cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fatty acid profile of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni, and the effect of diet and rearing conditions

Abstract The fatty acids, palmitic (16:0), palmitoleic (16:1), stearic (18:0), oleic (18:1), linoleic (18:2), and linolenic (18:3) were measured by GLC in Trichoplusia ni (Hubn.) from larvae reared on three different diets. The effect of rearing temperature and humidity on the levels of these fatty acids in pupae and pharate adults was determined. T. ni tended to accumulate 18:3 somewhat in proportion to its level in the diet. The respective levels (relative percentage) of this fatty acid in the diet and in the pupae were: bean leaves, 73·6 and 56·7; the diet based on lima beans, 10·2 and 3·5; and a meridic diet containing wheatgerm oil, 5·6 and 1·8. Pupae from larvae reared on a diet marginal in 18:3 content produced adults with deformed wings when reared at 30°C and normal wings when reared at 23 or 24°C, but there was no difference in their tissue level of 18:3. The phospholipids of last instar larvae, pharate pupae, pupae, pharate adults, and emerged adults are made up mostly of 18:0, 18:2, and 18:3 while the triglycerides of these stages contain relative large quantities of 16:0, 16:1, and 18:1. Pupal rearing temperature did not appear to influence the level of 18:3 in these two fractions enough to account for the degree of deficiency expressed as adult wing deformity. Both high (95%) and low (20%) relative humidity have an adverse effect on wing development but this effect can be overcome by 18:3 supplementation of the larval diet.
Replacement-cost-adjusted valuation ratio as a discriminator among takeover target and nontarget firms

Abstract The financial characteristics of 65 firms were examined to test the hypothesis that the valuation ratio is a primary determinant of whether a firm will be the target of a takeover attempt. The valuation ratio is defined as the market value of the firm divided by the net current value of its individual assets and liabilities. The study examined a sample of takeover targets that were matched with nontarget firms on the basis of industry and size. Multiple discriminant analysis was used to examine the importance of various financial variables, and the valuation ratio was consistently the most important variable in the discriminant models.
Innovative strategy for treatment of lung cancer: targeted nanotechnology-based inhalation co-delivery of anticancer drugs and siRNA

A tumor targeted mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN)-based drug delivery system (DDS) was developed for inhalation treatment of lung cancer. The system was capable of effectively delivering inside cancer cells anticancer drugs (doxorubicin and cisplatin) combined with two types of siRNA targeted to MRP1 and BCL2 mRNA for suppression of pump and nonpump cellular resistance in non-small cell lung carcinoma, respectively. Targeting of MSN to cancer cells was achieved by the conjugation of LHRH peptide on the surface of MSN via poly(ethylene glycol) spacer. The delivered anticancer drugs and siRNA preserved their specific activity leading to the cell death induction and inhibition of targeted mRNA. Suppression of cellular resistance by siRNA effectively delivered inside cancer cells and substantially enhanced the cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs. Local delivery of MSN by inhalation led to the preferential accumulation of nanoparticles in the mouse lungs, prevented the escape of MSN into the systemic circulation, and limited their accumulation in other organs. The experimental data confirm that the developed DDS satisfies the major prerequisites for effective treatment of non-small cell lung carcinoma. Therefore, the proposed cancer-targeted MSN-based system for complex delivery of drugs and siRNA has high potential in the effective treatment of lung cancer.
Ionic properties of hydrogenated and fluorinated fullerenes

Using mass spectrometry, the ionization potentials (IP) of C{sub 60}H{sub n} for even-numbered n=2-12 were determined to be 6.75-7.5 eV, and for odd-numbered n were below 6.75 eV (for C{sub 60}, IP is 7.65 eV). Electron affinities (EA) of these species rapidly decrease with increasing n. IPs and EAs for C{sub 60}F{sub x}, on the other hand, both increase dramatically upon fluorination. A second electron can be added to gaseous C{sub 60}F{sub 48}{sup {minus}}; the resulting doubly charged anion is more stable than the singly charged anion.
Electron microscopic study of intramembranous changes in protein-extracted peripheral nervous system myelin

Sciatic nerves from young mice were incubated for 2-8 hours in 0.5% Triton X-100 in 0.5 M ammonium acetate, a solution which solubilizes the large and small basic proteins of the myelin sheath. As previously noted (Peterson and Gruener, 1978), myelin sheaths from treated nerves extensively split and unravelled along major dense lines. Small focal areas of compact myelin remained. In freeze-fracture replicas, areas of myelin with lamellar splitting contained few intramembranous particles, while membrane areas with greater than normal densities of particles were associated with the patches of compact myelin membrane. Fixation for as short a time as 15 minutes stabilized the myelin membrane enough to prevent the Triton X-100 effects, even when incubations were extended to 20 hours. Controls, both untreated and 0.5 M ammonium acetate-treated nerves, had predominantly compact myelin sheaths; their leaflets were covered with numerous intramembranous particles. The data suggest that Triton X-100 alters the compact structure of peripheral nervous system myelin. In areas where lamellae are split and separated, there is a loss of intramembranous particles. It appears that the loss of intramembranous particles is related to the removal of the basic proteins which are located in major dense line regions of compact myelin sheaths.
Firearm Death Rates and Association with Level of Firearm Purchase Background Check

Background Past ecologic analyses of firearm deaths have studied the effects of various gun-control laws; however, no study has analyzed the effects of the differences among states in the background checks required for firearm purchase. Some states utilize a federal agency to conduct the background checks; others use a state agency; still others use a local agency. The information potentially available to checking agencies at different levels of government varies; the consequence of this variation is not known. Methods In 2007, negative binomial regression models were used to assess the association between the Department of Justice classification of agencies conducting firearm background checks for each state in 2002–2004 and firearm suicide and homicide rates for the same years from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control while controlling for age, race, unemployment, crime, income inequality, poverty, alcohol consumption, urbanization, and divorce rate. Results Performing local-level background checks was associated with a 27%-lower firearm suicide rate (incidence rate ratio [IRR]=0.73, 95% CI=0.60, 0.89) and a 22%-lower homicide rate (IRR=0.78, 95% CI=0.61, 1.01) in adults ≥21 years. Conclusions Using local-level agencies to perform firearm background checks is associated with reduced rates of firearm suicide and homicide. Methods to increase local-level agency background checks, such as authorizing local police or sheriff's departments to conduct them, or developing the capability to share local-level records with federal databases, should be evaluated as a means of reducing firearm deaths.
Perspectives on the management of the complications of senile retinoschisis

Purpose To evaluate various published views regarding the management of complications of senile retinoschisis. Methods To analyze and compare various reports of studies of natural history and prognosis, and comparative risks of non-intervention vs prophylactic surgery. Results Although a number of recent techniques for treatment or prevention of complications of senile retinoschisis have been reported with generally satisfactory results, the numbers of cases have been small and no consensus can be said to have been achieved as to superiority of method. When compared to the extremely low likelihood of the natural occurrence of complications such as posterior progression to involve the macula, or of the development of progressive clinical retinal detachment, as well as the occurrence of risks of treatment, it appears preferable to postpone treatment until these complications actually make their appearance. Conclusions It is recommended that in cases of retinoschisis either without or with breaks, or retinoschisis with localized 'schisis-detachment', that prophylactic treatment be withheld except in a very few exceptional cases. In all cases of progressive, symptomatic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment however, prompt surgical treatment should be carried out.
Improving the general monitoring system

Monitoring network devices is critical to avoid downtime in an organization from solvable technical problems. Available methods to monitor hardware are often lacking in areas such as data gathering and visual representation of that data. Gathering accurate measurements at a consistent rate is important for identifying and solving problems. Interpretation of the results is also vital. Visually based data representation has become a standard methodology for many users, as it allows quick analysis of gathered measurements. This paper offers a solution that provides improved device handling as well as an improved visual representation of results from network devices, and increased speed in the data gathering process.
A functional analytic proof of a Borel selection theorem

Abstract Suppose E is the set of extreme points of a compact metrizable set. A consequence of various well-known selection theorems is that if r is a continuous affine map from E onto a metric space F , then there exists a Borel-measurable selection for r . In this paper, we give a purely functional analytic proof of this fact. For general metric spaces E such selections do not always exist, and the technical arguments, which have seemed to be necessary in each special case, are quite delicate. The spaces encountered in functional analysis are frequently homeomorphic to the set of extreme points of a compact set, so that our theorem gives a more universally applicable result for functional analysts. Many of the selection theorems needed in unitary representation theory are shown to be consequences of the general result in this paper.
Extracellular Ca2+ Sensing in Salivary Ductal Cells

Ca(2+) is secreted from the salivary acinar cells as an ionic constituent of primary saliva. Ions such as Na(+) and Cl(-) get reabsorbed whereas primary saliva flows through the salivary ductal system. Although earlier studies have shown that salivary [Ca(2+)] decreases as it flows down the ductal tree into the oral cavity, ductal reabsorption of Ca(2+) remains enigmatic. Here we report a potential role for the G protein-coupled receptor, calcium-sensing receptor (CSR), in the regulation of Ca(2+) reabsorption by salivary gland ducts. Our data show that CSR is present in the apical region of ductal cells where it is co-localized with transient receptor potential canonical 3 (TRPC3). CSR is activated in isolated salivary gland ducts as well as a ductal cell line (SMIE) by altering extracellular [Ca(2+)] or by aromatic amino acid, L-phenylalanine (L-Phe, endogenous component of saliva), as well as neomycin. CSR activation leads to Ca(2+) influx that, in polarized cells grown on a filter support, is initiated in the luminal region. We show that TRPC3 contributes to Ca(2+) entry triggered by CSR activation. Further, stimulation of CSR in SMIE cells enhances the CSR-TRPC3 association as well as surface expression of TRPC3. Together our findings suggest that CSR could serve as a Ca(2+) sensor in the luminal membrane of salivary gland ducts and regulate reabsorption of [Ca(2+)] from the saliva via TRPC3, thus contributing to maintenance of salivary [Ca(2+)]. CSR could therefore be a potentially important protective mechanism against formation of salivary gland stones (sialolithiasis) and infection (sialoadenitis).
Local-density-functional results for the dimerization of trans -polyacetylene: Relationship to the band-gap problem

Etude sur ordinateur de la dimerisation de la chaine du trans-polyacetylene, en employant le potentiel d'echange-correlation de Gaspar-Kohn Sham
Integrating code generation and peephole optimization

Peephole optimization when integrated with automatic code generation into a uniform framework has significant advantages in the specification and implementation of efficient compiler back-ends. Attribute grammars provide a framework for expression of machine-specific code optimizations. We present a grammar-driven peephole optimization algorithm that is particularly well suited to attributed-parsing code generators. Integration via semantic attributes corrects interrelated phase-ordering problems and produces a faster and smaller compiler back-end.
Lagrangian measurements in the Kamchatka Current and Oyashio

From 1988 to 1993, 23 satellite-tracked drifting buoys entered the Kamchatka Current. The buoy trajectories showed a well-formed, high-speed current that originated near Shirshov Ridge, and flowed southward through Kamchatka Strait. During some years, the buoys turned eastward at ∼50°N, while in other years they were transported as far south as Japan (40°N). Only one buoy entered the Sea of Okhotsk. Eddies were evident in many of the buoy trajectories. Greatest maximum daily velocities (>100 cm s−1) were observed south of Kamchatka Strait, with 50–60 cm s−1 being more common.
Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty in Younger Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

We conducted a retrospective comparison of the effectiveness of argon laser trabeculoplasty in controlling increased intraocular pressure in two different age groups treated for medically uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma. Of 15 eyes of patients less than 40 years old who had primary open-angle glaucoma, nine (60%) had uncontrolled intraocular pressures postoperatively and needed filtering surgery within two years of argon laser trabeculoplasty. Only two of 29 (7%) eyes in older patients had unacceptably high intraocular pressures during a mean (±1 S.D.) follow-up period of 17±5 months. Older eyes had greater decreases in intraocular pressure (12±6 mm Hg) than younger eyes (5±6 mm Hg) after laser treatment. Failure in young eyes appeared to correlate with a high preoperative intraocular pressure. Thus, argon laser trabeculoplasty is not a reliably effective form of therapy for younger patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.
Binge eating in obesity: Toward the specification of predictors

Obese binge eaters evidence greater disturbance than do obese nonbingers on various eating and weight-related characteristics and on many psychopathological dimensions as well. The present study attempted to specify the nature of risk factors for binging further by regressing factors from the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI) and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire onto a measure of binge eating. Five variables were shown to reliably predict binge eating in a double cross-validation procedure. Of these 5 variables, four assessed eating and weight-related characteristics rather than psychopathology. The possible relevance of these predictor variables for understanding the causes of binge eating was considered.
Capability of the natural microbial community in a river water ecosystem to degrade the drug naproxen

The present work aims at evaluating the ability of the River Tiber natural microbial community to degrade naproxen in water samples collected downstream from a wastewater treatment plant. For this purpose, different water microcosms were set up (microbiologically active vs sterile ones) and treated with naproxen (100 μg/L) alone or in the co-presence of gemfibrozil in order to evaluate if the co-presence of the latter had an influence on naproxen degradation. The experiment was performed in the autumn and was compared with the same experimental set performed in spring of the same year to highlight if seasonal differences in the river water influenced the naproxen degradation. Pharmaceutical concentrations and microbial analysis (total cell number, viability, and microbial community composition) were performed at different times in the degradation experiments. The overall results show that the natural microbial community in the river water had a key role in the naproxen degradation. In fact, although there was a transient negative effect on the natural microbial community in all the experiments (3 h after adding the pharmaceutical), the latter was able to degrade naproxen within about 40 days. On the contrary, no decrease in the pharmaceutical concentration was observed in the sterile river water. Moreover, the co-presence of the two drugs lengthened the naproxen lag phase. As regards the natural microbial community composition detected by Fluorescence in situ Hybridization, Alpha and Gamma-Proteobacteria increased when the pharmaceutical halved, suggesting their role in the degradation. This study shows that with the concentration studied, naproxen was degraded by the natural microbial populations collected from a river chronically contaminated by this pharmaceutical.
Metal-nitroxyl interactions. 40. EPR spectra of spin-labeled copper(II) and vanadyl complexes immobilized on imbiber beads

Etude du spectre RPE sur des perles imbibees de coordinats marques au spin, et lies au cuivre bis(hexafluoroacetylacetonate), et au vanadyl bis(trifluoroacetylacetonate)
A Reagentless Amperometric Alcohol Biosensor Based on Carbon-Nanotube/Teflon Composite Electrodes

Abstract We report on a multiwall carbon-nanotube (MWCNT)-based alcohol biosensor, based on the incorporation of alcohol-dehydrogenase/NAD+ within a three-dimensional MWCNT/Teflon matrix. The MWCNT component offers a marked decrease in the overvoltage for the oxidation of the liberated NADH along with minimal surface fouling effects, hence allowing convenient low-potential stable detection of the ethanol. The electrocatalytic detection is characterized, the biosensor composition and operation are optimized, and the analytical performance is illustrated.
Abstract B15: An assessment of eligibility and enrollment into cancer clinical trials among a disadvantaged urban population

Background: Enrollment rates into cancer clinical trials among the adult population remains at approximately 2–11% with the vast majority being white men and women from high socioeconomic status and educational backgrounds. In order to address the unequal burden of cancer among underserved populations, it is imperative to enroll representative populations into cancer clinical trials, yet little is known about reasons why minority accrual is so low. We aim to examine the eligibility and enrollment criteria for disadvantaged populations in cancer clinical trials as a first step to increase minority accrual. Methods: Boston Medical Center, a recently designated Minority Based Community Clinical Oncology Program by the National Cancer Institute, is the largest Safety Net medical institution in New England serving Boston9s most vulnerable cancer patients. Using the hospital cancer registry to identify incident cases in the calendar year 2010 (n=1300), we conducted a retrospective review of the electronic medical record (EMR) to identify rates of screening for available cancer clinical trials. Each patient considered potentially eligible for a cancer clinical trial has documentation in their EMR from a clinical trials nurse. This screening note documents potential eligibility for enrollment, reasons for ineligibility or non-enrollment. Socio-demographic information was obtained from the cancer registry. Descriptive statistics were used to report our main outcomes: screening rate, eligibility and enrollment rate (of those screened) and reasons for not enrolling. Results: Among 1300 newly diagnosed cancer patients served in calendar year 2010, mean age 61; 49% female; 48% White, 30% Black, 11% Hispanic, 4% Asian. One hundred clinical trials were available for accrual during the time period. Overall, we found documentation that 686 screenings for specific cancer trials were performed across 547 unique patients, resulting in a screening rate of 42% of newly diagnosed cancer patients. Among all 686 screenings, we found that patients were deemed ineligible for a specific clinical trial 92% of the time (n=630). The most commonly noted reasons for ineligibility were administrative issues (such as pending IRB approval and timing of screening) versus patient co-morbidities or disease stage. Of the patients who were deemed eligible (n=56) for clinical trials, 55% (n=31) were enrolled, of which 51% were white, 45% black and 4% Hispanic. Conclusions: Most patients screened for a cancer clinical trial were not eligible. Earlier evaluation may address the administrative issues. Co-morbidities continue to be a major source of ineligibility for minority patients. When eligible, a racially representative sample was enrolled, suggesting the need to identify trials that are specific to our patient population in order to increase minority accrual. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):B15.
Wilkinson's iridium acetate trimer as a water-oxidation catalyst

The catalytic water-oxidation activity of Wilkinson's iridium acetate trimer (1) has been characterized electrochemically and by using chemical oxidants. We show that 1 can function as an operationally homogeneous water-oxidation catalyst when driven with sodium periodate as a primary oxidant, but rapidly decomposes using Ce(IV) as a primary oxidant.
AN ADJOINT METHOD FOR THE INVERSE DESIGN OF SOLIDIFICATION PROCESSES WITH NATURAL CONVECTION

This paper presents a finite element algorithm based on the adjoint method for the design of a certain class of solidification processes. In particular, the paper addresses the design of directional solidification processes for pure materials such that a desired freezing front heat flux and growth velocity are achieved. This is the first time that an infinite-dimensional continuum adjoint formulation is obtained and implemented for the solution of such inverse/design problems with moving boundaries and Boussinesq incompressible flow. The present design problem belongs to a category of inverse problems in which one is looking for the unknown conditions in part of the boundary, while overspecified boundary conditions are supplied in another part of the boundary (here the freezing interface). The solidification design problem is mathematically posed as a whole time-domain optimization problem. The gradient of the cost functional is calculated using the solution of an appropriately defined continuous adjoint problem. The minimization process is realized by the conjugate gradient method via the solutions of the direct, adjoint and sensitivity sub-problems. The proposed methodology is demonstrated with the solidification of an initially superheated liquid aluminum confined in a square mold. The non-uniformity in the casting product in the direction of gravity due to the existence of natural convection in the melt is emphasized. The inverse design problem is then posed as finding the appropriate spatial-temporal variations of the boundary heat flux on the vertical mold walls that can eliminate or reduce the effects of convection on the freezing interface heat fluxes and growth velocity. The numerical example demonstrates the accuracy and convergence of the adjoint formulation. Finally, open related research design problems are discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sub‐surface pressures due to oscillatory waves

Measurements of pressure variations with time at or near the ocean bottom provide a convenient means for determination of wave heights and periods. The wave characteristics are obtained from the pressure measurements through application of theoretical relationships associated with oscillatory waves. Laboratory experiments made to investigate the reliability of the theoretically determined correction factors indicate that the theoretical values result in wave heights about ten percent lower than the corresponding measured values. A brief analysis of irregular waves is included.
On dependencies between architecture and media: considering the remote work

To consider architecture as a communicative medium requires acknowledgment of the necessity of mediating artifacts suchas drawings, models, and photographs, insofar as these artifacts provide structure for communication and discourse. In this essay, I examine the criticality of mediating artifacts to architecture's communicative potential by proposing a tactical identity between the act of architectural design and the study of architectural precedent. In both situations, mediating artifacts incorporate decisions and assumptions about how architectural significance should be communicated.I propose two hypotheses as frames within which to discuss architecture's dependence on mediating artifacts. First, the Neutral Frame hypothesis suggests that significant attributesof a work of architecture are capable of disclosure regardless of the medium through which these attributes are "filtered.” By contrast, the Production Bias hypothesis holds that significant attributes of a work of architecture can be identified as unique to a medium of investigation, and furthermore, that in some cases it may not be possible to disclose a given attribute by any other means. By considering existing photographs of a completed work of architecture (Crown Hall in Chicago,Illinois) in two ways, first through computer-aided manipulation and second by diagramming superimposed fields-of-view of photographs from two distinct sources, I suggest that the Production Bias hypothesis is the better explanation of architecture's relationship to mediating artifacts.
Antenatal diagnosis of bladder/cloacal exstrophy: challenges and possible solutions.

Abstract Objective To identify the pitfalls in accurate antenatal diagnosis of bladder exstrophy (BE) and cloacal exstrophy (CE), and thus understand the challenges for antenatal counselling. Methods A prospectively maintained bladder exstrophy database of antenatal and live born referrals for BE/CE was used to identify patients. Data were collected about the antenatal scan findings and the outcome of pregnancy. Results Between 2003 and 2009, 40 new babies with BE/CE were referred and of them 10 had an antenatal diagnosis. Five patients did not have a diagnosis despite suspicious findings noted on antenatal scans and another three had a wrong diagnosis of BE/CE. Of the 16 referrals with antenatal suspicion of BE/CE, 5 opted for termination. At the 20-week scan, it was possible to identify the gender of the fetus in 3/16 cases only. Conclusions Only a quarter of the babies born with BE/CE had received an antenatal diagnosis. Raising awareness about the condition amongst radiographers, and facilitating further scanning by a specialist fetal management unit if suspicious findings are noted, is crucial for improving the rate of detection. An antenatal diagnosis may not be reliable, and difficulty in identifying gender at the 20-week scan adds to the complexity of antenatal counselling. Magnetic resonance imaging and karyotyping may provide additional helpful information.
Estimating surface radiation fluxes in the Arctic from TOVS brightness temperatures

A new method for estimating downwelling shortwave and longwave radiation fluxes in the Arctic from TOVS brightness temperatures has been developed. The method employs a neural network to bypass computationally intensive inverse and for-ward radiative transfer calculations, Results from two drifting ice camps (CEAREX, LeadEx) and from one coastal station show that downwelling fluxes can be estimated with r.m.s. errors of 20 W/sq m for longwave radiation and 35 W/sq m for shortwave radiation. Mean errors are less than 4 W/sq m and are well within the bounds required for many climate process studies.
Holographic Recording on Electron Beam Colored Sodium Chloride Crystals

Color centers produced in sodium chloride crystals by electron beam bombardment have been used for holographic recording. The holograms were constructed with the 4762-A radiation of a krypton ion laser. Reconstruction was demonstrated with both the 4762-A and 5682-A radiation of the same laser. The possibility of reconstruction in the M band, centered at 7350 A, was postulated but was not demonstrated. It was shown that the electron beam coloring technique converts complex R and M centers formed by bleaching back to F centers, making the crystals reusable. The efficiency of the electron beam coloring process and the penetration depth of the color centers as a function of the accelerating voltage were determined.
The Effect of Twins on the Mechanical Behavior of Boron Carbide

The microstructure and mechanical properties of boron carbide (B4C) samples processed by slip casting were compared with those processed by the conventional hot-pressing technique. Although the quasi-static and dynamic mechanical experiments showed comparable results between the slip-cast and hot-pressed B4C, scanning electron microscopy and electron backscattered diffraction of the B4C samples revealed significant differences in the microstructure. A notable difference was the numerous growth twins in the slip-cast samples. The twin planes were determined to be $$ \left\{ { 10\bar{1} 1} \right\} $$ and consisted of 35 pct of the boundary population in the slip-cast B4C but only 1 pct of the boundary population in the hot-pressed B4C. It was hypothesized that the presence of twins will cause a different failure mechanism. The effect of the twins on the stress state was examined by finite-element simulations and will also be discussed.
A Novel Bifunctional Phospholipase C That Is Regulated by Gα12 and Stimulates the Ras/Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway

Three families of phospholipase C (PI-PLCβ, γ, and δ) are known to catalyze the hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides such as phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) to generate the second messengers inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate and diacylglycerol, leading to a cascade of intracellular responses that result in cell growth, cell differentiation, and gene expression. Here we describe the founding member of a novel, structurally distinct fourth family of PI-PLC. PLCe not only contains conserved catalytic (X and Y) and regulatory domains (C2) common to other eukaryotic PLCs, but also contains two Ras-associating (RA) domains and a Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor (RasGEF) motif. PLCe hydrolyzes PIP2, and this activity is stimulated selectively by a constitutively active form of the heterotrimeric G protein Gα12. PLCe and a mutant (H1144L) incapable of hydrolyzing phosphoinositides promote formation of GTP-Ras. Thus PLCe is a RasGEF. PLCe, the mutant H1144L, and the isolated GEF domain activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in a manner dependent on Ras but independent of PIP2 hydrolysis. Our findings demonstrate that PLCe is a novel bifunctional enzyme that is regulated by the heterotrimeric G protein Gα12 and activates the small G protein Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.
Computer documentation for senior citizens

The fastest growing market segment of new computer users is senior citizens. For many seniors, the computer is a puzzling device whose inner workings will forever remain a mystery. A lack of understanding of how a computer works doesn't necessarily mean that seniors' interest in using a computer is diminished. But it does mean that most of the documentation written to help them learn computing skills and use common applications is inappropriate. Based on a series of free seminars conducted in the first half of 2003, three issues were identified as key requirements of computer documentation for seniors that addresses their unique circumstances: basic vocabulary, just enough explanation, and exception-oriented guidelines.
SU-E-T-404: A Prototype Program for Analyzing 4D Image Guidance Shifts for Lung SBRT.

Purpose: A prototype in‐house program was developed to assist deriving image guidance shifts clinically using our 4DCT method for lungSBRT.Methods: Our in‐house prototype program was implemented in MATLAB. The 4D DICOM CT dataset of interest is imported by the program from AW and subsequently accepts input from the user regarding the desired relative IGRT shifts. The DICOM header information defining the relative 4D dataset origin is then read in and the desired relative IGRT shifts are applied to re‐define the origin for the dataset that is to be shifted. Lastly, the redefined (shifted) origin coordinates are written to the header of the 4D dataset and the dataset is then exported to AW as DICOM files. We used this program to process 4DCT datasets for four patients with 3–5 fractions each. The clinical shifts that were derived previously, without this program, were applied to the images and the acceptability of these shifts were evaluated. Results: All slices and planes of the shifted 4D dataset were reviewed and, in general, demonstrated acceptable re‐centering of the target within the ITV. However, it is noted that some small adjustments to the shift coordinates would likely have been made had we had the opportunity to visualize the shifted 4D dataset as facilitated by the new in‐house software. The additional adjustments for the four patient cases studied here had an average of lmm and maximum of 2mm in three principle directions. We look forward to exploring the potential for implementing this software into our clinical workflow, and we believe that such a workflow is worthy of consideration by vendors for implementation as an available feature in future versions of their software.Conclusions: We presented a prototype program to shift 4DCT image set for lungSBRT applications and demonstrated four clinical cases.
In vivo actions of protein phosphatase inhibitor-2 in Xenopus oocytes

Abstract Meiotic maturation of amphibian oocytes induced by progesterone is known to be regulated by protein phosphorylation. To investigate a possible role for protein phosphatase-1 in this process, the effect of phosphatase inhibitor-2 was determined on the in vivo rate of dephosphorylation of phosphorylase a and on the rate of oocyte maturation. Dephosphorylation of microinjected phosphorylase a was inhibited up to 40% in the presence of inhibitor-2, with half-maximal inhibition at an intracellular concentration of 0.6 μM. Inhibitor-2 also caused over a 3-fold increase in the half-time for maturation, suggesting a possible role for protein phosphatase-1 in the regulation of meiosis.
Specificity in DNA interactions: an Nmr investigation of the interaction of propidium with oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing normal and G, T base pairs

The interaction of propidium with three self-complementary oligodeoxyribonucleotides has been investigated by 1H- (base-pair imino proton assigned by 1D NOE and saturation transfer methods) and 31P-nmr as a function of ratio of propidium to oligomer (from zero to saturation) and temperature. The three oligomers are dTATATGCGCATATA (1), dTATATGTGCATATA (2), which has the same sequence as 1 except for the mismatched base pair at position 7, and dTATGTGCATA (3), which is a shortened version of 2. The imino proton chemical-shift changes of 1 on titration with propidium can be explained by the effects of the ring-current anisotropy of propidium at intercalation (3.4 A) and next-neighbor sites (6.8 A). The results indicate that propidium binds with neighbor exclusion but with no significant specificity for any intercalation site in the sequence of 1. The addition of propidium to 1 results in general downfield shifts of all 31P signals, as expected for a nonspecific intercalator. Imino and 31P-nmr spectra for 2 indicate that this oligomer forms a hydrogen-bonded G · T base pair at position 7 with little change in base pairing and stacking of base pairs 1–6 compared to 1. The results for addition of propidium to 2 and 3 are quite different than with 1. At low ratio only secondary shifts (6.8 A) are seen for the G and T imino protons of base-pair 7 on addition of propidium. At higher ratios of propidium, the signals for these G and T protons are lost in 2 and severely broadened in 3, even at low temperature. The other potential intercalation sites in 2 and 3 appear to bind propidium strongly and without significant specificity as with 1. 31P spectra of 2 in the presence of propidium show the expected downfield shifts and broadening. Thus, the minor differences in local helix geometry in 1, and in 2 and 3, away from the G · T base pair do not significantly affect propidium intercalation specificity. Having one or two G · T base pairs at a site, however, makes intercalation in the standard manner significantly less favorable.
Student leadership teams: does the benefit outweigh their egos?

Creating and managing a team of students to help supervise other student staff has both positive and negative aspects. It is a necessity for those Information Technology (IT) departments who do not have enough full time staff to fulfill this role, yet it can present some interesting challenges in management. At Grinnell College, the IT department employs approximately 75 students as Technology Consultants who staff general computer labs, the helpdesk, library computing facilities, digital art lab, and the Audio Visual Center.The leadership team at Grinnell College was started to provide better services and supervision to the student staff, which was only about 25 students in 1997. The leadership team consisted of two "supervising" students: Senior Coordinator and Junior Coordinator. As the services provided by student staff expanded and the number of staff tripled, a team of six student supervisors was created. The leadership team is now comprised of an Administrative Coordinator, two Training Coordinators, a Technical Coordinator, an Audio Visual Center Coordinator, a Helpdesk Coordinator, and an Associate Coordinator who is usually in training for one of the other positions.This team is an asset most of the time and has allowed our Technology Consultant program to flourish. However there are some challenges in managing such a team: hiring the right students, training and professional development, personality conflicts, and most of all egos. The problems change from year to year as the team evolves, but a good student leadership team can become an important part of management.
Fractal structures in quantum-restricted semiconductor clusters

Abstract Transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering experiments on aqueous colloidal cadmium arsenide are reported which indicate that the colloid is composed of fractal aggregates which exist in solution. A simple size-mass analysis gives the fractal dimension, Df, to be 1.70±0.12. The implications of extended structures on the optical (electronic) properties of this and similar “quantum restricted” materials arc briefly discussed.
Drug carriers for vascular drug delivery.

The currently used drug carriers for vascular drug delivery are reviewed. The human vascular system possesses unique physiological features that can be exploited for enhanced and effective targeted drug delivery. Although the thin layer of endothelial cells (EC) lines the interior surface of blood vessels forming an interface between circulating blood in the lumen and the tissue beyond the vessel wall, it can also function as a target for drugs to EC in different vascular areas. ECs overexpress specific cell-surface molecules under various pathological conditions (tumor neovasculature, inflammation, oxidative stress, and thrombosis), which are absent or barely detectable in established normal blood vessels. By coupling unique endothelial surface markers, such as antibodies, specific peptides, and growth factors to a variety of drug carriers, effective active vascular-targeted drug delivery systems can be achieved. This review focuses on the recent advances and strategies for effective targeted vascular drug delivery using a variety of drug-loaded carriers along with new targeting approaches that can be used in the design and optimization of such carriers. © 2011 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 2011
Risks of coronary arteriography and bypass surgery in patients with left main coronary artery stenosis.

The risk of coronary arteriography is considerably increased in patients who have left main coronary artery stenosis (LMCAS). Among 1,060 patients undergoing coronary arteriography over a three-year period, 83 were found to have LMCAS and three of these patients died (3.6 percent) during or shortly after the arteriographic procedure. Bypass surgery, however, can now be carried out at a very low risk irrespective of the degree of coronary disease present–there was no hospital mortality in 74 patients with LMCAS undergoing bypass surgery at our institution during this period. In addition to careful attention to detail, techniques that can minimize the risk of both of these procedures in patients with LMCAS include invasive hemodynamic monitoring and various pharmacologic manipulations to prevent myocardial ischemia. In a small percentage of patients, rest angina may prove refractory to inhospital medical treatment, and intraaortic balloon pumping may be necessary to stabilize the conditions of these patients before proceeding with arteriography and myocardial revascularization.
Use of ISS and doubly charged secondary ions to monitor surface composition during SIMS analyses

Abstract The use of doubly charged secondary ions and binary scattered primary Ar ions to monitor major constituents in a sample during analysis of impurity elements by secondary ion microscopy is demonstrated. Experiments were performed with an unmodified Cameca IMS-3f secondary ion microscope.
Clinical Trials in the Surgical Management of Congestive Heart Failure: Surgical Ventricular Restoration and Autologous Skeletal Myoblast and Stem Cell Cardiomyoplasty

Despite continued advances in medical and surgical approaches for patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure (CHF) remains a growing cause of morbidity and mortality. Historically, surgical options for end-stage CHF have been limited. However, there are several surgical therapies now under clinical investigation that appear promising in the effort to reverse or restore the remodeled left ventricle. This review will focus on early but current clinical studies examining surgical ventricular restoration and autologous skeletal myoblast and stem cell transplantation. Although these emerging therapeutic options remain in the early stages of study and development, they hold promise in providing options to those patients with end-stage CHF.
Impact basin relaxation at Iapetus

Abstract We investigate impact basin relaxation on Iapetus by combining a 3D thermal evolution model (Robuchon, G., Choblet, G., Tobie, G., Cadek, O., Sotin, C., Grasset, O. [2010]. Icarus 207, 959–971) with a spherical axisymmetric viscoelastic relaxation code (Zhong, S., Paulson, A., Wahr, J. [2003]. Geophys. J. Int. 155, 679–695). Due to the progressive cooling of Iapetus, younger basins relax less than older basins. For an ice reference viscosity of 10 14 Pa s, an 800 km diameter basin relaxes by 30% if it formed in the first 50 Myr but by 10% if it formed at 1.2 Gyr. Bigger basins relax more rapidly than smaller ones, because the inferred thickness of the ice shell exceeds the diameter of all but the largest basins considered. Stereo topography shows that all basins 600 km in diameter or smaller are relaxed by 25% or less. Our model can match the relaxation of all the basins considered, within error, by assuming a single basin formation age (4.36 Ga for our nominal viscosity). This result is consistent with crater counts, which show no detectable age variation between the basins examined.
Expression of α and β parvalbumin is differentially regulated in the rat organ of corti during development

The expression of two calcium-binding proteins of the parvalbumin (PV) family, the alpha isoform (alphaPV) and the beta isoform known as oncomodulin (OM), was investigated in the rat cochlea during postnatal development and related to cholinergic efferent innervation. Using RT-PCR analysis, we found that OM expression begins between postnatal day 2 (P2) and P4, and peaks as early as P10, while alphaPV mRNA begins expression before birth and remains highly expressed into the adult period. Both in situ hybridization and immunoreactivity confirm that OM is uniquely expressed by the outer hair cells (OHCs) in the rat cochlea and occurs after efferent innervation along the cochlear spiral between P2 and P4. In contrast to OM expression, alphaPV immunoreactivity is expressed in both inner hair cells (IHCs) and OHCs at birth. Following olivocochlear efferent innervation, OHCs demonstrate weak OM immunoreactivity beginning at P5 and diminished alphaPV immunoreactivity after P10. In organ cultures isolated prior to the efferent innervation of OHCs, OM immunoreactivity failed to develop in OHCs, but alphaPV immunoreactivity remained present in both IHCs and OHCs. In contrast, organ cultures isolated after efferent innervation of OHCs show OHCs with low levels of OM immunoreactivity and high levels of alphaPV immunoreactivity. This study suggests that OM and alphaPV are differentially regulated in OHCs during cochlear development. Our findings further raise the possibility that the expression of PV proteins in OHCs may be influenced by efferent innervation.
Two-Phase Flow in Piping Components

Two-phase and single-phase pressure drop data were obtained for flow in horizontal 5.08-cm-dia pipe and piping components that included: a 9.14-m straight section of pipe; a gate valve; an elbow; a combination of elbow and gate valve separated by different pipe lengths; a globe valve; a swing check valve; and a union. Single-phase pressure drops produced by each component were used to establish the resistance coefficient, K. This resistance was then used to calculate two-phase pressure drops for each component using the Tremblay and Andrews homogeneous flow model. An acceptable agreement was found between measured and predicted pressure drops for all piping components studied. Pressure recovery lengths for individual components were found to be 10-50 pipe diameters, depending on flow rates. The resistance coefficient of two components separated by a distance less than the recovery length was always greater than the summation of each individual resistance coefficient.
Hot-wire behavior near a surface under static conditions

Abstract An experimental and theoretical investigation of heat dissipation from a hot wire, at close proximity to the wall, under static conditions is presented. A wide range of wall materials covering the extremes of thermal conductivity are included in this study. Results indicate that the additional heat loss from a hot wire close to a wall is of the same order of magnitude for wall materials of both high and low thermal conductivity. Theoretical calculation of heat loss near the wall further confirms that the dominant mode of heat transfer is by conduction through the distorted thermal boundary layer surrounding the hot wire. In the absence of wall effects, heat loss predicted from theory is in excellent agreement with experimental results. Heat loss evaluation from experiments suggests that wall thermal conductivity plays an insignificant role in the distortion of a thermal boundary layer.
A simple electrical method for etch bias and process reliability determination

A fast and simple electrical method is developed to characterize the etch bias and post-patterned ILD breakdown strength of back-end-of-line (BEOL) interconnects, as well as the middle-of-line (MOL) contact/poly module. The method provides a timely and valuable monitoring mechanism for assessing lithography, etch, thin-film quality and process reliability windows.