity of cloprostenol (0.5 mg) and dinoprost tromethamine (25 mg) when tested in controlled experimental conditions (65 cows) and in a field trial (245 cows). However, the experimental cows showed a better oestrus response (92.7% against 65.7%) and better pregnancy rate (55.1% against 33.5%) within 6 days of treatment than the cows in the field trial. Palpation accuracy and stage of dioestrus at treatment had a greater effect on the results than the type of prostaglandin used.
Antimicrobial immunity impedes CNS vascular repair following brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and cerebrovascular injury are leading causes of disability and mortality worldwide. Systemic infections often accompany these disorders and can worsen outcomes. Recovery after brain injury depends on innate immunity, but the effect of infections on this process is not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that systemically introduced microorganisms and microbial products interfered with meningeal vascular repair after TBI in a type I interferon (IFN-I)-dependent manner, with sequential infections promoting chronic disrepair. Mechanistically, we discovered that MDA5-dependent detection of an arenavirus encountered after TBI disrupted pro-angiogenic myeloid cell programming via induction of IFN-I signaling. Systemic viral infection similarly blocked restorative angiogenesis in the brain parenchyma after intracranial hemorrhage, leading to chronic IFN-I signaling, blood–brain barrier leakage and a failure to restore cognitive–motor function. Our findings reveal a common immunological mechanism by which systemic infections deviate reparative programming after central nervous system injury and offer a new therapeutic target to improve recovery. Traumatic brain injury and stroke are commonly complicated by systemic infections, which impede recovery and lead to poor clinical outcomes. Using a mouse model, McGavern and colleagues show systemic microbial infections impair central nervous system revascularization and repair by a mechanism involving type I interferon signaling.
Rousseau: The Sentiment of Existence

Rousseau is often portrayed as an educational and social reformer whose aim was to increase individual freedom. In this volume David Gauthier examines Rousseau's evolving notion of freedom, where he focuses on a single quest: can freedom and the independent self be regained? Rousseau's first answer is given in Emile, where he seeks to create a self-sufficient individual, neither materially nor psychologically enslaved to others. His second is in the Social Contract, where he seeks to create a citizen who identifies totally with his community, experiencing his dependence on it only as a dependence on himself. Rousseau implicitly recognized the failure of these solutions. His third answer is one of the main themes of the Confessions and Reveries, where he is made for a love that merges the selves of the lovers into a single, psychologically sufficient unity that makes each 'better than free'. But is this response a chimaera?
Tuning solution chemistry for morphology control of lithium-ion battery precursor particles

Abstract Many battery materials are synthesized via calcination of precursor particle powders with a lithium source. The precursor particles frequently are made via coprecipitation reactions, and a number of combinations of coprecipitation agents have been demonstrated previously. Detailed control over the morphology of precursor particles and the resulting final electrode materials would be highly desirable, but currently detailed understanding of the impact of synthesis conditions on precursor morphology are lacking. Herein, tunable monodisperse MnCO3 particles for Li-ion battery precursors of varying size and shape were synthesized through batch coprecipitation. The effect of solution chemistry on final particle morphology was confirmed via scanning electron microscopy and considered in the context of solution equilibrium calculations and nucleation and growth of precipitate crystals. The tunability of MnCO3 particle morphology with reagent concentration was demonstrated with transitions from rhombohedra to cubes to spheres to smaller spheres with regards to overall secondary particle structures. Other experimental factors were also examined to further understand the processes resulting in the transitions in MnCO3 morphology. Precursor particles were calcined to form LiMn2O4 to verify the ability to maintain the tunable morphology in the final battery materials and to confirm suitability for battery cathodes.
The use of representative data sets to study LGBT-parent families: Challenges, advantages, and opportunities

Understandings of LGBT-parent families have been advanced in recent years through analyses of several important national and/or population-based data sources, yet many of the opportunities that currently exist have been unrealized. This chapter draws attention to these data sources with the hopes of prompting new research on LGBT-parent families. We consider two areas of conceptual and methodological complexity: study design and identifying LGBT-parent families. We then identify challenges when using existing large-scale data sets to study LGBT-parent families. Having discussed challenges, we then describe the advantages of using large-scale secondary data sets. In our discussion we review recent studies that have broken new ground with results that could only be achieved through the analysis of large-scale secondary data sources. Finally, we note some areas in the study of LGBT-parent families that have been particularly underexamined and for which the use of secondary data sources may provide important new possibilities. We anticipate that more large-scale data sets will include attention to LGBT-parent families, offering the potential to greatly advance our understandings of LGBT parents and their children.
Trie-Based Data Structures for Sequence Assembly

We investigate the application of trie-based data structures, suffix trees and suffix arrays in the problem of overlap detection in fragment assembly. Both data structures are theoretically and experimentally analyzed on speed and space. By using heuristics, we can greatly reduce the calls to the time-consuming dynamic programming, and have improved the speed of overlap detection up to 1,000 times with high accuracy in our collaborative DNA sequencing with Brookhaven National Laboratory. We also studied the problem of approximating maximum space savings in tries structures for unification factoring in logic programming, which is proved to be hard.
Decreased Expression of Srcasm in Actinic Keratoses and Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Srcasm, a Src activating and signaling molecule, is a recently discovered substrate of the Src family kinase, Fyn. Although Srcasm can bind downstream signaling molecules, such as Grb2 and the p85 subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, the physiologic role of Srcasm is unknown. Because Fyn is believed to promote keratinocyte differentiation, we hypothesized that Srcasm may also promote keratinocyte differentiation and, thus, antagonize squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) formation. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to determine if Srcasm expression was decreased in SCC’s and actinic keratoses (AK). Using immunohistochemisty with a polyclonal affinity-purified anti-Srcasm antibody, we evaluated the expression of Srcasm in parafin imbedded sections of AK, SCC in-situ (SCIS), and SCC from up to 15 different patients each. The expression of Srcasm in these lesions was compared to normal peri-lesional skin of the same biopsy specimen or normal skin from separate biopsies. We found that Srcasm expression was decreased in approximately 50% of the AK and SCC-IS samples and in over 90% of the SCC samples. This increased prevalence of Srcasm downregulation from pre-malignant to less differentiated malignant lesions, supports our hypothesis that Srcasm, by functioning downstream of Fyn, may promote keratinocyte differentiation.
Remote Sensing of Vegetation Recovery in Grasslands after the 1988 Fires

Traditional methods for measurement of vegetative biomass can be time-consuming and laborÂ­intensive, especially across large areas. Yet such estimates are necessary to investigate the effects of large scale disturbances on ecosystem components and processes. One alternative to traditional methods for monitoring rangeland vegetation is to use satellite imagery. Because foliage of plants differentially absorbs and reflects energy within the electromagnetic spectrum, remote sensing of spectral data can be used to quantify the amount of vegetative biomass present in an area (Tucker and Sellers 1986). In 1987 we found that Landsat Multispectral Scanner (MSS) imagery could be used to quantify green herbaceous phytomass (GHP) on ungulate summer range in the northeastern portion of Yellowstone National Park. Estimates of GHP in the study area were well within values reported for the habitat types sampled (Mueggler and Steward 1980). Annual variation in GHP was related to winter snow accumulation probably due to the timing of snow melt (Merrill et al. 1988). Additionally, we found that GHP explained a significant amount of the variation in the per capita growth rate of elk and bison populations from 1972 to 1987 (Merrill and Boyce 1991). The extensive fires that occurred in the Park in the summer of 1988 provided an opportunity to determine whether remote sensing could be used to monitor grassland vegetation recovery in the Park and to explore the effects of the 1988 fires on ungulate populations using models we developed in 1987. Previous studies have used Landsat imagery to monitor succession of seral stages after fire in pine (Jakubauska et al. 1990), but no studies to our knowledge have used this approach to quantify herbaceous recovery in grasslands.
TEStore: exploiting thermal and energy storage to cut the electricity bill for datacenter cooling

The electricity cost of cooling systems can account for 30% of the total electricity bill of operating a data center. While many prior studies have tried to reduce the cooling energy in data centers, they cannot effectively utilize the time-varying power prices in the power market to cut the electricity bill for data center cooling. This is in contrast to the fact that various thermal and energy storage techniques available in today's data centers, such as ice or water-based thermal tanks and UPS batteries, can be utilized to store energy when the power price is relatively low. The stored energy can then be used to cool the data center when the power price is high. In this paper, we design and evaluate TEStore, a cooling strategy that exploits thermal and energy storage techniques to cut the electricity bill for data center cooling, without causing servers in a data center to overheat. The proposed TEStore system checks the low prices in the hour-ahead power market and precools the thermal masses in the data center, which can then absorb heat when the power price increases later. Meanwhile, TEStore also checks the energy level in UPS batteries and exploits it as a complementary method in shifting energy demand for data center cooling. On a longer time scale, TEStore is integrated with auxiliary thermal tanks, which are recently adopted by some data centers to store energy in the form of ice. We model the impacts of TEStore on server temperatures based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to consider the realistic thermal dynamics in a data center with 1,120 servers. We then evaluate TEStore with workload traces from real-world data centers and power price traces from a real power market. Our results show that TEStore can achieve the desired cooling performance with a much lower electricity bill than the current practice.
Active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer: Need for intervention and survival at 10 years

Abstract Introduction To describe the need for treatment and cancer-specific and overall survival in a contemporary active surveillance (AS) cohort. Patients and methods Historical cohort study of men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer between 1997 and 2009 and managed with AS at a tertiary care center. Inclusion criteria were Gleason score≤6 (Gleason score of 7 in select patients),≤3/12 cores positive, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level Results A total of 469 men with median age at diagnosis of 68.1 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 62.5–73.4) were followed up for a median of 4.8 years (IQR: 3.4–7.3). Median PSA level at diagnosis was 5.1 ng/ml (IQR: 4.0–6.9), with 94% of them having PSA level Conclusion In a contemporary cohort of men with low-risk prostate cancer, AS allowed avoidance of treatment most of them. Common reasons for change in management were Gleason upgrading and volume progression on prostate rebiopsy.
A Visually Servoed MEMS Manipulator

This paper reports on a visual servoing system capable of 2DOF nanopositioning using a novel multi-axis electrostatic MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical System) device. The high aspect ratio micromanipulator was fabricated using a high yield process with Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE) on Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) wafers, which produces larger electrostatic forces and requires lower actuation voltages compared to most existing electrostatic microactuators. A real-time sub-pixel parameterized feature tracking algorithm of ±8.4nm resolution is incorporated into the visual servoing loop. The resulting system is capable of visually servoing to a precision of ±20nm in two axes using the inexpensive bulk micromachined multi-axis electrostatic micromanipulator and standard microscope optics with a CCD camera. Potential applications of the system are in the manipulation of subcellular structures within biological cells, and microassembly of hybrid MEMS devices.
Detection of nitric oxide production in cell cultures by luciferin-luciferase chemiluminescence.

A chemiluminescent method is proposed for quantitation of NO generation in cell cultures. The method is based on activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase by NO. The product of the guanylyl cyclase reaction, pyrophosphate, is converted to ATP by ATP sulfurylase and ATP is detected in a luciferin-luciferase system. The method has been applied to the measurement of NO generated by activated murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) and bovine aortic endothelial cells. For macrophages activated by lipopolysaccharide and γ-interferon, the rate of NO production is about 100 amol/(cell·min). The rate was confirmed by the measurements of nitrite, the product of NO oxidation. For endothelial cells, the basal rate of NO generation is 5 amol/(cell·min); the rate approximately doubles upon activation by bradykinin, Ca(2+) ionophore A23187 or mechanical stress. For both types of cells the measured rate of NO generation is strongly affected by inhibitors of NO synthase. The sensitivity of the method is about 50 pM/min, allowing the registration of NO generated by 10(2)-10(4) cells. The enzyme-linked chemiluminescent method is two orders of magnitude more sensitive than fluorescent detection using 4-amino-5-methylamino-2',7'-difluorofluorescein (DAF-FM).
Rapid rotation of normal faults due to flexural stresses : an explanation for the global distribution of normal fault dips

We present a mechanical model to explain why most seismically active normal faults have dips much lower (30–60°) than expected from Anderson-Byerlee theory (60–65°). Our model builds on classic finite extension theory but incorporates rotation of the active fault plane as a response to the buildup of bending stresses with increasing extension. We postulate that fault plane rotation acts to minimize the amount of extensional work required to sustain slip on the fault. In an elastic layer, this assumption results in rapid rotation of the active fault plane from ~60° down to 30–45° before fault heave has reached ~50% of the faulted layer thickness. Commensurate but overall slower rotation occurs in faulted layers of finite strength. Fault rotation rates scale as the inverse of the faulted layer thickness, which is in quantitative agreement with 2-D geodynamic simulations that include an elastoplastic description of the lithosphere. We show that fault rotation promotes longer-lived fault extension compared to continued slip on a high-angle normal fault and discuss the implications of such a mechanism for fault evolution in continental rift systems and oceanic spreading centers.
Combination Drug Therapy Improves Compliance of the Neurogenic Bladder

Purpose: Typical management of increased bladder storage pressures and decreased compliance related to neurogenic bladder dysfunction consists of antimuscarinic therapy with or without clean intermittent catheterization. However, these measures are often unsuccessful. In this patient group we commonly use combination therapy consisting of antimuscarinics combined with imipramine and/or an α-blocker.Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed identifying all patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction who were initially on no drug therapy or antimuscarinic therapy alone and were later switched to 2 or 3 drug therapy.Results: In the group initially on no therapy and subsequently on 2 drugs (22) mean bladder pressure at capacity decreased 52% and mean compliance increased 5.0-fold. Similarly in the group starting without therapy but ending up on 3 drugs (28) bladder pressure decreased 67% and compliance increased 9.7-fold. In the group initially on an antimuscarinic agent alone (27) tr...
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support after pediatric orthotopic heart transplantation.

Mechanical circulatory support has been used for more than 30 yr to allow the heart to recover from ischemia and injury. There are limited pediatric data, however, on the efficacy of ECMO in the setting of post-transplantation support for primary graft dysfunction or rejection. Data from all patients at our university-affiliated, tertiary care children's hospital who underwent OHT between 1998 and 2010 and required subsequent ECMO support were analyzed. The primary outcome measure was survival to hospital discharge. Two hundred and three pediatric patients underwent OHT between 1998 and 2010 at our institution. Twenty-nine of these patients experienced post-transplantation cardiac failure requiring ECMO support, 18 of whom survived to hospital discharge (62%). Survival in the rejection and allograft vasculopathy group was 75%, and survival in patients with primary graft failure was 53% after ECMO support (p = 0.273). Patient survival to hospital discharge was not associated with ischemic time or duration of ECMO. ECMO provides hemodynamic support in the setting of cardiac failure and can be used successfully after pediatric OHT for primary graft dysfunction or rejection.
A concurrent rule scheduling algorithm for active rules

The use of rules in a distributed environment creates new challenges for the development of active rule execution models. In particular, since a single event can trigger multiple rules that execute over distributed sources of data, it is important to make use of concurrent rule execution whenever possible. This paper presents the details of the integration rule scheduling (IRS) algorithm. Integration rules are active database rules that are used for component integration in a distributed environment. The IRS algorithm identifies rule conflicts for multiple rules triggered by the same event through static, compile-time analysis of the read and write sets of each rule. A unique aspect of the algorithm is that the conflict analysis includes the effects of nested rule execution that occurs as a result of using an execution model with an immediate coupling mode. The algorithm therefore identifies conflicts that may occur as a result of the concurrent execution of different rule triggering sequences. The rules are then formed into a priority graph before execution, defining the order in which rules triggered by the same event should be processed. Rules with the same priority can be executed concurrently. The IRS algorithm guarantees confluence in the final state of the rule execution. The IRS algorithm is applicable for rule scheduling in both distributed and centralized rule execution environments.
Origin of the Inversion of the Acidity Order for Haloacetic Acids on Going from the Gas Phase to Solution

The change in the relative acidities of the haloacetic acids on going from the gas phase to aqueous solution has been studied via ab initio calculations for the gas phase, the SCIPCM reaction field model for an aprotic polar solvent, and Monte Carlo statistical mechanics for aqueous solution. The relative gas phase acidities of acetic acid, the haloacetic acids and trifluoroacetic acid are well reproduced at the B3P86/6-311+G** and G2 levels of theory. The reaction field model reduced the relative acidities of fluoro- and bromoacetic acids to a value close to that found in aqueous solution, but it only reproduced half of the observed net effect of going from the gas phase to aqueous solution. Since the remainder of the solvent effect was probably due to hydrogen bonding, Monte Carlo calculations were carried out and they were in satisfactory accord with the aqueous solution pKa's.
Tunable, Temperature‐Responsive Polynorbornenes with Side Chains Based on an Elastin Peptide Sequence

Random copolymers made by living ring-opening metathesis polymerization of norbornene monomers containing either the elastin peptide sequence -(VPGVG)- or pentaethylene glycol (see scheme; Mes=mesityl, pyr=pyridine) exhibit a lower critical solution temperature (LCST). The LCST can be easily modified by varying the ratio of the co-monomers in the polymer feed.
Seasonal parasitism by egg parasites of the yellow rice borer,Scirpophaga incertulas [Lepidoptera: Pyralidae]

Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker) [Lep.: Pyralidae] is a common pest of rice in West Bengal, India. A three year study (1978–1981) revealed that egg parasites were important in reducing the borer population in an uninterrupted rice cultivation practice. The parasite activity showed periodical fluctuation coinciding with the moth emergence. It was evident thatTelenomus spp. were most common and most dominating in the early summer crop and became highly adaptive under diverse crop growing situations. Among three species ofTelenomus, T. rowani Gahan was the most abundant durint the summer and winter seasons.Tetrastichus schoenobii Ferriere was second in importance in regulating the borer population and its attack was heaviest on the later broods in rice crops cultivated during winter.Trichogramma japonicum Ashmead was very sporadic and had a particular preference for the dry period. It usually occurred in association with other two parasites in the later part of the year. Parasitism of egg masses by two or more species of the parasites was also common during the peak period of parasite activity.
Leishmania: Naive Human T Cells Sensitized with Promastigote Antigen and IL-12 Develop into Potent Th1 and CD8+ Cytotoxic Effectors

Abstract Russo, D. M., Chakrabarti, P., and Higgins, A. Y. 1999. Leishmania: Naive human T cells sensitized with promastigote antigen and IL-12 develop into potent Th1 and CD8+ cytotoxic effectors. Experimental Parasitology93, 161–170. The differentiation of naive human T cells into Leishmania-specific Th1 or cytotoxic effector cells was examined by sensitizing T cells in vitro with dead Leishmania antigen in the presence or absence of IFN-γ or IL-12. These Leishmania-specific T cell lines proliferated and produced cytokines in response to challenge with autologous Leishmania-infected macrophages. Sensitization in the presence of IL-12 or IFN-γ induced Leishmania-specific human Th1 responses, with IL-12 inducing more potent Th1 responses. However, IL-12-induced Th1 responses were IFN-γ dependent. T cell lines exhibited Th2 or Th0 phenotypes when primed in the absence of cytokines. Only T cell lines primed in the presence of IL-12 contained high percentages of CD8+ cells. These cells lysed autologous Leishmania-infected but not uninfected macrophages in an MHC-dependent manner. Thus, this in vitro sensitization system can be used to delineate the conditions for optimally priming human Leishmania-specific effector cells.
High-dynamic-range, low-noise analog optical links using external modulators: analysis and demonstration

Analog fiber-optic links using an integrated-optical intensity modulator have been demonstrated. These links operate at frequencies from 50 MHz to 22 GHz with electrical gain u to 1 1 dB noise figure as low as 6 dB and intermodulation-free dynamic range of up to 1 13 dBHz2/3. The design factors determining optical link performance are discussed briefly and the effect of adding electronic amplifiers is analyzed. SUMMARY Analog optical links are attractive for many applications ranging from cable television distribution to radar-signal transmission at microwave frequencies. These systems often require a link with a low noise figure low electrical insertion loss and high dynamic range. We have demonstrated several intensitymodulated optical links that use a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser and an integrated-optical modulator to achieve high performance by all these measures. 13 We will first discuss these experimental links and then show how their performance could be improved further by adding electronic amplifiers. Figure 1 illustrates the optical link used in our experiments with an electronic preamplifier and postamplifier added. (The experimental results reported here refer to the electrical ports of the optical link Figure 1. Block diagram of the optical link with an electronic preamplifier (Al) and postamplifier (A3) added. (Experimental results in the paper refer to the optical link alone without the amplifiers. ) 252 / SPIE Vol 1371 High-Frequency Analog Fiber Optic Systems(1990) OPTICAL LINK 161 884-1 INTEGRATED-OPTICAL PIN
Targeting Lynch Victims Social Marginality or Status Transgressions

This article presents the first evidence based on a newly-compiled database of known lynch victims. Using information from the original census enumerators’ manuscripts, we identify individual- and ...
Relativistic Treatment of Loosely Bound Systems in Scattering Theory

An approximate method for treating loosely bound systems is discussed, with the deuteron form factor in the impulse approximation treated as an example. Major advantages of the method are that it is simple and unambiguous, and leads to a quantitative estimate of its accuracy. The principal physical assumption behind the method is that the bound system can be regarded as coupled to only one channel at low energies. One can use this to obtain simple, relativistically invariant expressions for scattering amplitudes in which the bound state is described by a relativistic wave function. For the deuteron this wave function is related to the $d\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{np}$ vertex with one nucleon off the mass shell. A method by which this wave function can be determined from phenomenological nonrelativistic wave functions is discussed.
21 Prognostic Factors in Childhood Nonrhabdomyosarcoma Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Background: Non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas (NRSTS) represent about 3% of all childhood malignancies and about 50% of all soft tissue sarcomas. The heterogeneity of these tumors accounts for the paucity of information regarding their natural history and treatment guidelines. Therefore much of the evidence regarding the therapy has been extrapolated from adult studies and few pediatric case series. The purpose of this study is to evaluate our clinical experience with NRSTS in the pediatric population over the past 50 years.
Fiber optics phase correction plates

Abstract Holographic means for correcting the phase of a wavefront transmitted by a fiber bundle is described. Experimental results are given.
An equity check

Abstract This article recognizes the significance of equity in managerial decisions, particularly as they relate to reward systems. While equity is not necessarily simple to understand nor always easy to achieve, it is a highly desirable outcome. Aids are proposed as means to help in the quest for determining equity in organizations. One provides a standard using mean values against which the individual reward/contribution ratio can be compared; the second is a maximin approach which utilizes a multi-attribute ratio of rewards to contributions. An illustrative example is provided. Potential managerial uses are discussed.
Imperfect Bose Gas with Hard-Sphere Interaction

The method developed in the previous paper for the treatment of the quantum-mechanical $N$-body hard-sphere problem is applied to a calculation of the grand partition function of an imperfect Bose gas with hard-sphere interactions. The grand partition function is calculated to second order in an expansion in powers of $\frac{a}{\ensuremath{\lambda}}$, where $a$ is the hard-sphere diameter and $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ the thermal wavelength. The approximate equation of state for the gas phase is thereby obtained by calculating all the virial coefficients to order ${(\frac{a}{\ensuremath{\lambda}})}^{2}$.The first-order energy levels obtained in the previous paper embody some interesting physical properties. A fictitious system with exactly such energy levels is considered. The partition function for such a system can be calculated exactly and the exact equation of state obtained. It is shown that there is a phase transition, which more closely resembles an ordinary gas-liquid transition than the Bose-Einstein condensation.
Interaction of Protein Kinase C Isozymes With Rho GTPases

Evidence is provided for direct protein-protein interactions between protein kinase C (PKC) alpha, betaI, betaII, gamma, delta, epsilon, and zeta and members of the Rho family of small GTPases. Previous investigations, based on the immunoprecipitation approach, have provided evidence consistent with a direct interaction, but this remained to be proven. In the study presented here, an in vitro assay, consisting only of purified proteins and the requisite PKC activators and cofactors, was used to determine the effects of Rho GTPases on the activities of the different PKC isoforms. It was found that the activity of PKCalpha was potently enhanced by RhoA and Cdc42 and to a lesser extent by Rac1, whereas the effects on the activities of PKCbetaI, -betaII, -gamma, -delta, -epsilon, and -zeta were much reduced. These results indicate a direct interaction between PKCalpha and each of the Rho GTPases. However, the Rho GTPase concentration dependencies for the potentiating effects on PKCalpha activity differed for each Rho GTPase and were in the following order: RhoA > Cdc42 > Rac1. PKCalpha was activated in a phorbol ester- and Ca(2+)-dependent manner. This was reflected by a substantial decrease in the phorbol ester concentration requirements for activity in the presence of Ca(2+), which for each Rho GTPase was induced within a low nanomolar phorbol ester concentration range. The activity of PKCalpha also was found to be dependent on the nature of the GTP- or GDP-bound state of the Rho GTPases, suggesting that the interaction may be regulated by conformational changes in both PKCalpha and Rho GTPases. Such an interaction could result in significant cross-talk between the distinct pathways regulated by these two signaling elements.
Roughness evolution of Si(111) by low-energy ion bombardment

Abstract We have examined the roughness evolution of the Si(111) surface at T =610 K by 500 eV Ar ion bombardment near normal incidence using scanning tunneling microscopy from submonolayer to multilayer etching of up to 120 bilayers. The observed roughening was inconsistent with diffusion bias roughening, which is the mechanism thought to be dominant in roughening of crystalline surfaces by deposition and etching. The roughness evolution was interpreted in the framework of dynamic scaling, applicable when the step-edge barrier for surface diffusion is low. The roughness and growth exponents measured were in agreement with the numerical simulation of the Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation with noise in the early time for 2+1 dimensions, which corresponds to the initial stage of dynamic scaling of ion bombardment.
Identity of the argyrophilic cells in the pars distalis of the rat's pituitary gland.

THE McManus (1946) periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) technique and the Gomori (1950) aldehyde fuchsin stain have been employed successfully in demonstrating and elucidating the histophysiology of 3 types of pituitary gland basophils (Halmi, 1950; Pearse, 1952; Purves and Griesbach, 1955). Among other cytological and histochemical methods applied to this gland, several silver impregnation methods (Bodian protargol, Gros-Schultz, Masson) will selectively demonstrate certain cells in the pars distallis (Hamperl, 1932; Biondi, 1936; Morita, 1937; Popoff, 1943; Dawson and Barnett, 1944; Hellweg, 1951; Knigge, 1955a). The identity of the cell which exhibits this property of reducing silver has not been definitely established. Popoff (1943) suggested that argyrophilic cells represented both acidophils and basophils in a resting or non-secretory phase. Hellweg (1951), applying the protargol method to human glands, demonstrated several types of argyrophilic cells on the basis of cell size and the number and size of black...
Midwifery care research: what questions are being asked? What lessons have been learned?

Abstract Purpose: To create and critically evaluate a research database about midwifery care that identifies topics studied, research methods, results, funding, publication data, and implications for a future midwifery research agenda. Methods: Systematic literature review. Studies included were 1) data-based research; 2) about midwifery care or practice; 3) in the United States; and 4) published between 1984–1998. The CINAHL and MEDLINE electronic databases were searched using a defined strategy, and relevant journals and bibliographies were searched by hand. Results: This 15-year review identified 140 studies of midwifery care published in 161 papers. A midwife was the lead author on 60%. Sixty percent were published in the Journal of Nurse-Midwifery. Six to 15 studies were published each year, and both the number of publications and funding increased over the time period. The six major areas of focus were: 1) midwifery management, 2) structure of care, 3) midwifery practice, 4) midwife–physician comparisons, 5) place of birth, and 6) care of vulnerable populations. Discussion: Although retrospective descriptive studies still predominate, more prospective studies, randomized controlled trials, multi-site studies, and quasi-experimental designs are being conducted. Qualitative methods are helping to measure nontraditional outcomes. A research agenda should be established based on discussion and debate within the profession. Midwife investigators need to build research teams and collaborate with other disciplines. Key areas for future research include alternative therapies, breastfeeding, cost-effectiveness, cultural studies, gynecology, health policy, menopause, postpartum care, substance abuse interventions, and the woman’s experience of birth and midwifery care.
Control of λ repressor prophage and establishment transcription by the product of gene tof

Control of expression of the bacteriophage lambda (λ) repressor was studied by measuring repressor transcription in noninduced and derepressed λ lysogens. Three distinct modes of leftward transcription were observed from cI and the adjacent genes associated with the control of repressor synthesis: The prophage or maintenance mode Prm-cI-rex-ti repressor transcript occurs from repressed lysogens; the oop (Po-oop-to) transcript, and the lit (lit-ti) RNA, from the distal half of gene rex, both occur from induced tof+ prophage; the repressor establishment mode of transcription is observed throughout the rex−cI-tof-y-cII-oop interval between Po and ti from induced tof− prophage. the overall level of establishment mRNA synthesis is partially template dependent. However, the actual initiation step for reprressor establishment transcription requires the participation of the λ cIII, cII products, and also either requires the activity of Escherichia coli replication proteins, or is triggered by a replication initiation event. The cII cIII products do not positively stimulate de novo initiation of establishment transcription, but rather act after an initial replication-dependent step. Initiation of the establishment mode of repressor transcription is totally inhibited by more than 125-fold, in an all or none fashion, by the λ antirepressor (Tof), the product of gene tof (cro). Since Tof only reduces the in vivo rightward transcription of cII from Pr by about 2-fold, we suggest that Tof inhibits repressor establishment transcription by either uncoupling the replication and cII-cIII dependent events, or by inhibiting the activity rather than the expression of the cIII, cII products. Our results do not fully support either of the present hypotheses that establishment transcription is initiated from the hypothetical Pre promoter in the y-interval, or arises through anti-termination of the oop RNA. Since the initiation and control of the establishment mode of repressor transcription parallels the control of lit RNA synthesis we propose a common mechanism underlies the initiation of these transcripts.
An efficient NMR approach for obtaining sequence-specific resonance assignments of larger proteins based on multiple isotopic labeling.

By simultaneously incorporating in a protein 13C-carbonyl- and 15N-labeled amino acids with different levels of enrichment, characteristic asymmetric doublet-like patterns are observed for 15N nuclei that are directly adjacent to the 13C1-labeled residues, providing unambiguous identification of a large number of unique dipeptide fragments of the protein. Additional assignments and qualitative structural information can be obtained from such a selectively labeled protein by recording multiple bond correlation spectra. The procedure is demonstrated for the protein calmodulin, complexed with calcium.
Effects of Gibberellin, Kinetin, Thiourea, and Photomorphogenic Radiation on Mitotic Activity in Dormant Lettuce Seed

The effects of several germination-stimulating agents on mitotic activity in radicles of nongerminated lettuce seeds were studied using conditions near the upper limits of temperatures permitting germination. Under appropriate conditions where gibberellin, kinetin, thiourea, and red light could stimulate germination, only kinetin stimulated mitotic activity. Kinetin can be considered a true cell division factor in nongerminated lettuce seeds. Neither gibberellin nor red light had any significant effect on mitotic activity under conditions where they were later active in stimulating germination. The conditions under which thiourea inhibited mitosis were the same as those under which it later stimulated germination. The results are discussed in relation to seed germination, the general problem of dormancy, and the actions of the germination- stimulating agents on other aspects of growth and development.
Construction of fuzzy S**4

We construct a fuzzy S{sup 4}, utilizing the fact that CP{sup 3} is an S{sup 2} bundle over S{sup 4}. We find that the fuzzy S{sup 4} can be described by a block-diagonal form whose embedding square matrix represents a fuzzy CP{sup 3}. We discuss some pending issues on fuzzy S{sup 4}, i.e., precise matrix-function correspondence, associativity of the algebra, and, etc. Similarly, we also obtain a fuzzy S{sup 8}, using the fact that CP{sup 7} is a CP{sup 3} bundle over S{sup 8}.
Development and validation of the Family Health Behavior Scale

Objective. The purpose of the current study was to develop a psychometrically sound, parent-report measure of family and child behaviors related to obesity in children between 5- and 12-years-old. Methods. Item generation, item selection, and initial exploratory factor analysis yielded a 27-item measure called the Family Health Behavior Scale (FHBS). Results. The FHBS contains four subscales measuring health-promoting family behaviors, obesogenic behaviors, meal-time routines, and family physical activity habits. Parent ratings on the FHBS were shown to predict their child's weight classification. The FHBS also demonstrated adequate internal consistency and temporal stability. Conclusions. The results of the study suggest that the FHBS is a promising measure of family eating and physical activity habits related to obesity in children.
Mechanical properties of aluminum fluoride glass fibers

The effect of high temperature aqueous solutions of various pH values on the mechanical properties of polymer coated optical fibers of an aluminum fluoride-based composition are examined. It was found that such fibers retain much more strength when aged in these aqueous environments than fibers of the more common zirconium fluoride-based composition. The aging is not affected by pH unless the fiber is under stress, in which case a low pH solution decreases the time to failure of the fiber. In static fatigue, the time to failure of the aluminum fluoride-based fibers is 20 times greater than that of the zirconium fluoride-based fibers.
Y-shaped osteotomy for correction of open bite in adults

Abstract The various methods devised in the past for correction of open bite are reviewed. Open bite with angulation in the occlusal plane, which may be due either to maldevelopment in the anterior part of the jaws, or to faulty reduction of a fracture in the horizontal ramus of the mandible, is best corrected within the dental arch. A new method, termed the Y-shaped excision, for the surgical correction of open bite in adults with little or no mandibular protrusion is presented. The method is especially useful in cases with angulation of the mandible in the premolar or molar region. The method is an improvement on the V-shaped excision. The operation is performed from both an intraoral and an extraoral approach, and therefore requires more time than the former procedure. This is justified, however, because it prevents injury to the alveolar nerve and vessels and gives a more accurate result.
Estimation of Blood Flow Resistance in the Lung with MRI

In pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), vascular cells in the lung proliferate, leading to elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), failure of the right ventricle of the heart, and premature death. PVR is a useful measure that reflects the degree of pulmonary artery involvement and therefore the patient's prognosis. In addition, serial measurements of PVR allow monitoring of disease progression and response to therapies. PVR is usually calculated by dividing the transpulmonary gradient (mean pulmonary artery pressure minus right atrial pressure) by the cardiac output, parameters obtained during right heart catheterization. Despite the risk of complications from this invasive procedure, there are few safe alternatives. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) may be a good substitute. A well-established methodology for assessing right ventricular function noninvasively, CMR measures the average pulmonary artery flow, which is strongly associated with PVR. Now, Garcia Alvarez et al. have taken this method one step further to show that CMR can accurately detect changes in PVR in Large White pigs with acute and chronic pulmonary hypertension. The hypertension was produced by injecting polydextrane microspheres either once or multiple times into the animals. Simultaneous hemodynamic and CMR assessments were regularly performed to calculate and estimate PVR, respectively. CMR estimations of PVR were based on pulmonary artery velocity and right ventricular ejection fraction. As chronic pulmonary hypertension developed or after pulmonary vasodilators were given to the pigs, changes in both the estimated PVR and a simpler measure (average pulmonary artery flow velocity) reflected variations in the PVR, which was obtained by right heart catheterization. There is a persistent need to identify noninvasive methodologies that can better assess PAH severity. These new results indicate that CMR can estimate PVR both at a single time point and over time, a discovery that positions this methodology as a promising tool for the noninvasive monitoring of PAH patients and their response to therapy. A. Garcia-Alvarez et al. , Noninvasive monitoring of serial changes in pulmonary vascular resistance and acute vasodilator testing using cardiac magnetic resonance. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol ., published online 14 August 2013 (10.1016/j.jacc.2013.07.037). [[Abstract ]][1] [1]: http://content.onlinejacc.org/mobile/article.aspx?articleid=1729173