cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robustness and Ruggedness of Isoelectric Focusing and Superficially Porous Liquid Chromatography with Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry.

An investigation of a multidimensional proteomics workflow composed of off-gel isoelectric focusing (IEF) and superficially porous liquid chromatography (SPLC) with Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS) was completed in order to assess various figures of merit associated with intact protein measurements. Triplicate analysis performed at both high and low FTMS resolutions on the E. coli proteome resulted in ∼900 redundant proteoforms from 3 to 95 kDa. Normalization of the chromatographic axis to identified proteoforms enabled reproducible physicochemical property measurements between proteome replicates with inter-replicate variances of ±3 ppm mass error for proteoforms 30 kDa, ±12 s retention time error, and ±0.21 pI units. The results for E. coli and standard proteins revealed a correlation between pI precision and proteoform abundance with species detected in multiple IEF fractions exhibiting pI precisions less than the theoretical resolution of the off-gel system (±0.05 vs ±0.17, respectively). Evaluation of differentially modified proteoforms of standard proteins revealed that high sample loads (100s μgrams) change the IEF pH gradient profile, leading to sample broadening that facilitates resolution of charged post-translational modifications (e.g., phosphorylation, sialylation). Despite the impact of sample load on IEF resolution, results on standard proteins measured directly or after being spiked into E. coli demonstrated that the reproducibility of the workflow permitted recombination of the MS signal across IEF fractions in a manner supporting the evaluation of three label-free quantitation metrics for intact protein studies (proteoforms, proteoform ratios, and protein) over 102-103 sample amount with low femtomole detection limits.
Social Learning Theory and Mean Girls

Social learning theories are focused on the learning of criminal or delinquent behaviors by juveniles. These learning processes have been linked to the close group of people with whom the juvenile associates (friends, family, etc.). The authors have used Ronald Akers’ social learning theory to analyze the movie Mean Girls (2004). Mean Girls (2004) focuses on a formerly homeschooled student’s integration into public high school. Mean Girls offers a comedic take on problems that teens face throughout high school. The movie shows the inner workings of social learning theory throughout the film and has become one of the most iconic high school movies in American society.
Empirical evidence for cosmogenic 3He production by muons

Abstract Cosmic ray muons penetrate deeply into rock where they interact with atoms to produce cosmogenic nuclides. Incorporation of the muon contribution to the production rates of cosmogenic nuclides increases the accuracy of exposure dates, burial ages, and erosion rates inferred from measured nuclide concentrations. In the absence of empirical evidence, it is generally assumed that muons do not produce 3He, a cosmogenic nuclide commonly used for exposure dating. Here we assess whether muons produce 3He by measuring He isotope concentrations in pyroxene and ilmenite from a ∼300 m deep drill core and other subsurface samples of the mid-Miocene Columbia River Basalt in Washington, USA. 3He concentrations in our samples exhibit an exponential decline with depth with an e-folding length of 32.4 m, which corresponds to an attenuation length for 3He production of 8780 g cm−2. The deeply penetrating exponential is diagnostic of 3He production by cosmic ray muons. Assuming no erosion, we constrain the minimum surface muonogenic production rate to be 0.23 atom g−1 pyroxene yr−1, whereas when incorporating erosion the production rate is 0.45 atom g−1 pyroxene yr−1. 3He concentrations in samples deeper than ∼100 meters are consistent with model-based estimates of depth-independent nucleogenic production from the capture by 6Li of neutrons produced by alpha particle reactions on light elements. Measurements in other subsurface samples indicate that muon-produced 3He is prevalent across the Columbia Plateau. The penetration depth of muonogenic 3He production is substantially deeper, and the ratio of muon- to spallation-produced 3He is substantially lower, than found for other cosmogenic nuclides. Our results provide the first definitive empirical evidence for 3He production by muons, which has several implications for quantifying the timing and rates of Earth surface change and interpreting He isotope ratios. Importantly, despite the low production rates, landforms in the Channeled Scablands, which were formed by incision of the Columbia River Basalt by the late-Pleistocene Missoula floods, have high concentrations of 3He inherited from post-Miocene muon exposure. Hence 3He production by muons must be considered, particularly when dating rapid erosional events in old bedrock. Our findings indicate samples with less than several tens of meters of shielding by overlying rock will contain cosmogenic 3He that elevates 3He/4He ratios. Hence caution should be used when using 3He/4He ratios from samples at shallower depths to infer mantle sources of basalt.
Two-Way Token Passing Channels

An interactive communication channel model in which information is exchanged through the action of tossing one or more tokens, potentially of multiple types, is proposed. Two scenarios—point-to-point communication with token feedback and two-way communication—are studied. The capacity of the token passing channel with token feedback and the capacity region for the two-way token passing channel are characterized.
To Cope or Not to Cope? Characterizing Biology Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Coping with Teaching and Research Anxieties

Biology graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) often used adaptive coping strategies to manage teaching and research anxieties. Notably, GTAs tended to use strategies such as support seeking, self-rel...
Coffee: Genetic Diversity, Erosion, Conservation, and Utilization

The predominantly cultivated coffee, Coffea arabica, is characterized by low genetic diversity making it highly vulnerable to biotic and abiotic stresses. The key to sustaining the coffee crop and the industry that depends on the crop will depend on the genetic diversity of the crop. In addition to the two cultivated species, C. arabica and C. canephora, there are over 100 additional species with geographic distribution in Africa, Madagascar, Indian Ocean Islands, and Australasia. Almost 60% of Coffea species are in some form of threat in their natural habitats, and genetic erosion is a challenge in ex situ collections. The conservation and utilization of the full extent of these coffee genetic resources will lead to the development of improved varieties that can cope with biotic and abiotic stresses that will be heightened by climate change. The development of the global conservation strategy for coffee genetic resources provides a roadmap for the long-term conservation of coffee genetic resources. The utilization of advances made in molecular technology will be critical in developing resilient varieties that will be crucial in sustaining the future of the crop and the industry that depends on the crop. This chapter provides an overview of the origin and spread of coffee, the economic importance of the crop, advances in genetic diversity studies, conservation of genetic resources both in situ and ex situ, some of the major pests and diseases, coffee quality attributes, breeding approaches, and threats such as climate change. The sustainable future of the crop depends not just on the producing countries but also on the consuming countries.
Relationship between ground reaction force and throwing arm kinetics in high school and collegiate pitchers.

Background Throwing a baseball requires the transmission of forces generated in the lower extremity, through the trunk, to the upper extremity, and ultimately translates to the ball. A disruption in the functioning of the lower extremities could lead to altered upper extremity kinematics and increased load exerted on the shoulder and elbow. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of ground reaction forces (GRF) on the drive and stride sides and kinetics of the throwing arm in high school and collegiate baseball pitchers. Methods In this retrospective cross-sectional study, data that were previously collected during a pitching evaluation were analyzed. Fifty high school pitchers and twenty six collegiate pitchers had received a pitching evaluation. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between variables. Results Only the drive leg medial force was determined to be a significant predictor of maximum shoulder external rotation torque. Maximum elbow valgus torque was not correlated with any GRF variables and ball speed was only weakly correlated with stride leg medial force. There were no significant differences in GRFs between the high school and college pitchers. Conclusions Due to the limited relationships present, other factors such as muscle strength, coordination, kinematics, or stride technique may overshadow the effects of GRF in highly skilled pitchers and warrant further investigation. Understanding this relationship will be important to both enhancing performance and avoiding injury.
4 Ways Kanter Should Clean Up DOJ Antitrust Holdups

At long last, the Biden Administration has a permanent head of the Antitrust Division. Jonathan Kanter has much work to do. One easy place to begin? Cleaning up the “holdup” mess left by his predecessor, Makan Delrahim. Delrahim entered office in 2017 determined to shake things up. He had strong views on how antitrust should consider patent-related issues in the high-technology industry. And he foisted those views across every corner of antitrust policy. These positions stood outside a longstanding bipartisan consensus on these issues. It is now time to clean up the mess Delrahim left behind. To do this, Kanter should take four actions. First, he should articulate, in speeches and elsewhere, a more balanced and supported approach to standard setting organizations that recognizes the potential occurrence of patent holdup. Second, Kanter should reinstate the 2013 Statement issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) and Antitrust Division, from which Delrahim withdrew. Third, he should revisit business review letters issued by Delrahim that undermined the bipartisan consensus on patent holdup such as those involving the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Avanci patent pool. Fourth, Kanter should withdraw amicus briefs in the four ongoing cases in which Delrahim intervened, seeking to impose his out-of-the-mainstream views: Lenovo v. Interdigital, Intel v. Fortress, Continental v. Avanci, and Lenovo v. IPCom. There is a real mess in the holdup aisle at DOJ. It is time for Kanter to clean up the mess, bringing the U.S. back in line with history, common sense, and antitrust law.
Prayer and Liturgy as Constitutive‐Ends Practices in Black Immigrant Communities

Much social theory tends to emphasize the external goods of social practices, often neglecting the internal goods of those practices. For example, many analyses of religious rituals over-emphasize the instrumental and individualistic ends of prayer and liturgy by describing such religious practices as effective means for achieving external ends like positive emotions, psychological benefits, social status, or social capital. By contrast, we use a neo-Aristotelian virtue ethics perspective to analyze the relational goods, such as trust and intimacy, which are expressed and sustained through ritualized social practices. Using ethnographies of Haitian and Ghanaian Christians in the U.S., we demonstrate that prayer and liturgy can also be understood as constitutive-ends practices, practices in which human persons engage to sustain relations with others because there are goods inherent to those relationships. We further argue that in many religious practices, the end goals and the means—i.e. specific aspects of the practice—are inseparable. Our approach to developing theory combines critical engagement with numerous other theorists and also exploring how well various theories can explain the motivations and experiences of participants in the religious rituals where we conducted our ethnographies.
Clonal sublines of rat neurotumor RT4 and cell differentiation. IV. Cell surface proteins.

Abstract There are stem cells in RT4 neurotumor that undergo spontaneous differentiation into three distinct cell types in culture (cell type conversion). Stem cells (RT4-AC) and one of the differentiated cell types (RT4-D) are tumorigenic and synthesize glial-specific S100 protein, while the others (RT4-B and RT4-E) are nontumorigenic and demonstrate some neuronal function. Interrelationships between cell surface proteins and differentiation of RT4 cells were analyzed. The surface proteins are radioiodinated by a lactoperoxidase method, separated by gel electrophoresis in two dimensions, visualized by autoradiography, and quantitated according to the relative radioactivity associated with each protein species. Integral surface proteins are compared in the present study which remain associated with plasma membrane after the extraction of radioiodinated cells with 0.1 N NaOH. The extraction also helps to remove serum proteins in the medium which are absorbed on cell surfaces and may be artifactually recognized as surface proteins. All RT4 cell types are complex in cell surface protein composition and nearly 100 integral surface proteins have been identified when all RT4 cell types are combined. Many unique proteins as well as common proteins have been identified. Considerable similarity exists between RT4-AC and RT4-D and between RT4-B and RT4-E. The two cell types of each pair are distinct yet share some common neurological and tumorigenic characteristics. In contrast, little similarity exists in other combinations of the two cell types, e.g., RT4-AC and RT4-E, etc. The results support the notion that the pattern of cell surface protein expression is a stable differentiation property and a characteristic set of proteins corresponds to each stage of differentiation.
Determination of the b -quark mass and nonperturbative parameters in semileptonic B -meson decays at BABAR⋆

Knowing the mass of the b-quark is essential to the study of the structure and decays of B mesons as well as to future tests of the Higgs mechanism of mass generation. We present recent preliminary measurements of the b-quark mass and related nonperturbative parameters from moments of kinematic distributions in charmed and charmless semileptonic and radiative penguin B decays. Their determination from charmless semileptonic B decays is the first measurement in this mode. The data were collected by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy e{sup +}e{sup -}-collider at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center at a center-of-momentum energy of 10:58 GeV.
Automated scoring of fetal abdomen ultrasound scan-planes for biometry

Biometry on the Ultrasound images of the fetal abdomen aids in determining fetal well being. Finding standard scanplane requires the human operator to possess a high degree of skill/expertise. This paper describes an automatic method for scan-plane identification of the fetal abdomen based on the spatial configuration of key anatomical landmarks — spine, stomach and vein. A novel Biometry Suitability Index (BSI) using the detected anatomical landmarks indicates whether a scan-plane can be used for biometry. A training database of 90 images was used to build a spatial configuration model the of the landmarks. Employing relatively simple individual detectors and relying primarily on the configuration model, the landmarks were located and tracked across frames/scanplanes in videos. The Biometry Suitability Index computed over video sequences was seen to closely mimic the expert's assessment of scan-plane quality for biometry.
Enhancing Long Range Sonar Performance in Range-Dependent Fluctuating Ocean Waveguides by Mitigating Biological Clutter and Environmental Reverberation

Abstract : The long-term goals and objectives are to determine the temporal and spatial characteristics, and physical mechanisms for clutter and environmental reverberation in long range underwater acoustic imaging and surveillance systems. This understanding is used to develop operational and signal processing techniques to distinguish clutter from scattered returns due to man-man targets, and to determine the limits placed by environmental reverberation on target detection. In the second area, the statistical properties of broadband acoustic signals transmitted and scattered in range-dependent ocean waveguides are examined. This knowledge is then used to determine the extent to which environmental variabilities limit our ability to perform target localization and parameter estimation through beamforming and matched-filtering broadband data for imaging systems in fluctuating and dispersive ocean waveguides.
The Role of Heuristics in Learning by Discovery: Three Case Studies

As artificial intelligence (AI) programs are called upon to exhibit increasingly complex behaviors, their builders are faced with the growing task of inserting more and more knowledge into the machine. One long-range solution is for the program, by itself, to learn via discovery. The first case study presented, am, demonstrates that new domains of knowledge can be developed mechanically by using heuristics. Yet as new domain concepts, facts, and conjectures emerge, specific new heuristics, or informal judgmental rules, are needed. They in turn can be discovered by using a body of heuristics for guidance. The second case study, eurisko, has already achieved some promising results in this endeavor. If this process—using heuristics to guide “learning by discovery”—is so powerful and simple, one wonders why, for instance, nature has not adopted an analogous mechanism to guide evolution. Indeed, the final part of the article is a speculation that evolution does function in that manner. In place of the conventional Darwinian process of random mutation, we hypothesize a more powerful plausible generation scheme.
Evaluación de las políticas de telecomunicaciones en México

El reciente estudio de la Organizacion para la Cooperacion y el Desarrollo Economicos (OCDE) de las telecomunicaciones en Mexico (OCDE, 2012a) establece dos puntos principales. Primero, el desempeno del sector, que si bien ha mejorado se mantiene por debajo de las metas alcanzables. Segundo, las causas del deficit de desempeno son la competencia insuficiente y la regulacion ineficaz. El presente articulo se enfoca en dos cuestiones. La primera es el desempeno relativo de la industria de las telecomunicaciones en Mexico. La segunda es si la regulacion de las telecomunicaciones en Mexico se aparta o no de las mejores practicas internacionales y si las recomendaciones de la OCDE son o no sensatas. Las principales conclusiones del presente articulo son las siguientes. En cuanto al desempeno, el analisis de la OCDE es correcto en terminos generales y las criticas al estudio de la OCDE que hacen Hausman y Ros son mayormente infundadas. En cuanto a las politicas, el analisis de la OCDE de la regulacion en Mexico refleja las conclusiones de la investigacion academica y las practicas de paises pares en los que el desempeno de la industria de las telecomunicaciones es superior al de Mexico
Teaching the Interrelationships among Costs, Expense, and Liability of a Defined Benefit Pension Plan.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) recently issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158 “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans” (SFAS #158). Their intent is to comprehensively reconsider the accounting for postretirement benefit plans in phases. The first phase was to provide timely and significant improvements and resulted in SFAS #158. The object of this Statement is to improve the understandability and representational faithfulness of the amounts reported in the employer’s statement of financial position by recognizing as an asset or liability the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan. The purpose of this paper is to provide a logical approach for teaching accounting for a defined benefit pension plan. This objective will be accomplished by providing a discussion with detailed illustrations of the interrelationships of the effects on income (both operating income and other comprehensive income) and the amount reported on the balance sheet.
Boundary S Matrix and the Anti–de Sitter Space to Conformal Field Theory Dictionary

An S matrix analog is defined for anti{endash}de Sitter (Ads) space by constructing {open_quotes}in{close_quotes} and {open_quotes}out{close_quotes} states that asymptote to the timelike boundary. A derivation parallel to that of the Lehmann-Symanzik-Zimmermann formula shows that this {open_quotes}boundary S matrix{close_quotes} is given directly by correlation functions in the boundary conformal theory. This provides a key entry in the AdS to conformal field theory dictionary. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society }
Neonatal radial artery puncture: a teaching simulator.

Respiratory diseases of the newborn continue to be major contributors to neonatal mortality and morbidity. When caring for a sick newborn who requires supplemental oxygen or when evaluating an infant with cyanosis, it is imperative to determine the arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) to prevent the damage that may result from either hypoxia or hyperoxia. See image in the PDF file The technical difficulties encountered when monitoring arterial blood gases in newborns, especially in small premature infants, are well known. Possible sites of blood sampling include: (1) radial, brachial, temporal, dorsal pedal, and posterior tibial arteries; (2) umbilical arteries; and (3) capillaries ("arterialized"). "Capillary" or "arterialized" samples are satisfactory for determination of PCO2 and pH but are probably inadequate for accurate PO2 values.
Comparative hydrolytic rates of N-substituted 6-amino-thiouracils

A study has been carried out on the acid and base-catalyzed hydrolysis of N-substituted 6-amino-thiouracils. Two series, aliphatic and halogenated aromatic N-substituted 6-amino-thiouracils, have been synthesized and investigated. The experimental results, obtained in this hydrolytic study, indicate that a number of factors may be involved and are rationalized in terms of steric and electronic effects.
Transient Characteristics and Modeling of Large Turboalternator Driver Rectifier/Inverter Systerms Based on Field Test Data

The behavior of the magnet power supplies for MIT's experimental tokamak, Alcator-C, is studied using both time and frequency domain data obtained from the actual system. Measured supply parameters, particularly the commutating inductance, are compared to the calculated or specified values on which the supply design was based. Good correspondence is shown to exist. Emperical evidence is presented to support the use of the subtansient inductance to model a large turboalternator during rectifier commutation.
Ion-Exchange Theory of Coagulation

RECENTLY, Mirnik1 has proposed a “mass-action law” theory of colloid stability, as an alternative to the Derjaguin – Landau – Verwey – Overbeek theory, lately extended by one of us2. The purpose of this communication is to examine the validity of Mirnik's arguments and of his experimental evidence. We shall summarize his basic assumptions using simplified notation as follows.
Incidence of Aberrancy in Heterodera Schachtii

"Giant" and "dwarf" second stage larvae emerged from aberrant H. schachtii eggs. The amount of egg cytoplasm and larval size was related. Measurements of "giant" H. schachtii larvae are similar to those reported for H. trifolii and H. rostochiensis. The short forms of H. schachtii and H. trifolii have similar body dimensions. Application of insecticides to host plants resulted in the production of both longer and shorter larvae than recovered from control plants.
Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 Inhibits the DNA Binding Activity of NFATc

The NFAT family of transcription factors is required for the expression of numerous immunologically important genes and plays a pivotal role in both the initiation and coordination of the immune response. NFAT family members appear to be regulated primarily at the level of their subcellular localization. Here we show that NFATc is additionally regulated at the level of its DNA binding activity. Using gel mobility shift assays, we demonstrate that the intrinsic DNA binding activity of NFATc is negatively regulated by phosphorylation. We found that activation of calcineurin activity in cells and dephosphorylation of NFATc in vitro enhanced NFATc DNA binding activity, whereas phosphorylation of NFATc in vitro inhibited its ability to bind DNA. Through the analysis of NFATc mutants, we identified the conserved Ser-Pro repeat motifs as critical quantitative determinants of NFATc DNA binding activity. In addition, we provide several lines of evidence to suggest that the phosphorylation of the Ser-Pro repeats by glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibits the ability of NFATc to bind DNA. Taken together, these studies afford new insights into the regulation of NFATc and underscore the potential role of glycogen synthase kinase-3 in the regulation of NFAT-dependent gene expression.
Scintigraphic studies in adrenal hypertension.

Endocrine hypertension secondary to disorders of the adrenal glands is uncommon, but by no means rare. The importance of correct biochemical diagnosis and subsequent localization of the responsible lesion(s) lie in the fact that many of these syndromes occur in younger patients, may exhibit familial patterns of inheritance, and are frequently amenable to surgical cure. The radiopharmaceuticals 131 1-6β-iodomethyl-19-norcholesterol (NP-59), a marker of adrenocortical cholesterol uptake, and 131 1-and 123 1-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG), a norepinephrine (NE) analog and marker of energy-dependent NE storage vesicle accumulation, can be shown to accurately localize adrenal cortex and sympathoadrenal dysfunction, respectively. In Cushing's syndrome (CS) not only does the pattern of NP-59 uptake depict the adrenal dysfunction and its pathophysiologic basis, but the level of NP-59 accumulation reflects the degree of adrenocortical hyperfunction. Adrenocorticotrophin-independent CS is uniformly and accurately localized, especially in bilateral cortical nodular hyperplasia where even high resolution computed tomography (CT) may fail to depict the often subtle, asymmetric anatomic abnormalities. Dexamethasone suppression NP-59 adrenal scintigraphy has been shown to be highly sensitive and specific, and exceeds the efficacy of CT in the differentiation of adenoma and bilateral hyperplasia in primary aldosteronism. MIBG is useful as a sympathoadrenal imaging agent whose clinical utility has been demonstrated in the localization of pheochromocytoma, especially as a modality to screen the body for multiple and extraadrenal, recurrent, or metastatic lesions. Moreover, the extent of metastatic involvement from neuroblastoma can also be accurately depicted using MIBG. In this review we will examine the role of adrenal scintigraphy in the characterization of hypersecretory disorders of the adrenal cortex, medulla, and related conditions that produce hypertension as part of their symptom(s) complex. This approach, which is complementary to other anatomical modalities of imaging, can be used to advantage in the localization of functioning cortical and medulla adrenal diseases and other neoplasms of adrenergic origin.
Evidence that Ferredoxin Interfaces with an Internal Redox Shuttle in Acetyl-CoA Synthase During Reductive Activation and Catalysis

Acetyl-CoA synthase (ACS), a subunit of the bifunctional CO dehydrogenase/acetyl-CoA synthase (CODH/ACS) complex of Moorella thermoacetica requires reductive activation in order to catalyze acetyl-CoA synthesis and related partial reactions, including the CO/[1-14C]-acetyl-CoA exchange reaction. We show that the M. thermoacetica ferredoxin(II) (Fd-II), which harbors two [4Fe-4S] clusters and is an electron acceptor for CODH, serves as a redox activator of ACS. The level of activation depends on the oxidation states of both ACS and Fd-II, which strongly suggests that Fd-II acts as a reducing agent. By the use of controlled potential enzymology, the midpoint reduction potential for the catalytic one-electron redox-active species in the CO/acetyl-CoA exchange reaction is −511 mV, which is similar to the midpoint reduction potential that was earlier measured for other reactions involving ACS. Incubation of ACS with Fd-II and CO leads to the formation of the NiFeC species, which also supports the role of Fd-II...
Isosilybin A induces apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells via targeting Akt, NF-κB, and androgen receptor signaling

Prostate cancer (PCA) is the second most malignancy in American men. Advanced stage PCA cells possess unlimited replication potential as well as resistance to apoptosis. Therefore, targeting survival mechanisms and activating apoptotic machinery in PCA cells using nontoxic phytochemicals is suggested as an attractive strategy against this deadly malignancy. In the present study, we assessed the effect of one such botanical agent, namely isosilybin A, on apoptotic machinery and key members of cell survival signaling [Akt, NF-κB, and androgen receptor (AR)] in different PCA cells. Results showed that isosilybin A (90-180 µM) treatment significantly induces apoptotic death by activating both extrinsic (increased level of DR5 and cleaved caspase 8) and intrinsic pathways (caspase 9 and 3 activation) of apoptosis in three different human PCA cell lines namely 22Rv1, LAPC4, and LNCaP. Further, isosilybin A treatment decreased the levels of phospho-Akt (serine-473), total Akt, and the nuclear levels of NF-κB constituents (p50 and p65). Isosilybin A treatment also decreased the AR and PSA level in 22Rv1, LAPC4, and LNCaP cells. Employing pan-caspase inhibitor (Z-VAD.fmk), we confirmed that isosilybin A-mediated decreased AR is independent of caspases activation. Temporal kinetics analysis showed that the primary effect of isosilybin A is on AR, as decrease in AR was evident much earlier (4 h) relative to caspase activation and apoptosis induction (12 h). Overall, our results demonstrated that isosilybin A activates apoptotic machinery in PCA cells via targeting Akt-NF-κB-AR axis; thereby, indicating a promising role for this phytochemical in the management of clinical PCA.
Broken Words: Maurice Blanchot and the Impossibility of Writing

This essay explains what Blanchot understands as writing and the space of literature. For Blanchot, writing is the place where the impossible interruption of the destiny of things is put into play, an interruption that world-formation needs but negates and conceals. Writing belongs to an excess outside of language, an otherness of language. The need to write is linked to the point at which nothing can be done with words. Writing is contrasted with dialectical language and the totalizing aim of the Hegelian system. The essay explains the connection between the disaster of writing (after the holocaust), the neuter and fragmentary style of writing and the passivity of writing
Active Control of a Circular Membrane to Reduce Transient Noise Transmission

An active control approach that reduces transient noise transmission through a membrane in a circular duct is presented. Discrete sections of piezo-electrical film, PVDF, are used as actuators to adjust the tension of the membrane. Different control strategies, such as optimal, sliding mode and velocity feedback control, are investigated analytically and then implemented experimentally. It is shown that velocity feedback control is the more effective, stable controller for this application.
Abstract 2818: Urinary MMP-2 and MMP-9 predict the presence of ovarian cancer in women with normal CA125 levels

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Currently, the only widely used biomarker for monitoring ovarian cancer status and response to therapy is the cancer antigen 125 (CA125). Interestingly, the majority of newly developed ovarian cancer multi-marker assays also rely heavily on serum CA125 levels as one of the biomarkers in their panels. However, 20% of women with advanced ovarian cancer have blood CA125 levels within the normal range of 35 U/mL and below. These women represent a cohort of patients for whom no clinically useful biomarkers are available for monitoring disease status, stage or response to therapy. To address this need, we asked whether a panel of urinary biomarkers that we have previously validated for use in other cancers, could predict the presence of disease in women with ovarian cancer possessing normal CA125 levels. Urine samples were collected from 81 healthy controls and 26 ovarian cancer patients with blood CA125 levels below 35 U/mL. Using monospecific ELISAs, we determined that urinary levels of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and the neutrophil gelatinase lipocalin 2 (NGAL) are detected at significantly higher levels in the urine of ovarian cancer patients than in the urine of healthy controls. Additionally, receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) analysis of these groups revealed that, individually, MMP-2, MMP-9 and NGAL each could significantly distinguish ovarian cancer patients with CA125 < 35 U/mL from controls. The best combination of biomarkers for predicting the presence of disease was MMP-2 plus MMP-9 with an ROC AUC of 0.7332 (P<0.01). When these biomarkers were multiplexed with age, a know risk factor of ovarian cancer, the diagnostic accuracy of these biomarkers increased to an AUC of 0.820 (P<0.001). This combination of urinary MMP-2, MMP-9 and age demonstrated excellent diagnostic capability in differentiating ovarian cancer patients from healthy controls among the cohort of patients for whom CA125 values were uninformative. Acknowledgments: The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of Ovations for the Cure of Ovarian Cancer (MAM and UAM) and the Stuart Weitzman Foundation (MAM). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2818. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2818
Detection of Clinical Mastitis by Changes in Electrical Conductivity of Foremilk Before Visible Changes in Milk

Mastitis was induced by the direct infusion of Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus uberis into the mammary gland of lactating cows. Changes in electrical conductivity of foremilk indicated the establishment of bacteria, increased SCC, increased clotting of milk, and, hence, disease, in advance of visible changes in the milk that could be diagnosed by a herdsperson. Clinical mastitis was detectable by changes in electrical conductivity of foremilk, 90% of cases were detectable when clots first appeared in foremilk, and 55% of cases were detectable up to 2 milkings prior to the appearance of clots. All subclinical infections from Staph. aureus were detected, but subclinical infections from Strep. uberis were not detected. The results suggested that clinical mastitis caused by these two major pathogens could be detected earlier by measuring changes in electrical conductivity of milk than by waiting for a herdsperson to detect visible changes in milk. Earlier detection would permit earlier treatment. However, the handheld sensor used in this experiment is impractical for commercial application, and reliable automated sensors and decision-making algorithms are required.
Vibrational anharmonicity in the pyramidal trifluorides

Abstract Anharmonic constants, x ss' and rotation-vibration interaction constants α s have been calculated for NF 3 , PF 3 and AsF 3 . We use as a simple model for the potential energy, just a quadratic force field in curvilinear internal coordinates plus a Morse function for each bond stretching coordinate. The negative values of β 1 are explained by the fact that the symmetric stretching is higher than the asymmetric stretching mode in these molecules.
Aspects of production and biomass of four seagrass species (Cymodoceoideae) from Papua New Guinea

Biomass and production data of the seagrasses Cymodocea serrulata (R. Brown) Aschers. and Magnus, Cymodocea rotundata Ehrenb. et Hempr. ex Aschers., Halodule uninervis (Forssk.) Aschers. and Syringodium iksoetifolium (aschers.) Dandy were collectede in monospecific stands in Bootless Inlet, Papua New Guinea. Cymodocea serrulata and Cymodocea rotundata were studied from November 1980 to November 1981. Total annual mean biomass was 354 and 201 g ADW m−2, respectively. The largest proportion of these biomass values was contributed by the rhizomes (49 and 36%, respectively) and leaf biomass was ± 30% for both species. Halodule uninervis was studied at an intertidal and a subtidal site. The highest total annual mean biomass (600 g ADW m−2) was recorded at the intertidal site, of which 85% was found below ground. The largest proportion of the biomass, at both sites, was contributed by the below-ground vertical axes of the shoots. The biomass of the rhizomes was relatively low (9–12%) for Halodule uninervis. Proportionally, the largest above-ground biomass (40%) was recorded for Syringodium isoetifolium, of which the annual mean biomass was 481 g ADW m−2. Total production (above and below ground) was 4.9 and 3.0 g ADW m−2 day−1 for Cymodocea serrulata and Cymodocea rotundata, respectively. Approximately 70% was production of leaves. Total production amounted to 6.0 and 4.0 g ADW m−2 day−1 for Halodule uninervis at the intertidal and subtidal sites, respectively. The maximum production was recorded for Syringodium isoetifolium, 60% of the 9.0 g ADW m−2 day−1 was contributed by the leaves. All species reached the maximum production during February and March, when the water temperatures were highest and water was retained above all sites, at all times. The increase of leaf production was mainly due to the increase in biomass of the mature leaves. Significant changes in the plastochrone interval of the leaves were not observed during this period.
Reaction time to the onset and offset of electrocutaneous stimuli as a function of rise and decay time

Reaction time to onset and offset of electrocutaneous stimulus as function of rise and decay time
Measuring the efficiency of the sensing process in a wireless sensor network

We apply information-theoretic tools to the design of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). In particular, we propose using mutual information to measure the efficiency of the sensing process in a WSN and use the resulting measure to analyze the efficiency in example WSNs. We show that WSNs have inherent causes of inefficiency due to the manner in which their sensors take measurements. We then use ideas from source coding theorems to suggest more efficient WSN designs. Specifically, we show that the sensing functionality of a WSN with sensors that take noisy measurements can actually be more efficient than a WSN with noiseless sensors.
Single-particle excitation spectrum of the Hubbard model with magnetic frustration at finite temperature

Abstract The single-particle excitation spectrum of the Hubbard model with magnetic frustration at finite temperature is examined using numerical exact diagonalization techniques. The magnetic frustration is introduced by a proper choice of the Hamiltonian parameters, which lead to rich low-energy spin excitation behavior, resembling those observed in heavy fermion systems. At finite temperature, the low-lying excited states become thermally populated with significant weight. As a result, the calculated spectrum shows interesting temperature dependent evolution. The calculated results are presented and discussed in a many-body picture to gain insight into the photoelectron spectroscopy of strongly correlated electron systems.
Nodules associated with axial cores and synaptonemal complexes during zygotene in Psilotum nudum

Two-dimensional spreads of synaptonemal complexes (SCs) from the lower vascular plant Psilotum nudum were examined after staining with uranyl acetate-lead citrate (UP). Staining with UP allows visualization of lateral elements/axial cores (ACs), central elements, kinetochores, and nodules. Numerous darkly stained nodules were associated with forming SCs. In addition to nodules found on the central element of SC segments, other nodules were found at points of convergence between two adjacent ACs. Of these latter nodules, some were obviously associated with a fiber that connected adjacent ACs. No central element material was visible between the ACs, and the nodule complex appeared to be the only structure holding the ACs together. Although the function(s) of nodules during zygotene is unknown, the presence of a nodule-fiber complex that connects adjacent ACs before central element formation suggests that at least some of the nodules may be involved in synaptic initiation.
Introducing PDAs in Preclinical Medical Education

Abstract The use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) in the pre-clinical curriculum was explored at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Through a Palm, Inc. Mobile Medicine grant, fifteen second-year medical students were provided with their own PDA. Student feedback was gathered through a series of resource evaluations, a general questionnaire, and a focus group. Findings helped identify barriers to use and contributed to an increase in PDA resources, an expansion of PDA support, and a proposal for a PDA requirement.
Dominance, Persistence, Self-Confidence, and Spousal Roles in Decision Making

(1961). Dominance, Persistence, Self-Confidence, and Spousal Roles in Decision Making. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 54, No. 2, pp. 349-358.
The female athlete triad: an emerging role for physical therapy.

Over the last thirty years, participation by girls and women in organized athletics has increased dramatically. This presents unique challenges in the area of sports medicine, orthopaedics, and pediatrics. While the benefits of participation in sports and exercise vastly outweigh the risks of permanent injury, an evolving concern is the number of stress fractures in active women. The female athlete triad (“triad”) describes the coexistence of 3 distinct medical conditions that may occur in athletic girls and women. Originally, the triad included eating disorders, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis. Presently, it includes eating disorders/disordered eating behavior, amenorrhea/oligomenorrhea, and decreased bone mineral density (osteoporosis and osteopenia). Briefly, when coupled with inadequate nutrition, the high caloric expenditure of exercise training results in a sustained negative caloric balance or low energy availability, which is exquisitely sensed by the hypothalamus, initiating a complex neuroendocrine...
Intrinsic Quadrupole Moments and Shapes of Nuclear Ground States and Excited States

A new method of determining nuclear shapes is proposed which avoids the assumption of a specific nuclear model. The concept of an equivalent ellipsoid, whose charge and moments equal those of the nucleus, is employed. But the method is equally valid for spherical, deformed, and intermediate nuclei. It can be employed for any nucleus (evev-evevn, odd-$\mathbf{A}$, or odd-odd) provided enough $E2$ matrix elements are available. The example of $^{152}\mathrm{Sm}$ is discussed.
How to facilitate inter-organizational knowledge sharing: The impact of trust

In this era of the network economy, inter-organizational knowledge sharing is one key driving force required to streamline value chain activities and maximize operational benefits. Knowledge sharing can be realized when the involved business partners successfully develop trust and build long-term partnerships. In this study, a model of knowledge sharing across the supply chain is constructed. Factors such as shared goals, social relational embeddedness, and influence strategy are investigated to determine whether they act as major driving forces to develop inter-organizational trust among the various supply chain members. The survey is based on 226 managers located in major industrial parks in Taiwan; the results suggest that trust is enforced when organizations develop shared goals, form social relational embeddedness, and initiate influence strategies. In addition, inter-organizational trust leads to better inter-organizational collaboration and knowledge sharing. Theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.
An algorithm for simulating the isothermal hysteresis in the stress-strain laws of shape memory alloys

An algorithm for simulating the hysteresis in the stress-strain laws of Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) is presented. The algorithm stores the sequences of dominant input extrema of the strain history allowing points in the interior of the outer-most loops to be reached, in agreement with the behaviour observed experimentally. A numerical example is shown.
Note on stereoscopic acuity and observation distance.

Stereoscopic thresholds were determined for viewing distances of 0.5 meter and 10 meters in an instrument which essentially eliminates empirical factors to visual depth discrimination. The results with three observers show that there is no change in stereoscopic acuity at these two distances. On the basis of this result, data from a particular experiment reported in the literature which seemed to show an increase in stereoscopic acuity with increase in viewing distance were examined. It is shown that the results obtained might be better explained entirely on the basis of an empirical factor that depends upon the least perceptible difference in the angular sizes of two test objects of equal size and form set at different distances.
High-Energy Scattering at Moderately Large Angles

The applicability of the eikonal approximation to high-energy nucleon-nucleus and hadron-hadron collisions is limited to small angles of scattering. However, experimental results have in some cases been interpreted by applying this theory beyond its angular range of validity. In the present paper, an expression for the scattering amplitude is obtained that has much of the simplicity of the eikonal approximation, but a much greater angular range of application. It provides a natural explanation for the disagreement between the Brookhaven and Virginia data on high-energy proton-${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$ elastic scattering in the neighborhood of the first minimum.
Hybrid Optimization Algorithm Using Enhanced Continuous Tabu Search and Genetic Algorithm for Parameter Estimation

A new algorithm using Enhanced Continuous Tabu Search (ECTS) and genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed for parameter estimation problems. The proposed algorithm combines the respective strengths of ECTS and GA. The ECTS is a modified Tabu Search (TS), which has good search capabilities for large search spaces. In this work, the ECTS is used to define smaller search spaces, which are used in a second stage by a GA to find the respective local minima. The ECTS covers the global search space by using a TS concept called diversification and then selects the most promising regions in the search space. Once the promising areas in the search space are identified, the proposed algorithm employs another TS concept called intensification in order to search the promising area thoroughly. The proposed algorithm is tested with benchmark multimodal functions for which the global minimum is known. In addition, the novel algorithm is used for parameter estimation problems, where standard estimation algorithms encounter problems estimating the parameters in an un-biased fashion. The simulation results indicate the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid algorithm.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
A lesson in communication

Willingness to ask questions and having frank conversations with your collaborators can lead to many opportunities in translational research, reflects James E. Dahlman.